qualities, and more still as I have the happinefs to live under Your peculiar jurifdiction: and Your GRACE is very kind in permitting me to inscribe it to Your Name, which kindness I will not abufe by the ufual ftile of dedications, Your GRACE's virtues are fo well known, and fo univerfally esteemed, as to ftand in need of no commendation, and much lefs of mine,

I would rather beg leave to apprife Your GRACE, and the reader, of the design of these differtations: which is not to treat of the prophecies in general, nor even of thofe prophecies in particular, which were fulfilled in the perfon and actions of our Saviour; but only of fuch as rélate more immediately to thefe later ages, and are in fome measure receiving their accomplishment at this time. What firft fuggefted the defign, were fome converfations, formerly with a great General*, who had for many years the chief commands in the army, and was a man of

* Marshal Wade.

good

good understanding, and of fome reading, but unhappily had no great regard for revealed religion or the clergy. When the prophecies were urged as a proof of revelation, he constantly derided the notion, afferted that there was no fuch thing, and that the prophecies which were pretended were written after the events. It was immediately replied, that tho' fuch a thing might with lefs fcruple and more confidence be affirmed of fome prophecies fulfilled long ago, yet it could never be proved of any, the contrary might be proved almost to a demonftration: but it could not be fo much as affirmed of feveral prophecies without manifeft abfurdity; for there were feveral prophecies in fcripture, which were not fulfilled till these later ages, and were fulfilling even now, and confequently could not be framed after the events, but undeniably were written and published many ages before. He was ftartled at this, and faid he muft acknowledge, that if this point could be proved to fatisfaction, there would be no

arguing against fuch plain matter of fact; it would certainly convince him, and he believed would be the readieft way to convince every reasonable man, of the truth of revelation.

But

It was this occafion, my LORD, that firft gave rife to these Differtations, which were originally drawn up in the form of fome fermons. fince that time, they have been new-modelled, much altered and much inlarged, and confirmed by proper authorities. And tho' fome of them only are here published, yet each differtation may be confidered as a diftinct treatise by itself. It is hoped indeed, that the whole, like an arch, will add strength and firmness to each part; but at the fame time care hath been taken, that the parts fhould have ftrength in themfelves, as well as a relation to the whole, and a connection with each other. The publication therefore of fome parts cannot be improper; and the others fhall go to the prefs as foon as an indifferent share of health, conftant preaching twice a day,

and

and other neceffary duties and avocations will permit me to put the finishing hand to them.

3

Every reader muft know, Your GRACE and every scholaf must know more especially, that fuch works are not to be precipitated. They require time and learned leisure, great réading and great exactnefs, both difquifitions of some of the most curious points of history, as well as explications of fome of the most difficult paffages of fcripture. And I fhould not prefume to offer any of them to Your GRACE, or to fubmit them to the public cenfure, if they had not been firft perused and corrected by fome of my friends, and particularly by three of the beft fcholars, and ableft critics of this age, Bishop Pearce, Dr. Warburton, and Dr. Jortin; who were alfo my friendly coadjutors in my edition of Milton; and as they excel in all good learning themselves, fo they are very ready to promote and affift the well-meant endevors of others.

When the other parts fhall appear, they fhall likewife beg Your GRACE's patronage and protection. And in the mean time may Your GRACE's health be re-established and continue many years for the good of this church and `nation! It is nothing to say that it is my earneft wifh It is the wifh of all mankind: but of none more ardently than,