It has not, however, as the Author believes, occurred to any divine, to supply a regular series of Discourses on the most important parts of the whole volume of Scripture; and to adapt those Discourses, by their general construction, their simplicity, and their brevity, to the especial service of the younger orders of the Clergy. But, perhaps, a young Minister may find it not an unprofitable exercise, to take some of the texts here treated, and to make an arrangement of them for himself in the first instance from his own mind, and then to compare that arrangement with what is here set before him.
To supply this deficiency in theological writings, is the par- ticular object of the volumes which the Author now humbly presents to the public/ And he trusts this labour of love will be regarded by his Brethren in the Ministry, not as an act of presumption, but as a humble and affectionate attempt to
r For the Title, Hone Homileticce, see Acts xx. 11. in the Greek. This book contains short discourses on divers subjects.
render their entrance on their holy and honourable calling more easy, and their prosecution of it more useful. And, by embracing so many subjects which have a different aspect in systematic divinity, he hopes that he has paved the way for their rising superior to human systems of every kind.
The Author is no friend to systematizers in Theology. He has endeavoured to derive from the Scriptures alone his views of religion ; and to them it is his wish to adhere, with scru- pulous fidelity; never wresting any portion of the word of God to favour a particular opinion, but giving to every part of it that sense, which it seems to him to have been designed by its great Author to convey.
He is aware that he is likely, on this account, to be con- sidered, by the zealous advocates of human systems, as occa- sionally inconsistent : but if he should be discovered to be no more inconsistent than the Scriptures themselves, he will have reason to be satisfied. He has no doubt but that there is a system in the Holy Scriptures; (for truth cannot be incon- sistent with itself:) but he is persuaded that neither Calvinists nor Arminians are in exclusive possession of that system. He is disposed to think that the Scripture system, be it what it may, is of a broader and more comprehensive cha- racter than some very exact and dogmatical Theologians are inclined to allow : and that, as wheels in a complicated machine may move in opposite directions and yet subserve one common end, so may truths apparently opposite be perfectly recon- cilable with each other, and equally subserve the purposes of God in the accomplishment of man's salvation. The Author feels it impossible to repeat too often, or avow too distinctly, that it is an invariable rule with him to endeavour to give to every portion of the word of God its full and proper force, without considering one moment what scheme it favours, or whose system it is likely to advance. Of this he is sure, that there is not a decided Calvinist or Arminian in the world, who equally approves of the whole of Scripture. He appre- hends, that there is not a determined votary of either system, who, if he had been in the company of St. Paul, whilst he was writing his different Epistles, would not have recom- mended him to alter one or other of his expressions.
But the Author would not wish one of them altered : he
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xxiv PREFACE.
finds as much satisfaction in one class of passages as in another; and employs the one (lie believes) as often, and as freely, as the other. Where the Inspired Writers speak in unqualified terms, he thinks himself at liberty to do the same; judging, that they needed no instruction from him how to propagate the truth. He is content to sit as a learner at the feet of the holy Apostles, and has no ambition to teach them how they ought to have spoken. And as both the strong Calvinists and Arminians approve of some parts of Scripture and not of others, such he expects will be the judgment of the partisans of these particular systems on his unworthy com- ments; — the Calvinists approving of what is written on pas- sages which have a Calvinistic aspect ; and the Arminians, of what is written on passages that favour their particular views. In like manner, he has reason, he fears, to expect a measure of condemnation from the advocates of each system, when treating of the passages which they appear to him to wrest, each for the purpose of accommodating them to his own favourite opinions. He bitterly regrets that men will range them- selves under human banners and leaders, and employ them- selves in converting the Inspired Writers into friends and partisans of their peculiar principles. Into this fault he trusts that he has never fallen. One thing he knows, namely, that pious men, both of the Calvinistic and Arminian persuasion, approximate very nearly when they are upon their knees before God in prayer; — the devout Arminian then acknowledging his total dependence upon God, as strongly as the most confirmed Calvinist; and the Calvinist acknow- ledging his responsibility to God, and his obligation to exer- tion, in terms as decisive as the most determined Arminian. And what both these individuals are upon their knees, it is the wish of the Author to become in his writings. Hence it is that he expects to be alternately approved by both parties, and condemned by both. His only fear is, that each may be tempted to lay hold of those parts of his work only which <>)>pose their favourite system, and represent them as con- taining an entire view of his sentiments. He well knows the force of prejudice, and the bitterness of the odium Theolo- (jicum; and he cannot hope to be so fortunate as completely to escape either. But, even if assailed on all sides, he shall