Copyright©MonergismBooks

OutlinesofTheology

byA.A.Hodge

TableofContents

PrefaceToFirstEdition

PrefaceToRevisedAndEnlargedEdition

1.ChristianTheology;ItsSeveralBranches;AndTheirRelationToOtherDepartmentsOfHumanKnowledge

2.TheOriginOfTheIdeaOfGodAndProofOfHisExistence

3.TheSourcesOfTheology

4.TheInspirationOfTheBible

5.TheScripturesOfTheOldAndNewTestamentsTheOnlyRuleOfFaithAndJudgeOfControversies

6.AComparisonOfSystems

7.CreedsAndConfessions

8.TheAttributesOfGod

9.TheHolyTrinity,IncludingTheDivinityOfChrist,TheEternalGenerationOfTheSon,ThePersonality,Divinity,AndEternalProcessionOfTheHolyGhost,AndTheSeveralPropertiesAndMutualRelationsOfThePersonsOfTheGodhead

10.TheDecreesOfGodInGeneral

11.Predestination

12.TheCreationOfTheWorld

13.Angels

14.Providence

15.TheMoralConstitutionOfTheSoulWill,Conscience,Liberty,Etc.

16.CreationAndOriginalStateOfMan

17.TheCovenantOfWorks

18.TheNatureOfSinAndTheSinOfAdam

19.OriginalSin-(PeccatumHabituale)

20.Inability

21.TheImputationOfAdam'sFirstSinToHisPosterity

22.TheCovenantOfGrace

23.ThePersonOfChrist

24.TheMeditatorialOfficeOfChrist

25.TheAtonement:ItsNature,Necessity,Perfection,AndExtent

26.TheIntercessionOfChrist

27.TheMediatorialKingshipOfChrist

28.EffectualCalling

29.Regeneration

30.Faith

31.UnionOfBelieversWithChrist

32.Repentance,AndTheRomishDoctrineOfPenance

33.Justification

34.Adoption,AndTheOrderOfGraceInTheApplicationOfRedemption,InTheSeveralPartsOfJustification,Regeneration,AndSanctification

35.Sanctification

36.PerseveranceOfTheSaints

37.Death,AndTheStateOfTheSoulAfterDeath

38.TheResurrection

39.TheSecondAdventAndGeneralJudgment

40.HeavenAndHell

41.TheSacraments

42.Baptism

43.TheLord'sSupper

Appendix

Copyright

PrefacetoFirstEdition

In introducing thisbook to the reader, Ihaveonlya singleword to say

upontwopoints:firstastotheuseswhichIregardthisformofexhibitingtheologicaltruthasbeingspeciallyqualifiedtosubserve;and,secondlyasto the sources fromwhich Ihavedrawn thematerials composing these"Outlines."

Astothefirstpoint,Ihavetosay,thattheconceptionandexecutionofthisworkoriginatedintheexperienceoftheneedforsomesuchmanualoftheologicaldefinitionsandargumentation,intheimmediateworkofinstructingthemembersofmyownpastoralcharge.Theseveralchapterswereinthefirstinstancepreparedandusedinthesameforminwhichtheyarenowprinted,asthebasisofalecturedeliveredotherwiseextemporaneouslytomycongregationeverySabbathnight.Inthisuseofthem,Ifoundthesepreparationssuccessfulbeyondmyhopes.Thecongregation,asawhole,wereinducedtoenterwithinterestuponthestudyevenofthemostabstrusequestions.Havingputthisworkthustothispracticaltest,Inowofferittomybrethrenintheministry,thattheymayuseit,iftheywill,asarepertoryofdigestedmaterialforthedoctrinalinstructionoftheirpeople,eitherinBibleclasses,orbymeansofacongregationallecture.Iofferitalsoasanattempttosupplyanacknowledgedpublicwant,asasyllabusoftheologicalstudyfortheuseoftheologicalstudentsgenerally,andfortheuseofthosemanylaboriouspreachersofthegospelwhocannotcommandthetime,orwhohavenottheopportunity,orotheressentialmeans,tostudythemoreexpensiveandelaborateworksfromwhichthematerialsofthiscompendhavebeengathered.

Thequestionshavebeenretainedinform,notforthepurposeofadaptingthebookinanydegreeforcatecheticalinstruction,butasthemostconvenientandperspicuousmethodofpresentingan"outlineoftheology"socondensed.ThissamenecessityofcondensationIwouldalsorespectfullypleadasinsomedegreeanexcuseforsomeoftheinstancesofobscurityindefinitionandmeagernessofillustration,whichthereaderwillobserve.

Inthesecondplace,astothesourcesfromwhichIhavedrawnthematerialsofthisbook,Imayforthemostpartreferthereadertotheseveralpassages,wheretheacknowledgmentismadeasthedebtisincurred.

Ingeneral,however,itispropertosaythatIhave,withhispermission,usedthelistofquestionsgivenbymyfathertohisclassesofforty–fiveandsix.Ihaveaddedtwoorthreechapterswhichhiscoursedidnotembrace,andhaveingeneraladaptedhisquestionstomynewpurpose,byomissions,additions,oradifferentdistribution.Tosuchadegree,however,havetheydirectedandassistedme,thatIfeelaconfidenceinofferingtheresulttothepublicwhichotherwisewouldhavebeenunwarrantable.InthefrequentinstancesinwhichIhavepossessedhispublishedarticlesuponthesubjectsofthefollowingchapters,thereaderwillfindthatIhavedrawnlargelyfromthem.Itisduetomyself,however,tosay,thatexceptintwoinstances,"TheScripturestheonlyRuleofFaithandJudgeofControversies"andthe"SecondAdvent,"Ihaveneverhearddeliverednorreadthemanuscriptofthatcourseoftheologicallectureswhichhehaspreparedfortheuseofhisclassessubsequentlytomygraduation.IntheinstancesIhaveaboveexcepted,Ihaveattemptedlittlemore,inthepreparationoftherespectivechaptersofthisbookbearingthosetitles,thantoabridgemyfather’slectures.IneveryinstanceIhaveendeavoredtoacknowledgethefullextentoftheassistanceIhavederivedfromothers,inwhichIhave,Ibelieve,uniformlysucceeded,exceptsofarasIamnowunabletotracetotheiroriginalsourcessomeofthematerialscollectedbymeinmyclassmanuscripts,preparedfourteenyearsago,whileastudentoftheology.Thislastreferencerelatestoalargeelementinthisbook,asIwrotecopiously,andafterfrequentoralcommunicationwithmyfather,bothinpublicandprivate.

A.A.HODGE.

Fredericksburg,May,1860.

PrefacetoRevisedandEnlargedEdition

ThePrefacetotheoriginaleditiongivesaperfectlyaccurateandsomewhatcircumstantialaccountoftheoriginofthiswork.Sinceitsfirst

publicationtheevidencesofthefactthatitmetapublicneedhavebeenmultiplying. Its sale inAmericaandGreatBritainhas continued. Ithasbeen translated into Welsh and Modern Greek, and used in severaltheologicaltrainingschools.

Theauthor,inthemeantime,hasbeenforfourteenyearsengagedinthepracticalworkofatheologicalinstructor.Hisincreasedknowledgeandexperienceasateacherhavebeenembodiedinthisnewandenlargededition,whichhasgrowntoitspresentformthroughseveralyearsinconnectionwithhisactualclassinstructions.

Theneweditioncontainsnearlyfiftypercentmorematterthantheformerone.Twochaptershavebeendropped,andfivenewoneshavebeenadded.ExtractsfromtheprincipalConfessions,Creeds,andclassicaltheologicalwritersofthegreathistoricalchurcheshavebeenappendedtothediscussionsofthedoctrinesconcerningwhichtheChurchisdivided.Severalchaptershavebeenentirelyrewritten,andmanyothershavebeenmateriallyrecast,andenlarged.AndtheAppendixcontainsatranslationoftheConsensusTigurinusofCalvin,andoftheFORMULACONSENSUSHELVETICAofHeideggerandTurretin,twoConfessionsoffirstclasshistoricalanddoctrinalinteresttothestudentofReformedtheology,butnoteasilyaccessible.

TheworkisagainofferedtotheChristianChurch,notasacompletetreatiseofSystematicTheology,fortheuseoftheproficient,butasasimpleTextBook,adaptedtotheneedsofstudentstakingtheirfirstlessonsinthisgreatscience,andtotheconvenienceofmanyearnestworkerswhowishtorefreshtheirmemoriesbymeansofasummaryreviewofthegroundgoneoverbythemintheirearlierstudies.

Princeton,N.J.,August6th,1878.

CHAPTER1:ChristianTheology;ItsSeveralBranches;AndTheirRelationtoOtherDepartmentsofHumanKnowledge

1.WhatisReligion?AndwhatisTheologyinitsChristiansense?

Religion,initsmostgeneralsense,isthesumoftherelationswhichmansustainstoGod,andcomprisesthetruths,theexperiences,actions,andinstitutionswhichcorrespondto,orgrowoutofthoserelations.

Theology,initsmostgeneralsense,isthescienceofreligion.

TheChristianreligionisthatbodyoftruths,experiences,actions,andinstitutionswhicharedeterminedbytherevelationsupernaturallypresentedintheChristianScriptures.ChristianTheologyisthescientificdetermination,interpretation.anddefenseofthoseScriptures,togetherwiththehistoryofthemannerinwhichthetruthsitrevealshavebeenunderstood,andthedutiestheyimposehavebeenperformed,byallChristiansInallages.

2.WhatisTheologicalEncyclopedia?andwhatTheologicalMethodology?

TheologicalEncyclopædia,fromtheGreekἐγκυκλοπαιδεία(thewholecircleofgeneraleducation),presentstothestudenttheentirecircleofthespecialsciencesdevotedtothediscovery,clarity,anddefenseofthecontentsofthesupernaturalrevelationcontainedintheChristianScriptures,andaimstopresentthesesciencesinthoseorganicrelationswhicharedeterminedbytheiractualgenesisandinmostnature.

TheologicalMethodologyisthescienceoftheologicalmethod.Aseachdepartmentofhumaninquirydemandsamodeoftreatmentpeculiartoitself;andaseveneachsubdivisionofeachgeneral

departmentdemandsitsownspecialmodificationsoftreatment,sotheologicalmethodologyprovidesforthescientificdeterminationofthetruemethod,generalandspecial,ofpursuingthetheologicalsciences.

Andthisincludestwodistinctcategories:(a)Themethodspropertotheoriginalinvestigationandconstructionoftheseveralsciences,and(b)themethodspropertoelementaryinstructioninthesame.

Allthisshouldbeaccompaniedwithcriticalandhistoricalinformation,anddirectionastotheuseofthevastliteraturewithwhichthesesciencesareillustrated.

3.Towhatextentisthescientificarrangementofallthetheologicalsciencespossible?Andonwhataccountistheattemptdesirable?

Suchanarrangementcanapproachperfectiononlyinproportionasthesesciencesthemselvesapproachtheirfinalandabsoluteform.Atpresenteverysuchattemptmustbeonlymoreorlessanapproximationtoanidealunattainableinthepresentstateofknowledgeinthislife.Everyseparateattemptalsomustdependforitscomparativesuccessuponthecomparativejustnessofthegeneraltheologicalprinciplesuponwhichitisbased.ItisevidentthatthosewhomakeReason,andthosewhomaketheinspiredChurch,andthosewhomaketheinspiredScripturesthesourceandstandardofalldivineknowledgemustseverallyconfigurethetheologicalsciencestothedifferentfoundationsonwhichtheyaremadetostand.

ThepointofviewadoptedinthisbookistheevangelicalandspecificallytheCalvinisticorAugustinianone,assumingthefollowingfundamentalprinciples:1st.TheinspiredScripturesarethesole,andaninfalliblestandardofallreligiousknowledge.2nd.ChristandhisworkisthecenteraroundwhichallChristiantheologyisbroughtintoorder.3rd.ThesalvationbroughttolightinthegospelissupernaturalandofFREEGRACE.4th.Allreligiousknowledgehasapracticalend.Thetheologicalsciences,insteadofbeingabsoluteendsinthemselves,findtheirnoblestpurposeandeffectintheadvancementofpersonalholiness,themore

efficientserviceofourfellowmen,andTHEGREATERGLORYOFGOD.

Theadvantagesofsuchagroupingofthetheologicalsciencesareobvious,andgreat.Therelationsofalltruthsaredeterminedbytheirnature,whenceitfollowsthattheirnatureisrevealedbyanexhibitionoftheirrelations.Suchanexhibitionwillalsotendtowidenthementalhorizonofthestudent,toincitehimtobreadthofculture,andpreventhimfromundulyexaltingorexclusivelycultivationanyonespecialbranch,andthusfrompervertingitbyregardingitoutofitsnaturallimitationsanddependencies.

4.Whatarethefundamentalquestionswhichalltheologicalscienceproposestoanswer,andwhichthereforedeterminethearrangementoftheseveraldepartmentsofthatgeneralscience?

1st.IsthereaGod?2nd.HasGodspoken?3rd.WhathasGodsaid?4th.Howhavemenintimepastunderstoodhiswordandpractically,intheirpersonsandinstitutions,realizedhisintentions?

5.Whatpositioninanencyclopediaoftheologicalsciencesmustbegiventootherbranchesofhumanknowledge?

ItisevidentthatastheSupernaturalRevelationGodhasbeenpleasedtogivehascometousinanhistoricalform,thathistory,andthatoftheChristianChurch,isinseparablyconnectedwithallhumanhistorymoreorlessdirectly.Further,itisevidentthatasalltruthisone,allrevealedtruthsanddutiesareinseparablyconnectedwithalldepartmentsofhumanknowledge,andwithalltheinstitutionsofhumansociety.Ithencefollowsthattheologicalsciencecanatnopointbeseparatedfromgeneralscience,thatsomeknowledgeofeverydepartmentofhumanknowledgemustalwaysbecomprehendedineverysystemofTheologicalEncyclopediaasauxiliarytotheTheologicalsciencesthemselves.Someoftheseauxiliarysciencessustainspecialrelationstocertainofthetheologicalsciences,andareveryremotelyrelatedtoothers.Itis,however,convenienttogivethemapositionbythemselves,asingeneralconstitutingadisciplinepreparatoryandauxiliarytothescienceoftheologyasawhole.

6.Statethemaindivisionsoftheproposedarrangementofthetheologicalsciences.

1.SciencesAuxiliarytothestudyoftheology.

2.Apologetics—embracingtheanswerstothetwoquestions—IsthereaGod?andHasGodspoken?

3.ExegeticalTheology—embracingthecriticaldeterminationoftheipsissimaverbaoftheDivineRevelation,andtheInterpretationtheirmeaning.

4.SystematicTheology—embracingthedevelopmentintoanall–embracingandself–consistentsystemofthecontentsofthatRevelation,anditssubsequentelucidationanddefense.

5.PracticalTheology—embracingtheprinciplesandlawsrevealedinScripturefortheguidanceofChristians(a)inthepromulgationofthisdivinerevelationthusascertainedandinterpreted,andthus(b)inbringingallmenintopracticalobediencetothedutiesitimposesand(c)intothefruitionoftheblessingsitconfers.

6.HistoricalTheology—embracingthehistoryoftheactualdevelopmentduringallpastagesandamongallpeopleofthetheoreticalandpracticalelementsofthatrevelation1.inthefaithand2.inthelifeoftheChurch.

7.StatethechiefdepartmentsofhumanknowledgerelatedtostudyofTheology.

1st.Asunderlyingandconditioningallknowledge,wehaveUniversalHistory,andasauxiliarytotheologicalscienceespeciallytheHistoriesofEgypt,Babylonia,Assyria,Greece,RomeandofMedievalandModernEurope.

2nd.Archaeologyinitsmostcomprehensivesense,includingtheinterpretationofinscriptions,monuments,coins,andremainsofart,andtheillustrationsgatheredthenceandfromallotheravailablesources,ofthegeographicaldistributionandphysicalconditionsandofthe

political,religious,andsocialinstitutionsandcustomsofallpeoples,ofallages.

3rd.Ethnology—thescienceofthedivisionsofthehumanfamilyintoracesandnations,andoftheirdispersionovertheworld—whichtracestheiroriginandaffiliationsandtheirvarietiesofphysical,intellectual,moral,andreligiouscharacter,andthesourcesandmodifyingconditionsofthesevariations.

4th.ComparativePhilology,thesciencewhichstartingfromthenaturalgroupsofhumanlanguages,tracestherelationsandoriginsoflanguagesanddialects,andtranscendingthefirstdawnofhumanhistory,tracestheunityofracesnowseparated,andtheelementsoflongextinctcivilizations,andthefactsofhistoricchangesotherwiseleftwithoutrecord.

5th.TheScienceofComparativeReligion,thecriticalstudyandcomparisonofthehistory,beliefs,spirit,principles,institutions,andpracticalcharacterofalltheEthnicreligions,tracingthelighttheythrowupon(a)humannatureandhistory,(b)themoralgovernmentofGod,and(c)thesupernaturalrevelationrecordedinScripture.

6th.Philosophy,thegroundandmistressofallthemerelyhumansciences.Thiswillincludethehistoryoftheoriginanddevelopmentofalltheschoolsofphilosophy,ancient,mediaeval,andmodern—acriticalstudyandcomparisonoftheirprinciples,methods,anddoctrines,andtherangeandcharacteroftheirrespectiveinfluenceuponallothersciencesandinstitutions,especiallyuponthosewhicharepoliticalandreligious,andmoreespeciallyuponthosewhicharedefinitelyChristian.

7th.Psychology,orthatdepartmentofexperimentalsciencewhichunfoldsthelawsofactionofthehumanmindundernormalconditions,asexhibited(a)inthephenomenaofindividualconsciousnessandaction,and(b)inthephenomenaofsocialandpoliticallife.

8th.Æsthetics,orthescienceofthelawsoftheBeautifulinall

itsformsofMusic,Rhetoric,Architecture,Painting,etc.,andtheprinciplesandhistoryofeverydepartmentofart.

9th.ThePhysicalSciences,theirmethods,generalandspecial;theirhistory,genesis,development,andpresenttendencies;theirrelationtoPhilosophy,especiallytoTheismandnaturalreligion,tocivilization,totheScripturalrecordshistoricallyanddoctrinally.

10th.Æstatistics,orthatdepartmentofinvestigationwhichaimstopresentuswithafullknowledgeofthepresentstateofthehumanfamilyintheworld,inrespecttoeverymeasurablevarietyofcondition—astonumbersandstate,physical,intellectual,religious,social,andpolitical,ofcivilization,commerce,literature,science,art,etc.,etc.;fromwhichelementstheimmatureformsofsocialscienceandpoliticaleconomyarebeinggraduallydeveloped.

8.WhatparticularsareincludedundertheheadofApologetics?

Thisdepartmentfallsundertwoheads:1.IsthereaGod.2.HasHespoken;andincludes—

1st.TheproofofthebeingofGod,thatisofanextramundanepersontranscendentyetimmanent,creating,preservingandgoverningallthingsaccordingtohiseternalplan.ThiswillinvolvethediscussionandrefutationofallAntitheisticsystems,asAtheism,Pantheism,NaturalisticDeism,Materialism,etc.

2nd.TheDevelopmentofNaturaltheology,embracingtherelationofGodtointelligentandresponsibleagentsasMoralGovernor,andtheindicationsofhiswillandpurpose,andconsequentlyofthedutiesanddestiniesofmankind,asfarasthesecanbetracedbythelightofNature—

3rd.TheevidencesofChristianity,including—

1.Thediscussionoftheproperuseofreasoninreligiousquestions.

2.Thedemonstrationoftheaprioripossibilityofasupernaturalrevelation.

3.Thenecessityforandtheprobabilityofsucharevelation,thecharacterofGodandtheconditionofmanasrevealedbythelightofnature,beingconsidered.

4.Thepositiveproofoftheactualfactthatsucharevelationhasbeengiven(a)throughtheOldTestamentprophets,(b)throughtheNewTestamentprophets,and(c)aboveallinthepersonandworkofChrist.Thiswillinvolve,ofcourse,,acriticaldiscussionofalltheevidencebearingonthissubject,externalandinternal,historical,rational,moral,andspiritual,naturalandsupernatural,theoreticalandpractical,andarefutationofallthecriticism,historicalandrational,whichhasbeenbroughttobearagainstthefactofrevelationortheintegrityoftherecord.MuchthatishereadducedwillofcoursenecessarilybealsocomprehendedundertheheadsofSystematicandofExegeticalTheology.

9.WhatisincludedunderExegeticalTheology?

Ifthefacts1.ThatthereisaGod,and2.thathehasspoken,beestablished,itremainstoanswerthequestion,"WhathasGodsaid?"ExegeticalTheologyisthegeneraltitleofthatdepartmentoftheologicalsciencewhichaimsattheInterpretationoftheScripturesasthewordofGod,recordedinhumanlanguage,andtransmittedtousthroughhumanchannels;andinordertothis,Interpretationaimstogatherandorganizeallthatknowledgewhichisnecessarilyintroductorythereto.Thisincludestheanswertotwomainquestions1.Whatbooksformthecanon,andwhatweretheexactwordsofwhichtheoriginalautographsofthewritersoftheseseveralbooksconsisted,and2.Whatdothosedivinewords,soascertained,mean.

TheanswerstoallquestionspreliminarytoactualInterpretation,comeundertheheadofIntroductionandthisisdivided1.intoGeneralIntroduction,presentingallthatinformation,preliminarytointerpretation,whichstandsrelatedincommontotheBibleasawhole,ortoeachTestamentasawhole,and2.intoSpecialIntroduction,

whichincludesallnecessarypreparationfortheinterpretationofeachbookoftheBibleindetail.

A.GeneralINTRODUCTIONincludes—

1st.TheHigherCriticismorthecanvassofthestillexistingevidencesofallkindsestablishingtheauthenticityandgenuinenessofeachbookinthesacredcanon.

2nd.TheCriticismoftheText,which,fromacomparisonofthebestancientmanuscriptsandversions,frominternalevidence,andbymeansofacriticalhistoryofthetextfromitsfirstappearancetothepresent,seekstodeterminetheipsissimaverbsoftheoriginalautographsoftheinspiredwriters.

3rd.BiblicalPhilology,whichanswersthequestions:Whyweredifferentlanguagesusedintherecord?andwhyHebrewandGreek?Whatarethespecialcharacteristicsofthedialectsofthoselanguagesactuallyused,andtheirrelationtothefamiliesoflanguagetowhichtheybelong?Andwhatwerethespecialcharacteristicsofdialect,style,etc.,ofthesacredwritersindividually.

4th.BiblicalArchaeology,includingthephysicalandpoliticalgeographyofBiblelandsduringthecourseofBiblehistory.anddeterminingthephysical,ethnological,social,political,andreligiousconditionsofthepeopleamongwhomtheScripturesoriginated,togetherwithanaccountoftheircustomsandinstitutions,andoftherelationofthesetothoseoftheirancestorsandoftheircontemporaries.

5th.Hermeneutics,orthescientificdeterminationoftheprinciplesandrulesofBiblicalInterpretation,including1.thelogicalandgrammaticalandrhetoricalprinciplesdeterminingtheinterpretationofhumanlanguageingeneral,2.themodificationoftheseprinciplesappropriatetotheinterpretationofthespecificformsofhumandiscourse,e.g.,history,poetry,prophecyparable,symbol.etc.,and3.thosefurthermodificationsoftheseprinciplesappropriatetotheinterpretationofwritingssupernaturallyinspired.

6th.ApologeticshavingestablishedthefactthattheChristianScripturesarethevehicleofasupernaturalrevelation,wemustnowdiscussanddeterminethenatureandextentofBiblicalInspirationasfarasthisisdeterminedbytheclaimsandthephenomenaoftheScripturesthemselves.

7th.TheHistoryofInterpretation,includingthehistoryofancientandmodernversionsandschoolsofinterpretation,illustratedbyacriticalcomparisonofthemosteminentcommentaries.

B.SPECIALINTRODUCTIONtreatsofeachbookoftheBiblebyitself,andfurnishesallthatknowledgeconcerningitsdialect,authorship,occasion,design,andreceptionthatisnecessaryforitsaccurateinterpretation.

C.Exegesisproperistheactualapplicationofalltheknowledgegathered,andofalltherulesdeveloped,intheprecedingdepartmentsofIntroductiontotheInterpretationofthesacredtext,asitstandsinitsoriginalconnectionsofTestaments,books,paragraphs,etc.

Followingthelawsofgrammar,theususloquendiofwords,theanalogyofScripture,andtheguidanceoftheHolyGhost.ExegesisseekstodeterminethemindoftheSpiritasexpressedintheinspiredsentencesastheystandintheirorder.

ThereareseveralspecialdepartmentsclassedunderthegeneralheadofExegeticalTheology,whichinvolveinsomedegreethatarrangementandcombinationofScripturetestimoniesundertopicsorsubjects,whichisthedistinctivecharacteristicofSystematicTheology.Theseare—

1st.Typology,whichembracesascientificdeterminationofthelawsofbiblicalsymbolsandtypes,andtheirinterpretation,especiallythoseoftheMosaicritualasrelatedtothepersonandworkofChrist.

2nd.OldTestamentChristology,thecriticalexpositionoftheMessianicideaasitisdevelopedintheOldTestament.

3rd.BiblicalTheology,tracesthegradualevolutionoftheseveralelementsofrevealedtruthfromtheirfirstsuggestionthrougheverysuccessivestagetotheirfullestmanifestationinthesacredtext,andwhichexhibitsthepeculiarformsandconnectionsinwhichtheseseveraltruthsarepresentedbyeachinspiredwriter.

4th.TheDevelopmentoftheprinciplesofPropheticalInterpretationandtheirapplicationtotheconstructionofanoutlineofthePropheciesofbothTestaments.—"NotesonNewTestamentLiterature,"byDr.J.A.Alexander.

10.WhatisincludedundertheheadofSystematicTheology?

Asthenameimports,SystematicTheologyhasforitsobjectthegatheringallthattheScripturesteachastowhatwearetobelieveandtodo,andthepresentingalltheelementsofthisteachinginasymmetricalsystem.Thehumanmindmustseekunityinallitsknowledge.God’struthisone,andallthecontentsofallrevelationsnaturalandsupernaturalmustconstituteoneself–containedsystem,eachpartorganicallyrelatedtoeveryother.

Themethodofconstructionisinductive.ItrestsupontheresultsofExegesisforitsfoundation.PassagesofScriptureascertainedandinterpretedareitsdata.ThesewhenrightlyinterpretedrevealtheirownrelationsandplaceinthesystemofwhichthePersonandworkofChrististhecenter.Andasthecontentsofrevelationstandintimatelyrelatedtoalltheotherdepartmentsofhumanknowledge,theworkofSystematicTheologynecessarilyinvolvesthedemonstrationandillustrationoftheharmonyofallrevealedtruthwithallvalidscience,materialandpsychological,withalltruespeculativephilosophy,andwithalltruemoralphilosophyandpracticalphilanthropy.

Itincludes—1.Theconstructionofallthecontentsofrevelationintoacompletesystemoffaithandduties.2.ThehistoryofthisprocessasithasprevailedintheChurchduringthepast.3.Polemics.

1.Theconstructionofallthecontentsofrevelationintoa

completesystem.Thisincludesthescientifictreatment(a)ofallthemattersoffaithrevealed,and(b)ofallthedutiesenjoined.

InthearrangementoftopicsthegreatmajorityoftheologianshavefollowedwhatDr.Chalmerscallsthesyntheticalmethod.StartingwiththeideaandnatureofGodrevealedintheScriptures,theytracehiseternalpurposesandtemporalactsincreation,providence,andredemptiontothefinalconsummation.

TheDoctorhimselfpreferswhathecallstheanalyticmethod,andstartswiththefactsofexperienceandthelightofnature,andman’spresentmorallydiseasedcondition,leadsupwardtoredemptionandtothecharacterofGodasrevealedtherein.

Followingtheformerofthesemethodsalltheelementsofthesystemareusuallygroupedunderthefollowingheads:

1st.Theologyproper:includingtheexistence,attributes,triunepersonalityofGod,togetherwithhiseternalpurposes,andtemporalactsofcreationandprovidence.

2nd.Anthropology:(doctrineofman)includingthecreationandnatureofman,hisoriginalstate,fall,andconsequentmoralruin.ThisembracestheBiblicalPsychology,andtheScripturaldoctrineofsin,itsnature,origin,andmodeofpropagation.

3rd.Soteriology:(doctrineofsalvation)whichincludestheplan,execution,andapplicationandgloriouseffectsofhumansalvation.ThisembracesChristology(thedoctrineofChrist),theincarnation,theconstitutionofChrist’sperson,hislife,death,andresurrection,togetherwiththeoffice–workoftheHolyGhost,andthemeansofgrace,thewordandsacraments.

4th.ChristianEthics:embracingtheprinciples,rulesmotives,andaidsofhumandutyrevealedintheBibleasdetermined(a)byhisnaturalrelationsasamanwithhisfellows,and(b)hissupernaturalrelationsasaredeemedman.

5th.Eschatology(scienceoflastthings)comprehendingdeath,theintermediatestateofthesoul,thesecondadvent,theresurrectionofthedead,thegeneraljudgment,heavenandhell.

6th.Ecclesiology(scienceoftheChurch),includingthescientificdeterminationofallthattheScripturesteachastotheChurchvisibleandinvisible,initstemporalandinitseternalstate;includingtheIdeaoftheChurch—itstruedefinition,constitutionandorganization,itsofficersandtheirfunctions.Acomparisonandcriticismofallthemodificationsofecclesiasticalorganizationthathaveeverexisted,togetherwiththeirgenesis,history,andpracticaleffects.

2.Doctrine–History,whichembracesthehistoryofeachofthesegreatdoctrinestracedinitsfirstappearanceandsubsequentdevelopment,thoughthecontroversiesitexcitedandtheConfessionsinwhichitisdefined.

3.Polemics,orControversialTheology,includingthedefenseofthetruesystemofdoctrineasawholeandofeachconstituentelementofitindetailagainsttheperversionsofhereticalpartieswithinthepaleofthegeneralChurch.Thisembraces—1.Thegeneralprinciplesandtruemethodofreligious

controversies.2.ThedefinitionofthetrueStatusQuaestionesineachcontroversy,andanexpositionofthesourcesofevidenceandofthemethods,defensiveandoffensive,bywhichthetruthistobevindicated.3.Thehistoryofcontroversies.

11.WhatisincludedundertheheadofPracticalTheology?

PracticalTheologyisbothascienceandanart.Asanartithasforitspurposetheeffectivepublicationofthecontentsofrevelationamongallmen,andtheperpetuation,extension,andedificationoftheearthlykingdomofGod.Asascienceithasforitsprovincetherevealedprinciplesandlawsoftheartabovedefined.HenceasSystematicTheologyrootsitselfinathoroughExegesisatoncescientificandspiritual,sodoesPracticalTheologyrootitselfinthegreatprinciples

developedbySystematicTheology,thedepartmentofEcclesiologybeingcommongroundtobothdepartments:theproductoftheone,andthefoundationoftheother.

Itincludesthefollowingmaindivisions—

1st.ThediscussionoftheIdeaandDesignoftheChurch,andofitsdivinelyrevealedattributes.

2nd.ThedeterminationofthedivinelyappointedconstitutionoftheChurch,andmethodsofadministration,withthediscussionandrefutationofalltherivalformsofchurchorganizationthathaveprevailed,theirhistory,andthecontroversieswhichtheyhaveencountered.

3rd.ThediscussionofthenatureandextentofthediscretionChristhasallowedhisfollowersinadjustingthemethodsofecclesiasticalorganizationandadministrationtochangingsocialandhistoricalconditions.

4th.Churchmembership,itsconditions,andtherelationtoChristinvolved,togetherwiththedutiesandprivilegesabsoluteandrelativeoftheseveralclassesofmembers.TherelationofbaptizedchildrentotheChurch,andtherelativedutiesofParentsandoftheChurchinrelationtothem.

5th.TheOfficersoftheChurch—extraordinaryandtemporary;ordinaryandperpetual.

(1)Theircallandordination,theirrelationstoChristandtotheChurch.

(2)Theirfunctions

A.AsTeachers,including—

(a)Catechetics,itsnecessity,principles,andhistory.

(b)Sunday–schools.ThedutiesofparentsandoftheChurchin

respecttothereligiouseducationofchildren.

(c)SacredRhetoric.Homileticsandpulpitelocution.

(d)Christianliterature.Thenewspaper,andperiodicalsandpermanentbooks.

B.AsLeadersofWorship,including—

(a)Liturgies,theiruses,abuses,andhistory.

(b)Freeformsofprayer.

(c)Psalmody,inspiredanduninspired,itsusesandhistory.

(d)SacredMusic,vocalandinstrumentalusesandhistory.

C.AsRulers—

(a)Theoffice,qualification,dutiesandScripturalWarrantofRulingElders—

(b)Theoffice,qualification,duties,modeofelection,andordination,andScripturalWarrantoftheNewTestamentBishoporPastor.

(c)TheSession,itsconstitutionandfunctions.ThetheoryandpracticalrulesandmethodsofChurchdiscipline.

(d)ThePresbyteryanditsconstitutionandfunctions.ThetheoryandpracticalrulesandprecedentsregulatingtheactionofChurchcourts,intheexerciseoftheconstitutionalrightofReviewandControlintheissueandconductoftrials,complaints,appeals,etc.,etc.

(e)TheSynodandGeneralAssemblyandtheirconstitutionandfunctions.ThePrinciplesandpolicyofCommittees,Commissioners,Boards,etc.,etc.

ThisleadstothefunctionsoftheChurchasawhole,andthe

warrantforandtheusesandabusesofDenominationaldistinctions,andtherelationsofthedifferentDenominationstooneanother.

1st.ChurchStatistics,includingourownChurch,otherChurches,andtheworld.

2nd.Christian,social,andecclesiasticaleconomics,includingthedutiesofChristianstewardship.personalconsecration,andsystematicbenevolence.TherelationoftheChurchtothepoorandtocriminals,theadministrationoforphanasylums,hospitals,prisons,etc.TherelationoftheChurchtovoluntarysocieties,YoungMen’sChristianAssociations,etc.,etc.

3rd.Theeducationoftheministry,thepolicy,constitutionandadministrationoftheologicalseminaries.

4th.DomesticMissions.includingaggressiveevangelization,supportoftheministryamongthepoor,ChurchextensionandChurcherection.

5th.TherelationoftheChurchtothestate,andthetruerelationofthestatetoreligion,andtheactualconditionofthecommonandstatutelawwithrelationtoChurchproperty,andtheactionofChurchCourtsintheexerciseofdiscipline,etc.TheobligationsofChristiancitizenship.TherelationoftheChurchtocivilization,tomoralreforms,tothearts,sciences,socialrefinements,etc.,etc.

6th.ForeignMissionsinalltheirdepartments.

See"LecturesonTheologicalEncyclopædiaandMethodology,"byRev.JohnM'Clintock,D.D.,LL.D.,editedbyJ.T.Short,B.D.;and"BibliothecaSacra,"Vol.1,1844;"TheologicalEncyclopædiaandMethodology,"fromunpublishedlectureofProf.Tholuck,byProf.E.A.Park.

12.WhatisincludedunderthebeadofHISTORICALTHEOLOGY?

Accordingtothelogicalevolutionofthewholecontentsofthe

theologicalsciences,theinterpretationoftheletterofScripture,andtheconstructionoftheentiresystemofrelatedtruthsanddutiesrevealedtherein,mustprecedetheHistoryoftheactualdevelopmentofthatrevelationinthelifeandfaithoftheChurch,justasthefountainmustprecedethestreamwhichflowsfromit.Yet,asamatteroffact,intheactualstudyofthefamilyoftheologicalsciences,Historymustprecedeandlaythefoundationforalltherest.HistoryalonegivesustheScripturesinwhichourrevelationisrecordedandthemeanswherebytheseveralbooksandtheitipsissimaverbaarecriticallyascertained.Weareindebtedtothesamesourceforourmethodsofinterpretation,andfortheirresultsasillustratedinthebodyoftheologicalliteratureaccumulatedinthepast;alsoforourcreedsandconfessionsandrecordsofcontroversies,andhencefortherecordspreservingthegradualevolutionofoursystemofdoctrine.IntheorderofproductionandofacquisitionHistorycomesfirst,whileintheorderofalogicalexposition,oftheconstituenttheologicalsciencesintheirrelationswithinthesystem,Historyhasthehonorofcrowningthewholeseries.

HistoricalTheologyisdividedintoBiblicalandEcclesiastical.Thefirstderivedchieflyfrominspiredsources,andcontinuingdowntothecloseoftheNewTestamentcanon.Thelatterbeginningwheretheformerends,andcontinuingtothepresenttime.

BiblicalHistoryissubdividedinto—

1st.OldTestamentHistoryincluding1.thePatriarchal,2.Mosaic,and3.Propheticaleras,togetherwith4.thehistoryofthechosenpeopleduringtheintervalbetweenthecloseoftheOldandtheopeningoftheNewTestament.2nd.NewTestamentHistory,includingl.thelifeofChrist,2.ThefoundingoftheChristianChurchbytheApostlesdowntotheendofthefirstcentury.

WithrespecttoEcclesiasticalHistoryseveralpreliminarydepartmentsofstudyareessentialtoitsprosecutionasascience.

1st.Severaloftheauxiliarysciencesalreadyenumeratedmustbecitedasspecificallydemandedinthisconnection.Theseare—l.Ancient,Mediæval,andModernGeography.2.Chronology.3.The

AntiquitiesofallthepeoplesembracedintheareathroughwhichtheChurchhasatanyperiodextended.4.Statistics,exhibitingtheactualconditionoftheworldatanyparticularperiod.5.TheentirecourseofGeneralHistory.

2nd.TheSourcesfromwhichEcclesiasticalHistoryisderivedshouldbecriticallyinvestigated.1.Monumentalsources,suchas(a)buildings,(b)inscriptions,(c)coins,etc.2.Documental,whichare—(a)Public,suchastheActsofCouncils,thebriefs,decretals,andbullsofPopes;thearchivesofgovernments,andthecreeds,confessions,catechisms,andliturgiesoftheChurches,etc.,etc.(b)Privatedocuments,suchascontemporaryliteratureofallkinds,pamphlets,biographies,annals,andlaterreportsandcompilations.

3rd.TheHistoryoftheliteratureofecclesiasticalhistoryfromEusebiustoNeander,Kurtz,andSchaff..ThemethodswhichhavebeenandwhichshouldbefollowedinthearrangementofthematerialofChurchHistory.TheactualMethodalwayshasbeenandprobablyalwayswillbeacombinationofthetwonaturalmethods—(a)chronological,and(b)topical.

Thefundamentalprincipleuponwhich,accordingtoDr.M’Clintock,thematerialsofChurchHistoryshouldbearranged,isthedistinctionbetweenthelifeandthefaithoftheChurch.Thetwodivisionstherefore,are1.HistoryofthelifeoftheChurch,orChurchHistoryproper,and2.HistoryofthethoughtoftheChurch,orDoctrine–History.

1.TheHistoryoftheLifeoftheChurchdealswithpersons,communities,andevents,andshouldbetreatedaccordingtotheordinarymethodsofhistoricalcomposition.

2.TheHistoryoftheThoughtoftheChurchcomprise—

1.Patristics,ortheliteratureoftheearlyChristianFathers;andPetrology,orascientificexhibitionoftheirdoctrine.Thesefathersaregroupedunderthreeheads—(a)Apostolic,(b)Ante–Nicene,and(c)Post–Nicene,terminatingwithGregorytheGreatamongtheLatin's,AD.604,andwithJohnofDamascusamongtheGreeks,AD.754.Thisstudy

involvesthediscussionof(a)theproperuseoftheseFathers,andtheirlegitimateauthorityinmoderncontroversies;(b)afullhistoryoftheirliterature,andoftheprincipaleditionsoftheirworks;and(c)themeaning,value,anddoctrineofeachindividualFatherseparately—

2.ChristianArchæology,whichtreatsoftheusage,worshipanddisciplineoftheearlyChurch,andthehistoryofChristianworship,art,architecture,poetry,painting,music,etc.,etc.

3.Doctrine–History,orthecriticalhistoryofthegenesisanddevelopmentofeachelementofthedoctrinalsystemoftheChurch,orofanyofitshistoricalbranches,withanaccountofallthehereticalformsofdoctrinefromwhichthetruthhasbeenseparated,andthehistoryofallthecontroversiesbyofwhichtheeliminationhasbeeneffected.Thiswill,ofcourse,beaccompaniedwithacriticalhistoryoftheentireLiteratureofDoctrine–History,oftheprinciplesrecognizedthemethodspursued,andtheworksproduced.

4.Symbolics,whichinvolves—(a)ThescientificdeterminationofthenecessityforandusesofpublicCreedsandConfessions.(b)Thehistoryoftheoccasions,oftheactualgenesis,andsubsequentreception,authority,andinfluenceofeachoneoftheCreedsandConfessionsofChristendom.(c)ThestudyofthedoctrinalcontentsofeachCreed,andofeachgroupofCreedsseparately,and(d)

ComparativeSymbolics,orthecomparativestudyofalltheConfessionsoftheChurch,andthenceasystematicexhibitionofalltheirrespectivepointsofagreementandofcontrast.M’Clintock’s"TheologicalEncyclopædia";"NotesonEcclesiasticalHistory,"byDr.J.A.Alexander,editedbyDr.S.D.Alexander.

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CHAPTER2:OriginoftheIdeaofGodandProofofHisExistence

1.WhatisthedistinctionbetweenaNOMINALanda

REALdefinition?andgivethetruedefinitionofthewordGod.

Anominaldefinitionsimplyexplainsthemeaningofthetermused,whilearealdefinitionexplainsthenatureofthethingsignifiedbytheterm.

TheEnglishwordGodisbysomederivedfrom"good."Since,however,itsvariousformsincognatelanguagescouldnothavehadthatorigin,othersderiveitfromthePersicChoda—dominus,"possessor."

TheLatinDeus,andtheGreekΘεόςhavebeencommonlyderivedfromtheSanscritdivtogive"light"

ButCurtius,Cremer,andothersderiveitfromθεςinθέσσασθαι"toimplore."Θεόςis"Hetowhomoneprays."

ThewordGodisoftenusedinapantheisticsense,fortheimpersonal,unconsciousgroundofallbeing,andbymanyfortheunknowablefirstcauseoftheexistentworld.Itisforthisreasonthatsomanyspeculators,whoactuallyorvirtuallydenytheexistenceoftheGodofChristendom,yetindignantlyrepudiatethechargeofatheism,becausetheyadmittheexistenceofaself–existentsubstanceorfirstcausetowhichtheygivethenameGod,whiletheydenytoitthepossessionofthepropertiesgenerallydesignatedbytheterm.

But,asamatteroffact,inconsequenceofthepredominanceofChristianideasintheliteratureofcivilizednationsforthelasteighteencenturies,theterm"God"hasattainedthedefiniteandpermanentsenseofaself–existent,eternal,andabsolutelyperfectfreepersonalSpirit,distinctfromandsovereignovertheworldhehascreated.

ThemanwhodeniestheexistenceofsuchabeingdeniesGod.

2.Howcana"real"definitionofGodbeconstructed?

EvidentlyGodcanbedefinedonlyinsofarasheisknowntous,andtheconditionofthepossibilityofourknowinghimisthefactthatwewerecreatedinhisimage.EverydefinitionofGodmustassumethisfact,thatinanessentialsenseheandhisintelligentcreaturesarebeingsofthe

samegenus.Heisthereforedefinedbygivinghisgenusandspecificdifference.Thusheisastogenus,anintelligentpersonalSpirit.Heis,astohisspecificdifference,astothatwhichconstituteshimGod,infinite,eternal,unchangeableinhisbeing,inhiswisdom,inhispowerinhisholiness,andinallperfectionsconsistentwithhisbeing.

3.TowhatextentistheideaofGodduetoTradition?

ItisevidentthatthecompleteideaofGodpresentedintheforegoingdefinitionhasbeenattainedonlybymeansofthesupernaturalrevelationrecordedintheChristianScriptures.ItisafactalsothattheonlythreeTheisticreligionswhichhaveeverprevailedamongmen(theJewishMohammedanandChristian)arehistoricallyconnectedwiththesamerevelation.Itisalso,ofcourse,invaintospeculateastowhatwouldbetheactionofthehumanmindindependentofallinheritedhabits,andofalltraditionalopinions.

Weareentirelywithoutexperienceortestimonyastoanykindofknowledgeattainedorjudgmentsformedundersuchconditions.Itismoreovercertainthattheforminwhichthetheisticconceptionisrealized,andtheassociationswithwhichitisaccompanied,aredeterminedinthecaseofeachcommunitybythetheologicaltraditionstheyhaveinheritedfromtheirfathers.

Itisontheotherhand,indubitablycertainthatallmenunderallknown,andthereforeunderalltrulynaturalconditions,dospontaneouslyrecognizethedivineexistenceasmoreorlessclearlyrevealedtothemintheconstitutionandconsciousexperienceoftheirownsouls,andinexternalnature.Thetheisticconceptionhenceisnomoreduetoauthority,asoftenabsurdlycharged,thanthebeliefinthesubjectiverealityofspiritorintheobjectiverealityofmatterformedunderthesameeducationalconditions.Therecognitionoftheself–manifestGodisspontaneous,anduniversal,whichprovestheevidencetobeclearandeverywherepresent,andconvincingtoallnormallydevelopedmen.

4.IstheideaofGodINNATE?AndisitanINTUITIVEtruth?

ThatdependsuponthesenseinwhichtherespectivetermsaretakenItisevidentthatthereareno"innate"ideasinthesensethatanychildwaseverbornwithaconceptionofthedivinebeing,oranyotherconceptionalreadyformedinhismind.Itisalsocertainthatthehumanmindwhendevelopedunderpurelynaturalconditions,intheabsenceofallsuper–naturalrevelation,canneverattaintoanadequateconceptionofthedivinenature.Ontheotherhand,however,allhistoryprovesthattheideaofGodisinnateinthesensethattheconstitutionalfacultiesofthehumansouldo,underallnaturalconditions,securethespontaneousrecognition,moreorlessclear,ofGodastheultimategroundofallbeing,andastheLordofconscience,self–manifestedinthesoulandintheworld.Itisinnateinsofarastheevidenceisasuniversallypresentasthelightofday,andtheprocessbywhichitisapprehendedisconstitutional.

Iftheterm"intuition"istakeninitsstrictsenseofadirectvisionofatruth,seeninitsownlighttobenecessary,byanintellectualactincapableofbeingresolvedintomoreelementaryprocessesofthought,thentheexistenceofGodisnotatruthapprehendedintuitivelybymen.Theprocesswherebyitisreached,whetherspontaneouslyorbyelaboratereasoning,embracesmanyindubitableintuitionsaselements,butnomanapprehendsGodhimselfbyadirectintuition.

Because—1.Althoughtherecognitionofthedivineexistenceisnecessaryinthesensethatthegreatmajorityofmenrecognizethetruth,andareunabletodisbelieveitevenwhentheywish,andnoonecandosowithoutdoingviolencetohisnature,yetitisnotnecessarytothoughtinthesensethatthenon–existenceofGodisunthinkable.2.BecauseGodmanifestshimselftousnotimmediatelybutmediatelythroughhisworks,andthereisalwayspresent,atleastimplicitly,aninferenceintheactwherebythesoulrecognizeshispresenceandaction.3.ThetrueideaofGodisexceedinglycomplex,andisreachedbyacomplexprocess,whetherspontaneousornot,involvingvariouselementscapableofanalysisanddescription.

OntheotherhanditistruethatGodmanifestshimselfinhisworkinginoursoulsandinexternalnaturejustastheinvisiblesoulsofourfellowmenmanifestthemselves,andwespontaneouslyrecognizehimjustaswedothem.Werecognizethembecause(a)wearegenerically

likethem,and(b)theirattributesaresignificantlyexpressedintheirwordsandactions.AndwerecognizeGodbecause(a)wehavebeenmadeinhisimage,whichfactwespontaneouslyrecognize(b)fromhisself–revelationsinconsciousness,especiallyinconscience,andfromthecharacteristicsoftheexternalworld.

"Whilethementalprocesswhichhasbeendescribed—thetheisticinference—iscapableofanalysis,itisitselfsynthetic.TheprinciplesonwhichitdependsaresoconnectedthatthemindcanembracethemallintheapprehensionofGod.Will,intelligence,conscience,reason,andtheideaswhichtheysupply;cause,design,goodness,infinity,andtheargumentswhichrestontheseideas—allcoalesceintothisonegrandissue."—"Theism"byProf.Flint,pp.71,72.

5.IftheexistenceofGodisspontaneouslyrecognizedbyallmenundernormalconditionsofconsciousness,whatisthevalueofformalargumentstoprovethatexistence?Andwhataretheargumentsgenerallyused?

1st.Theseargumentsareofvalueasanalysesandscientificverificationsofthementalprocessesimplicitlyinvolvedinthespontaneousrecognitionoftheself–manifestationsofGod.2nd.Theyareofusealsoforthepurposeofvindicatingthelegitimacyoftheprocessagainstthecriticismsofskeptics.

3rd.Alsoforthepurposeofquickeningandconfirmingthespontaneousrecognitionbydrawingattentiontotheextentandvarietyoftheevidencetowhichitresponds.4th.Thevariousargumentsareconvergentratherthanconsecutive.Theydonotallestablishthesameelementsofthetheisticconceptbuteachestablishesindependentlyitsseparateelement,andthusisofuse(a)incontributingconfirmatoryevidencethatGodis,and(b)complementaryevidenceastowhatGodis.

Theyconstituteanorganicwhole,andaretheanalysisandillustrationofthespontaneousactwherebythemassofmenhavealwaysrecognizedGod."Althoughcausalitydoesnotinvolvedesign,nordesigngoodness,designinvolvescausality,andgoodnessbothcausalityanddesign.Theproofsofintelligencearealsoproofsofpower;andtheproofs

ofgoodnessareproofsofbothintelligenceandpower.TheprinciplesofreasonwhichcompelustothinkoftheSupremeMoralIntelligenceasself-existent,eternal,infinite,andunchangeableBeing,supplementtheproofsfromothersources,andgiveself-consistencyandcompletenesstothedoctrineoftheism."—"Theism,"Prof.Flint,pp.73,74.

Theusualargumentswillbeexaminedunderthefollowingheads:

1st.TheCosmologicalArgument,ortheevidenceforGod’sexistenceasFirstCause.

2nd.TheTeleologicalArgument,ortheevidenceofGod’sexistenceaffordedbythepresenceoforderandadaptationintheuniverse.

3rd.TheMoralArgument,ortheevidenceaffordedbythemoralconsciousnessandhistoryofmankind.

4th.TheevidenceaffordedbythephenomenaofScriptureandthesupernaturalhistorytheyrecord.

5th.TheàprioriArgument,andthetestimonyaffordedbyreasontoGodastheInfiniteandAbsolute.

6.StatetheCosmologicalArgument.

Itmaybestatedintheformofasyllogism,thus—

MajorPremise—Everynewexistenceorchangeinanythingpreviouslyexistingmusthavehadacausepre–existingandadequate.

MinorPremise—Theuniverseasawholeandinallitspartsisasystemofchanges.

Conclusion—Hencetheuniversemusthaveacauseexteriortoitself,andtheultimateorabsolutecausemustbeeternal,uncaused,andunchangeable.

1st.Astothemajorpremise;thecausaljudgmentisintuitiveandabsolutelyuniversalandnecessary.Ithasbeendeniedtheoreticallybysomespeculators,asHumeandMill,butitisalwaysusedbythemandallothersinalltheirreasoningastotheoriginoftheworld,aswellasofallthingsitcontainsThejudgmentisunavoidable;theoppositeisunthinkable.Somethingexistsnow,thereforesomethingmusthaveexistedfrometernity,andthatwhichhasexistedfrometernityisthecauseofthatwhichexistsnow.

Ithasbeenclaimedthatthecausaljudgmentleadstoaninfiniteregressiveseriesofcausesandeffects.

Butthisisabsurd.1.Thejudgmentisnotthateverythingmusthaveacause,butthateverynewthingorchangemusthavebeencaused.Butthatwhichiseternalandimmutableneedsnocause.2.Aninfiniteseriesofcausesandeffectsisabsurd,forthatisonlyaseriesofchanges,whichispreciselythatwhichdemandsacause,andallthemoreimperativelyinproportiontoitslength.Arealcause,ontheotherhand—thatinwhichthecausaljudgmentcanaloneabsolutelyrest—mustbeneitherachangenoraseriesofchanges,butsomethinguncaused,eternalandimmutable.Asamatteroffactallphilosophersandmenofsciencewithoutexceptionassumetheprinciplesasserted.Theyallpostulateaneternal,self-existent,unchangeablecauseoftheuniverse,whetherapersonalspirit,ormaterialatoms,orasubstanceofwhichbothmatterandspiritaremodes,oranunconsciousintelligentworld-soulinunionwithmatter.

2nd.Astotheminorpremise.Thefactthattheuniverseasawholeandinallitspartsisasystemofchangesisemphasizedbyeveryprincipleandlessonofmodernscience.Everydiscoveryinthefieldsofgeologyandastronomy,andallspeculation—asthenebularhypothesisandthehypothesisofevolution—embodythisprincipleastheirveryessence.

ButJohnStuartMillinhis"EssayonTheism,"pp.142,143,says:"Thereisinnatureapermanentelement,andalsoachangeable:thechangesarealwaystheeffectsofpreviouschanges;thepermanentexistences,sofarasweknow,arenoteffectsatall....Thereisinevery

objectanotherandpermanentelement,viz.,thespecificelementarysubstanceorsubstancesofwhichitconsists,andtheirinherentproperties.Thesearenotknownasbeginningtoexist;withintherangeofhumanknowledgetheyhadnobeginning,consequentlynocause;thoughtheythemselvesarecausesorconcausesofeverythingthattakesplace."Wheneveraphysicalphenomenonistracedtoitscause,thatcausewhenanalyzedisfoundtobeacertainquantumofforce,combinedwithcertaincollocations....Theforceitselfisessentiallyoneandthesame,andthereexistsofitinnatureafixedquantity,which(ifthetheoryoftheconservationofforcesbetrue)isneverincreasedordiminished.Herethenwefindinthechangesofmaterialnatureapermanentelement,toallappearancetheveryoneofwhichweareinquest.Thisitisapparentlytowhich,iftoanything,wemustassignthecharacterofFirstCause."—"EssayonTheism,"pp.144,145.

WEANSWER-1.Theexistenceof"Energy"inanyofitsconversableformsdissociatedfrommatterisabsolutelyunthinkable.ThisisrecognizedasanunquestionablescientifictruthbyStewartandTait("UnseenUniverse,"p.79).2.Itisanobviousfact"thatallbutanexceedinglysmallfractionofthelightandheatofthesunandstarsgoesoutintospace,anddoesnotreturntothem.Inthenextplacethevisiblemotionofthelargebodiesoftheuniverseisgraduallybeingstoppedbysomethingwhichmaybedenominatedetherealfriction,"andatlasttheymustfalltogether,andconstitutebysuccessiveaggregationsonemass."InfinethedegradationofEnergyofthevisibleuniverseproceeds,paripassu,withtheaggregationofmass.Theveryfact,therefore,thatthelargemassesofthevisibleuniverseareoffinitesize,issufficienttoassureusthattheprocesscannothavebeengoingonforever,orinotherwordsthatthevisibleuniversemusthavehadanoriginintime—since(a)Energyremainsaggregatedinfinitequantitiesyetundiffused,and(b)sincethematteroftheuniversestillremainsinseparatemasses.ThustheverylawofthecorrelationofEnergytowhichMillappealsproves,whenreallytested,thatthevisibleuniversehadabeginningandwillhaveanend."StewartandTait("UnseenUniverse,"p.166)3.

Hisassumption,also,thatthematteroftheuniverseisinitsultimateatomseternalandunchangeable,isunprovedandcontraryto

scientificanalogy.ClarkMaxwell(inhisaddressasPresidentoftheBritishAssociationforAdvancementofScience,1870)says:"Theexactequalityofeachmole–culetoallothersofthesamekindgivesit,asSirJohnhaswellsaid,theessentialcharacterofamanufacturedarticle,andprecludestheideaofitsbeingeternalandself–existent."4.Asamatteroffactallevolutiontheoriesastothegenesisoftheuniversenecessarilypostulateacommencementintime,andaprimordialfire–mist.Butthisfire–mistcannotbetheFirstCausethecausaljudgmentdemands,becauseitisnoteternalandimmutable.Ifeternalitwouldbefullydeveloped.Iffullydevelopeditcouldnotdevelopintotheuniverse.Ifimmutableitcouldnotpassintochange.Ifnotimmutableitisitself;liketheuniversewhichissuesfromit,atransientconditionofmatter,likeallotherchangedemandingforitselfacause.

7.StatetheTeleologicalArgument.

Teleologyfromτέλος,end,andλόγος,discourse,isthescienceoffinalcauses,orofpurposesordesignasexhibitedintheadjustmentsofpartstowholes,ofmeanstoends,oforganstousesinnature..ItisalsofamiliarlycalledtheArgumentfromDesign,andisultimatelybasedupontherecognitionoftheoperationsofanintelligentcauseinnature.Itmaybeprofitablystatedintwoformsbasedrespectivelyonthemoregeneralandthemorespecialmanifestationsofthatintelligence.

FIRSTFORMMajorPremise—Universalorderandharmonyintheconspiringoperationofavastmultitudeofseparateelementscanbeexplainedonlybythepostulateofanintelligentcause.

MinorPremise—Theuniverseasawholeandinallitspartsisafabricofthemostcomplexandsymmetricalorder.

Conclusion—Thereforetheeternalandabsolutecauseoftheuniverseisanintelligentmind.

SECONDFORMMajorPremise—Theadjustmentofpartsandtheadaptationofmeanstoeffectanendorpurposecanbeexplainedonlybyreferencetoadesigningintelligenceandwill.

MinorPremise—Theuniverseisfullofsuchadjustmentsofparts,andoforganismscomposedofpartsconspiringtoeffectanend.

Conclusion—thereforetheFirstCauseoftheuniversemustbeanintelligentmindandwill.

TheseargumentsifvalidamounttoprovingthatGodisaneternalself–existingPerson.Fortheassumptionofanunconsciousintelligence,orofanintelligenceproducingeffectswithouttheexerciseofwillisabsurd.Thesephrasesrepresentnopossibleideas.Andintelligenceandwilltogetherconstitutepersonality.

Astothefirstformoftheargumentitisevidentthattheveryfactthatscienceispossibleisanindubitableproofthattheorderofnatureisintellectual.Scienceisaproductofthehumanmind,whichisabsolutelyincapableofpassingbeyondthelawsofitsownconstitution.Intuitionsofreason,logicalprocessesofanalysis,inductiveordeductiveinference,imagination,invention,andalltheactivitiesofthesoulorganizethescientificprocess.Toallthisexternalnatureisfoundperfectlytocorrespond.Eventhemostsubtlesolutionsofabstractmathematicalandmechanicalproblemshavebeensubsequentlyfoundbyexperimenttohavebeenanticipatedinnature.Thelawsofnatureareexpressionsofnumericalandgeometricalharmoniesandareinstinctwithreasonandbeauty.Yettheselawsalthoughinvariableunderinvariableconditions,areneithereternalnorinherentintheelementaryconstitutionoftheuniverse.Thepropertiesofelementalmatterareconstant,butthelawswhichorganizethemarethemselvescomplicatedeffectsresultingfromantecedentadjustmentsoftheseelementsthemselvesunderthecategoriesoftime,place,quantity,andquality.Astheseadjustmentschangethelawschange.

Theseadjustments,therefore,arethecauseoftheselaws,andtheadjustmentsthemselvesmustbetheproducteitherofchance,whichisabsurd,orofintelligence,whichiscertain.

Thisintellectualorderofnatureisthefirstnecessarypostulateofallscience,and

itistheessenceofalltheprocessesoftheuniversefromthegroupingofatomsto

therevolutionofworlds,fromthedigestionofapolyptothefunctionalactionof

thehumanbrain.

AstothesecondformofthisArgument.—Theprincipleofdesignpresupposesthegeneralintellectualorderoftheuniverseandherlaws,andpresentsinadvancetheaffirmationthatthecharacteroftheFirstCauseisfurthermanifestedbytheeverywherepresentevidencethatthesegenerallawsaremadetoconspirebyspecialadjustmentstotheaccomplishmentofendsevidentlyintended.Thisprincipleisillustratedbythemutualadjustmentsofthevariousprovincesofnature,andespeciallybythevegetableandanimalorganisms,andtherelationstheyinvolve,oforgantoorganism,oforganismtoinstinct,andofsingleorganismsandclassesoforganismstoeachotherandtotheirphysicalsurroundings.Inmanycasestheintentionofthesespecialadjustmentsisself–evidentandundeniable,asinthecaseofthepartsoftheeyetothepurposeofvision.Inothercasesitismoreobscureandconjectural.Inthepresentconditionofsciencewecanunderstandonlyinpart,butfromthebeginningtheevidenceofintelligentpurposehasbeentransparentandoverwhelming.Asinglesentenceprovesintelligence,althoughthecontextisindecipherable.Buteveryadvanceofsciencedisclosesthesameevidenceoverwiderareasandinclearerlight.

8.Stateandanswertheobjectionstothetheisticinferencefromtheevidencesofspecialdesign.

1st.Hume("DialoguesonNaturalReligion,"Pt.7.,etc.)arguesthatourconvictionthatadaptationimpliesdesignisduetoexperienceandcannotgobeyondit.Thatourjudgmentthatnaturalorganismsimplydesignintheircauseisaninferencefromtheanalogyofhumancontrivance,anditseffects.Hearguesfurtherthatthisanalogyisfalsebecause—1.Thehumanworkerisantecedentlyknowntousasanintelligentcontriver,whiletheauthorofnatureisantecedentlyunknownandtheveryobjectsoughttobeverifiedbythetheisticinference.2.The

processesofnatureareallunliketheprocessesbywhichmanexecuteshiscontrivances,andtheformationoftheworld,andtheinstitutionoftheprocessesofnaturearepeculiareffectsofthelikeofwhichwehavenoexperience.

Weanswer-l.Theargumentrestsuponafalseassumptionoffact.Thehumancontriver,thesoulofourfellowman,isnotantecedentlyknowntous,noriseverinanywayknownexceptbythecharacteroftheworksbywhichhemanifestshimself.AndpreciselyinthesamewayandtothesameextentistheAuthorofnatureknown.2.Itrestsonafalseassumptionofprinciple.Theanalogyofhumancontrivancesisnotthegroundofourconvictionthatorderandadaptationimplyintelligence.Itisauniversalandnecessaryjudgmentofreasonthatorderandadaptationcanonlyspringfromanintelligentcause,orfromaccident,andthatthelattersuppositionisabsurd.

2nd.Somemenofscience,whohavebecomehabituatedtotheconsiderationoftheuniverseasanabsoluteunit,alltheprocessesofwhichareexecutedbyinvariablegenerallaws(amodeofthoughtinwhichforcenturiessciencewasanticipatedbyAugustinianTheology),objectthatininferringintentionfromtheadjustmentofpartsinspecialgroupsorsystems,thenaturaltheologianhadmistakenapartforawholeandanincidentaleffectofagenerallaw,resultingfromspecialandtemporaryconditions,fortherealendofthelawitself.TheyholdthatifeventheFirstCauseoftheuniversewereintelligent,itwereinfinitelyabsurdformentopresumetointerprethispurposefromwhatweseeofthespecialresultsoftheworkingoflawsworkingfrominfinitepasttime,throughinfinitespace,andoveraninfinitesystemofconspiringparts.

Weanswer-1.Itisselfevidentthattherelationsofthepartsofaspecialwholeconspiringtoaspecialendmaybefullyunderstood,whiletherelationsofthatspecialwholetothegeneralwholemaybeentirelyunknownalthoughstronglightisthrownevenonthissidebyreasonandrevelation.Asingleboneofanunknownspeciesofanimalgivesundeniableevidenceofspecialadaptation,andmayeven,asscientistsjustlyclaim,throwlightbeyonditselfupontheconstitutionofthatotherwiseunknownwholetowhichitbelonged.2.Weconfessthatthiscriticism,althoughfailingastotheargumentfromdesign,hasforce

relativelytothemodeinwhichthatargumenthasoftenbeenconceived.Theoldernaturaltheologiansdidoftentotoogreatadegreeabstractindividualorganismsfromthegreatdynamicwholeofwhichtheyareproductsaswellasparts.Dr.Flint("Theism,"p.159)welldistinguishesbetweentheintrinsic,theextrinsic,andtheultimateendsofanyspecialadjustment.Thustheintrinsicendofthatspecialadjustmentofpartscalledtheeyeisvision.Itsextrinsicendsaretheusesitservestotheanimalitbelongsto,andalltheusesheservestoallhestandsimmediatelyorremotelyrelatedto.Itsultimateendistheendoftheuniverseitself.Dr.Flintispointingouttheinterrelationshipofthepartandthewhole."

Theism,"p.163—"Whenweaffirm,then,thatfinalcausesinthesenseofintrinsicendsareinthings,weaffirmmerelythatthingsaresystematicunities,thepartsofwhicharedefinitelyrelatedtooneanother,andco-ordinatedtoacommonissue;andwhenweaffirmthatfinalcausesinthesenseofextrinsicendsareinthings,weaffirmmerelythatthingsarenotisolatedandindependentsystems,butsystemsdefinitelyrelatedtoothersystems,andsoadjustedastobepartsorcomponentsofhighersystems,andmeanstoissuesmorecomprehensivethantheirown."

Itistrueindeedthatamancannotdiscerntheultimateendofapartuntilhediscernstheultimateendofthewhole,andthathecannotdiscernalltheextrinsicendsofanyspecialsystemuntilheknowsallitsrelationstoallotherspecialsystems.Nevertheless,asamanwhoknowsnothingoftherelationofagivenplantoranimaltothefloraorfaunaofacontinent,maybeabsolutelycertainofthefunctionsoftherootortheclawintheeconomyoftheplantorbeast,sothemannerinwhichallthepartswhichconspiretomakeaspecialwholeareadaptedtoeffectthatendmaybeperfectlyunderstood,whileweknownothingasyetoftheextrinsicrelationofthatspecialwholetothatwhichisexteriortoitself.

3rd.IthasbeenclaimedinrecenttimesbyacertainclassofscientiststhatevidencefortheexistenceofGodaffordedbytheorderandadaptationexhibitedintheprocessesofnaturehasbeenverymuchweakened,ifnotabsolutelyinvalidatedbytheassumedprobabilityofthealternativehypothesisofEvolution.Therearemanytheoriesof

Evolution,buttheterminthegeneralsensedenotesthejudgmentthatthestateoftheuniverseasawholeandinallitspartsanyonemomentoftime,hasitscauseinitsstatetheimmediatelyprecedingmoment,andthatthesechangeshavebeenbroughtaboutthroughtheagencyofpowersinherentinnature,andthattheymaybetracedbackfrommomenttomomentwithoutanybreakofcausalcontinuitythroughallpasttime.

AllpossibletheoriesofEvolution,consideredintheirrelationtotheology,maybeclassifiedthus:1.

ThosewhichneitherdenynorobscuretheevidencewhichtheorderandadaptationobservedinnatureaffordtotheexistenceofGod,andhisimmanenceinandprovidentialcontrolofhisworks.2.Thosewhich,whilerecognizingGodastheoriginalsourceintheremotepast,towhichtheoriginationandtheprimaryadjustmentsoftheuniversearetobereferred,yetdenyhisimmanenceandconstantprovidentialactivityinhisworks3.ThosewhichprofessedlyorvirtuallyobscureordenytheevidenceaffordedbytheorderandadaptationoftheuniversefortheexistenceandactivityofGodalikeasCreatorandasProvidentialRuler.

WiththefirstclassofEvolutiontheoriestheNaturalTheologianhas,ofcourse,onlythemostfriendlyinterest.

Astothesecondclass,whichadmitsthatadivineintelligencecontrivedandinauguratedtheuniverseattheabsolutebeginning,yetdenythatanysuchagentisimmanentintheuniversecontrollingitsprocesses,WEREMARK—1.Thatthepointwehaveatpresenttoestablishistheeternalself–existenceofanintelligentFirstCause,andnotthemodeofhisrelationtotheuniverse.Thelatterquestionwillbetreatedinsubsequentchapters.2.Itisfarmorephilosophical,andmoreinaccordancewithatrueinterpretationofthescientificprincipleofcontinuity,toconceiveoftheFirstCauseasimmanentintheuniverse,andasorganicallyconcurringwithallunintelligentsecondcausesinallprocessesexhibitingpowerorintelligence.ThisisrecognizedbythatlargemajorityofscientificmenwhoareeitherorthodoxTheists,orwhoreferallthephenomenaofthephysicaluniversetothedynamicactionofthedivinewill.3.Theevidenceaffordedbyman’smoralconsciousness

andhistoryandbyrevelation,totheimmanentandeffectiveagencyofGodinallhisworks,isunanswerable.

AstothethirdclassofEvolutiontheories,whichdoeitherprofessedlyorvirtuallyobscureordenytheevidenceaffordedbyorderorcontrivancetoanintelligentFirstCauseoftheUniverse,asforexamplethetheoryofDarwinastothedifferentiationofallorganismsthroughaccidentalvariationsoccurringthroughunlimitedtime,WEREMARK—

1st.Everysuchscheme,whenitisproposedasanaccountoftheexistinguniverse,mustfurnishaprobableexplanationofallclassesoffacts.ItisnotoriousthateverytheoryofpurelynaturalEvolutionfailsutterlytoexplainthefollowingfacts:1.Theoriginationoflife.Itcouldnothaveexistedinthefire–mist.Itcouldnothavebeengeneratedbythatwhichhasnolife.Theoldaxiomomnevivumexvivo,alllifecomesfromlife,applieshere.2.Theoriginofsensation.3.Alsoofintelligenceandwill.4.Alsoofconscience.5.Theestablishmentofdistinctlogicallycorrelatedandpersistenttypesofgeneraandspecies,maintainedbythelawofhybridity.6.Theoriginofman.Prof.VirchowofBerlin,inhisrecentaddressattheGermanAssociationofNaturalistsandPhysiciansatMunichsays,"YouareawarethatIamnowspeciallyengagedinthestudyofanthropology,butIamboundtodeclarethateverypositiveadvancewhichwehavemadeintheprovinceofprehistoricanthropologyhasactuallyremovedusfurtherfromtheproofofsuchconnection(i.e.,thedescentofmanfromanylowertype)."

2nd.Butevenifcontinuousevolutioncouldbeprovedasafact,thesignificanceoftheevidenceofintelligentorderandcontrivancewouldnotbeintheleastaffected.Itwouldonlyestablishamethodorsystemofmeans,butcouldinnodegreealterthenatureoftheeffect,northeattributesoftherealcausedisclosedbythem.

1.Thelawsofbiogenesis,ofreproduction,ofsexualdifferentiationandreproduction,ofheredity,ofvariation,suchascanevolvesensation,reason,conscience,andwilloutofatomsandmechanicalenergy,wouldallstillremaintobeaccountedfor.2.Lawsarenevercauses,butalwayscomplicatedmodesofactionresultingfromthe

co–actionofinnumerableunconsciousagents.Instead,therefore,ofbeingexplanationstheyaretheverycomplexeffectsforwhichreasondemandanintellectualcause.3.Allphysicallawsresultfromtheoriginalpropertiesofmatteractingunderthemutualconditionofcertaincomplicatedadjustments.Changetheadjustmentsandthelawschange.Thelawswhichexecuteevolutionorratherintowhichtheprocessofevolutionisanalyzed,mustbereferredbacktotheoriginaladjustmentsofthematerialelementsofthefire–mist.Theseadjustments,inwhichallfutureorderandlifeisbyhypothesislatent,musthavebeencausedbychanceorintelligence.Huxleyinhis"CriticismsonOriginofSpecies,"p.330,foundsthewholelogicofEvolutiononchancethus:Ithasbeen"demonstratedthatanapparatusthoroughlywell–adaptedtoaparticularpurpose,maybetheresultofamethodoftrialanderrorworkedoutbyunintelligentagents,aswellasofthedirectapplicationofthemeansappropriatetothatendbyanintelligentagent."AccordingtoTeleology,eachorganismislikeariflebulletfiredstraightatamark;accordingtoDarwinorganismsarelikegrape–shot,ofwhichonehitssomethingandtherestfallwide."Themodernscientificexplanationoftheprocessesoftheuniversebyphysicalcausesalone,totheexclusionofmind,differsfromtheoldlong–explodedchancetheory,onlybytheaccidents(a)ofthejugglinguseofthewords"lawsofnature,"(b)andtheassumptionthatchanceoperatingthroughindefinitedurationcanaccomplishtheworkofintelligence.Butasnomancanbelievethatanyamountoftimewillexplaintheformofflintknivesandarrowheads,intheabsenceofhumanagents,orthatanynumberofthrowscouldcastafontoftypeintotheorderoflettersintheplaysofShakespeare,sonomancanrationallybelievethatthecomplicatedandsignificantlyintellectualorderoftheuniversesprangfromchance.4.Inartificialbreedingmanselects.In"naturalselection"natureselects.Hence,iftheresultsarethemostcarefuladjustmentstoeffectpurpose,itfollowsthatthatcharacteristicmustbestampedupontheorganismsbynature,andhencenatureitselfmustthereforebeintelligentlydirected,either(a)byanintelligenceimmanentinherelements,orinherwholeasorganized,or(b)bytheoriginaladjustmentofhermachinerybyanintelligentCreator.

9.StatetheMoralArgument,ortheEvidenceaffordedbytheMoralConsciousnessandHistoryofmankind.

TheCosmologicalargumentledustoaneternalself–existentFirstCause.TheargumentfromtheorderandadaptationdiscoveredintheprocessesoftheuniverserevealedthisgreatFirstCauseaspossessingintelligenceandwill;thatis,asapersonalspirit.Themoraloranthropologicalargumentfurnishesnewdataforinference,atonceconfirmingtheformerconclusionsastothefactoftheexistenceofaPersonalintelligentFirstCause,andatthesametimeaddingtotheconceptiontheattributesofholiness,justice,goodness,andtruthTheargumentfromdesignincludestheargumentfromcause,andtheargumentfromrighteousnessandbenevolenceincludesboththeargumentsfromcauseandfromdesign,andaddstothemanewelementofitsown.

Thisgroupofargumentsmayhestatedthus:

1st.Consciousnessisthefundamentalgroundofallknowledge.Itgivesusimmediatelytheknowledgeofselfasexistingandasthesubjectofcertainattributes,andtheagentincertainformsofactivity.Thesesoulsandalltheirattributesmustbeaccountedfor.Theyhavenotexistedfrometernity.Theycouldnothavebeenevolvedoutofmaterialelementsbecause—1.Consciousnesstestifiestotheirunity,simplicity,andspirituality.2.Thelawsofreasonandthemoralsensecannotbeexplainedastheresultoftransformedsenseimpressionsmodifiedbyassociationderivedbyheredity(MillandSpencer);for,(a)theyareuniversallythesame,(b)incapableofanalysis,(c)necessary,and(d)sovereignoverallimpulses.Thereforethehumansoulmusthavebeencreated,anditsCreatormusthaveattributessuperiortohiswork.

2nd.Manisessentiallyanduniversallyareligiousbeing.Thesenseofabsolutedependenceandmoralaccountabilityisinherentinhisnature,universalandnecessary.Consciencealwaysimpliesresponsibilitytoasuperiorinmoralauthority,andthereforeinmoralcharacter.Itisespeciallyimpliedinthesenseofguiltwhichaccompanieseveryviolationofconscience.Godismanifestedandrecognizedinconscienceasaholyrighteous,just,andintelligentwilli.e.,aholypersonalspirit.

3rd.Theadaptationsofnature,asfaraswecantracetheirrelationstosentientbeings,arecharacteristicallybeneficent,and

evidenceageneralpurposetopromotehappiness,andtogratifyasenseofbeauty.Thisimpliesdesign,anddesignofaspecialestheticandmoralcharacter,andprovesthattheFirstCauseisbenevolentandaloverofbeauty.

4th.Theentirehistoryofthehumanrace,asfarasknowndisclosesamoralorderandpurpose,whichcannotbeexplainedbytheintelligenceormoralpurposeofthehumanagentsconcerned,whichdiscoversanall–embracingunityofplan,comprehendingallpeoplesandallcenturies.Thephenomenaofsocialandnationallife,ofethnologicaldistribution,ofthedevelopmentanddiffusionofcivilizationsandreligionscanbeexplainedonlybytheexistenceofawise,righteous,andbenevolentrulerandeducatorofmankind.

10.StateandanswertheobjectionstotheMoralArgument.

Theseobjectionsarefounded—1st.Onthemechanicalinvariabilityofnaturallaws,andtheirinexorabledisregardofthewelfareofsentientcreatures.2nd.Thesufferingsofirrationalanimals.3rd.Theprevalenceofmoralandphysicalevilsamongmen.4th.Theunequalapportionmentofprovidentialfavors,andtheabsenceofallproportionbetweenthemeasureofhappinessallotted,andtherespectivemoralcharactersoftherecipients.

Thesedifficulties,moreorlesstryingtothefaithofall,aretherealoccasioninthegreatmajorityofinstances,ofskepticalatheism.JohnStewartMillinhis"EssayonNature"("ThreeEssaysonReligion")describesitasthecharacteristicof"Nature"ruthlesslytoinflictsufferinganddeath,andaffirmsthatthecauseofnature,ifapersonalwill,mustbeamonsterofcrueltyandinjustice.Inhis"EssayonTheism,"Pt.2.,hearguesthattheattempttomaintainthattheauthorofnature,suchasweknowit,isatonceomniscientandomnipotentandabsolutelyjustandbenevolentisabominablyimmoral.Thathecanbeexcusedofcrueltyandinjusticeonlyonthepleaoflimitedknowledgeorpowerorboth.Hesumsuphisconclusionfromtheevidencethus:"ABeingofgreatbutlimitedpower,howorbywhatlimitedwecannotevenconjecture;ofgreatandperhapsunlimitedintelligence,butperhapsalsomorenarrowlylimited

thanhispower:whodesiresandpayssomeregardtothehappinessofhiscreatures,butwhoseemstohaveothermotivesofactionwhichhecaresmorefor,andwhocanhardlybesupposedtohavecreatedtheuniverseforthatpurposeonly."Inhis"Autobiography,"ch.2.,hesaysofhisfather,JamesMill,"Ihaveheardhimsay,thattheturningpointofhismindonthesubjectwasreadingButler’sAnalogy.Thatwork,ofwhichhealwayscontinuedtospeakwithrespect,kepthim,ashesaid,forsomeconsiderabletime,abelieverinthedivineauthorityofChristianity;byprovingtohim,thatwhateverarethedifficultiesofbelievingthattheOldand.NewTestamentsproceedfrom,orrecordtheactsofaperfectlywiseandgoodbeing,thesameandstillgreaterdifficultiesstandinthewayofthebelief,thatabeingofsuchacharactercanhavebeentheMakeroftheuniverse.HeconsideredButler’sargumentasconclusiveagainsttheonlyopponentsforwhomitwasintended.ThosewhoadmitanomnipotentaswellasperfectlyjustandbenevolentMakerandRulerofsuchaworldasthis,cansaylittleagainstChristianitybutwhatcanwithatleastequalforceberetortedagainstthemselves.Finding,therefore,nohaltingplaceinDeism,heremainedinastateofperplexity,until,doubtlessaftermanystruggles,heyieldedtotheconviction,thatconcerningtheoriginofthingsnothingwhatevercanbeknown."

WEANSWER—1st.ItisunquestionablytruethatGodhasnotcreatedtheuniverseforthesinglepurpose,orevenforthechiefpurpose,ofpromotingthehappinessofhiscreatures.Ourreasonandobservation,andtheChristianScriptures,uniteinrevealingasfarhigherandmoreworthyendsofdivineactionthemanifestationofhisownglory,andthepromotionbyeducationanddisciplineofthehighestexcellenceofhisintelligentmoralcreatures.Itisevidentthattheoperationofinexorablegenerallaws,andthemysteryandsufferingsincidenttothislife,maybethemosteffectivemeanstopromotethoseends.2nd.Thedirectintentionofalltheorganswithwhichsensitivecreaturesareendowedisevidentlytopromotetheirwell–being;painandmiseryareincidental.Eventhesuddenviolentdeathsofirrationalanimalsprobablypromotethelargestpossibleamountofsentienthappiness.3rd.Consciencehastaughtmeninallagesthatthesufferingsincidenttohumanlifearethedirectanddeservedconsequencesofhumansin,eitherpenalties,orchastisementsbenevolentlydesignedforourmoralimprovement.4th.

Theoriginofsinisaconfessedmystery,relievedhoweverbytheconsideration,thatitresultsfromtheabuseofman’shighestandmostvaluableendowment,responsiblefreeagency,andbythefactrevealedintheChristianScripturesthatevensinwillbedivinelyoverruledtothefullermanifestationoftheperfectionsofGod,andtothehigherexcellenceandthemoreperfecthappinessoftheintelligentcreation.5th.Theinequalitiesoftheallotmentsofprovidence,andthedisproportionbetweenthewell–beingandthemoralcharactersofmeninthislife,resultsfromthefactthatitisnotthesceneofrewardsandpunishments,andthatdifferentcharactersanddifferentdestiniesrequireadifferenteducationaldiscipline,anditpointstofuturereadjustmentsrevealedintheBible(Psalm73).6th.Neithertheteleologicalnorthemoralargumentinvolvestheassertionthatwithourpresentknowledgeweareabletodiscernintheuniversetheevidencesofeitherinfiniteorperfectwisdomorgoodness.Thesearebothindicatedasmattersoffactandgeneralcharacteristicsofnature.Butourdiscernmentofbothisnecessarilylimitedbytheimperfectionsofourknowledge.Eveninthejudgmentofreasonalonetheinfiniteprobabilityisthatwhatappearstousabnormal,inconsistenteitherwithperfectwisdomorperfectgoodness,willbefound,upontheattainmentofmoreadequateinformationonourpart,toillustratethoseveryperfectionswhichwehavebeentemptedtothinkobscure.

11.StatetheScripturalEvidence.

Sincemanisafiniteandguiltyandmorallycorruptcreatureitisunavoidablethattheself–manifestationsofGodinnatureshouldbeimperfectlyapprehendedbyhim.ThatsupernaturalrevelationwhichGodhasdisclosedthroughanhistoricalprocessofspecialinterventionsinchronologicalsuccessions,interpretedbyasupernaturallyendowedorderofprophets,andrecordedintheChristianScriptures,supplementsthelightofnature,explainsthemysteriesofprovidence,andfurnishesuswiththeprinciplesofatruetheodicy.TheGodwhomnatureveilswhileitrevealshim,standsbeforeusunveiledinalltheperfectionofwisdom,holiness,andloveinthepersonofChrist.HewhohathseenChristhathseentheFather.ThetruthofTheismisdemonstratedinhisperson,andhenceforthwillneverbeheldexceptbythosewholoyallyacknowledgehis

Lordshipoverintellectandconscienceandlife.

12.StatetheprincipleuponwhichtheAprioriargumentsfortheexistenceofGodrest,thevalueoftheprinciple,andtheprincipalformsinwhichtheyhavebeenpresented.

Anàposterioriargumentisonewhichlogicallyascendsfromfactsofexperiencetocauses,orprinciples.ThusbymeansoftheprecedingargumentswehavebeenledfromthefactsofconsciousnessandofexternalnaturetotheknowledgeofGodasanintelligentandrighteouspersonalspirit,thepowerful,wise,andbenevolentFirstCauseandMoralGovernor.Anaprioriargumentisonewhichproceedsfromthenecessaryideasofreasontotheconsequencesnecessarilydeducedfromthem,orthetruthsnecessarilyinvolvedinthem.

Itiscertainthattheintuitionsofnecessarytrutharethesameinallmen.Theyarenotgeneralizationsfromexperience,butarepresupposedinallexperience.Theybearthestampofuniversalityandnecessity.Theyhaveobjectivevalidity,notdependinguponthesubjectivestateofpersonalconsciousness,nordependinguponthenatureofthings,butanteriorandsuperiortoallthings.Whatthencanbethegroundofeternal,necessary,universal,unchangeabletruth,unlessitbeaninfinite,eternal,self–existent,unchangeablenature,ofwhoseessencetheyare?

Wehaveseenthatourreasonscanrestonlyinacauseitselfuncaused.Anuncausedcausemustbeeternal,self–existent,andunchangeable.Wehaveinourmindsideasandintuitionsofinfinityandperfection,aswellasofeternity,self–existence,andimmutability."These,unlesstheyarewhollydelusive—whichiswhatweareunabletoconceive—mustbepredicableofsomebeing.Thesolequestionis,Ofwhatbeing?ItmustbeofhimwhohasbeenprovedtohetheFirstCauseofallthings,thesourceofallthepower,wisdomandgoodnessdisplayedintheuniverse.Itcannotbetheuniverseitself;forthathasbeenshowntobebutaneffect,tohavebeforeandbehinditaMind,aPerson.Itcannotbeourselves,oranythingtowhichoursensescanreach,seeingthatweandtheyarefinite,contingent,andimperfect.Theauthoroftheuniversealone—theFatherofourspirits,andtheGiverofeverygoodand

perfectgift—canbeuncreated,andunconditioned,infinite,andperfect.ThiscompletestheideaofGodsofarasitcanbereachedorformedbynaturalreason.Anditgivesconsistencytotheidea.Theconclusionsoftheaposterioriargumentsfailtosatisfyeitherthemindortheheartuntiltheyareconnectedwithandsupplementedby,theintuitionofthereason—infinity.TheconceptionofanyotherthananinfiniteGod—aGodunlimitedinallhisperfections—isaself–contradictoryconceptionwhichtheintelligencerefusestoentertain."—Dr.Flint,"Theism,"p.291.

1.Anselm,ArchbishopofCanterbury(1093–1109),inhis"MonologiumandProslogium"statestheargumentthus:Wehavetheideaofaninfinitelyperfectbeing.Butrealexistenceisanecessaryelementofinfiniteperfection.Thereforeaninfinitelyperfectbeingexists,otherwisetheinfinitelyperfectasweconceiveitwouldlackanessentialelementofperfection.2.Descartes(1596–1650)inhis"Meditationesdeprimaphilosophia,"prop.2,p.89,statesitthus:Theideaofaninfiniteyperfectbeingwhichwepossesscouldnothaveoriginatedinafinitesource,andthereforemusthavebeencommunicatedtousbyaninfinitelyperfectbeing.Healsoinotherconnectionsclaimsthatthisidearepresentsanobjectivereality,because(1)itispre–eminentlyclear,andideascarryconvictionofcorrespondencetotruthinproportiontotheirclearness,and(2)itisnecessary.3.Dr.SamuelClarke,in1705,publishedhis"DemonstrationoftheBeingandAttributesofGod."Hearguesthattimeandspaceareinfiniteandnecessarilyexistent.Buttheyarenotsubstances.Thereforetheremustexistaneternalinfinitesubstanceofwhichtheyareproperties.

THEPRINCIPALANTI–THEISTICTHEORIES

13.WhatisAtheism?

Atheism,accordingtoitsetymology,signifiesadenialofthebeingofGod.ItwasappliedbytheancientGreekstoSocratesandotherphilosophers,toindicatethattheyfailedtoconformtothepopularreligion.

InthesamesenseitwasappliedtotheearlyChristians.SincetheusageofthetermTheismhasbeendefinitelyfixedinallmodern

languages,atheismnecessarilystandsforthedenialoftheexistenceofapersonalCreatorandMoralGovernor.NotwithstandingthatthebeliefinapersonalGodistheresultofaspontaneousrecognitionofGodasmanifestinghimselfinconsciousnessandtheworksofnature,atheismisstillpossibleasanabnormalstateofconsciousnessinducedbysophisticalspeculationorbytheindulgenceofsinfulpassions,preciselyassubjectiveidealismispossible.Itexistsinthefollowingforms:1.Practical,2.Speculative.Again,SpeculativeAtheismmaybe1.Dogmatic,aswhentheconclusionisreachedeither(a)thatGoddoesnotexist,or(b)thatthehumanfacultiesarepositivelyincapableofascertainingorofverifyinghisexistence(e.g.,HerbertSpencer,"FirstPrinciples,"pt.1).2.

Skeptical,aswhentheexistenceissimplydoubted,andtheconclusivenessoftheevidencegenerallyrelieduponisdenied.3.Virtual,aswhen(a)principlesaremaintainedessentiallyinconsistentwiththeexistenceofGod,orwiththepossibilityofourknowledgeofhim:e.g.,bymaterialists,positivists,absoluteidealists.(b)Whensomeoftheessentialattributesofthedivinenaturearedenied,asbyPantheists,andbyJ.S.Millinhis"EssaysonReligion."(c)Whenexplanationsoftheuniversearegivenwhichexclude(a1)theagencyofanintelligentCreatorandGovernor,(b1)themoralgovernmentofGod,andthemoralfreedomofman,e.g.,thetheoriesofDarwinandSpencer,andNecessitariansgenerally.

SeeUlrici,"GodandNature"and"ReviewofStrauss";Strauss,"OldandNew";Buchanan,"ModernAtheism";Tulloch,"Theism";Flint,"Theism."

14.WhatisDualism?

Dualism,inphilosophytheoppositeofMonism,isthedoctrinethattherearetwogenericallydistinctessences,MatterandSpiritintheuniverse.InthissensethecommondoctrineofChristendomisdualistic.Alltheancientpaganphilosophersheldtheeternalindependentexistenceofmatter,andconsequentlyallamongthemwhowerealsoTheistswerestrictlycosmologicaldualists.ThereligionofZoroasterwasamythologicaldualismdesignedtoaccountfortheexistenceofevil.OrmuzdandAhriman,thepersonalprinciplesofgoodandevil,sprang

fromasupremeabstractdivinity,Akerenes.

Someofthesectsofthisreligionhelddualisminitsabsoluteform,andreferredalleviltoὕλη,self-existentmatter.ThisprincipledominatedamongthevariousspuriousChristianGnosticsectsinthesecondcentury,andinthesystemofManesinthethirdcentury,anditsprevalenceintheorientalworldismanifestedintheascetictendencyoftheearlyChristianChurch.SeeJ.F.Clarke,"TenReligions";Hardwicke,"ChristandotherMasters";Neander's"ChurchHistory":Pressensé,"EarlyYearsofChristianity";Tennemann,"ManualHist.Philos."

15.WhatisPolytheism?

Polytheism(πολύςandθεός)distributestheperfectionsandfunctionsoftheinfiniteGodamongmanylimitedgods.Itsprangoutofthenature–worshiprepresentedintheearliestHinduVeds,sosoonandsogenerallysupplantingprimitivemonotheism.Atfirst,asitlongremainedinChaldeaandArabia,itconsistedintheworshipofelements,especiallyofthestarsandoffire.Subsequentlyittookspecialformsfromthetraditions,thegenius,andtherelativecivilizationsofeachnationality.AmongtherudestsavagesitsanktoFetichismasinwesternandcentralAfrica.AmongtheGreeksitwasmadethevehiclefortheexpressionoftheirrefinedhumanitarianismintheapotheosisofheroicmenratherthantherevelationofincarnategods.InIndia,springingfromapantheisticphilosophy,ithasbeencarriedtothemostextravagantextreme,bothinrespecttothenumber,andthecharacterofitsdeities.Wheneverpolytheismhasbeenconnectedwithspeculationitappearsastheesotericcounterpartofpantheism.

Carlyle,"Hero–worship"MaxMuller,"Compar.Myth.,"inOxfordEssays;Prof.Tyler."TheologyofGreekPoets."

16.WhatisDeism?

Deism,fromdeus,althoughetymologicallysynonymouswiththeism,fromqeo>v,hasbeendistinguishedfromitsincethemidofthesixteenthcentury,anddesignatesasystemadmittingtheexistenceofa

personalCreator,butdenyinghiscontrollingpresenceintheworld,hisimmediatemoralgovernment,andallsupernaturalinterventionandrevelation.ThemovementbeganwiththeEnglishDeists,LordHerbertofCherbury(1581–1648),Hobbes(†1680),Shaftsbury,Bolingbroke(1678–1751),ThomasPaine(†1809),etc.ItpassedovertoFranceandwasrepresentedbyVoltaireandtheEncyclopaedists.ItpassedoverintoGermanyandwasrepresentedbyLessingandReimarus("WolfenbuttelFragmentist"),andinvadingChurchandTheology,itwasessentiallyrepresentedbytheoldschoolofnaturalisticrationalists,whoadmittedwithitalowandinconsequentformofSocinianism,e.g.,Eichhorn(1752–1827),Paulus(1761–1851),Wegscheider(1771–1848).1thasbeenrepresentedinAmericabythelateTheodoreParker,andtheextremeleftofthepartyknownas"LiberalChristians."InGermanymeredeisticnaturalismgavewaytopantheism,asthelatterhasrecentlygivenwaytomaterialisticatheism,e.g.,Strauss.SeeLeland,"ViewofDeisticalWriters";VanMildert’s"BoyleLectures";Farrar,"CriticalHist.ofFreethought";Dorner,"Hist.Protest.Theology";Hurst,"Hist.ofRationalism";Butler’s"Analogy."

17.WhatisIdealism?

"Idealismisthedoctrinethatinexternalperceptionstheobjectsimmediatelyknownareideas.Ithasbeenheldundervariousforms."—SeeHamilton’s"Reid,"NoteC.

SomeofthephasesofmodernIdealismamongtheGermans,maybeseeninthefollowingpassagefromLewes:—"Iseeatree.Thecommonpsychologiststellmethattherearethreethingsimpliedinthisonefactofvision,viz.,atree,animageofthattree,andamindthatapprehendsthatimage.FichtetellsmethatitisIalonewhoexist.Thetreeandtheimageofitareonething,andthatisamodificationofmymind.Thisissubjectiveidealism.Schellingtellsmethatboththetreeandmyegoorself),areexistencesequallyrealorideal;buttheyarenothinglessthanmanifestationsoftheabsolute,theinfinite,orunconditioned.Thisisobjectiveidealism.ButHegeltellsmethatalltheseexplanationsarefalse.Theonlythingreallyexisting(inthisonefactofvision)istheidea,therelation.Theegoandthetreearebuttwotermsoftherelation,andowetheirrealitytoit.Thisisabsoluteidealism.

Accordingtothis,thereisneithermindnormatter,heavenorearth,Godorman.,ThedoctrineopposedtoIdealismisRealism."—"VocabularyofthePhilosophicalSciences,"byC.P.Krauth,D.D.,1878.

18.WhatisMaterialism?

Assoonaswebegintoreflectwebecomeconsciousofthepresenceoftwoeverywhereinterlaced,butalwaysdistinctclassesofphenomena—ofthought,feeling,willontheonehand,andofextension,inertia,etc.,ontheother.Analyzetheseaswemay,wenevercanresolvetheoneintotheother.Theoneclasswecometoknowthroughconsciousness,theotherthroughsensation,andweknowtheoneasdirectlyandascertainlyastheother;andaswecanneverresolveeitherintotheother,werefertheoneclasstoasubstancecalledspirit,andtheotherclasstoasubstancecalledmatter.

Materialistsareasetofsuperficialphilosophersinwhomthemoralconsciousnessisnotvivid,andwhohaveformedthehabitofexclusivelydirectingattentiontotheobjectsofthesenses,andexplainingphysicalphenomenabymechanicalconceptions.Hencetheyfallintothefundamentalerrorofaffirming—1.Thatthereisbutonesubstance,orratherthatallthephenomenaoftheuniversecanbeexplainedintermsofatomsandforce.2.Thatintelligence,feeling,conscience,volition,etc.,areonlypropertiesofmatter,orfunctionsofmaterialorganization,ormodificationsofconvertibleenergy.

Intelligencedidnotprecedeandeffectorderandorganization,butorderandorganizationdevelopedbylawsinherentinmatterdevelopintelligenceTheGermanDarwinistsstylethatsystemthe"mechanico–causal"developmentoftheuniverse:Huxleysayslifeandhenceorganizationresultsfromthe"molecularmechanicsoftheprotoplasm."

WEANSWER—1st.Thisisnoreconditetheory,assomepretend,concerningsubstance.Ifthephenomenaofconsciousnessareresolvedintomodificationsofmatterandforce,i.e.,ultimatelyintosomemodeofmotion,thenallultimateandnecessarytruthisimpossible,dutyhasnoabsoluteobligation,conscienceisalie,consciousnessadelusion,andfreedomofwillabsurd.Alltruthandduty,allhonorandhope,all

moralityandreligion,wouldbedissolved.2nd.Thetheoryisone–sidedandunwarrantable.Infactourknowledgeofthesoulandofitsintuitionsandpowersaremoredirectandclearthanthescientist’sknowledgeofmatter.Whatdoesheknowoftherealnatureoftheatom,offorce,ofgravity,etc.?3rd.Theexplanationofmatterbymind,offorceandorderbyintelligenceandwill,isrational.Buttheexplanationofthephenomenaofintelligence,will,andconsciousnessasmodesofmatterorforceisabsurd.Thereasoncanrestintheoneandcannotintheother.Thesoulofmanisknowntobeanabsolutecause—matterisknownnottobe,tobebutthevehicleofforce,andforcetobeinaprocessofdispersion.Intelligenceisknowntobethecauseoforderandorganization,organizationcannotbeconceivedtobethecauseof:intelligence.Tyndal("Athenaeum"forAugust29,1868)says:"Thepassagefromthephysics

ofthebraintothecorrespondingfactsofconsciousnessisunthinkable.Grantedthatadefinitethoughtandadefinitemolecularactioninthebrainoccursimultaneously:wedonotpossesstheintellectualorgan,norapparentlyanyrudimentoftheorgan,whichwouldenableustopass,byaprocessofreasoning,fromtheonephenomenontotheother....Inaffirmingthatthegrowthofthebodyismechanical,andthatthoughtasexercisedbyushasitscorrelativeinthephysicsofthebrain,IthinkthepositionoftheMaterialistisstatedasfarasthatpositionisatenableone.IthinktheMaterialistwillbeablefinallytomaintainthispositionagainstallattacks;butIdonotthinkasthehumanmindisatpresentconstituted,thathecanpassbeyondit.Idonotthinkheisentitledtosaythathismoleculargroupingandhismolecularmotionsexplaineverything.Inrealitytheyexplainnothing."

19.WhatisPantheism?

Pantheism(πᾶνθεός)isabsolutemonism,maintainingthattheentirephenomenaluniverseistheeverchangingexistence-formoftheonesingleuniversalsubstance,whichisGod.ThusGodisall,andallisGod.Godisτόὄν,absolutebeing,ofwhicheveryfinitethingisadifferentiatedandtransientform.Thisdoctrineis,ofcourse,capableofassumingveryvariousforms.1.Theone–substancepantheismofSpinoza.HeheldthatGodistheoneabsolutesubstanceofallthings,possessingtwoattributes,thoughtandextension,fromwhich

respectivelythephysicalandintellectualworldsproceedbyaneternal,necessary,andunconsciousevolution.2.ThematerialpantheismofStrauss,"OldandNewFaith."3.TheidealisticpantheismofSchelling,maintainingtheabsoluteidentityofsubjectandobject;andofHegel,maintainingtheabsoluteidentityofthoughtandexistenceasdeterminationsoftheoneabsoluteSpirit.

ItisobviousthatpantheisminallitsformsmusteitherdenythemoralpersonalityofGod,orthatofman,orboth.Logicallyitrendersbothimpossible.Godcomestoself–consciousnessonlyinman;theconsciousnessoffreepersonalselfdeterminationinmanisadelusion;moralresponsibilityisaprejudice;thesupernaturalisimpossibleandreligionissuperstition.Yetsuchistheflexibilityofthesystem,thatinoneformitputsonamysticalguiserepresentingGodastheallabsorbingtheworldintohimself,andintheoppositeformitputsonapurelynaturalisticguise,representingtheworldasabsorbingGod,andthehumanraceinitsever–culminatingdevelopmenttheonlyobjectofreverenceordevotion.ThesameSpinozawhowasdeclaredbyPascalandBossuettobeanatheist,isrepresentedbyJacobiandSchleiermachertobethemostdevoutmystics.Theintenseindividualityofthematerialscienceofthiscenturyhasreactedpowerfullyonpantheism,substitutingmaterialismforidealism,retiringGod,andelevatingmanasisseenintherecentdegradationofpantheismintoatheisminthecaseofFeuerbachandStrauss,etc.

Themostancient,persistent,andprevalentpantheismoftheworld’shistoryisthatofIndia.Asareligionithasmoldedthecharacter,customs,andmythologiesofthepeoplefor4,000years.Asaphilosophyithasappearedinthreeprincipalforms—theSanckhya,theNyaya,andtheVedanta.PantheisticmodesofthoughtmoreorlessunderlayallformsofGreekphilosophy,andespeciallytheNeo–PlatonicschoolofPlotinus(†205–270),Porphyry(233–305),andJamblicus(333)ItreappearedinJohnScotusErigena(b.800),andwiththeNeo–PlatonistsoftheRenaissance—e.g.,GiordanoBruno(l600).ModernpantheismbeganwithBenedictSpinoza(1632–1677),andcloseswiththedisciplesofSchellingandHegel.

Besidespurepantheismtherehasexistedaninfinitevarietyof

impureformsofvirtualpantheism.Thisistrueofallsystemsthataffirmtheimpersonalityoftheinfiniteandabsolute,andwhichresolveallthedivineattributesintomodesofcausality.Thesameistrueofallsystemswhichrepresentprovidentialpreservationasacontinualcreation,denytherealefficiencyofsecondcauses,andmakeGodtheonlyagentintheuniverse,e.g.,Edwardson"OriginalSin,"pt.4,ch.3,andEmmons.UnderthesamegeneralcategoryfallsthefancifuldoctrineofEmanations,whichwasthechieffeatureofOrientalTheosophies,andtheHylozoismofAverröes(†1198),whichsupposestheco–eternityofmatterandofanunconsciousplasticanimamundi.SeeHunt,"EssayonPantheism,"London,1866;Saisset,"ModernPantheism,"Edinburgh,1863;Cousin,"HistoryofModernPhilosophy";Ritter’s"Hist.AncientPhilos."Buchanan,"FaithinGod,"etc.;Döllinger,"GentileandJew,"London,1863;MaxMüller,"Hist.Anc.SancritLit."

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Chapter3:TheSourcesofTheology

AgeneraldefinitionofTheology,Chapter1.,Question1.

1.WhatarethetwogreatdepartmentsintowhichTheologyisdivided?

1st.NaturalTheology,whichisthesciencewhichproposestoitselfthesetwoquestions:(1)CantherealobjectiveexistenceofGodasapersonalextramundaneSpiritbeestablishedbysatisfactoryevidence?(2)WhatmaybelegitimatelyascertainedconcerningthetruenatureofGodinhimselfandconcerninghisrelationstotheuniverse,andespeciallytoman,bythelightofnaturealone.AdistinctionheremustbecarefullyobservedbetweenthatknowledgeofGodwhichcanbereachedfromtheevidencesaffordedinhisworksbythepowersofhumanreasonindependentlyofallsuggestionsaffordedbysupernaturalrevelation,e.g.,thetheologyofPlatoandCicero;andontheotherhand,thatknowledgeofGodwhichthehumanfacultiesarenowabletodeducefromthephenomenaofnatureundertheborrowed,ifunacknowledgedlightofasupernaturalrevelation,e.g.,.,thetheologyofModernRationalists.

2nd.RevealedTheologyisthatsciencewhich,NaturalTheologypresupposed,comprehendsasitsprovinceallthathasbeenrevealedtousconcerningGodandhisrelationtotheuniverse,andespeciallytomankind,throughsupernaturalchannels.

2.WhatextremeviewshavebeenconsideredtoexplainthepossibilityandvalidityofNatural,andasdistinguishedfromRevealedTheology?

1st.ThatofDeistsornaturalisticTheists,whodenyeitherthepossibilityorthehistoricalfactofasupernaturalrevelationandmaintainthatNaturalTheologydiscoversallthatitiseitherpossibleornecessaryformannowtoknowaboutGod,orhisrelationtous.ManyGermansupernaturalisticrationalists,whiletheyadmitthehistoricalfactofasupernaturalrevelation,holdthatitsonlyofficeistoenforceandillustratethetruthsalreadygiveninNaturalReligion,whicharesufficientinthemselves,andneedreinforcementonlybecausetheyrenotsufficientlyattendedtobymen.

Thisisdisprovedbelow,Questions7–10.

2nd.TheoppositeextremehasbeenheldbysomeChristians,thatNaturalTheologyhasnorealexistence;butthatweareindebtedtosupernaturalrevelationforourfirstvalidinformationthatGodexists.Thisisdisproved—(1)BythetestimonyofScripture,Romans1:20–24,and2:14,15,etc.(2)Bythetestimonyofexperience,e.g.,theknowledgeofGodattainedbythemoreeminentheathenphilosophers,howeverimperfect.(3)ThevalidityoftheTheisticinferencefromthephenomenaofconsciousnessandoftheexternalworldhasbeenvindicatedinChapter2.(4)Itisself–evidentthatsomeknowledgeofGodislogicallypresupposedintherecognitionofasupernaturalrevelationascomingfromhim.

3.Statetheprincipalanswersgiventothequestion,"WhatistheSourceorStandardofKnowledgeinTheology?"

1st.ThetheoryofSchleiermacherandtheTranscendentalschool.HewaspreacherandprofessorinHalleandBerlinfrom1796to

1834,andwastheauthorofthe"MediationTheology,"andinauguratedthemovementbyhis"DiscoursesonReligion,addressedtotheEducatedamongitsDespisers,"1799,andhis"ChristianFaithonthePrinciplesoftheEvangelicalChurch,"1821.

Heconsideredreligiontobeaformoffeeling,andtobegroundedonourconstitutionalGod–consciousness,whichconsists,ontheintellectualside,ofanintuitionofGod,andontheemotionalside,ofafeelingofabsolutedependence.ChristianityconsistsofthatspecificformofthisconstitutionalreligiousconsciousnesswhichwasgeneratedinthebosomofhisdisciplesbytheGod–manChrist.Andashumanconsciousnessingeneralisgeneratedineveryindividualbyhissocialrelations,soChristianconsciousnessisgeneratedincommunionwiththatsociety(theChurch)whichChristfoundedandofwhichheisthecenteroflife.Andasthecommonintuitionsofmenarethelastappealinallquestionsofnaturalknowledge,sothecommonChristianconsciousnessoftheChurchisthelastappealinallquestionsofChristianfaith,whichinitstotalityistheruleofFaith,andnottheScriptures.

OBJECTION.(1)ThisviewisinconsistentwiththenatureofChristianity,whichasaremedialschemerestsuponcertainhistoricalfacts,whichmustbeknowninordertobeeffective,andwhichcanbeauthoritativelymadeknownonlybymeansofasupernaturalrevelation.Noformofintuitioncanreachthem.(2)ItisinconsistentwiththeuniformconvictionofChristiansthatChristianityisasystemofdivinelyrevealedfactsandprinciples.(3)Itaffordsnocriterionoftruth.ItmustregardallthedoctrinesofthevariousChurchpartiesasreconcilablevariationsofthesamefundamentaltruth.(4)ItisinconsistentwiththeclaimsofScriptureastheworkofGod,andwithitsexplicitteaching,astothenatureofrevelationcommunicatingobjectivetruth,andastothenecessityoftheknowledgeofthetruthsoconveyedinordertosalvation.

2nd.TheMysticDoctrineoftheInnerLight,ortheGeneralInspirationofallMen,oratleastallChristians,asheldbytheQuakers.ThisviewdiffersfromRationalismbecauseitmakesthefeelingsratherthantheunderstandingtheorganofreligioustruth,andbecauseitregardsthe"inwardlight"asthetestimonyofGod’sSpirittoandwithinthehumanspirit.ItdiffersfromourdoctrineofInspirationbecauseitis

thepracticalguidanceandilluminationofthedivineSpiritintheheartsofallbelievingmen,andnotconfinedtotheofficialFoundersandFirstTeachersoftheChurch.Itdiffersfromspiritualillumination,whichwebelievetobeexperiencedbyalltrulyregeneratedbelieversonly,because(1)itleadstotheknowledgeoftruthindependentlyofitsrevelationinScripture,and(2)itbelongstoallmenwhoarewillingtoattendtoandobeyit.

OBJECTION.(1)ThisviewcontradictsScripture.(a)Whichneverpromisesanilluminationwhichwillcarrymenbeyond,ormakemenindependentofitsownteaching.(b)Theyteachtheabsolutenecessityforsalvationoftheobjectiverevelationgiveninthewrittenword(Romans11:14–18).(2)Isdisprovedbyexperience,which(a)testifiesthatthe"innerlight"affordsnocriteriontodeterminethetruthofdifferentdoctrines,(b)thatithasneveravailedtoleadanyindividualorcommunitytotheknowledgeofsavingtruthindependentlyoftheobjectiverevelation,and(c)thatithasalwaysledtoanirreverentdepreciationoftheword,andinthelongruntodisorderandconfusion.

III.TheTheoryofanInspiredChurch,thatisinspiredinthepersons,oratleasttheofficialteaching,ofitschiefpastorsandteachers.ThisviewisrefutedChapter5.

IV.ThecommonpostulateofallRationalists,thatReasonisthesourceandmeasureofallourknowledgeofGod.Thisviewisconsideredandrefutedbelow,Questions7–10.

V.ThetrueandProtestantDoctrine.ThattheScripturesoftheOldandNewTestaments,beinggivenbytheInspirationofGod,arehiswordstous,andaninfallibleandauthoritativeRuleofFaithandPractice,andtotheexclusionofallothers,theonesourceandstandardofChristianTheology.

4.Whatistheprecisesenseinwhichtheterm"Reason"isusedbythosewhocontrastittoFaithasthesourceofReligiousKnowledge?

Theterm"Reason"isusedinvarioussensesbydifferentclasses

ofRationalists.Bysomeitisusedastheorganofthehigherinstitutionsapprehendingnecessaryandultimatetruth,SuchistheGod-consciousnessofSchleiermacher,andtheintuitionoftheinfiniteofSchellingandCousin,andsuch,ineffect,arethemoralintuitionalfeelingsofNewmanandParker.Byothers"Reason"standsfortheunderstanding,orlogicalfacultyofobserving,judging,anddrawinginferencesinthesphereofexperience.Henceitcomprehendsasitsgroundandstandardthemassoftheaccreditedknowledgeandopinionoftheday.Practicallyallmendesignatebytherespectablenameofreasontheirownpermanenthabitandattitudeofmind,withtheorganizedmassofknowledge,opinion,andprejudicewithwhichtheirmindsarefull.Thatissaidtostandtoreasonwhichiscongruoustothathabit,ortothatmassofacceptedopinion.

Inthiscontroversy,however,wedesignatebytheterm,Reason"man’sentirenaturalfacultyofascertainingthetruth,includingintuitions,understandings,imaginationaffectionsandemotions,actingundernaturalconditions,andindependentlyofsupernaturalassistance."

5.WhatisRationalism?

A"Naturalist"isonewhoholdsthatNatureisacompleteself–contained,self–supportedsphereinitself;andhencedenieseithertherealityofthesupernatural,orthatitcanbeanobjectofhumanknowledge;andhencedeniesthenecessity,orpossibility,oractualfact,ofasupernaturalrevelation.Theterm"Rationalist"ismoregeneral.ItincludestheNaturalistofeverygrade,andalsoallthosewhowhileadmittingthefactofadivinerevelation,yetmaintainthatrevelation,itsdoctrinesandrecords,arealltobemeasuredandaccreditedorrejectedandinterpretedbyhumanreasonasultimatearbiter.WiththeRationalistsReasonistheultimategroundandmeasureoffaith.

InitshistoricalsenseRationalism,asamodeoffreethinkingspringingupinthemidstoftheChristianChurchitself;givingrisetoanillegitimateuseofreasonintheinterpretationoftheScripturesandtheirdoctrines,hasalwaysbeenactiveinsomeform,andinonedegreeoranother,andhasbeensignallymanifestinaclassoftheMediaevalschoolmen,andinthedisciplesofSocinus.Itsmodernandmostextreme

formoriginatedinGermanyinthemiddleofthelastcentury.Thecausestowhichitistobeattributedwere—(a)ThelowstateofreligionpervadingallProtestantcountries.(b)TheinfluenceoftheformalphilosophyanddogmatismofWolf,thediscipleofLeif.(c)TheinfluenceoftheEnglishDeists.(d)TheinfluenceoftheFrenchinfidelscollectedatthecourtofFredericktheGreatofPrussia.ThefatherofcriticalrationalismwasSemler,Prof.atHalle(b.1725,andd.1791).Althoughpersonallydevout,hearbitrarilyexaminedthecanonicityofthebooksofScriptureneglectinghistoricalevidence,andsubstitutinghisownsubjectivesenseoffitness.Heintroducedtheprincipleof"accommodation"intoBiblicalinterpretation,holdingthatbesidesmuchpositivetruth,Christandhisapostlestaughtmanythingsin"accommodation"totheideasprevailingamongtheircontemporaries.—Hurst,"HistoryofRationalism."

Thistendency,afterwardsgreatlyaggravatedthroughtheinfluenceofLesingandReimarustheWolfenbüttelFragmentist,penetratedthemassofGermantheologicalliterature,andculminatedinthelastyearsoftheeighteenthandfirstyearsofthenineteenthcentury.AmongitsprincipalrepresentativeswereBretschneider,Eichhorn,andPaulus,inBiblical,andWegscheiderindogmatictheology.Thetwolastespecially,whileadmittingthefactthatChristianityisasupernaturalrevelation,yetmaintainedthatitismerelyarepublicationoftheelementsofnaturalreligion,andthatReasonisthesupremearbiterastowhatbooksaretobereceivedascanonical,andastowhattheymean.Miracleswereregardedasunworthyofbelief.ThenarrativesofmiraclesrecordedintheScriptureswerereferredtotheignorance,superstition,orpartialityofthewriters,andthemiraclesthemselveswerereferredtonaturalcauses.Jesuswasregardedasagoodman,andoriginalChristianityasasortofphilosophicalSocinianism.ThisiswhathasbeenhistoricallydesignatedinGermanybythetitleRationalism,andmorespecificallyastheRationalismusVulgaris,theold,orcommon-senseRationalism.

AftertheriseofthephilosophiesofFichte,SchellingandHegel,anewimpulsewasgiventotheologicalspeculation,andtoBiblicalinterpretation.Thisgaveriseontheonehandtoareactiontowards

orthodoxythroughthe"Mediationtheology"ofSchleiermacher,andontheothertoanewschoolofTranscendentalRationalism,thebasisofwhichisapantheisticmodeofthought.Itnecessarilydeniesthesupernatural,andpostulatesthefundamentalprinciplethatmiraclesareimpossible.Thisschool,whosehead–quarterswasTubingen,hasbeenmostprominentlyrepresentedbyChristianBaurwithhisTendencyTheory,StrausswithhisMythicaltheory,andRenanwithhisLegendarytheory,toaccountfortheoriginoftheNewTestamentwritings,whiledenyingtheirhistoricalbasisoffact.

Thistendency,invariousdegreesofforce,ismanifestedinthestateoftheologicalopinioninEnglandandAmerica,principallyintheSchoolofColeridge,Maurice,Stanley,JowettandWilliams,andtheBroadChurchpartygenerally;inScotlandinTullochinAmericabythelateTheodoreParker,theschoolofliberalChristians,andinthegeneralrelaxationoffaithdiscernibleoneveryside.

"GermanRationalism,"Hagenbach,ClarkeEdinburgLibrary;"HistoryofGermanProtestantism,"

Kahnis,ClarkeEd.Lib.;"CriticalHistoryofFreeThought,"A.S.Farrar,NewYork,D.Appleton&Co.;

"Germany,itsUniversities,Theology,andReligion,"PhilipSchaff,D.D.;"HistoryofRationalism,"PresidentHurst,C.Scribner,NewYork.

6.IntowhattwoclassesmayalltheargumentativegroundsofoppositiontohistoricalChristianitybegrouped?

1st.Apriorigrounds.TheserestuponafalseviewofthebeingandnatureofGod,andofhisrelationtotheworld.ThusthePositivist,whoconfinesman’sknowledgetoPhenomena,andtheirlawsofco–existenceandsequence;theDeist,whodeniestheimmanenceofGodinhisworksanddeniesorrendersremoteandobscurehisrelationtousasMoralGovernorandspiritualFather;andthePantheist,whodenieshispersonality;andthescientificnaturalist,whoseesinnatureonlytheoperationofinvariableself–executingphysicallaws—mustallalikedeny

thepossibilityandcredibilityofmiracles,mustresolveinspirationintogenius,andinsomewayorotherexplainawaytheScriptures,ashistorical

recordsoffact.Thisclassofquestionshasbeendiscussedabove,Chapter2.

2nd.HistoricalandCriticalgrounds.Theseallrestontheassumeddefectinthehistoricalevidenceforthegenuinenessandauthenticityoftheseveralbooksofthecanon,andintheallegeddiscrepancies,andhistoricalandscientificinaccuracies,foundinscripture.ThisclassofquestionsmustbemetinthedepartmentsofBiblicalIntroduction,andExegesis.

7.StatethegroundsuponwhichitisevidentthatReasonisnottheultimatesourceandmeasureofreligionsideas.

Theseareingeneralthree:(1)Apriori.Reason,consideringman’spresentconditionofignorance,moraldegradation,andguilt,hasnoqualitieswhichrenderitcompetenttoattaineither(a)certaintyor(b)sufficientinformationforman’spracticalguidance,astoGod’sexistence,orcharacter,orrelationtous,orpurposeswithregardtous.(2)fromuniversalexperience:unassistedreasonhasneveravailedfortheseends,butwhenundulyrelieduponhasalwaysledmen,inspiteofaneglectedrevelation,toskepticismandconfusion.(3)Asamatteroffactaninfalliblerecordofasupernaturalrevelationhasbeengiven,whichconveys,wheninterpretedwiththeilluminatingassistanceoftheHolySpirit,information,theknowledgeofwhichisessentialtosalvation,whichreasoncouldbynomeanshaveanticipated.

Toestablishthisargumentthefollowingpointsmustbeseparatelyestablishedintheirorder:

1st.Asupernaturalrevelationisnecessaryformaninhispresentcondition.

2nd.AsupernaturalrevelationispossiblealikeáparteDei,and

ápartehominis.

3rd.FromwhatNaturalTheologyrevealstousoftheAttributesofGod,ofhisrelationstomen,andofourmoralcondition,asupernaturalrevelationisantecedentlyprobable.

4th.ItisanhistoricalfactthatChristianityisjustsuchasupernaturalrevelation.

5th.ItisalsoanhistoricalfactthatthepresentCanonoftheOldandNewTestamentsconsistsonlyofandcontainalltheextantauthenticandgenuinerecordsofthatrevelation.

6th.Thatthebooksconstitutingthiscanonweresupernaturallyinspired,soastobeconstitutedthewordofGod,andaninfallibleandauthoritativeruleoffaithandpracticeformen.

8.Provethatasupernaturalrevelationisnecessaryformenintheirpresentcondition.

1st.Reasonitselfteaches—(1)thatasamatteroffactman’smoralnatureisdisordered,and(2)hisrelationstoGoddisturbedbyguiltandalienation.Reasoniscapableofdiscoveringthefactofsin,butmakesnosuggestionsastoitsremedy.WecandetermineàprioriGod’sdeterminationtopunishsin,becausethatasamatterofjusticerestsonhisunchangeableandnecessarynature,butcansodeterminenothingwithrespecttohisdispositiontoprovide,ortoallowaremedy,becausethat,asamatterofgrace,restsonhissimplevolition.

2nd.Aspontaneousreligiousyearning,naturalanduniversal,foradivineself–revelationandinterventiononthepartofGod.andmanifestinallhumanhistory,provesitsnecessity.

3rd.Reasonhasneverinthecaseofanyhistoricalcommunityavailedtoleadmentocertainty,tosatisfytheirwantsortoruletheirlives.

4th.Rationalismisstrongonlyforattackanddestruction.Ithasneveravailedinanyconsiderabledegreeinthewayofpositive

construction.NotwoprominentRationalistsagreeastowhatthepositiveandcertainresultsoftheteachingofreasonare.

9.ProvethatasupernaturalrevelationispossiblebothàparteDei,andàparsehominis.

AstoitsbeingpossibleonGod’sside,ifTheismbetrue,ifGodbeaninfiniteextramundaneperson,whoyetcontrolstheoperationofthelawshehasordainedashisownmethodsandhassubordinatedthephysicalsystemtothehigherinterestsofhismoralgovernment,thenobviouslytolimithimastothemanner,character,orextentofhisself–manifestationstohiscreaturesistranscendentlyabsurd.Allthephilosophicalpresumptions,whichrenderasupernaturalrevelationonthepartofGodimpossible,arebasedonDeistic,MaterialisticorPantheisticprinciples.WehaveexhibitedtheargumentforTheismin

Chapter2.

Astoitsbeingpossibleonman’sside,ithasbeenarguedbymoderntranscendentalrationaliststhatthecommunicationofnewtruthbymeansofa"bookrevelation"isimpossible.Thatwordsareconventionalsignswhichhavepowertoexciteinthemindonlythoseideaswhichhavingbeenpreviously

apprehended,havebeenconventionallyassociatedwiththosewords.

WEANSWER—1st.Weadmitthatsimpleultimateideaswhichadmitofnoanalysis,mustinthefirstinstancebeapprehendedbyanappropriateorganinanactofspontaneousintuition.Nomancanattaintheideaofcolorexceptthroughtheactofhisowneyes,northeideaofrightexceptbyanintuitiveactofhisownmoralsense.But2nd,theChristianrevelationinvolvesnonewsimpleultimateideasincapableofanalysis.Theypresupposeandinvolvethematterofallsuchnaturalintuitions,andtheyexcitetherationalandmoralintuitionstoamoreactiveandnormalexercisebyassociationwithnewaspectsofourdivinerelations,butforthemostparttheynarrateobjectiveandconcretefacts,theyexplaintheapplicationofintuitiveprinciplestoouractualhistorical

conditionandrelations;theystatethepurposes,requirements,andpromisesofGod.But,3rd,evennewsimpleideasmaybeexcitedinthemindbymeansofasupernaturalinwardspiritualilluminationactiononthemindsofthesubjectofreligiousexperience.TheworkoftheHolySpiritaccompanyingthewrittenwordcompletestherevelation.AnexperiencedChristianundertheteachingoftheHolySpiritthroughtheword,hasasclearandcertainaknowledgeofthematterinvolvedinhisnewexperience,ashehasofthematterofhisperceptionsthroughhisbodilysenses.

10.ShowfromthedataofNaturalTheologythatinthepresentstateofhumannatureasupernaturalrevelationisantecedentlyprobable.

AsshowninChapter2.,NaturalTheologyascertainsforusaninfinite,eternal,wise,andabsolutelyrighteousandbenevolentpersonalGod.Itascertainsalsothatmancreatedinthedivineimageismorallycorruptandjudiciallycondemned.Itrevealstousmanneedingdivinehelp,yearningandhopingforit,andthereforenotincapableofit,asarethefinallylostdemons.ThereforealltheperfectionsofGod,andallthemiseriesofmen,leadtotherationalhopethatatsometimeandinsomewayGodmaybegraciouslydisposedtointervenesupernaturallyforman’shelp,andrevealhischaracterandpurposesmorefullyforman’sguidance.

11.HowmayitbeprovedthatitisanhistoricalfactthatChristianityissuchasupernaturalrevelation?

ThereadermustherebereferredtothemanyandexcellenttreatisesontheEvidencesofChristianity.

Paley’s,Chalmers’,Erskine’s,andAlexander’sworksontheEvidences;A.S.Farrar’s"CriticalHistoryofFreeThought";Hopkins’s"EvidencesofChristianity";Barnes’s"EvidencesofChristianityintheNineteenthCentury";G.Wardlaw’s"LeadingEvidencesofChristianity";Hetherington’s"ApologeticsoftheChristianFaith";Leathes’s"GroundsofChristianHope";Row’s"SupernaturalintheNewTestament";Rogers’s"SuperhumanOriginoftheBible";Christlieb’s"ModernDoubt

andChristianBelief";Rawlinson’s"HistoricalEvidenceoftheTruthoftheScriptureRecords";Wace’s"ChristianityandMorality";Titcomb’s"CautionsforDoubters";Pearson’s"PrizeEssayonInfidelity";F.W.Farrar’s"WitnessofHistorytoChrist."

12.HowcanitbeprovedthattheacceptedCanonoftheOldandNewTestamentconsistsonlyofandcontainsalltheauthenticandgenuinerecordsoftheChristianRevelation?

HerealsothereadermustbereferredtothebesttreatisesontheCanonofholyScriptures.B.F.Westcott,on"TheCanon"andon"IntroductiontotheStudyoftheGospels";Tischendorf,"WhenwereourGospelscomposed?"E.ConeBissell"HistoricOriginoftheBible";Prof.GeorgeP.Fisher,"TheSupernaturalOriginofChristianity,"and"TheBeginningsofChristianity."

13.WhatistheNatureandExtentoftheInspirationoftheChristianScriptures?

Seebelow,Chapter4.

14.WhatisthelegitimateofficeofReasoninthesphereofReligion?

1st.ReasonistheprimaryrevelationGodhasmadetoman,necessarilypresupposedineverysubsequentrevelationofwhateverkind.2nd.HenceReason,includingthemoralandemotionalnature,andexperience,mustbetheorganbymeansofwhichaloneallsubsequentrevelationscanbeapprehendedandreceived.Arevelationaddressedtotheirrationalwouldbeasinconsequentaslighttotheblind.Thisistheususorganicusofreason.3rd.Hencenosubsequentrevelationcancontradictreasonactinglegitimatelywithinitsownsphere.Forthen(1)Godwouldcontradicthimselfand(2)faithwouldbeimpossible.Tobelieveistoassenttoathingastrue,buttoseethatitcontradictsreason,istoseethatitisnottrue.HencetheReasonhastheofficeinjudgingtheEvidencesorininterpretingtheRecordsofasupernaturalrevelation,ofexercisingthejudiciumcontradictionis.Reasonhasthereforetodeterminetwoquestions:1st.DoesGodspeak?

2nd.WhatdoesGodsay?This,however,requires(a)thecooperationofallthefacultiesofknowing,moralaswellaspurelyintellectual,(b)amodestandteachablespirit,(c)perfectcandorandloyaltytotruth,(d)willingnesstoputallknowntruthtopractice,(e)theilluminationandassistanceofthepromisedSpiritoftruth.

Thisistheolddistinctionbetweenwhatiscontrarytoreason,andwhatisaboveit.Itisevidentthatitistheheightofabsurdityforreasontoobjecttoanotherwiseaccreditedrevelationthatitsteachingisincomprehensible,orthatitinvolveselementsapparentlyirreconcilablewithothertruths.Because—(1)Thispresumesthathumanreasonisthehighestformofintelligence,whichisabsurd.(2)Innootherdepartmentdomenlimittheirfaithbytheirabilitytounderstand.Whatdomenofscienceunderstandastotheultimatenatureofatoms,ofinertia,ofgravity,offorce,oflife?Theyareeverymomentforcedtoassumethetruthoftheimpossible,andacknowledgetheinexplicabilityofthecertain.

Allspeculativeinfidelityspringsoutoftheinsaneprideofthehumanmind,theinsatiaterageforexplanation,and,aboveall,fortheresolutionofallknowledgetoapparentlogicalunity.Commonsense,andthehabitofreducingopinionstoactualpractice,leadstohealthofmindandbody,andtoreligiousfaith.

15.WhatisPhilosophyandwhatisitsrelationtoTheology?

Philosophy,initswidesense,embracesallhumanknowledgeacquiredthroughtheuseofman’snaturalfaculties,andconsistsofthatknowledgeinterpretedandsystematizedbythereason.Scienceismorespecific,relatingtosomespecialdepartmentofknowledgethoroughlyreducedtosystem.InlaterdaysthewordScienceisbecomingmoreandmoredefinitelyappropriatedtotheknowledgeofthephysicalphenomenaoftheuniverse.InthissenseSciencehasforitstaskthedeterminationofphenomenaintheirclassificationsoflikenessandunlikeness,andtheirlawsororderofco–existenceandsuccession,anddoesnotinquireintosubstance,orcause,orpurpose,etc.Philosophyispresupposed,therefore,inscienceasthefirstandmostgeneral

knowledge.Itinquiresintothesoulandthelawsofthoughtintointuitionandultimatetruth,intosubstanceandrealbeing,intoabsolutecause,theultimatenatureofforceandwill,intoconscienceandduty.

AstoitsrelationstoTheologyitwillbeobserved—

1st.Thefirstprinciplesofatruephilosophyarepresupposedinalltheology,naturalandrevealed.

2nd.TheHolyscriptures,althoughnotdesignedprimarilytoteachphilosophy,yetnecessarilypresupposeandinvolvethefundamentalprinciplesofatruephilosophy.Nottheinferencesoftheseprinciplesdrawnoutintoasystem,buttheprinciplesthemselves,astosubstanceandcause,astoconscienceandright,etc.

3rd.ThephilosophyprevalentineveryagehasalwaysandwillnecessarilyreactupontheinterpretationofScriptureandtheformationoftheologicalsystems.ThishasbeentrueastotheearlyPlatonism,andtheNeo–Platonismofthesecondage;astotheAristotelianphilosophyofthemiddleages;astothesystemsofDescartesandLeibnitz;ofKant,Fichte,Schelling,andHegelonthecontinent,andthesystemsofLocke,Reid,Coleridge,etc.,inBritain.

4th.Thedevoutbeliever,however,whoisassuredthattheBibleistheverywordofGod,canneverallowhisphilosophy,derivedfromhumansources,todominatehisinterpretationoftheBible,butwillseekwithadocilespiritandwiththeassistanceoftheHolySpirit,tobringhisownphilosophyintoperfectharmonywiththatwhichisimplicitlycontainedintheword.Hewillbyallmeansseektorealizeaphilosophywhichprovesitselftobethegenuineandnaturalhandmaidofthereligionwhichthewordreveals.

Allhumanthought,andallhumanlife,isone.IfthereforeGodspeaksforanypurpose,hiswordmustbesupreme,andinsofarasithasanybearingonanydepartmentofhumanopinionoraction,itmustthereinbereceivedasthemostcertaininformantandthehighestLaw.

