Εαν γαρ επίδοι [τινα] τη μετα το προσήχειν αναγνώσει, εν είδ' ότι η θαυμασείαι την νεν
άνδρα, (c. Παυλα,) εν ιδιωτικη λέξει μεγάλα περινουνός, η μη θαυμασας
aulos nalayehaços pavelas. ORIGEN. con. CELS. lib. iii. p. 122 Cantab. 1658.

१४

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THE

PREFACE.

AFTER what I have faid concerning this work, in the prefaces to the former volumes, I have little to add, but what relates to the manner in which I have endeavoured to conduct this part upon the Epiftles; which I blefs God, he has carried me through, and thank the public they have fo kindly encouraged.

As far as I know myself, I have no favourite hypothefis to ferve, nor a fondness for any unfcriptural phrafes; in which Jo many have, on one fide, and the other, made the very being of orthodoxy to confift. I have been difpofed to let fcripture carry me along with it, wherever it naturally leads, rather than refolve it should follow me. Inftead of labouring to eftablifh any particular human fyftem, which has always, I fear, a leaven of imperfection attending it; I have endeavoured to keep controverfy as much out of fight as poffible, and to repreJent what I verily believe to be the fcripture-doctrine, in as Simple a manner as I could, and divefted of thofe particular expreffions, which fome, who perhaps are not averse to the main doctrine itself, are ready to rife up against.

But I have not the vanity to hope I have efcaped all prejudice. Where it has been manifefted, may God pardon it, may my brethren excufe it, and may Divine illumination, more plentifully imparted, preferve others from being led into any errors into which I may have fallen!

I hope it will be deemed no matter of just offence, that I have not always critically examined thofe interpretations, which, as feeming lefs natural, I have declined. It had been endless, amidst fuch a variety of fentiments and explications, to have done this. Some commentators have darkened thefe epiftles fo much, that I am fenfible St. Paul's writings are beft explained, by keeping their gloffes as much as poffible out of fight. I have therefore frequently paffed them over, as if I had never heard of, or known them. And if any fhould impute this