of the same sentence, in order that the mode of accomplishment may be thereby rendered intelligible.

I had rather avow my inability to answer the question, “How can that be?” _in a thousand instances, than put an evasive interpretation upon a single verse of the word of God.

When our Brethren shall cease to beat the air in

refutation of what we never advanced; when they shall see the absurdity of prejudging the question, by good natured lamentations over our sad, sad delusion; and when they shall gird up their loins to the work in good earnest, betake themselves to study the subject patiently in detail, and produce grave and solid arguments, not negatively alone, in opposition to an erroneous system of interpretation, but positively also, in support and confirmation of a genuine system ; I repeat, I am open to conviction, and shall, in all sincerity, rejoice to be instructed. I protest, with all my soul, against the idea of any man supposing that he knows enough, and thereupon refusing to inquire into the depths of revealed truth, on the plea of dangerous novelty, or non-essential speculation, Additional instruction in the meaning of the Scriptures, is growth in the knowledge of God; and in that knowledge, it is my desire and hope that I shall increase, not only during this life present, but throughout eternity.

Since these Lectures were delivered, many extremely interesting points of doctrine have engaged the attention of the churches in this kingdom; and

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an attempt has been made to identify, with prophetic investigation, those opinions which are considered heterodox in themselves, and dangerous in their tendencies. The unfairness of such an attempt will be manifest to every man who is acquainted with the subject, and who possesses sufficient candour for the exercise of discrimination. Yet, notwithstanding its unfairness, it has succeeded in strengthening existing prejudices, and exciting conscientious alarms. Discrimination is indispensable to the acquirement of true wisdom. It is foreign to my present purpose to examine in detail the doctrines referred to. But the manner in which the present revived discussion of those doctrines stands connected with the study of prophecy is sufficiently remarkable; and exhibits, in its true light, one of the many recommendations of that study.

All truth is linked together in one harmonious chain : an accurate investigation, therefore, of any one point, in all its bearings, is invariably connected with such a clearing up of collateral points, that existing error is detected, and unlooked-for controversy thereby elicited. To the study of prophecy, we are thus indirectly indebted for the re-examination of many important doctrines which had been allowed to fall into comparative neglect. And whatever may be said (and too truly said) about the acrimonious spirit in which religious controversy is usually conducted, still it is a recognized fact, that the most prosperous

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viii

PREFACE.

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times of the church have been times of controversy.
In this deadening world we have much more to fear,
as Christians, from stagnation, than from storms.
Indifference at heart to the distinguishing peculiarities
of vital truth, concealed beneath a superficial bustle
about outwardly useful things, is far from a prosperous
state. The ease, and harmony, and seeming unanimity
engendered by it, are fatal symptoms of a growing,
though disclaimed, latitudinarianism. An intruder
upon the fascinating spell is condemned as an enemy
to peace. And since the bond of its union is not the
depth of truth, the man who presses forward any
deep truth, whatever his particular view of it may be,
is deemed an intruder: not in reference to what he
says, for that is not carefully examined; but in re-
ference to his saying any thing which every body

It would not, indeed, sound well to
bring the real accusation against him—to wit, that he
is a searcher into more of the truth of God than is
usually brought forward; and that he proclaims what
he knows with the boldness of honest .enthusiasm,
“uncaring consequences;"—this were an honourable
charge: it suits better with the temper of the times to
charge him with a breach of love, a want of brotherly
kindness, a harsh, Ishmaelitish spirit.

But what shall a Christian man say of that love which extends its wide, indiscriminating embrace, not only to Christians of various denominations, but also to antichristians: to men who deny the God

does not say.

head, and reject the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, and deride as fanaticism the inspiration of the Holy Ghost? When attempts are made to limit the operation of Christian love within the narrow circle of any one favourite class, it becomes a Christian man to protest against the bigotry of such a limitation : but when, on the other side, this boasted love enlarges itself beyond all Christian classes, and calling itself universal charity, or religious liberty, gives the right hand of fellowship to the enemies of the cross of Christ, it equally becomes a Christian man to protest against the foul abuse; yea, to lift up his voice like a trumpet, and bear witness against the infidel amalgamation.

Ye who profess submission to the Bible, do ye not hear the Bible? Ye who combine for the distribution of the Bible, do ye not read the Bible ? For it is written, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH GOD, and THE WORD WAS GOD. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed : for he that biddeth him God speed

is partaker of his evil deeds. A professedly religious
union between members of the church of Christ and
avowed. Socinians (such as we see formed and boasted
of as a signal triumph of this enlightened age) is a
virtual denial of the Gospel of our salvation, and a
high offence against God. I repeat, a professedly
religious union; because every man is at full liberty
to join his fellows in the furtherance of secular ob-
jects, without any reference to their religious opinions.
Whatsoever, saith the Apostle, is sold in the shan-
bles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
The seller might be a heathen, a sacrificer to idols.
The Christian purchaser need not inquire: religion
was in no way involved. But when the ostensible
object of a combination among men is declared to be
religious, and when the leading theme of proud con-
gratulation is the liberality on every side, which thus
delightfully combines, the state of the case is wholly
altered. If any man say unto you, This is offered
in sacrifice unto idols, EAT NOT.

How can con-
scientious Socinians combine in anything connected
with religion with us, whom they must abhor as
abominable idolaters ? That is, if they have zeal
and faith sufficient to rise into the dignity of abhor-
rence : for, it should be remembered, that indifference
and indecision are frequently the real roots of apparent
meekness.

I deny not, that the defenders of Christian truth are often betrayed into unchristian tempers; that the