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THE

SYSTEM OF DOCTRINES,

CONTAINED IN

DIVINE REVELATION,

EXPLAINED AND DEFENDED.

SHEWING THEIR

CONSISTENCE AND CONNEXION WITH EACH OTHER.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A TREATISE ON THE MILLENNIUM.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

BY SAMUEL HOPKINS, D. D.

LATE PASTOR OF THE 1st CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN NEWPORT.

VOL. I.

SECOND EDITION.

BOSTON :

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY LINCOLN & EDMANDS,

No. 53 Cornhill.

1811.

Published according to Act of Congress.

PREFACE.

SYSTEMATIC Divinity is considered and treated, by many, with slight and contempt. And if a book be` written in this form, and published under the title of a System or Body of Divinity, this is a sufficient reason, with them, to neglect it, as not worthy their attention. But can this be supported by any good reason? Is not a System of Divinity as proper and important, as a System of Jurisprudence, Physic, or natural Philosophy?

If the Bible be a revelation from heaven, it contains a System of consistent important Doctrines; which are so connected, and implied in each other, that one cannot be so well understood, if detached from all the rest, and considered by itself; and some must be first known, before others can be seen in a proper and true light. When all these are stated, and explained, according to Scripture, and in their true order, connection and dependence, a System of Doctrines is formed. This every person must do in some measure and degree, who understands the Bible. And he who would assist others in doing this, and set the Doctrines of Christianity in a clear light, and to the best advantage to be un

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