THE Those DIvINE WRITERS are vindicated against the Charge of barbarous LANGUAGE, false Greek, and SOLECISMS. That all the Excellencics of STYLE, and sublime Beautics of LANGUAGE and genuine Eloquence do abound in the Sacred WRITERS of the New Testament. An Account of their STYLE and CHARACTER, and a Repre- sentation of their Superiority, in several Instances, to the best I N respect to the subject it self which I treat of, I cannot pretend to present my reader with a discourse entirely new: but if the copiousness and choice of my materials, with the manner and method of my managing and disposing of them be consider'd, it may appear that there is fomething new in this Eflay. I have read the best and most authentic Greek writers, with a view of comparing them with the divine writers of the new Testament; by which I have been enabled to prove the pu rity rity and elegance of numerous pasfages, which for several ages have by eminent scholars been condemned for folecifms. Many learned and good men, whose sentiments may not entirely agree with mine in the First Part, will, I believe, allow me to be right in the Second; and in general acknowledge the fublime eloquence and noble beauties of the inspir'd writers; only charge me, which I humbly acknowledge, with a very imperfect representation of them. I have done my poor endeavours; and have perhaps, by opening the way, done fervice to the publick, by giving the hint to some greater and more able genius, who is qualify'd to do more justice to this glorious subject . With modeft fcholars and Christians the honesty of my intention and the diligence of my labours will plead for PREFACE favourable abatements. If any If any such worthy person shall think it proper to correct any of my mistakes in public, it will not be by way of haughtiness and insult, but charitable advertisement and instruction; and tho’I may have opposers I shall have no enemies; nor shall I express any resentment, but return my grateful acknowledgments . Thro' my whole Essay, I hope none can charge me with ill manners, or want of fidelity in my quotations and representation of things. Those doctrines of heavenly charity and eternal truth condemn all spight, envy, and ill manners, and the effects of fuch vile qualities, fcurrilous language and railing, and disdain; and are infinitely above all equivocation and forry sleights of worldly cunning; and what some foften with the term of pious, but, in plain terms, are im pious frauds. On |