The Collected Works of Theodore Parker/Volume 01/Preface
PREFACE
TO THE FIRST EDITION.
The following pages contain the substance of a series of five lectures delivered in Boston, during the last autumn, at the request of several gentlemen. In preparing the work for the press I have enlarged on many subjects, which could be but slightly touched in a brief lecture. It was with much diffidence that I then gave my opinions to the public in that form; but considering the state of theological learning amongst us, and the frequent abuse of the name of Religion, I can no longer withhold my humble mite.
It is the design of this work to recall men from the transient shows of time, to the permanent substance of Religion; from a worship of Creeds and empty Belief, to a worship in the Spirit and in Life. If it satisfy the doubting soul, and help the serious inquirer to true views of God, Man, the Relation between them, and the Duties which come of that relation; if it make Religion appear more congenial and attractive, and a Divine Life more beautiful and sweet than heretofore—my end is answered. I have not sought to pull down, but to build up; to remove the rubbish of human inventions from the fair temple of Divine Truth, that men may enter its shining gates and be blessed now and for ever.
I have found it necessary, though painful, to speak of many popular delusions, and expose their fallacy and dangerous character, but have not, I trust, been blind to “the soul of goodness in things evil,” though I have taken no great pains to speak smooth things, or say Peace, Peace, when there was no peace. The subject of Book IV. might seem to require a greater space than I have allowed it, but a cursory examination of many points there hinted at would require a volume, and I did not wish to repeat what is said elsewhere, and therefore have referred to an “Introduction to the Old Testament on the basis of De Wette,” which is now in the press, and will probably come before the public in a few months. Some of the thoughts here set forth have also appeared in the Dial for 1840—1842. I can only wish that the Errors of this book may find no favour, but perish speedily, and that the Truths it humbly aims to set forth may do their good and beautiful work.
| West Roxbury, Mass. |
| 7th May, 1842. |
PREFACE
TO THE FOURTH EDITION.
It is now fourteen years since I prepared the first edition of this volume. In that time laborious Germans, some of them men of great genius, have investigated the history of the first and second centuries of the Christian Era with an amount of learning, patience, sagacity, and freedom of thought never before directed to that inquiry. Partly by their help, and partly by my own investigations, I have been led to conclude that the fourth Gospel is not the work of John the Disciple of Jesus, but belongs to a later period, and is of small historical value. This conclusion and its consequences will appear in some alterations made in this volume, which I have carefully revised in the light of the theological science of the present day. I know there are Truths in the Book which must prevail; the Errors connected therewith I invite men to expose and leave them to perish, that the Truths may the more readily do their work. I commit both to the Justice of Mankind.
Boston, Dec. 25, 1855.