WHATEVER apologies this book has formerly been prefaced with, (as to the manner in which many lines in it are written,) fhall be here altogether dropt and forborne. I now difmifs it as it is, under the conduct of divine Providence, to take its hazard in the world; fince it has already served its apprenticeship under several impreffions, and gone both through kind and hard ufage, through good and bad report. It never promised much to them that seek nothing but pleasure and fatisfaction_to their fancy; but I have heard, that it has done fome fervice (and I hope, through the bleffing of Heaven, it may yet do more) to them that feek profit and edification to their fouls.
The late edition of this book at London being more full and complete than any that was formerly emitted, it is fit here to acquaint the reader, that this is printed exactly off the London copy, without any material addition or alteration, except in the third part of the book, that comes under the name of Riddles, or Myfteries; and part fixth, Chap. ii. Sect. 1, intitled, The believer's principles, concerning the mysteries of the law and gofpel: both of which (because there were feveral demands in this country for a new edition,) I thought fit to confirm by fcripture texts, cited at the bottom of the page, for the benefit of thofe that are weak in knowledge, and unacquainted with the fcripture. I have directed them by a letter of the alphabet, at every branch of the fentence that is either seemingly or really oppofite to the other, unto fome fcripture texts, one or more, for evincing the truth thereof: by which means, the weakest that is willing, may come to understand the most difficult paradox, or mystery, mentioned in this work; at least fo far as to * The scriptures in this edition are extended at full length.