Animadversions on Mr. William Dells book intituled The crucified and quickned Christian. By Humfry Chambers, D.D. Pastor of Pewsy in the county of Wilts. Novemb. vicessimo, 1652. Imprimatur John Owen Vicecan. Oxon.

To Mr. WILLIAM DELL, Master of GONVIL and CAIUS Colledge in CAMBRIDGE.

Mr. Dell,

NOt out of any itch which I have to put my self under the scratching of this way-ward wrangling age, nor out of a de∣sire to be seen at this time wherein (were it not for conscience of duty) I should prefer a Cave in a wildernesse with bread and water, above any pallace and provisions which I know in this low world, nor out of a conceit of sufficiency duly to mannage points of difference and dif∣ficulty in matter of Religion, wherein no man knoweth more of my weaknesse then my self: But out of love to the everlasting truth of God, which if I much mistake not, is generally clouded, and I fear in some places con∣tradicted in your book; I have been induced in the face of many discouragements to expose these Animadversions on the same to publike view. In so doing I do not know that I have given you any just cause of offence, seeing you, and I, and all that pretend to be the servants of Christ, have warrant upon no other terms in word or writing to tender doctrines unto others, then as unto wise men who are to judge what we say, and proving all things, to hold fast that which is good. * 1.1 A faithful ser∣vant of God now at rest, lying upon his sick, and as it

proved his death bed, being much disquieted with your book, put it into my hands, who before had never seen it or heard of it, and desired me to make some short notes upon it, and communicate them to him who was then by reason of his bodily infirmity unable to compose his own thoughts. * 1.2 I answered his desire in part before he died, since which time, considering as you testifie that several good men desired the publishing of your doctrine, and being assured that the ultimate doctrine of your book which seems to me very contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godlinesse, namely concerning the subsist∣ing of believers spoiled of all proper personality in them∣selves, in the nature and person of the Son of God, hath been lately preached by another in a large congregation, in words much like yours, if not the same; and seeing how ready many high professours of Religion in our dayes are to swallow novelties without chewing, which breed∣eth strange crudities, and causeth such stupendious put∣ting of darknesse for light, and light for darknesse; of bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter: I resolved through the strength of God, to go through your book, and weigh it at the ballance of the Scripture, with a firm purpose to give all the allowance to your words which rea∣son and charity could call for; and if I found them con∣sonant to the word of God, then to sit still, if otherwise, to give publike warning to Gods people, to try before they trust your new doctrine: In prosecution of this resoluti∣on, I have now published these Animadversions on your book; If you or any other, shall shew me that I have erred in them from the rule of truth or love, I here bind my self to make a thankful, and (if it be desired) a pub∣like acknowledgement of so great a favour, conceiving it a great mercy when God bringeth any one unfeinedly to

the honourable duty of a just retractation, and knowing that errour in print unretracted, may do unspeakable mischief to succeeding generations, when the Author thereof is dead and rotten. Sir, I thought fit thus far to give you an account of the true reason of my underta∣king, in the composing and publishing of those Animad∣versions on your book. The good Lord reduce us where either of us erre, and confirm us where we go aright; and teach us to triunph in our own lessnings, whilst the truth of God is exalted. So prayeth he who is

Desirous to meet you in the truth, love, life, and king∣dom of Jesus Christ, Humfry Chambers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Cor. 10.15.
• * 1.2

  Mr. Henry Scuddar.