The Bible Confessions of faith and common sense ...

Front matter

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Preface

Is appearing before the public as an author, in these days of book making, the writer of the following pages has no apology to offer, but, simply 'a statement of facts. When he commenced writing, he had no intention of any thing more than some articles for the "Presbyterian of the "West," in which most of the work has appeared, in successive numbers. But, before the articles on u Decrees" and "Election" were completed, urgent requests were received from different quarters, to have them embodied in some permanent form. At the same time requests were made, that the writer should go through all the most commonly controverted points of the Confession of Faith. The field was thus enlarged beyond the original design ; and much encouragement to proceed was afforded, by the reception of numerous testimonials as to the utility of the articles, in relieving the minds of those who were in doubts, and establishing those who were wavering.

When the first seven dialogues were completed, they were embodied in a cheap pamphlet ; and though an edition of near two thousand was issued, it was found altogether inadequate to supply the demand. And as the numbers were farther continued in the Presbyterian of the West, calls were received from many readers, to have them all embodied together. To supply this demand, and to serve the cause of truth as far as possible by the work, it is now issued in its present form.

It is, perhaps, proper to add, that for some of the arguments used in the fifth dialogue, the writer is indebted to a published sermon, entitled, "The unpopular doctrines of the Bible," by Kev. A. G. Fair child, D. D., of Pennsylvania.

Index

DIALOGUE I.

Introduction, ---.----- 9

DIALOGUE II.

Misrepresentations of Calvinism, .... - 13

DIALOGUE III.

Decrees of God, - - 23

DIALOGUE IV.

Decrees of God continued, - - - - - - 31

DIALOGUE V.

Election, - 37

DIALOGUE VI.

Election continued, - -46

DIALOGUE VII.

Original Sin, 56

DIALOGUE VIII.

Free Grace, .--64

DIALOGUE IX.

Good Works, 75

DIALOGUE X.

Inability, 84

VI INDEX.

DIALOGUE XI.

Free Will, 95

DIALOGUE XII. :tual Calling, 102

DIALOGUE XIII.

Sinless Perfection, -.-. ... 110

DIALOGUE XIY.

Sinless Perfection continued, - 117

DIALOGUE XV.

Perseverance. -- 126

DIALOGUE XVI.

Perseverance continued, - - - - - - 135

DIALOGUE XVII.

Admission to the Church, 145

DIALOGUE XVIII.

Church Government, 153

DIALOGUE XIX.

Bible Republicanism, - 160

DIALOGUE XX.

Bible Presbyterianism, 167

DIALOGUE XXI.

Primitive Presbyterianism, - - - - - - 175

DIALOGUE XXII.

Presbyterianism of the Reformers, 183

INDEX. Vli