.

Different views of the meaning of the xxivth of

Matthew and the parallel Chapters well stated

By Dr. Edwards

pages 82, 83.

Mr. Kett's—Mr. King's—Dr. Priestley's, and Mr.
Houghton's opinions, stated and considered

[83, 84.

The Question of the Disciples, what shall be sign

of thy coming ? means his coming as the Mesa

siah-proofs of this

85 to 88.

Their asking this question a strong proof of the

Authenticity of the History

.85.

Cautions of Jesus against listening to false Christs

and false Prophets

86.

What is meant by the end so frequently re-
peated

89, 90,

Dr. Edwards's accurate Epitome of the xxivth of

Matthew. His conclusion from it Erroneous

[91 to 93.

The xxivth of Matthew critically examined 94.

Figurative language used to describe the destruction

of Jerusalem agreeable to Antient Prophecy 101.

Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Le Clerc, Bishop War-

burton, Archbishop Newcome, and Mr. Kett, of

this opinion.

105.

Coming in Clouds, means coming to inflict tem-

poral Calamities

*]08 to 111.

The opinion of Mr. Mede, Dr. Sykes, and Dr.

Edwards, that the Kingdom of God in Luke xxi.
31. and the parallel passages in Matthew and
Mark, means its glorious perfection in a future
World, erroneous

114, &c.

Bishop Newton and Dr. Macknight, very decided,

in applying our Lord's language to the destruc-

tion of Jerusalem ONLY

116 to 121.

Distinction
upon the

Distinction between Primary and Secondary senses
unwarrantable

• Page 117, &c.

Mr. Kett the Advocate of a double meaning of this

Prophecy.-Double meanings injurious to Chris-

tianity

121, 122.

A remarkable quotation from Mr. Richards’s

Bampton Lectures, upon this subject 122.
Dr. Benson, the strenuous Advocate for the Unity

of sense of Scripture-thinks the discourse con-
cerning the destruction of Jerusalem ends with
verse 35. His opinion erroneous

123, 124.
Remarkable passage of Bishop Ne

of Bishop Newton, upon
expression of that day and hour-his incon-

sistency upon this head

125, 126.

Mr. Thomas's opinion, stated, and proved to be

erroneous

126, &c.

Mr. King's opinion, in his Morsels of Criticism,
stated and considered

128, 129.
Collateral evidence of the true meaning of the

xxivth of Matthew, and particularly of the ex-
pression - Of that day and hour, &c. drawn

from our Lord's Answer to the Question of the

Pharisees-When the Kingdom of God should

131.

The Question of the Pharisees relates to the same

subject with those of the Disciples, in Matthew

xxiv. and the parallel chapters 132, 133,

Comparison of Matthew xxiv. and Luke xvii. with

Observations

upon

it.

133 to 139.

New interpretations of Matthew xxv. proposed

for Consideration

The Tryal of Jesus considered, with reference to his

coming in Clouds---meaning of that expression

fully ascertained

146, &c.

Mr.

come?

140, &c.

Mr. Mede acknowledges that his Interpretation of

the phrase, coming in the clouds of Heaven, is

attended with a difficulty he cannot get over.

:. Note

page 150.

The present Bishop of London interprets the

phrase of the destruction of Jerusalem. 151.

The Resurrection of Jesus revives the hopes, in

the minds of his Disciples, of his erecting a

temporal Kingdom

153.

Jesus's Answer to their Question, considered.--

The Bishop of Landaff and Mr. Thomas appear

to have mistaken its meaning 154, 155.

Change of language of the Disciples, after Jesus

had ascended into Heaven

155.

Remarks upon the evidences of the Resurrection,

and upon the peculiarity of the situation of the

Disciples upon the removal of Jesus, and of the

extreme improbability of their succeeding, if his

Religion had been an Imposture · 156 to 162.

Quotations from Dr. Beattie and Mr. Maltby upon

this subject

160, &c.

Summary of the Scripture Doctrine of the coming

of Christ, so far as Christ himself was con-

cerned

162, &c.

Mr. Henry Taylor's remarkable statement con-

cerning the Controversy between Mr. Gibbon

and his Adversaries

165.

Mr. Gibbon's Charge against the Apostles, as

having predicted the Second coming of Christ

in their own time, considered

166

The Bishop of Landaff's Opinion, that their hay-

ing taught such a Doctrine does not affect their
Character, as the Apostles of Christ, stated and
considered

pages 167, 168.

The

с

The Writers, from whom it has been the Author's misfortune to differ, are many of them numbered among the Dead, and are therefore unable to defend themselves--but there are Those still living whose Learning and Abilities are equally respectable, and who are equally competent to detect any Errors into which he may have inadvertently fallen. From them he neither asks, nor expects any other quarter than what a candid and ingenuous Opponent will always be ready to give : And he is confident they will not, unnecessarily, wound the feelings of one, who has been ardently solicitous to establish, on the most solid basis, the credit of the Christian Religion, from a firm conviction, if full justice is done to it, that it is worthy of all Acceptation.

The Author begs leave to add, that his first object having been to endeavor to understand the New Testament himself; if he hath succeeded in obtaining a more accurate knowledge of it, than those who have gone before him; it is not owing to superior advantages of situation; still less, to superior learning and abilities. Indeed he cannot help considering it as one considerable argument iti favor of Christianity, that it requires, not so much, a superior depth of learning, as an attentive perusal of it as an History, and particularly, as an History of the great Controversy between Jesus

and

and the Jews, concerning the true nature of the Messiah's Character. Viewing it in this light, discoveries have gradually been made by him, of which he had no conception, particularly with respect to St. Paul's Man of Sin, and the Antichrist of St. John. And he is firmly persuaded, that if the same plan is faithfully pursued; it will be followed by discoveries, still more important and satisfactory!