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Front matter

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CHAPTER I. Christianity its own Moral Demonstration 19-24

How we judge men— Generals, judges, etc.— Medicines- Civil governments, societies, nature, art and science— So try the Church, the Bible— Errors and Truths, understand them, and let them plead their own cause, relying on their own merits.

CHAPTER II. . Importance and Completeness op Revelation 25-32

We know nothing of God, Spirit, Creation;— Of God's will, our duty, or of a future existence, but by Revelation; and this Revelation, so absolutely necessary," claims to be perfect for the unconverted, and for the converted ; for all classes ; and by the most rigid trial, proves its claim ; and the importance of understanding Revelation.

CHAPTER III. How to Study the Bible 33-44

The Bible subject to rules, like other books — Reasons for failures in studying it; — Rules ; love of truth, pure motives and rightly dividing it ; with exemplifications ; dispensations, persons and things ; — Moral, positive and ceremonial law T s ; — Other divisions and exemplifications.

CHAPTER IV. The Speaker the Person Addressed, &c 45-58

Cause of the address, what was to be accomplished, the circumstances connected with it ; exemplifications ; — The three parables, (Luke 15, John 3), — Conversation with Nicodemus ; — Applying the rules and explaining the passages; — Collect all the testimony, — The new birth by this rule; Sum of the testimony, — Conclusions.

CHAPTER V. Doubtful Passages 59-71

Tenth rule ; — Doubtful scriptures and exemplifications ; — Of women speaking or being silent in the Church ; — Scriptural rights and duties of women, according to these

CONTENTS. xi

rules; — Paul justified, the Scriptures harmonized, and order preserved.

CHAPTER XI.

Meaning of Words, Sentences and Paragraphs 72-90

Analysis of words, sentences and paragraphs; — Exemplifications; — Sermons on the wrong pronunciation and meaning of words, (Titus, 3: 5. Rom. 8 : 8.) — Religion; Convert and conversation, — The four items in conversation ; — Meaning of Life and Death ; — The Prodigal Son, dead and alive ; — Present Life and Death ; — Eternal Life and Death; — Sanctificatien, its meaning in the Bible exemplified.

CHAPTER VII. Manner of Doing Divine Commands 91-97

Doing God's will in God's way — Exemplifications in the civil law and in the divine law; — Manner of observing the Lord's supper; — Carrying the Ark of the Covenant; — Bringing water out of the rock ; — Manner of teaching the Jews ; — Romans, Mahometans, protestants and Bible plans for evangelizing the world ;— Manner of observing the Lord's day ; other cures, and the conclusion according to these Rules.

CHAPTER VIII. Importance of Sound Speech 98-103

Imperativeness of this rule ; Its true meaning shown by many exerajDlifications ; The same idea in other words ; Many ordinances but no sacraments; We must call Bible things by Bible names, when we can ; Not add to or take from ; It requires the only course that can give us union; Forbids what will cause division, classes, strife, etc,

CAAPTER IX.

Importance of Clear Testimony 104-112

Special reason ; — Meditation ; — Exemplifications ; Soul Sleeping and Infant baptism both rest on confessedly doubtful testimony and are unsafe ; Special reasons for observing the Sabbath, for destroying the Canaanites, and for sparing, and for punishing the wicked, and for the suffering of the righteous ; Why Jesus told the deciples before hand ; Why he died ; Importance and naturalness of meditation; Counting the cost ; Thinking.

CHAPTER X. Figurative Language 113-126

Figures a necessity ; Three manners of teaching — types, parables and literal ; What writers on Rhetoric say of figxii CONTENTS.

ures ; Specimens of the hyperbole ; The Bible manner of stating these things ; Meaning of types' and parables by various authors, etc.; Rule 1 exemplified — Luke 15— Rom. 9:20-21, Jer. 18, etc.;— The Potter and clay— Mat. 22 ;— The King's wedding feast; Blair's Rhetoric; warnings and instructions.

