way in which I could contribute more to the good of mankind in general, than to republish the productions of those men who have been esteemed eminent, for their religion and piety, and whose works have heretofore been attended with the blessing of GOD, in bringing many out of nature's darkness into GoD's marvellous light, and turning many from sin unto holiness.

THE Philadelphian Magazines fell into my hands about nine months ago. I found them to contain many important subjects, all of which appeared to be written with that candor which becometh a christian. They were published in London, and but a very few volumes had ever been brought to this country, and it was very uncertain whether any more would ever arrive from thence: Therefore I thought it would be very advantageous to the people of the United States, to have a part of them reprinted. I have endeavored to select out the most important subjects, and have arranged them in such order as naturally to lead the mind into the truths contained therein.

I SHALL NOW conclude what I have to write by way of introduction, by setting forth, as briefly as possible, the present state of my mind, concerning the glorious plan of salvation. I cannot give but the outlines, and shall only give them as my opinion, without attempting to prove the same, by scripture or reason, and leave them for the reader's contemplation.

BUT before I enter upon the subject, let me observe, that eternal truth will stand, notwithstanding I may write or think and others believe

what they will. "The council of God is whether I stand or fall.

sure,"

1. THERE IS ONE, Great and Incomprehensible, Omnipotent and Allwise JEHOVAH; who is the source of all goodness; the Author of all Creation, whether natural or spiritual, animate, or inanimate; and who eternally was, what he eternally will exist to be, GoD over all, blessed for evermore.

2. IT hath pleased GoD, for the accomplishment of his glorious purposes, to act in three different spheres, as, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and as such, to fulfil the offices and capacities of each, separately and distinctly, and yet all three to agree in one GOD.*

3. GOD hath created all worlds for himself, and to make a display of his glory; all of which are fixed by his eternal decree, which so planned the great system of nature, that it will roll on the wheels of time, until all his glorious purposes are accomplished.

4. HE hath endued all the animal creation with volition, and the power of action, suitable

* There have been various ideas respecting the doctrine of the Trinity, and I find that Divines are not fully agreed in it at this day. Some suppose that CHRIST had no pre-existence, before he existed in the womb of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost, or the power of the Most High, and in that capacity he was a Child born; which was a holy or spiritual Child. That he took to himself flesh and blood, when he entered on his public ́ ministry; and then he was a Son given. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." ." And the government was not placed upon his shoulders, until after his resurrection; then he was called, Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty GoD, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. And as it was said, he was a Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world; this only consisted in the mind and will of God, who spake of things that were not, as though they were; because infinite wisdom had ordered it so to be,

to their several spheres and capacities: and hath distinguished the rational part of the creation, to wit, man, in a peculiar manner; by giving him a soul which is capable of receiving spiritual light and knowledge; and which governs all his actions, and will eternally exist either in happiness or misery.

5. MAN being thus circumstanced, as he existed in the mind of GoD, even before he was created (for he must, of necessity, exist in the mind and will of GoD, previous to his creation, or he could never have existed at all) being ignorant of good or evil, having power to obey, yet more liable to fall, CHRIST the Son of GOD undertook the work of reconciliation (now properly called salvation) and thus became Mediator.

6. THE devil, or spirit of antichrist, seeing the great blessings that were preparing for man, and the high honors which would likely be conferred upon him, breathed out his malignity against the ETERNAL THREE; for which reason he was thrust down to the earth; and was permitted to make war with the woman and her seed, for the space of a "Time and times and half a time," or during CHRIST'S mediatorial kingdom.

7. MAN being placed upon the stage of ac tion and exposed to the temptations of Satan, soon transgressed the holy commandment of the LORD, became acquainted with sin, and of consequence, guilt and misery ensued, by which he lost that sweet communion and enjoyment of Gon, with which he was created. His soul as well as his body felt the curse, and as his blood

became tainted with sin, it polluted all his posgrity; for which reason, "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

8. BUT CHRIST, as he undertook the work of redemption, hath entered on his divine mission, and laid the foundation thereof, which the gates of hell cannot prevail against; by passing through every state, he has secured to himself power and dominion; to overthrow all the arts and wiles of the devil, conquer death, subdue sin,and finally reconcile the world unto himself, having destroyed the enmity thereof: And hath left us a glorious example for our faith and practice.*

* I cannot express my mind in full, on this beautiful and sublime subject, for the want of language. The glorious plan of salvation, taken in a spiritual view, far surpasses my comprehension. When I take a retrospective view of the grand system of creation, and then look forward to the final reconciliation of all things, O how I want words to express my ideas! It exceeds in magnitude any thing that I can write, as far as the great system of the planetaty worlds doth surpass the small atmosphere of this earth! Some people argue, that if God created man with a design to make him good and happy, in the service of God; and now man has rebelled against his Maker, and become sinful, and censequently miserable; he has therefore frustrated the designs of the ALMIGHTY: but it is my opinion that if all the powers of earth and hell should unite and combine together with a design to overthrow the plan of salvation, or the kingdom of CHRIST, or even to make one soul eternally miserable; they could have no more tendency towards promoting their design, than the small struggles of an ant, by impinging against the earth, would tend towards the removing of it out of its place, and rushing it to the sun, with a design to burn the inhabitants thereof! But notwithstanding that it is not in the power of any created being, nor all of them united together, to alter the Divine Plan, in the least degree; yet as GoD is every where present, at all times, and filleth all immmensity, he taketh notice of all sin and transgression, however secretly committed, and will most assuredly punish all transgressors according to the just demerit of their crimes. saith the LORD by the prophet, "I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth, for the spirit should fail before me and

Yet

9. GOD is, through CHRIST, "Reconciling the world unto himself." The work of salvation is now going on,and the many souls which are brought to believe in the gospel, and to a knowledge of JESUS CHRIST,in a spiritual sense, "Whom to know aright is eternal life, already begun in the soul," is an evident token that the work is of the LORD, and will be accomplished in due time.

10. ALL those humble souls, and living and faithful witnesses of JESUS CHRIST, "Who have not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither have received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands," and who live and die with CHRIST, shall have part in the first resurrection, and shall "Live and reign with CHRIST a thousand years." Rev. xx. 4.

11. Ar the conclusion of this thousand years there shall be a general and final resurrection, when the sea shall give up the dead which are in it, and death and hell (or the grave) shall deliver up the dead which are in them; then shall the books be opened, and the dead shall be judged out of those things written in the books. according to their works: And another book shall be opened, which is the book of life, and all that are found written in the book of life shall escape the second death, although they had no part in the first resurrection; as it is written,

the souls which I have made." Isaiah lvii. 16. Although this passage doth not argue, but that the LORD will continue to be an. gry, or punish the wicked, as long as the wicked continue to rebel, yet I think it fully proves that he never intended to inflict endless punishment for one crime.