ThevariousdepartmentsofChristianTheologyhavebeen

enumeratedinChapter1.

~~~~~~

Chapter4:TheInspirationoftheBible

NecessaryPresuppositions

1.Whatarethenecessarypresuppositions,astoprinciples,andmattersoffact,whichmustbeadmittedbeforethepossibilityofinspiration,ortheinspirationofanyparticularbookcanbeaffirmed?

1st.TheexistenceofapersonalGod,possessingtheattributesofpower,intelligence,andmoralexcellenceinabsoluteperfection.

2nd.Thatinhisrelationtotheuniverseheisatonceimmanentandtranscendent.Aboveall,andfreelyactinguponallfromwithout.Withinall,andactingthroughthewholeandeverypartfromwithinintheexerciseofallhisperfections,andaccordingtothelawsandmodesofactionhehasestablishedforhiscreatures,sustainingandgoverningthem,andalltheiractions.

3rd.Hismoralgovernmentovermankindandotherintelligentcreatures,wherebyhegovernsthembytruthandmotivesaddressedtotheirreasonandwill,rewardsandpunishesthemaccordingtotheirmoralcharactersandactions,andbenevolentlyeducatesthemfortheirhighdestinyinhiscommunionandservice.

4th.Thefactthatmankindinsteadofadvancingalongalineofnaturaldevelopmentfromalowertoahighermoralcondition,havefallenfromtheiroriginalstateandrelation,andarenowlostinaconditioninvolvingcorruptionandguilt,andincapableofrecoverywithoutsupernaturalintervention.

5th.ThehistoricalintegrityoftheChristianScriptures,theirveracityashistory,andthegenuinenessandauthenticityoftheseveralbooks.

6th.ThetruthofChristianityinthesenseinwhichitissetforth

inthesacredrecord.

Allofthesenecessarypresuppositions,thetruthofwhichisinvolvedinthedoctrinethattheScripturesareinspired,fallunderoneoftwoclasses—

(1)Thosewhichrestuponintuitionandthemoralspiritualevidencesofdivinetruth,suchasthebeingandattributesofGod,andhisrelationstoworldandtomankind,suchasthetestimonyofconscienceandthemoralconsciousnessofmenassinnersjustlycondemned,andimpotent.

(2)Thosewhichrestuponmattersoffact,dependinguponhistoricalandcriticalevidenceastothetrueoriginandcontentsofthesacredbooks.

Ifanyoftheseprinciplesorfactsisdoubted,theevidencesubstantiatingthemshouldbesoughtintheirappropriatesources,e.g.,thedepartmentofApologetics—theTheisticargumentandNaturalTheology,theevidencesofChristianity,theHistoricOriginoftheScriptures,theCanon,andCriticismandExegesisoftheSacredText.

STATEMENTOFTHECHURCHDOCTRINEOFINSPIRATION.

2.InwhatsenseandtowhatextenthastheChurchuniversallyheldtheBibletobeinspired?

ThatthesacredwritersweresoinfluencedbytheHolyspiritthattheirwritingsare,asawholeandineverypart,God’swordtous—anauthoritativerevelationtousfromGod,endorsedbyhim,andsenttousasaruleoffaithandpractice,theoriginalautographsofwhichareabsolutelyinfalliblewheninterpretedinthesenseintended,andhenceareclothedwithabsolutedivineauthority.

3.Whatismeantby"plenaryinspiration"?

Adivineinfluencefullandsufficienttosecureitsend.TheendinthiscasesecuredistheperfectinfallibilityoftheScripturesineverypart,

asarecordoffactanddoctrinebothinthoughtandverbalexpression.Sothatalthoughtheycometousthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheminds,hearts,imaginations,consciences,andwillsofmen,theyareneverthelessinthestrictestsensethewordofGod.

4.Whatismeantbythephrase"verbalinspiration,"andhowcanitbeprovedthatthewordsoftheBiblewereinspired?

Itismeantthatthedivineinfluence,ofwhateverkinditmayhavebeen,whichaccompaniedthesacredwritersinwhattheywrote,extendstotheirexpressionoftheirthoughtsinlanguage,aswellastothethoughtsthemselves.TheeffectbeingthatintheoriginalautographcopiesthelanguageexpressesthethoughtGodintendedtoconveywithinfallibleaccuracy,sothatthewordsaswellasthethoughtsareGod’srevelationtous.

Thatthisinfluencedidextendtothewordsappears—1st,fromtheverydesignofinspiration,whichis,nottosecuretheinfalliblecorrectnessoftheopinionsoftheinspiredmenthemselves(PaulandPeterdiffered,Galatians2:11,andsometimestheprophetknewnotwhathewrote),buttosecureaninfalliblerecordofthetruth.Butarecordconsistsoflanguage.

2nd.Menthinkinwords,andthemoredefinitelytheythinkthemorearetheirthoughtsimmediatelyassociatedwithanexactlyappropriateverbalexpression.Infallibilityofthoughtcannotbesecuredorpreservedindependentlyofaninfallibleverbalrendering.

3rd.TheScripturesaffirmthisfact,1Corinthians2:13;1Thessalonians2:13.

4th.TheNewTestamentwriters,whilequotingfromtheOldTestamentforpurposesofargument,oftenbasetheirargumentupontheverywordsused,thusascribingauthoritytothewordaswellasthethought.—Matthew22:32,andExodus3:6,16;Matthew22:45,andPsalms110:l;Galatians3:16,andGenesis17:7.

5.BywhatmeansdoestheChurchholdthatGodhaseffectedtheresultabovedefined?

TheChurchdoctrinerecognizesthefactthateverypartofScriptureisatonceaproductofGod’sandofman’sagency.Thehumanwritershaveproducedeachhispartinthefreeandnaturalexerciseofhispersonalfacultiesunderhishistoricalconditions.GodhasalsosoactedconcurrentlyinandthroughthemthatthewholeorganismofScriptureandeverypartthereofishiswordtous,infalliblytrueinthesenseintendedandabsolutelyauthoritative.

God’sagencyincludesthethreefollowingelements:

1st.HisPROVIDENTIALagencyinproducingtheScriptures.Thewholecourseofredemption,ofwhichrevelationandinspirationarespecialfunctions,wasaspecialprovidencedirectingtheevolutionofaspeciallyprovidentialhistory.Herethenaturalandthesupernaturalcontinuallyinterpenetrate.Butasisofnecessitythecase,thenaturalwasalwaystheruleandthesupernaturaltheexception;yetaslittlesubjecttoaccident,andasmuchthesubjectofrationaldesignasthenaturalitself.ThusGodprovidentiallyproducedtheverymanforthepreciseoccasion,withthefaculties,qualities,education,andgraciousexperienceneededfortheproductionoftheintendedwriting,Moses,David,Isaiah,Paul,orJohn,geniusandcharacter,natureandgrace,peasant,philosopher,orprince,theman,andwithhimeachsubtlepersonalaccident,wasprovidentiallypreparedatthepropermomentasthenecessaryinstrumentalpreconditionoftheworktobedone.

2nd.REVELATIONoftruthnototherwiseattainable.Wheneverthewriterwasnotpossessed,orcouldnotnaturallybecomepossessed,oftheknowledgeGodintendedtocommunicate,itwassupernaturallyrevealedtohimbyvisionorlanguage.Thisrevelationwassupernatural,objectivetotherecipient,andassuredtohimtobetruthofdivineoriginbyappropriateevidence.ThisdirectrevelationappliestoalargeelementofthesacredScriptures,suchaspropheciesoffutureevents,thepeculiardoctrinesofChristianity,thepromisesandthreateningsofGod’sword,etc.,butitappliesbynomeanstoallthecontentsofScripture.

3rd.INSPIRATION.Thewriterswerethesubjectsofaplenarydivineinfluencecalledinspiration,whichacteduponandthroughtheirnaturalfacultiesinalltheywrotedirectingtheminthechoiceofsubjectandthewholecourseofthoughtandverbalexpression,soaswhilenotinterferingwiththenaturalexerciseoftheirfaculties,theyfreelyandspontaneously,producedtheverywritingwhichGoddesigned,andwhichthuspossessestheattributesofinfallibilityandauthorityasabovedefined.

Thisinspirationdiffers,therefore,fromrevelation—(1)Inthatitwasaconstantexperienceofthesacredwritersinalltheywroteanditaffectstheequalinfallibilityofalltheelementsofthewritingstheyproduced,while,asbeforesaid,revelationwassupernaturallyvouchsafedonlywhenitwasneeded.(2)Inthatrevelationcommunicatedobjectivelytothemindofthewritertruthotherwiseunknown.Whileinspirationwasadivineinfluenceflowingintothesacredwritersubjectively,communicatingnothing,butguidingtheirfacultiesintheirnaturalexercisetotheproducinganinfalliblerecordofthemattersofhistory,doctrine,prophecy,etc.,whichGoddesignedtosendthroughthemtohisChurch.

Itdiffersfromspiritualillumination,inthatspiritualilluminationisanessentialelementinthesanctifyingworkoftheHolySpiritcommontoalltrueChristians.Itneverleadstotheknowledgeofnewtruth,butonlytothepersonaldiscernmentofthespiritualbeautyandpoweroftruthalreadyrevealedintheScriptures.

InspirationisaspecialinfluenceoftheHolySpiritpeculiartotheprophetsandapostles,andattendingthemonlyintheexerciseoftheirfunctionsasaccreditedteachers.Mostofthemwerethesubjectsbothofinspirationandspiritualillumination.Some,asBalaam,beingunregeneratewereinspired,thoughdestituteofspiritualillumination.

THEPROOFOFTHECHURCHDOCTRINEOFINSPIRATION

6.FromwhatsourcesofevidenceisthequestionastothenatureandextentoftheInspirationoftheScripturestobe

determined?

1st.FromthestatementsoftheScripturesthemselves.

2nd.FromthephenomenaofScripturewhencriticallyexamined.

THESTATEMENTSOFTHESCRIPTURESASTOTHENATUREOFTHEIROWNINSPIRATION

7.HowcantheproprietyofprovingtheInspirationoftheScripturesfromtheirownassertionsbevindicated?

WedonotreasoninacirclewhenwerestthetruthoftheinspirationoftheScripturesontheirownassertions.Wecometothisquestionalreadybelievingintheircredibilityashistories,andinthatoftheirwritersaswitnessesoffacts,andinthetruthofChristianityandinthedivinityofChrist.WhateverChristaffirmsoftheOldTestament,andwhateverhepromisestotheApostles,andwhatevertheyassertastothedivineinfluenceactinginandthroughthemselves,orastotheinfallibilityandauthorityoftheirwritings,mustbetrue.EspeciallyasalltheirclaimswereendorsedbyGodworkingwiththembysignsandwondersandgiftsoftheHolyGhost.Itisevidentthatiftheirclaimstoinspirationandtotheinfallibilityandauthorityoftheirwritingsaredenied,theyareconsequentlychargedwithfanaticalpresumptionandgrossmisrepresentation,andthevalidityoftheirtestimonyonallpointsisdenied.

WhenplenaryinspirationisdeniedallChristianfaithisundermined.

8.Howmaytheinspirationoftheapostlesbefairlyinferredfromthefactthattheywroughtmiracles?

Amiracleisadivinesign(σημεῖον)accreditingthepersontowhomthepowerisdelegatedasadivinelycommissionedagent,Matt.16:1,4;Acts14:3;Heb.2:4.,Matthew16:1,4;Acts14:3;Hebrews2:4.Thisdivinetestimonynotonlyencourages,butabsolutelyrendersbelief

obligatory.Wherethesignis,Godcommandsustobelieve.Buthecouldnotunconditionallycommandustobelieveanyotherthanunmixedtruthinfalliblyconveyed.

9.HowmayitbeshownthatthegiftofInspirationwaspromisedtotheapostles?

Matthew10:19;Luke12:12;John14:26;15:26,27;16:13;Matthew28:19,20;John13:20.

10.InwhatseveralwaysdidtheyclaimtohavepossessionoftheSpirit?

Theyclaimed—

1st.TohavetheSpiritinfulfillmentofthepromiseofChrist.Acts2:33;4:8;13:2–4;15:28;21:11;1

Thessalonians4:8.

2nd.TospeakastheprophetsofGod.—1Corinthians4:1;9:17;2Corinthians5:19;1Thessalonians4:8.

3rd.Tospeakwithplenaryauthority.—1Corinthians2:13;1Thessalonians2:13;1John4:6;Galatians1:8,9;2Corinthians13:2,3,4.TheyclasstheirwritingsonalevelwiththeOldTestamentScriptures.—2Peter3:16;1Thessalonians5:27;Colossians4:16;Revelation2:7.—Dr.Hodge.

11.Howwastheirclaimconfirmed?

1st.Bytheirholy,simple,temperate,yetheroiclives.

2nd.Bytheholinessofthedoctrinetheytaught,anditsspiritualpower,asattestedbyitseffectuponcommunitiesandindividuals.

3rd.Bythemiraclestheywrought.—Hebrews2:4;Acts14:3;Mark16:20.

4th.Allthesetestimoniesareaccreditedtousnotonlybytheirownwritings,butalsobytheuniformtestimonyoftheearlyChristians,theircontemporaries,andtheirimmediatesuccessors.

12.ShowthatthewritersoftheOldTestamentclaimtobeinspired.

1st.MosesclaimedthathewroteapartatleastofthePentateuchbydivinecommand.—Deuteronomy31:19–22;34:10;Numbers16:28,29.Davidclaimedit.—2Samuel23:2.

2nd.Asacharacteristicfact,theOldTestamentwritersspeaknotintheirownname,butprefacetheirmessageswith,"ThussaiththeLord,"ThemouthoftheLordhathspokenit,"etc.—Jeremiah9:12;13:13;30:4;Isaiah8:l;33:10;Micah4:4;Amos3:1;Deuteronomy18:21,22;1Kings21:28;1Chronicles17:3.—Dr.Hodge.

13.Howwastheirclaimconfirmed?

1st.Theirclaimwasconfirmedtotheircontemporariesbythemiraclestheywroughtbythefulfillmentofmanyoftheirpredictions(Numbers16:28,29),bytheholinessoftheirlives.themoralandspiritualperfectionoftheirdoctrine,andthepracticaladaptationofthereligioussystemtheyrevealedtotheurgentwantsofmen.

2nd.Theirclaimisconfirmedtousprincipally—(1)Bytheremarkablefulfillment,infarsubsequentages,ofmanyoftheirprophecies.(2)BytheevidentrelationofthesymbolicalreligionwhichtheypromulgatedtothefactsanddoctrinesofChristianity,provingadivinepreadjustmentofthetypetotheantitype.(3)BytheendorsementofChristandhisapostles.

14.WhataretheformulasbywhichquotationsfromtheOldTestamentareintroducedintotheNew,andhowdotheseformsofexpressionprovetheinspirationoftheancientScriptures?

"TheHolyGhostsaith,"Hebrews3:7."TheHolyGhostthis

signifying,"Hebrews9:8."Godsaith,"Acts2:17,andIsaiah44:3;1Corinthians9:9,10,andDeuteronomy25:4."TheScripturessaith.,"Romans4:3;Galatians4:30."Itiswritten,"Luke18:31;21:22;John2:17;20:31."TheLordbythemouthofhisservantDavidsays,"Acts4:25,andPsalm2:1,2."TheLordlimitethinDavidacertainday,saying,"Hebrews4:7;Psalm95:7."Davidinspiritsays,"Matthew22:43,andPsalm110:1.

ThustheseOldTestamentwritingsarewhatGodsaith,whatGodsaithbyDavid,etc.,andarequotedastheauthoritativebasisforconclusiveargumentation;thereforetheymusthavebeeninspired.

15.HowmaytheInspirationoftheOldTestamentwritersbeprovedbytheexpressdeclarationsoftheNewTestament?

Luke1:70;Hebrews1:1;2Timothy3:16;1Peter1:10–12;2Peter1:21.

16.WhatistheargumentonthissubjectdrawnfromthemannerinwhichChristandhisapostlesarguefromtheOldTestamentasoffinalauthority?

ChristconstantlyquotestheOldTestament,Matthew21:13;22:43.Hedeclaresthatitcannotbefalsified,John7:23;10:35;thatthewholelawmustbefulfilled,Matthew5:18;andallthingsalsoforetoldconcerninghimself"inMoses,theprophets,andthePsalms,"Luke24:44.TheapostleshabituallyquotetheOldTestamentinthesamemanner,"Thatitmightbefulfilledwhichwaswritten,"iswiththemacharacteristicformula,Matthew1:22;2:15,17,23;John12:38;15:25;etc.TheyallappealtothewordsofScriptureasoffinalauthority.Thiscertainlyprovesinfallibility.

THEPHENOMENAOFSCRIPTURECONSIDEREDASEVIDENCEOFTHENATUREANDEXTENTOFITSINSPIRATION

17.WhatevidencedothePhenomenaoftheScripturesaffordastonatureandextentofthehumancausesconspiring

toproducethem?

EverypartofScripturealikebearsevidenceofahumanorigin.thewritersofallthebooksweremen,andtheprocessofcompositionthroughwhichtheyoriginatedwascharacteristicallyhuman.Thepersonalcharacteristicsofthoughtandfeelingofthesewritershaveactedspontaneouslyintheirliteraryactivity,andhavegivencharactertotheirwritingsinamannerpreciselysimilartotheeffectofcharacteruponwritinginthecaseofothermen.Theywrotefromhumanimpulses,onspecialoccasions,withdefinitedesign.Eachviewshissubjectfromanindividualstandpoint.Theygathertheirmaterialfromallsources—personalexperienceandobservation,ancientdocuments,andcontemporarytestimony.Theyarrangetheirmaterialwithreferencetotheirspecialpurpose,anddrawinferencesfromprinciplesandfactsaccordingtothemoreorlesslogicalhabitsoftheirownminds.Theiremotionsandimaginationsarespontaneouslyexercised,andfollowasco–factorswiththeirreasoningintotheircompositions.Thelimitationsoftheirpersonalknowledgeandgeneralmentalcondition,andthedefectsoftheirhabitsofthoughtandstyle,areasobviousintheirwritingsasanyotherpersonalcharacteristics.Theyusethelanguageandidiompropertotheirnationandclass.Theyadopttheususloquendioftermscurrentamongtheirpeople,withoutcommittingthemselvestothephilosophicalideasinwhichtheusageoriginated.Theirmentalhabitsandmethodswerethoseoftheirnationandgeneration.TheywereforthemostpartOrientals,andhencetheirwritingsaboundwithmetaphorandsymbol;andalthoughalwaysreliableinstatementasfarasrequiredfortheirpurposetheyneveraimedatthedefinitenessofenumeration,orchronologicalorcircumstantialnarration,whichcharacterizesthestatisticsofmodernwesternnations.Likeallpurelyliterarymenofeveryage,theydescribetheorderandthefactsofnatureaccordingtotheirappearances,andnotasrelatedtotheirabstractlaworcause.

Someofthesefactshave,bymanycarelessthinkers,beensupposedtobeinconsistentwiththeassertedfactofdivineguidance.Butitisevident,uponreflection,thatifGodistorevealhimselfatall,itmustbeunderallthelimitsofhumanmodesofthoughtandspeech.Andifhe

inspireshumanagentstocommunicatehisrevelationinwriting,hemustusetheminamannerconsistentwiththeirnatureasrationalandspontaneousagents.Anditisevidentthatallthedistinctionsbetweenthedifferentdegreesofperfectioninhumanknowledge,andeleganceinhumandialectandstyle,arenothingwhenviewedinthelightofthecommonrelationsofmantoGod.Heobviouslycouldaswellrevealhimselfthroughapeasantasthroughaphilosopher;andallthebetterwhenthepersonalcharacteristicsofthepeasantwereprovidentiallyandgraciouslypreadjustedtothespecialenddesigned.

18.WhatevidencedothePhenomenaoftheScripturesaffordastothenatureandextentofthedivineagencyexercisedintheirproduction?

1st.EverypartofScriptureaffordsmoralandspiritualevidenceofitsdivineorigin.Thisis,ofcourse,moreconspicuousinsomeportionsthaninothers.Therearetranscendenttruthsrevealed,aperfectmorality,anunveilingoftheabsoluteperfectionsoftheGodhead,aforesightoffutureevents,aheartsearchingandrein–tryingknowledgeofthesecretsofthehumansoul,alightinformingthereasonandanauthoritybindingtheconscience,apracticalgraspofallthespringsofhumanexperienceandlife,allofwhichcanonlyhaveoriginatedinadivinesource.ThesearecharacteristicsofalargeportionoftheScriptures,andoftheScripturesaloneinallliterature,andtogetherwiththeaccompanyingwitnessoftheHolyGhost,thesearepracticallytheevidencesuponwhichthefaithofamajorityofbelieversrests.

2nd.ButanothercharacteristicoftheScriptures,takeninconnectionwiththeforegoing,provesincontestablytheirdivineoriginasawholeandineverypart.ThesacredScripturesareanorganism,thatisawholecomposedofmanyparts,thepartsalldifferinginmatter,form,andstructurefromeachother,liketheseveralmembersofthehumanbody,yeteachadjustedtoeachotherandtothewhole,throughthemostintricateanddelicatecorrelationsmediatingacommonend.Scriptureistherecordandinterpretationofredemption.RedemptionisaworkwhichGodhaspreparedandwroughtoutbymanyactionsinsuccessionthroughanhistoricalprocessoccupyingcenturies.Asupernaturalprovidencehasflowedforwardevolvingasystemofdivineinterventions,

accompaniedandinterpretedbyasupernaturallyinformedandguidedorderofprophets.Eachwriterhashisownspecialandtemporaryoccasion,theme,andaudience.Andyeteachcontributedtobuildupthecommonorganism,astheprovidentialhistoryhasadvanced,eachspecialwritingbeyonditstemporarypurposetakingpermanentplaceasamemberofthewhole,thegospelfulfillingthelaw,antitypehasansweredtotypeandfulfillmenttoprophecy,historyhasbeeninterpretedbydoctrine,anddoctrinehasgivenlawtodutyandtolife.Themoreminutelythecontentsofeachbookarestudiedinthelightofitsspecialpurpose,themorewonderfullyvariousandexactwillitsarticulationsinthegeneralsystemandorderedstructureofthewholebediscoveredtobe.Thisisthehighestconceivableevidenceofdesign,whichinthepresentcaseistheproofofadivinesupernaturalinfluencecomprehendingthewhole,andreachingtoeverypart,throughsixteencenturies,sixty–sixdistinctwritings,andaboutfortycooperatinghumanagents.ThusthedivineagencyinthegenesisofeverypartofScriptureisasclearlyandcertainlydeterminedasitisintheoldergenesisoftheheavensandtheearth.

19.WhatistheobjectiontothisdoctrinedrawnfromthefreemannerinwhichtheNewTestamentwritersquotethoseoftheOldTestament,andtheanswertothatobjection?

InamajorityofinstancestheNewTestamentwritersquotethoseoftheOldTestamentwithperfectverbalaccuracy.SometimestheyquotetheSeptuagintversion,whenitconformstotheHebrew;atotherstheysubstituteanewversion;andatothertimesagaintheyadheretotheSeptuagint,whenitdiffersfromtheHebrew.Inanumberofinstances,whichhoweverarecomparativelyfew,theirquotationsfromtheOldTestamentaremadeveryfreely,andinapparentaccommodationoftheliteralsense.

RationalisticinterpretershavearguedfromthislastclassofquotationsthatitisimpossiblethatboththeOldTestamentwriterquotedfrom,andtheNewTestamentwriterquoting,couldhavebeenthesubjectsofplenaryinspiration,because,saythey,iftheipsissimaverbawereinfallibleinthefirstinstance,aninfalliblewriterwouldhavetransferredthemunchanged.Butsurelyifahumanauthormayquote

himselffreely,changingtheexpression,andgivinganewturntohisthoughtinordertoadaptitthemoreperspicuouslytohispresentpurpose,theHolySpiritmaytakethesamelibertywithhisown.ThesameSpiritthatrenderedtheOldTestamentwritersinfallibleinwritingonlypuretruth,intheveryformthatsuitedhispurposethen,hasrenderedtheNewTestamentwritersinfallibleinsousingtheoldmaterials,thatwhiletheyelicitanewsense,theyteachonlythetruth,theverytruthmoreovercontemplatedinthemindofGodfromthebeginning,andtheyteachitwithdivineauthority.—SeeFairbairn’s"Herm.Manual,"Part3.Eachinstanceofsuchquotationshouldbeexaminedindetail,asDr.Fairbairnhasdone.

20.WhatobjectiontothedoctrineofPlenaryInspirationisdrawnfromtheallegedfactthat"Discrepancies"existintheScripturalText?andhowisthisobjectiontobeanswered?

ItisobjectedthatthesacredtextcontainsnumerousstatementswhichareinconsistentwithotherstatementsmadeinsomepartofScriptureitself,orwithsomecertainlyascertainedfactsofhistoryorofscience.

Itisobviousthatsuchastateoffacts,evenifitcouldbeprovedtoexist,wouldnot,inoppositiontotheabundantpositiveevidenceaboveadduced,availtodisprovetheclaimthattheScripturesaretosomeextentandinsomedegreetheproductofdivineinspiration.Theforceoftheobjectionwoulddependessentiallyuponthenumberandcharacteroftheinstancesofdiscrepancyactuallyprovedtoexist,andwouldbearnotuponthefactofInspiration,butuponitsnatureanddegreeandextent.

Thefactoftheactualexistenceofanysuch"discrepancies,"itisevident,canbedeterminedonlybythecarefulexaminationofeachallegedcaseseparately.ThisexaminationbelongstothedepartmentsofBiblicalCriticismandExegesis.Thefollowingconsiderations,however,areevidentlywell–grounded,andsufficienttoallayallapprehensiononthesubject.

1st.TheChurchhasneverheldtheverbalinfallibilityofour

translations,northeperfectaccuracyofthecopiesoftheoriginalHebrewandGreekScripturesnowpossessedbyus.Thesecopiesconfessedlycontainmany"discrepancies"resultingfromfrequenttranscription.Itis,nevertheless,theunanimoustestimonyofChristianscholars,thatwhilethesevariationsembarrasstheinterpretationofmanydetails,theyneitherinvolvethelossnorabatetheevidenceofasingleessentialfactordoctrineofChristianity.

Anditismoreoverreassuringtoknowthatbelievingcriticism,bythediscoveryandcollationofmoreancientandaccuratecopies,isconstantlyadvancingtheChurchtothepossessionofamoreperfecttextoftheoriginalScripturesthanshehasenjoyedsincetheapostolicage.

2nd.TheChurchhasassertedabsoluteinfallibilityonlyoftheoriginalautographcopiesoftheScripturesastheycamefromthehandsoftheirinspiredwriters.Andevenoftheseshehasnotassertedinfiniteknowledge,butonlyabsoluteinfallibilityinstatingthemattersdesignedtobeasserted.A"discrepancy,"therefore,inthesenseinwhichthenewcriticsaffirmandtheChurchdeniesitsexistence,isaformofstatementexistingintheoriginaltextoftheHebrewandGreekScripturesevidentlydesignedtoassertastruethatwhichisinplainirreconcilablecontradictiontootherstatementsexistinginsomeotherportionsofthesameoriginaltextofScripture,ortosomeothercertainlyascertainedelementofhumanknowledge.A"discrepancy"fulfillingineveryparticularthisdefinitionmustbeprovedtoexist,ortheChurch’sdoctrineofplenaryverbalinspirationremainsunaffected.

3rd.Itisbeyondquestion,that,inthelightofallthattheScripturesthemselvesassertordiscloseastothenatureandtheextentofthedivineinfluencecontrollingtheirgenesis,andastotheirauthorityoverman’sconscienceandlifeasthevoiceofGod,theexistenceofanysuch"discrepancies"asabovedefinedisaviolentimprobability.Thosewhoasserttheexistenceofoneormoreofthemmustbringthemout,andprovetothecommunityofcompetentjudges,thatalltheelementsoftheabovedefinitionmeetineachallegedinstance,notmerelyprobably,butbeyondthepossibilityofdoubt.Theonusprobandirestsexclusivelyonthem.

4th.Butobservethatthisisforthemaverydifficulttasktoperform,oneinanyinstanceindeedhardlypossible.Fortomakegoodtheirpointagainstthevastpresumptionsopposedtoit,theymustproveoverandoveragaininthecaseofeachallegeddiscrepancyeachofthefollowingpoints:

(1)Thattheallegeddiscrepantstatementcertainlyoccurredintheveritableautographcopyoftheinspiredwritingcontainingit.(2)Thattheirinterpretationofthestatement,whichoccasionsthediscrepancy,istheonlypossibleone,theoneitwascertainlyintendedtobear.Thedifficultyofthiswillbeapprehendedwhenweestimatetheinherentobscurityofancientnarratives,unchronological,andfragmentary,withabackgroundandsurroundingsofalmostunrelieveddarkness.Thisconditionofthingswhichsooftenpuzzlestheinterpreter,andpreventstheapologistfromprovingtheharmonyofthenarrative,withequalforcebafflesalltheingeniouseffortsoftherationalisticcritictodemonstratethe"discrepancy."Yetthishemustdo,orthepresumptionwillremainthatitdoesnotexist.(3)Hemustalsoprovethatthefactsofscienceorofhistory,ortheScripturalstatements,withwhichthestatementinquestionisassertedtobeinconsistent,arerealfactorrealpartsoftheautographtextofcanonicalScripture,andthatthesenseinwhichtheyarefoundtobeinconsistentwiththestatementinquestionistheonlysensetheycanrationallybear.(4)Whentherealityoftheopposingfactsorstatementsisdetermined,andtheirtrueinterpretationisascertained,thenitmust,inconclusion,beshownnotonlythattheyappearinconsistent,normerelythattheirreconciliationisimpossibleinourpresentstateofknowledge,butthattheyareinthemselvesessentiallyincapableofbeingreconciled.

5th.Finallyitissufficientforthepresentpurpose,topointtothefactthatnosinglecaseof"discrepancy,"asabovedefined,hasbeensoprovedtoexistastosecuretherecognitionofthecommunityofbelievingscholars.Difficultiesininterpretationandapparentlyirreconcilablestatementsexist,butno"discrepancy"hasbeenproved.Advancingknowledgeremovessomedifficultiesanddiscoversothers.Itisinthehighestdegreeprobablethatperfectknowledgewouldremoveall.

21.Explainthemeaningofsuchpassagesas1Corinthians7:6andl2and40,Romans3:5and6:19,andGalatians3:15,andshowtheirperfectconsistencywiththefactoftheplenaryinspirationofthewholeBible.

"Ispeakasaman,"isaphraseoccurringfrequently,anditssenseisdeterminedbythecontext.InRomans3:5,itsignifiesthatPaulwas,forargument’ssake,usingthelanguagecommontomen;itwastheJews’opinion,nothisown.InRomans6:19,itsignifies"inamanneradaptedtohumancomprehension,"andinGalatians3:15,itsignifies,"Iuseanillustrationdrawnfromhumanaffairs,"etc."Ispeakthisbypermission,notofcommandment."—1Corinthians7:6,referstoverse2.Marriagewasalwayspermitted,butundercertaincircumstancesinexpedient."AnduntothemarriedIcommand,yetnotIbuttheLord."Buttotherestspeak:I,nottheLord."—1Corinthians7:10and12.Referenceisheremadetowhatthe"Lord,"thatisChrist,taughtinpersonwhileonearth.ThedistinctionismadebetweenwhatChristtaughtwhileonearth,andwhatPaulteaches.AsPaulputshiswordhereonanequalbasisofauthoritywithChrist’sword,itofcourseimpliesthatPaulclaimsaninspirationwhichmakeshiswordequaltothatofChristininfallibilityandauthority.

"AndIthinkalsothatIhavetheSpiritofGod."—1Corinthians7:40.""Ithink(δοκῶ)Ihave,isonly,agreeablytoGreekusage,anurbanewayofsaying,Ihave(comp.Gal.2:6,1Cor.12:22).PaulwasinnodoubtofhisbeinganorganoftheHolyGhost."Hodge,"Com.onFirstCorinthians."

DEFECTIVESTATEMENTOFTHEDOCTRINE

22.Statewhatismeantbytheologicalwritersbytheinspiration"ofsuperintendence,"ofrelevation,"ofdirection,"and"ofsuggestion."

Certainwritersonthissubject,confoundingthedistinctionbetweeninspirationandrevelation,andusingtheformertermtoexpressthewholedivineinfluenceofwhichthesacredwriterswerethesubjects,first,inknowingthetruth,second,inwritingit,necessarilydistinguish

betweendifferentdegreesofinspirationinordertoaccommodatetheirtheorytothefactsofthecase.Because,first,someofthecontentsofScriptureevidentlymightbeknownwithoutsupernaturalaid,whilemuchmoreasevidentlycouldnot;second,thedifferentwritersexercisedtheirnaturalfaculties,andcarriedtheirindividualpeculiaritiesofthought,feeling,andmannerintotheirwritings.

Bythe"inspirationofsuperintendence,"thesewritersmeantpreciselywhatwehaveabovegivenasthedefinitionofinspiration.Bythe"inspirationofelevation,"theymeantthatdivineinfluencewhichexaltedtheirnaturalfacultiestoadegreeofenergyotherwiseunattainable.

Bythe"inspirationofdirection,"theymeantthatdivineinfluencewhichguidedthewritersintheselectionanddispositionoftheirmaterial.

Bythe"inspirationofsuggestion,"theymeantthatdivineinfluencewhichdirectlysuggestedtotheirmindsnewandotherwiseunattainabletruth.

23.Whatobjectionsmaybefairlymadetothesedistinctions?

1st.Thesedistinctionsspringfromapriorfailuretodistinguishbetweenrevelationthefrequent,andinspirationtheconstant,phenomenonpresentedbyScripture;theonefurnishingthematerialwhennototherwiseattainable,theotherguidingthewriterateverypoint,(1)insecuringtheinfallibletruthofallhewrites;and(2)intheselectionanddistributionofhismaterial.

2nd.Itisinjurioustodistinguishbetweendifferentdegreesofinspiration,asiftheseveralportionsoftheScriptureswereindifferentdegreesGod’sword,whileintruththewholeisequallyandabsolutelyso.

FALSEDOCTRINESOFINSPIRATION

24.WhatPrinciplesnecessarilyleadtothedenialofanysupernaturalInspiration?

AllphilosophicalprinciplesortendenciesofthoughtwhichexcludethedistinctionbetweenthenaturalandthesupernaturalnecessarilyleadtothedenialofInspirationinthesenseaffirmedbytheChurch.

Theseare,forexample,allPantheistic,Materialistic,andNaturalisticprinciples,andofcourseRationalisticprinciplesinalltheirforms.

25.InwhatseveralformshasthedoctrineofaPartialInspirationoftheScripturesbeenheld?

1st.Ithasbeenmaintainedthatcertainbookswerethesubjectsofplenaryinspiration,whileotherswereproducedwithonlyanaturalprovidentialandgraciousassistanceofGod.S.T.Coleridgeadmittedtheplenaryinspirationof"thelawandtheprophets,nojotortittleofwhichcanpassunfulfilled,"whilehedenieditoftherestofthecanon.

2nd.ManyhaveadmittedthatthemoralandspiritualelementsoftheScriptures,andtheirdoctrinesasfarastheserelatetothenatureandpurposesofGodnototherwiseascertainable,areproductsofinspiration,butdenyitofthehistoricalandbiographicalelements,andofallitsallusionstoscientificfactsorlaws.

3rd.Othersadmitthattheinspirationofthewriterscontrolledtheirthoughts,butdenythatitextendedtoitsverbalexpression.

Inone,orinallofthesesenses,differentmenhaveheldthattheScripturesareonly"partially"inspired.

Allsuchdenythatthey"AREthewordofGod,"asaffirmedbytheScripturesthemselvesandbyallthehistoricalChurches,andadmitmerelythatthey"containthewordofGod."

26.StatethedoctrineofGraciousInspiration.

Coleridge,inhis"ConfessionsofanInquiringSpirit,"Letter7.,holdsthattheScriptures,excepttheLawandtheProphets,wereproducedbytheirwritersassistedby"thehighestdegreeofthatgrace

andcommunionwiththeSpiritwhichtheChurchunderallcircumstances,andeveryregeneratememberoftheChurchofChrist,ispermittedtohopeandinstructedtoprayfor."ThisisthedoctrineofMaurice("TheologicalEssays,"p.339)andvirtuallythatofMorell("PhilosophyofReligion,"p.186)andoftheQuakers.Theseadmitanobjectivesupernaturalrevelation,andthatthisiscontainedintheScriptures,whicharehighlyuseful,andinsuchasenseanauthoritativestandardoffaithandpractice;thatnopretendedrevelationwhichisinconsistentwithScripturecanbetrue,andthattheyareajudgeinallcontroversiesbetweenChristians.NeverthelesstheyholdthattheScripturesareonly"asecondaryrule,subordinatetotheSpiritfromwhomtheyhavealltheirexcellency,"whichSpiritillumineseverymanintheworld,andrevealstohimeitherwith,orwithouttheScriptures,iftheyareunknown,alltheknowledgeofGodandofhiswillwhicharenecessaryforhissalvationandguidance,onconditionofhisrenderingaconstantobediencetothatlightasthusgraciouslycommunicatedtohimandtoallmen."Barclay’sApology,ThesesTheological,"Propositions1.,2.,and3.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS

ROMANCATHOLIC.—"DecreesofCouncilofTrent,"Sess.4."Whichgospel...ourLordJesusChrist,theSonofGod,firstpromulgatedwithhisownmouth,andthencommandedtobepreachedbyhisapostlestoeverycreature,...andseeingclearlythatthistruthanddisciplinearecontainedinthewrittenbooks,andtheunwrittentradition,whichreceivedbytheapostlesfromthemouthofChristhimself,orfromtheapostlesthemselves,theHolyGhostdictating,havecomedownevenuntous,transmittedasitwerefromhandtohand:[theSynod]followingtheexampleoftheorthodoxFathers,receivesandvenerateswithanequalaffectionofpietyandreverence,allthebooksbothoftheOldandoftheNewTestament—seeingGodistheauthorofboth—asalsothesaidtraditions,aswellthoseappertainingtofaithastomorals,ashavingbeendictated,eitherbyChrist’sownwordofmouth,orbytheHolyGhost,andpreservedintheCatholicChurchbyacontinuoussuccession."DogmaticDecreesoftheVaticanCouncil,"1870,Sess.3.,Ch.2."Furtherthissupernaturalrevelation,accordingtotheuniversalbeliefoftheChurch,

declaredbythesacredSynodofTrent,iscontainedinthewrittenbooksandunwrittentraditionswhichhavecomedowntous,havingbeenreceivedbytheapostlesfromthemouthofChristhimself,orfromtheapostlesthemselves,bythedictationoftheHolySpirit,havebeentransmittedasitwerefromhandtohand.AndthesebooksoftheOldandNewTestamentaretobereceivedassacredandcanonical,intheirintegrity,withalltheirpartsastheyareenumeratedinthedecreeofthesaidCouncil,andarecontainedintheancientEditionoftheVulgate.

ThesetheChurchholdstobesacredandcanonical,notbecausehavingbeencarefullycomposedbymerehumanindustry,theywereafterwardsapprovedbyherauthority,normerelybecausetheycontainrevelationwithnoadmixtureoferror,butbecause,havingbeenwrittenbytheinspirationoftheHolyGhost,theyhaveGodfortheirauthor,andhavebeendeliveredassuchtotheChurchherself."

LUTHERAN.—"FormulaConcordiaEpitome."1."Webelieve,confess,andteachthattheonlyruleandnorm,accordingtowhichalldogmasandalldoctorsoughttobeesteemedandjudged,isnootherwhateverthanthepropheticandapostolicwritingsoftheOldandNewTestament,asitiswritten,Psalm119:105,andGalatians1:8."

REFORMED.—"SecondHelveticConfession,"Ch.1.ConcerningHolyScripture,"Webelieveandconfess,thatthecanonicalScripturesoftheholyprophetsandapostlesofeachTestamentarethetruewordofGod,andthattheypossesssufficientauthorityfromthemselvesaloneandnotfromman.ForGodhimselfspoketothefathers,totheprophetsandtotheapostles,andcontinuestospeaktousthroughtheHolyScriptures."

"TheBelgicConfession,"Art.3."WeconfessthatthiswordofGodwasnotsentnordeliveredbythewillofman,butthatholymenofGodspakeastheyweremovedbytheHolyGhost,astheapostlePetersaith.AndthatafterwardsGod,fromaspecialcarewhichhehasforusandoursalvation,commandedhisservants,theprophetsandapostles,tocommithisrevealedwordtowriting,andhehimselfwrotewithhisownfingerthetwotablesofthelaw.ThereforewecallsuchwritingsholyanddivineScriptures."

"WestminsterConfessionofFaith,"Chap.1."ThereforeitpleasedtheLord,atsundrytimesandindiversmanners,torevealhimselfandtodeclarehiswilluntohisChurch;andafterwards,forthebetterpreservingandpropagatingofthetruth,andforthemoresureestablishmentandcomfortoftheChurchagainsttheCorruptionofthefleshandthemaliceofSatanandoftheworld,tocommitthesamewhollyuntowriting."TheauthorityoftheHolyScripture,forwhichitoughttobebelievedandobeyed,dependethnotuponthetestimonyofanymanorchurch,butwhollyuponGod(whoistruthitself)theAuthorthereof;andthereforeitistobereceivedbecauseitisthewordofGod."

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CHAPTER5:TheRuleofFaithandPractice-THESCRIPTURESOFTHEOLDANDNEWTESTAMENTS,HAVINGBEENGIVENBYINSPIRATIONOFGOD,ARETHEALL–SUFFICIENTANDONLYRULEOFFAITH

ANDPRACTICE,ANDJUDGEOFCONTROVERSIES.

(ThischapteriscompiledfromDr.Hodge’sunpublished"LecturesontheChurch.")

1.WhatismeantbysayingthattheScripturesaretheonlyinfallibleruleoffaithandpractice?

WhateverGodteachesorcommandsisofsovereignauthority.Whateverconveystousaninfallibleknowledgeofhisteachingsandcommandsisaninfalliblerule.TheScripturesoftheOldandNewTestamentsaretheonlyorgansthroughwhich,duringthepresentdispensation,Godconveystousaknowledgeofhiswillaboutwhatwearetobelieveconcerninghimself,andwhatdutiesherequiresofus.

2.WhatdoestheRomishChurchdeclaretobethe

infallibleruleoffaithandpractice?

TheRomishtheoryisthatthecompleteruleoffaithandpracticeconsistsofScriptureandtradition,ortheoralteachingofChristandhisapostles,handeddownthroughtheChurch.Traditiontheyholdtobenecessary,1st,toteachadditionaltruthnotcontainedintheScriptures;and,2nd,tointerpretScripture.TheChurchbeingthedivinelyconstituteddepositoryandjudgeofbothScriptureandtradition.—"DecreesofCouncilofTrent,"SessionIV,and"DensTheo.,"Tom.2.,N.80and81.

3.Bywhatargumentsdotheyseektoestablishtheauthorityoftradition?Bywhatcriteriondotheydistinguishtruetraditionsfromfalse,andonwhatgroundsdotheybasetheauthorityofthetraditionstheyreceive?

1st.Theirargumentsinbehalfoftraditionare—(1)Scriptureauthorizesit,2Thessalonians2:15;3:6.(2)Theearlyfathersasserteditsauthorityandfoundedtheirfaithlargelyuponit.(3)TheoralteachingofChristandhisapostles,whenclearlyascertained,isintrinsicallyofequalauthoritywiththeirwritings.Thescripturesthemselvesarehandeddowntousbytheevidenceoftradition,andthestreamcannotrisehigherthanitssource.(4)Thenecessityofthecase.(a)Scriptureisobscure,needstraditionasitsinterpreter.(b)Scriptureisincompleteasaruleoffaithandpractice;sincetherearemanydoctrinesandinstitutions,universallyrecognized,whicharefoundedonlyupontraditionasasupplementtoScripture.(5)Analogy.everystaterecognizesbothwrittenandunwritten,commonandstatutelaw.

2nd.ThecriterionbywhichtheydistinguishbetweentrueandfalsetraditionsisCatholicconsent.

TheAnglicanritualistsconfinetheapplicationoftheruletothefirstthreeorfourcenturies.theRomanistsrecognizethatasanauthoritativeconsentwhichisconstitutionallyexpressedbythebishopsingeneralcouncil,orbythePopeex–cathedral,inanyageofthechurchwhatever.

3rd.Theydefendthetraditionswhichtheyholdtobetrue.(1)Onthegroundofhistoricaltestimony,tracingthemuptotheapostlesastheirsource.(2)TheauthorityoftheChurchexpressedbyCatholicconsent.

4.Bywhatargumentsmaytheinvalidityofallecclesiasticaltradition,asapartofourruleoffaithandpractice,beshown?

1st.TheScripturesdonot,asclaimed,ascribeauthoritytooraltradition.Tradition,asintendedbyPaulinthepassagecited(2Thessalonians2:15,and3:6),signifiesallhisinstructions,oralandwritten,communicatedtothoseverypeoplethemselves,nothandeddown.Ontheotherhand,ChristrebukedthisdoctrineoftheRomanistsintheirpredecessors,thePharisees,Matthew15:3,6;Mark7:7.

2nd.ItisimprobableapriorithatGodwouldsupplementScripturewithtraditionaspartofourruleoffaith.(1)BecauseScripture,aswillbeshownbelow(questions7–14),iscertain,definite,complete,andperspicuous.(2)Becausetradition,fromitsverynature,isindeterminate,andliabletobecomeadulteratedwitheveryformoferror.Besides,aswillbeshownbelow(question20),theauthorityofScripturedoesnotrestultimatelyupontradition.

3rd.ThewholegrounduponwhichRomanistsbasetheauthorityoftheirtraditions(viz.,historyandchurchauthority)isinvalid.(1)Historyutterlyfailsthem.Formorethanthreehundredyearsaftertheapostlestheyhaveverylittle,andthatcontradictory,evidenceforanyoneoftheirtraditions.

Theyarethusforcedtotheabsurdassumptionthatwhatwastaughtinthefourthcenturywasthereforetaughtinthethird,andthereforeinthefirst.(2)Thechurchisnotinfallible,aswillbeshownbelow(question18).

4th.Theirpracticeisinconsistentwiththeirownprinciples.Manyoftheearliestandbestattestedtraditionstheydonotreceive.Manyoftheirpretendedtraditionsarerecentinventionsunknowntothe

ancients.

5th.Manyoftheirtraditions,suchasrelatetothepriesthood,thesacrificeofthemass,etc.,areplainlyindirectoppositiontoScripture.YettheinfalliblechurchaffirmstheinfallibilityofScripture.Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand.

5.Whatisnecessarytoconstituteasoleandinfallibleruleoffaith?

Plenaryinspiration,completeness,perspicuityorclarity,andaccessibility.

6.WhatargumentsdotheScripturesthemselvesaffordinfavorofthedoctrinethattheyaretheonlyinfallibleruleoffaith?

1st.TheScripturesalwaysspeakinthenameofGod,andcommandfaithandobedience.

2nd.ChristandhisapostlesalwaysrefertothewrittenScriptures,thenexisting,asauthority,andtonootherruleoffaithwhatsoever.—Luke16:29;10:26;John5:39;Romans4:3;2Timothy3:15.

3rd.TheBereansarecommendedforbringingallquestions,evenapostolicteaching,tothistest.—

Acts17:11;seealsoIsaiah8:16.

4th.ChristrebukesthePhariseesforaddingtoandpervertingtheScriptures.—Matthew15:7-9;Mark7:5-8;seealsoRevelation22:18,19,andDeuteronomy4:2;12:32;Joshua1:7.

7.InwhatsenseisthecompletenessofScriptureasaruleoffaithasserted?

ItisnotmeantthattheScripturescontaineveryrevelationwhichGodhasevermadetoman,butthattheircontentsaretheonly

supernaturalrevelationthatGoddoesnowmaketoman,andthatthisrevelationisabundantlysufficientforman’sguidanceinallquestionsoffaith,practice,andmodesofworship,andexcludesthenecessityandtherightofanyhumaninventions.

8.Howmaythiscompletenessbeproved,fromthedesignofscripture?

TheScripturesprofesstoleadustoGod.Whateverisnecessarytothatendtheymustteachus.Ifanysupplementaryrule,astradition,isnecessarytothatend,theymustreferustoit."Incompletenessherewouldbefalsehood."Butwhileonesacredwriterconstantlyrefersustothewritingsofanother,notoneofthemeverintimatestouseitherthenecessityortheexistenceofanyotherrule.—John20:31;2Timothy3:15-17.

9.Bywhatotherargumentsmaythisprinciplebeproved?

AstheScripturesprofesstobearulecompleteforitsend,sotheyhavealwaysbeenpracticallyfoundtobesuchbythetruespiritualpeopleofGodinallages.Theyteachacompleteandharmonioussystemofdoctrine.TheyfurnishallnecessaryprinciplesforthegovernmentoftheprivatelivesofChristians,ineveryrelation,forthepublicworshipofGod,andfortheadministrationoftheaffairsofhiskingdom;andtheyrepelallpretended–traditionsandpriestlyinnovations.

10.InwhatsensedoProtestantsaffirmandRomanistsdenytheperspicuityofScripture?

ProtestantsdonotaffirmthatthedoctrinesrevealedintheScripturesareleveltoman’spowersofunderstanding.Manyofthemareconfessedlybeyondallunderstanding.NordotheyaffirmthateverypartofScripturecanbecertainlyandperspicuouslyexpounded,manyoftheprophesiesbeingperfectlyobscureuntilexplainedbytheevent.ButtheydoaffirmthateveryessentialarticleoffaithandruleofpracticeisclearlyrevealedinScripture,ormaycertainlybededucedtherefrom.ThismuchtheleastinstructedChristianmaylearnatonce;while,ontheotherhand,

itistrue,thatwiththeadvanceofhistoricalandcriticalknowledge,andbymeansofcontroversies,theChristianchurchisconstantlymakingprogressintheaccurateinterpretationofScripture,andinthecomprehensioninitsintegrityofthesystemthereintaught.

ProtestantsaffirmandRomanistsdenythatprivateandunlearnedChristiansmaysafelybeallowedtointerpretScriptureforthemselves.

11.Howcantheperspicuityofscripturebeprovedfromthefactthatitisalawandamessage?

Wesaw(question8)thatScriptureiseithercompleteorfalse,fromitsownprofesseddesign.Wenowproveitsperspicuityuponthesameprinciple.Itprofessestobe(1)alawtobeobeyed;(2)arevelationoftruthtobebelieved,tobereceivedbyusinbothaspectsuponthepenaltyofeternaldeath.Tosupposeitnottobeperspicuous,relativelytoitsdesignofcommandingandteachingistochargeGodwithclearingwithusinaspiritatoncedisingenuousandcruel.

12.Inwhatpassagesistheirperspicuityasserted?

Psalm19:7,8;119:105,130;2Corinthians3:14;2Peter1:18,19;Hebrews2:2;2Timothy3:15,17.

13.Bywhatotherargumentsmaythispointbeestablished?

1st.TheScripturesareaddressedimmediately,eithertoallmenindiscriminately,orelsetothewholebodyofbelieversassuch.—Deuteronomy6:4-9;Luke1:3;Romans1:7;1Corinthians1:2;2Corinthians1:1;4:2;Galatians1:2;Ephesians1:1;Philippians1:1;Colossians1:2;James1:1;1Peter1:1;2Peter1:1;1John2:12,14;Jude1:1;Revelation1:3,4;2:7.TheonlyexceptionsaretheepistlestoTimothyandTitus.

2nd.AllChristiansindiscriminatelyarecommandedtosearchtheScriptures.—2Timothy3:15,17;Acts17:11;John5:39.

3rd.Universalexperience.Wehavethesameevidenceofthelight–givingpowerofScripturethatwehaveofthesamepropertyinthesun.Theargumenttothecontrary,isaninsulttotheunderstandingofthewholeworldofBiblereaders.

4th.Theessentialunityinfaithandpractice,inspiteofallcircumstantialdifferences,ofallChristiancommunitiesofeveryageandnation,whodrawtheirreligiondirectlyfromtheopenScriptures.

14.Whatwasthethirdqualityrequiredtoconstitutethescripturesthesufficientruleoffaithandpractice?

Accessibility.Itisself–evidentthatthisisthepre–eminentcharacteristicoftheScriptures,incontrasttotradition,whichisinthecustodyofacorporationofpriests,andtoeveryotherpretendedrulewhatsoever.TheagencyofthechurchinthismatterissimplytogiveallcurrencytothewordofGod.

15.WhatismeantbysayingthattheScripturesarethejudgeaswellastheruleinquestionsoffaith?

"Aruleisastandardofjudgment;ajudgeistheexpounderandapplierofthatruletothedecisionofparticularcases."TheProtestantdoctrineis—

1st.ThattheScripturesaretheonlyinfallibleruleoffaithandpractice.

2nd.(1)negatively.Thatthereisnobodyofmenwhoareeitherqualified,orauthorized,tointerprettheScriptures,orapplytheirprinciplestothedecisionofparticularquestions,inasensebindinguponthefaithoftheirfellowChristians.(2)Positively.ThatScriptureistheonlyinfalliblevoiceinthechurch,andistobeinterpreted,initsownlight,andwiththegracioushelpoftheHolyGhost,whoispromisedtoeveryChristian(1John2:20–27),byeachindividualforhimself;withtheassistance,thoughnotbytheauthority,ofhisfellowChristians.Creedsandconfessions,astoform,bindonlythosewhovoluntarilyprofessthem,andastomatter,theybindonlysofarastheyaffirmtrulywhatthe

Bibleteaches,andbecausetheBibledoessoteach.

16.WhatistheRomishdoctrineregardingtheauthorityofthechurchastheinfallible

interpreteroftheruleoffaithandtheauthoritativejudgeofallcontroversies?

TheRomishdoctrineisthatthechurchisabsolutelyinfallibleinallmattersofChristianfaithandpractice,andthedivinelyauthorizeddepositoryandinterpreteroftheruleoffaith.HerofficeisnottoconveynewrevelationsfromGodtoman,yetherinspirationrendersherinfallibleindisseminatingandinterpretingtheoriginalrevelationcommunicatedthroughtheapostles.Thechurch,therefore,authoritativelydetermines—1st.WhatisScripture?2nd.Whatisgenuinetradition3rd.WhatisthetruesenseofScriptureand‘tradition’,andwhatisthetrueapplicationofthatperfectruletoeveryparticularquestionofbelieforpractice.Thisauthorityvestsinthepope,whenactinginhisofficialcapacity,andinthebishopsasabody,aswhenassembledingeneralcouncil,orwhengivinguniversalconsenttoadecreeofpopeorcouncil.—"DecreesofCouncilofTrent,"Session4.;"DeusTheo.,"N.80,81,84,93,94,95,96."Bellarmine,"Lib.3.,deeccles.,cap.14.,andLib.2.,decouncil.,cap.2.

17.Bywhatargumentsdotheyseektoestablishthisauthority?

1st.ThepromisesofChrist,given,astheyclaim,totheapostles,andtotheirofficialsuccessor,securingtheirinfallibility,andconsequentauthority.—Matthew16:18;18:18–20;Luke24:47–49;John16:13;20:23.

2nd.Thecommissiongiventothechurchastheteacheroftheworld.—Matthew28:19,20;Luke10:16,etc.

3rd.Thechurchisdeclaredtobe"thepillarandgroundofthetruth,"anditisaffirmedthat"thegatesofhellshallneverprevailagainsther."

4th.Tothechurchisgrantedpowertobindandloose,andhethatwillnothearthechurchistobetreatedasaheathen.Matthew16:19;18:15–18.

5th.Thechurchiscommandedtodiscriminatebetweentruthanderror,andmustconsequentlybequalifiedandauthorizedtodoso—2Thessalonians3:6;Romans16:17;2John10.

6th.Fromthenecessityofthecase,menneedandcraveanever–living,visible,andcontemporaneousinfallibleInterpreterandJudge.

7th.Fromuniversalanalogyeverycommunityamongmenhasthelivingjudgeaswellasthewrittenlaw,andtheonewouldbeofnovaluewithouttheother.

8th.Thispowerisnecessarytosecureunityanduniversality,whichallacknowledgetobeessentialattributesofthetruechurch.

18.BywhatargumentsmaythisclaimoftheRomishchurchbeshowntobeutterlybaseless?

1st.Aclaimvestinginmortalmenapowersomomentouscanbeestablishedonlybythemostclearandcertainevidence,andthefailuretoproducesuchconvertstheclaimintoatreasonatonceagainstGodandthehumanrace.

2nd.Herevidencefails,becausethepromisesofChristtopreservehischurchfromextinctionandfromerrordononeofthemgothelengthofpledginginfallibility.Theutmostpromisedis,thatthetruepeopleofGodshallneverperishentirelyfromtheearth,orbelefttoapostatizefromtheessentialsofthefaith.

3rd.Herevidencefails,becausethesepromisesofChristwereaddressednottotheofficersofthechurchassuch,buttothebodyoftruebelievers.CompareJohn20:23withLuke24:33,47,48,49,and1John2:20,27.

4th.Herevidencefails,becausethechurchtowhichthe

preciouspromisesoftheScripturesarepledgedisnotanexternal,visiblesociety,theauthorityofwhichisvestedinthehandsofaperpetuallineofapostles.For—(1.)thewordchurch(ἐκκλησία)isacollectiveterm,embracingtheeffectuallycalled(κλητὸι)orregenerated.—Romans1:7;8:28;1Corinthians1:2;Jude1:;Revelation17:14;alsoRomans9:24;1Corinthians7:18–24;Galatians1:15;2Timothy1:9;Hebrews9:15;1Peter2:9;5:10;Ephesians1:18;2Peter1:10.(2)Theattributesascribedtothechurchproveittoconsistaloneofthetrue,spiritualpeopleofGodassuch.—Ephesians5:27;1Peter2:5;John10:27;Colossians1:18,24.(3)Theepistlesareaddressedtothechurch,andintheirsalutationsexplainthatphraseasequivalentto"thecalled,""thesaints,""alltrueworshippersofGod;"witnessthesalutationsof1stand2ndCorinthians,Ephesians,Colossians,1stand2ndPeterandJude.ThesameattributesareascribedtothemembersofthetruechurchassuchthroughoutthebodyoftheEpistles.—1Corinthians1:30;3:16;6:11,19;Ephesians2:3–8,and19–22;1Thessalonians5:4,5;2Thessalonians2:13;Colossians1:21;2:10;1Peter2:9.

5th.Theinspiredapostleshavehadnosuccessors.(1)ThereisnoevidencethattheyhadsuchintheNewTestament.(2)Whileprovisionwasmadefortheregularperpetuationoftheofficesofpresbyteranddeacon(1Timothy3:1–13),therearenodirectionsgivenfortheperpetuationoftheapostolate.(3)Thereisperfectsilenceconcerningthecontinuedexistenceofanyapostlesinthechurchinthewritingsoftheearlycenturies.Boththenameandthethingceased.(4)Nooneeverclaimingtobeoneoftheirsuccessorshavepossessedthe"signsofanapostle."—2Corinthians12:12;1Corinthians9:1;Galatians1:1,12;Acts1:21,22.

6th.Thisclaim,asitrestsupontheauthorityofthePope,isutterlyunscriptural,becausethePopeisnotknowntoScripture.Asitrestsupontheauthorityofthewholebodyofthebishops,expressedintheirgeneralconsent,itisunscripturalforthereasonsaboveshown,anditis,moreover,impracticable,sincetheiruniversaljudgmentneverhasbeenandnevercanbeimpartiallycollectedandpronounced.

7th.Therecanbenoinfallibilitywherethereisnotself–consistency.ButasamatteroffactthePapalchurchhasnotbeenself–

consistentinherteaching.(1)Shehastaughtdifferentdoctrinesindifferentsectionsandages.(2)SheaffirmstheinfallibilityoftheholyScriptures,andatthesametimeteachesasystemplainlyandradicallyinconsistentwiththeirmanifestsense;witnessthedoctrinesofthepriesthood,themass,penance,ofworks,andofMaryworship.ThereforetheChurchofRomehidestheScripturesfromthepeople.

8th.IfthisRomishsystembetruethengenuinespiritualreligionoughttoflourishinhercommunion,andalltherestoftheworldoughttobeamoraldesert.Thefactsarenotoriouslythereverse.If;therefore,weadmitthattheRomishsystemistrue,wesubvertoneoftheprincipalevidencesofChristianityitself;viz.,theself–evidencinglightandpracticalpoweroftruereligion,andthewitnessoftheHolyGhost.

19.BywhatdirectargumentsmaythedoctrinethattheScripturesarethefinaljudgeofcontroversiesbeestablished?

ThatallChristiansaretostudytheScripturesforthemselves,andthatinallquestionsastoGod’srevealedwilltheappealistotheScripturesalone,isprovedbythefollowingfacts:

1st.Scriptureisperspicuous,seeabove,questions11–13.

2nd.ScriptureisaddressedtoallChristiansassuch,seeabove,question13.

3rd.AllChristiansarecommandedtosearchthescriptures,andbythemtojudgealldoctrinesandallprofessedteachers.—John5:39;Acts17:11;Galatians1:8;2Corinthians4:2;1Thessalonians5:21;1John4:1,2.

4th.ThepromiseoftheHolySpirit,theauthorandinterpreterofScripture,istoallChristiansassuch.CompareJohn20:23withLuke24:47–49;1John2:20,27;Romans8:9;1Corinthians3:16,17.

5th.Religionisessentiallyapersonalmatter.EachChristianmustknowandbelievethetruthexplicitlyforhimself;onthedirectgroundofitsownmoralandspiritualevidence,andnotonthemere

groundofblindauthority.Otherwisefaithcouldnotbeamoralact,norcouldit"purifytheheart."Faithderivesitssanctifyingpowerfromthetruthwhichitimmediatelyapprehendsonitsownexperimentalevidence.—John17:17,19;James1:18;1Peter1:22.

20.WhatistheobjectionwhichtheRomanistsmaketothisdoctrine,onthegroundthatthechurchisouronlyauthorityforbelievingthatthescripturesarethewordofGod?

Theirobjectionis,thataswereceivethescripturesasthewordofGodonlyontheauthoritativetestimonyofthechurch,ourfaithintheScripturesisonlyanotherformofourfaithinthechurch,andtheauthorityofthechurch,beingthefoundationofthatofScripture,mustofcoursebeheldparamount.

Thisisabsurd,fortworeasons—

1st.Theassumedfactisfalse.TheevidenceuponwhichwereceiveScriptureasthewordofGodisnottheauthorityofthechurch,but—(1)Goddidspeakbytheapostlesandprophets,asisevident(a)fromthenatureoftheirdoctrine,(b)fromtheirmiracles,(c)theirprophecies,(d)ourpersonalexperienceandobservationofthepowerofthetruth.(2)Theseverywritingswhichwepossesswerewrittenbytheapostles,etc.,asisevident,(a)frominternalevidence,(b)fromhistoricaltestimonyrenderedbyallcompetentcotemporaneouswitnessesinthechurchoroutofit.

2nd.Evenifthefactassumedwastrue,viz.,thatweknowtheScripturestobefromGod,ontheauthorityofthechurch’stestimonyalone,theconclusiontheyseektodeducefromitwouldbeabsurd.Thewitnesswhoprovestheidentityorprimogenitorofaprincedoesnottherebyacquirearighttogovernthekingdom,oreventointerpretthewilloftheprince.

21.Howistheargumentforthenecessityofavisiblejudge,derivedfromthediversitiesofsectsanddoctrinesamongProtestants,tobeanswered?

1st.WedonotpretendthattheprivatejudgmentofProtestantsisinfallible,butonlythatwhenexercisedinahumble,believingspirit,italwaysleadstoacompetentknowledgeofessentialtruth.

2nd.ThetermProtestantissimplynegative,andisassumedbymanyinfidelswhoprotestasmuchagainsttheScripturesastheydoagainstRome.ButBibleProtestants,amongalltheircircumstantialdifferences,are,toawonderfuldegree,agreedupontheessentialsoffaithandpractice.Witnesstheirhymnsanddevotionalliterature.

3rd.ThediversitythatdoesactuallyexistarisesfromfailureinapplyingfaithfullytheProtestantprinciplesforwhichwecontend.MendonotsimplyandwithoutprejudicetaketheircreedfromtheBible.

4th.TheCatholicchurch,inherlastandmostauthoritativeutterancethroughtheCouncilofTrent,hasprovedherselfamostindefiniteJudge.HerdoctrinaldecisionsneedaninfallibleinterpreterinfinitelymorethantheScriptures.

22.HowmayitbeshownthattheRomanisttheory,aswellastheProtestant,necessarilythrowsuponthepeopletheobligationofprivatejudgment?

IsthereaGod?Hasherevealedhimself?Hasheestablishedachurch?Isthatchurchaninfallibleteacher?Isprivatejudgmentablindleader?Whichofallpretendedchurchesisthetrueone?EveryoneofthesequestionsevidentlymustbesettledinthePrivatejudgmentoftheinquirer,beforehecan,rationallyorirrationally,giveuphisprivatejudgmenttothedirectionoftheself–assertingchurch.ThusofnecessityRomanistsappealtotheScripturestoprovethattheScripturescannotbeunderstood,andaddressargumentstotheprivatejudgmentofmentoprovethatprivatejudgmentisincompetent;thusbasinganargumentuponthatwhichitistheobjectoftheargumenttoproveisbaseless.

23.HowmayitbeprovedthatthepeoplearefarmorecompetenttodiscoverwhattheBibleteachesthantodecide,bythemarksinsisteduponbytheRomanists,whichisthetruechurch?

TheRomanists,ofnecessity,setforthcertainmarksbywhichthetruechurchistobediscriminatedfromallcounterfeits.Theseare(1)Unity(throughsubjectiontoonevisiblehead,thePope);(2)Holiness;(3)Catholicity;(4)Apostolicity,(involvinganuninterruptedsuccessionfromtheapostlesofcanonicallyordainedbishops.)—"Cat.ofCouncilofTrent,"Part1.,Cap.10.Now,thecomprehensionandintelligentapplicationofthesemarksinvolveagreatamountoflearningandintelligentcapacityuponthepartoftheinquirer.HemightaseasilyprovehimselftobedescendedfromNoahbyanunbrokenseriesoflegitimatemarriages,asestablishtherightofRometothelastmark.YethecannotrationallygiveuptherightofstudyingtheBibleforhimselfuntilthatpointismadeclear.

SurelytheScriptures,withtheirself–evidencingspiritualpower,makelessexhaustivedemandsupontheresourcesofprivatejudgment.

ROMANCATHOLICDOCTRINEASTOTHEPRIVATEINTERPRETATIONOFSCRIPTURE,ANDASTOTRADITION,ANDASTOTHEINFALLIBILITYOFTHEPOPE.

1st.ASTOTHEINTERPRETATIONOFSCRIPTURE.—"DecreesofcouncilofTrent,"Sess.4.—"MoreoverthesamesacredandholySynodordainsanddeclares,thatthesaidoldandVulgateedition,which,bythelengthenedusageofsomanyages,hasbeenapprovedofintheChurch,beinpubliclectures,disputations,sermons,andexpositionsheldasauthentic;andthatnooneistodareorpresumetorejectitunderanypretextwhatever."

"Furthermore,inordertorestrainpetulantspirits,itdecreesthatnoone,relyingonhisownskillshallinmattersoffaithandofmoralspertainingtotheedificationofChristiandoctrine,wrestingthesacredScripturetohisownsenses,presumetointerpretthesaidsacredscripturecontrarytothatsensewhichholymotherchurch—whoseitistojudgeofthetruesenseandinterpretationoftheHolyscriptures—hathheldanddothhold,orevencontrarytotheunanimousconsentoftheFathers;eventhoughsuchinterpretationswerenever(intended)tobeatanytimepublished."

"DogmaticDecreesoftheVaticancouncil,"ch.2.—"AndasthethingswhichtheholySynodofTrentdecreedforthegoodofsoulsconcerningtheinterpretationofDivineScripture,inordertocurbrebelliousspirits,havebeenwronglyexplainedbysome,we,renewingthesaiddecree,declarethistobetheirsense,that,inmattersoffaithandmorals,appertainingtothebuildingupofChristiandoctrine,thatistobeheldasthetruesenseofHolyScripturewhichourholymotherChurchhathheldandholds,towhomitbelongstojudgeofthetruesenseoftheHolyScripture;andthereforethatitispermittedtonoonetointerpretthesacredscripturecontrarytothissense,nor,likewisecontrarytotheunanimousconsentoftheFathers."

2nd.ASTOTRADITION.—"Prof.FideiTridentinœ"—(AD.1564)2.and3."Imoststeadfastlyadmitandembraceapostolicandecclesiastictraditions,andallotherobservancesandconstitutionsofthesameChurch.IalsoadmittheHolyscriptures,accordingtothatsensewhichourholymotherChurchhasheldanddoeshold,towhichitbelongstojudgeofthetruesenseandinterpretationoftheScriptures,neitherwillIevertakeandinterpretthemotherwisethanaccording,totheunanimousconsentoftheFathers."

"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.4.—"Andseeingclearlythatthistruthanddisciplinearecontainedinthewrittenbooks,andtheunwrittentraditionswhich,receivedbytheapostlesfromthemouthofChristhimselforfromtheapostlesthemselvestheHolyGhostdictating,havecomedownevenuntoustransmittedasitwerefromhandtohand."

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CHAPTER6:AComparisonofSystems

InthischapterwillbepresentedabriefsketchofthemaincontrastingpositionsofthethreerivalsystemsofPelagianism,Semipelagianism,andAugustinianism,orastheyaredenominatedintheirmorecompletelydevelopedforms,Socinianism,Arminianism,andCalvinism—togetherwithanoutlineofthehistoryoftheirriseanddissemination.

1.What,ingeneral,wasthestateoftheologicalthoughtduringthefirstthreecenturies?

DuringthefirstthreehundredyearswhichelapsedafterthedeathoftheapostleJohnthespeculativemindsofthechurchwereprincipallyengagedindefendingthetruthofChristianityagainstunbelievers—incombatingtheGnosticheresiesgeneratedbytheleavenofOrientalphilosophy—andinsettlingdefinitelythequestionswhichwereevolvedinthecontroversiesconcerningthePersonsoftheTrinity.Itdoesnotappearthatanydefiniteandconsistentstatementsweremadeinthatage,astotheorigin,nature,andconsequencesofhumansin;norastothenatureandeffectsofdivinegrace;norofthenatureoftheredemptiveworkofChrist,orofthemethodofitsapplicationbytheHolySpirit,orofitsappropriationbyfaith.Asageneralfactitmaybestated,that,asaresultofthegreatinfluenceofOrigen,theFathersoftheGreekChurchprettyunanimouslysettleddownuponalooseSemipelagianism,denyingtheguiltoforiginalsin,andmaintainingtheabilityofthesinnertopredisposehimselffor,andtocooperatewithdivinegrace.AndthishascontinuedthecharacteroftheGreekAnthropologytothepresentday.ThesameattributescharacterizedthespeculationsoftheearliestwritersoftheWesternChurchalso,butduringthethirdandfourthcenturiesthereappearedamarkedtendencyamongtheLatinFatherstothosemorecorrectviewsafterwardstriumphantlyvindicatedbythegreatAugustine.ThistendencymaybetracedmostclearlyinthewritingsofTertullianofCarthage,whodiedcircum.220,andHilaryofPoitiers(†368)andAmbroseofMilan(†397).

2.BywhatmeanshastheChurchmadeadvancesinthecleardiscriminationofdivinetruth?Andinwhatages,andamongwhatbranchesoftheChurch,havethegreatdoctrinesoftheTrinityandPersonofChrist,ofsinandgrace,andofredemptionandtheapplicationthereofbeenseverallydefined?

TheChurchhasalwaysadvancedtowardclearerconceptionsandmoreaccuratedefinitionsofdivinetruththroughaprocessofactivecontroversy.AndithaspleasedProvidencethattheseveralgreatdepartmentsofthesystemrevealedintheinspiredScripturesshould

havebeenmostthoroughlydiscussed,andclearlydefinedindifferentages,andinthebosomofdifferentnations.

ThustheprofoundquestionsinvolvedinthedepartmentsofTheologyproperandofChristologywereinvestigatedbymenchieflyofGreekorigin,andtheywereauthoritativelydefinedinSynodsheldintheEasternhalfoftheGeneralChurchduringthefourthandimmediatelyfollowingcenturies.AsconcernsTHEOLOGYtheconsubstantialdivinityofChristwasdefinedintheCouncilofNice,325,andthePersonalityanddivinityoftheHolyGhostinthefirstCouncilofConstantinople,381;theFilioqueclausebeingaddedbytheLatinsattheCouncilofToledo,589.AsconcernsChristology.TheCouncilofEphesus,431,assertedthepersonalunityoftheTheanthropos.

TheCouncilofChalcedon,451,assertedthatthetwonaturesremaindistinct.ThesixthCouncilofConstantinople,680,assertedthattheLordpossessedahumanaswellasadivinewill.ThesedecisionshavebeenacceptedbythewholeChurch,GreekandRoman,LutheranandReformed.

ThequestionsconcerningsinandgraceembracedunderthegeneralheadofanthropologywereinthefirstinstancemostthoroughlyinvestigatedbymenofLatinorigin,anddefiniteconclusionswerefirstreachedinthecontroversyofAugustinewithPelagiusinthefirsthalfoftheFifthcentury.

Questionsconcerningredemption,andthemethodofitsapplication,embracedunderthegranddivisionofsoteriology,wereneverthoroughlyinvestigateduntilthetimeoftheReformationandsubsequentlybythegreattheologiansofGermanyandSwitzerland.

ManyquestionsfallingunderthegranddivisionofEcclesiologyevenyetawaittheircompletesolutioninthefuture.

3.Whatarethethreegreatsystemsoftheologywhichhavealwayscontinuedtoprevailinthechurch?

SincetherevelationgivenintheScripturesembracesacomplete

systemoftruth,everysingledepartmentmustsustainmanyobviousrelations,logicalandotherwise,toeveryotherastheseveralpartsofonewhole.Theimperfectdevelopment,andthedefectiveorexaggeratedconceptionofanyonedoctrine,mustinevitablyleadtoconfusionanderrorthroughouttheentiresystem.Forexample,Pelagianviewsastoman’sestatebynaturealwaystendtocoalescewithSocinianviewsastothePersonandworkofChrist.AndSemipelagianviewsastosinandgracearealsoirresistiblyattractedby,andinturnattractArmenianviewsastothedivineattributes,thenatureoftheAtonement,andtheworkoftheSpirit.

Thereare,infact,aswemighthaveanticipated,buttwocompleteself–consistentsystemsofChristiantheologypossible.

1st.Ontherighthand,AugustinianismcompletedinCalvinism.2nd.Onthelefthand,PelagianismcompletedinSocinianism.And3rd.ArminianismcomesbetweentheseasthesystemofcompromisesandisdevelopedSemipelagianism.

InthecommonusageoftermsSocinianismisprincipallyappliedasthedesignationofthoseelementsofthefalsesystemwhichrelatetotheTrinityofthePersonofChrist;thetermsPelagianismandSemipelagianismareappliedtothemoreextremeorthemoremoderatedeparturesfromthetruthundertheheadofAnthropology;andthetermArminianismisusedtodesignatethelessextremeerrorsconcernedwiththeDepartmentofsoteriology.

4.When,where,andbywhomwerethefundamentalprinciplesofthetwogreatantagonisticschoolsoftheologyfirstclearlydiscriminated?

ThecontrastedpositionsoftheAugustinianandPelagiansystemswerefirsttaughtoutanddefinedthroughthecontroversiesmaintainedbytheeminentmenwhosenametheybear,duringthefirstthirdofthefifthcentury.

AugustinewasbishopofHippoinNorthernAfricafromAD.395toAD.430.Pelagius,whosefamilynamewasMorgan,wasaBritish

monk.HewasassistedinhiscontroversiesbyhisdisciplesCoelestiusandJulianofEclanuminItaly.

ThepositionsmaintainedbyPelagiusweregenerallycondemnedbytherepresentativesofthewholeChurch,andhaveeversincebeenheldbyalldenominations,exceptprofessedSocinians,tobefatalheresy.TheywerecondemnedbythetwocouncilsheldatCarthageAD.407andAD.416,bythe

CouncilheldatMilevuminNumidiaAD.416;bythepopesInnocentandZosimus,andbytheEcumenicalCouncilheldatEphesusAD.431.ThisspeedyanduniversalrepudiationofPelagianismprovesthatwhiletheviewsoftheearlyFathersuponthisclassofquestionswereveryimperfect,neverthelessthesystemtaughtbyAugustinemusthavebeeninallessentialsthesamewiththefaithoftheChurchasawholefromthebeginning.

5.StateincontrastthemaindistinguishingpositionsoftheAugustinianandPelagiansystems.

"1st.AstoORIGINALSIN."1

"Augustinianism.BythesinofAdam,inwhomallmentogethersinned,sinandalltheotherpositivepunishmentsofAdam’ssincameintotheworld.Byithumannaturehasbeenbothphysicallyandmorallycorrupted.Everymanbringsintotheworldwithhimanaturealreadysocorrupt,thatitcandonothingbutsin.Thepropagationofthisqualityofhisnatureisbyconcupiscence.

Pelagianism.Byhistransgression,Adaminjuredonlyhimself,nothisposterity.Inrespecttohismoralnature,everymanisborninpreciselythesameconditioninwhichAdamwascreated.Thereisthereforenooriginalsin."

"2nd.AstoFREEWILL."

"Augustinianism.ByAdam’stransgressiontheFreedomofthehumanWillhasbeenentirelylost.Inhispresentcorruptstateman

canwillanddoonlyevil.

Pelagianism.Man’swillisfree.Everymanhasthepowertowillandtodogoodaswellastheopposite.Henceitdependsuponhimselfwhetherhebegoodorevil."

"3rd.AstoGRACE."

"Augustinianism.Ifneverthelessmaninhispresentstate,willsanddoesgood,itismerelytheworkofgrace.Itisaninward,secret,andwonderfuloperationofGoduponman.Itsaprecedingaswellasanaccompanyingwork.Byprecedinggrace,manattainsfaith,bywhichhecomestoaninsightofgood,andbywhichpowerisgivenhimtowillthegood.Heneedscooperatinggracefortheperformanceofeveryindividualgoodact.Asmancandonothingwithoutgrace,sohecandonothingagainstit.Itisirresistible.Andasmanbynaturehasnomeritatall,norespectatallcanbehadtoman’smoraldisposition,inimpartinggrace,butGodactsaccordingtohisownfreewill.

Pelagianism.Althoughbyfreewill,whichisagiftofGod,manhasthecapacityofwillinganddoinggoodwithoutGod’sspecialaid,yetfortheeasierperformanceofit,Godrevealedthelaw;fortheeasierperformance,theinstructionandexampleofChristaidhim;andfortheeasierperformance,eventhesupernaturaloperationsofgraceareimpartedtohim.Grace,inthemostlimitedsense(graciousinfluence)isgiventothoseonlywhodeserveitbythefaithfulemploymentoftheirownpowers.Butmancanresistit.

"4th.AstoPREDESTINATIONANDREDEMPTION."

"Augustinianism.Frometernity,Godmadeafreeandunconditionaldecreetosaveafew2fromthemassthatwascorruptedandsubjectedtodamnation.Tothosewhomhepredestinatedtothissalvation,hegivestherequisitemeansforthepurpose.Butontherest,whodonotbelongtothissmallnumberoftheelect,themeritedruinfalls.Christcameintotheworldanddiedfortheelectonly.

Pelagianism.God’sdecreeofelectionandreprobationis

foundedonprescience.ThoseofwhomGodforesawthattheywouldkeephiscommands,hepredestinatedtosalvation;theotherstodamnation.Christ’sredemptionisgeneral.Butthoseonlyneedhisatoningdeathwhohaveactuallysinned.All,however,byhisinstructionandexample,maybeledtohigherperfectionandvirtue."

6.WhatwastheoriginoftheMiddleorSemipelagiansystem?

Inthemeantime,whilethePelagiancontroversywasatitsheight,JohnCassian,ofSyrianextractionandeducatedintheEasternChurch,havingremovedtoMarseilles,inFrance,forthepurposeofadvancingtheinterestsofmonkeryinthatregion,begantogivepublicitytoaschemeofdoctrineoccupyingamiddlepositionbetweenthesystemsofAugustineandPelagius.Thissystem,whoseadvocateswerecalledMassiliansfromtheresidenceoftheirchief,andafterwardSemipelagiansbytheSchoolmen,isinitsessentialprinciplesonewiththatsystemwhichisnowdenominatedArminianism,astatementofwhichwillbegiveninasubsequentpartofthischapter.Faustus,bishopofRiez,inFrance,fromAD.427toAD.480,wasoneofthemostdistinguishedandsuccessfuladvocatesofthisdoctrine,whichwaspermanentlyacceptedbytheEasternChurch,andforatimewaswidelydisseminatedthroughouttheWesternalso,untilitwascondemnedbythesynodsofOrangeandValence,AD.529.

7.WhatistherelationofAugustinianismtoCalvinismandofSemipelagianismto

Arminianism?

AfterthistimeAugustinianismbecametherecognizedorthodoxyoftheWesternChurch,andthenameofnootheruninspiredmanexertssuchuniversalinfluenceamongPapistsandProtestantsalike.Ifanyhumannameoughttobeusedtodesignateasystemofdivinelyrevealedtruth,thephraseAugustinianismasopposedtoPelagianismproperlydesignatesallthoseelementsoffaithwhichthewholeworldofEvangelicalChristiansholdincommon.OntheotherhandAugustinianismasopposedtoSemipelagianismproperlydesignatesthat

systemcommonlycalledCalvinism—whileCassianismwouldbetheproperhistoricaldesignationofthatMiddleorSemipelagianSchemenowcommonlystyledArminianism.

8.HowwerepartiesdividedwithrespecttothesegreatsystemsamongtheSchoolmen,andhowaretheyinthemodernpapalChurch?

Afterthelapseofthedarkages,duringwhichallactivespeculationslumbered,thegreatThomasAquinas,anItalianbybirth,AD.1224,andamonkoftheorderofSt.Dominic,DoctorAngelicus,advocatedwithconsummateabilitytheAugustiniansystemoftheologyinthatcumbrousandartificialmannerwhichcharacterizedtheSchoolmen.JohnDunsScotus,anativeofBritain,AD.1265,amonkoftheorderofSt.Francis,DoctorSubtilis,wasinthatagetheablestadvocateofthesystemthenstyledSemipelagian.Thecontroversiesthenrevivedwereperpetuatedformanyages,theDominicansandtheThomistsingeneraladvocatingunconditionalelectionandefficaciousgrace,andtheFranciscansandtheScotistsingeneraladvocatingconditionalelectionandtheinalienablepowerofthehumanwilltocooperatewithortoresistdivinegrace.ThesamedisputesundervariouspartynamescontinuetoagitatetheRomishChurchsincetheReformation,althoughthegeniusofherritualisticsystem,andthepredominanceoftheJesuitsinhercouncils,havesecuredwithinherboundsthealmostuniversalprevalenceofSemipelagianism.

ThegeneralCouncil,commencedatTrent,AD.1546,attemptedtoformanon–committalCreedthatwouldsatisfytheadherentsofbothsystems.AccordinglytheDominicansandFranciscanshavebothclaimedthattheirrespectiveviewsweresanctionedbythatSynod.ThetruthisthatwhilethegeneralandindefinitestatementsofdoctrinetobefoundamongitscanonsareoftenAugustinianinform,themoredetailedandaccurateexplanationswhichfollowtheseareuniformlySemipelagian.—PrincipalCunningham’s"HistoricalTheology"vol.1,pp.483–495.

TheorderoftheJesuits,foundedbyIgnatiusLoyola,AD.1541,hasalwaysbeenidentifiedwithSemipelagianTheology.LewisMolina,aSpanishJesuit,AD.1588,theinventorofthedistinctiondenotedbythe

term"ScientiaMedia,"attainedtosuchdistinctionasitsadvocate,thatitsadherentsinthePapalChurchhavebeenforagesstyledMolinists.In1638Jansenius,BishopofYpresintheNetherlandsdiedleavingbehindhimhisgreatwork,Augustinus,whereinheclearlyunfoldedandestablishedbycopiousextractsthetruetheologicalsystemofAugustine.Thisbookoccasionedverywidespreadcontentions,wasferociouslyopposedbytheJesuits,andcondemnedbytheBullsofpopesInnocentX.andAlexanderVII.,AD.1653and1656—whichlastwerefollowedin1713bythemorecelebratedBull"imigenitus"ofClementXI.,condemningtheNewTestamentCommentaryofQuesnel.TheAugustiniansinthatChurchweresubsequentlycalledJansenists,andhadtheirprincipalseatinHollandandBelgiumandatPortRoyalnearParis.Theyhavenumberedamongthemsomeveryillustriousnames,asTillemont,Arnauld,NicolePascal,andQuesnel.ThesecontroversiesbetweentheDominicansandMolinists,theJansenistsandJesuits,havecontinuedeventoourowntime,althoughatpresentSemipelagianismshareswithJesuitisminitsalmostunlimitedswayinthePapalChurch,whichhasdefinitelytriumphedintheVaticancouncil,1870.

9.WhatisthepositionoftheLutheranchurchwithrelationtothesegreatsystems?

Luther,amonkoftheorderofAugustine,andanearnestdiscipleofthatfather,taughtasystemoffaithagreeinginspiritandinallessentialpointswiththatafterwardsmoresystematicallydevelopedbyCalvin.TheonlyimportantpointinwhichhedifferedfromthecommonconsensusoftheCalvinisticChurchesrelatedtotheliteralphysicalpresenceoftheentirepersonofChristin,with,andundertheelementsintheEucharist.WiththeseopinionsofLutherMelanchthonappearstohaveagreedatthetimehepublishedthefirsteditionofhis"LociCommunes."Hisopinions,however,astothefreedomofmanandthesovereigntyofdivinegraceweresubsequentlygraduallymodified.

AfterthedeathofLuther,attheLeipsicConferencein1548,heexplicitlydeclaredhisagreementwiththeSynergists,whomaintainthatintheregeneratingactthehumanwillcooperateswithdivinegrace.Melanchthon,ontheotherhand,heldaviewoftherelationofthesigntothegracesignifiedtherebyintheSacraments,muchmorenearly

conformingtoopinionsofthedisciplesofingliandCalvinthangenerallyprevailedinhisownChurch.HispositiononboththesepointsgavegreatoffensetotheOldLutherans,andoccasionedprotractedandbittercontroversies.finally,theOldorStrictLutheranpartyprevailedovertheirantagonists,andtheirviewsreceivedacompletescientificstatementinthe"FormulaConcordiae"published1580.AlthoughthisremarkabledocumentneverattainedapositionbythesideoftheAugsburgConfessionandApologyastheuniversallyrecognizedConfessionoftheLutheranChurches,itmayjustlybetakenasthebestavailablewitnessastowhatstrictlyLutherantheologywhendevelopedintoacompletesystemreallyis.

TheCharacteristicsofLutherantheologyascontrastedwiththatoftheReformedChurchesmaybebrieflystatedunderthefollowingheads:

1st.AstoTHEOLOGYproperandCHRISTOLOGYtheonlypointsinwhichitdiffersfrom

Calvinismarethefollowing:

(1)Astothedivineattributesofsovereignforeordination,theyholdthatasfarasitisconcernedwiththeactionsofmoralagentsitislimitedtothoseactionswhichseemorallygood,whileitsustainsnodeterminingrelationtothosewhicharebad.Godforeknowsalleventsofwhateverkind;heforeordainsalltheactionsofnecessaryagents,andthegoodactionsoffreeagents—butnothingelse.

(2)AstoChristology,theyholdthatinvirtueofthehypostaticalunionthehumanelementofChrist’spersonpartakeswiththedivineinatleastsomeofitspeculiarattributes.Thushishumansoulsharesintheomniscienceandomnipotenceofhisdivinity,andhisbodyinitsomnipresence,andtogethertheyhavethepowerofgivinglifetothetrulybelievingrecipientofthesacrament.

2nd.AstoANTHROPOLOGY,theyholdviewsidenticalwiththoseheldbythestaunchestadvocatesoftheReformedtheology—forinstancetheantecedentandimmediateimputationofAdam’spublicsin;

thetotalmoraldepravityofallhisdescendantsfrombirthandbynature,andtheirabsoluteinabilitytodoarightintheirownstrengthanythingwhichpertainstotheirrelationtoGod.

3rd.AstotheGreatcentralelementsofSOTERIOLOGY,theyagreewiththeReformedwithgreatexactnessastothenatureandnecessityoftheexpiatoryworkofChrist;astoforensicjustificationthroughtheimputationtothebelieverofboththeactiveandpassiveobedienceofChrist;astothenatureandofficeofjustifyingfaith;astothesoleagencyofdivinegraceintheregenerationofthesinner,withwhich,inthefirstinstance,thedeadsoulisunabletocooperate;astoGod’seternalandsovereignelectionofbelieversinChrist,notbecauseofanythingforeseeninthem,butbecauseofhisowngraciouswill—andconsequentlyastothefactthatthesalvationofeverysoulreallysavedistobeattributedpurelyandsolelytothegraceofGod,andnotinanydegreetothecooperatingwillormeritofthemanhimself.

Atthesametimetheyteach,withobviouslogicalinconsistency,thatthegraceofthegospelisindivineintentionabsolutelyuniversal.Christdiedequallyandinthesamesenseforallmen.Hegivesgracealiketoallmen.Thosewhoarelostarelostbecausetheyresistthegrace.Thosewhoaresavedowetheirsalvationsimplytothegracetheyhaveincommonwiththelost—totheverysamegrace—nottoagreaterdegreeofgracenortoalessdegreeofsin—nottotheirownimprovementofgrace,butsimplytothegraceitself.AccordingtothemGodsovereignlyelectsallthosewhoaresaved,buthedoesnotsovereignlypassoverthosewhoarelost.Hegivesthesamegracetoallmen,andthedifferenceisdeterminedpersistentresistanceofthosewhoarelost.

ThegranddistinctionofLutheranismhoweverrelatestotheirdoctrineoftheEUCHARIST.TheyholdtotherealphysicalpresenceoftheLordintheEucharist,in,with,andundertheelements,andthatthegracesignifiedandconveyedbythesacramentsisnecessarytosalvation,andconveyedordinarilybynoothermeans.HencethetheologyandchurchlifeofthestrictLutheranscenterinthesacraments.TheydifferfromthehighsacramentalpartyintheEpiscopalchurchchieflyinthefactthattheyignorethedogmaofapostolicsuccession,andthetraditionsoftheearlychurch.

10.IntowhattwogreatpartieshastheProtestantworldalwaysbeendivided?

ThewholeProtestantworldfromthetimeoftheReformationhasbeendividedintotwogreatfamiliesofchurchesclassifiedseverallyasLUTHERAN,orthosewhosecharacterwasderivedfromLutherandMelanchthon;andasreformedorthosewhohavereceivedthecharacteristicimpressofCalvin.TheLUTHERANfamilyofchurchescomprisesallofthoseProtestantsofGermany,ofHungary,andtheBalticprovincesofRussia,whoadheretotheAugsburgconfession,togetherwiththenationalchurchesofDenmarkandofNorwayandSweden,andthelargedenominationofthenameinAmerica.Theseareestimatedasamountingtoapopulationofabouttwenty–fivemillionpureLutherans,whiletheEvangelicalChurchofPrussia,whichwasformedofapoliticalunionoftheadherentsofthetwoconfessions,embracesprobablyeleven–and–a–halfmillion.TheirSymbolicalBooksaretheAugsburgConfessionandApology,theArticlesofSmalcald,Luther’sLargerandSmallerCatechism,and,asreceivedbytheStricterparty,theFormulaConcordiæ.

TheCALVINISTICorREFORMEDchurchesembrace,inthestrictusageoftheterm,allthoseProtestantChurcheswhichderivetheirTheologyfromGeneva;andamongthese,becauseofobviousqualifyingconditions,theEpiscopalChurchesofEngland,Ireland,andAmericaformasubdivisionbythemselves;andtheWesleyanMethodists,whoareusuallyclassedamongtheReformedbecausetheywerehistoricallydevelopedfromthatstock,areevenyetmoredistinctlythantheparentchurchofEnglandremovedfromthenormaltypeofthegeneralclass.Inageneralsense,however,thisclasscomprisesallthosechurchesofGermanywhichsubscribetotheHeidelburgCatechism,thechurchesofSwitzerland,France,Holland,England,andScotland,theIndependentsandBaptistsofEnglandandAmerica,andthevariousbranchesofthePresbyterianChurchinEngland,Ireland,andAmerica.

TheseembraceabouteightmillionGermanReformedintheReformedchurchofHungary;twelvemillionandahalfEpiscopalians;Presbyterianssixmillion;Methodists,threemillionandahalf;Baptists,

fourmillionandahalf;andindependents’onemillionandahalf;––inallaboutthirty-eightmillions.

TheprincipalconfessionsoftheReformedChurcharetheGallic,Belgic,2ndHelvetic,andScotchConfessions;theHeidelburgCatechism;theThirty–nineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland;theCanonsoftheSynodofDort,andtheConfessionandCatechisms[larger-shorter]oftheWestminsterAssembly.

11.StatetheOriginoftheUnitarianHeresy.

IntheearlychurchtheEbionites,aJewish–GnosticChristiansect,weretheonlyrepresentativesofthoseinmoderntimescalledSocinians.ApartyamongthemwerecalledElkesaites.Theirideas,withspecialmodifications,arefoundexpressedintheClementine"Homilies,"writtenaboutAD.150inOrientalSyria.ThemostdistinguishedhumanitariansintheearlychurchwerethetwoTheodotusesofRome,bothlaymen,Artemon(†180)andPaulofSamosata,bishopofAntioch(260–270),deposedbyaCouncilheld269.MostoftheseadmittedthesupernaturalbirthofChrist,butmaintainedthathewasamereman,honoredbyaspecialdivineinfluence.TheyadmittedanapotheosisorrelativedeificationofChristconsequentuponhisearthlyachievements.(Dr.E.DePressensé,"EarlyYearsofChristianity"Part3,bk.1,chs.3and5).

Cerinthus,wholivedduringthelastofthefirstandthefirstofthesecondcentury,heldthatJesuswasameremanbornofMaryandJoseph,thattheChristorLogoscamedownuponhimintheshapeofadoveathisbaptismwhenhewasraisedtothedignityofthesonofGod,andwroughtmiracles,etc.TheLogosleftthemanJesustosufferaloneathiscrucifixion.Theresurrectionalsowasdenied.

TheyweresucceededbytheAriansinthefourthcentury.DuringtheMiddleAgesthereremainednopartywithinthechurchthatopenlydeniedthesupremedivinityofourLord.InmoderntimesUnitarianismrevivedattheperiodtheReformationthroughtheagencyofLaeliusSocinusofItaly.ItwascarriedbyhimintoSwitzerlandandexistedthereasadoctrineprofessedbyafewconspicuoushereticsfrom1525to1560.

ThemostprominentofitsprofessorsweretheSocini,Servetus,andOchino.ItexistedasanorganizedchurchatRacowinPoland,wheretheexiledhereticsfoundarefugefrom1539to1658,whentheSociniansweredrivenoutofPolandbytheJesuits,andpassingintoHollandbecameabsorbedintheRemonstrantorArmenianChurches.In1609SchmetzdrewupfrommaterialsaffordedbytheteachingofFaustusSocinus,thenephewofLaelius,andofJ.Crellius,theRacovianCatechism,whichisthestandardofSocinianism(seeRee’stranslation,1818.)AftertheirdispersionAndrewWissowatiusandotherscollectedthemostimportantwritingsoftheirleadingtheologiansunderthetitle"BibliothecaFratrumPolonorum."Socinianismwasdevelopedbythesewriterswithconsummateability,andcrystallizedintoitsmostperfectform,asalogicalsystem.ItispurelyUnitarianinitstheology—HumanitarianinitsChristology,PelagianinitsAnthropology—anditsSoteriologywasdevelopedinperfectlogicalandethicalconsistencywiththoseelements.Astatementofitscharacteristicpositionswillbefoundbelow.

ItreappearedagainasadoctrineheldbyafewisolatedmeninEnglandintheseventeenthcentury.DuringtheeighteenthcenturyanumberofdegeneratePresbyterian(churchesinEnglandlapsedintoSocinianism,andtowardstheendofthesamecenturyalargernumberofCongregationalChurchesinEasternMassachusettsfollowedtheirexampleandthesetogetherconstitutethefoundationofthemodernUnitarianDenomination."ItslastformisamodificationoftheoldSocinianismformedunderthepressureofevangelicalreligionontheonehand,andofrationalisticcriticismontheother.Priestley,Channing,andJ.MartineauaretheexamplesofthesuccessivephasesofModernUnitarianism.Priestley,oftheoldSocinian–buildingitselfuponasensationalphilosophy;Channing,ofanattempttogainalargedevelopmentofthespiritualelement;Martineau,oftheelevationofviewinducedbythephilosophyofCousin,andtheintroductionoftheideaofhistoricalprogressinreligiousideas."–"Farrar’sCrit.Hist.ofFreeThought,"BamptonLecture,1862.

12.AtwhatdateandunderwhatcircumstancesdidmodernArminianismarise?

JamesArminius,professoroftheologyintheuniversityofLeydenfrom1602untilhisdeathin1609,althoughaministeroftheCalvinisticChurchofHolland,atfirstsecretly,andafterwardsmoreopenly,advocatedthatschemeoftheologicalopinionwhichhaseversubsequentlybeendesignatedbyhisname.Theseviewswererapidlydiffused,andatthesametimestronglyopposedbytheprincipalmeninthechurch.Hisdisciples,consequently,aboutayearafterhisdeathformedthemselvesintoanorganizedparty.andinthatcapacitypresentedaRemonstrancetotheStatesofHollandandWestFriesland,prayingtobeallowedtoholdtheirplacesinthechurchwithoutbeingsubjectedbytheecclesiasticalcourtstovexatiousexaminationsastotheirorthodoxy.FromthefactthattheutteranceofthisRemonstrancewastheirfirstcombinedactasaparty,theywereafterwardsknowninhistoryasRemonstrants.

SoonafterthistheRemonstrants,forthesakeofdefiningtheirposition,presentedtotheauthoritiesfiveArticlesexpressingtheirbeliefonthesubjectofPredestinationandGrace.Thisistheoriginofthefamous"fivePoints"inthecontroversybetweenCalvinismandArminianism.Verysoonhoweverthecontroversytookamuchwiderrange,andtheArmenianswereforcedbylogicalconsistencytoteachradicallyerroneousviewswithrespecttothenatureof;sin,originalsin,imputation,thenatureoftheAtonement,andJustificationbyfaith.someoftheirlaterwriterscarriedtherationalisticspiritinherentintheirsystemtoitslegitimateresultsinahardlyqualifiedPlagiarism,andsomewereevensuspectedofSocinianism.

Asallothermeanshadfailedtosilencetheinnovators,theStatesGeneralcalledtogetheraGeneralSynodatDortinHolland,whichhelditssessionsintheyear1618–1619.Itconsistedofpastors,elders,andtheologicalprofessorsfromthechurchesofHolland,anddeputiesfromthechurchesofEnglandScotland,Hesse,Bremen,thePalatinateandSwitzerland:thepromisedattendanceofdelegatesfromtheFrenchchurchesbeingpreventedbyaninterdictoftheirking.TheforeigndelegatespresentwerenineteenPresbyteriansfromReformedchurchesontheContinent,andonefromScotland,andfourEpiscopaliansfromthechurchofEnglandheadedbythebishopofLlandaff.

ThisSynodunanimouslycondemnedthedoctrinesoftheArmenians,andintheirArticlesconfirmedthecommonCalvinisticfaithoftheReformedchurches.ThemostdistinguishedRemonstrantTheologianswhosucceededArminiuswereEpiscopius,Curcellaeus,Limborch,LeClerc,Wetstein,andtheillustriousjurisconsultGrotius.

ThedenominationofMethodistsinGreatBritainandAmericaistheonlylargeProtestantbodyintheworlditanavowedlyArmenianCreed.TheirArminianism,howeveraspresentedbytheirstandardwriter,RichardWatson,anincomparablymorecompetenttheologianthanWesley,isfarlessremovedfromtheCalvinismoftheWestminsterAssemblythanthesystemofthelaterRemonstrants,andshouldalwaysbedesignatedbythequalifiedphrase"EvangelicalArminianism."InthehandsofWatsontheAnthropologyandSoteriologyofArminianismareinageneralsensenearlyassimilatedtothecorrespondingprovincesofLutheranism,andoftheCalvinismofBaxter,andoftheFrenchSchooloftheseventeenthcentury.

13.GiveanoutlineofthemainpositionsoftheSocinianSystem.

THEOLOGYANDCHRISTOLOGY.

1st.DivineUnity.

(a)ThisunityinconsistentwithanypersonaldistinctionsintheGodhead.

(b)Christisamereman.

(c)TheHolyGhostisanimpersonaldivineinfluence.

2nd.DivineAttributes.

(a)ThereisnoprincipleofvindicatoryjusticeinGod.Nothingtopreventhisacceptanceofsinnersonthesimplegroundofrepentance.

(b)Futurecontingenteventsareessentiallyunknowable.TheforeknowledgeofGoddoesnotextendtosuchevents.

ANTHROPOLOGY.

(a)Manwascreatedwithoutpositivemoralcharacter.The"imageofGod,"inwhichmanwassaidtobecreateddidnotincludeholiness.

(b)Adamineatingtheforbiddenfruitcommittedactualsin,andtherebyincurredthedivinedispleasure,butheretainedneverthelessthesamemoralnatureandtendencieswithwhichhewascreated,andhetransmittedtheseintacttohisposterity.

(c)TheguiltofAdam’ssinisnotimputed.

(d)Manisnowasablebynaturetodischargeallhisobligationsasheeverwas.Thecircumstancesunderwhichman’scharacterisnowformedaremoreunfavorablethaninAdam’scase,andthereforemanisweak.ButGodisinfinitelymerciful;andobligationisgradedbyability.Manwascreatednaturallymortalandwouldhavediedhadhesinnedornot.

SOTERIOLOGY.

ThegreatobjectofChrist’smissionwastoteachandtogiveassurancewithrespecttothosetruthsconcerningwhichtheconclusionsofmerehumanreasonareproblematical.Thishedoesbothbydoctrineandexample.

1st.Christdidnotexecutetheofficeofpriestuponearth;butonlyinheaven,andthereinaveryindefinitesense.

2nd.ThemainofficeofChristwasprophetical.Hetaughtanewlaw.Gaveanexampleofaholylife.TaughtthepersonalityofGod.Andillustratedthedoctrineofafuturelifebyhisownresurrection.

3rd.Hisdeathwasnecessaryonlyasaconditionunavoidablyprerequisitetohisresurrection.Itwasalsodesignedtomakeamoralimpressionuponsinners,disposingthemtorepentanceonaccountofsin,andassuringthemoftheclemencyofGod.Nopropitiationofdivinejusticewasnecessary,norwoulditbepossiblebymeansofvicarious

suffering.

ESCHATOLOGY.

1st.Intheintermediateperiodbetweendeathandtheresurrectionthesoulremainsunconscious.

2nd."Foritisevidentfromtheauthoritiescited,thatthey(theolderSocinians),equallywithothers’constantlymaintainthattherewillbearesurrectionbothofthejustandoftheunjust,andthatthelattershallbeconsignedtoeverlastingpunishment,buttheformeradmittedtoeverlastinglife."–B.Wissowatius.

"ThedoctrineofthepropereternityofhelltormentsisrejectedbymostUnitariansofthepresentday(1818)asintheiropinionwhollyirreconcilablewiththedivinegoodness,andunwarrantedbytheScriptures.Inreferencetothefuturefateofthewicked,someholdthataftertheresurrectiontheywillbeannihilatedorconsignedto‘everlastingdestruction’intheliteralsenseofthewords:butmosthavereceivedthedoctrineofuniversalrestoration,whichmaintainsthatallmen,howeverdepravedtheircharactersmayhavebeeninthislife,will,byacorrectivediscipline,suitedinthemeasureofitsseveritytothenatureofeachparticularcase,bebroughtultimatelytogoodnessandconsequentlytohappiness."––Rees’s"RacovianCatechism,"pp.367,368.ECCLESIOLOGY.

1st.Thechurchissimplyavoluntarysociety.Itsobjectmutualimprovement.Itscommonbondsimilarityofsentimentsandpursuits.Itsruleishumanreason.

2nd.TheSacramentsaresimplycommemorativeandteachingordinances.

14.GiveanoutlineofthemainfeaturesoftheArminianSystem.

DIVINEATTRIBUTES.

1st.Theyadmitthatvindicatoryjusticeisadivineattribute,but

holdthatitisrelaxable,ratheroptionalthanessential,ratherbelongingtoadministrativepolicythantonecessaryprinciple.

2nd.TheyadmitthatGodforeknowsalleventswithoutexception.TheyinventedthedistinctionexpressedbythetermScientiaMediatoexplainGod’scertainforeknowledgeoffutureevents,thefuturitionofwhichremainundeterminedbyhiswilloranyotherantecedentcause.

3rd.TheydenythatGod’sforeordinationextendstothevolitionsoftreeagentsandholdthattheeternalelectionofmentosalvationisnotabsolute,butconditioneduponforeseenfaithandobedience.

ANTHROPOLOGY.

1st.Moralcharactercannotbecreatedbutisdeterminedonlybypreviousself–decision.

2nd.Bothlibertyandresponsibilitynecessarilyinvolvepossessionofpowertothecontrary.

3rd.TheyusuallydenytheimputationoftheguiltofAdam’sfirstsin.

4th.ThestrictArmeniansdenytotaldepravity,andadmitonlythemoralenfeeblementofnature.ArminiusandWesleyweremoreorthodoxbutlessself–consistent.

5th.Theydenythatmanhasabilitytooriginateholyactionortocarryitoninhisownunassistedstrength––butaffirmthateverymanhaspowertoco–operatewith,ortoresist"commongrace"Thatwhichalonedistinguishesthesaintfromthesinnerishisownuseorabuseofgrace.

6th.TheyregardgraciousinfluenceasrathermoralandsuasorythanasadirectandeffectualexertionofthenewcreativeenergyofGod.

7th.Theymaintaintheliabilityofthesaintateverystageofhisearthlycareertofallfromgrace.

SOTERIOLOGY.

1st.TheyadmitthatChristmadeavicariousofferingofhimselfinplaceofsinfulmen,andyetdenythathesufferedeithertheliteralpenaltyofthelaw,orafullequivalentforit,andmaintainthathissufferingsweregraciouslyacceptedasasubstituteforthepenalty.

2nd.Theyholdthatnotonlywithrespecttoitssufficiencyandadaptation,butalsointheintentionoftheFatheringivingtheSon,andoftheSonindying,Christdiedinthesamesenseforallmenalike.

3rd.ThattheacceptanceofChrist’ssatisfactionintheplaceoftheinflictionofthepenaltyonsinnersinpersoninvolvesarelaxationofthedivinelaw.

4th.ThatChrist’ssatisfactionenablesGodinconsistencywithhischaracter,andtheinterestsofhisgeneralgovernment,tooffersalvationoneasierterms.Thegospelhenceisanewlaw,demandingfaithandevangelicalobedienceinsteadoftheoriginaldemandofperfectobedience.

5th.HenceChrist’sworkdoesnotactuallysaveany,butmakesthesalvationofallmenpossible—–removeslegalobstaclesoutoftheway,doesnotsecurefaithbutmakessalvationavailableontheconditionoffaith.

6th.sufficientinfluencesoftheHolySpirit,andsufficientopportunitiesandmeansofgracearegrantedtoallmen.

7th.Itispossibleforandobligatoryuponallmeninthislifetoattaintoevangelicalperfection–whichisexplainedasabeingperfectlysincere–abeinganimatedbyperfectlove—anddoingallthatisrequiredofusunderthegospeldispensation.

8th.Withrespecttotheheathensomehaveheldthatinsomewayorotherthegospelisvirtually,ifnotinform,preachedtoallmen.

Othershaveheldthatinthefutureworldtherearethreeconditionscorrespondingtothethreegreatclassesofmenastheystandrelatedtothegospelinthisworld–theStatusCredentium;theStatusIncredulorum;theStatusignorantium.

15.GiveabriefoutlineofthemainfeaturesoftheCalvinisticSystem.

THEOLOGY.

1st.Godisanabsolutesovereign,infinitelywise,righteous,benevolent,andpowerful,determiningfrometernitythecertainfuturitionofalleventsofeveryclassaccordingtothecounselofhisownwill.

2nd.VindicatoryJusticeisanessentialandimmutableperfectionofthedivinenaturedemandingthefullpunishmentofallsin,theexerciseofwhichcannotberelaxedordeniedbythedivinewill.

CHRISTOLOGY.

TheMediatorisonesingle,eternal,divineperson,atonceveryGod,andveryman.IntheunityoftheTheanthropicpersonthetwonaturesremainpureandunmixed,andretaineachitsseparateandincommunicableattributesdistinct.ThepersonalityisthatoftheeternalandunchangeableLogos.

Thehumannatureisimpersonal.Allmediatorialactionsinvolvetheconcurrentexerciseoftheenergiesofbothnaturesaccordingtotheirseveralpropertiesintheunityofthesingleperson.

ANTHROPOLOGY.

1st.Godcreatedmanbyanimmediatefiatofomnipotenceandinaconditionofphysical,intellectual,andmoralfaultlessness,withapositivelyformedmoralcharacter.

2nd.TheguiltofAdam’spublicsinisbyajudicialactofGodimmediatelychargedtotheaccountofeachofhisdescendantsfromthe

momenthebeginstoexistantecedentlytoanyactofhisown.

3rd.HencemencomeintoexistenceinaconditionofcondemnationdeprivedofthoseinfluencesoftheHolySpirituponwhichtheirmoralandspirituallifedepends.

4th.HencetheycomeintomoralagencydeprivedofthatoriginalrighteousnesswhichbelongedtohumannatureascreatedinAdam,andwithanantecedentprevailingtendencyintheirnaturetosinwhichtendencyinthemisofthenatureofsin,andworthyofpunishment.

5th.Man’snaturesincethefallretainsitsconstitutionalfacultiesofreason,conscience,andfree–will,andhencemancontinuesaresponsiblemoralagent,butheisneverthelessspirituallydead,andtotallyaversetospiritualgood,andabsolutelyunabletochangehisownheart,oradequatelytodischargeanyofthosedutieswhichspringoutofhisrelationtoGod.

SOTERIOLOGY.

1st.Thesalvationofmanisabsolutelyofgrace.Godwasfreeinconsistencywiththeinfiniteperfectionsofhisnaturetosavenone,few,many,orall,accordingtohissovereigngoodpleasure.

2nd.ChristactedasMediatorinpursuanceofaneternalcovenantformedbetweentheFatherandtheSon,accordingtowhichhewasputinthelaw–placeofhisownelectpeopleastheirpersonalsubstitute,andassuchbyhisobedienceandsufferinghedischargedalltheobligationsgrowingoutoftheirfederalrelationstolaw–byhissufferingsvicariouslyenduringtheirpenaldebtbyhisobediencevicariouslydischargingthosecovenantdemands,uponwhichtheireternalwell–beingwassuspended––thusfulfillingtherequirementsofthelaw,satisfyingthejusticeofGod,andsecuringtheeternalsalvationofthoseforwhomhedied.

3rd.Hence,byhisdeathhepurchasedthesavinginfluencesoftheHolySpiritforallforwhomhedied.Andtheinfalliblyappliesthe

redemptionpurchasedbyChristtoallforwhomheintendedit,intheprecisetimeandunderthepreciseconditionspredeterminedintheeternalCovenantofGrace–andhedoesthisbytheimmediateandintrinsicallyefficaciousexerciseofhispower,operatingdirectlywithinthem,andintheexercisesoftheirrenewednaturebringingthemtoactfaithandrepentanceandallgraciousobedience.

4th.JustificationisaJudicialactofGod,wherebyimputingtoustheperfectrighteousnessofChrist,includinghisactiveandpassiveobedience,heproceedstoregardandtreatusaccordingly,pronouncingallthepenalclaimsoflaw.tobesatisfied,andustobegraciouslyentitledtoalltheimmunitiesandrewardsconditionedintheoriginalAdamiccovenantuponperfectobedience.

5th.Althoughabsolutemoralperfectionisunattainableinthislife,andassuranceisnotoftheessenceoffaith,itisneverthelesspossibleandobligatoryuponeachbelievertoseekafterandattaintoafullassuranceofhisownpersonalsalvation,andleavingthethingsthatarebehindtostriveafterperfectioninallthings.

6th.Althoughiflefttohimselfeverybelieverwouldfallinaninstant,andalthoughmostbelieversdoexperiencetemporaryseasonsofbacksliding,yetGodbytheexerciseofhisgraceintheirhearts,inpursuanceoftheprovisionsoftheeternalCovenantofGraceandofthepurposeofChristindying,infalliblypreventseventheweakestbelieverfromfinalapostasy.

1."HistoricalPresentationofAugustinianismandPelagianism,"byG.F.Wiggers,D.D.,TranslatedbyRev.RalphEmerson,pp.268–270.

2.ThedoctrineofAugustinedoesnotbyanymeansinvolvetheconclusionthattheelectare"few"or"asmallnumber."

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CHAPTER7:CreedsandConfessions

AsCreedsandConfessions,theirusesandtheirhistory,formadistinctsubjectofstudybythemselves,theywilltogetherinthischapter,whilereferenceswillbefoundundertheseveralchaptersofthisworktotheparticularCreedinwhichtheparticulardoctrineismostclearlyorauthoritativelydefined.

OnthisentiresubjectconsulttheadmirablehistoricalandcriticalworkofDr.PhilipSchaffofUnionTheologicalSeminary,NewYork––the"CREEDSOFCHRISTENDOM."InthefirstvolumehepresentsahistoryoftheauthorshipandoccasionofeachCreedorConfessionandacriticalestimateofitscontentsandvalue.Involumessecondandthirdhegivesthetextofalltheprincipalcreedsintwolanguages.

1.WhyareCreedsandConfessionsnecessary,andhowhavetheybeenproduced?

TheScripturesoftheOldandNewTestamenthavingbeengivenbyinspirationofGod,areformaninhispresentstatetheonlyandtheall–sufficientruleoffaithandpractice.Thisdivineword,therefore,istheonlystandardofdoctrinewhichhasanyintrinsicauthoritybindingtheconsciencesofmen.AllotherstandardsareofvalueorauthorityonlyastheyteachwhattheScripturesteach.

ButitistheinalienabledutyandnecessityofmentoarriveatthemeaningoftheScripturesintheuseoftheirnaturalfaculties,andbytheordinaryinstrumentsofinterpretation.Sincealltruthisself–consistentinallitsparts,andsincethehumanreasonalwaysinstinctivelystrivestoreducealltheelementsofknowledgewithwhichitgrapplestologicalunityandconsistency,itfollowsthatmenmustmoreorlessformallyconstructasystemoffaithoutofthematerialspresentedintheScriptures.EverystudentoftheBiblenecessarilydoesthisintheveryprocessofunderstandinganddigestingitsteaching,andallsuchstudentsmakeitmanifestthattheyhavefound,inonewayoranother,asystemof

faithascompleteasforhimhasbeenpossible,bytheverylanguageheusesinprayer,praise,andordinaryreligiousdiscourse.Ifmenrefusetheassistanceaffordedbythestatementsofdoctrineslowlyelaboratedanddefinedbythechurch,theymustseverallymakeouttheirowncreedbytheirownunaidedwisdom.Therealquestionbetweenthechurchandtheimpugnersofhumancreeds,isnot,asthelatteroftenpretend,betweenthewordofGodandthecreedofman,butbetweenthetriedandprovedfaithofthecollectivebodyofGod’speople,andtheprivatejudgmentandtheunassistedwisdomoftheindividualobjector.Asitwouldhavebeenanticipated,itisamatteroffactthatthechurchhasadvancedverygraduallyinthisworkofaccuratelyinterpretingScripture,anddefiningthegreatdoctrineswhichcomposethesystemoftruthsitreveals.Theattentionofthechurchhasbeenespeciallydirectedtothestudyofonedoctrineinoneage,andofanotherdoctrineinasubsequentage.Andasshehasgraduallyadvancedinthecleardiscriminationofgospeltruth,shehasatdifferentperiodssetdownanaccuratestatementoftheresultsofhernewattainmentsinacreed,orConfessionofFaith,forthepurposeofpreservationandofpopularinstruction,ofdiscriminatinganddefendingthetruthfromtheperversionofhereticsandtheattacksofinfidels,andofaffordingacommonbondoffaithandruleofteachinganddiscipline.

TheancientcreedsoftheuniversalChurchwereformedbythefirstfourecumenicalorgeneralcouncils,excepttheso–calledApostle’sCreed,graduallyformedfromthebaptismalconfessionsinuseinthedifferentchurchesoftheWest,andtheso–calledAthanasianCreed,whichisofprivateandunknownauthorship.ThegreatauthoritativeConfessionofthePapalChurchwasproducedbytheecumenicalcouncilheldatTrent,1545.ThemassoftheprincipalProtestantConfessionsweretheproductionofsingleindividualsorofsmallcirclesofindividuals,e.g.,theAugsburgConfessionandApology,the2ndHelveticConfession,theHeidelbergCatechism,theOldScotchConfession,theThirty–nineArticlesoftheChurchofEnglandetc.Two,however,ofthemostvaluableandgenerallyreceivedProtestant

ConfessionswereproducedbylargeandvenerableAssembliesoflearneddivines,namely:theCanonsoftheinternationalSynodofDort,

andtheConfessionandCatechisms[larger-shorter]ofthenationalAssemblyofWestminster.

2.Whataretheirlegitimateuses?

Theyhavebeenfoundinallagesofthechurchusefulforthefollowingpurposes.(1)Tomark,preserveanddisseminatetheattainmentsmadeintheknowledgeofChristiantruthbyanybranchofthechurchinanygrandcrisisofitsdevelopment.(2)Todiscriminatethetruthfromtheglossesoffalseteachers,andaccuratelytodefineitinitsintegrityanddueproportions.(3)Toactasthebondofecclesiasticalfellowshipamongthosesonearlyagreedastobeabletolabortogetherinharmony.(4)Tobeusedasinstrumentsinthegreatworkofpopularinstruction.

3.Whatisthegroundandextentoftheirauthority,orpowertobindtheconscience?

ThematterofalltheseCreedsandConfessionsbindstheconsciencesofmenonlysofarasitispurelyscriptural,andbecauseitisso.Theforminwhichthatmatterisstated,ontheotherhand,bindsonlythosewhohavevoluntarilysubscribedtheConfessionandbecauseofthatsubscription.

Inallchurchesadistinctionismadebetweenthetermsuponwhichprivatemembersareadmittedtomembershipandthetermsuponwhichoffice–bearersareadmittedtotheirsacredtrustsofteachingandruling.AchurchhasnorighttomakeanythingaconditionofmembershipwhichChristhasnotmadeaconditionofsalvation.ThechurchisChrist’sfold.TheSacramentsarethesealsofhiscovenant.Allhaveagilttoclaimadmittancewhomakeacredibleprofessionofthetruereligion,thatis,whoarepresumptivelythepeopleofChrist.ThiscredibleprofessionofcourseinvolvesacompetentknowledgeofthefundamentaldoctrinesofChristianity,adeclarationofpersonalfaithinChristandofdevotiontohisservice,andatemperofmindandahabitoflifeconsistenttherewith.Ontheotherhand,nomancanbeinductedintoanyofficeinanychurchwhodoesnotprofesstobelieveinthetruthandwisdomoftheconstitutionandlawsitwillbehisdutytoconserveand

administer.Otherwiseallharmonyofsentimentandallefficientco-operationinactionwouldbeimpossible.

Itisauniversallyadmittedprincipleofmoralsthattheanimusimponentis,thesenseinwhichthepersonswhoimposeanoath,orpromise,orengagement,understandit,bindstheconscienceofthepersonswhobindthemselvesbyoathorpromise.AllcandidatesforofficeinthePresbyterianChurch,therefore,doeitherpersonallybelievethe"systemofdoctrine"taughtinourStandards,inthesenseinwhichithasbeenhistoricallyunderstoodtobeGod'struth,orsolemnlylietoGodandman.

4.WhatweretheCreedsoftheancientChurchwhichremainthecommoninheritanceofallbranchesofthemodernChurch?

I.THEAPOSTLE’SCREED,socalled.ThisCreedgraduallygrewoutofthecomparisonandassimilationoftheBaptismalCreedsoftheprincipalChurchesintheWestorLatinhalfoftheancientChurch.ThemostcompleteandpopularformsofthesebaptismalcreedswerethoseofRome,Aquileja,Milan,Ravenna,Carthage,andHippo,"ofwhichtheRomanform,enrichingitselfbyadditionsfromothers,graduallygainedthemoregeneralacceptance.WhiletheseveralarticlesconsideredseparatelyareallofNiceneorAnti–Niceneorigin,thecreedasawholeinitspresentformcannotbetracedbeyondthesixthcentury."––Schaff’s"CreedsofChristendom,"vol.1.p.20.

ItwassubjoinedbytheWestminsterdivinestotheirCatechism,togetherwiththeLord’sPrayerandTenCommandmentsNotasthoughitwascomposedbytheapostles’oroughttobeesteemedcanonicalScripture,butbecauseitisabriefsumofChristianagreeabletothewordofGodandancientlyreceivedintheChurchesofChrist.ItwasretainedbytheframersoftheConstitutionofthePresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStatesaspartofourCatechism.ItisapartoftheCatechismoftheMethodistEpiscopalChurchalso.ItisusedinthebaptismalConfessionoftheRoman,English,Reformed,Lutheran,MethodistEpiscopal,andProtestantEpiscopalChurches.Itisasfollows:

IbelieveinGodtheFatheralmightymakerofheavenandearth;andinJesusChristhis

onlySonourLord,whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost;bornoftheVirginMary;

sufferedunderPontiusPilate;wascrucified,deadandburied;hedescendedintohell

(Hades);thethirddayheroseagainfromthedeed,heascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatheralmighty,fromthenceheshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.IbelieveintheHolyGhost,theholycatholicchurch,thecommunionofsaints,theforgivenessofsins,theresurrectionofthebody,andthelifeeverlasting.Amen.

II.THENICENECREED,inwhichthetrueTrinitarianfaithofthechurchisaccuratelydefinedinoppositiontoArianandSemiarianerrors.Itexistsinthreeforms,andevidentlywasmoldeduponpre–existingformssimilartothosefromwhichtheApostles’Creedgrew.

1st.TheoriginalforminwhichitwascomposedandenactedbytheŒcumenicalCouncilofNice,AD.325.

WebelieveinoneGod,theFatherAlmighty,MakerofAllthingsvisibleandinvisible.

AndinoneLordJesusChristtheSonofGod,begottenoftheFather,theonlybegotten,

thatis,oftheessenceoftheFather,GodofGod,LightofLight,veryGodofveryGod,

begotten,notmade,beingofonesubstance(ἁμοούσιον)withtheFatherwithbywhomallthingsweremade,bothinheavenandonearth;whoforusmen,andforoursalvation,camedownandwasincarnate,andwasmademan;hesuffered,andthethirddayheroseagain,ascendedintoheaven;fromthenceheshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.

AndintheHolyGhost.

Butthosewhosay:‘Therewasatimewhenhewasnot’and‘Hewasnotbeforehewas

made’and‘Hewasmadeoutofnothing,’or‘Heisofanothersubstanceoressence’or

‘TheSonofGodiscreatedorchangeableoralterable’—theyarecondemnedbytheholy

catholicandapostolicChurch.

2nd.TheNicaeno–ConstantinopolitanCreed.ThisconsistsofttheNiceneCreed,abovegivenslightlychangedinthefirstarticle,andwiththeclausesdefiningthePersonandworkoftheHolyGhostadded,andtheAnathemaomitted.ThisnewformoftheCreedhasbeengenerallyattributedtotheCouncilofConstantinople,convenedbytheEmperorTheodosius,A.D.381,tocondemnthedoctrineoftheMacedonians,whodeniedthedivinityoftheHolyGhost.ThesechangesintheNiceneCreedwereunquestionablymadeaboutthatdate,andtheseveral"clauses"addedexistedpreviouslyinformulariesproposedbyindividualtheologians.ButthereisnoevidencethatthechangesweremadebytheCouncilofConstantinople.Theywere,however,recognizedbytheCouncilofChalcedon,AD.451.

ItisinthislatterformthattheCreedofNiceisnowusedintheGreekChurch.

3rd.ThethirdorLatinformofthiscreedinwhichitisusedintheRoman,Episcopal,andLutheranChurches’differsfromthesecondformabovementionedonlyin(a)restoringtheclause("DeusdeDeo")"GodofGod,"tothefirstclause;itbelongedtotheoriginalCreedofNice,buthadbeendroppedcutoftheGreekNicaeno–Constantinopolitanform.(b)Thefamous"Filioque,"termwasaddedtotheclauseaffirmingtheprocessionoftheSpiritfromtheFather.ThiswasaddedbytheprovincialCouncilofToledo,Spain,AD.589,andgraduallyacceptedby

thewholeWesternChurch,andthencebyallProtestants,withoutanyecumenicalratification.ThatphraseisrejectedbytheGreekChurch.ThetextofthisCreedasreceivedwithreverencebyallCatholicsandProtestantsisasfollows(Schaff’s"CreedsofChristendom"pp.25––29):

IbelieveinoneGodtheFatheralmighty,makerofheavenandearth,andofallthings

visibleandinvisible;andinoneLordJesusChrist,theonlybegottensonofGod,begottenofhisFatherbeforeallworlds;GodofGod,LightofLight,veryGodofveryGod,begottennotmade,beingofonesubstancewiththeFather;bywhomallthingsweremade;Whoforusmenandforoursalvationcamedownfromheaven,andincarnatebytheHolyGhostoftheVirginMary,andwasmademan;Hewascrucified,alsoforus,underPontiusPilate.HesufferedandwasburiedandthethirddayheroseagainaccordingtotheScriptures;andascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandoftheFather.Andheshallcomeagainwithglorytojudgeboththequickandthedead;whosekingdomshallhavenoend.AndIbelieveintheHolyGhost,theLordandGiveroflife,whoproceedethfromtheFatherandtheSon(thisphrase"filioque"wasaddedtothecreedofConstantinoplebythecouncilofthewesternchurchheldatToledo,AD.589),who,withtheFatherandtheSontogetherisworshippedandglorified,whospokebytheprophets.AndIbelieveoneCatholicandApostolicChurch,Iacknowledgeonebaptismfortheremissionofsins;andIlookfortheresurrectionofthedead,andthelifeoftheworldtocome.

III.THEATHANASIANCREED,socalled,alsostyled,fromitsopeningwords:thesymbolQuicunquevultisvulgarlyascribedtothegreatAthanasius,bishopofAlexandriafromaboutAD.328toAD.373,andtheleaderoftheorthodoxpartyinthechurchinoppositiontothearchheretic,Arius.Butmodernscholarsunanimouslyassigntoitalaterorigin,andtraceittoNorthernAfricaandtheschoolofAugustine.BighamrefersittoVirgiliusTapsensisattheendofthefifthcentury.Schaffsaysitscompleteformdoesnotappearbeforetheeighthcentury.

ThisCreedisreceivedintheGreek,Roman,andEnglish

Churches,butithasbeenleftoutofthePrayerBookoftheEpiscopalChurchofAmerica.ItpresentsamostadmirablystatedexpositionofthefaithofallChristians,anditisobjectedtoonlybecauseofthe"damnatoryclauses",whichoughtnevertobeattachedtoanyhumancomposition,especiallyonemakingsuchnicedistinctionsuponsoprofoundasubject.

Itisasfollows:

1.Whosoeverwishestobesaved,itisaboveallnecessaryforhimtoholdtheCatholic

faith.2.Which,unlesseachoneshallpreserveperfectandinviolate,heshallcertainly

perishforever.3.ButtheCatholicfaithisthisthatweworshiponeGodintrinityandin

unity.4.Neitherconfoundingthepersons,norseparatingthesubstance.5.ForthepersonoftheFatherisone,oftheSonanother,andoftheHolyGhostanother.6.ButoftheFather,oftheSonandoftheHolyGhostthereisonedivinity,equalgloryandco–eternalmajesty.7.WhattheFatheris,thesameistheSon,andtheHolyGhost.8.TheFatherisuncreated,theSonuncreated,theHolyGhostuncreated.9.TheFatherisimmense,theSonimmense,theHolyGhostimmense.10.TheFatheriseternal,theSoneternal,theHolyGhosteternal.11.Andyettherearenotthreeeternals,butoneeternal.12.Sotherearenotthree(beings)uncreated,northreeimmense,butoneuncreated,andoneimmense.13.InlikemannertheFatherisomnipotent,theSonisomnipotent,theHolyGhostisomnipotent.14.Andyettherearenotthreeomnipotents,butoneomnipotent.15.ThustheFatherisGod,theSonisGod,theHolyGhostisGod.16.AndyetthereareNotthreeGods,butoneGod.17.ThustheFatherisLord,theSonisLord,andtheHolyGhostisLord.18.AndyettherearenotthreeLords,butoneLord.19.BecauseaswearethuscompelledbyChristianveritytoconfesseachpersonseverallytobeGodandLord;soweareprohibitedbytheCatholicreligionfromsayingthattherearethreeGodsorLords.20.TheFatherwasmadefromnone,norcreated,norbegotten.21.TheSonisfromtheFather

alone,neithermade,norcreated,butbegotten.22.TheHolyGhostisfromtheFatherandtheSon,neithermade,norcreated,norbegottenbutproceeding.23.ThereforethereisoneFather,notthreefathers,oneSon,notthreesons,oneHolyGhost,notthreeHolyGhosts.24.Andinthistrinitynooneisfirstorlast,nooneisgreaterorless.25.Butallthethreeco–eternalpersonsareco–equalamongthemselves,sothatthroughall,asisabovesaid,bothunityintrinity,andtrinityinunityistobeworshipped.26.Therefore,hewhowishestobesavedmustthinkthusconcerningthetrinity.27.ButitisnecessarytoeternalsalvationthatheshouldalsofaithfullybelievetheincarnationofourLordJesusChrist.28.Itis,therefore,truefaiththatwebelieveandconfessthatourLordJesusChristisbothGodandman.29.HeisGod,generatedfrometernityfromthesubstanceoftheFather,manbornintimefromthesubstanceofhismother.30.PerfectGod,perfectman,subsistingofarationalsoulandhumanflesh.31.EqualtotheFatherinrespecttohisdivinity,lessthantheFatherinrespecttohishumanity.32.Who,althoughheisGodandman,isnottwobutoneChrist.33.Butone,notfromtheconversionofhisdivinityintoflesh,butfromtheassumptionofhishumanityintoGod.34.Onenotatallfromconfusionofsubstance,butfromunityofperson.35.Forasarationalsoulandfleshisoneman,soGodandmanisoneChrist.36.Whosufferedforoursalvation,descendedintohell,thethirddayrosefromthedead.37.Ascendedtoheaven,sittethattherighthandofGodtheFatheromnipotent,whenceheshallcometojudgethelivingandthedead.88.Atwhosecomingallmenshallriseagainwiththeirbodies,andshallrenderanaccountfortheirownworks.39.andtheywhohavedonewellshallgointolifeeternal;theywhohavedoneevilintoeternalfire.40.ThisistheCatholicfaith,which,unlessamanshallfaithfullyandfirmlybelieve,hecannotbesaved.

IV.THECREEDOFChalcedon,TheEmperorMarcianuscalledthefourthecumenicalcounciltomeetatChalcedoninBithynia,ontheBosphorus,oppositeConstantinople,toputdowntheEutychianandNestorianheresies.TheCouncilconsistedof630bishopsandsatfromOct.8toOct.31,AD.451.

Theprincipalpartofthe"DefinitionofFaith"agreeduponbythisCouncilisasfollows:We,then,followingtheholyFathers,allwithoneconsent,teachmentoconfess,oneandthesameSon,ourLordJesusChrist;thesameperfectinGodheadandalsoperfectinManhood;trulyGod,andtrulyMan,ofareasonablesoulandbody;consubstantialwiththeFatheraccordingtotheGodhead,andconsubstantialwithusaccordingtotheManhood;inallthingslikeuntouswithoutsin,begottenbeforeallagesoftheFathertotheGodhead,andintheselatterdays,forusandforoursalvation,bornofMarytheVirginMotherofGodaccordingtotheManhood.HeisoneandthesameChrist,Son,Lord,Only–begotten,existingintwonatureswithoutmixture(ἀσυγχύτως)withoutchange(ἀτρέπτως),withoutdivision(ἀδιαιρέτως),withoutseparation(ἀχωρίστως);;thediversityofthetwonaturesnotbeingatalldestroyedbytheirunion,butthepeculiarpropertiesofeachnaturebeingpreserved,andconcurringtoonepersonandonesubsistence,notpartedordividedintotwopersons,butoneandthesameSon,andOnlybegotten,God,theWord,theLordJesusChrist;astheprophetsfromthebeginninghavedeclaredconcerningHim,andastheLordJesusChristHimselfhathtaughtus,andastheCreed,oftheholyfathershasdeliveredtous.

ThiscompletedthedevelopmentoftheorthodoxChurchdoctrineoftheTrinityofPersonsintheoneGodandofthedualityofnaturesintheoneChrist.ItremainsauniversallyrespectedstatementofthecommonfaithoftheChurch.

5.WhatarethedoctrinalStandardsoftheChurchofRome?

BesidestheabovementionedCreeds,allofwhichareofrecognizedauthorityintheRomishChurch,theirgreatStandardsofFaithare––1st.The"CanonsandDecreesoftheCouncilofTrent,"whichtheyregardasthetwentiethecumenicalcouncil,andwascalledbyPopePiusIV.toopposetheprogressoftheReformation(AD.1545––1563).ThedecreescontainthepositivestatementsofPapaldoctrine.Thecanonsexplainthedecrees,distributethematterunderbriefheads,andcondemntheopposingdoctrineoneachpoint.Althoughstudiouslyambiguous,thesystemofdoctrinetaughtisevidentlythoughnot

consistentlySemipelagian.

2nd.The"RomanCatechism,"whichexplainsandenforcesthecanonsoftheCouncilofTrent,waspreparedbyorderofPiusIV.,andpromulgatedbytheauthorityofPopePiusV.,AD.1566.

3rd.The"CreedofPopePiusIV.,"alsocalled"ProfessioFideiTridentinoe,"or"FormaProfessionisFideiCatholicoe,"containsasummaryofthedoctrinestaughtintheCanonsandDecreesoftheCouncilofTrent,andwaspromulgatedinabullbyPopePiusIV.,AD.1564.ItissubscribedtobyallgradesofPapalteachersandecclesiastics,andbyallconvertsfromProtestantism.

Itisasfollows:

I,A.B.,believeandprofesswithafirmfaithallandeveryoneofthethingswhichare

containedinthesymboloffaithwhichisusedintheholyRomanChurch;namely,I

believeinoneGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,andofallthings

visibleandinvisible;andinoneLordJesusChrist,theonly–begottenSonofGod,begottenoftheFatherbeforeallworlds;GodofGod,LightofLight,veryGodofveryGod,begotten,notmade,consubstantialwiththeFatherbywhomallthingsweremade;whoforusmenandforoursalvationcamedownfromheaven,andwasincarnatebytheHolyGhostoftheVirginMary,andwasmademan,wascrucifiedforusunderPontiusPilate,sufferedandwasburied,androseagainthethirddayaccordingtotheScriptures,andascendedintoheaven,sitsattherighthandoftheFather,andwillcomeagainwithglorytojudgethelivingandthedeadofwhosekingdomtherewillbenoend;andintheHolyGhostTheLordandLife–giver,whoproceedsfromtheFatherandtheSon,who,togetherwiththeFatherandtheSon,isadoredandglorified,whospakebytheholyprophets;andoneholycatholicandapostolicChurch.Iconfessonebaptismfor

theremissionofsins,andIexpecttheresurrectionofthedead,andthelifeoftheworldtocome.Amen.Imostfirmlyadmitandembracetheapostolicandecclesiasticaltraditions,andallotherconstitutionsandobservancesofthesameChurch.IalsoadmitthesacredScripturesaccordingtothesensewhichtheholymotherChurchhasheldanddoesholdtowhomitbelongstojudgeofthetruesenseandinterpretationoftheScriptures,norwillIevertakeorinterpretthemotherwisethanaccordingtotheunanimousconsentofthefathers.Iprofess,also,thattherearetrulyandproperlysevensacramentsofthenewlawinstitutedbyJesusChristourLord,andnecessaryforthesalvationofmankind,thoughallarenotnecessaryforeveryone–namelybaptism,confirmation,Eucharist,penance,extremeunction,orders,andmatrimony,andthattheyconfergrace;andofthesebaptism,confirmation,andordercannotbereiteratedwithoutsacrilege.IdoalsoreceiveandadmittheceremoniesoftheCatholicChurch,receivedandapprovedinthesolemnadministrationofalltheabove–saidsacraments.IreceiveandembraceallandeveryoneofthethingswhichhavebeendefinedanddeclaredintheholyCouncilofTrentconcerningsinandjustification.IprofesslikewisethatinthemassisofferedtoGodatrue,proper,andpropitiatorysacrificeforthelivingandthedead;andthatinthemostholysacramentoftheEucharistthereistruly,really,andsubstantiallythebodyandblood,togetherwiththesoulanddivinityofourLordJesusChrist,andthatthereismadeaconversionofthewholesubstanceofthebreadintothebody,andofthewholesubstanceofthewineintotheblood,whichconversiontheCatholicChurchcallstransubstantiation.Iconfess,also,thatundereitherkindalone,Christwholeandentire,andatruesacramentisreceived.Iconstantlyholdthatthereisapurgatory,andthatthesoulsdetainedthereinarehelpedbythesuffrageofthefaithful.LikewisethatthesaintsreigningtogetherwithChristaretobehonoredandinvoked,thattheyofferprayerstoGodforus,andthattheirrelicsaretobevenerated.ImostfirmlyassertthattheimagesofChrist,andofthemotherofGodeverVirginandalsooftheothersaints,aretobehadandretainedandthatduehonorandvenerationaretobegiventothem.IalsoaffirmthatthepowerofindulgencesandleftbyChristintheChurchandthattheuseofthemismostwholesometoChristianpeople.Iacknowledgethe

HolyCatholicandApostolicChurch,themotherandmistressofallchurches,andIpromiseandsweartrueobediencetotheRomanbishop,thesuccessorofSt.Peter,princeoftheapostles,andnearofJesusChrist.Ialsoprofess,andundoubtedlyreceiveallotherthingsdelivered,defined,anddeclaredbythesacredcanonsandgeneralcouncils,andparticularlybytheholyCouncilofTrentandbythe[EcumenicalVaticanCouncildelivered,defined,anddeclared,particularlyconcerningtheprimacyandinfallibleruleoftheRomanPontiff.]1AndlikewiseIalsocondemn,rejectandanathematizeallthingscontrarythereto,andallheresieswhatsoevercondemnedrejectedandanathematizedbytheChurch.ThistrueCatholicfaith,outofwhichnonecanbesaved,whichInowfreelyprofessandtrulyhold,I.,A.B.,promise,vowandswearmostconstantlytohold,andprofessthesamewholeandentirewithGod’sassistance,totheendofmylife,andtoprocureasfarasliesinmypower,thatthesameshallheheld,taughtandpreachedbyallwhoareunderme,orwhoareentrustedtomycareinvirtueofmyofficesohelpmeGod,andtheseholygospelsofGod—Amen.

4th.TheHolyŒcumenicalVaticanCouncilassembledatthecallofPiusIX.,intheBasilicaofTheVatican,Dec.8,1869,andcontinueditssessionsuntilOctober20,1870,afterwhichitwasindefinitelypostponed.

TheDecreesofthisCouncilembracetwosections.

I."TheDogmaticConstitutionontheCatholicFaith."Thisembracesfourchapters.Chap.1treatsofGodasCreator;chap.2,ofrevelation;chap.3,offaith;chap.4,offaithandreason.Thesearefollowedbyeighteencanons,inwhichtheerrorsofmodernrationalismandinfidelityarecondemned

II."FirstDogmaticConstitutionontheChurchofChrist."Thisalsoembracesfourchapters.Chap.1isentitled"OftheInstitutionoftheApostolicPrimacyinBlessedPeter;"chap.2,"OfthePerpetuityofthePrimacyofBlessedPeterintheRomanPontiffs;"chap.3,"Onthe.PowerandNatureofthePrimacyoftheRomanPontiff;"chap.4,"ConcerningtheInfallibleTeachingoftheRomanPontiff."Thenewfeaturesare

containedinthelasttwochapters,whichteach"PapalAbsolutismandPapalInfallibility."

ThesedefinitionsarepresentedtoasufficientextentunderChapter5ofthese"Outlines."

InconsequenceofthisprincipleofPapalInfallibilityitnecessarilyfollows,thatthewholesuccessionofPapalBulls,andespeciallythosedirectedagainsttheJansenistsandtheDecreeofPiusIX."OntheImmaculateconceptionoftheBlessedVirginMary,"Dec.8,1854;andhisSyllabusofErrors,Dec.8,1864,areallinfallibleandirreformableandpartsoftheamazingStandardsofFaithprofessedbytheRomanChurch.

6.WhatAretheDoctrinalStandardsoftheGreekChurch?

Theancientchurchdivided,fromcausesprimarilypoliticalandecclesiastical,secondarilydoctrinalandritual,intotwogreatsections–theEasternorGreekChurch,andtheWesternorLatinchurch.Thisdivisionbegantoculminateintheseventh,andwasconsummatedintheeleventhcentury.TheGreekChurchembracesabouteightymillionsofpeople,themajorityoftheChristiansinhabitantsoftheTurkishEmpire,andthenationalchurchesofGreeceandRussia.AlltheProtestantChurcheshaveoriginatedfromtheWesternorLatindivisionofthechurch.

Shearrogatestoherself,pre–eminently,thetitleof"Orthodox"becausetheoriginalecumenicalCreedsdefiningthedoctrinesoftheTrinityandthePersonofChristwereproducedintheEasterndivisionoftheancientchurchandintheGreeklanguage,andhenceareinaspecialsenseherinheritance,andbecausefromthefactthathertheologyisabsolutelyunprogressive,shecontentsherselfwiththeliteralrepetitionoftheoldformulas.

SheadherestotheancientCreedsanddoctrinaldecisionsofthefirstsevenecumenicalcouncils,andpossessesafewmodernConfessionsandCatechisms.Themostimportantoftheseare–

1st.TheOrthodoxConfessionoftheCatholicandApostolicGreekchurchcomposedbyPeterMogilas,MetropolitanofKieffinRussia,AD.1643,andapprovedbyalltheEasternPatriarchs.

2nd.The"DecreesoftheSynodofJerusalem,"ortheConfessionofDositheus,1672.

3rd.TheRussianCatechismswhichhavethesanctionoftheHolySynod,especiallytheLongerCatechismofPhilaret,MetropolitanofMoscow,1820––1867,unanimouslyapprovedbyalltheEasternPatriarchs.andsince1839generallyusedintheschoolsandChurchesofRussia.

TheDecreesoftheSynodofJerusalemteachsubstantiallythoughlessdefinitelythesamedoctrineasthoseoftheCouncilofTrentastotheScripturesandTradition,goodworksandfaith,justification,thesacraments,thesacrificeofthemass,theworshipofsaints,andpurgatory.

TheCatechismofPhilaret"approachesmorenearlytotheevangelicalprincipleofthesupremacyoftheBibleinmattersofChristianfaithandlifethananyotherdeliveranceoftheEasternChurch."––Schaff’s"CreedsofChristendom,"Vol.1.,pp.45and71.

7.WhataretheDoctrinalStandardsofTheLutheranChurch?

1st.BesidesthegreatGeneralCreeds,whichtheyreceiveincommonwithallChristians,theirSymbolicalBooksare:TheAugsburgConcession,thejointauthorsofwhichwereLutherandMelanchthon.HavingbeensignedbytheProtestantprincesandleaders,itwaspresentedtotheemperorandimperialdietinAugsburg,AD,1530.ItistheoldestProtestantConfession,theultimatebasisofLutherantheology,andtheonlyuniversallyacceptedstandardoftheLutheranChurches.Itconsistsoftwogranddivisions.Thefirstembracingtwenty–onearticles,presentsapositivestatementofChristiandoctrinesastheLutheransunderstandthem;andthesecond,embracingsevenarticles,condemnstheprincipalcharacteristicerrorsofthePapacy.Itisevangelicalinthe

Augustiniansense,althoughnotaspreciseinstatementasthemoreperfectCalvinisticConfessions,andit,ofcourse,containsthegermsofthepeculiarLutheranviewsastothenecessityoftheSacraments,andtherelationofthesacramentalsignstothegracetheysignify.Yetthesepeculiaritiesaresofarfrombeingexplicitlystated,thatCalvinfounditconsistentwithhisviewsofdivinetruthtosubscribethisgreatConfession,duringhisresidenceinStrasburg.

In1540,tenyearsafterithadbeenadoptedasthepublicsymbolofProtestantGermany,MelanchthonproducedaneditorialinLatinwhichhealteredinseveralparticulars,andwhichwashencedistinguishedastheVariata,theoriginalandonlyauthenticformoftheConfessionbeingdistinguishedastheInvariata.TheprincipalchangesintroducedinthiseditioninclinetowardsSynergisticorArmenianviewsofdivinegraceontheonehand,andontheothertosimpleviewsastothesacramentsmorenearlycorrespondingwiththoseprevailingamongtheReformedChurches.–SeeShedd’s"Hist.ofChrist.

Doctrine"Book7.,chap.2.SeealsotheaccurateandlearnedlyillustratededitionoftheAugsburgConfessionbyRev.CharlesKrauth,D.D.

2nd.TheApology[Defense]oftheAugsburgConfession,preparedbyMelanchthon,AD.1530,andsubscribedbytheProtestanttheologians,A.D.1537,atSmalcald.

3rd.TheLargerandSmallerCatechismspreparedbyLuther,AD.1529,"thefirstfortheuseofpreachersandteachers,thelastasaguideforyouth."

4th.TheArticlesofSmalcald,drawnupbyLuther,AD.1536,andinscribedbytheevangelicaltheologiansinFebruary,A.D.1537,attheplacewhosenametheybear.

5th.TheFormulaConcordice(FormofConcord),preparedinAD.1577byJacobAndreaeandMartinChemnitzandothersforthepurposeofsettlingcertaincontroversieswhichhadsprungupintheLutheranChurch,especially(a)concerningtherelativeactionofdivine

graceandthehumanwillinregeneration,(b)concerningthenatureoftheLord’spresenceintheEucharist.ThisConfessioncontainsamorescientificandthoroughlydevelopedstatementoftheLutherandoctrinethancanbefoundinanyotheroftheirpublicsymbols.Itsauthorityis,howeveracknowledgedonlybythehighLutheranparty,thatis,bythatpartyinthechurchwhichconsistentlycarriesthepeculiaritiesofLutherantheologyouttothemostcompletelogicaldevelopment.AlltheseLutheranSymbolsmaybefoundinLatinaccuratelyeditedin"LibriSymbolici,"byDr.C.A.Hase,Leipsic,1836,andinSchaff’s"CreedsofChristendom."

8.WhataretheprincipalConfessionsoftheReformedorCalvinisticChurches?

TheConfessionsoftheReformedChurchesareveryconsiderableinnumber,andwearysomewhatincharacter,althoughtheysubstantiallyagreeinthesystemofdoctrinestheyteach.

1st."TheoldestConfessionofthatbranchofProtestantismwhichwasnotsatisfiedwiththeLutherantendencyandsymbolistheConfessioTetrapolitana,–so-called,becausethetheologiansoffourcitiesofupperGermany,Strasburg,Constance,Memmingen,andLindau,drewitup,andpresentedittotheemperoratthesamedietofAugsburg,in1530,atwhichthefirstLutheransymbolwaspresented.TheprincipaltheologianconcernedinitsconstructionwasMartinBucer,ofStrasburg.Itconsistsoftwenty–twoarticles,andagreesgenerallywiththeAugsburgConfession.Thepointsofdifferencepertaintothedoctrineofthesacraments.Uponthissubjectitisinglian.Thesefourcities,however,in1532adoptedtheAugsburgConfession,sothattheConfessioTetrapolitanaceasedtobetheformallyadoptedsymbolofanybranchofthechurch."Shedd’s"Hist.ofChrist.Doctrine,"Book7.,chap.2.

2nd.TheReformedConfessionsofthehighestauthorityamongtheChurchesarethefollowing:

(1)TheSecondHelveticconfessionpreparedbyBullinger,AD.1564,andpublished1566,supersededtheFirstHelveticConfessionofAD.1536.ItwasadoptedbyalltheReformedChurchesinSwitzerland

withtheexceptionofBasle(whichwascontentwiththeoldConfession)andbytheReformedChurchesinPoland,Hungary,ScotlandandFrance,andithasalwaysbeenesteemedasofthehighestauthoritybyalltheReformedChurches.

(2)TheHeidelbergCatechism,preparedbyUrsinusandOlevianus,AD.1562.ItwasestablishedbycivilauthorityasthedoctrinalstandardaswellastheinstrumentofreligiousinstructionforthechurchesofthePalatinate,aGermanstateatthattimeincludingbothbanksoftheRhine.ItwasendorsedbytheSynodofDort,andisadoctrinalstandardoftheReformedChurchesofGermanyandHolland,andofthe(GermanandDutch)ReformedChurchesinAmerica.Itwasusedfortheinstructionofchildrenin

Scotland,beforetheadoptionoftheCatechismsoftheWestminsterAssembly,anditsusewassanctionedbyanunanimousvoteofthefirstGeneralAssemblyofthereunitedPresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStatesAD.1870.––SeeMinutes.

(3)TheThirty–nineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland.In1552,Cranmer,withtheadviceofotherbishops,drewuptheForty–twoArticlesofReligion,andwhichwerepublishedbyroyalauthorityin1553.Thesewererevisedandreducedtothenumberofthirty–ninebyArchbishopParkerandotherbishops,andratifiedbybothhousesofConvocation,andpublishedbyroyalauthorityin1563.TheyconstitutethedoctrinalstandardoftheProtestantEpiscopalChurchesofEngland,Ireland,Scotland,theColonies,andtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.ThequestionwhethertheseArticlesareCalvinisticornothasbeenveryunwarrantablymadeamatterofdebate.SeeLawrence’s"BamptonLecture,for1804ontheArmenianside"andToplady’s"DoctrinalCalvinismoftheChurchofEngland,"Dr.Goode’s"DoctrineofChurchofEnglandastoEffectsofInfantBaptisms,"andDr.WilliamCunningham’s,"ReformersandtheirTheology"ontheCalvinisticside.TheseventeenthArticleonPredestinationisperfectlydecisiveofthequestion,andisasfollows:

PredestinationtolifeistheeverlastingpurposeofGodwhereby(beforethefoundationsoftheworldwerelaid)hehathconstantly

decreedbyhiscounsel,secrettous,todeliverfromcurseanddamnationthosewhomhehathchoseninChristoutofmankind,andtobringthembyChristtoeverlastingsalvation,asvesselsmadetohonor.WhereforetheywhichheenduedwithsoexcellentabenefitofGod,hecalledaccordingtoGod’spurposebyhisSpiritworkingindueseason:theythroughgrace,obeythecalling;theyhejustifiedfreely;theyhemadesonsofGodbyadoption;theyhemadeliketheimageofhisonlybegottenSon,JesusChrist;theywalkreligiouslyingoodworks,andatlengthbyGod’smercy,theyattaintoeverlastingfelicity.AsthegodlyconsiderationofpredestinationandourelectioninChristisfullofsweet,pleasant,andunspeakablecomforttogodlypersons,andsuchasfeelinthemselvestheworkingoftheSpiritofChrist,mortifyingtheworksofthefleshandtheirearthlymembers,anddrawinguptheirmindtohighandheavenlythings,aswellbecauseitdothgreatlyestablishandconfirmtheirfaithofeternalsalvationtobeenjoyedthroughChrist,asbecauseitdothferventlykindletheirlovetowardGod.So,forcuriousandcarnalpersons,lackingtheSpiritofChrist,tohavecontinuallybeforetheireyesthesentenceofGod’spredestination,isamostdangerousdownfall,wherebythedevildoththrustthemeitherintodesperation,orintowretchednessofmostuncleanliving,nolessperilousthandesperation.Furthermore,wemustreceiveGod’spromisesinsuchwiseastheybegenerallysetforthtousinHolyScripture;and,inourdoings,thatwillofGodistobefollowedwhichwehaveexpresslydeclareduntousinthewordofGod.

TheseArticlespurgedoftheirCalvinismandreducedinnumbertotwenty–fiveincludinganewpoliticalArticle(thetwenty–third)adoptingasanarticleoffaiththepoliticalsystemoftheUnitedStatesGovernment,constitutethedoctrinalStandardoftheMethodistEpiscopalChurchinAmerica.

(4)ThecanonsoftheSynodofDort.ThisfamousSynodwasconvenedinDort,Holland,bytheauthorityoftheStatesGeneral,forthepurposeofsettlingthequestionsbroughtintocontroversybythedisciplesofArminius.ItssessionscontinuedfromNov.13,AD.1618,toMay9,AD.1619.Itconsistedofpastors,elders,andtheologicalprofessorsfromthechurchesofHolland,anddeputiesfromthechurchesofEnglandScotland,Hesse,Bremen,thePalatinate,andSwitzerland.

TheCanonsofthisSynodwerereceivedbyalltheReformedChurchesasatrue,accurate,andeminentlyauthoritativeexhibitionoftheCalvinisticsystemoftheology.TheyconstituteinconnectionwiththeHeidelbergCatechismthedoctrinalConfessionoftheReformedChurchofHollandandofitsdaughterthe[Dutch]ReformedChurchinAmerica.

(5)TheConfessionandCatechismsoftheWestminsterAssembly.ThisAssemblyofDivineswasconvenedbyanactoftheLongParliamentpassedJune12,1643.Theoriginalcallembracedtenlordsandtwentycommonersaslaymembers,andonehundredandtwenty–onedivines––twentyministersbeingafterward.added––allshadesofopinionastoChurchGovernmentbeingrepresented.Thebodycontinueditssessionsfrom1stofJuly,1643,to22dofFebruary,1649.TheConfessionandCatechismstheyproducedwereimmediatelyadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheChurchofScotland.TheCongregationalConvention,also,calledbyCromwelltomeetatSavoy,inLondon,AD.1658,declaredtheirapprovalofthedoctrinalpartoftheConfessionandCatechismsoftheWestminsterAssembly,andconformedtheirowndeliverance,theSavoyDeclaration,verynearlytoit.Indeed"thedifferencebetweenthesetwoConfessionsissoverysmall,thatthemodernIndependentshaveinamannerlaidasidetheuseofit(SavoyDeclaration)intheirfamilies,andagreedwiththePresbyteriansintheuseoftheAssembly’sCatechisms."––Neal,"Puritans,"2.,178.ThisConfessiontogetherwiththeLargerandSmallerCatechismsisthedoctrinalstandardofallthePresbyterianbodiesintheworldofEnglishandScotchderivation.ItisalsoofallCreedstheonemosthighlyapprovedbyallbodiesofCongregationalistsinEnglandandAmerica.

AlloftheAssembliesconvenedinnewEnglandforthepurposeofsettlingthedoctrinalbasisoftheirchurcheshaveeitherendorsedorexplicitlyadoptedthisConfessionandtheseCatechismsasaccurateexpositionsoftheirownfaith.ThiswasdonebytheSynodwhichmetatCambridge,Massachusetts,June,1647,andagainAugust,1648,andpreparedtheCambridgePlatform.AnditwasdoneagainbytheSynodwhichsatinBoston,September,1679,andMay,1680,andproducedtheBostonConfessions.AndagainbytheSynodwhichmetatSaybrook,Connecticut,1708,andproducedtheSaybrookPlatform.

3rd.ThereremainseveralotherReformedConfessions,which,althoughtheyarenotthedoctrinalstandardsoflargedenominationsofChristians,areneverthelessofhighclassicalinterestandauthoritybecauseoftheirauthors,andthecircumstancesunderwhichtheyoriginated.

(1)The"ConsensusTigurinus,"orthe"ConsensusofZurich,"or"ThemutualconsentwithrespecttothedoctrineofthesacramentoftheministersoftheChurchofZurichandJohnCalvin,ministerofthechurchofGeneva."Itconsistedoftwenty–sixArticles,anddealsexclusivelywiththequestionsrelatingtotheLord’sSupper,anditwasdrawnbyCalvin,AD.1549,forthepurposeofbringingaboutamutualconsentamongallpartiesintheReformedChurchonthesubjectofwhichittreats.ItwassubscribedbytheChurchesofZurich,Geneva,St.Gall,Schaffhausen,theGrisons,Neuchatel,andBasleandwasreceiveditfavorbyallpartsoftheReformedchurch,andremainsaneminentmonumentofthetruemindoftheReformedChurchuponthissomuchdebatedquestion;andespeciallyitisofvalueassettingforthwitheminentclearnessandunquestionableauthoritytherealopinionofCalvinonthesubject,deliberatelystatedafterhehadceasedfromthevainattempttosecuretheunityofProtestantismbyacompromisewiththeLutheranviewsastotheLord’spresenceintheEucharist.AnaccuratetranslationofthisimportantdocumentwillbefoundintheAppendix.

(2)The"ConsensusGenevensis"wasdrawnupbyCalvin,AD.1552,inthenameofthePastorsofGeneva,andisacompletestatementofCalvin’sviewsonthesubjectofPredestination.ItwasdesignedtounitealltheSwisschurchesintheirviewsofthisgreatdoctrine.Itremainsapre–eminentmonumentofthefundamentalprinciplesoftrueCalvinism.

(3)The"FormulaConsensusHelvetica,"composedatZurich,AD.1675,byJohnHenryHeideggerofZurich,assistedbyFrancisTurretinofGenevaandLukeGernlerofBasle.Itstitleis"FormofagreementoftheHelveticReformedChurchesrespectingthedoctrineofuniversalgrace,thedoctrinesconnectedtherewith,andsomeotherpoints."ItwasdesignedtounitetheSwissChurchesincondemningand

excludingthatmodifiedformofCalvinism,whichinthatcenturyemanatedfromtheTheologicalSchoolofSaumur,representedbyAmyraldus,Placaeus,etc.ThisisthemostscientificandthoroughofalltheReformedConfessions.Itseminentauthorship2andthefactthatitdistinctivelyrepresentsthemostthoroughlyconsistentschoolofoldCalvinistsgivesithighclassicalinterest.ItwassubscribedbynearlyalltheSwissChurches,butceasedtohavepublicauthorityasaConfessionsinceAD.1722.3AlltheConfessionsoftheReformedChurchesmaybefoundcollectedinoneconvenientvolumeinthe"CollectioConfessionuminEddlesissReformatispublicatarum",:byDr.H.A.Niemeyer,Leipsic,1840,andinDr.Schaff’s"CreedsofChristendom."

1.AddedbyDecreeoftheaSacredCongregationoftheCouncil,Jan.2,1877.

2.SeeHerzog’sReal–Encyclopedia.Bomberger’stranslation.Article"HelveticConfessions."

3.AnaccuratetranslationwillbefoundintheAppendix.

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Chapter8:TheAttributesofGod

1.WhatarethethreemethodsofdeterminingtheattributesofthedivineBeing?

1st.Themethodofanalyzingtheideaofinfiniteandabsoluteperfection.Thismethodproceedsupontheassumptionthatweare,asintelligentandmoralagents,createdintheimageofGod.Inthisprocessweattributetohimeveryexcellencethatwehaveanyexperienceorconceptionof,inaninfinitedegree,andinabsoluteperfection,andwedenyofhimeveryformofimperfectionorlimitation.

2nd.Themethodofinferringhischaracteristicsfromourobservationofhisworksaroundusandourexperienceofhisdealingsitourselves.

3rd.Thedidactic(instructional)statementsofScripture,theillustrationofhischaracterthereingiveninhissupernaturalrevelationandgraciousdispensations,andaboveallinthepersonalrevelationofGodinhisSonJesusChrist.

Allthesemethodsagreeandmutuallysupplementandlimiteachother.Theideaofabsoluteandinfiniteperfection,whichinsomesenseisnativetous,aidsusininterpretingScripture––andtheScripturescorrecttheinferencesofthenaturalreason,andsetthesealofdivineauthorityuponouropinionsaboutthedivinenature.

2.Towhatextentcanwehaveassurancethattheobjectiverealitycorrespondencewithoursubjectiveconceptionsofthedivinenature?

Thereareuponthissubjecttwooppositeextremepositionswhichitisnecessarytoavoid.1st.TheextremeofsupposingthatourconceptionsofGodeitherinkindordegreeareadequatetorepresenttheobjectiverealityofhisperfections.Godisincomprehensibletousinthesense(a)thatthereremainsanimmeasurablygreaterpartofhisbeingandexcellenceofwhichwehaveandcanhavenoknowledge,and(b)inthesensethatevenwhatweknowofhimweknowimperfectly,andatbestconceiveofvery

inadequately.InthisrespecttheimperfectionoftheknowledgewhichmenGodisanalogousinkind,thoughindefinitelygreaterindegreetotheimperfectionoftheknowledgewhichachildmayhaveofthelifeofagreatphilosopherorstatesmandwellinginthesamecity.Thechildnotonlyknowsthatthephilosopherorstatesmaninquestionlives––butheknowsalsoinsomerealdegreewhatthatlifeis––yetthatknowledgeisimperfectbothinrespecttothefactthatitapprehendsaverysmallproportionofthatlife,andthatitveryimperfectlycomprehendseventhatsmallproportion.2nd.ThesecondextremetobeavoidedisthatofsupposingthatourknowledgeofGodispurelyillusory,thatourconceptionsofthedivineperfectionscannotcorrespondinanydegreetotheobjectivereality.SirWm.Hamilton,Mr.

Mansel,andothershavingprovedthatweareforcedtothinkof

Godas"firstcause,"as"infinite,"andas"absolute,"proceedtogivedefinitionsoftheseabstractterms,whichtheythereshownecessarilyinvolvemutualcontradictions,ofwhichthehumanreasonisintolerant.Theythenconcludethatourcon-ceptionsofGodcannotcorrespondtotherealobjectiveexist-enceofthedivinebeing."TothinkthatGodisaswecanthinkhimtobeisblasphemy."Thelastandhighestconsecrationofalltruereligion,mustbeanaltar—Ἀγνώστῳθεῷ—"TotheunknownandunknowableGod"(SirWilliamHamilton's"Discussions,"p.22).

TheyholdthatalltherepresentationsofGodconveyedintheScriptures,andthebestconceptionswearewiththeaidofscriptureabletoforminourminds,donotatallcorrespondtotheoutwardreality,butaredesignedsimplytobeacceptednotasactualscientificknowledge,butasregulativeassumptions"abundantlyinstructiveinpointofsentimentandaction"andpracticallysufficientforourpresentneeds;"sufficienttoguideourpractice,butnottosatisfyourintellect––whichtellnotwhatGodisinhimself,buthowhewillsthatweshouldthinkofhim."–Mansel’s"LimitsofReligiousThought,"p.132.

Thisview,althoughnotsointended,reallyleadstoskepticalifnottodogmaticatheism.(1)Itisfoundeduponanartificialandinapplicabledefinitionofcertainabstractnotionsentertainedbyphilosophersconcerningthe"absolute"andthe"infinite."Asshownbelow,Question6,atruedefinitionoftheabsoluteandinfinite,inthesenseinwhichtheScripturesandtheunsophisticatedmindsofmenholdGodtobeabsoluteandinfinite,involvesnocontradictionsorabsurditieswhatsoever.(2)Itwillbeshownbelow,Questions3and5,thatthereisadequategroundfortheassumptionthatasintellectualandmoralbeingswearereallyandtrulycreatedintheimageofGodandthereforecapableofknowinghimashereallyexists.(3)IfourconsciousnessandtheSacredScripturespresentusillusoryconceptionsastowhatGodis,wehavenoreasontotrusttotheirassurancethatGodis.(4)Thisprincipleleadstoabsoluteskepticism.IfourCreatorwillsthatweshouldthinkofhimashedoesnotreallyexist,wehavenoreasontotrustourconstitutionalinstinctsorfacultiesinanydepartment.(5)Thisprincipleisimmoralsinceitmakesafalserepresentationofthedivineattributestheregulativeprincipleofman’smoralandreligiouslife.(6)Thehighest

andmostcertaindictatesofhumanreasonnecessitatestheconvictionthatmoralprinciples,andtheessentialnatureofmoralattributes,mustbeidenticallythesameinallworldsandinallbeingspossessedofamoralcharacterinanysense.TruthandJusticeandloving–kindnessmustbealwaysandonlythesameinCreatorandcreature,inGodandman.

3.Whatisanthropomorphism,andinwhatdifferentsensesthewordused?

Anthropomorphism(ἄνθρωπος,man;μορφή,form)isaphraseemployedtodesignateanyviewofGod'snaturewhichconceivesofhimaspossessingorexercisinganyattributescommontohimwithmankind.

TheAnthropomorphitesinancienttimesheldthatGodpossessedbodilypartsandorganslikeours,andhencethatallthosepassagesofScripturewhichspeakofhiseyes,hands,etc.,aretobeinterpretedliterally.

ThePantheists,SirWilliamHamilton,andotherphilosopherdesignateallourconceptionsofGodasapersonalSpiritetc.,asanthropomorphic–thatis,asmodesofconceptionnotconformedtoobjectivefact,butdeterminednecessarilybythesubjectiveconditionsofourownhumanmodesofthought.

Ithencefollowsthatthisphraseistobetakenintwosenses.

1st.Agoodsense,inwhich,sincemanasafreerationalspiritwascreatedintheimageofGod,itisbothScriptural,rational,andaccordingtoobjectivefact,formantoconceiveofGodaspossessingalltheessentialattributeswhichbelongtoourspiritsinabsoluteperfectionofkind,andwithnolimitinconsistentwithabsoluteperfectionindegree.WhenwesaythatGodknows,andwills,andfeels,thatheisjust,true,andmerciful,wemeantoascribetohimattributesofthesamekindasthecorrespondingonesbelongingtomen,onlyinabsoluteperfection,andwithoutlimit.

2nd.Thewordisusedinabadsensewhenitdesignatesany

modeofconceivingofGodwhichinvolvestheascriptiontohimofimperfectionorlimitationofanykind.ThustoconceiveofGodaspossessinghandsorfeet,orasexperiencingtheperturbationsofhumanpassion,orthelike,isafalseandunworthyanthropomorphism.

4.HowarewetounderstandthosepassagesofScripturewhichattributetoGodbodilypartsandtheinfirmitiesofhumanpassion?

ThepassagesreferredtoaresuchasspeakofthefaceofGod,Exodus33:11,20;hiseyes,2Chronicles16:9;hisnostrils,2Samuel22:9,16;hisarmsandfeet,Isaiah52:10,andPsalm18:9;andsuchasspeakofhisrepentingandgrieving,Genesis6:6,7;Jeremiah15:6;Psalm95:10;ofhisbeingjealous,Deuteronomy29:20,etc.Thesearetobeunderstoodonlyasmetaphors.TheyrepresentthetruthwithrespecttoGodonlyanalogically,andasseenfromourpointofview.ThatGodcannotbematerialisshownbelow,Question20.

Whenheissaidtorepent,ortobegrieved,ortobejealous,itisonlymeantthatheactstowardsusasamanwouldwhenagitatedbysuchpassions.ThesemetaphorsoccurprincipallyintheOldTestament,andinhighlyrhetoricalpassagesofthepoeticalandpropheticalbooks.

5.StatetheproofthatAnthropomorphicconceptionsofGod,inthegoodsenseoftheword,arebothnecessaryandvalid.

Thefundamentalfactuponwhichallscience,alltheology,andallreligionrestsisthatGodmademanalivingsoulinhisownimage.OtherwisemancouldhavenounderstandingofGod’sworksanymorethanofhisnature,andallrelationsofthoughtorfeelingbetweenthemwouldbeimpossible.ThatmanhastherightthusfartoconceiveofGodastheoriginalandallperfectfountainofthemoralandrationalqualitiesinwhichheishimselfendowedisproved.—

1st.Itisdeterminedbythenecessarylawsofournature.(a)Thisisamatterofconsciousness.IfwebelieveinGodatallwemustconceiveofhimasarationalandrighteouspersonalspirit.(b)Sucha

conceptionofGodhasuniversallyprevailedevenamidstthedegradingadulterationsofheathenmythology.

2nd.WehavenootherpossiblemodeofknowingGod.Thealternativeevermustbetheprincipleforwhichwecontend,orabsoluteatheism.

3rd.Thesameisdeterminedbythenecessitiesofourmoralnature.Theinnateandindestructiblemoralnatureofmanincludesasenseofsubjectiontoarighteouswillsuperiortoourselves,andaccountabilitytoamoralGovernor.ThisisnonsenseunlessthemoralGovernorisinoursenseofthewordanintelligentandrighteouspersonalspirit.

4th.ThemostenduringandsatisfactoryargumentforestablishingthefactsofGod’sexistenceistheaposterioriargumentfromtheevidencesof"design"intheworksofGod.IfthisargumenthasanyforcetoprovethatGodis,ithasequalforcetoprovethathemustpossessandexerciseintelligence,benevolentintentionandchoice,i.e.,thathemustbeinoursenseofthetermsanintelligentpersonalspirit.

5th.TheScripturescharacteristicallyascribethesameattributestoGod,andeverywhereassumetheirexistence.

6th.GodmanifestedinthepersonofJesusChrist,whoistheexpressimageofhisperson,hasinallsituationsexhibitedtheseveryattributes,yetinsuchawayastoprovehimselftobeGodastrulyashewasman.

6.Whatisthemeaningoftheterms"infinite"and"absolute,"andinwhatsensearetheyappliedtothebeingofGod,andtohisattributesseverally?

HamiltonandManseldefinetheinfinite"thatwhichisfreefromallpossiblelimitation;thatthanwhichagreaterisinconceivable,andwhich,consequently,canreceivenoadditionalattributesormodeofexistencewhichithadnotfrometernity;"andtheabsoluteas"thatwhichexistsbyitself,havingnonecessaryrelationstoanyotherbeing."Hence

theyargue(a)thatthatwhichisinfiniteandabsolutemustincludethesumtotalofallthings,evilandgood,actualandpossible;forifanythingactualorpossibleisexcludedfromit,itmustbefiniteandrelative;(b)thatitcannotbeanobjectofknowledgefortoknowisbothtolimit––todefine–andtobringintorelationtotheoneknowing;(c)thatitcannotbeaperson,forpersonalconsciousnessimplieslimitationandchange;(d)thatitcannotknowotherthings,becausetoknowimpliesrelationasbeforesaid.––Hamilton’s"Discussions,"Art.1;Mansel’s"LimitsofReligiousThought,"Lectures1,2,3.

Allofthislogicalbewildermentresultsfromthesephilosophersstartingfromthefalsepremiseofanabstract,notional"infinite"and"absolute"andsubstitutingtheirdefinitionofthatintheplaceofthetrueinfiniteandabsolutepersonrevealedinScriptureandconsciousnessasthefirstcauseofallthings,themoralGovernorandRedeemerofmankind."Infinite"meansthatwhichhasnolimits.Whenwesayisinfiniteinhisbeing,orinhisknowledgeorinhispower,wemeanthathisessenceandtheactivepropertiesthereof,havenolimitationswhichinvolveimperfectionsofanykindwhatsoever.Hetranscendsallthelimitationsoftimeandspace,heknowsallthingsinanabsolutelyperfectmanner.Heisabletoeffectwhatsoeverhewillstoeffectwithorwithoutmeans,andwithfacilityandsuccess.WhensaythatGodisinfiniteinhisjustice,orhisgoodness,orhistruth,theymeanthathisinexhaustibleandunchangeablebeingpossessesthesepropertiesinabsoluteperfection.

"Absolute"whenappliedtothebeingofGodsignifiesthatheisaneternalself–existentperson,whoexistedbeforeallotherbeings,andistheintelligentandvoluntarycauseofwhatsoeverelsehasorwillexistintheuniverse,etc.,thathesustains,consequently,nonecessaryrelationtoanythingwithoutHimself.WhateverexistsisconditioneduponGod,asthecircleisconditioneduponitscenter,butGodhimselfneitherinhisexistence,norinanyofthemodesorstatesofit,isconditioneduponanyofhiscreatures,noruponhiscreationasawhole.Godiswhatheisbecauseheis,andhewillswhatsoeverhedoeswillbecause"itseemethgoodinhissight."AllotherthingsarewhattheyarebecauseGodhaswilledthemtobeastheyare.WhatsoeverrelationHesustainstoanythingwithouthimselfisvoluntarilyassumed.

7.InwhatdifferentwaysdotheScripturesrevealGod?

TheyrevealGod––1st.Byhisnames.2nd.Bytheworkswhichtheyascribetohim.3rd.Bytheattributeswhichtheypredicateofhim.4th.Bytheworshiptheydirecttobepaidtohim.5th.BythemanifestationofGodinChrist.

8.Statetheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)andmeaningoftheseveralnamesappropriatedtoGodintheScriptures.

1st.1st.JEHOVAH,fromtheHebrewverb הָוָה tobe.Itexpressesself–existenceandunchangeableness;itistheincommunicablenameofGod,whichtheJewssuperstitiouslyrefusedtopronouncealwayssubstitutingintheirreadingthewordAdonai,Lord.HenceitisrepresentedinourEnglishversionbythewordLORD,printedincapitalletters.JAH,probablyanabbreviationofthenameJehovah,isusedprincipallyinthePsalms.––Psalm18:4.Itconstitutestheconcludingsyllableofhallelujah,praiseJehovah.GodgavetoMoseshispeculiarname,"IAMTHATIAM,"Exodus3:14,fromthesameroot,andbearingthesamefundamentalsignificanceasJehovah.

2nd.El,might,power,translatedGod,andappliedaliketothetrueandtothefalsegods.––Isaiah44:10.

3rd.ELOHIMandELOAH,thesamenameinitssingularandpluralform,derivedfrom הַלָא tofear,reverence."Initssingularformitisusedonlyinthelatterbooksandinpoetry."Inthepluralformitissometimesusedwithapluralsenseforgods,butmorecommonlyasapluralisexcellentice,forGod.Itisappliedtofalsegods,butpre–eminently,toJehovahasthegreatobjectofadoration.

4th.ADONAI,theLord,apluralisexcellentice,appliedexclusivelytoGod,expressingpossessionandsovereigndominion,equivalenttoκύριος,Lord,sofrequentlyappliedtoChristintheNewTestament.

5th.SADDAI,almightyapluralisexcellentice.Sometimesit

standsbyitself.–Job5:17;andsometimescombinedwithaprecedingEl.––Genesis17:1.

6th.ELYŌN,MostHigh,averbaladjectivefrom חָלָע ,togoup,ascend.—Ps.9:3;21:8.

7th.ThetermTZEBAOTH,ofhosts,isfrequentlyusedasanepithetqualifyingoneofthe

above–mentionednamesofGod.Thus,JehovahofHosts,GodofHosts,Jehovah,GodofHosts.–Amos4:13;Psalm24:10.SomehavethoughtthisequivalenttoGodofBattles.Thetrueforceoftheepithet,however,is"sovereignofthestars,materialhostsofheaven,andoftheangelstheirinhabitants."––Dr.J.A.Alexander,"CommentaryonPsalm24:10,"andGesenius’s"Heb.Lex."

8th.ManyotherepithetsareappliedtoGodmetaphorically,tosetforththerelationhesustainstousandtheofficeshefulfills,e.g.,King,Lawgiver,Judge.––Isaiah33:17;Psalm24:8;1:6.Rock,Fortress,Tower,Deliverer.––2Samuel22:2,3;Psalm62:2.Shepherd,Husbandman.––Psalm23:1;John15:1.Father.–Matthew6:9;John20:17,etc.

9.Whatarethedivineattributes?

ThedivineattributesaretheperfectionswhicharepredicatedofthedivineessenceintheScriptures,orvisiblyexercisedbyGodinhisworksofcreationandprovidenceandredemptions.Theyarenotpropertiesorstatesofthedivineessenceseparableintactorideafromthedivineessence,asthepropertiesandmodesofeverycreatedthingareseparablefromtheessenceofthecreature.God’sknowledgeishisessenceknowing,andhisloveishisessenceloving,andhiswillishisessencewilling,andallthesearenotlatentcapacitiesofaction,norchangingstates,butco–existentandeternallyunchangeablestatesofthedivineessencewhichinstateandmodeaswellasinexistenceis"thesameyesterday,todayandforever"and"withoutvariablenessorshadowofturning."

ConcerningthenatureandoperationsofGod,wecanknowonly

whathehasgrantedtorevealtous,andwitheveryconception,eitherofhisbeingorhisacts,theremustalwaysattendanelementofincomprehensibility,whichisinseparablefrominfinitude.Hisknowledgeandpowerareastrulybeyondallunderstandingashiseternityorimmensity.––Job11:7–9;26:14;Psalm139:5,6;Isaiah40:28.Themoralelementsofhisgloriousnaturearethenormororiginaltypeofourmoralfaculties;thuswearemadecapableofcomprehendingtheultimateprinciplesoftruthandjusticeuponwhichheacts.TruthandjusticeandgoodnessareofcoursethesameinessenceinGodandinangelandinman.Yethisactionuponthoseprinciplesisoftenatrialofourfaith,andanoccasionofouradoringwonder.––Romans11:33–36;Isaiah55:8,9.

10.WhatdotheologiansmeanbythephraseSIMPLICITY,whenappliedtoGod?

Thetermsimplicityisused,first,inoppositiontomaterialcompositionwhethermechanical,organic,orchemical;second,inametaphysicalsenseinnegationoftherelationofsubstanceandproperty,essenceandmode.Inthefirstsenseofthewordhumansoulsaresimple,becausetheyarenotcomposedofelements,parts,ororgans.Inthesecondsenseofthewordoursoulsarecomplex,sincethereisinthemadistinctionbetweentheiressenceandtheirproperties,andtheirsuccessivemodesorstatesofexistence.

As,however,Godisinfinite,eternal,self–existentfrometernity,necessarilythesamewithoutsuccession,theologianshavemaintainedthatinhimessence,andpropertyandmodeareone.Healwaysiswhatheis;andhisvariousstatesofintellection,emotion,andvolitionarenotsuccessiveandtransientbutco–existentandpermanentHeiswhatheisessentially,andbythesamenecessitythatheexists.WhateverisinGod,whetherthought,emotion,volition,oract,isGod.

SomemenconceiveofGodaspassingthroughvarioustransientmodesandstatesjustasmendo,andthereforetheysupposethepropertiesofthedivinenaturearerelatedtothedivineessenceasthepropertiesofcreatedthingsarerelatedtotheessenceswhichareendowedwiththem.Otherspresstheideaofsimplicitysofarthattheydenyanydistinctioninthedivineattributesinthemselves,andsuppose

thattheonlydifferencebetweenthemistobefoundinthemodeofexternalmanifestation,andintheeffectsproduced.Theyillustratetheirideabythevariouseffectsproducedondifferentobjectsbythesameradianceofthesun.

Inordertoavoidbothextremestheologianshavebeenaccustomedtosaythatthedivineattributesdifferfromthedivineessenceandfromoneanother,1st,notrealiterorasonethingdiffersfromanother,orinanysuchwayastoimplycompositioninGod.Nor2nd,merelynominaliter,asthoughtherewerenothinginGodreallycorrespondingtoourofconceptionofhisperfections.But3rd,theyaresaidtodiffervirtualitersothatthereisinhimafoundationoradequatereasonforalltherepresentationswhicharemadeinScripturewithregardtothedivineperfections,andfortheconsequentconceptionswhichwehaveofthem.––Turretin’s"InstitutioTheologicae,"Locus3.,Ques.5and7,andDr.C.Hodge’s"Lectures."

11.Statethedifferentprinciplesuponwhichthedivineattributesaregenerallyclassified.

Fromthevastnessofthesubjectandtheincommensuratenessofourfaculties,itisevidentthatnoclassificationofthedivineattributeswecanformcanbeanythingmorethanapproximatelyaccurateandcomplete.Themostcommonclassificationsrestuponthefollowingprinciples:

1st.Theyaredistinguishedasabsoluteandrelative.Anabsoluteattributeisapropertyofthedivineessenceconsideredinitself:e.g.,self–existence,immensity,eternity,intelligence.Arelativeattributeisapropertyofthedivineessenceconsideredinrelationtothecreation:e.g.,omnipresence,omniscience,etc.

2nd.TheyarealsodistinguishedasaffirmativeandnegativeAnaffirmativeattributeisonewhichexpressessomepositiveperfectionofthedivineessence:e.g.,omnipresence,omnipotence,etc.Anegativeattributeisonewhich:deniesalldefectorlimitationofanykindtoGod:e.g.,immutability,infinitude,incomprehensibility,etc.

3rd.TheattributesofGod,distinguishedascommunicableandincommunicable.Thecommunicablearethosetowhichtheattributesofthehumanspiritbearthenearestanalogy:e.g.,hispower,knowledge,will,goodness,andrighteousness.Theincommunicablearethosetowhichthereisinthecreaturenothinganalogous,aseternity,immensity,etc.Thisdistinction,however,mustnotbepressedtoofar.

Godisinfiniteinhisrelationtospaceandtime;wearefiniteinourrelationtoboth.Butheisnolessinfiniteastohisknowledge,will,goodness,andrighteousnessinalltheirmodes,andwearefiniteinalltheserespects.AllGod’sattributesknowntous,orconceivablebyus,arecommunicable,inasmuchastheyhavetheiranalogyinus,buttheyareallalikeincommunicable,inasmuchastheyareallinfinite.

4th.TheattributesofGod,distinguishedasnaturalandmoral.Thenaturalareallthosewhichpertaintohisexistenceasaninfinite,rationalSpirit:e.g.,eternity,immensity,intelligence,will,power.Themoralarethoseadditionalattributeswhichbelongtohimasaninfinite,righteousSpirit:e.g.,justice,mercy,truth.

Iwoulddiffidentlyproposethefollowingfourfoldclassification:

(1)Thoseattributeswhichequallyqualifyalltherest—Infinitude,thatwhichhasnobounds;absoluteness,thatwhichisdeterminedeitherinitsbeing,ormodesofbeingoraction,bynothingwhatsoeverwithoutitself.Thisincludesimmutability.

(2)Naturalattributes.GodisaninfiniteSpirit,self–existent,eternal,immense,simple,freeofwill,intelligent,powerful.

(3)Moralattributes.GodisaSpiritinfinitelyrighteous,good,truefaithful.

(4)Theconsummategloryofallthedivineperfectionsinunion.ThebeautyofHOLINESS.

THEUNITYOFGOD

12.lnwhattwosensesofthewordisUNITYpredicated

ofGod?

1st.Godisunique:thereisonlyoneGodtotheexclusionofallothers.

2nd.NotwithstandingthethreefoldpersonaldistinctionintheunityoftheGodhead,yetthesethreePersonsarenumericallyonesubstanceoressence,andconstituteoneindivisibleGod.

13.Howmaytheproposition,thatGodisoneandindivisible,beproved?

1st.ThereappearstobeanecessityinreasonforconceivingofGodasone.Thatwhichisabsoluteandinfinitecannotbutbeoneandindivisibleinessence.IfGodisnotone,thenitwillnecessarilyfollowthattherearemoregodsthanone.

2nd.TheuniformrepresentationofScripture.––John10:30.

14.ProvefromScripturethattheproposition,thereisbutoneGod,istrue.

Deuteronomy6:4;1Kings8:60;Isaiah44:6;Mark12:29,32;1Corinthians8:4;Ephesians4:6.

15.Whatistheargumentfromtheharmonyofcreationinfavorofthedivineunity?

Thewholecreation,betweentheoutermostrangeoftelescopicandofmicroscopicobservation,ismanifestlyoneindivisiblesystem.Butwehavealready(Chapter2.)provedtheexistenceofGodfromthephenomenaoftheuniverse;andwenowargue,uponthesameprinciple,thatif,aneffectprovestheprioroperationofacause,andiftracesofdesignproveadesigner,thensinglenessofplanandoperationinthatdesignanditsexecutionprovethatthedesignerIsONE.

16.Whatistheargumentuponthispointfromnecessaryexistence?

TheexistenceofGodissaidtobenecessary,becauseithasitscausefrometernityinitself.Itisthesameinalldurationandinallspacealike.ItisabsurdtoconceiveofGodnotexistingatanytimeorinanyportionofspace,whileallotherexistencewhatsoever,dependinguponhismerewill,iscontingent.Butthenecessitywhichisuniforminalltimesandineveryportionofspace,isevidentlyonlyoneandindivisible,andcanbethegroundoftheexistenceonlyofoneGod.

Thisargument:islogical,andhasbeenprizedhighlybymanydistinguishedtheologians.Ithoweverappearstoinvolvetheerrorofpresuminghumanlogictobethemeasureofexistence.

17.Whatistheargumentfrominfiniteperfection,inproofthattherecanbebutoneGod?

Godisinfiniteinhisbeingandinallofhisperfection’s.Buttheinfinite,byincludingall,excludesallothers,ofthesamekind.Ifthereweretwoinfinitebeings,eachwouldnecessarilyincludetheother,andbeincludedbyit,andthustheywouldbethesame,oneandidentical.Itiscertainthattheideaoftheco–existenceoftwoinfinitelyperfectbeingsisasrepugnanttohumanreasonastoScripture.

18.Whatispolytheism?Andwhatdualism?

Polytheism,astheetymologyofthewordindicates,isageneraltermdesignatingeverysystemofreligionwhichteachestheexistenceofapluralityofgods.

Dualismisthedesignationofthatsystemwhichrecognizestwooriginalandindependentprinciplesintheuniverse,theonegoodandtheotherevil.Atpresenttheseprinciplesareinarelationofceaselessantagonism,thegoodeverstrugglingtoopposetheevil,andtodeliveritsprovincefromitsbanefulintrusion.

THESPIRITUALITYOFGOD

19.WhatisaffirmedandwhatisdeniedinthepropositionthatGodisaSpirit?

Weknownothingofsubstanceexceptasitismanifestedbyitsproperties.Matteristhatsubstancewhosepropertiesmanifestthemselvesdirectlytoourbodilysenses.Spiritisthatsubstancewhosepropertiesmanifestthemselvestousdirectlyinselfconsciousness,andonlyinferentiallybywordsandothersignsormodesofexpressionthroughoursenses.

WhenwesayGodisaSpiritwemean––

1st.Negatively,thathedoesnotpossessbodilyorthatheiscomposedofnomaterialelements;thatheisnotsubjecttoanyofthelimitingconditionsofmaterialexistence;and,consequently,thatheisnottobeapprehendedastheobjectofanyofourbodilysenses.

2nd.Positively,thatheisarationalbeing,whodistinguisheswithinfiniteprecisionbetweenthetrueandthefalse;thatheisamoralbeing,whodistinguishesbetweentherightandthewrong;thatheisafreeagent,whoseactionisself–determinedbyhisownwill;and,infine,thatalltheessentialpropertiesofourspiritsmaytrulybepredicatedofhiminaninfinitedegree.

ThisgreattruthisinconsistentwiththedoctrinethatGodisthesouloftheworld(anirnamundi)aplasticorganizingforceinseparablefrommatter;alsowiththeGnosticdoctrineofemanation,andwithallformsofmodernMaterialismandPantheism.

20.ExhibittheproofthatGodisaSpirit.

1st.ItisexplicitlyassertedinScripture.––John4:24.

2nd.Itfollowsfromourideaofinfiniteandabsoluteperfections.MatterisobviouslyinferiortoSpirit,andinseparablefrommanykindsofimperfectionsandlimitations.Matterconsistingofseparateandceaselesslyreactingatomscannotbe"one,"nor"infinite",nor"immutable,"etc.TheideathatmattermaybeunitedwithspiritinGod,asitisinman,isfelttodegradehim,andbindhimfastunderthelimitationsoftimeandspace.

3rd.ThereisnotraceanywhereofmaterialpropertiesintheCreatorandProvidentialGovernoroftheuniverse––whereasalltheevidencethataGodexistsconspirestoprovealsothatheisasupremelywise,benevolent,righteous,andpowerperson––thatis,thatheisapersonalspirit.

GOD’SRELATIONTOSPACE

21.WhatismeantbytheimmensityofGod?

TheimmensityofGodisthephraseusedtoexpressthefactthatGodisinfiniteinhisrelationtospace,i.e.,thattheentireindivisibleessenceofGodisateverymomentoftimecotempopresenttoeverypointofinfinitespace.

ThisisnotinvirtueoftheinfinitemultiplicationofhisSpirit,sinceHeiseternallyoneandindividual;nordoesitresultfromtheinfinitediffusionofhisessencethroughinfinitespace,asairisdiffusedoverthesurfaceoftheearth,since,beingaSpiritheisnotcomposedofparts,norishecapableofextension,butthewholeGodheadintheoneindivisibleessenceisequallypresentineverymomentofeternaldurationtothewholeofinfinitespace,andtoeverypartofit.

22.Howdoesimmensitydifferfromomnipresence?

ImmensitycharacterizestherelationofGodtospaceviewedabstractlyinitself.OmnipresencecharacterizestherelationofGodtohiscreaturesastheyseverallyoccupytheirseveralpositionsinspace.Thedivineessenceisimmenseinitsownbeing,absolutely.Itisomnipresentrelativelytoallhiscreatures.

23.Whatarethedifferentmodesofthedivinepresence,andhowmayitbeprovedthatHeiseverywherepresentastoHisessence?

Godmaybeconceivedofaspresentinanyplace,orwithanycreature,inseveralmodes,first,astohisessence;second,astohisknowledge;third,asmanifestingthatpresencetoanyintelligentcreature;

fourth,asexercisinghispowerinanyway,inoruponthecreature.Astoessenceandknowledge,hispresenceisthesameeverywhereandalways.Astohisself–manifestationandtheexerciseofhispower,hispresencediffersendlesslyindifferentcasesindegreeandmode.ThusGodispresenttothechurchasheisnottotheworld.ThusHeispresentinhellinthemanifestationandexecutionofrighteouswrath,whileHeispresentinheaveninthemanifestationandcommunicationofgraciousloveandglory.

24.ProvethatGodisomnipresentastoHisessence.

ThatGodiseverywherepresentastohisessenceisproved,firstfromScripture(1Kings8:27;Psalm139:7–10;Isaiah66:1;Acts17:27,28);second,fromreason.(1)Itfollowsnecessarilyfromhisinfinitude.(2)Fromthefactthathisknowledgeishisessenceknowing,andhisactionsarehisessenceacting.Yethisknowledgeandhispowerreachtoallthings.

25.Statethedifferentrelationsthatbodies,createdspirits,andGodsustaintospace.

Turretinsays:Bodiesareconceivedofasexistinginspacecircumscriptively,becauseoccupyingacertainportionofspacetheyareboundedbyspaceuponeveryside.Createdspiritsdonotoccupyanyportionofspace,noraretheyembracedbyany,theyare,however,inspacedefinitely,ashereandnotthere.God,ontheotherhand,isinspacerepletively,becauseinatranscendentalmannerHisessencefillsallspace.Heisincludedinnospace;heisexcludedfromnone.Whollypresenttoeachpoint,hecomprehendsallspaceatonce.

