which, in the same ratio, impede its progress, and deprive mankind of those blessing, which its wider diffusion would impart. One principal reason of the existence and perpetuation of what is here complained of, perhaps is, that each party has some leader, creed, or confession of faith, which it has set up as the infallible standard of truth, which all must acknowledge, and to which all must subscribe, who would share in its communion and privileges. And thus freedom of opinion, and freedom of inquiry, have been interdicted by authority, in each of the sections into which the church is divided. Under such a state of things, it will be next to impossible for the scattered fragments of truth to be collected, arranged, and presented to public view, as a beautiful and harmonious whole.

Should the present attempt he found to contribute, in any measure, towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object, the writer's principal aim will be answered.

A different fate, however, may await the work which is here submitted to the judgement of the public; for, "The man who presumes to think, to speak, or to act, differently from the generality, even in matters of singular importance to the common good, is looked upon as an unsocial savage being, who separating himself from his species, is entitled to no share of their regard and affection. It is well, if he is not exposed to the severest effects of resentment and hatred." Brown's Natural

Equality of Men.

Kirby-Moorside, February, 1844.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ON THE NECESSITY OF THE ATONEMENT.

SECT. I. Man is a sinner, and needs forgiveness.

SECT. II. Men are not sinners merely because Adam was

a sinner; or, in other words, the sin of Adam is not

imputed to his posterity

SECT. III. Mankind do not derive a sinful and depraved

nature from Adam, or from their more immediate

ancestors.

SECT. IV. The universal pollution, and depravation of

mankind, arise from actual disobedience, or rebellion

against God, originating with every individual of the

species; and can be accounted for only, from a con-

sideration of the order in which the animal and ra-

tional powers are developed; and from the fact that

man is a free agent.

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1

8

12

71

SECT. V. Sin cannot be pardoned without an atonement

SECT. VI. Had no atonement been made for sin, Adam

must have been cut off for his first transgression

SECT. VII. Since the first act of disobedience was com-

mitted in Paradise, Adam and all his posterity have

existed under a new dispensation

89

97

108

SECT. VIII. Under the new dispensation, all the poster-

ity of Adam owe their existence to redemption, as

truly as Adam owed his to creation.

SECT. IX. Since all the descendants of Adam are

brought into existence through the atonement of

Christ, it follows, that the existence of every man

must be a blessing or favour

SECT. X. If the existence of all men, under the new dis-

pensation, be a blessing or favour, it must be granted

that they really possess the means of happiness

through the whole duration of their being

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116

118

CHAPTER II.

ON THE NATURE OF THE ATONEMENT.

Preliminary

128

SECT. I. After the law of Paradise had been broken, it

was not possible for any being, except the transgres-

sor himself, literally and fully, to suffer the penalty

which the justice of God required; nor, to suffer

what was equivalent to it, without undergoing the

sentence of eternal damnation

SECT. II. It cannot be maintained that Christ endured

the whole penalty of the law, or the full amount of

punishment due to the guilty, without involving the

subject in the utmost confusion and improprieties

SECT. III. Christ suffered temporal death in the stead of

Adam and all his posterity

SECT. IV. The death of Christ fully displayed the glory

of God, and vindicated the honour of his righteous

government in the grant of pardon to penitent

sinners

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137

153

161

CHAPTER III.

ON THE DESIGN OF THE ATONEMENT.

Preliminary

SECT. I. The design or object of the atonement was to

arrest or suspend the stroke of justice, and to procure

for the violators of God's holy law, an opportunity of

repentance and salvation, under a dispensation of

unparalled forbearance and favour

SECT. II. The atonement which the redeemer made for

human transgression, was not only designed to ben-

efit the whole human family, but does really confer

upon them the benefit designed

206

215

Secr. III. Forgiveness is an act of Almighty God, where-

by he remits the penalty due to the transgressor, on

his compliance with certain conditions set forth in

the Divine proclamation of mercy to a guilty world. 236

SECT. IV. Holiness or Sanctification, in general terms,

consists in obedience to the will of God, according

to the capacity and advantages of the individual; or

in other words, "He that doeth righteousness is

righteous."

261