INTRODUCTION:

BY REV. THOS. H. SKINNER, D.D.

Ir is the impression of some intelligent and observant Christians, that the testimony of the pulpit on the subject of endless punishment and man's exposure to it is feeble now, compared to what it was during the late outpouring of the Holy Spirit; and yet more different, from our Lord's mode of preaching in regard to it. If this impression be founded in fact, the ministry is to be blamed in a matter of fundamental moment. Feeble preaching on future punishment is without much strength in every thing connected with the appropriate end of the sacred office; and is, to the last degree, unfaithful to inspired truth, and the souls of men.

The work before us, on "The Value of the Soul, and the Christian's Hope," is not as "a trumpet that gives an uncertain sound." The reader will find himself dealt with in kindness and love, but at the same time, plainly, faithfully, earnestly; nor can he lay down the book, if he does not offer the strongest resistance to its teaching, without having first sought salvation through Christ. He will not be able to stay himself on doubts respecting either the certainty, or the

endless duration, of the punishment of those who die in sin: nor can he be either ignorant of the way of escape, or negligent of the present, as peradventure the only opportunity in which his escape may be effected.

Mr. Batey's style is not much embellished; it is simple, energetic, serious; the manner of one profoundly in earnest. I shall be very happy to learn, that his work finds favor with the reading public.

THOMAS H. SKINNER.

New York, May 4th, 1849.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

LECTURE I. THE IMMORTALITY OF THE HUMAN SOUL.-

What it is-Argued, 1. From its Immateriality; 2. From

its capacity for eternal advancement in knowledge,

holiness or unholiness, happiness or misery; 3. From

the earnest desires and expectations for a future and

an eternal state of existence, which prevail among all

nations, civilized and barbarous; 4. From the influ-

ence of conscience; 5. From the absolute necessity of

a future existence, and of the immortality of the souls

of the righteous and of the wicked; 6. From the
entrance of the soul into eternity at death,

LECTURE II. THE INCOMPARABLE WORTH OF THE SOUL.-

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Evident 1. From the account given of the origin of

the soul; 2. From the price paid for its redemption;

3. From the various and successful means employed

by God to save man; 4. From the fact that Christ

viewed the whole world inferior to it, and incompetent

to restore it when lost,

LECTURE III. THE LOSS OF THE SOUL.-1. What it is not

-Arguments against false views of it; 2. What it is

-Arguments from the Scriptures in all its peculiari-

ties,

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LECTURE IV. THE MEANS BY WHICH MEN ACCOMPLISH

THEIR SOULS' Loss.-1. Preference for the riches of

this world; 2. Extravagant attention to the pleasures

and fashions of this life; 3. Neglect of the means of

grace; 4. By cherishing erroneous sentiments; 5. By

mingling with vile and skeptical company; 6. By

procrastination,

LECTURE V. SALVATION IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE FINALLY LOST

SOUL.-Arguments-1. That it now is, and ever will

be, beyond the power of men, by any act or suffering,

to redeem his own or another's soul; 2. That the

atonement of Christ can have no effect to save the lost

soul which has past the bounds of time, and entered

into the eternal world; 3. That when sentence shall

have been given against the sinner in judgment, and

he becomes the subject of punishment, there is no in

tercessor between God and him, and without an inter-
cessor there is no salvation,

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LECTURE VI. CHRIST THE ONLY COMPETENT SAVIOR FOR

ALL WHO ARE NOT FINALLY LOST.-Illustrated by con-

sidering, 1. The import of the saying in the text, That

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;

2. The character of the saying, It is faithful; 3. The

extent of its claim-It is worthy of universal recep-

tion,

LECTURE VII. THE EFFICIENCY, UNDER GOD, OF HUMAN

INSTRUMENTALITY.—Affectionate appeals, 1. To minis-

ters of the Gospel; 2. To parents; 3. To Sabbath

School teachers; 4. To all instructors of youth; 5. To

superintendents, matrons, &c., of Institutions; 6. To

Christians in general, and to Churches; 7. To physi-

cians; 8. To Christian seamen and soldiers,

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PART II.

THE CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE.

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LECTURE I. THE NATURE AND SUBSTANCE OF THE CHRIS-

TIAN'S HOPE.-Good-lively-joyful-blessed-peace-

ful and triumphant—a helmet—an anchor of the soul.

The substance of this hope consists, 1. In the Christian

being a regenerate child of God, an heir of Heaven,

and a joint-heir with Christ; 2. In being raised, at the

resurrection, in the likeness of Christ, and of enjoying

Him for our eternal portion,

LECTURE II. THE EVIDENCE OF POSSESSING THIS HOPE.-

Obedience to the law of love-to God and to man, &c. 129

LECTURE III. GOD'S OBJECT IN HUMAN REDEMPTION AND

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ITS IMPORTANCE.-His own glory and the eternal sal-

vation of His sanctified children, was the object he had

in view in redemption.—Its importance is evident from

the high responsibility He has attached to the agency

He has employed to save souls-From the necessity

of Christ's mission-From the divine requirements

which are necessary to be observed in order to salva-

tion-From the immutable character of the promises

to such as seek the Lord.-The Holy Spirit's influence

indispensable,
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LECTURE IV. THE EFFECTUAL INTEREST OF GOD AND HIS

ANGELS FOR THE FINAL SALVATION OF HIS PEOPLE.-

He is willing and able to save them.-His love for them

is stronger than parents possess towards their offspring.

-He strongly affirms His readiness and ability to save

them. He influences His Holy Angels to become in-

terested in their salvation.-They are variously and