Exposition Defens 00 As So

$LIBRAR1 OF CONGRESS.
I
*
[SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT]
'UNITED
STA'l
hfa*^]lt4ttikAn
fcar^'tJe
EXPOSITION
AND DEFENSE
WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY'S
CONFESSION OF FAITH
BEING THE
DRAUGHT OF AN "OVERTURE" PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE

OF THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED SYNOD, IN
A
lit
Ij
ait
1783.
NEW EDITION:
^nixoiutixon
hjtit
^jiottn,
BY
REV. DAVID MCDILL, D.D.
CINCINNATI:
MOORE, WILSTACH, KEYS &

25
WEST FOURTH STREET.

18
5 5.
CJ.,
B*^*
b5'
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by
MOORE, WILSTACH, KEYS &

In the Clerk's
office
District of Ohio.
WM. OYEREND &
CO.,
of the District Conrt for the Southern
CO., Printers,
ADVERTISEMENT.
The
following paper was prepared and published
A. D., 1787, by a Committee oe the Associate Ee-
formed Synod,
as an " Overture" for illustrating
and
defending the doctrines of the Confession of Faith.
Having been
laid before the Synod, it
was substantially
approved, and recommended to the Churches as useful

for
the
purposes
familiarly
is
intended.
known by
the
name
It
has been long and
of "
understood that Eev. Eobert
The Overture."
Annan was
its
Author.
EDITOE.
(iii)
It
sole
CONTENTS,
PAGE.
Editor's Introduction
Author's Introduction
Confessions of Faith
23
Their Use
33
CHAPTER
I.
The Scriptures a Revelation from God and the Foundation of

all true Religion
40
CHAPTER
II.
God and the Trinity
58
CHAPTER
III.
Divine Decrees
66
CHAPTER
IV.
Creation
72
(v)
CONTENTS.
VI
CHAPTER
V.
PAGB.
Providence
78
CHAPTER
VI.
The Fall of Man
80
CHAPTER
VII.
Covenant of Works and of Grace
CHAPTER
Christ
VIII.
His Person and Offices

CHAPTER
89
IX.
Man's Free Will
114
CHAPTER
X.
Regeneration
116
CHAPTER
XI.
Justification
121
CHAPTER
XII.
Adoption
130
CHAPTER
Sanctification
84
XIII.
133
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
Vll
XIV.
PAGE.
Saving Faith
138
CHAPTER XV.
Repentance unto Life
147
CHAPTER XVI.
Good Works
150
CHAPTER
XVII.
Perseverance of the Saints
CHAPTER
loo
XVIII.
Assurance of Grace and Salvation
CHAPTER
Law
159
XIX.
A CovenantA Rule of Life
of God
162
CHAPTER XX.
Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
172
CHAPTER XXI.
Religious Worship
175
CHAPTER
Lawful Oaths and Vows
XXII.
187
CONTENTS.
Vlll
CHAPTER
XXIII.
PAGE.
Civil
Magistrate
197
CHAPTER XXIV.
Marriage and Divorce
203
CHAPTER XXV.
Church of Christ
205
CHAPTER XXVI.
Communion of Saints
213
CHAPTERS XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX.

Sacraments
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
222
CHAPTERS XXX, XXXI.

Church Government and Discipline
233
Thoughts on the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures
251
Conclusion
272
Appendix
283
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
The
following draught of an Overture for illustrating and
defending the Doctrines of the Confession of Faith, prepared
by a Committee of the Associate Eeformed Synod in the

year 1783,
is
now
republished, in the hope that
it
may
promote the cause of truth, and subserve the interests of
Having been
the Redeemer's kingdom.
solicited to furnish
some historical and explanatory notes, the writer has thought

it
expedient to prepare an introduction, of considerable,
perhaps of disproportionate length.

of extracts from
by the
fasting,
late Eev.
Having adverted
to
John Hemphill, D. D.
the union in which the Associate
Reformed Church had her
"It
is
well known,
Presbyteries
It will consist, in part,
an appendix to a discourse on religious
origin,
that the
who entered
into
Mr. H. proceeds
Associate and Reformed
this
union, were
churches
nearly related in their views of the doctrine, government,

discipline,
and worship of the Church of
" Both parties
lished
Church
of Scotland,
[counting
all
emoluments of the establishment but

because
fallen,
of
Christ.
had forsaken the communion of the estab-
errors
and backslidings
The principal
difference
the honors and
loss
into
for
Christ,]
which she had
between themselves, was
editor's
introduction.
One main-
respecting the civil powers in Great Britain.
tained that, considering the Lord's goodness in bringing

their nation into such a high state of reformation,
and the
solemn engagements under which they and the nation had

come, they could not acknowledge these powers as lawful,
which were
revolution,
set
up according
to the
plan adopted at the
anno 1688, or yield obedience
science' sake
that, to do so,
would be
to
them, for con-
to violate their cov-
enant engagements, to encourage and strengthen the hands

of the
enemies
of
the
reformation,
and partake in the
general apostasy of the nation.

"
On
the contrary, the others maintained, that, while
they bore testimony against every step
of
the
national
apostasy, everything in the revolution settlement that
wrong, and every degree of power given to the
which did not belong
to them, yet, in other respects, their
power being that which belonged

being clothed with
was
civil rulers
it
to civil rulers,
by the consent
of the
and they
people
in
these respects, they considered the powers in Britain, even

after the revolution, lawful powers,
mands obedience was
and
to their lawful
for conscience' sake; that, in conducting in
they did
all
com-
due, not only for fear of wrath, but

this manner,
that was right for them to do in opposing the
enemies of the reformation, and in condemning the general

apostasy of the nation, and that, therefore, they acted consistently with their solemn national engagements.
" These are the outlines of that dispute which prevailed
between Seceders and Covenanters.

as
having been,
in
its
day,
[We
do not regard
altogether an idle
though good men might take opposite
sides.]
it
dispute,
This was
EDITOR
INTRODUCTION.
XI
the principal thing that kept them separate communions.
The disputes ran high,
[as disputes are apt to do
those 'near of kin'].
The opposition was carried a great
length on both sides, and, as

there
was a degree
many
of their writings
many
common
too
and
sensible,
others
in such cases,
and want
of candor in
and speeches, which was
many
This was the opinion of
justifiable.
serious,
is
of bitterness
between
far
and of
in both these communions,
who did not belong
from
of the judicious,
one or the other.
to
[There were some in the establishment who sympathized
with them
more would have done
joined them, but for this 'unseemly

"
That
see these
it
was the ardent wish
two
sister
of
so,
and probably have
strife.']
many such
characters to
churches united into one body, will not
be denied.
"
That the Lord would remove the cause, and heal the
breaches,
prayer of
was the professed
many
desire of
on both sides.
nothing for us in this respect?
though in Britain the same

the case in America.
We
are
all,
Certainly he has.
a land
Al-
difficulty remains, this is not
now planted
as such, has never been reformed in the
Britain was
and the earnest
Has, then, the Lord done
in a land, which,
manner
in which
which, as a nation, was never under
such solemn covenant engagements a land freed from that
government which gives

power in
all
to
causes, both
the chief magistrate supreme

spiritual
and temporal.
Those
very circumstances, then, from which the dispute sprang

those very circumstances on which
it
depends
those very
circumstances on which the propriety of introducing and
maintaining that dispute, as far as peculiar to them, rests
introduction.
editor's
xii
those circumstances being removed in America, was there
not a door opened for these two churches to unite ?

pose
will be granted,
it
if
I sup-
the Lord would, in the same
manner, change the circumstances of the contending parties

everywhere, that
it
would be their duty
to
embrace that as
a favorable opportunity of obtaining that union for which
they had been praying and waiting."
"If
ful, to
to desire
a union between these churches was law-
attempt to bring
ingly, this attempt

offered, after the
it
about was also lawful.
Nor was
American revolution.
entered into in a rash, inconsiderate manner.
from the best accounts we have of

of
much
Accord-
was made when the favorable opportunity
it,
to
It appears,
have been the fruit
During several
serious deliberation.
this union
years, differ-
ent meetings and conferences were held on the subject

last, in the year 1782, the union
"
The
was
at
finally closed.
on which the union was founded are
principles
these
1.
That Jesus Christ died
2.
That there
3.
That
the
is
for the elect only.
an appropriation in the nature of
Grospel
is
faith.
indiscriminately addressed
to
sinners of mankind.
4.
That the righteousness
of Christ is the alone proper
condition of the covenant of grace.

5.
That
civil
and not from

6.
dence
power
originates from God,
That the administration

is
the Creator,
Christ, the Mediator.
committed
to
Jesus
of
the
Christ,
kingdom of Provithe Mediator; and
magistracy, the ordinance appointed by the moral governor

of the world, to be the pillar or prop of civil order
among
editor's
INTRODUCTION.
men, as well as other things,

Mediator to the welfare
Church
and
spiritual
his
kingdom,
the
the Church has the sanctified use of
beside,
and every common
that,
Lord Jesus
rendered subservient by the
is
of
Xlll
benefit,
through the grace of our
Christ.
That the law of nature and the .moral law revealed
7.
in Scripture are substantially the same, although the latter
expresses the will of
God more
evidently and clearly than
the former; and, therefore, magistrates
among
Christians
ought to be regulated by the general directions of the Word,

as
to
the execution
of their
offices,
faithfulness
in
and
righteousness.
8.
That
the
qualifications
of justice,
veracity,
etc.,
required in the law of nature for the being of a magistrate,

are also more explicitly and clearly revealed, as necessary
But a
in Scripture.
religious test,
any farther than an oath
of fidelity, can never be essentially necessary to the being
of a magistrate, except where the people

tion
of government; then
necessary,
9.
it
may
make
it
a condi-
be among that people
by their own voluntary deed.
That both
parties,
when
united,
shall adhere to the
Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechisms, Larger and

Shorter, Directory for Worship,
and propositions concerning
Church government.
10.
That they
government and
shall claim the full exercise of

discipline,
Church
without dependence on foreign
judicatories/'
Here several thoughts occur

1.
When
to the
mind
the parties came to understand one another,
real differences
were seen not to be so great as they had
XIV
"been
supposed to be, or as they had been made to appear
by the alchemy
ists
INTRODUCTION.
EDITOR'S
and
"
of ultra theorists
supposed"
and ardent controversial-
differences, (always the
most numer-
ous in such cases,) became " like the chaff of the
summer
All that was really necessary to con-
thrashing-floors. "
summate the union, was, that the
should try to
parties
understand each other, and try not to keep believing that

there were great and important differences between them.
2.
The above basis on which the parties united, was
never made a term of communion in the united Church, or

proposed as a test to those
It
leges.
either of the parties

time, or
came
comfortable
is
applied for Christian privi-
for granted, that all those of
who acquiesced
in the union at the
into it afterward, were so far satisfied with
the principles on which
This
who
was wisely taken
it
was founded, that they could have
communion with
as far as
it
their brethren,
and be
edified.
can ever be necessary that Christians
should be of " the same mind," in order that they
have fellowship one with another, and
also
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
To
with
may
"the
insist on
an
unnecessary and impracticable agreement in sentiment and

opinion, in order to union
is
and communion among Christians,
only an indirect and disingenuous method of opposing
union.
While
"endeavoring
of peace,"
to
all
were of one mind as to the duty of
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds
what harm could possibly
follow,
should continue to believe, that, in the "
though some
Old Country," the
Seceders were in the right, and others, that the Covenanters
were in the right ?

3.
The Associate Eeformed Church has
not,
and never
had, any terms of
XV
INTRODUCTION.
editor's
communion which would exclude
either
Seceders or Covenanters from participating with her in all
With
the ordinances of the Lord Jesus.
uniform language
differences, her
bear one another in love"
is,
respect to all such
and has been
" For-
" Brethren, forbear."
The union was consummated without any attempt

being made by either of the parties to bind the other up by
4.
and testimonies.
oaths, covenants,
tion
They had confidence
was cherished.
as only honest
No such
men can have
jealous disposiin one another,
confidence, either in themselves
or in other people.
5.
is
The only pledge which the parties made
contained in the ninth article, and has for
future maintenance of " sound doctrine."

bols of faith,
to
each other
its object,
the
Over these sym-
members
exclusive of anything else, the
of
the Associate Eeformed Church have hitherto pledged themselves to each other
to
resolutions or rules she
God and
may have
Whatever
his Church.
adopted, to regulate or
direct her administrations, never has she required of persons
applying for her privileges, or her members when offering

their children for baptism, or of ministers
more
their ordination,
fession of Faith
or less
and elders at
than an assent
to the
Con-
and Catechisms, and an approbation of her
form of government and directories for worship, as founded

on, or agreeable to, the
when
it
is
word
of God.
to insist on
may
some things which are not explicitly
in her standards
arise,
it,
set forth
may change its character

it may entirely pass away,
but an occasion
in the course of a few months, or
and with
Occasions
necessary for a church, in her administrations,
this necessity.
Such things will then cease
to
xvi
editor's
introduction.
be regarded as important.
a place
among the
Church.
And
to
may
to
left
of
communion in the
their
exercise
must
often,
own judgment.
be heartily agreed with respect to their duty, as
prescribed in the word of

duty, as
terms
indeed, in such cases, individuals
some extent, be
People
Hence, they should never have
stated
it is to
God
but, with respect to their
be deduced from a comparison of the teach-
ings of the Bible with the character of existing facts, they
may
differ
that
they
is,
may
differ
with respect to what
present duty and the best manner of performing
it,
is
while
yet they are all equally studious to walk blamelessly in

all
the
commandments and ordinances
The want
of
much
of the Lord.
of some definite ideas here has been the cause
confusion and division in the Church.
Perhaps
was the cause
of the wrangle between the old Seceders
Covenanters
certainly,
it
was the cause of the painful
rupture between the Burghers and Antiburghers.
matter in controversy should have been

jurisdiction, with, perhaps,
were asked, and
if it
left to
some prudent advice,
The
Sessional
if
advice
could be given with tolerable unanimity.
the Sessions concerned in the case
But what
if
wrong ?
Well, what
right ?
it
and
Take which
if
they had
had decided
Did the Synod decide
side of the question
we may, we must
admit that one division of the Synod were sadly wrong.
And
the scandal, the reproach brought on religion, and on
the cause of the Secession, were incomparably greater than
could have resulted from the error
of
a few
Sessions.
Suppose two or three score of good Christian people had, in

their simplicity, or in their ignorance of the laws of the
realm, taken an oath of allegiance, which a casuist could
INTRODUCTION.
EDITOR'S
XV11
show contained a clause of doubtful propriety, what would

have been in comparison of the awful sentence of
this
excommunication, which, in the heat
of controversy, the
one party pronounced on the other ?
The principles on which the union was formed, were
6.
of an important
all
and weighty character.
It
would be
impossible to point to anything in the basis which

frivolous nature, or
of a
is
which evinces a disputatious temper, or
which shows that one of the parties wished
to
have some-
thing put on record which would bear witness that concessions
had been made
to them, or
which indicates that
the parties were not yet tired of wrangling.

11
Upon
these
principles,
Keformed Presbytery, and
of
the
the ministers of both
the
of the
all
all
ministers
Associate Presbyteries, united together, except Mr. Marshall
and Mr. Clarkson, two members
Presbytery of Pennsylvania.
of the Associate
They refused
to
unite on
these principles, and so formed themselves into a distinct
Presbytery, which
Pennsylvania.
the
Associate
is
styled the Associate
Presbytery of
Those who entered into the union, are styled
Keformed Synod.
few of
the
people
belonging to the Keformed Presbytery, refused to unite on

the above principles.
They have been joined by emigrants
from Britain and Ireland, and have received ministers from

those countries,
who
are formed into a Presbytery, called
the Keformed Presbytery of North America."
Both these dissenting Presbyteries have since grown into

Synods.
people,
They have always contained many

and many excellent ministers.
good,
pious
It is proper that
we
should pay this tribute to the grace of God, " that wrought
editor's introduction.
XV111
though we can not approve
effectually in them,"
all their
measures.
All parties received accessions to their ministry from
abroad; but, for some years,
believed that few "emi-
and Ireland " joined the Associate
grants from Britain
Eeformed Church.
it is
Emigrants, immediately on their land-
ing in America, were poorly qualified to form a correct
judgment as
to the merits of the union.
as well as its causes,

parties, (the "
still
The controversy,
continued to exist between the
Mother Churches," as they were
called,) in
the " Old Country ;" and each party was as unwilling to
lose
to
what strength
lose
what
it
had
in America, as Great Britain
interest she
had in the
mother churches supposing, what they had no right

pose, that they
was
Both the
colonies.
to sup-
were capable of judging as to the duty of
their brethren in the altered state of things in this country,
condemned the union; and those "who went out from
them," would, of course, bring to America the prejudices

in which they
Atlantic.
It
had been nurtured on the other

was a great deal
young minister,
setting
foot
side of the
even for a talented
against the union, on his
first
America, than to appreciate the reasons
in
which rendered
Had
to declaim
easier,
it
a wise, necessary, and Christian measure.
the same view been taken of the civil institutions of
the United States, by the body of the Eeformed Presbyterian ministers
and people at
first,
which,
at
present,
prevails in one of the parties into which they have since

divided,
terian
it
is difficult to
believe that the
Church would ever have existed in
distinct body.
Eeformed Presbythis country as a
Each party
of Faith.
fession
had
in Scotland
was deemed necessary
some defects in the Con-
to unfold,
thought an incorrect
be
this
we do not
representation, though
was deemed necessary
if
A testimony
Testimony.
its
to supply
Or,
XIX
INTRODUCTION.
EDITOR'S
see that it
a testimony
is,
more fully and particularly,
the doctrines of the Confession of Faith, and to direct its

principles
against
many
errors
and corruptions which the
Confession does not explicitly condemn.
It
was charged on
the Associate Eeformed Church, as a great fault, that she
had no book
or paper
called
satisfy to reply, that she
world
the
Bible
the
a Testimony.
It
did not
had the best testimony in the
great leading truths of which were
exhibited in her Confession of Faith.
Many
people thought that something was
wanting, while she
still
of her
own
Such a paper, they did not doubt, had
had no Testimony.
always had a place in the Church.
At
least, it
was a great
departure from a usage which had existed from time (to
them) out of mind,

vinced that
it
The Synod were con-
have none.
to
was improper
to
have such a paper in
addition to the Confession of Faith, which should
make a
part of her standards, and be regarded as a term of com-
munion,
loose
so that
reasonings,
every
an approbation of
inapt quotations
person, whether
young
it
of
or old,
express, on his joining the Church,
logic,
metaphysics,
Scripture,
and
must be required
and when he
all
to
offers his
children for baptism.
As a
these
general fact,
it
may
be remarked, in reference to
papers called Testimonies, that they are apt to be
most zealous and earnest when opposing such things as

separate churches which are nearly related, or such shades
XX
EDITOR'S
INTRODUCTION.
of error as will frequently appear in evangelical churches,
through the influence of

of mind, hut
men who
because they are
ence,
are of a speculative turn
which are destined only
Gospel truth in the body where they
But an inconsiderable portion

and defense
elucidation
Often
tianity.
to a
make
them
of
temporary exist-
by the friends of
opposed
soon
their appearance.
devoted to the
is
of the great saving truths of Chris-
do Deistical,
Socinian,
and other
destroying errors, receive but a perfunctory notice.
soulIt is
not, as a general fact, on such subjects that the authors of
testimonies write with spirit, faith, and point.
when
mind
the tendency of the public
this is
an unhappy feature.
In an age
toward skepticism,
is
diseased mind, which
is
indisposed to believe enough, will not be cured by offering

it too
much
before
it
but by placing great truths
to be believed,
in a convincing light.
The Synod refused

under her
to offer a
But a work
care.
Testimony
illustrating
to the churches
and defending the
doctrines of the Confession, which should receive the judicial
approbation of the Synod

it
should be
be useful.
tion,
to this, provided it
there could be no objections
It could not be less useful, as a
on account of
its
and
means
it
might
of instruc-
not being adopted as a part of the
fixed testimony of the Church.

to prepare such a paper.
committee was appointed
Hence, the " Overture."
from the pen of Eev. Robert Annan.

great mind.
were what
It
was
It is the product of a
About the year 1813,
after
hearing him
preach at a very advanced age, a minister of the Reformed
Dutch Church remarked, that his discourse brought vividly

before his
mind the idea
of " a great light just going out."
EDITOll 6
INTRODUCTION.
The Synod recommended the Overture

substance, a
sages in
it.
concurred
in
useful
book.
to their people, as, in
Probably, there are a few pas-
which the Synod could not have unanimously
but they were not thought of such importance
as to require particular animadversion.
ideas
work
XXI
is
Who
perfect ?
few
It contains a
which we cannot entirely approve.
What human
can write a book which shall con-
may
tain nothing to which another, of very inferior mind,
We
not be able to take just exceptions?
do not regarol
"
the Associate Reformed Church as " held and firmly bound
and defend every one
to receive
edge,
an
as
of
article
the sanction
received
faith,
of a
all
everything
Synod
there
is
some
sort
will
future time, acknowl-
or
some means, the opinion has obtained

his mind, that
Xone
of its positions.
contend that the Church must, in
that
Council,
a secret
may have
by
unless,
lodgment in
of infallibility in such
decisions.
The reader
sages which,
will find
in
a few foot-notes appended to pas-
earlier or
later
times,
were
subjects of
doubt, cavil, or misrepresentation.
Our earnest prayer
is.
that G-od would bless the following
pages to the establishment of Christians in the truth

also,
that he would render
them
and
useful to the friends of
Christian union, by leading them to see that the only true

basis of union, because the only basis on which the whole
Church
of
God can
ever become one organic body,
Divine Testimony exhibited, or
its
plain, simple, doctrinal statements.
Prospect Hill,
III.,
Feb. 16, 1865.
meaning
is
the
ascertained, in
D.
INTRODUCTION.
Man
and
is
endowed by his great Creator with noble powers
God made him but a
faculties.
He
angels.
irrational
is
little
lower than the
exalted in the scale of being far above the
and inanimate parts
of the creation
and
is
laid
under peculiar and very strong obligations to glorify and

serve his Creator
to gratitude
and Almighty Preserver.
and praise are
infinitely
But obligations
accumulated by our
redemption through the death and sufferings
of
Jesus
Eedemption from sin and
Christ, the eternal Son of God.
misery seems to be God's peculiar gift to men. Eebel angels

do not participate in
And
it.
of the works of God.
In
it
and
of his glorious nature
it
appears to be the greatest
he has made the fullest display

perfections.
Here we
see the
Father giving his Son: The Son yielding to his Father's
appointment and giving himself for us: and the Holy

Spirit applying the gift.
Jesus Christ
the
divine glory, he
the image of the invisible Godi
The
fullness of the
human
is
is
bodily.
The
the true temple of the Deity,
where he dwells and manifests
mercy and truth meet together

other.
the brightness of
Godhead dwelleth in him
nature of Christ
embrace each
is
Here we
all
;
his
glory.
In him
righteousness and peace
see justice flaming; holiness
INTRODUCTION.
xxiv
shining
mercy beaming with the most mild and amiable
radiance
righteousness and peace enthroned and speaking
in the sweetest accents
moral character of the Deity
we behold
and the power
but his
of Grod is transcendently glorified in him.
the
to
his glory to
We
dedicate our time, our strength, and all our talents.
would not betray nor desert his cause
and we trust our witness
we
the highest joy,
redeeming love of Christ.
This dear Eedeemer we desire to honor
worlds
In
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
all
commemorate
to
splendor.
infinite
With unfeigned thankfulness and

desire
not only the
here emblazoned
is
natural attributes also shine with

Christ
And
from the throne.
is
for
thousand
on high, that there
is
nothing we so ardently desire as through grace to be found

faithful to our divine Master.
We
rejoice in the promise,
that race unto race shall praise him, and show forth his
And we
mighty deeds.
will not cease to contribute our
mite to spread abroad, and transmit down to posterity, the

sweet savor of his most precious name.
It is the character
of true church members, that they appear with the
Lamb
on the mount Zion, having his Father's name written on

their foreheads
by which phrase must be understood an
open and bold confession of Grod and Christ before the
Without such an open confession
world.
of his name,
we
can not give public glory to him, nor promote his religion
among men.
ashamed
And
to confess
ashamed before
it
before
his rather
The testimony
thing
Christ
him
of
declares,
men
and his holy
the Church
is,
that whosoever
of that
man
is
he will be
angels*
therefore,
no visionary
ought not to be treated with ridicule
for it is
XXV
INTRODUCTION.
one grand design
of her erection,
the Church?
The
that she
But what
public testimony for God.
is
may
and nothing but the
Bible,
bear a
the testimony of
Bible, is
the matter of her testimony, whatever different forms
may
assume.
self.
He
is
For in the Bible the Lord
Amen, the
the
testifies of
it
him-
and true Witness.
faithful
"We are not allowed to witness anything of him, but what

All that the Church can say
he has witnessed of himself.

is,
" Truth, Lord."
book of God to
It is evidently the design of the whole
call
our attention to Jesus Christ, as the
him."
"Look
Christ says,
your souls shall
live."
the Lather says, "
God
Saviour of lost sinners.
to
me and
The doctrine
of redemption
blood of Christ, flows like a great river of

divine revelation,
making glad the
was opened soon
after
Adam's
"that the seed of the
promise,
serpent's
head."
Small,
life
woman
in
the
endeavored to
first
from the true
gospel
its
beginning; but
Doubtless,
enlighten his children with
knowledge of this salvation.

off
through
should bruise the
gradually enlarging, widening, and deepening.
Adam
by the
This river
city of God.
lapse, in
indeed,
Hear ye
be saved; hear, and
They, indeed, gradually
and plunged
religion,
the
fell
into such atrocious
wickedness, that God, in righteous indignation, sent a flood

of waters on the earth,
ungodly
and swept away the world of the
but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness and
an upright man in that wicked generation.

also endeavored to
diffuse
among
He, doubtless,
his posterity the sweet
savor of the knowledge of Christ, and salvation through his
name.
But his posterity
inevitably have been
all
also gradually fell away,
and must
swallowed up in the bottomless
XXVI
INTRODUCTION.
abyss of heathenism
and the true
religion entirely lost
had not Grod graciously called Abraham from Ur of the

Chaldees
manifested himself to him in a singular manner
entered into covenant with
known
to
him with
the Saviour to
Abraham and
him and
his seed
and made
Thus,
peculiar evidence.
And
his seed, were the promises made.
the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was
not to him, nor his seed, through the law, but through the
righteousness of faith.
All this while
Jesus was not committed to writing.
the
testimony of
But the longevity of
the patriarchs greatly compensated for that want

revelation of saving truth
Methuselah was cotemporary with

forty-five years
six
hundred
Adam
concise.
two hundred and
Xoah cotemporary with Methuselah near
years,
And, at the time
and only about ninety years from Adam.
of Xoah's death,
Abraham was
fifty-eight
Thus the saving truth descended, by easy
years of age.
transitions,
and the
was very simple and
from
and from Xoah
Adam
to
to
Methuselah
from him
to
Noah
Abraham.
After this period, the Church was inclosed, and prevented
from mingling with the heathen, by the ordinance of

cumcision
and animated
to faith
cir-
and patience by the a 14-
cheering promise of the Saviour, delivered in a more full
and explicit manner

of
Canaan
and
also
as her earthly rest.
precious treasure to
who were
all
charge to his
Abraham committed
his son Isaac
and Isaac
to
eminent prophets, inspired by the

Jacob committed
saving truth.
their children
by the promise of the land
it to
his sons,
and, in the firm faith of
brethren
it,
the
Jacob
spirit of
and they
to
Joseph gave a
concerning his bones,
that they
INTRODUCTION.
XXvii
should carry them up to the promised land.
and thirty years

given
tion,
so
Abraham, the law was delivered
to
Mount
And
Sinai.
committed
the whole testimony of Jesus,

to
amplify
Abraham's posterity being brought

established in
that time.
at
it
the land of promise, became, through the
many
ages were the
only Church of Christ, the only people on earth
The
God.
rest of Noah's
many
and baseness, and were,
for
own
the degeneracy of fallen
man
heart against G-od
human
ages, sad
of the
in cov-
had cast
posterity
themselves out of covenant by their
of
and
of Egypt,
out
divine blessing, a great nation, and for
enant with
was
Moses at
to
guided by the spirit of inspira-
he,
to writing
God saw meet
as
far
Four hundred
after the covenant of circumcision
perfidiousness
monuments
of
enmity of the human
and of the feebleness and insufficiency
reason, not only to acquire,
by
its
own
exertions,
the true and saving knowledge of God, and of that worship
which
acceptable to him,
is
and the
practice of that genu-
ine virtue, which is the native fruit of true religion
but
even to retain these after they had been revealed to men.
But during
this period,
God frequently
published, by the
prophets of his Church, his gracious purposes respecting

the heathen.
"
Ask
of
In the second Psalm he says to his Son,
me and
will
give
thee the
heathen for thy
heritage,
and the uttermost parts of the earth
possession
;"
Psalm
for its
and remarkable
Xew Testament
is
the
style:
conclusion
"
Now,
for
of
thy
that
therefore, ye
kings of the earth be wise and kiss the Son."
The pro-
phecy of Isaiah abounds with predictions of the conversion

of the
Gentiles,
and some of the other prophets plainly
INTRODUCTION.
XXV111
mention
reserved
which we
to
it,
the
be
to
Eedeemer himself,
glory
after
But the great event was
refer.
and triumph
of the incarnate
having finished the work given him
to do.
We
commemorate, with the highest joy and
desire to
God
gratitude, the infinite love of
giving his only begotten Son.
Father
us a Horn of salva-
for
the house of his servant David: to perform the
in
mercy promised
and
to the fathers,
remember
to
his holy
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on
covenant.
earth,
and good-will toward men.
umph
of
blessed
God and
Lord Jesus Christ, who thus visited and
of our
redeemed his people, and raised up

tion
to a perishing world, in
Blessed be the
Simeon
And
said, " Lord,
God and
How
pertinent the
tri-
he took him up in his arms and
now
let-test
thou thy servant
depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation

light to lighten the Gentiles,
What
Israel."
mankind
a wonderful
made
in the world.
era
in the history of
this,
new
in the
new heaven and a new
earth.
Christ
and the glory of thy people
all things
Church and
When
the
Prince of Peace set his foot on this globe, the nations were
silent before
him
they dropped from their hands their
murderous weapons, and were hushed into peace
The Son
of God,
transgression,
everlasting
by patient suffering and dying,
made an end
righteousness
of
sin,
confirmed
finished
and brought in an
the
covenant,
and
caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease; spoiled principalities
and powers, and made a show
triumphing over them on his cross
them openly,
of
took the prey from the
mighty, and set the lawful captive at liberty
foiled Satan,
INTRODUCTION.
abolished sin, hell, and death,
XXIX
up and completed the
filled
testimony given to the Church, sealed
shut
it
up with an awful curse on
or diminish
it.
And
it
with his blood, and
all that
should add to
it
having, after his ascension to heaven,
according to his promise, poured out his spirit on those
whom
had
he appointed the ministers of his religion, his word
free course
and was
He gave testimony
glorified.
to
the word of his grac?, in such sort, that, by the plain preach-
ing of the doctrine of his cross, by a few despised men,

the kingdom of Satan trembled and
The thick dark-
fell.
ness which covered the nations was dispelled
who had long reigned
in
down from
ancestors
throne
in Britain
beams
orient
his
of the
that thick
and
it
and Satan,
darkness,
was cast
was not long until our
and Ireland were cheered with the
Sun
of righteousness, rising on
them
with healing in his wings.
We
and
give praise and glory to G-od for the spirit, resolution,
faithfulness,
wherewith he inspired his witnesses and
martyrs, to hold fast the truth of the Gospel, during the violent persecutions
time,
under pagan Eome.
when the man
of sin, foretold
And
by the
that even at the
apostle Paul,
and
minutely described by the apostle John in the Apocalypse,
was
far
advanced
to
maturity
yea, at the very time of the
plenitude of his power and fullness of his iniquity,
God did
not want witnesses to testify against the abominations which
then polluted the Church, among which witnesses, we
may
enumerate the followers of Wickliffe in the island of Britain,
and the Waldenses on the continent.
We
commemorate, with
all
thankfulness, the bright dis-
plays of the grace, mercy and power of
God our Saviour
at
XXX
INTRODUCTION.
the reformation from popery.
What
a blessing to the world
that Jesus Christ gave such a "blow to the
man
of sin
reformation has been of great service to the Church of

itself,
and we hope
members
We
will finally
The
Eome
subdue a great part of
its
to the obedience of faith.
praise
God
for the noble zeal, firmness
and patience,
with which he qualified his witnesses, during their struggles
The substance
of their testimony
the heroes of our religion.
we adopt and espouse with
our hearts, under full conviction that
all
of Jesus
ity,
and we wish
it is
the testimony
to transmit, in purity, to our poster-
the good cause which has been sealed with the blood of
the Saviour
and the blood
But though we wish

to
men were
These
against popery.
what the Lord
to
and by his
did. in
the Protestant churches
of his holy martyrs.
extend our grateful remembrance,
yet,
faithful witnesses, in all
we commemorate,
in a special
manner, his goodness to Britain and Ireland, in collecting

such a bright cloud of witnesses for his name there, among
whom we have
the honor to rank our ancestors.
ly espouse their testimony, both against popery
and abhor the horrid cruelty with which
made war with
these illustrious sufferers.
for the deliverance
"We hearti-
and
prelacy,
their adversaries
We
thank God
accomplished for his Church in Britain
and Ireland, at the glorious revolution, and lament that our

fathers did not improve, to better purpose, the prize then put
in their hands.
In like manner, we commemorate, with unfeigned gratitude and joy, whatever has been done by our fathers and
brethren in Scotland, in agreeableness to the Lord's will, for
obstructing the progress of error, clearing up and establish-
XXXI
INTRODUCTION.
ing the truths of the Gospel, and asserting the rights and
liberties of Christ's
timony as
the
mismanagement
We
Church.
to the spirit
heartily espouse their tes-
and substance
of
But we lament
it.
of the good cause, especially
by schism
and division among themselves, than which nothing contributed more, to harden the leaders of the defection in their
At the same
tyrannical courses.
time,
we do not wish
to per-
plex the Church here with merely local controversies, such as

that about the lawfulness of swearing, a religious clause in
a certain burgess oath, which has no place anywhere on earth
but in a few
cities in Scotland,
no person's conscience here

submission to the
civil
powers in Britain, while we
acknowledge and submit
ily
But while we
United
States.
versies,
we can boldly
and we are certain can
affect
or that about the lawfulness of
to
set
all
read-
the civil authority in the

aside these local contro-
declare, there is not a single point of
divine truth, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government
appertaining to the Beformed Church of Scotland, for which
we do not
contend.
The Christian profession
in
itself,
which, while they meant to adorn

its
beauty,
when
stripped of local
with which some have invested
peculiarities
is
it,
it
and with
they have really marred
equally suited or adapted to
all
nations and
places of the world.

Finally,
we give
praise
and glory
to
God
ble goodness in providing a retreat for his

in America,
for his unuttera-
Church and people
from the iron rod of oppression and persecution
for planting the vine of the Gospel in this land,

it
from time
to time,
and watering
with the influences of his spirit
for
preserving and wonderfully supporting us through the horrors
INTRODUCTION.
XXX11
of the late bloody war,

for
commanding peace
liberties,
and conducting
in all our borders
sacred and civil
so that
it to
a happy issue
and establishing our
none can hurt us
we
if
do not, by a spirit of irreligion, division, luxury and ingratitude, bring swift destruction on ourselves.
Lord's doings and wonderful in our eyes

tunity
is
These are the
blessed oppor-
put into the hands of his ministers and people,
to
build the house of the G-od of heaven, in the nearest con-
formity to the pattern showed in his holy word.
who hath given us

to
improve
it to
May
the opportunity, also give grace to us
his glory,
and future generations.
and the happiness
Amen,
he,
all,
of the present
DRAUGHT OF AN OVERTURE
FOR
ILLUSTKATING AND DEFENDING THE DOCTEINES

OF THE
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH.
On Confessions
We
of Faith and their Use.
have said that the Bible
Church, and most certainly
is
the only testimony of the
it is so.
To
the
law and
testimony, if they speak not according to this Word,
cause there
is
no
light in them.
fessions of Faith vain.
Yet
to the
it is
be-
this does not render Con-
For as there never was, perhaps, any
book, on parts of which different senses have not been imposed,

so the Bible has
been made subject to this vanity.
The most
to the truth of the Gospel,
pretend to
dangerous adversaries
establish their opinions on the holy Scriptures.
dered
it
This ren-
necessary that the Church should, in her Confession
of Faith, ascertain the true sense of the Scriptures, or explicitly declare in
though
it
what sense she understood them
and
will be readily granted that she is not infallible,
yet this doctrine of her fallibility
a dangerous extreme
amounting
may
be,
and
is,
to this, that she
carried to
should put
EXPOSITION AND DEFENSE OF THE
34
no sense on them at
all
and undetermined
that
meaning
or leave their
is,
much
Light
obscurity.
And where
darkness light.
meaning quite vague
them down as having any
place
But we cannot think God's Word
or none.
volved in so
to receive the truth, with a
there
is
is
is in-
not darkness, nor
an honest heart, willing
humble dependence on the
spirit
of truth to guide into all truth, which spirit is promised to
the Church and remains with her, the Bible

tain in its meaning as to leave
is
room
is
not so uncer-
And
for skepticism.
it
altogether clear, that the difficulty is not nearly so great,
men
for fallible
it
would
form such a system.

for candor,
a system of truths and duty
to decide on
already given, as
but not
for these
for skepticism.
that it is the duty of the
Church
And
but only
fixes,
it
is
to search out
Church does not make any new rule
in a
fallible
men
to
argument
undeniable,
and ascertain
Thus a Confession
the true sense of the Scriptures.
ners
same
This, however, furnishes an
of faith
of Faith
and man-
as far as she is able, the true sense of
God's Word, the only rule.
And making an
adherence to
the Confession of Faith in a Church a term of communion,
is
not appointing any new term of communion distinct from the

Bible
it
is
only making an adherence to the Bible, in
true sense, the term or condition
be more proper.
mean ?
or
What
Do they mean
meaning put on
it ?
its
than which nothing can
do the adversaries to Confessions
that the Bible should have no sense
Or that the sense
concealed from the unlearned ?
of it should be
Or that an adherence
to
it,
in general, should be the only term of communion, while the
adherents think, speak and preach as differently from each

other, as if one preached the
Alcoran and the other the
35
What communion would
Bible ?
What harmony between
be in .such a Church ?
The
her and the Church in heaven ?
adversaries to Confessions of Faith then, were they to act a

rational
and consistent
in general,
whatever
part, instead of railing at Confessions
would produce a confession of their own

be
it
truth, act the part of fair assailants.
volve
all in
ing at
all
When
lon,
faith,
thus they would, though opposed to the
How
absurd to in-
darkness, as if the Bible had no sense or mean-
the Protestant Churches came out of mystical Baby-
they came forth with a public confession of the truth in
The following things are noticeable with
their hands.
is
re-
There
spect to the Confessions of the Protestant Churches.
at least a great apparent similarity between the doctrines
taught in them, and those taught in the holy Scriptures.

This must be granted by any impartial observer who will
read and compare both.
There
is
not a doctrine taught in
these Confessions, but some analogous text of Scripture is
produced to support
them, there
is
throughout the whole.
tween the Confessions of

all
And
it.
as in the Scriptures, so in
a beautiful consistency between
There
all
is
all
the parts
a surprising harmony be-
the Protestant Churches
speak the same things.
of the earth, speaking different languages,
and strangers
each other's habits and customs, animated with holy

bore testimony for
one
soul.
fathers
God and
To what
shall
they
Men, living in distant regions
his Christ with one heart
we
had not taught them
ascribe this ?
so.
of education that influenced them.
It
to
zeal,
and
Surely their
was not the prejudice
The true reason
is,
they
had read the holy Bible impartially, as men that were
36
willing
humbly
The
Scriptures.
God
to receive the truths of the living
God which
was wonderful. By the
were taught by the same

effect
spirit of
and
indited the
pun-
plain,
gent preaching of the Gospel, antichristian Jericho trembled,
and her walls
flat to
fell
began
assert
to
The nations were
the ground.
awakened from the slumbers
of
many hundred
both their religious and
years,
and
liberties.
civil
Those who had long been seeking rest and peace to their
consciences, in popish pardons, penances,
but
found a solid rest and certain peace, in the
all in vain,
Sweeter than honey were these doc-
doctrines of Christ.
them
trines to
Israelites
this
welcome as the new fallen manna
and we may, without exaggeration,
was the beginning
enjoy.
and pilgrimages,
of all these blessings
The foundation-stones of the
and freedom, which
is
now
fair
to the
assert, that
which we now
temple of religion
erected in Europe and America,
were laid in the publication of these precious truths of the

Gospel.
free,
The enslaved consciences
and obtaining a sweet peace
this gave a spring to the
of men, being
human mind, which
could not resist: vigor and strength to
and bear anything,
once set
in the doctrines of Christ
for the glory of
it,
hell
and Eome
to do anything,
God and good
of men.
Furthermore, these precious truths have been sealed with

the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus.
Protestant Churches
many thousands have
In
all
suffered
death, and that for holding fast the same truths.
the
unto
Idolatry,
both pagan and popish, hath ever been drunk with the blood
of the saints.
fiery trial.
The
faith of the Protestant
In this
it
showed
itself to
Churches stood the

be like, or rather
the same with, the faith of the apostolic Churches,
They
37
Lamb and
overcame at both periods by the blood of the
word of their testimony.
It is a
religion.
good
maxim
Let us often revert to the principles of the refor-
Our present boasted freedom
mation.
and proper in
It is equally good
revert to first principles."
the
in states, " Often
of inquiry,
amounts
a kind of libertinism and licentiousness in thinking.
to
We
pretend to be an enlightened age, and to enjoy
superior advantages to our ancestors.
some respects.
In mathematics, natural philosophy, and
just views of the rights of mankind,
But
it is
many
It is doubtless so in
we have made
progress.
well known, that a spirit of skepticism hath long
poisoned our moral systems.
And
the same spirit hath in-
The
vaded and in part laid waste divinity.
Israelites, after
long enjoying the manna, said, " Our souls loathe this light
bread."
The pure and plain food
now
of gospel doctrine, is
loathed by formal and lifeless professors.

Christians have no reason to be shaken in
new-fangled doctrines of the present age.

into a direct
argument about them, only
mind by the
Without entering
ask,
Are they more
like the Bible doctrines, than the doctrines of the reformaIs there a
tion ?
projectors ?
harmony among the visionary authors and
Are they not rather
each differing
from another,
like the builders of Babel,
and
all
from the truth?
Wliereas our reformers were like the builders of Solomon's
temple
not the sound of a jarring ax or
Are our innovators more pious and

our reformers?
know them."
faith carried
hammer
to be heard.
strictly virtuous
than
''By their fruits," says Christ, "ye shall
Have they
stood the same trial?
them honorably through a scene
shocking to humanity?
Has
it
Has
their
of suffering
enabled them to take
38
joyfully the spoiling of their goods
cheerfully to embrace
the ignominious gibbet and burning stake ?
Satan long endeavored to ruin the Church by persecution,
but was frustrated in his attempt;

saints
for the blood of the
We may
was the seed of the Church.
be certain, he
never will be at rest for the good Word's sake, as Luther
But
speaks.
of
human
since
by the increasing knowledge
he attempts to ruin the Church
strained from persecuting
by odious and monstrous
errors.
before
firm
it
it.
of the rights
nature, he has been so far chained, as to be re-
We
might have argued
happened, that this would be the case.
He
is
Tacts con-
a master in the arts of deception.
He
has
the wisdom of an angel, the policy of a devil, and the skill

of a practitioner.
What
a pity that professors of Chris-
and allow them-
tianity should be ignorant of his devices
by seducing
selves to be deceived
gion
we think we
asps,
this, to
new
see
projector in reli-
them greedily sipping the poison of
see
and the venom
When we
spirits!
professors eagerly running after every
We
of dragons.
preclude free inquiry
do not intend, by
but to prevent skepticism and
rashness in adopting new opinions.
We
ought not to be
and carried about with
like children, tossed to
and
every wind of doctrine
ever learning and never coming to
the
fro,
knowledge of the truth.
Whoever
will
compare the
Westminster Confession of Faith with the Confessions of the

other Protestant Churches, will see a striking uniformity of
sentiment between them.
The Westminster Confession and
Catechisms are the public standards of orthodoxy in the
Eeformed Church of Scotland.
The Associate Eeformed
Synod have declared, and now do
declare, that said Confession
39

and
That
latechisms arc their public standards.
adhere
Scriptures as their sense
to the sacred
is
The Confession
their testimony.
Because these
may
many
given and
of Faith ascertains the
true light in which they view that testimony.

afraid of publishing too
they
The Bible
explained in said Confession and Catechisms.

is
is,
They are
papers called Testimonies.
tend to turn away our attention from the
holy Scriptures, and
fix
on
it
human
they are convinced that in this manner
compositions.
all
And
the trumpery of
the Church of Borne was gradually introduced.
We may
stand safely on a branch, close by the trunk of the tree
but by going out too
we must
fall.
far,
the branch will bend under us, and
They, therefore,
offer
no other testimony
to
their Churches than the Bible, as explained in the Confession
of Faith.
The application
of this testimony to the purpose
of refuting schemes of error, they will attend to from time

to time.
It
would be superfluous labor
cate of the Confession in
mony."
But
to assist
to give
you a dupli-
another paper called
"A
Testi-
you in understanding said Confession,
the Committee of Synod submit to consideration the following

illustrations of the doctrines
and duties therein contained.
40
CHAPTEE
The
I.
chapter of our Confession treats of the holy
first
which are a revelation from heaven, and the
Scriptures,
We
foundation of all true religion.
heartily approve of
every remark made in this chapter on the holy Scriptures.
There appears to be a great analogy between the works of
God and
the
Word
As none can work
of God.
none can speak like him.
As
and the firmament showeth
like God, so
the heavens declare his glory
forth his
handy work
as
day
unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth forth
knowledge
so the
Word
of God, in a still
more clear manner,
manifests his glorious nature and perfection.

takes a contemplative walk in the
huge mountains, horrid
field of
precipices
nature,
When
one
and beholds
and flowing rivers; the
earth diversified with hills and valleys, the year varied with
summer and
winter,
and the revolution of day and night
the vast collection of waters in the sea, the wide expanse of
heaven, the sun pouring a flood of glory on the earth, or the
moon and
stars bespangling the heavens
exclaiming, These are thy works,
nipotent
No mind but an
idea of them
who can
forbear
thou Eternal and Om-
infinite one could conceive the
no hand but an infinite one could fashion

mind take
Let an honest and contemplative
them.
through the wide
field of
41
divine revelation
and he
walk
will per-
ceive something very similar, but superior to all this majes-
and grandeur
his
and only
the works of
all
human
men, the
a sublimity, a majesty
It is certain, there is
tic scenery.
in the
Word
As
his.
human
the works of
art
so the
God
Word
of
wonderful they appear
it to
be
infinitely transcend
God
The more we search
writings.
less
which proclaims
of God,
infinitely excels
into the works of
but the more we search
into the works of God, the more grand and wonderful they
The
show themselves.
man
the last with the
first is
Word
The analogy holds
of God.
There are
another instance.
the case with the writings of
many
providence, the design and use of which
readily to comprehend
and
so it is in the
as in God's works, the most necessary
most open to view

useful
truths
are
so in the
we
is
man
history of God, of his providential

;
But
Word, the most necessary and
of no weight
Church and people
of God.
and useful parts are
The
most easily discerned.
intended to be a history of any
his
are not able so
Word
against the historical parts of Scripture, viz
no regular history,
in
parts of creation and
objection
that they are
because they were never

or
men but
:
are truly a
and gracious care about
or a history of the
work of redemp-
tion.
This age
is
distinguished by an alarming diffusion and
prevalence of deistical principles.

are carried
away with the
torrent.
Our thoughtless youth

Too many,
feared, take these principles for granted, without
nation.
They
it
is to
are flattering to man's pride of reason
superior understanding;
but the Gospel
is
be
any exami-
and
a humble and
42
They are pleasing
humbling scheme.
and corruptions whereas the Gospel

;
if
who could
the Scriptures be a forgery,
good angels nor bad
neither good
offense against both
God and man,

Not bad,
But
pure and holy.

forge
men nor
for they could not be guilty of such
in such a manner.
man's natural lusts
to
is
them? Neither
Not good,
bad.
an audacious crime and
as to impose on
mankind
such a pure,
for it is impossible
unblemished and perfect system of religion and morals

could come from them.
In the Scriptures, the justest views are given of G-od and
Of man's
of man.
way
of his
sinful
and miserable
The inspired writers
felicity.
but unpalatable truths
and
sins,
most
of the people
The glory
God and
of
the
man
are the
it is
evident they are adapted, by infinite
writings
wisdom,
to creatures in a
grand scope of the inspired
sinful
and miserable
condition.
are not all sensible, more or less, that in fact they are
in such a condition ?
well to facts.
It behooves us on this subject to look
Are the scorners
infidels of this age, the
part of the community ?
the proud, the
most
of the
Word
sober, religious,
irreligious,
religious, virtuous infidels ?
and voluptuous
?
is
nearly allied to atheism.
any, divides them.
and virtuous
frothy,
Who
of a
ever
Church of
In this respect we have more
reason to fear they are generally atheists.
deism
of God, the
Are they not generally the
heard of a worshiping society of deists
if
and
not to declare salutary
and those
nearly connected with them.

reformation of
fail
they freely expose their own
blemishes, and imperfections
And
and of the
state,
recovery from sin and misery to virtue
And, in
fact,
very thin partition,
The transition from denying
revela-
43
and easy.
lion to practical athcim, is very short
There
no history so fully attested as the Scripture history
than the facts recorded in the Old
facts better established
And
and Xew Testaments.

