PREFACE. THE irregular heats and extravagancies of some late pretenders to extraordinary attainments in religion; their imaginary divine impulses, and ecstatic raptures, with other effects of their disordered fancies, have cast such a blemish upon the Christian profession in the eyes of unsettled and unthinking people, that it is well if too many are not in danger of calling Christianity itself into question, from the manifestly false pretences, and enthusiastic flights of some, who have put in a claim to so eminent experience in the divine life. It is therefore thought needful, as well as seasonable at this time, that a brief and plain confirmation of the Christian religion be sent abroad among our people, to establish them in the foundation of our eternal hope. This has been my special motive to the publication of some of the first of the ensuing Letters. On the other hand, whether for want of duly distinguishing between delusive appearances, and the genuine effects of an effusion of the HOLY SPIRIT, or from whatever cause, such has been the violent opposition of some to the late revival of religion in the land, that the doctrines of special grace, and of experimental piety, seem now, by too many, not only rejected and opposed, but even treated with contempt, under the opprobrious character of new light; as if they had never before been heard of, or professed among us. This I take to be one of the darkest symptoms, upon this land, that we have ever yet seen. It must, on that account, 10-14-37-Clark Waid 134-gift. P96 3738 10 ༢ |