Two essays : I. On the assurance of faith : II. On the extent of the atonement, and universal pardon, in which the views of T. Erskine are particularly examined

Front matter

by

Rainy seit

SABSSO OM]

Section II

How and why Eternal Life is connected with JSatth or believing... ci ce00kae ea see nee! 1. With regard to deliverance from the law’s sentence of death,. .. 00.0. .%2- eva pre ete oi aan 2, As it respects spiritual character,..... os eee 3. As it respects future prospects,..........45

PROPOSITION IV.

Ir Is CONSISTENT WITH, AND FORMS A PART OF THE DIVINE INTENTION, THAT BE- LIEVERS SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, ..+eccee sco cree cccccce 51

PROPOSITION V.

THERA ARE CERTAIN THINGS WRITTEN, BY WHICH BELIEVERS ARE TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,.... «2....-59

SECTION I.

Mistakes respecting the way in which assurance of Eternal Life is to be known by Deliever dy Cesc so edge Las Risen keds » ae Ie

Page. 1, Knowledge must arise from, or be founded _ upon, something WEILTEH, 4... cadet es 59 2. In the Bible there is nothing written respecting the spiritual state and eternal prospects of any sinner,...... Vale ies op: alphas 60 3. “ Appropriating act of faith” —< that Christ is mine” —as used, the systems of theology to’ be set aside, hewn a Oaneene Veer. 265 First—Saving faith must be the belief of something MOTIE CIEL. c'cl ha hig oe wine aed win 6 ib.

Secondly—T o believe that Christ is mine must be the same thing as believing that I am DRAM Sa oc are c! oc sje lly oy pralste sialate 66

Thirdly—That Christ is theirs in offer—

j theirs in the gospel grant—a mere play- IBEW. WOTUS,. veo acs oo ww ari eme vows. e: .1b..

SECTION It.

What are the things that are written, by which God intends his people to know that they have Eternal Life?. ... etait ME 1. As it respects state or leral sentence, that is, as it respects justification,........0+0+ 73 . As it respects spiritual charucter,.......- ot8t = As it regards future prospects,........+.- 106 Distinction between full assurance of faith, and the full assurance of hope,...-..... 113 First—The belief of the truth is the srry or origin of hope, ey SE aE a 119

Secondly—lIn proportion to the simplicity and firmness of our faith, must be the strength and liveliness of our hope,.......-+.+- 121 Thirdly—The effects of any principle must necessarily be proportioned in their measure to the degree of vigour in which the principle exists,.....ce.eeee++e0+ 2124 A2 é

Vi

PROPOSITION V1.

JHE SAME THINGS FROM WHICH THIS KNOW- LEDGE IS SCRIPTURALLY DERIVED, SERVE TO ESTABLISH FAITH, AND TO KEEP BE- LIEVERS CLEAVING TO CHRIST,.....-..128

ABRGICA BION: | va aiate.s « €453-4: oan ae ae A 135 Te LO: GRE CONTENT an so eas on. Siena § go wie» kDa First—Are you sure your confidence is resting on the true foundation?........ paged De Secondly—Is your confidence humble ?......136 Thirdly—tIs your confidence a holy confihig PODEOL eh bade coialen ae RE RE #2137

2. LO the dtident. i cc0 vere d+ dele seg auewe First—-Remember that the exercise of your affections towards Christ is not to be your justifying righteousness,..... «++ +140 Secondly—Never think of yourselves that you love Christ sufficiently,..........--.ee- ib.

Thirdly—How is it that the affections are to

be excited and maintained in lively ex-

on right principles, will lead us to Christ, .142 Bi- AO ERE: COVCLESR 9 iin n'a 4.000) 9 sm seal auaainnee we se

ESSAY II.

‘ON THE EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT, AND Universav’ PARDON,2 20. oss ese w. « LAD

Two attributes essential to the real value of atonemonit,....<.3... A dict py tal Gewrs, | : First—Palness, 060 62 Su Pa SO Ua 0's oe Secondly—Perpetuity,.... 0c. cece cece eces 150 vit

Page.

