PREFACE.

IN my lectures on the Figurative Language of the Scripture, I hazarded the following assertion in favour of its usefulness: "So plain is this sort of teach

ing, and so effectual, that if I were to begin with "the first elements of inftruction to a child, I would "teach this ideal language, in preference to all the "languages in the world; for this is the life and soul "of all the reft." P. 269. Edit.

In this little work, I have partly executed the plan mind then suggested to me; under an assur

which my ance, that it will raise the curiosity of young people,

and prepare their understanding for the reading of those

lectures;

lectures; on the matter of which my mind had been working for more than twenty years before I could persuade myself that I was fit to write upon it; and when they who learn this book shall have learned that, I fhall have nothing farther to expect of them. The language of the word of God will then be opened to their minds, and the matter of it will have fixed itself in their affections: and when they fhall be advanced and settled in life, they will teach it their own children, as I have taught them; for where this sort of wisdom hath once entered, it will never be loft or neglected; and he that values it for his own use, wilt have delight in communicating it to others.

To the Clergy of this Church I fhall not prescribe but, as a faithful brother, I will promise them, that in teaching the younger part of their flock, they will soon see a happy effect, if they will condescend to teach according to the rule I have followed in this book. Other books teach a grammar of words; but this is the grammar of things; to be conceived by the imagination, and applied by the understanding, for the improvement of the heart in divine and moral wisdom. It is all after the pattern of that plain and forcible ftyle of preaching and reasoning, which firft con

founded the Jews, and enlightened the Gentiles; and which will even now raise up converts to the Christian Faith, and support them in the same, against all the seducing efforts of Infidelity.

Mayland, May 1, 1792.

INTRODUCTION.

AS the ear heareth words, so doth the mind understand things: and hence there is a language of the mind, which teaches some things from the nature of other things. While we are learning to read, we think we have got all we want when the book becomes easy: but there is still another language, by which we are to get wisdom in a higher and a shorter way.

All children are delighted with pictures: but they do not know that the whole world is a picture, and that all the things we see with our eyes speak something to the mind, to instruct and improve it.

When we know something of this language, then think ourselves able to read like men and chris

we may tians. It cannot be explained but by shewing what it

and then it will speak for itself: But as neither children