'AN EPITOME OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, EMBRACING THE DEFINITION; THE EXPLANATION; THE PROOF, AND THE FROM THE EVIDENCES OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE, DOWN TO THE CON- SUMMATION OF ALL THINGS. BY MARCUS SMITH, A. M., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rensselaerville, N. Y. JONATHAN LEAVITT, PUBLISHER, RENSSELAERVILLE: PRINTED BY C. G. AND A. PALMER. As I consider myself responsible for the sentiments and language, which, in a few instances, I have taken from others; and as this work is presented to the public in essentially the same form and style, in which it was delivered to my people in the summer and fall of 1827 I shall make no apology for the omission of the usual signs of credit. INTRODUCTION. It is no more than justice to state, that I am induced to give to my people this course of sermons on Systematic Theology, from motives which have stood the test of long and matured reflection, and which, I trust, will abide the decisions of that day, when I must review the spirit in which I have written, and the influence of my writings on the sentiments and conduct of my fellow creatures. I have not entered on this work, with the vain conceit, that my talents and acquisitions are preeminent. Nor am I at liberty to conceal from a people, the dearest to me on earth, the beauties which I have discovered in that volume of truth given to us by the Father of lights. I cannot betray so much ignorance of human nature, as to believe that this, or any other production, without the influence of the Spirit, will change the sentiments of him who is so fixed in his opinions by education or prejudice, by ignorance or interest, as to be impatient of investigation, and the application of sound reasoning and rules of interpretation, to the sacred oracles. To the braced and bigotted mind, an infant in the science of human nature, knows that scripture reasoning and moral demonstration are as unavailing as the fables of antiquity. I have several objects in view. I wish to exhibit truth as systematic and harmonious; and to show its relations, |