66 preface" or elsewhere to show that he was, here. It would be singular indeed if Seig not a regular clergyman." Nothing of this volck had been ashamed of the great truth he kind appears in his work, so far as I have advocated, or afraid of what men could do observed. What is said of his correspon- to him for maintaining it. There is nothing dence with Fisher, Shetz, and Shepherd, may in the work before us, that could give the perhaps be true. There were such men at slightest countenance to such a suspicion, least in Germany about the time of Seigvolck, but, on the contrary, much to show that he who maintained the doctrine of Universalism. was willing, if need be, both to suffer reproach There is in the Franklin Library, Philadel- and persecution for the sake of that blessed phia, a volume in German, entitled, "Golden Gospel, in which he rejoiced. Then it is Rose, or a Witness of the Truth, &c., by very strange that he should live and be Christopher Schuftz," one of the individuals engaged in controversy, as he was more of mentioned above. The preface to the first less, for near half a century, and yet, so far as part was written at Umstadt, September, appears from the writings of the day, not be 1724; the preface of the second part is dated suspected of passing under a fictitious name. Offenbach on the Maine, October, 1730. Mosheim, the ecclesiastical historian, menAmong other things, it contains a correspon- tions him, in a letter found at the end of the dence between Shurtz and Fischer, the latter second volume of his Sermons, and drops no of whom appears to have been a magistrate. hint that he was not the veritable person They had a mutual friend in an individual by whose name he bore. The Everlasting Gosthe name of David Schaeffer, (in English pel was first published, as I have said, in the Shepherd.) Both Fischer and Schaeffer died year 1700. In the second volume of Peterbefore the publication of the volume referred son's "Mystery of the Restitution of all to, which contains an elegy on Fischer, and Things," we find a laboured review of a alludes in a touching manner to the death of treatise, entitled, "Plain Instruction," by J. Schaeffer, which seems to have happened Haenfler, preacher, in the fortress of Custrin, about six months earlier. These warm heart- which Thiess ascribes to Seigvolck, or rather ed friends must have died between 1727 and to Kleinnicolai. This piece is called "Fun1731, though the date is not to be made out damental Considerations upon Haenfler's accurately. The last letter I find from Fis-Tract," &c. and was published in 1702. It cher is dated May, 1727. Schaeffer wrote a fills more than ninety folio pages. In 1711, work, entitled, Everlasting Gospel, which I we find him in the field again, and in controhave never seen, but which, in company with versy with several writers, who had been this of Seigvolck, and that of Schurtz above called out by the publication of Peterson's alluded to, was made the subject of undoubt- volumes. This work he entitled, "Vain Strife edly the earliest printed attack on Universal-against Truth and Innocence." Another ism in America. I refer to Rev. R. Pomp's work of his appeared in 1717, entitled, “PreExamination of the Doctrine of the Everlast-sentation of what the restitution of all things, ing Gospel, published in German at Philadelphia in 1774. It is worthy of remark, that I observed in the "Golden Rose" no allusion to Seigvolck or his writings. In all the correspondence it contains, there is nothing that bears his name. I find letters signed by "P. P." "A. J.” “J. D. S.” “J. P. S.” “H. V. S." but I know no reason why we should suppose any of them to have been written by our author. His name, as it appears in the German, is George Paul Seigvolck, though in the translation, the George is, I know not why, omitted. While I have no hesitation, therefore, in regarding the account of our author, communicated to Mr. Whittemore, as in almost every particular incorrect, I am quite at a loss what to think of him. Of the period when he lived, and the language in which he wrote, we are, I presume, satisfactorily informed, but of the place of his residence, of his profession, and even of his name we are by no means certain. John Otto Thiess, in his valuable little treatise "On the Scriptures and Church Dogma of the Eternity of Hell Punishments," tells us that Seigvolck's real name was George Kleinnicolai. His words are, "George Kleinnicolai published, under the name George Paul Seigvolck, the Everlasting Gospel," &c. The accuracy and fidelity of Thiess are such as to satisfy me on almost every point, and perhaps should do so on this, but there are circumstances which render it Acts iii. 21, must mean." About 1728, J. Laurence Mosheim, the celebrated ecclesiastical historian.gave to the world his "Thoughts on the Doctrine of the end of Hell-punish ments." To this Seigvolck replied in 1729, in a work entitled, "Modest and Fundamental Thoughts upon Mosheim's Thoughts," &c. It is of this work that Mosheim probably speaks in the letter above referred to. Though wishing to seem exceedingly cool and unaf fected, it is apparent from the whole tone of the letter, that he was not a little stung by it. During the same year he also published "Decisions of some of the most Important Questions relating to the Kingdom of Christ." The controversy with Mosheim seems to have