to skepticism
is
no
once
if
men
seriously give
way
on these, the principles of faith and credibility
are altogether thrown loose and set afloat
and there can be
Hence,
no consistent belief of anything.
our thinking
deists have not merely called in question the divine author-
ity of the Scriptures
there they could not stop
but, on
the same principles of doubt and uncertainty, have generally
run into universal skepticism and atheism
yea, even to the
nonsense of discrediting the testimony of their senses, and
becoming absolute apostates from common sense, have made

matter nothing,
spirit
nothing,
virtue
nothing,
religion
nothing, vice nothing.
In a word, are Christians
the
men who
read, study,
understand, and believe the Scriptures, and with invincible

faith
and patience profess an adherence
the people
who blaspheme
G-od,
who
to
them
are they
pollute the air with
oaths and curses, live in whoredom, adultery, and all the
and load our gibbets?
lusts of the flesh,
crowd our
Infidels ought
weigh this matter
known by
to
jails,
its fruits.
that, in a general view, religion
the side of revelation.
it
tree
is
On
And we
fear not to affirm,
and virtue are entirely on
the other hand, infidelity cor-
poisons all the springs of action
of the most of infidels it
may
be justly said, that
honor to revelation that they are enemies to

evidence that
The
Goodness is the native fruit of truth,
because truth purifies the heart.
rupts the heart
well.
it is of
God.
it,
it
is
and
an
and no weak
44
There are only four questions respecting revelation, on
which skepticism
First
can have any place
Whether there ever were
for
exercise.
in the world such persons
Hebrew Lawgiver
Moses, the
as
itself
divine Author of Christianity ?
and Jesus Christ, the
Secondly
Whether they
taught the doctrines, enacted the laws, and performed the

miracles,
which in the sacred writings are ascribed
them
Thirdly
whether
:
Whether
to us in a pure
On
all
and
credibility,
and we
common
make
it
will be perfectly
can admit of none
Deceitful as our fallen nature
falsehood their refuge,
gain the end proposed.
And
it
when
whom we
is,
truth will
must be an end unworthy
of truth, which truth will not accomplish.
with
handed down
state ?
The subject being moral,
will never
to
so,
revelation ?
these questions, let us only admit the
but moral evidence.
men
divine
be
these writings have been
and uncorrupted
principles of faith
satisfied.
they really did
supposition
sacred writings
the
Fourthly
On
The gentlemen
contend, on some occasions talk highly of the
dignity and purity of
human
nature
but in this
order to discredit revelation, they degrade
it
case, in
below
its
real
dignity.
Let
On
us, for a
the
first
denied there
moment, attend
to these questions in order.
and second, we remark

is
That
can not be
it
such a people on earth as the Jews.
they are scattered abroad among
singular providence, kept distinct from them.
Our
can not deny this to be a standing miracle.

nothing equal to
it
under the sun.
And,
if
That
and, by a
all nations,
infidels
There
is
they look into
the Holy Scriptures, they will see that this singular event
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH

was expressly
Ezek.
by the inspired writers
foretold
14, 15,
v,
and
expressly foretells
vi, 8,
it:
and
xii,
xxi, 14
Luke
Deut.
And
"
iv,
17;
Jesus Christ
14, 15.
4;>
they shall
fall
by the sword, and shall be led away captive into all

nations
and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gen;
tiles,
It
until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
probable, that one great design of Providence, in
is
preserving the Jews a distinct people from all other nations,
and dispersing them among them,
is,
that they
may be
living
witnesses of the truth both of the Jewish and Christian

If they
religion.
had been either wholly mixed with other
nations, or wholly converted to Christianity, it
been said,
either, that there
that they never
books of Moses
now that
had practiced the

and never had
religion delineated in the
crucified Jesus Christ.
there were such a people
is
But
evident, for they still
That they practiced the religion delineated by
exist.
Moses
And
might have
never were such a people, or
is
evident, for they still do so, as far as possible.
that their fathers crucified Jesus Christ,
present Jews will freely confess.
Ask
is
what the
the Jews whether
they be not the descendants of Abraham, as recorded in the
Whether they be
Bible ?
he was
not, to this day, circumcised as
Whether they do not observe the seventh day
the week as a sacred rest ?
of
Whether they do not acknowl-
edge the writings of Moses and the prophets to be a divine

revelation ?
fathers went
much
Whether they do not

down
into
performed
many
God
firmly
to sojourn
oppressed with hard bondage ?
not say he was sent of

this,
Egypt
believe
there,
their
and were
Whether Moses did
to deliver them, and, in proof of
signs in Egypt,
and miracles
in the
46
Zoan
field of
Whether they do
something like the passover,
not, to this day, observe
commemoration of the
in
destroying angel passing by their houses, while he slew all
Ask whether they do not
the first-born of the Egyptians ?
firmly believe, that Moses conducted their fathers through
Eed
the
Sea, fed
them with manna
in the wilderness,
gave them water from the flinty rock
And
them, whether they have not

priests,
and
Ask
distinction
of
as
they are able, in their dispersions, to keep

of
prophets be not read
bath day
among them an order
still
those, as they suppose, of the tribe of Levi
far, at least, as
and
whether,
they were not settled in the land of Canaan ?
finally,
up a
tribes ?
still
Whether Moses
in their
Whether they do not
and the
Synagogues every Sab-
commemorate with
still
thankfulness, their deliverance from Hainan's conspiracy,
and from Babylon by Cyrus the
To
all these interrogations
affirmative.
Xsk them,
if
illustrious prince of Persia ?
they will readily answer in the
they have any suspicion that their
ancestors deceived them, in handing

writings, observances, customs
They
end
will answer, none.
to be
And
and
down
these informations,
rites to their posterity ?
that they could propose no
gained by such a deception
yea, that such a de-
ception was impossible, for they would justly remark, that a
whole generation of men does not go
and another as abruptly come
on.
off
the stage at once,
That God
has, for wise
That there are three
or four,
and in some instances more generations on the stage
at once.
purposes, ordered
it
otherwise.
That
this is true, not only in particular family-lines,
great
number
but a
of these families being associated together in a
nation or church, the intermixture
is still
nearer and greater:
47

so that old
all
men, middle aged, young men, and children, with
the different gradations between them, or various degrees
of approximation to each other, meet, talk,
and
freely con-
Mankind thus become
verse together at one time.
like a
marvelously interwoven chain, the links of which blend and

intermix, some stretching a longer, some a shorter length on
the chain.
And
ration safely
hence the light or knowledge of one gene-
and easily descends by short
the succeeding.
And
it
transitions, unto
cannot be an easy matter to impose
a forgery on a whole nation, especially in
national
its
concerns, such as its laws, its worship, its religious rites
and customs.
It
must indeed be impossible
to
persuade a whole nation,
that a book of laws published yesterday by an impostor,
importing that said book contains the statutes and laws of

the nation, enacted and observed from the time of its
first
formation, was really the system of the national statutes,
while no one living had ever heard of such a book, or of such
But
laws and statutes before.

tain a great
it
number
of rites
if
the book should also con-
and ordinances
affirmed, were the national
modes
of worship,
which
of worship, from the be-
ginning of the nation, while no person living had ever heard

of or seen such rites
and ordinances,
impossible to impose
it.
all possibility of
of miraculous
it
would be
But the argument
doubt, if the same book mentioned a
and wonderful
done in the nation by
its
facts, as
number
having been certainly
Lawgiver, in order to induce
accept said system of statutes and religious institutions

also
many monuments
more
still
rises superior to
of these facts, said to
tained and practiced in the nation, from
it to
;
and
have been
its first
re-
formation
48
down
to the very
day in which the impostor published his
book while nobody living had ever heard of these facts

;
before,
and none had ever practiced the memorials, nor heard of the
monuments
of
them
until then
surely
to impose such a forgery on a nation.
it
tions are realities in the books of Moses
seen
by any who read them.
would be impossible
All the above supposias will be readily
The books
of
Moses contain
the laws of the Jewish nation, the rites and institutions of
and an account
their national worship,
of the stupendous
miracles performed by Moses in the sight of all men, to prove
And
his divine commission.
said books institute and ordain
a number of observances, as monuments of the principal facts
which monuments were

brance of the
and
facts,
continue to this
and the Sabbath

so
to be
kept up in the nation in remem-
and were immediately reduced

day
to practice,
such as circumcision, the passover,
and the books mention them as
used and practiced.
How
all
along
then could the Jews have
re-
ceived the book of an impostor as true, which said these
things were
so, if
up the mind
they were not so
All which
an absolute certainty, on the
respecting
questions
really
to
Moses, and
first
may
lead
and second
show clearly that there
was such a lawgiver as Moses, and that he taught the
doctrines,
enacted the laws, and performed the miracles
ascribed to
him
in his books,
and therefore that these books
are genuine.
The miracles wrought by Moses, were performed openly

before the
Hebrews and the Egyptians.
the senses of
men were
They were such
proper to decide about.
And
it
as
was
purely by the undeniable evidence of these that he established his character as one sent from
God
to
deliver his
49

brethren.
By
the evidence of the same alone, he introduced
the severe laws and laborious worship instituted in his books
which the Jews observe as

were so well
They
far as possible to this day.
satisfied as to the certainty of these facts, that
they never scrupled
to
admit national monuments of them.
All of which they observed
down
to the
time of Christ, and
some of which remain among them to this day, and their

faith in the whole is unalterably firm
The same observations,
as above,
and unshaken.
may be made
concerning
It will not be denied, that there
Christ, as well as Moses.
are in the world at present such a people as these called
And
Christians, after Christ.
it
is
equally certain there
have been such above seventeen hundred years.
Josephus,
a Jewish historian, Suetonius, Tacitus, Ceisus, Pliny, heathen
mention them
writers,
Christian writers.
and an innumerable company
They
ans, they are not unbelievers on this head.
them that beyond

Jesus Christ, from
tion,
who taught
signs in Judea,
Eoman
all
whom
and was
will tell
doubt, there was such a person as
Christians receive their denomina-
religion
governor.
of
They may ask the Jews and Mahomet-
and
virtue,
crucified
The principal
and worked wonderful
under Pontius
Pilate, the
facts recorded in the
Xew
Testament, have been allowed to be true, by Julian, by the

Jews, and all others, the greatest enemies of Christianity
and indeed they cannot be denied, without rejecting

faith
human and
divine.
It
must
also be
allowed
all
that
baptism and the Lord's supper have been dispensed; the

first
,
sion
day
of the
week observed as a Sabbath
of Christian ministers
kept up,
and a succes-
ever since
Christ's
death and resurrection, because the authentic writings of

4
50
both friends and foes to Christianity, in every age since that
time to this present, testify

these are
New
monuments
Testament.
it.
Nor can
it
be denied, that
of the principal facts recorded
the
in
Baptism and the Lord's supper, are monu-
ments of the Redeemer's death, and point out the blessed

fruits of
The sacred
it.
rest on the first
a monument of his resurrection.
The
day of the week
is
G-ospel ministry
continued fulfillment of Christ's word, " Go into
all
world and preach the Gospel to every creature
Lo
the
am
with you always even unto the end of the world."

facts of
The
which these are monuments, and many other facts
recorded in Scripture were clone openly before the world
and were
of such a nature, that of their certainty the eyes
and ears
of
men were
not been true

first
had
it
because baptism, the holy supper, and the
day, Sabbath, are therein mentioned, as being not only
instituted
by Christ, but
along from his time
men
The
witnesses and proper judges.
history of the Gospel could never have been received if
and
also practiced
it is
and observed
all
fully as impossible to persuade
that they had been baptized, had celebrated the holy
supper in remembrance of Christ's death, and observed the

first
day
of the
week as a memorial
of his resurrection
had
baptized their children and taught them to show forth the

.Redeemer's death and sanctify the Sabbath, if they had not
seen and done any of these things, as
it
them that they lodged every night
would be
to
persuade
in the center of the
earth, or were eye-witnesses of the stars
all falling
from
heaven; or indeed of anything the most false and absurd.
But without being conscious
of the truth of these things, it
was impossible that the Gospel could be believed
or received.

Were
it
necessary
it
might be added
51
tion of time from the birth of Christ, in use with

tions, is
numera-
here, that the
an undeniable fact which contributes
its
many
na-
evidence to
the same important truths.
The
and second questions being thus put beyond a pos-
first
sibility of
doubt
the third
men
there were really such
that they published
whether, on supposition that
is
as
Moses and Jesus Christ, and
the doctrines, enacted the laws,
performed the miracles ascribed to

these books be a
readily
them
in their
and
books
divine revelation ? and this question
is
Admitting the truth of the miracles
answered.
performed by Moses and Christ, which are the matters of

fact, of
which men were eye and ear-witnesses
rily follows.
It is certain
they came from
God
this necessa-
Moses and Christ, both declared
and that the doctrines they taught,
the precepts they enjoined were a discovery of the

will of God.
Omnipotence
ratified their testimony
miracles which they had power
work.
attest
mind and
But God would never manifest

and propagate what was
by the
and authority from God

power
to
to
It is also corroborat-
false.
ing on this head to observe, that
his infinite
their doctrines
all
and
precepts are such as are truly worthy of God, and indeed,
many
of them, so sublime, heavenly, benevolent
as could never have entered the mind of

ration from
God
and the whole
man
so contrary to
and grand,
without inspi-
man's corrupt
nature, that the world persists in opposing, contradicting
and blaspheming them
The authenticity
to this day.
of the books of
Moses and the Gospels
being established, the writings of the prophets and apostles

are established
of course.
The writings
of the
prophets
52
were intended to keep Israel closely to the law of Moses.
Thej predict the

nation
terrible
their
for
should enjoy
if
judgments that should come on the
disobedience
obedient
and the prosperity they
the fulfillment of which predictions,
in their minutest circumstances, clearly proves their writings
The writings
to be divinely inspired.
of the apostles are in-
tended to keep Christians closely to the law of Christ; and that
law is substantially the same with the law
came not
declares he
fulfill
them.
to destroy the
of Moses, for Christ
law and the prophets but to
Also the great object of revelation, the almighty
Saviour and salvation through him to perishing sinners,

stantly kept in view through both.
Moses was subservient
It
to this.
duct to Christ. All the
is
con-
The very law given by
was a schoolmaster
to con-
sacrifices pointed to his sacrifice.
The
brazen serpent, the manna, the smitten rock which supplied

the people with water, prefigured him.
all
passed through the
tual
sea. etc..
meat and drank the same
The prophets speak
it,
issue of
all,
the same spirifor
they drank
and that rock was Christ.
man-
of his appearance in the world, of the
particularly the conversion of the Gentile
nations, of his sufferings
happy
of the dignity of his person, of the
and place
blessed fruits of
all eat
spiritual drink
of that rock which followed them,
ner, time
Our fathers, says Paul,
and did
and ignominious death, and the
in the language of ecstasy
"Whoever
will read the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, on the sufferings
of Christ,
and many other chapters of that book, respecting
the conversion of the G-entiles, and consequential blessings
and compare them with the events recorded

Testament
will perceive the
ally confirming
and confirmed by each
other.
Xew
Xew mutu-
in the
Old Testament and
The Old
fore-
WESTMIXSTKU CONFESSION OF FAITH.

tolls the facts
recorded in the
of the fulfillment
This
the Old.
of these
New: and
New
the
others were favored on the holy
more sure than the singu-
mount
One design
ecuted throughout the whole, viz

salvation of
men
to virtue
down and prosecuted,
sisting of
many
and
is
is
pillar of
sweep
time and
all
past, if
all
Xone but
his
who
one great
An
arch, one
we may use the
and comprehending
eternity
what mind could form the plan of
Men who
the
like one stupendous arch, con-
parts, but all these constituting
expression, the other on eternity to come,
cute the work
God and
The plan therein
felicity.
which stands on eternity
its
evidently pros-
the glory of
whole and each part depending on another.
arch,
which he and
of transfiguration.
more than astonishing that any man should imagine
the Bible to be an imposture.
within
history
indeed the more sure word of prophecy
is
lar manifestation of the glory of Christ, with
laid
is a
which were predicted in
facts
mentioned by the apostle Peter
It is
53
it,
Who
built this
what hands exe-
built the arch of heaven.
could conceive such a plan and unanimously pros-
ecute such a design, must have been inspired by the Spirit of
God.
And how
is it
possible that deceivers, living in such
distant ages, could unite their counsels so harmoniously to
delude the world
Could Moses and Paul lay their heads
together for this purpose
*?
If impostors, each of
have had a separate scheme of deception.
them must
AVe see this
is
verily the case with all impostors in the Christian Church,
and others out
of
it
in our day.
In thinking on this subject we should add
to all the
above
the accomplishment of Christ's numberless predictions, such

as Peter's
denying him, Judas' betraying him,
his
own
54
was evidently
death, wliich
along a part of his own plan,
all
his resurrection, the destruction of Jerusalem
the accom-
plishment of the predictions of his apostles, in the appearance
and downfall
of antichrist
the
amazing success of the
who
Gospel, though preached by a few plain men,
having the
civil
powers on their
them
of their authority against
instead of
had the whole weight
side,
the universal
change in
the face of affairs introduced by Jesus Christ, who, according
made
to ancient prophecy,
and a new earth, that
is,
all
things
new
things throughout the heathen world
before
it
fices in
which
"He
happened
affairs,
;
is
an amazing rev-
and was expressly foretold long
the total ceasing of sanguinary sacri-
perfectly agreeable to ancient prophecy, Dan. ix,
is
many, and cause the
shall confirm the covenant with
and oblation
to cease ;"
and what
is
that since the sufferings of Christ in the
nary
state of
the Church, since Christ offered himself a sacrifice
sacrifice
ful,
human
new heaven
the conversion of the
Gentiles and rejection of the Jews, which

olution in
new Church and a new
more wonderflesh,
sangui-
have comparatively ceased throughout the
sacrifices
world, the heathen temples have been thrown down, their

altars
demolished, their
sacrifices
no longer smoke, and
Polytheism, or the adoration of numberless deities,

If
abolished.
truths
and
we duly consider
facts,
we can
these
well attested and confirmed
lusts,
On
and
fictitious,
what
to
is
and as uninteresting, what
for the sake of gratifying pride
running headlong
greatly
scarcely fail to see the perverse
rashness of infidelity, in rejecting as
so important
is
incontrovertible
so
is
and other
damnation.
the last question, whether the sacred writings have
55

boon handed down
little
need be
Can
have been corrupted
their adversaries prove that they
They can
Old Testament were
them exceedingly
us in a pure and uncorrupted state,
to
said.
If the writings of the
not.
we should naturally expect
so.
flattering to the
ing their prejudices respecting' the Messiah, for

looked,
and
But do they
still look.
The unbelieving Jews are

It is easy to
writings.
reth, in
to find
Jewish nation, and favor-
whom
they
Quite the reverse.
so ?
easily confuted from their
own
show from thence, that Jesus of Xaza-
every particular, answers to the character of the
The
Messiah described in the " Old Testament writings.
Jews have always watched, with the utmost jealousy, over

'When a Eomish
their sacred writings.
printer, about
two
centuries ago. altered but a single letter into one almost
an amazing cry against
similar, they raised
the world.
The Xew Testament
The one a
prediction,
history of its accomplishment ?
themselves or others
Do
the}'
Do
and the other the
even enter passionately on
forded greater scope for pathos and

to
warm
tell their
They
coolly
Do
their doctrines
pride of men, or indulge their lusts ?

originals, of either
Old or
totally impossible.
abroad, says
subject af-
and simply narrate
own mistakes and blunders, and
reader to judge.
was
Xo
But
declamation.
have restrained their spirits from the smallest
degree of warmth.
and
all
the evangelists flatter
the account of the Redeemer's sufferings?
God seems
through
Is it not like a coun-
genuine characters of authenticity.

terpart to the Old ?
it
also bears on the face of it
one
such
Xew
So
and precepts
facts,
leave the
flatter the
The corruption
of the
Testaments, by Christians,
many
copies were soon spread
multitudes of men. learned
and
56
unlearned, read and heard them, that no impostor could have
succeeded in corrupting them

start into
his alterations
copies
at once,
And
and erased remembrance from the minds of men.

along, from the time the Christian
any degree
of order
and
made
unless he could have
many thousand
all
Church was formed into
consistence, the
New
Testament
writings are mentioned and quoted by other writers.
But
them?
The
what temptation could there be
to
corrupt
learned enemies of Christianity would not think

their while, for they despised the whole.
it
would have stamped
tians should have attempted
it,
their character with infamy.
And we may judge
this
of times
Though professed Christians
past from the present.
worth
If professed Chris-
differ
widely as to their sense of some passages in the Scriptures

yet none pretend or dare presume to
moment
make an
alteration of
Providence seems to watch over
in the originals.
this invaluable treasure with peculiar care.
The
attributes of the Deity are gloriously manifested in
ruling the stormy tempest and setting boundaries to the
raging ocean
but more
so in
governing the turbulent and
outrageous passions of men, to answer the most valuable
The
purposes.
appear to be an
differences
ill
thing
and contentions
in the Church
and yet they answer, under the
Divine government, a valuable purpose.

jealousy
all
is
Hereby a
spirit of
kept awake among the contending parties, and as
appeal to the Scriptures for the truth of their opinions, if
any should attempt an alteration of them, the other parties
would soon expose them

haps this
why
is
to
shame and ignominy.
And
per-
one reason in the unsearchable counsels of God,
the Jews have been continued so long in enmity and

unbelief.
They arc
like
watchmen guarding the Old Testa-
ment writings with the keenest edge

alteration can be
stigmatized.
possible the
made
And if
Xew can
in
the Old Testament be true,
be false
If the
for the writers of the
recorded in the Xew.
No
of jealousy.
them without being detected and
Xew be
it
is
im-
for it is a counterpart to
and written by men who were educated

lieved the Old.
57
true, the
Old point
to
in
it,
and firmly be-
Old cannot be
false,
the truths and facts
That they are both
true,
most
cer-
tainly true, is a conclusion as well supported as any the
human mind
can form.
EXPOSITION AND DEFENSE OE THE
58
CHAPTEE
Chapter second
article of
all
II.
and the Trinity
treats of G-od
which we heartily approve.
nature proclaims aloud through
all
That there
her works.
We
be as certain of his existence as of our own.

libly certain
that
we did not and could not
we did not always
exist.
could possibly create
finite,
of every
a God,
is
We may
are infal-
create ourselves,
The reasoning
conclusive with respect to every creature.
eternal,
is
No
as short
and
and
created thing
Therefore there must exist an
itself.
uncreated, necessarily existent, self-sufficient, in-
and independent Being, who created
all
things out of
nothing, by his almighty power.

It is a great
ground of thankfulness, and conduces much
to the preservation of the world, that the knowledge of this
great foundation truth,

tions,
is
so easily attainable, that all na-
even the most barbarous,
wicked, must acknowledge

object of sensation.
We
it.
all
men, even the most
It is true, Grod is not the
cannot see nor touch Him.
senses are too gross for anything but matter.
pure
spirit.
When we
God
is
Our
a most
converse with our fellow men,
it
is
not with their bodies or the mere pieces of matter that we

converse.
No, but our spirits converse with their spirits,

though invisible
verse there
hearts.
a communion of spirits, an interchange of
is
And
In social and friendly con-
each other.
to
59
may
this intercourse
be,
and in many cases
is,
as intelligible and effectual without words as with them.
Why may
God and
not our spirits then discern
converse
with him in his works and in his word, though we do not
Him
see
with our bodily eyes?
Eeason pronounces that God

also testify the
same
God
the Lord thy
is
in the fullest
is
The holy Scriptures
one.
manner. " Hear,
an incomprehensible mystery in the Godhead, viz

is
but though
means contrary
to
it.
it
transcend reason,
It is perfectly consistent
that an infinite substance, whose fullness
is
it
is
truly and prop-
This
no more incomprehensible than his eternity, necessary
existence and self-sufficiency.
may
be in the Divine nature
could have no notion,
if
Eeason suggests, that there
many
excellencies of
not revealed, and which
vealed far transcend our comprehension.

are so wonderful, reason says, that he
all in
wonder.
And
it
must
gave no information of
to
Him
Do we
;
by searching
it
infinitely surpass
to find out the
find it impossible
or a spire of grass
the union between our souls and bodies
how can
re-
but what was easily com-
comprehend the nature of a clod
ask,
when
As God's works
be a revelation from Him,
prehensible by our feeble powers.
sible,
which we
would be a strong presumption against
an account of God, pretending

if it
to
by no
with reason,
erly infinite, should subsist in a plurality of persons.

is
God
that
This, mere unassisted reason could never have
Triune.
ascertained
Israel,
But revelation unfolds
one Jehovah."
and
or
shall it be pos-
Almighty
When men
be? the same question may, with equal
60
How can matter be ?

How can matter and spirit be so united
person ? How can spirit move matter ?
propriety, be put about every thing.
How can
as to
spirit
be
make but one
How can the volitions of the mind move the

lation from God.
God knows himself
can deny that the Trinity

is
penman's fingers
The Scriptures have every character
in writing ?
of a reve-
None
infinitely well.
And
revealed in Scripture.
is
We
a truth fundamental to our redemption.
it
are well
pleased with the account of this mystery given in our Confession
of Faith, given in a few words, indeed, but these
The language
agreeable to Scripture.
is
The words used by the Holy Ghost are the
safest here.
most proper
God himself
of
for declaring the doctrine of the Trinity.
It is
impossible for men, by strength of genius, or superior ca-
pacity and learning, to
know any more about
mystery, than the weakest Christians
gent searching of the Scriptures.
And
the humility of faith.
forbidden tree, so
it
is
It
as it
this
may know, by
grand
a
dili-
must be received with
was death
taste the
to
death to deny this doctrine.
The
Arian, and Sabellian heresies, evidently spring
Socinian,
from diabolical pride, which will bring God himself down

to the standard of our feeble reason.
sneer, of
what use was
cannot comprehend
tion, it is
it ?
it to
men,
Some
will ask with a
to reveal this truth, if
we
Yea, they will say, on this supposi-
no revelation at
all.
We
answer,
it
is
a truth,
that the divine Nature subsists in three distinct persons
and
this truth is essentially the foundation of redemption
and therefore
it is
of infinite importance to
know
though like ten thousand other truths and

comprehensible.
The divinity
this truth
facts, it
be not
of Christ is the very corner-
61
Take that away and
stone in the foundation of the Church.
Christianity
all is gone.
The glory
nothing: our hope perisheth.
is
of the Christian religion
that
that a mere creature
most
or two
that
built on a mere
is
our duty to glory in the cross of a mere
creature
creature
it is
we were baptized
mere creatures.
is
able to save to the utter-
name
in the
of
God and one
These horrible absurdities
the pride and enmity of men,
need of a divine Saviour
who never
felt
is to light.
same names,
works and worship, are ascribed

This
Spirit, as to the Father.
The Bible begins with
man
God
of
become as one of
is
Jehovah Elohim
The
us.
tion of
make man."
At the
Lord rained
fire
on
is
destruction of Sodom,
it
The Lord
bless thee
at the crealet
it is said,
"
from the Lord out of heaven."

is to
and keep thee
us
The
The
the same purpose.
the Lord
countenance on thee and be gracious to thee

his face to shine
said the Spirit
And
remarkable: " Come
form of benediction used by Moses

"
it is
the face of the waters.
man, the phraseology
said,
apostle testifies that
created the worlds by his Son, and
God moved on
Son
to the
incontrovertible.
is
The divine Elohim
this doctrine.
created the heavens and the earth.

the
suit
their extreme
It cannot be denied, that in Scripture, the
and Holy
may
but they are as opposite to the
truth of the Gospel, as darkness
titles, attributes,
We
gone forever.
is
cannot believe that the Christian Church
lift
up
his
the Lord cause
upon thee and give thee peace;" exactly
corresponding with the Evangelical benediction, u The grace

of our
of the
Lord Jesus Christ
the love of
Holy Ghost, be with you
paring Numbers xxi with
all."
God
and communion
It appears,
Corinth, x, that
it
by com-
was Christ
62
whom
the people tempted, on account of which fiery serpents
were sent among them.

with John
which the prophet saw.
Christ,
guage
is to
"Go, says
name
the
God
And by comparing
41, it will appear, that
xii,
the same
Christ,
purpose, "
and teach
all
Isaiah vi chap.,
was the glory of
it
In the ex Psalm, the lan-
The Lord said
my
to
of the Father, of the Son.
Lord."
them
nations, baptizing
in
and of the Holy Ghost."
my
the Father says of the Son, " I have put
upon
Spirit
him, and he shall show forth judgment to the Gentiles."
God
Christ says, " The Spirit of the Lord
cause he hath anointed
meek,"
At
etc.
The Holy Ghost
At
Mary.
to
to
upon me,
be-
preach glad tidings to the
the Eedeemer's incarnation, the Father sent
and the Holy Ghost formed
forth his Son,
"
me
is
shall
come upon thee,"
his baptism, the
his
etc.
human
nature
said the angel
Holy Ghost descended and
rested on him, and the Father proclaimed with an audible

voice: " This is
my
beloved Son,"
And
etc.
this great truth is testified in the fullest
in
John
v, 7,
manner: "There
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one."
we
are told this text
and thence
is
it is inferred,
running too
texts.
is
It is
fast,
It is true,
not in some ancient manuscripts,

that
it
must be
the same truth
is
spurious.
taught in
But
many
this
other
most probable that these ancient manuscripts,
in which this glorious text
is
omitted, have been manufac-
tured by some daring Arian or Socinian
for it is well
known,
men of these principles use uncommon liberties with the

Word of God to this day, and are not afraid to tell us, that
that
though
it
could be proved, the doctrine of the Trinity
vealed in Scripture, they would not believe
it.
is re-
Have
ever

the humble disciples of Jesus spoken so ?
It
63
therefore,
is,
easy to judge which of the two characters was most likely to
God's Word, the believer, by interpolation, or the
falsify
blaspheming Arian, by omission
and we doubt not
to affirm,
that Arians, Socinians, and Deists, are brethren in iniquity,
and engaged in the same cause.
Some modern divines have
alledged, that Jesus Christ is
denominated the Son of God, only from his mediatorial
office
others have supposed the title to arise from his incarnation
and
Of such a grave subject
resurrection.
way
to give
with
plications are only
utterly vain
Who
it
to
office,
accommodate the doctrine
and comprehension, which
will eternally transcend created compre-
can by searching find out
Sonship originates not in
by an
These ex-
to rest perfectly satisfied.
an attempt
of the Trinity to our feeble reason
hension
office,
He
but in nature.
eternal, natural
God?
Christ's
or anything appertaining to
and
ever was,
is
the Son of
God
"
Who
liii.
" I
and necessary generation.
shall declare his generation," says Isaiah, chap.
will declare the decree," says the Son of God, "
hath said
thee."
is
but
humility to investigate the mind of God in his
all
Word, and with that
is
becomes us not
it
to vain philosophy or curious speculations,
to
me, thou art
The eternity
of
one continued day.
my
Son, this
God hath
And
it
day have
viii,
22-30, and with John
Lord possessed me in the beginning

there were no depths, I
of his
was brought
nal Son says, Proverbs, chap,
i,
I begotten
neither past nor future,
23,
Compare
i,
way,"
forth."
"Turn ye
it
same second
follows in the
Psalm, " Kiss the Son, lest he be angry."
with Proverbs
The Lord
1-5.
etc.,
And
at
this
"The
" when
this eter-
my
reproof,
64
behold I will pour out
my
you;" corresponding
Spirit unto
with his promise often repeated with his own

earth, that he
lips,
while on
The Hebrew words
would send the Comforter.
translated "possessed and brought forth" point out genera-
were it proper here. And

What is his name, or his Son's
name, if thou canst tell?" And in the third chapter of
Daniel, it is said, "I see four men walking in the fire, and
tion, as
might be shown at
the form of the fourth

"
large,
4, it is said, "
Proverbs xxx,
is like
Thou Bethlehem Ephratah,
etc.,
whose goings
says,
out of thee shall come he,
etc.,
have been of
forth, or generation,
With what noble
everlasting."
Micah
the Son of God."
old,
from
propriety does this idea of
the subject, introduce the doctrine of the
New
Testament,
" G-od so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son;" Jesus
work."
said,
"My
Father worketh hitherto, and I
The Jews sought
he said God
to kill him, because
was his Father, making himself equal with God.

fullness of time
and
Coloss.
i,
God
sent forth his Son,
15-17, he
is called
made
of a
In the
woman,
the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn of every creature, for by him were

things created,
may
tion.
by
etc.
his Son,
Heb.
i,
2-8,
it is said,
"
He hath
by whom he made the worlds, who
all crea-
spoken to us
is
the bright-
ness of his glory, the express image of his person."

expressions, "
He
all
The phrase, " Prototokos pases ktisioos"
be translated with propriety, begotten before
And
etc.;
spared not his own Son
;"
These
"No man know-
eth the Son but the Father, nor any the Father, save the
Son;" "The only begotten Son, who

Father;" " God will have
all
men
to
is
in the
bosom of the
honor the Son, even as
they honor the Father;" " Moses was faithful as a servant,

but Christ as a Son, over his own house
beloved Son
;" "
ing, they will
eternal
Last of
reverence
my
ing a relation depending on
rection
and men
my
Son
;" certainly
office,
point out an
infinitely transcend-
which
is
applicable to
or on his incarnation
and resur-
though in these he was undoubtedly declared, fully
and expressly declared

Spirit of holiness.
u
v, 7:
" This is
he sent unto them his Son, say-
all,
and incomprehensible generation,
creatures, angels
;"
65
to be the
The
Son of God according
last text
we
shall
mention
to the
is 1
John
There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one."
The paternal character necessarily indicates the

cannot be a father without a son.
filial
there
66
CHAPTEK
The
III.
third chapter treats of the divine decrees, on which
there has been
much
Eigid Arniinians cannot
disputation.
endure the doctrine of predestination

against
and in their
carry on a scheme of argument
it,
thing be done by argument, would reason
own world
or entirely exclude
divine prescience cannot well be denied

it
God out
of his
him from the government
leaving the whole to man's free will, or to chance.
it,
involves all that any reasonable
subject.
On
man
To deny the divine prescience
the other hand,
zeal
which, could the
we own that some
if this
of
The
be granted,
can require on this

is to
be an Atheist.
rigid predestinarians
have argued in such a manner as would lead us to think,

that they excluded all free agency from the rational creation,
and maintained that man was a mere machine, and necessarily impelled
God
is
by the
first
cause
the author of moral
evil,
and
and
which nothing can be more shocking.

the world cannot be denied.
to a plan laid in his
fruits
than
That God does govern
That he governs
infinite
Which plan no unforeseen
of consequence that
all its
it
according
mind, cannot be doubted.
accident can disconcert, because
his infinite foreknowledge extends to all things knowable

whether possible or future.
works from the beginning.
G7
Known unto God are all his

And without this there could be
Prophecy
no such thing as foretelling any future event.

could
He who
have no place.
certainly
men
events at a great distance, or inspires
have
and must
fixed,
see the
name
only another
whole chain of subordinate
telligent, free,
know nothing
him
No man can say
He
to anything.
;
to the spirit
"
my
My
feels
actions.
an
is
in-
himself
Many men
that the decree compels
acts as freely as if there were no de-
and yet as certainly according
he had no freedom.
pose.
and
volitions
is
at all about the divine decrees, perhaps never
heard the term.
cree
man
that
Every man
and moral agent.
and voluntary in his
This plan
But there
for the divine decrees.
another point equally clear and certain
free
must
to tell them,
causes necessary to the production of the event.

is
future
foretells
to the divine plan, as if
Men's lusts and passions are contrary
and law
of God, but cannot frustrate his pur-
counsel shall stand, says he, and I will do all
pleasure."
"
The wrath
and the remainder
of
man
shall praise the Lord,
of wrath he will restrain."
This
But though our
deed one of the deep things of God.
is in-
feeble
reason be not able to comprehend the consistency between

the divine purpose and the freedom of will in
who can doubt but God comprehends

things are really
existence.
We
so,
we
we
and punishable
men and
well ?
we
angels:
That these
are of our
own
are free agents,
and
are as certain as
are certain that
therefore accountable
it
for sin.
But that God
governs the world according to a plan laid in his infinite
mind,
God
is
an intuitive perception as clear and obvious as that
exists.
68
But cannot
Strange
should think
knowledge
infinite
because
it
May
impossible with G-od.
it
than we can
see farther
appears to be absurd to us
we
that
there not be ex-
cellencies in the divine government, as well as in the divine
nature, which
The decrees
we cannot comprehend ?
of
God
respecting the eternal state of angels and men. form what

called Predestination.
Awful and horrible things
their zeal.
grant, that except all
men and
is
all
are said against the
But surely
doctrine of predestination.
perish,
Arminians muster
It is here that
its
opposers
must
some must
devils be saved,
and they must allow Gk>d knows who they
The
are.
Lord knoweth them that are his and therefore them that are
not
his.
edly
is.
If this foreknowledge be certain,
and
if
we argue the
which
subject out fairly,
it
it
undoubt-
will bring
us exactly to the very conclusion advanced by the apostle
Paul upon the
Eve,
Hath God
Garden
doth
is to
deny his being.
always attempting
ful in
? or
know
To deny the
subject, in several epistles.
ereignty of G-od
to
Sin
overthrow
said ye shall
what right hath he
sov-
is infinitely sin-
Satan said to
this.
not eat of every tree of the

to
say so
And
again.
God
that in the day ye eat thereof, your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shall be as gods.
But God has displayed
and continues to display this attribute in all his works.

Every acorn that drops in the
but how few do
other
so ?
forest,
might produce a
tree
Might there not have been millions
men and women
formed, which are not
of
Might not
the savage nations on this continent, and the negroes of Africa have been favored with the light of the Gospel
knowledge
barbarism
of the arts
?
and
sciences,
and we
and the
in their state of
It is very offensive to tender Christians to hear
G9
any exclaiming against the divine sovereignty, which has

tinguished them so
It
would not be
much by
dis-
conferring superior privileges.
so surprising,
were the heathen to
rise
and
assault the divine sovereignty, which has bestowed its gifts
more sparingly on them

tain, all
which yet they do
It is cer-
not.
denominations of Christians have been chosen to
hear the G-ospel of Christ
which
is
an unspeakable privilege
and without spending time in arraigning the sovereignty of

God, we ought to
done
so
gence to
much
down and humbly adore
many
make our calling and
and then our

to the
fall
for us above
Whom
first
that has
our calling
whom
he did foreknow, them did he
conformed
that he might be the first-born
fied,
election sure
it
give all dili-
In the eighth chapter of the epistle
election.
also predestinate to be
whom
and
Eomans, the apostle exhibits the golden chain of the
believer's privileges.
over,
others
to the
image of his Son
among many
brethren. More-
he did predestinate, them he also called
he called, them he also justified
them he
also glorified.
reaching from
Here
is
and whom he
and
justi-
a chain of blessings
all eternity to all eternity
the links of which
were made by God himself, and are inseparably connected in

one another.
all eternity
Foreknowledge and predestination are from

glorification reaches to all eternity.
It is im-
possible for us at first or immediately, to lay hold on the ex-
treme parts
but the middle link
wit, our effectual calling.
is
within our reach
Let us lay hold on that.
obey the call of God's grace in the Gospel,

Christ as offered to us in the word
our calling
of truth,
let
to
Let us
us accept of
and thus secure
and then we may draw the whole chain
to us
70
by
this
we
shall ascertain our predestination to
and
life,
also
our eternal glorification.
The doctrine
means.
It is
of the decrees does not exclude the use of

to accomplish all
an appointment of heaven,
works of creation, providence and redemption, by a
the
God, the
subordinate chain of secondary causes.
first
cause
of all things, has appointed the whole subordinate series of

causes,
and gives energy and
efficacy to
The appoint-
them.
ment of the end includes the appointment of the means.

Paul's crew were to be saved
the mariners
must stay
but the means must be used
Nineveh
in the ship.
is to
be saved
but Jonah must pronounce the destruction which they mer-
must
ited
call
call
them
to repentance
and amendment,
which
to
they must yield.
The mariner never argues

that I arrive at
my
in this form : if it be ordained
intended port, I need not go on ship-
board
shipboard
knows
it
for it is impossible I
would be absurd
cannot have
it.
it
is
me
port, I
If it
there.
need not go on
can arrive there.
sails,
and give his
The farmer never argues thus
not have a crop,
needless for
me
if it
He
No.
to
much
vessel to the
be decreed I shall
plow or sow
If it be decreed I shall have
the-by decrees of Grod extend as

other)
my
to expect to arrive at his port, if
he did not go aboard, hoist his

wind.
bring
for the decree will certainly
be decreed, I shall not arrive at
it,
for I
(and by-
to these things as
any
I need not plow nor sow, for I shall have it; the
decree will produce
it.
No.
He knows,
if it
be decreed,
that he shall have a crop, this decree must be accomplished

in the use of
means
and the appointment
of the
end
in-
71
clude3 the appointment of the means, and therefore, in the
appointed season he plows and sows his
fields,
ply this to the doctrine of eternal
but
of the truth
hearers
and
all is easy.
God
according to the foreknowledge of
lievers are elect
Father
life
and waits
Let us only ap-
for the divine blessing to produce the end.
it is
Bethe
through sanctification of the Spirit, belief
and sprinkling of the blood
must know, that
Gospel
of Jesus.
they be ordained to eternal
if
life,
this infers the necessity of believing in Christ, repenting of

sin,
and practicing universal
Predestination
ought
it is,
to
holiness.
a very high and awful doctrine, and
is
be studied with deep humility and reverence.
when
But
well understood, and taken in connection with the
other blessings of the covenant, a great source of consolation

to believers.
Finally, G-od's decrees are not
the rule of our duty
and cannot be
because secret and never to be
known
but by their accomplishment, except in the case of immediate

revelation,
which has no place here.
Men may form
quite opposite to them, and be applauded
David resolving
to build the temple,
pointed for him, but for his son.
designs
as in the case of
which yet was not ap-
Men may
act agreeably to
them, and yet be most justly condemned, as in the case of

the Jews crucifying the Lord of glory.
into their
He was
delivered
hands by the determinate counsel and foreknowl-
edge of God, and yet with most wicked hands they crucified
and slew him.
The revealed
will of God, then, is the only
the only
standard of right and wrong
duty must be determined.
rule
by which
sin
and
72
CHAPTEE
IV.
ON CREATION
"When any person
of the least turn for contemplation, be-
holds the starry heavens, and the various revolutions, seasons
and productions
of this terraqueous globe, he cannot forbear
How came they into existence? And he will

naturally ask, How came I myself into being ? I did not always exist. I did not, could not create myself. Who then
inquiring,
formed this body, consisting of

finely proportioned
formed the
spirit
and adapted
so
many members, and
to various purposes ?
within me, and gave
ception and volition ?
It should
me
this
all so
Who
power of per-
enhance our esteem of the
Bible, that it is the only book in the world
which gives a
satisfactory answer to these queries.
It opens with a majes-
account of the work of creation.
By Jehovah's omnipo-
tic
tent word all things sprang into existence, order and har"
mony.
and
all
By
he spake and
He
said,
* The
which
the word of the Lord were the heavens made,

" For
the host thereof by the breath of his mouth. "

it
was done, he commanded and
" Let there be light
Hebrew word rakiahgh
signifies to
and there was
is
it
stood fast."
This
light."
derived from the verb rakahgh,
spread out, expand, or extend
the noun
is
trans-
73

Some
gives us an idea of power truly divine.
fanciful writers
have endeavored to accommodate the work of creation
to
the slow, the reptile operations of their reason, and exhibited

theories dishonorable to the
Word
is
more pre-
posterous and absurd than
an ant should attempt
to correct
An
the Newtonian system.

plished the whole
duced
all in
and
moment
if
This
was as
sufficient to
many days
;
which cannot be controverted
the other from
the one from
have proThere are
or years.
two decisive ways of reasoning
there
accom-
act of Jehovah's will
this act
as in
of God.
first principles,
Xow
facts.
nothing in the account which Moses gives of the gen-
is
eration of the heavens
and the
earth,
but what
is
perfectly
consistent with every just and rational idea of the divine

Infinite
attributes.
wisdom,
and immense
infinite power,
goodness, were certainly sufficient to perform the whole,

in the time mentioned, too
And
this.
let
there can be no rational doubt of
any impartial and candid reasoner peruse the
account, and compare

feels,
and
it
with
facts,
with what he sees and
and he cannot entertain a doubt
of its truth.
Do not
the heavens and the earth continue as Moses represents the

divine
establishing
fiat
them
If he
had spoken
or without the direction of the spirit of God,
at
random
would he not
have blundered in some parts of his narrative,
so that the
lapse of four or five thousand years would have detected his
fallacy?
Or would not God,
to
lated firmament, which firmament,
from the waters.

is of infinite
By this
is
it
detect an impostor, have
is said,
divided the waters
probably meant the atmosphere, which
use both to refract and reflect the light, and also to
bear up the dew, the clouds and waters necessary

fructify the earth,
to refresh
and
74
taken some method to confute his doctrine
Is not the con-
tinuance of different sexes among the various kinds of animals, and the equality of the
number
of each sex, a continued
effect of the appointment of heaven ?
And
is
not the con-
tinual propagation of each species, the constant effect and
operation of that
command and
blessing, "
multiply and replenish the earth

ion over the earth
? " etc.
Be ye
and seas and the inhabitants
and
fruitful
And man's
domin-
thereof, is
continued fulfillment of the divine decree or omnipotent

" Have dominion over the
of the air,
the sea, and over the fowls
and over every living thing that moveth on the
The division
earth."
fish of
fiat,
of time into weeks,
and the
sanctifi-
cation of the seventh part of time, is a fact that has never

failed since the creation,
and will not cease until the heavens
To what
and the earth be no more.

such a shifting,
shall
changing world as ours
omnipotent word of God.
This
is
it
it.
do not so naturally
tion in this place
There
is
in a
moment
another fact which,
fall in here,
man, according
was deceived by Satan
it
altogether decisive on this subject to
justify Moses' account of
though
ascribe this in
what, but to the
a fact immediately con-
is
nected with creation, and leads us up to
and one would think
we
? to
yet
we
men-
shall
to the account of Moses,
in the form of a serpent,
and enmity
woman and seed of the serIs not the general horror which men feel at the sight
pent.
We may
of serpents a continued fulfillment of this Word ?
was put between the seed
add,
is
of the
not the general perception of the propriety and
decency of the marriage-covenant existing between one
and one woman
only, with the blessing
attending
it
man
and
the direful effects following on the contrary practice, a fact

correspondent to the
75
institution of marriage as narrated
first
He made them male and female and thereman leave father and mother and cleave to his
And does not the course of nature, in producing
by Moses
"
fore shall a
wife."
number
nearly an equal
God who
Moses
it
of each sex, show, that the
the world, governs
it,
same
narrated
as
by
Though
as
created
it
do not so immediately refer to this subject, yet
tends to corroborate the evidence of the truth of the
Mosaic history from
we
facts,
mention another thing.
shall
It is undeniable, that in all countries there are

of the flood recorded
be accounted
for,
by Moses
on any other hypothesis.
And
poem on
Ovid, a heathen poet, has written a
nations.
And what
it.
the truth of
acknowledged
this fact seems to have been almost universally
by the heathen
monuments
which can not
or appearances
uninspired man, or what
was not certain he had the mind
God on
of
man
that
the subject,
would have ventured his character, as Moses has done in

these words
Gen.
heart, I will
viii,
21, 22
sake, neither will I smite
have done.
vest,
have had a
"
And
the Lord said in his
any more every living thing as I
While the earth remaineth, seed-time and har-
and cold and
and night,
not again curse the ground any more for man's
heat,
and summer and winter, and day
shall not cease."
And
the prophet Isaiah must
full conviction of the truth of this
for
he r pre-
sents Jehovah as saying, " This is as the covenant of
Xoah
unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Xoah should
no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would

not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee."
Xow we
prophets venturing their characters on
But
it.
see both
since a flood
76
of waters
certain
it
had once overwhelmed the

would not do
earth,
so again ? how,
how were they
but by the inspira-
But Xoah's covenant intimates,
tion of God's Spirit.
"
And
While the earth remaineth."
at least
It runs thus
implicitly, the destruction of the earth at last.
Xew Testament
the
prophets assure us this destruction will be accomplished by

fire.
And who
Moses
die."
can doubt the truth of these declarations of
" In the
And
day thou eatest
woman he
to the
thy sorrow and thy conception

forth children,
and thy
the ground for thy sake
all
the days of thy
brin,g forth to thee
life.
And
;
multiply
in sorrow shalt thou bring
desire shall be to thy
he shall rule over thee."

is
thou shalt surely
thereof,
said, " I will greatly
to
Adam
husband and
he said, " Cursed
in sorrow shalt thou eat of it
Thorns also and
thistles shall it
in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
bread, until thou return unto the ground
for dust
And
and unto dust shalt thou return."
the
thou
art,
Hebrew law-
giver records, that Abel offered the firstlings of his flock and
the fat thereof, or sanguinary sacrifices

testable fact that all nations, even the
and
it is
an incon-
most barbarous, before
the incarnation of Christ, were employed in offering such

sacrifices,
which practice no doubt was deduced from
Adam
and Abel.
Eeason teaches, that a being
infinitely good, as
necessarily be, would create all things very good.

tion fully ascertains
refining too
it is
possible systems,
too
much
fate,
and confirms
much on
this fact.
God must
Kevela-
But perhaps
this subject to say, " that of all
God behooved
to create the best.
It looks
like the doctrine of the ancient stoics concerning
by which
fate,
they said. God himself was bound
and

we
fear it has led
author of
the
is
of great service to the
we should be thankful
for sin, etc."
the fountain of reason and volition, therefore he
is
must be an
works
them, " That God
sin has been
that
sin,
world, and that
God
some into the dangerous opinions, or at
nearly connected with
least is
77
intelligent
and voluntary
agent,
And though
and sovereign.
free
it
and
in all his
was impossible
that he could create any being in a state of moral depravity,
any
or with
perfections
sinful defect, yet he bestowed such a degree of
and powers on
scale of existence, so far as
nothing up to
man
is
a striking gradation in the
we are able
and from analogy
pose, that the gradation ascends
spiritual
extended,
perfection
and
it is
;
for there
it
from
to observe
it is
from
it,
natural to sup-
man up through
But supposing
invisible world.
impossible
and
his creatures as seemed good
There
proper in his sight.
it
the
infinitely
can ever come near to infinite
must be an
infinite distance
between
the most glorious and exalted creature, and the Creator him-
He
self.
charges his angels with
holy and upright, but
Man was
folly.
be served by him not of necessity but choice
must be served by
And
all
rational
beside the moral image of
man was
soul,
created
God, as was most meet, would
free.
and
and
so
he
intelligent creatures.
God impressed on
his rational
appointed lord and governor of this earth,
and the other creatures were subject
to his dominion.
In
he was ordained the priest of nature, to offer unto
God
continually, the sacrifices of praise due from himself
and
fine,
the
subordinate creation
reason,
many
and by the divine faculty of
he was enabled to employ
all
the elements, and
of the other creatures in his service.
78
CHAPTER
OF PROVIDENCE.
God, who made
all
things by the word of his power, also
and governs them by his providence.
sustains, rules
Hav-
ing laid his plan for the government of the world in his
own
He
infinite-jnind,
invariably adheres to that plan, and
by his providence fully executes

Providence
is
The doctrine
it.
very full in the holy Scriptures
fectly harmonious with sound reason.
minutest concerns
to
hairs of our head are
and gives the young
ease he plants
events, which we
from the
lions their prey.
and plucks up
doms and empires.
little
per-
the very
a sparrow can not fall to
the ground without our heavenly Father.

ravens,
is
It extends to our
minutest creatures
the
numbered
of divine
and
builds
and
He feedeth the
With infinite
pulls
down king-
His providence extends even
to these
call fortuitous or accidental, as is manifest
and apparently fortuitous incidents
in the
history of Joseph, on which the grand conclusion depended,
and
also
from many other passages of Scripture.
this excellency visible in the lives of the

saints, that
There
is
Old Testament
they appear to have walked with God, in a firm
79
persuasion of his universal presence and universal provi-
Not a blessing
dence.
be of God.
Xot a
be of Him.
At
conferred, but they acknowledge to
way, but
trial sent in their
owned
is
to
the same time they were not strangers to
This
the subordinate chain of secondary causes.
taught in the Old Testament writings
clearly
is
particularly in that
beautiful passage of the prophet, where the supreme Gov-
ernor
represented as saying, " I will hear the heavens
is
and the heavens shall hear the earth

hear the corn, the wine, and the
oil
and the earth
and they
shall
shall hear
Jezreel."
Divine Providence reaches even to the sinful actions of

angels and men, and that not by a bare permission
but
such a permission as includes a powerful bounding and

otherwise ordering and governing them, in a manifold dispensation, to answer his
infinitely pure
and
sin is entirely
free
own holy ends
yet so that
from the blame of man's sin
and only
How
of the creature.
this truth taught in that marvelous text
"
God
clearly is
Him, being
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge
delivered
is
which
of
God, have ye taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and

slain."
It is the glory of divine providence, that the dis-
pensations thereof are always adapted to the moral state
and character of nations, either in the way of mercy or

That
judgment.
it
produces good out of evil
case of the sufferings and death of Christ, and
temptations,
makes
all
falls,
and sufferings
of his
own
as in the
also
the
children,
and
things in the kingdom of nature and grace sub-
servient to the good of the Church, which
bodv of Christ.
is
the mystical
80
CHAPTEE
VI.
OF THE FALL OF MAX.
That man
is
and miserable
a sinful
denied by the greatest
creature, can not be
Though a most
infidel.
and good Grod governs the world, yet the cup
men must drink,
all
is large,
and
And
liberty.
the various relations in which
we stand
It affects his health,
which were instituted originally
many
The earth and elements

natural or penal evil
cause of
But
it is
it
clear
instances, sources of misery.
is,
men
certainly moral evil

are conscious,
God could not
create
more
men
and the
But wherever
must be the
or less, of guilt.
in a sinful
and mis-
nothing evil could proceed from the infinite
erable state
fountain of
all
He
all
to be springs
are cursed for man's sake,
whole creation groans under this curse.
and
which
is evi-
property,
of felicity, are really, in
Man
wide, and deep.
life,
dently under the curse.
to each other,
wise, holy,
of misery
goodness
man,
therefore,
has revolted from his Creator
almighty Lord and Sovereign.
"
must have
fallen.
has rebelled against his
Be astonished,
heavens,"
says Grod, " be ye horribly afraid, be ye very desolate
have nourished and brought up children, and they have
The ox knowctli his owner, the ass
rebelled against me.

his master's crib, but
my
know
people do not
The whole head
not consider.
81
is
Israel doth
It is the Bible
sick," etc.
alone which gives us a satisfactory account of the fall of man.
Unassisted reason assents to the fact that he
is fallen,
could never have investigated the manner how.
Adam and Eve
to the scriptural account,
the temptation of Satan
were seduced by
and doubting God's
but
According
title to sove-
reign dominion over them, and questioning the veracity of
the threatening, they did eat the forbidden fruit
circumstanced as
By
it
which
act,
was, included the nature of all sin in
this they lost their original rectitude,
ious to the penalty,
which
is
There
death.
connection between sin and misery.
it.
and became obnoxis
a threefold
First, natural
for as
the earth in its diurnal course, by turning its face from the
sun, is necessarily involved in darkness
ture, turning
from God,
ual darkness and death.

