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Northern District of New-York, s8.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fifth day of June, in the forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1822, DAVID HARROWAR, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit:

"A Defence of the Trinitarian System, in Twenty-four Sermons; in which the leading controversial points between Trinitarians and Anti-Trinitarians, are stated and discussed. By David Harrowar, A. M."

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In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled “ An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to the act, entitled “ An act supplementary to an act, entitled An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of pe copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

RICHARD R LANSING, Clerk of the Northern District of New-York.

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PREFACE.

THE following discourses were preached in Trenton, Oneida County, N. Y. in the years 1817 and 1818. AntiTrinitarianism had prevailed there, through a series of years, almost from the commencement of its settlement, to the time when these sermons were delivered.

As the author resided in that town, and officiated as a gospel minister, for the space of seven years, he deemed it his incumbent duty, to oppose this pernicious heresy, and defend the Trinitarian system. These sermons were written and delivered for the instruction of the congregation, of which the author had the ministerial charge, and without any view to their publication. It must be acknowledged, that the subject discussed, is very copious and highly interesting; and it has occupied the thoughts and the pens of the most able divines, through many ages. It is a thing well understood, that there is a great opposition, at present, made to Trinitarian principles, by men who are classed under various names. It is highly necessary, therefore, that divine truth should be vindicated in the spirit of meekness, and the fallacy of the opposite errors pointed out, with the evils which attend them in time and eternity. Many, however, appear to be greatly opposed to, what they call, controversy; but the advocates of a false theology, are never backward in exhibiting their views, and unless they are met in the field of argument, errors must prevail, and the glorious truths of Heaven suffer by the dereliction.

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It is a mournful fact, that controversy is frequently improperly conducted, and great animosities occasioned by it; but this grows out of the depravity of our hearts. An opponent should never be misrepresented, nor be treated with severity and contempt. In a theological dispute, truth, and not mere victory, should be the grand object. The author can truly say, that for many of the Anti-Trinitarians in Trenton, he entertains a very high regard, as gentlemen of character and talents. It is not from any personal ill will to that people, that the following discourses were preached, and now published; but if he knows his heart, from a regard to the truth, the glory of God, and the salvation of men. From some of his opponents, he has received such marks of friendship and attention, as he cannot but remember with pleasure and gratitude, and hopes to do so, through life.

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Such is the opposition to Trinitarian doctrines, in the present age, that their defence has called into action the elegant and powerful pens of a Wardlaw in Scotland; Worcester, Steward, Woods and Miller in America, who have all exhibited in this glorious cause, a becoming Christian zeal, extensive learning, and much force of argument. These gentlemen have done honor to themselves-to the cause of the Redeemer, and to those sections of Christendom, in which they reside-they have conferred on the Church, now and in all future ages, the high obligation of gratitude and esteem.

If it should be asked, why are not their writings on the subject, sufficient, without troubling the world with the following sheets? The author replies; It is not because he supposes himself to have equalled the productions which have been mentioned. The subject, however, may be presented in various lights, and some benefit may be derived from them all. The shape which is given to this work,

is very different from that of most other authors; and perhaps, it may be read by some, into whose hands, other books of this kind, might never have fallen. It is with a considerable degree of diffidence, however, that the author of this publication, has ventured to make his appearance, as a writer in the world. He is very sensible of the magnitude of the subject; and that his ability to do it justice, may be inadequate to the undertaking. Had no other reason, however, existed in his mind, but the desire of appearing as an author, his manuscripts would have been confined to his own library, through life. But a train of circumstances, which need not be related, left him no choice in this case. In passing the ordeal of learned criticism, he has not the vanity to think the work invulnerable.

Such as it is, it is now offered to the Christian public, with the author's sincere prayer, that it may contribute something to the honor of God-to the support of the truth-to the edification of the saints-to the conviction of sinners; and to the confutation of the deleterious errors, againt which it is levelled. But, if it should be judged by the Orthodox, the candid, the pious, and the discerning part of men, to be weak, assuming, or not adapted to effect the object for which it is designed; he hopes that it will serve to promote his humility.-To God, and to his Church, it is, therefore, humbly and prayerfully submitted.

It is no small gratification to the author, that he has received such a liberal subscription; and he feels himself under the high obligation of gratitude to those gentlemen and ladies, who have appeared as the patrons of his work. As the appearance of these discourses, has depended entirely upon them, the author takes this method of expressing his cordial thanks, for their confidence, hoping that their expectations may be fully answered.

Among the list of his subscribers, he feels himself under peculiar obligation to that dear people, who heard these sermons delivered from the desk. No other town has given such an extensive and generous encouragement to this publication. As the sermons were written and preached for their benefit, they are now offered to them, as a memorial of the author's sincere regard. It is his ardent prayer, that they may be useful to them, and to their dear children, when they shall hear his voice no more. If he knows his heart, it was one leading motive for his first going into that town, that he might have an opportunity to do something, in his ministerial capacity, to vindicate the Divinity and atonement of Christ, and their kindred doctrines. He has reason, however, to mourn, that he has not done more service to the glorious cause, for which the Infinite Redeemer died. The author has no claim on God-no plea to make, but unworthiness-no other ground to hope but the Sovereign mercy of JEHOVAH; through the atoning blood of "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world." To His blessing, therefore, the. following sheets are prayerfully resigned,. by the author, DAVID HARROWAR.

Utica, June 4, 1822.

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