Glad tidings to perishing sinners; or, The genuine gospel, a complete warrant for the ungodly to believe in Jesus

Front matter

BV

J

/ CV O

Preface

That the subject here discussed is of sufficient importance to demand serious attention, whether the principle defended be true or false, must be admitted by every competent judge ; because of its intimate connection with the doctrine of justification before God ; for that has ever been considered, by our most eminent Protestant writers, both Lutherans and Calvinists, as an article of the greatest moment. Thus, for instance, Dr. John Owen : — " In my judgment, Luther F spake the truth when he said, To lose the article of ' Justification, would at once be the loss of the whole Christian faith. And I wish he had not been a true prophet, when he foretold that, in the following ages, the doctrine hereof would be again obscured. "* The leading principle maintained in this publication, is closely connected also, with Christian experience, with devotional practice, and with general obedience to God. The better that principle is understood, and the more its practical influence is felt ; the more benign will its genuine tendency appear, with regard to peace of conscience, and liberty in devotional duties ; to the habitual exercise of holy affections, and a course of conformity to the divine commands. It is, by the author at least, considered in this light.

That prudence and caution are necessary, however, in stating and defending the sentiment here adopted, the writer presumes, will be acknowledged : because it is a kind of middle point, between Arminianism, and

1*

IV PREFACE.

Antinomianism — between seeeing acceptance with God, as it ivere, by the works of the law }? and renouncing obedience to the divine precepts, as if they had lost their obliging power, or as if our personal obedience were of no importance in any respect, the former of which is pernicious legality ; the latter, destructive licentiousness. Whether the writer have handled the subject with all that wisdom and care, which its delicacy and importance demand, he dares not assert : but, with sincerity he can declare, that the discussion of it has been attended with much thought, and with frequent prayer.

Though the author detest the real principles of what is properly called Antinomianism ; though, many years ago, in the most public manner, he labored to explode those pernicious principles ;f and though, in the present performance, he have endeavored to guard against being misunderstood ; yet he is not without suspicion, that some of*his readers will be ready to consider the main position defended, as having a licentious cast. But, should that be the case, he is prepared for it, so as to be neither offended, nor surprised. Nay, while fully persuaded that there is no just ground for such a conclusion, he will consider it as a presumption in favor of the point maintained. Because it is evident, that tke the doctrine of grace, as preached and recorded by Paul, was treated in a similar manner. J He has long been of opinion, that whoever exhibits the true glory of divine grace, and the high importance of Christian duty, according to the apostolic pattern ; will be considered by many as an Antinomian, and by some as an Arminian. Does a minister of the gospel display the absolute freeness, the infinite riches, and the allsufficiency of that grace which is revealed in Jesus Christ, as an immediate ground of encouragement for the vilest

* Rom. ix 32.

t See the death of Legal Hope, the Life of evangelical obedience, Sect. VII. Edit. 3d.

PREFACE.

of sinners to confide in him 9 the doctrine will be stigmatized by multitudes, as manifestly licentious. Does he, as ministerial duty requires, warmly insist, that, be the professed articles of any one's theological creed ever so scriptural ; yet, if he be not habitually mindful of the divine precepts ; if he keep not the example of Christ in view ; if his heart have not an heavenly turn ; he is a stranger to the power of evangelical truth, and unworthy to be called aChristian'? his preaching will be offensive to the mere formalist ; be censured as uncharitable ; ancl reproached, by some, as detestably legal.

The grand principle here defended, is far from being novel ; it having been adopted by many Protestant writers of high reputation in the churches of Christ : from some of whom, and especially from Dr. John Owen, a number of quotations appear in the following work. To the producing of which quotations the author was induced, partly for the sake of that argument which they contain, in proof of his main point; and partly to evince, that the sentiments here maintained have been espoused by persons of the first eminence, among professed Christians of Calvinistic principles.

