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ject, for fear that the simpler sort should not fully understand him, he might expect to be deemed a trißer by the more intelligent.

"Our author had a rare talent to penetrate deep in search of truth; to take an extensive survey of a subject, and look through it into remote consequences. Hence many theorems, that appear ed hard and barren to others, were to him pleasant and fruitful fields, where his mind would expatiate with peculiar ease, profit and entertainment. Those studies, which to some were too fa

tiguing to the mind, and wearing to the constitution, were to him but a natural play of genius; and which his mind, without labor, would freely and spontaneously perform. A close and conclusive way of reasoning upon a controversial point was easy and natural to him.

"This may serve, it is conceived, to account for his usual manner of treating abstruse and controverted subjects, which some have thought has been too metaphysical. But the truth is, that his critical method of looking through the nature of his subject; his accuracy and precision in canvassing truth, comparing ideas, drawing consequences, pointing out and exposing absurdities....naturally led him to reduce the evidence in favor of truth into the form of demonstration. Which doubtless, where it can be obtained, is the most eligible, and by far the most satisfying to great and noble minds. And though some readers may find the labor hard, to keep pace with the writer, in the advances he makes, where the ascent is arduous; yet in general all was easy to him Such was his peculiar love and discernment of truth, and natural propensity to search after it. His own ideas were clear to him, where some readers have thought them obscure. Thus many things in the works of Newton and Locke, which appear either quite unintelligible, or very obscure to the illiterate, were clear and bright to those illustrious authors, and their learned readers.

"The subjects here handled are sublime and important. The end which God had in view in creating the world, was doubtless worthy of him; and consequently the most excellent and glorious possible. This, therefore, must be worthy to be known by all the intelligent creation, as excellent in itself, and worthy of their pursuit. And as true virtue distinguishes the inhabitants of heaven

and all the happy candidates for that world of glory, from all others....there cannot surely be a more interesting subject.

"The notions which some men entertain concerning God's end in creating the world, and concerning true virtue, in our late author's opinion, have a natural tendency to corrupt Christianity, and to destroy the gospel of our divine Redeemer. It was therefore, no doubt, in the exercise of a pius concern for the honor and glory of God, and a tender respect to the best interests of his fellow men, that this devout and learned writer undertook the following work.

"May the father of lights smile upon the pious and benevolent aims and labors of his servant, and crown them with his blessing! EDITOR.

July 12, 1765."

ADVERTISEMENT,

FOR THE TREATISE ON ORIGINAL SIN.

When the page is referred to in this manner, p. 40, p. 50, without men. oning the book, thereby is to be understood such a page in Dr Taylor's Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin. S intends the Supplement When the word, Key, is used to signify the book referred to, thereby is to be understood Dr Taylor's KEY to the Apostolic Writings. This mark [6] with fig ures or a number annexed, signifies such a section or paragraph in his Key. When after mentioning Preface to Par. on Epist. to Romans, there is subjoined P. 145 47. or the like, thereby is intended Page and Paragraph page 145, Paragraph 47. The references suit the London editions of Dr. Taylor's books, printed about the year 1760,

DISSERTATION

CONCERNING THE END

FOR WHICH

GOD CREATED THE WORLD.

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