The slave of no sect, the partisan of no party, a bigot to no creed, a zealot of no
dogma, the servant of no man, save the man Christ Jesus; and wedded to no faith,
save the faith of Christ; free as air, I entered on the discussion of the subjects
before me.

"A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so ;
and what will ye do in the end thereof?"
JERE. v. 30, 31.

VOLUME I.

NEW-YORK:

1839.

C1202.80.30

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839,

BY P. PRICE,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of

New-York,

INTRODUCTION.

OUR Arminian friends say, "There is something for us to do." Taking their hint kindly, I have been at work, and now exhibit the product of my labours to my brethren of the Human Family. Whether they shall approve or disapprove, of my productions, cannot be a subject of concern to me; for the reason, that not having been moved by a hope of applause, or expectation of favour from my fellows, I cannot be discomfited by their censure. It is the TRUTH, that I have most sincerely endeavoured to exhibit to the world, that should be the important subject of the readers' consideration; not the humble instrument of exhibiting the truth. The contents of the vessel, not the vessel that contains the boon, should fix the attention of the recipients. Believing that gross errors, derogatory to the character, and a foul libel on the purpose or design of God our Heavenly Father, have become popular in the world; and that this pseudo reputation which error has obtained, is a stumblingblock in the path of the wayfaring man, and subversive of man's present good, I have contributed my feeble aid to arrest the progress of this Hydra, and expose the Monster in his deformity.

When my LORD and Master Jesus Christ, exposed the errors of the ancient Pharisees, obloquy, insult, hatred, and, finally, persecution to the death, were the reward he met at the hands of men. Taught in the school of Jesus, I, therefore, neither court applause, nor shun re

proach. And as Jesus told the

Jews, "My doctrine is
If any man will do his

not mine, but his that sent me. will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself :" shall be my appeal to the reader. judge from its effects, whether God, or man is the author.

(John vii. 16, 17.) So Try the doctrine-then

Having shown no respect for the errors of others, equal justice demands that no respect shall be shown to mine. If I have offered error, under the garb of truth, strip the monster, and show him in his true colours. No one can rejoice more than myself, at such an exposure. But, let every one beware, and not throw the wolf-skin of orthodoxy over a single truth, to disguise it, and lure the dogs of persecution to the prey.

They that have pleasure in unrighteousness, and contemplate misery with complacency, will, I hope, condemn this book. The honest, sincere inquirer after truth, whatever may be his prejudices, the result of education, will pause, I trust, ere he condemns. To such, I would say, Remember, the Sword of the Spirit, TRUTH, is two-edged; it is sharp; and it cannot be wielded without cutting. Therefore, submit to the operation with fortitude; for the gangrene of error must be removed, before health can revisit the diseased part. Examine this book with as much care and candour as I have exercised in writing it, and I will risk the result.

NEW-YORK, Jan. 1, 1839.

HENRY FITZ.

The reader is requested to turn to Note, p. 406, entitled, "TO THE READER GREETING."