The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller. Volume 7, Apologetic Works 3 ; Socinianism

When Socinianism was at the height of its power, Andrew Fuller challenged it in its self-professed point of greatest strength --the virtue encouraged by its principles of theistic rationality. Do the extended implications of its principles compare favorably with Calvinism in the development of virtue? Using their own writings and the admissions they make concerning piety and virtue among Socinians, Fuller compared both systems in their tendency to convert profligates to a life of holiness, to convert professed unbelievers, their development of a standard of morality, to encourage love to God, candor and benevolence toward men, encourage humility and charity, promote love for Christ and veneration of Scripture, develop happiness, cheerfulness, gratitude, obedience, and heavenly-mindedness in the followers of the respective systems. If challenged that he is being judgmental and has focused on subjective criteria, Fuller replied that he is merely engaging the Socinians at the place where they have invited investigation. Fuller intended to lay bare the emptiness of the Socinian boast to virtue. The work first was published in 1793. Acknowledgements General editor’s foreword Contents General editor’s introduction The Calvinistic and Socinian Systems Examined and Compared, as to Their Moral Tendency: In a Series of Letters, Addressed to the Friends of Vital and Practical Religion. To Which is Added a Postscript, Establishing the Principle of the Work Against the Exceptions of Dr. Toulmin, Mr. Belsham, etc. Socinianism Indefensible, on the Ground of Its Moral Tendency: Containing A Reply to Two Late Publications; The One by Dr. Toulmin, Entitled The Practical Efficacy of the Unitarian Doctrine Considered; The Other by Mr. Kentish, Entitled The Moral Tendency of The Genuine Christian Doctrine (1797) Reflections on Mr. Belsham’s Review of Mr. Wilberforce’s Treatise on Christianity (Written in 1798) Index of Persons Subject Index Scripture Index Andrew Fuller was the most significant Baptist theologian in the world of late eighteenth-century trans-Atlantic evangelicalism. His writings were vital in explicating classical Christianity in the context of the British Enlightenment and crafting a missional theology for global Christianity. Fuller's sermons, apologetic works, commentaries, letters and diaries are presented in their entirety for the first time in this series of critical editions. -- Back cover