TRE A TISE ON 6872 3 IN WHICH, ITS CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES AS SUCH ; . AND ITS GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCES, IN THE FINAL RECONCILIATION OF ALL MEN TO HOLINESS AND HAPPINESS. BY HOSEA BALLOU, OF BARNARD ; Woodstock, Hartland, Bethel and Bridgewater. AUTHOR OF A PAMPHLET, ENTITLED « For as in Adam all die, even fo in Christ shall all be St. Paul. RANDOŽ PH: (VER.) 1805. A LETTER TO THE READER, CHRISTIAN READER, I KNOW it is frequently the case, when a perfon takes a new work in hand, he first casts his eye over the title page, and if he finds no word on it that indicates perverse sentiments ; and the name, or denomination, of the author is agreeable, he may think of having patience to read it; but, being something in a hurry, passes slightly over the preface, fuppofing it to be of little consequence. But what sensations may have struck your mind, on reading the title of this Book, and finding it to be the intention of the author to prove the doctrine of universal holiness and happiness, through the mediation and power of atoning grace, I cannot fay ; however, I would invite you to read, with candor and attention, not only this letter, but the whole of the work, , and make up your judgment afterwards. Sty Many circumstances might be mentioned, which, in their association, have induced me to write and publish the following treatise ; but I can say, with propriety, that the central object was that, in which I always find the most happiness, viz. to do what I find most necessary, in order to render myself most useful to mankind. I have, from my early youth, been much in the habit of inquiring into the things of religion, and religious sentiments ; and have, for a number of years, seen, or thought I faw, great inconsistencies, in what has, for a long time, pailed for orthodoxy in divinity. |