of the Scripture to be changed to him; and he looked upon every truth with another eye.

Secondly, The manner; because it is an irenicum, and tends to an accommodation and a right understanding. Times of reformation have always been times of division: Satan will cast out a flood after the woman, as knowing that more die by the disagreement of the humours of their own bodies, than by the sword; and that, if men be once engaged, they will contend, if not for truth, yet for victory.

Now, if the difference be in things of lesser consequence, the best way to quench it were silence. But if the difference be of greater concernment than this is, the best way to decide it, is to bring in more light; which this author has done, with much evidence of Scripture, backed with the authority of most modern divines. So that whoever desires to have his judgment cleared, in the main controversy between us and the Antinomians, with a small expense, either of money or time, he may here receive ample satisfaction. This I testify upon request, professing myself a friend both to truth and peace.

W. STRONG.

THIS book, at first well accommodated with so valuable a testimony as Mr. Caryl's; besides its better approving itself to the choicer spirits every where, by the speedy distribution of the whole impression; it might seem a needless or superfluous thing to add any more to the praise thereof; yet meeting with detracting language from some few, by reason of some phrases, by them either not duly pondered, or not rightly understood, it is thought meet, in this second impression, to relieve that worthy testimony, which still stands to it, with fresh supplies; not for any need the truth therein contained hath thereof, but because either the prejudice or darkness of some men's judgments doth require it: I therefore, having thoroughly perused it, cannot but testify, that, if I have any the least judgment

or relish of truth, "he that finds this book, finds a good thing," and not unworthy of its title; and may account the saints to have obtained favour with the Lord in the ministration of it; as that which with great plainness and evidence of truth, comprises the chief (if not all) the differences that have been lately engendered about the law. It has, I must confess, not only fortified my judgment, but also warmed my heart, in the reading of it; as indeed inculcating throughout the whole dialogue, the clear and familiar notion of those things by which we live, (as Ezek. xvi. speaks in another case); and it appeareth to me to be written from much experimental knowledge of Christ, and teaching of the Spirit. Let all men, that taste the fruit of it, confess, to the glory of God, "He is no respecter of persons ;" and endeavour to know "no man henceforth after the flesh," nor envy the compiler thereof the honour to be accounted, as God has made him in this point, a healer of breaches, and a restorer of the overgrown paths of the gospel. As for my own part, I am so satisfied in this testimony I lend, that I reckon whatever credit is thus pawned, will be a glory to the name that stands by, and avows this truth, so long as the book shall endure to record it.

JOSHUA SPRIgge.

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I have, according to your desire, read over your book, and find it full of evangelical light and life; and I doubt not but the oftener I read it, the more true comfort I shall find in the knowledge of Christ thereby the matter is pure, the method is apostolical, wherein the works of love, in the right place, after the life of faith, be effectually required. God hath endowed his Fisher with the net of a trying understanding, and discerning judgment and discretion; whereby, out of the crystaline streams of the well of life, you have taken a mess of the sweetest and wholesomest fish that the world can afford; which if I could daily have enough of, I should not care for the flesh or the works thereof.

VOL. VII.

K

SAMUEL PRETTIE.

THIS book came to my hand by a merciful and most unexpected disposure of providence, and I read it with great and sweet complacence. It contains a great deal of the marrow of revealed and gospel truth, selected from authors of great note, clearly enlightened, and of most digested experience; and some of them were honoured to do eminent and heroical services in their day. Thus the Christian reader has the flower of their labours communicated to him very briefly, yet clearly and powerfully. And the manner of conveyance, being by way of amicable conference, is not only fitted to afford delight to the judicious reader, but lays him also at the advantage of trying, through grace, his own heart the more exactly, according to what echo it gives, or how it relishes, or is displeased with the several speeches of the communers. Here we have the greatest depths, and most painted delusions of hell, in opposition to the only way of salvation, discovered with marvellous. brevity and evidence, and that by the concurring suffrages of burning lights, men of the clearest experience, and honoured of God to do eminent service in their day, for advancing the interests of our Lord's kingdom and gospel.

The relucence of gospel light has been the choice mean blessed by the Lord, for the effecting of great things, in the several periods of the Church, since that light brake up in paradise, after our first sin and fall; and ever since, the balance has swayed, and will sway, according to the better or worse state of matters in that important regard. When gospel-light is clear, and attended with power, Satan's kingdom cannot stand before it; the prince and powers of darkness must fall as lightning from heaven. And upon the contrary, according to the recessions from thence, Christian churches went off, by degrees, from the only foundation, even from the rock Christ, until the man of sin, the great Atichrist, did mount the throne. Nevertheless, while the world is wandering after the beast, behold! evangelical light breaks forth in the midst of papal darkness, and hereupon antichrist's throne shakes, and is at the point of falling; yet his wounds are cured, and he recovers new strength

and spirits, through a darkening of the glorious gospel, and perversion thereof, by anti-evangelical errors and heresies.

That the tares of such errors are sown in the reformed churches, and by men who profess reformed faith, is beyond debate; and these, who lay to heart the purity of gospel doctrine. Such dregs of Antichristianism do yet remain, or are brought in amongst us. Herein the words of the apostle are verified, viz. "Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them :" and as this renders the essays for a further diffusion of evangelical light the more necessary and seasonable, so there is ground to hope, that in these ways the churches of Christ will gradually get the ascendant over their enemies, until the great Antichrist shall fall, as a trophy before a gospel-dispensation. For the Lord will "destroy him by the breath of his month, and with the brightness of his coming." That this excellent and spiritual piece may be blessed to the reader, is the prayer of their sincere well-wisher and servant in the work of the gospel,

Carnock, December 3, 1717.

JAMES HOG.

THE Act about the "Marrow" occasioned great thoughts of heart among us. I have been acquainted with that book about 18 or 19 years, and many times have admired the gracious conduct of holy Providence which brought it to my hand, having occasionally lighted upon it in a house of the parish where I was first settled. As to any distinct uptakings of the doctrine of the gospel I have, such as they are, I owe them to that book.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Boston to Mr. Hog.

I NEVER read the "Marrow" with Mr. Boston's Notes, till this present time (1755); and I find, by not having read it, I have sustained a considerable loss. It is a most valuable book; the doctrines it contains are the life of my soul, and the joy of my heart. Might my tongue or my pen be made instrumental to recommend and illustrate, to support and propagate such precious

truths, I should bless the day wherein I was born. Mr. Boston's Notes on the "Marrow" are, in my opinion, some of the most judicious and valuable that ever were penned.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Hervey to Mr. William Hogg.

I HAVE frequently perused, with great satisfaction, the "Marrow of Modern Divinity," first and second parts; and, as far as I can judge, it will be found, by those that read it, very useful for illustrating the difference between the law and the gospel, and preventing them from splitting, either on the rock of legality on the one hand, or that of Antinomianism on the other; and, accordingly, recommend it (by desire) as a book filled with precious, seasonable, and necessary truth, clearly founded upon the sacred oracles.

JOHN BELFRAGE.

Falkirk, December 9, 1788.