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BY THOMAS SCOTT,
CHAPLAIN TO THE LOCK HOSPITAL,

THE THIRD EDITION.

To the Law and to the Teftimony: if they fpeak not according
to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

If. viii. 20.

LONDON:

Printed by Jaques and Thomas: Sold by Jordan, 166, Fleet-
Street; Mathews, 118, Strand; Woodhoufe, Lower Brook-
Street; Button, Paternofter Row; and by the Author, 2,
Chapel-Street, Upper Grosvenor Place. Alfo by Ogle, Edin-
burgh. 1798.

Price 350

PREFACE.

THE original defign of this compendious

work was, in fome refpects, different from the direction it took during the course of its publication. The Author intended, by a feries of Effays, each comprifed in a fingle Number, to have guarded the minds of young people efpecially against the infidelity and fcepticism of modern times, as well as to give a distinct view of the grand peculiarities, and excellent tendency, of genuine Christianity. He purpofed not to be strictly methodical, argumentative, or fyftematick; but to treat a variety of subjects in a familiar, eafy, and engaging manner. The attempt however foon convinced him, that he had not the requifite talents for Effays of this defcription; and that he muft leave it to perfons of a more verfatile and happy genius, to furnish that fpecies of publication, which feems most suited to the prefent circumstances, and beft adapted to the taste of modern readers.

As

As however, the Effays firft published met with great encouragement, and had confiderable circulation, he proceeded on the plan to which he found himself most competent and, without the leaft previous defign, he at length completed, according to his views, a compendious fyftem of the Chriftian religion.

SINCE the work was finished in 1794, it has generally been difpofed of in complete copies though a large quantity of feparate Efays has likewife been difperfed; and it is not without great reluctance that the plan of Numbers has been given up. But the very great advance in the price of paper has proved a material impediment, while the fmall type and crowded page of the former edition have by many been complained of, not only as uncomfortable to the reader, but as a real hindrance to the usefulness of the work.

THE improvements in the prefent edition will, it is hoped, be deemed fully adequate to the advance in the price. Great pains have been beftowed, in correcting the inaccuracies of the ftyle; in rendering perfpicuous fuch paffages, as had been left rather obfcure from regard to brevity; in giving energy to fome arguments which had not been ftated in their full force; and in placing feveral illuftrations to greater advantage. Peculiar

care

care has likewife been taken to render the fcriptural references and quotations accurate; and further proof, from the facred oracles, has frequently been adduced in fupport of the conclufions which had been formed: a correct Index for the conveniency of the -reader has alfo been annexed.

THE work, thus revifed, the Author commends to the candour of the publick, from which it hath already met with a favourable reception: and he earneftly begs the prayers of all pious Chriftians, for the divine bleffing on this attempt, and on all his other feeble endeavours to spread the knowledge of the bleffed gofpel of God our Saviour; and to excite and direct believers to adorn that holy doctrine by their whole conduct and conversation.

MARCH 29, 1798.

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