Spruce Street Lectures

i
THE
"Spruce street lectures,

DELIVERED
BY SEVERAL CLERGYMEN, DURING THE AUTUMN AND

WINTER OF 1831-32.
'
TO WHICH
IS
ADDED,
LECTURE
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS
WITH
AN APPENDIX,
BY SAMUEL* MILLER,
Professor of Ecclejiiastical History and Church
D. D.
Government
in the Tlieological Seiui-
nary, Princeton, N. J.
PHILADELPHIA:
RUSSELL AND MARTIEN, 9 GEORGE STREET.
1833.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by
& MARTIEN,
sylvania.
RU.SSEIJL
AND
RUSSELL
in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Penn-
AIARTIEN, TKlNTERsi,
GEOllGE STREET.
THE ELDERS
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THIS
IN
THE UNITED STATES.
VOLUME
IS
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
RY
THE EDITOR.
THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.
To
Members of the Presbyterian Church.
the
This course of Lectures was founded
The
design was to furnish the
members and
in prayer.
families of the
Presbyterian Church, with a Manual containing interesting
and popular discussions of some of the most important

subjects, both doctrinal
and
ecclesiastical, taught in
the
"Confession of Faith."
When
faith,
doubts are entertained in regard to any point of
taught by our holy religion and our venerable stand-
ards,
it
is
important that the members of the Church
should be furnished with a calm and able defence of those
which are
truths
called in question.
The well known
character of the gentlemen engaged in
this course, will be regarded as a sufficient
recommenda-
tion of the volume.
Although the work
is
especially dedicated to the Elders
of the Presbyterian Church, yet
patronage of
may
all its
attend this
which
He
members.
it
And
is
commended
to the
that the Spirit of
God
defence and inculcation of the truth
inspired,
is
the prayer of your brother in the
Gospel,
SAMUEL
Philadelphia, January, 1833.
G.
WINCHESTER.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Preface,
Introduction. By
Lecture
y^
I.
The
Rev. Dr. Green,
The
Lecture
II.
Lecture
III.
The
Lecture
IV.
On
Rev. Dr. -/isk,
Fall of
By
Man^ and
its
Rev. Dr.'fiow,
On
VIII.
On
105
143
By Rev.
Regeneration.
By
171
Rev. Dr.
.215
...
Justification.
'-Keill,
Lecture X.
Rev.
Ecclesiastical Polity.
On
On
By
Rev. Professorôdge,
'iMartin,
Lecture IX.
69
Discipline.
Dr.îller,
Lecture
41
the Nature of the Atonement.
By
VII.
of Grace.
Mr. M^Farlane,
On
effects.
Rev. Dr. Janeway,
Church
Use of the Means
By
Lecture
ix
Inability of Sinners considered.
By
Lecture VI.
By
Christen Missions.
John*Breckinridge,
Rev.
By
.
Dr.
239
Rev.
.
255
ADDENDUM.
Lectujce on Creeds and Confessions.
'I'liller
By
Rev. Dr.
299
ERRATA.
Page
"
"
"
"
10, line 7
12,
"14
from
top, /or declation
"
"
read declaration.
for divide read describe.

for planned read placed.
*'
74,
"
"
92,
"
"
"5
"
for sustain read restrain.
"
"
for ask read act.
37,
" 173,
" 210,
for
And
the read Another.
strike out must.
INTRODUCTION,
BY REV. ASHBEL GREEN,
The
framers
Church
D. D.
OF PHILADELPHIA
of the Constitution of the Presbyterian
in the United States, introduced their
Church Government by specifying
certain
*<
Form
preliminary
principles," or fundamental truths, as the basis on
the whole superstructure had been erected, or

as
they express
it,
"they were governed
principles, the fourth section

in order to goodness;
is
by which,
in the formation
as follows:
fruits
"That
truth
and the great touchstone of truth,
tendency to promote holiness; according

'by their
which
In this statement of radical or elementary
of the plan.'^
rule,
of
ye
shall
know
is
its
to our Saviour's
them.'
And
that
no
opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd, than
which brings truth and falsehood upon
that
represents
On
it
rable connexion
between
faith
it
truth or to
embrace
is
an insepa-
and practice, truth and duty.
would be of no consequence
Otherwise
fidel
and
of no consequence what a man's opinions are.
the contrary, they are persuaded that there
"The
a level,
either to discover
it."
innocence of error," was a favourite dogma of in-
writers and loose moralists, of the last age; and
it
was
INTRODUCTION.
was intended
against this, that the foregoing statement
But
be more immediately directed.

timent was,
believed, never so openly
is
it
avowed and
formally defended, as in the present age; for
it
modification of the principle, while the essence
which we
find
now
guished literary
man
is
to
this mischievous sen-
is
is
only a
retained,
advocated by some of the most distin-
men
of Europe, in the position ^*that a
To
not responsible for his belief or opinions."
de-
monstrate the falsehood of this baleful doctrine, which goes

to the subversion of all
faith
and practice,
is
moral obligation, and
now
all
religious
the task of the able and erudite
friends of revealed truth and Christian duty, both in the

old world and the
But many
we
the error
reject
it,
in
but this
(it
be with honest abhorrence)
when broadly
who, nevertheless,
some of
is
may
contemplate,
in its extreme,
for
new.
its
violation, are
tolerate
it,
and viewed
and even plead
degrees and modifications.
What
when
a strict and strenu-
sound doctrine and
a jealous fear of its
virtually advocated,
ous adherence to
stated
made
the subject of undisguised reproach,
or represented as the indication of a narrow and bigotted
mind; and when
active exertions for the promotion
of visible religion are extolled, as marking not only greater liberality of mind, but
be expected
creed?
among
This
we
those
is
piety, than is to
are tenacious of an orthodox
often hear; and does
truth, or just principle,

is
more of genuine
who
it
not imply that
not necessary to the best action
not always favourable to
it ?
or,
may
be even
less fa-
INTRODUCTION.
xi
vourable than principles received with
and partaking of
site
who
of this
is
held, and
is
it
little
Now
mixture of error?
examination,
the very oppo-
believed must be held, by
all
understand and honestly profess an attachment to the
standards of the Presbyterian Church.
It is readily
may be a zealous contention
admitted that there
and orthodox doc-
for abstract principles of truth, or for sound

trine,
without activity in promoting the cause of
world; yea, with the destitution of all
The
liness.
may
truth
vital
God
in the
and practical god-
be held in unrighteousness.
Let this,
whenever apparent, be unsparingly censured and pointedly

condemned.
that there
fess,
is
Let
it
be shown, as
a glaring inconsistency
it
easily
may
and what they do, or what they refuse to do,
maintain with ardour the truth as

late his
it
is in Jesus,
in all
who
and yet vio-
by withholding
precepts themselves,
be shown,
between what they pro-
their
best
energies for the extension of his cause and kingdom, and

the salvation of perishing sinners.
mated
or implied, that there
is
But
let
it
not be inti-
any other safe and firm
basis for right action, than truth or sound doctrine; far

that without this, there
than with
it.
may
be a better practical system
If such, for a time,
any given instance
-as it is
will assuredly prove, that
seem
when
the
to be the fact in
the
result
mixed system of
truth
conceded that
and error becomes fully developed, and

effects
less,
and consequences, the want of
it
is
may
seen in
strict
its fruits,
adherence
to
sound doctrine will be strikingly and lamentably apparent,

in practical evils of a
very pernicious character.
In a word,
INTRODUCTION.
xii
let
be remembered, that as there
it
so there
is
is
an icy orthodoxy^
also a fanatical heat, and that both are to be
carefully avoided; that the truth
is to
be strenuously main-
tained, and to be fully carried out into practice;
and that
that practice or course of action will be the most correct,

the most exemplary, and the most firm and efficient,
rests for its foundation
in its greatest purity.
on the greatest measure of
So
tution, as already quoted,
there
is
tendency
terian
^^
truth, held
and truly says, our Consti-
Truth
is
in order to
goodness-
an inseparable connexion between faith and prac-
and duty; the great touchstone of truth
tice, truth
The
says,
which
is
its
promote holiness."
to
fact is too palpable to
Church,
at
be denied, that
in
the Presby-
the present time, doctrines not in accord-
ance with our public standards, are freely promulgated, both
from the pulpit and the press; that

with
many
it is
a favourite topic
of the advocates and propagators of these doc-
trines, to represent
them
as better
adapted to the awakening
of careless sinners, producing revivals of religion, and multiplying converts, than those contained in our Confession of
Faith and Catechisms

tainly
understood
as these formularies cer-
were understood, by those who formed them, and
they are
still
held and taught, by those
their genuine import.
who adhere
Those who think
to
them
as
in
that they ought to
disregard or violate our doctrinal creed, do not act consistently

in retaining their
connexion with
Church whose standards
they consider as impeding and restraining the best and most

efficient action for the
good of mankind, and the glory of the
INTRODUCTION.
Redeemer: and while they remain,
that
xiii
it is
reasonable to think
they will embrace any favourable opportunity to
effect
such changes in the doctrinal system of the Presbyterian
Church,
as shall
opinions
render
it
more
unless, indeed, the
in conformity with their
example of Geneva
own
shall
be
preferred and followed, where the doctrinal standards, framed
under the auspices of Calvin and Beza, have remained untouched, while
all
the leading doctrines they embrace are
renounced and ridiculed, and their adherents reviled and

persecuted.
Believing that the doctrines of the Confession of Faith and
Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church, are those of the revelation of
stated;
God, most accurately systematized and correctly
and consequently that they must be more favourable
than any other to the advancement of genuine Christianity,
and the eternal salvation of the souls of men; believing

that they admit of a fair
and
effectual defence,
also
on the princi-
ples of sound reason and philosophy, as well as of sacred
Scripture; and believing, in fine, that such a defence was
loudly called
for,
when these
doctrines
lated, disparaged, or disfigured,
who had
were impugned, muti-
even by writers and speakers
adopted them solemnly and formally
those who
planned the Spruce Street Lectures, determined
to solicit
from some of their brethren, whose talents and opinions were
known
to
qualify
them eminently
for such a service, the
discussion of certain leading and fundamental points of our

doctrinal standards, in a series of Lectures, of
speaker should deliver one.
which each
It is greatly regretted that the
INTRODUCTION.
-xiv
series is less complete than
whom
of the brethren to
it
would have been,
approved the plan proposed, had not found
whom
several
if
application was made, and

it
all
of
incom-
patible with their health, or with previous engagements, to
contribute their aid.
But notwithstanding every
many
deficiency, there are
still
so
cardinal points of doctrinal and practical theology
discussed in this volume, and in a

pressive, that
it
is
manner
so clear
and im-
confidently believed that every candid
and attentive reader will receive sensible benefit from

perusal
the well informed, by the revival
in their
its
minds of
a distinct view of truths which have long been most precious

in their estimation;
and those
who need
instruction
the removal of doubts and difficulties,
by finding the
mation, explanations and illustrations,
which
and
infor-
their circum-
stances require.
The method
of communicating instruction and defend-
ing truth, by courses of lectures professedly prepared and

delivered for the purpose,
is
In the country from which
we
this character
have long been
well
known
derive our origin, lectures of

in use;
try there have been a few instances,

the
same kind
has
and
in
in
our
own
is
coun-
which something of
been attempted.
heretofore
they will hereafter be frequent,
mode
not to be novel.
That
not improbable; as this
of conveying to the public the opinions and rea-
sonings of
men
of learning, piety and talents,
mended by many
considerations.
The
is
recom-
preparation of a
INTRODUCTION.
single discourse is not onerousj and
manded, and
its
XV
when
but one
is
occasion and connexion are considered,
deit is
not likely to be a hasty or careless production; and the

concentration of the talents of able men, each discussing
an important point in a single lecture,

prepare for the public volumes of
Street and
Bury
much
may
be expected to
value.
Street Lectures, contain
The Lime
some of the most
able, useful,
and pious disquisitions of the English dissent-
ing divines.
The Spruce
Street Lectures accord entirely in
doctrine and spirit with those admirable discourses; and
without claiming to equal them,
same blessing from the
known to have
io the latter.
it is
humbly hoped
Spirit of grace
attended the former,
and
may
truth,
also
that the
which
is
be vouchsafed
SPRUCE STREET LECTURES

LECTURE
I.
Delivered on the Evening of the 2d November, 1831, by the
Rev, Ezra Fisk,
D.D. of
Goshen, N. Y.
THE INABILITY OF SINNERS CONSIDERED.
No man
"
can come unto me, except the Father, which hath gpnt me,
draw him." John vi. 44.
It has pleased
God
to reveal, not only his existence
his personality, in Father, Son, and
glorious
economy
Holy Ghost.
but
In the
of redemption, the Father sends the Son,
and the Holy Ghost proceeds from both the Father and the
The agency
Son.
sometimes
When
draw
men
*'I, if I
the
On
Spirit
is
ascribed to both,
be
lifted
to
the other.
up from the earth, will
unto me," he ascribed the influence of the
Spirit to the Son: in
by
Holy
one person and sometimes
to
Christ said,
all
of the
my
text,
he
tells us,
the Father draws
same agency.
this
fundamental doctrine of the Holy Spirit's
influence, executing the
official
commission of the Father and the
Son, rests the propriety of ascribing his agency to either

or both.
The
recognition of this doctrine seemed necessary,
to understand definitely the
meaning of the exception
in
SPRUCE STREET LECTURES.
10
my
text.
consider
Holy Ghost,
men
ence,
it
in bringing
as referring to the
men
can come and do come
This
do not and cannot come.

ing of the passage.
With
to
him
agency of the
With
to Christ.
this influT
without
it,
the plain and only
is
God
men
them.
Leave out the exception, and modify the
are capable of doing
tion so as to include the agency,
come unto me,
can
draw him."
all
who
This
is
if
all
the Father,
it;
who
home
declaration in our text, as
made
it
decla-
"every
hath sent me,
Christian experience
its
glory in the
But
to Christ in heaven.
leaving out this agency, the whole
taught his helplessness and
thus,
The whole economy
all
and the great day will reveal

millions, brought
requires of
and encouraging truth to
a precious
preach the gospel of Christ.
redeemed
that
would read
it
of grace illustrates this great fact;
proves
mean-
the agency intended in the ex-
ception,
man
they
is
reversed
man
is
only
The
to feel his misery.
fell
from the
Christ, expresses an important fact,
lips of Jesus
which should be well
understood.
Before
which
is
proceed to consider the inability asserted,
the principal object of this discussion, there
important inquiry to be answered:
What
is
is
an
coming
to
Christ?
I
answer the question, and discuss the assertion.
I.
Tlie question
tion of
its
But
hour.
it
necessary for
Coming
process.
some
is
of great importance, and the illustra-
answer might profitably occupy the whole of

admits of a brief solution, which
my
is all
this
that is
present discussion.
to Christ, in these days,
is
altogether a mental
In the days of our Saviour'.^ pilgrimage in the flesh,
miglit have understood
it
otherwise.
When
he
tra-
INABILITY OF SINNERS CONSIDERED.
1 1
versed the regions of Palestine, the people flocked to the
many
places of his instruction, and, douhtless,
nothing
side,
ble
On
else.
and
in the wilderness,
human
thoug;ht of
the mountain, in the plain,
by the
he stood before them
sea
in tangi-
Their eyes saw him, and looked on
form.
his
miracles; their ears heard the gracious words as they pro-
ceeded from his
But
lips.
withdrawn and enthroned
by us only
Mind
in mind.
since his bodily presence
in glory,
he
is
alone can
to be
now
is
approached
penetrate the
heavens, and contemplate the Saviour where the beloved
and exiled disciple saw him, exalted
in purity
and splen-
dour, with the rainbow of Jehovah's merciful covenant

reflecting his delightful radiance.
We recognize,
it is
true, the
grand and glorious principle
of his spiritual divine existence, one attribute of which

his
omnipresence: and
attribute, '^he is not far
we know,
is
that in reference to this
from every one of
But we
us.''
speak of a moral approach to Christ, as the Redeemer and

Saviour.
A brief
in
sketch of this mental process
may
be comprised
spiritual apprehension, gracious feeling,
Nothing
action.
is
more
and holy
certain than the fact, that the
pure, spiritual, holy and gracious character of Jesus Christ,

as the
all,
only and
all-sufficient Saviour, is not
or misapprehended,
Coming
to Christ,
by men who
apprehended
are ^'far from
at
him."
must include some apprehension of
his
character as found in the gospel, of his divine existence and

glory, of his holiness and compassion, of his grace and loveliness,
and of his suitedness
this spiritual
apprehension
to the case of lost sinners.
is
included faith in his
offices
In
of
prophet, priest and king, in his atoning sacrifice and intercession
at least, so
much
of faith
is
included as belongs
12
to the exercise of intellect.
more than
am aware
mere apprehension of
that
a matter of testimony, is included in that faith
There
gospel demands.
is
something
character, or accrediting
which the
upon the merits of
a reliance
the Redeemer's sacrifice, an affection of the soul, resting on

the loveliness which
is
spiritually
the intellectual exercise there
which the unbeliever has
not,
is
apprehended
hut
in
a spiritual discernment,
and which
who
fallen spirits,
tremble before the majesty of the Son of God, never possess,
it
is
discernment of the excellence, glory and
loveliness of Christ, and an appropriation of his rich and
gracious promises to the soul.
There may be degrees of
clearness and strength in this spiritual apprehension, but
Ihe characteristics are essential.
They
divide
which, rather than the degree, the estimation
Gracious affection
process, in
coming
is
its
nature,
is to
by
be made.
an essential part of the mental
to Christ.
Penitence, humility, grati-
tude, love, and faith, are connected with that spiritual appre-
hension just named.
These are
feelings of the heart, with-
out which there can be no Christian grace. Sorrow for sin,
hatred of
its
intrinsic loathsomeness
and opposition
to
God,
humility under a sense of unworthiness, and forsaking the

servitude of Satan, are indispensable, in a sinner's approach
to Christ.
must be
Gratitude for such a Saviour and such a privilege,

called into exercise in this transaction.
process.
It
is
But
most direct and important exercise
to Christ is the
love
by which
faith
works
love
in the
in fact,
it
is
an essential part of that faith which relies on the great

atoning sacrifice, and unites the soul to Jesus Christ.
By
holy action,
mean, not only
a living exercise of
gracious affections, but a subjection of the will to the obe-
dience of Christ.
mean
directing
all
the faculties of the
mind
in the service of
called us with an
i3
him <*who gave himself for
holy calling:"
speak
now
us,
and
of mental, not
external action, profession, or observance of religious duties.
These
all
have their importance
in their
proper place, but
they are the result of coming to Christ, and necessary evidences of the
fact.
The man who
and loves Christ, comes
trusts,
come.
All this
is
spiritually apprehends,
him, and none others
to
often expressed in the gospel by a single
comprehensive term, faith,
love.
presses the whole transaction;
it ^îs
hoped
love
for, the
is
evidence of things not seen."
The
faith
ex-
Sometimes
used in the same comprehensive sense
the fulfilling of the law."
reasons
why
^^love
and love are so prominent and
vital in the transaction;
and because either of these graces implies the whole.
may, perhaps, be asked, whether the '^coming

mentioned in the
text, intend
To
former, beyond peradventure.
It is
this,
coming
answer, the
to
him
vation -into covenant union with him, perpetual in
But while
It
to Christ,"
union to him, or merely an
approach, to ask some blessing
rious results.
is
these graces
whole process, are very obvious, because
are used for the

faith
Sometimes
the substance of things
the text
is
for salits
glo-
thus interpreted, the
exercise of these graces should be cultivated in
all
ap-
proaches to Jesus Christ.
The assertion of the text, that without the agency of

Holy Spirit no man can come to Christ, demands care-
II.
the
ful attention.
Taking the obvious
of this coming, and

Spirit's agency,
I
am aware
its
scriptural interpretation
form may be thus
no man
stated:
without the
can love Christ, or believe
that this doctrine
is
on him.
denied, and the whole
agency of the Holy Ghost rejected. His divine existence
is
also denied,
and the doctrine
man needs
propagated that
is
no aid to his reason, except what instruction he gains from

nature and some moral
God and
lation, to love
But
this doctrine I
maxims found
fulfil all
need not refute.
a denial of God's plain declarations,
gospel of Christ.
Few
in
what we
reve-
call
the obligations of his being.
in this land,
It necessarily includes
and
it
sets aside the
is
whole
to be hoped,
have
the hardihood unequivocally to espouse an opinion so
di-
rectly in the face of divine revelation.
But there
is
much
speculation on the inability intended
in this declaration of Jesus Christ;
and there
great importance attached to the inquiry into
The
is
certainly
its
meaning.
much from any
importance, however, arises not so
inherent difficulty in the investigation, or any liability of an
honest mind to err, in the interpretation of the text, or in

practical application, but
and bad philosophy of the
no man ever did come
Holy
Spirit;
age.
It is
to Christ
undeniably true that
without the agency of the
no believer of the gospel can suppose that any
man
ever will come without
that
none can come, except by
it
and the Saviour asserted
this agency.
necessary then, to admit that the inability
is
its
from the multiplied speculations
What more
is
entire, a
complete preventive?
Apart from the meddlesome philosophy which has

truded
its
one reason for pursuing the inquiry another

to
show
That
is,
to love
him and
believe on Christ.
this subject, the facts, as stated in the Scriptures, are
entirely satisfactory to
that
step.
the consistency of this announcement with God's
commands, which bind us
On
in-
blindness to obscure the light, I perceive only
my
mind.
There can be no doubt
God's commands are peremptory and binding
individuals of the
human
famil}^, to
whom
the
ofi
all
word of
his

revelation
Here
facts,
Are they
consistent with each other?
the question. If they are not, there
is
men
Holy Ghost.
of the
revealed with equal plainness, and each
positively asserted.
This
can there be any doubt that
come without the agency
two
are
Nor
sent.
is
are unable to
15
is
inconsistency
and inequality with God, because he has asserted both, and
We come,
applied them to the same persons.

this examination,
with the assurance of their entire con-
sistency in fact; and if ive cannot perceive

certain the defect
is
in us,
It is a case in
tion.
therefore, to
it,
we may be
and not in the divine administra-
which we are not

Both are
one and reject the other.
at liberty to hold to
facts,
and must be
consistent.
Whether such commands would have been given to us if

Holy Spirit, perliaps we
there had been no mission of the
we know
speak not now of
are not competent to say; but
given without
it.
agency which God exercises over and

of that mission of the Spirit
^^
influence, to
ness,
the providential
in his creatures, but
whose object
reprove the world of
and of judgment,"
that they are not
sin,
is,
by an unseen
and of righteous-
to take of the things of Christ,
This influence constitutes
and show them unto his people.
an essential part of God's administration, and he
ready to "give the Holy Spirit
The
Christ,
Here
them
that ask
character and effect of this inability to
is
ever
him."
come
to
a proper subject of inquiry, and should, in these
is
days, be well understood.
and
to
The
subject embraces
can only receive a brief examination

let
me
say, that the circumstances
at this
much,
time.
under which
address you, and the occasion, together with the false phi-
losophy so often mingled in the discussion of this subject,
must be
my
apology for detaining you with a philosophical
16
Some apology seems
investigation.
necessary, for I have
not forgotten the Apostle Paul's caution to " avoid opposi-
But
tions of science falsely so called."
has been so involved,
may
since this subject
be permitted to recollect ano-
man
ther caution by the same Apostle: "beware, lest any

spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit."
regard these cautions, and show
how
hope
to
philosophy has obscur-
ed this subject.
The terms which
indicate
power, are used more vaguely
and more variously than almost any others in the English
The
language.
power.
reason
No man
get the idea, but the thing itself
We perceive the relation

that
power which
we
is
it.
beyond our cognizance.
it is
efiect,
and
call
What
it is,
we
between cause and
constitutes this relation.
do not know, and

if
We know not what is

We know how we
obvious.
is
has ever defined
But
useless to attempt its definition.
take that relation which suggests the idea of power, in
the place of
its
definition,
we
shall not err in
The
important applications or uses.

tion and the efiect
which
tion of man's power.

volition ability, nor
the connexion
is
Yet the
rests is precisely
may
will
any of
between
its
voli-
be used for a defini-
is
not power, nor
the effect power, nor
ability;
is
follows,
relation
is it
is
true that
but that on which the connexion
what we
call
power.
Nothing
be properly so called, which belongs to man.

substitute this connexion for that
can see no error in any of
its
which
else can
Now
if
constitutes
we
it,
applications in argument or
illustration.
Perhaps some
substitute
any
finable?
may be disposed
to ask here,
why
would
definition for ability, which, in itself, is unde-
answer, because
it is
desirable to divest
it
of the
perplexity and vagueness to which usage and speculation

This
have subjected the term.

illustrate
my
Christ.
Is there a
reason
is
17
To
sufficient.
meaning, take the case before
us,
coming
connexion between volition and
between
and
to
spi-
or
ritual
discernment
tween
volition and the appropriate holy exercise of all the
mind's
volition
If there be such a
faculties?
love
connexion
as
be-
between
cause and effect, a dependence of this discernment and love
men have
on volition, then, certainly,

to Christ, without the
is
no addition of
But here
it
asserted
which
Is
with volition?
moral power.
Call
it is
it
all
event with volition,

perly so called.
it
so;
*^come
it is
What
to Christ."
Is volition a
is
moral
moral
which
act?
And
act.
whether
if
so connects
physical, natural, or moral
I care not
them
is
let it
be
the same; that which connects the
is ability,
know
Now,
what
it
the latter
and nothing
else can be pro-
there are other notions of power,
will presently be examined; but let not this
be yet forgotten.
kind
Be
not that which connects moral *
effect of the former, that
remembered
which
it
God
so or not, love to
be the
not the power.
that this description of
physical or natural.
obey the command
moral ability?
effects
is
is
men have
by some,
by many that men have natural power, but lack moral
ability, to
is
ability in the conferring of divine grace.
will be said
ability is of that
it
if
men have
may
be called
view
this ability of
any
without the draw-
come to Christ, or to love God, it must

have been ascertained by the fact having, at some time, taken
ing of the Father, to
place.
No
other evidence can be admissible, in opposition
to the positive declarations of Jesus Christ.
such a
power of coming
agency of the Holy Ghost; and there
no such connexion,
If there be
the
fact,
and
I will
admit the ability
such a fact has never occurred, and
is
Show me
in that case.
But
utterly impossible.
18
had
If Christ
said,
it
man
impossible for any
is
who
unto me, except the Father
hath sent
me draw
would not have varied the meaning of the
it
him,
What,
text.
becomes of the distinction between natural and
then,
and inability?
Tworflr/ ability
It is set aside as useless, so
concerned.
far as its application to this case is
Ability always indicates a connexion
and
effect;
those
come
to
have not greatly mistaken the meaning of
if I
who contend
consider
for
man's natural
something which
as
it
between cause and
or that belongs to the will
They
God, they
ability to love
connected with volition,
is
represent the whole process
of coming to Christ as depending on a man's choree
men have
Whenever they
natural powder to come,
this is because
choose.
come.
All that
is
and
they
if
choose to exert that power, they
necessary, therefore,
is,
that they should
be induced to choose to love God, and then they will

actually love him.
Now
indeed be a
men have
But
is it
fact, that
if all
natural
Let us examine the
so?
not govern the understanding.
man's
will
possess
mere statement of
man
were
true,
power
The
it
God.
volition does
does not depend upon a
illumination.
is
would
to love
spiritual things, or
spiritual
this fact,
case.
It
whether he discern
intellect
his
this
whether
think the
^'The natural
sufficient.
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
arc foolishness unto him; neither can he
God:
for they
know them,
be-
cause they are spiritually discerned."
The
volition
moreover does not govern the
heart.
not depend upon a man's will, whether he love
him;
for
**
it is
be."
because the carnal mind
It
does
or hate
enmity against God;
not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can
The
rntion.-:,
is
God
truth
the will
is,
is
by an
irreversible
govci'ne
law of mental ope-
by the affeclions, and they

must be changed, before there can be any love
were
so tliat the affections followed and
every sinner, alarmed
tion,
at
19
God.
to
If
depended on
it
voli-
the prospect of the everlast-
ing wrath which awaits him, and accrediting the fact that
him from going down
love to Christ would deliver
would certainly love him. On
no danger of self-deception; no need of
among
Christians to
with the
know
to the pit,
this supposition, there could be
their state;
much
so
no need of
anxiety
a warfare
no danger of being brought into
lusts of the flesh;
which
captivity to the law of sin
members.
in their
is
cannot be true, that the will governs the affections.

just as easily conceive that a
It
can
may govern
man's volitions
his appetite for food, as his taste for
moral
man might
influence of volition,
as well transform,
which he chooses
his aversion to a medicine
sinner change,
both
ness:
by the same
are impossible.
by
indicated
to love
If natural ability, therefore, be

will, as the
men have
not natural
God
as the effect,
God.
merely the possession of
natural ability, to
faculties,
which
As
this
is
am
is
constitute
true,
them
That men have
ability.
and responsi-
free, moral,
and of great importance
to
not disposed to contend for words,
meaning of
be recollected.
I will
The understanding
But has
it
heart loves; in the same sense
heart has ability to love.
But has
it,
or
it
man,
the ability of spiritual
discernment, without divine illumination?
The
examine
perceives;
proper, therefore, in this sense, to say, that
has ability to perceive.
indicate
which, rightly employed,
do love God, and perform Christian duty.
ble agents,
to take, as the
influence, his aversion to holi-
But some use the phrase
faculties
sick
connexion between volition, or
cause, and loving
power
by the
truth.
it is
it
Certainly not.
proper
to say, the
ability to love
holi-
20
Nay,
ness?
enmity against God, and cannot be sub-
is
it
which enjoins holy
ject to the law of God,
chooses;
love.
therefore, has ability to choose.
it,
two questions
be answered
to
choose independently
and
has
The
will
But here are
the will ability to
can the choice control the
affections of the heart?
To
the
first
question, I answer, that man's will has no
self-determining power,
but
pleasure of the heart; that
This
is
is
is,
always governed by the
by the prevailing
that I consider
affection.
mental philosophy,
a principle so well settled in
unnecessary, at this time, to investigate
it
the proof.
Although the
cannot act independently,
will
it
The ultimate
choose subordinately, and ultimately.
may
choice
always terminates on the object most agreeable to the heart.
A subordinate choice terminates on some object, not always

own
for its
sake, or because
the sake of something with
Now,
agreeable.
it is
in itself agreeable, but for
which
it
connected that
is
conceive that an awakened sinner
is
may
have such a sense of his danger, and be so fully convinced

that
away from
the Saviour he must perish, that he
come
really choose to
may
to Christ for the sake of escaping
hell; not
because he discerns any beauty in Christ, or has
any love
to
sick
This
man
is
choose subordinately, as the
not only conceivable, but
occurrence.
It is,
when they begin

them
He may
him.
chooses medicine, for the sake of his health.
that they
to
seek the Lord.
do not choose
to
convince them that their choice
is
matter of frequent
paramount
to all
You
come
is
heart does not love him; but their
choice
is
obviously, the usual course with sinners,
cannot convince
to Christ;
you may
of no avail while the
own
argument.
consciousness of
Tell
them
that
it

depends on their choice, and that
would do
if
21
they chose to come, they
many
we do choose to come, but we know
that we have not come; and we suppose therefore we do not
choose it, because those who have a right to know tell us
certainly
have
it
said,
it
seems
it;
they will say, as in such cases
to us
depends on our choice.
who
not a few,
own
depends on their
such a case,
is
Such
generally the case with
is
coming
are taught to believe that
more
Man's own
will.
to Christ
consciousness, in
likely to accord with fact, than are the
inferences from speculative theories.

If the will can thus choose subordinately, the second
question
can
answered
the choice control the affection?
in the negative.
highest affection
in the case just
is
It is perfectly
is
easily
'^
evident that the
placed on the ultimate object, which,
now mentioned,
wrath; coming to Christ
is,
from impending
safety
is
therefore, chosen subordinately,
and has no tendency to change the
affection.
here be observed, that the Spirit of
God
men
It
should
often convinces
of their sin and danger, and the necessity of loving
Christ, long before they do love him.

distinctly before his mind, the
With
these thoughts
awakened sinner
tries the
process of subjecting his heart to his will, for days, or even
weeks, before he learns that he must despair of accomplish- ^

ing the object, and must rely on the Spirit's influence. The
more he
tries to love
God
in this
way, the more hard
his
heart seems, and the farther he goes from the object which
he seeks.
The
truth
that willeth, nor of
must be
him
realized, ^*it is not of
that runneth, but of
God
him
that
showeth mercy."
Let
me
here
state, briefly,
government and freedom,

the Scriptures and with
the doctrine of the will's
in accordance, as I conceive,
fact.
The
will
with
always obeys the
*Z2
pleasure of the heart, and in this consists both
ment and freedom.
To
philosophical form,
it is
is
present the whole operation in

thus
the excitement to action
which the
the
heart, or faculty
spring or source of action
feels, is the
Thus, the choice of the will
entirely governed
is
the highest kind of freedom conceivable.
be more free than to choose as

desire
ble,
Can the
will
Can any
will than to choose just as
If he had liberty to choose
he never would use
heart; and this
most. agreeable?
is
any other liberty of
he pleases?
the motive
is
by the pleasure of the
is
man
its
which
the ultimate object
and pleasure
always obeys.
will
govern-
its
what
is
disagreea-
Such choosing could not be
it.
freedom, except in cases already referred
where
to,
disa-
greeable objects are chosen subordinately for the sake of

the ultimate,
which
We have heard
is
of a
always agreeable.
dogma which
teaches, that
men may
choose to be damned for the glory of God, from which,

although
it
ment, nor
be most lovely in
to see
any
another kind of freedom
But
except pain.
rally laid aside,
bear the
name
ties
in
choosing
of
its
author.
of these
It is
and
absurdities,
One
it
which
is,
in
free
it
gene-
well that so monstrous

still
better, if the
peculiari-
belonged, were as generally

I
voluntary
in
is
are willing to
which constituted the
dogmas
God's ejficiency
century
who
would be
a single aspect, viz. that all
exclusively,
without any motive
this figment of the last
of the system to which
exploded.
This, verily, looks like
and disowned by those
an absurdity should die;
two remaining
they expect no enjoy-
itself,
loveliness.
have occasion
examine
holiness and sin consist,

exercises.
producing
belongs to the same philosophical
immediately within the range of
to
my
sin,
The
although
speculation,
subject.
other,
falls
it
not

Since, according to this
sist
dogma,
exclusively in voluntary exercise,
lence included in coming to Christ

the will
is
all
is
is
much power
as
holiness and sin con-
volition only: and since
God
to love
which
This, I believe,
as to hate him.
and breath
men
true, I
But
and sanctify men.
would think
is it
true
it
a waste of time
admit that volitions are
which they proceed
principle or propensity from
is
also
^*Out of the heart (not volition) proceed evil
sinful.
thoughts."
am
aware, however, that some use, though
inaccurately, voluntary exercises to include
On
of the heart.
chooses
renew
Spirit's influence to
maintain that feelings are sinful, and that the
sinful; but I
of
new and
are naturally able to exercise.
pray for the Holy
to
only a
is
It is
a fair representation of the doctrine.
is
were
if thi^
all
it
wrong; -men, therefore,
furthermore inferred, that regeneration

right choice,
Now,
the moral excel-
all
not governed by any good or evil principle,
just as easy to choose right as
have
23
has
many
it
that principle, I ask,
no character?
the feelings
all
what
feels
what
ask for the appositeness
of our Lord's parables, such as of the tree, leaven,
What
and mustard seed.
man? What
is
absurdities to
The way
is
punishable?
connects the exercises with the
But
which the principle
now
cannot pursue the
prepared to examine the real character
of that inability which keeps the sinner

It is sin.
It is
many
leads.
away from
Christ.
not want of faculties, which are capable,

j
under the Holy
coming
Spirit's influence, of all that
to Christ, but
employ them.
The
without that influence,

inability
is
and perversion
implied in
men
cannot so
recognized in three aspects
blindness of the understanding

of the will.
is
hardness of the heart
These
qualities
are
expressed, by ignorance, deadness, and obstinacy.
again
Is
it
24
Or
right to call this sin, moral inability?

natural inability?
The
tinctive phraseology
is
truth
the heart, that seat of the affection
Men
it,
only impediment in the
In order that any
all,
come
There must be
man
call
way of sinners coming
should love God, repent
on the Lord Jesus Christ, or what includes
sin, believe
them
However
we may
describe this depravity, and whatever
this is the
to Christ.
of
are depraved in
and source of action; and
evinced by blindness and perverseness.
we may
be called
it
out of place, and worse than useless,
in the explanation of this subject.
this is
shall
the whole use of this dis-
is,
to Christ, his heart
new
must be regenerated.
propensity or preparation of heart to
love holiness and hate sin, and the understanding must be
enlightened to discern the spiritual excellence and loveli-
The impenitent man has neither
ness of Christ.
without them, coming to Christ
is
of these; and
Should
impossible.
ing to Christ, and that the inquiry respects the
it
is
com-
fact,
whe-
here be said that the development and propensity
ther he has or has not the ability for their production and
exercise; and
I
answer
what
is
the nature of that ability or inability
in several particulars.
It is
admitted on
all
hands,
that the impenitent sinner has not this discernment or pro-
pensity
he cannot, therefore, develope what he has
That he has not power
to enlighten his
own
not.
understanding,
or to originate a propensity to love holiness, I have already
shown.
As
already said
to
it
the
character
of that inability,
consists in a principle
the mental faculties, and having
its
of
have
sin, affecting all
primary
seat in the
heart.
Now, what the nature of that inability is which renman incapable of regenerating his own heart for the
whole inquiry may concentrate here it matters very little
ders
25
Let us examine more carefully the philosophi-
to define.
cal definitions
of the day.
but
losophically true;
If
we
call \i
physical,
it is
phi-
an improper use of the term,
is
Physical ability, though
therefore calculated to mislead.
ever so great, could not produce the moral change called
power
as a fallen angel,
now
is
for
much
If a sinner had ten times as
regeneration.
him
renew
to
would be
it
his heart.
as
employed
is
it
Physical power never

All their
originates moral results in responsible agents.
physical ability
physical
just as impossible as
for physical purposes, except
used instrumentally, by the governing principle of
it is
The
the heart.
physical action,
principle
is
which moves and controls
to be the subject of change.
be changed by that which only acts under
cannot
direction and
its
Thus, the truth of the assertion
control.
It
all
is
evident; but
such are the associations and uses of the term physical, Xhdl
improper
it is
ology, connects
a
man
here, and
it
it
is
calculated to mis-
familiar uses of the phrase-
with volition and external action. Thus,
chooses to walk, and the efiect follows; but his limbs
become
employ
to
The more common and
lead.
palsied,
and then he
is
physically unable to walk.
child cannot perform the operations of a
illustrations
Such want of power
all.
is
ners are physically unable to love God,
them
lead
we
call
effect
to the
any thing
inference that they

else,
except that
with volition, physical power,
and obscures the subject

If
we
But
call it
similar abuse.
natural
to
which
it is
inability, the
if
we
say sin-
is liable to
mis-
are excusable.
If
it
which connects the
makes confusion,
it
applied.
terms are liable
It is nevertheless true, that
to
evidently excusable; and from
and warrantable use of the phrase,
this fixed
man.
need not be multiplied; they are familiar
man's
to a
inability
26
is
by
nature, because
represent
tures
which the Scrip-
his depravity
is
it
to
natural
be
to
But
him.
natural^ in distinction from moral,
we
if
use
means the same
it
as
physical, and ought not to
be employed
cussions of this kind.
however, natural inability mean
want of the
If,
in theological dis-
requisite faculties to constitute
sible agent,
love God.
They do
is
men
not true that
it
possess
man
the requisite faculties; but
all
very few men have so disciplined their minds

distinctions
and theorising,
terms and their use
as
to technical
carry along with the
ought not, for these
It
technical and differently ex-
reasons, to be used.
In
plained meanings,
true, or
it is
to
meaning.
this
a respon-
are naturally unable to
its
it is
appropriate meaning and use,
it
is
false;
but in
its
common
altogether inapplicable
to this case.
Now,
we
if
say
it is
moral
If I understand the
as objectionable as the former.
m,oral,
it
indicates something
The
right or wrong.
ful,
made
and
that
in this place,
why
is
is
it
Any
man,
Several
besides the one
some
of a moral nature,
use,
answers
which
it is
is
moral belonging
then,
is
moral power to
arc given to this inquiry,
Take one
have before given.
a heart
prepared to love
ness; sinners have not this.
would say
that
all
What,
in his heart.
is
love God?
that
man
moral, and nothing else,
is
the primary seat and source of

to
to
thing which belongs to. man,
be faculty, principle, or conduct.
it
term
either holy or sin-
is
inquiry should, therefore, be
either sinful or holy,
whether
which
what belongs
moral?
terms are quite
inability, the
God and
holi-
But take another meaning,
the possession of a faculty or faculties which are moral; and

sinners surely have moral
to perceive
why
it
is
power
to love
God.
am
unable
not just as proper to say that they

as natural ability, to
have moral,
is said, in
one
change their
men have
case, if
power, they cannot be obliged
may, with equal propriety, be
to
But
statute.
am
mean
keep God's law
said, if
men have
why
tion, I ask,
is
so
it
often under-
is
wisdom
On
is
affected in
this supposi-
considered the essence of obe-
power of any kind, and
dience, should be called
No
not a moral
which, in the estimation of those
that,
use the distinction,
sense?
It
obey the moral
aware, that moral ability
willingness; and great
using the distinctive terms in question.
who
hearts.
not natural faculties or
faculty or power, they cannot be obliged to
stood to
>7
The
good reason can be given.
any
in
truth seems to
me, that those men who use the distinction of natural and
moral in explaining the inability of sinners, are deceived,
by
transferring an
actions,
where
and
is
which belongs
association
where
not true;
is
it
true
it
transfer
to external
belongs, to mental affections,
which
will,
therefore,
always mislead.
It will
now
not loving
a
more
are to
definite
blame
how
can a sinner be blamed for
The answer
to this question, will lead to
be asked,
God?
view of the
sin
men
it is
and for that always.
the object of God's displeasure,
are criminal.
philosophy which
Men
be in action or principle, in the temper of
the heart or in volition,

it
under discussion.
for nothing except sin,
Now, whether
and for
inability
is
It is a
specimen of the bad
becoming prevalent
in this age, that
no
being can act wrong unless he has ability to do right; and
none can act

is
right, unless
he has
ability to
do wrong;
all this
applied to mental operations as wêll as to external actions.
But
err?
is
not
God always
right and good, although he cannot
Is not Satan sinful
love holiness?
and blameable, although he cannot
Certainly.
But
if this
principle
may
not
28
be applied to men, will not the guilt of the damned be

greatly diminished, the
Are
impassable gulf?
moment they are
less criminal than others,

difficult to
change
leopard's
spot
whom
The
to
as the Ethiopian's skin,
Are
grace, or
'^ it
Is
it
is
and punish
it,
how man
human
men
for
its
can be blamed
If I understand
precisely of the character of one pro-
posed to Paul, *^why doth he [God] yet find
fault? for
who
Although connected w4th the
his will?"
hath resisted
all
change that principle from
to
agency proceeds?
his criminal
all
the source of
is,
asked,
it
power
for sin, if he has not
this question,
of
impossible to renew
is
and must be changed by divine
will forever hate
character and agency.
which
as the
repentance?"
ability is sinful,
God
and fixed
comparatively innocent
those
true account of the case
agency and
placed beyond the
the prophet speaks,
because their habits of sin are as
the Apostle declares,
them again
whom
those of
subject in a different aspect,
is
it
the same inquiry.
might give the Apostle's rebuke with great propriety,

"nay,
Here
that
it
art
would be proper
thou that repliest against
to leave the inquiry,
modern philosophy laughs

by which
be divine,
tion.
man, who
but,
Let
it
a question
is
settled
be remembered then, that
philosophy to explain
were
at all authority,
it is
how God's law
God?"
it
not
though
it
without explana-
not the province of
reaches the heart and
binds, but every man's conscience can testify the fact, and
reproach him for his malice.
became thus
man's
fall,
sinful? let those
If the question be,
who
ask
in the third chapter of the
it,
how man
read the history of
book of Genesis, and
Paul's account of the covenant relation and imputation, in

his epistles to the
this question;
Romans and
Corinthians, for a solution of
and there we leave the inquirers.
Take another method of solving
own
constituted his
to
is
it,
enemy
an
no matter what
by
The
rule
shows him
His power
power.
intelligent, free,
and found opposed
this standard,
of God.
his
is
to be such,
by
not estimated
simply his moral character.
this standard, but
has
are holy, the stand-
Every
ard of right and moral obligation.

responsible agent, tried
God
the difficulty.
which
perfections,
29
Ability
is
not the basis or measure of responsibility in this case, but
man
the faculties which constitute
repeat again, to prevent
all
ing of obligation to love God,
man
am now
employed, and
is
responsible, according to that
is
Man
and not according
love
God with
God
for the exercise of all his faculties; if they are
employed,
it
his physical ability.
the character
I recur
sistent
has
now
is
that source of
to the question,
a right to
Be
remembered
is
responsible to
wrongly
wrong; and the

the worse
would not be
or, in
this doctrine is con-
more
to love
explicit terms,
him,
if
they have
answer yes, most undoubtedly.
that this refers not to external conduct,
where physical power

it
is
human agency,
whether
command men
not the ability to obey?

it
He
does not
the more criminal.
with God's commands
God
not.
proves the source of action
more depraved
is
he has
for
which he
has,
to that
speak-
not of external actions,
where physical or natural power

which
moral agent.
a free,
mistake, that
cannot be rightfully
is
employed, and concerning which
man who
commanded to
true.
has no hand or foot
An
use them.
idiot
cannot be rightfully ordered to solve a mathematical pro-
blem, or an infant to calculate an eclipse.

such ability to do with loving
command over
God?
But what has
speak
the heart, and man's inability
to turn the atfections to
God.
all
now of God's
Let me here
by nature
repeat, that
.^
30
God
command men
does
Moreover
the only impediment in the
The
plain
all
fact
its
and
we need
now
Further
After
all
character of the inability
not speculate.
recurs,
what
Holy
saith the
the speculations on this subject, to ex-
Scriptures
of the Spirit, so are

the Spirit
goodness,
is
is
incomparably more satisfactory than
its
for
all
to
God
a fruit
is
^^The
the Christian graces.
fruit of
gentleness,
Salvation
meekness, temperance."
is all
plan, developement and completion, '^not of
we
are his
workmanship, created
Jesus unto good works."
Holy
Love
love, joy, peace, long suffering,
faith,
of grace, in
of the
which he
this reason of the righte-
that philosophy ever can teach.
for
that
is
philosophy, the simple and very plain language of
Holy
works
same time
right; because
of their obedience
command, show the
great question
Ghost?
the
This
men.
ousness in the
to be sin.
way
at the
it is
which God condemns, and
sinful principle,
will punish
him, and
to love
says they cannot love him.
Spirit
Regeneration
^âccording
is
in
Christ
by the agency
mercy he saved
to his
us,
by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy

Ghost
bora not of blood, nor of the

God born
will of the flesh, nor
of the will of man, but of
from above
formed by renewing of the mind."

challenged
<^who
maketh thee
me
we are
the Apostle,
*'not that
from another?
Christ said
ye can do nothing."
Said
sufficient of ourselves to
think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency
God."
What
language, plain or figurative, could
explicitly declare
man's inability without the Holy
than the Scriptures use again and again?

in the chapter of
my
text
trans-
Christians are thus
to differ
and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?"

to his disciples, '^without
Elsewhere
It is
is
of
more
Spirit,
twice stated
sinners are repre-

sented as "alienated from the
mind," which
nal
power of Satan
the
sins
having
enmity against God,
-îs
subject to the law of
God"
of
life
31
for
God, neither indeed can be"
and
of sin
dead
them
their hearts fully set in
to
it
^*
is
car-
not
under
and
in trespasses
Man's
do evil."
deliverance from this spiritual death and servitude to sin
and Satan,
^'is
runneth, but of
that
showeth mercy."
those very numer-
Take
ous passages of Scripture which
ascribe to the
dominion,
lost, blind,
ascribe
all
all
men
enemies
to
as
dead in
God and
sin,
and the curse, are found
all
under
helpless
those prophecies, in which the figures of dry bones,

ity
Spirit,
all
the character and state of fallen

its
Holy
those which
those which represent
those which represent
as his fruits, the graces of piety
regeneration to the same agency
change as a new creation
all
that
But quotations
need not be further continued.
this
him
not of hijn that willeth nor of
God
all
steril-
those records of history,
which describe the progress of the gospel and the conversion of

facts,
men
to
God
and
all
those supplications, directions,
and promises, which indicate a reliance on Christ and
the
Holy
me
if
Spirit for sanctification
and salvation
then
tell
there can remain a doubt of man's inability and
crime.
What now
are the uses to be
One very important

If
men
use
is to
made
of this doctrine?
humble man
before God.
are so sinful that they cannot deliver themselves,
either
from
to be
humble.
its
curse or from
They have
its
dominion, they have reason
reason to be humbled under a
sense of their sinfulness and their impotence.
few things of which men

of power.
There are
are more inclined to be proud than
Children early discover a disposition to glory
in their strength, or their capacity to accomplish
what they
32
Men
consider important.
all its
relations and influence,
their imaginations,
in
by the Holy
themselves
and are prone
to
at the disposal of
humbled
to be
this doctrine
"Whoso
manifested in them.
feel
The pride
own benefit and God
his own power may be
sovereign mercy.
for .his
humbled, that
will have sinners
in
become vain
they are prostrated in the dust, and
Spirit,
man needs
power
forgetting their sin and weakness
But when once they are taught
before God.
of
are naturally fond of
exalteth himself shall be
abased."
Another use of the doctrine

So long
as sinners perceive
no danger, and
God
their ability to turn themselves to
No
representations of their danger.
much
he considers
There
and
is
no
sin.
feel confident in
at
any time, they
sinner will be likely
anxiety for the salvation of his soul, while
depending on
as
it
truth,
convince
ger, than their lost, helpless

felt this
his
own
choice or ability.
which the Holy Ghost more frequently
efficiently uses, to
publican
men of
mercy, or care for the
will not listen to the invitations of
to feel
convince
to
is
when he
men
of their sin and dan-
by
condition
cried,
"God
nature.
The
be merciful to
me
fully does the Spirit convince men of their

when he draws them to Christ, that their cry
^^Lord save, or we perish;" and ever after they live and
a sinner.
'^
So
helplessness,
is,
walk by
faith,
looking to Christ, in
whom
is
their strength,
and depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
The
teaches
Spirit often teaches sinners their
them
their helplessness
danger before he
they look more
of their conduct than the sin of their hearts.
they
commence an
effort to
make themselves
at the sin
In such cases
better.
They
try expedient after expedient, confident that they can turn
themselves to God.
But under the teaching of the
Spirit
make themselves worse
they learn that they
imminent dangor of
in
is
make
has power, he will
him perceive
tion,
his soul
if
he
has, or think
he
But
let
exertion for his safety.
that he is ready to sink into everlasting perdi-
feel that his sin renders
and
distress will
his soul;
fill
Spirit, despair
and
if
and
is
him
helpless, an
agony of
Christ had not sent the
would drink up
trusts in Christ,
the
instead of bet-
Let a sinner perceive that he deserves endless misery
ter.
and
33
his
own
spirit.
Holy
Then he
thus drawn by the blessed agency of
Holy Ghost.
But here
it
may
possibly be asked,
suppose
it is
even wrest
it
if this
doctrine be not
from seeking the Lord ?
calculated to discourage sinners
possible for cavillers to pervert the truth, and
own destruction; but that it is calcumen from trusting in Christ and accept-
to their
lated to discourage
ing salvation, as
it is
freely offered to them, I cannot admit.
know that some have said the doctrine is calculated to

lead men to sit down quietly and wait God's time to save
I
them, alleging, that
if
he do not save them, the
be in the Saviour, and not in themselves.
came from
But
if
a sinner, deeply anxious for his soul's salvation.
the objection
were founded
would not be to quiet the feelings.

I think,
may
in fact, the influence
Suppose
illustrate the influence of the
Were it announced
tended in the objection.
a case,
in
it
to us, that the
be
filled
what
lie
if
we
re-
few moments longer we must inevitably be
consumed, and that
would we
which,
sentiments in-
flames are encroaching upon this house, and that
main
fault will
This cavil never
we
are unable to get out of the house
down and
sleep
with wakeful agony.
No, every bosom would
But
to
make
the case some-
parallel to the real situation of the simler,
suppose two things more
we must
that our sinfulness alone disables
34
God
us from escaping, and that
Then
his efficient and certain relief.

in the flame to night,
entreating us to accept
is
if
we
should perish
would there not be crime
Would
helplessness in our case?
as
well as
there not be a striking
analogy in the feeling, likely to be excited in such a case,

to the conviction of sinners taught of
the analogy
is
To my mind
God?
easily traced.
It is again objected that this
doctrine sets aside the use of
means with impenitent
To
sinners.
un-
this I reply, in
that exactly the reverse
qualified terms,
is
If the
true.
excellency of the power were of men, every thing would
But
be confused, uncertain, and discouraging.

of God, and not of men,
on his
ability,
which
is
means with the end.
we may hope
since
it
is
for success, relying
constant and efficient to connect the
This
is
too plain to need further
illustration.
It is further objected, that it is inconsistent
to exhort sinners to repent or
and useless
perform any Christian duty,
know
if this
doctrine be true.
some
ears to hear such addresses to sinners as **look
blind
hear
ye deaf
awake
from the dead, and Christ

not
many
men
ye
thou that sleepest and arise
shall give thee light."
But
so
think such exhortations useless.
doubt
it
is,
are thus described and thus exhorted in the gospel of
Christ
tent?
sounds very singular to
it
and
God
who
will undertake to say they are inconsis-
has ordered us in the gospel commission to
announce most
distinctly^ the guilt, helplessness,
of sinners; and at the
command them
same time
to repent.
and misery
to exhort, entreat,
Our warrant
is
plain,
and
and our
prospect of success, in these announcements, rests on the
mission of the
Holy
Spirit.
When
the voice of the Spirit
accompanies the exhortation, sinners hear and come to
35
trine with
have already shown the consistency of the docGod's commands, and this rests on the same
principle.
But
Christ.
me
say once for
must not longer dwell on

the
all,
human
have employed their utmost
heart and
this topic
human
very strong
closed
by the
markedone
be distinctly
fact
Here
fixed
and
upon the character of the heart
light
me,
for I
him with shame,
No
am undone."
tians
deep
is
by the
Spirit of
use of this doctrine
is
God.
to lead Chris-
and ministers of the gospel to cultivate a sense of
pray for his agency.
No
matter
power may be considered by

entire
which alone can bring men
sensible
how
men
must
Spirit's blessed
and
and glory.
feel
agency,
to Christ, enlighten their
for his service
minds
The more
are of their helplessness and real necessity,
more they
will pray for the grace of
trine tends to induce .in Christians a
God.
is
sent to humble,
The
doc-
more constant sense of
responsibility under the gospel administration,
Holy Ghost
Spirit,
great man's physical
others. Christians
dependence on the
and sanctify them
the
in
dis-
crying, ^^wo
dependence on the special influence of the Holy
their
intel-
as dis-
cavil or objection can stand
before a conscience enlightened
A very important
let a
and teaching of the Holy Ghost,
arms every objection, and prostrates the sinner

self-abasement, and covers
let
multiply and propa-
efforts to
gate objections and cavils against this doctrine.
ligent look within,
ingenuity
where the
enlighten, sanctify,
and
guide them in the knowledge of his will, and discharge of

Christian duty.
bility
Dependence on the
Spirit
and responsi-
The whole gospel urges upon us this

Holy Ghost. He takes of the
and shows them unto us and we cannot
go together.
sense of dependence on the

things of Christ,
be too thoroughly impressed with the importance of relying
36
on
Christians do not pray enough for this
this influence.
blessed agency; and too often they attempt the perform-
ance of duty with
little
or no sense of their dependence.
explains their frequent failure
This
While Paul recognized,
their graces.
"without
Christ's declaration,
me ye
fully, the truth of
can do nothing," his
and confident reliance on the influence of the
humble
Ghost, enabled
Christ,
and the meagreness of
who
him
"I can do
to say,
strengthens me."
standing, and relying on their
own
view of the helpless condition
They
and
in grace
their
own
more
under-
strength.
will
of sinners, ministers of the
likely to rely
agency
for his
on the
accompany
to
Spirit's influence,
their ministrations.
keep the doctrine of the Holy
distinctly in their
own and
the
view of
Spirit's
others.
agency
It
was a
judicious remark of a sensible elder in the Church,

ministers of the gospel would honour
more
in
ful-
the influence of this sentiment of dependence, and
gospel will be
and pray
things through
all
It is not a sense of inability,
which prevents Christians from growing

filling their obligations, but leaning upon
Under
Holy
their preaching, the
the
"if
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost would honour
them."
One
its
direct object of preaching the gospel
is,
to
of sin
their lost,
sin,
everlasting destruction from the presence of the
from the glory of

to
convince
disabled, perilous condition under

of
influence of the direct and certain consequence of
men
his
power.
Lord and
Another important object
is,
convince or teach them of the righteousness, not only of
the law
which condemns
alone they can be justified

tion
by
Christ,
thorn,
but of
Clirist,
to explain the
by which
scheme of
salva-
and the principles of the administration

under which they are planned.
in the
This
words which man's wisdom
Holy Ghost
how
teaches.''
is
to
37
be done, " not
teaches, but
which the
necessary that ministers of
Christ should be deeply impressed with the sense of their
dependence on
They
heavenly instruction and influence!
this
should go from their closet to the pulpit, to the
They
family, and every parochial service.
the case of sinners before the
mercy
should carry
seat, unite the
convic-
tion and conversion of their souls to the intercession of
Jesus Christ, which alone can prevail, to send
down
the
answer of peace.
One important
practical question
tracted discussion.
assembly.
Is the
you
is
striving with you.
not the
must
close this pro-
every individual in
That some such
Be
here, I doubt not.
Holy Ghost.
this
your salvation;
inclinations
cautious that
you
are
,.-
resist
Recollect that you live under an
which
administratioii in
to
seek the Lord, be sure the Spirit
feel inclined to
awakened
it
agency of the Holy Spirit drawing you?
If
for
propose
this is the last
resist this,
agency employed
and you must perish forever.
Recollect that you live in a time greatly distinguished for
You
the outpouring of this blessed influence.
yourselves a fearful responsibility,

influence.
if
you
take upon
resist the gracious
You may, for aught I know, have come very

when it shall be said of you as of
near to that point,
Ephraim, "let him alone."

pect!
How
the
your carelessness
Holy
tremendous the pros-
urgently should this caution be pressed upon
your excited attention

that
How
Spirit;
and
And ye
costs
wo
careless ones,
you no small
be to you,
when you
succeeded effectually in quenching the
remember
efforts to resist
Spirit.
shall
have
>
38
Christian brethren! take heed that
Holy
Spirit of promise.
you grieve not the
Cherish his influence; live under
his guidance; pray for his agency to convince
perishing sinners.
bless,
and save us
May
all
the
Lord
and convert
hear, answer, forgive
in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

LECTURE
II
Delivered on the Evening of the 27th November, 1831, by the
Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D. of
THE FALL OF MAN AND
Rom.
"Wherefore, as by one
sin;
man
ITS EFFECTS.
v. 12.
all
men,
for that all
subject assigned for discussion this
" the fall of man and
Yorlc,
sin entered into the world,
and so death passed upon
The
New
its effects.^^
The
and death by
have sinned."
evening,
is,
passage just read
will bring both parts of the subject distinctly to view.
The
inspired writer's chief design in this epistle
illustrate
and establish that fundamental
religion, justification
The
faith
in our
necessity of this free and gracious
Having proved
all
be in such a
state,
tiles, to
article of
method of
Christ.
justifica-
state of the
mankind, Jews
to
our holy-
Lord Jesus
founded on the sinful and guilty
tion, is
race.
by
is,
human
as well as
Gen-
and under the curse of God's
violated law, the Apostle deduces from his premises, this
incontrovertible conclusion: "Therefore, by the deeds of
the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for
by
42
the law
is
knowledge of
the
He
sin.''*
immediately to exhibit the plan of
then proceeds
infinite
wisdom
for
delivering us from our fallen and helpless condition; show-
ing
how
believers are ^^justified freely"
through the redemption that

other words, ^^how
works
to
him
that
*^
grace,
in Christ Jesus;" or, in
is
God imputeth
worketh
by divine
not,
righteousness without
but believeth on
him
that justifieth the ungodly, "t
To remove
them
the prejudices of the Jews, and to reconcile
to the truth,
trious father, in
he evinces that Abraham, their
whom
they gloried, was
way;
righteous, in this
justified, or jnade
was thus
that he
illus-
justified
while
uncircumcised; that circumcision was designed for the

purpose, not of introducing a
but of confirming that
mable blessing
to
by
faith,
new method
of justification,
and transmitting
this inesti-
every believer, whether Jew or Gentile,
throught he operation of that gracious covenant, in which
Abraham was
constituted
father
of the faithful, under
Christian as well as under the Jewish dispensation. J
Pursuing his design, the Apostle begins in the text the

parallel
he runs between Christ and Adam; and by show-
ing that as
all
mankind
fell,
by
the offence of their
common
progenitor, into a state of sin, guilt, and condemnation, so
who
all
believe are restored,
by the obedience of
Christ, to
a state of righteousness, peace, and acceptance with
and then he establishes the adaptation of

to the case of all
to
need
The
fall
men; and, consequently, proves the Jews
its relief as
really as the uncircumcised Gentiles.
text contemplates the
of his posterity.
Rom.
iii,
20.
God;
this gracious plan
fall
of the
man, and the
first
Both parts of our subject are included
Rom.
iv. 5, 6.
Rom.
iv. 9, 17.
THE FALL OF MAN AND

and
in its terms,
ITS EFFECTS.
43
your serious and unpreju-
to both I invite
diced attention.
The fall of the
I.
Adam,
happy
As
state.
first
man.
known, was created
well
is
it
his
body was brought
into existence in a
mature condition, capable of performing

of a
full
ponding
grown man;
so his soul
with
state of maturity,
developed, and
volition,
and
fitted for all
in a holy and
all
the operations
was created
all its
noble faculties fully
the diversified acts of intellect,
The knowledge he
affection.
in a corres-
displayed of
the marriage relation, the facility with which he imposed

appropriate names on
all
him
the animals brought to
for the
purpose, and the intelligent intercourse he enjoyed with

his Creator, furnish clear proofs of his having been created
in a state of mental maturity.
Besides,
rian, that
we
are distinctly informed
Adam
by an
his likeness'y'^^ and
that
the
the sacred histo-
inspired Apostle,
we
found, that
sought out
That our
"Lo,
God made man (Adam)

many inventions. J
first
this
his relations,
mind was enlightened.
and of his
The
duties, as his
His heart was
26, 27.
pure
his
perfect
loved his Creator as fervently as duty
demanded; and he was
i.
as
volitions of his holy
will accorded entirely with the dictates of
He
only have I
upright; but they have
state of probation required, is clear.
Gen.
are taught
parent possessed as distinct a knowledge of
God, of himself, of
judgment.
after
image of God denotes especially knowledge,
righteousness, and true holiness, t
as his
by
was created "in the image of God,
tCol.
fully inclined to render all the acts
iii.
10.
Eph.
iv.
24.
Eccles.
vii.
29.
.0^
44
homage and obedience prescribed by the
of
In a
law.
word, he was entirely free from every moral defect, and
was what
Maker
his
required
him
to be.
and holiness,
Created in this state of intelligence, purity,
Adam was
perfectly happy, enjoying not only the plea-
sures of that delightful garden in
which he was placed, and
intercourse with that rational and unequalled female
panion
but
whom
and
also,
chiefly,
communion
the smiles and
In his garden he walked,
Maker.
com-
the bounty of his Creator had given him;
of his
admiration of
the
angels and the envy of devils, lord of this, and heir to a

better world.
With
this
highly gifted creature, the
scended to enter into a covenant, in
mised
as the
God
was pro-
It is
worthy of remark,
has regulated his dealings with
covenant engagements.
Noah and
life
reward of obedience, and death threatened
the penalty of disobedience.

in every age,
Most High conde-
which
He
as
that
men by
established a covenant with
with Abraham and his seed;
his descendants;
with David and his offspring; with Phineas and his children; and ought any to be surprised,
that
God made
when
it
is
affirmed
covenant with the parent of our race?
the brief history given of
him by Moses, we discern
In
all
that belongs to a covenant; the parties, the stipulations,
the promise, the threatening, the
And when
it is
seal,
and the
recollected, that a covenant
with Christ, the head of the
new
assent.
was established
creation,
the
second
Adam, can it be doubted that a covenant was established

with him who was his type, the head of the old creation,
the
first
says,
by
Adam?
Reproving
his ancient people, the
his prophet Hosea, ''They, like
Lord
men," [Jidam
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
45
have transgressed the
in the original) "they, like Jldajn,
covenant."*
This covenant was not only just and equitable, but
Adam
gracious.
also
powers
was endowed with ample
to
promised
perform
its
condition,
reward.
By
the positive precept annexed to the moral
and thus secure
the
law, his obedience seems to have been so concentrated to
one point, that here alone danger of
was
to be appre-
hended; and had he duly guarded himself in
this quarter,
he would probably have been

Besides, his
trial,
failing
safe in
every other point.
which, without this covenant arrange-
ment, would have been indefinitely extended
was reduced
to a very brief term, that
have lasted longer than the
But
this
fruit
as to time,
would not probably
he was forbidden
to eat.
adorned as he was with the
noble creature,
moral image of God, honoured with his smiles and com-
munion, and aspiring
after a higher state
from that holy and happy condition,

placed
by
alone, he
The circum-
Through the agency
enemy both
of
God and man,
prevailed with our
common
made with him, by
eating the forbidden fruit .t
parents,
parent to violate the covenant
sin could gain admission into the
who
of Eve,
had previously and successfully
tempted, Satan, the great
How
fell
deplorable apostacy are briefly stated
inspired penman.
whom, when
of being,
which he had been
the munificence of his Creator.
stances of this most
by the
in
minds of our
had been created perfectly holy, or
first
how
it
gained an entrance into the holy minds of angels, and
converted them into fiends of darkness, I do not under

take
to
explain.
* llosea,
It
vi. 7.
is
deep, unfathomable mystery,
Gen.
iii.
1, 6.
46
which God has not revealed.
I content
myself with stating
the fact, and the circumstances that are revealed.
Dreadful were the

Conviction of guilt
and
of the
him with shame.
filled
voice,
effects
made him
which was before music
Conscious of
to his ear,
ill-desert, that
and awakened in
no emotions but those of delight,
his breast
him with
man's apostacy.
first
sensible of his nakedness,
terror, that
now
inspired
prompted the vain attempt of hiding
himself from an omnipresent and omniscient Being,

the trees of the garden.
the culprit
At
command
the
Convicted of having
compelled to appear.
is
violated the covenant,
sentence
among
of his Judge,
pronounced on him.
is
The ground is cursed with barrenness on his account. He

is doomed to labour and toil, and to eat his bread in the
sweat of his brow, and in sorrow of heart.
death was passed on him: ^^Dust thou
art,
Sentence of
and unto dust
shalt thou return."
Deprived of that divine image in
which he was
he became totally depraved, dead in
created,
trespasses and sin,
had
it
and alienated from the
life
of God; and
not been for the wonderful interposition of divine
grace in his favour, through the promised seed, the calamities
of his earthly
bitter
most deeply
was,
we
grace, of
II.
us
would have been succeeded by the
as
he was with the
hope, selected to be the
which
grace might
let
life
pangs of eternal death. Our great progenitor, stained
it is
guilt of a ruined world,

first
triumph of that rich
recorded, ^^That where sin abounded,
much more
abound.''
Having contemplated the fall of the first man,

now contemplate the fall of his posterity.
The connexion between

apostacy of his children,
is
the apostacy of
a subject
Adam
worthy of our
and the
serious
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
47
and devout investigation; a subject that has been frequently

discussed, and in their views of
which Christian divines
widely.
differ
Some
was
It
first sin.
ble for
we have
boldly affirm,
his,
We are
not ours.
not at
fVe did not eat the forbidden
it.
existence
when our common
of his sin
is
*In the
nothing to do with Adam's
first
father
a novel doctrine, a
mere
number of the 2d vol. of " the
responsi-
all
we had no
fruit;
The imputation
fell.
fable.*
and Theologi-
Biblical Repertory
cal Review," edited at Princeton, N. J. p. 77, will be found a valuable paper,

entitled "
traces
who
The early History
up the
In that paper, the writer
of Pelagianism."
belief of the imputation of Adam'' s sin to the days of Augustin,
shows that
flourished in the fifth century, and
as a doctrine that had always been
That the Jews were
it
commonly received
familiar with the doctrine o^ imputed sin,
manifest from the sacrificial system, in which
it
was
daily held
"
view, and especially on the great day of atonement.
upon the head of the
lay both his hands
was then regarded
in the Church.
the iniquities of the children of Israel^
live goat,
and
is
perfectly
up
to their
And Aaron
shall
and confess over him
all their
all
transgressions in all
their sin^
putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away
by a
man
fit
into the wilderness;
and the goat shall bear upon him aix
THEIR iNiauiTiEs uuto a land not inhabited." Lev. xvi. 21, 22.
In the conclusion of Edwards^ discourse on original
number of
extracts to show, that " there
is
sin, will
be found a
a great deal of reason, from the
ancient Jewish writers, to suppose, that the doctrine of original sin had even
been allowed in the open profession of that people." In that taken from 2 Esd.
iii.
who wrote
21,
ble words,
tation
"
before the Saviour's birth, are contained these remarka-
which looks very
thou
like
Adam, what
an acquaintance with the doctrine of impu-
hast thou done
sinned, thou art not fallen alone, hut
our point
is
we all
that
For though
the language of another ancient Jewish writer,
Christ's appearing
" It
is
it
was thou that
come of thee^
generations; because on the day that
Adam was
all
more
to
lived after
no wonder that the sin of Adam and Eve
ten and sealed with the king's ring, and to be propagated to
finished, so that
Still
who
is
writ-
following
created, all things
were
he stood forth the perfection and completion of the whole
48
It is perfectly
assertions; but they
make such
easy to
are reconcileable neither with the language of Moses, nor
who
with the language of those theologians
How
obvious
is
it
to
any one who
the inspired history of the
fall,
utter them.
attentively examines
Judge of
that the
all
the
earth had, in passing sentence on the offending pair, respect
That
to all their descendants?
all
mothers participate in
the peculiar sorrows of their mother Eve,
and alike incontestable

toil
and sorrow
to
is it,
which
nothing to do with the
that
men
all
Adam was
first
sin
is
are
undeniable;
doomed
of
to the
we had
Adam, why are we
If
sentenced.
included in the sentence pronounced on account of
Why
was the
entire constitution of nature
And why
punishment?
changed
it?
for its
did the curse of barrenness de-
Eden, Adam's residence, but on the
scend, not only on
whole earth?
Equally irreconcileable are these assertions with the
language used by those Christian divines
when speaking on
That
the subject.
who
utter them,
"Adam
was our
"was not on
admitted by them.
They also
federal head and representative, '^ and that he

trial for
himself alone,''
teach " that
were
by
is
a divine constitution,
to have, in their natural state, the
all
his descendants
same character and
condition with their progenitor;" and that "the universality
and certainty of
sin, therefore, are
workmanship of the world;
so that
whose sin we bear and suffer.
logical science.
in every age,
and
learn
how
he sinned, the whole world sinned;
But the matter
How clear and
the sins of his posterity."
From this, we may
when
not the result of imita-
is
not thus with respect to
decided this language
valuable are the recent discoveries in theo-
doctrine that has been taught in the Christian
in the
Church
Jewish Church before the advent of our blessed
Lord, has, in this age of discovery, been found out to be a novel doctrine
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
49
tion or accidental circumstances, but of a divine constitu-
Who
tion.^^
We
are, in
can reconcile such conflicting statements?
have nothing
do with Adam's
to
consequence of
born under a divine constitution
it,
renders the sinning of
that
every one of his natural
We
descendants certain and inevitable!

responsible for
Adam's
and yet we
sin;
sin;
are not at
and yet, on account of
are delivered up to the certainty of sinning!

a terrible punishment?
reconciled, I confess
The
fall
of the
it
be above
to
my
comprehension.
fall
of his posterity,
believe to be inseparably connected.
statement of your Shorter Catechism,
To
we
*<The covenant being made with
scribe:
for himself, but for his posterity; all
that
we, with our
bidden
fruit
nor that
we
own
from the
cordially sub-
By
in
that his sin

this
kind
know
is
fell
meant
hands, actually plucked the for-
tree,
and eat
had, at the time of
first
it
with our
Adam's
fall,
own mouths;
a real existence
we
nor that
parent one natural person^ so
was one actual and personal
Nothing of
sin.
Our brethren know
intended.
him, and
this is not
so as to be capable of personally sinning;
constituted with our
not only
mankind descending
transgression."
first
we
the scriptural
Adam,
from him by ordinary generation, sinned

with him, in his
we
Is not this
If these opposite statements can be
man, and the
first
it,
all
it,
or ought to
it.
But we mean,
that as
Adam
was, by the supreme Lord
of heaven and earth, in that covenant he condescended to
make with him, appointed ouv federal head and
represen-
tative, his act was, in this sense, regarded as our act;
we
are justly
sentative,
by
and
viewed
as
as
having sinned in him, our
and
repre-.
being rendered guilty in the sight of God,
his first transgression.
His
sin
is
imputed
to us, not
on
50
Adam
the ground of our relation to
as our
but on the ground of the relation
our covenant representative.
we
but
latter relation;
relation constito establish the
we
of Adam, because we
by no means
follows, that
his children; for then all his sins ought to be

us, contrary to the doctrine of Scripture,
we
as
which
justly chargeable with the offence
teaches us, that
father,
him
The former
tuted indeed a proper foundation on

it
common
sustain to
are
are
imputed to
which plainly
are held responsible for his
first sin
alone.
The
principle of
imputation
very texture of human
is
interwoven with the
Remove
affairs.
it,
and the wheels
of civil government would cease to revolsê, confusion
would prostrate the
facit per alium, facit per
se,'' is
every student of law, which

thus: **he
who
''Qui
edifice of civil society.
fair
a Latin
may
maxim
familiar to
be rendered in English
does any thing by another person,
considered as having done
it
that the act of an attorney
himself."
is
Who
is
justly
does not
know
the act of his principal; that
the act of an agent
is
the act of his employer; that the act
of a representative
is
the act of his constituents; and that
the act of an ambassador

this State, the
people
personal attendance
is
the act of his government?
make
at
all
their
own
laws, not
the seat of goverment,
In
by
but by
sending thither a few individuals chosen by them, and

invested with
Now,
power
to deliberate
and act
in their
in all these cases, the principle of
name.
imputation
is
applied, so that the personal acts of certain individuals are,

for
particular purposes, and
to
be the acts of other individuals by
personally done.
to a definite extent, reported
whom
they are not
THE FALL OF MAN AND

Precisely similar
mankind sinned
our meaning,
is
We
Adam.
in
ITS EFFECTS.
when we
51
affirm that all
do not say they sinned
personally or actually , but virtually, federally, repreJehovah,
sentatively.
race of
was
men
head and representative
imputes his
them, as
to
him
to appoint
act for
whole
this purpose,
their
them, justly
by which the covenant was
first sin,
violated,
had been committed by them, holds them
if it
responsible for
to try the
and who, for
wisdom,
pleased, in his infinite
federal
to
who determined
in their first parent,
it,
and subjects them
to its threatened
pun-
ishment.
This
and
is
our meaning, this the doctrine of your Church,
But
this is the doctrine of the Bible.
it is
contested,
and must be proved.
My
hearers, if
testimonies, that
can be proved, from clear scriptural
it
all
the natural descendants of
condemned on account of
subject to
it,
in its
its
for this sin
Adam
that they are
are
all
threatened penalty, and wôuld have to endure
whole extent, were
divine grace
it
that infants are
that all
nature
and
many
words, that
men
not for the interposition of
condemned and
actually die
Adam
a depraved
receive from
that the inspired writer tells us, almost in so
arguments can be
we wish
truth
his first sin
to
all
men
fairly
sinned in
made
Adam;
if all
these
out, then, surely, the great
prove will be fully and firmly estab-
lished.
It will
infidels,
The
be seen that in this argument
who
reject the authority of the
truth under consideration
is
do not address
Holy
Scriptures.
matter of pure revelation,
and, of course, the arguments to prove
it.
must be drawn
from the Scriptures, and they will have weight only with
those
who
are willing to submit their faith to the testimony
52
of
God speaking
my
urging
proofs,
Such
word.
in his
could wish
while
I address; and,
my
hearers had their
Bibles in their hands, and were looking carefully at the

latter part of the chapter containing
tion of divine revelation will, in
my
That por-
text.
connexion with a few
other passages elsewhere recorded, furnish ample and decisive evidence of the important truth to be established
by
and which
we
the arguments which have just been stated,
now proceed
1.
to illustrate
and urge.
All the natural descendants of
on account of
With
so
surprising
Adam
condemned
are
his first sin.
much plainness is this fact taught, that it seems

how any professing Christians can deny it. In
we read these words:

one many be dead;" that
the 15th V.
^^for if
offence of
is
through the
by
legally,
tence of death passed upon them: in the 16th v.
judgment was hy one