That the number of quotations, from the most respectable Calvinistio»authors, with regard to the leading position, might have been greatly increased ; every one, much acquainted with their theological writings, must acknowledge. Mr. David Wilson, when vindicating various writers, denominated Popular Preachers, against the attacks of gross misrepresentation, of illiberal censure v and of sarcastical contempt ; in speaking relative to the main subject of the following pages, says : " They [the Popular Preachers] were very ready to acknowledge, that those who are most punctual in the external performance of religious duties, are frequently in a far more dangerous condition than publicans and harlots, or those who lead the most wicked and flagitious lives; because, through the corruption of their own hearts, all their duties, religious services, en-

VI PREFACE.

deavors and attainments, are too often made subservient to the gratification of their pride, and the cherishing of those presumptuous hopes and imaginations whereby they are hardened in their opposition to the true grace of God manifested in the gospel. And they were equally ready to own, that the sovereign mercy of God, with regard to believers at first conversion, does still prevent every good action, motion, or qualification in them; every thing that can be supposed to have the least tendency to qualify them for the divine approbation. They affirmed, that the foundation of a sinner's confidence and comfort lies, not in any good works performed by him ; in any consciousness of his own sincerity; or any experience of a gracious and sanctifying work of the divine spirit upon his own soul ; but wholly without him, in the promises and testimony of God in the gospel. To maintain, that sinners are justified freely, through the righteousness of Christ imputed, and apprehended by faith alone ; and yet assert, that no man has a sufficient warrant to rely upon that righteousness alone for justification — as exhibited in the word of the gospel, till he is first conscious of his own godliness and sincerity ; is in effect to affirm that, though sinners in general must be justified freely by grace, through the imputed righteousness ; yet no sinner in particular ought, or has any warrant to believe, that he is, or ever can be justified in that manner, or without a righteousness of his own ; or, at least, some thing in and about himself, upon which he may with safety bottom an assurance of the divine. favor, and his own justification and salvation."*

Though the author be fully persuaded, that a denial of the position maintained, is inconsistent with the genuine gospel, and with those principles on which everj truly pious man proceeds in his prayers, respecting acceptance with God ; yet he is far from concluding, that

* Paloemon's Creed Reviewed and Examined, Vol. 1. pp. 195, 196. V*L II pp. 102, 100.

PREFACE. Vll

no one is a real disciple of Christ, who does not explicitly avow that position. For he has learned, from experience and observation, that persons will sometimes dispute against a particular sentiment, the truth of which is habitually implied in their prayers, and its importance tacitly acknowledged in their own experience. To this effect is the following language of Dr. Owen, respecting certain opposers of the doctrine of justification merely by grace, through an imputed righteousness: U I doubt they oftentimes dispute themselves beyond what they can well abide by, when they return home unto a sedate meditation of the state of things between God and their own souls. I had rather learn what some men really judge about their own justification, from their prayers, than their ivritings. Nor do I remember, that I did ever hear any good man in his prayers, use any expressions about justification, pardon of sin, and righteousness before God, wherein any plea, from any thing in ourselves, was introduced, or made use of. Whereas we may, and ought, to represent unto God in our supplications, our faith, or what it is that we believe herein; I much question, whether some men can find in their hearts to pray over and plead before him, all the arguments and distinctions they make use of to prove the interest of our works and obedience in our justification before him ; or enter into judgment with him, upon the conclusions which they make from them. [ judge no men upon the expressions that fall from them in polemical writings ; wherein, on many occasions, they do affront their own experience, and contradict their own prayers. To believe the doctrine of [justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ,] or not to believe it, as thus or thus explained, is one thing ; and to enjoy the thing, or not enjoy it is another. I no way doubt, but that many men do receive more grace from God, than they understand, or will own ; and have a greater efficacy of it in them, than they will believe."* * Doctrine of Justification, p. 8, 19, 20, 62, 278, 279. Glasgow Edit.

VIII PREFACE.

That no plausible reasons may be advanced, in opposition to this main thesis, the author does not suppose. But, as the writer just quoted observes ; " It is a known rule, that a truth, well established and confirmed, is not to be questioned, much less relinquished, on every entangling sophism, though it should appear insoluble."*

Goodman's Fields, London, May 17, 17S6.

The salutary and practical tendencies of the principle maintained, - - - 139

GLAD TIDINGS

TO

PERISHING SINNEHS; &c.