The following words by Elder John Leland (1754-1841) demonstrate that he was no Hardshell respecting the gospel being a means in the eternal salvation of the elect. Hardshells will claim that Leland was "one of them," but on the means of the gospel, he was against them! Read! (Emphasis mine - SG)
"Philemon was the disciple of Paul, and owed himself to him as the instrument of his salvation...Paul begat the fugitive servant by the word of truth to a lively hope." "A Little Good Thing," in "Religion in America," being "The Writings of John Leland," pg. 350)
"Christ delivers by power, as well as by price. There is no intrinsic merit in the gospel, in and of itself, to convert sinners, but by the power of the Spirit accompanying the word...The power of the gospel consists in the authority with which its author is invested...So he sends the Holy Spirit with his word to convince of sin, to discover the glories and fulness of Christ, to apply the blood of sprinkling to the wounded conscience, to lead the soul to Christ, and to his precious promises...So, when the gospel is preached in its purity, sinners are converted, and turn to the Lord. Great things have been achieved by the gospel, through the power of Christ. Witness the effects on the day of Pentecost, and during the apostolic age, and in subsequent periods, down to the present time. There is still the same promise and the same power, and Christ is riding forth majestically in the gospel chariot, from conquering to conquer. I have been endeavoring to recommend this gospel for nearly forty years, and have not grown weary in the service; and I have witnessed the truth of God's word, in the conversion of many precious souls to the obedience of faith--to God be all the glory. Amen." (Leland's "sketch of the discourse" which he had delivered, pg. 378, 379)
"The human family are ruined by sin, all have sinned, all are included in unbelief. There is none that doeth good, they are all out of the way. They are at enmity with God, in alliance with Satan, under the dominion of sin. These are the characters, my brother, to whom you are sent. And, thou, O son of man, cause them to know their abominations. Labor to convince them of the error of their way. Point out their sins, not merely as misfortunes, but as acts of wilful rebellion against the God of love. Discover to them the danger they are in, of dying in their sins, and never going where Christ is. Tell them, that God calls men every where to repent. Justify repentance towards God, and assure them that unless they repent, they will all perish."
"But when you find any who are pricked in the heart, crying out "I am undone," and asking the important question, "what shall I do to be saved," then fly like the prophetic seraphim, with the living coal of gospel promise, saying to the self-condemned, heart-sick sinner, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Represent Christianity as the religion for sinners. Hold forth the Saviour as able, and willing to save all that come unto him." (From "Form Of A Charge To A Candidate At His Ordination," pg. 509)
"So the death of Christ gives eternal life to those who look to him." (pg. 595, ibid)
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