PREFACE. THE attention which the subject of the following Lectures has already received, and the number of works that have appeared, in which it is more or less ably discussed, might seem to render any additional publication superfluous. It is only necessary, however, to advert to the facts, that upon no topic within the compass of theological science does there exist a greater diversity of opinion that most of those who profess to believe in the doctrine which it involves, hold it in a very loose and unsatisfactory manner-and that some of the best treatises in which it is handled are generally inaccessible, in order to be convinced, that something still remains to be done-some contribution still to be made towards the settling of a question, the importance and interest of which all readily admit. There is also much in the peculiar features of the times which calls for renewed effort in this department of theology. A spirit of universal inquiry has been awakened. The IV. a 2 |