ADVERTISEMENT CONCERNING THE SECOND EDITION. ITis no little pains that I have taken to review this book since it was printed, as well as many years before : I have read also what has been published in opposition to it, and I would ever keep mymind in such a temper, as is ready to receive the truth from every quarter, and learn my mistakes in order to amend them. But I am not yet convinced of any errors in the general doctrines here maintained; nor does my heart tell me, that my representation of the wretched state of mankind in its present degenerate circumstances exceeds the troth. It is byno means true, which some have imagined, that a retire- ment from the world, and dwelling much among my own solitary thoughts and old authors, hate led me into these melancholy and dismal apprehensions of mankind: But it is my free and pubic converse with the world in my earlier and more sprightly parts of life, have given me these just and dis- tressful views of all the race of Adam. Daily observation in riper years continues to assure, that there is much more folly, sin, and misery among men, than I have described: Hereby my proofand evidence of some original and criminal degeneracy of the creature grows brighter and stronger, since these mischiefs could not arise merely front the immediate hand of God, as a righteous and merciful Creator. .. This scripturaldoctrine of original sinhas engaged my pen, because, in my opinion, it has a most extensive and powerful influence on several parts of practical godliness; I think a deep senseof it lays the best foundation of our submission to those blessed doctrines of grace, which make up so great a part of the gospel of, Christ. It is this article which humbles and abases the pride of man, and brings him to disclaim all self -sufficiency, and to lieat the foot of God. It is this makes him poor in spirit, and renders him constantly a dependant and supplicant for divine grace. This leads him out of himself to Christ for righteousness, wisdom, and strength, as well as excites loin to amore fervent gratitude for every blessing of soul and body. it is this doc- trine that powerfully forbids those vicious passions of self-admidation, and scorn of our neighbour, and as strongly inclines us to christian compassion. It softens our hearts to pity and relieve each other in the various distresses of flesh or spirit, since we are all by nature under the same condemnation and misery. Whensoever I see this doctrine of original sin rejected and renounced, there is sufficient reason from many observations, toexpect the gloriesof the gospel will in the same proportion be depreciated, neglected and despised: If we are all born still is our original state of nature and innocency, the abounding grace and- salvation of Christ Jesus does not seem no very neces- sary for us; if it was but a little bruise we suffered by the fall of Adam, a , little grace may heal us. Nor shall I wonder to see any man by degrees run entirely into deism, who scornfully abandons this truth. I confess I take this article to be of such eminent importance in our holy prolession, as bespeaks our solicitous regards ; though a late author, with whom I have now to do, calls it, " one of the greatest absurdities in all the system of corrupt religion." rg
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