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THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

THERE is no superfluity of Biblical Discourses, at least of those in which the great doctrine of Christ being our representative, stands pre-eminent, casting a light upon all others. It was this consideration which overcame the hesitation I felt in publishing the following contemplations. It is with earnest seriousness I send them forth to the world, and I entreat my readers to study them with attention before pronouncing on their merits; and not to cry at random, "Enthusiasm! Hyper-orthodoxy!" believe that I have drawn from the well of Scripture all that I have taught; and out of Scripture, let those who think I have erred correct me, for I am willing to learn.

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It has been said, "As there is nothing so absurd but what some philosopher has taught; so there is nothing presented to a philosopher's attention which he should refuse to try and examine, ere he takes upon him to reject it. Disgust without reason, is a proof either of a diseased appetite, or of an over-indulged and fantastic imagination."

The same voice from the desert says, "Hyper-critics are always inquiring what truth is, but at the same moment have their hands on the door; for they will not wait to receive an answer to their question." Again, "Our reason resembles the blind Theban soothsayer, to whom his daughter 'Manto described the flight of birds; and he prophesied according to her description." In another place, "Since great part of Scripture was written under the direction of God by the humble, the low, and the uneducated, putting to shame the talent and ingenuity of profane writers; so it requires men enlightened by the Spirit of God, whose eyes are jealous as those of a friend, to discern the rays of heavenly glory in such a guise!" These remarks are for the consideration of critics: meanwhile I may assure those who are earnestly seeking after salvation, that many branches from the tree of life are interspersed through this book, from which the Author, during his labours, plucked sweet fruits ripened under other suns. Oh! that the same harvest might be reaped by each of his readers! then the only wish with which he sends forth this book would be granted, and to God on high should be ascribed the glory!

F. W. KRUMMACHER,

Pastor in Gemarke.

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O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me

hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord

God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great

while to come; and is this the manner of man, O Lord God? And

what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest

thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own

heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant

know them. Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is

none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to

all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the

earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem

for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you

great things, and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which

thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their

gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be

a people unto thee for ever; and thou, Lord, art become their God.

And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning

thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do

as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying,

The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy

servant David be established before thee. For thou, O Lord of

hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will

build thee an house; therefore hath thy servant found in his heart

to pray this prayer unto thee."

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