PREFACE. These It seems proper, in present circumstances, to state, respecting the following Discourse, that, as it is not among the publications issued under the sanction of the Voluntary Church Society, no one but myself is in any degree responsible for the sentiments which it contains. sentiments I submit to the one test mentioned in the title page. It is my firm conviction that they will abide it; but if, from the same source of evidence, sufficient proof can be adduced of the contrary, I trust that, by the grace of God, I shall neither be so foolish as obstinately to retain error in preference to truth, or so uncandid as, when convinced, to withhold an avowal of the conviction. The variety of misapprehension, misrepresentation, and severe and unguarded reflection, which have come to my eye through the press, and to my ear in daily intercourse, has seemed to impose upon myself, as well as others, the imperative duty of giving an open and explicit statement of our views on the important subject discussed in the following pages. I have confined myself especially to one department of the subject; and, for more enlarged and diversified discussion, must refer, in general terms, to the different writers, some of them acute and able, by whom the controverted field is already occupied.-On one important topic, the jurisdiction of the magistrate in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, I may be permitted to refer, for my own sentiments, to my "Discourses on the Sabbath," Disc. V. pages 157-167. To my friends in the Established Church, who may have felt dissatisfied with recent proceedings, I would say, with affection, but with firmness-The contest is not with persons, but with principles and systems :— -I have ever delighted in the friendly fellowship of all good men:-I shall not be the first to relinquish it:—but if it cannot be enjoyed in union with untrammelled freedom in the dissemination of what I believe to be the truth of God, He who has said, "Whoso loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me," requires the sacrifice. I have only further to entreat such friends, to examine the views contained in this Discourse with calmness, and candour, and prayer; and especially, in the examination, to divest themselves of those apprehensions of evil consequences, which form, in all our minds, so natural and so powerful a barrier to the free admission of truth. The contemplation of consequences, while it should banish levity and haste, and give seriousness and maturity to our inquiries, must at no time tempt us to shrink from the sound practical principle, that truth can never do harm.-The following reflections must be felt by every student of his own heart to have their foundation in its natural feelings and tendencies; and every observer of the conduct of others must, in many instances, have seen them exemplified :-"The adop"tion of a new opinion involves a departure from previous "habits of thinking, and a change more or less determinate "in the associations of ideas, which is sometimes attended "with a difficulty, even in cases in which there exists the 66 most ingenuous readiness to submit to the laws of evidence. "The first impulse, upon such an occasion, is to look ❝round in search of reasons that may authorize the content 66 66 66 edly resting in preconceived opinions; among which "reasons, the real or imaginary consequences of the opposite "opinion will not fail to have considerable influence. Ex"amine the objections raised against any proposition with "which the opponent is not already familiar, or against any project on its being first started, and they will appear to be founded almost entirely upon the apprehen"sion of some contingent danger or inconvenience as its "result. Let this idea be once connected with a system "of opinions; and there is scarcely any degree of moral "evidence, addressing itself purely to the understanding, "which shall be strong enough to procure the admission of "its truth." I have no intention of entering further into this controversy, should the Discourse draw forth any reply; unless it be for the purpose of acknowledging and retracting error, if error shall be brought home to my conviction. May all our discussions relative to the kingdom of the Redeemer be conducted in the spirit of the kingdom,—the spirit of peace and love! I am not sensible, on the present occasion, of having violated it—if in aught I have, I ask forgiveness both of God and of my brethren. R. W. GLASGOW, Dec. 28th, 1832. |