THE

AUTHOR's PREFACE.

I Shall not need to detain the Reader, with an ac

count of the nature and importance of that doctrine, which is the fubject of the following difcourfe; for though various ideas of it are entertained among us, yet, that the knowledge of the truth therein, is of great importance to the fouls of men, is univerfally admitted. Indeed, it is impoffible, that any one, who knows himself to be a finner, and therefore obnoxious to the judgment of God, fhould not defire some acquaintance with it, in order to his deliverance. There are, I confefs, multitudes in the world, who, though they cannot avoid fome general convictions of fin and the effects of it, yet fortify their minds against the practical admission of fuch conclufions, as, in a juft confideration of things, unavoidably follow: Wilfully deluding themselves with vain hopes and imaginations, they never feriously inquire how they may obtain peace with God, which, compared with the pleasures of fin, they value not And it is in vain to recommend the

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doctrine of Juftification to perfons who neither defire nor endeavour to be justified. But thofe who are really fenfible of their apoftafy from God, of the evil of their nature and lives, with the dreadful confequences of fin, in the wrath of God and eternal punishment, cannot but feel themfelves deeply concerned to know that divine way in which they may be delivered from their prefent dangerous condition; nor will they require arguments to convince them of the importance of this doctrine; their own concern in it being fufficient for that purpose. And I fhall affure them, that in the management of this fubject, from first to laft, my grand defign has been to inquire into the divine revelation of that way, in which the conscience of a diftreffed finner may attain affured peace with God, through our Lord Jefus Chrift. I lay more weight upon the fteady direction of one foul in this inquiry, than upon the confutation of twenty wrangling difputants. The queftion therefore, to this purpose being stated, as the reader will find in the Introduction, though it was thought necessary to spend some time in the explication of the doctrine, and the terms wherein it is usually taught, yet the main weight of the whole is placed in the interpretation of Scripture Teftimonies, with their application to the experience of believers, and the state of those who are feeking falvation by Jefus Chrift. There are, therefore, a few things, which I defire the reader to notice, that he may receive benefit by the enfuing difcourfe. 1. Though

1. Though there are, at prefent, various contefts about the doctrine of Juftification, and many controverfial writings publifhed concerning it; yet this difcourfe was not compofed with a defign to contend with, or contradict, any of them. A few paffages, indeed, which have that tendency, are occafionally inferted; but they are fuch as every candid reader will judge to have been neceflary. I have afcribed no opinion to any particular perfon, much lefs wrefted the words of any, reflected on their perfons, cenfured their abilities, taken advantage of prefumed prejudices against them, or reprefented their fentiments in the deformed reflections of strained confequences. To declare and vindicate the truth, for the inftruction and edification of fuch as love it in fincerity; to extricate their minds from thofe difficulties in this particular inftance, which fome endeavour to caft on all gospel myfteries; to direct the confciences of those who are feeking peace with God; and to eftablish the hearts of those who believe, are the objects at which I have aimed. And an endeavour to this end, confidering all circumstances, and that station which God hath been pleafed to give me in the Church, appeared neceffary to me.

2. I have written nothing but what I believe to be true, and adapted to the promotion of gospel obedience. The reader must not expect an extract of other men's notions, nor a collection and improve

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improvement of their arguments; but a fimple inquiry into the nature of the things treated of, as revealed in the Scripture, and as evidencing themfelves in their power and efficacy on the minds of believers. The practical direction of the consciences of men in their application to God by Jefus Chrift, for deliverance from the curfe of the law and peace with him, together with the influence of the truth in univerfal evangelical obedience, is the fingle object to be aimed at in handling this doctrine: and therefore, whoever would treat of it in a proper manner, fhould weigh whatever he afferts, in his own mind and experience; and not dare to propose that to others, which he doth not himself abide by, in the most intimate receffes of his mind; in his nearest approaches to God; in his furprifals with danger; in deep afflictions; in his preparations for death; and most humble contemplations of the infinite distance between God and himself. Other notions and difputations about the doctrine of Juftification, not seasoned with these ingredients, however fuited to the palates of fome, by fkill and language, are infipid, and useless, immediately degenerating into an unprofitable ftrife of words.

3. I am aware that the doctrine for which we plead, is charged, by many, with an unfriendly afpect towards the neceffity of holiness and good works; yea, utterly deftructive of it. So it was, at the first clear re velation of it, by the Apostle Paul, as he frequent

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ly declares. But it is fufficiently evinced by him, to be the chief principle of, and motive to, all acceptable obedience. It is admitted, that the ob jective grace of the Gospel, in the doctrine of it, is liable to abuse, where there is nothing of the subjective grace of it in the heart. So it was charged by the Papists, at the Reformation: Yet, as it gave occafion to the Reformation itself, fo was it that by which the fouls of men being liberated from innumerable superstitious fears and observances, and directed into the way of peace with God, were made fruitful in real holiness, abounding in all those bleffed effects of the life of God, which were never found among their adversaries.

The fame charge was afterwards renewed by the Socinians, who ftill continue to make it. But I fuppofe that wife and impartial men will not lay much stress on their accufations, until they have manifested the efficacy of their contrary persuasion by better effects than they have hitherto produced *.

Whereas, therefore, the whole Gofpel is "the truth which is after godlinefs," declaring and exhibiting that "grace of God, which teacheth us to deny all ungodlinefs and wordly lufts, and to live foberly, and righteously, and godly, in this world;"

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* The comparative tendency of Calviniftic and Socinian fentiments, has lately been confidered in a masterly manner, by the Rev. Andrew Fuller, in a feries of Letters addreffed to the Friends of vital and practical Religion, entitled, The Calviniftic and Socinian Systems examined and compared. -Sold by Button and Mathews, London. (Edit.)