Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX It mil be proper to say, at this point, that what is here presented as an Appendix, is the substance of Dr. Rice's replies to my letters, with my rejoinders thereto. It will be seen by the reader, that our rejoinders are confined strictly to the points at issue between us. The reasons for this will be obvious. Had we permitted ourselves to be decoyed into irrelevant matters, we, and our readers, would have become bewildered and lost in the mazes of endless logomachy. This would, doubtless, have pleased our friend, as it would have served to divert attention from his system; but it did not suit us. NUMBER I. I am happy to be able to lay Dr. Rice's reply to my first and second letters before my readers. In its general tone and spirit it accords well with my expectations; and if it fails in argument, I find an apology in the circumstances of the case. The Doctor will make up for this hereafter. "Letters on Calvinism.--We are decidedly of opinion, after reading two of Mr. Foster's Letters on Calvinism, that he really needs the assistance which, in his first letter, he so warmly invoked. His second letter urges the old objection, a thousand times made, and as often refuted, that the doctrine of decrees makes God the author of sin. This hackneyed objection is founded upon the idea, that ' God's decree is the necessity or necessitating cause of sin.' Now, inasmuch as Presbyterians hold no such view, and would really depose any one of their ministers who should teach it, the objection is utterly without force. No Presbyterian holds, that God ever purposed or decreed to dispose or influence any man or angel to sin. If Mr. 247 Foster had taken the trouble to read the sixth chaptei of the Westminster Confession of Faith, he would have...