TimeandSpaceareneithersubstances,norqualities,normererelations.Theyconstituteagenusbythemselves,absolutelydistinctfromallotherentities,andthereforedefyingclassification."Weknowthatspaceandtimeexist;weknowonsufficientevidencethatGodexists;butwehavenomeansofknowinghowspaceandtimestandrelatedtoGod.TheviewtakenbySirIsaacNewton,—'Deusduratsemperetadestubique,et,existendosemperetubique,durationemetspatiumconstituit'—iscertainlyagrandone,butIdoubtmuchwhetherhuman

intelligencecandictatoriallyaffirmthatitisastrueasitissublime."—McCosh,"IntuitionsoftheMind,"p.212.

THERELATIONOFGODTOTIME

26.Whatiseternity?

Eternityisinfiniteduration;durationdischargedfromalllimits,withoutbeginning,withoutsuccession,andwithoutend.Theschoolmenphraseitapunctumstans,anever-abidingpresent.

We,however,canpositivelyconceiveofeternityonlyasdurationindefinitelyextendedfromthepresentmomentintwodirections,astothepastandastothefuture,improperlyexpressedaseternityaparteante,orpast,andeternityapartepost,orfuture.TheeternityofGod,however,isoneandindivisible.Externitasestunaindividuaettotesimul.

27.Whatistime?

Timeislimitedduration,measuredbysuccession,eitherofthoughtormotion.Itisdistinguishedinreferencetoourperceptionsintopast,present,andfuture.

28.Whatrelationdoestimebeartoeternity?

Eternity,theunchangingpresent,withoutbeginningorend,comprehendsalltime,andco–existsasanundividedmoment,withallthesuccessionsoftimeastheyappearandpassintheirorder.

Thoughtispossibletous,however,onlyunderthelimitationsoftimeandspace.WecanconceiveofGodonlyunderthefinitefashionoffirstpurposingandthenacting,offirstpromisingorthreateningandthenfulfillinghisword,etc.Hethatinhabitetheternityinfinitelytranscendsourunderstanding.Isaiah57:15.

29.WhenwesaythatGodiseternal,whatdoweaffirmandwhatdowedeny?

Weaffirm,first,thatastohisexistence,heneverhadanybeginning,andneverwillhaveanyend;second,thatastothemodeofhisexistence,histhoughts,emotions,purposes,andactsare,withoutsuccession,oneandinseparable,thesameforever;third,thatheisimmutable.

Wedeny,first,thatheeverhadabeginningoreverwillhaveanend;second,thathisstatesorofoccurinsuccession;third,thathisessence,attributes,orpurposeswilleverchange.

30.InwhatsensearetheactsofGodspokenofaspast,present,andfuture?

TheactsofGodareneverpast,present,orfutureasrespectsGodhimself,butonlyinrespecttotheobjectsandeffectsofhisactsinthecreature.Theefficientpurposecomprehendingthepreciseobject,time,andcircumstancewaspresenttohimalwaysandchangelessly;theevent,however,takingplaceinthecreatureoccursintime,andisthuspast,present,orfuturetoourobservation.

31.InwhatsenseareeventspastorfutureasitregardsGod?

AsGod’sknowledgeisinfinite,everyeventmust,first,beeverequallypresenttohisknowledgefrometernitytoeternity;second,theseeventsmustbeknowtohimastheyactuallyoccurinthemselves,e.a.,intheirtruenature,relations,andsuch–Thisdistinction,therefore,holdstrue––God’sknowledgeofalleventsiswithoutbeginning,end,orsuccession;butheknowsthemasinthemselvesoccurringinthesuccessionsoftime,past,present,orfuture,relativelytooneanother.

THEIMMUTABILITYOFGOD

32.WhatismeantbytheimmutabilityofGod?

ByhisimmutabilitywemeanthatitfollowsfromtheinfiniteperfectionofGod;thathecannotbechangedbyanythingfromwithouthimself;andthathewillnotchangefromanyprinciplewithin

himselfthatastohisessence,hiswill,andhisstatesofexistence,heisthesamefrometernitytoeternity.

Thusheisabsolutelyimmutableinhimself.Heisalsoimmutablerelativelytothecreature,inasmuchashisknowledge,purpose,andtruth,astheseareconceivedbyusandarerevealedtous,canknowneithervariablenessnorshadowofturning––James1:17.

33.ProvefromScriptureandreasonthatGodisimmutable.

1st.Scripture:Malachi3:6;Psalm33:11;Isaiah46:10;James1:17.

2nd.Reason:(1)Godisself–existent.Asheiscausedbynone,butcausesall,sohecanbechangedbynone,butchangesall.(2)Heistheabsolutebeing.Neitherhisexistence,northemannerofit,norhiswill,aredeterminedbyanynecessaryrelationwhichtheysustaintoanythingexteriortohimself.Asheprecededallandcausedall,sohissovereignwillfreelydeterminedtherelationswhichallthingsarepermittedtosustaintohim.(3)Heisinfiniteinduration,andthereforehecannotknowsuccessionorchange.(4)Heisinfiniteinallperfection,knowledge,wisdom,righteousness,benevolence,will,power,andthereforecannotchange,fornothingcanbeaddedtotheinfinitenortakenfromit.Anychangewouldmakehimeitherlessthaninfinitebefore,orlessthaninfiniteafterwards.

34.HowcanthecreationoftheworldandtheincarnationoftheSonbereconciledwiththeimmutabilityofGod?

1st.Astothecreation.Theeffectivepurpose,thewillandpowertocreatetheworlddwellethinGodfrometernitywithoutchange,butthisveryefficaciouspurposeitselfprovidedthattheeffectshouldtakeplaceinitspropertimeandorder.ThiseffecttookplacefromGod,butofcourseinvolvednoshadowyofchangeinGod,asnothingwaseithertakenfromhimoraddedtohim.

2nd.Astotheincarnation.ThedivineSonassumedacreatedhumannatureintopersonalunionwithhimself.Hisuncreatedessenceofcoursewasnotchanged.Hiseternalpersonwasnotchangedinitself,butonlybroughtintoanewrelation.ThechangeeffectedbythatstupendouseventoccurredonlyinthecreatednatureofthemanChristJesus.

THEINFINITEINTELLIGENCEOFGOD

35.HowdoesGod’smodeofknowingdifferfromours?

God’sknowledgeis,1st,hisessenceknowing;2nd,itisoneeternal,all–comprehensive,indivisibleact.

(1)Itisnotdiscursive,i.e.,proceedinglogicallyfromtheknowntotheunknown;butintuitive,i.e.,discerningallthingsdirectlyinitsownlight.

(2)Itisindependent,i.e.,itdoesinnowaydependuponhiscreaturesortheiractions,butsolelyuponhisowninfiniteintuitionofallthingspossibleinthelightofhisownreason,andofallthingsactualandfutureinthelightofhisowneternalpurpose.

(3)Itistotalandsimultaneous,notsuccessive.Itisonesingle,indivisibleactofintuition,beholdingallthingsinthemselves,theirrelationsandsuccessions,aseverpresent.

(4)Itisperfectandessential,notrelative,i.e.,heknowsallthingsdirectlyintheirhiddenessences,whileweknowthemonlybytheirproperties,astheystandrelatedtooursenses.

(5)Weknowthepresentimperfectly,thepastwerememberdimly,thefutureweknownotatallbutGodknowsallthings,past,present,andfuture,byonetotal,unsuccessive,allcomprehensivevision.

36.Howhasthisdivineperfectionbeendefinedbytheologians?

Turretin,Locus3.,Q.12.––"ConcerningtheknowledgeofGod,beforeallelse,twothingsaretobeconsidered,viz..itsmodeandits

object.TheModeofthedivineknowledgeconsistsinthis,thatheperfectly,individually,distinctly,andimmutablyknowsallthings,andhisknowledgeisthusdistinguishedfromtheknowledgeofmenandangels.Heknowsallthingsperfectly,becausehehasknownthemthroughhimselforhisownessence,andnotbythephenomenaofthings,asthecreaturesknowobjects.....2.Heknowsallthingsindividuallybecauseheknowsthemintuitively,byadirectactofcognition,andnotinferentially,byaprocessofdiscursivereasoning,orbycomparingonethingwithanother.....3.Heknowsallthingsdistinctly,notthatheunitesbyadifferentconceptionthevariouspredicatesofthings,butthatheseesthroughallthingsbyonemostdistinctactofintuition,andnothing,eventheleastthing,escapeshim.....4.Andheknowsallimmutablybecausethatwithhimthereisnoshadowofchange,andheremaininghimselfunmoved,movesallthings,andsoperceivesallthevariouschangesofthings,byoneimmutableactofcognition."

37.Howmaytheobjectsofdivineknowledgebeclassified?

1st.Godhimselfinhisowninfinitebeing.Itisevidentthatthis,transcendingthesumofallotherobjectsistheonlyadequateobjectofaknowledgereallyinfinite.

2nd.Allpossibleobjects,assuch,whethertheyareoreverhavebeen,oreverwillbeornot,seeninthelightofhisowninfinitereason.

3rd.Allthingsactual,whichhavebeen,are,orwillbe,hecomprehendsinoneeternal,simultaneousactofknowledge,aseverpresentactualitiestohim,andasknowntobesuchinthelightofhisownsovereignandeternalpurpose.

38.Whatisthetechnicaldesignationoftheknowledgeofthingspossible,andwhatisthefoundationofthatknowledge?

Itstechnicaldesignationisscientiasimplicisintelligentiaeknowledgeofsimpleintelligence,socalled,becauseitisconceivedbyusasanactsimplyofthedivineintellect,withoutanyconcurrentactofthe

divinewill.Forthesamereasonithasbeenstyledscientianecessaria,necessaryknowledge,i.e.,notvoluntary,ordeterminedbywill.ThefoundationofthatknowledgeisGod’sessentialandinfinitelyperfectknowledgeofhisownomnipotence.

39.Whatisthetechnicaldesignationoftheknowledgeofthingsactual,whetherpast,present,orfuture,andwhatisthefoundationofthatknowledge?

Itiscalledscientiavisions,knowledgeofvision,andscientialibera,freeknowledge,becausehisintellectisinthiscaseconceivedofasbeingdeterminedbyaconcurrentactofhiswill.

ThefoundationofthisknowledgeisGod’sinfiniteknowledgeofhisownall–comprehensiveandunchangeableeternalpurpose.

40.ProvethattheknowledgeofGodextendstofuturecontingentevents.

Thecontingencyofeventsinourviewofthemhasatwofoldground:first,theirimmediatecausesmaybebyusindeterminate,asinthecaseofthedice;second,theirimmediatecausemaybethevolitionofafreeagent.ThefirstclassareinnosensecontingentinGod’sview.Thesecondclassareforeknownbyhimascontingentintheircause,butasnonethelesscertainintheirevent.

Thathedoesforeknowallsuchiscertain––

1st.Scriptureaffirmsit.—1Samuel23:11,12;Acts2:23;15:18;Isaiah46:9,10.

2nd.Hehasoftenpredictedcontingenteventsfuture,atthetimeoftheprophecy,whichhasbeenfulfilledintheevent.Mark14:30.

3rd.Godisinfiniteinallhisperfections,hisknowledge,therefore,must(1)beperfect,andcomprehendallthingsfutureaswellaspast,(2)independentofthecreature.Heknowsallthingsinthemselvesbyhisownlight,andcannotdependuponthewillofthecreaturetomakehisknowledgeeithermorecertainormorecomplete.

41.HowcanthecertaintyoftheforeknowledgeofGodbereconciledwiththefreedomofmoralagentsintheiracts?

Thedifficultyherepresentedisofthisnature.God’sforeknowledgeiscertain;theevent,therefore,mustbecertainlyfuture;ifcertainlyfuture,howcantheagentbefreeinenactingit.

Inordertoavoidthisdifficultysometheologians,ontheonehand,havedeniedtherealityofman’smoralfreedom,whileothers,ontheotherhand,havemaintainedthat,God’sknowledgebeingfree,hevoluntarilyabstainsfromknowingwhathiscreaturesendowedwithfreeagencywilldo.

Weremark––

1st.God’scertainforeknowledgeofallfutureeventsandman’sfreeagencyarebothcertainfacts,impregnablyestablishedbyindependentevidence.Wemustbelieveboth,whetherwecanreconcilethemornot.

2nd.Althoughnecessityisinconsistentwithliberty,moralcertaintyisnot,asisabundantlyshowninChapter15.,Question25.

42.Whatisscientiamedia?

ThisisthetechnicaldesignationofGod’sknowledgeoffuturecontingentevents,presumed,bytheauthorsofthisdistinction,todependnotupontheeternalpurposeofGodmakingtheeventcertain,butuponthefreeactofthecreatureasforeseenbyaspecialintuition.Itiscalledscientiamedia,middleknowledge,becauseitissupposedtooccupyamiddlegroundbetweentheknowledgeofsimpleintelligenceandtheknowledgeofvision.Itdiffersfromtheformer,sinceitsobjectisnotallpossiblethings,butaspecialclassofthingsactuallyfuture.Itdiffersfromthelatter,sinceitsgroundisnottheeternalpurposeofGod,butthefreeactionofthecreatureassimplyforeseen.

43.Bywhomwasthisdistinctionintroduced,andforwhatpurpose?

ByLuisMolina,aJesuit,born1535anddied1601,professoroftheologyintheUniversityofEvora,Portugal,inhisworkentitled"Liberiarbitriicumgrataedonis,divinepraescientia,praedestinationeetreprobationeconcordia."––Hagenbach's"Hist.ofDoc.,"vol.2,p.280.ItwasexcogitatedforthepurposeofexplaininghowGodmightcertainlyforeknowwhathisfreecreatureswoulddointheabsenceofanysovereignforeordinationonhispart,determiningtheiraction.Thusmakinghisforeordinationofmentohappinessormiserytodependuponhisforeknowledgeoftheirfaithandobedience,anddenyingthathisforeknowledgedependsuponhissovereignforeordination.

44.Whataretheargumentsagainstthevalidityofthisdistinction?

1st.Theargumentsuponwhichitisbasedareuntenable.Itsadvocatesplead––(1)Scripture.––1Samuel23:9–12;Matthew11:22,23.(2)Thatthisdistinctionisobviouslynecessary,inordertorenderthemodeofthedivineforeknowledgeconsistentwithman’sfreeagency.

Tothefirstargumentweanswer,thattheeventsmentionedintheabove–citedpassagesofScripturewerenotfuture.TheysimplyteachthatGod,knowingallcauses,freeandnecessary,knowshowtheywouldactunderanyproposedcondition.Evenweknowthatifweaddfiretopowderanexplosionwouldensue.

Thiscomesunderthefirstclasswecitedabove(Question38),ortheknowledgeofallpossiblethings.Tothesecondargumentweanswer,thatthecertainforeknowledgeofGodinvolvesthecertaintyofthefuturefreeactofhiscreatureasmuchashisforeordinationdoes;andthatthesovereignforeordinationofGod,withrespecttothefreeactsofmen,onlymakesthemcertainlyfutureanddoesnotintheleastprovideforcausingthoseactsinanyotherwaythanbythefreewillofthecreaturehimselfactingfreely.

2nd.Thismiddleknowledgeisunnecessary,becauseallpossibleobjectsofknowledge,allpossiblethings,andallthingsactuallytobe,havealreadybeenembracedunderthetwoclassesalreadycited

(Questions38,39).

3rd.IfGodcertainlyforeknowsanyfutureevent,thenitmustbecertainlyfuture,andhemusthaveforeknownittobecertainlyfuture,eitherbecauseitwasantecedentlycertain,orbecausehisforeknowingitmadeitcertain.Ifhisforeknowingitmadeitcertain,thenhisforeknowledgeinvolvesforeordination.Ifitwasantecedentlycertain,thenweask,whatcouldhavemadeitcertain,exceptwhatweaffirm,thedecreeofGod,eithertocauseithimselfimmediately,ortocauseitthroughsomenecessarysecondcause,orthatsomefreeagentshouldcauseitfreely?WecanonlychoosebetweentheforeordinationofGodandablindfate.

4th.ThisviewmakestheknowledgeofGodtodependupontheactsofhiscreaturesexteriortohimself:Thisisbothabsurdandimpious,ifGodisinfinite,eternal,andabsolute.

5th.TheScripturesteachthatGoddoesforeordainaswellasforeknowthefreeactsofmen.––Isaiah10:5–15;Acts2:23;4:27,28.

45.Howdoeswisdomdifferfromknowledge,andwhereindoesthewisdomofGodconsist?

Knowledgeisasimpleactoftheunderstanding,apprehendingthatathingis,andcomprehendingitsnatureandrelations,orhowitis.

Wisdompresupposesknowledge,andisthepracticalusewhichtheunderstanding,determinedbythewill,makesofthematerialofknowledge.God’swisdomisinfiniteandeternal.Itisconceivedofbyusasselectingthehighestpossibleend,themanifestationofhisownglory,andtheninselectinganddirectingineverydepartmentofhisoperationsthebestpossiblemeanstosecurethatend.Thiswisdomisgloriouslymanifestedtousinthegreattheatersofcreation,providence,andgrace.

THEINFINITEPOWEROFGOD

46.WhatismeantbytheomnipotenceofGod?

Poweristhatefficiencywhich,byanessentiallawofthought,we

recognizeasinherentinacauseinrelationtoitseffect.Godistheuncausedfirstcause,andthecausalefficiencyofhiswillisabsolutelyunlimitedbyanythingoutsideofthedivineperfectionthemselves.

47.WhatdistinctionhasbeenmarkedbetweenthePotestasabsolutaandthePotestasordinataofGod?

TheScripturesandrightreasonteachusthatthecausalefficiencyofGodisnotconfinedtotheuniverseofsecondcauses,andtheiractivepropertiesandlaws.ThephrasePotestasabsolutaexpressestheomnipotenceofGodabsolutelyconsideredinhimself—andspecificallythatinfinitereserveofpowerwhichremainswithhimasafreepersonalattribute,aboveandbeyondallthepowersofnatureandhisordinaryprovidentialactingsuponandthroughthem.Creation,miracles,etc.,areexercisesofthispowerofGod.ThePotestasordinataontheotherhandisthepowerofGodasitisnowexercisedinandthroughtheestablishedsystemofsecondcauses,intheordinarycourseofProvidence.Rationalistsandadvocatesofmerenaturalism,whodenymiracles,andanyformofdivineinterferencewiththeestablishedorderofnature,ofcourseadmitonlythelatteranddenytheformermodeofdivinepower.

48.InwhatsenseisthepowerofGodlimitedandinwhatsenseisitunlimited?

Weareconsciouswithrespecttoourowncausalefficiency.1st.Thatitisverylimited.Wehavedirectcontrolonlyoverthecourseofourthoughts,andthecontractionsofafewmuscles.2nd.Thatwedependupontheuseofmeanstoproducetheeffectswedesign.3rd.Wearedependentuponoutwardcircumstanceswhichlimitandconditionuscontinually.

Thepowerinherentinthedivinewillontheotherhandcanproducewhatevereffectsheintendsimmediately,andwhenhecondescendstousemeanshefreelyendowsthemwithwhateverefficiencytheypossess.Alloutwardcircumstancesofeverykindarehisowncreation,conditioneduponhiswill,andthereforeincapableoflimitinghiminanyway.Heisabsolutelyunlimitedintheexerciseofhis

power.Hecannotdowrong,norworkcontradictions,becausehispoweristhecausalefficiencyofaninfinitelyrationalandrighteousessence.Hispowerthereforeislimitedonlybyhisownperfections.

49.IsthedistinctioninusbetweenpowerandwillaperfectionoradefectanddoesitexistinGod?

Itisobjectedthatifourpowerwasequaltoourdesign,andeveryvolitionresultedimmediatelyinact,wewouldnotbeconsciousofthedifferencebetweenpowerandwill.Weadmitthatwhenaman’spowerfailstobecommensuratewithhiswillitisadefect,—andthatthisneveristhecasewithGod.Butontheotherhandwhenamanisconsciousthathepossessespowerswhichhemightbutdoesnotwilltoexercise,heisconsciousthatitisanexcellence––andthathisnatureisthemoreperfectforthepossessionofsuchreservesofpowerthanitwouldotherwisebe.ToholdthatthereisnothinginGodwhichisnotinactualexercise,thathispowerextendsnofurtherthanhiswill,istomakehimnogreaterthanhisfinitecreation.Theactionsofagreatmanimpressuschieflyastheexponentsofvastlygreaterpowerwhichremainsinreserve.SoitiswithGod.

50.HowcanabsoluteomnipotencebeprayedtobelongtoGod?

1st.ItisassertedbyScripture.Jeremiah32:17;Matthew19:26;Luke1:37;Revelation19:6.

2nd.ItisnecessarilyinvolvedintheveryideaofGodasaninfinitebeing.

3rd.Althoughwehaveseenbutpartofhisways(Job26:14),yetourconstantlyextendingexperienceiseverrevealingtousnewandmoreastonishingevidencesofhispower,whichalwaysindicateaninexhaustiblereserve.

THEWILLOFGOD

51.WhatismeantbythewillofGod?

ThewillofGodistheinfinitelyandeternallywise,powerful,andrighteousessenceofGodwilling.InourconceptionitisthatattributeoftheDeitytowhichwereferhispurposesanddecreesastheirprinciple.

52.InwhatsenseisthewillofGodsaidtobefree,andinwhatsensenecessary?

ThewillofGodisthewise,powerful,andrighteousessenceofGodwilling.Hiswill,therefore,ineveryactiscertainlyandyetmostfreelybothwiseandrighteous.Thelibertyofindifferenceisevidentlyforeigntohisnature,becausetheperfectionofwisdomistochoosethemostwisely,andtheperfectionofrighteousnessistochoosethemostrighteously.

Ontheotherhand,thewillofGodisfrometernityabsolutelyindependentofallhiscreaturesandalltheiractions.

53.WhatisintendedbythedistinctionbetweenthedecretiveandthepreceptivewillofGod?

ThedecretivewillofGodisGodefficaciouslypurposingthecertainfuturitionofevents.ThepreceptivewillofGodisGod,asmoralgovernor,commandinghismoralcreaturestodothatwhichheseesitrightandwisethattheyintheircircumstancesshoulddo.

Thesearenotinconsistent.Whathewillsasourdutymayveryconsistentlybedifferentfromwhathewillsashispurpose.Whatitisrightforhimtopermitmaybewrongforhimtoapprove,orforustodo.

54.WhatismeantbythedistinctionbetweenthesecretandrevealedwillofGod?

ThesecretwillofGodishisdecretivewill,calledsecret.becausealthoughitissometimesrevealedtomaninthepropheciesandpromisesoftheBible,yetitisforthemostparthiddeninGod.

TherevealedwillofGodishispreceptivewill,whichisalwaysclearlysetforthastheruleofourduty.––Deuteronomy29:29.

55.InwhatsensedotheArmeniansmaintainthedistinctionbetweentheantecedentandconsequentwillofGod,andwhataretheobjectionstotheirviewofthesubject?

Thisisadistinctioninventedbytheschoolmen,andadoptedbytheArmenians,forreconcilingthewillofGodwiththeirtheoryofthefreeagencyofman.

TheycallthatanantecedentactofGod’swillwhichprecedestheactionofthecreature,e.g.,beforeAdamsinnedGodwilledhimtobehappy.TheycallthataconsequentactofGod’swillwhichfollowedtheactofthecreature,andisconsequentuponthatact,e.g.,afterAdamsinnedGodwilledhimtosufferthepenaltyduetohissin.

ItisveryevidentthatthisdistinctiondoesnottrulyrepresentthenatureofGod’swill,anditsrelationtotheactsofhiscreatures:first,Godiseternal,andthereforetherecanbenodistinctioninhispurposesastotime;second,Godiseternallyomniscientandomnipotent.Ifhewillsanything,therefore,hemustfromthebeginningwillthemeanstoaccomplishit,andthussecuretheattainmentoftheendwilled.

OtherwiseGodmusthave,atthesametime,twoinconsistentwillswithregardtothesameobject.ThetruthisthatGod,eternallyandunchangeable,byonecomprehensiveactofwill,willedallthathappenedtoAdamfrombeginningtoendinthepreciseorderansuccessioninwhicheacheventoccurred;third,Godisinfinitelyindependent.ItisdegradingtoGodtoconceiveofhimasfirstwillingthatwhichhehasnopowertoeffect,andthenchanginghiswillconsequentlytotheindependentactsofhiscreatures.

Itistrue,indeed,thatbecauseofthenaturallimitsofourcapacitieswenecessarilyconceiveoftheseveralintentionsofGod’sone,eternal,indivisiblepurpose,assustainingacertainlogical(nottemporal),relationtoeachotherasprincipalandconsequent.ThusweconceiveofGod’sfirst(inlogicalorder)decreeingtocreateman,thentopermithimtofall,thentoelectsometoeverlastinglife,andthentoprovidearedemption.––Turretin.

56.InwhatsensedoArmeniansholdthedistinctionbetweentheabsoluteandconditionalwillofGod,andwhataretheobjectionstothatview?

IntheirviewsthatistheabsolutewillofGodwhichissuspendeduponnoconditionwithouthimself,e.g.,hisdecreetocreateman.ThatistheconditionalwillofGodwhichissuspendeduponacondition,e.g.,hisdecreetosavethosethatbelievei.e.,onconditionoftheirfaith.

ItisevidentthatthisviewisentirelyinconsistentwiththenatureofGodasaneternal,selfexistent,independentbeing,infiniteinallhisperfections.Itdegradeshimtothepositionofbeingsimplyacoordinatepartofthecreation,mutuallylimitingandbeinglimitedbythecreature.

ThemistakeresultsfromdetachingafragmentofGod’swillfromtheonewhole,all–comprehensive,eternalpurpose.Itisevidentthat,whenproperlyviewedaseternalandone,God’spurposemust

comprehendallconditions,aswellastheirconsequenceGod’swillissuspendeduponnocondition,butheeternallywillstheeventassuspendeduponitscondition,anditsconditionasdeterminingtheevent.

ItisadmittedbyallthatGod’spreceptivewill,asexpressedincommands,promises,andthreatenings,isoftensuspendeduponcondition.Ifwebelieveweshallcertainlybesaved.ThisistherelationwhichGodhasimmutablyestablishedbetweenfaithasthecondition,andsalvationastheconsequent,i.e.,faithistheconditionofsalvation.ButthisissomethingverydifferentfromsayingthatthefaithofPaulwastheconditionofGod’seternalpurposetosavehim,becausethesamepurposedeterminedthefaithasthecondition.andthesalvationasitsconsequent.Seefurther,Chapter10..onthedecrees.

57.InwhatsenseisthewillofGodsaidtobeeternal?

Itisoneeternal,unsuccessive,all–comprehensiveact,absolutelydeterminingeithertoeffectortopermitallthings,inalloftheirrelations,conditions,andsuccessions,whicheverwere,are,oreverwillbe.

58.InwhatsensemaythewillofGodbesaidtobetheruleofrighteousness?

Itisevidentthatinthehighestsense,withrespecttoGodwilling,hismerewillcannotberegardedastheultimategroundofallrighteousness,anymorethanitcanbeastheultimategroundofallwisdom.

Because,inthatcase,itwouldfollow,first,thattherewouldbenoessentialdifferencebetweenrightandwronginthemselves,butonlyadifferencearbitrarilyconstitutedbyGodhimself;and,second,thatitwouldbesenselesstoascriberighteousnesstoGod,forthenthatwouldbemerelytosaythathewillsashewills.Thetruthis,thathiswillactsashisinfinitelyrighteouswisdomseestoberight.

Ontheotherhand,God’srevealedwillistoustheabsoluteandultimateruleofrighteousness,alikewhenhecommandsthingsinthemselvesindifferent,andthusmakesthemright,aswhenhecommandsthingsinthemselvesessentiallyright,becausetheyareright.

THEABSOLUTEJUSTICEOFGOD

59.Whatismeantbythedistinctions,absoluteandrelative,rectoral,distributive,andpunitiveorvindicatoryjusticeofGod?

TheabsolutejusticeofGodistheinfinitemoralperfectionoruniversalrighteousnessofhisownbeing.

TherelativejusticeofGodishisinfinitelyrighteousnature,viewedasexercisedinhisrelationtohismoralcreatures,astheirmoralgovernor.

Thislastiscalledrectoral,whenviewedasexercisedgenerallyinadministeringtheaffairsofhisuniversalgovernment,inprovidingforandgoverninghiscreaturesandtheiractions.Itiscalleddistributive,whenviewedasexercisedingivinguntoeachcreaturehisexactproportionatedueofrewardsorpunishment.Itiscalledpunitiveor

vindicatory,whenviewedasdemandingandinflictingtheadequateandproportionatepunishmentofallsin,becauseofitsintrinsicilldesert.

60.WhatarethedifferentopinionsastothenatureofthepunitivejusticeofGod,i.e.,whatarethedifferentreasonsassignedwhyGodpunishessin?

TheSociniansdenythepunitivejusticeofGodaltogether,andmaintainthathepunishessinsimplyforthegoodoftheindividualsinner,andofsociety,onlysofarasitmaybeinterestedinhisrestraintorimprovement.ThosetheologianswhomaintainthegovernmentaltheoryoftheAtonement,holdthatGodpunishessinnotbecauseofachangelessprincipleinhimselfdemandingitspunishment,butforthegoodoftheuniverse,onthebasisofgreatandchangelessprinciplesofgovernmentalpolicy.Thusresolvingjusticeintoaformofgeneralbenevolence.Leibnitzheldthat"justiceisgoodnessconductedbywisdom."

Thisprincipleassumesthathappinessisthechiefgood.Thattheessenceofvirtueisthedesiretopromotehappiness,andthatconsequentlytheendofjusticecanonlybetopreventmisery.ThisisthefoundationoftheGovernmentaltheoryoftheAtonement.SeeChapter25.SeeParkonthe"Atonement."

Someholdthatthenecessityforthepunishmentofsinisonlyhypothetical,i.e.,resultsonlyfromtheeternaldecreeofGod.

ThetrueviewisthatGodisimmutablydeterminedbyhisowneternalandessentialrighteousnesstovisiteverysinwithaproportionatepunishment.

61.Provethatdisinterestedbenevolenceisnotthewholeofvirtue.

1st.Someexercisesofdisinterestedbenevolence,forexample,naturalparentalaffection,arepurelyinstinctive,andhavenopositivemoralcharacter.

2nd.Someexercisesofdisinterestedbenevolence,suchastheweakyieldingofajudgetosympathywithaguiltymanorhisfriends,arepositivelyimmoral.

3rd.Therearevirtuousprinciplesincapableofbeingresolvedintodisinterestedbenevolence,suchasproperprudentialregardforone’sownhighestgood;aspirationandeffortafterpersonalexcellence;holyabhorrenceofsinforitsownsane,andjustpunishmentofsininordertovindicaterighteousness.

4th.Theideaofoughtnessistheessentialconstitutiveideaofvirtue.Nopossibleanalysisoftheideaofbenevolencewillgivetheideaofmoralobligation.Thisissimple,unresolvable,ultimate.Oughtnessisthegenus,andbenevolenceoneofthespeciescomprehendedinit.

62.Statetheevidencederivedfromtheuniversalprinciplesofhumannature,thatthejusticeofGodmustbeanultimateandunchangeableprincipleofhisnature,determininghimtopunishsinbecauseofitsintrinsicilldesert.

Theobligationofarighteousrulertopunishsin,theintrinsicilldesertofsin,theprinciplethatsinoughttobepunished,areultimatefactsofmoralconsciousness.Theycannotberesolvedintoanyotherprinciplewhatsoever.Thisisproved,

1st.Becausetheyareinvolvedineveryawakenedsinner’sconsciousnessofhisowndemerit.––Psalm51:4."Ihavedonethisevilinthysight;thatthoumightestbejustwhenthouspeakest,andclearwhenthoujudgest."Initshigherdegreethisfeeling.risesintoremorse,andcanbeallayedonlybyexpiation.

Thusmanymurderershavehadnorestuntiltheyhavegiventhemselvesuptothelaw,whentheyhaveexperiencedinstantrelief.AndmillionsofsoulshavefoundpeaceintheapplicationofthebloodofJesustotheirwoundedconsciences.

2nd.Allmenjudgethusofthesinsofothers.Theconsciences

ofallgoodmenaregratifiedwhenthejustpenaltyofthelawisexecutedupontheoffender,andoutragedwhenheescapes.

3rd.Thisprincipleiswitnessedtobyallthesacrificialritescommontoallancientreligions,bythepenance’sinsomeformuniversaleveninmoderntimes,byallpenallaws,andbythesynonymsforguilt,punishment,justice,etc.,commontoalllanguages.

4th.Itisself–evident,thattoinflictanunjustpunishmentisitselfacrime,nomatterhowbenevolentthemotivewhichpromptsit,norhowgoodtheeffectwhichfollowsit.Itisnolessself–evidentthatitisthejusticeofthepunishmentsodeservedwhichrendersitseffectontheeffectgood,andnotitseffectonthecommunitywhichrendersitjust.Tohangamanforthegoodofthecommunityisbothacrimeandablunder,unlessthehangingisjustifiedbytheilldesertofman.Inthatcasehisilldesertisseenbyallthecommunitytobetherealreasonofthehanging.

63.Provethesamefromthenatureofthedivinelaw.

Grotiusinhisgreatwork,"DefensioFideiCatholicceDeSatisfactioneChristi,"inwhichheoriginatestheGovernmentalTheoryoftheAtonement,maintainsthatthedivinelawisaproductofthedivinewill,andthereforeattheoptionofGodrelaxable,alikeinitspreceptiveanditspenalelements.Butthetruthis(a)thatthepenaltyisanessentialpartofthedivinelaw;(b)thatthelawofGod,astoallitsessentialprinciplesofrightandwrong,isnotaproductofthedivinewill,butanimmutabletranscriptofthedivinenature;(c)thereforethelawisimmutableandmustneedbefulfilledineveryiotaofit.

Thisisproved—1st.Becausefundamentalprinciplesmusthavetheirchangelessgroundinthedivinenature,or(a)otherwisethedistinctionbetweenrightandwrongwouldbepurelyarbitrary––whereastheyarediscernedbyourmoralintuitionstobeabsoluteandindependentofallvolitiondivineorhuman;(b)otherwiseitwouldbemeaninglesstosaythatGodisright–ifrighteousnessbeanarbitrarycreatureofhisownwill;(c)becausehedeclaresthathe"cannotlie,"that"hecannotdenyhimself."

2nd.Thescripturesdeclarethatthelawcannotberelaxedthatitmustbefulfilled.––John7:23,and10:35;Luke24:44,Matthew5:25,26.

3rd.ThescripturesdeclarethatChristcametofulfillthelaw,nottorelaxit.––Matthew5:17,18;Romans3:31;10:4.

64.Howmayitbearguedfromtheindependenceandabsoluteself–sufficiencyofGod,thatpunitivejusticeisanessentialattributeofhisnature?

ItisinconsistentwiththeseessentialattributestoconceiveofGodasobligedtoanycourseofactionbytheexternalexigenciesofhiscreation.Boththemotiveandtheendofhisactionmustbeinhimself.––Colossians1:16;Romans11:36;Ephesians1:5,6;Romans9:22,23.Ifhepunishessinbecausedeterminedsotodobytheprinciplesofhisownnature,thenheactsindependently.Butifheresortstothismerelyasthenecessarymeansofrestrainingandgoverninghiscreatures,thentheiractionscontrolhis.

65.HowmayitbeprovedfromGod’sloveofholinessandhatredofsin?

God’sloveforholinessandhatredofsinisrepresentedinScriptureasessentialandintrinsic.Helovesholinessforitsownsake.Hehatessinandisdeterminedtopunishitbecauseofitsintrinsicilldesert.Hehatesthewickedeveryday–Psalms5:5;7:11."Tomebelongethvengeanceandrecompense."––Deuteronomy32:35."Accordingtotheirdeedsaccordinglyhewillrepay."––Isaiah59:18;2Thessalonians1:6."SeeSeeingitisarighteousthingwithGodtorecompensetribulationtothemthattroubleyou."––Romans1:32."KnowingthejudgmentofGodthattheywhichcommitsuchthingsareworthyofdeath."––Deuteronomy17:6;21:22.

66.HowcanthistruthbeprovedfromwhattheScripturesteachastothenatureandnecessityoftheatonementofChrist?

AstoitsnaturetheScripturesteachthatChristsufferedthepenaltyofsinvicariouslyintheplaceandsteadofhiselectpeople,andthathethusexpiatedtheirguilt,andreconciledGodandredeemedtheirsoulsbygivinghimselftheransompricedemandedintheirstead.TheScriptureseverywhereandinevery,wayteachthatthedesignofChrist’sdeathwastoproduceasin–expiatingeffectupontheGovernorofthemoraluniverse,andnotamoralimpressioneitherupontheheartoftheindividualsinner,oruponthepublicconscienceoftheintelligentuniverse.AllthiswillbeprovedatlengthunderChapters25.and33.

AstothenecessityoftheAtonementthescripturesteachthatitwasabsolute.ThatChristmustdieorsinnersperish.Galatians2:21,and3:21.Buttheproprietyofproducingamoralimpressionuponeachsinnerpersonally,oruponthepublicmindoftheuniversegenerally,cannotgiverisetoanabsolutenecessityonthepartofGod––sinceGodwhocreatedtheuniverseandallitsmembersmight,ofcourse,ifhesopleased,producemoralimpressionsuponthemofwhateverkind,eitherwithoutmeans,orbywhatsoevermeanshepleases.AnabsolutenecessitymusthaveitsgroundintheunchangeablenatureofGod,whichliesbackofanddetermineshiswillinallitsacts.ThereforetheeternalnatureofGodimmutablydetermineshimtopunishallsin."PoliticalScience,"PresidentTheodoreD.Woolsey,vol.1.,pp.330–335.

Thetheorythatcorrectionisthemainendofpunishmentwillnotbearexamination.(1)Thestateisnotahumaneinstitution.(2)Thetheorymakesnodistinctionbetweencrimes.Ifamurdererisapparentlyreformedinaweek,theendsofdetentionareaccomplished,andheshouldbesetfree;whilethepettyoffendermuststayformonthsoryearsuntiltheinoculationofgoodprinciplesbecomesmanifest.(3)Whatkindofcorrectionistobeaimedat?Isitsuchaswillinsuresocietyitselfagainsthisrepeatinghiscrime?Inthatcaseitissociety,andnotthepersonhimselfwhoistobebenefitedbythecorrectiveprocess.Ormustathoroughcure,arecoveryfromselfishnessandcovetousness,anawakeningofthehighestprincipleofsoulbeaimedat;anestablishedchurch,inshort,besetupinthehouseofcorrection?

Theexplanationthatthestateprotectsitsownexistence,ortheinnocentinhabitantsofthecountry,bystrikingitssubjectswithaweand

deterringthemfromevil–doingthroughpunishment,ismetbyadmittingthat,whilethiseffectisrealandimportant,itisnotasyetmadeoutthatthestatehasarighttodothis.Crimeanddesertofpunishmentmustbepre–supposedbeforethemoralsensecanbesatisfiedwiththeinflictionofevil.Andthemeasureoftheamountofpunishment,suppliedbythepublicgoodforthetime,ismostfluctuatingandtyrannical;moreovermereawe,unaccompaniedbyanawakeningofthesenseofjustice,isasmuchasourceofhatredasamotivetoobedience.

Thetheorythatinpunishinganevil–doerthestaterenderstohimhisdeserts,istheonlyonethatseemstohaveasolidfoundation.Itassumesthatmoralevilhasbeencommittedbydisobediencetorightfulcommands,thataccordingtoaproprietywhichcommendsitselftoourmoralnatureitisfitandrightthatevil,physicalormental,sufferingorshameshouldbeincurredbythewrong–doer,andthatinallformsofgovernmentovermoralbeingsthereoughttobeapowerabletodecidehowmucheviloughttofollowspecialkindsandinstancesoftransgressions.Thestateisinfact,asSt.Paulcallsit,theministerofGodtoexecutewrathuponhimthatdoethevil.Butonlyinaverylimitedsphereandforspecialends...Itpunishesacts,notthoughts,intentionsappearinginacts,notfeelings;itpunishespersonswithinacertainterritoryoverwhichithasthejurisdiction,andperhapsitssubjectswhodowrongelsewhere,butnoneelse,itpunishesactshurtfultoitsownexistenceandtothecommunityofitssubjects;itpunishesnotaccordingtoanexactscaleofdeserts,foritcannot,withoutarevelationfindoutwhatthedesertsofindividualsare,norwhatistherelativeguiltofdifferentactionsofdifferentpersons.1

THEABSOLUTEGOODNESSOFGOD

67.Whatdistinctionsaresignifiedbythetermsbenevolence,complacency,mercy,andgrace?

TheinfinitegoodnessofGodisagloriousperfectionwhichpre–eminentlycharacterizeshisnature,andwhichhe,inaninfinitelywise,righteous,andsovereignmanner,exercisestowardshiscreaturesinvariousmodesaccordingtotheirrelationsandconditions.

BenevolenceisthegoodnessofGodviewedgenerically.Itembracesallhiscreatures,exceptthejudiciallycondemnedonaccountofsin,andprovidesfortheirwelfare.

TheloveofcomplacencyisthatapprovingaffectionwithwhichGodregardshisowninfiniteperfections,andeveryimageandreflectionoftheminhiscreatures,especiallyinthesanctifiedsubjectsofthenewcreation.

God’smercy,ofwhichthemorepassiveformsarepityandcompassion,isthedivinegoodnessexercisedwithrespecttothemiseriesofhiscreatures,feelingforthem,andmakingprovisionfortheirrelief,andinthecaseofimpenitentsinners,leadingtolong–sufferingpatience.

ThegraceofGodishisgoodnessseekingtocommunicatehisfavors,and,aboveall,thefellowshipofhisownlifeandblessednesstohismoralcreatures,—who,ascreatures,mustbedestituteofallmerit,––andpre–eminentlyhiselectinglove,securingatinfinitecosttheblessednessofitsobjects,who,assinfulcreatures,werepositivelyilldeserving.

68.Stateafalsedefinitionofdivinebenevolenceoftengiven,andstatehowitisrightlydefined.

TheinfiniteBenevolenceofGodisoftendefinedasthatattributeinvirtueofwhichhecommunicatestoallhiscreaturesthegreatestpossibleamountofhappiness,i.e.,asgreatastheyarecapableofreceiving,orasgreatasisconsistentwiththeattainmentofthegreatestamountofhappinessontheage–inthemoraluniverse.

ButthissupposesthatGodislimitedbysomethingoutofhimself,thathecouldnothavesecuredmorehappinessforhiscreaturesthanhehasactuallydone.ItalsomakeshappinessparamountintheviewofGodtoexcellence.

Benevolenceshould,ontheotherhand,bedefinedasthatattributeinvirtueofwhichGodproducesallthehappinessintheuniverse,whichisconsistentwiththeendhehadinviewinitscreation.

Theseendsstandinthisorder.1.Themanifestationofhisownglory.2.Thehighestmoralexcellenceofhiscreatures.3.Theirhighestblessednessinhimself.—Dr.CharlesHodge’sLectures.

69.WhatarethesourcesofourknowledgeofthefactthatGodisbenevolent?

1st.Reason.Benevolenceisanessentialelementofmoralperfection.Godisinfinitelyperfect,andthereforeinfinitelybenevolent.

2nd.Experienceandobservation.ThewisdomofGodindesigning,andthepowerofGodinexecuting,intheseveralspheresofcreation,providence,andrevealedreligion,haveevidentlybeenconstantlydeterminedbybenevolentintentions.

3rd.ThedirectassertionsofScripture.—Psalm165:8,9;1John4:8.

70.HowmayitbeprovedthatGodisgraciousandwillingtoforgivesin?

Neitherreasonnorconsciencecaneverraiseapresumptiononthissubject.Itistheevidentdutyoffellow–creaturesmutuallytoforgiveinjuries,butwehavenothingtodowithforgivingsinassin.

Itappearsplainthattherecanbenomoralprinciplemakingitessentialforasovereignrulertoforgivesinastransgressionoflaw.Allthatreasonorconsciencecanassureusofinthatregardis,thatsincannotbeforgivenwithoutanatonement.Thegraciousaffectionwhichshouldpromptsucharulerto

provideanatonement,must,fromitsessentialnature,beperfectlyfreeandsovereign,andthereforeitcanbeknownonlysofarasitisgraciouslyrevealed.Thegospelis,therefore,goodnewsconfirmedbysignsandwonders.––Exodus24:6,7;Ephesians1:7–9.

71.WhatarethedifferenttheoriesorassumptionsonwhichithasbeenattemptedtoreconciletheexistenceofsinwiththegoodnessofGod?

1st.Ithasbeenarguedbysomethatfreeagencyisessentialtoamoralsystem,andthatabsoluteindependenceofwillisessentialtofreeagency.Thattocontrolthewillsoffreeagentsisnomoreanobjectofpowerthantheworkingofcontradictions;andconsequentlyGod,althoughomnipotent,couldnotpreventsininamoralsystemwithoutviolatingitsnature.—SeeDr.N.W.Taylor's"ConcioadClerum,"1828.

2nd.OthershavearguedthatsinwaspermittedbyGodininfinitewisdomasthenecessarymeanstothelargestpossiblemeasureofhappinessintheuniverseasawhole.

Onbothoftheseweremark––

1st.Thatthefirsttheoryabovecitedisfoundedonafalseviewoftheconditionsofhumanlibertyandresponsibility(seebelow,Chapter15);and,further,thatitgrosslylimitsthepowerofGodbyrepresentinghimasdesiringandattemptingwhathecannoteffect,andthatitmakeshimdependentuponhiscreatures.

2nd.WithreferencetothesecondtheoryitshouldberememberedthatGod’sownglory,andnotthegreatestgoodoftheuniverse,isthegreatendofGodincreationandprovidence.

3rd.Thepermissionofsin,initsrelationbothtotherighteousnessandgoodnessofGod,isaninsolvablemystery,andallattemptstosolveitonlydarkencounselwithwordswithoutknowledge.Itis,however,theprivilegeofourfaithtoknow,thoughnotofourphilosophytocomprehend,thatitisassuredlyamostwise,righteous,andmercifulpermission;andthatitshallredoundtothegloryofGodandtothegoodofhischosen.

72.Howcantheattributesofgoodnessandjusticebeshowntobeconsistent?

Goodnessandjusticearetheseveralaspectsofoneunchangeable,infinitelywise,andsovereignmoralperfection.Godisnotsometimesmercifulandsometimesjust,norsofarmercifulandsofar

just,butheiseternallyinfinitelymercifulandjust.Relativelytothecreaturethisinfiniteperfectionofnaturepresentsdifferentaspects,asisdeterminedbythejudgmentwhichinfinitewisdomdeliversineachindividualcase.

Eveninourexperiencetheseattributesofourmoralnaturearefoundnottobeinconsistentinprinciplethoughourwantbothofwisdomandknowledge,asenseofourownunworthiness,andamerephysicalsympathy,oftensadlydistractourjudgmentsaswellasourheartsinadjustingtheseprinciplestotheindividualcasesoflife.

GOD’SABSOLUTETRUTH

73.Whatistruthconsideredasadivineattribute?

ThetruthofGodinitswidestsenseisaperfectionwhichqualifiesallhisintellectualandmoralattributes.Hisknowledgeisinfinitelytrueinrelationtoitsobjects,andhiswisdomunbiasedeitherbyprejudiceorpassion.Hisjusticeandhisgoodnessinalltheirexercisesareinfinitelytruetotheperfectstandardofhisownnature.Inalloutwardmanifestationsofhisperfectionstohiscreatures,Godisalwaystruetohisnature—alwaysself–consistentlydivine.ThisattributeinitsmorespecialsensequalifiesallGod’sintercoursewithhisrationalcreatures.Heistruetousaswellastohimself;andthusislaidthefoundationofallfaith,andthereforeofallknowledge.Itisthefoundationofallconfidence,first,inoursenses;second,inourintellectandconscience;third,inanyauthenticated,supernaturalrevelation.

Thetwoformsinwhichthisperfectionisexercisedinrelationtousare,first,hisentiretruthinallhiscommunications;second,hisperfectsincerityinundertakingandfaithfulnessindischargingallhisengagements.

74.HowcanthetruthofGodbereconciledwiththeapparentnon–performanceofsomeofhisthreatenings?

ThepromisesandthreateningsofGodaresometimesabsolute,whentheyarealwaysinfalliblyfulfilledintheprecisesenseinwhichhe

intendedthem.Theyareoftenalsoconditionalmadetodependupontheobedienceorrepentanceofthecreature.––Jonah3:4,10;Jeremiah18:7,8.Thisconditionmaybeeitherexpressedorimplied,becausetheindividualcaseisunderstoodtobe,ofcourse,governedbythegeneralprinciplethatgenuinerepentanceandfaithdeliversfromeverythreateningandsecureseverypromise.

75.HowcantheinvitationsandexhortationsoftheScriptures,addressedtothosewhomGoddoesnotproposetosave,bereconciledwithhissincerity?

Seeabove(Question42),thedistinctionbetweenGod’spreceptiveandhisdecretivewill.Hisinvitationsandexhortationsareaddressedtoallmeningoodfaith:first,becauseitiseveryman’sdutytorepentandbelieve,anditisGod’spreceptivewillthateverymanshould;second,becausenothingeverpreventstheobedienceofanysinner,excepthisownunwilling–third,becauseineverycaseinwhichtheconditionisfulfilledthepromiseimpliedwillbeperformed;fourth,Godneverhaspromisedtoenableeverymantobelieve;fifth,theseinvitationsandexhortationsarenotaddressedtothereprobateassuch,buttoallsinnersassuch,withtheavowedpurposeofsaving;therebytheelect.

THEINFINITESOVEREIGNTYOFGOD

76.WhatismeantbythesovereigntyofGod?

Hisabsoluterighttogovernanddisposeofallhiscreatures,simplyaccordingtohisowngoodpleasure.

77.ProvethatthisrightisassertedinScripture.

Daniel4:25,35;Revelation4:11;1Timothy6:15;Romans9:15–23.

78.OnwhatdoestheabsolutesovereigntyofGodrest?

lst.Hisinfinitesuperiorityinbeingandinallhisperfectionstoanyandtoallhiscreatures.

2nd.Ascreaturestheywerecreatedoutofnothing,andarenowsustainedinbeingbyhispower,forhisowngloryandaccordingtohisowngoodpleasure.––Romans11:36.

3rd.Hisinfinitebenefitstous,andourdependenceuponandblessednessinhim,arereasonswhyweshouldnotonlyrecognize,butrejoice,inthisglorioustruth.TheLordreigneth,lettheearthrejoice.

79.IsthereanysenseinwhichtherearelimitstothesovereigntyofGod?

ThesovereigntyofGod,viewedabstractlyasoneattributeamongmany,mustofcoursebeconceivedofasqualifiedbyalltherest.Itcannotbeotherwisethananinfinitelywise,righteous,andmercifulsovereignty.

ButGod,viewedconcretelyasaninfinitesovereign,isabsolutelyunlimitedbyanythingwithouthimself:"Hedoethaccordingtohiswillinthearmyofheaven,andamongtheinhabitantsoftheearth.",—Daniel4:35.

THEINFINITEHOLINESSOFGOD

80.WhatismeantbytheholinessofGod?

TheholinessofGodisnottobeconceivedofasoneattributeamongothers;itisratherageneraltermrepresentingtheconceptionofhisconsummateperfectionandtotalglory.Itishisinfinitemoralperfectioncrowninghisinfiniteintelligenceandpower.Thereisagloryofeachattribute,viewedabstractly,andagloryofthewholetogether.Theintellectualnatureistheessentialbasisofthemoral.

InfinitemoralperfectionisthecrownoftheGodhead.Holinessisthetotalglorythuscrowned.

HolinessintheCreatoristhetotalperfectionofaninfinitelyrighteousintelligence.Holinessinthecreatureisnotmeremoralperfection,butperfectionofthecreatednatureofmoralagentsaftertheirkind,inspiritualunionandfellowshipwiththeinfiniteCreator.—1John

1:3.

Thewordholiness,asappliedtoGodinScripture,represents,first,moralpurity—Leviticus11:44;Psalm145:17;second,histranscendentalaugustandvenerablemajesty.––Isaiah5:3;Psalm22:3;Revelation4:8.

To"sanctifytheLord",i.e.,tomakehimholy,istodeclareandadorehisholinessbyveneratinghisaugustmajestywhereverandwhereinsoeverhispersonorcharacterisrepresented,Isaiah8:13;[29:23];Ezekiel38:23;Matthew6:9;1Peter3:15.

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Chapter9:TheHolyTrinity

1.Whatistheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)andmeaningofthewordTrinity,andwhenwasitintroducedintothelanguageoftheChurch?

Thewordtrinity(Trinitas)isderivedeitherfromtres-unus,trinus,orfromπριάς,threeinone,ortheonewhichisthree,andthethreewhichareone;nottriplex—trinitasnottriplicitas.ThiswordisnotfoundintheScriptures.Technicaltermsarehoweveranabsolutenecessityinallsciences.Inthiscasetheyhavebeenmadeparticularlyessentialbecauseofthesub–perversionsofthesimple,untechnicalBiblicalstatementsbyinfidelsandheretics.Thisterm,asabovedefined,admirablyexpressesthecentralfactofthegreatdoctrineoftheoneessenceeternallysubsistingasthreePersons,alltheelementsofwhichareexplicitlytaughtintheScriptures.TheGreekwordτρίαςwasfirstusedinthisconnectionbyTheophilus,bishopofAntioch,inSyria,fromAD.168toAD.183.TheLatintermTrinitaswasfirstusedbyTertullian,circum.220.Mosheim’s"Eccle.Hist.,"vol.1.,p.121,note7;Hagenbach,"Hist.ofDoc.,"vol.1.,129

2.Whatisthetheologicalmeaningofthetermsubstantia(substance)whatchangehasoccurredinitsusage?

Substantiaasnowused,isequivalenttoessence,independentbeing.Thus,intheGodhead,thethreepersonsarethesameinsubstance,i.e.,ofoneandthesameindivisible,numericalessence.

Thewordwasatfirstusedbyonepartyinthechurchasequivalenttosubsistentia(subsistence),ormodeofexistence.Inwhichsense,whilethereisbutoneessence,therearethreesubstantiaeorpersons,intheGodhead.––SeeTurretin,Tom.1.,locus3.,quest23.

3.Whatothertermshavebeenusedastheequivalentsofsubstantiainthedefinitionsofthisdoctrine?

TheGreekὀυσίαandφύσις.TheLatinessentia,natura.TheEnglishessence,substance,nature,being.

4.Whatisthetheologicalmeaningofthewordsubsistentia(subsistence)?

Itisusedtosignifythatmodeofexistencewhich:distinguishesoneindividualthingfromeveryotherindividualthing,onepersonfromeveryotherperson.AsappliedtothedoctrineoftheTrinity,subsistenceisthatmodeofexistencewhichispeculiartoeachofthedivinepersons,andwhichineachconstitutestheoneessenceadistinctperson.

5.WhatistheNewTestamentsenseofthewordὑπόστασις(hypostasis)??

Thisword,astoitsetymology,ispreciselyequivalenttosubstance;itcomesfromὑφίστημι,"tostandunder.",

IntheNewTestamentitisusedfivetimes—

1st.Figuratively,forconfidence,orthatstateofmindwhichisconsciousofafirmfoundation,2Corinthians9:4;Hebrews3:14,whichfaithrealizes,Hebrews11:1.

2nd.Literally,foressentialnature,Hebrews1:3.—SeeSampson’s"CommentaryonHeb."

6.Inwhatsenseisthiswordusedbytheecclesiasticalwriters?

Untilthemiddleofthefourthcenturythisword,inconnectionwiththedoctrineoftheTrinity,wasgenerallyusedinitsprimarysense,asequivalenttosubstance.ItisusedinthissenseinthecreedpublishedbytheCouncilofNiceAD.325,andagaininthedecreesoftheCouncilofSardica,inIllyria,AD.347.TheseagreedinaffirmingthatthereisbutonehypostasisintheGodhead.Some,however,atthattimeunderstandingthewordinthesenseofperson,itsusagewaschangedbygeneralconsent,chieflythroughtheinfluenceofAthanasius,andeversinceithasbeenestablishedintheologicallanguageinthesenseofperson,incontradistinctiontoὀυσία,essence.IthasbeentransferredintotheEnglishlanguageintheformofanadjective,todesignatethehypostaticalorpersonalunionoftwonaturesintheGod–man.

7.Whatisessentialtopersonality,andhowisthewordpersontobedefinedinconnectionwiththedoctrineoftheTrinity?

TheLatinword,"suppositum,"signifiesadistinctindividualexistence,e.g.,aparticulartreeorhorse.Apersonis"suppositumintellectuale,"adistinctindividualexistence,towhichbelongsthepropertiesofreasonandfreewill.Throughouttheentirerangeofourexperienceandobservationofpersonalexistenceamongcreatures,personalityrestsuponandappearstobeinseparablefromdistinctionofessence.Everydistinctpersonisadistinctsoul,withorwithoutabody.

Thatdistinguishingmodeofexistencewhichconstitutestheonedivineessencecoordinatelythreeseparatepersons,isofcourseaninfinitemysterywhichwecannotunderstand,andthereforecannotadequatelydefine,andwhichwecanknowonlysofarasitisexplicityrevealed.Allthatweknowis,thatthisdistinction,whichiscalledpersonality,embracesallthoseincommunicablepropertieswhicheternallybelongtoFather,Son,orHolyGhostseparately,andnottoallincommon;thatitlaysthefoundationfortheirconcurrenceincounsel,theirmutualloveandactiononeuponanother,astheFathersendingtheSon,andtheFatherandSonsendingtheSpirit,andforuseofthe

personalpronounsI,thou,He,intherevelationwhichonedivinepersongivesofhimselfandoftheothers.

PersonisdefinedbyGerhard––"Personaestsubstantiaindividua,intelligenes,incommunicabilis,quænonsustentaturinalio,velabalio."InrelationtothisgreatmysteryofthedivinetrinityofpersonsintheunityofessenceCalvin’sdefinitionofPersonisbetterbecausemoremodest."Byperson,then,Imeanasubsistenceinthedivineessence––asubsistencewhichwhilerelatedtotheothertwo,isdistinguishedfromthembyincommunicableproperties."––"Institutes,"Book1.,Chap.13,§6.

8.WhatothertermshavebeenusedbytheologiansastheequivalentofPersoninthis

connection?

Greek,ὑπόστασις,andπρόσωπον—aspect;Latin,persona,hypostasis,subsistentia,aspectus;English,person,hypostasis.—Shedd's"Hist.ChristDoc.,"B.III.,Ch.3,§5.

9.Whatismeantbythetermsὁμοούσιον(ofthesamesubstance),andὁμοιούσιον(ofsimilarsubstance)?

Inthefirstgeneralcouncilofthechurchwhich,consistingofthreehundredandeighteenbishops,wascalledtogetherbytheEmperorConstantineatNice,inBithynia,AD.325,therewerefoundtobethreegreatpartiesrepresentingdifferentopinionsconcerningtheTrinity.

1st.1st.Theorthodoxparty,whomaintainedtheopinionnowheldbyallChristians,thattheLordJesusis,astohisdivinenature,ofthesameidenticalsubstancewiththeFather.Theseinsisteduponapplyingtohimthedefinitetermὁμοούσιον(homoousion),compoundedofὁμός,same,andοὐσία,substance,toteachthegreattruththatthethreepersonsoftheGodheadareoneGod,becausetheyareofthesamenumericalessence

2nd.2d.TheArians,whomaintainedthattheSonofGodisthe

greatestofallcreatures,morelikeGodthananyother,theonly-begottenSonofGod,createdbeforeallworlds,throughwhomGodcreatedallotherthings,andinthatsenseonlydivine.TheyheldthattheSonwasἑτεροούσιονofdifferentorgenericallyunlikeessencefromtheFather.

3rd.3d.Themiddleparty,styledSemiarians,whoconfessedthattheSonwasnotacreature,butdeniedthathewasinthesamesenseGodastheFatheris.TheyheldthattheFatheristheonlyabsoluteself-existentGod;yetthatfrometernityhe,byhisownfreewill,causedtoproceedfromhimselfadivinepersonoflikenatureandproperties.Theydenied,therefore,thattheSonwasofthesamesubstance(homoousion)withtheFather,butadmittedthathewasofanessencetrulysimilar,andderivedfromtheFather(homoiousion,ὁμοιόυσιον,from,ὅμοιος,like,andὀυσία,substance),genericallythoughnotnumericallyone.

Theopinionsofthefirst,ororthodoxparty,prevailedatthatcouncil,andhaveeversincebeenrepresentedbythetechnicalphrase,homoousian.

Forthecreedpromulgatedbythatcouncil,seeChapter7.

10.WhataretheseveralpropositionsessentiallyinvolvedinthedoctrineoftheTrinity?

1st.ThereisbutoneGod,andthisGodisone,i.e.,indivisible.

2nd.Thattheoneindivisibledivineessence,asawhole,existseternallyasFather,andasSon,andasHolyGhost;thateachpersonpossessesthewholeessence,andisconstitutedadistinctpersonbycertainincommunicableproperties,notcommontohimwiththeothers.

3rd.Thedistinctionbetweenthesethreeisapersonaldistinction,inthesensethatitoccasions(l)theuseofthepersonalpronouns,I,thou,he,(2)aconcurrenceincounselandamutuallove,(3)adistinctorderofoperation.

4thSincethereisbutonedivineessence,andsinceallattributesoractivepropertiesareinherentinandinseparablefromtheessenceto

whichtheypertain,itfollowsthatallthedivineattributesmustbeidenticallycommontoeachofthethreepersonswhosubsistincommonoftheoneessence.

Amongallcreatureseverydistinctpersonisadistinctnumericalsubstance,andpossessesadistinctintelligence,adistinctwilletc.IntheGodhead,however,thereisbutonesubstance,andoneintelligence,onewill,etc.,andyetthreepersonseternallyco–existofthatoneessence,andexercisethatoneintelligenceandonewill,etc.InChristonthecontrary,therearetwospirits,twointelligences,twowills,andyetallthewhileoneindivisibleperson.

5th.ThesedivinepersonsbeingoneGod,allthedivineattributesbeingcommontoeachinthesamesense,neverthelesstheyarerevealedintheScripturesinacertainorderofsubsistenceandofoperation.(1)OfsubsistenceinasmuchastheFatherisneitherbegottennorproceedeth,whiletheSoniseternallybegottenbytheFather,andtheSpiriteternallyproceedethfromthefatherandtheSon;(2)ofoperation,inasmuchthatthefirstpersonsendsandoperatesthroughthesecond,andthefirstandsecondsendandoperatethroughthethird.

HencetheFatherisalwayssetforthasfirst,theSonassecond,theSpiritasthird.

6th.Whileallthedivineattributesarecommonequallytothethreepersons,andalldivineworkswroughtadextrasuchascreation,providence,orredemption,arepredicatedalikeoftheonebeing––theoneGodconsideredabsolutely––andoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhostseverally;neverthelesstheScripturesattributesomedivineworkswroughtadintra,exclusivelytoeachdivinepersonrespectively,e.g.,generationtotheFather,filiationtotheSon,processiontotheHolyGhost;andtherearelikewisesomedivineworkswroughtadextrawhichareattributedpre–eminentlytoeachpersonrespectively,e.g.,creationtotheFather,redemptiontotheSon,andsanctificationtotheHolyGhost.

Inorder,therefore,toestablishthisdoctrineinallitspartsbythetestimonyofScripture,itwillbenecessaryforustoprovethe

followingpropositionsintheirorder:

1st.ThatGodisone.

2nd.ThatJesusofNazareth,astohisdivinenature,wastrulyGod,yetadistinctpersonfromtheFather.

3rd.ThattheHolySpiritistrulyGod,yetadistinctperson.

4th.ThattheScripturesdirectlyteachatrinityofpersonsinoneGodhead.

5th.ItwillremaintogatherwhattheScripturesrevealastotheeternalandnecessaryrelationswhichthesethreedivinepersonssustaintoeachother.Thesearedistributedunderthefollowingheads:(1)Therelationwhichthesecondpersonsustainstothefirst,ortheeternalgenerationoftheSon;(2)therelationwhichthethirdpersonsustainstothefirstandsecond,ortheeternalprocessionoftheHolyGhost;and,(3)theirpersonalpropertiesandorderofoperation,adextra.

I.GODISONE,ANDTHEREISBUTONEGOD

Theproofofthisproposition,fromreasonandScripture,hasbeenfullysetforthabove,inChapter8.,ontheAttributesofGod,questions12–18.

Theanswertothequestion,howtheco–ordinateexistenceofthreedistinctpersonsintheTrinitycanbereconciledwiththisfundamentaldoctrineofthedivineunity,isgivenbelowinquestion94ofthischapter.

II.JESUSOFNAZARETH,ASTOHISDIVINENATURE,ISTRULYGOD,ANDYETADISTINCT

PERSONFROMTHEFATHER.

11.WhatdifferentviewshavebeenentertainedwithrespecttothepersonofChrist?

TheorthodoxdoctrineastothepersonofChrist,isthathefrometernityhasexistedastheco–equalSonoftheFather,constitutedofthesameinfiniteself–existentessencewiththefatherandtheHolyGhost.

Theorthodoxdoctrineastohispersonasatpresentconstituted,sincehisincarnation,issetforthinchapter23.Anaccountofthedifferenthereticalopinionsastohispersonaregivenbelow,inquestions96–99,ofthischapter.

12.TowhatextentdidtheJewsatthetimeofChristexpecttheMessiahtoappearasadivineperson?

WhenChristappeared,itiscertainthatthegreatmassoftheJewishpeoplehadceasedtoentertaintheScripturalexpectationofadivineSaviour,andonlydesiredatemporalprince,inapre–eminentsense,afavoriteofheaven.Itissaid,however,thatscatteredhintsinsomeoftherabbinicalwritingsindicatethatsomeofthemorelearnedandspiritualstillcontinuedtruetotheancientfaith.

13.Howmaythepre–existenceofJesusbeforehisbirthbytheVirginbeprovedfrom

Scripture?

1st.Thosepassageswhichsaythatheisthecreatoroftheworld.––John10:3;Colossians1:15–18.

2nd.ThosepassageswhichdirectlydeclarethathewaswiththeFatherbeforetheworldwas;thathewasrich,andpossessedglory.––John1:1,15,30;6:62;8:58;17:5;2Corinthians8:9.

3rd.Thosepassageswhichdeclarethathe"cameintotheworld","camedownfromheaven."––

John3:13,31;13:3;16:28;1Corinthians15:47.

14.HowcanitbeprovedthattheJehovahwhomanifestedhimselfastheGodoftheJewsundertheoldeconomywasthesecondpersonoftheTrinity,whobecame

incarnateinJesusof

Nazareth?

AsthisfactisnotaffirmedinanysinglestatementofScripture,itcanbeestablishedonlybyacarefulcomparisonofmanypassages.Theevidence,ascompiledfromHill’sLects.,Book3.,ch.5.,maybesummedupasfollows:

1st.Allthedivineappearancesoftheancienteconomyarereferredtooneperson.––CompareGenesis18:2,17;28:13;32:9,31;Exodus3:14,15;13:21;20:1,2;25:21;Deuteronomy4:33,36,39;Nehemiah9:7–28.ThisonepersoniscalledJehovah,theincommunicablenameofGod,andatthesametimeangel,oronesent.––CompareGenesis31:11,13;48:15,16;Hosea12:2,5.CompareExodus3:14,15,withActs7:30–35;andExodus13:21,withExodus14:19;andExodus20:1,2,withActs7:38;Isaiah13:7,9.

2nd.ButGodtheFatherhasbeenseenbynoman(John1:18;6:46):neithercouldhebeanangel,oronesentbyanyother;yetGodtheSonhasbeenseen(1John1:1,2),andsent(John5:36).

3rd.ThisJehovah,whowasatthesametimetheangel,oronesent,oftheoldeconomy,wasalsosetforthbytheprophetsastheSaviorofIsrael,andtheauthorofthenewdispensation.InZechariah2:10,11,oneJehovahisrepresentedassendinganother.SeeMicah5:2.InMalachi3:1,itisdeclaredthat"theLordI,themessengerofthecovenant,"shallcometohisowntemple.ThisappliedtoJesus(Mark1:2).––ComparePsalm97:7,withHebrews1:6;andIsaiah6:1–5,withJohn12:41.

4th.CertainreferencesintheNewTestamenttopassagesintheOldappeardirectlytoimplythisfact.ComparePsalm28:15,16,35,with1Corinthians10:9.

5th.TheChurchisoneunderalldispensations,andJesusfromthebeginningistheRedeemerandHeadoftheChurch;itis,therefore,mostconsistentwithallthathasbeenrevealedtousastotheofficesof

thethreedivinepersonsintheschemeofredemption,toadmittheviewherepresented.

SeealsoJohn8:56,58;Matthew23:37;1Peter1:10,11.

15.InwhatformaretheearliestdisclosuresmadeintheOldTestamentoftheexistenceandagencyofaPersondistinctfromGodandyetasdivine?

IntheearlierbooksanAngelisspokenof,sentfromGod,oftenappearingtomen,andyethimselfGod.––Genesis16:7-13.TheAngelofJehovahappearstoHagar,claimsdivinepower,andiscalledGod.––Genesis18:2-33.ThreeangelsappearedtoAbraham,oneofwhomiscalledJehovah,18:17.––Genesis32:25.AnAngelwrestleswithJacobandblesseshimasGod,andinHosea,12:3-5,that

AngeliscalledGod.––Exodus3:2.TheAngelofJehovahappearedtoMosesintheburningbush,andinthefollowingversesthisangeliscalledJehovah,andotherdivinetitlesareascribedtohim.

ThisAngelledtheIsraelitesinthewilderness.––Exodus14:19;Isaiah63:9.JehovahisrepresentedassavinghispeoplebytheAngelofhisPresenceThusMalachi3:1––"TheLord,theAngelofcovenantshallsuddenlycometohistemple.",ThisappliedtoChrist.––Mark1:2.

16.WhatevidenceofthedivinityoftheMessiahdoesthe2ndPsalmpresent?

ItdeclareshimtobetheSonofGod,andassuchtoreceiveuniversalpoweroverthewholeearthanditsinhabitants.Allareexhortedtosubmittohim,andtotrusthim,onpainofhisanger.InActs13:33,PauldeclaresthatPsalmreferstoChrist.

17.Whatevidenceisfurnishedbythe45thPsalm?

TheancientJewsconsideredthisPsalmaddressedtotheMessiah,andthefactisestablishedbyPaul(Hebrews1:8,9).Here,therefore,JesusiscalledGod,andhisthroneeternal.

18.WhatevidenceisfurnishedbyPsalm110?

ThatthisPsalmreferstotheMessiahisprovedbyChrist(Matthew22:43,44),andbyPaul(Hebrews5:6;7:17).HeisherecalledDavid’sLord(Adonai),andinvitedtositattherighthandofJehovahuntilallhisenemiesbemadehisfootstool.

19.WhatevidenceisfurnishedbyIsaiah9:6?

Thispassageself–evidentlyreferstotheMessiah,asisconfirmedbyMatthew4:14–16.ItdeclaresexplicitlythatthechildbornisalsothemightyGod,theeverlastingFather,thePrinceofPeace.

20.WhatistheevidencefurnishedbyMicah5:2?

ThiswasunderstoodbytheJewstorefertoChrist,whichisconfirmedbyMatthew2:6,andJohn7:42.Thepassagedeclaresthathisgoingsforthhave"beenfromeverofold,"i.e.,frometernity.

21.WhatevidenceisfurnishedbyMalachi3:1,2?

Thispassageself–evidentlyreferstotheMessiah,asisconfirmedbyMark1:2.

TheHebrewterm(Adonai),heretranslatedLord,isneverappliedtoanyotherthanthesupremeGod.Thetemple,whichwassacredtothepresenceandworshipofJehovah,iscalledhistemple.Andinverse2nd,adivineworkofJudgmentisascribedtohim.

22.WhatevidenceisaffordedbythewayinwhichthewritersoftheNewTestamentapplythewritingsoftheOldTestamenttoChrist?

TheapostlesfrequentlyapplythelanguageoftheOldTestamenttoChrist,whenitisevidentthattheoriginalwritersintendedtospeakofJehovah,andnotoftheMessiahassuch.

Psalm102isevidentlyanaddresstothesupremeLord,ascribingtohimeternity,creation,providentialgovernment,worship,andthe

hearingandansweringofprayer.ButPaul(Hebrews1:10–12)affirmsChristtobethesubjectoftheaddress.InIsaiah14:20–25,JehovahspeaksandassertshisownsupremeLordship.ButPaul,inRomans14:11,quotesapartofJehovah’sdeclarationwithregardtohimself,toprovethatwemustallstandbeforethejudgmentofChrist.—ComparealsoIsaiah6:3,withJohn12:41.

23.WhatisthegeneralcharacteroftheevidenceuponthissubjectaffordedbytheNewTestament?

Thisfundamentaldoctrineispresentedtousineveryindividualwriting,andineveryseparateparagraphoftheNewTestament,eitherbydirectassertionorbynecessaryimplication,asmaybeascertainedbyeveryhonestreaderforhimself.Themassofthistestimonyissogreat,andissointimatelyinterwovenwitheveryotherthemeineverypassage,thatIhaveroomheretopresentonlyageneralsampleoftheevidence,classifiedundertheusualheads.

24.ProvethattheNewTestamentascribesdivinetitlestoChrist.

John1:1;20:28;Acts20:28;Romans9:5;2Thessalonians1:12;1Timothy3:16;Titus2:13;Hebrews1:8;1John5:20.

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Chapter10:TheDecreesGodinGeneral

1.WhatarethedecreesofGod?

See"ConfessionofFaith,"chapter3."LargerCat.,"Q.12,and"ShorterCatechism,"Q.7.

ThedecreeofGodishiseternal,unchangeable,holy,wise,andsovereignpurpose,comprehendingatonceallthingsthateverwereorwillbeintheircauses,conditions,successions,andrelations,anddeterminingtheircertainfuturition.Theseveralcontentsofthisone

eternalpurposeare,becauseofthelimitationofourfaculties,necessarilyconceivedofbyusinpartialaspects,andinlogicalrelations,andarethereforestyledDECREES.

2.HowaretheactsofGodclassified,andtowhichclassdotheologiansreferthedecrees?

Allconceivabledivineactionsmaybeclassifiedasfollows:

1st.Thoseactionswhichareimmanentandintrinsic,belongingessentiallytotheperfectionofthedivinenature,andwhichbearnoreferencewhatevertoanyexistencewithouttheGodhead.Thesearetheactsofeternalandnecessarygeneration,wherebytheSonspringsfromtheFather,andofeternalandnecessaryprocession,wherebytheSpiritproceedsfromtheFatherandtheSon,andallthoseactionswhatsoeverinvolvedinthemutualsocietyofthedivinepersons.

2nd.Thoseactionswhichareextrinsicandtransienti.e.,thosefreeactionsproceedingfromGodandterminatinguponthecreature,occurringsuccessivelyintime,asGod’sactsincreation,providence,andgrace.

3rd.Thethirdclassarelikethefirst,inasmuchastheyareintrinsicandimmanent,essentialtotheperfectionofthedivinenatureandpermanentstatesofthedivinemind,buttheydiffer,ontheotherhand,fromthefirstclass,inasmuchastheyhaverespecttothewholedependentcreationexteriortotheGodhead.ThesearetheeternalandimmutabledecreesofGodrespectingallbeingsandeventswhatsoeverexteriortohimself.

3.Whatistheessentialnatureandsourceofthedifficultieswhichoppressthehuman,reasonwhenspeculatingonthissubject?

Thesedifficultiesallhavetheirgroundintheperfectlyinscrutablerelationsoftheeternaltothetemporal,oftheinfinitetothefinite,ofGod’sabsolutesovereigntytoman’sfreeagency,andoftheunquestionablefactoftheoriginationofsintotheholiness,goodness,

wisdom,andpowerofGod.Theyarepeculiartonosystemoftheology,butpressequallyuponanysystemwhichacknowledgestheexistenceandmoralgovernmentofGod,andthemoralagencyofman.Theyhaveperplexedheathenphilosophersofold,anddeistsinmoderntimes,andSocinians,Pelagians,andArminiansjustassorelyasCalvinists.

4.Fromwhatfixedpointofviewarewetostartinthestudyofthissubject?

Aself–existent,independent,all–perfect,andunchangeableGod,existingalonefrometernity,begantocreatetheuniversephysicalandmoralinanabsolutevacuum,movedtodosofrommotivesandwithreferencetoends,andaccordingtoideasandplans,whollyinteriorandself–prompted.Also,ifGodgovernstheuniverse,hemust,asanintelligentbeing,governitaccordingtoaplan;andthisplanmuchbeperfectinitscomprehension,reachingtoalldetails.Ifhehasaplannow,hemusthavehadthesameplanunchangedfromthebeginning.ThedecreeofGodthereforeistheactofaninfinite,absolute,eternal,unchangeable,andsovereignperson,comprehendingaplanincludingallhisworksofallkinds,greatandsmall,fromthebeginningofcreationtoanunendingeternity.Itmustthereforebeincomprehensible,anditcannotbeconditionedbyanythingexteriortoGodhimself–––sinceitwasmaturedbeforeanythingexteriortohimexisted.andhenceitselfembracesanddeterminesallthesesupposedexteriorthingsandalltheconditionsofthemforever.

5.WhatisthedistinctionbetweenforeknowledgeandforeordinationandwhatisthegeneralpositionoftheSociniansonthispoint?

ForeknowledgeisanactoftheinfiniteintelligenceofGod,knowingfromalleternity,withoutchange,thecertainfuturitionofalleventsofeveryclasswhatsoeverthateverwillcometopass.

Foreordinationisanactoftheinfinitelyintelligent,foreknowing,righteous,andbenevolentwillofGodfromalleternitydeterminingthecertainfuturitionofalleventsofeveryclasswhatsoeverthatcometopass.Foreknowledgerecognizesthecertainfuturitionofevents,while

foreordinationmakesthemcertainlyfuture.

SociniansadmitthattheforeknowledgeandtheforeordinationofGodareco–extensive,buttheylimitbothtosucheventsincreationandprovidenceasGodhasdeterminedtodobyhisownimmediateagency,ortobringaboutthroughtheagencyofsuchsecondcausesasactunderthelawofnecessity.

TheydenythatGodhaseitherforeordainedorforeknownthevoluntaryactionsoffreeagents,whichfromtheirverynaturearecontingent,andnotobjectsofknowledgeuntilaltertheiroccurrence.

6.WhatisthepositionoftheArminiansonthissubject?

TheArminiansagreewiththeSociniansindenyingthatGodforeordainsthevoluntaryactsoffreeagents,orinanywaywhateverdeterminesthembeforehandtobecertainlyfuture.ButtheydifferfromtheSociniansandagreewithusinholdingthatthecertainforeknowledgeofGodextendsequallytoallevents,aswelltothoseintheirnaturecontingent,astothoseproducedbysecondcausesactingunderthelawofnecessity.Theyholdthatheforeseeswithabsolutecertaintyfromalleternitythefuturitionofthefreeactionsofmoralagents,andthatheembracesandadjuststheminhiseternalplan—whichplanembracesallthings,thefreeactionsofmoralagentsassimplyforeseen,andtheactionsofnecessaryagentsasabsolutelyforeordained.

7.StateunderseveralheadstheCalvinisticdoctrineonthissubject.

1st.Godforeknowsalleventsascertainlyfuturebecausehehasdecreedthemandthusmadethemcertainlyfuture.

2nd.God’sdecreerelatesequallytoallfutureeventsofeverykind,tothefreeactionsofmoralagents,aswellastoactionofnecessaryagents,tosinfulaswellasmorallyrightactions.

3rd.SomethingsGodhaseternallydecreedtodohimselfimmediately,e.g.,creation;otherthingstobringtopassthroughthe

actionofsecondcausesactingunderalawofnecessity,andagainotherthingshehasdecreedtopromptortopermitfreeagents,todointheexerciseoftheirfreeagency;yettheoneclassofeventsisrenderedbythedecreeascertainlyfutureastheother.

4th.Godhasdecreedendsaswellasmeans,causesaswellaseffects,conditionsandinstrumentalitiesaswellastheeventswhichdependuponthem.

5th.God’sdecreedeterminesonlythecertainfuturitionofevents,itdirectlyeffectsorcausesnoevent.

Butthedecreeitselfprovidesineverycasethattheeventshallbeeffectedbycausesactinginamannerperfectlyconsistentwiththenatureoftheeventinquestion.Thusinthecaseofeveryfreeactofamoralagentthedecreeitselfprovidesatthesametime—(a)Thattheagentshallbeafreeagent.(b)Thathisantecedentsandalltheantecedentsoftheactinquestionshallbewhattheyare.(c)Thatallthepresentconditionsoftheactshallbewhattheyare.(d)Thattheactshallbeperfectlyspontaneousandfreeonthepartoftheagent.(e)Thatitshallbecertainlyfuture.

6th.God’spurposesrelatingtoalleventsofeverykindconstituteonesingle,all–comprehensiveintentioncomprehendingallevents,thefreeasfree,thenecessaryasnecessary,togetherwithalltheircauses,conditions,andrelations,asoneindivisiblesystemofthings,everylinkofwhichisessentialtotheintegrityofthewhole.

8.ShowthatasrespectstheeternalplanofanomniscientandomnipotentCreator,foreknowledgeisequivalenttoforeordination.

Godpossessinginfiniteforeknowledgeandpower,existedalonefrometernity;andintime,self–prompted,begantocreateinanabsolutevacuum.Whateverlimitingcausesorconditionsafterwardsexistwerefirstintentionallybroughtintobeingbyhimself,withperfectforeknowledgeoftheirnature,relations,andresults.IfGodthenforeseeingthatifhecreatedacertainfreeagentandplacedhimincertain

relationshewouldfreelyactinacertainway,andyetwiththatknowledgeproceededtocreatethatveryfreeagentandputhiminpreciselythosepositions,Godwould,insodoing,obviouslypredeterminethecertainfuturitionoftheactforeseen.Godcanneverinhisworkbereducedtoachoiceofevils,becausetheentiresystem,andeachparticularendandcause,andcondition,wasclearlyforeseenandbydeliberatechoiceadmittedbyhimself.

9.WhatreasonsmaybeassignedforcontemplatingthedecreesofGodasoneall–comprehensiveintention?

1st.Becauseasshownbelowitisaneternalact,andoeternitasestuna,individuaettotasimul.

2nd.Becauseeveryeventthatactuallyoccursinthesystemofthingsisinterlacedwithallothereventsinendlessinvolution.Noeventisisolated.Thecoloroftheflowerandthenestofthebirdarerelatedtothewholematerialuniverse.Eveninourignorancewecantraceachemicalfactasrelatedtomyriadotherfacts,classifiedundertheheadsofmechanics,electricity,andlightandlife.

3rd.Goddecreeseventsastheyactuallyoccur,i.e.,eventsproducedbycauses,anddependinguponconditions.Thedecreethatdeterminestheeventcannotleaveoutthecauseortheconditionuponwhichitdepends.Butthecauseofoneevent,istheeffectofanother,andeveryeventintheuniverseismoreimmediatelyorremotelytheconditionofeveryother,sothataneternalpurposeonthepartofGodmustbeoneallcomprehensiveact.

Asourmindsarefinite,asitisimpossibleforustoembraceinoneactofintelligentcomprehensionaninfinitenumberofeventsinalltheirseveralrelationsandbearings,wenecessarilycontemplateeventsinpartialgroups,andweconceiveofthepurposeofGodrelatingtothemasdistinctsuccessiveacts.HencetheScripturesspeakofthecounsels,thepurposes,andthejudgmentsofGodintheplural,andinordertoindicatetheintendedrelationofoneeventtoanother,theyrepresentGodaspurposingoneevent,asthemeansorconditionuponwhichantherissuspended.Thisisalltruebecausetheseeventsdohavetheserelationsto

oneanother,buttheyallalikefallwithin,andnoneremainwithout,thatoneeternaldesignofGodwhichcomprehendsequallyallcausesandalleffects,alleventsandallconditions.

Allthespeculativeerrorsofmenonthissubject,springfromthetendencyofthehumanmindtoconfineattentiontoonefragmentofGod’seternalpurpose,andtoregarditasisolatedfromtherest.TheDecreeofGodseparatesnoeventfromitscausesorconditionsanymorethanwefindthemseparatedinnature.

WeareasmuchunabletotakeinbyonecomprehensiveactofintelligencealltheworksofGodinnatureaswearetotakeinallhisdecrees.Weareforcedtostudyhisworkspartbypart,butnointelligentstudentofnaturethinksthatanyeventisisolated.Soweareforcedtostudyhisdecreespartbypart,butnointelligenttheologianshouldsupposethatthereareanybrokenlinksorimperfectconnectioneitherhereorthere.

10.HowmayitbeprovedthatthedecreesofGodareeternal?

1st.AsGodisinfinite,heisnecessarilyeternalandunchangeable,frometernityinfiniteinwisdomandknowledge,andabsolutelyindependentinthoughtandpurposeofeverycreature.Therecanneverbeanyaddictiontohiswisdom,norsurprisetohisforeknowledgenorresistancetohispower,andthereforetherenevercanbeanyoccasiontoreverseormodifythatinfinitelywiseandrighteouspurposewhich,fromtheperfectionofhisnature,heformedfrometernity.

2nd.ItisassertedinScripture.—(ἀπʼἀιῶνος)Acts15:18;(πρὸκαταβολῆςκόσμου)Eph.1:4;1Pet.1:20;(ἀπʼἀρχῆς)2Thes2:13;(πρὸχρόνωνἀιωνίων)2Tim.1:9;(πρὸτῶνἀιωνων)1Cor.2:7;Eph.3:11,etc.

11.Provethatthedecreesareimmutable.

1st.Thisiscertainfromthefactthattheyareeternal,asjust

shown.

2nd.fromthefactthatGodiseternal,absolute,immutable,andall–perfectinwisdomandpower.

3rd.ItistaughtinScripture.—Psalm33:11;Isaiah46:9,etc.

12.ProvefromreasonthatthedecreesofGodcomprehendallevents.

Asshownabovenoeventisisolated.Ifoneeventisdecreedabsolutelyalleventsmustthereforebedeterminedwithit.Ifoneeventisleftindeterminateallfutureeventswillbeleftingreaterorlessdegreesindeterminatewithit.

13.ProvethesamefromScripture.

1st.Theyaffirmthatthewholesystemingeneralisembracedinthedivinedecrees.—Ephesians1:11;Acts17:26;Daniel4:34,35.

2nd.Theyaffirmthesameofchanceevents.—Proverbs16:33;Matthew10:29,30.

3rd.Ofthefreeactionsofmen.—Ephesians2:10,11;Philippians2:13.

4th.Evenofthewickedactionsofmen."Him,beingdeliveredbythedeterminatecounselandforeknowledgeofGod,yehavetakenandwithwickedhandshavecrucifiedandslain."—Acts2:23.

"ForofatruthagainstthyHolyChildwhomthouhastanointed,bothHerodandPontiusPilate,withtheGentilesandthepeopleofIsraelweregatheredtogether,fortodowhatsoeverthyhandandthycounseldeterminedbeforehandtobedone."—Acts4:27,28;Acts13:29;1Peter2:8;Jude4;Revelation17:17.

AstothehistoryofJoseph,compareGenesis37:28withGenesis45:7,8,and1:20:"SonowitwasnotyouthatsentmehitherbutGod.""Butasforyou,yethoughtevilagainstme,butGodmeantitunto

good."—SeealsoPsalm17:13,14,andIsaiah10:5and15,etc.

14.ProvetheuniversalityofGod’sdecreesfromprovidence.

Itfollowsfromtheeternity,immutability,andinfinitewisdom,foreknowledge,andpowerofGod,thathistemporalworkinginprovidencemustinallthingsproceedaccordingtohiseternalpurpose.—Ephesians1:11,andActs15:18.ButbothScriptureandreasonaliketeachusthattheprovidentialgovernmentofGodcomprehendsallthingsinheavenandonearthasawhole,andeveryeventindetail.—Proverbs16:33;Daniel4:34,35;Matthew10:29,30.

15.Provethisdoctrinefromprophecy.

GodhasintheScripturesforetoldthecertainoccurrenceofmanyevents,includingthefreeactionsofmen,whichhaveafterwardssurelycometopass.Nowthegroundofprophecyisforeknowledge,andthefoundationsoftheforeknowledgeofaneventascertainlyfuture,isGod’sdecreethatmadeitfuture.Theeternalimmutabilityofthedecreeistheonlyfoundationoftheinfallibilityeitheroftheforeknowledgeoroftheprophecy.ButifGodhasdecreedcertainfutureevents,hemustalsohaveincludedinthatdecreealloftheircauses,conditions,coordinates,andconsequences.Noeventisisolated;tomakeonecertainlyfutureimpliesthedeterminationofthewholeconcatenationofcausesandeffectswhichconstitutetheuniverse.

16.InwhatsensearethedecreesofGodfree?

ThedecreesofGodarefreeinthesensethatindecreeinghewassolelyactuatedbyhisowninfinitelywise,righteous,andbenevolentgoodpleasure.Hehasalwayschosenashepleased,andhehasalwayspleasedconsistentlywiththeperfectionofhisnature.

17.InwhatsensearethedecreesofGodsovereign?

TheyaresovereigninthesensethatwhiletheydetermineabsolutelywhateveroccurswithoutGod,theirwholereasonandmotiveis

withinthedivinenature,andtheyareneithersuggestednoroccasionedby,norconditioneduponanythingwhatsoeverwithouthim.

18.Whatisthedistinctionbetweenabsoluteandconditionaldecrees?

Anabsolutedecreeisonewhich,whileitmayincludeconditions,issuspendeduponnocondition,i.e.,itmakestheeventdecreed,ofwhateverkind,whetherofmechanicalnecessityorofvoluntaryagency,certainlyfuture,togetherwithallthecausesandconditions,ofwhatevernature,uponwhichtheeventdepends.

Aconditionaldecreeisonewhichdecreesthataneventshallhappenupontheconditionthatsomeotherevent,possiblebutuncertain(notdecreed),shallactuallyoccur.

TheSociniansdeniedthatthefreeactionsofmen,beingintrinsicallyuncertain,aretheobjectsofknowledge,andthereforeaffirmedthattheyarenotforeknownbyGod.TheyheldthatGoddecreedabsolutelytocreatethehumanrace,andafterAdamsinnedhedecreedabsolutelytosaveallrepentingandbelievingsinners,yetthathedecreednothingconcerningthesinningnorthesalvationofindividualmen.

TheArminians,admittingthatGodcertainlyforeknowstheactsoffreeagentsaswellasallotherevents,maintainthatheabsolutelydecreedtocreateman,andforeseeingthatmanwouldsinheabsolutelydecreedtoprovideasalvationforall,andactuallytosaveallthatrepentandbelieve,butthatheconditionallydecreedtosaveindividualmenonthecondition,foreseenbutnotforeordained,oftheirfaithandobedience.

19.WhataretheobjectionstoattributingconditionaldecreestoGod?

Calvinistsadmitthattheall–comprehensivedecreeofGoddeterminesalleventsaccordingtotheirinherentnature,theactionsoffreeagentsasfree,andtheoperationofnecessarycauses,necessarily.Italsocomprehendsthewholesystemofcausesandeffectsofeverykind;of

themotivesandconditionsoffreeactions,aswellasthenecessarycausesofnecessaryevents.Goddecreedsalvationupontheconditionoffaith,yetintheverysameacthedecreedthefaithofthosepersonswhosesalvationhehasdetermined."Whomhedidpredestinate,themhealsocalled."Thushisdecreefromthebeginningembracedandprovidedforthefreeagencyofman,aswellastheregularproceduresofnature,accordingtoestablishedlaws.Thusalsohiscovenants,orconditionalpromises,whichhemakesintime,areinalltheirpartstheexecutionofhiseternalpurpose,whichcomprehendedthepromise,andtheconditionintheirseveralplacesasmeanstotheend.ButthatthedecreeofGodcanberegardedassuspendeduponconditionswhicharenotthemselvesdeterminedbythedecreeisevidentlyimpossible.

1st.Thisdecreehasbeenshownabove(Questions3–7)tobeeternalandall–comprehensive.Acondition

impliesliabilitytochange.Thewholeuniverseformingonesystem,ifonepartiscontingentthewholemustbecontingent,forifoneconditionfailedthewholeconcatenationofcausesandeffectswouldbederanged.IftheArminianshouldrejointhatalthoughGoddidnotforeordainthefreeactsofmen,yetheinfalliblyforeknewandprovidedforthem,andthereforehisplanscannotfail;thentheCalvinistrepliesthatifGodforesawthatagivenman,ingivencircumstances,wouldactatagivenjunctureinacertainway,thenGodindecreeingtocreatethatverymanandplacehiminthoseverycircumstances,atthatveryjuncture,didforeordainthecertainfuturitionofthatveryevent,andofallitsconsequences.ThatGod’sdecreeisimmutableanddoesnotdependuponuncertainconditions,isproved(1)fromitseternity,(2)fromthedirectassertionsofScripture.—Isaiah14:24,27;46:10;Psalm33:11;Proverbs19:21;Romans9:11;Ephesians3:11.

2nd.TheforeknowledgeofGod,asArminiansadmit,iseternalandcertain,andembracesallevents,freeaswellasnecessary.But,(1)asshownintheprecedingparagraph,thisforeknowledgeinvolvesforeordination,and(2)certaintyintheforeknowledgeimpliescertaintyintheevent;certaintyimpliesdetermination;determinationleavesustochoosebetweenthedecreeofaninfinitelywise,righteous,andbenevolentGod,andablindfate.

3rd.AconditionaldecreewouldsubvertthesovereigntyofGodandmakehim,astotheadministrationofhiswholegovernmentandtheexecutionofallhisplans,dependentupontheuncontrollableactionsofhisowncreatures.ButthedecreesofGodaresovereign.—Isaiah40:13,14;Daniel4:35;Romans9:15–18.

4th.Hisdecreeisdeclaredtodependuponhisown"goodpleasure,"andthe"counselofhisownwill."—Ephesians1:5,11;Romans9:11;Matthew11:25,26.

5th.ThedecreeofGodincludesthemeansandconditions.2Thessalonians2:13;1Peter1:2;Ephesians1:4.

6th.Hisdecreeabsolutelydeterminesthefreeactionsofmen.—Acts4:27,28;Ephesians2:10.

7th.Godhimselfworksinhispeoplethatfaithandobedience,whicharecalledtheconditionsoftheirsalvation.—Philippians2:13;Ephesians2:8;2Timothy2:25.

20.HowfararethedecreesofGodefficaciousandtowhatextentaretheypermissive?

AllthedecreesofGodareequallyefficaciousinthesensethattheyallinfalliblydeterminethecertainfuturitionoftheeventdecreed.Theologians,however,classifythedecreesofGodthus:1st.Aseffectiveinasfarastheyrespectthoseeventswhich,hehasdeterminedtoeffectthroughnecessarycauses,orinhisownimmediateagency.2nd.Aspermissiveasfarastheyrespectthoseeventswhichhehasdeterminedtoallowdependentfreeagentstoeffect.

21.HowmayitbeprovedthatthedecreeofGodrenderstheeventcertain?

1st.Fromthenatureofthedecreeitselfassovereignandunchangeable(seeabove).

2nd.FromtheessentialnatureofGodinhisrelationtohis

creation,asaninfinitelywiseandpowerfulsovereign.

3rd.TheforeknowledgeofGodregardsfutureeventsascertain.ThegroundofthiscertaintymustbeeitherinGod,orintheeventsthemselves,whichlastisfatalism.

4th.TheScripturesascribeacertaintyoffuturitiontotheeventsdecreed.Thereisaneeds–bethattheeventshouldhappen"asitwasdetermined."—Luke18:31–33;24:46;Acts2:23;13:29;1Corinthians11:19;Matthew16:21.

22.Howdoesthisdoctrine,thatGod’suniversaldecreerenderstheoccurrenceoffutureeventscertain,differfromtheancientdoctrineoffaith?

TheCalvinisticdoctrineofDecreesagreeswithFatalismonlyatonepoint,i.e.,inmaintainingthattheeventsinquestionarecertainlyfuture.ButtheArminiandoctrineofdivineforeknowledgedoespreciselythesamething.Ineveryotherpointourdoctrinediffersfromtheheathendoctrineoffate.

Fatalismsupposesalleventstobecertainlydeterminedbyauniversallawofnecessarycausation,actingblindlyandbyasimpleunintelligentforceeffectingitsendirresistiblyandirrespectiveofthefreewillsofthefreeagentsinvolved.Therewasnoroomleftforfinalendsorpurposes,noplaceformotiveorchoice,nomeansorconditions,butasimpleevolutionofnecessity.

OntheotherhandtheCalvinisticdoctrineofDecreespostulatestheinfiniteall–comprehensiveplanofaninfinitelywise,righteous,powerful,andbenevolentFather,whoseplanisdeterminednotbymerewill,butaccordingtothe"counselofhiswill,"securingthebestends,andadoptingthebestmeansinordertoattainthoseends—andwhoseplanisnotexecutedbymereforce,butthroughtheinstrumentalityofallclassesofsecondcauses,freeaswellasnecessary,eachpre–adaptedtoitsplaceandfunction,andeachactingwithoutconstraintaccordingtoitsnature.

Thereisaninfinitedifferencebetweenamachineandaman,betweentheoperationofmotives,intelligence,freechoice,andthemechanicalforceswhichactuponmatter.Thereispreciselythesamedifferencebetweenthesystemofdivinedecrees,andtheheathendoctrineoffate.

23.Whatobjectiontothisdoctrineofunconditionaldecreesisderivedfromtheadmittedfactofman’sfreeagency?

Objection.—Foreknowledgeimpliesthecertaintyoftheevent.ThedecreeofGodimpliesthathehasdeterminedittobecertain.Butthathehasdeterminedittobecertainimplies,uponthepartofGod,anefficientagencyinbringingaboutthateventwhichisinconsistentwiththefreeagencyofman.

Weanswer:Itisevidentlyonlytheexecutionofthedecree,andnotthedecreeitselfwhichcaninterferewiththefreeagencyofman.OnthegeneralsubjectofthemethodinwhichGodexecuteshisdecrees,seebelow,thechaptersonProvidence,EffectualCalling,andRegeneration.

Wehavehereroomonlyforthefollowinggeneralstatement:

1st.TheScripturesattributeallthatisgoodinmantoGod;these"heworksinusbothtowillandtodoofhisgoodpleasure."AllthesinswhichmencommittheScripturesattributewhollytothemanhimself.

YetGod’spermissivedecreedoestrulydeterminethecertainfuturitionoftheact;becauseGodknowingcertainlythatthemaninquestionwouldinthegivencircumstancessoact,didplacethatverymaninpreciselythosecircumstancesthatheshouldsoact.Butinneithercase,whetherinworkingthegoodinus,orinplacinguswherewewillcertainlydothewrong,doesGodinexecutinghispurposeeverviolateorrestricttheperfectfreedomoftheagent.

2nd.WehavethefactdistinctlyrevealedthatGodhasdecreedthefreeactsofmen,andyetthattheactorswerenonethelessresponsible,andconsequentlynonethelesstreeintheiracts.—Acts2:23;

3:18;4:27,28;Genesis1:20,etc.WenevercanunderstandhowtheinfiniteGodactsuponthefinitespiritofman,butitisnonethelessourdutytobelieve.

3rd.Accordingtothattheoryofthewillwhichmakesthefreedomofmantoconsistinthelibertyofindifference,i.e.,thatthewillactsineverycaseofchoiceinastateofperfectequilibriumequallyindependentofallmotivesfororagainst,andjustasfreetochooseinoppositiontoalldesiresasinharmonywiththem,itisevidentthattheveryessenceoflibertyconsistsinuncertainty.Ifthisbethetruetheoryofthewill,Godcouldnotexecutehisdecreeswithoutviolatingthelibertyoftheagent,andcertainforeknowledgewouldbeimpossible.

Butasshownbelow,inChapter15.,thetruetheoryofthewillisthatthelibertyoftheagentconsistsinhisactingineachcaseas,uponthewhole,hepleases,i.e.,accordingtothedispositionsanddesiresofhisheart,undertheimmediateviewwhich,hisreasontakesofthecase.Thesedispositionsanddesiresaredeterminedintheirturnbythecharacteroftheagentinrelationtohiscircumstances,whichcharacterandcircumstancesaresurelynotbeyondthecontroloftheinfiniteGod.

24.WhatismeantbythosewhoteachthatGodistheauthorofsin?

ManyreasonersofaPantheistictendency,e.g.,Dr.Emmons,maintainthatasGodisinfiniteinsovereignty,andbyhisdecreedetermines,sobyhisprovidenceheeffectseverythingwhichcomestopass,sothatheisactuallytheonlyrealagentintheuniverse.StilltheyreligiouslyholdthatGodisaninfinitelyholyagentineffectingthatwhich,producedfromGod,isrighteous,but,producedinus,issin.

25.HowmayitbeshownthatGodisnottheauthorofsin?

Theadmissionofsinintothecreationofaninfinitelywise,powerful,andholyGodisagreatmystery,ofwhichnoexplanationcanbegiven.ButthatGodcannotbetheauthorofsinisproved—

1st.Fromthenatureofsin,whichis,astoitsessence,ἀνομία,wantofconformitytolaw,anddisobediencetotheLawgiver.

2nd.FromthenatureofGod,whoisastoessenceholy,andintheadministrationofhiskingdomalwaysforbidsandpunishessin.

3rd.Fromthenatureofman,whoisaresponsiblefreeagentwhooriginateshisownacts.TheScripturesalwaysattributetodivinegracethegoodactions,andtotheevilheartthesinfulactionsofmen.

26.HowmayitbeshownthatthedoctrineofunconditionaldecreesdoesnotrepresentGodastheauthorofsin?

Thewholedifficultyliesintheawfulfactthatsinexists.IfGodforesawitandyetcreatedtheagent,andplacedhimintheverycircumstancesunderwhichhedidforeseethesinwouldbecommitted,thenhedidpredetermineit.Ifhedidnotforeseeit,or,foreseeingit,couldnotpreventit,thenheisnotinfiniteinknowledgeandinpower,butissurprisedandpreventedbyhiscreatures.Thedoctrineofunconditionaldecreespresentsnospecialdifficulty.ItrepresentsGodasdecreeingthatthesinshallimmediatelyresultasthefreeactofthesinner,andnotasbyanyformofco–actioncausing,norbyanyformoftemptationinducing,himtosin.

27.Whatistheobjectiontothisdoctrinederivedfromtheuseofmeans?

Thisisthemostcommonformofobjectioninthemouthsofignorantandirreligiouspeople.Ifanimmutabledecreemakesallfutureeventscertain,"ifwhatistobe,willbe,"thenitfollowsthatnomeansuponourpartcanavoidtheresult,norcananymeansbenecessarytosecureit.

HenceastheuseofmeansiscommandedbyGod,andinstinctivelynaturaltoman,sincemanyeventshavebeeseffectedbytheiruse,andmanymoreinthefutureevidentlydependuponthem,itfollowsthatGodhasnotrenderedcertainanyofthoseeventswhich

dependupontheuseofmeansonthepartofmen.

28.Whatisthegrounduponwhichtheuseofmeansisfounded?

ThisuseisfoundeduponthecommandofGod,anduponthatfitnessinthemeanstosecuretheenddesired,which,ourinstincts,ourintelligence,andourexperiencedisclosetous.Butneitherthefitnessnortheefficiencyofthemeanstosecuretheend,resideinherentlyandindependentlyinthemeansthemselves,butwereoriginallyestablishedandarenowsustainedbyGodhimself;andintheworkingofallmeansGodalwayspresidesanddirectsprovidentially.ThisisnecessarilyinvolvedinanyChristiantheoryofProvidence,althoughwecanneverexplicatetherelativeaction(concursus)ofGodonman,theinfiniteuponthefinite.

29.Howmayitbeshownthatthedoctrineofdecreesdoesnotaffordarationalgroundofdiscouragementintheuseofmeans?

Thisdifficulty(statedabove,Question27)restsentirelyinahabitofisolatingonepartofGod’seternaldecreefromthewhole(seeQuestion7),andinconfoundingtheChristiandoctrineofdecreeswiththeheathendoctrineoffate(seeQuestion22.)ButwhenGoddecreedaneventhemadeitcertainlyfuture,notasisolatedfromotherevents,orasindependentofallmeansandagents,butasdependentuponmeansanduponagentsfreelyusingthosemeans.Thesamedecreewhich,makestheeventcertain,alsodeterminesthemodebywhichitshallbeeffected,andcomprehendsthemeanswiththeends.Thiseternal,all–comprehensiveactembracesallexistencethroughallduration,andallspaceasonesystem,andatonceprovidesforthewholeinallitsparts,andforallthepartsinalltheirrelationstooneanotherandtothewhole.Anevent,therefore,maybecertaininrespecttoGod’sdecreeandforeknowledge,andatthesametimetrulycontingentintheapprehensionofman,andinitsrelationtothemeansuponwhichitdepends.

30.Whatarethedistinctionstobeborneinmindbetweentheobjectionstotheproofofadoctrine,and

objectionstothedoctrinewhenproved?

Reasonableobjectionstotheevidence,Scripturalorotherwise,uponwhichtheclaimsofanydoctrineisbased,areevidentlylegitimate.Theseobjectionsagainsttheproofestablishingthetruthofthedoctrineoughtalwaystobeallowedtheirfullweight.ButwhenoncethedoctrinehasbeenprovedtobetaughtinScriptureobjectionsleveledagainstit,obviouslyhavenoweightatalluntiltheyamounttoasufficientforcetoprovethattheScripturesthemselvesarenotthewordofGod.Beforetheyreachthatmeasure,objectionslevelledagainstthedoctrineitself,whichdonotaffecttheevidenceuponwhichitrests(andmostoftheobjectionstotheCalvinisticdoctrineofDecreesareofthisorder)onlyillustratetheobvioustruththatthefinitemindofmancannotfullycomprehendthematterspartiallyrevealedandpartiallyconcealedinthewordofGod.

31.Whataretheproperpracticaleffectsofthisdoctrine?

Humility,inviewoftheinfinitegreatnessandsovereigntyofGod,andofthedependenceofman.

Confidenceandimplicitrelianceuponthewisdom,righteousness,goodness,andimmutabilityofGod’spurposes,andcheerfulobediencetohiscommandments;alwaysrememberingthatGod’sprecepts,asdistinctlyrevealed,andnothisdecrees,aretheruleofourduty.

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Chapter11:Predestination

1.Whatthedifferentsensesinwhichthewordpredestinationisusedbytheologians?

1st.Asequivalenttothegenericworddecree,asincludingallGod’seternalpurposes.

2nd.AsembracingonlythosepurposesofGodwhich,speciallyrespecthismoralcreatures.

3rd.AsdesignatingonlythecounselofGodconcerningfallenmen,includingthesovereignelectionofsomeandthemostrighteousreprobationoftherest.

4th.ItissometimesrestrictedintherangeofitsusagesofarastobeappliedonlytotheeternalelectionofGod’speopletoeverlastinglife.

Thesensemarkedas3rd.,above,isthemostproperusage.—SeeActs4:27,28.

2.Inwhatsensesarethewordsπρογινώσκω(toknowbeforehand),andπρόγνωσις(foreknowledge),usedintheNewTestament?

Προγινώσχωiscompoundedofπρό,before,andγινώσκω,ofwhichtheprimarysenseistoknow,andthesecondarysensetoapprove,e.g.,2Tim.2:19;John10:14,15;Rom.7:15.ThiswordoccursfivetimesintheNewTestament.Twice,e.g.,Acts26:5and2Peter3:17,itsignifiespreviousknowledge,apprehension,simply.Intheremainingthreeinstances,Romans8:29;11:2;1Peter1:20,itisusedinthesecondarysenseofapprovebeforehand.Thisismadeevidentfromthecontext,foritisusedtodesignatethegroundofGod’spredestinationofindividualstosalvation,whichelsewhereisexpresslysaidtobe"notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtohisownpurposeandgrace,"and"tothegood

pleasureofhiswill,"2Timothy1:9;Romans9:11;Ephesians1:5.

ΠρόγνωσιςoccursbuttwiceintheNewTestament,e.g.,Acts2:23and1Pet.1:2,inbothofwhichinstancesitevidentlysignifiesapprobation,orchoicefrombeforehand.Itisexplainedbytheequivalentphrase"determinatecounsel."

3.WhatistheNewTestamentusageofthewordsἐκλέγω(toelect)andἐκλογή(election)?

Ἐκλέγωoccurstwenty-onetimesintheNewTestament.

jEkle>gwoccurstwenty–onetimesintheNewTestament.Itisusedtosignify,1st.,Christ’schoiceofmentobeapostles.Luke6:13;John6:70.2nd.God’schoiceoftheJewishnationasapeculiarpeople.—Acts13:17.3rd.ThechoiceofmenbyGod,orbythechurch,forsomespecialservice.—Acts15:7,22.4th.ThechoicemadebyMaryofthebetterpart.Luke10:42.5th.InthegreatmajorityofinstancesGod’seternalelectionofindividualmentoeverlastinglife.—John15:16;1Corinthians1:27,28;Ephesians1:4;James2:5.

ἘκλογήoccursseventimesintheNewTestament.Onceitsignifiesanelectiontotheapostolicoffice.—Acts9:15.Onceitsignifiesthosechosentoeternallife.—Romans11:7.IneveryothercaseitsignifiesthepurposeortheactofGodinchoosinghisownpeopletosalvation.—Romans9:11;11:5,28;1Thessalonians1:4;2Peter1:10.

4.WhatotherwordsareusedbytheHolyGhostintheNewTestamenttosetforththetruthonthissubject?

ΠροορίξεινoccurssixtimesintheNewTestament..—Acts4:28;Romans8:29,30;1Corinthians2:7,andEphesians1:5,11.IneverycaseitsignifiestheabsolutepredestinationofGod.

Proti>qhmioccursthreetimesintheNewTestament.InRomans1:13itsignifiesapurposeofPaul,andinRomans3:25andEphesians1:9,apurposeofGod.

Προετοιμάξεινoccurstwice,Rom.9:23andEph.2:10,prepare

orappointbeforehand.

5.TowhomiselectionreferredintheScriptures?

Theeternaldecree,asawhole,andinallitsparts,isdoubtlesstheconcurrentactofallthethreepersonsoftheTrinity,intheirperfectonenessofcounselandwill.

Butintheeconomyofsalvation,asrevealedtous,theactofsovereignelectionisspeciallyattributedtotheFather,ashispersonalpart,evenasredemptionisattributedtotheSon,andsanctificationtotheSpirit.—John17:6,9;6:64,65;1Thessalonians5:9.

6.StatethattheoryofPredestinationdesignatedbyitsadvocatesthe"TheoryofNationalElection."

ThisisthetheorythattheonlyelectionspokenofintheBibleconcerningthesalvationofmenconsistsofthedivinepredestinationofcommunitiesandnationstotheknowledgeofthetruereligionandtheexternalprivilegesofthegospel.Thisformofelection,whichundoubtedlyrepresentsagreatgospelfact,iseminentlyillustratedinthecaseoftheJews.ThisistheviewadvocatedbyArchbishopSumnerinhisworkon"ApostolicPreaching,"quotedbyDr.Cunningham.

7.Statethetheorystyledbyitsadvocatesthe"TheoryofEcclesiasticalIndividualism."

TheviewadvocatedbyMr.StanleyFaberinhis"PrimitiveDoctrineofElection,"andbyArchbishop

Whatelyinhis"EssaysonsomeoftheDifficultiesintheWritingsoftheApostlePaul,"andothers,isstyledthedoctrineof"EcclesiasticalIndividualism,"anditinvolvestheaffirmationthatGodpredeterminestherelationofindividualmentotheoutwardchurchandthemeansofgrace.Thusbybirthandsubsequentprovidenceshecaststhelotofsomemeninthemostfavorable,andofothersintheleastfavorablecircumstances.

8.WhatistheArminiandoctrineofelection?

TheArminiansadmittheforeknowledgeofGod,buttheydenyhisabsoluteforeordinationasitrelatestothesalvationofindividuals.TheirdistinguishingdoctrineisthatGoddidnoteternallymakechoiceofcertainpersonsandordaintheirsalvation,butthathemadechoiceofcertaincharacters,asholinessandfaithandperseverance;orofcertainclassesofmenwhopossessthosecharacters,e.g.,believerswhopersevereuntotheend.

SincetheyadmitthatGodforeknowsfrometernitywithabsolutecertaintypreciselywhatindividualswillrepentandbelieveandperseverethereintotheend,itfollowsthattheirdoctrineadmitsofthestatementthatGodeternallypredestinatedcertainpersons,whoheforesawwouldrepentandbelieveandperseveretolifeandsalvation,onthegroundofthatfaithandperseverancethusforeseen.

9.Pointouttheseveredprinciplesinwhichtheabove–mentionedviewsagreeandwhereintheydiffer.

Thetheoriesof"NationalElection"andof"EcclesiasticalIndividualism,"bothteachuniversallyadmittedfacts,namelythatGoddoespredestinateindividualsandcommunitiesandnationstotheexternalprivilegesofthegospelandtheuseofthemeansofgrace.ThisneitheranyArminiannoranyCalvinistwilldeny.ButthesetheoriesarebothviciousandbothidenticalwiththeArminiantheory,inthattheydenythatGodunconditionallypredestinateseitherthefreeactionsortheultimatesalvationofindividuals.Theyadmitthathegivescertainmenabetterchancethanothers,butholdthateachman’sultimatefateisnotdeterminedbyGod’sdecree,butleftdependentuponthefreewillsofthementhemselves.Nevertheless,whilethesetheoriesareallconsistentlyArminianinfundamentalprinciple,yettheydifferinthemannerinwhichtheyattempttobringtheScripturesconcernedintoharmonywiththatsystem.Thesetheoriesdifferamongthemselvesastotheobjects,theends,andthegroundsofthiselection.AstotheobjectsoftheelectionspokenofinScripture,theArminian,theCalvinistic,and

"EcclesiasticalIndividualism"theoriesagreeinmakingthemindividuals.Thetheoryof"NationalElection"makesthemnationsor

communities.AstotheendofthiselectiontheCalvinisticandArminiantheoriesmakeittheeternalsalvationoftheindividualselected.Thetheoriesof"NationalElection"andof"EcclesiasticalIndividualism"makeitadmissiontotheprivilegeofthemeansofgrace.

AstothegroundofthiselectionspokenofintheScripture,advocatesoftheCalvinistic,the"NationalElection,"andthe"EcclesiasticalIndividualism"theoriesagreeinmakingitthesovereigngoodpleasureofGod,whiletheArminiansholditisconditioneduponthefaith,repentance,andperseverancecertainlyforeseenineachindividualcase.

ItisobviousthattheCalvinisticDoctrineofDecreesincludestheabsoluteelectionofbothindividualsandofcommunitiesandnationstotheuseofthemeansofgraceandtheexternaladvantagesoftheChurch.Itisalsoobviousthattheadmissionoftheprincipleofabsoluteelection,asfarasthis,mustbemadebyallArminiansaswellasCalvinists,andhencethisadmissionalonedoesnotdiscriminatebetweenthetwogreatcontestingsystems.Theonlyquestionwhichtouchesthetruematterindebateis,Whatisthegroundoftheeternalpredestinationofindividualstosalvation?Isittheforeseenfaithandrepentanceoftheindividualsthemselves,orthesovereigngoodpleasureofGod?EveryChristianmusttakeonesideortheotherofthisquestion.Ifhetakesthesidewhichmakesforeseenfaiththeground,heisanArminiannomatterwhatelseheholds.IfhetakesthesidewhichmakesthegoodpleasureofGodtheground,heisaCalvinist.

Thisdivisionamongthemselves,andthisalternateagreementwithanddifferencefromtheCalvinisticpositionsonthissubject,isaverysuggestiveillustrationoftheextremedifficultytheadvocatesofArminianprincipleshaveinaccommodatingthewordsofScripturetotheirdoctrine.

InacontroversialpointofviewtheCalvinistshavethecapitaladvantageofbeingabletodividetheiropponents,andtorefutethemindetail.

10.StatethethreepointsintheCalvinisticdoctrineon

thissubject.

Calvinistshold,asshownintheprecedingchapter,thatGod’sDecreesareabsoluteandrelatetoallclassesofeventswhatsoever.Theythereforemaintainthatwhilenations,communities,andindividualsarepredestinedabsolutelytoallofeverykindofgoodandbadthatbefallsthem,neverthelesstheScripturesteachspecificallyanelection(1)ofindividuals,(2)tograceandsalvation,(3)foundednotupontheforeseenfaithofthepersonselected,butuponthesovereigngoodpleasureofGodalone.

11.StatethePresumptionofthetruthoftheabovearisingfromthefactthatimpartialinfidelandrationalisticinterpretersadmitthattheletteroftheScripturescanbeinterpretedonlyinaCalvinisticsense.

BesidesthepresumptioninfavorofCalvinismarisingfromthefactabovestated,thatanti–CalvinisticinterpretersoftheScripturearereducedtoallkindsofvarioushypothesesinordertoavoidtheobviousforceoftheScripturaltestimonyuponthesubject,wenowcitetheadditionalpresumption,arisingfromthefactthatrationalistsandinfidelsgenerally,whoagreewithArminiansintheirintenseoppositiontoCalvinisticPrinciples,yetnotbeingrestrainedbyfaithintheinspirationoftheBible,arefrankenoughtoconfessthattheBookcanbefairlyinterpretedonlyinaCalvinisticsense.Thisisthustheimpartialtestimonyofanenemy.Wegscheiderinhis"InstitutionesTheologiœChristianœDogmaticœ,"Pt.3.,Ch.3.,§145,1thehighestauthorityastotheresultsofGermanRationalistsinDogmatictheology,saysthatthepassagesinquestiondoteachCalvinisticdoctrine,butthatPaulwasmisledbythecrudeanderroneousnotionsprevalentinthatage,andespeciallybythenarrowspiritofJewishparticularism.SeealsoGibbon’s"DeclineandfalloftheRomanEmpire,"Chapter33.,Note31.—"Perhapsareasonerstillmoreindependentmaysmileinhisturn,whenheperusesanArminianCommentaryontheEpistletotheRomans."

12.ProvefromScripturethatthesubjectsofelectionareindividualsandthattheendofelectioniseternallife.

1st.Theyarealwaysspokenofasindividuals,andtheelectionofwhichtheyarethesubjectsisalwayssetforthashavinggraceorgloryasitsend.—Acts13:48;Ephesians1:4;2Thessalonians2:13.2nd.TheelectareinScriptureexplicitlydistinguishedfromthemassofthevisibleChurch,andhencetheirelectioncouldnothavebeenmerelytotheexternalprivilegesofthatChurch.—Romans11:7.3rd.Thenamesoftheelectaresaid"tobewritteninheaven"andtobein"thebookoflife."—Hebrews12:23;Philippians4:3.4th.Theblessingswhichitisexplicitlydeclaredaresecuredbythiselectionaregraciousandsaving,theyaretheelementsandresultsofsalvation,inseparablefromit,andpertainnottonationsbuttoindividualsastheirsubjects,e.g.,"adoptionofsons,""tobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon,"etc.—Romans8:29;Ephesians1:5;2Thessalonians2:13;1Thessalonians5:9;Romans9:15,16.

13.Showthatthiselectionisnotfoundedonworkswhetherforeseenornot.

Thisfollows—1st.FromthegeneraldoctrineofDecreeswhichhasbeenestablishedinthelastchapter.IfGod’sdecreesrelatetoanddeterminealleventsofeveryclass,itfollowsthatnoundecreedeventsremaintoconditionhisdecreeoranyelementthereof;andalsothathehasdecreedfaithandrepentanceaswellasthesalvationwhichisconditioneduponthem.

2nd.ItisexpresslydeclaredinScripturethatthiselectionisnotconditioneduponworksofanykind.—Romans11:4–7;2Timothy1:9;Romans9:11.

14.ShowthatinScriptureitishabituallydeclaredtobefoundedon"ThegoodpleasureofGod,"

and"thecounselofhisownwill."

Ephesians1:5–11;2Timothy1:9;John15:16,19;Matthew11:25,26;Romans9:10–18.

15.Statetheargumentderivedfromthefactthat"faith","repentance,"and"evangelicalobedience,"aresaidto

bethefruitsoftheElection.

Itisself–evidentthatthesameactionscannotbeboththegroundsuponwhichelectionrests,andthefruitsinwhichthatelectionisdesignedtoresult.SincetheBibleteachesthat"faith,""repentance,"and"evangelicalobedience,"arethelatter,theycannotbetheformer.TheScripturesdosoteachinEphesians1:4."Accordingashehathchosenusinhimbeforethefoundationoftheworldthatweshouldbeholy,andwithoutblamebeforehiminlove."—2Thessalonians2:13;1Peter1:2;Ephesians2:10.

16.ThesamefromthefactthatfaithandrepentancearesaidtobethegiftsofGod.

Iffaithandrepentancearethe"giftsofGod,"thenaman’spossessingthemresultsfromGod’sact.IfitresultsfromGod’sactitmustresultfromhiseternalpurpose.Iftheybetheresultsofhispurpose,theycannotbetheconditionsuponwhichthatpurposeissuspended.Theyareaffirmedtobethe"giftsofGod"inEphesians2:8;Acts5:31;1Corinthians4:7.

17.StatetheargumentderivedfromwhattheScripturesteachastothenatureandextentofinnatedepravityandinability.

TheteachingofScriptureontheseheadswillbefoundstatedandestablishedinChapters19.and20.

Nowifmenarebornintotheworldwithanantecedentprevailingtendencyintheirnaturetosin,andtheyareever,untilregeneratedbytheSpiritofGod,totallyandinalienablyaversetoandincapableofallgood,itfollowsthatunregeneratehumannatureisincapableeitheroftendingtoorofperfectingfaithandrepentanceastheconditionsrequired.Ifelectionisconditioneduponfaithandrepentance,thenthemanmustproducehisownfaithandrepentance,orhelptoproducethem.Butifhumannaturecanneitherproducenorhelptoproducethem,itfollowseitherthatnomancanbeelected,orthatfaithandrepentancecannotbetheconditionofelection.

18.StatethesamefromwhattheScripturesteachofthenatureandnecessityofregeneration.

InChapter29.itwillbeprovedthattheScripturesteach(1)thatregenerationisanactofGod;(2)thatwithrespecttothatactthesoulispassive;(3)thatitisabsolutelynecessaryinthecaseofeverylivingman.Henceitfollowsthatifitbeinnosenseman’swork,butineverysenseGod’sactalone,itcannotbetheconditionuponwhichGod’spurposeissuspended,butaneventdeterminedbythatpurpose.

19.ShowthattheScripturesteachthatALLtheelectbelieve,andthatONLYtheelectbelieve.

Alltheelectbelieve.—John10:16,27–29;John6:37–39;John17:2,9,24.Andonlytheelectbelieve.—John10:26.Andthosewhobelievedosobecausetheyareelect.—Acts13:48,and2:47.

20.WhatargumentistobedrawnfromthefactthatallevangelicalChristiansofeverytheologicalschoolexpressthesentimentspropertotheCalvinisticdoctrineofunconditionalelectioninalltheirprayersandhymns?

Thatformofdoctrinemustbefalsewhichcannotbeconsistentlyembodiedinpersonalreligiousexperienceandindevotion.ThatformofdoctrinemustbetruewhichallChristiansofalltheoreticalopinionsalwaysfindthemselvesobligedtoexpresswhentheycometocommunewithGod.Nowallthepsalmsandhymnsandprayers,writtenandspontaneous,ofallevangelicalChristians,embodytheprinciplesandbreathethespiritofCalvinism.TheyallprayGodtomakemenrepentandbelieve,tocometoandtoreceivetheSavior.IfGodgivesallmencommonandsufficientgrace,andifthereasonwhyonemanrepents,isthathemakesgooduseofthatgrace,andthereasonanotherdoesnotbelieve,isthathedoesnotusethatgrace,iftheonlycauseofdifferenceisinthemen,itfollowsthatweoughttopraymentoconvertthemselves,i.e.,tomakethemselvestodiffer.ButallagreeinaskingGodtosaveus,andingivinghimallthethankswhenitisdone.

21.ShowthatPaulmusthaveheldourpositiononthis

subjectfromthenatureoftheobjectionsmadeagainsthisdoctrine,andfromtheanswershegavethem.

Paul’sdoctrineisidenticalwiththeCalvinisticview.1st.Becauseheexpresslyteachesit.2nd.Becausetheobjectionshenoticesasbroughtagainsthisdoctrinearethesameasthosebroughtagainstours.ThedesignofthewholepassageistoproveGod’ssovereignrighttocastofftheJewsasapeculiarpeople,andtocallallmenindiscriminatelybythegospel.

This,heargues,1st.thatGod’sancientpromisesembracednotthenaturaldescendantsofAbrahamassuch,butthespiritualseed.2nd.That"Godisperfectlysovereigninthedistributionofhisfavors."

ButagainstthisdoctrineofdivinesovereigntytwoobjectionsareintroducedandansweredbyPaul.

1st.ItisunjustforGodthusofhismeregoodpleasuretoshowmercytooneandtorejectanother,v.14.

Thispreciseobjectionismadeagainstourdoctrineatthepresenttimealso."ItrepresentsthemostholyGodasworsethanthedevil,asmorefalse,morecruel,andmoreunjust."—"MethodistDoctrinalTracts,"pp.170,171.ThisPaulanswersbytwoarguments.(1)Godclaimstheright,"IwillhavemercyonwhomIwillhavemercy."—Romans9:15,16.(2)Godinhisprovidenceexercisestheright,asinthecaseofPharaoh,vs.17,18.

2nd.Thesecondobjectionisthatthisdoctrineisinconsistentwiththelibertyandaccountabilityofmen.

ThiswouldbeanabsurdobjectiontobringagainstPaul’sdoctrineifhewereanArminian,butitisbroughteverydaybyArminiansagainstourdoctrine.

Paulanswersthisobjectionbycondescendingtonoappealtohumanreason,butsimply(1)byassertingGod’ssovereigntyasCreator,andman’sdependenceascreature,and(2)byassertingthejustexposure

ofallmenaliketowrathassinners,vs.20–24.—SeeAnalysisofchapter9:6–24,inHodge’s"CommentaryOnRomans."

22.DiscriminateaccuratelythetwoelementsinvolvedinthedoctrineofReprobation.

ReprobationistheaspectwhichGod’seternaldecreepresentsinitsrelationtothatportionofthehumanracewhichshallbefinallycondemnedfortheirsins.

Itis,1st.,negative,inasmuchasitconsistsinpassingoverthese,andrefusingtoelectthemtolife;and,2nd.,positive,inasmuchastheyarecondemnedtoeternalmisery.

Inrespecttoitsnegativeelement,reprobationissimplysovereign,sincethosepassedoverwerenoworsethanthoseelected,andthesimplereasonbothforthechoosingandforthepassingoverwasthesovereigngoodpleasureofGod.

Inrespecttoitspositiveelement,reprobationisnotsovereign,butsimplyjudicial,becauseGodinflictsmiseryinanycaseonlyastherighteouspunishmentofsin."TherestofmankindGodwaspleased,accordingtotheunsearchablecounselofhisownwilltopassby,andtoordainthemtodishonorandwrathfortheirsins".—"Confessionfaith,"Chap.3.,Sec.7.

23.ShowthatthesepositionsarenecessarilyinvolvedinthegeneraldoctrineofDecreesandinthespecialdoctrineoftheelectionofsomementoeternallife.

Asabovestated,thisdoctrineofreprobationisself–evidentlyaninseparableelementofthedoctrinesofdecreesandofelection.IfGodunconditionallyelectswhomhepleases,hemustunconditionallyleavewhomhepleasestothemselves.Hemustforeordainthenon–believing,aswellasthebelieving,althoughtheeventsthemselvesarebroughttopassbyverydifferentcauses.

24.ProvethatitistaughtinScripture.

Romans9:18,21;1Peter2:8;Jude4;Revelation13:8."Ithankthee,OFather,Lordofheavenandearth,becausethouhasthidthesethingsfromthewiseandprudent,andhastrevealedthemuntobabes,evenso,Father,forsoitseemethgoodinthysight."—Matthew11:25."Yebelievenot,becauseyearenotmysheep."—John10:26.

25.ShowthatthesameobjectionwasmadeagainstPaul’sdoctrinethatismadeagainstours.

"Whydothheyetfindfault?"Ifhehasnotgivengraciousabilitytoobey,howcanhecommand?—Seealso"MethodistDoctrinalTracts,"p.171.

Theapostleanswersbyshowing,1st(verses20,21),thatGodisundernoobligationtoextendhisgracetoallortoany;and,2nd.,thatthe"vesselsofwrath"werecondemnedfortheirownsins,tomanifestGod’sjustwrath,whilethe"vesselsofmercy,"werechosennotforanygoodinthem,buttomanifesthisgloriousgrace(verses22,23).

26.ShowtheidentityofPaul’sdoctrineoursfromtheillustrationsheusesintheninthchapterofRomans.

""Hathnotthepotterpower(ἐξουσία)overtheclayofthesamelumptomakeonevesseltohonor,andanothertodishonor?"v.21.Herethewholepointoftheillustrationliesinthefactthatthereisnodifferenceintheclay—itisclayofthesamelump—thesoledifferenceismadebythewillofthepotter.

InthecaseofEsauandJacob,theverypointisthatoneisjustasgoodastheother—thatthereisnodifferenceinthechildren—butthatthewholedifferenceismadebythe"purposeofGodaccordingtoelection"—"forthechildrenbeingnotyetborn,neitherhavingdoneanygoodorevil,thatthepurposeofGodaccordingtoelectionmightstand,notofworks,butofhimthatcalleth,"v.11.

27.InwhatsenseisGodsaidtohardenmen?

SeeRomans9:18,andJohn12:40.

ThisisdoubtlessajudicialactwhereinGodwithdrawsfromsinfulmen,whomhehasnotelectedtolife,forthejustpunishmentoftheirsins,allgraciousinfluences,andleavesthemtotheunrestrainedtendenciesoftheirownhearts,andtotheuncounteractedinfluencesoftheworldandthedevil.

28.StatetheobjectionbroughtagainsttheCalvinisticdoctrineofelectiononthegroundthatitisinconsistentwithJustice.

ItismaintainedthatifGodbyasovereignunconditionaldecreedeterminestopassbysomemen,andtowithholdfromthemthegracenecessarytoenablethemtorepentandbelieveinChrist,itisunjustinGodtoholdthemaccountable,andtopunishthemfortheirwantoffaith.

29.StatethefundamentalviewwhichnecessarilyunderliesallArminianismastotherelationwhichtheremedialworkofChristsustainstothejusticeofGod,andastotherelationwhichthehumanracebynaturesustainstothedivinegovernment.

WhentheArminiansystemissiftedtoitsfundamentalprinciples,itisfoundtorestupontheclaimthatthegiftofChristisanecessarycompensationtothehumanracefortheevilsbroughtuponitforthesinofAdam.ItisadmittedthatthesinofAdamwasthecauseofhiswholeracebecomingsinners,andthateveryoneofhisdescendantscomesintotheworldwithanaturesofardepravedastobemorallyincapableoflovingGodanddisposedtoevil.Buttheymaintainthatmenarebynatureinthefirstinstancenotresponsiblefortheirmoralcondition,sinceitcomesuponthemeachathisbirth,antecedenttoallpersonalactionTheyhold,therefore,thatmancannotbepunishedfororiginalsin.norcouldanymaneverbeheldresponsibleforanyactofdisobediencespringingasaninevitableconsequenceoutofthatoriginaldepravity,ifGodhadnotthroughChristprovidedaremedy,givingtoeachmangraciousabilitytodoallthatisrequiredofhimastheconditionofhissalvation.ThisredemptionandgraciousabilitytobelieveandobeyGodowestoallmen,andtheyarenecessarytorenderanyman.responsibleandpunishableforhissins,sincethusaloneishe,asfaras

thisclassofexercisesgo,endowedwiththepowerofcontrarychoice.

Dr.D.D.Whedon,inthe"BibliothecaSacra,"April,1862,p.257.—"Itisnotthenuntilthereisredemptivelyconferreduponmanwhatwecallagraciousabilityfortheright,thatmancanbestrictlyresponsibleforthewrong."Hesays,p.254,thatafterAdamsinnedtheonlyalternativesopentoGodinconsistencywithjusticewereeither,1st.,tosendAdamandEvetoperditionbeforetheyhadchildren,or,2nd.,toallowhimtopropagatehiskindundertheantecedentdisabilitiesofsin,andprovidearedemptivesystemforall.

Hedistinguishesbetweenguiltormoralresponsibilityforcharacterandmoralcorruptionofnature.

Undertheconditionsofpurenature,heteachesthatonlyAdamandEvewereresponsible,aswellascorrupt,becausethey,havingbeencreatedmorallyfree,voluntarilymadethemselvesvilebytheirownact.Ontheotherhandtheirdescendantsareallmorallypollutedandspirituallydead,becausetheyinheritcorruptnaturesfromAdam;buttheyarenotguilty,neitherresponsiblefortheirbirthsinnorforanyofitsconsequences,becauseitwasdeterminedinevitablybyanactnottheirown.IntheactualstateofthingsconsequenttothegiftofChristeverymanisresponsiblebecauseeverymanhassufficientgrace.

Henceitfollows—1st.Thattheprovisionofredemptionwasnotaworkofinfinitefreegrace,butamereactofJusticeincompensationforevilsbroughtuponournaturebyAdam.2nd.Thatthisisowedequallytoeachandeverymanwithoutexception."Ireject,"saysJohnWesley,"MethodistDoc.Tracts,"pp.25,26,"theassertionthatGodmightjustlyhavepassedbymeandallmen,asabold,precariousassertion,utterlyunsupportedbyHolyScripture."3rd.ItfollowsalsothatthegracioushelpoftheHolyGhostisjustasnecessarytorendermenresponsiblesinnersastobringthemtosalvation.4th.Itfollowsthatgracesendsmentohell,aswellastakesthemtoheaven,andthatithasdonefarmoreoftheformerthanofthelatterwork.

30.ShowthattheirpositionhereisabsolutelyinconsistentwithwhattheScripturesandtheentireChristian

ChurchteachofthenatureandnecessityoftheSATISFACTIONmadetodivinejusticebyChrist.

ItwillbeshownunderChapter25.thattheScripturesteach,theentireChurchbeingwitness,thatinordertothesalvationofman,afullsatisfactiontotheinalienableprincipleofjusticeessentialtotheDivinenaturewasabsolutelynecessary.SothatifGod’sjusticeisnotsatisfied,gracecannotbeshowntoanyman.Thiswouldbeabsurdifmenwerenotantecedentlyresponsibleforthesinsforwhichitisnecessarythattheyshouldmakesatisfaction.Whatisthesenseofa"Redemptivelyconferredgraciousability,"respectingpartieswhohaveforfeitednothingbecausetheyareresponsiblefornothing?Intheircaseisnotboth"redemption"and"grace"animpertinence?

31.ProvefromScripturethatsalvationisof"grace."

Graceisfreeundeservedfavorshowntotheundeserving.Ifredemptionisadebtowedtoallmen,orifitbeacompensationprerequisitetotheiraccountability,thenitcannotbeagratuity,andthegiftofChristcannotbeaneminentexpressionofGod’sfreefavorandlove.Itcanonlybeanexpressionofhisrectitude.

ButtheScripturesdeclarethatthegiftofChristisanunparalleledexpressionoffreelove,andthatsalvationisofgrace.Lamentations3:22;John3:16;Romans3:24;11:5,6;1Corinthians4:7;15:10;Ephesians1:5,6;2:4–10,etc.AndeverytrueChristianrecognizestheessentialgraciousnessofsalvationasaninseparableelementofhisexperience.Hencethedoxologiesofheaven.—1Corinthians6:19,20;1Peter1:18,19;Revelation5:8–14.

Butifsalvationisofgrace,thenitisobviouslyconsistentwithGod’sjusticeforhimtosaveall,many,few,ornone,justiceashepleases.

32.ShowthattheobjectionthatunconditionalelectionisinconsistentwiththejusticeofGodisabsurdandanti-Christian.

Justicenecessarilyholdsallsinnersalikedestituteofallclaims

uponGod’sfavor.Itisunjusttojustifytheunjust.Itwouldbeinconsistentwithrighteousnessforasinfulmantoclaim,orforGodtogrant,salvationtoanyoneashisdue.Otherwisethecondemningsentenceofconscienceisdenied,andthecrossofChristmadeofnoneeffect.Ontheverygroundsofjusticeitself,therefore,salvationmustbeofgrace,anditmustrestuponthesovereignoptionofGodhimselfwhetherheprovidessalvationforfew,many,orfornone.Thesalvationofnoneisconsistentwithjustice,orthesacrificeofChristwasapaymentofdebtnotagrace.Andthesalvationofoneundeservingsinnerobviouslycanlaynofoundationuponwhich,thesalvationofanothercanbedemandedasaright.

33.StateandrefutetheobjectionthatourdoctrineisinconsistentwiththerectitudeofGodasanIMPARTIALRULER.

ArminiansoftenarguethatreasonteachesustoexpectthegreatomnipotentCreatorandSovereignofallmentobeimpartialinhistreatmentofindividuals—toextendthesameessentialadvantagesandconditionsofsalvationtoallalike.TheyarguealsothatthisfairpresumptionofreasonisreaffirmedintheScriptures,whichdeclarethatGodis"norespecterofpersons."—Acts10:34,andlPeter1:17.InthefirstnamedpassagethisappliessimplytotheapplicationofthegospeltoGentilesaswellasJews.InthesecondpassageitisaffirmedthatinthejudgmentofhumanworksGodisabsolutelyimpartial.Thequestionastoelection,however,isastogracenotastojudgmentpronouncedonworks,andtheScripturesnowheresaythatGodisimpartialinthecommunicationofhisgrace.

Ontheotherhand,thepresumptionsofreasonandthetextsofScripturemustbeinterpretedinasenseconsistentwiththetangiblefactsofhumanhistoryandofGod’sdailyprovidentialdispensations.IfitisunjustinprincipleforGodtobepartialinhisdistributionsofspiritualgood,itcanbenolessunjustforhimtobepartialinhisdistributionoftemporalgood.Asamatteroffact,however,wefindthatGodintheexerciseofhisabsolutesovereigntymakesthegreatestpossibledistinctionsamongmenfrombirth,andindependentlyoftheirownmeritsintheallotmentsbothoftemporalgoodandoftheessentialmeans

ofsalvation.Onechildisborntohealth,honor,wealth,tothepossessionofasusceptibleheartandconscience,andtoallthebestmeansofgraceashissecureinheritance.Manyothersareborntodisease,shame,poverty,anobtuseconscienceandhardenedheart,andabsoluteheathenishdarknessand

ignoranceofChrist.IfGodmaynotbepartialtoindividuals,whymayhebepartialtonations,andhowcanhisdealingswithheathennationsandthechildrenoftheabandonedclassesinthenominallyChristiancitiesbeaccountedfor?

ArchbishopWhatelygivesthisexcellentwordofwarningtohisArminianfriends:"IwouldsuggestacautionrelativetoaclassofobjectionsfrequentlyurgedagainstCalvinistsdrawnfromthemoralattributesofGod.Weshouldbeverycautioushowweemploysuchweaponsasmayrecoiluponourselves.Itisafrightfulbutundeniabletruththatmultitudes,eveninChristiancountries,arebornandbroughtupinsuchcircumstancesasaffordthemnoprobable,evennopossiblechanceofobtainingaknowledgeofreligioustruths,orahabitofmoralconduct,butareeventrainedfrominfancyinsuperstitiouserrorandgrossdepravity.WhythisshouldbepermittedneitherCalvinistnorArminiancanexplain;nay,whytheAlmightydoesnotcausetodieinthecradleeveryinfantwhosefuturewickednessandmisery,ifsufferedtogrowup,heforesees,iswhatnosystemofreligion,naturalorrevealed,willenableussatisfactorilytoaccountfor."—"EssaysonsomeoftheDifficultiesofSt.Paul.,"Essay3rd.,onElection.

34.Refutetheobjectiondrawnfromsuchpassagesas1Tim.2:4.

"Whowill(θέλει)allmentobesavedandtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth."

Thewordθέλεινhastwosenses—(a)tobeinclinedto,todesire;(b)topurpose,towill.InsuchconnectionsastheaboveitisevidentthatitcannotmeanthatGodpurposesthesalvationofall,because(a)allarenotsaved,andnoneofGod’spurposesfail,and(b)becauseitisaffirmedthathewillsallto"cometotheknowledgeofthetruth"inthesamesense

thathewillsalltobesaved—yethehasleftthevastmajorityofmentobebornandtoliveandtodie,irrespectiveoftheirownagency,inheathenishdarkness.

SuchpassagessimplyasserttheessentialbenevolenceofGod.Hetakesnopleasureinthedeathofthewicked.Hedoestakegreatpleasureinthesalvationofmen.Yetasamatteroffact,inperfectconsistencywithhisbenevolence,forreasonssufficient,thoughnotrevealedtous,hehasprovidednoredemptionforlostangels,andnoefficaciousgraceforthenon–electamongmankind.Thesepassagessimplyassertthat,ifitwerenotforthesereasons,itwouldbeagreeabletohisbenevolentnaturethatallmenshouldbesaved.

35.Showthatourdoctrinedoesnotdiscouragetheuseofmeans.

ItisobjectedthatifGodfrometernityhasdeterminedthatonemanistobeconvertedandsavedandanotheristobelefttoperishinhissins,thereisnoroomleftfortheuseofmeans.AsJohnWesley,in"MethodistDoc.Tracts,"falselyrepresentsthedoctrineofToplady,"Therearesupposetwentymen,tenareordainedtobesaveddowhattheymay,andtenareordainedtobedamneddowhattheycan."Thisisanabsurdaswellaswickedcaricatureofthedoctrine.

1st.Thedecreeofelectiondoesnotsecuresalvationwithoutfaithandholiness,butsalvationthroughfaithandholiness,themeansbeingjustasmuchdecreedastheend.TheCalvinistbelieves,aswellastheArminian,thateverymanwhodoesevilwillbedamned,electornon-elect.

2nd.ThedoctrineofelectiondoesnotpresumethatGodconstrainsmeninconsistentlywiththeirfreedom.Thenon–electaresimplyletalone,todoastheirownevilheartsprompt.TheelectaremadewillinginthedayofGod’spower.Godworksinthemtowillaswellastodoofhisgoodpleasure.Tobemadewillingtakesawaynoman’sliberty.

3rd.Thedecreeofelectiononlymakestherepentanceandfaithoftheelectcertain.Buttheantecedentcertaintyofafreeactisnot

inconsistentwithitsfreedom,otherwisethecertainforeknowledgeofafreeactwouldbeimpossible.Thedecreeofelectiondoesnotcausethefaith,anditdoesnotinterferewiththeagentinacting,andcertainlyitdoesnotsupersedetheabsolutenecessityofit.

36.Howfarisassuranceofourelectionpossible,andonwhatroundsdoessuchassurancerest?

Anunwaveringandcertainassuranceofthefactofourelectionispossibleinthislife,forwhomGodpredestinatesthemhealsocalls,andwhomhecallshejustifies,andweknowthatwhomhejustifies,healsosanctifies.ThusthefruitsoftheSpiritprovesanctification,andsanctificationproveseffectualcalling,andeffectualcallingelection.—See2Peter1:5–10;1John2:3.

Besidesthisevidenceofourowngraciousstatesandacts,wehavetheSpiritofadoption,whowitnessethwithourspiritsandsealsus.—Romans8:16,17;Ephesians4:30.

Inconfirmationofthiswehavetheexampleoftheapostles(2Timothy1:12)andofmanyChristians.

37.HowdoesthisdoctrineconsistwiththegeneralbenevolenceofGod?

TheonlydifficultyatthispointistoreconcilethegeneralbenevolenceofGodwiththefactthathe,beinginfinitelywiseandpowerful,shouldhaveadmittedasysteminvolvingthesin,finalimpenitence,andconsequentdamnationofany.Butthisdifficultypressesequallyuponbothsystems.

ThefactsprovethatGod’sgeneralbenevolenceisnotinconsistentwithhisallowingsometobedamnedfortheirsins.Thisisallthatreprobationmeans.Gratuitouselection,orthepositivechoiceofsomedoesnotrestuponGod’sgeneralbenevolence,butuponhisspeciallovetohisown.—John17:6,23;Romans9:11–13;1Thessalonians5:9.

38.Howdoesthisdoctrineconsistwiththegeneral

gospeloffer?

InthegeneraloffersofthegospelGodexhibitsasalvationsufficientforandexactlyadaptedtoall,andsincerelyofferedtoeveryonewithoutexception,andheunfoldsallthemotivesofduty,hope,fear,etc.,whichoughttoinduceeveryonetoacceptit,solemnlypromisingthatwhosoevercomesinnowiseshallbecastout.Nothingbutasinfulunwillingnesscanpreventanyonewhohearsthegospelfromreceivingandenjoyingit

Thegospelisforall,electionisaspecialgraceinadditiontothatoffer.Thenon–electmaycomeiftheywill.Theelectwillcome.Thedecreeofelectionputsnobarrierbeforemenpreventingthemfromacceptingthegospeloffer.Anyman,electornon–elect,willbesavedifheaccept.Thenon–electarelefttoactastheyarefreelydeterminedbytheirownhearts.

ThereisjustasgreatanapparentdifficultyinreconcilingGod’scertainforeknowledgeofthefinalimpenitenceofthegreatmajorityofthosetowhomheoffersanduponwhomhepresses,byeveryargument,hislovewiththefactofthatoffer;especiallywhenwereflectthatheforeseesthathisofferswillcertainlyincreasetheirguiltandmisery.

39.HowcanthedoctrineofreprobationbereconciledwiththeholinessofGod?

Reprobationleavesmeninsin,andthusleadstotheincreaseofsinthroughouteternity.HowthencanGod,inconsistencywithhisholiness,formapurposethedesignedeffectofwhichistoleavemeninsin,andthusleadinevitablytotheincreaseofsin?

ButitisacknowledgedbyArminiansaswellasCalvinists,thatGoddidcreatethehumanraceinspiteofhiscertainforeknowledgethatsinwouldbelargelyoccasionedthereby,andhedidcreateindividualmeninspiteofhiscertainforeknowledgethattheseverymenwouldcontinueeternallytosin.Therealdifficultyliesintheinsolubleproblemofthepermissionofevil.Whyistheexistenceofeviltoleratedintheuniverseofaninfinitelywise,righteous,merciful,andpowerfulGod?TheArminians

areaslittleabletoanswerthatquestionastheCalvinist.

40.WhatisthepracticalbearingofthisdoctrineonChristianexperienceandconduct?

Itmustberemembered,1st.Thatthistruthisnotinconsistentwith,butispartof;thesamegracioussystemwiththeequallycertainprinciplesofthemorallibertyandresponsibilityofman,andthefreeoffersofthegospeltoall.2nd.Thatthesoleruleofourdutyisthecommands,threatenings,andpromisesofGodclearlyexpressedinthegospel,andnotthisdecreeofelection,whichheneverrevealsexceptinitsconsequentsofeffectualcalling,faith,andholyliving.

Whenthusheld,thedoctrineofpredestination—

1st.ExaltsthemajestyandabsolutesovereigntyofGod,whileitillustratestherichesofhisfreegraceandhisjustdispleasurewithsin.

2nd.Itenforcesuponustheessentialtruththatsalvationisentirelyofgrace.Thatnoonecaneithercomplain,ifpassedover,orboasthimself,ifsaved.

3rd.,Itbringstheinquirertoabsoluteself–despair,andthecordialembraceofthefreeofferofChrist.

4th.Inthecaseofthebeliever,whohasthewitnessinhimself,thisdoctrineatoncedeepenshishumility,andelevateshisconfidencetothefullassuranceofhope.

41.StatethetruenatureofthequestiondiscussedbytheologiansconcerningtheORDEROFTHEDIVINEDECREES.

AswebelievethattheDecreeofGodisonesingle,eternalintention,therecannotbeanorderofsuccessioninhispurposeseither(a)intime,asifonepurposeactuallyprecededtheother,or(b)indistinctdeliberationoroptiononthepartofGod.Thewholeisonechoice.YetinwillingtheentiresystemGod,ofcourse,comprehendedallthepartsofthesystemwilledintheirseveralsuccessionsandrelations.

Inlinemannerasamanbyoneactofmindrecognizesacomplicatedmachinewithwhichheisfamiliar,andinthesameactdiscriminatesaccuratelytheseveralparts,andcomprehendstheirunityandrelationinthesystem,andthedesignofthewhole.—Dr.CharlesHodge’s"Lectures."Thequestion,therefore,astotheOrderoftheDecreesisnotaquestionastotheorderofactsinGoddecreeing,butitisaquestionastothetruerelationsustainedbytheseveralpartsofthesystemwhichhedecreestooneanother.Thatis,WhatrelationbetweenCreation,Predestination,andRedemptiondidtheoneeternalpurposeofGodestablish?WhatdotheScripturesteachastothepurposeofGodingivinghisSon,andastotheobjectandgroundofelection?Thegroundandobjectofelectionhasbeenfullyconsideredabove.ThedesignofGodinthegiftofChristwill.befullyconsideredunderDivision4.ofChapter25.

42.WhatistheArminiantheoryastotheorderofthedecreesrelatingtothehumanrace?

1st.Thedecreetocreateman.2nd.Man,asamoralagent,beingfallible,andhiswillbeingessentiallycontingent,andhissinthereforebeingimpreventible,God,foreseeingthatmanwouldcertainlyfallintothecondemnationandpollutionofsin,decreedtoprovideafreesalvationthroughChristforallmen,andtoprovidesufficientmeansfortheeffectualapplicationofthatsalvationtothecaseofall.3rd.HedecreedabsolutelythatallbelieversinChristshouldbesaved,andallunbelieversreprobatedfortheirsins.4th.Foreseeingthatcertainindividualswouldrepentandbelieve,andthatcertainotherindividualswouldcontinueimpenitenttothelast,Godfrometernityelectedtoeternallifethosewhosefaithheforesaw,ontheconditionoftheirfaith,andreprobatedthosewhomheforesawwouldcontinueimpenitentontheconditionofthatimpenitence.

43.WhatistheviewofthissubjectentertainedbytheFrenchProtestanttheologians,Camero,Amyraut,andothers?

ThesetheologicalprofessorsatSaumur,duringthesecondquarteroftheseventeenthcentury,taughtthatGod—1st.Decreedtocreateman.2nd.Topermitmantofall.3rd.Toprovide,inthemediationofChrist,salvationforallmen.4th.But,foreseeingthatifmenwereleft

tothemselvesnonewouldrepentandbelieve,thereforehesovereignlyelectedsometowhomhedecreedtogivethenecessarygracesofrepentanceandfaith.

44.Whatistheinfralapsarianviewofpredestination?

Theinfra-lapsarian(infralapsum)theoryofpredestination,orthedecreeofpredestination,viewedassubsequentinpurposetothedecreepermittingmantofall,representsmanascreatedandfallenastheobjectofelection.Theorderofthedecreesthenstandthus:1st.Thedecreetocreateman.2nd.Topermitmantofall.3rd.,Thedecreetoelectcertainmen,outofthemassofthefallenandjustlycondemnedrace,toeternallife,andtopassothersby,leavingthemtothejustconsequencesoftheirsins.4th.Thedecreetoprovidesalvationfortheelect.THISISTHECOMMONVIEWOFTHEREFORMEDCHURCHES,CONFIRMEDALIKEBYTHESYNODOFDORTANDTHEWESTMINSTERASSEMBLY.

45.Whatisthesupra-lapsariantheoryofpredestination?

Thetermsupra-lapsarian(supralapsum)designatesthatviewofthevariousprovisionsofthedivinedecreeintheirlogicalrelationswhichsupposesthattheultimateendwhichGodproposedtohimselfwashisowngloryinthesalvationofsomemenandinthedamnationofothers,andthat,asameanstothatend,hedecreedtocreateman,andtopermithimtofall.Accordingtothisview,mansimplyascreatible,andfallible,andnotasactuallycreatedorfallen,istheobjectofelectionandreprobation.Theorderofthedecreeswouldthenbe—1st.Ofallpossiblemen,Godfirstdecreedthesalvationofsomeandthedamnationofothers,fortheendofhisownglory.2nd.Hedecreed,asameanstothatend,tocreatethosealreadyelectedorreprobated.3rd.,Hedecreedtopermitthemtofall.4th.Hedecreedtoprovideasalvationfortheelect.ThisviewwasheldbyBeza,thesuccessorofCalvininGeneva,andbyGomarus,thegreatopponentofArminius.

46.Statetherespectivepointsofagreementandofdifferencebetweentheseseveralschemes.

1st.TheArminianascomparedwiththeCalvinisticscheme.

WiththeArminianthedecreeofredemptionprecedesthedecreeofelection,whichisconditionedupontheforeseenfaithoftheindividual.

WiththeCalvinist.ontheotherhand,thedecreeofelectionprecedesthedecreeofredemption,andthedecreeofelectionisconditioneduponthesimplegoodpleasureofGodalone.

2nd.TheFrenchorSalmurianascomparedwiththelegitimateviewoftheReformedChurchesandwiththeArminianview.TheFrenchviewagreeswiththeReformedanddiffersfromtheArminianviewinmakingthesovereigngoodpleasureofGodthesolegroundofelection;whileitdiffersfromthe

ReformedandagreeswiththeArminianinmakingthedecreeofredemptionprecedethedecreeofelection.

3rd.Thesupra–lapsarianschemeascomparedwiththeinfralapsarianviewprevalentamongtheReformedChurches.Thesupra–lapsarianschememakesthedecreetoelectsomeandreprobateothers,precedethedecreetocreateandtopermittofall.Theinfra–lapsarianviewmakesthedecreeofelectioncomeafterthedecreetocreateandpermittofall.Thesupralapsarianviewregardsmannotascreatedandfallen,butsimplyascreatible,theobjectofelectionandreprobation.Theinfra–lapsarianviewmakesmanasalreadycreatedandfallentheonlyobjectofthosedecrees.

47.Statetheargumentsagainstthesupra–lapsarianscheme.

Thisschemeisunquestionablythemostlogicalofall.Itispostulatedupontheprinciple,thatwhatislastinexecutionisfirstinintention,whichundoubtedlyholdstrueinallspherescomprehendedinhumanexperience.HenceitisarguedthatifthefinalresultofthewholematteristheglorificationofGodinthesalvationoftheelectandtheperditionofthenon–elect,itmusthavebeenthedeliberatepurposeofGodfromthebeginning.Butthecaseistoohighandtoovastfortheà

prioriapplicationandenforcementoftheordinaryrulesofhumanJudgment;wecanhereonlyknowinvirtueofandwithinthelimitsofapositiverevelation.

Theobjectionsagainstthisschemeare—

1st.Mancreatableisanonentity.Hecouldnothavebeenlovedorchosenunlessconsideredascreated.

2nd.ThewholelanguageofScriptureuponthissubjectimpliesthatthe"elect"arechosenastheobjectsofeternallove,notfromthenumberofcreatable,butfromthemassofactuallysinfulmen.—John15:19;Romans11:5,7.

3rd.TheScripturesdeclarethattheelectarechosentosanctification,andtothesprinklingofthebloodofChrist.Theymustthereforehavebeenregardedwhenchosenasguiltyanddefiledbysin.—1Peter1:2;Ephesians1:4–6.

4th.Predestinationincludesreprobation.ThisviewrepresentsGodasreprobatingthenon–electbyasovereignact,withoutanyrespecttotheirsins,simplyforhisownglory.Thisappearstobeinconsistentwiththedivinerighteousness,aswellaswiththeteachingofScripture.Thenon–electare"ordainedtodishonorandwrathfortheirsins,tothepraiseofhisgloriousjustice."—"ConfessionFaith,"ch.3,sec.3–7,"LargerCatechism,"question13;"ShorterCatechism"question20.

48.ShowthatacorrectexegesisofEphesians3:9,10,doesnotsupportthesupralapsarianview.

ShowthatacorrectexegesisofEph.3:9,10,doesnotsupportthesupra-lapsarianview.Thispassageisclaimedasadirectaffirmationofthesupra-lapsariantheory.Iftheἵνα,introducingthetenthverse,referstotheimmediatelyprecedingclause,thenthepassageteachesthatGodcreatedallthingsinorderthathismanifoldwisdommightbedisplayedbythechurchtotheangels.Itisevident,however,thatἵνα,referstotheprecedingphrase,inwhichPauldeclaresthathewasordainedtopreachthegospeltotheGentiles,andtoenlightenallmenastothemysteryof

redemption.Allthishewascommissionedtodo,inorderthatGod'sglorymightbedisplayed,etc.—See"HodgeonEphesians."

49.StatetheargumentsagainsttheFrenchscheme.

1st.ItisnotconsistentwiththefactthatGod’spurposesareone.TheschemeisthatGodinoneeternalactdeterminedtoprovidetheobjectiveconditionsofsalvation(redemptionthroughthebloodofChrist),forall,andtoprovidethesubjectiveconditionsofsalvation(efficaciousgrace)onlyforsome.ThisisinrealityanattempttoweldtogetherArminianismandCalvinism.

2nd.TheScripturesdeclarethatthepurposeofChrist’scomingwastoexecutethepurposeofelection.HecametogiveeternallifetoasmanyastheFatherhasgivenhim.John17:2,9;10:15.Redemptionthereforecannotprecedeelection.

3rd.ThetruedoctrineoftheAtonement(seeChapter25.)isthatChristdidnotcometomakesalvationpossible,buttoeffectitforallforwhomhedied.TheAtonementsecuresremissionofsin,andfaith,andrepentance,andallthefruitsoftheSpirit.Thereforeallwhoareredeemedrepentandbelieve.

50.InwhatsensedotheLutheransteachthatChrististhegroundofelection?

TheyholdthatGodelectedhisownpeopletoeternallifeforChrist’ssake.TheyappealtoEphesians1:4,"Accordingashehathchosenusinhim[Christ]beforethefoundationoftheworld."ThisviewmayevidentlybeconstruedeitherwiththeArminianortheFrenchtheoryofthedecreesabovestated,i.e.,wewerechoseninChristforhissake,eitheraswewereforeseentobeinhimthroughfaith,orbecauseGod,havingprovidedthroughChristsalvationforallmen,would,bytheelectionofcertainindividuals,secureatleastintheircasethesuccessfuleffectofChrist’sdeath.

Thisview,ofcourse,isrebuttedbythesameargumentswhichweurgeagainstthetheoriesabovementioned.Wearesaidtobechosen

"inhim,"notforChrist’ssake,butbecausetheeternalcovenantofgraceincludesalltheelectundertheheadshipofChrist.TheloveofGodiseverywhererepresentedasthegroundofthegiftofChrist,nottheworkofChristthegroundoftheloveofGod.—John3:16;1John4:10.

DIFFERENTVIEWSOFTHECHURCHES

THELUTHERANVIEW.—"Thatwhichfirstofallshouldbeaccuratelyobserved,isthedifferencebetweenforeknowledgeandpredestinationortheeternalelectionofGod.FortheForeknowledgeofGod,isnothingmorethanthatGodknewallthingsbeforetheyexisted....ThisforeknowledgeofGodpertainsaliketogoodandtobadmen,butitisnotconsequentlythecauseofevil,northecauseofsin,whichimpelsmantocrime.Forsinoriginatesfromthedevilandfromthedepravedandwickedwillofman.NeitheristhisforeknowledgeofGodthecausethatmenperish,forthattheyoughttochargeuponthemselves;buttheforeknowledgeofGoddisposesevil,andsetsboundstoit,determiningwhitheritshallgo,andhowlongitshalllast,sothat,althoughitbeinitselfevil,itconspirestothesalvationofGod’select."

"Ontheotherhand,‘Predestination,’ortheeternalelectionofGod,pertainsonlytothegoodandchosensonsofGod,anditisthecauseoftheirsalvation.Foritprocurestheirsalvation,anddisposestothosethingswhichpertaintoit.Oursalvationissofoundeduponthispredestinationthatthegatesofhellshallneverbeabletooverturnit.ThispredestinationofGodisnottobesoughtinthesecretcouncilofGod,butinthewordofGod,inwhichitisrevealed.ForthewordofGodleadsustoChrist,thatisthatbookoflifeinwhichallareinscribedandelectwhoattaintoeternalsalvation.Forsoitiswritten(Ephesians1:4)hechoseusinChristbeforethefoundationoftheworld....ThewordofGod,thebookoflife,offersChristtous,andthisisopenedanddevelopedtousthroughthepreachingofthegospel,asitiswritten(Romans8:30)whomhechose,themhecalled.InChristthereforetheeternalelectionoftheFatheristobesought.Heinhiseternalcounselhasdecreedthat,exceptthosewhoknowhisSonJesusChristandtrulybelieveonhim,noneshallbesaved."—"FormulaConcordioe,"HaseCollect.,pp.617–619.

JohnGerhard(1582–1637),Loci2.,86B.—"Wesaythatallthose,andthosealone,areelectedfrometernitybyGodtosalvation,whomheforesawwouldbelieveinChristtheredeemerthroughtheefficacyoftheHolySpirit,andtheministryofthegospel,andshouldpersevereinfaithuntiltheendoflife."

THEDOCTRINEOFTHEREFORMEDCHURCHES.—"Thirty–NineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland."Article17.—Seeabove,Chapter7.

"WestminsterConfessionofFaith,"Chap.3.—"Therestofmankind,Godwaspleased,accordingtotheunsearchablecounselofhisownwillwherebyheextendethorwithholdethmercyashepleaseth,forthegloryofhissovereignpoweroverhiscreatures,topassby,andtoordainthemtodishonorandwrathfortheirSINS,andtothepraiseofhisgloriousJUSTICE."—"ConfessionFaith,"ch.3.,§7.

"CanonsofSynodofDort,"Cap.1.,§7.—"ButelectionistheimmutablepurposeofGod,bywhich,beforethefoundationsoftheworldwerelaid,hechose,outofthewholehumanrace,fallenbytheirownfaultfromtheirprimevalintegrityintosinanddestruction,accordingtothemostfreegoodpleasureofhisownwill,andofmeregrace,acertainnumberofmen,neitherbetternorworthierthanothers,butlyinginthesamemiserywiththerest,tosalvationinChrist,whomhehadeverfrometernityconstitutedMediatorandHeadofalltheelect,andthefoundationofsalvation....§9.Thissameelectionisnotmadefromanyforeseenfaith,obedienceoffaith,holiness,oranyothergoodqualityordisposition,asaprerequisitecauseorconditioninthemanwhoshouldbeelected,butuntofaith,anduntoobedienceoffaith,andholiness.Andtrulyelectionisthefountainofeverysavingbenefit;whencefaith,holiness,andothersalutarygifts,and,finally,eternallifeitselfflowasitsfruitandeffect.§15.Moreover,holyScripturedothillustrateandcommendtousthiseternalandfreegraceofourelection,inthismoreespecially,thatitdothalsotestifyallmennottobeelected,butthatsomearenon–elect,orpassedbyintheeternalelectionofGod,whomtrulyGod,frommostfree,just,irreprehensibleandimmutablegoodpleasure,decreedtoliveinthecommonmisery,intowhichtheyhad,bytheirownfault,castthemselves,andnottobestowuponthemlivingfaithandthe

graceofconversion."

REMONSTRANTS.—"Remonstrantia,"etc.,fivearticlespreparedbytheDutchadvocatesofuniversalredemption(1610),Art.1.—"Godbyanimmutabledecree,beforehelaidthefoundationsoftheworld,ordainedinJesusChristhisSon,tosaveoutofthefallenhumanrace,exposedtopunishmentonaccountofsin,thoseinChrist,onaccountofChrist,andthroughChrist,whobythegraceoftheHolySpiritbelievehisSon,andwhothroughthesamegracepersevereintheobedienceoffaithtotheend.Andontheotherhand(hedecreed)toleaveinsinandexposedtowraththosewhoarenotconverted,andareunbelieving,andtocondemnthemasaliensfromChrist,accordingtoJohn3:36."1.Dr.Wm.Cunningham,"Hist.Theo.,"Vol.2.,p.463.

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Chapter12:TheCreationoftheWorld

1.WhatistheoriginofthedoctrineofCreationexnihilo?

Theprevalence,ifnottheconception,oftheideaofabsolutecreation,orofcreationexnihilo,istobereferredtotheinfluenceoftheinspiredwordofGod.Anteriortorevelationthereweretwoprevalentcauseswhichpreventedtheacceptanceofthisidea.(a)Theuniversallyassumedtruthoftheaxiomthatexnihilonihilfit.Hencealltheistsandatheistsalikefailedtoconceiveof;orconceivingrepudiated,theideaofabsolutecreationasabsurd.(b)Thesecondcauseinfluencingtheistswasthepresumedinterestofnaturaltheology,intheimpossibility,onthathypothesis,ofreconcilingtheexistenceofevilwiththeperfectionsofGod.

2.WhatviewswererespectivelyheldbythegreattheistsPlatoandAristotle?

Platoheldthattherearetwoeternal,self-existentprinciples,Godandmatter,ὕλη,whichexistco-ordinatelyinanindivisible,unsuccessiveeternity;thattimeandtheactualphenomenalworldwhichexistsintime,aretheworkofGod,whofreelymoldsmatterintoformswhichimagehisowninfinitelyperfectandeternalideas.AristotlealsoheldthatGodandmatterarecoordinatelyself–existentandeternal;buthedifferedfromPlatoinregardingGodaseternallyself–activeinorganizingtheworldoutofmatter,andconsequentlyinregardingtheuniversethusorganizedaseternalaswellasthemerematterofwhichitisformed.—"AncientPhil.,"W.ArcherButler,Series3,Lectures1and2.

3.WhatviewsonthispointprevailedamongtheGnostics?

SomeoftheGnosticstaughtthattheuniverseproceedsfromGodbywayofemanation,whichwasexplainedas"anecessaryandgradualunfoldingadextraofthegermofexistencethatlayinGod,"asradianceproceedsfromthesun,etc.MostoftheGnosticsunitedwiththistheoryofemanationthedoctrineofdualism,i.e.,ofthecoordinateself–existenceoftwoindependentprinciples,Godandmatter(ὕλη).FromGodbysuccessiveemanationsproceededtheEons,theDemigods,Creatoroftheworld,theJehovahoftheOldTestament,andfinallyChrist.Thematerialuniversespringsfromself–existentmatter,intrinsicallyevil,organizedbytheDemigods.Allsoulshaveemanatedfromtheworldoflight,buthavebecomeentangledinmatter,hencethehistoricalcontestbetweengoodandevil,whichChristcametosettlebygivingpowertosoulsultimatelytoescapefromthetoilsofmatter.

4.WhatistheviewonthissubjectcommontoallschemesofPantheism?

PantheistsidentifyGodandtheuniverse.Godistheabsolutebeingofwhichstingsarethespecialandtransientmodes.Godistheself–existentandpersistentprincipleofallthings,whichbyaninherentself–actinglawofdevelopmentiseternallyrunningthroughceaselesscyclesofchange.

5.Statethetruedoctrineastocreation.

TheChristiandoctrineastoCreationinvolvesthefollowingpoints:1st."Inthebeginning,"atsomeunknownpointofdefinitecommencementintime.2nd.Godcalledallthings(thatis,theoriginalprinciplesandcausesofallthings)intobeingoutofnothing.Thuseverythingwhichhasorwillorcanexist,exteriortotheGodhead,owesitsbeingandsubstanceaswellasitsformtoGod.3rd.Thiscreativeactisanactoffree,self–determinedwill.ItwasnotanecessaryconstitutionalactanalogoustotheimmanentandeternalactsoftheGenerationoftheSonortheProcessionoftheHolySpirit.4th.Itwasnotnecessarytocompletethedivineexcellenceorblessedness,whichwereeternalandcompleteandinseparablefromthedivineessence.Butitwasdoneintheexerciseofabsolutediscretionforinfinitelywisereasons.—Dr.CharlesHodge.

ThisdoctrineisessentialtoTheism.Allopposingtheoriesoftheoriginoftheworld,areessentiallyPantheisticorAtheistic.

6.WhatdistinctionissignalizedbythetermsCreationprimaseuimmediata,andCreatiosecundaseumediate,andbywhomwasitintroduced?

ThephraseCreationprimaseuimmediatasignifiestheoriginatingactofthedivinewillwherebyhebrings,orhasbrought,intobeing,outofnothing,theprinciplesandelementaryessencesofallthings.

ThephraseCreationsecundaseumediatasignifiesthesubsequentactofGodinoriginatingdifferentformsofthings,andespeciallydifferentspeciesoflivingbeingsoutofthealreadycreatedessencesofthings.TheChristianChurchholdsboth.ThesephrasesoriginatedinthewritingsofcertainLutherantheologiansoftheseventeenthcentury,e.g.,Gerhard,Quenstedt,etc.

7.Whatistheprimarysignification,andwhatthebiblicalusageofthewordad;B;?

1st.Strictly,Tohew,cutout.2nd.Toform,make,produce(whetheroutofnothingornot).—Genesis1:1,21,27;2:3,4;Isaiah43:1,7;14:7;65:18;Psalm51:12;Jeremiah.31:22;Amos4:13.Niphal,1st.Tobe

created.—Genesis2:4;5:2.2nd.Tobeborn.—Psalm102:19;Ezekiel21:35.Piel,1st.Tohew,cutdown,e.g.,awood.Joshua17:15,18.2nd.Tocutdown(withthesword),tokill.Ezekiel23:47.3rd.Toform,engrave,markout.—Ezekiel21:24."Gesenius""Lex."

8.StatethedirectproofofthetruthofthisdoctrineaffordedinScripture.

1st.Sincetheideaitselfisnew,andforeigntoallprecedentmodesofthought,itcouldbeconveyedinScriptureonlythroughtheuseofoldterms,previouslybearingadifferentsense,butsoemployedastosuggestanewmeaning.Theword"bara,"however,isthebestonetheHebrewlanguageaffordedtoexpresstheideaofabsolutemaking.

2nd.ThisnewideaisinevitablysuggestedbythewayinwhichthetermisfirstusedbyMoses,whengivingaccountfromtheverycommencementofthegenesisoftheheavensandtheearth.Asageneralintroductiontothehistoryoftheformationoftheworldanditsinhabitants,itisdeclaredthat"Inthebeginning—intheabsolutebeginning,Godmadetheheavensandtheearth."Thereisnottheslightesthintgivenofanypreviouslyexistingmaterial.InthebeginningGodmadetheheavensandtheearth,afterthatChaosexisted,forthenitissaid"theearthwaswithoutformandvoid,"andtheSpiritofGodbroodedovertheabyss.

3rd.ThesametruthisalsoinevitablysuggestedinallthevariousmodesofexpressionbywhichtheagencyofGodinoriginatingtheworldissetforthinScripture.Innocaseistherethefaintesttraceofanyreferencetoanypre–existingmaterialsorprecedentconditionsofcreation.Ineverycasethewholecausalagencytowhichthecreationisreferredisthe"Word,"thebare"fiat"ofJehovah.—Psalm33:6and148:5.ByfaithweunderstandthattheworldswereframedbythewordofGod,sothatthingswhichareseen(ταβλεκόμενα)werenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear(μὴἐκφαινομένων).—Hebrews11:3.SeeRomans4:17;2Corinthians4:6.

9.InwhatmanneristhisdoctrineoftheabsolutecreationoftheworldbyGodimpliedinScripture?

1st.InallthosepassagesthatteachthatGodisanabsoluteSovereign,andthatthecreatureisabsolutelydependentonhim,"inwhomweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing."—Acts17:28;Nehemiah9:6;Colossians1:16;Revelation4:11;Romans11:36;1Corinthians8:6.

NowitisevidentthatiftheessencesandprimordialprinciplesofallthingsarenotimmediatelycreatedbyGodoutofnothing,butareeternallyself–existentindependentlyofhim,thenhe,inhisofficesofCreatorandProvidentialgovernorofallthings,mustbeconditionedandlimitedbythepre–existingessentialpropertiesandpowersofthoseprimordialelements.InwhichcaseGodwouldnotbeabsoluteSovereign,northethingsmadeabsolutelydependentuponhiswill.

2nd.Inallthosepassageswhichteachthatthekosmos,the"allthings"hadabeginning.—Psalm90:2;John17:5,24.

10.Whatargumentsderivedfromreasonandconsciousness,andfromtheelementaryconstitutionofmatter,maybeadducedinproofofabsolutecreation?

1st.ThisdoctrinealoneisconsistentwiththefeelingofabsolutedependenceofthecreatureupontheCreator,whichisinherentineveryheart,andwhichisinculcatedinalltheteachingsoftheScriptures.Itcouldnotbesaidthat"heupholdsallthingsbythewordofhispower,"northat"weliveandmoveandhaveourbeinginhim,"unlesshebeabsolutelytheCreatoraswellastheFormerofallthings.

2nd.Itismanifestfromthetestimonyofconsciousness:(1)Thatoursoulsaredistinctindividualentities,andnotpartsorparticlesofGod;(2)thattheyarenoteternal.Itfollowsconsequentlythattheywerecreated.Andifthecreationofthespiritsofmenexnihilobeonceadmitted,thereremainsnospecialdifficultywithrespecttotheabsolutecreationofmatter.

3rd.Althoughtheabsoluteoriginationofanynewexistenceoutofnothingistousconfessedlyinconceivable,itisnotonewhitmoresothantherelationoftheinfiniteforeknowledge,orforeordination,orprovidentialcontrolofGodtothefreeagencyofmen,northanmany

othertruthswhichweareallforcedtobelieve.

4th.Afterhavingadmittedthenecessaryself–existenceofaninfinitelywiseandpowerfulpersonalSpirit,whoseexistence,uponthehypothesisofhispossessingthepowerofabsoluteCreationissufficienttoaccountforallthephenomenaoftheuniverse,itisunphilosophicalgratuitouslytomultiplycausesbysupposingtheindependent,eternalself–existenceofmatteralso.

5th.Whenthephysicalphilosopherhasanalyzedmattertoitsultimateatoms,anddeterminedtheiressentialprimaryproperties,hefindsinthemasstrongevidenceofapowerfulantecedentcause,andofawiselydesigningmind,ashedoesinthemostcomplexorganizationsofnature;forwhataretheultimatepropertiesofmatterbuttheelementaryconstituentsoftheuniversallawsofnature,andtheultimateconditionsofallphenomena.IfdesigndiscoveredintheconstitutionoftheuniverseasfinishedprovesadivineFormer,byequalrightmustthesamedesigndiscoveredintheelementaryconstitutionofmatterproveadivineCreator.

AtomswereassertedbySirJohnHerschelltohavealltheappearanceof"amanufacturedarticle,"onaccountoftheiruniformity.

"Whetherornottheconceptionofamultitudeofbeingsexistingfromalleternityisinitselfself–contradictory,theconceptionbecomespalpablyabsurdwhenweattributearelationofquantitativeequalitytoallthosebeings.Wearethenforcedtolookbeyondthemtosomecommoncause,orcommonorigin,toexplainwhythissingularrelationofequalityexists....Wehavereachedtheutmostlimitofourthinkingfacultieswhenwehaveadmittedthatbecausemattercannotbeeternalandself–existentitmusthavebeencreated."—Prof.J.Clerk–MaxwellinArt.Atom,"Encyclo.Britannica,"9thed.

11.Stateandrefutetheobjectiontothisdoctrinebasedupontheaxiom,"Exnihilonihilofit."

Itisobjectedthatitisanoriginalandself–evidentprincipleofreason,thatonlynothingcancomefromnothing.Weanswerthatthis

statementisindefinite.Ifitismeantthatnonewthing,noranychangeinapreviouslyexistingthing,canbegintobewithoutanadequatecause,weanswerthatitistrue,butdoesnotapplytothecaseinhand.Ourdoctrineisnotthattheuniversecameintobeingwithoutanadequatecause,butthattheessencesaswellastheformsofallthingshadabeginningintime,andtheircauseexistsonlyinthewillofGod.Theinfinitepowerinherentinaself–existentSpiritispreciselytheCausetowhichwerefertheabsoluteoriginationofallthings.ButifitismeantbytheaboveobjectionthatthisinfiniteGodhasnotpowertocreatenewentities,thentheprincipleissimplyfalseandnotself–evident;itbearsnotoneofthemarksofavalidintuition—neitherself–evidence,necessity,noruniversality.

12.Stateandrefutethepositionofsomewhomaintainonmoralgroundstheself–existenceofmatter.

Thoseamongtheisticthinkerswhohavebeentemptedtoregardmatteraseternalandself–existent,havebeeninfluencedbythevainhopeofexplainingtherebytheexistenceofmoralevilinconsistencywiththeholinessofGod.Theywouldreferallthephenomenaofsintoanessentiallyevilprincipleinherentinmatter,andwouldjustifyGodbymaintainingthathehasdoneallthatinhimlaytolimitthatevil.Now,besidestheinconsistencyofthistheory’sattempttovindicatetheholinessofGodattheexpenseofhisindependence,itproceedsuponabsurdprinciples,asappearsfromthefollowingconsiderations:(1)Moralevilisinitsessenceanattributeofspirit.Toreferittoamaterialoriginmustlogicallyleadtothegrossestmaterialism.(2)TheentireChristiansystemofreligion,andtheexampleofChrist,isinoppositiontothatasceticismand"neglectingofthebody"(Colossians2:23),whichnecessarilyspringsfromtheviewthatmatteristhegroundofsin.(3)WhenGodcreatedthematerialuniversehepronouncedhisworks"verygood."(4)ThesecondPersonoftheholyTrinityassumedarealmaterialbodyintopersonalunionwithhimself.(5)Thematerialcreation,now"madesubjecttovanity"throughman’ssin,istoberenovatedandmadethetempleinwhichtheGod–manshalldwellforever.—Seebelow,Chapter29.,Question17.(6)TheworkofChristindeliveringhispeoplefromtheirsindoesnotcontemplatetherenunciationofthematerialpart

ofournatures,butourbodies,whicharenow"themembersofChrist,"andthe"templesoftheHolyGhost,"areattheresurrectiontobetransformedintothelikenessofhisglorifiedbody.Yetnothingcouldbemoreabsurdthantoarguethattheσῶμαπνευματικόνisnotasliterallymaterialasthepresentσῶμαψυχικόν.(7.)Ifthecauseofevilisessentiallyinherentinmatter,andifitspastdevelopmentshaveoccurredinspiteofGod’seffortstolimitit,whatcertaingroundofconfidencecananyofushaveforthefuture.

13.ProvethattheworkofCreationisinScriptureattributedtoGodabsolutely,i.e.,toeachofthethreepersonsoftheTrinitycoordinately,andnottoeitherashisspecialpersonalfunction.

1st.TotheGodheadabsolutely.—Genesis1:1,26.2nd.TotheFather,1Corinthians8:6.3rd.TotheSon.—John1:3;Colossians1:16,17.4th.TotheHolySpirit.—Genesis1:2;Job26:13;Psalm104:30.

14.Howcanitbeprovedthatnocreaturecancreate?

1st.Fromthenatureofthework.Itappearstousthattheworkofabsolutecreationexnihiloisaninfiniteexerciseofpower.Itistousinconceivablebecauseinfinite,anditcanbelong,therefore,onlytothatBeingwho,forthesamereason,isincomprehensible.2nd.TheScripturesdistinguishJehovahfromallcreatures,andfromfalsegods,andestablishhissovereigntyandrightsasthetrueGodbythefactthatheistheCreator,Isaiah37:16;40:12,13;54:5;Psalm96:5;Jeremiah10:11,12.3rd.Ifitwereadmittedthatacreaturecouldcreate,thentheworksofcreationwouldneveravailtoleadthecreaturetoaninfallibleknowledgethathiscreatorwastheeternalandself–existentGod.

15.Whyisitimportantforustoknow,ifsuchknowledgebepossible,whatGod’schiefendincreationwas?

Thisisnotaquestionofvaincuriosity.Itisevident,sinceGodiseternal,immutable,andofabsolutelyperfectintelligence,thatthegreatendorultimatepurposeforwhichheatthebeginningcreatedallthingsmusthavebeenkeptinviewunchangeablyinallhisworks,andsoallhis

worksmustbemoredirectlyorremotelyameanstothatend.Nowourmindsaresoconstitutedthatwecanunderstandasystemonlywhenweunderstanditsultimatepurposeorend.Thuswecancomprehendthepartsofawatchorsteamengine,andtheirrelationsandfunctions,onlyafterweunderstandtheendorpurposewhichtheentirewatchorenginewasintendedtoserve.AndalthoughGodhashidfromusmanyofhissubordinatepurposes,webelievethathehasrevealedtousthatgreatultimatedesign,withoutaglimpseofwhichthetruecharacterofhisgeneraladministrationnevercouldbeinanydegreecomprehended.Nonecandenythatifhehasrevealedhisultimatepurposeincreation,thatitmustbeamattertousoftheveryhighestimportance.

Itisself–evidentthatwecannotrisetosohighageneralizationasthisbyanyprocessofinductionfromwhatweknoworcanknowofhisworks.Ourconclusiononthissubjectmustthereforebedrawn,inthefirstinstanceatleast,entirelyfromwhatweknowofGod’sattributesandfromtheexplicitteachingsofhisword.

16.WhatisthemeaningofthetermTHEODICY,andbywhomwasthisdepartmentofspeculativetheologyinthefirstinstanceformallyexplored?

ThetermTheodicy(θεόςδίκη)signifiesaspeculativejustificationofthewaysofGodtowardsthehumanrace,especiallyasrespectstheoriginofevil,andthemoralgovernmentoftheworld.ItwasfirstexaltedintoadepartmentoftheologicalsciencebythegreatGermanphilosopherLeibnitz,inhisgreatworkentitled"Theodicy,ortheGoodnessofGod,theLibertyofMan,andtheOriginofEvil,"AD1710.

17.WhatviewastotheendofGodincreationdidLeibnitzadvocate,andbywhomhashebeenfollowed?

Leibnitzheldthatallmoralexcellencecanberesolvedintobenevolence,andthatthegrand,all–comprehendingpurposeofGodinthecreationoftheuniverse,andinhispreservationandgovernmentthereof,isthepromotionofthehappinessofhiscreatures.HenceheconcludesthatGodhaschosenthebestpossiblesystemtoattainthatendinthelargestpossibledegree.ThisisthesystemofOptimism.

ThisviewhasprevailedlargelyamongtheNewEnglandtheologians,inconnectionwiththeprevalenttheorywhichregardsallvirtueasconsistingindisinterestedbenevolence.

Theobjectionstothisvieware—1st.Allvirtuedoesnotconsistindisinterestedbenevolence.—Seeabove,Chapter8.,Question61.Andhappinessisnotthehighestgood.2nd.ItsubordinatestheCreatortothecreature,thegreatertotheless,asthemeanstoanend.WhenGodfrometernityformedthepurposetocreate,nocreaturesexistedtobemadehappyormiserable.Themotivetocreatethereforecouldnothaveoriginatedinthenon–existent,andcouldhaveitsoriginandobjectonlyinthedivinebeinghimself.3rd.TheScriptures(seenextquestion)nevereitherdirectlyorindirectlyintimatethatanythinginthecreatureisthechiefendofGod,nordotheyeverproposeanypersonalorpublicgoodofthecreatureasthechiefendofthecreaturehimself.

18.StatethetrueviewandquotethestatementsoftheConfessionofFaith?

ThetrueviewisthatthegreatendofGodincreationwashisownglory.Gloryismanifestedexcellence.

Theexcellenciesofhisattributesaremanifestedbytheirexercise.Thisendthereforewasnottheincreaseeitherofhisexcellenceorblessedness,buttheirmanifestationadextra.

"ItpleasedGod,theFather,Son,andHolyGhost,forthemanifestationofthegloryofhiseternalpower,wisdom,andgoodness,inthebeginningtocreateormakeofnothingtheworld,andallthingstherein,whethervisibleorinvisible,inthespaceofsixdays,andallverygood."—"ConfessionFaith,"Ch.4.,§

1.ThesameisaffirmedtobethechiefendofGodinallhispurposesandworksofProvidenceandRedemption.—Ch.3.§3,5,7,andCh.5.§1;Ch.6.§1;Ch.33.§2;"LargerCat.,"Qs.12and18;"ShorterCatechism,"Qs.7.

19.StatefromreasonandScripturethearguments

whichsustainthisview.

1st.SinceGodformedthepurposetocreatebeforeanycreatureexisted,itisevidentthatthemotivetocreatemusthaveitssourceandobjectinthepre–existingCreatorandnotinthenon–existingcreature.

TheabsoluteCreatorcannotbesubordinatedtonorconditioneduponthefiniteanddependentcreature.

2nd.SinceGodhimselfisinfinitelyworthierthanthesumofallcreatures,itfollowsthatthemanifestationofhisownexcellenceisinfinitelyahigherandworthierendthanthehappinessofthecreatures,indeedthehighestandworthiestendconceivable.

3rd.NothingcansoexaltandblessthecreatureashisbeingmadethustheinstrumentandthewitnessoftheinfiniteCreator’sglory,hencetheproposingthatgloryasthe"chiefend"ofthecreationisthebestsecurityforthecreature’sadvanceinexcellenceandblessedness.

4th.TheScripturesexplicitlyassertthatthisisthechiefendofGodincreation(Colossians1:16;Proverbs16:4),andofthingsascreated.—Revelation4:11;Romans11:36.

5th.TheyteachthatthesameisthechiefendofGodinhiseternaldecrees.—Ephesians1:5,6,12.

6th.AlsoofGod’sprovidentialandgraciousgoverninganddisposingofhiscreatures.—Romans9:17,22,23;Ephesians3:10.

7th.Itismadethedutyofallmoralagentstoadoptthesameastheirpersonalendinallthings.—1Corinthians10:31;1Peter4:11.

20.WhatisthepresentattitudeofGeologicalscienceinrelationtotheMosaicRecordofcreation?

Theresultsofmoderngeologicalscienceclearlyestablishtheconclusions—(a)Thattheelementarymaterialsofwhichtheworldiscomposedexistedanindefinitelygreatnumberofagesago.(b)Thattheworldhasbeenprovidentiallybroughttoitspresentstatebyagradual

progression,throughmanywidelycontrastedphysicalconditions,andthroughlongintervalsoftime.(c)Thatithassuccessivelybeeninhabitedbymanydifferentordersoforganizedbeings,eachinturnadaptedtothephysicalconditionsoftheglobeinitssuccessivestages,andgenerallymarkedineachstagebyanadvancingscaleoforganization,fromthemoreelementarytothemorecomplexandmoreperfectforms.(d)Thatmancompletesthepyramidofcreation,themostperfect,andthelastformedofalltheinhabitantsoftheworld.TheonlydifficultyinadjustingtheseresultswiththeMosaicRecordofcreationisfoundinmattersofdetail,inwhichthetruesenseoftheinspiredrecordisobscure,andtheconclusionsofthescienceareimmature.ThereforeallsuchdetailedadjustmentsasthatattemptedbyHughMillerinhis

"TestimonyoftheRocks"havefailed.AstotherelationofthefindingsofsciencewithrespecttotheantiquityofmantoBiblicalChronologyseebelow,Chapter16.Ingeneral,however,thereisamostremarkableagreementbetweentheMosaicRecordandtheresultsofGeologyastothefollowingprincipalpoints.TheRecordagreeswiththescienceinteaching—(a)Thecreationoftheelementsintheremotepast.(b)Theintermediateexistenceofchaos.(c)Theadvanceoftheearththroughvariouschangestoitspresentphysicalcondition.(d)Thesuccessivecreationsofdifferentgeneraandspeciesoforganizedbeings—thevegetablebeforetheanimal—thelowerformsbeforethehigherforms—inadaptationtotheimprovingconditionoftheearth—andmanlastofall.

IfwerememberwhenandwhereandforwhatpurposethisRecordwasproduced,andcompareitwithallotherancientormedievalcosmogonies,thiswonderfulagreementwiththelastresultsofmodernsciencewillbefelttocontributeessentiallytotheevidencesofitsdivineorigin.Itiscertainly,evenwhenreadsubjecttothemostsearchingmoderncriticism,seentobeamplysufficientfortheendintended:asageneralintroductiontothehistoryofRedemption,whichalthoughrootedincreationishenceforwardcarriedonasasystemofsupernaturalrevelationsandinfluences.

21.Statetheseveralprincipleswhichshouldalwaysbeborneinmindinconsideringquestionsinvolvinganapparent

conflictofscienceandrevelation.

1st.God’sworksandGod’swordareequallyrevelationsfromhim.Theyareconsequentlybothaliketrue,andbothalikesacred,andtobetreatedwithreverence.Itisabsolutelyimpossiblethatwhentheyarebothadequatelyinterpretedtheycancomeintoconflict.Jealousyoneitherpart,istreasontotheAuthorandLordofboth.

2nd.Science,ortheinterpretationofGod’sworks,isthereforealegitimateandobligatorydepartmentofhumanstudy.Ithasitsrightswhichmustberespected,anditsdutieswhichitmustobserve.Itistherightofeverysciencetopursuetheinvestigationofitsownbranchaccordingtoitsownlegitimatemethods.

Wecannotrequireofthechemistthatheshouldpursuethemethodsofthephilologist,norofthegeologistthatheshouldgotohistory,eitherprofaneorsacred,forhisfacts.Itisthedutyofthestudentsofeverysciencetokeepwithinitsprovince,torecognizethefactthatitisonlyonedepartmentofthevastempireoftruth,andtorespectalikeallordersoftruth,historicalandinspiredaswellasscientific;mentalandspiritual,aswellasmaterial.

3rd.Itfollowsasapracticalconsequencefromthenarrownessofthehumanfaculties,thatmenconfinedtoparticularbranchesofinquiryacquirespecialhabitsofthought,andassociationsofideaspeculiartotheirline,bywhichtheyareapttomeasureandjudgethewholeworldoftruth.Thusthemanofsciencemisinterpretsandthenbecomesjealousofthetheologian,andthetheologianmisinterpretsandbecomesjealousofthemanofscience.Thisisnarrowness,notsuperiorknowledge;weakness,notstrength.

4th.ScienceisonlythehumaninterpretationofGod’sworks,itisalwaysimperfectandmakesmanymistakes.BiblicalinterpretersarealsoliabletomistakesandshouldneverasserttheabsoluteidentityoftheirinterpretationsoftheBiblewiththemindofGod.

5th.AllsciencesintheircrudeconditionhavebeenthoughttobeinconflictwithScripture.Butastheyhaveapproachedperfection,

theyhavebeenallfoundtobeperfectlyconsistentwithit.Sometimesitisthesciencewhichisamendedintoharmonywiththeviewsofthetheologian.Sometimesitistheviewsofthetheologianwhichareamendedintoharmonywithperfectedanddemonstratedscience,e.g.,theinstanceoftheuniverseandnowgratefulacceptancebythechurchoftheonceabhorredCopernicansystem.

6th.Inthecaseofmanysciences,aseminentlyofGeology,thetimehasnotyetcometoattemptanadjustmentbetweentheirconclusionsandrevelation.Likecontemporaneoushistoryinitsrelationtoprophecy,GeologyinitsrelationtotheMosaicRecordofcreationisintransitu.Itsconclusionsarenotyetmature.Whengeologistsareallagreedamongthemselves,whenalltheaccessiblefactsofthescienceareobserved,analyzed,andclassified,andwhenGeneralizationhasdoneitsperfectwork,andwhenallofitsresultsarefinishedandfinallyfixedaspartoftheintellectualheritageofmanforever,thentheadjustmentbetweenscienceandrevelationwillstandself–revealed,andsciencewillbeseentosupportandillustrate,insteadofoppose,thewrittenwordofGod.

7th.Therearehencetwooppositetendencieswhichequallydamagethecauseofreligion,andmanifesttheweaknessofthefaithofitsprofessedfriends.Thefirstistheweakacceptanceofeveryhostileconclusionofscientificspeculatorsascertainlytrue;theconstantconfessionoftheinferiorityofthelightofrevelationtothelightofnature,andofthecertaintyoftheconclusionsofBiblicalexegesisandChristiantheologytothatoftheresultsofmodernscience;theconstantattempttoaccommodatetheinterpretationoftheBible,likeanoseofwax,toeverynewphaseassumedbythecurrentinterpretationsofnature.Thesecondandoppositeextremeisthatofjealouslysuspectingallthefindingsofscienceasprobableoffensesagainstthedignityofrevelation,andofimpatientlyattackingeventhosepassingphasesofimperfectsciencewhichforthetimeappeartobeinconsistentwithourownopinions.Standingupontherockofdivinetruth,Christiansneednotfear,andcanwellaffordtoawaittheresult.PERFECTFAITH,aswellasperfectlove,CASTETHOUTALLFEAR.Allthingsareours,whetherthenaturalorthesupernatural,whetherscienceorrevelation.—SeeIsaacTaylor’s

"RestorationofBelief,"pp.9,10.

