iv DEDICATION. 



Among the numerous opinions expressed in 

 these volumes, you will, no doubt, find some 

 which totally differ from your own; and 

 •others which more attentive and enlarged 

 views would have taught me considerably to 

 modify or amend. Of the former you will 

 not consider this public address as implying 

 or soliciting j^our approbation. Of the latter 

 I am confident you will be disposed to form 

 a candid and even an indulgent estimate. 



But with respect to some of the leading 

 opinions delivered in the following sheets, I 

 am happy in the assurance that you perfecdy 

 comcide with me. To all that is said of the 

 perfect harmony between the Religion of 

 Christ and genuine Philosophy, and of the 

 illustration and support which the former has 

 received at every successive step of the latter 

 in the last age; to every unfavourable judg- 

 ment pronounced on those theories, falsely 

 called philosophy, which pervert reason, con- 

 tradict Revelation, and blaspheme its divine 

 Author; and to every expression of satisfac- 

 tion at the progress of elegant letters and sub- 

 stantial science, as tending to promote the dig- 

 nity and happiness of man— to opinions and 

 sentiments like these, I know too much of your 

 character to doubt of receiving your sanction. 



Those who, like yourself, contemplate every 

 department of human affairs dirough the me- 

 dium of Christian principles, while diey see 

 nruca to deplore, see also much to approve and 