V.
to
we
used to teach us, that
to
are judicially
Were you
first sin.
condemned on
to enter a court of
and hear a judge solemnly pronounce sentence of
death on a
human being
diately conclude
when,
all
Plainer language than this could not be
account of Adam's
justice,
in the ISth
one judgment came upon
''by the offence of
CONDEMNATION."
condemnation:" and
a sen-
'^for the
led
he was
by sacred
for
some crime, you would imme-
guilty,
Scripture,
and hear the Judge of

sentence of death on
all
all
and deserved
to die
and
you enter the court of heaven,
the earth solemnly pronounce
men
for
Adam's
first sin,
can you
hesitate to believe, that they are guilty; that they are justly
chargeable with
mitted
it,
it
and that
or, in other
great representative?
in
some way they have com-
words, have sinned in
Adam, their
God would
Surely a just and holy
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
not lay this sin so to their charge, as to

it,
were
if it
All
2.
Adam's
were
men
condemn them
endure
to
for
legal. sense.
penalty due
are actually subject to the
and would have
sin,
and
not theirs in a just
53
it,
to
in all its extent,
not for the merciful interposition of divine grace in
it
favour of some.
This follows
ment
for if
men
are
condemned
they must certainly be subject to
sin,
from the argu-
as an indisputable inference
just closed
its
for
Adam's
penalty; because
sentence of condemnation always expresses the punishment
due
to the transgression.
^Ând
Apostle in the text, ^^passed upon
Again, in the 14th
sinned."
death reigned from
Adam
v.
so death,'' affirms the

all
men;
he says, ^^Nevertheless
Moses, even over them
to
that had not sinned after the similitude of
Adam's
trans-
Death has reigned from the days of Moses
gression,"
the present time; and death, '4he
wages of sin ^
successively into
its
more
existence,
till
come
And
the end of time.
terrible forms, will reign
to
will con-
tinue to reign over unborn generations, as they shall
death, in
have
for that all
over millions
of our race, and would thus reign over every son and
daughter of our fallen parents, were
it
not for that rich
"grace which reigns through righteousness unto eternal

life,
by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Contemplate,
look
at the
fallen
my
hearers, this universal reign of death;
immeasurable triumph he has gained in
world; behold the desolations he has made
the generations he has trodden in the dust: and
earth,
when you
reflect that
he received his commission thus
reign and triumph over men,
Adam,
sin
this
in the
can you doubt that
If
it
on account of the
we have
were not justly imputed
to
sin of
deep interest in that
to us,
why
should the
54
penalty be inflicted on us
and that too in execution of a
by the
formal sentence of condemnation passed on us,
We might suiSer
righteous Judge, for this very sin?
in consequence of the sins of others, and yet

free
from the
guilt of
them: but
it
is
Adam's
should be condemned for
much
be entirely
not possible, that
we
by the Almighty,
sin
and endure the penalty, and yet be entirely free from
its
guilt.
Infants are
3.
condemned, and actually
die, for
Adam's
SIN.
Their case
is
worthy of
attentive consideration.
Con-
template the manner in which they enter this fallen world.
How are
Not
they born ?
in ease
and pleasure ; not amid
They come
smiles and joy; but in pain and sorrow.
cry-
ing into the world; and often perish on the very threshold
of
life.
row
How
is
this to
be accounted for?
are the penal consequences of sin; but
Pain and sor-
why
are infants,
before they are chargeable with any actual sin, subject to

these penal evils?
Why does
a good and righteous
treat
them
Why
are they brought to the grave
they are
as sinners, if
convulsive agonies?
What
in
God
no sense sinners?
by severe pains and
multitudes of infants perished
How many suffered in the conflaSodom and Gomorrah, those wicked cities
angry God consumed with fire and brimstone?
in the general deluge?
grations
of
which an
What immense numbers
have, in successive generations of
men, perished by disease and
different calamities?
If infants are not fallen creatures; if
sinners;
this
explained and vindicated.

creatures,
they are in no sense
procedure of divine providence cannot be
who have
But admit
sinned in
Adam,
that they are fallen
their federal
head
and representative, and, therefore, justly subject to the
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
penal consequences of sin; and then the question
55
solved;
is
the difficulty pressing on this fact of God's moral govern-
ment over the world,
make them moral
to
and subjected often
ners,
We
removed.
see the reason
whose mental powers are not
w^hy infants,
developed
is
Speaking of
to great pain
infants, the
sufficiently
agents, are treated as sin-
and agony.
Apostle says, in the 14th
v. that
they *^have not sinned after the similitude of Adam's

transgression
sinned at
all
;''
but he does not assert that they have not
for his
argument
designed to prove, that,
is
although they have not sinned personally yet they have

^
sinned in their covenant-head; because,

fact,
by subjecting them
ners,
sin.
All
4.
men
derive from
out as sin-
dominion of death, the
to the
"-Sy one man^s
us in the 19th v., '''many were
were not the
mark them
divine providence would not
penalty of
if this
he
disobedience,''^
tells
made sinners."
Adam
a corrupt
moral na-
ture.
How
depravity
is
transmitted from the parent of our
through each successive generation of men,
race,
not undertake to explain.

this point
is
and
it
were pretending
written, to attempt an
mode
Sacred Scripture
to
That
fact is revealed,
all
men
explanation.
and ought
to
I shall
silent
on
be wise above what
appears to be beyond the reach of
But the
is
The particular
human intellect.
be believed.
are sinners; that no man, save Jesus Christ,
our immaculate Lord, was ever perfectly free from
sin,
might be very easily
since our
first
evinced.
Scripture, history, and observation, furnish in-
parent's apostacy;
contestible evidence.
and
how
is
Our
this universal
accounted for?
race
is
universally depraved;
depravity of mankind to be
Neither education, nor imitation will ex-
66
plain the awful fact
minds
for
we
see this depravity corrupting
from infancy, have been blest with the
that,
influ-
ence of the best education, and watched over with the

care
greatest
parental
that
and anxiety could
affection
sometimes breaking down, in
afford; and
mad
its
career,
the strongest barriers raised for the purpose of restraining
and checking
its
ruinous progress: and
we
see
it
displaying
hateful aspect in children, before they are capable of
its
being influenced by example.
This wide spreading flood of iniquity, which bears along
human
the whole
must be traced
race,
Depravity
source.
polluted
first
some common
to
Adam; and
since come down

The language of our Saviour proves
it
has ever
from father to son, as a sad inheritance.
born of the flesh
Except
new and holy
from his
dom
*^
of
first
Behold,
The
birth
^^he cannot see the king-
in iniquity,
and in
that the wickedness of
his
says,
image
"Adam
;"||
begat a son in his
when
likeness to fallen spirits,
dience to his Creator.
John
viii. 6.
Gen.
vi. 5.
man
Speaking of Seth,
own
likeness, after
not in the image of God, which was im-
pressed on his soul
my
and that every imagination of his
thoughts was only evil continually.^ ^^
Moses
sin did
Other testimonies of inspiration
God saw
in the earth,
lamentation of David proves this:
me.":j:
prove this: *Ând
was great
is
sinful.
nature, as he received a depraved nature
was shapen
mother conceive
*'That which
again;" receive, by spiritual birth,
and natural
God."t
this:
flesh;"*' corrupt, depraved,
man be born
**
is
first
created; but in that deformed
which he contracted by
His
posterity,
Job
||
Gen.
iii.
3.
v. 3.
like
his disobe-
himself, are
Ps.
li.
5.
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
57
deprived of original righteousness; despoiled of those splendid endowments of a holy nature, with which
he was
adorned by his Maker; abandoned to the dominion of a

corrupt heart, and dead in trespasses and
But
we
if
we have
sin.
nothing to do with Adam's
born with a corrupt nature
To
sin,
why
are
be thus degraded
thus deprived of the divine image; thus alienated from the
God
of
life
is
flicted?
we
But
surely a severe punishment.
but the imputed sin of
Were we
Adam
free
for
what
can this punishment be in-
from the
guilt of this sin, surely
should enter this world in a very different way, and be
born with a very different nature

robed, as our
first
we
should come forth
parents were, with the glorious image
of God, and exhibit, as they did, holy desires and obedient

acts in the
commencement
different is this
sinful,
from the
and our
acts
first
But how
of our moral agency.

fact!
Our very
disobedient.
first
desires are
The manner
which we are born, and the nature we bring with us

the world, can be accounted for, only
are guilty of
Adam's
sin.
The
by admitting
in
into
that
we
belief of this revealed truth
sheds light upon the conduct of divine providence; and

explains to us
why
inspiration affirms,
"we
are
it
by nature
(mark the expression) by nature the children of wrath f'^'^

born under the righteous displeasure of the Almighty.
The
reason
is, all
ners through his
the children of
fall.
Adam
Jehovah views
naturally from his loins, as
have become
all
who
sin-
descend
such; and, therefore, justly
withholds from them those original
gifts
of his bounty
with which he had beautified his nature, and abandons

them to that wretched servitude to sin which they have
wickedly chosen, t
* Ephes.
t
ii.
3.
recent writer, in his "views of theology," insists that Calvinistic
58
that
Scriptures teach us, almost in so
The
5.
all
have sinned
Adam.
we acknowledge,
a near
and
found in Scripture; but the
to be
language of the Apostle

alent,
words,
identical terms, in this precise arrangement, are
These
not,
in
many
is,
in our opinion, entirely equiv-
approximation to them.
<^By one man," says the inspired writer, "sin entered
That by the term world we are
into the world."
stand
its
disputed
inhabitants,
and not the earth
and consequently
it
by one man.
affirmation
it
To
among
defines
The context
many are dead;"
authors teach the doctrine of physical depravity; that
He
the essence of the soul.

trine ; yet he will have
it
that they do in reality teach
no more than the inference he chooses
same process
it
is,
condem-
to
that
it
belongs to
knows, and admits, that they disclaim the doc-
extracts he gives in proof of his assertion,
the
this
the sin of
speaking.
is
by which "judgment was by one
the offence
to
meaning of
will be necessary to determine
be "the offence by which
to
it
under-
the inhabitants of
ascertain the
which the inspired penman
to
will hardly be
must be admitted, that the
Apostle affirms that sin entered

this earth
itself,
and
to
all
it.
But
after all the
his reasoning,
draw from
it
amounts
their language.
By
might be proved, that the inspired writers themselves
teach physical depravity; for they use, on this subject, language as strong
as that of the Calvinistic writers he cites, and as liable to a perverted conBtruction.
Indeed,
of the
it
soul,
if
he were
would be no
to write a treatise
difficult
on the nature and faculties
thing to prove, by the same process of
reasoning, that he taught the doctrine of materiality; because, in speak-
ing of the
he would necessarily use terms that primarily belonged to
soul,
material things.
soul.
Man was holy,
Man is now depraved, and, by divine grace, he
holy.
What is thus separable from the soul, cannot
Both holiness and depravity are separable from the
and he
is
now
may become
belong to
its
depraved.
perfectly
essence; because the soul
is
a spiritual indivisible substance.
Consequently there can be no such thing as physical depravity, or physical

holineeSf in the sense in
which
this writer uses these terms.
THE FALL OF MAN AND

nation;"
reigned; "the offence of one,"

all
men
Now,
the
upon
to
69
by which
man's offence,"
<ône
the
ITS EFFECTS.
death
by which ^^judgment came
condemnation."*
sin
Adam's personal
because
this,
be merely
cannot
thus characterized
sin
although
brought on
it
him judgment and
death, did not affect his descendants, but
terminated, in
penal effects, on himself.
sin,
its
which, in some sense,
ble the
is
their sin
world should be subject
a sin in
It
for
to the penal
it is
must be a
not possi-
consequences of
which they had no concern, and from the
which they were entirely

expressly
it
was the
Yet the Apostle
free.
us
tells
But how
one man, Adam.
sin of
guilt of
could his sin be the sin of his descendants, in any other
way
by
than
its
being imputed to them, because com-
mitted by their representative?
consequently
it
was just
God
in
demnation and death, for the
were
Such
Adam
sin of
was; and
them
to subject
one by
to con-
whom
they
to stand or fall.
made between Adam's personal sin and

by him as his children's representative,
in reference to one and the same act, may be thus illusSuppose a parent, by his last will and testament,
trated.
The
distinction
the sin committed
bequeathes to a son a portion of his estate in fee simple^

for the use of
and bequeaths the other portions, intended

his other children, to this son as trustee.
the estate, such a
personal
personal
act,
act
name
to a
and in a
Or,
as trustee
In reference to
act in a twofold capacity
representative character.
he would bind
and by his act

relatives.
man would
his
own
by
By
interest in the estate
he would bind the
by one and the same
act,
interest of his
by signing
his
paper drawn up for the purpose, he might bind
Rom.
V.
1518.
60
whom
he repre-
both his
own
sented.
In this case, one act would be viewed in a twofold
light, as a
interest
personal
and that of those
act,
So
act of his relatives.
and
it
as the act of a trustee, or the
was with Adam.
In the cove-
nant he acted both for himself and for his posterity
whom
he represented; and, consequently, the sin by which he violated the covenant
was both
di
personal
As personal
representative.
as representative
it
it
affected only himself; but
his natural descendants,
we
I ask, if
are taught
not equivalent to his saying that
in
Adam?
But
in the close of the text,
declaration
we
by the Apostle,
men have
all
What
is
words are written
had affirmed that
"by one man
meaning of
the
In the Apostle's argument
is
sinned
find a nearer approxi-
for there these
have sinned."
*<for that all
He
phrase
to this
sin.
all this
it
mation
and the sin of a
affected all
and was, by a legal imputation, their
Now,
sin
we
this
shall find
it.
sin entered into the
world, and death by sin;" and he subjoins this declaration,

as a proof that the sentence of death passed
was
Does he mean, then,
just.
have committed actual
We
illogical
tell
on
this
and inconclusive.
would render
He had
all
to die.
his argu-
spoken of Adam's
and the declaration under consideration
is
brought as
a proof of the justice of a sentence of death passed
men
while
for that sin.

it
would be
But,
a
if
it
it
to assign for a
all
sentence
would furnish no proof
of the justice of the sentence of death passed on
Adam's
on
refer to their actual sins,
proper reason
of death on their account,
men
men
all
us that
and therefore deserve
apprehend not; because
ment
sin,
sin,
to
at all
them
for
sin.
If then this
man's actual
meaning be excluded
sin
to
what can
it
if it
do not refer
to
refer, but to their sin in
THE FALL OF MAN AND
Adam
^âll
man by whom
and conclusive; for
all
deserve to die for his
if all
that
is,
sin entered
This makes his argument perfectly
cal
That
61
His meaning then
as their representative?
have sinned" in the ^ône
into the world."
ITS EFFECTS.
logi-
have sinned in Adam, then
first sin.
this interpretation is correct, will further appear,
from considering that infants mus the included

versal term all in the declaration
for
the Apostle assigns the fact, that
have sinned,"
^âll
justification of the sentence of death passed
he must refer
sentence
upon
in
men,
all
to infants, as well as adults; because the
passed upon them also, and
is
over" them.
in the uni-
undoubtedly when
Infants, then,
*^
death reigns
But how?
have sinned.
Not
personally ; for they are not capable of moral action: yet

an inspired Apostle affirms infants have sinned.
This can
be true only by their sinning in Adam, their representative.
I am aware that some

we have endeavoured to
interpret the declaration to
which
assign a true and consistent
mean-
But
ing, as referring to native depravity.

tation the
same insuperable objection
urged against referring
it
to
to this interpre-
will apply, that
man's actual
sins.
It
was
renders
the Apostle's argument illogical and unworthy of the pen
of an inspired writer;
because the native depravity of
and adults cannot, with any propriety, be offered
infants
as a proof of the justice of a sentence of death passed

all
men
for
Adam's
sin.
No
which the Apostle presents

infants
and
adults,
proof can sustain
the
fact
"have sinned,"
that
in
it
^*all,"
their
upon
but that
both
covenant
representative.
Let
it
be further remarked, that the phrase translated,
"for that
all
all
have sinned,"
have sinned."
may
be rendered, "In
This translation
is
whom
contended for by
62
good Greek scholars

the
and they bring
original terms
two
may
proof that
sufficient
properly be so rendered as to
establish this translation.
In view of
I leave
all
my
with
it
been said under this argument,
that has
hearers to decide, whether the Apostle
does not teach, nearly in so
HAVE SINNED
my
Review,
Adam
its
are
condemned
All
the
to
endure
descendants of
All
it,
are subject to
in all its extent,
not for the merciful interposition of divine grace in
it
favour of some
Infants are condemned, and
All men derive from Adam

And Scripture teaches nearly
in so
us,
words, that
actually die
a corrupt moral
for this sin:
nature:
men
which have been
natural
for his first sin
would have
penalty, and
were
words, that all
hearers, the arguments
and urged.
illustrated
many
AdAM?
IN
men have
all
proof be required?
sinned in
Is not this
Jehovah has revealed the
Adam.
enough
fact, that
many
Can more
to satisfy us, that
he does impute to us
the gnilt of Adani^s first sin; and that he regards us as
having fallen and sinned in him, our great representative ?
Two
objections to this doctrine merit notice: and, in
opposition to them, I shall endeavour to show, that the
covenant-arrangement of
infinite
wisdom, which has
result-
ed in an event so calamitous, was both just and good.

Its
ed,
justice
where
is
is
strongly contested.
the justice of
ponsible for a sin
Adam
we
did not
Where,
it is
demand-
procedure that holds us res-
commit
to be our representative, before
and that appointed
we had
existence to
consent to such an arrangement?
The
latter part of this objection is
based on the supposi-
tion, that
our consent was necessary to bring us under the
operation
of the
covenant.
But such
supposition
is
THE FALL OF MAN AND
ITS EFFECTS.
incompatible with the supreme authority of
God
63
AhTiighty.
An
earthly parent can impose duties on a child, and sub-
ject
him
with
to the authority of a teacher
whom
he cove-
nants for his instruction, not only without his consent, but
Can
in opposition to his inclination.
that
it
was necessary
it
then be believed,
for our Creator to ask our consent,
before he could include us in that covenant which he con-
descended
to
He
make with Adam?
sent to be created.
In the
full
did not ask our con-
exercise of his adorable
sovereignty, he selected the time for giving us existence,
determined the place and circumstances of our

designed
parents
the
from
without deigning to consult
whom we
birth,
should
or to ask our consent; and
us,
could not the same sovereign Lord of
all
comprehend
us in
a covenant affecting our interests, without stooping so

as to ask us
whether we were willing
arrangement of
infinite
wisdom?
to abide
The
in obedience to his will,
in baptism.
You were
rite,
by the surrender of your
arrived at
covenant
this audience,
your parents presented you
then incapable of understanding the
meaning of the Christian

yet,
low
by such an
seal of his
was impressed on many of you who compose

when,
and
descend,
or of yielding your consent;
parents,
you were bound, when
an age to understand the subject, to accede to the
terms of the covenant, and to devote yourselves personally

to the adorable
If,
Three, in whose name you were baptized.
then, Jehovah had a right to bring you, without your
consent, within the Christian covenant, and to impose

obligation on
you
a transaction
unbelief, result in fatal consequences

that
make
all
naturally from the

that
can
it
He, the sovereign Lord of heaven and
right to
whom
first
its
which may, through your

be doubted
earth,
had a
he determined should descend
pair of
gracious covenant, which
human
beings, parties in
his infinite
wisdom deemed
64
proper
between
establish
to
common
and our
himself
parent?
When God
Adam,
proposed the covenant to
he could not refuse to accede to

fections of his Creator
were
without
it
is
it
plain
The
sin.
per-
a sufficient pledge that the
proposal was just, equitable, and good; and the dependance
of
man on him> and
existence
and
him
his infinite obligations to
faculties,
made
it
for his
duty instantly and
his
without inquiry, to embrace the offer with adoring grati-
The
tude.
proofs, then, that the covenant
be found, not in the fact that
to
its
very nature, and in the
Being who devised
was
just,
acceded to
it,
infinite rectitude of the
And
it.
Adam
to the
are
but in
Supreme
same sources are we
to
look for proofs of the justice of the covenant transaction, in
The
reference to his posterity.
and equity of the
justice
covenant did not depend on the consent of the
was inherently
It
Nor
obtained.
all
just
man.
and equitable, before his consent was
did the justice and equity of
upon the consent of
was
first
his ofispring.
it
depend
at
So just and equitable
in its provisions, requirements, responsibilities, pro-
it
mises, and threatenings, that had

at the time,
to entrust
and
it
all
been in existence
to us
by our
our vital interests in the hands of our
to act as our representative,
proposal,
we
had been proposed
we
Creator,
first
parent
could not have declined the
without dishonouring his infinite wisdom, and
opposing his sovereign and righteous will.
As
the justice, so the sôodness, of this dispensation of
divine providence,
Had
by
his obedience,
eternal
is
the result of
life,
questioned and denied.
Adam's
trial
been difierent; had he,
merited for himself and his posterity
none would have complained;
rejoiced in the benefits secured to them.
was unfortunate and calamitous.
Adam
all
would have
But the
fell
result
by transgres-
THE FALL OF MAN AND

sion,
and involved
of
65
children in the wide-spreading
all his
many
ruin J and now,
ITS EFFECTS.
them murmur and complain about
the consequences.
How unreasonable
in this transaction,
man's
trial,
to
of
God
not to be determined by the result of
but by the nature of the covenant, and by the
endowments of
ability
is
The goodness
such conduct!
his
new made
creature.
Had man
full
Was
the
perform the required obedience
These
threatening just, and the promised reward glorious?
are the questions to be asked, in relation to the goodness of
God
in this
most interesting
And who
transaction.
that
understands the subject, can hesitate a moment, in giving
an affirmative answer to the inquiries?
The
covenant, then, was good, before the apostacy of
man; and
atfected
Adam,
was good then,
if it
goodness could not be
its
by the unreasonable and inexcusable conduct of

in violating its precepts,
How
and his unborn race.
and thus ruining himself
extravagant would
it
be in a
criminal, suffering justly the penalty due to his offence, to
complain of the severity of an administration that would
have rejoiced
to protect
obedient to the laws.
covenant transaction,
affected
by the
and favour him,

If,
in
fatal result
then,
reference
of his
he had been
Adam, was
to
trial,
if
goodness of this
the
in reference to his posterity, could not be affected
same unhappy event.

to
our
first father,
not
the goodness of
That the covenant,
by the
in its application
was good, has been shown; and none,
presumed, will venture to deny
it
can never be proved to be otherwise than good, in
it.
application to his offspring; because the
same reasons
establish the one, can, with equal force, be urged to
it
This being admitted,
is
the other.
it
its
that
prove
66
Besides,
ought to be considered, that this covenant
it
Adam's
chil-
faculties,
and
dispensation was peculiarly kind in respect to
He,
dren.
with his
mature
in the
state of his
glorious endowments, was unquestionably
qualified for the trial, than
any of
He
developed and matured.

to
far better
in an infantile state,
their faculties can be
had stronger motives
obedience than any other
have
his children could
who are brought into existence

must live some years before
who
and
been,
him
mental
man
bind
to
could have had; for
he knew that he was constituted the acting representative

of
his posterity,
all
as his
will.
and that their highest
own, depended on
Had we
all
common
have consented
cordially,
compliance with the divine
been in existence when God established
with our
his covenant
his
interests, as well
to his
parent,
we
appointment
would, most
as
our federal
head and covenant representative, and would have believed

our interests to be more secure in his hands than they
would have been
was "holy,
just,
in
The covenant
our own.
therefore
and good."
Several appropriate reflections might be subjoined to this
But neither our time, nor your patience
discussion.
grant the necessary indulgence.
one
reflection
ful
should
we
be to
for our recovery
the
first
The same
forbear to trespass.
must not be omitted.
God
provision which his infinite
By
from
It is this:
for the gracious
how
will
Yet
grate-
and glorious
wisdom and mercy have made,
a state of sin, guilt,
Adam we fell; by the
and misery
second
Adam we
rise.
principle,
which, in the covenant of wôrks,
resulted in our ruin,
applied to the covenant of grace,
aflects
our salvation.
Adam, our
representative in
the
former, sinned, and thus destroyed the hopes of the world;
but Christ, the Lord of glory, the representative of his
THE FALL OF MAN AND

people, in the latter,
for sin,
ITS EFFECTS.
by yielding the required
67
satisfaction
and by performing most perfectly the demanded
obedience, saves from sin, and death, and hell, and leads
and glory,
to everlasting happiness
fallen
who
race,
believe in him.
overcome by Satan
the millions of our
all
Our
first
parent was
in a garden of delights; but Christ, our
Lord, foiled him in a wilderness, combatted him amidst

poverty, sorrow, and persecution, and finally triumphed
over him on his cross.
The
intelligent reader of our chapter cannot fail to notice
the parallel which the inspired writer runs between Christ
and Adam, and

of the latter
the former,
how he shows
that, as
by the disobedience
we were made sinners, so, by the obedience of

we may be made righteous; and that the grace
of God, through his Son, triumphs, not only over the

sin of
Adam
imputed
to us, but
first
over our numberless and
aggravated personal transgressions, and secures to us eternal

life.
And
might be urged,
this parallel
as an additional
proof of the truth contended for this evening.

Believe
it
then,
my
imagine and represent

the contrary,
it
is
dear hearers;
it,
it
is
not,
as
some
On
an unimportant doctrine.
highly important, particularly in
its
bearing upon another doctrine of deep and vital interest in

the Christian system.
sin,
and
then, to
Deny
the imputation of
Adam's
be consistent, you must discard from your
creed the imputation of Chris fs righteousness to believers, for their justification before
God;
a doctrine which, in
the opinion of the great reformer Luther, was of para-
mount importance
vital; for
in the religion of sinners.
although a
man may, through
tion, disbelieve this doctrine,
that
no sinner ever was
Indeed,
it is
prejudice of educa-
and be saved, yet
or will be conducted
it
is
from
true,
thia
QQ
world
fallen
without the imputed righteousness
to heaven,
of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Believing, then, our
fall
Adam,
in
confess before
that for his first transgression, as well as for
Both
you are justly condemned.
sins,
original as well as actual, should
shame and humiliation
causes for
your personal
classes of offence,
be regarded as proper
in the presence of infinite
Bewail, therefore, at the throne of grace, your
purity.
fall
God,
Adam, and
in
that deeper ruin into
which you have
plunged yourselves, by your numberless and aggravated
But despair
personal transgressions.
and triumphs.
dead.
*Î
am
Adam,
In the second
not;
there
mercy reigns
is
life for
the
the resurrection and the life," said Jesus to
Martha; <^he that believeth in me, though he were dead,

yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in
me,
us bless and praise

infinite
Delightful truth! Joyful new^s! Let
never die."
shall
God
for tlie
wonderful provisions of his
wisdom and mercy, by which the ruins of man's
apostacy are repaired, the lost recovered, rebels pardoned,

the guilty justified, sinners saved, hell-deserving wretches
and the prisoners of justice exalted from the
glorified,
pri-
son house to thrones in heaven, and changed into companions for angels,
their first
and holy
who never fell,

"God so
estate.
but always retained
loved the world that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not
perish,
Cometh the end, when he
dom
to
down
reign
enemy
shall
and
all
he hath put
shall
have put
authority and power; for he must
all
enemies under his
that shall be destroyed

* John,
"Then
have delivered up the king-
God, even the Father; when he
all rule,
till
but have eternal life."
iii.
16.
is
death."
Cor. xv.
2426.
feet.
Amen.
The
last
SPRUCE STREET LECTURES,

LECTURE
III.
Delivered on the Evening of the 25th December, 1831, hy the

Rev. Samuel B. Howe, D.D. of Carlisle.
THE USE OF THE MEANS OF GRACE.
" Strive to enter in at the strait gate."
The
its
xiii.
importance of genuine piety, and the
24,
difficulty of
attainment and cultivation, are frequently pressed on our
attention in the sacred pages.
pends on our possessing

it,
Luke
it,
innumerable foes oppose
must be surmounted.
every
foe,
stancy,
we
and
To
to bear
The
encourage
every
alluring promises; assistance
dise of
God.
evil
us,
however,
to
meet
with unshrinking con-
most urgent exhortations and
from on high
him who overcometh
to eat of the tree of life,
efforts to obtain
and innumerable obstacles
u.s,
are addressed with
the conflict, and to
salvation of our souls de-
and yet, in our
which
is
is
it *^
offered us in
shall be given
in the midst of the para-
^'
In the passage before us, and in a similar passage in the

gospel of Matthew, the design of our Lord
is
to
show
the
necessity of directing our attention to secure the salvation
of our souls, from a consideration of the difficulties which
10
we
70
must encounter
we may
lers,
in so doing,
and from the ease with which
He
mistake and perish.
journeying
to
represents us as travel-
unchanging abodes of
assures us that our final destiny will
conduct.
Wide
^'
is
at."
While
"strait
which leadeth unto

It
becomes
since,
depend on our present
the gate, and broad
leadeth to destruction, and

is
many
there be
is
the
carefully to
that
in there-
the
way
find
it.''
is
and few there be that
us, therefore,
way
who go
the gate, and narrow
life,
wo, and
bliss or
seek to enter
in,
we mistake and fail, the consequences will be

The exposition of the passage is
fearful.
if
tremendously
easy.
through
when
gate usually stands
it
we
at the
are admitted into the
head of a way, and
way,
the term way^

men, means
applied to the actions and condition of
their habitual
temper and conduct; and the narrow way, of
which our Lord speaks, means
which are necessary

enter on this
to holiness,
and, until
that
temper and conduct
thorough conversion from sin
evidenced by unfeigned repentance and
we have experienced
this conversion,
taken one step in the pathway to
bliss.
strait, because of the anguish of
our Lord
original, the
commands
word which
It signifies, to
make
is
faith;
we have
This gate
mind which
companies the commencement of a religious

this gate
We
for our admittance into heaven.
way only by
not
called
is
usually ac-
Into
life.
us to strive to enter.
In the
very
forcible.
translated strive,
is
a violent efibrt; to contend as in
bat; to labour against opposition
com-
with the utmost endeav-
command is evidently
who have not entered the narrow way, who are outside of the gate, who are
living impenitent in sin.
Such are commanded "to strive
our, both of
body and of mind.
This
addressed to the unconverted; to those
to enter in at the strait gate"
that
is,
to
seek for the con-
71
version of their souls, that in the exercise of repentance and
We
ence.
here
may
they
faith,
new
enter on and lead a
need not fear
life
of holy obedi-
our Lord Jesus; and
to imitate
a direct exhortation to the unregenerate to seek for
is
repentance and
they are the
But how
faith.
are they to be sought, since
fruits of the Spirit, the gift of
we never
out his grace
God, and with-
We
them?
shall attain to
reply,
they must be sought in the diligent use of those means of

grace which
God
has appointed, and which are usually ac-
companied with the influences of the Holy

trate,
confirm, and enforce this truth,
suing Discourse; and

cation
what
Two
shall
may
the
Holy
To
illus-
Spirit bless to our edifi-
be spoken.
propositions invite our attention.
There are means of grace; and
I.
Spirit.
the object of the en-
is
means divine
in the use of these
influences are usually received, both for the
conversion of sinners and the edification of believers.

II. It is
the duty of
all
men
diligently to use these means.
Having discussed these two propositions we shall,

III. Notice some objections which have been urged against
the doctrine which
we
advocate, and then,
IV. Conclude with the practical improvement of our

subject.
There are means of
I.
By a
mean,
is
grace.
intended that which, as an instrument, con-
duces to the attainment of an end; and by

are
meant
man
all
those institutions of
in the use of
seeks and usually obtains divine grace.
means
which
All these
are adapted to the rational nature of man, and are
fitted to
inform his mind,
awaken
his afiections.
It
God
means of grace,
pleases
God
for the
to touch his conscience,
illustration of his
and
wisdom,
to
his
72
goodness, and his power, to administer his government by
Were
the intervention of means.
he could, by
us
all
that
a direct
we
it
do
his pleasure to
so,
and immediate act of his own, bestow on
need, preserve our existence, give health to our
bodies, and knowledge
manna from heaven;
to
our minds; or he could rain
without the
or,
toil
down
of the husbandman,
he could cause the harvest to spring up in rich abundance
from the earth.

his infinite
Such, however,
wisdom has seen
fit
is
not the method which
His blessings
to adopt.
we can obtain
flow to us through the intervention of means;
them only when we seek them by the use of proper means.

If
we would preserve life, we must usefood if we would

we must practice temperance and prudence;
;
enjoy health,
if
the scholar
ledge, he
would acquire rich
must give
study; and
if
the
his days
stores of various
and his nights to unremitted
husbandmen would
rejoice in the abun-
dance of his crops, he must submit to the

the ground, and of casting into
it
toil
of breaking up
the precious seed.
success of these efforts depends on the blessing of
without
that,
manded,
they will be wholly ineffectual.
therefore, to put
them
forth in
on his assistance and blessing, and thus

cognise him as the author of
tice
all
and admire his perfections
The same system

as that
who
Wisdom's
shall find
who
tliis trutli
are
com-
we
are taught tore-
as exhibited in his
kingdom
works.
kingdom
of Grace
of Providence.
seek, find.
He who
They
watches
gates, waiting at the posts of her doors,
of grace
the appointment of
We
good, and carefully to no-
her," and, along with her,
The means
The
God, and
humble dependence
established in the
in the
ask, receive; they
daily at
keep
is
which prevails
know-
life
become such only
God.
It is
and blessedness.
in
consequence of
of the utmost importance to
steadily in view, for there
is
a sinful pro-

pensity in
men
^'In vain do
trines the
commandments
any ordinance,
is
inventions in place of
This propensity God frowns upon
the divine appointments.
and rebukes.
own
to substitute their
73
ye worship
of
men."
me
teaching for doc-
Our warrant
for using-
derived from his appointment of
our encouragement to observe
it,
arises
from
his
it,
while
promise of
accepting and blessing us in so doing.
Whatever appear-
ances of zeal, or of devotion, or of success,
may
be exhibited,
awful delusion must attend the pursuit of any measures
which God has not ordained.
Among
the means which are designed for the conversion
of sinners, and the edification of believers, the three principal are, the preaching of the Gospel; the written
Word of
God, and fervent prayer.
One
of the chief
means of
grace, both for the conversion
of sinners, and the edification of believers,

of the Gospel.
" It hath
pleased
God by
is
the preaching
the foolishness of
"How," asks the

apostle, "shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe on him of whom they
have aot heard? and how shall they hear without a
preaching to save them
who
believe."
preacher?"
The
ministry of reconciliation was appointed by the Re-
deemer, just before his ascension to glory, when he com-
manded
his disciples to
" go
into
the Gospel to every creature."
by
his grace,
he was sent
as a
all
the world and preach
After Paul had been called
messenger of mercy
Gentiles, to open their eyes and to turn

to light,
*^
to the
them from darkness
and from the power of Satan unto God."
The
di-
vine blessing has accompanied the ministers of the word
from the days of the apostles
to the present time.
On
the
day of Pentecost, thousands were converted by the preaching
74
of Peter; the Lord opened Lydia's heart to attend to the
by Paul; and
things which were spoken
in
every succeed-
ing age the preaching of the Gospel has been to thousands

<'
power of God unto salvation."

And the principal instrument employed by the Holy
the
Spirit in the
work
of regeneration and sanctification of our
The
the written Word.
souls, is
apostle Peter reminds his
other brethren that " they were born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
which
liveth
Lord," says the Psalmist
The
special design of
to lead us into the
of
*^
life.
by the word of God
and abideth forever."

^'is perfect,
God
"The law
the
of
converting the soul."
in giving to us his
knowledge of himself, and
Word,
All scripture," says the apostle, "is given
inspiration of
God, and
is
in the paths
by
profitable for doctrine, for re-
is
proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that
God may be
the
man
all
good works."
of
It
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
has guided through
third heavens, myriads of the
ing in the presence of God, and
heed
to
it
life,
redeemed who
we
shall
are
up
to the
now
walk-
do well
to take
"as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until
the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts."
Any
attempt to sink the value of the living ministry, or of the

written
kind.
Word, is injurious
The Word without
to the highest interests of
man-
the ministry would be neglected,
and the ministry without the Word, would run into error,
and introduce woful delusion.
The word and
the ministry
united, are the great bulwarks of religion, and the instru-
ments which God designs
for the conversion, not
merely of
individuals, but of the world.
To
the ministry and the
"Ask, and
it
shall be given
Word, we add
fervent prayer.
you; seek, and ye shall find;

knock, and
shall
it
great
medium
God,
in
be opened unto you."
of the intercourse which
which he opens the most
75
Prayer
man
is
the
holds with
secret desires of his soul,
and makes known his

The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much."
"If ye, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
Him."
and confesses and deplores his

wants.
sins,
Besides the means of grace already mentioned, there are

others
which
are highly important in themselves, and in
the use of which,
Among
grace.
God
has promised to bestow on us his
the chief of these
education of children.
should go, and
The
amount of
surest
it
when he
irreligion
method
from
opinion, that
is
The
if
way he
a principal reason of the awful
which every where
to banish religion
families.
place the religious
old he will not depart from it."
is
neglect of this duty
we
Train up a child in the
'
prevails; for the
from the world,
is to
pious Baxter has given
it
banish
as his
every parent would faithfully discharge his
duty in bringing up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,
living ministry.
deep
guilt
it
would almost render unnecessary the
Certain
it is,
that the neglect of
relation to the highest interests of his child,
exposed
brings
to the pernicious influence of false
by leaving him
sentiment and vi-
cious example, without any fixed principles to save

their contagion.
The
are, generally, such as

life,
it
on the parent, and shows an awful unconcern in
him from
consequences on the part of the child
might be expected
and an unhappy death.
faithful parents, especially
From
from the
an
irreligious
the lips of pious and

lips of a pious
mother,
the child generally receives his earliest, his best, and his
76
most
first
all
thoughts,
to
his feelings
ings,
To
lasting impressions.
mould
her
belongs to direct his
it
his temper; to give an impulse to
and desires; and her instructions, and warn-
and prayers, and
which, amid
tears, are the things
all
the waywardness and folly of mankind, are last forgotten by
her child; which exert over his heart a most salutary influence,
and are often recalled with fond remembrance and
Should he be so unhappy
gratitude.
ungodly companions, and to
membrance of
fall
as to
his mother's instructions
haunt his gayest hours, and check his
may have run deep
though he
be enticed by
into dissolute habits, the re-
and prayers will
mad
career;
and
in sinful excesses, will pro-
bably bring him back a humble penitent to
God
blessed
reward for the anxieties, and sorrows, and instruction, and

prayers, of maternal love, thus to have trained a child for
and heaven, and God!
holiness,
Precious
her and
call
the
memory
"her children
of such a parent to her offspring, for

after
is
rise
up
her blessed."*
striking instance of the correctness of the above remarks occurred to
the author immediately after he had preached this discourse.
home from
Philadelphia, there
was
ger, a respected brother in the ministry,
who
of his religious history.

in early
life
When he
to
He is the
his return
resides in one of the western
In the course of conversation, he gave
States.
On
in the stage with him, as a fellow-passen-
to the author a short
son of pious parents,
account
who had devoted him
God, and carefully instructed him in the principles of religion.
had attained a
sufficient age,
he studied medicine, and,
not, attended the medical lectures at Philadelphia. Unfortunately,
if I
mistake
by perusing
the works of some infidel writers, and by the influence of ungodly companions,
his
mind was
corrupted, and he
that he never could entirely
owing
him
to his
the
sceptic.
He
remarked, however,
having read so extensively in ancient history, which enabled
to detect the falsehood
menced
became a
embrace the sentiments of sceptical writers,
of many of their statements.
practice of physic,
and
his irrcligion
He afterwards com-
and scepticism were
fre-

Without enlarging on the other means of
77
we
grace,
content ourselves with simply mentioning them.
shall
They
are the following:
"I
Serious meditation.
Psalmist, ^ând turned
Self-examination.
my
'
thought on
my
way,"
333^8
the
thy testimonies."
feet unto
Examine yourselves whether ye
own selves; know ye not your

own selves, except ye be reprobates."
The company of pious men. <He that walketh with
wise men shall be wise but a company of fools shall be
be in the faith; prove your
destroyed."
The
sacraments, which are especially designed to edify
believers.
It is
that
by the
men
are
diligent and conscientious use of these means,
commanded
to seek for spiritual blessings,
quently noticed by others, and caused great grief to his pious parents.
an
infidel
and
One day
neighbour began conversing of his irreligious conduct before a com.
pany, one of which was his mother, and with a view, it was thought, of wound-
ing her feelings.
He
scoffingly said that there
" train up a child in the
way he
should go, and
part from it;" that those children
is
no truth in the old saying,
when he
is
who were brought up
old he will not de-
religiously always
turned out more wicked than others, and noticed him as an instance.
His
mother, a pious Scotch lady, was indignant at the impiety of the declaration,
and afterwards
said, that, at the time, she felt
more anxious
that
God would
vindicate the truth of his declarations than even for the salvation of her son.
She had been anxiously praying
God would
exhibit his glory
for his conversion,
but
by proving the truth of
now slie prayed
his word.
About
that
this
time her son was led to read the Scriptures with Scott's notes; deep impressions
were produced on his mind; he was led
salvation of his soul,
He
Jesus Christ.
self to bestow
is
and became, we
now
trust,
to
a salutary concern for the
a sincere believer in the Lord
a minister of the Gospel, and nobly exerting him-
on others those blessings which the Gospel alone conveys.
He
considered his conversion as an answer to the prayers of his parents, and

said to
me, "
was saved because
11
am
a child of the covenant."
78
when they thus use them, these blessings are usually reGod will have his own appointments honoured,
ceived.
we any right to expect his blessing while we nehave
nor
The
glect his institutions, or violate his commandments.
most diligent use of these means, however, does not lay
him under any

so,
God would
obligation to bestow on us his grace; for if
be our debtor, and bound in justice to save
But, in the same individual, grace and merit cannot
us.
co-exist;
nor can any unregenerate
works acceptable
ness which
to
we have
man perform good
''Not by works of righteous-
God.
done, but according to his mercy he
saved us."
Considered simply in themselves, these means have no

efficacy to convert the soul; but all their efficacy is derived
from the accompanying influences of the Holy

are, indeed,
to
adapted to our rational nature, and suited alike
inform the mind and to
work
They
Spirit.
of regeneration,
affigct
God
In effecting the
the heart.
deals with
man
as a rational
by placing before him motives; by addressing to

him commands, promises, warnings, threatenings, and invicreature,
tations;
soul
and by appealing
to
every passion and desire of the
to the affections, the reason,
the preaching and reading of the
and the conscience.
Word,
truth
clothed with the authority and majesty of

tion
is
called to subjects the
lemn, and
ties
affecting.
God; our
most sublime,
The worth
comes
In
to us
atten-
interesting, so-
of the soul, the solemni-
of death, the terrors of the judgment, and the glories
and horrors of eternity, are placed before us to rouse us

from the slumbers of
The
Lord
is
denounced against the hardened transgressor, and he
is
warned of
sin.
that awful perdition
the sweet message of
mercy
is
indignation of the
which awaits him
while
addressed to the humbled

penitent, and he
79
pointed to the cross of the Redeemer,
is
and assured that there
forgiveness for the chief of sinners.
is
we approach into the immediate presence of the

God we contemplate his infinite majesty, his spot-
In prayer
eternal
less purity, his
sion;
we
boundless power, and his amazing compas-
confess our depravity, our un worthiness, our guilt,
and our dependence on

for mercies,
and
Every thing
fying grace.
we offer our thanksgivings
his grace;
we humbly
ask his pardoning and sancti-
prayer
in
is
duce deep impressions on the heart, and

affections.
Still,
Even
awaken
its
without the influences of the Holy
The new
will be in vain.
all
calculated to proto
heart
is
best
Spirit,
the gift of God.
the eloquence of an Apostle will be of no avail for the
conversion of the soul, without the accompany influences of

the
Holy
Spirit.
but ministers
to
then
*'I
is
who
Paul, and
is
believed, even as the
Apollos,
Lord gave
have planted, Apollos watered, but
Any
the increase.'^
success that
may
attend our
should be ascribed to the power and goodness of
efforts
"The weapons
God.
"are not
down
Who
by whom ye
every man.'^
God gave
'<
carnal, but
of our warfare," says the apostle,
mighty through God
of strong holds; casting
high thing that exalteth
to the pulling
down imaginations and every
itself against
the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought
to the
obedience
of Christ."
Having thus exhibited the nature and design of

of grace,
II.
we
it is
means
proceed to consider,
Our second head of
That
the
the duty of
all
discourse,
men
which
is to
show,
to use with diligence these
means.
We are
not aware that any have denied that
it is
the duty
80
of sincere believers in Christ to use them, but
it
has been
questioned whether the unregenerate should be exhorted
Much
the use of them.
we
think, be
ture and
aspects
removed by
a clear apprehension of their na-
They may be
design.
considered under three
as duties, arising out of the relation
between man and God;
to
of the difficulty on this point will,
as
which
exists
means, in the use of which sin-
ners usually receive divine grace
and
as
means of
edifica-
tion to believers.
The means which we have
1.
as duties arising
which
man
is
may be considered
The Gospel message
between him and man.
exists
and the written
every
specified
from the command of God, and the relation
Word
bound
are addressed to every creature, and
when God speaks. Prayer is

God as our Creator, Ruler,
No man on earth has authority to
to listen
an humble acknowledgment of
Preserver, and Judge.
say to another, that
it is
not his duty to listen to the preach-
ing of the Gospel, or to read the Scriptures, or to offer

prayer.
These are solemn
acknowledge God
as
acts of worship, in
our God, and therefore no
which we
man
is at
liberty to neglect them.

It is in
vain to reply, that since unregenerate
men do
not
perform these duties from holy principles, they will not be

pleasing to God, and therefore the observance of
not to be enjoined
for the
same objection
every act of the unregenerate, and,

will reduce
are
them
commanded
to a state of
all to
pushed
will apply to
to its utmost,
complete inactivity.
^''whether, therefore,
whatsoever ye do, do
we
if
them ought
ye
We
eat or drink, or
the glory of God.'^
But must
forbid sinners to eat or drink, because they are not in-
fluenced
arises not
by holy principles ?
Our
obligation to
obey God
from the possession of holy principles of action,

but from the relation which
creatures,
endowed with
we
faculties
bear to
As
and, as he
we
server, Ruler, and Judge,

sible obligations to love
believe
all
that
service and glory
our Creator, Pre-
is
perform
We
the powers
are
bound
to
he commands,
that
all
he appoints, and
all
worthy of
is
under the strongest pos-
are
and obey him.
that he says, to
all
submit to
the most glorious
and infinitely perfect, he
in the universe,
our supreme affection
to
as his rational
which render us capable of
knowing, loving, and obeying him.
Being
him
gt
to consecrate to his
which we
possess.
It is
man to hear, and believe, and

God addresses to him in his holy
therefore, the duty of every
receive the message which
Word; and by humble
and supplication, and thanks-
pra5'er,
giving, to acknowledge and worship
him
and nothing can release him from these
as
God over
all;
duties.
Moreover, since our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded

his ministers to preach the Gospel to every creature,
it
is
the duty of every creature to hear; and not merely to hear,
but to remember, to meditate upon, to lay to heart, and to
pray over, what he hears;
compare with
Scriptures, and to
duct.
It will not,
Berea,
who
we
it
his
it
by the
own temper and
are spoken of. Acts xvii. 11,
Word
with
light of the
imagine, be asserted that
verted, and yet, they are
ceived the
examine
to
all
all
con-
they of
were truly con-
commended, because they
re-
readiness of mind, and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so; therefore, it is
added,
"many
The numerous, and
of them believed."
strong
commands which
the unregenerate, to seek for the divine favour,
"Strive
ion, decisively settles the question.
the
strait gait.'-'
found,
call
"Seek ye
the
ye upon him while he
are given to
in
our opin-
to enter in at
Lord while he may be

is
near."
" Stand ye
in
g2
llie
ways, and
see,
and ask for the old paths, where
good way, and walk
the
man
me, watching
that heareth
Blessed
is
waiting
at the posts
of
my
For w^hoso
doors.
at
the
your
it
my
not.
gates,
findeth
and shall obtain favour of the Lord."
life,
is
shall find rest to
*'Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse
souls."
findeth
and ye
therein,
me,
These,
and a multitude of similar commands, are addressed to all

men alike, urging them to the use of the means through
which divine mercy

2.
is,
is
obtained.
Another consideration which establishes our doctrine
that,
on the use of these means, sinners usually receive
the renewing influences of the
When we
the world,
Holy
Spirit.
look back on the history of the Church, and of
we
those nations
find, that true religion
who enjoyed
has prevailed
among
these means, and, generally, in
the same degree as they were enjoyed in purity and abundance.
The
destitute
of
who were
was among
condition of the heathen nations
them was truly gloomy.
the descendants of
pricstliood, the
It
Abraham, who were blessed with the
Word, and
the ordinances of the
House
of
God, that the great body of the pious who lived before the
coming of Christ were found. Since that event, true piety
has prevailed, almost exclusively, in the Christian Church.
It
has been preserved
by means of the various
which God has appointed
and
if
institutions
these institutions were
once abolished, or neglected, impiety would universally

prevail.
When we
turn from nations and communities, to con-
template individuals,
we
still
find the divine blessing ac-
companying the use of these means.

limit the
Holy One
instances of conversion; but
We pretend
not to
we deny extraordinary
we find, in fact, that God puts
of Israel; nor, do

honour on his own
among
success
truths,
its
and
institutions; that the
83
Gospel has most
those who, from infancy, are instructed in

in the strict
observance of
Thousands have been brought
its
ordinances.
to saving faith in Christ,
through the divine blessing accompanying the preaching
and reading of the Word, when attended on with devout

meditation and prayer.
In one of the most admirable un-
inspired representations of the rise and progress of reli-
the soul, with which the world
gion in
blessed, the
his sins,
awakened
represented as seeking for retirement, there to
is
read, and pray, and meditate,
and directs him
The
tion.
has ever been
sinner, oppressed with the burden of
to the
narrow
till
Evangelist meets him,
gate,
and to Christ, for salva-
excellent Dr. Scott, in his
has given us the history of his
own
"Force of Truth,"
conversion, and
it
clearly shows, that they have reason to expect the divine

blessing,
who
seek
it
by
devout perusal of the Scriptures,
with meditation and prayer.
In one word, divine grace
has flowed forth in this way, to the myriads of the re-
deemed.
While they
wêre seeking
God
in the use of the
means, his Spirit came upon them with his renewing

fluences,
in-
and wrought in them unfeigned repentance and
faith.
3.
we
A third
argument in favour of the sentiment which
are advocating,
is,
that those
who
live in the wilful
and
habitual neglect of these means, have no right to expect the

salvation of their souls.
companies them, then,
If the divine blessing usually acto neglect tliem, is to
the reception of this blessing,
we can
is
to
guard against
put ourselves as far as
out of the reach of mercy, and deliberately to choose
the paths of death.
Whoever
acts thus, will, hereafter, in
the bitterness of his soul, repent of his folly.
By
so doing
34
An
he incurs the displeasure of God.
awful denunciation
pronounced by the Redeemer himself, on those
is
which
wo
<<Wo unto
rejected his preaching.
unto thee, Bethsaida! for
if
cities
thee, Chorazin!
the mighty
works which
were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they
would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.'' Impenitent sinner, it is no speculation, it is solemn truth, that
if
the Gospel message
rejected
is
by thee,
if it
does not lead
thee to offer fervent supplication for the renewing influences
of the Spirit of God, and
penitence and
ble;
more
faith,
if it is
not cordially received with
thy condemnation
is
and
certain
terri-
Sodom and Gomorrha. To

now addressed; to thee, pardon,
terrible than that of
thee, the Gospel message
is
purchased by a Saviour's blood,

the hour of
freely offered
is
mercy is announced, and thou
to thee,
art pointed to the
throne of grace, and a compassionate Saviour, that thou
mayest obtain
salvation.
not the mercy,
Reject not the message, refuse
peradventure, throughout eternity
lest,
thou mayest curse thy folly and thy

4.
But
finally, the question
sin.
of the propriety and impor-
tance of a diligent use of the means of grace,

fact,
is
settled, in
by the conduct of every awakened sinner and every
When
pious parent.
the arrows of conviction have pierced
the sinner's breast, you cannot prevent
him from praying,
from reading, from hearing the Gospel preached.

sees that he
is
and ruined man; he
a guilty
feels
'
himself to
be sinking amid the billows of wrath; and fears
lest
shadows of everlasting death are coming over his soul.
how
vain
is
mercy from
What
every
his
shall I
a sinner."
do
How
effort
God
to be
now
His
to deter
cries
saved?"
precious to
<<
He
him from asking
the
Oh,
for
pierce the heavens
God be
him now,
is
merciful to
me
his once slighted
what intense anxiety does he Hsten
Bible, and with
minister of Jesus, hoping for

glad tidings of peace,
some promise of
soothe the anguish of his
to the
some message of mercy, some
wounded
may
salvation, that
Helpless and
spirit.
ruined, he casts himself at the feet of the Redeemer, resolved

that if he perishes, he will perish with the cry for mercy,
as the last
sound that
is
uttered
by
his lips.
Again: Does the pious parent, because he

child
is
fears that his
unconverted, hesitate to place him under the preach-
ing of the Gospel; or to teach him to read the Scriptures;

or to offer his prayers to
absurd would
it
God?
How strange, how
utterly
sound, to hear a pious parent plead, as an
excuse for the neglect of these things, that he has no reason
No
to believe that his child is regenerate.
he knows that
the most important duty which he owes to his child
"bring him up
He
in the nurture
to
therefore devotes him, as Samuel was devoted, to the
Lord; he teaches him,

to
is
and admonition of the Lord. '^
know
of the
as
Timothy was taught, "from
a child
Holy Scriptures;" he accustoms him to the use

means of grace, because he knows that in this way
the
divine grace
is
usually received, and he asks, with fervent
supplication, that the divine blessing
may accompany
his
efforts.
Such, then, are our reasons for asserting, that a diligent

use of the means of grace
is
is
not a sinner on earth to
the duty of every man.
whom we
dare say,
'
There
you must
not attend the preaching of the Gospel; you must not read
the
word of God
religious duty.'
It
you must not pray, or attend

would be
as absurd to
do
to
this, as it
any
would
who is dying with hunger, to ask for

food; or to debar a sick man from the use of medicine for
It would be to exclude men from
the recovery of health.
be to forbid a beggar,
12
86
remedy which God has provided
the
for their healing;
from
the very means which he has instituted for their recovery
and death, and in the use of which only,
from
sin
hope
to receive those influences of the
Holy
we
Spirit
can
which
But,
prepare us for heaven.
Objections have been raised against the doctrine
III.
which we are advocating, and
We
be considered.
it is
proper that they should
shall notice but
two, since they are the
most common and important.

1
The
means
first
vation,
means.
God
the decree of
is,
unavailing; that,
if
God
renders the use of
has predestinated us to
we shall be saved whether we

To this objection our reply shall
sal-
use or neglect these
be short.
It
pro-
ceeds on a misrepresentation and mistake of the nature of
The Bible
the divine decrees.
speaks of no absolute, un-
conditional decree, but always represents the
creed in connexion with the end.

tends to every event and to
raise this objection
apply
it
all
The
means
as de-
divine decree ex-
concerns; but they
who
exclusively to our religious con-
cerns; whereas, to be consistent, they should carry it through-
out
all
their afiairs,
any end;
if sick,
and use no means for the attainment of
they should take no medicine;
should use no efforts to obtain wealth;

principles, if
God
for,
if poor,
on their
they
own
has decreed that they shall recover health,
or obtain riches, these events will happen as certainly with-
out as with
sentiment
is
just as absurd
2.
applied to the
when
sees the absurdity of this
common
affairs
of
life,
and
it
applied to religious subjects.
A second objection, which has been very strongly urg-
ed against the truth

tural
Every one
effort.
when
we
and dangerous
to
arc advocating
is,
that
it is
unscrip-
exhort sinners to use the means of

grace, since, to do so, has a tendency to lead
87
them
to rest
in the means, without exercising saving repentance and faith.
contended, that sinners should be exhorted to imme-
It is
diate submission to
and that
it
at
is
God;
our
immediate repentance and
to
peril, if
we
To render
short of these, or which does not include them.
we
this objection plainer,
ner,
awakened
state the following case:
to a sense of his guilt
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
replies,
my mind
there
so
is
much
cannot believe,
guilty; all
my
unless I receive
we
shall
say to
is
so blind,
He
cannot repent.
him
to
sin-
am
is
told
"be-
be saved."
He
arc so depraved,
my
heart, that
as helpless as I
am
resolutions and efforts are ineffectual, and,
mercy from God, I am forever lost. What

him in reply? Shall we direct him to ask,
by importunate prayer,
to enable
shalt
my affections
hardness and corruption in

I
and danger, anxiously
inquires '*what shall I do to be saved?"

lieve
faith;
exhort them to any thing
to repent
for the influences of the
and believe
Shall
Holy
we
Spirit
exhort him
break off from every sinful practice; to read, meditate
upon, and pray over the word of God; to attend on the

preaching of the Gospel, and seek the company and conversation of the pious, that thus he
God?
No, say some,
this
may
obtain the blessing of
would be
to
give dangerous,
soul-destroying advice, and to be accessary to the sinner's

perdition.
Immediate submission
to
on him, and he must be warned, that
God must
if
be enjoined
he does not imme-
diately repent and believe, his damnation
may
be sudden
and awful.
There are two

last
sentiment.
classes of theologians
One
class holds it in
who
maintain this
connexion with the
belief of the moral inability of the sinner to change his

heart,
and that repentance and
faith are the gift of
God:
88
the other maintain, that

it
to
is
it is
as easy to repent
and believe
perform any bodily action; that there
is
as
no other
divine influence necessary or bestowed in our religious concerns than
is
exerted in the preservation of our lives, and
the performance of our
man
common daily actions; and that

and absolutely active in
universally , necessarily ^
is
regeneration.
We are
constrained to observe in relation to this last senti-
man is active in regeneration,
ment, namely, that

sider
it
a fearful departure
that
we con-
from fundamental Gospel
truth.
The most eminent and successful divines of former days considered
it
a matter of the first importance, that a sinner should
be convinced of his entire inability to perform good works

acceptable to God, or to recover himself from a state of sin
and misery; that being thus convinced, he might be brought,

as a depraved, guilty,
dependence on
on the mercy of
own
to
renounce
all
recollection, a remarkable difference has taken place in
mode
the theology and
vines in our Church.
and
and helpless creature,
own strength, and cast himself entirely

God through Christ. Even within our
his
of preaching, of a large class of di-
The
moral inability was formerly
much
was considered of great importance

bility of the sinner as of a
represented as a
new and
a natural
insisted on,
and
it
to represent the ina-
moral kind.
This was then
important improvement in the-
ology, though the distinction had been

in the writings of
between
distinction
some of the soundest
and when properly explained,
is
made long
before,
Calvinistic divines,
wholly unobjectionable.
Now,
however, the ability of the sinner to repent and be-
lieve,
and his activity in regeneration, are earnestly incul-
cated as most important improvements in theology, and
intimately connected with the prevalence of revivals of

The
religion.
sinner
stantaneously, and
do so
as to raise
who
and they
frowned on,
on
to repent
is
it
and believe
in-
him
to
as easy for
an arm, or to perform any bodily motion;
exhort him to use the means of grace are
as
In relation
called
is
assured, that
is
89
though they would delude, or mislead him.

several remarks present
this sentiment,
to
themselves to our minds.

If sinners have
1.
power
and repent instanta-
to believe
neously, then, they must, necessarily, have ability to use

the means of grace aright.
power
that a sinner has
and repent
the
Word
and
Surely
it
will not be asserted,
to regenerate himself,
yet, that
he has not power
There
of God, and pray aright.
to believe,
to hear, or read
can, therefore,
be no possible reason for discouraging him, any more than

the truly pious
for discouraging
The
means.
tion,
and
were
it
2.
we
think, that
we might
own
refuta-
discourage a sinner from using the means of grace,
under the pretence that he has
and repent,
retort the charge,
not exhort
prayer.
it its
rest the subject here,
not too serious to be thus dismissed.
To
lieve
from the use of these
objection carries along with
men
The
is
ability, in himself, to be-
alike delusive and
and say, that
to hear,
it
is at
and read the
dangerous.
our peril,
Word
of
We
we do
God with
if
opinion, that they are able at any time to re-
pent and believe,
is
precisely the grand delusion which
men careless in sin. Every unrenewed

man, whatever may be his speculative opinion, trusts, in
keeps impenitent
fact, in
himself, in confidence of his
duty.
Here,
all
class of divines
power
to
perform
all
impenitent sinners are agreed with that
who
human ability, and it is no

has many advocates, for it entirely
maintain
wonder that the doctrine
accords with the feelings of the unrenewed heart.
But
it
90
is
somewhat remarkable,
man
which
that the grand blunder of
has been guilty in every age, since the apostacy of
Adam the
error to
tachment, and the

Christ,
ment
which he
last
that this error is
in theology; as
clings with the fondest at-
which he relinquishes
in accepting of
now represented as a great improve-
evidencing the march of mind, and the
possession of superior light; and that they w^ho do not assent

to
it
are often assailed as unfriendly to revivals, as behind
the improvements of the day, and as
Gospel truth
doned, and
do not
is,
it
is
lukewarm
our duty at every cost to defend
representations which are frequently

ability, as directly at variance
and the experience of every
made
They
generate?
sins; as
that they
with the
Word
men
to
of God,
Do
while unre-
are then represented as dead in trespasses
who
is
declared to be enmity against God, so
are in the flesh cannot please God.
men from this

described ?
Then God
deliverance of
death
in relation
without strength; as alienated from God; and
mind
the carnal
We
it.
consider the
real believer in Christ.
the Scriptures speak of the condition of
and
we
hesitate, therefore, to declare, that
human
formalists.
however, too precious to be lightly aban-
state of spiritual
is
Is the
bondage and
uniformly declared to be
the author of this deliverance, and the strongest terms which
language can supply are used, to express the greatness of

the work, and the power which
plishment.
tion
it
It is a resurrection
a victory gained
is
exerted in
from the dead
its
accom-
new
over enmity and opposition.
crea-
Let
not be objected, that these representations are figurative.
True, they are; but the figures are strong and expressive.
What
is
a resurrection but the infusion of
new
dead body, into an inactive and inert corpse?

apostle asserts, that such
is
the change which
is
life
into a
Yet, the
effected in

regeneration.
"You
in trespasses
and sins."
hath he quickened,
What
the
is
91
who were
work
dead
of creation but
bringing into being that which did not previously exist?

Yet, to denote the absence of
ties in
men, previous
all
to regeneration,
tion in the soul
by the Holy
work, the apostle
calls it a
in Christ he
new
is
workmanship, created
work
Spirit,
new
and their
"
creation.
produc-
first
when he
effects this
any man be
If
"We
creature;" and again,

in Christ Jesus to
men
more, to show that
holy principles and quali-
Nay
neither concur in, nor favour the
of regeneration, that
in
it is
no respect
theirs,
it is
in
your
hath he reconciled."
Let
<*You that were sometimes alienated, and enemies
now
mind by wicked works, yet
be remembered, that such are the representations of
work which
the
Holy Ghost
Inspiration, and though the
may
be dismissed with a
tisfied, that
it
de-
overcoming of enmity and opposition.
clared, to be the
it
are his
good works."
has
made
this
volume of
in the
argument derived from them,
cavil,
and a subterfuge,
To
cannot be fairly refuted.
we
are sa-
represent the
sinner as having full ability to repent and believe, in oppo-
and strong declarations of Scripture,
sition to such plain,
equally erroneous and dangerous.

trust in himself;
fulness,
it
It
is
encourages him to
prevents a suitable conviction of his sin-
and weakness, and danger, and thereby interposes
way
a serious obstacle in the
of an immediate application to
Christ, and an entire dependence on him.

3.
Wp
remark,
further, that the
still
manner
in
which
sinners are exhorted to immediate submission to a sovereign
No
truths are
repeatedly taught in
Scripture
God, has excited both surprise and alarm.
more
and
clearly, strongly,
than these two:

Christ; and that
that
we
we
are
are reconciled to
God through
renewed and prepared
for heaven,
92
only by the operation of the Holy
which
tre in
medium
all
Christ
Spirit.
is
the cen-
the lines of he Gospel must meet; the only
of access to the Father; the only source of forgive-
ness and peace
and yet,
to the sinner;
we sometimes
addresses to unregenerate men, exhorting

diate submission to a sovereign
God,
to
them
hear
imme-
to
be disposed of ac-
cording to his will, irrespective of Christ, and losing sight

of
him
this
as the
mode
only source of salvation.
We
believe that
of address arises from peculiar views of the nature
of the atonement, as a mere exhibition of divine displeasure at

sin,
and from not considering Christ, in his mediatorial cha-
racters, as the
Covenant Head, Substitute, Surety, and High

But, from whatever source
Priest of his people.

arise,
we
cannot but think that
of the Redeemer, and that

the sinner,
by not
it
it
derogates from the honour
calling his attention
of the
Holy
may
jeopardizes the salvation of
with
ness to Christ, as the only source of eternal
The work
it
sufficient clearlife.
Spirit in regenerating
other fundamental part of the Gospel scheme.
men,
"
is
an-
We
are
saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy
Ghosf
He
sheds celestial light into the darkened
mind; he elevates, and

revealing to the
purifies the
debased affections; and
sinner his guilt, and
helplessness, and
misery, enables him by his grace to receive, and rest on

Christ for salvation.
exhortations,
truths;
which
What
then are
we
to think of those
lose sight of these important Gospel
which would persuade the sinner of
his ability to
repent and believe, and which do not direct him to the
Holy
who alone can renew and purify his heart?
They may be boastingly proclaimed as improvements in
Spirit,
theology, and as evidencing the march of mind, and the increase of light; but they really divest the Gospel of
its
most
93
Those exhortations, which,
peculiar and lovely features.
instead of directing the sinner to Christ that he
may
glorify
the Father, by believing in the Son, through the assistance
Holy
of the
Spirit,
him
direct
saved or
damned according
drawing
his attention
though
practically,
to
to his sovereign will,
from Christ
we hope
submit to God, to be
as the
by with-
only Saviour, do
unintentionally, withhold from
both the Redeemer and Holy Spirit that honour which

the Scriptures ascribe to them, in the deliverance of our
souls
4.
work
from
spiritual death.
Our
last
remark under
this
head
is,
that usually a
of conviction precedes a wôrk of true conversion.
Sudden or instantaneous conversions, such
as
happened on
the days of Pentecost, sometimes occur; but they should be
considered as remarkable occurrences; and special care
is
necessary, to be satisfied that they are true conversions.
The
events of the day of Pentecost were for the special
purpose
of
tks, at the
attesting the divine
commencement
commission of the apos-
of their ministry; and though the
same divine influences are now exerted

of sinners,
to
it
in
the conversion
yet appears to us to be an erroneous procedure,
hold up the immediate conversions of that day, as a model
we are now to expect to be of frequent occurrence.

am aware that I am touching a delicate point, and that I
shall, probably, be denounced by some, as an enemy to re-
of what
I
vivals of religion.
slander.
The
accusation I indignantly repel as a
real revival' of religion
which God bestows on

self-deception in religion
to be accessary to
Hence we
find the
13
is
great; and
leading
most
distinguishing between
is
the greatest blessing
But
apostate man.
men
into
is
it
the danger of
an awful thing
spiritual
delusion.
skilful priictical writers, carefully
mere conviction
of sin
and
real
94
down marks from the Scriptures by

which we may judge whether we have, indeed, experienced
conversion;
laynig
change of heart; guarding against a too hasty conclusion
own favour, and exhorting us to make sure work for

Now, frequently, we hear of sudden and almost
eternity.
in our
instantaneous conversions
and
these conversions are spo-
ken of with the utmost confidence,

nal to doubt their reality,
we
sometimes,
fear,
as
though
it
were crimi-
and the number of converts
is
ostentatiously proclaimed to the world.
when
we speak of the work of the Spirit of God; and wo to the
man who reviles or opposes that work! But there are some
The present
points on which we may speak without fear.
Caution and reverence are never more necessary than
age
is
remarkable for a fondness for innovation and novelty,
and for contempt for what belongs
to
other times.
But
the old precious truths of the Gospel, which were preached
by
apostles,
and martyrs, and reformers, are those only
which the Holy
Spirit will
of sinners.
is
tine,
It
make
eJQTectual for
the old Gospel
the conversion
which Paul, and Augus-
and Luther, and Owen, and Whitefield, and Davies,
and Edwards, and Witherspoon preached, that the Holy

Spirit always has, and always will bless,
no other Gospelj
we dare embrace no mere modern
ments or innovations,
should
fall
and we dare preach
upon us
lest,
**if
any man preach any other Gospel
unto you than that which you have received,

cursed."
refine-
haply, the apostolic malediction
Magnifying the
let
him be
ac-
ability of the sinner; diminish-
ing a sense of our indebtedness to the grace of the Re*
deemer and the Holy
Spirit; confidently
pronouncing on
the reality of what are represented as immediate conversions;
undervaluing the attainments and graces of aged
Christians, and determined denunciation of those
who do
THE USE OF THE MEANS OF GRACE,

assent to these things, as though they
formalists,
and enemies
95
must be cold hearted
to revivals of religion
these,
are confident, are not the fruits of the Spirit of God.
deed,
there
reason to fear, that dark days in relation
is
While we
to real religion are before us.
revivals with
which
there are yet
many
awaken
things to
measures in action, and for
new
though that which
the assumption of
opposition
to creeds
old must therefore be
is
arbitrary principles in philosoto
the explanation of
its
were
hostile to
quiry, and the various attempts which are
innovations on the Church, with
minds of many a
The
will,
we
freedom of in-
made
to force
the distractions
which
greatly fear, produce in the
heartless indifference to religion, or
open
advocates of error have always laid claim
to superior sanctity, zeal,
ways been loud
plain declara-
and confessions, and denuncia-
tions of them, as though they
these attempts cause
new
fondness for
Scripture, instead of implicit submission to
infidelity.
for the
metaphysical speculations
phy, and bringing these principles
tions
God
serious apprehensions,
them, will be greatly diminished.
wrong,
bless
different parts of our land are favoured,
which would otherwise be derived from
that the benefits
in theology, as
v^re
In-
and benevolence; they have
in proclaiming their
own
and piety, and success; but they have
also
al-
superior wisdom,
always been
disn
tinguished for undervaluing the importance of sound doctrine, for a bitter and crafty disingenuousness, which, under
the pretence of liberality, denounces, as bigotted and narrow
minded,
truth
all
which
those
is
who contend
for the" importance of the
according to godliness, and
firmness the inroads of error; and
when mere
for a
if
who
oppose with
ever that time comes,
conviction of sin shall be generally mistaken
thorough conversion to God, and when multitudes,
96
under a transient excitement,

verted state, into the
shall be hurried, in
communion
an uncon-
of the Church, and
when
in addition to these things, Gospel truth shall be under-
valued, and error on fundamental points shall be extensively preached, then will the glory have departed from our
Church, and the paralysing
death pierce
chills of spiritual
its
vitals.
The plainness of these remarks, will, no doubt, be censured by many, who are for treating with gentleness the inroads of error, and would cast the mantle of charity over
the defects of those
would reply,
who
to the cause of error,
conduct of
its
are
most
that the
is
To
advovates.
its
effectual aid
such
we
which they can lend
to palliate, excuse, or
advocates, and represent
them
defend the
as holy, de-
voted, and zealous above others, while they censure those
who oppose
zeal.
Truth
their errors as exhibiting a rash

is
not thus to be sacrificed, nor
be thus defended; and
we remember who
and mistaken
is its
cause to
condemned
has
the prophet and the priest of ancient Israel, for having
"healed the hurt of the daughter of his people slightly,

saying peace, peace,
We
when there
remarked, that there
who, while they
is
is
no peace."
a second
class
of divines
assert the inability of the sinner to
change
own heart, yet maintain, that it is perilous to exhort

him to any thing short of immediate repentance and faith.
One of the most distinguished advocates of this sentiment
is the late excellent Andrew Fuller, who contends not only
his
that a sinner
is
unable to change his heart, but that
conviction of our being utterly lost must precede an application to the Saviour.
" So long " says
he,
as a sinner
can find any hope, or any help in himself, he will never

at the feet of Christ as utterly
undone."
fall

To
this class of divines
we
reply,
Their objections would be valid,
1.
peril, if
we
is
point of inquiry
not the question before
is,
exhorted
for
sin-
is at
it
our
fluences of the
The only
us.
whether there are not means,
may hope
gent use of which, a sinner
to rest
we
exhort them to rest any where but in Christ.
This however
him
if
mere use of the means;
ners to rest in the
97
Holy
Spirit,
on Christ by
which
If
faith.
in the dili-
those in-
to receive
are necessary to enable
any exhort
sinners, as
it
has been asserted that some do, to lay at the pool of ordi-
nance waiting, and

shall
satisfied
with their waiting,
bestow on them his grace, they greatly
God
till
Such,
err.
however, was not the practice of sound Calvinistic divines

of former days, neither
is
From
in the present day.
it
the practice of their admirers
the multitude of passages which
can be selected with ease, from the writings of the old di-
we
vines,
take but one, which however
of their sentiments as a body.

liene's
Alarm, and
as follows:
is
dressing the unconverted sinner,
The
<^
^^
is
a fair exhibition
quotation
is
from Al-
Settle it," says he, adSettle
it
upon thy
that thou art under everlasting inability ever to

thyself.
fessing,
to,
Never think thy praying,
art a lost
man,
if
if
thou restest in them.
must unlearn
thyself,
Rom.
x. 3.
thou hopest to escape drowning on
any other plank but Jesus
own
recover
hearing, con-
amending, will work the cure; these must be attended
but thou art undone
Thou
reading,
heart,
Christ.
Acts
and renounce thy
iv.
12.
Thou
own wisdom,
thy
own strength, and throw thyself

man that swims casts himself upon
While men trust
the water, or else thou canst not escape.
and
establish
righteousness,
themselves,
own
and
in
their
righteousness,
thy
wholly upon Christ,
as a
have confidence in the
flesh,
they will not come savingly to
98
Luke
Christ.
xviii.
Phil
9.
iii.
Thou must know
3.
and clung, thy strength but weakness,
thyself to be but loss
thy righteousness rags and rottenness, before there will be

an effectual closure between Christ and thee.
2 Cor.
8, 9.
shake off
Can the
Isa. Ixiv. 6.
5.
iii.
who
when thou
thyself,
Therefore,
passes and sins.
directed, go out of thyself, and call
the
7,
strength.
the
in
Yet neglect not thy duty, but be
at
way
in the
of
%ficts
fell
While
Spirit.
When
28, 29.
viii.
Holy Ghost
the
Holy Ghost
were praying, when Cornelius and

ing, then the
here
art
in the help of
God
pool, and wait
Philip to him.
tres-
goest to pray, or
despairing to do any thing pleasing to
the eunuch was reading, then the
did send
the disciples
his friends
upon them and
were hearfilled
them
Strive to give up thyself to Christ; strive to pray;
all.
hundred and an hundred times;
strive to meditate; strive an

strive to
do
deavouring
will
dead in
art
which thou
meditate, or do any of the duties to
thy own
iii.
graves clothes, and loose the bands of death?
its
Then mayest thou recover
Spirit, as
Fhil.
lifeless carcase
as well as
in the
come upon
thou canst, and while thou art en-
way
thee,
of thy duty, the Spirit of the
and help thee
to
Lord
do what of thyself
thou art utterly unable to perform."

2.
We
reply again, that the objection would be valid
sinners were exhorted to use the
or in a sinful way.
generate
more
men
It
all
all
is
if
sinful motives,
agreed that the works of unre-
sinful
sinful than others.
maintain that
sinful
are
means from
but
It
is
some
actions are vastly
absurd, and dangerous to
the actions of the unregenerate are equally
that they are equally guilty,
whether they pray or
whether they swear; whether they speak truth or utter

falsehood; since,
if
this is true, there
can be no reason for

choosing a virtuous, rather than a vicious
would be emboldened
and they
life,
commit every crime.
lo
99
It is better
that they should attend on, than that they should neglect
the means; and they should be warned of the sinfulness of
formality and lukcvvarmness in religion;

conviction of the dcceitfulness and
hearts
may
There
be fastened on their consciences.
is,
moreover, a great difference
performances of unregenerate men.
mote
thereby a
that
wickedness of their
the religious
in
Some aim
only to pro-
their reputation, or interest, or wealth, and thus
make
these performances subservient to their worldly interest.
Of such,
it is
^*
said, that
abomination."
Others
forts to be saved,
the sacrifice of the wicked
are sincere in their desires
and though these desires and
is
an
and
ef-
efforts arise
not from faith and love, but from the fear of deserved wrath,
yet they are more acceptable to God, than the heartless per-
These desires and
formances of the former.

arise
from conviction of
sin,
efforts
which
and fear of perishing, are often
preparatory to saving repentance and faith; and hence

has been said, that
religion begins in fear,
^^
hope, and ends in love."
from grace,
carried on
is
by
cry of nature, apart
we pretend
the young ravens when they cry;
God hears
Ahab humbled himself
which had been threatened

averted during his
truction,
far the
avails for the procuring of blessings,
not to decide.
because
How
it
because
and forsook their
to
before the Lord, the evil
him and
his posterity,
was
days; and Nineveh was spared from desits
king and people
evil
mercy of an awakened
pretend to determine.
ways;
and
sinner avail
far
the
with God,
Besides, no one can
renewing influences of the Holy
and prayed,
fasted,
how
cries for
we
tell
Spirit are first
shall not
when
the
communi-
100
an awakened
or what actions of
cated,
sinner
proceed
from nature, or from grace.

3.
We
tempt
observe
further, that,
still
means of grace,
to use the
when men
that they
ed with their real character and condition
The
with their de-
and thus their self-confidence
pravity and helplessness;

destroyed.
seriously at-
become acquaint-
chief reason that
is
means of grace
ing the unregenerate to use the
is
offered against exhortis,
they
lest
should rest in them; and that by urging them to immediate
repentance and
they
faith,
wîll
be kept from trusting in any
thing which they can perform.
who
is
tell
him he must
a sinner,
language only of denunciation,
in the
treatment, as unskilful as
Redeemer,
and the smoking
that
flax
it is
to
him, appears
be a
to us to
We are
unkind.
told of the
<Uhe bruised reed he did not break,
he did not quench," and that "he spake
a parable to this end, that

to faint,"
you
instantly believe or perish, and that
have nothing further to say
blessed
to address
distressed with the perplexity and anguish of an
awakened conscience,
and
But
men ought always
The preacher
of the Gospel
is
to
pray and not
commissioned
to
proclaim a message of mercy, and should sympathize with

those
who
are alarmed at their guilt and danger, in
all
their
doubts, and discouragements, and temptations, and should
them the
cheerfully afford
instruction and
encouragement
which they need.

Besides, as
sinners are
it
has been already observed,
awakened
and make an
to a sense of their
effort to
spiritually good.
forth strength,
only when
save themselves, that they feel their
utter inability to repent, or believe, or

is
it is
danger of perishing,
Then
first,
do any thing which
when they attempt
do they learn their weakness.
they seriously attempt,
in
sincerity, to
to
When
put
first
use the means; to
THE USE OF THE MEANS OF

may
hear the preached word that they

read, and meditate, and pray,
is
it
GRACE.
loi
learn and live- to
then that they become
sensible of the impenitence and depravity of their hearts, of
the blindness of their minds, and of their alienation from
They
good.
all
are often filled with surprise and dismay,
when they contemplate
the sin that attaches to
ligious performances; the coldness
their weakness,
prayers;
their resolutions, their
backwardness
to
hold
and
many
all
their re-
and formality of their
failure in the fulfilment of
omissions of duty, and their
communion with God.
It is after
sad
experience has taught them their weakness, and they are
compelled
to
that grace
is
they are striving
way
to enter in
God meets them
ment
gate
by the use
in the
A few remarks designed for the practical improveof our subject, shall close our discourse.
mercy of the Lord.

no
cles discourage,
shall
for the salvation of their
be encouraged fervently and perseveringly to seek
*^The kingdom of heaven suffereth
violence, and the violent take
his
at the strait
mercy, and places them
in
Let those who are anxiou?
1.
souls,
ven
Thus, while
be saved.
to life.
IV.
the
parish without thine aid,"
may
believe in Christ, that they
of means,
we
cry 'help, Lord!
bestowed, and the Holy Spirit enables them to
it
own
is
strait
profit a
soul?"
bliss.
Let no obsta-
weary you. "What

world, and lose
of conflict, hea-
"Strive to enter in
at the
Prize the Sabbath, and the ordinances of the
House of God, and take

guide.
by force."
man if he gain the whole

The present is the season
the abode of perfect
gate."
it
difficulties affiright, or
his
Word
"Search the Scriptures."
devoutly, and with deep meditation.
14
for
your counsellor and
Read them
By
frequently,
daily and impor-
102
tunate prayer, ask that your sins

hearts be renewed.
commit your
be forgiven, and your
may
Repair to the merciful Redeemer, and
souls to
him; live
and he will keep you from
in
falling,
dependence on his grace,

and present you
faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

2.
sinners to use the means,
While we exhort impenitent
we also solemnly remind them, that repentance and faith are

their immediate duty; that impenitence and unbelief are hateful to
God, and will ruin their
Unbelief in Christ is,
souls.
It will
emphatically, the great soul destroying sin.
no
avail to plead in
and
believe, for that inability arises from,
corruption of your natures.

against
The
my
is
carnal
God; and are you content
my
is
a proof of the
mind
to live at
that I prefer
thee
against
it,
such
is
my
God
enmity
mourn over
delight
even before thy approbation?"
sadors for Christ, as though
is
enmity with
aversion to thee, that I cannot
offences
and
Will you say, " Lord,
God, and under his displeasure.

such
be of
inability to repent
excuse your
in
"As
did beseech you
by
sin,
ambasus,
we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.'^
Is
the enmity of your hearts against the divine
government
and laws so strong that you cannot subdue
do you find
that
no
no promises, no resolutions, no vows can
efforts,
avail to deliver
you from the debasing
sheds over your souls?

fess before
God your
he would give
however,
of
sin
to
and
it;
go, then, to the
influence, that sin
mercy seat, and con-
depravity and weakness, and ask that
his Spirit to
renew your
souls.
Suffer
remind you that you are now in an awful

spiritual death; that
me,
state
you are neglecting your
most important concerns, and becoming more hardened

irreligion
under the very means which are designed
mote your
salvation.
in
to pro-
Remember the many privileges which
103
you have abused; the many sabbaths which you have profaned; the many prayerless days which you have spent;
many admonitions which you have slighted; how much

your Bible has been neglected, and how often the voice of
the
conscience has been
stifled,
Think you
proof hated.
stand convicted of
instruction despised, and re-
that
and
You may now
in scenes of riot
may
companions, you
gion, but
you
will be a light thing to
these sins, before the throne of your
all
awful and incensed Judge.

things,
it
jest
with these
and mirth with your
sinful
scoff at the sacred institutions of reli-
will stand confounded in the presence of Al-
mighty God.
When
the heavens shall pass
away with
great noise, and the earth be burnt up, and the elements
melt with fervent heat, and assembled worlds stand before

Christ to be judged
by him,
jesting and scoffs will cease.
Can your heart endure, or your hands be strong

consuming
fire
of the Almighty's wrath
then to become wise in time.

vain.
Immersed
in
As
.^
Be
before the
entreated
yet you have lived in
worldly pursuits, you have forgotten
the heavenly inheritance, and have been posting with rapid
But there
strides to ruin.
is
yet hope concerning you.
To you the voice of mercy calls, inviting you to return to

'' Seek ye the Lord while
your God that you may live.
he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and let
him
return unto the Lord, and he
have mercy upon him, and
to
our
God
for
wiU
he will abun-
dantly pardon."
3.
Finally.
endeavour
In the use of the means of grace
to hold
communion with God, and
vances in knowledge and holiness.
we
hold intercourse with God,
we
to
we should
make ad-
Through these means

express our reverence
104
and love, and implore his grace; and through them he be-
Let us guard against
stows on us heavenly blessings.

ing in the
that
mere
lifeless
by such a use we have
we
God is
fulfilled
sliould
the Redeemer, "
a Spirit,
in spirit
our duty.
remember
attempts to worship,
must worship him
rest-
formal use of them, or imagining
and
In
all
our
the declaration of
who worship him

Whenever we
truth."
and they
in
have attended on the means, we should press on our consciences the inquiry,
^'what
spiritual benefits
ceived? what good resolutions have
vances have
made
in
we become more meet
I re-
formed? what ad-
wisdom and purity?"
Thus
shall
to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light; and

this region of
have
when
shadows, of
death shall remove us from
conflict,
and of
sin,
we
shall
be
admitted into the immediate presence of God, and unite
with the whole company of the redeemed in the exalted
worship of heaven.

LECTURE
IV.
Delivered on the Evening of the 22d January, 1822, by the

Rev. Alexander M'Farlane, of Carlisle,
OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
Therefore put a\vay from

1
among
yourselves that wicked person.
Cor. V. 13.
A man that is
Tit.
iii.
an
and second admonition, reject.
heretic, after the first
10.
The Church
God
of
is
a regularly constituted society,
possessing laws and government, adapted to secure her purity
and permanence, and
The
of her Lord.
and vindicate the honour
to manifest
glorious Mediator, being exalted to the
right hand of the Majesty on high, and having received
all
power
in-
in
stitutes
heaven and on earth, promulgates laws and
ordinances, establishes government in his Church,
and appoints
some
officers for its administration.
apostles;
And
work
for the perfecting of the
of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ."
The language
dressed at
first to
his apostles,
sense to
the ministers and rulers of the Church;
all
he gave
and some prophets; and some evangelists;
and some pastors and teachers;

saints, for the
<'
15
of the Lord Jesus, ad-
applies
in a
subordinate
<
What-
106
soever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever ye
The
heaven."
quired,
shall loose
by divine
shall
be loosed in
were authorized and
institution, to teach
"Take
Churches.
on earth,
pastors and elders
and
heed, therefore, unto yourselves," says
the apostle Paul to the elders of Ephesus, *and to

flock over
seers.'^
re-
to rule in the
which the Holy
Spirit hath
*<The elders which are among you
the apostle Peter, *<feed the flock of
you, taking the oversight thereof."
all
made you
the
over-
I exhort," says
God which is among

On the other hand,
the people were required to render obedience and honour,
Obey them that

"Let
over you, and submit yourselves."
to those appointed to rule
have the rule
over them.
the elders that rule well, be counted

our, especially they
who
<'
worthy of double hon-
labour in the
word and doctrine."
In every society, government of some kind

able.
No community
can exist
is
indispens-
among men without
and an adequate power to put them in execution.
would become of the family

harmony,
if
circle,
the parental authority
laws,
What
sacred to order and
were prostrated ?
How
could public tranquillity, or private security, be maintained,

if
none were empowered
The Church
is
to assert the
majesty of the laws?
distinguished from other societies, not
by
being without law and government, but by possessing them
The Lord
from divine appointment.

officers in his
to
Church, whose duty
make known
their observance
it is
Jesus has ordained

to teach
and
to rule;
the laws of his kingdom, and to secure
by
all
the Church, therefore,
its
is
subjects.
established
The government
of
by the wisdom and
authority of her glorious head; and whatever acts are done
according to the instructions which he has given, receive

his sanction
and
ratification.
But here perhaps
it
may
be inquired,
tainty about the laws of Scripture?
107
there no uncer-
is
Do
not different de-
nominations of Christians understand the doctrines and

of revelation very differently?
stitutions
fact
prove our
mistake in this matter?
liability to
possible, that whilst
we
we
laws of Christ,
Does not
Is
in-
this
it
not
are claiming to be administering the
are in reality enforcing nothing better
than the inventions of men?
To
these inquiries
we reply, the Holy Scriptures give no

God are ambiguous or uncer-
intimation that the laws of

If they
tain.
were
so, the
Church would be
without
left
laws; for laws that are doubtful or incomprehensible, are
of no validity where righteousness directs the administra-
On
tion.
the contrary,
it is
invariably assumed, that the
humble
doctrines and ordinances of the Bible are, to the
and teachable, easy of comprehension, and remote from

uncertainty.
tion of Scripture; but

tians
who
all
It is true, Christians differ in their intrepreta-
will
impute
where
is
the denomination of Chris-
this diversity, in matters of import-
ance, to the ambiguity or uncertainty of the sacred record,
or will admit that there

their interpretation?
Christians, if
we
aright
tions.
no
fault in those
all
doctrines and precepts,
No man
differ
from
name of
things essential to faith and godli-
and the obligation resting upon

its
who
not entitled to the
be not prepared to affirm the perfect plain-
ness of Scripture, in
ness;
is
We are
its
all,
to
understand
commands and
institu-
can be innocent, whilst pretending to de-
duce from the inspired volume a system of error; or whilst

maintaining opinions in opposition to the pure doctrines of
Divine revelation.
It is
absurd to object that the Bible
is
a communication from heaven, and yet unintelligible; that
the laws of
God
are so obscure or ambiguous, that they
108
may
We
be misunderstood or disregarded with impunity.
therefore consider ourselves as chargeable with neither pre-
sumption nor usurpation, whilst interpreting the doctrines
and
institutions of the Gospel,
and applying them for the
body of
perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the

Christ.
The
officers
appointed by the Lord Jesus in his Church,
are invested with authority to prevent the entrance of the
unworthy;
to exercise salutary discipline
members; and
I. It
to
upon offending
exclude the contumacious and impenitent.
belongs to the oiSters of the Church, to prevent the
admission of unworthy persons to her fellowship.
We cheerfully
Saviour's
all
and readily recognize the obligation of our
command, '^Go ye,
nations."
We
therefore, and
acknowledge
it
to
make
disciples of
be the sacred duty of
the Christian ministry to preach the Gospel to
all,
to incul-
upon men universally, the duty of believing
cate
Lord Jesus
Christ, and to
make known
aging and gracious promise,

tized shall be saved."
prospects furnished
*'
He
to
them the encour-
that believeth
We rejoice in
the
in the
and
is
bap-
new and animating
by the favour of Providence,
for the
promulgation of the glad tidings of salvation, to the remote
and
destitute.
We
rejoice to hear of multitudes,
who
hav-
ing received Christian instruction, and having given credible evidence of faith and piety, are admitted into the'bosom
of the Church,
We
take pleasure in believing that exer-
tions to evangelize the world will not cease, or be relaxed,
whilst any portion of the
human family remains estranged
from the household of God.

as
it is
reign of
bless
It
is
our joyful anticipation,
our constant prayer, that the righteous and benignant
all
Immanucl
will soon extend over the
whole
the nations, and continue to the end of time.
earth,
It is lamentable,
the Gospel
is
however,
Look upon
in the Church.
who
observe
how many, to whom
published, remain unqualified for membership
towns, and country

bers,
to
109
think so
the population of our
at large;
you
will find
cities,
immense num-
of Christ and his salvation, that
little
They
they have never been baptized in his name.
give
no evidence that the message of heavenly grace has ever

engaged their serious
at least
attention.
They hear
the Gospel,
and witness the solemnities of our
occasionally,
holy religion; yet they show an utter aversion to the

cred obligations and duties of the Christian profession.
deeply deplore, whilst
lament the
who
we
state,
the melancholy
fact.
many
we pray that the Holy Spirit, by
may incline the hearts of men uni-
insensibility,
and criminal apathy, of so
hear the Gospel: and
his efficacious influence,
versally to hear, believe, and obey the words of eternal
But
Church
are the doors of the
the reception of
Is
sa-
We
We
every
who,
all
restriction,
for
life.
opened wide for
to be
any reason, may seek
to enter?
upon the indiscriminate and unlimited
admission of members, to be removed? Most assuredly not.
In every age, and in every condition of the Church, some

corrupt and vicious
name and
men have been
willing to assume the
profession of Christianity; and even to undertake
To
the sacred functions of the Christian ministry.

officers of Christ's
kingdom
it
fications of applicants for admission;
Lord requires them
to
To admit
a grievous violation of the

is
fidelity to their
the wicked and irre-
Church membership, would be
ligious to the privileges of
which
and
prevent the entrance of the ignorant,
the profane and licentious.
that
the
belongs to judge of the quali-
command
of Christ,
holy unto the dogs."
born again he cannot see the
16
kingdom
"Except
of
^*
Give not
man be
God:" he cannot
110
understand the nature, perform the duties^ or participate in

the enjoyments, of the
the
kingdom of grace upon
kingdom of glory in heaven.
earth, or of
For the kingdom of God
'*
not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and
is
joy
in the
Christ
is
Holy
Spirit.
For he
that in these things serveth
UnGod commands his
acceptable to God, and approved of men.^'
der every dispensation of the Church,
ministers to ''put a difference between holy and unholy,
between unclean and
clean.'^
existence and purity of the Church require this dis-
The
crimination.
The promiscuous
every character would destroy

nature.
tainly
essential
its
Of whom does the Church
who know and
of
introduction
of
and appropriate
consist? of
believe the truth;
men
who
them
cer-
give evidence
of repentance for sin, union to Christ, and conformity to

his image;
who, being delivered from the delusions and
corruptions of this world, manifest
by
a life of holiness that
they are partakers of the divine nature, and of the righteousness of our Lord Jesus; who, by a diligent obedience to
the
commands and
and by the sancmade meet for the in-
institutions of Christ,
tifying operations of his Spirit, are
Are
heritance of the saints in glory.
the ignorant and er-
roneous, the profligate and profane, to be received into such

SI
society as this?
Nothing
ated in any other case.
so incongruous
would be
Would you aumit
enemies of your country, and of
aii
toler-
tne declared
tne iioeral and equit-
able institutions, to the rights and privileges of citizens?
Would any
society receive to
its
fellowship
men whose
opinions and conduct are in manifest hostility to
mary design and fundamental
principles?
It
its
pri-
surely re-
quires no labour to prove, that the unholy and profane are
not qualified for membership in a
community whose grand
characteristic is holiness to
the Lord; that the enemies of
truth and righteousness ought not to be admitted into the
Church,
to
dishonour the doctrine of Christ, and the pro-
fession of his
The
name.
officers of the
Church are required
to
guard with
as-
siduous care against the admission of the ignorant and unsanctified.
From
the desire prevalent, in most Christian
communities, to increase their numbers, to extend their influence,
and
to gratify those
their favour, there
will not be
cially to
by
employed
who
evince a prepossession in
reason to fear that sufficient caution
is
to exclude the
unworthy; and espe-
prevent the sacred ministry from being profaned,
the conceited novice, the corrupt worldling, and the
Hence
equivocating heretic.
the danger of filling the
Church with men who neither know nor obey the

and of admitting
to the sacred office those
There
learned the distinguishing doctrines of Christianity.

is
truth,
who have never
cause for apprehension, where large numbers are hurried
into the Church,
upon the
ment; and many are added
feeling and impulse of a

to its ministry,
the pains of concealing their hostility to
knowledged
its
who
mo-
are not at
peculiar and ac-
principles.
It is undeniable, that
within a few years a great change
has taken place in the theological opinions of

teachers of our denomination.
many
Are we expected
of the
to find,
in every Presbyterian minister, a lover and defender of the
venerable standards of our Church; one

culcates
and which we believe
Holy
who
zealously in-
upon the people the doctrines which they
Scriptures.
Now
to be faithfully derived
it
has become no
contain,
from the
uncommon
thing
to hear of Presbyterian ministers sneering at the Confession
and Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church; pronouncing
113
the very idea of a creed an absurdity; and, as might be
expected, industriously setting forth a system of opinions

as different
day.
from that of our standards
This
of
state
Church could scarcely have
cision
and perspicuity.
The
anticipated.
which they adopted,
the standards
as darkness
from
things the revered fathers of our
is
language of
remarkable for pre-
not possible to mistake the
It is
system of doctrine which they were designed to teach.
Could
it
be thought, therefore, that any would seek a con-
nexion with a Church, without believing her

faith?
Might
it
articles
of
not have been supposed, that every feeling
of candour, honour, and uprightness,
from solemnly professing
to receive
would deter men
and adopt a system of
doctrine which they do not believe, and which they consider themselves required to contradict and repudiate?
Our Presbyteries
are
bound
to watch,
fidelity, against the entrance of
istry.
with vigilance and
unsound men into the min-
Whatever might have been
anticipated, the history
of the Church abundantly shows, that the matter cannot be

safely left to the
themselves.
will gain
honour and conscience of the applicants
If permitted, every kind and degree of error
admission into the Church.
The
doctrines of
our standards will be forgotten, or calumniated; and puri-
A tide
ty and peace will be estranged from our borders.

of innovation and error, will sweep
away
all
the landmarks
of truth and order, erected in the early and purer times of
the Church.
As watchmen on
to us to see that
the walls of Zion,
it
no enemy, whatever disguise he
on, be permitted to
belongs
may
put
enter our gates; as constituted guar-
we must beware of committing

men who are hostile to our best
dians of the public welfare,
the direction of affairs to

interests.
man who
is
not cordially and thoroughly at-
i;j;35
tached to our system, ought not to obtrude himself uponus; and if he should attempt it, the Presbytery must abhor
the thought of participating in the guilt of his prevarication
and falsehood.
The
is
present distracted state of the Presbyterian Church
owing, in
a great degree, to the facility
with which
men
of almost every shade of opinion have been admitted to
preach
among
Some
us.
Presbyteries,
said,
it is
have
pensed with the Constitutional questions required

proposed to every candidate
at his ordination;
dis-
be
to
and others
have not considered opinions, the most remote from our

standards, a sufficient cause for rejection.
Perhaps
may
say with truth, that none have been duly alert in guarding
We
the entrance to the holy ministry.
are
now
suffering
the deplorable consequences of such unconstitutional and

culpable remissness.
Some
departures from truth are far
more pernicious
their nature and tendency than others: against such
comes us
ror
may
as to
to guard
with special care and diligence.
be of such a nature, and lead
Any
An
er-
such consequences,
material error in respect to the
tant doctrine of atonement,
we
error,
objects;
whom
it
and
is
is
Such an
committed, whenever the
represented as indefinite in regard
Indeed
was made.
to
it
nothing better than
is
denominate any thing an atone-
ment, which does not make an
and insure,
impor-
as not insuring the salvation of those for
an abuse of language,
offences of
all
of this character.
is
hesitate not to say,
atonement of Christ
its
be-
be incompatible with a sound and scriptural system of
divinity.
to
to
in
it
him or them,
effectual satisfaction for the
in behalf of
whom
it is
offered j
as its consequence, the reconciliation of the
parties previously at variance.
The
inconceivable suffer-
114
ings of our
Lord Jesus Christ may be
called an exhihitiouy
or a display, or a symbolical representation, or whatever

else
you
an atonement;
please, except
an atonement
but
they can with no propriety be denominated,
if
they did not
fully satisfy the divine justice for the sins of
men, and
make
those for
certain the reconciliation with
whom
God, of
Redeemer became
the atoning
all
the substitute and
surety.
An
error here never remains solitary;
it
will soon be
found in company with a denial of the doctrine of original

sin,
of the vicarious nature, altogether, of the sufferings of
Christ, of the imputation of his rigliteousness to believers
for justification, and of the necessity

Spirit's operations, in regenerating
Did time permit,
it
and reality of the
and sanctifying the
would be easy
show how
to
all
soul.
these
pernicious errors are naturally, and almost unavoidably, con-
nected with each other; but

fact
it is
enough
they are usually seen associated.
ardous
is it
then, to admit any
following in
Let
to
we must
that in
One
of these
Church?
its train.
those, then,
who
are appointed to guard the avenues
justly appreciate the high
to the office of the ministry,
and responsible
Let them beware of receiving
trust reposed in
into the
Church of
Christ the ignorant, the scandalous and irreligious; let
beware of admitting
the Church,
to the office of teaching
men who,
An increase
its
noft
authorized princi-
of numbers will be a poor compensation
for the introduction of
Church.
them
and ruling in
they have reason to believe, do
accord in judgment or practice with

ples.
haz-
of them,
expect to find a host of others
Church membership, and
them.
know
man who holds one
to be a teacher in the Presbyterian

errors admitted,
to
How extremely
unsoundness and irreligion into the
2.
The
officers of the
Church are required
upon offending members.
discipline
whose members
Ufl
to exercise
In every society,
are imperfect, discipline
is
necessary.
If
one of your children do wrong, you admonish, reprove, or

chasten him, as the case
from the
may
In seats of learning,
require.
village school to the dignified university, the dis-
orderly are reclaimed, and a healthful state of the institu-
by the application of
tion maintained,
The Lord
suitable discipline.
Jesus has appointed discipline as the means of
restoring his erring children, and of promoting the purity
and welfare of
Warnings, admonitions,
Church.
his
re-
bukes, and even separation from the communion of the

saints, are to
be employed for these purposes.
In the reception of members to the Church, the ministers
and elders are not exempt from mistake.

the utmost caution,
and even the
Notwithstanding
some unworthy persons gain admission;
real disciples of Christ are imperfect,
ble to error and transgression.
and
lia-
In what manner then shall
the honour of Christ, and the authority of his laws, be vin-
How
dicated?
shall the erring disciple be restored,
and
the Church preserved from the contamination of the wick-
ed?
The
Scriptures
No
means.
the misconduct of
cipline be
point out discipline as
discredit can be incurred

its
members,
promptly applied.
if
the proper
by the Church from
the salutary rules of dis-
No
encouragement
is
given
to transgress, if there be reason to expect that transgression
will be followed
3.
The
by adequate
rules of the
the contumacious and
ployed
cient,
to reclaim
correction.
Church possess the power

impenitent.
an offending
If every
member
to
exclude
means em-
be found insuffi-
he must be separated from the communion of the
Church.
The
Scriptures prefixed to this discourse leave
SPRtCE STREET LECTURES.
^16
no room
for doubt
yourselves that
tic after
the
on
first
" Put away from among
this subject:
wicked person."
<*
man
that
is
an here-
quotations might be
made
"If he
same purpose.
to the
neglect to hear the Church, says our Saviour, let
unto thee as a heathen
man and
commands the Thessalonians
to
must
power
him be
a publican;" an apostle
"withdraw themselves from
Every
every brother that walketh disorderly."

possess
Other
and second admonition reject."
to exclude those
society
whose membership
is
found incompatible with the chief design of the institution.
The Church
ciate
members
asso-
basis of certain recognized principles,
and
can be no exception to
upon the
Its
this.
If the con-
for the attainment of certain important ends.
nexion of any one be found to infringe these principles,
and
to frustrate these ends,
it is
within the province of the
constituted authorities of the
Church
no longer
The
when
in its fellowship.
a proper occasion calls for
him
to declare
to
be
exercise of this power,
it, is
an indispensable and
However unpleasant to our feelings,

command and glory of God, to the puri-
'very important duty.

a due regard to the
ty,
peace and welfare of the Church, requires that
should not shrink from the performance of
But here the question
will arise,
by
whom
pline of the church to be administered?
we
it.
is
Who
the disci-
are author-
ized to judge of the qualifications of members, to apply the
laws of Christ for the correction of what
and
I
to exclude the scandalous
have no disposition
to ecclesiastical
wrong
in
them,
and contumacious offender?
to enter into
polity;
is
an argument in relation
whether the government of the
Church belongs, by divine
right, to pastors in conjunction
with ruling elders, or to the congregation
at large.
You
are satisfied with the doctrine and practice of the Presby-
lerian
Church on
this subject.
II7
You have no
disposition to
renounce the system approved by Calvin and Knox, and
by
the able and pious founders of our religious community.
The Waldenses,
those famous witnesses for
God and
truth,
retained the simple and scriptural form of Presbyterianism,
when
the
all
the world
Romish
was corrupted by the abominations of
Under
hierarchy.
the influence of this sys-
tem, the most glorious triumphs of the Reformation were

achieved.
When
found most
effectual in
strictly
maintained,
it
has ever been
checking the aberrations of heretics;
Church from error and
in purifying the
and in promoting sound doctrine and pure

Shall the degenerate
licentiousness
religion.
Church of Geneva, the corrupted
Presbyterian Churches of England, or even the present

condition of our
Presbyterianism
own Church,
is
be adduced to prove that
not adequate to prevent the entrance of
baneful error, or the prevalence of pernicious practices?
We deeply
lament the degeneracy of churches planted and
watered by the labours of Calvin, and Beza, and Turretin.
We
are grieved to learn that places of worship, dedicated
to the
honour of the Son of God, by the pious and ortho-
dox Presbyterians of England,

phemies of Socinianism.
learn that, in our
are polluted
And we
by the
blas-
are no less grieved to
own beloved community,
opinions have
gained a currenc}^, which are more in harmony with the

creed of Pelagius, than with that of the excellent
founded our Church, or framed
Whilst
we
its
men who
standards.
admit and lament these departures from the
purity of the Gospel,
we
are far from conceding that they
can be fairly imputed to any defect in the Presbyterian form

of church government: or that the rules and discipline of
Presbyterianism,
17
if
faithfully applied,
would have been
lis
found
insufficient
her
efficient
to
them.
prevent
commander, her able and
be wanting, the
shoals, or be
The
noblest ship
on the bosom of the deep, must have
that ever floated
faithful
The
dashed against the rocks.
and laws of the country
may
if
these
run upon the
will soon
ill-fated vessel
crew;
constitution
be wise and excellent; but
if
the administration become corrupt, and the execution of

the laws be neglected,
it is
preposterous to suppose that the
commonwealth can escape detriment.

If the discipline of the
glected;
if
Church be relaxed, or wholly ne-
no pains be taken
to
prevent the entrance of
whose adverse propensities and foreign attachments

torious; if public teachers be permitted to declare
selves in opposition to the
men
are no-
them-
acknowledged doctrine and
or-
der of the Church, whilst the appointed guardians of her

purity and peace
make no
effiart
to repress their
and punish their treachery; ought
tion,
upon
as a matter of astonishment,
it
to
presump-
be looked
that the floodgates of
error and delusion should be opened upon us, that ortho-
doxy should become

herence
to
term of reproach, and a
our standards be branded as
illiberal
If the majority of pastors and elders
rian?
or remiss,
it
strict ad-
and secta-
become corrupt
cannot be expected that care will be taken to
preserve inviolate the pure and scriptural doctrines of the
Church,
or to
inflict
and licentiousness.
deserved
censure upon treachery
In such a state of things, corruption
and error of every kind will not be slow in making their

appearance.
But
if,
whilst the Church
is
substantially sound, whilst
the pure doctrines of the Gospel are venerated, and the duties
it
show
enjoins generally practised, heresy and immorality

their hated front, there
is
no system of government
which possesses superior
pating them.
facilities for
119
checking and extir-
church session can act with incomparably-
greater promptness, decision, and energy, than the entire
body of the congregation.
more exempt from
Its
members
are, in general,
the influence of passions and prejudices,
adverse to the right discharge of duty; they are less likely

to
be deceived by the wily
arts of heresy, or the
pretensions of specious iniquity;

intelligence,
and deeper sense of responsibleness, they are
better qualified, as well as
and
imposing
and from their superior
more anxious,
to
do what
is
just
right.
The
advantages of the Presbyterian organization for the
support and defence of truth, and for the suppression of

error, are great
bytery, after
and obvious.
full
The members
of the Pres-
examination, judge of the qualifications of
the candidate for the ministry, and
if
they find him
defi-
cient in ability, soundness, or piety, they have the power,

as
it is
their duty, to reject him.
office is,
by
this
The avenue
to the sacred
arrangement, guarded in the best possible
manner.
To
the Presbytery
it
also belongs to
watch with
tude over the reputation and conduct of

to arrest those
who abandon
all its
the safe course
solici-
members;
marked out by
our standards, and launch into the sea of novelty and error;
and to preserve the churches under their care from the con-
The
happiest ef-
be expected, will follow from a
faithful ad-
tagion of wickedness and false doctrine.

fects, it
may
herence to our ecclesiastical standards, and a firm determination to assert their authority.
It will
be found that a
decided movement in condemnation of erroneous opinions,

will operate efiectually to cool the ardour of heretical enthusiasts,
and
to
check their presumptuous career into the
wild regions of delusion and fanaticism.
120
To
the higher judicatories, to our Synods and General
Assembly,
pertains, to superintend the concerns of the
it
Church more
at large, to correct
what
is
amiss in the lower
courts, to defend the sacred cause of evangelical truth
and
piety, to guard the churches against the approaches of pesti-
lent error
and
and execute measures, for the more
to devise
general prevalence of truth and holiness in the world.
Here, then,
system of
compact,
harmonious,
united
is
wisdom and
is
is
wrong
in
any
may
common
Whether we contemplate
we
and authority,
it,
the
judged useful can, in an orderly and
practice, or in
theory or
to
be exerted for
and on the other
part;
authoritative manner, be established for the
of the whole.
government,
According
energetic.
piety of the Church
the correction of what
hand, whatever
ecclesiastical
regard
benefit
system in
scriptural evidence
to
can see no reason
this
why
it
may
not com-
pare to advantage with any other.
When the Lord
Jesus organized his Church, he imparted
the keys of the kingdom, not to
whom
apostles
he had chosen.
all
the people, but to the
And
the apostles, acting by
the authority of their Master, committed the
power of gov-
whom
they ordained
and discipline to the elders,
ernment
The
in every city.
people having exercised their right of
choosing, in the case of the seven deacons, were afterwards

to obey, not to rule.
authority
by the people
tenanced in the
The
1.
The
administration of ecclesiastical
at large, is
an assumption, not coun-
New Testament.
uses of discipline are various and important.

It is
necessary to prevent the anger of
resting
on his Church; which must be the
lowed
in its
manded
to
members.
The
God from
case, if sin
be
al-
ancient Church were com-
put a difference between the clean and unclean.
between the holy and unholy; and
them every cause of
to
121
remove
from
far
When
pollution and guilt.
they ne-
glected to do so, they were soon visited with the manifestations of
holy.''
Sin, at
all
times, and
obligation rests
*'Be yc holy; for
wherever found,
The wicked he
the Divine Majesty.
to
The same
God's displeasure.
New Testament Church.
upon the
is
make
it
evident, that his forbearance
offensive
reserves to the
day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.

then
am
He
will
by no means
is
in-
consistent with the strongest disapprobation of sin, and an
unchangeable determination
redeemed people
are,
and the wrath
tion
to
to
punish
His chosen and
it.
indeed, delivered from condemna-
come.
Yet, whilst in this
are liable to faults and imperfections.
If,
life,
they
therefore, sin be
allowed in them without admonition or correction, Christ

will rebuke and chasten IhRm; and
if
corrupt doctrines and
practices be tolerated in the Church, he will
against
it,
and remove
To
cept they repent.
its
come and
fight
candlestick out of his place, ex-
avoid, therefore, or
remove the Di-
The
vine displeasure, discipline must be faithfully applied.
God's children must be corrected, and the
faults of
cal
hereti-
and abominable must be excluded from the communion
of the faithful.
2.
Discipline
of believers,
sinful.
and
is
necessary to promote the sanctification
to reclaim
them from what
For these important
sation of the
pensable
offensive
and
j)urposes, the ordinary dispen-
word and ordinances
utility.
is
The ambassador
are of great and indis-
of Christ must
show unto
by
a faithful
the people their transgressions and sins; and
exhibition of the admonitions and reproofs of the Divine
word, as well as by the sweet accents of the Gospel, he
must
call
them
to repentance
and amendment.
But
if
an
122
member be
offending
not reclaimed
trations of the Gospel,
and
if
by the common minis-
the private
our Saviour have been used without
the Church
Pub-
to discipline, properly so called.
must have recourse

lic
means enjoined by
effect,
admonition, rebuke, suspension, or separation, must be
employed
found
may require. If milder remedies be

we must not neglect the use of the more
as the case
insufficient,
There
severe.
is
hope that the erring brother will be
"In
brought to wise reflection, and humble penitence.
name
of our
Lord Jesus
my
gether, and
spirit,
one unto Satan for the destruc-
of the flesh, that the
day of the Lord Jesus. '^
word by
this epistle,
with him, that he
may
spirit
"And
if
may be saved
any man obey
note that man, and have no
be ashamed.
its
in
the
not our
company
Yet count him not
an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
among
the
are gathered to-
with the power of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to deliver such a
tion
when ye
Christ,
as
Discipline,
other uses, ought to be regarded as a means,
appointed by our Lord for the recovery of his straying
When,
children.
members
therefore, the conduct of
rulers of the
Church ought not
to
derness to lead them to withhold

3.
any of the
requires the salutary correction of discipline, the
Discipline
is
permit an ill-judged ten-
it.
necessary to preserve the purity and
peace of the Church.
The
greatest defections
which have
taken place, from the purity and simplicity of the Gospel,
have proceeded from small beginnings; from deviations,

slight at first, from the authorized language and approved
customs of the Church. These, under the notion of improvements, the young and unstable are too often ready to adopt.
If permitted
to
pass without animadversion,
something more decisive, and

soon follow.
The
still
or rebuke,
more dangerous,
will
standard doctrines of the Church will be
assailed; pernicious errors will
123
be embraced and propagated;
and licentiousness, and every enormity, will come

flood.
new
Look
at the
in like a
degenerate Churches of the old and the
world; you will find that such has been the progress of
things
among them. No sound community becomes wholly

at once. From slight beginnings, and by little and
corrupt
little,
the most dreadful and ruinous apostacies have been
brought about.
We
ought not, therefore,
to account
any de-
parture from sound doctrine and evangelical practice, as void
of danger.
Some may, perhaps,
in
judging from the supposed
greater light of the present age, and from the apparent piety
of those
who
are given to change, consider our
Church
cure from the catastrophe which has befallen others.
se-
To
such I would say, in the language of the apostle, ^'Your

glorying
is
Know
not good.
leaveneth the whole lump?

leaven, that ye
The peace
may
be a
ye
not, that a
Purge
little
leaven
out, therefore, the old
new lump."
of the Church will be endangered and destroy-
Unless unscriptural innova-
ed, if discipline be neglected.

tions be discountenanced
and suppressed by the judicial
acts
of the Church, disputes and distractions must be perpetual;

at least, as long as there
remains in the community any re-
Are we charged with
gard to truth and piety.

the peace of the Church
we
There
is
disturbing
no good reason
should be discomposed under such an accusation.
charge applies with
have given us
ger;
who have
stitutions
much more
sufficient cause to
propriety to those
why
The
who
sound the alarm of dan-
brought into jeopardy the doctrines and
which we are under the most solemn
in-
obligations to
cherish and defend. Disturbers of the peace of the Church
Sweet peace
heavenly peace
much
as
we
love thee,
we
are willing to dispense with thy presence, whilst a hostile
banner waves over our Zion, and her bulwarks are assailed by
124
Whilst opinions and practices, unknown to
an invading foe.
our standards, and abhorrent
to the
judgment of the Church
in every age, possess credit and currency within our ecclesiastical limits,
we
neither expect nor desire peace.
Changes
cannot be introduced into any religious community without
producing disturbances and contentions.
The
evil, if these
changes be unscriptural, must be charged upon those

Opposition to them
attempt to introduce them.

of praise, not of censure.
To
is
who
matter
preserve the tranquillity of the
Church, therefore, and to promote
its
highest permanent
welfare, the correction of errors and abuses
by
discipline
is
often indispensable.
Discipline
4.
is
necessary to vindicate the honour of
Christ and of religion, by separating from the
ever
is
offensive and scandalous.
brethren,
mark them which
"Now,
Church whatbeseech you,
cause divisions and offences,
contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned, and avoid
^'Now, we command you brethren,
them."
in the
name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from
every brother that walketh disorderly. "
What will become
of the honour of Christ, the sacredness of the Christian profession,
and the veneration due
the Gospel,
if
to the
holy institutions of
the ignorant and heretical, the vicious and
profane, be allowed to participate in the sacramental solemnities,
try?
and
still
more,
in the functions of the sacred minis-
Before the world, the Church must put a difference
between truth and
error,
between holiness and
sin.
By the
authority of Christ, for the glory of his name, for the reputation of religion in the world, the licentious
and disorderly,
the blasphemer and the heretic, must be excluded from the
fellowship of the saints.

Discipline, to accomplish
its
purposes, must be exercised
1|6
with tenderness, impartiality, and solemnity; and, when

the case
rules laid
demands
down
formity with
The
with promptness and vigour.
it,
constitution of the Church, in con-
in the
must be
Scripture,
scrupulously followed.
There must be no appearance of personal
hostility, or pri-
vate revenge, or a disposition to seek an occasion for discipline.
are
It
by
motives;
and
must be evident
that the officers of the Church,
by upright
influenced
and conscientious
intentions,
solemn regard
to the authority of Christ,
promote the welfare of the Church,
a sincere desire to
and of the offender himself.
If the case be otherwise, if
there be a manifest exhibition of passion and prejudice, of

partiality
and
injustice,
cipline should produce
it
would be vain
to expect that dis-
upon the
a favourable impression
Church, or upon the world.

In this age of affected liberality, but of real licentiousness
in religious belief, the ordinance of discipline
much
sess.
fiance,
of the weight and solemnit}'- which

It
is
not unfrequently
by men who justly incur
it
is
divested of
ought to pos-
contemned and
inflictions.
its
set at de-
This can-
He
not be done, however, without extreme peril.
that
despises the discipline of the Church, despises the institution and authority of the
Son of God.
The impenitent and
presumptuous offender, will find the sentence of the Church

confirmed by the Supreme Judge,
count.
"Whosesoever
The man
sins
ye
at the
retain,
day of
final ac-
they are retained.''
w^ho has fallen under the righteous censures of
bound
the Church,
is
repentance,
and
and contempt of
to practise
amendment.
this
submission, humiliation,
If he
do
condemnation and punishment, when Christ

world.
18
not,
his
abuse
Divine institution, will aggravate his

shall
judge the
136
not possible, perhaps, nor
It is
is
it
of importance, to
mention every occasion upon which the exercise of

pline
is
Whatever
proper and necessary.
wrong by
is
proved
disci-
to
be
and by the authorized
the sacred Scriptures,
standards of the Church, may, in certain circumstances, re-
quire the correction which discipline alone can furnish.

the intention of discipline to encourage
is
every thing that
remove every
to
and promote
pure, and lovely, and of good report;
is
stain
and imperfection from the Christian
character; and to banish from the

offence, dishonour,
It
and
any professor of religion
If
guilt.
Church every cause of
be guilty of neglecting the worship of God, of profaneness,

or Sabbath breaking;
formance of relative
if
he be grossly deficient
duties, if
in the per-
he be chargeable with fraud,
falsehood, covetousness, malignity, or licentiousness; if he
be intemperate, or a promoter of intemperance in others; he

is
The
private
having been found
insuffi-
certainly a proper subject for discipline.
means
for reclaiming offenders
cient, the
Church must
munication.
resort to public
The command and honour
censure, or excom-
of God, the purity
and tranquillity of the Church, the welfare of the offender

himself, render the
employment of
discipline, in such cases,
an imperative duty.
The
discipline of the
Church must be used, when oc-
casion requires, to maintain and vindicate the truths of the
Gospel, and to suppress heretical innovations.
The maintenance of evangelical

possible importance.
truth that
God
is
It
is
glorified,
doctrine,
is
of the highest
by the manifestation of the

the
Church preserved and ex-
tended, sinners converted, and believers prepared for celestial
blessedness.
On
the contrary, false doctrine tends ne-
cessarily to dishonour the divine perfections, to corrupt the
127
Church, and to ruin the souls of men.
may
error
be employed
It is possible that
successfully in catching the atten-
tion and exciting the feelings of the ignorant; but after
We
counterfeit religion.
all,
produce nothing better than a
a counterfeit Gospel can
must be able
to
furnish
more
authentic proofs of the correctness of our opinions, than that

to
alarm the fears,
and
to agitate the passions of the hearers.
*'To the law
and
to the testimony; if
they are adapted to arrest the attention,
word,
it is
because there
they speak not according

is
to this
The
no light in them."
trans-
cendent value of truth will be in some measure appreci-
we remember
God is pleased to
ated, if
that
sanctification,
that
it
is
only in connexion with
it
exert his power, for the conversion,
and salvation of men.
Christian instruction, there
is
Beyond
the limits of
no indication of divine
influ-
ence descending to renew the nature of man, and to qualify
him
Church
for the holiness of heaven.

also
The
history of the
shows, that a perversion or abandonment of the
truth, is soon followed
by an interruption of the refreshing
showers of heavenly mercy.
Surely, then, the Churches
redeemed by the precious blood of
Christ,
have the highest
interest in the preservation of the truths of the
Gospel; and no
zeal,
however
ardent, no exertions,
blessed
however
strenuous, directed to this object, can be considered dispro-
portionate to
It
its
importance.
might perhaps have been thought
that the exercise of
discipline would, on no occasion, be necessary for the de-
fence of the truth; that no

self
upon
man would
community, whose
harmony with
his
own; and
seek to obtrude him-
religious faith
that
was not
in
no minister, of any de-
nomination, would venture to contradict the established

principles of the Society of
which he
is
member.
But
128
these anticipations,
however reasonable,
are contradicted
by ample experience, both of the past and the present.

Too often has the Church been surprised and outraged, by
finding her ministers acting in direct contravention to the
obligations they assumed, and the professions
made,
the time of their ordination.
at
of the communities into which the Church of
Most
is
which they
God
divided, have published to the world a Confession of
exhibiting the doctrines believed,
Faith,
among them.
practised
give information to
all
upon which any
ples
Christians
is
The
whom
and the rules
design of this exhibition

it
may
is
a right to
society
ral,
is
common ground
founded; and to provide a
thing deserving the
Concealment
name
all
as true
croachment upon
is
disingenuous, illibe-
How
indeed can any
of a society exist, unless there be
basis of agreement,
nized by
has
the principles upon which any religious
constituted.
and a just ground of suspicion.
some
of
This
The world
frank, upright, and honourable.
know
to
particular association of professed
agreement among the members of the same society.

conduct
is
concern, of the princi-
some
principles
and important?
which are recog-
In this there
is
no en-
We have unques-
the rights of others.
tionably the right of choosing our associates; of settling the

rules of our intercourse, and the terms
upon which we are
willing to admit others to our fellowship.
Some
professed Christians have indeed opposed
and confessions of human composition.

they,
is
The
all
creeds
Bible, say
our creed: and they speak, in no measured terms,
of the presumption, folly, and danger, of introducing any
other creed into the Church.
The
would answer every purpose,
if all
the Scriptures concurred
in
the
plan which they propose
who
profess to believe
same interpretation of
The
them.
139
profession of faith in the Bible would then se-
cure an agreement, about the truths contained in the Bible.
But
from being the
this is so far
shade and variety of opinion,

fess to believe the
down
tion,
tial to
Bible
Church,
we
to the rejection of all that is peculiar
alone
every
find
equally pro-
from the pure doctrines of
revealed religion.
profession
case, that
among men who
It is
cannot
salva-
and essen-
evident therefore, that
secure sound
tliis
doctrmc in any
nor exclude the most destructive errors;
there can be no agreement, no harmony,

fering so widely as they do,
who
that
among men
are equally ready to
dif-
make
this profession.
In
fact,
of belief
every religious denomination have some standard
among them,
besides the Bible;
some
creed,
avow-
ed or understood, which expresses their judgment respecting the chief articles of
some
case,
to
faith.
object, not so
much
Perceiving
this to
be the
to a creed or confession, as
one so extended and particular
as those
churches have thought proper to adopt.
which the
are,
The
creed of the
Church, say they, ought to be confined to a few simple

principles, in
is
which
all
obvious to inquire,
principles, in
we
shall
which
no
who
all
What
shall ascertain these
difficulty in
to the satisfaction of all
But here
Who
it
few simple
Christians can unite? or rather
preliminary question.
settle the
Is there
tians?
Christians can unite.
how
are Chris-
answering these inquiries,
who may
be interested in them?
remains, then, but that men, agreeing about the
chief principles of religion, form themselves into a society
upon the
their
basis of this agreement,
common
faith;
to writing, for the information
cerned.
pel,
upon the profession of
and that they commit their principles
and
satisfaction of all con-
Heretical departures from the truths of the Gos-
gave occasion to the formation of creeds and confes-
130
sions;
and the number of
ed
regulated, in a great measure,
is
rors to
which they are extend-
articles to
by the number of
er-
which men are exposed.
few simple principles, however, do
mine the whole extent of the
The
denomination of Christians.
volume, are either held
details
common by
in
in reality deter-
theological creed of every
which
all,
up the
fill
or are logically
The
much to
They may pro-
deduced from the cardinal principles of the system.

opposers of our Confession of Faith object, not so
its details, as to its
fess to find fault
extended; but
far
it is
its
fundamental doctrines.
with
it
to explain themselves,
soon discovered that their hostility
y^rmc^;^/ doctrines,
will
as too minute, too particular, too
when they come

its
is
directed against
This
e^ê;?//^/ characteristics.
be apparent from an enumeration of some of the
grand principles of our theological standards.
These venerable instruments teach the doctrines of
di-
vine predestination and eternal decrees, that **God hath

foreordained whatsoever comes to pass," and in particular,
that
men and
'^some
angels are predestinated unto ever-
lasting life,
and others
" Yet, so
thereby neither
as
fore-ordaiiijed to everlasting
is
God
death."
the author of sin, nor
violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor

liberty or contingency of second causes taken
rather established."
sec.
i.
ill. vii.
is
is
the
away, but
See Confession of Faith, chap.
iii.
Larg. Cat. 12.
They teach the complete representative character of

Adam, <that the covenant being made with Adam, not
only for himself, but for his posterity,
scending from
him and
fell
him
all mankind deby ordinary generation, sinned in
with him, in his
first
transgression;" that in
consequence of the imputation of Adam's
sin, all
men
are
by
nature in a state of condemnation, depravity, and help'Uitterly indisposed, disabled, and
lessness,
unto
all
131
that
all
spiritually good:
is
ability of will to
man
in sin,
any
not able
is
opposite
and being dead
spiritual good,
by
made
so that having wholly lost
own
his
strength to convert
himself.''
They teach
that
'^
the
Lord
Jesus, the eternal
was made the Substitute and Surety of
Son of God,,
his people; that
by
his vicarious obedience and sufferings, he hath fully satis-
of his Father, and purchased not only re-
fied the justice
conciliation, but an everlasting
whom
inheritance,
Father hath given unto him.
the
any other redeemed by
for all those
Neither
are
Christ, effectually called, justified,
adopted, sanctified and saved, but the elect only."
They
teach that believers are justified on account of the
satisfaction
and righteousness of Christ, imputed
and received by
They
them,
instruct us to believe that effectual calling, or re-
generation,
in
to
faith alone.
is
the
which man
is
diate, internal,
work
power and
grace,
altogether passive; and that by the
imme-
and
of God's almighty
effectual operations of the
Holy
Spirit,
believers are enlightened, sanctified, and sealed, to eternal
redemption.
They show
fruit
that holiness
and good works are the proper
and evidence of eternal
election,
and that without
them there can be no well-founded hope of
They
instruct us, that all
acceptance and sanctification
who
everlasting
life.
are brought into a state of
from the unchangeable
shall,
love of God, the efficacy of the death and intercession of

Christ, and the inhabitation of the
Holy
Spirit, certainly
persevere to the end and be eternally saved.
These are some of the
essential
and characteristic princi-
132
pies of our religious system.
there
is
of his objecting
Faith;
of
It
details.
its
If
any man believe them,
no danger of his quarrelling with our Confession of

to
its
extent, or the minuteness
what we deem the
against
is
essential
truths of Divine revelation, the very basis of our religious
system, that the enemies of our Confession take exception.
Before satisfaction could be given to them,
^way what we
we must change
remote from pure Christianity,
human
cast
consider the chief excellence and glory of
scriptural Divinity;
as
we must
our system to a form
as the
wanderings of the
imagination are from the infallible dictates of Divine
inspiration.
In framing the standards of the Church, every reason-
made
able allowance ought to be
for the
human understanding; and for the

are unavoidable among men
which
A determination
ought not
no
or
importance,
of
to
weakness of the
diversities of opinion
of independent minds.
be attempted of questions of
doubtful
disputation,
concerning
which there may be a difference among men who agree

in the
main points of Christianty.
It is
highly expedient,
however, that every religious society should furnish an exhibition of the principal articles of their faith,
rules and practices prevalent
bols of the Church, a
bond of
ment and communion,

a
fair
ful
and
among them.
is
By
and of the
these
sym-
association, a basis of agree-
provided among the members;
liberal disclosure is
made
to the
world; and use-
aids are furnished in subserviency to the Scriptures,
for the instruction of believers
and of their children.
But the most important ends of

not to be attained, unless
community
in
Church indicate
which
to the
it
is
it
a Confession of Faith are
be strictly regarded by the
adopted.
Will the creed of a
world the opinions of
its
members^
183
every man allow himself an unlimited license
if
in the re-
ception and interpretation of theological doctrines?
Can
any harmony of judgment or sentiment exist in such a community? Is not the bond of union and fellowship virtually
and necessarily broken, by such unwarrantable liberties?
We
larized
have often heard of such
of things in the secu-
a state
Church establishments of Europe; of men embrac-
ing every opportunity to impugn the very doctrines which

the standards of their Church pronounced true and sacred: and
we
have heard of
it
with amazement.
We
never considered
short of insincerity and treachery of the most malignant
it
What judgment,
we form of the same

conduct when found among ourselves? Shall we pronounce
kind.
then, shall
a flagrant breach of faith, a scandalous dishonesty in the
it
Churches of Europe, but quite innocent and reputable

the Presbyterian Church of America?
It is
in
not to be de-
among us men who have embraced a

scheme subversive of the known and established profession
of the community to which they belong; who do not hesinied, that there are
tate to use the language of disapprobation
when speaking
they solemnly declared

tures.
me,
it
and contempt,
of the doctrines, which, at their ordination,
However
this
to
be agreeable to the
conduct
may
Holy
Scrip-
appear to others,
to
seems an outrage upon the rights and feelings of their
fellow members, a violation of the fundamental principle

of the association, and a gross imposition upon the world.
It
may
indeed be alleged by these men, that the system
of doctrine which they once professed to believe, has fallen

far
behind the improvements of the age; that
lately burst
upon
new
their astonished minds; and that
light has
it is
un-
reasonable and impossible to cramp the expansive energies
19
134
of their original and powerful genius, by the framework of

creeds and confessions.
If
it
be true, that the
enabled them
to
new
make improvements
ments of their
intellects
light, of
to detect the errors of
it
new scheme
former times, and
beyond the
attain-
is
to be essentially erro-
alone worthy of their
What
the consequence?
is
boast, has
be admitted, that their masterly
have proved the old system
neous, and that some
all
in divinity far
fathers; if
high approbation, what
which they
course
of conduct would a due regard to sincerity and integrity
A continuance in the Church, to contradict and vilify
dictate?
its
acknowledged doctrines? Certainly
not.
Every manly
and honourable sentiment, every principle of consistency
and duty, requires them
to
withdraw from
whose doctrines they think proper

tempt
to
bring into reproach.
pretensions to
new
light,
made whilst they
Church,
retain
whose doctrines they
except at the expense of every
We
repudiate, and at-
and an improved system of theo-
their connexion with the
honesty.
community
They may advance high
logy; but these claims cannot be
reject,
to
title to fairness
and
man who, at
when
admire the ingenuousness of a
every hazard, separates himself from a community,

dissatisfied
with
its
which can convert

destruction of
its
principles;
office
we
detest
the
baseness
and standing, in any society, to the
vital interests.
Such
a course deserves
the indignant rebuke of an ofiended community, and the
severe disapprobation of
all
honourable men.
Every
gious denomination has an interest in stamping the
of condemnation upon a procedure so remote from
and honourable dealing.

kind pronounce
man
it
The common sentiments
uncandid, offensive, and wrong.
disapprove the constitution of his Church,
let
reli-
mark
all
of
fair
man-
If
any
him, be-
impugn
fore he permits himself to
which he knows
well
It is
to
it,
I35
renounce
a profession
be neither cordial nor sincere.
known
that opinions are entertained in
These
taught in our sound and scriptural standards.

ferences are neither few nor unimportant.
would be
fatal to
fathers,
The
exploded.
moulded
fication are
If adopted, they
we
and which
we
believe to be
The covenant made with
founded on the word of God.

is
are
dif-
the venerable system of truth, which
have received from our
Adam,
some
we
portions of our Church, very different from what
doctrines of redemption and justi-
which we can discern
into a form, in
scarcely a lineament of their former perfection and glory.
The
ability of fallen, sinful
man,
is
maintained to be ample
and universal; whilst the agency of the Holy

limited to the presentation of truth to the mind,
the ex-
These are some of
ternal instrumentalities of the Gospel.
the changes, which are so zealously
Spirit is
by
recommended
to our
acceptance, and which are so confidently pronounced im-
provements
When
in theology.
tempted, the duty of
all
such innovations are
who know and

Has
not be a matter of uncertainty.
at-
love the truth, can-
the
Lord Jesus made
us acquainted with the glorious and precious doctrines of

his
word? and can we be
and success in the world?

pression of baleful error?
indifferent about their reception
Shall
we have no zeal for

we do nothing to
Shall
the sup-
discoun-
tenance a presumptuous and dishonest departure from the
acknowledged doctrines of the Church
by
those,
The
who, above
all
others, are
to
which we belong,
bound
to be faithful?
attachment of the Presbyterian Churches of Scot-
land and Ireland to the genuine doctrines of their ecclesiastical
standards,
salutary.
It has
has
proved
done much
to
to be
powerful and most
purify these communities
136
from the pestilent influence of heresy.

soundness of some of their ministers
is
The former un^

well
known: and
nothing has cor\tributed more to preserve those churches

corruption and apostacy, than their firm adher-
from
total
ence
to their excellent
and scriptural standards.
deter-
mination has been evinced, to assert the authority of the

doctrines of the Church, and to compel the patrons of difto seek their sphere of action elsewhere.
schemes
ferent
American Presbyterians!
your imitation.
commendable
Here
are examples
becoming and
It is
and zeal of others, in
fidelity
worthy of
right to emulate the

behsflf of the
and the happy success which has crowned the
truth;
of your transatlantic brethren,
your exertions.
may
animating,
It is
it
efibrts
well serve to stimulate

is
delightful, to behold
by some of the British churches,
the noble stand taken
in
defence of truth, and in opposition to error and delusion.
May we
not hope, that at length the same spirit will be
awakened
in
our Church;
that a determination will
be
manifested to preserve inviolate the pure doctrines of Scripture and of our Confession; and that a state of things will
soon
exist, in
which
heresies,
whether old or new, can no
longer be avowed and propagated with impunity by men,
who,
to
the sin of disseminating false doctrine,
superadd
that of contradicting their profession, and -infringing their
solemn engagements.
Nothing operates more powerfully

and prosperity of the Church, and
strife,
and every
evil
to
to
destroy the peace

excite wrath,
and
work, than heretical departure from
the truths of the Gospel.
Would
it
not be strange,
if
the
guardians of the purity and welfare of the Church had no

authority to arrest an evil so formidable and ruinous?
The
Scriptures recognize this authority; and not only so, they
enjoin
to avoid, to
reject, to cut
and trouble theChurcli, by
We
tlie
retain
much
them
in
off",
those
are
who
com-
corrupt
propagation of false doctrine.
are not permitted to bestow
tenance,
We
exercise as an indispensable duty.
its
manded
I37
upon tlicm the
less to receive tliem
to
least coun-
our fellowship, or to
"If there come any unto you, and bring
it.
not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither
him God speed:
bid
he that biddeth him God speed
for
is
partaker of his evil deeds.
In the infliction of discipline, on account of error, the

judicatories of the
Church must be regulated by her
lished standards.
We
maintain,
estab-
indeed, that the Scrip-
supreme and ultimate rule of truth and duty,
tures are the
and that the subordinate standards of the Church ought

be framed in
strict
If they be not, they ought to be
spiration.
its
member
authority, no
appeal from
thrown
But whilst the Confession of Faith
or corrected.
its
to
accordance with the suggestions of In-
of our
decision.
community
is
aside,
retains
permitted to
proper and immediate
It is the
criterion of truth and error, in the Presbyterian Church.
No man
has a right to complain,
if
he be judged by the
law under which he has placed himself.

satisfied
with
the reach of
he
it,
its
is
at perfect liberty to
We
jurisdiction.
If he
become
must pronounce
be truth which accords with our standards, and

error
that to
that to be
which contradicts them.
The most consummate
address has always been em-
ployed by the advocates of error,
and
dis-
withdraw beyond
to
screen
themselves from
to
cover their advance,
deserved rebuke.
them attempting
At
bring for-
one time,
you
will find
ward
new
divinity, during the heat and tumult of a
their
religious
awakening;
at
another
time,
to
they
are
seen
138
recommend
labouring to
by
it,
argument and meta-
subtle
men
If one of these
physical reasoning.
count for his heretical opinions, he
is
be called to an ac-
found ready to de-
He
fend himself with a world of explanations.

asserts, that
he
He
not essential.
trines
differs
his explanation,
Much
age, of
is
although
is
flat
light,
it is
differs
evident, that
contradiction
same doc-
only in his
what he
calls
of the doctrine.
and improvements of the
spirit
and more
positively
words^ or in points
and that he
believe,
heard of the
new
in
declares that he believes the
which others
explanation of them
from you only
liberal ideas in religion; of
the importance of being divested of prejudice and a servile
dependence upon authority.
amazement,
It is
enough
our
to excite
not our indignation, to see a youth
if
whose
attention has been directed to religious subjects only a
few
years, perhaps months, undertaking to depreciate the at-
tainments of the Church in
all
former times; and
to set
himself in advance of the most learned and able divines
which the world has ever known.
But surely
to talk about
the improvements of the age, will not cover the arrogance
and absurdity of such pretensions. Improvements of the age
Improvements
in divinity!
to
which the Church,
Nothing of the kind.

provements
Has any new
revelation been
Can any important truth be named,
received from heaven?
in
former ages, has been a
stranget"?
In what, then, consist the boasted im-
in divinity, of
which we hear
so
much?
I an-
swer, in the revival of old and exploded errors, upon which

the Church has long since, and repeatedly, placed the
of reprobation.
from the lively
Our modern discoveries

oracles,
mark
are derived, not
but from the graves of Pelagius,
Socinus, and other heretics.
In the
name of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
we
call
upon
all
the
members
I39
of our Church, deeply and solemnly to con-
sider the present state of things
among
At no time
us.
the history of our community, has the aspect of
The
peared so dark and appalling.
in
affairs ap-
tide of delusion and
innovation has been advancing upon us with portentous im-
sweep away
petuosity, threatening to
as excellent,
and lovely, and
all
that
we
venerate
scriptural, in our doctrines
and
institutions.
We
awake
dangers which threaten the purity, the peace,
to the
beseech every Presbyterian, therefore, to
and the highest welfare of our denomination; and

every attempt which
may
to repel
be made, to set aside, or mutilate,
we
the genuine and approved system which,
at
present enjoy.
We ought to, and I hope we do, love and revere the establishWe know that under their
ed principles of our standards.
influence, our society has greatly prospered; and
our ardent wish, that they

our children.
many among
and
How
may
it
should be
be transmitted unimpaired to
then can any be unconcerned, whilst
us are labouring to bring them into disrepute,
to substitute another, and, in
opposite system, in their place?
your own sakes,
for the sake of
many
We
essential respects, an
entreat you, then, for
your children,
for the regard
you have for the honour of Christ, the advancement of truth,

and the prosperity of the Church, to beware of giving encouragement, in any way,
to the
promulgation of notions
unknown
The
to our orthodox and scriptural Confession of Faith.
to
meet
every atindignant rebukes of the churches, ought
tempt
to introduce
another Gospel, in the place of that
which you have learned from the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We
rity
call
upon the ruling
elders, the guardians of the pu-
and welfare of our churches, duly
to reflect
high obligations which devolve upon them

juncture.
Beloved brethren,
it is
at this
upon the
eventful
your province and duty
140
to see that the people
under your care be instructed in the
pure doctrines of the
word of God, and
that the
acknow-
ledged principles of our Church be respected and maintained.
It
belongs to you to prevent, so
far as
your authority
extends, the propagation of a system of opinions
unknown
to our standards,
disowned by the Church of God
in all past
ages, essentially
repugnant
structive to
all
Holy
to the
Scriptures, and de-
Much is expected
true and scriptural religion.
from your firmness, your soundness
in the faith,
and your just
sense of the duties which belong to your station.

to
you
as
most
likely,
under God,
We
look
to sustain the cause of
evangelical truth, and to arrest the tide of novelty and delusion,
which, for some time past, has been advancing within
our limits.
Ministers of the everlasting Gospel,
exert the authority, which
Lord
we
call
upon you
to
you have received from the
Jesus, in defence of the truth, and for the prevention
of error, delusion, and discord, in the Churches.

especially,
it
To
you,
pertains to provide that the people be fed with
knowledge and understanding; and
to see that the poison of
heresy be not administered to them, instead of the bread of

life.
When men
Church by
corrupt
the
their pernicious innovations,
ligation to stay the plague,
sound
state,
by
and
you are required,
and
distract
the
you are under ob-
to restore the
the use of discipline, the
vine wisdom has appointed.

obligation,
Gospel,
body
to a
remedy which Di-
In the discharge of this high

it
is
true, to act in the ex-
meekness, forbearance, and kindness:
ercise of Christian
but you must not permit a feeling of tenderness, or a dread

of opposition and censure, to deter
you from the perform-
ance of an indispensable, although an unpleasant duty.
You may expect
to
incur odium, suspicion and reproach.
141
But, being actuated by a pure regard to the honour and
command
of God, the glorious truths of the Gospel, and the
you can well endure them.
best interests of the Church,
To
the sincerity and uprightness of your intentions, you
will
have a witness
you
light
fidelity
in
your own hearts
May the
witness in heaven.
and direction in
and firmness,
resist the progress
all
let
us
all,
you
Head
will
have a
of the Church give
things; and enable you, with
to stand for
God and
truth; and to
of unscriptural novelties, and the en-
croachment of mischievous
And
great
my
errors.
beloved hearers, be assured that
we
possess a spiritual discernment of the excellence and glory
of divine truth; and that the truth has
made
us free from
the predominance of corrupt desires and affections.
we have come
Unless
to Christ, in consequence of our having heard
and learned of the Father; unless
we
Holy
mere
Spirit through the truth,
are sanctified
by the
speculative under-
standing of the doctrines of religion will not accomplish our

salvation.
Let us endeavour, by
becoming the Gospel,
to
things, that
Saviour in
all
also appear
with him
20
a life
and conversation
God our
appear, we may
adorn the doctrine of
when he
in glory.
shall

LECTURE
VI
Delivered on the Evening of the 5th February, 1832,
hrj
the
Rev. Charles Hodge, of Princeton, N. J.
NATURE OF THE ATONEMENT.
"When we
were enemies we were reconciled unto God by the death of

his
The
truth that
countable being,
man
is
Son." /2om.
is
v. 10.
a moral, and consequently an ac-
the foundation of
all
religion.
It
is
necessarily involved in this truth, that our happiness de-
pends on the favour of God, and that

ed by
Just so
sin.
far,
and so
this favour is forfeit-
clearly,
therefore, as
men
are conscious of sin, are they convinced that they are the
objects of the divine displeasure.
sin is universal, so also is the
The
As
the consciousness of
apprehension of God's anger.
question, therefore, forces itself on the attention of
every considerate human being, with an energy and importunity which cannot be resisted.
to
be regained
The answer
How
is
if
he
is
mistaken here,
securing this object, he
21
is,
if
God
to this question decides the
religious character and the destiny of
For,
the favour of
he adopts
him who gives

a
it.
wrong method of
on his own principles, undone.
144
Here, then, more immediately than any where
For
in contact with the vital principle of religion.
we
else, are
as there
can be no real happiness, so there can be no holiness except
enjoyment of God's favour, [Bom.
in the
sequently there can be no true religion
may
of securing his favour, whatever that
is
it
be,
is
denied or
Such being confessedly the importance of
neglected.
question,
14), and con-
vi.
where the method
need hardly be remarked, that
the subject on which
mere speculation and theorizing
When
should be forborne.
this
this of all others
man
is
seeking for himself a
footing on which he can stand alone in the presence of his
God, or on which he
is
willing to assume the responsibility
of exhorting others to stand, he needs,

the divine testimony beneath his
Happily
There
is
serted,
with
we
ever, the rock of
are not left in uncertainty on this subject.
no one doctrine of the Bible more frequently
as-
more variously implied, more intimately interwoven

the rest, than that which teaches the
all
gaining the forfeited favour of God.

explicit,
unto
if
feet.
and so frequently repeated,
God by
method of re-
The declaration is so
that we are reconciled
the death of his Son, that no class of men,
professing to recognize the authority of the Scriptures, ven-
deny
ture to
that
Christ this result
what
is
is
in
some way through the death of
secured.
But the question here
the nature of this connexion
sufferings of the
It
it
is
how
is it
arises,
that the
Son of God secure the remission of sins?
must be admitted that there
is
no
little
diversity of opi-
nion as to the answer which should be given to this question.
But why need the question be
agitated
be contented with the general statement,
we
Why
are saved
not
by
the death of Christ, without perplexing ourselves or others
by inquiring how these events
are related
We should
be

an answer to these interrogations, and
at a loss for
to
145
admit that
the Bible was silent on the subject.
if
Did the Scriptures
teach us the fact only, that the death of Christ
with the pardon of
mode
feel ready-
such inquiries are worse than useless,
all
is
connected
without explaining the nature or
sin,
of that connexion, then indeed would inquiry on the
subject be vain,
The manner
in
if
But
not impious.
which the
this is not the case.
sufferings of the
connected with our salvation,
much
as
is
Redeemer
object of our faith and ground of our hope, as the fact
Besides, this question

true piety.
is
itself.
most intimately connected with
If the death of Christ has
with the remission of
are
revealed as the
sins,
than as
it
all
no other connexion
confirms his doctrines,
then must our views of the divine character, of the ground

of a sinner's confidence towards God, of the nature of
and mode of salvation,

ther Gospel
and
all
all
be changed
then have
faith,
we
ano-
those exercises of piety, which sup-
pose a different view of this subject, are fanatical delusions.
We
are not, therefore, travelling
beyond the
limits of re-
vealed truth, nor instituting an inquiry unconnected with

practical religion,
when we
ask,
How it is
Christ secures the remission of sins
that the death of
Various as are the
opinions entertained on this subject, they
may
all, it is
be-
lieved, be reiluced to these three general views.
The
as the
first is
that
which represents the death of
Christ, not
immediate or proximate ground of pardon, but
securing this result only so far as
it is
ducing a change of character in the sinner himself.
tendency
to effect this
firmation which
someone
makes of
it
change
is
as
instrumental in proIts
ascribed either to the con-
gives to the Gospel in the general, or to
truth in particular;
to
the exhibition which
it
the divine mercy, or the excellence of the Re-
146
deemer
some more m5^sterions and undefinable
or to
The
influence.
be produced,
on the sinner himself, and
is
pardon
this effect that
however, in what ever way
effect,
is
it is
According
secured.
it
view,
to this
every constituent idea of the doctrine of Atonement

jected, and Christianity
end of punishment
is
the prevention of crime,
this end can be otherwise attained, the obstacle to the
exercise of
is
re-
general view proceeds on the assumption,
The second
if
is
either a modified system of natu-
or of mystical philosophy.
ral religion,
that as the
is
may-
in virtue of
The
mercy would be removed.
death of Christ
designed to accomplish this object, by making an im-
pression on the intelligent universe at least as efficacious

in deterring
from
sin, as the
punishment of the actual
Atonement,
nor
it
of-
Such being the object of the
fender would have produced.
consists in sufferings not of a penal character,
inflicted in the execution of the law, but
endured under
circumstances adapted to produce the desired impression.
remove
Its effect is to
governmental
difficulty to the dis-
pensation of pardons.
The
sity of
view proceeds on the principle,
third
punishment does not
arise
that the neces-
merely out of the necessity
of making an impression on the universe, and on the sinner

himself, adapted to deter
from
sin,
but also and primarily
and the
out of the inherent ill-desert of sin
itself,
rectitude of the divine character, in
which the idea of
tributive justice
Atonement
is
is
included.
Consequently,
its
divine justice.
while
dis-
the
designed and adapted to produce the deepest
impression of the holiness and justice of

gent beings,
infinite
primary object
It is, therefore,
tion, consisting in vicarious
is
to
God on
all intelli-
answer the demands of
of the nature of a satisfac-
punishment, or
in the infliction
147
of the penalty of the law on Jesus Christ as the substitute
And
of the sinner.
its effect is to
secure reconciliation on
the condition of faith and repentance.

It is the object of this discourse to
that the third of these views
trine
is
presented in the word of God.
the subject,
may
it
be necessary to
the terms here employed
endeavour
to
show
the form in which the doc-
is
Before entering on
state the sense in
When
are used.
it is
which
said, the
sufferings of Christ
were of the nature of punishment, the
word punishment
used in
is
ordinary acceptation, for suf-
its
fering judicially inflicted, or sufferings imposed in execution
The
of a legal sentence.
idea, of course, is not in-
cluded, that the sufferer himself must be chargeable with

sin in a
This would be no
moral sense.
who
to the feelings of those
consistent
with
when
Again,
the
it is
use this expression, than in-
plainest
declarations
of
said that the penalty of the
cuted on the Redeemer,
it
is
same
self.
is
The
is
it
any and
pain,
all
the relation of a sanction.
according to
definite
penalty of the law
its
which
sustains to the
regard to
human
is
any one
however
suflering, but all evil,
varied in nature or intensity, by which sin
punished.
laws, the penalty never in-
volves precisely the same kind and degree of pain in

execution.
not
Thus, the word death,
scriptural use, does not import
form or amount of
Even with
is
degree or character of pain which the law
specific
imposes, but
law
in
not necessarily, nor properly, con-
veyed by the expression.

any
more than
would have come on the sinner him-
as
Such an idea
Scripture.
law was exe-
not intended that his suffer-
ings were, either in nature or degree, any

duration, the
abhorrent
less
The terms may remain
character and
amount of
suffering are
its
the same, but the
modified
by ten
148
thousand
circumstances in the moral character, natural
temperament, and physical constitution of the individual.
A youth
of tender feelings, susceptible conscience, alive to
the good opinion of society, with

friends, suffers unspeakably
same sentence, than

cumstanced
fair
more and
many
under the
hardened offender differently
in all these respects.
worthy of
objections, the least
prospects and
differently
It is,
cir-
therefore, of
all
notice, that Christ's suffer-
ings were not penal, because they were not the same in
character as those which the actual sinner would have ex-
perienced.
There may be even an
entire
commutation
of the punishment, without the penal character of the infliction
We
being
lost.
cling to these expressions, not
from any fondness for
terms, but because those which wê are urged to substitute

for
is,
them do not express the
idea
we mean to convey.
we maintain, in
therefore, in the sense just stated,
It
ac-
cordance with the language of the Scriptures, that Christ

suffered the penalty of the law.
and Christ
suffered death
ing of the term; that
is,
The law
in the
threatened death
proper scriptural mean-
misery or pain judicially
inflicted
in support of the claims of the law.
The
definition of the phrase vicarious
give in the words of a
modern Lutheran
suffering judicially inflicted
of the actual offender."
It
punishment,
we
divine.* *<It
is
on condition of the exemption

derives
its
character from
its
being judicially substituted for the punishment of the real

transgressor, with a
of this definition
tion,
and from
all
is
view
to his
pardon.
The
correctness
evident from the nature of the transac-
the examples and illustrations of vicarious
* Storr, Object of the Death of Christ.

sufferings recorded in the Scriptures.
It is true, the ex-
emption of the offender need not be, and

us, is not, absolute
149
in the case before
may
and immediate, but
be suspended
on any condition the judge and substitute have pleased to

determine.
Christ, then, saves us
from the penalty of the law by
own
vicariously suffering that penalty in his

this is the doctrine of the
we
Word
think can easily be shown,
if
That
person.
of God, on this subject,
two following
the
princi-
ples of interpretation be admitted, and faithfully applied.
The
to
first is, that as
the sacred writers unquestionably meant
whom
be understood by the persons to
they wrote, they
must have employed the terms which they use

which they knew would be attached
to
them by
in the sense
their readers
or hearers, and, consequently, that the business of an interpreter
is
to ascertain the sense in
which the cotemporaries
of the sacred writers employed the terms these writers used,
and the mode
in
which they would naturally conceive the
doctrines which they presented.

tains the
mode
in
mode
understood; and the
all
in
this,
he ascer-
which we are bound
This simple rule
ceive their meaning.

tion of
In doing
which the inspired penmen meant
lies at
to
be
to re-
the founda-
certainty in the interpretation of written docu-
ments, ancient or modern.
The other
principle
is,
that although
it is
not only proper
in itself, but absolutely necessary in a teacher to
date himself to the capacity, the
speaking of his hearers,

or honesty to
naturally lead
it
employ such
them
is
modes
accommo-
of thinking and
not consistent with fidelity
mode
into error; or,
of instruction as would
by adopting
opinions, to confirm and sanction them.
Much
their false
less
would
such a course be consistent with the character of inspired
150
teachers, and least of all
We
when
teaching the plan of salvation.
are, therefore, never at liberty to
assume that the
sa-
cred writers really meant something different from the obvious import of their language, on the ground of their having
accommodated themselves
To
they wrote.
what
at
is
to the opinions of those to
whom
attempt to draw a distinction between
exegetically true, and
what
doctrinally correct,
is
is
once and entirely to destroy the authority of the Scrip-
The
tures as a rule of faith.
of cabbalistic signs for every
Nothing more
but to
make
man
become
away every
doctrine of the Bible,
the Scriptures teach any conceivable system of
And
in point of fact, they
have thus been made
every form of doctrine, from icy deism
pantheism
and the Apostles alternately presented
then moralists, and mystic philosophers.

possible to prove
either
avowedly, or
such a principle of interpretation.
If
know what
its
as hea-
im-
to the satisfac-
practically, adopt
we
are not to take
the simple exegetical meaning of the Bible for
can never
to ideal
It is clearly
any thing from Scripture,
who
tion of those,
we
set
he pleases.
to interpret as
to contain
ing, then
mere
necessary than this principle to enable any
is
one, not only to explain
opinions.
Scriptures
its
meaning
true
is.
mean-
Let
us,
under the guidance of the simple rule of construction, that

the sacred writers say
they
knew
their readers
quire in what
way they
what they mean, and mean what

would understand them
teach the doctrine of Atonement.
That they represent the death of Christ

punishment of our
considerations
I.
is
we
as
a vicarious
think clear from the following
This doctrine
Christ
sins,
to say, in-
is
taught in
all
said " to bear our sins."
those passages in which
Thus, repeatedly, in the

'<The Lord hath
fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.
the iniquity of us
all. ''
<^
He was numbered
gressors: and he bare the sins of
ledge shall
my
many."
righteous servant justify
bear their iniquities."
It
what was the import of
this
jsj
is
on him
laid
with the trans-
'*By
many,
his
for
know-
he shall
our duty simply to inquire,
phrase
among
the ancient
He-
brews; what idea did they attach to the expression, Ûo

bear sin," for this must be the idea which the sacred wri-
meant
ter
phrase
Thus,
is
to
This point
convey.
is
easily decided, as the
one of frequent occurrence
in Levit. v. 1,
it
is
testimony, '^he shall bear his

lent expression
in the
Scriptures.
man who
iniquity."
As
said of the
in the next verse,
it
is
gives false
an equiva-
said of
him who
touches any thing unclean, ^'he also shall be guilty."

V. 17,
he
*'yet
ly>
who
is
he guilty, and
chap.' vii. 18,
day,
^^
though he does
violates the law,
it
shall bear his iniquity."
he that eateth of
a peace-offering
shall bear his iniquity."
In
ignorant-
In
on the third
So, xvii. 16, he that does
not wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh after eating any
thing torn by a wild beast, "shall bear his iniquity."
Numb.
ix. 13,
he that does not partake of the passover "shall
be cut off from among his people
This expression
he
shall bear his sins."
sometimes interchanged (and thereby
is
explained) with the phrase "he shall die," "he shall be cut
from among the people," {Numb.
off
In
shall be guilty."
in
all
the numerous
which these words occur
ing
is
xix.
in reference to
obvious and uniform, for a
man
19.) or,
men, the mean-
to bear his sins, is to
bear the blame of them, to be punished for them.

accordingly, to bear the sins of another,
blame of them
xiv. 33,
to be
Jeremiah's
22
punished for them.
Zam.
v. 7,
"he
passages, therefore,
and Ezek.
is
And,
to bear the
So, in
Numb.
xviii. 19, 20,
152
"The
son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither
shall the father bear the iniquity of the son, but the soul that
sinneth
it
Where
shall die."
That
at all questionable.
as applied
to Christ,
the sense
this is the
is
too obvious to be
meaning of the phrase
by the prophet,
is
not only evident
from the constant usage of the Bible, but from the prophet's
own
explanation,
our sins,"
*^to bear
sorrows, stripes, sickness, chastisement; that
ment.
It is to
God,
for our sins.
ficial
services.
sion,
i.
be
oflferer.
bear our
our punish-
wounded, smitten, and
It is plain, too,
from
its
that of
use in the sacri-
After the imposition of hands, and confes-
after the act of substitution,
e.
transfer of sin, the
the
afflicted,
is to
is,
And,
and the symbolical
dying victim was said
to bear the sins of
same thing
finally, the
is
evident from
the admitted opinions of ancient nations in reference to this
The
subject.
case, indeed,
is
so plain, that the interpreta-
tion just given has secured the assent of all impartial
mentators, orthodox or infidel.
guished of the latter
wish
all
all
this phrase,
we must
"If we
revert to the
early nations, and especially of the
calamities, particularly those of
severity,
com-
of the most distin-
remarks on
understand such expressions,
to
opinion of
that
class,
One
Hebrews,
more than ordinary
were punishments
inflicted immediately by God,

and that they could only be removed by an innocent victim
undergoing the punishment as a substitute, and thus stilling
the anger of the ofiended Deit}^"*

class, says, in
chapter,
[ha.
liii.)
having their minds

stitution,
Another of the same
reference to representations contained in this
"The
filled
majority of
Hebrew
readers,
with the ideas of sacrifice and sub-
must, of necessity, have so understood these pas-
* Martini on Isaiah,
liii.

sages
and
it is
not to be doubted, that the
153
mode
which
in
the apostles presented the atoning death of Christ, rests
mainly on
this
ground."*
It
therefore, with ihe fullest
is,
"To
authority of scriptural usage, Grotius asserts, that,
may
bear sins by suffering, that others
mean nothing
And
sins.'^t
bear the punishment of those
else than to
Archbishop Magee, though he
for the sake of peace, to give
" But
evident, that
it is
be pardoned, can
it
is
willing,
up the word punishment,
(the suffering of Christ)
says,
is,
not-
withstanding, a judicial infliction;"^ the very idea which

the
word
is
intended to express.
may
Although, therefore, the expression, *'to bear sin,"

to
our ears, mean either,
the occasion of
it
it;
1st, to
or,3d, to suffer
remove
its
it;
2d, to suffer on
punishment;
could in such connexions, convey only the
consequently, to substitute for this either of the

is to
make
it
express a sense, which, as
to the Jews,
last idea,
and
two former,
we have shown,
is
contrary to Scripture usage, the opinions of the people to
whom the
prophet wrote, and therefore contrary
to the ob-
vious intention of the sacred writer, and mind of the Spirit.

It is in this sense, too, the
dressing those
sacrifice
New
Testament writers,
"whose minds were
and substitution,"
filled
who were imbued
and language of the Old Testament,

offered
to
bear the sins of
he "bare our sins

ii.
So
24.
in
John
in his
i.
29,
with the ideas
assert that Christ
many," Hebrews
own body on
"Behold
the
in ad-
with the ideas of
ix.
the tree."
Lamb
of
"was
28, that
I
Peter
God which
beareth the sin of the world," (according to the reading of

the margin), and
John
* Gesenius on Isaiah
t
Grotii
On
iii.
6,
"He
was manifested
liii.
Opera Theologia,
the Atonement, vol.
vol. iv, p. 300.

i.
p.
347.
See also
p.
316.
to
bear
154
Precisely the same idea
II.
Gal.
tle in
is
proving, that faith in Christ
is
can attain the favour of God.
many
following: <Âs
under the curse
for
continueth not in
to
cursed
is
^^
every one
and that
mean
the same
to be
of his arguments
every one
is
redeemed
us
who
from the curse
a curse for us: for
^*
under
and
of
It will
a tree."
this curse,
written,
is
it
the curse of the law,"
pe-
is its
be 'a curse
to
he
thing, the apostle himself teaches, as
are ^ûnderthe curse," because
it is
written, "cursed," &c.
and Christ was "made a curse," for it
There can be no doubt, therefore,
is
written "cursed, &c.
that the literal
meaning
^no one can be saved by obedience to the
is,
law, because, as the law

violates the least
We
word "cursed."
substitutes for both expressions, the
of this passage
the
is
works of the law, are
who hangeth on
course be admitted that

nalty,
engaged in
means by which we
written, cursed
Christ has
made
of the law, being
One
is
things written in the book of the law
all
But
do them."
the only
as are of the
it is
by the apos-
clearly expressed
In this chapter the apostle
13.
iii.
demands
commandment
perfect obedience, he
is
exposed to
its
who
penalty;
but Christ has redeemed us from this penalty by bearing

in our stead.
It
hardly seems possible
apostle's language in
it
to interpret the
That Christ was pro-
any other way.
perly considered as suffering a penalty, the apostle confirms
by appealing
dicially
to a declaration of the law, that
every one ju-
condemned was accounted accursed of God,
expression
is in
the passage quoted, Deut. xxi. 23,)
posed as an object of divine displeasure; one on

the divine law, a penalty has fallen.
this reference to the
the
it.
to
far,
ex-
whom, by
therefore, is
Old Testament from explaining away
previous assertion,
According
So
(as the
i. e.
the
that
is
it
doctrine
intended
of the
to
confirm
apostle,
then.

we
saved from the penalty of the law, by Christ
are
bearing
it
And
in our stead.
this
seems
our death, and that
it
as to its penalty, but
"Fori, by
from
tion to
the law,
its
to
is
tantamount
to
not .by the relaxation of the law,
is
by
execution that
its
am dead
to the
law,"
demands, so that there
me, nor
ground
to be the
of his arguing so often that Christ's death
free
155
any who are
is
we
arc saved,
GaL
ii.
19.
i. e.
now no condemna-
in Christ Jesus.
Rom. viii. 3. The same course of reasoning occurs

Rom. viii. 3. '^The salvation which men in vain look
For
for through the law, God has secured in another way.
as the law was insufficient, God having sent his Son in a
III.
in
nature the same with our own, and as a sin offering punished
sin in
fied
him, that thus the demands of the law might be
by us."
This seems
be the view of the passage best
to
suited to the context, and the peculiar expressions
the apostle here employs.
In this passage
have sent his Son "in the likeness of
was
in this flesh, (or nature)
demned
satis-
God
is
sinful flesh,"
which
said to
and
it
"that he punished or con-
sin," not in our flesh, for this the context will not
allow, but in the flesh in

his person,
which
and the object of
his
Son appeared,
this vicarious
i.
in
e.
condemnation
is
our exemption.
IV. The same representation
The
apostle had stated "that
is
found in 2 Cor.
God was reconciling
v. 21.
the world
unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;"
and then
states
"God made him
how
to
it
is
that
be sin for
us,
pardon was thus secured;
who knew no
sin, that
might be made the righteousness of God in him."

treated the Redeemer as though he were the sinner
we
He
that
156
we might
<<to be
fied, so,
be treated as though
made
we were
the righteousness of
be made sin,"
*'to
is
God," means
As we
penalty of the law.
subject to the
be justi-
to
be condemned or
to
nitely far
is it infi-
to say, that Christ
from the apostle's intention

a sinner.
made
are not consti-
tuted morally righteous, by the death of Christ, so
was made, morally,
As,
righteous."
Both expressions are ob-
viously used in their usual forensic sense.
V.
We
may now
which Christ
is
These
texts
all
prove the doctrine of

It is true
in our stead.
that Christ died
e.
i.
in
<<to suffer the just
said, ^'to die for us,"
for the unjust," &c.
substitution,
numerous passages
refer to those
mean nothing
expression might
that taken
by
more than
that Christ suffered for our benefit, but the fol-
itself this
lowing reasons seem
required, as
when
many," where
last
words
Rom.
die,"
to
it.
2.
it is
<'he gave his
the force of the
life a
clearly to
it is
said,
it
he
may
live,
which the death of Christ
this interpretation
a curse for us,
i.
e.
it
is
in
who
sufficient
in his stead.
is
3.
will
In
one
"but when we were
must mean,
seems with
dying
man
in the place of a righteous
expression, to die for a man,
to express the idea of
is
for
word ransom, requires the
mean,
when
therefore,
to death, that
ransom
be rendered, *in the place of many.^
which seems
The very
this is not all
of the prepositions
In some connexions this sense
said,
yet sinners Christ died for us,"
in
One
V. 7, itis said *^scarcely for a righteous
man; and,
4.
1.
seldom has any other meaning than,
(avti) thus translated,

'*in the place of."
prove that
sufficient to
mean by
the sacred writers
5.
our place.
is
exposed
clearness
The manner
said to benefit us, requires
by bearing our
sins
being made
enduring the punishment
we had
in-

curred.
where
Finally:
6.
teach,
If the sacred
we have
as
port,
writers clearly else-
seen they do, the doctrine of
legal substitution, then, as their

to this point
157
by passages which
meaning
is
ascertained as
are obvious as to their im-
when
can be no longer doubtful what they intended
it
they declare that Christ <'died for us."
VI. Another important

Christ
is
class of text is that
called a ransom, and his
is
freely admitted that the
words
work
*'
to
redeem" and
demption" are often used when merely the general

deliverance
said to
meant
is
to be
have redeemed his people out of Egypt.
mitted,
is
is to
in this,
deliver
and not
as is
on
more general
'^re-
idea of
Their
That
mere
sense of
verance, they are used in reference to the
work
is
pri-
hands ad-
all
by the payment of a ransom.
in the
It
As when God
conveyed.
mary and proper meaning, however,
which
in
redemption.
it
deli-
of Christ,
is
evident from the simple consideration that the ransom, or

price paid for our deliverance,
Eph.
i.
Peter
in
whom we have redemption through his

20.
"Ye are bought with a price."
19.
"Ye are not redeemed with corruptible
Cor.
1
i.
Thus
expressly stated.
''In
7,
blood."
is
IS,
vi.
things as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of

Christ, as of a
lamb without spot or blemish."
Gal.
iii.
13.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having

been made a curse for us."
mere deliverance
cific
is
method; by
true these and
that
a
all
figurative language
times more
so.
is
In
all
these cases,
asserted, but deliverance
ransom, by the payment of
it is
by
not
a spe-
a price.
It
similar representations are figurative, but

is
often as intelligible as literal, and some-
The simple
question
is,
what idea would
this language naturally excite in the minds of
men
accus-
158
to regard their sacrifices as
tomed
ransoms, and familiar
with the mode of deliverance which these expressions properly describe?
It is
sentation should
fail
impossible that this
of repre-
of exciting the idea of deliverance on
This Christ and his Apostles
the ground of a satisfaction.
knew; and
mode
this idea, therefore,
they must have intended to
convey.
VII.
in
We may
which Christ
appeal to the frequently recurring passages

is
God, or
said to propitiate
ciliation for the sins of the people; or to
pitiation,
is to
which
to
make recon-
be himself a pro-
imply that the object of the atonement
all
satisfy divine justice.
God
is
represented as angry
with the wicked, and the death of Christ, as the means by
which he
is
As anger among men is commonand expression of malice, we know that
propitiated.
ly a modification
from association these expressions are apt to excite ideas

derogatory to the divine perfection, and furnish an easy
topic of declamatory misrepresentation.
remembered,
tliat
But
it
should be
these are scriptural expressions, expres-
sions intended to convey important truth, and to represent

ideas, which, so far
from being inconsistent with divine ex-
cellence, necessarily enter into the conception
perfection.
The anger
of
God
is
of infinite
the expression of his dis-
approbation of sin; the exhibition of his holiness in view
of moral evil; or, in other words, the manifestation of his

justice.
It is to
turn
ofi*
from us
this anger,
by rendering
our pardon consistent with the justice of the divine Being,

that Christ died.
mentioned.
And
this is expressed in the
For when God
unto himself, or
we
connexions,) the idea
to
is
is
terms just
said to reconcile the
world
be reconciled to him, (in such
not that
we
are led to lay aside our

enmity towards
liim, but that this favour
word means,
us, as the
bring thy gift to the
i.
And
in
favour.
Rom.
reconciliation,"
^*
In the phrase
it,
first
e.
e.
i.
v. 10.
go and be reconciled
first
go and
^^
satisfy
him and regain
whom we have
In
sense of these expressions
by
VIII.
his cross,
The only
That
is
is
of Christ
viii.
called the
5,
sin for us.
Lamb
an acceptable
of God, Joh7i
clared and proved to
Bo?n.
sacrifice,
more
is at least
Old Testament than
tiation, or propitiatory sacrifice,
Horn.
means
perhaps the largest and most im-
more frequently expressed, by
to the sacrifices of the
He
17,
*'by the death
it is
by Christ being made
The work
all.
illustrated, if not
way.
further evident from the
is
ii.
this is the
other class of texts to which our limits
will permit us to refer,
portant of
obtained
for sin," Ileb.
this reconciliation is effected,
of his Son,"
to
his
restoration to the the divine favour.
making reconciliation
of course, can have no other meaning.
by which
any one.'
of our Saviour, "If thou
and there rememlêrest that thy
altar,
brother hath ought against thee,
thy brother,"
propitiated for
is
^to restore to the favour of
command
It is thus used, in the
159
iii.
fully
a reference
any other
in
19, a propi-
i.
24, a sin offering
Eph.
He
v. 2.
be a Priest, Heb. v. and
all
is
de-
the duties
of the office are ascribed to him, the sacrifice, which he of<' He offered himself without spot unto
fered, was himself.
God," Heb.
of
ix.
man5V' êb.
when he
offered
^^He was once
12.
ix.
28.
He
rowed from the
manner
services.
sacrificial
purged our sins,"
Heb.
was of any
avail,
goats
offered a sacrifice for sin,
up himself," Heb.
his sufferings are in like
23
i.
3.
"
offered to bear the sins
vii.
27.
The
described in
"once
effects
of
terms bor-
" Having by himself
If the blood of bulls and of
how
mucli more
sliall
the blood
160
of Christ purge your consciences for dead works," Heb.
appeared to put away sin by the
"He
14.
himself," Heb.
fering of the
ix.
2Q.
"We
ix.
sacrifice of
are sanctified through the of-
body of Christ," Heb,
of Jesus Christ cleanses from
all
x. 10.
sin,"
"The
John
blood
7.
i.
All
these expressions refer, not to moral purification, but to
the removal of the guilt of sin,
So
by atonement.
of application of the benefits of his death
mode
his blood
on the conscience,
also the
express-
is
to indicate
ed,
by sprinkling
its
pardoning efficacy; or on the throne of God, as expres-
sive of
it
influence in propitiating the divine favour.
its
conceivable that such representations,
ly, or
by
allusion, but
gued, could
their
fail to
produce
in the
minds of
youth had been familiar with
those,
sacrificial rites,
meant
ar-
who from
the con-
to teach, that Christ
really a sacrifice in their sense of the term, that his
death saves us from the penalty of the law in the same

as the sacrifices of the old dispensation saved the
If this be admitted, then
way
Jews from
the consequences of the transgression of the law of
ters
Is
casual-
dwelt upon, urged, defended and
viction that the sacred writers
was
made not
Moses?
must we admit, that the sacred wri-
intended to produce this conviction.
For who
will
maintain they designedly led their readers into error; that

inspired
the
men were
intentional deceivers while propounding
method of salvation.
In what
light, then, are the sacrifices of the
presented in the Scriptures?
We
Old Testament
arc clearly taught that
they sustained a two-fold relation; the one to the theocratical

polity of the Jewish state, and the other to the great truths
which were afterwards

pcct,
we
to be revealed.
In the former reS'
learn, in the first place, that
they were concerned
about God, designed to propitiate his favour, and thus secure
161
the pardon of sin; and in the second that this was cOccled
through the
medium
these points
seem evident from the language,
of vicarious punishment.
Both of
rites,
and
opinions of the ancient Hebrews, and the ancient world in
The
general.
design of these services,
indeed, clear-
is,
make
ly indicated by the expressions to propitiate,

ciliation
for,
and others of similar import,
recon-
as already re-
marked; and the nature of the observance shows how
was
to be
When
accomplished.
man had
violated
the laws of Moses, the penalty was excision from
The method
the people.
head of the Jewish
state for averting this evil,
imposed on one with the view

is
But
to the
was
sin,
was
to pre-
suffering, judicially
exemption of another,
This idea of sub-
the definition of vicarious punishment.
and transfer of
among
prescribed by the judge and
sent a victim to suffer in his place.
stitution
this
any of
clearly expressed
by the
imposition of hands and confession of sin over the head of

the sacrifice.
was
And
hence, after this ceremony, the victim
said to bear the sins of the offender,
blame or
guilt of
i.
e.
to
bear the
them, and being thus laden, was considered
unclean, and, at times, burnt without the camp, and
touched
it
were regarded
all
who
All this to be sure
as defiled.
is
figurative, but these figures are designed to teach something,

to teach that
dium of
pardon was
to be obtained
vicarious punishment.
idea of a sin-offering.
This
only through the me-
is
the essential, formal
In the language of Grotius, ^*Thcy
secured pardon, by inducing
God
of a satisfaction." p. 330.
Such being the obvious nature
and import of those
mony,
to forgive,
rites in relation to the
Mosaic cere-
their connexion with the Christian dispensation
not less clear, and far more important.

tions,
on the ground
they were designed
to teach
by
As
is
typical institu-
significant actions,
162
by
method of
prefiguring, to predict and explain the
tion through Jesus Christ, the
Lamb
Their own
bear the sins of the world.
salva-
who was
of God,
to
efficacy, in securing
pardon, did not extend beyond the mere ceremonial and

civil penalties of the old dispensation.
As
it
that the blood of bulls or of goats could take
wâs impossible
away
had no bearing on the relation of the -offender
Judge and moral governor of the universe.

Apostle reasons, they availed
more
shall the
to the
pardon of
sin.
it
taken into view.
is
He
sacrifices,
is
called a sacrifice, not
mode
in
it
is
to
cause he takes our place, bears our sins,
and thus propitiates God in our
merely be-
which this
the very point of the comparison; he
us,
avail
not the result or effect merely that
cause he secures pardon, but the

is
God,
In the comparisons so frequently in-
between Christ and the ancient
be remarked that
is
how much
disabilities,
a divine nature, offered himself unto
i.
stituted
as
as the
if,
blood of Christ, who, possessed of an eternal
spirit,
e.
But
they
God
to the purifying of the flesh,
removal of mere external
to the
sin,
to
is
made
is
behalf.
is
done
a sacrifice, bea curse for
All the ideas,
therefore, of substitution, legal transfer of sin, vicarious pu-
nishment, and propitiation, which enter into the Jewish

idea of a sacrifice are, over and over,
in the great
in the
asserted to
atonement by Jesus Christ.
Jewish sense of the term, that he
It is,
is
meet
therefore,
called a sacrifice
for sin.
It is easy, indeed, to get
tuting for the ancient
over
all this,
by simply
view of sacrifices, our
they were, or ought to have been.
To
own
substi-
idea of
what
assert that
they
were merely symbols, or signs of God's disapprobation of

sin,
of
designed to exhibit and impress that truth on the minds
all
concerned; and thence infer that in this sense, and to

this extent, Christ
was
Or, as others have done,
a sacrifice.
maintain that they were only intended to

feel his guilt,
ig3
make
the sinner
and assure him of pardon, and then limit the
death of Christ to the same objects.
This, however,
terpreting Scripture not according to the views of
but according to our
ters,
ness of things.
we
find
own views
wri-
of the nature and
fit-
not taking the sense of the Bible as
It is
but interposing a sense of our own.
it,
is in-
its
It is obvi-
we once abandon the rule of interpretation so often

referred to, if we do not understand the Bible in the way
in which the inspired writers knew they would be understood by their readers; then are we far and hopelessly at
sea, without a star to guide us.
One man has as good a
ous
if
right to interpose his sense of the terms of Scripture as
another; one
impress the
be debated
to
as well say, a sacrifice
Which is
spectators.
made
may
offerer, as
at the
another
right, or
was designed
was intended
whether
to
to
impress
either, is a matter to
bar of reason; and the plan of salvation
Our only hope of any
await the decision.
foundation for
it
faith,
orof any security
for truth,
is
is
solid
to receive
the Scriptures in the sense which they were designed and
adapted to convey to the minds of their original readers.*
When,
Christian Brethren,
we remember
that the repre-
sentations just given, are not casual or incidental, but that
they pervade the sacred volume, are insisted upon,

established
and defended, made
practical inferences;
to
when we remember,
have borne the punishment of our
that Christ
sins,
in
The
limitations to
view here given.
which
this
principle
is
is
said
the plainest
terms the language of the Old Testament admits
illustrated,
the grounds of doctrinal and
of; that
he
subjeet, do not affect the
164
was made
or treated as a sinner in our place; that he
sin,
bore the curse of the law; that he died in our stead; that he
gave his
our ransom; bought us with his blood; that
life as
he propitiated God on our behalf, and saved us

fice;
we
can
hesitate to
of atonement
is
as a sacri-
admit that the very constituent idea
vicarious punishment.
This doctrine, thus clearly taught in the word of God,

has an advocate even in natural conscience; for this
which
light in
and among
ter
how
all
sacrificial rites
have been viewed in
people. Gentiles as well as Jews.
various the offerings, nor
monies, the object of such
rites
how
may
be assumed that this
is
the
ages,
No
mat-
diversified the cere-
was the
satisfaction of di-
vine justice, and the means, vicarious punishment*

it
is
all
And
the form in which the doc-
trine presents itself to every pious unsophisticated reader
of the Bible.
feels that
tribute
When
oppressed with a sense of
some atonement must be made
which leads
Him
to
God.
sin,
he
The
at-
to punish, the convinced sinner
sees to be perfectly lovely and excellent, and
it is
not until
he discovers some method by which the exercise of mercy

can be reconciled with justice, that pardon appears possible.
Such a method he
There he
endured
finds revealed in the cross of Christ.
sees that the penalty of the
in his stead.
ally to the Gospel,
mercy there presented.
he has been taught by others, what
phy
him
so cordi-
and enables him to embrace, without any
misgivings, the ofiers of

til
broken law has been
It is this that reconciles
of the subject, that he
is
is
It is
not un-
called, the philoso-
led to imagine all this
is a
de-
lusion, that the atonement, instead of being designed as a

satisfaction or propitiation to
press his
own
heart,
God,
is
intended either to im-
or to symbolize a general truth for
the instruction of the universe.
And
even when thus
in-
io5
structed, he reverts in his ordinary exercises of faith and
devotion to the scriptural representations of the subject.
This
too, let
me
add,
is
the form in which the doctrine
has been held in the Christian Church from
first to
last.
For although during the ages in which the Scriptures

were buried, many absurd ideas were entertained on this
subject; yet
when
the Reformation brought them again to
was the doctrine which burst with redeeming
light; this
Much
brightness from the sacred pages.

the
men
and
bitterly as
of that day disputed about other points, in this
they were agreed.
Lutherans and Calvinists, the Hugo-
nots of France and the
Reformed
of
Holland, the Scotch
Presbyterians and English Reformers,
all
conspired to re-
present this as the cardinal doctrine of the Gospel, the article

of a rising or a falling Church.
The Atonement, then. Christian Brethren, as exhibiting

the mode of the sinner's salvation, is the characteristic doctrine of the Gospel.
of
men
to
God.
To
Its direct object is the reconciliation
secure pardon of sin, the sanctification
of their nature, and eternal
life.
In this light,
who
can
comprehend the importance of the work of Christ!

any one endeavour
to estimate the value of there results in
the case of any one individual.
one soul
to
Let
Let him ask, what
be delivered from hell and raised
to
for
it is
heaven; to
be freed from eternal degradation and misery, and raised

eternal purity and happiness; let him strain his powers
to
to
the utmost to take in the full blessedness of such a redemption.
And when he
finds
how
vain
is
ask himself what he ought to think and
the efibrt,
feel in
let
view
o""
him
the
ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thou-
sands redeemed out of every nation, and kindred, and tongue
under the whole heaven, a multitude which no man can
16G
number, whose robes have been made white

the
in the blood of
Lamb.
Inconceivably great as
effected,
accomplishment
its
The
death of Christ.
ward
to the
amount of blessedness thus
the
is
not the sole object of the
is
rays from the cross are cast far on-
ever there are immortal minds

tion here
made
to see or learn the exhibi-
of the divine character, there do the effects
So
of the atonement reach.
view of the
Where-
utmost verge of the universe of God.
subject,
far
from supposing that the
which we have endeavoured to
present,
excludes the idea of a moral impression on the world of
we
intelligent spirits,
Atonement derives
consider that the
this impression,
its
adaptedness to produce
its
being a satisfaction to divine justice.
wonderful of
all
commands was heard
sword, against the

then was
it
man
seen and
that
felt,
should perish, the law of
deed an
evil so
enormous
Only
impossible.
ercise of justice,
is
fact of
that
most
^^
Awake
saith the
Lord/'
though heaven and earth
God must
was
stand; that sin
that to pass
so far as the
is it
When
in heaven,
mine equal,
that
from the
it
wîth
in-
impunity was
atonement involves an ex-
a manifestation of justice.
Viewed
in
the light, not of setting aside the penalty of the law, but as
involving
viction on
its
all
execution,
it is
better adapted to seal the con-
minds of the immutability of the law, and of
the certainty of sin being punished, than the eternal con-
demnation of ten thousand worlds.

informs us, the
spirit,
fact that Christ
It is, as the
or divine nature, Heh. ix. 14, and thus
with God, Thil.
ii.
8,
Apostle
was possessed of an eternal
was equal
which gives the Atonement
its effi-
fills
the wondering universe with awe,
and constitutes the most
effective of all exhibitions of the
cacy.
It
is
this that
divine holiness and justice.
Whatever moral impression,
i67
therefore, the exhibition of divine justice can produce,
is
thus most effectually made, and whatever benefit, in deter-
ing from sin, this impression can
The law
through
worlds
all
This truth
to
made
is
ner.
or
is felt
be impossible.
to bear
with
all its
was not
if it
upon the
force
" If these things be done in the green
be done in the dry,"
thus secured.
is
by being executed;
by man or seraph,
transgression, with impunity,
its
effect,
sustained and vindicated,
is
tree,
what
sin-
shall
possible that the cup of
wrath should pass from the Saviour's
lips,
from whose
lips
Where is the man who believes the doctrine

of Atonement, who does not feel that his destruction is just
shall
it
pass?
and inevitable,
Who
if
he neglect the salvation of the Gospel?
does not feel that
the utmost limits of infatuation
it is
to believe that the sinner can escape,
own Son?
The ill desert of sin, and
are,
if
God
the certainty of its punishment,
however, not the only truths exhibited
God commendeth
Christ.
while
we were
is
Christ.
love towards
his
that
he sent his Son.
is
this,
which
therefore,
is
us,
us.
in that
God
so
It is this attribute
most conspicuously displayed

It
in the death of
yet enemies Christ died for
LOVED the world

which
spared not his
in
the cross of
the constant
theme
of praise with the sacred writers; a love whose height, and
depth, and length, and breadth, are beyond our knowledge.
As
it is
by the exhibition of
truth,
character of God, that holiness

in all
created minds; so does the
means perhaps the most

throughout the whole universe.
is
and especially of the
sustained and exercised
Atonement become
effective in
made, which commonly leads
It is the exhibition
men
to repentance.
here they see the evil of sin; the holiness and love of
24
of
all
promoting holiness
here
It is
God;
168
the wonderful grace of their Redeemer.
here they
It is
learn the vileness and ingratitude of their conduct;
Him whom they
when they look on

mourn and turn unto God with
is
contrition and penitence.
most
cross, too, that the Christian derives his
from the
It is
it
have pierced, that they
Constrained by the
active impulses to duty and self-denial.
love of Christ, Paul laboured and suffered with constancy
and
of
And
alacrity.
strains
from
it
Nor
Redeemer.
the
world.
when God
If,
is the
same influence which now
and urges on
sin,
is
re-
to duty, all faithful followers
the
effect
confined
to
our
spread these garnished heavens, and
called these countless worlds, with their endless variety of
happy inhabitants
into being, a shout of rapture
in heaven, at this display of his
ness;
we need
wonder
not
work
interest the
was heard
wisdom, power, and good-
that the sons of
of Redemption.
wonders and brighter glories of
God regard with
It is into the
this
new
deeper
creation, they
desire to look; and thence they derive their chief materials
As
of praise.
ness, therefore,
throughout
all
means of promoting holiness and happi-
among
all
orders of intelligent beings, and
eterqity, the cross of Christ
is
perhaps of
all
others the most effective.
The
to
effect
which the consideration of
this doctrine
have on Christians, time does not permit us
Paul
hold
tells
fast
us, that
ought
to indicate.
having such a high Priest,
we
should
our profession, never be tempted to give up either
the faith or hope of the Gospel; that
we should come with

we should live for
boldness to the throne of grace; that
Him, who
died for us; that, having experienced the un-
searchable riches of Christ,
we
should esteem
it
the chief
business and honour of our lives, to endeavour to bring

others to the enjoyment of
its
blessing; that
we
should
fix

no limits
to our desire for the extension of the
of the Saviour, until
We
the great deep.
it
will
all
be
little,
sacrifices
all
eyes when
Though
we
others;
it is
all
for the salvation of others,
it
own
will all appear little in our
enter in the eternal world.
this
block in the
and
Do what
compared with what Christ has done and
And
suffered for us.
tion.
should esteem
what we may,
will, suffer
knowledge
covers the earth as the waters do
slight for the attainment of this ohject.
efiforts
we
it
169
doctrine has always proved a stumbling
way
of some, and foolishness in the eyes of
wisdom
nevertheless the
Presenting the plan which
of
God unto
infinite
vised for the redemption of men,
it
salva-
wisdom has
de-
teaches most clearly
who refuse to accede to its terms, that they make

The refuges of lies to which
their own destruction sure.
they betake themselves will not stand a moment before the
to those
coming storm of divine wrath.
Their prayers or penances;
their deeds of charity or honesty,
averting the sword of divine justice.
will avail nothing in
Rejecting the
offer-
ing of Christ, there remains no other sacrifice for sin; refusing this Saviour, there
is
duty of
tive
all
such,
no other name given under
The obvious imperais an immediate return to God through
heaven whereby they can be
saved.
Jesus Christ, a sincere and penitent acquiescence in the

plan of salvation proposed in the Gospel.
Hear, then, and
cross, "Look
me all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved."
And now, unto him who loved us and gave himself for
obey the voice of the dying Saviour from the

unto
us,
to
be blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, even un-
him
that sitteth
ever and ever.
on the throne, and unto the
Amen.
Lamb
for

LECTURE
VII
Delivered on the Evening of the 12th February, 1832, by the
Rev, Samuel Miller, D. D, of Princeton, N. J.
ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY.
"
The Elders which
among you
are
I exhort,
who am
also
an Elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that
shall be revealed
Feed the
flock of
God which
is
among
you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but
of a ready mind
examples
The
Bible
and
spirit
social.
neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being
to the flock."
of
v. 1, 2, 3.
Christianity
it
is
characteristically,
it
is
in reserve for
to be a state of perfect
and finds
it
to
and most
the object of this retirement
cending the mount,
not
is,
like that of
that he
of
be as profitable
God.
But
Moses
in as-
delightful, to be often alone with his
25
was made
It is true, the Christian, in the course
the spiritual life, is required,

as
are,
holy heaven which
hereafter, will find
blessed society.
The
of a solitary religion.
and redeemed and restored man, when
shall reach that
him
Peter
in his state of primitive rectitude,
a social creature;
he
knows nothing
duties
Man,
may remain
there;
but
172
may come down
that he
with his face shining; his heart
and
expanding with holy love;
all
his graces refined
and
thus prepared the better to act his part in
invigorated, and
those interesting relations which he sustains to his fellow
Accordingly, the visible Church, with which
men.
are
so
bound
all
many
body.
social
be connected, and which
to
blessings to
its
members and
our text a
It is called in
the
is
<<
means of
world,
to the
we
is
flock," under the
"Shepherd and Bishop of souls," and
care of the great
under the immediate superintendence of the under-shepand sent for
herds, commissioned
elders
which
among you
are
I exhort,
who am
God which
is
to
guard and govern,
ed, not
only by
many
sight thereof;
very
not
its
We
'<
perfect;
ment
from
have here presented, then,

Church, or the "flock"
government. It is represented as
Head and Lord, under superinIn
all
the garden of
and there
is
society there
the remains of sin, shall be
in the full
enjoyment of God
must
There was
Eden, where human nature
now, and ever will
Heaven, where the happy
in
all
in
by the
Taking the over-
be government, from a family to a nation.
was
confirm-
great
tendence and REGULATION.

government
is
over God's heritage, but as
distinctly, the idea of the
of God, being under
rendering
follows:
as lord's
to the flock."
being placed, by
this
other Scriptures, but also
charge which immediately
examples
as well as to dispense food
And, accordingly,
to the flock.
flock
The word here translated

perform the work of a shep-
among you."
*<feed," literally signifies to
herd;
also an elder,
Feed the
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ.

of
<'The
this purpose.
be,
inhabitants,
made
govern-
redeemed
perfectly blessed
to all eternity.
There have been, indeed, enthusiasts and
fanatics, in
ancient as well as
true
modern
who
times,
17 3
taught that, in the
Church there can be no need or place
ment; ^'because,"
being
members
said they, ^^the
for govern-
of the Church
holy persons, cannot be supposed to require
all
either law or authority to sustain them;
evangelical
law
of love,
members
this delusive theory forgot that the
those of their
all
truly sanctified persons
number who
are
are
all
sponta-
But the advocates of
neously and, of course, regulated."
Church are not
nothing but the
by which they
the
of the visible
and that even
sincere
friends
of
Christ, are sanctified only in part, and, therefore, need the
They
salutary application of discipline.

in
almost every page, the
New
forgot, too, that
Testament recognizes,
either directly or indirectly, the necessity and the actual
existence of rule and authority in
all
the apostolic churches,
Nor must we
even in their simplest and purest form.
forget that the vain theory of these fanatical teachers has
been invariably found

in practice, as
it
as worthless,
was contrary,
and even mischievous
at once, to the principles
of
human
nature, and to the instructions of holy Scripture.
has
always resulted in disorder, licentiousness, and
It
every
evil
work.
Quite as erroneous and no
less pernicious in its conse-
quences, was the doctrine of Erastus, the learned and in-
He
genious contemporary of the Reformers.*
taught that
the Church, as such, can possess no power, and ought not

to be allowed to exercise
any authority or
the alleged principle, that
ernment"
sible.
is
"a government
a practical absurdity, and
His theory, of course, was,
See his work,
discipline;
that
De Excommunicatione
upon
within a gov-
by no means admisall
lawful authority
Ecclesiaatica.
174
resides only in the civil
may
the Church
more; and
government
instruct, persuade
when crimes
that
that the ministers of
and exhort, hut nothing
against religion occur, the
offenders can be reached and punished only
by the
civil
In short, his doctrine wâs, that the civil gov-
magistrate.
ernment alone can exercise authority
in
any community;
and, consequently, that no man, as a professor of religion,
can incur any penalty, for the most serious delinquency,
he be prose-
vvuth regard either to faith or practice, unless
cuted and convicted before the tribunal of the State.
theory more weak and
It contradicts the
proposed.
timony
fanciful, could scarcely
most abundant scriptural
in favour of ecclesiastical
from the
cally refuted
government,
and
be produced:
civil, hereafter to
have been
tes-
as distinct
it is
by the experience of every day.
practi-
The
au-
thority and discipline exercised in every family, and in
every seminary of learning, plainly show that the funda-
mental principle on which the whole theory rests

that there
gether delusive;
may
is
alto-
be ten thousand govern-
ments within a government, without the
least collision or
interference.
Accordingly,
among
in
Jlntioch^ to
Ephesus
the corruption of
forms;
whatever direction
the apostolic churches
we
we
whether
to
or Crete, to Corinth or
human
turn our eyes
Jerusalem or
Rome, we
find
nature disclosing itself in various
find the outbreaking of pride, ambition, heresy,
and moral irregularity, disturbing the peace of the Church,
and calling
for the application of its
discipline; in
ment.
Now,
wise and wholesome
other words, for the exercise of

if
its
govern-
such were the case in the days of inspira-
tion and miracle, under the eyes of the apostles themselves,
and when the
spirit of love
might be said pre-eminently
to
reign in the Church; what
is
to be
I75
expected when these
extraordinary aids are taken away, and the covenanted
family of Christ
the ordinary
left to
which he has appoinlcd
power
for its edification
It is evident, then, that there is, and,
must
ture of the case,
means
of the
from the very na-
government; that
be, ecclesiastical
the Church of Christ, as such, has essentially vested in her

a certain kind and degree of attthortty,
in fidelity to her
Lord and Master,
great purposes which she
was founded
which she
to
is
bound,
exercise for the
to accomplish.
The principal questions in relation to this subject which

demand an answer, are the three following: What is the
NATURE of this government? What are its limits? And
what is its legitimate and scriptural end? Let me request
your serious and candid attention
to furnish a brief
L Let
answer
to
some remarks intended
to each of these questions.
us begin with inquiring into the
government which the
ecclesiastical
Word
nature
of that
God
appears
of
to warrant.
And
order to ascertain this with any degree of certainty
in
and clearness,
what
are
because
\\\q
it
is
it
will be necessary previously to determine
purposes
for
which the Church was founded:
manifest that
all
that
power which
is
really
indispensable to the attainment of these purposes, must, of

course, be considered as vested in the Church; and she, as
not only at liberty, but as
We are taught,
is
bound
to exercise.
then, in Scripture that the visible
Church
a body, called out of the world, and established under the
authority of her divine

faithful depository of
Head and Lord,
Gospel
trutli,
that she
may
be a
worship, and order; that
she maycarefullymaintain,and diligently propagate thegenu-
26
176
inedoctrines of our holy religion, in opposition to
may
that she
preserve in their simplicity
all
heresy;
and purity the or-
dinances which the Master has appointed, bearing testimony

against
superstition and will-worship; that she
all
mote holy living

world lying
in
among
all
wickedness; and that she
is
And
unnecessary.
it
from Scripture
so evident
if this
may
thus be a nur-
that formal proof
is
representation be correct, then
follows,
1.
In the
first
government, the
By
power.
place, that in
her only
power
legitimate ecclesiastical
all
Lord Jesus Christ is the sole Fountain of
his authority the
her divine King and Head.
Church
infallible rule of faith
to institute
is instituted.
His word
is
is
She has no
other rites or ceremonies

to enjoin
He
her statute-book;
and practice.
which he has appointed; no right

is
pro-
kingdom of heaven.
sery to train immortal souls for the
All this
may
her members, in the midst of a
than those
any thing which
not found in Scripture, or which cannot ^^by good and
necessary consequence,'^ be established by Scripture.
power
heaven, and on earth
in
head over
one
is
all
is
things for the Church. Call no
your Master even Christ."
of ecclesiastical rulers
which
is
He
given to him.
"All
is
man master,
the
for
All the authority, then,
They
derived.
can exercise no
them by Him
in whose
name they come, and by whose commission they act.
2. The authorized government of the Church is wholly
power but
moral
that
or spiritual in
exclusively, to
sively,
viour,
that
is
delegated to
its
nature.
moral objects, and
That
is
to
is, it
has a respect,
be carried on, exclu-
by moral means. "My kingdom," said the Sa"is not of this world;" by which he meant to say,
it is
wholly separate from, and independent
ly governments.
It is
of, all
earth-
not conducted on worldly principles.
It is
not maintained by
sanctions, and
its
end are
^^
carnal
I77
weapons."
all spiritual.
It
Its
its
has nothing to do
No
with corporeal penalties, or secular coercion.

in a
laws,
word, but those which are moral, that
means,
those which
is,
are addressed to the understanding, the conscience, and the

heart, can be lawfully
employed
in that
kingdom which "is
not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the
3.
Holy Ghost."
Further; in laying
authority,
it
is
plain,
down
the nature of ecclesiastical
from the design of the Church, that
she must be considered as invested with
power
main-
to
tain, within her sacred precincts, the pure doctrines of
the Gospel.
If these doctrines
were delivered
to her, that
she might be their keeper and guardian, then, surely, she

not only has the right, but
maintain them against
all
is
bound
to
opposition;
adhere
and
to
them;
to publish
testimony in their favour, from time to time,
in the
to
her
form
of creeds, confessions, and other formularies, as the state of

the Church and the world
may demand.
The Church,
in-
deed, has no right to compel any one to receive her doctrines;
no right to impose her creed or confession on the
conscience of any
have power
her to do,
to
human
being.
But she must, obviously,
do that which her Master has commanded
viz. to
"hold
"the form of
fast," for herself,
sound words once delivered
to the saints;
" and
to
prevent
any, within her bosom, from denying or dishonouring
Even
if
the
Church were
mere voluntary
would, of course, have the power, which

sociations have, of declining to receive as
who
it.
association, she
all
voluntary as-
members
those
are hostile to her essential design; and also of exclud-
ing those
who
are found, after admission, to entertain and
publish opinions subversive of her vital interests as a body.
178
But the Church

She
is a
more than
is
mere voluntary
association.
body organized under the authority of her divine
Head and Lord; and must,

to decline all fellowship
of course, be vested with
with those
holy doctrine which she
is
who
fectly manifest that the exercise of this
consistent with the
It
power
is
system of
It is per-
neither in-
acknowledged supremacy of Christ
Church, nor hostile

tian liberty.
reject that
required to maintain.
power
to the
in his
most perfect enjoyment of Chris-
cannot be deemed inconsistent with the su-
preme authority of
Christ; because the Church, in forming,
publishing, and maintaining her creed, professes to receive
no other doctrines than those which Christ has revealed;

and
to receive
them as being, and because they are taught
in his Word; and

site
to
warn
doctrines, for this
to the will of Christ.
all
her members against oppo-
very reason, that they are opposed
Nor
is
the exercise of the
power
in
question in the least degree hostile to the enjoyment of

Christian liberty.
enter her
Because the Church compels no one
communion; she only
states
to
what she considers
her divine Master as requiring her to believe, and to practice;
and practically declares, that those
the important doctrines, which go to
who
make up
reject
any of
the substance
of that Gospel which he has committed to her to keep and

to propagate,
cannot be admitted to her fellowship.
this an invasion of Christian liberty
Nay,
is it
Is
not rather
one of the indispensable means o^ protecting liberty of conSurely a body of professing Christians have a
science?
right to decide, and to profess

as agreeable to the
that
Word as
Word
what doctrines they consider
of God, and as represented by
essential to the Gospel.
And
as evidently, a further right of agreeing
that
none can be admitted
to the
tliey have, quite
among themselves
number of their members,
and especially of their public teachers and
opinions adapted, in their
If they
peace.
have not
different
rulers,
who avow
view, to destroy their purity and
this right, there is an
If an individual,
ligious liberty.
I79
who
end of
all re-
entertains materially
views of Gospel truth and order from those
re-
ceived by such an associated body of Christians, can force

himself, contrary to the wishes of the body, into the ranks
of their instructors and guides; on whose part,

the rights of conscience in this case, invaded?
individual
who
thus intrudes
is
I ask, are
Surely the
the invader, and the Church

If the rights of con-
which he enters becomes oppressed.
or are worth any thing, they are
mu-
tual; and, of course, a body of professing Christians
who
mean
science either
think alike, have as good a right to enjoy them in undisturbed peace, as any individual
who
from them, and
differs
yet wishes to join their body, can possibly have to enjoy

wîthout molestation his opinions.
the part of the latter to intrude
of the former,
came
Christ
4.
Again;
Church
power
is
to
on
the teachers
his people free."
manifest, from the purpose for
wâs founded, that she
to
among
an invasion of that ^'liberty wherewith
make
it is
If so, every attempt
himself
must
be,
and
is
which the
vested with the
who violate the

To deny the Churcli this power,
exclude from her fellowship those
laws ofpractical holiness.
would be
to
deny her
ing the Master's
that
which
command,
to
*<
is
indispensable to her obey-
have no fellowship with the
works of darkness, but rather to reprove them.''

She is said to be ^Hhe light of the world;" to be ^< the salt
of the earth; " to be a witness" of the holiness as well
unfruitful
as of the truth of
believing world.
God,
She
in the midst of a rebellious and unis
commanded
to
^^
withdraw her-
self from every brother that walketh disorderly," and to
180
"keep
these characteristics to be realized;
mands
to be
to
com-
are these
exclude from the Christian society those
are found to bear a character inconsistent with the
honour of religion and the
Without
if
how
are
obeyed, without the possession, and the exer-
power
cise of a
who
But how
herself unspotted from the world. ^^
need
power
this
edification of the sacred family
to rebuke, to censure,
be, to banish
and ultimately,
from the fellowship of the professing
people of God, the Church can present no visible, effective

there can be no
testimony in favour of Gospel holiness;

real
separation
between the precious and the
Lord" from the
sacred fence, inclosing the "garden of the
And, without such an
world.
CONGREGATION, but
Church.
which
Of
wiU
may
inclosure, there
be a
veuturc to say, there can be
course, one of the
no
most important purposes
a visible, professing people of
answer, would
5.
no
vile;
God were
intended to
be, in this case, virtually abandoned.
It is further manifest, that
government must be such
as
the nature of ecclesiastical

will enable the
regulate, agreeably to the laws of Christ,
INVESTITURE OF ALL HER OFFICERS.

in this respect, powerless;
if all
Church
to
the choice and
If the
Church Were,
that pleased,
however
ignorant, erroneous in doctrine, or profligate in practice,
might thrust themselves into the number of her teachers

and
rulers, contrary to her
command
wishes and the
of her
Master, she would be destitute of the means of

defence,
and
self-preservation.
Corruption,
and eventual destruction must inevitably ensue.
self-
dishonour,
No
soci-
ety could exist in peace and order for a year together,
without the power of regulating the choice and induction

of her
own
officers.
Accordingly, the
abounds with directions
in
reference
New
to
this
Testament
important
point of ecclesiastical order.
the Church
as authorised
reign
power
those
who
the great
to
It
every where represents
and required
in this matter; to
181
to exercise a sove-
examine and make
are candidates for sacred office;
work
and
6.
and
Church, that her government,
if it
within
settle
and
difficulties
The members
which arise within her bosom.
part.
in the faith,
be of any value, must
herself all the ordinary controversies
visible
God
from the nature and design of the
be of such a nature as will enable her to
fession,
of
adapted to promote her edification.
zeal, are
clear also,
It is
trial
commit
of instruction and rule in the house of
none but those whose knowledge, soundness
fidelity
to
of the
Church, even when sincere in their religious proare sanctified,
Of
infirmities
conflicting
as
was before remarked, only
they are compassed about with
course,
in
many
and hence differences of opinion, variance,

claims,
and multiplied forms of ofience and
complaint often arise
between the private members of the
same Church; between ministers, and the people of
their re-
spective charges; between the pastors of different churches;
and between different churches of the same denomination.
Now, when
these complaints and controversies arise, the
Church ought
is
to
obliged, from
be prepared to meet them; and

the
when
she
want of appropriate and adequate
provision in her form of government, to resort, for settling
them,
to foreign arbitration,
and even to
civil courts;
she undoubtedly labours under a serious defect in her

ecclesiastical organization.
tion as the
It
cannot be such an organiza-
Master has appointed.
The
inspired Apostle
expressly reprobates the practice of Christians going out of

the Church to reconcile differences, and to adjust matters
in
controversy.
He
evidently teaches that the Church
182
ought to have tribunals of her own, by which
and
of an ecclesiastical kind,
difficulties,
And
tively decided.
may
Church which
that
questions
all
be authorita-
is
destitute of
however richly and happily furnished

respects will undoubtedly find herself unable
such tribunals
in
other
to
carry into effect some very important provisions exhibited

in the
New
Testament
for maintaining Christian order
and
edification.
Another
7.
characteristic of ecclesiastical polity, indis-
pensable to the attainment of the great purposes for which

it
was
instituted
that
is,
such as will bind all the
he
it
parts of the Church together in one homogeneous body

and enable all these parts to act together with authority
and efficiency, for the benefit of the whole.
There
is
of every
a visible
Church
denomination,
catholic,
who
together with their children.
comprising
profess
the
all
true
those
religion,
These, though divided from
each other by oceans and continents, as well as by names
and forms, are
all
one Church, 'ône body
every one members one of another."

they cannot,
all
worship together.
prehensions, as well
prevent them from
But
so,
still,
it
is
ledge
it
as
they are
delightful to
all
and
numbers,
assembling in the same
remember, whether they acknow-
or not, that, in a very important sense, they are

to
recognize each
other as such, as far as circumstances will admit.
be so,
much more ought
the same name, profess the

as
to
make
edifice.
united to the same divine Head,
one covenanted people, and are bound
this
and
not, nay,
Prejudices and misap-
local separation
as
all
in Christ,
They do
But
if
those Churches which bear
same
faith,
and are so situated
admit of their being ecclesiastically connected, to

a point of sustaining this
connexion with each other
in reality, as well as nominally.
Now,
Church cannot be
answer
so united as to
which her divine Head,
as well as
enable
her
all
such a
the purposes
own
peace and
will
the several parts of the body, to meet together,
all
their
T say, that
form of polity which
edification require, without a
by
183
representatives, in
appropriate judicatories
plan, consult, and decide for the benefit of the
to
whole body;
and that not merely by way of advice, but by authoritative acts, to correct abuses, redress grievances, obviate the
approach of error, heal schismatic contention, promote the

unity, purity, and co-operation of the whole body;
employ
and
co-operation in spreading the glorious Gospel
this
If the
Church
she
required, in
all
her several branches, to "walk by the same rule," and
to
for the conversion of the world.
manded
<*
to maintain this unity;
speak the same thing;" and
Church,
to be active
creature;"
if
she
if
is
is
sending the Gospel "to every
in
Master has not withheld
her
then, surely
to the attain-
If this principle be admitted, then the
the end.
system of our Independent Brethren, who
Synods
thoritative
of review
courts
all
reject all au-
and control
labours under a defect of the most serious kind.
no provision
acting with
far as
for the
harmony and
it
authority as one body.

is
undoubtedly
many
makes
And
so
chargeable with the same de-
is
as well as in Great Britain,
respect to
It
Churches of the same denomination
Congregationalism
ficiency, as
com-
commanded, as a
from her the means which are indispensable
ment of
is
in
some
it
is
parts of our country,
altogether powerless in
of those things in which the Church
is
called to act as a united body.

8.
farther
and very important feature of that go-
vernment which the Church
27
is
warranted in exercising,
184
is,
that
he
it
of such a nature as that
may
it
ried into execution in all parts of the world,
any and every form of

kingdom
civil
of this
"is not
government.
world:"
be car-
and under
As Christ's
other words,
in
as
the government of the Church has no necessary connex-
and ought never
ion,
government
without
objects,
of
be in fact connected, with the
to
State
the
and
obstruction,
without the
aid,
accomplish
and even
we
all
may
be
its
operate
legitimate
its
in spite of the
of the civil government, whatever

this
of course,
can,
it
enmity
Of
form.
need no stronger evidence than the fact, that the
Christian Church, for nearly three centuries, did exist, and
did exercise
all
the
power
for
frowned and persecuted, and did
Amidst
the Church.
rulers of the
right
all this
hand or the
left,
whom
Church those
hostility
permitted
them
they thought worthy

all
their
undoubted
to the
to the
offensive,
of
admonish-
excluding those
with regard either

all
the
exercising a
members
who
to faith or
moral purpo-
which the King of Zion had committed
for the edification of his sacred family.
Erastus
to destroy
instructing the peo-
and, in a word, exercising, for
ses, that authority
an
power
from the world, the
the fellowship
ing and censuring the disorderly;
were incorrigibly
it
carrying the Gospel of the grace of
sacred moral inspection over
to
all in its
baptizing and receiving to
practice;
contend, while
nay, while the State
Church went forward, without turning
God wherever they were

ple;
wo
which
had no connexion with the State
Here was
notwithstanding the dream of

contrary of
government within a go-
example
vernment, and each proceeding without interference; because, as long as each kept in
not possibly
come
in
its
collision
proper place, they could
with each other.
In like
manner, the Church of Christ,
adheres to the
any land,
in
in
any
may
carry
into plenary execution
it
and under any form
state of society,
of civil government; nay, though

the world should
ages, as long as she
in all
government which alone the
spirit of that
Saviour has warranted,
again
185
all
the governments of
they once were, firmly
be, as
leagued against her.
The
9.
last characteristic
which
government which the Church

to exercise,
ed
to
is,
that
it
is
be not, in any of
promote ambition,
to
piring spirit in the Church.
mention of that
I shall
warranted by Scripture
excite
features,
its
adapt-
and
a lordly
as-
"Neither," says the Apos-
"as LORDS OVER God's HERITAGE, but as examples
tle,
to
the flock."
is
natural to man.
love of pre-eminence
It is
one of the
most universal principles of our nature.

control in
ought
we
this
to
and of power
earliest, strongest,
It reigns
and
without
wicked men; and has more influence than
it
And when
have in the minds of the most pious.
recollect to wdiat complicated and deplorable mischiefs

spirit has
given rise in the Church of God,
corrupt-
ing her doctrines, alienating her members and ministers,

disturbing her peace, and breaking her unity;
desirable
that
every thing in the form of
it is
surely
ecclesiastical
polity should be, as far as possible, adapted to obviate and
repress the spirit of which
we
speak.
Accordingly, our
blessed Saviour, not only while he was on earth, frowned
with severity upon every thing which looked like aspiring
and ambition among his followers, declaring that the question, ' which shall be the greatest?" ought to have no
place in his kingdom;
for that
low-servants, and that none of

called
'^master," or ''rabbi:"
all
his ministers
them
but
he
sliould
were
fel-
seek to be
also, as
we
confi-
186
dently believe, after

ecclesiastical order,,
ity,
liis
resurrection, appointed a form of
which placed
all
pastors
upon an equal-
and precluded the possibility of any one ^*lording
over another in virtue of any
official
it''
When,
pre-eminence.
therefore, I find the inspired Apostle saying to his son
Timothy,^
man
good work"
*'If a
desireth a
were no other
this alone
mind
desire the office of a bishop, he
had almost said that
text in the Bible declaring against Prelacy,
of Christ.
me that it was contrary to the

we interpret the word, *^ bishop"
For,
if
mean, what Presbyterians say
the pastoral or ministerial office;

self-denial;
an
office
it
means,
of great labour
then the whole passage conveys an idea,
the seasonableness and importance of which
is
obvious to
every one, and the consistency of which with the

the Epistle, and with the spirit of the
But
equally obvious.
an
office
if,
by
this title,
New
we
no
gloss,
ing the Apostle

in
it
"desire" for the
eager desire^
Paul
as the
be an
office
and Sacra-
mak-
He
surely meant to encourage a
*^
bishop;" nay, an earnest and
word undoubtedly
original
hungry person
signifies;
to obtain food.
But
of pre-eminent ecclesiastical rank, as our
Prelatical brethren
say
this construction,
it
is,
then,
is
undoubtedly, Paul,
encourages every Presbyter eagerly
On
to covet the place of his diocesan.
inspired Apostle
Word
a favourer of ambition and aspiring
of a
office
a desire like that of a
upon
is
are to understand
appears to me, can prevent our
the holy ministry.
if this
rest of
Testament,
of pre-eminent rank and authority, above that of
the ordinary authorized dispensers of the
ments
there
would convince
in this place to
and
if
set at variance
other parts of his Epistles
this supposition the
with himself, in
at variance
* 1 Timothy
iii.
1.
many
with his brother
E(XLESIASTICAL POLITY.
Apostle, John,
who
who
strongly censures one
have the pre-eminence"
Church;
in the
many
Master, who, on so
his
197
<'
loved to
at variance
with
occasions, reprobated
aspiring after mastership, or priority of place
all
among
his
ministers; and, indeed, at variance with the whole spirit of
the Gospel.
It is
by no means contended
dual ambition
is
that the exercise of indivi-
either necessarily, or in fact, precluded
by
the adoption of Presbyterian parity in the holy ministry.
This
spirit
is
found, in a greater or less degree, wherever
there are men.

tive
But, as the constitution of our truly primi-
and apostolic Church, precludes
of rank
among
more
turn of aspiring to be
gent, and
same
all official
learned,
more
An
many
ambition which, in
no doubt, sadly unhallowed; but which

honourable and corrupting in
exhausts
pious,
more conspicuously and extensively
office.
itself in
inequality
pastors, their ambition can only take the
its
canvassing for
luments; and which
is
on the culture of those personal
Having endeavoured
to
cases,
may
influence, than that
show
to
qualities
official
be,
which
chief seats, and
titles,
dili-
surely, less dis-
is,
tempted, of course,
favourable to the attainment of
more
useful in the
emo-
be most intent
which
are
most
precedence.
the real nature of that
ecclesiastical polity
which the Scriptures warrant, by point-
ing out, in detail,
its
purposes which
ought
it
adequate to answer
essential features,
let
to be,
us
and the specific
and must be intended, and
now
see
whether we do not
find the apostolic churches actually exercising their ecclesiastical
power, in the very cases and for the very pur-
poses which have been specified.

irresistible, that
we
If so, the testimony
is
have not misapprehended or misapplied
the foregoing principles.
188
We
ministers of the sanctuary, then, in various
find
parts of the
New
Testament, distinguished by
the benefit of the Church,

cise in the fear of
^^
are called
which they were bound
God, and under
ability to the great
the Church;
all
implying
all
King upon
^^sits as
Head.
ereign
God;"
*ôver-
implying
office in
delegated poioer,
Further
the holy hill of Zion^^

:
be exer-
to
body of which
cised for the edification of that spiritual
who
They
souls."
house of God; ^^shepherds over
^^stewards of the mysteries of
"ambassadors of Christ;" *
seers;"
to exer-
deep sense of account-
"Shepherd and Bishop of
rulers'^ in the
the flock;"
which
titles
were invested with authority for
plainly imply that they
is
He
the sov-
the Apostles, again and again,
exhort the churches to which they wrote to 'ôbey them
had the rule over them, and
that
membering
that those rulers
they that must give account."!

self, in
to
submit themselves," re-
"watched
for their souls as
Our blessed Saviour him-
giving direction to his disciples respecting ofiences,
evidently authorizes the Church, by her proper ofiicers,

after
due inquiry and evidence,
to pass a judicial sentence
against incorrigible ofienders, cutting
them
from the
off
fellowship and privileges of the Christian body. J
In con-
formity with this direction, the actual exercise of ecclesias-
power
tical
in the excision of the heretical
from the Apostolic Church,
denied the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel, so as
to preach
to
"another gospel," should be refused admission
the Church;
*
iv.
Rom.
10.
t
and the immoral
expressly and repeatedly
In several cases the Apostles enjoin that those
recorded.
who
is
xii.
8.
or, if
Acts XX. 28.
Heh.
xiii. 17.
Tim.
already admitted, excluded from
iii.
4.
2 Cor.
v. 20.
Tkess.
v.
12.
Peter
v.
13.
1 Cor.
iv. 1.
Matt, xviii.
its
Peter
1519-
<<
privileges.
The man
that
is
second admonition, reject."
mark them which
thren,
''If
an heretic, after the
No\v
first
and
beseech you, bre-
cause divisions and offences, con-
which ye have learned; and avoid
trary to the doctrine
them."
1Q9
any man preach any other Gospel unto you
than that ye have received,
let
him be accursed."
''Who-
soever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of

Christ, hath not
God.
come any unto you, and
If there
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house,
neither bid
speed
is
him God-speed:
for
he that biddeth him God-
Equally undoubted
partaker of his evil deeds."*
are the examples of judicial censure and exclusion from the
Church on account of corruption

Church of Corinth, the
and authoritatively
who had
practice.
in
to cast out of their
communion
salonians, the
the
And
same Apostle
man
"Wherefore put
fallen into gross immorality.
away from among yourselves,"

"that wicked person."
In
rulers are directed to assemble,
says the inspired Apostle,
again, in writing to the Thesdirects
"If
any man obey
word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no

company with him, that he may be ashamed."* The
not^ our
New
Testament, moreover, abounds with directions con-
cerning the proper character, the choice, and the ordination
of Church officers
prescribing those qualifications
without which they ought not to be admitted
to office;
and
committing to the rulers of the Church the arduous duty of

judging of these qualifications, rejecting the unworthy, and
presiding over the choice and investure of those
they approved.
in the Apostolic
* Titus
iii.
1 1 Cor. V.
10.
115.
And,
crown
to
Church of
Rom.
we
a Synodical
xvi. 17.
2 Thess.
all,
iii.
Gal
14.
i.
9.
whom
have an example
Assembly, brought
2 John
9, 10, 11.
190
together, not
men,
by the
civil
government, but by
ecclesiastical
deciding matters of great importance, in the
for
name, and
whole Church.
for the benefit of the
I refer to
the Synod of Jerusalem,^ formed by "the Apostles and
who
Elders,^' convened in that place,

tion concerning
decided the ques-
Jewish observances, so interesting
at that
time, which had been sent up for consideration from Jin-
And, what
tioch.
is
no
less
remarkable, having authorita-
tively decided, they transmitted their judgment, under the
name
of '^decrees,^^ to be recorded and observed
throughout the
New
the visible Church; with the
ing," in the
name
superintending
of the
all
seeing that
is
the Church
What
II.
And
King
with authority in
*'
binding and loos-
of Zion; with the
what appears
power of
things be done decently and in order."
the nature of that spiritual government

is
of
be for edification; and
to
authorized to maintain
which
Our next-inquiry
are the limits of that authority
in determining these,
in
mind
that
is,
which belongs
we
shall be aided essentially
nature and design of
which we have already endeavoured
we may
power
the
Church ?
by keeping
rity
all
is,
power of
the affairs of the Church, as such;
judicially directing
to the
all
Testament, as entrusted with *^the
keys of the kingdom of God," that
Such
by
In a word, ecclesiastical rulers are represented,
Churches.
rest assured
that the
no power beyond what
this autho-
to ascertain.
For
Church has no superfluous

is
absolutely necessary for
the attainment of those great moral purposes for which she
was formed by her divine Master.

1.
And,
The Church can have no authority over any but her

* Acts XV.
own members.
191
There have been periods indeed,
which
in
an encroaching, tyrannical Church claimed universal do-
minion; when she arrogated to herself the power
whom
and put down
when
she would;
and to make
bow
before her with ignolile homage.
this
was most presumptuous usurpa-
need not say, that
tion; contrary to reason
and Scripture; and adapted
God
troy the Church of
to des-
her appropriate character.
in
from the very nature and design of the Church,
It follows,
beyond her own
that she can have no authority

it
up
she undertook to
dispose of crowns and kingdoms at pleasure;
kings and emperors
to set
And
pale.
was, no doubt, because she so frequently transgressed
this rule, in
due
former times, that so
many
adopted, without
examination, the principle before noticed,
government cannot
would never have occurred
Be it
who are
out," she
may
remembered, then,
To
send missionaries.
to
limits, this
to a thinking
mind.
that she can judge only those
within" her bosom.
and persuade them
"a
If the
exist within a government.'*
Church had not so often transcended her proper

principle
that
come
in,
those
who
She may
are
with-
instruct, invite,
and accept of her privileges;
but until they comply with her invitation, and become her
members, she has no right
to
extend
to
them her appropri-
ate authority.
2.
Again; the Church has no power
own members,
relate to their
no right
to
to control,
even her
other concerns than those which
any
moral and spiritual
in
interfere with
interests.
She has
their political opinions; with
their domestic relations; or with any department of their

As long as they infringe no law of
secular pursuits.
Christ's
kingdom,
it is
no part of her sacred
question or censure their course.
28
It
trust to call in
cannot be too
fre-
192
quently
repeated,
Christ's
''kingdom
authorize
its
or
is
rulers to
not of this world," and can never
Yet
if a
member
pro-
be visibly and palpably chargeable
with a departure from purity, either

is
of the Christian
conflicts, or his
Church, in the course of his political

avocations,
that
he ''judges and dividers" in the tem-
poral concerns of men.
fessional
remembered,
constantly
too
incumbent on the Church
to call
for his political partialities,
in faith or practice, it
him
to an account; not
or his secular employments,
but solely for his moral delinquency.

3.
Further; the Church has no power to hold in a state
own members any
of inspection and discipline, even her
longer than they choose to submit to her authority.

I
am
not
now
speaking of the right of these members in
Head
the sight of the divine and heart-searching
Church.
No
doubt,
all
who
of the
depart from the body of his
professing people, and refuse to submit to the just and scriptural authority of his sacred household,
him; and, however lightly they
commit
may think
of
it,
will be held
But
accountable at his bar for their disobedience.
Church has no means, and ought not
sin against
to claim the
the
still
power,
of compelling any to remain under her "oversight" and
authority an hour longer than their
judgment and
conscience dispose them to remain.
He
must be allowed
him with her
The Church
to depart.
tears,
their
that will depart,
can only follow
her prayers, and her parental censure.
4. Closely allied to this, or rather involved in this,
another limit to the power of the Church; and that

the highest penalty she
aggravated his
nion.
is,
is
that
can inflict upon any one, however
offence,
is
exclusion
She can exact no pecuniary
corporeal pains or penalties.
fine.
from
her
She can
She cannot
commuinflict
no
confiscate the
^93
property, or incarcerate the person, or touch a hah' of the

head, of the most obstinate ofTender.
When she has shut
him out from her
fellowship, in other words, disowned
as a Christian brother, she has
Her power
a right to do.
.
done the utmost that she has
exhausted.
Intimately connected with the foregoing,
5.
principle of limitation
the
is
which
him
I shall
power of ecclesiastical rulers
the last
is
mention, which
is strictly
is,
that
ministerial:
that is, they have only the power, as servants, of communicating what the Master has taught them, and of doing what the Master has commanded them. They de-
whom
rive their power, not from the people
and
whom
Head
of the Church.
In his
authority they speak and
them
act.
to observe all things
you."
the
By
name they come.
Their commission
whatsoever
at
my
his
" Teach
is
have commanded
'^Preach the preaching that I bid thee. '^
word
Their
they serve,
they represent, but from Christ, the King and
<^Hear
mouth, and give them warning from me."
office is ^<is
2.ministry , not a dominion.^^ Teachers
and rulers have, of course, no right
to prescribe
terms of
communion which the Bible does not warrant; no right to

denounce or condemn any thing which the Bible does not
condemn; no
right to enjoin that
Like ambassadors
enjoin.
go one jot or
tittle
which the Bible does not
at a foreign court,
beyond
they cannot
their instructions.
am
not
ignorant, indeed, that ecclesiastical bodies, calling themselves Churches of Christ, have often set
both of faith and practice.

Councils,
up other standards,
Tradition, the Fathers, general
and the judgment of the Church, have
all
been prescribed as authoritative guides both to truth and

order.
Every thing
supremacy
in his
of this kind
Church, and
is
an invasion of Christ^s
a practical denial of the suffi-
194
ciency of the Scriptures as the great code of laws of his
kingdom.
not maintained, indeed, that there must
It is
necessarily be a direct scriptural warrant for every
But
of ecclesiastical polity.
detail
must be the warrant of either
And, above
example.
tural
cal principle
on
it
governing feature
for every leading,
maintained, that
is
in
minor
the system, there
scriptural precept, or scrip-
all, it is
this subject, that
maintained, as a radi-
nothing can ever be law-
made a term of communion for which a warrant

from the Word of God cannot be produced. It remains that
fully
we
consider
The legitimate and scriptural
III.
End
of Church
government.
The
good government
all
community over which
the
pose
and
to
great end of
was
it
to this
it
instituted at first
end ought
its
is
is
exercised.
the benefit of
For
this pur-
by the Governor of the world;
whole administration,
be supremely directed.
Tyrants
in all cases,
in the state, indeed,
have taught, and acted upon the principle, that the great
end of
at
all civil
government
the expense of the
that the grand design
when
is
many.
the aggrandizement of a few
Of
course, they supposed
was most successfully accomplished,
the rulers were most enriched and honoured, and the
ruled kept in the most abject and unresisting subjection.
And
it
is
deeply
to
be deplored that the same principle
has been too often adopted,
if
not avowedly, yet really,
bodies calling themselves Churches of Christ.

ecclesiastical
Hence
by
the
exactions and edicts to which hood-winked
and infatuated millions have so often, in past ages, and so

long submitted.
*<
interdicts,"
Hence
the haughty Papal
''
bulls" and
by which kings, and even kingdoms have
been frequently made to tremble.
195
Nothing can be more
opposite than these things to the spirit and law of the Re-
The "authority" which
deemer.
Apostle
inspired
the
claims for the rulers of the Church, he represents as "given

for edification
Not
and not for destruction."*
for the pur-
pose of creating and pampering classes of privileged orders,

to
"Lord
tem of
it
over God's heritage;" not to build up
polity
which may minister
a sys-
to the pride, the cupidi-
ty, or the voluptuousness of an ambitious priesthood;
to
form
terests
body under the
title
from the laity, and making the
mere ma-
latter
All this
chines and submissive instruments of the former.

is as
wicked
not
of clergy, with separate in-
No
at it is unreasonable.
office,
no power
is
which
is
authorized by Jesus Christ in his Church, but that
necessary to the instruction, the purity, the edification, and
All legitimate govern-
the happiness of the whole body.
ment, here,
as well as elsewhere,
means, not an end: not

acquiring
to be considered as a
as instituted for the
dominion over the
property of men;
is
purpose of
bodies, the minds,
or the
but for promoting their temporal
and
eternal welfare; and as no further resting on divine authority than as

truth,
it
is
adapted to propagate and maintain the
to restrain vice,
to secure the
order and well-being
build up the great family of those who
of society, and to
profess the true religion, in knowledge, peace, and holiness, unto salvation.
Accordingly, the divine Founder of our religion himunto, but

self tells us that he "came not to be ministered
to minister,
and
to
give his
life a
to gratify himself, but to obey,
* 2 Cor.
ransom
and
X. 8.
suffer,
for
many;" not
and
die, that
he
196
might
this declaration, the inspired Apostle,
had drunk deep into the
^^We
but Christ Jesus the Lord,
And
<*Not for that we have dominion over your
And
helpers of your joy."
los, or
Cephas,
and who
ed,
as
is
the
body of
to the
a Chris-
things are yours, whether Paul, oxApol-
all
are yours."
And
again
by
Jipollos, but ministers
Lord gave
to teach, that
" the
his son
"Who is Paul
whom
every man
to
man reminds
not strive, but be gentle unto

in
but are
all
the same inspired
mands him
faith,
again:
"All things," says the
again:
same Apostle, addressing himself

Church "
?"
Accordingly,
Timothy, and com-
servants of the
all
ye believ-
men, apt
Lord must
to teach, patient,
meekness instructing those who oppose themselves,
peradventure,
in
who
of his Master, declares,
spirit
preach, not ourselves,
and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake."
tian
And,
seek and save that which was lost."*
conformity with
God
will give
them repentance
if,
to the ac-
Accordingly, in pleading be-
knowledging of the truth."
fore king Jigrippa, he declares that the great design of the
Saviour in sending gospel ministers to the children of men,

is,
to "
open their eyes, and
to turn
power of Satan
light, and from the
them from darkness
to
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
which are
he
tells
sanctified,
it
was not
for
and teachers were sent
Christ;
forth,
till
we
all
saints,
come
for the edifying of the

in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
he de-
any purpose of self-aggrandizement, but
"for the perfecting of the
body of
among them
And when
faith in Jesus Christ."
the Ephesian Church for what purpose apostles,
evangelists, pastors
clares
by
to
God, that they might
Matt. XX. 28.
Lulie. xix. 10.
a perfect
man, unto the measure of the
197
stature of the fuhiess of
Christ."*
This subject,
may have
It enters
my
more deeply
Christian
life,
then,
trespass
to
stating,
however dry and
friends,
appeared to some of
than
commonly
to
From what
government
many,
is
has been said,
practical.
supposed.
me,
Sufier
patience
by
may
be naturally drawn
evident that Church

a very important means of grace. To
know,
all
walk and duties of the
And,
this
is
it
whole subject appears unimportant,
They
not repulsive.
if
is
it
your attention some of the
mzx^Y practical inferences which
1.
speculative
longer on your
little
and recommending
from the subject.
hearers,
into the daily

is
my
are apt to consider and represent
exercise of ecclesiastical authority, and especially the
all
discipline of the Church, which
is
nothing more than the
application of the Church's authority, as an oihcious and

offensive intermeddling with Christian liberty.
not say to those
who
from the Bible, and fi'om the best experience,

only important, but absolutely essential
body of
edification of the
to be regarded as
by which
Christ.
need
It
that
it is
to the purity
not
and
ought, undoubtedly,
one of the most precious means of grace,
offenders are humbled, softened, and brought to
repentance; by which the Church
members;
moted; the
<*
But
take their views of ecclesiastical polity
magnified;"
purged of unworthy
removed; the honour of religion pro-
offences
office
is
of the Chrisian ministry regulated and
real
Christians stimulated
and guided
in
their spiritual course, faithful testimony borne against error
* 2 Cor.
Adz
iv. 5.
xxvi. 18.
i.
24.
1 Cor.
ETphts. iv. 2.
iii.
22.
Cor.
iii.
5.
2 Tim.
ii.
24. 25.
198
and crime; and the professing family of Christ rescued
from disgrace, and made
to
the view of the world.
The
appear orderly and beautiful in

truth
is,
the faithful mainte-
nance of Church discipline; in other words, the exercise

of a faithful watch and care
among
rity of each other, in doctrine,
Christians, over the pu-
worship and
life, is
so im-
portant a part of the purpose for which the Church was
we may
founded, that
say with confidence, she cannot
flourish, as to her best interests, without

safely affirmed, that a large part of all that
Church,
at the
It
it.
is
may
be
holy in the
may
present day, either in faith or practice,
be ascribed, under God, as really to sound ecclesiastical
No
discipline, as to the faithful preaching of the Gospel.
matter
how many
<<the garden of the Lord,'^ or
may
to
may be introduced into

how much time and labour
precious plants
be expended in endeavouring to
apply to
it
fertilize the soil,
the most skilful and diligent culture:
if
and
there
be no fence kept up to defend the whole from intruders,

be vain; every beast of the field will devour
all culture will

it;
and what ought
to be a beautiful
sure, will be a barren

2.
and productive inclo-
and dreary common.
If the foregoing representation be correct,
plenary and
then the
constant exercise of ecclesiastical autho-
rity is not usurpation, but simple obedience to Christ.
There
is
extreme sensitiveness on
this subject in the
minds
who profess to be zealous for the ** rights of conThey believe, and sometimes very clamorously
science."
of many,
assert,
that
all
ecclesiastical
censure on any one, for any
moral delinquency, and especially for any departure from

the true faith,
is
an interference with the prerogative of
God, who alone
is
Christ, the divine
Head
^'Lord of the conscience."
But
if
of the Church, has solemnly en-
jgg
joined on his professing people the exercise of

rity,
and the
surely
end of
an
this autlio-
faithful infliction of this censure,
who acknowledge
is
controversy on the part of those
all
the Scriptures to be the only infallible
rule of faith and practice.

beautiful and
there
Suppose the proprietor of a
valuable garden to have committed
to the
it
entire care of servants, formally chosen and commissioned
Suppose the master
for that purpose.
to
have given them
a strict and repeated charge, carefully to exclude from
mischievous intruders, and as soon as possible
all
those
sure.
it
to banish
who had improperly made their way into the incloAnd suppose, when these servants faithfully obeyed
their orders,
any one were
to
denounce them
as usurping
power, and as presumptuously interfering with the liberty

of
What would
neighbours.
their
Would
charge?
it
moment,
that if the servants
would have been
the
see, in a
had not done exactly
liable to the
fulness and gross disobedience.
The command
case before us.
thought of
Every one must
ous that could be conceived?
did, they
be
not be regarded as the most preposter-
they
as
charge of unfaith-
Precisely so
is
it
in the
of Christ, to his commis-
sioned servants, to watch over, rule, and guard the Church
committed
and
to exclude
from
those
it all
principles or practice are manifestly hostile to its
whose
great
to their care;
design;
is
plain,
repeated,
Can
and decisive.
it
when they obey
this
command, they
are so far from usurping power, that a
fail-
ure to obey
strictly and faithfully, would be an act of
be for a
moment
it,
doubted, then, that
direct rebellion against

for
Him who
is
''
Head over
all
things
the Church?"
From what has been said, it is plain, that every departure from the essential principl&i of Gospel order,
29
3.
200
an unhappy influence on the best

interests of the Church, and may be productive of the
most injurious effects. It is the habit of many to speak
will be likely to exert
of the established rules of ecclesiastical order, with sneer
and contempt,
as if they
observance of which
der, than to
is
were cold and
rather adapted to repress and hin-
promote the
of the Church.
spiritless forms, the
real life, the spiritual prosperity
Unless the preacher
is
greatly deceived, a
more erroneous estimate was never made. There

doubt, indeed, that there may be much pompous and
is
adherence to ecclesiastical form, where there
or no
life.
order
is little
no
rigid
And there is as little doubt that the rigour of Church

may be maintained at the expense of more vital inter-
ests.
But the question
when not only old,

ed; when rules of
is,
when
be likely to flourish
its
Lord
down;
fences are broken
but important landmarks are disregardorder, as wise as they have been long
established, are set at
nought?
doubt what answer ought
to
Can there be
moments'
be given to this question?
not the author of confusion, but of peace and order
*^God
is
in
the Churches."
all
will the garden of the
will be likely to render
Let no one imagine, then,
God
service, or
permanently
that he
to build
up the Redeemer's kingdom, by violating the order of
his
house; for example, by giving encouragement to "lay-preach-
ing;" by favouring the introduction into the ministry of men
with talents adapted
to dazzle as
meteors, but destitute of
sound principles, and other prescribed qualifications; by violating
wholesome
scriptural rules, for the purpose of either
favouring a friend, or opposing an adversary; by giving
countenance to proceedings manifestly disorderly, for the

purpose of carrying a point, or with the hope of gaining
some temporary advantage; or by adopting measures
in the
201
public service of the sanctuary, better fitted to

intoxicate, than to enlighten
the conscience, or impress the heart.

affairs, as all
wise
may
larity,
It is in ecclesiastical
men acknowledge
a single departure from
to be in civil
it
some important
Such deviations may appear
but the appearance
is
strong drink,
may
they
mischievous
may
consequences, of which a whole generation

end.
do good
to
life,
principle of regu-
directly or indirectly, to
lead,
or
inflate
the understanding, convince
not see the
for a while;
Like the excitement of
delusive.
and even appear
stimulate,
to
strengthen, for a short time; but they only prepare the
way
for increased
weakness and disease
were unwise, indeed,
to insist
in the issue.
on adhering
to
form
expense of substance; but it were equally unwise
is
abandoned.
most ample and
subject are
4.
The
when
instructions of history on this

decisive.
A further inference from
ous and irresistible, viz
It
the
to cherish
the hope, that the substance will long be retained,
form
at
what has been
said is obvi-
that the Presbyterian
form
of ecclesiastical polity is manifestly and by far, best

adapted to strengthen, purify^ and build up the Church
,
of Christ.
among
all
If
uniformity of
faith,
order, and worship,
the Churches which bear the same denomination,
and profess
to
walk by the same
rules,
be of real impor-
tance; if the maintenance of enlightened and faithful discipline, be essential to the purity and genuine health of the
body of Christ; and

shall
if
that
ecclesiastical polity
which
be adapted to answer the great purposes for which
the Church was founded, must be such as will authoritatively
bind
all
the Churches which profess to receive
pact and
homogeneous body; then
other form than the Presbyterian
it,
in
one com-
manifest that no
it
is
is
adapted to attain
all
202
the purposes, and secure
all
which the gov-
the advantages
ernment of the Church was intended by the Master

In saying
mote.
even
have no desire
this, I
to depreciate, the
denounce, or
to
forms of government preferred by
other denominations of our fellow Christians.
my own
utmost cordiality can I adopt as

the framers of our excellent
when they
say,
those Christians
tice,
to pro-
in the spirit of charity

us, in
opinion or in prac-
This, however,
on these subjects."
the
Constitution,
ecclesiastical
*'We embrace
who differ from
With
the language of
perfectly re-
is
concileable with the conviction, that one form of ecclesiastical
government
is
more
scriptural,
promote good order, purity, and
On
and better adapted to
edification than another.
we have no
the one hand, to speak wîth frankness,
doubt that a Church formed on the plan of our Episcopal

brethren,
may
may be, and

of many souls.
be a true Church of Christ, and
has been blessed to the everlasting welfare
Yet we are persuaded,
that the peculiar features of that
system, besides having no foundation in the word of God,

are
by no means adapted
to the
discipline in the Church, and,
with
it.
On
the other hand,
that the plan of our
maintenance of a scriptural
indeed, scarcely compatible
we
are as perfectly confident
Independent brethren, and,
to a con-
siderable extent, that of our Congregational brethren,

less materially defective as a
and the
efficient
means of promoting the
and authoritative co-operation of
Churches of the same nominal communion.

leaves
which
deem
as in
them
it
entirely powerless in regard to
would seem no friend of
of small importance.
many
rian system
It
is
no
unity,
all
the
obviously
many
points,
ecclesiastical order can
In both these respects, as well
others which might be specified, the Presbyteis,
at once, liberal
and
efficient;
in the highest
203
degree friendly to the claims of Christian liberty; and yet

adapted to maintain the purest discipline, and the most entire
harmony and
Much
depends,
with which
I
am
energetic co-operation of the whole body.
it
must be acknowledged, on the spirit
system
this
is
borne forward.
not prepared to adopt, in
ecclesiastical
For, although
extent, in reference to
government, the sentiment which
repeated as an admitted
administered
all its
is
maxim,
best," yet I
am
that
^<
free to
that
is
so often
which
the Presbyterian form of government and discipline
administered with so
little
is
best
acknowledge, that
may
be
of the spirit of charity, and of zeal
for the glory of
God, and the extension of the Redeemer's
kingdom,
make
tious
as to
and unedifying
that the infirmity
mar the
it little
more than
But
litigation.
a course of vexa-
this
and corruption of man
is
only saying,
may sometimes
beauty, and invalidate the efficacy of the best pro-
visions of a benevolent God.
impelling power
is
of Christ
machinery
is
adequate and adapted
necessary to set the most perfect ma-
And when
chine in motion.
Some
the vital spirit of the religion
present and active, here
in the
world with which
it
is
can operate.
this spirit habitually governs, there is

clesiastical polity so well
the noblest plan of
Where
no other plan of ec-
adapted as the Presbyterian to se-
cure order; to promote peace; to accomplish every thing
with fraternal counsel and deliberation;

tial
and equitable
discipline,
at
to maintain impar-
once over ministers and
private members; to secure the rights of the people; to
protect pastors from injury and oppression; to guard, on
the one hand, against the intrusions of
laymen
into the
functions of the clergy, and, on the other, against the en-
croachments of
clerical ambition;
to
promote uniformity
of doctrine and worship; to afford redress in every species
204
of difficulty; to bring the state and proceedings of every

part of the Church under the distinct and official review of
the whole; and to enable the whole to act together as one
body, under the authority and guidance of a
Are
these things desirable? are they really
common
head.
important
the greatest strength and purity of the body?
to
If so, I will
be bold to say, they can be fully attained only by that form

of ecclesiastical polity under which
we
are so
happy
as to
live.
From
5.
it
the
ought not
As
so
to interfere
^'Christ
all
Head
view which has been given of
plain that diversity
is
is
who
of
as there is but ^ône Christ;"
not divided;"
by
are really united
all
this subject,
informs of ChurcJi government

with the com,munion of saints.
principality and
Him who
faith to
is
*Uhe
power," are ^'one body
in
Him, and every one members one of another." We

grant, that among individual Christians there may be <* diall
versities of operation," that is great variety in the order,
and aspect of those exercises which mark the
intensity,
entrance as well as the progress of the divine

that^ît
may
there not be a similar variety in the
zation adopted
by
ecclesiastical bodies,
their ecclesiastical character?
from the
and yet
we may
without destroying
While, therefore, the great im-
safely assert, that
scriptural order of the
out subjecting those
who are
is
prehended,
is
maintained;
no material departure
Church can ever occur with-
guilty of it to a serious disadvan-
tage; let us guard against the mistake of those
among i\\Q fundamentals
Why
modes of organi-
portance of the subject of ecclesiastical polity
and while
life;
the same spirit which worketh in all."
is
of our holy religion.
who
This,
an entire and mischievous mistake.
Scriptures manifestly do not, like
place
it is
it
ap-
The holy
some ecclesiastical men, of
narrow views, and of more
zeal than
the "covenanted mercies of
God"
who
knowledge, cut off from
who
those
form of church government;
favourite
Gospel of Christ.
reject the
Head
against the great
205
We
of the Church,
reject a certain
but
only those
undoubtedly
when we
sin
consider
and treat
as a
matter of indifference that which he has ap-
pointed
but
we may
against
Him, and
be considered as
equally
sinning
against *'the generation of the righteous,"
when we attempt to place the external order of the Church

among those things on which its vital character depends;
on which the exercise of Jehovah's mercy
6.
If
what has been
said be correct,
suspended.
is
evident that
it is
an
honest attachment to a particular form of ecclesiastical

order, does not, necessarily, deserve the
church and sectarian bigotry.
There
is
name of higha strong tenden-
cy, at the present day, to stigmatize with these epithets
every thing that indicates a marked preference
denomination of Christians.
formed
for
If a
recommending any
Christian community,
as, in
more conformed
to Scripture,
than others,
is
it
church" book;
as
an
a plan
the estimation of the author,
and more worthy of adoption

as
and clamorously
"high-
Nor
"sectarian" plan.
illiberal,
to utter,
any one
particular portion of the
immediately denounced,
any more disposed
to
book be written, or
are
urge this
to
denunciation, than those who, under the pretence of a most
expanded "charity," are

in
far
more exclusive and
contending for some opposite peculiarity.
more severe on
bigoted.
unjust?
ized in
intolerant
None
are
bigots and bigotry, than the most intensely
But can any thing be more unreasonable and

If the visible
some
Church
exist at
particular form:
and
all, it
it
is
must be organ-
manifest that
forms of Church order cannot be equally agreeable
all
to Scrip-
'SOS
Some one
ture.
model than the
is,
to be the case, with the
if
any one honestly believes
form with which he
connected, and prefers, and endeavours to
form accordingly; provided he do

and with due respect
ness,
has a right to complain ?

course,
liberty.
must
is
is
recommend
to the opinions of others,
nunciation;
of maintaining, Christian
abridge,
instead
the sincere and intelligent inquirer
zealot,
who
out of
it;''
who
if
who
Surely to censure him for this
is,
proclaim this preference with bitterness and rancour

those
this
without uncharitable-
it
prefer one form of faith and order to others.
assail
this
particularly
truth
to
The
the primitive
of course, nearer to
And
rest.
if
he
cannot agree with him with unsparing de-
he exhibit himself as a
can see no evil in his
terms
let the
^*
**
own
fiery, controversial
party, and no good
high-churchman,"
"bigot,"
He
"sectarian," be heaped upon him without reserve.

richly deserves
he
If
them
But,
all.
if
he meekly and humbly
obey those convictions of duty which he considers the

Bible as warranting
if
he lay no more stress upon modes
of faith, and forms of order than the Bible lays upon them;
if he,
not merely in words, but practically, allow to others
the same liberty
which he claims
for himself;
look with unfeigned and equal affection upon

the image of Christ, whether they belong to
nomination or not;
such
if
he
who bear
his own de-
an one, whatever opprobrious
epithets the latitudinarian, or he
ration"
and
all
who
is
"fierce for
mode-
may heap upon him, has little reason to fear the

Those who would call such an one "bigot,"
abuse of men.
or " sectarian," would, undoubtedly,

first
if
they had lived in the
century, have applied the same appellation to the Sa-
viour himself and his inspired Apostles.

7.
From
the foregoing discussion
it is
manifest, that all
Church and
alliance between the

is
and
unscriptural,
serious kind.
and the
letter
It
is
the civil
government
with mischief of the most

unscriptural ; contrary alike to the
replete
spirit of the
solemnly forbidden.
207
New
Testament; and, therefore,
unhallowed in
It is
its origin, the
offspring of priestcraft, or statecraft, or both,
and, of
course, entitled to no countenance from the real friends of
And
the Church of Christ.

all
tendency and
effects are in
cases injurious; necessarily and universally injurious.
All
civil
posed
establishments of religion, then, ought to be op-
Whatever may be
Zion.
who wish
utmost by those
to the
rigour
by
its
their form, or the degree of their
whether they are intended
fear, or
well to the cause of
to operate
by
force,
by bribery; whether we consider them
tax on error,'^ or as **a bounty on faith

vision for instructing the people in
as *'a
as a legal pro-
;'^
what the
civil
magis-
trate,
(who may be an
say
truth; or as a convenient engine in the hands of gov-
is
ernment
infidel or a gross heretic) chooses to
and controlling the popular mind;
for reaching
in all cases
they are corrupt in their principles, and perni-
cious in their influence
courage hypocrisy;
make
and
to
and adapted
the care of souls an
to prostrate the
to
generate and en-
degrade the Christian ministry;

affair
of secular merchandize;
Church of God, with
all its officers
effects of religious establishments
Constantine
to the present
long as
human
hour ;
and
Such have
ordinances, at the feet of worldly politicians.
been the
to
from the days of
and such will be their
nature remains what
now
effects
as
Every
friend of Christ, then, ought to recoil with instinc-
tive dread
gion, in
and horror from
any form, by
evei^y
law.
attempt
support
Nay, they ought
from every attempt, on the part of the
30
to
civil
it
is.
reli-
to recoil
government,
208
to interpose in the least degree in the affairs of the
All experience has
even to help her.
Church
far less, injurious to the
to
pampered by her
State, than to be
shown
that
Church,
it is less,
be persecuted by the
and laden with
caresses,
her treasures.
8.
further practical inference from our subject
committed
the trust
Church rulers
and solemn.
degree weighty
affairs
to
is
To conduct
of the Christian Society, in which so
the
momentous
many
interests,
divine and human, temporal and eternal, are involved

in
judgment
in cases in
that
is,
in the highest
to sit
which doctrine and order, Christian
character and Christian peace and edification are
concerned; to administer the laws of Christ with
all
deeply
fidelity,
and
yet with prudence; with proper zeal for Gospel purity, and
at the
same time with
surely requires
no doubt, in
be
all
can exercise.
tals
felt
to
a sacred regard to the
the wisdom, and
The
trust
all
the grace that mor-
committed
a high degree important
Church's peace;
to civil rulers
But
be so by every thinking man.
to the eccle-
siastical ruler are committed interests unspeakably
momentous; which put in requisition

tion,
is,
and arduous; and will
all
more
the sagacity, discre-
meekness, benevolence, and zeal for the honour of
Zion's King, which belong to the most intelligent and de-
voted Christian;
and in the view of which, he who sus-
tains the trust, ought,
with unceasing solicitude, to implore
divine aid and guidance.
Into this sacred inclosure, preju-
dice, passion, partiality, rashness, or
any kind, ought never
to
grand, and only leading question

duty,
up
is,
to
The
be asked, as a guide to
not what course will tend most effectually to build
this party, or to defeat that
will be
unhallowed feelings of
be permitted to enter.
most
likely
to
adversary
but what course
promote the purity, the harmony,
and the edification of the Church of God?
in
which every banner
that
if
This
Another
that
camp
Re-
ever, the tribunal of conscience ought to be con-
of the Master's
is,
in the deepest abhorrence.
sulted with the most sacred vigilance, and the
9.
is
raised, save that of the
is
deemer's glory, ought to be held
Here,
209
it is
Statue Book
kingdom studied with unceasing

plain inference
from
diligence.
that has been said,
all
incumbent on professing Christians
to
make
themselves acquainted with the subject of Church govern-
ment.
body
every professing Christian a member of that
Is
called the Visible
Church
Does he
bear, of course,
And
intimate and most important relations to that body?
has he, consequently, important duties to that body every
day devolving upon him
Can
demonstrate, that he ought to
ture and structure of this
it
be necessary, then, to
know something
body;
to
of the 7ia-
understand, in some
good measure, the constitution and laws under which

is
obligations resting upon

It
were an
insult,
my
its
friends,
officers
and
its
members
your understandings,
to
attempt to reason on a point so perfectly self-evident.

well might
consider
strate, that a
member
it
as necessary formally
him
good
and to avoid violating the law of the land?
in a great
man may be
this evening.
Christian he cannot be.
enable
citizen,
have no
a real Christian,
measure ignorant of the subject on which
been addressing you
to
As
demon-
lives, to
intelligently to discharge the duties of a
doubt, indeed, that a
to
of civil society ought to understand
enough of the government under which he
is
it
not only authorized, but required to act; and the various
But a
icisc
who
have
and intelligent
Christian ready to perceive, to
appreciate, and to discharge the various duties which he
owes
to his
Master
in
heaven, to his Ijrethrcn of the Church,
210
and
own
to his
only wonder
many
that so
is,
professing
would be ashamed of ignorance on
know
tliey
undertake
thatt
to
hey are
danger every hour,
Ark
of God, the character
of which, if they understood the subject,
effect
would deprecate
in their
inmost
Many a
souls.
they
real Chris-
from ignorance of the very elementary principles of
tian,
flict
in
speak or ask in reference to this
subject, of giving a touch to the
this
thousand other subjects,
Such persons, however sincere and
profoundly ignorant.
devout, ought to
and
be.
importance, are willing, on this subject, to remain
of far less
when
And the
Christians who
be cannot
best edification,
subject, has
spoken and acted
in
such a
way
as to
in-
wounds on the Church of God which no subsequent
regret or tears could ever heal.

10.
The last
one which,
is
ately beg
closing, I
in
must respectfully and
affection-
my hearers to remember and lay to heart. It

man may he -perfectly sound on the subject
all
that a
is,
inference with which I shall tax your patience,
of Church government, and yet be utterly defective as

to the essentials of Christian character.
There has been
a
tendency among those
in
every age,
for that
to
which
attempt
his
who
a
word
called themselves Christians,
kind of commutation with
God
requires; to substitute rites and
forms for the religion of the heart; to cry out with confidence,
are
"The
temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord
we/' while their hearts were going forth
Hence that
ness or sensuality.
after covetous-
fury of zeal for an ecclesiasti-
name and connexion on which many appear
to rely as a
passport to heaven.
Against
this fatal
my beloved
friends, I desire to
warn you.
It is a
cal
to
mistake,
mistake not confined
any particular denomination; and a mistake
and dangerous as
it is
prevalent.
It is
as insidious
more than
possible
211
that a caution, in connexion with the subject which we are

now considering, may be neither unseasonable, nor useless.
Be entreated, then, my friends, to lay no stress whatever,
as to the great question of
your acceptance with God, on the
correctness of your opinions and practice as to Church gov-
ernment.
In the religion of Jesus Christ, as in other mat-
ters, there are
outworks, and there are vital parts.
Christianity
may
the
With
latter.
and
fectly fair
may
see
Real
exist without the former, but not without
respect to the former, you
faultless
be as ^'whited sepulchres."
you well informed,
may
while, in respect to the
It is
be per-
latter,
you
my earnest desire to
thorough Pesbyterians;
intelligent,
because I verily believe, as before stated, that this form of

ecclesiastical
government
more
is
closely conformed to the
Apostolic model than any other; and better
than any other, to promote

in the
that
Church of
Christ.
all
But
fitted,
by
far,
the great ends of government

I
beseech you
to
remember,
you may be zealous Presbyterians, and yet not real
Christians.
You may contend
strenuously and ably for
those outward forms which Christ has established in his
Church, and retain every one of them with scrupulous

exactness
which we
and yet be strangers

are
none of his."
sires to see the face of

siastical order,
God
however
to
that
Spirit without
^'
Let no one, then, who deforms of eccle-
in peace, rest in
scriptural.
They
important
are
in their place; but they are not that ^Mioliness without
which no man
shall
see the
Lord."
They
are
useful as
means, but they are not the foundation of that *'hopc which
maketh not ashamed."
While, therefore,
thing which Christ has revealed;
let
our
we
first
neglect no-
and highest
attention be directed to that regeneration of the heart,
which alone we can be ^^rnade meet
by
for the inheritance of
212
the saints in light;" and to that vital union
by
faith
and
love to the blessed Saviour, which alone can give us an interest in his atoning blood,
and a
title to
out the sanctifying and justifying
man
is
a Christian.
To
eternal life.
power of
this great foundation of
hope, then, be entreated, every one of you,

brethren,
your
first
hearts.
of
all,
Here
and above
rest.
all,
Here
to turn
live.
my
Here
Amen!
Gospel
beloved
rejoice,
Holy Ghost, our God, and our
God, be glory forever!
no
your eyes and
holy hope of <Uhe glory that shall be revealed.'^

Father, Son, and
With-
that blood,
And
in
to
father's

LECTURE
VIII.
Delivered on the Evening of the 20th May, 1832, by the Rev.
Samuel Martin, D. D, of Chanceford, Pa.
ON REGENERATION.
Therefore, if any
man
be in Christ, he
passed away; behold,
Paul and
all
is
new
creature
things are become new.
his fellow apostles, as the
old things are
2 Cor.
v. 17.
whom
Master
they
served, were constantly exposed to the reproach and hatred
of the enemies of the cross.

fanatic, their
tice
cion,
Their zeal was regarded
eloquence as pompous display,
Their success excited suspi-
and procure applause.

and exposed them
to
as
to attract no-
unspeakable malice.
rity of their lives, their disinterested labours,
The
pu-
and their ex-
tensive charity, instead of procuring esteem, heated public
resentment.
To whatever
quarter they turned their eyes,
causes of trouble and perplexity arose before them; deaths
and dangers stared upon them.
them? Did they

their course?
Instead of this, they rejoiced
were counted worthy
The
Did these things move
them from
retard their motion, or drive
to suffer
shame
^'that they
for the sake of Christ."
entreaties of friends enforced with tears, and the ter-
rors of death in joint array, could not stay the progress of
Paul on his journey to Jerusalem, though he well
31
knew
that
216
"What mean ye,"

my heart ? for I am ready,
bonds and imprisonment awaited him. "

says he, " to weep and to break
name
not be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the

of the
Nor were
Lord Jesus."
these the vauntings of a
desperado, nor the ebullitions of an overheated imagination;

but the composed and well digested resolutions of a soul
devoted to the will of Christ, and
But
ploits," in his service.

Christ, did not spring
They were not
in
from any resources
devotion to
common
man.
to
the most favoured schools of science or
They
arose out of a depression of

a spirit akin to that
and the possession of

sentially to the
strong to do ex-
the attainments of native greatness, improved
and cherished
experience.
^^
this fortitude, this
all
these,
which pertained
Master whom they served.
es-
Their pure, and
sublime addresses, their self-denying and heavenly conversation, clearly
They were
New
them
at
first,
creatures, in a
all
new
things
had created them anew.
They were new
in Christ Jesus.
away, behold
world.
be in Christ, he
is
new
Nor was
<^For,
if
this
any man
creature."
be in Christ, involves every thing, immediately or
remotely, that
is
or can be important to man.
It implies an interest
in
his vicarious
through a cordial acceptance of
which he
To
creatures!
<*01d things were passed
were become new."
peculiar to Paul and his fellow apostles:
To
He
proved that they were born from above.
that had created
fulfilled
it,
and for
all
it
righteousness,
for all the purposes for
the ends of
its
imputation.
be in Christ, supposes union with Christ, by which
union the sinner
is
made one with
Christ in reckonin": of
law, and so, by the obedience of Christ his Surety, account-
ed
his,
he
is
delivered from condemnation.
condemnation
to
them
**
For there
that are in Christ Jesus
is
for the
no
law
ON REGENERATION.
of the Spirit of
life
from the law of
sin
To
in Christ Jesus, hath
whom
tlie
ye are the temple of God, and

eth in
To
Know
that the Spirit of
this, be-
ye not
God
that
dwell-
be in Christ, implies an alliance to Christ so

the supplies of the spiritual
all
from him, and that

its
''
''that
you."
mate, that
for
For
you."
shall be in
temples of God."
'^
free
possession of the Spirit of
the Saviour says to his disciples,
he dwelleth with you, and

lievers are called
made them
and death/'
be in Christ, implies
Christ; of
017
this life is entirely
maintenance.
''
Because
And
dependent upon him
And
act accordance with Paul's experience.
me."
inti-
are derived
live," said the Saviour to
his disciples, ''ye shall live also."
but Christ liveth in
life
this
"
view
in ex-
is
yet not
1 live,
I,
does light dwell with dark-
bosom ? Does holiness
ness ? Does love enclasp enmity in
its
entwine herself around the
deformed, and loathsome
monster sin
new
Not
creature."
at all:
any man be
is
human
heart
He
it,
and takes possession.
new
creation of the sinner,
a mysterious and an almighty work.
come the
he
temple.
regeneration or
work of God.
"But as many
in Christ,
of grace prepares the
sweeps and garnishes
The
'"If
He builds for himself a new
The God
for his reception.
filthy,
It is
Speaking of Christ, John

as received
is at
once
exclusively the
states as follows
him, to them gave he power
to be-
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name;
which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God." John'i. 12, 13. Speaking of himself and his fellow Christians, Paul says
are his, that
is,
"we
God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus,
created unto good works."
The
creation of
all
things was
by the word of God's power, without the supposed preexistence of any materials.
And
the spiritual creation,
m^
is
218
the exertion of Ûhe exceeding greatness of his
power compared by the
wrought
set
him
in Christ,
at his
own
above passages,
God
cribe to
to
when he
palsy,
in the
the dead, and
The
heavenly places."
But besides
as-
this
form of expression furnishes an argu-
They
forcible with the positive declaration.
to create is exclusively the prerogative of the
When
Almighty.
^^
hand
right
him from
the regeneration of the sinner.
ment equally
created
raised
power;"
which **he
that
which many might be added, directly
direct testimony, the
are'
apostle to
man
the Saviour said to the
sick of the
thy sins be forgiven thee," the Scribes, kindling
into rage at the
apprehended blasphemy, exclaimed,
''
Who
God ?" The conviction from which this

proceeded was just. With equal justness we all exclaim,
Who can create but God ? In one of the above passages, it
is said, concerning those that are brought to Christ, " He,"
can forgive sins but
that
<*gave them power to become the sons of
God,
is
God," and he describes them
as
"born not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
Why,
I ask,
was Christ
called the
was begotten of the Father.

have
"
God."
Son of God ? because he
Thou
art
my
Son, this day
Peter ascribes to God, in behalf of
begotten thee."
"God
the regenerated, special praise, in that
the Father had
begotten them again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
or
woman,
again.
heart,
is
from the dead." The
begotten again by
may
man be
God
force the exclamation
Can
born w^hen he
it is;
power
if a spiritual
them
to
grown man,
is
No.
old
No
But
is
born
from a carnal
if
if re-
the case be
truth be the thing intended; if
be the agent, the answer
eth in
full
the Father, and
Surprise
ference be had to created
taken as
God
is.
Yes.
It is
God
that
work-
change them from carnal, sensual, and devil-
ish, to spiritual,
holy, and heavenly.
If the phrases
'
begot-
ON REGENERATION.
219
ten again,' 'born again,' 'created anew,'
mean any
thing,
they must mean something above human conception, something beyond the reach of
that regeneration
Again
If the estate of
human
man be
We
agency.
work
a glorious
is
infer, then,
of God.
such as the Scriptures re-
Two
present, regeneration must be a supernatural work.

appellations fully describe the whole
eous and the wicked.
The term,
human
race; the right-
righteous, includes
all,
who,
being united to Christ, have, by divine appointment and
They
reckoning, his righteousness as theirs.

after the
image of
Him who
renewed
are
created them; and have the
Holy Ghost within them, to perfect what he has begun.

Of these two descriptions of men, the apostle speaks as follows:
"We
is born of God sinneth

God keepeth himself, and
wicked one toucheth him not; and we know that
that
we
are of
ness"
is
know,
he that
not, but
is
that
whosoever
begotten of
God, and the whole world
All except the
by Homer,
often used
lieth
The word
justified.
denote one
to
in
wicked-
translated lieth,
who
The whole world lieth slain in wickedness.

heart of man proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
lieth slain.
''
Out of the
fornications,
murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceits, lasciviousness, an evil
heart
who
eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness."
deceitful
is
can
know
above
it?"
all
"The Lord
upon the children of men,
looked
are
gether become filthy, there

not one."
And
Psalm, presents
"All
that
is
down from
heaven,
were any
that did
to see if there
understand and seek after God."
which he brings? "They
''The
things, and desperately wicked,
all
is
And what
gone
none
is
the report
aside, they are alto-
that doeth
good
no,
Paul's quotation and paraphrase upon this
this picture in
in the
shadesof still deeper darkness.
world, the lust of the
eye, and the pride of life"
such
is
flesh,
the lust of the
the description, which
220
He, who well knows what

our race, out of which
be like angels
yea,
is
many
in the hearts of
men, gives of
are to be so transformed as to
And who
God.
like to
in earth or
in heaven, but God, can effect the wondrous change?
Can any turn
any heal themselves?
God
their hatred of
Then
and holiness, into love and delight?
Can
^^can the Ethio-
pian change his skin ;" then "can the leopard change his
Can any produce the required change upon
spots."
Recourse has been had
man?
fellow
to
human
The experiment
stay the progress of wickedness.
his
justice to
has been
fully made, through a series of years, reaching back to the
youth of time, now become old and hoary. All the while, the
protection of law, and the immunities of organized govern-
ments, have joined their influence with the fear of hell and
the hope of heaven, to
prompt men
Justice has dealt out
threatened and inflicted.
And
ties.
its
what has been effected
greatest strength,
to the practice of virtue.
the enormity of crime, have been
by
Penalties, graduated
The
deadly thrust
ness; and
steady at his
to
be scanned by man.
more covertly
still
more devoted,
phets, and teachers have spent their skill and

all
in vain.
added watchfulness, and
And where
prayers.
rists
of
human
aim
his
to
abide
Philosophers, and wise men, and pro-
stall.
our race, and
to
the debauchee to look for thicker dark-
voluptuary,
the
severi-
schemes too deep for the
in laying
discernment of justice, or too intricate

assassin has been taught
its
Avarice has put forth
is
power upon
Parents, to instructions, have

correction,
and entreaties, and
the proselyte?
Let the panyge-
him out?
Sportive nature
nature point
might produce a white crow or a black swan; but in the production of man, a field of operation far
ture
is
guilty,
utterly impotent
all
polluted.
more
her ofispring are
The enemy
all
splendid, na-
of a spot
occupies the citadel,
all
all
m.
ON REGENERATION.
human
the springs of
221
action are poisoned
of soul and body partakes of vileness.
sometimes say of chronic
sicians
make
every power
And
diseases, "
as
it
wise phy-
were
easier
only cure
new man than cure them." So in this case, the

for man is new creation.
And who, but God,
can create
to
Bear with me, while
place before you another class of
Scripture testimony on this gloomy view of
human
and be assured,
to
I should not call
upon the melancholy scene, did
upon you
I
nature
look so long
not believe that a long
and attentive look might prove the means of exciting you

flee
to
from the grasp of death, now binding many of you

the arms of Christ your deliverer.
shall
produce specify the extent of
powers and
faculties of
man was
ness of
The
sin's
Scriptures
we
dominion over the
^God saw
man.
to
fast,
that the
wicked-
great on the earth, and that every imagi-
nation of the thoughts of his heart was only evil contin-
Rom.
ually."
God;
for
can be."
Spirit of
he
it is
viii.
"The
God:
^'The carnal mind
7.
is
enmity against
not subject to the law of God, neither indeed

natural
man
receiveth not the things of the
for they are foolishness unto
know them,
him: neither can
because they are spiritually discerned. "
The
Apostle describes the heathen, as "having their understandings darkened, being alienated from the
through the ignorance that

ness of their hearts."
"My
people
is
is in
Over
foolish
life
of God,
them, because of the blind-
Israel and
Judea God lamented:
they have not
known me
they
are sottish children, and they have none understanding,
they are wise to do evil
knowledge."
but to do good they have no
Paul speaks of Christians
dead, and as quickened or brought to

death.
These are
a few, out of
the reign of sin over
all
many
life
as alive
from the
from an
estate of
passages,
which show
that pertains to man.
Over
his
222
powers,
intellectual
the heart"
the
*<every thought of the imagination of

"The
affected.
is
mind," or the mind of
carnal
Here the understanding,
enmity against God.'
flesh, *is
together with the will and affections, are included, as subject to the
The
enmity.'
other passages are equally com-
prehensive: while, in some, our ruined and helpless estate

is signified
human
by a term, whose import duly
spirits
and inclines
to
passes and sins." Deplorable condition!
were
not that a
it
promised
to raise
depresses the
'^Dead
in tres-
and desperate too
the Spirit of Christ,
life giving-spirit,
men from
felt,
melancholy.
once ruled the whole man, and so spread the image of

before the soul as to engage
all its
is
Knowledge, which
the dead.
powers
God
in cheerful har-
mony and delightful unison, in the praise and enjoyment

of Him who is alone lovely and who alone can bless, is supplanted by ignorance
ness.
its seat is
Without knowledge, man
Until the understanding
man
will
What
Our bodies
work around
tained
that
is
it is
the nature of
But
Jehovah
of our powers
a vile,
have
from
man
The
shattered frame-
reminds us of what
ask what
its
is
now
it
once con-
we
within,
are told
insecure moorings, to be engulphed
casts out
said that the
Who
in the
till
polluted, deformed thing, which, ere long,
Charybdis that
almighty.
None
are vile, nor can they be refined
a ruined soul,
to be torn
in a
is
when we
but
had not been man.

rightful dominion,
and are raised and fashioned anew.
dust,
to
wreck
its
Sin has universal possession, and universal do-
are whole.
they turn
in paradise
restored to
be far below himself.
still
minion.
is
become the abode of dark-
none of
work
is
dead.
its
mysterious as well as
can trace and develope the operations of

creation of the world
Who
can
tell
by
what process rude and undigested chaos, from nothing, was

brought into being?
Who
can explain the
way
of the
ON REGENERATION.
Lord,
223
Who
reducing the jumbled materials into order?
in
can illustrate the manner of balancing and adjusting the

worlds, so that each maintains
under laws eternal
as its
sang together, and
when they
spired
Its
mystery and magnificence
and gave elevation
one sinner repenteth, or
in heaven.
^'I
XV. 10.
God over one
This
is
way
to
'*To
from our
Him
own
sins in his
praise.
created, there
is
joy
work
to
to
in the
is
joy
presence
of man's redemp-
look;"
them
is
strains, the glorified saints join the
in notes like these,
their
in-
sinner that repenteth."
a part of the
they adore the author, whose
lower
new
which Ûhe angels desire
tion into
in
is
say unto you, there
of the angels of
Luke
the sons of
all
song,
their
"The morning stars

God shouted for joy,"
with astonishment on the finished and
gazed
stupendous system.
When
destined place, and moves
its
existence?
Though
heavenly choir,
that loved us, and
blood, and hath
and where
hid.
washed us
made
us kings
and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, amen." The people of God, who
witness the happy change in others, look on with devout
admiration, and as they see the babe in Christ growing to
maturity, their anticipations of the crowning scene,
they shall put on immortality,
Though
man
the
way
of
God
in regeneration be thus
how
in
when
transporting
operating on the nature of
mysterious
yet he has gracious-
ly revealed the means which he employs, while he has en-
joined on us the duty of seeking to become partakers of it.

When we speak of means as employed by God, and as
not mean to intimate that God canwithout the use of external
sinners
renew
not, or does not,
For ought that we can discern, our salvation was
means.
enjoined on us,
we do
conferred by Christ on one of his fellow-sufferers on the
32
224
who,
cross,
until
on the
of the Evangelists
Yet
with him, reviled him."
*'they, that
affirm
general plan of
on
God
Allow me here
were
crucified
one of these, the Saviour
to
me
declared, ^'This day shalt thou he with
What we
One
was ignorant of him.
cross,
testifies, that
this subject
in paradise."
means go
that
is,
into the
in the regeneration of sinners.
to say, that
men
are to be regarded, ordi-
narily, as possessing all the faculties
and powers proper
to
question by none.
man this I presume will be called in

As little, surely, ought any to doubt that
;
all
these, of
what-
ever name, are so perverted and polluted, that, until re-
newed by
them
grace, the exercise of
We
sinful.
are
men, but men
fallen
in
every case
is
We are men, but

We are men, but
men dead, as to holy or spiritual action.

men in ruin, and exposed to the wrath to come. Now, that
men may be prepared for heaven, which is at least the secondary end of the Gospel dispensation,
must undergo a thorough reform.

of their nature must
The mental
from the
ought
all
faculties,
to
guide, and
grace,
God
first
Every power and
become the opposite of what
faculty
it
was.
which especially distinguish man

and which are the light which
inferior creatures,
the rest,
obvious, that they
it is
power which ought
the
to
impel
must, in the order of nature, as well as of
Hence
be acted upon.
the grand
uses for the conversion of sinners,
is
his
means which
Word.
Be-
lievers are said to be *^born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the
abideth forever."
word of God, which
The word
of
God
is
liveth
and
addressed to the un-
derstandings of men, whether in the reading or preacliing

of
it:
and
if
the heart
is
to believe
must be reached through the

of this,
his
I refer
Sermon on
you
the
to the
Mount.
unto righteousness,
intellectual faculties.
In proof
manner of the divine Saviour,
What
does
it
it
contain that
is
in
not
ON REGENERATION.
225
directed to the understandings and consciences of
By
what other avenue does he seek
The sermon
hearts?
power and
of the
men?
approach their
of Peter, so justly celebrated for
success, had
plainly for
its
aim the conviction
its
The burden
consciences of his hearers.
whom
preaching was, the proof that he

crucified,
to
was constituted both Lord and
of his
they had lately
The
Christ.
effect
was, their convinced consciences compelled the inquiry addressed to Peter and the rest of the Apostles,
brethren, what shall
Agreeably
do?''
Holy Ghost prepared
Chrit, the
truth,
we
and wrought through
<<Men and
promise of
to the
their hearts to receive the
means the proper
its
Vainly do men address the feelings of the human

the hope of changing
Let any show me an instance
it.
wherein Christ or his Apostles endeavoured

ners into a religious course,
and dispositions, and
by
"how
fail."
Faith
"faith
how
is
whom
God." The word

all
So
softened with
broken. Yet
all
if
the persuasion of
the same
ance of the Holy
and even
lisp its
felt,
or break.
or rather
human
of God, I admit, addressed to the
the native force of truth, and adorned and
human
eloquence,
be nothing more, will leave the human heart
its
he has
he hear without a preacher."
shall
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
mind with
will be
the grace
Lord Jesus Christ
can the sinner believe in him of
not heard, and
back sin-
direct addresses to feelings
that savingly unites the sinner to the
but
to
will consent that they preach to
and benches
these, "till sides
effects.
heart, in
Spirit,
word come
though
whisper,
it
and the heart
it
to the ear
come
as a
by the
still
will reach the heart.

will, as
He
there
if
a stone unutter-
small voice,
Its
power
pleases, either
melt
When He bears home the truth upon the heart,

when He prepares the heart to receive it, and wills
renovation, the designed issue
may
be confidently ex-
226
When
pected.
God
and
this
chaos lumbered in impenetrable darkness,
"Let there be light:" and
said,
same God
light
commanded
'^vvho
shone
all
around
the light to shine out
of darkness," says the Apostle, "hath shined into our hearts,

to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God
face of Jesus Christ."
The Gospel
enticing;
words of man's wisdom," but

is
cross of Christ full effect.
"The
let
him
speak
it
wheat
tell his
dream," but
faithfully;
Is not
for,
my
let
demonstration of
to give to the
prophet that hath a dream,
him
that hath
"what
says God,
word
in
means
the grand
the Spirit and of power,
in the
preached, "not with the
the chaff to the
hammer
and like a
like as a fire,
that breaketh the rock in pieces?"
is
God's word,
Jer. xxiii. 27.
"It
is
quick and powerful, sharper than a two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and
and
speaks, will not
all
is
a discerner of the thoughts
Heb.
intents of the heart."
nature hear?
When
12.
iv.
On one
the
Lord
occasion, while
the Saviour slept, the winds and waves had combined their
forces,
and his disciples
The Saviour
felt
that their ship
arose and rebuked the winds, and
the swollen billows, "Peace, be
commanded
and there was a great
still,
of Bethany, already four days dead, comes forth alive.
Unclean
spirits
depart at his rebuke.
inveterate, are healed

his
sink.
"Lazarus, come forth," exclaimed Jesus, and the
calm."
man
must
Spirit
his
word.
to
Diseases, the most
And
and his Word, quicken into
and lead them forth

natural
by
follow him
cannot Christ by
life
the dead in sin,
Ignorance of our
condition, and mistaken views of the plan laid for
our salvation, may, and often do give occasion to devise

plans,
and form purposes,
to
turn to Christ;
and these
purposes are often accompanied with strong expectations
of success.
How
hollow,
how
airy, are such
hopes
ON REGENERATION.
scribe, a
man
227
skilled in the law,
comes
most
liberal,
clares his purpose in terms
to Christ,
<*Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou

Christ
treats
plainly
what he might look
proposal
his
and the birds of the
air
have
all
cut
goest."
Son of man hath
nests, but the
His ex-
This was enougii.
He
Again
him
tells
*'The foxes have holes,
for.
off.
hear no more of him.
and
with respect,
not where to lay his head."

pectations were
and de-
most unreserved:
slips out of
view
Lord Jesus
the
you
fixes his
He
eyes on one, and addresses him saying, "Follow me."
entreats a delay until he should perform the last offices of

filial
piety to a deceased father.
dead, but go thou and preach the

there
is
This, indeed, was a
no further objection.
a special end, but then

greater danger and
it
more
was
"Let the dead bury their

kingdom of God." Here,
a call to an
arduous
call to
office, to
self-denial, than ordinarily falls to
the lot of the private Christian.
Here
proper to remark, that Christ, while he pre-
is
it
sents divine truth before the
prophetical
office,
exerts
his
mind
in the execution of his
power
as
king upon the
human heart as a prophet or teacher, he speaks as never

man spake. The brightness of truth shines upon the mind
with a lustre unknown before, when he comes to show the
way of life. Though the truths exhibited, are none other
;
than those contained in the Scriptures, the light

supernatural.
It
comes home upon
with evidences of truth that constrain conviction

as a king,
it
while,
As
hibited to the
being
mind, so that the word
at the
to
give
king, new powers of perception, of appre-
While
hension, judging, and choice are given.
soul,
he exerts his mighty power upon the soul
efficacy.
withal
is
the mind, accompanied
is
truth
is
ex-
with power, the
same time convinced, persuaded, and ena-
bled, accepts the offered salvation.
As
a prophet, Christ
228
immediately by the word,
acts
same time
at the
immediately and directly upon the soul
acts
Thus
renovation.
manner
we have
far
work
of this mysterious
ventured to speak of the

of God.
Apostle seems to our view
to exhibit
open
a glass, the
face,
beholding as in
In this light the
Spirit of the Lord.^'
this is the
to
whose
hand
was
withered.
communication of health
Christ
assembled
heart of Lydia.
what
lieve
it
is
when
Philippi, the
and
out,
Here the
command
the
a little
ope-
group
Lord opened the
others, she listened to
but she had listened in vain, unless the
had turned her heart
heart to receive
If
at
it
the motionless and diseased
to
common with
In
Paul's instructions
Spirit
man
commanded him,
as the other."
the time
at
as
Analagous
10.
While Paul talked with
rated on the mind.
women
even
to glory,
iii.
and he stretched
hand was restored whole
member, was plainly

of
with
all,
glory of God, are
instance of the cure performed on the
"Stretch forth thine hand;

his
Co7\
"We
it.
changed into the same image from glory
by the
that he
as a king, in its
prepared her
to the truth, or
it.
have said be scriptural
we may
then
and for one
boldly affirm, that
all
be-
shall
be regenerated that were given to Christ in the eternal
God
purpose of
the means shall never be withdrawn, nor
the operations of grace suspended, until
with the blood of Christ
"For,
to heaven.
saith
shall be cleansed
God,
all
that are
bought
and brought home
as the rain that
cometh down
and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and maketh
it
may
my
word
turn to
and
it
it
to
bring forth and bud, that
give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall

be, that goeth out of
me
shall
void, but
it
shall
my
mouth
it
shall not re-
accomplish that which
prosper in the thing whereunto I sent
I please,
it."
ON REGENERATION.
229
In the past discussion on the importance of the word of
God
means of
as a
salvation, as used
neration to produce
fulness as
now
shall
employed by man
you
trouble
by
tlie
author of rege-
have necessarily exhibited
it,
its
use-
and
seeking salvation;
in
few remarks.
farther but with a
word,
It
read and
will be admitted, that in the use of
tlie
preached, there
accomplishment of the
end intended.
is
a fitness for the
It reveals all that is necessary to
or believed, or done
that
God
effect
upon
by men.
hath done, and
We
it.
all
It
he hath promised
that
and obey
It is
it.
prospects of unspeakable benefit.
unto salvation, through

Scripture
is
be known,
presents to our view
are enjoined to hear the
to believe
it;
as
word;
all
to do, to
meditate
to
recommended under
^'It is able to
make wise
All
Jesus Christ.
faith that is in
given by inspiration of God, and
is
profit-
able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished to every good work." The Scriptures ^^convert the soul; they make wise the simple."
As the word is the important means by which God ap-
in
righteousness, that the
man
of
proaches the sinner, so that the sinner

various uses of
of
much
it,
concern.
which
it
may
recommends, must be
While the Eunuch read
the Spirit told Philip to
be found in the
draw near and
matter
the Scriptures,
instruct
the effect was, that he that read believed.
<'
him
and
While Paul
reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment
to
come, Felix trembled."
The
sacraments, considered as means of grace, are mainly
concerned with real Christians.

seals,
and
They
are
employed
as
to renew and confirm their covenant engagements
in
given.
general, to
promote the growth of the
Attention to these
the present discussion
in
is
life
already
not, therefore, necessary in
which we
arc singly concerned
230
with the instrumentality employed, in procuring and constituting the
new, the heavenly
Let us turn our attention
to
life.
prayer
as a duty,
which the
Holy Ghost may bless to our souls, as instrumental in their

Of this our Saviour says, that " men ought
regeneration.
always
to
pray and not to faint." Paul,
in
addressing the ido-
latrous Athenians, states to them, as reasons
bend them
are
made
to the
of one blood
that they are all
most minute concerns and

this, that
haply they might
dependent on
God
and that
relations of their lives,
may
they
be excited
feel after
This seeking
27.
to
nations
all
whose extended providence embraces the
their Creator,
he does
which ought
worship of the true God, that
him and
'^
to seek the
find
him."
Lord,
if
Jicts xvii.
here held up to view as reasonable,
is
and not 'altogether hopeless to the heathen. "
thou that
hearest prayer," says the Psalmist, "unto thee all flesh shall
come." Psalm
Peter,
Ixv. 2.
who
says of Simon,
^'
Thou
art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity,"
yet
commands him
pray God,
if
forgiven thee !"

all
Repent of
*'
this
thy wickedness, and
perhaps the thought of thine heart
Sets
vii.
22.
That prayer
is
may
be
the duty of
men, whether regenerate or the contrary, the above
passages seem to prove.

tained
to the
upon what
worst of men.
perfection
And
have never yet ascer-
grounds, prayer
command were
command, then
fail
of acceptance, for none could so pray.
pable of performing
the
it
perfectly, then
the reasons of
was
all
vain;
all
Were
were
it
would
they ca-
unnecessary.
Adam
in paradise;
that he could wish or enjoy.
Abundant
There could be no reason

he possessed
and the
If the purity of the heart,
of the performance, constitute
the
indeed
been forbidden
has
for prayer to
his reason for praise.
We
never hear that
ON REGENERATION.
that
we
We
offer then,
For
perfect.
will be noticed here,
It
word prayer, singly
use the
231
made
angels pray, nor the spirits of the just

praise they have ample reason.
to signify petition.
one reason of preferring requests
as
to
God, or of the duty of prayer, our forlorn and necessitous
The Gospel
condition.
and
liable to all the
come
to
God
to
we
as
is
addressed to us as sinners, under,
consequences of
This duty again,
cious promises.
sin
and our duty
is,
encouraged by his gra-
really are,
we
say,
is
founded on
the fulness of blessing treasured up in Christ, in behalf of
for
When
"
sinners.
men," even
he ascended up on high he received
These he holds
for the rebellious.
Another reason on which
session.
is
ness of Christ, as mediator,
is
in
Him to eternal
in
thus full of blessing
among you, whose
What
will
you be
is
life;
No
it is
you could repent
the ful-
all
God
the gift of
it
He
Who
willing to give.
the
on those that
and, therefore,
that
is
there
is
conscience condemns him as guilty?
told that
you must do,
ment? The modern theology commands,

repent?
that
is,
Him, by
Father, for the specific end of bestowing
were chosen
in pos-
founded the duty, and
the encouragement to pray,
I will add,
gifts
only obtained by the
could
you by
that
punish-
to escape
Can you
repent.
gift
But
of God.
means cancel the
if
ac-
count that stands against you? Impossible; what course then

can be
the sinner, but to ask forgiveness? and
left for
when
inspiration tells you, that
not with prayer
Lord
forgiveness, with the
there
is
and with him
is
Lord there
<*
is
mercy,
plenteous redemption."
I say again, that the earnestness, ardour, sincerity, or
the faith of the suppliant, cannot be the reason
accepts his prayer or his person.

is
acted upon
by
why
with the
The
even
why God
unregenerate sinner
the Spirit of Christ, as a prophet and as a
33
STREET LECTURES.
SI/RUCE
232
The
king, in regeneration.
Christ finds
recipient.
Father finds him

teousness;
sinner
him dead
guilty,
he
passive,
is
he gives him
and reckons
him
to
mere
The
his Son's righ-
he forgives him, and adopts him
For what reason, or on what account
is
life.
as his son.
For none other
Now
surely, but the sacrifice and intercession of Christ.

that
he
is
become
new
He
ing in him."
author,
it is
is
how
creature,
He
by what means does he grow ?
worketh
that
good pleasure.
If
" by
in
him
He now
moved
even a real
by what
but because he
it;
He
sake, and for his sake alone,

to their prayers
may
thank God when they receive

hast
For
him.
is
Christ's
good men receive a gracious
and they
ask, that the spirit of prayer
"Thou, Lord,
to feed
is
belongs
and the great Shepherd of the sheep
bound by covenant engagement
claim,
works, but
bless
in Chri.'Jt, because the fulness of Christ is his.
answer
"the
is
so to do, either
he does, or by his manner of doing
and
and do of his
will
to
God, then, accept and
Christian, he cannot be
to Christ's fold,
live,
Christ liv-
grows by him, who, while he
also the finisher of faith.''
by God
does he
lives,
all,
with one accord, do
be given them
it;
wrought
they
all
do
while they jointly exall
our works in us."
Should any one declare the contrary, and affirm that his
ar-
dour and importunity had melted the heart of Jehovah to

pity,
and rendered him propitious, ye
a one,
to
" Thou
suppose that
all
would say
God would weigh
is vile,
the latter would
side of purity would kick the
such
the prayers of the righte-
ous in a scale of equity, having separated what
what
to
Were you
hast a lie in thy right hand."
still
is
pure from
and the
preponderate,
beam
but
whatever amount, has been communicated
this purity, of
to
them
and
to
God be the praise. The elect of God in Christ Jesus are,

in common with others, the subjects of sin, and charged
ON REGENERATION.
with guilt while
in their
233
natural condition
and
they
as
are not yet united to Christ, nor dealt with as those that are
in him, their prayers, cannot be approved
Yet
contend that there
is
by
Holy God.
unspeakable importance
in
prayer to them.
Because they are chosen
1st.
be holy, and so Christ
in Christ, that
they should
concerned to make them
is
end the great High Priest above intercedes
this
" I pray
them,
for
pray not for the world, but for those
which thou hast given me out of the world,
Here he intercedes
thine."
him by
For
so.
for them.
But again he
actual calling.
for these alone, but for
through their word."
for they are
for his disciples, as being given
them
says,
who
also,
<^
Neither pray
on
shall believe
In this you behold
me
the Saviour
looking forward to generations rising into existence
in or-
derly succession to the end of time, as embraced in the

travail of his soul, as objects of his intercession, as to be
made
fold
them
and there
this
To
the subjects of his grace.
attention turned.
*<
also I
shall
Other sheep
all
quarters, too,
is
his
have, that are not of this
must bring, and they
shall hear
be one fold and one shepherd."
my voice,
How will
shepherd gather his flock together? Hewill send his word
to the places
where they wander and address them; he
will
turn their hearts to prayer by speaking through his Spirit to
them, and compel them to come.
Now
when
God may
prays, can
tell
the Spirit of
or that he will always pray in vain.
If
what man
he be one for
Christ intercedes, there surely will be a time

will
encompass him, and when the power
whom
when means
that raised
Jesus from the dead, will give elevation to his soul, and
up
to heaven.
The
opposition
made
that
inspire him,
up
lift it
to Paul's ministry at
Corinth, had discouraged him, and had tempted him to turn
away;
at
which
crisis the
Lord spoke
to
Paul in the night
234
by
saying,
a vision,
not thy peace, for I
*'
am
thee to hurt thee, for
Thus does
he, to
Be
not afraid, but speak and hold
with thee, and no one shall set oa

I
whom
have much people in

the
kingdom
this city.''
belongs, provide that
things shall conspire, whether preaching or praying,
all
reading or hearing, with the Almighty power which he
employ
waits to
at the
proper
moment
eternal decree, for calling the elect

for creating
work
clusively the
men
in
showing that regeneration
of God,
all
is
ex-
the powers and faculties of
being deeply depraved, and incapable of any right exthen it

towards God
God command what no man is
employment
ercise
or
asked,
why
does
why
perform.^ and
who have
fathers,
God's right
be
will
able to
does he punish them for not obeying?
not a better answer than the old one given
know
to light,
them anew.
have succeeded
If I
appointed in the
from darkness
long since fallen asleep in Christ.
by our
That
obedience cannot be dissolved by the diso-
to
bedience of his subjects; and that the lower

a spirit of rebellion, the greater
is
our
guilt.
we
are
sunk
But I enter
in
my
solemn protest against all the reasoning of men on the subject

of
ability, as
concerned with the question whether
justified in requiring
those
lar,
at
who
your hand
To
to
hear
God
Sure
men on
shall sim.ply lay before
that all
I trust
men,
the law
asking,
who
hath required this
am, that the discussion of
this sub-
brought forth sentiments near akin to blasphemy.
theories of
teach.
God is
To
are unable to perform.
labour to defend the Divine plan in this particu-
seem
ject, has
what we
this subject I
you what
pay no
attention.
believe the Scriptures
none of you will condemn me, when
in an estate of nature, are
I say
under the curse of
care not, in this case, whether
original sin, or depravity, or both united,
you regard
as the cause,
if
ON REGENERATION.
you admit
that
all
the world stands guilty before God.
will surely be admitted,
that
can deliver themselves.
If
is
in
God
hath
any could, then hath Christ

for our deliver-
What
and which he
laid,
is
then
executing?
hath appointed his Son, and sent him to obey the law
our room and stead.
In his
life
he has
fulfilled the right-
eousness of the law, or the obedience which
our substitute.
as
us,
It
damnation none
this
matter of unspeakable joy and praise.
is
the plan which
He
from
That God hath interposed
died in vain.
ance,
235
By
ple
means God has opened
these
required of
In his death he has offered himself
and made an atonement for the
a sacrifice,
it
course between himself and sinners.
sins of his peo-
channel of inter-
Through Christ
as
God comes down with blessings to men. Through

men appear before the mercy seat
the way,
Christ the intercessor,
All fulness dwells in Christ, as mediator
above.
be bestowed on men.
fruit of his
purchase
count,
the promises are said to be <în
all
him Amen,
to
to the glory of
calls sinners to
come
not because he
him; but he does
yea, and in
to Christ, to believe in Christ
are able and ready to
and aversion are most

so,
as the
this ac-
God." This accomplished, God
knows they
for their inability
him
On
fully
surely
comply
known
to
because he has amply provided through
his Son, whatever exertion of
power on
his part
may
be
needful, and whatever gift to be bestowed for fulfilling his
merciful design.
any contend
that they
they are aside of the Gospel plan of
believe
power
If
proposes
care not whether they
faith,
matter of
gift.
and every thing
call it
have power
to
natural or moral
salvation,
which
else needful to the sinner, as
Such, seeking to be justified by the deeds
of the law, or deeds of their own, "are fallen from grace.''

If a
he
man
is
is
able to believe,
able to repent,
why
is
why
is
he not able to love?
he not able
to avoid
sin
If
and
236
render repentance unnecessary

pel
scheme contemplates man
The
truth
guilty,
as
that the
is,
condemned,
as
And
utterly impotent, as lifeless in a spiritual sense.
grace of
God
man
takes
as
it
not hear the voice, (so deaf
is
alarm him,) which

die"
shall
stir
up
he
ought
to
soul that sinneth
it
open his ears to hear
until the Spirit
What
fear of death.
in his soul the
as
the
sinner does
to the things that
'Uhe
him,
tells
The
finds him.
Gos-
it,
shall I
and
do
says the guilty rebel; what shall I do to escape hell and

secure heaven
Son of God,
Believe in the name of the only begotten
But
faith of
sake,
let
says the sinner, I cannot
Unbelief reigns, enmity rages,
apply the remedy.

believe.
Alas
the order.
is
the sinner recollect, that
an unbelieving man, he bestows
who hath purchased faith
ed, through faith,
cannot
God demands
too, for Christ's
it
"By grace are ye sav-
for him.
and that not of yourselves,
God." Faithisthegift of Godjtoallthat

duty, under these circumstances, clearly
to all the
if
it is
haveit.
is,
the gift of
The sinner's
diligent attention
outward means ordained of God for
men
in seek-
ing; and in this, through the grace of God, his hope rests.
Sinners,
you are commanded
converted.
*'God commandeth
pent."
Ye
exclaim
look back upon
my
Repent and be
to repent.
all
men every where
"Impossible. My
sins,
will not glance at
it
to re-
heart refuses to
my vileness,
it
cannot bear the purity, nor look upon the spirituality of
Oh, that
God's law.
bold offender against
hot displeasure."
could feel as I ought to
God
and
While your
hardness, think of this, and see

case.
God
him
a Prince
fear, as I
heart
if it
is
ought
a Saviour, to give
and the forgiveness of sins."

hither, and seek relief.
sore, because of its
will not apply to
says concerning his Son, that he has
and
feel, as
to fear, his
*^
your
exalted
repentance unto Israel
Turn your whole
Ask what God
offers.
attention
ON REGENERATION.
You
Again.
237
commanded, "Wash
are
ye, make ye clean
put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil, learn to do well."
to regenerate yourselves.
indeed
it
As
is.
You
commanded
are
cannot, you exclaim, and so
down
As well
well might you undertake to pull
your clayey tabernacles, and build them up again.
might you attempt
to extinguish the
within you, and kindle
None
could not.
gels
immortal spark that
but the Almighty can.
hear again the welcome voice of mercy.

clean water
upon you, and ye
and from
filthiness
Here you
your
all
is
Regenerate myself! An-
again.
it
''I will sprinkle
shall be clean
idols, will
discern the promise of
Sinner,
God
from
your
all
cleanse you."
covers the whole
ground of the command.
God commands
Again.
new
you, "Cast away
whereby ye have
gressions,
heart and a
new
spirit, for
why
will
away
new
spirit will I
your
new
put within you.
the stony heart out of your
and
flesh,
:"
heart will
I will
sion made, cover the
whole ground of the command.
condition
again the promise and
promise,
men
and when the condition of any
is
it
not to be regarded
take
give you
Here
not the above promises address
Hear
I will
an heart of flesh/^
Do
trans-
make you
you die
"A
again the grace provided and ready.

I give you, a
all
transgressed, and
provi-
tlie
in their natural
is
described in a
as specially directed to
them, and more especially, when the promise contains the
very blessings which they

affirm that
any thing
can affirm, that

in
is
they need
the duty of a
man
man
it:
all
ye
not to plead
it, is
in
If
any
can
case, I
sees and feels himself painted
the description annexed to a promise,
plead
me
when
feel that
it is
wilful unbelief.
that labour and are
his duty to
"Come
heavy laden, and
unto
will give
238
you
Now
rest."
I assert, that
with the burden of
he that
sin, is a wilful
and oppressed
toiled
is
unbeliever,
if
he does not
"Lord sprinkle me with the blood of reconciliation,

me peace of conscience and peace with thee."
grant
and
plead
So
with
is
it
the promises, as addressed to the various
all
conditions and necessities of the people of God.
The same
Their duty
is
true with respect to unregenerate
is
have hearts of stone
they have
Can they regard God
ted.
mercy,
if
they
upon me, and

from
all
to plead,
fail
I shall
my idols,
as a
sins,
many and
"Lord
sprinkle clean water
be clean, from
my
all
His ordinances.
all
Seek an acquaintance with your own hearts
May
blessing.
and cease not

the
God upon your minds;

God
to strive
till
keep the prowrestle with
ye receive the
of grace and peace grant
may
Lord
you peace.
If I
have spoken the truth,
If
have erred from the truth, Oh, Lord, forgive
thou show
me
and
filthiness
do thou cleanse me." Sinners, be exhort-
mises of a faithful
in prayer,
aggrava^
God, keeping covenant and
ed to wait on God, in an attendance on
God
men.
They
to plead promises that describe them.
wherein
the
bless
it
to
;
you
all.
and do
have mistaken thy holy
will.
Amen.
In conclusion.
mises to do for
them
men
ask any one to
as in
me why God
pro-
which he requires
he contemplates
any sense able of themselves
to
do what he
re-
Again,
I ask, that
room and
man
stead,
how
with the substitution of Christ in our

it
can consist with this substitution,
himself should be the performer?
The demand
To talk
and be saved.
Again.
and
tell
the very things
to do, in order to their salvation, if
quires
that
men
is
not,
do and
of doing,
to risk the natural plan.
is
live,
but believe
to reject substitution,

LECTURE
IX.
Delivered on the Evening of the 6th November, 1832, by the
Rev, William Neill, D, B, of Germantown.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.
Therefore,
of the law.
we conclude
Rom.
iii.
This conclusion
man
is justified
is
accepted, and saved.
shown,
in the
by
without the deeds
faith,
The
the result of argument.
concerning the ground, on which
is,
is
that a
28.
momentous
question, indeed.
preceding context, that
and Gentiles, have sinned, and
question
a sinner is acquitted,
failed to
all
promote
tlie
of God; and, of course, are liable to be punished.

law, under which they are placed
every way suited
to secure
and the happiness of the

mitigated in
its
is
The
Lawgiver^
It cannot, therefore,
rigour, without a reflection on the
and goodness of the Creator; and
glory
holy, just, and good;
the honour of the
subject.
It
mankind, Jews
to give
obedience, altogether, would be to open
up
tiie
its
be
wisdom
claims to
flood-gates of
profligacy, and encourage universal anarchy and confusion.
To
expect a perfect obedience from a creature
who
has,
even in a single instance, violated the rule of duty, would
34
240
be to expect an impossibility; and to talk of God's accept-
ing sincere endeavours to honour him and do his will, instead of entire conformity to his law, as the ground of ac-
ceptance with him,
is to
talk at
random,
by words without knowledge.
Tsel
to be justified at
all, it
seems
tue of something done for

sition is recognized
by
darkening
plain, that
him by
coun-
If then the sinner is
must be by
it
whose
another,
vir-
interpo-
by the Law-
the law, and accepted
giver, as answering all the purposes contemplated in the
The
administration of a holy and righteous government.

apostle's doctrine, therefore,
'^That a
faith, without the deeds of the law,"
[Jhe
is,
is
justified
by
from the nature of
case, at least plausible.
The
We
man
text
might be rendered rather more
conclude, then, that
That
iporks of law.
literally, thus:
ma n is justified by faij
is,
ii'
mankind
are justified
without
by
faith,
without regard to works, performed by them in obedience

to
any law,
natural, ritual, or mopal; which,
though of vast
importance in other respects, are of no account whatever in

(Ihe matter of justification.
This doctrine of justification by
faith in Jesus Christ, stands out, in bold relief, in the
jjDlan of salvation.
It
warm
occupied a high and
the estimation of Paul the apostle; as
is
Gospel
place, in
evident from the
pains which he has taken, particularly in his epistle to the
(Romans,
to state
and defend
it:
Luther pronounced
it,
em-
phatically ^^The article of a standing or a falling church."
And
all
regard
the reformed churches, of Protestant Christendom,

it
belief, as
To
as a
fundamental and essential
article of religious
appears in their respective creeds.
exhibit and illustrate the doctrine
by
a series of re-
marks, and by the induction of several passages of sacred

Scripture, bearing on the subject,
is
the simple and sole de-
ON JUSTIFICATION.
And
sign of this lecture.

doctrinal,
it
may
241
as the discussion
to
be mainly
is
on the subject in the doctrinal standards of the
taught
Presbyterian Church.
See
XI. sections
"Those whom God
eth,
is
be proper to advert, here, to what
he
1, 2, 3.
Confession of Faith
^^
also freely justifieth; not
by pardoning
into them, but
chap.
\^
effectually calU]
by infusing righteousness
by accounting
their sins, and
and accepting their persons
'^
as
righteous
not
any
for
thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's
sake alone: not by imputing faith
any other
ing, or
the act of believ-
obedience to them, as
act of evangelical
their righteousness
but by imputing the obedience and
by
his righteousness
have not of themselves,
it
is
faith;
which
the gift of God.
faith
alone instrument of justification; yet

justified,
but
saving graces, and
is
is
it
no dead
faith;
his obedience
debt of
all
those that are thus justified, and did
and
other
full satisfaction to his
make
a pro-
Father's justice in their
Yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for
them, and his obedience and

stead,
all
but worketh by love.
by
behalf.
the
and death, did fully discharge the
Christ,
per, real,
is
not alone in the
ever accompanied with
is
they
Faith, thus
receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness,
person
sat-
them, they receiving and resting
isfaction of Christ unto
on him and
itself,
satisfaction accepted in their
and both freely, not for any thing
tification is
in
them, their jus-
only of free grace; that both the exact justice,
and rich grace of God, might be
glorified in the justificatioiij
of sinners."
See
also,
<<
Larger Catechism ," answers
to questions 70,
71, 72, and 73.

'Justification
in
is
an act of God's free grace unto sinners,
which he pardoneth
all
their sin, acccpteth
and account-
242
eth their persons righteous in his sight; not for any thing
wrought
in
them, or done by them, but only for the per-
obedience and
fect
satisfaction of Christ,
full
puted to them, and received by

Christ
and
by
full
his obedience
inasmuch
that are justified: yet,

isfaction of a surety,
God
accepteth the sat-
only Son, imputing
this surety, his
his righteousness to them,
and requiring nothing of them
for their justification but faith,
them of
is to
as
real,
them
in the behalf of
which he might have demanded of
them; and did provide
justification
Although
alone.
faith
and death, did make a proper,
God's justice
satisfaction to
by God im-
which
also
is
his gift, their
Justifying faith
free grace.
is
saving grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit
and word of God; whereby he, being convinced of his sin

and misery, and of the disability in himself and
creatures to recover
him out of
all
other
his lost condition, not only
assenteth to the truth of the promise of the Gospel, but re-
ceiveth
and resteth upon Christ, and his righteousness
therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting
and accounting of
for salvation.
his person righteous in the sight of
Faith
^justifies a
sinner
i n.
God
the sight of God,
not because of the other graces which do always accom-
pany
it,
or of good
works
that are the fruits of
it;
nor as
the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to

for his justification; but only as
it
is
if
him
an instrument, by
which he receiveth and applieth Christ and
his righteous-
_ness."
These views,
texts,
we
it
will be seen
are well supported
by
a reference to the proof
by Holy Scripture; and, while
claim for them, no inspired authority, and are far from
placing them on a footing with the ^Mively oracles,"
we
must, as consistent Presbyterians, be allowed to regard
ON JUSTIFICATION.
them, as of weighty import, and
whole analogy of the Christian
243
good keeping with the
in
religion.
On the ne^;ativebranch of the apostle's general concluwe need spend but little time: << Without works of
I.
sion,
The
law."
and best meant works of righteousness, J

that can be performed by a frail, fallen creature, must be
holiest
but as filthy rags, in the eye of that rule of moral rectitude
which detects and denounces the

murders of the
heart, before
<^The commandment
view.
thefts, the adulteries, the
they are disclosed

is
human
to
exceeding broad," cover-
ing the whole system of man's motives, ends and aims, no

less than his overt acts
and professed principles.
every one that continueth not in

in the
book of the law
one point
best
a
works
title
is
to
all
"He
Of what
avail, then,
can our
All that the law can do for
our present ruined condition,

our malady, the malignity of
nation, and thus act
us to Christ."
upon
to
and
"as
us, in
show us the extent
sin, the justice
us,
It is true, that
law of the Lord,
is
"^
that faileth in
be, in procuring, for us, forgiveness of sins
to eternal life?
is
things, that are written
do them."
guilty of all."
<<Cursed
of
of our condembring
a schoolmaster to
the Christian delights in the
after the inner
man, regarding
it,
as for-
ever the rule of duty, the high and holy standard of moral rectitude, in
heaven and earth,
to
which
it
would be
glory and his happiness to be perfectly conformed.
with the holy apostle, he finds another law in
his
his
But
members,
warring against the law of his mind, aiming continually,

to bring
i. e.
him
into captivity to the law of sin.
works, good
to be maintained,
Good worksp.
as to the matter of them, re,
"for necessary uses."
and ought
They
are useful
to our fellow-sinners; and they are important, too, as
evi^
~|
244
dences of a divine principle in the heart, that works by
/love;
\
\
,ût as to
part, the
of everlasting
life, it is
a thing not
tion,
James says of works,
we have
named
when expounded by
in the
in the business of justifica-
our minds, that his design
where opportunity
offers, are
make
is to
show
affirmed, in the text, that
Let those who put
him
if
that
it
evident
good works,
necessary to satisfy ourselves
and others, that we really possess that
guage, reconcile
employs,
the illustrations he
the application of the acknowledged
principles of sound biblical interpretation,
God.
known,
or
only to observe, that the scope of his epistle;
the examples he adduces;
to
in
In regard to what the
revealed plan of redeeming love.

apostle
whole or
their constituting, either in
ground of our acquittal before God, or of our hope
man
faith,
is justified,
a different
by which
it
is
in the sight of
meaning on
his lan-
they can, to the apostle of the Gen-
tiles.
To Justify,
II.
in
its
primary import ,
is to
acquit; to ab-
solve from a charge of criminality; to declare one,
been put on
trial,
to all the privileges of that

is
community
to
of an
official
justice, ex-
act of a judge, quite different from,
and indeed inconsistent with, the idea of pardon.
man
is
arraigned before a
investigation,
has
which he belongs.
term taken from the practice of courts of
fit
pressive
who
righteous, according to law, and entitled
either
human
acquitted
tribunal,
or
demned, he may h^ pardoned, on
he
is,
condemned.
If a
upon due
If con-
certain conditions; but if
acquitted, he cannot be pardoned; in this case he needs no
pardon; the law has nothing against him; the charge has
not been substantiated; and he
gally just, or justified.
is
When
therefore pronounced le-
applied to religious sub-
ON JUSTIFICATION.
jects, these terms, jusHfi/
245
and jus iijication, are commonly
used with some variation of meaning from
import; though
some doubts
change.
It
as
is
we do
the
to
is
ori<rinal
not see the necessity, and have
wisdom and expediency
true that every one
theological sense,
tlicir
also pardoned.
who
But
is
of the
justified,
is
in a
he not likewise
regenerated, adopted, and invested with the privileges of

the sons of
God ? These acts
of Divine favour take place,
suppose, simultaneously; hMiihey
d^vQ
we
our apprehension, the terms that denote them, ought not
be used interchangeably, as
Those who
if
to
nearly or quite synonymous.
are in the habit of regarding justification, and
the forgiveness of sin, as one and the same thing substantially,
will be
very likely
to
overlook the ground, the rea-
son, or the meritorious cause of the sinner's acquittal and
warranted hope of Heaven.
This thought
is
respectfully
submitted to those beloved fellow-servants, whose
duty and business
it is,
to preach the
III.
The faith hy which
That
is
word of
said in our
evangelical faith in the
which
faith
it is
oilicial
Gospel and expound
the Scriptures, '^rightly dividing the
is justified,
truth.^'^
icx\.,
that
Lord Jesus
man
Christ.
credits the divine testimony, concerning
the Son of God, the only Redeemer; which apprehends
him, and confides in him, as "the Lord our righteousness,
and the propitiation
for our sins;" as,
tion, possessed of all fulness,
termost,
all
that
by divine
and ^âble
constitu-
to save, to the ut-
come unto God by him."
This
is
so ob-
viously involved in the whole process of the apostle's reasoning, in the context, that any attempt on the present occasion, to
make
it
more
plain,
judged use of our limited time.
distinct acts; and, in
would be deemed an
ill-
246
jButh ow does
liar efficacy, in
faith
merely
believe, considered
own
tures
nial,
act;
Wherein
consists its pecu-
as a mental exercise,
To
is
the crea-
and does not seem to require more self-de-
more merit than many other
or to possess
Nay; the human mind
operations.
which
believes truth,
it
justify
the article of a sinner's justification?
accompanied by
is
intellectual
so constituted, that
is
sufficient evi-
dence, and which does not interfere with predominant pas-
very readily; and
sions,
some
in
faith,
nated,
faiib^jts
it is
the
p;ift
sometimes and very
it
is
of
God
i. e.
grace of
does
The
for
the
faith justify a sinful
man?
How,
solution of this
And we
cussion.
the very
problem
solve
it
is
we
denomi-
cannot originate or
to
the special
question returns upon
the main point in this dis-
by saying,
in the spirits if not
words of the Holy Scripture,
for its object, the merits, or,
faith has
fitly
as
the result of a divine
which we are indebted

then,
God?
by
can any credit be due to
that which
us, for the possession of
command, and
is
it
how
influence on the heart; and
in
And
there would seem to be no special merit.
jo savin g
us
cases, instinctively, or
so that, in this species of
a kind of qualified necessity;
That
which
is
saving
the
same
thing, the righteousness of Christ; an object of infinite va-
lue in
itself,
object, in
answered;
and
is
and intimately related
which the law

its
majesty maintained;
to the
its
authority vindicated,
great end and design accomplished.
its
Rom.
x. 4.
law of God; an
uncompromising claims
said to be *^the enc[^f jtheJaWiJbr
one that^ belie veth."

\
finds its
HencjeJClhmt^
rig^
The righteousness of
Christ, then, and not the sinner^s act of believing,
ground,
tion.
the reason, or the meritorious cause of
By
the Redeemer's righteousness,
is
the
justifica-
we mean
his ac-
ON JUSTIFICATION.
tive
247
and passive obedience; or that perfect obedience which
he rendered to the moral law, as well in

its
precepts, in the
thus,
by
room and
its
penalty, as in
And,
stead of his people.
and wonderful mediation, grace ^
his voluntary
reigns through righteousness, unto eternal

that are saved, of our fallen race,
them
life, in all
from the beginning
to the
end of the world.
The
righteousness of Christ having been wrought out ex-
pressly for his people,
counted
them, and
to
imputable, or capable of being ac-
is
is
actually
imputed
to
them, or
their account, in the divine act of justification.
sented, in the chapter from which our text

robe, that
when he
is
out the law,
is
taken, as a
mean
put on believers: what else does Paul
says: *<But
is
now
the rigliteousness of God, with-
manifested, being witnessed by the law and
the prophets; even the righteousness of God, which
unto and upon
faith of Jesus,
Bom.
ii i.
set to
It is repre-
all
them
that
is
by
believe. ''.
21, 2 2.
This righteousness, moreover,

cation of as
many
participation in
its
as the
is
available, for the justifi-
Lord our God
sees
fit
to call to a
merits, because of the glorious excellency
of the Redeemer's person; Immanuel, God-with-us,

of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, and, yet,
bone
God over
all,
and blessed forever; wearing our nature, and embodying

the fulness of the Godhead; angels, and principalities, and
powers being subject unto him.

It is
^<
very properly
Justification
doneth
sight,
all
is
our
said, in
our Shorter Catechism,
that,
an act of God's free grace, wherein he parsins,
and accepteth us
as righteous
only for the righteousness of Christ imputed
in
his
to us,
and received by faith alone."
On
this part of the subject
35
we would remark
very briefly:
248
l/That
this, like
and must take
Those who
he
acts, is
without repentance,
'^Whom he
justifies,
them he
calls,
also glorifies
They
themselves.
to
left
are sanctified
progressively, in soul, body, and spirit; and <'kept
power of God, through

*'an act of
he receives; while
to the
He
redeeming Substitute,
e.
which
is
it
an
has a fair claim to *^see of the travail
of his soul, and be satisfied."

i.
is
redeemed
the expressions of divine favour,
all
act of justice.
to the
by the
2/ It
unto salvation."
faith,
God's free grace" undoubtedly
sinner, as are
too;
also
."^^
them he
are justified, are not furnished with their title
heaven, and
to
effect:
whom
and
justifies;
God's
all
full
3/"0ur
sins are
pardoned"
they are remitted to us; but the penalty of the
violated law, due to us, on account of our transgressions,
was exacted
in
his
at the
hands of Christ, when he "bore our sins
own body on
we were
healed."
the tree:" and
Sin
is
and
is,
a Saviour."
also,
Let
never connived
<â
all
consuming
or allowed to
at,
an intelligible form,
vite 3'our attention, for a
by
The
ledge shall
Isaiah
my
in a
summary,
we have only
few moments,
justify
of, in
Spirit:
but,
we
further to in-
few passages
to a
11, latter clause:
Christ
is
<^
man
is
jus-
his
knowledge,
'*
he
By
many;
i.
e.
his
know-
for he shall
It is said
shall
he shall
by the knowledge of
which he acquaints them by
"for," or because
'^
the righteous servant here
the capacity of Mediator.
many by
himself, with
liii .
righteous servant justify
spoken
is
God,
without works of law."
faith,
first is,
<^God
*'a just
fire,"
of Scripture, confirmatory of the doctrine, that

tified
his stripes
the earth fear before him.
Having thus presented the subject

trust, in
by
<^
kingdom of Jehovah.
pass unpunished, in the
love;" but he
when
his
word and
ON JUSTIFICATION.
Now, how
he justify tliem, or declare them
shall
righteous, in consequence
cept
24y
by giving them an
hearing their
oi'
made unto
is
Jer emiah x xui.
Lord, that
a
King
6.
I will raise
shall reign
ment and
''
Behold the days come,
and prosper, and
be called,
shall
This
is
is,
the
shall execute judg-
In his days, Judah shall he
saved and Israel shall dwell safely; and this
ness."
saith
unto David a righteous HiiANcu,and
justice in the earth.
whereby he
VVjio, of
Another passage
us righteousness."
5,
'^
ex-
which
interest in (hat righteousness,
the law demands, and which he alone fulfilled
God
/ega//i/
ini([uilics,
name,
his
is
The Lord our RighteousChrist.

And to
prophecy concerning
represent the intimate relation between his righteousness
and his people's salvation, and,

petuate the knowledge and
own him,
as their
would seem,
it
secure
of the precious doctrine, that

ceive and
as
the
who
all
to per-
acknowledgment
shall cordially re-
Lord, are authorized
his perfect obedience as theirs, for justification,
it
to regard
is
decla-
red that he shall be called, and known, and honoured
by
this
singularly
compounded
The Lord, our
title,
Righteousness. "
A
him,
third
made
we
passage
who knew no
is,.
2 Cor,
sin, to
21
"For he hath made

we might be
him." Now, how can
:
God
in
God can look

how can we,
righteousness of God
be made, or constituted so righteous that
upon us with approbation?

in
v.
be sin for us; that
any
or, in other
intelligible sense, be said to be
words,
in Christy except by his obedience being reckoned, or

placed to our account, in the eye of the divine law, upon
"The Lord
our faith in him, and acceptance of him,
as
OUR Righteousness ?
The last text that we adduce,
the epistle
is
in
to
the
250
Phillippians,
dung
that
where the
8, 9:
iii.
had suffered the
loss of all things,
apostle tells us that he'
and accounted them but
he might win Christ, '<and be found in him,"
says he, "not having mine

the law, but that which
eousness which
of
is
is
own
righteousness, which
through
is
of
faith of Christ, the right-
God by faith." There is an allusion

when shipwrecked. He would
in this passage to a mariner,

cast
away, and disencumber himself of any thing, and
every thing, that might interfere with his rescue from a
watery grave: So, Paul would renounce, utterly abandon,

as,
not only useless, but detrimental to his
derogatory to his Saviour's honour,

ness,
and cling
to that
which
by
is
many
"That man
law," then,
safely,
float
amid the
from both Testa-
others might be cited, of like import)
do not tend, strongly,

text,
and
nature, into the haven of eternal bliss.
If these passages, taken, as they are,
ments, (and
safety,
faith in Jesus Christ, as
the only plank on which he could
wreck of fallen
own
his self-righteous-
all
is
we have
conclusion, in our
to confirm the
justified
by
yet to learn
without works of
faith
how
to interpret
and ap-
ply the holy oracles, by comparing Scripture with Scripture.
PRACTICAL INFERENCES.
l/jal vationjsj^fjjod
by the merits of
Christ,
The method
is
purpose; and this purpose
is
gin,
its
progress, and
its
by
men, through the
Spirit, and, ordinarily,
mentality of revealed truth.
and eternal
carried into effect,
cious influence on the hearts of
agency of the Holy
of saving sinners,
a matter of divine
The
by
the instru-
entire scheme, in
consummation,
is
a gra-
efficient
its ori-
such as to secure
the glory of God, and the most perfect safety and happiness
ON JUSTIFICATION.
The Lord
to his people.
redeeming Saviour,
a
way
is
051
Jesus, our legal Substitute and
God; the Holy
the gift of
Spirit, in
suited to our moral and accountable character,
makes
us willing in a day of his power, to be saved by grace; and

the sacred
Scriptures give us
righteousness, and
all
all
needful instruction in
desirable encouragement, in the good
word of promise, while we pursue the
race that
be-
is set
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
Let
faith.
no attempt
there, therefore, be
to
divide the
honours of eternal redemption between works of law, done
hy
man, and the perfect, finished, and ac-
fallen, guilty
Him, <*Who,
cepted work of
of God,
wisdom, and righteousness, and

tion: that, according as
him glory
made unto
written.
He
us,
and redemp-
that glorieth
let
LordP
in the
2/Those who
is
it
is
sanctification,
believe this doctrine of justification, by faith
in the
imputed righteousness of Christ, should be very
ful to
demonstrate the holy tendency of the doctrine, by a
life
The most
of piety, charity, and active benevolence.
plausible objection to
as if
it
it
isj its
supposed liableness
to abuse,
superseded the necessity of personal holiness, or that
love of righteousness, which
moral virtue.
silence
care-
is,
This cavil ought
confessedly, the basis of

to
be refuted and put to
by the holy temper and upright deportment
fessing Christians;
and the doctrine should be
show
of pro-
so exhibited
while justification
by preachers and
writers, as to
takes place solely
on the ground of Christ's righteousness
accepted by
faith,
the believer's personal righteousness, or
santification, is secured
and right
spirit,
that,
by the bestowment of
new
and by the Lord's blessing on Gospel
Gospel ordinances, and
all
holiness in the fear of God.
instituted
heart
truth,.
means of perfecting
-^
252
3/ Let
Christians act up to their professed belief, that
Jesus Christ
mankind
Redeemer.
the only
is
are setting in
Vast multitudes of
heathenish darkness, living and
dying, and passing to the
judgment, ignorant of the
final
way of saving
no human being
/true God, and his published
profess
to
believe
that
but through the merits of the Son of

that his Gospel
t
is
We
men.
lost
can be saved,
God; who teaches
us,
the chosen instrument for the illumina-
tion
and recovery of mankind from the ruins of the com-
mon
apostacy.
deeming
called
We
plan, to
and
know,
too, that
employ the
justified,
in
is a
it
of those
efforts
making known
part of his re-
whom
riches and efficacy of his truth and grace;
he has
world the
to the
we
and
hear
him, in tones of commingling authority and mercy, say-
"Go, preach
ing:
believeth and
is
the Gospel to every creature: he that
baptized, shall be saved; but he that be-
lieveth not shall be damned.'^

tjÎJ:kyMbl!^j._ij?-
Ho3yân we^
dear Chris-
^^^ honest and cordial JbelifiL-of -these
truths be
lukewarm,
ôd, and
the millions of souls, that are perishing for lack
of vision
inactive, or indifferent in the cause of
Oh, when will Christendom
bility in this matter, and,
forth
awakening
lowship of the Gospel!
world
the
till
it
in heaven, that the
kingdom of God
is
and
Spirit of
crown the
the hearts, increase and
and celebrated
filled, that
to the faith
Come, thou blessed
of thy people, with divine favour,

earth,
pour
exertions propor-
magnitude and benevolence of the
object, for the conversion of the
warm
her responsi-
to righteousness,
make
her joint supplications, and
tionate to the sublime
sions;
feel
fully
shall
fel-
Mis-
efforts
be felt on
prophecy
is ful-
come, that truth
and grace have gloriously triumphed over ignorance and

sin,
and that Jesus, the Christ,
is
acknowledged
as
Lord,
ON JUSTIFICATION.
253
to the glory of God, the father, <*from sea to sea, and from
the river to the ends of the earth! !"
4/ There
make
of this subject for himself.
have been
is
an obvious use, which every reader should
is
and
in Christ Jesus;
purpose,
justification
with
connected
If
you
you
are a believer,
through the redemption that
justified, graciously,
is,
holiness
in
God's unchanging
and
heavenly
bliss.
Surely, then, you will feel that you are not your own;
but that
ôu
are the
table right to assign
any
tribulation,
See
proper.
in
to
L ord?Sj
you any
this
that
it,
and that he has an indubi-
life,
service, or subject
which he
see
shall
deny
You
your firm adherence
live also: ;ôur life
to Christ; for
Heaven and
you are
Because he
God, you
God
life.
hid with
C hrist,
in
you
God.
eternal life are yours.
are in a state of
shall
Death
But
if
is
you
Son of
condemnation, with the wrath
abiding on you; and, in this
Should
can
interested in
lives
are yet in your sins, not having believed on the
of
to
yourself, and be reproached, if need be, for
his victory, and intercession.
yours.
to
and
fit
you resign yourself wholly
God, actively and passively, living and dying.

afford to
you
state,
you cannot
see
be your case, be entreated to lay hold,
this
straightway, on the hope set before you in the Gospel.
Your works of law
will never justify you.
God
has re-
vealed but one method of saving sinners, of our guilty race;
and that
is
gotten Son.
by the blood and righteousness of

you
If
any other way,
all
reject this,
his only be-
you embrace death.
Ju
your best works, seconded by the deep-
est repentance, and the most painful self-imposed penances
will not
cannot
save you,
sadors for Christ, as though
we pray
<'Now, then, we are ambas-
God
did beseech you, by us;
you, in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God:
for
254
he hath made him who knew no
we might
be
made
the religion of a sinner,

ithere salvation in
sin, to
**
Christ
any other."
is
be sin for us, that
God
ail."
in
him."
^'Neither
In
is

LECTURE
X.
Delivered on the Evening of the iSth May, 1832,
the Rev.
bij
John Breckinridge, of Philadelphia.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
This people have
Isaiah
xliii.
formed
for
myself; they shall show forth
That thou mayest know how thou oughtest

house of God, which
of the truth.
my
praise.
21.
Tim.
is
to
behave thyself in the
the CJiurch of the living God, the pillar and ground
iii.
15.
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost so that ye were ensamplcs
:
Macedonia and Achaia, For from you sounded out the

word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place
your faith to God-ward is spread abroad so that we need not to speak any
thing. 1 Thess. i. 68.
to all that believe in
If the Church of Christ had been in any adequate measure
pure in her
spirit,
and
faithful to
her
trust, as the
depository
of the Gospel for mankind, then the history of the Church

would have been the history of missions. *
But on the contrary, the history of

*
Some of the views advanced
in
tliis
is
often,
Lecture were published by the au-
thor in the Biblical Repertory, October, 1830.
36
the Church
256
in a principal degree, the record of its corruptions in doc-
and
trine
life
we would
and when
trace
from
its rise
to
the present time, the pure stream of Christianity, instead
of" the river of God," we
find in
many
ages only a scanty
brook, well nigh lost amid the rubbish and delapidations
through which
The
to
it
wends
its
weary way.
Apostles of Christ, in a qualified sense,
have defined with their
line of foreign missions;
own hands
may
be said
the present frontier-
and what has since been done for
the conversion of the world, has been the result

natural causes, than of the spirit of missions.
more of
What
they
achieved in a few years, under divine influence, by heroic

enterprise,
to the
was ignobly
work
left
by
after ages, to a great extent,
of time, and to the indirect influences only of
Christianity.
Indeed, for several centuries before the days of Luther,
was missionary ground. The religion

its own altar, the victim of its
And when at the ever meprofessed votaries and friends.
morable reformation, <'the spirit of life from God efitered
the
Church
itself
of Christ lay expiring on
into her,
and she again stood upon her feet," the servants
of Christ found Paganism within the very recesses of the

sanctuary.
They had but
a foreign field,
tions
who
little
leisure for the cultivation of
wêre absorved in purging out abomina-
from the very temple of God
busied in breaking
down
casting out those that
itself.
Their hands were
the idols from the holy places, in
made merchandise of
the truth, in
overturning the tables of the money-changers, and in restoring to
its
purity the worship of God.
most before the work of reform had been
And
then, alas! al-
sufficiently extend-
ed to give numbers and strength to Christianity, the

of contention and of schism arose
spirit
the progress of the holy
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
cause was arrested by the
the
fatal
257
divisions of
friends
its
and
Reformed Church
"To
The
party gave up, what
was meant
for
mankind."
revival in latter days of the spirit of missions in Pro-
testant Christendom, is a great
generations, passing
epoch
We
Church and of the world.
in the history of the
have no doubt that future
by the fading
glories of this world, will
regard this as the most brilliant characteristic of the age in
which we
live:
may become
and
the
if
first in
we
are faithful to
God and man,
a series of progressive
which, with the divine blessing,
it
movements,
issue in the conver-
shall
sion of the world.
But
ject,
if
we would
take the proper impression of the sub-
and gird ourselves fully
for the great
vice wê have to perform, then must
and solemn
we esteem
the
ser-
work
of
missions for the conversion of the world as but just begun.
For though, compared with the

other ages,
yet,
much
is
doing
spirit
now
and labours of some
for this noblest of causes,
compared with the vast extent of unreclaimed heathen-
ism, with the bountiful compass of the divine
we can and ought to do, our

much more of humiliation than of
command,
or
with what
achievements are
matter
mutual congratu-
lation.
The
subject of Christian Missions having, in the order of
discussion, been assigned to us,
present some
hints in relation to
we proceed this evening to

it, which we trust will not
be found unprofitable.
The
to
passages selected from the
form rather the
word of God
are intended
basis than matter of discussion;
and
may
be considered more a continued motto, or running caption,

than as a text for regular analysis.
The
first
named
passage
258
exhibits the divinely derived character, and appropriate influence of the people of God.
for myself :
expanded
This people have Iformed
<^
they shall show forth
my praise.^
follows by the Apostle Peter:
as
This
''
is
Ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of
Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. '^^
The next
portion refers to this peculiar and
chosen people, organized into a church, furnished from on

high, as the house of God, with the
'*
requisition for this labour of love.
under
God, which
is the
and ground of
Head
great
Church of the living God, the pillar

Not that the Church is that
rests, for
the action of the truth
the truth rests on
God
by the power of God which
the Church into being, organized

it
its
" The house of
the truth.^^
on which the truth

is
means of extending
the truth" through the earth, and put by
it
and
it
called
and furnished
into form,
with beauty and the means of doing good.
Hence
it is
the effect of the truth, and, of course, can never be that on
which the
truth depends, to be
without which, according
God
truth of
'^
world.
seat
the
what
ground of the
pillar
'
The
But
it is
that,
truth,^^ as God's chosen
his truth is stationed, supported,
on which the truth
to view, as a public proclamation of
action
it is.
the divine arrangement, the
will never be adequately extended in the
It is the
on earth; where
upheld,'
to
is
mercy
and
continually held
to a lost world.
last passage represents to us this Church in successful
in the
work
of faith and the labour of love.
" From
you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Jichaia, but in every place; so that ye became ensamples to all that believe.^'
* 1
Peter
ii.
9.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
259
It is
taken for granted in this discussion, that the
God
is
of
the great end of
his works.
all
with our world, he has made his supreme glory
upon the
of redemption subordinates to
" The
to
depend
influence and final triumph of Cliristianity.
has magnified his iôrc? above
in our
g;lory
In his dealings
own, and,
God
so far as
of our
hath set him at his
itself all
Lord Jesus
own
beings and
all
all
nion,
and every name that
plan
things
in all other worlds.
Christ, the Father of glory,
hand
right
above
principality,
The
we know,
in
heavenly places,
is
named, not only
is to
in
this
come, and hath put
all
head over
all
things under his feet, and gave
him
things to the Church, which
his body, the fulness of
cipalities
by
all,
is
to be the
to the intent that
and powers in heavenly
the Church the manifold
economy
far
and power, and might, and domi-
world, but also in that which
that filleth all in
He
<<
name."*
his
all
places,
is
salvation; as an agent, he
is
might be known
regarded
object and an agent; as an object,
it
him
unto the prin-
wisdom of God."t
man
of redemption,
now
at
In the
once as an
proposes his eternal
to be occupied in extending
the knowledge of this salvation to his fellow men, in
By
the world.
the subject,
"Christian Missions," J we
are to under-
stand the nature, obligations, importance, &c. of that

in
which we
ments
all
the comprehensive and general terms of
work
are required to engage as agents or instru-
in the hands of
God,
for publishing the Gospel to
every creature.
In examining this important subject,
I.
*
I
That the Christian
Psalm
man
cxxxviii. 2.
series of subjects, of which this
and assigned
to the several speakers.
is,
t
is
we remark:
in the very constitution
Ephes.
i.
17,
2023, and
iii. 1
0.
one, had been previously selected,
260
of his character, a Tnissionary ; or, in other words, that

which makes him a Christian, endows him in the sam,e
and
degree with the missionary spirit
The
influence.
Christian character and spirit, properly so called, are
peculiar, original,
and from God.
new and
In the
divine
many-
constitution of this character, the Christian differs in

essential respects
tian,
from
men, who
his fellow
a declaration of this difference
the
continued exhibition, or
embodied
proposition
first
is,
it is
of religion
of a Christian
life
Our
Christianity.
intrin-
and designed by God,
to ex-
tend the influence of the Christian religion.

establish this, let us for a
is
is its
and character are
that this spirit
sically fitted in themselves,
are not Chris-
A profession
and from his former self
moment look
at
In order to
some of the
dis-
tinguishing characteristics of a Christian.
The Christian
is
distinguished by a supreme regard
for divine truth, and

ence.
is,
under
lives
Divine truth exhibits
and
controlling influ-
its
as
he
and
is,
man
as
he
things in their true light and just proportions.
all
It gives
God
him
right views of time and of eternity, of sin, and
of the soul, of the law of God, of the plan of redemption
and
its
glorious author; in a word,
of action, sets a true value on

pression to
his relations,
all
into practical use,
''
who has
left
gives right principles
things, gives the just ex-
all
and by reducing his knowledge
under the divine
some degree,
liever, in
it
feel,
Spirit,
makes the
and think, and act
-like
be-
him
us an example that we should follow his
steps.''*
Personal holiness
Christian.
Lord."
'^
is
" Without
Ye
an
essential characteristic
holiness
are a holy nation."
*1 Peter
ii.
21.
no man
<<
If
shall
of a
see the
any man be
in
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
he
Christ,
By
He
creature."
is
renewed by the
"being his workmanship," '^created
image of God
God
new
is
Spirit of God,
2G1
in
after the
Christ Jesus, unto good works, which
hath before ordained that he should walk in them."*
a holy
man, we mean one cleansed from the pollution
and delivered from the curse of

so, is
sin,
and having been made
kept so by the power of God.
Holiness also includes
the idea of dedication to God, being God's temple, inhabited
by
that ^beauty of the
seen of
them
This
is
which
is
set apart for his service.
Lord our God upon
his people,'
men, by which the world take knowledge of
all
that have been with Jesus, and glorify
This characteristic will necessarily
behalf
hate sin for

to a
and
his Spirit,
own
its
God on their
lead a man to
evil nature, for the indignity
holy God, and for the unbounded ruin which
sions;
and will impel him to seek
its
it
offers
occa-
it
extinction every
where.
Holy
tian.
love is
We
a leading characteristic of the Chris-
can, of course,
do no more than allude
these qualities, while forming
united force.
an argument out of their
But supreme love
terested love to his
fellow men,
is
to
God, and
summary
Thou
the spirit and duty of a Christian.
^^
Lord thy God with
all
all
all
thy heart, and
thy strength, and with
This
as thyself
God-ward
is
intelligent,
is
the great
all
thy
disin-
expression of
shalt love the
soul,
and with
thy mind, and thy neighbour
commandmcnt."t And
this love
not a vague and heartless theism, but a supreme,
commanding, and
practical
affection
for
the
man
And
of the Bible God in Christ.
knight
not a vain sentiment, or a wild spirit of religious
this love of
God
is
to
which
errantry; but a wise, dutiful, and disinterested love
* Ephes.
ii.
10,
and Colos.
iii.
10.
Luke
i.
27.
MaUi.
iiii. 37.
262
seeks to do good unto

of the spirit of Him
was
men.
all
who
It is a faint,
not perish, but have everlasting

its
to
s,'''
clearly
is
characterized by holy obe-
God's commands.
my commandment
'^
If ye love me, keep
the great test of Christian cha-
is
I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things

As sin is the
right, and I hate every false way.^^
racter.
to be
is
we might
spirit necessarily
make every sacrifice which

God and his fellow man.
The Christian inan

dience
cross, that
This
life.
possessor to
required, for
he
became poor, and gave himself
rich, yet for our sakes
up unto death, even the death of the
leads
but real copy
so loved the world, that though
'^
transgression of the law, so he cannot be a holy man, a
who permits himself to live in disobedience to,

any known transgression of, any law of God. Now
who commands us in the decalogue to keep holy
Christian,
or
he
the Sabbath day, and says

said,
^^do good unto
Thou
all
shalt love
all
" thou
men
as
shalt not kill," has also
ye have opportunity."*
thy neighbour as thyself."
" Go
quires us, under pain of eternal death, to obey the
of the law as to the duties especially
owed
to
first
sum
nence, offensive to God, because

the tomb!
drawn unto
table
which
of our love and duty to our neighbour, and
especially to his soul; and a neglect of these
'^
re-
God, under
the same pain, requires us to obey the second table,

defines the
teach
He who
nations" the Gospel of the Son of God.
If thou forbear
it
is,
kills the soul,
to deliver
by emibeyond
them that are
and them that are ready to be slain;

behold we knew it not, doth not he that
death,
if thou sayest
pondereth the heart consider
it ?
* Galatians vi. 10.
And
he that keepeth
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
263
And
shall not he ren-
thy soul, doth not he
man
der to every
Once more:
know
it ?
according to his work?^'*
a distinguishing- characteristic of the
It is
God
Christian, that he intends to glorify

actions.
ye
It is
whatever ye do, do
eat or drink, or
God."
Glorify
<<
which are his."
God with your

This
Whether
to the
glory of
all
<^
bodies and your spirits,
But the chief glory
the triumph of the Gospel.
<
of
God
To
results
from
God in the
and good will
glory to
is
highest, because it brings peace to earth,

to men.''
in all his
one great law of the kingdom,
the accomplishment, therefore, of this great
end, the desires, labours, sacrifices, prayers of the believer

are directed, in a degree that
even
in his darkest
beings glorify
extorted, and
God
in
supreme and controlling,

All things and
some shape; but
unknown.
^'
If not, ^'he restrains it."
The wrath
But
effort of the Christian to give
by
is
and coldest hours.
is
it
may
it
of
man
very
spirit
distinguish the Chris-
suffice for the present use.
that these qualities do, in their
missionary
blessing,
world.
to
spirit,
But these just
fit
own
Now our
first
world
and useful
their possessor with the divine
as ours, is
to his fellow
honourable
men.
which he professes;
*
37
in
the
place, the very presence of such
Such
representative of an unseen Saviour; he
the religion
argument
nature, constitute a
extend the influence of Christianity
a being in such a
religion,
and
For, in the
Now
and work of missions.
tian, as the spirit of prayer, self-denial, &c.
named may
him."
the purpose and the
glory to God, and especially
There are other characteristics vvhich
is,
be reluctant,
praises
the universal diffusion of the religion of Christ.
this is the
all
is
a practical
Proverbs xxiv. 11-12.
to
our holy
man
is
the
specimen of
proof of
its
264
and divine power.
truth, value,
his marvellous light.
known and read of
''^
their reproof,
God
among
a guilty people; a
of heaven; at once their honour,
and their security;
But
the light of the world.'^

is
Me
^'
of the earthy
salt
the influence of such a
He
not merely the result of proper character.
man
in the
is,
His views of
next place, intentionally and actively useful.

divine truth lead him to set
man,
solitary, but yet expressive
earnest of the divine presence

living witness for the
Sometimes such
men?^*
all
forth the
called
Sodom, stands the
like lot in
He shows
him out of darkness into

''He is an epistle of Christ
who hath
praises of him
<*
a proper price on man. He has
an impression of the true value and importance of the soul,
more just and elevated than ever entered the cold
infinitely
and narrow calculations of

sures
it
by the word of God,
existence; he sees his ruin

tion provided
and
infidel
for
by
he beholds a great salva-
him; he^ takes truth's view of
common
for both will impel
foe of
him
to
when
the law of
the great
all
His nature
^^let
**
him
vation.
He
them
will labour
him
to the
to stand
Go ye unto
still,
all
the
that heareth say
an active nature; his affections are
strong affections, and eminently social.

religion will give to
while his love
His obedience
love, will forbid
nations;"
is
things,
seek the honour of the one, and
command sounds forth
world, and teach
come."
all
His holiness makes him
God and man,
the eternal salvation of the other.
law of God
mea-
in the scale of an eternal
sin;
properly afiected by them.
is
hate sin, the
He
philosophy.
The
influence of
intensity, refinement,
where labour can
avail.
and
ele-
Where he
cannot go in person, he will give of his substance, and give
on a
scale
which shows the greatness of

* 2 Cor.
iii.
.'i.
his holy pity to a
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
265
ruined world, and the supremacy of his love, with tho entireness of his dedication
Lord who poured out
Lord Jesus
to the
will not give grudgingly, or
by measure, unto
He
Christ.
that beloved
his soul unto death for him.
having influence in heaven by his prayers, he
And
will send
out his alms, directed by his supplications, and by steady
and fervent intercession, press the throne of grace with the

wants of a ruined world.
than a lovely vision
When we
Oh! brethren,
its
search of such examples,
we may
see the truth
this
no more
theory!
still
professing millions now, in
spirit at
is
our hands.
we
remnant shall he
ideal.
God requires
well tremble while
indicated, that only a
But yet the character
very
this
read the history of the Church in past ages, or
even look around upon
saved.^^
is
but impracticable
fair,
not
''^
It is that,
and that alone,
with which we can enter heaven.

then apparent, that the very constitution of the
It is
Christian character,
what makes
man
measure with the
II.
in
its
is
a Christian,
spirit
We remark that
organization,
missionary in
its
nature, and that
endows him
in the
same
and influence of missions.
Church of God
the
and
is essentiality
in the purpose of God, a Mis-
sionary institution.
We speak,
of course, of the visible Church catholic, pro-
perly so called.
The Church
of
God was
established, in
order to keep alive and extend the true religion in the

world, and thus to glorify
It has
God
been essentially the same
ral dispensations
through which
successive development of
its
in
it
has passed; and every
scheme of mercy
has added new sanctions and helps

tution.
the salvation of men.
institution during the seve-
to its
to
mankind,
missionary consti-
266
as
If,
we have shown,
who
the individual Christian
truly
possesses, an J properly displays the spirit of his religion,

is
missionary man; when united
into a society, with the
accession of power, under God, peculiar to combined action,
and when invested from on high with corporate
work
qualifications for the
rights,
and
body thus orga-
of missions, the
nized must be, in the highest form, a missionary institution.
The Church
a social institution. 'Â chosen genera-
is
tion^ a holy nation, a peculiar people, called out of dark-
Each
ness into God's marvellous light."
of course, brings into the body,

his
person an accession to the
Thus united
sionary influence.
living
member,
we may speak so, in

common stock of misto Christ, the common
if
members one of another, <* the whole

hody fitly joined together, and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working
head, and being
all
in the measure of every part, m,aketh increase of the hody,
unto the edifying of

gree
is it fitted
work
for
itself in /oi;e;"*
harmonious and
and in the same de-
efficient action, in the
of faith and the labour of love.
But, besides the relation of society, or the collective

fects of
numbers,
of the living
'*
the house of
God,"
is
tion in its furniture.
God, which
is
eminently a missionary instituFor this " peculiar people" are en-
dowed by their sovereign for the work of missions.

sense already explained, that the Church
ground of the truth."
ef-
the Church
To
her
is
" the
" are committed
It is in the
pillar
and
the oracles of
God,"and that not for her own manifold "advantage"
alone,*
but as a depository of the matchless blessings therein revealed,

for all the
world.
" The truth by which she
* Ephes.
iv. 5.
Roms.
iii.
2.
is
sanctified,"
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
2G7
the sword of the Spirit for cleaving the closed hearts of
is
men, and thus opening
And
light of an eternal day.
the standing
worship
is
means
darkened understandings
their
"show
to
God's praise,"
forth
established, and sustained
by
performed
public, with
in
mercy,
his public
his authority.
ordinances of his house are observed, and
sence and the good of men.
to the
in order to give to this people
direct reference to
And
with
infinite
a day, originally set apart to celebrate
Him
and keep alive the knowledge of
The
sacred rites
its
the
pre-
wisdom and
God's
praise,
in the world,
is
turned to the peculiar use of publishing the salvation of the

Gospel.
an emphatic and peculiar sense, the Lord's
It is in
day; and returning,
measured and rapid revolutions
in the
of each succeeding week, renews to the listening earth the
evidences of his resurrection, and the incessant
calls of his
mercy.
In addition to
by
God
to the
all
an order of men, given
this, there is
Church,
set
apart for the special purpose
of ministering in his house, and ofpreaching

The ministers of
the Gospel of his Son.
truly
tion,
if
their
work by
his
holy
ed by his authority.
sionary effortj
is
made
it
successful
of God.
go
Spirit, as
This
is
his
by
his
furnished
forth,
men
reconciliafor
well as commission-
chosen method of mis-
has been selected
mean of evangelizing
ted, if
God,
of
called
to all
by
his
Almighty power.
wisdom, and
Now
the nations of the earth,
this great
is
commit-
we may
say so, to the fostering care of the Church
She
under God, the mother of her ministering
is,
The Head of the Church gives them unto her for

" When he ascended on high
the work of the ministry.
he gave gifts to men: he gave some apostles, and some
prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and
sons.
268
for the works of the ministry. "* And God is

prepared to give them in sufficient numbers, and in heavenly
teachers,
fitness, for
the perfecting of the saints, and for the conver-
whenever the Church truly asks them
sion of the world,
make
at
his hands,
and
crifices, in
order to train them, and send them forth under
is
really prepared to
the necessary sa-
the great commission, to preach the Gospel to every creature.
But
the
God,
to
tion.
Each
Church of God
give direction
man
sanctified
his graces the gifts
who
minister,
her missionary ac-
a temple of God,^'
by the Spirit, led by the
is *
and adornings of the
truly Such,
is
attended by the Spirit of
effect to
believer, as such,
a spiritual
is,
rit,
is
and
is
Spirit:
that
Spi-
and each
personally and officially
at-
tended by the Spirit: and the collective body of Christians

has the
Spirit
God
of
two, and to three,
Head
as
the midst of
this Spirit
He
of the Church; and
Church,
Holy
is
in
the divine
to
promised by the gracious
of Jesus,
and goes forth,
Even
dwells perpetually in the
representative
Paraclete and Guide
it.
as
her
" without mea-
sure," amidst the administrations of the Gospel to convince
men
of sin, and to convert
of the Gospel, that

that the
Church
is
it is
them unto God.
inhabited and attended
Thus
eth unto
an holy temple in
ple
all the
glory
by His perpetual
body fitly framed together, grow-
presence.
^^
It is the
the m.inistration of the Spirit; and
the
Lord; in whom,
are builded together for
his peo-
an habitation of God
through the Spirit, "f
And
while the Spirit of Truth
Church, as an abiding
gift,
is
thus vouchsafed to the
there *'are seasons of refreshing
from the presence of the Lord," in which

blessings
is
this greatest of
dispensed with peculiar plenitude and power;
* Ephes. iv. 8.
1112.
Ephcs.
ii.
2122.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
when
the
Holy
Spirit,
of grace, gives
by
Ofjg
a simultaneous and diffusive
new impulse
to
his people
work
in the divine
and converts great numbers of sinners unto God.
life,
These
and
special
illustrious occasions hasten, in
They
degree, the conversion of the world.
dinary means of grace; they transcend
men and
and divinely furnish
devils,
Church from on high,
an especial
outrun the or-
the resistance of
all
a faithful
and revived
for spreading to all lands the saving
knowledge of the Son of God.
We
might add, that the Church
ing institution, and

to
thus,
is
extend her influence from generation
it is
a self-perpetuat-
under the divine blessing,
equally true, ihdX success from
is fitted
to generation.
God is promised
And
to the
proper action of the Church in sending abroad the Gospel of
But we have dwelt
Christ.
sufficiently
which
on these suggestions,
show
Church
to
answer the end
is
furnished for the successful prosecution of the great
in view,
is
to
of missions, by her glorious Head.
union; she has the truth and
its
that the
work
She has numbers and
preachers; the social ordi-
nances of religion, and the time, and the opportunities, for

their public, ever-returning and successful administration;
and the Eternal
Spirit attends his truth,
effect to the calls
What
then
is
wanting,
sionary institution
divine Author in
and gives divine
and labours of the Church.
its
(to
say no more,) towards a mis-
And how apparent is the intention of its

entire constitution?
Is
it
not the very
husbandry (plantation, or nursery) of God, from which every
wind
forth
that blows should waft

its
But
it is
work
odours abroad; and carry
forest,
and
to
every
field!
time that we pass, in the third place, to consi-
der the direct

the
its
winged-seeds to every
commands of the Lord Jesus

What we infer from
of missions.
Christ, as to
the organiza-
270
we
and furniture of the Church,
tion
learn explicitly from
work
the standing laws of Christ, that the
of missions
is
commanded duty of the Church.

admirably said by a
"Duty," (as has been

modern missionary, now in the field)*
from the command of Christ ohligation

the
authority of Christ, is the great argument
on
founded
'<
resulting
in behalf of missions. ' ^
* William Swan, Missionary in Siberia.

apposite and forcible, that
we
The
following remarks are so
cannot forbear to give them a place here
" Suppose an order issued from the highest authority in the kingdom, re-
quiring certain faithful subjects to perform a specific service in the character
commanding
of soldiers, and
all faithful
subjects generally to be aiding to the
utmost of their power in the execution of the will of their sovereign. In urging the people to obedience, what would be the most obvious, and
almost say, exclusive topic that could present
itself in the
unquestionably the authority of the command.
must not be neglected.

the loss of character
if it
be not
It is at the peril
and,
It
fulfilled.
it
may
would be
be,
must not be
It
we might
of argument ?
resisted.
It
of the sovereign's displeasure and
under the pain of condign punishment,
self-evident that
the character of a loyal subject if he disobeyed
teem and confidence of
way
no one could justly retain
and he must
his better affected brethren if
forfeit the es-
he not merely should
refuse obedience, but should attempt to justify his conduct."
" I feel that this illustration, as indeed every illustration taken from earthly
and sensible
mand
his
of the
objects,
must
kingdom and the
mortal man, and he
may
fall
paramount authority of the com-
short of the
King and Head of
the Church, in reference to the extension of
subjection of all nations to
may
Him.
An
earthly king
is
His commands
err through ignorance or passion.
be the dictates of cruelty, or imbecility, or ambition, or a wanton exer-
power
cise of
but even allowing
liis
will to be in all respects accordant to
the principles of the strictest justice and highest honour and universal bene-
volence
his subjects
can never be under such obligations
to
obey him, as
Christians are to " bring every thought into subjection to the obedience of
Christ."
And
if
any one should disregard
his authority, 1
would not endea-
vour to work upon that man's mind by any other consideration.

other arguments a place, but that place
Christ."
is
allow
a lower one than the authority of
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
The
ultimate appeal
then does
is
He command.
unto them, saying,
Ml
271
to tlie authority of
God. What
" Jind Jesus came and spake
power is given unto me in hea-
ven and in earth. Go ye, teach all 7iations, baptizing
them in
the
name of the
the
Father,
and of the
Holy Ghost; teaching them
whatsoever
Soji,
to observe all
I have commanded you, and
lo !
and of
things
I am
ivith
you always, even unto the end of the world.'' Go ye

into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved) he
that believeth not shall be damned.''
to them, thus
suffer,
and
it is
<<
Jlnd he said un-
and thus it behoved
written,
to rise from the
Christ to
dead the third day; and that
and remission of sins should be preached in

name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem;
and ye are witnesses of these things."^ Such is the lan-
repentance
his
guage of standing, sovereign law.

true, to but a little band; but
it
was
It
and
interest in Christ,
Christ; and he
who would
tion, shuts himself out
runs to the
last
of the Lord:
day
for
who
it
rect and official
to all
who
from the blessings

last
comprehends
work
It
of
^^
all
man.
the
it
its
obh"ga-
announces.
It is
It
the great law
Though
rest.
all
ever heard of
excuse himself from
and the
it is
extends to
the Church, and the entire Church.
have an
was addressed,
to the Church, and
the di-
preaching the Gospel" regards
especially the ministers of Christ, yet the ministers must
spring from the Church; they must be sent forth by the
Church; and the only choice of every one
in the
Church,
is
between going or sending; between preaching the Gospel,

or causing
it
to be preached.
* Matt, xxviii.
1820.
38
Mark
It is
xvi.
under law, the royal law,
1516.
Luke
xxiv.
4648.
272
that the
Church of God
soever shall
How
then
call
shall
they
have not heard? and
And how
Now
required to do
on him
call
whom
in
For who-
shall
be saved.
they have not
they believe in him of
shall
how
shall
whom
they
they hear without a preacher?
they preach, except they be sent?^^
shall
the whole duty comprehends
to its constituent character,
necessary to
^<
this.
upon the name of the Lord
how
believed? and
is
its
all
the parts essential
and the end includes the means
accomplishment.
Therefore, as they can-
not hear without a preacher, nor preach except they be
they cannot be sent, except they be trained.
sent, so
Church must do
others Tnay train them, the

against the fundamental
may
law of the kingdom.
train them, she alone, in her
official
If
or sin
it,
If others
character, can
ordain them for the work of the ministry; and she cannot
divest herself
any more of the duty
to send
them
forth,
than she can alienate, or delegate to another, her ordaining
her love and duty to her risen Lord.
rights, or
While
Christ
all
as to the
the people of
God
agree that the Church of
thus bound to send forth the Gospel, they differ
is
form
of doing
Some
it.
prefer the action of the
Church, as such, in her ecclesiastical organization; while

others choose an association, (unhappily denominated voluntary, since the ecclesiastical is
voluntary too,) not
officially
the Church, nor the ordaining body, nor directly constituted
by
it,
great end.
AND TO DO
will
do
it.
or responsible to
it;
but formed for the same
The most important part is to do the work,

AT ONCE; and none but God's people ever
IT
But surely
perly done, since on
it
it is
also important, that
will, in
it
be pro-
a great measure,
depend
both the speed and the efficiency of the service.
It will
not be denied, that the Church, as such, ought to do what
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
she can in this cause; and
we
suppose
273
will be allowed,
it
that if her ecclesiastical action be equally good,
be preferred to any other form.

acts,
And
it
ought to
as the preliminary
such as receiving the candidate for the ministry into
her communion, ordaining him for the work of the ministry, &c. are peculiar to the
Church, so there would seem
to
be a special fitness and unity in her carrying forward the

entire
is,
work, from
And
first to last.
publication of the Gospel,
the agents and
direction,
accomplished.
rily unfits
then
it
we
it
work
should think
that Church,
and
its
it
without
it,
institution,
is
to
be proper, re-
by which
the operations
it
is
any Church necessa-
of missions, in
its
proper person,
time to question the authority of
conformity to the principles of Gospel
Not
constitution and order.
sionary action
as such,
for the universal
to subordinate to her ultimate
If the organization of
for the
God
would seem
and even obligatory,
quisite,
Church,
as the
without a question, responsible to
that
mere adaptation
to mis-
an evidence of this conformity; but to be
seems incompatible with the very genius of an
which has been organized and commissioned
for
the conversion of the world.
To
convince us that the organized Church can do the
work,
we
need not look beyond the very striking spe-
cimens afforded
circuit
abroad.
system
to the
at
world
home, or
in the
Methodist Episcopal
that of the
While we consider
neither of these schemes a
perfect model, yet they stand forth to the
and admiring Christendom,
United Brethren
illustrious
view of reproved
examples of what
the Church, in her organized form can do, to save the
world. Especially do
unparalleled
we
admire, while
self-devotion
we
gaze upon
it,
and attendant success of
labours of our Moravian brethren.
They
the
the
pitched their
274
open
tents in the
enemy
plain, like
two
them, and they have sent through
Him
flocks of kids, before an
little
But God was with
that well nigh filled the world.*
in
all
the earth the praises of
May they never
whose name they have prevailed.
supreme
loose that godly simplicity, that

terested self-denial
faith, that disin-
and holy love, which have made the
page that records their labours, the most brilliant in the

history of missions!
In regard to our
we have been
that
doing good.
in
The
system.
it,
in
own
institutions,
we
freely
But the
defect has been in us, not in our
organization of the Presbyterian
no ordinary measure, for combined and
The
to an unlimited extent.
siastical bodies,
gradation of
Church
fits
efficient action,
its
various eccle-
through the whole line of which the great
principle of representation runs, renders

ble to usurp
acknowledge
from realizing our hopes or our duty
far
it
power, and entirely so to hold
continued responsibility of
its
next to impossiit
long: and the
peculiar institutions to the
whole Church, gives unity, without consolidation, and

secures supervision, without impairing efficiency.
One reason why we
are so earnestly desirous that our
Church should be occupied

in the
in
conversion of the world
must exert upon

spirit of the
its
various
people at large.
her ecclesiastical character

the happy influence
is,
official
it
bodies, as well as on the
The very name by which we
are accustomed to define them, Church-courts," indicates

that
they have been too exclusively devoted to conducting
business and directing discipline, in contradistinction to the

specific
work
Again;
if
of missions.
others feed, and clothe, and train, and establish
* 1
Kings XX.
27.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
075
our children, and leave to us only the duty of governmcnl
may
and of the rod, our children
give to our authority a
cold assent, but their hearts will flow out after their bene-
The
factors.
in blessing
parent's sweetest privilege,
them,
discipline also
is
is
which
give to his children.
to
But these
a duty.
rable; they are wisely
him
blesses
In
place,
its
are relative and insepa-
and mercifully blended
in the
same
person; and are necessary to the right support of the respec-
And
tive relations of parent and child.
ministry, and of our
so
it is
with the
For the sake of our candidates
ecclesiastical relations.
for the
bodies, as well as for the sake of
official
the people, these great duties, joined together by God, ought
never
to
The bodies who
be put asunder by man.
benevolent institutions, both directly and

sion, if properly
act in these
in general supervi-
engaged in them, would
find
their
it
most
it
would bind
our youth and the people in love and confidence
to the judi-
pleasant, honoured, and useful occupation; and
catures of the Church, while

siastical
* It
is
body an
due
apostolical
to ourselves,
it
would make every
eccle-
assembly for doing good. *
and the noble
institutions of
our age and land,
which have arisen in aid of the various benevolent operations of the day,
here explicitly to declare, that
we do most
cordially approve
them
that
we
think them highly necessary, as well as greatly useful, and that they can no
more be dispensed
witli
by the several great families of the ChurcJi of God,
than each family can dispense with

order.
its
peculiar institutions and ecclesiastical
Without interference with the proper action of the Church, as such,
they sustain the union, and extend the influence of the people of God, and
afford a fine moral demonstratiorôf the truth of Christianity
all
may
be one in us
xvii. 17.
" that they
may
be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
:
that the world
And wo
sister institutions,
may
believe that thou hast sent me."
John
are equally far from intending to assail those valuable
which are now carrying forward
in our
own Church, by
voluntary associations, the work of missions, either foreign or domestic, or
of education for the ministry.
Their existence
is
called for
by the present
cir-
276
But however
question
this
may
be settled, as to the
of the service, (in the discussion of which
form
already been too long engaged,) the
Nothing can be more
the Church of the living God.
or urgent, than the divine
and we need rather
to
command
clear
respecting this duty;
be incited, with
all
than to be reasoned with in evidence of

it
we have
work must be done by
speed to obey
it,
obligation.
Is
its
borne in mind by the people of God, that obedience to
this standing
law
is
a discriminating test of our fidelity
devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ
my
If
and
ye love me, keep
own affecting standard of Chriscan we love him, and yet forget

or violate his great, his last command?
To this, he set the
seal of his own blood in death. To this, he added the sanction of divine authority and power, when he arose from
the dead.
In this, all other commands centre.
The sercommandments,
vice
it
enjoins
dence, the
this is
is
is
work
in the direct line of the operation of provi-
when he ascended on
command, not only
In a word,
and
high, he appointed obedience to this
as the test of his people's love, but as
supreme method of doing honour
man.
To
of redemption, and the glory of God.
appended, the overwhelming condition of heaven or
the decisive alternative of redemption or ruin;
hell,
the
his
And how
tian character.
however our
to
Him, and good
to
patient and injured
Lord
may have borne with the ignorance and lethargy of

now that channels for missionary charity and
other
ages,
effort
cumstances of the Church

cntiro resources
and mutual
and peace
toleration.
their continuance is necessary to call out its

will be best secured,
But yet we
Church are binding on her and her people

to the
end intended
exist in
its
by the
spirit
of an'enlarged
insist that the organizations

;
of the
that they are peculiarly adapted
and without them the Presbyterian Church cannot long
present form.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
are opened to our very doors,
then lands
all
277
from the most
disregard of this great law,
distant
is to
a deliberate
and continued
dience
prevent Christ's kingdom from being
is to
the world,
it is
no
less
sin;
and
Hea-
he esteemed
as the effect of disobeset
up
in
than high treason against the Son of
God.
While the authority of God

missionary
considerations,
an inquiry as
is
the supreme reason for
yet there are other and most affecting
effort,
which cannot properly be omitted
in such
this.
Consider, then, in the fourth place,
The spiritual state and prospects of the Heathen,

without the Gospel.
We
here waive a discussion of the state of those
have heard the Gospel, and rejected

taking
it
for granted, that there can be
Christians as to their guilt
In our attempts
we have
its
too
who
merciful provisions,
no difference among
and exposure
to eternal death.
to assert the claims of foreign missions,
commonly taken
for granted, that the great
body of professed Christians was correctly informed as to

the spiritual condition and prospects of those
We forget that the
never heard the Gospel.
compassion are out of their

them.
is
They seldom
who have
objects of their
They seldom
sight.
When
think of them.
nothing definite or palpable before the mind as
religious state.
They
feel
hear of
they do, there

to their
vague pity for distant and
endangered nations, whose condition they would gladly

better.
But they hardly apprehend
nal ruin: they scarcely believe
think and
feel,
their exposure to eter-
And
it.
while they thus
perhaps the teachers of religion among them
shrink with a false and
fatal sensibility
exhibition of the awful subject: or
if
from the proper
they are
faithful,
the
278
people too often view
with suspicion as a romantic cause,
it
partaking of the nature of a religious crusade, and wasting
without profit the treasures of the Church.
But what
is
in fact the divine
testimony on this question?
following propositions no Christian can,
The
we
think,
consistently reject, viz:
That
1.
in all ages since the
fall,
the natural state of every
has been a sinful, and therefore a
man
Hence no man
2.
in
lost,
one.
any age or country can reach the
kingdom of God, without the
interposition of Jesus Christ
in his behalf.
God may
3.
interpose for the salvation of sinners, as he
does in the case of those saved in infancy,
and of those
who
word
received immediate revelations, before the written
was given.
But the decided intimations of the Bible are, that as a

great fact, Jesus Christ is revealed to adult men, through
" For whosoever shall
the ordinary means of grace alone.
4.
call
on the name of the Lord

they
shall
call
on him in
shall
whom
be saved.
How
then
they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And
how shall they preach except they be sent? So then, faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."*
And
that this
doubt
who
is
the clear import of this passage, none can
will look at
second proposition,
Christ.
And
all
its
connexion.
are lost
who
According
are not saved
to the
by Jesus
then the prospect of salvation to those
have not the Gospel,
is
in proportion to the probability that
Jesus Christ will save them by direct interposition.
who
Rom.
X. 13, 14,
15.17.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
5.
man
holy*
we know,
has never been found on earth, so far as
was given, who had
since a written revelation
made
not been
so
And
No
by the power of the Gospel.
no foreign missionary, has ever reported

character.
279
apostle,
a single case of this
yet they have traversed every sea, ex-
plored every country, and in some age and form, offered
Now
the Saviour to almost every nation under heaven.
allowing that
men
are
made holy
in heathen lands, without
the instrumentality of the Gospel, yet
made known
ceive
it,
when
that Gospel
is
them, would not such persons instantly re-
to
and with spiritual relish adopt
it
for their
own,
as
kindred sunbeams mingle into one? But no such persons have

ever been found, since a written revelation was given, unless
indeed Cornelius, the centurion, be considered an example.
Allowing him
that
to
But the
men!
be such,
how
sadly solitary
memorable occasion,
that Cornelius
the speci-
is
sermon on
apostle distinctly declares in his
and his household
were already acquainted with God's written revelation to

the Jews; with the doctrine and baptism of John; and with
the
work and ministry
The
the
of the Son of God.t
inhabitants of the
Sandwich
nearest appjjpach to this.
though ignorant of Christianity.

sionaries arrived, they found
having no
made perhaps
islands
They
abolished
But when
idolatry,
Christian mis-
them unholy and degraded men,
taste for a spiritual religion,
and like
sinners, needing the renovating grace of
God
to
for heaven: and any previous changes had been
all
fit
little
other
them
more
than the wearing out of an obsolete, impure, and idolatrous
We
use this word, of course, in the Gospel sense
not to
mean
perfect,
but religiously dedicated to God, and delivered from the dominion of sin.
t
Acts
X.
.3639.
39
280
religion,
which had been outgrown by
made no response
Again;
if
their wants,
and
to their cry for succour.
such cases of salvation without the Gospel
were numerous enough
to justify the pleasing
hope of an
extensive redemption, surely out of hundreds of millions of
men, and through a
multitudes would be
series of ages,
found exhibiting the evidences of having
Such cases
as Job,
felt its influence.
and Jethro, and Lot, and Melchisedec,
and Abraham, might be looked
for in
But no
every land.
we know,
missionary or apostle, as far as
has been ever
While then
cheered by the discovery of a single case.
the
that loves the
may be redeemGod through Christ, yet

Saviour, or the souls of men, would make
this the exclusive
ground, or in any degree the ground, on
hope
still
trembles in our breasts, that some
ed by the direct interposition of
who
which
heathen?
to rest the salvation of the
Or who
that
believes the word of God, would suspend his own eternal

life upon such a condition? With these overwhelming facts
in
full
view,
we
are in
some measure prepared
to under-
stand and feel the urgency of those motives which press us

to send forth the Gospel, as
"on the wings
to the uttermost parts of the earth
the meaning of our Master
when he
require their blood at our hands,
ous duty to them.

us,
we may
if
Here, with the
of the morning,"
E^re we may know
tells us, that
he will
we neglect our momentmap of the world before
survey whole continents immersed in Pagan
darkness, and count the innumerable millions of heathen

population; and looking up into heaven and
may
set
calculate the
on our own.
worth of
He who
all
their souls
can look
spectacle, cannot be a Christian,
pathies
common
to all the race.
and
is
down
into hell,
by the value we
unmoved
at
such a
devoid of the sym-
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
281
In fine, there is one view, in which all Christians can

meet, and which directly transfers this awful subject from
our sympathies, to our consciences, and identifies our personal interests, in
some degree, with the
the heathen world.
It is this, that
state
and prospects of
however we
settle in
our
own minds the question of their condition in a future world,

our own will, in a degree, depends upon the way we feel and
act and give for their salvation: and God has declared, that
when we withhold the Gospel from them. He will treat us
precisely as
if
they were
lost;
and
lost
by our
disobedience.
Consider, in the fifth place, in affecting contrast with

the last view, the very limited extent of Christianity in
the world. It
of
this,
is
not
but into the
now
our place to inquire into the cause

It
fact.
may
passing, to remark, that the cause
be proper, however, in
is
chiefly to be sought in
But
the inefficiency of the Christian Church.

the fact, no one can doubt,
who
that such
is
acquainted with the
is at all
many ages
which have elapsed since the command was given to make
Christianity universally known, how little has been done towards this result! The Church has always been kept alive
history and present state of the world.
in the world:
After the
and millions, without number, have been
saved from eternal ruin, by her instrumentality.
But the
great mass of men, in the successive generations which have
passed into eternity since the death of Christ, have been

strangers to his religion.
And
even
in this age of the world,
not one-fourth part of the population of the earth have even
heard of the Saviour of sinners.
Look
at
the whole conti-
nent of Africa, lying under the thick darkness of
Mahome-
dan delusion, or of pagan superstition: converted by Christian America and Christian Europe into a
a market,
where men are bought and
sold!
field
of blood,
Look
at India,
282
What
and China, and the Islands of the Sea.
has been done
toward giving them the Gospel? The whole force of our missionaries abroad, if distributively disposed,
ford a
sion,
pastor
on
for a nation;
world
would scarcely af-
and the points of their impres-
in ruins, break at distant intervals
on the
view,
" Like sunny
islets, in
a stormy sea,
Like specks of azure, in a cloudy sky."
At
this
moment, the race
as such
may
be said to be
still
revolted, lost race; and at the present speed of our efforts

for
its
recovery, though greatly accelerated in latter years,
the world will never be saved!
VI. Our next suggestion
is,
that the best interests of the
Church of Christ at home require her to be actively enthe work of missions.

What we mean to say is, that the Church, as well as the
gaged in
world, gains by this service; and that

to the healthful action of the
Church,
it is
as
even
it is
as necessary
to the salvation
of the world.
One
of the most extraordinary facts in the history of the
present age
name
is,
that a grave attempt had been
made,
in the
of religion, to prove that the Church and the domestic
field are in
danger from an excessive issue of foreign mis-
sionaries.
We
regret that
we
cannot present in
a tabular
view, the number of evangelical ministers in the world

are labouring in
amount of
the
what
who
is
called the domestic field, with the
their hearers
on the one hand, and on the other
number of
evangelical missionaries, with the
amount of
heathen population in the world.

In such a view, the disparity would be
unspeakably great and awful.
By
made
the scale
it
to
appear
afforded us,
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
more
283
millions would be assigned to each foreign missionary,
than the same number of thousands to each pastor at home.
would be found
It
into a
that the ministers of Christ
few corners of the
desolations
earth, while the
was surrendered
self-devotion of a
little
we
send so
shall feel too
many
were crowded
field
of pagan
holy daring and generous
to the
At
band of foreign missionaries.*
ihe present time, therefore, there

that
wide
much
no ground for the fear
is
interest in the foreign field, or
damage the domestic
ministers abroad as to
* The following remarks, from the pen of the lamented and extraordinary
youth, John Urquliart, are so admirable and appropriate, that \vc cannot for-
bear their insertion here in a note.

" Let us imagine, that instead of the world, a single country had been
pointed out by our Lord as the

liar
with our
fied
was
own
the island of Great Britain
to
go through
and
since
we
that, instead of the
and preach the Gospel
forth to all nations,
been
And
of action.
field
are most fami-
land, let us just suppose, that the particular country speci-
to
command
to
go
every creature, the order had
the counties of this island, and preach the Gospel to
all
every inhabitant. I find that on a scale which would
make
the population of
Great Britain represent that of the world, the population of Mid Lothian
sufficiently accurate representation of the population of
might be taken as a
our
own
"In
land.
order, then, to have a just picture of the present state of the world,
only conceive that

other,
all
had contrived
single county.
who had
to
Imagine
England immersed
received the above commission,
to yourselves all the other divisions of Scotland
in heathen darkness
had so unaccountably happened

effort
was made
some how or
gather themselves together within the limits of this
to settle
down
together in one
little spot,
to evangelize the rest of the land, except by collecting a
money, and sending
forth
two or three
and
and that by these Christians who
itinerants, to
no
little
walk single handed
through the length and breadth of the country.

" I shall be
told,
however, that illustration
have our views been on
this subject, that
perfect caricature of the matter.

It is
it
But
is
you
not argument
and so distorted
will be disposed to think this
deny that
merely a representation on a reduced scale
this is
and
an
I believe
to be a correct representation of the state of the world."
illustration at alL
you
will find
284
work.
The wonder only
that
is,
any one acquainted with
the history of missions, should apprehend such a result even
A blush
in a distant futurity.
of shame would seem a
much
more appropriate concomitant of such a history than idle

and ill-omened auguries about the danger of excess in our
efforts for the
It is
heathen.
one of the most striking and merciful features in the
constitution of Christian character, that duty and our best in-
" Do
terests are inseparably blended.
" do good unto
all
men," meet
We
you."
shall be given unto
give and
*'
do ourselves harm, when
wisdom
refuse to do others good, and
thyself no harm,"
in the result,
it
we
unites with love and
duty, in prompting us to seek the salvation of our fellow-
men.
It is
grace,
*'
It is
the great law of moral action in the
that
it is
more
promised alike
Christians,
"they
be good,
to
is
abundantly.
to individuals,
and
to
kingdom of
to receive.^'
communities of
To
that water, shall be watered also."
do good: and
As
than
blessed to give
to
do good
is
to get
good more
well might the husbandman in time of
spring withhold his seed from the fallowed earth, to rescue

it
from waste,
as for us to
look for injuries to the Church
" If we sow
from the sending forth of foreign missionaries.

sparingly,
we
we
shall reap sparingly."
Did not the Jews

Christ
*' I
If
we
save the seed,
shall lose the harvest!
by refusing
Church of
lose their birthright in the
to give their religion to the Gentiles?
say, then, have they stumbled that they
forbid; but rather through their
fall,
might
salvation
is
fall?
God
come
to
the Gentiles."*
It is a
memorable
fact, that
Rom.
the corruptions of the primi-
xi. 11.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
tive
church increased in proportion
Nor
ary enterprise.
revival of religion at
is
it
285
to the
decay of mission-
harmony, and even exact degree, with the

of foreign missions.
our day, the
less true, that, in
home, appeared and grew
It is
spirit
in perfect
and work
not necessary to determine whe-
ther this spirit be the cause or the effect of reviving religion
among
the people.
If
be the uniform
it
sence denotes religious decay;
then
is it
if it
The
a blessing to the Church.
once the cause and the
As
effect.
then
effect,
its
ab-
be the uniform cause,

truth
Christians
increased regard for God, and for their
own
is, it is
awake
souls,
at
to an
they ac-
quire also an increased regard for the well-being of other
men: they
feel a
duces increased
they
offer,
more tender and holy
An
ing heathen.
efforts for their salvation
every
they bestow,
gift
make, returns into

pression
pity for the perish-
increased interest in their welfare pro-
their
made abroad
own
is felt
bosoms.
and every prayer
every
with electric force
as Scipio raised the siege of
Rome
at the
and thus a repercussive influence
thage:
exchanged.
Let
effort
those, therefore,
who
they
Thus, every imat
home,
gates of Caris
constantly
shelter their con-
sciences against the claims of foreign missions, under the

idle
and
fallacious
home," henceforth
to
at
we have
remember that
home
is
heathen enough at
the Church cannot afford
way
to carry
to carry on missions abroad;
and that
do without the foreign
on missions
all
adage "that
field;
that the best
neglect of this great cause not only violates the last com-
mand
of Jesus Christ, and endangers the souls of innume-
rable millions of our fellow-men, but impairs the vital energies
(3f
VII.
the Church
We
itself.
remark again, that the world never
ivill be
jgSe
converted to God, ivithout the active
and
intentional
agency of the. Church of Christ.

It is evident from the word of God, and the
Not
the instrumentality of the people of God.
necessary on God's part; but
should be
In this
so.
same time,
he uses
as
is
if
it
frail
an
at
the
kingdom of darkness; and
already seen, the instrument which
prepared for heaven by the service which he
This plan of operation
performs.
on, but
we have
that
break the oppressor's power, and rescue the
to
oppressed,
Him
is
puts eternal shame upon
way God
destroy the
to
has pleased
it
that this
honour on his Son, by using so
Satan, and eternal
agency
past history
world never will be saved without
of Missions, that the
we may speak
so,
is
not only determined
the divine veracity
is
pledged,
and the divine honour committed, on the principle that
men, Christian men, are
The
men-
human
to take the
Gospel
to their fellow
divine influence must of course attend and bless
exertion and Gospel means.
But human agency
inseperable from the success of the arrangement.

into all the world,
and Lol
lam
and preach the Gospel
to
^'
is
Go ye
every creature;
with you alway, even unto the end of the
world!"
In
all
ages,
since the apostles
closed their illustrious
labours, the grand diificulty has been to induce
their part in this great work.
Gospel by his holy providence,
Redeemer,
If
we
that of
all
has done;
may
it
the people, there
subtract from the
Christianity,
God
'^
sum
men
to
of
almost be said of the

is
none with him."*
what has been
effected for
that the course of human afiairs overruled

all
do
In the propagation of the
by
that natural generation has done; all that
* Foster.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
287
emigration and colonizing(withChristian population) heathen

lands, have done;
all
that the bringing of the heathen to the
Gospel has done;
all
that
wars and revolutions, inventions
and discoveries, and human enterprise have unintetition'

ally done; in a word,
if
we
fluences of Christianity, and
subtract
all
the indirect in-
all
the overruled events of the
world, from what has been done for the cause of Jesus, then
how much
Now
will remain?
by
these agencies, and indeed
all
verse of agencies,
is
the great
on the work of Redemption.
which
steadily sets in
world,
is
the navigator
work
But the
with the
by the whole
uni-
of the Church carrying

tide of providence,
eonversion of the
final
only the stream on which the "tall and goodly
vessel" of the Gospel
of Jesus
Head
fill
man
the
of the
sail.
and
to reach its desired
Heretofore,
if
is
we may
so speak, the
the Church;
required to carry forward the
God demands
of us that
haven,
as well as the Spirit
Lord has been carrying forward
but .the Church

the Lord.
floats:
must take the helm,
we
work
of
give not only an
overruled and indirect assistance (for that he extorts even
from his
foes,) but that
positive, direct,
and
VHL We proceed
to
we
should co-operate with
him
in
intentional instrumentality
remark, that a crisis appears now
to have been arrived at, in the history of the world, in
which
it
Church
of
is
peculiarly important for
to bear
the heathen.
with
all her resources
the
Christian
on the conversion
In a somewhat inverted application of
the apocalyptic symbol, a
" voice" seems
from the temple of God, saying, thrust
to
" come
in the sickle
forth
and
reap, for the time to reap has come; for the harvest of the
earth
is
ripe."
40
The
spirit of the
age
is
ripe for action, for
28a
it
is
and
ripe, if well directed, not
is
public
It is a
a spirit of extraordinary enterprise.
spirit also,
only for action,
but for combined action, on a scale of noble daring and subIt is an age of
lime extent, hitherto unknown on earth.
revolution; and
provement
ing
<<
it is
ripe not only for change, but for im-
While the God of providence
too.
of nations must be
nations, the desire
all
While he removes diadem
crown
after crown,'^*
hand.
diadem, and takes
after
He must
shak-
is
at
be near whose right
it
off
is
to rule.
And
then our
the universal diffusion of the
facilities for
Gospel, are great and manifold, to a most surprising extent.
By
the
all
nations,
by the
by
power of the
arts,
spirit
press,
by
all
by the general
great rival systems of religion, and
is
commerce of the
and growth of liberty, by the decay of the
the heathen world, as well as
Gospel,
the
by arms, by the progress of improvement,
the
way
by
ajl
Lord prepared before
of the
state of
the provisions of the

us,
and our
long delay reproved.
And
again, every step
conded and sustained.
we
our hopes, has attended our

a
take seems to be divinely se-
Success beyond our

efforts,
above
and beckoned us on
more devoted and extended work of
which seemed
faith,
missions.
a rock has sent forth gushing waters,
to
That
when
smitten by the rod of the Gospel herald, in the Redeemer's
name.
us, or
Nations have thrown away their idols to receive
have given them up
at
our bidding; while other na-
tions are inviting us to come, and

sail
weep when
a Christian
appears, bringing no Bibles and no missionaries.
a reproving providence,
Ilaggai
And
opening a way for the Gospel to
iii. 7.
Ezekiel xxi. 27.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
mankind, seems
^'
339
to say, in the voice of all
operations,
its
go forward, go forward," to the lingering, hesitating
Church.
The next
IX.
try.
It is this:
suggestion has reference to our
the concomitant spirit of the people, fit

liar
manner
missions.
stitutional
own
coun-
and
that the genius of our institutions,
to receive
There
with favour appeals in behalf of
exists in the
sympathy
them in a pecu-
bosom of
the people a con-
and a fervid
for oppressed nations,
desire to impart to others the blessings

It is, in this respect, a nation
which we enjoy.
of philanthropists; a deposi-
tory of civil and religious liberty for the population of the
we may
Here, then,
earth.
successfully approach
the guardians of the Bible for other lands.

a national
highway
transition,
though
to
elevated freedom; to
We
may
easy to
the
delicate,
of the
hearts
is
not
resist,
as
people.
The
more
difficult,
to
more pure and enduring
say to them with a force which
them
Here we have
it
blessings.
will not be
you, the people of this happy land, who, in
the noble disinterestedness of freemen and of brethren,

exult in the political independence of Spanish America, in
the emancipation of injured Greece, and the rising liberties
of France; you
who welcome with
enthusiastic hospitality
the arrival on your shores of the oppressed Irishman and

the persecuted Pole;
you who pant and pray
for universal
freedom, and delight to impart the blessings of your national republican institutions to
you
stifle
plead
an admiring world; will
the convictions which rise up in your breasts to
for the rights of
man?
Can you withhold from
heathen nations the covenant of their
bury
in
your rusting
coffers their
spiritual peace,
and
heavenly citizenship and
290
their eternal
and the
freedom?
spirit of
And
American
if
such
is
citizens,
the feeling of freemen
what ought we not
to
look for from the Christians of America, upon whose

hearts have been superinduced the unearthly influences and
resistless appeals of eternal truth
and holy love!
it is a missionary spirit which we need in

Church of God, in order to give her the proper efficiency in the work of missions. By this we mean a spirit
X. Finally;
the
of supreme devotion to the divine Redeemer; a spirit in
unison with the end for which the Saviour died; a spirit
which properly estimates the value of the
soul; a spirit of
enlarged and generous love to man, and of holy pity to the

perishing heathen.
religion,
In a word,
This
and of Jesus Christ.
tian enterprise,
which
a Christian people.
'^
is
we mean
is
the spirit of true
the spirit of Chris-
attributed in ancient
The people
that
be strong, and shall do exploits."
know
prophecy to
the
It is this
Lord
shall
which burnt
with holy and consuming ardour in the great apostle's

breast,
when he
declared,
<
only, but also to die for the
am
name
ready not
of the
to
be bound
Lord Jesus."
<'
have strived to preach among the Gentiles, where Jesus
was not named, the unsearchable riches of Christ."* Under

the influence of such a spirit as this, a
and of movements would
new
arise, altogether
order of
and long tolerated standard of the Christian Church.
men
The
as Paul,
men
above the tame
Such
and Luther, and Whitfield would re-appear.
sons of thunder would again fulminate upon the na-
tions,
and the sons of consolation again pour into the weary
and heavy laden hearts of pagan men, the
* Acts xxi. 13.
Romans
xv. 20.
oil
Ephesians
of Gospel joy
iii.
8.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
The
and gladness.
might of God, and

transcend
would
heroic heralds of the cross, clad in the
with the
fired
human
all
nations,
and
would hasten with the Gospel

fly
human
dying
to the
through the earth as avant couriers of the
A few such
approaching King of Kings.*
home and
would
spirit of missions,
calculations; impatient of delay, they
outstrip the tedious and timid expedients of
policy; they
men
as tliese at
abroad, would kindle the whole Church of Christ
into one broad blaze of light;
every
291
would
call
out into action
and every temporal resource; and
spiritual energy,
cause a resistless enginery of Gospel means, to bear upon

the entire destruction of heathenism.
It has
been the uniform
and even with ridicule from
The
the weak, the selfish, and the over cautious.

called profane,
meet
fate of all great enterprises to
in their origin with resistance
and even mad, the
first
ancients
brave mariner
who
ventured out to sea: Columbus was for almost an age an un-
heeded suppliant
asked
at their
NEW WORLD
ing, the
European
hands the permission
Our own
So
it
princes, though he
to present
them with
glorious revolution was, at
wonder of one
the other.
Even
at the feet of
its
dawn-
half mankind, and the derision of
has been with the missionary enterprise.
at the present day,
it is
the by-word of
prudent^^ of this world; and a great
*^
the wise and
number of professed
Christians, preferring ease to self-denial, and thinking the

state of the
heathen so good, and the value of the Gospel
them so small, regard every such attempt as in the
last
to
de-
gree extravagant and wild.
We are aware
that this spirit, like every other,
* "Aut inveniam viam aut faciam,"

sanctified
by divine grace.
is tlie
is
liable
true missionary prinri|)lp,
when
292
We
to abuse.
remember the crusades of one
We are
fanatical zeal of several others.
gious knight-errants, or
through the world

adventures.
It
^*
no friends
to reli-
who
crazy cosmopolites,
travel
without wisdom to direct" in quest of
may
be worthy of remark, however, that
which such
the very attention
age, and the
counterfeits excite,
shows
the fine impression that the true missionary character

to
fitted
make, when embodied
is
the persons of such
in
no advocates of extremes on either side.
But we are
The extreme
of indifierence or of cowardice
itself; is
men
Buchanan and Martyn.
as Whitfield,
hurtful,
The extreme
tical rashness.
criminal in
is
common, and perhaps more
mere worldly expedien-
of
cy and secular policy in missions

ous enterprise.
The system
is
the work, entitled
School,"
and spurn
For Missionaries
He
on one extreme.
is
all
helps, and outfits,
and
warm
<*
is
but wild fancy.
after the Apostolical
and means, save only the
The work, on
is
This
is
quite exces-
its
own
the contrary, entitled
quite as extreme on the other side.
plan of operation which
astrous in
author of
destined to live only in the fervours of his
Hints on Missions,"
The
The
would storm the world,
vagrant and unfurnished missionary.

sive,
presumptu-
as evil as
of the Jesuits was as fatal as
the spirit of the crusaders to true religion.

^'
more
than that of fana-
it
suggests would be
more
dis-
consequences, because not speculative and im-
practicable like the other, but mainly secular, and requiring
only secular
men
to
promote
it.
The
author would civilize
and colonize the world into Christianity; he would make a
mere business-matter of
tions; in a
giviiig Christianity to
heathen na-
word, he would so adjust things, that the world
grow up into Christianity.

Now, the medium between these extremes is the true Gos-
should
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
No
pel plan.
scheme abounds so much
293
wisdom,
in practical
and powerful means, directly adapted
produce the
to
in-
tended end, as the Gospel method of converting the world.
And
is
the spirit of missionary enterprise of which
that divine influence
and impelled
The
by which man
speak,
to spread this salvation.
great agents must be the ministers of reconciliation,
sent out into
the world, under the supreme dominion of
all
the people of the Lord,
this spirit:
not to go, yet
if
they possess this
heaven by their intercessions, and
who
cannot, and ought
spirit will
help them in
On
such a
will " shed his selectest influences;" a resistless
attend every effort directed
by
by
their
spirit
God
power
will
in heathen lands
manifold and abounding charities.
effort
we
once qualified
is at
this spirit;
and
would succeed universal impression.
to universal
Thus
the pro-
mises of the Gospel would travail in the birth of nations,
and soon a renovated world would people the Church, and

a glorified
Church would people heaven.
We have pursued these suggestions so far,

is left for
the application
that little
which we had intended of
room
this dis-
cussion.
It
may seem in
strong contrast to some of our remarks, yet

to say, that
prophecy,
by general consent, represents the conversion of
the world
it is
in perfect consistency
as near at hand.
who were
with them,
When the
about to
flee
Apostle Paul assured the crew
out of the ship,
^*
except ye abide in
the ship ye cannot be saved," he did not forget or disparage

the revelation of the
" There
shall
a hair shall
fall
Angel of God, who had
be no loss of any man's
life
said unto
among you;
not
And so
the
from the head of any of you."*

*
Acts
xxviii.
him,
294
world must soon be converted
God; but
to
The means
done by the agency of man.
must be
this
are no less neces-
sary and certain than the end; and as in order of time, they
must precede, and by divine appointment bring
about, so
it
nothing ever can nor ever will be done without their proper
When
use.
"Daniel understood by the books" of divine
prophecy, that a time was set for the restoration of
he
at once,
and for that reason, betook himself to the work
of intercession for the predicted deliverance.
not that the conversion of the world
is
If
it
God
and we expect
has said
it,
therefore
it is
true;
not only certainly, but soon.
it
were
a predicted and pro-
mised event, who could believe that
word,
Israel,
ever will occur! But
In order to
it
this,
at his
how-
ever, Christians must begin to feel, and pray, and labour,
and give and make
sacrifices, in far
another style; and great
events must succeed each other, with a celerity and effect

heretofore
unknown on
The
earth.
last forty years,
com-
pared with the centuries past, have been distinguished by
many
But
such events; and
in these
may
be a type of the years to come.
few years just before
The
us, the
world and the
God must be
dew of the morning; and they must grow
in stature, as they augment in numbers. The irreconcileable
enemies of God may expect to perish with accelerated speed,
and great terror. As it is written, "one woe is past, and
Church must
live
very fast.
friends of
multiplied like the
behold, there
the third
come two woes m.ore hereafter; and, behold
woe cometh quickly. ^^
One most cheering
characteristic of the present crisis
the increasing union of the people of God.

spirit of
enlargement that
many
of our
ning,
perhaps,
national
with
now
Another
is
is,
the
possesses and distinguishes
benevolent
only a very
institutions.
distant
Begin-
regard to so
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
295
great a work, Ihey have imperceptibly, and even rapidly,
been led on by the finger of God, until
now
the Bible, and
the Tract, and the Sunday-school, and the Temperance, and

the Mariner's Societies have, in succession, passed the limits
of our
own
of action.
country, and taken the world for their theatre
It is a
heavenly token
too, that
God is j)Ouring
out his Spirit upon our missionary labours and institutions abroad; thus setting his approving seal to the work,
and,
the
by divine
God
interposition, giving evidence of his being
of the Bible, and the
the most important of
all
God
of the race.
the tokens for good
God's method of converting th^ world,

of the Gospel, has begun
a great
youth have dedicated themselves
word
is this,
still
that
viz. the j)r caching
to take its true place in the re-
gards of the Church of God;
home and
And
number of devoted
to the
honoured work,
at
abroad; and the earth seems preparing to hear the
of the Lord.
Who,
then, will dare to slumber at such
Who will dare to shut up his bowels of comWho will hoard God's treasure, when the
Who will refuse, when God
may
be in
souls
life of
Who will
calls him from on high, to come up to his help
here am I, send me?'' Did Christ Jesus
refuse to say,
a time as this
passion
now?
it }
.^
*'
pour out his soul unto death

fuse to give our substance
every hesitating heart

speaking from heaven,
for us,
and
we now reunto Him? To
shall
or ourselves
seem
to hear an
injured Saviour
'Îf thou altogether holdest thy
peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise
from another
place; but thou shall be
destroyed."^
The
organization, the numbers, the character, and the in-
fluence of the Presbyterian
Church
* Esther
41
iv.
14.
in
the United States
296
have
the
She has not met
of foreign missions.
cause
reasonable hope.
She has not acted on
way worthy
avowed
of her
fessed love to
by her
the expectation of a noble effort
justified
allegiance to
this
this subject in a
God, of her pro-
man, and of her pure and powerful witness
to the truth at
Her
home.
disregard of foreign missions
has been in singular contrariety to the promptitude and effect
with which she has sustained each great domestic enter-
have in succession
prise in behalf of Christianity, as they
At
presented themselves before her.
this
moment every
Presbytery in the Church (and they amount to more than
one hundred) ought, on a general average,
provide
to
one foreign missionary, and then to sustain him in the

field
of his labours.
Whether our lethargy on
this subject
from the want of missionary organization in the
result
bosom of the Church, or from the

criminal want of a missionary
more
still
public sin to confess and to forsake.
ned; and
we had
all
and
all
a great
The Church
has sin-
we her ministers have sinned
high time that
distressing
we have
spirit,
still
repented of this
more.
sin,
It is
and evin-
ced the soundness of our repentance by a due and deep re-
Then
form.
let
every minister awake, and
ber awake, at the
let
every
mem-
of the divine Redeemer, to regard
call
the claims of the dying Heathen?
To
the youth of our
the Gospel
we
which, under God,

shall rescue
Church who
are preparing to preach
especially look for that Christian enterprise,

shall rouse the energies of the
her venerated name from reproach
and bear her heavenly charities
to
young brothers
who
in the
Lord,
heathen lands.
are
Church;
among men;
To
standing on the
threshold of the most elevated and most awful of

trusts,
we would most
affectionately
these
say
take
human
not your
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.
297
standard of action from your fathers and elder brethren in
Shame covers our
the ministry.
faces
when we
turn them
towards the continents, where darkness and death eternal
Pause before you
reign.
select a field of future labour;
and survey these wide and awful desolations of many geneListen to the groans of dying millions as they as-
rations!
cend
to
Count not your own
heaven!
in comparison of their eternal
lives dear to you,
Come
good!
your sacred shades of study and devotion

hearts
anew in
to
kindle our
Come! not only to
this great service!
us, but lead us to that field to which the finger of
rects you,
and the wail of perishing nations
Finally.
in a
calls
point
God
di-
you!
In associating ourselves with the empire of God,
as agents in this great

tion, that
from
forth
we
work,
it is
are a spectacle to
most
men and
affecting considera-
angels: that
we
public world, which has been selected by God,
live
as a
theatre for the display of the most sublime and awful events
in the history of the universe.
to the entrance of sin into
ruin,
on the one hand
We allude more especially
with
it,
all its
train of death,
and the method of
the other, by the death of the Son of God.
which
its
is
is
going forward,
issue all beings
now
its field, is
all
creatures
have an
THEN, THAT
a jjart; in
Our world, which
appointed of God, to be the tomb of
and the trophy of Divine Redemption.
on such a stage?
In the contest
may have
interest.
Oh
WE ARE
and
destruction on
its
And
are
distinction full of terror!
COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO
we
<<
sin,
actors
Seeing
GREAT A CLOUD
OF WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN
THAT DOTH MOST EASILY BESET

TIENCE THE RACE THAT
JESUS."
IS
US,
AND LET
US
RUN WITH
PA-
SET BEFORE US, LOOKING UNTO
ADDENDUM
42
Dr. Miller's celebrated Lecture on " The utility and importance of Creeds
and
Confessions,''^
reference
ter.
As
is
made
it falls
Lectures,"
it
has been out of print for a considerable time.

to
it,
and, especially of late,
This Lecture unquestionably adds

Ed.
much
Frequent
sought
af-
Spruce Street
has been deemed advisable to supply the demand, by giving

;
with a view
has carefully revised, and somewhat enlarged
volume.
has been
in so happily with the general scope of the "
a place, as an addendum, in this volume
dix."
it
much
it,
and
to the
it
to
which, the author
also
added the "Appen-
worth and
utility
of the
UTILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF CREEDS AND

CONFESSIONS:
AN
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,
DEUVERED
AT THE OPENING OF THE SUMMER SESSION OF THE THEOLOGICAL

SEMINARY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
PRINCETON,
N.
J.
JULY
2,
1824.
7^BY SAMUEL MILLER,
D.D.
Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Government in said Seminary.
In necessariis unitas, in non necessariis
libertas, in
omnibus charitas."
Jiugustin.
SECOND EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED BY THE AUTHOR FOR THIS WORK.
PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED BY RUSSELL & MARTIEN,
9
GEORGE STREET.
1833.
AN
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,
&c.
BELOVED CANDIDATES FOR THE HOLY MINISTRY,
The
character and situation of one
who
is
the Sacred Office, are interesting beyond the
guage
Such an one,
to express.
professes to love and serve,
again of
many
In
in Israel.''
Master
like the
"set for the
is
all
that
he
preparing for
power of
is,
fall
and
lan-
whom
he
and rising
in
all
that
he does, the temporal and eternal welfare, not only of himbut of thousands,
self,
is
beset with perils.
may
On every
be involved.
Whatever may be
side
he
and
his talents
learning, if he have not genuine piety, he will probably be
a curse instead of a blessing to the Church.
not the only danger to which he
is
exposed.
But
this is
He may
have
unfeigned piety, as well as talents and learning; and yet,
from habitual indiscretion; from
a defect in that sobriety of
mind, which
all
every one
for novelty
which
is
is
who
so precious to
so natural to
men;
peace, and a corrupter of
self,
whatever
say,
<iit
to
and innovation, or from that love of distinction
the *^body of Christ," he
most
men, but especially
occupies a public station; from a fondness
may
after
all,
instead of edifying
may become
its
a disturber of its
purity; so that
we might
be the result with respect to
had been good for the Church
if
al-
him-
he had never
been born."
Hence
is
it is,
that every part of the character of
coming forward
to the
him who
holy ministry; his opinions; his
temper; his attainments; his infirmities; and above
43
all,
his
UTILITY AND IMPORTANCE
304
character as a practical Christian;
are of
inestimable im-
portance to the ecclesiastical community of which he
Nothing
destined to be a minister.
uninteresting.
to
ino-,
it
him,
for
is
strictly speak-
<Mive to himself/' or to *^die to himself," the
would be
case
If
were possible
is
him
that pertains to
But
different.
it
is
His de-
not possible.
fects as well as his excellencies; his gifts and graces, as well
as the
weak
points of his character,
must and
will all
have
their appropriate effect on every thing that he touches.
Can you wonder, then,
that,
employed
to
conduct the edu-
cation of candidates for this high and holy office, wê feel
ourselves placed under a solemn, nay, an awful responsi-
Can you wonder
bility?
fore
you
in
that,
having advanced a
our experience in relation to this
rish the deepest solicitude at every step
be-
little
office,
we
che-
you take?
Can
you wonder, that we daily exhort you

yourselves and your doctrine;'' and that we cease not
to <^take
entreat you, and to pray for you, that
God and
approve yourselves to
to
faithful servants
did
we
Independently of
not feel and act thus,
bility to the interests of the
we
you give
his
all
heed
to
to
diligence
Church able and
all official
obligation,
should manifest an insensi-
Church, as well
as to
your true
welfare, equally inexcusable and degrading.

It is in
provement
consequence of
this
deep solicitude for your im-
in every kind of ministerial furniture, that
we
not only endeavour to conduct the regular course of your

instruction in such a
manner
promote the great end of

seize the opportunity
all
as
we
think best adapted to
your studies; but that
we
also
which the general Lecture, introduc-
tory to each session affords us, of calling your attention to

a series of subjects,
which do not
course of our instruction.
fall
within the ordinary
OF CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS.
3a5
subject of this nature will engage our attention on the
present occasion: namely,
the importance of Creeds

AND Confessions for maintaining the unity and puRiTy of the visible Church.
This
is
a subject, which,
though
properly belongs
it
to the
department of Church GovernTnent, has always been, for
want of time, omitted
in the
that division of our studies.

call
your attention
to
it,
Lectures usually delivered on
And
am
because, as I said,
induced
longs to the department committed to me; because

itself a subject
much
still
to
in
is
it
highly interesting and important; because
has been for a number of years past, and

of
now
properly be-
it
is,
it
the object
severe animadversion, on the part of latitudina-
rians and heretics; and because, though abundantly justified
by reason, Scripture, and universal experience, the spontaneous feelings of many, especially under the free govern-
ment which
against
it
is
our happiness to enjoy, rise up
in
what they deem, and are sometimes pleased
arms
to call,
the excessive ''rigour,''^ and even ^'tyranny,^^ of exacting

subscription to Articles of Faith.
my
some remarks on
the
UTILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF WRITTEN CrEEDS; and
ê-
It
is
design, first, to ofler
condly, to obviate some of the more
common and
plausible
OBJECTIONS which have been urged against them by
their
adversaries.
I.
By
a Creed., or
exhibition,
in
human
Confession of Faith,
mean, an
language, of those great doctrines
which are believed by the framers of it to be taught in the

Holy Scriptures; and which are drawn out in regular order, for the purpose of ascertaining
to unite in
how
far those
who wish
church fellowship are really agreed in the funda-
mental principles of Christianity.
Creeds and Confessions
306
do not claim
to be in
themselves laws of Christ's house, or
enactments, by which any
legislative
set of opinions are
constituted truths, and which require, on that account, to
be received as truths
They only
among
profess to be
members
the
of his family.
summaries, extracted from the
Scriptures, of a few of those great Gospel doctrines, which
are taught
the
by Christ
summary
portant,
himself; and
which those who make
in each particular case,
and agree
to
concur in deeming im-
the test of their religious union.
make
They have no idea that, in forming this summary, they

make any thing truth, that was not truth before; or that
they thereby contract an obligation to believe, what they
were not bound by the authority of Christ
But they simply consider
fore.
to believe be-
as a list of the leading
it
which the Bible teaches, which, of course,
truths
all
men
ought to believe, because the Bible does teach them; and
which
a certain portion of the visible church catholic agree
in considering as a formula
by means of which they may
know and understand one another.

Now, I affirm, that the adoption of such
lawful and expedient, but
the
Creed
also indispensably
harmony and purity of the
visible
establishment of this position, let
me
is
not only
necessary to
Church.
For the
request your atten-
tion to the following considerations.

1.
Without
how
Creed explicitly adopted,
it is
not easy to
and members of any particular

CHURCH, AND MORE ESPECIALLY A LARGE DENOMINATION
OF Christians, can maintain unity among themselves.
see
the ministers
If every Christian
inquired,
man
felt,
were
mere insulated
individual,
who
and acted for himself alone, no Creed of hu-
formation would be necessary for his advancement in
knowledge, comfort, or holiness.
With
the Bible in his

and with his eyes opened
closet,
things" which
contains, he
it
Church
is
to see the
would have
But the
ful for his edification.
case
is far
a society; a society which,
*'one body in Christ," and
Nor
one of another."
'<
that
all
wondrous
was need-
otherwise.
The
however extended,
who compose
all
307
it,
is
"members
society merely required to
is this
be one in name, or to recognize a mere theoretical union

but also carefully to maintain "the unity of the Spirit in
They
the bond of peace."
one
spirit
are exhorted to "stand fast in
They
with one mind."
"speak the same thing," and
And
mind."
this
*^
to
unity of spirit"
who
comfort and edification of those
church fellowship, as
mand
less
are
of their Master.
they be agreed?"
it
commanded
all
to
be "of one accord, of one

is as
essential to the
arc joined together in
to a
compliance with the com-
"How
can any walk together un-
is
Can
body of worshippers, com-
posed of Calvinists, Arminians, Pelagians, Arians, and Socinians, all pray,
and preach, and commune together
profit-
ably and comfortably, each retaining the sentiments, feelings,
and language appropriate
to his
denomination
would indeed make the house of God
What! can
who
those
believe the
This
a miserable Babel.
Lord Jesus Christ
to
be
God, equal with the Father, and worship him accordingly;
and
those
idolatry:
their
who
consider
all
such worship as abominable
Those who cordially renounce
own works
all
dependence on
or merit for justification before God, rely-
ing entirely on his rich grace, "through the redemption that

is
in Christ Jesus;"
and those who pronounce
liance fanatical, and man's
of hope:
own
all
such re-
righteousness the sole ground
Can persons who cherish these irreconcilably op-
posite sentiments and feelings on the most important of

subjects, unite
with edification in the same prayers,
all
listen
308
from Sabbath
Sabbath to the same instructions, and
to
together in comfort at the same sacramental table
might Jews and Christians worship together

temple.
They must
in the
sit
well
same
either be perfectly indifferent to the
which they are thus divided, or
great subjects on
As
all
intercourse must be productive of jarring and distress.

a discordant assembly
their
Such
might talk about church fellowship;
but that they should really enjoy that fellowship which the
Bible describes as so precious, and which the pious so

delight to cultivate,
impossible;
is
just
much
as impossible as
"that righteousness should have fellowship with unrighteousness," or " light hold
communion with
darkness, or
Christ maintain concord with Belial."
Holding these things
any church
to
guard
from that
itself
perpetual strife of feeling,
which must ensue, when
it
its
I ask, is
baleful discord, that
not of words and conduct,
if
Nay, how
neous materials?
of harbouring in
be self-evident, how,
to
is
made up
of such heteroge-
is
Church
to avoid the guilt
bosom, and of countenancing by
its fel-
lowship, the worst heresies that ever disgraced the Christian
name?
who
It is not
many who
for
enough
for attaining this object, that all
are admitted profess to agree in receiving the Bible;

call
themselves Christians, and profess to
take the Bible for their guide, hold opinions, and speak a
language as foreign, nay, as opposite, to the opinions and

language of
tians,
is
many
others,
and equally profess
to the west.
who
equally claim to be Chris-
to receive the Bible, as the east
Of those who agree
fession, the greater part
acknowledge
the whole sacred canon, as
we
in this general pro-
as of divine authority
receive
it;
while others
would throw out whole chapters, and some a number of entire
books from the volume of God's revealed
will.
The
309
orthodox maintain the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures;

while some
who
insist that
inspiration altogether.
they are Christians, deny their
In short, there are multitudes who,
professing to believe the Bible, and to take
it
guide, reject every fundamental doctrine which
So
was
it
in the beginning as well as
now.
Apostle declares, that some in this day,
who
for their
it
contains.
An
inspired
not only pro-
fessed to believe the Scriptures, but even to "preach Christ,"
did really preach "another Gospel," the teachers of which
he charges those
to
whom
he wrote
"accursed;"
to hold
and he assures them that there are some "heresies" so

deep and radical that they are
"damnable."
to be accounted
Surely those
who
together'' in
"church fellowship" with those who are "ac-
maintain the true Gospel, cannot
cursed" for preaching "another Gospel," and
who
"walk
espouse
"damnable heresies," the advocates of which the disci" receive into their
ples of Christ are not permitted even to
houses," or to " bid

are the
members
God speed!" How,
then, I ask again,
of a Church, to take care that they be,
according to the divine command, "of one mind," and "of
They may
who
commuto profess a belief in the Bible; nay, they may require

profession to be repeated every day, and yet may be
one way?"
nion
this
require
all
enter their
corrupted and divided by every form of the grossest error.
Such
is
a professiori,
bond of no
ship.
it
is
manifest, ascertains no agreement;
real union; a pledge of
no spiritual fellow-
It leaves every thing within the range of nominal
Christianity, as perfectly undefined, and as
much exposed
to total discord as before.
But perhaps
it
dy, that there be
will be proposed as a
di
more
clTicient
reme-
private understanding, vigilantly
act-
ed upon, that no ministers or members be admitted, but
310
who
those
are
known, by private conversation with them,
substantially to agree with the original body, with regard
In this way, some allege, dis-
both to doctrine and order.

cord
may
be banished, and a church kept pure and peaceful,
without an odious array of Creeds and Confessions.

this proposal, I
answer, in
ihe,
first place,
it is,
To
to all intents
and purposes, exhibiting a Creed, and requiring subscription to
it,
while the contrary
making use of
It is
insinuated and professed.
is
most rigorous
a religious test, in the
manner, without having the honesty or the manliness to
avow it.
For what matter is it,
as to the real spirit of the pro-
ceeding, whether the Creed be reduced
who
them
as a
body,
are not approved
if it
equally exclude applicants
But
to this
proposed remedy,
answer, in the second place, the question, what

ness in the faith?
members
left to
be
minds of the church members, and
registered only in the
applied by
to writing, or
however
of the church
sound-
upon by the
explicitly agreed
among
is
themselves, cannot be safely
the understanding and recollection of each indi-
vidual belonging to the
body
As
in question.
well might
the civil constitution of a Slate, instead of being committed
to
writing, be
left
to
the vague and ever varying
impressions of the individual citizens
In
it.
such a constitution,
be neither certainty nor

tailers of its articles
who
stability.
it
under
Scarcely any two re-
would perfectly agree
persons would expound
live
every one sees there could
and the same
differently at different times, as
their interests or their passions
might happen
Quite as unreasonable and unsafe,
to
say the
to bear
least,
sway.
would
it
be to leave the instrument of a church's fellowship on a similar footing.
as a
Such
nuncupative creed,
when most needed
means of quieting disturbances, or of excluding corrup-
tion,
would be rendered doubtful, and, of course,
useless.

by having
most important provisions called
its
A case in
on every
side.
at all,
would be
it
which,
more
f\ir
if it
311
in question
were made operative
likely to be perverted into an
instrument of popular oppression, than to be employed as
means of sober and wholesome government.
The
inference then plainly
is,
that
no church can hope
maintain a homogeneous character;
to
no church can
be
secure either of purity or peace, for a single year; nay, no
church can effectually guard against the highest degrees of

corruption and
without some
strife,
test of truth, explicitly
agreed upon, and adopted by her, in her ecclesiastical capacity
something recorded ;
something publicly known;
something capable of being referred to when most needed
which not merely
this or that private
have been received
to
agreed
to adhere,
member supposes
but to which the church as such has
as a
bond of union.
a church, in order to maintain
and
As
to a
to
In other words,
"the unity of the
the bond of peace and love," must have a
ten Creed
Creed
Spirit in
which she has formally given her
conformity
writassent,
which her ministrations are pledged.
to
long as such a test
to
\s
faithfully applied, she cannot
fail
of being in some good degree united and harmonious; and
when nothing
of
tlie
kind
is
employed,
see not
can be expected, without a miracle, to escape
all
how
she
the evils of
discord and corruption.

2.
The
necessity and importance of Creeds and Confes-
sions appear from the consideration, that one great design of
establishing a
all
ages, a
Church
in
our world was, that she might be in
depository, a guardian, and a witness of
THE truth.
Christians, collectively as well as individually, are repre-
sented in Scripture as witnesses for God.
44
They are com-
312
manded
to maintain his truth,
of life," in
<f
all its
have
to
<'
buy the
hold
received ;"
truth,
converted.
and not
plainly
lar import,
'^
to
and
make
many
" lift up
comes
to
the
it
other commands, of simi-
the duty of every Christian
and expose prevailing heresies;
to detect
to
strive together for the faith of
such as embrace radical heresy from their
all
They
to sell it;"
form of sound words which they
fast the
and
These, and
the Gospel."
church
may be enlightened and

^
to
earnestly for the faith once delivered to
contend
saints;"
word
purity and lustre before a perverse gene-
ration, that others
are exhorted
to *^hold forth the
and
a standard" for truth,
to
exclude
communion
whenever '' the enemy
in like a flood."
But does not
all
this
imply taking
effectual
Does not
distinguish between truth and error?

cessarily infer the duty of
measures
all
to
this ne-
drawing, and publicly mani-
festing, a line between those who, while they profess, in

general, to believe the Bible, really
deny
all
essential
its
who simply and humbly receive ^the

But how is this distinction to be
truth as it is in Jesus?"
made, seeing those who embrace the essential doctrines of
doctrines
and those
the Gospel, equally profess to receive the Bible
only be done by
claring
how
suspects
Bible
the church herself, and
of being in error,
that
is,
can
It
carefully ascertaining and explicitly de-
by axtracting
how
those
whom
she
understand and interpret the

certain articles of faith
from
the Scriptures, according to her understanding of them, and
comparing these
whom
articles
with the professed belief of those
she supposes to be heretics.
And what
is
this but ex-
tracting from the Scriptures a
Confession op Faith
Creed, and applying
test
It
does really appear to
it
as
me
of sound principles
that those
orthodox brethren,
who admit
that the
against error, and to
church
^^
bound
is
313
to raise her voice
contend earnestly" for the truth;
and yet denounce Creeds and Confessions,
are, in the high-
est degree inconsistent with themselves.
They acknow-
ledge the obligation and importance of a great duty
yet reject the only means by which
am
Quite as unreasonable, I
<'
task masters of
constrained to say,
Egypt^^ they require work
without allowing the materials necessary
them out from her bosom
"a
voice, in
to its
to
the
as
be done,
accomplish-
is
before she can raise her
day of rebuke and of blasphemy," against pre-
vailing errors, her governors and
what
and
Before the church, s such^ can detect heretics, and
ment.
cast
can be performed.
it
truth
members must be agreed
and, unless they would give themselves up,
in their official
judgments,
to all the caprice
and feverish
ef-
fervescence of occasional feeling, they must have some accredited,
permanent document, exhibiting what they have
There
agreed to consider as truth.

ternative.
They must
either
is
really no feasible al-
have such "a form of sound
words," which they have voluntarily adopted, and pledged

themselves to one another to
''
hold
fast ;"
or they can have
no security that any two or more successive decisions concerning soundness in the faith will be alike.
words, they cannot

consistent
form,
attain,
in
any
In other
thing like a steady, uni-
manner, one of the great purposes
for
which the visible church was established.

It surely will
not be said, by any considerate person, that
the church, or any of her individual members, can

ciently
fulfil
from time
the duty in question,
to time, in the
midst of surrounding error, her
adherence and her attachment
must
see that this
would
suffi-
by simply proclaiming
be,
to the
in fact,
Bible.
Every one
doing nothing
as
314
" witnesses of the truth ;"
because
would be doing
it
noihmgpecuHar ; nothing distinguishing ; nothing which

every heretic
in
Christendom
is
not ready to do, or rather
is
not daily doing, as loudly, and as frequently as the most or-
thodox Church.
The very
idea of ^'bearing testimony to
the truth," and of separating from those

that Christian
who
are so corrupt
communion cannot be maintained with them,
necessarily implies
some public discriminating
which
act, in
the church agrees upon, and expresses her belief in, the
from
great doctrines of Christianity, in contradistinction
who
those
Now
believe erroneously.
suppose that any
to
by making
a pro-
fession, the very same, in every respect, with that
which
thing of this kind can be accomplished,
the worst heretics make,
is
too palpably absurd to satisfy
any sober inquirer.
Of what
value, let
me
ask,
had the Waldenses and Albi-
genses been, as witnesses of the
THE WORLD, amidst

tion
especially of
in succeeding times,
truth
as
lights in
the darkness of surrounding corrup-
what value had they been

and
to
us
at the
to the
present day,
church
if
they
had not formed, and transmitted to posterity those celebrated
Confessions of Faith,
as precious as they are
memo-
which we read in their history, and which stand as so

many monumental testimonies to the true ^^ Gospel of the
Without these, how should we ever have
grace of God?"
known in what manner they interpreted the Bible or
rable,
wherein they differed from the grossest heretics,

at
the same time, and professed to receive the
Without
and
these,
how
satisfactorily as
should
we
we
''
man
lived
same Bible
.^
ever have seen so clearly
do, that they maintained the truth
and the order of Christ's house, amidst

lations of the
who
of sin ;"
and thus
all
the wasting deso-
fulfilled his
promise,
315
that there shall always be <a seed to serve him,
who
shall
be accounted to the Lord for a generation?"

3. The adoption and publication of a Creed, is a tribute
TO TRUTH AND CANDOUR, which evory Christian church
OWES TO THE OTHER CHURCHES, AND TO THE WORLD
AROUND HER.
Every wise man
wish
will
be united in religious
to
duty and privilege, with those who most nearly agree

with himself in their views of doctrine and order with
;
those
in intercourse with
and best
Of
edified.
he joins any church,
government,
whom
he can be most happy,
course, he will be desirous, before

to
know something
and general character.
of
will
its
faith,
suppose a
pious and ingenuous individual about to form his religious
connections for
life.
He
looks round on the churches to
which he has most access, and
desirous of deciding with
is
which of them he can be most comfortable.

that,
in this survey,
scriptural
and primitive church
He
to belong.
is
anxious to
the order which he
How
our body.
is
I will
suppose
he turns his eyes towards the truly
may
to
which
know
it is
our happiness
the doctrine as well as
expect to find in conned ion with
he to
know
this
Certainly not by
going from church to church throughout our whole bounds,
and learning the creed of every individual minister from
own
his
This would be physically impossible, without
lips.
bestowing on the task a degree of time and

scarcely any
man
could afford.
He
toil,
which
could not actually hear
for himself the doctrines taught in a twentieth part of our

pulpits.
cide,
And
from
if
he could, he would
this source alone,
how
far
still
be unable to de-
what he heard might
be regarded as the uniform and universal, and especially
as
and not rather
as
the permanent character of the church
316
But when such an inquirer
an accidental exhibition.
that
we have
a published
how we
creed, declaring
finds
under-
stand the Scriptures, and explicitly stating in detail the
which we have agreed
great truths
he can ascertain in
to unite in maintaining
few hours, and without leaving his
own
we profess to believe and to practice, and

how far he may hope to be at home in our communion.
And while he is enabled thus to understand the system to
which we profess to adhere, he enables us to understand
his views, by ascertaining how far they accord with our
dwelling, what
published creed.
Further
wish
to
what
know
is
thus due to ingenuous individuals,
the real character of our churchy
is
who
also
due
who may have no less desire to

It is delightascertain the principles which we embrace.
ful for ecclesiastical communities, who approach near to
to neighbouring churches,
each other in faith and order, to manifest their affection for
one another, by cherishing some degree of Christian
of
its
inter-
But what church, which valued the preservation
course.
own
purity and peace, would -venture on such inter-
course with a body which had no defined system, either of

doctrine or government,
which might,
to
which
it
stood pledged
therefore, prove a source of pollution
order to every other church with which

interchange of services?
denomination,
whom
confidence
heresy.
tendency
it
dis-
had the smallest
of the ministers of such a
a similar
satisfaction
mark
while the very
of Christian affection and
was shown, might preach the most corrupt
Creeds and Confessions, then, so

to
and
invited into the pulpit of an orthodox
might give entire
brother,
next to
when
One
and
^^
denominations,
alienate''
far
from having a
and "embitter" those Christian
which think nearly
alike,
and ought
to
317
maintain fraternal intercourse, really tend to

acquainted with each other
and cordial intercourse

thus to promote the
to lay a foundation for regular
beget mutual confidence
to
harmony of
I scruple not, therefore, to
dual minister owes to

Christian faith,
church owes
and explicit
it
when any
and
the church of God.
aiFirm, that, as
around him
all
make them
frank avowal of his
know
desire to
every indivi-
it
so
every
to her sister churches, to be equally frank
She, no
in publicly declaring her principles.
doubt, believes those principles to be purely scriptural.
In
publicly avowing them, therefore, she performs the double
duty of bearing testimony

to
draw from
less
to the truth,
rounding world, new support

believes to
may be
and of endeavouring
pure denominations, and from the surto
what she conscientiously

She
be more correct sentiments than theirs.
erroneous in this estimate
but
still
she does what
she can, and what she unfeignedly believes to be right
and
what, of course, as long as this conviction continues, she
bound
to
And
perform.
maintaining,
that,
in
all
have no hesitation
ages,
those
is
in further
Christian churches
which have been most honourably distinguished
for their
piety; their zeal, and their adherence to the simplicity of
the gospel, have been, not only most remarkable for their
care in
forming, but also for their frankness in avowing,
their doctrinal creed
them
and their disposition
to let all
what they professed
distinctly understand
around
to regard as
the fundamental doctrines of our holy religion.

4.
Another argument
ted and maintained,
is
in favour of
that
Creeds publicly adop-
they are friendly to the
study of christian doctrine, and of course, to the
prevalence of christian knowledge.

It is the general principle
of the enemies of Creeds,
tliat
318
who
all
profess to believe the Bible, ought, without further
inquiry, to unite
and
to
maintain ecclesiastical
But
to live together in peace.
way
the only
which those who
in
is it
communion
not manifest, that
from
essentially differ
each other concerning the fundamental doctrines of the
can
gospel,
live together in perfectly
fellowship,
tical
is
by becoming
harmonious
other words, by becoming persuaded that

are of
ecclesias-
indifferent to truth
modes of
in
faith
or no practical importance to the Church, and
little
are, therefore, not
worth contending
for; that clear
and
dis-
criminating views of Christian doctrine are wholly unneces-
and of
sary,
ter
But
little
use in the formation of Christian charac
in proportion as professing Christians are indif-
ferent to truth, will they not be apt to neglect the study of
And
it?
if
the study of
be generally neglected, will not
it
gross and deplorable ignorance of it eventually and generally
The
prevail?
enough
mate
for
to
its
study
value
against
it,^'
age
fact
and
it
is,
when men
with care, they will soon learn to
they will soon be disposed

its
enemies,
who
this will inevitably lead
that *^form of
love gospel truth well
to
numerous
are
them
to adopt
esti-
contend
every
in
and defend
sound words" which they think they find
the sacred Scriptures.
On
the other hand, let any
in
man im-
bibe the notion that Creeds and Confessions are unscriptural,
and of course unlawful, and he will naturally and speedily

pass to the conclusion, that
useless,
to the
and even criminal.
contending for doctrines
From this
the transition
abandonment of the study of doctrine,
zealous and diligent study of

all
all
Creeds, naturally tends to
it.
Thus it
make
is,
is
is
easy
or, at least, the
that laying aside
professing Christians in-
different to the study of Christian truth
interested in the attainment of religious
comparatively un-
knowledge
and,

regardless, and,
finally,
once delivered
I
319
of course, ignorant of "tlic faith
to the saints.'*
would by no means, indeed, be understood
no heretics have ever been zealous

ing their corrupt opinions.
tory abundantly show, that
in
to assert, that
publishing and defend-
The pages of ecclesiastical hismany of the advocates of error,
both in ancient and modern times, have contended not only

pertinaciously, but even fiercely, for their peculiar doctrines.
But
my
position
fessions usually
its
is,
enemies of
that the
all
Creeds and Con-
assume a principle, which,
legitimate consequences,
if
carried out to
would discourage
zeal in
all
maintaining the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel; that

zeal in
maintaining
if all
peculiar doctrines were laid aside,
all
ardour and diligence in studying them would be likely

be laid aside also
things
and
that, if this
more unfriendly
Christian
to the
were the
to
case, a state of
growth and prevalence of
knowledge could scarcely be imagined.
Look
at
the loose, vague, undecisive character of the preaching
heard in nine-tenths of the Unitarian, and other latitudinarian pulpits in the United States, and, as I suppose, through-
out Christendom.
for their distinct
-If
the occupants of those pulpits Jiad
and main object
to
render their hearers
different about understanding, and, of course,
it
in-
indifferent
about studying, the fundamental doctrines of the gospel,
they could scarcely adopt a plan more directly calculated

attain
their end, than that
Their incesssant cry
is,
*<
which they
matters of opinion
God and a man's own conscience.

to
meddle with them."
maxim, they
Hence,
do, indeed, take care to
No
in
one
are
between
pursuance of this
We
little
with
conjecture
their doctrinal opinions are, in general, not so
45
to
pursue.
else has a right
meddle very
the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel.
what
actually
much
320
from what they say,

the truth
come
as
from what they do not say.
And
was
to be-
that if this character of preaching
is,
universal,
discriminating views
all
of gospel-truth
would, in thirty years, be banished from the church.

If the friends of
orthodoxy and piety, then, really desire
and maintain a love for the discriminating study
to cherish
of Christian doctrine
religious
a taste for
knowledge
a spirit of zeal for the truth, in opposition to that miserable
to articles of faith,
indifference
which
so replete with
is
mischief to every Christian community in which
then
let
them be careful
to
it is
present, and diligently
found
to
keep
before the eyes of one another, and the eye of the public,
if,
commanded
^^good confession" which they are
that
many
"profess before
that
the Bible
and manners,
(a
the
to
that great Protestant

infallible rule of faith
precious all-important truth; which, pro-
perly understood,
speak and act as
is
to
this;
only
under the guise of adherence
maxim,
do
If they fail to
witnesses."
cannot be too often repeated)
if all
who
standing upon equally solid
word, they consider
it
they
profess to receive the Bible were
and
safe
as unnecessary,
ground;
if,
in a
and even criminal, to
select
from the mass of Scriptural truth, and
such,
the
fundamental doctrines of the
to defend, as
gospel
then,
nothing short of miracle can prevent them from sinking

into that
coldness and sloth with respect to the study of
doctrine, and finally into that deplorable
ledge" by which millions

5.
It is
^'
lack of
know-
are constantly "destroyed."
an argument of no small weight in favour of
Creeds, that
the experience of all ages has found
THEM indispensably NECESSARY.

Even
tion
in the
and all
ter heretics
days of the Apostles, when
their miraculous powers,
from spreading
were
all
their inspira-
insufficient to de-
their poison;
men,
calling
301
themselves Christians, and professing to preach the religion

of Christ, perverted his truth, and brought
pel,''
which
He
had not taught.
An
did the churches proceed?
them not
to
inspired
how
apostle directed
be contented with a general profession of belief
in the religion of Christ
them
another gos-
<*
In this exigency,
on the part of those who came
as Christian teachers
but to
to
examine and try them,
and to ascertain whether their teaching were agreeable to

the
^'
form of sound words" which they had been taught by
him: and he adds with awful solemnity
"If any
man
bring any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let
Here was,
him be accursed."
in effect, an instance,
and that by Divine warrant, of employing

test
of orthodoxy: that
is,
men making
sion of Christianity, are expressly directed
ed apostle,
to
be brought to the test,
THEY understood THAT GOSPEL,

terms, they declared
plained
its
It
Creed
as a
by an
in
inspir-
what
cense
of which, in
general
how
they ex-
their reception
leading doctrines.
a general profes-
and
would seem, indeed,
that
the Confession of Faith then required was very short and

This, the peculiar circumstances of the times, and
simple.
the no less peculiar administration of the Church, rendered

entirely sufficient.
or short
whether
Still,
it
whether the Confession were long
consisted of three articles or of thirty,
the principle was the same.
In the second century, in the writings of Irenxus ; and,

in the third, in the writings of Teriullian, Origen, Cy-
prian, Gregory Thaumatiirgus, and Lucian,i\iQ martyr,
we
find a
ly
drawn
of earlier
number of Creeds and

out,
Confessions,
more formal-
more minute, and more extensive than
date.
They were
those
intended to bear testimony
against the various forms of error
which had
arisen
and
322
plainly
show
that, as the arts
and corruptions of heretics
creased, the orthodox church found
more
in-
attention to the
adoption and maintenance of these formularies indispensa-
bly necessary.
when
In the fourth century,
the church
was
agitated
by the prevalence of heresy, there was
demand
for accredited tests,
be tried and detected.
more
by which the
Of
this
louder
still
heretics
were
under
When
that far-famed assembly.
the
of
the Council entered on

diffi-
from Arius any satisfactory explanation of
He was
his views.
when
consideration
the examination of the subject, it was found extremely

cult to obtain
to
was
there never
striking instance than in the Council of Nice,
heresy of %^rius was
the
demand
more
still
not only as ready as the most orthodox
divine present, to professs that he believed the Bible
he also declared himself willing
to adopt, as his
own,
but
all
the language of the Scriptures, in detail, concerning the per-
But when the
son and character of the blessed Redeemer.
members
of the Council wished to ascertain in
what
HE understood THIS LANGUAGE, he discovered

sition to
sense
a dispo-
evade and equivocate, and actually, for a considera-
ble time, baffled the attempts of the
most ingenious of the
orthodox to specify his errors, and to bring them to
He
declared that he was perfectly willing to
light.
employ the po-
pular language on the subject in controversy; and wished to
have
it
believed that he differed very
of the church.
various
titles
little
from the body
Accordingly the orthodox went over the
of Christ plainly expressive of Divinity,
such
"the
God" the "express image of
God," &c. every one of which Jiriuszxi^
followers
most
subscribed claiming
however,
as
<<God''
true
to
readily
put THEIR
his
OWN CONSTRUCTION
a right,
on the scriptural
to
titles in

question.
333
After employing
much time and ingenuity in

vain, in endeavouring to drag this artful chief
from his lurking places, and to obtain from him an
explanation of his
views, the Council found
it
would be impossible
plish their object as long as they permitted
him
to
accom-
to intrench
himself behind a mere general profession of belief in

the
They therefore, did, what common sense, as well

word of God, had taught the church to do in all preceding times, and what alone can enable her to detect the
Bible.
as the
artful
advocate of error.
They
own
expressed, in their
language, what theji supposed to be the doctrine of Scripture
concerning the Divinity of the Saviour;

words, they drew up a Confession of Faith on
ject,
which they
called
upon Jirius and
in
other
this sub-
his disciples to sub-
scribe.
This the heretics refused; and were thus virtually
brought
to the
acknowledgment
that they did not under-
stand the Scriptures as the rest of the Council understood
them, and, of course, that the charge against them was correct.
The same
course was taken by
OP THE TRUTH
in the
the pious witnesses
all
dark ages, when, amidst the surround-
ing corruption and desolation, they found themselves called
upon
to bear ^'witness to the truth."
They
their belief in the
Bible, and their love
stantly appealed to
it,
practice;
as the
and they studied
ration and diligence than
This
all
it
only
futility of
all
it;
infallible rule
professed
they con-
of faith and
with incomparably more vene-
any of the
history plainly evinces.
they saw the
to
errorists
But
at
around them.
the same time,
doing nothing more than proclaim
in general, their adherence to the Sacred Vôlume.
would
mony
This
have been no distinction, and, of course, no testiat all.
It
would have been nothing more than
tlic
324
bitterest
enemies of the truth were proclaiming busily, and
even clamourously, every day.
They, therefore, did what
the friends of orthodoxy had been in the habit of doing
from the
They framed creeds, from time
earliest ages.
exigencies of the Church demanded,
to time, as the
means of which they were enabled

for
God;
to vindicate his truth;
and
glorious Reformation from
at the
Head
great
And
memofinally,
Popery, by which the
may be said again to have ^^set

memory of \\îch shall never die;
of the Church
his people free," and the

in
by
testimony
to transmit the
of their fidelity to distant generations.
rials
to bear their
drawing the
line
between "the precious and the
one accord, formed their Creeds
and
vile,''
They, with
the friends of truth followed the same course.
Confessions, which
served, at once, as a plea for the truth, and a barrier against
heresy.
And
is
it
not, perhaps, too
volume which contains the
much
to say, that the
collection of these Creeds, is
one of the most precious and imperishable monuments of

the piety, wisdom, and zeal of the sixteenth century.
What, now,
tlie
the inference from
is
Church of God,
all
this
experience of
so universal and so uniform
It
cannot
When
the friends
ages and situations, even those
who were
be misunderstood.
of truth in
all
It
speaks volumes.
most tenacious of the rights of private judgment, and most
happy
in the
found
it
enjoyment of Christian
liberty,
have invariably
necessary to resort to the adoption of Creeds, in or-
der to ascertain for themselves, as a social body, and to
communicate
to
others, for their benefit,
THE HOLY scriptures;
WO
not only that the resort

so
"baneful"
that there
is
as
is
neither so ^'unreasonable" nor
many would
really
their sense op
are naturally led to conclude,
persuade us to believe; but
no other practicable method of main-
taining unity and purity in the
Church of
Christ.
A further argument
6.
sions,
may
in favour of
325
Creeds and Confes-
be drawn from the remarkable
fact, that their

MOST ZEALOUS OPPOSERS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN LATITUDINARIANS AND HERETICS.
do not affirm that the use of Creeds has never been op-
posed by individuals substantially orthodox, and even by

orthodox churches: for
is
it
believed that a few rare cases
of this anomaly have occurred, under
the
influence
strong prejudice, or very peculiar circumstances.

far as I can recollect,
ancients.
we have no example
of
it
among
Such cases are the growth of very modern
Nor, on the other hand,
is it
my
of
Yet, so
the
times.
purpose to deny that
heretics have sometimes been extremely zealous in forming
For of
and maintaining the most corrupt Creeds.
this the
early history of the Church abounds with examples, and

later periods
what
have not been wholly without them.
venture to assert
is,
its
But
most
that, as a general fact, the
ardent and noisy opponents of Creeds have been those
who
held corrupt opinions; that none, calling themselves Christians,
have been so
as the friends of
bitter in reviling
them,
UnitarianisTn, and those
in
modern
who were
times,
leaning
toward that awful gulph; and that the most consistent and
zealous advocates of truth have been, every where, and at
times, distinguished
Nor
has this been
precisely
by
by any means
what might have been
likely to be realized.
It is
a fortuitous occurrence; but
calculated,
and reception of truth;
their
Master
maintaining
stress
as
on the knowledge
that they consider
it
as necessary
they deem an essential part of
in heaven, to consist in
it
on principle,
an invariable characteristic of
the orthodox that they lay great
to holiness; that
all
their friendship to such formularies.
in opposition to
all
fidelity to
contending for
it,
the forms of error.
and
On
326
the contrary,
almost as invariable a characteristic of
is
it
who
modern heretics, and more especially of those
un-
fall
der the general denomination of Unitarians, that they

profess lightly to esteem
a
marked
modes of
faith; that
they manifest
indifference to truth; that they, for the
many words,
maintain, in so
most
part,
the innocence of error; and
hence very naturally reprobate, and even
villify, all faithful
attempts to oppose heresy, and to separate heretics from the
Church.
From
those, then,
who have
or at least
begun
to depart,
form "the
do
to the saints, '^ almost exclusively,
either y^r departed,
once delivered
faith
we
hear of the
<'
op-
pression,^'
and the "mischief" of Creeds and Confessions.
And
any marvel
is
it
who
that those
maintain the inno-
cence of error, should be unwilling to raise fences for keeping
it
out of the Church ?
Is
it
any marvel
that the Jirian,
the Socinian, the Pelagian, and such as are verging to-
ward those
fatal errors,
evangelical formularies,
line of distinction
the
Redeemer?
ed,
"men
should exceedingly dislike
which tend
to
make
all
the
visible the
between the friends and the enemies of
No;
men,
as has
been often well observ-
are seldom opposed to Creeds, until Creeds have
become opposed
to
them."
That they should
oppose them, in these circumstances,
is
dislike
and
just as natural as
that a culprit arraigned before a civil tribunal, should equally

dislike the law, its officer,
Accordingly,
if
we look
and
its
sanction.
a little into the interior of
history, especially within the last century,
we
these remarks often and strikingly exemplified.

find,
Church
shall
with few exceptions, that whenever a group of
began to
slide,
find
We shall
men
with respect to orthodoxy, they generally
attempted to break,
if
by
de-
They have
sel-
not to conceal, their
claiming against Creeds and Confessions.
fall,
dom
failed, indeed, to protest
had no objections
fession
beginning, that they
in the
to the doctrines
themselves of the Con-
which they had subscribed, but
subscribing Confessions at
melancholy
all.
327
to the principle of
Soon, however, was the
fact gradually unfolded, that disaffection to the
doctrines which they once appeared to love, had
more
in-
fluence in directing their course, than even they themselves
imagined, and that they were receding further and further
from the ^^good way"
which
to
in
Truly that cause
rejoice.
which they formerly seemed

is
to
of a most suspicious character
latitudinarians and heretics,
at least
in
modern
times, almost as a matter of course, yield their support;
and which they defend with a
general,
in
zeal,
strictly
proportioned to their hatred of orthodoxy!

7.
The only
which
further argument in support of Creeds on
I shall dwell,
is,
that
their most zealous opposers
DO themselves virtually employ them in all ecclesiastical. PROCEEDINGS.
all
The favourite maxim, with the opposers of Creeds, that

who acknowledge the Bible, ought, without hesitation,
to
be received, not only to Christian, but also to ministe-
rial
urge
communion,
it,
the
is
moment
invariably abandoned
a case turns
up which
Did any one ever hear of
to the test.
by those who
really brings
it
Unitarian con-
gregation engaging as their pastor a preacher of Calvinism,
knowing him
adopted, or
vinist surely
to
at
\QQ.si
it
But why
not,
his Bible
in
The
Yet we know
that, in fact,
and pro-
Why
not that
it
these advocates of unbounded liberality.
Cal-
his hand,
as cordially as they.
46
on the principle
professed, by Unitarians?
comes with
fesses to believe
enough?
be such?
is
is
not enough for
Before they will
328
consent to receive him as their spiritual guide, they must

be explicitly informed,
in other words,
it
is
they are not

sions
what
substantially the
is
how he interprets the
particular Creed; whether
his
same with
their
own
satisfied that this is the case,
and protestations will be in vain.
rably rejected.
Bible;
Here, then,
we
have, in
or not: and if
other profes-
all
He
will be inexo-
all its
extent, the
demanding subscription to a Creed; and
principle carried out into practice as rigorously as ever
it
principle of
was by the most high-toned advocate of orthodoxy.
We
ages,
have before seen, that the friends of truth, in
have found,
in
all
their sad experience, that a general
profession of belief in the Bible,
was altogether
insufficient,
either as a bond of union, or as a fence against the inroads
of error.
And
here
we
find the
warmest advocates of
contrary doctrine, and with a contrary language in their
mouths, when they come to act, pursuing precisely the
same course with the friends of creeds, with only

this difference, that the
Creed which they apply
as a test,
instead of being a written and tangible document,
is
hidden
bosoms of those who expound and employ
it,
and, of
in the
course,
may
be applied in the most capricious as well as ty-
rannical manner, without appeal; and further, that, while
they really act upon this principle, they disavow
would persuade the world
that they proceed
it,
and
upon an en-
tirely different plan.
Can there be
more conclusive
fact
than
this?
The
enemies of Creeds themselves cannot get along a day without them.

is
It is in
vain to say, that in their case no Creed
imposed, but that
all
is
voluntary, and
the choice of the parties concerned.

after that the
left entirely to
It will
same may be with equal truth
be seen here-
asserted, in
all
329
those cases of subscription to articles, for which I contend,
No
without any exception.
less vain
that in their case the articles insisted
and by no means
is
to say, again,
it
on are few and simple,
so liable to exception as the long
Creeds which some churches have adopted.
tailed
principle of subscription to Creeds which
is
and deIt is
the
now under
If the lawfulness and even the necessity
consideration.
of acting upon this principle can be established, our cause

is
gained.
plying
The extent
articles, is a
which we ought
to
to
go
in multi-
secondary question, the answer
to
which
must depend on the exigencies of the church framing the

Creed.
Now the
adversaries of Creeds, while they totally
and even the lawfulness, of the gene-
reject the expediency,

ral principle,
yet
out adopting
it
duct
is
show
that they cannot proceed a step with-
This
in practice.
Their conduct
is
dictated
believe,
from
wonder.
practical ex-
them by the evident necessity
of the case: while their reasoning
must
Their con-
And no
by good sense and
perience, nay imposed upon
enough.
is
sounder than their reasoning.
is
a theory, derived, as
a source far less enlightened,
and
less
safe.
Several other arguments might be urged in favour of

written Creeds, did not the limits to which
in this Lecture, forbid
It
were easy
to
show
me
am
confined
further to enlarge.
that Confessions of Faith, judiciously
drawn, and solemnly adopted by particular churches, are

not only invaluable as bonds of union, and fences against
error; but that they also serve an important purpose, as ac-
credited manuals of Christian doctrine, well fitted for the

instruction of those private
members
of churches,
who have
neither leisure nor habits of thinking sufficiently close, to
draw from the sacred writings themselves
a consistent sys-
ggQ
It is of incalculable
tern of truth.
has but
with
use to the individual
time for reading, and but
little
books, to be furnished
little
who
acquaintance
with a clear and well arranged,
compend of doctrine, which he is authorized to regard, not

divine; but
as the work of a single, enlightened, and pious
of the
wisdom
collected
the
by
adopted
and
out
as drawn
Church
to
which he belongs.
to plain, unsophisticated
There
mind, nut
to
often a satisfaction,
is
be described, in going
over such a compend, article by article; examining the

proofs adduced from the word of God in support of each;
and "searching the Scriptures daily

things which
It
might
it
also
whether the
to see
teaches are so or not.^'
be further shown, that sound and scriptural
Confessions of Faith, are of great value for transmitting to

posterity a
knowledge of what
is
done by the Church,
at
Every such Con-
particular times, in behalf of the truth.

fession that
is
formed or adopted by the followers of Christ
one age,
is
a precious legacy transmitted to their chil-
in
dren, and to
that
all
may come
after
them, in a succeeding
age, not only bearing their testimony in support of the true
doctrines of Jesus Christ, but also pouring

light
more or
on those doctrines, for the instruction of
that testimony
may
all to
come.
But while we attend
to the principal
arguments va favour
of written Creeds, justice to the subject requires that
II.
Examine some
have been made

1.
And
the
to
first
we
of the principal objections which
Creeds by their adversaries.
which
I shall
mention
a Creed, and requiring subscription to

is
less
whom
it
is,
that
forming
as a religious test,
SUPERSEDING THE BIBLE, AND MAKING A *HUMAN COMPO-
SITION INSTEAD OP IT
A STANDARD OF FAITH.
"The
Bi-
who urge
ble," say those
it
it
"is the only in-
this objection,
of faith and practice.
fallible rule
It
is
331
so complete, that
needs no human addition, and so easily understood, that
human
requires no
desire
any other
or
Creed than
this plain, inspired,
we do
volume,
ble, or
as
call
this
we
we
to
we
then, should
Why
standard?
upon others
ourselves,
time
Why,
explanation.
ecclesiastical
subscribe
any other
subscribe,
and perfect one
Every
public indignity to the sacred
offer a
virtually declare, either that
it is
not
infalli-
not sufficient."
This objection
And
catalogue.
is
the most specious one in the whole
although
it is
believed that a sufficient an-
swer has been furnished by some principles already
down; yet the confidence with which
it
is
peated, renders a formal attention to
it
expedient;
especially as
it
bears, at first view, so
much
by
its
more
the appearance
of peculiar veneration for the Scriptures, that

captivated
laid
every day re-
plausible aspect, and consider
many
it
are
as deci-
sive.
The whole argument which

founded on a
false
this objection presents, is
No
assumption.
Protestant ever pro-
fessed to regard his Creed, considered as a

tion, as of equal authority
with the Scriptures, and
Every
of paramount authority.
with one voice, disclaimed, by
to
this,
impartial will judge.
And
whether, notwith-
argument, or gross calumny, the
fair
church Creed professes to be, as
was before observed, merely an epitome, or
to
is,
the Creeds, and defences
the constant repetition of the charge, ought
be considered as
hibition OP
far less
principle of this kind
all
of Creeds, that I have ever read.
standing
human composi-
WHAT THE
SCRIPTURES TEACH.
be deduced from the Scriptures, and
summary
It
ex-
profcSSCS
to refer to the Scrip-
332
whole of
tures for the
one subscribes
ble, that
by
it,
he
its
is
authority.
he does public homage to
solemn
how he
act,
Of
course,
when
any-
from dishonouring the Bi-
so far
He
it.
simply declares,
understands the Bible; in other
words, what doctrines he considers
In
as containing.
it
short, the language of an
orthodox believer, in subscribing
his ecclesiastical Creed, is
simply of the following import:
<While
and
understand
to
Christ:
believe the Bible,
the Socinian professes to
while
it
Bible, and to find in
exalted of
it
the Saviour represented as the most
creatures, but
all
mere humanity of
as teaching the
the *firian professes to receive the same
still
a creature:
While the Pe-
lagian and Semi-Pelagian make a similar profession of

their general belief in the Scriptures,
teaching a doctrine, far
and
far less
pear to
ing,
me
honourable
faith
more favourable
FOR MYSELF,
is
that,
the
while
it
tial
with
I believe,
word of God,
Divinity of the Saviour
Christ
Spirit,
These
justification
and
as
I
all
my
heart,
the only perfect rule of

in all
test
con-
the
the essen-
plainly teaches, as I read and believe
deplorable and total depravity of
Godhead
nature,
beg the privilege of declar-
and manners, and the only ultimate
troversies
human
to
grace of God, than they ap-
to the
really to teach;
that the Bible
and interpret them as
human
nature
a Trinity of persons in the
by the imputed righteousness of

by the Holy
regeneration and sanctification
indispensable to prepare the
believe to be the radical truths
soul
for heaven.
which God hath
re-
vealed in his word; and while they are denied by some,
and frittered away or perverted by others,

believe that blessed word, I
am
who
profess to
verily pursuaded they are
the fundamental principles of the plan of salvation."
Now,
ask,
is
there in
all
this language,
any thing
dis-
Any
honourable to the Bible?

sede
333
thing that tends to super-
authority; or to introduce a rule, or a tribunal of
its
paramount authority?
Is there
on the contrary, in
not,
the whole language and spirit of such a declaration, an ac-
knowledgment
of God's
word
and supreme
as of ultimate
authority; and an expression of belief in certain doctrines,
SIMPLY and ONLY BECAUSE they

vealed IN THAT WORD? Truly,
to be re-
are believed
if
THIS be dishonouring
the Scriptures, or setting up a standard above them, there

is
an end of
But
all
still it is
meaning
asked
Are they
to
plainer than their
more
explicit test than
has thought proper to frame:
To
presumptuous?"
that,
of any definito
Author has done?
Why
hold a candle to the sun?
frame
actions.
need
not intelligible enough in themselves?
Can we make them
Why
the
is
what we understand the Scriptures
tive declaration of
teach?
words or
either of
"Where
make an attempt
He who
an attempt,
this plea
it
is
gave the Bible

as vain as
sufficient to
it
is
answer,
although the Scriptures are undoubtedly simple and
plain; so plain that
^'he
who
runs
may
read;" yet
it
is
equally certain that thousands do, in fact, mistake and misinterpret them.
This cannot possibly be denied; because
thousands interpret them, and that on points confessedly

fundamental, not only in different, but in directly opposite
ways.
Of course
wrong, then,
all
and orthodox man
church, to exhibit, and endeavour to

their
world
mode
is
acknowledged, on
have more
or
it
all
recommend
hands, to be, in
as to the true
to others,
As
the
fact, full
of
meaning of Holy Scrip-
be thought a superfluous task for those
light,
be
it
for a pious
of interpreting the sacred volume?
mistake and error

tures, can
Can
cannot be equally right.
for a pious
and more correct opinions,
to
who
hold them
334
up
view, as a testimony to the truth, and as a guide to
to
such as
may
neither
more nor
be in error?
maintenance of
am
Surely
it
a scriptural Confession of Faith for
however,
men
or set of
it
may
which
be asked, what right has any man,
to interpose their authority,
deal out the sense of Scripture for others
impious in
itself,
and undertake to
?
Is
answer,
it
not both
this reasoning
prove too much, and therefore proves nothing.

mitted,
it
and an improper assumption over the
minds of our fellow men?
would prove
that all
would
For,
if
ad-
preaching of the gospel
presumptuous and criminal; because preaching always
consists in explaining
for the
deed,
most
if
part, in the
and enforcing Scripture, and
that,
words of the preacher himself.
In-
the objection before us
were
that all the pious writings of the

all
this is
pleading.
Still,
is
Yet
cannot.
than precisely that formation and
less
ages,
who have had
valid,
it
would prove
most eminent divines,
for their object to elucidate
in
and ap-
ply the word of God, were profane and arrogant attempts

to
mend
to
promote
his revelation,
and make
great design.
its
ciple of this objection,
it
Nay,
it
better fitted than
further;
it
is
upon the prin-
not only follows, that no minister
more in the pulpit than simply

READ OR REPEAT THE VERY WORDS OF SCRIPTURE; but
of the Gospel ought ever do

to
it is
equally evident, that he must read or repeat Scripture
to his hearers,
only in the languages in which they
WERE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH.

served,
it
For, as has been often ob-
cannot be said, that the words of any translation
of the Bible are the very words of the

are only the
which
to express, as nearly as
the original.
Holy
Spirit.
They
words which uninspired men have chosen,
If,
in
they were able, the sense of
therefore, the objection before us be ad-
man
mitted, no
velation in
Hebrew
New, in
is at
335
liberty to teach the great truths of re-
any other way than by
literally repeating the
text of the Old Testament, and the

the hearing of the people.
Greek of the
So extreme
surdity to which an erroneous principle will not

those
who
are
weak enough,
is
the ab-
fail
to lead
or bold enougli, to follow
it
to
legitimate consequences!
its
But, after
what language do tacts speak on
all,
Are
subject?
those individuals or
this
who have
churches,
been most distinguished for their attachment and adherence

to Creeds,
more
ing Christians?
Do
they read
as their
more
it
regardless of the Bible than other profess-
Do
they appear to esteem the Bible less?
Do
less?
they appeal
grand and ultimate authority
to
it
less frequently,
Do they
quote
rarely, or with less respect in their preaching?
they once refer
to their
it
Where
Creeds or Catechisms, for either
authority or illustration, in the pulpit, do they not, notoriously, refer to the Bible a thousand times?
less pains
Do
they take
than others to impress the contents of the sacred
volume on the minds of
their children, and to hold
as the unceasing object of study to
all ?
Look
at
it
forth
the re-
formed churches of Scotland and Holland^ of France and

Geneva, in their best
state,
when
their
Confessions of
Faith were most venerated, and had most power; and then
say,
whether any churches, since the days of the Apos-
tles,
ever discovered
treated
iliore
reverence for the Scriptures, or
them with more devout
regard, as the only perfect
standard of faith and practice, than they?
Nay, am
warranted in making a similar appeal with respecf
not
to those
churches in our land, which have been most distinguished

for their attachment to Creeds?
in general, quite as remarkable
47
Are
for
not their ministers,
very rarely quoting
336
their
own
ecclesiastical
il-
they are for their constant and abundant quo-
lustration, as
tations
formularies, for either proof or
from Scripture for both purposes?
Can the same
incessant and devout recurrence to the sacred oracles be as-
cribed with equal truth to the great
modern times?
Creeds, in ancient or
comparison into further

that
body of the opposers of

I will
not press this
but have no apprehension
detail;
even the bitterest enemy of Creeds, who has
acquaintance with
facts,
a tolerable
and the smallest portion of candour,
will venture to say that the result fairly deduced, is in fa-
vour of
2.
is,
his cause.
Another objection frequently made
that they
to
church Creeds
INTERFERE with the rights or conscience,
AND NATURALLY LEAD TO OPPRESSION. "What right,''

say those who urge this objection, "has any church, or
body of churches,
me what
1 shall
to
impose a Creed on me, or dictate to
To
believe?
ranny; to submit
to
it, is
attempt such dictation
is
ty-
to surrender the right of private
judgment."
There would be some ground
for this objection, if a
were, in any case, imposed by the
an established Church;
under heavy pains and

it
But
or not.
not exist
in
if
civil
government, or by
any were obliged
disabilities,
Creed
to receive
as such a case does not, and, happily,
our favoured country, the objection
illegitimate in reasoning, as
ed to suspect that those

W5, have found
it
false in fact.
it is
who
is
One
to their hands,
can-
surely as
is
urge such an objection
manufactured
it,
whether they approved
tempt-
among
by persons
living under civil governments and ecclesiastical establish-
ments of an oppressive character and viewing it as a weapon which might be wielded with much popular effect,
;
they have taken
it
into their service,
and thenceforward
re-

fused to abandon
it;
337
though proved a thousand times
no more application
to
any Creed or church
to
in tlie
have
United
States, than to the inhabitants of another planet.
be denied by any one, that a body of
It will not, surely,
Christians have a right, in every free country, to associate
and walk together upon such principles

to agree
have a right
to agree
Scriptures;
what
how
and declare
articles
may
choose
They
they understand the
found in Scripture they concur
in considering as fundamental;
will
they
as
upon, not inconsistent with public order.
and
in
what manner they
have their public preaching and polity conducted,
the edification of themselves and their children.
have no
right, indeed, to decide or to
man
can they compel any

their privilege to
plan of their
to join
judge yo/' others, nor
But
them.
judge for themselves;
own
for
They
it is
to agree
surely
upon the
association; to determine upon what
principles they will receive other
members
into their bro-
therhood; and to form a set of rules which will exclude
from
their
body those with
whom
they cannot walk in har-
mony.
The
cases, a
wise and scriptural use of this right to follow the
question
dictates of conscience
is,
not whether they
make
but whether they possess
in
all
the right
They are, indeed, accountable for the use which

they make of it, and solemnly accountable, to their ^Master
in heaven; but to man they surely cannot, and ought not,
It is their own conto be compelled to give any account.
at all?
cern.
Their fellow-men have nothing
to
do with
it,
as
long as they commit no oflence against the jniblic peace.
To
decide otherwise, would indeed be an outrage on the
right of private judgment.
If the principles of civil and re-
ligious liberty, generally prevalent in our
be correct, demonstration
itself
vertible than these positions.
happy country,
cannot be more incontro-
338
But
if
body of professing Christians have
thus to associate, to extract their
and
tures,
to
a natural right
own Creed from
agree upon the principles
by which
number;
afterwards be admitted into their
the Scrip-
others
may
not equally
is it
manifest that they have the same right to refuse admittance

to those
with
whom, they
believe, they cannot be comfort-
ably connected?
Let us suppose a church

the principle laid
ed,
down
be actually associated upon
to
its
to be informed
mony and
love.
comes
a person
and
its
articles adopt-
Creed and other
and published for the information of
all
who may wish
members walking together
in har-
Suppose, while things are in this situation,

to
demand admittance
them, and addresses them thus

into
believe the doctrines
your body, though
which you profess
to
"1
I can neither
embrace, nor
consent to be governed by the rules which you have agreed
What answer would
to adopt."
reply
They would
certainly
reasonable.
Our union
spiritual benefit.
is a
Your demand
We have not solicited
The whole world
please.
We
is
is
very un-
voluntary one, for our mutual
you cannot possibly have a right

body.
they be apt to give him?
you
to join us
io force yourself into
before you.
and
our
Go where you
cannot agree to receive you, unless you are
willing to walk with us
upon our own
principles.-'
Such
an answer would undoubtedly be deemed a proper one by
every reasonable person.
were
still
to
Suppose, however, this applicant
urge his demand
to claim
admission as a
right ; and, upon being finally refused, to complain, that

the society had
^'
persecuted" and
<^
injured" him
would not the society
in question, if
Would
any one think him possessed of common sense
Nay,
they could be compel-
led to receive such an applicant, instead of being oppressors
of others, cease to be free themselves
The same
principle
would
still
339
more strongly apply,
in
case of a clergyman offering himself to such a church, as a
candidate for the station of pastor
when he appeared
were
to
him
to present
make
vvith a
among them.
Suppose,
a tender of his services, they
copy of
that Creed, and ol that
form of government and of worship which they had unani-
mously adopted, and
We pretend
"This
we
for guidance, to be instructed.
Are you
'
we
who
all
believe.
we
but so
understand the Scriptures
ourselves, our children, and
formularies
what
is
not to prescribe to others
learned Christ;' so
we wish
to say
look up to us
Can you subscribe
willing to
have
and thus
come among
to these
upon
us
these principles, and, as our pastor, thus to break to us,
and our
ones what loe
little
deem
the bread of life?'
Could the candidate complain of such

speak as
the church, in putting
if
took to "judge for him."
mote from the

themselves.
the
test,
truth.
him
Many
to this test,
under-
But nothing can be more
They only
re-
undertake to judge for
If the candidate cannot, or will not, accept of
he will be, of course, rejected.
no judgment
demand
"
is
passed on his state toward

not even the smallest,
astical censure,
But, in this case,
God; no
ecclesi-
upon him.
is inflicted
The church only claim a right to be served in the ministerial office by a man who is of the same religion with themselves.
And
is
this an
unreasonable demand
that,
while a church shall
church?
Surely
Arc not
an individual, an individual shall be allowed

it
Or do they demand,
be prohibited from " oppressing''
the rights of conscience reciprocal
to
"oppress" a
cannot be necessary to wait for an an-
swer.
Accordingly,
every day
the transactions
of secular
life,
a practical refutation of the objection
furnisii
which
am
340
now
Does the head of
considering.
son applies
to
a family,
when
be received as a resident under his roof, ever
doubt that he has
a right to inquire
whether the applicant be
willing to conform to the rules of his family or not
he decline this conformity, to refuse him admission

even
after
a per-
he has been received and
and
if
And
tried, for a while, if
he
prove an uncomfortable inmate, does not every one consider the master of the family as
what
of parents,
qualifications
children
and,
And
if a
they will require in a preceptor for their

bring
to
if so,
candidate
cations required, and
make
who
candidates to the test
all
who do
not correspond with
fell totally
short of the qualifi-
who, of course, was
a great outcry, that
rejected, should
he was " wantonly" and
*'
him
not every one think
insane, or
tyran-
would
nically" deprived of the place to which he aspired,
The same
an acknowledged right to determine
agreed on, and to reject those

it ?
exclude him
parent, and, of course, every voluntary asso-
Has not every

ciation
at liberty to
worse than insane
principle applies to every voluntary association,
for moral, literary, or other lawful purposes.
If the
mem-
bers have not a right to agree on what principles they will

associate,
and
to refuse
membership
to those who are
known
to be entirely hostile to the great object of the association,
there
is
all this,
an end of
all
liberty.
no one doubts.
Of
the self-evident truth of
But where
is
the essential differ-
ence between any one of these rights, and the right of any
community
deem
of professing Christians to agree upon
the scriptural principles of their
refuse admission into their
own union
body of those
whom
sider as unfriendly to the great purposes of truth

cation, for the
deny them
what they
:
and
and
promotion of which they associated?
this right,
would be
to
make them
to
they conedifi-
To
slaves indeed!

It
will
341
probably, however, be alleged, that a

church
cannot, properly speaking, be considered

as a voluntary
association;
that
thority of Christ
is
it
Head and Lord
sovereign
community
and that
by Him,
to
his will
would have
but as
it is
that,
Christ's, they
own
The church
as a
from
it
This
His will
is,
that they
own, they
they pleased
must fmd some other
volitions.
association, in the
other societies are so called.
Christ.
whom
its
fact
rule of pro-
doubtless,
all
of Christ certainly cannot be reo-arded
mere voluntary
many
all
the church were their
a right to shut out
ceeding than their

true.
if
as
rulers are in
its
only stewards, bound to conform themselves in
do
by the au-
instituted
that its laws are given
same sense
the basis and the law of
is
in
which
property of
It is the
its
establish-
ment, and, of course, none can be either admitted or excluded

but upon principles which his
however,
it is
own word
the spirit of the foregoing reasoning.

in a church state, must,
voluntary act ;
ral act
who form
But
if
from the nature of things, be
were not
so, it
would not be
own
to
have a right to
and enjoined respecting the laws of their
Has
the
Head
who,
bership, or for admission to the ministerial
what
are they
ask,
of the Church, then,
prescribed any qualifications as necessary for private
If so,
mo-
convictions as to what their Divine Mas-
judge for them.?
church ?
the union be voluntary, then those
If they are not to judge in this matter,
union.
This,
"one jot or tittle,"

The union of Christians
must certainly be supposed
it,
ter has revealed
is to
still,
for if it
at all.
follow their
prescribes.
conceived, does not alter
mem-
office, in
his
Will any degree of depar-
ture from the purity of faith or practice, be sufficient to ex-
clude a
man ?
If
it
will, to
whom
has our
Lord committed
the task of applying his law, and judging in any particular
342
case
to the applicants or delinquents themselves
church in which membership
on what principle
is
is
or to the
If to the latter,
desired?
As
she bound to proceed ?
mem-
her
bers have voluntarily associated for their mutual instruction

spiritual things,
and edification in
be
satisfied that the individual
among
them, either as a private
tains opinions,
have they not a right to
who applies to be received

member or minister, enter-
and bears a character, which will be consistent
Can any such
with the great object which they seek?

vidual reasonably refuse to satisfy
them
as to the
of his religious sentiments with theirs,
indi-
accordance
they think that
if
both the law of Christ, and the nature of the case, render
fellowship
such accordance necessary to Christian
he could not reasonably
If
refuse to give satisfaction ver-
bally on this subject; could he, with any more reason,

refuse to state his
his
name
own sentiments
in writing, and subscribe
to that written statement?
Surely to decline this
while he consented to give a verbal exhibition of his Creed,
would wear the appearance of singular caprice or perverse-
But
ness.
if
no rational objection could be made to his
subscribing a declaration,
would
it
drawn up with
his
own
hand,
not be exactly the same thing, as to the spirit of
the transaction,
if,
with a view, simply, to ascertain
the
FACT OF HIS BELIEF, NOT TO DICTATE LAWS TO HIS

CONSCIENCE, a statement, previously drawn up by the
church
herself, should
ture?
What
that
that
he
he
is
be presented for his voluntary signa-
required of an individual in such case
shall believe
what the church
is,
not
believes; but simply
shall declare, as a matter of fact,
whether he does
possess that belief, which, from his voluntary application to
be received into Christian fellowship with that church, he
may
be fairly presumed to possess.
Again,
I ask, is it
pos-

deny
sible to
root of
all
and of
all
a church this right, without striking at the
that
sacred in the convictions of conscience,
is
that
precious in the enjoyment of Christian
is
communion ?
I fully grant,
indeed, that, as her authority
on the declared will of Christ, she has no
rests entirely
right, in the sight of
other than a
343
God,
to
sound or^thodox
propose to a candidate, any
She cannot possibly

be considered as having a right, on this principle, to require
Creed.
his assent to anti-scriptural principles.
Still,
the rights of conscience are unalienable
however,
and
as
as
every
church must be considered, of course, as verily believing

that she
is
acting according to her Master's will,
concede
to
her the plenary right, in the sight of man,
who would
quire from those
we must
to re-
join her, a solemn assent to
her formularies.
But perhaps,
become
it
when
will be asked,
member, or minister of
voluntary and honest subscription to her
wards
alters his
mind
if
man
articles,
ister, is
man
him
not here
*'
for his
swer,
if
oppression ?"
heavy penalty"
the
'<
and
for his
^^
Is
it
office as a
min-
not inflicting on a
opinions ;" "punishing"
sincere, conscientious convictions?"
Lord
after-
he be excluded from her commu-
nion as a private member, or deposed from

<
has already
a church, in virtue of a
an-
Jesus Christ has not only authorized, but
solemnly commanded his church
to cast the
heretical, as
well as immoral, out of her communion, and wholly to with-
draw her countenance from

gospel ;"
then
this authority,
vate
it is
those
who
manifest, that the church in acting on
does no one any injury.
member from
preach "another
the
communion
In excluding a pri-
of a church, or deposing
a minister from office, in the regular and scriptural exercise
of discipline, she deprives neither of any natural right.
48
It
344
is
only withdrawing that which was voluntarily asked, and
which might have been, without
voluntarily bestowed, and

injustice, withheld.
only practically saying
It is
"You can
no longer, consistently with our views, either of obedience

Christ, or of Christian edification,
You may be
ber with us.
can in any other connection
which we
among
of which your further exercise
which
it
Is this
you
away
that
once gave you, and
us would be subver-
language unreasonable?
Would
contemplates oppressive?
in itself, or
more favourable
Is
it
be more just
to the rights of conscience, if
his place as a teacher
in a church, contrary to its
wishes
its
existence
and
solemn engagements, and

its
to
and guide
to the subversion of its
to the disturbance of its peace
dangering of
to
the measure
any individual could retain
faith
mem-
which we are solemnly pledged
sive of those principles
support."
as useful as
but wê must take
authority and those privileges
be a minister or
happy and
as
to
and
all this
finally to the en-
own
contrary to his
the distinct understanding of
members, when he joined them
Surely every friend
No
of religious liberty would indignantly answer,
a church would be the oppressed party, and such a
Such
member,
the tyrant.
The
conclusion, then,
manner
a Creed in the
of union
as a
is,
in conformity
with what
will of Christ
of others
sion ;"
so far
that
it is
this, to
give up
its
it
so far
makes use of
what
it
bond
as a
deems heresy
and
conscientiously believes to be the
from encroaching on the " rights"
from being chargeable with " oppresreally,
and on the largest
conscience; and
a church
that has been described
barrier against
it is
when
that
in the
scale,
most enlightened manner,
maintaining the rights of
that for such a church, instead of
own
testimony
to the truth
doing
and order of

God's house
to
surrender
cation, for the sake of
mands of a corrupt
all
comfort, peace and
What is
their interests, rights,
would be
to subject itself to
the subjugation of the
and happiness
of one, or a few, but the essence of tyranny
3.
edifi-
complying with the unreasonable de-
individual,
the worst of slavery.
with
own
its
345
many,
to the dictation
?
third objection often urged against subscription
Creeds and Confessions
is,
that
it
to
unfriendly to free
is
'^When a man," say the enemies of Creeds,

"has once subscribed a public formulary, and taken his ec-
INQUIRY.
clesiastical stand
with a church which requires
continue so to believe to the end of
new
light in
must close
abundance
may
his eyes against
life
Now,
he tnust
view; but he
offer itself to his

it.
it,
or resign his place;
can
it
be right," say
they, "for any one voluntarily to place himself in circumstances of so
much
temptation; willingly to place himself
within the reach of strong inducements to tamper with

conscience, and to resist conviction?"
In answer to this objection,
when
man
my
remark
first
is,
that
takes on himself the solemn and highly re-
sponsible office of a public instructor of others,
we must
presume that he has examined the most important of the

various Creeds, called Christian, with
sincerity,
has
and prayer, of which he
made up
of Scripture.
his
mind with
To
is
all
the deliberation,
capable, and that he
respect to the leading doctrines
suppose any one capable of entering on
the duties of the ministerial office while he

unsettled, and liable to be "carried
of doctrine,"
a
is to
is
wavering and
about by every wind
suppose him both weak and criminal to
very great degree.
know, indeed,
that
some ardent
opposers of Creeds, consider a state of entire indecision
with regard even to leading theological doctrines, as the
346
most laudable and desirable

every man, not only to
life,
which
stale
undoubtedly right; but,
is
keep himself
that equilibrium of
in
They wish
of mind.
himself a leariier to the end of
feel
also, if possible, to
mind with
respect to
amount
the most important doctrinal opinions, which shall

to perfect indifference
whether he retains or relinquishes
his present sentiments.
This they eulogize, as "openness
to conviction,"
*^
stopping to combat this sentiment at large,
pronounce
unreasonable in
it
and an enemy
know what
is
itself;
in
said
the
repeat
I hesitate
not to
contrary to Scripture;
to all Christian stability
We
and comfort.
word of God, of those who
*<ever learning, and never able to
of the truth."
Without
freedom from prejudice," &c.
it,
come
to the
are
knowledge
we must suppose him who
un-
dertakes to be a teacher of others, to be himself, as the

apostle expresses
it,
'^grounded and settled in the faith."
We ought to be considered,
then, as having
that the nature of the case admits, that
ward
as
nity,
is
the security
who comes
for-
one of the lights and leaders of a religious commufirm in the principles which he has professed, and
will not be
But
he
all
very
apt, essentially, to alter his
further; the
Creed.
same objection might be urged, with
much force, against a man's making any public

DECLARATION OP HIS SENTIMENTS, either by preaching, or
by writing, and printing; lest he should afterwards obtain
quite as
more
light,
and yet be tempted
to adhere, contrary to his
conscience, to what he had before so publicly espoused.
But does any honest minister
of the Gospel think
to forbear to preach, or otherwise
because
it \s
know that
if
possible he
may
it
his
duty
to express his opinions,
afterwards change them
We
the preacher of a Unitarian congregation should
alter his views,
and become orthodox, he must quit his

up
place, give
new
and seek employment among his
his salary,
The same
connections.
change the converse of
thing would
were
this
to occur,
What
preacher become a Unitarian.

honest man,
when he changes
religion, will
always hold himself
his
therefore, never venture to take
this objection, if
prove by
The
then?
far too
if
Because an
the subject of
in readiness to
change his
sacrifice, shall he,
any public
should not always think as he does
Nay,
happen,
and an orthodox
mind on
and to make every necessary
situation,
347
station, lest
he
present?
at
prove any thing, will be found to
it
much even
for our opponents themselves.
adversaries of Creeds acknowledge, with one consent,
that every one ought to be ready to profess his belief in the
But
Bible.
is
not even this profession just as liable to the
charge of being 'ûnfriendly to free inquiry" as any other?
Suppose any one,
after
solemnly declaring his belief
Would he
Bible, should cease to believe it?
consider his old subscription as
cluding further examination?
any man
lest
to decline
Or would
alter his
be bound to
binding, and as pre-
still
any profession of
he should, one day,
in the
it
be reasonable in
belief in the Bible,
mind, and
feel
himself
embarrassed by his profession?

that every public act,
There can be no doubt,

a
man
pledges himself, even as a private member, to any
particular denomination of Christians, interposes

cle in the
way
said, the
more
delicate
luctant and slow
And, perhaps,
and honourable
he will be
and choose new ones.
So
to
his
obsta-
it
may
be
mind, the more re-
abandon his old connections,
that such an one will really labour
a temptation to resist light, and
But because
some
of his afterwards deserting that denomination,
and uniting himself with another.
under
by which
this is so, shall a
man,
remain where he
therefore, never
is.
join
348
any Church; never
take any step that will, directly or in-
directly, pledge his religious
Creed or character,
he
lest
should afterwards alter his mind, and be constrained to

transfer his relation to a different body,
and thus be
principle,
we
liable to
Upon
find himself embarrassed by his former steps?
this
must go further, and adopt the doctrine equally
absurd and heathenish, that no parent ought ever to instruct
what he deems the most precious truths of the

Gospel, lest he should fill his mind with prejudices, and
his child in
present an obstacle to free and unshackled inquiry after-
For there can be no doubt that early parental instruction does present more or less obstacle, in the way of
a subsequent change of opinion, on those subjects which
wards.
Yet our Father
that instruction embraced.
commanded
expressly
endeavour
is
to
in
pre-occupy their minds with every thing that
excellent both in principle and practice.
objection before us be valid,
In short,
cease to think
views
of
at present entertains.
man
reads,
Nay,
and every
influence the mind, and
tiality in
he should
go
one day
afterwards entertain
those commands, from
concerning the subject of

to
the
he ought habitu-
a duty; in other words,
of God, lest
commands
book
may
to
and upon principle, to disobey some of the plainest
different
he
it
if
then no one ought ever
forward in the discharge of any duty; for he
ally,
heaven has
us to instruct our children, and to
it,
if this
careful,
those which
be so, then every
deep inquiry he makes
must be considered
to interfere
as tending
with perfect impar-
any subsequent inquiry on the same
subject;
and, therefore, ought to be forborne!
Surely no
cially,
man
in his senses judges or acts thus.
no Christian allows himself thus
Espe-
to reason or
act
In the path of what appears to be present duty, he feels

bound
to
349
go forward, leaving future things with God.
If
subscription to a correct Creed be really agreeable to the

will of
mony
God
if it
be necessary, both to
tlic
purity and har-
of the Church; and, therefore, in itself a duty; then
no man ought any more
hesitate about discharging this
to
duty, than about discharging any of those duties which
have been mentioned, or any others which may be sup-
There
posed.
no station
is
in life in
which
man
rity,
of a right
spirit,
and overcome
it
he will meet
it
its
But
does not find some peculiar temptation.
occupant
if
he be
with Christian integ-
with Christian courage.
If he be
a truly honest man, he will be faithful to his God, and faithful to his
own
conscience, at
hazards; and
all
if
he be not
honest, he will not be very likely to benefit the Cliurcli by

his discoveries
Accordingly, the voice of
and speculations.
On
history confirms this reasoning.
many
ed, of
thousand instances have the
men who were
and reproach, but

death
itself,
don the
truth;,
the one hand,
two centuries
how
aflbrd-
willing to incur, not only obloquy
also beggary,
in their
last
most
and subscribe
not conscientiously adopt!
imprisonment, and even
frightful forms, rather than abanto formularies
On
which they could
the other hand,
how many
instances have occurred, within the last fifty years, of un-
principled men, after solemnly subscribing orthodox Creeds,
disregarding their vows, and opposing the spirit of those
Creeds, and
still
retaining their ecclesiastical stations, with-
It is plain, then, that this
out reserve!
whole objection,
though specious, has not the least solidity.
and pious
men
with regard
Truly upright
will always follow their convictions; while,
to those of an 'opposite character, their light,
whether they remain or depart,
will be found to be of no
value, either to themselves, or the
Church of God.
350
4.
is,
fourth objection frequently brought against Creeds
altogether failed op answering
that they have
PROFESSED TO BE INTENDED BY THEM.
THE PURPOSE
*Churches,'^
it is
said,
<^
which have Creeds the most
and of the most rigid character, are as
fully drawn,
being united in doctrinal opinions, as
have never had any Creeds
at all,
far
some which
from
either
or have long since pro-
To men-
fessedly omitted to enforce subscription to them.
two examples: the Church oi England,
tion only
care-
for near-
ly three centuries, has had a set of Articles decisvely Cal-
which
vinistic, to
all
her candidates for the ministry are
required to subscribe; but
dred and
fifty
we know
more than
that
a hun-
years have passed away, since Pelagian and
Semi-Pelagian tenets began to pollute that important branch

of the reformed Church; and that within the last seventyfive or
eighty years, almost every form of heresy has lurked
under subscription
to
turies, the
on earth,
istry far
And
her orthodox Articles.
the Church of Scotland,
which has had,
for nearly
even
two cen-
most rigidly and minutely orthodox Confession
is
generally supposed, at this hour, to have a min-
from being unanimous in loving and honouring her
public standards.
Now,
if
Creeds have not in
fact,
been
productive of the great benefit intended by them, even in
some
why
of the most favourable cases that can be produced,
be perplexed and burdened with them
at all?"
This objection evidently proceeds on the principle, that a
remedy which does not accomplish

nothing.
evevT/ thing, is
worth
Because Creeds have not completely banished
dissension and discord from the churches
which have adopt-
ed them, therefore they have been of no use.
sound reasoning ?
Does
it
accord even with
But
common
or with the dictates of experience in any walk of
is this
sense,
life ?
Be-
cause the Constitution of the United States has not com-

pletely defended our country from
and
strife;
is it,
all
35
animosity
political
Or should wc have
therefore, worthless?
been more united and harmonious without any constitutional provisions at all?
does not annihilate

well without
all
No
it?
Because the system of public law

crime, should we, of course, be as
one will say
who
objection be retorted on those
this.
urge
Nay, may not the

it?
that Creeds are unnecessary; that the Bible

ficient for all purposes, as a test of truth.
They contend
amply
is
banished dissension and discord from the Church?

will pretend that
it
why
Yet
has.
count of any error or defect in

folly
No
one
Surely not on ac-
but on account of the
itself;
and perverseness of depraved man, who, amidst
the provisions of infinite

ally
not?
suf-
But has the Bible
wisdom and goodness,
is
all
continu-
warring against the peace of the world.
But
go further, and maintain that the history of the
practical influence of Creeds, is strongly in their favour.
Though they have
not done every thing that could have been
desired, they have done
much; and much
in those
very
churches which have been most frequently selected as ex-
amples of their entire want of

ticles of the
efficacy.
The
Calvinistic ar-
Church of England were the means of keep-
ing her doctrinally pure, to a very remarkable degree, for

the
greater
part of a
hundred
years.
In the
reign of
James I., very few opponents of Calvinism dared publicly

to avow their opinions; and of those who did avow them,
numbers were severely
disciplined, and others saved tlicm-
selves from similar treatment, by subsequent

discretion.
The
inroads of error,
powerfully checked, and

those public standards.
bishops and
its
In
silence
and
therefore, were very
triumph greatly retarded by

fact,
the great
body of the
clergy professed to be doctrinal Calvinists, until
49
352
a
number of years
by
Synod of Dort^ when,
after the
Laud, and
the influence of Archbishop
chiefly
his creatures,
Arminianism was gradually and guardedly brought
in, in
consequence of which the faithful application of the thirtynine articles, as a test of orthodoxy, and of admission to the
The
ministry, was discontinued.

as before,
and
continued to speak
articles
solemnly subscribed; but the
to be
the administration under
them was no longer the same.
We
became predominantly Arminian.
may
England
Church of
to operate effectually as a
bond of union, and
continued
against the encroachments of heresy, as long as

to
be faithfully applied, agreeably to
original purport.
When
ceased to produce
its
when
its
As
The very same
a barrier
is
it
con-
known
its
ceased to be thus applied,
it
wonted
sonably wondered at?

medicine,
It
truly say,
then, that the Creed of the
tinued
spirit of
But can
effect.
we wonder
well might
it
be rea-
this
that a
use was laid aside, should no longer heal.
representation, in substance,
may
be
made
concerning the church of Scotland.
Her pre-eminently
excellent Creed was the means, under
God, of keeping her
united and pure, as long as that Creed continued to be honestly
employed
spirit.
according to
as a test,
When this ceased
to
be the case,
strange, indeed, if the state of things

fore.
It did 7iot so
scription, heresy
tion, but afterwards
day, as
all
in
had remained
as be-
With
lax and dishonest sub-
with reserve and cau-
more openly.
know who
true intent and
would have been
at first,
remain.
came
its
it
But even to the present
are acquainted with the state of that
church, the movements of heresy within her bosom, are

held in most salutary check
parably more favourable than
and her condition

it
is
incom-
could have been, had her
public standards been long ago abolished.
Nor have the Creeds
of those national churclics of (ircat
Britain yet accomplished

truth and righteousness
Though
the benefits to
all
which they
this
are destined to confer.
by no means the case with
is
cause of
tlie
been long since forgotten
their genuine spirit has
by many
353
There
all.
has constantly been, in both those churches, a body of faithful witnesses to
mighty and
'^
This body, thanks
the truth.
King
all-gracious
good Confessions" form
of Zion
is
the Al-
to
increasing.
Their
a rallying point, around which
numbers are now gathering
and those far-famed
formu-
the favourable influence of which has been supposed
laries,
by many
to
be long since exhausted, and more than ex-
hausted, will again become, there
is
every reason
to believe,
an "ensign to the people," to which there shall be a flocking of those
who
more extensive and more
Nor
are
we
<^
love the
simplicity that
is
in Christ,"
glorious than ever before.
without significant attestations
to the eflicacy
of Creeds, and to the mischief of being without them, in
our
own
Of the former,
country.
Utiited States,
in the
is
one of the most signal examples.
Conflicts she has, indeed, had
were incident
the Presbyterian church
but they have been such as
every community,
to
ecclesiastical
or civil,
Amidst
administered by the counsels of imperfect men.
them all, she has, by the favour of her Divine Head, held
on her way, substantially true
order
from
to
and though constituted,
difierent countries,
mained united
wonderful.
to
Of
by
members
dificrent habits, she has reall
things, truly
of
the latter, the Congregational churches
formed by
their character
originally,
degree, considering
Massachusetts, furnish
originally
and of
her system of doctrine and
and
melancholy memorial.
a people, far
habits,
and
far
Though
more homogeneous
more united
in
in
their
354
opinions
yet,
being destitute of any
bond of
efficient
union, and equally destitute of the means of maintaining
had been possessed, they have
if it
fallen a
prey
it,
to dissen-
mourn-
sion and error, to a degree, equally instructive and

ful.
5.
The
objection
last
which
I shall
consider
that sub-
is,
scription to Creeds, has not only failed entirely of producing
the benefits contemplated by their friends; but has rather
been found
to
produce the opposite evils;
to
gene-
rate DISCORD AND STRIFE. " Crecds," Say some,
^<
of tending to compose differences, and to bind the
members
of churches
more
instead
closely together, have rather proved a
of contention, and a
bone
means of exciting mutual charges of
heresy, and a thousand
ill
feelings,
among
those
who might
have been otherwise pefectly harmonious."

