Citizen and Christian Subject enjoys in being permitted and privileged to give expression to his opinions through the Press; and the rather, because he thinks he has "the mind of Christ " on the topics of dispute. As he has, also, increasingly learned, as most men do, "Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri," or, to be "blindly bound to no man's faith;" especially, as the Divine command to all, in regard to religious matters is, "Call no man Master; for One is your Master, even Christ;" writing in this spirit, as well as wishing to avoid personalities, of high and low degree, he has in the following Exposition not named any of the Theologians, recent or more remote, whose respective interpretations of the subject he has endeavoured to shew to be unscriptural, and therefore erroneous. "To the law and to the testimony, if we speak not according to them, it is because there is no light in us.' While he was anxious to enter at once upon the consideration of the more difficult and disputed portions of the passage, it will, at a glance, be obvious to the intelligent reader, that the 19th and 20th Verses of the 3rd Chapter of 1st Peter could not, with the slightest propriety, be discussed without previously treating the last two clauses of the 18th Verse, and shewing briefly what is implied in both. In justice to the subject discussed, no less than to himself, he must likewise remark, that the objections stated and refuted in Section IV. should strictly have immediately followed Section I.; and that those contained in Section V. should in like manner have succeeded Section II., in order that the simple and Scriptural exposition of the several clauses considered might, in their proper time and place, be seen to be thoroughly consistent with, and corroborated by, the Original. But, had such collocation been adopted, the subject would at once have ceased to be interesting and satisfactory to the general Reader. Indeed, this passage of Scripture is of such a nature as to require free and unfettered use of the Original; and, without such liberty, it cannot be discussed as it deserves and demands. On this account, the general Reader must excuse the references which are made, from time to time, to the terms in the Original Greek, and also the occasional repetition, more or less, which was unavoidable, in refuting objections connected with these terms. The Author has further the high honour of stating, that Dr. William Hanna, Edinburgh, lately promised, in the most friendly and fraternal spirit, not only to revise the proof-sheets of this small work, but, "if needful," to introduce it to the Public. However, as in consequence of a sudden and sharp illness, not yet entirely removed, he was prevented from looking over more than two or three sheets, the following copy of a Note previously received from him, and the full use of which was kindly granted, is here subjoined:— "MY DEAR MR CURRIE, 66 Although I have not time to look over your Manuscript, yet, from what you tell me, the interpretation you are disposed to give to the obscure passage in the 1st Epistle of St. Peter appears to me to be simple and plausible, and well worthy of being presented to the Public." "I am "Yours truly, (Signed) "WM. HANNA." 15th March." In the course of conversation, the Doctor was at the same time pleased to say of the interpretation now referred to and set forth in the sequel, that "it gives a simple explanation of what would otherwise be a puzzle ;" and since that time, he has expressed his high satisfaction with what he has read of it in print. With these words of commendation, as well as confirmation, few as they are, the Author may well be excused for saying that he was greatly pleased, and that he at once resolved to "publish"-being as Dr. Hanna is so distinguished a Scholar, in almost every sense of the term; so eminent a Minister of the Gospel ; so able an Expositor of "The Ministry of our Lord; so successful a Biographer of Dr. Chalmers, one of the greatest, if not pre-eminently the greatest, of Scotland's "Mighties;" and that Biography such that of its Writer it may justly be said, "Exegi monumentum aere perennius; " a monument far more durable than all the Bronze Statues that could be erected, as well "a thing of beauty and a joy for ever." And yet, "both are best; " the one, Metropolitan, in the last Seat and Scene of the Great Man's labours; the other, Mundane, wide as the world itself; the Bronze in the Street or thoroughfare, the Biography in the Study and by the fireside. And now, while, for all that the Book contains the Author alone is responsible, trusting that Dr. Hanna will soon be able to read in extenso, in "the cold lead," what he heard in parvo, with "the living voice;" hoping, also, that he and Fathers and Brethren, Office - bearers and Members in the Christian Church, will be led, on the Scripture grounds stated, to adopt generally the interpretation here given of the principal points of dispute, he com mits it to the consideration of all who take an interest in one of the most important passages of Holy Writ, and to the blessing of Him who alone can make the Exposition of His own Word effectual for the accomplishment of the purposes of His grace, as well as "reveal to us by His Spirit the things" contained in that Word. THE SUBJECT OF EXPOSITION. "Christ being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water." (1 Pet. iii. 18-20.) ERRATUM.-Page 72, 5th line from bottom, for "causes" read "clauses." CONTENTS. SECTION I. 1.-Christ symbolized, typified, and predicted as a dying yet a living Saviour, 2.-Christ "put to death in the flesh" highly expressive language, .. PAGE 13 15 16 17 3. The term "flesh" in its application to Christ explained, SECTION II. 1.-Christ the Messiah, no less than Jehovah the Father, 1.-Christ preached to "the spirits in prison" not merely by |