been continued, or revived again, some years after, for we have in 1746 another volume from Seigvolck, which relates to this subject, entitled, "Scriptural and Rational Consideration of the grounds both for and against the Absolutely Endless Misery of the Transgressors against God, and their final Restoration to Holiness and Happiness." A very active controversy was kept up for some years in which several individuals on both sides engaged. Now it seems to me very strange that Seigvolck should have been thus, for almost fifty years, before the public as a controversialist, and yet have passed, this whole time, under a fictitious name, and so far as appears, without the slightest reason. But I shall the judgment of the reader, confessing at the same time, that I am quite unable to decide the point. Thiess shows a great familiarity with the history of Universalism in Germany during the period in which Seigvolck lived and wrote, and his statements are certainly deserving of great confidence; at the same time I confess myself unable to account for the facts stated above, on the supposition that George Paul Seigvolck is only an assumed name. I had hoped to receive ere this, some works from Germany, which would probably have settled all doubts on the subject, but I have been disappointed. first conviction of the truth of the universal doctrine from it; but it was the mean of fully establishing my mind in it. I remember par ticularly, that the seventh chapter, which treats of the word eternity, and the different eternities or ages, mentioned in the Scriptures, was very satisfying to me; as was the eleventh chapter, which treats of this present world, the world to come, and the still or silent eternity. I know of no book that is more calcu lated to disseminate the universal doctrine among good men than this; for every one who has tasted that God is Love, will here find something that meets and accords with the warm and holy benevolence of his soul; and to them do I most heartily recommend it; being fully assured, that however such may differ in other things, they all bear in their hearts good will towards men." I turn for a moment from the author to his work. It has without doubt some faults. The author's mind was too much inclined to the notion of a millenium then drawing nigh, and therefore to some fanciful views quite inconsistent with sound criticism, and the laws of The copy here followed is that of the Loninterpretation. At the same time, this little don edition. It differs somewhat in words volume contains a great amount of thought, and phrases, from that of Germantown, and some of the clearest and most scriptural though it is the same translation. The transviews of the divine character and govern-lator was evidently a German, and some of ment. You can hardly turn to a single page his expressions,and even the structure of many that does not embody some great and precious of his sentences,are quite too literal to be Engtruth, and so fortified by apt quotations from lish. Many of these blemishes Mr. Winches. the inspired word, that it must be difficult for ter has silently corrected, but apparently any candid mind to read without being im- without any knowledge of the original. Hence pressed by it. The work has, therefore, had no it happens that it is not always quite true to little influence in extending the doctrine of the author's own expression, though preferathe final holiness and happiness of all man-ble to the edition of 1753. Had I the leisure, kind. Mr. Winchester says, "It was the first I would revise it by a careful comparison of book that ever I saw, which treated upon the subject of the Universal Restoration, and it was by reading a little therein that I first began to turn my thoughts and attention to the system which I now hold. Indeed, the arguments pressed upon my mind in such a manner that I could not get rid of them; and though I strove long against them, yet they conquered me in about three years. I think it was in the year 1778 that I first saw this book, and the first piece I published upon the subject, was a sermon delivered April 22nd, 1781. I cannot help, therefore, having a great regard for this work, as it proved the first mean of my conviction, and at length brought me to embrace this most glorious and universal plan of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Mr. Vidler says, "I have found this little book very useful to myself. I did not, like Mr. Winchester, receive my the translation with the original German, though it may be well doubted whether the improvement would pay for the trouble. Mr. Winchester also, for the most part, quoted entire the passages of Scripture which the author barely referred to, and moreover, added some proof texts which the author had omitted. It might, perhaps, have been for the advantage of the general reader, had this little work been accompanied by a few notes more fully opening some things which are here left obscure, or correcting some errors which it undoubtedly contains. But want of time forbids my undertaking such a task at present, and the work is therefore commended as it is, to the candid and prayerful consideration of the reader. T. J. SAWYER. New York, Feb. 28, 1844. MR. WINCHESTER'S PREFACE. THIS little book which I now send abroad in this country, was originally written in the German language in the beginning of the present