The Christian's monitor; or, Discourses...

Front matter

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |

This valuable Library, containing 1*80 volumes, was presented to the Washingtox Library, of which Dr. Laurie was one of the founders, by his step son, Dr. James C. Hall, March 3. 1858.

THE

Preface

The author is aware that religious publications are not the most suited to the prevailing taste of the age, but of this 07ie iJiing he is fully persuaded^ that when founded on the word of God, and illustrative of its high origin and sacred contents, they are the best calculated to promote both the present and the future welfare of mankind. At a time when the spirit oi infidelity is bold and daring — when blasphemous errors are published and industriously circulated in various parts of the kingdom — when the dangerous tenets and superstitions of Popery seem also to be spreading around us, it becomes a season-

VI

PREFACE.

able and important duty, to use all proper means of counteracting their baneful influence, and of arresting their alarming progress. It is not his purpose, in this small volume, to enter the field of controversy — to attempt any elaborate discussion of the authority and evidences of divine revelation, or of the grand peculiar doctrines of Christianity ; though his abilities were equal to the task, this, having been so successfully accomplished by not a few eminent for genius, talent, learning, and piety, whose celebrated works are well known to the religious public, he would deem, at present, altogether unnecessary. His intention is plainly to show the general practical application of these truths, and particularly to hold up prominently to View the leading principles by which Protestants are distinguished — that the Holy Scripture is the only standard, according to which the sentiments of every man ought to be formed, and his conduct regulated ; and that it is his indispensable duty to ex^ ercise the right of private judgment, to

PREFACE.

vii examine and to decide for himself, in all matters of faith and practice.

The following Discourses were composed^ and preached in the ordinary course of the author's ministry, at considerable intervals ; and this may account for any slight coincidence of thought or expression which may occasionally occur, and which he was not exceedingly anxious to avoid, because he considered it not improper, if it served more fully to illustrate to the understanding, or more deeply to impress on the heart, any of the important and interesting truths which were designed to pervade them. They are selected, not in order to form any systematic arrangement of doctrines or of precepts, but in a miscellaneous manner, to elucidate the great principles which are absolutely necessary to the constitution of the Christian character — principles essential to all that is valuable in piety and in virtue; also to recommend the Christian religion by exhibiting its truth, and the happiness of those who sincerely believe it. If their publication should prove the means

PREFACE, of rendering the Scriptures more highly esteemed, and more diligently improved by his readers in general, and particularly by the members of his own congregation, for whose benefit they were originally intended — of exciting among them a spirit of religious inquiry — of instructing the ignorant — of encouraging the timid — of establishing the wavering — of affording them any assistance in contending earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints — in giving a reason of their hope — and in adorning the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things — the ends which he had in view will be accomplished. For these important purposes, it is his sincere and earnest prayer unto the " Father of lights," that the perusal of them may be accompanied by the teaching of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation."

Contents

Page

DISCOURSE I.

On the Duty of Christians to prove their Principles, Profession, and Conduct.