REV. WILLIAM WILLIAM C. MAGEE, D.D., Prebendary of Wells, and Minister of Quebec Chapel, London. Adbent to Whitsuntide. LONDON: BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET. BATH: R. E. PEACH, BRIDGE STREET. 1861. 100. u. 135. PREFACE. THE fact that this Work is a translation from the German will be to many a sufficient reason why they should carefully refrain from reading it. German theology is, just now, viewed with suspicion and dread by a large portion of that English public which buys or reads religious books. It is associated in their minds only with neology and infidelity; with denials of the inspiration and authority of Scripture, and daring or insidious assaults upon all the essential truths of Christianity. Alarmed at the progress which this German school is said to be making in England, and fearful of exposing to its evil influences the simplicity of their own faith, they carefully eschew all German writers whatsoever. Whatever may be thought of the wisdom of this resolution, there can be no doubt that there is but too much reason for the fear which prompts it. England is at this moment experiencing, from the great religious revolution of the nineteenth century, a shock as severe as that which she experienced from the great political revolution of the eighteenth century. Germany is just now, to the Churches, what France was then to the governments of Europe, a |