The laws of Christ; being a complete digest of all the precepts contained in the New Testament...

Preface

In the humble hope that the present Work might, by the favour of God, be useful as a guide to Christian practice ; and, by promoting evangelical morals, curtail the extent of that fearful heresy which has destroyed, and is still destroying, myriads of souls, the Author, with much solicitude, and after many prayers, sends it forth into the Christian world. He has studied general usefulness rather than literary gratification, and is very sensible that such a Work will admit of much extension and improvement ; but as compression and adaptation to the habits of Christians engaged in the business of life were his chief aim, he trusts that this object has been, in some degree, accomplished. Though composed not without anxious thought, yet amidst such

IV PREFACE.

a diversity of topics, — all practical and important, — and some attended with no little difficulty, probably there may be errors which have escaped notice, and which, when candidly pointed out, will receive the Author's best attention : these, it is hoped, will be more readily excused in a work which, it is believed, is unique in its form and design. It is now fourteen years since the Author first sketched the plan of the work, and he then knew of nothing at all similar, except Gastrell's Christian Institutes, which is a mere compilation of doctrines and duties in scripture language, and includes the peculiarities of the Mosaic code ; nor has he heard of any thing since, except a work published by the celebrated Ram Molmn Roy, entitled " The Precepts of Jesus," which, however similar in title, is altogether different in. design.

Bromley, Kent, March, 1832.

Contents

Page

Introduction ix

Love of God and our Neighbour 1