2. A short time since, the doctrine of infant damnation was sometimes preached, generally believed, and universally feared, among limitarian Predestinarians. The most that I recollect to have heard said in favor of unbaptized infants, was, "We must not pry into secrets, but leave them in the hands of a merciful and just God." But Calvinism has been so materially improved, that infant damnation is discarded, and we are accused of "slander," if we say it was ever maintained. But very few hold even to infant depravity and sinfulness, and none to their annihilation or endless misery.

3. The doctrine of "election and reprobation," according to the Westminster Catechism, was taught generally since our remembrance, and the ninth chapter of Romans was quoted as proof to the point; where it is written, "God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." And the saying, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated," was adduced to prove, that "some were elected to everlasting life, and others reprobated to endless death" and dying, without any regard to their moral characters. But, who now hears any such thing? You can hardly get a chance to read it, in the old systems which are becoming obsolete, if not so covered with dust, as to be hardly recognizable, as the soul-torturing inventions of Augustine, Calvin, Hopkins, Edwards, Emmons, and others. Though the skeleton of the old theory is retained in modern creeds, yet the alterations and additions have been so great, that what was rank heresy and Arminianism, forty, thirty, or even twenty years ago, is reckoned as Calvin

2. A short time since, the doctrine of infant damnation was sometimes preached, generally believed, and universally feared, among limitarian Predestinarians. The most that I recollect to have heard said in favor of unbaptized infants, was, "We must not pry into secrets, but leave them in the hands of a merciful and just God." But Calvinism has been so materially improved, that infant damnation is discarded, and we are accused of "slander," if we say it was ever maintained. But very few hold even to infant depravity and sinfulness, and none to their annihilation or endless misery.

3. The doctrine of "election and reprobation," according to the Westminster Catechism, was taught generally since our remembrance, and the ninth chapter of Romans was quoted as proof to the point; where it is written, "God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." And the saying, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated," was adduced to prove, that "some were elected to everlasting life, and others reprobated to endless death" and dying, without any regard to their moral characters. But, who now hears any such thing? You can hardly get a chance to read it, in the old systems which are becoming obsolete, if not so covered with dust, as to be hardly recognizable, as the soul-torturing inventions of Augustine, Calvin, Hopkins, Edwards, Emmons, and others. Though the skeleton of the old theory is retained in modern creeds, yet the alterations and additions have been so great, that what was rank heresy and Arminianism, forty, thirty, or even twenty years ago, is reckoned as Calvin

salists are under great obligations; and if the word of reconciliation reigns in the soul, they will endeavor to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." And now, to conclude, let me enjoin it upon you, my kind friend, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, "to let your light shine before men, that others, beholding your good works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven." If you have faith in the salvation of all men, then indeed are you happy, compared with those whose hearts have been pierced with the doctrine of endless misery. But your faith must be accompanied with good works, or, being alone, it will perish and die within you. Let me "beseech you, then, by the mercies of God, that you present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." In a word; if you believe in "the great and precious promises of God," then "give all diligence to add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you neither to be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Inq. You may rest assured, faithful friend, that it will be my constant endeavor to let my life and "conversation be, as becometh the gospel of Christ." And, although I may continue to

salists are under great obligations; and if the word of reconciliation reigns in the soul, they will endeavor to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." And now, to conclude, let me enjoin it upon you, my kind friend, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, "to let your light shine before men, that others, beholding your good works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven." If you have faith in the salvation of all men, then indeed are you happy, compared with those whose hearts have been pierced with the doctrine of endless misery. But your faith must be accompanied with good works, or, being alone, it will perish and die within you. Let me "beseech you, then, by the mercies of God, that you present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." In a word; if you believe in "the great and precious promises of God," then "give all diligence to add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you neither to be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Inq. You may rest assured, faithful friend, that it will be my constant endeavor to let my life and "conversation be, as becometh the gospel of Christ." And, although I may continue to

INDEX OF SUBJECTS,

In addition to the Contents, preceding each Conversation.

A God all mercy, a God unjust?

Accountability and moral agency,

Adam died in the day of sinning,

Age-lasting judgment, "eternal damnation,"

Albigences and Waldenses,

36, 37
77

200

44, 45

250

Belief and disbelief,

of the wicked,

Balfour's, Rev. W., First Inquiry, (Note,) 156

Ballou Rev. H., Notes on Parables,

Baptist minister, conversation with,

Believers saved, and how,

144

$90

187

131