xxii

PREFACE TO THE

opportunity is afforded for throwing in, at the precise point where usefulness requires it, the discussion of weighty truth, or combating of á prejudice, or picture of a character, or new application of a prínciple, or something terse and forcible for the warning against evil, or exhortation to good; "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

I should find it difficult to profess a perfect enumeration of the subjects, of deep importance and extensive influence in theology and religion, which Mr. Abbott has, in this volume, treated in a singularly happy manner. I have been especially impressed with the good judgment and the very useful tendency of his frequent induction of sacred lessons from facts in natural science, and from the sensible ordinations of Providence; uniting the argumentative force of Butler with the lively felicity of Mr. Jesse's two delightful volumes, Gleanings of Natural History.' So likewise, the numerous disquisitions and the indirect references upon that unspeakably momentous doctrine, the duty and success of using the means of grace, and their connection with the sovereign and efficacious influence of the Holy Spirit; the remarks on the use of terms in moral science; those on the sources, the variety, and the influence of prejudices, in relation to divine things; those on the necessity, yet the danger, the proper conducting, and the due limits of controversy.

But there is one department in the inseparable domain of theology and religion, upon Mr Abbott's treatment of which I should be very blameable were I to withhold my convictions. Among us, as well as in the New England States, there is a body, large and respectable, if considered absolutely, but far from large when viewed in comparison with the number of other professed Christians. It consists of those who disbelieve the doctrines held, as to their essential principles, by all other Christian denominations, with respect to the way in which sinful, guilty, degraded mankind may regain the favor of God, and the pure felicity of the world to come;. the doctrines of a divine Savior, his assumption of our nature, his propitiation and righteousness, and the restoration of holiness and happiness by his all-gracious Spirit. This class of persons is treated, by some public men, and in some influential writings, chiefly periodical, with scorn and contumely, and are held up to hatred, not to say persecution; they are continually represented as blasphemers and infidels, alike dangerous to the state, and inimical to all vital religion. Hence, thousands of excellent persons, deriving their only knowledge from the sources to which I have alluded, regard this portion of their neighbors with horror, never think of treating them with tenderness, never attempt to obtain a lodgment for truth and holy

affections in their hearts. Ah, little think these well meaning persons of the dishonor with which they impliedly brand the cause of the Gos pel, and the extensive injury which they inflict upon the souls of their fellow-men!

The circumstances of my life have put me into a condition of more correctly knowing this class of our fellow professors of Christianity. I know that there are among them serious, thoughtful, amiable persons, whose minds are prepossessed with prejudices against us and our system, much to the same extent as we are against them and theirs. I know not merely how they reason, but how they feel. They in general have extremely erroneous conceptions of the orthodox system of faith. They have imbibed those misconceptions in early years; and subsequent circumstances have contributed to strengthen thein. For some of those circumstances, of no trivial power to confirm prejudice, we have to blame ourselves.

This is a state of things full of mischief and danger. Surely it is a pressing duty, to do all that we can for clearing away the clouds of ignorance and misrepresentation which, with so dire effect, discolor and distort the objects seen through them. For this purpose, it is to me a heart-felt pleasure to say, that Mr. Abbott's CORNER-STONE' is admirably adapted. Notions producing feelings, and those feelings of deep and wide activity in the formation of religious sentiments, have been derived from Pelagius, Socinus and Episcopius, from Clarke, Law and Watson, from Lardner, Priestley and Channing; and it is the thoroughly pervading influence on the mind of those mutually acting feelings and sentiments, which produces all that is formidable in the theoretical objections, and much of that which is effective in the practical repugnance, which are entertained by many against the doctrines of grace and holiness through the atonement and the Spirit of Christ. How desirable, then to meet those feelings in their germinating principle; to anticipate those sentiments by a dissolution of the causes which would form them! This is what our author has done. His reasonings and illustrations upon the personal and official attributives of our Lord and Savior, are such as may be compared to the correctness of anatomical knowledge, the delicacy of touch, and the astonishing preciseness of applying the probe and the knife, which we admire in the first surgeons of the age. In those processes of argumentation, and the imagery created to elucidate them, which general readers will only regard as satisfactory and beautiful, there is, what will be inmediately felt by the class to which I allude, something which will go to the excision of a deep seated prejudice, or the rectifying of a false assump

xxiv

PREFACE TO THE LONDON EDITION.

tion, or the bringing forth of a truth, now brightly shining in its own evidence, but which had been before buried deep under the black and cold ashes of unsuspected ignorance.

If this class of persons could be induced, seriously, candidly, and with fervent prayer to the Author of truth, and Fountain of mercy, to read this book, I am fully certain that most happy results would follow. May they thoroughly consider, and practically apply the divine axiom; Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning!"

I have thus complied with the request made to me from a quarter justly entitled to a respectful regard, in frankly expressing the opinions, which an attentive perusal has enabled me to form, upon this volume, of which the spirit and execution are but an expansion of the motto, "JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, THE CHIEF CORNER-STONE." Let it be our fervent prayer that the author's pious desires may be extensively fulfilled; and that the work may be greatly blessed, to the advancement of true religion, and "to the praise and glory of HIS grace," who is "the Father of mercies and God of all consolation." J. P. S.

Homerton, July 30, 1834.

THE

CORNER-STONE.

CHAPTER I.

THE DEITY.

"The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Address to the reader.

Preparation of the heart.

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine;" so said the Saviour, and the obvious inference from it is, that we are to act up to the light we have, before we seek for more. Reader, are you doing God's will? This book is intended to explain such of the elementary principles of the gospel of Christ, as are necessary to supply the most pressing wants of a human soul hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and this gospel, the Bible assures us, cannot be understood, unless the heart is willing to comply with its claims. If you have not confessed your sins therefore, and asked forgiveness, if you do not habitually strive against temptation, seeking help from above, if you do not aim at doing the will of God in your daily pursuits, I do earnestly advise you to go to God before you proceed farther, and implore his forgiveness for the past, and in the most solemn and emphatic manner, commit yourself to him for the future. Whatever difficulties in your mind hang around the subjects connected with religious truth, you certainly know enough to see that this is a duty, and you cannot neglect or postpone obedience without doing violence to conscience, and displeasing God.

The Caravan.

Night.

The lost child.

An anxious search.

Do it then, before you proceed any farther. You will then have God's guidance and assistance as you go on. You will be preserved from error and led into the truth. Your heart being opened, the instruction which this volume may present, will enter into it, and contribute to its improvement and happiness. But it will do no good to heap up the truth before a door which is securely barred against what is already there.

Some centuries ago, a large, a very large company were travelling northwardly in early summer, through a lovely country, whose hills and valleys were clothed with the fig-tree, the olive, and the vine. They journeyed slowly and without anxiety or care, for their route lay through a quiet land, the abode of peace and plenty. Friends and acquaintances were mingled together in groups, as accident or inclination might dictate, until the sun went down, and the approach of evening warned them to make preparations for rest. While the various families were drawing off together for this purpose, the attention and the sympathy of the multitude were excited by the anxious looks and eager inquiries of a female, wo was passing from group to group, with sorrow and agitation painted on her countenance. It was a mother, who could not find her son. It was her only son, and one to whom, from peculiar circumstances, she was very strongly attached. He had never disobeyed her;-he had never given her unnecessary trouble, and the uncommon maturity of his mental and moral powers had probably led her to trust him much more to himself than in any other case would be justifiable. He was twelve years old, and she supposed that he had been safe in the company, but now night had come, and she could not find him. She went anxiously and sorrowfully from family to family, and from friend to friend, inquiring with deep solicitude, "Have you seen my son?"