AS I was put upon preaching on this great Subject; so I am satisfied it was at a very seasonable Hour, this Doctrine being greatly struck at by too many Persons, though of different Sentiments in many Points of Religion. And as it was well accepted by you, who heard these Sermons (and the others that followed) when preached; and having been prevailed with to publish these to the World, so I hope some may receive Advantage hereby: Though for the meanness of the Author, and weakness of the Work, they may not meet with that Entertainment from some as the Subject deserves; yet for your sakes whose Souls are committed to my Charge, and for whom I must give Account to the great Shepherd of the Sheep at the last Day, I readily consented to this Publication; as also that all may see that we are in this, and in all other great Fundamentals of Religion, established in the same Faith with our Brethren, and all Sound and Orthodox Christians in the World: And cannot but look upon our selves greatly concerned, to see how Men by Craft and Subtlety endeavour, through Satan's Temptations (though I hope some do it not wittingly) strive to subvert the Gospel of Christ, and corrupt the Minds of weak Christians. An Error in a Fundamental Point, is dangerous and destructive; but should we mistake some Men we have to do with, we should be glad: The Lord help you to stand fast in the Truth, as it is in Jesus (in which through Grace you are well established:) Our Days are perilous; Satan seems to be let loose upon us, and is in great Rage, his Time being but short. Brethren, 'tis a hard Case that any of those who maintain the Old Doctrine of Justification, should be branded with the black Name of Antinomians. As for my part, if Dr. Crisp be not mis-represented by his Opposers, I am not of his Opinion in several respects; but I had rather err on their side, who strive to exalt wholly the Free Grace of God, than on theirs, who seek to darken it and magnify ⟨image 3⟩the Power of the Creature, though we fear the Design is to wound the Truth and us, through that good Man's sides, who, I doubt not is gone to Heaven: O when shall we see that Truth, Peace, and Union longed for!
AS I was put upon preaching on this great Subject; so I am satisfied it was at a very seasonable Hour, this Doctrine being greatly struck at by too many Persons, though of different Sentiments in many Points of Religion. And as it was well accepted by you, who heard these Sermons (and the others that followed) when preach'd; and having been prevail'd with to publish these to the World, so I hope some may receive Advantage hereby: Though for the meanness of the Author, and weakness of the Work, they may not meet with that Entertainment from some as the Subject deserves; yet for your sakes whose Souls are committed to my Charge, and for whom I must give Account to the great Shepherd of the Sheep at the last Day, I readily consented to this Publication; as also that all may see that we are in this, and in all other great Fundamentals of Religion, established in the same Faith with our Brethren, and all Sound aud Orthodox Christians in the World: And cannot but look upon our selves greatly concerned, to see how Men by Craft and Subtilty endeavour, through Satan's Temptations (though I hope some do it not wittingly) strive to subvert the Gospel of Christ, and corrupt the Minds of weak Christians. An Error in a Fundamental Point, is dangerous and destructive; but should we mistake some Men we have to do with, we should be glad: The Lord help you to stand fast in the Truth, as it is in Jesus (in which through Grace you are well established:) Our Days are perillous; Satan seems to be let loose upon us, and is in great Rage, his Time being but short. Brethren, 'tis a hard Case that any of those who maintain the Old Doctrine of Justification, should be branded with the black Name of Antinomians. As for my part, if Dr. Crisp be not mis-represented by his Opposers, I am not of his Opinion in several respects; but I had rather erre on their side, who strive to exalt wholly the Free Grace of God, than on theirs, who seek to darken it and magnifie ⟨image 3⟩the Power of the Creature, though we fear the Design is to wound the Truth and us, through that good Man's sides, who, I doubt not is gone to Heaven: O when shall we see that Truth, Peace, and Vnion longed for!
