PREFACE. In a little work✶ published seven years ago, the Author of the following Discourses intimated a desire to work out for himself and present to his readers, a distinct answer to the question, 'What is Christianity?' and the work then put forth was designed as a mere preliminary to another, in which this great inquiry should be presented. The purpose then announced still remains, and the materials for its execution are for the most part prepared. The present volume, however, is not offered as any part of its fulfilment: but rather in temporary apology for its non-fulfilment. Of his reasons for withholding for a time that promised volume, this is not the proper place to speak at any length. A change in some of his views, and the consciousness of immaturity in others, have certainly had a share of influence in producing the postponement. But it has been occasioned chiefly by his desire to lay aside for a while the polemical character, which necessity, not choice, has impressed upon his former writings; and which, until relieved by some task of higher spirit, misrepresents the order of his convictions, engaging `him upon the outward form of Christian belief, while silent of the inner heart of human life and faith. Of his reasons for presenting this promised volume, the Author has but few words to say. As its contents were written, so are they now published, because he takes them to be true, and good to be recognised as true by the consciousness of *The Rationale of Religious Enquiry; or the Question stated of Reason, the Bible, and the Church. all men and not having been produced as task-work, but out of an earnest heart, they may possibly find a reader here and there, to whom they speak a fitting and faithful word. Should the book avail for this, it will sufficiently justify its appearance should it not, it will speedily disappear, and at least no harm be done. No formal connexion will be found among the several Discourses in this volume. Prepared at different times, and in different moods of meditation, they are related to each other only by their common direction towards the great ends of responsible existence. The title, indeed, expresses the spirit, more than the matter, of the book; which, endeavors' to produce, rather than describe, the essential temper of the Christian life.' The Author would have introduced a larger number of Discourses having direct reference, in word as well as in spirit, to the divine Ministry of Christ, did he not hope to follow up the present volume by another devoted especially to this subject, and a third on the Christianity of Paul. In the mean while, he trusts that those who, in devout reading of books and men, look for that rather which is Christian, than which talks of Christianity, will find in this little volume no faint impression of the religion by which he, no less than they, desires to live and die. Liverpool, June 20, 1843. |