"
The wages
ment
for
so a rational crea-
Secondly, in respect of demerit
Thirdly,
of sin is death."
God hath
as necessarily involved in spirit-
is
said, "
by a divine appoint-
The soul that sinneth
shall die."
It is an established law of nature that all creatures propa-
In agreeableness to this law,
gate others like themselves.

it is
his
said of
own
Adam,
likeness."
after his lapse, that " he begat a son in
Here
is
a manifest distinction
himself was created after the likeness or image of

in his fallen state begets a son after his
men were
originally
and radically
root, the trunk, the branches,
contained in the acorn.

the
first
own
likeness.
in the first
and the
And what
Adam
God
Adam
but
All
as the
fruit of the oak are
is all
the posterity of
man, but this tree fully grown and
its
branches
82
fully spread?
Beside,
it is
clear
from God's Word, that the
pair represented all their posterity in the federal trans-
first
and them.
action between G-od
This
is
Adam and
Apostle runs a parallel between
why
the reason
Christ.
the
As by
"
many were made sinners, so by the

many be made righteous. As in Adam
one man's disobedience

obedience of one shall
died, so in
all
Adam
The
heaven.
Christ shall all be
the earth, earthly
is of
Adam was made
first
pointed to transmit that

in which he failed,
the second
is
dead, or give
and
made
life
life to
his posterity
them that
is
and
spirit,"
The
first
and
v.
ap-
by obedience
theirs
to
We
well expressed in our Catechism: M
"
But
quicken the
believe in him.
truth more fully displayed, Bom. chap.

doctrine
alive.
a living soul,"
so lost his life
a quickening
to
made
the second, the Lord from
See this
think this
The covenant
being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all
mankind descending from him by ordinary
ration, sinned in
gression."
may
Original sin
see it everywhere,
saints of the
them.
sins.
above
in
him and
Men
is
fell
no
and
with him in his
fiction,
but a sad
feel it
every day.
Most High complain justly
first
genetrans-
reality.
"We
Even the
of sin dwelling in
before conversion are dead in trespasses
and
Their hearts are desperately wicked and deceitful

all things.
them proceed
And
all
from this depraved, wicked nature
actual transgressions.
"Out
of the
heart do proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, etc."

It
would be well
fection of
human
if
the advocates for the dignity and per-
nature would deeply consider this point
whether the state of facts throughout the world do not fully

agree with the scriptural account of the depravity of
human
And
nature.
this is the
ple alone it is that
and
of regeneration,
last,
it
that such deluded

perception of the
is
The strength
worthy of
depravity of
human
est instances
of their
they are
of sin lies in its power to deceive
notice, that while these
call G-od a liar ?

love,
men deny
the
nature, they themselves are the strong-
and proofs of
not to mention that such
it:
What
those of the opposite opinion.
deeming
reject
Alas
by the pride
proud men are never more remarkable
than to
men
first.
to believe that
souls should perish
which will not permit them
in danger.
and
requisite, that on this princi-
of justification through the righteous-
when they have no
what a pity that

hearts,
more
shall see the propriety of the doctrine
No wonder
ness of Christ.
the
we
83
What more
for strict virtue
than
can be more wicked

so,
than to spurn
re-
trample under foot redeeming blood, and do
despite to the Spirit of grace ?
must be enmity against God, and

neither indeed can be.
Surely such a carnal

is
mind
not subject to his law,
The sinfulness and misery
of
man's
natural state are well represented in our Catechisms, to
which we
refer,
and earnestly
obtest all deeply to ponder.
84
CHAPTEE
VII.
of god's covenant with man.
Some have questioned whether God entered into a proper

covenant with the
first
Adam.
But what has been alleged
against this, in our opinion, amounts to mere caviling.

is
expressly taught, Hosea
vi,
7,
have transgressed the covenant."

in the parallel run between
denied that
God
they, like
Adam,
It is manifestly
taught
"But
Adam and
the Father
It
Christ.
It cannot be
made a covenant with
his Son
Christ, for it is expressed in innumerable passages;
wherein can the parallel hold between
Adam and
and
Christ,
but in a covenant transaction or federal representation?

There was evidently in the
stated
a threatening
a promise of
life
impossible that
covenant a condition of
life
of death in case of disobedience,
and
first
in case of obedience, annexed.
Adam
And
it
was
could withhold his consent from such
a righteous, yea gracious proposal.
We
will readily grant there
was not every requisite here
that must take place in a covenant between equals.

title to
man's obedience
is
God's
not founded on contract only, but
85

on nature.
Previously to
man owed
contract
all
obedience
but there was just such a covenant as could take place be-
tween parties so distant from each other as the
And we
Creator and the creature.
Confession, which says, the distance between
creature
is so great,
obedience to
any
him
fruition of
infinite
heartily agree with our
God and the
that though reasonable creatures do owe
as their Creator, yet they could never have
him
as their happiness
and reward, but by
some voluntary condescension on his part, which he hath
way
been pleased to express by

that
man by
of covenant.
every benefit, temporal and spiritual;
and exposed
We
testify
the breach of this covenant forfeited a title to
to misery.
And though
a child of wrath
is
the covenant seems to
have secured his existence and that of his posterity, even

the Mediator had not interposed, yet
existence loaded with Jehovah's curse
the damned
in hell have
without hope.
case, if
It
an
it
;
such an existence as
existence without
would have been better
they never had been born
the case much, whether
men were
if
must have been an
and
God and
for them, in that
it
would not alter
supported in existence
under the curse of God by the immediate exertions of divine

power, or by the exertions of the same power in a mediate
way, by giving them rain and fruitful seasons, with

productions of the folds and
fields, if
all
the
equally destitute of the
divine favor and without hope.
OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE.
Man, by
his
fall,
has thus destroyed himself, and can do
nothing for his own recovery
he
is
dead in trespasses and
86
But
sins.
what ground
that G-od has devised a
way
us
way worthy
He
Christ,
and
of praise
way
The condition
G-od freely undertook.
fulfilled, in his active
price of our redemption he

;
an offering
lxxxix, I have
office
surety and
the Son of
of the covenant he, in
and passive obedience.
paid
and
for
to
liii,
"If thou wilt make his
made a covenant with my
As
Thy
up thy throne
to all
in the unction of Aaron, the oil poured
promises, like a sacred
oil,
Christ in this covenant, and descend from

of his mystical body.
men but
in this covenant.
after his fall,
so the
were poured on the head of Jesus
members
Adam
Psalm
chosen, etc.
on his head, descended to the skirts of his garments
to
The
him were the
he shall see his seed.
sin,
seed will I establish forever, and build

generations. "
safe for
even these precious promises, respecting the
salvation of sinners: Isaiah

soul
and
own Son Jesus
purpose; appointed him the
for this
promises made
a marvelous
of Gk>d, honorable to him,
entered into a covenant with his
Mediator of this better covenant; which
due time,
eternal gratitude,
for our recovery
There
him
is
to the lowest
no salvation to
It was, therefore, soon revealed
and was renewed again and again
with the patriarchs, under various emblems.
The covenant
with Xoah, securing the world from a second deluge
of cir-
cumcision with Abraham, promising the land of Canaan to

his posterity
of
an everlasting priesthood with Phineas
royalty with David, were all types of
it.
of
This covenant was
administered to the Jewish Church, in promises and predictions of the
coming of Christ, and in a great variety of
sacrifices, all
pointing to the great atoning sacrifice which
the Son of
God was about
to offer.
But, since the coming
87

of Christ,
administered in a more simple way: in the
it is
preaching of the Gospel, and dispensation of the sacraments

of baptism
the
fore,
Without doubt,
and the Lord's supper.
there-
Jewish Church was under the same covenant;
enjoyed the same Gospel in substance, which we are under
and enjoy; and was saved by faith in the same name.

There are two different dispensations, but one and the same
covenant.
And
any were saved
if
doubtless there were many,
covenant of grace
" There
is
name
the
And we
under the law, as
by the
no name given under heaven, or among men, but
which men could or can be saved."
cannot approve the distinction between the covenant
and the covenant
have any warrant from the
knew only two covenants
at all
was, of necessity,
no salvation by any other.
for there is
of Jesus, b}^
of redemption
to
it
Gal.
The
iv.
unnoticed,
were
of grace.
Word
that
of
The
seem
apostle
works and that of grace.
distinction above
it
It does not
of God.
mentioned might pass
not for the bad improvement thereof.
In every proper covenant we must find a condition and a

promise.
According
distinction, the righteousness
to this
of Christ will be the condition of the covenant of redemp-
What, then, must be the condition of the covenant
tion.
of grace ?
But,
it is
No
doubt,
faith
clear, these are
enant by which
proper condition.
and that not
and some add repentance.
promised blessings of that cov-
men are saved, and so can not be the

" By grace ye are saved, through faith;
of yourselves
it is
the gift of God."
Christ
is
exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto

Israel,
faith
and the remission
of sins.
To make faith
alone, or
and repentance conjoined, the proper condition of the
88
covenant of grace,
another Gospel.
leads
God and
ing between
us away from free grace unto
The same covenant considered

the Mediator,
covenant of redemption
as subsisting
the Church, the covenant of grace
and
a condition of order and connection.

opinion,
a very
as subsist-
justly called the
is
between God and

faith
It
may be
also,
in our
saints
of the
is,
erroneous tenet, that the
called
Jewish Church were total strangers to spiritual promises
and blessings
soul,
affirms, that
unto
knew nothing
and a future happiness
us.
of the
immortality of the
in heaven
for the
apostle
unto them was the Gospel preached, as well as
And
they did
and drink the same
all eat
the same spiritual meat,
spiritual drink; they
drank of that
Eock which followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
89
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MEDIATOR HIS SURETYSHIP
OF CHRIST
AND
SACRIFICE.
It
is
is
the glory of the Christian religion, that our Saviour
The divinity
Jehovah, the true and eternal God.
Christ
is
the rock on which the Church
foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do

this away,
and
Our hope
all is gone.
Take
This
perished.
is
the only foundation of present grace and future glory.

is
incontrovertible, that in Scripture, the
the same names, the same

to the
are ascribed
Son as
But he
already noticed.
works,
is
to
same
is
It
perfections,
and the same worship
the Father, as has
truly
of
If this
is built.
man
the seed of David according to the flesh
been
God
as well as
and declared
of
to be
the Son of God, with power, by the resurrection from the
His name
dead.
Son,
is
Immanuel, God with
and David's Lord, Psalm
spring
of
David
Child born,
the
great
made manifest
God
precious
is
us.
He
is
David's
The Eoot and the
Bright and Morning Star.
the mighty
is
ing Father.
controversy,
ex.
the Son given, the everlast-
and adorable truth
the mystery of Godliness,
in the flesh
Off-
The
Though he was
without
God was
in the form of
90
God, yet
him the form
took upon
lie
though he thought
it
no robbery
he was found in fashion as a man.

of our divine
constitution
alone,
he was qualified
of a
to be equal
servant
and,
with God, yet
And, by this mysterious
Eedeemer's person, and by
it
to execute his mediatorial offices of
Prophet, Priest, and King.
True believers see an
infinite
glory and beauty in this great truth of the Gospel.
They
behold him at once, as God's Son, and their Brother.
They
majesty and humility united in him.
This
see
infinite
beam
darts a
of light through the whole book of God,
explains every part of the history of his
life,
and
death, resur-
rection, etc.
We
heartily detest all Socinian
the person of Christ, and
we
and Arian opinions about
firmly believe in his mediato-
rial righteousness consisting of his obedience to the
law of
God, and an atonement or infinite satisfaction for sin in the
room
of his
perform obedience
people
His obedience
people.
It has, indeed,
vicarious.
the precept was
to the precept of the
law in place of his
but that his obedience was due for himself;
the authors,
it is
as impossible for the
from under the law, as
and,
human
is
say
for,
nature to be
for the divine nature to be
This dangerous position

error,
to
been alleged, that Christ did not
under
it.
nearly connected with another
indeed, rises out
of
posterity, since the fall, are not
it,
namely: that Adam's
under the preceptive part of
but only under the penalty.
The
consideration of this last point will fall in naturally,
when
the covenant of works
we come
to the
of God.
And, can
nineteenth chapter, which treats of the law
Meantime,
it
let
possibly be
us attend to this other doctrine.

so,
that Christ did not perform

obedience for his people
his
own account?
The Scripture
91
but that his obedience was due on
Word
Surely, God's
tells us, "
does not teach
so.
That as by one man's disobedience
many were made sinners so, by the obedience of one, shall

many be made righteous;" it was predicted of him, " That
;
he should finish the transgression, make an end of

bring in
an everlasting righteousness
whereby he
and surely
shall be called,
thus
it
Lord have
your righteousness
becometh us
to
this
is
sin,
the
and
name
the Lord our righteousness
shall one say, in the
and strength
fulfill
all
is
I righteousness
of me, saith the
Lord
righteousness, says he
as sin hath reigned unto death, so grace shall reign through
righteousness unto eternal life."
These texts point out
the active obedience of Christ as an essential part of his
mediatorial
righteousness, which
room of his
people.
active
he accomplished in the
It has been said, that there
obedience even
in
Christ's death
and
That Christ voluntarily yielded
to death, is certain
bore his sufferings patiently,
is
certain.
These two words convey very different ideas.

sufferings
efficient
must be allowed
viewed
that he
it fully.
When
and death entirely by the
activity of others, he is utterly passive in
was not the
But when we
distinguish between action and passion, let us do
person undergoes
was an
sufferings.
it.
That Christ
cause of his own death and sufferings
and, therefore, in his sufferings and death,
abstractly as
passion,
he was entirely passive.
So that to ascribe an active obedience to his passion and

death,
is to
confound ideas in themselves distinct, and ren-
der words indeterminate in their signification.

ness, patience,
The meek-
and voluntariness wherewith Christ submitted
92
They
death, are quite distinct from his passion.
to his
point out the manner of his bearing his passion, and were
a part of his active obedience, or conformity to the precept
and thus every
believer is required
and sometimes death
injuries,
and meekness,
by the law,
with similar patience
itself,
for Christ's sake.
human nature
It is said, it is impossible for the
from under the law, as

it.
But
this
method
it is for
of arguing is absurd.
nature but a person that
is
under a law
conveys an abstract, universal idea

angels
all
the
to be
the divine nature to be under

It is
speak of a nature abstractly being under a law
comprehends
to bear
absurd to
it is
not a
the word nature
so the angelic
human nature
all
nature
The
men.
angelic nature has no existence, but in the person of an
The human nature none, but
angel.
in the person of a
man
except in the extraordinary case of the Son of G-od.

nature, as such, can violate or fulfill no law
a person.
and
a
If Christ then
but only as in
owed obedience, was under the law
fulfilled it for himself, he, doubtless,
human
was no more than
This doctrine denies his divinity and lands
person.
us in Socinianism.
Or
if
the doctrine of his divinity be
admitted, the unity of his person must be denied.
Accord-
ing to this scheme he must be both a divine person and a
human.
In respect of his divine person he was not under
the law, but in respect of his human, he was under
owed obedience
for himself
and
fulfilled
impossible for the divine nature to be under the law.
allow
it.
But
it
was not impossible
it,
It is said, it is
it.
We
for the divine person of
the Son of God, the person of Jesus, Immanuel, Grod with us,
to be
under
it.
Far
very far from
it
"
God
sent forth

made
his Sou,
the Son of
woman, made under the law."
of a
God
98
that obeyed and died
and
it
was
It
was
this that
made
his righteousness truly divine,
and
of infinite value
henee
it is
the righteousness of God,
and
his blood is also
If only a
called the blood of God.

it
human
was but a human righteousness.
nature obeying, exclusively of a
showed
But
puted
the
person obeyed,
To talk of a human
human
person,
it
will be said, are the acts of the divine nature im-
We
might likewise ask, are the acts of
human nature imputed ?
The truth
is,
the righteous-
ness or obedience of the complete divine person,
is
is
bound
room
Every being subject
imputed.
God by
to glorify
of its powers.
nature,
God
in our
to the divine law,
obedience, according to the extent
The divine person Jesus
Christ,
God
in our
subjected himself voluntarily to the law, in the
of his people
and
portion to his powers

his
we already
to be absurd.
to believers ?
nature,
was
righteousness
so
was bound
to glorify
but his powers were
an
infinite
God
infinite,
righteousness.
value, merit, or worth of which, is sustained in
ground or reason of the believer's salvation.
in pro-
and
so
The
law as the
It is very true,
human nature, the two essential, conhuman person, to wit, a rational soul
But his human nature never had a dis-
that Christ had in his

stituent parts of a
and human body.
tinct, personal subsistence of its
own.
It never existed, but
in a state of union to the divine person of the Son of God,
and obedience
to the divine law, does not appear to
have been
due from this divine person, on his own account.
The death and
sufferings of Christ were also certainly
vicarious, for he demerited no such thing himself.
He was
94
and separate from
holy, harmless, undefiled,
Scriptures declare, " That he
and bruised
gressions,
he was
rich,
though he knew no
sin for us,
made the righteousness
That God the

That though
all.
sake he became poor, that we
yet for our
through his poverty might be made
made
for our trans-
our iniquities.
for
Father laid on him the iniquity of us
The
sinners.
was wounded
God
of
That he was
rich.
that
sin,
we might be
That he suffered
in him.
the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to G-od.
That he hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, by

being made a curse for us
"
That men
"
and hence
shall be blessed in him."
it
is
promised
These texts declare
as plainly as language will allow, that the death of Christ
was accomplished in our
The death
stead.
represented as a sacrifice
and a true
of Christ is often
sacrifice it was.
essential to a sacrifice that it be vicarious.
it is
person offered a
before
God
sacrifice,
But
When
he thereby confessed himself guilty
but at the same time, his doing
so intimated
hope, that the punishment
would be transferred from the
head of the criminal,
head of the
remarkable, that
sity
all
and propriety
them.
to the
of sacrifices
In this instance we see
selves guilty before God,
propitiation.
The
sacrifice.
It is also
nations have had an idea of the neces;
and have accordingly

all
offered
the world confessing them-
and yet expecting mercy through a
apostle indeed remarks, that
what the
Gentiles offered in sacrifices, they offered unto devils.
But
though the object of their worship was wrong, the principle

on which they proceeded, was right
sin
and
guilt,
that
is,
a conviction of
and that mercy might be obtained only
through a propitiation
and perhaps this was one of these
which penetrated the thick
scattered raya of revelation,
darkness that covered the nations

Christ, the true sacrifice,
The doctrine
was the
cious doctrine be
remark, that
now
it really
braced by the
and
in this respect,
desire of all nations.
of sacrifices is in substance the
that of imputed righteousness
common
95
same with
and however much
despised,
this pre-
we -see from the preceding
has been the system universally emsense of mankind.
natural and congenial to the
It is a sentiment
human mind,
that sin demerits
punishment, and that prayer and penitence alone (supposing

the sinner could bring his hard heart to prayer and penitence,
which
is
impossible)
for on this supposition the
cannot atone for sin and guilt
which would make the penalty a blessing

sin,
instead of deterring from
were G-od to
let fall
law would have no other penalty,

;
and encourage
And we
it.
to
are persuaded,
a few drops of his flaming wrath, on
the conscience of the most daring infidel or audacious profligate, he
would instantly
the absolute
call out for
an atonement, and see
need of such a satisfaction as the Gospel
reveals.
In consequence of the incarnation of Christ, and his

ing himself a sacrifice for our
aside in the
Church
of God.
sins,
we
Jehovah said of his blood, "It
The cry went up
is
enough."
to
heaven and made God and angels glad.
from heaven
for joy.
tell
Christ cried,
all
"jfi is
finished"
It reverberated
around this globe, and made the nations sing
For what
the world " It
is
is
the preaching of the Gospel, but to

finished."
ordinance belonging to the

cision
offer-
see sacrificing laid
There
is
Xew Testament
and the passover were sanguinary
not one bloody
Church.
Circum-
institutions,
and
96
pointed to the blood of Christ as about to be shed
them
set
aside
when about
own
to offer his
but Christ
blood,
and
insti-
tuted in their place, baptism and the holy supper, which in-
deed point at blood, the blood of Christ, and that as actually
And
shed, but are not attended with the shedding of blood.

beside, after the
what a change
offering of this sacrifice,
takes place in the Gentile world ?
Soon after
the hea-
this,
then temples were thrown down, their altars demolished,
and
their oracles ceased to give responses,
To what shall we ascribe
smoke.
the providence of
him who
their sacrifices to
To what, but
this ?
rules over
all,
and governs the
own glory
nations to answer the purposes of his
to
God
did,
in all this, give testimony to the great sacrifice of his Son.
He
proclaimed to
all
the world, that with
it
he was
infi-
nitely well pleased.

It has been objected to this doctrine of the vicarious nature
of the righteousness
and death
of Christ, that it is inconsist-
ent with the justice of God, to punish an innocent and right-
eous person, in place of the guilty
but the objectors know
They cannot
not what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
deny that the Son of God did
suffer,
were of the deepest kind
They must
too.
perfectly holy, harmless, undefiled
How
of
and that his sufferings

allow,
he was holy,
and separate from
sinners.
then, on their principles, will they acquit the justice
God
in punishing such a holy person,
responsible to the law and justice of
who was
God?
in no sense
Here the
diffi-
much greater than if we allow with the prophet,

" That God laid on him the iniquity of us all," and with the
And, on their hyapostle, " That he was made sin for us."
culty
is
pothesis,
what
sense,
what meaning
in all the sacrifices
under
97
the law, and in the whole doctrine of Christ and his apostles
on this subject?
"I
Christ: and again, "
ransom
many."
for
Jesus Christ
of life
life,
is
justice of
down my
life
for the sheep," says
man came
of
He
He
says, " I
to take it
to give his life
Such objectors should
a divine person.
and death.
and power
lay
The Son
consider, that
has the absolute power
have power
to lay
And who
up again."
King Zaleucus, who, when
his son
down my
doubts the
was taken in
had made a law that the
adultery, against which the king
adulterer should have his eyes put out, consented that one
of his
own
guished
father
Who
may
eyes, in place of one of his son's, should be extin-
Did not
this both fulfill
hate a son, but no
man
complains of injustice when the surety
But these are only
pay the insolvent's debt ?
tudes of the sovereignty of him
and had power
to lay
down
his
who
life,
and honor the law ?
ever hated his
is
is
own
flesh.
obliged to
faint simili-
absolute Lord of all
and power
to take it
up
again.
The mediatorial righteousness
of Christ is represented in
Scripture as a satisfactory price paid for our redemption.
And
whereas doubts have arisen in the Church, concerning
the extent of redemption,
it
may
state our views of that subject.
be proper in this place to
We
are of opinion that the
Mediator's righteousness was finished in the room and for

the sake of the elect.
Election, redemption,
appear to us to be of equal extent.

ent,
and every other
inconsistent.
harmony among the persons
and application
This scheme
is consist-
This scheme maintains a
of the adorable Trinity.
The
electing love of the Father, the redeeming blood of the Son,
and the renewing grace of the
Spirit,
meet on the same
98
objects.
But the scheme of universal redemption destroys
this
whom
the
According
harmony.
to
Christ died for men,
it,
Father never elected to eternal

Spirit will never sanctify,
life,
and
xincl further,
whom
on this last scheme,

" Is Christ
the apostle's question implies no impossibility.
For according
divided?"
men whom he
died for
sanctify
to
he must, as a Priest, have
it,
will never teach as a Prophet, nor
and rule as a King.
asunder.
the Holy
Yea
his priestly office is rent
For, on this plan, he died for men, for
declares he does not
make
intercession.
not for the world, but for those
And
of the world."
for those also
who
whom
whom
he
Says he, " I pray
me
thou hast given
out
again, " I pray not for these only, but
shall believe in
me through
their
Word."
In a word, the doctrine of universal redemption, so far as
we
are able to judge, dishonors all the divine perfections.
G-od
it,
is
no longer a rock, nor his work perfect
the divine foreknowledge
uncertain
who
is
shall be saved,
nothing
G-od
according to
must be
totally
and indeed whether any
be saved, until he see the event
shall
which event must depend
wholly on the creature's own exertions.

of Grod is tarnished
The
by a plan, according
infinite
wisdom
to which, the gra-
cious designs of the death of Christ may, either in whole or

in part, be frustrated.
The faithfulness
of Grod
is
over-
thrown, inasmuch as Christ shall not see the travail of his
The conditional scheme
soul, at least in part,
to
which
it
leads us,
is
absurd.
According
to
of salvation
it,
the elect-
ing love of the Father, the redeeming grace of the Son, and
the regenerating power of the Spirit must be all conditional.
And
the condition of all these must rest wholly with the
creature, either to perform or not perform
it.
And
thus in

foot,
were the scheme true, and any saved by
be indebted
to their
own
it,
they must
And
exertions for salvation.
God
99
so the
is
wholly subverted, and salva-
The universal phrases used
in Scripture, respecting the
doctrine of the grace of

tion
by works
restored.
death of Christ, sometimes mean,

all characters, stations,
and
men
of all nations
in all generations
of
There was a particular reason for using these uni-
number.
versal phrases, at the introduction of the Gospel.
The Jewish
dispensation confined the Church to that nation.

difficult to
It
was
bring the Jewish Christians into a belief that the
grace of God, under the
New
Testament, was to extend to the
Peter, himself, does not appear to have been fully
Gentiles.
satisfied
men
a very great
on this head, until he had a vision from heaven, of
a great sheet containing
all
manner
of beasts
and creeping
things; and heard a voice saying, " Eise, Peter, slay and
eat."
And
at the
same time,
messenger from Cornelius, the
to explain this to
Eoman
him, the
Centurion, had arrived,
informing him that their master had also seen an angel of

the Lord,
who
desired
him
to
send for Peter.
In a word, the
abettors of universal redemption, or of the doctrine that
Christ died for all men, to be consistent, must either re-
nounce this opinion, or go a
little
farther
and that
is,
not
only to maintain the universal purchase, but also the universal application.
is
really
Romans
more
viii,
The modern doctrine
consistent.
The chain
cannot be broken.
Foreknowledge, predestina-
tion, effectual calling, justification,
on the same
defiance. "
objects.
Who
shall
And when
of universal salvation
of blessings mentioned
and
glorification, center
the apostle throws out his
lay anything to the charge of God's
100
elect ?"
we should
speaks.
that
God
That there
for all
is
the ground of his defiance ?
men,
is
is
and maketh
yea, is risen again,
Christ
a sufficiency in the atonement of Jesus Christ
sidered in a twofold light
first,
sin, or, secondly,
it,
But
must be
con-
either with relation to the
number
the
pardoned
of sinners
That the necessity of Christ's
and saved.
he
is,
intercession.
undoubtedly a great and glorious truth.
the sufficiency of his death, and extent of
nature of
It
On what foundation?
justifieth them.
died for them
whom
consider, it is the elect only of
And what
infinite
atonement
does not arise from the number, but nature of sin
or that
the very nature of sin itself requires an infinite atonement,
by men
in order to its honorable remission, cannot be denied

of
Such an atonement
sound understandings.
pensably necessary to the pardon of one act of
is
sin,
indis-
and the
salvation of one sinner, consistently with the glory of the
supreme Lawgiver, the obligation of his law, and

tentation of his government
completely gained in the salvation of one.

tinguished into various acts,
is,
Sin,
though
dis-
in itself, one thing, one cor-
rupt principle, one vicious habit.

it is
sus-
and the end thereof may be
It is
enmity against
Grod,
spiritual darkness, spiritual death, spiritual bondage.
Contraries illustrate each other

trary to sin
now saving grace
one divine habit
and saving grace

is
is
the con-
doubtless one gracious

light,
love, life, liberty.
The reason why we distinguish the one
vital principle of
principle,
saving grace into various acts,
it
is,
is
our distinguishing between
the faculties and powers of the soul, and our viewing these
powers as acting on one and the same

able to their nature,
by
object, in a
manner
suit-
contemplating, believing, choosing
101
WBBTMINSTEB CONFESSION OF FAITH.

and supremely loving
me divine
Gtod.
principle,
viewed aa discerning and believing the divine testimony,

called faith
as choosing
and esteeming
sin
traries, sin
holiness, repentance.
one corrupt principle
is
corruption of our nature

the nature of
mony,
ness
it is
all sin
enmity
it is
in
and
and
it
called unbelief
guilty of
is
nature of
all
extent,
due
is
all
sin in
to
it.
so every act of sin includes
and
death
And
is
With
it
propriety,
that offends in one
penalty of the law in
its full
of sin, not of ten or ten

itself,
infinite
even in one
sufficiency
act, is
of Christ's
necessary to the pardon of one sin, and the salva-
tion of one sinner
and indeed
would not be necessary

ber,
the
He
infinite
as every act of sin includes the
The wages
therefore
testi-
to the divine good-
authority of the Lawgiver,
millions of its acts only, but of sin

death.
the vitiosity or
with respect
so the
it.
the rule of con-
is
to the
:"
By
with regard to the divine
therefore, the apostle .Tames says. "
point
love
it
is
as hating
it.
and disobedience.
contempt
is
and approving
to the
if this
were not the
case, it
pardon of any supposed num-
because numbers do not vary nature, nor degrees alter
species or kind.
The dispute about the extent

therefore,
the
number
of sinners
to
be
sufficient for the salvation of all
and.
doubtless,
all
accepted by them.
and on
must
of the
death of Christ,
can take place only on the second question,
this
saved by
men,
is
to wit,
That
it.
men would be saved by
it,
if it
The sacred writings clearly teach
ground the revelation and
it
is
not denied by any
offer of it to all
were
this
men
rest.
When we
speak of the sufficiency of the death and satis-
102
of Christ,
faction
perhaps we err in
in this last sense,
regulating our ideas on this great subject, by the idea

of
specie,
the surety or debtor,
by whomsoever
ought
ideas, strictly taken,
with reverence, God
property
But,
The
supreme Governor of the universe,
we must
our attention.
fix
it is
manifest, no such
not a merchant.
out of the question.
is
whether by
Let us say
admitted here.
to be
is
paid,
cancel a bond, or dis-
is sufficient to
charge a debt of that amount.
it
As a
commutation or commercial justice among men.
thousand pounds, in
And
Transferable
rectoral justice of the
is
the subject to which
the only proper idea which
we can form
of the sufficiency of the atonement of Christ is
this
a sufficient display of the glory of the divine
Is
it
character
ness, as a
of his holiness, justice, hatred of sin,
moral governor?
Is
it
sufficient
and goodmaintain
to
the authority and obligation of his law, sustain the moral

system, and give energy to his government over rational and
free agents, while
true and
room
he pardons
sin,
and receives the rebel into
After forming this idea of
favor ?
of
it,
which
is
certainly the
In the
just one, there arises another question.
what creatures
this atonement ?
Christ's atonement,
It
is it
morally
must be
we mean
still
fit
and proper
to
admit
remembered, that, by
his enduring the penalty of
the law due to sin, the execution of which became necessary

after
man's transgression, that the divine law might not be
totally vacated,
and God's moral government unhinged
the
precept being violated by the creature, and the penalty set

aside
by the Creator.
This penalty, in
its fullest extent,
being due to every sinner, he must either endure

or flv
under the covert of the
it
himself,
Mediator's atonement
to
103
proceed otherwise, would totally repeal the divine law, and
unhinge the divine government.

Therefore, in answer to the question, let
that as
all
men were comprehended
in
and as their representative in the
due
in
them
them
all
all
covenant
first
are all originally under one law or covenant
to all of
in a double
foom which they
sense, both as the natural root
and the same thing
be observed,
it
Adam,
proceed,
as they
as sin is one
and as one and the same
and, furthermore, as the Son
penalty
is
of G-od
assumed the common nature of them
all,
was made
under the very same law and covenant which they had
broken
and not only
fulfilled the
all
obedience required by the
precept, but also endured the penalty of that very
law which
they had violated, and to which penalty they had, by transgression, exposed themselves.
in his death for
ciency
them
Some have gone farther and
There
all,
doubtless, a suffi-
is,
that
is, it
said, that, considering the infinite
dignity of the person suffering and dying
who
is
age than the Son of God, the mighty God, one
robbery to be equal with God

ciency in
it for
deeper reflection, he
it
is
is
Universal Salvation.
disposed to think, the
not scriptural
it is too
much
mode
But, on
like being wise above
and he would not knowingly, for any considera-
tion,
advance anything on divine subjects, but what
by the Word of God.
is warranted
Whether the Son of God suffering and dying,
not in the angelical, but
human nature
his bearing the curse,
enduring the penalty threatened in the law given

posterity,
no
of speaking is
is
it
The writer of these
what
written
less a person-
acknowledges he has used this mode of speaking
in a note affixed to the piece on
not safe
no
who counts
his atonement has an intrinsic suffi-
the redemption of fallen angels.
illustrations, etc.,
would comport
would be a
to
Adam and
and
his
sufficient display of the glory of the divine
104
EXPOSITION
AND DEFENSE OF THE
with the glory of the divine character, the sustentation of

his government, the obligation
character, of his rector al justice,

give energy to his law,
and honor of his law, and the

and holiness
and sustain
his
angels, while he admitted the rebels to favor
that is not so easily determined.
It is
and
adequate to
"be
moral government over
and mercy, is a question
dangerous, on so great and
way to conjecture. We know little about

we know not under what law they are we
grave a subject, to give

the nature of angels
are ignorant of the divine constitution respecting them
we know
not what penalty was annexed in that constitution to their disobedience.
does
We
are sure they do not propagate a posterity as
were in the
first
man
comprehended in one federal head, as men

Adam. They may be under constitutions, and
they were not
all
We
exposed to penalties, as various as their numbers.
God took not on him the nature of

Abraham. God did not appoint the death
the Son of
are certain
angels, but the seed of
of his Son for them.
He spared not the angels that sinned, says Peter, but cast them
down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
And, says the Apostle Jude, the angels
but left their own habitation, he
reserved to judgment.
which kept not their
first estate,
hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgof the great day.
They expect nothing but destruction from
Christ.
Art thou come to torment us before the time ? said they.
ment
We
are, therefore, certain as to the second question
that there
ment
is
of Christ in the
or certainly
it
room
of the fallen angels, or offer it to
would be done;
should depart from what

is
on this subject,
not a moral fitness or propriety to admit the atone-
impossible for him to
is
lie
them
for it is as impossible that
morally
fit
and proper
or deny himself.
And
to
God
be done as
it is
it
remarkable
that our Lord declares, he will consign unbelieving and wicked

men, at the last day, to the fire prepared for the devil and his
angels.
And whoever
Epistle of Peter,
will read the second chapter of the second
and the Epistle
of Jude, will find, that this fire
105
good of the rational and moral system, to save them

vided they
all
may
God by him.
In this sense
man
be said " Christ tasted death for every
propitiation for our sins

sins of the whole world.
and not
And
give his only begotten Son
for ours only,
is
but
the
for the
G-od so loved the world, as to
him
that whosoever believeth in
should not perish, but have eternal

sufficient
pro-
accepted of Christ's atonement, yielded sub-
mission to him, and returned to

it
all
And
life."
foundation for that injunction, "
this lays a
Go preach
the
Gospel to every creature, he that believeth shall be saved
Go speak
he that believeth not shall be damned.

ple all the
words of this
tion in the
way
of the salvation of all
them only accept and submit

and King.
phet, Priest
made welcome
But, can
it
to the
to the peo-
Every legal bar and obstruc-
life."
to
men
is
removed
let
Jesus Christ, as their Pro-
All things are ready,
and
all are
marriage and the marriage supper.
hence be inferred, that
it
will comport with
the glory of the divine character, the sustentation of his gov-
ernment, the honor and obligation of his law, and the good
of the rational
finally
reject
and moral system,

the
righteousness ?
to save
such as utterly and
Lord Jesus, his atonement and
Surely not.
Such an assertion
diction in terms, for salvation
by Christ
is
is
infinite
a contra-
just a reducing
the rebel back to a subordination or submission to Christ
but
is
to suppose the sinner to
be saved by Christ, while he
prepared for false teachers, who bring in damnable heresies,
and who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, by
men
of law and Gospel.
such
telling
they shall be saved, though they oppose the constitution both
is
These two apostles show that the damnation of
as certain and as terrible as the damnation of devils
!..
106
same thing
utterly rejects Christ, is the

to be saved
God
and
is
He
not like man.
changes not.
constitutions are immutable.
riation nor
him
as supposing
and damned at the same time.
The
shadow of turning.
All his purposes
With him
first
there
is
no va-
man
covenant with
" In
or divine constitution respecting him, is immutable.
the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die ;"
and men
cannot, by their sophistry, set aside that constitution

feel the effects of it
man
as soon as he transgressed
tal
and must
die
his body instantly
the penalty, in
saved; and those
who
"
He
damned.
man,
He
God
is
He
are equally immutable.
"
and
And
as immutable as the
:
first.
he that believeth not
life,
life
but the wrath
that believeth shall be saved.

it
was counted unto him
the apostle, Heb.
ages believers to imitate
in their
Both parts of this constitution are
Abraham
righteousness."
it,
that believeth on the Son hath
abideth on him."
believed God,
en-
that shall be finally
he that believeth not on the Son, hath not

of
was
For the second covenant or divine
that believe th shall be saved
shall be
all
him must endure
reject
persons, to eternity.
constitution respecting
became mor-
its fullest extent,
dured by the Saviour, in the room of
own
they
died in a spiritual and moral sense
Abraham
vi,
in his faith
and patience,
on the same immutable foundations of faith and hope.
when God made promise
to
for
12-18, encour-
"
For
Abraham, because he could
swear by none greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely

in blessing, I will bless thee,"
etc., for
men
verily swear
by
the greater, and an oath for confirmation puts an end to all

strife
wherein God willing, more abundantly, to show unto
the heirs of salvation the immutability of his counsel, con-

firmed
by an oath
it
it is
impossible for
tion
who have
that by two immutable things wherein
God
we might have strong
to lie,
fled for refuge, " to lay
and God's oath
speaks, are God's word,
stitution, to wit, "
"
or,
He
of
But the other part
He
which the apostle
on which immuta-
Can any be disappointed
ble foundations the promise is built.
in trusting to this ?
consola-
hold on the hope set
The two immutable things
before us."
107
of the divine con-
that believeth not shall be damned,"
that believeth not the Son hath not
but the
life,
wrath of God abideth on him," stands on the same immutaGod's word
ble basis.
Lord endureth
likewise
Heb.
iv,
It is as if he
is,
let
me
As
my
It is the oath
and none swears
then
"
had
said, If
cease to exist
God
truth
wrath,
if
awfully
is
Xone speaks
for
like him,
iii,
18
ver.
Xow
the
And
"
my
he swears by himself
perfections.
they should not enter into his

not ?
The sentence
!
of the
its
my
they shall enter into
tremendous oath passed
question, chap,
have sworn in
rest."
of
passed for
is
like him.
by his own being and
this
He
and the word
it,
His oath
they shall enter into
abrupt
passed for
is
forever.
rest,
whom
to
in,
to
that
whom
is
answers the
apostle
but
So we see they could not enter
against
rest
sware he, that
them that believed
because of unbelief,"
adds, " Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left
us of entering into his

short of it."
rest,
This, one
any of you should seem
would think,
is decisive,
end the controversy about universal salvation.

serpent beguiled Eve,
die," so the
when he
told her, "
Ye
to
come
and might
But as the
shall not surely
same old serpent, speaking in the authors and
abettors of the universal doctrine, beguiles unstable souls.
108
Satan told our
first
parents, God's covenant is not
ble, the divine constitution respecting you
to frighten
and hold you back from
immortality
you eat ye
for if
manner these preachers and

constitution
"
He
only a bugbear
glory,
and honor, and

In like
shall be as gods.
their abettors say, that divine
that believeth not shall be damned,"
Though
but a mere scarecrow.
is
immuta-
is
mutable word and oath, there
is
it
stand upon God's im-
no truth, no solidity in
it
ye shall not perish, but after some years, or ages at most,

shall have eternal
Who
life.
can forbear exclaiming,
angel from heaven preach such Gospel, let
man who
Let God be true, and every
As
contradicts
for the doctrine of a dispensatiou of the
that there Christ
now
a glorious Church
the tree of
life
in this world
for
that there the river of
that there
him a
will flow,
life
men, in heaven, in
and
is
too than ever it did
now, and ever will
be,
commun-
hell,
and
that
in this world, form but one

is
the sanctifying and sav-
that saints and devils drink the same cup of sal-
vation, the cup of the Lord.
blasphemous
for
in the righteous
believe a
hell,
that there the work of conversion
Church, one body, of which Christ

ing head
among the
ion between heaven and hell, between Christ and Belial

all
liar
Gospel in
its fruits
and much more successfully

;
an
numberless ages will have,
grow and scatter around
despairing inhabitants
will prosper,
and
has,
if
him be accursed
lie,
any person
judgment
that he
may
It is too gross, absurd,
to believe,
of
God
who
is
and
not given up
to strong delusions,
to
be damned.
But while we allow the
sufficiency of the
Christ for the salvation of all
men
atonement of
at the same time
it is
absolutely certain, both from the testimony of God's Word,

and from
and experience, that many men
fact
die rejecting
it.
of his Son, those
Now
did
who
finally reject it ?
God
109
reject
it,
and
design to save, by the death

Is there
Most certainly
receive or reject the benefit of it ?
suffi-
men whether they
ciency in the death of Christ to save
The
not.
gospel-constitution assures us, that such, instead of being
saved by
and condemnation.
He
nothing.
is
will find this rejection infinitely to aggravate
it,
guilt
their
the condemnation, that light
men have
Christ will
them
profit
that believeth not shall be damned.
" This
come into the world, and
is
loved darkness rather than light, because their

" If I
deeds are evil."
had not come and spoken unto you,"
says Christ, " you had not had sin
How
cloak for your sin.

great salvation ?
shall
but now you have no
we escape
if
we
neglect so
"
It is moreover certain, that it is the natural disposition
equally of
own
souls
all
;
to reject the counsels of
man
God they appear
the Spirit of
the carnal
men,
for the natural

;
mind
without exception,
is
saved by
of
him
and
therefore all
men
God might justly

Did Christ then
it.
an absolute uncertainty, whether any should be saved
by his death or not
God
themselves, as
leave them, would most certainly reject

die at
against their
to be foolishness to
enmity against God
if left to
God
receiveth not the things of
it,
number have been
shall be so.
But known unto
Surely not.
and many more
are all his works from the beginning.
any owing
to their
own
exertions ?
Is the salvation
Were
that the case,
they would be saved not by grace but by works, and boasting would not be excluded.
Was
it
exertions that he was stopped in his
owing
mad
to Saul's
career ?
pious
No, he
110
was a chosen
a
The Scriptures most
vessel.
number were predestinated

"
viii.
Christ.
Eom.
elected according to the foreknowledge
the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit and
God
of
They were
fully declare that
by Jesus
to life
sprinkling of the blood of Christ."
"And
ber were given to Christ,
given to him shall come to him."
Peter
i,
2.
num-
that the Father hath
all
John
"A
37.
vi,
will-
ing people shall come to thee," says the Father, " in the
God determined
of thy power."
day
to give such, not only the
and salvation, but also grace to believe and

and says Christ, " No man cometh to me, except the
offer of Christ
accept
This doctrine we are
Father which sent me, draw him."
not afraid to avouch and maintain, because

the whole Bible
He
his being.
on any
and
to
it
runs through
deny God's sovereignty,
deny
is to
under no obligation to bestow his grace
is
he therefore injures none while he gives
it to
whom
he pleases.
In respect of
a relation to
all,
all
its sufficiency then,
the death of Christ bears
The door of hope has been opened
men.
to enter, or to believe
and
And
accept.
to
he that believeth
in respect of the intention of real
and
actual salvation, he died only for the chosen, or those
who
shall be saved.
But
were given to him, and

free,
and unmerited
whom
grace.
the Father will draw
by
rich,
In virtue of the atonement of
Christ, it is consistent with the honor of God, yea redounds
much
to his glory,
to save
But
all
Gospel and none
else.
know who should
finally do so ?
since it
is
certain,
who
shall
we suppose he did not
How
whenever any do
interposition of sovereign grace ?
believe and obey the
can that be possible,
so, it is
"By
owing
to the
grace ye are saved,
Ill

through
faith,
As
God."
own
their
and that not of yourselves,
for others,
free choice
it is
the gift of
he determined to leave them finally to

;
except that he strives with them, in
and ordinances, and by the
the dispensation of his word
more ordinary operations of his Spirit
declaring that
still
whosoever believeth on Christ shall not perish

thus inexcusable
to the rational
Christ, " that ye

left in
why
the only reason
because they will not.
thus
"
Ye
they are not saved
come
will not
might have
is
a fact
because in some places and nations
of the earth, where the Gospel once was, it is
is,
is
me," says
That some have been
life."
they have totally rejected and put

it
to
holy sovereignty, to their own free will,
that can not be denied
where
they are
as rational an address
is
powers of men, as ever was made to rational
And
creatures.
for the Gospel
some corrupt
it,
it
some mock
do not firmly and practically believe
it
it,
now no more
And
away.
in places
and multitudes
and thus a remnant
only shall be saved, and they according to the election of

grace.
The connection between the decree
effectual calling, is very fully
of God.
" All things
love God,
who
and
of election
clearly stated in the
work together
for
good to them that
are the called according to his purpose
he did predestinate them he called
and
Word
whom
who hath saved us and
called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his purpose and grace given us in Christ

Jesus before the world began
your calling and election sure
give all diligence to
as
many
make
as were ordained to
eternal life believed."
All this
may be illustrated by an
ing himself to the young ruler,
example.
Christ, address-
who appears
to
have been
112
what we generally
mands him
to go
a lovely and virtuous youth, com-
call
and
that he had. give
sell all
take up the cross, and follow him
Here he presents him a
sure in heaven.
him
leaves
is
him
the poor,
up
give
but
That
will.
his earthly possessions
unquestionable, because he, as the supreme Lord of the
had given them
universe,
to
him
and he might, by an
adverse stroke of providence, have justly taken them
him, as he did in the case of Job.