~~~~~~

Chapter13:Angels.

1.Whatarethedifferentsensesinwhichthewordἄγγελος,angel,ormessenger,isusedinScripture?

"Ordinarymessengers,Job1:14;Luke7:24;9:52;prophets,Isaiah13:19;Malachi3:1;priests,Malachi2:7;ministersoftheNewTestament,Revelation1:20;alsoimpersonalagents,aspillarofcloud,Exodus14:19;pestilence,2Samuel24:16,17;winds,Psalm104:4;plagues,called,‘evilangels,’78:49;Paul’sthornintheflesh,‘angelofSatan,’2Corinthians12:7."AlsothesecondpersonoftheTrinity,"Angelofhispresence;""AngeloftheCovenant,"Isaiah63:9;Malachi3:1.Butthetermischieflyappliedtotheheavenlyintelligences,Matthew25:31.—SeeKitto’s"Bib.Ency."

2.WhataretheScripturaldesignationsofangels,andhowfararethosedesignationsexpressiveoftheirnatureandoffices?

Goodangels(forevilspirits,seeQuestion15)aredesignatedinScriptureastotheirnature,dignity,andpower,as"spirits,"Hebrews1:14;"thrones,dominions,principalities,powers,mights,"Ephesians1:21,andColossians1:16;"sonsofGod,"Luke20:36;Job1:6;"mightyangels,"and"powerfulinstrength,"2Thessalonians1:7;Psalm103:20;"holyangels,""electangels,"Luke9:26;1Timothy5:21;andastotheofficestheysustaininrelationtoGodandman,theyaredesignatedas"angelsormessengers,"andas"ministeringspirits,"Hebrews1:13,14.

3.Whatwerethecherubim?

"Theywereidealcreatures,compoundedoffourparts,thosenamely,ofaman,anox,alion,andaneagle.""Thepredominantappearancewasthatofaman,butthenumberoffaces,feet,andhands

differedaccordingtocircumstances."—Ezekiel1:6,comparewithEzekiel12:18,19,andExodus25:20.

Tothesameidealbeingsisappliedthedesignation"livingcreatures"(Ezekiel1:5–22;10:15,17;Revelation4:6–9;5:6–14;6:1–7;7:11;14:3;15:7;19:4),renderedinourversion"beasts,"

Theyweresymbolicofthehighestpropertiesofcreaturelife,andoftheseastheoutgoingsandmanifestationofthedivinelife;buttheyweretypicalofredeemedandglorifiedmanhood,orpropheticalrepresentationsofit,asthatinwhichthesepropertiesweretobecombinedandexhibited.

"Theywereappointedimmediatelyafterthefalltoman’soriginalplaceinthegarden,andtohisofficeinconnectionwiththetreeoflife."—Genesis3:24.

"TheotherandmorecommonconnectioninwhichthecherubappearsiswiththethroneorpeculiardwellingplaceofGod.Intheholyofholiesinthetabernacle,Exodus25:22,hewascalledtheGodwhodwellethbetweenandsittethuponthecherubim,1Samuel4:4;Psalm80:1;Ezekiel1:26,28;whosegloryisabovethecherubim.InRevelation4:6,wereadofthelivingcreatureswhowereinthemidstofthethroneandaroundaboutit."

"Whatdoesthisbespeakbutthewonderfulfactbroughtoutinthehistoryofredemption,thatman’snatureistobeexaltedtothedwellingplaceoftheGodhead?InChristitistaken,sotospeak,intotheverybosomoftheDeity;andbecauseitissohighlyhonoredinhim,itshallattaintomorethanangelicgloryinhismembers."—Fairbairn’s"Typology,"Pt.2.,Chapter1.,Section3.Seealso"ImperialBibleDictionary,"Art.Cherubim.

4.Whatistheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)ofthewordseraphim,andwhatistaughtinScriptureconcerningthem?

Thewordsignifiesburning,bright,dazzling.Itoccursinthe

Bibleonlyonce.—Isaiah6:2,6.Itprobablypresents,underadifferentaspect,theidealbeingscommonlydesignatedcherubimandlivingcreatures.

5.Isthereanyevidencethatangelsareofvariousordersaranks?

Thatsuchdistinctionscertainlyexistappearsevident—1st.FromthelanguageofScripture.GabrielisdistinguishedasonethatstandsinthepresenceofGod(Luke1:19),evidentlyinsomepreeminentsense;andMichaelasoneofthechiefprinces.—Daniel10:13.Observealsotheepithetsarchangel,thrones,dominions,principalities,powers.—Jude9;Ephesians1:21.2nd.Fromtheanalogyofthefallenangels.—SeeEphesians2:2;Matthew9:34.3rd.Fromtheanalogyofhumansocietyandoftheuniversalcreation.ThroughoutallGod’sworksgradationofrankprevails.

6.DotheScripturesspeakofmorethanonearchangel,andishetobeconsideredacreature?

ThistermoccursbuttwiceintheNewTestament,andinbothinstancesitisusedinthesingularnumber,andprecededbythedefinitearticleo.—1Thessalonians4:16;Jude9.Thusthetermisevidentlyrestrictedtooneperson,called,Jude9,Michael,who,inDaniel10:13,and12:1,iscalled"oneofthechiefprinces,"and"thegreatprince,"andinRevelation12:7,issaidtohavefoughtwithhisangelsagainstthedragonandhis"angels."

ManysupposethatthearchangelistheSonofGod.Otherssupposethatheisoneofthehighestclassofcreatures,sinceheiscalled"oneofthechiefprinces,"Daniel10:13;andsincedivineattributesareneverascribedtohim.

7.WhatdotheScripturesteachconcerningthenumberandpowerofangels?

1st.Concerningtheirnumber,revelationdeterminesonlythatitisverygreat."Thousandthousands,andtenthousandtimesten

thousand."—Daniel7:10."Morethantwelvelegionsofangels."—Matthew26:53."Multitudeoftheheavenlyhost."Luke2:13;"Myriadsofangels."—Hebrews12:22.

2nd.Concerningtheirpower,theScripturesteachthatitisverygreatwhenexercisedbothinthematerialandinthespiritualworlds.Theyarecalled"mightyangels,"andaresaidto"excelinstrength."—2Thessalonians1:7;Psalm103:20;2Kings19:35.Theirpower,however,isnotcreative,but,likethatofman,itcanbeexercisedonlycoordinatelywiththegenerallawsofnature,intheabsolutesenseofthatword.

8.Whataretheiremployments?

1st.TheybeholdthefaceofGodinheaven,adorethedivineperfections,studyeveryrevelationhemakesofhimselfinprovidenceandredemption,andareperfectlyblessedinhispresenceandservice.—Matthew18:10;Revelation5:11;1Peter1:12.

2nd.Godemploysthemashisinstrumentsinadministeringtheaffairsofhisprovidence.—Genesis28:12;Daniel10:13.(1)Thelaw"wasordainedbyangels."—Galatians3:19;Acts7:53;Hebrews2:2.(2)TheyareinstrumentsofgoodtoGod’speople.—Hebrews1:14;Acts12:7;Psalm91:10–12.(3)TheyexecutejudgmentuponGod’senemies.—Acts2:23;2Kings19:35;1Chronicles21:16.(4)Theywillofficiateinthefinaljudgmentinseparatingthegoodfromthebad,ingatheringtheelect,andinbearingthemuptomeettheLordintheair.Matthew13:30,39;24:31;1Thessalonians4:17.

9.Haveangelsbodies,andhowaretheapparitionsofangelstobeaccountedfor?

AngelsarecalledintheScriptures"spirits"(πνεύματα),Hebrews1:14,awordwhichisalsousedtodesignatethesoulsofmenwhenseparatefromthebody.—1Peter3:19.Thereishowevernothinginthatword,norintheopinionsoftheJewsatthetimeofChrist,norinanythingwhichistoldusofthenatureortheemploymentsofangelsintheScriptures,whichprovethatangelsareabsolutelydestituteofpropermaterialbodiesofanykind.IndeedastheSonofGodistohave"a

gloriousbody,""aspiritualbody"forever,andsincealltheredeemedaretohavebodieslikehis,andsincetheangelsareassociatedwithredeemedmenasmembersofthesameinfinitelyexaltedkingdom,itmayappearprobablethatangelsmayhavebeencreatedwithphysicalorganizationsnotaltogetherdissimilartothe"spiritualbodies"oftheredeemed.TheyalwaysappearedandspoketomeninBibletimesinthebodilyformofmen,andassuchtheyatefoodandlodgedinhouseslikecommonmen.—Genesis18:8and19:3.

Ithashencebeensupposedbysomethatangelshavebodieslikethepresent"natural"oranimalbodiesofmen(σῶμαψυχικὸν),1Corinthians15:44,offlesh,bones,andblood,ofheadandfeatures,handsandfeet,andthattheapparitionofanangelinvolvednochangeinhim,butonlyacomingwithinthesphereofthesenseperceptionoftheobserver,whentheangelappearedjustashehabituallyis.

Nowthisisinconsistentwiththefactsoftheinspiredrecord.Incertainsituationstheangels"appeared"preciselylikecommonmen,andinothersituation)theyactedverydifferently(Acts12:7–10;Numbers22:31),inpassingthroughstonewalls,appearinganddisappearingatwill,etc.Besides,oneofthethreemenwhoappearedtoAbrahamatMamre,andwhosefeethewashed,andwhoatethemeathehadprepared,wasJehovah,thesecondPersonoftheTrinity,whohadnobodytillheacquireditmanycenturiesafterwardsinthewomboftheVirgin.Iftheapparenthumanbodyoftheoneangels,wasnotareal,permanenthumanbody,thereisnotgroundtoarguefromtherecordedphenomenathattheotherswere.—Genesis18:1–33.

Besidesthis,thetheoryinquestionindicatesabsurdconfusionofthought.Theanimalhumanbody,asweknowit,isaphysicalorganizationinequilibriumwithcertaindefiniteandnicelyadjustedphysicalconditions,anditcanexistonlyunderthoseconditions.Thevertebratetype,ofwhichthehumanbodyisthehighestform,hasbeencontinuallychangedasthephysicalconditionsoftheglobehavechanged,anditceasesalwaystoexistwheneverthoseconditionsarechangedinanydecideddegree.Ifitwouldbeabsurdtoconceiveofahumanbodyexistinginwater,orinfire,howmuchmoreabsurdisittoconceiveofawarm–blooded,food–consuminganimalexistingindifferentlyonearth

andinheaven;traversingatwilltheinterstellarspaces,andasatruecosmopoliteinhabitingalternatelyandindifferentlyallworlds,andallelements,ether,airandwater,andalltemperatures,fromthemoltensuntotheabsolutezeroofthestarlessvoid.

Thebodilyappearanceofangels,therefore,musthavebeensomethingnewassumed,orsomethingpreexistentandpermanentgreatlymodifiedforthepurposeofenablingthemtohold,uponoccasion,profitableinteractionwithmen.

10.WhatistheRomishdoctrineandpracticewithregardtotheworshipofangels?

"CatechismusRomanus,"3.2,9,10.—"FortheHolySpiritwhosays,HonorandgloryuntotheonlyGod(1Timothy1:17),commandsusalsotohonorourparentsandelders(Leviticus19:32,etc.);andtheholymenwhoworshippedoneGodonlyarealsosaidinthesacredScripturestohaveadored(Genesis23:7,12,etc.),thatis,tohavesuppliantlyvenerated,kings.Ifthenkings,bywhoseagencyGodgovernstheworld,aretreatedwithsohighanhonor,shallwenotgivetotheangelicspiritsanhonorgreaterinproportionastheseblessedmindsexceedkingsindignity;[tothoseangelicspirits]whomGodhasbeenpleasedtoconstitutehisministers;whoseserviceshemakesuseof,notonlyinthegovernmentoftheChurch,butalsooftherestoftheuniverse;bywhoseaid,althoughweseethemnot,wearedailydeliveredfromthegreatestdangersbothofsoulandbody?Addtothisthecharitywithwhichtheyloveus,throughwhich,asScriptureinformsus,theypourouttheirprayersforthosecountries(Daniel2:13)overwhichtheyareplacedbyProvidence,andforthosetoo,nodoubt,whoseguardianstheyare,fortheypresentourprayersandtearsbeforethethroneofGod(Job3:25;12:12;Revelation8:3).HenceourLordhastaughtusinthegospelnottoscandalizethelittleones,becauseinheaventheirangelsdoalwaysbeholdthefaceofhisFatherwhichisinheaven."

"Theirintercession,therefore,wemustinvoke,becausetheyalwaysbeholdGod,andreceivefromhimthemostwillingadvocacyofoursalvation.Tothis,theirinvocation,thesacredScripturesbeartestimony.—Genesis48:15,16."

11.Whatviewshavebeenentertainedwithrespectto"GuardianAngels"?

"ItwasafavoriteopinionoftheChristianFathersthateveryindividualisunderthecareofaparticularangel,whoisassignedtohimasaguardian.Theyspokealsooftwoangels—theonegood,theotherevil—whomtheyconceivedtobeattendantoneachindividual:thegoodangelpromptingtoallgood,andavertingill;andtheevilangelpromptingtoallill,andavertinggood(Hermas11.6).TheJews(exceptingtheSadducees)entertainedthisbelief,asdotheMoslems.Theheathenhelditinamodifiedform—theGreekshavingtheirtutelarydemon,andtheRomanstheirgenius.ThereishowevernothingtosupportthisnotionintheBible.Thepassagesusuallyreferredtoforitssupport(Psalm34:7,Matthew18:10),haveassuredlynosuchmeaning.TheformersimplydenotesthatGodemploystheministryofangelstodeliverhispeoplefromafflictionanddanger;andthecelebratedpassageinMatthewmeansthattheinfantchildrenofbelievers,ortheleastamongthedisciplesofChrist,whomtheministersofthechurchmightbedisposedtoneglect,areinsuchestimationelsewhere,thatangelsdonotthinkitbelowtheirdignitytoministeruntothem."Nothingissaidofthepersonalassignmentofangelstoindividualmen.—Kitto’s"Bib.Encyclo."

12.WhatarethenamesbywhichSatanisdistinguished,awhatistheirimport?

Satan,whichsignifiesadversary,Luke10:18.TheDevil(διάβολοςalwaysoccursinthesingular)signifyingslanderer,Revelation20:2;Apollyon,whichmeansdestroyer,andAbaddon,Revelation9:11;Beelzebub,theprinceofdevils,fromthegodoftheEkronites,chiefamongtheheathendivinitiesallofwhichtheJewsregardedasdevils,2Kings1:2;Matthew12:24;AngeloftheBottomlessPit,Revelation9:11PrinceoftheWorld,John12:31;PrinceofDarkness,Ephesians6:12;ARoaringLion,1Peter5:8;aSinnerfromtheBeginning,1John3:8;Accuser,Revelation12:10;Belial,2Corinthians6:15;Deceiver,Revelation20:10;Dragon,Revelation12:7;LiarandMurderer,John8:44;Leviathan,Isaiah27:1;

Lucifer,Isaiah14:12;Serpent,Isaiah27:1;Tormentor;Matthew

18:34;GodofthisWorld,2Corinthians4:4;hethathaththePowerofDeath,Hebrews2:14.—SeeCruden’s"Concordance."

13.HowmayitbeprovedthatSatanisapersonalbeing,andnotamerepersonificationofevil?

ThroughoutallthevariousbooksofScriptureSatanisalwaysconsistentlyspokenofasaperson,andpersonalattributesarepredicatedofhim.SuchpassagesasMatthew4:1-11,andJohn8:44,aredecisive.

14.WhatdotheScripturesteachconcerningtherelationofSatantootherevilspiritsandtoourworld?

Otherevilspiritsarecalled"hisangels,"Matthew25:41;andheiscalled"PrinceofDevils,"Matthew9:34;and"PrinceofthepowersoftheAir,"and"PrinceofDarkness,"Ephesians6:12.Thisindicatesthatheisthemasterspiritofevil.

HisrelationtothisworldisindicatedbythehistoryoftheFall,2Corinthians11:3;Revelation12:9,andbysuchexpressionsas"GodofthisWorld,"2Corinthians4:4;and"Spiritthatworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience,"Ephesians2:2;wickedmenaresaidtobehischildren,1John3:10;heblindsthemindsofthosethatbelievenotandleadsthemcaptiveathiswill,2Timothy2:26;healsopains,harasses,andtemptsGod’struepeopleasfarasispermittedfortheirultimategood.—Luke22:31;2Corinthians12:7;1Thessalonians2:18.

15.Whatarethetermsbywhichfallenspiritsaredesignated?

TheGreekwordὁδιάβολος,thedevil,isintheoriginalappliedonlytoBeelzebub.Otherevilspiritsarecalleddiamonev,demons,Mark5:12(translateddevils);uncleanspirits,Mark5:13;angelsofthedevil,Matthew25:41;principalities,powers,rulersofthedarknessofthisworld,Ephesians6:12;angelsthatsinned,2Peter2:4;angelsthatkeptnottheirfirstestate,butlefttheirownhabitation,Jude6:;lyingspirits,2Chronicles18:22.

16.Whatpoweroragencyoverthebodiesandsoulsofmenisascribedtothem?

Satan,likeallotherfinitebeings,canonlybeinoneplaceatatime;yetallthatisdonebyhisagentsbeingattributedtohim,heappearstobepracticallyubiquitous.

Itiscertainthatattimesatleasttheyhaveexercisedaninexplicableinfluenceoverthebodiesofmen,yetthatinfluenceisentirelysubjecttoGod’scontrol.—Job2:1;Luke13:16;Acts10:38.Theyhavecausedandaggravateddiseases,andexcitedappetitesandpassions.—1Corinthians5:5.Satan,insomesense,hasthepowerofdeath.—Hebrews2:14.

Withrespecttothesoulsofmen,Satanandhisangelsareutterlydestituteofanypowereithertochangetheheartortocoercethewill,theirinfluencebeingsimplymoral,andexercisedinthewayofdeception,suggestion,andpersuasion.ThedescriptivephrasesappliedbytheScripturestotheirworkingaresuchas—"thedeceivablenessofunrighteousness,""power,signs,lyingwonders,"2Thessalonians2:9,10;he"transformshimselfintoanangeloflight."—2Corinthians11:14.Ifhecandeceiveorpersuadeheuses"wiles,"Ephesians6:11;"snares,"1Timothy3:7;"depths,"Revelation2:24;he"blindsthemind,"2Corinthians4:4;"leadscaptivethewill,"2Timothy2:26;andso"deceivesthewholeworld."—Revelation12:9.Ifhecannotpersuadeheuses"fierydarts,"Ephesians6:16;and"buffetings."—2Corinthians12:7.

AsexamplesofhisinfluenceintemptingmentosintheScripturescitethecaseofAdam,Genesis3;ofDavid,1Chronicles21:1;ofJudas,Luke22:3;AnaniasandSapphira,Acts5:3,andthetemptationofourblessedLord,Matthew4.

17.Whatevidenceistherethattheheathenworshipdevils?

Theδαίμωνistheobjectoftheirworship,δεισιδαιμωνίαdescribestheirworshipitself,andδεισιδαίμωνtheworshipper."Paul(Acts17:22)declaredthatthemenofAthenswereδεισιδαιμονεστέρους,

i.e.,toomuchaddictedtodemon-worship..Davidsays(Psalm106:37),

"Thegodsoftheheathenaredemons,"andPaul(1Corinthians10:20),"ThethingswhichtheGentilessacrifice,theysacrificetodemonsandnottoGod."MosessaidofapostateIsraelites(Deuteronomy32:17),"TheysacrificedtodemonsandnottoGod,togodswhomtheyknewnot;tonewgodsthatcamenewlyup;whomyourfathersfearednot."—"TheImperialBibleDictionary."

18.Wheredotheyreside,andwhatisthetrueinterpretationofEphesians2:2and6:12?

Thesepassagessimplydeclarethatevilspiritsbelongtotheunseenspiritualworld,andnottoourmundanesystem.NothingistaughtusinScriptureastotheplaceoftheirresidence,furtherthanthattheyoriginallydweltinandfellfromheaven,thattheynowhaveaccesstomenonearth,andthattheywillbefinallysealedupinthelakeoffirepreparedforthem.—Revelation20:10;Matthew25:41.

19.Bywhattermswerethosepossessedbyevilspiritsdesignated?

Theyarecalled"demoniacs,""translatedpossessedwithdevils,Matthew4:24;"havingthespiritofanuncleandevil,"Luke4:33;"oppressedofthedevil,""Acts10:38;"lunatics,"Matthew17:15.

20.Whatargumentsareurgedbythosewhoregardthe"demoniacs,"mentionedintheNewTestamentassimplydiseasedorderanged?

Thatwecannotdiscriminatebetweentheeffectsofdemoniacalpossessionanddisease.Thatpreciselythesamesymptomshave,inothercases,beentreatedasdiseaseandcured.

That,likewitchcraft,theexperienceofsuchpossessionshasbeenconfinedtothemostignorantagesoftheworld.

Theyarguefurtherthatthisdoctrineisinconsistentwithclearlyrevealedprinciples.

1st.Thatthesoulsofdeadmengoimmediatelyeithertoheavenorhell.2nd.Thatfallenangelsarealreadyshutupinchainsanddarknessinexpectationofthefinaljudgment.—2Peter2:4;Jude6.

TheyattempttoexplainawaythelanguageofChristandhisapostlesuponthissubjectbyaffirming,thatasitwasnopartoftheirdesigntoinstructmeninthetruescienceofnatureordisease,theyconformedtheirlanguageonsuchsubjectstotheprevalentopinionsofthepeopletheyaddressed,callingdiseasesbythepopularname,withoutintendingtherebytocountenancethetheoryofthenatureofthedisease,outofwhichthenameoriginated.Justaswenowcallcrazedpeople"lunatics,"withoutbelievingintheinfluenceofthemoonuponthem.—"Kitto’sBib.Ency."

21.HowmayitbeprovedthatthedemoniacsoftheNewTestamentwerereallypossessedofevilspirits?

ThesimplenarrativesofalltheevangelistsputitbeyondperadventurethatChristandhisapostlesdidbelieve,andwishedotherstobelieve,thatthe"demoniacs,"werereallypossessedwithdevils.

Theydistinguishbetweenpossessionanddisease.—Mark1:32;Luke6:17,18.

The"demons,"asdistinctfromthe"possessed,"spoke(Mark.5:12),wereaddressed,commanded,andrebukedbyChrist.—Mark1:25,34;9:25;Matthew8:32;17:18.Theirdesires,requests,andpassionsaredistinguishedfromthoseofthepossessed.—Matthew8:31;Mark9:26,etc.Thenumberofdemonsinonepersonismentioned.—Mark16:9.Theywentoutofthe"possessed"intotheswine.—Luke8:32.Weneverspeakofthemoonenteringinto,andsorevexingaman,orbeingcastoutofalunatic,orofthemooncryingaloud,etc.TheargumentofthosewhowouldexplainawaytheforceofChrist’slanguageonthissubject,thereforefails.

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Chapter14:Providence

1.Whatistheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)andtechnicalusageofthetermPROVIDENCE,andwhatistherelationwhichProvidencesustainstoGod’seternalDecree?

Providence,fromproandvideo,literallymeansforesight,andthenacarefularrangementpreparedbeforehandfortheaccomplishmentofpredeterminedends.Turretindefinesthistermasinitswidestsenseincluding(a)foreknowledge,(b)foreordination,and(c)theefficaciousadministrationofthethingdecreed.Inthetechnicaltheologicalaswellasinthecommonusageoftheword,however,itisrestrictedtothelastsense,namelytheexecutionbyGodofhiseternaldecreeintime,bymeansofthesecondcauseshehasoriginatedincreation.Foreordinationgivestheplanandiseternal,all–comprehensive,andunchangeable.Creationgivestheabsolutecommencementofthingsintime.Providenceincludesthetwogreatdepartments(a)ofthecontinuedPreservationofallthingsascreated,and(b)ofthecontinuedGovernmentofallthingsthuspreserved,sothatalltheendsforwhichtheywerecreated,areinfalliblyaccomplished.—See"Confession:Faith,"chap.5.,and"LCat.,"Q.18,and"ShorterCatechism,"Q.11.

2.StatethetruedoctrineofPRESERVATION.

PreservationisthatcontinuedexerciseofthedivineenergywherebytheCreatorupholdsallhiscreaturesinbeing,andinthepossessionofallthoseinherentpropertiesandqualitieswithwhichheendowedthemattheircreation,andofthosealsowhichtheymaysubsequentlyhaveacquiredbyhabitordevelopment.

Thatis,boththebeing,theattributesofeveryspecies,andtheformandfacultiesofeveryindividualareconstantlypreservedinbeingbyGod.

3.Statetheargumentswhichestablishtheconclusionthataconstantdivineexerciseofdivineenergyisessentialfor

thepreservationofallcreatures.

1st.ThistruthappearstobeinvolvedintheveryconceptionofacreatureinhisdependentrelationtohisCreator.ThecreatureisonewhohasthewholegroundofhisbeinginthewillofhisCreator.Beingthusabsolutelydependent,hecannomorecontinuethanhecanoriginatehisownbeing.

2nd.Thisisimpliedinthesenseofabsolutedependence,whichisanessentialelementofthereligioussentimentwhichisaninvariablecharacteristicofhumannature.

3rd.ItistaughtinScripture."Inhimweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing."—Acts17:28."Byhimallthingsconsist."—Colossians1:17."Upholdingallthingsbythewordofhispower."—Hebrews1:3;Nehemiah9:6;Psalm63:8;69:8,9.

4.StatetheDeisticandRationalisticviewastothenatureofPreservation.

TheyregardtheactionofGodinthematterofthecontinuedpreservationofthecreatureasmerelynegative—anotwillingtodestroy.ThisviewrepresentstheCreatorasexteriortohiscreationinthesamemannerinwhichamachinistisexteriortothemachinehehasmadeandsetinmotion.ItregardsthesystemofsecondcausesasdependentupontheGreatFirstCauseonlyatthebeginningofthelongline,intheindefinitelyremotepast.TheymaintainthatinthebeginningGodcreatedallthingsandendowedthemseverallywiththeiractivepowersassecondcauses,andadjustedtheminabalancedsystem,butthenleftthemtoact,independentlyofallsupportordirectionfromwithout,accordingtotheirnature,intheirrelations,asamanmayleaveawound–upclock.

5.Statetheobjectionstothatview.

1st.Thisview,asaboveshown,isinconsistentwiththeessentialrelationofthecreatureasaneffecttotheCreatorasacause.Godistheonlyensaseipso.Theonlycauseofthecreature’sbeingisthewilloftheCreator.Aslongashesowillsthatcauseexists.Ifheshouldceasesoto

willthecausewouldbevacatedandtheeffectconsequentlycease.

2nd.Thisviewistoanunworthydegreeanthropomorphic.ItinvolvesadeplorablyunintellectualfailuretoapprehendtheessentialdifferencebetweentherelationtothecreationsustainedbyGod,andthatsustainedbymantotheworkofhishand.Amanisnecessarilyexteriortohiswork,andevenwhenpresentcapableofdirectinghisattentiononlytoonepointatatime.ButGodisomnipresent,notastohisessenceonly,butastohisinfiniteknowledge,wisdom,love,righteousness,andpower,witheveryatomofcreationforeveryinstantofduration.Thecreatureisalwaysinterpenetratedaswellasembracedinthedivinethoughtandwill,andeveriswhatitisandasitisbecauseofGod.

3rd.ThisviewobviouslyremovesGodsofarfromthecreationastobeirreligiousinitspracticaleffect.Thisalsohasbeenuniformlyitsinfluenceashistoricallyascertained.

4th.ItisobviouslyopposedtotheentirespiritoftheScriptures,andtothosespecialtextsabovequoted.

6.StatetheviewastothenatureofthedivineagencyinvolvedinPRESERVATION,whichstandsattheoppositeextremetotheabove.

TheextremepositionoppositetotheDeisticoneabovestatedisthatPreservationisacontinuedcreation.

Thatcreaturesorsecondcauseshavenorealcontinuousexistence,butarereproducedeverysuccessivemomentoutofnothing,intheirrespectivesuccessivestates,conditions,andactionsbytheperpetualoutflowofthe"viscreatrix"(creatingpower)ofGod.Thusthestateoractionofanycreatedthinginonemomentoftimehasnocausalrelationtoitsstateoractioninanothermoment,butthesole,perpetual,andimmediatecauseofallthatexistsisGodhimself.

ThefoundationsofthisdoctrinewerefirstlaidbyDescartesinhisviewsoftherelationofthecreationtotheCreator,viewingtheformerassustainedbythelatterbyacontinuedcreation.Theseviewswere

pushedtothefurthestextremeconsistentwithTheismbyMalebranche,inthedoctrineof"OccasionalCauses,"andof"ourseeingallthingsinGod,"andwerecarriedtotheirlegitimate,logicalconclusion,inabsolutepantheismbySpinoza.—Morell’s"Hist.ofModernPhilosophy,"Part1.,ch.2,§1.

PresidentEdwardsteachesthesamedoctrineincidentallyinhisgreatworkon"OriginalSin,"Part4.,ch.3.Hesaysthattheexistenceeitherofthesubstance,orofthemode,oroftheactionofanycreatedthinginanyonemomentoftimehasnocausalconnectionwithitsexistence,state,oractionthenextmoment.

Hesaysthatwhatwecall"courseofnatureisnothingseparatefromtheagencyofGod."Heillustrateshisdoctrinethus:"Theimagesofthingsinaglass,aswekeepoureyeuponthem,seemtoremainpreciselythesame,withacontinuingperfectidentity.Butitisknowntobeotherwise.Philosopherswellknowthattheseimagesareconstantlyrenewed,bytheimpressionandreflectionofnewraysoflight;sothattheimageimpressedbyformerraysisconstantlyvanishing,andanewimageimpressedbynewrayseverymoment,bothontheglassandontheeye....Theimagethatexiststhismomentisnotatallderivedfromtheimagewhichexistedthelastprecedingmoment...thepastexistenceoftheimagehasnoinfluencetoupholditsomuchasforonemoment...Soitiswithbodiesaswellasimagestheirpresentexistenceisnot,strictlyspeaking,theeffectoftheirpastexistence,butitiswholly,everyinstant,theeffectofanewagency,orexertionofthepowerfulcauseoftheirexistence."

7.Showthatthisdoctrineisfalseanddangerous.

1st.IfGodiscontinuallycreatinganeweverycreatureineverymomentoftimeinitssuccessivestatesandactions,andifthestateoractofthecreatureinonemomenthasnocausalrelationtoitsstateoractinthenextmoment,itisevidentthatsecondcausesareonlymodificationsoftheFirstCause,andthatGodistheonlyrealAgentintheuniverse,andtheimmediateandsolecauseofwhatevercomestopass.

ThisobviouslylogicallyinvolvesPantheism,andasahistorical

factleadstoitsadoption.

2nd.Itisinconsistentwithouroriginalandnecessaryintuitionsoftruthofallkinds,physical,intellectual,andmoral.Ouroriginalintuitionsassureusoftherealandpermanentexistenceofspiritualandmaterialsubstancesexercisingpowers,andofourownspiritsasreal,self–determiningcausesofaction,andconsequentlyasresponsiblemoralagents.Butifthisdoctrineistruetheseprimary,constitutionalintuitionsofournaturedeceiveus,andifthesedeceiveus,thewholeuniverseisanillusion,ourownnaturesadelusion,andabsoluteskepticisminevitable.

3rd.Itimmediatelycutsupbytherootsthefoundationsoffreeagency,moralaccountability,moralgovernment,andhenceofreligion.

8.StatetheseveralpointsinthetruedoctrineofProvidentialPreservation.

Thetrueviewstandsintermediatebetweenthetwoextremesabovestated.Itinvolvesthefollowingpropositions:

1st.Createdsubstances,bothspiritualandmaterial,possessrealandpermanentexistence,i.e.,theyarerealentities.

2nd.TheypossessallsuchactiveorpassivepropertiesastheyhavebeenseverallyendowedwithbyGod.

3rd.Thepropertiesoractivepowershaveareal,andnotmerelyapparent,efficiencyassecondcausesinproducingtheeffectspropertothem;andthephenomenaalikeofconsciousnessandoftheoutwardworldarereallyproducedbytheefficientagencyofsecondcauses,asweareinformedbyournativeandnecessaryintuitions.

4th.Butthesecreatedsubstancesarenotself–existent,i.e.,thegroundoftheircontinuedexistenceisinGodandnotinthemselves.

5th.TheycontinuetoexistnotmerelyinvirtueofanegativeactofGod,wherebyhemerelydoesnotwilltheirdestruction,butinvirtueofapositive,continuedexerciseofdivinepower,wherebytheyaresustained

inbeing,andinthepossessionofalltheirpropertiesandpowerswithwhichGodhasendowedthem.

6th.Theprecisenatureofthedivineactionconcernedinupholdingallthingsinbeingandactionis,likeeverymodeoftheinteractionoftheinfinitewiththefinite,inscrutable—butnotmoremysteriousinthiscasethanineveryother.—Dr.CharlesHodge’s"Lectures."

9.HowmaytheScripturaldoctrineofProvidentialGOVERNMENTbestated?

Godhavingfrometernityabsolutelydecreedwhatsoevercomestopass,andhavinginthebeginningcreatedallthingsoutofnothingbythewordofhispower,andcontinuingsubsequentlyconstantlypresenttoeveryatomofhiscreation,upholdingallthingsinbeingandinthepossessionandexerciseofalltheirproperties,heALSOcontinuallycontrolsanddirectstheactionsofallhiscreaturesthuspreserved,sothatwhileheneverviolatesthelawoftheirseveralnatures,heyetinfalliblycausesallactionsandeventssingularanduniversaltooccuraccordingtotheeternalandimmutableplanembracedinhisdecree.Thereisadesigninprovidence.Godhaschosenhisgreatend,themanifestationofhisownglory,butinordertothatendhehaschoseninnumerablesubordinateends;thesearefixed;andhehasappointedallactionsandeventsintheirseveralrelationsasmeanstothoseends;andhecontinuallysodirectstheactionsofallcreaturesthatallthesegeneralandspecialendsarebroughttopasspreciselyatthetime,bythemeans,andinthemodeandundertheconditions,whichhefrometernityproposed.

Turretin,50.6,Quæs.1,says,"ThetermProvidenceembracesthreethingsπρόγνωσιν,πρόθεσινetδιόικησιν—thecognitionofthemind,thedecreeofthewill,andtheefficaciousadministrationofthethingsdecreed—knowledgedirecting,will,commanding,andpowerexecuting....

HenceProvidencemayberegardedeitherintheantecedentdecree,orinthesubsequentexecution;thefirstistheeternaldestinationofallthingstotheirappointedends;thesecondisthetemporal

governmentofallthingsaccordingtothatdecree;thefirstisanactimmanentwithinGod;thesecondisanacttransientoutofGod.WeheretreatforthemostpartofProvidenceinthesecondsenseoftheterm.""Confessionoffaith,"Chap.5.;"LargerCatechism,"Q.18;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.11.

10.StatetheproofofthefactofsuchauniversalGOVERNMENTderivedfromaconsiderationofthedivineperfections.

1st.ThestupendousfactthatGodisinfiniteinhisbeing,inhisrelationtotimeandspace,andinhiswisdomandpower,makesitevidentthatauniversalprovidenceispossibletohim,andthatallthedifficultiesandapparentcontradictionsinvolvedthereintotheeyeofmanaretobereferredtoourverylimitedcapacityofunderstanding.

2nd.God’sinfinitewisdommakesitcertainthathehadadefiniteobjectinviewinthecreationoftheuniverse,andthathewillnotfailintheuseofthebestmeanstosecurethatobjectinallitsparts.

3rd.Hisinfinitegoodnessmakesitcertainthathewouldnotleavehissensitiveandintelligentcreaturestothetoilsofamechanical,soullessfate;norhisreligiouscreaturestobedivorcedfromhimself,inwhosecommuniontheirhighestlifeconsists.

4th.Hisinfiniterighteousnessmakesitcertainthathewillcontinuetogovernandrewardandpunishthosecreatureswhichhehasmadesubjecttomoralobligations.

11.Statetheargumentderivedfromtheinnatereligiousconstitutionofmankind.

Thereligioussentimentwhenanalyzedisfoundtoembrace(a)asenseofabsolutedependence,and(b)asenseofimmediatemoralaccountability.ThesenseofabsolutedependencenaturallyandactuallyleadsallmenofallnationsandconditionstoclingtotheconvictionoftheimmediatepresenceandprovidentialcontrolofGodthroughouttheuniverseandineveryevent.TobewithoutGodintheworldistobeina

conditioninwhichtheelementarydemandsofhumannaturearedenied.Thesenseofmoralaccountabilityleadsallmentobelieveinauniversalandsuprememoralgovernmentpresentintheworld,protectingthegood,andrestrainingandpunishingthewicked.IfGodisnotactuallyandimmediatelypresentinnatureandinhumanhistory,thenwecannotknowhim,andheneithercontrolsnorprotectsus,andhenceobedienceisneitherduenorpossible,andmorality,religion,andprayerareallalikevaindelusions.

12.Statetheargumentfromtheintelligenceevincedtheoperationsofnature.

ThegreatinductiveargumentforthebeingofGodisbasedupontheevidenttracesofdesignintheuniverse.Now,justasthetracesofdesignintheconstitutionofnatureprovestheexistenceofadesigningmindintherelationofcreator,sothetracesofdesignintheoperationsofnatureprovetheexistenceofadesigningmindintherelationofprovidentialruler.

Thematerialelements,withtheiractiveproperties,areallincapableofdesign,yetwefindalltheseelementssoadjustedinattheirproportionsandrelationsastoworkharmoniouslyintheorderofcertaingenerallaws,andwefindthesegenerallawssoadjustedinalltheirintricatecoincidencesandinterferences,as,bymovementssimpleandcomplex,fortuitousandregular,toworkoutharmoniouslyeverywherethemostwiselyandbeneficentlycontrivedresults.Themechanicalandchemicalpropertiesofmaterialatoms;thelawsofvegetableandanimallife;themovementsofthesun,moon,andstarsintheheavens;theluminous,calorific,andchemicalradianceofthesun;andtheinstinctiveandvoluntarymovementofeverylivingthinguponthefaceoftheearth,areallmutuallyactingandreactingwithoutconcertorpossibledesignoftheirown,yeteverywherebringingforththemostwiseandbeneficentresults.Asthedesigningmindcannotbefoundinanyoftheelementsit,ofcourse,cannotbefoundintheresultantofthewholetogether.ItcanbelookedforonlyinapresentpersonalGod,all–wiseandall–powerful,whodirectsallthingsbythepresentexerciseofhisintelligentpowerinandthroughthecreature.

13.Howmaythisdoctrinebeestablishedbytheevidenceaffordedbythegeneralhistoryoftheworld?

Iftheconstitutionofhumannature(soulandbody),initselementalrelationstohumansociety,provesadesigningmindintherelationofcreator,exactlysomustthewiselycontrivedresultsofhumanassociation,ingeneralandinindividualinstances,provetheexerciseofadesigningmindintherelationofprovidentialruler.

Individualmenandcommunities,itistrue,differintheiractionfromtheelementsoftheexternalworld,inasmuchastheyact,1st.,freely,self–moved;and2nd.,fromdesign.Yetsonarrowisthespherebothoftheforesightandthedesignofeveryindividualagent,sogreatisthemultiplicityofagents,andthecomplicationsofinteractinginfluencesuponeachcommunityfromwithin,fromeveryothercommunity,andfromthepowersofexternalnature,thatthedesignsofeitherindividualsorcommunitiesarenevercarriedbeyondashortdistance,whentheyarelostinthegeneralcurrent,theresultofwhichliesequallybeyondtheforeknowledgeandthecontrolofall.Butthestudentofhistory,withthekeyofrevelation,clearlydiscernsthetracesofageneraldesignrunningthroughallthegrandproceduresofhumanhistory,andatpointsevenvisiblylinkingitselfwiththeactionsofindividualagents.God’sprovidence,asawhole,therefore,comprehendsandcontrolsthelittleprovidencesofmen.

14.StatetheScripturalargumentfromtheprophecies,promises,andthreateningsofGod.

IninnumerableinstanceshasGodintheScripturesprophesiedwithgreatparticularitythecertainoccurrenceofaneventabsolutely,andhehaspromisedorthreatenedtheoccurrenceofothereventscontingentlyuponcertainconditions.Thiswouldbeamockery,ifGoddidnotusethemeanstofulfillhisword.

ItisnotreasonabletoobjectthatGodsimplyforesawtheevent,andsoprophesied,promised,orthreatenedit,becausetheeventisfrequentlypromisedorthreatenedcontingently,uponaconditionwhichdoesnotstandintherelationofacausetothatevent.Godcouldnot

foreseeoneeventascontingentuponanotherwhichsustainsnocausalrelationtoit.Thetruthofthepromiseorthreateninginsuchacasecannotdependuponthenaturalconnectionbetweenthetwoevents,butuponGod’sdeterminationtocauseonetofollowtheother.

15.ProvefromScripturethattheprovidenceofGodextendsoverthenaturalworld.

Psalm104:14;125:5–7;147:8–18;148:7,8;Job9:5,6;21:9–11;37:6–13;Acts14:17.

16.ProvefromScripturethatitincludesthebrutecreation.

Psalm104:21–29;147:9;Matthew6:26;10:29.

17.ProvefromScripturethatitextendstothegeneralaffairsofmen.

1Chronicles16:31;Psalm47:7;66:7;Proverbs21:1;Job12:23;Isaiah10:12–15;Daniel2:21;4:25.

18.ShowfromScripturethatthecircumstancesofindividualsarecontrolledbyGod.

1Samuel2:6;Psalm18:30;Proverbs16:9;Isaiah14:5;Luke1:53;James4:13–15.

19.ProvethateventsconsideredbyusfortuitousaresubjecttothecontrolofGod.

1st.Afortuitouseventisonewhoseproximatecauses,becauseeitheroftheircomplexityortheirsubtlety,escapeourobservation.Everysuchevent,however,asthefallingofaleaf,islinkedwiththegeneralsystemofthings,bothbyitsantecedentsanditsconsequences.

2nd.Scriptureaffirmsthefact.—Exodus21:13;Psalm75:6,7;Job5:6;Proverbs16:33.

20.Whatdistinctionhasbeenmadebetweenageneralandaspecialprovidence,andwhatisthetrueviewofthesubject?

ManymenadmitthatGodexercisesageneralsuperintendingProvidenceoveraffairs,controllingthegeneralcurrent,anddetermininggreatandimportantevents,whiletheyregarditsuperstitiousandderogatorytothesublimedignityandgreatnessofGodtoconceiveofhimasinterestinghimselfineverytrivialdetail.ManywhodonotclearlyunderstandthemselvesfeelandpracticallyjudgeofalleventsintheirrelationtodivineProvidenceinlikemanner.

ButthiswholemodeofconceptionandfeelingspringsfromaverylowanthropomorphicviewofGod’sattributesandmannerofaction,asiftherecouldbewiththeabsoluteCauseandtheinfiniteRulerthesamedifferencebetweenlittlethingsandgreatthingsasthereiswithus;asiftohim,astous,amultitudeofdetailsweremoreburdensome,orlessworthyofattention,thansomegrandresult.AgeneralandaspecialProvidencecannotbetwodifferentmodesofdivineoperation.Thesameprovidentialadministrationisnecessarilyatthesametimegeneralandspecialforthesamereason,becauseitreacheswithoutexceptionequallytoeveryeventandcreatureintheworld.AGeneral

Providenceisspecialbecauseitsecuresgeneralresultsbythecontrolofeveryevent,greatandsmall,leadingtothatresult.ASpecialProvidenceisgeneralbecauseitspeciallycontrolsallindividualbeingsandactionsintheuniverse.Alleventsaresorelatedtogetherasaconcatenatedsystemofcauses,andeffects,andconditions,that;ageneralProvidencethatisnotatthesametimespecialisasinconceivableasawholewhichhasnoparts,orasachainwhichhasnolinks.

21.ProvethattheprovidentialgovernmentofGodextendstothefreeactsofmen.

1st.Thefreeactionsofmenarepotentcausesinfluencingthegeneralsystemofthingspreciselyasallotherclassesofcausesintheworld,andconsequently,ontheprincipleindicatedintheanswertotheprecedingquestion,theyalsomustbesubjecttoGod,oreveryformof

providencewhateverwouldbeimpossibleforhim.

2nd.ItisaffirmedinScripture.—Exodus12:36;1Samuel24:9–15;Psalm33:14,15;Proverbs16:1;19:21;20:24;21:1;Jeremiah10:23;Philippians2:13.

22.ShowfromScripturethatGod’sprovidenceisexercisedoverthesinfulactsofmen.

2Samuel16:10;24:1;Psalm76:10;Romans11:32;Acts4:27,28.

23.WhatdotheScripturesteachastoGod’sprovidentialagencyinthegoodactsofmen?

TheScripturesattributeallthatisgoodinmantothefreegraceofGod,operatingbothprovidentiallyandspiritually,andinfluencingalikethebodyandthesoul,andtheoutwardrelationsoftheindividual.—Philippians2:13,4:13;2Corinthians12:9,10;Ephesians2:10;Galatians5:22–25.

Itistoberemembered,however,thatwhileamaterialcausemaybeanalyzedintothemutualinteractionoftwoormorebodies,ahumansoulactsspontaneously,i.e.,originatesaction.Thesoulalso,inallitsvoluntaryacts,isdeterminedbyitsownprevailingdispositionsanddesires.

Whenallthegoodactionsofmen,therefore,areattributedtoGod,itisnotmeant,1st.,thathecausesthem,or,2nd.thathedeterminesmantocausethem,irrespectivelyofman’sfreewill;butitismeantthatGodsoactsuponmanfromwithinspiritually,andfromwithoutbymoralinfluences,astoinducethefreedisposition.Heworksinusfirsttowill,andthentodohisgoodpleasure.

24.WhatdotheScripturesteachastotherelationofProvidencetothesinfulactsofmen?

TheScripturesteach—

1st.Thesinfulactsofmenareinsuchasenseunderthedivine

controlthattheyoccuronlybyhispermissionandaccordingtohispurpose.—1Chronicles1:4–14;Genesis45:5and50:20.Compare1Samuel6:6andExodus7:13and14:17;Isaiah66:4;2Thessalonians2:11;Acts4:27,28;2:23;3:18.

2nd.Herestrainsandcontrolssin.—Psalm76:10;Genesis1:20;Isaiah10:15.

3rd.Heoverrulesitforgood.—Genesis1:20;Acts3:13.

4th.Godneithercausessin,norapprovesit,heonlypermits,directs,restrains,limits,andoverrulesit.

Man,thefreeagent,isthesoleresponsibleandguiltycauseofhisownsin.

TurretinsetsforththetestimonyofScriptureuponthissubjectthus—

1st.Astothebeginningofthesin,(1)Godfreelypermitsit.Butthispermissionisneithermoral,i.e.,whilepermittingitphysically,heneverapprovesit;normerelynegative,i.e.,hedoesnotsimplyconcurintheresult,buthepositivelydeterminesthatbadmenshallbepermittedforwiseandholyendstoactaccordingtotheirbadnatures.—Acts14:16;Psalm81:12.(2)Hedesertsthosewhosin,eitherbywithdrawinggraceabused,orbywithholdingadditionalgrace.Thisdesertionmaybeeither(a)partial,toproveman’sheart(2Chronicles32:31),or(b)forcorrection,or(c)penal(Jeremiah7:29;Romans1:24–26).(3)Godsoordersprovidentialcircumstancesthattheinherentwickednessofmentakestheparticularcourseofactionhehasdeterminedtopermit(Acts2:23;3:18).(4)GoddeliversmentoSatan,(a)asatempter(2Thessalonians2:9–11),(b)asatorturer(1Corinthians5:5).

2nd.Astotheprogressofthesin,Godrestrainsitastoitsintensityanditsduration,andastoitsinfluenceuponothers.Thisheeffectsbothbyinternalinfluencesupontheheart,andbythecontrolofexternalcircumstances.—Psalm76:10.

3rd.Astotheendorresultofthesin,Goduniformlyoverrulesitanddirectsitforgood.—Genesis50:20;Job1:12;2:6–10;Acts3:13;4:27,28.

25.WhataretheTHREEgeneralclassesinwhichalltheoriesastoGod’sProvidentialGovernmentmaybeembraced?

1st.ThoseviewswhichremoveGodfromallpresentactiveagencyinthecreation,andasserttheentireindependenceofsecondcauses.2nd.ThosetheorieswhichmoreorlessexplicitlydenytherealagencyofsecondcausesandmakeGodtheonlyrealagentintheuniverse.3rd.ThemiddleorChristianview,whichmaintainsalltheprinciplesonthissubjecttaughtintheScripturesas:Therealefficiencyofsecondcauses,especiallythemoralfreedomandaccountabilityofmaninhisacts,andatthesametimetheuniversal,efficientcontrolofGod,wherebyinperfectconsistencywiththeattributesofhisownnature,andwiththeseveralpropertiesofhiscreatures,hedeterminesanddisposesofallactionsandeventsaccordingtohissovereignpurpose.

26.StatetheMechanicalTheoryofProvidence.

ThisviewsupposesthatwhenGodcreatedtheuniverseheendowedallthevariousmaterialandspiritualelementswiththeirrespectivepropertiesandpowers,thathethengroupedthemincertaincombinationsandproportions,andsomadethemsubjecttocertaingenerallaws.Theworldisthusamachine,whichthemakerhassocalculatedthatitworksoutofitselfallhispurposes.Havingwounditupheleavesittoitself.Godisthefirstcauseinthesenseofhisbeingthefirstmemberinanendlessseriesofcausesalwaysflowingonfurtherandfurtherfromtheirsource.Someofthesephilosophersconfinethisrigidmechanismtothephysicalworld,andregardthefreewillsofmenasanabsolutelyindeterminateelementembracedinthegeneralmechanismoftheworld.Themajority,however,denyfreeagency,andregardmanasoneofthecosmicelementsnotessentiallydifferentfromtherest.

Allprovidentialinterferencesandallmiraclesthereforewouldbeimpossible.Tosupposeanynecessityforsuchinterferenceswouldbeto

supposesomeradicaldefectinGod’swork—thateitherhemusthavebeenincapableofprecalculatingallnecessarycombinations,orthathewasunabletoexecuteamachinethatwouldrunofitself.Prof.BadenPowelsays,"Itisderogatorytotheideaofinfinitepowerandwisdomtosupposeanorderofthingssoimperfectlyestablishedthatitmustbeoccasionallyinterruptedandviolated."AndTheodoreParkersays,"MenhaveAlbeitprecariousmake–shifts;theInfinitehasnotricks,nosubterfuges—notawhiminGod,andsonotamiracleinnature."

27.Exposethefallacyofthatview.

1st.ItisopposedtotheplainteachingofGod’swordassetforthunderQuestions15–24.2nd.Itisessentiallyirreligious,andmaterialistic.Itfailstorecognizetheeducationanddisciplineoffreeintelligentagentsasthegreatendtowhichtheuniverseasasystemofmeansisadapted.ItseparatesthesoulsofmenfromGod,itmakesprayeramockery,revelationimpossible,moralaccountabilityaprejudice,andreligionadelusion.3rd.ItisbasedonamiserablyshallowanthropomorphicideaofGod.

Itconceivesoftheuniversesimplyasamechanicalsystemofcauses,andassustainingthesamerelationtoGodthatahumanworkdoestoitsmaker,whoisnecessarilyexteriortohiswork.Itutterlyfails—1st.

ToapprehendtherealindwellingoftheCreatorinthecreationasanomnipresent,ever–active,andcontrollingspirit,apersonalagentmakinglawbyworkingthroughlawforthepurposeofaccomplishingelectedends.2nd.Toapprehendthetruenatureoftheuniverseinrelationtoitshighestendsasamoralsystemdesignedfortheinstructionanddevelopmentoffree,personal,moralagents,createdintheimageofGod.

Asysteminvolvinganestablishedorderofnature,andproceedinginwiseadaptationofmeanstoends,isnecessaryasameansofcommunicationbetweentheCreatorandtheintelligentcreation,andtoaccomplishtheintellectualandmoraleducationofthelatter.Thusonlycanthedivineattributesofwisdom,righteousness,orgoodnessbe

exercisedormanifested,andthusonlycanangelormanunderstandthecharacter,anticipatethewill,orintelligentlyandvoluntarilyco-operatewiththeplanofGod.

Occasionaldirectexercisesofpower,moreover,inconnectionwithageneralsystemofmeansandlaws,appearstobenecessarynotonly"inthebeginning,"tocreatesecondcausesandinauguratetheiragency,butalsosubsequently,inordertomaketothesubjectsofhismoralgovernmenttherevelationofhisfreepersonality,andofhisimmediateinterestintheiraffairs.Atanyrate,suchoccasionaldirectactionandrevelationisnecessaryfortheeducationofmaninhispresentstate.Amiracle,althougheffectedbydivinepowerwithoutmeans,isitselfameanstoanendandpartofaplan.Allnaturallawhasitsbirthinthedivinereason,andisanexpressionofwilltoeffectapurpose.—"ReignofLaw,"byDukeofArgyle.

The"orderofnature"isonlyaninstrumentofthedivinewill,andaninstrumentusedsubservientlytothathighermoralgovernmentintheinterestsofwhichmiraclesarewrought.Thusthe"orderofnature,"theordinaryprovidenceofGod,andmiracles,insteadofbeinginconflict,aretheintimatelycorrelatedelementsofonecomprehensivesystem.

28.Whatclassesofphilosophershaveactuallyorvirtuallydeniedtherealefficiencyofsecondcauses?

AllPantheists,ofcourse,regardallsecondcausesasmodificationsoftheFirstCause,andGodtheonlyrealagentintheuniverse.Descartes,althoughabelieverinGod,andintherealobjectiveexistenceofmaterialaswellasspiritualagents,neverthelessheldthattheywerecreatedaneweverymomentinalltheirsuccessivestatesandactions,andsovirtuallymadesecondcausesonlyamodificationoftheFirstCause.Hisdisciplesdeducedtherefromthetheoryofoccasionalcauses,makingchangesinthesecondcausemerelytheoccasionuponwhichtheFirstCauseexercisesitsefficientagencyandaccomplishestheeffect.ThisledtothePantheismofSpinoza.Dr.Emmons,ofNewEngland,heldinconnectionwiththe"exercisescheme"thedoctrineofdivineefficiency.Thatweknownothinginthehumansoulbutaseriesofexercisesconnectedwithanobscurethreadofconsciousness.Godisthe

realcausecreatingeachmomenteachoftheseexercisesintheirsuccessions,thegoodandthebadalike,justasamusicianblowsthesuccessivenotesonapipeathiswill.

Tothisclassofspeculationsbelongsthetheoryof"Concursus,"whichprevailedsolongintheChurch.

29.Whatdoctrinewasrepresentedbythephrase"generalandindifferentconcursus,"andwhowereitsadvocates?

Theologianswereoccupiedduringmanycenturieswithdebatingthequestionastothenatureofthe"concursus,"orin–dwellingwithandco–workingofGodinsecondcauses.

TheJesuits,andwiththemtheSociniansandRemonstrants,maintainthatthis"concursus,"isonly"general"and"indifferent;"thatis,thatitiscommonaliketoallcauses,quickeningthemtoaction,butindifferently,i.e.,thefirstcauseis,asitwere,ameregeneralstimulanttothesecondcause,leavingeachonetodetermineitsownparticularmodeofaction.Thistheyillustratebythegeneralquickeningpowerofthesun,whichshedsthesameradianceuniversallyandindifferentlyuponallearthlyobjects,whichradianceisthecommonprincipleofalllifeandallmovement.Wherethisradianceisabsentthereisnolife.Yetitisindifferenttoanyparticularformoflifeormovement—andeveryparticulargermgerminatesafteritsownkindunderthequickeningpowerofthesamesun.

ThistheoryobviouslyadmitsthepreservationoftheessencesandactivepowersofallthingsbyGod,butitvirtuallydeniesbyomissionallrealprovidentialgovernment.Accordingtothisview,Godcreatedandpreservesallthings,andtheyinturnactspontaneouslyaccordingtotheirnatureandtendencieswithouthiscontrol.

30.Whatdoctrinewasexpressedbythephrase"concursussimultaneousandimmediate"?

ThisphraseexpressesanactofGodwherebyhecooperateswith

thecreatureinhisact,asaconcause,intheproductionoftheactasanentity.Insupportofthisview,andinoppositiontothebareadmissionoftheabove–explained"concursusgeneralandindifferent,"thedisciplesofThomasAquinasintheRomanChurchandalltheLutheranandReformedtheologiansagreed.Thequestionhoweverremainedapointofdifficultyandofdifferenceastowhichisthedeterminingfactorinthisdualcausality.DoesGoddeterminethecreatureineverycasetoact,andtoactashedoesandnototherwise,ordoesthecreaturedeterminehimself?

31.Whatdoctrinewasexpressedbythephrase"concursus,previousanddetermining,"andwhowereitsadvocates?

HencetheReformedorCalvinistictheologiansmaintainedinadditionthedoctrineof"Precursus,"orofa"Concursus,previousanddetermining."Thissignifiedadivineenergyuponthecreature,andineverycasedeterminingittoact,andtoactpreciselyasitdoes.Someappliedthistosuchhumanactionsasaregood,othersmorelogicallyappliedittoallactionsofeverykindwhatsoever.

32.HowdidtheReformedtheologiansattempttoreconcilethisdoctrinewiththefreedomofmanandwiththeholinessofGod?

Astothefreedomofman,they—1st.Pleadedmystery.2nd.Theypleadedthatthetwofacts,(a)thathumanactionisfree,and(b)thatGodefficientlygovernsthataction,arebothcertainlyrevealedinScriptureandthereforemustbemutuallyconsistentwhetherwecanreconcilethemornot.3rd.Theyarguedthatthemodusoperandiofthisdivineconcursusineverycasevariedwiththenatureofthecreatureuponwhichitisexerted,andthatitisalwaysperfectlyconsistentwiththenatureofthatcreature,anditsmodesofaction."ThereforesinceProvidencedoesnotconcurwiththehumanwill,eitherbythewayofco–action,forcinganunwillingwill,norbythewayofaphysicaldetermination,asthoughitwereathingbrutishandblind,devoidofalljudgment,butrationallybyturningthewillinamannercongruoustoitselfthatitmaydetermineitself,itfollows,thattheproximatecauseofeachman’sactionbeingin

thejudgmentofhisownunderstanding,andspontaneouselectionofhisownwill,itexertsnoconstrainingforceuponourliberty,butrathersustainsit."—Turretin,50.6,Q.6.

"Moverivoluntarieestmoveriexse,i.e.,aprincipiointrinsico.Sedillud

principiumintrinsicumpotestesseabalioprin-cipioextrinsico.Etsicmoveriex

senonrepugnatsi,quodmoveturexalio.Illudquodmoveturabaliodiciturcogi,

simoveaturcontrainclinationempropriam;sedsimoveaturabalioquodsibidat

propriaininclinationem,nondiciturcogi.SicigiturDeusmovendovoluntatem

noncogitipsam,quiadateiejuspropriaminclinationem."—Thomas,Vol.50,

105,4,quotedbyDr.CharlesHodge.

AstotheholinessofGodinrelationtothesinfulactsofhiscreaturestheyheld:1st.Thatsinoriginatesinadefectorprivativecause.2nd.Thatthereisadifferencebetweenthemerematteroftheactasanentityanditsmoralquality.Godisanefficientconcause,oftheformer,butnotofthelatter,ifitbeevil.

Theyillustratedthisbytheuseofanpoorly–tunedinstrumentinthehandsofaskillfulplayer.Theplayeristhecauseofeachofthesoundsintheirorder,butthederangementoftheinstrumentaloneisthecauseofthediscord.3rd.HencetherelationofGod’sprovidencetotheevilactionsofman,isverydifferentfromitsrelationtotheirgoodactions.Inthecaseofthelatterhegivesthegracewhichcommunicatesthemoralquality,aswellascooperatesintheproductionoftheaction.Inthecaseoftheformerhisconcursusisconfinedtothematteroftheact,thesinfulqualityisderivedfromthecreatureonly.

33.Statetheseveralobjectionswhichlieagainstthistheoryofconcursus.

1st.ItisanunsuccessfulattempttogobeyondthemerefactstaughtbyScriptureinthesearchofanexplanationofthemannerinwhichGodactsuponthecreatureineffectinghisends.

2nd.Thistheorytendstothedenialoftherealefficiencyofsecondcauses,andthereforetendstoPantheism.ThiswasadangerlessappreciatedbytheGreatReformersandtheirsuccessorsofthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturiesthanithasofnecessitycometobeinourday.Itisofthehighestimportancethatweholdboththecorrelatedtruthsoftherealefficiencyofsecondcauses,andofthecontrollingprovidenceofGod,ofhumanfreedomandofdivinesovereignty,andthenleavethequestionoftheirreconciliationtothefuture.

34.TowhatextentdotheScripturesteachanythingastothenatureofGod’sprovidentialgovernment?

Themodeinwhichthedivineagencyisexertedisleftentirelyunexplained,butthefactthatGoddoesgovernallhiscreaturesandalltheiractionsisexpresslystatedandeverywhereassumed,andmanyofthecharacteristicsofthatgovernmentaresetforth.

Itisdeclared—

1st.Tobeuniversal.—Psalm103:17–19;Daniel4:34,35;Psalm22:28–29.

2nd.Particular.—Matthew10:29–31.

3rd.Itembracesthethoughtsandvolitionsofmenandeventsapparentlycontingent.—Proverbs21:1;16:9,33;19:21;2Chronicles16:9.

4th.Itisefficacious.—Lamentation2:17;Psalm33:11;Job23:13.

5th.Itistheexecutionofhiseternalpurpose,embracingallhis

worksfromthebeginninginoneentiresystem.—Acts15:18;Ephesians1:11;Psalm104:24;Isaiah28:29.

6th.Itschiefendishisownglory,andsubordinatelythereto,thehighestgoodofhisredeemedchurch.—Romans9:17;11:36;8:28.

7th.TheScripturesteachthatthemannerinwhichGodexecuteshisprovidentialgovernmentmustbeconsistentwithhisownperfections,since"Godcannotdenyhimself,"2Timothy2:13.

8th.Alsocongruouswiththenatureofeverycreatureeffectedthereby,sinceallfreeagentsremainfreeandresponsible.

9th.AlsothatGodinthecaseofthegoodactionsofmengivesthegraceandthemotive,andcooperatesintheactfromfirsttolast.—Philippians2:13.Butinthecaseofthesinfulactionsofmenhesimplypermitsthesinfulaction,restrainsit,andthenoverrulesisforhisowngloryandthehighestgoodofhiscreation.

35.HowcantheexistenceofmoralandphysicalevilbereconciledwiththedoctrineofGod’sprovidentialgovernment?

Themysteryoftheoriginandpermissionofmoralevilwecannotsolve.

Astophysicalevil,weanswer—

1st.Thatitisneverprovidedforasanendinitself,butalwaysameanstoanoverbalancinggood.

2nd.Thatinitsexistingrelationstomoralevilascorrectiveandprimitive,itisjustifiedalikebyreasonandconscienceasperfectlyworthyofawise,righteous,andmercifulGod.

36.Showthattheapparentlyanomalousdistributionofhappinessandmiseryinthisworldisnotinconsistentwiththedoctrineofprovidence.

1st.Everymoralagentinthisworldreceivesmoreofgoodandlessofevilthanhedeserves.

2nd.Happinessandmiseryaremuchmoreequallydistributedinthisworldthanappearsuponthesurface.

3rd.Asageneralrule,virtueisrewardedandvicepunishedevenhere.

4th.Thepresentdispensationisaseasonofeducation,preparation,andtrial,andnotoneofrewardsandpunishments.—SeePsalm73.

EXTRAORDINARYPROVIDENCESANDMIRACLES

37.HowdoExtraordinaryProvidencesdifferfromordinaryeventsintheirrelationtoGod’sprovidentialcontrol?

Eventslikethatoftheflightofquails,andthedraughtoffishes,mentionedinNumbers11:31,32,andLuke5:6,asfarasweknow,differfromeventsoccurringundertheordinaryprovidentialcontrolofGodonlyinrespecttothedivinelyprearrangedconjunctionofcircumstances.Theeventsarenotsupernatural,onlyunusual,andtheirpeculiarityisonlythattheyoccurineminentlywell–chosenconjunctionwithotherevents,suchastheneedoftheIsraelites,andoftheapostles,withwhichtheyhavenonaturalconnection.

38.HowaremiraclesdesignatedintheNewTestament?

Theyarecalled—(1)τέρατα,wonders,Acts2:19;(2)δύναμεις,worksofsuperhumanpower,and(3)σημε͂ια,signs,John2:18,Matt.12:38.Thelastdesignationexpressestheirtrueoffice.Theyaredesignedtobe"signs"incapableofbeingcounterfeited,ofGod’scommissionandauthenticationofareligiousteacherandofhisdoctrine.

39.Howthenisamiracle,intheScripturalsenseofthatword,tobedefined,soastosignalizeitsspecificdistinctionfromsupernaturaleventsingeneral,andfrom

extraordinaryProvidences,asaboveexplained?

Amiracleis(1)aneventoccurringinthephysicalworld,capableofbeingdiscernedanddiscriminatedbythebodilysensesofhumanwitnesses,(2)ofsuchacharacterthatitcanberationallyreferredtonoothercausethantheimmediatevolitionofGod,(3)accompanyingareligiousteacher,anddesignedtoauthenticatehisdivinecommissionandthetruthofhismessage.

40.Stateandanswertheaprioriobjectiontothepossibilityofmiracles,thattheyessentiallyinvolvetheviolationofthelawsofnature.

Itismaintainedthatallexperience,andtheintegrityofhumanreason,uniteinguaranteeingtheabsoluteinviolabilityofthelawofcontinuity—thateverypossibleeventfindsitsfullexplanationinadequatecauseswhichprecedeit,andthateveryeventinitsturncausesendlessconsequencestosucceedit.Noeventcanbeisolatedfromitsantecedentsandconsequences,norfromitsconditions,andeverycauseactsaccordingtoanintelligiblelawofitsnature.

Thisisalltrue,andastrueofmiraclesasofanyotherevents.

Ifby"lawofnature"wemeanthephysicalforceswhichproduceeffects,thennomiracleinvolvesanysuspensionorviolationofsuchlaw.Itisacommonexperiencethatforcesmodifyeachother,andeachaddedforcecombineswithothersinproducingeffectsotherwiseimpossible.Ifby"lawofnature"wemeantheordinarycourseofeventsobservedinnature,thenamiracleis,bydefinition,asignalsuspensionofthatorder.Butthesamethingisbroughtabouteverydaybytheinterventioninnatureoftheintelligentwillsofmen.

Ineveryphysicaleventthereareacombinationofconcausescombiningtoeffectit.Thehumanwillinactingviolatesnolaw,andannihilatesnoforce,itsimplycombinesnaturalforcesunderspecialconditions,andinterpolatesintothesumofconcausesanewconcause—thehumanvolition.

Whenthesonsoftheprophets"cutdownastickandcastitintothewaterandtheironoftheaxe–headdidswim"(2Kings6:6),neitherthespecificgravitiesoftheironnorofthewaterwerealtered,norwasthelawofgravitationsuspended.Themiracleconsistedonlyinadivinevolitioninterpolatinganewtransientforce,equaltotheexcessofthespecificgravityoftheironoverthatofthewater,andactinginadirectionoppositetothatofgravity.Thisispreciselyanalogoustotheactionofthehumanwilluponphysicalobjects—withthisexception—man’swillactsuponoutwardobjectsonlyindirectlythroughthemechanismofhisbody,anddirectlyonlyuponhisvoluntarymuscles,whileGod’swillactsdirectlyuponeveryelementoftheworldhehascreated.Andwhatistrueinthissimplemiraclecouldbeshowntobetrueinthemostcomplexones,suchastheraisingofLazarus,ifweknewenoughofthechemistryandphysiologyofhumanlife.

JohnStuartMill("EssayonTheism,"Pt.4.)says,"Itmaybearguedthatthepowerofvolitionoverphenomenaisitselfalaw,andoneoftheearliestknownandacknowledgedlawsofnature....Theinterferenceofhumanwillwiththecourseofnatureisonlynotanexceptiontolaw,whenweincludeamonglawstherelationofmotivetovolition;andbythesameruleinterferencebythedivinewillwouldnotbeanexceptioneither;sincewecannotbutsupposeDeity,ineveryoneofhisacts,tobedeterminedbymotives.,Theallegedanalogyholdsgood:butwhatitprovesisonlywhatIhavefromthefirstmaintained—thatdivineinterferencewithnaturecouldbeprovedifwehadthesamesortofevidenceforitwhichwehaveforhumaninterferences."

Thatis,thisgreatestofallthephilosophicalrationalistsmaintainsthatthereisnoàpriorigroundtojudgemiraclesimpossible.Itispurelyaquestionastothesufficiencyoftheevidence.EveryChristianisperfectlysatisfiedthattheevidence(historical,moral,andspiritual)fortheresurrectionofChrist,andthemiracleshistoricallyassociatedwiththatevent,isabundantlysufficient.

41.Stateandanswertheobjectiontotheoccurrenceofamoraldrawnfromthebalanceofthephysicaluniverse.

Itisafactthatthewholephysicaluniverseformsonesystem,

andthatasatpresentadjusteditisinastateofsuchdelicateequilibriumthattheadditionorsubtractionofasingleatominanyoneportionofitwoulddisturbthatequilibriumthroughouttheentiresystem.Adisturbance,howeverslight,abextra—theintrusionofanagentnotbelongingtothesystemofthings,wouldbedestructiveofthewhole.

Itisobviousthatthisobjectionwouldhaveweightifthematerialuniversewereanexclusivewholebyitself;andifitsustainednoconstitutionalrelationtoGod.ButifGodandthecreatedworldtogetherconstituteawhole—acompleteuniverseofthings—theobjectionisabsurd.Thesumofhisactivitiesofeverykindisthenecessarycomplementofthesumoftheactivitiesofallhiscreatures,andonlythustheequilibriumismaintained.

Itisplainthatthewill,ofGodisnomoreoutsidethesumofthingsconstitutingtheuniversethanisthewillofman.Andmanisconstantlymodifyingnatureoverwideareas,andeverymomentbringinghiswillasanewconcause,toactuponthephysicallawsoftheuniverseabextra,andgivingthemnewdirectionsandconditions.

Theequilibriumofthephysicaluniverse,moreover,isnotapermanentone,butoneconstantlychanging,especiallythroughthediffusionofheatandthemassingofmatteratthecentersofattraction.

42.StateandanswertheobjectionthattheassumptionofthenecessityofmiraculousinterferenceisderogatorytothewisdomandpoweroftheCreator.

Itisarguedthattheskillofahumanworkmanisalwaysexhibitedinproportiontotheabilityofhisworktoperformitsdesignedfunctionindependentlyofhisrepair,orcorrection,orguidance.Thatthenecessityofinterferenceforanypurposeallextraisaproofofdefectoratleastoflimitationintheskillorpowerofthemaker.Anyoccasionforamiraclethereforecouldonlyarise,theyargue,fromachangeofpurposeonthepartofGod,oraradicaldefectuponthepartofhiscreation.TheodoreParkersaid,

"ThereisnowhiminGod,andthereforenomiracleinnature."

Thiswouldhaveforceifmiraclesweredesignedtocorrectthedefectiveworkingofthephysicaluniverse.ButthisnoChristianhaseverdreamed.

ThedesignofamiracleissimplytosignifytoGod’sintelligentcreatureshisactiveinterventioninthemoraluniverseforthepurposeofrestoringtheorderdisturbedbysin.Themoralsystemisessentiallydifferentfromthephysicalone.Theoneismechanical,theotherembracesthereason,conscience,FREEWILL,andthelaw,ofmotive.Freewillmakessinpossible,andsinmakesdirectdivineinterventionnecessary,eithertoredeemortodamn.

AllthemiraclesofScripturearegroupedaroundthegreatcrisesintheworkofRedemption,ortherestorationoftheoriginalnaturallaw,disturbedbysin.HencethemiraclesofScripture,unlikeallthemiraclesoftheheathen,orofthePapalChurch,orofmodernspiritualism,insteadofbeingmerewonders,exhibitionsofpower,wantonviolationsofnaturalorder,arepreeminentlyworksofhealing,actsthewholebearingandspiritofwhichimply,therestorationandconfirmation,nottheviolation,oflaw.

ThehighestmeaningofthewordLAWisorder,arrangement,assignmentoffunction,totheendofeffectingapurpose.

Thesupremeessenceofalllaw,therefore,istheeternalpurposeofGod.Notasinglemiraculousinterventionwasanafter–thought.Oneeternalactofabsolutelyintelligentvolitionembracedthewholeschemeofbeingandeventsinallspaceandallduration,appointingallendsandallmeansandallmethodsatonce,thenecessaryandthefree,thephysicalandthemoral,theactsofthecreatureobeyinglaw,andtheinterventionsoftheCreatorimposinglaw.

43.Howcananeventactuallyoccurringbecertainlyrecognizedascomingunderthecategoryofmiraclesasabovedefined?

I.Amiracle,accordingtotheforegoingdefinition,is"aneventoccurringinthephysicalworldcapableofbeingdiscernedandcertainly

discriminatedbythebodilysenses."ThemiraclesofScripturefulfillthiscondition,especiallythemostimportantofthem.Theywereexhibited(1)intheclearlightofday,(2)onseveraloccasions,(3)undervaryingcircumstances(4)toanumberofwitnesses,and(5)tothescrutinyofseveralsenses,asofsight,hearing,andtouch,mutuallycorroboratingoneanother.

II.Amiracle,bythesamedefinition,must"accompanyareligiousteacher,andisdesignedtoauthenticatehisdivinecommissionandthetruthofhismessage."Ithencefollowsthateverysuchevent,inordertobecredible,must(1)beitselfofacharacter,rationallyandmorally,congruouswithitsprofessedlydivineorigin.(2)Thecharacterofthereligiousteacherwhosecommissionitauthenticates,andthecharacterofhisdoctrine,mustbesuchthatitiscrediblethattheyrepresentthemindandwillofGod.(3)Themessengerandhismessagemustbefoundtobeconsistent,historicallyanddoctrinally,withtheentireorganismofprecedingrevelationsanddivineinterventions.

III.Themiracle,inthethirdplace,mustbe"ofsuchacharacterthatitcanberationallyreferredtonoothercausethantheimmediatevolitionofGod."

Ithasbeenobjectedatthispointthatamiraclecouldnotbecertainlydeterminedtobesuch,evenifitoccur,because—1st.Nomanknowsallthelawsofnature,norwhatisthetruelinebetweenthenaturalandthesupernatural.Whatisneworinexplicableisrelativelysupernatural,i.e.,byusincapableofbeingreducedtothecategoriesofnature.2nd.Becauseevilspiritsoftenhavewroughtsupernaturalworks—anditisimpossibleforus,therefore,todetermineinanycasethatthecauseoftheeventcanbeonlyadirectvolitionofGod.

WEANSWER—

1st.Asfarasevilspiritsareconcerned,thekingdomofSatancaneasilyberecognizedbyitscharacter.

Noisolatedeventisevertoberecognizedasamiracle.Theman,andthedoctrine,andtheirrelationtothewholesystemofpast

revelationsandmiraculousinterventions,willineverycasebesufficienttodiscriminatetheidentityofthesupernaturalcauseofanevent.2nd.Asfarasthequestionofdeterminingwithcertaintywhateffectstranscendthepowersofnature,weanswer—(1)Therearesomeclassesofeffectsaboutwhichnomancanpossiblydoubt,e.g.,theraisingofLazarus,andthemultiplyingoftheloavesandfishes,wemaydoubtabouttheexactboundariesofthesupernatural—butnomancanmistakethatwhichsofartranscendstheboundaries.(2)Theseeffectswereaccomplishedtwothousandyearsago,inanunscientificage,byanunlearnedpeople.(3)Theseeffectswereproducedoverandoveragainatthemerewordofcommand,withouttheuseofanysortofmeans,orfixedphysicalconditions.(4)Theworksweredivineincharacter,andtheoccasionswereworthy,thereligiousteachersanddoctrinescarriedtheirowncorroborativespiritualevidence,andtheeventsfellintotheirplaceintheentiresystemofrevelation.

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Chapter15:TheMoralConstitutionoftheSoul,Will,Liberty,Etc

1.Whatgeneraldepartmentoftheologyarewenowentering,andwhataretheprincipaltopicsincludedinit?

ThegeneraldepartmentofANTHROPOLOGY,andtheprincipaltopicsembracedinthisdepartment,arethemoralconstitutionofmanpsychologicallyconsidered,themoralconditionofmanwhencreated,andtheprovidentialrelationsintowhichmanwasintroducedathiscreation,—thenatureofsin,thesinofAdam,theeffectsofhissinuponhimselfanduponhisposterity,andtheconsequentmoralconditionandlegalrelationsintowhichhisdescendantsareintroducedatbirth.

Itisobviousthatanaccurateunderstandingofthenatureofsin,originaloractual,oftheinfluenceofdivinegrace,andofthechangewroughtinthesoulinregeneration,ofcourseinvolvessomepreviousknowledgeoftheconstitutionalfacultiesofthesoul,andespeciallyof

thosefacultieswhichparticularlydistinguishmanasamoralagent.Hencetherearecertainpsychologicalandmetaphysicalquestionsinseparablefromtheologicaldiscussions.

2.Whatisthegeneralprinciplewhichitisalwaysnecessarytobearinmindwhiletreatingofthevariousfacultiesofthehumansoul?

