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SAMUEL C. LOVELAND,

PREACHER OF THE DOCTRINE OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION,

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AND

REV. JOSEPH LABEREE,

PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY
IN JERICO, VERMONT.

Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord; Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

WINDSOR, VT.

ISAIAH,

PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHER.

A. & W. Spooner, Printers.

1818.

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9246 'L6 ccp. 2

PREFACE BY THE PUBLISHER.

THE Letters that fill the following pages, were intended to contain an investigation of the doctrine of endless misery, compared with that of the salvation of the whole human family. The advocates for each belief, engaged to make the sacred scriptures the criterion of judging, the ground of examination, and the impartial decision of the subject. But in the pursuance of our labors, no concessions have been gained on either side. It is, therefore, submitted to the judgment of the candid reader, which side the scripture appears the most to favor, and which appears the most agreeable to reason and christian experience, from the arguments and scriptures offered, as the advocates for each sentiment have judged for themselves. The subject is thought to be a serious and important one, embracing the interests of every individual. Our views of the character of our glorious and benevolent Creator, must have an influence on our moral conduct, and tend to sweeten or embitter life, according as they approximate to the light of divine truth, or are foreign from this benignant and salutary principle. Hence the spirit of impartiality and free enquiry should ever be cherished in the human breast. The seat of prepossession and the influence of popular re-. ligious tenets, evidently form no small barrier to the progress of truth. From a view of past ages, we see they are as likely to be against the truth as in its favor.

In making these remarks, the publisher would not so much as intimate, that the authors of these letters were altogether free from similar embarrassments; for undoubtedly they are as strongly attached to their respective sentiments, as multitudes that have gone before them. And it would not be a matter of surprise, if the believers of each doctrine, after reading these letters, should have a very unfavourable opinion of the one, who advocated the faith opposite his own. Every sentiment, measured by the opinion of an opponent, to him appears an exaggeration, and un

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