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THE

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

AMONGST the numerous treatises, which have been published at different periods and in various languages, on what is usually styled the APOSTLES' CREED, there is a great diversity of merit. By all who have the least acquaintance with the subject, it will be readily admitted, that whilst some of them are extremely superficial and inaccurate, if not essentially defective or grossly erroneous, others are distinguished as well for soundness of doctrine and richness of sentiment, as for correctness of arrangement and elegance of language.

Of those to which the latter description applies, the EXERCITATIONS (or DISSERTATIONS, as with equal propriety they may be called,) of the celebrated WITSIUS on this ancient summary of the Christian faith, unquestionably hold an eminent place. They form a work, which, with regard to its illustrations and defences of the grand articles which this summary embraces, is probably, at least, equal to the best and most popular publications on the Creed that have appeared in the English tongue; and, with regard to the piety of its spirit, its skilful application of doctrine to practice, and its powerful appeals to the conscience and the

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heart, is decidedly superior. Fervent piety, indeed, was so prominent a feature in the character of WITSIUS, that it tinged every discussion which occupied his pen, and gave an indescribable charm to all his works. It is not without reason that the devout and evangelical HERVEY commends him as "a most excellent "author, all of whose works have such a delicacy of composition, and such a sweet savour of holiness, "that I know not," he adds, " any comparison more proper to represent their true character than the golden pot which had manna, and was outwardly bright with burnished gold, inwardly rich with hea"venly food."* A similar encomium is pronounced by the learned Dr JOHN GILL, who describes him as "a writer not only eminent for his great talents and "particularly solid judgment, rich imagination, and elegance of composition, but for a deep, powerful, "and evangelical spirituality, and savour of godli"ness."+

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How far the DISSERTATIONS on the CREED may be expected to correspond with the general character which these distinguished Divines have given to the works of WITSIUS, the reader may be able, in some degree, to judge, from the author's own Dedication and Preface, in both of which he expressly states, that his original and principal design, in preparing these Discourses, was to furnish his pupils with a specimen of the practical tendencies of all the doctrines of the Christian religion.

Some years ago, it occurred to the Translator that

* Theron and Aspasio, vol. ii. p. 73. Edin. Edit. 1812.

+ See a Recommendation prefixed to the Translation of the Economy of the Covenants, subscribed by Dr Gill and some other Ministers.

part of his leisure could not be employed with greater pleasure to himself, or, perhaps, greater advantage to the Church, than in writing a Translation of this excellent treatise. After having made a little progress in the work, he mentioned his intention to a few friends, who approved of his design, and encouraged him to proceed. To his Reverend Fathers and Brethren, who have attentively perused some parts of his manuscript, and concurred in recommending the Translation, and most of whom also favoured him with critical remarks on the version, or with general suggestions for its improvement, his unfeigned gratitude and cordial acknowledgments are due. It seems proper, at the same time, to state, that, as these respectable Clergymen have all of them read only specimens of this Translation, and no one has perused the whole, the Translator alone is responsible for its faults and defects. This remark applies, in particular, to the Notes subjoined; none of which, owing to circumstances which it is unnecessary to mention, have had the advantage of being submitted to the review of his Brethren.

The Translation is executed from the third edition, printed at Amsterdam in the year 1697, and probably the last that was corrected under the author's eye, collated with the first edition, which was printed at Franeker in the year 1681. A few unimportant sentences, which occur in the first edition, but are dropt by the author in the third, are also omitted in the version; whilst all the enlargements added to the third, which are considerably numerous and valuable, are faithfully retained. On the same principle, it seemed proper to retain the whole Preface to the third edition, which differs from the original Preface in the two following points.

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