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lities, and more still as I have the happinefs to live under your peculiar jurifdict on and Your GRACE is very kind in permitting me to infcribe it to Your Name, which kindnefs I will not abufe with the ufual ftile of dedications. Your GRACE's virtues are fo well known, and fo univerfally efteemed, as to ftand in need of no commendation, and much lefs of mine.

I would rather beg leave to apprife Your GRACE, and the reader, of the defign of thefe differtations: which is not to treat of the prophecies in general, nor even of those prophecies in particular, which were fulfilled in the person and actions of our Saviour; but only of fuch as relate more immediately to these later ages, and are in fome measure receiving their accomplishment at this time. What firft fuggefted the defign, were fome converfations formerly with a great General, who had for many years the chief commands in the army, and was a man of good understanding, and of

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fome reading, but unhappily had no great regard for revealed religion or the clergy. When the prophecies were urged as a proof of revelation, he conftantly derided the notion, afferted that there was no fuch thing, and that the prophecies which were pretended were written after the events. He was informed, that tho' fuch a thing might with less fcruple and more confidence be affirmed of fome prophecies fulfilled long ago, yet it could never be proved of any, the contrary might be proved almoft to a demonstration: but it could not be fo much as affirmed of feveral prophecies without manifeft abfurdity; for there were feveral prophecies in fcripture, which were not fulfilled till these later ages, and were fulfilling even now, and confequently could not be framed after the events, but undeniably were written and published many ages before. He was startled at this, and faid he muft acknowlege, that if this point could be proved to fatisfaction, there would be no argu

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arguing against fuch plain matter of fact; it would certainly convince him, and he believed would be the readieft way to convince every reasonable man, of the truth of revelation.

It was this occafion, my LORD, that firft gave rife to thefe differtations, which were originally drawn up in the form of fome fermons. But fince that time they have been new-modeled, much altered and much inlarged, and confirmed by proper authorities. And tho' fome of them only are here publifhed, yet each differtation may be confidered as a diftinct treatife by itself. It is hoped indeed, that the whole, like an arch, will add strength and firmness to each part; but at the fame time care hath been taken, that the parts fhould have ftrength in themselves, as well as a relation to the whole, and a connexion with each other. The publication therefore of fome parts cannot be improper; and the others fhall go to the prefs, fo foon as an indifferent fhare of health,

conftant

conftant preaching twice a day, and other neceffary duties and avocations will permit me to put the finishing hand to them.

Every reader must know, Your GRACE and every scholar must know more especially, that fuch works are not to be precipitated. They require time and learned leifure, great reading and great exactness, being difquifitions of fome of the most curious points of hiftory, as well as explications of fome of the most difficult paffages of fcripture. And I fhould not prefume to offer any of them to Your GRACE, or to fubmit them to the public cenfure, if they had not been firft perused and corrected by fome of my friends, and particularly by three of the best scholars, and ableft critics of this age, Bishop Pearce, Dr. Warburton, and Dr. Jortin; who were alfo my friendly coadjutors in my edition of Milton; and as they excel in all good learning themfelyes, fo they are very ready to promote and affift the well-meant endevors

of others.

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When the other parts fhall appear, they shall likewife beg Your GRACE'S patronage and protection. And in the mean time may Your GRACE's health be re-established, and continue many years for the good of this church and nation! It is nothing to fay that it is my earnest wish: It is the wifh of all mankind: but of none more ardently than,

May it pleafe Your GRACE,

Your GRACE's most dutiful,

and obliged,

and obedient Servant,

Oct. 5. 1754.

THOMAS NEWTON.

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