INTRODUCTION. CONSIDERING the many publications that already exift, explanatory of the principles of our religious fociety, it may feem to fome perfons fuperfluous, to publish any thing further on this fubject. I have, notwithstanding, been long apprehenfive, that a work is ftill wanting, which fhall include the whole, or the moft material part, of our principles; and in a concife, yet perfpicuous manner, convey a fufficient explanation and defence of them. The ample and excellent apology of Robert Barclay is too diffuse for the generality of young readers; and it requires a more clofe and patient attention than many are willing to bestow. It would, however, in my apprehenfion, amply repay that attention: and I am fo far from being defirous to leffen its ufe, that I wish particularly to recommend it to those of our own fociety, who defire (what all fhould defire) thoroughly to understand their own religious principles. If the language is not modern, it is ftill correct and clear; if the work is thought too 'controverfial, we should recollect, that the controversy is on fubjects, the right understanding of which is intimately connected with our existence as a religious fociety. The light and mifcellaneous reading of the prefent day, it is to be feared, difinclines many amongst us, as well as others, from fubjects which require close attention and ferious confideration; and I wifh it may not also be a means of weakening thofe relic ui8་ས* C the attachin truths, in which our higheft duty and our deepest interest confist. In this work, I have been defirous of in-« culcating the general principles of religion, and of Christianity, as well as those which are peculiar to our fociety; believing, that we can no longer exift, with any degree of consistency, than whilst those principles are maintained, which conftitute the bafis of the Christian religion. These I confider to be, faith in God, and a belief of the immortality of the foul; a humbling fenfe of the depravity of human nature, and of the neceffi ty and benefits of a Redeemer; that this Redeemer is Chrift Jefus our Lord; that what the evangelifts and apoftles have written concerning him, is true, both in relation to his humanity and his Divinity, as well as their accounts of his many mighty works and miracles; his having, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself unto God for us, as a propitiation for our fins; and fent the Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, to convince the world of fin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and to guide into all truth. In treating of the Holy Scriptures, I have particularly endeavoured to obyiate the principal objections made against them; fince it is by attempting to invalidate their authenticity and divine authority, that the enemies of the Chriftian religion attack our faith. I have introduced the subject of the Scriptures, previously to the chapter on the Chriftian religion; confidering, that if the authenticity and veracity, to fay nothing of the divine authority, of these writings, be established, it is then neceffary only to fhow, what Christianity is, according to the Scriptures. A few arguments are, however, added, in fupport of the Chriftian religion. With refpect to those principles, which are peculiar to our religious fociety, I hope that, however fingular they may appear to fome, they will, on close examination, be found confiftent with the nature and spirit of the gospel dispensation. The conviction of this confistency has been increased on my mind, by the investigation which the writing of this work has occafioned; and, I truft, we are able to give such reasons for our dissent from other Chriftians, as may at least excuse it to those from whom we differ. At a Although very little is quoted in this work from any books, but those of the holy Scriptures, it may be proper to fay, that I am indebted to the writings of others, for many of the arguments which I have advanced. time when so much has been written, and well written, on these subjects, it is not to be expected that many fresh arguments can be brought forward. Some new matter will, nevertheless, be found. The principle object aimed at in this work is, to digeft what has been produced by reading and reflection, and to deliver it in fuch a manner, as may briefly, yet clearly, convey the fentiments defigned to be inculcated. How far this object has been attained, is not for me to de termine. I wish not, by any thing I have written, to promote a spirit of controverfy: on the contrary, I defire the increase of that mutual charity, which it is alike our duty and our intereft to cherish. To speak what we apprehend to be truth, is, however, fometimes neceffary; and always fo, if we speak at all. If we do this, as we ought to do, in love; and it is received in the same spirit; we may be the means of ftirring up the pure mind in each other; and of promoting our "growing up in Him, in all things, who is the Head, even Chrift."* * Ephes. iv. 15: |