"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the "If ye know that He righteous, ye know that every one that doeth PREFACE. IT may not be improper for the author to shew a reasonable ground for what may be called a high presumption, to bring forward an opinion in the following sheets, which he is fully aware differs in several most essential points from that of many great and most learned men, whose peculiar province has been to study theological subjects, wherein the greatest learning and most profound reason have been engaged; and, as a layman, may be said to have assumed more than he can strictly justify. He must confess, all writers upon a subject of such serious and momentous nature as theology, must unquestionably incur a great responsibility, and should be most careful in bringing forward an opinion, that may either bring doubt or discredit to a most holy religion, which he considers the Christian Religion to be, or tend to subvert opinions long, reasonably, and soundly founded upon the doctrines or tenets of Christianity. Should the author, unadvisedly or ignorantly, have subjected himself to a charge of this nature, the only apology he has to offer is, that it has not been intentional, and has arisen from not having those opportunities to correct his error which others have, whose particular duties or habits have been to study theological subjects more deeply and closely than his avocations in life will permit him, from the necessary attention he is obliged to give to secular affairs. Should an apology be wanting, he has to hope the above will be deemed a good and sufficient ground for its acceptance; but at the same time he has to declare, that his greatest attention has been given, and the greatest caution used, not to venture to broach any principle or tenet, except such as he conceives he is most fully supported and borne out in by the infallible authority of Scripture; being convinced a real Christian can have no other standard, as the only sure and certain guide to bring him to truth; and by that standard, and that standard only, he relies, he shall be able to stand, and firmly establish and make good the ground he has dared to travel over. He cannot refrain from adverting to one particular tenet that he has ventured to bring forward, differing from a very general opinion, which cannot be denied has prevailed very generally for many ages; but any opinion that is erroneous, cannot be made right from time, prescription will not prevail in theology however it may in law. The tenet alluded to is, whether faith necessarily produces good works? or whether they invariably spring from faith? which must be deemed of the greatest and deepest importance in the Christian religion, and particularly as to a rightful knowledge of a most interesting part of Christianity, the doctrine of faith. It must be acknowledged, there has been a very general admission by theologians, that faith produces good works; those who have not admitted the principle to its fullest extent, have touched lightly upon the subject, such as noticing the aptitude there may be in faith to produce good works*; that faith may exist without works; "that there is no necessary con * See Hammond's Practical Catechism, p. 48. + Bishop Tomline's Ref. p. 119. |