just ground of alarm; and that the extravagant representation of them that some have given, has arisen from a hasty and partial view of the works of this Apostle. In these Essays I have especially endeavoured to set forth the importance of referring to the Old Testament as an interpreter, by analogy, of the New. Some other principles of interpretation, frequently overlooked, and very essential to the right understanding both of St. Paul and the other Sacred Writers, I have pointed out in the Seventh and Eighth Essays, as applicable to the doctrinal and to the moral precepts of the New Testament Scriptures. The use to be made of the apparent contradictions we so frequently meet with, has been particularly dwelt on; with a view to shew that they ought not to be regarded, as is commonly done, in the light merely of difficulties to be surmounted, but as a peculiar and most wisely contrived mode of instruction. In the concluding Essay, I have applied the principles before laid down to the ascertainment of the sense of Scripture respecting the doctrine of spiritual influence :-a doctrine of the highest practical importance ;-one concerning which the greatest difficulties have been started ;and in respect of which, more perhaps than any other, St. Paul's authority has been confidently appealed to by some in support of the most extravagant conclusions, and for that reason, depreciated or disregarded by others. In treating of these subjects, it has been my object, not to ascertain, on each point, everything that may be reasonably believed and plausibly maintained; but, what we are bound to believe and to maintain as a part of the Gospel-revelation; and this distinction I have more than once adverted to, as being one of the highest importance, and not seldom overlooked. In the prosecution of these inquiries, I have freely availed myself of whatever remarks or illustrations I chanced to meet with in various authors, that appeared suitable to my purpose. As therefore there is, I trust, no novelty in the doctrines inculcated, so there is no pretension to complete originality in the arguments adduced. If I shall have succeeded in selecting such as are at once sound, and generally intelligible, and in arranging and expressing them in a perspicuous and interesting manner, the object proposed will have been accomplished. I have only to add, that the design of the present Work being, not so much to refute or to advocate the tenets of any particular person or party, by means of an appeal to Scripture, as to facilitate the interpretation of Scripture to those who are seeking in simplicity for divine truths, I trust it will be received by the candid, even among such as may in some points differ from me, with no feeling of partyprejudice or hostile suspicion. CONTENTS. § 1. Christian religion distinguished from Paganism and characterized, by its claim to Truth as established § 2. Liability of Christians to act inconsistently with this characteristic, by not steadily following truth.. § 3. Necessity of self-examination as to this point, p. 10; PAGE §. 4. Danger of men's flattering themselves without suf- ficient grounds that they are lovers of truth, p. 22; Maxim of making it not the second but the first question, what is the truth, p. 23; ob- stacles to the cultivation of this habit, dislike of doubt, p. 24; love of originality, p. 26; ex- PAGE §. 5. Cautionary maxims: no unfair argument to be used, p. 31; nor erroneous notion countenanced, p. 32; no revealed truth to be suppressed; nor dread to be entertained of the progress of science, p. 36; § 1. St. Paul more exposed than any of the Apostles to - § 2. Ambiguity of the word Gospel, p. 48; full in- §3. Study of St. Paul's writings not to be deferred till a § 4. St. Paul's writings dreaded chiefly from the unac- ceptableness of some of his doctrines, p. 70; the 71 |