exercise of faith and prayer. In this hope, the Sermon, on Mark svi. 15, 1G, and the four Skeletons annexed to it, are sent forth into thf world: and if, by means of them, the excellency of the Gospel may be more clearly seen, its importance more deeply felt, and its strengthening, comforting, sanctifying efficacy more richly experienced, the Author's labours will be abundantly repaid. They are annexed to Claude's Essay ; and the Author recommends those who could thoroughly under- stand Claude, to consult them.
In the discussion of so many subjects, it cannot fail but that every doctrine of our holy religion must be more or less canvassed. On every point the Author has spoken freely, and without reserve. As for names and parties in religion, he equally disclaims them all : he takes his religion from the Bible ; and endeavours, as much as possible, to speak as that speaks e. Hence, as in the Scriptures themselves, so also in this Work, there will be found sentiments, not really opposite, but apparently of an opposite tendency, according to the subject that is under discussion. In writing, for instance, on John v. 40, " Ye ivill not come to me, that ye might have life," he does not hesitate to lay the whole blame of men's condemnation on t!u' obstinacy of their own depraved will: nor does he think it at all necessary to weaken the subject by nice distinctions, in order to support a system. On the contrary, when he preaches on John vi. 44, " No man can come unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him," he does not scruple to state in the fullest manner he is able, " That we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will, and working with vis when we have that good willf :" nor does he judge it expedient on any account to soften, and palliate, and fritter away this important truth. While too
e If in any thing he grounded his sentiments upon human authority, it would not be on the dogmas of Calvin or Arminius, but on the Articles and Homilies of the Church of England. He has the hap- piness to say, that he does ex animo, from his inmost soul, believe the doctrines to which he has subscribed : but the reason of his believing them is not, that they are made the Creed of the Established Church, but, that he finds them manifestly contained in the Sacred Oracles. f The Tenth Article.