in that suffering period of the
of
trea-
free choice,
own
entirely to the freedom of his
Christ had a right to bid
it to
and he should have
what
and
from
it
may be
asked,
avail were this ruler's possessions to him, a few years
after this,
when Jerusalem was trodden down
and Judea
laid waste
man
probably lost his soul.
We
putting others to the same
phantly through
it
paternal inheritance.
Yet
for the
see God, in his holy sovereignty,

trial,
and carrying them trium-
to forsake his father's house
Abraham obeyed and went
knowing whither he went.

so much
refused treasure in heaven, and
he called Abraham from Ur of the Chal-
and commanded him
strange land.
of the Gentiles,
by the Eoman armies
sake of them this young
dees,
Church
all
was necessary
Beside, it
He became
God gave him none
as to set his foot on.
and
out, not
a sojourner in a
inheritance in
it
no, not
In like manner, he commanded
Moses
to abandon, at once, all his prospects in the land of
Egypt
Moses obeyed, not fearing the wrath of the King,
and preferred the reproach of God's people before

treasures of Egypt.
giveth,
Lord.
,,
Job, in like manner, said, "
all
the
The Lord
and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the
Now
it is certain,
that in the case of
Moses a choice was presented
to them,
much
Abraham and
the same as to
113

the young ruler.
But behold the
Why
he did not.
The Lord
so ?
freedom of his own
difference
left
and that ruined him
will,
They obeyed
him
entirely to the
;
but
to
them
he gave supernatural grace to obey, faith to believe God's
Word, and supreme love
to
himself as their God and portion.
young ruler was ignorant that Jesus
It appears that the
was the true God and eternal
life
he trusted to self-right-
eousness, or his external conformity to some precepts of the

law, while
it is
manifest supreme love to
God did not
was manifestly his
the
manner
the offer
is
idol
that he supremely loved, and in that
The examples above mentioned may
he trusted.
of God's proceeding with
made
to the elect
possess
The world
his heart, nor indeed due benevolence to men.
men
illustrate
in the gospel-offer
them
to all, a free choice is presented to
he gives grace to accept and obey, as he did to
Abraham and Moses

great price, renounce
earthly comforts,
if
they
all
sell
all
and buy the pearl of
self-righteousness,
and even
all
they should come in competition with
Christ they deny themselves, take up the cross and follow

Jesus.
young
As
for the others, he leaves
ruler, to the
them, as he did the
freedom of their own
will,
and
so they
do as he did, for the sake of the world, and self-righteousness,
and gratifying their
treasure in heaven.
lusts,
they reject Christ and
114
CHAPTEE
The ninth
IX.
chapter treats of man's free will.
It is evident
that though the judicious compilers of the Confession were
decided in their opinion respecting the decrees of God, yet
they by no means favored the modern doctrine of necessity,
which represents man as a mere machine, and governed as

necessarily
by motives, as the wheel
They
weight of water.
how they can be
consistent
an undoubted fact that
are as certain of
ment
man
God having
of the world,
is
it is
And
a free agent.
God
all
exists.
in indifference, but in a rational
what
regeneration,
tifies,
is
is
and
is
absolutely
free choice.
That man
and
truly and spiritually good, previously to
an opinion contrary to Scripture, which
" that the
men
Tree will consists not
in his fallen state has a power of willing or choosing,

so of doing,
it
laid his plan for the govern-
and that his foreknowledge
perfect, as they are that
to
perhaps a subject
But they knew that
too profound for the highest angels.

is
turned round by the
They do not pretend
free will, as on that of the decrees.
explain
is
are equally clear on the doctrine of
human
deceitful above all things,
heart
is
tes-
desperately wicked and
and who can know
it ?
That the

imaginations of the thoughts of man's heart are
evil,
and
evil continually
mity against God, and
is
the children of God,
truth and holiness
part,
who have
en-
Was
it
and experience.
really chosen the better
by exerting
this choice previously to
any work of the Spirit
the choice ?
Did they make themselves
their
own
Did they make
made
When
only
is
not subject to his law, neither
latent strength that they
them?
evil,
and that the carnal mind
It is also contrary to fact
indeed can be."
Ask
115
to differ
of
God on
from others?
they paid some external respect to virtue and religion,
did they not depend on this as their justifying righteousness,

to
the
rejection of
Whence came they
to
Christ and
the Gospel, to trust in

love
the whole
Gospel plan?
embrace the Lord Jesus as offered in
him
alone for salvation, and also to
and practice religion and virtue without trusting
Will they not
all
to it ?
say that this change was accomplished by
the spirit of grace renewing and changing their whole heart
and soul
This view of the subject perfectly accords with
the scriptural doctrine of regeneration and justification
by
the righteousness of Christ, the irresistible nature of divine

grace,
and the perseverance
of the saints.
116
CHAPTEE
Regeneration, which
is
X.
materially the same thing with
calling or conversion, is wholly the
effectual
Spirit of
God on
Scripture as a
the soul of man, and
beam
is
work
of divine light entering the
image of God portrayed on the soul
the
abroad in the heart
Holy
the
of the
represented in
mind
love of
the
God shed
Spirit taking possession of
the soul, and remaining therein as a fountain of living water
springing up to everlasting
enlarge in his
to
imagine that the soul of
to
imagine that the soul of
Many
man
is
wholly
of the writer 's brethren thought

It
was natural, as they had
the " scheme of doctrine" which he was controverting.
Candid men, however, admitted that while

startle the orthodox reader,
it
was calculated
to
no intelligent man, on seeing what
follows, could doubt that the idea

is
wholly
But
this language rather too unguarded.
convey
is
many
" But we are not
little of
man
soul is the subject of the Spirit's work.
passive in regeneration."
heard
may
such an opinion leads into
passive in regeneration
The
on which the reader
own mind.
But we are not
errors.
life,
which the writer intended
to
sound and scriptural.
When guarding
against one extreme,
it
is difficult to
avoid the

the
human
soul
is
an active
spirit.
It
117
can not, therefore, be
such a subject of operation as a piece of wood or stone, or
any inanimate matter under the

a natural state,
is
Man,
hands.
artificer's
in
indeed said to be dead in trespasses and
sins,
but this does not mean that men, in that
from
action.
It only
state, cease
means that they are under the power
of a moral incapacity for things spiritually good,
incapacity fixed and immovable as death

use of language which
may seem
and that
so that as no-
to favor the opposite extreme.
The
writer had in view a philosophical (so called) " scheme " of theology
which was then
rife in the vicinity of
Boston, and which afterward,
under the name of Hopkinsianism, produced

tractions in the Churches.
According
pendix.
to
it,
brief view of
affections,
inclinations, or
of the soul; but in "creating holy exercises
predicated of
exercises,"
man
for all sin
"volitions," which
and holiness
and
voli-
consists in " acts,"
God "creates."
sometimes called "the exercise scheme."

like
dis-
Indeed, no such thing as a holy or unholy nature can be
tions."
44
and
evils
given in the Ap-
regeneration does not consist in a moral
change wrought on the dispositions,
"mindings"
many
it is
Its
Hence
it
was
language often sounds
blasphemy; and nothing but their metaphysics could have
saved those who were initiated into
its
mysteries from intentional
blasphemy.
It is
profit,
a fact, which a thoughtful
mind may contemplate with some
that while Mr. Annan, in the Overture, was endeavoring to
put Christians on their guard against the ingenious subtleties of a
system which was laying waste the heritage of God in the land of
the Puritans, good
men
in other places, ignorant of danger
knowing what they were doing, were
" testifying w against
and not
him
as a
"corrupter," because he did not walk according to the traditions
and customs, and use the very phrases and modes of speech, which
to their
narrow minds seemed
to contain the essence of all truth.
D.
118
thing but infinite power can quicken the dead, so nothing
but the same power can remove that moral incapacity.

This moral incapacity does not consist in a privation or want
of rational powers, for fallen
powers which
Adam
man
has
men
it
consists
of the heart against God, including also blind-
mind
ness of
the same physical
had but
from spiritual objects
chiefly in a total aversion of the will
and enmity
all
in a state of purity
or darkness of understanding.
So that carnal
are not spiritually good because they will not, and be-
cause they see no beauty or excellency in these things

still it
must be affirmed that the enmity
the light, as well as rebels against
yet
of the will excludes
men
ITnregenerate
it.
are therefore active in this kind of death
they are active
against God, or exert their power in rebellion against him.
Conversion
powers
soul,
is,
therefore, a
and the Spirit
of
moral change upon these active
God never
but in the way of rousing the powers of the
For instance, when he convinces of
action.
human
mind to
operates on the
sin,
what
is
it,
but the man's own conscience arraigning and condemning
him
at the bar of the
law
When
he illuminates the un-
derstanding in the knowledge of Christ, what
own mind thinking, and thinking
person's
When
Christ ?
he renews the
son's heart
making a
Saviour ?
When
the person
making Christ the
desire,
able
spirit.
will,
what
Here, then,
affections,
The agency
but the
about
but the per-
of Christ as his
what
is
it,
but
object of his hope, fear, love,

is
a twofold agency notice-
of the Spirit of God,

of the Spirit of
agency of the creature.
is it,
and cordial choice
he purifies the
and joy?
the agency
free
is it,
aright,
The man
and of the man's own
God
is
is
concealed in the
conscious of nothing

but of his own perceptions and volitions
119
yet he could as
command
these
perceptions and volitions without the Spirit of God.
We
easily pluck the sun out of the firmament, as
are not sufficient of ourselves, says Paul, to think anything
And
as of ourselves.
At times they can
neither think, nor will, nor desire, nor
any duty, with heart and
pray, nor perform
thus this agency
Christians feel this from experience.
is
as
much
own minds,
much
includes
God had
This truth
no concern with the matter.

forth
by the apostle when he
work
of your
own
salvation
says, "
is
concisely pointed
Work
out therefore the
God that worketh
for it is
And
you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
responding to
this,
we
And
as if the Spirit of
creature were entirely passive; and yet as

the activity of men's
spirit.
of the Spirit of God, as if the
see that
whatever duty
is
in
cor-
required in
his law, in the Gospel he promises grace for the performance
of
it,
as will be
shown more
fully in another place.
Faith in Christ, or a union to him by faith,
mate point
in
which
ail
is
the ulti-
the steps of the Spirit's work in
regeneration do terminate.
Why does
the conscience ?
show the necessity of a Saviour,
It is to
and shut the sinner up unto the

lighten the
mind and renew the
to a cordial acceptance of
he alarm and convince
faith.
will ?
Why
does he en-
To bring the sinner
Jesus as offered in the Gospel.
All true believers in Christ are converted, and
all
converts
are true believers.

Finally, this view of the soul of man, and of the change
made upon
it
by conversion, shows clearly the
means appointed by God
fitness of the
for the conversion of sinners,
the propriety of the unconverted using them.
and
These means
120
of grace
and salvation are an address
of the mind,
and are well calculated
to the rational
to rouse
them
powers
to action.
And whenever the power of the Spirit attends, this effect

And also it shows the absurdity of the doctrine,
will follow.
"
That we ought not
to use these
means, neither read nor
hear the word, nor pray, until we be converted or believe in

Christ."
add
On
this
sin to sin,
head we are told that
and a great deal
to do so is only to
of such stuff.
But the Lord
warrants sinners, who have not the Spirit, to pray for him.
"If
"know how
being evil," says he,
ye,
to your children
how much more
good
to give
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?"
Scriptures testify that faith comes by hearing the
God.
Consequently,
and read the Gospel.
it
is
And
gifts
shall your heavenly Father
And the
Word of
the duty of unbelievers to hear

it is
an incontestable truth, that
the ordinances of the Gospel are adapted, in infinite wisdom,
both to convert sinners and promote the divine

lievers
for they are all a
powers of the
is
by
soul,
most proper address
and tend
to
awaken them
life in
be-
to the rational
to action.
effectual calling, or true faith in Christ, that
It
we obtain
a personal interest in the redemption purchased by Christ.
121
CHAPTEE
The
XI.
We
eleventh chapter treats of justification.
that sinners are justified in the sight of
quence of their spiritual union
God only
and
to Christ,
believe
in conse-
solely on ac-
count of his infinitely perfect righteousness imputed to them,
and received by
This great truth, this grand founda-
faith.
tion of our hope, is justly styled

11
by some
of our reformers,
Our ancestors
Articulus stantis aut cadentis ecclesiae."
in the
Church of Eome had long been seeking
souls in popish pilgrimages, penances,
At the Eeformation, when
found none.
trine
was
glory, they
embraced
them
was welcome
to
Israelites.
One
of
of this door of hope

fly
them
set before
it
this precious doc-
in all its scriptural evidence
with the most ardent
as the
new
fallen
manna
them says that when he

and
open before him.
rest to their
and indulgences, but
life,
And
affection.
to the
first
and
It
famished
got a view
the gates of heaven seemed to

it
was the plain preaching of
this doctrine that shook the deepest foundations of mystical
Babylon, and threw down her strongest walls.
The doctrine
of imputation, is fully taught in Scripture
a "The article by which the Church stands or falls."
10
122
Adam's
there is the imputation of
condemnation, which
their
is
we
when the
There
God
imputation of our
the
is
"
It is said,
knew no sin.
was wounded
He was made
for our transgressions."

laid,
something similar to this
is
the debt
is
sins to Jesus
sin for us,
him the iniquity
laid on
on which the sins of Israel were

There
pri-
something similar among men,
see
traitor forfeits not only for himself but for his
children.
Christ.
native consequence of
and his being their
his federal representation of them,
mogenitor, to which
his posterity to
sin to
the
assumed by the surety
though he
of us
all.
He
And
the scapegoat,
was a
figure of him.
among men, when

and demanded of him
also,
the debtor being found unable to pay.
There
is
the imputa-
tion of Christ's righteousness to the believer for his justifi-
cation
made
God
this follows
sin,
in
of course on the former.
that the sinner might be
him
"
eousness," etc.
to the believer
There
also something similar to this
is
among men, when the debtor

the privileges of a citizen,
his debt.
deny
It is very
all.
And
common
and come
liberated or restored to all
for those
If
who deny one
men would
to the
honest heart, not to give

their
is
on account of the surety paying

of these,
indeed, in this they are at least consistent,
though very erroneous.

prejudices,
righteousness of
He is made of God unto us wisdom and rightAnd then follows the non-imputation of sin
" Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will
not impute sin."
to
made the
Christ was
it
divest their
minds of
book of God, with a good and
such a gloss as will accord with
preconceived opinions, but cordially to receive the
truth from these Divine oracles, whatever
it
may
be,
we
are
persuaded there would be none to oppose the doctrine of
through the imputed righteousness of Christ.
justification,
This doctrine
deed
it is
123
is
as ancient as the doctrine of salvation
the same with
It
it.
was intimated
Gospel promise "that the seed of the
And
the serpent's head."
in-
in the first
woman should bruise

whom it is
in Abel's sacrifice, of
witnessed " that by faith he offered a more acceptable sacrifice
than Cain."
Abraham
It is testified of
was reckoned unto him
for righteousness."
" that his faith
Kom.
Here
iii.
faith is put for its object, as elsewhere the apostle says:
M After faith is come, that is Christ, the object of faith,
Thus then
no longer under a schoolmaster.
are
clear,
that the
Abraham's
of
object
unto him for righteousness.

the
law,
serpent,
all
the
the
types
and strength.
Christ,
of
such as
The prophets speak
u Surely shall one say,
This
is
or
imputed
All the sacrifices under the
manna, the smitten rock, had
couched under them.
is
Jesus Christ,
faith,
was reckoned
or the righteousness of Christ,
we
it
it
the
brazen
some way
it
out plainly
In the Lord have I righteousness
'
the
name whereby he
the Lord our righteousness/ "
It
was
shall be called,
him
foretold of
" that
he should finish the transgression and bring in an everlasting righteousness."

the Lord.
and
"
Your righteousness
In him shall
shall glory."
all
is
of me, saith
the house of Israel be justified,
Which Paul
explains,
when he
says, "
God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ."
Christ himself clearly teaches it:

M that ye
He
might have
life.
I lay
"lam
down my
come," says he,
life for
the sheep.
that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he
live.
He
that believeth not
is
condemned already. He that
believeth shall not come into condemnation."
The Apostle
124
Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, enters deeply into the
He
argument.
and
review,
mankind under
brings the whole world of
first
then of the Jews, concludes them
all
under
sin,
and shows
From whence he
the whole world to be guilty before God.
draws this conclusion, that by the works of the law, no

can be justified in the sight of God, for by the law
knowledge of
His reasoning here amounts
sin.
simple, cogent
and
gives the character of the Gentiles,
men can never be
argument
But
law which condemns them.
all
men
is
the
to this plain,
justified
are
flesh
by the
condemned by
the Divine law, as transgressors thereof, therefore can never
be justified by
is
The
it.
first
proposition
a contradiction in terms to assert that
from fact and experience
is clear,
violated the Divine law
earth that doeth good and sinneth not.
no
the truth
sin,
is
" There is not a just
not in us."
If
justified
The second
by the self-same law which condemns them.

proposition
It
is self-evident.
men can be
men have
man upon the
all
we say we have
Therefore the conclusion
is
unavoidable, that by the works of the law, shall no flesh be

in God's sight.
justified
We
must then
either be justified
by the righteousness of another, or be eternally condemned

there is no other alternative.
we
consider that man's nature
His heart
lusts.
is
renew his own heart

or black,
nature
"
much
less
is
can change his own nature ?
If
not be holy.
But
if
Who
can
we can not make one hair white
can we change our spiritual or moral
Can the Ethiopean change
his spots ?"
if
corrupt through deceitful
desperately wicked, and deceitful above
And who
all things.
This will further appear,
his color, or the leopard
the heart be not renewed, the life can
If the tree be not good, it can not bear good
If the fountain be poisonous, the streams will be so.
fruit.
Out
125
of the corrupt heart will proceed evil thoughts, murders,
Though unregenerate men may not appear
adulteries, etc.
outwardly
may
vile,
possess
God judge th
yet
many amiable
Though they
the heart.
virtues,
which render them use-
ful to society, yet the heart not being renewed, in the sight
of
Him whose
eyes are as a flame of
fire,
must
their virtues
appear essentially defective, as to principle, motive, and end.

But, supposing
men
could change their
own
yield perfect obedience to the Divine law
We
and
nature,
this
is
not
all.
have already sinned, and an atonement must be made, a
full satisfaction
must be given
able to the majesty,
and a
dignity, justice,
satisfaction too, suit-
and purity of
Him
whose honor has been stained, law transgressed, and gov-
What mere
ernment disordered.
in
any supposed space
creature could give that,
But eternal punishment
of time ?
absolutely excludes the idea of salvation.

true Christians,
it
may
With
respect to
be remarked, that whatever accept-
able obedience they offer to God, they are entirely indebted

to the grace of
so
much
God
for
it.
The more holy they
are,
they are
the deeper in debt to sovereign, rich grace
alone has
made them
to differ,
this
and consequently they can
have no pretense to justification by their own works, and

they are completely justified previously to
ence.
All
mankind
shut up under the curse of the law

cheering the truth:
of God, through
whom God
all this
new obedi-
are thus concluded under guilt, and
"
We
but how precious
are justified freely
the redemption that
is
how
by the grace
in Christ Jesus;
hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission
126
God might be
of sins, etc., that
that believeth in Christ."
just and the justifier of
Born,
" Christ is the
iii.
On
the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

this plan,
and no
God
other, there is glory to
peace on earth, and good-will toward men.

foundation laid in Zion, on which mercy
It is the scope of the whole Bible to
this plan.
the
The
is
him
end of
in the highest,
This
is
the sure
built
up
forever.
forth the glory of
set
apostle Paul counted all things but loss, for
excellency of the
knowledge of
Here mercy and
it.
truth meet together, righteousness and peace embrace each
This displays the glory of the divine character, sus-
other.
tains the honor of the divine law, the majesty
Mercy
tion of the divine government.
promise
is
sure to all the seed
true holiness are secured

sinner's enmity is slain
supreme love
all the
to
and
perfec-
glorified;
the
the interests of virtue and
the Holy
is
and his
Spirit is given
the
soul transformed into love,
God and benevolence
men, on which hang
to
law and the prophets.
There
is
est minds,
one objection, which, as
we
it
may
shall here briefly notice.
stagger some honIt has
been said
that the law, stated in the apostle's argument, by which a

sinner can not be justified,
is
the Levitical or ceremonial,
That the apostle includes the Levitical
not the moral law.
law in his argument, can not be denied
because the cor-
rupters of the Gospel in his day taught, that except the

disciples were circumcised
and kept the law of Moses, they
against which the
could not be saved

strongest manner.
But
apostle argues in the
it is clear that, in
his argument,
person can be justified by the works of the law

the whole law of Moses given at
Mount
Sinai
no
he intends
both
moral
127

and ceremonial.
This
is
evident beyond
a possibility of
doubt, for in his epistle to the Komans, where he treats de-
signedly on the subject of justification, he begins with the

Gentiles, gives their character, shows
they were, chapter
i,
how odious and
and consequently that
Now
they could be justified by the law.
it
vile
was impossible
manifest, the
it is
Gentiles were never under the Levitical or ceremonial law,
and
so could not transgress it
there
is
for
where there
imputes to them
is
He
of the first chapter.
the Jews, chapters
ii
any who will peruse the last part
then proceeds to give the character of
and
And
iii.
he here quotes a number
of passages from the Old Testament, in

"
scribed.
As
it is
is
they are
all
They are together become unprofitable
that doeth good, no not one

;
none right-
is
none that understandeth
none that seeketh after God
cher
which they are de-
written," says he, " there
There
eous, no, not one.
way.
no law,
a breach of the moral, not of the ceremonial
law, as will readily appear to
is
is
no transgression, and every transgression which he
there
gone out of the

;
there is none
their throat is an open sepul-
with their tongues they have used deceit
of asps is under their lips," etc.
Now
it is
the poison
clear, all these
evils are transgressions of the moral, not of the ceremonial
law.
Jews,
And
is
that he understands these things as spoken of the
evident, for he immediately adds,
that .whatsoever things the law saith,

are under the law
all the
that every
it
"Now we know
saith to
mouth may be
world become guilty before God."
them that
stopped,
and
And from
the
whole draws this conclusion, " Wherefore by the works of

the law, shall no flesh be justified in his sight."
Furthermore
it
is
manifest, that the law of which the
128
AND DEFENSE OF THE
EXPOSITION
apostle speaks, is not the ceremonial law only, but the moral
also
from the example which he produces of Abraham'
He shows
justification.
Abraham was
that
justified not
Now,
the works of the law, but by faith, chap. 4.

dent, that
Abraham was never under
monial law
for it
the Levitical or cere-
was not given until the days
But Abraham was under the obligation

moral, and indeed all
men
are
by
it is evi-
of Moses.
of precepts strictly
even the heathen, who have
so,
a copy of that law written on their hearts.
It is true the
moral law was not given to Abraham in form, as afterward

to his posterity at
mount
Sinai
cepts are founded in nature,
the light of nature.
but
it is
evident, its pre-
and are partly manifest from
Beside,
Abraham had
the assist-
all
ance of traditionary revelation from the patriarchs who went

before
And
him
of the law.
was not
and immediate revelation from God himself.
it
He walked
him
before
to
have performed the works
God
in a perfect way,
by his own obedience, but by
justified
ham had no
and
the apostle supposes
cause for glorying before
was counted unto him
says the apostle,
God
is
and yet
Abra-
he believed God
"Now,"
for righteousness.
"to him that worketh
reckoned of grace, but of debt.
faith.
the reward not
But to him that worketh
not,
but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith

counted for righteousness;"
Abraham.
This will appear further from what the apostle
says, chap, vii, 4, "Wherefore,
dead
to the law,
by the body
my
hopes of justification and
by
it
but
it
life,
brethren, ye are become
of Christ
we are delivered from the law."

of death
is
and this was the case with
so neither
is clear,
That
and verse
is,
as
6,
Now
we have no
have we any dread
from verse
7,
that
it is
the
129
moral law chiefly of which he speaks, for he subjoins, " Is
God
the law sin ?

the law
for I
forbid.
Nay
had not known
thou shaltnot covet."
And
monial was
and
it.
all
inward man
law
by
certainly this
;
for the cere-
and they could have
This leads us to observe, that while the
other true Christians had no hopes of
life,
being dead to the one, by the
the other by the body of Christ
itself, to
of the
;"
which Paul delighted
nor fears of death by the law
law
sin but
except the law had said
abolished to true Christians,
no delight in
apostle,
in
had not known
in verse 22, he says, " I delight
in the law of G-od after the
was the moral law
lust,
who
is
the end
for righteousness to every one that believeth
at
the same time being renewed in the spirit of their minds, the
new nature
in
them delighted
tial rule of righteousness.
21, That
given
if
life,
there
in the divine law as the essen-
Further, he says, Galatians
verily righteousness should have been
by the law.
The moral law was certainly a law given, but he

given law could give
chapter
iv, it is said,
life,
or justify the sinner.
Christ was
deem them that were under
it
under the ceremonial law, and

it
made under
affirms no
And
among them,
11
for
in
the law to re-
but the Gentiles were never
so could not be
redeemed from
and yet redemption from the law, by the blood of
was as needful
iii,
had been a law given, which could have
Christ,
them, and extended as really to believers
as to the Jews.
130
CHAPTEE
OF
The
apostle
XII.
ADOPTION
John exclaims,
" Behold
the Father hath bestowed on us that
God
sons of
his sons.
And
!"
"
in his Gospel he shows
To as many
them gave he power
to
says, " I ascend to
heirs
Adoption
is
Christ) to
to
to Christ,
and a joint heirship with him.
my God
and your God
to
And
your Father:" yours because mine.

heirs of God,
become the sons of God, even

Being united
of love
called the
how we become
as received him, (viz
that believe in his name."

tain a joint sonship
what manner
we should be
and joint heirs with
them
we
ob-
Christ
my Father and
children then
if
Christ.
an act of God's sovereign grace, whereby he
translates a child of Satan, an heir of hell, from that dis-
graceful
Son,
and miserable
state
into the
and constitutes him, through
an heir of eternal
life.
kingdom
Christ, his
Adoption was the privilege of
Saints of God, under the Old Testament, but

lege of Christians
of his dear
own son and
in a higher sense
it is
under the Xew.
Jewish Church was under tutors and governors
all
the
the privi-
The
weak and
131

beggarly elements, suited to her juvenile
tion
was comparatively
They were kept
Abraham's seed by Hagar the bondwoman.

under bondage and
The way
with their father.

manifest
while the
God hid himself comparatively
fear.
They were not admitted
from them.
of the temple
first
was not
to
much
into the holiest
in the land of
They had
rent.
troubles,
by the nations around.
The
and from
It
it
The inheritance
where they often
were sometimes driven
was not an easy matter
to look
end of these things, until they were abolished
to the
vail
not the fullness of the
Canaan was an earthly one
met with many
familiarity
was not made
tabernacle was standing.
which was reserved for better times.
Spirit,
Her condi-
state.
God's people, then, were like
servile.
and
the better things reserved for the Church actually introduced.
But under the New Testament, the Church

a state of infancy and childhood
is
emerged from
and has attained
to a state
of maturity
and
governors
which kept her at a distance from her father
but
liberty.
She
is
no longer under tutors and
admitted to intimate communion with him.
is
now
people
are like Abraham's seed
by the free-woman
God's
:
the spirit of adoption, and cry Abba, Father.
They are
mitted to clear and distinct views of heavenly things
much
familiarity with
immortality.
lievers
On
under the
God
and the
and
They have received
as Isaac, are children of the promise.
ad;
to
lively hopes of a blessed
account of these superior privileges, be-
New Testament
And to
called the sons of God.
are, in
an emphatical
sense,
illustrate this, is the scope
of the apostle's reasoning in the fourth chapter of the epistle

to the Galatians.
From which
it is
evident, that
tament saints are not only blessed with adoption
New
Tes-
in Christ
132
EXPOSITION
but enjoy the privilege in

in which
it
AND DEFENSE OF THE

its
can be enjoyed
highest and most excellent form,

until they arrive to the posses-
sion of it in heaven.
The inheritance
God and
portion
of the saints is truly great
Jesus Christ
is
their brother
God
;
is
of adoption dwells in them, leads, comforts, sanctifies
them
for glorifying
work
for their
them
fies
God
all
is for
things are theirs
all
and fits
things
them and none can be against
none can lay anything to their charge, for God justi-
them
Satan
good
God
their
the spirit
nothing can separate them from the love of God
is foiled, sin
ished, the grave vanquished, hell shut up,

to them.
subdued, the world overcome, death abol-
and heaven opened
CHAPTEE
133
XIII.
OF SANCTIFICATION.
Sanctification and regeneration differ from each other

not in kind
ciple of grace
but only in degree.
and
life
They both
fection.
this,
is
differ
in sanctification the
reared up toward a state of per-
from justification and adoption in
that they change the sinner's nature, temper, and dis-
position
ative state
making
ture.
implanted
is
same gracious principle
In regeneration, the prin-
but justification and adoption only change his
The word
and character.
holy.
And we
Sometimes
common and
find it variously applied in Scrip-
it signifies to
set apart
anything from a
profane use, to a religous purpose
Jewish temple and altar
Aaron and
thus the
The Jews were
because they were a people appropri-
ated to the service of Grod.
numbered among the
his sons, are called holy;
because dedicated to the service of G-od.

called a holy nation
rel-
sanctification signifies,
They dwelt alone and were not
nations.
they were distinguished from
By
ceremonial institutions,
all nations,
and the observa-
tion of these institutions constituted a ceremonial holiness
134
AND DEFENSE OF THE
EXPOSITION
but the sense in which we understand the

It signifies that
superior.
which amounts
to
Word
is
much
moral purity of nature and
life,
an imitation or resemblance of the divine
purity.
Sanctification is therefore the
God on
work
of the
Holy
Spirit of
and more
the regenerate, whereby they are more
enlightened, quickened, and conformed to the holy image of
God
until they come to be fully ripe for glory.
purpose speaks the apostle, Though our outward

yet our inward
is
To
man
renewed day by day, and again, grow in
grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
path of the just
this
decay,
is
compared
The
the shining light, which
to
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Our
sanctification springs from a living
and
faith in Christ's death
blessing of the
Word and
new
resurrection.
covenant, and
is
and
life
efficacious
accomplished by the
Spirit of Christ dwelling in us.
able obedience in the heart
and
It is a purchased
True and accept-
obedience proceeding
from faith in God and supreme love to him
obedience
which sincerely regards the divine law in the hand
of a
mediator, and the pattern which Christ hath set us, as

rule
God
obedience, which
as its chief end,
soil of
is
is
its
ultimately directed to the glory of
a plant that grows only in the rich
Gospel doctrine, and must be daily watered and
refreshed by the blood of Christ.
very image of God.
Virtue of this sort
Wherever we
see such a person,
is
the
we
see
the liveliest image of God, that can be seen in this world.
We see God himself dwelling

We are far from thinking
perfection in holiness in this
in
him and walking
in him.
that any of the saints attain

life.
It is at the
moment
of
135

death they attain
The leprous house under the law,
it.
in
being perfectly cleansed, behooved to be pulled
order to its
Those who talk of their attaining perfection, give
down.
sufficient evidence that they are lost in the deepest ignorance
of God, of themselves, of his holy law,
own
their
which thus
of sin,
fulness of
in
it,
They are
aim
sincerely
whole man.
the
but not perfectly in any
at perfection in every grace
His righteousness covers
him insured
grace in
There
in holiness.
nor the deceit-
to destroy doth chiefly con-
and
It is their glory also, that they are all com-
plete in Christ.
is
power
indeed renewed in
are
in every duty.
there
them up with pride

its
sanctified in every part
They
part.
lifts
which
Believers
sist.
and the vileness of
They know not the exceeding sinfulness
hearts.
is also
to
defects,
all
and
them, for perfecting them
among
a comparative perfection
them, in respect of which some attain far higher degrees of

grace and holiness than others.
sin
may
rage
and
within them, yet
it
is
severe
this warfare they

is safe.
Their
the battle
may
intervals the
Lord
And
great
it is
conflict
may
life is
receive
distress
dominion
many wounds
the deeps of the sea
all
life
The event
of
and at
ground; but the
to gain
ways and heal them.
but
and in
but their
hid with Christ in G-od.
enemy may seem
In them
mortified.
spiritual warfare
again and have mercy on them, and cast
it is
though
and
often appear dubious to themselves,
will see their
will again
certain,
disorder
shall never obtain the
more and more
will be gradually
there
create
He
will return
all their sins into
because he delighteth in mercy.
and again renew the work of grace in them.
worthy of observation, that he renews
it
in
much
He
And
the
136
same manner as he began

tions
it
at
He
first.
revives convic-
gives a fresh alarm to the conscience
under a deep sense of sin and misery
brings them
and then proceeds
give a renewed manifestation of Christ the Saviour
to
raises
the soul to the renewed exercise of faith in him, and deep
repentance toward God.
We
have said already, that the Spirit of God, even in
regeneration, never operates on the soul of man, but in the
way
is
awakening the powers of the mind
of
This
to action.
When
true especially in the work of sanctification.
he
begins his operations, which are necessary to regeneration
he finds the soul in that state which

spiritual
ignorance
devilish.
But
and the
part enlightened
ened and purged
newed operations
life is
love,
in
affections in
but by the
spirit of grace is in
more sparingly
re-
them as a
springing up to everlasting
holy affections and good works
in
and increased, and
renewed convictions, acts of
ously, sometimes
is
some measure puri-
never totally lost
The
the
the conscience awak-
of the Spirit is fanned,
well of living water
delivered
is
The understanding
the will renewed
called forth to action.
up
the soul
in regeneration
and the
This divine
springs
God
affections, earthly, sensual
from the dominion of this death.
fied.
emphatically called
the will in a state of enmity against
conscience slumbering
and
is
The understanding clouded with
and moral death.
life.
It
faith, repentance,
sometimes more copi-
but never entirely ceases.
This view of the subject serves to show, the infinite wis-
dom
all
of
God
in his various
which are calculated
new
their hopes
and
modes of address
to stimulate
fears.
them
to his people
to action
to re-
" Let us run with patience
137

Let us so run that we
the race set before us.
may
obtain.
Let us take heed lest a promise being left us, of entering

into his rest,
we escape
any of us should come short of
we neglect
if
toward the mark, that

calling of
it
God
so
may
in Christ.
into subjection
lest
great
but
if
under
my
body, and bring
If ye live after the flesh ye

spirit,
do mortify the deeds
To the same purpose are
of the body ye shall live."
all
the
warnings and threatenings contained in
And on
the AVord of God.
wisdom
shall
press
while I preach Christ to others, I
ye through the
precepts, promises,
How
it.
salvation.
obtain the prize of the high
I keep
myself should be a cast-away.

shall die
the same plan
we
see the infinite
of God, in appointing all the institutions of the
Gospel, such as the reading of the Scriptures, hearing the
Word
preached,
the holy Sabbath, the
holy sacraments,
prayer, brotherly admonition, reproof, meditation, self
and renewing our covenant with God.
ination,
the whole, the grand

to
behold the
death,
Lamb
mean
of our sanctification, is frequently
of God.
we obtain the
exam-
To sum up
In him, in his sufferings and
clearest views of the vileness of sin
around his cross the terrors of God's justice stand in terrible

array, while
mercy shines on us from thence with the most
amiable luster.
its glory,
Here the love of God
ing aspect.
manifested in
all
In the face of Jesus we see the glory of God,
and are transformed

glory, as
is
and holiness puts on the most winning and charm-
into the
same image from glory
by the Spirit of the Lord.
to
138
CHAPTER
The
general
is
enings, histories, doctrines
cord
saving faith
by the
of
Divine faith
the belief of a testimony.
The whole Word
God,
believeth not
is
of
the record
and
is
the
that grace wrought in the heart of a
Spirit of
God
whereby he believes the
He
concerning his Son Jesus Christ.
re-
that
God hath made him a liar; because he beGod gave of his Son and this
that God hath given unto us eternal life,
;
this life is in his Son, 1
John
to saving faith, not only that
we
believe in the declared end
but also that we
And
it is
It is
facts.
God became man
obeyed and died
the salvation of sinners.
and design of these
recorded not only that the Son of
made under the law
It is essential
v, 10, 11.
believe the history of facts
recorded in the Gospel concerning Christ
we have
the be-
But more particu-
and promises.
lieveth not the record, that

is
is
God
It extends to precepts, threat-
object of this divine faith.
sinner,
Faith in
fourteenth chapter treats of saving faith.
lief of the divine testimony.
larly,
XIV.
was
but that he did so for
manifest, that wherever
the history of Christ's obedience and death, there
another idea that accompanies these
is
they are always point-
ed out as the foundation on which we
may
expect eternal
139
And
life.
a belief of the facts, without looking for the end
would amount
of them,
to
And were
died in vain.
a belief, that Christ obeyed and
all
we should have
the last;
men to believe the first, without

men believing that Christ
all
obeyed and died to no purpose.

Faith in Christ
He
him.
is
revealed, offered,
frequently represented as a receiving

to a lost world,
We
and he
a gift
is
The
in a testimony.
gift is
or receiving the testimony
by believing
it.
when we
God
and conveyed
therefore received
which conveys
report,
is
the gift of
are said to receive a testimony or
believe the truth of
believe the report to be true,
we
When we
it.
are said to reject
do not
receive the report of the Gospel is therefore to believe
But
be true.
this belief
must extend
to the
end and design of them
that
nal
life
so,
in order that
to
but also
is,
we must
believe it to be true, not only that Jesus obeyed
but also that he did
it
whole report,
as has been said, not only to the record of facts

to the gracious
To
it.
and died:
we might obtain
eter-
through him.
The history
of the Gospel is not the only object of faith
but the promise also of eternal
life
in Christ is so
believe the truth of the promise, is no
more than
and
to
to believe
the declared end and design of Christ's obedience and death
which necessarily implies a trusting in Christ

life.
And
without
But
it,
it is
Christ.
for eternal
this act of trusting is so essential to faith, that
faith can never correspond fully with its object.
not for the salvation of others that we trust in

No,
that there
is
it is
for our
own
salvation.
general belief
salvation in Christ for men, will not calm the
alarmed conscience of an awakened sinner.
He
feels
him-
140
self
to
condemned and miserable, and he must have a ground
hope for salvation to himself, before he can find rest to
He can
his soul.
less
he eat
drink
life,
it
it
not be nourished by the bread of
nor refreshed by the water of
life,
he can not be healed by the leaves of the tree of
unless he apply them
he can not be sheltered from the
storm, unless he retreat under Christ's shadow

trust
un-
life,
unless he
and reliance on him
own
for his
by an act of
This par-
salvation.
ticular application in faith, is pointed out in these words
" Surely shall one say, in the
One
and strength.
Lord have
am
shall say I
I righteousness
the Lord's."
If this doc-
trine of appropriation in faith be set aside, it will exclude
For
faith from the world altogether.
ground or warrant
it is
clear another has as little
predicament.
if
The consequence
and
is
all
man have
one
to believe in Christ for his
men
own
no
salvation
same
are in the
plain, there is not a per-
son on the face of the earth, that does believe, or has any
ground
to believe in Christ for
must
only evasion here,
be,
his
that
own
one
The
salvation.
man
believes
in
Christ for the salvation of some other person, and that other
person believes in him for the salvation of the former
thus we should have
none
for themselves
all
men
such a faith
believing
is
for
And
without appropriation there could be no faith at

;
and yet without

Lor
the Church.
all
in general to be true.
able with
God's
that
Word
sin,
it,
and
and
chimerical and absurd
without foundation in Scripture or reason.
world
others,
therefore
all in
the
there would be no unbelief in
church members will allow the G-ospel

Unbelievers in the Church are charge-
only in not believing the truth
with application to themselves.
of
They do not

and
believe the law in this manner,
so are not
141
alarmed
consequently see no necessity for applying the comforts of
They
the Gospel.
is
true
man
which
rest in a general opinion that the Gospel
falls far short of the lively faith,
own
trusts in Christ for his
therefore the
main point
It is that alone
in faith.
designates a person a believer, and the want of

It is the hinge on
liever.
by which a
Application
salvation.
which the decision
it
is
which
an unbe-
of our charac-
ter as believers does turn.
This application in faith of
its
glorious object, does not
proceed upon any previous knowledge, that the person has of

his election
more than
nor that Christ died intentionally for him
for others
impossible to come to the
for it is
knowledge of these things, but in consequence
Nor does
to believing.
it
of,
or posterior
go upon the perception of any
good qualities in the sinner, to distinguish him from others.
Every good quality in the soul
unlimited and gracious
free,
is
But
therefore cannot be the cause.
the fruit of faith, and

it
proceeds solely on the
call, offer
and promise of the
Gospel to the chief of sinners; the sinner perceives, that

the
call,
offer,
or promise is addressed to
Though
others.
his
character described.
the halt
God
and the
him as
name be not mentioned; he

Bring in hither the
blind.
And
so
poor, the
well as
sees his
maimed,
he ventures on the grace of
and throws himself over on divine mercy and
fulness.
He
faith-
did not find his name mentioned in the accu-
sations of the law,
and yet justly applied them
justice he applies the free
though his name be not
and general
He
specified.
same manner as the lepers did
if
with equal
offer of the Gospel,
reasons
we stay
much
in th e
here, said they,
142
we must unavoidably perish if we go out to the camp of

we can only perish. They went out with a
;
the Syrians,
peradventure, but their peradventures were soon turned into
a glorious certainty; and so
it
is
often with
distressed
souls.
This leads us to remark, that saving faith admits of vaIt
rious degrees.
may
be weak or strong,
just as the truth of the testimony believed
mind and
evident to the
fully,
great
more or
is
less
as the character of Glod, the speaker,
appears more obscurely or clearly.
and
little or
If these appear, clearly
then we will believe with a full assurance.
It is
not without reason, that our Protestant divines plead for a

fiducia, a confidence, or assurance in the very
in a greater or less degree
just according to the assurance
timony, that
it.
we may be
we have
if
it
at
And though
all,
it
it,
we
and
if
or believe
be strong, our faith
our assurance of the truth of
our faith will be weak

truth of
of the truth of a tes-
said to give credit to
If our assurance of the truth of
will be strong
nature of faith,
for in the nature of things, it is
it
be weak,
we have no assurance
will have no faith or belief of
it
of the
at
all.
the truth of the divine testimony be invariably
the same, yet
it
does not always appear so to the believer.
It is only in proportion as the Spirit of
and impresses
God
elucidates the
on the mind, that he can dis-
truth of
it.
cern
It is his office to take of the things that are Christ's,
it.
and show them unto

faith,
sense.
must be
us.
it
This assurance in the nature of
carefully distinguished from the assurance of
The assurance
of sense, is a firm persuasion that
are already in a state of grace,
and
is
we
grounded upon our
Christian experience, or a perception of the distinguishing
143
But the assurance
marks
of saving grace in
has
dependence upon the evidence of the truth believed
its
which, in saving faith,

lie,
speaking in his
mind by the Holy
us.
who cannot
the authority of God,
is
Word
and
of faith
made evident
this
We
Great things are ascribed to faith in Scripture.

justified
by
faith
by
sanctified
it
and
which overcometh the world, even our

shield
And
by which we quench the
Faith
faith.
the
in the eleventh of the Hebrews, the greatest achieve-
and yet
faith itself, as
this world,
an act
Isaiah
hearing Christ's voice.

It is a
shall live."
coming
lv,
are ascribed to
of the
" To as
gift.
him.
"Look
many
mind,
"I
sat
It is a
Hear and your

"
Come
to
me
souls
all
ye
It is to receive Christ as
To look
as received him," etc.
are neither able to
down under
repre-
is
to me, all ye ends of the earth," etc.
down when we
longer,
"
to him.
that are weary and heavy laden."
sit
is
wicked one.
sented as the most simple, easy thing in nature.
are
this is the victory
fiery darts of the
ments that were ever done in

faith
to the
Spirit.
to
It is to
walk nor stand any
his shadow," etc.
Hence
it
is
manifest, that the whole efiicacy of faith, is derived from
By faith we
its object.
are united to Jesus Christ,
invests the soul with a kind of omnipotence
and
it
for its object is
the omnipotent Saviour, and thus the believer can look back
on
all
that
out fear.
is past,
He can
and forward
do
ing him, and endure
all
all
to all that is to
come with-
things through Christ strengthenafflictions, as
seeing
him who
is
invisible.
We
have
saving faith
said, that the

is,
immediate ground and warrant of
the free, the generous, and unlimited offer of
144
" Go, says
salvation in Christ, to ail that hear the Gospel.
and preach the Gospel
Christ,
believeth and
ing,
is
to every creature
and hearing by the Word
offers of salvation to
men
that all
facts
and
set before
which they will
men
believe, or not believe, as the evidence
enough, and would be just
too,
This
of sin
is
This gift
us.
death, but
He
our Lord Jesus Christ.
God hath made him

hath given
The
to
is
the gift of
a liar
us eternal
eternal
God
But
facts.
is
it is false
when we
will appear so to be,
that in the ministry of the Gospel, a gift
by
plausible
is
were the Gospel no more than
a collection of speculative truths and
to be received
facts of the
the evidence of these truths and
appears or does not appear to their minds.
and dangerous, and
Gospel, to
we can do with
and
propriety, is only to testify the bare truths
Gospel,
he that
Some have, indeed,
of God."
alleged, that it is improper, in preaching the
make any
Faith comes by hear-
baptized shall be saved.
is
consider
presented to us
"
life.
The wages
eternal life through
that believeth not the record of
and
life,
this is the record, that he
and this
life is
in his Son."
salvation of sinners is ever represented, as the end pro-
posed by Christ, in his obedience and death

to preach these truths
blessed end and design

salvation or eternal
through Jesus Christ.
and
;
life,
facts,
and
it is
absurd
without pointing to their
or in other words, without offering
as the free gift of
And
truly,
men can
God
to sinners
not, in the scrip-
tural sense of the words, believe that Jesus is the Christ,
that he obeyed and died, as recorded in the Gospel, unless
they believe in him for eternal

vation presented to
them
life,
in him.
or receive the gift of sal-
True Christians not only
believe something concerning Christ, but also believe in
him
145

They not only
something.
for
believe that he obeyed
and
but also trust in him for their own salvation, as the
died,
declared end and design of his obedience and death.

saith the apostle Peter, "
We
of our
Lord Jesus we shall be saved even as they."
Christ
commanded
When
his disciples to go into all the world,
preach the Gospel to every creature, he surely did not
and
only, go
tell
Tor
believe that through the grace
them that the Son
of
mean
God obeyed and died
and rose again, while they concealed the grand end and
rious purpose for which he did so
and
glo-
but go and proclaim
no,
liberty to the captives, salvation to the lost, life to the dead,
pardon and peace
to the guilty,
and eternal
heirs of hell, through his obedience
whole Gospel
"
Unto you
sent
him
to light
is
is
felicity to the
and death; hence the
often comprised in its blessed end
the
Word
of this salvation sent.
to bless you, etc.
by the Gospel.
Life
and design,
God hath
and immortality are brought
Go speak
to the people all the
words
of this life."
This
life
must be preached
to every creature, " Freely
The
have received, says Christ, freely give."
made
to all without exception.
offer
ye
must be
The promises must be
pre-
sented to sinners, in connection with the history of truths
and
facts, to
be embraced by them as an object of faith.
It is absurd to suspend the offer of the Gospel on
any good
quality, whatsoever, to be previously produced in the crea-
ture
call it contrition, humiliation, repentance, or
other name.
by any
It is true, none will ever fly to Christ until
they be sensible of their danger.
But
to
suspend the
offer of
salvation on this or anything else, would be going blindly

to
work
for
12
how
shall Gospel ministers
know, who are truly
146
sensible of their sin
Who
and misery, and who not ?
And
it
clear,
is
have
who not ?
attained the necessary degree of sensibility, and
from experience, that those who are most
awakened, are most ready to complain of the hardness of

their hearts
It
is,
want
their
of true repentance, contrition, etc.
therefore, safest to proceed in the
himself hath marked out

all
to invite all to
to take it without
to
come and take the water of
money and without
no qualifications necessary
human
kind,
who needs a
we may not come
tion, unless
practiced
of
but that he be a sinner
We
We must come
to
must come as we
unbelief, or
It is therefore dangerous to teach,

to Christ, nor trust in
we have previously repented
new
life freely
We know
and can never prepare ourselves by
keeping at a distance.
that
price.
Saviour.
Jesus as sinners, the chief of sinners.

really are,
the Lord
to entitle a person to the offer of
grace and salvation through Christ

of the
way which
throw the Grospel net among
obedience.
him
for salva-
of our sins,
and
147
CHAPTEE
The
XV.
fifteenth chapter treats of repentance
pentance
is,
It is said, the
Ee-
life.
Lord repented that he had made man, and he

In this case
repented concerning Nineveh.
God
unto him are
is
of one mind,
all his
points out, not
it
The Divine mind cannot
a change of mind, but of conduct.

change.
unto
in a figurative sense, ascribed to G-od himself.
Known
And it is
and who can turn him.
works from the beginning.
worthy of our attention, that the supreme Euler always

adapts his dispensations to the moral state and character of
When
a nation or people.
old world, it
Nineveh repented
it
was the
Jehovah says, at what time

to
Nineveh was impenitent like the
was on the brink
But when
of destruction.
object of mercy.
I shall
Accordingly,
speak concerning a nation
pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy
it
if
that na-
tion turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I
thought to do unto them.
But repentance, in
and
in this sense
conduct.
This
evangelical.
is
it
its
Jeremiah
i,
proper sense,
signifies a
6, 7.
is
ascribed to
commonly distinguished
Legal repentance
men
change of mind as well as
is
into legal
and
the fruit of the spirit of
148
bondage
and produces fear and sorrow.
It
may
be accom-
panied with an external and temporary reformation

the case of Ahab, and perhaps of Nineveh.
new
of Christ, acting as the spirit of the
And
different.
sense of sin
not only of
By
itself.
the very same thing which there
viz
and on account of
it,
death in
includes
its
it
the law
is
the knowl-
is
in the other
a percep-
a conviction that we have
this deserve the
wages of
sin,
But evangelical repentance
utmost extent.
much more
sion of the
very
in evangelical repentance,
is
tion of the obligation of the law
broken
is
consequences, but of the vile-
its evil
Therefore, there
sin.
covenant,
This repentance includes a deep
ness and odiousness of sin
edge of
as in
spirit
in this last character, he is the author of
repentance.
evangelical
But the
implies saving faith, or an apprehen-
mercy of God
in Christ.
True repentance
is
not
the effect of a bare manifestation of the power, justice, and
wrath of God in the law,

be the greatest penitents
for then the

;
damned
in hell
soften the heart, nor dissolve it into godly sorrow
tents harden in the
redeeming
fire
of God's wrath
love, of infinite
would
such a manifestation does not
mercy, as
it
such peni-
but a discovery of
reigns through the
blood of Christ, effectually melts the sinner into grief for sin,
hatred of
dons
it
it,
and love
through the
this divine
find
Zechariah
good God, who graciously par-
atonement of his dear Son.
And
temper necessarily implies the strongest resolu-
tions against sin,
We
to that
infinite
and endeavors
after true holiness.
repentance thus stated in the divine oracles,

xii,
10:
"They
shall look on
have pierced and shall mourn.'

