Binney's Theological compend improved, containing a synopsis of the evidences, doctrines, morals and institutions of Christianity. Designed for Bible classes, theological students, and young preachers

Preface To The First Edition

THIS little volume is of humble pretensions. It aims to lay the foundations of a firm belief in the Christian religion, and in particular to furnish young people with the chief grounds of their faith.

Compendiums of infidelity and false doctrine are circulating through every class of community, especially among our youth, and thousands are thereby being drawn into fatal snares.

Such hostile attempts should be met with publications calculated to fortify the youthful mind, by concise and plain statements of the principal arguments in favor of Christianity.

Many excellent treatises of this kind have already been published ; yet it is obvious there is something wanting on this subject that is shorter, cheaper, and in a more familiar form.

With this view, the author's chief object has been to collect together, and compress in a narrow compass, the most forcible arguments which

4 Preface to First Edition.

are to be found in our best writers, with such additional remarks of his own as might be found necessary.

To these writers this little work is, therefore, much indebted ; and its author would here, once for all, tender to each of them his frank acknowledgments.

The work is designed principally for the instruction of youth ; yet, considered as a kind of recapitulation of the evidences, doctrines, and duties of Christianity, it may be found of some use to persons of a more mature age.

With this view the matter is thrown into short, clear, and distinct sentences ; an arrangement most convenient for the instruction of youth, best calculated to assist their memories, to make strong and durable impressions on their understandings, and to render the important truths of religion most easy to be comprehended and retained in their minds.

The great truths of religion are clearly and concisely stated, and properly arranged, so that their mutual connection and .dependence may be readily seen, and, what is of more consequence, they are supported at every step by quotations from the unerring word of God.

To render the work still more entertaining and useful, the questions in the margin are very

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abundant, so that no important truth can well escape the attention and recollection of the student.

In preparing this little volume, the Divine assistance has been asked ; in sending it abroad, the Divine blessing is now implored.

May the Spirit of inspiration accept this feeble effort to manifest his glory and promote his cause !

Preface To Binnefs Theological Compend Improved

THE Theological Compend, which is the basis of this book, has met with unexpected public favor. Within thirty-five years at least thirty-five thousand have been printed in English, and used by preachers, teachers, and Bible students throughout the English-speaking world. Its comprehensive yet concise statement of Christian truth has been found to be eminently adapted for use in our foreign missions. Hence it has been translated into German, Swedish, Arabic, Chinese, and other languages.

The emancipation of four millions of slaves in America has created an increased demand for this highly useful work in the training of Sunday-school teachers and preachers among the freedmen. The author, perceiving that the book which has steadily grown in popularity for nearly twoscore years will survive him, and advocate the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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when his tongue is silent in death, has determined to render this contribution to theological literature as perfect as possible by a thorough revision of the entire work. It has been his aim not materially to increase the size of the volume, but to make room for the new matter by erasing portions which in his estimation were of inferior value. The author's increased knowledge of theology during his long Christian ministry, and especially his studies in the New Testament during the fifteen years in which his sole employment has been the preparation of a popular commentary, have qualified him to recast and enrich his Compend, and fortify its statements by more abundant references to the word of God. He has also endeavored to guard the reader against the new forms in which Christian truth is attacked in these modern times. He has not found any thing essentially new in theology. Hence the reader who looks for novelties will be disappointed. Christianity is not a progressive science but a system of objective truth, handed down from heaven, the perfect gift of its perfect Giver.

The author would here publicly express his thanks for all the suggested improvements which the friends of Christian truth have made, and especially to his son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Daniel

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Steele, for the valuable aid rendered by him in all parts of the work of revision.

And now a second time do I invoke the presence of the Spirit of truth to attend thee, my little book, as I send thee forth again to preach that glorious Gospel which my palsied tongue can no longer proclaim. No more wilt thou return unto me on the earth for new apparel in which to journey through all lands with thy glad evangel. May I meet among the bloodwashed throng in heaven many who, amid the noisy discords of error, have heard thy feeble voice and have believed in Jesus, the Son of God and Saviour of men.

New Haven, June I, 1874.

Contents

PAKT I.

EVIDENCES OF RELIGION.

I. Divine Eevelation Page 13