In the selection of the extracts that form the remainder of this volume
and of the comments affixed, I had the following objects principally in
view:--first, to exhibit the true and scriptural meaning and intent of
several Articles of Faith, that are rightly classed among the Mysteries
and peculiar Doctrines of Christianity:--secondly, to show the perfect
rationality of these Doctrines, and their freedom from all just
objection when examined by their proper organs, the Reason and
Conscience of Man:--lastly, to exhibit from the works of Leighton, who
perhaps of all our learned Protestant Theologians best deserves the
title of a Spiritual Divine, an instructive and affecting picture of
the contemplations, reflections, conflicts, consolations and monitory
experiences of a philosophic and richly-gifted mind, amply stored with
all the knowledge that books and long intercourse with men of the most
discordant characters could give, under the convictions, impressions,
and habits of a Spiritual Religion.
To obviate a possible disappointment in any of my readers, who may
chance to be engaged in theological studies, it may be well to notice,
that in vindicating the peculiar tenets of our Faith, I have not
entered on the Doctrine of the Trinity, or the still profounder
Mystery of the Origin of Moral Evil--and this for the reasons
following. 1. These Doctrines are not (strictly speaking) subjects of
_Reflection_, in the proper sense of this word: and both of them
demand a power and persistency of Abstraction, and a previous
discipline in the highest forms of human thought, which it would be
unwise, if not presumptuous, to expect from any, who require "_Aids_
to Reflection," or would be likely to seek them in the present work.
2. In my intercourse with men of various ranks and ages, I have found
the far larger number of serious and inquiring persons little, if at
all, disquieted by doubts respecting Articles of Faith, that are
simply above their comprehension. It is only where the belief required
of them jars with their _moral_ feelings; where a doctrine in the
sense, in which they have been taught to receive it, appears to
contradict their clear notions of right and wrong, or to be at
variance with the divine attributes of goodness and justice; that
these men are surprised, perplexed, and alas! not seldom offended and
alienated. Such are the Doctrines of Arbitrary Election and
Reprobation; the Sentence to everlasting Torment by an eternal and
necessitating decree; vicarious Atonement, and the necessity of the
Abasement, Agony and ignominious Death of a most holy and meritorious
Person, to appease the wrath of God. Now it is more especially for
such persons, unwilling sceptics, who believing earnestly ask help for
their unbelief, that this volume was compiled, and the comments
written: and therefore to the Scripture Doctrines, _intended_ by the
above-mentioned, my principal attention has been directed.
But lastly, the whole Scheme of the Christian Faith, including _all_
the Articles of Belief common to the Greek and Latin, the Roman, and
the Protestant Churches, with the threefold proof, that it is
_ideally_, _morally_, and _historically_ true, will be found exhibited
and vindicated in a proportionally larger work, the principal labour
of my life since manhood, and which I am now preparing for the press
under the title, 'Assertion of Religion, as necessarily _involving_
Revelation; and of Christianity, as the only Revelation of permanent
and universal validity.'[71]
[71] A work left incomplete by Coleridge, and not yet given to the
world.--ED.