3rd. That tradition does nothing more tha uassist us, in ascertaining what has been thought about the meaning of the testimony, and therefore can never constitute the reason for believing in the testimony itself, or for admitting any doctrine contained in it.

4th. That the reasons of faith antecedent to all traditionary testimony concerning the truth believed, constitute the only rational grounds of faith in every age.

5th. That because the scriptures contain the authentic record of these primary reasons, they are exclusively sufficient for all the purposes of religious instruction.

In this edition there are several alterations and enlargements, tending, as the author conceives, to the general improvement of the work. He has also prefixed a copious Analysis of the Lectures, for the purpose of facilitating a reference to the arguments and illustrations. In numerous instances he has been gratified by unexpected citations and extracts in publications that have recently appeared; and the testimonies of private and of public approbation induce him to hope, that his labours in this important controversy will be ultimately conducive to the great interests of " pure and undefiled Religion."

Blackburn, 2nd Nov. 1816.

ANALYSIS OF THE LECTURES.

LECTURE I.

ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH.

Introductory remarks on the circumstances which occasioned the delivering of the Lectures-object of the discussion-importance of ascertaining the rule of judgment and the standard of appeal-the fundamental principles of the Church of Rome on this subject-arguments against it in five propositions. I. It was not the Church of Rome, nor a council convened by its authority, that first ascertained and determined the canon of Scripture. II. Whatever church or council might publish a declaration concerning the canon of the New Testament, the authority of the canon could not arise from the declaration itself, but from the antecedent evidence on which it was founded. III. Unless this antecedent authority be acknowledged it will be impossible to prove the divinity of the Christian religion. IV. If the authority of the canon rest on the prior authority of the Church, it will be impossible to prove the authority of the Church from the Scriptures. V. The authority claimed by the Church of Rome totally unsupported by the New Testament. This proposition established by referring to the Scriptural meaning of the word church-passages cited to prove that authority, inapplicable and insufficient-the irrelevancy of the assumed proof applying to the Church of Rome-place of infallibility undetermined even by the Romanists themselves-the claim unsupported by Scriptural analogy--and directly opposed to the declarations of Scripture concerning its own sufficiency--the authority assumed invalidates the right of private judgment-secures no advantages that are not better secured without it-and is directly subversive of the regard due to Revelation, Page 1-46.

LECTURE II.

ON ORAL TRADITION.

Remarks on the first discoveries of revelation—on the introduction and use of writing-Jewish traditions condemned by our Lord-inference from this fact-statement of Roman Catholic reasonings on the subject of tradition-arguments tending to expose their fallacy-difference between referring to tradition as the proof of the genuineness and authenticity of the sacred writings, and considering it as a source of authority-explanation of the word 'tradition,' as used by the Apostle Paul-remarks on the state of the question--direct and positive proofs against the assumed authority of unwritten traditions-1. Some of them are unsupported by the authority of the earliest Fathers. 2. Others are contrary to the principles and practices of the primitive Church, and the declarations of the early Fathers. 3. Many of the traditions assumed to be authoritative are merely ecclesiastical and confessedly originated in the authority of the Church. 4. Many traditions are directly opposed to the declarations of Scripture. 5. The use of tradition as an ultimate rule, tends to diminish the authority of written revelation-reference to the depreciating language applied to the Scriptures by Roman Catholic writers for the sake of proving them insufficient-Extract from Chillingworth-Concluding exhortation. Page 47-83.

LECTURE III.

ON THE PAPAL SUPREMACY.

Character of Jesus Christ-the simplicity and humility of the Apostles-obvious difference between the account of the first churches and the hierarchy of Rome-Sentiments of the Church of Rome on the supremacy of the Pope-Examination of the passages of Scripture adduced in support of it-Matt. xvi. 13-19. John xxi. 15-17. Considered at length-extract from Dr. Barrow a statement of various arguments against the doctrine of Papal supremacy.-1. Our Lord condemned all notions of personal superiority claimed by one disciple above the rest2. No allusions in the New Testament to such an office as that attributed to Peter 3. No instance of the exercise of such supremacy, but several facts altogether inconsistent with the supposition--consideration of particular passages respecting the apostle Paul-his assertions respecting himself-his reproving Peter-no reference to an office like that ascribed to Peter, in his

two Catholic epistles, &c.-4. If it be admitted that Peter did possess supremacy, there is no proof of its being any thing more than a personal supremacy-extract from Archbishop Usher-↓ no Scriptural directions or references on the subject of succession -5. The impossibility of any uninspired man sustaining the office of supremacy-its duties discharged by subordinate agents -the absurdity of supposing Jesus Christ to establish an office which no individual being could discharge-the application of prophecy to the subject.-Concluding remarks on the force of argument arising from this accumulation of reasoning. Page 84-125.

LECTURE IV.

ON TRANSUBSTANTIATION AND THE SACRIFICE
OF THE MASS.

Observations on the use of reason in religious inquiriesapplication of the remarks to the doctrine of transubstantiation— statement of the Roman Catholic doctrine-explanations and reasonings of Gother-separate examination of arguments derived-1st. From the words of Christ at the institution of the Eucharist-remarks on the nature of figurative language--and the principles of rational interpretation established by universal usage and consent on all other subjects- obvious improbabilities and absurdities of a literal interpretation-opposed to the commemorative nature of the Eucharist-2d. Argument considered, which represents the process of transubstantiation as a mystery3d. Argument-in which it is stated to be a miracle- extract from Tillotson on the subject of miracles-communion in one kind considered-the origin of this mutilation of the ordinanceDoctrine of the Church of Rome on the sacrifice of the massScriptural arguments against it, derived from-the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ-the reasonings of the apostle Paul in the epistle to the Hebrews--the descriptions given of Christian ministers, who are in no instance termed priests or sacrificers in the New Testament-true origin of the Popish doctrines on these subjects-Scriptural views of the design and benefits of the Lord's Supper. Page 126-156.

LECTURE V.

ON THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH OF ROME.

'Term Sacrament explained-errors of the Church of Rome on this subject-1st. By corrupting those sacramental ordinances