Essays, reviews, and discourses

Preface

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Much of the late Dr. "Whedon's writings, published in the Methodist Quarterly Review and elsewhere, is of permanent value, but a large part of it is inaccessible to most of the present generation, and especially to the younger ministers, students, and thinkers of the Church. The project of collecting the more important of them in a separate form has received wide approval, and some of the warmest expressions have come from friends to whom he was personally unknown. It is only to be regretted that the work proved too severe for his waning strength, compelling him to commit its execution to his son and nephew.

The plan of two volumes, with a brief biography, is adopted, at the joint suggestion of Dr. Curry and the publishers.

The present volume.contains the longer pieces, and of those only such as the author most esteemed. A companion volume, entitled, Statements : Theological and Critical, comprises the briefer, but equally valuable, discussions, systematized and appropriately ai ranged.

Preface.

Neither a college nor an editorial chair furnishes much material for a biography, however largely its occupant may influence the thought of his time. Dr. Whedon was, through his infirmity, known to the world for twenty-five years chiefly through his pen. We have sought, in simple narrative, to make him known as a man, and as we knew him, allowing others to characterize and assign him his place.

J. S. W.

D. A. W.

CONTENTS,

PAGE

Arminianism and Armlnius 50

Akmlnias View of The Fall and Redemption 78

Saint Paul's Closing P.ean 103

Fundamental Maxim of Divine Government 110

Free- Will Ill

Divine Sovereignty 114

Divine Prescience and Predeterminations 115

Foreknowledge 118

Doctrine of Sin and Guilt 120

The Fall and Depravation of Man 122

The Redemption 126

Righteousness and Grace in the Redemption 129

Nature and Extent of the Atonement 130

Justification by Faith 131

Possibility of Apostasy 134

Regeneration 136

Witness of the Spirit 138

Election and Reprobation 139

Immutability of the Law 140

Entire Sanctification, or Christian Perfection 141

Perpetuity of Man's Free Agency 144

Conclusion 145

Ordination Historically at the Basis of the Church 157

Wesley's Ordination of Coke his Grandest Executive Act ... 158 The General Conference may not Abolish Episcopal Ordination or Limit Episcopal Tenure 159