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PREFACE.

RELIGIOUS COntroversy is always painful, and by many serious persons, considered as always mischievous. Charity, they think, forbids us to examine or oppose the opinions of others; and gospel truth, they tell us, is too holy ever to be defended with polemical weapons. Such persons, of course, entertain a prejudice against all religious controversy, and allege that the cause of true religion was never promoted by engaging in it.

No position can be more unreasonable than this; none more contrary to the tenor of Scripture, or to the example of Christ and his inspired apostles. It cannot be doubted, indeed, that controversy, even when the defence of precious truth is its object, may be, and often has been, commenced with an unhallowed spirit, and conducted in an unhappy and mischievous manner. So may didactic instruction. So may all attempts to enlighten the ignorant or reclaim the vicious. So may feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. But shall we, therefore, abstain from all these acknowledged duties, because they may be, and have been, abused, and

because the discharge of them is always, in fact, mingled with more or less imperfection?

The truth is, controversy is unavoidable, unless we would give up all truth, and allow the advocates of error to have their own way in every thing. Accordingly, the whole of the preaching of our blessed Saviour was strikingly polemical in its character. In almost every discourse he specified and denounced the errors of the false teachers around him, and inculcated, with great solemnity, the opposite truth. Was this uncharitable? No Christian will dare to hint such a charge. Nor was this controversial character confined to the preaching of the divine Master himself. His inspired apostles followed his example. Their writings and public discourses abound in the detection and condemnation of erroneous opinions, and in calling upon those whom they addressed to examine and hold fast the truth. Nay, they go a step further, and while their inspiration might seem to warrant them in being peculiarly confident and authoritative in repudiating one set of doctrines, and establishing another; they enjoin upon all the disciples of Christ, in all ages, to follow their example. Hence they proclaim"Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. Be not carried about with every wind of doctrine, and cunning craftiness, whereby men lie in wait to deceive. Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Buy the truth, and sell it not. Hold fast the form of sound words

which ye have heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." In fact, the church was founded for the express purpose of preserving, defending, and propagating the truth and order revealed by Christ. And as this truth and order have ever been opposed by the world, she can only maintain them by conflict at every step. Accordingly, the whole history of the church has been one continued exemplification of the principle, that the truth ever has been, and, as long as this militant state continues, ever must be maintained by controversy. The church, in this conflict, may be compared to persons striving to ascend an agitated and rapid river, when the wind and the tide are both strong against them. They can advance only by hard rowing; and the moment they intermit their efforts they fall down the stream. The church has to fight for every inch of ground; and whenever she ceases to contend for the truth, she ceases to advance. tend with an improper spirit. it is her mistake and her sin. no more, is to disregard the Master in heaven, and betray his cause to the enemy.

She may conIf she does this,

But to contend command of her

But if it be the duty of the church, and of all her members, to resist the progress of error, whenever and by whomsoever promulgated, it is still more obviously a duty, when important truth is openly attacked, to defend it with firmness, and to endeavour to refute the vaunted error, as well as to establish the opposite truth. But even this, according to the doctrine of some, is not to be permitted.

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