OF THE PLANTING AND TRAINING ОР THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BY THE APOSTLES. BY DR. AUGUSTUS NEANDER. = WITH THE AUTHOR'S FINAL ADDITIONS. ALSO, HIS ANTIGNOSTIKUS; OR, SPIRIT OF TERTULLIAN. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY J. E. RYLAND. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET, 1889. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. ONLY a few words seem necessary by way of preface to the following translation. It was begun towards the close of 1840; but early in the present year the Translator having requested Dr. Neander to favour him with any corrections or additions which he might have made to the second edition (published in 1838), was informed, in reply, that a third edition was passing through the press: at the same time, an offer was most kindly made of forwarding the proof-sheets, by which means the translation will appear within a few weeks after the original, in its most approved form. It may be proper to state, that there were circumstances which rendered it desirable that as little delay as possible should occur in the preparation of the English work. This demand for expedition may have perhaps occasioned more inadvertencies than the modicum of negative reputation allotted to literary workmanship of this kind can well afford. The Translator trusts, however, that he has, on the whole, succeeded in giving a tolerably correct representation of the original, though, had time been allowed for a more careful revision, several minor blemishes might have been removed, and the meaning of some passages have been more distinctly brought out. The Author's great and long-established reputation as an Ecclesiastical Historian, would render it unnecessary, even if not somewhat unseemly, to usher in this work with a lengthened descant on its merits. The impartial and earnest nquirer after truth will not fail to be delighted with the marks it everywhere presents of unwearied research, extended views, and profound piety. No one would regret more than the excellent author, if the freedom of his inquiries should give pain to any of his Christian brethren; still his motto must be, "Amicus Socrates, magis amica Veritas." He is completely at issue with the advocates of certain views which 278625 have lately been gaining a disastrous prevalence in this country. The decided terms in which he asserts the noble equality and brotherhood of Christian men, in opposition to the anti-christian tenet of a priesthood, in the sense not of religious instructors, but of exclusive conveyers of supernatural influence,' will be little relished by those who would attempt to share the incommunicable prerogatives of the one Mediator." But, as Dr. N. justly remarks in one of his earlier communications (for all of which the Translator is glad of an opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude,) "the gospel itself rests on an immovable rock, while human systems of theology are everywhere undergoing a purifying process, 1 Cor. iii. 12, 13. WE LIVE IN THE TIME OF A GREAT CRISIS!" This translation has been prepared at a distance from those helps which would have been within my reach at an earlier period, and soon after a change of residence had separated me from three friends especially, with whom most of the important topics in these volumes had been submitted to frequent and earnest discussion. Without the formality of a dedication, my sense of the value of their friendship prompts me to make this allusion, which is connected with some of my most pleasing recollections. I wish also to express my obligations to Dr. Edward Michelson, of the University of Leipzig, who not only gave up his intention of publishing a translation of this work, on being informed that I was engaged in a similar undertaking, but most readily favoured me with his opinion on various passages during the preparation of the manuscript. I have received, too, from a friend of Dr. Neander, with whose name I am not acquainted, the results of a very careful examination of the first six proof-sheets, which I gratefully acknowledge, and only regret that the whole work could not be submitted to his review previous to publication. (1) By no writers has this error been more ably exposed than by Archbishop Whately and Dr. Arnold; by the former, in "The Errors of Romanism traced to thei origin in human nature;" and by the latter, in the introduction to a volume of discourses, lately published on "the Christian Life."-"To revive Christ's church is to expel the antichrist of priesthood, which, as it was foretold of him, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God;' and to restore its disfranchised members, the laity, to the discharge of their proper duties in it, and to the conscious ness of their paramount importance," p. 52. NORTHAMPTON, November 2, 1841. J. E. R. DR. F. EHRENBERG, ROYAL CHAPLAIN, MEMBER OF THE SUPREME CONSISTORY, MY DEEPLY REVERED AND VERY DEAR FRIEND, I trust you will receive this work with all its defects as the offering of a sincere heart; as a small token of my cordial veneration and love, and of that sincere gratitude which I have long felt impelled to express, for the edification I have derived from your discourses. May a gracious God long allow you to labour and shine among us for the welfare of his church, with that holy energy which he has bestowed upon you, with the spirit of Christian wisdom and freedom, the spirit of true freedom exalted above all the strife of human parties,— which the Son of God alone bestows, and which is especially requisite for the guidance of the church in our times, agitated and distracted as they are by so many conflicts! This is the warmest wish of one who with all his heart calls himself yours. Thus I wrote on the 22d of May, 1832, and after six years I again repeat with all my heart, the words expressive of dedication, of gratitude, and of devout wishes to the Giver of all perfect gifts. Since that portion of time (not unimportant in our agitated age) has passed away, I have to thank you, dear and inmostly revered Man, for many important words of edification and instruction, which I have received from your lips in public, as well as for the precious gift which has often administered refreshment to myself and others. Yes, with all my heart I agree with those beautiful sentiments which form the soul of your discourses, and bind me with such force to your person. God grant that we may ever humbly and faithfully hold fast the truth which does not seek for reconciliation amidst contrarieties, but is itself unsought the right mean! God grant (what is far above all theological disputations,) that the highest aim of our labours may be to produce the image of Christ in the souls of men,-that to our latest breath we may keep this object in view without wavering, fast bound to it in true love, each one in his own sphere, unmoved by the vicissitudes of opinion and the collisions of party! Let me add as a subordinate wish, that you would soon favour us with a volume of discourses, to testify of this "one thing that is needful." A. NEANDER. BERLIN, 30th May, 1838. From the fulness of my heart I once more repeat the wishes and thanks before expressed, and rejoice that it is in my power to dedicate the third edition of this work to you, my inmostly dear and revered friend. A. NEANDER. BERLIN, 2d August, 1841. (1) Alluding probably to a volume of Sermons already published.-TR. |