XIV 
PREFACE. 
Irons, D.D., the Bampton Lecturer of this year. In accord- 
ance with the wish of Dr. Irons, the Council authorized the 
separate issue of these papers by themselves, before the 
discussions upon them were in type. This had the advantage 
of securing their earlier and complete publication as a con- 
tinuous Essay ; but still, I think our Members generally will 
be none the less glad to see those papers as they now appear, 
with the discussions upon each as it was read. It is true that 
upon those occasions there was not so much difference of 
opinion as when some other papers have been read ; but the 
unanimity then exhibited is a most gratifying evidence of the 
essential unity of professing Christians, although belonging 
outwardly to different denominations or schools of thought, 
as regards the most important fundamental principles. The 
Victoria Institute was, in truth, founded in confidence that 
there does indeed exist this “ unity of spirit 33 amongst us, 
notwithstanding all our outward differences. It was an 
endeavour to get Christians to combine in defence of the 
truth of revelation against enemies who are confederate 
together, and are as it were in league against it. And we 
can now appeal to four volumes of more than 400 pages 
each, in proof of our success, and also of the freedom and 
fairness of our discussions, albeit we are united with a 
common object in view. There has been none of that stag- 
nant uniformity of opinion which some persons dreaded would 
characterise our proceedings, and render discussion almost 
impossible ; and it should be kept in mind, that the fulness 
of the reports of our discussions, which is one of the dis- 
tinctive features of the Institute, enables the Council to 
accept of papers with the conclusions of which they may not 
in the least agree, mainly in order that they may be fully, 
fairly and openly criticised. Men who are in earnest will 
never shrink from having their opinions subjected to such an 
ordeal ; for truth has nothing to fear ; while false views are 
likely to be most pernicious when c( preached 33 about among 
the people, in lectures at which - ; free discussion is either not 
allowed or not recorded; or when they are disseminated by 
means of attractive volumes by popular authors, in the form 
