Doctrine of Particular Unconditional Election, Title page – To the reader
THE Doctrine of Particular Unconditionate ELECTION (Before Time.)
Aſſerted and Prov'd by God's Word, againſt the Quakers, Papiſts, and Arminians.
In Anſwer to a Challenge given the Author, (by the Quakers) to make good (by the Scriptures of Truth) the aboveſaid Doctrine.
Wherein is evidently diſcovered,
I. That the aboveſaid Doctrine, rightly underſtood and believ'd, (with Application to ones ſelf) is the great Enemy of Sin, both in the Heart and Life of a true Believer; and that which keeps the Believer from Deſpair in the deepeſt Deſertion and Temptation.
II. That the Doctrine of Free-will and General Redemption, &c. is an Inlet to, and an Encourager of Sin; and which leads (in the end) to horrid Deſpair, under powerful Awakenings in the natural Conſcience of an Unregenerate Man.
For there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew great Signs and Wonders; inſomuch, that (if it were poſſible) they ſhould deceive the very Elect,
Mat. 24.24.
Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give all diligence, to make your Calling and Election ſure, &c.
2 Pet. 1.10.
By Ja. Barry, an unworthy Miniſter of the Goſpel.
LONDON, Printed for the Author, 1700.
TO THE Impartial READER.
Courteous Reader,
I Am to inform thee, that in the time of the Popiſh Government, when Popery and Quakeriſm ſmil'd ſo (amicably) on each other, (as the two Religions (if I might ſo call them) which are neareſt of Kin of all the Religions (viſibly) profeſs'd in theſe Kingdoms) the People called Quakers ſent me a Thraſonical Challenge in Writing, (which was afterwards publiſhed in Print) to prove (from the Scriptures of Truth) the Four Doctrines here following. (1.) The Doctrine of the Reſurrection of this fleſhly Body, which Dies and turns to Duft. (2.) The Doctrine of Juſtification, by the alone Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, freely imputed. (3.) The Doctrine of Imperfection (in Sanctification) in the moſt Mortified Believer, while in this World. (4.) The Doctrine of Particular Unconditionate Election before Time. All which the Quakers do ſtiffly (and peremptorily) deny, as by their Printed Book (againſt me) doth evidently appear. Their Challenge I was reſolv'd to anſwer in Print, to let the World ſee what Heterodox and Heretical Principles that deluded (and ſeduced) People, do hold and teach for true Religion. Beſides my Reſolution (herein,) I oblig'd my ſelf by promiſe, to my Congregation, that I would (in the Strength of Chriſt) prick the Bladder of their Blaſphemous Pride, by proving (and making good) by the Scriptures of Truth, the aboveſaid Doctrines. For my Encouragement (wherein,) my Congregation did (unanimouſly) ſtand by me, reſolving I ſhould be at no other Charge (hereabout) but the Studying part. Paper was Bought, the Printer agreed with; and juſt as the Preſs was ready to begin, the Storm came ſo ſuddenly on the Proteſtants in Dublin, that we were ſoon ſcattered aſunder. The Providence of God calling on us, to ſecure our Lives, inſtead of Printing Books. The reaſon why I have been ſo long ſilent in this Cauſe, is, the want of that help I had from my Flock in Dublin. If any generous noble Spirited Chriſtians (who love Chriſt's Cauſe better than they do the Mammon of this World) will ſtep in to my Encouragement, in ſupplying the room of my abſent Friends, they ſhall (in a very ſhort time) ſee the Four Doctrines above-mention'd clear'd up and made good from God's Word, (Maugre all the Jeſuitical Craft and Subtilty, whereof that People ſeem to be Maſters) The reaſon why I have ſingled out the laſt of the four Doctrines, rather than any of the other three, to diſcover and confute the Quakers pernicious Heterodoxy (in the foundation Principles of true Chriſtianity) is twofold.
Firſt, becauſe that in denying and oppoſing the Doctrine of particular, unconditionate Election (before time) they do manifeſtly Rob God of his Soveraignty and Praiſe.
Secondly, becauſe of the Natural tendency, which the denial of this Doctrine of a particular, unconditionate Election (before time) and the holding and propagating its contrary, (viz.) The Doctrine of Free Will to good (in every Man) of General Redemption, and a Temporary, Conditional Election, with falling from Grace; hath to encourage Men in Living a licentious, looſe Life; and to neceſſitate Mens final deſpair of Salvation, when the Naural Conſcience (in Ʋnregenerate Men) comes to be under powerful Awakenings, for Sin committed againſt the Law of God.
That I do the Quakers no wrong, in charging them with Robbing God and encouraging Men to Live in Sin; as alſo their laying a Foundation for Mens deſpair of ever being ſaved in their way of Conditional and Temporary Election, will evidently appear to him who reads and compares with Gods revealed Will, what is diſcovered in this ſmall Tract: And in caſe any noble Spirited Chriſtians will but encourage the Work (as already hinted) I do not ſo much as doubt, but that the Spirit of God will enable me to demonſtrate (from Gods own Word) that the Quakers in denying the Reſurrection of the Body, and the Juſtification of a Sinner, by the alone Righteouſneſs of the Son of God, (freely imputed) without any regard had to any Qualifications inhering in the Perſon of the Sinner Juſtified, do deny all ſound and ſaving Religion; And as touching their Sinleſs Perfection, (attainable in this Life) whereof they make ſuch Brags; it ſhall be made plain, that (herein) they both belye the Spirit of God, and contradict the experience of all ſaved Believers, both in Heaven and Earth.