BY OCTAVIUS WINSLOW,

PASTOR OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKLYN,
NEW YORK.

"The Precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1. 19.
"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness
in himself." 1 John 5. 10.

NEW YORK:

JOHN S. TAYLOR,

Theological and Sunday School Bookseller, Brick Church Chapel,
corner of Park Row and Spruce Street, opposite the

PREFACE.

THIS unpretending little volume forms the commencement of a series of similar works which it is the author's design, should the Lord permit, to publish upon the important subject of experimental religion, under the general title of, "EXPERIMENTAL AND PRACTICAL VIEWS OF DIVINE TRUTH." Various considerations, to one or two of which he may be permitted to allude, suggested the undertaking, and pleaded for its execution. The first that may be mentioned was, the vast and solemn importance of the subject.

The religion of the Lord Jesus is valuable only as its power is experienced in the heart. In this respect, and in this only, it may be compared to the physical sciences which, however ingenious in structure, or beautiful in theory; yet if not reduced or reducable to purposes of practical use, are of little worth. It is so with the truth of Jesus. The man of mere taste may applaud its external beauty-the philosopher may admire its philosophy, the orator its eloquence, and the poet its poetry, but if the Spirit of God take not His own truth and impress it upon the heart, as to the great design of its revelation, it avails nothing. What numbers are there who rest in the mere theory of Christianity. As a practical principle they know nothing of it. As a thing experienced in the heart, it is a hidden mystery to them. They speak well of it as a religious