How then, are we to understand the prayer of Moses, placed at the head
of this discourse--_blot me, I pray that, out of thy book which than
hast written_?

As this is one of the principal passages of scripture which are
adduced to support the sentiment we have exploded, a few things may be
premised, before we attempt to explain it.

I. Should it be admitted that Moses here imprecated utter destruction
on himself, it could not be alleged as a precept given to direct
others, but only as a solitary incident, in the history of a saint,
who was then compassed with infirmity. And where is the human
character without a shade? This same Moses neglected to circumcise his
children--broke the tables of God's law--spake unadvisedly with his
lips--yea, committed such offences against God, that he was doomed to
die short of Canaan, in common with rebellious Israel.

II. The time--in which it hath been particularly insisted that a
person must be willing to be damned for God's glory, is at his
entrance on a slate of grace; but Moses had been consecrated to the
service of God long before he made this prayer. Nothing, therefore
respecting the temper of those under the preparatory influences of the
spirit can be argued from it.

III. Should we grant that Moses here imprecated on himself the
greatest evil, a sense of other people's sins, and not a sense of his
own sins, was the occasion. But,

IV. No sufferings of his could have been advantageous to others, had