The ground of ceil Shri cl ATONEMENT WAM MO EIRIST AV adrarcsetcre) ccalyigte GAN ees Extent of the ntonerietit, ais tee creas & bE Five objections to a limited atonement,..... 157 1. It is irreconcilable with any correct and consistent views of the infinite work of the Redeemer’s sacrifice,. .... cee cece ee ols 2. If limited, then the perdition or eternal suffering of all mankind, would have been a greater manifestation of the divine righteousness and abhorrence of sin than the sufferings of the Son of Roa} 55.23: CaP Re dh nae he Gees od 3. The hypothesis renders the salvation of any besides the elect terre ene ble, . ie Babe erats eat Pea tb. 4, Difficult to vindicate in any ‘way “the sincerity of those divine addresses by which sinners universally are called upon to believe and be saved,.......0.2.0 e000. 158 5. It takes nothing into the account but the desert of the sinner,...... REO ESS

CHIEF Topic oF THE Essay, VIZ. THE PER-

SONS BY WHOM FORGIVENESS IS POSSESS-

a ae tee kits Vets eae sles Os Bata og NOS ~Scheme of Thomas Erskine stated,.........ib. Scripture the only legitimate source of proof,.164 § 1. Let our object be, to ascertain the real

extent of the doctrine of universal for-

PIVEN ese We TNA eS eae ae se 167 § 2. It follows from the universality of par-

don, that the possession of forgiveness is entirely independent of faith, of sara

sion, of repentance, or turning to God,. .169 First—Scripture examined as to pardon on

ing independent OE fot RIS. be seiels SID, Secondly—Scripture examined as to univer-

Vili

Page. sal forgiveness being inde pa anent of | confession, . wae Sieks oe she tah Ae RR BO alae 171

Thirdly—Scripture examined as to mceives ness being irrespective of repentance or ‘turning to God,...... dictate cial ah See aes ib. § 3. Another consequence of universal pardon is, that it is needless and preposterous to pray for forgiveness,.... i+. .4. 173 § 4. Another consequence, of universal pardon admitted and defended, is, that the only sin by which men can be brought into final condemnation is unbelief,...... 176 Firsi—Now comes it that this greatest sin forms an fem tothe act of univer-

Secondiy—W hat senile of previous unbelief when a man receivesthe Gospel,......«.ib. Thirdly—Wow are we to dispose of the state of cle ETC ath Cav d. vss! sth et eee Sea arly 178 Fourthiy—The doctrine, that unbelief is the only sin which brings upon man the . condemnation of the second death, is in opposition to the word of God,....... ‘es 179 § 5. The doctrine of imputation considered as bearing on the pi dana and 2 Cor. v..19,'considered, <{: . +. whale, eeu sV182 First—There must be the same extent of meaning in the two expressions “ reconciling the world unto himself,” and * not imputing their trespasses unto them,’....ib. Secondly—This. passage to be interpreted in harmony with the scripture,........+.. 183

§ 5. They say, that although the pardon exists, the benefit of it is not enjoyed by the sinner, unless he believes in it,.....184 § ‘7. But connecting pardon with believing has been represented as making faith a

Page. condition of forgiveness, and as thus trammelling the freeness of gospel grace,.186 In regard to certain statements of Erskine and his friends, three things are to be QU BORME , ein sau, a)'m'o's; 5) a 49 sexi) ah aidletatala's 188 First—Is it, or is it not the case, that pardon, in the word of God, is connected with believing the, Gospel. 5:0)... dedews Wha VID Secondly—T he representations proceed upon the assumption, that there is no difference between a thing’s being a sine qua non, and its being a ground or merito- | rhous condition,. ..6..6.ssee cess cess iD. iy ts is forgotten that fazth or believing is as indispensable in the scheme of universal pardon as in the other,........190 § 8. The alleged selfishness of the doctrine which connects forgiveness with believ- 1 a OE eine ais; da iaselisiiee bre aera eld oa wie vig 192 § 9. Nature and extent of the curse pronounced by God against the transgres- BUA TS Wo) 00 XSi oe cistiock daiuiaoal a bee @QO Wixtract from: Mrakine, o)ia.isis ae e aloo dihiigiee es ib. Remarks upon wt. First—The doctrine of universal pardon is, so far at least, consistent with itself, in the answer which is given to the question, “ What is the meaning of a man being. pardoned, and condemned after BD pis chiens Rida: 5 203 Secondly—Difficulty arising from those texts _ where forgiveness is promised to those WUDLEDENE GED si oc aiwisldloie' dla labeidlanry & . .205 Thirdly—The objection made to spiritual death being.a part of the penal consequences of the first transgression, is not TE ONC a nx wiaksrm id spin od = > inter mPa Ue Fourthly—Inconsistency of Mr. Erskine’s BURLETICNER, 00% oe cvecccsice ya ee mc ee i ceee

