Primitive Christianity and its corruptions ..

Front matter

AND ITS CORRUPTIONS.

DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINES.

DISCOURSES

Preface

I FIRMLY believe that Christianity, as taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ and his apostles, is not only the highest and best religion ever promulgated to mankind, but, in its declared essentials, the one true and absolute religion, indispensable to the perfect holiness and happiness of the human race, and destined to final universal acceptance. I also firmly believe that primitive Christianity began to be corrupted toward the close of the first century ; that corruptions gradually increased, in several respects, till they became radical at the union of Church and State, under Constantino the Great, in the fourth century ; that thenceforth they became chronic, with various fluctuating aggravations, through the dark ages down to the Protestant Reformation ; and that, though partially alleviated by that great agitation and subsequent corrective influences, they still remain in such force as to nullify, to a great extent, the excellence of the pure original. In order, therefore, to its final universal tri-

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umph, these corruptions must be thoroughly purged away.

What are they? Some of them are theological, some didactical, and some ecclesiastical. For notwithstanding many are disposed to deny that Christ was a theologian or an ecclesiastic, and to deem him mainly a pietistic and moral teacher, I am obliged to regard him as alike a Master in theology, in personal righteousness, and in church edification. I hold that in all three he was radical, sublime, and harmonic. He declared the true God, his character, will, and purposes, — the true standard of personal righteousness in all relations, — and the constitution of the true church, as aiming at the fraternal unity of all its members. I have earnestly sought to ascertain wherein the prevailing theology of Christendom differs from that of Christ,— wherein its popular standard of piety, morality, and preceptive virtue differs from his, — and wherein its church, priesthood, and ecclesiastical organizations differ from his. Wherein I have found these differences repugnant to primitive Christianity in principle, spirit, and moral tendency, I have set them down as corruptions.

By what means have I endeavored to ascertain these corruptions? By studying the New Testament Scriptures in their proper relation to those of the Old, the Christian Apocryphal Writings, the Works of the Christian Fathers, Ecclesiastical History, and the Treatises of learned men on

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the general subject* I have not been able to command all the resources of critical learning which I^esired for the perfection of my investigations ; but on most points have succeeded in satisfying myself, by careful comparison of authorities, as to the substantial facts. I have reached my conclusions in the exercise of an honest, free, and independent judgment. I ask only that my readers should consider my work, and form their conclusions as honestly, freely, and independently as I have mine. They will all find some things worthy of serious reflection, some things to approve, some things which they cannot accept, and, perhaps, some things to shock their prejudices, but nothing which need harm them if they have just confidence in the truth.

This is the first of three intended volumes under the same general title. This deals with the department of theological doctrines, the second will treat of personal righteousness, and the third of ecclesiastical polity. The three will make a unitary whole, — a complete Exposition of Primitive Christianity and its Corruptions. The second and third volumes are planned, "but not yet executed. They may not be published during my earthly lifetime, but I shall prepare them at my earliest convenience. I have been advised to submit the present volume to the public at once, and have consented. Its reception may hasten or delay the publication of the others. It was con-

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venient for me to prepare and deliver it as a series of dis« courses. I might have resolved it into chapters, and the more solid form of a systematic treatise ; but I concluded to leave it as originally written, with the addition of some necessary notes. I commend it, as it is, to the candid consideration of all who feel interest enough in its theme to give it a perusal. If the present generation should fail to appreciate it encouragingly, I shall leave the world with a comfortable assurance that future ones will hold it in

higher estimation.

ADIN BALLOU.

HOPEDALE, Mass.^ 1870*

Contents

DISCOURSE I.

Pago

Introductory to the Series , . . . . • « . 7