ON THE

MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECTS

IN

RELIGION.
I

BY THOMAS SCOTT, D. D.

RECTOR OF ASTON, SANDFORD, BUCKS, AND CHAPLAIN TO

THE LOCK HOSPITAL, LONDON ;
AUTHOR OF THE COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE, &c. &c.

To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Is. viii. 20.

NEW-YORK:

&

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAMS & WHITING
AT THEIR THEOLOGICAL AND CLASSICAL: BOOK:STORE,

No. 118, Pearl-street.

J. SEYMOUR, PRINTER.

PREFACE.

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The original design of this compendious work was, in some respects, different from the direction it took during the course of its publication. The Author intended, by a series of Essays, each comprised in a single Number, to have guarded the minds of young people especially against the infidelity and scepticism of modern times, as well as to give a distinct view of the grand peculiarities, and excellent tendency of genuine Christianity. He purposed not to be strictly inethodical, argumentative, or systematic; but to treat a variety of subjects in a familiar, easy, and engaging manner.

The attempt, however, soon convinced him, that he had not the requisite talents for Essays of this description; and that he must leave it to persons of a more versatile and happy genius, to furnish that species of publication which seems most suited to the present circumstances, and best adapted to the taste of modern readers.

As, however, the Essays first published met with

great encouragement, and had considerable circulation, he proceeded on the plan to which he found himself most competent; and, without

the least previous design, he at length completved, according to his views, a compendious system to of the Christian religion.

Since the work was finished, in 1794, it has generally been disposed of in complete copies, though a large quantity of separate Essays has

a