The conflict of ages : or, The great debate on the moral relations of God and man

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Book I. The Conflict In Its Principles

CHAPTER I. — The Case Stated. >— The steam-ship. The question to be discussed. Is there a misadjustment of the moving powers of Christianity, resulting in an inevitable logical conflict ? . . . . 9 — 10

CHAPTER n.— Prestoiptive Akgtoiext. — Conflict of Old School and New School divines. Great evils of the conflict. Existence of the same conflict in substance for fifteen centuries, . . . 11 — 15

CHAPTER HI. — The Moving Powers op Christianity. — The powers essential to the practical working of the system. The principles of honor and of right. A full statement of the fallen and ruined condition of man, 16—18

CHAPTER IV. —The Principles of Honor and op Right. — The origin of these principles. How developed. Opinions of philosophers. Testimony of Scripture. Expositions of Dr. Hodge, Prof Stuart, Dr. Chalmers, Tholuck, Melancthon and Calvin. The supreme importance and authority of these principles. Questions to be tested by them, 19 — 30

CHAPTER V. — Statejient op jNIoral Principles. — The obligations of great and powerful minds to inferior and feeble minds. Application to God. Obligations of God — as to the standard of responsibility ; as to the maintenance of the principles of justice in imputation and retribution ; as to the original constitutions and circumstances of his creatures. Support of these principles from Scripture and from Christian experience, . . . 31 — 41

CHAPTER VI. — Orthodox Authorities. — How far the principles above stated have been recognized by the church. Testimony of Turretin, of the Princeton divines, of Dr. Watts, ,:f J. Wesley, of the Westminster divines. Supreme importance of these principles, 42 — 50

CHAPTER VII. — Facts as to HuziLiN Depravity. — The second moving power is a thorough view of human depravity and ruin. Certain facts are obvious Statement of them by Unitarian

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VI SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS.

divines — Dr. Burnap, Pres. Sparks, Prof. Nca-ton, Dr. Dewey.

Their theory. Need of a deeper view virtually conceded, . . 51 — 60

CHAPTER Vm.— Radic.^ View of the Ruin of Man.— Necessity of depth and thoroughness. Points involved in a full view. Statements of Calvin. Synod of Dort. Confession of Helvetia. Confession of the Waldenses. French Confession. The Church of England. Confession of Belgia, Confession of Augsburg. Moravian confession. The Westminster divines. Exposition and remarks, 61 — 71

CH.\PTER IX. — Social and Organic Relations op Man. — Corrupting power of sinful family relations, and of depraved social and political organizations. Views of Dr. Burnap, . . 72 — 75

CILiPTER X. — Relations of Man to Invisible Enemies. — A kingdom of fallen spirits revealed. Their power and wiles. Exposure of man to their influence, 76 — 78

CHAPTER XL — The Conflict a Reality. — Each moving power is real, true, and well-sustained. Yet, as now adjusted, they are in direct conflict. Proof of this assertion, 79 — 82

Book II. The Conflict In Experience

CHAPTER I. — Laws of Thought and Emotion undekthe System. — Nature and design of Christianity. ■ Interests involved. Depth of emotions excited. Tendencies to division and conflict, 83—85

CHAPTER n. — Experiences Characterized. — Caused by the predominance, in different minds, of contending parts of the system. Resulting in reactions. Six enumerated, 86 — 88

CHAPTER III. — First Experience ; or, the Philosophy of Old School Theology. — Its basis a belief of a depraved nature before action. Its origin a deep Christian experience. Dlustrated by the case of Edwards. Scriptural testimony. Public formularies. Sources of its power, 89 — 97 "

CHAPTER IV. — The Reaction. — Not the result of carnal reason, but of the divine principles of equity and honor. These principles not denied. Eifort to avert the conflict. A most remarkable position. Immeasurable interests involved. A failure, 98—101

CHAPTER V. — The Reaction irresistible, as the System now is. — Virtual confession of Dr. Woods. Improper mode of representing the principles of honor and right. Attempt at defence by Dr. Hodge. His virtual confession. Course of Abelard, Pascal and others. Course of Dr. Chalmers. They improperly repudiate the application of the principles of equity and honor, as unauthorized rationalizing. In so doing they ar« at war with the word of God, 102 — 115

SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS. VII

CHAPTER VI. — Second Experience ; ok, the Philosophy op Unitarian Theology. — An entire recoil from tlie Old School theology. Its result is the rejection of radical views of human depravity. Its strength is in the principles of equity and honor. Early development of the system in New England. Case of John Adams, of Story, and of Channing. They argued logically from the true principles of honor and right. Extracts from Dr. Channing. He vindicates these principles. Inadequate replies. Power of the system, 116 — 130

CHAPTER VH. — The Reaction. Testimony of Dr. Channing AND OTHERS. Obvious EaCts. — Christian experience and Scripture react. Disappointment of the anticipations of Dr. Channing. Reasons. His altered views of Unitarianism. The inci-easing power of Christian experience and the word of God decide the question, 131 — 140

CHAPTER Vin. — Degradation of Free Agency itself. — Original righteousness rejected. Position of Dr. Ware, Dr. Dewey, and Dr. Burnap. Hegelian theory, 141 — 146

CHAPTER IX. — Third Experience ; or, the Philosophy op Orthodox Universalism. — Both moving powers retained. Relief sought in Universalism. Case of John Foster. His character, views and course. Extent of his influence, . . . .147 — 155

CHAPTER X.— The Reaction. — Influence of the Bible and of a Christian experience. The nature of cruelty, the necessity of regeneration, and the causes of future misery. The tendency of moi'al causes, 156 — 159

CHAPTER XI. — The Fourth Experience; or, the Philosophy OF New School Theology. — Both moving powers are retained, but the facts are modified by the principles. Its origin from holy men, for practical ends. Influence of Edwards and Fuller. Peculiarities of this theology. Appeal to the principles of honor and right. Controversy with the old theology. Extracts from Whelpley. Power of the system in revivals. Its auspicious general influences, 160 — 167

CHAPTER Xn.— The Reaction. — Causes of a reaction are found in the consequences of denying a sinful nature before action. Either sin is caused by divine eflSciency, as held by Dr. Emmons, or by an innocent though deteriorated nature and circumstances. Charge of a superficial view of depravity. Alarm of Dr. Ncttleton and others. Charge that the conflict with the principles of honor and right is net averted. Arguments of Dr. Hodge. Princeton divines. Dr. Woods. Degradation of free agency results in some cases, 168 — ]83

CHAPTER Xni.— The Fifth Experience; or, the .Eclipse OF THE Glory of God. — Cause of this experience, a full perception of the conflict, without relief Tendencies to it in John Foster. Its full development. Its succession by the sixth experience. A full accovmt of this experience deferred till the reconciliation has been presented, 184 — 191

VIII SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS.

Book III. The Reconciliation In Its' Principles

CHAPTER I. — The Problem Proposed. — The suggestion of a possible mode of reconciliation. The great importance even of this. Incidental evidence involved, 192 — 195

CHAPTER n. — IVIethod of Procedure. — Two supposable modes of solution. The adoption of the second, 196 — 198

CHAPTER HI. — State of the Human Mind, and Conditions OF THE Problem. — Power of illogical influences. Character of the persons addressed, 199 — 202

CHAPTER IV. — The Essentials of Harmont. — Retention of all the facts of the system. Full scope for Christian emotions and exnerience. The presentation of a perfect character of God, 203-210

CHAPTER V. — The Misadjustment. — Great power of a small misadjustment. The misadjustment stated. Its extensive and injurious influence. It is a mere assumption, 211 — 220

CHAPTER VI. — The Read justjient. — It retains aU the facts. It concedes all the principles. It harmonizes the combatants. Causes of the rejection of this view, 221 — 226

CHAPTER Vn. — The System as Adjusted. — It gives a radical view of human depravity, and averts Pelagian tendencies. It averts the degradation of free agency. It vindicates the measures of God. It elevates our conceptions of new-created minds. It gives a rational view of the kingdom of fallen spMts, . 227-233

CHAPTER VIH. — The Kingdom of Fallen Spirits. — Imports ance of this part of the general system. Effects of the readjustment. The number of fallen beings not increased, but diminished, by the system of this world. Relations to the antiquity of the earth. Statements from Dr. Hitchcock ; J.

P. Smith ; Babbage. Elevated point of vision, 234 — 241

CHAPTER IX. — Brief Stoimary of the Whole Case.— Original state of all new-created beings. The entrance of evil.

