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There is a philosophy, indeed, but "it is falsely so called," which is inimical to revelation, and destructive of its grand peculiarities.

Of this we cannot be too cautious. It is the ally and the slave of infidelity; and is composed of elements gathered from the regions of an universal skepticism. It is pompously arrayed in words of human vanity, and under fair pretences deludes the unwary, while it fascinates and delights the depraved heart. It designs to serve

a cause which is hostile to truth and human happiness, and robs true science of a title to which it has no legitimate claim, by which to aid its operations. But shall Christians abandon the thing, because infidelity has abused its name?

While philosophy aids our conceptions of the truths of revelation, and is in perfect unison with them so far as nature can accompany revelation;for even the present advanced state of science has not demonstrated the smallest discrepance between them :-yet, as the latter is intended to teach us what is not to be known from the former, we must expect revelation to contain what cannot be comprehended by philosophy or reason. This is the fact. And under this view of things, what can be more absurd than to reject the truths of revelation because they cannot be explained by the rules of philosophy? or to discard the aids of philosophy because it cannot unravel the mysteries of revelation? Nature and revelation are two volumes written by the same hand;

and each develops truths agreeable to the design of the great Author, and accordant with the necessities of the human race.

Many, whose sentiments are hostile to the grand peculiarities of Christianity, have arrogated to themselves the dignified title of philosophers; and in the most presumptuous and insolent manner, have insulted and assailed those sacred truths of which they were totally ignorant; and endeavoured, with all the arts of an infernal agency, to hold up religion, and those who have professed it, to contempt and insult, while they propagated sentiments which tend to dissolve all the bonds of social order. In sentiment they are infidels; and in practice, atheists. Not distinguishing between real philosophy and the wicked designs which some propose to accomplish by assuming the title of philosophers, many pious persons have imagined that philosophy tends to skepticism, infidelity, and atheism. This supposition is perfectly groundless and illegitimate. True philosophy is the friend of Christianity, and solicits to be her associate and companion. They serve no jarring interests; they proceed in parallel courses, and aim to advance the same ulterior object, which is-the glorifying of God.

The Author of this volume has long thought a work of this nature a desideratum in the religious world, not only to correct the evil just named, but to meet that thirst for information on these topics

which has been excited, especially among young persons of respectability. The books which have been published on similar subjects are encumbered with so much superfluous matter, exploded philosophy, and abstruse and uninteresting metaphysics, as to render them unsuitable to the present day. The writer has endeavoured to introduce into his work such facts and principles as he thought would, at the same time, interest the understandings, and benefit the hearts of his readers. As he treats of positive FACTS, and not uncertain SPECULATIONS, he did not deem a splendid or pompous style necessary or suitable; but has aimed at a plain and lucid diction, as that which he conceived the most becoming the nature of his subject. Where he could, he has avoided technical phraseology; and excepting proper names, which to some may have the appearance of it, the Reader will find but few words which are not commonly understood.

Whatever we discover in the works of God WHICH IS ADAPTED TO CERTAIN ENDS, we ascribe to that glorious attribute of his nature which we call WISDOM. In this sense the term wisdom is employed through this volume, which proposes to concentrate information illustrative of Divine Wisdom, gathered from the vast and interesting regions of Creation, Providence, and Redemption. The Author supposes that those, in general, into whose hands this effort of his pen is likely to fall, are better acquainted

with the subjects discussed in the two last Essays, than with that treated of in the first:-this will account for the disproportion which will be seen in their length.

The Author can assure the Reader that it is with great diffidence he appears before the Public in this volume: however, he feels encouragement from a consciousness of the best intentions. The great variety of subjects discussed, and his distance from the press, he hopes, will apologise for any errors, either of subject or of typography, which may have escaped his notice. Public or private criticism he will receive with thankfulness, from the hope, that a second edition of the work, should it be destined to this honour, will obtain from it essential advantages.

Newport, Isle of Wight,
April, 1818.

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