E And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unt (femán LONDON: J. NISBET AND CO., BERNERS STREET; SEELEYS, FLEET STREET; J. H. JACKSON, ISLINGTON GREEN; MDCCCXLIII. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. FOR the very favourable reception given by the Christian public to the First Edition of this Work, the author feels sincerely thankful. He trusts it has been made subservient, in many instances, to the edification and consolation of God's dear children. Care has been taken to render the present Edition still more conducive to that end. Passages, which might seem to be somewhat obscure before, have been rendered clearer and by the addition of particular texts, sentiments occasionally advanced, have been more fully proved. Still, however, the intimation already given in the former Preface, the author would repeat: There must be a careful, and even studious perusal of the work on the part of the reader, in order to the due appreciation and enjoyment of its subject. It is not the bee's mere lighting upon a flower, but its resting there in the busy exercise of its ingenious powers, that will extract the honey, and gather a precious load for the hive: in like manner, it is not a hasty or a cursory perusal of Scripture-testimony that will strengthen the faith or enrich the understanding of the Christian,-there must be a patient, meditative appropriation of its contents, and by this means only can the sweetness of Divine truth be extracted. God acknowledges his own word, and therewith he will bountifully feed the soul that seeketh him. Happy the individual whose heart's experience testifies, The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver! The author has appended to the present Edition, an Essay on the Right of Private Judgment. Now, more than ever, do circumstances require that we claim and exercise our right to read the Bible for ourselves, and thereby to try all professions of religious sentiment and practice. He earnestly hopes that this Essay will be found a seasonable appendage to the Tabernacle. All is commended in humble faith to the Divine approval and blessing. PERTENHALL RECTORY, BEDS, PREFACE TO THE GENERAL READER. THE present Discourses were substantially delivered to a very dear and most affectionate "Little Flock," accustomed to assemble under the author's pastoral ministration in the parish church of Bonby, near Bartonupon-Humber, North Lincolnshire. Circumstances which need no detail in this place, led to a special consideration of some Old Testament scriptures; and among them, particularly, the types and shadows of the Mosaic ritual. These discussions induced very remarkable interest; followed, in several instances, by diligent searchings of the Holy Word, a most ready and constant attendance upon the public means, and, withal, a delight, a comfort, a stability in the ways of godliness, which few of us had ever experienced before. The charge of "novelty," indeed, was occasionally raised; but while we could fall back upon the testimony of the great Teacher "Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things NEW and old"it mattered little what fallible judges thought. That cry might never more be repeated, now that the fulness of |