The Growth of Error, Introduction
The Introduction.
GREAT and Pernicious Errors having been inſenſibly ſpread through this Nation, an Account of their Riſe, and Progreſs, and of the various and ſundry Methods which have been taken for their Propagation, will not, I preſume, be unneceſſary; but rather a Caution to young Students, a prevention of their Fall, if not a means to recover others, that have been already tainted.
And, that I may be the more clear and diſtinct in the Account I give, I muſt, in the firſt place, mention the Errors my Diſcourſe is of. For, though there is a great Cognation and Alliance between one Error and another, and the moſt oppoſite Hereſies at laſt, center in the ſame Point: Yet on an eaſie ſearch, we ſhall find vaſt Differences between them, ſome greater, others leſs; ſome in one, others in a contrary extream: But, in all, a Tendency to Atheiſm; or, to uſe the new and finer word to expreſs the ſame thing, Deiſm.
As there are gradual Receſſes from Truth, the firſt, and leaſt obſervable Turn from it, prepares the way for a greater; but whilſt near unto Truth, the Error is ſo like it, that it cannot be eaſily diſcern'd, or detected: And he, who makes the firſt ſtep towards it, doth, er'e he is aware, ſlide into a greater; and no ſooner perceives where he is, but thinks himſelf too far gone to make an honourable Retreat; whereby the Error which had it's firſt riſe from Inadvertency, is upheld, and ſupported by the Luſt, or ſenſual Intereſt of its Embracers.
Thus the Amyraldians, amongſt whom, they who are ſincere in what they Profeſs, as I doubt not, but there are many ſuch, cannot ſee wherein they differ from their Brethren, except in the way and method of Explaining, and Defending the ſame Doctrine; and therefore aſſume to themſelves the Title of New Methodiſts, firmly adhering to old Truths.
Now, of theſe, how many ſlide into Arminianiſm? and from thence paſs over unto the Tents of …ocinus: Though they ſet up for Men of a middle way, between the extreams of Calvin, and the Exceſſes of Van Harmine; yet, on the turn from the former, they fall in ſo far with the latter in their Conceſſions, that it's become impoſſible for them to make a juſt Defence of what they hold in oppoſition to the other Parts of the Arminian Syſtem; and therefore at laſt, fall in entirely with them, and run their length.
In like manner the Arminians, who pretend a middle way between the Orthodox and Socinian, are in the twinkling of an Eye, fallen under Socinus his Banner; confounding Holy Scripture with their odd Gloſſes, and unintelligible Interpretations; framing Idea's of the Divine Being, ſo unworthy of it, as to provoke ſome to deny all reveal'd Religion, and others to turn Atheiſts.
Now 'tis the riſe and progreſs of theſe miſchievous Errors, embracd and propugnd by the followers of Arminius, and Socinus, that my Diſcourſe is deſign'd to be of. Errors which, above Fifty years ago, on their firſt appearances amongſt us, ſo alarm'd the Nation, as to put it into a very terrible Convulſion.
But ſince that day, through the force of an Arminian Doſe, or ſome ſuch like methods, we have fallen into an Amazing ſlumber, and no ſooner doth any one awake out of it, but he is fill'd with wonder to behold the Nation to be ſo much Socinian and Deiſt; Nor can he eaſily imagine how it came to be ſo?
And, that we may obtain ſome Light about what it is, that hath influenced ſo great a part of Mankind to embrace theſe Errors; I have ſpent ſome thoughts about it, the Reſult of which, I offer to Conſideration.