INTRODUCTORY ESSAY,

BY THE

REV. LEONARD WOODS, D. D.

Professor of Christian Theology in the Theological Seminary, Andover, Massachusetts.

If a man wishes to ascertain whether he has a title to an estate, which has been left by a rich relative, he searches the laws of the land respecting inheritance. He examines the interpretations which have been given of those laws in the writings of the ablest jurists, and in the decisions of courts of justice. He diligently inquires into all the circumstances of the case, and into all the conditions with which it is necesssary for him to comply in order to secure the possession of the estate. In this business he proceeds with great zeal, and without any delay. The interest which he has in the subject urges him on to complete his examination seasonably, so that, if his title is clear, he may have the pleasure of anticipating the property, and in due time of taking possession of it; and that he may guard against all mistake, and against the neglect of any measure which he ought to adopt. But what is the largest estate on earth compared with

the heavenly inheritance? And what is the care and diligence which we ought to exercise in order to secure any earthly good, compared with that which we ought to exercise to make sure our title to the blessedness of heaven?

But how are we to determine whether we have a title to that blessedness?

Clearly we must do this by ascertaining, what is the character of those who are entitled to it, and whether that character belongs to us. This is the business of self-examination; a business of vast moment to all Christians, though often neglected, and, when not entirely neglected, often performed without due regard to the proper test of character. No language is adequate to describe the evils which result, either from the omission of self-inquiry, or from an attempt to perform the duty, while the proper rule of judgment is overlooked.

This general subject has often been well explained and forcibly inculcated by Christian preachers, and Christian writers; and it is more than once suggested in the following excellent Lectures. Indeed, the author has probably said as much on the subject, as he could consistently with the end he had in view, and with the variety of interesting topics which he found it necessary to discuss.-As he has requested me to make a few remarks introductory to the Lectures, and as I have no reason to believe that they can be raised in the public esteem by any recommendation from me; I shall direct my remarks to a point of great practical impor

INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.

REESE LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY

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tance, and shall endeavour to show as clearly as possible, that in the whole business of examining ourselves, and judging of religious character, we should make the word of God our rule. The rule is equally proper in judging of ourselves, and of others.

A little consideration will make it manifest, that the word of God is the only safe rule. Neither the opinions of the world, nor the character of Christians, nor the particular experience of those around us, nor any views which we might be led to entertain of the nature of religion by our own reasoning, or by our own feelings, can be a safe standard. The prevailing opinions of the world, so far from being certainly right, are very likely to be wrong; because the world lieth in darkness. Even Christians are all very imperfect; and their faults may be more visible than their excellencies; so that measuring ourselves by them would evidently expose us to mistakes. As to the religious experience of those around us,-it may be true and saving, or it may be false and delusive. At best it will doubtless be a mixed experience. And unless we have some higher rule of judgment, how shall we be able to separate the true from the false, the wheat from the chaff? If we judge of ourselves by what we know of the experience of others, we shall be in danger of setting a high value upon that which is worthless, and a low value upon that which constitutes the very essence of religion. Who is able to form a safe and perfect standard of judgment in regard to religious character, but that Being whose know

ledge is infinite, and who is therefore liable to no mistake? Who but God perfectly knows the nature of the kingdom of heaven, and the necessary qualifications of those who shall be admitted into it? If any man should undertake by his own wisdom, without divine teaching, to make out a description of the qualifications which the heirs of heaven must have, he would undoubtedly fall into various errors, and his errors would misguide all those who looked to him as a standard. A rule of judgment, on which we can safely rely, must be formed by God himself, or by those who enjoy his infallible guidance. If we faithfully attend to a rule, formed in this way, we may expect that the conclusions which we adopt, will be according to truth, and will stand forever.

Another reason, and one of great moment, for making the word of God our rule of judgment, is, that this will be the rule of judgment at the last day. Christ himself has expressly informed us, that the word which he spake shall judge us at the last day. In matters of a civil nature, we search for those laws and precedents which are to be the rule of judgment. In special cases we search again and again, and ask the counsel of those who possess superior skill; so that we may determine as exactly as possible, what will be the decision of the court of justice, and may govern ourselves accordingly. Such a mode of proceeding is important in the highest degree, with respect to our spiritual concerns. Our state for eternity is to be decided at the judgment

day. God has graciously informed us, that his word, contained in the scriptures, will be the rule of final decision. To determine then how our character will appear at the last day, it is only necessary that we should try ourselves faithfully by the word of God. If we try ourselves by any rule less elevated and less strict than this, it may lead us to cherish a false hope of future happiness; and that hope, though it may afford us pleasure now, will perish forever, when God takes away the soul. And who would wish for a hope built on delusion? The painfulness of the final disappointment must be far more than an overbalance for all the pleasure which can now be derived from such a delusion. And besides this, the indulgence of a delusive hope is, of all things, the most likely to prevent us from obtaining that hope which is sure and steadfast.

This is a subject of most serious interest to all the heirs of immortality. When in our seasons of reflection that weighty question arises in our minds, whether we have a title to the kingdom of heaven; it is indescribably important, that we should repair directly to the word of God, and judge of our character and prospects by that sure standard. Many of the books which have been written by pious and learned men on the nature and evidences of religion, exhibit the truth with clearness and fidelity, and may be consulted with great profit. But they should never be substituted for the word of God. Nor should any works of human origin be so used, as to diminish in our view the importance of scrip