Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

immortal spirits, as of the same kind with that of our bodies; but still we assume, that there is a resemblance, sufficiently striking to justify us, in analogically conceiving of the former by means of our idea of the latter. If this be so, and our knowledge of the spiritual realities reported to us by God, and received by faith, is had by means of analogical conceptions, -it will be at once apparent to every intelligent reader, that in order to the best, and most approximated ideas of the latter, we must have clear and accurate ideas of those sensible things which we employ as their representatives.

It has been under the influence of such views, that the following pages-a great part of which was originally intended to facilitate the author's own private studies,-were prepared. The sacred scriptures represent the change produced by the Spirit of God, and called Regeneration, under the idea of a New Life. Now it is manifest, that if we have mistaken views, as to what Life is, in its more ordinary forms, and as it presents itself to the inspection of our senses, we shall necessarily be led into vague, mys tic, and indefinite notions of it in spiritual things-which lie beyond the sphere of our senses. Any and every false, or imperfect view of life, in the former, must and will eventuate in analogical error. It is well that the vulgar apprehensions on this subject, are practically correct. Common sense, invariably associates the idea of action and enjoyment with that of life, in its more obvious and imposing forms; and following these, as its guide, it will never be found far from the truth, in that high and wondrous exhibition, viz. the life of God in the soul. Philosophy however has here done incalculable mischief. It has come with one, and another theory, and with one or more associated, and having laid a false metaphysical or philosophieal basis in its definitions of life, has reared a mass of emptiness and mysticism only to bewilder and perplex.

In the early period of his theological studies, the author felt the extreme perplexity of this subject; but, having imbibed the philosophy of the schools, for several years after the commencement of his ministerial life, was wont to define and illustrate Regeneration, according to philosophical views, which he is now persuaded were incorrect. They were never fully satisfactory to him, but he comforted himself, as he had learned to do, from the authors whose views he had embraced, by identifying the mist of that philosophy, with the scriptural facts in the case,-which, like all other facts, he was prepared to believe, in their intimate nature, to be inexplicable. He regrets deeply the influence which they had on his early ministrations among the people of his charge, being convinced that they seduced him from that simple testifying to matters of fact, and contemning the theories and deductions of philosophy, which should characterize the preaching of him who desires to be blessed by the Spirit of truth. And for this he knows no more suitable atonement that he can offer, than to give to them, in a volume, the result of investigations which he is convinced, are not appropriate to the pulpit.

In adventuring, some things to aid their researches, he regrets that a state of things should have arisen in the Presbyterian church, entirely unforeseen, at the period when he consented that they should pass into the printer's hands. The spirit of party prevalent at the present day, is exceedingly prejudicial to candid investigation;—and this is the more to be regretted, because the contention is not so much for the facts of revelation, as-if not for something still worse for the philosophical theory employed in the explanation of those facts,-a theory, so consecrated in the theological writings of former days, and so interwoven in their technics, as to be mistaken, by those who have had access to none other, for the very truths of Scripture itself. All agree as to the facts of the reality and necessity of

Regeneration and of the Spirit's influence to secure it.) Here then, let brethren caress each other, and co-operate in giving their testimony to the truth. Why should any follow the light of philosophy, which beguiles from the simplicity of faith, and causes christian ministers and people to diverge further and further from each other?

If the following disquisitions will, in any measure contribute to heal divisions,-to correct suspicions,-to promote the unity of the Spirit,-to lead any to see the essential accordance in faith, of those who are at war with each other in philosophy, the author will consider himself amply rewarded. They have been submitted to the press as they were prepared, in moments redeemed from many pressing engagements;-and they have been conducted through it, in the midst of the cares, anxieties, labours, watchings and interruptions incident to a season of the powerful and gracious effusions of the Spirit of God, among the people of his charge, and others whom he has been called occasionally to visit. The author therefore claims the indulgence of the reader for whatever diffuseness and desultoriness and other imperfections he may notice, while he commends the whole to God, with earnest prayer for His blessing to accompany it.

« ZurückWeiter »