It is to be hoped, that no man, who believes a future state of existence, will grudge the time and pains which are necessary to obtain satisfactory evidence concerning the nature of that state. A mistake here may be fatal. If the doctrine advanced in the following pages be true, it is a most important, a most interesting doctrine. However contrary to the wishes of any, however mortifying to their feelings, however dreadful, it is by all means necessary to be known. Surely no man would wish to flatter himself in his own eyes, till his iniquity be found to be hateful. To a rational and scriptural view of the truth in this case, and to a satisfactory solution of the difficulties which have been objected to it, great attention and close examination are necessary. And whether both our duty and interest require us to subject ourselves to the labor of this attention and examination, rather than to sit down easy in the expectation of peace and safety, till sudden destruction come upon us; no rational man can hesitate.
If any object to the size of my book, my apologies are, the size of that to which it is intended as an answer, and the extent and importance of the subject.
Doctor Chauncy's book is indeed anonymous. Yet, as I am informed, that he and his most intimate friends have made no secret of the author's name; I presume I need not apologize for using the same name.
I am sensible of the prejudice of many against controversy on religious subjects. But is it possible in all cases to avoid it? What is controversy properly managed, but rational or argumentative discussion? And is there to be no rational discussion of the subjects of religion? Heat and personal invective in such disquisitions are both impertinent and hurtful. But a cool discussion of the doctrines of religion, on the ground of reason and revelation, is undoubtedly one of the best means of investigating truth, of diffusing the knowledge of it, and of obtaining and giving satisfaction with regard to the difficulties which attend many moral and religious subjects. This is the mode of discussion, which I have endeavored to observe in the following pages. To point out the inconsistency and absurdity of an erroneous system, and even to set them in the most glaring light; is not at all inconsistent with this mode of discussion. If in any instances I have deviated from this mode, and instead of adhering closely to the argument, have descended to personalities, and have endeavored to bear hard on Doctor Chauncy, otherwise than by showing the weakness and inconsistency of his arguments; for every such instance I ask pardon of the reader, and allow it is of no advantage to the cause which I espouse. That cause must be a bad one indeed, which cannot be supported without the aid of personal reflections.
New Haven, June 29, A. D. 1789.