The course of events. The final results, 242 — 245

CHAPTER X. — A Presumption Rebutted. — It is alleged that this view has been considered and found insuflBcient. The allegation denied. The case stated. Illustration from the course of opinon with reference to the Copernican system. Extract from WheweU, . . 246—252

Book IV. Historical Outline And Estimate Of The Conflict

CHAPTER I. — General Outline. — Importance and design of the discussions of other ages. Importance of a fall history of this conflict. Sources of it. Outline of the field, 253—258

SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER n. — The Point of Vision. — Intellectual power and greatness of Augustine. Relations of present discussions to him. Views of Prof. Shedd, E. H. Sears, and others, concern ing him. He is the point of vision, 259 — 264

CHAPTER ni. — Theological Speculations before Augustine. — State of things immediately after the apostles. Character of the first assaults on Christianity. The principles of honor and right become predominant. " Tendencies to superficial views of depravity resulted. Theology of the Greek Chui'ch. Pelagius logically carried out existing tendencies to dangerous results, 265 — 277

CHAPTER rv. — The Mountain-top ; or, Augustine and his Experience. — The necessity of a reaction. Augustine the providential agent. Not a mere logician. His depth of feeling and Christian experience. Not a mystic in a bad sense, . . . 278 — ^288

CHAPTER V. — Augustine's Principles of Equity and Honor.

— His elevated views of new-created minds. His high demands in their behalf The extensive influence of these views in subsequent ages. His deep views of depravity. The inevitable conflict, 289—296

CH1A.PTER VT. — Augustine's Theory of Reconciliation. — A forfeiture of rights before birth. A kind of preexistence. Real preexistence rejected. His theory was, that all men existed and acted in Adam in a common nature, 297 — 301

CHAPTER VII. — Response of the Htoian Mind to the Theory OF Augustine. — The fact of a forfeiture generally accepted. His solution ultimately and generally rejected. Various other contradictory solutions. The problem absurd and impossible, without real preexistence, 302 — 307

CHAPTER Vni. — Different Modes of Solution Considered.

— Augustine's solution rejected by the Princeton divines. Two forms of the theory of federal headship. Prof Shedd resorts to a real self-determined choice or governing purpose before consciousness, and in Adam. Theory of Edwards is the personal identity of all men with Adam. Views of Haldane. Exposition of Augustine by Odo of Tournay, iind Anselm, . . 308 — 323

CHAPTER IX. — Disquiet of the Htol^^n Mind. — The orthodox principles of equity and honor very elevated. The present state of man conceded to be indefensible, except on the ground of a forfeiture of rights. All solutions of the problem of forfeiture unsatisfactory. Final result, the idea of forfeiture rejected. In this no relief is found, 324 — 331

CHAPTER X. — First Result of Denying a Forfeiture before Birth. — Pelagianism the direct and logical result. Its first development. Its reappearance in various subsequent ages. Degradation of free agency its result. Elevation and truth of the principles which led to these inauspicious results. Julian of Eclanum, Dr. Channing, Whelpley, and J. Taylor, alike contend for these principles, and so far are correct and unanswerable, 332 — 389

CHAPTER XI. — Second Result of Denying a Forfeiture

X SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS.

BEFORE BiBTH. — Eesolution of human depravity through Adam into divine sovereignty. Cause of this modiication of orthodoxy. Its chief development in New England. Hopkins leads the way. The younger Edwards, Dwight, Emmons, and the modern New England divines, follow. It does not give the desired relief. Views of Dr. Watts. Of the Old School divines. Of Unitarians, 340—348

CHAPTER Xn. — Otheb, Ineffectual Efforts for Relief. — Course adopted by the Semipelagians and the Roman Catholic Church. Course pursued by Arminius. Wesley and the Methodist divines. The theory of a forfeiture before bu-th is still the basis of their systems, and is not properly solved or defended. Calviaists, Lutherans, Arminians and Romanists, here stand on common ground, 349 — 355

CHAPTER Xin. — EsToiATE of the Conflict — It has sprung from the honorable feelings of man, and the experience of Christians of deep piety ; and yet has either given superficial views of human depravity, or else obscured the glory of God. The present state of things. Prospects of the future, . . . 356 — 362

Book V. The Argument

CHAPTER I. — The Mode of Proceeding. — Question at issue, the truth of preexistence. Proof of the validity of arguments from the facts of the system. The necessity of first considering the alleged testimony of the Bible. Basis of the common doctrine, Rom. 5 : 12—19, 363—367

CHAPTER n. — General View of iirif various Interpretations of Rom. 5 : 12 — 19. — Vast and extended influence of the passage. Fundamental idea of the common interpretation. Various theories of the fall in Adam. No exposition of uni- ^versal authority, 368 — 373

