BY

WILLIAM SYMINGTON, D.D.,

LATE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WITH

A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR

By HIS SONS

London:

T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK

1881

EDITOR’S PREFACE

DR. SYMINGTON’S reputation as an author rests chiefly on his treatises on the Atonement and Intercession, and on the Mediatorial Dominion, of Jesus Christ. The former was published at the beginning of 1834, the latter at the beginning of 1839. Both books were popular in their day, and still hold a good place in theological literature.

The Atonement met a felt want in this country, and four editions of it were issued in the United States, where it was used for a text-book for students. But during these forty-five years several valuable books have been produced on the same subject and constructed on the same main lines of Scriptural Calvinism. The works of Dr. Candlish, Dr. Crawford, Dr. Hodge, Mr. Dale and others, treat of the Atonement with reference to phases of thought which had not become prominent when Dr. Symington wrote.

A similar remark cannot be made regarding his other treatise. Much has been written—more spoken—on practical questions relating to the reign of the Mediator; but what the author said in his preface in 1839 remains true in 1879. No book dealing with the subject systematically and comprehensively, as a matter of theology rather than of polemics, has appeared. It is on this account that Messiah the Prince has been selected to be issued afresh as a memorial of one whose name will long be fragrant.

And also because the matter is one of high importance, the interest of which increases with time and the developments of Providence. Several who to-day occupy foremost places in the Church of Christ have recently expressed to the Editor their obligations to this book at the time when their opinions were forming. Its publication during the Ten Years’ Conflict was recognised as highly opportune; and it may a second time be of service in guiding some to apprehend the teaching of Scripture concerning the relation in which the reigning Saviour stands to the Church and the State and the World.

Dr. Symington went over the same ground which is gone over here in his lectures as Professor of Theology. These lectures have been carefully used in preparing this edition, so that it has the advantage of a revision by the author himself twenty years after the first publication. It must be understood that any changes which may be observed have been made in this way. In one or two places these are considerable, but they affect the order of thought rather than the thought itself.

A. M. S.

BIRKENHEAD, 1879.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, 1
Connexion of Christ’s offices, 3
Importance of the mediatorial dominion, 3
Terms explained, 6
Mediatorial dominion necessary, 6
    To fulfil the divine purposes, 7
    To complete the character of the Saviour, 9
    To reward his obedience to the death, 10
    To bear down his enemies, 12
    To meet the wants of his people, 14