Excerpt from A General Historico-Critical Introduction to the Old Testament

The work of which a translation is now presented to the British Public was the mature production of a theologian distinguished by that vast and varied learning which may be regarded as peculiarly characteristic of the modern German divines, and at the same time. Imbued with that reverence for the Bible as the Word of God, and that lively apprehension of its spiritual truths, which unhappily are too often found wanting in that quarter. I have undertaken, he says in his preface, to write this work from that stand-point which, through God's grace, has been showed to me - from the inward and firm conviction that the object of investigation is God's holy word, given to mankind sunk in sin and misery, for the purpose of guiding them in the way of salvation and peace. W'hosoever has, through the mercy of the Lord, been led so as to have learned to understand at his hand the word of life, and through this has been not only enlightened, but sanctified and blessed, cannot but feel constrained to utter, according to the calling, and in the measure vouchsafed to him by the Lord, a testimony for the grace which has been displayed even unto him. As it is written, I believe therefore I speak, ' so the theologian, the servant of the Church of Jesus Christ, knows that it is impossible to construct a theological science which is not founded on the truth - more particularly on the truth as revealed in the Word and his desire and most zealous endeavour, in keeping with this, is to erect on this basis a living edifice of science, the corner-stone of which shall be that besides which no other can be laid by any man. Such an one knows also that he thus labours not in the service of man, and on a vain and profitless work, but in the service of the Head of the Church, who has placed him as a steward of the mysteries of God, that he may be found faithful in the day of the appearing of Jesus Christ.

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