CHAPTER m.— True Interpretation of Rom. 5 : 12—19. — The sense of the passage is judicial, as the Old School divines contend. The death spoken of is natural death, as the primitive church contended. The sequence is merely typical, and not causative. Explanation of this statement, 374 — 378

CHAPTER IV. -^ Use of Language in describing Sequences OF Apparent Causation. — They are denoted by the same forms of speech which are used to denote real causation. This mode of speech natural and universal. Case of miracles. Extract from Dr. Smalley. Use of illustrative comparisons, . . 379 — 383

iHAPTER V. — Use of Language in describing Apparent Causation in Types. — Explanation of sequences merely typical. Law of language, as before stated. Cases. The sprinkling of the blood of the paschal lamb. Atonement by sacrifices.

SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS. XI

Atonement by burning incense. Healing by the brazen serpent. Review of positions, 384 — 392

CHAPTEE. VI. — Application of the Pkecedixg Principles TO RoM. 5 : 12 — 19.' — The judicial sense is authorized by Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Storr, Bloomfield, Knapp and others. Tholuck and Stuart concede that the words will admit of it. According to the preceding argument, the sequence is merely typical. The death is merely natural. Illustration of the type. Results, 393—398

CHAPTER Vn.— Appeal to Authorities. — The judicial sense excludes the New School "interpretation. Alignment of Prof. Hodge and othersln fjivor of that sense. Result, it is not asserted in the word of God that the sinfulness of man was caused by the sin of Adam. Virtual coincidence on this point of Dr. Hodge and Dr. Emmons, 399 — 410

CHAPTER Vin.— Import of the Word Death, in Rom. 5: 12 — 19. — Its import is natural death. Argument. Authority of the Greek Church. Internal evidence. The ficts of the Old Testament. Argument from the antithesis refuted. The sequence is merely typical, whether we adopt the judicial sense, or that of the New' School divines, 411 — 418

CHAPTER IX. — Additional Evidence. — Analogy of the early types with which this is connected. Appropriateness and sublimity of the view. Root of the common errors. Genius and spirit of Paul demand this view. Moral arguments irresistible, 419 — 423

CHLAPTER X. — C.A^E of ]\Ielchisedek. — A striking illustration of the laws of typical interpretation involved in this argument. Paul speaks according to the appearance of things, and not according to the reality. Yet he \ises the language of reality. Authority of Calvin, Barnes, Stuart, Bloomfield and others. True theory of typical language. Power of Rom. 5 : 12—19, thus viewed, 424 — 429

CHAPTER XL — The Completion of the Picture. — Decline and revival of typical interpretation. The habits of Paul's mind. The sentence of death. The case of Adam. That of his posterity. The antitype. Objections refuted. Paraphrase of the passage. Analogous typical comparisons, 430 — 438

CHAPTER XII. — The Argument Reinforced. — General rule. The type is in the natural sphere; the antitype, in the spiritual. Appeal to Scripture. Rule of Fairbairn. To violate this rule overloads the type, and destroys the truth of the comparison. It also violates all our ideas of justice, and causes a reaction. The final result, and appea ^ 439 — 447

CHAPTER Xin. — Survey of the General Argument. — The deepest foundations of our religious belief. Principles applied to the being of a God ; the evidences of revelation ; the Newtonian system. The same mode of reasoning proves preexistence. Illustration in a single line of reasoning. Auxiliary arguments fi-om the failure of all the common theories, and the inadequacy of the cause assigned for effects. Sufficiency of

XII SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CONTENTS.

preexistence illustrated by the statements of the Princeton

divines and Prof. Stuart. Ai-guments of Julius Miiller, . . 448 — 472

CHi\PTEP. XIV. — The OrigIxN of Evil.— Allegation of Dr. Woods against preexistence, that it merely shifts the difficulty, but does not remove it. Reply. Further allegation that God has the entii'e control of all the feelings and acts of his creatures. Reply — a temporary limitation of control is implied in the greatness of God and his system, and the limited nature of created minds. This view honors God, and accords Tvith the Bible. It explains the origin of evil, the need of development, and the origin of the present system. Dr. Woods is obliged to concede the principle, and does so in fact. The revealed character of God proves it, 473 — 488

CHAPTER XV. — Argusient from the Ststeji. — Outline ot the argument. Preexistence unites in a sublime system tke great scriptural facts, and harmonizes the action of all thb parts. Facts to be united. The common theories fail. A true system of the universe much needed. Essentials of such a system. Common views of the church. A more full view essential. Statement of her real place in the system. Her work. Her worth to God and to the universe. Future increase of the universe. Analogy of Marriage. Hypothesis of Bellamy. View of PoUok and of Chalmers. Inadequacy of all other systems. Point of the argument. Discriminations, 489—616

