THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.

TO THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST, AMONG WHOM I LABOR AT PROVIDENCE CHAPEL-AT MONKWELL STREET CHAPEL AND AT RICHMOND IN SURRY; PEACE BE MULTIPLIED. Dear Brethren and Sisters in Faith:

LEARNING or eloquence you know I have none, but such as I have, give I you. I here present you with the Arminian Skeleton, together with an account of the anatomizing of Arminius, which I hope God will own and bless to you. I am quite aware of all the envenomed artillery which Malice is likely to discharge from her quiver; I sat down, and counted the cost before I began to build; and found, upon a proper computation, that it amounts to no more than this, "That which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God." "God is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do unto

me?"

I have written what I believe in my conscience to be the truth and the lip of truth shall be established in the earth, though ten thousand set themselves against it. And a lying tongue is but for a moment, though all the world support it. I have endeavored, in some things, to imitate young Elihu with Job; that is, not to accept any man's person, nor give flattering titles to man, lest my Maker should take me away.

*

I know some of you, who are simple souls, but rather nearsighted, would like it better if there were more smooth things, a softer language, and less fiery zeal in it. To which I answer, though some uprigat men may be astonished at this, yet the innocent is to stir up himself against the hypocrite. I ought not to aim at men-pleasing, Christ alone is my Master; it is to him I look for my wages, and by him I must stand or fall. The divinity and the language I got on my knees in answer to prayer, and by the mere dint of hard study; and when you have read it through, I am ready to appeal to your conscience, whether the doctrine and experience be from heaven or of men. If it † Job xvii. 8.

*Job xxxii. 21, 22,

be of men, the Arminians will love it, though it is sure to come to nought; but if it be of God, they will bate it though it cannot be overthrown.

This I am sure of, the doctrines which I have written are not after man; for I learned them not of man, neither was 1 taught them, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For I had been some months in the glorious liberty of the gospel Before I went to bear the gospel at all; and from this consideration I am warmly attached to the blessed tuition of that great prophet of the church, Christ Jesus my Lord; and do most heartily acquiesce with pious Job, in his confession and question, Behold, God exalteth his power; who teacheth like him? *

Some may say, it is presumptuous in such a babe as I, to take so capital an error by the collar. To which I answer, God sometimes; out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, ordains strength to perfect praise, that he may still the mouth of the avenger. But perhaps my reader is one of that stamp, that has an hope of all the world being saved, whether they hold the truth or a lie. If thy faith is thus founded, its basis is nothing but falsehood, and God will sweep away the refuges of lies, and the waters shall overflow such hiding-places. ‡ Take beed therefore lest thou shouldest be drowned in destruction and perdition. Such a false hope, and such a gospel, is all thine own-it never came from God. If thy soul had suffered under the severity of the law, as some have, and thy deliverance from guilt and wrath had come to thy heart, by faith in Christ's atonement, the same Spirit that wrought faith in thee would have led thee into the truth of God's election, that God might have all the glory, and boasting be excluded. if this be thy blessed experience, thou wilt be valiant for the truth; and, as a good soldier of Christ, fight the good fight of faith, and contend for that faith which was once delivered to the saints. But if thy religion be taken upon trust only, and it is a matter of indifference with thee what thou art established in, truth or error, thy religion has no root at all in Christ; thou wouldest sell all for less than thirty pieces of silver; yea, for one morsel of bread thou wouldest transgress; for thy faith stands in the wisdom of men, not in the power of God-and therefore thy faith cannot be genuine, nor its basis firm.

* Job xxxvi. 22. Isa. xxviii 17.

† Ks. viii. 2. Matt. xxi..16.