Page: Fifthly—It is too low an estimate of the evil of'sin on the one hand, and of the redemption by Christ on the other, to consider temporal death the full amount of the! CUFSEs 4 6.04 ic te el ode chu baal eve apnea 211 Sixthly—Farther inconsistency in the statement of Mr. Erskine,........... eke

Seventhiy— Admitting that temporal death i is the penalty, and that resurrection is the reversal, and that all partaking of re-

» surrection are pardoned, still the scriptures represent that which comes to the the dead are sometimes used to denote,

not the resurrection generally, but the

PESUTTSction Codape ye. es F kits ah Me els .-214 1 Cor. xv. 20—23, considered,....... Nias 400 215 (1.) It is unfair and illogical, to consider it as

any proof of temporal death being the amountvof the curses... 2G. dealin. «> ib. (2.) What is the “resucrection of the dead,” of which the apostle speaks here,......216

(3.) By comparing verses 20——23 with verses -

44-49, we learn what the resurrection is,.. Pele re thay Chita steele

(4.) What is the proper meaning of the 22d VON BOS WIAT WGC shed ale <<) oll 217

§ 11. The scripture represents the extent of

$12. Dissatisfaction with the method adopt-

ed by some of interpre certain texts, 1: bndhioug eho ie-nas;sineed oi ¢ysheiel Aeon team Ane - eee First—It is forced and unnatural,. te aen Bp Ae roa 4

Page.

Secondly—It makes the sacl writers eXpress themselves inconsistently and ab- Lae! LONE ye Cate BREAD ECs con ee

§ 14. In providing the atonement, there: is a double object to. be gained, ;/.. 00-02. oe

§ 15. Another principle, the peculiar state of things before the coming of Christ and the introduction of the New Testament dispensation, which influences the phraseology of the gospel, and which demands a few remarks,.......0.0....

Firet_The words all and ail men are frequently used where that which is affirmed is not true of all men without exception, but is true of ail men without dif- PRPC esi dite Wai oels ee nes

Second/y—The parallelism between Adam and Christ ought to be understood as having reference to the really efficacious influence of their respective actings,...

Thirdiy—By considering the universal phr ase in the sense suggested, accords well with the Apostle’s object,.... ....

Fourthly—Death and the curse “do actually come upon all men without exception,....

§ 16. The advocates of universal pardon allege that no other scheme of doctrine holds out sufficient RRA os to sinners to returnto God,... .........

First—lf we hold out the same encouragement that is held out in God’s word, we Be CHG CHOU Sy aie k cs gis kes ee 6

Secondly—Is there “not sufficient encouragement when we tell sinners of a God who

20 243

.245

. 246 delighteth in mercy,..... 200s sees eee 00249 xl

Page.

Thirdly—Is not their encouragement precisely the kind of encouragement which sinners ought not to have,............. 250 § 17. The practical tendency of the doctrine of universal pardon, 2.63375. 0. (ayes 253

First—As it regards believers,.............254 Secondly—As it regards the world at large,. .258

Tue first of the two following Essays owes its publication, partly, to the request of christian | friends in a neighbouring town, referred to in my preface to.a volume of Sermons published in June last year. A similar application has more recently been received from the same quarter, with respect to a Discourse preached there on the subject of the second.—It wouid not be consistent with truth, were I, in either case, to say, that [ had no previous thoughts of the press: but these solicitations, signed by names so numerous and respectable, couched in terms such as it would be equal affectation and incivility not toown as gratifying and urging. considerations, which a regard to the interesis of truth did not leave me at liberty to resisi, settled the half-formed and fluctuating purpose

B xiv into resolution. —Whether the solicitations on their part, and the resolution on mine, were warranted by any thing in the communication to be made sufficiently worthy of public attention, must now be left to the decision of those who may favour the volume with a perusal.—To the friends themselves by whom the requests were transmitted, whether prompted by a coincidence of sentiment with my own, or simply by a desire for the free investigation of truth, my grateful acknowledgments are, at any rate, due; and they are.thus publicly and respectfully presented.

