THE

WRITTEN BY

EDWIN FERRISS,

A SERVANT OF

JESUS CHRIST,

IN THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.

Which work is humbly dedicated to the clergy of ev.
ery religious denomination; and also to the use and
benefit of every candid reader in Christendom.

"And he shall send Jesus Christ which before was
preached unto you: Whom the heavens must receive un-
til the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began."-Aors 3. 20, 21.

Of sin, he comes to make an end,
And thus, his Father's cause defend.

MONTROSE, Pa.

PRINTED FOR C. R. MARSH, PUBLISHER,

BY DIMOCK & FULLER.

1827.

BX

9943

F46

Cop. 2

PREFACE.

BEING fully convinced, that I owe to the publick world of mankind, a systematic statement of my religious sentiments, that every person, who pleases, may read, and plainly understand for himself, my serious views of the sacred Scriptures, and of the nature of the righteous plan of divine grace, I am disposed to lay before the religious world, what has been made plainly to appear to me as sacred truth. I feel this obligation so to do, strongly impressed upon me as one voluntarily, standing alone in the world, as to my connection with any religious denomination. I once was a member of the general convention of Universalists, but finding by careful inquiry among the brethren, that although they were well agreed, that all men will finally be saved, yet no regular systematic plan of grace to effect that desirable end, was found to subsist, as an unanimous standard of doctrine, among the universalists. Many of them I found differed from me in theory; 1 found we could no longer walk together, and of course, thought it my duty peaceably to withdraw from their connection, which they as peaceably consented to; and I was dismissed from being a member among them, but still continued to believe and preach the same doctrine as before. I still love the cause of Christ, and should be glad to remain an instrument in the hands of God, in bringing the world to believe the truth as it is in Jesus.

However, I am aware that in this work which lies before the candid reader, I shall have to contend with the strong prejudices of different parties among christian professors which may sometimes have a tendency to awaken the vile passions of old Adam in their breasts, and lead some unawares into low criticisms on my plain and sincere communications. But still after all, I hope that the truth herein advanced, will bear its own weight and prevail.