a

THE design of the following volumes being to establish the canonical authority of the books of the New Testament, I imagined nothing could be a more suitable introduction to the work, than a dissertation concerning the necessity of it. My design is not to make any servile apology for this work's appearance in the world, (every man not only having a right, but being also obliged to do all he can for the interests of Christianity); but only, if it may be, to evidence the absolute necessity of a Christian's employing his utmost diligence, in order to be upon good grounds determined in a question of so great importance as that is, What books are to be received as the word of God?

What I design in this matter shall be comprised under the following observations; viz. I. That the right settling the canonical authority of the

books of the New Testament is attended with very many

and great difficulties. II. That it is a matter of the greatest consequence and im

portance.