CHAPTER XVI. — The :Material System. — Importance of its relations to doctrine and practice. Errors caused by false views of it. Preexistence eradicates them. Tendency of the common doctrine to Gnosticism, 5l7-*-6Jfiii

CHAPTER XVII. — Results and Practical Tendencies. — 1. To rescue Christianity from its present perilous position, and to restore to it its legitimate power. 2. To give dignity and elevation to the argument, and certainty to the conclusions derived. 3. To expose the verbal and superficial nature of alleged scriptural objections. 4. To procluce sympathy with the whole spirit of the Bible. 5. To relieve difficulties, and introduce sympathy and mutual confidence into future discussions. 6. To avert Pelagianism, and to produce a deeper Christian experience. Favorable omens in the work of E. H. Sears, and in the recent rejection of Pelagianism by Unitarians. Dissent from some of his views. General concessions as to the good tendencies of the doctrine of preexistence. Origin of the present state of things from ancient ecclesiastical Gnosticism. 7. Beneficial effects of the doctrine of preexistence will disclose themselves in all departments of life, 523—552

INTRODUCTIOIS.

NATURE OF THE CONFLICT. END AND COMPASS OF THE WORK.

Of the heroes and the conflicts of Tvar I do not propose to speak. It were, indeed, a more exciting theme. The vivid delineation of floating banners, flowing plumes, gorgeous apparel, glittering armor, and the stately march of embattled squadrons, agreeably stimulates and excites the imagination. The fierce onset of contending hosts, and the unutterable horrors of the conflict, arouse the deepest emotions of the soul.

A narrative of the conflicts of minds has not these advantages for popular efiect. Such conflicts do not appeal to the senses, nor stimulate the imagination ; nor is it easy to create, with respect to them, a popular excitement which shall be powerful and all-pervading. Nevertheless, all intelligent and thoughtful minds feel in them an interest deep and lasting, even though it be less exciting than that which is felt, for a time, in the conflicts of war.

Moreover, if in such intellectual conflicts the deep and honorable emotions of the heart can bo unveiled, the interest rises, and often becomes intense.

The conflict of which I propose to write is, and ever has been, in its deepest recesses, a conflict of the heart. Not that gigantic mtellectual efforts have not been abun- 1 dantlj put fortli, but that the deepest and most powerful impulses have ever been those of the heart.

It has, indeed, often assumed a repulsive external aspect. In the huge volumes of the fathers, or of the scholastic divines, it has been presented in forms wearisome, and devoid of the decorations of rhetoric and the refinements of taste. In modern times, too, the technics of theology have sometimes rendered it mysterious and repulsive.

Yet beneath all this there has always rolled a deeper tide of pure and honorable emotion than has ever flowed from the heart of man on any other theme ; moreover, the intellectual aspects of the conflict, viewed from a proper point of vision, have ever been majestic and subhme.

The subject of this conflict has been the greatest and most afiecting that can interest or excite the human mind. It has been no less a theme than the moral renovatiojST of mais^. Through a long course of centuries, the Christian world has been divided into opposing parties on this great question.

On the one side have been the advocates of that system the peculiar characteristic of which is the doctrine of a supernatural regeneration rendered necessary by the native and original depravity of man, and efiected according to the eternal purposes of a divine and mysterious sovereignty.

This system has always been exegetically developed from the epistle of Paul to the Romans, as its centre and strength. At the same time, however, all other parts of the word of God are appealed to in its support. Augustine in ancient, and Calvin in modern times, have been preeminent in its development and defence. It has accordingly been called sometimes Pauline, at others Augustinian, and at others Calvinistic theology. It was substantially the theology of the Reformers, and of the Puritans. By the

INTRODUCTION. 6

confession of all, it has exerted great power on the destinies of the world. Of its ablest opponents, some have honorably conceded that it has always elevated the tone of morals where it has prevailed. A leading historian of this age also concedes that it has led the van in the conflict for popular liberty. " For a century and a half,"' says Bancroft, "it assumed the guardianship of liberty for the English world." "In Geneva, in Scotland, wherever it gained dominion, it invoked intelligence for the people, and in every parish planted the common school."