CHAPTER XL

Figures Founded on Facts 127-151

Figures and facts, with exemplifications ; How to find the literal meaning ; The Steward, Luke 16.; Rich man and Lazarus ; Meaning of facts stated ; Lessons taught ; Shadows and substances ; Rule third ; Must harmonize figures with literal teaching ; Various exemplifications and expositions of Scriptures; Parable of the tares. Mat. 13. "Withdrawing from the incorrigible. Rule fourth ; All have one leading point of likeness ; Exemplifications and expositions of many passages ; How to determine when language is figurative ; (3) Three rules for this — Ernesti, Campbell ; Observing the context, scope, analogy of Scripture; Many passages explained; Little children brought to the Savior ; Analogy of faith ; Allegorical language ; Symbolic and mystical action.

Chapter XII

Etymological meaning ; types and antitypes ; Five important items noted ; Deliverance of Israel ; The leading facts ; The nature of their bondage ; Their numbers in Egypt; How they came to believe in Moses; Three facts as to the relation of testimony to faith ; The character of the miracles wrought ; True and false miracles ; Effect of their faith in Moses; Not saved when they believed; Passing through the sea ; AVhat Paul calls their baptism into Moses ; Five facts noted ; When they were saved ; Israel in the wilderness ; Four other facts ; Their crossing Jordan and entering into the promised land ■ The application to Christians.

CHAPTER XIII. The Jewish Tabernacle 173-193

Stackhouse on early places of worship ; the importance of understanding the type ; Six items we can not be certain about; description of Tabernacle and some of its furniture ; The Ark ; The altar of inscense ; The inscense ; The table of shew-bread ; The candlestick ; First holy place; Second holy place ; Outer court ; Thejaver; The altar of burnt offerings, and their anti-types in the New Testament; From Calmet, Brown, Sherwood, Watson and Jones ; Six important items ; The water of separation and its antitype ; Holy oil and its antitype, etc.

COXTEXTS. xiii

CHAPTER XIV. Consecration of Jewish Priests 194-23G

The offerings ; Sprinkling on them the water of Separation ; Washing them with water; How this holy water was made and used, and its antitype ; How they washed; never sprinkled or washed the clean ; Always the unclean, to cleanse them ; They were clothed with priestly garments ; anointed with holy oil ; How it was made and its antitype; The Holy Spirit; The antitype of these four items— to make Christian priests; Qualifications and duties of Jewish priests; Cain and Abel; Their worship, and why Cain's was not acceptable; A lesson for us ; Priests before Moses; Idol priests, etc.; Age and personal qualifications of Jewish Priests ; Their duties, to offer sacrifices, teach, take down, and carry, and put up the Tabernacle ; A lesson for Christian Priests ; They aided the government ; Application to us ; Moses' great mistake ; The emoluments of the priests ; The financial tithings ; The triennial tithings; The feasts of the Lord; Sabbath, new moon, passover, feast of weeks, feast of Tabernacles, three annual feasts, and their antitypes, in detail; Conditions on which the offerings of Jewish Priests were accepted and the antitype in detail.

CHAPTER XV. Atonement and Gonernment of Israel 237-259

Annual atonement day; — items ;— tradition and Bible teaching as to Tabernacle types and antitypes ; — first or Sinaitic Covenant ; use of the term Tabernacle ; — Golden Censor; things not yet made manifest; the veil, figurative; — Redemption from transgression under the old Covenant ; — the government of Israel, primary and permanent; Judges, wise men from among the elders; — Shall judge righteously; — fear God, not man; — Fear a gift to blind the mind ; — Judges for the Lord and Judges for the city; elders, not necessarily officers; — never equivalent to any office; — officers chosen from among them ; — New Testament elders ;— bishops being called elders, no proof of their sameness; — duties of elders; — ■ duties of officers ; absurdity of young men being officers — elders; — preachers not congregational officials.

CHAPTER XVI. Jewish Free-will Offerings and Figures, etc 2G0-272

Voluntary offerings and their antitypes ; no antitype for constrained offerings; all voluntary in Christ; Collecting funds for special cases ; How Paul raised special collections; How the Jews were able to give so liberally; why so much expense for the Tabernacle ; not to encourage xiv CONTENTS.

pride but to teach moral worth from natural ; mistakes of commentators, etc.

