perusal of this part of the Scriptures, which it may be possible to alleviate, if not entirely to remove; and, certainly, the controversy raised upon it may be brought within a much narrower compass. In dealing with these or other subjects, the author has at least endeavoured, with whatever success, to fix the attention exclusively on the questions at issue, divested of associations unfriendly to the investigation of truth; and while he has strenuously maintained his own views, he is not conscious of having failed in a just appreciation of the opinions of any from whom he may have occasionally differed, or in a scrupulous accuracy in stating them. He would at all times bear in mind that there is, there ought to be, but one object in inquiries of this nature—to assist, in however small a measure, in promoting correct and comprehensive views of the Christian religion-in extending, by the Divine blessing, the guidance and comfort of the Gospel CONTENTS. Romans iii. 25, 26.-Whom God hath set forth to be a pro- pitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his right- eousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time, his THE ADVOCACY OF CHRIST. 1 John ii. 1, 2.-And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world . . . . . . . . . 55 Romans xiii. 11.–And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation THE HOPE OF THE FIRST CHRISTIANS. 1 John ii. 15–17.—Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 HEBREws xii. 9—11.-Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us; and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chas- tened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chas- tening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous : Deut. iv. 30, 31.—When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice, (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God,) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the cove- THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE TERM FAITH. Matthew vii. 21.—Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, |