Dilly, London; Fletcher, Oxford; Merrill, Cambridge; Spence, PREFACE. THE following Strictures are written with a defign of shewing the neceffity of fome certain method of afcertaining the true fense of holy fcripture, on points difputed between the feveral denominations of Chriftians; of enquiring whether any fuch method is discoverable; and, if discoverable, what that method is. It is well known very wide and important differences of opinion do prevail, even among pious and learned men. If, therefore, fome common mode of interpretation could be recommended, in which the ferious and candid of all parties might fafely and honourably acquiefce, it would be rendering an ef fential service to the cause of religion, and bring us much nearer to one another than we now are, in points where we have long been accustomed to differ, to the no small injury of our common Christianity. Should any misrepresentation of facts, opinions, or characters, be detected in the course of thefe Strictures, the Reader may be affured fuch misrepresentation is without the smallest intention. If I have appeared to bear hard upon fome celebrated names, it is what they themselves have done with others, and, therefore, they can have no juft right to complain. We have none of us, I would charitably hope; any other defign but the vindication of what we conceive to be important truth. We all respect, no doubt, the persons of men, even while we oppose their real or imaginary mistakes; and can fay with fincerity-Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato; fed magis amicus Veritas, There is, I am well aware, a general prejudice gone abroad against controverfial writings, and especially upon theological fubjects; though for what juftifiable reafon I fee not, Controverfy in itself is only the difcuffion of fome particular opinion or opinions, A 2 Socrates is my friend, Plato is my friend; but Truth is more my friend. |