was the fruit of dependence on the Father of Lights for inftruction and preservation from error.

THE whole of his works are now re-printed in Britain, excepting only his Defence of this Treatise, against the Objections of Mr. Solomon Williams. If the prefent performance, which is exceedingly fearce, meets with encouragement, the Publisher intends to print it also

EDINBURGH, May 15, 1790.

THE

AUTHOR's PREFACE.

My appearing in this public manner on that fide

of the question, which is defended in the following fheets, will probably be surprising to many; as it is well known, that Mr. STODDARD, fo great and eminent a divine, and my venerable predeceffor in the paftoral office over the church in Northampton, as well as my own grandfather, publicly and ftrenuously appeared in oppofition to the doctrine here maintained.

However, I hope, it will not be taken amifs, that I think as I do, merely because I herein differ from him, though so much my fuperior, and one whofe name and memory I am under distinguishing obligations, on every account, to treat with great refpect and honour. Efpecially may I justly expect, that it will not be charged on me as a crime, that I do not think in every thing just as he did, fince none more than he himself afferted this fcriptural and Protestant maxim, that we ought to call no man on earth Mafter, or make the authority of the greateft and holiest of mere men the ground of our belief of any doctrine in religion. Certainly we are not obliged to think any man infallible, who himfelf utterly disclaims infallibility. Very juftly Mr. Stoddard obferves in his Appeal to the Learned, p.97.

"All Proteftants agree, that there is no infal"libility at Rome; and I know no body else pre"tends to any, fince the Apostles days." And he infifts, in his preface to his fermon on the fame fubject, That it argues no want of a due refpect in us to our forefathers, for us to examine their opinions. Some of his words in that preface contain a good apology for me, and are worthy to be repeated on this occafion. They are as follows:

"It may poffibly be a fault (fays Mr. Stoddard) "to depart from the ways of our fathers: But it

may alfo be a virtue, and an eminent act of obe"dience, to depart from them in fome things. Men "are wont to make a great noise, that we are bring"ing in innovations, and depart from the old way: "But it is beyond me, to find out wherein the ini"quity does lie. We may fee cause to alter fome "practices of our fathers, without defpifing of them, "without priding ourselves in our wisdom, with"out apoftacy, without abufing the advantages God "has given us, without a spirit of compliance with "corrupt men, without inclinations to fuperfti"tion, without making disturbance in the church "of God: And there is no reafon, that it should "be turned as a reproach upon us. Surely it is ❝ commendable for us to examine the practices of our "fathers; we have no fufficient reason to take prac"tices upon truft from them. Let them have as "high a character as belongs to them; yet we may "not look upon their principles as oracles. NA"THAN himself miffed it in his conjecture about "building the house of God. He that believes prin"ciples because they affirm them, makes idols of

them. And it would be no humility, but bafenefs "of fpirit, for us to judge ourselves incapable to

"examine the principles that have been handed "down to us. If we be by any means fit to open "the mysteries of the gospel, we are capable to judge "of these matters: And it would ill become us, fo "to indulge ourselves in ease, as to neglect the exami"nation of received principles. If the practices of "our fathers in any particulars were miftaken, it is "fit they should be rejected; if they be not, they "will bear examination. If we be forbidden to ex"amine their practice, that will cut off all hopes "of reformation."

Thus, in thefe very seasonable and appofite fayings, Mr. STODDARD, though dead, yet fpeaketh: And here (to apply them to my own cafe) he tells me, that I am not at all blameable, for not taking bis principles on truft; that notwithstanding the high character justly belonging to him, I ought not to look on his principles as oracles, as though he could not miss it, as well as NATHAN himself in his conjecture about building the house of God; nay, furely that I am even to be commended, for examining his practice, and judging for myfelf; that it would ill become me, to do otherwife; that this would be no manifeftation of humility, but rather fhew a bafenefs of fpirit; that if I be not capable to judge for myself in thefe matters, I am by no means fit to open the myfteries of the gospel; that if I fould believe his principles, because he advanced them, I fhould be guilty of making him an idol.-Alfo he tells his and my flock, with all others, that it ill becomes them, fo to indulge their eafe, as to neglect examining of received principles and practices; and that it is fit, miftakes in any particulars be rejected: That if in fome things I differ in my judgment from him, it would be very unreafonable, on this account to make a great noife, as

though I were bringing in innovations, and departing from the old way that I may fee caufe to alter fome practices of my grandfather and predeceffor, without defpifing him, without priding myself in my wifdom, without apoftacy, without defpifing the advantages God has given me, without inclination to fuperftition, and without making diflurbance in the church of God; in fhort, that it is beyond him, to find out wherein the iniquity of my fo doing lies; and that there is no reafon why it fhould be turned as a reproach upon me. Thus, I think, he fufficiently vindicates my conduct in the prefent cafe, and warns all with whom I am concerned, not to be at all difpleafed with me, or to find the leaft fault with me, merely because I examine for myfelf, have a judgment of my own, and am for practising in fome particulars different from him, how pofitive, foever he was that his judgment and practice were right. It is reasonably hoped and expected, that they who have a great regard to his judgment, will impartially regard his judgment, and hearken to his admonition in these things.

I can feriously declare, that an affectation of making a fhew as if I were fomething wifer than that excellent perfon, is exceeding diftant from me, and very far from having the leaft influence in my appearing to oppofe, in this way of the prefs, an opinion which he so earnestly maintained and promoted. Sure I am I have not affected to vary from his judgment, nor in the least been governed by a spirit of contradiction, neither indulged a cavilling humour, in remarking on any of his arguments or expreffions.

I have formerly been of his opinion, which I imbibed from his books, even from my childhood,