ends, I shall have a most ample recompence of my labour, and shall be more indifferent to the praise or cenfure which may be bestowed on these well-meant endeavours to serve the best interests of mankind. I hope, however, that this publication, though in many refpects deficient, may induce others, who have more time and greater abilities, to adopt this useful method of illuftrating scripture, and to do greater justice to the subject of these Lectures. A work of this fort being uncommon, it must be proportionally difficult; a circumstance which, in fome measure, ought to apologize for the faults and deficiences that attend its execution. With respect to style and composition, it becomes me rather to fupplicate indulgence than claim applaufe. Some write for the learned and more polite: I lectured, and now write, for the benefit of the plain and more unpolished class of men, whose spiritual interests deserve equal at tention. According to my abilities, I have endeavoured to express myself in plain scriptural language, affecting neither the ornaments of diction, nor elegance of manner, which would not have fuited my audience. With regard to the subject and matter of these discourses, I cheerfully submit them to the perusal of those who are pleased to read them: far froin pretending to dominion over their faith, or impofing my sentiments as the rule or measure of their judgment, I humbly suggest what, in my opinion, appears to be the true meaning and design of the inspired writer. I trust the candid Reader will not judge of them by a detached view of the the explanation given of any particular passage of fcripture, concerning which I may be miftaken. To judge fairly, and pronounce justly of this performance, the general nature, the uniform tenour, and professed design, must be examined with candour, and proper allowance made for the inaccuracies and errors that may have escaped the author, which he will be ready to correct, when they are pointed out to him. Having lectured on the whole Prophecies of Ifaiah, I now publish, with some measure of diffidence and folicitude, this volume, as a specimen of the work, which would require about four volumes more to comprehend what remains of the exposition. I fondly hope, that this sample, which I now offer to the public infpection, will prove, through the divine bleffing, acceptable and useful to some of those who are pleased to peruse it. Should they experience half the pleasure in reading, which I enjoyed in compofing and delivering these Lectures, my labour will not be loft, and their time and expence fully compenfated. Those who think that every one ought to be his own interpreter of fcripture, will no doubt confider this as an unneceffary and useless publication. I acknowledge, that the word of God is its own interpreter; that the obfcure passages are best illustrated by those which are more clear and perfpicuous; and that those which are fo plain as to require little or no exposition, throw light upon texts which are more difficult and hard to be understood: notwithstanding I affirm, that Christians may derive much benefit from writings 1 writings of this fort well executed, and be greatly afsisted in understanding the meaning, connection, and design of the facred books; and therefore they ought thankfully to receive them, and diligently improve them, in humble dependence on the divine bleffing. Those also who are provided with the best Commentaries that have been written by learned men on the fcriptures, may be of opinion, that this work might have been fuppreffed, as there are already fo many expositions of the Bible. Though it may be of fmall benefit to them who are furnished with good libraries, it may be of confiderable use to those who, not possessed of this advantage, are defirous of being assisted in understanding the prophecies of the Old Testament, and in tracing their connection with the gospel of Jefus Chrift. For fuch these discourses are especially intended, though I hope they will be found not unworthy of the attention of others, whose approbation I would highly esteem, and am folicitous to obtain. I conclude, by earnestly recommending this performance to the kind patronage and divine. benediction of that God, to the advancement of whose glory, and to the good of whose people, it is humbly dedicated. Lib. Bib. Fac. Purid. Celin LECTURES ON THE PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH. T CHAP. Ι. HE vision of Ifaiah the son of Amos, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerufalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. These words, which seem to have been originally prefixed to the predictions recorded in this chapter, were afterward confidered as the title of the whole sacred book. The inspired Writer of the Second Book of Chronicles expressly refers to this divine compofition, as well known by the name which is given it in this verse *. The inscription informs usin what manner these prophecies came from God-who was the highly favoured person to whom they were communicated who were the people whose fortunes they chiefly related and in what period of time Ifaiah was employed in the prophetical office. The Most High God hath been graciously pleased in times past, to speak in divers manners to his fer * 2 Chron. xxxii. 32. |