TO THE KIRK SESSION AND CONGREGATION OF ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, EDINBURGH, THIS VOLUME OF SERMONS IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE PASTOR, THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. WHEN I began the following course of Sermons, I certainly had no intention to publish them; nor was it my purpose to enter so largely as I have ultimately done, into the discussions with which they are occupied. But finding, as I advanced, that the sentiments which it is their object to refute, were more prevalent than I at first suspected, and anxious to guard my congregation against such erroneous doctrines, and such perversions of Scripture as were afloat, I felt myself called upon to enlarge my original plan. After all, I perceive that I have omitted many topics which it might have been profitable to consider. Although Mr. Erskine had published his Essays on the Unconditional Freeness of the Gos pel, which seemed to be used as a sort of text book, by the supporters of his dogmas, I did not confine myself to what is there advanced, but thought it right to take notice of the opinions and practices known to exist among his party, though not acknowledged in any printed record. But instead of running any risk of misrepresenting them, by adducing what was only rumoured, I have even abstained from bringing forward some circumstances, of whose truth I could scarcely entertain a doubt, and which would have still more strongly demonstrated the delusions and the extravagance, in which the sect think proper to indulge. It was not till the very conclusion of my series, that I obtained Mr. Erskine's Introductory Essay,* in which he has given, if not a more ample, at least a more explicit statement of his views. Like his former volume, it is extremely rambling in its observations, and altogether in This Essay is introductory to "Extracts of Letters to a Christian Friend, by a Lady." In referring to it, I find that I have once or twice called it "Preface." I mention this, to prevent the reader from thinking that there are two treatises of the kind by Mr. Erskine. |