Jesus bleeding on the
cross,
'
him whom they
It is impossible to behold
as a victim to justice for our
149

and immediately turn from that sight
sins,
The prophet
sion of sin.
pented.
Turned, how
to Christ
but by
Christ
faith.
commisI re-
cannot turn
exalted a Prince and a

receive
any
Surely by faith.
blessing from Christ ?
soul
is
But how do we
Saviour to give repentance.
Indeed, the divine
We
Surely by faith.
to the
was turned,
says, After I
life is
one gracious principle in the
but receives different designations, from the different
which
lights in
mony
it
sin, it is called
there
views
As
its object.
of the Gospel, it is called faith
is
repentance,
etc.
believing the testias exercised about
thus in the order of time
no priority or posteriority of one grace
to another.
But
in the order of nature, repentance is posterior to faith.
We
insist the
pentance
much
nary
is
more on
this,
because teaching that true re-
prior to faith, necessarily involves the soul in

It is to point out
perplexity.
bringing a price for the water of

person
first to
we must come
and
blind.
life.
it is
insisting on our
It is like teaching a
heal himself, at least in part, and then come
to the physician
to
something as a prelimi-
our acceptance of the Saviour
to
whereas the Gospel teaches uniformly that
to Christ as
We
we
are
poor
and maimed, halt
must not delay one moment, thinking
Were
become true penitents.
first
this notion embraced, great
doubts would arise as to what degree of repentance
is
pre-
viously necessary, and whether the person possess that degree.
The Gospel plan
cannot draw near

there
is
to
be of good cheer, rise immediately,
is:
behold he calleth thee.
him
Many
times God's
own
children
in the character of penitents.
another character in which they
But
may always come
as poor miserable sinners that need a Saviour.
150
EXPOSITION
AND DEFENSE OF THE
CHAPTEE
The
XVI.
sixteenth chapter treats of good works.
Eeligion
and
is
justly distinguished into two branches
practical.
important.
that
it
tice
be good.
It is difficult to say
avails little
Not
what a man's
way
is
most
who say
of speaking pro-
may
be good
certain that loose
it is
principles will produce loose practices
it
may
be remarked
cannot be of small importance, whether the same mind
be in us which was also in Christ Jesus.

as
of religion,
that our practice
while our principles are bad, whereas
that
doctrinal
principles be, if his prac-
to insist that this

;
which of them
They give a distorted view
ceeds on a false hypothesis
it
Good works
and sincere repentance.
are the native fruits of saving faith
God
Whether we think
thinks, or think in direct opposition to
him
or in
we be taught by the Spirit of God or

and have communion with God, angels, and the spirits
other words, whether

not,
of just
men made
perfect, or not.
The Word
of
God
that Jehovah searches the heart and trieth the reins
a man thinketh in his heart,

And a good man, out of the
bringeth forth good things
testifies
;
and as
so is he, in his estimation.
good treasure of his heart,
and an
evil
man, out of the
evil
151

treasure of his heart, bringcth forth evil things
for out of
the unsanetified heart do proceed evil thoughts, murders,

adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness,
and blasphemies.
This shows the necessity of our being renewed in the spirit
Make
of our minds, in order to a holy life.
and
its
fruit shall be good, says Christ.
the tree good
In the foregoing
chapters our Confession treats of the great and fundamental
This
doctrines of religion.
In this
the foundation.
is
it
treats of good works, which are like the superstructure.
And
this is correspondent to the form of the apostolical
epistles,
which begin with the doctrines and conclude with
the duties of religion.

the tenor of the
new
Yea, this scheme answers exactly to
covenant, in which grace
enable to the performance
And
of duty.
John xv, that we must be united
to
him
is
promised to
Christ shows,
before
we can bring
forth fruit.
good works, that they be
It is essentially necessary to
quired by the law of God.
Human
with no acceptance before God.
re-
inventions can meet
In vain do they worship
me, says he, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
By good works we understand,
men.
obedience to the whole
moral law, comprehending our duty to God and
what
are
virtue.
gard
commonly
called the duties of religion
pretended zeal for religious duties, without a
to virtue, is gross hypocrisy.
attention to the duties
we owe
to
re-
God, must stand on a very
and hardness
The two conjoined, and proceeding from true
in Jesus Christ, supreme love to God,

to his glory,
or
Moral virtue, without an
insecure foundation, and argues gross stupidity

of heart.
man
and moral
faith
and ultimately pointed
form the truly great and noble character.
152
The great importance
of good works, in this view, will
appear from the following considerations: First,
it
the
is
great end of all evangelical and practical principles, that
reduce them to practice.
no use at
we reduce them
unless
all,
They are
to practice,
but vain speculations, and their nature and design

dicted
way
and defeated.
It
of righteousness,
had been better not
than
after
from the holy commandment.
we have known
If I
against light,
but now
is to
it,
to
sin,
that
To
is,
To sin
ye have no cloak for your sin.
is to
turn
had not come and spoken
sin with a high hand.
the light of the Gospel,
contra-
is
have known the
to
unto you, says Christ, you would have had no

comparatively
we
Indeed, practical principles are of
sin against
despise the riches of redeeming
good works, as above described, we become like God.
By
He is
His goodness extends
to all,
and do despite
love,
Secondly,
Spirit of grace.
and ever doing good.
good,
and
to the
his tender mercies are over all his other works.
goodness
is
manifested in two ways
in giving
His
and forgiving.
In like manner true Christians must conduct themselves
and thus they become living images

in them,
and
glorified
by them.
of
God
God
is visible
Thirdly, It was one grand
end of the whole of Christ's undertaking, of his incarnation,

obedience,
and
sufferings, to destroy the
and consequently
to
promote good works.
obedience satisfied the
law
for
us in
therein he set us an example that

steps.
devil,
Beside, while his
its
covenant form,
we should
follow his
Fourthly, Good works are the fruits and evidence of
our union to Christ.
ye bring forth
tree
works of the
much
"
Abide
fruit."
in me,
And
and
I in you, so shall
he declares that every
which beareth not fruit shall be hewn down and cast

into the
up
They
Fifthly,
fire.
His Spirit
believers.
to everlasting life
to
He worketh
do of his good pleasure.
heaven are promised
my
me meat;
who have
them both
in
" I
was hungry and
and ye gave me drink,"
thirsty,
Blessed are the dead
life.
of
good works: " Come, ye blessed of
to
their fruit unto holiness, shall in the
everlasting
to will
The rewards
Sixthly,
Father, inherit the kingdom," etc.
ye gave
of life springing
they through the Spirit do mortify
the deeds of the body.
and
arc the fruits of his Spirit in
them a well
in
is
153
who
All
etc.
end obtain
die in the Lord,
they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.
Seventhly, It
may
be said, this
is
heaven come down into
the soul of man, and a high anticipation of the glory to be

revealed.
Eighthly, This
is
" I
the end of our election.
have chosen you," says Christ, " and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit."
We
regeneration.
Ninthly, The end of our
workmanship created again in
are his
Christ Jesus unto good works, which G-od hath before ordained, that
we should walk
The whole doctrine
in them.
of the grace of God, in justification, adoption,

tion,
lusts,
and
sanctifica-
teacheth us, "that denying ungodliness and worldly
we should
live soberly, righteously,
present world."
And
life
and godly in this
spent in the service of
joicing, the testimony of our conscience
and godly
sincerity, not
grace of God,
that in simplicity
we have had our conversation
in the world."
am now ready to be offered," says Paul, " and

of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good
13
my
course.
will
with fleshly wisdom, but by the
" I
have finished
God
" This is our re-
afford pleasant reflections on a death-bed.
have kept the
faith.
the time
fight.
Hence-
154
forth is laid
up
for ine a
crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to
not to
me
only,
but to
all
them that
me
at that day
God will render to every man according to his works

them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek
glory,
ii,
7.
and
love his appearance.
and honor, and immortality, eternal
life."
to
for
Eomans
155
CHAPTEE
The seventeenth chapter
On
saints.
this subject it
XVII.
treats of the perseverance of the
may
he of great service to state
The
the question with precision.
question, then, is not,
whether some, who have made a shining profession of
may
gion,
not totally and finally
have been not a few of such
is not,
away.
reli-
Doubtless there
as Christ teaches in the para-
The
sow his
seed.
whether true believers
may
not,
sin,
the strength of
ble of the sower
question
who went
fall
to
power and prevalence of indwelling
Secondly,
through the
temptation, and the allurements of the world, fall far back
from former attainments in grace and holiness.

not be denied.
G-od's
them.
It is manifest
Word: but
it
is
This can
from several instances in
clear that grace again revived in
They were restored
to repentance.
And
it is
a great
proof of the wisdom and mercy of Glod, that such instances

are recorded
may
that when God's children are cast down, they
not utterly despair
ing, said,
Two
as one, not without a good
things give
me
great consolation
fection of Christ's righteousness,
the saints.
mean-
the
per-
and the imperfections of
Thirdly, The question
is not,
whether Christ-
156
ians shall persevere to eternal life
which excludes spontaneity or

such thing in
human
It is inclined
be forced.
The
nature.
by a kind of
will is free
all his
mutable, yet, like
is
no
and can not
and determined by the grace of
Though God's decree and purpose
God.
necessity,
There
free agency.
of salvation be im-
other purposes respecting men,
it
does not exclude the rational choice and free agency of the
Fourthly, Nor
creature.
is
the question, whether they per-
severe in a way, that renders their
sary
Man
By no means.
is riot
own
exertions unneces-
a piece of wood or stone.
And, as has been formerly remarked, the Spirit of God never
moves the
soul,
but in the way of awakening
action.
In
a fear of
falling,
short,
its
powers to
they are kept from falling, partly through
and the hopes
of eternal life to
them that
endure to the end.
But the question
is,
whether any person, savingly united
to Jesus Christ, shall be so far forsaken of God, as utterly to
cast off fear
and restrain prayer before him, and
eternally with the
We
damned?
think not,
so perish
because the
The
purpose of God, according to election, shall stand.

foundation of the Lord standeth
sure,
the Lord knoweth them that are his.
having this
Believers are kept
by the power of God, through faith unto

gifts
and
life is
is
calling of
God
are without
hid with Christ in God
salvation.
Jesus,
There
is
and therefore when he who
after the flesh,
in
of
it,
Eom.
but after the
spirit.
cannot be broken.
God
and inseparably connected them.
The
of blessings,
made every link
him
no condemnation to them that are in Christ
who walk not
The chain
The
Their
repentance.
their life shall appear, they shall appear also with
glory.
seal,
viii,

covenant
is
well ordered in all things
the sure mercies of David
if
one
and sure
may
157
it
contains
be utterly lost for
whom Christ died, and whom he hath called and sanctified

so may ten, yea, ten thousand, and by the same reason all
Thus God our Saviour must have
that were given to him.
been uncertain, when he died, whether his blood might not
There was no certainty in these promises
be shed in vain.
made
to him, "
He
shall see his seed, etc.
He
shall see of
the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied," Isai.

if
any do persevere on
the grace of the
which leads us
new
this scheme, it
covenant, but to their
eternal rock on which the

for thee, says he, that
And
his hands.
out of
than
my
He
is
" I have prayed
My
Father, says
shall pluck
them out of
able to save to the uttermost all
seeing he ever liveth to
Who
tercession for them.
It is
God which
God
is
make
in-
shall lay anything to the charge
us who can be against us ?

the love of
is built.
fail not.
and none
God by him,
of God's elect ?
by works,
he adds, none shall be able to pluck them
hands."
that come to
all,
to
Christ's intercession is an
Church
thy faith
And
own endeavors
to the popish doctrine of salvation
in the fullest sense of the words.
he, is stronger
liii.
must be owing, not
that justifieth.
Who
If
God be
shall separate us
in Christ Jesus, etc.?
perfectly consistent with free agency in them,
for
from
All this
is
and does by
no means supersede, but rather infer the necessity of their
When
exertions.
Cyrus was told by Daniel, that he was
the person appointed by Jehovah to emancipate the captives

at Babylon, this animated the prince to give orders accordingly.
The means and the end are
and stand
in
alike in God's purpose
an inseparable connection.
Believers are chosen
158
to salvation,
but
and sprinkling
it is
through sanctification of the
of the blood of Jesus,
and
Spirit,
belief of the truth.
It seems to be the will of God, that all his purposes respect-
ing the government, and redemption of the world, should
take effect by the operation of a series of secondary causes
at the head of which subordinate series, he himself stands as
the great and
the whole
first
in a
Cause, which gives energy and efficacy to
manner indeed quite incomprehensible
but always adapted
to us,
to the nature of these secondary causes
whether they be necessary, contingent, or rational and

untary.
Finally,
we cannot
child of God, to-day,
an heir
believe that a
and a child
of heaven to-day,
and
nistration of the
much
so
of hell to-morrow
or next hour, shifting
every day and hour of
kingdom
vol-
be a
of the devil to-morrow
and an heir
and on the same scheme next day,

sides again
man may
life.
The admi-
of nature is not so fluctuating
less the administration of the
kingdom
of grace.
159
CHAPTEE
The
and
XVIII.
eighteenth chapter treats of the assurance of grace
We
salvation.
ave already spoken of the persuasion,
assurance, or certainty which
is
essential to the nature of
saving faith; founded upon the truth of the divine
mony
in the
Word
and that made evident
But the assurance treated
the Spirit of God.
chapter
is of
a different kind.
is this.
The question on the
Is the Scriptural testimony true or not ?
on this second point, the question
is.
saving faith in the divine testimony

state of union to Christ ?
lively
And
it is
and strong the direct act of
by
of in this
an assurance that we
It is
are already in a state of grace.
point
testi-
to the soul
first
But
Am I possessed of
Am I already in a
evident, that the
more
faith in the divine testi-
mony be the more r:adily shall we attain a certainty that

we are possessed of it. Faith, in this respect, may be com;
pared to the sun, which not only discovers other objects
but also
itself.
By
testimony, the believer says, I
him
his
as given to
me
commandment,
the direct act of faith in the divine
am
the Lord's
in the record of Grod,
I accept of
and according
I give or surrender myself to him.
to
We
160
know
all
service of the state
am
enlists himself a soldier in the
when a person
that
by the very act
the servant of the state
of enlistment, he says, I
so likewise
saving faith, the believer says, I
am
by the
first act
This sentence becomes true as uttered by faith.

not true before
that
is, it
and did
so
had accepted him
but
it
This plain truth
as being one of the grossest absurdities,
Now
and surrender
this acceptance
explicit
it
before he
the very
is
and what some
a manufacturing truth without evidence.
and
which such a mighty uproar has been raised,
thing, against
when
was
becomes a truth by the very
act of believing or acceptance.
fest,
It
was not true that the person was
enlisted in Christ's service, or

really was,
of
the Lord's servant.
must go
is
it is
call
mani-
clear, distinct
mind
far to free the person's
of
doubts and ascertain the truth of his gracious state.
But there
that
is
is
another
way
of ascertaining this truth,
The
by self-examination.
believer,
and
studying the
distinguishing marks and characters of true Christians, laid
down
in the
Word
finds in himself,
of G-od, comparing these with
and perceiving that he
is
possessed of
cannot help drawing the conclusion, that he
There seems to be another
state.
assurance,
on the
soul,
of God,
he
is
when by the candle

by a plerophory
and the
way
of the
what he
is
them
in a gracious
of attaining this
Lord shining clearly
or full manifestation of the love
Spirit bearing witness with his spirit that
a child of G-od
the believer
glory of divine things, and
is
doubting his interest in Christ.

of heaven, a foretaste of glory,
sensible assurance, of
is
overwhelmed with the
placed beyond a possibility of
This last
is
a prelibation
and a rare attainment.
which we speak,
is
what
believers
The
may
161

be long without, and may, after obtaining
have
it,
it
much
weakened, through the power of sin and temptation, but even
may have some
in this dark, perplexed state, they
faith in the divine
Word, and somewhat
degree of
of a lively hope in
them
the promise.
The question which
case, is not so
much, whether they believe God's Word, and
hope in
faith
it,
distresses
at least in an inferior degree
and hope be
as
in this
whether their
of the true, genuine kind.
This sensible assurance cannot be preferred without close
walking with God in

blameless.
It
all his
ordinances and
commandments
requires constant watchfulness,
diligence in the paths of religion
and godliness.
and much
We
should
earnestly study to say in the whole train of our conversation
that
we
are the Lord's.
on the Lamb's
the world.
"We should determinately appear
side, in the
grand
conflict
between him and
162
CHAPTEE
XIX.
This chapter treats of the law of God, and states a
dis-
tinction between the law as vested with the form of a cove-
nant, and the same law as stripped of that form

less this distinction is well founded.
as a covenant of works, or as
his obedience,
and his
and his death.
And
are so far under
it
life
without
either
life,
it
fulfill its
and doubt-
fly to
own
persons, or
their fallen state
and enduring
its penalty,
by an acceptance
it is
demands, and be saved.
demands
him
Adam
in that form, that they cannot enter into
of the
altogether impossible to
So that none are saved
but through faith in the righteousness of Christ
who
to
and between his disobedience
all his posterity in
In their own persons
surety.
was given
stated a connection between
fulfilling its precepts
in their
It
and
all
are saved, in agreeableness to the terms or
of the covenant of works.
It has been alleged,
that Adam's posterity are not under the perceptive part of

the covenant of works, but only under its penalty.
it
cannot be said, that the moral law
Adam's
posterity since the
the world clean of sin
fall, for
this
is
Surely
not obligatory on
would
because where there
is
at once wipe
no law there

is
The obligation
no transgression.
And
world.
be under
it,
gatory at
enant
it is
possibly be in this
the peculiar privilege of true believers to
only as a rule of
on unbelievers
all
of the precept is indis-
men can
pensable in every state in which
1G3
life.
Therefore
must be
it
if it
be obli-
in the form of a cov-
but a covenant already violated by them, and conse-
quently a covenant by which they can have no rational expectation of
life
but on the contrary inevitable death, or
the fullest execution of the threatening, if they do not em-
brace the Saviour, and the covenant of mercy revealed in
him.
This
is
manifestly the doctrine of the Scriptures;
the apostle affirms,
"As many
law are under the curse
;"
in
as are of the works of the
which sentence he distinguishes
between the precept and penalty, and supposes unbelievers

to be
And
under both.
according to him, the reason of their
being under the curse or penalty,
and indeed
precept,
ing power over men, unless
But
power over them.
I died
;"
when
that
a lively saint
is,
:
the
their being under the
it
had and have a commanding
" I was alive once without
commandment came,
sin revived
but the commandment came, or was power-
ing perfect obedience
knowledge of sin
he
felt its
authority demand-
sin then revived, for
"I had not known
sin,
by the law
known
shalt not covet ;"
when the law thus came and
lust,
is
the
says he, but by
the law I had not
and
he imagined that while a Pharisee, he was
fully applied to his conscience
he died
from
this truth is further evident
the following words of the apostle
the law, but
is
evident no law can have a condemn-
it is
except the law had said thou

sin revived,
the law slew him, or destroyed his false peace and
groundless hopes.
164
EXPOSITION
But
it
AND DEFENSE OF THE

God
will be said, does
by the covenant
life in sucli
works
of
a manner as will
none shall enter into

of precept
life
man to seek life

men to seek
require any
Grod requires all
fulfill its
demands, and declares
without a complete fulfillment both
and penalty thus the

;
obligation of that covenant
on the sinner, both in precept and penalty,
work
of Christ's obedience
and death.
the young ruler, " If thou wilt enter into
is
the ground-
When
Christ told
life,
mandments," no doubt he graciously meant

and show him the necessity
of sin,
to the Saviour
coming as a poor sinner
but he also intended
to establish the obliga-
therefore, not inconsistent
and penalty.
This obligation
with the obligation under which
gospel-hearers are to believe in Christ for eternal life
from
it,
by the
him
to convince
of
tion of the law both in precept

is,
keep the com-
that the last presupposes the
Grospel to seek righteousness
first,
so far
or our obligation
and salvation in
Christ,
proceeds on the hypothesis of the law's just demands upon

us,
both for a perfect obedience, and complete atonement.
It is the privilege of true believers in Christ, to be deliv-
ered from the covenant of works or the law in that form.
They
are not under the law, but under grace.
made
of a
woman, and made under the law
to
Christ was
redeem them
that were under the law, that they might receive the adoption of sons.
is
The
apostle says, "
Ye
are dead
and your
life
hid with Christ in Grod;" and in several places of Scrip-
ture,
they are said to be dead to the law
surely not as a
rule of duty,|but only in the form of a covenant.
are so in a twofold sense.
any conformity
They have no hopes
to its precepts, of
says Paul, " I through the law
And
they
of life
by
which they are capable
am dead
to the law.
By
the

powerful application of the law to
high demands on
its
me
my conscience,
a poor impotent sinner
vinced I can expect nothing from

all
hopes of
by
life
and how so?
He
become dead
to the
No, he
replies,
is
dead to
and thus the
all fears of
"Wherefore,
my
con-
renounce
to be
that too
means his
crucified
brethren, ye are
body
the whole of his mediatorial righteousness.
end of the law
am
but death.
By
law through the body of Christ. "
of Christ he
the body
says he, by
;
But has he not reason then
it."
afraid of its curse ?
it
165
or indeed
Christ
the
is
for righteousness to every one that believeth
sinner, united to Christ, is freed from the cove-
The righteousness
nant of works.
Their faith
all true Christians.
Not the
righteousness.
act,
of the
is
law
is fulfilled
in
counted unto them for
but the object of
faith, to wit,
Christ.
But while we zealously contend, that
believers in Christ
are delivered from the law in its covenant form, with equal
zeal
we maintain, the
them, as a rule of
obligation of the whole moral law on
They are not without the law
life.
God, but under the law to Christ

his law
upon
their hearts,
is
made
of
from
sin,
not in
it
may
be
Christ
all
the end everlasting
and man, which
Cod
the Spirit of
and puts
God unto them,
it
into their
sanctification
to
writes
minds
he saves
he destroys the works of the devil, which
summed up
bring forth fruit
in sin
they that abide in Christ,
they have their fruit unto holiness, and

life
true faith worketh by love to
love is the fulfilling of the law
hope purifieth the heart even as God
is
pure.
,*
God
evangelical
Believers are
God's workmanship, created again in Christ Jesus, unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that they should
EXPOSITION AND DEEENSE OF THE
166
walk in them.
He
of God.
The moral law
a transcript of the image
is
spared not his own Son, but would not give up
with one jot or
Holiness
tittle of his law.
is
the beauty,
the perfection, and happiness of the rational and intelligent

creature
angel
capacity,
work
ness
the possession of
the want of
and rank, a
spirit a glorious
same powers,
spirit of the
All the previous steps in the
devil.
of redemption terminate, ultimately, in perfect holi-
and
habitants
this is the glory
nifies,
and
and honors
make void
does abound ?
sin, live
it.
Shall
God
forbid.
men made
sin,
How
?
says Paul, because grace

shall we, that are
And
dead
on this head we are
not afraid to appeal to fact and experience
flourish
in-
Faith
perfect.
the law, but establishes, mag-
we
any longer therein
round and ask, whether
heavenly
felicity of the
they are spirits of just
in Christ does not
unto
makes one
it
makes a
it
us only look
let
and true
religion, virtue,
holiness,
most in those Churches, which have turned aside
from free grace unto another Gospel
where the
or in those
pure doctrines of Christ have free course and are
glorified.
To shun preaching the
cross of Christ,
moral subjects,
plucking up a few weeds in a garden,
is like
while the whole garden
preach Christ crucified,
water among the beds.
burnt up with drought
is
is
and declaim on merely
to introduce
The
first is
lopping
and more luxuriant branches from the

last lays the
ax
to the root.
but to
a stream of living
off
a few wild
tree of sin
True virtue
but the
a precious fruit
is
which flourishes only on the cross of Christ.
It is a plant
that must be daily watered with the blood of Christ.
The whole book

sense,
may
be and
of divine revelation, taken

is called
the law of
God
in
a large
and may
also
1G7
not improperly be called the Gospel, because one thing

scope and design of all its parts
God
to
conduct them
to
But taken
different
it is
of great use
and immortality.
law and the Gospel are very
and importance
distinction well, especially to
this
the
is
men back
namely, to guide
to holiness, glory
in a strict sense, the
and
to
understand
The
Gospel ministers.
Gospel, in a strict sense, includes no commands, nor threat-
ening^
it is
sinners
promise
afar off/'
you and
to
is
message of
infinite love
and grace
glad tidings of great joy
it is
and
to
to perishing
the promise
your children, and
this promise is that of eternal
the word of
words
life,
"
Go speak unto
"And
of promise.
and
life,
is
life
;"
the people all the
of this life ;" the record of God, in
given us eternal
The
This
life.
the promise which he hath promised us, even eternal

it is
"
to all that are
which he hath
this life is in his Son
the covenant
this is the covenant that I will
make with
the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord. I will
put
my laws into
and
I will be to
ple," etc.,
their minds,
Hebrews
ble, there is
and write them in their hearts,
them a God. and they

viii, 10. 11,
shall be to
12; in which
neither precept, nor threatening, but
no condition
is
stated on the sinner's part, but
me
it is
all
God
a peo-
noticea-
promise
takes the
whole work of grace, both of pardon and sanctification, into

his
own hand.
All precepts and threatening^ belong to the law, either in

its
covenant form, or as a rule of
lieve,
repent,
life.
The command
to be-
and threatening against unbelief; the command

and denunciation against impenitence
to pray, to watch, to
institutions
the
to
command
obey the Gospel, and submit to
all
its
and the sentence of wrath against the neglect
168
of these duties
But
lect of these is sin.
And
to
sin is a transgression of the law.
these do not constitute a
men on
The neg-
belong to the law, strictly taken.
new law
of grace, offering life
easier terms than the first covenant, into
which
law, some have absurdly attempted to transform the Gospel
and
by the covenant of
so to lead sinners to seek eternal life
works a
little
modated by
softened
infinite
but in these, we see the law accom-
wisdom, to the sinful and ruined state
of men, under a dispensation of grace
by the Gospel
of Christ.
It
and mercy introduced
must be granted, that the au-
thority of God, in the law of the ten

oblige the creature to every duty
commandments, does
God can
require of him,
and that in all circumstances in which he can possibly be

placed
and
therefore,
when
sinful
and
fallen,
and under a
revelation of mercy and dispensation of grace, he
bound by the law

There
is
to
embrace the
one,
harmony between them

The
serviency of the one to the other.
dience,
sin
or
demands
demands a full
law, as a covenant
to suffer the
punishment due
satisfaction to incensed justice.
demands are subservient
ceives he cannot change his
that
it
own nature
would be
create another world, another sun
as the heart
is
made
they
The sinner
per-
cannot create a new
as practicable for
and system
him
of planets
to
and
the spring of action, he perceives that unless
the fountain be pure the streams cannot be so

tree be
to
These
to the success of the Gospel,
shut the sinner up to the faith of Christ.
law and
and sub-
of the sinner a holy nature, a perfect obe-
and condemns him
heart in himself
must be
to the other.
therefore no contradiction between the
the Gospel, but a blessed
of works,
and submit
good, its fruit cannot be so
unless the
and that
therefore
169
without the renovating grace of Jesus Christ, he cannot per-
form one acceptable act of obedience

he
instances
his
own
further,
and that were
even possible for him to change
it
corrupt nature, and yield perfect obedience,
another demand remains, that
is,
ishment due
suffering the pun-
by
and thus he discerns the absolute necessity
flying to Christ.
stitute
still
full satisfaction to divine
justice for his sins already committed,
law
But
to the law.
conscious, that he has already sinned in innumerable
is
an alternative
either to fly to Christ, the end of the
In
for righteousness, or to sink in absolute despair.
and
invites the
covert of his blood
and right-
this extremity, the Gospel reveals Christ,
sinner to
down under the
sit
of
There are here, only two things which con-
eousness, which he does with great delight,
And
fruits sweet to his taste.
covenant of works in
all its
demands
that covenant, but establishes

stroy the law, but to
preach the law, in
fulfill
all its
it.
and
thus the G-ospel
it.
it
does not
finds his
fulfills
the
make void
Christ came not to de-
And
it
demands and
is
of great use, to
terrors, that it
may
be as a rigorous schoolmaster, to scourge the sinner to Christ.
The law, viewed
also
as a rule of righteousness in the
hand
of the Mediator, is perfectly
pel.
They go hand
duty
hand
in
harmonious with the Gos-
the one in pointing out our
the other furnishing grace and strength for the per-
formance of
it.
Does the law command us
Gospel says,
it is
given you on the behalf of Christ to believe
and he
is
the author
command us
and
to repent
*?
to believe ?
finisher of our faith.
Does the law
The Gospel reveals
Christ, exalted
as a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance unto
14
The
Israel.
170
Does the law require us

that the love of
to love
and says the Lord,
Spirit,
we may
The
live ?
deaf shall be unstopped

of the
The
G-ospel promises
" I will circumcise your hearts to

to hear
G-ospel promises that the ears of the

;
and the dead
shall hear the voice
Son of God.
by the
in our hearts
Does the law command us
love the Lord thy God."
that
God ?
God shall he shed abroad
to
God
pray ?
promises in the Gospel, to pour upon us the Spirit of grace
and
supplication.
us clean
The Gospel promises, that God
water upon
mand us
says, a
to
and we
us,
make
shall be clean.
to ourselves a
new heart
to
wash and make
will sprinkle clean
Does the law com-
new heart ? God in the Gospel

The Gospel is
also will I give to you.
gether adapted to the sinful and lost state of men.
men dead in trespasses and sins but he, the

was made a quickening spirit to give them life.
;
alto-
Christ finds
second
Adam,
The Gospel,
instead of overthrowing the law in any sense, establishes and

fulfills
it
in
all,
and
its
ultimate end
is
to transform sinful
them
creatures into the image of God, perfect

or bring
so
them
to that perfection
advance the glory of God in their salvation.
fore testify against the following errors.

still
may
live.
The
apostle affirms,
not under the law but under grace

of life hath
and there
Jesus."
in
any
is
made them
free
We
and
there-
That believers are
under the law as a covenant of works
that they
in holiness,
which the law requires
"
bound
to
obey
That they are
that the law of the spirit
from the law of sin and death
no condemnation to them that are in Christ
Also, the error that believers are not under the law
sense, that they
may
live as
they please, and can not

commit any
law
to
sin.
The Word
testifies
God but under law
that they are not without
to Christ.
against the error, that the G-ospel
is
We
likewise testify
new law
of grace, pro-
posing life on easier terms than the covenant of

that
if
171
works
our obedience, though imperfect, be sincere,
it
and
will be
accepted as sufficient for the pardon of our sins, and give us
title to eternal life.
172
CHAPTEE XX.
OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.
The
Sin
is
divine Eecleenier
represented, as
Salvation from
came
to save his people
darkness
is light, life,
it,
as death
and
from
sin.
as bondage.
Christ
liberty.
does
not only save from the guilt of sin and the wrath of God,
but also from
its
power and dominion.
ness and power of
sin,
It is the deceitful -
which form the instrument of Satan's
dominion over the soul of man.
And
there
is
no deliverance
from his tyranny, but by redemption from the deceitfulness
and power
of sin itself.
We
is
and cast
make
liberty the
and death,
life.
therefore affirm, that lib-
not a liberty to commit
erty of conscience
liberty, to destroy
to
must
same thing with slavery
Christian liberty
doctrines and
we
to
It is not
This would be
light,
darkness
do as
we
man.
please,
But while
G-od hath left our consciences free from the
commandments
of men,
contrary to his Word, or beside
worship
is not, to
without regarding our duty to G-od and
we maintain, that
sin.
off all conscience.
also contend, that
it
which are in anything
in matters of faith
and
the Lord
and
Jehovah
is

only Lord of conscience.
And
science.
That his
himself enjoys infinite liberty
Word
the rule of con-
is
most perfect
his service the

;
but he
173
God
liberty.
essentially holy.
is
Angels and glorified saints are free and enjoy perfect

erty
but
from
it
sin.
The power
of the
Church
only ministerial and declara-
is
She can do nothing more, than declare and administer
tive.
the doctrines, laws, and ordinances of Christ.

Christ
is
formed by a covenant or contract
and when any
of her
members depart from
to
Church
walk in
these,
late that covenant, they cast themselves out of
and
would be absurd
insist for
would be
Christ
to
self:
too
for such a
power
communion
of interpretation,
so obscure,
but where there
heart to receive the truth,

civil
pretended liberty
of the
Church such a
but she must judge for her-
it
is
of Christ, are not
an honest mind, and sincere
may
be easily discovered.
authority of any Christian country, can not law-
fully intermeddle with the internal government of the
The keys
of Christ.
mitted to
civil rulers
of doctrine
;
but
to
and
Church
officers.
ought carefully
conscience,
and downright licentiousness,

;
to distinguish
and while they allow
full
and forms of worship, they ought not
Church
discipline are not com-
civil rulers
conscience
It
the Church does not claim an in-
and the doctrines, worship, and laws
The
so.
licentiousness, or liberty to transgress the laws of
person must be expelled

fallible
so vio-
plead liberty of conscience in this case,
communion
therefore from the
of
these,
communion
and the Church only declares that they have done

and
lib-
consists in perfect holiness, or complete freedom
to
Xevertheless,
between liberty of
or a rejection of all
liberty as to
modes
permit the citizens,
174
totally to neglect the worship, fear,
every mode and form

of all order, justice,
for this
and
service of
and good government
does not acknowledge, and worship God,
and profanes his sacred name
witness on oath in any court
and trust
in
who
a person
who
who blasphemes
allows of no stated times
any propriety be admitted as a
for his service, can not with
place of power
God
would subvert the principles
and much
less
can he
fill
any
yea, he can not be viewed as a
subject of moral government.
CHAPTEE
175
XXI.
OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
That God, who

and adored by
to all,
tcr
other.
Hence
the
ought
all intelligent creatures, is
There
transparent, as that he exists.
natural
and supremely good,
infinitely glorious
is
and whose goodness extends
human mind, than

nations in
all
all
is
to be
worshiped
a ray of truth as
no sentiment more
religion in
some form or
ages of the world have
practiced some rites or modes of worship
and reason readily
gives its assent, that sincerity and purity of heart constitute
the essence of this worship.
But
in our fallen state, the un-
derstanding being clouded, and the heart depraved, there
is
nothing more unnatural than true religion and pure spiritual

worship.
There was, therefore, great necessity, for God to
reveal
and prescribe what worship would be acceptable
him.
This he has done in his Word, to which we should be
carefully obedient
purity.
and observe
of adoration, or as a
is
all his institutions in their
God and of Christ, either

medium through which our
All images of
to
as objects
adoration
directed to the Supreme Being, are repugnant to reason as
well as Scripture.
176
The undivided
trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
To
the object of our worship.

three distinct persons,
and thanksgiving
we must address
in secret, private,
is
this one God, subsisting in
prayer, confession,
and
And
public.
it is
only in the mediation of Jesus Christ, that we can be accepted.
No man cometh
we
to the
Father but by him
and whatsoever
shall ask of the Father in his name, he will do it
our encouragement farther, Christ

vail
and the Holy
mised
is
and
for
our advocate within the
Spirit, as a spirit of supplication, is pro-
All these great and. mighty
to help our infirmities.
privileges are expressed in a most concise manner by the apostle in these

spirit,
words: " Through him we have an access, by one
What
unto the Father."
have the almighty,
The Son
our Father and Friend.
and Advocate.
The Holy
a source of comfort
and all-merciful God
all-wise,
of
God
We
to go to as
as our Mediator
Spirit to assist us in our approaches.
God
deigns to take particular notice of prayer, and put pecu-
liar
honor on
me
Call on
He
it.
says of Saul, " Behold he prayeth
in the clay of trouble
thou shalt glorify
my
ye shall receive,"
etc.
comfort
is
And
God."
And it is
ask and
impossible to
tell,
:
how
"
Be
but in everything by prayer, and sup-
with thanksgiving make your requests known to
Our worship under the
place, or sanctified
Him
find,
and
he never bid any of the seed of
contained in that divine direction
careful for nothing

plication,
I will deliver thee,
Seek and ye shall
name.
Jacob seek his face in vain.
much
by
it.
in all places, in spirit
Gospel,
is
not confined to any
But God requires us

and
to
worship
in truth.
Social or public worship is clearly founded on the
nature, and expressly enjoined by revelation
and
law of
it is
one

ways
of the principal
munion with each
in
which Christians express their com-
in a social
must be consecrated
rest, or
rational
what
it
The civilized heathens
and
of sacred
a most
is
observed
all
and indeed devoted much more
of their
God
requires
The seventh part
Word.
this purpose,
Thus a day
Scripture a Sabbath,
it
was, than
is
appropriated by
time to religious worship, such as

in his
If worshiped
capacity, a suitable portion of time,
to that purpose.
institution.
something like
to be worshiped,
for that worship.
called in
is
God ought
If
other.
some time must be allotted
by society
177
is
God
a most rational and easy precept.
institution of the Sabbath is no ceremonial rite
was
for it
appointed long before the giving of the ceremonial law
was ordained from the creation of the world.

labored,
and rested on the seventh

and do
six days shalt thou labor
and
all
is
number
in divine numeration,
seven trumpets
of time
by
this
Scripture, so this division is
and honor, in the
last
it
is
see this
Xew
but the
the
first
number
Testament.
seven angels of the churches
is
This
and hence we
seven vials,
number,
God
therefore, says he,
very often singled out with honor in the
There were seven churches
Six days
thy work
a holy Sabbath unto the Lord.
seventh
to
The
etc.
And
as God's division
recorded in the
first
book of
stamped with divine authority
which
is
no obscure hint, that the
institution of the Sabbath is perpetuated under the
Xew
Testament.
Christians
indeed believe, that at the resurrection of
Christ, the
day was changed from the
the week.
This was probably one of the directions given by
last to the first
Christ to his disciples, during his continuance with
15
day of
them
178
forty days after his resurrection
employed
then in speaking to
kingdom
to the
this change
It
of Grod.
for it is said, that
them
was
foretold in prophecy, that
Ezek,
should take place.
Man
Lord
is
also of the
prophets) but to change
He
new."
all things
Sabbath day."
came not
annul or repeal it (he
it.
set
Christ
27.
xliii,
claims lordship or dominion over the Sabbath

of
he was
of the things pertaining
"
The Son
Surely not to
law and the
to destroy the
" Behold," says he, " I
make
aside the Levitical worship, to
which the seventh -day Sabbath was annexed, and introduced

a new priesthood,
commandment to wit, love,
a new system of worship and ordinances

a new temple, a new altar, a new
a new ministry, new sacraments, and therefore very properly

a new Sabbath.
It is certain that the apostles, after Christ's
resurrection, sanctified,
week, and called
it
or kept holy,
that day he arose from the dead,

fullest
demonstration, that
the
world
new
world, or a
and by
because on
this,
new
state of things in the
to be a
Heb.
ii,
memorial of
day
is
is
called
" Lor unto the angels hath he not put
in subjection the world to come, whereof
the apostle.
gave the
which event was like
and accordingly the New Testament Church
the world to come
first
day of the
first
work of redemption was
finished in respect of impetration
the creation of a
the
emphatically the Lord's day
5.
As
we speak
the seventh day
" says
was instituted
G-od's creating the first world, so the
justly said, by our divines, to have been insti-
tuted as a memorial of Christ's laying the foundation of

this
new
world.
Jesus,
oh the day of his resurrection,
entered into his eternal rest, never to suffer any more for the
redemption of his people, and instituted the first-day, Sab-
179
bath, to be a sign or token of his ceasing from his works,

as
God did from

Church
rest to his
his
Heb.
iv,
and
also as a sweet
And were
in conjunction with him.
there
not a change of the day, we should want one of the principal
monuments
of the truth of the
Xew Testament
writings
because the seventh-day Sabbath applies only to the Old
Testament, and the Church would have no memorial of the
Eedeemer's resurrection at
But
it is
makes no
all.
necessary to remark, that the change of the day
alteration or change in the moral part of the fourth
commandment.
It is still a seventh part of time, that is set
And
apart to the service of God.

tion, that the fourth
as seem to have left

it is
not said, "
commandment
it
it is
worthy of observa-
couched in such terms
is
open to a change in this circumstance
Eemember
the seventh day to keep
And
but remember the Sabbath day."
whereas
it follows,
" six days shalt thou labor," etc., " but the seventh
the Sabbath of the Lord thy
God
under the Christian dispensation

labor,
and
is
six days Christians
for,
rest the seventh part of time.
civil
day
" this still holds true
The
of the Sabbath is of essential service to the
indeed of great use to
holy,
it
society.
sanctification
Church
and
It stands in or near
the center of the law, and sheds back the most benign influence on all our duty to God, while it is the best preparative for faithfully discharging all the duties
to
men.
Wise
rulers, therefore,
who wish
which we owe
rather to prevent
crimes, than to punish them, will take great care both
precept and example, to promote the sanctification
Sabbath.
Men must
by
of the
be ignorant and stupid indeed, who
will plead, that conscience obliges
them
to profane the Lord's
180
EXPOSITION
With equal reason they might plead
day.
murder,
theft,
throwing aside
will be the
We
etc.,
which would he
The knowledge and
all conscience.
God
fear of
most powerful restraint from crimes of every
God
at all
practical Atheists,
against
all
sort.
we can not help viewing them
and extremely dangerous
against all
common
name
of
conversation
who worship any other beside God whether angels

;
or saints, directly or indirectly. Against all
by the mediation
ator between
who worship God
of any other but Jesus Christ, the only
God and men. Against
nances of Christ, by adding
who
as
to civil society.
profaners and blasphemers of the
God, whether by direct perjury, or in
all
conscience for
to plead conscience for
therefore solemnly bear witness against such, as do
not worship
And
AND DEFENSE OF THE
neglect to worship
to
all
who corrupt
Medi-
the ordi-
them, or diminishing them
God in
secret, in
And
or in his public ordinances.
and
a family capacity,
against
all
who profane
the holy Sabbath, whether by idleness, visiting, frolicking,

journeying, remaining at home,
when they should
publicly
honor God in his institutions, or by unnecessary thoughts,

words, or works, about their worldly employments and recre-
And
ations.
called,
as the observation of holidays, as they are
has done, and continues to do hurt in the Church of
God, we bear witness against

of dissipation
of them.
the blessing
And
it
is
of
it.
They are generally days
God
is
not on the observation
remarkable, that in those churches
where they are observed, much inattention
to the Lord's day,
or rather profanation of it prevails.
Whenever we introduce
human
we are apt
inventions into divine service,
for divine institutions,
vanities.
to lose a zeal
and become enamored with our own
God must be worshiped
in a diligent attendance on
praise.
God
are, prayer, confession,
" Praise waits for thee,
God, in Zion," says
" nnto thee shall the
the Psalmist,
vow be performed.
thou that art the hearer of prayer,

Iniquities, I
thee.
The
ordinances, and a sincere observance of them.
all his
ordinary acts of the worship of
and
181
must
all
as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge
Psalm
lxv.
And we
shall
flesh
come
to
me but
confess, do prevail against
them away."
and vindicate
are not afraid to assert,
the propriety of using the psalms and songs of the Old Testa-
ment
in the praises of God.
In these days of prevailing
and atheism, while many
delity
absurd effrontery deny the inspiration of the Scriptures
and earnestly attempt
gether,
infi-
with ignorant boldness and
to carry us
beloved regions of heathen darkness
alto-
back into their
others,
who have only
a form of godliness without the power, have become very cool
and
indifferent about the
And
in part.
Word
ians, which, if not resisted,
and esteem
of God, either in whole or
hence arises a great temptation to true Christ-
for the
in different ages
Word
and
may
diminish their
The churches
of God.
and
places, had,
still
zeal, love,
of Christ
have peculiar
temptations, from which great, and often unseen dangers
threaten them.
The present prevalence
of Socinian, Arian,
and Arminian
of deistical opinions,
errors, is a severe trial of
the faith and patience of the saints.
But blessed
is
he that
keepeth his garments clean.
We
relish
are extremely sorry to have observed a growing disin
some Churches,
songs of Scripture.
We
for the
could wish for a more finished
poetical version of these, than
And we
do not
mean
to
psalms of David and other
any yet given
say, that
hymns
to the Churches.
of
human com-
182
position
may
not be lawfully used in any case whatso-
ever.*
But we think
tural psalmody
it is safest,
;
and
it
is
generally to adhere to the Scrip-
remarkable, that the most erro-
neous and deluded sectaries are fondest of uninspired hymns,

which, doubtless they will take care to have composed, each
party on
its
own
It is dan-
peculiar scheme of principles.
gerous for the Church, in any important parts of her worship,

to drop rule
and order
and leave her members
each his own inclination.
It
has
much
grieved the hearts
of tender Christians, to hear the psalms of
David represent-
ed as in some instances, inconsistent with a Gospel
"And we do not mean
may
to say, that
hymns
to follow
of
spirit,
and
human composition,
not be lawfully used in any case whatsoever/ 7
Candor forbids that any construction should be put on this sen-
which would place it in conflict with the earnest protest

which the writer enters against the use of " uninspired hymns," in
the room of, or in preference to, the " inspired songs. " The welltence,
known views
of Mr.
Annan,
as expressed in a letter to Rev, A.
Rankin, of Lexington, Kentucky, and on other occasions, also forbid.
We
can state from memory how the language was understood and
explained by some
who had
the writer explained
it,
the best opportunity of
and wished
it to
knowing how
be understood.
You may
read a pious poem in a devotional manner to edification, without

treating the
Word
of
God with
neglect, provided
you do not substi-
tute it for the reading of the Scriptures, in the services of the sanc-
tuary or in the ordinary stated worship of God in the family.
Under the same

sing
it,
restrictions,
you may add the charms of music, and
without displacing the inspired psalmody.
writer would forbear to say, that this
he
still
thinks
entirely safe.
it
may never be
But while the

"lawfully" done,
good to administer a caution against
it,
as not
D.

unfit for the
we
guage,
New Testament
fear,
dispensation
has greatly aided the cause of
was wrong-headed wisdom
183
and such laninfidelity.
It
push forward the foaming
to
torrent.
Christ came not to destroy the books of the prophets

among which prophets, David, Asaph and Ethan were emiIf he
nent.
had seen the psalmody
unfit for the Gospel dispensation, it
with him, to have given his Church a new system
have no hint of this
nay,
apostles used the scriptural
and every one must

markable
for its
it
New Testament
spirit,
book of Psalms
style.
and
and experiences of God's children in
is
introduced, as
He smote
when
is
re-
It comes nearer to
style of the
New
Testa-
The graces
ment, than most of the Old Testament books.
beautifully delineated
and his
Psalms in the praises of God
allow, that the
the simple evangelical
but we
evident, that he
is
Church
of the Jewish
would have been easy
all ages, are there
most
sometimes indeed typical language

it
is
said
" I will go to God's altar.
the rock and the waters gushed out,
down manna on them and gave them corn
He
rained
of heaven to
eat."
But the Eedeemer never appears
glory,
than when shadowed forth by these types, with the
light of the
New Testament
we have both the type and

reflecting
"
The
and in
In this
case,
the antitype placed in our view,

of each other.
this instance that
word
This
is
is fulfilled,
light of the moon, or of the type, is like the light of
the sun
is like
If
us more in his
shining on them.
and augmenting the light
a double light
to
it
and the light
of the sun, that
is,
of the antitype,
the light of seven days."
be objected, that there are, in the Psalms, terrible pre-
184
dictions of God's judgments, on the enemies of his

it
may
ment.
be answered, so there are through
How
often does Christ, the
all
the
meek Lamb
nounce terrible woes against his opposers?
kingdom;
New
Testa-
of God, pro-
Paul says, "If
we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you any other Gospel,
If
than that which we have preached,
any man
love not the
In
maranatha."
fine,
Lord Jesus,
let
let
him be accursed
him be an Anathema
as in the providence of God, mercy
and judgment are blended
so in his
Word, mercy and
jus-
and consolation, majesty and meekness combine
tice, terror
And is not this infinitely suitable

human nature ? There are two powaction in the human mind, hope and fear
everywhere their rays.

to the constitution of
erful springs of
Noah, being moved with fear and hope

to the saving of his house.
too,
prepared an ark
Moses, moved by fear and faith,
kept the passover and the sprinkling of blood,

destroyed the first-born should touch them.
adapts his
Word
hopes and fears
to our rational nature.
He
who suppose
way.
It is
it
he that
addresses our
and they must be very ignorant
nature,
ist's
lest
God, therefore,
of
human
can be moved or actuated in any other
absurd to suppose, that anything of the Psalm-
personal resentment breathes in these predictions and
The very threatenings
threatenings.
of God's
Word, viewed
in their connection with the Gospel, are evidences of his love.

