conducted, which does not afford, at almost every step, the advantage of such a comparison. The elements of truth and goodness must be known, before any corruption of the one or the other can be really understood.

Nor can it be matter of doubt with such as have been in frequent intercourse with religious persons, that few minds are more liable to be deluded by the passing phantasies of false religion, than those which, from deeming it enough to adopt certain general and obvious principles, have allowed themselves to remain in ignorance with respect to the impositions practised by those phantasies on the men of other times. It is to me unquestionable, that the persons avowing themselves the most exclusive students of the true, have commonly proved the easiest dupes of the false; they have refused to concern themselves with the records of human folly or deception, and have become victims of the very evils they professed to contemn. Hence it happens that men who err the most in religious speculation, are generally the last to suspect themselves of error.

It is conceded, that in ecclesiastical history, as commonly written, the corruptions of Christianity are so much dwelt upon as to leave but small space for Christianity itself. And what is more to be regretted, these examples of weakness and depravity are not always so disposed of as to leave the mind of the reader free from

injurious impression in regard to the religion with which they are connected. Such matters, if reviewed largely, should have been reviewed philosophically, so as to have made plain their real origin, and to have fixed the broad character of injustice on every attempt to confound such perversions of the christian system with the system itself.

It is in consequence of having been long since constrained to adopt such opinions, that I have ventured to call the attention of the denomination of Christians to which I deem it my honour to belong, and of the public generally, to the subject treated in the present volume. It has been my solicitude to produce a book that may be useful, both as a guard against error and a guide to truth; and one especially, that may be of material benefit to inquisitive youth when entering on the study of ecclesiastical history;— a study which, to be duly profitable, and even free from danger, requires a matured knowledge, and habit of reflection, much beyond what is usually found in connexion with our early life. The relative prominence of the topics introduced has been determined by a regard to this general object.

With what success this object has been prosecuted I must now leave to the decision of others. I have expressed myself freely, but not, I trust, uncourteously. My opinions, I may be permitted to say, are any thing but the result of

early bias or connexion; and though prepared to meet either sacrifice or labour in their cause, it is ever my delight to witness the indications of a devout regard to the blessed Redeemer, with whatever misconception or doubtful feeling that regard may be associated.

Kensington, Nov. 25, 1834.

R. VAUGHAN.

ADVERTISEMENT.

(BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY.)

THE "CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY" was established with a view to the promotion of Ecclesiastical, Theological, and Biblical Literature, in that religious connexion with whose friends and supporters it originated. It was also designed to secure a convenient locality for such associations as had previously existed, or might hereafter exist, for the purpose of advancing the literary, civil, and religious interests of that section of the Christian Church to which it was appropriated. Without undervaluing the advantages of union, either with Evangelical Protestants, or Protestant Nonconformists, on such grounds as admit of liberal co-operation, it was nevertheless deemed expedient to adopt measures for facilitating the concentration and efficiency of their own denomination. In connexion with these important objects, it was thought desirable to institute a LECTURE, partaking rather of the character of Academic prelections than of popular addresses, and embracing a Series of Annual Courses of Lectures, to be delivered at the Library, or, if necessary, in some contiguous place of worship. In the selection of Lecturers, it was judged proper to appoint such as, by their literary attainments and ministerial reputation, had rendered service to the cause of divine truth in the consecration of their talents to the "defence and confirmation of the gospel." It was also supposed, that some might be found possessing a high order of intellectual competency and moral worth, imbued with an ardent love of biblical science, or eminently conversant with theological and ecclesiastical

literature, who, from various causes, might never have attracted that degree of public attention to which they are entitled, and yet might be both qualified and disposed to undertake courses of lectures on subjects of interesting importance, not included within the ordinary range of pulpit instruction. To illustrate the evidence and importance of the great doctrines of Revelation; to exhibit the true principles of philology in their application to such doctrines; to prove the accordance and identity of genuine philosophy with the records and discoveries of Scripture; and to trace the errors and corruptions which have existed in the Christian Church to their proper sources, and, by the connexion of sound reasoning with the honest interpretation of God's holy Word, to point out the methods of refutation and counteraction, are amongst the objects for which "the Congregational Lecture" has been established. The arrangements made with the Lecturers are designed to secure the publication of each separate course, without risk to the Authors; and, after remunerating them as liberally as the resources of the Institution will allow, to apply the profits of the respective publications in aid of the Library. It is hoped that the liberal, and especially the opulent friends of Evangelical and Congregational Nonconformity will evince, by their generous support, the sincerity of their attachment to the great principles of their Christian profession; and that some may be found to emulate the zeal which established the "Boyle," the "Warburton," and the "Bampton" Lectures in the National Church. These are legitimate operations of the "voluntary principle" in the support of religion, and in perfect harmony with the independency of our Churches, and the spirituality of the kingdom of Christ.

The Committee deem it proper to state, that whatever responsibility may attach to the reasonings or opinions advanced in any course of lectures, belongs most exclusively to the Lecturer.

CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY,

Blomfield Street, Finsbury, Nov. 1834.