ΤΟ

MISS MARY WALKER,

THE BELOVED DAUGHTER OF THE AUTHOR,

THIS FIRST VOLUME OF HER FATHER'S WORKS

IS INSCRIBED,

AS

A TRIBUTE TO HER FILIAL PIETY,

AND IN

TESTIMONY OF THE SINCERE ESTEEM

OF

HER BROTHER

IN THE FAITH AND HOPE OF THE GOSPEL,

WILLIAM BURTON.

PREFACE.

THE design of this publication is to present the reader with several writings of the late Mr. Walker. Some had become very scarce, some were wholly out of print, and some have not been published before. They are principally on Scriptural subjects; there are, indeed, but four articles in the collection that have not a direct relation to divine truth; and one of these, "The Speech on the State of Ireland," can scarcely be considered foreign to that subject. Several of the articles composing this edition have had considerable circulation and notoriety, especially in Ireland and Scotland; while others appear, for the first time, under Mr. Walker's name. To these I have now been enabled to make a valuable addition of Expository Remarks, and extracts from his correspondence. The whole forms a choice collection of the author's scriptural works, as they may be called in distinction from his classical and scientific publications, a list whereof I have prefixed to this volume. In the execution of my design, I have aimed at observing the strictest regard to the memory of my departed brother. Such articles, as he expressly wished should survive him, form the first and chiefest portion of this edition; and none have been admitted into it, of which, to the best of my judgment, he would have disapproved. Deprived by his death of the valuable corrections he proposed in a new edition, I have supplied the loss, as far as it could be done, by referring the reader to such passages as he would have corrected, and, for the nature of those corrections, to his own words. My object, as editor of this work, has been to promote the great end set

before him by the author in composing the several portions of it; to exhibit the glory of the Gospel of the rich grace of God, the joyful news from Heaven to sinners as such, and its mighty power and invariable effect in producing subjection of mind, and obedience to the divine commands in all who are taught of God to believe it. I know no human writings that have done this with the truth, the perspicuity, and the comprehensiveness that distinguish the present: I know not any human works that so clearly display the true mercy of God revealed in the testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ; so searchingly expose the treacherous deceptions employed to obscure or nullify it; that mark so plainly the obedience inseparable from a belief of the truth, and exhibited in the visible union of the first Disciples; or so happily contrast that union with the vague, imaginary, and delusive phantom that forms the common idol of discordant sects in the present day. They have been already made instrumental in exposing the devices of the man of sin, and promoting a great and wonderful revival of apostolic doctrine and practice: and the hope may be entertained, without presumptuously arrogating to them any character beyond humble instruments of Almighty power, that they shall still be rendered useful to the same objects. While day and night succeed, while seed-time and harvest return in their due season, while this earth continues to yield her fruits to man's hand, and to witness his ingratitude, so long there is a divine proof that the Lord has yet on it a remnant to be saved; and so long his people are warranted and encouraged to spread among their fellow sinners the gospel of his kingdom, the word of everlasting life: and notwithstanding every discouragement from without, though every circumstance around tends to make them weary and faint-hearted; though they see religious whoredoms abounding more and more; though they see the love of many who gave better promise, and for a time walked with them, waxen cold; though they see their own assemblies not exempt from painful exhibitions of human evil; they will trust in Him who makes every one of his sheep to hear his voice, and glorifies Himself in giving them all one mind and one way; and they will be forward to use every means He has sanctioned for accomplishing this gracious design.

It would be an agreeable task to pursue these topics in connec