the life of religion in the soul. Such alas! are the depraving tendencies of the moral atmosphere of this world, that Christianity itself, though heaven-descended, experiences the deteriorating effects of its corrupting qualities. It is the object of Dr. Witherspoon's excellent work to detect and extirpate some of those corruptions. May the divine blessing abundantly attend its perusal, and render it eminently successful, in vindicating the claims, and establishing the dignity of that Christianity which alone deserves the name. May all who recognize the truth of the doctrines, and who admire the excellency of the lessons which it contains, endeavour to let their light shine before men, and to compel them to acknowledge the superior value of true Christian principles, from the superiority of its practical effects. Herein, said our bles sed Lord, is my father glorified, "that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples." London, March, 1823, W. W. An Essay on the connection between the doctrine of Jus- CHAP. I. Some general observations on the metaphor used by the apostle John, Except a man be born again; and the same or similar expressions to be found in other SECT. 1. From this expression, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, we may learn the greatness of that change which must pass upon every child of Adam, before he can become an heir of SECT. 2. Thss expression, Except a man be born again, and other similar expressions, imply that the change here intended is not merely partial but universal, SECT. 3. From these words, Except a man be born again change here intended is not merely external and im- perfect, but inward, essential, and complete, SECT. 4. From this metaphor, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, and other parallel CHAP. II. Wherein this change doth properly and direct- 10 SECT. 3. There must be a conviction of sin and danger, 205 SECT. 4. Of the degree of sorrow for sin in true penitents, 216 SECT. 6. How the believer recovers peace of conscience, 236 versation, AN ESSAY ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST AND HOLINESS OF LIFE. |