DISSERTATIONS;

CONTAINING,

I. The NATURE of the SINAI COVE

NANT.

II. The CHARACTER and PRIVILEGES of the APOSTOLIC CHURCHES, with an Examination of Dr. TAYLOR'S KEY to the EPISTLES.

HII. The NATURE of SAVING FAITH,

IV. The LAW of NATURE fufficiently promulgated to the HEATHENS.

V. An Attempt to promote the frequent difpenfing the LORD'S SUPPER.

By JOHN ERSKINE, M. A.

One of the MINISTERS of EDINBURGH.

LONDON:

Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry, near the Manfion-House.

MDCCLXV.

THE

PREFACE.

33

T

HE three firft of the following Differtations were never before published. The two laft, were printed in ******* Scotland, feveral years ago. I flatter myself, they fomewhat illuftrate the fentiments of Heathen Philofophers ;and the doctrine and worship that have prevailed in different ages of the Chriftian Church. But they are chiefly intended to explain and defend certain Scriptural Truths, of which I apprehend many entertain falfe, or at leaft. indiftinct ideas,

and yet, which could not have been fufficiently unfolded from the Pulpit, without ufurping the place of what was more neceffary.

If I have found fault, with certain commonly received opinions, it is not from affectation of fingularity. The growing difpofition in Britain and her Colonies, to renounce many important doctrines maintained by the first Reformers, indicates an approaching Apoftacy from the Faith of Chrift to another Gospel. Yet, in leffer matters, the best and wifeft have erred, and it cafts no contempt on their memory, but difcovers a becoming reverence for the Sacred Oracles, to try their opinions by that infallible touchstone.

I fuppofe, it is above thirteen years, fince a great part of the Differtation on the Sinai Covenant, was delivered before the Presbytery of Glasgow. And it is near fixteen years, fince the substance of the Differtation on Faith, was preached before the late Earl of Leven, his Majefty's High Com miffioner to the General Affembly. I thought it probable, if my fentiments were

unfound,