It is a serious thing, to charge a professed minister of Christ with preaching ‘another gospel” than his. When the Apostle Paul brings the charge, he adds, with al! solemnity, and, lest any should think ita hasty utterance, deliberately repeats the denunciation, “Let him be accursed!” The least, certainly,.that can be inferred from this is, that we should be very sure of our ground, before we venture to. advance the charge. It is sufficiently well known, that, by some at least of the advocates of universal pardon and of the necessity of personal assurance to. saving faith, bold and sweeping assertions have been openly made, that the gospel is not preached in this land; and, indeed, the same thing has, in substance, if not in the apstssima verba, been avowed from the press: Mr. Erskine having, in his «last. publication, declared his conviction, that all who, in their preaching, connect pardon with the faith of the

XV gospel, preach a system of -pure selfishness, which he pronounces “man’s religion, and not God’s,” and represents as subversive of the unconditional freeness of grace. In this condemnation are included, whatever may be the simplicity of their views. otherwise, both of the ground of the sinner’s acceptance with God, and of the faith, or belief of the truth, by which he becomes interested in the blessing, all who do not preach the very sentiments respecting pardon and assurance, which he has himself embraced, and which he conceives to constitute the essence of the Gospel. That there is ground for many of his strictures, on the nature and tendency of cerfain doctrines, and modes of stating doctrines, accords with my own observation. But‘his censures have appeared to me reprehensibly indiscriminate ; views of the faith of the gospel being grouped together, and charged with the same consequences which are evidently and. materially different. Surprise and, regret at this indiscriminateness, together with a conviction, which I have long entertained, that on the subjects of the two Essays there is great danger, in controverting one extreme, of falling into its opposite, have been part of my inducement to publish. Whether I have myself been enabled to shun this tendency to extremes, the reader must judge.

Various publications have recently issued from the press, in opposition to the views which are controverted in these Essays. [I know not

XVI hat any apologyis due to their respective authors for my not having yet perused them; but I feel it needful to state the fact, in order to account for the absence of all allusion to them in the succeeding pages. ‘The truth is, that, Wishing to be quite untrammelled in pursuing the course of my own investigations and reasonings, I laid down the resolution, that I would read nothing of what was written by others, till T had finished what [had to say myself. As there could not fail to be, on the general subjecis, a consierable coincidence of views and arguments, [ was solicitous to leave no ground, in any mind, for even a suspicion of plagiarism. And, on the other hand, aware that, on some points, there was likelihood of material difference, both in the representations of truth, and in the grounds adopted for the refutation of error—a difference hardly less important, perhaps, in those points, than the coincidence in others, I was equally solicitous to shun the appearance of writing, with personal allusion, against any individual on the same side with myself of the general controversy.

In the first advertisement of this little sees the general title given to it was “ Soreie Taos,” Various objections, however, were started against this title. By some it was conceived to be deficient in dignity. And yet, what is there that can vie in real dignity with unadorned truth? To what, more justly or forcibly than to truth, can the poet’s line be applied :

XVI _ “ Majestic in its own simplicity

By others it was reprehended as assuming what it was the object of the work to prove—taking for granted, in the very title-page, that truth was on my side. This brought to my recollection a sentiment of the late Mr. Fuller, that *‘ those writers who are not ashamed to beg the question in the title-page, are seldom the most liberal or impartial in the execution of the work.” And, although, in giving to the very volume, in the preface to which this sentiment occurs, the title of, ‘‘ The Gospel its own witness; or the holy nature and divine harmony of the Christian religion, contrasted with the immortality and absurdity of Deism,” the ex. cellent and able writer appears to have allowed his own remark to slip from his remembrancé, yetis the remark itself by no means destitute of truth. It is always, however, conceived to contain even more of truth than really belongs to it, by persons who are predisposed against the particular views of which the writer avows himself the advocate. Such persons say, immediately, with an emotion half indignant, half disdainful—‘“‘ Simple truth ! that remains to be proved;” and the very feeling thus excited gives an addition of strength to their prejudice, and fortifies them the more against. conviction. Yet, surely, every one who: publishes his sentiments on any subject to the world, must, if he be an honest man, believe what he publishes to B2

XVHL be truth ; anda title-page ought, perhaps, to be considered, rather as expressing what the author believes his book to be, than as a demand upon all others to receive and acknowledge it assuch. Yet, since alove of truth, and a desire for its prevalence, should make us anxious to throw no obstacle, of any kind, in the way of its acceptance, I have thought it better to dismiss my original title, and to leave the sentiments onthe important subjects discussed, with nothing which even-a single reader might con. strue into a presumptuous prejudication of their claims, to the free examination, and candid judgment of my fellow Christians.

