In the "Christian Doctrinal Advocate and Spiritual Monitor," edited by Daniel E. Jewett (See here), we have this communication from Elder James Osbourn (highlighting mine):
"Now the law is a ministration of condemnation and death, and is heavily charged with the wrath of a highly provoked God; and all who live and die under it, must suffer the vengeance of eternal fire; for here the Lord can by no means clear the guilty, nor pass by iniquities, nor justify the ungodly. And this law is out against, and in search, after, every impenitent sinner on earth; nor can he elude it, but by flying to the proper and legal Remedy ordained by the holy Three in the ancient settlement of eternity: and this remedy is the gospel with all its blessed appurtenances and divine glories. And this gospel is a ministration of life and peace, and is fraught with all the sure mercies of David; and all who go out of this world under its power and influence, will arise and dwell with him in whose presence there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore." (pg. 13)
"And in reference to what, the Lord designed to affect by the means of the gospel, I presume we may venture to conclude, that in the ordination and promulgation of it, the Lord had someone specific object in view; and that this very identical object will be accomplished by the means of, or in a way compatible with it. And also, if the eternal salvation of all men indiscriminately, was that sole object, we likewise may venture to conclude, that that particular object will necessarily be the result of that glorious gospel which the great Jehovah from everlasting, and in time promulgated. But if indeed we have sufficient authority to believe that some men die and perish in their sins and errors; of course we then cannot venture to conclude, that the Lord's specific object in ordaining and promulgating the gospel, was the eternal salvation of all men indiscriminately. For, to suppose and to believe, an almighty and infinitely wise Being, should by means of the gospel, make an effort to accomplish a special object, and yet fail in the attainment, would be a derision on that gospel—a reproach on divine power, and an outrage on the wisdom of God. So I write, and so you believe."
"But if so be that the specific object which the Deity had in view, and designed to accomplish by means of, or in a way compatible with the gospel which he ordained and promulgated, was the eternal salvation of the bride, the Lamb's wife, Rev. 21; 9; we then of course may safely conclude, that that specific object must and will be accomplished, just in that way and manner as infinite wisdom may have dictated. And lo, this is what we do believe and rejoice in; and in the gospel we also believe, every necessary arrangement and provision is made and permanently settled for the effecting the salvation of that church which was the object of God's everlasting love and delight, and which he gave to his Son before time began."
"Thus having premised a few things in reference to what was, and to what was not, the specific object God had in view, and designed to accomplish by means of, or in a way compatible with that blessed gospel which he ordained from everlasting, and promulgated in time;—together with what the gospel system is, in and of itself considered, and as it stands connected with the salvation of the church and the glory of God;—we undertake to allege,
That God ordained the GOSPEL, and promulgated the same, with a settled purpose to save sinners thereby; and hence in this his gospel he says, "I will give them an heart to know me, that 1 am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God : for they shall return unto me with, their whole heart." And again says the Lord, 'Zaccheus make haste and come down, for to day I must abide at thy house.' And again it is said, 'As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.' And we are told that the Lord works in men to will and to do of his own good pleasure; and that Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost; Jer. 24, 7; Luke, 19, 5; Acts, 11, 48; Phil. 2, 13; Luke 19, 10." (pages 12-18)
That was the "primitive" or "old school" Baptist position and those today who deny what Osbourn affirms are not primitive, but a new sect. What say ye?
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