PREFACE.

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THE following Answers to the Essays and Reviews" were originally published in Special Supplements to "THE LONDON REVIEW." They are now reprinted in the more permanent form of a Volume with little more than a few verbal alterations. Being limited both as to time and space when writing them, the arguments throughout are necessarily condensed, but it will be found that every point of any importance in the Essays and Reviews has been noticed, and I venture to hope refuted.

The importance to the Church of Christ of the questions at issue, cannot be overstated. Now that the first excitement naturally produced by the publication of the Essays has passed away, calm reflection confirms the verdict which the religious faith of this Christian nation intuitively pronounced. Indeed, the more the views put forward are considered, the more do they appear opposed, not only to the teaching of the Church of England, but to that of the Church in all ages.

I have to acknowledge my deep obligation to the Right Honourable JOSEPH NAPIER, for the very valuable Introduction from his graceful and able pen prefixed to this volume. In him we have a bright example of the union of humblest faith with the

highest order of intellect, of a mind which can grasp the abstrusest questions of law and politics, and yet loves, with the simplicity of a little child, to learn wisdom from the Bible.

I feel that I should also express my thanks to the Managers of THE LONDON REVIEW for opening the pages of their very able, instructive, and interesting paper for the discussion of this question, at a time when it was most important it should be noticed; thus enabling me, through its wide circulation, to command the attention of a far larger number of persons than otherwise I could possibly have done.

I humbly commend to God's blessing this attempt to vindicate His truth, and maintain the divine character of His word.

PARSONAGE,

SPRING GROVE, MIDDLESEX,-W.

18th December, 1861.

INTRODUCTION.

As a tribute to a friendship of long standing, and a token of esteem for a faithful and able Minister of the Church to which I belong, I have, at the request of Mr. GRIFFIN, drawn up an Introduction to this volume, which contains his answers to the "Essays and Reviews."

A free and full discussion of the important questions which have so much attracted public attention, in consequence of the publication, to which I have alluded, seems to me at present not only unavoidable but desirable. Good service may be done by every faithful appeal to the judgment and the conscience of thoughtful readers, and whatever disturbance of convictions, whatever diffusion of doubts may attend the clearing process, the triumph of truth in the end cannot be doubtful.

I do not take upon me to pronounce on the views which Mr. Griffin has forcibly and lucidly put forward in reply to the Essayists; each reader is

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