Arguments drawn from the attributes of God in support of the doctrine of universal salvation...

Front matter

AUSTIN

ON

THE ATTRIBUTES.

Preface

The author would state distinctly at the outset, that in the following- Arguments, he appeals directly to the reason of the reader. If it could possibly be deemed necessary to justify this course, the authority and example for adopting it, are found in the Volume of Inspiration. In the requirement of the Most High, " Come, now, and let us reason together " — in the inquiry of the Saviour, " Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right ? " — in the declaration of St. Paul, " I speak as to wise men : judge ye what I say " — an abundant authority is found for appealing to man's reason in regard to religious subjects. It would be difficult to determine for what purpose the faculty of reason was bestowed by the Creator, if not for its exercise — especially on a subject so purely speculative and spiritual as religion. Indeed, the Bible is a revelation to man's reason — its doctrines, its requirements, its injunctions and exhortations, are all based upon reason, and addressed to reason. Take away this faculty, or shut out its light from the human mind, and the Scriptures would be enshrouded in darkness, and their influence and usefulness destroyed. It is true the legitimate exercise of reason is exceedingly dangerous to all doctrines embodying error, as light is dangerous to everything that requires darkness to conceal its deformities. But surely it will not be contended that this is a sound argument for the abandonment of this valuable faculty. God's truth has nothing to apprehend from reason. It is itself the embodyment of pure reason.

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Hence the more faithfully and closely it is weighed in the scales of reason, the more apparent become its consistencies and beauties. It is exceedingly important, however, that the reader should ever be careful to distinguish between that which is above the comprehension of man's reason, and that which is in opposition to reason. By confounding these extremes together, great disparagement has been cast upon reason, and much injury done to truth. As an illustration — to declare that the Universe has bounds, would be directly to contradict reason. To assert that the voids of space are without bound or limit, would be to utter that which perfectly agrees with reason, but which, at the same time, surpasses the comprehension of reason. Would it be consistent to confound this contradiction, and this want of comprehension together, and insist that reason is not to be trusted in either case ? So, also, if it were asserted that a God of infinite Goodness voluntarily and deliberately put into operation causes for the production of infinite evil, it would be making a proposition in self-evident contradiction to reason. On the other hand, the declaration that a God of infinite Goodness must necessarily design all his plans and movements to eventuate in boundless and eternal good alone, harmonizes perfectly with the decisions of reason — but the times and seasons, and all the ways and means, which Divine Wisdom adopts to accomplish these plans, are beyond the comprehension of man's present reason. But shall we therefore confound that which opposes, with that which agrees with, but outreackes reason, and conclude it would be as consistent to believe the former as the latter ? Equally consistent would it be to reject those plain dictates of reason which declare the existence of an intelligent, overruling Creator, because the origin and mode of his being cannot be comprehended ! Man ought and must follow his reason, as his guiding star ; although he is unavoidably compelled, in some instances, to believe that which reason

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IX declares must be, even when lie cannot comprehend koto it can be !

It has been the object of the author, in these Arguments, to confine himself to the consideration of fundamental points in theology, believing that, when the mind has clear and consistent conceptions of first principles of religion, and comprehends their bearings and deductions, there is little danger of becoming involved in error on more general points. In prosecuting this purpose, he did not seek so much for originality of argument, as for plainness and directness — it being his wish to place his thoughts in a form so distinct, and, if possible, so self-evident, as to carry conviction, not only to the intelligent and candid, but to the minds of the most faithless and bigoted. The reader who is conversant with the arguments usually brought in support of the doctrine of Universal Salvation, while it is hoped he will discover some suggestions of a new and interesting description, will undoubtedly find many positions with which he is perfectly familiar. But it should be borne in mind that there are thousands in our country, to whom almost every argument in these pages will be new ; and to such minds they will possess all the novelty and power of originality. It was in especial view to the benefit of this class, who are strangers to the doctrine of a world's salvation, and the arguments upon which it is based, that this volume has been prepared. It has been thought that, by bringing together in one connected series, all the principal evidences, embracing " things both new and old," drawn from the attributes of God, in support of this doctrine, it could not fail of throwing light and conviction into many minds, hitherto involved in darkness and error. And the author flatters himself that few believers in a limited salvation can read these pages with candor and with suitable reflection, without at least having some decided inroads made upon their former views of the extent of God's saving grace — while it is his

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earnest prayer that the volume may be instrumental in opening the eyes of many to the consistency and glory of the gospel of Universal Redemption.

It was deemed desirable that each chapter should possess within itself a complete Argument in favor of " the restitution of all things." In consequence of aiming at this, the reader will very probably find some repetition in sentiment and phraseology, in different portions of the volume — for which his forbearance is craved. All the objections usually urged against the Salvation of the World, which are attempted to be drawn from reason, the author has endeavored to take up and examine frankly and candidly, in the course of the series. How far he has succeeded in showing their want of consistency and strength, is a point which the reader must determine. For an answer to those objections against this doctrine, which are predicated on the Scriptures, the reader is referred to numerous other works already extant.

With these preliminary observations, this volume is submitted to the attention of the public. Whatever may be its imperfections, it has been written with an ardent desire that it may perform a mission of Good, and lead many minds into those views of God, his perfections, government and purposes, which will tend to enlighten the understanding, purify and enlarge the affections, and fill the soul with that joy which is " unspeakable and full of glory." That God will bless it with these desirable fruits, is the sincere prayer of

THE AUTHOR.