JESUS CHRIST. His glories are so many, so various, and so sublime, that little of them is yet known in comparison of what he possesses--but a sincere love to his honor will lead with pleasure and expectation to meet discoveries of this kind, which are drawn from the word of GOD.-That we are fallible creatures; and it is possible for us to mistake some points which we were taught before we were capable to search the word of GOD for ourselves. That the best of our teachers know but in part, and could only prophecy or instruct others in part. And though they have taught the truth, yet not all the truth in divine revelation. That they would search their bibles with diligence, and particularly the passages cited, and like honest readers, mind only the sense as it lies in the text, without any concern whether it be new or old, -the opinion of this or that man or party, but rather whether it be truth. The simplest enquirer will hereby find the truth more easily than the great scholar, full of his scholastic notions, which he brings to determine the meaning of scripture: not so much according to the plain and obvious sense of it in connection with the context, as in correspondence with his own opinion and learned schemes. And when the truth is found that they would suffer themselves to yield to it, convinced that the loss of old opinions, by the evidence of truth, is a victory over error, and an honorable advancement in the knowledge of divine things. That they would rather consider the evidence of scripture in favor of what is said, than labor to invent objections, as if they knew it were false before they read it. A previous aversion to the doctrine contained in any book, and a resolution to object against it, will effectually hinder the mind from attending to the force of reasoning, and prevent it from receiving the evidence on which the doctrine is founded. All just objections should have their due weight, and be well considered in all our enquiries after truth: yet when a doctrine has many and strong arguments from scripture and reason in its favor, one difficulty or two which seem hard at present to be solved, should not forbid the assent. Except first and self-evident principles, and their immediate consequences, there are no notions so plain but what may be obscured and called in question. Because we understand not what is difficult, must we for that reason deny that which is clear and plain? If we believe no proposition till we can perfectly master all objections against it, I doubt we will be sceptics all our lives, in both religion and philosophy, and with all our pretences to learning, finish our days like fools. Again I would request the readers not to be too rash in concluding that any christian doctrine is lost, any article of faith endangered by the belief of what is here contended for: or that the proper Deity of our LORD JESUS CHRIST is in the least denied or neglected, because a few texts are otherwise interpreted and applied than they have been used to explain them. Zealous writers have mustered all the texts they could find in the bible, which could by art or force be made to support the doctrine; but among the many which are so applied, some are not so fit and apposite to the purpose, as not having that sense which has been imposed upon them, or at least do not carry that force of argument which has been generally believed. Now the doctrine itself may remain immoveable upon the foundation which divine revelation has clearly fixed it, though those texts, which at best, make but weak arguments, are taken from this doctriue, and applied to another, for which they are plainly and evidently suited. There is more honor done to the cause of christianity by building all the articles of it upon such scriptures only as are firm and unshaken to support them, than by multiplying feeble shews or shadows of defence. We expose ourselves and our faith to the insult of our adversaries, by persisting in a mistaken application of scripture, and every color of argument, though in defence of a most important truth. Though truth is infinitely preferable to error, yet men may use insufficient arguments for one as well as the other. We ought to embrace all the advantages of light, rather than continue in a wrong application of scriptures to support any point of faith, in opposition to their most open and evident meaning. While the early glories of our blessed REDEEMER are pointed out by the rays of light scattered through revelation, I beg the reader may not be too severe in his censures of any mistaken step; and if any expression in his opinion does not stand square with what he thinks truth, he would candidly interpret it in consistence with the general scope of the argument. One may mistake some particulars in tracing the footsteps of our LORD through the long past ages of his pre-existent state, (be they ever so certain) which commenced before these heavens were formed, or time was measured by the sun and the moon. I hope the divine REDEEMER will forgive the faults in this sincere attempt to promote his honor, and the reader will find so much improvement, and feel such influence of truth, as to prompt his charity and candor towards his fellow creature. Whether the proofs that 1 shall make of this following theme be valid or invalid, the reader must determine when he has considered them. I am satisfied that they be esteemed just as they are. If my sentiments are rejected it will be no matter of provocation to me. If they are thought worthy of acceptance by pious and ingenious men, perhaps, I may be pleased. But if they advance the honor and love of GoD my Savior, and make heaven the more acceptable to christians because he is there, I am sure I shall greatly rejoice, and bless GOD who enables so weak an instrument to do any thing for his glory and praise in the earth. For the reader's ease and greater correctness in perusing the following pages, I shall divide the different kinds of argument into distinct heads. I. The doctrine stated, and the scriptures considered which plainly express, or strongly imply it. II. Several arguments in favor of it taken from the scope of the scriptures. III. The good consequences and various advantages which attend the knowledge and belief of it. IV. Objections against it considered. In an APPENDIX I shall endeavor to clear the PROPER DEITY of the LORD JESUS CHRIST from that cloud of darkness in which Mr. Et has labored so much to involve it;-in a few considerations particularly suited to his new method of attack upon the divinity of CHRIST, which containing a great deal of truth, with many plausible insinuatious, being modestly written with a |