CHAPTER XVII. The Flood and Noah's Ark 273-285

Analysis of 1 Peter iii: 18-21 (after reading Gen. vi, vii); Christ suffered for sins; guided by the Spirit; went and preached to spirits in prison through Noah; while the Ark was preparing; the Ark; saved from the wicked by water; saved in and by the Ark, from drowning; the like figure, or antitype, even baptism saves us ; meaning of the filth of the flesh ; the answer of a good conscience ; by the resurrection of Christ ; the synthesis, after a general and accurate acquaintance with Gen. vi, vii, viii, and 1 Peter iii, and seeing that all this is typical of developments in Christ ; Ruinous effects of sin ; Noah's faithfulness; but one Ark, — but one Church; A fable of the giraffe, and how he got in ; but one door, — how Christ is the door ; the literal entrance ; safety in the Ark only ; all food, etc., in the Ark — the Church ; All light came from above and does now; all comfort, good society, good government in the Ark; its final landing; delivering up the Kingdom ; landing of the Old Ship of Zion.

CHAPTER XVIII. The Worship of God 286-295

Meaning of worship, at length, critically ; heart reverence manifested by bowing and obedience, as God manifested his love by Christ; True Worship ; what is necessary to it; false or vain worship, and what it is, in detail ; mixed worship and what it is, exemplifications and warnings; the objects of worship, — to please God and share his blessings ; importance of pure worship ; transforming us into the image and likeness of the object worshiped ; Kinship to God and fitness for heaven.

CHAPTER XIX. The Church in Prophecy 296-306

Meaning of prophecy; — cases of miraculous prophetic teaching; Moses at Mt. Sinai; prophetic teaching concerning Christ; new covenant; Church and Kingdom; durability and triumphs of Christianity ; its establishment and organization ; apostasy foretold ; meaning of the dragon, heaven, etc.; other apostolic teaching on the apostasy; how this was brought about; agencies and instrumentalities; warnings for us and confirmation of our faith.

CONTEXTS. xv

CHAPTER XX. An Outline of Post Apostolic History of the Church. . . 307-321

Early triumphs of the gospel ; preached to every creature in 30 years— and how ; how Christianity was corrupted ; examples from leading Church histories showing the independence of the congregations, election of their officers ; their choosing Paul a helper, overthrow of Church independency by the bishops, or clergy, and substitution of preacher rule; diocesan, Metropolitan, hierarchical rule; union of Church and State ; withdrawing of the faithful from corrupted worship; who are these lordly clergymen ? ; they are the same to-day ; the Kingdom of the clergy ; the social worship of early Christians and clergy rule ; changes item by item ; praying, singing, etc.; organization — government; retrograde steps — quoted from the best authors; — further recedings, from these corruptions ; Sum of the testimony.

Chapter XXI

Outline History of the Church Continued to A. D. 606. . . 322-343

The social worship of the early Christians, and the worship under clergy rule ; teaching of the early fathers as to these matters; their singing and the the theatrical music of the corrupters; profane and secular music; many authors quoted ; how we should sing ; social manner of their Lord's day worship; of their names and manner of speech; Bible names for Bible things; how errors and corruptions crept in; preachers leading the way ; the establishment of the one man pastor or bishop; the diocesan, Metropolitan, patriarchal, and papal powers; union of Church and State under Constantine; various authors quoted; of withdrawing from corruptions and corrupters; the clergy further promoted and corrupted by the Emperor, etc.; vast numbers of seceders or puritans in all parts of the Empire ; sum of the points set forth; in tracing the true Church we go not to Rome or Constantinople, and look not for organization or perfection.

CHAPTER XXII. True Church from 606 to 11th Century and on to Luther. 344-358

Papal claims; various quotations in proof; where the faithful were scattered and their persecutions ; the false and wicked ways and means of opposing them; from Gregory VII to Luther; various reformations or secessions, from the corrupters ; how they suffered and how they triumphed; Churches in many places and in all ages as pure as many apostolic churches the Lutheran reformation, 16th century ; general summary ; fulfillment of prophecy in the perpetuity of the Church; in the xvi CONTENTS.

apostasy ; its several steps ; dangers of worldly popularity, members, wealth, etc., as shown in the history of the Church.

