A vindication of the fundamental principles of truth and order in the Church of Christ...

Dedication

TO THE HONORABLE ISAAC H. WILLIAMSON, LATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW- JERSEY :

Dear Sir:—

Allow me to present this small treatise to you, as a tribute of that esteem and affection, with which a long and familiar acquaintance and unnumbered offices of friendship have inspired me — A protracted and intimate intercourse, has only served to unfold to me, those numerous talents and virtues which reflected honor upon the station, to which you were elevated by the unsolicited suffrages of your fello^v citizens. New-Jersey, in proportion to her extent of territory and number of inhabitants, not only supplied her full share of patriots and heroes, who attained to the first distinction during our revolutionary contest, but has also filled the chair of her chief magistracy with as able and virtuous a succession of men, as that which has adorned the same seat in any of her Sister Republicks. The name of Williamson will by her future sons be proudly registered among those of Livingston, Paterson, Ogden, Dickerson, and her present excellent Chief Magistrate. Whatever may be thought of the comparative merits of these distinguished men, in regard to yourself, I am assured, from personal knowledge, that none of them could have discovered a purer and more intense patriotism, a more deep and solid judgment, a more unsullied integrity and more consummate prudence. To discover one such genuine, and unsophisticated character, whose heart is true to the interests of virtue and friendship, amidst the dissimulation and malignity, that embitter the ordinary intercourses of life, is refreshing and delightful to the soul. Nor, I fervently trust, amidst the other objects of human desire and pursuit, have you, (like too many others who have sullied their political glory, with infidelity and irreligion, and marred that veneration which their fellow-citizens would willingly have rendered them, by indulging the language of indecorous attack upon their faith,) lightly regarded those great truths of our common Christianity, which it is the intent of that work, now respectfully offered to your acceptance, to defend. The true patriot, the sound politician, and the genuiv hie philanthropist, will, and must always be the friend of religion, while the profound philosopher, the impartial enquirer, and the truly good man must always become a christian. The evidences of Christianity are sufficient to satisfy the mind of any unprejudiced enquirer. It is only from imperfect views and superficial investigation, as well as vicious inclinations, that mankind are made infidels and scepticks. That you may not only have your understanding satisfied upon these momentous subjects, but that God will in his good time, if he has not done so already, exert the saving influences of his grace upon your heart, is the fervent prayer, of your most affectionate and faithful friend,