Yet, in all ages, ever since the days of Celestius, Julian and Pelagius, there have been, in large numbers, men highly estimable for intelligence and benevolence, and animated by a strong desire of urging society onward in the pursuit of moral excellence, who have, nevertheless, earnestly, perseveringly and with deep emotion, opposed this system, as at war with the fundamental principles of honor and right, and hostile to the best interests of humanity. In the wide interval between these extremes, other intermediate parties have arisen, attempting in various modes, but hitherto without success, to reconcile the combatants, or in any other way to terminate the conflict. Indeed, these intervening parties have often contended violently among themselves, as well as vrith each of the extreme parties. The long duration and the astonishing vigor of this conflict indicate that it is not without some permanent and powerful cause. I propose, if possible, to discover that cause, and to state a mode in which all true Christians c?.n. v,'ithout any sacrifice of principle, be at harmony among themselves. I shall, in doing this, attempt to redeem the fii'st-named system from a just liability to such attacks as it has sustained, by showing that all of its fundamenta;

elements may be so stated and held as not to be inconsistent with the highest principles of honor and right.

I propose at the same time to do full justice to the motives and principles of those who in different ages have opposed it, as has been stated. So far as their principles of honor and right have been correct, it is my purpose to vindicate and defend them ; at the same time, endeavor in oj to explain how it has happened that thej have been brought into conflict with the system which they oppose. I shall endeavor to point out a needless misadjustment of the parts of the system, by which these principles have been brought into collision with the fundamental facts on which it is based.

To effect these purposes, it will become necessary to give a compendious view of the various efforts of the human mind, in different ages, to remove this antagonism. Such a view, properly given, will exhibit the deep interior emotions, as well as the logical and philosophical reasons, of that great controversy on this subject which has so long existed, and show the relations of its various parts to each other.

I earnestly desire, if possible, so to effect this as to remove the acerbities of feeling Avhich have been caused by the controversies of the present or of past ages on this subject. The merely logical encounters of powerfully developed intellectual systems tend rather to irritation and alienation than to sympathy and confidence. Nevertheless, beneath every benevolent man's intellectual efforts on this subject there has been a deeply affecting personal experience, which, if known, would show, in a manner adapted to awaken deep sympathy, why he has reasoned as he has. Indeed, there is a great heart, not only of natural honor, but, still more, of sanctified humanity, which, from beginning to end, underlies this momentous controversy, the deep workings of

INTRODUCTION. 5

wliich mnst be developed and appreciated, before the controversy can be properly understood. No honorable mind can see these workings uncovered, and not be touched with deep emotion in viewing the struggles of our common humanity, in endeavoring to resolve the deepest and most momentous problems of the present trying and mysterious system. This experience I aim to unfold, and thus, if I may, to create on all sides a feeling of sympathy and mutual interest, by pointing out those benevolent and honorable impulses, and that regard to truth, — mixed, it may be, with other motives, — by which the various parties have been actuated, and to produce a candid and united effort to eliminate error, and to develop the whole truth.

I am no less anxious to do what I can to save the minds of future inquirers from those painful and exhausting conflicts to which such multitudes have been exposed in ages past, by developing the entire range of the controversy, and sketching the outlines of the whole subject, and thus showing that from the greatest difficulties there is always a possible relief I aim, moreover, to evince that, in order to a firm and decided defence of the whole Christian system, it is essential that we no longer confine the mind to those limited views of the relations of the church of God in eternity to his whole kingdom, in which it has hitherto generally moved, but that we should rather enter other and more extended fields of thought.

It is also my hope that I may furnish some small contribution to aid in advancing the future triumphs of the kingdom of Christ, by showing the relations of these more extended views to intellectual philosophy, education, and the proper organization of the ecclesiastical, civil and social system.

A due regard to the friends and advocates of certain 1* opinions, "which have been long received, but are here controverted, leads me to say that the views which I have presented are not set forth in haste. For more than twenty years, so far as I could judge, I have regarded them as substantially true. But I have, nevertheless, deemed it my duty often to review and reconsider them in the light of past as well as of existing controversies, and also of the word and providence of God. I have been, moreover, in part induced to defer their publication till this time, by a respect to the judgment of honored friends. Still, however, my chief motive for delay has been a desire longer to watch this great controversy of ages in its present developments, and even to its close, — if. indeed, there should ever be a satisfactory close, — and to ascertain Avhether anything new could be suggested to give rational relief and unity to the mind of the community, and, at the same time, to mature my own thoughts, so that, if possible, I might avoid a crude and ill-digested presentation of so great a theme.