"
As many as
I love, I
therefore zealous
rebuke and chasten, says Christ; be
and repent."
They are intended
for
our
warning, and are subservient to the success of the Gospel.
One
evil
seldom comes alone
a gloomy train
as
we
of the Church's praise,
fear,
it is
commonly followed by
many have
injured the matter
by forsaking the fountain of living

and hewing out broken
waters,
vinced, that the
manner
work
and
unprejudiced mind
girls,
is
we
are well con-
not grieved, to see the solemn
committed
of praising God,
so
of performing this solemn act of
some Churches greatly corrupted.
religious worship, is in
What
cisterns
185
few light-headed boys
to a
about whose carriage, there
is
often little or no
semblance of piety or seriousness, while the whole congreganearly the whole,
tion, or
see the worship of
sit
Who
dumb ?
God turned
not offended to
is
mere piece
into a
of
human
and carnal amusement, the singing of his praise per-
art
formed with idle theatrical parade
new mode has
pelled the praises of
number
God from
effect in
many
effectually, ex-
And
has produced the same
it
It has expelled his praise
families.
They
dwellings even of the righteous.

is,
more
the lips of far the greatest
in some Churches, than an act of Parliament for the
purpose could have done.
that
It is certain, that this
as effectually, perhaps
from the
say, they can not sing
they can not sing in the fashionable mode, and there-
fore do not attempt it at
And
all.
along with this the read-
ing of the Scriptures, in family worship,
when we
We
is,
in
many
families
wish not to be rigorous or uncandid
but
see Christians deceived through the subtleties
and
laid aside.
and cheated
devices of Satan, turned aside from their duty,
out of their privileges,

of the organ,
why
should we be silent
and other instruments
of
The use
music in the Jewish
Church, was agreeable enough to a worldly sanctuary, and

the
pomp
of ceremonial worship
with the spiritual nature of the
but does not accord so well
Xew Testament
grant, that in those Churches where
not work more,
if as
it
is
yet
we must
retained, it does
much, mischief, as the mode of which
186
we speak
the organ leads the music, the people follow
in a general way, where the
are silent,
new mode
and commit the whole
Is not this to serve the
Our
apologies for
ing, in
And
if
men
could
by proxy, something might
sinful nature is very dexterous in inventing
what
is
wrong.
Many
justify this evil
by say-
mode, and consequently
all join in
Under
the worship.
pretext, it has been introduced into several Churches in
But experience contradicts
Churches where
it
confirmed, and
it
people have no
and only
this
for
in
this
Xew
those
has been longest practiced, the evil seems
rather to increase than decrease
entirely
new
time the whole congregation will acquire the
England.
but
practiced, the people
service to a few delegates.
Lord by proxy ?
be judged too, at the bar of G-od,

be said.
is
is
the habit becomes more
generally taken for granted, that the
business with the duty, that

to the chorister
and
his train.
it
belongs
187
CHAPTER
XXII.
On
This chapter treats of lawful oaths and vows.

subject of oaths,
on what
is
Scriptural
we deem
it
advanced in the Confession, only that the approved
mode
of swearing, is
by the name
define our views of public
and
of Grod, with the
of vows, leads us to
The doctrine
sign of the uplifted hand.
explicit covenanting with
Jehovah, in his infinite condescension and grace, has
God.
all
the
unnecessary to add any remarks
along humbled himself to transact with his creature man,
Thus with innocent
by entering into covenant with him.
man
he made the covenant of works
and after the apostasy,
he revealed to sinful and rebellious men the covenant of
whom
grace, or that gracious contract with his
own
had appointed the second Adam,
purpose of redeem-
ing lost men.

to the people."
of the
Church
for the
Son,
he
" I have given him," says he, " for a covenant
This
is
is built.
the covenant on which the salvation
The design
of this covenant is not
the preservation of the loyalty or allegiance of innocent
but the recovery of guilty, ruined

called the sure mercies of David.
and
lost
men
man
hence
Therefore some of
stitutions, are intended for the conversion of sinners
it is
its in-
others
188
for the confirmation
But
and increase
there
it is clear,
is
Xew
ordinance of the
of grace in true believers.
not one Gospel institution, not one
Testament, not one promise, precept
is
sign of all
either to instate us in
is
God
interest.
in this covenant reveals
God
the sinner, as his reconciled
engages to be to him a Father
deemer
and
offers
himself to
G-od the Father
G-od the Son, to be his Ee-
Sanctifier.
The
creature perceiving the boundless grace and love of

this offer,
tender
by the
de-
or perpetuate our
it,
in Christ.
and God the Holy Ghost, his
The
an appendage of this covenant.
nor duty, but
sinful
God
in
influence of the Spirit, accepts the gracious
and in the strength of grace promised on God's
part,
he surrenders himself to God the Father, Son, and Holy
Avouches the Lord
Ghost.
own
in his
to be his God,
and engages, not
strength (for without me, says Christ, ye can do
nothing) but in the strength of promised grace, that he will

,
walk
in his
ways and keep
his
commandments.
evangelical idea of covenanting with God.
ceptance by faith of the covenant of grace in

promises, precepts, and ordinances
der of ourselves to him.
render
is
of grace.
and that not
"By
And
is
the
an
ac-
all its parts,
and a voluntary surren-
even this acceptance and sur-
grace ye are saved, through faith,
of yourselves
it is
duty of covenanting with God,

faith
This
It is just
the gift of God."
is
Thus the
performed in every act of
and repentance, in meditation, prayer, and reception
of the sacraments
But
it has,
and indeed
it is
the
life of
every duty.
through common use, been appropriated
act of vowing unto the
Lord of Hosts.
However, this
to the
differs
from the former only in being more external, explicit and

formal
for in every act of faith there is a
solemn and hearty

God
acceptance of
our God, and surrender of ourselves
to be
on the scheme of the Gospel.
to be his,
189
And
in the partici-
pation of the sacraments of baptism and the holy Supper,

this act is very explicit, public,
and
formal.
In these
insti-
and
each
tutions, Christians express their union to Christ,
other in him.
may
they
Nevertheless, on some particular occasions,
also practice this,
the Lord.
by solemn conjunct vowing
to
from reason, scripture-precepts, prom-
It is clear
and prophecies, that
ises
to
this is sometimes the
duty of the
Church in New Testament times.
The peculiar
of this duty,
seasons,
seem
to be
when God
deliverance
or
when
when about
it,
when under
some great
And
there
in fact no
is
more
than what the Church had formerly transacted, or than
what every
that
to implore
the deliverance hath been granted, and
his divine Spirit poured out.
in
imminent
in
is
danger from a general apostasy or persecution
some heavy judgment
performance
calls for the
when the Church
believer
must
in every act of faith transact, only
done in the form of a public, social and explicit
is
it
vow.
It is further necessary to observe, that even this solemn
transaction does
should
it is
so far
no means
and wherein we
to hold fast the error
in reformation.
general,
of light
And
it
and every believer
as if
see,
is
we have formerly
but
to
drop
it,
Nor
from that,
intended to excite us to go forward in the good
the Lord
not
not preclude freedom of inquiry.
prevent progress in reformation
it
way
erred,
of
by
and proceed
supposed, that the Church in
in particular, proceed in this duty,
they were infallible, but according to the measure
and knowledge which God hath given them,
How-
190
ever,
from this
it follows,
and
be simple, plain,
ger,
that the matter of our vows should
Great would be the dan-
scriptural.
were we in such a solemn transaction, to entangle the
conscience
among doubtful and obscure
points.
God and each
It is clear that covenanting with
other in
the manner above defined, being an ordinance of the cove-
nant of grace,
must belong only
it
ecclesiastical, not a civil ordinance
by men, not
to the
It is an
Church.
and must be practiced
Yet
in their civil, but ecclesiastical capacity.
as the Christian religion recognizes every lawful relation
among men, whether natural
common
other
them
owe
or civil, a
and children, magistrates and
fathers
to
subjects, rulers
and
and thus covenanting with God and each
citizens,
ought
Church consisting of
view their covenant as solemnly binding
to the faithful
performance of the duties which they
And
to each other in these relations.
thus the grace of
the Gospel opened in the Church, should flow like a river of

life
in ten thousand channels through civil society.
circulate through all the relations of

arteries
is
and veins
of the
bound by the law
human
body.
believing husband
by the same authority,
to
and by a parity
by the laws
is
perform the duties of a
members
of his
of reason, magistrates are obliged
of Christianity, to conduct as Christians, in the
execution of their
And were
toward
a Christian parent
Christian toward his children, and all the
family
It should
like the blood in the
of Christ, to act as a Christian
his wife, even if she were a heathen

obliged,
it,
it so
office,
in fact,
toward the subjects or
citizens.
most certainly the most blessed con-
sequences would follow.

Christians in this transaction, not only give themselves to
191

and the Lord's supper,
so in
they give themselves and their children to him.
We
the Lord
this,
but, as in baptism
then, as the children of covenanting ancestors, do acknow-
ledge ourselves as dedicated to the Lord by their act, and
engaged by them,
and moral duty

will of God,
to
obey and serve him in every religious
in which, as they acted agreeably to the
and by his authority, the obligation
rests ultimately on the divine authority
may
to
duty
while their vow
be considered as a stimulus or motive exciting to
it.
Furthermore, we choose to disengage this solemn duty from

all local connections,
first principles, its
of
God
and questions
set
about
it
we apprehend,
it
up on
enjoining
it.
its
For as
God warranting them
we have the very same authority
This,
and take
Word warranting and
in his
our ancestors had the authority of
rant.
and true ground, the authority
original
for our
to
war-
will be infinitely better, than to
entangle the consciences of God's people with a multitude

of questions about former covenants in another
And
nation.
accordingly
we have drawn
up,
Church or
and present
to
the solemn consideration of the Lord's people connected with

us, the following plain, scriptural
We
we
all
and every one
hope, by the
form of a covenant.
some measure,
of us, convinced in
Word and
Spirit of
God
that
we are by
nature children of disobedience and of wrath even as others

that
we
inherit from the transgression of our first parents a
depraved, sinful and corrupt nature
whole head
is sick,
that our hearts are
and desperately wicked
deceitful above all things
and the whole heart
no soundness in any
part,
the sole of the foot
we
faint
that the
that there
is
but from the crown of the head to
are
full
of
wounds, bruises and
192
Convinced, that by reason of this sinful-
putrefying sores.
ness of our nature, from which have proceeded innumerable
way
actual transgressions of the law of God, both in the
of
omission and commission in thought, word and deed
we
and communion with him
are
have
lost his image, his favor,
most justly under his wrath and
and
liable to all the
miseries of this life and that which is to come.
Conscious that
this is our sinful
ing from the
and miserable
Word
of Cod, "
curse,
That Cod
to give his only begotten Son, that
him should not perish

the fullness of time,
made under the

that
we might
by nature
state
whosoever believeth in
but have everlasting
Cod sent forth his
law, to redeem
Son,
is
That in
life.
made
of a
woman,
them that were under the law,
receive the adoption of sons.
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
he
but hear-
so loved the world, as
That the blood
all sin
and that
God by
able to save to the uttermost, all that come to
him, seeing he ever liveth to
Though
make
intercession for them."
sensible of the deceitfulness of our
own
hearts,
and
however frequently perplexed with doubts about our actual

believing
grace,
rify
and
yet desiring to essay in the strength of promised

in obedience to the Lord's
Cod by
believing his
Word
commandment,
to glo-
of grace contained in his
covenant of promise, and in the faith
of his
promise to
devote ourselves unto the Lord in a covenant of duty.
do with our hands

profess,
lifted
up
to the
and before Cod, angels and men, solemnly
that through the grace of God,
we
We
most high Cod, hereby

declare,
desire with our whole
hearts to take hold of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Eedeemer
and Saviour, as our prophet,

propitiation
for our sins
priest
and king
as the only
through faith in his blood; his
193

ighteousness as the only foundation of our access
acceptance with
God
as our only title to the heavenly inheritance
his
our perfect and only rule of faith and practice

for our
"Word
guide to lead us into
and
Word
for
his Spirit
truth revealed in his holy
all
and his God and Father
to,
and rich promises
his covenant of free
to be our
God and Father,
reconciled to us and well pleased with us in him.
We
avouch the Lord
of the grace laid
up
God, and in the strength
to be our
for us in Christ,
we solemnly promise
and vow, by the great name of the Lord our God, that we
walk in
will endeavor to
ments and hearken

will
by the Lord's
sion of the faith,
his
ways and keep his command-
to his voice
and particularly that we
grace, continue
and obedience
doctrine, worship, discipline
and abide in the profes-
of the Gospel of Christ, in
and government.
will according to our stations, places
measure of knowledge given unto
us,
and
And that we
callings,
That we
against all contrary evils, errors and corruptions.

will study to keep the unity of the spirit in the
peace
do good to
of faith
all
men, but especially
follow peace with all
which no man shall
see the
our cross and follow Jesus
pray for them
men and
Lord
and the
contend and testify
deny
to the
bond of
household
holiness, without
ourselves, take
freely forgive our enemies,
walk in the truth, and in love
up
and
to one an-
other for the truth's sake, maintaining that fervent charity
among
ourselves which will cover a multitude of sins,
and
thus encourage and strengthen each other's hands in the
good way and work of the Lord

life
that we will endeavor a
and conversation becoming the Gospel
of Christ, study-
ing to be good examples to one another, especially in our

16
194
families,
of godliness
which we owe
to
God
and righteousness,
or
duty
or of every
That we will not give up
man.
ourselves to a detestable neutrality or indifferency in the
cause of God: but will, above all things, through divine

grace, seek the glory of God, the prosperity of his Church,
And
and good of mankind.
and
blood,
and not leaning
any carnal
forsaking the counsels of flesh
to
our
own understandings, nor
confidence, but trusting only in the Lord, will
thus study to promote true reformation in ourselves and

others, according to the
In
all
Word
of God.
which, with the deepest sincerity, professing and
acknowledging our own utter insufficiency and weakness
we earnestly implore the Father
and God
of mercies
of all
comfort, through his Son Jesus Christ, our dear Eedeemer, to
be merciful to us, and enable us, by his Spirit, that we

faithfully
and
sincerely,
may
though imperfectly, do our duty,
unto the praise of his rich, free grace in
all
the Churches.
Amen.
? This chapter, which closes with the form of a Covenant, offered
for the consideration of God's people, affords proof that
call " the
what some
duty of covenanting," was well considered by the founders
of the Associate Reformed Church
and that they neither rashly
nor inconsiderately came to the final conclusion, to insert nothing
on the subject, in the standards of the Church, beyond what

tained in the Confession of Faith.
chapter to which we cannot give an unqualified assent

not of such a nature as to require specification.
particularly
remark
is,
is
con-
There are some things in the

;
but they are
What we would
that the writer, where he has our hearty
concurrence, affirms, " There
is
in fact no
''vowing to the Lord," to which, " through
more
is,
in
name
(of
in it," (that
common use,
the
covenanting) has been appropriated") " than what the Church has
195
formerly transacted, or that what every believer must in every act

of faith transact, only that
explicit
We may,
vow."
pedient or not required
it is
done in the form of a public,
therefore, object to the
we may refuse
social,
as not ex-
bind on the shoulders of
to
name
Christians a "form," to which the
"form"
of Covenanting has been
appropriated in the language of some, and yet perform, as
all Chris-
tians do perform, the duty of covenanting with God, in all those or-
dinances, which are of positive divine appointment.
The covenants of our ancestors in the British

compact entered into by
first
" the
isles,
from the
Lords of the Congregation " in
Scotland, to stand by one another in defense of the Reformation,
down
Solemn League and Covenant, were measures of safety
to the
adopted on great emergencies, when, from the state of parties, or

other causes, the necessary and desired reformation,
revolution, both in
nary means
and
civil
that
Church and
is,
or,
we may
say,
not be effected by ordi-
state, could
by the regular and healthful operation of the

To say that,
ecclesiastical constitution.
if really neces-
sary and expedient, those covenants were lawful, and that our ancestors were warranted to enter into them,
but
simply asserts what no
it
will
now
man
may
mind
of sane
deny, that a people are warranted
to fall
when it becomes really necessary.

would be a work of supererogation to insure a
of
revolution,
of this right, in the constitution of a
made
so
much
back on the right
To say the
least, it
clause in vindication
Church or nation.
The question about covenanting has outlived

other question has
be true enough
in a free country
noise,
its
day.
and meant
Perhaps no
so little.
There
may, however, yet come "perilous times" which will revive
some
" form."
But the form which
may
men
call the
and
traditions,
it
may
it
in
take from circumstances
be so different from the pattern which was shown, in
what
"purest times of the Reformation," that testimonies
may
serve only to put their adherents in
the
wrong.
In reference to the clamor which was kept up about the British
covenants, and the "binding obligation of the covenants," Mr. Annan,
in the
Ruling Elder, thus expresses himself: "In thinking on this
196
subject, I
have frequently called
Israel offered incense to
ceedingly useful in
break
it
It
it.
time.
Why ?
in pieces.
stitious veneration
is likely
its
mind
to
serpent, in the days of Hezekiah
it
had been a type
Yet, Mr.
of Christ,
But the good king saw
because
it
was become an
it
and ex-
necessary to
object of super-
the children of Israel offered incense to
that their fathers did not esteem
really of great use
the story of the brazen
seems then the children of
it
so
much, when
It
it.
it
was
and service."
Annan would have been
far
from wishing
solemn league and covenant, as he afterward says.
Nor does the same reason

stitious veneration" for
now exist.
now felt. For
for it
it, is
Little of this " super-
the most part,
only in words, the meaning of which few inquire.

lightened veneration for
it,
there
is
necessarily
order to form an enlightened opinion of the
to destroy the
Nor would we.
it
exists
Of a true and
but
en-
in
little; for
men who framed
the
covenant, of their object, and of the wisdom and propriety of the
means by which they sought to accomplish their object a man's

means of information must extend far beyond the testimonies of the
;
Church, and a few one-sided histories.
D.
197
CHAPTEB XXIII.
This chapter treats of the
to the authority
debate in the Churches
With regard
civil magistrate.
granted him in
civil matters, there is
the Confession, about the Church, has been, and

source of disputation.
ciples
are exhibited.
rives its
On
is
a fertile
that subject the following prin-
First,
Though
civil
government de-
form from human policy, and on that account
be called an ordinance of man,
it is
respect of its general principles.
men
live in society,
no
but the power allowed to him, in
may
a divine institution, in
It is the will of God, that
and be subject
in all lawful things to
the authority of the society of which they are members.

Secondly, All Christians, therefore, are under social obligations, as well as other people,
their obedience
1 Pet.
ii,
and should be exemplary in
to civil superiors,
13, 15.
Thirdly,
Eom.
xiii, 1,
The authority
Tit.
iii,
of magistrates in
matters of religion, under the Gospel dispensation, cannot be

particularly ascertained by the examples of the interference
of Jewish magistrates in such matters
of policy which
was peculiar
God gave
to them.
because the system
to the Jews, in a
complex view,
Fourthly, These examples, however,
198
"because they
deserve the serious attention
of Christians,
imply this general principle.
That as Jewish rulers exer-
manner that was
cised their authority about religion in a
adapted to the dispensation under which they were placed,

so Christian rulers should exercise their authority in a
ner that
As
is
adapted
Gospel dispensation.
to the
man-
Fifthly,
the Gospel revelation lays indispensable obligations upon
all classes of
such, are
people
bound
who
are favored with
it,
magistrates, as
to execute their respective offices in a sub-
serviency thereto, administering government on

principles,
and ruling
directions of his
Word
as those
who
shall give
Lord Jesus, whom God hath appointed
to the
of the world, Isa. xlix,
magistrates, as such,
Christian
in the fear of God. according to the
7,
23
Eev. xxi, 24.
an account
to be the
Judge
Sixthly,
Hence
in a Christian country, are
bound
to
promote the Christian religion, as the most valuable interest
by
of their subjects,
with
civil rights
all
such means as are not inconsistent
and do not imply an interference with the
policy of the Church, which is the free
dom
of the
science.
Seventhly, In Protestant countries the government
should be vested in Protestants.

the Protestant religion
form
and independent king-
Redeemer; nor an assumption of dominion over con-
is
And in those countries where
generally professed in its purest
the government should be vested in those
in that form.
confidence that should exist between rulers
When
who
profess
it
This would be a strong political security of the
and their
subjects.
the most orthodox Protestants are in the minority in
a nation, they should meekly submit to the government established by the majority
for a
praying and patiently waiting
more reformed state of
policy.
Eighthly,
No
errors

or heresies are punishable
by magistrates
to subvert the peace of civil society,
people to live a quiet and peaceful

honesty.
Others must be
and the judgment
left to
of God.
but such as tend
and do not
life
199
suffer
in all godliness
good
and
the censures of the Church,
Ninthly, It
the will of
is
God
that magistrates punish vices which have a visible tenden-
cy to efface impressions of piety, to injure
civil rights, or to
destroy the property and health of their subjects, such as
profane cursing and swearing, adultery, drunkenness, gaming,

etc.;
such vices cannot be supported by conscientious pre-
tenses.
They weaken the bonds
feelings of virtuous subjects
and injure the
who have the highest
the protection of government.
When
of society,
Eom.
a government, as in America,
xiii. 3, 4.
is
title
to
Tenthly,
established by a
combination of different denominations of Christians, who

are so intermixed, as that separate governments would be
impracticable, and were they practicable, would be opposed

to
each other and destructive to the interests of society; the
civil authorities
can not interfere in the peculiarities of any
of these denominations, because the combination implies a
compact, which secures to them their respective peculiarities.
In this case the power of

matters of religion,
is
civil
government, with respect to
necessarily confined to the promotion
of such matters as are objects of general agreement,
and
to
the suppression of vices, which in their obvious tendency,

are political injuries to all these denominations.
ly,
As
Eleventh-
the welfare of civil society has a necessary depend-
ence upon religious sentiments, some portion of time should

be uniformly observed in every country for devotional purposes,
that a sense of the existence and perfections of the Supreme
200
Being, by
whom
kings reign and princes decree justice,
be more effectually preserved among the people
Word
appropriated for these purposes the seventh
has
part of our time, called the Lord's day

ter
those
who adminis-
government should enforce the observation of that day.
may
This enforcement
individuals,
be considered as a hardship by some
who have a
peculiar opinion with respect to the
day that should be called the Lord's day

general sentiment of the subjects
is
may
and as the
law of Christians, with consummate
of God, the great
wisdom,
is
but when the
in favor of the
commonly observed by Christians, the
day that
interests of society
require the observation of that day. and that those
who
are
of another opinion, be compelled so to behave as to give
disturbance to the great majority
should be religiously observed.
who
no
profess to believe it
Twelfthly, In conformity to
these principles, the substance of the doctrine of the Confession of Faith
Chap, xx,
may
sec.
be expressed in the following terms.
4-.
"
And
because the powers which
God
hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased,

are not intended by
God
to destroy,
but mutually
to
uphold
one another, they who upon pretense of Christian liberty,

shall oppose
whether
God
it
and
any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of
be
civil or ecclesiastical, resist
for their
publishing such opinions or maintaining
such practices, as are contrary
known
it,
the ordinance of
to the light of nature, or the
principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith,
worship, conversation, or the order which Christ hath established in his Church, they
may
be lawfully called to an
account, and proceeded against not only by the censures of

the Church, but. in proportion as their erroneous opinions or

in their
practices, cither
own
nature, or in the
201
manner
of
publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace of the Church,
and
of civil society, they
may
be also proceeded against by the power of the civil magistrate/'
Chap,
"
xxiii, 3.
The
civil
the power of the keys of the

his duty,
by
all gentle
may not assume

Word and sacraments or
magistrate
to himself the administration of the
kingdom
of heaven
yet
it is
methods, to use the influence of his
exalted station, that unity and peace be preserved in the
Church, that the truth of Grod be kept pure and entire, that
corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline be pre-
all
vented or reformed, and that
all
duly
and observed
administered,
settled,
the ordinances of G-od be
and he hath
authority to suppress all blasphemies, and such heresies as

are destructive
to the external
better effecting whereof, it
may
peace of society
for the
be prudent for him, as the
nursing father of the Church, to desire the calling of synods,
on critical occasions,
to
be present at them, and to provide,
as far as the nature of his
the
kingdom
of Christ
office,
and the distinction between
and the kingdoms
of this world per-
mit, that whatsoever is transacted in them, be according to
the
mind
of Grod."
Chap. xxxi.
"
For the better government, and farther
edification of the Church, there
as are
commonly
fit
persons,
synods, or councils
such assemblies
The ministers
office,
of
or they
upon delegation from their Churches,
have the exclusive right

17
to be
and by virtue of their
Christ, of themselves,
with other
ought
called Synods or Councils.
to appoint, adjourn, or dissolve
though in extraordinary
cases, it
such
may
202
be proper for magistrates to desire the calling of a synod of
and other
ministers
fit
persons, to consult
about matters of religion
and
and advise with

duty
in such cases it is the
of Churches to comply with their desire."
When
was in the
this Overture
a reverend brother, a
member
press,
and pretty well advanced,
of the committee, sent
up
his views of
the civil magistrate's power, circa Sacra, which are given above.
The paragraphs in the Confession, which treat of that

transcribed with
And
if his
little
subject, are
variation (a few words being transposed).
first principles
be just, as they certainly appear to be,
the doctrine established on them can not be controverted.
be added, that perhaps
it
is safest for civil
rulers, to discourage ir religion, etc.,
penalties
oath, etc.
that
is,
by withholding
more by negative than

offices,
It
may
communities and their

positive
refusing testimony on
R. A.
203
CHAPTEE XXIV.
The twenty-fourth chapter treats
Marriage
was in a
is
of Marriage
a holy institution, appointed by
state of innocence
and Divorce.
God while man
Its design is the comfort
>
and
mutual help of mankind, their increase with a legitimate

issue,
and the supply of the Church with a succession of a
holy seed.
It is honorable in
all,
and they who despise the
divine ordinance, and live in the lusts of the flesh,
must
feel
"
For
God's displeasure, and endure his terrible judgments,
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

has been, and
It
was
so,
is
much
corrupted in the nations of the world.
even among the Jews, God's ancient people.
Christ reduced
it
in his Church, to its first institution,
primitive simplicity, allowing
man and
Marriage
He
one woman.
of right reason
it to
of his
subject, only to
add
warn
We
believers
have nothing
to the doctrine of the Confession

all
We
on this
against marrying within the degrees
of affinity or consanguinity, forbidden
and God's Word.
by the rule
kingdom forbids
being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

of importance to
and
subsist only between one
also regulated Divorce,
and the law
But
by the law
of nature
mention this the rather, because an
204
evil is gaining
ground in the Churches in this country, viz
man marrying
certain knowledge,
place in the
"been
this corruption of
communion
one instance of
it
manners has taken
of several Churches,
The
in our own.
and there has
evil is likely to in-
crease with the decay of real practical religion.

practice is contrary to the
ticular case under Levitical
law
of confusion.
It
and were
it,
of
God
for the par-
by no means applicable
confound relations and
but Grod
is
the G-od of order
breaks down one of the barriers
erected against promiscuous

families
is
It tends to
the duties resulting from them
and not
But the
law of nature, the law of nations,
and has no countenance from the Word
to our circumstances.
To our
the sister of his deceased wife.
and adulterous copulations in
and other practices
like
it,
to prevail,
mankind, instead of forming one united, compact body, would

soon be singled out into
little
would destroy the peace of

puts a
mark
tribes
society.
of his displeasure on
and
And
factions,
which
G-od very often
such marriages.
We
thought proper just to mention these things, to warn our

people and other Christians against the unhallowed practice.
205
CHAPTEE XXV.
This chapter treats of the Church of Christ.
of Satan and the
kingdom
There are
The kingdom
in general, but two kingdoms in this world.
All mankind, by their
of Christ.
apostasy from God, have subjected themselves to the domin-
John
human
"
Satan.
ion of
v, 19.
The whole world
From
nature, Christ collects his Church
materials, he gathers those,
up
lieth in wickedness.'
this wreck, not only of nations, but of
whom
from these rude
as lively stones he builds
and
into a spiritual house, constitutes a royal priesthood,
makes a holy
nation.
The Church
of Christ is therefore
separated and distinguished from the world, by her faith, her

spirit,
her worship, and holy conversation.
altogether voluntary
day
of his power.
ileges,
This society
a willing people come to
him
is
in the
It is spiritual, as enjoying spiritual priv-
performing spiritual worship, maintaining a spiritual
communion with God, with
Christ,
and with each
as formed to the practice of spiritual duties.
acknowledges no head but Christ.
He
over all things unto his body the Church.

Priest and King.
Her
faith,
is
other,
and
This society
given to be head
He
is
her Prophet,
her hope, her worship, and
all
206
her laws are from and only from him.
She
kingdom, his temple, his house, his body,
The
is
and
distinction between the visible
discerned by
can easily
see,
is
called his
etc.
invisible Church,
us.
We
there is ground for such a distinction
but
God
alone.
It is not perceptible
by
cannot distinguish certainly, who are the elect and who not.
And
of infidels
in terms.
There
Church;
a society of visible
is
both in profession and practice.
made up
and immoral persons,
are,
Church of Christ
is
a contradiction
no doubt, hypocrites in the visible
but a hypocrite, as such,
Church, and has no place in

crite,
Church
clear that the visible
it is
saints,
it
no member of the
is
for while
he acts the hypo-
he has the semblance of religion, and appears as a
When
visible saint.
his former hypocrisy is discovered
ascertained, he is no longer a hypocrite

infidel or profligate,
and must be
declared to belong to the world.
and
but appears as an
cast out of the Church, or
Thus a
hypocrite, as such,
though clearly distinguished by Him, whose eyes are as a

flame of
fire
yet
is
a nonentity to us.
And
the visible
Church, to distinguish her from the world, must be a holy,
and pure
spiritual,
dwells
them."
This
society.
is
Here
it is
of Prophet, Priest,
by
his
this world.
them and walk
that Jesus Christ executes all his
and King
and
carries on the
redemption as to the application of

offices,
the temple where Grod
as he hath said, " I will dwell in
own personal
it.
He
in
offices,
scheme of
executed these
ministry, while he sojourned in
Before his incarnation, he executed them,
by
the ministry of his prophets, by the Aaronical priesthood, the
theocracy
for
a considerable time, and afterward by the
royal authority of David, Solomon, and other pious kings.
207

Since his ascension, he continues to execute these
and
offices,
carry on the plan of redemption chiefly by the ministry of
Indeed
reconciliation.
ment
all
new
the saints under the
are called prophets, priests,
and
ecy of Joel, which evidently refers to Gospel times,

"
Thy
Testa-
In the proph-
kings.
it is said,
And
sons and thy daughters shall prophesy."
the
whole redeemed company are represented in the
first
Apocalypse as saying, " Unto him that loved
and washed
us from our sins in his blood, and hath

priests unto
us,
of the
made us kings and
This shows that Christians in general,
God."
are not only the subjects of redemption, but are agents under
Christ,
and instruments
in his hand, for the purpose of ap-
plying redemption to others.
This
man
every
same, and
a family,
is
king in his own house.
much
is
is true,
The
in the case of heads of families.
civil
law
says, that
The Gospel says the
who
more, that every Christian
prophet, priest,
more especially
is
a head of
and king in his house.
There are four things, which Christian parents can and

will,
through grace, do for Christ in their families.
First
Administer instruction to their children and servants, or

teach them to
know
the
God
cise a proper authority,
Lord.
will
for them,
ple,
and
his house to serve the Lord."
Abraham
Fourthly Pray
:
This
is
exam-
But the great Eedeemer executes his
in the Church, especially
ciliation.
Set
to serve the
servant
for God's blessing on their instructions,
and authority.
offices
my
Thirdly: Exer-
and command them
know, says the Lord, " That
command
Secondly
of their fathers.
a holy and religious example before them.
by the ministry of recon-
the grand engine of heaven, for carrying
on the scheme of redemption.
" It pleases
God by
the
208
foolishness of preaching to
Gospel-treasure
is
may
of the power
save them that believe.
be of God, and not of men.
the wisdom of God, and the power of

to every one that believeth."
isters to teach others,
and
min-
It is the office of Gospel
it is
is
salvation,
required as an essential quali"
Go
disciple
teaching them, says Christ, to observe all things,"
all nations,
It is true, the propitiatory part of the priestly office,
Christ offered himself once for sins,
can never be repeated.
and a repetition
impossible
or
The Gospel
God unto
fication in them, that they be apt to teach.
etc.
The
put into earthen vessels, that the excellency
of that sacrifice is both unnecessary
but ministers must ever point out that
and
sacrifice
atonement to their hearers, as the foundation of their faith
and hope, and indeed in the administration
of the sacra-
ments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, they are

led to do
so.
"I determined,"
among you but Jesus
Christ,
says Paul, " to
and him
officially
know nothing
By
crucified."
their
they are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
office
beseech sinners by them, to be reconciled unto him

the apostle, in the
name
and thus
of all Christ's ministers, says, "
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled unto God."

is their
may
them
earth
duty
to
pray for the Church
We
It
and thus Christians
consider Christ their advocate, as not only praying for

in heaven, but as praying with
;
for
when
his Spirit for the Church,
it is
for
them on
really a part of Christ's
intercession, in a subordinate line
people in the
them and
his ministers pray under the influences of
name
of the Lord.
and thus they
When
that he blessed the sons of Joseph
that they blessed the people
it
and
it is
own
bless their
said of Jacob,
of other prophets,
may no doubt mean,
their
209
predicting the future blessings of Providence, that were to

fall
on them
but
it
chiefly
means, their praying for the
And
divine blessing upon them.
thus there appears to be
a great propriety in the apostolical benediction, as

in the Church, "
The grace
of our
still
used
Lord Jesus, the love of
God, and communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."
under him,
It is also the office of Christ's ministers
They must declare
the Church.
and
his laws, not only doctrin-
They must bind
but judicially and authoritatively.
ally,
by the exercise of
loose,
And
to rule
discipline as well as of doctrine.
he declares, that whatsoever they shall bind on earth,
according to his will, shall be bound in heaven
and whatso-
ever they shall loose on earth, in the same manner, shall be

loosed in heaven
We
that
is,
he will ratify and confirm the senGospel ministry
is
the great
of Christ's appointment, for carrying on the
scheme of
tence.
mean
have
redemption.
said, that a
By this,
sinners are converted, and saints nour-
ished and advanced in the divine
life.
By
They are begotten by the word
converted.
this, sinners are
of truth.
Begot-
ten to faith and a lively hope by the doctrines of the Gospel.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
Word
But, says the apostle, ''How can they believe in
whom
him
of
how can they hear without a

how can they preach except they be sent?"
they have not heard
preacher;
They
of God.
by the
are begotten to a lively hope
resurrection, or
the doctrine of Christ's resurrection from the dead.
By
the
plain preaching of the law, or broken covenant, conscience
awakened
by
this is the
knowledge of sin
ministry of condemnation and death

vice, for
we must become dead
to the
but
and
it is
is
this is the
of great ser-
law before we can
live
210
to
The sinner being alarmed with a sense
God.
and danger,
is
stimulated to
fly to
of his sin
Jesus for salvation
and
act of saving faith in Christ, completes conversion.
the
first
By
this ministry, also, true believers are kept in life
as
new-born babes, they desire and receive the sincere milk of
may grow thereby. Christ says to

And again, "Feed my lambs."
the Word, that they

4
my
'Feed
sheep."
Peter,
And
the Apostle Paul, to the elders of Ephesus, says, " Peed the
Church
of God,
In
the
fine,
which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Word
of
God
is profitable, for
for correction,
and instruction
of the subject
may
doctrine, for reproof,
This view
in righteousness.
strengthen the faith of Christians, that
as the application of redemption in the hands of the Mediator will never cease
so
he will never want a true and faith" Because I live, ye shall live
ful ministry in his Church.
And
also," says he.

office of
rious
the Gospel ministry.
but
its
magnify mine
glory
an exalted view of the
this gives us
is
It is
and
And
says Paul.
office,"
most honorable and
spiritual
all
it
teaches, that a
submission to a true and faithful Gospel ministry,

mission to Christ
a rejection of
that receiveth you, receiveth
me and he
despiseth
sent me."
it,
me
is
how much
and promoting a
at heart,
cause,
He
him that
ministers of the
all things.
encourage their hearts in their arduous work
workers together with God
a sub-
and he that despiseth you,
Gospel should strive to be like Christ in
may
is
a rejection of him. "
that despiseth me, despiseth
It serves also to show,
glo-
" I will
divine.
And
it
they are
they are prosecuting a design,
which the glorious Trinity has much
and which, God has promised,
in spite of all opposition from hell
shall finally succeed,
and
earth.
No wonder
211

that
then,
Satan points his arrows chiefly at a Gospel

In times of persecution, the weight of his fury
ministry.
commonly on them.
fell
In our day, the
office is
denied by
some, despised by others, assumed irregularly by many, and
much
too
neglected by
Men who
all.
efficacy
do not love Christ,
and success of the ministry of reconciliation depends

" It is the Spirit
on the influences of the Spirit of grace.

that quickeneth.
The excellency
and not of man.
The weapons
of the power is of God,
of our warfare are mighty,
Paul may
through God, to the pulling down of strongholds.

plant,
and Apollos water
but
But Christ says
crease."
you always, even
to the
it is
God
that giveth the in-
to his ministers, "
Lo
And
end of the world."
am
with
again, " I
you another comforter, who shall abide with you.
will send
He
whole
It is true, the
can not love his faithful ministers.
shall teach
remembrance.
righteousness,
you
and
and bring
all things,
And
all
things to your
he shall convince the world of
of judgment."
sin,
of
So that wherever the doc-
trines of the Gospel are faithfully taught, the worship of
God
performed in purity, and a happy medium maintained in

discipline,
between ruling the
flock
with
attention to good order and government
rigor,
and a lax
in-
wherever Christians
dwell together in unity, love, and peace, with purity of morals
God
there is no doubt, but in such a Church, the Spirit of

will co-operate with the
effectual,
more or
building of saints.
a Church.
Church
will
less, to
The beauty
The glory
is like
means
of the
a planet
of grace, to render
them
the conversion of sinners, and upof the
Lord
Lord
will be on such
will shine on
moving regularly
it.
in its orbit,
Such a
which
continually be beautified with the beams of the sun.
212
God's nature or essence

in his works
and Word.
He can
is invisible.
be seen only
His glorious perfections are
dis-
cernible in the starry heavens,
and the various revolutions
and productions
And
say,
of the earth.
with propriety we
by a Church constituted as above, the
of Grod
is reflected.
The glory
The Lord God and the Lamb

himself
is
visible in her.
is
of the
may
light of the glory
Lord shines upon
the light thereof.
her,
And God
213
CHAPTEE XXVI.
The twenty-sixth chapter
And
Saints.
treats of the
Communion
of
the view given us, in the preceding chapter, of
the nature of Christ's Church, will instruct us in another
question
What
The word Communion properly
Church
that
common
is
ought to be the terms of communion in his
to a
number
of the primitive Christians,

of Christ,
and
of persons
who were
so
something
was said
it
moved with the love
of each other, that the love of the world
no place in their hearts, " That they had
The
signifies
and thus
all
rich freely distributed to the poor,
had
things common."
and no
man
called
anything his own, exclusively of others.
All true Christians
have communion in Christ their head.
They have
God and Father with him.

and your God,
mon
to
my
inheritance.
with Christ.
" I ascend," says he, " to
Father and your Father."
They are
They have
all
all heirs of
one
all
my God
One com-
God, and joint heirs
communion with God the Father,
with Christ, and with each other in the truth.
They
all
think as Christ thinks, on the great foundation truths of

the Gospel.
They
are all taught
leads them into all truth
and
by the
this
Spirit of God,
who
communion reaches
to
214
the innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just
men made
perfect in heaven.
The Church militant and triumphant are one in

there
is
a blessed harmony between them in the truth
this
;
and
the strongest bonds of union in a Christian Church, are the
knowledge of the truth, a firm faith in
communion
it,
love to
in the justifying righteousness
to
all
and sanctifying
They are adorned with the same robe of
spirit of Christ.
righteousness,
and
it,
True Christians have
each other for the truth's sake.
and drink into one
They are
spirit.
heirs of
the same promises, and partakers of the same blessings.
They
and drink the same
spirit-
for they all drink of that spiritual rock
which
eat the
ual drink
same
spiritual meat,
them; and that rock
follows
Christ.
is
They have one
Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and are called in one hope
And
of their calling.
this
communion
it is
externally,
tions in a social manner.
and were
it
the duty of Christians to express
by observing
all Christ's institu-
These truths can not be denied
possible to get all true Christians throughout
the whole world assembled into one Church while none others
were admitted, there would be very
little
jarring between
them, probably none in the great truths and duties of the

Gospel.
it
But
otherwise.
The
tares
God hath sprinkled

in order to season
errors
of
mankind.
and the wheat must grow together
Christians are the salt of the earth.
until the harvest.
mass
God hath wisely ordered
this is impossible.
this salt over a great part of the world,
and preserve from

Differences
and corruptions spring
formal professors,
total putrefaction, the
in the
Church of
Christ,
chiefly from false brethren
who have a name
to live
and yet are dead,

the form without the power of godliness
phes,
who
love to have the pre-eminence
215
the sons of Diotre-
such ever will con-
nect the Church with the world, and conform her to
And we must
as they can.
it
as far
here also allow something to the
different capacities of true Christians, their very various
advances in knowledge, grace and holiness
things being considered,
we may
Church on the face
perfectly pure
is
the best, which
as
God
we ought
safely say, there is not a

of the earth.
spots
it is here,
blame on
so,
of other Churches
no man
saith
what have
cast guilt
I
done
an extreme danger of falling under the power
cal ostentation,
was the great
and
we
aside,
we
of pharisai-
This
Jewish Church in Christ's day, and
Lord of
are the people,
and
There
religious pride in our profession.
sin of the
this sin crucified the

say,
in other
and they are no
We
in discerning ours.
but
others,
common
is
are quick-sighted in discovering the
and blemishes
doubt, equally
is
we
As
The purest
and embrace,
must we withdraw
in nowise
from her communion altogether.

cases so
All these
fall.
carefully to seek
But
gives opportunity.
and the power
which they sometimes
of temptation under
It is natural for us to
glory.
and wisdom
shall die
And
are holier than you.
with us
stand
there can be no greater
evidence of gross hypocrisy, in a religious profession, than
when a fondness
for
pompous and showy
sions overthrows candor,
titles
and preten-
meekness, charity, patience, for-
bearance and peace.

Tz king
it
for
granted therefore, that
Christians to maintain a visible
it
is
the duty of
communion with the Church
of Christ, wherever providence shall order their lot
no Church
is
perfectly pure
that
it
is
that
their duty to seek
216
EXPOSITION
the purest
communion
AND DEFENSE OF THE
to
which they can have access
Word of God
our opinion come nearest to the
any Christian may
They are
briefly these
That her worship be Scriptural,
ernment be according
impartial, peaceful
full
and pure.
all Christ's
Secondly,
ordinances being
Thirdly, That her discipline
purely administered.
to the
and
Word
and gov-
of Grod, temperate, pure,
Fourthly, That her morals
gentle.
be strictly conformed to the divine rule.
Fifthly,
That the
unity of the Spirit be maintained in the bond of peace.

this
we maintain with an allowance
weaknesses and infirmities, incident to

present imperfect state.
same
ally the
communion
On
for the
human
All
unavoidable
nature in
its
the same conditions, or materi-
may any Church admit
in a stated way.
any
may order
First, that the profession of
Church be
faith of Christ in said
we
on which terms
safely join in stated fellowship with
branch of the Christian Church, where Providence

his lot.
communion, which in
shall proceed to point out the terms of
a new member to her
It is requisite, that he
have
a proper degree of knowledge, be found in the faith, holy in

life,
and profess a willing subjection
Christ, particularly to the discipline
and government of his
His continuance in fellowship, must depend upon
house.
his
to all the ordinances of
pure and peaceable deportment.
Church
will find
much
dence, meekness, condescension,

this case.
various
They
opportunities,
capacities,
tions of Christians
is
of the
charity,
and patience in
will see the necessity of attending to the
docility of disposition,
which
The rulers
scope for the exercise of wisdom, pru-
means
of improvement,
the different tempers, and tempta-
and govern themselves by that wisdom
profitable to direct.
When
a person removes from

one Church to another,
is
it
217
extremely proper, for the sake
of good order, that he produce a testimonial of his soundness
in the faith,
and holy
life.
That a temporary or what

with
sister
place, is
pinched
what no man
communion
called occasional
who
of understanding,
is
not
much
support some favorite and false hypothesis, will
to
The terms
deny.
is
Churches may lawfully in some instances take
of it are not materially different from the
terms of stated communion, only making an allowance for a

variety in innocent customs
and forms.
There are doubtless
points of external order in Churches, which

indifferent, such as,
may
be called
whether we begin public worship with
prayer or praise; whether in baptism we sprinkle

or thrice
the Lord's supper
we pray once
or twice
whether we give
tokens of admission to the Lord's table or not,

proper care be taken to
munion
once
whether in consecrating the bread and wine in
if
otherwise
guard against an unhallowed com-
and some things may be lawful and expedient in
one Church, which though lawful, would not be expedient in
another
there
is also
a difference between a Church formed
and the one only forming
and between a Church advanc-
ing in reformation and one falling back from former attain-
ments.
By
to our
occasional
communion we do not mean, the admitting
communion
tinue in
it
a person
whom
it
would be sinful
cumstances can not continue in
it.
Christians
months and years be removed from the place

communion.
to con-
but a person who on account of his local
may
cir-
for
of their stated
"What shall they do in such circumstances?
shall they forsake the assemblies of the saints ? shall they
18
218
cease to express publicly their love to Christ
and his people
communion with that branch
shall they have no visible
the Church of Christ, because
happens
it
of
to be in another
part of the world ? shall they cease to give public glory to
and
their Kedeemer,
are not at
home
to confess
particular place, or
No, Christians
him
his acceptable worship so limited?
is
may worship
G-od everywhere, lifting
hands without wrath and doubting

the same thing.
before men, because they
Is their Grod a local Deity, confined to a
Article 3. It
is
up holy
and our Confession saith

certainly circumscribing
the doctrine of the Confession too much, to say, that the com-
munion here meant,
mon
benefits of life
no more than communion in the com-
is
;
lawfully extended to Jews, Turks and heathens.

to all
men, especially to the household of faith,"
And
precept.
efits
if it
"
may be
Do good
is
a divine
because communion in these
be
so,
as some affirm, that
common ben-
are not the fruits of Christ's death even to believers,
are not benefits of the covenant of grace, are neither applied
by the
Spirit,
nor received by faith
how communion
it
is
not easy to see
in these alone can be Christian
communion,
which believers have with each other in Christ.

also be
who
in every place, call on the
make
is
it
name
of the
would
purely Scriptural
ascertain
Corinthians,
i,
it,
2.
and doubtless the

is
the true sense.
It cannot be
all,
Lord Jesus,"
include all pretenders to Christianity.
we could
1
It
an unreasonable extension of the phrase, "With
to
The phrase
apostolic sense, if
It is quoted
from
denied then, that the
apostle intended such Churches, as that at Corinth, though
several
things were
imperfect
readily appear to any,
who
and wrong
in
it,
as will
will read the epistles to that

The happy medium on
Church.
neither extend
communion
this subject,
The mind
We
which would
too widely, nor circumscribe it too
much, the true scriptural model,

aim.
219
that at which
is
we wish
of Christ
to discern
we would
and
follow.
are far from claiming the prerogatives of the whole
body of Christ,
catholic
an exclusive sense.
to our society, in
We will not pretend to unchurch all the Protestant Churches

communion
or say, that their
contaminate us, to touch,
But while we say

were pleading
let it
so
to
impure that
is so
handle
taste, or
it,
any
in
guard against the mistake as
case.
be observed, that this question
is
not at
Cod has
all,
described
anti-christian, as totally gone off the foundation,
concern-
her as
impure in
doctrine, idolatrous in worship, tyrannical on one hand,
totally loose on the other, in discipline, her
image of the lordly pride of this world
for
she
is
Sodom
described as
pride and cruelty
tyranny
we
if
promiscuous or unhallowed communion
for a
ing the Church of Kome.
impure
would
it
his people are
Egypt
her morals very
for filthiness
for darkness,
commanded
they partake not of her plagues.

cerning raving sectarians,
to
Xor
Babylon
idolatry,
come out of
is
and
government an
and
her, that
the question con-
who have corrupted
some, or per-
haps many of the doctrines of the Gospel, who have set

aside or maimed, added to or diminished the ordinances of
What
Christ.
Christian can favor such opinions as these ?
The light within, not the Word

and
life,
that
is,
men may
of God, is the rule of faith
believe
and act just as every
man's own mind directs him, without having a regard
any rule
duty,
or
fixed
standard.
until the Spirit of
That
to
we must attempt no
God moves us
thereto,
whereas
220
commands us
Christ
ral neglect of
pray for his
to
quence of that opinion
many,
not
if
it
That there
Nor
Sabbath, no sacraments under the Gospel.
any Church
That every
a teacher in the Church of
God, or as the Spirit moves him thereto.
tion concerning
and the conseleads to a gene-
all religious duties.
may commence
one that pleases
Spirit,
commonly, that
is
is
is
no
the ques-
or religious society whatsoever,
that would impose any sinful term or terms of communion

or with
whom
even a temporary communion would involve
us in a direct or implied apostasy from the testimony of

Jesus,
and that holy
have attained.
would do
this, it
name
to
which we
Whenever even a temporary communion

ought
But the question

testant Churches,
profession of his
is,
to
be avoided.
concerning the regular, orderly, Pro-
who have
clearly expressed their orthodoxy
in their Confessions of Faith, adhered thereto,
and walk in
the order of the Gospel, although differing from us in some
We
external modes and forms.

these sister Churches
and
cannot pretend to unchurch
or pronounce their communion unclean,
in all cases improper to be touched.
We
could not de-
fend such a principle from reason or Scripture, and so will
not advance
it.
We
might have said nothing on
sive subject, as it is to some.
sentiments
We might have
this offen-
concealed our
but in a public declaration of our principles, we
think this would have been uncandid
and humble Christians
and we hope, tender
will not wish, that
we should
ad-
vance principles which are not supported by reason, good

sense, nor
by the Word of God.
never separated.
their
From
these Churches
Our fathers never thought
communion unclean
we
of pronouncing
far less did they ever think of

totally rejecting
Knox
it.
held communion with the foreign
Welsh, with the Protestant Church of France.
Churches.
Moncrieif, with the
Church
of Holland,
when he studied
Eenwick received ordination
Leyden,
221
And
Holland.
it
Bailey, etc., held
is
fact,
in
at
the Church of
that Eutherford, Henderson,
communion with
their brethren in England,
while they attended the Westminster Assembly.
It
was with
the greatest reluctance, that the ministers of the association,
withdrew from the established Church of Scotland.
first
They did
it
with holy fear and humility
awful and important step
still
considered
it
as an
declared they meant no sepa-
ration from the Church of Scotland, but from a corrupt party

in that
Church
and they held communion with several
ministers of that Church for some years after their separation.
light
But now schisms and separations are with many a

matter they tear, and divide in a wanton manner, only
;
to gratify pride, passion
have mercy on
us,
and ungodly
zeal.
and give his healing
May
Spirit.
the Lord
We
shall
only add, that submission to the discipline of a Church,
while we are in her communion,
On
the whole,
we never
can,
is
indispensably necessary.
and never
will
embrace the
principle, that all the Protestant Churches, except our
party, are unfit for Christian or holy
communion.
own
222
CHAPTEES XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX.

