Apostolical Preaching Considered in an Examination of St. Paul's Epistles (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. ON PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION. Part I. On Predestination. In making predestination the first subject of my inquiry, I am not influenced by the authority of the powerful reasoner who built up from this foundation the system of theology known by his name. The example of our own Church has a higher claim to imitation; who, in her Articles, considers this doctrine separately, as a speculation distinct from the essential points of the Christian faith. In this, too, she has only followed the superior authority of St. Paul; who in the most systematic and doctrinal of all his Epistles, does not enter upon predestination as a fundamental article, nor introduce it till he has discussed the subjects of natural corruption, grace, and justification. From this example the conduct of Calvin and the divines at Dort makes a remarkable variation. But in the present case, it seems proper to set out from this point, because, if predestination is preached by St. Paul, and ought to be preached by those who profess to follow him, this will at once decide most of the other disputable questions. If the Almighty had no other purpose in creating mankind than the display of his own glory; if the eternal condition of every individual was decreed immutably before the foundation of the world; or even if the sacrifice of Christ extended to the elect alone, and the rest of mankind remain under the imputation of Adam's sin; there need be no farther dispute concerning the degree of human corruption, or the power and efficacy of grace; and the only interest which the Scriptures retain, will be to furnish matter of inquiry into the mode which God has employed in accomplishing the purpose of his sovereign will. It is necessary to premise, that I shall not attempt to fathom the de...