fpeciousness of the colouring in which they have been delivered. Againft writers of this stamp are these Discourses chiefly levelled; and perhaps there is no better method of confuting them, than by stating the truth in its genuine and scriptural light, and giving the general arguments that fair arrangement which may be neceffary for thofe, who either cannot, or will not, examine and fearch diligently the whole Book of God.

The grand point which the Author has principally attempted to illuftrate, is that well known but too much neglected truth, that Jefus Chrift is the Saviour of the World, and the Redeemer of Mankind. This fundamental doctrine is first proved by the ancient Scriptures, or the argument from Prophecy; an argument, which, in its full scope and completion, is irresistible, and must convince every candid and impartial mind: But in order to induce men to judge for themselves what is right, and to search the Scriptures, whether the grand doctrines of the Chriftian Faith are con

tained therein, he has endeavoured to recommend the knowledge and study of them by fome very powerful and perfuafive motives. He has in the next place confidered the fuperior defireable nature of the true knowledge of God and Chrift, and the comparative excellencies of the Chrif tian discoveries over the greateft efforts of unaffifted Reason, and even the earlier Revelations of God himself under the Mofaical œconomy. Thefe, as fo many preparatory steps, tended to introduce the perfon and character of Jefus the Son of God, whose offices and high commiffion he hath explained, and fhewed him to be every way qualified for the very important errand on which he was fent; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, that all flesh should see, and partake of the Salvation of God.

Thus was God reconciling the world unto himself: This was his gratuitous overture of Love and Mercy. It next behoves us to reflect, what part or share belongs to us, to render this fo great Salvation effectual. This idea hath given occafion to an examination into the honour and

reverence due to that bleffed Son of God, who hath done fuch glorious things for us; and also hath led to an expofition of the nature and efficacy of our Chriftian Faith, and the neceffity of the publick confeffion or avowal of that faving vital Faith which is the natural certain confequence of its proceeding from confirmed principles of rational conviction. But alas! as all are not Christ's that are called by his holy name: The laft point, as no improper conclufion of the foregoing obfervations, is an inquiry into the causes and reasons why this Faith thus important and thus recommended, is not more generally and univerfally effectual to influence the heart and affections; and how, after all, it happens, that so many should difregard their own plain intereft, and that in a matter of fuch effential and eternal confequence.

The Author hopes he has treated these momentous fubjects with a tolerable degree of precifion and accuracy; and heartily wishes his labours may be received by others, with that fincerity and good meaning with which they were written by himself,

Extract from the laft Will and Teftament of the late Rev. JOHN BAMPTON, Canon of Salisbury.

"I give and bequeath my Lands

"and Eftates to the Chancellor, Maflers, "and Scholars of the Univerfity of Ox"ford for ever, to have and to hold all "and fingular the faid Lands or Estates upon truft, and to the intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned; that is to say, I will and appoint, that the Vice"Chancellor of the University of Oxford "for the time being shall take and receive "all the rents, iffues, and profits thereof, "and (after all taxes, reparations, and ne

ceffary deductions made) that he pay all "the remainder to the endowment of eight

Divinity Lecture Sermons, to be esta"blished for ever in the faid University, "and to be performed in the manner following:

"I direct and appoint, that, upon the "firft Tuesday in Easter Term, a Lec"turer be yearly chosen by the Heads of "Colleges

66

Colleges only, and by no others, in the "room adjoining to the Printing-Houfe, "between the hours of ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, to preach eight Divinity Lecture Sermons, the year following, at St. Mary's in Oxford, be"tween the commencement of the laft "month in Lent Term, and the end of "the third week in Act Term.

"Alfo I direct and appoint, that the eight Divinity Lecture Sermons shall be "preached upon either of the following

fubjects -to confirm and establish the "Chriftian Faith, and to confute all he"retics and fchifmatics upon the divine "authority of the Holy Scriptures—upon "the authority of the writings of the pri"mitive Fathers, as to the faith and prac"tice of the primitive Church- -upon the

66

Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jefus "Chrift-upon the Divinity of the Holy Ghoft-upon the Articles of the Chrif"tian Faith, as comprehended in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.

"Alfo I direct, that thirty copies of the eight Divinity Lecture Sermons shall be