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PREFACE.

The Discourses on the Divine History of the Journey of the Israelites "From Egypt to Canaan," were begun, and the greater part of them delivered, during the excitement occasioned by the publications of Bishop Colenso, which called in question the Inspiration and Accuracy of the Pentateuch, and the book of Joshua. Their aim was to shew, first, that the Word of God in this portion of its pages had the grandest possible object in view;—the description of the Regeneration of Man, and that this description when spiritually understood, is true for this age and for all ages, "the Word of our God endureth for ever." We venture to hope, that while we have maintained the literal accuracy of the portion of the Sacred Volume upon which we have dwelt, we have, at the same time, drawn such lessons of Eternal Wisdom from the various subjects presented by our texts as to educe those thoughts which are as much higher than our thoughts, as "the heaven is higher than the earth," (Isa. lv. 9), and at the same time to shew how the Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.—Ps. xix. 7. The Discourses are now committed to the meditation of their readers, with the Author's earnest prayer that they may contribute to make the Divine Word, "a lamp unto their feet, and a light unto their path."—Ps. cxix. 105.

One thing is needful for us all,—that we be fitted for heaven. The mode is declared, and unfolded in the Divine Volume. May we so profit by it that we shall eschew the bondage of sin, and led by the truth flowing from the centre of all loving freedom, the Lord Jesus Christ, enter into the glorious liberty of the children of light, thus passing "FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN."