[Wilson, James Patriot]. Sin Destitute of the Apology of Inability; or, Moral Inability no Constitutent of Human Nature; By a Christian, the author of "Moral Agency" Philadelphia: Published by Thomas and William Bradford, 1820. First Edition. [10714]
Removed, no wrapper, 8 1/2 x 5 inches, 38 pp., errata note on last page. Good. Pamphlet.
A salvo in the Old School vs New School theological disputes of the times, with Wilson taking the New School positions. Wilson herein answers three reviews of his previously published "Moral Agency," which itself was a response to "An Essay on the Inability of Sinners, by a Presbyterian." He responds 1. to The Presbyterian's review, 2. a review published in The Quarterly Theological Review, and 3. "A Candid Review by a Universalist;" this last he spends the least ink on.
James Patriot Wilson, D.D. (1769-1830), born at Lewes, Delaware; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1788. “He acted, for some time, as Surveyor-General for the State of Delaware. He was admitted to practice at the Bar. The unexpected death of his wife, and the assassination of his brother before his eyes, made such an impression of the importance of eternal things that he quitted the law for the pulpit. He was ordained pastor of the Lewes Church, as successor of his father, in 1804. In 1806 he accepted a call from the First [Presbyterian] Church in Philadelphia. In May, 1828, he retired to his farm, a little south of the village of Hartsville, Bucks county, about twenty miles from the city, on account of the infirm state of his health, preaching, nevertheless, to his congregation as often as his health permitted. For some years before his death his infirmities compelled him to preach sitting on a high chair in the pulpit. His resignation of his pastoral charge was accepted in the Spring of 1830. Dr. Wilson was characterized by a few eccentricities, but they were overlooked, or only excited a smile, in view of his sterling worth. As a preacher, he was perfectly deliberate and impassioned, handling the most abstruse subjects in a masterly manner, speaking for an hour without the least assistance from notes, yet drawing on the stores of memory replete with recondite learning, especially of the Greek and Latin Fathers. He was regarded as one of the most learned divines of his day.” – Nevin, Presbyterian Encyclopædia. For extensive remarks on Dr. Wilson see Sprague's Annals, vol. iv., pp. 353-364.
