have wished that principles so important as those on which voluntaryism rests had found an abler advocate, and partly because his advocacy of them may divide him from friends he has long known, revered, or loved. The first cause of regret, however, is to a great degree obviated by the unanimous opinion of the adjudicators: he respects and bows to their decision. To the second he is unwilling to attach much importance, when once it has been decided that his labours may promote the interests of truth. In seeking to diffuse the wisdom which is "first pure, then peaceable," he trusts that he shall ever be prepared to sacrifice his own personal feelings to the claims of Christian duty. With the faults of this publication no one can be more intimately acquainted than the author himself. In apology it may be stated, that the greater portion of it was written in seasons when he sought relief from the fatigues of the urgent and arduous duties of a London pastor,-duties that allow but little time auspicious for literary occupations. If any object to the brevity and conciseness of a work that professes to settle so intricate a question, and one that involves interests so momentous, in the space of two hundred pages, he can only answer in the language of our own. Milton,-" Having herein the scripture so copious and so plain, we have all that can properly be called true strength and nerve; the rest would be but pomp and incumbrance. . The brevity I use, not exceeding a small manual, will not, therefore, I suppose, be thought the less considerable, unless with them, perhaps, who think that great books only can determine great matters. I rather choose the common rule, not to make much ado where less may serve; which in controversies, and those especially of religion, would make them less tedious, and by consequence read oftener by many more, and with more benefit.” But whatever be the imperfections of this Publication, he asks for it a candid and prayerful perusal ; under the conviction, that till the principles advocated be practically acknowledged both by the Church and by the State, the interests of both will continue to suffer; the minds of men will still be more alienated from the Commonwealth, whilst the Church will remain, as now, lamentably feeble, secular, and divided. A 2 7. But of momentous principles... 8. The spirit in which this controversy ought to be conducted.. 18 6. Its rules founded not on expediency only, but on justice 7, 9, 11. Second class of penalties:-Loss of influence, of cha- |