In reply to this objection,
leged
is
which
fact,
it
my
remark
first
takes for granted,
is
is,
that the al-
utterly denied.
It
not true that Creeds have generated contention and strife
in the
On
bosom of those churches which have adopted them.
the contrary,
induction of
it
would be easy
facts, that in
to
show, by an extended
those churches in which Creeds
and Confessions have been most esteemed and most regarded, there union
In truth,
it
and peace have most remarkably reigned.
has ever been the
want
of faithful regard to
such formularies, that has led to division and
church of Christ.
strife in
the
doubt whether any denomination of
Christians ever existed, for half a century together, destitute
of a public Creed,
however united and harmonious
have been,
commencement
at the
exhibiting, before the
which
is
end of
it,
of this period
it
might
without
either that stillness of death,
the result of cold indifference to the truth
or that
miserable scene of discord, in which "parting asunder"
was the only means of escaping from open violence.
My
next remark
even
that,
is,
355
were shown,
if it
that or-
thodox public Creeds are often indirectly connected with

conflict and contention in the church
it would form no
;
argument against them.
solid
they deemed truth,
is
Ardent attachment
the principle, in
to
what
which has
ages,
all
led Christian communities to adopt Creeds and Confessions
The same attachment to
of Faith.
them
to
to
and
it;
to
contend earnestly^'
'^
and scriptural one

vision, than a
which
mands us
is
<^
it
hostile
is
when
to be a
it is
sound
no more the cause of conflict and
wholesome medicine
it is
to
that
in its defence,
In this case, a Creed, supposing
attacked.
ease
truth will naturally lead
watch with care against every thing
to
di-
the cause of that dis-
The word
intended to cure.
contend," and
is
of
God com-
"contend earnestly,
the faith once delivered to the saints," and to hold
ior
him
"accursed" who preaches
"another gospel" than that
which the Scriptures reveal.
But when such " contention"
becomes necessary, who

truth, or its advocates
is
to
blame
but those
who
for
it ?
Surely not
patronise error, and
thus endeavour to corrupt the body of Christ; and, of course
render contention for the truth a duty.

deed, that, in this conflict,
Not only on
be manifested.
error
but also, in
of truth.
the part of the advocates of
some degree, on
itself less precious; or
Still, this
been led to form,
it
difiercnt
classes
with
it
less
im-
which Christians have
less valuable, as testimonies for
Before Christianity was preached
The
for the truth,
does not render the truth
the duty of contending for
perative; or those summaries of
the
the part of the friends
They may contend even
bigotry and bitterness.
It is granted, in-
much unhallowed temper may
in the
God.
Roman
empire,
of Pagans lived together in peace.
foundation of this peace was the opinion, that error
356
was innocent
ed
when
and that
But when the
ly safe.
his ministers
system either true or
all classes
of religionists were equal-
religion of Jesus Christ
was preach-
proclaimed that there was no other
was no other founda-
safe; that there
tion of hope; that all false religions
were not only highly
criminal, but also eternally destructive
and that the follow-
ers of Christ could not possibly countenance
any of them
then a scene of the most shocking persecution and violence,
But on what, or
on the part of the Pagans, commenced.

on whom, are we
No
violence?
to
throw the blame,
for these scenes of
We
one, surely, will say, on Christianity.
are rather to impute
it
human
nature,
and
and violence of Pagan malice.
If the
to the blindness
the corruption of
to
primitive Christians had been willing to give up the precious truth committed to them, and to act
that
all
modes of faith were equally
escaped much,
upon the
safe;
principle,
they might have
not the whole, of the dreadful persecution
if
which they were
called to endure.
The only additional remark, therefore, which I have to

make on the objection before us, is, that it can have no
force, excepting
duty
sers
upon the
principle, that error ought to be
unassailed, and that contention for the truth
left
is
not a
for all defence of the truth, against its active
oppo-
all
^^
contending for the truth," must, of course,
dis-
turb that cold and death-like tranquillity which indifference

to the purity of faith tends to introduce.
ed,
'* if it
ably with
be possible, as
all
men.''
with some men.

wickedness.
much
But it
We
is
The Divine
command-
as lieth in us, to live peace-
authority
at
are
not " possible" to be at peace
must not be
oppose them to the utmost,
We
at
peace with error or
makes
our peril.
it
And
charge of this duty, the peace of the church
our duty to
if,
is,
in the disfor a time,
357
who
rendered the
disturbed, the sin lies at the door of those
Those summaries of
conflict necessary.
make
ticular occasions
lish, are
no more
to
important to
it
blame
for the strug;p;lc,
and wholesome law of the land

tion
truth, whicli par-
embody and
to
is
which necessarily attends the
to
pub-
than the wise
blame
for that agita-
seizure, the trial,
and the
execution of a malefactor.
But admitting Creeds
to be lawful
by some who
often been asked
whether they ought ever
any other
to contain
we ought ever to
is
candidates for
all
real importance,
This
is
and a candid answer.
my
And
have no hesita-
for one, I
opinion, church Creeds not only
number of ar-
lawfully wiay, but always ought, io contain a
And
besides those which are fundamental.
lish this, as
it
a question of
which certainly deserves grave considera-
tion in saying, that, in
ticles
articles,
generally considered as absolutely
essential to Christian character?
tion,
articles than
church, any more than some half a dozen
the reception of which
has
fundamental; in other
insert among the members
of a Creed intended to be subscribed by

office in a
it
those few which are strictly
words, whether
and necessary,
profess to be their friends,
appears to me, no other proof
is
to estab-
necessary than
simply to remark, that there are many points confessedly

not fundamental, concerning which, nevertheless,
to Christian peace
utmost importance
and
it is
of the
edification, that
the members, and especially the ministers of every church
should be harmonious in their views and practice.
As long
as the visible church of Christ continues to be divided into

different
sections
or
which they employ,

pose
at all,
if
denominations, the several
they are
to
answer any
must be so constructed
as to
Creeds
effectual pur-
exclude from each
358
those teachers
whom
tains this belief,
ought
it
and whom,
long as
as
To exemplify my meaning.
The Presbyterian church,

who have a regular system
of government, believe that the Christian ministry
to
discharge
do
to
it,
think that every
verily
whether ordained or
any man
and,
not, has as
invited
if
Fundamental, indeed,
differ entirely
united to Christ by
sober
will consider this as a fundamental

it is,
to ecclesiastical or-
der; but to the existence of Christian character,
Men may
good a
by the church
Now, no
administer the Sacraments.
minded Presbyterian
question.
by
Yet there are very pious,
who
Independents,
gifted brother,'^
right to preach as
to
re-
men, who have adopted the sentiments of some
high-toned
*'
functions, ought,
its
attempt to preach the Gospel, or administer
the Sacraments of the church.

excellent
a di-
is
who have been
vine ordinance, and that none but those
any means,
re-
it
to exclude.
and most other denominations,
gularly authorized to
be
conscientiously believes to
it
unscriptural and corrupt;
faith,
their eternal prospects.
on
this point,
and,
it is
not.
and yet be equally
of course equally safe as to
But would any
real,
consistent
Presbyterian be willing to connect himself with a church,

calling itself
by
that
name, in which, while one portion
considered none but a regular minister as competent to the

discharge of the functions alluded to
as
many
of the other
portion as chose, claimed and actually exercised the right,

to rise in
the congregation, and preach, baptize, and dis-
pense the Lord's Supper,

proper
and not only
so,
when and how each might think

when the ordained ministers
but
occupying the pulpit, in succession, differed no
among themselves
less entirely
in reference to the disputed question
some encouraging, and others
repressing, the efforts of these

*^
gifted brethren?"
359
do not ask whether such
could be tranquil or comfortable; but whether
it
sibly exist in a state of coherence, for twelve
church
could pos-
months
to-
gether?
No man
Take another example.

sider the question
in his senses will con-
which divides the Pedobaptists and the An-
Though
tipedobaptists as a fundamental one.
have no
doubt that infant baptism isa doctrine of the Bible, and an exceedingly important doctrine; and that the rejection of
a
mischievous error; yet
have quite
as little
some eminently pious men have been of

But what would be the
situation of a
a different opinion.
church equally divided,
or nearly so, on this point; ministers as well private
among themselves
bers constantly differing
it is
doubt that
mem-
members of
each party conscientiously persuaded that the others were
WTong; each laying great
stress
on the point of difference,
one concerning which there could be no compromise, or
commodation;
all
as
ac-
claiming and endeavouring to exercise
the right not only to reason, but to act, according to their

respective convictions; and every one zealously endeavour-
make proselytes to his own principles and practice?

Which would such a church most resemble the builders of
Babel, when their speech was confounded; or a holy and
ing to
united family,
'<
walking togetherin the
fear of the
Lord, and
in the consolations of the Holy Ghost, and edifying one ano-
ther in love?"
Let
me
offer
one
tween Presbyterians and
Prelatists
ledged not to be fundamental.
The
more.
illustration
is
question be-
generally acknow-
do not mean that this
is
acknowledged by such of our Episcopal brethren as coolly

consign to what they are pleased to call the " uncovenanted
mercy of God,"
all
50
those denominations
who have
not a
360
ministry episcopally ordained; and who, on account of thrs

exclusive sentiment are styled by Bishop
hearted," and by Archbishop
meaning
(hat all
is,
Wake,
'^
Andrews^
madmen
that this point of controversy
by no means
my
affect Christian
and
all
mo-
of every country, ac-
sober-minded Protestants,
derate,
:" but
Presbyterians, without exception; a
great majority of the best Prelatists themselves
knowledge
'*iron
is
one which does
character or hope.
Still is it
not plain, that a body of ministers entirely dififering
among
themselves as to this point; though they might love, and
commune
with, each other, as Christians; could not possi-
bly act harmoniously together in the important rite of ordination
cerns
In
whatever they might do
in other religious con-
all
these cases,
it is
mental to the existence of

evident, that those
who
evident there
vital
piety.
differ entirely
nothing funda-
is
Yet
communion.
equally
is
comfortable in
cerning the points supposed, cannot be

the same ecclesiastical
it
and zealously con-
But how
which would be
method but
form
inevitable, to be prevented
their
is
coming together, and the consequent discord and
strife,
know
of no
so constructing their Confessions of Faith as to
and
different families or denominations,
from each those who are
to shut out
hostile to its distinguishing princi-
ples of order.
It is plain,
articles,
then, that unless Confessions of Faith contain
not,
strictly speaking,
fundamental, they cannot
possibly answer one principal purpose for
formed,
viz.
which they are
guarding churches which receive the pure order
and discipline,
as well as truth, of Scripture,
sion of teachers,
who, though they may be
from the intru-
pious, yet could

not
disturb the peace, and
fail to
more correct and sound

But
on
works which have been devoted

cussion
more
Dimlopf
il/r.
must
to its
what
particularly to
and excellent
in
is
Collection of Confessions
to
by Mr. Blackburn, one of the most
opposers of Creeds
which
best of the
famed work
to those
more extended
<^
dis-
by the judicious
said
his
to
The Confessionaly^^
zealous and formidable
will prepare
many
you
refer
the able Preface
:^^
some of the
both for and against
this subject,
maintain,
the edification of the
part of the body.
for further details
the doctrine which
mar
361
valuable
you
for perusing
Answers
to that far-
" Walker"* s Vindication of the Church of
to
Scotland,''^ &c: and,
to
finally,
Mr.
Dyer''s ''Inquiry
into the Nature of Subscription to Jirtides of Religion.''^
The
into
beloved Pupils, on which
subject,
dressing you,
many
is
questions of personal and
therefore, detain
your attention
to
have been ad-
eminently a practical one.
It
official
enters deeply
duty.
I shall,
a few moments longer, by calling

some of those PRAmcAL inferences
you
from the foregoing principles and reasonings, which appear

and
to me to deserve your serious regard
1,
may
the representation which has been given,
From
see
how
we
little reason any have to be afraid
OF CREEDS AS INSTRUMENTS OF OPPRESSION.

There is something so perfectly visionary and unreasonable in the very thought of
" tyranny," or
'<
oppression,"
country,
as connected with subscription to Creeds, in this
wonder is, how

any sober mind.
that the only
ment, into
it
can be admitted, for a mo-
Who
Creed upon any one, or ever attempt
does or can impose

to
do
it ?
Is
any man
362
obliged
the United States
in
indeed,
correctly, and
is
any
belief; td
or to join any church whatever?
subscribe any Creed;
Every man,
to profess
bound by the law of God,
is
to believe
He
connect himself with a pure church.
to
not and cannot be at liberty, in the sight of Jehovah, to
But
neglect either.
clesiastical or
is
United States,
in the
any man bound by
human
do any of these things?
civil, to
after
he has subscribed
joined a church, obliged, by any
human
law, ec-
any man
Is
a Creed,
and
authority, to ad-
here to either a single day longer than he pleases?
he not
liberty to withdraw, at
at perfect
Is
any moment, and
that with or without giving a reason for his conduct, as he
thinks proper
this
Everlasting thanks to
May
freedom!
one would think,

sonable man.
for
all
enough
Now,
to satisfy
any
rea-
seems there are really those who wish
They demand,
more.
in effect, that the
manner of heresy,
her bosom, and to act as
Nay, they ask
equal eye.
to
it
gives us
be perpetual and universal
this is liberty
But
be willing to take
to
it
Him who
if
church should
as well as orthodoxy,
she regarded both with an
that heretics be freely allowed
IMPOSE THEMSELVES upon HER, whether she be willing
or not
not
and distract
to unite
them
and edify her members, but
that they be at liberty to
to divide
come
into
the Redeemer's family, and there, without any regard to

scriptural rules, or its
happy harmony,
discordant sentiments, and to establish such
of order, or disorder, as the intruders
its
to propagate such
may
new
principles
choose to adopt.
But is this Christian liberty? Is this a kind of liberty which

any benevolent, or even honest man would wish to possess ?
It
is
liberty, truly of the
individual
who
intrudes
most extraordinary kind,
to the
but what becomes of the liberty
of the ecclesiastical body which he thus enters, contrary to

wishes and comfort, and to
its
its real
363
injury?
It is,
evi-
dently, the same sort of privilege in the church, as the privilege of invading the retreat of private families, or disturb-
ing the peace of

ty,
We may see from
2.
and with impuni-
civil society, at pleasure,
would be regarded by the inhabitants of any
Church Creed,
what has been
free country.
said, that subscribing
not a mere formality; but a
is
very
lemn TRANSACTION, WHICH MEANS MUCH, AND

THE MOST SERIOUS OBLIGATIONS. It is Certainly a
tion
which ought
ration and
any
God, honest
cerity
is
thing, he
know of no
Holy Ghost," than
and distressing
to
know,
bound
subscribes,
is
to
to the
man
delibe-
be bound
be honest to his
Church which he
transaction, in
in this.
that in
if a
which
insin-
the dreadful sin of "ly-
humiliating
It is truly
some churches
it
has gradu-
to consider Articles of Faith as
become customary,
ly Articles of peace;
mere-
in other words, as articles wiiich
he
not considered as professing to believe;
but as merely engaging

lic
is
which,
more justly chargeable with
ing to the
who
in
and honest
to himself,
For myself,
joins.
transac-
upon with much deep
humble prayer; and
to be sincere in
ally
to be entered
so-
INFERS
not to oppose at least in any pubWhether we bring this principle
or offensive manner.
to the test of reason, of Scripture, of the original design of
Creeds, or of the ordinary import of language

ourable
men; it
bation, as
Nor does
seems equally
liable to the severest repro-
disreputable and criminal

it
among hon-
in a
very high degree.
alleviation, either of the
me to be any
many of the governors of the churches
as of those who subscribe, publicly avow
appear to
disgrace or the sin, that

referred to, as well
of
their adoption of this principle; admit the correctness
keep
it;
each other in countenance; and thus escape, as they
imagine, the charge of hypocrisy.
What would
be thought
364
of a similar principle,
if
generally adopted and avowed,
to the administration of oaths in civil courts?
with respect
Suppose both jurors and witnesses, feeling
a grievance to
it
be bound by their oaths to speak the truth, were to agree
among
themselves, and openly to give out, that they did not
mean, when they swore,
to take
on themselves any such
obli-
gation; that they did not so understand the import of their

oaths,
And
and did not intend
to
recognize any such meaning?
suppose the judges were freely to admit them to their
Would
oaths with a similar understanding?
exempt from the charge of perjury,
juror, in such a case be
or the judge from the guilt of

I
presume
If
a witness or a
subornation of perjury?
not, in the estimation of
any sober-minded man.
were otherwise, then bad men, who form
it
of every community, might,
by combining,
a majority
violate all the
principles of virtue and order, not only with impunity, but

also
without
Set
as
it
sin.
down, then,
as a first principle of
common
honesty,
well as of Christian truth, that subscription to Articles of
Faith,
is
weighty transaction, which really means what
professes to
mean;
scribe articles
and
that
covenant engagement
it
man
is
ever
at liberty to
which he does not truly and
that, in subscribing,
walk with
no
not profess to do
to
the church which he enters, to

faith,''
If he cannot
it
at all.
cerity, concealment,
do
I see
and
will, perhaps,
bond of
him
double dealing, and mental reserva-
mean and
can be in the transactions of social and civil
You
*'in the
this honestly^ let
not but that here, insin-
tions, arc, to say the least, quite as
who
fully believe;
he brings himself under a solemn,
"in the unity of
peace and love."
it
sub-
base as they
life.
ask me, what shall be done by a
loves the Presbyterian Church;
who
considers
man
it
as

approaching nearer
with which he
to the scriptural
Faith as by far the best, in
fundamental
of
minor
its
who
acquainted;
is
articles, that
its
3(^5
model than any other
regards
its
Confession of
great outlines, and in
he knows; and
details cannot entirely
who
all
its
some
yet, in
Can such an
concur?
one honestly subscribe, without any previous cxplunatioii

of his views?
you
answer
by no means.
abandon
will ask, to
all
with our Church, when he

all
fundamental principles, and nearer
than to any other Church on earth
means.
know
case as this,
of no other
he, then,
harmony with
in cordial
is
Ought
thoughts of uniting himself
mode
to
in
in all respects,
again answer
by no
of proceeding in such a
which Christian candour, and
will justify, than the following:
it,
it
pure conscience
Let the candidate
for ad-
mission unfold to the Presbytery before which he presents

himself,
all
opening
his doubts
his
whole
and scruples, with perfect frankness;
heart, as if
ening nor concealing any thing.

tinctly to understand, that
if
on oath; and neither
Faith, he must be understood to do
fair
it
in consistency with
If the
understanding, should be of the
opinion, that the excepted points were of

tance,
and interfered with no
little
article of faith,
or no impor-
and should be
willing to receive his subscription in the usual way, he
proceed.
Such
method
dis-
he subscribe the Confession of
the exceptions and explanations which he specifies.
Presbytery, after this
soft-
Let him cause them
may
of proceeding will best accord
with every principle of truth and honour; and will remove

all
ground of either self-reproach, or of reproach on the
part of others, afterwards.

3.
ject,
From the view which has been presented of this subwe may decide how an honest man ought to act,
AFTER SUBSCRIBING TO A PUBLIC CREED.
He will
feel
it
tO
366
be his duty to adhere sincerely and faithfully to that Creed,
and
in public and in private;
mote, by
the
means
all
to
make
it
his study to pro-
power, the peace and purity of
in his
body with which he has connected
And
himself.
if
he
should, at any time, alter his views concerning any part of
the Creed or order of the
cumbent on him
Church
to inquire,
which he has altered
in question,
whether the
mind, are of such
his
it
will be in-
points, concerning
a nature as that
he can conscientiously be silent concerning them, and
"give no offence"
body
to the
which he belongs.
to
If he
can reconcile this with an enlightened sense of duty, he
may remain
which
his
in peace.
But,
if
the points concerning
views have undergone a change, are of so
importance
in his estimation, as that
he cannot be
but must feel himself bound to publish,
propagate them; then
let
much
silent,
and endeavour
to
him peaceably withdraw,
and join some other branch of the visible Church, with
which he can walk harmoniously.
Such he may
find al-
most every where, unless his views be singularly eccentric.
any
he has no more right
But,
at
ing,
and being permitted publicly
rate,
solemnly vowed
any voluntary
to receive
association,
to insist
to oppose,
on remain-
what he has
and support; than a member of
which he entered under
certain
engagements, but with which he no longer agrees, has a

right obstinately to retain his connection with
it,
and to avail
himself of the influence which his connection gives him,

to
endeavour
It is
lege, that
Head
to tear
it
in pieces.
no solid objection to this view of the subject, to
every
man
is
under obligations
to
al-
obey the great
of the Church, altogether paramount to those which
bind him, in virtue of any ecclesiastical engagements, to
obey the Church
herself.
This
is
most readily granted.
No man
3(57
can lawfully bind himself to disobey Christ, in any
But
case whatever.
this principle,
conceived, has no
is
it
thing to do with the point under consideration.
man
now
Thou<;;h a
cannot properly bind himself always to believe as he

believes; r\ov
always
remain
to
in connection with
body which he now joins; yet he may
the ecclesiastical
he will be a regular and orderly member
safely promise that
of the body, as long as he does remain in connection with

it.
When
against
he ceases
God, he
withdraw.
to be able to
will, if
this, witliout
sinning
he be an honest man, immediately
he remain, and
If
do
suffer
himself habitually to
violate his engagement, under the pretence of benefiting
the body to which he
vowed
lias
allegiance, he will
be
chargeable with the sin of treacherously and basely ''doing

evil that
To
good
may
illustrate
come.^'
my meaning
by
made
promise, that *'as long as he shall continue a
government, so
obey
same
all
voluntarily made, no honest
bound
as far as
to act in
you have
all
of
relate to the students;
As
man
this
will
conformity with
ability.
it,
the rules
and
and
the lawful requisitions of the
Professors and Directors," &c.
all
solemn
in the plan for its instruction
far as the
further, that he will
member
he will conscientiously and vigilantly observe

and regulations specified
Every
example.
a familiar
student of this Seminary has, at his entrance,
it,
engagement was
doubt that you are

to
the utmost
tittle,
Suppose, however, that one of
your number should become persuaded,

<<regulations specified in the plan"
that
some of the
of the Seminary, are
not only unwise, and inconvenient, but also immoral; what
ought he
to
do?
Ought he
to
remain
and habitually violate the regulations
to
in
the institution,
which he excepted,
pleading that he could not conscientiously obey them, be-
51
368
felt
him-
self under a prior and paramount obligation to <*obey
God
cause,
though he had solemnly engaged
rather than
nor any
ciple of
man?" This, surely, no

government
faithful
from
the
do
so,
he
Christian would approve,
tolerate.
honour and integrity would
immediately withdraw
to
No; every
dictate, that
prin-
he should
Seminary; and
if,
after
withdrawing, he should be able to convince the General
Assembly of our Church,
were just, and
that his exceptions
should prevail with that body to alter the offensive rules

then, and not
resume
4.
till
then, he might, with a good conscience,
his place in the institution.
We
are led to reflect, from the representation
has been given,
how
easy
it
is
which
single imprudent or
for a
UNSOUND MINISTER TO DO EXTENSIVE AND IRREPARABLE

Mis.cHiEr IN
be a
man
THE CHURCH.
Such an one, especially
of talents and influence,
by
openly or covertly, against the
if
he
setting himself, either
public standards of his
Church; by addressing popular feeling, and availing himself of popular prejudice;
prepare the
way for fatal
multiplied a hundred
Ministers,
my
young
may do
more, in a short time, to
error, than all his usefulness,

fold,
would be able
friends,
may
be said to hold in their
hands the interests of the Church,

other class of
though
to countervail.
to a
degree which no
men do; and which ought
to
make them
tremble under a sense of their responsibility!
Such
as is
the character of the ministry of any particular Church, will

be, generally speaking, the character of the
On
the one hand,
if
church
itself.
the ministers of religion be generally
enlightened, orthodox, holy, diligent,
and
the Church to which they belong, will never
the influence of this character in
happy
faithful
fail
results.
men,
to display
On
the
other hand, never was the Church, in any country or age,
359
corrupted, divided, and ruined, but
DONE BY
may
this assertion
Scripture, and
all
be,
undoubtedly confirmed by
is
it
And
experience.
of the clerical character

sure the mischief that
less,
the mischief was

Ilowevcr humiliating or painful
ITS MINISTERS.
is
so vital; so
may
be done by one unsound, grace-
<one sinner destroyeth
more wide-spread,
when the criminal
not easy to mea-
it is
imprudent, turbulent minister.
society,
all
as the general influence
If, in
deplorable, and fatal
individual
is
every walk of
much good," how much

is
a minister!
the mischief,
By
erroneous
opinions; by corrupt habits; by a love of innovation; by
embracing himself, and extensively imparting

pernicious delusions;
to others,
he may do more m Jive or /en years,
to agitate, divide, corrupt,
and weaken the Church, than, per-
haps, a score of the most faithful ministers in the land, can

do,
humanly speaking,
half a century.
The
for
promoting
influence of
its
purity and peace, in
two or three
individuals,
of popular talents, in Massachusetts, more than

ago, in gradually undermining orthodoxy, and
ing the public mind to heretical opinions,

as
it
is
deeply deplored, by
the ecclesiastical history of
many who
is
fifty
years
in reconcil-
as well
known,
are acquainted with
New England.
The
authors
of this mischief have long since gone to their account; but

their
works have survived them; and of
their awful ravages,
no one can estimate the extent, or see the end.
Beloved Pupils! be
a
it
your study,
at all times, to cherish
deep sense of your solemn responsibility
Church.
whom
man,
In a
little
while, you will be
to God and his

among those to
the most weighty interests that can be committed to
will be entrusted.
Be
faithful
to
your high
trust.
Guard, with the utmost vigilance, the Church's orthodoxy.
Nothing can be
truly right,
where her
doctrinal principles
370
are essentially
But, 0, think not that mere frigid
wrong.
orthodoxy, however perfect,
faith" be corrupted
"the household of
If
ness
become cold through want of
see
to
it,
that
own
own honour
lations
See
to
it
unceasingly,
your own aggrandizement your

or your own specuown
things"
your
fancies
if
If
are Jesus Christ's."
benefit the Church, (and no
he cannot,
to say that
you seek
that
but <nhe things which
you cannot
ministerial faithful-
none of you be found among the work-
ers of the mischief.
not '^your
by
by unhallowed inno-
heresy, or torn by schism, or agitated

vation, or
Labour
needed.
is
every direction, the holy and benign influence
to diffuse, in
of truth.
that
is all
man
has a right
he have a heart for the purpose)
corrupting and dividing
it.
And
if
at
work of
least, do not lend your influence to the unhallowed
you should ever be
brought into circumstances in which you can do nothing

else, see that
of old
<<
you be found,
like the "ministers of the
weeping between the porch and the
Lord"
altar,
and
saying, spare thy people, 0, Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach; save them, and
We
5.
may
importance of
ters,
infer,
all
lift
them up forever!"
from what has been
said, the
duty and
the members, and especially the minis-
of the Presbyterian Church, exerting themselves to
SPREAD A KNOWLEDGE OF HER PUBLIC STANDARDS.

her
^^
public standards,'^ notwithstanding
all
I Say,
the sneer and
censure which have been cast on this language.
For every
intelligent
and candid man in the community knows that
we employ
it
to designate,
not formularies which we place
above the Bible; but simply those which ascertain and

set forth
if
ly
how we
interpret the Bible.
These formularies
they be really an epitome of the word of
we
think them so
every minister
is
God
bound
and
sure-
to circulate,
371
with unwearied assiduity, among the people of his charge.

This is so far, in general, from being faithfully done, that I
seriously doubt whether there be a Protestant Church in
Christendom,
in
which there
is
so striking a defect as to
the discharge of this duly, especially in some parts of the
country, as in the Presbyterian Church.
Our Episcopal
brethren exercise a most laudable diligence in placing the
volume which contains
their articles, forms, and offices, in
every family within their reach, which belongs
to
their
communion, or can be considered as tending towards it.

Our Methodist and Baptist brethren, with no less diligence,
do the same, with respect
to those
books which exhibit the
doctrines and order of their respective denominations.

this is as
belief,
should be.
it
and earnest
correct principles?
It
bespeaks
men
in the dissemination of
Why is
it
that so
All
sincere in their
what
many
tliey
deem
ministers of
the Presbyterian Church, with a Confession of Faith, and
Catechisms, which,
I verily believe,
and which the most
of them readily acknowledge, are by far the best that were
ever framed by uninspired wisdom: and with a form of
Government and
tolical practice
Discipline
more consentaneous with
apos-
than that of any other Church on earth; are
yet so negligent, not to say so indifferent, as to the circulation of these formularies
They, perhaps, do not take the
trouble even to inquire whether there be a copy of the vol-
ume which
contains them, in every fiimily, or even
to account for the peculiar frequency
the ministry of our Church?
It
m every
How
neighbourhood, of their respective charges.
are
we
of this negligence in
would be
true, I trust, to say, that our clergy are
far
more
from being
unfaithful in
the general discharge of their duties, than those of any other
communion.
May we
not rather ascribe the fact in ques-
373
tion to another fact,
from which
The
rally to arise?
fact to
Presbyterian Church,
try
whatever
there
less
is
du
esprit
free
from
cal
might be expected natuallude
the case in former times

is
called, the
body among
ecclesiastical
do not mistake, so excessively
be hardly ready to defend ourselves
as to
We
any other
truth, if I
in
that, in the
is,
present day, and in this coun-
of sectarian feeling; less of what
it,
attacked.
which
may have been
corps, than in
We are
us.
at the
it
are so ready to fraternize with
when
evangeli-
all
we almost forget that wê have a deown, to which we are peculiarly attached.
denominations, that
nomination of our
Now,
this general
spirit is
undoubtedly excellent; worthy
But may
of constant culture, and the highest praise.
Universal, active benevo-
not be carried to an extreme?

lence,
a Christian duty;
is
in the ardour of
its
but
when
the head of a family,
exercise, feels no
sponsibility respecting his
it
own
more concern or
re-
household, than he does
about the households of others, he acts an unreasonable

and, what
part,
is
worse, disobeys the
Something analogous
to this, I
command
apprehend,
of God.
the mistake of
is
that Christian, or that minister, wdio, in the fervour of his
Catholicism, loses sight of the fact, that
dence, has connected

visible
him with
his provi-
a particular branch of the
If his
own branch
have any thing of peculiar excellence

account of which he prefers
posed
can
view
it
it
in the
commending
is
from the
tions?
in
Church, the welfare and edification of which he
peculiarly bound to seek.
allow
God,
it,
which
of the
in his estimation,
is
is
Church
on
always to be sup-
be wrong for him to desire that others should
same light?
And
if
he be justifiable in re-
these peculiarities from
he not equally
justifiable in
press, especially
the
pulpit
as
all
recommending them
by means of accredited publica-
Happy
will
many
it
be for our Church, then,
be more attentive to
istry shall
of those
tlie
who have gone
her future min-
if
duty
373
in question,
To
before them.
loved Candidates for the sacred
office, let
than
you, be-
me recommend
Resist, always, to the utmost
a sacred regard to this duty.
of your power, the littleness of sectarian bigotry, and strive

to banish
rish
it
from the Church.
among her members
But,
at
same time, che-
the
an enlightened attachment to that
particular branch of the family of Christ in which their lot
For
is cast.
this purpose, strive to
promote among them
general and intimate acquaintance with our Confession of
Government and
Faith, and form of
our Catechisms, which

tirely neglected in
latter, I fain
Discipline, as well as
would hope, are not en-
any part of the Church.
Never advise
the people to take the contents of these public formularies
entrust; but diligently to compare every part of them with
SCRIPTURE, and see

standard.
to
far
intelligent Christians.
become the
Thus may you
spiritual fathers of multitudes,
faith shall stand, not in the
of
they agree with the unerring
Thus will you be likely to become instrumental
in forming solid,
hope
how
wisdom of men, but
^'
in the
whose
power
God."
6.
Once more;
how unhappy
is
if
the foregoing principles be just, then
the mistake of those
who
imagine, that by
THEY ARE
ABANDONING ALL CREEDS AND
ABOUT TO RENDER THE CHURCH AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE; tO
CONFESSIONS,
build her up
There
more extensively and
are those
who
imagine
that a
gloriously than ever!
new
order of things
is
about to open on the Church, amounting to as great a change

of dispensation as ever
deemer's kingdom,
in
mark^
the progress of the Re-
any preceding
age.
In this
undefined prospect, they seem to themselves
new and
to sec the ap-
374
preaching prostration of most of those fences, and the

solution of most of those
dis-
which have heretofore been
ties,
regarded as indispensable to the maintenance of unity and
harmony
when
enough
and
present state of the world,
that, in the
I
only say, that
I shall
provide for this
to
arrive;
shall
it
family of Christ.
in the
will be time
should as soon think of extend-
ing and edifying the Church, by laying aside

of grace; as
of promoting
it
new order of things

mean while, in the
its
means
the
all
purity and peace, by abandon-
ing those methods of binding
members
its
which
together,
have been found necessary ever since the days of the Apostles.
The
day
Peter thus exhorted the Christians in his
apostle
"Be
because your adversary, the
sober, be vigilant,
Devil, as a roaring lion goeth about seeking
devour."
And
he wrote, that
may
whom
adversary oftentimes " transformed him-
is at this
it
he
another Apostle, reminded those to
this
So
self into an angel of light."
ago; and so
whom
hour.
Church, as they have been in
was eighteen centuries
it
The very
all
blessings of the
ages, so they are
now,
converted into means of deception.
The
mony
denominations; their
of the diflferent
evangelical
progressive har-
increasing zeal for the spread of the Gospel; their grow-
ing disposition to
of our
sacrifice
common
many
smaller differences on
Christianity;
the
altar
the
imaginations of some ardent,
have
sanguine
they have allowed themselves to be hurried on
warranted conclusion, that

laid aside,
remember,
and
all
my
all
so
to the
been entertained, and
that
un-
former rules were about to be
former barriers to be broken down.
young
fired
spirits,
fri^Qnds,
But
that a similar notion has
afterwards
abandoned,
every century since the incarnation of Christ.
in
almost
Remember,

even when the Millennium
too, that
shall
nature will still he dcpravedy and will
oUaw
as
and rcgitlation,
now.
day
And,
many
all
stand in need
much, but
as really
that before that blessed
a sore conflict with the
stand in need of
human
arrive,
still
dawn upon our world, we
shall actually
have
not, perhaps, as
remember
finally,
375
probably
shall
enemies of
truth,
and
those methods of distimûishinff and
binding together
its friends, to which the word of God,

and uniform experience have so long given their sanction.
While
exhort you, then, to hail with delight the
spirit
of harmony, of union, and of active co-operation, which
among the most

in
which we
live;
and while
I earnestly
dent of this Seminary will ever stand afar
hope
that
off,
or turn
with an evil QyQ, when the true standard of Christ
by any denomination;
always
to
is
man
me,
at the
no
is
away
same time, entreat you
zeal with soberness.
talent,
of admirable
endowments which
stu-
raised
say sober-
a quality, not always found associated
with great vigour of
Many
let
temper your
ness; for this
is
precious and animating ^^signsof the times''
even
and great warmth of piety.
endowments
in other respects;
qualified him, if they had been happily
directed, to adorn and bless the Church; has been either so
transported by the visions of a heated fancy; or so deceived
by keeping
his
eye fixed on a single point only of the vast
scene before him; or so impelled by the approaches of others,

as
anomalous
as himself; that, like the
comet of the
philosopher, he has only been able to strike
off'
infidel
a few wan-
dering stars from the parent luminary, while he himself,
given up to an orbit more and more eccentric, never returned, either to regularity or usefulness.
The Church
has
its
is still
appropriate
52
<'in the
trials.
wilderness;" and every age
Among those
of the present day,
376
is
a spirit of restless innovation; a disposition to consider
every thing that
py
is
new as
of course an improvement.
who, taking the word of God
are they,
Hap-
for they guide,
and walking in <Hhe footsteps of the flock," continually

seek the purity, the peace, and the edification of the Master's family:
Who,
listening with
more
respect to the un-
erring Oracle, and to the sober lessons of Christian experience, than to the delusions of fashionable error; hold
their
way,
'^
on
turning neither to the right hand nor the left,"
and considering
it
as their highest
honour and happiness
to
be employed as humble, peaceful instruments in building
up that ''kingdom which
is
not meat and drink, but right-
eousness, and peace, and joy in the
Holy Ghost!"
God
all
his
grant to each of us this best of
Name
be the praise, forever!
honours!
Amen!
May
And
to
APPENDIX.
[The following remarks on Creeds,
in the
form of a Letter from Paulinus
to Scripturista* are from the pen of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Bellamy,
whose
vigorous talents and ardent piety are so extensively known, and whose
memo-
ry
cherished with so
is
They
much
veneration both in and out of
readers the views of a

ties or prejudices,
man
how
who had no
of powerful mind, and
on the important subject of which
the good Doctor has been dead

tice
New
England.
are annexed to the foregoing Lecture, for the purpose of showing to
strikingly
some of
his
more than
it
treats.
forty years,
remarks apply
it
its
Presbyterian
And
although
will not escape no-
to present times
and tenden-
cies.!
A LETTER TO
Sir,
been
From
the
the constant
first
SCRIPTURISTA.
settling of
practice of
all
dinances.
to
Nor
is
England,
our
Congregational
communion
upon such
has
in special or-
there to this day, one such church,
be sure, not above one, that ever
insists
it
to the chief articles of
churches, to require a public assent

the Christian faith, as a term of
New
heard
of,
or,
but what
a public assent, as that, without
which
Our
they will not admit any to sealing ordinances.
churches have formulas, which they call the doctrines of
faith, or the articles of the Christian faith.
* Bellamy's
Works,
vol.
iii.
p,
371387.
The
minis-
BELLAMY ON
378
ter publicly reads
them
to such as are to be
communion; and they give their assent

For our churches
the congregation.
it,)
that
none ought
to
believe, (and act
be admitted to
to
taken into
full
them before
full
all
upon
communion,
but such as are sound in the faith; and that the church has
and they
a right to judge of their soundness in the faith:

to be
do judge those
sound
in the faith
judgment of
(acting, to
charity,
who
publicly profess,
understandingly and
honestly,) their assent to the articles of the Christian faith,
which they have agreed
and drawn up
to,
to
be used in the
admission of members: as they are persuaded said articles
do express the true sense of the Holy Scriptures.
Were
they convinced, that any of their articles were
contrary to Scripture, I
above one, of
all
know
For we
their articles.
not of one, or to be sure not
our churches, but would immediately //er

all
profess, that the Bible
only standard by which our religious sentiments are
the
is
to
be
formed; and we mean, by our Creeds and Confessions, only
our sense of Scripture: not
to express
ble; but
only to express
how we
to
make
God has already made. And this to the end

may know our principles, and we know theirs.
When
therefore a
who
gentlemen,
a oiew
Bi-
understand the Bible that
number of
that others
ministers, and of private
belong to our churches, have in
late
years
appeared so very zealous against Creeds and Confessions,

as tests of
orthodoxy,
was
at a loss to
know what
they
meant, and what they designed, and what alteration they
would have
in our
model things
if they could new

Would they have men
customs and practices,
just to their minds.
admitted into the church, and appointed public instructers,

ivithout
any
regard
Or, do they not like
it,
to
their
religious
that our articles
principles?
should be writ
CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS.
down?
Or, would they have
new
379
creeds drawn up, con-
trary to our present, and imposed on our churches, and

our churches not allowed to judge for themselves!
And what would
what do they mean ?
Thus stood the
case in
my
they have
Or,
view, when, two or three
new was ahout to he puband Cojifess ions, by a certain inge-
years ago, hearing that something

lished against Creeds
nious gentleman,
sent the following lines to the printer of
the Connecticut Gazette, which he was so good as to give
place in his paper. No. 149.
To
'As
^
the Printer,' &c.

several pieces of late have been published against
Creeds and Confessions of human composure being used

tests of
merits of the cause:
it is
desired, that in the next piece of
that nature the following questions
Quest.
Is
I.
it
may
be answered.
of any importance what men's principles
good?
be, if their lives are but

*
as
orthodoxy, which are thought not fully to reach the
For
if it is not,
then not
their religious principles, but only their external conduct,
need be inquired
into;
and they
may
be admitted to sealing
ordinances in the Church of Christ, or be licensed to preach,

to the
and ordained
work
of the ministry, or be employed
and
tutors, to take care of the educa-
as president, fellows,
tion of our youth, whether they are orthodox or not.
so there will be no need of any
tests of
And
orthodoxy, human
or divine.
But
if it
be of importance that they should be sound in
the faith, and

into: then
if their religious principles
it is
'Quest. II.
must be inquired
inquired,
Whether
particular Christian communities,
judge for
as well as particular persons, have not a right to
themselves, what
is
the true sense of Scripture, and what
BELLAMY ON
380
Holy
principles are necessary, according to the
be believed and professed, in order
to
sealing ordinances, or to be
For
if particular
may
them?
back
to the
all
Pope
the various sects
to claim
who
to
if it
if
Protestants go
be granted that
judge for themselves,
Why they may
not manifest what
why
they
may
not compose a
is
their
by word of mouth?
sense of Scripture, in writing, as well as

e.
But
judge for
inquired,
'Quest. III.
i.
judge
to
it.
shall
among
But,
to be set right?
communities have aright
particular
it is
no longer
not judge for themselves,
Shall
an admission to
to
as public instructers?
communities have not a right
for themselves, they ought
they
employed
Scriptures,
written
Confession
of Faith to be used a test of orthodoxy.*

'Till a
good answer
to these questions can be given, it is
not to be expected that the use of Creeds and Confessions

should be laid aside.
with a desire that they
And they are proposed to the public,

may be answered, with that serious-
ness and good nature, with which
ought
to be
And
managed.
all
religious controversies
such an answer shall be
tended to with an honest desire to
know
the truth,
PAULINUS.'
'Decern. 24, 1757.
A test is that
Bible
is
by which we
the test by whicli
vine truths.
to be of our
we
try something to discover
is
a test by which
&.c. to discover
whether they believe those doctrines which
is
it,
that the Christian
we
we judge
on Creeds and Confessions.
try those
true
Church ever maintained,
human composure might be used

lop,
it is.
The
who offer
whether they are orthodox,
be professed, in order to be admitted to communion, &c.

only
what
try doctrines to discover whether they be di-
A Confession of Faith
communion,
at-
by
as texts of orthodoxy.
i.
e.
and necessary
to
In
this latter sense
that confessions of
See Professor Dun-
And now,
you,
ter,
after
my
33
about two years, to consider of the mat-
good friend
as to give a public
Sciîptiirista,
answer
my
to
have been so kind
material point,) I return you

you speak not only your own
whole party,
my
me
public thanks.
this particular controversy, but that
it
may
Christians ever maintained.
And
if
your
pretty easily be
For
stand you right, you have granted the whole

a point
very
are not so far apart in
settled to the satisfaction of all concerned.
and disputed against
in
sense, but the sense of
humbly conceive we
For
three questions.
which, (although you have misunderstood
if I
under-
designed;
which no denomination of
Besure, none in
New England.
You not only grant, but contend earnestly for what we

lay down as our first principle, and fundamental maxim,
I.
all
That not Creeds, nor Confessions, but the Scriptures
viz.
of the Old and New Testament, are the only rule offaith;
by which we are, each one for ourselves, to be determined
what to believe in matters of religion; and to which the
final
tians,
appeal
is to
if
all
and by which they ought
Our Creeds
controversies.
we
be made by
denominations of Chris-
to decide all their religious
are to express nothing but what
verily believe to be the true sense of Scripture.
any think we
dispute
is
And
mistake the true sense of Scripture, the
to be decided, not
by our Creeds, but by the
So saith
Scripture; comparing Scripture with Scripture.
small*The
in.
our platform; and this we are fully agreed
est grain of
din
in his piece
inspired testimony,'' says Professor Dunlop,
on Creeds and Confessions,
enough, in a just balance, to
weigh down
îs
man canons diiidi confessions.^ Edit. 2. p. 78.

that some of the principles of
II. You grant,
'
momentous
a cart load of hu-
religion are
BELLAMY ON
382
none ought to be admitted
so important, that
to sealing ordi-
nances, or to be employed as public instructers,
them/
profess to believe
do
them; yet
at first profess to believe
if afterwards it
they do not, ^ministers ought to be silenced;'

reason, church
by parity of
and therefore,
this, I say;
if
members
upon
is
so far
a Christian
it
And
(p.
appears
13.)
You
censured.
not
they
if
and
grant
and excommunicate such
to silence
they continue obstinate, provided
tian temper,
who do
Yea, you grant that
(p, 3.)
it
be done with a Chris-
from being persecution, that you look
duty; according
to Tit.
10.
iii.
thus far you agree w4th the Church of Christ in
all
ages of the world.

III.
And you
also grant fully, just as full}^ as I
have you, Hhat particular Christian communities,

particulaar persons, have aright,' not
would
as well as
had a right
once, ten
or twenty years ago, but every day of their lives; *have a
what
right to judge for themselves,
Scripture; and
the
Holy
is
the true sense of
what principles are necessary, according
to an admission to sealing ordinances, or to be
public intructers.'
And
if
it is
their duty to exercise this right,
in suspense;
learning,
like the
but
come
and never come
condemned by the
to believe
how
to a
to the
as
to
re-
be ever
knowledge of the truth,

Tim. iii. 7. but rather
apostle; 2
and
to
continue in the
been assured
Ver. 14.
of.
can a Christian church admit any to communion,
or settle a minister, until
first
they are agreed what princi-
ples are orthodox and necessary.

a
and not
judgment; not
with all the heart, and
things they have learned,

Yea,
employed
(p. 4.)
they have a right to judge for themselves, you must
grant, that
main
to
Scriptures, to be believed and professed, in order
If they put off
judgment, and agree upon nothing
as a rule for
coming
to
themselves

to act by, in the admission of
minister,
be of any force
to
members, or sclllcmcnt of
till
tliey are dead;'
then they must admit no members, and

till
what men's principles
no ministers,
settle
Which
still
you
Tliere
upon your own
no mat-
is
it
first
an absolute ne-
is
principles, that Christian
and agree what principles
settle these points,
are necessary even at their
And,
'that
mem-
be, if their lives are but good.
will not allow.
cessity, therefore,
communities
maxim,
n.)
(p.
they get into the next world: or else must admit
bers and settle ministers on this

ter
333
formation.
surely, a right to judge for themselves does by no
means imply,
must
that they
and
never he grounded
nevei'
come
to
a juclc^ment;
settled in a firm belief of
great and important doctrines of the Gospel;
be as unsteady children, tost to
and
and
fro,
all
the
but always
carried
like leaves in autumn, ivith every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
they lay in wait to deceive: for this is expressly contrary
about
the
to
word of God.
(Col.
common
equally contrar}^ to
i.
23.
sense.
Eph.
For
iv. 14.)
And
right to judge
for ourselves is so far from being inconsistent with our

coming to a judgment, that it can be of no use to us but
as
it is
improved
But you
say,
to this end.
Hve must
see just cause for
it.'
alter
our belief,
p. 5. 11. 19.
give up the Bible itself
if
we
see
we
therefore never
come
it.
to a
most evident matters?
afterwards
just cause for
cease any longer to believe that two and

see just cause for
if
we
True; and so we must
And what
it.
two make
then?
judgment about
And
four;
if
Must we
the plainest and
Or, do you think that the great
from tho
truths of the Gospel cannot be clearly determined
Bible?
hope that believing the great doctrines of the
53
BELLAMY ON
384
Gospel with all the heart, with a full assurance offaith;
of the full assurance of under-
yea, with all the riches
standing,
tolic age,
X. 22.)
in the
(Acts
manner
Col.
viii. 37.
2.
ii.
Thess.
i.
Heb.
5.
does not appear in your eyes like a groundless con-
fidence, a faith built

I
true Christians did in the apos-
on no
solid, rational, lasting evidence.
hope you would not have the minds of Christians always
fluctuating and unsettled in their belief, like
a wave of the
sea, and so in consequence hereof, they be unstable in all
their ways, like those
can
condemned
in
James
i.
Nor
6, 7,8.
persuade myself, that you think that a firm and per-
severing belief of Christianity

partiality of an honest
And
truth.
that there
is
no
but by being a great bigot.

into scepticism,
believe, and
and
what
is
inconsistent with the im-
man, who
is
way
free inquirer after
to be a strong believer,
If indeed
you are thus
feel yourself thus at a total loss

to disbelieve;
far
gone
what
to
wonder not you should
be for delaying to draw up a Creed for yourself, lest you

should soon alter your mind, and get into another scheme
of religion, a
scheme condemned by your former Creed.
But methinks,
to
put off
<till
intend to be saved at last
by
after death,' is too long, if
matter what men's principles be,

all is
well,
in this
whether you ever get
if
you
if it is
no
their lives are but good;
settled in
your principles
world, or in the world to come.
But why need
thus reason with you
sound some of your words

ever some of your readers
cannot really
ties,
But
Christianity.
mean
For whatever
may seem to have, and howmay understand you; yet you
that Christians, or Christian
communi-
should delay and put off their being settled, fully set-
tled in the belief of the great doctrines of the Gospel.
you do expressly
grant, that
it
is
For
of so great importance
GREEDS AND CONFESSIONS.
men
that
be sound in the
39.5
they jnust not be ad-
faith, that
mitted to communion, or ordained to the work of the ministry without
Which
it.
supposes that the great truths of
the Gospel are so plain and evident, that they
ought
to be
known and
believed; and Christian
may and
communi-
be well settled in these things, even at their
ties to
first
foundation.
IV. You grant, Uhat particular Christian communities
may
as
manifest their sense of Scripture in writing, as well
byword
For
of mouth.' p.
a creed,
i.
may compose
they
e.
(which comes from credo, to
of a
number of
the
Holy Scriptures.
made
5.
articles,
creeds.
believe,) consists
which / believe lo be taught

And what particular use is to
i?i
be
of their Creed by Christian communities, you have
already virtually granted. For
V. Although
this clause,
*A written Confession of
Faitli
to be used as a test of orthodoxy,' does 'really surprise you,

(p. 6.)
taken in the frightful sense you have put upon
yet, taken in the sense I designed the words,

fully
The name,
approve the thing.
to the
words.
seems quite familiar

ligious
that
to
principles which appear
you would neither admit
to
For there
you of
them.
taught in the
And
Holy
name
some
Scriptures.
For you believe them, and
re-
so great importance
who would
not pro-
these principles you fully believe
So that, in the sense
words, they are your creed, and your

insist
test
are
use
of orthodoxy.
upon the profession of them
term of communion. And

appears to you so clear and full,
as a
that
are
to sealing ordinances, nor to
the office of a public instructor, those

fess
idea
frightful
But the thing designed by

your mind.
it;
seems you
'a test of ortliodoxy,'
frights you, and no wonder, considering the
you put
it
possibly their evidence

that
you are persuaded
BELLAMY ON
386
you
and in
shall,
fact
you never
And yet you are no
them.
to
your own making, and
state a question absolutely of
never
ready to alter your
cause for
However,
it.'
till
But
bigot.
fess to stand
your
belief, as
rather
you pro-
will, alter
belief,
^when you
see just
then you would enjoin to silence,
and excommunicate a minister
who
should be proved guilty
of gross heresy, according to your notions of heresy,
i.
cording to your Creed, used as a test of orthodoxy,
(p. 13.)
Yea,
you
for
you have no notion of any
plain
it
is
to
judge of your neighbour's
what you
orthodox or not, but by comparing
call
your Creed,
i.
For, as you say,
your principles according
to
Scripture,
you do necessarily judge of

them, or agreeable to your
true
meaning of the
body
else
other.
Scriptures.'
in fact, all parties,
(p.
20.)
having
particular cases ac-
For there can be no
however they
differ in their
disputes, yet agree to a tittle in their conduct.
have but one and the same
set-
own judgment of the

Nor indeed, sir, has any
any other way of judging.
And
be
with
your understanding of
cording
to
it
with what you believe to be the true
e.
sense of Scripture.
tled
it
ac-
way
possible
whether
belief,
e.
way to judge
They
all
of their neighbour's
orthodoxy, viz. by comparing their neighbour's profession,
meaning
For we must
with what they themselves believe to be the true
of Scripture,
i. e.
judge by what
we
or not to
make
with their
own
Creed.
believe to be the true sense of Scripture,
the Scripture our rule of judgment, in
any
respect at all.*
The admirers of Dr. Taylor
the Scripture as he has explained
look
it.
upon those as orthodox, who understand

For they esteem his writings,
'
as being
a just exposition of the word of God in those doctrines or articles which are
contained in them.'
in divinity,
who
Nor would they choose a man
did not
to instruct their children
judge of truth and error as Dr. Taylor

y
does.
And
(BREEDS
So
that
it
is
AND CONFESSIONS.
387
plain, that all the great zeal, loud outcries,
and hot disputes against Creeds and Conlcssions, bcin^ used

as a test of orthodoxy,
must have arisen from sonic mis-
understanding of the case; or else

honest;
but rather disputed
merely because they hate and want

lished
Creed of
men have
against Creeds
not been for this cir-
it
cumstance, they might have been as great friends
and Confessions
of these,
my
as
any of
friend,
Do you
Calvinism?
to
Creeds
Now
their neigliljours.
which
Do you
the case with you?
is
been
general,
to get rid of the estab-
Had
their country.
not
in
hate
dispute against Creeds, because you
disbelieve our Confession of Faith, and want to get rid of
No, you
it?
say; the
man
sir;
it
who im-
^guilty of scandal
is
putes any such corrupt design to you.'
V^cry well,
(p. 2S.)
remains therefore, that your dislike of Creeds,
as tests
of orthodoxy, must be founded on some mistaken notion of
Which mistaken
the thing.
notion,
were
removed,
it
all
the dislike of so orthodox and so honest a man, would im-
mediately cease.
having
in
your
And
letter
accordingly
observable, that
is
it
granted the whole
designed, by
my
three questions, to lead gentlemen on your side to feel
they must grant; or turn sceptics, on the one hand; or deprive particular Christian communities of the right to judge
own
for themselves,
and act according
on the other;
say, having granted the whole
set yourself to dispute against a point
you
why
Or why should they
same time,
tify it?
they
consciences,
I
designed,
no denomination
should they condemn that in others, which tliey approve of in
selves
the
to their
rightly understood, they and
Let them confute,
know
they cannot,
resentations,
desire to misrepresent
let
if
all
they can, what
them own
it
it
to the world,
the world
we mean
and not try
what they dare not but justify, rightly
must agree
to
maintain.
to blacken,
represented.
tlieni-
when
at
to jus-
Or
if
by misrep-
BELLAMY ON
388
To
of Christians ever professed to maintain.
me
pears to
so very absurd, that instead of

all
tine the Great, as
you imagine,
I very much doubt whether

much as one man of tolerable
You indeed insinuate that a
there ever was in any age, so
sense that meant to hold
the
to believe
may
same thing
But
it.
it,
same
be, in the
not
is
it
dare say you can
than you can to believe that
and not
be,
And
same time.
at the
it.
gentleman maintains
certain
ap-
it
being es-
its
Christians since the reign of Constan-
poused by almost
no sooner get him
be sure,
sense,
and
put a meaning to a
fair to
man's words he never intended.
The
VI.
question you dispute against,
this,
is
'whether
drawn up
particular Christian communities, having
in writ-
ing a Confession of Faith, agreeable to their present judg-
ment of
the true sense of Scripture, have not just right and
authority to impose
on themselves, and
it
bers, as a test of orthodoxy,

for the future use
it
as such?'
it
By
6.)
(p.
you afterwards explain yourself
pose,'
lige themselves to use
all
their
mem-
and term of communion; and
as a test of
to
the
word 'im-
mean, ''they ob-
orthodoxy
as
long as
they live; even although they are in fact afterwards con-
vinced that
it
is
not orthodox."
"they bind themselves

cording to
and not
it,
belief,
itl^
lief,
i.
Bind
(p. 11
e.
but alter
if I
19.)
see
just reason for
do, in fact, see just reason to alter
what appears
my
themselves not to alter their
although afterwards ^they
But
and practice ac-
to alter in the least, although 'they
see just cause for' alteration."
Strange notion!
Or, in other words,
to believe, profess,
It
belief.
me
to
is
to
not in
my
be-
be just reason, I cannot
my
power
to
believe a
doctrine to be taught in Scripture, while at the same time I
am
fully
convinced
it
is
not taught there.
And
no man

meant
living ever
would be
to oblige
to oblige
himself
to
himself
to
;J89
Indeed,
this.
it
an absolute contradiction; to
believe a thing to be, and not to be, in the same sense,

and
at the
same time.
of a number of
For, as
Sacred Scriptures.
my
UI
Creed,
But
Scripture.
and
is
And
they are not taught
sensible,
ever meant to do.
enough
to
therefore said articles are not
to believe a thing to be
is
taught in the
believe they arc tautrht in Scripture,
to
what you must be
man
believe are
do not believe that they are tamrlit in
to believe that
same time,
before said, <a creed consists
which /
articles,
in Scripture, at the
and not
on the
If the
least
Church of
which
to be;
reflection,
Rome
no
vain
is
believe herself infallible; yet she never was so
absurd as professedly to oblige herself to persevere
own
belief of her
infallibility,
in
her
although in time to come she
should be fully convinced of her mistake.
<They may not
(you say,
alter their principles,'
p.
11.)
'or at least their profession afterwards, though on further
inquiry they should think they had mistaken the sense of

Scripture at
first;'
i.
e.
they are obliged
to
proceed
to
si-
lence a minister, or censure a private Christian, as an heretic,
directly against
when they
the light of their
the error not being in them, but in their

set
which notion
church
trial
in all its horrors,
carried on
saying, *That
judgment,
if
if
upon
this
you
consciences,
own
tell a
the church have a right to
cise notion of tests of
(p.
Creeds.
19.)
it,'
in all ages of the
So
make
contrary
then tests of ortho-
tliat
this is tiie pre-
orthodoxy with which you are so
ribly frighted, and against
To
long story of
scheme, and conclude with
they see just reason for
doxy must be given up.
having
own
are fully persuaded they are sound in the faith,
ter-
which you dispute so zealously, as

Church been the grand source of
BELLAMY ON
390
all
Although
impositioDj tyranny, and persecution.
same time
it
does not appear that this notion of a
at the
test
of
orthodoxy, was ever embraced by any Christian church in

the world.
Among all
for
the reformed churches, none are
Creeds and Confessions,
ity in the University of
Confession,
who wrote
and necessity of
may be
it,
show
in his preface to their
the justice, reasonableness,
public standard of orthodoxy,
as a
supposed to speak the
But he expressly
Dunlop, professor of Divin-
Edinburgh,
to
orthodoxy, than the
as tests of
And Mr.
Church of Scotland.
more zealous
common
saith, edit. 2. p.
principles of our Confession, every
sense of that Church.
143: 'According to the
man would
search after
the truth with the utmost impartiality; attend to the voice
of divine revelation, though

in his ears
It is
truth
it
may sound very
from the public standard of any
when he
it
discovers
it,
good men
suaded
in the world,
because he
never subscribe
will
may
when convinced
be afraid openly to abandon
promoting what they

Scripture, as
human Creed
brated by
all
if
now
147.
'As
when
per-
its articles
with courage oppose them-
of their error; they will not
it,
and will prove
see to be the
as zealous in
mind of God
in the
there never had been such a thing as a
in
the world.'
Thus
far this author, cele-
the friends of Creeds and Confessions, as one
has written genteelly and unanswerably.
good Scripturista, and answer him
come over
p.
a Confession but
to divine revelation; so the}^ will

it,
thereby disoblige
Again,
consciences of the conformity of
in their
selves to
all
church.
or neglect any proper means of
the majority and lose their favours,'
my
fallible
base and inglorious, for any person to dissemble the
spreading
who
differently
1o
your
side.
For we
fairly,
all
Read him,
and
we
will
maintain, that
we

have a right
reason for
But
much
as
change our sentiments,
we ought
then,
till
absurd
and
see just
you are
man
in
my
yea, altliough dressed up
it is;
so orthodox and so honest a
of sense, pray let
me
all evil.
man, and
wonder
stand and
how you
turn be 'really surprised,'
Christian Church in all
to think the
how
to persevere in the truth,
and the native source of almost
in itself,
since
apparently a
little,
we
*vvlicn
it.'
misrepresented soever
But
came
to
39
aiês
ever
meant
to
espouse tests of orthodoxy in the sense you have charged
upon them.
this
Can you produce any history
was the case
to
in the primitive times, or in
Does Eusebius say
so, or the celebrated
Du
prove that
later ages?
Does
Pin.^
Sleidan, or Burnet, or Neal, or Bowers, or any other histo-
To
rian of credit?
be sure, so honest a
man
as you,
would
not charge so black and absurd an opinion upon the Christian
Church
pose to
in all ages, out of
bring an odium upon
And how
man
it
am
the friends of Creeds.
is
very hard
it
know how to do it. And on

You don't pretend to
'really surprised.'
one author, and

expressly
tells
it
is
not only plain from
me by word
any such thing: but

Christian Church
if
\\\s
to
attri-
your
ig-
the whole,
quote but
piece ^ but he
of mouth, that he never meant
he did,
in all ages
To
to say.
to wilful malice, I cannot; to attribute
norance, I do not
I
all
of your good sense, could possibly be
guilty of so gross a mistake,
bute
pure wilful malice, on pur-
how
does this prove that the
have been
in this
scheme?
Or
what warrant had you to raise such an evil report against

the Church of Christ?
As
swer
to the questions,
is
short.
orthodoxy?'
'Who
you
state, p. 6, 7, S.
have right to
No body. What
54
<
&c.
make such
The
an-
tests of
principles should be put
BELLAMY ON
392
such
into
None
tests?'
None
by them?'
But you have

tiouy (p. 21
said so
28)
at all.
<And who should be bound
in this world, or in the next.
much dhouiimposition smd persecu-
we must
that
mean
your own scheme,
to charge
being a persecuting scheme.
and become
willing to receive an
my
up
You do
on.
it
neces-
their right to
judge
think
indifferent to all principles, as
Arminian or Socinian
communion,
to
as an orthodox Christian; and particularly declare that
no matter what men's
in order to avoid the
Pray,
dreadful guilt of imposition and persecution.
good Scripturista, do
Aristocles
One
tell
me who
acts the
and who the part of an imposer
part,
was educated
Sind
persecutor ?
in a Socinian church
who never had any
born of the Virgin Mary.
at Siena.
a mere
existence before he
And
my
manly honest
article of their faith was, that Jesus Christ is
creature.,
it is
principles be, if their lives are but
commence Pagans,*
good; and so
not
good friend, with
Nor do you
sary that our churches should give

for themselves,
few minutes,
stop here a
imposed
lest ignorant people should be
was
they professed to under-
those texts of Scripture which speak of his divini-
stand
all
ty, to
imply no more than that he was
tocles, at the
age of sixteen, joined in
God by office.
full
Aris-
communion with
the church, and publicly gave his assent to their creed.
At
the age of twenty four, the former minister being dead,

Aristocles
The Pagans in the
tian sect, for
his successor, and put into possession
apostolic age exceedingly cried out against the Chris-
damning all parties but their own,i. e. for preaching as their Mas-
had bid them,
ter
all
was chosen
lie
that believeth not shall he
the various tribes of heathen idolaters, with
full
charity with one another: and so tliey
tian sect, as unsocial
Div. Leg.
and inimical
to the
all
damned, Mark
all
xvi. 16.
their different gods,
Now
were
in
joined to look upon the Chris-
human
kind.
See Warburton^s

of
their parsonage lands for
all
life,
393
on condition he should
continue to preach the doctrines ennbraced by that particular
Which, not having studied the controversy, he
church.
inadvertently engaged to do, being by the influence of education full in the Socinian scheme.
However, within two
years after his ordination, having carefully searched the

Scriptures, Aristocles
became
counted the
of
his
all
was
fully convinced of his error,
And
a sound believer and a good man.

cost,
he came to a
full
resolution, at the risk
outward comforts, honestly
and congregation of the change of
and
having
inform his church
to
his sentiments;
and to
preach up the divinity and satisfaction of Christ, and
endeavour
to set these points in
the holy Scriptures.
And
the clearest
acknowledge
to his people, that
nant, which
in the times of his
with them; and so forfeited
am
willing to serve you
me
but
for
1
man
Did
I therefore alter
subscribed, and
your minister
all
my notions
came to perceive
due means
faith also.
But
if I
as to articles of faith,
their minister,
were not
able,
it
to
which
and endowing
It
would be extremely
me
own
throw.'
were absurd
set
up one
Eells on Creeds,
pray,
to
had once
change
foolish to
also
their
fancy
principles, in continuing
allot-
had found myself
imagine that though those
in opposition to,
p. 91.
with that salary, which they hud
the altar should like the altar, that yet I should live
abandoned, and
which
I belonged to
ted to a pastor that should teach them doctrines which
obliged to abandon.
And
own conscience, and would endeavour
that they would act directly contrary to their
me
am,
the falscliood of them, I would think myself
persuade the church
to
as
now,'
act an honest part?*
obliged to follow the dictates of my
by
And
claim no right to impose
a Calvinist minister upon a Socinian church.'

sir, did not this
made
ignorance he had
sonage lands, which accordingly he resigned.
to
he had broken the cove-
claim to the church's par-
all
says he, 'if you will choose
from
light
same time honestly
at the
tcho serve
by an altar which
and indeed endeavoured
had
to over,
BELLAMY ON
394
ûthades,
in another part of the Christian world,
where
Calvinism was the only established religion, in his youth,

joined with the church where he lived
and publicly gave
his assent, according to custom, to the articles of the Chris-
which were
tian faith, as contained in their formulas
strictly
church was grown very lax in
Calvinistical, although the
examinations, without which, formulas, though never so
good, will not answer the end.

articles at the time, but it
was
He
did not believe their
for his credit to
member therefore he kept

made a public profession. At length
The church and
old Calvinist, died.
;
Authades
be a church-
and
his infidelity to himself,
was
congregation invited
All the time he was on pro-
to be his successor.
bation, his chief study
the minister, a good
For by
to conceal himself.
time, he began to be full in the Socinian scheme.

rally preached
on moral subjects,
as these
If at
gave him the
and the best advan-
largest scope for popular declamation,
tages to hide his principles.
this
He gene-
any time he preached on
original sin, regeneration, justification, the satisfaction
of Christ, or the influences of the Holy Spirit,
as
he was
obliged sometimes to do, to prevent their suspicions, he
took the greatest care to express himself

cret sentiments
should not be discovered by the people.
However, some of the more judicious

and feared he meant
to act a part.
majority invite him to
settle,
and he
pressly covenants to preach to

vinistic articles of faith
to
pay him
settle
him,
100/. per
if
so, as that his se-
he did not delude
is
ordained.
them according
and on
annum.
sort suspected
him,
Nevertheless, a great
this condition,
He
ex-
to their Cal-
they engage
He knew they would not

them.
And he still knows
he cannot keep possession of the 100/. per annum, unless he

can keep them deluded.
Therefore he uses
all
his art to
395
conceal himself from the congregation in general
mean
time,
is
usually cunning to
make
At
cinian scheme, in a secret under-handed way.
having made a party he begins
ami
in tlic
proselytes to the So-
to take courage
length,
and
slily
dresses up Calvinists as bigots, and vital piety, as enthu-
siasm; and more openly declaims
against creeds and confes-
sions, as impositions, and engines ofpersecutiuji^ the result
oidiproicd and domineeriyig spirit; and in a word, the fatal
For so they
source of all mischief.
that doth evil hateth the light; so he that
orthodox creeds and confessions.
very well,
that if his
him.
feel to
is
For
as
he
an heretic hates
Poor Authades! he knows
church and congregation would
strip off
his false colours, and get legal proof of his true character,
He
he must lose his 100/. per annum.

for
him
their
thinks
it
no roguery
impose upon his church, and cheat them out of
to
their principles; but he thinks
money, and out of
it
would be a piece of the greatest tyranny, and the most cruel

and barbarous persecution,
prove him
and take away

lives,
if
they should fmd him out, and
to be a Socinian, and, as such,
his 100/.
per annum.
have him silenced,
Thus every man
and thus he dies; and to be sure, you
Scripturista, join with
me
to look
will,
candid
upon and abhor him,
as a
thorough practised knave.
For you
grant, the Calvinistic church had
*a right to
judge for themselves, what was the true sense of Scripture,
and what principles were necessary, according
to the holy
Scriptures, to be believed and professed, in order to be ad-
mitted to sealing ordinances, or to be employed as a public

instructor.'
And if they had
a right to
was an imposition upon Authades
man worthy of imposition.

Church when he joined with it at
only
do
so, their
doing so
but Authades was the
He imposed upon
first;
he
still
the
in a higher
BELLAMY ON
396
degree imposed upon the church and congregation too,
when
among them.
He
he settled
wanted
their
and kept
And
in the
it
if
work
of the ministry
He
money.
obtained
through his whole
life
it first
by one
by dissimulation,
series of deceit.
Calvinistic churches in the Christian world, in this
many
corrupt age, have reason to fear that there are too
of
Authades' character, the very wolves in sheeps^ clothing

our Saviour warned us to beware
you
[Matt.
vii.
15.) can
desire that instead of obeying the divine counsel, they
should tamely resign their
'
right to judge for themselves,'
and admit to sealing ordinances and
any
istry,
And
of,
that offer,
to sufier
work
to the
of the min-
without any regard to their principles?
themselves to be imposed upon in the highest
degree, to the great injury of themselves, and of their posterity,
only to avoid the bitter resentments of such
Authades,
who
Persecution
will
as Christians, to
know
them
fuse to admit
to
if
you only
insist
consistent with
But
duty of
all
on your right
the articles of their belief,
communion and
your own avowed
rather, as Christ has
his followers,
No
sir,
principles, desire
made
and
re-
into the ministry,
unless they appear to be sound in the faith.
thing.
as
cry out. Imposition! imposition!
persecution!
men
it
you
can,
no such
the indispensable
openly to profess the doctrines of
his holy religion, (Mat. x. 22. 32, 33.) charged
them
to he-
ware of false 2^T0jjhets, (Mat. vii. 15.) and commended

them for trying and detecting false pretenders, (Rev. ii. 2.)
and
as
even
common
sense teaches, that the disciples of
Christ have a natural right to

gious sentiments of those
who
know, and judge of the
ples, and expect to be treated as such
tenancing the
little
reli-
claim to be their fellow-disci;
so instead of discoun-
concern of Calvinistic churches in the
present day, to be consistent with yourself, you,
who
can-
3f)7
not bear to be thought not a Calvinist, ought rather to blame

their too great indifference, and call
upon them
awake,
to
stand upon their guard, and watch, lest cunning deccitrul
men
slily
creep
in,
we
and before
are aware, bring
another
gospel into our pulpits, and the utmost confusion and
except
we
dis-
For how can we walk together
cord into our churches.
be agreed? [^7nos
iii.
Or
3.)
unity
kccj) the
of the spirit in the bond of peacc^ except we have one

faith, one Lord, one baptism? {Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5.)
But perhaps you
There
cious already.
cinians, &c.
merely
tal
among
answer
to
will say,
us.
The
Calvinists are too suspi-
are no Arminians, no Arians, no So-
The cry
is
political ends.'
raised
Oh,
by designing men
my
good Scripturis-
0, that this were indeed the case! 0, that our fears were
How
groundless!
quite
could help
me
to
<
lieve
all to
if
their friends
be safe
till
they have elsewhere.
among
believe
if
it,
you
But how would
it.'
New-England laugh
the party through
Connecticut,
soon would
see just reason for
at
our credulity
us could
make
in
us be-
they could carry their points here, as

In New-Hampshire province, this
party have actually, three years ago, got things so ripe, that
they have ventured
to
new model
our shorter catechism;
to alter, or entirely leave out, the doctrines of the Trinity^
of the decrees, of our first parents being created holy, of
original sin, Christ satisfying divine justice, effectual

calling, justification, adoption, sanctification, assurance
of God's love, perseverance in grace, ^-c. and to adjust the

whole to Dr. Taylor's scheme. And in their preface to
this
new
catechism, they
tell
the world, that
of party bigots will be little regarded.'

ists in
i.
e.
'
The
if all
snarling
the Calvin-
the country are disobliged, to see their whole scheme
given up, they do not care.
They
look upon us
all,
as
BELLAMY
398
snarling bigots, not
to
This
be regarded.
they speak their hearts; and
Come from New-Hampshire

a celebrated D. D.
ON, &c.
tell
the world
is
honest
how
they
now
feel!
along to Boston, and see there
the head of a large party!
He
boldly
ridicules the doctrine of the Trinity, and denies the doctrine
o{justification by faith alone, in the sight of

try, in his
all
the coun-
book of sermons: come nearer home, come
to
Wallingford: see there a young gentleman, bold to settle in

the ministry, although opposed as an heretic
by near half
how he conducts.
How back-
the town.
ward
Observe, and see
to let his
on probation!
people
How
the consociation, let
with heresy,
know
his religious sentiments, while
resolved, never to be
it
cost
and cited
to
what
it
examined by
would, though charged
appear
before
them!
Yea,
although his opposers offer to accept him for their minister,
upon examination he should appear to be sound in the

And yet under these, even under these circumstanfaith
if
ces,
he could find ministers to ordain him
Sir,
your already very much obliged and very humble
servant,
PAULINUS.
Date Due
}m
\5isi
3UNH7af
^gJdWw-^
#,Yt
?'6i
^.^^f-*
rE6 16 7t,.
MAR
Semmary-Spfet
Princeton Theological
Ubi
1012 01032 3 05

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i

"Spruce street lectures,

BY SEVERAL CLERGYMEN, DURING THE AUTUMN AND

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS

in the Tlieological Seiui-

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by

in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Penn-

THE UNITED STATES.

THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.

Members of the Presbyterian Church.

This course of Lectures was founded

design was to furnish the

Presbyterian Church, with a Manual containing interesting

and popular discussions of some of the most important

doubts are entertained in regard to any point of

taught by our holy religion and our venerable stand-

important that the members of the Church

should be furnished with a calm and able defence of those

The well known

character of the gentlemen engaged in

this course, will be regarded as a sufficient

tion of the volume.

Although the work

especially dedicated to the Elders

of the Presbyterian Church, yet

that the Spirit of

defence and inculcation of the truth

the prayer of your brother in the

Rev. Dr. Green,

Rev. Dr. -/isk,

the Nature of the Atonement.

Rev. Dr. Janeway,

Use of the Means

Inability of Sinners considered.

top, /or declation

for divide read describe.

for sustain read restrain.

for ask read act.

the read Another.

strike out must.

of the Constitution of the Presbyterian

in the United States, introduced their

Church Government by specifying

principles," or fundamental truths, as the basis on

the whole superstructure had been erected, or

"they were governed

principles, the fourth section

and the great touchstone of truth,

tendency to promote holiness; according

In this statement of radical or elementary

opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd, than

which brings truth and falsehood upon

and practice, truth and duty.

of no consequence what a man's opinions are.

the contrary, they are persuaded that there

innocence of error," was a favourite dogma of in-

writers and loose moralists, of the last age; and

against this, that the foregoing statement

be more immediately directed.

believed, never so openly

formally defended, as in the present age; for

modification of the principle, while the essence

this mischievous sen-

advocated by some of the most distin-