world; than the manner in which fcience gradually advances; in its continual progrefs.When once men begin to put together, fairly, a Multitude of those Data (as the mathematicians call them) that are afforded us in the whole. Scene of Creation around; and proceed to deduce, with caution, the Conclufions that both may be, and ought to be drawn from them; it is furprising to discover how much more Information was really obvious to us for Ages, and has indeed been fully communicated to us, than the world in general was either aware of, or ready to believe. And surely that Information is worth hearkening unto, as we have Opportunity and Ability. Especially when it is found to promote the Glory of God; as all real enlargement of knowledge muft ever do; and to unite true Philofophy and Religion by the closest Bands; instead of fuffering the former to be confidered as adverfe to the latter, or to be made ufe of, any longer, as a foundation for Scepticism and Infidelity.

It is unquestionably true; and ought to be acknowledged with the deepest sense of the imperfection of all human acquirements; that, at beft, our apprehenfions and conclufions concerning things in the worlds above, or re

lating to Futurity, must be very inadequate ; and only Approximations to Truth; especially when compared with that Degree of Knowledge which we have Reafon to believe fhall be attained hereafter. They are even fimilar to the Thoughts and Conceptions of Childhood, with regard to the State of Things on Earth.

-But to make even an Approximation, in this World, towards the full Light that fhall hereafter be perceived, is furely an Acquifition of Importance to Human Nature;—and no Glimpfes, or Dawnings of Information, that may at all contribute to that End, fhould be Scorned, or neglected, however any certain Degrees of Error may ftill accompany them.

I cannot conclude without acknowledging, that we can never be fufficiently thankful to Almighty God for the Benefit we receive by means of those great and good Men, from whofe Fortitude, and Labours, we derive the opportunity of reading the Holy Scriptures, without any Reftraint, and in our own vernacular Language. And it is truly wonderful, that, on their very first Effort, they should have fucceeded fo far, as to have given us a Translation abounding with the utmoft Sublimity, and Dignity of Expreffion; and containing, comparatively,

VOL. I.

a

tively, fo few Miftakes. Some Inaccuracies and Errors, however, there unquestionably are, and could not but be, in a Verfion compofed on the very Dawn of reviving Science ;- and especially in fuch Parts, as related at all to Philofophical, and Abstruse Subjects.

Thefe Errors it is Time to endeavour to rectify, (at least by means of a fair and plain Comment.-)And the good Success of the Original Tranflators, whofe Work deferves ever to be had in Honour, fhould be an Encouragement, leading us to imitate their Diligent Labours, by adding occafionally fuch Obfervations, and Means of Illuftration, as the Discoveries of latter Ages do by Degrees enable us to have the Advantage of.

This prefent Undertaking is in fome meafure an Effort of that kind ;-as well as an Endeavour to bring true Experimental Philofophy, and faithful Records of Hiftory, to the Aid of the Caufe of Religion.

If, in a Work of this Nature, other Errors, and Inadvertencies are ftill difcovered, as not only may be, but almost unavoidably must be the cafe, confidering how defective our best Knowledge is, it is to be hoped they may be pardoned; and that a due Allowance will

ever be made for the Imperfection that always cleaves to Human Nature.

But if, by any means, an additional Knowledge of Truth is brought to Light;-let us give the Thanks folely to THAT FATHER OF SPIRITS, and Original Source of Wifdom, Who bringeth forth Good out of Evil, and Light out of Darkness, and causeth even the weakeft, and most unworthy, to become Inftruments of Good.

CON