and attractive, and a Divine Life more beautiful and sweet than heretofore my end is answered. I have not sought to pull down, but to build up; to remove the rubbish of human inventions from the fair temple of divine truth, that men may enter its shining gates and be blessed now and forever. I have found it necessary- though painful - to speak of many popular delusions, and expose their fallacy and dangerous character, but have not, I trust, been blind to "the soul of goodness in things evil," though I have taken no great pains to speak smooth things, or say Peace, peace, when there was NO peace. The subject of Book IV. might seem to require a greater space than I have allowed it, but a cursory examination of many points there hinted at, would require a volume, and I did not wish to repeat what is said elsewhere, and therefore have referred to an "Introduction to the Old Testament on the basis of De Wette," which is now in the press, and will probably come before the public in a few months. Some of the thoughts here set forth have also appeared in the Dial for 1840-42. I can only wish that the Errors of this book may find no favor, but perish speedily and that the Truths it humbly aims to set forth, may do their good and beautiful work. WEST ROXBURY, MASS. 7th May, 1842. THE PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. ness. THE second edition of this Discourse was published at London a few months ago, and will speak for itself. In this I have made a few additions to the notes, and have made a few verbal alterations in the text of the first edition for the sake of greater clearSometimes I have added a line, but have added no new thoughts nor modified the old ones. I know there are Truths in the Book which must prevail; the Errors which are connected there with I invite men to expose and leave them to perish, that the Truths may the more readily do their work. leave both to the Justice of Mankind. I THE INTRODUCTION CONTENTS. 3 OF RELIGION IN GENERAL OR A DISCOURSE OF THE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT AND ITS MANIFESTATIONS. V. The three great Historical Forms of Religion VI. Of certain Doctrines connected with Religion. 49 105 124 |