Thesoulofmanisonesingleindivisibleagent,notanorganizedwholeconsistingofseveralparts;and,therefore,whatwecallitsseveralfacultiesareratherthecapacityoftheoneagent,fordischargingsuccessivelyorconcurrentlytheseveralfunctionsinvolved,andarenevertobeconceivedofasseparatelyexistingpartsororgans.Theseseveralfunctionsexercisedbytheonesoularesovariousandcomplex,thataminuteanalysisisabsolutelynecessary,inordertolayopentousadefiniteviewoftheirnature.Yetwemustcarefullyrememberthatalargepartoftheerrorsintowhichphilosophershavefallenintheirinterpretationofman’smoralconstitution,hasresultedfromtheabuseofthisveryprocessofanalysis.Thisisespeciallytruewithrespecttotheinterpretationofthevoluntaryactsofthehumansoul.Inprosecutionofhisanalysisthephilosophercomestorecognizeseparatelythedifferencesandthelikenessesofthesevariousfunctionsofthesoul,andtoofrequentlyforgetsthatthesefunctionsthemselvesare,infact,neverexercisedinthatisolatedmanner,butconcurrentlybytheonesoul,asanindivisibleagent,andthatthustheyalwaysqualifyoneanother.Thus,itisnottrue,infact,thattheunderstandingreasons,andtheheartfeels,andtheconscienceapprovesorcondemns,andthewilldecides,asdifferentmembersofthebodyworktogether,orasthedifferentpersonsconstitutingacouncildeliberateanddecideinmutualparts;butitistruethattheoneindivisible,rational,feeling,moral,self–determiningsoulreasons,feels,approves,orcondemnsanddecides.

Theself–determiningpowerofthewillasanabstractfacultyisabsurdasadoctrine,andwouldbedisastrousasanexperience;buttheself–determiningpowerofthehumansoulasaconcrete,rational,feelingagent.isafactofuniversalconsciousness,andafundamentaldoctrineofmoralphilosophyandofChristiantheology.Therealquestionisnotastothelibertyofthewill,butastothelibertyofthemaninwilling.Itis

obviousthatwearefreeifwehavelibertytowillasweplease,i.e.,asuponthewholewejudgebest,andallthingsconsidereddesire.

3.Howmaytheleadingfacultiesofthehumansoulbeclassified?andwhicharetheseatofourmoralnature?

1st.Theintellectual.Thisclassincludesallthosefacultiesindifferentwaysconcernedinthegeneralfunctionofknowing,asthereason,theimagination,thebodilysenses,andthemoralsense(whenconsideredasameresourceofknowledgeinformingtheunderstanding).

2nd.Theemotional.Thisclassincludesallthosefeelingswhichattend,inanymanner,theexerciseoftheotherfaculties.

3rd.Thewill.

Itwillbeobservedthatthefunctionsoftheconscienceinvolvefacultiesbelongingtoboththefirstandsecondclasses(seebelow,Question5).

Itisoftenasked,Whichofourfacultiesistheseatofourmoralnature?Nowwhilethereisasenseinwhichallmoralquestionsconcerntherelationofthestatesoractsofthewill,tothelawofGodrevealedintheconscience,andthereforeinwhichthewillandtheconsciencearepreeminentlythefoundationofman’smoralnature,itistrue,nevertheless,thateveryoneofthefacultiesofthehumansoul,asaboveclassified,isexercisedinrelationtoallmoraldistinctions,e.g.,theintellectualintheperceptionandjudgment;theemotionalinpleasantfeelingorthereverse;thewill,inchoosingorrefusing,andinacting.

Everystateoractofanyoneofthefacultiesofthehumansoul,therefore,whichinvolvesthejudging,choosing,refusing,ordesiring,uponapurelymoralquestion,orthefeelingcorrespondingthereto,isamoralstateoract,andallthefaculties,viewedintheirrelationstothedistinctionbetweengoodandevil,aremoralfaculties.

4.WhatistheWill?

Theterm"will"isoftenusedtoexpressthemerefacultyof

volition,wherebythesoulchooses,orrefuses,ordeterminestoact,andtheexerciseofthatfaculty.Itisalsousedinawidersense,andinthissenseIuseithere,toincludethefacultyofvolition,togetherwithallofthespontaneousstatesofthesoul(designatedbySirWilliamHamilton,"LecturesonMetaphysics,"Lect.11.,thefacultiesofconation,theexcitive,strivingfaculties,possessing,astheircommoncharacteristic,"atendencytowardtherealizationoftheirend"),thedispositions,affections,desires,whichdetermineamanintheexerciseofhisfreepowerofvolition.Itmustberemembered,however,thatthesetwosensesoftheword"will"areessentiallydistinct.Thewill,asincludingallthefacultiesofconation(thedispositionsanddesires),istobeessentiallydistinguishedfromthesinglefacultyofsoulexercisedintheresultingvolition,i.e.,thechoosingortheactingaccordingtoitsprevailingdesire.

Theterm"will"isusedinthewidersenseinthischapter.Amaninwillingisperfectlyfree,i.e,healwaysexercisesvolitionaccordingtotheprevailingdispositionordesireofhiswillatthetime.Thisisthehighestfreedom,andtheonlyoneconsistentwithrationalityormoralresponsibility.

5.DefinethetermVolition.

Bytheterm"facultyofvolition"wemeantheexecutivefacultyofthesoul,thefacultyofchoiceorself–decision;andbytheterm"volition"wemeantheexerciseofthatfacultyinanyactofchoiceorself–decision.

6.WhatisConscience?

Conscience,asafaculty,includes(a)amoralsenseorintuition,apowerofdiscerningrightandwrong,whichcombiningwiththeunderstanding,orfacultyofcomparingandjudging,judgesoftherightorwrongofourownmoraldispositionsandvoluntaryactions,andofthedispositionsandvoluntaryactionsofotherfreeagents.(b)Thisfacultyjudgesaccordingtoadivinelaw,ofrightandwrong,includedwithinitself(itisalawtoitself,theoriginallawwrittenupontheheart,Romans2:14),and(c)itisaccompaniedwithvividemotions,pleasurableinviewofthatwhichisright,andpainfulinviewofthatwhichiswrong,especiallywhenourconscienceisengagedinreviewingthestatesorthe

actionsofourownsouls.Thisfacultyinitsownprovinceissovereign,andcanhavenoothersuperiorthantherevealedwordofGod.—SeeM’Cosh,"DivineGovernment,"Book3.,chap.1.sec.4.

7.Whatisthetruetestfordeterminingthemoralqualityofanymentalactorstate?

Theonlytruetestsofthemoralqualityofanystateoractare—1st.TheinspiredwordofGod,and2nd.

Thespontaneous,practical,anduniversaljudgmentsofmen.

Themoraljudgmentsofmen,likeallourintuitivejudgments.arecertainlyreliableonlywhentheyrespectconcreteandindividualjudgments.Thegeneralizedandabstractpropositionswhichbeingsupposedtobeformedbyabstractionandgeneralizationfromtheseindividualjudgmentsmaybetrueornot,buttheycannotbereceivedasareliablefoundationuponwhichtoerectasystemofevidence.Veryabsurdattemptshavebeenoftenmadetodemonstratethemoralornon–moralcharacterofanyprinciple,bymeansofgeneralformulariesrepresentingpartialtruthsimperfectlystated,andbymeansofother—eitherfalse,senseless,orirrelevant—àprioriconsiderations.

8.Intowhatclassesarethespontaneousaffectionsofthesoultobedistributed,andwhatarethedistinguishingcharacteristicsofeachclass?

Thespontaneousdesiresandaffectionsofthesoulareoftwodistinctbiases.1st.Theanimal,orthosewhichariseblindlywithoutintelligence,e.g.,theappetitesandinstinctiveaffections,thesehavenointrinsicmoralqualityinthemselves,andbecometheoccasionofmoralactiononlywhentheyarerestrainedorinordinatelyindulged.2nd.Therationalaffectionsanddesirescalledoutbyobjectsapprehendedbytheintellect.

9.Whatrationalspontaneousaffectionspossessamoralquality,andinwhatdoesthatqualityinherentlyattach?

Suchrationalspontaneousaffectionsareintrinsicallyandessentiallyeithergoodorbadormorallyindifferent,andtheirqualityisdiscriminatedbythequalityoftheobjectsbywhichtheyareattracted.

Theyaregoodwhentheirobjectsaregood,evilwhentheirobjectsareevil,andmorallyindifferentwhentheirobjectsareindifferent.Theirmoralquality,whateveritbe,isintrinsictothem.Whentheyaregood,allmenconsiderthemworthyofapprobation,andwhentheyareevil,allmenconsiderthemworthyofcondemnationandrighteousindignation,becauseoftheiressentialnatureasgoodorasevil,andwithoutanyconsiderationoftheirorigins.Whengoodthesespontaneousaffectionsdeterminethevolitionstogood,whentheyareeviltheydeterminethevolitionstoevil.

10.Towhatdoweapplythedesignation"permanentprinciples,ordispositions"ofsoul?andwhendotheypossessageneralcharacter,andwhatisthesourceofthatcharacter?

Thereareinthesoul,underlyingitspassingstatesandaffections,certainpermanenthabitsordispositionsinvolvingatendencytoorfacilityforcertainkindsofexercises.Someofthesehabitsordispositionsareinnateandsomeareacquired.Theseconstitutethecharacteroftheman,andlaythefoundationforallhissuccessiveexercisesoffeeling,affection,desire,volition,oraction.Asfarasthesearemorallygood,themanandhisactionaregood;asfarastheseareevil,themanandhisactionareevil;asfarasthesearemorallyindifferent,i.e.,concernobjectsmorallyindifferent,theactionswhichspringfromthemaremorallyindifferent.Themoralcharacteroftheseinherentmoraltendenciesofthesoulisintrinsicandessential.Theyaretheultimatetendenciesofthesoulitself,andtheirgoodnessorbadnessisanultimatefactofconsciousness.

11.Showthatthestateandactionoftheintellectmaypossessamoralcharacter.

Theintellectissoimplicatedinitsexerciseswiththemoralaffectionsandemotions,thatitsviewsandjudgmentsonallmoralsubjectshaveamoralcharacteralso.Amanishenceresponsibleforhis

moraljudgments—andhenceforhisbeliefsaswellasforhismoralfeelings,becausetheoneisasimmediatelyastheotherdeterminedbythegeneralmoralstateorcharacterofthesoul.Amanwhoisblindtomoralexcellence,ortothedeformityofsin,iscondemnedbyeveryenlightenedconscience.TheScripturespronounceawoeuponthose"whocallevilgoodandgoodevil,whoputlightfordarknessanddarknessforlight."—Isaiah5:20.SiniscalledinScripture"blindness,"and"folly."—1John2:11;Ephesians4:18;Revelation3:17;Matthew23:17;Luke24:25.

12.Whataretheessentialconditionsofmoralresponsibility?

Tobemorallyresponsibleamanmustbeafree,rational,moralagent(seeanswertoprecedingquestion).

1st.Hemustbeinpresentpossessionofhisreasontodistinguishtruthfromfalsehood.2nd.Hemustalsohaveinexerciseamoralsensetodistinguishrightfromwrong.3rd.Hiswill,initsvolitionsorexecutiveacts,mustbeself–decided,i.e.,determinedbyitsownspontaneousaffectionsanddesires.Ifanyofthesearewanting,themanisinsane,andneitherfreenorresponsible.

13.Istheconscienceindestructibleandinfallible?

Theconscience,theorganofGod’slawinthesoul,mayvirtually,i.e.,astoitseffectsandphenomena,bebothrenderedlatentandpervertedforatime,andinthisphenomenalsense,therefore,itisneitherindestructiblenorinfallible.Butifthemoralsenseberegardedsimplyinitselfitisinfallible,andifthetotalhistoryofeventheworstmanistakenintotheaccount,conscienceistrulyindestructible.

1st.Astoitsindestructibility.Conscience,likeeveryotherfacultyofthesoul,isundevelopedintheinfant,andveryimperfectlydevelopedinthesavage;and,moreover,afteralonghabitofinattentiontoitsvoiceandviolationofitslaw,theindividualsinnerisoftenjudiciallygivenuptocarnalindifference;hisconscienceforatimelyinglatent.Yetitiscertainthatitisneverdestroyed—(1)Fromthefactthatitisoften

arousedtothemostfearfulenergyintheheartsoflong–hardenedreprobatesintheagoniesofremorse.(2)Fromthefactthatthisremorseoraccusingconscienceconstitutestheessentialtormentoflostsoulsanddevils.Thisis"thewormthatneverdieth."Otherwisetheirpunishmentwouldloseitsmoralcharacter.

2nd.Astoitsinfallibility.Conscience,intheactofjudgingofmoralstatesoractions,involvestheconcurrentactionoftheunderstandingandthemoralsense.Thisunderstandingisalwaysfallible,especiallywhenitisprejudicedinitsactionbydepravedaffectionsandesires.Thus,infact,conscienceconstantlydeliversfalsedecisionsfromamisjudgmentofthefactsandrelationsofthecase;itmaybethroughaselfishorsensualoramalignantbias.Hencewehavevirtuallyadeceivingaswellasalatentconscience.Notwithstandingthis,however,thenormalsenseofthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong,asaneternallawtoitself,liesindestructibleeveninthemostdepravedbreasts,asitcannotbedestroyed,soitcannotbechanged;whenarousedtoaction,andwhennotdeceivedastothetruestateofthecase,itslanguageiseternallythesame.—SeeM’Cosh,"DivineGovernment,"Book3.,chapter2.,section6,andDr.A.Alexander,"MoralScience,"chapters4.and5.

14.Whatistheessentialnatureofvirtue?

"Virtueisapeculiarqualityof"certainstatesofthewill,i.e.,eitherpermanentdispositionsortemporaryaffectionsofthewill,and"ofcertainvoluntaryactionsofamoralagent.,whichqualityisperceivedbythemoralfacultywithwhicheverymanisendowed,andtheperceptionofwhichisaccompaniedbyanemotionwhichisdistinctfromallotheremotions,andiscalledmoral."—Dr.Alexander,"MoralScience,"ch.26.

Theessenceofvirtueis,thatitobligesthewill.Ifathingismorallyrightitoughttobedone.Theessenceofmoralevilis,thatitintrinsicallydeservesdisapprobation,andtheagentpunishment.

Thispointisofgreatimportance,becausethetruthhereisoftenpervertedbyafalsephilosophy,andbecausethisrewardsviewofmoralgoodistheonlyoneconsistentwiththeScripturaldoctrineofsins,rewards,andpunishments,and,aboveall,ofChrist’satonement.

Theideaofvirtueisasimpleandultimateintuition;attemptedanalysisdestroysit.Rightisrightbecauseitis.Itisitsownhighestreason.IthasitsnormintheimmutablenatureofGod.

15.Whatconstitutesavirtuousandwhataviciouscharacter?

Virtue,asdefinedintheanswertothelastquestion,attachesonlytothewillofman(includingalltheconativefaculties),1st.,toitspermanentdisposition;2nd.,toitstemporaryaffections;and3rd.,toitsvolitions.Someofthesestatesandactionsofthewillarenotmoral,i.e.,theyareneitherapprovednorcondemnedbytheconscienceasvirtuousorvicious.Butvirtueorvicebelongonlytomoralstatesofthesoul,andtovoluntaryacts.Avirtuouscharacter,therefore,isoneinwhichthepermanentdispositions,thetemporaryaffectionsanddesires,andthevolitionsofthesoul,areconformabletothedivinelaw.

Aviciouscharacter,ontheotherhand,isoneinwhichthesestatesandactsofthewillarenotconformabletothedivinelaw.

Theactsofvolitionarevirtuousorviciousastheaffections,ordesiresbywhichtheyaredeterminedaretheoneortheother.Theaffectionsanddesiresareasthepermanentdispositionsorthecharacter.Thislastisthenatureofthewillitself,anditscharacterisanultimateunresolvablefact.Whetherthatcharacterbeinnateoracquiredbyhabit,thefactofitsmoralqualityasvirtuousorviciousremainsthesame,andtheconsequentmoralaccountabilityoftheagentforhischaracterisunchanged.

Itmustberememberedthatthemerepossessionofaconsciencewhichapprovestherightandcondemnsthewrong,andwhichisaccompaniedwithmoreorlesslivelyemotion,painfulorpleasurableasitcondemnsorapproves,doesnotmakeacharactervirtuous,orelsethedevilsandlostsoulswouldbeeminentlyvirtuous.Butthevirtuousmanishewhoseheartandactions,inbiblicallanguage,orwhosedispositions,affections,andvolitions,inphilosophicallanguage,areconformedtothelawofGod.

16.StatebothbranchesoftheUtilitariantheoryofvirtue.

Thefirstandlowestformisthatwhichmaintainsthatvirtueconsistsintheintelligentdesireforhappiness.Dr.N.W.Taylorsays—"Nothingisgoodbuthappinessandthemeansofhappiness,andnothingevilbutmiseryandthemeansofmisery."

ThesecondandhigherformoftheUtilitariantheoryofvirtueisthatitconsistsindisinterestedbenevolence,andthatallsinisaformofselfishness.Thisisshown,Chapters8.,12.,and18.,tobeadefectiveandthereforeafalseview.

17.Whataswemeanwhenwesaythatamanisafreeagent?

1st.That,beingaspirit,heoriginatesaction.Matteractsonlyasitisactedupon.Amanactsfromthespringofhisownactivepower.

2nd.That,althoughamanmaybeforcedbyfeartowillandtodomanythingswhichhewouldneitherwillnordoifitwerenotforthefear,yethenevercanbemadetowillwhathedoesnothimselfdesiretowill,infullviewofallthecircumstancesofthecase.

3rd.Thatheisfurnishedwithareasontodistinguishbetweenthetrueandthefalse,andwithaconscience,theorganofaninnatemorallaw,todistinguishbetweenrightandwrong,inorderthathisdesiresmaybebothrationalandrighteous.Andyethisdesiresarenotnecessarilyeitherrationalorrighteous,butareformedunderthelightofreasonandconscience,eitherconformabletoorcontrarytothem,accordingtothepermanent,habitualdispositionsoftheman;i.e.,accordingtohisowncharacter.

18.Showthatthisattributeofhumannatureisinalienable.

Amanissaidtobefreeinwillingwhenhewillsinconformitywithhisownprevailingdispositionsanddesiresatthetime.Aman’s

judgmentmaybedeceived,orhisactionsmaybecoerced,buthiswillmustbefree,because,ifitbetrulyhiswill,itmustbeashedesiresittobe,inhispresentstateofmindandunderallthecircumstancesofthecaseatthetime.

Ithencefollowsthatvolitionisofitsveryessencefree,whethertheagentwillingortheactwilledbewiseorfoolish,goodorbad.

19.DonottheScriptures,however,speakofman’sbeingunderthebondageofcorruption,andhislibertyaslost?

Asaboveshown,amanisalwaysfreeineveryresponsiblevolition,asmuchwhenhechooses,inviolationofthelawofGodandconscience,asinconformitytoit.Inthecaseofunfallencreatures,andofperfectlysanctifiedmen,however,thepermanentstateofthewill,thevoluntaryaffectionsanddesires(inScripturelanguage,theheart),areconformedtothelightofreasonandthelaw,ofconsciencewithin,andtothelawofGod,initsobjectiverevelation.Therearenoconflictingprinciplesthenwithinthesoul,andthelawofGod,insteadofcoercingthewillbyitscommandsandthreatenings,isspontaneouslyobeyed.Thisis"thelibertyofthesonsofGod;"andthelawbecomesthe"royallawofliberty"whenthelawintheheartofthesubjectperfectlycorrespondswiththelawofthemoralGovernor.

Inthecaseoffallenmenandangels,ontheotherhand,thereasonandconscience,andGod’slaw,areopposedbythegoverningdispositionsofthewill,andtheagent,althoughfree,becausehewillsashechooses,issaidtobeinbondagetoanevilnature,and"theservantofsin,"becauseheisimpelledbyhiscorruptdispositionstochoosethatwhichheseesandfeelstobewrongandinjurious,andbecausethethreateningsofGod’slawtendtocoercehiswillthroughfear.

TheScripturesdonotteachthattheunregenerateisnotfreeinhissin,forthenhewouldnotberesponsible.ButthecontrastbetweenthelibertyoftheregenerateandthebondageoftheunregeneratearisesfromthefactthatintheregeneratethehabituallycontrollingdesiresandtendenciesarenotinconflictwiththevoiceofconscienceandthelawofGod.Theunregenerate,viewedpsychologically,isfreewhenhesins,

becausehewillsasuponthewholehedesires;butviewedtheologically,inhisrelationtoGod’slawasenforcedbyreasonandconscienceandScripture,hemaybesaidtobeinbondagetotheevildispositionsanddesiresofhisownheart,whichheseestobebothwrongandfoolish,butwhich,nevertheless,heisimpotenttochange.

20.Whatisthedistinctionbetweenlibertyandability?

Libertyconsistsinthepoweroftheagenttowillhepleases,fromthefactthatthevolitionisdeterminedonlybythecharacteroftheagentwilling.Abilityconsistsinthepoweroftheagenttochangehisownsubjectivestate,tomakehimselfpreferwhathedoesnotprefer,andtoactinagivencaseinoppositiontothecoexistentdesiresandpreferencesoftheagent’sownheart.

Thusmanisastrulyfreesincethefallasbeforeit,becausehewillsashisevilheartpleases.ButhehaslostallabilitytoobeythelawofGod,becausehisevilheartisnotsubjecttothatlaw,neithercanhechangeit.

21.GiveTurretin’sandPresidentEdwards’definitionsofLiberty.

Turretin,50.10,Ques.1.—"Asonlythreethingsarefoundinthesoulbesidesitsessence,namely,faculties,habits(habitus),acts,sowill,(arbitrium)inthecommonopinionisregardedasanactofthemind;buthereitproperlysignifiesneitheranactnorahabitwhichmaybeseparatedfromanindividualman,andwhichalsodetermineshimtooneatleastoftwocontraries;butitsignifiesafaculty,notonewhichisvegetativenorsensuous,commontousandthebrutes,inwhichtherecanbenoplaceforeithervirtueorvice,butarationalfaculty,thepossessionofwhichdoesnotindeedconstituteuseithergoodorbad,butthroughthestatesofwhichandactions,wearecapableofbecomingeithergoodorbad."

Ques.3.—"Since,therefore,theessentialnatureoflibertydoesnotconsistinindifference,itcannotbefoundinanyotherprinciplethanin(lubentiarationali)arationalwillingnessordesire,wherebyaman

doeswhatheprefersorchoosesfromapreviousjudgmentofthereason(facitquodlubetproeviorationisjudicio).Hencetwoelementsunitedarenecessarytoconstitutethisliberty.(1.)τὸπροαιρετικὸν(thepurpose),sothatwhatisdoneisnotdeterminedbyablind,andcertainbrutishimpulse,butἐκπροαιρέσεως,andfromapreviousilluminationbythereason,andfromapracticaljudgmentoftheintellect.(2.)τὸἐκούσιον(thespontaneous),sothatwhatisdoneisdeterminedspontaneouslyandfreelyandwithoutcoaction."

PresidentEdwards"OntheWill,"Section5,definesLibertyasbeing"thepower,opportunity,oradvantage,thatanyonehastodoashepleases."

22.Whatarethetwosensesinwhichthewordmotive,asinfluencingthewill.,isused?andinwhichsenseisittruethatthevolitionisalwaysasthestrongestmotive?

1st.Amotivetoactmaybesomethingoutsidethesoulitself,asthevalueofmoney,thewishesofafriend,thewisdomorfolly,therightorthewrong,ofanyactinitselfconsidered,ortheappetitesandimpulsesofthebody.Inthissenseitisevidentthatthemandoesnotalwaysactaccordingtothemotive.

Whatmayattractonemanmayrepelanother,oramanmayrepeltheattractionofanoutwardmotivebythesuperiorforceofsomeconsiderationdrawnfromwithinthesoulitself.sothatthedictumistrue,"Themanmakesthemotive,andnotthemotivetheman."

2nd.Amotivetoactmaybethestateoftheman’sownmind,asdesireoraversioninviewoftheoutwardobject,ormotiveinthefirstsense.Thisinternalmotiveevidentlymustswaythevolition,andasclearlyitcannotintheleastinterferewiththeperfectfreedomofthemaninwilling,sincetheinternalmotiveisonlythemanhimselfdesiring,orthereverse,accordingtohisowndispositionorcharacter.

23.Maytherenotbeseveralconflictingdesires,orinternalmotives,inthemindatthesametime,andinsuchacasehowisthewilldecided?

Thereareoftenseveralconflictingdesires,orimpellingaffectionsinthemindatthesametime,inwhichcasethestrongestdesire,orthestrongestgroupofdesires,drawinginoneway,determinethevolition.

Thatwhichisstrongestprovesitself.tobesuchonlybytheresult,andnotbytheintensityofthefeelingitexcites.Someoftheseinternalmotivesareveryvivid,likeathirstforvengeance,andotherscalm,asasenseofduty,yetoftenthecalmmotiveprovesitselfthestrangest,anddrawsthewillitsownway.This,ofcourse,mustdependuponthecharacteroftheagent.ItisthisinwardcontestofoppositeprincipleswhichconstitutesthewarfareoftheChristianlife.Itisthesameexperiencewhichoccasionsagreatpartofthatconfusionofconsciousnesswhichprevailsamongmenwithrespecttotheproblemofthewillandtheconditionsoffreeagency.Manoftenactsagainstmotives,butneverwithoutmotive.Andthemotivewhichactuallydeterminesthechoiceinagivencasemayoftenbetheleastclearlydefinedintheintellect,andtheleastvividlyexperiencedinthefeelings.Especiallyinsuddensurprises,andincasesoftrivialconcernment,thevolitionisconstantlydeterminedbyvagueimpulses,orbyforceofhabitalmostautomatically.Yetineverycase,ifthewholecontentsofthemind,atthetimeofthevolition,bebroughtupintodistinctconsciousness,itwillbefoundthatthemanchose,asuponthewholeviewofthecasepresentedbytheunderstandingattheinstanthedesiredtochoose.

24.Iftheimmediatelyprecedingstateoftheman’smindcertainlydeterminestheactofhiswill,howcanthatactbetrulyfreeifcertainlydetermined?

Thisobjectionrestssolelyupontheconfusionofthetwodistinctideasoflibertyofthewillasanabstractfaculty,andlibertyofthemanwhowills.Themanisneverdeterminedtowill,byanythingwithouthimself.Healwayshimselffreelygives,accordingtohisowncharacter,alltheweighttotheexternalinfluenceswhichbearuponhimthattheyeverpossess.But,ontheotherhand,themereactofvolition,abstractlyconsidered,isdeterminedbythepresentmental,moral,andemotionalstateofthemanatthemomentheacts.Hisrationalfreedom,indeed,consists,notintheuncertaintyofhisact,butintheveryfactthathis

wholesoul,asanindivisible,knowing,feeling,moralagent,determineshisownactionasitpleases.

25.Provethatthecertaintyofavolitionisinnodegreeinconsistentwiththelibertyoftheagentinthatact.

1st.God,Christ,andsaintsinglory,arealleminentlyfreeintheirholychoicesandactions,yetnothingcanbemorecertainthanthat,toalleternity,theyshallalwayswillaccordingtorighteousness.

2nd.Manisafreeagent,yetofeveryinfant,fromhisbirth,itisabsolutelycertainthatifheliveshewillsin.

3rd.God,frometernity,foreknowsallthefreeactionsofmenascertain,andhehasforeordainedthem,ormadethemtobecertain.Inprophecyhehasinfalliblyforetoldmanyofthemascertain.Andinregenerationhispeoplearemade"hisworkmanshipcreateduntogoodworks,whichGodhasbeforeordainedthatweshouldwalkinthem."

4th.Evenwe,ifwethoroughlyunderstandafriend’scharacter,andallthepresentcircumstancesunderwhichheacts,areoftenabsolutelycertainhowhewillfreelyact,thoughabsentfromus.Thisisthefoundationofallhumanfaith,andhenceofallhumansociety.

26.Whatisthattheoryofmoralliberty,styled"LibertyofIndifference,""Self–determiningPoweroftheWill,""PowerofContraryChoice,""LibertyofContingency,"etc.,heldbyArminiansandothers?

Thistheorymaintainsthatitisessentiallyinvolvedintheideaoffreeagency—1st.Thatthewillofmanineveryvolitionmaydecideinopposition,notonlytoalloutwardinducements,butequallytoalltheinwardjudgments,desires,andtothewholecoexistentinwardstateofthemanhimself.2nd.Thatmanisconsciousineveryfreevolition,thathemighthavewilledpreciselytheopposite,hisoutwardcircumstancesandhisentireinwardstateremainingthesame.3rd.Thateveryfreevolitioniscontingent,i.e.,uncertain,untiltheevent,sinceitisdeterminedbynothingbutthebarefacultyofvolitiononthepartofthe

agent.—Hamilton’s"Reid,"pp.599–624.

Thetruetheoryofmoralcertainty,ontheotherhand,isthatthesoulisaunit;thatthewillisnotself–determined,butthatman,whenhewills,isself–determined;andthathisvolitioniscertainlydeterminedbyhisowninternal,rational,moral,emotionalstateatthetime,viewedasawhole.

Inoppositiontotheformertheory,andinfavorofthelatter,weargue—1st.Thatthecharacteroftheagentdoescertainlydeterminethecharacterofhisfreeacts,andthatthecertaintyofanactisnotinconsistentwiththelibertyoftheagentinhisact.—Seeabove,Question12.

2nd.TheChristiandoctrinesofdivineforeknowledge,foreordination,providence,andregeneration.Forthescripturalevidenceofthese,seetheirrespectivechapters.Theyallshowthatthevolitionsofmenareneitheruncertainnorindeterminate.

3rd.Weagreewiththeadvocatesoftheoppositetheoryinmaintainingthatineveryfreeactweareconsciousthatwehadpowertoperformit,ornottoperformit,aswechose."Butwemaintainthatwearenonethelessconsciousthatthisintimateconvictionthatwehadpowernottoperformanactisconditional.Thatis,weareconsciousthattheactmighthavebeenotherwise,hadotherviewsorfeelingsbeenpresenttoourminds,orbeenallowedtheirdueweight.Amancannotpreferagainsthispreference,orchooseagainsthischoice.Amanmayhaveonepreferenceatonetime,andanotheratanother.Hemayhavevariousconflictingfeelingsorprinciplesinactionatthesametime,buthecannothavecoexistingoppositepreferences."

4th.Thetheoryoftheself–determiningpowerofthewill,regardsthewill,orthemerefacultyofvolition,asisolatedfromtheotherfacultiesofthesoul,asanindependentagentwithinanagent.Now,thesoulisaunit.ConsciousnessandScripturealiketeachusthatthemanisthefree,responsibleagent.

Bythisdissociationofthevolitionalfacultyfromthemoral

dispositionsanddesires,thevolitionscanhavenomoralcharacter.Byitsdissociationfromthereason,thevolitionscanhavenorationalcharacter.

Iftheyarenotdeterminedbytheinwardstateofthemanhimself;theymustbefortuitous,andbeyondhiscontrol.Hecannotbefreeifhiswillisindependentalikeofhisheadandhisheart,andheoughtnottobeheldresponsible.—See"Bib.Rep.,"January,1857,ArticleV.

27.Whatisamanresponsibleforhisoutwardactions,whyforhisvolitions;whyforhisaffectionsanddesires;andprovethatheisresponsibleforhisaffections?

"Amanisresponsibleforhisoutwardacts,becausetheyaredeterminedbythewill,heisresponsibleforhisvolitions,becausetheyaredeterminedbyhisownprinciplesandfeelings(desires);heisresponsibleforhisprinciplesandfeelings,becauseoftheirinherentnatureasgoodorbad,andbecausetheyarehisownandconstitutehischaracter."—"Bib.Rep.,"January.1857,g.,130.

ItistheteachingofScriptureandtheuniversaljudgmentofmen,that"agoodmanoutofthegoodtreasuresofhisheartbringethforththatwhichisgood,"andthata"wickedmanoutoftheeviltreasuresofhisheartbringethforththatwhichisevil."Theactderivesitsmoralcharacterfromthestateoftheheartfromwhichitsprings,andamanisresponsibleforthemoralstateofhisheart,whetherthatstatebeinnate,formedbyregeneratinggrace,oracquiredbyhimself,because—1st.Oftheobligingnatureofmoralright,andtheill–desertofsin;2nd.Becauseaman’saffectionsanddesiresarehimselflovingorrefusingthatwhichisright.Itisthejudgmentofall,thataprofaneormalignantmanistobereprobated,nomatterhowhebecameso.

28.HowdoesDr.D.D.WhedonstateandcontrastthepositionofArminianandCalvinisticphilosophy?

Dr.Whedon,inthe"BibliothecaSacra,"April,1862,says,"Tothismaxim,thatitisnomatterhowwecomebyourevilvolitions,dispositions,ornatureinordertoresponsibility,providedthatwereallypossessthem,we(theMethodists)opposethecountermaximthatin

ordertoresponsibilityforthegivenactorstate,powerintheagentforacontraryactorstateisrequisite.Inotherwordspowerunderliesresponsibility."Theonlylimitwhichheadmitstothisprincipleisthecaseofaninabilityinducedbythefreeactoftheagenthimself.This,hesays,isafundamentalmaximbywhichalltheissuesbetweenArminianismandCalvinismaredetermined.

29.ShowthattheArminianviewtoconsequencesinconsistentwiththegospel,andthattheCalvinisticviewistrue.

Dr.WhedonadmitsthatAdamafterhisfalllostallabilitytoobeythelawofGod,andwasresponsibleforthatinabilityandallitsconsequences,because,havingbeencreatedwithfullability,helostitbyhisownfreeact.HealsoadmitsthateverychildofAdamisbornintotheworldwithacorruptnature,andwithoutanyabilitytoobeythelawofGod.Butnoinfantisresponsiblenorpunishableforthiswantofabilitynorforanysinfulactionwhichresultsfromit,becauseitwasentaileduponhim,withoutanyfaultofhisownbythesinofanother.Inthewayofjustcompensation,however,forthistheirgreatmisfortuneofbeinginnocentsinners,GodgivestoallmeninChristsufficientgrace,andhencegraciousabilitytoobeythegospellaw.Ifamanusesthisgraciousabilityheissaved,andfaithandevangelicalobedienceisaccountedforperfectrighteousness;ifhedoesnotusethisgraciousabilityheiscondemnedasresponsibleforthatabuseofability,andconsequentlyresponsibleforallthesinfulfeelings,actions,andsubsequentinabilitywhichresultfromthatabuseofpower.

WearguethatitfollowsfromthisArminianview—1st.ThatsalvationbyChristisnotoffreegrace,butatardyandincompletecompensationgrantedmenforundeservedevilsbroughtuponthemattheirbirthinconsequenceofAdam’ssin.2nd.The"grace"giventoallmenisasnecessarytorenderthempunishablesinners,asitistosavetheirsoul.Infact,accordingtothisprinciple,gracesendsmoresoulstohellbymakingthemresponsiblethroughthepossessionofability,thanitsendstoheaventhroughfaithinChrist.3rd.Thosewhodieininfancy,notbeingpunishable,becausenotresponsible,fororiginalsin,gotoheavenasamatterofnaturalright.

Onthecontrarywemaintainthattheresponsibilityofamanforhismoraldispositions,affections,anddesires,nomatterhowtheymayhaveoriginated,ifhebeasaneman,isanultimatefactofconsciousness,confirmedbyScripture,conscience,andtheuniversaljudgmentsofmen.Anactderivesitsmoralcharacterfromthestateoftheheartfromwhichitsprings,butthestateoftheheartdoesnotacquireitsmoralcharacterfromtheaction.Butthemoralqualityofthestateoftheheartitselfisinherent,andmoralresponsibilityisinseparablefrommoralquality.

Thisisso—1st.Becauseoftheessentialnatureofrightandwrong.Theessenceofrightisthatitoughttobe—thatitobligesthewill.Theessenceofwrong,isthatitoughtnottobe—thatthewillisunderobligationtothecontrary.2nd.Becauseaman’smoralaffectionsordesiresarenothingotherthanthemanhimselflovingorabhorringgoodness.Itisthejudgmentofallmenthataprofaneandmalignantmanistobereprobatednomatterhowhebecameso.Itisthecharacter,nottheorigin,ofthemoraldispositionoftheheartwhichistherealquestion.Christsays,"Agoodmanoutofthegoodtreasureofhisheartbringethforththatwhichisgood,andawickedmanoutoftheeviltreasureofhisheartbringethforththatwhichisevil."—Luke6:45

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Chapter16:CreationandOriginalStateofMan

1.StatetheevidencethehumanracewasoriginatedbyimmediatecreationbyGod.

1st.ThisisexplicitlytaughtintheBible.—Genesis1:26,27;2:7.

2nd.Itisimpliedbytheimmeasurablegulfwhichseparatesmaninhislowestsavageconditionfromtheverynearestorderofthelowercreation;indicatinganamazingsuperiorityinrespecttoqualitiesinwhichthetwoarecomparable,andanabsolutedifferenceofkindinrespecttoman’sintellectual,moral,andreligiousnature,andcapacityfor

indefiniteprogress.EvenProf.Huxley,whorashlymaintainsanextremepositionwithregardtotheanatomicalrelationsofmantotheinferioranimals,admitsthatwhenman’shighernatureistakenintotheaccountthereexistsbetweenhimandthenearestbeast"anenormousgulf,adivergenceimmeasurableandpracticallyinfinite."—"PrimevalMan,"bytheDukeofArgyle.

3rd.ItisimpliedbythefactrevealedintheScripturesandrealizedinhistory,thatmanwasdestinedtoexerciseuniversaldominionoverallothercreaturesandoverthesystemofnature.Thereforehecouldnotbeamereproductofnature.Oneofaseriesofcoordinatebeings.

4th.Itisimpliedbythefactthatmenarecalled"sonsofGod,"andinthewholeschemeofProvidenceandRedemptionaretreatedassuch.Itisuniversallytestifiedtobyman’smoralandreligiousnature,allthemorestronglythemoretheseelementsofhisnatureareenlightenedanddeveloped.AndthefactispreeminentlysignalizedbytheassumptionofournatureintopersonalunionwiththeGodhead.

Itisobviousthatastheintellectual,moral,religious,andsocialnaturesandhabitsofmenaretransmittedbynaturaldescentjustasmuchastheiranatomicalstructure,itisnotonlyarbitrarybutabsurdtoleaveoutofviewtheonesetofelements,whileretainingtheother,inanyscientificinvestigationofthequestionofhisorigin,orofhisplaceandrelationsintheorderofnature.

2.Givethepresentstateofthequestionastotheantiquityofthehumanrace.

1st.TheScripturesandtheentirebodyoftheresultsofmodernscienceagreeinteachingthatmancameintobeingonthisearththelastofallitsorganizedinhabitants.Therehasbeennonewspeciesintroducedsincetheadventofman.

2nd.Fromtheprimafacie(firstfounded)indicationsaffordedintheincompletehistoricalandgenealogicalrecordsofthepre–AbrahamicperiodfoundinthefirstchaptersofGenesis,thegenerallyreceivedsystemsofbiblicalchronologyhavebeenconstructed.The

shortersystem,constructedbyUsherfromtheHebrewText,fixesthedateofthecreationofmanabout4,000yearsbeforethebirthofChrist,orabout6,000yearsago.Thelongersystem,constructedbyHalesandothersfromtheSeptuagintandJosephus,makesthedateofthecreationofmanabout5,500yearsbeforeChrist,orabout7,500yearsago.

Ofthesebiblicalsystemsofchronology,Prof.W.H.Green,D.D.,ofPrinceton,says,("PentateuchVindicated,"n.p.,128)–"Itmustnotbeforgottenthatthereisanelementofuncertaintyinacomputationoftimewhichrestsupongenealogiesasthesacredchronologysolargelydoes.Whoistocertifyusthattheantediluvianandante–Abrahamicgenealogieshavenotbeencondensedinthesamemannerasthepost–Abrahamic.IfMatthewomittednamesfromtheancestryofourLordinordertoequalizethethreegreatperiodsoverwhichhepasses,maynotMoseshavedonethesameinordertobringoutsevengenerationsfromAdamtoEnoch,andtenfromAdamtoNoah?Ourcurrentchronologyisbasedupontheprimafacieimpressionofthesegenealogies.Thisweshalladheretountilweshallseegoodreasonforgivingitup.Butiftheserecentlydiscoveredindicationsoftheantiquityofman,overwhichscientificcirclesarenowsoexcited,stall,whencarefullyinspectedandthoroughlyweighed,demonstrateallthatanyhaveimaginedtheymightdemonstrate,whatthen?Theywillsimplyshowthatthepopularchronologyisbaseduponawrong,interpretation,andthataselectandpartialregisterofante–Abrahamicnameshasbeenmistakenfaracompleteone."

3rd.ModernresearchhasdevelopedavastandconstantlyincreasingamountofevidencethatthehumanracehasexistedupontheearthmanycenturieslongerthanisallowedforevenbythechronologyoftheSeptuagint.Theprincipalclassesofevidenceuponthispointareasfollows.

(1)EtymologicalPictures,showingthatallthedivergentpeculiaritiesoftheCaucasianandAfricantypeswerefullydevelopedastheynowexist,nineteenhundredyearsbeforeChrist,arefoundontheEgyptianMonuments.Inallhistorictimenochangesofclimateorhabithaveproducedappreciablechangesinanyvarietyoftherace,therefore,wemustconcludethatmanycenturiesaswellasgreatchangeswere

requisitetomakesuchgreatpermanentvariationsinthedescendantsofthesamepair.TheDukeofArgylewellsays,"AndpreciselyinproportionaswevalueourbeliefintheUnityoftheHumanRaceoughtwetobereadyandwillingtoacceptanyevidenceonthequestionofman’sAntiquity.Theolderthehumanfamilycanbeprovedtobe,themorepossibleandprobableitisthatithasdescendedfromasinglepair."—"PrimevalMan,"p.128.

(2)Thescienceoflanguage,whichprovesthatinveryremoteagesallthenationswhichspeakcognatelanguagesmusthavelivedtogether,speakingthesamelanguageandbranchingfromacommonstock.

Andthatunknownagesmusthavebeenconsumedinthedevelopmentofsomanyandsovariousdialects.

(3)ThescienceofGeology.Theremainsofhumanbodiesandofhumanworksofarthavebeenfoundembeddedinalluvialdepositsingravelpits,andincavesatsuchdepthandinsuchassociationwiththeremainsofextinctspeciesofanimalsastoproveconclusivelythatsincemanexistedontheearthwholegroupsofgreatquadrupedshavebecometotallyextinct;theclimateoftheNorthernTemperateZonehasbeenrevolutionized,andveryradicalchangeshavebeenwroughtinthephysicalGeographyofthecountrieswhichhavebeenexamined.

3.HowcantheUnityoftheHumanRaceasdescendedfromasinglepairbeproved?

Agassizistheonlynaturalistofthehighestrankwhoteachesthatallspeciesandvarietiesoforganizedbeingsmusthavehadanindependentorigin,andbeenpropagatedfromdifferentparents.Heholdsconsequentlythatmankindisagenus,originallycreatedinseveralspecificvarieties.ThesameviewisablyadvocatedinarecentworkwhichhasattractedattentioninEngland,viz.,"TheGenesisoftheEarthandofMan."

Thatman,althoughgenericallydifferentfromallothercreatures,isneverthelessonesinglespeciesisproved—

1st.FromScripture.—Acts17:26;Romans5:12;lCorinthians15:21,22.

2nd.BecausetheabsoluteunityoftheracebydescentfromonepairisessentiallyimpliedinthepropagationbyimputationandbydescentofguiltandcorruptionfromAdam,andoftherepresentativeHeadshipandvicariousobedienceandsufferingofJesusChrist.

3rd.Thehighermoralandreligiousnaturesofallvarietiesofmankindarespecificallyidentical.

4th.Thesameisgenerallyindicatedbyhistoryandthescienceofcomparativephilology.

5th.Greaterdifferenceshavebeengeneratedintheprocessesofdomesticationbetweendifferentbranchesofthesamespeciesofloweranimals,asamongpigeonsordogsforinstance,thanexistsbetweenthedifferentvarietiesofmankind.

6th.Itisafactuniversallyadmittedbynaturalists,thattheunionofdifferentspeciesareneverfreelyfertile,andthattheoffspringofsuchunionareseldomifeverfertile.Butallthevarietiesofmankindfreelyintermix,andtheoffspringofallsuchunionspropagatethemselvesindefinitelywithperfectfacility.

4.ShowthattheScripturesteachthathumannatureiscomposedoftwoandonlytwodistinctsubstances.

TheScripturesteachthatmaniscomposedoftwoelements, רָׂשָּב ,σῶμα,corpus,body,and ַחּור ,πνεῦμα,ψυχή,πνοὴ,ζωή,animus,soul,spirit.Thisisclearlyrevealed—

1st.Intheaccountofcreation.—Genesis2:7.Thebodywasformedoftheearth,andthenGodbreathedintomanthebreathoflifeandhebecamethenceforthalivingsoul.

2nd.Intheaccountgivenofdeath,Ecclesiastes12:7,andofthestateofsoulimmediatelyafterdeath,whilethebodiesaredecayingintheground.—2Corinthians5:1–8;Philippians1:23,24;Acts7:59.

3rd.InallthecurrentlanguageofScripturethesetwoelementsarealwaysassumed,andnoneotherarementioned.

5.Statetheviewofthosewhomaintainthatournatureembracesthreedistinctelements,anditssupposedBiblicalbasis.

Pythagoras,andafterhimPlato,andsubsequentlythemassofGreekandRomanphilosophers,maintainedthatmanconsistsofthreeconstituentelements:therationalspirit,νοῦς,πνεῦμα,mens;theanimalsoul,ψυχή,anima;thebody,σῶμα,corpus..HencethisusageofthewordsbecamestampedupontheGreekpopularspeech.Andconsequentlytheapostleusesallthreewhenintendingtoexpressexhaustivelyinpopularlanguagethetotalityofmanandhisbelongings."IprayGodthatyourwholespirit,soul,andbodybepreservedblameless."1Thessalonians5:23;Hebrews4:12;1Corinthians15:44.Hencesometheologiansconcludethatitisadoctrinegivenbydivineinspirationthathumannatureisconstitutedofthreedistinctelements.

6.RefutethispositionandshowthatthewordsψυχήandπνεῦμαareusedintheNewTestamentinterchangeably

Theusemadeofthesetermsbytheapostlesprovesnothingmorethanthattheywereusedaswordsintheircurrentpopularsensetoexpressdivineideas.Thewordπνεῦμαdesignatestheonesoulemphasizingitsqualityasrational.Thewordψυχήdesignatesthesamesoulemphasizingitsqualityasthevitalandanimatingprincipleofthebody.Thetwoareusedtogethertoexpresspopularlytheentireman.

ThattheπνεῦμαandψυχήaredistinctentitiescannotbethedoctrineoftheNewTestament,becausetheyarehabituallyusedinterchangeablyandoftenindifferently.Thusψυχήaswellasπνεῦμαisusedtodesignatethesoulastheseatofthehigherintellectualfaculties.—Matt.16:26;1Pet.1:22;Matt.10:28.Thusalsoπνεῦμαaswellasψυχήisusedtodesignatethesoulastheanimatingprincipleofthebody.—James2:26.Deceasedpersonsareindifferentlycalledψυχαι,Acts2:27,31;Rev.6:9;20:4;andπνεῦματα,Luke24:37,39;Heb.12:23.

7.Whatdoourstandardsteachastothestateofmanathiscreation?

The"ConfessionFaith,"ch.4,§2,"LargerCatechism,"Q.17,and"ShorterCatechism,"Q.10,teachthefollowingpoints—1st.Godcreatedmaninhisownimage.2nd.Areasonableandimmortalsoulenduedwithknowledge,righteousness,andtrueholiness,andplacedindominionoverthecreatures.3rd.HavingGod’slawwrittenonhisheartandpowertofulfillit,andyetunderpossibilityoftransgressing,beinglefttothefreedomofhisownwill,whichwassubjecttochange.

ThelikenessofmantoGodrespected—1st.Thekindofhisnature;manwascreatedlikeGodafree,rational,personalSpirit.2nd.HewascreatedlikeGodastotheperfectionofhisnature;inknowledge,Colossians3:10;andrighteousnessandtrueholiness,Ephesians4:24;and3rd.Inhisdominionovernature.Genesis1:28.

8.Giveinpsychologicaltermsthetruestateofthequestion.

Intheprecedingchapteritwasshownthatthevolitionisdeterminedandderivesitscharacterfromthedesiresandaffectionswhichprompttoit;andthatthetemporaryaffectionsanddesires,whichpromptthevolitionsinanygivencase,themselvesspringfromthepermanenthabit,disposition,ortendencyofwillwhichconstitutethemoralcharacteroftheman.Itwasalsoshownthatthemoralcharacterofthesepermanentdispositionsofwill,andtheresponsibilityofthemanforthem,isanultimatefact,incapableofbeingreferredbacktoanyprinciplemorefundamentaloressentialandconfirmedbytheunanimousjudgmentofthehumanrace.

IthencefollowsthattheoriginalrighteousnessandholinessinwhichAdamwascreatedconsistedintheperfectconformityofallthemoraldispositionsandaffectionsofhiswill(inBiblelanguage,heart)tothelawofGod—ofwhichhisuncloudedandfaithfulconsciencewastheorgan.

Asaconsequencetherewasnoschisminman’snature.Thewill,

movingfreelyinconformitytothelightsofreasonandofconscience,heldinharmonioussubjectionallthelowerprinciplesofbodyandsoul.Inperfectequilibriumaperfectsouldweltinaperfectbody.

Thisoriginalrighteousnessisnaturalinthesense(1)thatitwasthemoralperfectionofman’snatureasitcamefromthehandsoftheCreator.Itbelongedtothatnatureoriginally,and(2)isalwaysessentialtoitsperfectionastoquality.(3)Itwouldalsohavebeenpropagated,ifmanhadnotfallen,justasnativedepravityisnowpropagatedbynaturaldescent.Ontheotherhand,itisnotnaturalinthesensethatreasonorconscienceorfreeagencyareessentialconstituentsofhumannature,necessarytoconstituteanyonearealman.Asaqualityitisessentialtotheperfection,butasaconstituentitisnotnecessarytotherealityofhumannature.

9.ProvethatAdam,wascreatedholyintheabovesense.

Itbelongstotheessenceofman’snaturethatheisamoralresponsibleagent.

But,1st.AsamoralcreaturemanwascreatedintheimageofGod.—Genesis1:27.

2nd.Godpronouncedallhisworks,manincluded,tobe"verygood."—Genesis1:31.Thegoodnessofamechanicalprovisionisessentiallyitsfitnesstoattainitsend.The"goodness"ofamoralagentcanbenothingotherthanhisconformityofwilltothemorallaw.Moralindifferenceinamoralagentisitselfofthenatureofsin.

3rd.Thistruthisasserted.—Ecclesiastes7:29.

4th.Inregeneration,manisrenewedintheimageofGod;increation,manwasmadeintheimageofGod;theimage,inbothcases,mustbethesame,andincludesholiness.—Ephesians4:24.

5th.hristiscalled,1Cor.15:45,ὁἔσχατοςἈδὰμ,andinv.47,δεύτεροςἄνθρωπος.Heisrecognizedbyfriendandfoeastheonly

perfectmaninallhistory,theexemplarofnormalhumanity.YethishumannaturewasformedbytheHolyGhost,antecedentlytoallactionofitsown,absolutelyholy.Hewascalledinhismother’swomb,"ThatHolyThing."Luke1:35.

10.WhatisthePelagiandoctrinewithregardtotheoriginalstateofman?

ThePelagianshold—1st.Thatamancanrightlybeheldresponsibleonlyforhisunbiasedvolitions;and2nd.Consequentlyamoralcharacterasantecedenttomoralactionisanabsurdity,sinceonlythatdispositionismoralwhichhasbeenformedasahabitbymeansofprecedingunbiasedactionofthefreewill,i.e.,manmustchoosehisowncharacter,orhecannotberesponsibleforit.

Theyhold,therefore,thatman’swillathiscreationwasnotonlyfree,but,moreover,inastateofmoralequilibrium,equallydisposedtovirtueorvice.

11.StateandcontrastthepositionsofthePelagians,ofDr.D.D.Whedon(Arminian),andoftheCalvinists,astoinnaterighteousnessandsin.

ThePelagianholds—1st.ThatAdamwascreatedamoralagent,butwithnopositivemoralcharacter;thathewasatfirstindifferenteithertogoodorevil,andleftfreetoformhisowncharacterbyhisownfree,unbiasedchoice.2nd.ThatallmenarebornintotheworldinallessentialparticularsinthesamemoralstateinwhichAdamwascreated.3rd.Thatmanisnaturallymortal,andthatthemortalityoftheraceisnotinconsequenceofsin.

Dr.D.D.Whedon(Arminian),in"Bib.Sacra,"April,1862,p.257,whileagreeingwiththePelagianinthemainastotheoriginalmoralstateintowhichAdamwasintroducedbycreation,differsfromhimastothemoralconditionintowhichthedescendantsofAdamareintroducedbybirth.Headmitsthata"created"inclinationmaybeeithergoodandhencelovable,orbadandhencehateful—buthedeniesthattheagentcanbeinthefirstcaserewardable,orinthesecondcasepunishableforhis

disposition,thecharacterofwhichhedidnotdetermineforhimselfbypreviouslyunbiasedvolitions.IfAdamhadformedforhimselfaholycharacterhewouldhavebeenbothgoodandrewardable.Sinceheformedforhimselfasinfulcharacterhewasbothbadandpunishable.Hisdescendantsarepropagatedwithcorruptnatureswithoutanyfaultoftheirown,thereforetheyarebadandcorrupt,butnotdeservingofpunishment.

Inoppositiontothesepositionstheorthodoxhold—1st.Therearepermanentdispositionsandinclinationswhichdeterminethevolitions.2nd.Manyoftheseinclinationsaregood,manyarebad,andmanyothersaremorallyindifferentintheiressentialnature.3rd.Thesemoraldispositionsmaybeinnateaswellasacquired,inwhichcasetheagentisasresponsibleforthemasheisforanyotherstateoractofhiswill.4th.Adamwascreatedwithholydispositionspromptingtoholyaction.Hedidnotmakehimselfholy,butwasmadesobyGod.

12.Whydowejudgethatmenaremorallyresponsibleforinnateandconcreateddispositions?

1st.Childrenarebornwithmoraldispositionsandtendenciesveryvarious.Yetitisthespontaneousanduniversaljudgmentofmen,thatmennaturallymaliciousandcruelandfalsearebothtobeabhorredandheldmorallyresponsiblefortheirtempersandactions.2nd.TheScriptures,aswillbeshownunderChapter19.,on"OriginalSin,"teachthatallmencomeintotheworldwithaninherenttendencyintheirnaturetosin,whichtendencyisitselfsinandworthyofpunishment.3rd.PresidentEdwards"OnWill,"Pt.4,§1,says,"Theessenceofthevirtueandviceofdispositionsoftheheartandactsofthewilllienotintheircausebutintheirnature."AndeventheArminian,JohnWesley,says,asquotedbyRichardWatson,"Holinessisnottherightuseofourpowers,itistherightstateofourpowers.Itistherightdispositionofoursoul,therighttemperofourmind.TakethatwithyouandyouwillnomoredreamthatGodcouldnotcreatemaninrighteousnessandtrueholiness.""Whatisholiness?Isitnotessentiallylove?AndcannotGodshedabroadthisloveinanysoulwithouthisconcurrence,andantecedenttohisknowledgeorconsent.Andsupposingthistobedone,willlovechangeitsnature?willitbenolongerholiness?Thisargumentcanneverbe

sustained."

13.Provethatastateofmoralindifferenceisitselfsin,andthatifitwerenotsonoexerciseofavolitionalfacultysoconditionedcouldpossiblyoriginateamoralactorcharacter.

Thatmoralindifferenceonthepartofamoralagentinviewofamoralobligationisitselfsinisself–evident.Theessenceofmoralityisthatitobligesthewillofamoralagent.Anon–moralagentmaybeindifferenttomoralthings.Amoralagentmaybeindifferenttoindifferentthings.Butfromtheverynatureofthecaseitisabsurdtopretendthatamoralagentcanbeindifferentwithrespecttoaknownmoralobligationrestingonhimself,andyetthatthatindifferenceisnonmoral,buttheprerequisiteconditionofallmorality.

Besidesamorallyindifferentdispositioncannotoriginateaholyactorhabit.Thegoodnessorbadnessofanactdependsuponthegoodnessorbadnessofthedispositionoraffectionwhichpromptedit.Itisthemoralstateofthewill(orheart,seeMatthew7:17–20and12:33)whichmakestheactofthewillrightorwrong,andnottheactwhichmakesthestatewrong.Aman’smotivesmayberight,andyethischoicemaybewrongthroughhismistakeofitsnature,becauseofignoranceorinsanity;yetifalltheprevalentdispositionsanddesiresoftheheartinanygivencasebenight,thevolitionmustbemodallyright;ifwrong,thevolitionmustbemorallywrong;ifindifferent,orneitherrightorwrong,thevolitionmustbemorallyindifferentalso.Henceappearstheabsurdityoftheirposition.IfAdamhadbeencreated,astheyfalselybelieve,withawillequallydisposedeithertogoodorevil,hisfirstactcouldhavehadnomoralcharacterwhatever.AndyetPelagiansassumethatAdam’sfirstact,whichhadnomoralcharacteritself,determinedthemoralcharacterofthemanhimself;andofallhisactsanddestiniesforallfuturetime.

This,iftrue,wouldhavebeenunjustonGod’spart,sinceitinvolvestheinflictionofthemostawfulpunishmentuponanactinitselfneithergoodnorbad.Asatheoryitisabsurd,sinceitevolvesallmodalityoutofthatwhichismorallyindifferent.

RichardWatson,Vol.2.,p.16,wellsays:"InAdamthatrectitudeofprinciplefromwhicharightchoiceandrightactsflowed,waseithercreatedwithhim,orflowedfromhisownvolitions.Ifthelatterbeaffirmed,thenhemusthavewilledrightbeforehehadaprincipleofrectitude,whichisabsurd;iftheformerthenhiscreationinastateofmoralrectitude,withanaptitudeanddispositiontogood,isestablished."

14.ShowthatthePelagiantheorycannotbebaseduponexperience.

Thiswholetheoryisbuiltuponcertainapriorinotions,andiscontrarytouniversalexperience.IfAdamwascreatedwithoutpositivemoralcharacter,andifinfantsaresoborn,thentheconditionsoffreeagencyinthesesupposedcasesmustbedifferentfromtheconditionsoffreeagencyinthecaseofeveryadultmanorwoman,fromwhoseconsciousnessalonewecangatherthefactsfromwhichtodeduceanycertainknowledgeonthesubject.Everymanwhoeverthoughtorwroteuponthissubject,wasconsciousoffreedomonlyundertheconditionsofanalreadyformedmoralcharacter.EvenifthePelagianviewweretrue,wenevercouldbeassuredofit,sinceweneverhaveconsciouslyexperiencedsuchaconditionofindifferenceItisnothingmorethananhypothesis,contrivedtosolveadifficulty;adifficultyresultingfromthelimitsofourfinitepowersofthought.—SeeSirWilliamHamilton’s"Discussions,"p.587,etc.

15.WhatdistinctiondidtheFathersmakebetweentheἐιχώνandtheὁμοίωσιςofGodinwhichmanwascreated?—Genesis1:26.

Bytheἐιχώνor"image"ofGodtheFathersunderstoodthenaturalconstitutionalpowersofman,intellectualandmoral,asreason,conscience,andfreewill.Bytheὁμοίωσιςor"likeness"ofGodtheyunderstoodthematuredanddevelopedmoralperfectionofhumannatureconsequentuponman'sholyexerciseofhisfaculties.

Neander,"Hist.Christ.Dogmas,"p.180,saysthatthiswasthegermofthesubsequentmedievalandRomandoctrineastotheoriginalstateofman.

Bellarmin,"DeGratia,"etLib.Arbitrio1.,100.6.—"Weareforced,bythesemanytestimoniesofthefathers,toconcludethattheimageandlikenessarenotinallrespectsthesame,butthattheimagepertainstothenatureandthelikenesstothevirtues(moralperfections);whenceitfollowsthatAdambysinninglostnottheimagebutthelikenessofGod."

16.WhatdoestheCatechismofTheCouncilofTrentteachastothestateinwhichAdamwascreated?

Seebelowthedoctrinesofthevariouschurchesattheendofthischapter.

17.WhatistheRomishdoctrinewithrespecttothedonanaturalia,andthedonasupernaturalia?

1st.TheyholdthatGodendowedmanathiscreationwiththedonanaturalia,thatis,withallthenaturalconstitutionalpowersandfacultiesofbodyandsoulwithoutsin,inperfectinnocence.Therewasnoviceordefectineitherbodyorsoul.

2nd.Goddulyattemperedallthesepowerstooneanother,placingthelowerinduesubordinationtothehigher.ThisharmonyofpowerswascalledJusticia—naturalrighteousness.

3rd.Therewas,however,intheverynatureofthings,anaturaltendencyinthelowerappetitesandpassionstorebelagainsttheauthorityofthehigherpowersofreasonandconscience.Thistendencyisnotsininitself;butbecomessinonlywhenitisconsentedtobythewill,andpassesintovoluntaryaction.Thisisconcupiscence;notsin,butthefuelandoccasionofsin.

4th.Topreventthisnaturaltendencytodisorderfromtherebellionofthelowerelementsofthehumanconstitutionagainstthehigher,Godgrantedmantheadditionalgiftofthedonasuperanaturalialostoriginalorgiftsextraconstitutional.Thisisoriginalrighteousness,whichwasaforeigngiftsuperaddedtohisconstitution,bymeansofwhichhisnaturalpowersdulyattemperedarekeptinduesubjectionand

order.Someoftheirtheologiansheldthatthesesupernaturalgiftswerebestoweduponmanimmediatelyuponhiscreation,atthesametimewithhisnaturalpowers.Themoreprevalentandconsistentview,however,isthatitwasgivensubsequentlyasarewardfortheproperuseofhisnaturalpowersseeMoehler’s"Symbolism,"pp.117,118.

5th.Boththe"justicia,"andthe"donasupernaturalia"wereaccidentalorsuperaddedpropertiesofhumannature,andwerelostbythefall.

18.Howdoesthisdoctrinemodifytheirviewastooriginalsinandthemoralcharacterofthatconcupiscencewhichremainsintheregenerate?

Theyholdthatmanlostatthefallonlythesuperaddedgiftsof"originalrighteousness"(donasupernaturalia),whilethepropernatureofmanitself,thedonanaturalia,comprisingallhisconstitutionalfacultiesofreason,conscience,freewill(inwhichtheyinclude"moralability"),remainintact.Thustheymaketheeffectofthefalluponman’smoralnaturepurelynegative.TheReformersdefinedit"thewantoforiginalrighteousness,andthecorruptionofthewholenature."

Hence,also,theyholdthatconcupiscence,orthetendencytorebellionoftheloweragainstthehigherpowersremainingintheregenerate,beingnaturalandincidentaltotheveryconstitutionofhumannature,isnotofthenatureofsin.Seebelow.

AUTHORITATIVEPUBLICSTATEMENTSOFTHE:VARIOUSCHURCHES.

ROMISHDOCTRINE.—"Cat.CouncilofTrent,"Pt.2,Ch.2.,Q.19.—"Lastly,Heformedmanfromtheslimeoftheearth,socreatedandqualifiedinbodyastobeimmortalandimpassable,nothowever,invirtueofthestrengthofnature,butofthedivinegift.Butasregardsthesoulofman,hecreateditinhisownimageandlikeness;giftedhimwithfreewill,andsotemperedallhismotionsandappetitesthattheyshouldatalltimesbesubjecttothecontrolofthereason.Hethenaddedtheadmirablegiftoforiginalrighteousness;andnextgavehimdominion

overallotheranimals."—Ibid.Pt.2,Ch.2.,Q.42,andPt.4Ch.12.,Q.3.

BELLARMIN.—"GratiaPrimiHominis,"5.—"Itistobeunderstoodinthefirstplace,thatmannaturallyconsistsoffleshandspirit,andthereforehisnaturepartlyassimilateswiththebeastsandpartlywiththeangels;andbecauseofhisfleshandhisfellowshipwiththebeastshehasacertainpropensitytocorporealandsensiblegood,towhichheisinducedthroughthesensesandappetites;andbecauseofhisspiritandhisfellowshipwiththeangelshehasapropensitytospiritualandrationalgood,towhichheisinducedbyhisreasonandwill.Butfromthesedifferentandcontrarypropensitiesthereexistsinoneandthesamemanacertaincontest,andfromthesecontestsagreatdifficultyofacting,whiletheonepropensityantagonizestheother.Itistobeunderstoodinthesecondplace,thatdivineprovidenceatthebeginningofcreation,thatitmightadministeraremedytothisdiseaseorlanguorofhumannaturearisingfromtheconditionofits"matter,"addedtheexcellentgiftoforiginalrighteousness,bywhichasbyagoldenbridletheinferiorpartmightbeheldinsubjectiontothesuperiorpart,andthesuperiorpartsubjecttoGod;althoughthefleshwassosubjecttothespirit,thatitcouldnotbemovedthespiritforbidding,norrebelagainstthespiritunlessthespiritrebelagainstGod;neverthelessitwasinthepowerofthespirittorebelornottorebel."

ForthestatementofBellarmin’sdoctrineastothepresentmoralconditionintowhichthedescendantsofAdamareborn,seebelow,Chapter19.,on"OriginalSin."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.—"FormulaConcordiœ"(Hase),p.640.[OriginalSin]"istheprivationofthatrighteousnessconcreatedinhumannatureinParadiseorofthatimageofGodinwhichmanwasinthebeginningcreatedintruth,holiness,andrighteousness."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.—"Canon.Dordt,"3.1.—"Man,fromthebeginning,wascreatedintheimageofGod,adornedinhismind,withthetrueandsavingknowledgeofhisCreator,andofspiritualthings,withrighteousnessinhiswillandheart,andpurityinallhisaffectionsandthuswasaltogetherholy."

"ConfessionFaith",Ch.4.,"LargerCatechism,"Ques.17;"ShorterCatechism,"Ques.10.

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—Limborch,"Theol.Christ.,"2.24,5.—"Theyarewonttolocateoriginalrighteousnessinilluminationandrectitudeofthemind,inholinessandrighteousnessofthewill,inharmonyofthesensesandaffections,andinapromptitudeforgood.Itis,indeed,mostevidentthatthefirstofmankindwere,intheirprimevalstate,ofafarmoreperfectconditionthanwearewhenweareborn.Fortheirmindwasnotlikeablankpaper,andvoidofallknowledgebuthadbeenendowedbyGodwithactualknowledge,andinstructedinthewisdomnecessaryforthatstate;andtheypossessedalsothecapacityforacquiringfurtherknowledgebyreasoning,experience,andrevelation....Theirwillwasnotneutralequallyindifferentinrespecttogoodandevil,butbeforethattheLawwasimposeduponitbyGod,ithadanaturalrectitude,sothatitcouldneitherdesirenoractinordinately.Forwherethereisnolaw,therethemostfreeuseofthewillisclearofblame.—2.24,10.Thatthefirstmanwouldnothavediedifhehadnotsinned,isbeyonddoubt,fordeathwasthepenaltyofsin.Butthencetheimmortality[natural]ofmanisnotcorrectlyinferred....NeverthelessGodwouldhavepreservedthismortalityinperpetualimmunityofactualdeath,ifmanhadnotsinned."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE.—F.Socinus,"PrœlectionesTheol.,"c.3.—"WethereforeconcludethatAdam,evenbeforehehadtransgressedthatcommandofGod,wasnottrulyrighteous,sincehewasneitherimpeccable,norhadhehithertobeensubjectedtoanyoccasionofsinning;atleastitisnotpossibletoaffirmthathewascertainlyrighteous,sinceitinnomannerappearsthatheforanyconsiderationhadabstainedfromsinning.Buttherearethosewhosaythattheoriginalrighteousnessofthefirstmanconsistedinthis,thathepossessedareasondominatingoverhisappetiteandsensesandcoveringthem,andthattherewasnovariancebetweenthem.Buttheysaythiswithoutreason,sinceitclearlyappearsfromthesinAdamcommittedthathisappetiteandsensesdominatedoverhisreason,neitherhadthesepreviouslyagreedwelltogether."

"Cat.Racov.,"p.18.—"Fromthebeginningmanwasvented

mortal,i.e.,suchanoneasnotonlymightconsistentlywithhisnaturedie,butalsoiflefttohisnaturecouldnotbutdie,althoughitwaspossiblethathemighthepreservedalwaysinlifebyaspecialdivineblessing."

~~~~~~

Chapter17:CovenantofWorks

1.InwhatdifferentsensesisthetermcovenantusedinScripture?

1st.Foranaturalordinance.—Jeremiah33:20.

2nd.Foranunconditionalpromise.—Genesis9:11,12.

3rd.Foraconditionalpromise.—Isaiah1:19,20.

4th.Adispensationormodeofadministration.—Hebrews8:6–9.FortheusagewithrespecttotheGreektermδιαθήκη,usuallytranslatedinourversiontestamentandcovenant..—SeeChapter22.,on"CovenantofGrace,"Question1.

Inthetheologicalphrases"covenantofworks,"and"covenantofgrace,"thistermisusedinthethirdsenseofapromisesuspendedonconditions.

2.Whataretheseveralelementsessentialtoacovenant?

1st.Contractingparties.2nd.Conditions.Theseconditionsinacovenantbetweenequalsaremutuallyimposedandmutuallybinding,butinasovereignconstitution,imposedbytheCreatoruponthecreature,those"conditions"arebetterexpressedas(1)promisesonthepartoftheCreatorsuspendedupon(2)conditionstobefulfilledbythecreature.And(3)analternativepenaltytobeinflictedincasetheconditionfails.

3.ShowthattheconstitutionunderwhichAdamwas

placedbyGodathiscreationmayberightlycalledacovenant.

TheinspiredrecordofGod’stransactionswithAdampresentsdefinitelyalltheessentialelementsofacovenantascoexistinginthatconstitution.

1st."contractingparties."—(1)God,themoralGovernor,bynecessityofnatureandrelationdemandingperfectconformitytomorallaw.(2)Adam,thefreemoralagent,bynecessityofnatureandrelationundertheinalienableobligationofmorallaw.

2nd.The"promises,"lifeandfavor.—Matthew19:16,17;Galatians3:12.

3rd.The"conditions"uponwhichthepromisesweresuspended,perfectobedience,inthisinstancesubjectedtoaspecialtest,thatofabstainingfromthefruitofthe"treeofknowledge."

4th.The"alternativepenalty.""Inthedaythoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie."—Genesis2:16,17.

Thisconstitutioniscalledacovenant.—Hosea6:7

4.Howisitdefinedinourstandards?

"ConfessionFaith,"Chap.4.,Sec.2;Chap.7.,Sec.land2;Chap.19.,Sec.l;"LargerCatechism,"Q.20;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.12.

5.Whyisitnotabsurdtoapplytheterm"Covenant"toasovereignconstitutionimposedbytheCreatoruponthecreaturewithoutconsultinghiswill?

1st.AlthoughitwasasovereignconstitutionimposedbyGod,thereisnoreasontosupposethatAdamdidnotenteruponitvoluntarily.Hewasaholybeing,andthearrangementwaspreeminentlytohisadvantage.2nd.WecallitaCovenantbecausethatistheproperwordtoexpressaconditionalpromisemadetoafreeagent.3rd.Theterm"Covenant"isconstantlyappliedinScripturetoothersovereignconstitutionsoflikecharacterwhichtheCreatorhasimposeduponmen.

IfGodcouldmakecovenantswithfallenandguiltyNoah,Genesis9:11,12,andwithAbraham.Genesis17:1–21,whycouldhenotmakeacovenantwithunfallenAdam?

6.Bywhattitleshasthiscovenantbeendesignatedandwhy?

1st.IthasbeencalledtheCovenantofNature,becauseitexpressestherelationshipwhichmaninhisnaturalstateasnewlycreatedandunfallensustainedtotheCreatorandMoralGovernoroftheuniverse.

Itisadjustedtothenaturalman,justastheCovenantofGraceisadjustedtounnaturalorfallenman.

2nd.Ithasbeencalledalegalcovenant,becauseits"condition"isperfectconformitytothelawofabsolutemoralperfection.3rd.IthasbeencalledtheCovenantofWorks,becauseitsdemandsterminateuponman’sownbeinganddoing.4th.IthasbeencalledaCovenantofLife,becausethepromiseattachedtowell–doingwaslife.

Itwasalsoessentiallyagraciouscovenant,becausealthougheverycreatureis,assuch,boundtoservetheCreatortothefullextentofhispowers,theCreatorcannotbeboundasamerematterofjusticetothenaturaljusticetograntthecreaturefellowshipwithhimself,ortoraisehimtoaninfalliblestandardofmoralpower,ortocrownhimwitheternalandinalienablefelicity.

7.Whowerethepartiestothiscovenant,andhowmayitbeprovedthatAdamthereinrepresentedallhisnaturaldescendants?

The"parties"wereGodandAdam,andinhimrepresentativelyallnaturalposterity.Thathedidthusrepresenthisdescendantsisevident—

1st.FromtheparallelwhichisdrawninScripturebetweenAdaminhisrelationtohisdescendants,andChristinhisrelationtohis

elect.—Romans5:12–19,and1Corinthians15:22,47.

2nd.FromthematteroffactthattheverypenaltydenounceduponAdam,incaseofhisdisobedience,hastakeneffectineachindividualdescendant.—Genesis2:17;3:17,18.

3rd.FromtheBiblicaldeclarationthatsin,death,andallpenalevilcameintotheworldthroughAdam.—Romans5:12;1Corinthians15:22.SeeChapter21.,on"ImputationofAdam’sSin."

8.WhatwasthepromiseattachedtotheCovenant?

Thepromisewas"life"—1st.Becausenecessarilyimpliedinthepenalty"death,"whichisexpresslydenounced.Ifdisobedienceislinkedtodeath,obedienceislinkedtolife.2nd.ItisclearlytaughtinotherpassagesofScripture.—Leviticus18:5;Nehemiah9:29;Matthew19:16,17;Galatians3:12;Romans10:5.

Thislifewasnotamerecontinuationoftheexistencewithwhichmanwasendowedbycreationasafallible,moralagent,butitwasanadditionalgiftofinfallible,moralexcellence,andinalienableblessedness,conditioneduponobedienceduringaprobationaryperiod.—1st.Thisisevidentbecausetherewardsuspendedon"conditions"mustinvolvesomethingmorethanhadbeenalreadygranted.2nd.

Becausemanwasascreatedliabletosin,andtherecouldbenopermanentandsecureblissnorhighexcellenceinthatcondition.3rd.Becausethegrantingoftherewardnecessarilyclosestheprobation,supersedestheconditions,andsecuresinalienableblessedness.4th.Becausetheangelswhohadnotlefttheirfirstestatehadbeenrewardedwithsuchalife.5th.Becausethelifepromisedmustcorrespondtothedeaththreatened,andthedeaththreatenedinvolvedeternalseparationfromGodandirretrievabledestruction.6th.Becausethelifesecuredtousbythe"SecondAdam"isofthisnature.

9.Whatisa"Probation"?andwhenandwheredidthehumanracehaveitsprobationundertheCovenantofWorks?

Aprobationisatrial.Thewordisvariouslyusedtoexpressthestate,orthetime,ortheactoftrial.Thetimeofprobationundersuchaconstitutionasthecovenantofworksmustbeadefinitelylimitedone,becauseitisself–evidentthateithertheinflictionofthepenaltyorthegrantingoftherewardwould,ipsofacto,closetheprobationforever,andtherewardcouldnotaccrueuntiltheperiodofprobationwascompleted.

TheprobationofthehumanracetookplaceonceforallinthetrialofAdaminthegardenofEden.Thattrialresultedinloss,andsincethentheconditionsofthecovenantbeingimpossible,anditspenaltyhavingbeenincurred,anyprobationisofcourseimpossible.Menarenowbynaturechildrenofwrath.

10.Whatwastheconditionofthatcovenant?andwhywasthecommandnottoeatofthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevilselectedasatest?

Perfectconformityofheart,andperfectobedienceinacttothewholewillofGodasfarasrevealed.—Deuteronomy27:26;Galatians3:10;James2:10.Thecommandtoabstainfromeatingtheforbiddenfruitwasonlymadeaspecialanddecisivetestofthatgeneralobedience.Asthematterforbiddenwasmorallyindifferentinitself,thecommandwasadmirablyadaptedtobeaclearandnakedtestofsubmissiontoGod’sabsolutewillassuch.Theforbiddentreewasdoubtlesscalledthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil,becausethroughthedisobedienteatingofitmankindcametothethoroughexperienceofthevalueofgoodnessandoftheinfiniteevilofsin.

Theobediencerequiredbythelawasaruleofdutyisof.courseperpetual.Butthedemandofthelawforobedienceasacovenantconditionoflifemustbelimitedtotheperiodofprobation.Theterm"perpetual"in"ConfessionF.,"Ch.19.,§1,and"LargerCatechism,"Q.20,wasadmitteddoubtlessbyinadvertence.

11.Whatwasthenatureofthedeaththreatenedincaseofdisobedience?

Thisword,"dyingthoushaltdie,"inthisconnectionevidently

includesallthepenalconsequencesofsin.

Theseare—1st.,death,natural,Ecclesiastes12:7;2nd.,death,moralandspiritual,Matthew8:22;Ephesians2:1;1Timothy5:6;Revelation3:1;3rd.,death,eternal,Revelation20:6–14.

Theinstantthelawwasviolateditspenaltybegantooperate,althoughonaccountoftheinterventionofthedispensationofgracethefulleffectduringthepresentlife.TheSpiritofGodwaswithdrawntheinstantmanfell,andheatoncebecamespirituallydead,physicallymortal,andundersentenceofdeatheternal.

Thisappears—

1st.Fromthenatureofmanasaspiritualbeing."ThisislifeeternaltoknowtheonlytrueGod,"etc.—John17:3.TheinstantthesouliscutofffromGoditdies,andhiswrathandcurseisincurred,andtheentireperson,bodyandsoul,involvedinanendlessseriesofevilconditions.

2nd.TheScriptureseverywheredeclarethatthewagesofsinisdeath.—Romans6:23;Ezekiel18:4.

Thenatureofthisdeathistobedetermined.(1)Bytheisnarrativeoftheeffectsproducedinourfirstparents,e.g.,shameofnakedness,fear,alienationfromGod,untilafteratimedissolutionofbody,etc.

(2)Bytheexperienceofitseffectsintheirdescendants,e.g.,corruptionofnature,mortality,miseriesofbody,miseriesinthislife,theseconddeath.

12.WhatdoC.F.HudsonandothersholdtobethepenaltyoftheCovenantofWorks?

Theannihilationists,ofwhomC.F.Hudsonisoneoftheablest,holdthattheprecisethingGodsaidtoAdamwas"THOU,thyself,thineentirepersonartdust,andtodustthoushaltreturn."TheyquoteNumbers23:10;Judges16:30,etc.Theyholdthatdeathmeansprecisely

andonlycessationofbeing.

TheysayAdamcouldhavehadnootherideaassociatedwiththeword.Deathinthissensehadpreexistedintheworldforinnumerableagesamongthelowerordersofcreatures,andthiswasallAdamknewonthesubject.

ItisidleforustospeculateastowhattheoriginallanguageGodspoketoAdamwas,orwhatthewordheusedcorrespondingtoourword,death,preciselysignifiedandsuggested.AdamprobablysimplyunderstoodGodtosaythatifhesinnedheshouldbeutterlyandirretrievablycutofffromthedivinefavor.Thatispreciselywhathappened.Butthefactsareclear.1st.TheworddeathinScriptureisusedtoexpressnotcessationofbeingbutacertaingodlessconditionofbeing.—Revelation3:1;Ephesians2:1–5,and5:14;1Timothy5:6,Romans6:13;11:15;John5:24;6:47.2nd.Itwillbeshownbelow,Chapters37and40,thattheScripturesdonotallowthenotioneitherofthesleepofthesoulduringtheintermediatestate,oroftheannihilationofthewickedafterthejudgment.

13.Whatismeantbythesealofacovenant,andwhatwasthesealoftheCovenantofWorks?

Asealofacovenantisanoutwardvisiblesign,appointedbyGodasapledgeofhisfaithfulness,andasanearnestoftheblessingspromisedinthecovenant.

ThustherainbowisthesealofthecovenantmadewithNoah.—Genesis9:12,13.CircumcisionwastheoriginalsealofthecovenantmadewithAbraham(Genesis17:9–11;Romans4:11),intheplaceofwhichbaptismisnowinstituted.—Colossians2:11,12;Galatians3:26,27.Thetreeoflifewasthesealofthecovenantofworks,becauseitwastheoutwardsignandsealofthatlifewhichwaspromisedinthecovenant,andfromwhichmanwasexcludedonaccountofsin,andtowhichheisrestoredthroughthesecondAdamintheParadiseregained.—CompareGenesis2:9;3:22,24,withRevelation2:7;22:2–14.

14.WhataccordingtoWitsius,hisgreatwork"onthe

Covenants,"arethesealsorsacramentsoftheCovenantofWorks?

InVol.1.,Ch.6.,Witsiusenumeratesfour—1st.Paradise.2nd.Thetreeoflife.3rd.Thetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil.4th.TheSabbath.

ThesewerealldoubtlesssymbolicalinstitutionsconnectedwiththeoriginaldivinedispensationofwhichtheCovenantofWorkswasthefoundation.ButthereappearstobenoreasonfordesignatingthemasbelongingtothatparticularclassofsymbolicalinstitutionscalledsacramentsundertheNewTestament.

Thetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilsealeddeath,andthereforecouldnothavebeenasealoftheCovenantofWorkswhichofferedlife.

15.InwhatsenseistheCovenantofWorksabolished,andinwhatsenseisitinforce?

ThisCovenanthavingbeenbrokenbyAdam,notoneofhisnaturaldescendantsiseverabletofulfillitsconditions,andChristhavingfulfilledallofitsconditionsinbehalfofallhisownpeople,salvationisofferednowontheconditionoffaith.InthissensetheCovenantofWorkshavingbeenfulfilledbythesecondAdamishenceforthabrogatedunderthegospel.

Nevertheless,sinceitisfoundedupontheprinciplesofimmutablejustice,itstillbindsallmenwhohavenotfledtotherefugeofferedintherighteousnessofChrist.Itistruethat"hethatdoeththesethingsshalllivethatthem."and"thesoulthatsinnethitshalldie."Thislawinthissenseremains,andinconsequenceoftheunrighteousnessofmencondemnsthem,andinconsequenceoftheirabsoluteinabilitytofulfillit,itactsasaschoolmastertobringthemtoChrist.ForhehavingfulfilledalikeitsconditionwhereinAdamfailed,anditspenaltywhichAdamincurred,hehasbecometheendofthiscovenantforrighteousnesstoeveryonewhobelieves,whoinhimisregardedandtreatedasonewhohasfulfilledthecovenant,andmeriteditspromisedreward.

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Chapter18:TheNatureofSinandtheSinofAdam

1.Whataretheonlytestsbywhichtheanswertothequestion"Whatissin?"canbedetermined?

1st.ThewordofGod.2nd.Theintuitivejudgmentsofmen.Thetestsofthevalidityoftheseintuitionsare(a)self–evidence,(b)universality,(c)necessity.Theintuitivejudgmentsofmenareimmediatelypassednotuponabstractnotionsnorupongeneralpropositions,butuponconcreteandindividualinstances.Generalmaximsaregeneralizedbytheunderstandingfrommanyindividualintuitiveconvictions,andaretrueorfalseasthisprocessofgeneralizationhasbeenwellorbadlydone.Thevastamountofconfusionanderrorwhichprevailsastothenatureofsin,andastowhatcomesunderthecategoryofsin,isduetocrudegeneralizationofgeneralprinciplesfromindividualintuitions,andtheindiscriminateapplicationofthemaximthusgeneratedbeyondtherangetowhichtheyareguaranteedbytheintuitionsthemselves.Themaximsthatallsinconsistsinvoluntaryaction,andthatabilityisthemeasureofresponsibility,areinstancesofthisabuse.Itisasabsurdtoattempttomakethebareunderstandingsettleaquestionbelongingonlytothemoralsenseasitwouldbetomakethenosedecideaquestionofsound.—SeeM’Cosh,"IntuitionsoftheMind,"Book1.,ch.2.,§§4and5,andBook4.,ch.2.,§§1–3.

2.Whatmustatruedefinitionofthenatureofsinembrace?

Adefinitionofsinmust—1st.IncludeallthateithertheWordofGodoranenlightenedconsciencedecidestobesin.2nd.Itmustincludenothingelse.Otherwiseineithercaseitisfalse.

3.StatethedefinitionsofSingiven.Turretin,andourStandards,andbyVitringa.

Turretin,Locus9,Ques.1.—"Inclinatio,actio,velomissiopugnanscumlegeDei,velcarensrectitudinelegalidebitainesse.""ConfessionFaith,"Ch.6.,§6;"LargerCatechism,"Q.24;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.14."Sinisanywantofconformityunto,ortransgressionofthelawofGod."

CampejusVitringa,Prof.Theo.inFraneker,died1722.—"Formapeccatiestdisconvenientia,actus,habitue,antstatushominiscumdivinelege."

Thislastexcellentdefinitionembracestwoconstituentpropositions.—1st.SinisanyandeverywantofconformitywiththemorallawofGod,whetherofexcessordefect,whetherofomissionorcommission.

2nd.SinisanywantofconformityofthemoralstatesandhabitsaswelloftheactionsofthehumansoulwiththelawofGod?

4.WhatisLaw?AndwhatistheLawofGod?

Thewordlawisusedinagreatmanyandinverydifferentsenses.Itisusedbynaturalphilosophersoftentoexpress—1st.Ageneralfact,e.g.,thegeneralfactthatallmatterattractsallmatterinverselyasthesquareofthedistance.2nd.Anestablishedorderofsequenceinwhichcertaineventsoccur,astheorderoftheseasons,andanyestablishedorderofnature.3rd.Themodeofactingofaspecificforce,asthelawofelectricalinduction,etc.4th.Aspontaneousorderofdevelopment,astheinternalself–actinglawofthegrowthofanimalsandplantsfromtheseed.

ThemorallawofGod,however,isnotaninternal,self–regulatingprincipleofman’smoralnature,likethefeignedinnerlightoftheQuakers,butanimperialstandardofmoralexcellenceimposeduponmankindfromwithoutandfromabovethembythesupremeauthorityofapersonalmoralGovernoroverpersonalmoralsubjects.Itinvolves(a)acertaindegreeofenlightenmentastotruthandduty,(b)aruleofactionregulatingthewillandbindingtheconscience,(c)armedwithsanctions,orimperativemotivesconstrainingtoobedience.

5.Provethatsinisanywantofconformityto"Law."

1st.Wheneverwesinconsciencecondemnsusfornotcominguptoastandardwhichweintuitivelyrecognizeasmorallyobligatoryuponus.Conscienceimplies(a)moralaccountability,andhencesubjectiontoamoralGovernor,and(b)astandardtowhichweoughttobeconformed.Theconscienceitself;astheorganofGod’slaw,containsthelawwrittenontheheart.

2nd.theideaofsin טֵׂש סיִטֵׂש from הָטָׂש todeviatefromtheway.אָטָח tomissthemark,ἁμαρτάνωtoerr,tomissthemark,παραβάσις(Gal.

3:19),agoingasidefrom,atransgresssion.

3rd.ItisexplicitlyassertedinScripture,"Everyonethatdoethsin,alsodoethτὴνἀνομίαν,andsinisἀνομία."—Romans4:15.

6.ProvethatsinisanywantofconformitytothemoralLawOfGod.

Asaboveshownthisisimpliedintheactionofconscience.Ittestifiestoalawimposeduponusbyanauthorityexternaltous,thesupremeauthorityofGod.IntheabsenceofallsupernaturalrevelationithasledallheathennationstotherecognitionoftheauthorityofGod,orofgodsexercisinggovernment,toabeliefinrewardsandpunishmentsadministeredbyGod,andhencetoexpiatoryandpropitiatoryrites.

ItisalsoassertedbyDavidthatsinofanykindisdisobedienceanddishonordonetoGod.—Seefifty–firstPsalm.

Hencesinisnotamereviolationofthelawofourownconstitution,norofthesystemofthings,butanoffenseagainstapersonalLawgiverandmoralGovernor,whovindicateshislawwithpenalties.Thesoulthatsinsisalwaysconsciousthathissinis(a)intrinsicallyvileandpolluting,and(b)thatitjustlydeservespunishmentandcallsdowntherighteouswrathofGod.Hencesincarrieswithittwoinalienablecharacters—(a)ill–desert,guilt,reatus,(b)pollution,macula.

7.ShowthatthisLaw,anywantofconformitytowhich

issin,demandsabsolutemoralperfection.

Thisisnecessarilyinvolvedintheveryessenceofmoralobligation.Theveryessenceofrightisthatitoughttobe.Theveryessenceofwrongisthatitoughtnottobe.Ifanythingbeindifferentitisnotmoral,andifitbemoralitisamatterofobligation.Thisbeingoftheessenceofrightitis,ofcourse,trueofeachconsistentpartaswellasofthewhole.Anydegreeshortoffullconformitywiththehighestrightisthereforeofthenatureofsin."Forwhosoevershallkeepthewholelawandyetoffendinonepointisguiltyofall."—James2:10.Theoldmaximistrue,Omneminusbonumhabetrationemmali.

ItevidentlyfollowsfromthisprinciplethattheRomishdoctrineofworksofSupererogationisabsurdaswellaswicked,sinceiftheseworksareobligatorytheyarenotsupererogatory,andiftheyarenotobligatorytheyarenotmoral,andifnotmoraltheycanhavenomoralvalue.HencealsoallthosePerfectionistswhoadmitthatmenarenotnowabletokeepperfectlythelawofabsolutemoralperfection,whiletheymaintainthatChristiansmayinthislifelivewithoutsin,obviouslyuseincorrectandmisleadinglanguage.

8.ProvethatanywantofconformitywiththisLawinthestatesandpermanenthabitofsoul,aswellasinitsacts,issin.

1st.Thisisprovedbythecommonjudgmentsofallmen.Alljudgethatthemoralstateoftheheartdeterminesthemoralcharacteroftheactions,andthatthemoralcharacteroftheactionsdisclosesthemoralstateoftheheart,andthatamanwhoseactsarehabituallyprofane,ormalignant,orimpure,ishimselfinthepermanentstateofhisheartprofane,ormalignant,orimpure.

2nd.ThesameisprovedbythecommonreligiousexperienceofallChristians.Thisexperiencealwaysinvolvesconvictionofsin,andconvictionofsininvolvesasitsmostuniformandprominentelementnotmerelyaconvictionthatouractionsfailtocomeuptotheproperstandardofexcellence,butasensethatinthedepthsofournature,belowandbeyondthereachofvolition,wearespirituallydeadandpolluted,

andimpotentandinsensibletodivinethings,andworthyofcondemnationtherefore.EveryChristianhasbeenbroughtwithPaultocryout,"OwretchedmanthatIam:whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath?"—Romans7:24.Thisfindsexpression,andthisprincipleforwhichwearecontendingfindsproofinalltheprayers,supplications,confessions,andinallthehymnsanddevotionalliteratureofChristiansofallagesanddenominations.

3rd.TheScripturesexplicitlycallthepermanentstatesofthesoul"sin"whentheyarenotconformedtothelawofGod.Sinanditslustsaresaidtoreigninthemortalbody;themembersaretheinstrumentsofsin;theunregeneratearetheservantsofsin.—Romans6:12–17.Thedispositionorpermanent"tendency"tosiniscalled"flesh"asopposedto"spirit,"Galatians5:17;also"lust,"James1:14,15;"oldAdam,"and"bodyofsin,""ignorance,""blindnessofheart,""alienationfromthelifeofGod,"and"aconditionofbeingpastfeeling,"Ephesians4:18,19.

9.Showthattheveryfirstspontaneousmotionsofconcupiscencearesin?

1st.TheheartoftheChristianoftenforthemomentspontaneouslylustsforevilwhentheconsciencepromptlycondemnsandthewillforbidsandrestrainsanddivertstheattention.Althoughthemandoesnotconsenttothesinthatispresentinhim,neverthelesstheChristianfeelsthatsuchmovementsofconcupiscenceareunholy,andworthyofcondemnation,andhenotonlyresiststhembutcondemnsandloatheshimselfbecauseofthem,andseekstobepurgedfromthematoncebytheatoningblood,andthesanctifyingspiritofJesus.

2nd.Concupiscenceiscalled"sin"inScripture."Ihadnotknownsin,butbythelaw,forIhadnotknownἐπιθυμίαν(concupiscence)exceptthelawhadsaidthoushaltnotἐπιθυμήσεις."Alsoτὰπαθήματατῶνἁμαρτιῶν,"themotionsofsin,"and"thelawinthemembers,"and"sinthatdwellethinme,"thatworkethwithout"myconsent,"which"worksallmannerofconcupiscence,"etc.—Romans7:5–24.

10.WhatistheFIRSTgreatmysteryconnectedwiththeoriginofsin?

HoworwhywastheexistenceofsintoleratedinthecreationofaGodatonceeternal,self–existent,andinfiniteinwisdom,power,holiness,andbenevolence?

AlltheattemptedsolutionsofthisenigmawhichhavebeenentertainedinourdayhavebeensummedupbyProf.HavenofChicagoasfollows:

EitherGodcannotpreventsin,i.e.,either(a)inanysystem,(b)inamoralsysteminvolvingfreeagency.

OrforsomereasonGoddoesnotchoosetopreventsin,i.e.,eitherbecause(a)itsexistenceisofitselfdesirable,(b)orthoughnotinitselfdesirableitisthenecessarymeansofthegreatestgood,or(c)thoughnotinitselftendingtogooditmaybeoverruledtothatresult,or(d)because,ingeneralterms,itspermissionwillinvolvelessevilthanitsabsoluteprevention.

Itisobvious(a)thatGodhaspermittedsin,and(b)henceitwasrightforhimtodoso.Butwhyitwasrightmusteverremainamysterydemandingsubmissionanddefyingsolution.

11.WhatwastheManichoeandoctrineastotheoriginofsin?

Theyheldtheopinionthatsinhaditsgroundinsomeeternal,self–existentprincipleindependentofGod,eithermatterorself–existentdevil.Thisdoctrineisinconsistent(a)withtheindependence,infinitude,andsovereigntyofGod;(b)withthenatureofsinasessentiallytherevoltofacreatedfreewillfromGod.Sinisanelementofpervertedmoralagency.Toconsideritanattributeofmatteristodenyit.AlltheChristianfathersunitedinopposingManichæismandinmaintainingthatsinistheproductofthefreewillofmanalone.

12.StatethedoctrineofSt.Augustinewithrespectto

theprivativenatureofsin.

St.Augustineheld—1st.ThatGodisthecreatorofallentitiesandtheabsolutelysovereignGovernorofallmoralagentsandofalltheiractions;and2nd.ThatneverthelessGodisinnosenseeithertheauthororthecauseofsin.Inordertoreconciletheseheheld,3rd.Thatsinisnotanentity,butisinitsessencesimplyadefect.Hisdictum,whichhencehaspassedintogeneralcurrencywithallclassesoftheologians,wasNihilestmalumnisiprivatioboni(Nothingisevilunlessitlacksgood).Theyhavepropertydistinguishedbetween"negation"and"privation."Negationistheabsenceofthatwhichdoesnotbelongtothenatureofthesubject,assighttoastone.Privationistheabsenceofthatwhichbelongingtothenatureofthesubjectisnecessarytoitsperfection,assighttoaman.

Sinthereforeisprivativebecauseitoriginatesintheabsenceofthosemoralqualitieswhichoughttobepresentinthestatesandactionsofafree,responsible,moralagent.

Itistoberemembered,however,thattheinherentdepravitywhich"comesfromadefectiveorprivativecause"instantlyassumesapositiveform,fromtheessentiallyactivenatureofthehumansoul.Inapassiveconditionofbeing,adefectmightremainpurelynegative.Butinaceaselesslyactivebeing,andoneactingunderceaselessmoralobligations,amoraldefectmustinstantlybecomeapositivevice.NottoloveGodistohatehim.Nottobeinallthingsconformedtohiswillistorebelagainsthim,andtobreakhislawatallpoints.—SeeEdwards,"OriginalSin,"pt.4.sec.2.

13.WhatisthePelagiandoctrineastothenatureofsin?

ThePelagianviewofsin,whichhasbeenrejectedbyallbranchesoftheChristianChurch,is—1st.Thatlawcancommandonlyvolitions.2nd.Thatstatesofthesoulcanbecommandedonlyinsofarastheyarethedirecteffectofpreviousvolitions.3rd.Hencethatsinconsistssimplyinactsofvolition.4th.Thatwhateveramanhasnotplenaryabilitytodoheisundernoobligationtodo.5th.Thatthereisnosuchthing,

therefore,asinnatedepravity.6th.Thatsinceavolitiontobemoralorthesubjectofapprobationorofcondemnation,mustbeapureself–decisionofthewill,itfollowsthatsinisbeyondtheabsolutecontrolofGod.

14.Inwhatsenseisthedictumthat"allsinisvoluntary"true,andinwhatsensefalse?

Itallturnsuponthesenseofthephrase"Voluntary."IfitbeinthePelagiansenserestrictedto"actsofvolition;"thenthedictumthat"allsinisvoluntary"isfalse.If,however,itisusedsoastoincludethespontaneousdispositions,tendencies,andaffectionswhichconstitutethepermanentcharacterofthesoul,andwhichprompttoanddecidethenatureofthevolitions,thenallsinisvoluntary,becauseallsinhasitsgroundandspringinthesespontaneoustendenciesanddispositions,i.e.,inthepermanentmoralstatesofthesoul.

15.StatethepeculiaritiesoftheRomishpositionuponthissubject,andalsothatoftheArminianPerfectionists

TheRomanChurchagreeswithallProtestantsinholdingthatallthehabitsandpermanentdispositionsaswellastheactionsofthesoulwhicharenotconformedtothelawofGodaresinful.Butitisaprominentcharacteristicoftheirdoctrinethattheyholdthatmoralconditionofsoulwhichremainsintheregenerateastheconsequenceoforiginalsin,andthefomesorfeelofactualsin,isnotproperlyofthenatureofsin.Theymaintainthatthefirstspontaneousmovementofthisconcupiscenceisnotsininitselfandnottobetreatedassuch—butthatitbecomesthecauseofsinassoonasitssolicitationsareentertainedandtranslatedintoactionbythewill.—"Cat.ofCouncilofTrent,"Pt.2.,ch.2.,Q.42.

TheArminiansavailthemselvesofthesamepositionswhendefendingtheirdoctrineofChristianPerfection.Wesley(in"Meth.Doc.Tracts,"pp.294–312)distinguishesbetween"sinproperlysocalled,i.e.,voluntarytransgressionofknownlaw,andsinimproperlysocalled,i.e.,involuntarytransgressionoflaw,knownorunknown,"anddeclares,"Ibelievethereisnosuchperfectioninthislifeasexcludestheseinvoluntarytransgressions,whichIapprehendtobenaturallyconsequent

upontheignoranceandmistakesinseparablefrommortality."

THESINOFADAM

16.WhatistheSECONDgreatmysteryconnectedwiththeoriginofsin?

Howcouldsinoriginateinthewillofacreaturecreatedwithapositivelyholydisposition?

Thedifficultyistoreconcileunderstandinglythefactthatsindidsooriginate—

1st.Withtheknownconstitutionofthehumanwill.Ifthevolitionsareastheprevalentaffectionsanddesires,andiftheaffectionsanddesiresexcitedbyoutwardoccasionsaregoodorevil,accordingtothepermanentmoralstateofthewill,howcouldasinfulvolitionoriginateinaholywill?orhowcouldthepermanentstateofhissoulbecomespontaneouslyunholy?

2nd.Withuniversalexperience.AsitisimpossiblethatasinfuldesireorvolitionshouldoriginateintheholywillofGod,orintheholywillofsaintsandangels,orthatatrulyholyaffectionorvolitionshouldoriginateinthedepravedwillsoffallenmenwithoutsupernaturalregeneration(Luke6:43–45),howcouldasinfulvolitionoriginateintheholywillofAdam?

ThatAdamwascreatedwithaholyyetfalliblewill,andthathedidfall,arefactsestablishedbydivinetestimony.Wemustbelievethem,althoughwecannotrationallyexplainthem.Thisisforusimpossible—1st.Becausethereremainsaninscrutableelementinthehumanwill,adoptwhichevertheoryofitwemay.

2nd.Becauseallourreasoningmustbebaseduponconsciousness,andnoothermaneverhadinhisconsciousnesstheexperienceofAdam.Theoriginofoursinfulvolitionsisplainenough.Butwelacksomeofthedatanecessarytoexplainhiscase.

Inthewayofapproximation,however,wemayobserve—1st.It

isunsoundtoreasonfromtheindependentwilloftheinfiniteGodtothedependentwillofthecreature.

2nd.Theinfallibilityofsaintsandangelsisnotinherent,butisasuperinducedconfirminggraceofGod.

Theyarenotinastateofprobation.Adamwas—hiswillwasfree,butnotconfirmed.

3rd.Thedepravedwillofmancannotoriginateholyaffectionsandvolitions,becausethepresenceof:apositivelyholyprincipleisnecessarytoconstitutethemholy.But,ontheotherhand,therewerealreadyintheholywillofAdammanyprinciplesmorallyindifferent,inthemselvesneithergoodnorbad,andbecomingsinfulonlywhen,indefaultofthecontrolofreasonandconscience,theyprompttotheirindulgenceinwaysforbiddenbyGod;e.g.,admirationandappetiteforthefruit,anddesireforknowledge.Thesincommencedthemomentthat,underthepowerfulpersuasionofSatan,thesetwomotivesweredweltuponinspiteoftheprohibition,andthusallowedtobecomesoprevalentinthesoulastemporarilytoneutralizereverenceforGod’sauthority,andfearofhisthreatening.

4th.Adam,althoughendowedwithaholydisposition,wasinexperiencedintheassaultsoftemptation.

5th.Hewasassailedthroughthemorallyindifferentprinciplesofhisnaturebyavastlysuperiorintelligenceandcharacter,towhom,inthehighestsense,theoriginofallsinmustbereferred.

17.WhatappearsfromthehistoryoftheFalltohavebeentheprecisenatureofthefirstsinofAdam?

Itappearsfromtherecord(Genesis3:1–6)thattheinitialinfluencesinducingourfirstparents,intheirfirsttransgression,wereinthemselvesconsideredmorallyindifferent.Thesewere—1st.Naturalappetitefortheattractivefruit.2nd.Naturaldesireforknowledge.3rd.ThepersuasivepowerofSatanuponEve,includingtheknowninfluenceofasuperiormindandwill.4th.ThepersuasivepowerofbothSatanand

EveuponAdam.Theirdreadfulsinappearstohavebeenessentially—1st.Unbelief,theyvirtuallymadeGodaliar.2nd.Deliberatedisobedience,theysetuptheirwillasalawinplaceofhis.

18.WhatrelationdidGodsustaintoAdam’ssin?

ConcerningtherelationsustainedbyGodtothesinofAdamallweknowis—1st.GodcreatedAdamholy,withallnaturalpowersnecessaryforaccountableagency.2nd.Herightfullywithheldfromhim,duringhisprobation,anyhighersupernaturalinfluencenecessarytorenderhiminfallible.3rd.HeneithercausednorapprovedAdam’ssin.4th.Hesovereignlydecreedtopermithimtosin,thusdeterminingthatheshouldsinashedid.

19.WhatwastheeffectofAdam’ssinuponhimself?

1st.InthenaturalrelationwhichAdamsustainedtoGodasthesubjectofhismoralgovernment,hissinmusthaveinstantlyhadtheeffectof(1)displeasingandalienatingGod,and(2)ofdepravinghisownsoul.

2nd.InthecovenantrelationwhichAdamsustainedtoGodthepenaltyofthecovenantofworkswasincurred,i.e.,death,including,(1)mortalityofbody,(2)corruptionofsoul,(3)sentenceofeternaldeath.

20.Inwhatsensedidhebecometotallydepraved,andhowcouldtotaldepravityresultfromonesin?

BytheaffirmationthattotaldepravitywastheimmediateresultofAdam’sfirstsin,itisnotmeantthathebecameasbadashecouldbe,orevenascorruptasthebestofhisunregeneratedescendants;butitismeant—1st.HisapostasyfromGodwascomplete.Goddemandsperfectobedience;Adamwasnowarebelinarms.

2nd.ThatthefavorandcommunionofGod,thesoleconditionofhisspirituallife,waswithdrawn.

3rd.Aschismwasintroducedintothesoulitself.Thepainfulreproachesofconsciencewereexcited,andcouldneverbeallayed

withoutanatonement.ThisledtofearofGod,distrust,prevarication,and,bynecessaryconsequence,toinnumerableothersins.

4th.Thusthewholenaturebecamedepraved.Thewillbeingatwarwiththeconscience,theunderstandingbecamedarkened;theconscience,inconsequenceofconstantoutrageandneglect,becameseared;theappetitesofthebodyinordinate,anditsmembersinstrumentsofunrighteousness.

5th.Thereremainedinman’snaturenorecuperativeprinciple;hemustgoonfromworsetoworse,unlessGodinterpose.

Thusthesoulofmanbeingessentiallyactive,althoughonesindidnotestablishaconfirmedhabit,itdidalienateGodandworkconfusioninthesoul,andthusleadtoanendlesscourseofsin.

THECONSEQUENCESOFADAM’SSINTOHISPOSTERITYare—1st.ThejudicialchargingofthelegalresponsibilityofthatsinuponallattheircreationwhomherepresentedintheCovenantofWorks.2nd.Theconsequentbirthofeachofhisdescendantsinastateofexclusionfromthelife–givingcommunionofthedivineSpirit.3rd.Theconsequentlossoforiginalrighteousness,andtheinherentandprevailingtendencytosinwhichistheinvariablemoralconditionofeachofhisdescendantsfrombirth.4th.Theabsolutemoralinabilityofmentochangetheirnaturesortofulfilltheirobligations.

Forreasonswhichwillappearsubsequently,thesubjectsconnectedwithman’snaturalmoralcorruptionandimpotency,arediscussedbeforethesubjectofImputation,orthereasonandmethodofthepassingoveroftheconsequencesofAdam’ssinfromhimtohisdescendants.

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Chapter19:OriginalSin—(PeccatumHabituale)

1.Howisoriginalsintobedefined?

See"ConfessionofFaith,"Chapter6.;"LargerCatechism,"Questions25,26;"ShorterCatechism,"Question18.

Thephrase,originalsin,isusedsometimestoincludethejudicialimputationoftheguiltofAdam’ssin,aswellasthehereditarymoralcorruption,commontoallhisdescendants,whichisoneoftheconsequencesofthatimputation.Morestrictly,however,thephraseoriginalsindesignatesonlythehereditarymoralcorruptioncommontoallmenfrombirth.

InthedefinitionofthisdoctrineWEDENY—

1st.Thatthiscorruptionisinanysensephysical,thatitinheresintheessenceofthesoul,orinanyofitsnaturalfacultiesassuch.

2nd.Thatitconsistsprimarilyinthemeresupremacyofthesensualpartofournature.Itisadepravedhabitorbiasofwill.

3rd.Thatitconsistssolelyintheabsenceofholydispositions,because,fromtheinherentactivityofthesoul,sinexhibitsitselffromthebeginninginthewayofapositivepronenesstoevil.

Ontheotherhand,WEAFFIRM—

1st.Thatoriginalsinispurelymoral,beingtheinnatepronenessofthewilltoevil.

2nd.ThathavingitsseatinthewillaversetotheholylawofGod,itbiasestheunderstanding,andthusdeceivestheconscience,leadstoerroneousmoraljudgments,toblindnessofmind,todeficientandpervertedsensibilityinrelationtomoralobjects,totheinordinateactionofthesensuousnature,andthustocorruptionoftheentiresoul.

3rd.Thusitpresentstwoaspects:(l)Thelossoftheoriginalrighteoushabitofwill.(2)Thepresenceofapositivelyunrighteoushabit.

4th.Yetfromthefactthatthisinnatedepravitydoesembracea

positivedispositiontoevil,itdoesnotfollowthatapositiveevilqualityhasbeeninfusedintothesoul.Because,fromtheessentiallyactivenatureofthesoul,andfromtheessentialnatureofvirtue,asthatwhichobligesthewill,itevidentlyfollowsthatmoralindifferenceisimpossible;andsothatdepravity,whichPresidentEdwardssays"comesfromadefectiveorprivativecause,"instantlyassumesapositiveform.NottoloveGodistorebelagainsthim,nottoobeyvirtueistotrampleitunderfoot.Self–lovesoonbringsustofear,thentohatethevindicatorofrighteousness.—Edwardson"OriginalSin,"Part4.,sec.2.

2.Whyisthissincalledoriginal?

NotbecauseitbelongstotheoriginalconstitutionofournatureasitcameforthfromthehandofGod,butbecause,1st.,itisderivedbyordinarygenerationfromAdam,theoriginalrootofthehumanrace;and2nd.,itistheinwardrootororiginofalltheactualsinsthatdefileourlives.

ThissinisalsotechnicallystyledPeccatumHabituale,orthesinwhichconsistsinamorallycorrupthabitorstateofsoul,indistinctionfromimputedsinandactualsin.

3.Howmayitbeprovedthatthedoctrineoforiginalsindoesnotinvolvethecorruptionofthesubstanceofthesoul?

Itistheuniversaljudgmentofmenthatthereareinthesoul,besidesitsessenceanditsnaturalfaculties,certainhabits,innateoracquired,whichqualifytheactionofthosefaculties,andconstitutethecharacteroftheman.Thosehabits,orinherentdispositionswhichdeterminetheaffectionsanddesiresofthewill,governaman’sactions,and,whengood,arethesubjectsofmoralpraise,and,whenevil,thesubjectsofmoraldisapprobationonthepartofallmen.Aninnatemoralhabitofsoul,e.g.,originalsin,isnomoreaphysicalcorruptionthananyacquiredhabit,intellectualormoral,isaphysicalchange.

Besidesthis,theScripturesdistinguishbetweenthesinandtheagentinawaywhichprovesthatthesinfulhabitisnotsomethingconsubstantialwiththesinner,Romans7:17;"sinthatdwellethinme,"

Hebrews12:1,etc.

4.Howcanitbeshownthatoriginalsindoesnotconsistindisease,ormerelyinthesupremacyofthesensuouspartofournature?

Whileitistruethatmanysinshavetheiroccasionsintheinordinateappetitesofthebody,yetitisevidenttheoriginalorrootofsincannotbeinthem—

1st.Fromtheverynatureofsinitmusthaveitsseatinthemoralstateofthevoluntaryprinciple.Disease,oranyformofphysicaldisorder,isnotvoluntary,andthereforenotanelementofmoralresponsibility.Itis,moreover,theobligationofthewilltoregulatethelowersensuousnature,andsinmustoriginateinthefailureofthosemoralaffectionswhichwouldhavebeensupremeiftheystillcontinuedtoreigninthewill.

2nd.Fromthefactthatthemostheinoussinsaredestituteofanysensuouselement,e.g.,pride,anger,malice,andAVERSIONFROMGOD.

5.Howcanitbeprovedthatthisinnatedispositionorhabitofsoul,whichleadstosinfulaction,isitselfsin?

1st.Thisinnatehabitofsoulisastateofthewill,anditisanultimateprinciplethatallthestatesaswellasactsofthewillrelatedtothelawofconsciencearemoral,i.e.,eithervirtuousorvicious.—Seeabove,Chapter15.,Questions9and10.

2nd.Thesepermanenthabitsorstatesofthewillconstitutethemoralcharacteroftheagent,whichallmenregardasthepropersubjectofpraiseorblame.

3rd.Thisinherentdispositiontosinfulactioniscalled"sin"inScripture.—Romans6:12,14,17;7:5–17.

Itiscalled"flesh"asopposedto"spiritual,"Galatians5:17,24;also"lust,"James1:14,15;and"oldAdam"and"bodyofsin,"Romans6:6;

also"ignorance,""blindnessofheart,""alienationfromthelifeofGod,"andaconditionof"beingpastfeeling,"Ephesians4:18,19.

6.Howcanitbeshownthatoriginalsindoesnotconsistsimplyinthewantoforiginalrighteousness?

1st.Itfollowsfromtheinherentactivityofthehumansoul,andfromtheinherentlyobligingpowerofmoralright,thattheabsenceofrightdispositionsimmediatelyleadstotheformationofpositivelysinfuldispositions.NottoloveGodistohatehim,nottoobeyhimistodisobey.Disobedienceleadstofear,tofalsehood,andtoeveryformofsin.—Seeabove,Question1.

2nd.Asamatteroffact,innatedepravityexhibitsitspositivecharacterbygivingbirthtosins,involvingpositiveviciousnessintheearlieststagesofaccountableagency,aspride,malice,etc.

3rd.TheScripturesassignitapositivecharacter,whentheyapplytoitsuchtermsas"flesh,""concupiscence,""oldman,""lawinthemembers,""bodyofsin,""bodyofdeath,""sintakingoccasion,""deceivedme,"and"wroughtallmannerofconcupiscence."—Romans7.

7.Howmayitbeshownthatitaffectstheentireman?

Originalsinhasitsseatinthewill,andprimarilyconsistsinthatpronenesstounlawfuldispositionsandaffectionswhichistheinnatehabitofthehumansoul.Buttheseveralfacultiesofthehumansoularenotseparateagents.Theonesoulactsineachfunctionasanindivisibleagent,itsseveralfacultiesorpowersaftertheirkindmutuallyqualifyingoneanother.Whenthesoulisengagedinunderstandinganobject,oranaspectofanyobject,e.g.,mathematics,withwhichitsaffectionsarenotconcerned,thenitsactionhasnomoralelement.Butwhenitisengagedinunderstandinganobjectwithrespecttowhichitsdepravedaffectionsareperverselyinterested,itsactionmustbebiased.Theconsequence,therefore,ofthesinfulbiasofthewill,initscontrollinginfluenceovertheexercisesofthesoul,inallitsfunctions,willbe—

1st.Theunderstanding,biasedbythepervertedaffections,

actingconcurrentlywiththemoralsenseinformingmoraljudgments,willleadtoerroneousjudgments,toadeceivingconscience,andtogeneral"blindnessofmind"astomoralsubjects.

2nd.Theemotionsandsensibilitieswhichaccompanythejudgmentsofconscienceinapprovingthegoodandincondemningthewrong,byrepeatedoutrageandneglect,willberenderedlesslively,andthusleadtoasearedconscience,andgeneralmoralinsensibility.

3rd.Inacontinuedcourseofsinfulactionthememorywillbecomedefiledwithitsstoresofcorruptexperiences,fromwhichtheimaginationalsomustdrawitsmaterials.

4th.Thebodyinitsturnwillbecorrupted.(1)Itsnaturalappetiteswillbecomeinordinateintheabsenceofpropercontrol.(2)Itsactivepowerswillbeusedas"instrumentsofunrighteousnessuntosin."

5th.TheScripturesteach—(1)Thattheunderstandingofthe"naturalman"isdepravedaswellashisaffections.—1Corinthians2:14;2Corinthians4:4;Ephesians4:18;Colossians1:21.(2)Thatregenerationinvolvesilluminationaswellasrenewaloftheheart.—Acts26:18;Ephesians1:18;5:8;1Peter2:9.(3)ThattruthaddressedtotheunderstandingisthegreatinstrumentoftheSpiritinregenerationandsanctification.—John17:17;James1:18.

8.Whatismeantbytheaffirmationthatmanbynatureistotallydepraved?

BythisorthodoxphraseITISNOTTOBEUNDERSTOOD,1st.thatthedepravedmanhasnotaconscience.

Thevirtuousnessofanagentdoesnotconsistinhis,havingaconscience,butintheconformityofthedispositionsandaffectionsofhiswilltothelawofwhichconscienceistheorgan.Eventhedevilsandlostsoulsretaintheirsenseofrightandwrongandthosevindicatoryemotionswithwhichconscienceisarmed.

Or,2nd.,thatunregeneratemen,possessinganatural

conscience,donotoftenadmirevirtuouscharacterandactionsinothers.

Or,3rd.,thattheyareincapableofdisinterestedaffectionsandactionsintheirvariousrelationswiththeirfellowmen.

Or,4th,thatanymanisasthoroughlydepravedasitispossibleforhimtobecome,orthateachmanhasadispositioninclinedtoeveryformofsin.

ButITISMEANT—1st.Thatvirtueconsistingintheconformityofthedispositionsofthewill,withthelawofGod,andtheverysoulofvirtueconsistingintheallegianceofthesoultoGod,everymanbynatureistotallyalienatedinhisgoverningdispositionfromGod,andconsequentlyhiseveryact,whethermorallyindifferent,orconformedtosubordinateprinciplesofright,isvitiatedbytheconditionoftheagentasarebel.2nd.Thatthisstateofwill,leadstoaschisminthesoul,andtothemoralperversionofallthefacultiesofsoulandbody(seeprecedingquestion).3rd.Thetendencyofthisconditionistofurthercorruptioninendlessprogressionineverydepartmentofournature,andthisdeteriorationwould,ineverycase,beincalculablymorerapidthanitis,ifitwerenotforthesupernaturalrestraintsoftheHolyGhost.4th.Thereremainsnorecuperativeelementinthesoul.Mancanonlyandforeverbecomeworse,withoutamiraculousrecreation.

9.WhatproofofthedoctrineoforiginalsinmaybederivedfromthehistoryoftheFall?

Godcreatedmaninhisownimage,andpronouncedhimasamoralagenttobeverygood.Hethreatenedhimwithdeathintheverydaythatheshouldeattheforbiddenfruit,andonlyinthesenseofspiritualdeathwasthatthreatliterallyfulfilled.ThespirituallifeofmandependsuponcommunionwithGod;butGoddrovehimatonceforthinangerfromhispresence.Consequentlythepresentspiritualstateofmanisdeclaredtobe"death,"theverypenaltythreatened.—Ephesians2:1;1John3:14.

10.WhatistheaccountwhichtheScripturesgiveofhumannature,andhowcantheexistenceofaninnate

hereditarydepravitybethenceinferred?

TheScripturesrepresentallmenastotallyalienatedfromGod,andmorallydepravedintheirunderstandings,hearts,wills,consciences,bodies,andactions.—Romans3:10–23;8:7;Job14:4;15:14;Genesis6:5;8:21;Matthew15:19;Jeremiah7:9;Isaiah1:5,6.Thisdepravityofmanisdeclaredtobe,1st.,oftheact,2nd.,oftheheart,3rd.,frombirthandbynature,4th,ofallmenwithoutexception.—Psalm51:5;John3:6;Ephesians2:3;Psalm58:3.

11.StatetheevidenceforthetruthofthisdoctrineaffordedbyRomans5:12–21.

Paulhereprovesthattheguilt—legalobligationtosufferthepenalty—ofAdam’ssinisimputedtous,bytheunquestionablefactthatthepenaltyofthelawwhichAdambrokehasbeeninflicteduponall.Butthatpenaltywasallpenalevil,deathphysical,spiritual,eternal.Originalsin,therefore,togetherwithnaturaldeath,isinthispassageassumedasanundeniablefact,uponwhichtheapostleconstructshisargumentfortheimputationofAdam’ssin.

12.Howisthetruthofthisdoctrineestablishedbythefactofthegeneralprevalenceofsin?

Allmen,underallcircumstances,ineveryageoftheworld,andunderwhatevereducationalinfluencestheymaybebroughtup,begintosinuniformlyassoonastheyenteruponmoralagency.Auniversaleffectmusthaveauniversalcause.Justaswejudgethatamanisbynatureanintelligence,becausetheactionsofallmeninvolveanelementofintelligence,soweascertainlyjudgethatmanisbynaturedepraved,becauseallmenactsinfully.

13.IfAdamsinned,thoughfreefromanycorruptionofnature,howdoesthefactthathisposteritysinprovethattheirnatureiscorrupt?

ThefactthatAdamsinnedprovesthatamoralagentmaybeatoncesinlessandfallible,andthatsuchabeing,lefttohimself,maysin,

butwithrespecttohisposteritythequestionis,whatistheuniversalanduniformcausethateveryindividualalwayscertainlybeginstosinassoonashebeginstoactasamoralagent?Thequestionintheonecaseis,Howcouldsuchanonesin?butintheother,Whydoallcertainlysinfromthebeginning?

14.BywhatotherobjectionsdoPelagiansandothersattempttoavoidtheforceoftheargumentfromtheuniversalityofsin?

1st.Thosewhomaintainthatthelibertyofindifferenceitsessentialtoresponsibleagency,andthatvolitionsarenotdeterminedbytheprecedentmoralstateofthemind,attributeallsinfulactionstothefactthatthewillofmanisunconditioned,andinsistthathisactingasheactsisanultimatefact.

Inanswer,weacknowledgethatamanalwayswillsashepleases,butthequestionis,Whyhealwayscertainlypleasetowillwrong?Anindifferentcausecannotaccountofauniformfact.Thedoctrineoforiginalsinmerelyassignsthedepravedcharacterofthewillitselfastheuniformcauseoftheuniformfact.

2nd.Othersattempttoexplainthefactsbytheuniversalinfluenceofsinfulexample.

Weanswer:(1)Childrenuniformlymanifestdepraveddispositionsattooearlyaperiodtoadmitofthatsinbeingrationallyattributedtotheinfluenceofexample.(2)Childrenmanifestdepraveddispositionswhohavebeenbroughtupfrombirthincontactwithsuchinfluencesonlyaswouldinclinethemtoholiness.

3rd.Others,again,attempttoexplainthefactsbyreferringtothenaturalorderinthedevelopmentofourfaculties,e.g.,firsttheanimal,thentheintellectual,thenthemoral:thusthelower,byanticipating,subvertsthehigher.

Foranswer,seeabove,Question4.Besides,whilethisisanimperfectexplanation,itisyetavirtualadmissionofthefactofinnate

hereditarydepravity.Suchanorderofdevelopment,leadingtosuchuniformconsequences,isitselfatotalcorruptionofnature.

15.Whatargumentforthedoctrineoforiginalsinmaybederivedfromtheuniversalityofdeath?

Thepenaltyofthelawwasdeath,includingdeathspiritualphysical,andmoral.Physicaldeathisuniversal;eternaldeath,temporarilysuspendedforChrist’ssake,isdenounceduponalltheimpenitent.

Asonepartofthepenaltyhastakeneffect,evenuponinfants,whohaveneverbeenguiltyofactualtransgression,wemustbelievetheotherparttohavetakeneffectlikewise.Brutes,whoalsosufferanddie,arenotmoralagents,norweretheyeverembracedinacovenantoflife,andthereforetheircase,althoughithasitsownpeculiardifficulties,isnotanalogoustothatofman.Geologyaffirmsthatbrutessufferedanddiedinsuccessivegenerationsbeforethecreationandapostasyofman.ThisisatpresentoneoftheunsolvedquestionsofGod’sprovidence.—SeeHughMiller’s"TestimoniesoftheRocks."

16.HowmayitbeprovedbywhattheScripturessayconcerningregeneration?

TheScripturesdeclare—

1st.Thatregenerationisaradicalchangeofthemoralcharacter,wroughtbytheHolyGhostintheexerciseofsupernaturalpower.Itiscalled"anewcreation;"theregeneratedarecalled"God’sworkmanship,createduntogoodworks,"etc.Ezekiel36:26;Ephesians1:19;2:5,10;4:24;1Peter1:23;James1:18.

2nd.Regenerationisdeclaredtobenecessaryabsolutelyanduniversally.—John3:3;2Corinthians5:17.

17.HowmayitbeprovedfromwhattheScripturessayofredemption?

TheScripturesassertofredemption—

1st.Astoitsnature,thatthedesignandeffectofChrist’ssacrificeistodeliver,bymeansofanatonement,allhispeoplefromthepoweraswellasfromtheguiltofsin.—Ephesians5:25–27;Titus2:14;Hebrews9:12–14;13:12.

2nd.Astoitsnecessity,thatitwasabsolutelynecessaryforall—forinfantswhoneverhavecommittedactualsin,aswellasforadults.—Acts4:12;Romans3:25,26;Galatians2:21and3:21,22;Matthew19:14;Revelation1:5;5:9.

Somehaveessayedtoanswer,thatChristonlyredeemedinfantsfromthe"liabilitytosin."Butredemptionbeinganatonementbyblood,the"justfortheunjust,"ifinfantsbenotsinnerstheycannotberedeemed.Asinlessliabilitytosinisonlyamisfortune,andcanadmitofnoredemption.—SeeDr.Taylor's"ConcioadClerum"(NewHaven,1828),pp.24,25;alsoHarvey'sReviewofthesame(Hartford,1829),p.19.

18.Statetheevidenceaffordedbyinfantbaptism.

Baptism,ascircumcision,isanoutwardrite,signifyingtheinwardgraceofspiritualregenerationandpurification.—Mark1:4;John3:5;Titus3:5;Deuteronomy10:16;Romans2:28,29.Bothoftheseritesweredesignedtobeappliedtoinfants.Theapplicationofthesignwouldbebothsenselessandprofaneifinfantsdidnotneed,andwerenotcapableofthethingsignified.

19.IfGodistheauthorofournature,andournatureissinful,howcanweavoidtheconclusionthatGodistheauthorofsin?

Thatconclusionwouldbeunavoidableif,1st.,sinwasanessentialelementofournature,orif;2nd.,itinheredinthatnatureoriginally,asitcamefromGod.

Butweknow,1st.,thatsinoriginatedinthefreeactofman,createdholy,yetfallible;2nd.,thatentirecorruptionofnaturesprang

fromthatsin;and,3rd.,thatinconsequenceofsinGodhasjustlywithdrawntheconservativeinfluencesofhisHolySpirit,andleftmentothenaturalandpenalconsequencesoftheirsin.—SeeCalvin’s"Institutes,"Lib.2.,Chap.1.,secs.6and11.

20.Howcanthisdoctrinebereconciledwiththelibertyofmanandhisresponsibilityofhisacts?

1st.Consciousnessaffirmsthatamanisalwaysresponsibleforhisfreeactions,andthathisactisalwaysfreewhenhewillsas,uponthewhole,hepreferstowill.

2nd.Originalsinconsistsincorruptdispositions,and,therefore,ineverysinamanactsfreely,becauseheactspreciselyasheisdisposedtoact.

3rd.Consciousnessaffirmsthatinabilityisnotinconsistentwithresponsibility.Theinherenthabitordispositionofthewilldetermineshisaction,butnoman,byamerechoiceorvolition,canchangehisdisposition.—SeeChapter18.,Questions4and25.

21.Howisthiscorruptionofnaturepropagated?

Seebelow,underChapter21.

22.Inwhatsensemaysinbethepunishmentofsin?

1st.Inthewayofnaturalconsequence(1)intheinteriorworkingofthesoulitself;inthederangementofitspowers;(2)intheentangledrelationsofthesinnerwithGodandhisfellowmen.

2nd.InthewayofjudicialabandonmentBecauseofsinGodwithdrawshisHolySpirit,andfurthersinistheconsequence.—Romans1:24–28.

23.WhatdotheScripturesteachconcerningthesinagainsttheHolyGhost?

SeeMatthew12:31,32;Mark3:29,30;Hebrews6:4–6;10:26,27;

1John5:16.

ThesepassagesappeartoteachthatthissinconsistsinthemaliciousrejectionofthebloodofChrist,andofthetestimonyoftheHolyGhostagainstevidenceandconviction.ItiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhostbecauseheisimmediatelypresentintheheartofthesinner,andhistestimonyandinfluenceisdirectlyrejectedandcontemptuouslyresisted.Itisunpardonable,notbecauseitsguilttranscendsthemeritofChrist,orthestateofthesinnertranscendstherenewingpoweroftheHolyGhost,butbecauseitconsistsinthefinalrejectionofthese,andbecauseatthislimitGodhassovereignlystaidhisgrace.

24.WhatarethemainpositionsinvolvedinthePelagiandoctrineoforiginalsin?

ThesystemcalledPelagianoriginatedwithPelagiusinhiscontroversieswithSt.Augustineinthebeginningofthefifthcentury,andwasafterwardscompletelydevelopedbythedisciplesofFaustusandLaeliusSocinusinthesixteenthcentury,isembodiedintheRacovianCatechism,andprevailsamongtheEnglishandAmericanUnitariansoftheeighteenthandnineteenthcenturies.

Itembracesthefollowingpoints:1st.Adam’ssinaffectedhimselfalone.2nd.InfantsareborninthesamemoralstateinwhichAdamwascreated.3rd.Everymanpossessesabilitytosinortorepentandobeywheneverhewill.4th.Responsibilityisinexactproportiontoability;andGod’sdemandsareadjustedtothevariouscapacities(moralaswellasconstitutional)andcircumstancesofmen.

25.WhatarethemainpositionsinvolvedintheSemipelagiandoctrine?

AccordingtothecriticalestimateofWiggersinhis"Hist.Present.ofAugustinianismandPelagianism,"Pelagianismregardsmanasmorallyandspirituallywell.Semipelagianismregardshimassick.

Augustinianismregardshimasdead.

ThecurrentpositionsofSemipelagianismduringthemiddleageswere—1st.DenialoftheimputationoftheguiltofAdam’ssin.2nd.Acknowledgmentofamorbidconditionofman’smoralnaturefrombirthbyinheritancefromAdam.3rd.Whichmorbidconditionisnotitselfsinbutthecertaincauseofsin.4th.

Itinvolvesthemoralpowersofthesoultosuchanextentthatnomancanfulfilltherequirementseitherofthelaworofthegospelwithoutdivineassistance.Man,however,hasthepowertobegintoactaright,whenGodseeinghiseffort,andknowingthatotherwiseitwouldbefruitless,giveshimthegracioushelpheneeds.

ThedoctrineoftheArminians,andthe"Synergism"ofMelanchthonamountpracticallytoverymuchthesamethingwiththestatementsjustmade.ThemaindifferenceisthattheSemipelagiansheldthatmancanandmustbegintheworkofrepentanceandobediencewhenGodinstantlycooperateswithhim.

WhiletheArminiansandSynergistsheldthatmanissofardepravedthatheneedsgracetodisposeandenablehimtobeginaswellastocontinueandtosucceedinthework,butthatallmenasamatteroffacthavethesamecommongraceactinguponthem,whichgraceeffectsnothinguntilthemanvoluntarilycooperateswithit,whenitbecomesefficaciousthroughthatco-operation.

TheGreekChurch,whichoccupiesthesamegeneralpositionastooriginalsinandgrace,holds—1st.Originalsinisnotvoluntaryandthereforenottruesin.2nd.TheinfluenceofAdamextendsonlytothesensuous,andnottotherationalnormoralnatureofhisdescendants,andhenceitextendstotheirwillonlythroughthesensuousnature.3rd.Infantsareguiltlessbecausetheypossessonlyaphysicalpropagatednature.4th.Thehumanwilltakestheinitiativeinregenerationbutneedsdivineassistance.

ThisisSemipelagianism.WhilethecorrespondingArminianpositionisthatgracetakestheinitiativeinregenerationbutdependsforitseffectuponhumancooperation.

26.WhatistheNewHavenviewonthissubject?

Dr.NathanielW.Taylor,ofNewHaven,theprinceofAmericannewschooltheology,taughtthatsinconsistssolelyinactsofthewill;that"originalsinisman’sownact,consistinginafreechoiceofsomeobjectratherthanGodashischiefgood."Heincludesinthisdefinitionthepermanentgoverningpreferenceofthewill,whichdeterminesspecialandtransientactsofchoice;whichpreferenceisformedbyeachhumanbeingassoonashebecomesamoralagent,andisuniformlyapreferenceofsomelessergoodinplaceofGod.Hemaintainsalsothatthenatureofman,intheconditioninwhichitcomesintobeing,inconsequenceofAdam’sfall,istheoccasion,notthecause,ofallmeninvariablymakingawrongmoralpreference,andconsequentlyoriginalsinisbynatureinthesensethatthewillenactsitfreelythoughuniformlyasoccasionedbynature,yetthatthenatureitself;oritsinherenttendencytooccasionsin,isnotitselfsin,orilldeserving.—See"ConcioadClerum,"NewHaven,1828,andHarvey’sReviewthereof.

27.WhatistheRomishdoctrineastothechangeeffectedInthemoralnatureofmanbythefall?

Seebelowthepublicstatementsofthevariouschurches.

28.WhatdistinctiondotheRomanistsmakebetweenmortalandvenialsins?

BymortalsinstheymeanthosethatturnawaythesoulfromGod,andforfeitbaptismalgrace.ByvenialsinstheymeanthosewhichonlyimpedethecourseofthesoultoGod.SeebelowBellarmin,quotedunder"AuthoritativeStatementofChurchDoctrine,"etc.

Theobjectionsare—1st.ThisdistinctionisnevermadeintheScriptures.2nd.ExceptforthesacrificeofChrist,everysinismortal.—James2:10;Galatians3:10.

THEAUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE.

ROMISHDOCTRINE.—"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.5.Can.2.—"IfanyoneshallassertthattheapostasyofAdaminjuredhimselfaloneandnothisposterity;andthathelostthesanctityandrighteousnessreceivedfromGod,forhimselfaloneandnotalsoforus,hisposterity,orthatthestainwhichresultsfromthesinofdisobedience,death,andphysicalevilsonlyhaveoverflowedoverthewholehumanrace,andnotalsosinwhichisthediseaseofthesoul—anathemasit."Ib.,Sess.andCap.1."TheHolySynoddeclaresthatinorderproperlytounderstandthedoctrineofjustificationitisnecessarythateveryoneshouldacknowledgeandconfessthatsinceallmenlosttheirinnocenceintheapostasyofAdam,sothat....theyareservantsofsin,underthepowerofthedevilandofdeath...neverthelessinthemfreewillisbynomeansextinctalthoughitisweakenedastoitsstrengthandbiased."Ib.,Sess.6.,Can.5.—"IfanyoneshallsaythatthefreewillofmanhasbeenlostandextinguishedinconsequenceofthesinofAdam....anathemasit."Can.7.—"Ifanyoneshallsaythatallworksperformedbyamananteriortojustification(regeneration),fromwhateverreasonperformed,aretruesinswhichmeritthehatredofGod,orthatthemorevehementlyonemaystrivetodisposehimselftograce,onlythemoregrievouslyhesins—anathemasit."Bellarmin,"Amiss.Gratia,"3.1.—"Thepenaltywhichproperlystandsoveragainstthefirstsin,isthelossoforiginalrighteousnessandofthesupernaturalgiftswithwhichGodhadfurnishedournature."DeGratiaprimihom.,1.—"They(theCatholics)teachthat,throughthesinofAdamthewholemanwastrulydeteriorated,butthathehasnotlostfreewillnoranyotherofthedonanaturalia,butonlythedonasupernaturalia."Ib.,c.5.—"WhereforethestateofmansincethefallofAdamdoesnotdiffermorefromhisstateinpurlsnaturalibus(i.e.,ascreatedandantecedenttohisendowmentwiththedonasupernaturalia,seeStatementofRomishDoctrineendofCh.16.)thanamanrobbedofhisclothesdiffersfromoneoriginallynaked,neitherishumannatureanyworse(ifyousubtractoriginalguilt)nordoesitlaborundergreaterignoranceandinfirmity,thanitwasanddidascreatedinpurisnaturalibus.

Whenceitfollowsthatcorruptionofnaturedoesnotresultfromthelossofanygift,norfromtheaccessionofanyevilquality,butonlyfromthelossofthesupernaturalgiftbecauseofthesinofAdam."

"Amiss.Gra.,"5.5.—"ThequestionbetweenusandouradversariesisnotwhetherhumannaturehasbeengrievouslydepravedthroughthesinofAdam.Forthatwefreelyconfess.Neitheristhequestionwhetherthisdepravitypertainsinanymannertooriginalsin,sothatitmaybespokenofasthematerialofthatsin.Butthewholecontroversyiswhetherthatcorruptionofnatureandespeciallyconcupiscenceperseandofitsownnature,asitisfoundinthebaptizedandjustified,isproperlyoriginalsin.ThistheCatholicsdeny."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.—"FormulaConcordiœ,"p.640.—"(Itistobebelieved)—1st.Thatthishereditaryevilisfaultorguilt(ill–desert)bywhichonaccountofthedisobedienceofAdamandEve,weallaremadesubjecttothewrathofGod,andarebynaturechildrenofwrathastheApostletestified(Romans5:12ff,Ephesians2:3).2nd.Thatthereisthroughallatotalwant,defect,andprivationofthatoriginalrighteousnessconcreatedinParadise,orofthatimageofGodinwhichmaninthebeginningwascreatedintruth,holiness,andrighteousness;andthereisatthesametimethatimpotencyandincapacity,thatweaknessandstupidity,bywhichmanisrenderedutterlyincapableofallthingsdivineorspiritual....3rd.MoreoverthatoriginalsininhumannaturedoesnotonlyinvolvethetotallossandabsenceofallgoodinmattersspiritualandpertainingtoGod;butthatalsointheplaceofthelostlikenesstoGodthereisinmananinward,mostevil,profound(likeanabyss),inscrutable,andineffablecorruptionofthewholenatureandofallthepowers,andprimarilyintheprincipleandsuperiorfacultiesofthesoul,inthemind,intellect,heart,andwill."Ib.,p.645.—"Butalthoughthisoriginalsininfectsandcorruptsthewholenatureofman,asakindofspiritualpoisonandleprosy(asDr.Luthersays),sothatnowinourcorruptednatureitisnotpossibletoshowtotheeyethesetwoapart,thenaturealone,ortheoriginalsinalone;neverthelessthatcorruptnature,orsubstanceofthecorruptman,thebodyandsoul,orthemanhimselfascreatedbyGodinwhomtheoriginalsindwells,isnotoneandthesamewiththatoriginalsinwhichdwellsinthenatureoressenceofmanandcorruptsit,justasinthebodyofaleper,theleprousbodyandtheleprosyitselfwhichisinthebody,arenotoneandthesame."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.—"BelgicConfession,"Art.15.—"(

Peccatumoriginis)isthatcorruptionofthewholenatureandthathereditaryvice,bywhicheventhemselvesintheirmothers’wombsarepolluted,andwhich,asaroot,produceseverykindofsininman,andisthereforesobaseandexecrableinthesightofGod,thatitsufficestothecondemnationofthehumanrace."

"GallicConfession,"Art.11.—"Webelievethatthisvice(originis)istruesin,whichmakesallandeveryman,notevenexceptinglittleinfants,hithertohidinginthewomboftheirmothers,deserving(reos)beforeGod,ofeternaldeath."

"Thirty–NineArticlesofCh.ofEng.,"Art.9.—"(Originalorbirthsin)isthefaultandcorruptionofthenatureofeveryman,thatnaturallyisengenderedoftheoffspringofAdam;wherebymanisveryfargonefromoriginalrighteousness,andisofhisownnatureinclinedtoevil,sothatthefleshlustethalwayscontrarytothespirit;andthereforeineverypersonbornintothisworld,itdeservethGod’swrathanddamnation."

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—"Apol.ConfessionRemonstrant.,p.84.—"They(theRemonstrants)donotregardoriginalsinassinproperlysocalled,norasanevilwhichasapenalty,inthestrictsenseofthatword,passesoverfromAdamuponhisposterity,butasanevil,infirmity,orvice,orwhatevernameitmaybedesignatedby,whichispropagatedfromAdam,deprivedoforiginalrighteousness,tohisposterity.

Limborch"Theol.Christ.,"3.3,4.—"WeconfessalsothatinfantsarebornlesspurethanAdamwascreated,andwith&certainpropensitytosinning,butthistheyreceivenotsomuchfromAdam,asfromtheirimmediateparents,sinceifitwerefromAdam,itoughttobeequalinallmen.Butnowitisinthehighestdegreeunequal,andordinarilychildrenareinclinedtothesinsoftheirparents."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE.—"RacovianCatechism,"p.294.—"AndthefallofAdam,sinceitwasoneact,couldnothavehadthepowerofcorruptingthenatureofAdamhimself,muchlessthatofhisposterity.

Wedonotdeny,however,thatfromtheconstanthabitofsinning,thenatureofmanhasbecomeinfectedwithacertainfallandexcessiveproclivitytosinning.Butwedenythatthisispersesin,orofthatnature."

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Chapter20:Inability

1.StatethethreemainelementsinvolvedintheconsequencesentailedbythesinofAdamuponhisposterity.

Theseare—1st.Theguilt,orjustpenalresponsibilityofAdam’sfirstsinorapostatizingact,whichisimputedorjudiciallychargeduponhisdescendants,wherebyeverychildisbornintotheworldinastateofantenatalforfeitureorcondemnation.2nd.Theentiredepravityofournature,involvingasinfulinnatedispositioninevitablyleadingtoactualtransgression.3rd.Theentireinabilityofthesoultochangeitsownnature,ortodoanythingspirituallygoodinobediencetothedivinelaw.

2.WhatthreegreattypesofdoctrineonthesubjectofhumanabilitytofulfillthelawofGodhavealwayscoexistedinthechurch?

1st.Pelagian.—(a)Moralcharactercanbepredicatedonlyofvolitions.(b)Abilityisalwaysthemeasureofresponsibility.(c)Henceeverymanhasalwaysplenarypowertodoallthatitishisdutytodo.(d)Hencethehumanwillalone,totheexclusionoftheinterferenceofanyinternalinfluencefromGod,mustdecidehumancharacteranddestiny.Theonlydivineinfluenceneededbymanorconsistentwithhischaracterasaself–determinedagentisanexternal,providential,andeducationalone.

2nd.Semipelagian.—(a)Man’snaturehasbeensofarweakenedbythefallthatitcannotactarightinspiritualmatterswithoutdivineassistance.(b)Thisweakenedmoralstatewhichinfantsinheritfromtheirparentsisthecauseofsin,butnotitselfsininthesenseofdeservingthewrathofGod.(c)Manmuststrivetodohiswholeduty,whenGodmeetshimwithcooperativegrace,andrendershiseffortssuccessful.(d)Manisnotresponsibleforthesinshecommitsuntilafterhehasenjoyedandabusedtheinfluencesofgrace.

3rd.Augustinian.—Whichwasadoptedbyalltheoriginal

ProtestantChurches,LutheranandReformed.

(a)Manisbynaturesoentirelydepravedinhismoralnatureastobetotallyunabletodoanythingspirituallygood,orinanydegreetobeginortodisposehimselfthereto.(b)Thatevenundertheexcitingandsuasoryinfluencesofdivinegracethewillofmanistotallyunabletoactarightincooperationwithgrace,untilafterthewillitselfisbytheenergyofgraceradicallyandpermanentlyrenewed.(c)Evenaftertherenewalofthewillitevercontinuesdependentupondivinegrace,toprompt,direct,andenableitintheperformanceofeverygoodwork.

3.Howdoestheususloquendiofthewords"Liberty"and"Ability"inthisconnection,amongtheearlydifferfromthatofthelaterProtestantwriters?

Theearlywritersoftenusetheterm"liberty"inthesenseinwhichwenowusetheterm"ability,"anddenythatmansincethefallpossessesany"liberty"ofwillwithrespecttodivinethings.

Whilemoderntheologiansholdpreciselythesamedoctrineentertainedbytheseearlywriterstheynowthinkitmorejudicioustodistinguishbetweenthetwotermsintheirconstantuse.By"liberty"ismeanttheinalienablepropertyofafreeagent,goodorbad,toexercisevolitionsashepleases;thatis,accordingtotheprevailingdispositionsandtendenciesofhissoul.By"ability,"ontheotherhand,ismeantthepowerofadepravedhumansoul,naturallyindisposedtospiritualgood,tochangeitsgoverningtendenciesordispositionsbymeansofanyvolition,howeverstrenuous,ortoobeytherequirementsofthelawintheabsenceofallholydispositions.Thepermanentaffectionsofthesoulgovernthevolitions,butthevolitionscannotaltertheaffections.Andwhenwesaythatnomansincethefallhasanyabilitytorenderthatspiritualobediencewhichthelawdemands,wemean(a)thattheradicalmoraldispositionsofeverymanisopposedtothatobedience,and(b)manhasabsolutelynoabilitytochangethemor(c)toexercisevolitionscontrarytothem.

4.Statetheorthodoxdoctrinebothnegativelyandpositively.

Theorthodoxdoctrinedoesnotteach—1st.Thatmanbythefallhaslostanyofhisconstitutionalfacultiesnecessarytoconstitutehimaresponsiblemoralagent.Theseare(a)reason,(b)conscience,(c)freewill.Manpossessesalloftheseinexercise.Hehaspowertoknowthetruth;herecognizesandfeelsmoraldistinctionsandobligations;hisaffectionsandtendenciesandhabitsofactionarespontaneous;inallhisvolitionshechoosesandrefusesfreelyashepleases.Thereforeheisresponsible.Nor,2nd.,thatmanhasnotpowertofeelandtodomanythingswhicharegoodandamiable,benevolentandjust,intherelationshesustainstohisfellow–men.ThisisoftenadmittedintheProtestantconfessionsandTheologicalClassics,whereitisconcededthatmansincethefallhasacapacityforhumanajusticia(man’sjustice),and"civilgood,"etc.

ButtheOrthodoxdoctrinedoesteach—1st.ThattheinabilityofmansincethefallconcernsthingswhichinvolveourrelationasspiritualbeingstoGod—theapprehensionandloveofspiritualexcellenceandactioninconformitytherewith.ThesemattersaredesignatedintheConfessions"thingsofGod,""thingsoftheSpirit,""thingswhichpertaintosalvation."2nd.Thatmansincethefallisutterlyunabletoknow,ortofeel,ortoactincorrespondencewiththesethings.Anaturalmanmaybeintellectuallyilluminatedbutheisspirituallyblind.Hemaypossessnaturalaffections,buthisheartisdeadtowardGod,andinvinciblyaversetohispersonandlaw.Hemayobeytheletter,buthecannotobeyinspiritandintruth.

5.Inwhatsenseisthisinabilityabsolute,andinwhatsensenatural,andinwhatsensemoral?

1st.Itisabsoluteinthepropersenseofthatterm.Nounregeneratemanhaspowereitherdirectlyorindirectlytodowhatisrequiredofhiminthisrespect;nortochangehisownnaturesoastoincreasehispower;nortopreparehimselfforgrace,norinthefirstinstancetocooperatewithgrace,untilintheactofregenerationGodchangeshisnatureandgiveshimthroughgracegraciousabilitytoactgraciouslyinconstantdependenceupongrace.

2nd.Itisnaturalinthesensethatitisnotaccidentalor

adventitiousbutinnate,andthatitbelongstoourfallennatureaspropagatedbynaturallawfromparenttochildsincethefall.

3rd.Itisnotnaturalinonesense,becauseitdoesnotbelongtothenatureofmanascreated.Manwascreatedwithplenaryabilitytodoallthatwasinanywayrequiredofhim,andthepossessionofsuchabilityisalwaysrequisitetothemoralperfectionofhisnature.Hemayhearealmanwithoutit,butcanbeaperfectmanonlywithit.Theabilitygraciouslybestoweduponmaninregenerationisnotanendowmentextra–natural,butconsistsintherestorationofhisnature,inpart,toitsconditionofprimitiveintegrity.

4th.Itisnotnaturalinanothersense,becauseitdoesnotresultintheleastfromanyconstitutionaldeficiencyinhumannatureasitnowexistsastoitsrationalandmoralfacultiesofsoul.

5th.Thisinabilityispurelymoral,becausewhileeveryresponsiblemanpossessesallmoralaswellasintellectualfacultiesrequisiteforrightaction,themoralstateofhisfacultiesissuchthatrightactionisimpossible.Itsessenceisintheinabilityofthesoultoknow,love,orchoosespiritualgood,anditsgroundexistsinthatmoralcorruptionofsoulwherebyitisblind,insensible,andtotallyaversetoallthatisspirituallygood.

6.Whatisthehistoryandvalueofthefamousdistinctionbetweennaturalandmoralability?

ThisdistinctionwasfirstexplicitypresentedinthisformbyJohnCameron,borninGlasgow,1580,Prof.intheTheologicalSchoolinSaumur,France,1618,died1625.

PresidentEdwardsinhisgreatwork"OntheWill,"Pt.1.,Sec.4,adoptsthesameterms,affirmingthatmensincethefallhavenaturalabilitytodoallthatisrequiredofthem,butaredestituteofmoralabilitytodoso.Bynaturalabilityhemeantthepossessionbyeveryresponsiblefreeagent,astheconditionofhisresponsibility,ofalltheconstitutionalfacultiesnecessarytoenablehimtoobeyGod’slaw.Bymoralabilityhemeantthatinherentmoralstateofthosefaculties,thatrighteous

dispositionofheart,requisitetotheperformanceofthoseduties.

Asthusstated,andasPresidentEdwardsheldandusedit,thereisnoquestionastothevalidityandimportanceofthisdistinction.Thesameprincipleisexplicitlyrecognizedinthestatementoftheorthodoxdoctrinegivenabove,Questions4and5.Neverthelessweseriouslyobjecttothephraseologyused,forthefollowingreasons:

1st.ThisphraseologyhasnowarrantintheanalogyoftheScriptures.Theyneversaythatmanhasonekindofabilitybuthasnotanother.Theyeverywhereconsistentlyteachthatmanisnotabletodowhatisrequiredofhim.Theyneverteachthatheisableinanysense.

2nd.IthasneverbeenadoptedintheCreedStatementsofanyoneoftheReformedChurches.

3rd.Itisessentiallyambiguous.Ithasbeenoftenusedtoexpress,sometimestocover,Semipelagianerror.Itisnaturallymisleadingandconfusingwhenaddressedtothestrugglingsinner.hislanguageassureshimthatheisableinacertainsense,whenitisonlytruethathepossessessomeoftheessentialprerequisitesofability.Abilitybeginsonlyafterallitsessentialconditionsarepresent.Tosaythatadeadbirdhasmuscularabilitytofly,andonlylacksvitalability,istriflingwithwords.Thetruthis,thesinnerisabsolutelyunablebecauseofamoraldeficiency.Itisrightenoughtosaythathisinabilityispurelyandsimplymoral.Butitissimplyuntrueandmisleadingtotellhimhehasnaturalability,whenthefactispreciselythatheisunable.TheworkoftheHolySpiritinregenerationisnotameremoralsuasionbutanewmoralcreation.

4th.Naturalisnottheproperantithesisofmoral.Athingmaybeatthesametimenaturalandmoral.

Thisinabilityofmanasshownabove,iscertainlywhollymoral,anditisyetinanimportantsensenatural,i.e.,incidenttohisnatureinitspresentstateasnaturallypropagated.

5th.Thelanguagedoesnotaccuratelyexpresstheimportant

distinctionintended.Theinabilityismoralandisnoteitherphysicalorconstitutional.Ithasitsgroundnotinthewantofanyfaculty,butinthecorruptmoralstateofthefaculties,intheinveteratedisinclinationoftheaffections.anddispositionsofthevoluntarynature.

7.ProvethefactofthisinabilityfromScripture.

Jeremiah13:23;John6:44,65;15:5;Romans9:16;1Corinthians2:14.

8.ProvethesamefromwhatScripturesteachofthemoralconditionofmanbynature.

Itisastateofspiritualblindnessanddarkness,Ephesians4:18,ofspiritualdeath.—Colossians2:13.Theunregeneratearethe"servantsofsin."—Romans6:20.Theyare"withoutstrength."—Romans5:6.MenaresaidtobesubjectsofSatanandledaboutbyhimathiswill.—2Timothy2:26.Theonlywaytochangethecharacterofouractionsisdeclaredtobetochangethecharacterofourhearts.—Matthew12:33–35.

9.ProvethesamefromwhattheScripturesteachastothenatureandnecessityofregeneration.

Astoitsnatureitistaughtthatregenerationisa"newbirth,"a"newcreation,"a"begettinganew,"a"givinganewheart"—thesubjectsofitare"newcreatures,""God'sworkmanship,"etc.Itisaccomplishedbythe"exceedinggreatnessofthemightypowerofGod."—Ephesians1:18–20.AllChristiangraces,aslove,Joy,faith,peace,etc.,aredeclaredtobe"fruitsoftheSpirit."—Galatians5:22,23.God"workethinyoutowillandtodoofhisgoodpleasure."—Philippians2:13.

AstoitsnecessitythisradicalchangeofthegoverningstatesandproclivitiesofthewillitselfisdeclaredtobeabsolutelynecessaryinthecaseofeverychildofAdam,withoutexception,inordertosalvation.

Itisplain,therefore,thatmanmustbeabsolutelyspirituallyimpotentantecedenttothischangewroughtinhimbydivinepower,andthatallabilityhemayeverhaveeventocooperatewiththegracethat

saveshim,mustbeconsequentuponthatchange.

10.Provethesamefromexperience.

1st.Fromtheexperienceofeveryconvincedsinner.Allgenuineconvictionofsinembracesthesetwoelements:(a)Athoroughconvictionofresponsibilityandguilt,justifyingGodandprostratingselfbeforehiminconfessionandabsoluteselfemptying.(b)Athoroughconvictionofourownmoralimpotenceanddependenceasmuchupondivinegracetoenableus,asuponChrist’smeritstojustifyus.Asinnermustinbothsenses,i.e.,astoguiltandastohelplessness,bebroughtintoastateofutterself–despair,orhecannotbebroughttoChrist.

2nd.FromtheexperienceofeverytrueChristian.Hismostintimateconvictionis(a)thathewasabsolutelyhelplessandthathewassavedbyadivineintervention,abextra.(b)ThathispresentdegreeofspiritualstrengthissustainedsolelybytheconstantcommunicationsoftheHolyGhost,andthathelivesspirituallyonlyasheclingsclosetoChrist.

3rd.Fromtheuniversalexperienceofthehumanfamily.Wearguethatmanisabsolutelydestituteofspiritualability,becausetherehasneverbeendiscoveredasingleexampleofameremanwhohasexerciseditsincethefoundationoftheearth.

11.Stateandrefutetheobjectionbroughtagainstourdoctrineontheallegedgroundthat"abilityisthemeasureofresponsibility."

Themaximthat"abilityisthemeasureofresponsibility"isundoubtedlytrueundersomeconditionsandfalseunderothers.ThemistakewhichutterlyvitiatestheabovecitedobjectiontotheScripturaldoctrineofinability,consistsinafailuretodiscriminatebetweentheconditionsunderwhichthemaximistrue,andtheconditionsunderwhichitisfalse.

Itisaself–evidenttruth,andonenotdeniedbyanyparty,thataninabilitywhichconsistseither(a)intheabsenceofthefaculties

absolutelynecessaryfortheperformanceofaduty,or(b)intheabsenceofanopportunitytousethem,isentirelyinconsistentwithmoralresponsibilityinthecase.Ifamanhasnoteyes,orifhavingthemheisunavoidablydestituteoflight,hecannotbemorallyboundtosee.So,likewise,ifamanisdestituteofintellect,orofnaturalconscience,orofanyoftheconstitutionalfacultiesessentialtomoralagency,hecannotberesponsibleforactingasamoralagent.

Anditisfurtherevidentthatthisirresponsibilityarisessolelyfromthebarefactoftheinability.Itmattersnotatallinthisrespectwhethertheinabilitybeself–inducedornot,ifonlyitbearealincapacity.Aman,forinstance,whohasputouthisowneyesinordertoavoidthedraft,maybejustlyheldresponsibleforthatact,buthecannevermorebeheldresponsibleforseeing,i.e.,forusingeyesthathedoesnotpossess.

Ontheotherhanditisnolessevidentthatwhentheinabilityconsistssolelyinthewantoftheproperdispositionsandaffections,insteadofbeinginconsistentwithresponsibilityitistheverygroundandreasonofjustcondemnation.Nothingismorecertainnormoreuniversallyconfessed,thanthattheaffectionsanddispositionsare(1)notunderthecontrolofthewill.Theycannomorebechangedthanourstaturebyamerevolition.(2)Yetweareresponsibleforthem.

Thosewhomaintainthatresponsibilityisnecessarilylimitedbyabilitymustconsequentlyholdeither(1)thateveryman,howeverdegraded,isablebyavolitionatoncetoconformhimselftothehigheststandardofvirtue,whichisabsurd;or(2)thatthestandardofmoralobligationisloweredmoreandmoreinproportionasamansins,andbysinlosesthecapacityforobedience,i.e.,thatmoralobligationdecreasesasguiltincreases,orinotherwordsthatGod’srightsdecreaseasourrebellionagainsthimincreases.Whichisalsoabsurd,fortheprincipleobviouslyvacateslawaltogether,makingbothitspreceptandpenaltyvoid,sincethesinnercarriesthelawdownwithhimself:IttakesthelawoutofGod’shands,andputsitinthehandsofthesinner,whoalwaysdeterminestheextentofitsrequirementsbytheextentofhisownapostasy.

12.Provethatmenareresponsiblefortheiraffections.1

1st.ThewholevolumeofScripturetestifiestothefactthatGodrequiresmentopossessrightaffections.andthathejudgesandtreatsmenaccordingtotheiraffections.Christdeclares(Matthew22:37–40)thatthewholemorallaw.issummarilycomprehendedinthesetwocommandments,toLoveGodwiththewholeheart,andourneighborasourselves."Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets."But"love"isanaffectionnotavolition,norisitundertheimmediatecontrolofthevolitions.

2nd.Itistheinstinctivejudgmentofallmenthatmoraldispositionsandaffectionsareintrinsicallyeithergoodorevil,andworthyineverycaseaccordingtotheircharacter,andirrespectiveoftheiroriginofpraiseorblame.Someaffectionsindeedareinthemselvesmorallyindifferentandbecomerightorwrongonlywhenadoptedbythewillasaprincipleofactioninpreferencetoothercompetingprinciples,e.g.,theaffectionofself–love.Butthereareotheraffectionswhichareintrinsicallygood,likelovetoGodanddisinterestedbenevolencetowardsourfellow–creatures,andotherswhichareintrinsicallyevil,likemaliceordistrustofGod,withoutanyconsiderationoftheirorigin.—Romans7:14–23.Everyvolitionderivesallitsmoralqualityfromthequalityoftheaffectionthatpromptsit;while,ontheotherhand,themoralqualityoftheaffectionisoriginal,andindependent,andabsolute.

3rd.TheScripturesanduniversalChristianexperienceteachthatthecommonconditionofmanisoneatoncemorallyimpotentandresponsible.Hencethetwocannotbeinconsistent.

13.Howcanman’sinabilitybereconciledwiththecommands,promises,andthreateningsofGod?

Godrighteouslydealswiththesinneraccordingtothemeasureofhisresponsibility,andnotaccordingtothemeasureofhissinfulinability.ItwouldhavebeenacompromisealtogetherunworthyofGodtohaveloweredhisdemandsinproportiontoman’ssin.Besides,underthegospeldispensationGodmakesuseofhiscommands,promises,andthreatenings,asgraciousmeans,undertheinfluenceofhisSpirit,to

enlightentheminds,quickentheconsciences,andtosanctifytheheartsofmen.

14.Howcanman’sinabilitybeshowntobeconsistentwiththerationaluseofmeans?

TheefficiencyofallmeansliesinthepowerofGod,andnotintheabilityofman.Godhasestablishedaconnectionbetweencertainmeansandtheendsdesired;hehascommandedustousethem,andhaspromisedtoblessthem;andhumanexperiencehasprovedGod’sfaithfulnesstohisengagements,andtheinstrumentalconnectionbetweenthemeansandtheend.

15.Showthatthelegitimatepracticaleffectofthisdoctrineisnottoleadsinnerstoprocrastinate.

Itobviouslyandrightlytendstoextinguishthefalsehopesofeverysinner,andtoparalyzetheireffortstoextricatethemselvesintheexerciseoftheirownstrength,orinrelianceupontheirownresources.Butbothreasonandexperienceassureusthatthenaturalandactualeffectofthisgreattruthis—1st.Tohumblethesoulandfillitwithself–despair.2nd.ToshutituptoimmediateandunreservedrelianceuponthesovereigngraceofGodinChrist,theonlygroundofpossiblehoperemaining.3rd.SubsequenttoconversionthistruthleadsthesouloftheChristiantohabitualself–distrust,diligence,andwatchfulness,andtohabitualconfidenceinandgratitudetowardsGod.

THEAUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFTHEVARIOUSCHURCHES

ROMISHDOCTRINE.—"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6,can.7.—"Ifanyoneshallsay,thatalltheworksperformedbeforejustification,onwhatsoeverprincipletheyaredone,aretrulysins,andmeritthewrathofGod....anathemasit."Seefurtherundertheheadsof"OriginalSin"and"EffectualCalling."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.—"Aug.Confession,p.15."—"Humanwillpossessesacertainability(libertatem)foreffectingcivil

righteousness,andforchoosingthingsapparenttothesenses.But,withouttheHolySpirit,ithasnotthepowerofeffectingtherighteousnessofGod,orspiritualrighteousness,becausetheanimalmandoesnotperceivethosethingswhichareoftheSpiritofGod."

"FormulaConcordiœ,"p.579.—"Thereforewebelievethatasmuchasthepoweriswantingtoacorpsetoreviveitselfandrestoretoitselfcorporeallife,bysomuchisallandeveryfacultywantingtoamanwhobyreasonofsinisspirituallydead,ofrecallinghimselftospirituallife."Ib.,p.656.—"Webelievethattheintellect,heart,andwillofanunrenewedmanarealtogetherunable,inspiritualanddivinethings,andoftheirownpropernaturalvigor,tounderstand,tobelieve,toembrace,tothink,towill,tocommence,toperfect,totransact,tooperate,ortocooperateanything."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.—"Thirty–NineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland,"Art.10.—"TheconditionofmanafterthefallofAdam,issuch,thathecannotturnandpreparehimselfbyhisownnaturalstrengthandgoodworks,tofaithandcallinguponGod:whereforewehavenopowertodogoodworkspleasantandacceptabletoGod,withoutthegraceofGodbyChristpreventingus,thatwemayhaveagood–will,andworkingwithuswhenwehavethatgood–will."

"ConfessionHelveticaPosterior."—"Intheunrenewedmanthereisnofreewillforgood,andnostrengthforperformingthatwhichisgood......Noonedeniesthatinexternalthingstherenewedandtheunrenewedalikehavefree–will;formanhasthisconstitutionincommonwiththeotheranimals,thatsomethingshewills,andsomethingshewillsnot....WecondemnonthissubjecttheManicheans,whodenythateviloriginatedintheexerciseofafree–willbyagoodman.WealsocondemnthePelagians,whosaythateventhebadmanpossessessufficientfree–willforperformingthegoodcommanded."

"FormulaConsensusHelvetica,"Can.22.—"Weholdthereforethattheyspeakwithtoolittleaccuracyandnotwithoutdanger,whocallthisinabilitytobelievemoralinability,anddonotholdittobenatural,addingthatmaninwhateverconditionhemaybeplacedisabletobelieveifhewill,andthatfaithinsomewayorother,indeed,isself–originated;

andyettheApostlemostdistinctlycallsitthegiftofGod"(Ephesians2:8).

"ArticlesofSynodofDort,"Chap.3.Art.3.—"Allmenareconceivedinsin,andbornchildrenofwrath,indisposedtoallsavinggood,prepensetoevil,deadinsinsandtheslavesofsin,andwithoutthegraceoftheregeneratingHolySpirittheyareneitherwillingnorabletoreturntoGod,tocorrecttheirdepravednature,ortodisposethemselvestothecorrectionofit."

"ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.9.§3.–"Man,byhisfallandstateofsin,hathwhollylostallabilityofwilltoanyspiritualgoodaccompanyingsalvation;soasanaturalman,beingaltogetheraversefromthatgood,anddeadinsin,isnotable,byhisownstrength,toconverthimselfortopreparehimselfthereunto."

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—Limborch,"Theol.Christ.,"Lib.4,ch.14.§21.—"ThegraceofGodistheprimarycauseoffaith,withoutwhichamanisnotablerightlytousehisfree–will....Thereforefreewillcooperateswithgrace,otherwisetheobedienceorthedisobedienceofmanwouldhavenoplace.Graceisnotthesolecause,althoughitistheprimarycauseofsalvation,...forthecooperationitselfofthefree–willwithgraceisofgraceasaprimarycause:forunlessthefree–willhadbeenexcitedbyprevenientgraceitwouldnothavebeenabletocooperatewithgrace."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE—"RacovianCatechism,"Ques.422.—"Isnotfree–willplacedinourpowersothatwemayobeyGod?Surely,becauseitiscertainthatthefirstmanwassoconstitutedbyGodthathewasendowedwithfree–will.NortrulyhasanycausesupervenedwhyGodshouldhavedeprivedmanofthatfree–willsubsequentlytohisfall."

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Chapter21:ImputationofAdam’sFirstSin

1.Giveasummaryofthefactsalreadyprovedfrom

Scripture,consciousness,andobservation,andgenerallyacknowledgedinallCreedsoftheProtestantChurches,astoman’smoralandspiritualconditionfrombirthandbynature.

1st.Allmen,withoutexception,begintosinassoonastheyenteruponmoralagency.2nd.Theyareallbornwithanantecedentandprevailingtendencyintheirnaturetosin.3rd.Thisinnatetendencyisitselfsininthestrictestsense.Itisinherentlyill–deservingaswellaspollutinganddestructive,andwithoutanyreferencetoitsorigininAdam,itfullydeservesGod’swrathandcurse,andexceptwhenexpiatedbythebloodofChristisalwaysvisitedwiththatcurse.PresidentEdwards,"FreedomoftheWill,"pt.4,sec.1,says,"Theessenceofthevirtueandviceofdispositionsoftheheartliesnotintheircausebuttheirnature."4th.Menare,therefore,bynature,totallyaversetoallgoodandunableofthemselvestoreversetheeviltendencyinherentintheirnatureandtochoosegoodinpreferencetoevil.5th.Consequentlytheyarebynaturechildrenofwrath,theircharacterformedandtheirevildestinyfixedantecedenttoanypersonalactionoftheirown.

2.ShowthattherealdifficultyinreconcilingthewaysofGodtomanliesintheseunquestionablefacts;andfurther,thatrecognitionofthesefactsintheirintegrityisoffarmoredoctrinalimportancethananyaccountoftheirorigincanpossiblybe.

Thatwebegintoexist,antecedenttopossiblepersonalagency,withanaturewhichjustlycondemnsusandinfalliblypredisposesustoactualsin,isanamazingmystery,anindescribablecurse,andyetacertainanduniversalfact.Nopossibletheoryastoitsorigincanaggravateitsmysteryoritsterriblesignificance.WedonotclaimthatthedoctrineofourresponsibilityforAdam’sapostatizingactiswithoutgravedifficulties.Butwedomaintainby(a)thatitistaughtinScripture,and(b)thatitismoresatisfactorytoreasonandtoourmoralfeelingsthananyothersolutionevergiven.

Itisnolessevidentthatthefullrecognitionofthesefactsisoffarmoredoctrinalandpracticalimportancethananyexplanationoftheiroriginoroccasioncanbe.Ourviewsastothesefactsmustatonce

determineourrelationtoGod,theentirecharacterofourreligiousexperience,andourviewsastothenatureofsinandgrace,thenecessityandnatureofredemption,regeneration,andsanctification,whileanyrationaleofthesefactswillonlyclearandenlargeourviewsastotheconsistencyofGod’sdealingswiththehumanracewithhisownperfections,andastotherelationsoftheseveralpartsofthedivineplanwitheachother.

Hencewefind—(1)Thatthesefactsastoman’sinnatesinfulnessaremuchmoreprominentlyandfrequentlysetforthintheScripturesthanistheassertionofourresponsibilityforAdam’sactofapostasy.

(2)ThatthesehavebeenclearlydefinedanduniformlyagreeduponbyallpartiesandinallagesoftheChristianChurch,whilewithrespecttoourconnectionwithAdamtherehasprevailedagreatdealofvaguenessandcontrarietyofview.—PrincipalCunningham’s"Theo.oftheRef.,"Essay7.,1.

3.Statetheself–evidentmoralprincipleswhichmustbecertainlypresupposedineveryinquiryintothedealingsofGodwithhisresponsiblecreatures.

(1)Godcannotbetheauthorofsin.(2)Wemustnotbelievethathecouldconsistentlywithhisownperfectionscreateacreaturedenovo(new)withasinfulnature.(3)Theperfectionofrighteousness,notbaresovereignty,isthegranddistinctionofallGod’sdealings.TheerrorthatthevolitionofGoddeterminesmoraldistinctions,wasforoppositereasonsmaintainedbytheSupralapsariansTwisse,Gomar,etc.,andbysuchArminiansasGrotius,theonetoshowthatGodmightcondemnwhomhepleasedirrespectiveofrealguilt,andtheothertoshowthathecouldsavewhomhepleasedirrespectiveofarealatonement.Thefundamentaltruth,however,nowadmittedbyallChristians,isthattheimmutablemoralperfectionsofGod’snatureconstitutetheabsolutestandardofright,andineveryactiondeterminehiswill,andaremanifestedinallhisworks.(4)Itisaheathennotion,adoptedbynaturalisticrationalists,thatthe"orderofnature,"orthe"natureofthings,"or"naturallaw,"isarealagentindependentofGod."Nature"issimplyGod’screatureandinstrument.Whatisgeneratedbynatureis

madebyGod.(5)WecannotbelievethatGodwouldinflicteithermoralorphysicaleviluponanycreaturewhosenaturalrightshadnotbeenpreviouslyjustlyforfeited.(6)Everymoralagentmustinjusticeenjoyafairprobation,i.e.,atrialsoconditionedastoaffordatleastasmuchopportunityofsuccessasliabilitytofailure.

4.Statethetwodistinctquestionsthencearising,whichthoughfrequentlyconfused,itisessentialtokeepseparate.

1st.Howdoesaninnatesinfulnatureoriginateineachhumanbeingatthecommencementofhisexistence,sothattheMakerofthemanisnotthecauseofhissin?IfthiscorruptionofnatureoriginatedinAdam,Howisittransmittedtous?

2nd.WHY,onwhatgroundofjustice,doesGodindictthisterribleevil,therootandgroundofallotherevils,attheverycommencementofpersonalexistence?WHATfairprobationhaveinfantsborninsinenjoyed?WHEN,andWHY,weretheirrightsasnewcreatedbeingsforfeited?

Itisself–evidentthatthesequestionsaredistinct,andshouldbetreatedassuch.Thefirstmaypossiblybeansweredonphysiologicalgrounds.ThesecondquestionhoweverconcernsthemoralgovernmentofGod,andinquiresconcerningthejusticeofhisdispensations.Inthehistoryoftheologyofallagesandinallschoolsverymuchconfusionhasresultedfromthefailuretoemphasizeandpreserveprominentthisdistinction.

I.HOWDOESITCOMETOPASSTHATHUMANSOULSARECORRUPTFROMBIRTH?IFTHISCORRUPTIONISTRANSMITTEDFROMADAM,HOWISITTRANSMITTED?

5.WhatanswershavebeengiventothisquestionwhichdenyorignoretheAdamicoriginofsin?

1st.TheManichaeantheory,adoptedbyManes,AD.240,fromthedualismofZoroaster,oftheeternalself-existenceoftwoprinciples,theonegoodidentifiedwiththeabsoluteGodtheotherevilidentified

withmatter,orthatprincipleofwhichmatterisoneofthemanifestations.OurspiritshavetheirprimaloriginwithGod,whilesinnecessarilyresultsfromtheirentanglementwithmatter.Thissystemobviouslydestroysthemoralcharacterofsin,andwasearnestlyopposedbyalltheearlyfathersoftheChristianchurch.

2nd.ThePantheistictheorythatsinisthenecessaryincidentofafinitenature(limitation).Somewriters,notabsolutePantheists,regarditasincidenttoacertainstageofdevelopmentandtheappointedmeansofhigherperfection.

3rd.PelagiansandRationalists,denyinginnatecorruption,referthegeneralfactthatactualsinoccursassoonasmanemergesintofreeagencytothefreedomofthewill,ortotheinfluenceofexample,etc.

4th.Othersreferthisguiltycorruptionofnature,whichinheresineveryhumansoulfrombirth,toanactualapostasyofeachsoulcommittedbeforebirth,eitherinastateofindividualpreexistence,asOrigenandDr.EdwardBeecherinhis"ConflictofAges"teach;orastranscendentalandtimeless,asDr.JuliusMullerteachesinhis"ChristianDoctrineofSin,"Vol.2.,p.157.Thisisevidentlyapurespeculation,unsupportedbyanyfactsofconsciousnessorofobservation,contradictedbythetestimonyofScripture,Romans5:12,andGenesis3:,andonewhichhasneverbeenacceptedbytheChurch.

6.WhatdifferentviewshavebeenheldbyChristiantheologianswhoadmittheAdamicoriginofhumansin,astothemodeofitspropagationfromAdamtohisdescendants?

Thisisobviouslyaquestionofveryinferiorimportancetothemoralquestionwhichremainstobediscussed.Bywhatgrounds,throughrightandjustice,doesGoddirectlyorindirectlybringthiscurseuponallmenatbirth?HenceitisapointneitherexplicitlyexplainedinScripture,noransweredinanyuniformwayevenbyamajorityoftheologians.

Fromthebeginning,orthodoxtheologianshavebeendistinguishedasTraducianistsandCreationists.

Tertullianadvocatedthedoctrinethatthesoulsofchildrenarederivedfromthesoulsoftheirparentsbynaturalgeneration.JeromeheldthateachsoulisindependentlycreatedbyGodatbirth.Augustinehesitatedbetweenthetwoviews.ThemajorityofRomishtheologianshavebeenCreationists,themajorityofLutherantheologians,andNewEnglandtheologianssinceDr.Hopkins,havebeenTraducianists.NearlyallthetheologiansoftheReformedchurchhavebeenCreationists

1st.ThecommonviewoftheTraducianistsisnot"thatsoulisbegottenfromsoul,norbodyfrombody,butthewholemanfromthewholeman."—D.Pareus,Heidelberg(1548–1622),onRomans5:12.Inthisviewitisplainthatthecorruptedmoralnatureofourfirstparentswouldbeinevitablytransmittedtoalltheirdescendantsbynaturalgeneration.

2nd.ThedoctrineofpureRealismisthathumanityisasinglegenericspiritualsubstancewhichcorrupteditselfbyitsownvoluntaryapostatizingactinAdam.Thesoulsofindividualmenarenotseparatesubstances,butmanifestationsofthissinglegenericsubstancethroughtheirseveralbodilyorganizations.Theuniversalsoulbeingcorrupt,itsseveralmanifestationsfrombirtharecorruptalso.

3rd.ThosewhoholdthatGodcreateseachsoulseparately,havegenerallyheldthathewithholdsfromthemfromthefirstthoseinfluencesoftheHolySpirituponwhichallspirituallifeinthecreaturedepends,asthejustpunishmentofAdam’ssin,asherestoresthislife–givinginfluenceinconsiderationoftherighteousnessofChrist,totheelectintheactofregeneration.Dr.T.Ridgely,London(1667–1734),saysVol.1.,pp.413,414,"Godcreatesthesoulsofmendestituteofheavenlygifts,andsupernaturallight,andthatjustly,becauseAdamlostthosegiftsforhimselfandhisposterity."

AfewCreationistshave,likeLampé,Utrecht(1683–1729),Tom.1.,p.572,taughtthatthebodyderivedfromtheparents"iscorruptedbyinordinateandperverseemotionsthroughsin,"whichthuscommunicateslikeinordinateaffectionstothesoulplacedinitbyGod.Thislatterviewhasneverprevailed,sincesinisnotanaffectionofmatter,andcanbelongtothebodyonlyasanorganofthesoul.

ManyCreationists,however,referthepropagationofhabitualsintonaturalgeneration,inageneralsense,asalawwherebyGodordainsthatchildrenshallbeliketheirparents,withoutinquiringatallastothemethod.SoDeMoor,Cap.15.,§33,and"CanonsofSynodofDort."

II.WHY,ONWHATGROUNDOFJUSTICEANDRIGHT,HASGODENTAILEDTHISCURSEOFANTENATALFORFEITUREUPONALLHUMANBEINGSANTECEDENTTOPERSONALAGENCY?

7.WhatistheArminianexplanationofthisfact?

1st.TheyadmitthatallmeninheritfromAdamacorruptnaturepredisposingthemtosin,buttheydenythatthisinnateconditionisitselfproperlysin,orinvolvesguiltordesertofpunishment.

2nd.TheyaffirmthatitwasconsistentwiththejusticeofGodtoallowthisgreateviltocomeuponallmenatbirth,onlyinviewofthefactthathehaddeterminedtointroduceanadequatecompensationintheredemptionofChrist,impartiallyintendedforallmen,andthesufficientinfluencesofhisgracewhichallmenexperience,andwhichrestorestoallabilitytodoright,andthereforefullpersonalresponsibility.Hence,infantsarenotundercondemnation.Condemnationattachestonomanuntilhehasabusedhisgraciousability.InthegiftofChrist,GodredressesthewrongdoneusbyallowingAdamtousehisfallennatureasthemediumforthepropagationofsinfulchildren.—Dr.D.D.Whedon,"BibliothecaSacra,"April,1862,"ConfessionRem.,"7.3,Limborch,"Theol.Christ,"3.,3,4,5,6,7.

WEOBJECTtothisdoctrine.—(l)ThatourcondemnationinAdamisofjustice,andourredemptioninChristofGRACE.(2)Theremedyofthecompensatorysystemisnotappliedtomanyheathen,etc.(3)TheviewisinconsistentwithScripturaldoctrinesastosin,inability,regeneration,etc.,etc.

8.WhathasbeentheprevalentanswergivenbyNewEnglandTheologianssincethedaysofDr.Hopkins?

Dr.Hopkinstaughtthedoctrineofdivineefficiencyintheproductionofsin.This,ofcourse,dissolvesthequestionastothejusticeofGodinbringingAdam’sdescendantsintotheworldassinners,sinceheistheultimatecauseofallsin.LaterNewEnglanddivinesdiscardthedoctrineofdivineefficiency,buttheyagreewithHopkinsindenyingimputation,andinreferringthelawwhichentailsthecorruptionofAdamuponeachofhisdescendantstoasovereigndivineconstitution.

Ifthisview,whileacknowledgingthatthisdivineconstitutionisinfinitelyjustandrighteous,simplydisclaimsclearknowledgeofitsgroundsandreasons,wehaveonlytoanswer,thatwhileinpartwesympathizewithit,wedarenotrefusethepartiallightthrownupontheprobleminScripture,andexhibitedbelow.Butifthedesignofthesetheologiansbetoassert,either(1)thatthisconstitutionisnotjust,or(2)thatGod’sbarewillmakesittobejust,andthatitsbeingsovereignisthegroundofitsbeingrighteous,weprotestagainstitasagrievousheresy.

9.WhatistheorthodoxanswertotheabovequestioninwhichtheRomishLutheranandReformedTheologiansasabodyconcur?

ItiscertainthatwhiletherehasbeendifferenceofopinionandloosenessofstatementastothegroundsofourjustaccountabilityforAdam’sfirstsin,thewholeChurchhasalwaysregardedourlossoforiginalrighteousnessandinnatemoralcorruptiontobeajust;andrighteous,notsovereign,penalconsequenceofAdam’sapostatizingact.ThisistheDOCTRINE,agreementwithwhichisalikeaccordantwithScripture,honoringtothemoralattributesofGodandtheequityofhismoralgovernment,andconformabletohistoricalorthodoxy.Intheexplanationofthisdoctrinetheorthodoxhaveoftendiffered.

ItisasimplefactthatGodasajustjudgecondemnedtheholeraceonaccountofAdam’ssin,andcondemnationbyGod,thesourceoflife,involvesandisjustlyfollowedbyspiritualandmoraldeath.

10.WhereisthefactassertedinScripturethatGodcondemnedthewholeracebecauseofAdam’sapostasy?

Romans5:17–19.—"Forifbyoneman’soffencedeathreignedbyone;""Therefore,asbytheoffenceofonejudgmentcameuponallmentocondemnation;""Forasbyoneman’sdisobediencemanyweremadesinners."

11.ShowthatinthisdoctrinethewholeChurchhasconcurred.

ThesinofAdamwasanactofapostasy.Thespiritualdesertionandconsequentspiritualcorruptionwhichimmediatelyoccurredinhispersonalexperience(theverypenaltythreatened)was,ofcourse,ajustpenalconsequenceofthatact.Augustinesaid("DeNupt.etConcup."2.34.)—"Nothingremainsbuttoconcludethatinthatfirstmanallareunderstoodtohavesinned,becauseallwereinhimwhenhesinned;wherebysinisbroughtinwithbirth,andnotremovedsavebythenewbirth."

Dr.G.F.Wiggers,thelearnedexpounderof"AugustinianismandPelagianism,fromtheOriginalSources,"saysinhisstatementofAugustine’sviewoforiginalsin,ch.5,division2,§2."ThepropagationofAdam’ssinamonghisposterityisapunishmentofthesamesin.Thecorruptionofhumannature,inthewholerace,wastherighteouspunishmentofthetransgressionofthefirstman,inwhomallmenalreadyexisted."

The"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.5.,1and2,saysthat"sinwhichisthedeathofthesoulwaspartofthatpenaltywhichAdamincurredbyhistransgression,andwhichisthereforetransmittedtohisdescendantsaswellasinflictedonhimself."

Bellarmin,"Amiss.Grat.,"3.1,says,"ThepenaltywhichproperlycorrespondswiththefirstsinistheforfeitureoforiginalrighteousnessandofthosesupernaturalgiftswithwhichGodhadfurnishedournature."

Luther(inGenes.1,p.98,cap.5)says,thattheimageofAdaminwhichSethwasbegotten"includedoriginalsin,andthepenaltyofeternaldeathinflictedbecauseofthesinofAdam."

Melanchthon("ExplicatioSymboliNiceni.Corp.Refor.,"23.403and583)says,"AdamandEvemeritedguiltanddepravityfortheirdescendants."

"FormulaConcordiae,"p.639andp.643,Haseed.—"EspeciallysincebytheseductionofSatan,throughthefall,bythejustjudgmentofGodinthepunishmentofmen,concreatedororiginalrighteousnesswaslost...andhumannaturecorrupted."

"Apol.Aug.Confession,"p.58.—"InGenesisthepenaltyimposedfororiginalsinisdescribed.Fortherewashumannaturesubjectednotonlytodeathandcorporealevils,butalsotothereignofthedevil....Defectandconcupiscencearebothpenalevilsandsins."

Quenstedt(†1688),"Ques.Theo.Did.,"Pol1.,994.—"ItwasnotsimplyofthegoodpleasureortheabsolutesovereigntyofGod,butofthehighestjusticeandequity,thatthesin,whichAdamastherootandoriginofthewholehumanracecommitted,shouldbeimputedtous,andpropagatedinussoastoconstituteusguilty."

BoththeSecondHelvetic,ch.8,andtheGallicConfessions,Art.9,saythatAdam,byhisownfault(culpa)becamesubjecttosin,andsuchashebecameafterthefall,suchareallwhowerepropagatedbyhim,theybeingsubjecttosin,death,andvariouscalamities.

PeterMartyr,ProfessoratZurich(1500–1561),asquotedbyTurretin(Loco9.,2,9,§43),says,"Assuredlythereisnoonewhocandoubtthatoriginalsin(inherent)isinflicteduponusinrevengeandpunishmentofthefirstfall."

Calvin.—"GodbyajustjudgmentcondemnedustowrathinAdam,andwilledustobeborncorruptonaccountofhissin."

Ursinus(1535–1583),friendofMelanchthon,professoratHeidelbergandauthorofthe"HeidelbergCatechism,"says(Quest.7,pp.40,41),"originalsin"(inherent)"passesover"totheirdescendants,"notthroughthebody,northroughthesoul,butthroughtheimpuregenerationofthewholeman,onaccountof(propter)theguiltofour

firstparents,onaccountofwhich,God,byajustjudgment,whilehecreatesoursouls,atthesametimedeprivesthemoftheoriginalrectitudeandgiftswhichhehadconferredupontheparents."

L.Danæus(1530–1596).—"TherearethreethingswhichconstituteamanguiltybeforeGod:1.Thesinflowingfromthisthatwehaveallsinnedinthefirstman.2.Corruption,whichisthepunishmentofthissin,whichfelluponAdamanduponallhisposterity.3.Actualsins."

TheodoreBeza(1519–1605),onRomans12.,etc.—"AsAdam,bythecommissionofsin,firstwasmadeguiltyofthewrathofGod,then,asbeingguilty,underwentasthepunishmentofhissinthecorruptionofsoulandbody,soalsohetransmittedtoposterityanatureinthefirstplaceguilty,next,corrupted."

J.Arminius,ofLeyden(1560–1609).—"Whateverpunishment,therefore,wasinflictedonourfirstparents,hasgonedownthroughandnowrestsonalltheirposterity;sothatallarechildrenofwrathbynature,beingobnoxioustocondemnation...andtoadestitutionofrighteousnessandtrueholiness,"aredestituteoforiginalrighteousness,whichpenaltyisusuallycalledalossofthedivineimage,andoriginalsin.

G.J.Vossius,Leyden(1577–1649),"Hist.Pelag.,"Lb.2.,1.—1."TheCatholicChurchhasalwaysthusdecided,thatthefirstsinisimputedtoall;thatis,thatitseffectsare,accordingtothejustjudgmentofGod,transmittedtoallthechildrenofAdam...onaccountwhereofwearebornwithoutoriginalrighteousness."

SynodofDort(1618).—"Suchasmanwasafterthefall,suchchildrenalsohebegat,...bythepropagationofaviciousnature,bythejustJudgmentofGod."

FrancisTurretin,Geneva(1623–1687),Locus9,Q.9,§6,14.Amesius,"MedullaTheolog.,"Lib.prim.,cap.17.—"2.Thispropagationofsinconsistsintwoparts,inimputationandinrealcommunication.3.ByimputationthatsingleactofdisobediencewhichAdamcommittedismadealsoours.4.Byrealcommunication,notindeedthesinglesin.5.

Originalsin,sinceitessentiallyconsistsindeprivationoforiginalrighteousness,andthisdeprivationfollowsthefirstsinasapenalty,thishasinthefirstinstancethenatureofapenaltyratherthanofasin.InasmuchasthatoriginalrighteousnessisdeniedbytheJusticeofGod,sofarforthitispenalty;inasmuchasitoughttobepresentandisabsentbyhumanfault,sofarforthitissin.6.ThereforethisprivationishandeddownfromAdamafterthemannerofill–desertinsofarasitispenalty,andafterthemannerofrealefficiencyinsofarasithasadjoinedtoitthenatureofsin."

H.Witsius(1636–1708),"Economy,"Bk.1.,ch.8,§533and34.—"ItisthereforenecessarythatthesinofAdaminvirtueofthecovenantofworks,besolaidtothechargeofhisposterity,whowerecomprisedwithhiminthesamecovenant,that,onaccountofthedemeritofhissin,theyareborndestituteoforiginalrighteousness,"etc.

"FormulaConsensusHelvetica"(1675),canon10.—"Butthereappearsnowayinwhichhereditarycorruptioncouldfall,asspiritualdeath,uponthewholehumanracebythejustjudgment,ofGod,unlesssomesinofthatracepreceded,incurringthepenaltyofthatdeath.ForGod,thesupremelyjustJudgeofalltheearth,punishesnonebuttheguilty."

Westminster"ConfessionandCat";"Confessionfaith,"ch.7.,§2andch.6.,§3;"LargerCatechism,"22and25;"ShorterCatechism,"18.

PresidentWitherspoon,"Works,"Vol.4.,p.96.—"Itseemsveryplainthatthestateofcorruptionandwickednesswhichmenarenowin,isstatedinScriptureasbeingtheeffectandpunishmentofAdam’sfirstsin."

SeealsothetruthofthispositionaffirmedbyDr.Tho.Chalmers,"InstitutesofTheology,"part1,ch.6;andbyDr.WilliamCunningham;"TheologyoftheReformation,"Essay7.,§2;Dr.JamesThornwell,

"CollectedWritings,"Vol.1.,pp.479,559,561,etc.;andalearnedarticlebyProf.Geo.P.Fisher,ofNewHaven,Theo.Sem.,inthe"NewEnglander,"July,1868.

ThuswehavetheconsensusofCatholicandProtestant,LutheranandReformed,ofSupralapsarianandInfralapsarian,ofGomar,andArminius,oftheSynodofDortandtheWestminsterAssembly,ofScotlandandofNewEngland.

12.WhywasthisdoctrineexpressedtechnicallyastheimputationoftheguiltofAdam’sapostatizingact?andstatethemeaningoftheterms.

AttheCouncilofTrentAlbertusPighiusandAmbrosiusCatherinus(F.Paul’sbyHist.Con.Trent,Lib.2.,s.,65)maintainedthattheimputedguiltofAdam’sfirstsinconstitutedtheonlygroundofthecondemnationwhichrestsuponmenatbirth.TheCouncildidnotallowthisheresy,butneverthelessmaintainedarathernegativethanpositiveviewofman’sinherentguiltycorruption.ConsequentlyCalvinandallthefirstReformersandCreedswereprincipallyconcernedinemphasizingthefactthatoriginalsininherent,asdistinguishedfromoriginalsinimputed,isintrinsicallyandjustly,asmoralcorruption,worthyofGod’swrathandcurse.ItisthereasonwhythesalvationofinfantsisreferredtothesovereigngraceofGodandtheexpiatorymeritsofChrist,anditcontinuesinadultsthesourceofallactualsinandthemaingroundofcondemnationtoeternaldeath.Infantsandadultssuffer,andadultsaredamnedonaccountoftheguiltofinherentsin,butneveronaccountofAdam’ssinimputed.

ButwhenthequestionisaskedwhyGod,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,bringsusintoexistencethuscorrupt,thewholechurchansweredasaboveshown,becauseGodhastherebyjustlypunishedusforAdam’sapostasy.

Thisistechnicallyexpressedasthe"imputationtousoftheguiltofAdam’sact."

"Guilt"isjustliabilitytopunishment.TherecognitionofguiltisajudicialandnotsovereignactofGod.

"Imputation"(theHebrew בַשָח andtheGreekλογίζομαιfrequentlyoccurringandtranslated"tocount,""toreckon,""toimpute,"

etc.)issimplytolaytoone'schargeasajustgroundoflegalprocedure,whetherthethingimputedantecedentlybelongedtothepersontowhomitischarged,orforanyotheradequatereasonheisJustlyresponsibleforit.Thusnottoimputesintothedoerofit,isofcoursegraciouslytorefrainfromchargingtheguiltofhisownactorstateuponhimasagroundofpunishment;whiletoimputerighteousnesswithoutworksisgraciouslytocreditthebelieverwitharighteousnesswhichisnotpersonallyhisown.—Romans4:6,8;2Corinthians5:19;seeNumbers30:15;18:22–27,30;Leviticus5:17,18;7:18;16:22;Romans2:26;2Timothy4:16,etc.

Theimputation,i.e.,judicialchargingofAdam’ssintous,israthertobeconsideredascontemplatingtheraceasawhole,asonemoralbody,thanasaseriesofindividuals.Theracewascondemnedasawhole,andhenceeachindividualcomesintoexistenceinastateofjustantenatalforfeiture.Turretincallsit"communepeccatum,communisculpa(commonsin,commonfault),"50.9,Q.9.Thisandthisaloneiswhatthechurchhasmeantbythisdoctrine.AfterwardsinourownpersonsGodcondemnsusonlyandmostjustlybecauseofourinherentmoralcorruptionandouractualtransgressions.TheimputationoftheguiltofAdam’sapostatizingacttousincommonleadsjudiciallytospiritualdesertioninparticular,andspiritualdesertionleadsbynecessaryconsequencetoinherentdepravity.TheimputationofoursinsincommontoChristleadstohisdesertion(Matthew27:46),buthistemporarydesertionleadstonotendencytoinherentsin,becausehewastheGod–man.TheimputationofChrist’srighteousnesstousistheconditionoftherestorationoftheHolyGhost,andthatrestorationleadsbynecessaryconsequencetoregenerationandsanctification."Itisonlywhenjustificatioforensis(forumofjustification)maintainsitsReformationpositionattheheadoftheprocessofsalvation,thatithasanyfirmorsecurestandingatall."—Dr.J.A.Dorner’s"Hist.Prot.Theo.,"Vol.2.,p.160.

13.WhatistheoriginoftheDistinctionbetweentheMediateandtheImmediateImputationofAdam’ssin,andwhathasbeentheusagewithrespecttothosetermsamongtheologians?

Asaboveshown,fromthebeginning,theuniversalChurchhasagreedinholdingthattheguiltofAdam’sfirstsinwasdirectlychargedtotheaccountofthehumanraceinmass,justasitwaschargedtohimself.

Likewise,Adam’sfirstsinwaspunishedintheracebydesertionandconsequentdepravity,justasitwaspunishedinhim.Thiswasuniformlyexpressedbythetechnicalphrase,theimputationoftheguiltofhisfirstsintohisdescendants.

Inthefirsthalfoftheseventeenthcentury,JoshuaPlacæus,professoratSaumur,wasuniversallyunderstoodtodenyanyimputationofAdam’ssintohisposterity,andtoadmitonlyinherentinnatecorruptionasderivedfromAdambynaturalgeneration.ThiswasexplicitlycondemnedbytheFrenchNationalSynodatCharenton,1645;andrepudiatedbyallorthodoxtheologians,LutheranandReformed.

PlacæussubsequentlyoriginatedthedistinctionbetweenImmediateandMediateImputation.BytheformerhemeantthedirectchargingoftheguiltofAdam’ssinantecedenttotheirownsinfulstate.BythelatterhemeantthatwearefoundguiltywithAdamofhisapostasybecauseinvirtueofinherentdepravityweareapostatesalso.Hedeniedtheformerandadmittedthelatter.

Itisobvious—1st.Thatthisdoctrineofmediateimputationaloneisvirtuallythe"NewEnglandRootTheory,"abovediscussed,whichreferstheabandoningofthehumanracetotheoperationofthenaturallawofinheritancetothesovereignwill,insteadoftothejustjudgment,ofGod.

2nd.ItisadenialoftheuniversaldoctrineoftheChurchthatAdam’ssinisjustlychargedtohisdescendantsastohimself,andpunishedinthembydepravityasitwaspunishedinhimself.Thatimputationwasobviously,whateveritsground,purelyimmediateandantecedent.

3rd.ItisevidentthatAdam’ssincannotatthesametimebebothimmediatelyandmediatelyimputedtothesameeffect.Itwouldbeabsurdtothinkthatmankindarejudiciallypunishedwithinherent

corruptionasajustpunishmentforAdam’ssin,andatthesametimecountedguiltyofAdam’ssinbecausetheyareafflictedwiththatpunishment.Itisforthisreasonthatsomanyadvocatesofthechurchdoctrineofimmediateimputationdenythatimputationcaninanysensebemediate.

4th.ButthepenaltyofAdam’ssinwas"Death;"thatis,allpenalevils,temporal,andeternal.Thestrongestadvocatesofimmediateimputation,inordertoaccountfortheinflictionofinnateinherentsin,admitthatalltheotherelementsofthepenaltydenounceduponAdamcomeuponusbecauseofourowninherentandactualsins.—SeeTurretin,50.9,Ques.9,§14,and"PrincetonEssays."

5th.TheimmediateimputationoftheguiltofAdam’ssinistotheraceasawhole,andrespectseachindividualpriortohisexistenceasajudicialcauseofhiscommencingthatexistenceinadepravedcondition.Wheneachsinglemanisconsideredinhimselfpersonallyandsubsequenttobirth,allagreethatheiscondemnedwithAdambecauseofacommoninherentdepravityandlife.

6th.Manyfounddifficultyinconceivinghowinheritedinherentcorruptioncanbeguiltaswellaspollution.Theirideawasthatasinfulstatemustoriginateinthefreechoiceofthepersonconcerned,inordertoinvokethemoralresponsibilityimpliedbyguilt.Yetallacknowledgethatinherentcorruptionisguilt.SomesilentlyaccountedforthisontheprincipleofEdwards,thattheessenceofthevirtueorviceofdispositionsoftheheartliesnotintheircause,butintheirnature.Others,however,heldthattheguiltinherentininnatesinisduetothefactthatthissinisconnectedasaneffectwiththeapostasyofAdam.

Ifthequestionthenbe,Whytheraceisunderandweareallowedtocommenceouragencyinadepravedcondition?alltheorthodoxanswerintermsorineffect,"BecauseofthemostjustimmediateimputationofAdam’sfirstsin."

Ifthequestionbe,Whyareweseverally,afterbirth,judgedguiltyaswellascorrupt,andwhyarewepunishedwithallthetemporalandeternalpenalevilsdenounceduponAdam?manyoftheorthodox

say,"Becauseofourowninherentsinmediatingthefullimputationofhissin."

AndrewQuenstedt,Wittenberg(†1688),"Theo.Did.Pol.,"1.,998.—"ThefirstsinofAdamisimputedtousimmediatelyinasmuchasweexisthithertoinAdam.ButthesinofAdamisimputedtousmediatelyinsoforasweareregardedindividuallyandinourownproperpersons."

F.Turretin,Geneva(†1687),Locus9,Quest.9,§14.—"Thepenaltywhichsinbringsuponusiseitherprivativeorpositive.Theformeristhewantorprivationoforiginalrighteousness.Thelatterisdeathbothtemporalandeternal,andingeneralallevilswhicharesentuponsinners....WithrespecttotheformerwesaythatthesinofAdamisimputedtousimmediatelytotheeffectoftheprivativepenalty,becauseitisthecauseoftheprivationoforiginalrighteousness,andsooughttogobeforeprivation,atleastintheorderofnature;butastothelatter,thepositivepenaltymaybesaidtobemediatelyimputed,becausewearenotobnoxioustothat,unlessafterwearebornandcorrupt."

Hence—(1)Allineffectadmitimmediateimputation,anddenymediateimputationalone.(2)Manyignorethedistinction,whichneveremergedtillthetimeofPlacaeus.(3)Anumber,inthesensesaboveshown,assertboth.

14.HowisthisDoctrineprovedbytheanalogywhichPaul(Romans5:12–21)assertsbetweenourcondemnationinAdamandourjustificationinChrist?

"Thereforeasbytheoffenceofone,judgmentcameuponallmentocondemnation;EVENSObytherighteousnessofonethefreegiftcameuponallmenuntojustificationoflife."

Theanalogyhereassertedisastothefactandnatureoftheimputationinbothcases,notatallastothegroundofit.ChristisonewithhiselectbecauseofthegraciousappointmentoftheFatherandhisvoluntaryassumptionoftheirnature.Adamisonewithhisdescendantsbecauseheistheirnaturalhead,andbecauseofthegraciousappointmentofGod.Intheserespectsthecasesdiffer.Butthecasesare

identicalinsofarasinviewoftheonenessinbothcasessubsisting,wearejustlychargedwiththeguiltofAdam’sfirstsinandpunishedtherefor,andChristisjustlychargedwiththeguiltofour"manyoffences"andpunishedtherefor,andwearejustlycreditedwiththemeritofhisrighteousnessandaccepted,regenerated,andsavedtherefor.—SeeaboveQuestion12.

IftheimputationofChrist’srighteousnessisimmediatetheimputationofAdam’ssinmustbethesame,thoughthebasisoftheoneisgraceitisnolessjust.Althoughthebasisoftheotherbejustice,theoriginalconstitutionfromwhichitoriginatedisnolessgracious.

15.HowhaveorthodoxtheologiansexplainedtheGROUNDforthisuniversallyassumedjudicialchargingoftheguiltofAdam’sapostatizingacttohisdescendants?

Theyaregenerallyagreedthattheraceisjustlyresponsibleforthejudicialconsequencesofthatact.

Beyondthistheaccountsrenderedofthelatterhavebeendifferent,andoftenvague.

1st.Augustineconceivedoftheraceasessentiallyone.AsfarasAdamisconsideredasapersonhissinwashisown,butasfarastheentireraceinitsessentialundistributed,unindividualizedformofexistencewasinhim,hisactwastheapostasyofthatwholerace,andthecommonnaturebeingbothguiltyanddepravedisjustlydistributedtoeachindividualinthatconditionandunderthatcondemnation.Thewholeracewasnotpersonallynorindividually,butvirtuallyorpotentially,coexistentandcoactiveinhim.—Dr.PhilipSchaffin"LangeonRom.,"pp.191–196;Dr.Geo.P.Fisher,"NewEnglander,"July,1860.ThisisamodeofthoughtwhichatleastpresupposesRealism,andlanguagetothesameeffectbecametraditionalinthechurch,andhasbeenusedinageneralsensebymany,whowereinnodegreephilosophicalrealists,whentreatingofourrelationtoAdam.Formsofexpressionoriginatinginthisviewhavelingeredamongtheologianswhohaveexplicitlyrejectedrealism,andhavedefinitelysubstitutedforitadifferentexplanationofthefacts.Thewholeracehasbeenconsidered

oneorganically,andwehavebeensaidtohavebeeninAdamasbranchesinatree,etc.Suchrenderingsofthematterhavecontinuedtolatetimes,andbeencommingledwithothersessentiallydifferent,asthatofrepresentation,etc.Itis,howeverunsatisfactoryasanexplanationofguilt,inthehighestdegreeorthodox,bothbecauseofthenumberandhighauthorityofthewriterswhohaveusedit,andbecauseitimpliesthehighestconceivablegroundofimmediateimputation.Theapostatizingactisimputedtous,asitisimputedtoAdam,"becausewewereguiltycoagentswithhiminthatact."—Shedd’s"Essays."

2nd.TheFederalViewpresupposesthenaturalrelation.AdamstandsbeforeGodinEdenafree,responsible,falliblemoralagent,withananimalbodyandagenerativenature.Withoutamiraclehischildrenmustbecarriedalongwithhiminhisdestinies.Hisownstatuswasandmustevercontinueaccordingtobarelawcontingentuponfreewill.God,therefore,asthebenevolentandrighteousguardianoftheinterestsofallmoralcreatures,graciouslyconstitutedhimthefederalheadandrepresentativeofhisraceasawhole,andpromisedhimforhimselfandforalleternallife,orconfirmedholinessandhappiness,onconditionoftemporaryobedienceunderfavorableconditions,withthepenaltyforhimandforthemofdeath,orcondemnationanddesertion,onconditionofdisobedience.Thiswasanactofgracetohim,asitsubstitutedatemporalforaneternalprobation.Itwasnolessanactofgracefortherace,forreasonsstatedbelow.

This"FederalTheology"wasdevelopedandintroducedinallitsfullnessofdetailandbearingsbyCoccejus(1602–1669),Prof.atFraneckerandLeyden.ItwasregardedaseminentlyaScripturalsystem,supplantingtheprevailingscholasticism,anddestroyingforevertheinfluenceofsupralapsarianspeculations,anditgraduallyfoundacceptance,underappropriatemodifications,withLutheransandArminiansaswellasCalvinists.

Twothingshoweverarehistoricallycertain—1st.ThattheideaofacovenantwithAdamincludinghisdescendantshadlongbeforebeenclearlyconceivedandprominentlyadvanced.ThiswasdonebyCatherinusbeforethe"CouncilofTrent"(FatherPaul’s"Hist.CouncilTrent"pp.175,177),andbysuchmenamongProtestantsasHyperius

(†1567),Olevianus(circum.1563),andRaphaelEglin(Dorner’s"Hist.Prot.Theo,"Vol.2.,pp.31–45).

2nd.ThattheessentialideasoffederalrepresentationwerelongandverygenerallyprevalentamongProtestanttheologiansfromthebeginning.Dr.CharlesP.Krauthsays,withrespecttoLutherantheologyasawhole,"ThereasonsassignedfortheimputationandtransmissioncentreintherepresentativecharacterofAdam(andEve).Thetechnicalitiesofthefederalideaarelateinappearing,buttheessentialideaitselfcomesinfromthebeginninginourtheology."Melanchthonsaid,"AdamandEvemeritedguiltanddepravityfortheirposterity,becauseintegrityhadbeenbestowedonourfirstparents,thattheymightpreservethemfortheirentireposterity,andinthistrialtheyrepresentedthewholehumanrace."—"ExplicatioSymboliNiceni,Corp.Refor.,"23.403and583.

Chemnitz(1522–1586),"Loci.Theo.,"fol.213,214,says,"GoddepositedthosegiftswithwhichhewilledtoadornhumannaturewithAdam,onthiscondition,thatifhekeptthemforhimselfheshouldkeepthemforhisposterity;butifhelostthemanddepravedhimself,heshouldbegetchildrenafterhisownlikeness."—Hutter,Wittenberg(1616),Lb."Chr.Con.Expli.,"90."Adamrepresentedthewholehumanrace."ThusalsoJamesArminius(†1609)(Disp.31,Thes.ix);JohnOwen(1616–1683)

("Justification,"p.286),andWest"ConfessionFaith,"Ch.7.§2,and"LargerCatechism,"22(1646and1647).

Henceitappearsthatwhentheologicalwriters,beforetotheprevalenceoftherealisticphilosophy,explainourmoralonenesswithAdambytheuninterpretedgeneralphrases"thatwesinnedinhimbeinginhisloins,"or"hebeingourRoot,"theyarenottobeunderstoodasexcludingallreferencetorepresentation,ortocovenantresponsibility.Thelanguageholdstrueundereithertheory,orwhenbotharecombinedinonenotion.Andfromtheinterchangeoftermsitiscertainthatveryoftenboththeorieswerelatentunderacommongeneralnotion.

16.Whatcanbefairlyprovedinsupportofthe

AugustinianmodeofexplainingourmoralonenesswithAdam?

Thisviewexplainsourmoralonenessentirelyonthegroundofhisbeingthenaturalheadandrootoftherace,andtheconsequentphysicalororganiconenessofthewholeraceinhim.

Itmaybefairlyarguedinbehalfofthisview—1st.Thatifitcanbeprovedthatwewere"guiltycoagentswithAdaminhissin,"thehighestandmostsatisfactoryreasonpossibleisassignedfortherighteousimmediateimputationoftheguiltofthatsintous.

2nd.Theanalogy,asfarasitgoes,ofallGod’sprovidentialdealings,bothgeneralandspecial,withmankindGod’scovenantswithNoah,Abraham,andDavidembracethechildrenwiththeparents,andrestuponthenaturalrelationsofgeneratorandgenerated.TheconstitutionsalikeoftheJewishandChristianChurchesprovidethattherightsofinfantsarepredeterminedbythestatusoftheirparents.Thisis,ofcourse,determinedbyagraciouscovenant,yetthatcovenantpresupposesthemorefundamentalandgeneralnaturalrelationofgenerationandeducation.Allhumanconditionandcharacter,asidefromanysupernaturalintervention,isdeterminedbyhistoricalconditions.HughMiller("TestimonyoftheRocks")says,asaChristianscientist:""Itisafactbroadandpalpableastheeconomyofnature,that...lapsedprogenitors,whencutofffromcivilizationandallexternalinterferenceofamissionarycharacter,becomefoundersofalapsedrace.Theiniquitiesoftheparentsarevisitedupontheirchildren.""ItisoneoftheinevitableconsequencesofthatnatureofmanwhichtheCreator,boundfastinfate,whileheleftfreehiswill,thatthefree–willoftheparentshouldbecomethedestinyofthechild."

17.WhatcanbefairlyarguedagainstthesufficiencyofthisexplanationofthegroundoftheimmediateimputationoftheguiltofAdam’sfirstsin?

1st.Observe(l)thattheJewishandChristianChurches,towhomthesecondcommandment(Exodus20:5)wasgiven,andthechildrenofNoah,Abraham,andDavidwereembracedunderspecial

graciouscovenants.(2)ObservethatinthecasesinwhichGodvisitstheiniquitiesofparentsupontheirchildreninnaturalprovidence,irrespectiveofanyspecialcovenantobligations,Godisactingwithamostjustthoughsovereigndiscretionindealingwithrebelsalreadyunderpreviousrighteouscondemnation.

2nd.WhentheNaturalHeadshipofAdamisreferredtoingeneralterms,andwearesaidtohavebeeninhimasa"Root,"oras"branchesinatree,"thenotionisunsatisfactory,because(1)Utterlyindefinite.(2)Becauseitis,asfarasitgoes,materialandmechanical,andthereforeutterlyfailstoexplainmoralresponsibility,whichisessentiallyspiritualandpersonal.(3)Besidesthisnotionatleastlatentlyassumesthefallacythatthelawsofnaturaldevelopmentareeithernecessarylimitsofdivineagency,oragentsindependentofhim,orindependentconcauseswithhim.ThetruthsimplybeingthattheconstitutionofnatureisthecreatureandinstrumentsofGod.(4)Thistheoryassignsnoreason,eitheronthegroundofprincipleoranalogy,whyonlythefirstsinofAdam,andnotallthesubsequentsinsofallancestors,isimputedtoposterityasthegroundofparentalforfeiture.

3rd.Theideaofanon–personalbutvirtualorpotentialcoexistenceandcoagency(seeDr.W.G.T.Shedd’s"Essays"and"Hist.Christ.Doc.,"andDr.PhilipSchaff’s"Lange.Rom.,"pp.192–194)asthesolebasisofjustmoralresponsibilityhasnosupportinthattestimonyofCONSCIOUSNESS,whichisouronlycitadelofdefensefrommaterialism,naturalism,andpantheism.Consciousnessgivesusnoconceptionofsinbutasastateoranactofafreepersonalagent.Evenifimpersonal,virtual,potential,moralcoagencybeafact,ittranscendsbothconsciousnessandunderstanding,andbeingdarkitselfcanthrownolightuponthemysteriousfactsitisadducedtoexplainandtoJustify.

4th.Whentheattemptismadetoexpoundthistheoryinthefullsenseofrealisticphilosophythecasedoesnotappeartobeimproved.

(1)Inpurerealismhumanityisasingle,generic,spiritualsubstancewhichvoluntarilyapostatizedandcorrupteditselfinAdam.Humanpersonsaretheindividualmanifestationsofthiscommonspiritinconnectionwithseparatebodilyorganizations.But—(a)Ifwesofar

leaveconsciousnessbehindhowcanwedefendourselvesfrompantheism?(b)Howareindividualspiritsjustifiedandsanctifiedwhilethegeneralspiritremainscorruptandguilty?(c)HowdidtheLogosbecomeincarnate?(d)How,finally,willpartofthisspiritualsubstancebeeternallyglorified,whileanotherpartiseternallydamned?

(2)Dr.Sheddexplainsthatthegenericspiritualsubstancewhichsinnedhassince,throughtheagencyofAdam,beendistributedandexplicatedintoaseriesofindividuals.Butcanaspiritbedividedanditspartsdistributed,eachpartanagentasthewholewasfromwhichitwasseparated?Isnotthistoconfoundtheattributesofspiritandmatter,andtoexplainspiritasmaterial,andisnotSINpreeminentlyspiritualandpersonal?

18.StatethereasonswhichestablishthesuperiorsatisfactorycharacteroftheFederalTheoryofouronenesswithAdam?

1st.ThefederalheadshipofAdampresupposesandrestsuponhisnaturalheadship.Hewasournaturalheadbeforehewasourfederalhead.Hewasdoubtlessmadeourfederalrepresentativebecausehewasournaturalprogenitor,andwassoconditionedthathisagencymustaffectourdestinies,andbecauseourverynaturewasontrial(typicallyifnotessentially)inhim.Whatever,therefore,ofvirtueinthisexplanationthenaturalheadshipofAdammaybesupposedtocontainthefederaltheoryretains.

2nd.TheCovenantasshownabovewasanactofsupremedivinegracetoAdamhimself.Itwasstillmoresoasitrespectshisdescendants.AllGod’smoralcreaturesareintroducedintoexistenceinaconditionofreal,thoughunstable,moralintegrity.Thisisobviouslytrueofmenandangels,andcertainlyequitable.Theymust,therefore,passthroughaprobationeitherlimitedorunlimited.Adamwasunderconditionstostandthatgraciouslylimitedprobationwitheveryconceivableadvantage.But,apparently,hisdescendantscouldhavenofairprobationexceptinhisperson."Threeplansexhaustthepossible.(1)ThewholeracemighthavebeenleftundertheirnaturalrelationtoGodforever.(2)Eachmighthavebeenlefttostandforhimselfundera

graciouscovenantofworks.(3)Thattheraceasawholeshouldstandforalimitedperiodrepresentedinitsnaturalhead.Thefirstwouldhavecertainlyledtouniversalsin.ThesecondistheonePelagianssupposeactual.Thethirdisincomparablythemostadvantageousforthewhole."Dr.RobertL.Dabney’s"Syllabus."Theseparateprobationofnascentsoulsininfantbodieswascertainlynottobepreferred.

3rd.GodcertainlydidasamatteroffactconditionAdamwithapromiseof"Life,"andthealternativeof"Death,"uponaspecialandtemporallylimitedprobationarytest.Theprecisepenaltythreateneduponhim,hasbeeninitsgeneralsenseandspecialterms(Genesis2:17and3:16–19)inflicteduponallhisposterity.

4th.ThisviewalsoisconfirmedbytheanalogywhichtheScripturesassertexistedbetweentheimputationofAdam’sfirstsintous,andtheimputationofoursinstoChrist,andofhisrighteousnesstous.This,ofcourse,impliesnecessarilythattheraceisonewithAdam,andtheelectonewithChrist.AndtheanalogycertainlyisthemorecompleteonthefederalviewofAdam’sunionwiththerace,thanonthatviewwhichignoresit.BoththeCovenantofGraceincludingtheelect,andtheCovenantofWorksincludingtherace,weregracious.Christvoluntarilyassumedhisheadshipoutoflove.Adamobedientlyassumedhisoutofinterestandduty.Godgraciouslychosetheelectoutoflove,andgraciouslyincludedthedescendantsofAdaminhisrepresentationoutofbenevolence.

Doesnottheremainingmysteryloseitselfinthatabysswhichisopenedbythefactofthepermissionofsin,beforewhichallschoolsofTheistsonthissidetheveilmustbowinsilence.

