many persons to the belief of the truth of the Universal Restoration, and have strengthened and confirmed others, as will plainly appear from the following extracts of letters, which I have received from several ministers in different parts of the kingdom, since their publication. "DEAR SIR Wisbich, October 26, 1788. "I am persuaded your knowledge of the world and its inhabitants, hath long since taught you to be familiar with the addresses of persons unknown to you; and I have formed that opinion of you, that your candor will admit, and your generous mind rejoice to hear, that a person though unknown to you, is convinced that God hath gracious designs towards universal man. I am that person, sir. For sometime past I have entertained doubts with respect to the eternity of hell torments. My doubts principally arose from the consideration of the vast disproportion between momentary crimes, committed in this short life and the suffering infinitude of punishment; yet many difficulties lay in my way that I did not know how to remove, and I continued thus embarrassed, until a short time since I had the happiness to meet with your Dialogues on the Universal Restoration, which, I thank God, have helped me much. My ardent prayer is, that the truth may spread, that the word of the Lord' may run and be glorified. "My good friend, Mr. F, shewed me your letter to him, by which I see your readiness to serve the cause of our great Head, Christ Jesus, and your willingness to visit the country, provided the way is open. Now, Sir, I can only say, that my house and my heart, and my pulpit will be all open to receive you, provided you will visit us in this part of the world. "I remain, with the utmost respect, "Dear Sir, your sincere friend, "DEAR Sir "Though personally unknown, have taken the liberty of addressing you with a few lines. I was lately in London, and called to see you : but was told you were out of town. Have for some time had the pleasure of reading your Dialogues much to my satisfaction. The subject of Universal Restitution has for many years engaged my thoughts at times, and often appeared in an amiable light to my mind. It is a subject that redounds to the everlasting honor of God, and the everlasting felicity of the rational creature, who, when delivered from misery, shall be fully sensible of the obligations. due to the Deliverer, and consequently, shall naturally be engaged in the great and delightful work of praising and honoring both the Author and Accomplisher of the great salvation. My residence is at Lyndhurst, in the New Forest Hants, where I am pastor over a little Church of General Baptists, of which denomination I am informed you are; but be that as it may, it is no small pleasure to me to find men, of whatever denomination, vindicate the good ness of God, in the manner it is done by the doctrine of Universal Restoration. "Should inclination or leisure ever favor your coming this way, I know not who I shall be more happy to see and enjoy. Permit me to subscribe myself, "Your affectionate brother, "In the gospel of universal love, "ADAM ALDRIDGE. "Lyndhurst, December 4, 1789." "York, March 6, 1790. "REV. AND DEAR SIR "I hope you will excuse the freedom I have taken in writing to you. "I have for several years embraced your sentiments, and have often stood up in defence of them. "I have frequently met with learned and candid men, who have given me much satisfaction in this important subject. When your Dialogues were published, I procured and read them with the greatest avidity. I found the subject handled much to my mind. The strongest objections raised in all their weight and importance, and answered clearly and candidly. I read the book, over and over, with fresh pleasure and satisfaction. I studied the arguments, treasured them up in my memory, and determined to become a defender of this part of truth. My heart burnt in love to God and mankind. I found exalted views of God, raised exalted strains of gratitude and praise. It was one of the strongest and most attracting views that ever I met with since I knew the Saviour's love. I soon entered the field, and was obliged to prove my armor against the strongest objections, backed with prejudices almost of an invincible nature. When I was hard put to it, I had recourse to your Magazine, and from thence brought forth new pieces of artillery. You will easily suppose I had many trials from persons of different dispositions. By persuading several of my acquaintance, ministers of the Gospel, to read over your book, I became an instrument of winning them over to the truth. "One of my brethren in the ministry protested much against our notions, and declared he would never believe them. Knowing him to be a sensible man, and one who might be wrought upon by the force of truth properly stated, I used several arguments to persuade him to read the book. At length he consented, and said, that he would do it to oblige me, but was determined not to believe it. I told him, it would satisfy me, for him to give it a candid reading. "When we met again, I began to inquire what he thought of the book. He paused a little, and then freely acknowledged the effect it had had upon him; he frankly declared that his resolution was just the same, as though he had resolved to look up to the heavens when the sun shone at noon, and not to believe that it shone. I have secretly engaged several and find when they are sensible, candid men, they fall in with your sentiments at once. "I am acquainted with about half a score of ministers, who firmly believe and heartily embrace the doctrine; besides many private christians of different denominations. Most of us ministers, who fall in with your sentiments, are afraid of confessing them publicly for this reason, our people would thrust us out of the synagogues, and we and our families might suffer thereby. For my own part, I am determined to stand by this truth, whether I can continue my place among the people where I am or not. Rather than give up this (through grace) I would give up life. "I have so much zeal in my heart for the confirmation and establishment of this truth, that I would, were it in my power, gladly proselyte all men to embrace and enjoy the benefit of it. "I hope you will muster up all your resolution, and stand forth boldly again in vindication of the cause of truth, and the most glorious and most neglected part of that truth that all men ought to embrace. I fear lest the enemy shall cause a shout of triumph if you refuse again to engage, and do not come forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Please to inform me if you want any help where you are; I have some little fortune, and would engage in promot. ing the work of God, without being wholly dependent on any people. "Direct to J. P. at Mr. John Brown's, Bookseller, Pocklington, Yorkshire. "Sincerely praying for the success of labors, and your welfare of body and mind, "I am in truth, your affectionate friend, your "And servant in CHRIST JESUS." |