The works of Augustus Toplady

Front matter

LIBRARY

aHveolaijical ^cmiuary,

5037 .T67 1844 ?oplady, Augustus Montague

Preface

others sunk in the very dregs of brutal voluptuousness? Why are the Vodam, the Zend-Avesta, the Sadder, and the Alcoran, received and acknowledged with all their fanciful conjectures and chronological chimeras, and the deposit of sacred writ not so much as heard of in the midst of the rubbish of those absurdities ? and where the vivifying Ijcams of revelation are displayed, as they are in this country, and at this period of time, how is it that the intellectual darkness of the mind is not dissipated so as to perceive its radiance ? Who upon earth can give a satisfactory reason for these facts, or develope to the human mind the various dispensations of God, in denying or w ithholding the light of revelation, without resolving it into the divine will, and ultimately taking up the words of Him who spake as never man did, "Even so. Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight."

These weighty investigations, which the importance of the subject brings under consideration, were some of the principal topics which employed the abilities of our Author. From those who are not iniiuenced by a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus nothing is to be expected, in the perusal of these writings, but the most inveterate opposition, hasty censure, and unbridled license of declamation ; while tliose who are taught from above cannot be brought to abandon a belief so full of enlivening consolations, and attested to their consciences by irrefragable documents; they will be induced to contemplate the inconceivable gi-eatness, the inaccessible height, the unfathomable researches, and immeasurable extent of these heavenly excellencies, and exclaim, with the apostle Paul, " O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !" While meditating on this preliminary state of things, the thoughts will expand with an earnest desire to that eventful period when a far nobler scene shall be opened, when this faint twilight shall be preceded with the blaze of an eternal day ; and when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

NOTE.

The Proprietors desire to acknowledge publicly, in terms of the warmest and most sincere gratitude, their obligations to the promoters of the work, and particularly to Mr. Hussey, for the many marks he has shown of liis disinterested attention, as well as for his cheerful communication of tlie remaining manuscripts of his dear deceased friend.

C O N T E N T S.

TAOB I

AN Account of the Life and Writings of the Author . 1 l.Hst Will . . . . . . 41

Elegiac Poem on the death of the Author . .42

INTnODUCTION.

Occasion of the present undertaking. Frce-willers punished with imprisonment by king Edward VI. and our first reformers. Harmony between Popery and Arminianism. Remarkable particulars concerning John Goodwin the Filth-monarchy man. Case of departed iufanu considered . . 4G