~~~~~~

Chapter22:TheCovenantofGrace

AllquestionsconcernedwiththegeneralsubjectofRedemptionwillfallundertheheadsof—

1st.ThePlanofRedemption,includingtheCovenantofGraceandeternalElection,consideredabove,chapter11.

2nd.ThePersonandWorkofChristintheAccomplishmentofRedemption.

3rd.TheApplicationandConsummationofRedemptionbytheagencyoftheHolyGhost,togetherwiththeMeansofGracedivinelyappointedtothatend.

TheCovenantofGrace

Itisevident.—1st.ThatasGodisaninfinite,eternal,andimmutableintelligencehemusthaveformed,fromthebeginning,anall–comprehensiveandunchangeablePlanofallhisworksintime,includingCreation,Providence,andRedemption.

2nd.APlanformedbyandintendedtobeexecutedinitsseveralreciprocaldistributedpartsbyThreePersons,asSender,andSent,asPrincipalandMediator,asExecutorandApplier,mustnecessarilypossessalltheessentialattributesofaneternalCovenantbetweenthosePersons.

3rd.SinceGodinalldepartmentsofhismoralgovernmenttreatsmanasanintelligent,voluntary,andresponsiblemoralagent,itfollowsthattheexecutionoftheeternalPlanofRedemptionmustbeinitsgeneralcharacterethicalandnotmagical,mustproceedbytherevelationoftruth,andtheinfluencesofmotives,andmustbevoluntarilyappropriatedbythesubjectasanofferedgrace,andobeyedasanenjoineddutyuponpainofreprobation.HenceitsapplicationmustpossessalltheessentialattributesofaCovenantintimebetweenGodandhispeople.

1.Whatistheusageoftheword תיִרְּב intheHebrewScriptures?

ThiswordoccursmorethantwohundredandeightytimesintheOldTestament,andisinourtranslationinthevastmajorityofinstances

representedbytheEnglishword"Covenant,"inanumberofinstancesbytheword"League,"Joshua9:15,etc.,andonceeachbythewords"Confederate,"Genesis14:13,and"Confederacy,"Obadiah7.

Itisusedtoexpress.—1st.Anaturalordinance."God’scovenantwiththeday,thenight,"etc.—Jeremiah33:20.

2nd.Acovenantofonemanwithanother.JonathanandDavid.—1Samuel18:3andch.20:DavidandAbner.—2Samuel3:13.

3rd.ThecovenantofGodwithNoah,Genesis6:18,19,astohisfamily;andwiththehumanraceinhim,Genesis9:9.Thebowwas"atokenofacovenant."—Genesis9:13.

4th.The"CovenantofGrace"withAbraham,Genesis17:2–7,whichPaulcallsthe"gospel,"Galatians3:17.Circumcisionwasthe"tokenofthiscovenant."—Genesis17:11;cf.Acts7:8.

5th.ThesamecovenantasformedgenerallywithAbraham,Isaac,andJacob.—Exodus2:24,etc.

6th.Thesamecovenant,withspecialandtemporarymodificationsofform,constitutingtheNational–EcclesiasticalCovenantofGodwiththepeopleofIsrael.ThelawofthisCovenantonitslegalsidewaswrittenbyMosesfirstinabook("thebookofthecovenant,"Exodus24:7),andthenupontablesofstone("thewordsofthecovenant,thetencommandments,"Exodus34:27,28),whichwereafterwardsdepositedinagoldenchest,"thearkofthecovenant."—Numbers10:33.

7th.ThecovenantwithAaronofaneverlastingpriesthood.Numbers25:12,13.

8th.ThecovenantwithDavid.—Jeremiah33:21,22;Psalm89:3,4.

2.WhatistheNewTestamentusageofthetermδιαθήκη?

Thiswordoccursthirty–threetimesintheNewTestament,and

isalmostuniformlytranslatedcovenantwhenitreferstothedealingsofGodwithhisancientchurch,andtestamentwhenitreferstohisdealingswithhischurchunderthegospeldispensation.Itsfundamentalsenseisthatofdisposition,arrangement;intheclassicsgenerallythatspecificformofarrangementordispositioncalledatestament,whichsense,however,itproperlybearsinbutonepassageintheNewTestament,viz.,Hebrews9:16,17.AlthoughitisneverusedtodesignatethateternalCovenantofGracewhichthefathermadewiththeSonasthesecondAdam,inbehalfofhispeople,yetitalwaysdesignateseithertheoldorthenewdispensation,i.e.,modeofadministrationofthatchangelesscovenant,orsomespecialcovenantwhichChristhasformedwithhispeopleinthewayofadministeringtheCovenantofGrace,e.g.,thecovenantswithAbrahamandwithDavid.

ThusthedispositionmadebyGodwiththeancientchurchthroughMoses,theOldcontrastedintheNewTestamentwiththeNewδιαθήκη(Gal.4:24),wasreallyacovenant,bothcivilandreligious,formedbetweenJehovahandtheIsraelites,yetalikeinitslegalelement,"whichwasaddedbecauseoftransgressions,tilltheseedshouldcometowhomthepromisewasmade,"andinitssymbolicandtypicalelementteachingofChrist,itwasinahigherviewadispensation,ormodeofadministrationoftheCovenantofGrace.SoalsothepresentgospeldispensationintroducedbyChristassumestheformofacovenantbetweenhimandhispeople,includingmanygraciouspromises,suspendedonconditions,yetitisevidentlyinitshighestaspectthatmodeofadministeringthechangelessCovenantofGrace,whichiscalledthe"newandbetterdispensation,incontrastwiththecomparativelyimperfectoldandfirstdispensation"ofthatsamecovenant.—See2Corinthians3:14;Hebrews17:6,8,9,10;9:15;Galatians4:24.

ThepresentdispensationoftheCovenantofGracebyourSavior,inonerespect,evidentlybearsanearanalogytoawillortestamentarydisposition,sinceitdispensesblessingswhichcouldbefullyenjoyedonlyafter,andbymeansofhisdeath.ConsequentlyPaulusesthewordδιαθήκηinonesinglepassage,todesignatethepresentdispensationoftheCovenantofGraceinthisinterestingaspectofit.—Hebrews9:16,17.Yetsincethevariousdispensationsofthateternalcovenantarealways

elsewhereinScripturerepresentedundertheformofspecialadministrativecovenants,andnotundertheformoftestaments,itistoberegrettedthatourourtranslatorshavesofrequentlyrenderedthistermδιαθήκη,bythespecificwordtestament,insteadofthewordcovenant,orbythemoregeneralworddispensation.—See1Corinthians3:6,14;Galatians3:15;Hebrews7:22;12:24;13:20.

3.WhatarethethreeviewsastothepartiesinthecovenantofgraceheldbyCalvinists?

ThesedifferencesdonotintheleastinvolvethetruthofanydoctrinetaughtintheScriptures,butconcernonlytheforminwhichthattruthmaybemoreorlessclearlypresented.

1st.ThefirstviewregardstheCovenantofGraceasmadebyGodwithelectsinners.Godpromisingtosavesinnersassuchontheconditionoffaith,they,whenconverted,promisingfaithandobedience.

Christinthisviewisnotoneofthepartiestothecovenant,butitsMediatorinbehalfofhiselect,andtheirsurety;i.e.,heguaranteesthatalltheconditionsdemandedofthemshallbefulfilledbythemthroughhisgrace.

2nd.Thesecondviewsupposestwocovenants,thefirst,calledtheCovenantofRedemption,formedfrometernitybetweentheFatherandtheSonasparties.TheSonpromisingtoobeyandsuffer,theFatherpromisingtogivehimapeopleandtogranttheminhimallspiritualblessingsandeternallife.Thesecond,calledtheCovenantofGrace,formedbyGodwiththeelectasparties,Christbeingmediatorandsuretyinbehalfofhispeople.

3rd.AstherearetwoAdamssetforthintheScripture,theonerepresentingtheentireraceinaneconomyofnature,andtheotherrepresentingthewholebodyoftheelectinaneconomyofgrace,itappearsmoresimpletoregardasthefoundationofallGod’sdealingswithmankind,ofwhateverclass,onlythetwogreatcontrastedCovenantsofworksandofgrace.TheformermadebyGodatthecreationoftheworldwithAdam,asthefederalheadandrepresentativeofallhis

posterity.Ofthepromises,conditions,penalty,andissueofthatCovenantIhavespokenunderaformerhead,seeChapter17.ThelatterorCovenantofGrace,formedinthecounselsofeternitybetweentheFatherandtheSonascontractingparties,theSonthereincontractingastheSecondAdam,representingallhispeopleastheirmediatorandsurety,assumingtheirplaceandundertakingalltheirobligations,undertheunsatisfiedCovenantofWorks,andundertakingtoapplytothemallthebenefitssecuredbythiseternalCovenantofGrace,andtosecuretheperformanceupontheirpartofallthosedutieswhichareinvolvedtherein.ThusinoneaspectthisCovenantmaybeviewedascontractedwiththeheadforthesalvationofthemembers,andinanotherascontractedwiththemembersintheirheadandsponsor.ForthatwhichisagracefromGodisadutyuponourpart,asSt..Augustineprayed,"Daquodtubes,ettubesquodvis;"andhenceresultsthiscomplexviewoftheCovenant.

AsembracedunderoneorotherofthesetwogreatCovenantsofworksorofgrace,everymanintheworldstandsinGod’ssight.Itistoberemembered,however,thatintheseveraldispensations,ormodesofadministrationoftheeternalCovenantofGrace,Christhascontractedvariousspecialcovenantswithhispeople,asadministrativeprovisionsforcarryingouttheengagements,andforapplyingtothemthebenefitsofhiscovenantwiththeFather.Thus,thecovenantofJehovah(theSecondPerson,seeabove,

Chapter9.,Question14)withNoah,thesecondnaturalheadofthehumanfamily,Genesis9:11,15.ThecovenantwithAbraham,thetypicalbeliever,bearingthevisiblesignandsealofcircumcision,andthusfoundingthevisiblechurchasanaggregateoffamilies.Thiscovenantcontinuestobethecharterofthevisiblechurchtothisday.ThesacramentsofbaptismandtheLord’ssuppernowattachedtoit,signifyingandsealingthebenefitsoftheCovenantofGrace,towit,eternallife,faith,repentance,obedience,etc.,onGod’spart,asmattersofpromise;onoursasmattersofduty,i.e.,sofarastheyaretoheperformedbyourselves.—CompareGenesis17:9–13,withGalatians3:15–17.ThenationalcovenantwiththeJews,thenconstitutingthevisiblechurch,Exodus34:27.ThecovenantwithDavid,thetypeofChristas

MediatorialKing,2Samuel7:15,16;2Chronicles7:18.Theuniversaloffersofthegospelduringthepresentdispensation,also,arepresentedintheformofacovenant.Salvationisofferedtoallontheconditionoffaith,butfaithisGod’sgiftsecuredforandpromisedtotheelect,andwhengivenexercisedbythem.Everybeliever,whenbroughttotheknowledgeofthetruth,entersintoacovenantwithhisLord,whichherenewsinallactsoffaithandprayer.ButthesespecialcovenantsallandseveralareprovisionsfortheadministrationoftheeternalCovenantofGrace,andaredesignedsolelytoconveythebenefitsthereinsecuredtothosetowhomtheybelong.

Forthestatementsofourstandardsuponthissubject,compare"ConfessionofFaith,"chapter7.,section3,with"LargerCatechism,"Questions30–36.

4.ProvefromtheScripturesthata"CovenantofGrace"wasactuallyformedineternitybetweentheDivinePersons,inwhichthe"Son"representedthiselect.

1st.AsshownattheopeningofthischaptersuchaCovenantisvirtuallyimpliedintheexistenceofaneternalplanofsalvationmutuallyformedbyandtobeexecutedbythreePersons.

2nd.ThatChristrepresentedhiselectinthatCovenantisnecessarilyimpliedinthedoctrineofsovereignpersonalelectiontograceandsalvation.Christsaysofhissheep,"Thinetheywere,andthougavestthemme,"and"ThosewhomthougavestmeIhavekept,"etc.—John17:6,12.

3rd.TheScripturesdeclaretheexistenceofthepromiseandconditionsofsuchaCovenant,andpresenttheminconnection.—Isaiah53:10,11.

4th.TheScripturesexpresslyaffirmtheexistenceofsuchaCovenant.—Isaiah13:6;Psalm89:3.

5th.ChristmakesconstantreferencetoapreviouscommissionhehadreceivedofhisFather.—John10:18;Luke22:29.

6th.Christclaimsarewardwhichhadbeenconditioneduponthefulfillmentofthatcommission.—John17:4.

7th.ChristconstantlyassertsthathispeopleandhisexpectedgloryaregiventohimasarewardbyhisFather.—John17:6,9,24;Philippians2:6–11.

5.WhowerethepartiestothisCovenantofGrace;whatwereitspromisesorconditionsonthepartoftheFather;andwhatitsconditionsonthepartoftheSon?

1st.ThecontractingpartiesweretheFatherrepresentingtheentireGodheadinitsindivisiblesovereignty;and,ontheotherhand,GodtheSon,asMediator,representingallhiselectpeople,andasadministratoroftheCovenant,standingtheirsuretyfortheirperformanceofallthosedutieswhichwereinvolvedontheirpart.

2nd.TheconditionsuponthepartoftheFatherwere,(1)allneedfulpreparation,Hebrews10:5;Isaiah13:1–7;(2)supportinhiswork,Luke22:43;(3)agloriousreward,firstintheexaltationofhistheanthropicperson"aboveeverynamethatisnamed,"Philippians2:6–11,andtheuniversaldominioncommittedtohimasMediator,John5:22;Psalm110:1;andincommittingtohishandtheadministrationofalltheprovisionsoftheCovenantofGraceinbehalfofallhispeople,Matthew28:18;John1:12;17:2;7:39;Acts2:33;and,secondly,inthesalvationofallthoseforwhomheacted,includingtheprovisionsofregeneration,justification,sanctification,perseverance,andglory—Titus1:2;Jeremiah31:33;32:40;Isaiah35:10;53:10,11;Dicks,"Theo.Lect.,"Vol.1.,pp.506–509.

3rd.TheconditionsuponthepartoftheSonwere—(1)Thatheshouldbecomeincarnate,madeofawoman,madeunderthelaw.—Galatians4:4,5.(2)Thatheshouldassumeandfullydischarge,inbehalfofhiselect,allviolatedconditionsandincurredliabilitiesofthecovenantofworks,Matthew5:17,18,whichhewastoaccomplish,first,byrenderingtothepreceptofthelawaperfectobedience,Psalm40:8;Isaiah13:21;John9:4,5;8:29;Matthew19:17;and,secondly,insufferingthefullpenaltyincurredbythesinsofhispeople.—Isaiah53:;2

Corinthians5:21;Galatians3:13;Ephesians5:2.

6.InwhatsenseisChristsaidtobethemediatoroftheCovenantofGrace?

ChrististhemediatoroftheeternalCovenantofGracebecause—1st.AstheonemediatorbetweenGodandman,hecontractedit.2nd.Asmediator,hefulfillsallitsconditionsinbehalfofhispeople.3rd.Asmediatorheadministersitanddispensesallitsblessings.4th.Inallthis,Christwasnotameremediatorialinternuntius,asMosesiscalled(Galatians3:19),buthewasmediator(1)plenipotentiary(Matthew28:18),and(2)ashighpriestactuallyeffectingreconciliationbysacrifice(Romans3:25).5th.

Thephraseμεσίτηςδιαθήκηςmediatorofthecovenant,isappliedtoChristthreetimesintheNewTestament(Hebrews8:6;9:15;12:24);butasineachcasethetermforcovenantisqualifiedbyeithertheadjective"new"or"better,"itevidentlyhereisusedtodesignatenottheCovenantofGraceproperly,butthatnewdispensationofthateternalcovenantwhichChristintroducedinpersonincontrasttothelessperfectadministrationofitwhichwasinstrumentallyintroducedbyMoses.InthegeneraladministrationoftheCovenantofGrace,Christhasactedassacerdotalmediatorfromthefoundationoftheworld(Revelation13:8).Ontheotherhand,thefirstor"olddispensation,"orspecialmodeofadministeringthatCovenantvisiblyamongmen,wasinstrumentally,andastovisibleform,"ordainedbyangelsinthehandofamediator,"i.e.,Moses(Galatians3:19).ItispreciselyincontradistinctiontothisrelationwhichMosessustainedtotheoutwardrevelationofthosesymbolicalandtypicalinstitutions,throughwhichtheCovenantofGracewasthenadministered.Thatthesuperiorexcellenceofthe"new"and"better"dispensationisdeclaredtoconsistinthis,thatnowChristthe"Soninhisownhouse"visiblydiscloseshimselfasthetruemediatorinthespiritualandpersonaladministrationofhiscovenant.

Hencehewhofromthebeginningwasthe"onemediatorbetweenGodandman"(1Timothy2:5)nowisrevealedasinwayofeminence,themediatorandsuretyofthateternalCovenantunderthe"new"and"better"dispensationofit,sincenowheisrenderedvisiblein

thefullnessofhisspiritualgraces,astheimmediateadministratorthereof;whereasunderthe"first"and"old"dispensationhewashidden.—SeeSampson’sCommentaryonHebrews.6th.AsMediatoralsoChristundertakestogiveHispeoplefaithandrepentanceandeverygrace,andguaranteesforthemthattheyshallontheirpartexercisefaithandrepentanceandeveryduty.

7.InwhatsenseisChristsaidtobeSuretyofthecovenantofGrace?

IntheonlyinstanceinwhichthetermsuretyisappliedtoChristintheNewTestament(Hebrews7:22),"suretyofabettertestament,"thewordtranslatedtestamentevidentlyisdesignedtodesignatethenewdispensationoftheCovenantofGrace,ascontrastedwiththeold.PauliscontractingthepriesthoodofChristwiththeLevitical.Heispriestorsuretyafterahigherorder,underaclearerrevelation,andamorerealanddirectadministrationofgrace,thanwerethetypicalpriestsdescendedfromAaron.Christisoursuretyatonceaspriestandasking.Aspriestbecause,as,such,heassumesanddischargesallourobligationsunderthebrokencovenantofworks.Asking(thetwoinhimareinseparable,heisalwaysaroyalpriest),because,assuch,headministerstheblessingsofhiscovenanttohispeople,andtothisendenteringintocovenantswiththem,offeringthemgraceupontheconditionoffaithandobedience,andthen,astheirsurety,givingthemthegracesoffaithandobedience,thattheymayfulfilltheirpart.

8.WhatgeneralmethodhascharacterizedChrist’sadministrationofhiscovenantunderalldispensations?

ThepurchasedbenefitsofthecovenantareplacedinChrist’shand,tobebestoweduponhispeopleasfreeandsovereigngifts.FromChristtoustheyareallgifts,butfromustoChristmanyofthemareduties.Thus,intheadministrationoftheCovenantofGrace,manyofthesepurchasedblessings,whicharetotakeeffectinouracts,e.g.,faith,etc.,hedemandsofusasduties,andpromisesotherbenefitsasarewardconditionedonourobedience.Thus,sotospeak,herewardsgracewithgrace,andconditionsgrace,upongrace.Promisingfaithtohiselect,thenworkingfaithinthem,thenrewardingthemforitsexercisewithpeaceof

conscience,joyintheHolyGhost,andeternallife,etc.,etc.

9.WhatistheArminianviewoftheCovenantofGrace?

Theyhold,1st.,astothepartiesoftheCovenantofGrace,thatGodoffersittoallmen,andthatheactuallycontractsitwithallbelievers.2nd.Astoitspromises,thattheyincludeallthetemporalandeternalbenefitsofChrist’sredemption.3rd.Astoitsconditions,thatGodnowgraciouslyacceptsfaithandevangelicalobedienceforrighteousness,intheplaceofthatperfectlegalobediencehedemandedofmanundertheCovenantofworks,themeritoriousworkofChristmakingitconsistentwiththeprinciplesofdivinejusticeforhimsotodo.Theyregardallmenasrenderedbysufficientgracecapableoffulfillingsuchconditions,iftheywill.

10.Inwhatsensecanfaithbecalledaconditionofsalvation?

Faithisaconditionsinequanonofsalvation,i.e.,noadultmancanbesavedifhedoesnotbelieve,andeverymanthatdoesbelieveshallbesaved.Itis,however,agiftofGodandthefirstpartorstageofsalvation.ViewedonGod’ssideitisthebeginningandindexofhissavingworkinus.Viewedonoursideitisourduty,andmustbeourownact.Itis,therefore,asouract,theinstrumentofourunionwithChrist,andthusthenecessaryantecedent,thoughneverthemeritoriouscause,ofthegracioussalvationwhichfollows.Faithastheconditionisofcourselivingfaith,whichnecessarilybringsforth"confession"andobedience.

11.WhatarethepromiseswhichChrist,astheadministratorofthecovenantofgrace,makestoallthosewhobelieve?

ThepromisetoAbrahamtobea"Godtohimandtohisseedafterhim"(Genesis17:7)embracesallothers.Allthingsalike,physicalandmoral,inprovidenceandgrace,fortimeandeternity,aretoworktogetherforourgood."Allareyours,andyeareChrist’s,andChristisGod’s."—1Corinthians3:22,23.

Thisgospelcovenantisoftencalledthe"CovenantofGrace"asdistinguishedfromthe"CovenantofRedemption."Seeabove,Q.3,§2."Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved,buthethatbelievethnotshallbedamned."Mark16:16.

12.ProvethatChristwasmediatorofmenbeforeaswellasafterhisadventintheflesh.

1st.Asmediatorheisbothpriestandsacrifice,andassuchitisaffirmedthatheisthe"Lambslainfromthefoundationoftheworld,"anda"propitiationforthesinsthatarepast."Revelation3:8;Romans3:25;Hebrews9:15.

2nd.HewaspromisedtoAdam.—Genesis3:15.

3rd.Inthe3rdchapterofGalatiansPaulprovesthatthepromisemadetoAbraham(Genesis17:7;22:18)istheverysamegospelthattheapostlehimselfpreached.ThusAbrahambecamethefatherofthosethatbelieve.

4th.Acts10:43.—"Tohimgivealltheprophetswitness,thatthroughhisname,whosoeverbelievethonhimshallreceiveremissionofsin."—See53rdchap.ofIsaiah.,alsochap.42:6.

5th.TheceremonialinstitutionsofMosesweresymbolicalandtypicalofChrist’swork;assymbolstheysignifiedChrist’smeritandgracetotheancientworshipperforhispresentsalvation,whileastypestheyprophesiedthesubstancewhichwastocome.—Hebrews10:1–10;Colossians2:17.

6th.ChristwastheJehovahoftheolddispensation.—Seeabove,Chap.9.,Question14.

13.ProvethatfaithwastheconditionofsalvationbeforetheadventofChrist,inthesamesensethatitisnow.

1st.ThisisaffirmedintheOldTestament.—Habakkuk2:4;Psalm2:12.

2nd.TheNewTestamentwritersillustratetheirdoctrineofjustificationbyfaithbytheexamplesofOldTestamentbelievers.—SeeRomans4.,andHebrews11.

14.ShowthatChrist,asadministratoroftheCovenantofGrace,gavetothemembersoftheOldTestamentChurchpreciselythesamepromisesthathedoestous.

1st.ThepromisesgiventoChrist’sancientpeopleclearlyembraceallspiritualandeternalblessings,e.g.,thepromisegiventoAbraham,Genesis17:7,asexpoundedbyChrist,Matthew22:32,andthepromisegiventoAbraham,Genesis22:18;12:3,asexpoundedbyPaul,Galatians3:16;seealsoIsaiah43:25;Ezekiel36:27;Daniel12:2,3.

2nd.ThisisplainalsofromtheexpectationandprayersofGod’speople.—Psalm51andPsalm16;Job19:24–27;Psalm73:24–26.

15.HowwasthecovenantofgraceadministeredfromAdamtoAbraham?

1st.Bypromise.—Genesis3:15.

2nd.BymeansoftypicalsacrificesinstitutedinthefamilyofAdam.

3rd.BymeansofimmediaterevelationsandappearancesoftheJehovah,ordivinemediatortohispeople.Thus"theLord"isrepresentedthroughoutthefirstelevenchaptersofGenesisas"speaking"tomen.ThatthesepromisesandsacrificeswerethenunderstoodintheirtruespiritualintentisprovedbyPaul.—Hebrews11:4–7.Andthatthisadministrationofthecovenantofgracereachedmanyofthepeopleoftheearth,duringthisera,isprovedbythehistoryofJobinArabia,ofAbrahaminMesopotamia,andofMelchisedecinCanaan.

16.HowwasitadministeredfromAbrahamtoMoses?

1st.Thepromisegivenduringtheprecedingperiod(Genesis3:15),isnowrenewedintheformofamoredefinitecovenant,revealingthecomingSaviorasinthelineofAbraham’sposteritythroughIsaac,

andtheinterestofthewholeworldinhissalvationismorefullysetforth.—Genesis17:7;22:18.Thiswasthegospelpreachedbeforehand.—Galatians3:8.

2nd.Sacrificeswerecontinuedasbefore.

3rd.Thechurch,orcompanyofbelievers,whichexistedfromthebeginninginitsindividualmembers,wasnowformedintoageneralbodyasanagatheringoffamilies,bytheinstitutionofcircumcision,asavisiblesymbolofthebenefitsofthecovenantofgrace,andasabadgeofchurchmembership.

17.WhatwasthetruenatureofthecovenantmadebyGodwiththeIsraelitesthroughMoses?

Itmayberegardedinthreeaspects—

1st.Asanationalandpoliticalcovenant,whereby,inapoliticalsense,theybecamehispeople,underhistheocraticgovernment,andinthispeculiarsensehebecametheirGod.Thechurchandthestatewereidentical.Inoneaspectthewholesystemhadreferencetothisrelation.

2nd.Itwasinoneaspectalegalcovenant,becausethemorallaw,obediencetowhichwastheconditionofthecovenantofworks,wasprominentlysetforth,andconformitytothislawwasmadetheconditionofGod’sfavor,andofallnationalblessings.Eventheceremonialsysteminitsmerelyliteral,andapartfromitssymbolicalaspect,wasalsoaruleofworksforcursedwashethatconfirmethnotallthewordsofthislawtodothem.—Deuteronomy27:26.

3rd.But,inthesymbolicalandtypicalsignificanceofalltheMosaicinstitutions,theywereaclearerandfullerrevelationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenantofGracethanhadeverbeforebeenmade.ThisPaulabundantlyprovesthroughouttheEpistletotheHebrews.—HodgeonRomans.

18.WhatarethecharacteristicdifferencesbetweenthedispensationoftheCovenantofGraceunderthelawofMoses

andaftertheadventofChrist?

Thesedifferences.ofcourse,relateonlytothemodeofadministration,andnottothematterofthetruthrevealed,norofthegraceadministered.1st.Thetruthwasthensignifiedbysymbols,which,atthesametime,weretypesoftherealatonementforsinafterwardstobemade.Nowthetruthisrevealedintheplaingospelhistory.2nd.Thatrevelationwaslessfullaswellaslessclear.3rd.Itwassoencumberedwithceremoniesastobecomparativelyacarnaldispensation.Thepresentdispensationisspiritual.4th.Itwasconfinedtoonepeople.Thepresentdispensation,disembarrassedfromallnationalorganizations,embracesthewholeearth.5th.Theformermethodofadministrationwasevidentlypreparatorytothepresent,whichisfinal.

FortheCalvinisticviewofthe"CovenantofGrace,"seeTurretin,"Inst.Theo.Elench.,"Loc.12.;Witsius,"AEcon.oftheCovs."ForArminianviewseeFletcher’sworksandRichardWatson’s"Inst.ofTheo."

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Chapter23:ThePersonofChrist

1.HowcanitbeprovedthatthepromisedMessiahoftheJewishScriptureshasalreadycome,andthatJesusChrististhatperson?

Weprovethathemusthavealreadycomebyshowingthattheconditionsoftimeandcircumstances,whichtheprophetsdeclareshouldmarkhisadvent,arenolongerpossible.Weprove,secondly,thatJesusofNazarethwasthatpersonbyshowingthateveryoneofthoseconditionswasfulfilledinhim.

2.ProvethatGenesis49:10,referstotheMessiah,andshowhowitprovesthattheMessiahmusthavealreadycome.

TheoriginalwordtranslatedShiloh,signifiespeace,andisappliedtotheMessiah.—CompareMicah5:2,5.withMatthew2:6.

Besides,itisonlytotheMessiahthatthegatheringofthenationsistobe.—SeeIsaiah55:5;60:3;Haggai2:7.TheJews,moreover,havealwaysunderstoodthispassageasreferringtotheMessiah.

UptothetimeofthebirthofJesusChristthescepterandthelawgiverdidremainwithJudah;butseventyyearsafterhisbirth,atthedestructionofJerusalem,theyfinallydeparted.IftheadventoftheMessiahhadnotoccurredpreviouslythisprophecyisfalse.

3.DothesamewithreferencetotheprophecyofDaniel9:24–27.

ThisprophecyrefersexpresslytotheMessiah,andtohispeculiarandexclusivework.Thattheseventyweeksherementionedaretobeinterpretedweeksofyearsiscertain,1st.,fromthefactthatitwastheJewishcustomsotodividetime;2nd.,fromthefactthatthiswaspreciselythecommonusageofthepropheticalbooks,seeEzekiel4:6;Revelation12:6;13:5;3rd.fromthefactthattheliteralapplicationofthelanguageasseventycommonweeksisimpracticable.

Theprophecyis,thatsevenweeksofyears,orforty–nineyearsfromtheendofthecaptivity,thecitywouldberebuilt.Thatsixty–twoweeksofyears,orfourhundredandthirty–fouryearsaftertherebuildingofthecity,theMessiahshouldappear,andthatduringtheperiodofoneweekofyearsheshouldconfirmthecovenant,andinthemidstoftheweekbecutoff.

Thereissomedoubtastotheprecisedatefromwhichthecalculationoughttocommence.Thegreatestdifference,however,isonlytenyears,andthemostprobabledatecausestheprophecytocoincidepreciselywiththehistoryofJesusChrist.

4.Whatprophecies,relatingtothetime,place,andcircumstancesofthebirthoftheMessiah,havebeenfulfilledinJesusofNazareth?

Astotime,itwaspredictedthatheshouldcomebeforethescepterdepartedfromJudah(Genesis49:10),attheendoffourhundred

andninetyyearsafterthegoingforthofthecommandtorebuildJerusalem,andwhilethesecondtemplewasstillstanding.Haggai2:9;Malachi3:1.

Astoplaceandcircumstances,hewastobeborninBethlehem(Micah5:2),ofthetribeofJudah,ofthefamilyofDavid.Jeremiah23:5,6.Hewastobebornofavirgin,Isaiah7:14;andtobeprecededbyaforerunner.—Malachi3:1.AllthesemetinJesusChrist,andcanneveragainbefulfilledinanother,sincethegenealogiesoftribesandfamilieshavebeenlost.

5.WhatremarkablecharacteristicsoftheMessiah,asdescribedintheOldTestament,wereverifiedinourSavior?

Hewastobeakingandconquerorofuniversalempire,Psalm2:6andPsalm14:;Isaiah9:6,7;andyetdespisedandrejected,amanofsorrow,aprisoner,pouringforthissouluntodeath.Isaiah53:HewastobealighttolightentheGentiles,andunderhisadministrationthemoralconditionofthewholeearthwastobechanged.—Isaiah42:6;49:6;60:l-7.Hisdeathwastobevicarious.—Isaiah53:5,9,12.Hewastoenterthecityridinguponanass.—Zechariah9:9.Hewastobesoldforthirtypiecesofsilver,andhispricepurchaseapotter’sfield.Zechariah11:12,13.Hisgarmentsweretobepartedbylot.—Psalm22:18.

Theyweretogivehimvinegartodrink.—Psalm69:21.Theverywordshewastoutteronthecrossarepredicted,Psalm22:1;alsothatheshouldbepierced,Zechariah12:10;andmakehisgravewiththewickedandwiththerich,Isaiah53:9.—SeeDr.Alexander’s"EvidencesofChristianity."

6.WhatpeculiarworkwastheMessiahtoaccomplish,whichhasbeenperformedbyChrist?

Allhismediatorialofficeswerepredictedinsubstance.Hewastodotheworkofaprophet(Isaiah13:6;60:3),andthatofapriest(Isaiah53:10),tomakereconciliationforsin(Daniel9:24).Asking,hewastoadministertheseveraldispensationsofhiskingdom,closingoneandintroducinganother,sealingupthevisionandprophecy,causingthe

sacrificeandoblationtocease(Daniel9:24),andsettingupakingdomthatshouldnevercease(Daniel2:44)

7.StatethefivepointsinvolvedinthechurchdoctrineastothePersonofChrist.

1st.JesusofNazarethwasveryGod,possessingthedivinenatureandallitsessentialattributes.2nd.Heisalsotrueman,hishumannaturederivedbygenerationfromthestockofAdam.3rd.ThesenaturescontinueunitedinhisPerson,yeteverremaintruedivinityandtruehumanity,unmixedandastoessenceunchanged.SothatChristpossessesatonceintheunityofhisPersontwospiritswithalltheiressentialattributes,ahumanconsciousness,mind,heart,andwill,andadivineconsciousness,mind,feeling,andwill.Yetitdoesnotbecomeustoattempttoexplainthemannerinwhichthetwospiritsmutuallyaffecteachother,orhowfartheymeetinoneconsciousness,norhowthetwowillscooperateinoneactivity,intheunionoftheoneperson.4th.NeverthelesstheyconstituteasthusunitedonesinglePerson,andtheattributesofbothnaturesbelongtotheonePerson.5th.ThisPersonalityisnotanewoneconstitutedbytheunionofthetwonaturesinthewomboftheVirgin,butitistheeternalandimmutablePersonofthelogov,whichintimeassumedintoitselfanascenthumannature,andeversubsequentlyembracesthehumannaturewiththedivineinthePersonalitywhicheternallybelongstothelatter.

8.HowmayitbeprovedthatChristisreallyaman?

Heiscalledman.—1Timothy2:5.HismostcommontitleisSonofMan,Matthew13:37,alsoseedofthewoman,Genesis3:15;theseedofAbraham,Acts3:25;SonofDavid,andfruitofhisloins,Luke1:32;madeofawoman.—Galatians4:4.Hehadabody,ate,drank,slept,andincreasedinstature,Luke2:52;andthroughalifeofthirty–threeyearswasrecognizedbyallmenasatrueman.Hediedinagonyonthecross,wasburied,rose,andprovedhisidentitybyphysicalsigns.—Luke24:36–44.Hehadareasonablesoul,forheincreasedinwisdom.Heexercisedthecommonfeelingsofournature,hegroanedinspiritandwastroubled,hewept.—John11:33,35.HelovedMarthaandMary,andthedisciplethatJesuslovedleaneduponhisbosom.—John13:23.Theabsolute

divinityofChristhasbeenprovedabove,Chapter9.

9.Howmayitbeprovedthatboththesenaturesconstitutedbutoneperson?

Inmanypassagesbothnaturesarereferredto,whenitisevidentthatonlyonepersonwasintended.—Philippians2:6–11.Inmanypassagesbothnaturesaresetforthasunited.Itisneveraffirmedthatdivinityabstractly,oradivinepower,wasunitedto,ormanifestedinahumannature,butofthedivinenatureconcretely,thatadivinepersonwasunitedtoahumannature.—Hebrews2:11–14;1Timothy3:16;Galatians4:4;Romans8:3and1:3,4;9:5;John1:14;1John4:3.

Theunionoftwonaturesinonepersonisalsoclearlytaughtbythosepassagesinwhichtheattributesofonenaturearepredicatedoftheperson,whilethatpersonisdesignatedbyatitlederivedfromtheothernature.ThushumanattributesandactionsarepredicatedofChristincertainpassages,whilethepersonofwhomtheseattributesoractionsarepredicated,isdesignatedbyadivinetitle.—Acts20:28;Romans8:32;1Corinthians2:8;Matthew1:23;Luke1:31,32;Colossians1:13–14.

Ontheotherhand,inotherpassages,divineattributesandactionsarepredicatedofChrist,whilehisperson,ofwhomthoseattributesarepredicated,isdesignatedbyahumantitle.John3:13;6:62;Romans9:5;Revelation5:12.

10.WhatisthegeneralprincipleuponwhichthosepassagesaretobeexplainedwhichdesignatethepersonofChristfromonenature,andpredicateattributestoitbelongingtotheother?

ThepersonofChrist,constitutedoftwonatures,isoneperson.Hemay,therefore,indifferentlybedesignatedbydivineorhumantitles,andbothdivineandhumanattributesmaybetrulypredicatedofhim.HeisstillGodwhenhedies,andstillmanwhenheraiseshispeoplefromtheirgraves.

Mediatorialactionspertaintobothnatures.Itmusthe

remembered,however,thatwhilethepersonisone,thenaturesaredistinct,assuch.Whatbelongstoeithernatureisattributedtotheonepersontowhichbothbelong,butwhatispeculiartoonenatureisneverattributedtotheother.God,i.e.,thedivinepersonwhoisatonceGodandman,gavehisbloodforhischurch,i.e.,diedastohishumannature(Acts20:28).ButhumanattributesoractionsareneverassertedofChrist’sdivinenature,noraredivineattributesoractionseverassertedofhishumannature.

11.Howhavetheologiansdefinedtheideasof"nature,"a"person"astheyareinvolvedinthisdoctrine?

InthedoctrineoftheTrinitythedifficultyisthatonespiritexistsasthreePersons.InthedoctrineoftheIncarnationthedifficultyisthattwospiritsexistinunionasonePerson.

"Nature"inthisconnectionhasbeendefinedbytheterms,"essence,""being,""substance."

"Person"inthisconnectionhasbeendefinedas"anindividualsubstance,whichisneitherpartof,norissustainedbysomeotherthing,"oras"anintelligentindividualsubsistence,persesubsistens."ThehumannatureinChristneverwas"persesubsistens,"butsinceitbegantobeasagermgeneratedintopersonalunionwiththeeternalSecondPersonoftheGodhead,sofromthebeginning"inalterosustentatur."

12.WhatweretheelectsofthispersonalunionupontheDivinenatureofChrist?

Hisdivinenaturebeingeternalandimmutable,and,ofcourse,incapableofaddition,remainedessentiallyunchangedbythisunion.ThewholeimmutabledivineessencecontinuedtosubsistastheeternalPersonalWord,nowembracingaperfecthumannatureintheunityofhisperson,andastheorganofhiswill.Yettherebyistherelationofthedivinenaturechangedtothewholecreation,sincehehasbecomeEmmanuel,"Godwithus,""Godmanifestintheflesh."

13.Whatweretheeffectsofthatunionuponhishuman

nature?

Thehumannature,beingperfectafteritskind,begantoexistinunionwiththedivinenature,andasoneconstituentofthedivinePerson,andassuchitevercontinuesunmixedandessentiallyunchangedhumannature.

TheeffectofthisunionuponChristhumannature,therefore,was—

1st.Exaltationofallhumanexcellenciesabovethestandardofhumanandofcreaturelynature.—John1:14;3:34;Isaiah12:2.

2nd.Unparalleledexaltationtodignityandglory,aboveeverynamethatisnamed,andacommunityofhonorandworshipwiththedivinityinvirtueofitsuniontherewithintheonedivinePerson.

3rd.Asintheunionofsoulandbodyinthenaturalperson,thesoulalthoughabsolutelydestituteofextensioninitself,isinvirtueofitsunionwiththebodypresentatoncefromthecrownoftheheadtothesoleofthefoot—thatisvirtually,ifnotessentially,presentinconsciousperceptionandactivevolition—sothroughitspersonalunionwiththeeternalWordisthehumannatureofChrist,(a)virtuallypresent(althoughlogicallyinheaven)withhispeopleinthemostdistantpartsoftheearthatthesametime,sympathizingwitheachseverallyasonewhohashimselfalsobeentempted,(b)renderedpracticallyinexhaustibleinallthosedraughtsmadeuponitsenergiesbytheconstantexerciseofthosemediatorialfunctionswhichinvolvebothnatures.

Hencethechurchdoctrineconcerningthe"communicatioidiomatumvelproprietatum"ofthetwonaturesofChrist.Itisaffirmedintheconcreteinrespecttotheperson,butdeniedintheabstractinrespecttothenatures;itisaffirmedutriusnaturœadpersonam,butdeniedutriusnaturoeadnaturam.

14.TowhatextentisthehumannatureofChristincludedintheworshipduetohim?

Wemustdistinguishbetweentheobjectandthegroundsofworship.Therecanbenopropergroundofworship,exceptthepossessionofdivineattributes.Theobjectofworshipisnotthedivineexcellenceintheabstract,butthedivinepersonOfwhomthatexcellenceisanattribute.TheGod–man,consistingoftwonatures,istobeworshippedintheperfectionofhisentireperson,becauseonlyofhisdivineattributes.

15.Statetheanalogypresentedintheunionoftwonaturesinthepersonsofmen.

1st.Everyhumanpersoncomprehendstwodistinctnatures,(a)aconscious,self–acting,self–determinedspiritabsolutelywithoutextensioninspace,and(b)anextendedhighlyorganizedbodycomposedofpassivematter.

2nd.Theseconstitutebutoneperson.Thebodyispartoftheperson.

3rd.Thesenaturesremaindistinct,theattributesofthespiritneverbeingmadecommontothematerialbody,northeattributesofthebodytothespirit,buttheattributesofbothbodyandspiritarecommontotheoneperson.Thepersonisoftendesignatedbyatitlepropertoonenaturewhilethepredicateispropertotheothernature.

4th.Thespiritistheperson.Whenthespiritleavesthebodythelatterisburiedasacorpse,whiletheformergoestojudgment.Attheresurrectionthespiritwillresumethecorpseintotheperson.

5th.Whileinunionthepersonpossessesandexercisestheattributesofbothnatures.Andinvirtueoftheuniontheunextendedspiritispresentvirtuallywherevertheextendedbodyis,andtheinertinsensiblematterofthenervetissuesthrillwithfeelingandthrobwithwillasorgansofthefeelingandwillingsoul.

16.Whatisthepeculiarviewastothe"communicatioidiomatum"introducedintotheologybytheLutherans?andstatethereasonsfornotacceptingit.

Inconnectionwith,andintheprocessofmaintaining,hispeculiarviewastothepresenceoftheverysubstanceofChrist’sbodyandbloodin,with,andunderthebreadandthewineintheEucharist,Lutherandhisfollowersintroducedandelaboratedadoctrinethat,inconsequenceofthehypostaticunionofthedivinenaturesintheonepersonofChrist,eachnaturesharesintheessentialattributesoftheothernature.

Whentheycametoexplainthemattermorefully,theydidnotaffirmthatanydistinctiveattributeofhumanitywassharedbythedivinity,northatthehumannaturesharedalltheattributesofthedivine;theyaffirmedindetailsimplythatthehumanitysharedwiththedivineinitsomniscience,omnipresence,andpowerofgivinglife.

Theadvocatesofthisdoctrineweredividedintotwoschools:

1st.Themostextremeandlogicallyconsistent,representedbyJohnBrentzandthetheologiansofTubingen.Thesemaintainedthattheeveryactofincarnationeffected,astheessenceofthepersonalunion,theparticipationofeachnatureinthepropertiesoftheother.FromhisconceptioninthewomboftheVirginthehumannatureofChristwasinalienablyendowedwithallthedivinemajesty,andallthosepropertieswhichconstituteit.Thesewerenecessarilyexercisedfromthefirst.,butnotmanifestedduringhisearthlylife,theirexercisebeinghidden.ThefactsofChrist’slifeduringhisestateofhumiliationarethereforeexplainedbyavoluntaryKrypsis,orhidingofthedivinepropertiesofhishumanity.

2nd.TheotherlessextremeviewwasrepresentedbyMartinChemnitz,andthetheologiansofGiessen.

Theyheldalso,that,bytheveryactofincarnationthehumanityofChristwasendowedwithdivineperfections.Thatastohisrelationtospace,"Logosnonextracarnem,etcarononextraLogon."Yettheytaughtthattheexerciseoftheseperfectionswasnotnecessary,butsubjecttothewillofthedivineperson,whocauseshishumannaturetobepresentwhereverandwheneverhewills,andwhoduringtheperiodofhishumiliationonearthvoluntarilyemptied(Kenosis)hishumannature

ofitsuseandexerciseofitsdivineattributes.Prof.A.B.Bruce,D.D.,"HumiliationofChrist,"Lecture3.—"TheLutheransheldtheexaltationofthehumanitytomeetthedivinity,and(whileonearth)theKenosisofthehumanity.TheReformedinsistedontherealityofthehumanlifeofChrist,andtheself–emptying(Kenosis)ofthedivinitytomeetthehumanity.TheLutheransheldthedoublelifeoftheglorifiedhumanity(thelocalpresenceandtheillocalomnipresence).TheReformedtendencywastorecognizeadoublelifeoftheLogos—totusextraJesum,andtotusinJesu."

WerejecttheLutheranviewbecause—1st.ItisnottaughtintheBible.ItreallyrestsupontheirmistakeninterpretationofthewordsofChrist—"Thisismybody."

2nd.ItisimpossibletoreconcileitwiththephenomenaofChrist’searthlylife.Itincreasesthedifficultiesoftheproblemitwasinventedtoexplain.

3rd.Itvirtuallydestroystheincarnationbyassimilatingthehumannaturetothedivineintheco–partnershipofproperties,wherebyitisvirtuallyabrogated,andineffectonlythedivineremains.

4th.Itinvolvesthefallacyofconceivingofpropertiesasseparablefromthesubstancesofwhichtheyaretheactivepowers,andthusisopentothesamecriticismsasthedoctrineoftransubstantiation.

17.HowcanitbeshownthatthedoctrineoftheincarnationisafundamentaldoctrineoftheGospel?

1st.Thisdoctrine,andalltheelementsthereof;issetforthintheScriptureswithpreeminentclearnessandprominence.

2nd.Itstruthisessentiallyinvolvedineveryotherdoctrineoftheentiresystemoffaith;ineverymediatorialactofChrist,asprophet,priestandking;inthewholehistoryofhisestateofhumiliation,andineveryaspectofhisestateofexaltation;and,aboveall,inthesignificanceandvalueofthatvicarioussacrificewhichistheheartofthegospel.IfChristisnotinthesamepersonbothGodandman,heeithercouldnot

die,orhisdeathcouldnotavail.Ifhebenotman,hiswholehistoryisamyth;ifhebenotGod,toworshiphimisidolatry,yetnottoworshiphimistodisobeytheFather.—John5:23.

3rd.Scriptureexpresslydeclaresthatthisdoctrineisessential.—1John4:2,3.

18.InwhatCreedsandbywhatCouncilshasthisdoctrinebeenmostaccuratelydefined?

1st.TheCreedoftheCouncilofNice,amendedbytheCouncilofConstantinople,andtheAthanasianCreed,andtheCreedoftheCouncilofChalcedon,areaccurateandauthoritativestatementsofthewholechurchastothisdoctrine.Theyarealltobefoundabove,Chapter7.

2nd.ThedecisionoftheCouncilofEphesus,AD.431,condemningtheNestorians,andaffirmingtheunityofthePerson;thedecisionoftheCouncilofChalcedon(451)againstEutyches,affirmingthedistinctionofnatures;andthedecisionoftheCouncilofConstantinople(681)againsttheMonothelites,affirmingthatChrist’shumannatureretainsinitsunimpairedintegrityaseparatewillaswellasintelligence,closedthegraduallyperfecteddefinitionofthechurchdoctrineastothePersonofChrist,andhavebeenacceptedbyallProtestants.

19.HowmayallHeresiesonthissubjectbeclassified?

Astheyseekrelieffromtheimpossibilitywhichreasonexperiencesintheeffortfullytocomprehendthemutualconsistencyofalltheelementsofthisdoctrine(1)inthedenialofthedivineelement,(2)orinthedenialofthehumanelementinitsrealityandintegrity,or(3)inthedenialoftheunityofthepersonembracingbothnatures.

20.WhatpartieshaveheldthatJesuswasamereman?

IntheearlychurchtheEbionites,andtheAlogi.AtthetimeoftheReformationtheSocinians.InlattertimesRationalistsand

Unitarians.foranaccountoftheirhistoryanddoctrines,seeabove,Ch.6.,Question11,andQuestion13,andbelow,atthecloseofthischapter.

21.WhatpartiesdeniedChrist’struehumanityandonwhatgrounds?

ThesespeculationswereallofGnosticorigin.Hencecametheconvictionthatmatterwasinherentlyevil,andthatinnumerableÆons,orgreatspiritualemanationsfromtheabsoluteGod,mediatebetweenhimandtheactualworld.ΠνέυματαcomefromGod,butmatterisself-existent,andtheanimalsoulsofmencomefromsomebeinglessthanGod.HencetheDocetæ(fromδοκέωtothink,toappear)heldthatthehumannature(bodyandsoul)ofChristwasamereφάντασμα,orappearance,havingnorealsubstantialexistence.ItwasamerevisionorphantomthroughwhichtheLogoschosetomanifesthimselftomankindforatime.

22.StatetheApollinarianHeresy.

Apollinaris,bishopofLaodicea,circum.370,ofgeneralreputefororthodoxyandlearning,taughtthatasmannaturallyconsistsofabody,σῶμα,andananimalsoul,ψυχή,andarationalsoul,πνε͂υμα,allcomprehendedinoneperson,soinChristthedivinelogostakestheplaceofthehumanπνε͂υμα,andhisonepersonconsistsofthedivineπνε͂υμα,orreasonablesoul,andthehumananimalsoulandbody.

Hethusgetsridofthedifficultyattendingthecoexistenceoftworational,self–conscious,self–determiningspiritsinoneperson,andatthesametimedestroystherevealedfactthatChristisatonceverymanandveryGod.ThiswascondemnedbytheCouncilofConstantinople,AD.381.

23.WhatwastheNestorianHeresy?

Thistermratherexpressesanexaggerated,one–sidedtendencyofspeculationonthissubjectthanapositivedefinablefalsedoctrine.Itisthetendencytosoemphasizethedistinctionofthetwocomplete,unmodifiednaturesinChrist,astothrowintotheshadetheequally

revealedfactoftheunityofhisPerson.

ThistendencywasmostconspicuousinthewritingsofTheodoreofMopsuestia,theleaderoftheAntiochianschool,andfromhimitbecamethegeneralcharacterofthatschool.ThetheologyoftheEasternChurchofthefourthandfifthcenturieswasdividedbetweenthetwogreatrivalschoolsofAlexandriaandAntioch."IntheAlexandrianschool,anintuitivemodeofthoughtincliningtothemystical;intheAntiochian,alogicalreflectivebentoftheunderstandingpredominated."—Neander,"Hist.,"Torrey’sTrans.,Vol.2.,p.352.

Nestorius,whohadbeenamonkatAntioch,becamepatriarchofConstantinople.Hedisapprovedofthephrase,"MotherofGod"(θεότοκος),,asappliedtotheVirgin,maintainingthatMaryhadgivenbirthtoChristbutnottoGod.Cyril,patriarchofAlexandria,opposedhim,andbothpronouncedanathemasagainsteachother.Nestoriussupposed,inaccordancewiththeAntiochianmodeofthought,thatthedivineandthehumannaturesofChristoughttobedistinctlyseparated,andadmittedonlyaσυνάφεια(junction)oftheoneandtheother,anἐνοίκησις(indwelling)oftheDeity.Cyril,onthecontrary,wasledbythetendenciesoftheEgyptian(Alexandrian)school,tomaintaintheperfectunionofthetwonatures(φυσικὴἕνωσις).Nestorius,astherepresentativeofhisparty,wascondemnedbytheCouncilofEphesus,AD.431.—Hagenbach’s"Hist.ofDoct.,"Vol.1.,§100.

24.WhatwastheEutychianorMonophysiteHeresy?

EutycheswasanabbotatConstantinople,andanextremediscipleofDioscuros,thesuccessorofCyril.

HepressedtheoppositiontotheNestorianstothelengthofconfoundingthetwonaturesofChrist,andhenceholdingthatChristpossessedbutonenature,resultingfromtheunionofDivinitywithhumanity.

TheywerestyledMonophysites.TheywerecondemnedbytheCouncilofChalcedon(AD.451),whichadoptedthestatementcommunicatedbyLeotheGreat,bishopofRome,toFlavian,patriarchof

Constantinople."Totusinsuis,totusinnostris."

25.WhatwasthedoctrineoftheMonothelites?

TheEmperorHeracliusattemptedtoreunitetheMonophysiteswiththeorthodoxChurchbyadopting,asacompromise,thedecisionoftheCouncilofChalcedonasthecoexistenceoftwodistinctnaturesintheonePersonofChrist,withtheamendmentthattherewasinconsequenceofthepersonalunionbutonedivine–humanenergy(ἐνέργεια)andbutonewillinChrist.InoppositiontothisthesixthEcumenicalCouncilofConstantinople(AD.681),withthecooperationofthebishopofRome,adoptedthedoctrineoftwowillsinChrist,andtwoenergies,astheorthodoxdoctrine,butdecidedthatthehumanwillmustalwaysbeconceivedassubordinatetothedivine.—Hagenbach,"Hist.ofDoct.,"§104.

Withthisdecisionthedefinitionofthisdoctrine,asreceivedbythewholechurch,Greek,Roman,andProtestant,wasclosed.

26.WhatisthemoderndoctrineofKenosis?

TheoldSociniandoctrineteachesthatJesus,atruemanafterhisascension,becomesthesubjectofanapotheosis,wherebyheisexaltedintoaconditionandrankbetweenthatofGodandtheuniverse.TheEutychianstaughtthatthehumannaturewasabsorbedbyandassimilatedtothedivine.TheLutheranstaughtthatthehumannaturewasendowedwiththepropertiesofthedivine.ThemoderndoctrineofKenosisisthatinsteadofmanbecomingGod,orbeingpersonallyunitedtodivinity,Godliterallybecameman.ItistaughtwithvariousmodificationsbyDrs.Thomasius,Hofmann,Ebrard,Martensen,andothers,andveryclearlybyDr.W.F.GessinaworktranslatedadmirablybyDr.J.A.Reubelt,ofIndiana.

Thetermsignifiesavoluntaryemptyingofhimself;ofhisdivinity,bytheLogos.ItisderivedfromPhil.2:7,ἑαυτὸνἐκένωσε,"heemptiedhimself,"andissupportedbysuchdeclarationsasJohn1:14."AndtheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus."

I.TheFatheraloneisfromhimself.HeeternallycommunicatesthefullnessofhisdivineessenceandperfectionstotheSon,thusgivingtohimtohavelifeinhimself.TheSonthuseternallyflowingfromtheFatheruniteswiththeFatherincommunicatingtheirfullnesstotheSpirit,andishimselfthelifeoftheworld.

II."ButtheLogosisGod;hehaslifeinhimselfevenastheFather;hisvolitiontoreceivelifefromtheFatheristhesourceofhislife;hisself–consciousnessishisownact.Henceitfollowsthathecansuspendhisself–consciousness."

III.IncondescendingtobeconceivedoftheVirgin,theLogoslaidasidehisself–consciousness,andwithitthecommunicationoftheFather’slifetotheSon,bywhichtheSonhaslifeinhimselfevenastheFather,andhencehisomniscience,omnipresence,andomnipotentgovernmentoftheworldwassuspended.

IV.WhenthesubstanceoftheLogosawoketoself–consciousnessastheinfantJesus,itwasasatruehumaninfant,andhegrewanddevelopedinknowledgeandpowers,asatruemanwithoutsin,endowedwithpreeminentgraceandthefullnessoftheindwellingSpiritofGod.

V.Whenglorifiedtheante–mundaneeternalcommunicationofthefullnessofdivinelifefromtheFathertotheLogosrecommenced,andthoughcontinuingtrulyhuman,heisnolesstrulyGod.Heisagaineternal,omniscient,omnipotent,andomnipresent."ThusamanisreceivedintothetrinitarianlifeoftheDeity,fromandbytheglorificationoftheSon."—"Script.Doc.Pers.Christ.Gess.,"byReubelt.

Thisdoctrine.—1st.Doesviolencetotheinfiniteperfectionsandimmutabilityofthedivinenature.2nd.

ItisnotconsistentwiththeScripturalfactthatChrist,whileonearth,wasrealandabsoluteGod.3rd.ItisnotconsistentwiththefactthatthehumanityofChristwasrealhumanitygeneratedoftheseedofAbraham.4th.ItisconfessedlydifferentfromtheimmemorialanduniversalfaithoftheChurch.

Forathoroughdiscussion,seeDr.A.B.Bruce’s"HumiliationofChrist."

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS

TheGREEK,ROMAN,andPROTESTANTChurchesallagreeinacceptingthedefinitionsoftheCreeds,thoseofNiceandofChalcedonandtheAthanasian(socalled).—SeeaboveChapter7.

TheLUTHERANDOCTRINEastotheRelationsofthetwoNatures.

"FormulaConcordiœ,"Pars.1.,Epitome,ch.8,§§11and12.—"ThereforenotonlyasGod,butalsoasman,heknowsallthings,andhadpowertodoallthings,ispresenttoallcreatures,andhasallthingswhichareinheaven,onearth,andundertheearth,underhisfeet,andinhishands.‘AllthingsaregiventomeinheavenandOnearth’and‘heascendedaboveallheavens,andfillsallthings.’Beingeverywherepresent,heisabletoexercisethishispower,neitherisanythingtohimeitherimpossibleorunknown.Hence,moreover,andmosteasily,ishebeingpresent,abletodistributehistruebodyandbloodinthesacredSupper.Butthisisdonenotaccordingtothemodeandpropertyofhumannature,butaccordingtothemodeandpropertyoftherighthandofGod....AndthispresenceofChristinthesacredSupperisneitherphysicalnorearthly,norcapernaitish(seeJohn6:52–59),nevertheless,itismosttrueandsubstantial."

Pars.2("SolidaDeclaratio"),ch.8,§4.—"Forthatcommunionofnatures,andofproperties,isnottheresultofanessential,ornaturaleffusionofthepropertiesofthedivinenatureuponthehuman:asifthehumanityofChristhadthemsubsistingindependentlyandseparatefromdivinity,oras,ifbythatcommunion,thehumannatureofChristhadlaidasideitsnaturalproperties,andwaseitherconvertedintothedivinenature,orwasmadeequalinitself,andpersetothedivinenaturebythosepropertiesthuscommunicated,orthatthenaturalpropertiesandoperationswereidenticalorevenequal.Fortheseandlikeerrorshavejustlybeenrejected,etc."

Luthersays,"WhereyouputGod,thereyoumustputthehumanity(ofChrist),theycannotbesunderedorriven;itisoneperson,andthehumanityismorecloselyunitedwithGodthanisourskinwithourflesh,yea,moreintimatelythanbodywithsoul."

DOCTRINEOFTHEREFORMEDCHURCHES

"ConfessioHelveticaPosterior,"ch.11—"Weacknowledge,therefore,thatinoneandthesameLordJesusChrist,therearetwonatures,andwesaythatthesearesoconjoinedandunitedthattheyarenotabsorbed,norconfusednormixed;butareratherunitedandconjoinedinoneperson,beingpreservedwiththeirpermanentproperties;sothatweworshiponeLordtheChrist,andnottwo;onewesay,trueGodandmanaccordingtohisdivinenatureconsubstantialwiththeFather,andaccordingtohishumannatureconsubstantialwithusmen,andinallthingslikeus,sinexcepted.Therefore,asweabominatetheNestoriandogmamakingtwooutofoneChrist,anddissolvingtheunionofthePersonso,also,weheartilyexecratethemadnessofEutychesandoftheMonophysitesandtheMonothelites,expungingthepropertyofthehumannature.Therefore,weinnowiseteachthatthedivinenatureinChristsuffered,orthatChristaccordingtohishumannaturehashithertobeeninthisworld,andsoiseverywhere."

"West.Conf.,"Ch.8,§2.—"TheSonofGod,thesecondpersonintheTrinity,beingveryandeternalGod,ofonesubstance,andequalwiththeFather,did,whenthefullnessoftimewascome,takeuponhimman’snature,andalltheessentialpropertiesandcommoninfirmitiesthereof,yetwithoutsin:beingconceivedbythepoweroftheHolyGhostinthewomboftheVirginMary,ofhersubstance.Sothattwowhole,perfect,anddistinctnatures,theGodheadandthemanhood,wereinseparablyjoinedtogetherinoneperson,withoutconversion,composition,orconfusion.WhichpersonisveryGodandveryman,yetoneChrist,theonlymediatorbetweenGodandman."

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Chapter24:MediatorialOfficeofChrist

1.WhatarethedifferentsensesofthewordMediator,andinwhichofthesesensesisitusedwhenappliedtoChrist?

1st.Inthesenseofinternuntiusormessenger,toexplainthewillandtoperformthecommandsofoneorboththecontractingparties,e.g.,Moses,Galatians3:19.

2nd.Inthesenseofsimpleadvocateorintercessor,pleadingthecauseoftheoffendinginthepresenceoftheoffendedparty.

3rd.Inthesenseofefficientpeace–maker.Christ,asMediator,1st.,hasallpowerandjudgmentcommittedtohishands,Matthew28:18,and9:6;John5:22,25,26,27;and,2nd.,heefficientlymakesreconciliationbetweenGodandmanbyanall–satisfactoryexpiationandmeritoriousobedience.

2.WhywasitnecessarythattheMediatorshouldbepossessedbothofadivineandhumannature?

1st.ItwasclearlynecessarythattheMediatorshouldbeGod.(1)Thathemightbeindependent,andnotthemerecreatureofeitherparty,orotherwisehecouldnotbetheefficientmakerofpeace.(2)ThathemightrevealGodandhissalvationtomen,"fornomanknoweththeFathersavetheSon,andhetowhomtheSonwillrevealhim."—Matthew11:27;John1:18.(3)Thatbeing,astoperson,abovealllaw,andastodignityofnature,infinite,hemightrendertothelawinbehalfofhispeopleafreeobedience,whichhedidnototherwiseoweforhimself,andthathisobedienceandsufferingmightpossessaninfinitevalue.(4)Thatbemightpossesstheinfinitewisdom,knowledge,andpowerrequisitetoadministertheinfiniterealmsofprovidenceandgrace,whicharecommittedtohishandsasmediatorialprince.

2nd.Itisclearlynecessarythatheshouldbeman.(1)ThathemighttrulyrepresentmanasthesecondAdam.(2)Thathemightbe

madeunderthelaw,inordertorenderobedience,suffering,andtemptationpossible.—Galatians4:4,5;Luke4:1–13(3)"Inallthingsitbehovedhimtobemadelikeuntohisbrethren,thathemightbeamercifulandfaithfulhighpriest."Hebrews2:17,18,and4:15,16.(4)Thatinhisglorifiedhumanityhemightbetheheadoftheglorifiedchurch,theexampleandpatterntowhomhispeopleare"predestinedtobeconformed,thathemightbethefirst–bornamongmanybrethren."—Romans8:29.

3.WhatdiversityofopinionexistsastowhetherChristactsasMediatorinoneorbothnatures?

TheRomanistsholdthatChristwasMediatoronlyinhishumannature,arguingthatitisimpossiblethatGodcouldmediatebetweenmanandhimself.Theveryoppositehasbeenmaintained,viz.,thatChristwasMediatoronlyinhisdivinenature.ThedoctrineoftheBibleis,thatChristwasMediatorastheGod–man,inbothnatures.

4.HowmaytheactsofChristbeclassifiedwithreferencetohistwonatures?

Theologianshaveproperlydistinguished(videTurretin,inloco)betweenthepersonwhoactsandthenatureorinwardenergywherebyheacts.

Thusweaffirmoftheoneman,thathethinksandthathewalks.Thesamepersonperformsthesetwoclassesofactionsoradicallydistinct,invirtueofthetwonaturesembracedinhissingleperson.SothesinglepersonoftheGod–manperformsallactionsinvolvingtheattributesofadivinenatureinvirtueofhisdivinenature,andallactionsinvolvingtheattributesofahumannatureinvirtueofhishumannature.

5.HowcanitbeprovedthathewasMediator,andactedassuchbothinhisdivineandhumannatures?

1st.Fromthefactthatthedischargeofeachofthethreegreatfunctionsofthemediatorialoffice,theprophetical,priestly,andkingly,involvestheattributesofbothnatures,ashasbeenfullyprovedunder

Question2.

2nd.FromthefactthattheBibleattributesallhisactsasMediatortotheoneperson,viewedasembracingbothnatures.Thepersonisoftendesignatedbyatermderivedfromtheattributesofonenature,whilethemediatorialactionattributedtothatpersonisplainlyperformedinvirtueoftheothernatureembracedwithinit.—SeeActs20:28;1Corinthians2:8;Hebrews9:14.

3rd.FromthefactthathewasMediatorfromthefoundationoftheearth(seeChapter22.,Question11),itisclearthathewasnotMediatorinhishumannaturealone;andfromthefactthattheEternalWordbecameincarnate,inordertopreparehimselfforthefulldischargeofhismediatorialwork(Hebrews2:17,18),itisequallyplainthathewasnotMediatorinhisdivinenaturealone.

6.InwhatsensedotheRomanistsregardsaintsandangelsasmediators?

Theydonotattributeeithertosaintsorangelstheworkofpropitiationproper.Yettheyholdthatthemeritsofthesaintarethegroundandmeasureoftheefficiencyofhisintercession,asinthecaseofChrist.

7.Towhatextentdotheyascribeamediatorialcharactertotheirpriests?

TheProtestantholdsthatthechurchiscomposedofacompanyofmenunitedtooneanotherinvirtueoftheimmediateunionofeachwithChristthehead.TheRomanistholds,onthecontrary,thateachindividualmemberisunitedimmediatelytothechurch,andthroughthechurchtoChrist.Theirpriests,therefore,ofthetrueapostolicsuccession,subjecttoapostolicbishops,beingtheonlyauthorizeddispensersofthesacraments,andthroughthemofChrist’sgrace,aremediators—

1st.BetweentheindividualandChrist,thenecessarylinkofunionwithhim.

2nd.IntheirofferingthesacrificeoftheMass,andmakingthereinatruepropitiationforthevenialsinsofthepeople.Christ’sgreatsacrificehavingatonedfororiginalsin,andlaidthefoundationforthepropitiatoryvirtuewhichbelongstotheMass.

3rd.Intheirbeingeminentintercessors.

8.HowcanitbeprovedthatChristisouronlyMediatorinthepropersenseoftheterm?

1st.DirecttestimonyofScripture.—1Timothy2:5.

2nd.BecausetheScripturesshowforthChristasfulfillinginourbehalfeverymediatorialfunctionthatisnecessary,alikepropitiationandadvocacy,1John2:1;onearthandinheaven,—Hebrews9:12,24,and7:25.

3rd.Becauseinvirtueoftheinfinitedignityofhispersonandperfectionofhisnature,allthesefunctionsweredischargedbyhimexhaustively.—Hebrews10:14;Colossians2:10.

4th.Becausethereis"complete"salvationinhim,andnosalvationinanyother,andnomancancometotheFatherexceptthroughhim.—John14:6;Acts4:12.

5th.Thereisnoroomforanymediatorbetweentheindi–vidualandChrist—(l)becauseheisour"brother"andsympathizinghighpriest,whoinviteseverymanimmediatelytohimself,Matthew11:28;(2)becausetheworkofdrawingmentoChristbelongstotheHolyGhost.—John6:44,and16:14.

9.WhatrelationdotheScripturesrepresenttheHolyGhostassustainingtothemediatorialworkofChrist?

1st.Begettingandreplenishinghishumannature.—Luke1:35;2:40;John3:34;Psalm45:7.

2nd.AllChrist’smediatorialfunctionswerefulfilledintheSpirit;hispropheticalteachings,hispriestlysacrifice,andhiskingly

administrations.TheSpiritdescendeduponhimathisbaptism,Luke3:22;andledhimintothewildernesstobetempted,Matthew4:1;hereturnedinthepoweroftheSpiritintoGalilee,Luke4:14;throughtheeternalSpiritheofferedhimselfwithoutspottoGod.—Hebrews9:14.

3rd.ThedispensationoftheSpirit,as"theSpiritoftruth,""theSanctifier,"and"theComforter,"vestsinChristasMediator,aspartoftheconditionofthecovenantofgrace.—John15:26,and16:7;and7:39;Acts2:33.

4th.TheHolySpiritthusdispensedbyChristasMediatoractsforhim,andleadstohiminteaching,quickening,sanctifying,preserving,andactingallgraceinhispeople.AsChristwhenonearthledonlytotheFather,sotheHolyGhostnowleadsonlytoChrist.—John15:26,and6:13,14;Acts5:32;1Corinthians12:3.

5th.WhileChristasMediatorissaidtobeour"παράκλητος,""advocate,"withtheFather(1John2:1),theHolyGhostissaidtobeour"παράκλητος,""advocate,"translated"Comforter"onearth,toabidewithusforever,toteachusthethingsofChrist,andtoholdacontroversywiththeworld.—John14:16,26,and15:26,and16:7–9.

6th.WhileChristissaidtobeourMediatortomakeinter–cessionforusinheaven,Hebrews7:25;Romans8:34,theHolyGhost,byformingthoughtsanddesireswithinusaccordingtothewillofGod,issaidtomakeintercessionforuswithunutterablegroanings.—Romans8:26,27.

7th.Thesumofthewholeis,"WehaveintroductiontotheFatherthroughtheSonbytheSpirit."—Ephesians2:18.

10.Onwhatgroundarethethreefoldofficesofprophet,priest,andkingappliedtoChrist?

1st.Becausethesethreefunctionsareallequallynecessary,andtogetherexhaustthewholemediatorialwork.

2nd.BecausetheBibleascribesallofthesefunctionstoChrist.

Prophetical,Deuteronomy18:15,18;compareActs3:22,and7:37;Hebrews1:2;priestly,Psalm110:4,andthewholeEpistletotheHebrews;kingly,Acts5:31;1Timothy6:15;Revelation17:14.

Itisalwaystoberememberedthatthesearenotthreeoffices,butthreefunctionsoftheoneindivisibleofficeofmediator.Thesefunctionsareabstractlymostdistinguishable,butintheconcreteandintheirexercisetheyqualifyoneanotherineveryact.Thus,whenheteaches,heisessentiallyaroyalandpriestlyteacher,andwhenherulesheisapriestlyandpropheticalking,andwhenheeitheratonesorintercedesheisapropheticalandkinglypriest.

ThesewerefirstgroupedtogetherasbelongingtoChristbyEusebius(261–340),Bk.I,ch3.—"SothatallthesehaveareferencetothetrueChrist,thedivineandheavenlyWord,theonlyhighpriestofallmen,theonlykingofallcreation,andthefather’sonlysupremeProphetofprophets."

11.WhatistheScripturalsenseofthewordprophet?

Itsgeneralsenseisonewhospeaksforanotherwithauthorityasinterpreter.ThusMoseswasprophetforhisbrotherAaron.—Exodus7:1.

AprophetofGodisonequalifiedandauthorizedtospeakforGodtomen.Foretellingfutureeventsisonlyincidental.

12.HowdoesChristexecutetheofficeofaprophet?

I.Immediatelyinhisownperson,aswhen(1)onearthwithhisdisciples,and(2)thelightofthenewJerusaleminthemidstofthethrone.—Revelation21:23.

II.Mediately,1st.,throughhisSpirit,(1)byinspiration,(2)byspiritualillumination.2nd.Throughtheofficersofhischurch,(1)thoseinspiredasapostlesandprophets,and(2)thosenaturallyendowed,asthestatedministry.—Ephesians4:11.

III.Bothexternally,asthroughhiswordandworksaddressedtotheunderstanding,and,

IV.Internally,bythespiritualilluminationoftheheart.—1John2:20,and5:20.

V.Inthreegrandsuccessivestagesofdevelopment.(a)Beforehisincarnation;(b)sincehisincarnation;(c)throughouteternityinglory.—Revelation7:17,and21:23.

13.Howcanitbeprovedthatheactedassuchbeforehisincarnation?

1st.HisdivinetitleofLogos,"Word,"asbynatureaswellasofficetheeternalRevealer.

2nd.Ithasbeenbeforeproved(Chap.22.,Question11,andChap.9.,Question14)thathewastheJehovahoftheOldTestamenteconomy.CalledCounselor.—Isaiah9:6.AngeloftheCovenant.—Malachi3:1.Interpreter.—Job33:23.

3rd.ThefactisdirectlyaffirmedintheNewTestament.—1Peter1:11.

14.Whatisessentialtothepriestlyoffice,orwhatisapriestintheScripturalsenseofthatterm?

Asthegeneralideaofaprophetis,onequalifiedandauthorizedtospeakforGodtomen,sothegeneralideaofapriestis,onequalifiedandauthorizedtotreatinbehalfofmenwithGod.

Apriest,therefore,must—

1st.Betakenfromamongmentorepresentthem.—Hebrews5:1,2;Exodus28:9,12,21,29.

2nd.ChosenbyGodashisspecialelectionandproperty.—Numbers16:5;Hebrews5:4.

3rd.Holy,morallypureandconsecratedtotheLord.—Leviticus21:6,8;Psalm106:16;Exodus39:30,31.

4th.TheyhavearighttodrawneartoJehovah,andtobringnear,oroffersacrifice,andtomakeintercession.—Numbers16:5;Exodus19:22;Leviticus16:3,7,12,15.

Thepriest,therefore,wasessentiallyamediator,admittedfromamongmentostandbeforeGod,forthepurpose,1st.,ofpropitiationbysacrifice,Hebrews5:1,2,3;and,2nd.,ofintercession,Luke1:10;Exodus30:8;Revelation5:8,and8:3,4.TakenfromFairbairn’s"Typology,"Vol.2.,Part3.,Chap.3.

15.ProvefromtheOldTestamentthatChristwastrulyapriest.

1st.Itisexpresslydeclared.—ComparePsalm110:4,withHebrews5:1,6:20;Zechariah6:13.

2nd.Priestlyfunctionsareascribedtohim.—Isaiah53:10,12;Daniel9:24,25.

3rd.Thewholemeaningandvirtueofthetemple,ofitsservices,andoftheLeviticalpriesthood,layinthefactthattheywerealltypicalofChristandhisworkaspriest.ThisPaulclearlyprovesintheEpistletotheHebrews.

16.ShowfromtheNewTestamentthatalltherequisitesofapriestwerefoundinhim.

1st.ChristwasamantakenfromamongmentorepresentthembeforeGod.—Hebrews2:16,and4:15.

2nd.HewaschosenbyGod.—Hebrews5:5,6.

3rd.Hewasperfectlyholy.—Luke1:35;Hebrews7:26.

4th.Hehadtherightofthenearestaccess,andthegreatestinfluencewiththeFather.—John16:28,and11:42;Hebrews1:3,and9:11,12,13,14,24.

17.Showthatheactuallyperformedallthedutiesofthe

office.

Thedutyofthepriestistomediateby(1)propitiation,(2)intercession.

1st.Hemediatedinthegeneralsenseoftheword.—John14:6;1Timothy2:5;Hebrews8:6,and12:24.

2nd.Heofferedpropitiation.—Ephesians5:2;Hebrews9:26,and10:12;1John2:2.

3rd.Heofferedintercession.—Romans8:34;Hebrews7:25;1John2:1.

ThatthispropitiatoryworkofChristwasreal,andnotmetaphorical,isevidentfromthefactthatitsupersededthetempleservices,whichwereonlytypicalofit.Atypeandshadownecessarilypresupposesa.literalsubstance.—Hebrews9:10–12,and10:1;Colossians2:17.

18.WhatpartofhispriestlyworkdidChristexecuteonearth,andwhatpartinheaven?

Onearthherenderedobedience,propitiation,intercession.Hebrews5:7–9,and9:26,28;Romans5:19.

Inheavenhehaspresentedhissacrificeinthemostholyplace,andeverlivethtomakeintercessionforus.—Hebrews7:24,25,and9:12,24.

19.InwhatrespectsdidthepriesthoodofChristexceltheAaronic?

1st.Inthedignityofhisperson.Theyweremeremen.HewastheeternalSon.Theyweresinnerswhohadfirsttomakeatonementfortheirownsin,andafterwardsforthesinofthepeople.Hewasholy,harmlessandundefiled.—Hebrews7:26,27.Hewasperfectman,andyethisaccesstoGodwasinfinitelynearerthanthatofanyotherbeing.—John10:30;Zechariah13:7.

2nd.Intheinfinitevalueofhissacrifice.Theirscouldnotcleansefromsin,Hebrews10:4,andwererepeatedcontinually.—Hebrews10:1–3.Hissacrificewasperfectlyefficacious,andonceforall.—Hebrews10:10–14.Thustheirswereonlytheshadowofhis.—Hebrews10:1.

3rd.Inthemanneroftheirconsecration.Theywithout,hewithanoath.—Hebrews7:20–22.

4th.They,beingmany,succeededeachotherbygeneration.Hecontinuethforever.—Hebrews7:24.

5th.Christ’spriesthoodisconnectedwitha"greaterandmoreperfecttabernacle,"earththeoutercourt,heaventhetruesanctuary.—Hebrews9:11–24.

6th.Christ’sintercessionisofferedfromathrone.—Romans8:34,andHebrews8:1,2.

7th.WhileseveraloftheOldTestamentservantsofGodwereatoncebothprophetandking,asDavid;andothersbothprophetandpriest,asEzra;Christalone,andthatindivineperfection,wasatonceprophet,priest,andking.Thushisdivine,prophetical,andkinglyperfectionsqualifiedandenhancedthetranscendentvirtueofeverypriestlyact.—Zechariah6:13.

20.InwhatsensewasChristapriestaftertheorderofMelchizedek?

TheAaronicpriesthoodwastypicalofChrist,butintwoprincipalrespectsitfailedinrepresentingthegreatantitype.

1st.Itconsistedofsucceedinggenerationsofmortalmen.

2nd.Itconsistedofpriestsnotroyal.

TheHolyGhost,ontheotherhand,suddenlybringsMelchizedekbeforeusinthepatriarchalhistory,aroyalpriest,withthesignificantnames"KingofRighteousness"and"KingofPeace,"Genesis14:18–20,

andassuddenlywithdrawshim.Whencehecomesandwhitherhegoesweknownot.Asaprivatemanhehadanunwrittenhistory,likeothers.Butasaroyalpriestheeverremainswithoutfather,withoutmother,withoutorigin,succession,orend;andtherefore,asPaulsays,Hebrews7:3,madebeforehandofGod,anexacttypeoftheeternityofthepriesthoodofChrist,Psalm110:4.Theprophecywas,"Thoushaltbeapriestforever,"oraneternalpriest"aftertheorderofMelchizedec."

Thesimilitudeofthistype,therefore,includedtwothings:1st.,aneverlastingpriesthood;2nd.,theunionofthekinglyandpriestlyfunctionsinoneperson.—Fairbairn’s"Typology,"Vol.2.,Part3.,Chap.3.

21.HowcanitbeprovedthattheChristianministryisnotapriesthood?

1st.Humanpriestswereeverpossibleonlyastypes,buttypesarepossibleonlybeforetherevelationoftheantitype.ThepurposeoftheAaronicpriesthoodwasfulfilledinChrist,andthereforetheinstitutionwasforeverabolishedbyChrist.Hebrews10:1,9,18.

2nd.Christexhaustivelydischargesallthedutiesandpurposesofthepriestlyoffice,sothatanyhumanpriest(so–called)isanantichrist.—Hebrews10:14;Colossians2:10.

3rd.TherecanbenoneedofanypriesttoopenthewayforustoChrist.Because,whiletheScripturesteachusthatwecanonlygotoGodbyChrist,John14:6,theyteachusnolessemphaticallythatwemustcomeimmediatelytoChrist,Matthew11:28;John5:40,and7:37;Revelation3:20,and22:17.

4th.NopriestlyfunctioniseverattributedtoanyNewTestamentofficer,inspiredoruninspired,extraordinaryorordinary.Thewholedutyofalltheseofficersofeverykindiscomprisedinthefunctionsofteachingandruling.—1Corinthians12:28;Ephesians4:11,12;1Timothy3:1–13;1Peter5:2.

5th.Theyareconstantlycalledbydifferentdesignations,expressiveofanentirelydifferentclassoffunctions,as"messengers,

watchmen,heraldsofsalvation,teachers,rulers,overseers,shepherds,andelders."—See"Bib.Repertory,"Jan.,1845.

22.Inwhatsenseareallbelieverspriests?

AlthoughtherecannotbeintheChristianchurchanyclassofpriestsstandingbetweentheirbrethrenandChrist,yetinconsequenceoftheunion,bothfederalandvital,whicheveryChristiansustainstoChrist,whichinvolvesfellowshipwithhiminallofhishumangraces,andinallofhismediatorialfunctionsandprerogatives,everybelieverhaspartinthepriesthoodofhisheadinsuchasensethathehasimmediateaccesstoGodthroughChrist,evenintotheholiestofall,Hebrews10:19–22;andthatbeingsanctifiedandspirituallyqualified,hemaythereofferup,asa"holypriest,"a"royalpriest,"spiritualsacrifices,notexpiatory,buttheoblationofpraise,supplication,andthanksgiving,throughJesusChrist,andintercessionforlivingfriends,Hebrews13:15;1Timothy2:1,2;1Peter2:5,9.

TheyarebyequalreasonalsoprophetsandkingsinfellowshipwithChrist.—1John2:20;John16:13;Revelation1:6,and5:10.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS.

CatholicDoctrineoftheChristianPriesthood.—"CouncilofTrent."Sess.23,ch.1.—"Sacrificeandpriesthoodare,bytheordinanceofGod,insuchwiseconjoined,asthatbothhaveexistedineverylaw.

Whereas,therefore,intheNewTestament,theCatholicChurchhasreceived,fromtheinstitutionofChrist,theholyvisiblesacrificeoftheEucharist,itmustneedsalsobeconfessed,thatthereis,inthatchurch,anew,visible,andexternalpriesthood,intowhichtheoldhasbeentranslated.AndthesacredScripturesshow,andthetraditionsoftheCatholicChurchhavealwaystaught,thatthispriesthoodwasinstitutedbythesameLordourSavior,andthattotheapostles,andtheirsuccessorsinthepriesthood,wasthepowerdeliveredofconsecrating,offering,andadministeringhisbodyandblood,asalsoofforgivingandofretainingsins."

ProtestantDoctrine.—"ConfessionHelv.,"2.cap.18.—"Thepriestlyofficeandtheministerialofficedifferexceedinglyfromeachother.TheformeriscommontoallChristians,thelatterisnot....IntheNewTestamentofChristthereisnomoresuchapriesthoodasthatwhichexistedamongtheancientpeople,whichhadanexternalunctionsacredvestments,andnumerousceremonies,whichweretypesofChrist,whobycomingandfulfillingthemhasabrogatedallthesethings.Butheremainseternallytheonlypriest,andlestweshouldderogateaughtfromhim,wegivethenameofpriesttononeoftheclassofministers.ForourLordhimselfhasnotordainedinthechurchoftheNewTestamentanyprieststoofferdailythesacrificeofhisbodyandbloodbutonlyministerstopreachandtoadministerthesacraments."

