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INTRODUCTION.

THE object of this compilation is threefold. First. To bear, in this age of scepticism and infidelity, when many are swerving from the Christian faith, a public testimony to the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, and to the benefits derived to mankind thereby.

Secondly, To remove from the Society of which I am a member, the suggestions and imputations of unsoundness in this great point of Christian doctrine, which have at times been cast upon it.

Thirdly, To manifest, by clear and in. disputable testimonies, to such of our own members as have not maturely considered the subject, what our uniform and acknow Hedged principles are; that they may be the more upon their guard against any per sons, W ho may endeavour to draw them from the stability of faith.

It appears to me to be a time, wherein true believers in Christ, of all denominations, should unite in the support of our holy religion; but whilst we are carefully endeavouring to maintain the Truth as it is

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in Jesus, and even willing to contend, when occasion requires, for that faith, which was once delivered to the saints, let us also be especially careful to adorn the gospel of Christ with a consistent conduct, regulated by that grace and truth which are come by Him, in whom we all profess to believe. Without this we bear but a very imperfect testimony to the superior excellence of the gospel dispensation, give its enemies an opportunity to defame it, and prove ourselves to be like the foolish builder upon the sandy foundation, to whom our blessed Redeemer compared those who heard his sayings, but did them not.

Nevertheless, the truth of Christianity does not depend upon the conduct of its professors; for however inconsistent this may be, yet the excellency of the Christian faith, and the purity of its precepts, will ever bear a strong and unequivocal testimony against the conduct of these who hold the Truth in unrighteousness. Let none therefore, from the weakness or wickedness of mankind, condemn a religion, the best calculated of any for the correction of these evils, and for our redemption from them; and which is indeed peculiarly adapted to the nature of a Being prone to sin, and encompassed with many infirmities; but who is at the same time called to glory and to virtue, and designed for that life and immortality which are brought to light by the gospel.

The misapprehensions which have been entertained respecting our Faith in Christ, appear to me to have arisen, not so much from a difference of belief, as from laying more stress on different points of Christian doctrine. We believe with other Christians, as will appear from the following compilation, in the great and leading truths of Christianity but whilst some of its professors are principally inculcating a faith in the benefits to be received from our blessed Saviour's life and death, and in that which he has done for us without us; we, fully believing all those essential truths, think it of the utmost importance to draw the attention of men to that divine light or spirit, by which the work of salvation is to be carried forward in us, and for us, and, in some measure, by us. This being a work which requires our constant attention, we are principally concerned to inculcate a belief in, and a dependance on, this divine Spirit, as that from which "all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, do proceed," and by which we are rendered acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ.

The following quotations are but a small part of what might have been adduced on this occasion; but it is apprehended, they will be amply sufficient to manifest the uniformity of our principles on the subject, and their agreement with the doctrines of the New Testament. They will also evince

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