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ALLEN AND FARNHAM, STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS.

PREFACE.

LARGE editions of this Work have been sold in England. This edition contains much additional matter. The first two Lectures were delivered at the Hanover Rooms in the autumn of 1850. The other Lectures have been recast by their author, their positions strengthened, the quotations verified, and the references given. The Lecturer has rewritten some parts, rendered plainer and more perspicuous other parts, and, where it appeared desirable, he has added new explanatory and illustrative notes. The absorbing controversy of the age will lie between the principles of the Reformation on the one side, and the principles of Romanism, whether openly avowed and embodied in the Canons of the Council of Trent, and in the Canon Law, or more dimly shadowed forth and expressed by the Tractarian party. The unhappy disputes which have divided Protestants, both in England and in Scotland, about mere abstractions or questions of ecclesiastical finance, or forms and ceremonies, or patron

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age, or popular elections of ministers, are, it is feared, the too successful attempts of the great enemy to weaken the side of truth, in order to strengthen the forces and facilitate the victories of Antichrist. It is certainly the fact, that great divisions among Protestants have always preceded Rome's greatest triumphs.

Believing this, every true Christian ought to do his utmost to repress internal disputes and contentions among true believers; and where it is impossible to secure outward uniformity, to labor to nourish that forbearance in love—that gentleness and tenderness of language-that peacemaking and peacemaintaining course of action, which, if it do not heal, will at least mitigate the schisms and heartburnings and strifes of the day. The noblest uniformity consists in resembling Christ, and the truest unity in loving Christ.

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