PREFACE.

IX

morals as distinctly as possible from any other subject. Therehas been some difficulty in doing this, because the departmentof practical morals is intimately connected with the theory ofmorals, with law, and with Christian theology. I have been themore particular in observing this rule, because I have seen anadmixture of theology and moral philosophy, which I considerinjudicious, in several late treatises of moral philosophy.

2. Again, it has been an essential part of my plan, to write atreatise of Christian morals, — to collect, expand, and illustratethe moral principles and precepts of the Bible. To this end, Ihave endeavoured to keep close to the letter and spirit of theOld and New Testaments, considering myself, when treating ofthe morals , no less than if I had been discussing the doctrinesof Christianity, bound not to “ add unto ” or “ take away from ”*this highest source of wisdom and most authoritative standard ofpractice as well as of faith.

3. My plan has embraced the elements of practical moralsonly, and my aim has therefore been to avoid all abstruse, re-fined, and especially all speculative discussions of the subject.These are not without their measure of importance ; but theyare beyond the limits which, at the outset, I prescribed to my-self. In drawing this distinction between the elements and themore abstruse parts of the subject, accurate judgment and nicediscrimination are requisite, and I may not always have beensuccessful. But the attempt has been honestly made and steadilypursued.

4. I have endeavoured to write an elementary treatise of prac-tical Christian morals, which shall give no just cause of offence toany denomination of Christians, or to any religious, literary, orpolitical party in the country. The different denominations ofChristians will find their peculiarities very seldom, if ever, refer-red to, and if referred to at all, always, I trust, respectfully. Itis perhaps too much to expect complete success in this particu-

b

Revelation xxii. 18,19.