putes, and the burtful Quarrels of the Times; and have been very useful to the World: and we thought it no way improper or unfutable to the Character and Circumftance of younger Minifters, to be willing to ferve fo excellent an Intereft; and hope we may move in this lower Sphere without any just Cenfure. It will be neceffary to obferve, That tho the prefent Difcourfes may not be fo uniform and of a Piece, or wrought off with fo even a Thred, as if compos'd by a fingle Hand; like the different Colourings of feveral Hands in a Picture: yet they have upon that Account their Advantage and i and Convenience too. For tho the fame things happen Jometimes to be faid by feveral, yet they are always directed to a different Purpose, and expreft in a different Manner. And it may be fome Gratification to the innocent Curiofity, as well as fome Help to the real Benefit of the ferious Reader, to fee the Same things held in a different Light, and cloth'd in a different Drefs; and may give the greater Advantage to the Evidence and Beauty of Divine Truth, So that what is wanting in the Symmetry of Parts,or Equality of Stile, is made up in the Pleafure of Variety; like the grateful Confufion of different Flowers Flowers in a pleasant Field, or the pleafing Harmony arifing from the Compofition of Jeveral Sounds. We shall only add, That if we had known any thing fo diftinctly writ upon the Subject, form'd out of the Scripture, and fitted for common Ufe, we should have thought the prefent Undertaking the lefs neceflary. And we are willing to hope it may not be holly fruitless, and without Succefs, as we earnestly defire be attended with the it may Divine Bleffing. London, Feb. 13. 1707. THE |