WILLIAM CURRY, JUN. & CO., AND WESTLEY & TYRRELL, DUBLIN ; 1828. 100. r. 103. PREFACE. THESE Discourses were not originally designed for the public eye. The first of them was preached with the hope of allaying, in some measure, that controversial spirit which has unhappily became so prevalent. That hope not having been realized, the succeeding Discourses, with the exception of the last, which was delivered before the General Synod of Ulster in the year 1823, were designed to put the Presbyterian Congregation of Newry in distinct possession of the writer's sentiments on some difficult and much disputed points of Christian doctrine. Regarding our English translation of the scriptures as generally accurate, he has not encumbered his pages with Greek criticism. It could be of no use to those who do not understand the language; and those who do, will consult the original for themselves. The Discourses were composed week after week, as they were preached; and they were sent to the press, at the request of the Congregation, just as they were delivered from the pulpit. The principal points treated of, being subjects of pure revelation, and on which we can have no information beyond what is supplied in scripture, it is unnecessary to apologise for having dealt so largely in the production of that incontrovertible authority. The Bible is the only true criterion of Christian doctrine. If the views exhibited in these Sermons |