an intermixture of difpenfations of providence with things the prophecy feems not to refpect, and above all, the different perfons, events, and feasons to which the fame prediction refers, require this fubject to be treated with great modefty and diffidence; efpecially when we recollect, that, befide the particular perfon, feafon, and event, to which the prophecy more directly points, it may have a more diftant reference to others of ftill higher importance, or it may receive a continued completion through a long feries of time. From the applications of the ancient prophecies by the writers of the New Teftament, we fee they admit of a very different interpretation from what may be thought to be the primary and immediate view of the prophets themselves. This accomplishment of prophecy in more events than one, in the fame fyftem, at different periods, forms that double fenfe, which, far from giving offence, ought to excite our admiration, and establish our faith in the divine testimony, convinced that the expofitions which fome imagine to be different fenfes of the fame fcripture, are indeed no more than parts of one full complete fenfe which properly belongs to it.

"The ftudent," fays the pious Dr. Horne, in his excellent Preface to his Commentary on the Pfalms, "who is defirous of farther information

66

upon a subject fo curious, fo entertaining, " and fo interefting, as that of the figurative "language of fcripture, the principles on which "it is founded, and the beft rules to be obferved "in the fober and rational interpretation of it,

may

“may find satisfaction by consulting the follow66 ing authors:

"Lowth's Preface to his Commentary on the "Prophets.

"Lowth's Prælect. de Sacr. Poef. Heb. Prælect. "iv.-xii.

"Hurd's Introduct. to the Study of the Pro"phecies, Serm. ii. iii. and iv.

"Pafcal's Thoughts, Sect. x.-xiv.

Vitringa Obfervat. Sacr. Lib. vi. Cap. xx. et Lib. vii.

"Vitringa Præfat. ad Comment. in Ifaiam. "Glaffii Philologia Sacra, Lib. ii.

"Witfii Mifcellan. Sacr. Tom. i. Lib. iii. "Cap. iii. Lib. ii. Differt. i. ii.

"Witfii Econom. Foed. Lib. iv. Cap. vi.-x. "Waterland's General Preface to Scripture "Vindicated."

To which I fubjoin with pleasure, Horne's Preface to his Commentary on the Pfalms.

These Lectures were delivered to a fmall congregation in the country, with the design of promoting their acquaintance with the facred oracles, of impreffing their minds with the great truths they contain, and of directing them to the proper improvement they ought to make of their knowledge. I now prefent them to the inspection of the Public, with no felf-intereft in view, with no fpleen to gratify, with no finister purposes to serve, but with a fincere love of truth, and an affectionate defire of advancing the study of the fcriptures, and the falvation of men. If I shall be so happy as to attain these

ends,

ends, I fhall have a moft ample recompence of my labour, and fhall be more indifferent to the praise or cenfure which may be bestowed on thefe well-meant endeavours to ferve the best interests of mankind. I hope, however, that this publication, though in many respects deficient, may induce others, who have more time and greater abilities, to adopt this useful method of illuftrating fcripture, and to do greater juftice to the fubject of these Lectures. A work of this fort being uncommon, it must be proportionally difficult; a circumstance which, in fome measure, ought to apologize for the faults and deficiences that attend its execution.

With respect to ftyle and compofition, it becomes me rather to fupplicate indulgence than claim applause. Some write for the learned and more polite: I lectured, and now write, for the benefit of the plain and more unpolished class of men, whofe fpiritual interefts deferve equal attention. According to my abilities, I have endeavoured to exprefs myfelf in plain fcriptural language, affecting neither the ornaments of diction, nor elegance of manner, which would not have fuited my audience.-With regard to the fubject and matter of thefe difcourfes, I cheerfully fubmit them to the perusal of those who are pleased to read them: far from pretending to dominion over their faith, or impofing my fentiments as the rule or measure of their judgment, I Humbly fuggeft what, in my opinion, appears to be the true meaning and defign of the infpired writer. I trust the candid Reader will not judge of them by a detached view of

the

the explanation given of any particular paffage of fcripture, concerning which I may be miftaken. To judge fairly, and pronounce juftly of this performance, the general nature, the uniform tenour, and profeffed defign, must be examined with candour, and proper allowance made for the inaccuracies and errors that may have escaped the author, which he will be ready to correct, when they are pointed out to him. Having lectured on the whole Prophecies of Ifaiah, I now publifh, with fome measure of diffidence and folicitude, this volume, as a fpecimen of the work, which would require about four volumes more to comprehend what remains of the expofition. I fondly hope, that this fample, which I now offer to the public infpection, will prove, through the divine bleffing, acceptable and useful to fome of those who are pleased to peruse it. Should they experience half the pleasure in reading, which I enjoyed in compofing and delivering thefe Lectures, my labour will not be loft, and their time and expence fully compenfated.

Thofe who think that every one ought to be his own interpreter of fcripture, will no doubt confider this as an unneceflary and ufelefs publication. I acknowledge, that the word of God is its own interpreter; that the obscure paffages are beft illuftrated by thofe which are more clear and perfpicuous; and that those which are fo plain as to require little or no expofition, throw light upon texts which are more difficult and hard to be understood: notwithstanding I affirm, that Chriftians may derive much benefit from

writings

writings of this fort well executed, and be greatly affifted in understanding the meaning, connection, and design of the facred books; and therefore they ought thankfully to receive them, and diligently improve them, in humble dependence on the divine bleffing.- Thofe alfo who are provided with the best Commentaries that have been written by learned men on the fcriptures, may be of opinion, that this work might have been fuppreffed, as there are already fo many expofitions of the Bible. Though it may be of fmall benefit to them who are furnished with good libraries, it may be of confiderable use to those who, not poffeffed of this advantage, are defirous of being affifted in understanding the prophecies of the Old Teftament, and in tracing their connection with the gospel of Jefus Chrift. For fuch thefe difcourfes are especially intended, though I hope they will be found not unworthy of the attention of others, whofe approbation I would highly esteem, and am folicitous to obtain. I conclude, by earneftly recommending this performance to the kind patronage and divine benediction of that God, to the advancement of whose glory, and to the good of whofe people, it is humbly dedicated.