Preface.

SINCE

the Public very justly claims the privilege of deciding for itself, on every production that excites its attention, the fubmiffions and excufes, ufual on publication, are of little importance: the Author, therefore, means to say nothing more, by way of Apology, than that he presents this performance to the world, trusting, as it is compofed with foberness and truth, it will be read with attention and candour.

The great utility of a work of this description, (nothing on the fame plan, it is presumed, being extant,) induced him to engage in it; and the congeniality of the fubject with the ministerial character, has rendered it a pleasing employment of the time he could spare, from his more immediate labours in the Vineyard of Christ. It is the province of the Chriftian Minister to unfurl the banner of the Cross, display the bond of Love which unites Christians, repel the infidious attacks of Infidels, and proclaim the whole Truth as it is in Jesus.

Though the arrangement is new, those who are familiar with Theological writings may have met with much of the information interspersed in the following fheets; the abfolute neceffity of having recourse to foreign affiftance in fuch an undertaking being obvious. The authorities ufed are noticed with care; but the quotations are not marked, because of the ftyle being frequently altered, while the ideas are retained.

No fubject can be more gratifying to the Chriftian, than to read of the astonishing difplays of the wifdom, love, and power of God, as exhibited in the REDEMPTION and SALVATION of mankind by JESUS CHRIST! As this contains an unparalleled view of the Divine perfections, it is the highest fubject of finite comprehenfion, and consequently has the first claim to our regard. The Book which reveals it, is grand in its ideas, fublime in its doctrines, holy in its precepts; and established, by the accomplishment of its predictions, the irrefragable evidence of its miracles, and the charac ter of its writers. In fhort, this defign of the Supreme Being, fo wonderful in its contrivance, benevolent in its nature, and beneficial in its confequences, is intended to counteract the evil of fin, and reflore his lapfed creatures to his favour and moral image.

The Work commences with a defcrip on of the degenerate state of religion among the Jews,

alfo of the irrational Polytheism of the Heathen, when Chrift vifited the World to redeem and fave Mankind. It proceeds in tracing the rapid and extenfive Progrefs of the Christian faith; fhowing the affiduity and perfeverance of the Apostles and their immediate Succeffors, and developing the Causes of their amazing fuccefs. Herein the Reader may behold Light break forth, with effulgent ray, in a benighted age, when the veil of darkness had obfcured the eyes of all denominations of men. -The approximate view of the PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, what it really was, may affift him to distinguish between truth and error, and to conclude, from just premises, what Chriftians in any age ought to be, in their principles, experience, and practice.

In the course of the Work are defcribed, the evil propenfities of human nature;—the riches of Divine grace in Christ;-the character of an Evangelical Minister of the Gospel ;the efficacy of the Christian religion, when faithfully preached ;-the efforts of Devils, also of wicked men, acting under the pernicious influence of prejudice or malevolence of heart, to oppose the diffemination of religious truth; and the amiable tempers, upright conversation, and holy actions of regenerate Christians.—Useful criticism is not altogether excluded, certain emphatical words in the New Teftament being particularly noticed.-While it is calcu

lated for the adult Chriftian; it is hoped, the Historical Narrative, Geographical Defcription, Chronological Order, and Variety of Incident, will render it acceptable and edifying to the rifing Generation.

Having enlarged fome parts confiderably more than was intended, the Remarks on the Revival of Religion, in the present Day, (as ́ mentioned in the Propofals,) are omitted; but as it is probable a fecond volume will, at a future day, accompany this, they will be brought forward, with other important particulars.

The Author cannot conclude, without gratefully acknowledging the very liberal and reSpectable patronage with which he has been favoured; and, at the close of the fecond volume, intends giving the Names of the Subfcribers.

THE

PROGRESS of CHRISTIANITY, &c.

Of the State of the Jews and the Heathen, when Chrift came into the World to redeem and fave Mankind.

All truth is from the fempiternal fource

Of light divine. But Egypt, Greece, and Rome,
Drew from the ftream below. .

In vain they pushed inquiry to the birth

...

And fpring-time of the world; afked, Whence is man?
Why formed at all? and wherefore as he is?

Where must he find his Maker? with what rites
Adore him? Will he hear, accept, and blefs?
Or does he fit regardless of his works?
Has man within him an immortal feed?
Or does the tomb take all? If he furvive
His afhes, where? and in what weal or woe?
Knots worthy of folution, which alone

A Deity could folve. Their answers, vague
And all at random, fabulous and dark,

Left them as dark themselves. Their rules of life
Defective and unfanctioned, proved too weak
To bind the roving appetite, and lead

Blind nature to a God not yet revealed.

COWPER'S Tak.

THE rapid and extenfive Progrefs of the Chriftian

Religion, on its firft promulgation, when all the circumstances which attended it are duly confidered, was a remarkable phenomenon, and is a fubject which deferves to be particularly noticed, and its real caufes traced out, both by the doubting Sceptic and the philofophical Unbeliever, as well as by the ferious Christian.

The coming of the Meffiah into the world, and the grace that should attend it, had long been the ennobling theme of prophecy: and the Prophets inquired, and fearched diligently, what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Chrift which was in them did fignify, when it teftified beforehand the fufferings of Chrift, and the glory that should follow*.

* 1 Pet. i, 10, 11.

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