CHAPTER XXIII. The Divine Government 359-409

What God has to govern; the material universe, and man, his crowing work ; He has three elements, the natural, Providential and miraculous — definition of each ; attraction and gravitation, his ordinary governing power deposited in nature ; what the skeptic cannot know ; God still holds nature in his hand — Pres. Milligan; — how God governed man to time of Moses ; how he governed the Jews; the priests and their duties; special Judges; the Kingly government; the Synagogue worship; how he governs Christians; the work of Evangelists; preach, preacher, and preaching ; preachers not rulers — not pastors ; scriptural organization ; bishops and deacons in each congregation ; no general organization or confederation of the Churches ; qualifications of bishops and deacons ; their duties ; contrasts between bishops and evangelists ; answers to objections ; some mistakes ; Timothy and Titus not bishops; Evangelists never remained permanently in one place; Preachers subverted the divine government ; historic proof ; what we must do to restore it.

CHAPTER XXIV. The Missionary Work of the Church. 410-431

Divine authority necessary; Church authority and its limitations ; Importance of brotherly love here also ; the Apostles and early Christians our examples; authority of example ; we are commanded to follow it ; hence when we find how and what they did we have found how and what we must do, so far as able, with certain limitations; the best way to spread the Gospel, — Paul's way ; Paul's four great missionary tours and their results ; sent by the church at Antioch and reported to it ; very little said about his support; he trusted in the promises of God, not in the promises of man.

CHAPTER XXV. Church Co-operation 432-451

Must have direct precept, apostolic example, or necessary inference ; raising funds for the poor and disbursing them missionary work ; how Paul did both ; churches did co-operate in choosing a man to travel with Paul to raise the funds ; they must have proceeded in an orderly and business-like 'way, and we must; the time, place and detailed manner not being given nothing against the facts — an example ; they had messengers, who could carry their will as well as their money ; we go as far as the record goes, and there stop, and hence have no humanly organ-

CONTENTS. xvii

ized societies on a money basis, what we piave certainly found 13 items ; what we have certainly not found — 10 items; the finances of the church — how they collected money, by special collections, pledges, and especially by weekly contributions; excuses and objections; conclusion of the whole matter.

CHAPTER XXVI. Church Finances. 452-464

Importance of Church finances ; how money was raised under Moses ; regular taxes, free-will offerings and special collections; money collections under the Gospel; special collections, pledges, and the weekly contributions, all free-will offerings; aid for the poor — missionary work; all collections on the same principle and for one great jmrpose ; all fleshly appeals and human methods forbidden ; the reason of our failures ; human plans, ways and motives instead of God's ; Absolute necessity for return to Apostolic Christianity in order to have Apostolic Christians, union, success, etc.; excuses and objections answered and difficulties removed, all by copying primitive examples ; cutting off Church amusements ; entertainments, worldliness, etc.; and walking closely in the narrow way.

CHAPTER XXVII. Scriptural Church "Work 465-509

Importance of music for good or evil ; following the divine rule would prevent discord as to instrumental music in the worship ; argument of Bishop Strossmayer against a pope applicable to this subject — i. e., its lack of apostolic recognition ; true worship, vain worship — true music, vain and corrupting music; (J. W. McGarvey,) his argument; history of instrumental music in the worship — among the Jews ; learned men on the subject; it hinders obedience, and is, therefore, a disobedience ; its introduction among Christians ; its inutility and the better way ; its violation of the laws of love ; examination of Rom. xiv and 1 Cor. viii; what we owe each other in things indifferent; what Paul would do— what he did do; M. E. Lard on Rom. xiv, etc. — accountable for our brother's ruin ; what prominent men think of these things — Isaac Errett, I. B. Grubbs, J. W. McGarvey, Spurgeon, Campbell and others; what F. G. Allen says — Chrysostom and Fathers; a plain way open for peace and good will with God and man — God's own chosen way — who will walk in it \

CHAPTER XXVIII. Preachers and Preaching, Teachers and Teaching, etc. . . 510-530

Difference between preaching for the world, teaching for the church — the school of Christ ; the Bishops, the teachxviii CONTENTS.

ers ; the inefficiency and absurdity of pretending to teach by textuary sermonizing ; Christianity cannot be taught in this way ; the proper manner — the Bible class or social style, all present, book in hand, and having studied the lesson of the day, all read and take part, ask and answer questions; Law and Medical schools — lectures didactic, then the quiz ; 13 items in the manner of procedure on Lord's day ; not possible to fail to learn much this way ; comparison with the popular way ; the selfish pastors of the Jews — quotations, etc. — objections answered ; the results of calling in the preachers to be pastors ; how the gospel did spread — man's way and God's way ; prodigal use of money in church houses ; in pastors, in costly and pridy church houses — results in figures and facts ; popular course not God's way, and can never convert the world to the love and service of Christ ; God's drawing power not fine church houses, etc., but Christ lifted up ; a fair trial in San Francisco ; ancient synagogues of Satan, and w 7 hat Jesus said of them ; many think they are rich, etc., when they are not ; the only safe way.

