As to what concerns the second edition,[2] it was undertaken at the request of some who did not expect that the former would be so soon out of print. That which gives me great satisfaction is, the acceptance it has met with from many judicious divines and others, in North-Britain; and I cannot but reckon the honour that the learned professors in the university of Aberdeen did me, in signifying their approbation of it, much more to be desired, than the highest titles that could have been conferred upon me without it. I have nothing farther to trouble the reader with in this preface; but would only request of him, that, what thoughts soever he may entertain concerning the way in which I have endeavoured to state and defend some great and important truths, he would search the scriptures, and explain them agreeably to the divine perfections, and not think the worse of the gospel, which stands upon a firmer basis, than the weak efforts of fallible men, who use their best endeavours to defend it. If we had not a surer rule of faith, than the methods of human reasoning, religion would be a matter of great uncertainty, and we should be in danger of being _tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine_. But our best security against this, will be our having hearts established with grace, and rightly disposed to make a practical improvement of what we learn; and, if we are enabled to follow on to know the Lord with minds free from prejudice, and, if under a due sense of our weakness, we humbly present our supplications to him, who is able to make us wise to salvation, we may then hope to attain to that knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus, which shall be attended with peace and comfort here, and crowned with blessedness and glory hereafter. May the great God, in whose hand is the life and usefulness of all men, succeed, with his blessing, what is humbly offered to his service, so far as it is adapted thereunto, and approved of by him, that hereby it may be conducive to the spiritual advantage of professing families, and the rising generation. Footnote 1: _And besides the above-mentioned Indexes there are now added to this edition an alphabetical index to the whole matters contained in the work._ Footnote 2: _And the same reason may be assigned why this third is now offered to the public._ THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. QUEST. I. Of glorifying God, and the enjoyment of him. _With what distinction the glorifying and enjoyment of God may both be said to be man’s chief and highest end_, _Page_ 13 _What it is to glorify God_ _ibid_ _How God glorifies himself_ _ibid_ _How creatures glorify him_ 14 _What it is to enjoy God_ 17 _The connexion between glorifying God and the enjoyment of him_ 18 _Contentedness to perish, that God may be glorified, unjustly made a mark of grace_ 19 _To be quickened to duty by a respect to the heavenly glory, no sign of a mercenary spirit_ 20