488 PREFACE. ject as heresy, and renounce it atonce without due considerationof the aegu. meats. And as for those who have a great regard for the writings of so inge- nious and so pious a man, so evangelical an author, and so great a divine as br.Thomas Goodwin I might recommend to them the perusal of his treatise of the " Royalty of Jesus Christ, as God .man," which I have abridged here ; and before they read these essays I might entreat them to read this abridgement, though I dare not pretend togive my assent to all his opinions In these papers, or support them. Give me leave to finish this preface, so far as it relates to thediscourses on the pre-existent soul of Christ, and the extensive powers ofhis glorified human nature, in the modest and amiable language of that ingeniousgentle. manwho wrote a many years ago of the progressive knowledge of souls in the future state. " Ifanything should drop from my pen in the progress of this discourse which may seem too affirmative, and hardly recotìcileable with a becoming modesty and jealousy, I desire those luxuriances of ex- pression may receive some abatements, and be made fairly agreeable there - 'auto. Foralthough I may possibly be indifferently well persuaded of the truth of what I shall discourse, yet I am not certain : It is not improbable that 1 should be mistaken : I am of human race, and have no privilege of ex- "emption from human infirmities and errors." "Whether the proofs that I shall make of this proposed theme be valid or invalid, the reader must determine when he hath weighed and considered them. I am content that they be esteemed just as they are. If my argu- ments be thought invalid, and my opinion rejected, it will be no matter of provocation to ,me. If theybe thought cogent, and my opinion worthy of ac- ceptation withpious and ingenious men, perchance I may be a little pleased therein. Out ifit may advance the honour and the love of God, my Saviour, god make heaven the more acceptable to the thoughts and meditations of Christians, because we have to glorious a Mediator dwelling there, I am sure Ishall greatly rejoice."
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