An essay in which the doctrine of a positive divine efficiency exciting the will of men to sin, as held by some modern writers, is candidly discussed, and shewn to be 1. Unphilosophical. 2. Inconsistent with the plain and obvious sense of the Holy Scriptures, and of course a departure from the simplicity of the gospel; and 3. A novel doctrine, utterly repugnant to the faith of the Christian church in all past ages