THE HOPE OF THE WORLD. I. INTRODUCTION. IN writing the following pages I have been governed by a desire to call attention to some of the mistakes which seem to me to be at the bottom of orthodox opinions about 'Evangelical' Christianity. There are learned and exhaustive works written upon the subject which in a more conclusive manner demonstrate the views I advocate, but the discussion is generally confined to learned theologians, and the religious public have but little inclination to wade through long and, to them, often wearisome discussions. So I have ventured to hope a brief and plain examination of some difficulties may help those who find it hard to rid themselves of many painful doubts, for not a few persons are perplexed by the seeming B validity of arguments advanced by orthodox teachers in favour of doctrines which are the source of intense distress to sensitive minds. The support these objectionable doctrines receive from popular proof texts is, at least in many instances, only apparent, as I shall endeavour to show, and I trust that this will be sufficient excuse for the departure from the method which I have generally adopted, for, while advocating certain views, I have found it useful to show that they are not to be hastily disposed of by certain passages of Scripture which are commonly hurled at them. Something like the monopoly of the word Catholic by the Roman Church is the restricted use of the word 'Evangelical' by the 'Low' Church; those who hold definitely the general doctrines of this party are proud of calling themselves strictly Evangelical,' and then refuse the use of this term to the 'High' or 'Broad' Church, and at least imply that neither Romanists nor Latitudinarians are Evangelical. As 'evangel' simply means good news, and evangelist a bringer of good news, it is, to say the least, somewhat presumptuous for one sect in the Universal Church to claim, and foolish for others to allow their |