I have endeavoured to make my appeal ex. clusively to the Holy Scriptures. In doing - this, however, I have not, on all occasions, merely quoted them. I have reasoned upon them. But my reasonings, I trust it will be found, are all directed to one or other of two ends; to the elucidation and establishment of their trie meaning, or to the deduction from them of those conclusions to which they legitimately lead. No judicious reader will put these discussions aside, under the disparaging designation of human reasonings; tliose rea. sonings which justly merit this title, being such only as, instead of resting their decisions sim« ply upon the sacred word, lead the mind away from it, and would found divine truth on the au. thority ‘of human wisdom. I think I can say, with a clear conscience, that Ihave not written

Kix a sentence of the following Treatises, under the influence of any other principle, than either @ sincere conviction of truth, or an earnest desire to findit. If any one shall convict me of error, it is my wish to have my mind kept open to the conviction ; for nothing should be so dear to us as the truth, and we should welcome, ag an angel of light, whosoever brings it; there being no one thing for which we ought to be more truly grateful, than the displacing from our minds of what is wrong, and the introduc. tion of what is right in its room.

‘If any one were required, without premeditation,” says the eloquent author of the Natural History of enthusiasm, : “ to give a reply to the question, what is the most prominent circum. stance inthe present state of the Christian ¢hurch he would, if sufficiently informed on the subject, almost certainly answer—‘ The honour done to the Scriptures.’” Among other indications of this favourable characteristic of the present age, he subsequently mentions, “ the prevalence of an improved method of exposition, attended by an increasing disposition to bow to the Bible, as the only arbiter in matters of religion ;”~—and in another place, in still stronger terms, he says—‘ Happily, in the age in which we live, if there be not, on all hands, a perfect simplicity of deference to the Bible, there is a nearer approach to it than has perhaps ever existed defusedly through the church since the days of the apostles; and happily,

KX also, there are strong indications of an increasing deference to the only standard of truth and morals. ‘This, by eminence, is the bright omen of the times.” Every true friend of the Bible must hail this “‘ omen of the times” with pleasure, and rejoice in anticipating its future results. The multitude of controversies at this moment afloat in the Christian community may seem, indeed, at first view, to afford no very inviting or promising exemplification of these results. But the introduction of a principle in itself good, may, for a season, by the operation of other concomitant causes, be productive of consequences such as cannot but be owned pernicious, while ultimately, by the settled sobriety and steadiness of its application, it may work out the most: salutary effects. I cannot but cherish the assurance that, however lamentable the temporary evils resulting from controversial discussion, it will ultimately, by the very excitement of thought, and of inquiry, be the means of leading, in many minds, to clearer and more accurate conceptions on various points of divine truth. I would’ not be considered as having reference to any one disputed point in particular, but in general to the strange, and, in some parts of it, distressing medley of controversy at present existing, when I observe, that even the novelty of the princi. ple may, to a certain extent, naturally account for such temporary evils. Minds that may have long been held in the fetters of human

XX1 authority, or have reposed their easy faith on the “ velvet cushions” of systems and confessions, are very apt, when roused and emancipated, to use their newly found liberty with too little discretion; to adopt views hastily; to spring rapidly from one thing to another; to be flighty and volatile; asif they had a kind of satisfaction in showing off their conscious freedom. Such minds, moreover, are in danger of getting self-sufficient, and ‘ wise in their own conceits ;” and of this attribute of mind it is the proverbial characteristic to be hasty of decision, and impatient of inquiry—to

*‘ Fling at your head conviction in the lump, And gain remote conclusions at. a jump.”

—Butthe principle of appealing, on all questions of religious truth, directly to the divine Standard, is, in its own nature, self-evidently good ; and, let it but be universally adopted, and, un. der the influence of a growing knowledge, the result of more extensive and mature investiga. tion, a knowledge that humbles as it advances ; Jet it be soberly and steadily applied, in equal freedom from the. volatile caprice of novelty and fromthe intimidating restraints of prejudice ; it cannot then fail to be eminently advantageous, both in eliciting truth, and in promoting Christian union. ‘The principles of free trade are admitted to be in themselves good, though, on their first introduction by any country, they can hardly fail to operate prejudicially ;—they want only

XX universality of adoption, and stable and honourable reciprocation, to evince their sound political wisdom and beneficial teudency. ° ‘Let us, by all means, have free trade in the discussion of truth, —of truth of all kinds. And, in regard to Christianity, let all restrictions be taken off, whether of political penalty or of the self-imposed

‘bondage of system, and let the simple and untrammelled appeal be universally made to the Holy Scriptures ; and there will be a greater likelihood at least of agreement :—let all, instead of drawing from any human cistern, which, although professing to have been supplied from above, may yet contain some mixtures from below, come with their pitchers tothe one reservoir, filled from ‘‘ the sempiternal source of truth divine ;” and they will. find and carry off the same waters. If the contents of these Essays have not been drawn from this heavenly source, let them be rejected. We disclaimall authority.

