luminous and forcible point. The first intimation of pursuing it was given, I think, by sir Isaac Newton in his Observations on Daniel; where he well illustrates the manner in which our Lord borrowed his images and language from present objects". Doctor Benson has extended it to several other particulars. It has been carried somewhat further in the subsequent work; which I am conscious will also be found a defective attempt, both in general heads and inductions of particulars: for the plain and concise Gospels are full of deep and curious matter, not to be exhausted by the industry and attention of ages. In Bishop Law's "Reflections on the Life and Character of Christ "," there is a series of excellent observations comprised in a narrow compass; and references are made to various authors, who have enlarged on many topics which are only pointed out by this eminent writer. Doctor Craig proposes "to give a single and connected view of Christ's whole character at once";" and "chiefly to consider those events in the history of the Gospel by which he bore witness of himself, and manifested the peculiar dignity of his character." He premises "a short account of those extraordinary interpositions of Providence by which his heavenly Father bore witness of him." This is a concise, elegant, and able performance. Dr. Hunter professes "not to make the meaning m Note, p. 148. n Considerations on the Theory of Religion, &c. Cambridge. 1765. ed. 5. 8vo. • See the preface to an Essay on the Life of Jesus Christ. Glasgow. 1769. 12o. of words or of difficult passages the subject of inquiry." His agreeable and instructive work is adapted to all capacities, and methodically comprehends many ingenious and interesting remarks. Doctor Harwood wrote his "Delineation of the Life and Character of Jesus Christ" "with an express design to promote the interests of practical religion;" and "professedly calculated it for the use of masters and mistresses of families, and for the benefit of young persons." This treatise is recommended by a judicious selection of subjects, a strain of piety, a warmth of imagination, and a copiousness of style. It would be tedious to mention the many detached discourses which coincide with my general design. But I cannot omit Bishop Bradford's, Archbishop Tillotson's, and Doctor James Foster's Sermons on the Example of Christ'. A diligent attention to our Lord's discourses and actions has been highly satisfactory and delightful to me. The life of Jesus is a most instructive, a most interesting, and a most important subject. The Deity, when we contemplate his discoveries of himself in the works of creation, cannot be suffi P Observations on the History of Jesus Christ, &c. Edinburgh. 1770. 2 vols. 12o. q Preface, p. vi. London. 1772. 8vo. Printed for T. Becket. There is a History of Jesus by William Smith, M.A. 12o. London, 1703. I have not seen it; but I am assured that it contains useful matter and historical knowledge; though it is not uniformly judi cious. There is also extant a Life of Jesus Christ, and the Lives of the Twelve Apostles, fol. Lond. 1738. This is a voluminous compilation, containing 875 pages and the anonymous author designed it both for a harmony of the Gospels and a commentary. r Boyle's Lectures, fol. 1, 481, &c. ciently admired and adored. But in the Gospels we It is my earnest wish and prayer, that by a more CONTENTS. Sect. I.—What our Lord teaches of God the Father. Page Sect. II.—What he teaches of his own nature and office... 3 Sect. III. What he teaches of the Holy Spirit.... Sect. IV. What he teaches of his own manifestation in the flesh, and of the ends for which he died Sect. V. What he teaches of the life to come, and the gene- ral conditions of the gospel covenant Sect. VI. What he teaches of good and evil spirits.........11 Sect. VII. What he teaches of particular duties......15 Sect. VIII. Whether any of his moral precepts are new...19 Sect. IX.-Whether any of his precepts are unreasonable. 19 Sect. X. Whether his teaching is defective........ .....35 Sect. XI. Of the obligation, motives, and means to the Sect. VI. That his instructions frequently sprang out of the Sect. VII. That he showed a knowledge of men's secret words and actions, and even of their thoughts.....................91 Sect. VIII. Of his wisdom in difficult circumstances, and in replying to insidious questions Sect. IX. That incidents, sometimes very slight, and ques- tions, particularly some of a curious nature, were turned by him to an instructive and practical purpose.......................108 |