CHAPTER XXIX. Sample Lessons for Lord's Day Worship 531-546

Prayer — the tw T enty items in prayer, five of them investigated, and the others named ; worship — definition ; true worship, false or vain worship, mixed worship, the importance of worship, and the effects of worship ; various other lessons given for study and consideration ; manner of procedure ; aid to the Leaders, etc.

CHAPTER XXX. Other Helps to the Study of the Bible 547-556

Encouraging indications and facts; importance of knowing the books in their order in the Bible, so one can turn to any book and chapter at once ; chapters, verses, etc.; chronology ; circumstances and customs ; books recommended; church history; the Holy Land and its surroundings, and the maps and books recommended ; variety of maps ; self-made maps ; various translations ; commentaries ; history of the times of the apostles ; prayer, meditation and reviews.

CHAPTER XXXI. Conclusion 557-564

Conclusion of time, and preparation for it ; the tendency of sin and evil, and of truth and purity ; the religion of children and of parents; the wise and safe course ; the few who hunger for such a book ; the thirteen leading items had constantly in view in this book.

Live Religious Issues of the Day.

Chapter I

Cheistianity its Own Moral Demonstration. — How we judge men — generals, judges, etc., medicines, civil governments, societies, nature, art and science; so try the church, the Bible — error and truth ; understand them, and let them plead their own cause, relying on their merits.

" Unto him be glory, in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages." Eph. iii: 21.

" Every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph. iv: 16.

We say of a general, a judge, a governor, or president : " He has proved himself capable and worthy," or " he has proved or shown himself ww worthy." We all say, without knowing the particulars, that a domestic system which makes the woman a slave, and the man a lazy lord, is a bad system. We say, too, that a civil government which impoverishes, enslaves, enfeebles, makes base, ignorant and miserable the common people, is a bad government. All say this on being assured of the condition of these people, and when we know nothing of the rulers, or the plan and particulars of the government. Our convictions may be much intensified by an acquaintance with the laws v and rulers themselves.

Xo man needs evidence of majestic grandeur and power in the ocean, after gazing upon her restless waves. — The soul is to be commiserated who needs evidence of the beauties of nature, after looking upon a California flower garden. How could one better prove the sweetness of music than by witnessing a good exhibition of its harmony and power ? How could one better prove the beauties of light than to witness the glories of the sun in a cloudless sky ? What would we think of one who, after witnessing such an exhibition, would demand proof of its reality, and beauty, and worth? Would not all the people say, he is a simpleton, and not to be reasoned with ?

We say of certain medicines — they are good, owing entirely to their effects. Yet the effects are not all good, nor are they always sufficient to cure disease. Sometimes, perhaps, they even kill. What would be thought of a medicine — could such an one be found — whose effects were all good, and always sufficient to cure? What would we think of a man who, after witnessing its effects in ten thousand cases, without variation, would ask for proof that it was a good medicine ? How would a community of intelligent people, who had witnessed its effects all their lives, regard a man who would come amongst them lecturing, at fifty cents admittance, to prove that it was a miserable humbug ? What would be their emotions when he undertook to ridicule it, and to persuade them that it was even dangerous? Think of one who would undertake to prove that the government of the United States is a dangerous caricature of human rights, and ought to be abolished, and yet offer nothing half so good in its place ! Would not our wisest and best citizens think of a lunatic's home for him ? If he could offer some amendments to it he might be heard, for it is not perfect, and does not pretend to be. But when he proposes to abolish it outright, and has nothing better — or even half so good, to put in its place, he is regarded as a madman. How would a virtuous and intelligent people regard a man who would abuse and destroy our civil government, because some of our high officials have acted very badly ? Would they not, with one voice, say, blame the officials, not the government? Even a divine and perfect government, when administered by incompetent or unfaithful officials, must fail of its purpose, if indeed, it does not work evil. The evil comes from the officials, and the remedy is in removing them, and putting competent and faithful men in their places — not in changing or abolishing the laws. "Why not apply this to the divine government and its officials and citizens ? All these things have been abused, and are capable of being abused, and we need to distinguish the abuse from the things abused.

