A DEFENCE OF PARTICULAR REDEMPTION; WHEREIN THE DOCTRINE OF THE LATE MR. FULLER, RELATIVE TO THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, IS TRIED BY THE WORD OF GOD. IN FOUR LETTERS TO A BAPTIST MINISTER. ACCOMPANIED BY A FRONTISPIECE OF THE BELIEVER'S GOLDEN CHAIN:-THE CHAIN OF SALVATION. NEW-YORK: RE-PUBLISHED, FROM THE LONDON EDITION BY JOSEPH SPENCER, M DCCC XXXIV. BX 6334 187 1834 PREFACE. SOME reasons may be expected for the re-publication of this work, and though the title may appear objectionable, or the attempt to refute the sentiments of a pious pastor, or much esteemed Christian friend, may be offensive; or, any objections made to the opinions of a favourite author may be extremely painful; yet it is fondly hoped that candour, love of truth, and respect for the word of God, may so ope rate that prejudice may be laid aside, and fervent prayer ascend to God for the influences of his Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth as it is in Christ Jesus. Without this the capacious mind of a Locke or a Newton, the ingenuity and piety of a Bunyan, the eloquence of an Apollos, the love of a John, or the powerful preaching of a Paul, would neither enlighten the mind, or improve the heart. The motives for the appearance of this work are these; for more than thirty years, it is presumed, some thoughtful believers have, with much anxiety, watched the progress of Christianity and Infidelity in this city, and are led to the painful conclusion, that the doctrine of a general or indefinite atonement, or that sin was atoned for in the abstract, has been the prolific source or fountain from whence arguments have been, and are drawn, designed to support those delusive errors embraced and propagated by Universalists, Unitarians, Arians, and Deists; and thus have the depraved hearts of poor sinners been hardened, their eyes blinded, and they have been lulled into a fatal security, while strangers to a change of heart and the love of Christ Jesus. Some of God's dear children may take no interest in this work, assigning as a reason, "We are not fond of controversy;" but ought we not to remember the exhortation, Contend ear. nestly for the faith once delivered to the saints," and is it not possible that this plea was also used by the poor deluded opponents of Martin Luther at the Reformation? Again; some may say, "We do not like the spirit of the author, he seems to be so severe against his opponent; " but we should remember the inspired Apostle said, "Rebuke them sharply," and he even withstood the Apostle Peter to the face. Others may say, "The author is opposed to missionary exertions;" but if such will examine his work, and compare it with the word of God, it will be found, that he is only opposed to missionary errors, or the strange fire which is taken to the altar of the Lord. Some may suppose he is unfriendly to learning, and a well-educated ministry; but if they candidly peruse his work, or inquire into his charac ter, they will find that he is a friend both to literature and science, as also to theological studies, though strenuously opposed to those blind guides, who are taught to preach by mere human agency, without the influences of the Holy Spirit to qualify them for the important work. Others may imagine that he is opposed altogether to the Gospel ministry, but there are living witnesses in this city who can testify to the contrary from personal knowledge of the author. Some may suppose his reflections are too severe on the titles assumed by, or given to those who profess to preach the Gospel. Primitive christians were satisfied with the title of "Elder," Jews with that of "Doctor," or "Rabbi," but Jesus said to his disciples, "Be ye not called Rabbi or Master." The fact of antichrist's having stolen. |