century, and translated into English, and printed in Pennsylvania in the year 1753. I am well acquainted with the good man at whose instance and expense it was translated and printed. He has lived to see the little spark rise into a flame, and the small seed into a large tree, and he may still live many years, until this glorious system, so grand, so worthy of a God, shall have prevailed to bring all the different sects of Christians to be of the same spirit, mind, and judgment. Then shall the glorious prophecy of Isaiah be fulfilled, "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Chap. lii. 8. And also that part of our blessed Saviour's prayer, "That they all (who believe on me) may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me. St. John xvii. 21, 23. The divisions and animosities among Christians are great hindrances to the conversion of the world to Christianity, and until unity of spirit and harmony of sentiment take place in a much greater degree than at present, we cannot expect the knowledge of the Lord to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. But that such a glorious event shall take place before the conflagration, is to me as plain as express prophecies can make it, and may the Lord hasten it in his time! The system held out in the following pages appears to me the only one that in the least bids fair to unite the two great bodies of Christians, that have so long and so bitterly opposed each other, viz. those who assert that Christ died for all, and yet that there shall be but few, comparatively, that shall finally derive any saving benefit therefrom; and those who assert that all for whom the Saviour died shall indeed be saved, but that he died only for a few. For it seems highly improbable that either of these sects should ever so far change their ground, as to go over to the opinions of the other; since one party charges the tenets of the other with want of benevolence, and the other as successfully returns the charge by representing their antagonists as entertaining dishonourable thoughts of the wisdom and power of the Deity. Therefore if a reconcili on some middle ground where both may meet without giving up their favourite opinions; and this appears to me to be no other but the system of the Universal Restoration; and whenever it shall universally prevail, it will bring this most desirable event to pass. This book I esteem as valuable on three accounts; First, it was written at a time when this system was but little known, having been in a great measure lost during the long night of popish darkness, which overspread the Christian world for so many ages. This little book was at first like a light shining in a dark place, but now the day is broke, and the light shines in a most glorious manner. Secondly, The author throughout the whole writes like a sincere Christian, appears to have the most glorious ideas of God, of the Lord Jesus Christ, of the divine perfections of the Deity, and of the way of salvation; and he constantly appeals to the sacred Scriptures for the proof of what he writes. And he ap pears to me as one that had a very serious regard to truth, and to the general welfare of mankind; and while he holds forth the glorious system of the Restoration for the comfort of the fearful, he speaks in such a manner of the terrors of the Lord, and the punishments of the future state, as is sufficient to alarm the consciences of the careless and secure. Thirdly, It was the first book that ever I saw which treated upon the subject of the Universal Restoration, and it was by reading a little therein, that I first began to turn my thoughts and attention to the system which I now hold forth. Indeed the argument pressed upon my mind in such a manner, that I could not get rid of them; and though I strove long against them, yet they conquered me in about three years. I think it was in the year 1778 that I first saw this book, and the first piece I published upon the subject was a sermon delivered April 22nd, 1781, to which I added a list of the passages of the Scripture which I judged to be most in favour of the Restoration, and answers to the principal objections most commonly brought against it. I cannot help therefore having a great regard for this work, as it proved the first mean of my conviction, and at length brought me to embrace this most glorious and universal plan of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. As some of my friends in this country have read, and greatly admired this book, and others who have only seen a part of it quoted in my the whole, I have in compliance with their earnest requests, undertaken to republish it, and hope it may be blest to the comfort and salvation of many souls. I have in some places corrected the language a little, and have made a few small alterations, but in general have followed my author exactly, as he never appears to me to vary from what I judge to be the truth of the gospel. May the blessing of heaven attend this publication to all who read it, is the earnest desire of one who takes pleasure to subscribe himself a friend to the whole human race. ELHANAN WINCHESTER. THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE. BELOVED READER: Gon, who wills not that any one perish, but that every one turn to repentance, always used this method, that, before he visited the world, or certain nations, with his