Page 125 - Gods Plan of the Ages

Bibel, an entirely new translation and commentary of the Holy Scriptures. They made
themselves familiar with all the writings of the Mystics, and in their great work taught and
defended Universalism from the Mystical standpoint. Their work fills eight large folio
volumes, the last of which was published in 1742. Strong persecution assailing them, and
no printer being willing to risk his office in doing their work, they were compelled to
purchase their own type and a small press. When the Church they had established was at
last broken up by their enemies, the members fled to America, taking their press with
them, and it was set up by Christopher Sower in Germantown, Pa. One of De Marcey's
intimate friends was George De Benneville, born of French parents in London in 1703.
Before he was twenty years of age he commenced preaching in France, where he was
arrested and condemned to die, but was reprieved on the scaffold by Louis XV. Making
his way into Germany, he 'there preached Universalism several years, and then came to
America. In 1727 appeared Ludvig Gerhard's Complete System of the Everlasting Gospel
of the Restoration of All Things, together with the Baseless Opposite Doctrine of Eternal
Damnation. The author was at one time professor of theology in the University of
Rostock, and his publication called forth, according to Walch, no less than fourteen
th
volumes in reply. Jung, Stilling in the latter part of the 18 century, an able defender of
Christianity against German rationalism, was an ardent and eminent Universalist. Prof.
Tholuck wrote, in 1835, that this doctrine "came particularly into notice through
Jung-Stilling, that eminent man who was a particular instrument in the hand of God for
keeping up evangelical truth in the latter part of the former century, and at the same time
a strong patron to that doctrine. "During the present century, Universalism has made
rapid progress in Germany. Olshausen says of it that it 'has, no doubt, a deep root in noble
minds, and is the expression of a heart-felt desire for a perfect harmony of the creation.'"
Dr. Dwight wrote in 1829, "The doctrine of the eternity of future punishment is almost
universally rejected..." In England the Protestants, in drawing up their Forty-two Articles
of Religion, in 1552, condemned Universalism. Ten years later, when the convocation
revised the doctrines of the Church, the number of articles was reduced to thirty-nine,
omitting, among others, the one condemning Universalism. Since that time Universalism
has not been a forbidden doctrine in the Church of England, but has been advocated and
defended by some of the most eminent members of its communion-such men as Dr.
Henry More, Sir George Stonehouse, Bp. Thomas Newton, Dr. David Hartley, William
Whiston, Dr. Thomas Burnet, Revs. Frederick W. Robertson, Charles Kingsley, Stopford
Brooke, and canon Farrar, and indirectly by archbishop Tillotson. The Presbyterian
Parliament of 1648, which temporarily overthrew Episcopacy, passed a law against all
heresies, punishing the persistent holders of some with death, and of others with
imprisonment. "That all men shall be saved" was among the heresies punishable in the
latter manner. This law was not long operative, for the Independents, headed by
Cromwell, soon overthrew the law-makers. Gerard Willstanley published a work in
advocacy of Universalism only a few days after the passage of the law, which was soon
followed by similar works from his pen. William Earbury fearlessly preached
Universalism. Richard Coppin was active in its advocacy, publishing largely in its
exposition and defense, and was several times tried for his offence. Samuel Richardson,
an eminent Baptist, also wrote strongly in its behalf. Sir Henry Vane (the younger),
member of the Parliament dissolved by Cromwell, and in 1636 governor of Massachusetts,
was a Universalist. Jeremy White, one of Cromwell's chaplains, preached Universalism,
and published a work which has passed through several editions. Jane Lead, a Mystic, was
the author of several Universalist books. Henry Brooke, a literary writer, avowed his belief
in Universalism in his Fool of Quality, and in a poem on the Messiah. William Law,
author of the Serious Call, declared in his Letters, "As for the purification of all human