These three chapters treat on the same
Seals of the Covenant of Grace,
shall be
subject, viz
the
and therefore our remarks
thrown together under one head.
Saviour of the Church did not see
it
The Lord and

Church
proper, that his
should be one moment without visible seals and tokens of

his gracious covenant with her.
Immediately after he had
celebrated the last Passover with his disciples, on the very
night in which he was betrayed, he set that aside, as unlit

for the
there
is
new
dispensation he was about to introduce, in which
no more any offering of sanguinary
sacrifices
and in
place thereof, he took the bread and the cup, blessed
and gave them
to his disciples
and appointed
them
this to be a
standing ordinance in his Church, until his coming to judg-
ment, to perpetuate the remembrance of his death, and keep

it
constantly in our view, as the meritorious cause of all
Baptism with water, was administered by John,
blessings.
called the Baptist.
commonly
temporary
it
was preparatory
But
to the
his baptism
was only
coming of Christ, and
was an early intimation of the glorious change which

the Messiah was about to introduce: it intimated that
223

circumcision would give
way
was circumcised, and
child,
when a
Christ, himself,
to
it.
so
acknowledged a member of
the Jewish Church, and as one of Abraham's seed, and in
Abraham's covenant.
But behold, when he begins
ministry, which was to
make
by John in Jordan
all
his public
things new, he was baptized
John's baptism was, as Paul says, the
baptism of repentance, in which he said to the people, that

they should believe on
is,
and very probably

baptism.
Him
The
on Christ Jesus.
it
that should come after him, that
disciples of Christ also baptized,
was in much the same manner
But we have the
as John's
institution of that baptism
which
continue in the Church to the end of time, in the 28th
is to
of Matthew.
Jesus, after his resurrection, said to his apos-
"Go and make
tles,
in the
name
teaching them to observe
manded
Lo, I
you.
nations.
am
and of the Holy
all
Do
things whatsoever I have com-
to the
Jewish nation, but to
Do
not circumcise, but baptize them.
like John, baptize
them
G-host
with you always, even to the end of
Go not only
the world."
them
disciples of all nations, baptizing
of the Father, of the Son,
in the
name
all
not,
of God, as about to
send his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, to set up his king-
dom
therein
Son,
and Holy Ghost.
trived
but baptize them in the name of the Father,
the Holy Ghost.
unnecessary.
came
Exhibit to them a redemption con-
by the Father, purchased by the
It
From
began
totally obsolete
this
Son,
to die apace
and unlawful.
and
But now, when the Church
after a little, be-
Circumcision was the
badge of distinction between Abraham's

nations.
and applied by
moment, circumcision became
is
seed,
and other
thrown open
nations, that badge of distinction is justly laid aside.
to all
These
224
sacraments, of Baptism and the Supper, are emblematical

representations of the great fact on which our salvation depends, to wit
from
it.
the death of Christ,
namely: the remission
ised blessings
and are
also
truth and authenticity of the
and the
benefits resulting
and
of sins,
other prom-
all
undeniable evidences of the
Xew
Tor
Testament writings.
recorded in these writings, that such rites were insti-
it is
tuted by Christ, and practiced by his apostles from the
And. as has been formerly remarked,
beginning.
it
would
had
have been totally impossible, to persuade men. that they

been baptized, and had baptized their children
had
cele-
brated the Lord's supper, and enjoined their children

so:
they had not truly been and done
if
And
so.
to
do
thus
it
would have been impossible that they could have received as

true, books
which said they had done
conscious that
it
was
so
so. if
they had not been
and therefore that these looks were
Thus the Word bears testimony
true and genuine.
to the
sacraments, and the sacraments bear witness to the truth of
They mutually support each
the Word.
It is
vain
other.
say that the spiritual baptism renders bap-
to
tism with wat:r un
ry, for it is
easy
to
prove that the
had
apostles administered baptism with water to such as
obtained baptism with the Spirit

too,
and
for that
because they had received the Holy G-host.
Can any man

tized,
monuments
Acts
x.
47.
forbid water, that these should not be bap-
who have
offensive, then,
very reason,
received the Holy G-host, as well as we.

to
it is
God and good men.

an attempt
to
to
How
lay aside these
overthrow two of the prin-
and
cipal evidences of the truth of the Christian religion,
tends ultimately to aid and abet the cause of infidelity
225
But those who allow the necessity of these monuments are
On
divided about them.

is
not so
much
the sacrament of the supper, there
among
disputation
Protestants.
not here help noticing, that there
is
But we can
a manifest congruity
between the Lord's supper, and the doctrines of Christ's

vinity,
imputed righteousness, and
infinite
atonement
di-
for sin.
But we think it is utterly inconsistent with Socinian, Arian,

and much wonder, that men of
and Arminian doctrines
;
these principles can observe
Surely
it.
Some
source of disputation and division.

of necessity be administered
altogether
wrong
that
it is
first
part of the dispute
it
must appear a
Baptism has been, and
senseless thing to them.
by plunging,
is
a fertile
insist that it
immersion
or
to administer it to infants.
must
;
and
The
last.
Yet
surely our brethren carry their argument quite too far,
when
is
not so important as the
they insist on immersion as essential to the right administration of the ordinance.
For there
is
no unquestionable proof
from the Scriptures that ever immersion was practiced in bapNo, we repeat
tism.
it,
But supposing, not granting,
not any.
that John had baptized by immersion

disciples of Christ
had done
permanent baptism of the

satisfy.
yea, supposing the
New Testament
He
appeared in
all
girt about
and he himself marks the
he wore a
with a leathern
the stern dignity,
austerity of the ancient prophets.
would not
this
John came neither eating nor drinking
garment of camel's Jiair; was

girdle.
so before Christ instituted the
and rough
Christ did not appear so
difference.
John was concluding
a severe ritual and ceremonial dispensation, and calling on
men
to prepare for a very different one.
repentance:
19
saying, " Believe
John baptized unto
on him that
is to
come
after
226
But the permanent baptism
me."
was instituted
out as come
The question
it.
New
is,
with
Testament
and points him
as having finished redemption,
the ritual and ceremonial system

to
of the
after Christ's resurrection
and
set aside
adapted
all severities
Did
did Christ institute immersion ?
his apostles, after his resurrection, always or ever baptize in
We are not afraid
that manner ?
and
it is certain,
cannot be proved
to say, it
Christ speaks of two baptisms, which could
His own baptism with his
not be performed by immersion.
own blood; he
doubtless was sprinkled with
plunged in
And baptism with
is
"
it.
but not
it:
the Holy Ghost
and
this
invariably represented by sprinkling, never by dipping.
Then
will I sprinkle clean water on you, a right spirit will
I put within you
I will pour on the house of David, etc.
the spirit of grace;" alluding to the clouds pouring out, or
sprinkling
down rain on the
of Israel were baptized unto
It is said the children
earth.
Moses in the cloud, and in the
sea.
Surely they were not dipped in the cloud, and in the
sea.
But
it is said,
they were buried in the sea
a representation of a burial
to be buried
and
But we answer, the
is
and
Our
represented by the salvation of
The wicked that
method
salvation
Noah
by
in the ark.
perished, were indeed buried in the waters
but Noah and his family rose above the flood
was sprinkled from the clouds on them.

If it could be
this
infer the necessity of the sign of the cross
in baptism, as well as that of a burial.
baptism
meant, when be-
is
lievers are said to be crucified with Christ
would
there was
believers are expressly said
with Christ in baptism.
same thing, the same spiritual blessing
of arguing
made appear that
this
while water
But enough
of this.
was the mode certainly
227

instituted
by
Christ,
we should
does not appear to be
The next point
of
is
cheerfully observe
more importance
and
still is
many
Christ's
this head, too
For Baptism, as
Churches,
And
here
are manifestly dead to
presently adminis-
it is
"Worldly and wicked men,
God and
godliness, are ad-
mitted to receive baptism to their children.

ful prostitution of the ordinance,
This
is
Him.
But
haps, only an abuse of a good and lawful thing.
this
nature, that to avoid one extreme,
The question
ordinance
visible believers
have
per-
human
are apt to rush to the
not at all concerning such an
is
;
we
is,
Our breth-
ren should reflect on a very natural propensity in
abuse of the
a fear-
and must grieve the hearts
of God's people, while it dishonors
opposite.
we
cause has
and profane mockers of God and religion
deists
men who
much
truly a bond of union between
is
kingdom and the world.
yea, even
it
given to our Baptist brethren, to separate
from the Church.

tered in
but
whether the infants
of believers have a right to baptism or not ?
must candidly own, that on

been,
it
so.
but, it is whether the infants of
have a right to
it ?
We
verily think they
and, without pretending to infallibility, will give our
reasons for this opinion.

First.
There
is
The following
not an instance in
a covenant
made with
children.
And, indeed, this
all
facts
satisfy us.
the book of God, of
parents, which did not include their

is
true of all covenants
between men, which can extend, in their nature,

children.
'
The covenant made with Noah, was
with his children.

cluded his posterity.
made
to
their
also
made
The covenant made with Abraham

The covenant of an everlasting
in-
priest-
hood with Aaron and Phineas, included their posterity.
228
The covenant
And
terity.
of royalty
all
made with David, included
his pos-
these were types of the covenant of grace
given to the Church, both then and now.
And, doubtless,
the penetrating faith of these holy men, saw the covenant
and
of grace
ham
life
under these emblems
did, for the apostle affirms that
is
it
certain Abra-
he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of faith, which he
And
had, being yet uncircumcised.
which had any

seal
was given
visible
in all these covenants,
signs or seals annexed to them, the
to the children as well as to the parents.
Thus the rainbow, the token of Noah's covenant, was visible

to his
young children as well as
was given
Circumcision
of eight days.
The Lord having thus made a grant of the
Secondly.
nant
to himself.
Abraham's children at the age
to
to his people
and their
seed,
both, under the Old Testament
and a
we would wish to
see
any proof
that the Lord Jesus hath recalled that grant under the
If this could be shown, it
Testament.
But we are bold
troversy.
seed."
"
children."
prophets.
is
The promise
is to
New
would end the con-
God
to say, it never can.
says to his people, " I will be your
cove-
seal of it likewise to
God and
the
God
still
of your
you," says Peter, " and to your
Christ did not come to destroy the law and the
This gracious doctrine of God's ancient prophets
not annulled nor repealed by Christ.
He came
not to di-
minish the privileges of his people, but to enlarge them.
But how grievously diminished must they
be, if
our infant-
seed be, under the Gospel, cast out of God's covenant

in the
same
the heathen.
relative
We
and
state every way, as the children of
say the same relative state, for the ques-
tion is not concerning their spiritual
and moral nature
we
and conceived in iniquity.
will allow they arc shapen in sin
But do they stand
his Church, as the
knowledges
dom
Christ ac-
members
of his king-
children to be the
little
not, for of
me and forbid
God." On what is
children to come unto
such
a kingdom formed
God and
to
children ,of the heathen ?
" Suffer little
them
same relation altogether
in the
2'2 (J
is
kingdom
the
The kingdom
the king and people.
of
on a compact or covenant between
It is
of
God
is
formed on the
covenant of grace, that gracious contract between him and

his Church.
It is clear, a king's son is born as
any
helpless a creature as the son of
then makes the difference
is
born a prince.
what mere covenant

cific difference.
by virtue
We
relations will do,
And
What
It is the covenant-relation be-
tween the king and the nation

the king's son
weak and
of his subjects.
to the
of that relation,
mean by
this to show,
where there
no spe-
is
same purpose, a child born of
lawful wedlock, inherits the father's titles and estate

child born of fornication
is
entitled to neither.
but a
Every child
born under the covenant or compact, which forms any king-
dom,
"
But
is
entitled to all the rights
was
and
liberties of a citizen.
Can not we
free born," says Paul.
conceive,
then, that a covenant subsisting between Christ

people,
may make some
and the children

so,
when he
of heathens ?
says, "
believing husband,
The apostle surely
The unbelieving wife

else
etc.,
but now are they holy."

children brought to
and his
relative difference between their seed
him
is sanctified
affirms
by the
were your children unclean:
Christ laid his hands on the little

;
the imposition of his hands was a
token of his confirming them in
all
the privileges of his
kingdom, as they became capable of enjoying them.
"Go,"
230
make
says he, "
my
nations
all
disciples, initiate
baptism, and teach them to observe
them by
things," etc.
all
dren are a very considerable part of every nation
Chil-
and a
person becomes a disciple, the moment that he enters the
acknowledged
it
and
it,
bound
is
it
are
a religious education
;
for,
is
supposing the
or die, the Church, in
which they
in the sight of G-od, to see that they
beside, they are the proper objects of
from the time they are capable of
discipline,
sufficiently
is
By baptism they
things went right
if
parents should neglect
were baptized,
and by
disciples,
secured to them,
get
This
he has learned a word.
school, before
applicable to the case of children.
it
Church
and have
not the good fruits of this been manifested all along ? and
do not they
members
appear?
still
who were
posterity of those
or two centuries ago ?
dividuals
But
ised land.
it
is
Abraham's
who
Who, but the
members thereof a century

there are exceptions of in-
it is true.
left
are the real living
day?
this
No doubt
Many
individuals of
Egypt, never entered the prom-
certain, the people
who
possessed the
posterity, according to the covenant
and none, who came out
who
the
but in general
Abraham's posterity who
land, were
Pray,
Church at
of Christ's
of
Egypt were excluded, but those
cast themselves out of the protection of the promise,
rebellion
the posterity of believers, under the
Moreover,
it is
God's estimation,
jection to the
to him.
by
and unbelief; and we may say the same thing of
New
Testament.
a fact, that no father of a family can, in
make an adequate
Lord
profession of his sub-
unless he subject all under his power
But by the appointment
of heaven children are put
under the power and authority of their parents.
God
there-
231
him
in all his
them up
fore expects, that they will give
to
ordinances, as they become gradually capable of receiving
Now
them.
young children
clear,
is
it
are as capable of
baptism, as Abraham's seed, on the eighth day, were of
And
cumcision.
cir-
as they advance to maturity of judgment,
parents must teach them, and bring them to the house of
God
to hear
Word, and
his
supper administered
tism
and enjoin
baptism and the Lord's
see
put them often in mind of their bap-
on them, when they become capable of
it
self-examination, to give themselves to the Lord at his table.
This
evidently the Divine scheme.
is
Abraham, that he
Joshua
Lord.
house,
we
command
will
whatever others
said,
will serve the Lord.
Eli
for the neglect of his children
their
to
son,
David
guilt.
know thou
the
God
of
do, as for
is
may
upon the
shall be
dwell with me.
me.
shall serve
within
my
He
house,"
He
Solomon,
thou,
thy fathers.
says he, with a perfect heart, within
Mine eyes
me and my
blamed and punished
by which he was accessory
"And
says,
know my servant
his house to serve the
my
will
my
walk,
house at home.
faithful of the land, that they
that walketh in a perfect way,
that worketh deceit, shall not dwell
etc.,
Psalms,
ci.
And under
the
Xew
Testament, we read, that whenever the father or head of a

family,
made
a profession of faith in Christ, he and his
Thus says Paul,
whole house were baptized.

also the
her
household of Stephanas.
household were baptized.
was baptized, he and
all
his,
The authority given by God

is
very great
and none
Cor.
16.
i,
Acts xvi, 15.

straightway.
to a parent or
baptized
Lydia and
The
jailer
Acts xvi, 33.
head of a family
in that station can serve the
Lord
232
to the
they
utmost extent of their ability and authority, unless
command
their children to do so too.
lows, that parents can not
It therefore fol-
make an adequate
profession of
their subjection to the Lord, unless they give their children
up
to
there
him
is
children
in baptism.
And we fear not to affirm, that

New Testament of the young
not an instance in the
of baptized parents, being
after their parents, or
when grown up
baptized a long time

to maturity.
233
CHAPTEES XXX, XXXI.

In these two chapters, the subject treated
is
Church Gov-
ernment and Discipline.
The Church
of Christ is a
body of
visible saints professing
their firm faith in God's
Word;
and engaged by covenant

ation of Jesus Christ
to
worship him through the medi-
and walk
in all his ordinances
commandments, whether pointing
one another, or to mankind at large.

society can subsist without order
can
this.
Christ
must
He
And we
alone is her king and law-
cannot suppose that Christ has been so
deficient in his care about his
no
so neither
none has a legislative power in his kingdom but
himself.
mode
It is clear, that as
and government,
therefore have appointed a form of
government in his Church.

giver
and
forth their duty to God, to
of
government in
it,
kingdom, as to institute no
or leave it to the discretion of men.
Church without government and
discipline,
is
like a
besieged city without walls; or a field without a fence.
And
in such a
Church (could
it
Christ would be totally rejected.

of government of
Christ
would
human
exist), the kingly office of
And
to
assume any form
contrivance, or not authorized
also in effect renounce that office,
by
and acknow-
234
The Word
ledge another lawgiver beside Christ.
the Church's rule in
all
mode
of
search for that
things
and
therefore in
God
of
is
we must
it
government which the Eedeemer has
instituted.
There are two plain principles on this head, clearly taught

in the Scriptures.
and ruled
rulers
That there
First,
Church
kingdom
and other mem-
of Christ is one.
His
one body, one house, one building, one vineyard,
is
flock,
a distinction between
is
or between church officers
Secondly, That the
bers.
one
one family, one husbandry, one kingdom.
These
two Scriptural, and indeed rational principles, which can
may
not be controverted,
subject.
There
church
ruled,
is
greatly assist our inquiries on this
a distinction stated between rulers and
and other members.
officers
that have the rule over you, for they watch

as they that
well,
must give an account.
The
"
Obey them
for
your souls
elders that rule
count worthy of double honor, especially them that
labor in the
Word and
And
doctrine."
his first epistle to the
the apostle Paul, in
Corinthians, chap,
both these principles incontrovertibly
and hath many members, and
establishes
" For as the body is one
the Church to the natural body.
body being many, are one body
xii,
where he compares
all the
members
of that one
so also is Christ.
If the
whole body were an eye," says he, " where were the hearing ?
If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling ?"
Now are ye the

particular.
And God hath
"
then applies the similitude.

Christ and
members
in
in the
Church
helps,
governments."
all
apostles?
first,
Are
all
apostles
He
body of
set
some
secondarily, prophets,
etc.,
Then he puts the question; "Are

prophets?"
And
with equal propri-
235

ety
it
may
helps ?
be added, nay, indeed
Are
governments
all
it
implied, are
is
which interrogative
is
all
the
It is therefore manifest, that the inde-
strongest negative.
pendent plan which commits the government of the Church

into the
hands of the whole body of the
faithful,
has not the
appearance of conformity unto the scriptural model.

destroys the scriptural distinction between
and other members

body of Christ.
and
church rulers
also overthrows the unity of the
makes
It
It
as
many
independent Churches
as there are particular congregations.
Another mode of
have contended,
when
at the time
his
power
is
government for which many
ecclesiastical
the hierarchy introduced into the Church
antichrist
was advancing
to the fullness of
and retained in England by king
Henry VIII,
when he cast off the Pope's authority and assumed the headship
over the Church to himself and his successors.
little to
say about this.
ed to vindicate
It is a pity that ever
by the Word of
it
world"
not of this
"
Ye know
who aspired
My kingdom
is
to the peremptory laws of his kingdom.
it
shall not be so
And
there
is
all
the
and
New
Testament.
office
But
elders of the Church.
The pretense confutes
it is
office
itself.
It is true
ordinary pas-
to the
extravagant fancy, that the apostolical

the Church.
Diotrephes,
no pattern of any such lordly dominion
power in
apostles were superior in
tors, rulers,
among you."
after the pre-eminence, is stigmatized with in-
or prelatical
the
not lordly, but
is
to the doctrine of Christ, "
that the rulers of the G-entiles exercise lordship
over them, but
famy.
have
It is contrary to
Grod.
the Spirit of the Christian religion, which
meek and lowly
We
any attempt-
a wild and
continues in
Let those who
236
AND DEFENSE OF THE
EXPOSITION
make
pretend to the apostolical
office,
have apostolical powers.
Every
stand and
John
fall together.
new Jerusalem hath twelve

names
it
manifest that they
and
office
powers must
its
says, that the city of the
them the
foundations, and in
But
Lamb.
of the twelve apostles of the
if
the Pope,
Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops be apostles too: this

city
must have innumerable foundations, and innumerable
names
in them.
The
of ordinary pastors
apostles often acted in the character
and elders
" The elders which are
to the
among you
Church.
I exhort,
elder and a witness of the sufferings of

is
Peter says,
who am
an
also
And
Christ. "
there
nothing more certain, than that the standing ministers of
the Church are in the Scriptures designated indifferently,

elders, pastors,
watchmen,
some light on this subject,
rulers, bishops.
sion of the introduction of prelacy

certain,
It
may throw
to attend to the time
that prelacy never
and
and independency.
made
its
occaIt is
appearance in the
Church, until she began to decline far from the purity and
humility of the primitive Church, and never attained
hight, until the
man
of sin sat
down on
the temple of Grod, and exalted himself above

called G-od
same
scale.
and the Popedom
is
its
Christ's throne in
all
that
is
only a higher degree on the
It is further certain, that
when our
ancestors
departed from the prelatical Church, they were struck with
such horror at the tyranny and unscriptural authority of

the bishops, that, to shun that extreme, some of them ran to
the opposite, namely, to divest church officers of all ruling
power, and surrender
it
into the hands of the people.
We
can much more easily account for both these, from the passions
and weaknesses
of
human
nature, than from the
Word
237
But there must be a medium between these two
of God.
extremes
and the Presbyterian plan
of government, prop-
erly adjusted, seems to be that
medium.
argument in
it
favor,
its
that
It is a collateral
requires a truly
Christian spirit, to constitute a true Presbyterian

allows
power enough
official
management
of the
kingdom
markable, that what

congregational modes
We
Presbytery.
gument on
to
is
church
It is further re-
of Christ.
truly good in the prelatical and
mean
We
this subject.
to
is
really a part of
enter on any labored ar-
are all well pleased with the
propositions concerning Church government laid
standards
to
which we
refer.
But
bered, that all the power delegated

is
it
the right
officers, for
of government,
do not
humble
while
only declarative and ministerial.
it
must
down
still
by Christ
in our
be remem-
to his officers,
They can only declare
and administer in his name, the laws which he has enacted.
And when
in attempting to do this, they act according to
his will, "
Then whatsoever they bind on
bound
in heaven
and whatsoever they
be loosed in heaven."
And
transgressors who remain

verified
thus, in the case of obstinate
finally impenitent, that
life,
The Church cannot
nor will Christ in the
The unity
of the
Church
life to
or
so
is
may
loose their sentence
come.
of Christ pleads highly for a
subordination of Church judicatories.

sessions or consistories
tery
word
their sin shall not be forgiven in this world nor in
the world to come.

in this
earth, shall be
loose on earth, shall
.For as
two or three Presbyteries
may
in a
more synods may in a General Assembly
of these again
may
two or three
unite their powers in a Presby-
Synod
:
and two
and a number
concenter their powers in a more gene-
238
And
ral Council.
indeed the true spirit and form of Pres-
byterianism, are calculated to unite the Church throughout
the whole world in one body.
This says not a
little for it
An objection will instantly occur to an injudicious critical
that
we plead
for the unity of the
but have overthrown
it,
mind
Church on the Presbyterian plan
by renouncing subordination
to all foreign
Our local
jurisdiction.
The answer
to this objection is easy.
from Britain
is such, as
renders subordination in the inferior de-
There
grees of the scale, altogether impracticable.

difference
a manifest
is
between the lower and higher degrees of the immediately
connecting or uniting parts in the Presbyterian body.

that the constituent families of a congregation
by delegation, in a Session
profitable to unite
them
of contiguous Sessions
a Presbytery
unite all the
while
in a
Synod while
;
one Presbytery.
it
may be
It is clear
easily united,
would be impracticable and un-
A number
personally in one judicature.
may, by delegation, concenter their powers in
it
members
while
all
would be inconvenient and impracticable
And
in one Session.
ries adjacent to each other,

cils
distance
it
number
may, by their delegates, unite
would be impossible
In like manner,
States might combine their councils
all
And
their coun-
them
all into
the Synods in the United
and powers,
rule and government, in a General Assembly
veniently meet in one Synod.
to collect
all the
for the purpose of
but could not
all con-
General Assemblies in
Europe and America, might combine in one General Council, in
manner, but could not
all in
a General Assembly.
add, that all the Churches in the world
gation in a Council
still
more general
to
of Presbyte-
Finally,
might do the same by

but could not
all
like
we may
dele-
come into
immediate contact or unition in any other way; nor in the grade

immediately below.
We
are therefore too low in the scale, consider-
ing our local distance, for any practicable or profitable unition with
the Churches in Britain.
there
We
cannot send members to represent us
and subordination without representation,
but Popery; not liberty, but slavery.
is
not Presbytery,
The points of unition, or im-

and
this idea of the unity of the Church,
many
New
places of the
Testament.
is
239
held up in
It is certain, that the
ministers and officers of the primitive Church, viewed them-
mediate contact, in Churches at such a distance, are near the top of

the scale
ful
it is
to be, or
but we are near the foot of
perhaps might
human
pect of such a unition
there
all
is
not fanci-
is
Christians what they ought
not impracticable.
be, it is
considering the imperfections of
This scheme
it.
And were
truly Presbyterial.
nature,
But indeed,
we have
and comprehension of Churches
little pros;
however,
one ground of consolation, that we can look up, and behold
true Churches united and connected in Christ the head of the
We
whole body.
have said that we are too low in the
scale, consid-
ering our local situation, to be properly united to the Churches in

Britain
and indeed
Churches in America
it is
But were
so.
to purify themselves,
all
the Presbyterian
remove causes of jealousy,
and come into a scriptural harmony and were the Churches in

we see no reason why they
to do the same
;
Britain and Ireland
might not concenter their powers in a general Council when necessary
nor on this supposition do we see any cause to prevent
all
the
Churches in America and Europe, or indeed in the whole world, doing

the same in a
still
more general
council.
And something
like this,
as appears from history, took place in the early days of Christianity.
could be accomplished only by delegation, and the
It is clear, it
unavoidable expenses behooved to be a
common burden.
But who can help remarking the inconsistency and depravity
human
nature,
Presbytery,
as
when we
see
they pretend,
men by
running headlong, and dragging
the Churches into independency
Church, where
it is
of
a wild, ungoverned zeal for
destroying the
harmony
of the
sufficiently practicable to support Presbyterial
union, for the sake of a connection impracticable and unprofitable

in our circumstances.
tery
that
is,
This
is to
make Presbytery
destroy Presby-
impracticable or unprofitable and popish Presbytery,
to destroy practicable, profitable,
and Scriptural Presbytery.
Such
240
selves as standing in a general relation to the whole
The apostle Panl says
the prosperity of the whole.

elders of the
"
Chnrch of Ephesus.
and the whole
Take heed
flock (not flocks) over
hath made you bishops."
body of
and as interested deeply
Christ, in whatever place it was,
And
in
to the
to yourselves,
which the Holy Grhost
there was evidently a Pres-
bytery in the Church at Antioch
for
we have an account
of their performing a judicial act, to wit, the ordination of
Saul and Barnabas.
among the
place
after
men
much
In this Church a dissension took

about circumcision
officers thereof,
and
disputation, that Presbytery referred the whole
are zealous Presbyterians in principle, and violent independ-
ents in practice.
Their zeal defeats
its
own
intention.
They grasp
the shadow and reject the substance.
They renounce Presbytery at
their hand, to catch it at a distance,
where they can not in present
circumstances reach
it.
We
have always
testified
a cheerful readi-
ness to correspond with our brethren abroad, for mutual advice and
help
and were the judicatories of the Churches
here, to rise higher
in the scale, they might easily, in a future day,
come into contact
with those in Europe, in a Presbyterial and Scriptural manner*
It
would almost tempt even a firm Presbyterian, were he to allow himself

to
think but superficially on the subject, to question whether that
plan of government have the divine approbation, that the providence of God, in ruling this world, seems to
pendency against their principles.

zealous Presbyterians, through
At
want
fix
men down
to inde-
least it is certain, that even
of candor, humility, forbear-
ance and patience, run wildly into the grossest independency: but
it
must be ascribed to the powerful corruptions of the human heart,

pride, want of charity and a fondness for peculiar, and sometimes
whimsical sentiments. And when thus viewed, it turns out to be
no indirect or weak evidence, that Presbyterian government is truly
of God.
241
unto the synod at Jerusalem, and sent Paul and Bar-
affair
nabas, and certain others as
members
And
to that synod.
accordingly the apostles and elders came together to consider
much
of this matter referred to them,
and
and reasoning (from which
rational to infer, that the
it is
after
disputing
apostles acted not in their extraordinary character, or
the spirit of apostolical inspiration

in the
Church
of Christ,
who have the promise
erence and direction of his Spirit,
they came to a
sions on that,
but as ordinary
final decision
when met
on the point
and their
deci-
and other points not mentioned, are called the
We
given unto the Churches for to keep.

here, that as the true spirit
government are adapted
to
and form
the
unite
throughout the world into one body

spirit
of his pref-
in his name),
ordained of the apostles and elders
decrees
add
by
officers
and form
which were
will only just
of Presbyterian
Church of Christ
so the true principles,
of the Christian religion are calculated, to
mankind
unite the whole world of
into one great empire or
peaceable confederacy, so as to exclude wars and all their
concomitant plagues forever from the earth

state
this
might enjoy
may
Church
all its rights
yet be the case
of Christ
fill
and
doubtless
liberties.
it
while each
And
perhaps
will be so, if ever the
the world, and the Spirit of Christ
fill
the Church.
Unto church
kingdom
of discipline.
trust,
officers
of heaven
to
Christ has committed the keys of the
wit
the key of doctrine and the key
In the exercise of this great and mighty
they must study to be faithful, as bearing only the
character of servants in the house.
They may compliment
men with
is
20
their
own things: but
it
infinitely
dangerous
242
to
compliment them with the things of Jesus Christ.
they please
men
If
in these matters, they can not be the ser-
vants of Christ.
In the exercise of both, they deal with
the consciences of
men
of the
for
they act in the
It is evident they
conscience.
and duty, by the key
produce noble
There
is
may
of doctrine,
The
the key of discipline.
touch
cases of sin
faithful exercise of both will
fruits.
The Church knows nothing
pains and penalties in her censures.

of Christ,
is
many
which they can not by
nothing punitive, nothing vindictive in the cen-
sures of the Church.
power
name and stead
Lord of conscience, and handle his law the rule of
and
is
Xo,
spiritual only.
of civil
ecclesiastical
It is called in
And
Scripture, a bewailing or lamenting over the offender.

it is certain,
that Church officers never pass censure, in the
They
spirit of their office, without much grief of heart.
may proceed by suspension and deposition from office, and by
What is called the inferior degree of the
excommunication.
last,
seems
to
be a suspension from the seals of the covenant;
the higher sentence
is
a pronouncing an obstinate irreclaim-
able transgressor, to be totally unfit for
communion
in
any
branch of the catholic Church, and that he properly belongs

to Satan's
kingdom, the world.
"
Let him be to thee as a
heathen-man or a publican," says Christ.
Church
officers
It is clear, that
ought to be extremely cautious in passing
this last censure.
There
is
not an instance of
it
in the
whole book of G-od mentioned with approbation, except in

the case of propagating some very noxious error, or committing
some flagraut breach of the moral law in
There are two ends to be aimed at
in
practice.
Church censure.
The
249

asserting the glory of God. vindicating the honor
first is,
purity of true religion, and keeping up
and
the distinction be-
tween Christ's ondefiled kingdom, and the world which lieth
The second
in wickedness.
him from the snare
ering
11
Much
and
of that
will require
it
wisdom which
then peaceable, gentle

tiality,
gaining the offender or recov-
and consistent
perfectly harmonious
in view
is,
is
dreadful.
And
If.
of
full
is first
pure,
mercy and good
we should
of the Church,
Spirit,
and wound
rule the nock with rigor,
much
down
dis-
religion, the case is
under the pretext of zeal
we should
cast
spiritual prudence
from above, and
under the pretense of saving an
communion
if,
both oiuht to be kept
much
and without hypocrisy,
offender in the
and easy to be entreated, without par-
fruits," to gain both.
honor God, grieve the
These two ends are
of the devil.
for God's glory,
and discourage,
in despair the offender, the effect
or too
is
also
dreadful.
has been alleged, that, in Church censure, yea, even in
It
the highest sentence. Church rulers have nothing to do, no
concern with, no question about the spiritual state of the

offender, or his state before God.
Is
assertion.
it
This seems to be a strange
possible that a spiritual ordinance affecting
the conscience, passed in the
name and
stead of the Lord of
conscience, and. according to his law. the rule of conscience,
and
for a scandal
and
law.
flesh,
Lord
to
that
which must be
a breach of his spiritual
gain a spiritual end

the spirit
may
the destruction of the
be saved
can have no concern about the
offender ?
But the
in
the
assertion appears to be
the meaning be. that
we can not
see
day of the
spiritual state of the
him
as
ambiguous
God
if
sees him.
244
that
we can not judge him
respect
it
is
which we can not
heart,
Men
pretend.
as Grod judges him, in every
but without sense
true,
see,
and
to
that
we can not
see nor
then
sees the
know them."
But
if
it,
and judge of
It is said, that it is only the person's
it is false.
practice of which
will
"By
judge of his state before the
Lord, as the Lord has directed us to see

it
God
judge by the outward appearance.
their fruits," says Christ, " ye shall

it be,
for
which no man
we
their fruits ye shall
But Christ
are to judge.
What
know them.
says,
by
the meaning of
is
this? Is it, by their fruits ye shall know their fruits?

No but by their fruits ye shall know them for the tree is
known by its fruits. What about them ? Surely their
spiritual state.
We are commanded to try the spirits
whether they be of G-od. Paul says, " He that is spiritual
judgeth all things."
He compares spiritual things with
;
spiritual.
The Church wrestles against

"
in high places.
ye shall pray for
There
it,"
is
And what
if
I say not that
This direction implies
says John.
that the sin unto death was, and
men.
spiritual wickedness
a sin unto death
is,
something visible
the scandal, for which a
person
to
is
cast out of the Church, should be something that does not
pertain immediately to practice

heresy,
light,
some damnable error or
which the Church can not help viewing in any other
than as inconsistent with salvation?
It can not be
denied, that some Socinians have a good moral deportment,
and yet deny the Trinity, and aver that Jesus Christ
mere man.
Spirit of G-od
is
The Apostle John adds,

:
"
is
Hereby know ye the
every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ
come in the
flesh,
is
of Grod.
And
every spirit that

confesseth not that Jesus Christ
Ye
of God.
world.
He
We
come
is
in the flesh, is not
They are
are of God, little children.
He
are of God.
that knoweth
that knoweth not God, heareth not us
the Spirit of God, and the spirit of error.
He
loveth, is born of God.
God
for
God
love
is
245
of the
God heareth
us.
hereby know we
Every one that
that loveth not, knoweth not
therefore, let us love one another.
Hereby do we know that we dwell in him, and he in us

because he hath given us of his Spirit."
There are three propositions on this head which are incontrovertible.

saints.
The Church
First,
of Christ is a
Secondly, That true Christians
body of visible
may
fall into sin.
Thirdly, That they cannot persist or continue in
The Church of Christ
is
address to the Church of Corinth

"
Unto the Church
of
is
God which
at Corinth, to
that in every place call on the
name
And
"
that to Ephesus
And
Lord himself conveys

to Paul, " I
is similar.
so
Paul's
altogether to this purpose.
is
are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints
at Ephesus."
First,
it.
a body of visible saints.
of the
them that
;
with
To the saints which are
on through the
And
epistles.
this idea of his Church,
"To
the
when he says
have made thee a minister and a witness,"
For what purpose
all
Lord Jesus."
etc.
open men's eyes, to turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God

that they
may
receive forgiveness of sins,
among them that
by faith that
are sanctified
Christ declares, " That except a
man
man
of God's
be in Christ Jesus he
He
kingdom on
is
is
in
me."
be born again, he can-
not enter into the kingdom of God."
and proper member
and inheritance
new
cannot be a true
earth, " For if
creature."
And
any
the
246
EXPOSITION
AND DEFENSE OF THE
apostle
John remarks, " He that committeth
devil.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not
sinneth hath not seen

is
him
sin is of the
whosoever
known him.
neither
Whosoever
born of Grod sinneth not, for his seed remaineth in him,
and he cannot sin because he
them.
Which
born of Grod."
is
ex-
must be explained by others in connection with
pressions
means that the children
It is manifest the apostle
G-od cannot follow a tract of sin
themselves, for this
is
they cannot allow
contrary to their
of
it in
new nature, and that
seed of grace which remaineth in them.
This
is
clear from
two other sentences uttered by him in connection with these,

"
He
that doeth not righteousness
righteousness
is
is
And
that loveth not his brother."
neither he
He
that doeth
not of G-od
again, "
righteous, even as he is righteous."
And,
without supposing these truths, there would be no difference
between the pure, spiritual kingdom of Christ, and the

world which lieth in wickedness.
Let us remark the
phrase, " the whole world lieth in wickedness."
can not do
Secondly
so.
is
it
in our religion, that even true saints

sin,
this
and these very grievous

:
" If
we say we have no
the truth
is
make him a
not in us.
liar,
If
may
The same
too.
sin,
Christians
an undeniable principle
we
fall into acts of
apostle asserts
deceive ourselves, and
we say we have not
and his word
is
not in us."
sinned,
''These things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
any man
sin, (let
him not sink
into despair,)
we
And, again,
And,
if
we have an
advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous
and he
is
the propitiation for our sins."
from fact and experience.
This
is also clear
It is manifest, from the history
of the saints recorded in Scripture, that they were encom-
247

passed with infirmities,
and
Peter
into acts of sin.
fell
Paul
Peter and Barnabas dissembled.
denied his Lord.
and John Mark had sharp contention.
Paul complained of
a law in his members, which warred against the law of his
mind, and led him into captivity to the law of sin and
death
I
am
which made him
"
call out,
man
wretched
that
But, thirdly, Grod's people can not continue in sin
!"
can not
lie still in it
can not live in
spirit of grace, recover
"I, like
them.
will raise
will,
by his
them up
again.
a lost sheep, went astray," says the Psalmist;
" seek thy servant."
And, in the twenty-third Psalm, he
acknowledges the good

restore th
He
God
it.
my
soul."
shepherd
had
But how doth he
granting them renewed repentance.
this
clone
When
"
them
restore
He
By
a professor of
the religion of Jesus, then, falls into sin in the sight of a
brother
a question arises in the
mind
of the beholder,
whether the transgressor allow himself in

offender
must be spoken
to,
and rebuked
cient evidence of repentance, he

this is an evidence that the
the offender
is
gained.
day turn again
must be forgiven
to thee, saying, I
because
and seven times
repent
Peter put the question
brother trespass against me,

till
The
suffi-
" If thy brother trespass against
And when
forgive him."
if
Lord hath pardoned him, and
thee," says Christ, " seven times in a day,

in a
not ?
he give
it or
how
thou shalt
:
"If my
him
often shall I forgive
seven times ?" Christ replies, " I say not unto thee
seven times
but
till
seventy times seven."
charity that covers a multitude of sins.
This
It is to
is
till
that
no pur-
pose here to say, that our Lord speaks of personal offenses

for this rather
augments the
force of the argument.
Every
248
personal offense taken on just grounds,
in the offender
is
a breach, of the divine law, and, therefore, a sin against
The law
God.
as ourselves
that
men
of
God commands us
and the law
of Christ
to love our neighbor
is,
whatsoever ye would
should do to you, do ye the same to them.
But
brother too.
if
Per-
God, and our
against
sins
therefore,
sonal offenses are,
the brother be impenitent
a doubt
about the sincerity of his profession and reality of his

religion
rises
higher
still
and,
brother must take two or three witnesses

repent, he is gained,
satisfied.
But
if,
impenitent in his
after all this, he
not hear the Church, but
sin, this is inconsistent
any appearance of
can not be born of God
of the devil
and, therefore,
to belong to the
still
with visible
real grace, as far as the
Church can judge by the rule of Christ given in such
He
to be
remain hardened and
the scandal must be brought before
sin,
justify himself in his

saintship, or
and, if he then
and the offended party ought
If he will
the Church.
the offended
therefore,
cases.
for he that thus sinneth is
must be
cast out, or declared
world which lieth in wickedness.
But
if
he do repent, this is an evidence, that, though fallen, the
Lord hath raised him up, restored him

forgiven his sin.
after they
tians,
pardoned him,
too
him
or,
as
And
have
it
to rejDentance,
sufficient
to hesitate a
evidence
that
moment about
Christ.
Public
God hath
forgiving
in other words, acknowledging, loving,
a brother in
God
before the Church.
It is not the
him
and treating
confessions,
before the Church, are not confessions to the Church

to
and
will be impossible for true Chris-
then,
;
but
law of the Church
which the offender hath violated; but the law of Christ,

Head and King
the
of the Church.
It is not the
" Against thee, thee
men, but to God.
therefore, not to
only, have I sinned," says the Psalmist
law which I have broken

this confession before the
that
and
satisfaction, in a strict
minds
the
satisfy
of
is
not to
is
The design of
make any atonement
sense, to the
Cod's people,
Church
is
about the person's
God and him
it is
not her
but God's, that the Church attempts to vin-
honor,
dicate
The
not properly between the Church and the
offending brother, but between
own
or
but only to
gracious standing with God, or reconciliation to him.

controversy
thy
his penitential tears
mingle with the Church's praise to this day.

such public confessions,
is, it
same time, he makes
at the
Church
Church
The confession
that can pardon sin, but the Lord himself.

is,
249
she pleads the cause of her King, and contends for
This serves to show the great need for caution in
him.
passing censures
especially the highest sentence.
Great
heed should be taken, that the matter of the offense be

truly sinful
for
sometimes Christians are scandalized and
grievously offended with that which
is
no offense against
God but a great duty. This was evidently the case with
those who contended with, and blamed the Apostle Peter,
because he went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with
;
them
but this was his duty.
And when
he had explained
the vision which he had, and the angel's message to the
Centurion, ordering
removed.
people, at the time

tion.
It
him
to
send for Peter, the offense was
It was, no doubt, the case with
would be
some of God's
Luther and others began the Eeformatoo harsh to say, there were
Christians in the Church of

21
Eome
at that time
no true
and some
250
might imagine that
of them, judging without knowledge,
Luther was going quite wrong, and
But the
conduct.
offense
take offense at his
so
would immediately cease on their
being properly enlightened.
Indeed, in things indifferent,
which may be either done or
let alone
which weak Christians would take
without
but at
sin,
offense, it is the indis-
pensable duty of the stronger to bear the burdens of the
weaker
this
was the noble resolution
my
" If eating flesh will offend
not eat flesh

is
till I
no light matter
On
die."
the whole,
" Offenses
says Christ, " but woe to the

;
it
it
"I
will
appears, that
it
to give scandal or offense to a Christian
brother or the Church of God,
cometh
of the Apostle Paul
brother," says he,
must needs come,"
man by whom
were better for him that a
hanged about his neck, and he cast

he should offend one of these
little
the offense
mill-stone were
into the sea, than that
ones."
And
Christians
should be extremely cautious in taking offense, and be sure

never to do so without cause.
Many
times ecclesiastical
judicatories, in attempting to purge scandals, have,
charitable,
passionate,
greater scandal and offense, than the one which they

to remove.
And we
by un-
and un scriptural procedure, given
meant
fear the doctrine above animadverted
on, that ecclesiastical judicatories
person's state before God,
is
have no concern with the
only a fig-leaf covering to some
fearful abuses of that kind.
On
the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Chapters, which
treat of a Future State,
we deem
it
unnecessary to add any
remarks, beside what have been advanced against the doctrine of universal salvation.
251
THOUGHTS ON THE INSPIRATION OF THE

HOLT SCRIPTURES.
Doctor Doddridge,, in a small
with his Exposition of the
New
Inspiration "into three kinds, viz

Elevation,
We
and Suggestion.
treatise
printed
along
Testament, has distinguished

that of Superintendency,
shall say nothing about
this distinction, but allow every reader to judge for himself.
The best idea
of the subject
from the Scriptures.

texts:
John
xiv, 26, "
"We
may
may, doubtless, be obtained

acquire
Ghost," says Christ to his disciples, "
send in
all
my
it
from the following
But the Comforter, which
whom
name, he shall teach you
is
and bring
all things,
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
unto you."
John
xvi, 13
" Howbeit,
of truth, is come, he shall guide
when
you into
the Holy
the Eather will
have said
he, the spirit

all
truth
for
he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall

hear, shall he speak,
He
and he will show you things
shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine,
show
it
unto you."
the designation given to the Holy Ghost

Spirit of
Truth
may
In these texts we
:
he
to come.
and
shall
notice, Eirst,
is
called the
intimating that nothing but God's truth
252
could or would be communicated by him.

First, lie shall not
office.
He
he shall hear, that shall he speak.
had
as if Christ
is,
whatsoever he shall
tell
and you may publish

guide you into
all
you
all
shall teach
shall glorify me,
si mine, and shall show
for he shall receive
that
Secondly, his
speak of himself, but whatsoever
you may
said,
you,
is
divine truth
it is
Secondly
as such.
it
divine truth, necessary to be
Thirdly
things.
things past, and to things to come
my
mind,
he
shall
known
he
this shall extend to
for
unto you
it
rest assured, that
he shall bring
all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have spoken unto

you,
and he shall show you things
Spirit would qualify them

life,
what he had
of
manner
in
said,
Thus the
to come.
to write the history of Christ's
and done, and
and the
suffered,
which he conducted himself; and,
also,
he would
be in them as the spirit of prophecy, enabling them to

foretell future
Christ himself was
events.
superabundant measure of the Holy
gave not the Spirit unto him by measure
Father that in him
all fullness
him
in
says, Isaiah xlii, 1
"I have put my
he
shall bring forth
Isaiah
lxi, 1,
the Lord
Christ
Gbd
is
is
to
pleased the
the fullness of
The eternal Father
bodily.
judgment
with a
The Father
it
should dwell
the Godhead dwelt
filled
Spirit.
Spirit
the
upon him, and
Gentiles."
represented as saying
"
The
And
Spirit of
upon me, because he hath anointed me
to preach glad tidings to the poor," etc.
Christ expressly applies unto himself,
Luke
which prophecy
iv,
16-21, * At
Nazareth, he entered into the Synagogue, and there was

delivered to
him the book
of Isaias
and when he had
opened the book, he found the place where
it
was written,

The
Lord God
Spirit of the
" this day
is
is
upon me,"
etc.
253
and he
your ears,"
this Scripture fulfilled in
said,
The
etc.
texts are almost innumerable, which testify, that the apos-
and other holy men, were
tles,
which was given
Mark
"
Ye
shall receive
Acts
ii,
22, "
John xx,
He
to them.
breathed on them,
ye the Holy Ghost,"
said, receive
you."
with the same spirit
" It is not ye that speak," says Christ, " but
xiii, 11,
the Holy Ghost,"
and
filled
and which he promised
to Christ,
Acts
4,
"
They were
all
filled
he
8,
i,
power after the Holy Ghost
said,
come upon
is
with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance."

are too
many
Again,
But the passages
to this purpose
to be transcribed.
it is certain,
that the Lord Jesus Christ and his
apostles affirm, in the fullest manner, that holy
the old Testament spoke as they were
Ghost.
Christ attests this
Mark
men under
moved by the Holy

36
xii,
''Tor David
my
himself said by the Holy Ghost, the Lord said to

Sit
my
thou on
11.0th Psalm.
have
also a
right hand,"
Peter attests
it
which
that no prophecy of the Scripture
first,
will of
for the
is
2 Peter
more sure word of prophecy,
interpretation
i,
19, 21
of
"
We
this,
any private
man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved
same purpose
known
And
Tim.
iii,
the apostle Paul says to the

15, 16
"From
a child thou
the holy Scriptures, which are sufficient to
thee wise unto salvation, through faith which

Jesus.
knowing
etc.,
is
Lord,
quoted from the
prophecy came not in old time by the
by the Holy Ghost."

hast
etc.,
All Scripture
is
is
make
in Christ
given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction
and
in-
254
man
struction in righteousness, that the

fect,
thoroughly furnished unto
thing
attested in
is
many
God may be
of
per-
The same
good works."
all
Acts xxviii, 25,
other passages.
" Well spake the Holy Ghost, by Isaias the prophet, unto
our Fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, hearing ye

shall hear,
and
the Holy Ghost saith, To day
which
is
"
into the second
But
the holiest of
Men and
fulfilled,
"As
7,
ix, 7, 8,
alone, once a
way
this signifying, that the
was not yet manifest,"
all
Acts
etc.
into
i,
16,
brethren, this Scripture must needs have been
which the Holy. Ghost, by the mouth of David,
spake concerning Judas,
etc., let
his bishopric let another take,"
109th
Hebrews
went the high priest
Holy Ghost
iii,
ye will hear his voice,"
if
quoted from the 95th Psalm.
year, etc., the
"
Hebrews
shall not understand."
Psalm.
It
affirmed,
is
his habitation be desolate,
which
is
quoted from the
John the Baptist,
that
Zacharias his father, Elizabeth, Mary, and Simeon, were

filled
it
with the Holy Ghost.
Yea, of Simeon
it is said,
"
That
was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should
And
not taste of death, until he had seen the Lord's Christ.
he came by the spirit into the temple, and he took the child
God and
Jesus up in his arms, and blessed

lettest
said, Lord,
seen thy salvation," etc.
with Moses face
to face
It is declared, that
;
says to him, "
God
God spake
My
"
shall go with you,
and
I will give
"I
will
come down, and talk with
Numbers
xi, 17,
I will take of the spirit which
on them,
"
We
now
thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have
viz:
is
the seventy elders."
have found him of
you
upon
rest
thee,
and
presence
and again,
thee,
will
and
put
it
Philip says to Nathanael,
whom Moses
in the law
and the
255
prophets did write," doubtless by the inspiration of God's

Spirit
and remarkable are the words spoken concerning
Christ,
when he discoursed with the two
Emniaus, " Beginning at Moses, and
pounded
to
them, in
all
disciples going to
the prophets, he ex-
all
the Scriptures, the things concerning
himself."
Now
the only question that remains,
is,
do the predictions
uttered by Christ and his apostles, the miracles which they
performed, the doctrines which they taught, the laws and
ordinances which they instituted and published, their holy
and
spotless lives, justify this representation of the matter ?
Are these truly worthy

from none but God
and such
of God,
as could proceed
Most certainly they are
so
and there-
fore the conclusion is unavoidable, that the Scriptures of the
New Testament
Old and
were given by the inspiration of the
"We say nothing, at present, of the doctrines,
Spirit of God.
miracles, laws, the holy, humble,
and
spotless lives of
and the prophets, which, when thrown into the
Moses
scale,
add
weight to the argument likewise.

