"If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." VOL. VIII. LONDON: SEELEY, BURNSIDE, AND SEELEY, FLEET STREET; MDCCCXLVII. PREFACE. VARIOUS and important events have taken place since the Preface to our closing number of last year was written. We refer chiefly to those affecting the Protestant interest of this great and Christian community. From the prince to the peasant, there is no one who is not interested in this question. It is becoming, day by day, one of more absorbing interest. Theologians and politicians take their stand, on one side or the other, as the dictates of duty, prejudice, party feeling, interest, or a greater or less degree of information, recommend to them the adoption of one course or another. Meantime, whilst the nature of truth and error is not changed, the power of Rome is increasing. They who have knelt before the phantom of expediency, and sacrificed to their needless fears, what they would never have conceded to the open demand of the foe, perceive the folly of their infatuated course; but have not the wisdom, energy, and faithfulness to act consistently in defence of the cause they have once betrayed. The Patriot must needs be anxious for his country's good: the Christian not only for his own country, but for the whole posterity of Adam, throughout the civilized and the uncivilized world. But there is something more important, than either patriotism, or Christianity in the abstract, to each Christian. It is to have his peace made with God here, and to enjoy eternal happiness hereafter. Of small value will it have been to him to have anxiously devoted himself to his country's good, to be hereafter a cast-away; and find out, only when too late, that it will profit nothing to have gained the whole world in exchange for the loss of his soul. Therefore would we impress upon each of our dear readers, to acquaint himself now with God, and be at peace; and we believe that they who by a true and living faith are united to Christ Jesus, will afford the most efficient and powerful phalanx against error, whether in the form of the Papal or Infidel Antichrist, or any error which opposeth itself to the truth. |