00.4-Preface
Preface.
Some years have now elapsed since my venerated Father’s "Systematic Theology" made its appearance, under the editorial care of the Kev. J. R. Campbell, A. M., of Bradford; whose valuable services in carrying that work through the press, I would here, in my own name, and that of others, gratefully acknowledge.
It is a work for the few rather than the many-for the theologian rather than for the ordinary student of God’s Word; and a desire has been repeatedly expressed, since my return from India, for the publication of some other portions of my father’s writings, of a less elaborate character, and likely to prove of more general interest. Arrangements have, accordingly, been made, as already intimated, for the issue of a Series of Volumes, commencing with his Lectures On The Book Of Proverbs.
These Lectures were delivered on the Lord’s day morning, in the ordinary course of his ministry. Their delivery extended over a long period, numerous interruptions having been occasioned by absence from home, and various incidental circumstances. They were commenced in the close of 1838, and finished in January 1844. By those privileged to hear them they were much admired; and the request was frequently and urgently made for their publication; but the continuous pressure of other engagements, numerous and varied, rendered compliance witb it impracticable. Had he himself prepared the Lectures for the press, some portions would, in all probability, have been recast, and the whole, having received his finishing touch, would have appeared in a more perfect form. The recent works of Arnot and Bridges, may tend to diminish the interest these Lectures might have awakened had they been given to the public immediately after their delivery. Still they have their peculiar characteristics, differing widely from either of the works referred to, both in style of thought and mode of illustration; and they may to some present attractions which the others fail to afford.
It is right to mention, that it has been found necessary to bring them within narrower limits than they would have occupied had they been printed entire. This has been accomplished chiefly by the omission, in whole or in part, of hortatory matter at the close of many of the Lectures, which it was thought unnecessary to retain; and by the further omission, to some extent, of passages in which the same sentiment is illustrated afresh, in very similar language. Of this there are frequent instances; for, in the Book of Proverbs, some subjects recur again and again, with at most but slight shades of difference; and as, in a course of Lectures extending over so long a period, they came up at considerable intervals of time, the Lecturer felt at liberty to enlarge upon them as they arose, and anew to press them home on the conscience and the heart. The propriety of avoiding, in some measure, the repetition of these passages in a printed volume, will be at once apparent. Should such repetition be occasionally noticed, it will be pardoned on the ground that the subject is, in every instance, one of practical importance-that importance being indicated by the very frequency with which it appears on the sacred page. Of wisdom, as it occurs in the eighth chapter and some other parts of this Book, a different view is adopted from that usually held, at which some will, no doubt, be surprised; though all acquainted with the Author’s character will be ready to admit, that it was not adopted hastily, and still less from love of singularity. To the ordinary interpretation he long clung. "All my predilections," he writes, "were in favour of that interpretation; I was reluctant to abandon it, and would gladly have kept by it could I have done so consistently with sound principles of exegesis. Should others be disposed still to adhere to it I should not be inclined to argue the point keenly with thein."
Two Lectures on Temperance, founded on the first verse of the 20th chapter, which appear in the Second Volume, have been given in full; and one on the close of the 23d chapter, has been introduced in connexion with them, having been delivered in that order. These Lectures created considerable excitement at the time, especially among the advocates of the Total Abstinence cause, many of whom attended on the occasion. Notes were taken by some, and the Lectures printed and circulated in a very garbled form, accompanied by strictures more bitter than hurtful. The principles laid down on the question were those of mature thought, and possess equal interest and importance still. A considerable time has elapsed since the intended publication of these volumes was announced. The delay has arisen from causes over which neither editor nor publisher had any control, and will be pardoned. For anything in the form of a note the editor must be held responsible.
J. S. Wardlaw.