LIFE AND PROPITIATION: AN EXAMINATION OF CERTAIN "NEW DOCTRINES.” "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that By W. J. LOWE LONDON: G. MORRISH, 20, PATERNOSTER SQUARE. 1885. 1246.0.14 PREFACE. THE Somewhat incorrect impression (without my knowledge) and the circulation of a private letter of mine* which grew out of previous correspondence, and which by itself and unexplained is calculated to lead to misapprehension, imposes on me the obligation to publish, in another form, what I have long been deeply exercised about before the Lord, being chiefly distressed at the unsuspecting or careless indifference, and still more at the favour, with which this system of doctrine has been received in many places. For the author of it I feel unfeigned grief, yet praying that in God's mercy he may be delivered from the snare into which he has fallen. Personal affection for him, reciprocal too (I say it with thankfulness to God), hindered me for long from saying anything at all; I desired rather to wait in hope that the Lord would graciously open his eyes, and lead him to listen to the oft repeated exhortations of his brethren to withhold or withdraw the publication of views which he well knows are a fruitful cause of sorrow and division. But warning and entreaty, on the part of many, have been expended upon him in vain. Nothing stays his avowed determination to stand by his tract; and he seeks to shelter himself from the righteous application of Romans xvi. 17 by throwing the onus of division upon others. The Lord is the judge of all this, and the facts are more or less before the saints. With great reluctance and anguish of heart I venture now to print upon this matter; for it is evident that as long as the writings remain unwithdrawn, the cause of the trouble remains, and it becomes a duty to the saints, for the Lord's sake, to set forth their nature, in as far as He in grace may enable one so to do. I do not call in question the sincerity of the author, or doubt * Mr. Grant's published statement makes it appear that this is the only letter I wrote, which is far from being correct. My first letter was in June last; the second, end of September, both containing earnest and affectionate entreaty to pause and weigh these things in the presence of God. Others acted similarly. When at length the larger tract appeared, I wrote again, after a considerable interval, on December 23rd, and in another tone; for I felt the time for mere entreaty was passed. This letter was printed, as stated above. |