The Scripture doctrine of predestination, election, and reprobation. Together with five articles of Calvinistic faith. Concluded with A dialogue between a predestinarian and his friend. : [Two lines from Jude]

TO THE PUBLIC.

THE Compiler of the following sheets, sensible that nothing new can be said upon the following intricate doc∣trines of Predestination, Election and Reprobation, has no de∣sign to impose upon the Public—but in a plain, humble and concise manner, republish those doctrines unveiled from that sophistry, art and prolixity, so frequently experienced in mo∣dern publications of this kind, from which the community at large can derive no benefit, for the want of time, education and skill to trace the metaphysical subtilties of Calvinian wri∣ters.

Therefore, that the humble enquirer after the truth as it is in JESUS, may not be lost in the di•• of human controversy, but may be led, by proper motives, right views, upon rational principles, and by the plain declarations of God, to believe, and practice in that unadulterated faith, once delivered to the Saints, the following publication is offered to be tried by the touchstone of Truth. And furthermore, that his fellow citi∣zens may be secured, not only from the errors and violence of sectarists and enthusiasts, but may escape the vortex of in∣fidelity, which, in the present age, like a Go••iah, comes forth defying the SAVIOR of lost men. And painful it is, for the true Christian, to hear "tyrannic dogmas" charged upon Christianity, that have no existence in the oracles of God.— To mention but one instance out of the many we have in a late Deistical publication, from the French of Boulanger;* 1.1 his words are as follows—" The fatalism of the Grecian••, ••as been transformed, in the hands of Christian Priests, in•••• Pre∣destination. According to this tyrannic dogma, the God of mercies has destined the greatest part of mankind to eternal torments. He places them in this world that they, by the abuse of their faculties and liberty, may render themselves worthy of the implacable wrath of their Creator.—"A be∣nevolent and prescient God, gives to man a free will, of which he knows† 1.2 they will make so perverse an use, as to merit eternal damnation."

That this kind of Predestination is the genuine offspring of heathenish fatality, is too obvious to need illustration;‡ 1.3 but it is false, and to the last degree cruel and absurd, when ei∣ther called the dogma or doctrine of the Christian Religion.

And, I pray God to enlighten the minds (of otherwise well m••••ning people) of the followers of Calvin, and other Chris∣tian fatalists, that they may perceive, while they are endea∣voring to unit•• the decrees and fore-knowledge of God, they are rending Christ's seamless vesture in pieces, by destroying the unity of faith, introducing Pagan Theology, opening the flood-gates of Deism, and hastening the awful period, when Christ shall scarce find faith on the earth!

Undoubtedly there will arise objections against this publi∣cation; some will say the quotations are false—that these words were not spoken by these authors, or, at least not in this sense. But this may be easily determined by reading those authors, where they all undeniably stand, and were taken and defended in this sense, throughout the whole trea∣tises, from whence they are taken.* 1.4 Others will say, that modern Divines, upon the Edwardean plan, do not hold nor preach so. (The glaring absurdity of the doctrine, with its fright∣ful consequences▪ is so awful, that many have endeavoured to soften their principles, by the unexplained phrase, "moder∣ate Ca••vinis••s.") But the following quotation from Jonathan Edwards, D. D.‡ 1.5 compared with Mr. Hopkins's System of Di∣vinity, and Doct. West, on Moral Agency, will decide the matter. And, I charitably hope, undeceive the wandering sheep, and bring them home, to the shepherd and bishop of their souls.

"The doctrine of the Divine Decrees, which is that God hath for••-ordained whatsoever comes to pass, is a profitable doct∣rine." "It would seem unaccountable that God should build such a vast structure as that of the created universe, and not fix the scheme of it in his own mind, before he began; but should enter upon it without design, without plan, without system. How could this be reconciled with even human wisdom, much more with divine, which is infinite?† 1.6 If a human architect, about to build, should collect materials of various kinds and dimensions, but should collect them with∣out design and without determining their proper uses and ap∣plications, we should all agree to condemn him either for his ignorance, or his negligence."§ 1.7

Again, page 17. "Nor is the doctrine of total depravity less useful than true."—I observe, he who acknowleges total depravity, and that God fore-ordains whatsoever comes to pass, must acknowledge and believe every assertion hereafter mention∣ed; or deny that causes will produce effects.

But may we all remember that we are but finite creatures, prone to evil, at our best estate but vanity, subject to prejudice and partiality; that we walk by faith, not by sight, seeing as it were through a glass darkly. Then shall we cease from the endless disputes about the Divine Decrees, lay aside the old man, put on the new, and hereafter see also as we are seen. That this may be the happy portion of all, let us lay down our spiritual weapons of hostility, unite in one Faith and Baptism, and with one heart and voice, pray for the one

universal Church, that it may be so guided and governed by the one spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians, may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.

THE COMPILER.

August 20th, 1795.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Entitled, Christianity Unveiled.
• † 1.2

  Nay, fore-ordains that they shall.
• ‡ 1.3

  See the great Palagian controversy, in the 3d century, when Austin first introduced it into the Christian Church, disputing with Palagius.
• * 1.4

  See the Five Articles at the close of the Preface.
• ‡ 1.5

  An Ordination Sermon, preached at Hambden, Con∣necticut, 1792, page 8.
• † 1.6

  It is curious to see the inconsistency of error: at one time these Divines will not admit man's natural reason as any guide in Religion—at another time will appeal to its ac∣knowledged fallibility, to prove the infallibility of God.
• § 1.7

  Permit me to recommend to these gentlemen and others, who reason after this manner, the following texts, Ps. 50.21. Isa. 55.8, 9. Deut. 29.29. Job 11.7, &c.