judgments, he first poured out upon them all the riches of his long-suffering, love, goodness, and mercy, in such a measure as is allotted to every age; to try thereby, as it were, to his utmost, whether some might be persuaded to forsake their sinful ways, and to be saved from the destruction otherwise waiting for them. Thus he gave divers preachers of righteousness to the antediluvian world, and waited full an hundred and twenty years for their repentance. Before God executed the judgment of the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity upon his people of Israel, he did not only first bestow upon them all manner of bodily good, but also sent them many of his faithful servants and prophets, who delivered unto them many excellent prophecies concerning the Restorer of all things, the Lord Messiah. Yea, before he passed the next by far more dreadful judgment upon this nation, he first sent them even his only and most beloved Son, disclosing unto them by him most perfectly his infinite love towards all his creatures; which also afterwards he did by his holy apostles. Now, since verily the future great and terrible day is nigh at hand, wherein the anger of the hitherto so patient LAMB is to be kindled against the present anti-christian world, Rev. vi. 16, 17, what wonder, then, that God, who willeth not the death of a sinner, is opening at this time all the treasures of his everlasting love towards all his creatures? His design in so doing is, with respect to the wicked, to try his utmost, and to see whether by these means he may bring some of them to repentance, so that they may begin to love again that God who with his eternal love and mercy so tenderly loves them, and thus escape the future terrible judgment, and be able to stand before the Son of man. But as to the little flock of his faithful, or the bride of Jesus, which is on her pilgrimage in the church militant here on earth, he is leading them now upon Mount Tabor, there to let them see their future transfiguration, yea, the abyss of his perfect love, thereby powerfully to strengthen them against their approaching sufferings, because they will soon be led with their bridegroom, to Mount Golgotha, there to be crucified with him. For, verily, the perfect deliverance of the children of God will not come till they have been first put to the test in Laodicea, and the empire of darkness has exercised its most extreme fury on them. Now, for the above-mentioned purpose it is, that this simple testimony of the everlasting and endless love of GOD towards all his creatures, is recorded in this present little book. If thou, beloved reader, makest proper use of it, (to the end whereof I wish thee the necessary light of the Holy Spirit) thou wilt reap abundance of benefit from it in time and eternity, and not know how to thank God, the infinite love, enough for it. But if thou turnest into lasciviousness, that which is declared unto thee in order to bring thee to repentance and true amendment of life, and if thou dost pervert it to fortify thyself in thy carnal security; then will, O man, thy doom be just in the day of judgment, nay, even in this world, may thy outward state and condition here be whatsoever it will, emperor, king, prince, count, baron, gentleman, citizen or peasant, rich or poor, learned or unlearned. I and all the children of love, who by the enlivening knowledge of the everlasting love of God, which is represented unto thee in this treatise, quite plain, and without obscure enigmatical or proverbial sayings; we, I say, who are not made careless by such love of God, but daily more and more sanctified and mightily encouraged for our spiritual combat against the devil, world, sin, hell, and death, we will assist in condemning thee. Yea, this little book, which now is given thee as a mean of life, shall then become thy death, a worm which will gnaw thee day and night, an unextinguishable fire. The Lord preserve thee from it, if thou desirest to be preserved. If any one should undertake rashly to contradict the eternal truth set forth in this treatise, or to write against it, he may do it at his peril; but then I would have him to know, that the empty vapours of the glosses of his reason will never be able to obscure the bright sun-beams of so many clear testimonies of the holy Scripture, which treat of the everlasting love of God towards all his creatures; (especially as they are exhibited in the 12th chapter of this treatise) and that I count him too feeble and unable to thrust that God from his throne, who is everlasting love towards all his creatures, and to enthrone a strange God, who is to be worshipped as endless fury towards most of his creatures. And if any body shall go so far as to calumniate this testimony of eternal truth, and to persecute my person, as much as lies in his power, he must know, that I will not be revenged on him in any other way, than by offering him up day and night to the endless and tender love of God, together with all the rest of corrupt creatures, being prisoners in the centre of wrath, to the end that they may every one of them, by Christ Jesus, the Son of eternal love, be brought back again into the centre of eternal love, from whence they are fallen, and thus enjoy for ever and ever, that God who is nothing else but love! Yea, Amen, so be it, Lord Jesus, thou eternal and universal Saviour, Amen! |