ΤΟ GRANVILLE HASTINGS WHELER, OF OTTERDEN PLACE IN THE COUNTY OF KENT, AND LEDSTONE HALL IN THE COUNTY OF YORK, ESQUIRE. Dear Sir, THE manner in which you have had the goodness to present me to the Vicarage I now hold, though unconnected and a stranger to you but by name; the disinterestedness of the motives by which you were influenced, and the liberality and amount of those great pecuniary and other sacrifices, which you have voluntarily made for the benefit of all future Incumbents, demand from me a public acknowledgement, both on my own account, and that vi of the Established Church. That I may be enabled to fulfil your wishes for the good of those useful and benevolent Institutions, which the piety of Lady Elizabeth Hastings (whose possessions you inherit,) so wisely established and largely endowed, will be my endeavour, as it is my prayer. I remain, with sentiments of gratitude and respect, your faithful and obliged friend and servant, C. BENSON. PREFACE. THE following Course of Lectures is divided into two Parts. The first treats of Scripture Difficulties in general: the second, of those of the Book of Genesis in particular. Had I continued to hold the situation which produced these Discourses, it was my intention to have proceeded to the consideration of similar Difficulties in the succeeding Books of the Old and New Testaments: and should the present attempt be favourably received, it viii will still be my endeavour, amidst other avocations, to continue the plan. The subject of each particular Lecture will be found in the table of Contents, and renders any further observations unnecessary. I cannot, however, close these remarks without returning my thanks to the Trustees, by whom I have, on two distinct occasions, been placed in the situation of Hulsean Lecturer. My acknowledgements are particularly due to the Hon. and Rev. GEORGE NEVILLE, M. A. Master of Magdalene College, for having nominated me to the office unsolicited, and at a time when I was personally unknown to him, as well as for many subsequent favours ;and to the Rev. Dr. FRENCH, late ViceChancellor, and the Masters of Trinity and St. John's Colleges, for the uniform |