There is a style of dictatorial loftiness, and of almost inspired decision, which has been adopted by some ofthe abettors of the doctrines examined in the Essays, and by some too of the modern millenarian ‘ school of the prophets,” such as no man has had any title to assume, since the ‘‘ vision and the prophecy were sealed up” in Patmos ; and which is as offensive to good

. taste, as itis inconsistent with the humility of a disciple of Jesus. Away with it, It is not of any man now living,—it is of his Apostles and Prophets, who ‘“ being dead, yet speak,” that

KXill the great Head of the Church has said—“ Hm» THAT HEARETH YOU, HEARETH ME; AND HE THAT DESPISETH YOU, DESPISETH ME; AND HE THAT DFSPISETH ME, DESPISETH Him THarT SENT ME.” ‘

| R. W..

Glasgow, March 15ih, 1830.

ESSAY I.

ON THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH

ESSAY I.

ON THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH.

THERs is a subject, which for some time past has, to a very considerable extent, been engaging the attention of Christians ;—to which some ministers of the gospel have been giving so marked a prominence, that it has been associated with their names as if they had been its originators;—and about which, as might have been anticipated, a vast deal has been said, in the private circles of the professing _ world, in which there has too frequently been little discrimination of thought, and sometimes still less of intelligible definiteness of expression. The simple-hearted believer has listened and inquired, with timid solicitude and painful perplexity; the coctrinal speculatist has made it the arena for his pugnacious self-sufficiency; and the shallow talker. has found in it free scope for his empty and pointless volubility.—The subject to which I allude has usue ally been designated by one word:—it has been called “‘the doctrine of assuRANCE.” Andin the use of the term, there has been a great deal of illfounded confidence on the one hand, and of as groundless diffidence on the other, and, with occasional exceptions, of desultory vagueness on both. Scriptural conceptions regarding it, however, are not a little important, that the two evils thus alluded to may be shunned,—the opposite evils of presumption and despondency; that neither may the true believer be needlessly disheartened, nor the mere professor he encouraged in delusive self-satis..

faction; and vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. ‘he despondency of the believer and the presumption of the professor are alike pernicious :—pernicious, [ mean, not merely to the parties themselves, but to the observing world. The former gives an untrue and repulsive view of the gospel,—as if, although nominally good tidings, it did not make the believer of it happy, but left him still to “hang: down his head like a bulrush, and spread sackcloth and ashes under him :”—while the latter presents a view not less false and calumnious, nor less stumbling andd etrimental to the souls of men,—filling the mouths of the ungodly with the sarcastic reflection, that, although professedly coming from the God of love and purity, it does not render those who receive it, and profess to be under its influence, either loving or pure—either humble, or peaceful, or holy.. These are both very mischievous and deplorable effects,—against which it becomes our duty to oppose every possible means of prevention. |

It might seem, from the very brevity of the designation, that this ‘doctrine of assurance” was confined to one simple point. But he who should think so would be widely mistaken. It either directly embraces, or touches collaterally, a number of interesting topics :—and especially, it stands in close connexion with the first principles,—the simplest and most essential elements, of the doctrine of Christ, as well as with all that the Bible teaches respecting the influence of these principles upon the heart and character. ‘

Ishall take for the basis of the following brief treatise,—in which it is my earnest desire that the Spirit of God may enable me to brmg forward such views only as are in harmony with the state- _ ments of the written word, the only standard on all

=

J se such subjects of truth and error,—the words of the Apostle John, in his first epistle—chap. v. 13.

“THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YoU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE Son or Gon, THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFES, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE Son oF Gop.”

These words contain all the topics to which it is my object to direct the reader’s attention. They suggest the following series of propositions, which, in the discussion of the general subject, we shall, for the sake of clearness, make the heads of our discourse.