Now, let us consider a system more beautiful than the tinted rainbow, or the flowers of the garden of paradise ; more sweet than the perfection of all earthly harmonies ; more curative than all medicines ; more majestic than the roar and might of the ocean's waves ; more valuable, safe and just than all earthly governments; more to be desired than gold, or the cattle upon a thousand hills — one perfect in all its parts, for all men, for time and for eternity! Can we pause to examine carefully this system ?

This system claims for itself, and recommends to all men — "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report." It leaves out not one virtue, nor one grace. It furnishes every possible^caution, and warning, and promise. ~No man has ever discovered one desirable thing that it does not provide and promise to the faithful. Its Founder never made a mistake, and never turned away empty any one, or refused a kindness to the needy. And his system, like himself, perfect in all its parts, makes its adherents " complete in him," and

" thoroughly furnishes them to all good works." And while there is not a virtue it does not provide, commend and encourage, there is not a vice nor evil it does not condemn, denounce and discourage. Its officials and adherents may go far wrong, as the officials in our American government, and our citizens have often done, but the system here commended condemns all the wrongs of its friends as well as its enemies. It condemns error and wrong wherever found! It smiles on truth and virtue in every land and in every age.

Men have made the very shallow mistake of blaming this system with what King David did, and with what SolomoUj Samuel, Saul, Jeptha, and others did. These men alone are to be blamed, and this system blames them as much as its mad opposers can blame them. The churches and preachers, and the elders and deacons often do very wrong, as do the members; but not by leave of this system — and not without its condemnation. What a wonderful wrong and injustice men commit, therefore, when they blame the system and its Author for the errors and failures of men who only profess and pretend to follow these perfect and just rules! The wrong is in not following them. Justice requires that complaint shall be made against the wrong doers I — not against the right system, any more than against the right doers.

Not only does this system commend and encourage all truth, virtue and justice, and denounce all error, vice and wrong, but it presents motives of the very highest and most controlling nature, to encourage the good and discourage the bad. It punishes sin now, and threatens unutterably fearful and eternal punishment in the world to come ! Could it possibly do more to restrain vice and error? It rewards every good and virtuous act here, and promises an eternal and most glorious reward hereafter! May not its author triumphantly ask: "What more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it ? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" Why blame the vineyard or its Maker for the failures and errors of the keepers? He himself complained of them, and will punish them according to their wrongs and crimes. Does justice require more? Can it be satisfied with less ?

Skeptics and ungodly men denounce selfish and wicked preachers, and hypocritical church members; but they are not as severe and ready in their denunciations as this system and its Author. They cannot afford to be, because in denouncing wrongs in others they condemn themselves. These men would not tolerate or endure the putting of their neighbors' sins on themselves. Let them not, then, put the sins of preachers, or others, who claim to be the servants of God, upon the divine system or its Author. And when we have this point clearly in mind, and are constrained to admit the cleanness and perfection of Christianity; that it denounces all error and wrong, enjoins and encourages all truth, justice and virtue, and presents the highest possible motives, inducements and rewards to put forward the good and prevent the bad, may we not most triumphantly claim that infinite wisdom, power and goodness could do no more?!!!

And can such a system need external or any other evidence, endorsement or commendation ? More readily and rationally might we complain of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the light we enjoy! More plausibly might we require proof that they are blessed realities.

"With this understanding, let us examine and exemplify Christianity, as it was exemplified in the lives of the first Christians, and as it is portrayed in the holy Scriptures, believing it will prove its own moral demonstration. Men may reject and denounce Bible ofiicials, and perversions of divine teaching, such as Calvinism, Universalism, and a score of other isms, and be justified in so doing. But can they reject and denounce Christianity itself, in its own spotless garments of glory and beauty ? ! If so, then there is no system — -can be none, even in the most extravagant and wild fancy, that we will receive and approve — unless, indeed, we love the bad because it is bad, and hate the good because it is good. This, it is presumed, men claiming to be moral and rational creatures, will not readily do or admit.

This is a very broad and bold-putting of the case; but if the reader will candidly examine the following pages, it is believed that he will not again complain of the confidence here expressed, or of the divine system.