need for expatiating on the wide and varied field of men's intercourse with each other,though here too there might be found abundant proofs of our general position:-the inquiry should be concentrated on the one criterion stated;-love to God, or enmity against him, being the essence, respectively, of good or of evil;-and the latter being capable of subsistence and operation, even under its most virulent forms, in the very midst of many of those outward decencies, and social amiabilities, and "moral accomplishments," which are naturally produced by the conventional virtues of the world. These are virtues, indeed, which, on the principle of mutual benefit before adverted to, might, to no inconsiderable extent, be creditably maintained even in a community of atheists.-But I must resist the temptation to enter further into this most interesting theme. The number and variety of points in it, which rise up in array before my mind, demanding successive notice, satisfy me that it could not be duly discussed, without a treatise much longer than it would be at all seemly to introduce here. I leave it to the Committee of the Congregational Library to prefix their own explanation of the occasion on which this series of Lectures was delivered. It is right for me, however, to state, that I owe my appointment for the first series to the circumstance of my learned and excellent friend, the Rev. Dr. John Pye Smith, having found it necessary, from special engagements, to decline the acceptance of it. Many will regret this besides myself. Glasgow, Nov. 12, 1833. R. W. With a view to a Second Edition, the Lectures have been subjected to a careful revisal, both in regard to language and to sentiment. The suggestions of critics, public and private, as well as my own reflection, have occasioned some slight alterations in minor statements; the introduction, here and there, of a short explanatory addition; the erasure of a paragraph or two; and the subjoining of several supplementary Notes and Illustrations, which are marked— Second Edition. On the subject referred to in the preceding Preface, -"the present character of human nature,"—instead of a preliminary dissertation, which it has been found impossible to condense into a compass sufficiently short to be compatible with the views of the Committee respecting this volume, it is my intention, if God shall give me health and ability, to prepare and publish a separate treatise. R. W. Glasgow, May 20th, 1834. ADVERTISEMENT. (BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY.) THE "CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY" was established with a view to the promotion of Ecclesiastical, Theological, and Biblical Literature, in that religious connexion with whose friends and supporters it originated. It was also designed to secure a convenient locality for such associations as had previously existed, or might hereafter exist, for the purpose of advancing the literary, civil, and religious interests of that section of the Christian Church to which it was appropriated. Without undervaluing the advantages of union, either with Evangelical Protestants, or Protestant Nonconformists, on such grounds as admit of liberal cooperation, it was nevertheless deemed expedient to adopt measures for facilitating the concentration and efficiency of their own denomination. In connexion with these important objects, it was thought desirable to institute a LECTURE, partaking rather of the character of Academic prelections than of popular addresses, and embracing a Series of Annual Courses of Lectures, to be delivered at the Library, or, if necessary, in some contiguous place of worship. In the selection of Lecturers, it was judged proper to appoint such as, by their literary attainments and ministerial reputation, had rendered service to the cause of divine truth in the consecration of their talents to the "defence and confirmation of the gospel." It was also supposed, that some might be found possessing a high order of intellectual competency and moral worth, imbued with an ardent love of biblical science, or eminently conversant with theological and ecclesiastical literature, who, from various causes, might never have attracted that degree of public attention to which they are entitled, and yet might be both qualified and disposed to undertake courses of lectures on subjects of interesting importance, not included within the ordinary range of pulpit instruction. To illustrate the evidence and importance of the great doctrines of Revelation; to exhibit the true principles of philology in their application to such doctrines; to prove the accordance and identity of genuine philosophy with the records and discoveries of Scripture; and to trace the errors and corruptions which have existed in the Christian Church to their proper sources, and, by the connexion of sound reasoning with the honest interpretation of God's holy Word, to point out the methods of refutation and counteraction, are amongst the objects for which" the Congregational Lecture" has been established. The arrangements made with the Lecturers are designed to secure the publication of each separate course, without risk to the Authors; and, after remunerating them as liberally as the resources of the Institution will allow, to apply the profits of the respective publications in aid of the Library. It is hoped that the liberal, and especially the opulent friends of Evangelical and Congregational Nonconformity will evince, by their generous support, the sincerity of their attachment to the great principles of their Christian profession; and that some may be found to emulate the zeal which established the "Boyle," the "Warburton," and the "Bampton" Lectures in the National Church. These are legitimate operations of the voluntary principle" in the support of religion, and in perfect harmony with the independency of our Churches, and the spirituality of the kingdom of Christ. 66 The FIRST Series of Lectures is now submitted to the public attention. It is not for the Committee to express, in this connexion, their opinion of the distinguished ability with which their esteemed Lecturer has fulfilled his engagement. But while they record their high estimate of the volume, they deem it proper to state that, both in reference to this, and succeeding courses of Lectures, whatever responsibility may attach either to reasonings or opinions, belongs exclusively to those whose varied talents and resources may be employed in the promotion of sacred literature and divine truth. CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY, Blomfield Street, Finsbury, Nov. 19, 1833. CONTENTS. MISTAKES IN THE METHOD OF PURSUING OUR IN- QUIRIES ON THE SUBJECT OF MORALS; AND ESPECI- ALLY ON THE ATTEMPT TO DEDUCE A SCHEME OF THE MORAL SYSTEM OF BISHOP BUTLER. ROM. ii. 14.-" For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law; these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves." 113 |