3. REASONS FOR PUBLISHING THE FOLLOWING WORK. 1. As our Connexion has become so extensive that all cannot meet and confer together on doctrine as formerly, some are at a loss to know how the body understand certain portions of the Bible. Persons frequently join us who have not been educated in our sentiments, and who, in some respects, are still influenced by their former opinions. The consequence is, that, for want of proper information, some hold and teach sentiments differing from those of the body; whereas, the Bible requires us all to "speak the same thing." 2. Certain individuals, when called to account for not being sound in the faith, have taken occasion to evade, saying, "The Freewill Baptists have not published their doctrine; but they take the Scriptures as their only rule of faith and practice. These I take; and I have as good a right to my construction, as you have to yours; therefore you have no authority to call me to an account; but I might as well call you to order for differing from me, as you reprove me for differing from you."

3. In some instances, persons calling themselves Freewill Baptists have gone into places where we are little known, preached false doctrines, and prejudiced the public mind against us; so that, on visiting those places, our preachers, for want of a suitable publication on doctrine, have found it difficult to convince the people that they had been imposed upon. 4. Many persons, on a partial acquaintance, are favourably disposed toward us, and wish to know our sentiments in general, that they may be enabled to determine whether they can unite with us. It does not satisfy such inquirers, if we say, 'We believe the doctrine of the Bible; and if you believe that, we are in unison?' In return, they say, Universalists, Unitarians, &c. pretend that they hold to the doctrine of the Bible-Do you believe as they do?' We must answer, 'No. We believe that they construe certain portions of the Scriptures erroneously.' The inquirers still ask, 'And how do you construe them?' If this query, which is made by thousands, be answered, something must be written. 5. A suitable

Treatise, showing our faith, may be instrumental of gathering into our Connexion-many independent societies, and many individuals, who believe as we do, but who, as yet, have little knowledge of our sentiments. It may also serve as an additional means of spreading the truth where our preachers have been able to labour but little. For these reasons, the Conference thought it necessary that we publish our understanding of the Scriptures.

It may be objected, that, by this publication, a stand is taken different from that at first maintained by the Freewill Baptists. We answer, it has ever been the labour of our brethren to proclaim our faith. A contrary course would be to light a candle and place it under a bushel. Our doctrine has been published, more or less, in every extempore sermon delivered by our preachers; also, in printed sermons, magazines, and other periodicals. In this publication, we only do in a connected form, what our fathers in the church have often done in detached and various forms. It is by no means designed

to form a new creed for our brethren;, our creed was formed eighteen hundred years ago. But this Treatise is designed to show our views as a denomination. It may also lead to a better understanding of the Bible. We claim no power to bind the consciences of men, or to say that any man shall believe as we do. Still, it is not expected that any will be admitted to church fellowship, whose understanding of the Scriptures varies, essentially, from ours. Nor is it expected

that any brother among us will labour to propagate sentiments contrary to the general views of the body. This would make divisions contrary to the law of Christ.

TREATISE.

CHAPTER I.

Being and Attributes of God.

The Scriptures teach that there is only one true and living God, (a) who is a Spirit, (b) self-existent, (c)

(a) 1 Cor. 8:4. There is none other God but one. Jer. 10:10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God. 1 John 7:28. 2 Cor. 1:18. 1 John 5: 20. Num. 13:19.

(b) John 4:24. God is a Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:17.

(c) Ex. 3:14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM. Ps. 83: 18. John 5:26. Ex. 6:3. Rev. 1:4. Jehovan signifies, “He that exists of himself."