THE NEW YORK ADVERTERAMENT ·· By the Pub 6 adition of the AFTOR, LENOX AND "RIGHTS OF GOD.” FROM the rapid sale of the three last editions of the "Pights of God," which were all sold some time past-and as there is a demand for another edition of that interesting Work, I have put a new and large one to press. From the great and uncommon patronage afforded the Author's last Works, particularly. the "Celestial Comforter" and " Charms of Benevolence." 4000 copies of which I published last April, and have nearly disposed of them all to a generous public, since that time. I am encouraged to put another large edition of the "Rights of God" to press, confident of a continuation of the public patronage to my friend Mr. Branagan's Works. In the course of a few months, I also intend to publish a large Octavo volume, 500 pages; to precede the "History of my Life:" entitled, Johnson's Selections," in which I intend to introduce copious and beautiful Extracts from the Rights of God," and also the "Beam of Celestial Light. I have my friend Mr. Branagan's permission to take this liberty; for which I return him my sincere and public thanks: and likewise the public in general, both of Philadelphia and New York, and to my friends in particular, I return my respectful acknowledgments for past favours, and hoping for a continuation of the same, I subscribe myself the Publics' most obedient servant, Philadelphia, June 1st, 1815," E. JOHNSON, jr. PREFACE. This compendious work, may with propriety, be considered as a supple-. ment to the "Beauties of Philanthropy." It is intended briefly to demonstrate the ingratitude of man, and the impartiality of divine justice, deducible from profane as well as sacred history. Perhaps six thousand pages would not contain what might be said on the subject; yet, if we vindicate the impartiality of Jehovah to the satisfaction of every candid reader, in 360 pages, it will answer as good a purpose as if we swelled the present performance to six thousand. Finally, to investigate the cause of the destruction of other nations and individuals, in order to avoid their misfortunes, is the most important duty of every intelligent person. And even an attempt to eradicate from the minds of the miserable, their doubts of the impartiality of Jehovah, is most assuredly commendable. No subject can be more interesting to the human family, than the subject of our investigation; because nothing can be more destructive to their happiness in time and eternity, than apprehensions and doubts of the impartiality of Jehovah. Methinks no candid reader can continue to harbour a doubt of the goodness of God, after carefully perusing the present performance. When it is remembered that unbelief, or an unjust idea of the attributes of the Almighty, is the primary cause of the present and eternal destruction of millions of the human family, and that we cannot possibly dishonour God more, than by believing him to be a partial, and consequently an unjust Being-I say, the recollection of these stubborn and melancholy facts, most assuredly will preclude the necessity of apologiZing for a work of this nature. Philadelphia, January, 1808. RIGHTS OF GOD, &c. DEPARTMENT I. A concise view of the degradation and destruction of the most celebrated nations of antiquity, with an investigation of the cause of their downfall. Intended to prove that the same cause will produce the same effects in modern as it did in ancient times. IN order to form a proper estimate of God's generosity and man's degeneracy, it will be necessary, in the first place to view him sitting on his majestic throne, dispensing justice and mercy, impartially, among his intelligent creatures. He is the Almighty law-giver, and he cannot act consistent with himself, and at the same time suffer his laws to be broken with impunity. He has created all the heavenly host, as well as the human family; both of whom are susceptible of grateful sensations, which are the only acceptable 4 returns we can make the great Creator, for the plenitude of his liberality. Indeed, both angels and men have nothing else to return to God for his infinite goodness, but unbounded gratitude, with its fruits and effects. We LOVE HIM, says the apostle, because he first loved us. Now, in the Scriptures, we find, that every man that cometh into this world, is illuminated with a measure of the light of God's spirit. Because, a measure of the Holy Spirit is given to every man to profit witbal. Every rational man, must of course, be capacitated to view in the book of creation and providence, as well as the book of revelation, the amazing goodness and condescension of the supreme Creator. If, therefore, he is possessed with a spark of gratitude, that spark will be kindled to a flame, by contemplating the divine munificence. The light of divine grace will shew us that we are sinners, the smallest particle of gratitude will incline us to come to God, to be cleansed from our impurities, by regeneration; by this means we shall be |