SocinianDoctrineastotheMediatorialOfficesofChrist.—TheRacovianCatechismteachesthatChristisbothProphet,Priest,andKing.Butitoccupiesonehundredandeightypages(Section5.)indiscussinghisPropheticaloffice,andonlyelevenpages(Section6.)indiscussinghisPriestly,andninepages(Section7.)hisKinglyoffice.Hisdeathandthemannerinwhichitcontributestooursalvationisdiscussed(See.5.ch.8.)undertheheadofhisPropheticaloffice,whilehisPriestlyworkthoughvaguelystated,ismadetoconsistchieflyinhisappearinginheavenasouradvocate,hisintercessionbeingrenderedprevalentwithGodbyhisvirtuesandsufferingsasamartyr.

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Chapter25:TheAtonement:itsNature,Necessity,Perfection,andExtent

I.TheNatureoftheAtonement

1.Definetheusageandtruemeaningofthedifferenttermsusedinthediscussionofthistopic.

1st.ThepresentwordusedtodesignatetheprecisenatureofChrist’sworkofself–sacrificeonthecrossis"ATONEMENT."

IntheOldTestament,itisusedfrequentlytotranslatetheHebrewword רַפָּכ ,tocoverbyanexpiatorysacrifice.IntheEnglishNewTestamentitoccursbutonce,Rom.5:11,andtheretranslatestheGreekwordκαταλλαγή,reconciliation.Itspropermeaningistomakemoralorlegalreparationforafault,orinjury.InitsOldTestamentandpropertheologicalusage,itexpressesnotthereconciliationeffectedbyChrist,butthatlegalsatisfactionwhichisthegroundofthatreconciliation.

ItssenseistoolimitedtoexpressadequatelythefullnatureofChrist’sworkasourSubstitute,becausewhileitproperlydenotestheexpiationofguilteffectedbysufferingthepenaltyofsin,itfailsentirelytoexpressthefactthatChristalsomeritedforusthepositiverewardofeternallifebyhisactiveobedience.

2nd.Theoldwordusedbythedivinesoftheseventeenthcenturywas"SATISFACTION."ThisaccuratelyandadequatelyexpresseswhatChristdid.AstheSecondAdamhesatisfiedalltheconditionsofthebrokencovenantofworks,asleftbythefirstAdam.(a)Hesufferedthepenaltyoftransgression.(b)Herenderedthatobediencewhichwastheconditionof"life."

3rd.ThedistinctionbetweenaPENALANDAFINANCIALSATISFACTION.Thefirstconcernscrimeandperson,theotherconcernsdebtandthings.Theydiffer.(1)Incrimethedemandterminatesuponthepersonofthecriminal;indebtuponthethingdue.(2)Incrimethedemandisforthatkind,degree,anddurationofsufferingthatenlightenedreasondiscernstobedemandedbyjustice;indebtthedemandispreciselyandonlyforthethingdue,anexactquidproquo.(3)Incrimeavicarioussufferingofthepenaltyisadmissibleonlyattheabsolutediscretionofthesovereign;andtheconsequentreleaseofthecriminalisamatterofgrace;indebtthepaymentofthethingdue,bywhomsoevermade,ipsofactoliberates,anditsacceptanceandthereleaseofthedebtorisnomatterofgrace.(Turretin50.14.Qs.10).

4th.ThesignificanceofthetermPENALTYandthedistinctionbetweenCALAMITIES,CHASTISEMENTS,andPENALEVILS.Calamitiesaresufferingsconsideredwithoutanyreferencetothepurposewithwhichtheyareindictedorpermitted.Chastisementsaresufferings

designedforthemoralimprovementofthesufferer.Penalevilsaresufferingsinflictedwiththedesignofsatisfyingtheclaimsofjusticeandlaw.

"Penalty"isthatkindanddegreeofsufferingwhichthesupremelegislatorandjudgedeterminestobelegallyandjustlydueinthecaseofanyspecificcriminal.Ifthesesufferingsareenduredbyasubstitute,theyarenolessthepenaltyofthelawiftheyinfactsatisfythelaw.Thenatureanddegreeofthesufferingsmaybechangedjustlywiththechangeofthepersonsuffering,butthecharacterofthesufferingsaspenaltyremains,orthesubstitutionfails.

5th.ThemeaningofthetermsSUBSTITUTIONandVICARIOUS.Substitutionisthegraciousactofasovereigninallowingapersonnotboundtodischargeaservice,ortosufferapunishmentinthesteadofapersonwhoisbound.Thedischargeofthatservice,andthesufferingofthatpenaltybythesubstituteandthereforetheservicesandsufferingsthemselves,arestrictlyvicarious,thatisinthesteadof(vice)aswellasinthebehalfofthepersonoriginallybound.

6th.EXPIATIONANDPROPITIATION.BoththesewordsrepresenttheGreekwordἱλάσκεσθαι.

Whenconstrued,asitconstantlyisintheclassics,withτὸνθεόνandτοὺςθεόυςitmeanstopropitiateforsin,bysacrificialatonement.IntheNewTestamentitisconstruedwithta>vajmarti>av(Hebrews2:17),andsignifiestoexpiatetheguiltofsin.Expiationhasrespecttothebearingwhichsatisfactionhasuponsinorthesinner.PropitiationhasrespecttotheeffectofsatisfactioninthusremovingthejudicialdispleasureofGod.

7th.IMPETRATIONandAPPLICATION.Impetrationsignifiesthepurchase,ormeritoriousprocurementbysacrifice,ofthatsalvationwhichGodprovidesforhisownpeople,andApplicationsignifiesitssubsequentapplicationtothemintheprocesscommencingwithJustificationandRegeneration,andendinginGlorification.

8th.TheusageastoATONEMENTandREDEMPTION.(1)

Duringthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies,thewordsRedemptionandAtonementwereusedbyallparties,CalvinistandArminian,asequivalent,asinBaxter’sandDr.IsaacBarrow’streatiseson"UniversalRedemption"(SeeDr.Cunningham’s"Hist.Theo.,"Vol.2,p.327,andDr.H.B.SmithinHagenbach,"Hist.Doc.,"Vol.2,pp.356and357).Also"ConfessionofFaith,"ch.8,§1,and"LargerCatechism,"Q.59.(2)InmoderntimessomeCalvinisticadvocatesofanindefiniteatonementdistinguishbetweenthetermsthus.Atonement,orthesacrificialimpetrationofsalvation,theyclaimtobemadeindefinitelyforallmen.Redemption,whichtheyunderstandtoincludetheintendedapplicationaswellastheimpetrationofsalvation,theyholdtobeconfinedtotheelect(Dr.W.B.Weeks,in"Park’sAtonement,"p.579).

(3)IntheScripturesAtonement( םיִרֻּפִּכ —ἰλασμός)signifiestheexpiationofguiltbymeansofapœnavicaria(substitutionarypunishment)inordertopropitiateGod.ButtheScripturalusageofRedemption(ἀπολύτρωσις)islessdefiniteandmorecomprehensive.Itsignifiesdeliverancefromlossorfromruinbythepaymentforusofaransombyoursubstitute.Henceitmaysignifyeither(a)theactofonesubstituteinpayingthatransom,whenitispreciselyequivalenttoAtonement(Galatians3:13);or,(b)itmaymeanourconsequentdeliverancefromsomeparticularelementofourlostcondition,as"death,"orthe"devil"(Colossians2:15;Hosea13:14);or,ourcompleteinvestiturewiththefullsalvationtherebysecured(Ephesians1:14;4:30;Romans8:23,etc.)

9th.MERITUMandSATISFACTIO.ThisdistinctionwasfirstsignalizedbyThomasAquinas(†1274),"SummaTheologiæ,"Pars.3.,Q.48,49.ChristastheSecondAdamfulfillsinourbehalfalltheconditionsofthebrokenCovenantofWorks."Satisfactio"expressesthequalityandeffectofhisentireearthlyworkofsufferingobedienceevenuntodeathregardedasasufferingofthepenalty,inordertothereleasetherefromofhispeople."Meritum"expressesthequalityandeffectofthesameworkregardedastherenderingofthatobediencewhichwasforthemtheconditionoflife.InProtestanttheologythisdistinctionisexpressedbythetermsactiveandpassiveobedience.ortheonevicariousworkofChrist,viewed(a)asasufferingofpenalevils,(b)viewedasobedienceto

covenantrequirements.

2.Statethedifferencebetweenthe"natural,"the"federal,"andthe"penal"relationswhichmensustaintothedivinelaw.

1st.Everymoralagentisbroughtatthemomentofcreation,inconsequenceofhisnature,necessarilyunderobligationtobeconformedinstateandacttothedivinelawofabsolutemoralperfection,anywantofconformitytowhichissin.Thisrelationis"natural,"perpetual,inalienable,andincapableofbeingassumedbyonepersoninplaceofanother,orrepresentativelysustained.

2nd.ItpleasedGodgraciouslytoplacemanathiscreationunderaspecialcovenant,inwhich,uponconditionofperfectobedienceunderaspecialtest,andfavorableconditions,foralimitedperiod,hepromisedtoendowtheracewith"eternallife,"includingestablishmentinanindefectable,holycharacter,andaheavenlyinheritanceforever.Thepenaltyofinstant"death"beingthealternative.Thisisthe"federal"relationtolaw,inwhichoriginallythewholeracefell,representedbyAdam.andinwhichsubsequentlytheelectaremadetostand,representedbyChrist.

3rd.BythefallofAdamallmenarebroughtinto"penal"relationtothelaw,fromwhichtheelectarerelieved,sinceithasbeenvoluntarilyassumedintheirbehalfbyChrist.

3.WhatisAntinomianism?AndshowthatthisabominableheresyisinnodegreeinvolvedinthecommondoctrineoftheProtestantReformersandtheirfollowers.

"Antinomianism,"asthewordimports,isthedoctrinethatChristhasinsuchasensefulfilledalltheclaimsofthemorallawinbehalfofalltheelect,orofallbelievers,thattheyarereleasedfromallobligationstofulfillitspreceptsasastandardofcharacterandaction.Thishorribledoctrine,slanderouslychargedagainstPaul,isrepudiatedbyhim.—Romans3:8,and6:1.

IntheirnaturalreactionfromthePapaldoctrineofworkrighteousness,LutherandMelanchthonatfirstusedsomeunguardedexpressionswhichseemtosuggestthisheresy.Buttheirentiretheologicalsystem,thespiritoftheirlives,andthebodyoftheirwritings,areasfaraspossibleremovedfromit.WhenrealAntinomianismwasconsistentlytaughtbyJohnAgricola(†1566),hewasstrenuouslyopposedandsuccessfullyrefutedbyLuther,andcausedtoretreat.Somehyper–Calvinistsinthe17thcentury,inEngland,e.g.,Dr.Crisp,rectorofBrinkworth(†1642),arechargedwithit,thoughtheydeniedtheinferencesputbyothersupontheirdoctrine.IthasoftenbeenignorantlyormaliciouslychargeduponCalvinismasanecessaryinferencebyArminians.AsatendencyitnaturallybesetsthehumanheartwhenreligiousenthusiasmisunqualifiedbyScripturalknowledgeandrealsanctification,andisonetowhichignorantfanaticsandallclassesofperfectionistsareliabletobebetrayed.

ItisevidentthatthedoctrinesofsatisfactionbyChrist,andofjustificationbytheimputationofhisrighteousness,asheldbytheLutheranandReformedChurches,havenothingincommonwithAntinomianism.Becausetheyteach—(1)ThatChristdischargesforhispeopleonlythefederalandpenalobligationsofthelaw,andthathisobedienceandsufferinginthatrelationconstitutehisrighteousness,whichisimputed.(2)Thattheveryendofhissatisfactionisto"redeemusfromalliniquityandpurifyuntohimselfapeculiarpeople,zealousofgoodworks."—Titus2:14.(3)Believersremainunderthe"natural"relationtothelaw,whichispersonallyuntransferable,inwhichtheywillbegraduallyperfectedbythatsanctificationwhichtherighteousnessofChristimpetratesforthem.—See"VindicationofLuther,"byJuliusC.Hare.

4.ShowhowtheperfectsatisfactionofChristembracesbothhis"active"andhis"passive"obedience,andtherelationwhicheachoftheseelementssustainstoourjustification.

Christ,althoughaman,wasadivineperson.Assuchhevoluntarily"wasmadeunderthelaw,"andallhisearthlyobediencetothelawunderhumanconditionswasasvicariousashissufferings.His"active"obedienceembraceshisentirelifeanddeathviewedasvicarious

obedience.His"passive"obedienceembraceshisentirelife,andespeciallyhissacrificialdeath,viewedasvicarioussuffering.

Adamrepresentedtheraceundertheoriginalgraciouscovenantofworks.Hefell,forfeitingthe"eternallife"conditionedonobedience,andincurringthepenaltyofdeathconditionedupondisobedience.Christ,thesecondAdam,assumesthecovenantinbehalfofhiselectjustasAdamleftit.He(a)dischargesthepenalty—"thesoulthatsinnethitshalldie,"and(b)earnsthereward—"hethatdoeththesethingsshalllivebythem."Hiswholevicarioussufferingobedience,orobedientsufferingisonerighteousness.As"passive"obedienceit"satisfies"thepenaldemandofthelaw.As"active"obedienceitmeritsforuseternallifefromregenerationtoglorification.Theimputationofthisrighteousnesstousisourjustification.

5.StatethetruedoctrineofChrist’sSatisfaction.

1st.Negatively.(1)ThesufferingsofChristwerenotasubstitutefortheinflictionofthepenaltyofthelawuponsinnersinperson,buttheyarethepenaltyitselfexecutedontheirSubstitute.(2)Itwasnotofthenatureofapecuniarypayment,anexactquidproquo.Butitwasastrictpenalsatisfaction,thepersonsufferingbeingasubstitute.(3)Itwasnotamereexampleofapunishment.(4)Itwasnotamereexhibitionoflove,orofheroicconsecration.

2nd.Positively.(1)ItsMOTIVEwastheineffableloveofGodfortheelect.—John10:15;Galatians2:20.(2)AstoitsNATURE.(a)BeingadivinePersonheassumedthelegalresponsibilitiesofhispeopleundertheconditionsofahumanbeing.(b)HeobeyedandsufferedastheirSubstitute.Hisobedienceandsufferingwerevicarious.(c)Theguilt,orjustlegalresponsibilityofoursins,wereimputedtohim,i.e.,chargeduponandpunishedinhim.(d)Hedidnotsufferthesamesufferingseitherinkind,degree,orduration,whichwouldhavebeeninflictedonthem,buthedidsufferpreciselythatsufferingwhichdivinejusticedemandedofhispersonstandingintheirstead.(e)HissufferingswerethoseofadivinePersoninahumannature.

(3)AstoitsEFFECTS.(a)ItwastheeffectnotthecauseofGod’s

love.Itsatisfiedhisjusticeandrenderedtheexerciseofhisloveconsistentwithhisrighteousness.(b)Itexpiatedtheguiltofsin,andreconciledGodtousasarighteousRuler.(c)Itsecuredthesalvationofthoseforwhomhedied,purchasingthegiftoftheHolySpirit,themeansofgrace,andtheapplicationandconsummationofsalvation.(d)Itdidnotipsofactoliberate,asapecuniarysatisfaction,butasavicariouspenalsatisfactionitsbenefitsaccruetothepersons,atthetimes,andundertheconditions,prescribedbythecovenantbetweentheFatherandtheSon.ItsapplicationisamatterofrighttoChrist,butofgracetous.(e)Beinganexecutioninstrictjusticeofvicariouspunishmentitisamosteffectiveandrealexampleofpunishmenttothemoraluniverse.(f)Beinganexerciseofamazingloveitproduceslegitimatelythemostprofoundmoralimpression,meltingtheheart,subduingtherebellion,anddissipatingthefearsofconvincedsinners.

BIBLICALPROOFOFTHEDOCTRINE

6.Statetheargumentinsupportofthisdoctrinederivedfromthenatureofdivinejustice.

ItisobviousthatGodpunishessin,either(1)becauseofitsintrinsicill–desert,whichisopposedtotheessentialandimmutablerectitudeofhisnature;or,(2)becauseoftheinjuryitdoeshiscreatures,fromaprincipleowisebenevolencepromptinghimtorestrainitbyfurnishingdeterringmotives;or,(3)frompuresovereignty.

Butwehavebeforeproven(Seeabove,Ch.8.,Q.59–66)—(1)ThatthemoralperfectionofGodisessentialandfundamental,andnotaproductofhisself–determination.(2)Thathisessentialmoralperfectionincludesaprincipleofjusticewhichmakesthepunishmentofsinanendinitself.(3)Thatvirtue,andespeciallyjustice,cannotberesolvedintodisinterestedbenevolence.

Theessentialattributesofbenevolenceandjusticedonotconflict.Justiceisfreebutnotoptional.

Benevolencetotheundeservingisgrace,whichisessentiallyoptional.

7.StatetheproofderivedfromtheimmutabilityofthedivinelawandfromtheabsolutetruthofGod.

ThewillofGodisfreelydeterminedbyhisnature.HislawincludingpreceptandpenaltyistheexpressionandrevelationatonceofhisnatureandhiswillAsfarasthelawrepresentshisnatureandpurposeitmustbeimmutable.Asfarasitisarevelationofthatpurpose,itsimmutabilityispledgedbyhisinviolabletruth.

But—1st.Godhasdeclaredthathislawisimmutable,Luke16:17,i.e.,hisrevealedlawinallitselements,iftheceremonial,afortiorithemorallaw.2nd.ItisdeclaredthatChristcametofulfillandnottosuspendorabatethelaw.—Matthew5:17,18;Romans10:4,and3:31.3rd.ItisaffirmedthatGodwillpunishsin.—Genesis2:17;Ezekiel18:4;Romans3:26.

8.ShowthattheScripturesteachthatChristsufferedasourSubstituteinthedefinitesenseofthatterm.

Asubstituteisoneappointedoracceptedtoactortosufferinthesteadofanother,andhisactionsorsufferingsarevicarious.ThatChristobeyedandsufferedasthesubstituteofhispeopleisproved—1st.

Theprepositionὑπερwiththegenitivesignifies"insteadof"(John11:50;2Corinthians5:20;Philemon13),andthisconstructionisusedtosetforththerelationofChrist’sworktous.—2Corinthians5:14and21;Galatians3:13;1Peter3:18.2nd.Theprepositionἀντίdefinitelyandalwaysexpressessubstitution(Winer,"N.T.Gram.,"Pt.3,§47).—Matthew2:22;5:38.Thisisrenderedmoreemphaticbybeingassociatedwithλύτρον,ransom,redemptionprice.Christcameasaransominthesteadofmany.—Matt.20:28;Mark10:45;1Tim.2:6.Christiscalledἀντίλυτρον,i.e.,substitutionaryransom.3rd.ThesameisprovedbywhattheScripturesteachastooursinsbeing"laidupon"

Christ.—Seebelow,Q.9.4th.AndbywhattheScripturesteachastothenatureofsacrifices,andthesacrificialcharacterofChrist’swork.—Seebelow,Qs.10and11.

9.Dothesamewithregardtothosepassageswhichspeakofoursinsbeing"laidupon"Christ,andofhis"bearing"sinoriniquity.

Sinmaybeconsidered(1)initsformalnatureas"transgressionoflaw,"1John3:4;or,(2)asamoralqualityinherentintheagent,Romans6:11–13;or,(3)inrespecttoitslegalobligationtopunishment.Inthislastsensealoneisiteversaidthatthesinofoneislaiduponorbornebyanother.

1st.Toimputesinissimplytochargeittoone’saccountasthegroundofpunishment.(1)TheHebrewword בַׁשָח meanstoestimate,count,credit,imputeasbelongingto.—Genesis31:15;Leviticus7:18;Numbers18:27;Psalm106:31.(2)ThesameistruewithregardtotheGreekwordλογίζομαι.—Isaiah53:12;Romans2:26;4:3–9;2Corinthians5:19.(3)TheScripturesassertthatoursinsareimputedtoChrist.—Mark15:28;Isaiah53:6and12;2Corinthians5:21;Galatians3:13.

2nd.(1)TheHebrewwordlb's;hastheprecisesenseofbearingnotbearingaway,orremoving,butinthesenseofcarrying.Lamentations5:7.ThisisappliedtoChrist’sbearingoursins.—Isaiah53:11.(2)AAlso אָׂשָנ hasthesense,whenconstruedwith"sin,"ofbearingsininthesenseofbeing"penallyresponsible"forit.—Numbers30:15;Leviticus5:17,18;16:22.(3)TheSeptuaginttranslatesthesewordssometimesbyἄιρω,tobear,andsometimesbyφέρωandἀναφέρω,whichalwaysmeansinthisconnectiontobearoffone’sselfinordertobearaway.—Robinson,"Lex."CompareMatthew8:17withIsaiah53:4.

10.ShowthattheJewishSacrificeswerevicarioussufferersofthepenaltiestowhichtheoffererswereexposed,andthattheywereinthestrictsensetypicaloftheSacrificeofChrist.

Itisadmittedbyallthatsacrificesprevailedamongallheathennationsfromtheearliesttimes,andthattheyweredesignedtopropitiateoffendedjustice.

I.ThatvictimsoftheJewishbloodysacrificesvicariously

sufferedthepenaltyduethesinsoftheoffendersisproved—1st.Fromtheiroccasion.—Leviticus4:1–6:13.Thiswassomesin,includingmoralaswellasceremonialtransgressions.

2nd.Fromthequalificationsofthevictims.Theymustbethehighestclassofcleananimalsintimatelyassociatedwithman,e.g.,sheep,bullocks,goats,pigeons,theindividualsselectedtobethemostperfectoftheirkind,astoage,sex,andphysicalcondition.—Leviticus22:20–27;Exodus22:30,and29:1.

3rd.Fromtheritualofthesacrificeitself:Thisincluded—(1)Thelayingonofhands,withconfessionofsins.—Leviticus1:4;3:2;4:4;16:21;2Chronicles29:23.ThisactalwaysinScriptureexpressestransferfromthepersonimposingtothepersonorthinguponwhomthehandsareimposed;e.g.,ofofficialauthority,Deuteronomy34:9;Acts6:6;orofhealingvirtue,Matthew9:18;Acts9:12,17;orofsin,Leviticus16:7-22.RabbiAaronBen.Chajimsays,"Wherethereisnoconfessionofsinsthereisnoimpositionofhands."—Outram,DeSacrificiisD.1.,C.15.,§§8,10,11.Hencethevictim,althoughperfectinitselfwasalwayscalled

תאָּטַח sin,Lev.4:3,and םָׁשָא guilt,Lev.5:6..(2)Theslayingofthevictim.Itwasofferedbythesinner,and"acceptedforhimtomakeatonementforhim,"Leviticus4:,andthenexecuted,"foritisthebloodthatmakethanatonementforthesoul."—Leviticus17:11.(3)Thesprinklingofblood,inthecaseofordinarysacrificesonthehornsofthealtar,butontheDayofAtonementthebloodofthevictimofferedforthewholepeoplewascarriedwithintheveilandsprinkledonthemercy–seat.—Leviticus4:5,etc.Thissignifieditsapplicationtothecoveringofsin,anditsacceptancebyGod.

4th.Fromtheireffectwhichwasalwaysforgiveness."Anditshallbeforgivenhim"wastheconstantpromise.—Leviticus4:20–31;6:30,etc.ItisexpressedeverywherebytheHebrewword רַפָכ ,tocoversin,andbytheGreekwordἱλάσκεσθαι,toexpiateorpropitiate..—SeeLeviticus4:and5:chs.;Hebrews2:17.The"mercy-seat"wascalledthe

תָרֹפַּכ ἱλάστηριον,propitiatorium.

5th.ThisistheinterpretationoftheseritesgivenbyalllearnedJewsofsubsequentages.—SeeOutram,"De.Sac.,"D.1.,Chs.20–22.

II.ThattheywereinthestrictsensetypicalofthesacrificeofChristisproved—

1st.Theyareexpresslycalled"shadows"ofwhichChrististhe"body"and"patterns."—Hebrews9:13–24;10:1,13;11:12.

2ndChristaffirmsthatthelawaswellastheprophetsspokeofhimandhiswork.—John1:45;5:39;Luke24:27.

3rd.Heisdeclaredtobe"ourPassoversacrificedforus."1Corinthians5:7andLuke24:44.CompareExodus12:46andNumbers9:12.

4th.Heisdeclaredtobe"sacrificed"forhispeople,byhis"blood"beingmadeasin–offering,etc.—John1:29;Hebrews9:26,28;10:12,14;1Peter1:19;Ephesians5:2;2Corinthians5:21.

5th.HeiseverywheredeclaredtoaccomplishforthemanwhocomestoGodthroughhimpreciselywhattheancientsacrificesdidonalowersphere.—Galatians3:13;Matthew20:28;1John2:2,and4:10;Romans3:24,25,and5:9,10;Ephesians1:7,and2:13;Colossians1:14–20.

11.ExhibittheargumentderivedfromthefactthatChristmadesatisfactionforhispeopleastheirHighPriest.

I.Thepriestwas—1st.AmantakenfromamongmentorepresenttheminthingspertainingtoGod.—Hebrews5:1.Thiswasespeciallytrueofthehighpriest."Herepresentedthewholepeople,allIsraelwerereckonedasbeinginhim."Vitringa,Obs.Sac.,p.292;Exodus28:9–29.Ifhesinneditvasregardedasthesinofthewholepeople.—Leviticus4:3.Heworethenamesofallthetribesonhisbreastplate.Heplacedhishandsuponthescape–goatandconfessedthesinofthewholepeople.—Leviticus16:15–21.

2nd.Hehadarightto"bringnear"toGod,andallthepeoplehadaccesstoGodonlythroughthepriest,especiallytheHighPriest.—Numbers16:5.

3rd.Thisthepriesteffectedbypropitiarysacrificesandintercession.—seeabove,Ques.10.Hebrews5:1–3;Numbers6:22–27.

II.ChristisdeclaredtosavehispeopleinthecharacterofaHighPriest.1st.HeisexpresslyassertedbothintheOldTestamentandintheNewtobeaPriest.—Psalm110:4;Zechariah6:13;Hebrews5:6.

2nd.Hepossessedallthequalificationsfortheoffice.(1)Hevaschosenfromamongmentorepresentthem.—CompareHebrews5:1,2withHebrews2:14–18and4:15.(2)HewaschosenofGod.—Hebrews5:4–6.(3)Hewasholy.—Hebrews7:26.(4)HepossessedrightofaccesstoGod.—Hebrews1:3;9:11–14.

3rd.Hedischargedallthefunctionsofapriest.—Daniel9:24–26;Ephesians5:2;Hebrews9:26;10:12;1John2:1.

4th.TheinstantChrist’sworkwasaccomplishedtheveilofthetemplewasrentintwain,andthewholetypicalsacrificialsystemwasdischargedasfunctusofficio.—Matthew27:50,51.

12.ProvethetruthofthedoctrineastothenatureofthesatisfactionofChristabovestatedfromtheeffectswhichareattributedtoitinScripture.

1st.AstheseeffectsrespectGodtheyaredeclaredtobepropitiationandreconciliation.(1.)ἱλάσκεσθαιsignifiestopropitiateanoffendedDeitybymeansofexpiatorysacrifice.—Hebrews2:17;1John2:2,and4:10;Romans3:25.(2)rp'k;inrespecttosinacovering,andinrespecttoGodpropitiation.Itisproperlytranslatedinourversiontomakeatonement,toappease,topacify,toreconcile,topurge,topurgeaway,Ezekiel16:63;Genesis32:20,21;Psalm65:3,4;78:38;1Samuel3:14;Numbers35:33;toransom,Psalm49:7;tomakesatisfaction,Numbers35:31,32.(3)Katalla>sseintoreconcile—bythedeathofChrist,notimputingtransgressions,justifyinglayblood,etc.,Romans5:9,10;2Corinthians5:18–20.

2nd.Astheseeffectsrespectsintheyaredeclaredtobeexpiation.—Hebrews2:17;1John2:2,and4:10;Leviticus16:6–16.

3rd.Astheyrespectthesinnerhimselftheyaredeclaredtoberedemption,thatis,deliverancebyransom.—1Corinthians7:23;Revelation5:9;Galatians3:13;1Peter1:18,19;1Timothy2:6;Isaiah51:11,and62:12.

Christ’sworkissetforthinthesamesentencesas(a)anexpiatoryoffering,(b)aransomprice,(c)asatisfactiontothelaw.ThusweareredeemedwiththepreciousbloodofChristasofalambwithoutblemishandwithoutspot.Christ"gavehislifearansomformany."He"redeemedusfromthecurseofthelawbeingmadeacurseforus."God"hasmadehim,whoknewnosin,tobeasin–offeringforusthatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."ThusChristisnotsaidtobeasacrificeandaransomandabearerofthecurseofthelaw,butthatheisthatparticularspeciesofsacrificewhichisaransom—thathisredemptionisofthatnaturewhichiseffectedbyhisbearingthecurseofthelawinourstead,andthatheredeemsusbyofferinghimselfasableedingsacrificetoGod.

13.InwhatsenseandonwhatgroundswasthesatisfactionrenderedbyChristnecessary?andhowdoesthetrueanswertothisquestionconfirmtheorthodoxdoctrineastoitsnature?

Sincethesalvationofmenisamatterofsovereigngrace,therecouldhavebeennonecessityonthepartofGodfortheprovisionofmeanstosecureit,butonconditionofGodsdeterminingtosavesinners,theninwhatsensewasthesatisfactionrenderedbyChristnecessary?

1st.TheadvocatesoftheSocinianorMoralInfluenceTheorysaythatitwasnecessaryonlycontingentlyandrelatively,asthebestmeansconceivableofprovingtheloveofGodandofsubduingtheoppositionofsinners.

2nd.TheadvocatesoftheGovernmentalAtonementTheoryholdthatitwasonlyrelativelynecessaryasthebestsindeterringexampleofGod’sdeterminationtopunishsin.

3rd.SomeSupralapsarians,asDr.Twisse,prolocutorofthe

WestminsterAssembly,inordertoexaltthesovereigntyofGod,heldthatitwasonlyhypotheticallynecessary,i.e.,becauseGodhadsovereignlydeterminedtoforgivesinonnoothercondition.

4th.ThetrueviewisthatitwasabsolutelynecessaryastheonlymeanspossibleofsatisfyingthejusticeofGodinviewofthepardonofsin.ThegroundsofanabsolutenecessityonthepartofGod,can,ofcourse,onlybefoundintheimmutablerighteousnessofhisnature,lyingbehindanddetermininghiswill.

Thatitisabsolutelynecessaryisproved—(1)IfsalvationcouldhavebeensecuredotherwiseChristwouldbedeadinvain.—Galatians2:21;3:21.(2)GodhasdeclaredthathisgiftofChrististheamazingmeasureofhisloveforhispeople.Ifso,ofcourse,hecouldhavehadnoalternative,otherwisehislovewouldnotbethecauseofthesacrifice.—Romans5:8;John3:16;4:9.(3)PaulsaysitwasnecessaryasavindicationofGod’srighteousnessinviewoftheforgivenessofsinsthatwerepast.—Romans3:25,26.

Itisplainthatifthenecessityforthesatisfactionwasabsolute,itmusthavehaditsgroundillthenatureofGod.Ifso,itmusthavebeeninitsessenceasatisfactionofthejusticeoressentialrighteousnessofthatnature.Butasatisfactionofoutragedjusticeispenalsuffering.

14.ProvethatChrist’ssatisfactionincludeshis"active"aswellashis"passive"obedience.

Seeabove,Ques.1,§8.ChristasthesecondAdamtakesupthecovenantobligationsofhispeopleasthesewereleftbythefallofthefirstAdam.Thesanctionsofthatcovenantwere—(1)"Themanthatdoeththesethingsshalllivebythem."—Leviticus18:5,comp.,andRomans10:5,andGalatians3:12,andMatthew19:17.(2)Thepenaltyofdeath.IfChristshouldonlysufferthepenaltyofdeath,andnotrenderthefederalobediencerequiredofAdam,itwouldnecessarilyfollow,either(1)Godwouldaltertheconditionsoflawandgive"eternallife"intheabsenceoftheconditiondemanded;or,(2)wemustcontinueforeverdestituteofit;or,(3)wemuststartwhereAdamdidbeforehisapostasy,andworkouttheconditionsofthecovenantofworksinourownpersons.Thislast

wouldhavebeenimpossible,andthereforeChristbyhisobediencefulfilledthemforus.

Thisisproven—1st.TheScripturesexplicitlydeclarethathenotonlysufferedthepenaltybutalsomeritoriouslysecuredforus"eternallife,"the"adoptionofsons,"andan"eternalinheritance."—Galatians3:13,14,and4:4,5;Ephesians1:3–13,and5:25–27;Romans8:15–17.

2nd.Itisexpresslysaidthathesavesusbyhisobedienceaswellasbyhissuffering.—Romans5:18,19.

15.WhatistheChurchdoctrineastothePerfectionofChrist’sSatisfaction?

I.Astoitsintrinsicjustice–satisfyingvalueithasbeenheld—1st.ByDunsScotus(†1308),whoreferredthenecessityoftheAtonementtothewillandnottothenature,that"everycreatedoblationavailsforjustasmuchasGodpleasestoacceptit."HegraciouslypleasestoacceptthesufferingsofthehumannatureofChristassufficient,ontheprincipleofacceptilatio,"theoptionaltakingofsomethingfornothing,orofapartforthewhole."

2nd.Grotius(†1645)inhisgreatwork,"DeSatisfactione"etc.,heldthatasthelawwasaproductofthedivinewill,Godhadtheinalienableprerogativeofrelaxingit(relaxatio),andthathedidgraciouslyrelaxitinacceptinginthesufferingsofChristsomethingdifferentandlessthanthedemandsofthelaw,analiudproquo,notaquidproquo.

3rd.LimborchandCurcellaeus(†1712and†1659)—"Apol.Theo.,"3.21,6,and"InstitutioRel.Christ,"vol.5.,chap.19.,§5—heldthatChristdidnotsufferthepenaltyofthelaw,butsavesusasasacrifice,whichwasnotapaymentofadebt;butaconditiongraciouslyestimatedassufficientbyGod,uponwhichhegraciouslyremittedthepenalty.

4th.TheCatholic,Lutheran,andReformedChurcheshavealwaysheldthatthesatisfactionofChristwasthatofadivinePerson,and

hence(1)wassuperogatory,notduefromhimself;andfreetobecreditedtoothers,(2)wasofinfinitevalue.FromthetimeofThomasAquinastheCatholicChurchhasheldthatitisofsuperabundantvalue.Hencetheysatisfytheclaimsofthelawinstrictrigorofjustice.

II.Astoitsintentionandeffect—1st.TheReformedChurchesallagreeinoppositiontotheRomanists,Arminians,andadvocatesofanindefiniteatonement,thatthesatisfactionofChristisperfectinthesenseofnotonlymakingthesalvationofthoseforwhomitwasofferedpossible,butofmeritoriouslysecuringitsownapplicationtothemandtheircertainandcompletesalvation.

2nd.TheRomanistsholdthatthroughtheinstrumentalityofbaptismthemeritsofChrist(1)canceltheguiltofallsinsoriginalandactualprecedingbaptism,and(2)transmutethepenaltyofallpost–baptismalsinsfrometernaldeathtotemporalpains.Neverthelesspersonsguiltyofpost–baptismalsinsmustexpiatethembypenancesorworksofcharityinthisworld,orinthenextbythepainsofpurgatory.—"Counc.Trident,"Sess.14,ch.8.,andSess.6,can.29and30.

III..ArminiansholdthatthesatisfactionofChristmakesthesalvationofallmenpossible,andsecuresforthemsufficientgrace,butthatitsfulleffectissuspendedontheconditionoftheirfreechoice.

ThetruthoftheReformeddoctrineisproved(1)fromthefactthattheScripturesrefertheremovalofcondemnationsolelytothedeathofChrist,andrepresentallsufferingsofbelieversasdisciplinary.—Romans8:1–34andHebrews12:5–11.(2)TheydeclarethatthebloodofChrist"cleansesfromallsin,"andthatweare"completeinhim"who"byonesacrifice"perfectsus.—Colossians2:10;Hebrews10:12–14;1John.1:7.(3)SalvationisconditionedonlyupontrustinChrist’swork,andthisverytrust(faith)isitselfgiventousasaresultofChrist’smerits.—Ephesians2:7–10.(4)Wehaveaboveproved(Ques.14)thatthesatisfactionofChristmeritoriouslysecuresactualandcompletesalvationforitsbeneficiaries,andnotmerelythepossibilityofsalvationuponconditions.Seealsobelow,Ques.21.

16.Stateandanswertheobjectionswhichhavebeen

urgedagainstthetruthoftheorthodoxdoctrine.

1st.ItisobjectedbySociniansandothersthatwhileitisanimperativedutyandChristianvirtueinmantoforgiveoffensesfreely,thatourdoctrineascribestheviceofvindictivenesstoGod.

WeANSWER.—(1)Thatweforgiveinjuriesandhavenothingtodowiththepunishmentofsins,whileGodpunishessin,andisincapableofsufferinginjury.(2)Wehaveprovedabove,Ch.8.,Q.53–58,thatallvirtuecannotberesolvedintobenevolence,andthatjusticeisanessentialattributeofGod,andthatsinisintrinsicill–desert.

2nd.Socinusandothersmaintainedthatifsinispunisheditcannotbeforgiven,andthatifitisforgivenitcannotbepunished,andhenceourdoctrineexcludestheexerciseoffreegraceonthepartofGodinman’ssalvation.

WeANSWER.—(1)FreegraceisshowninthesovereignadmissionandacceptancebyGodofChrist’ssubstitution.(2)Inthesovereignimputationofhismeritstotheindividualsinner.(3)ThattheinfinitefreenessoftheloveofGodandtheself–sacrificinggraceofChristisathousandtimesmoreconspicuousinviewofthefactsthatmenwererighteouslycondemned,andthatjusticeinexorablydemandedsatisfactionintheself–humiliationofourSubstitute,thanitcouldhavebeeninanymerelysovereignrelaxationoflaw,orbyanysimpleforgivenessuponrepentance.

3rd.ThatChristdidnotsufferthepenaltyofthelaw,becausethatincludedessentially(a)remorse,(b)eternaldeath.

WeANSWERthatthepenaltyofthelawisessentiallysimpledivinedispleasureinvolvingthewithdrawalofthelife–givingcommunionoftheHolyGhost.Thisinthecaseofeverycreature(a)leadstospiritualdeath,(b)henceisnaturallyeverlasting.Christsufferedthisdispleasureanddesertion,Matthew27:46,butbeingadivinepersonspiritualdeathwasimpossible.Hesufferedpreciselythatkindanddegreeanddurationofpainwhichdivinewisdom,interpretingdivinejustice,requiredinadivinepersonsufferingvicariouslythepenaltyofhuman

sin,forthesamereasonthetemporalsufferingofonedivinePerson,isafulllegalequivalentfortheill–desertofallmankind.

4th.TheobjectionurgedbyPiscator(Prof.atHerborn1584–1625)andothersagainsttherecognitionoftheactiveobedienceofChristasanelementofhissatisfaction.(1)Thatthelawmadeobedienceandpenalsufferingalternatives.Ifthepreceptisobeyedthepenaltyshouldnotbeinflicted.(2)ThatChrist,asaman,neededhisactiverighteousnessforhimself,astheessentialqualificationofhispersonalcharacter.

WeANSWER.—(1)Asshownabove,Ques.2and14.ChriststoodasourRepresentativeinourfederalandnotinournaturalrelationtolaw.Hisactiveandhispassiveobediencehavedifferentpurposes,theformermeritsthepositiverewardsconditionedonobedience,thelattermeritsthenegativeblessingofremissionofpenalty.(2)Christ,althoughaman,wasadivineperson,andthereforeneverpersonallysubjecttotheAdamiccovenantofworks.Hewasessentiallyrighteous,buthewasmadeunderthelawonlyasourrepresentative,andhisobedienceunderthevoluntarilyassumedconditionsofhisearthlylifewaspurelyvicarious.

5th.ItisobjectedbyArminiansandothersthatthedoctrinethatChristsatisfiesinourbehalfthepreceptivedemandsofthelawbyhisactiveobedience,aswellasthepenaldemandsbyhispassiveobedience,leadstoAntinomianism.

ThisisANSWEREDabove,underQues.3.

6th.ItisobjectedbySocinus(1539–1604)andbyalltheadversariesoftheorthodoxdoctrine,thatthedemandsofjusticeforpenalsatisfactionareessentiallypersonal.Thedemandofoutragedjusticeisspecificallyforthepunishmentofthepersonsinning.Howthencanthedemandsofthedivinenaturebesatisfiedbypainsinflicteduponapersonarbitrarilysubstitutedintheplaceofthecriminalbythedivinewill?Howcanthesufferingsofaninnocentmantaketheplaceintheeyeofjusticeofthoseoftheguiltyman.

ANSWER.—ThesubstitutionofChristinthesteadofelectsinnerswasnotarbitrary.HemadesatisfactionforthemasthetrulyresponsibleHeadofacommunity,constitutingonemoralpersonorcorporatebody.

Thisresponsibleunionwithhispeoplewasconstituted(a)byhisownvoluntaryassumptionoftheirlegalresponsibilities,(b)bytherecognitionofhissponsorshipbyGod,thesourceofalllawintheuniverse,(c)byhisassumptionofournature.This,atleast,isthetestimonyofrevelation,ifitcannotbeexplained,itcannotbedisproved.

THEDESIGNOFTHEATONEMENT

17.Statefirstnegatively,andthenpositively,thetruedoctrineastothedesignoftheFatherandtheSoninprovidingsatisfaction.

I.Negatively—1st.ThereisnodebateamongChristiansastothesufficiencyofthatsatisfactiontoaccomplishthesalvationofallmen,howevervastthenumber.Thisisabsolutelylimitless.2nd.Norastoitsapplicabilitytothecaseofanyandeverypossiblehumansinnerwhowilleverexist.Therelationsofalltothedemandsofthelawareidentical.Whatwouldsaveonewouldsaveanother.3rd.NortothebonafidecharacteroftheofferwhichGodhasmadeto"whomsoeverwills"inthegospel.Itisapplicabletoeveryone,itwillinfalliblybeappliedtoeverybeliever.4th.Norastoitsactualapplication.ArminiansagreewithCalviniststhatofadultsonlythosewhobelievearesaved,whileCalvinistsagreewithArminiansthatalldyingininfancyareredeemedandsaved.5th.NoristhereanydebateastotheuniversalreferenceofsomeofthebenefitspurchasedbyChrist.Calvinistsbelievethattheentiredispensationofforbearanceunderwhichthehumanfamilyrestsincethefall,includingfortheunjustaswellasthejusttemporalmercies—andmeansofgrace,ispartofthepurchaseofChrist’sblood.TheyadmitalsothatChristdidinsuchasensedieforallmen,thathetherebyremovedalllegalobstaclesfromthesalvationofanyandeveryman,andthathissatisfactionmaybeappliedtoonemanaswellastoanotherifGodsowillsit.

II.ButpositivelythequestioniswhatwasthedesignoftheFatherandSoninthevicariousdeathofChrist.Didtheypurposetomakethesalvationoftheelectcertain,ormerelytomakethesalvationofallmenpossible?Didhissatisfactionhavereferenceindifferentlyasmuchtoonemanastoanother?Didthesatisfactionpurchaseandsecureitsownapplication,andallthemeansthereof,toallforwhomitwasspecificallyrendered?Hastheimpetrationandtheapplicationofthisatonementthesamerangeofobjects?Wasit,intheorderofthedivinepurpose,ameanstoaccomplishthepurposeofelection,oristheelectionofindividualsameanstocarryintoeffectthesatisfactionofChristotherwiseinoperative?

OurConfessionanswers—

Ch.8.,sect.5.—"TheLordJesus,byhisperfectobedienceandsacrificeofhimself,...purchasednotonlyreconciliation,butaneverlastinginheritanceinthekingdomofheavenforallthosewhomtheFatherhathgivenuntohim."—Chapter3.,§6."AsGodhathappointedtheelectuntoglory,sohathhe,bytheeternalandmostfreepurposeofhiswill,foreordainedallthemeansthereunto.Whereforetheythatareelected,beingfalleninAdam,areredeemedinChrist....NeitherareanyotherredeemedbyChrist....buttheelectonly."

Ch.8.,sect.8.—"ToallthoseforwhomChristhathpurchasedredemption,hedothcertainlyandeffectuallyapplyandcommunicatethesame."—"ArticlesofSynodofDort,"Ch.2.,§§1,2,8.

ThedesignofChristindyingwastoeffectwhatheactuallydoeseffectintheresult.

1st.Incidentallytoremovethelegalimpedimentsoutofthewayofallmen,andrenderthesalvationofeveryhearerofthegospelobjectivelypossible,sothateachonehasarighttoappropriateitatwill,toimpetratetemporalblessingsforall,andthemeansofgraceforalltowhomtheyareprovidentiallysupplied.But,

2nd.Specificallyhisdesignwastoimpetratetheactualsalvationofhisownpeople,inallthemeans,conditions,andstagesofit,andrenderitinfalliblycertain.Thislast,fromthenatureofthecase,

musthavebeenhisrealmotive.AfterthemanneroftheAugustinianSchoolmenCalvin,on1John2:2,says,"Christdiedsufficiently.forall,butefficientlyonlyfortheelect."—SoArchbishopUssher,Numbers22and23ofLetterspublishedbyhisChaplain,RichardParr,D.D.

18.StatetheArminiandoctrineonthissubject.

ThatthedesignofChristwastorenderasacrificialoblationinbehalfofallmenindiscriminately,bywhich"sufficientgrace"ismeritoriouslysecuredforeach,andtheirsinsrenderedremissibleuponthetermsoftheEvangelicalCovenant;i.e.,uponconditionoffaith.—Watson’s"Theo.Institutes,"Pt.2.,Ch.25.

19.Whatwasthedoctrineofthe"MarrowMen"inScotland?

The"MarrowofModernDivinity"waspublishedinEngland,1646,andrepublishedinScotlandbyJamesHogofCarnock,1726.The"MarrowMen"wereHog,ThomasBoston,andRalphandEbenezerErskine,andtheirfollowersintheSecessionChurch.Theywereperfectlyorthodoxwithrespecttothereferenceoftheatonementtotheelect.Theirpeculiaritywasthattheyemphasizedthegeneralreferenceoftheatonementtoallmen.TheysaidChristdidnotdieforall,butheisdeadforall,i.e.,available.

"GodmadeadeedofgiftandgrantofChristuntoallmen."Theydistinguishedbetweenhis"givinglove,"whichwasuniversal,andhis"electinglove,"whichwasspecial("MarrowofMod.Divinity").Dr.JohnBrownsaidbeforethesynodoftheUnitedSecessionChurch,1845,"InthesenseoftheUniversalist,thatChristdiedsoastosecuresalvation,Iholdthathediedonlyfortheelect.InthesenseoftheArminian,thatChristdiedsoastopurchaseeasiertermsofsalvation,andcommongracetoenablementocomplywiththoseterms,Iholdthathediedfornoman.InthesenseofthegreatbodyofCalvinists,thatChristdiedtoremovelegalobstaclesinthewayofhumansalvationbymakingperfectsatisfactionforsin,Iholdthathediedforallmen"("Hist.ofAtonementControversyinSecess.Church,"byRev.And.Robertson).

20.StatethedoctrineofAmyraldusoftheFrenchSchoolofSaumur,andofBaxterinEngland.

ThisschemeofHypotheticalorConditionalUniversalismholdsthatGodgavehisSontodieinordertoprovideredemptionforallmenindiscriminately,suspendingitsactualenjoymentupontheirfreeappropriationofit.Atthesametimehesovereignlywillstogivetheeffectualgracewhichdeterminesthatfreeself–appropriationonlytotheelect.

TheordinaryCalvinisticdoctrinelogicallymakesthedecreetoprovideredemptionthemeanstocarryintoeffectthedecreeofelection.TheFrenchandBaxterianviewmakesthedecreeofelectionthemeansofcarryingintoeffectsofarforththegeneralpurposeofredemption(See"UniversalRedemptionofMankindbytheLordJesusChrist,"byRichardBaxter.AnsweredbyJohnOweninhis"DeathofChrist,"etc.).These"Novelties"wereexplainedawaybeforetheFrenchSynod,1637,andvirtuallycondemned.

21.ExhibittheBiblicalevidenceuponwhichtheCalvinisticdoctrineastothe"Design"oftheAtonementrests.

1st.ItisprovedbythefactthatthisdoctrinealoneisconsistentwiththeScripturaldoctrinethatGodhasfrometernitysovereignlyelectedcertainpersonstoeternallife,andtoallthemeansthereof.Itisevidentthattherenderingofsatisfactionspeciallyfortheelectisarationalmeansforcarryingthedecreeofelectionintoexecution.But,ontheotherhand,theelectionofsometofaithandrepentanceisnorationalprovisionforexecutingthepurposetoredeemallmen.R.Watson("Institutes,"Vol.2.,p.411)saysthattheviewofBaxter,etc.,"isthemostinconsistenttheorytowhichtheattemptstomodifyCalvinismhavegivenrise."ItisplainthatifGodpurposedthattheelectshouldcertainlybesaved,andotherslefttothejustconsequencesoftheirsins,Christcouldnothavedesignedthebenefitsofhisdeathindifferentlyforallmen.

2nd.Itsdesignisshownfromtheverynatureoftheatonementasaboveproved.(1)Christexpiatedoursinsasoursubstituteinthestrictsense.Butasubstituterepresentsdefinitepersons,andhisservice,when

accepted,actuallydischargestheobligationofthoseforwhomitwasrendered.(2)Christbeingoursubstituteunderthe"covenantofworks"actuallyandperfectlysatisfiedallthedemandsofthecovenant.

Inthatcasethetermsofthecovenantitselfprovidethatthoseforwhomitissatisfiedmustenjoythereward.Itisnotthepossibilityoflife,butlifeitselfthatispromised.

3rd.TheScripturesdeclareeverywherethatthedesignandlegaleffectofChrist’sworkisnottorendersalvationpossiblebutactuallytosave,toreconcileGodandnottorenderhimonlyreconcilable.—Matthew18:11;Romans5:10;2Corinthians5:21;Galatians1:4;3:13;Ephesians1:7,and2:16.

4th.TheScriptureseverywhereteachthatChristpurchasedfaith,repentance,andtheHolySpirit’sinfluencesbyhisdeathandobedience.Hencehemusthavepurchasedthemforthoseforwhomhesufferedandobeyed,andtheycannot,therefore,betheconditionsuponwhichtheenjoymentofthebenefitsofhisdeatharesuspended."WeareblessedwithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlythingsinChrist."—Ephesians1:3,4.TheHolyGhostis"shedonusthroughJesusChristourSaviour."Titus3:5,6;Galatians3:13,14;Philippians1:29;Titus2:14;Ephesians5:25–27;1Corinthians1:30.

5th.ChristdiedinexecutionofthetermsofaneternalcovenantbetweentheFatherandhimself.Thisiscertain—(1)BecausethreeintelligenteternalPersonsmusthavealwayshadamutualplancomprehendingalltheirworks,prescribingtheirseveralpartstherein.(2)TheScripturesoftenrefertothiscovenant.—Psalm89:3,4;Isaiah13:6,7,and53:10,12.(3)Christmadeconstantreferencetoitwhileexecutingit.Luke22:29;John6:38,and10:18.(4)Christclaimsitsreward.—John17:4–9(5)Andspeaksofthosewhohadbeenpreviouslygivenhimbyhisfather.—John10:15–26.Thenhemusthavediedspeciallyforthose"whomthefatherhadgivenhim."

6th.Themotiveforhisself–sacrificeisalwaysdeclaredtobethehighestformofpersonallove.—John15:13;Romans5:8,and8:32;Galatians2:20;Ephesians3:18,19;1John3:16;4:9,10.

7th.ThedoctrinethatChristdiedspecificallyfortheelectiseverywherestatedinscripture.—John10:11,15;Acts20:28;Romans8:32–35;Ephesians5:25–27.

22.IfChristdiedonlyforhisownpeople,onwhatgrounddoesthegeneralofferofthegospelrest?

"TheLordJesus,inordertosecurethesalvationofhispeople,andwithaspecificviewtothatend,fulfilledtheconditionofthelaworcovenantunderwhichtheyandallmankindwereplaced.Theseconditionswere—(1)perfectobedience(2)satisfactiontodivinejustice.Christ’srighteousness,therefore,consistsofhisobedienceanddeath.ThatrighteousnessispreciselywhatthelawdemandsofeverysinnerinordertoJustificationbeforeGod.Itis,therefore,initsnatureadaptedtoallsinnerswhowereunderthatlaw.Itsnatureisnotalteredbythefactthatitwaswroughtoutforaportiononlyofsuchsinners,orthatitissecuredtothembythecovenantbetweentheFatherandtheSon.Whatisnecessaryforthesalvationofonemanisnecessaryforthesalvationofanotherandofall.Itisalsoofinfinitevalue,beingtherighteousnessoftheeternalSonofGod,andthereforesufficientforall."—Hodge’s"Essays,"pp.181,182.

Abonafideofferofthegospel,therefore,istobemadetoallmen—1st.Becausethesatisfactionrenderedtothelawissufficientforallmen.2nd.Becauseitisexactlyadaptedtotheredemptionofall.

3rd.BecauseGoddesignsthatwhosoeverexercisesfaithinChristshallbesavedbyhim.Thustheatonementmakesthesalvationofeverymantowhomitisofferedobjectivelypossible.ThedesignofChrist’sdeathbeingtosecurethesalvationofhisownpeople,incidentallytotheaccomplishmentofthatend,itcomprehendstheofferofthatsalvationfreelyandhonestlytoallmenontheconditionoftheirfaith.Nomanislostforthewantofanatonement,orbecausethereisanyotherbarrierinthewayofhissalvationthanhisownmostfreeandwickedwill.

23.HowcanthecondemnationofmenfortherejectionofChristbereconciledwiththedoctrinethatChristdiedfortheelectonly?

Asalvationall–sufficientandexactlyadaptedtohisnecessitiesishonestlyofferedtoeverymantowhomthegospelcomes;andineverycaseitishis,ifhebelieves;andinnocasedoesanythingpreventhisbelievingotherthanhisownevildisposition.EvidentlyheisinnowayconcernedwiththedesignofGodinprovidingthatsalvationbeyondtheassurancethatGodintendstogiveittohimifhebelieves.Ifamanisresponsibleforabadheart,andtheexercisesthereof,hemustbeaboveallworthyofcondemnationforrejectingsuchSavior.

24.On,whatprinciplesarethesetextstobeexplainedwhichspeakofChristbearingthesinsoftheWORLD,andofhisdyingforALL?

ThesearesuchpassagesasHebrews2:9;1Corinthians15:22;1John2:2;1Timothy2:6;John1:29;3:16,17;6:51.Theseterms,"world"and"all,"areunquestionablyusedinveryvariousdegreesoflatitudeintheScriptures.Inmanypassagesthatlatitudeisevidentlylimitedbythecontext,e.g.,1Corinthians15:22;Romans5:18;8:32;John12:32;Ephesians1:10;Colossians1:20;2Corinthians5:14,15.Inotherstheword"world"isopposedtotheJewishnationasapeopleofexclusiveprivileges.—Romans11:12,15;1John2:2.ItisevidentthatstatementsastothedesignofChrist’sdeath,involvingsuchgeneralterms,mustbedefinedbythemoredefiniteonesaboveexhibited.SometimesthisgeneralformofstatementisusedtogiveprominencetothefactthatChrist,beingasinglevictim,byonesacrificeatonedforsomany.—CompareMatthew20:28,with1Timothy2:6,andHebrews9:28.AndalthoughChristdidnotdiewiththedesignofsavingall,yethedidsufferthepenaltyofthatlawunderwhichallwereplaced,andhedoesoffertherighteousnessthuswroughtouttoall.

25.HowarewetounderstandthosepassageswhichspeakofthepossibilityofthoseperishingforwhomChristdied?

Suchpassagesarehypothetical,andtrulyindicatethenatureandtendencyoftheactionagainstwhichtheywarnus,andarethemeanswhichGodusesundertheadministrationofhisSpirittofulfillhispurposes.Godalwaysdealswithmenbyaddressingmotivestotheir

understandingsandwills,thusfulfillinghisowndesignthroughtheiragency.InthecaseofPaul’sshipwreck,itwascertainthatnoneshouldperish,andyetallwouldperishexcepttheyabodeintheship.—Acts27:24–31.OnthesameprinciplemustbeexplainedallsuchpassagesasHebrews10:26–30;1Corinthians8:11,etc.

HISTORYOFTHEVARIOUSVIEWSHELDINTHECHURCH

26.StatethegeneralcharacteroftheSoteriologyoftheEarlyFathers.

1st.FromtheveryfirsttherepresentativeChristianFatherstaughtinacrude,unscientificmannerthatChristsufferedasasubstituteforhispeople,toexpiatesinandtopropitiateGod.TheyfreelyappliedtoChrist’sworkthesacrificiallanguageoftheScriptures.Outram,Dis.1,ch.17.—"AsitregardstheworkofChristastheRedeemerofmankind,wefindalreadyinthelanguageusedbytheChurchFathersonthispoint,intheperiodunderconsideration,alltheelementsthatlayatthebasisofthedoctrineasitafterwardscametobedefinedbytheChurch."—Neander’s"Ch.Hist.,"Vol.1.,p.640,seetestimoniesbelow.2nd.TogetherwiththisviewtherewascombinedduringthewholeearlierageuntilthetimeofAnselmaviewespeciallyemphasizedbyOrigen(185–254)andIrenaeus(200),totheeffectthatChristwasofferedbyGodasaransomforhispeopletoSatan,whoheldthembythepowerofconquest.ThisviewwasfoundedonsuchpassagesasColossians2:15,andHebrews2:14.

27.StategenerallythefourtheoriesunderoneorotherofwhichallviewseverentertainedastothenatureofthereconciliationeffectedbyChristmaybegrouped.

1st.TheMYSTICAL,which,althoughithasassumedvariousforms,maybegenerallystatedthus:ThereconciliationeffectedbyChristwas[broughtaboutbythemysteriousunionofGodandmanaccomplishedbytheincarnation,ratherthanbyhissacrificialdeath.ThisviewwasentertainedbysomeofthePlatonizingfathers,bythedisciplesofScotusErigenaduringtheMiddleAges,byOsianderandSchwenkfeld

attheReformation,andbytheschoolofSchleiermacheramongmodernGermantheologians.

2nd.TheMoralInfluenceTHEORYfirstdistinctivelyelaboratedbyAbelard(†1142)andheldbytheSocinians,andsuchTrinitariansasMaurice,Young,Jowett,Bushnell,etc.Thepointsinvolvedare—(1)ThereisnosuchprincipleasvindicatoryjusticeinGod.(2)BenevolenceisthesingleultimateprincipledeterminingGodinhisprovisionsforhumanredemption.(3)ThesoleobjectofthelifeanddeathofChrististoproduceamoraleffectupontheindividualsinner,subduinghisobdurateaversiontoGodandhissullendistrustofhiswillingnesstoforgive.ThusreconcilingmantoGodinsteadofGodtoman.(4)TheSociniansheldinadditionthatChrist’sdeathwasthenecessarypreconditionofhisresurrection,bywhichhebroughtimmortalitytolight.

3rd.TheGovernmentalTheory,which,presupposingallthepositivetruthcontainedinthe"MoralInfluenceTheory,"maintains—(1)ThatjusticeinGodisnotvindicatory,butistobereferredtoageneralGovernmentalrectitude,baseduponaBENEVOLENTregardforthehighestultimateandmostgeneralwell–beingofthesubjectsofhismoralgovernment.(2)Lawisaproductofthedivinewillandthereforerelaxable(3)God’ssovereignprerogativeincludestherightofpardon.(4)Butthegovernmentalrectitudeaboveexplained,inviewofthefactthatindiscriminatepardonwouldencouragetheviolationoflaw,determinesGodtoconditionthepardonofhumansinnersuponanimposingexampleofsufferinginavictimsorelatedtomankindandtohimself,aseffectuallytodemonstratehisdeterminationthatsinshouldnotbeindulgedwithimpunity.Therefore—(a)Christ’ssufferingswerenotpunishment,butanexampleofadeterminationtopunishhereafter.(b)Theyweredesignednottosatisfydivinejustice,buttoimpressthepublicmindofthemoraluniversewithasin–deterringmotive.ThistheorywasfirstelaboratedbyHugoGrotius(†1645)inhisgreatwork,"DefensioFideiCatholicoedeSatisfactioneChristi,"inwhichheabandonedthefaithheassumedtodefend.Ithasneverbeenembodiedinthecreedofanyhistoricalchurch,buthasbeenheldbyseveralschoolsoftheologians,e.g.,theSupernaturalistsofthelastageinGermany,asStaudlin,Flatt,andStorr,andinAmericabyJonathanEdwards,Jr.,Smalley,Maxey,

Dwight,Emmons,andPark.

REMARKS.—Whilethistheoryembracesmuchprecioustruth,itfailsintheessentialpointonwhichtheintegrityofthewholedepends.For—(1)Onlyarealbonafidepunishmentcanbeanexampleofapunishment,oraproofofGod’sdeterminationtopunishsin.(2)ItignorestheessentialjusticeofGod,and(3)thefactthatsinisanessentialevilinitself,and(4)thefactthatChristsufferedastheHEADinwhomallhismemberswereUNITED.

4th.TheSATISFACTIONTHEORYconsistentlyembracesthepositiveelementsofthe"MoralInfluence"and"Governmental"theoriesabovestated.ItwasfirstanalyzedandsetforthinascientificformbyAnselm,archbishopofCanterbury(1093–1109)inhisepoch–makingbook,"CurDeusHomo,"andithasformedthebasisoftheSoteriologicaldoctrinesofallthecreedsandclassicaltheologicalliteratureofallthehistoricalchurchessincehistime.Ithasbeensufficientlystatedandprovedintheformerpartofthischapter.

LITERATURE.—Hase,"LibriSymboliciEccle.Evangelicoe";Nieleyer,"CollectioConfessionum,"etc.;Streitwolf,"LibriSymboliciEccle.Catholicoe.""DeSacrificiis,GulielmoOutramoAuctore";Neander’sandShaff’s"ChurchHistories";Archb.Magee,"TheAtonement";Shedd’s"HistoryofChristianDoctrine";Owen’s"Works,"vol.10,"Redemption";Ritschl,"Crit.Hist.oftheChrist.DoctrineofReconciliation";Candlish,"TheAtonement";Watson’s"Institutes."

CLASSICALANDCONFESSIONALAUTHORITIES

Origen,"Homil.adLevit.,"1,speakingofChristsays,"Helaidhishandupontheheadofthecalf,i.e.,helaidthesinsofmankinduponhisownhead,forheistheheadofthebody,theChurch."

Athanasius(†373),contraArianos,1,45–†60.—"ThedeathoftheincarnateLogosisaransomforthesinsofmenandadeathofdeath."..."Ladenwithguilttheworldwascondemnedbylaw,buttheLogosassumedthecondemnation,andsufferinginthefleshgavesalvationto

all."

GregorytheGreat(†604),"MoraliainJobum,"17,46.—"Guiltcanbeextinguishedonlybypenalofferingtojustice...Henceasinlessmanmustbeoffered....HencetheSonofGodmustbebornofavirgin,andbecomemanforus.Heassumedournaturewithoutourcorruption(culpa).Hemadehimselfasacrificeforus,andsetforthforsinnershisownbody,avictimwithoutsin,andablebothtodiebyvirtueofitshumanity,andtocleansetheguilty,upongroundsofjustice."

BernardofClairvaux(†1153),"Tract.contr.Err.Abaelardi,"cap.6,15.—"IfOnehasdiedforall,thenallaredead(2Corinthians5:14),thatis.thesatisfactionofoneisimputedtoall,asthatOneborethesinsofall,neitherisitfoundthathewhooffendedisone,andhethatsatisfiedanother,fortheheadandthebodyisoneChrist.ThereforetheHeadmadesatisfactionforhismembers."

Wycliffe(1324–1384),"DeIncarn.etMort.Christ."—"Andsinceaccordingtothethirdsupposition,itisnecessarythatsatisfactionshouldbemadeforsin,soitwasnecessarythatthatsameraceofmanshouldmakethesatisfactionasgreat,asithad,inthefirstparent,madetheoffence,whichnomancoulddo,unlesshewereatthesametimeGodandman."

TheValensesofPiedmont,in1542,presentedaConfessiontoFrancisI.ofFrancethroughCardinalSadolet.Inittheysay,"ThisConfessionisthatwhichwehavereceivedfromourancestors,evenfromhandtohand,accordingastheirpredecessorsinalltimes,andineveryage,havetaughtanddelivered...

WebelieveandconfessthatthegratuitousremissionofsinsproceedsfromthemercyandmeregoodnessofourLordJesusChrist,whodiedonceforoursins,thejustfortheunjust,whoboreoursinsinhisownbodyonthegross;whoisouradvocatewithGod,himselfthepriceofourreconciliation,whoalonehasmadesatisfactionforbelievers,towhomsinsarenotimputedastheyaretotheunbelievingandthereprobates."

JohnWessel(1419–1489),"DeCausisIncarnationis."—"TrulyhimselfGod,himselfpriest,himselfvictim,hemadesatisfactionforhimself,ofhimselftohimself.""ExemplaScaloeMeditationis,"Ex.1,p.

544.—"OurlovingFatherwilledtheehisownlovingSontobeasurety,sponsorguarantywithrespecttosufficientdoingandsufficientsuffering,uponjustpledge,formyuniversalfailureandmiscarriage."

"ORTHODOXCONFESSIONOFTHECATHOLICANDAPOSTOLICEASTERNCHURCH,"composedbyPetrusMogilas,MetropolitanofKiew,1642,andsanctionedbytheSynodofJerusalem1672,p.85.

"ThedeathofChristwasofaverydifferentkindfromthatofallothermenintheserespects;firstbecauseoftheweightofoursins,secondly,becausehewhollyfulfilledthepriesthoodeventothecross,heofferedhimselftoGodandtheFatherfortheransomingofthehumanrace.ThereforeeventothecrosshefulfilledthemediationbetweenGodandmen."

ROMANDOCTRINE.—"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6,chap.7.—"Christwhowhenwewereenemies,onaccountofthegreatlovewherewithhelovedus,meritedjustificationbyhismostholypassiononthewoodofthecross,andmadesatisfactiontoGodtheFatherforus.""CatechismofCouncilofTrent,"Pt.2.,ch.5,Q.60.—"ThefirstandmostexcellentsatisfactionisthatbywhichwhateverisduebyustoGod,onaccountofoursins,hasbeenpaidabundantly,althoughheshoulddealwithusaccordingtothestrictestrigorofhisjustice.Thisissaidtobethatsatisfaction,whichwesayhasappeasedGodandrenderedhimpropitioustous,andforitweareindebtedtoChristtheLordalone,whohavingpaidthepriceofoursinsonthecross,mostfullysatisfiedGod."

LUTHERANCONFESSIONS,Hase’s"Collection,"p.684,"FormulaConcordiæ."—"ThatrighteousnesswhichbeforeGodisofmeregraceimputedtofaith,ortothebeliever,istheobedience,suffering,andresurrectionofChrist,bywhichheforoursakessatisfiedthelaw,andexpiatedoursins.ForsinceChristwasnotonlyman,butGodandmaninoneundividedperson,sohewasnotsubjecttothelaw,norobnoxiousto

sufferinganddeathonhisownaccount,becausehewasLordofthelaw.Onwhichaccounthisobedience(notmerelyinrespectthatheobeyedtheFatherinhissufferingsanddeath,butalsothatheforoursakeswillinglymadehimselfsubjecttothelawandfulfilleditbyhisobedience)isimputedtous,sothatGodonaccountofthatwholeobedience(whichChristbyhisactingandbyhissufferinginhislifeandinhisdeath,foroursakesrenderedtohisFatherwhoisinheaven)remitsoursins,reputesusasgoodandjust,andgivesuseternalsalvation."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.—"Thirty–nineArticles,"Arts.11and31.—"TheofferingofChristoncemadeisthatperfectredemption,propitiation,andsatisfactionforthesinsofthewholeworldbothoriginalandactual,andthereisnoneothersatisfactionforsinbutthatalone."Homily3rd."OnSalvation."—"GodsenthisonlySonourSaviorChristintothisworld,tofulfillthelawforus,andbysheddinghismostpreciousblood,tomakeasacrificeandsatisfactiontohisFatherforoursins.""HeidelbergCat.,"Ques.12–18and40."WestConfessionFaith,"ch.8.,§5,andch.11.,§3."Form.Cons.Helvetica,"cans.13–15.

Cocceius("DeFæd.etTestam.Dei,"cap.5,92)."Thusthatgreatestmystery(theeternalcovenantbetweentheFatherandtheSon)isrevealedinwhatmannerwearejustifiedandsavedbyGod,inwhatmannerGodmaybothbetheonewhojudges,andwhoactsassurety,andwhothusishimselfjudgedwhoabsolvesandwhointercedes,whosendsandissent.ThatisinwhatmannerGodhimselfsatisfiedhimselfbyhisownblood."

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—Limborch,"Apol.Thes.,"3,22,5.—"Itmayherebequestionedinwhatwaythesacrificeofonemanisabletosufficeandinfeetdidsufficeforexpiatingtheinnumerablesinsofsomanymyriadsofmen.Answer.Itsufficedontwoaccounts.Firstwithrespecttothedivinewill,whichrequirednothingmorefortheliberationofthehumanrace,butwassatisfiedwiththisonesacrificealone.Secondlywithrespecttothedignityoftheperson,JesusChrist...21,6.ThesatisfactionofChristisso–calledinasmuchasitreleasesfromallthepenaltiesdueoursins,andbyhearingandexhaustingthem,satisfiesdivinejustice.ButthissentimenthasnofoundationinScripture.ThedeathofChristiscalledasacrificeforsin,butsacrificesarenotpayments

ofdebts,noraretheyfullsatisfactionsforsins;butagratuitousremissionisgrantedwhentheyareoffered."

Remonstrantia,etc.,fivearticlespreparedbytheDutchadvocatesofuniversalredemption(1610),Art2.—"ThereforeJesusChrist,theSavioroftheworld,diedforallandeveryman,sothatheimpetratedforallthroughhisdeathreconciliationandremissionofsins,neverthelessonthiscondition,thatnooneshouldhaveactualfruitionofthatreconciliation,unlessheisabeliever,andthatalsoaccordingtothegospel."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE.—"Rac.Cat.,"Sec.5,ch.8.—"WhatwasthepurposeofthedivinewillthatChristshouldsufferforoursins?Ans.First,thatamostcertainrightto,andconsequentlyasurehopeof,theremissionoftheirsins,andofeternallife,mightbythismeansbecreatedforallsinners(Romans8:32and5:8–10).Secondly,thatallsinnersmightbeincitedanddrawntoChrist,seekingsalvationinandbyhimalonewhodiedforthem.Thirdly,thatGodmightinthismannertestifyhisboundlesslovetothehumanrace,andmightwhollyreconcilethemtohimself(John3:16)."

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Chapter26:TheIntercessionofChrist

1.InwhatsenseisChristtocontinueapriestforever?

ThisisassertedbyPaul,Hebrews7:3,24,tocontrastthepriesthoodofChristwiththatofAaron,whichconsistedofasuccessionofmortalmenintheirgenerations.Hispriesthoodisperpetual,because,1st.Byonesacrificeforsinhehathforeverperfectedthemthataresanctified;2nd.Heeverlivethtomakeintercessionforus;3rd.Hispersonandworkasmediatorwillcontinueforalleternitythegroundofouracceptance,andthemediumofourcommunionwiththeFather.

2.Didheintercedeforhispeopleonearth?

Hedidexercisethisfunctionofhispriesthoodonearth,Luke23:34;John17:20;Hebrews5:7;theprincipalsceneofitsexercise,however,ishisestateofexaltationinheaven.

3.WhatistheviewwhichtheScripturespresentoftheintercessionofChrist?

1st.HeappearsinthepresenceofGodforus,asthepriestlyadvocateofhispeople,andpresentshissacrifice.—Hebrews9:12,24;Revelation5:6.

2nd.HeactsasouradvocatewiththeFather,andonthebasisofhisownperfectworkunderthetermsofthecovenantofgrace,claimsashisownright,thoughasinfinitelyfreegracetousward,thefulfillmentofallthepromisesofhiscovenant.1John2:1;John17:24;14:16;Acts2:33;Hebrews7:25.

3rd.Becauseofhiscommunityofnaturewithhispeople,andhispersonalexperienceofthesamesorrowsandtemptationswhichnowafflictthem,hesympathizeswiththem,andwatchesandsuccorstheminalltheirvaryingcircumstances,andadaptshisceaselessintercessionstotheentirecurrentoftheirexperiences.—Hebrews2:17,18;4:15,16;Matthew28:20;18:20.

4th.Hepresents,andthroughhismeritsgainsacceptanceforthepersonsandservicesofhispeople.—1

Peter2:5;Ephesians1:6;Revelation8:3,4;Hebrews4:14–16.

4.Forwhomdoesheintercede?

Notfortheworld,butforhisownpeopleofeveryfold,andofalltimes.—John10:16;17:9,20.

5.Showthathisintercessionisanessentialpartofhispriestlywork.

Itisabsolutelyessential,Hebrews7:25,becauseitisnecessaryforhimasmediatornotmerelytoopenupawayofpossiblesalvation,

butactuallytoaccomplishthesalvationofeachofgiventohimbytheFather,andtofurnisheachwithan"introduction"(προσαγωγή)totheFather..—John17:12;Ephesians2:18;3:12.ThecommunionofhispeoplewiththeFatherwilleverbesustainedthroughhimasmediatorialpriest.—Psalm110:4;Revelation7:17.

6.WhatrelationdoestheworkoftheHolyGhostsustaintotheintercessionofChrist?

Christisaroyalpriest.—Zechariah6:13.Fromthesamethrone,asking,hedispenseshisSpirittoalltheobjectsofhiscare,whileaspriestheintercedesforthem.TheSpiritactsforhim,takingonlyofhisthings.Theybothactwithoneconsent,Christasprincipal,theSpiritashisagent.Christintercedesforus,withoutus,asouradvocateinheaven,accordingtotheprovisionsoftheeternalcovenant.TheHolyGhostworksuponourmindsandhearts,enlighteningandquickening,andthusdeterminingourdesires"accordingtothewillofGod,"asouradvocatewithinus.Theworkoftheoneiscomplementarytothatoftheother,and,togethertheyformacompletewhole.—Romans8:26,27;John14:26.

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Chapter27:MediatorialKingshipofChrist

1.HowdoessovereigntyofChristasMediatordifferfromhissovereigntyasGod?

HissovereigntyasGodisessentialtohisnature,underived,absolute,eternal,andunchangeable.

HissovereigntyasmediatorialKingisderived,giventohimbyhisFatherastherewardofhisobedienceandsuffering;itisspecial,havingrespecttothesalvationofhisownpeopleandtheadministrationoftheprovisionsofthecovenantofgrace;anditattaches,nottohisdivinenatureassuch,buttohispersonasGod–man,occupyingtheofficeofMediator.

HiskingdomisaveryprominentsubjectinScripture.—Daniel2:44;Matthew13:1–58,and20:20–29;Luke13:23–30,and17:20and21;Romans14:17;1Peter3:22;Ephesians1:10,21,and22.

2.WhatistheextentofChrist’smediatorialkingdom,andwhatarethedifferentaspectswhichitpresents?

Christ’smediatorialauthorityembracestheuniverse.—Matthew28:18;Philippians2:9–11;Ephesians1:17–23.Itpresentstwogreataspects.1st.Initsgeneraladministrationasembracingtheuniverseasawhole.2nd.Initsspecialadministrationasembracingthechurch.

Ithasbeendistinguishedas—(1)Hiskingdomofpower,whichembracestheentireuniverseinhisprovidentialandjudicialadministration.Theendofthisisthesubjectionofhisenemies(Hebrews10:12,13;1Corinthians15:25),thevindicationofdivinerighteousness(John5:22–27;9:39),andtheperfectingofhischurch.(2)Hiskingdomofgracewhichisspiritualalikeastoitssubjects,laws,modesofadministration,andinstrumentalities.(3)Hiskingdomofgloryistheconsummationofhisprovidentialandgraciousadministration,andwillcontinueforever.

3.Whataretheobjectsofhismediatorialauthorityovertheuniverse,andhowisitadministered?

Itsobjectistoaccomplishthesalvationofhischurchintheexecutionofalltheprovisionsofthecovenantofgrace,whichdevolvesuponhimasMediator.—Ephesians1:23.Astheuniverseconstitutesonephysicalandmoralsystem,itwasnecessarythathisheadshipasMediatorshouldextendtothewhole,inordertocauseallthingstoworktogetherforgoodtohispeople,Romans8:28;toestablishakingdomforthem,Luke22:29;John14:2;toreducetosubjectionallhisenemies,1Corinthians15:25;Hebrews10:13;andinorderthatallshouldworshiphim.—Hebrews1:6;Revelation5:9–13.Hisgeneralmediatorialgovernmentoftheuniverseisadministered,1st,providentially;2nd,judicially.—John5:22,27;9:39;2Corinthians5:10.Ephesians1:10,andColossians1:20,seemtoindicatethatChrist’smediatorialheadshipsustainsverycomprehensiverelationstothemoraluniverseingeneral,whichotherwiseareentirelyunrevealed.

4.WhendidChristformallyassumehismediatorialkingdom?

1st.Theadvocatesofthepremillennialadvent,andpersonalreignofChristonearth,admitthatChristnowreignsathisFather’srighthand,onhisFather’sthrone,andinhisFather’sright,butmaintainthathewillnotenterproperlyuponhisownkingdomandsituponhisownthroneasMediator,untilhissecondadvent,whenhewillassumetheliteralthroneofDavid,andconstitutethekingdomfromJerusalemitscapital.

2nd.Thetruthasheldbyallbranchesofthehistoricalchurchis,thatwhileChristhasbeenvirtuallymediatorialKingaswellasProphetandPriestfromthefallofAdam,vethispublicandformalassumptionofhisthroneandinaugurationofhisspiritualkingdomdatesfromhisascensionandsessionattherighthandofhisFather.ThisisprovedbecausetheOldTestamentpredictionsofhiskingdom(Psalm2:6;Jeremiah23:5;Isaiah9:6;Daniel2:44)areintheNewTestamentappliedtothefirstadvent.

JohntheBaptistdeclaredthatthekingdomofheavenwasathand.Christdeclared"thekingdomofGodiscomeuntoyou,"andlikensittothefieldwithwheatandtaresgrowingtogether,etc.—Matthew4:23;Acts2:29–36.

5.WhatarethedifferenttitlesappliedinScripturetothiskingdom,andwhatarethesensesinwhichthesetitlesofthekingdomareused?

Itiscalled—(1)The"kingdomofGod,"Luke4:43,becauseitispre–eminentlyofdivineorigin,andtheauthorityofGodiswithpeculiardirectnessandfullnessexercisedinitsadministration.(2)"ThekingdomofChrist"andof"God’sdearSon,"Matthew16:28;Colossians1:13,becauseheisinpersontheimmediatesovereign.(3)"Thekingdomofheaven,"Matthew11:12,becauseitsoriginandcharacteristicsarefromheaven,anditsconsummationistobeinheaven.

Thesephrasesaresometimesusedtoexpress—(1)Christ’smediatorialauthority,oritsadministration,andthepowerandglorywhichbelongtoit,aswhenweascribetohimthe"kingdomandthepowerandtheglory,"oraffirmthatof"hiskingdomthereshallbenoend."(2)Theblessingsandadvantagesofallkinds,inwardandoutward,whicharecharacteristicofthisadministration,aswhenwesaythe"kingdomisrighteousnessandpeaceandjoyintheHolyGhost."ThusNapoleonIII.said,"TheEmpireispeace."

(3)Thesubjectsofthekingdomcollectively,aswhenwearesaidto"enterthekingdom,"andspeakof"thekeysofthekingdom,"whichadmittoorexcludefromthiscommunity.Inthislattersensethephrase"kingdomofGod,"or"ofheaven,"issynonymouswiththeword"Church."

Thewordβασιλεία,inthisconnection,occursonehundredandthirty–seventimesintheentireNewTestament,andonehundredandtentimesinthegospels,fifty–threetimesinMatthewalone,thegospelmostnearlyrelatedtotheOldTestament,andonlytwentytimesintheepistles,whileἐκκλησία,whenreferringtotheChurchofChrist,occursbutonceinthegospelsandeighty–eightintheepistlesandrevelations.

6.WhatisthenatureofChrist’skinglyadministrationoftheaffairsofhisownpeople,i.e.,ofhiskingdomasdistinctfromtheuniverse?

1st.Itisprovidential.Headministershisprovidentialgovernmentovertheuniversewiththedesignofaccomplishingtherebythesupport,defense,enrichment,andglorificationofhispeople.2nd.Itisaccomplishedbythedispensationof:hisSpiriteffectuallycalling,sanctifying,comforting,preserving,raising,andglorifyinghispeople.—John15:26;Acts2:33–36.3rd.Itisaccomplishedbyhisprescribingtheform,andorder,andfunctionsofhischurch,theofficerswhoaretoactastheorgansofthosefunctions,andthelawswhichtheyaretoadminister.—Matthew28:18,19,20;Ephesians4:8,11.4th.Bydesignatingthepersonswhoaresuccessivelytoassumethoseoffices,bymeansofaspiritualcar],expressedinthewitnessoftheSpirit,theleadingsofprovidence,andthecallofthebrethren.—Acts1:23,24;6:5;13:2,3;20:28;1Timothy1:12;4:14.

Underthisadministrationthiskingdompresentstwoaspects,1st,asmilitant,Ephesians6:11–16;2nd,asglorified.—Revelation3:21.AndaccordinglyChristpresentshimselfasfulfilling,inhisadministrationoftheaffairsofhiskingdom,thefunctionsofagreatCaptain,Revelation19:11,16,andofasovereignPrincereigningfromathrone.—Revelation21:5,22,23.

Thethroneuponwhichhesitsandfromwhichhereignsispresentedinthreedifferentaspects,correspondingtothedifferentrelationshesustainstohispeopleandtheworld;asathroneofgrace,Hebrews4:16;athroneofjudgment,Revelation20:11–15;andathroneofglory.—CompareRevelation4:2–5withRevelation5:6.

7.InwhatsenseisChrist’skingdomspiritual?

1st.TheKingisaspiritualandnotanearthlysovereign.Matthew20:28;John18:36.2nd.HisthroneisattherighthandofGod.—Acts2:33.3rd.Hisscepterisspiritual.—Isaiah53:1;Psalm110:2.4th.Thecitizensofhiskingdomarespiritualmen.—Philippians3:20;Ephesians2:19.5th.Themodeinwhichheadministershisgovernmentisspiritual.

—Zechariah4:6,7.6th.Hislawsarespiritual.—John4:24.7th.

Theblessingsandthepenaltiesofhiskingdomarespiritual.—1Corinthians5:4–11;2Corinthians10:4;Ephesians1:3–8;2Timothy4:2;Titus2:15.

8.WhatistheextentofthepowerswhichChristhasvestedinhisvisiblechurch?

Inrespecttothecivilmagistratethechurchisabsolutelyindependent.InsubjectiontothesupremeauthorityofChristherheadthepowersofthechurcharesolely,1st,declarative,i.e.,toexpoundtheScriptures,whicharetheperfectruleoffaithandpractice,andthustowitnesstoandpromulgatethetruthincreedsandconfessions,bythepulpitandthepress.And,2nd,ministerial,i.e.,toorganizeherselfaccordingtothepatternfurnishedintheWord.Thentoadminister,throughtheproperofficers,thesacraments,andthoselawsandthatdisciplineprescribedbytheMaster,andtomakeprovisionfortheproclamationofthegospelofthekingdomtoeverycreature.—Isaiah8:20;Deuteronomy4:2;Matthew28:18–20;Hebrews13:17;1Peter2:4.

9.WhataretheconditionsofadmissionintoChrist’skingdom?

Simplypracticalrecognitionoftheauthorityofthesovereign.Asthesovereignandtheentiremethodofhisadministrationarespiritual,itisplainthathisauthoritymustbeunderstoodandembracedpractically,accordingtoitsspiritualnature.Thisisthatspiritualfaithwhichinvolvesspiritualillumination.—John3:3,5;1:12;1Corinthians12:3.

10.WhatistheRomishdoctrineoftherelationofthechurchtothestate?

AccordingtothestrictlylogicalRomishdoctrine,thestateisonlyonephaseofthechurch.Thewholenationbeinginallitsmembersaportionofthechurchuniversal,thecivilorganizationiscomprehendedwithinthechurchforspecialsubordinateends,andisresponsibletothechurchfortheexerciseofalltheauthoritydelegatedtoit.

FirstDogmaticConstitutionontheChurch,CounciloftheVatican,1870,Ch.4:,declaresthatthejudgmentsofthePope,pronouncedexcathedraaspastoranddoctorofallChristiansuponanyquestionoffaithormoralsisinfallibleandirreformable.Thisinfallibilityispersonal,independent,separate,andabsolute.Thiscomprehendsallmatteroffactanddoctrinerevealed,andallsuchfurthermattersoffactortruthunrevealedyetinvolvedinthedefenseofthatwhichisrevealed.InthethirdchapterthesupremeauthorityoftheinfalliblePopeisextended"tothesupremeandfullpowerofjurisdictionovertheuniversalchurch,notonlyinthingswhichbelongtofaithandmorals,butalsointhosewhichrelatetothedisciplineandgovernmentthereof."

Inthe"PapalSyllabusofErrors,"1864,senttoallthebishopsbytheauthorityofthePope,therightofreligiouslibertyiscondemned,therighttoenforcethedecreesofthechurchbyforceisasserted,andthemarriageofthosewhorefusetoaccepttheRomishSacramentofmatrimonydeclaredvoid(seetheaffirmativepropositionspublishedbyVonP.ClemensSchrader,withtheapprobationofthePope).

PopePiushimself;inhisreplytotheAddressfromtheAcademiaoftheCatholicReligion(July21,1873),declaresthatthePopepossessestheright,whichheproperlyuses,underfavorablecircumstances,"topassjudgmentevenincivilaffairs,ontheactsofprincesandofnations."

ArchbishopManning,in"CaesarismandUltramontanism,"p.35,says,"If,then,thecivilpowerbenotcompetenttodecidethelimitsofthespiritualpower,andifthespiritualpowercandefine,withadivinecertainty,itsownlimits,itisevidentlysupreme.Orinotherwords,thespiritualpowerknowswithdivinecertaintythelimitsofitsownjurisdiction;anditknowsthereforethelimitsandcompetenceofthecivilpower.""Anypowerwhichisindependent,andcanalonefixthelimitsofitsownjurisdiction,andcantherebyfixthelimitsofallotherjurisdiction,isipsofactosupreme."—SeeHon.Wm.E.Gladstone,"TheVaticanDecreesintheirbearingonCivilAllegiance,"andhis"AnswertoReproofsandReplies."

11.WhatistheErastiandoctrineastotherelationofthechurchtothestate?

Thisdoctrine,namedfromErastus,aphysicianresidentinHeidelberginthesixteenthcentury,ispreciselycontrarytothatoftheRomanists,i.e.,itregardsthechurchasonlyonephaseofthestate.Thestate,beingadivineinstitution,designedtoprovideforallthewantsofmen,spiritualaswellastemporal,isconsequentlychargedwiththedutyofprovidingforthedisseminationofpuredoctrine,andfortheproperadministrationofthesacraments,andofdiscipline.Itisthedutyofthestate,therefore,tosupportthechurch,toappointitsofficers,todefineitslaws,andtosuperintenditsadministration.

12.WhatisthecommondoctrineoftheReformedChurchonthispoint?

Thatthechurchandthestatearebothdivineinstitutions,havingdifferentobjects,andineveryrespectindependentofeachother.ThemembersandofficersoftheChurchare,asmen,membersofthestate,andoughttobegoodcitizens;andthemembersandofficersofthestate,ifChristians,aremembersofthechurch,andassuchsubjecttoherlaws.Butneithertheofficersnorthelawsofeitherhaveanyauthoritywithinthesphereoftheother.

13.WhatistheideaanddesignoftheState?

Civilgovernmentisadivineinstitution,designedtoprotectmenintheenjoymentoftheircivilrights.Ithas,therefore,derivedfromGodauthoritytodefinethoserightstouchingallquestionsofpersonandproperty,andtoprovidefortheirvindication,toregulateintercourse,andtoprovideallmeansnecessaryforitsownpreservation.

14.WhatisthedesignofthevisibleChurch?

Itisadivineinstitutiondesignedtosecureinstrumentallythesalvationofmen.Tothatenditisspeciallydesigned—

1st.Tobringmentoaknowledgeofthetruth.

2nd.Tosecuretheirobediencetothetruth,andtoexercisetheirgracesbythepublicconfessionofChrist,thefellowshipofthebrethren,

andtheadministrationoftheordinancesanddiscipline.

3rd.Toconstitutethevisiblewitnessandprophetictypeofthechurchinvisibleandspiritual.

15.WhatarethedutiesoftheofficersoftheStatewithregardtotheChurch?

Thestateisadivineinstitution,andtheofficersthereofareGod’sministers,Romans13:1–4,ChristtheMediatoris,asarevealedfact,"RuleramongtheNations,"Kingofkings,andLordoflords,Revelation19:16;Matthew28:18;Philippians2:9–11;Ephesians1:17–23,andtheSacredScripturesareaninfallibleruleoffaithandpracticetoallmenunderallconditions.

Itfollowstherefore—1st.ThateverynationshouldexplicitlyacknowledgetheChristofGodtobetheSupremeGovernor,andhisrevealedwillthesupremefundamentallawoftheland,tothegeneralprinciplesofwhichallspeciallegislationshouldbeconformed.2nd.ThatallcivilofficersshouldmakethegloryofGodtheirend,andhisrevealedwilltheirguide.3rd.That,whilenodistinctionshouldbemadebetweenthevariousChristiandenominations,andperfectlibertyofconscienceandworshipbeallowedtoallmen,neverthelesstheChristianmagistrateshouldseektopromotepietyaswellascivilorder("ConfessionFaith,"ch.23,§2).Thistheyaretodo,notbyassumingecclesiasticalfunctions,norbyattemptingtopatronizeorcontrolthechurch,butbytheirpersonalexample,bygivingimpartialprotectiontochurchpropertyandfacilitytochurchwork,bytheenactmentandenforcementoflawsconceivedinthetruespiritoftheGospel,andespeciallyinmaintaininginviolatetheChristianSabbath,andChristianmarriage,andinprovidingforChristianinstructioninthepublicschools.

16.WhatrelationdoesthecivillawintheUnitedStatessustaintoChurchpolity,discipline,andproperty?

I.HISTORY.—1st.InEnglandtheestablishedChurchisacorporationcreatedandcontrolledbytheState.

2nd.InmostoftheAmericanColonies,theState,atfirstundertooktheabsolutecontrolofecclesiasticalaffairs,andlimitedrightsofcitizenshipbyreligioustests.

II.PRESENTFACTS.—1st.TheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesprovidesthat"NoreligioustestshalleverberequiredasaqualificationtoanyofficeorpublictrustundertheUnitedStates,andthatCongressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligionorprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof."Theconstitutionsoftheseveralstatesprovidetothesameeffect.

2nd.Christianityinageneralsenseis,asanhistoricalfact,anessentialelementofthecommonlawofEngland,andthereforethatoftheUnitedStates(exceptLouisiana,Texas,NewMexico,California,etc.),incorporatedinourcustoms,principles,precedents,etc.1

3rd.ItisrecognizedbythecivillawasthehistoricalandactualreligionofthevastmajorityofthecitizensoftheUnitedStates.TheChristianfaithandtheinstitutionsinwhichitfindsexpression,are,therefore,tobereverencedandprotectedbythecivillaw.

4th.Thecivillaw,therefore,recognizesthechurch,ashavinganhistoriccharacter,andasbeinganimportantelementofsociety.Itrecognizesandprotectsitsrighttoexistandenjoythepossessionof:itslegitimateprivilegesandpowers.Thusthecivillawrecognizesandprotects(1)theautonomyofthechurchasto(a)itsgeneralpolityand(b)itsdisciplineofpersons.(2)Therightsofeachchurchasanorganizedwholetoitsproperty.

5th.Thecivilcourtsrecognizeasfinalthedecisionsofchurchcourtsasto(1)whoaremembersofthechurch,and(2)whoarethespiritualofficersofthechurch.Thecivilcourtwillnotpresumetogobackofthedecisionofthechurchcourtinordertodetermine(1)whetheritwasrightlyconstituted(i.e.,ifthechurchcourtinquestionberecognizedbythehighestauthorityinthechurch),or(2)whethersubsequentlytoitsconstitutionthechurchcourthasactedconsistentlywithitsownrules.

JudgeRogers,oftheSupremeCourtofPenna.,inthecaseofthe

GermanReformedChurchofLebanonCo.,Pa.,said"Thedecisionsofecclesiasticalcourts,likeeveryotherjudicialtribunal,arefinal,astheyarethebestjudgesofwhatconstitutesanoffenceagainstthewordofGodandtheconstitutionofthechurch."

TheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates,inthecaseoftheWalnutStreetChurch,Louisville,Ky.,1872,decided—

(1)Wherethesubjectmatterofdisputeisstrictlyandpurelyecclesiasticalinitscharacteramatterwhichconcernstheologicalcontroversy,churchdiscipline,ecclesiasticalgovernment,ortheconformityofthemembersofthechurchtothestandardofmoralsrequiredofthem,andtheecclesiasticalcourtsclaimjurisdiction,thecivilcourtswillnotassumejurisdiction—theywillnoteveninquireintotherightofthejurisdictionoftheecclesiasticalcourt.

(2)AspiritualcourtistheexclusivejudgeofitsownJurisdiction:itsdecisionofthatquestionisbindingonthesecularcourts(see"PresbyterianDigest,"Dr.Wm.E.Moore,p.251).

6th.Thecivillawrecognizestherightofthechurchtodisciplineitsmembers.Eventhepublicdeclarationmadepursuantoftherulesoforderofachurchfromwhichamemberhasbeenexcommunicated,becauseofhiscommissionofanoffenseregardedasinfamousbythelaw,isjustified,andnoactionofslandercanbemaintainedforsuchapublication.

7th.Thechurchproper,or"ecclesiasticalsociety,"isdistinguishedfromtheincorporated"religioussociety"createdtoholdpropertyfortheuseoftheformer.Theseincorporatedreligioussocietiesaregovernedbytheircharters,andbytheby–lawsmadeinpursuancethereof;theyholdpropertybymeansoftrustees,andarevirtuallycivilsocietiesasmuchasanybankorrailroadcompany.Itisgovernedbythelawpreciselyasothercorporationsare.Itissubjecttovisitation.Intrusionintoitsofficesmayberemedied,anditwillberestrainedfromamaladministration,oramisappropriationoftheproperty.Itsarticlesofassociation,andby–lawsunderitscharter,providingformeetings,elections,andconductoftemporalaffairs,maybechangedaccordingto

thetermsprovidedbythecharter,butarebindingwhiletheyexist.Substantialconformitytothemisessentialtothevalidtransactionofbusiness,andmaybereviewedbythecivilcourt.

8th.Whenthe"Will"or"DeedofGift"or"TermsofSubscription"oftheoriginaldonorsoftheproperty,orthecharterofthechurch,prescribesneither(1)anyspecificdoctrine,nor(2)anyparticularformofchurchgovernment,norconnectionwithanydefinitereligiousdenomination,thenthemajorityofthemembersofthechurchinquestioncontroltheproperty,andincaseofchangeofdoctrines,ordiscipline,orofdenominationalrelation,maycarrythepropertywiththem.

Butwhenevereitherthedoctrineortheformofgovernmentorecclesiasticalconnectionisdefined,eitherbytheoriginaldonorsorbythecharterofthechurch,thecivilcourtswillprotectandenforcethetrust.Insuchcase,ifanychangeismadebythemajorityineitheroftheseessentialpoints,themajority,howeverlarge,forfeitstheproperty,andtheminority,howeversmall,willbemaintainedinpossession.Andthecivilcourtwillinallsuchcasesreceiveandactonthedecisionsofthesuperiorecclesiasticalcourtsasfinal(seeLecturesbyHon.Wm.Strong,LL.D.,JusticeofSupremeCourtofU.S.,1875).

17.Whatistherelativejurisdictionsofthe"BoardsofTrustees,"andofthe"Sessions"ofourPresbyterianChurches,overthehousesofworshippertainingtotheirrespectiveCongregations?

The"Session"istheonlybodyofcongregationalofficersknowntoourecclesiasticalconstitution.The"BoardofTrustees"isacreatureofthecivilcourtsforthepurposeofholdingthecongregationalpropertyintrust.

AstotheirrespectivejurisdictionsthedecisionsofthecourtsandofthegeneralassemblyareinharmonywitheachotherThelegaltitletothepropertyisvestedinthetrustees,andtheyhavethecustodyofit"fortheusesandpurposesforwhichtheyholditintrust,"namely,theworshipofGod,etc.,accordingtotheorderofthechurchtowhichit

appertains,includingbusinessmeetingsrelatingtothecongregation.Thesessionischargedwiththesupervisionofthespiritualinterestsofthecongregation,includingtherighttodirectandcontroltheuseofthebuildingforsuchpurposes.IntheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates,intheLouisvilleWalnutStreetcase,thefollowingprincipleswereenunciated:"1.Bytheactofthelegislaturecreatingthetrusteesofachurch,abodycorporate,andbytheacknowledgedrulesofthePresbyterianChurch,thetrusteesarethemerenominaltitle–holdersandcustodiansofthechurchproperty.2.Thatintheuseofthepropertyforallreligiousservices,orecclesiasticalpurposes,thetrusteesareunderthecontrolofthechurchsession."InadifferencebetweentrusteesandthesessionofachurchinPhiladelphiarespectinganorganist,thequestionwascarriedtotheSupremeCourtofthatstate,whodecidedthattheworshipofthecongregationwasunderthechargeofthesession,andthattheserviceofsongwasapartoftheworship,andhencetheappointmentoftheorganistwasinthesession.

Thecivilcourtsareveryfirminmaintainingtherightsandprivilegesofreligiousworship,andofchurches,andinrequiringtheobservanceofthetrust.

18.WhatarethedutiesoftheChurchwithregardtotheState?

1st.Thechurchowesobediencetothestateintheexerciseofherlawfulauthorityoverthepublicpropertyofthechurch.2nd.Sheisboundtouseallthelawfulmeansinherpossessionforcarryingthegospeltoallthemembersofthestate.Beyondthisthechurchowesnodutytothestatewhatever.

19.InwhatsenseisChristtoreturnhiskingdomtohisFather,andinwhatsensewillhismediatorialheadshipcontinueforever?

Thesumofwhatisrevealedtousuponthissubjectappearstobe,thatafterthecompleteglorificationofhispeople,andthedestructionofhisenemies,Christwilldemithismediatorialauthorityovertheuniverse,whichhehasadministeredasGod–man,inorderthatthe

Godheadabsolutemaybe

immediatelyallinalltothecreature.—1Corinthians15:24–28.Buthismediatorialheadshipoverhisownpeople,includingtheofficesofprophet,priest,andking,shallcontinueforever.Thisiscertain—1st.Becauseheisapriestforever,andofhiskingdomthereisnoend.—Psalm110:4;Daniel7:14;Luke1:33.2nd.Thepersonalunionbetweenhisdivineandhumannatureistocontinueforever.3rd.AsMediatorheistheheadofthechurch,whichishisfullness,andtheconsummationofthemarriageoftheLambisthebeginningofheaven.—Revelation19:7;21:2,9.4th.As"aLambthathadbeenslain,"heisrepresentedinheavenonthethroneasevermorethetempleandthelightofthecity,andasfeedinghispeople,andleadingthemtofountainsoflivingwaters.—Revelation5:6;7:17;21:22,23.

CHRISTEXECUTEDHISOFFICEOFMEDIATORBOTHINHISESTATEOFHUMILIATIONANDEXALTATION

20.WhereindoesChrist’shumiliationconsist?

See"LargerCatechism,"Questions46–50;"ShorterCatechism,"Question27.

21.InwhatsensewasChristmadeunderthelaw,andhowwasthatsubjectionanactofhumiliation?

InhisincarnationChristwasbornpreciselyintothelawplaceofhispeople,andsustainedtothelawpreciselythatrelationwhichtheydid.Hewasbornunderthelaw,then,

1st.asaruleofduty;2nd.asacovenantoflife;3rd.asabrokencovenant,whosecursewasalreadyincurred.Hisvoluntaryassumptionofsuchapositionwaspre–eminentlyanactofhumiliation:1st.Hisassumptionofahumannaturewasvoluntary.2nd.Afterhisincarnationhispersonremaineddivine,andtheclaimsoflawterminatinguponpersons,andnotuponnatures,hissubmissiontothoseclaimswaspurelygratuitous.3rd.Thiscondescensionisimmeasurablyheightenedbythefactthatheacceptedthecurseofthelawasofacovenantoflifealready

broken—Galatians3:10–13;4:4,5.

22.InwhatsensedidChristundergothecurseofthelaw,andhowwasthatpossibleforGod’swell–belovedSon?

Inhisownperson,absolutelyconsidered,Christisoftendeclaredbythefathertobehis"belovedSon,withwhomhewaswellpleased,"Matthew3:17;2Peter1:17;andhealwaysdidthatwhichpleasedGod.—John8:29.Butinhisofficeasmediatorhehadassumedourplace,andundertakentobeartheguiltofoursin.ThewrathofGod,then,whichChristbore,wastheinfinitedispleasureofGodagainstoursins,whichdispleasureterminateduponChrist’spersonvicariously,becauseoftheiniquityofusallwhichwaslaiduponhim.—Matthew26:38;27:46;Luke22:44.

23.Whatarethedifferentinterpretationsofthephraseintheapostles’creed,"hedescendedintohell,"orHades?

Thephrase,κατάβασιςεἰςἅδου,desensusadinferos,wasoneofthelastincorporatedintotheancientCreed.ItissupposedtobederivedfromPsalm16:10;Acts2:27;1Peter4:18–20.

1st.TheCatholicChurch,onthebasisofancienttradition,interpretthisphrasetomeanthatChristafterhisdeathwentinhisentirepersonasGod–man,totheLimbusPatrum,thatdepartmentofHadesinwhichtheOldTestamentsaintsremainedwaitingfortherevelationandapplicationtothemofhissalvation.Herehepreachedthegospel,andbroughtthemouttoheaven.Seebelowthe"Cat.CouncilofTrent."

2nd.TheLutheransholdthatChrist’sdeathwasthelaststageinhishumiliation,andhisdescenttoHadesthefirststageofhisexaltation,sincehewenttorevealandconsummatehisvictoryoverSatanandthepowersofdarkness,andtopronouncetheirsentenceofcondemnation.

3rd.TheChurchofEnglandaffirmsinthe3rd.Article—"AsChristdiedforusandwasburied,soalsoitistobebelievedthathewentdownintohell."InthefirstbookofEdwardVI.itisstatedmorefully—"ThebodyofChristlayinthesepulchreuntilhisresurrection,buthis

ghostdepartingfromhim,waswiththeghostswhichwereinprison,orinhell,anddidpreachtothesame,astheplaceofSt.Peterdothtestify."BishopPearson,inhis"ExpositionoftheCreed,"teachesthatChristreallywenttotheplaceofthedamnedtoconsummatetheexpiationofhumansin,andtodestroythepowerofhelloverhisredeemed.

4th.Calvin("Institutes,"Bk.2,ch.16.,§10)interpretsthisphrasemetaphorically,asexpressingthepenalsufferingsofChristonthecross.Our"ConfessionFaith"affixestotheCreedtheexplanatoryclause,"continuedinthestateofthedead,"andtheAmericanEpiscopalChurchaffixestheequivalentclause,"hewentintotheplaceofdepartedspirits."Thatis,Christwasarealman,consistingofsoulandbody,andhisdeathwasarealdeath,hissoulleavingthebodyandgoingintotheinvisibleworldofspirits,whereitcontinuedaseparateconsciousexistenceuntilhisresurrection.

24.Whatisthetruemeaningof1Peter3:19–21?

Thispassageisveryobscure.TheRomishinterpretationisshownintheanswertotheprecedingquestion,i.e.,thatChristwenttotheLimbusPatrumandpreachedthegospeltothoseimprisonedspiritsthatwereawaitinghisadvent.

ThecommonProtestantinterpretationisthatChristwasputtodeathinthebody,butquickened,orrestoredtolifebytheSpirit,bywhichSpirit,inspiringNoahasapreacherofrighteousness,Christmanycenturiespreviouslyhaddescendedfromheaven,andpreachedtothemenofthatgeneration,whointheirsinandunbeliefwerethe"spiritsinprison."Onlyeightpersonsbelievedandweresaved;therefore,Christianprofessorsandteachersoughtnottofaintbecauseoftheunbeliefofmankindnow.

Anotherinterpretation,suggestedbyArchbishopLeightoninanote,ashislastopinion,is,thatChristdyinginthebodyasavicarioussacrificeisquickenedinthespirit,i.e.,spirituallyquickened,manifestedasacompleteSaviorinahigherdegreethanwaspossiblebefore.Asagrainofwheatdyinghebegantobearmuchfruit.Thusquickened,henow,throughtheinspirationofhisSpirit,preachedto"spiritsinprison,"

i.e.,prisonersofsinandSatan,justashehadbeforedone,thoughwithlesspower,throughNoahandalltheprophetswhenthespiritsweredisobedient;undertheministryofNoahonlyeightsoulsbeingsaved;butsinceChristwasquickenedinspirit,i.e.,manifestedasacompleteSaviour,multitudesbelieved.

25.WhereindoesChrist’sexaltationconsist?

"ShorterCat.,"Question28,"LargerCat.,"Questions51–54.

26.Inwhatsensewasitpossiblefortheco–equalSonofGodtobeexalted?

Astheco-equalSonofGodthiswasimpossible,yethispersonasGod–manwascapableofexaltationinseveralrespects.

1st.Throughtheunionofthedivineandhumannatures,theoutwardmanifestationsofthegloryofhispersonhadbeenveiledfromtheeyesofcreatures.2nd.AsMediatorheoccupiedofficiallyapositioninferiortotheFather,condescendingtooccupytheplaceofsinners.Hehadbeeninconceivablyhumbled,and,asarewardconsequentuponhisvoluntaryself-humiliation,theFatherhighlyexalted

him.—Philippians2:8,9;Hebrews12:2;Revelation5:6.3rd.Hishumansoulandbodywereinconceivablyexalted.—Matthew17:2;Revelation1:12–16;20:11.

27.WhatarethevarioussourcesproofbywhichtheresurrectionofChristisestablished?

1st.TheOldTestamentpredictedit.ComparePsalm16:10,andActs2:24–31.AlltheotherpredictionsconcerningtheMessiahwerefulfilledinChrist,thereforethis.

2nd.Christpredictedit,andtherefore,ifhewasatrueprophet,hemusthaverisen.—Matthew20:19;John10:18.

3rd.Theevent,hisextraordinaryoriginandcharacterconsidered,isnotantecedentlyimprobable.

4th.Thetestimonyoftheelevenapostles.Thesemenareprovedbytheirwritingstohavebeengood,intelligent,andserious,andtheyeachhadeveryopportunityofascertainingthefact,andtheysealedtheirsinceritywiththeirblood.—Acts1:3.

5th.TheseparatetestimonyofPaul,who,asonebornoutofduetime,sawhisrisenLord,andderivedhisrevelationandcommissionfromhiminperson.—1Corinthians15:8;Galatians1:12,Acts9:3–8.

6th.Hewasseenbyfivehundredbrethrenatonce,towhomPaulappeals.—1Corinthians15:6.

7th.ThechangeoftheSabbath,fromthelasttothefirstdayoftheweek,isamonumentoftheconcurrenttestimonyofthewholeofthefirstgenerationofChristians,tothefactthattheybelievedthatChristrosefromthedead.

8th.ThemiracleswroughtbytheapostleswereGod’ssealstotheirtestimonythathehadraisedChrist.—Hebrews2:4.

9th.TheaccompanyingwitnessoftheHolyGhost,honoringtheapostles’doctrineandministrynotmerelybymiraculousgifts,butbyhissanctifying,elevating,andconsolingpower.—Acts5:32.Dr.Hodge.

28.BywhosepowerdidChristrisefromthedead?

TheScripturesascribehisresurrection—

1st.Tohimself.—John2:19;10:17

2nd.TotheFather.—Acts13:33;Romans10:9;Ephesians1:20.

Thisisreconciledupontheprinciplethatallactsofdivinepower,terminatinguponobjectsexternaltotheGodhead,maybeattributedtoeitherofthedivinepersons,ortotheGodheadabsolutely.—John5:17–19.

29.OnwhatgrounddoestheapostledeclarethatourfaithisvainifChristbenotrisen(1Corinthians15:14)?

1st.IfChristberisenindeed,thenheisthetrueMessiah,andallthepropheciesofbothdispensationshaveinthatfactapledgeoftheirfulfillment.Ifhehasnotrisen,thenaretheyallfalse.

2nd.TheresurrectionprovedhimtobetheSonofGod,Romans1:4,for(1)herosebyhisownpower,(2)itauthenticatedallhisclaimswithrespecttohimself.

3rd.IntheresurrectionofChristtheFatherpubliclydeclaredhisapprobationandacceptanceofChrist’sworkassuretyofhispeople.—Romans4:25.

4th.IfChristhasrisen,wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather.—Romans8:34;Hebrews9:11,12,24.

5th.IfChristberaised,wehaveassuranceofeternallife;ifhelives,weshalllivealso.—John14:19;1Peter1:3–5.

6th.OwingtotheunionbetweenChristandhismembers,whichisbothfederalandspiritual,hisresurrectionsecuresours,(1)because,aswediedinAdam,sowemustliveinChrist,1Corinthians15:21,22;(2)becauseofhisSpirit,thatdwellethinus.—Romans8:11;1Corinthians6:15;1Thessalonians4:14.

7th.Christ’sresurrectionillustratesanddeterminesthenatureofourresurrectionaswellassecuresit.—1Corinthians15:49;Philippians3:21;1John3:2.Dr.Hodge.

30.When,atwhatplace,andinwhosepresencedidChristascend?

Heascendedfortydaysafterhisresurrection,fromaportionoftheMountofOlives,neartothevillageofBethany,inthepresenceoftheelevenapostles,andpossiblyofotherdisciples,whilehewasintheactofblessingthem,andwhiletheybeheldhim,andwerelookingsteadfastly.Lukesays,moreover,thatthereweretwoglorifiedmenpresent,whoareconjecturedbyProfessorJ.A.AlexandertohavebeenMosesandElijah.Hewasattendedalsowithangelscelebratinghisvictoryoversin,andhis

exaltationtohismediatorialthrone.—Luke24:50,51;Mark16:19;Acts1:9–11;Ephesians4:8;Colossians2:13–15;Psalm24:7–10;68:18.

31.WhatarethedifferentopinionsastothenatureofChrist’sascension?

Thosewho,astheLutherans,believethatChrist’sbodyisomnipresenttohischurch,ofcourse,maintainthathisascensionconsistednotinanylocalchange,butinthewithdrawalofhisformersensibleintercoursewithhisdisciples.

Itiscertain,however,thathishumansoulandbodydidactuallypassupfromearthtotheabodeoftheblessed,andthathisentireperson,astheGod–man,wasgloriouslyexalted.HeascendedasMediator,triumphingoverhisenemies,andgivinggiftstohisfriends,Ephesians4:8–12;tocompletehismediatorialJohn14:2,3;astheForerunnerofhispeople,Hebrews6:20;andtofilltheuniversewiththemanifestationsofhis.gloryandpower.—Ephesians4:10.

32.WhatisincludedinChrist’ssittingattherighthandoftheFather?

SeePsalm110:1;Mark16:19;Romans8:34;Ephesians1:20,22;Colossians3:1;Hebrews1:3,4;10:12;1Peter3:22.

Thislanguageisevidentlyfigurative,yetitveryexpressivelysetsforththesupremeglorificationofChristinheaven.ItpresentshimastheGod–man,andinhisofficeasMediatorexaltedtosupremeanduniversalglory,felicity,andpoweroverallprincipalitiesandpowers,andeverynamethatisnamed.—Hebrews2:9;Psalm16:11;Matthew26:64;Daniel7:13,14;Philippians2:9,11;John5:22;

Revelation5:6.ThuspubliclyassuminghisthroneasmediatorialPriestandKingovertheuniverseforthebenefitofhischurch.

SEATEDUPONTHATTHRONEHE,DURINGTHEPRESENTDISPENSATION,ASMEDIATOR,EFFECTUALLYAPPLIESTOHISPEOPLE,THROUGHHISSPIRIT,THATSALVATIONWHICHHEHAD

PREVIOUSLYACHIEVEDFOBTHEMINHISESTATEOFHUMILIATION.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFDOCTRINES

ROMANDOCTRINE.—"Cat.Conc.Trent,"Pt.1,ch.6.—"Thereforeweprofessthat,immediatelyChristwasdead,hissouldescendedintohell...Butinthesewordsweatthesametimeconfess,thatthesamepersonofChristwasatthesametime,inhellandinthesepulchre,for...althoughhissouldepartedfromhisbody,hisdivinitywasneverseparatedeitherfromsoulorbody...Theword"hell"signifiesthosehiddenabodesinwhicharedetainedsoulsthathavenotattainedheavenlybliss...Theseabodeswerenotallofthesamekind...AthirdsortofreceptacleisthatinwhichwerereceivedthesoulsofthesaintswhodiedbeforethecomingofChristourLord;andwhere,withoutanysenseofpain,sustainedbytheblessedhopeofredemption,theyenjoyedatranquilabode.Thesouls,then,ofthesepiousmen,whointhebosomofAbrahamwereexpectingtheSaviour;ChristtheLordliberated,descendingintohell....Hedescendednottosufferaughtbuttoliberatefromthemiserablewearinessofthatcaptivitytheholyandthejust,andtoimparttothemthefruitofhispassion."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE."FormulaConcordiœ"(Hase),p.788.—"Thereforewebelievesimply,thattheentireperson,Godandman,afterburialdescendedtothelowerregions,overcameSatan,overthrewtheinfernalpowers,andtookawayfromthedevilallforceandauthority."Pp.767,768.—"Byvirtueofthispersonalunionandcommunion,heproducedallhismiracles,andmanifestedhisdivinemajesty,accordingtoamostfreewill,whenandinwhatmannerseemedgoodtohim,notonlyafterhisresurrectionandascensiontoheaven,buteveninhisstateofhumiliation.Indeedhehadthismajestyimmediatelyuponhisconception,eveninthewombofhismother;butastheapostlespeaks(Philippians2:8),heemptiedhimself;andasDr.Lutherteaches,hehadthismajestysecretlyinthestateofhishumiliation,nordidheuseitalways,butasoftenasseemedtohimgood.Butnow,afterhehas,notinacommonmannerlikeanyotherholyperson,ascendedintotheheavens;but,astheApostletestifies(Ephesians4:10),hasascendedaboveallheavens,andtrulyfillsallthings,andeverywherepresent,notonlyas

God,butalsoasman,rulesandreignsfromseatosea,andeventotheendsoftheearth....

Thesethings,however,werenotdoneinanearthlymanner,but,asDr.Lutherwasaccustomedtosay,inthewayandmanneroftherighthandofGod(promodoetrationedexteroeDei),whichisnotanyfixedandlimitedplaceinheaven,butsignifiesnothingelsethantheomnipotentpowerofGodwhichfillsheavenandearth—intopossessionofwhichChristreallyandtrulycomesastohishumanitywithoutanyconfusionorequalizingofhisnatures(divineandhuman),eitherastotheiressencesoressentialattributes."

1.CaseofUpdegraffu.TheCommonwealthofPenna.,11S.andR.400beforeSupremeCourt,JusticesDuncan,Tilghman,andGibson,1824.

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Chapter28:EffectualCalling

TheApplicationofRedemptionaccomplishedbyChristasMediatorialKingthroughthePersonalAgencyoftheHolyGhost.

1.WhatistheNewTestamentusageofthewordsκαλέιν(tocall),κλῆσις(calling),andκλητός(thecalled)?

καλείνisusedinthesense,1st,ofcallingwiththevoice,John10:3;Mark1:20;2nd,ofcallingforth,tosummonauthoritatively,Acts4:18;24:2;3rd,ofinviting,Matthew22:3;9:13;1Timothy6:12.Manyarecalled,butfewchosen.4th.OftheeffectualcalloftheSpirit.—Romans8:28–30;1Peter2:9;5:10.

5th.Ofanappointmenttooffice.—Hebrews5:4.6th.Inthesenseofnaming,Matt.1:21;κλῆσιςoccurseleventimesintheNewTestament,ineachinstanceitsignifiestheeffectualcalloftheHolySpirit,withtheexceptionof1Corinthians7:20,whereitisusedassynonymouswithbusinessortrade.

SeeRomans11:29;1Corinthians1:26,etc.—Robinson’s"Lex."

κλητόςoccurstentimesintheNewTestament.Itisusedtosignify—1st.Thoseappointedtoanyoffice.—Romans1:1.2nd.Thosewhoreceivetheexternalcalloftheword.—Matthew20:16.3rd.Theeffectuallycalled.—Romans1:7;8:28;1Corinthians1:2,24;Jude1:;Revelation17:14.

Theverywordἐκκλησία(church)designatingthecompanyofthefaithful,theheirsofallthepromises,signifies,etymologically,thecompanycalledforth,thebodyconstitutedby"thecalling."

2.Whatisincludedintheexternalcall?

1st.Adeclarationoftheplanofsalvation.2nd.Adeclarationofdutyonthepartofthesinnertorepentandbelieve.3rd.Adeclarationofthemotiveswhichoughttoinfluencethesinner’smind,suchasfearorhope,remorseorgratitude.4th.Apromiseofacceptanceinthecaseofallthosewhocomplywiththeconditions.—Dr.Hodge.

3.HowcanitbeprovedthattheexternalcalltosalvationismadeonlythroughthewordofGod?

ThelawofGod,asimpresseduponthemoralconstitutionofman,isnatural,andinseparablefrommanasamoralresponsibleagent.—Romans1:19,20;2:14,15.Butthegospelisnopartoftthatnaturallaw.

Itisofgrace,notofnature,anditcanbemadeknowntousonlybyaspecialandsupernaturalrevelation.

Thisisfurtherevident,1st,becausetheScripturesdeclarethataknowledgeofthewordisessentialtosalvation,Romans10:14–17;and,2nd,becausetheyalsodeclarethatthosewhoneglecttheword,eitherwrittenorpreached,areguiltyoftheeminentsinofrejectingallpossibilityofsalvation.—Matthew11:21,22;Hebrews2:3.

4.Onwhatprincipleisthisexternalcalladdressedequallytothenon–electaswellastotheelect?

Thatitisaddressedindiscriminatelytobothclassesisproved—1st.FromtheexpressdeclarationofScripture.—Matthew22:14.2nd.Thecommandtopreachthegospeltoeverycreature.—Mark16:15.

3rd.Thepromisetoeveryonewhoacceptsit.—Revelation22:17.4th.Theawfuljudgmentpronounceduponthosewhorejectit.—John3:19;16:9.

Itisaddressedtothenon–electequallywiththeelect,becauseitisequallytheirdutyandinteresttoacceptthegospel,becausetheprovisionsofsalvationareequallysuitedtotheircase,andabundantlysufficientforall,andbecauseGodintendsthatitsbenefitsshallactuallyaccruetoeveryonewhoacceptsit.

5.Howcanitbeprovedthatthereisaninternalspiritualcalldistinctfromanexternalone?

1st.FromthosepassageswhichdistinguishtheSpirit’sinfluencefromthatoftheword.—John6:45,64,65;1Thessalonians1:5,6.2nd.ThosepassageswhichteachthattheSpirit’sinfluenceisnecessarytothereceptionofthetruth.—Ephesians1:17.3rd.ThosethatreferallgoodinmantoGod.—Philippians2:13;Ephesians2:8;2Timothy2:25,e.g.,faithandrepentance.4th.TheScripturedistinguishesbetweenthetwocalls;ofthesubjectsoftheoneitissaid,"manyarecalledandfewarechosen,"ofthesubjectsoftheotheritissaid,"whomhecalled,themhealsojustified."Oftheonehesays,"BecauseIhavecalled,andyehaverefused."—Proverbs1:24.Oftheotherhesays,"EverymanthereforewhohathheardandhathlearnedoftheFathercomethuntome."—John6:45.5th.Thereisanabsolutenecessityforsuchaninternal,spiritualcall,manbynatureis"blind"and"dead"intrespassesandsins.—1Corinthians2:14;2

Corinthians4:4;Ephesians2:1.

6.WhatisthePelagianviewoftheinternalcall?

Pelagiansdenyoriginalsin,andmaintainthatrightandwrongarequalitiesattachingonlytoexecutiveactsofthewill.Theytherefore

assert—1st.Thefullabilityofthefreewillofmanasmuchtoceasefromsinatanytimeastocontinueinitspractice.2nd.ThattheHolySpiritproducesnoinwardchangeintheheartofthesubject,exceptasheistheauthoroftheScriptures,andastheScripturespresentmoraltruthsandmotives,whichoftheirownnatureexertamoralinfluenceuponthesoul.Theydeny"grace"altogetherintheScripturalsense.

7.WhatistheSemipelagianview?

ThesemaintainthatgraceisnecessarytoenableamansuccessfullytoreturnuntoGodandlive.Yetthatfromtheverynatureofthehumanwillmanmustfirstofhimselfdesiretobefreefromsin,andtochooseGodashischiefgood,whenhemayexpectGod’saidincarryinghisdesiresintoeffect.Theydenyprevenientgrace,butadmitco–operativegrace.

8.WhatistheArminianview?

TheArminiansadmitthedoctrineofman’stotaldepravity,andthatinconsequencethereofmanisutterlyunabletodoanythingarightintheunaidedexerciseofhisnaturalfaculties.Nevertheless,asChristdiedequallyforeveryman,sufficientgrace,enablingitssubjecttodoallthatisrequiredofhim,isgrantedtoall.Whichsufficientgracebecomesefficientonlywhenitisco–operatedwithandimprovedbythesinner.—"Apol.ConfessionRemonstr.,"p.162,b.;Limborch,"Theo.Christ.,"4,12,8.

9.WhatisthedoctrineonthissubjecttaughtbytheSymbolsoftheLutheranChurch?

TheyagreeabsolutelywiththeReformedorCalvinists—1st.Thatallmenarebynaturespirituallydead,utterlyunableeithertocommencetoturntoGod,ortoco–operatewithhisgracetothatendpriortoregeneration.2nd.ThatthegraciousoperationoftheHolySpiritonthehumansoulisthesoleefficientcausewhichquickensthedeadsoultolife.Hence—3rd.Thefoundationuponwhichthesalvationofbelieversrestsistheeternal,graciouselectionofGodtosalvation.Theyrefusehowevertotakethenextstep,andacknowledgethatthereasonunbelieversare

notquickenedisduetotheequallysovereignwithholdingofregeneratinggrace.Theyinsistuponattributingitsolelytothecriminalresistancetothegrace,oftheinitialstagesofwhichallarethesubjects.—"FormulaConcordiæ,"Hase,pp.579-583,662-666,817-821.

AandBarealikesinners,AbelievesandBremainsareprobate.ThePelagiansays,becauseAwilledtobelieveandBtoreject.TheSemipelagiansays,becauseAcommencedtostriveandwashelper,andBmadenoeffort.TheArminiansays,becauseAco–operatedwithcommongrace,andBdidnotTheLutheransays,bothwereutterlyunabletoco–operate,butBpersistentlyresistedgrace,andAultimatelyyielded.TheCalvinistsays,becauseAwasregeneratedbythenewcreativepowerofGod’sSpirit,andBwasnot.

10.WhatistheSynergisticviewofthispoint?

AtthecallofMaurice,thenewelectorofSaxony,thedivinesofWittemburgandLeipsicassembledatLeipsic,AD1548,inconference,andonthatoccasiontheSynergisticcontroversyarose.Thetermsignifiesco-operation.TheSynergistswereLutherantheologians,whodepartedfromtheirownsystemonthisonesubject,andadoptedthepositionoftheArminians.Melanchthontaughtthat"thereconcurthreecausesofagoodaction,thewordofGod,theHolySpirit,andthehumanwillassenting,notresisting,thewordofGod.""LociCommunes,"p.90.

11.WhatisthecommondoctrineoftheReformedChurchesastotheinternalcall?

Thatitisanexerciseofthedivinepoweruponthesoul,immediate,spiritual,andsupernatural,communicatinganewspirituallife,andthusmarringanewmodeofspiritualactivitypossible.Thatrepentance,faith,trust,hope,love,etc.,arepurelyandsimplythesinner’sownacts;butassucharepossibletohimonlyinvirtueofthechangewroughtinthemoralconditionofhisfacultiesbytherecreativepowerofGod.—See"ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.10.,Sections1and2.

Commongraceprecedingregenerationmakesasuperficialmoralimpressionuponcharacterandactionbutisgenerallyresisted.The

actofgracewhichregenerates,operatingwithinthespontaneousenergiesofthesoulandchangingtheircharacter,canneitherbeco–operatedwithnorresisted.Buttheinstantthesoulisregenerateditbeginstoco–operatewithandsometimes,alas!alsotoresistsubsequentgraciousinfluencesprevenientandco–operative.Butuponthewholeandintheendgracepreserves,overcomes,andsaves.RegenerationisstyledbytheReformedTheologiansConversiohabitualisseupassiva,i.e.,thechangeofcharacterineffectingwhichthesoulisthesubject,andnottheagentofaction.ConversiontheystyleConversioactualisseuactiva,i.e.,theinstantlyconsequentchangeofactioninwhichthesoulstillpromptedandaidedbygraceistheonlyagent.

12.WhatdiversityofopinionprevailsamongtheRomanistsuponthissubject?

ThedisciplesofAugustineinthatchurch,ofwhomtheJansenistswerethemostprominent,areorthodox,butthesehavebeenalmostuniversallyoverthrown,andsupplantedbytheirenemiestheJesuits,whoareSemipelagians.TheCouncilofTrentattemptedtosatisfybothparties.—"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6,Can.3and4.ThedoctrinesofQuesnel,whoadvocatedthetruthonthissubject,werecondemnedintheBull"Unigenitus,"AD.1713.Bellarmintaughtthatthesamegraceisgiventoeveryman,which,bytheeventonly,isprovedpracticallycongruoustothenatureofoneman,andthereforeinhiscaseefficacious,andincongruoustothenatureofanother,andthereforeinhiscaseineffectual.

13.Whatismeantby"commongrace,"andhowmayitbeshownthattheSpiritdoesoperateuponthemindsofthosewhoarenotrenewedinheart?

"Commongrace"istherestrainingandpersuadinginfluencesoftheHolySpiritactingonlythroughthetruthrevealedinthegospel,orthroughthenaturallightofreasonandofconscience,heighteningthenaturalmoraleffectofsuchtruthupontheunderstanding,conscience,andheart.Itinvolvesnochangeofheart,butsimplyanenhancementofthenaturalpowersofthetruth,arestraintoftheevilpassions,andanincreaseofthenaturalemotionsinviewofsin,duty,andself-interest.

ThatGoddoessooperateupontheheartsoftheunregenerateisproved,1st,fromScripture,Genesis6:3;Acts7:51;Hebrews10:29;2nd,fromuniversalexperienceandobservation.

14.Howdoescommondifferfromefficaciousgrace?

1st.Astoitssubjects.Allmenaremoreorlessthesubjectsoftheone;onlytheelectaresubjectsoftheother.—Romans8:30;11:7;2Thessalonians2:13.

2nd.Astoitsnature.Commongraceisonlymediate,throughthetruth,anditismerelymoral,heighteningthemoralinfluencenaturaltothetruth,andexcitingonlythenaturalpowersofthesoul,bothrationalandmoral.Buteffectivegraceisimmediateandsupernatural,sinceitiswroughtdirectlyinthesoulbytheimmediateenergyoftheHolyGhost,andsinceitimplantsanewspirituallife,andacapacityforanewmodeofexercisingthenaturalfaculties.

3rd.Astoitseffects.Theeffectsofcommongracearesuperficialandtransient,modifyingtheaction,butnotchangingthenature,anditsinfluenceisalwaysmoreorlessconsciouslyresisted,asopposedtotheprevailingdispositionsofthesoul.Butefficaciousgrace,sinceitactsnotuponbutinthewillitself,changingthegoverningdesires,andgivinganewdirectiontotheactivepowersofthesoul,isneitherresistiblenorirresistible,butmostfree,spontaneous,andyetmostcertainlyeffectual.

15.Howcanitbeprovedthatthisefficaciousgraceisconfinedtotheelect?

1st.TheScripturesrepresenttheelectasthecalled,andthecalledastheelect.—Romans8:28,30;Revelation17:14.2nd.Thiseffectualcallingissaidtobebaseduponthedecreeofelection,2Thessalonians2:13,14;2Timothy1:9,10.3rd.Sanctification,justification,andallthetemporalandeternalbenefitsofunionwithChristaredeclaredtobetheeffectsofeffectualcalling.—1Corinthians1:2;Ephesians2:5;Romans8:30.

16.ProvethatitisgivenonaccountofChrist?

1st.AllspiritualblessingsaregivenonaccountofChrist.Ephesians1:3;Titus3:5,6.2nd.TheScripturesspecificallydeclarethatwearecalledinChrist.—Romans8:2;Ephesians2:4–6,2Timothy1:9.

17.Whatismeantbysayingthatthisdivineinfluenceisimmediateandsupernatural?

Itismeant,1st,todeny,(1)thatitconsistssimplyinthemoralinfluenceofthetruth;(2)thatitconsistssimplyinthemoralinfluenceoftheSpirit,heighteningthemoralinfluenceofthetruthasobjectivelypresented;(3)thatitexcitesthemerenaturalpowersofthesoul.Itismeant,2nd,toaffirm,(1)thattheHolySpiritactsimmediatelyuponthesoulfromwithin;(2)thattheHolySpirit,byanexerciseofrecreativepower,implantsanewmoralnatureorprincipleofaction.

18.WhatargumentsgotoshowthatthereisanimmediateinfluenceoftheSpiritonthesoul,besidesthatwhichisexertedthroughthetruth?

1st.TheinfluenceoftheSpiritisdistinguishedfromthatoftheword.—John6:45,64,65;Romans15:13;1Corinthians2:12–15;1Thessalonians1:5,6.

2nd.Adivineinfluenceisdeclaredtobenecessarytothereceptionofthetruth.—Psalm119:18;Acts16:14;Ephesians1:17.

3rd.SuchaninternaloperationontheheartisattributedtoGod.—Philippians2:13;2Thessalonians1:11;Hebrews13:21.

4th.ThegiftoftheSpiritisdistinguishedfromthegiftoftheword.—John14:16;1Corinthians3:16;6:19;Ephesians4:30.

5th.Thenatureofthisinfluenceisevidentlydifferentfromthateffectedbythetruth.—Ephesians1:19;3:7.Andtheeffectiscalleda"newcreation,""newbirth,"etc.,etc.

6th.Manbynatureisdeadinsin,andneedssuchadirectinterventionofsupernaturalpower.—Turretin,"Theo.Instits.,"50.15.,Quæstio4.

19.WhatarethedifferentreasonsassignedforcallingthisgraceEFFICACIOUS?

1st.TheJesuitsandtheArminians,holdingthatallmenreceivesufficientgracetoenablethemtoobeythegospeliftheywill,maintainthatthisgracebecomesefficaciouswhenitisco–operatedwithbythewilloftheindividual,andinanycaseisprovedtobesuchonlybytheevent.

2nd.Bellarmin,andothers,maintainthatthesamegracegiventoalliscongruoustothemoralnatureofoneman,andnthatcaseefficacious,andincongruoustothenatureofanother,andinhiscaseineffectual.

3rd.SomeRomanistshavemaintainedwhatiscalledthedoctrineofcumulativeinfluence.Theconsentofthesoulissecuredbythesuasiveinfluenceofthespirit,renderedeffectualbyconstantrepetitionandlongcontinuance.

4th.Theorthodoxdoctrineisthattheefficacyofthisgraceisinherentinitsverynature,becauseitistheexerciseofthemightypowerofGodintheexecutionofhiseternalandunchangeablechangeablepurpose.

20.Inwhatsenseisgraceirresistible?

ItmustberememberedthatthetrueChristianisthesubjectatthesametimeofthosemoralandmediateinfluencesofgraceuponthewill,commontohimandtotheunconverted,andalsoofinfluencesofgracewithinthewill,whicharecertainlyefficacious.ThefirstclassofinfluencesChristiansmay,andconstantlydoresist,throughthelawofsinremainingintheirmembers.Thesecondclassofinfluencesarecertainlyefficacious,butareneitherresistiblenorirresistible,becausetheyactfromwithinandcarrythewillspontaneouslywiththem.Itistobelamentedthatthetermirresistiblegracehaseverbeenused,sinceitsuggeststheideaofamechanicalandcoerciveinfluenceuponanunwillingsubject,while,intruth,itisthetranscendentactoftheinfiniteCreator,makingthecreaturespontaneouslywilling.

21.Howcanthisgraceteeprovedtobecertainlyefficacious?

1st.Bytheevidencewehavegivenabove,astoitsnature,astheimmediateoperationofthemightypowerofGod.

2nd.Bythedescriptionoftheworkofgrace.Menbynatureare"blind,""dead,""slaves,"etc.Thechangeeffectedisa"newcreation,"etc.

3rd.FromthepromisesofGod,whicharecertain.Themeanswhichheusestovindicatehisownfaithfulnessmustbeefficacious.—Ezekiel36:26;11:19;John6:45.

4th.FromtheconnectionassertedbyScripturebetweencallingandelection.Thecalledaretheelect.AsGod’sdecreesarecertain,thecallmustbeefficacious.—Seeabove,Question15.

5th.FaithandrepentancearethegiftsofGod,andhewhotrulyrepentsandbelievesissaved.Therefore,thegracewhichcommunicatesthosegiftsiseffectual.—Ephesians2:8;Acts11:18;2Timothy2:25.

22.Howmayitbeprovedthatthisinfluenceiscongruouswithournature?

WhilediscardingutterlythedistinctionmadebyBellarmin(forwhichseeabove,Question19),wesaythatefficaciousgraceiscongruoustohumannatureassuch,inthesensethattheSpiritofGod,whileexertinganimmediateandrecreativeinfluenceuponthesoul,neverthelessactsinperfectconsistencywiththeintegrityofthoselawsofourfree,rational,andmoralnature,whichhehashimselfconstituted.

Eveninthemiraculousrecreationofthenewbirth,heactsuponourreasonsanduponourwillsinperfectaccordancewiththeconstitutionofeach.Thisiscertain.1st.ThesameGodcreatesandrecreateshisobjectisnottodestroy,buttorestorehisownwork.2nd.TheScripturesandourownexperienceteachthattheimmediatelyconsequentactsofthesoulintheexerciseofimplantedgrace,arepre–eminentlyrationalandfree.Infact,thesoulneveractednormallybefore.

—Psalm110:3;2Corinthians3:17;Philippians2:13.3rd.Thisdivineinfluenceisdescribedbysuchtermsas"drawing,""teaching,""enlightening."—John6:44,45;Ephesians1:18.

23.WhatdotheScripturesteachastotheconnectionofthisinfluencewiththetruth?

Inthecaseoftheregenerationofinfantsthetruth,ofcourse,isnotused.Intieregenerationofadultsthetruthisalwayspresent.IntheactofregenerationtheSpiritactsimmediatelyuponthesoul,andchangesitssubjectivestate,whilethetruthistheobjectconsciouslyapprehended,uponwhichthenewfacultiesofspiritualdiscernmentandthenewaffectionsareexercised.TheSpiritgivessight,thetruthisthelightdiscerned.TheSpiritgivesfeeling,thetruthpresentstheobjectbeloved.—Romans10:14,17;James1:18;John17:17.

24.WhatreasonmaybeassignedforthebeliefthattheSpiritdoesnotrenewthoseadultstowhomthetruthisnotknown?

Negatively.TheBibleneverleadsustoexpectsuchanextensionofgrace,andneithertheScripturesnorourownexperienceamongthemodernheatheneverpresentuswithanyexamplesofsuchawork.

Positively.TheScripturesalwaysassociateallspiritualinfluencewiththetruth,anddeclarethenecessityofpreachingthetruthtotheendofsavingsouls.—Romans10:14.

25.WhataretheobjectionstotheArminiandoctrineofsufficientgrace?

TheyholdthatGodhaswilledthesalvationofallmen,andthereforehascalledallalike,givingtoallagracesufficient,iftheywillimproveit.

Weobject—1st.Theexternalcallofthegospelhasbeenextendedtocomparativelyfew.Theheathenareresponsiblewiththelightofnature,andunderthelawofworks,yettheyhavenomeansof

grace.—Romans1:18–20;2:12–15.

2nd.ThisdoctrineisinconsistentwithGod’spurposeofelection.—Seeabove,Chapter11.

3rd.AccordingtotheArminiansystemitdependsuponthefree–willofthemantomakethesufficientgraceofGodcommontoallmenefficientinhiscase.ButtheScripturesdeclarethatsalvationisaltogetherofgrace,andagiftofGod.—Ephesians2:8;2Timothy2:25;Romans9:15,16.

4th.TheScripturesexpresslydeclarethatnotevenallwhoreceivetheexternalcallhavesufficientgrace.—Romans9:16–24;11:8.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFDOCTRINE

ROMANDOCTRINE.—"Conc.Trent,"Sess.6,c.1.—"Ifanyonesaiththatamancanbejustified(byjustificationtheymeantheremovalofsinandinfusionofagracioushabitofsoul)byhisownworks,whetherdonethroughtheteachingofhumannature,orthatofthelaw,withoutthegraceofGodthroughJesusChristlethimbeanathema.a.2.—Ifanyonesaith,thatthegraceofGod,throughJesusChrist,isgivenonlyforthis,thatmanmaybeablemoreeasilytolivejustly,andtomeriteternallife,asif,byfree–willwithoutgrace,hewereabletodoboth,thoughhardlyindeedandwithdifficulty,lethimbeanathema.C.3.—Ifanyonesaith,thatwithoutprevenientinspirationoftheHolyGhost,andwithouthishelp,mancanbelieve,hope,love,orbepenitentasheought,soasthatthegraceofjustificationmaybebestoweduponhim;lethimbeanathema.a.4.—Ifanyonesaysthatman’sfree–willmovedandexcitedbyGod,byassentingtoGodexcitingandcalling,nowiseco–operatestowardsdisposingandpreparingitselfforobtainingthegraceofjustification;thatitcannotrefuseitsconsent,ifitwould,butthatassomethinginanimateitdoesnothingwhatever,andismerelypassive;lethimbeanathema.Can.5.—IfanyonesaiththatsinceAdam’ssin,thefree–willofmanislostandextinguished;orthatitisathingwithonlyaname,yeaanamewithoutareality,afigmentinfineintroducedintotheworldbySatan,lethimbeanathema."

DOCTRINEOFTHEGREEKCHURCH.—"Jerem.inAct.Witem."—"Evenafterthefallnothinghindersmanfromturningawayfromthebad,andsuperinduceduponthis,doinggoodandchoosingtheright,asonewhohasfree–will....Fromalltheseitisplain,thatitisourparttoawakeandtoobey,andwehaveabilitytochoosethegoodaswellasthebad.Weneedonlyonething,i.e.,God’shelp,inordertosucceedinthegoodandbesaved,andwithoutthishelpwehavenostrengthtofinishthework."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.—"Form.Concordiae,"p.662.—"Butbeforemanisenlightened,converted,regenerated,anddrawnbytheHolySpirit,heisnotableofhimself,andbyhisownnaturalpowers,inthingsspiritualand(tendingtohisownconversionandregeneration,tobegin,toproduceortoco–operateinanything,anymorethanisastoneastockoraclod."Ib.p.589.—"WhatDoctorLutherwrote—‘Thatthewillofmanholdsitselfpurelypassiveinconversion,’mustbereceivedrightlyandfittingly,towit,withrespecttodivinegraceenkindlingthenewmovements,thatis,itoughttobeunderstoodconcerningthat,whentheSpiritofGodactsuponthewillofmanbythewordheard,orbytheuseofthesacraments,andproducesinmanconversionandregeneration.ForaftertheHolySpirithaswroughtthisverythingandhasbyhisowndivineenergyalonechangedandrenewedthewillofman;then,indeed,thisnewwillisaninstrumentoftheHolySpiritofGod,sothatitmaynotonlylayholdofgrace,butalsoco–operatewiththeHolySpiritintheworksfollowing."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.—"ConfessionFaith,"ch.10.,§1.—"AllthosewhomGodhathpredestinateduntolife,andthoseonly,heispleased,inhisappointedandacceptedtime,effectuallytocall,byhiswordandSpirit,outofthatstateofsinanddeath,inwhichtheyarebynature,tograceandsalvationbyJesusChrist;enlighteningtheirminds,spirituallyandsavinglytounderstandthethingsofGod,takingawaytheirheartofstone,andgivinguntothemaheartofflesh;renewingtheirwills,andbyhisalmightypowerdeterminingthemtothatwhichisgood;andeffectuallydrawingthemtoJesusChrist;yetsoastheycomemostfreely,beingmadewillingbyhisgrace."sect.2.—"ThiseffectualcallisofGod’sfreeandspecialgracealone,notfromanythingatallforeseenin

man,whoisaltogetherpassivetherein,until,beingquickenedandrenewedbytheHolySpirit,heistherebyenabledtoanswerthiscallandtoembracethegraceofferedandconveyedinit.""LargerCatechism,"Q.67,"ShorterCatechism,"Q.31.—"CanonsofSynodofDort,"chs.3.and4.,"Rejec.Er.,"Error4.—"(Theyarerenounced)whoteachthatanunregeneratemanisnotstrictlyandtotallydeadinsins,norvoidofallpowerastospiritualgood,butthatheisabletohungerandthirstafterrighteousness,andtoofferthesacrificeofabrokenandcontritespirit,whichisacceptedofGod."Art.12.—"(Regeneration)isplainlysupernatural,amostpowerfulandatthesametimemostgentleoperation,wonderful,secret,andinexpressible,notinferiortoacreation,norlessthanarevivingofthedead;sothatallthose,inwhoseheartsGodworksinthiswonderfulmanner,aresurelyregeneratedinfalliblyandeffectually,andactfaith.Andthenthewill,nowrenewed,isnotonlyactedonandmovedbyGod,butbeingsomoved,alsoitselfacts.Whereforealsomanhimselfisrightlysaid,throughthisreceivedgrace,tobelieveandrepent."

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—"ConfessionRemonstr.,"17,6.—"ThereforewedecidethatthegraceofGodisthebeginning,progress,andcompletionofallgood,sothattheregeneratepersonhimself,isnotabletothink,will,ordoanysavinggood,withoutthispreviousprevenient,exciting,following,andco–operatinggrace."

"Apol.ConfessionRemonstr.,"p.162,b.—"Graceiscalledefficaciousfromtheresult,which,howevercanbetakeninatwofoldsense:First,sothatgracemaybejudgedtohave,ofitself,nopowertoproduceconsentinthewill,butitsentireefficacymaydependuponthehumanwill:or,Secondly,sothatgracemaybejudgedtohaveofitselfsufficientpowertoproduceconsentinthewill,butbecausethispowerispartial,itcannotgooutinactwithouttheco–operationofthefreehumanwillandhence,thatitmayhaveeffect,itdependsonfree–will.TheRemonstrantswishthe"second"tobetakenastheirmeaning."

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Chapter29:Regeneration

1.WhatthevariousScripturetermsbywhichthisworkofGodisdesignated?

1st."Creatinganew."—Ephesians4:24.2nd."Begetting."—James1:18.3rd."Quickening."—John5:21;Ephesians2:5.4th."Callingoutofdarknessintomarvelouslight."—1Peter2:9.Thesubjectsofitaresaid,1st.Tobe"alivefromthedead."Romans6:13.2nd.Tobe"newcreatures."—2Corinthians5:17.3rd.Tobe"bornagain."—John3:3,7.4th.Tobe"God’sworkmanship."—Ephesians2:10.

2.WhatisthePelagianviewofregeneration?

Theyholdthatsincanbepredicatedonlyofvolitions,andthatitisessentialtothelibertyandresponsibilityofmanthatheisalwaysasabletoceasefromastocontinueinsin.Regenerationisthereforeamerereformationoflifeandhabit.Themanwhohaschosentotransgressthelaw,nowchoosestoobeyit.

3.WhatisthedoctrineoftheRomishchurchonthissubject?

TheRomanists,1st,confoundtogetherjustificationandsanctification,marringtheseoneactofGod,whereby,forhisownglory,forChrist’smerits’sake,bytheefficientpowersoftheHolyGhost,andthroughtheinstrumentalityofbaptism,heatoncecancelstheguiltofoursins,anddeliversusfromtheinherentpoweranddefilementoforiginalsin.—"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6,Chap.7.

2nd.Theyholdthedoctrinethatregenerationisaccomplishedonlythroughtheinstrumentalityofbaptism.Thisiseffectualineveryinstanceofitsapplicationtoaninfant.Inthecaseofadultsitsvirtuemaybeeitherresistedandnullified,orreceivedandimproved.Inbaptism(1)sinsareforgiven;(2)themoralnatureofthesubjectisrenewed,(3)heismadeasonandheirofGod.—"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.2.

4.WhatarethedifferentviewsastobaptismalregenerationentertainedintheChurchofEngland?

1st.ThetheoryofthepartystyledPuseyite,whichisessentiallythesamewiththatoftheRomishchurch.

TheyholdingeneralthattheHolySpirit,throughtheinstrumentalityofbaptism,implantsagermofspirituallifeinthesoul,whichmaylongremainlatent,andmaybesubsequentlydeveloped,orblasted.

2nd.ThatofalargepartymostablyrepresentedbythelateBishopH.U.Underdonk,inhis"EssayonRegeneration,"Phila.,1835.Hemaintainedthattherearetwodistinctregenerations;oneachangeofstateorrelation,andtheotherachangeofnature.Thefirstisbaptismal,thesecondmoral,thoughbotharespiritualinsofarasbotharewroughtbytheHolyGhost.Thefirstorbaptismalregenerationisanewbirth,sinceitconstitutesussonsofGod,astheJewsweremadehispeculiarpeoplebythatcovenant,thesealofwhichwascircumcisionThesecondisanewbirth,orcreationinahighersense,beingagradualsanctifyingchangewroughtinthewholemoralcharacterbytheHolyGhost,andnotnecessarilyconnectedwithbaptism.

5.WhatviewofregenerationisheldbythoseinAmericawhomaintainthe"ExerciseScheme"?

Thesetheologiansdenytheexistenceinthesoulofanypermanentmoralhabitsordispositions,andadmittheexistenceonlyofthesouloragentandhisactsor"exercises."Inthenaturalmantheseriesofactsarewhollydepraved.IntheregeneratedmananewseriesofholyactsarecreatedbytheHolyGhost,andcontinuedbyhispower.—Emmons,Sermon64.,onthe"NewBirth."

6.WhatistheNewHavenview,advocatedbyDr.N.W.Taylor,onthissubject?

Dr.Tayloragreedwiththeadvocatesofthe"ExerciseScheme,"thatthereisnothinginthesoulbuttheagentandhisactions;buthedifferedfromthembyholdingthatmanandnotGodistheindependentauthorofhumanactions.HeheldthatwhenGodandtheworldisheldupbeforethemind,regenerationconsistsinanactofthesinnerinchoosing

Godashischiefgood,thusconfoundingregenerationandconversionTheHolySpirit,insomeunknownway,assistsinrestrainingtheactiveoperationofthenatural,selfishprinciplewhichpreferstheworldasitschiefgood."AmindthusdetachedfromtheworldasitssupremegoodinstantlychoosesGodforitsportion,undertheimpulseofthatinherentdesireforhappiness,withoutwhichnoobjectcouldeverberegardedasgood,aseitherdesirableorlovely."ThisoriginalmotivetothatchoiceofGodwhichisregenerationismerelynatural,andneithermorallygoodnorbad.Thus—1st.Regenerationisman’sownact.2nd.TheHolySpirithelpsman,(1)bysuspendingthecontrollingpowerofhissinful,selfishdisposition;(2)bypresentingtohismindintheclearlightoftruththesuperiorityofGodasanobjectofchoice.3rd.ThenthesinnerchoosesGodashischiefgoodundertheconvictionofhisunderstanding,andfromamotiveofnatural,thoughnotsinful,self–love,whichistobedistinguishedfromselfishness,whichisoftheessenceofsin.—See"ChristianSpectator,"December,1829,pp.693,694,etc.