Indeed, the truths revealed in the Scriptures are such, as
could never have entered the
mind
man
of
if
they had not
been conveyed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God

such
as,
the account of creation and part of that of the flood
the mystery of the Trinity of persons in the Godhead
manner of man's
the incarnation
sacrifice of the
and men
fall
;
his redemption
the suretyship
the
the covenant of grace
the obedience and atoning
Son of God, the only Mediator between God
the doctrine of regeneration
faith in Christ, so as that
one and the same act
life
God may be
of justification
just
by
and merciful in
and immortality after death, and
256
the resurrection.
truth, that
All these pour in their evidence to this
God hath spoken
fection ascribed to
Him.
God
The scheme
and
and heavenly, both as
The tendency
and passions,
of the
and exalt and com-
penitent, and, in a word, to raise our
depraved natures, to grace, holiness, virtue and
corrupt,
felicity,
to principles
of the whole to subdue our
to debase the proud,
humble and
fort the
Every per-
from none but the
practice, as could proceed
Spirit of holiness.
lusts
us in his Word.
of religion there delineated, is so bene-
volent, pure, spiritual,
of faith,
to
in the Scriptures, is most worthy of
manifestly discover
Word
of God,
its
its
divine original.
The majesty
power over the conscience,
its effi-
cacy to transform the most wicked men, into the most
amiable and useful of the
human
race,
which
it
in innumerable instances, and that even in our

declare, that never
why
man
time,
spake as God's word speaks.
But
The very sentences of
enlarge on this subject ?
ture quoted above prove
has done,
own
it.
Did ever any heathen
Scrip-
writers,
the greatest of their philosophers, utter such words, or com-
municate such ideas

entered into any
They
are such as could never
mind uninspired.
Who
have
ever read in any
the most sublime and polished heathen authors, such words

as these
Lord,
" Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, etc.
now
lettest
thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine
eyes have seen thy salvation, a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory
of thy people Israel.
are brought to light
by the Gospel
Life
;
and immortality
through the tender
mercies of our God, the day-spring from on high hath visited

us.
We
have redemption through his blood, even the
for-
giveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,
257
whom God
hath
set.
forth to be a propitiation, through faith
the remission
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for
of sins, etc., that
God might be
Who
that believeth in Jesus.
and the
just,
justifier of
him
made unto
us,
of God, is
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Who
only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no
man
whom
can approach unto,
man hath
no
seen, nor
whom be
honor and power everlasting.
ruptible
must put on incorruption, and

and when
immortality;
this
Amen.
victory
is
Death
thy victory
of sin is the
law
is
so,
thy sting
Lord Jesus
then shall be
grave
where
and the strength
God, who giveth- us the
to
Now may
Christ.
who brought again from
cor-
swallowed up in
is
of death is sin,
but thanks be
victory through our

of peace,
where
The sting
see, to
this mortal put on
be
shall
brought to pass that saying, Death
can
For this
the
God
the dead our Lord Jesus
Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
of the everlasting covenant,
make you
work, working in you, that which

sight
"
abound.
of the
and such
like,
with which the sacred writings
These are surprising words
Holy Ghost
perfect in every good
well pleasing in his
is
They proclaim
They are the words
their divine original
Let any one read the eighth chapter of the epistle to the
Eomans, and indeed we may say every chapter almost of the

Bible, with the comparison above
he will be convinced, that never
mentioned in his
man
eye,
and
spoke like God, or that
no uninspired person could have conceived such ideas, or

uttered such words.
But, to remove every doubt on this subject,
further, that none can deny, that it was,
and
we may observe
is
possible for
258
G-od, to reveal his
spirit within us.
mind and
will unto men.
own work, and have an easy
access to
We
and move, and have our being.
He
of his presence.
us
formed the
lie
and must surely know and understand his
is
In him we
it.
within us, without us, and
all
around
compasseth our path, knows our lying down, and rising
Every
up.
He
secret thought is open to his view.
searcheth
the heart, and trieth the reins of the children of men.

is
live,
exist in the immensity
There
one consideration of great weight in this argument
because
it
is
common,
deeply studied
spirit
can reveal
it
is
little
admired, though
is
most astonishing, viz
its
thoughts unto another.
but
when
that one created
Men
are but very
imperfect creatures, and yet can, with the greatest facility,
communicate their mind and will
But
to each other.
it is
not their bodies or mere pieces of matter, that hold converse
and communication
together, but really their spirits or intel-
ligent powers, through the organs of the body.
can make his will known to the inferior animals

certain, these
animals can
to
Has
one another.
Spirit, the infinite Creator, thus, in
way
to reveal his
mind
man
and
it
is
the great
of intelligence
through the whole creation, and shall any deem
him
Yea,
a most marvelous man-
ner opened a channel, and established a
ble for
it
impossi-
to rational creatures ?
most
certainly this can not transcend his infinite wisdom, goodness,
power and condescension.
And
it
must be granted, that on
supposition of his graciously intending to save
men from
the
ruins of their apostasy, such a revelation was indispensably
necessary
it.
Now
and that therefore he would most certainly give

the above supposition
proclaims to be a glorious reality
is
;
that,
and
which the Gospel
if so,
a revelation of
259

the plan was absolutely necessary.
There appears to have
been a strong sense of this necessity, and a vehement desire
some of the wisest
of obtaining the blessing, prevalent with
of the ancient heathen philosophers,
who were
conscious of
They were extremely anxious,
their groping in the dark.
that such a revelation might be given to the world
an evidence of such a prevailing sense of

ardent breathing after
And
and as
and
pretended revelations were sub-
it,
stituted in place of the true
the genuine coin.
its necessity,
but the counterfeit supposes
the universal practice of the heathen
was nature pointing
in consulting their oracles,
to this great
object.
That God has actually given such a revelation of his mind
and
because
will to men, is an unquestionable fact
many
Scriptures contain
told
many hundred
which have been
the
predictions of future events, fore-
years before their accomplishment, and
literally fulfilled,
and are
still fulfilling
such as the rise and downfall of the four great monarchies

in the East
Messiah
the appearance, miracles, and sufferings of the
the destruction of Jerusalem
the dispersion and
misery of the Jews, and conversion of the Gentiles

cess
and spreading
antichrist, etc.
We
of these prophecies
never have been
God has
to
He
of the Gospel
the
rise,
the suc-
and downfall
of
are the witnesses of the accomplishment
and
it is
foretold,
revealed his
mind
incontestable, that they could
but by supernatural revelation.
to
men
in various
ways
he seems
have conversed visibly and audibly with the patriarchs.

spoke to
men by
Ezekiel,
and
He
the ministry of angels.
his purposes to Joseph

to Peter,
and others by dreams
when he saw the
discovered
by visions
to
great sheet descend-
260
ing from heaven, containing
ing things, and heard a
He
eat."
spake by
all
manner
and
of beasts
Urim and Thummim.
But
chiefly
most commonly, by inspiring holy men with his own
which might be easily shown
and best adapted,
fittest
At
wisdom.
last the
dwelt among men.
creep-
voice, saying, " Eise, Peter, slay
on
to be,
eternal Logos
The Son
many
was made
infinite
flesh,
God assumed the
of
And when
man.
and
Spirit,
accounts, the
ends proposed by
to gain the
and
and
nature,
and performed the
service of a
from this world
take possession of his glory, he renewed
to
he ascended
the gift of inspiration by his Spirit to the Church, by grant-
ing
it to
them
The Divine
all things, to
assist their
all
made appear
his apostles, as has been
cited texts.
Spirit
was given
guide them into
in the fore-
to them, to teach
all truth,
memories in relating what was
and
also to
past, or to bring
things to their remembrance, as well as to show them
Thus they were
things to come.
fortified against error
on
every hand, both in the historical, doctrinal, prophetical and
mandatory parts of their
office.
The following truths may tend further

credibility of the doctrine of inspiration
by the
Spirit of
this world
same
God moving on
was formed
preservation
is
to illustrate the
First, as it
was
the face of the deep, that
into order
Spirit seems to be the natural
" There
and consistence
so the
and moral agent in the
and government of the world.
Elihu says,
a Spirit in man, and the inspiration of the
Almighty giveth him understanding."

Spirit teacheth
man more than

husbandman,
xxxii, 8.
the beasts of the
maketh him wiser than the fowls

Isaias saith of the
Job
"
of heaven."
" This
field,
xxxv.
and
And
His God doth instruct him
261

and doth teach him
to discretion,
bread corn
is
bruised,
This also cometh forth from the Lord of Hosts, who
etc.
and excellent in working."
wonderful in counsel
Bezaleel and Aholiab were inspired with
xxviii.
"
says,
He
heroism and bravery.
spirit of
my
teacheth
wisdom
in
The Spirit of the Lord came
the arts of their profession.
upon Sampson, as the
is
Isaiah
hands
to
my
war and
David
fingers to
fight."
Solomon had the Spirit of God as the author of
political
wisdom.
And
indeed, whatever of true
wisdom
or
good order, remains among men in this world, doubtless the

Spirit of
God
is
the author of
it
and this
is
no more than
He who created the world, also sustains

and governs it. And there is no question, but the great
discoveries made to men in the science of government, natu-
to maintain, that
and the useful
ral philosophy,
source.
But
suppose, that
it
God
arts,
proceed from the same
only carrying the idea a
is
has,
by the inspiration
little higher, to
of his Spirit,
made
a supernatural revelation of heavenly things to man.

Secondly. That other spiritual beings have access to the
minds of men, and may communicate hints
of things, of
which men would otherwise have no knowledge, seems
had premonitions and warnings, in dreams,

of
evi-
That the most of men have
dent from fact and experience.
of future events,
which otherwise they could have had no knowledge,
undeniable.
Now
good or bad, the argument
when applied
to
the
whether good or bad,
more may the
And
is
supposing this to proceed from angels,

is,
Spirit
may
fortiori,
of God.
or
more strong,
If created spirits,
convey intelligence to men,
infinite, eternal,
and uncreated
much
Spirit of God.
that a superior being, even in the rank of creatures,
262
may
do
so,
can not well be doubted, when we see that the
inferior creatures
can convey intelligence to us of
their
wants, and of other things.

Thirdly. It
spirit
may
is
a fact incontrovertible, that even a created
so unite himself with the spirit of a man, as to
obtain the absolute
command
members
of his bodily
and government
of his mind,
man
so that the
and act under the influence of such a
shall think, speak,
This was evi-
spirit.
dently the case of the possessed in the time of Christ.
Legion called
out, "
What have
Son of God, Most High ?"
it
was the man's mouth and tongue
that uttered these words, and his

the ideas;
instances,
mind no doubt conceived
and perhaps the most

wherein
it
was
clear,
of us have
no doubt on this occasion,

utterly against
recollect
And
with blasphemous
their wills,
fiery darts into their
Christians will,
their being at times
thoughts, and horrible apprehensions
been tossed like
seen such
some preternatural
that
power had the command of the person.
perplexed,
When
with thee, Jesus, thou
I to do
which have
of God,
minds
which must be
ascribed to Satan, and are doubtless the very things which
the Apostle calls the fiery darts of the wicked one.
a created
spirit,
whether good or bad,
may have
ISTow, if
such access
to our minds, is it not easy to conceive, that the infinitely
holy,
self
and good
Spirit of God,
may have
it,
with the spirit of a man, that the
and
man
so unite
him-
shall think,
speak, and act under his influence ?
Fourthly. This union of the Spirit of
God with
the souls
of Christians, is a doctrine clearly taught in the Scriptures,
and confirmed from

ject
we have spoken
fact
and experience.
already,
when
But on
this sub-
treating of regeneration.
263

In the work of conviction on the sinner's mind,
Spirit
man
who
is
He
at work.
is
convinces of sin.
is
the
When
the
it
enlightened in the knowledge of Christ, and his heart
captivated by his glory and grace, this Divine light and love
proceeds from the operations of the Spirit of
The agency
mind.
of the Spirit of
agency of the man's own mind
God
the believer
nothing but of his own perceptions and volitions
might as
ceptions
new
easily create a
and
"
sensible of
is
and yet he
command
world, as
the
these per-
without the power and influence of
volitions,
the Spirit of God.
God on
concealed in the
is
We
are not sufficient of ourselves,"
says Paul, " to think anything as of ourselves."
"
Without
And are not
me," says Christ, "ye can do nothing."
all
true
Christians more or less sensible, of their being sometimes
overwhelmed with darkness, the power of spiritual deadness
and weakness
woman
etc.,
on this subject, speaking, to the
Christ
of Samaria, says
" If
thou knewest the gift of God,"
"thou wouldst have asked
given thee living water,"

give, shall be in
of him,
etc., "
and he would have
and the water that
I shall
you as a well of living water, springing up
to everlasting life."
John
meaning, he says, John
vii,
iv.
And
38, 39
again, to explain his
"He
that believeth on
me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow
rivers of living water, this spake he of the Spirit,
which they
And according to this

Now may the God of peace,"
that believe on him, should receive."

doctrine, the apostle prays
etc.,
"make you
"
perfect in every good work, to do his will,
working in you that which
"Work
And
again,
it is
God that worketh
is
well-pleasing in his sight."
out the work of your

in you, both
own
to will
salvation, for
and
to
do of his
264
This
good pleasure."
But
holy
it is
is
the experience of all his saints.
only raising the idea somewhat higher, to suppose
men
inspired by the same Spirit, to give to the world a
supernatural revelation of the mind and will of God.

It is a
Fifthly.
fact sufficiently attested
mony
and incontro-
we should regard only human
vertibly established, if
testi-
in the case, that the apostle spoke various languages,
wrought miracles, endured
sufferings,
and
accomplished
astonishing labors, by the aiding, supporting, and comfort-
ing power of God's Spirit.
ments of
faith,
And
any one read the achieve-
let
recorded in the eleventh to the Hebrews,
pause a moment and ask, what spirit could enable
and
suffer things, so far above the
and he
will be convinced, that such
influence,
let
men
to
do
power of the human mind ?
men were under
a Divine
and supported by a power more than human. But
us not suppose that this was peculiar to ancient times.
The Popish persecutions
and the
in Britain
persecutions
late
in
and elsewhere more
early,
North Britain, during the
reigns of the last branches of the Stuart family, furnish
many
glorious instances of the
of faith.
But,
if
the Spirit of
with resolution to
ings, there
suffer,
same heroism and fortitude
God could thus
and even
inspire
men
to rejoice in their suffer-
can be no doubt, that he might also inspire them
to reveal Divine truth
and some
of these holy sufferers, in
the last century, were undeniably inspired, to predict some

future events
some
of
them expressly announced the
rejec-
tion of the then reigning family from the throne of Britain,
long before
it
happened, and several other things, which
have come to pass.

Finally, it is manifest, that the apostles
must have been
265
absolutely certain of the truths and facts which they an-
nounced
Of the
to the world.
facts they
were eye-witnesses
and they must have been as certain of the sublime truths

and predictions which they uttered
for so
many men would
never have conspired to bring temporal ruin and destruction
on themselves, merely to propagate that, of which they were

not certain, and of the success of which, they had so very
But
small a prospect.
it is
evident, that they could never
have even thought of such truths, as they published and

boldly preached;
much
less
have been absolutely certain
of them, if they
had not been divinely
tain they were:
yea, absolutely certain.
and do
testify," said they, " that
Saviour of the world

Jesus
is
come in the
God heareth us
God
But
inspired.
"
We
cer-
have seen
sent his Son to be the
every spirit that confesseth not, that
flesh, is
not of
God
he that knoweth
he that knoweth not God, heareth not us
hereby know we the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
They
freely
and cheerfully risked their
in the defense of the truth
lives,
and the prospect
and
lost
of this
them
was con-
tinually before them, for they were sure, from the testimony
of their divine Master, that this
Providence respecting them

intimidated.
taken
And
was a part of the plan of
yet they were not in the least
the event proves, that they were not mis-
for the truths
which they taught, have changed the
face of affairs over the whole world
and the doctrines of
these plain, undesigning men, govern the world to this day
not only the Christian world, but really their influence extends, in no small degree, to the regions of the earth yet
under Mahometan and heathen superstition, and
more and more, unto the end of time.

22
will do so,
266
On
and
the whole,
how awfully important must
duties of divine revelation be
ble on the review.
The
infinite
Our
the doctrines
souls justly trem-
and omnipotent God, the
Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of time and eternity,

the Grod
who
righteous
and just manner
He
will dispose of all his creatures
in
a most
at last, speaks to us in his
mind
sent his holy prophets to reveal his
Word.
sent his only
begotten Son, hath sent his Holy Spirit to manifest his will
to
He
men.
prophecies,
has confirmed this revelation by miracles, by
by turning
this world upside down,
and plucking up kingdoms and empires

ecies.
By
by signs
creatures
by planting
to fulfill these
proph-
the ministry of angels, and expulsion of devils,
or miracles in the sun, the seas, the rocks, on all
and in
by raising the dead
all elements,
to life,
the blood of his Son, his resurrection from the dead,
by
by the
blood of thousands and ten thousands of his holy martyrs
who have endured
sufferings
and deaths the most shocking
humanity, he has confirmed the doctrines of the Bible.
to
And
the last grand assize, the final judgment,
And
be the concluding proof of its truth.
is
all
reserved to
these great
events are accomplished in a godlike manner, with infinite

ease and certainty, and without being
nal men, though these
men
much
agents in his hand; he says of Cyrus,
my
will,
and
noticed
by
car-
are used often as subordinate
"He
shall fulfill all
have girded him, though he hath not known
me."
And when we
in
see such great
upon the narrow stage
concluding, that the present

ant,
and marvelous things crowded
of this present
and must be eternally
life
of
man
life,
who can help
is infinitely
import-
decisive of his character
and
267
And who can
future state ?
help weeping over the folly,
impiety, and horrible wickedness of such men, as despise, and
mock, and pervert or wrest the Scriptures, neglect so great a

salvation,
and
reject the things
which belong
until they be eternally hid from their eyes
are those,
who
who have been subdued
to their peace,
How happy
to the obedience of faith,
firmly believe, supremely love, and walk in God's
them
It sanctifies
and
we
glorify
them
all be, to
in
life,
and
will support
And how
to all eternity.
know
them
Word
in death,
careful should
the joyful sound of the Gospel, and the
great things of the divine law, and improve them by faith
and holiness
to
our everlasting salvation
Since the brief sketch, of the
argument
Holy Scriptures, contained in the

written, the writer has seen
edition of the
what
Hebrew Bible.
is infinitely better, to
first
for the authenticity of the
chapter of this treatise, was
and partly perused Dr. Kennicott's new

The Doctor, to his immortal honor, and
the glory of God, has taken
much
pains.
After sending a learned gentleman over Europe, to search for and
compare ancient manuscripts of the Old Testament, he obtained
hundred and ninety-four manuscripts and printed copies
six
all of
which, he, assisted by some other learned gentlemen, perused and
compared with the utmost attention and diligence and was employed
;
in this
work more than twenty years
recommendatory
work.
the Jews in London wrote a
letter to their brethren
abroad
to assist
him
in the
The king of Great Britain, of Denmark, and other princes
and learned men of various nations aided the grand design.

result of this astonishing scrutiny, confirms our
fore the public.
Many small variations in
argument
The
laid be-
the reading he has indeed
discovered, all of which he has with incredible labor noted, even to
such minutiae, as a word or letter being written in a large capital

form, or otherwise
a word adorned, or not adorned.
Very many
the variations take place in the four quiescent letters of the
of
Hebrew
268
language being omitted, or transcribed, which

ten, yet
pronounced.
He has
also given us the readings of the
Pentateuch differing from the Hebrew books
some of them consequential.

the
though writ-
letters,
with the use of the vowel points, in some positions are not
Hebrew
text, of greater
hinted above, and this
is
Samaritan
which are many, and
There are indeed various readings in
importance than those which have been
no more than what might have been ex-
and was in a manner unavoidable through the imperfection
pected,
human
inseparable from
printing
unless
we
nature, especially before the invention of
could suppose every person,
who undertook
to
transcribe the Bible, to have been infallibly inspired, and guided

to suppose which,
would be superstitious and absurd, a miracle
greater than any recorded in the Bible, and a miracle too without
a sufficient reason.
Non dignus
And
vindice nodus.
such a suppo-
sition destroys the necessity of transcribing, as such inspired
would have been qualified
to write
new canonical
books.
men
But, as
the Doctor remarks, these variations do not affect the general strain
of doctrine taught in the Scriptures, because the great essential doctrines
and duties
thereof, are not
taught systematically, one chapter
containing one head, another a second, and another a third, and so
on
but are really interspersed through the whole, either more ex-
And
pressly or implicitly.
and maimed in one

collected
supposing the sense
place, the
from another.
to
be somewhat dark
same truth or duty may be clearly
Variations, lapsu calami,
distinguished from such as would be
made with
may
generally be
design, for if
any
person were to form a design of altering the great doctrines and precepts of Revelation, he behooved to go through every book, yea almost
every chapter of most of the books.

there
is
some reason
The Doctor indeed remarks,
to believe, that the Jews,
through their enmity
against Christ, have ventured to transpose some words, in such prophecies as tormented
them most, in
Christians: as in Isaiah
and with the rich in

"
He made
death/'
liii,
"
their
He made
his death :" he thinks it
his grave with the rich,
arguments with the
his grave with the wicked,
was originally written,
and with the wicked in his
269
Several other things of equal importance, the Doctor has noticed,

particularly some chronological and historical variations
presses a high regard for the Samaritan Pentateuch,
and
ex-
and the ancient
Greek version, as being more accurate in several such instances,
We may
than our Hebrew books.
magna est Veritas
stand the scrutiny, such
adopt the adage, on this occasion,
The great doctrines of Christianity
et prevalebit.
must
tribe of Socinians
we
tion.
On
think,
to lower their pride
and presump-
the doctrine of the Trinity, he remarks, that

is
when
applied to the false gods of the Heathen,
joined with a plural verb.
the
it is
But when the samo plural nominative
applied to Jehovah, the true God,
to point out a plurality in
it
it
have received a check, from the Doctor's scrutiny,
might teach them
plural noun Elohim,
case,
And
etc.
afford joy to every true Christian, to find, that the deistical
which,
is
the Re-
as, the doctrine of the Trinity, of
deemer's atonement, justification by faith in his blood,
unity
it is
joined with a singular verb,
and that
this is universally the
through the whole Bible, except in three places
appear, that in these three places the text
and he makes
mis-transcribed,
is
because two of them stand in the usual form, in the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the other
brew
Bible,
the singular number, as
other place.
accepted,
it
ought
own He-
recited, only the verb is in
to be,
and originally was in the
In a dissertation on the reason of Abel's sacrifice being
and Cain's
fruits of the
corrected in another text in our
is
where the same words are
ground
rejected, he shows, that Cain offered only the
but Abel offered the fruits of the ground, and
the firstlings of his flock, and the fat, or a sanguinary sacrifice; in

this
manner confessing himself
guilty before God,
and expressing
his reliance on the great atoning sacrifice of Christ, prefigured in
the one which he offered.
Thus, by faith, Abel offered a more ac
To peruse this great work,
ceptable sacrifice than Cain.*
pleasing and edifying study: and

to the
we hope great good
Church of God from the Doctor's
discoveries are
much
in favor of truth.
This dissertation
is
labors.
And
will
is
a most
redound
It is clear, that his
the
more ancient his
not printed with the Bible.
EXPOSITION AXD DEFENSE OF THE
270
manuscripts were,
were the quotations of the Evangelists, and
still
the apostles, from the Old Testament, the more fully justified.
It is
an evidence of God's providential care of the holy Scriptures, that a
man
and learning, was excited
of his ability
endure such labor,

here
as
we may
many
any person were
affirm, that if
different copies of
Homer, he would
to
take such pains, and
to ascertain their true reading.
And
finally,
and compare,
any ancient book, suppose of Cicero or
find probably more,
yet nobody doubts, but
to collect
and greater variations, and
we have the true genuine books
of these
authors.
It
may
not be improper to subjoin one remark here, that the evi-
dence of the truth and authenticity of the holy Scriptures

nitely superior to
the evidence of any
human
is infi-
Xot
history.
to
mention the number and characters of the witnesses, the intrinsic

excellence of the doctrines
cles
and morals, their confirmation by mira-
and prophecy, the unity of design throughout the whole
only attend to one thing.
The religious
rites
therein instituted and recorded, are those which the church

daily practice
who
let
us
and observances
must
exevy baptized person, and every father of a family
obtains baptism to his children, every communicant at the
Lord's table, sees with his eyes and handles with his hands, the
proofs
and documents
The Bible
of its truth.
tells
us that these
sacraments were instituted by Christ, our immediate parents practiced them, their
the same, an
so
immediate parents did the same, and theirs again

on up
to the
time of Christ, when they were
first
and none can point out any period when they were introduced, or when it was possible to introduce them, until we go up to
the time of Christ, their instituter and the same remark may be
instituted:
made concerning
the sanctification of the first-day Sabbath.
thus, by a marvelous contrivance of infinite wisdom,
it is
And
so fixed,
that the quotidian transactions of church-members are practical

proofs of the truth of the Gospel, our bodily senses are daily wit-
nesses of
it,
and continued
facts prove
it.
The Jews, as hath been
formerly remarked, are living witnesses of the truth both of the Old
and New Testament
of the Old. as thev firmlv believe the doctrines,
271
and practice the rights thereof; of the New, not only as their dispersion
and misery
is
a fulfillment of
prophecies, but also as they
its
do not pretend to deny the principal facts therein recorded, but only
disguise
and misrepresent them.
And
the Jews are witnesses of the
truth of Christianity, not from love to

collusion, or
with a design
from an enemy.
Strange
to deceive.
Kennicott's
Hebrew Bible
an honor
and therefore not from

is
evidence
that the truth should be doubted,
thus attested by friends and
of Philadelphia,
it,
Their testimony
when
foes.
is
deposited in the Library of the City
to the
present age, that will survive the
pride of princes, and fame of wars and victories.
272
CONCLUSION.
Now,
dearly beloved brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ,
having exhibited
to
your view, the great and important doc-
trines of the Gospel of Christ,
how can we conclude more
properly than by addressing to you the following exhortations ?
We beseech and
to take
heed to themselves,
their
life,
him out
which
exhort our brethren in the ministry,

to their doctrine, their spirit,
and conversation.
Preach Christ crucified
point
as the substance of divine revelation, the center in
all its lines
meet
character as revealed in
set forth the glory of the divine
him
show the relation
in
which the
prophecies, the histories, the types, the miracles, the promises,
the ordinances of worship, the precepts of moral duty,
and the providences

it is
We may
of God, stand to him.
our glory and felicity to know, that
God
is
be sure
in Christ,
reconciling the world to himself, not imputing unto

their trespasses.
The
son, his mediatorial state,
and mediatorial
and
by faith in his
relations, justification
by his
is
Spirit,
the very
and submission
life
men
doctrine, of Christ's mediatorial per-
of the Church.
to all his
offices,
characters,
blood, regeneration
laws and institutions
God's Spirit will never accom

pany, nor will
any other doctrine,
bless
lie
273
to the conversion
of sinners, or nourishing the divine life in true believers.
Beware of a carnal, worldly, proud

will
power of such a
to
fall,
even good
spirit,
Such a
spirit.
consume and lay waste true religion
men
are at times too apt
through their unavoidable connection with this world.
Beware of indolence and
slothfulness, in the
work of God.
Did the Eedeemer
Christ says, " Occupy until I come."
we account
give his blood for the salvation of men, and shall

it
much,
pose ?
to
expend a little sweat and labor
Give not way to discouragements
and prayer
and he will sup-
"
successful.
Ye
men should
which you are
are workers together with God,
and none
to the
made you
in
the greatest and best of causes, and will be finally
is
will work,
The cause
grand pur-
live a life of faith
cleave to your divine Master,
always pray and not faint."

engaged,
for that
" Christ taught a divine parable, that
port you.
and
spirit
and under the
whole
shall let
flock,
it.
Take heed
and God
to yourselves,
over which the Holy Ghost hath
overseers, to feed,
and rule the Church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood."

equally, the extreme of laxness,
and
rigor,
Avoid
in discipline;
take every opportunity of saying, and doing something for

Christ.
sober,
" Gird
and hope
up the
to
loins of your
mind
watch, and be
the end, for the grace that shall be
brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

clothed with humility
patience, long-suffering
Be
put on meekness, humbleness of mind,

;
be good examples to the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in

purity.
Endure hardness, as good
soldiers of Jesus Christ."
To sum up the whole, search the Scriptures daily give God's

:
23
274
"Word the chief place in your studies, always a dwelling in
your hearts, and
let it
drop from your lips like the honey-
Ministers should frequently read, and deeply study,
comb.
"
Paul's epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Lay not
a dispro-
portionate stress on sound doctrine, to the neglect of a holy

life
nor on a holy practice, to the neglect of sound doctrine
they are both pillars of the same arch, and the one cannot
stand without bearing on the other.
ministry,
"Is
says,
An
unsound, unholy
and, as Christ
is
like salt that has lost its savor
fit
for nothing, neither for the land, nor even for
the dunghill."
To the Churches immediately connected with
and
us,
to
Churches of Christ, we say: Dear brethren, esteem
all the
and love the Lord Jesus

precious
Word and
for his mercy, in calling
Set a high value on his
Christ.
Be supremely grateful
Gospel.
you
to
God,
to
the fellowship of his Son,
Jesus Christ.
What a blessing
What a privilege to
to the
of Christ
enjoy a complete system of
Gospel institutions
It
highly enough prized.
is
world
is
the Gospel
a mercy which can never be
The despised Gospel has been
of infi-
nitely greater service to the world, than all the philosophy
Wherever
of the nations.
all
good things in
the
Xew
life
that
now
it is
its train
is,
and
cordially embraced,
brings
it
Godliness has the promise of
of that
which
is
to come.
The
Testament Church enjoys the Gospel dispensation in
most perfect form.
Under the Mosaic Economy the
tion of grace, through Jesus Christ,
dispensation
is
was more
its
revela-
obscure.
That
emphatically called the law; " The law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ/
Much
terror,
and much of the
spirit of
bondage and
fear,
275

The law was given
attended that dispensation.
God descended on
Sinai, with terrible majesty.
mount the mount was covered with a dark
the
around bickering flames
all
God dwelt
uttered his voice from, the thick darkness

flashed
and louder
Thunders roared
And
so great
fear
and quake
was the
which
and
in,
Lightnings
The trumpet sounded louder
The mountain shook
the top of
cloud,
threw out
Mount
at
The people trembled
Moses
terror, that
said, I exceedingly
There was evidently here an amazing
exhibition of the broken covenant, the covenant of works, in

its terrors
and threatenings
tially pointed forth,
which might also be providen-
by Moses, in
The design
tables of the law.
haste, breaking the stony
of all
which was,
necessity of a Mediator between an offended
And we
ing creatures.
see this design
Word
the people entreated that the
them any more
commanded
ses,
for
and Moses
are not
to
come
that burned with

etc., to
The apostle
Mediator.
to the
New Testament
(Heb.
12),
dispensation,
mount that might be touched, and
fire, etc.,
but ye are come to Mount Zion,
Jesus, the Mediator of the

etc.
tion, instead of writing the
And
new
covenant, and to the
God, under this dispensa-
law on tables of
to write it on fleshly tables of the heart.
beseech our dear brethren,
who
stone, promises
See Heb.
the foregoing pages, as
God
viii.
are immediately con-
nected with us, to suffer the word of exhortation

in
for
should not be spoken to
them; and accordingly Moses was ap-
blood of sprinkling,"
We
offend-
was answered,
they could not endure that which was
remarks the difference of the
Ye
show the
they begged that Jehovah would speak to Mo-
pointed the typical
"
to
God and
enabled,
We
have,
illustrated
and
276
vindicated the doctrines and duties of the Holy Bible, and our
Confession of Faith.
Are you
adherence to these
You have been tempted and urged
do so with
much
temptations.
taken
still
disposed to suspect our
But do not yield
earnestness.
to
to Satan's
The means that have been used, and the pains
mark
to decoy you, bear every
of their proceeding from
a bad source, though not perceived by the immediate agents,

nor perhaps by you.
But good men have
often fallen into
Satan's snare, and been unnaturally employed in his service
to injure the cause of God.

to the state of our
gentleman, an utter stranger
Churches here, the moment that he landed
on the American shore, was stimulated to raise the outcry

against us, and blow the coal of strife and contention between
brethren
were
first
the indirect,
evasive and double dealings that
practiced to prevent our progress in the good work
and the violent measures
of healing the breaches of Zion,
pursued afterward
criticisms without candor, accusations
without truth, the abuse of friendship, of gentleness, lenity,
and forbearance, and perversion
of words,
spirit in this business, that is not of
God
borne with a degree of patience, which
tempted
defend ourselves.
Shimei's cursing, than to retort
comparatively strangers, and

odious work in the sight of
war against each
other, that
who wish the destruction

But all this dishonor
it.
it
We
indicate a
this
we have
some have been
to construe into pusillanimity, or
But we feared God.
all
and
an inability
to
It is better to bear
are all in this land
appeared to us, to be an
God and man,
to
commence a
would only make those
rejoice,
of both.
to
God, and injury to the cause of
religion, has been done under the pretext of contending for the

truth.
But
277
Examine well what truth we have dropped
it is said,
This assertion
we have relinquished
is
not judicious.
If
or denied.
the Secession-testimony.
by the Secession-testimony
be meant, the whole doctrine of the Bible, as explained in
we
the Confession of Faith,
firmly adhere to
by that
If
it.
testimony be meant, the application of the doctrines of the

Bible and Confession, to the circumstances of the Church in
Scotland, you will easily see that
them properly
in America.
it
is
our duty to apply
Church
here, or to the circumstances of the
This
what we have
is
sincerely,
though im-
perfectly, studied to do.
If you please to call the foregoing sheets, a testimony,
have no objection, and will not dispute about words
would be more proper
to consider them, as
we
but
it
an application of
the testimony of Jesus, unto the circumstances in which Pro-
We
vidence has placed us.
beseech you, to shun, on the
one hand, lukewarmness in the cause of God, and to avoid,
on the other, pharisaical pride and ostentation in your
Eemember, a sound about a testimony
gious profession.
reli-
will
not save your souls.
You may
talk loudly about that all your days, and under
that pretext Satan
may
persuade you, and your deceitful
hearts deceive you so far as to think, that you are very emi-
nent Christians
the only people of
you may perish eternally.

in heart
ble,
more than others
more mortified
to
God on
But examine
? are
sin
earth
well,
and
so
what are you
you more holy, more hum-
and the world, more
spiritual,
heavenly, zealous for God, gentle, patient, affectionate and

forbearing, than others ?
candid toward others
Are you severe on yourselves, but
Have you that charity which
will
278
not indulge one sin in yourselves, but will cover a multitude

in others ?
What
do ye do for G-od, or for the promotion of
the kingdom of Christ in the world, more than others ?

the G-ospel esteemed
your children
much by you ?
Is family religion
Do you
much
teach
Is
daily to
it
Are
cultivated ?
the Lord's public ordinances regularly attended, his ministers

decently supported, esteemed, and loved for their works' sake ?
Do you maintain
or are
is
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,
you contentious,
hateful,
not saying, but doing
testimony, but practicing
we
ren,
and hating one another
it is
it,
It
that G-od regards.
Dear breth-
are afraid of you, lest, as Satan beguiled Eve, so
you may be deceived through his subtleties and

is
not hearing the law and the
an easy matter
to adopt a
devices.
It
system of principles (and where
a religious education has been previously enjoyed, they
may
be found principles too) publish them to the world, and plume

ourselves, as if on this account
we were the most eminent
Christians and faithful witnesses for G-od in the world.

is
This
not one of the most difficult duties of the Christian
gion.
We
mean
and importance
but
to prevent
reli-
not by this remark, to diminish the value
of being valiant for the truth
upon the earth,
your placing an undue confidence, and laying
a disproportionate stress on
it.
Adorn the doctrine
your Saviour with every Christian grace and virtue
of
God
among
which, charity, brotherly-love, peace, humility, and candor,

possess a high rank.
You can
not but be sensible, that a
dependence on a foreign judicature for a supply of ministers
must be very
much
precarious, unproductive,
and attended with
expense, and other disagreeable consequences.
We
whom
every
hoped, by the late coalition of parties, between

real cause of contention was,
to
have had
it
more
by God's providence, removed,
and educate can-
in our power to raise
didates for the ministry
279
among
ourselves
our dissent-
"but
ing brethren have greatly baffled this good design.
we must
look higher for the source of the
holy hand in
The schism
it.
God
parties.
angry with
is
hast scattered us
Our
thou hast been displeased
we
to
persuade
for this
high accusa-
hope a gracious God will forgive our accusers.
For your sakes and at your
call,
we forsook our native coun-
try, our nearest relations, and dearest friends.
in the gospel of Christ,
and
thou
Now, brethren, judge,
whether there be really any just cause
We
off;
turn thyself
are apostates from the cause of God, with a
view to draw you over to them.
tion ?
sins have procured his
Our dissenting brethren endeavor
to us again.
you, that
an awful judgment on both
God, thou has cast us
righteous displeasure.
;
is
us.
However,
God has a
evil.
To serve you
we voluntarily renounced the honors
profits of this world,
which we might have acquired in
other stations, and which, the expensive education bestowed
We
on us by our parents, might have entitled us to expect.

cast ourselves on your mercy, have endured
and
of
loss of health,
and
life,
will
honest,
We
mises,
free
To repay this
neglect, contention, strife,
and
re-
only entreat, that you will be candid, and
and judge
But you
fatigue
with other hardships, and spent the prime
flower of our days to serve you.
you treat us with
proach
much
for yourselves.
will also consider, that if
and desert
us,
you
listen to evil sur-
you thereby, at the same time,
set
us
from the obligations of these relative duties which we
promised to perform to you.
We
wish earnestly for truth
280
and
But
peace.
any be determined, not
if
God we must
the judgment of
to
to be satisfied,
We
leave them.
been doing our best to promote the kingdom of Christ
much hindered
hitherto Satan hath
Hoping that you

division,
Lord
Christ and be found in him,
is at
etc.,
to attend to the
the
flesh,
flesh,
ye shall die
which are
fest,
but after the

;
these,
now
one
See that you win
hand.
that you be born again, and
have become new creatures in Christ Jesus

not after the
and
will resist the spirit of contention
for the
but,
us.
we exhort and beseech you
thing needful
have
spirit
that ye walk,
for if
ye live after
the works of the flesh are mani-
adultery,
fornication,
hatred,
etc.,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings,
and such
like.
Eeceive the truths of the Gospel in the love of them, and

consider well,
we beseech
you,
that the firmest bonds of
union in the Church of Christ, are a knowledge of the truth,

a firm faith in
truth's sake.
lies
it,
love to
Study
to
it,
and
to one another, for the
promote real religion in your fami-
religious families are like nurseries for planting the
garden of God.
Worship God daily in
Spirit
serve
for
him
set a holy
example before
them, and with them.
nances,
and
Truth
Attend on God's public ordi-
and command your families
to do so.
Xever
tentedly, without the public ordinances of Christ
Lord with your substance, and with the

increase, so shall
in
command them to
them and pray much
teach your children the fear of the Lord
your barns be
filled
live con-
honor the
first fruits of
with plenty,
etc.,
your
sup-
port your, ministers honorably, and never think to increase
your wealth by robbing Christ and his Gospel.
See Malachi

iii,
The Jewish
8-12.
Theirs was
rest.
religion
expensive
without money and price.
was labor; but Christ's

but ours
281
is
comparatively
is
Yet the Jewish Church never
much by withholding from the

what was due to him and so it will be with
gained anything, but lost

Lord's service,
us.
We
earnestly beseech you, to search the Scriptures
daily, to read God's
Word
in your families
study the Con-
And
as a
most excellent summary of evangelical and practical
reli-
and your Catechisms much.
fession of Faith,
with the doctrines of grace, ponder well
gion, in connection
the ten commandments, the sins forbidden, the duties re-
and rules
quired,
understanding of them, as
for a right
explained in the Larger Catechism.
By
a truly
religious
appear, that G-od
in
is
profession
you
and holy
of a truth.
life,
it
will
If the light of
truth and holiness thus shine on you before men, others,

seeing your good works, will glorify your Lather
heaven.
God
He
is invisible.
can obtain
who
is
in
His essence
can be discerned only by our understand-
an intellectual view of his glory only that men
It is
ings.
not the object of our senses.
is
and
may
this
be obtained from the works of
Creation and Providence, but especially from his Word, and
his Church.
an eminent
walk
pure and holy Church
degree.
in them."
God
Such a Church
God
in her.
purity,
her.
peace,
and
Christ walked in the midst of the golden
candlesticks.
is visible
reflects his glory in
says, " I will dwell in them,
is
an image of Heaven.
Divine truth, divine
love,
divine
harmony, and good order, shed a luster on
The glory of God beams around
where the contrary
evils prevail, is a
her.
But a
society,
synagogue of Satan.
282
And
wherever heresy,
error, pride, strife, contention, uproar,
and impurity
reign, there
and the Devil
to dwell
we
and by such
see the
kingdom
of darkness
men
prepare themselves
peace,
who brought again
things,
with devils forever.
Now, Brethren, may the G-od of
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
you perfect in every good work,

you that which
is
to do his will,
well pleasing in his sight.
make
working in
283
APPENDIX.
A new
scheme of doctrine has been propagated in
New
England; much learned dust kicked up, and metaphysical

nonsense preached and printed to support
To give
shall say very little.
sufficient confutation of
and from
it
purpose
That of
possible
all
seems by
it
wrong notions
The scheme
necessarily to create the best."

(en passant,) that
but a necessary agent
and
is
of this best system

sin
yea,
systems,
the following
behooved
G-od
this, Grod is
infinite
not a voluntary,
wisdom, power, and
have
arrived at
" That sin, or moral evil,
and, therefore, G-od
say some, the creator of
positive being or existence, or

so,
to
On which we may remark,
goodness have already done their utmost

their ne plus ultra.
of the divine
the modern doctrine of universal sal-
vation natively springs.

"
on which we
seems to he a
It originates in false views of
it.
the divine volitions and agency

decrees
it
its outlines,
it ;"
making
one would think, a very good thing
it
;
is
is
a part
the author of
giving
to
a creature
sin a
;
and
and, consequently,
284
that there
is
because
sin,
system
no
for the creation of
has done a great deal of good in the general
it
That men must love God
so disinterestedly, as to
be willing to be damned, to advance his glory,

it
The plain purport
necessary."
God may
damn
whom
and enabled
both save and
must
of
which
he see
if
either, that
is,
see it necessary, for the purposes of his glory, to
a person,
Christ,
may
moral
evil at all in the creation, neither
That we should bless God
"
nor penal.
love
God
glory, in the
so
way
he has sanctified and saved, united to
him supremely
to love
damn him
much, as
or,
God
is,
that
we
pursue that great end, his
to
of spurning
that
same time
at the
redeeming
trampling on
love,
the blood of the covenant, and doing despite to the spirit of
grace
to
for all
men know,
this is the way,
turns out to be this, that
we must
hate him with a perfect hatred

state
of salvation, as
"
the same time.
we
a
and the only way
damnation, under a Gospel dispensation
That
to be
sign
of a
love is so elevated
mean, low, and

Christ.
self,
We
and be
a
graceless
first
and sublime, as
must
love
God merely
it
as to
damnation at
that
to soar
for
is
selfish,
and
Christian
true
above
such
all
God's love
to
what he
in him-
is
is,
and has done
is,
that
us in
for
us
we may be
per-
and completely saved, without a Saviour,
(for
The purport
in Christ."
fectly holy
much
with the apostle, that
selfish considerations, as
without any regard to what he
and then
so completely in a
loved us,
state
so
state of
to maintain,
love Christ, because he
sure
in
God
love
supreme love
to
God
of salvation,) or
is
of
which
the essence of holiness, and summit
we may savingly know God, and be
con-
formed to him, without any regard to the Mediator Jesus
285

and what he has done and
Christ, his redeeming love,
fered for us
and, consequently, that
Query
for them.
In what other
suffered anything
had never done nor
saved, though Christ
medium but
the Mediator
can we see the glory of the divine character,
and saved by the view
sanctified
And
rent
is
suf-
men might have been
so as to
be
yet in another whirlpool of the same doctrine, the curquite contradictory to this, for
it is
asserted by the same
authors, " That the unconverted need not attempt any duty,
until they believe in Christ, or be converted, because the
Scriptures
testify,
please G-od
and
that without faith
therefore, if such do
worship,
etc., this is
meaning
of
which
or stone, and the
is,
that the soul of
means
ing the Word, prayer,
It
impossible to
man
is
The obvious
a block of
of grace, such as reading
change that block of wood or
would be more proper

it,
to take the
than
mason's chisel
to exhort it to read, hear,
or at least, that, as the artificer can easily
fashion to his purpose, a piece of

or chisel, or
wood
any other instrument,
ing
may
it.
state of inactivity,
And
believe in
him
may
obtain without asking or desir-
yea, get grace at the very
against receiving
hew and
or stone, without ax
so sinners
Christ without reading or hearing anything about
be taught without teaching
wood
and hear-
are in no respect calculated to
etc.,
on, or
or the carpenter's ax to
or pray
is
only to add sin to sin."
make any impression

stone.
it
pray or practice family
so
moment
their heart is shut
may, yea, must
and at perfect
ease, too, (for
lie
by
why
in a
should
they be concerned, they can no more do anything for their

recovery than a piece of wood or marble can
hew
itself into
the image of a man,) until supernatural power begin to
EXPOSITION AND DEFENSE, ETC.
286
operate on thein, which
it
must and
will do without their
using the means of grace, to use which, in a graceless
would only aggravate their

reasoning
lacy of
is
not sound
but
it
is
the scheme of grace, to give to
men and
the means of grace, and that this

salvation
that the
of man but
the Grospel in all

tional
to
them
to use
a great step toward their
its institutions, is
rational
awaken them
in a rational way,
excite
fal-
a part of
of rousing its powers to action
address to the
adapted
is
it is
Spirit of Grod never operates on the soul
way
in the
such
not easy to detect the
Such teachers do not consider that
it.
state,
"We are certain
guilt.
to action
that
a most proper and rasoul,
and
converts
men
powers of the
that
God
by informing the judgment and
inclin-
ing the will, and beside the means of grace nothing more
is
necessary to this
than the power of the Spirit to accompany
that
impossible in the nature of things, to re-
them
it is
ceive a blessing without being
without desiring
for
it.
But we
it,
which
made
willing to receive
a scheme propagated not by
ing enthusiasts and sectarians, but by those
them
learned, sensible,
But vain man would be wise

and pride
thirst after fame;
or
who
call
;
them-
and,
and pious men,
A fondness for
fea-
wild, rant-
selves the regular ministers of regular Churches
hope, some of
it,
the same thing with praying
These are some of the gross
forbear.
tures of the scheme
is
we
too.
singularity, a
of understanding, hurry
men
along in a strain of augmentation, until they reason themselves out of all reason
and common
makes them mad
FINIS.
May
17, 18:)*.
sense.
Much
learning

Exposition Defens 00 As So

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Exposition Defens 00 As So

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

$LIBRAR1 OF CONGRESS.

DRAUGHT OF AN "OVERTURE" PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE

REV. DAVID MCDILL, D.D.

MOORE, WILSTACH, KEYS &

WEST FOURTH STREET.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by

MOORE, WILSTACH, KEYS &

WM. OYEREND &

of the District Conrt for the Southern

following paper was prepared and published

A. D., 1787, by a Committee oe the Associate Ee-

as an " Overture" for illustrating

defending the doctrines of the Confession of Faith.

laid before the Synod, it

approved, and recommended to the Churches as useful

has been long and

understood that Eev. Eobert

The Scriptures a Revelation from God and the Foundation of

God and the Trinity

The Fall of Man

Covenant of Works and of Grace

His Person and Offices

Man's Free Will

Perseverance of the Saints

Assurance of Grace and Salvation

A CovenantA Rule of Life

CHAPTERS XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX.

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

CHAPTERS XXX, XXXI.

Thoughts on the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures

following draught of an Overture for illustrating and

defending the Doctrines of the Confession of Faith, prepared

by a Committee of the Associate Eeformed Synod in the

republished, in the hope that

promote the cause of truth, and subserve the interests of

the Redeemer's kingdom.

some historical and explanatory notes, the writer has thought

expedient to prepare an introduction, of considerable,

perhaps of disproportionate length.

Reformed Church had her

It will consist, in part,

an appendix to a discourse on religious

nearly related in their views of the doctrine, government,

and worship of the Church of

" Both parties

emoluments of the establishment but

had forsaken the communion of the estab-

the honors and

which she had

between themselves, was

respecting the civil powers in Great Britain.

tained that, considering the Lord's goodness in bringing

solemn engagements under which they and the nation had

plan adopted at the

anno 1688, or yield obedience

them, for con-

to violate their cov-

enant engagements, to encourage and strengthen the hands

and partake in the

general apostasy of the nation.

the contrary, the others maintained, that, while

they bore testimony against every step

apostasy, everything in the revolution settlement that