monly held on the subject of the Incarnation, more particularly in their relation to Patripassianism and Deipassianism. In the third chapter, we have furnished some general remarks introductory to the doctrine of Swedenborg upon this subject. Our object in this chapter, has not been so much critically to lay down his views, nor indeed fully to explain every point upon which we have touched, as rather to state some general propositions introductory to his principles, and to lead the reader to that point at which, by a reference to his works, he may be enabled to answer the several queries which the chapter will suggest. If any one, therefore, is disposed to find fault with anything the author has there said, he may be referred at once to Swedenborg's works, either to correct the statement or to confirm it. In the fourth and fifth chapters, we have analysed the several doctrines of the Atonement, as held by different divines of the alleged catholic church. To this analysis we have added the doctrine as maintained by Swedenborg. In the sixth chapter, we have pursued a similar plan with regard to the subject of Mediation or Intercession, as treated of by writers in the Church of Rome and the Church of England. In the seventh and last chapter, we have added some remarks on the Time of the End, also a few testimonies bearing upon the subject, and a summary of Swedenborg's doctrines. The whole of the preceding chapters may be considered merely as preparatory to Swedenborg's interpretation of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, which we have appended. With regard to the execution of the present work, the author is not unaware of its inefficiency; he is satisfied that materials exist for a treatise on this subject of a far higher character than the present, and whenever such a publication may be required, doubtless some faithful servant will be called to provide it. In the mean time the present sketch, imperfect as it is, may not be without its use, till something better be supplied. There are possibly two classes of persons who may read this book. The one consisting of mere critics, whose sole object will be to detect errors, however secondary, and to fasten upon these, to the entire exclusion of the great and leading arguments; the other may consist of those who will contemplate the general argument as of first importance, and all other points as only secondary. To such minds, the suggestion may present itself, Can these things be, and overcome us like a summer cloud.' Whatever may be the occasional inaccuracies discoverable in the ensuing pages, the author has only to say that happily the cause is not committed to his hands, nor does its success rest upon his exertions; he is but an humble laborer in a field that has long been white for the harvest. To refute the general argument in the ensuing work, even were it possible, is to do nothing; the works of Swedenborg are themselves the walls of the New Jerusalem; and all that the present author attempts in the following pages, is only to place the question in such a point of view as shall lead the reader to a serious enquiry, in the works of Swedenborg, whether these things are true; whether the latter days may not have come as a snare upon all them who dwell upon the face of the earth! At all events let the reader peruse our several chapters under the impression of the possible truth of the ensuing remarks, extracted from the notes in the work by the late Mr. Rose, entitled Christianity always Progressive, p. 206: "Through the whole order of creation, and the whole scheme of Providence, we observe marks of a progressive advancement, and a gradual discovery of truth. In all the operations of the human mind, in the important discoveries of art, and the improvements of laws and governments, we go on step by step, as leisure and opportunities offer, or new wants are created, until, at last, we have completely filled up the first rude outline, which necessity suggested. A similar progress is to be observed in the higher and more valuable truths of religion; and God Almighty, in mercy and love to his creatures, seems always to have proportioned his discoveries, not only to the actual wants of mankind, but to their capacity of receiving truth themselves, and their means of communicating it to others." Hall's Bamp. Lectures. "I am far from imagining that Christianity is yet come to its mature state; that it is understood in the whole extent, or held in its utmost purity and perfection by any one church. But, as when it was first preached, men were fit to hear and profit by it in a competent degree, as that was a proper time to divulge it in order to improve the world, which it did very considerably, excelling all former dispensations, refining the conceptions even of those who did not formally receive it, and yet was itself for some time but partially communicated and imperfectly understood, so now it is of much greater advantage to the world in general, and yet still capable of increase; it waits for its own fulness; nor shall mankind receive the proper influence of it, till their minds be much farther opened and enlarged, their reason more freely exercised, in this great mystery of divine love." Law's Theory of Religion. CONTENTS. Opposition of fallen human nature to Christianity.-Its influence upon the doctrine of the Trinity.-Professed unity, real plurality.-Origin and progress of Tritheism traced in the writings of the early Christians.-Dr. Cudworth's account of the Ante-Nicene fathers.-Athanasius.-Dr. Bur- ton's account of Origen's views.-Lament of St. Hilary.-Tritheism of Philoponus, &c.-Sentiments of Roscelin, Abelard, Abbot Joachim, &c.— Dean Sherlock: Bull's defence of Sherlock.-Differences of opinionas to what constitutes Sabellianism and Tritheism.-Dr. Whitby's account of Sabellianism.-Dr. Waterland on Tritheism.-Dr. Burton maintains the existence of more than one Divine Being.-Perplexities acknowledged by Bishop Watson, Dr. Hey, Dr. Balguy, Dean Vincent, Mr. Newton.- Effects of these controversies.-The catholic or alleged orthodox doctrine. -Its influence upon the minds of children and adults.-Testimony to the existence of Tritheism.-Confusion of the terms God and Godhead.-Faci- lity of forming tritheistical notions: difficulty of forming alleged orthodox ones.-General effects produced by these controversies upon the other doc- Bishop Pearson's statement of Tertullian's argument.- Observations of |