PREFACE. - 487 manyand strong arguments from scripture and reason advanced,to support it, one difficultyor two which at present seem hard to be solved, should not ut- terly forbid our assent, since, as Bishop Fowler well observes, Thereare scarce ány notions soplain as to be incapable of being obscuredand called in ques- tion, except the first and self-evident principles, or the immediate conse -, peaces of them. Because we understand not what is difficult, we must not merely for that reason deny that which is clear and plain ; and if we will re- fuse to believe any proposition until we are perfectly able to master all objec- tions against it, we may be sceptics all our days, both in matters of philosophy and religion, and even in some doctrines of the highest importance, and with all our pretences to learning, may finish our liveslike mere fools. 7. That theywould acknowledge that the glories ofour blessed Lord are so many, so various, and so sublime, that there isbut very little of them yet known, in comparison of the unknown glories which lie possesses ; and that a sincere love to Christ and a zeal for his honour, should lead them out with pleasure and expectation to meet any further discoveries of this'kind, which may be drawn from theword of God. That they would withhold themselves from a hasty refusal to receiveall such manifestations, lest they should prevent the growing honoursof their Saviour. 8. While I am tracing these early and sublime glories ofour blessed Re- deemer, by the gleams or the rays of light which are scattered in several parts of his word, I entreat my friends, that they would not be too severe in their censures of any mistaken step, while I own myself fallible, and am ready to retract any mistake. If they should meet with any expressions which in their opinion do not stand so perfectlyjust and square with other of my sentiments in some distant pars of theseessays, I would persuade myself they will be so candid as to interpret them in a consistence with the general scope and design of my argument, and with my avowedsense of things is the more important points of religion. It is aneasy matter to be led a little astray inpursuing such an uncommon track through the third heavens, the present exalted residenceofour glorified Saviour : and in tracing the foot-steps of our blessed Lord through long past ages of his pre - existentstate, bethey never so certain, whichcommenced be- fore these lower heavens were formed, or time was measured by the sun and moon. Succeeding writers may morehappily conduct themselves in so glori- ous an enquiry, and correct my wanderings: But 1 am,persuaded my gracious Redeemer will forgive what errors he remarks in these sincere attempts to advancehis honour : and I hope my pious readers will find some degrees of entertainment, as well as improvement, and téel some devout thoughts awakened in them sufficient to influence their charity and candour. 9. That they would not imagine thatall thesenotions and opinions, which may besomething new and strange to them, are pure inventions of my own, and mere sallies of imagination. I must acknowledge indeed that I have en- deavoured to carry on the hints I have met with in some great and honoured writers toa further length, and to trace the golden thread of these discoveries through far'distant scenes and ages, by the light both of reason and scrip- ture : But as I have no ambition to assume these discoveries to myself, so I ought in justice to stand secure from these censures which a heated and warm zeal for ancient land-marks, is ready to throw upon every thing that bears the appearance of novelty. I have therefore in the end of some of these discourses or enquiries, cited several writers of name and eminence, and called in the assistance of their authority to cover.these essays from the sudden and severe reproaches of those who reverence the names of those great, and learned, and pious men. And what such venerable authors thought very consistent with orthodox doc- trine, and so useful and necessary to support the honours of our blessedLord, I humbly hope and request that my readers will not hastily abanbon and re-
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