A VIEW OF THE SCRIPTURES, AND OF NATURAL KNOWLEDGE. "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."-1 Cor. iii. 19. "For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested."-Mark iv. 22. LONDON: J. HATCHARD AND SON. 1838. 1123. TO THE READER. THIS Work has been before the public fourteen years. The present additions, to illustrate this all-important subject, are made, in the hope of leading the humble in spirit, to the fountain of all wisdom and comfort. PREFACE. THE following pages are written, to point out the consistency of the Scriptures, in giving us the knowledge they professedly have in view; namely, that knowledge which is essential for our comfort in this our transitory state. To do this, we first show the limited knowledge of the natural mind, and the certain misery attending it, without a revelation and thence reduce the subject to this simple conclusion—that those people, who do not admit revealed knowledge, must admit the total ignorance of themselves: so that the reasonable part of mankind may have evidence, that such scepticism does not arise from an impartial examination of the subject, but from the unreasonableness of a depraved nature; and that their stumbling block is the error of pride, which disdains instruction beyond the little circle of the wandering fancies of ignorance! If, however, they should inquire whether the Scriptures do, or do not reveal a knowledge far beyond the depth that either ancient or modern philosophy |