PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.* As IT is with great pleasure and gratitude to the enlightened public, for their kind and liberal support which they have afforded the author, that he sits down to write the following short preface. a Second Edition of this work is just going to make its appearance in the world, so soon after the first, is, to the author, a matter of astonishment, and thankfulness to the religious world, as it is only four months since the first edition made its appearance; and notwithstanding the many defects which were scattered through its pages, yet the author has received many testimonies of approbation, which have removed that suspense under which he laboured, relative to its fate. As the author was unknown to the departments of literature, he could not but be anxious to know its destiny. He waited the issue, with a mind fluctuating in doubt, whether the arguments which he advanced, in order to prove the *The reader will please to observe, that the Preface to the First Edition as it now stands, is considerably altered. existence of evil spirits, would have the same weight, and appear with the same cogency and clearness to the mind of every reader, as to his. He was sensible, that neither he nor MR. HEINEKEN, could influence or deceive the judgment of an enlightened public. With these views, the first edition made its appearance, and its reception far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The demand for it at present, is great; therefore, he judges it necessary to publish another edition, under the patronage of a generous public. There are many persons who have interested themselves in the publication of this little work, whose names would gratify his feelings to publish, but it is a liberty which he dare not take; it is to these, in particular, and the religious world in general, that the author is indebted for a patronage so liberal and great; and which he trusts he will never forget, so long as gratitude is capable of warming his heart. Though the author has had the advantage of correcting the first edition, yet, he has not the vanity to suppose that the second is perfect; there are many defects and inaccuracies, which he humbly hopes the candid reader will pardon and over look. November 7th, 1825. |