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Rev. Dr. Morse's.-" I have examined with attention the Rev. E. Smith's work, entitled a Treatise on the Character of Jesus Christ, and on the Trinity.

In view of the errors of the times, of those particularly which have been spreading for some time past in this region, I consider this little volume, as an excellent and very seasonable antidote to the poison of these errors. It is a work honorable to the talents, the industry, the piety, and candor of its author. Regardless of the ornaments of style, his object appears to be to exhibit in simplicity, and in a manner adapted to every capacity, what the Scriptures declare, concerning the grand, sublime, and glorious mysteries of our holy Religion, of which he treats.

The first section in this Treatise would seem a superfluous labor, proving an obvious, self evident truth, to those who do not know, that there has lately sprung up among us men, ministers of the gospel, who in their publications on "the Filiation of Christ," have adduced the testimonies of Christ himself, and the confessions of others, that he was the Son of God, as going to prove the strange opinion which they have adopted, viz. that the Person of Christ was derived from God, in the same manner, that the person of a son, is derived from a human father. As shewing very clearly that this opinion is unscriptural and absurd, this section is important.

In this publication, I consider Mr. Smith as having rendered essential service to the Christian public, and that he has merited their thanks and patronage. I earnestly wish it may be read by all on either side, who feel an interest in the existing controversy on these great and fundamental doctrines of the gospel of Christ.

Charlestown, April 18, 1814."

JEDEDIAH MORSE.

PREFACE.

Ir is the remark of an eminent man, that "Divinity consists in speaking with the scripture; and in going no further." By this rule I hope I shall strictly proceed, in discussing the deep and interesting subject of this treatise. The subject is a matter of mere Revelation. To this then, we ought to repair, and to abide by the decision there found. The mode of the divine existence is, of all things, the most mysterious and sublime. And of all subjects, it demands the most solemn awe, self-diffidence, and humble reliance on the dictates of Revelation. Learn what

the Bible says upon that subject, and the point is gained. This is all that man can do. It is not only vain, but impious to object to the point thus decided, because unfathomable depths of mystery attend it.

The universe is full of mystery. Man is of yesterday, and knows nothing. If he have learned enough to take an intelligent survey of God's works, he is confounded wherever he turns his eyes. He looks

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at immensity of space, and is lost in wonder. He contemplates the planetary system, and the starry heavens, with amazement. On earth he finds a world of objects, each one of which is attended with insolvable questions; not excepting the smallest insect. After man's highest improvements in philosophy and science, he has learned only to feel, most exquisitely, that his knowledge is as nothing. Unexplored regions of wonder glimmer upon his astonished sight.

Many objections occur to men, less informed, relative to subjects proposed, which they deem unanswerable, or conclusive against the proposed point; but which objections, on better information, they find to be of no weight. Let many persons be informed, that there are thousands of people on the other side of the earth, directly opposite to us, with their feet towards ours, and their heads directly the other way; who yet feel themselves on the top of the globe, and think we are beneath them; and the account appears to these illiterate hearers impossible. They will make objections against it, which appear to them unanswerable; but at which the man of real information smiles.

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How vain then, are the objections, made by worms of the dust, against what God has revealed of himself! Who can comprenend the infinite, eternal independent Jehovah?"Canst thou by searching find out God? It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know ?" "The world by wisdom knew not God." "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." We are confounded, when we think of ra

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