INTRODUCTION. THE object of the Discourses, here put forth in a second edition, was practically to promote in the heart and conduct of such as might read them, that spirit and life of which they treat. A religious book, however, cannot now be published without being subject to examination in reference to the theological doctrines it expresses, or is supposed to imply. But, as I did not expect my volume to go beyond the circle of my friends and acquaintances, it did not occur to me to guard it with any explanation of my general views of Christianity. In sending it forth again, I feel it as a duty I owe to the truth, and to those who have given or may yield me in their minds a hearing, to set the variety of my special topics in the light of some larger expression of faith. Yet my motive to this is not mainly to disarm or to guide criticism, but to meet the scepticism about our religion, which, in a form so subtle, prevails at the present day; and, if my words might have force and reach at all for such a purpose, to stir in some souls a fresh conviction of the momentous verity of the Gospel. I cannot with a good conscience withhold the offer of my utmost strength to the slightest advancement of such an end. Leaving the unity of the first publication unchanged, save by such improvement as I have been able to make of words and phrases, I shall occupy this preliminary space with remarks upon the object, for which Christ came into the world, upon the lasting character of that object, or the duration of Christ's kingdom upon earth, and upon the accomplishment of the object proposed, or the method of Christ's influence. First, I will speak of the OBJECT OF CHRIST'S COMING. Let me begin with quoting to this point Christ's own words. John XVIII. 37. TO THIS END WAS I BORN AND FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I INTO THE WORLD, THAT I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS UNTO THE TRUTH. Matt. v. 17. THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS: I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY, BUT TO FULFIL. John XII. 47. I CAME NOT TO JUDGE THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD. John x. 10. I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. The centre of all religious solicitude and the hinge of every theological difference is the object of Christ's coming. On this point his own authority is supreme. Nothing that he or his apostles say besides can be supposed to contradict his authentic statements. In fact, the whole New Testament only |