02.0000. The Introduction

THE INTRODUCTION THE Author of a Book which bears the Title of The Ruin and Recovery of Mankind, is of Opinion, That GOD hath chosen a certain Number of Men to everlasting Life; and that they shall infallibly be saved thro’ the Merits and Righteousness of CHRIST. It is not to be doubted, but that the unalterable Love of GOD to the Elect, and their final Happiness, as a certain Effect thereof, are Truths which appear to this Writer with the brightest Evidence. Since he is also of Opinion, that Men universally are interested in CHRIST’S Death; that all are brought into a salvable State; or, that thro’ the superabundant Merit of our Saviour, a conditional Provision of Salvation is made for every Man without Exception. The Gentleman discovers a very great Satisfaction in this Scheme, (if it will bear that Name, and he likes it should be so called) because, as he apprehends, peculiar Advantages attend it far beyond the Calvinistical and Arminian Schemes, neither of which, as he conceives, are clearly and fully consistent with the Scriptures. As this Scheme secures the eternal Salvation of the whole Number of the Elect, it also provides for the Happiness of All; and therefore the Author thinks, that the Calvinist may be fully satisfied with it, and the Arminian likewise. The Calvinist may, because it expresses the Whole of his Sentiments concerning the everlasting Security of GOD’s Chosen and the Arminian has no just Reason to be dissatisfied with it; because, according to this Opinion, GOD in his immense Goodness really wills, and has provided conditionally for the Felicity of ALL. Those for whom Happiness is in a conditional Manner designed, suffer nothing by the effectual Provision which is made for the Elect: And on the other Hand, such as are chosen to eternal Life, are not brought into a State of the least Uncertainty by GOD’s Intention to save Some who never may be, nay, it is certain, who never will be saved. The ingenious Author suspects, that those who disapprove of this Scheme, are ill-natured, and love not their Neighbour as themselves. The Reasoning in his Book would have lost Nothing of its Beauty and Force, if he had spared this Reflection. I humbly hope we want not Compassion to our Fellow-Creatures, but we would not be led by Pity to Men into any Principles that are dishonourable to the divine Perfections, eversive of CHRIST’S Satisfaction, and which in Reality leave them under an Impossibility of Salvation, notwithstanding GOD intended their Happiness; all which necessarily follow upon his Sentiments, as may hereafter appear. This Work will consist of four Parts: In the First I shall endeavour to prove the limited Extent of the Death of CHRIST, and the certain Salvation of all those for whom he died. In the Second, the Objections which are usually urged by the Arminians, and others, will be answered. In the Third shall attempt to prove the Impossibility of the Salvation of the Non-Elect, upon the Supposition of no other than a conditional Provision of Salvation being made for them. In the Fourth Part shall attend to what he delivers on the Subjects of the Imputation of original Sin to Men, the Charge of Sin on CHRIST, and the Imputation of his Righteousness to his People.