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PREFACE.

THE religious public are already acquainted with a very copious life of David Brainerd, written by the late Presi dent Edwards, and with an abridgment of that performance by the founder of Methodism, the Rev. John Wesley. It will therefore be expected that I should give some account of the following work, and assign the reasons which induced me to undertake it. The Life by Edwards has been supposed to contain much unimportant and exuberant matter, and a too frequent recurrence of the same things: this arose, no doubt, from the worthy author's not using sufficiently the pruning knife, while preparing the pri vate diary of Mr. Brainerd for the press. As the work is now becoming scarce, a re-publication was at first proposed. But a learned and excellent friend, in whose judgment I have implicit confidence, suggested, that to re-write the life, and judiciously to select from the original volume the most important and interesting portions of the diary and journal, would be conferring upon the public a real benefit, as it would greatly reduce the book both in size and price, without at all diminishing its intrinsic worth. This task I was requested to undertake, and I engaged in it the more readily, as I hoped, by cultivating a close intimacy with the spirit of this exemplary missionary, I might greatly improve my own. At this time I was not acquainted with Mr. Wesley's abridgment, which therefore I thought it necessary to peruse, that I might avoid engaging in a needless labour. By this perusal I was rather induced to proceed in my undertaking, than influenced to lay it aside: and whatever imperfections may mark the present volume, I can venture to declare, that it is a FAITHFUL record of Brainerd's PRINCIPLES, conduct, and experience as a Christian and a missionary.

For the materials I am indebted to President Edwards; and for the extracts in their abridged form, after I had

compared them with the original, I have to express my obligations to Mr. Wesley. Frequently I have indulged myself in reflection and remark; this perhaps may relieve and enliven the uniformity of the narrative. I have taken pains to render the whole interesting and useful; and I trust that the volume will prove an acceptable addition to the devotional library of younger Christians and students for the ministry. If any thing will quicken diligence, animate zeal, and spiritualize the affections, the diary and journal of Mr. Brainerd will not fail of success. His early departure from the field of labour, is an affecting consideration, and may teach the ministers of Christ the importance of doing immediately whatsoever their hands find to do; we may have but little time to live, and we have much to perform. Souls are perishing; every moment they are rushing in multitudes to that world "where there is no reviving Spirit, and where the blood of Christ has no efficacy."

The remarks of President Edwards, at the close of his narrative, form so valuable a portion of his work, that I could not persuade myself to close this volume without subjoining them, somewhat abridged, as an appendix. His observations on the "Witness of the Spirit," should, in this age of antinomian delusion, be seriously read and deeply considered by Christians of all denominations: and that class in the religious world, who think themselves at the farthest possible remove from the immoral influence of antinomian heresy, would do well to examine how far their notions of distinct and immediate testimony have the same tendency with the principles of those whose spirit and conduct they so justly abhor. The sentiments of President Edwards, on this subject, are the sentiments of all rational and consistent Calvinists; and if ever the preachers of this denomination in the Christian church, abandon these views of the nature of divine operations upon the mind, they will throw wide open the floodgates of fanaticism and licentiousness.

J. S.

THE

LIFE OF BRAINERD.

CHAP. I.

His birth. His early concern about religion. The peculiar exercises of his mind. His desire to become a student for the ministry.

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VARIOUS are the methods which wise and good men have employed in defence of Christianity; the infidel has been assailed by evidence, which nothing but determined hostility to the Christian cause could enable him to resist. One champion has chosen this weapon, another has preferred that: each has been excellent of its kind, and with respect to its particular object, has vanquished" the ignorance of foolish men. But the vital influence of divine principles on the heart and life of a real Christian, is with me an argument of matchless power; which defends not a fact or individual circumstance only, but which is an adamantine shield to the entire system. It protects not merely a single entrance, it renders, on every side, the citadel secure. In this view, the life of David Brainerd has always appeared to me to contain the most luminous proofs of the divine reality and incalBrai.

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