GOSPEL, The, E. W. Thomas It seems strange that after the subject of the gospel as a means through which God regenerates sinners has been so thoroughly discussed by our people the past thirty years, anyone should now have the effrontery to say it was Baptist doctrine. If any question can be settled, it surely is settled, that Primitive Baptists believe that in the regeneration of sinners God acts independent of all means and instrumentalities. To say that God sometimes uses the gospel as a means, I think, is begging the question and trying to hide from the real issue and putting up a camouflage for protection.
I would be utterly at a loss to know what scripture to quote to prove that God sometimes regenerates through the gospel. I fear this is only a subterfuge, and not the sincere faith of its advocates. This question was agitated among the Primitive Baptists at the time I began preaching. The division in the Danville (Indiana) Association in 1890 was caused chiefly—almost exclusively—from this doctrine and others that are naturally and inseparably connected with it. From my experience in controversies on this subject, I have observed that brethren taking this view have been slow and cautious to commit themselves clearly and plainly on the subject. (E. W. Thomas in a private correspondence with W. H. Crouse)