has been my wish rather to bring a fresh accession of evidence to the question, than to dwell, any more than is absolutely necessary, upon those reasonings, which have been already urged with the greatest force, and by some of the most able theologians of our Church. Some of the distinctions which I have endeavoured to establish, if correct, may, I think, be further followed up so as to throw great light upon this subject, and may tend materially to elucidate several important portions of Scripture, which have respectively been employed, on the one hand by fanaticism, to weaken the Scriptural obligations to practice; or on the other by Socinianism, to destroy the foundation on which we build the necessity of faith. Far, then, from deprecating the application of the critical ordeal to these, I rather solicit it, and am fully sensible, that I cannot bring them more completely to the test, than by subjecting them to the acute and scrutinizing mind of Mr. Davison, None will examine with more attention than myself his animadversions, should he consider this work worthy of notice, and not be disposed to coincide in my views. To affirm that I should not feel any vexation at being refuted, would be a ridiculous pretension to impartiality, and insensibility to public opinion; but, if I know myself at all, I have not so involved my happiness in my success as an author, as to wish it to be promoted at the expense of the sacred interests of truth and religion. I bring the positions of this work before the public, and not only do not deprecate, but CHALLENGE the trial of their soundness. by dove But some explanation is due upon one other point suggested by the passage from the Review, with which I have headed this preface. That learned and able prelate, whose work upon the Atonement, has conferred upon him such high, and well merited celebrity, has not only been directly attacked by Mr. Davison, but has also been specially called upon by the Reviewer, and perhaps expected by the public, to stand forth in defence of his opinions. That any individual should, under these circumstances, present himself as the antagonist of Mr. Davison, may appear to savour of presumption, and to call for some explanation? This then is my plea. It seems to me scarcely just to urge, particularly in the present state of the Irish Church, this masterly writer, who has already most powerfully contributed his services in this question, to resume the weapons of controversy so long laid aside. Cincinnatus was not to be summoned even from his plough, till a consul, and an army were surrounded; and the trembling anticipations of panic, in the danger which threatened the beleaguered camp, beheld compromised the safety of Rome itself. Surely the champion of primeval atonement need not be diverted from the multifarious duties, and pressing demands of his high and arduous office, till it has been shown, that the cause, which sunk not under the giant might of Spencer, and Warburton, isk in such danger from the assaults of Messrs. Benson, and Davison, that it can be upheld by no other hand than MAGEE's. Let humbler individuals first be overthrown; and then indeed, that learned writer may be fairly called upon to maintain his opinions with fresh arguments. But till then it is unreasonable to demand the appropriation of the little leisure, which must be left to him amidst the discharge of his important duties, to the resumption of a controversy, of which he has exhausted almost every topic. To these remarks it is scarcely necessary to add any declaration of the sentiments, with which I have perused his inestimable work on the Atonement. My humble tribute of applause could be but a drop in that mighty stream of admiration, which flows towards him from almost all theologians, of all denominations; and which will bear down his name to posterity, among those of the ablest defenders of our common faith. But with whatsoever sentiments of respect, I regard his classical production; I have on one occasion found myself compelled to differ from him in my views of some parts of his subject, though not in his general conclusions. Nullius addictus in verba 66 jurare magistri," has been my maxim. I have examined human authorities carefully, and where I found it necessary, have dissented from them freely, perhaps boldly; but I trust neither rashly, nor irreverently. I have appealed from them, whereinsoever I doubted, to the BIBLE. I have " searched the Scriptures whether these things were so." May the research have been directed by His spirit, and the results tend to His glory, who hath caused "whatsoever things were written aforetime," to be "written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." MILLBROOK, CONTENTS. Probability of the Divine institution of Sacrifice, main- PAGE |