that studied refinement of diction, which tends to dilute the strength or to cloud the sublime simplicity of scriptural language. There is an established, though arbitrary, association between words and ideas; and an hypercritical rejection of terms, pregnant with doctrinal matter, and sanctioned by revelation, may deeply injure the interests of Christianity.

Having been an observer of the signs of the times, I have in the course of this work adverted to some of the errors and defects characteristic of the Christian world. I am sensible that this is not the road to popularity in a country abounding with sects and parties, and where our religious controversies are often inflamed by a love of victory more than of truth. That important maxim, 'salus populi suprema lex esto,' has, I trust, regulated my pen in this production ;-I am, at least, conscious of being actuated by no other motive than a desire of filling up the short day of my existence in a manner that may contribute, in some small degree, to the spiritual interests of our apostolical church.

For the advancement of this end, it has been my endeavour to correct partial and erroneous views by comprehensive statements,-by a prosecution of subjects to their fair and legitimate results, as nothing is so likely to produce

a conviction of the truth in the mind of superficial believers, as that line of argument which seeks to conduct them, through the medium of their own avowed principles, to right conclusions. Such has been one principal object in this publication; but how far I have succeeded in the accomplishment of this and other parts of my original design, is another question, and remains to be determined by the impartial and superior judgment of my reader.

I once thought of publishing this volume without my name, as one or two of the subjects discussed in it, may, perhaps, from their nature, have occasionally induced too didactic a tone of composition. I strongly deprecate the character of a dictator or public censor; and it has been my study to avoid, as far as possible, an imperious and objurgatory style ;— and I can conscientiously affirm, that a retrospective and humiliating view of my own defects has suggested many of the remarks which I have thrown out for the edification of others. Being satisfied with the purity of my motives, and feeling no partiality for anonymous publications, I have complied with the recommendation of my bookseller by acknowledging a work, that has been composed under great delicacy of health, and interrupted

retirement, and it is my earnest prayer that it may communicate some moral benefit to my fellow-creatures, and more especially to my younger brethren in the church.

TO PREACH CHRIST.

CHAPTER I.

WHAT it is to preach Christ-is a question comprehending the eternal interests of fallen man. It claims, at the present period, our peculiar attention; as infidelity has, under the specious mask of liberality, insidiously combined with fanaticism, in attempts to annihilate the practical influence of principle, and to merge the importance of theological tenets into sincerity of belief; as if mere sincerity could confound the distinctive characters of truth and error, and subject what is founded upon the immutable relations of things to the caprice and prejudice of mankind. This is, whatever imposing form it may present, a work of darkness. It seeks to overturn the eternal basis of truth-to involve us once more in all

B

realms of day to the dim twilight of a refined paganism.

We learn, from divine authority, that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy;' that of Him, Moses and the prophets did write; and that He is the sum and substance, the Alpha and Omega, of the Scriptures. All the other subjects of revelation bear an evident relation to Him. The Father himself is principally set forth, as the Father of the Lord Jesus, and, in him, the Father of mercies to us, his offending creatures. And what is recorded of the Divine Spirit, is chiefly in connection with Him and our salvation. He is revealed as the Spirit of Christ-the great gift purchased and obtained for our sanctification, by his meritorious obedience. Thus the mysterious doctrine of the Trinity pre-eminently appears, in the stupendous scheme of our redemption; and while we presume not to understand the nature of the personal distinctions in the Godhead, we may rest assured that they are such as do not infringe upon the divine unity and its incommunicable prerogatives.

As Christ is indeed the Sun of Righteousness, and as the Light which emanates from Him constitutes that heavenly day of Christianity in