W5 5.2 PRINTED BY COX (BROTHERS) AND WYMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET, 90 VIMU AMAQLA) PREFACE. IN preparing this collection for publication, the reader may well suppose, that this thought must have presented itself to the writer's mind: Would it not be better to suppress the whole of this controversy, which occupies this volume, as dead and gone; as either having attained its purpose, or not likely now any longer to attain it? Such a thought was natural, and connected with other feelings, of which I may have to speak. But it was necessarily overruled by the motive of the entire work. Those persons, whose judgment I respect more than my own, who wished such a collection to be made, particularly desired that this series should not be omitted. The strongest objection to be overcome in acceding to this wish was, the painfulness of appearing in conflict with persons who are now joined with me in perfect unity of thought and principle, of many whom I respect and even venerate for their learning, their piety, and their orthodox zeal. But this consideration had its other side. For it may not be without its use to see how those who once clung to error through carnest conviction, who defended their mistaken views with erudition and ability, but who, throughout, showed themselves sincere in the desire to attain truth, could nobly abandon that erroneous system, when the moment of Grace arrived, and become far more powerful advocates than their former adversary, |