abstract, has been a very subordinate aim and end with him in the composition of the following pages; nor is he much more sanguine in his hopes of interesting those, whose admiration of the Sacred Volume is rather matter of critical taste, than founded on a more grateful and spiritual appreciation. By those, and those alone, who read the Scriptures with a devotional spirit, and for devotional ends, can the Author wish that his feeble efforts, in the following pages, should be regarded as worthy attention; and for them, only, has he written: if any of the sentiments contained in these Devotional Verses may, through the divine blessing, be rendered in the slightest degree helpful to such, the Author will not have written in vain; if in their view he should have "darkened counsel by words without knowledge," no praise of others could compensate for their censure.

It only remains for the Author to conclude; and he does so in the words of Quarles,--as expressing forcibly, though quaintly, his own sentiments: "A "sober vein best suits Theology; if, therefore, thou expectest such elegancie as takes the times, affect some

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subject as will bear it. Had I laboured "with over-abundance of fictions or "flourishes, perhaps they had exposed "me censurable, and disprized this sacred subject: therefore I rest more

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sparing in that kind. Reader! be "more than my hasty pen styles thee. "Read me with advice, and thereafter "judge me, and in that judgment cen"sure me. If I jangle, think my intent thereby is to toll better ringers in. "Farewell!"

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