PREFACE. IT Ir may not be improper for the author to shew a reasonable ground for what may be called a high presumption, to bring forward an opinion in the following sheets, which he is fully aware differs in several most essential points from that of many great and most learned men, whose peculiar province has been to study theological subjects, wherein the greatest learning and most profound reason have been engaged; and, as a layman, may be said to have assumed more than he can strictly justify. He must confess, all writers upon a subject of such serious and momentous nature as theology, must unquestionably incur a great responsibility, and should be most careful in bringing forward an opinion, that may either bring doubt or discredit to a most holy religion, which he considers the Christian Religion to be, or tend to subvert opinions long, reasonably, and soundly a |