7.WhatisthecommondoctrineheldbyevangelicalChristians?

1st.Thatthereareinthesoul,besidesitsseveralfaculties,habits,ordispositions,ofwhichsomeareinnateandothersareacquired,whichlaythefoundationforthesoul’sexercisingitsfacultiesinsomeparticularway.Thusweintuitivelyjudgeaman’smoraldispositiontobepermanentlyevilwhenweseehimhabituallyactingsinfully,ortobepermanentlygoodwhenweseehimhabituallyactingrighteously.

2nd.Thesedispositionsareanteriortomoralaction,anddetermineitscharacterasgoodorevil.

3rd.IncreationGodmadethedispositionofAdam’sheartholy.

4th.InthenewcreationGodrecreatesthegoverningdispositionoftheregeneratedman’sheartholy.

Itis,therefore,properlycalleda"regeneration,"a"newcreation,"a"newbirth."

8.Whenitissaidthatregenerationconsistsingivinganewheart,orinimplantinganewprincipleordisposition,whatismeantbytheterms"heart,""principle,"or"disposition"?

PresidentEdwardssays,"Byaprincipleofnatureinthisplace,Imeanthatfoundationwhichislaidinnature,eitheroldornew,foranyparticularkindorbannerofexerciseofthefacultiesofthesoul.Sothisnew‘spiritualsense’isnotanewfacultyofunderstanding,butitisanewfoundationlaidinthenatureofthesoulforanewkindofexerciseofthesamefacultyofunderstanding.Sothatnewholydispositionofheartthatattendsthisnewsenseisnotanewfacultyofwill,butafoundationlaidinthenatureofthesoulforanewkindofexerciseofthesamefacultyofwill."—Edwardson"ReligiousAffections,"Pt.3.,sec.1.

Theterm"heart,"signifyingthatprevailingmoraldispositionthatdeterminesthevolitionsandactions,isthephrasemostcommonlyusedinScripture.—Matthew12:33,35;15:19;Luke6:43,45.

9.Howmayitbeshownthatthisviewofregenerationdoesnotrepresentitasinvolvinganychangeintheessenceofthesoul?

Thischargeisbroughtagainsttheorthodoxdoctrinebyallthosewhodenythatthereisanythinginthesoulbutitsconstitutionalfacultiesandtheirexercises.Theyhencearguethatifanythingbechangedexceptthemereexercisesofthesoul,itsfundamentalconstitutionwouldbephysicallyaltered.Inoppositiontothis,wearguethatwehavepreciselythesameevidencefortheexistenceofapermanentmoralqualityordispositioninherentinthewill,asthereasonwhyagoodmanactshabitually

righteously,orabadmanviciously,thatwehavefortheexistenceoftheinvisiblesoulitself,orofanyofitsfaculties,asthereasonwhyamanactsatall,orwhyhisactionsaresuchasthought,emotion,volition.ItisnotpossibleforustoconceiveofthechoicebeingproducedinusbytheHolySpiritinmorethanthreeways:"First,hisdirectagencyinproducingthechoice,inwhichcaseitwouldbenoactofours.Second,

byaddressingsuchmotivestoourconstitutionalandnaturalprinciplesofself–loveaswouldinduceustomakethechoice,inwhichcasetherewouldbenomoralityintheact.Or,thirdly,byproducingsucharelishforthedivinecharacter,thatthesoulasspontaneouslyandimmediatelyrejoicesinGodasitsportionasitrejoicesintheperceptionofbeauty."

"IfourMakercanendowus,notonlywiththegeneralsusceptibilityoflove,butalsowithaspecificdispositiontoloveourchildren;ifhecangiveusadiscernmentandsusceptibilityofnaturalbeauty,hemaygiveusatasteforspiritualloveliness.Andifthattaste,byreasonofsin,isvitiatedandperverted,hemayrestoreitbymeansofhisspiritinregeneration."—Hodge’sEssays.

10.Inwhatsensemaythesoulbesaidtobepassiveinregeneration?

Dr.TaylormaintainsthatregenerationisthatactofthesoulinwhichmanchoosesGodashisportion.

Thus,themanhimself,andnotGod,istheagent.

ButtheChristianchurch,onthecontrary,holdsthatinregenerationtheHolyGhostistheagent,andmanthesubject.TheactoftheHolySpirit,inimplantinganewprinciple,doesnotinterferewiththeessentialactivityofthesoulitself,butsimplygivestothatactivityanewdirection,forthesoul,thoughactive,isneverthelesscapableofbeingactedupon.Andalthoughthesoulisnecessarilyactiveattheverytimeitisregenerated,yetitisrightlysaidtobepassivewithrespecttothatactoftheHolySpiritwherebyitisregenerated.

1st.ThesoulundertheconvictionoftheHolyGhost,andintheexerciseofmerelynaturalfeelings,regardssomeaspectofsavingtruth,andstrivestoembraceit.2nd.TheHolyGhost,byanexertionofcreativepower,changesthegoverningdispositionoftheheartinamannerinscrutable,andbyaninfluencenotapprehendedbytheconsciousnessofthesubject.3rd.Simultaneouslythesoulexercisesnewaffectionsandexperimentallyembracesthetruth.

11.Whatisthedifferencebetweenregenerationandconversion?

Thetermconversionisoftenusedinawidesenseasincludingboththechangeofnatureandtheexerciseofthatnatureaschanged.Whendistinguishedfromregeneration,however,conversionsignifiesthefirstexerciseofthenewdispositionimplantedinregeneration,i.e.,infreelyturninguntoGod.

RegenerationisGod’sact;conversionisours.Regenerationistheimplantationofagraciousprinciple;conversionistheexerciseofthatprinciple.Regenerationisneveramatterofdirectconsciousnesstothesubjectofit;conversionalwaysissuchtotheagentofit.Regenerationisasingleact,completeinitself;andneverrepeated;conversion,asthebeginningofholyliving,isthecommencementofaseries,constant,endless,andprogressive."Drawme,andIwillrunafterthee."Canticle1:4.Thisdistinctionissignalizedbythedivinesoftheseventeenthcentury(Turretin,50.15,Ques.4,§13)bythephrases"conversiohabitualisseupassiva,"i.e.,theinfusionofagracioushabit–ofsoulbyGod,inrespecttowhichthesubjectispassive;and"conversioactualisseuactiva,"i.e.,theconsequentactsoffaithandrepentanceelicitedbyco–operativegraceandactedbythesubject.

12.Howcanitbeprovedthatthereisanysuchthingasthatcommonlycalledregeneration?

1st.BythoseScripturesthatdeclaresuchachangetobenecessary.—John3:3;2Corinthians5:17;Galatians6:15.

2nd.Bythosepassageswhichdescribethechange.—Ephesians2:5;4:24;James1:18;1Peter1:23.

3rd.Fromthefactthatitwasnecessaryforthemostmoralaswellasforthemostrecklesslysinful.—1Corinthians15:10;Galatians1:13–16.

4th.ThatthisinwardchangeisnotamerereformationisprovedbyitsbeingreferredtotheHolySpirit.—Ephesians1:19,20;Titus

3:5.

5th.Fromthecomparisonofman’sstateingracewithhisstatebynature.—Romans6:13;8:6–10;Ephesians5:8.

6th.FromtheexperienceofallChristians,andfromthetestimonyoftheirlives.

13.Whatisthenatureofsupernaturalillumination?

Thesoulofmanisaunit.Aradicallydefectiveorpervertedconditionofanyfacultywillinjuriouslyaffecttheexerciseofalltheotherfaculties.Theessenceofsinconsistsinthepervertedmoraldispositionsandaffectionsofthewill.Butapervertedconditionoftheseaffectionsmustaffecttheexercisesoftheintellect,concerningallmoralobjects,asmuchasthevolitionsthemselves.Wecannotloveordesireanyobjectunlessweperceiveitsloveliness,neithercanweintellectuallyperceiveitslovelinessunlessitsqualitiesarecongenialtoourinherenttasteordispositions.Sin,therefore,isessentiallydeceitful,andmallasasinnerisspirituallyblind.Thisdoesnotconsistinanyphysicaldefect.

Hepossessesallthefacultiesrequisitetoenablehimtoseethebeauty,andtoexperiencethepowerofthetruth,buthiswholenatureismorallypervertedthroughhisevildispositions.Assoonasthesearechangedhewillsee,and,seeing,loveandobeythetruth,althoughnoconstitutionalchangeiswroughtinhisnature,i.e.,nonewfacultygiven,butonlyhispervertedfacultiesmorallyrectified.Thisilluminationiscalledsupernatural,1st,because,havingbeenlost,itcanberestoredonlybytheimmediatepowerofGod.2nd.Incontradistinctiontothemaimedconditionofman’spresentdepravednature.It,however,conveysnonewtruthstothemind,nordoesitrelievetheChristian,inanydegree,fromthediligentandprayerfulstudyoftheWord,nordoesitleadtoanyfancifulinterpretationsofScriptureforeigntotheplainsenseoftheletter;itonlyleadstotheperceptionandappreciationofthenativespiritualbeautyandpoweroftheinspiredword,andthetruthsthereinrevealed.

14.Howmayitbeprovedthatbelieversarethesubjects

ofsuchillumination?

1st.Itisnecessary.—1Corinthians2:14;2Corinthians3:14;4:3;John16:3.Fromtheconstitutionofournaturewemustapprehendanobjectaslovelybeforewecanloveitforitsownsake.

2nd.TheScripturesexpresslyaffirmit."ToknowGodiseternallife."—John17:3;1Corinthians2:12,13;2Corinthians4:6;Ephesians1:18;Philippians1:9;Colossians3:10;1John4:7;5:20;Psalm19:7,8;43:3,4.

Asthesoulisaunit,achangeinitsradicalmoraldispositionsmustsimultaneouslymodifytheexerciseofallitsfacultiesinrelationtomoralandspiritualobjects.Thesoulcannotlovethatthelovelinessofwhichitdoesnotperceive,neithercanitperceivethelovelinessofanobjectwhichistotallyuncongenialtoitsownnature.Thefirsteffectofregeneration,oraradicalchangeofmoraldisposition,intheorderofnature,therefore,istoopentheeyesofourunderstandingstotheexcellencyofdivinetruth,andthesecondeffectisthegoingforthoftherenewedaffectionstowardthatexcellencysoperceived.ThisiswhatPres.Edwards("ReligiousAffections,"Pt.3.,sec.4)calls"thesenseoftheheart."

15.Whatisthenatureofthatconvictionofsinwhichistheattendantofregeneration?

Spiritualilluminationimmediatelyleadstotheperceptionoftherighteousness,goodness,andexceedingbreadthandexactnessofGod’slaw,andbycontrastoftheexceedingsinfulnessofsinintheabstract,Romans7:7,13;andaboveallofhisownsin—thusrevealing,incontrasttothedivinepurityandrighteousness,thepollutionofhisownheart,histotalill–desert,andhisentirehelplessnessinallhisrelationstoGod.Job13:5,6.Thisisapracticalexperimentalknowledge,—producedbythewrestlingἔλεγχος,oftheHolyGhost(John16:8)—ofguilt,ofpollution,andofhelplessness.

16.Whatisthenatureofthatconvictionofsinwhichoftenoccursbeforeorwithoutregeneration,andhowmayitbe

distinguishedfromthegenuine?

Naturalconscienceisanessentialandindestructibleelementofhumannature,includingasenseofrightandwrong,andpainfulemotionsassociatedwithasenseofthelatter.Althoughthisfacultymaybeforatimeperverted,andthesensibilityassociatedwithithardened,yetitmaybe,andoftenis,inthecaseoftheunregenerate,quickenedtoapainfulactivity,leadingtoasenseofill–desert,pollution,helplessness,anddanger.Ineternitythiswillconstitutealargemeasureofthesufferingsofthelost.

Ontheotherhand,thatconvictionofsinwhichispeculiartotheregenerateisdistinguishedbybeingaccompaniedbyasenseofthepositivebeautyofholiness,andanearnestdesiretoescapenotmerelythepangsofremorse,butchieflythepollutionandthedominionofsin.

17.Whatisthenatureofthosenewaffectionswhichflowfromtherenewaloftheheart,andhowaretheydistinguishedfromtheexercisesofunrenewedmen?

Spiritualilluminationgivestheperceptionofthatlovelinesswhichtherenewedaffectionsoftheheartembraceanddelightin.Thesearespiritualbecausetheyareformedinus,andpreservedinhealthyexercisebytheSpiritofGod.Theyareholybecausetheirobjectsareholy,andbecausetheydelightintheirobjectsasholy.Theaffectionsofunrenewedmen,ontheotherhand,howeverpureorevenreligioustheymaybe,aremerelynaturalintheirsource,andattachmerelytonaturalobjects.TheymaybegratefultoGodforhisbenefits,buttheyneverlovehimsimplyfortheperfectionsofhisownnature.

18.Whatisthenatureofthatnewobediencewhichresultsfromregeneration,andhowdoesitdifferfrommeremorality?

Theperfectlawisspiritual,andconsequentlyrequiresperfectconformityofbeingaswellasofaction;thecentralandgoverningprinciplesoflifemustbeinharmonywithit.Theregenerateman,therefore,thinks,andfeels,andwills,andactsinconformitywiththe

spiritofthewholewordofGodasfarasrevealedtohim,becauseitisGod’sword,fromamotiveoflovetoGod,andwithaneyesingletohisglory.Thesanctifiedaffectionsarethespring,theheart–searchinglawtherule,andthegloryofGodtheend,andtheHolyGhostthecoworkerineveryactofChristianobedience.

Morality,ontheotherhand,hasitsspringinthemerelynaturalaffections;itaimsonlyattheconformityoftheoutwardactionstotheletterofthelaw,whileself,insomeformofself-righteousness,reputation,safety,orhappiness,isthedeterminingend.

19.Howmaytheabsolutenecessityofregenerationbeproved?

1st.TheScripturesassertit.—John3:3;Romans8:6;Ephesians2:10;4:21–24.2nd.Itisprovedfromthenatureofmanasasinner.—Romans7:18;8:7–9;1Corinthians2:14;Ephesians2:1.3rd.Fromthenatureofheaven.—Isaiah35:8;52:1;Matthew5:8;13:41;Hebrews12:14;Revelation21:27.Therestorationofholinessisthegrandendofthewholeplanofsalvation.—Ephesians1:4;5:5,26,27.

20.Areinfantssusceptibleofregeneration;and,ifso,whatisthenatureofregenerationinthem?

Infants,aswellasadults,arerationalandmoralagents,andbynaturetotallydepraved.Thedifferenceis,thatthefacultiesofinfantsareinthegerm,whilethoseofadultsaredeveloped.Asregenerationisachangewroughtbycreativepowerintheinherentmoralconditionofthesoul,infantsmayplainlybethesubjectsofitinpreciselythesamesenseasadults;inbothcasestheoperationismiraculous,andthereforeinscrutable.

ThefactisestablishedbywhattheScripturesteachofinnatedepravity,ofinfantsalvation,ofinfantcircumcisionandbaptism.—Luke1:15;18:15,16;Acts2:39.Seebelow,Chapter42.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS

ROMANDOCTRINE.—"Conc.Trent,"Sess.6.Ch.7.—"Justification(Regeneration)isnotonlyaremissionofsins,butalsoarenewaloftheinnermanthroughthevoluntaryreceptionofthegraceandgiftswherebyamanbornunjustbecomesjust,andfromanenemybecomesafriend,thatsohemaybeanheiraccordingtothehopeofeternallife.Theonusesofthisjustificationare–thefinalcause,thegloryofGodandofChrist,andeternallife,theefficientcause,themercifulGodwhogratuitouslywashesandsanctifies,sealingandanointingwiththeHolySpiritofpromise,whoistheearnestofourinheritance;themeritoriouscause,hisownmoatbelovedandonlybegottenSon,ourLordJesusChrist,who,whenwewereenemies,did,onaccountofthegreatlovewherewithhelovedus,meritjustificationforusbyhismostholypassiononthewoodofthecross;anddidforus,makesatisfactiontoGodtheFather,alsotheinstrumentalcause,thesacramentofbaptism,whichisthesacramentoffaith,withoutwhich(faith)justificationhasnevercometoanyone;andfinallytheformalcause,istherighteousnessofGod,notthatwherebyheishimselfrighteous,butthatwherebyhemakesusrighteous,namelythatwithwhichwe,beingbyhimendowed,arerenewedinthespiritofourmind,andarenotonlyreputed,butaretrulycalled,andarerighteous."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE."FormulaConcordiœ"(Hase),page679.—"ForconversionissuchachangeofthemanthroughtheoperationoftheHolySpiritintheunderstanding,will,andheartofman,thatheisable(i.e.,bytheoperationoftheHolySpirit)toembracetheofferedgrace.Ib.p.681.—Buttheunderstandingandwillofthemannotasyetrenewedareonlythesubjecttobeconverted,becausetheyaretheunderstandingandwillofamanspirituallydead,inwhomtheHolyGhostworksconversionandrenewal,inwhichworkthemantobeconvertedcontributesnothing,butisactedupon,untilheisregenerated.Butafterwardsinothergoodworksenduring,heco–operateswiththeHolySpirit,doingthosethingswhicharewellpleasingtoGod,inthatmannerwhichhasnowbeendeclaredbyusfullyenoughinthistreatise."

REFORMEDDOCTRINEANDREMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.—SeeunderChapter28.

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Chapter30:Faith

1.What,accordingtoitsetymology(linguisticdevelopment)andNewTestamentusage,isthemeaningofwordπίστις,"faith,""belief?"

Itisderivedfromtheverbπείθω,topersuade,convince.IntheNewTestamentitisused—1st.Toexpressthatstateofmindwhichisinducedbypersuasion.—Romans14:22.2nd.Itoftensignifiesgoodfaith,fidelity,sincerity.—Romans3:3;Titus2:10.3rd.Assenttothetruth.—Philippians1:27;2Thessalonians2:13.4th.Faithtowards,on,orinGod(ἐπί,εἰς,πρός).—Hebrews6:1;1Thessalonians1:8;1Peter1:21;Mark11:22.InChrist,Acts24:24;Galatians3:26;andinhisblood,Romans3:22,25;Galatians2:16,20.5th.Itisusedfortheobjectoffaith,viz.,therevelationofthegospel.—Romans1:5;10:8;1Timothy4:1.Robinson’s"Lex.ofNewTestament."

2.Statethedifferentmeaningsoftheverbπιστεύειν(tobelieve),andofthephrasesπιστεύεινεἰς,orἐπί(tobelieveinorupon).

πιστεύεινsignifies—

1st.Toassentto,tobepersuadedofthetruth.—Luke1:20;John3:12.

2nd.Tocreditthetruthofaperson.—John5:46.

3rd.Totrust,tohaveconfidencein.—Acts27:25.

Thephrasesπιστεύεινεἰς,orἐπί,arealwaysusedtoexpresstrustandconfidenceterminatinguponGod,oruponChristasMediator.WeareoftensaidtobelieveorcreditMosesorotherteachersofthetruth,butwecanbelieveinoronGodorChristalone.UponGod,John14:1;Romans4:24;1Peter1:21;uponChrist.—Acts16:31;John3:15–18.

3.Howmayfaithbedefined?

Faithisacomplexactofthesoul,involvingtheconcurrentactionoftheunderstandingandthewill,andmodifiedindifferentinstancesofitsexercisebythenatureofitsobject,andoftheevidenceuponwhichitrests.Themostgeneraldefinition,embracingallitsmodifications,affirmsfaithtobe"assenttotruthupontheexhibitionoftheappropriateevidence.Butitisevidentthatitsnaturemustvarywiththenatureofthetruthbelieved,andespeciallywiththenatureoftheevidenceuponwhichourassentisfounded.

Assenttoaspeculativeorabstracttruthisaspeculativeact;assenttoamoraltruthisamoralact;assenttoapromisemadetoourselvesisanactoftrust.Ourbeliefthattheearthmovesrounditsaxisisamereassent;ourbeliefintheexcellenceofvirtueisofthenatureofamoraljudgment;ourbeliefinapromiseisanactoftrust."Solikewisewithrespecttotheevidenceuponwhichourfaithisfounded."Thesamemanmaybelievethesametruthondifferentgrounds.OnemaybelievetheChristiansystemsimplybecauseothersaroundhimbelieveit,andhehasbeenbroughtuptoreceiveitwithoutquestion;thisisthefaithofcredulity.Anothermaybelieveitonthegroundofitsexternalevidence,e.g.,ofmiracle,prophecy,history,itslogicalconsistencyasasystem,oritsplausibilityasatheoryinaccountingforthephenomenaofcreationandprovidence.Thisisspeculativefaith.Anothermaybelieve,becausethetruthsoftheBiblerecommendthemselvestohisreasonandconscience,andaccordwithhisinwardexperience.

Thisfaithisfoundedonmoralevidence.Thereisanotherfaithfoundedontheintrinsicexcellence,beauty,andsuitablenessofthetruthfromasenseandloveofitsmoralexcellence.Thisisspiritualfaith,whichisthegiftofGod."—"WayofLife."

ReligiousfaithisbeliefofthetruthonthetestimonyofGod.Itincludes,(1)Notitia,knowledge;(2)Assensus,assent;(3)Fiducia,trust.

4.Towhatextentisfaithanactoftheunderstanding,andhowfaranactofthewill?

Theoneindivisiblesoulknowsandloves,desiresanddecides,

andtheseseveralactsofthesoulmeetonthesameobject.Thesoulcanneitherlove,desire,norchoosethatwhichitdoesnotknow,norcanitknowanobjectastrueorgoodwithoutsomeaffectionofwilltowardsit.Assenttoapurelyspeculativetruthmaybesimplyanactofunderstanding,butbeliefinamoraltruth,intestimony,inpromises,mustbeacomplexact,embracingboththeunderstandingandthewill.Theunderstandingapprehendsthetruthtobebelieved,anddecidesuponthevalidityoftheevidence,butthedispositiontobelievetestimony,ormoralevidence,hasitsfoundationinthewill.Actualtrustinapromiseisanactofthewill,andnotasimplejudgmentastoitstrustworthiness.Thereisanexactrelationbetweenthemoraljudgmentandtheaffections,andthewill,astheseatofthemoralaffections,determinesthemoraljudgments.Therefore,asamanisresponsibleforhiswill,heisresponsibleforhisfaith.

Asfarasfaithincludesanactof"cognition"itis,ofcourse,purelyanactoftheunderstanding.Butasfarasitincludes"Assent"and"Trust,"itinvolvesalsothespontaneousandactivepowersofthesoul,thatis,"thewill,"andinitshigherexerciseitofteninvolvesdeliberatevolitionitself.

5.Whatisthedifferencebetweenknowledgeandfaith?

Generally,knowledgeistheapprehensionofanobjectastrue,andfaithisanassenttoitstruth.Itisobvious,therefore,thatinthisgeneralsenseofthetermeveryexerciseoffaithincludestheknowledgeoftheobjectassentedto.Itisimpossibletodistinguishbetweentheapprehensionofthetruthfulnessofapurelyspeculativetruthandanassenttoitastrue.Insuchacasefaithandknowledgeappearidentical.

Butwhiletheapprehensionofthetrustworthinessofapromiseisknowledge,theactualrelianceuponitisfaith.Theapprehensionofthemoraltruthfulnessofanobjectisknowledge,theassenttoit,asgoodanddesirable,isfaith.

SometimestheScripturesusethewordknowledgeasequivalenttofaith.—John10:38;1John2:3.

Generally,however,theScripturesrestrictthetermknowledgetotheapprehensionofthoseideaswhichwederivethroughthenaturalsourcesofsensationandreasonandhumantestimony,whilethetermfaithisrestrictedtotheassenttothosetruthswhichrestuponthedirecttestimonyofGodalone,objectivelyrevealedintheScriptures,asdiscernedthroughspiritualillumination.Thus,faithisthe"evidenceofthingsnotseen."Hebrews11:1.Wearecommanded"towalkbyfaith,andnotbysight."—2Corinthians5:7.HerethedistinctionbetweenfaithandknowledgehasreferenceparticularlytothemodeofknowingTheoneisnaturalanddiscursive,theothersupernaturalandintuitive.

6.WhatdistinctiondotheRomanistsmakebetweenimplicitandexplicitfaith?

RomanistsandProtestantsagreethatitisnotessentialtofaiththatitsobjectshouldbecomprehendedbytheunderstanding.But,ontheotherhand,Protestantsaffirm,andRomanistsdeny,thatitisessentialthattheobjectbelievedshouldbeapprehendedbythemind;thatis,thatknowledgeofwhatwebelieveisessentialtofaith.TheRomanists,therefore,haveinventedthedistinctionbetweenexplicitfaith,whichterminatesuponanobjectdistinctlyapprehendedbythemind,andimplicitfaith,whichamanexercisesinthetruthofpropositionsofwhichheknowsnothing.Theyholdthatamanexercisesexplicitfaithinageneralproposition,hethereinexercisesimplicitfaithineverythingembracedinit,whetherheknowswhattheyareornot.Ifaman,forinstance,hasexplicitfaiththatthechurchisaninfallibleteacher,hetherebyexercisesvirtualorimplicitfaithineverydoctrinetaughtbythechurch,althoughhemaybeignorantastowhatthosedoctrinesare.Theydistinguish,moreover,betweenthosetruthswhichitisnecessarytoregardwithexplicitfaith,andthosewhichmayheheldimplicitly.Theycommonlyteachthatitisnecessaryforthepeopletoholdonlythreedoctrinesexplicitly,1st,thatGodis;2nd,thatheisarewarder,includingfuturerewardsandpunishments;3rd,thatheisaredeemer.

"ThisdoctrinehasbeenrecentlyrevivedbythePuseyites,underthetitleofreserve.Thedistinguishingtruthsofthegospel,insteadofbeingclearlypresented,should,itissaid,beconcealedorkeptinreserve.

Thepeoplemaygazeuponthecrossasthesymbolofredemption,butneednotknowwhetheritistheform,orthematerial,orthegreatsacrificeonceenactedonit,towhichtheefficacyisdue.‘Religiouslightisintellectualdarkness,’saysDr.Newman.Thistheoryrestsuponthesamefalseassumptionthatfaithcanexistwithoutknowledge."—Dr.Hodge.

7.Whatisthedifferencebetweenknowingandunderstandingathing,andhowfarisknowledgeessentialtofaith?

Weknowathingwhenwesimplyapprehenditastrue.Weunderstanditonlywhenwefullycomprehenditsnature,andtheperfectconsistencyofallitspropertieswitheachotherandwiththeentiresystemofthingsofwhichitformsapart.Weknowthedoctrineofthetrinitywhenitsseveralpartsarestatedtous,butnocreaturecaneverunderstandit.

Thatknowledge,orsimpleapprehensionoftheobjectbelievedandconfidedin,isessentialtofaith,isevidentfromthenatureoffaithitself.Itisthatstateofmindwhichbearstherelationofassenttoacertainobject,involvingthatactionofunderstandingandofwillwhichisappropriatetothatobject.Ifamanloves,fears,orbelieves,hemustlove,fear,orbelievesomeobject,foritisevidentthatthesestatesofmindcanexistonlyinrelationtotheirappropriateobjects.Ifarealobjectisnotpresenttheimaginationmaypresentanidealone,butthatveryfictionoftheimaginationmustfirstbeapprehendedastrue(orknown)beforeitcanbeassentedtoastrue(orbelieved)Justasitisimpossibleforamantoenjoybeautywithoutperceivingitinsomeobjectofthemind,ortoexercisecomplacentloveinavirtuousactwithoutperceivingit,soitis,forthesamereason,impossibleforamantoexercisefaithwithoutknowingwhathebelieves."Implicitfaith"isaperfectlyunmeaningformula.

8.HowcanthefactthatknowledgeisessentialtofaithbeprovedfromScripture?

1st.Fromtheetymologyofthewordπίστις,fromπείθω,to

persuade,instruct.Faithisthatstateofmindwhichistheresultofteaching.2nd.FromtheuseofthewordknowledgeinScriptureasequivalenttofaith.—John10:38;1John2:3.3rd.FromwhattheBibleteachesastothesourceoffaith.Itcomesbyteaching.—Romans10:14–17.4th.TheScripturesdeclarethattheregenerateareenlightened,havereceivedtheunction,andknowallthings.—Acts26:18;1Corinthians2:12–15;Colossians3:10.5th.Themeansofsalvationconsistinthedisseminationofthetruth.Christisthegreatteacher.Ministersareteachers.—1Corinthians4:1;1Timothy3:2;4:13.Christiansarebegottenbythetruth,sanctifiedbythetruth.—John17:19;James1:18.Dr.Hodge.

9.Howarethosepassagestobeexplainedwhichspeakofknowledgeasdistinguishedfromfaith?

Althougheveryactoffaithpresupposesanactofknowledgeyetboththefaithandtheknowledgevaryverymuch,bothwiththenatureoftheobjectknownandbelieved,andwiththemannerillwhichtheknowledgeisreceived,andwiththeevidenceuponwhichthefaithrests.ThefaithwhichtheScripturesdistinguishfromknowledgeisthestrongpersuasionofthingsnotseen.Itistheconvictionofthetruthofthingswhichdonotfallwithinthecompassofourownobservationwhichmayentirelytranscendthepowersofourunderstanding,andwhichrestuponthesimpletestimonyofGod.Thistestimonyfaithreliesuponinspiteofwhatevertohumanreasonappearsinconsistentorimpossible.

Knowledgethoughessentialtofaithmaybedistinguishedfromit—1st.Asfaithincludesalsoanactofthewillassenting,inadditiontotheactoftheunderstandingapprehending.2nd.Asknowledgederivedthroughanaturalisdistinguishedfromknowledgederivedthroughadivinesource.3rd.Aspresentimperfectapprehensionofdivinethings(i.e.,faith)differsfromthatperfectknowledgeoftdivinethingsweshallhaveinheaven.—1Corinthians13:12.

10.Iffaithnecessarilyincludesknowledgehowcanmenbecommandedtobelieve?

1st.Nomanisevercommandedtobelievethatwhichisnotrevealedtohim,eitherinthelightofnatureorbytheinspiredword.2nd.

Nomanisevercommandedtobelieveapurelyspeculativetruth.ThetruthsofreligionrestonthetestimonyofGod.Theyareenforcedbymoralevidence,andfaithintheminvolvesamoralandspiritualknowledgeofthem,anddelightinthem.Moralevidencecanbeappreciatedonlybyamindpossessedofmoralsensibility.Andsuchmoralinsensibilityasleadstoblindnesstothedistinctionbetweenrightandwrongisitselfaveryaggravatedstateofdepravity.

TheScriptures,therefore,luminouswiththeirownself–evidencinglight,presentthetruthtoalltowhomtheycome,anddemanditsinstantreceptionuponthetestimonyofGod.Ifthatevidenceisnotfelttobeconclusivebyanyone,itmustbebecauseofthesinfulblindnessofhismind.ThereforeChristsays,"yewillnotcomeuntomethatyemayhavelife."Andunbeliefisuniformlychargedtothe"evilheart."

11.Whataretheultimategroundsofthatassenttothetruthwhichisoftheessenceoffaith?

Ingeneral,theultimategrounduponwhichourassenttothetruthofanyobjectofknowledgerestsistheveracityofGod.Thetestimonyofoursenses,theintegrityofourconsciences,theintuitionsofourreasons,allrestuponhisveracityasCreator.Practicallythemindismovedtothisassentthroughouruniversalandinstinctiveconfidenceintheconstitutionofourownnatures.

Religiousfaithrests,1st,uponthefaithfulnessof,Godaspledgedinhissupernaturalrevelation,John3:33;2nd,upontheevidenceofspiritualillumination,personalexperienceofthepowerofthetruth,andthewitnessoftheHolyGhost,theSanctifier,andthus"notinthewisdomofman,butinthepowerofGod."—1Corinthians2:5–12.

12.WhatarethetwokindsofevidencebywhichweknowthatGodhasrevealedcertaintruthsasobjectsoffaith?

1st.Theevidencewhichresidesinthetruthitself.Moral,spiritual,experimental,rational.—John6:63;14:17,26;Jeremiah23:29.2nd.TheaccreditingevidenceofthepresenceandpowerofGodaccompanyingthepromulgationofthetruth,andprovingthatitisfrom

him.Thesearemiracles,providentialdispensations,thefulfillmentofprophecy,etc.—John5:36;Hebrews2:4.

13.HowcanitbeshownthattheauthorityoftheChurchisnotagroundoffaith?

Seeabove,Chapter5.,Question18.

14.Whatisthenatureofhistoricalfaithanduponevidencedoesitrest?

Thatmodeofpurelyrationalfaithcalledhistoricalisthatapprehensionofandassenttothetruthwhichregardsitinitspurelyrationalaspectsasmerefactsofhistory,orasmerepartsofalogicalsystemofopinion.Itsappropriateevidenceispurelyrational,e.g.,thesolutionaffordedbytheScripturesoftheactsofhistoryandexperience,andtheevidenceofhistory,prophecy,miracles,etc.

15.Whatisthenatureoftemporaryfaith,andoftheevidenceuponwhichitisfounded?

Temporaryfaithisthatstateofmindoftenexperiencedinthisworldbyimpenitenthearersofthegospel,inducedbythemoralevidenceofthetruth,thecommoninfluencesoftheHolyGhost,andthepowerofreligioussympathy.Sometimestheexcitedimaginationjoyfullyappropriatesthepromisesofthegospel.—Matthew13:20.Sometimes,likeFelix,themanbelievesandtrembles.Oftentimesitisatfirstimpossibletodistinguishthisstateofmindfromgenuinesavingfaith.Butnotspringingfromadivineworkofrecreationithasnorootinthepermanentprinciplesoftheheart.Itisalways,therefore,1st,inefficient,neitherpurifyingtheheartnorovercomingtheworld;2nd,temporary.

16.Whatisthespecificevidenceuponwhichsavingfaithisfounded?

ThisisthelightletintothesoulbytheHolyGhostinhisworkofspiritualillumination.Thusisthebeauty,andexcellence,andthesuitablenessofthetruthtothepracticalwantsofthesubject

apprehended.WiththisthewitnessoftheHolyGhostwithandbythetruthcooperates.—1Corinthians2:4,5;Romans8:16;2Corinthians4:6;Ephesians2:8.

17.HowmayitbeprovedfromScriptureandexperiencethatspiritualilluminationisthegroundofsavingfaith?

1st.TheScriptures,wherevertheycome,makeademandunconditional,immediate,anduniversaluponthemostintelligentandthemostignorantalike,thattheyshouldbereceivedandbelieved,andunbeliefisalwayschargedassin,andnotasmereignoranceormentalincapacity.Thefaithwhichtheydemandmust,therefore,beamoralact,andmustdependuponthespiritualcongenialityofthebelieverwiththetruth.

2nd.Bynaturemenarespirituallyblind,andsubjectsofan"evilheartofunbelief."—2Corinthians3:14;4:4.

3rd.Believersaresaidtobeenlightened,andtodiscernthethingsoftheSpirit.—Acts13:48;2Corinthians4:6;Ephesians1:17,18;1John2:20,27;5:9,10.

4th.MenbelievebecausetheyaretaughtofGod.—John6:44,45.

5th.EveryChristianisconsciousofbelieving,becauseheseesthetruthbelievedtobetrue,lovely,powerful,andsatisfying.

6th.Thisisprovedbytheeffectsoffaith."Wearesaidtolivebyfaith,tobesanctifiedbyfaith,toovercomebyfaith,tobesavedbyfaithBlindconsenttoauthority,orrationalconviction,producenosucheffects;iftheeffectsarespiritual,thesourcemustbealsospiritual."

18.Whatarethedifferentopinionsastotherelationbetweenfaithandtrust?

Inconsequenceoftheirdoctrineofimplicitfaith,thatnothingisrequiredbeyondblindassenttotheteachingsofthechurch,Romanists

necessarilydenythattrustentersintotheessenceofsavingfaith.

TheSandemanians,astheCampbellites,holdingthatfaithisamereaffirmativejudgmentoftheunderstandingpasseduponthetruthonthegroundofevidence,alsodenythattrustisanelementofsavingfaith.

Someorthodoxtheologianshaveheldthattrustisrathertoberegardedasanimmediateandinvariableconsequentofsavingfaith,thananelementofthatfaithitself.

Religiousfaithresultingfromspiritualillumination,respectstheentirewordofGodandhistestimony,and,assuch,isacomplexstateofmind,varyingwiththenatureoftheparticularportionofrevealedtruthregardedinanyparticularact.ManyofthepropositionsofScripturearenottheproperobjectsoftrust,andthenthefaithwhichembracesthemisonlyareverentandcomplacentassenttothemastrueandgood.ButthespecificactofsavingfaithwhichunitestoChrist,andisthecommencement,root,andorganofourwholespirituallife,terminatesuponChrist’spersonandworkasMediator,aspresentedintheoffersandpromisesofthegospel.Thisassuredlyincludestrustinitsveryessence,andthisiscalled"savingfaith"bywayofeminence,sinceitisthefaiththatsaves,andsinceonlythroughthisastheirprinciple,areanyothermoregeneralexercisesofsavingfaithpossible.

19.HowmaythefactthatsavingfaithincludestrustbeprovedfromthelanguageofScripture?

TheuniformandsingleconditionofsalvationpresentedintheScripturesisexpressedinthewordsbelieveinoronChrist,εἰςorἐπίτὸνχριστὸν.John7:38;Acts9:42;16:31;Galatians2:16.Tobelieveinoronapersonnecessarilyimpliestrustaswellascredit.

Thesameisabundantlyprovedbytheusagewithrespecttothephrases"byfaithinoronChrist."—2Timothy3:15;Acts26:18;Galatians3:26;Hebrews11:1.Faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,butthefoundationofhopeistrust.

20.HowmaythesamebeprovedfromthoseexpressionswhichareusedinScriptureasequivalenttothephrase"believinginChrist"?

"ReceivingChrist."—John1:12;Colossians2:6."LookingtoChrist."—Isaiah14:22;compareNumbers21:9withJohn3:14,15."FlyingtoChristforrefuge."—Hebrews6:18."ComingtoChrist."—John6:35;Matthew11:28."Committing."—2Timothy1:12.Alltheseillustrateaswellasdesignatetheactofsavingfaith,andallequallyimplytrustasanessentialelement,forwecan"receive,"or"cometo,"or"lookto,"Christonlyinthatcharacterofapropitiation,anadvocateandadeliverer,inwhichheoffershimselftous.

21.HowmaythesamebeprovedfromtheeffectswhichtheScripturesascribetofaith?

TheScripturesdeclarethatbyfaiththeChristian"embracesthepromises,""ispersuadedofthepromises,""outofweaknessismadestrong,""waxesvaliantinfight,""confesseshimselfastrangerandpilgrimseekingabettercountry."Asfaithinathreateningnecessarilyinvolvesfear,sofaithinapromisenecessarilyinvolvestrust.

Besides,faithrestsuponthetrustworthinessofGod,andthereforenecessarilyinvolvestrust.—Hebrews10:23,andthewholeofthe11thchapter.

22.Howmayitbeshownthatthisviewoffaithdoesnotconfoundfaithandhope?

Toourdoctrinethatsavingfaithinvolvestrust,theRomanistobjectsthatthisconfoundsfaithandhope,whichtheScripturesdistinguish(1Corinthians13:13),sincehopeisonlystrongtrust.Buthopeisnotmerelystrongtrust.Trustrestsuponthegroundsofassurance,whilehopereachesforwardtotheobjectofwhichassuranceisgiven.Trustisthefoundationofhope.Hopeisthefruitoftrust.Themoreconfidingthetrust,themoreassuredthehope.

23.Whatarethedifferentopinionsastotherelation

betweenfaithandlove,andtheRomish

distinctionbetween"fidesinformis"and"fidesformata"?

1st.TheRomanists,inordertomaintaintheirdoctrinethatfaithaloneisnotsaving,distinguishbetweenaformed,orperfect,andanunformedfaith.Theyacknowledgethatfaithisdistinctfromlove,butmaintainthatloveisessentialtorenderfaithmeritoriousandeffectualastheinstrumentofoursalvation.

Fidesinformisismereassent,explicitorimplicit,totheteachingsoftheChurch.Itnecessarilyprecedes"justification"asitscondition.Fidesformataisthefruitofthefirstjustification,andtheconditionofthosegoodworkswhichmeritfurthergrace.

2nd.Somehaveregardedloveastherootoutofwhichfaithsprings.

3rd.Thetrueviewisthatloveistheimmediateandnecessaryeffectoffaith.Faithincludesthespiritualapprehensionofthebeautyandexcellenceofthetruth,andanactofthewillembracingitandrelyinguponit.Yetthesegracescannotbeanalyticallyseparated,sincetheymutuallyinvolveoneanother.

Therecanbenolovewithoutfaith,noranyfaithwithoutlove.Faithapprehendsthelovelinessoftheobject,theheartspontaneouslylovesit.Thus"faithworksbylove,"sincetheseaffectionsarethesourceofthosemotivesthatcontrolthewill.

TheRomishdoctrineisinconsistentwiththeessentialprinciplesofthegospel.Faithisnotawork,norcanithave,whenformedorunformed,anymerit;itisessentiallyaself–emptyingact,whichsavesbylayingholdofthemeritsofChrist.Itleadstoworks,andprovesitselfbyitsfruits,butinitsrelationtojustificationitisinitsverynatureastrongprotestagainstthemeritsofallhumanworks.—Galatians3:10,11;Ephesians2:8,9.

TheProtestantdoctrinethatloveisthefruitoffaith,isestablishedbywhattheScripturesdeclareconcerningfaith,thatit"sanctifies,""worksbylove,""overcomestheworld."Galatians5:6;Acts26:18;1John5:4.Thisisaccomplishedthus—byfaithweareunitedtoChrist,Ephesians3:17,andsobecomepartakersofhisSpirit,1John3:24,oneofthefruitsoftheSpiritislove,Galatians5:22,andloveistheprincipleofallobedience.—Romans13:10.

24.Whatistheobjectofsavingfaith?

Thespiritualilluminationoftheunderstandingandrenewaloftheaffections,whichlaysthefoundationforthesoul’sactingfaithinanyoneportionofthetestimonyofGod,laysthefoundationforitsactingfaithinallthattestimony.ThewholerevealedwordofGod,then,asfarasknowntotheindividual,totheexclusionofalltraditions,doctrinesofmen,andpretendedprivaterevelations,istheobjectofsavingfaith.Thatparticularactoffaith,however,whichunitestoChrist,called,bywayofdistinction,justifyingfaith,hasforitsobjectthepersonandworkofChristasMediator.—John7:38;Acts16:31.

25.Whatismeantbyanarticleoffaithasdistinguishedfromamatterofopinion?

TheRomanistsholdthateverydogmadecidedbythechurchtobetrue,whetherderivedfromscriptureortradition,is,uponpainofdamnation,tobebelievedbyeveryChristianasanarticleoffaith,ifknowntohimbyanexplicit,ifnotknownbyanimplicitfaith.Ontheotherhand,withrespecttoallsubjectsnotdecidedbythechurch,everymanisleftfreetobelieveornotasamatterofopinion.

26.WhatistheAnglicanorPuseyitecriterionfordistinguishesthosedoctrineswhichmustbeknownandbelievedinordertosalvation?

TheyagreewiththeRomanists(seeabove,Question6)thatknowledgeisnotessentialtofaith.Astotheruleoffaith,however,theydiffer.TheRomanistmakesthatruletheteachingofthePapalChurch.ThePuseyites,ontheotherhand,makeittheuniformtestimonyof

traditionrunninginthelineofthesuccessionofapostolicbishops.

27.WhatisthecommonProtestantdoctrineastofundamentalsinreligion,andbywhatevidencecansuchfundamentalsbeascertained?

EverydoctrinetaughtintheBibleistheobjectofanenlightenedspiritualfaith.Norevealedprinciple,howevercomparativelysubordinate,canberegardedasindifferent,tobeadoptedorrejectedatwill.

EverymanisboundtocreditthewholetestimonyofGod.Yetthegospelisalogicallyconsistentsystemoftruth,someofwhoseprinciplesareessentialtoitsintegrity,whileothersareessentialonlytoitssymmetryandperfection;andignorance,feeblenessoflogicalcomprehension,andprejudicemay,andconstantlydo,leadgoodmentoapprehendthissystemoftruthimperfectly.

Afundamentaldoctrine,then,iseitheronewhicheverysoulmustapprehendmoreorlessclearlyinordertobesaved,oronewhichwhenknown,issoclearlyinvolvedwiththosetheknowledgeandbeliefofwhichisessentialtosalvation,thattheonecannotberejectedwhilethereallybelieved.

Afundamentaldoctrineisascertained—1st.Inthesamewaythattheessentialprinciplesofanyothersystemaredeterminedmined,bytheirbearinguponthesystemasawhole.

2nd.Everyfundamentaldoctrineisclearlyrevealed.

3rd.ThesedoctrinesareinScriptureitselfdeclaredtobeessential.—John3:18;Acts16:31;2Corinthians5:17;Galatians2:21;1John1:8.

28.Whatistheobjectof"fidesspecialis,"orthatspecificactoffaithwherebywearejustified?

ThepersonandworkoftheLordJesusChristasMediator.

Thisisproved—

1st.TheScripturesexpresslydeclarethatwearejustifiedbythatfaithofwhichChrististheobject.—Romans3:22,25;Galatians2:16;Philippians3:9.

2nd.WearesaidtobesavedbyfaithinChrist.—John3:16,36;Acts10:43;16:31.

3rd.Justifyingfaithisdesignatedasa"lookingtoChrist,"a"comingtoChrist,"etc.—John1:12;6:35,37;Isaiah14:22.

4th.RejectionofChrist;arefusaltosubmittotherighteousnessofGodisdeclaredtobethegroundofreprobation.John8:24;3:18,19.

29.HowistheRomishdoctrineonthispointopposedtotheProtestant?

TheRomanists,confoundingjustificationandsanctification,holdthatfaithjustifiesthroughthesanctifyingpowerofthetruth.Asallrevealedtruthhasthissanctifyingvirtue,itfollowsthatthewholerevelationofGodasascertainedbythedecisionsofthechurch,istheobjectofjustifyingfaith.ThisisrefutedbyallwehaveestablishedfromScriptureconcerningjustification,sanctification,andfaith.

30.IsChristinallhisoffices,oronlyaspriest,theimmediateobjectofjustifyingfaith?

InthisactthebelieverappropriatesandrestsuponChristasMediator,whichincludesatonceallhisfunctionsassuch.Thesemaybeanalyticallydistinguished,butinfacttheyarealwaysinseparablyunitedinhim.Whenheactsasprophetheteachesaskingandpriest.Whenhereignshesitsasprophetandpriestuponhisthrone.Besidesthis,hispropheticalandkinglyworkareconsciouslyneededbytheawakenedsoul,andarenecessarilyapprehendedasinseparablefromhispriestlyworkintheoneactoffaith.

Itistrue,however,thatasthesubstitutionaryworkwhichChrist

accomplishedaspriestisthemeritoriousgroundofoursalvation,sohispriestlycharacterismadethemoreprominent,bothintheteachingsofScriptureandintheexperienceofhispeople.

31.TowhatextentispeaceofconscienceandpeacewithGodanecessaryconsequenceoffaith?

PeacewithGodisreconciliationwithhim.Peaceofconsciencemayeithermeanconsciousnessofthatreconciliation,ortheappeasementofourownconscienceswhichcondemnus.FaithineveryinstancesecuresourpeacewithGod,sinceitunitesustoChrist,Romans5:1;andintheproportioninwhichfaithinthemeritsofChristisclearandconstantwillbeourconsciousnessofreconciliationwithGod,andthesatisfactionofourownmoralsensethatrighteousnessisfulfilled,whileweareforgiven.Yetasfaithmaybeobscuredbysin,sothetruebelievermaytemporarilyfallunderhisFather’sdispleasure,andlosehissenseofforgivenessandhismoralsatisfactionintheperfectionoftheatonement.

32.Whatarethethreeviewsentertainedastotherelationbetweenfaithandassurance?

1st.TheReformersgenerallymaintainedthatjustifyingfaithconsistedinappropriatingthepromiseofsalvationthroughChristmadeinthegospel,i.e.,inregardingGodaspropitioustousforChrist’ssake.

Thustheveryactoffaithinvolvesassurance.

2nd.Somehaveheldthatassuranceinthislifeisunattainable.TheRomanists,holdingthatChristianfaithischieflyimplicitassentandobedientconformitytotheteachingsofaninfallible,visiblesociety,calledtheChurch,strenuouslydeniedthatprivateindividualshaveanyscripturalauthoritytoentertainanassuredpersuasionthattheyarespeciallyobjectsofdivinefavor.Theywereaccustomedtoassertthatitisneither"obligatory,"nor"possible,"nor"desirable"thatanyoneshouldattainsuchassurancewithoutaspecialsupernaturalrevelation.SeeBellarmin,etc.,quotedbelow.

3rd.Thetrueviewisthat"althoughthisinfallibleassurancedoesnotbelongtotheessenceoffaith,butthatatruebelievermaywaitlongandconflictwithmanydifficultiesbeforehepartakeofit,yetbeingenabledbytheSpirittoknowthethingswhicharefreelygivenhimbyGod,hemay,withoutextraordinaryrevelation,intherightuseofordinarymeansattainthereunto.And,therefore,itisthedutyofeachonetogivediligencetomakehiscallingandelectionsure."Itisagreedbyallthatatruefaithcannotadmitofanydoubtastoitsobject.Whatisbelievedisassuredlybelieved.ButtheobjectofsavingfaithisChristandhisworkasMediatorguaranteedtousinthepromisesofthegospelontheconditionoffaith.Truefaithdoes,therefore,essentiallyincludetheassurance—1st.ThatChristisabletosaveus.

2nd.ThatheisfaithfulandwillsaveusifwebelieveItismeantthatthisisoftheessenceoffaith,notthateverytruebelieveralwaysenjoysastateofmindwhichexcludesalldoubtastoChrist’spowerorlove;becausethespiritualilluminationuponwhichfaithrestsisoftenimperfectindegreeandvariableinexercise.Faithmaybeweak,oritmaybelimitedbydoubt,oritmayalternatewithdoubt.Yetallsuchdoubtisofsin,andisalientotheessentialnatureoffaith.Butthecondition,ifwebelieve,uponwhichallassuranceofourownsalvationissuspended,isamatternotofrevelation,butofexperience,notoffaith,butofconsciousness.

Theologianshave,therefore,madeadistinctionbetweentheAssurance',offaith,Hebrews10:22,andtheassuranceofhope,Hebrews6:11.Thefirstisoftheessenceofsavingfaith,andistheassurancethatChristisallthatheprofessestobe,andwilldoallthathepromises.Thesecondistheassuranceofourownpersonalsalvation,isafruitoffaith,andoneofthehigherattainmentsoftheChristianlife.

33.Howmayitbeprovedthatassuranceofourownpersonalsalvationisnotessentialtosavingfaith?

1st.Fromthetrueobjectofsavingfaithasgivenabove.2nd.FromtheexamplesgivenintheScripturesofeminentsaintswhodoubtedwithregardtothemselves.—1Corinthians9:27.3rd.fromtheexhortationsaddressedtothosewhowerealreadybelieverstoattainto

assuranceasadegreeoffaithbeyondthatwhichtheyalreadyenjoyed.4th.FromtheexperienceofGod’speopleinallages.

34.Howmayitbeprovedthatassuranceisattainableinthislife?

1st.Thisisdirectlyasserted.—Romans8:16;2Peter1:10;1John2:3;3:14;5:13.2nd.Scripturalexamplesaregivenofitsattainment.—2Timothy1:12;4:7,8.3rd.ManyeminentChristianshaveenjoyedanabidingassurance,ofthegenuinenessofwhichtheirholywalkandconversationwasanindubitableseal.

35.Onwhatgroundsmayamanbeassuredofhissalvation?

"ItisaninfallibleAssurance',offaith,founded,

1st,uponthedivinetruthofthepromisesofsalvation;2nd,theinwardevidenceofthosegracesuntowhichthosepromisesaremade,and,3rd,thetestimonyofthespiritofadoption,Romans8:15,16,witnessingwithourspiritsthatwearethechildrenofGod.WhichSpirit,Ephesians1:13,14;2Corinthians1:21,22,istheearnestofourinheritancewherebywearesealedtothedayofredemption."Con.ofFaith,"Chap.18.

ThisgenuineassurancemaybedistinguishedfromthatpresumptuousconfidencewhichisadelusionofSatan,chieflybythesemarks.Trueassurance,1st,begetsunfeignedhumility,1Corinthians15:10;Galatians6:14;2nd,leadstoever–increasingdiligenceinpracticalreligion,Psalm12,13,19;3rd,tocandidself–examination,andadesiretobesearchedandcorrectedbyGod,Psalm139:23,24;4th,toconstantaspirationsafterneaterconformity,andmoreintimatecommunionwithGod.—1John3:2,3.

36.Howmayitbeshownthatalivingfaithnecessarilyleadstogoodworks?

1st.fromthenatureoffaith.Itisthespiritualapprehensionand

thevoluntaryembraceofthewholetruthofGod,—thepromises,thecommands,thethreateningsoftheScripture,—viewedastrueandasgood.

Thisfaithoccasions,ofcourse,theexerciseoftherenewedaffections,andloveactedoutisobedience.

Eachseparatetruththusapprehendedproducesitsappropriateeffectupontheheart,an)consequentlyuponthelife.

2nd.ThetestimonyofScripture.—Acts15:9;36:18;Galatians5:6;James2:18;1John5:4.

3rd.Theexperienceoftheuniversalchurch.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS.

St.Augustine.—"Quidestfidesnisicrederequodnonvides?"

ROMISHDOCTRINE.—"Cat.Counc.Trent,"i.1.—1."Weherespeakofthatfaith,byforceofwhichweyieldourentireassenttowhatsoeverhasbeendivinelydelivered,....byvirtueofwhichweholdthatasfixedwhatsoevertheauthorityofourholymotherthechurchteachesustohavebeendeliveredfromGod."

Bellarmin,"Justif.,"1,4.—"(Catholics)teachthathistoricfaith,bothofmiraclesandofpromises,isoneandthesamething,andthatthisonethingisnotproperlyaknowledgeorassurance,butacertainandmostfixedassent,ontheauthorityoftheultimateverity....Theobjectofjustifyingfaith,whichhereticsrestricttothesingleobjectofspecial(personal)mercy,CatholicswishtoextendasbroadlyasthewordofGodextends;nay,theycontendthatthepromiseofspecialmercybelongsnotsomuchtofaithastopresumption.Hencetheydiffer(fromProtestants)astothefacultyandpowerofmindwhichistheseatoffaith.Inasmuchasthey(Protestants)locatefaithinthewill,theydefineittobeassurance(fiducia)(ortrust),andsoconfounditwithhope,fortrust(orassurance)isnothingmorethanstronghope,asholyThomasteaches.Catholicsteachthatfaithhasitsseatintheintellect.Lastly(theydiffer)astotheactitself

oftheintellect(inwhichfaithconsists).They(Protestants),indeed,definefaithasaformofknowledge,we(Catholics)asassent.ForweassenttoGod,althoughheproposesthingstoustobebelievedwhichwedonotunderstand.Ch.7.—Inhim,whobelieves,therearetwothings,apprehension,andjudgmentorassent.Butapprehensionisnotfaith,butsomethingthatprecedesfaith.Besidesapprehensionisnotproperlycalledknowledge.ForitmayhappenthatanunlearnedCatholicmayonlyveryconfusedlyapprehendthethreenames(oftheTrinity),andneverthelessmaytrulybelieveinthem.

Butjudgmentorassentistwofold,theonefollowsreasonandtheevidenceofathing,theotherfollowstheauthorityofthepropounder,thefirstiscalledknowledge,thelatterfaith.Thereforethemysteriesoffaith,whichtranscendthereason,webelievebutdonotunderstand,sothatfaithisdistinguishedasoppositetoscience,andisbetterdefinedasignorancethanasknowledge."

"Cans.Counc.Trent,"Sess.6,ch.9.—"ForevenasnopiouspersonoughttodoubtofthemercyofGod,ofthemeritsofChrist,andofthevirtueandefficacyofthesacraments,evensoeachone,whenheregardshimselfandhisownweaknessandindisposition,mayhavefearandapprehensiontouchinghisowngrace;seeingthatnoonecanknowwithacertaintyoffaith,whichcannotbesubjecttoerror,thathehasobtainedthegraceofGod."

Bellarmin,"Justif.,"3,3says,"ThequestionindebatebetweenRomanistsandtheReformedwas,Whetheranyoneshouldorcould,withoutaspecialrevelation,becertainwiththecertaintyofadivinefaith,towhicherrorcaninnowaypertain,thathissinsareremitted?"

THEPROTESTANTDOCTRINEOFFAITHANDASSURANCE.

Calvin’s"Institutes,"B.3,ch.2,sect.7.—"Weshallhaveacompletedefinitionoffaith,ifwesaythatitisasteadyandcertainknowledgeofthedivinebenevolencetowardsus,which,beingfoundedonthetruthofthegratuitouspromiseinChrist,isbothrevealedtoourmindsandconfirmedtoourheartsbytheHolySpirit."

"HeidelbergCat.,"Ques.21.—"Whatistruefaith?Itisnotamereknowledge,bywhichIfirmlyassenttoallthatGodhasrevealedtousinhisword,butitisalsoanassuredconfidencekindledinmyheartbytheHolyGhostthroughthegospel,wherebyIacquiesceinGod,certainlyknowing,thatnottoothersonly,buttomealso,remissionofsins,eternalrighteousnessandlife,isgivengratuitously,ofthemercyofGod,onaccountofthemeritofChristalone."

"Apol.Augb.Confession,"p.68.—"Butthatfaithwhichjustifiesisnotmerelyaknowledgeofhistory;butitisassenttothepromiseofGodinwhichisfreely,forChrist’ssake,offeredtheremissionofsinsandjustification....Thisspecialfaith,therefore,wherebyeachonebelievesthathisownsinsareremittedtohimforChrist’ssake,andthatGodisreconciledandpropitiousthroughChrist,(isthefaiththatattainsremissionofsins,and(that)justifies."

"West.ConfessionFaith,"ch.18,§2.—"Thiscertainlyisnotabareconjecturalandprobablepersuasion,groundeduponafalliblehope,butaninfallibleAssurance’,’offaith,foundedon(a)thedivinetruthofthepromises(b)theinwardevidenceofthosegracestowhichthepromisesaremade,and(c)thetestimonyoftheHolySpirit....Sect.3.—Thisinfallibleassurancedothnotsobelongtotheessenceoffaith,butthatatruebelievermaywaitlongandconflictwithmanydifficultiesbeforehepartakethereof...Yethemay,withoutextraordinaryrevelation,intherightuseofordinarymeansattainthereto.And,therefore,itisthedutyofeveryonetogivealldiligencetomakehiscallingandelectionsure."

Turretin,2.15,Q.10.—"Thediversity(ofexpression)whichoccursbetweentheorthodoxhasarisenfromadifferentusageofthewordfiducia(confidence),whichmaybetakeninthreesenses:1.Forconfidentassent,orpersuasion,whicharisesfromthepracticaljudgmentoftheunderstanding,concerningthetruthandgoodnessoftheevangelicalpromises,andconcerningthepower,willingness,andfaithfulnessofGodpromising.Inwhichsenseπεισμονή(persuasion),Galatians5:8,isusedsynonymouslywithit,andπληροφορία(fullassurance)isattributedtofaith,Colossians2:2,andHebrews10:22.2.Fortheactoffleeingto,andofreceivingChrist,bywhichthebeliever,

thetruthandgoodnessofthepromisesbeingknown,fleestoChrist,receivesandembraceshim,andreclinesaloneonhismerits.3.Forconfidence,satisfaction,andtranquillityofmind,whicharisefromtherefugeofthemindtoChristandreceptionofhim.ForhewhofirmlyreclinesonChristandembraceshim,cannotfailtoacquiesceinhimsecurelyandtoconsiderhimselftohavefoundandtohavereceivedthatwhichhesought.Inthefirstandsecondsenseconfidence(fiducia)isoftheessenceoffaith,isrightlysaidbytheologianstobeitsformbecause,asafterwardsprovedagainstthePapists,itisaconfidential(trusting)apprehensionofChristandofallthebenefitsofferedinthewordofthegospel.Butinthethirdsenseitisbyothersrightlysaidnottobetheform,butthefruit,offaith,becauseitisbornfromit,butdoesnotconstituteit."

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Chapter31:UnionofBelieversChrist

1.Towhomareallmenunitedintheirnaturalestate?

ToAdam.Ourunionwithhimincludes,1st,hisfederalheadshipunderthecovenantofworks.—Romans5:12–19.2nd.Hisnaturalheadship,asperforceofordinarygeneration,thesourceofournature,andofitsmoralcorruptions.—Genesis5:3;1Corinthians15:49.

Butthelawuponwhichrestedthecovenantofworks,wherebywewereheldinunionwithAdam,havingbeenslainbyChrist,"thatbeingdeadwhereinwewereheld,"wewere"marriedtoanother,"thatis,toChrist.—Romans7:1–4.

2.WhatisthegeneralnatureofourunionwithChrist?

Itisasingle,ineffableandmostintimateunion,presentingtoourviewtwodifferentaspects,andgivingrisetotwodifferentclassesofconsequents.

1st.Thefirstaspectofthisunionisitsfederaland

representativecharacter,wherebyChrist,asthesecondAdam(1Corinthians15:22),assumesinthecovenantofgracethosebrokenobligationsofthecovenantofworkswhichthefirstAdamfailedtodischarge,andfulfillsthemallinbehalfofallhis"sheep,""theywhomtheFatherhasgivenhim."TheconsequenceswhicharisefromourunionwithChristunderthisaspectofitaresuchastheimputationofoursinstohim,andofhisrighteousnesstous,andallofthe

forensicbenefitsofjustificationandadoption,etc.—SeeChapters33.,34.

2nd.Thesecondaspectofthisunionisitsspiritualandvitalcharacter,thenatureandconsequencesofwhichitisourbusinesstodiscussunderthepresenthead.

3.Whatisthefoundationofthisunion?

(1)TheeternalpurposeofthetriuneGod,expressedinthedecreeofelection(wewerechoseninhimbeforethefoundationoftheworld.—Ephesians1:4),providingforitsownfulfillmentinthecovenantofgracebetweentheFatherasGodabsolute,andtheSonasMediator.—John17:2–6;Galatians2:20;(2)intheincarnationoftheSon,wherebyheassumedfellowshipwithusincommunityofnature,andbecameourbrother.—Hebrews2:16,17;and(3)inthemissionandofficialworkoftheSpiritofChrist(1John4:13),throughthepowerfuloperationofwhominthebodiesandsoulsofhispeoplethelastAdamismadeaquickeningspirit(1Corinthians15:45),andtheyareallconstitutedthebodyofChristandmembersinparticular.1Corinthians12:27.

4.BywhatanalogiesdrawnfromearthlyrelationsisthisunionofbelieverswithChristillustratedinScripture?

Thetechnicaldesignationofthisunionintheologicallanguageis"mystical,"becauseitsofartranscendsalltheanalogiesofearthlyrelationships,intheintimacyofitscommunion,inthetransformingpowerofitsinfluence,andintheexcellenceofitsconsequences.YetHolyScriptureillustratesdifferentaspectsofthisfountainofgracesbymanyaptthoughpartialanalogies.

As,1st,foundationofabuildinganditssuperstructure.—1Peter2:4,6.2nd.Treeanditsbranches.—John15:5.3rd.Headandmembersofthebody.—Ephesians4:15,16.4th.Husbandandwife.—Ephesians5:31,32;Revelation19:7–9.5th.Adamandhisdescendants,illboththeirfederalandnaturalrelations.—Romans5:12–19;1Corinthians15:22,49.

5.Whatistheessentialnatureofthisunion?

Ontheonehand,thisuniondoesnotinvolveanymysteriousconfusionofthepersonofChristwiththepersonsofhispeople;and,ontheotherhand,itisnotsuchamereassociationofseparatepersonsasexistsinhumansocieties.Butitisaunionwhich,1st,determinesourlegalstatusonthesamebasiswithhis.2nd.Whichrevivesandsustains,bytheinfluenceofhisindwellingSpirit,ourspirituallift,fromthefountainofhislife,andwhichtransformsourbodiesandsoulsintothelikenessofhisglorifiedhumanity.

Itis,therefore—1st.Aspiritualunion.Itsactuatingsourceandbondisthespiritofthehead,whodwellsandworksinthemembers.1Corinthians6:17;12:13;1John3:24;4:13.

2nd.Avitalunion,i.e.,ourspirituallifeissustainedanddeterminedinitsnatureandmovementbythelifeofChrist,throughtheindwellingofhisSpirit.—John14:19;Galatians2:20.

3rd.Itembracesourentirepersons,ourbodiesthroughourspirits.—1Corinthians6:15,19.

4th.Itisalegalorfederalunion,sothatallofourlegalorcovenantresponsibilitiesrestuponChrist,andallofhislegalorcovenantmeritsaccruetous.

5th.Itisanindissolubleunion.—John10:28;Romans8:35,37;1Thessalonians4:14,17.

6th.ThisunionisbetweenthebelieverandthepersonoftheGod–maninhisofficeasMediator.ItsimmediateorganistheHolySpirit,whodwellsinus,andthroughhimwearevirtuallyunitedtoand

communewiththewholeGodhead,sinceheistheSpiritoftheFatheraswellasoftheSon.—John14:23;17:21,23.

6.HowisthisunionbetweenChristandtheChristianestablished?

ItwasestablishedinthepurposeanddecreeofGod,andintheCovenantoftheFatherwiththeSonfrometernity.—Ephesians1:4;John17:2,6.Nevertheless,theelect,astopersonalcharacterandpresentrelations,beforetheireffectualcallingbytheSpirit,arebornandcontinued"bynaturechildrenofwrathevenasothers,"and"strangerstothecovenantsofpromise."Ephesians2:3,12.InGod’sappointedtime,witheachindividualofhischosen,thisunionisestablishedmutually—1st.BythecommencementoftheeffectualandpermanentworkingsoftheHolyspiritwithinthem(theyarequickenedtogetherwithChristintheactofthenewbirthopeningtheeyesandrenewingthewill,andthuslayingintheirnaturesthefoundationoftheexerciseofsavingfaith2nd.Whichfaithisthesecondbondbywhichthismutualunionisestablished,bythecontinuedactingsofwhichtheirfellowshipwithChristissustained,anditsblessedconsequencesdeveloped.—Ephesians3:17.Thuswe"cometohim,""receivehim,""eatofhisfleshanddrinkofhisblood,"etc.

7.Whataretheconsequencesofthisuniontothebeliever?

1st.Theyhaveacommunitywithhiminhiscovenantstanding,andrights.forensicallytheyarerendered"completeinhim."Hisrighteousnessandhisfatheristheirs.Theyreceivetheadoptioninhim,andareacceptedastoboththeirpersonsandservicesinthebeloved.TheyaresealedbyhisHolySpiritofpromise;inhimobtainaninheritance;sitwithhimonhisthroneandbeholdhisglory.—Romans8:1;Colossians2:10;Ephesians1:6,11,13;Philippians3:8,9.

AsMediator,Jesusis"theChrist,"theanointedone,andthebelieveristheChristian,orreceiverof"theunction."—Acts11:26;1John2:20.Hismediatorialofficeembracesthreeprincipalfunctions—(1)Thatofprophet,andinfellowshipwithhimthebelieverisaprophet.—John

16:13;1John2:27.(2)Thatofpriest,andthebelieveralsoisapriestinhim.Isaiah61:6;1Peter2:5;Revelation20:6.(3)Thatofking,andinhimthebelieverisaking.—1Peter2:9;Revelation3:21;5:10.

2nd.Theyhavefellowshipwithhiminthetransforming,assimilatingpowerofhislife,makingthemlikehim;everygraceofJesusreproducingitselfinthem;"ofhisfullnesswehaveallreceived,andgraceforgrace."Thisholdstrue,(1)withregardtooursouls,Romans8:9;Philippians2:5;1John3:2;(2)withregardtoourbodies,causingthemtobenowthetemplesoftheHolyGhost,1Corinthians6:17,19;andhisresurrectiontobethecauseofours,andhisglorifiedbodytobethetypeofours.—Romans6:5;1Corinthians15:47,49;Philippians3:21.AndthusbelieversaremadetobearfruitinChrist,bothintheirbodiesandspirits,whicharehis.—John15:5;2Corinthians12:9;1John1:6.

3rd.ThisleadstotheirfellowshipwithChristintheirexperience,intheirlabors,sufferings,temptations,anddeath.—Galatians6:17;Philippians3:10;Hebrews12:3;1Peter4:13.Thusrenderingsacredandgloriousevenourearthlylife.

4th.AlsotoChrist’srightfulfellowshipwiththeminalltheypossess.Proverbs19:17;Romans14:8;1Corinthians6:19,20.

5th.Alsototheconsequencethat,inthespiritualreceptionoftheholysacraments,theydoreallyholdfellowshipwithhim.Theyare"baptizedintoChrist."—Galatians3:27."Thebreadwhichwebreak,isitnotthecommunionofthebodyofChrist;thecupofblessingwhichwebless,isitnotthecommunionofthebloodofChrist."—1Corinthians10:16;11:26;John6:51–56.

6th.Thisleadsalsotothefellowshipofbelieverswithoneanotherthroughhim,thatis,tothecommunionofsaints.

8.Whatisthenatureofthat"communionofsaints"whichspringsfromtheunionofeachsaintwiththeLord?

See"ConfessionofFaith,"Chapter26.Believersbeingallunitedtooneheadare,ofcourse,throughhimmutually,relatedinthesame

communityofspirit,life,status,andcovenantedprivilegeswithoneanother.

Thisinvolvesuponthepartofallbelievers—

1st.Reciprocalobligationsandofficesaccordingtothespecialgracevouchsafedtoeach.Liketheseveralorgansofthebodyallhavepartinthesamegenerallife,yeteachhashisownindividualdifferenceofqualification,andconsequentlyofduty;"forthebodyisnotonememberbutmany."—1Corinthians12:4–21;Ephesians4:11–13.

2nd.Theyhavefellowshipineachother’sgiftsandcomplementarygraces,eachcontributinghisspeciallovelinesstothebeautyofthewhole.—Ephesians4:15,16.

3rd.Thesereciprocaldutieshaverespecttothebodiesandtemporalinterestsofthebrethren,aswellastothosewhichconcernthesoul.—Galatians2:10;1John3:16–18.

4th.Theyhavefellowshipinfaithanddoctrine.—Acts2:42;Galatians2:9.

5th.Inmutualrespectandsubordination.—Romans12:10;Ephesians5:21;Hebrews13:17.

6th.Inmutualloveandsympathy.—Romans12:10;1Corinthians12:26.

7th.Thisfellowshipexistsunbrokenbetweenbelieversonearthandinheaven.Thereisone"wholefamilyinheavenandonearth."—Ephesians3:15.

8th.Inglorythiscommunionofsaintsshallbeperfected,whenthereis"onefoldandoneshepherd,"whenallsaintsshallbeoneasFatherandSonareone.—John10:16;17:22.

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CHAPTER32:Repentance,andtheRomishDoctrineofPenance

1.Whatarethewordsusedintheoriginaltoexpressthischangeofmindandfeeling?

1st.μεταμέλεσθαι,fromμέλομαι,tocarefor;combinedwithμετά,tochangeone'scare

ThisisusedonlyfivetimesintheNewTestament.

2nd.μετανοε͂ιν,fromνοέω,toperceive,understand,consider;combinedwithmeta>,tochangeone’smindorpurpose.Thisistheverbconstantlyusedin,theNewTestamenttodesignatethischange.

3rd.Fromthesamesourcecomesthenounμετάνοια,repentance,changeofmindorpurpose.IntheNewTestamentusageofthesewordstheideaofsorrowandcontritionisincluded.

2.Whatissavingrepentance?

See"Con.Faith,"Chap.15.;"LargerCat.,"Q.76;"ShorterCat.,"Q.87.

Itincludes—1st.Asenseofpersonalguilt,pollution,andhelplessness.2nd.Anapprehensionofthemercyof:GodinChrist.3rd.Griefandhatredofsin,aresoluteturningfromituntoGod,andapersistentendeavorafteranewlifeofholyobedience.

3.ProvethatrepentanceisagraceorgiftofGod.

1st.Thisisevidentfromthenatureofrepentanceitself.Itincludes,(1)senseofthehatefulnessofsin,(2)senseofthebeautyofholiness,(3)apprehensionofthemercyofGodinChrist.It,therefore,presupposesfaith,whichisGod’sgift.Galatians5:22;Ephesians2:8.

2nd.TheScripturesexpresslyaffirmit.—Zechariah12:10;Acts5:31;11:18;2Timothy2:25.

4.Whatisthenatureofthatsenseofsinwhichisanessentialelementofrepentance?

Thatspiritualilluminationandrenewaloftheaffectionswhichiseffectedinregeneration,bringsthebelievertoseeandappreciatetheholinessofGodasrevealedalikeinthelawandthegospel,

Romans3:20;Job13:6,andinthatlighttoseeandfeelalsotheexceedingsinfulnessofallsin,andtheuttersinfulnessofhisownnaturejustasitisintruth.Thissenseofsin,thuscorrespondingtothefactsofthecase,includes,1st,consciousnessofguilt,i.e.,exposuretorighteouspunishment,asopposedtothejusticeofGod.—Psalm51:4,9.2nd.Consciousnessofpollutionasopposedtothe

holinessofGod,Psalm52:5,7,10;and,3rd,consciousnessofhelplessness.—Psalm52:11;109:22.

See"WayofLife."

5.Whatarethefruitsandevidencesofthissenseofsin?

Asenseofguilt,especiallywhencoupledwithasenseofhelplessness,willnaturallyexciteapprehensionofdanger.Thispainfulfeelingisexperiencedininfinitelyvariousdegreesandmodifications,asdeterminedbynaturaltemperament,education,andthespecialdealingsoftheHolySpirit.Theselegalfears,however,arecommonbothtofalseandtotruerepentance,andpossessnosanctifyinginfluence.

AsenseofpollutionleadstoshamewhenwethinkofGod,andtoself–loathingwhenwethinkofourselves.Confessionofsin,bothinprivatetoGodandbeforemen,isanaturalandindispensablemodeinwhichthissenseofsinwillgivegenuineexpressiontoitself.—Psalm32:5,6;Proverbs28:13;James5:16;1John1:9.

Theonlyunquestionabletestofthegenuinenessofsuchasenseofsin,however,isanearnestandabidingdesireandendeavortobedeliveredfromit.

6.ShowthatanapprehensionofthemercyofGodin

Christisessentialtorepentance.

1st.TheawakenedconscienceechoesGod’slaw,andcanbeappeasedbynolessapropitiationthanthatdemandedbydivinejusticeitself,anduntilthisisrealizedinabelievingapplicationtoChrist,eitherindifferencemustdullthesenses,orremorsemusttormentthesoul.

2nd.OutofChristGodisaconsumingfire,andaninextinguishabledreaddrivesthesoulaway.—

Deuteronomy4:24;Hebrews12:29.

3rd.AsenseoftheamazinggoodnessofGodtousinthegiftofhisSon,andofourungratefulrequitalofit,isnecessarytoexciteintherepentantsoulthepropershameandsorrowforsinascommittedagainstGod.—Psalm51:4.

4thThisisprovedbytheteachingsandexamplesfurnishedinScripture.—Psalm51:1;130:4.

7.Whatisthenatureofthat"turninguntoGod"whichconstitutestheessenceofgenuinerepentance?

Itisavoluntaryforsakingofsinasevilandhateful,withsinceresorrow,humiliation,and

confession;andareturninguntoGod,becausehehasarighttous,andbecauseheismercifulandwillingtoforgive,togetherwithadeterminationtolive,bythehelpofhisgrace,inobediencetohiscommandments.

8.Whataretheevidencesofgenuinerepentance?

1st.TheagreementofourowninternalexperiencewiththeteachingsofthewordofGodonthissubject.ThisistobedeterminedbytheprayerfulstudyoftheScripturesinconnectionwithself–examination.2nd.Thepermanenteffectsrealizedillthelife.Thesearethehatredandforsakingofsecretaswellasofopensins,thechoiceofGod’sserviceasbothrightanddesirable,publicconfession,andentire

practicalconsecration."Thesethingsmustbeinusandabound."—2Corinthians7:11.

9.Whataretherelationswhichtheideasrepresentedbytheterms"faith,""repentance,"

"regeneration"and"conversion"mutuallysustaintooneanother?

RegenerationistheineffableactofGodimplantinganewsnature.Thetermconversionisusedgenerallytoexpressthefirstexercisesofthatnewnatureinceasingfromtheoldlifeandcommencingthenew.Faithdesignatestheprimaryactofthenewnature,andalsothatpermanentstateorhabitofmindwhichcontinuestheessentialconditionofallothergraces.Itisthespiritualapprehensionofthetruthbythemind,andtheloyalembraceofthetruthbythewill,withoutwhichtherecanbeneitherlove,hope,peace,joy,norrepentance.Thecommonsenseattachedtothewordrepentanceisverysimilartothatattachedtothewordconversion,butitdiffersfromitastoitsusageintwoparticulars—1st.Conversionisthemoregeneralterm,andisusedtoincludethefirstexercisesoffaith,aswellasallthoseexperiencesoflove,ofholiness,andhatredofsin,etc.,whichareconsequentuponit.Repentanceismorespecific,andexpressesthathatredandrenunciationofsin,andthatturninguntoGod,whichaccompaniesfaithasitsconsequent.2nd.Conversionisgenerallyusedtodesignateonlythefirstactingsofthenewnatureatthecommencementofareligiouslife,oratmostthefirststepsofareturntoGodafteranotablebacksliding.—Luke22:32.

Whilerepentanceisappliedtothatconstantbearingofthecrosswhichisonemaincharacteristicofthebeliever’slifeonearth.—Psalm19:12,13;Luke9:23;Galatians6:14;5:24.

10.WhatdoctrineconcerningrepentancewastaughtbymanyoftheReformers?

Someofthemdefinedrepentanceasconsisting,1st,ofmortification,ordyinguntosin;and,2nd,ofvivification,orlivinguntoGod.Thiscorrespondstoourviewofsanctification.TheLutheransmake

repentancetoconsistin,1st,contrition,orsorrowforsin;and,2nd,infaithinthegospel,orabsolution.—"AugsburgConfession,"Art12.This,althoughapeculiarphraseology,isthetrueview.

11.WhatistheRomishdoctrineofPenance?

IntheirschemeofsalvationthetrueanalogytotheProtestantdoctrineofjustificationisnottobefoundintheRomishdoctrineofjustification(socalled),butintheirdoctrineofpenance.ByjustificationProtestantsunderstandachangeofrelationtothedivinelaw,fromcondemnationtofavorwithourJudgeandKing,onthegroundofthesatisfactionrenderedbyChrist.By"justification"Romanistsmean"notremissionofsinmerely,butalsothesanctificationandrenewaloftheinwardman,throughthevoluntaryreceptionofthegraceandofthegiftswherebymanofunjustbecomesjest,andofanenemyafriend.""Foralthoughnoonecanbejust,buthetowhomthemeritsofthepassionofChrist,ofourLordJesusChrist,arecommunicated,yetisthisdoneinthesaidjustificationoftheimpious,whenbythemeritofthatsamemostholypassion,thecharityofGodispouredforthbytheHoly,Spiritintheheartsofthosethatarejustified,andisinherenttherein.""Conc.Trent,"Sess.C,ch.7.Thisiseffectedbybaptism,andinallitsstagespresupposesthesatisfactionandmeritofChrist.Hissatisfactionatonesformallsinscommittedbeforebaptism,andfortheeternalpunishmentofallsinsofthebaptized.Hismeritssecureprevenientgrace,baptismalregeneration,andarethebasisonwhichthegraciousobedienceandthetemporalsufferingsofthebelievermeritforgivenessofsinsandcontinuance,restoration,andincreaseofgrace,andtherewardsofheaven.

HavingbeenthusjustifiedandmadefriendsofGod,theyadvancefromvirtuetovirtue,andarerenewedfromdaytodaythroughtheobservanceofthecommandmentsofGodandoftheChurch,whichgoodworkstrulymeritandreceive,asajustreward,increaseofgraceandmoreandmoreperfectjustification(sanctification).TheChristianman’sfirstJustification,effectedinbaptism,wasforChrist’ssakewithoutco–operationofhisownmerit,thoughbyco–operationofhisownwill(ifadult).Hiscontinuedandincreasingjustification(sanctification)isforChrist’ssakethroughandinproportiontohisownmerit,whichmeritincreasesinproportion(a)tohisholiness,(b)tohis

obediencetomoralandecclesiasticalrules.—"Conc.Trent,"Sess.6,ch.10,andcan.32.

Incaseofthosewhohavebysinfallenfromthereceivedgraceof"justification,"thegracelostis,throughthemeritsofChrist,restoredbytheSACRAMENTOFPENANCE,providedasasecondplank,aftertheshipwreckofgracelost.Thispenanceincludes(1)sorrowforsin,(2)confessionofthosesins,(3)sacerdotalabsolution,(4)satisfactionrendered(a)inthisworldbyfasts,alms,prayers,etc.,and(b)afterdeathbythefiresofpurgatory.

Theydistinguishpenance—1st.Asavirtue,equivalenttotheProtestantdoctrineofthegraceofrepentance.2nd.AsasacramentPenance,asavirtue,isinternal,orachangeofmind,includingsorrowforsinandturninguntoGod.Externalpenance,ortheoutwardexpressionoftheinternalstate,isthatwhichconstitutestheSACRAMENTOFPENANCE.Thematterofthissacramentisconstitutedbytheactsofthepenitentinthewayofcontrition,ofconfession,andofsatisfaction.

Contritionissorrowanddetestationofpastsins,withapurposeofsinningnomore.Confessionisself–accusationtoapriesthavingjurisdictionandthepowerofthekeys.Satisfactionissomepainfulworkimposedbythepriest,andperformedbythepenitenttosatisfyjusticeforsinscommitted.

Theseeffect(a)theexpiationoftheguiltofpastsins,and(b)thedisciplineandincreaseofthespirituallifeofthesoul.Theformofthesacramentistheabsolutionpronouncedjudicially,andnotmerelydeclaratively,bythepriest.Theyhold"thatitisonlybymeansofthissacramentthatsinscommittedafterbaptismcanbeforgiven."—"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.5.,Qu.12and13;"Conc.Trent,"Sess.6,chs.14-16;Sess.14,chs.1-9;Sess.6,can.30.

12.Howmayitbeprovedthatitisnotasacrament?

1st.ItwasnotinstitutedbyChrist.TheScripturesteachnothingconcerningit.2nd.Itisanessentialconsequentofthefalsetheoryofbaptismalregeneration.3rd.Itdoesnoteithersignify,seal,orconveythe

benefitsofChristandthenewcovenant.—Seebelow,Chap.41.,Questions2–5.

13.Whatistheirdoctrineconcerningconfession?

Confessionisself–accusationtoapriesthavingjurisdictionandthepowerofthekeys.Allsinsmustbeconfessedwithoutreserve,andinalltheirdetailsandqualifyingcircumstances.Ifanymortalsinisnotconfessed,itisnotpardoned,andiftheomissioniswillful,itissacrilege,andgreaterguiltisincurred.—"Cat.Rom.,"Pt.2.,Chap.5.,Qu.33,34and42.

14.WhataretheProtestantargumentsagainstauricularconfession?

1st.IthasnowarrantinScripture.Thecommandisto"confessonetoanother."

2nd.Itpervertsthewholeplanofsalvation,bymakingnecessarythemediationofthepriestbetweentheChristianandChrist,whichhasbeenrefutedabove,Chap.24.,Questions8and21.

3rd.WearecommandedtoconfesstoGodimmediately.Matthew11:28;1Timothy2:5;1John1:9.

4th.Thepracticalresultsofthissystemhavealwaysbeenevil,andthisgrossinvasionofallthesacredlightsofpersonalityisrevoltingtoeveryrefinedsoul.

15.WhatisthenatureofthatabsolutionwhichtheRomishpriestsclaimthepowertogrant?

Itabsolvesjudicially,notmerelydeclaratively,fromallthepenalconsequencesofthesinsconfessedbytheauthorityofJesusChrist.TheyappealtoMatthew16:19;18:18;John20:22,23."Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.5.,Qu.13and17;"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.14,DePœnitentia,can.9.

16.Whataretheargumentsagainstthepossession,

uponthepartoftheChristianministry,ofsuchapowertoabsolve?

1st.TheChristianministryisnotapriesthood.—Seeabove,Chap.24.,Question21.

2nd.Butevenifitwere,theconclusionwhichthePapistsdrawfromitwouldnotfollow.Absolutionisasovereign,notapriestlyact.Thisisplain,fromthedefinitionofthepriesthoodgiven(Hebrews5:1–6),fromtheLeviticalpractice,andfromtheverynatureoftheactitself

3rd.Thegrantofthepowerofthekeys,whateveritwas,wasnotmadetotheministryassuch,forinMatthew18:1–18,Christwasaddressingthebodyofthedisciples,andtheprimitiveministersnevereitherclaimedorexercisedthepowerinquestion.

4th.Thepowerofabsoluteforgivenessisincommunicableinitself,andwasnotgrantedasamatteroffact;thewordsinquestionwillnotbearthatsense,andwerenotsounderstood.ThepracticeoftheapostlesshowsthattheirunderstandingofthewordswasthattheyconveyedmerelythepowerofdeclaringtheconditionsonwhichGodwouldpardonsin,andinaccordancewiththatdeclaration,ofadmittingorexcludingmenfromsealingordinances.

5th.ThisonefalseprinciplemakesChristofnoneeffect,andpervertsthewholegospel.—"Bib.Rep.,"Jan.,1845.

17.WhatistheRomishdoctrineconcerningsatisfactionasapartofpenance?

Bysatisfactionismeantsuchworksasareenjoinedbythepriestuponconfession,whichbeingsetoveragainstthesinsconfessed,forwhichcontritionhasbeenprofessed,aresupposedtoconstituteacompensationforthebreachofGod’slaw,andinconsiderationofwhichthesinsareforgiven.—"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.5.,Qu.52and53."CouncilofTrent,"Sess.14.,"DePœnitentia,"Chs.1.–9.

18.Whataretheobjectionstothatdoctrine?

1st.ItisnotsupportedbyanyScripturalauthority.2nd.ItdoesdishonortotheoneperfectsatisfactionofferedbyourHighPriestonceforall.—Hebrews10:10–14.3rd.Thedistinctiontheymakebetweenthetemporalandeternalpunishmentsofsinisunauthorized.ThepenaltyofsinisthejudicialwrathofGod—whilethatlaststhereisnopeace.Whenthatispropitiatedthereisnomorecondemnation(Romans8:1).ThetemporalsufferingsofbelieversinChristarechastisements,notpunishments,norsatisfactions.4th.Thepretended"satisfactions"areeithercommandedornot.Ifcommanded,theyaresimpleduties.Theirperformancecanhavenomerit.Theperformanceofonedutycannever"satisfy"fortheneglectorviolationofanother.Ifnotcommanded,theyareaformofwill–worshipwhichGodabhors.—Colossians2:20–23.

19.WhatisthePapaldoctrineofIndulgences?

ThePapaldoctrineofINDULGENCES—1st.RestsuponthesameprincipleswiththeirdoctrineofPENANCE.(1)Thedistinctionbetweentheeternalandthetemporalpenaltiesdemandedforthesatisfactionsforsins.(2)ThesuperabundantmeritacquiredbyandbelongingtotheHeadoftheChurchandhismembers(Christ,theVirginMary,andthesaints),whichconstituteaTreasuryofMerit,disposableatthediscretionofcompetentauthoritytothereliefofanyrepentantbelievernotinmortalsin.(3)Thedispensingpowerofthechurch,wherebyachurchofficerpossessingcompetentjurisdictionhasauthoritytodispenseinbehalfofGodandofthechurchanyoralltemporalsatisfactionsduefromthepenitent,eitheronearthorinpurgatory,notasyetdischargedhimpersonally.

2nd.Theseindulgencesaretobegrantedfor"reasonablecauses,"i.e.,"thecausemustbepious,thatis,notaworkwhichismerelytemporal,orvain,orinnorespectappertainingtothedivineglory,butanyworkwhatsoeverwhichtendstothehonorofGod,ortheserviceofthechurch."They"donotdependfortheirefficacyonconsiderationoftheworkenjoinedbutontheinfinitetreasureofthemeritsofChristandthesaints."These"causes"arepaymentsofmoneyforpiouspurposes,specialprayers,visittocertainshrines,etc.,etc.

3rd.Indulgencesareofvariouskinds.(1)Generalorthewhole

church,grantedonlybythepopehimself;toallthefaithfulthroughouttheworld;orparticular,grantedbydueauthoritytocertainpersons.(2)Theymaybeplenarygrantingremissionfromalltemporalpunishmentsinthisworldandillpurgatory;orpartial,remittingonlysomepartofthepenaltydue.(3)Theymaybetemporary,foraspecifiednumberofdaysormonths.(4)Perpetual,withoutanylimitationoftime.(5)Local,attachedtocertainchurchesorotherplaces.(6)Real,attachedtocertainmovablethingsasrosaries,medals,etc.(7)Personal,grantedtoparticularpersons,orcommunities.—SeeM’ClintockandStrong’s"Encyclopaedia,"andbelow,the"Counc.ofTrent,"etc.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS

"Counc.Trent,"Sess.14,ch.1.—"ButtheLordthenprincipallyinstitutedtheSacramentofPenancewhenbeingraisedfromthedead,hebreatheduponhisdisciplessaying,‘ReceiveyetheHolyGhost,whosesinsyeshallforgive,theyareforgiventhem,andwhosesinsyeretaintheyareretained.’Bywhichactionsosignal,andwordssoclear,theconsentofalltheFathershaseverunderstood,thatthepowerofforgivingandretainingsinswascommunicatedtotheapostlesandtheirlawfulsuccessors,forthereconcilingofthefaithfulwhohavefallenafterbaptism."

Ib.,ch.3.—"Theholysynoddothfurthermoreteach,(1)thattheFORMoftheSacramentofPenance,whereinitsforceprincipallyconsists,isplacedinthosewordsoftheminister,‘IABSOLVETHEE,ETC.’....But(2)theactsofthepenitenthimself,towit,contrition,confession,andsatisfaction,areasitweretheMATTERofthissacrament,whichacts,inasmuchastheyare,byGod’sinstitution,requiredinthepenitentfortheintegrityofthesacrament,andforthefullandperfectremissionofsins,areforthisreasoncalledthepartsofpenance.But(3)thethingsignifiedindeed,andtheeffectofthissacrament,asfarasregardsitsforceandefficacy,isreconciliationwithGod."

Ib.,ch.4.—"Contrition,whichholdsthefirstplaceamongsttheaforesaidactsofthepenitent,isasorrowofmind,andadetestationforsincommitted,withthepurposeofnotsinningforthefuture."

Ib.,ch.5.—"Allmortalsinsofwhich,afteradiligentexaminationofthemselves,theyareconscious,mustneedsbebypenitentsenumeratedinconfession,eventhoughthosesinsbemosthidden,andcommittedonlyagainstthetwolastpreceptsofthedecalogue...Venialsins,wherebywearenotexcludedfromthegraceofGod,andintowhichwefallmorefrequently,althoughtheyberightlyandprofitablyandwithoutpresumptiondeclaredinconfession,yettheymaybeomittedwithoutguilt,andbeexpiatedbymanyotherremedies....Othersins(mortal)whichdonotoccurtohim(thepenitent)afterdiligentthought,areunderstoodtobeincludedasawholeinthatsameconfession;forwhichsinsweconfidentlysaywiththeprophet.‘Frommysecretsinscleanseme,OLord.’"

Ib.,ch.6.—"Italsoteaches,thatevenpriests,whoareinmortalsinexercisethroughthevirtueoftheHolyGhost,whichGodhasbestowedinordination,theofficeofforgivingsins....Butalthoughtheabsolutionofthepriestisthedispensationofanother’sbounty,yetitisnotabareministryonly,ordeclarativeactbutofthenatureofajudicialact,wherebysentenceispronouncedbythepriestasbyajudge...Neitherwouldfaithwithoutpenancebestowanyremissionofsinsnorwouldhebeotherwisethanmostcarelessofhisownsalvation,whoknowingthatapriestbutabsolvedhiminjest,shouldnotcarefullyseekforanotherwhowouldactinearnest."

Ib.,ch.8.—"Finally,asregardsSatisfaction,whichasitis,ofallthepartsofPenance,thatwhichhasbeenatalltimesrecommendedtotheChristianpeoplebyourFathers.Ch.9.—WeareablethroughJesusChristtomakesatisfactiontoGodtheFather,notonlybypainsvoluntarilyundertakenbyourselvesforthepunishmentofsin,orbythoseimposedatthediscretionofthepriestaccordingtothemeasureofourdelinquency,—butalso,whichisaverygreatproofoflove,bythetemporalscourgesinflictedofGodandbornepatientlybyus."

"Counc.Trent,"Sess.6,Can.29.—"Ifanyonesaith,thathe,whohasfallenafterbaptism,isnotablebythegraceofGodtoriseagain;orthatheisableindeedtorecoverthejusticewhichhehaslost,butbyfaithalonewithoutthesacramentofpenance....Lethimbeaccursed.Can.30.—IfanyonesaiththatafterthegraceofJustification(sanctification)

hasbeenreceived,toeverypenitentsinnertheguiltisremitted,andthedebtofeternalpunishmentisblottedoutinsuchwise,thatthereremainsnotanydebtoftemporalpunishmenttobedischargedeitherinthisworld,orinthenextinPurgatory,beforeentrancetothekingdomofheavencanbeopened(tohim);Lethimbeaccursed."INDULGENCES.—"Conc.Trent,"Sess.25,"DeIndulgentiis."

PopeLeoX.,"BullDeIndulgentiis"(1518).—"ThatnooneinfuturemayallegeignoranceofthedoctrineoftheRomanChurchrespectingindulgencesandtheirefficacy...theRomanpontiff,vicarofChristonearth,can,forreasonablecauses,bythepowersofthekeys,granttothefaithful,whetherinthislifeorinPurgatory,indulgences,outofthesuperabundanceofthemeritsofChrist,andofthesaints(expresslycalledatreasure);andthatthosewhohavetrulyobtainedthoseindulgencesarereleasedfromsomuchofthetemporalpunishmentduefortheiractualsinstothedivinejusticeasisequivalenttotheindulgencegrantedandobtained."

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Chapter33:Justification

1.Whatisthesenseinwhichthewordδίκαιος,just,isusedintheNewTestament?

Itsfundamentalideaisthatofperfectconformitytoalltherequirementsofthemorallaw.

1st.Spokenofthingsoractions.—Matthew20:4;Colossians4:1.

2nd.Spokenofpersons(1)aspersonallyholy,conformedtothelawincharacter.—Matthew5:45;9:13.

(2)Inrespecttotheirpossessingeminentlysomeonequalitydemandedbythelaw.—Matthew1:19;

Luke23:50.(3)Asforensicallyjust,i.e.,asconformedtotherequirementsofthelawastheconditionofthecovenantoflife.—Romans1:17.(4)SpokenofGodinrespecttohispossessionoftheattributeofdistributivejusticeinadministeringtheprovisionsofthelawandthecovenants.Romans3:26;1John1:9.(5)SpokenofChristinrespecttohischaracterastheonlyperfectman,andtohisrepresentativepositioninsatisfyingallthedemandsofthelawinbehalfofhispeople.—Acts3:14;7:52;22:14.

2.Whatistheusageoftheverbδικαιόω,tojustify,intheNewTestament?

Itmeanstodeclareapersontobejust.

1st.Personallyconformedtothelawastomoralcharacter.Luke7:29;Romans3:4.

2nd.Forensically,thatis,thatthedemandsofthelawasaconditionoflifearefullysatisfiedwithregardtohim.—Acts13:39;Romans5:1,9;8:30–33;1Corinthians6:11;Galatians2:16;3:11.

3.HowcanitbeprovedthatthewordδικαιόωisusedinaforensicsensewhentheScripturesuseitwithreferencetothejustificationofsinnersunderthegospel?

1st.Inmanyinstancesitcanbearnoothersense.Theungodlyaresaidtobejustifiedwithoutthedeedsofthelaw,bythebloodofChrist,byfaith,freely,andofgrace,throughtheagencyofanadvocate,bymeansofasatisfactionandofimputedrighteousness.—Romans3:20–28;4:5–7;5:1;Galatians2:16;3:11;5:4;1John2:2.

2nd.Itisusedasthecontraryofcondemnation.—Romans8:33,34.

3rd.Thesameideaisconveyedinmanyequivalentandinterchangeableexpressions.—John3:18;5:24;Romans4:6,7;2Corinthians5:19.

4th.Ifitdoesnotbearthismeaning,thereisnodistinctionbetweenjustificationand

sanctification.—Turretin,50.16.,Quæstio1.

4.Whatistheusageofthetermδικαιοσύνη,righteousness,andofthephrase"righteousnessofGod,"intheNewTestament?

Theterm"just"isconcrete,designatingthepersonwhoisperfectlyconformedtothelaw,orinrespecttowhomallthedemandsofthelawarecompletelysatisfied.Theterm"righteousness,"ontheotherhand,isabstract,designatingthatqualityorthatobedienceorsufferingwhichsatisfiesthedemandsofthelaw,andwhichconstitutesthegrounduponwhichjustificationproceeds.

Consequently,itsometimessignifies,1st,holinessofcharacter,Matthew5:6;Romans6:13;2nd,thatperfectconformitytothelawinpersonandlifewhichwastheoriginalgroundofjustificationunderthecovenantofworks,Romans10:3,5;Philippians3:9;Titus3:5;3rd,thevicariousobedienceandsufferingsofChristoursubstitute,whichhe

wroughtinourbehalf,andwhich,whenimputedtous,becomesourrighteousness,orthegroundofourjustificationRomans4:6;10:4;1Corinthians1:30;whichisreceivedandappropriatedbyusthroughfaith,Romans3:22;4:11;10:5–10;Galatians2:21;Hebrews11:7.

Thephrase,"righteousnessofGod,"occursinMatthew6:33;Romans1:17;3:5,21,22,25,26;10:3;2Corinthians5:21;Philippians3:9;James1:20;2Peter1:1.Itevidentlymeansthatperfectrighteousnessorsatisfactiontothewholelaw,precept,andpenaltyalike,whichGodprovides,andwhichGodwillaccept,incontrasttoourownimperfectservicesorself–inflictedpenanceswhichGodwillreject,ifofferedasagroundofjustification.

5.Whatistheusageofthetermδικαίωσις,justification,intheNewTestament

ItoccursonlyinRomans4:25;5:16,18.ItsignifiesthatrelationtothelawintowhichwearebroughtinconsequenceoftherighteousnessofChristbeingmadelegallyours.Weareabsolvedfromtothepenalty,andtherewardspromisedtoobediencearedeclaredtobelongtous.

6.Definejustificationinitsgospelsense.

God,assovereign,electedhischosenpeople,andgavethemtohisSoninthecovenantofgrace,andassovereignheexecutesthatcovenantwhenhemakestherighteousnessofChristtheirsbyimputation.

Justification,ontheotherhand,isajudicialactofGodproceedinguponthatsovereignimputationdeclaringthelawtobeperfectlysatisfiedinrespecttous.Thisinvolves,1st,pardon;2nd,restorationtodivinefavor,asthosewithregardtowhomallthepromisesconditioneduponobediencetothecommandsofthelawaccrue.Itismoststrictlylegal,althoughhesovereignlyadmitsandcreditstousavicariousrighteousness,sincethisvicariousrighteousnessispreciselyinallrespectswhatthelawdemands,andthatbywhichthelawisfulfilled.—Seebelow,Question28.

7.Whatdoesthelawrequireinordertothejustificationofasinner?

Thelawconsistsessentiallyofaruleofduty,andofapenaltyattachedtotakeeffectincaseofdisobedience.Inthecaseofthesinner,therefore,whohasalreadyincurredguilt,thelawdemandsthat,besidestherenderingofperfectobedience,thepenaltyalsoshouldbesuffered.—Romans10:5;Galatians3:10–13.

8.Provethatworkscannotbethegroundofasinner’sjustification.

Paulrepeatedlyassertsthis(Galatians2:16),anddeclaresthatwearenotjustifiedbyourownrighteousness,whichcomesbyobediencetothelaw.—Philippians3:9.Healsoprovesthesamebyseveralarguments—

1st.Thelawdemandsperfectobedience.Allworksnotperfect,therefore,leadtocondemnation,andnoactofobedienceatonetimecanatonefordisobedienceatanother.—Galatians3:10,21;5:3.

2nd.Ifwearejustifiedbyworks,thenChristisdeadinvain.Galatians2:21;5:4.

3rd.Ifitwereofworksitwouldnotbeofgrace.—Romans11:6;Ephesians2:8,9.

4th.Itwouldaffordcauseforboasting.—Romans3:27;4:2.

5th.HealsoquotestheOldTestamenttoprovethatallmenaresinners,Romans3:9,10;thatconsequentlytheycannotbejustifiedbyworks.—Psalm143:2;Romans3:20.HequotesHabakkuk2:4,toprovethat"thejustbyfaithshalllive";andhecitestheexampleofAbraham.—Galatians3:6.

9.WhatarethedifferentopinionsastothekindofworkswhichtheScripturesteacharenotsufficientforjustification?

ThePelagiansadmitthatworksofobediencetotheceremoniallawareofthisnature,butaffirmthatworksofobediencetothemorallawaretheproperandonlygroundofjustification.TheRomanistsadmitthatworkswroughtinthenaturalstrength,previoustoregeneration,aredestituteofmerit,andunavailableforjustification,buttheymaintainthatoriginalsinandpreviousactualtransgressionshavingbeenforgiveninbaptismforChrist’ssake,goodworksafterwardsperformedthroughgracehave,inconsequenceofthemeritsofChristthevirtue,1st,ofmeritingheaven;2nd,ofmakingsatisfactionforsins.Wearejustified,then,byevangelicalobedience.—"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chapter5.;"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6.Can.24.,and32.Protestantsdenythejustifyingefficiencyofallclassesofworksequally.

10.Howmayitbeshownthatnoclassofworks,whetherceremonial,moral,orspiritual,canjustify?

1st.WhentheScripturesdenythatjustificationcanbebyworks,theterm"works"isalwaysusedgenerallyasobediencetothewholerevealedwillofGod,howevermadeknown.Worksofobediencerenderedtoonelaw,asagroundofjustification,arenevercontrastedwithworkswroughtinobediencetoanotherlaw,butwithgrace.—Romans11:6;4:4.Goddemandsperfectobediencetohiswholewillasrevealedtoanyindividualman.Butsinceeverymanisasinner,justificationbythelawisequallyimpossibleforall.—Romans2:14,15;3:9,10.

2nd.Thebelieverisjustifiedwithoutthedeedsofthelaw,Romans3:28,andGodjustifiestheungodlyinChrist.—Romans4:5.

3rd.Justificationisassertedtorestaltogetheruponadifferentfoundation.Itis"inthenameofChrist,"1Corinthians6:11;"byhisblood,"Romans5:9;"freely,""byhisgrace,""byfaith."Romans3:24,28.

4th.Paulprovesthatinsteadofourbeingjustifiedbygoodworks,suchworksarerenderedpossibletousonlyinthatnewrelationtoGodintowhichweareintroducedbyjustification.Ephesians2:8–10;Romans6thand7thchapters.

11.HowcanJames2:14–26,bereconciledwiththisdoctrine?

Jamesisnotspeakingofthemeritoriousgroundofjustification,butoftherelationwhichgoodworkssustaintoagenuinefaithasitsfruitandevidence.ThemeritoriousgroundofjustificationistherighteousnessofChrist.—Romans10:4;1Corinthians1:30.Faithistheessentialprerequisiteandinstrumentofreceivingthatrighteousness.—Ephesians2:8.James,inthepassagecited,simplydeclaresandarguesthetruththatthefaithwhichisthustheinstrumentalcauseofjustification,isneveradead,butalwaysalivingandfruitfulprinciple.Paulteachesthesametruthoften,"Faithworksbylove,"Galatians5:6,and"loveisthefulfillingofthelaw,"Romans13:10.

12.WhatdotheScripturesdeclaretobethetrueandonlygroundofjustification?

JustificationisadeclarationonthepartoftheinfinitelywiseandholyGodthatthelawissatisfied.Thelawis,likeitsAuthor,absolutelyunchangeable,andcanbesatisfiedbynothingelsethananabsolutelyperfectrighteousness,atoncefulfillingtheprecept,andsufferingthepenalty.ThiswasrenderedbyChristasourrepresentative,andhisperfectrighteousness,asimputedtous,isthesoleandstrictlylegalgroundofourjustification.Thusheismadeforustheendofthelawforrighteousness,andwearemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim.—Romans3:24;5:9,19;8:1;10:4;1Corinthians1:30;6:11;2Corinthians5:21;Philippians3:9.

13.HowcanitbeprovedthatChrist’sactiveobediencetothepreceptsofthelawisincludedinthatrighteousnessbywhichwearejustified?

1st.Theconditionofthecovenantofworkswasperfectobedience.ThiscovenanthavingflailedinthehandsofthefirstAdammustbefulfilledinthehandsofthesecondAdam,sinceinthecovenantofgraceChristassumedalloftheundischargedobligationsofhispeopleunderthecovenantofworks.Hissufferingdischargesthepenalty,butonlyhisactiveobediencefulfillsthecondition.

2nd.Allthepromisesofsalvationareattachedtoobedience,nottosuffering.—Matthew19:16,17;Galatians3:12.

3rd.Christcametofulfillthewholelaw.—Isaiah13:21;Romans3:31;1Corinthians1:30.

4th.TheobedienceofChristisexpresslycontrastedwiththedisobedienceofAdam.—Romans5:19.

14.HowmayitbeshownthatChrist’sobediencewasfree?

AlthoughChristwasmadeunderthelawbybeingbornofthewoman,andrenderedobediencetothatlawintheexercisesofhiscreatedhumannatureyethedidnotowethatobedienceforhimself,butrendereditfreelythatitsmeritsmightbeimputedtohispeople,becausetheclaimsoflawterminatenotuponnature,butuponpersons;andhewasalwaysadivineperson.Ashesuffered,thejustfortheunjustsoheobeyed,theLawgiverintheplaceofthelaw–subject.

15.InwhatsenseisChrist’srighteousnessimputedtobelievers?

ImputationisanactofGodassovereignjudge,atoncejudicialandsovereign,whereby(1)hemakestheguiltandlegalresponsibilitiesofoursinsreallyChrist’s,andpunisheshimforthem."Hewaswoundedforourtransgression,thepunishmentofourpeacewasuponhim."—Isaiah53:5and11."Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus."—Galatians3:13."Forhehathmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."—2Corinthians5:21;John1:29.(2)HemakestherighteousnessofChristours(thatis,thelegalrighttoreward,bythegraciouscovenantconditionedonrighteousness),andthentreatsusaspersonslegallyinvestedwiththoserights."EvenasDavidalsodescribeththeblessednessofthemantowhomtheLordimputethrighteousnesswithoutworks."—Romans4:6."ForChrististheendofthelawforrighteousnesstoeveryonethatbelieveth."—Romans10:4;1Corinthians1:30;2Corinthians5:21;Philippians3:9.

"Imputation"isthechargingorcreditingtoone’saccountasthegroundofjudicialtreatment.

"Guilt"isthejustobligationtopunishment.Thereatusculpœ,or"guiltofpunishment,"isimputedtoChristinourstead.Thereatusculpoe,orguiltoffault,remainsours.

"Righteousnessimputed"isthevicariousfulfillmentofallthecovenantdemandsonwhicheternallifeisconditioned.

"Merit"isthatwhichdeservesonthegroundofcovenantpromiseareward.ThemeritofrewardisimputedtousfromChrist,themeritofpraiseworthinessremainshisforever.

AsChristisnotmadeasinnerbytheimputationtohimofoursins,sowearenotmadeholybytheimputationtousofhisrighteousness.Thetransferisonlyofguiltfromustohim.andofmeritfromhimtous.Hejustlysufferedthepunishmentduetooursins,andwejustlyreceivetherewardsduetohisrighteousness.—1John1:9.Forexplanationof"Imputation,"seeabove,Chap.21.,Ques.12,andChap.25.,Ques.9.

16.Uponwhatgrounddoesthisimputationproceed?

Upontheunionfederal,spiritual,andvital,whichsubsistsbetweenChristandhispeople.Whichunion,inturn,restsupontheeternaldecreeofelectioncommontoallthepersonsoftheGodhead,andupontheeternalcovenantofgraceformedbetweentheFatherasGodabsoluteandtheSonasMediator.ThustheultimategroundofimputationistheeternalnatureandimperialwillofGod,thefountainofalllawandallright.

17.Howmaythefactofthisimputationbeprovedfromscripture?

SeeRomans5:12–21.CompareRomans4:6;3:21,withRomans5:19.

Thedoctrineofimputationisessentiallyinvolvedinthedoctrine

ofsubstitution.IfChristobeyedandsufferedinourplaceitcanonlybebecauseoursinswereimputedtohim,whichisdirectlyassertedinscripture,Isaiah53:6;2Corinthians5:21;1Peter2:24;and,ifso,themeritofthatobedienceandsufferingmustaccruetous,Matthew20:28;1Timothy2:6;1Peter3:18.Seeabove,Chapter21.,Question12.

ThisdoctrineisalsotaughtbythosepassageswhichaffirmthatChristfulfilledthelaw,Romans3:31;10:4;andbythosewhichassertthatwearejustifiedbytherighteousnessofChrist,1Corinthians6:11;Romans8:1,etc.

Thisdoctrine,moreover,standsorfallswiththewholeviewwehavepresentedofthepriesthoodofChrist,oftheJusticeofGod,ofthecovenantsofworksandofgrace,andofthenatureoftheatonement;towhichsubjects,undertheirrespectiveheads,thereaderisreferred.

18.WhatarethetwoeffectsascribedtotheimputationofChrist’srighteousness?

Christ’srighteousnesssatisfies,1st,thepenaltyofthelaw;2nd,thenthepositiveconditionsofthecovenantofworks,i.e.,obediencetothepreceptsofthelaw.Theimputationofthatrighteousnesstothebeliever,therefore,secures,1st,theremissionofthepenalty,pardonofsins;2nd,therecognitionandtreatmentofthebelieverasonewithrespecttowhomthecovenantisfulfilled,andtowhomallitspromisesandadvantageslegallyaccrue.Seebelow,Question28.

19.Arethesinsofbelievers,committedsubsequentlytotheirjustification,includedinthepardonwhichisconsequenttotheimputationofChrist’srighteousness;andifso,inwhatway?

Theelect,althoughembracedinthepurposeofGod,andinhiscovenantwithhisSonfrometernity,arenoteffectivelyunitedtoChristuntilthetimeoftheirregeneration,when,inconsequenceoftheirunionwithhim,andtheimputationofhisrighteousnesstothem,theirrelationtothelawispermanentlychanged.Althoughtheimmutablelawalwayscontinuestheirperfectstandardofexperienceandofaction,itisno

longertothemaconditionofthecovenantoflife,becausethatcovenanthasbeenfullydischargedforthemby,theirsponsor.Godnolongerimputessintothemtotheendofjudicialpunishment.Everysufferingwhichtheyhenceforthendureisofthenatureofchastisement,designedfortheircorrectionandimprovement,andformsinitsrelationtothem,nopartofthepenaltyofthelaw.

20.Whatarethedifferentopinionsastotheclassofsinswhichareforgivenwhenthesinnerisjustified?

RomaniststeachthatoriginalsinandallactualtransgressionspriortobaptismsareforgivenforChrist’ssake,throughthereceptionofthatsacrament,andthatafterbaptism,sins,astheyarecommitted,arethroughthemeritsofChristforgivenintheobservanceofthesacramentofpenance.Seeabove,Chapter32.,Question11.

Dr.Pussyhasrevivedanancientdoctrinethatinbaptismallpastsins,originalandactual,areforgiven;buthissystemmakesnoprovisionforsinssubsequentlycommitted.

ManyProtestantshaveheldthatonlypastandpresentsinsareforgiveninthefirstactofjustification,andthatsinsafterregeneration,astheyoccur,areforgivenuponrenewedactsoffaith.

Thetrueview,however,is,thatinconsequenceoftheimputationtohimofChrist’srighteousness,thebelieverisemancipatedfromhisformerfederalrelationtothelaw,andconsequentlyhenceforthnosinischargedtohimtotheendofjudicialcondemnation.Thisfollowsfromthenatureofjustification,asstatedabove,anditisillustratedbytherecordedexperienceofPaul,who,whilecomplainingofthelawofsin,stillwarringinhismembers,yetneverdoubtedofhisfilialrelationtoGod,noroftheforgivenessofhissins.

21.Whatarethedifferentopinionsastotherelationbetweenfaithandjustification?

Siciliansholdthatfaith,includingobedience,isthepropermeritoriousground"Cat.Rac.,"Quest.418–421,and453.

Armeniansteachthatalthoughfaithhasnomeritinitself,sinceitisthegiftofGod,yet,asalivingprinciple,includingevangelicalobedience,itisgraciously,forChrist’smerits’sake,imputedtousforrighteousness,i.e.,acceptedasrighteousness,uponthegroundofwhichwearedeclaredjust.Limborch,"Theol.Christ.,"6,4,22and6,4,46.

TheorthodoxviewisthattheactiveandpassiveobedienceofChristsatisfyingboththepreceptandpenaltyofthelawasacovenantoflife,andthusconstitutingaperfectrighteousness,is,uponbeingappropriatedbythebelieverintheactoffaith,actuallymadehis,inalegalsense,byimputation.Faith,therefore,isthemereinstrumentwherebywepartakeintherighteousnessofChrist,whichisthetruegroundofourjustification.

22.ProvefromScripture,thatfaithisfaiththeonlyinstrumentofjustification.

1st.Fromthenatureoffaithitself.(1)Itisnotofourselves,itisthegiftofGod.––Ephesians2:8;Philippians1:29.(2)ItisoneofthefruitsoftheSpirit,and,therefore,notthemeritoriousgroundofspiritualblessings.––Galatians5:22.(3)Itisanactofthesoul,andthereforeawork,butthough,bymeansoffaith,justificationisnotbyworks.–Romans4:2–5;11:6.(4)JustifyingfaithterminatesonorinChrist,inhisbloodandsacrifice,andinthepromisesofGod;initsveryessencetherefore,itinvolvestrust,and,denyingitsownjustifyingvalue,affirmsthesolemeritofthatonwhichittrusts.––Romans3:25,26;4:20,22;Galatians3:26;Ephesians1:12,13;1John5:10.(5)Thelawnecessarilydemandsaperfectrighteousness,butfaith,evenwhencombinedwiththeevangelicalobediencewhichspringsfromit,isnotaperfectrighteousness.

2nd.TheScriptures,whenreferringtotherelationshipofjustificationtofaith,usethetermsἐκπίστεως,byfaith,andδιὰπίστεως,byorthroughfaith,butneverδιὰπίστιν,onaccountoffaith,Galatians2:16.

3rd.Faithisdistinguishedfromtherighteousnesswhichitapprehends.––Romans1:17;Philippians3:8–11.Turretin,50.16,Q.7.

23.Whatisthespecificobjectofjustification?

TheSocinians,denyingthedivinityofChrist,maketheactofjustifyingfaithtoterminate"inGodthroughChrist."––"Rac.Cat."Sec.5.,Ch.9.

TheRomanists,confoundingjustificationandsanctification,makethewholerevelationofGodtheobjectofthefaiththatjustifies.––"Cat.Rom.,"Part1,Chap.1.

TheScripturaldoctrineis,thatwhiletherenewedheartbelievesequallyeveryascertainedwordofGod,thespecificactoffaith,wherebywearejustified,terminatesuponthepersonandworkofChristasMediator.

Thisisproved,1st,fromexpressdeclarationsofScripture.Romans3:22,25;Galatians2:16;Philippians3:9.2nd.Bythedeclarationthatwearesavedbybelievinginhim.––Acts10:43,16:31;John3:16,36.

3rd.Bythosefigurativeexpressionswhichillustratetheactofsavingfaithas"lookingtoChrist"etc.––Isaiah45:22;John1:12;6:35,37;Matthew11:28.4th.UnbeliefistherefusingtherighteousnesswhichGodprovidesi.e.,Christ.––Romans10:3,4.

24.Whatisthenatureofthatpeacewhichflowsfromjustification?

1st.PeacewithGod,hisjusticebeingcompletelysatisfiedthroughtherighteousnessofChrist.––Romans5:1;2Corinthians5:19;Colossians1:21;Ephesians2:14.InwitnesswhereofhisHolySpiritisgiventous.–Romans8:15,16;Hebrews10:15,17.Hisloveshedabroadinourhearts,Romans5:5,andourhabitualfellowshipwithhimestablished,1John1:3.2nd.Inwardpeaceofconscience,includingconsciousnessofourreconciliationwithGodthroughtheoperationofhisSpirit,asabove,andtheappeasementofourself–condemningconsciencethroughtheapprehensionoftherighteousnessbywhichwearejustified.–Hebrews9:14;10:2,22.

25.Whatotherbenefitsflowfromjustification?

Beingjustifiedonthegroundofaperfectrighteousness,ourwholerelationtoGodandthelawischanged;thegiftoftheHolyGhost,adoption,sanctification,perseverance,theworkingofallthingstogetherforgoodinthislife,deliveranceindeath,theresurrectionofthebody,andthefinalglorification,allresult.

OBJECTIONSANSWERED.

26.StateandRefutetheprincipalobjectionsmadetotheProtestantdoctrineofjustification.

1st.Thatitislegal,andthereforeexcludesgrace.

WeANSWER–thatitistranscendentlygracious.1.Theadmissionofasubstituteforguiltysinnerswasanactofgrace.2.ThevicariousobedienceandsufferingsoftheGod–manwereofinfinitegrace.3.Theimputationofhisrighteousnesstoanindividualelectedoutofthemassoffallenhumanityisanactofpuregrace.Hence,4,theentiresubsequentregardingandtreatingthebelieverasrighteous,isaworkofgrace.

2nd.ThatitisimpiousbecauseitdeclaresthesinnertoberighteouswiththeveryrighteousnessofChrist.

WEANSWER.Itisnotimpiousbecause––1.Thisrighteousnesswasfreelywroughtoutwiththeintentionitshouldbeours,anditisfreelygiventous.2.ItisnotChrist’spersonalsubjectiverighteousnesswhichisincommunicable,buthisvicariousfulfillmentofthecovenantoflifeunderwhichwewerecreatedwhichisimputedtous.3.ThemeritofpraiseworthinessisretainedbyChrist,onlyitsmeritofrewardablenessisgiventous.4.Itisgiventousgratuitously,thatthepraiseofgloriousgracemayredoundtoChristalone.

3rd.thatgratuitousjustificationbyfaithleadstolicentiousness.

PAULANSWERS.Romans6:2–7:

Prop.1st.Wheresinaboundedgracedidmuchmoreabound.Romans5:20.

Prop.2nd.Shallweconclude,therefore,thatwearetocontinueinsinthatgracemayabound?Godforbid–Romans6:1,2.

Prop.3rd.ThefederalunionofthebelieverwithChrist,whichsecuresourjustification,isthefoundationof,andisinseparablefrom,thatvitalspiritualunionwithhim,whichsecuresoursanctification.

Prop.4th.Thismethodofjustification,sofarfromleadingtolicentiousness,securestheonlyconditionsunderwhichwecouldbeholy.(1)Thismethodofjustification,bychangingourrelationtoGod,enablesustoreturntohiminawayofafree,lovingservice.––Romans6:14;7:1–6.(2)Italonedeliversusfromthespiritofbondageandfear,andgivesusthatofadoptionandlove.–Romans8:1–17;13:10;Galatians5:6;1John4:18;2John6.

27.InwhatrespectdidthedoctrineofPiscatoronthissubjectdifferfromthatoftheReformedChurches?

Piscator,aProtestantdivine,Prof.atHerbon(1584–1625),taught,1st,that,astohishumannature,Christwasunderthelawinthesamesenseasanyothercreature,andthat,therefore,hecouldonlyobeythelawforhimself;2nd,thatifChristhadobeyedthelawinourplace,thelawcouldnotclaimasecondfulfillmentofus,and,consequently,ChristianswouldbeundernoobligationstoobeythelawofGod;3rd,thatifChristhadbothobeyedthepreceptofthelawandsuffereditspenalty,thenthelawwouldhavebeendoublyfulfilledsincetheclaimsofthepreceptandthepenaltyofthelawarealternative,notcoincident.

ThisdoctrinewasexpresslycondemnedintheReformedChurchesofSwitzerlandandHolland,andbytheFrenchsynodsheldintheyears1603,1612,and1614.In1615,however,theSynodtacitlyallowedtheseviewstopasswithoutcondemnation.––Mosheim’s"Hist."

28.Howmayitbeshownthatjustificationisnotmerepardon?

Piscatorerred,fromfailingtodistinguish––1st.Thattheclaimsoflawterminatenotuponnatures,butuponpersons.Christwasadivineperson,and,therefore,hisobediencewasfree.2nd.Thatthereisanevidentdifferencebetweenafederalrelationtothelawasaconditionofsalvation,andanaturalrelationtolawasaruleoflife.Christdischargedtheformerasourfederalrepresentative.Thelatternecessarilyattachestothebelieverastoallmoralagentsforever.

Justificationismorethanpardon––1st.Becausetheveryword"tojustify"provesit.To"pardon"is,intheexerciseofsovereignprerogative,towaivetheexecutionofthepenalsanctionsofthelaw."Tojustify"istodeclarethatthedemandsofthelawaresatisfied,notwaived.Pardonisasovereignact––justificationisajudicialact.2nd.AsweprovedunderChapter25.,Christdidinstrictrigorofjusticesatisfyvicariouslyforusthedemandsofthelaw,boththeobediencedemandedandthepenaltydenounced.Hissatisfactionisthegroundofourjustification.butpardonisremissionofpenaltyinabsenceofsatisfaction.3rdIfjustificationweremerepardonitwouldsimplyreleaseusfrompenalsuffering,butwouldprovidenofurthergoodforus.But"justificationthroughfaithinChrist,"securesnotpardononly,butalsopeace,grace,reconciliation,adoptionofsons,coheirship,etc.,etc.––Seeabove,Questionl3.Romans5:1–10;Acts26:18;Revelation1:5,6.

Inthecaseofjustifiedbelievers"justification"includes"pardon."Ourjustificationproceedsonthegroundofa"satisfaction,"and,therefore,isnotmerepardon.Butitisa"vicarious"satisfactiongraciouslysettothecreditoftheunworthy,and,therefore,iteffectspardontoussinnerswhobelieveinChrist.

29.DidnotCalvinoftenuselanguagetotheeffectthatjustificationandpardonarethesame?

Hedid.Buthislanguageistobeinterpreted––1st.BythefactthathewasarguingwithRomanistswhotaughtthat"justificationconsistsinremissionofsinsandinfusionofgrace."Hearguedinoppositionthatjustificationconsistsintheformerbutdoesnotincludethelatter.2nd.Bytheconclusivefactthathisfulldefinitionsofjustificationcomprehendthefulltruthmoreaccuratelydefinedinthe

SymbolsoftheLutheranandReformedchurches

Calvin’s"Institutes,"Bk.3,ch.11,2.—"AmanissaidtobejustifiedinthesightofGod,wheninthejudgmentofGodheisdecreedrighteous,andisacceptedonaccountofhisrighteousness....Inthesamemanneramanwillbesaidtobejustifiedbyworks,ifinhislifeorbytheperfectionofhisworks,hecananswerandsatisfythedivinejustice.Onthecontraryamanwillbejustifiedbyfaith,whenexcludedfromtherighteousnessofworks,hebyfaithlaysholdoftherighteousnessofChrist,andclothedinitappearsinthesightofGodnotassinner,butasrighteous.Thuswesimplyinterpretjustification,astheacceptancewithwhichGodreceivesusintohisfavorasifwewererighteous,andwesaythatthisjustificationconsistsintheforgivenessofsins,andtheimputationoftherighteousnessofChrist."

Calvin’s"Commentary,"1Corinthians1:30.—,"‘Christismadeuntousrighteousness,’bywhich,he(theapostle)understoodthatweareacceptedbyGodinhisname(Christ’s),becauseheexpiatedoursins,andhisobedienceisimputedtousforrighteousness.Forsincetherighteousnessoffaithconsistsinremissionofsins,andingratuitousacceptance,weobtainboththroughChrist."

30.Inwhatrespectdoesthegovernmentaltheoryoftheatonementmodifythedoctrineofjustification?

Seeabove,Chap.25.,Question27.

1st.Itfollows,fromthattheory,thatjustificationisasovereignnotajudicialactofGod.Christhasnotsatisfiedthelaw,butmerelymadeitconsistentwiththegovernmentofGodtosetasidethelawinthecaseofbelievingmen.Itismerepardon,anactofexecutiveclemency.

2nd.AsChristdidnotdieasasubstitute,itfollowsthathisrighteousnessisnotimputed;itistheoccasion,notthegroundofjustification.

3rd.AsChristdidnotdieasasubstitute,thereisnostrictlyfederalunionbetweenChristandhispeople,andfaithcannotbethe

instrumentofsalvationbybeingthemeansofunitingustoChrist,butonlythearbitraryconditionofjustification,orthemeansofrecommendingustoGod.

4th.Asjustificationismerepardon,itonlysetsasidecondemnation,andrenders,sofarforth,futuresalvationpossible.Itdoesnothingtosecurethefuturestandingandrelationsofthebeliever,underthecovenantofsalvation,toGod.

Dr.Emmons(1745–1840),oneoftheablesttheologiansofthenewEnglandSchool,says("Sermons,"Vol.3.,p.3–67)–(1)"Justification,inagospelsense,signifiesnomorenorlessthanpardonorremissionofsin."(2)"ForgivenessistheonlyfavorwhichGodbestowsuponmenonChrist’saccount."

(3)"Thefullandfinaljustificationofbelievers,ortheirtitletotheireternalinheritance,isconditional.

Theymustperformcertainthings,whichhehasspecifiedastermsorconditionsoftheirtakingpossessionoftheirseverallegacies."(4)"Goddoespromiseeternallifetoallwhoobeyhiscommandsorexercisethoseholyandbenevolentaffectionswhichhiscommandsrequire."

31.HowdoestheArmeniantheoryastothenatureanddesignofthesatisfactionofChristmodifythedoctrineofjustification?

Theyhold––1st.AstothenatureofChrist’ssatisfactionthatalthoughitwasarealpropitiationrenderedtojusticeforus,itwasnotintherigorofjusticeperfect,butwasgraciouslyacceptedandactedonassuchbyGod.–Limborch,"Apol.Theo.,"3,22,5.2nd.ThatitwasnotstrictlythesubstitutionofChristinplaceofhiselect,butratherthathesufferedthewrathofGodinbehalfofallmen,inordertomakeitconsistentwithjusticeforGodtooffersalvationtoallmenuponconditionoffaith.

Thereforetheyregardjustificationasasovereign,notajudicial

act––1st.InacceptingthesufferingsofChristassufficienttoenableGodconsistentlytooffertomensalvationonthetermsofthenewcovenantofgrace,i.e.,ontheconditionoffaith.2nd.InimputingtothebelieverhisfaithforrighteousnessforChrist’ssake.

Thisfaiththeymake––1st.Toincludeevangelicalobedience,i.e.,thewholeprincipleofreligioninheartandlife.2nd.Theyregarditasthegraciouslyadmittedground,ratherthanthemereinstrumentofjustification;faithbeingcountedforrighteousness,becauseChristdied.–Limborch,"Theo.Christ.,"6,4,22,and6,4,46.

Thistheory,besidesbeingopposedbyalltheargumentswehaveabovepresentedinestablishingtheorthodoxdoctrine,laborsunderthefurtherobjections–

1st.ItfailstorenderaclearaccountastohowthesatisfactionofChristmakesitconsistentwithdivinejusticetosavemenupontheconditionoffaith.IfChristdidnotobeyandsufferstrictlyasthesubstituteofhispeople,itisdifficulttoseehowthejusticeofGod,asitrespectsthem,couldhavebeenappeased;andifhedidsofulfillthedemandsofjusticeintheirplace,thentheorthodoxview,asabovestated,isadmitted.

2nd.Itfailstorenderaclearaccountoftherelationoffaithtojustification––(1)BecausefaithinChrist,includingtrust,necessarilyimpliesthatthemeritsofChristuponwhichthetrustterminatesisthegroundofjustification.(2)Faithmustbeeitherthegroundorthemereinstrumentofjustification.IfitbethelatterthentherighteousnessofChrist,whichistheobjectoffaith,isthatground.Ifitbetheformer,thenwhatismadeofthemeritsofChristuponwhichfaithrests?

32.HowdotheRomanistsdefinejustification?

Theyconfoundjustificationwithsanctification.Itis,1st,theforgivenessofsins;2nd,theremovalofinherentsinforChrist’ssake;3rd,thepositiveinfusionofgrace.

Ofthisjustificationtheyteachthatthefinalcauseisthegloryof

Godandeternallife.TheefficientcauseisthepoweroftheHolyGhost.ThemeritoriouscausetheworkofChrist.Theinstrumentalcause

baptism.Theformalcausetheinfluenceofgrace,wherebywearemadenotmerelyforensicallybutinherentlyrighteous.–"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6.,Chapter7.

Theydefinefaithinitsrelationtojustificationtobethebeginningofhumansalvation,thefountainandrootofalljustification,i.e.,ofspirituallife.Theyconsequentlyholdthatjustificationisprogressive,andthatwhenamanreceivesanewnatureinbaptism,andtheworkofjustificationiscommencedinhimwiththeforgivenessandtheremovalofsin,theworkistobecarriedonbytheexerciseofthegraceimplanted,i.e.,bygoodworks.Sincetheyconfoundjustificationwithsanctification,theynecessarilydenythatmenarejustifiedbytheimputationoftherighteousnessofChrist,orbymerefaithwithoutworks.–Sess.6,Can.9thand11th,"DeJustificatione."

Theyadmitthatjustificationisentirelygracious,i.e.,ofthemeremercyofGod,andforthesakeofthemeritsofJesusChrist,asneitherthespiritualexercisesnortheworksofmenprevioustojustificationhaveanymeritwhatsoever.––"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6.,Chapter8.

Acarefuldistinctionmustbemadebetween(a)thatwhichinthecaseofanadultpreparesforjustification,(b)therealizationofjustificationinthefirstinstance,(c)itssubsequentprogressiverealizationintheadvanceofthegracioussoulinjustificationtowardsperfection,and(d)therestorationtoastateofgraceofthebaptizedChristianafterbackslidingintosin.

1st.ThepreparationofthesinnerforjustificationproceedsfromtheprevenientgraceofGod,withoutanymeritonthepartofthesubject.Thisgraceactingthroughthehearingofthewordleadstoconvictionofsin,repentance,apprehensionofthemercyofGodinChrist(thechurch),andhencetoadeterminationtoreceivebaptismandleadanewlife("Conc.Trent,"Sess.6.,chaps.5.andvi).

2nd.Theactualjustificationofthesinneristheinfusionof

gracioushabits,thepollutionofsinhavingbeenwashedawaybythepowerofGod,onaccountofthemeritsofChrist,throughtheinstrumentalityofbaptism,whichoperatesitseffectsbyanenergymadeinherentinit,bytheinstitutionofGod.Afterthis,inherentsinbeingremoved,remissionofguiltnecessarilyfollowsasitsimmediateeffect.GuiltistherelationwhichsinsustainstothejusticeofGod.Thethingbeingremoved,therelationceases,ipsofacto(Bellarmin,"DeAmiss.Gratiæ,"etc.,5.7.

3rd.HavingthusbeenjustifiedandmadeafriendofGod,thebaptizedChristianadvancesfromvirtuetovirtue,andisrenewedfromdaytoday,throughtheobservanceofthecommandmentsofGodandofthechurch,faithco–operatingwithgoodworks,nowmadepossibleinvirtueofthepreviousjustification,andwhichtrulymerit,andreceiveasajustreward,increaseofgrace,andmoreandmoreperfectjustification.HisfirstjustificationwasforChrist’ssake,withoutanyco–operationofhisownmerit,butbyconsentofhisownwill.HissecondorcontinuedandincreasingjustificationisforChrist’ssake,throughandinproportiontohisownmerit,whichdeservesincreaseofgraceandacceptanceinproportion(a)tohispersonalholiness,and(b)tohisobediencetoecclesiasticalrules("Conc.Trent,"Sess.6,Chap.10.andCan.32).

4th.Inthecaseofthosewhohavingbeenjustified,havesinned,thelostgraceofjustificationisrestored,forthemeritsofChrist,throughthesacramentofPenance,whichisprovidedasasecondplanktorescuethosewhohaveshipwreckedgrace.Thispenanceincludes(a)sorrowforsin,(b)confessiontoapriesthavingjurisdiction,(c)sacerdotalabsolution,(d)satisfactionbyalms,prayers,fasts,etc.,andthisjustificationifnotrenderedperfectbythesemeansonearthiscompletedbypurgatorialfires.Allthesesatisfactions,earthlyandpurgatorial,aremeritorioussatisfactionstodivineJustice,cancellingthetemporalpunishmentsattachingtothesinsforwhichtheyareundergone,theeternalpunishmentwhereofhasbeenatonceandfreelyremitted,Bitterthroughthesacramentitself,orthehonestdesireforit("Conc.Trent,"Sess.6,Chaps.14.and16.,andCan.30,andSess.14,Chaps.1-11).

33.WhatarethepointsofdifferencebetweenProtestantsandRomanistsonthiswholesubject?

1st.Astothenatureofjustification.WeregarditasajudicialactofGod,declaringthebelievertobeforensicallyjust,onthegroundoftherighteousnessofChristmadehisbyimputation.Theyregarditastheinfusionofinherentgrace.

2nd.Astoitsmeritoriousground.BothsaythemeritsofChrist.Buttheysaythesemeritsaremadeoursbysanctification.We,byimputation,throughtheinstrumentalityoffaith.

3rd.Astothenatureandofficeoffaith.Wesaythatitistheinstrument;theythebeginningandrootofjustification.

4th.Theysaythatjustificationisprogressive.

5th.ThatitmaybelostbymortalsinandregainedandincreasedthroughthesacramentofPenance,andcompletedinPurgatory.––Seeabove,Chapter32.,on"RepentanceandPenance."

34.WhataretheleadingargumentsagainsttheRomanistsviewonthissubject?

1st.Thiswholedoctrineisconfused.(1)Itconfoundsunderonedefinitiontwomattersentirelydistinct,namely,theforensicremissionofthecondemnationduetosinwiththewashingawayofinherentsin,andtheintroductiontoastateofcovenantfavorwithGodwiththeinfusionofinherentgrace.(2)ItrendersnosensibleaccountastothemannerinwhichthemeritofChristpropitiatesdivinejustice.

2nd.Theirdefinitionisrefutedbyalltheevidenceaboveexhibited,thattheterms"justification"and"righteousness"areusedinScriptureinaforensicsense.

3rd.Theirview,bymakingourinherentgracewroughtinusbytheHolyGhostforChrist’ssakethegroundofouracceptancewithGod,subvertsthewholegospel.Itisoftheveryessenceofthegospelthatthegroundofouracceptancewiththefatheristhemediatorialworkoftheson,whoisforustheendofthelawforrighteousness,andnotourowngraces.

4th.TheirviewofthemeritofworksperformedbydivinegraceafterbaptismisinconsistentwithwhatScriptureteachesandtheRomishChurchitselfteachesastooriginalsinandguilt,andastotheessentialgraciousnessofthesalvationwroughtbyChrist.ThomasAquinashimself("Summa.,"Q.114,art.5)says,"Ifgracebeconsideredinthesenseofagratuitousgift,allmeritisexcludedbygrace."ThereforetheentiresystemofPapistjustificationfalls.

5th.Itislegalinitsspiritandmethod,andconsequentlyinduceseitherspiritualprideordespair,butnevercannourishtrueevangelicalassuranceatoncehumbleandconfident..

6th.TheScripturesdeclarethatonthegroundofthepropitiationofChristGodjustifiesthebelieverasungodly,notassanctified.ItcertainlycouldnotrequireanatonementtorenderGodbothjustandthesanctifieroftheungodly.Romans4:5.

7th.Thephrasestoimpute,reckon,countsinorrighteousnessareabsolutelyconsistentonlywithaforensicinterpretation.Toimputerighteousnesswithoutworksintheforensicsense,inthe4thchapterofRomans,isreasonable.Toimputeinherentgracewithoutworksisnonsense.

8th.Theirdefinitionisrefutedbyallthoseargumentswhichestablishthetrueviewwithrespecttothenatureandofficeofjustifyingfaith.–seeabove,Questions21–23.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTS

ROMISHDOCTRINE.—Forstatementofthenature,ground,andmeansofjustification,seeabove,underCh.39.ForstatementofRomishDoctrineofGoodWorksandWorksofSupererogation,seebelow,underCh.35.andseedoctrineofPenance,above,underCh.32.

"Counc.Trent,"Sess.6,ch.8.—"Wearesaidtobejustifiedbyfaith,becausefaithisthebeginningofhumansalvation,thefoundationandtherootofalljustification."Ib.,can.23.—"Ifanyonesaiththata

manoncejustifiedcansinnomorenorlosegrace,andthereforehethatfallsandsinswasnevertrulyjustified;orontheotherhand,thatheisableduringhiswholelifetoavoidallsins,eventhosethatarevenial,exceptbyaspecialprivilegefromGod,asthechurchholdsinregardoftheBlessedVirgin,lethimbeaccursed."Can.24.—"IfanyonesaythatrighteousnessreceivedisnotpreservedandalsoincreasedbeforeGodthroughgoodworks;butthatthesaidworksaremerelythefruitsandsignsofjustificationobtained,butnotacauseoftheincreasethereoflethimbeaccursed."Can.29.—"Ifanyonesaiththathe,whohasfallenafterbaptism,isnotablebythegraceofGodtoriseagain,or,thatheisableindeedtorecovertherighteousnesswhichhehaslost,butbyfaithalone,withoutthesacramentofpenance....lethimbeaccursed."can.30.—"Ifanyonesaith,that,afterthegraceofjustificationhasbeenreceived,toeverypenitentsinnertheguiltisremittedandthedebtofeternalpunishmentisblottedoutinsuchwise,thatthereremainsnotanydebtoftemporalpunishmenttobedischargedeitherinthisworld,orinthenextinpurgatory,beforehecanenterthekingdomofheaven,lethimbeaccursed."Can.32.–"ifanyonesaith,thatthegoodworksofonethatisjustifiedareinsuchmannerthegiftsofGod,asthattheyarenotalsothegoodmeritsofhimthatisjustified;orthatthejustifiedman,bythegoodworkswhichheperformsthroughthegraceofGodandthemeritofJesusChrist,whoselivingmemberheis,doesnottrulymeritincreaseofgrace,eternallife,andtheattainmentofeternallifeifhedieingrace,andalsoanincreaseofglory;lethimbeaccursed."

BELLARMIN,"DeJustificatione,"5,1.—"ThecommonopinionofallCatholicsholdsthatallthegoodworksofjustifiedpersonsaretrulyandproperlymeritorious,anddeservingnotmerelyofarewardofsomesort,butofeternallifeitself.4,7.—Wesaythatgoodworksarenecessarytoajustifiedmaninordertohissalvation,notonlyinthewayofbeingpresent,butalsointhewayofefficiency,sincetheyeffectsalvation,andfaithwithoutthemdoesnoteffectit.Ib.5,5.–themeritsofjustifiedpersonsdonotstandopposedtothemeritsofChrist,buttheyspringfromthese,andwhateverpraisethosemeritsofthejustifiedhave,redoundsentiretothepraiseofthemeritsofChrist."

LutheranDoctrine.–"ApologiaConfessionis"–"Tojustifyin

thisplace(Romans5:1),signifiesinaforensicsensetoabsolveanaccusedpersonandpronouncehimrighteousbutonaccountofanother’srighteousness,i.e.,ofChrist;whichother’srighteousnessismadeovertousthroughfaith."

"FormulaConcordiœ"(HaseEd.),p.685.—"Thetermjustificationinthistransactionmeanstopronouncerighteous,toabsolvefromsins,andfromtheeternalpunishmentofsinners,onaccountoftherighteousnessofChrist,whichisimputedbyGodtofaith."Ib.p.684.—"ManasinnermaybejustifiedbeforeGod..withoutanymeritsorworthinessofours,andapartfromanyworks,preceding,accompanying,orfollowing,outofmeregrace."Ib.p.584.—"WeconfessthatfaithaloneisthatmeansandinstrumentbywhichweapprehendChristourSaviourandinChristofthatrighteousness,whichcanstandthejudgmentofGod."Ib..p.689.—"Neitherrepentance,norlove,noranyothervirtuebutfaithalone,isthesinglemeansandinstrumentbywhichweareabletoapprehendandacceptthegraceofGod,themeritofChrist,andtheremissionofsins."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.

"WestminsterConfessionofFaith,"Ch.11.

"HeidelbergCat."Ques.60.—"NeverthelessImaynowembraceallthesebenefitswithatrueboldnessofmind;withoutanymeritofmine,ofthemeremercyofGod,theperfectsatisfaction,righteousness,andholinessofChristisimputedandgiventome,asifIhadmyselfcommittednosin,norincurredanystain,yea,asifIhadmyselfperfectlyperformedthatobediencewhichChristperformedforme."

REMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.–Limborch,"Christ.Theol.,"6,4,22.—"Letitbeunderstoodthat,whenwesaywearejustifiedbyfaith,wedonotexcludeworks,whichfaithrequires,andasafruitfulmotherproducesbutweincludethem...norbyfaithisabarefaithtobeunderstood,ascontradistinguishedfromtheworkswhichfaithproduces,buttogetherwiththefaith,allthatobediencewhichGodintheNewTestamentappoints,andwhichissuppliedbyfaithinJesusChrist......31.—Butfaithisaconditioninusandisrequiredofusinorderthatwemay

obtainjustification.Itisthereforeanactwhich,althoughviewedinitselfitisbynomeansperfect,butinmanyrespectsdefective,isyetreceivedasfullandperfectbyGodgraciouslyandfreelyandonaccountofitGodgraciouslybestowsremissionofsinsandtherewardofeternallife...29.Theobjectoffaith(justifying)wedeclaretobeJesusChristentire,asprophet,priest,andking;notonlyhispropitiation,buthisprecepts,promises,andthreatenings;byitthereforeweembracetheentireChrist,hisword,andallhissavingbenefits."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE–"RacovianCatechism,"Sec.5,ch.9.—"Thefaithwhichisbyitselffollowedbysalvation,issuchanassenttothedoctrineofChristthatweapplyittoitsproperobject;thatis,thatwetrustinGodthroughChrist,andgiveourselvesupwhollytoobeyhiswill,wherebyweobtainhispromises.....Ifpietyandobedience,whenlifeiscontinuedaftertheacknowledgmentofChrist,berequiredasindispensabletosalvation,itisnecessarythatthefaithtowhichaloneandinrealitysalvationisascribed,shouldcomprehendobedience...Ib.ch.11.—Justificationis,whenGodregardsusasjustorsodealswithusasifwewerealtogetherjustandinnocent.ThishedoesintheNewCovenant,inforgivingoursinsandconferringuponuseternallife."

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Chapter34:Adoption,andtheOrderofGraceApplicationofRedemption,inthe

SeveralPartsofJustification,Regeneration,andSanctification

1.Towhatclassesofcreaturesistheterm"sons,"or"childrenofGod,"appliedintheScriptures,andonwhatgroundsisthatapplicationmade?

1st.Inthesingularitisapplied,inasupremeandincommunicablesense,totheSecond–PersonoftheTrinityalone.

2nd.Intheplural,toangels,(1)becausetheyareGod’sfavored

creatures,(2)becauseasholyintelligencestheyarelikehim.–Job1:6;38:7.

3rd.Tohumanmagistrates,becausetheypossessauthoritydelegatedfromGod,andinthatrespectresemblehim.–Psalm82:6.

4th.Togoodmenasthesubjectsofadivineadoption.

Thisadoption,andtheconsequentsonshipitconfersistwofold,(1)generalandexternal,Exodus4:22;Romans9:4;(2)special,spiritualandimmortal.–Galatians4:4,5;Ephesians1:4–6.

2.WhatistheadoptionofwhichbelieversarethesubjectsinChrist;andwhatrelationdoestheconceptionwhichthiswordrepresentsinScripturesustaintothoserepresentedbythetermsjustification,regeneration,andsanctification?

Turretinmakesadoptionaconstituentpartofjustification.HesaysthatinexecutionofthecovenantofgraceGodsovereigntyimputestotheelect,upontheirexerciseoffaith,therighteousnessofChrist,whichwasthefulfillingofthewholelaw,preceptaswellaspenalty,andthereforethelegalground,underthecovenantofworks,forsecuringtohispeoplebothremittedofthepenaltyandlegalrighttoallthepromisesconditioneduponobedience.UponthegroundofthissovereignimputationGodjudiciallypronouncesthelaw,initsfederalrelations,tobeperfectlysatisfiedwithregardtothem,i.e.,hejustifiesthem,whichinvolvestwothings,1st,theremissionofthepenaltyduetotheirsins,2nd,theendowingthemwithrightsandrelationswhichaccruefromthepositivefulfilmentofthecovenantofworksbyChristintheirbehalf.Thissecondconstituentofjustificationhecallsadoption,whichessentiallyagreeswiththedefinitionofadoptiongiveninour"Con.Faith"chapter12.;"LargerCatechism,"Q.74;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.34.Turretin,50.16,Q.4and6.

ThegreatAmesius(†1633),inhis"MedullaTheological,"ch.28representsAdoptionasanewgraceinadvanceofjustification,andnotanelementinit.AgracioussentenceofGod,wherebyabeliever,havingbeenjustified,isacceptedforChrist’ssakeintotherelationandrightsof

sonship.

Itappears,however,tousthatthewords"Adoption"and"Sonship,"asusedinScripture,expressmorethanachangeofrelation,andthattheyaremoreadequatelyconceivedofasexpressingacomplexview,includingthechangeofnaturetogetherwiththechangeofrelation,andsettingforththenewcreatureinhisnewrelations.

TheinstantasinnerisunitedtoChristintheexerciseoffaith,thereisaccomplishedinhimsimultaneouslyandinseparably,1st,atotalchangeofrelationtoGod,andtothelawasacovenant,and,2nd,achangeofinwardconditionornature.Thechangeofrelationisrepresentedbyjustification;thechangeofnatureisrepresentedbythetermregeneration.REGENERATIONisanactofGodoriginatingbyanewcreationanewspirituallifeintheheartofthesubject.Thefirstandinstantactofthatnewcreature,consequentuponhisregeneration,isFAITH,orabelieving,trustingembraceofthepersonandworkofChrist.Upontheexerciseoffaithbytheregeneratedsubject,JUSTIFICATIONistheinstantactofGod,onthegroundofthatperfectrighteousnesswhichthesinner’sfaithhasapprehended,declaringhimtobefreefromallcondemnationandtohavealegalrighttotherelationsandbenefitssecuredbythecovenantwhichChristhasfulfilledinhisbehalf.SANCTIFICATIONistheprogressivegrowthtowardtheperfectedmaturityofthatnewlifewhichwasimplantedinregeneration.ADOPTIONpresentsthenewcreatureinhisnewrelation;hisnewrelationsentereduponwithacongenialheart,andhisnewlifedevelopinginacongenialhome,andsurroundedwiththoserelationswhichfosteritsgrowth,andcrownitwithblessedness.Justificationiswhollyforensic,andconcernsonlyrelations,immunities,andrights.

Regenerationandsanctificationarewhollyspiritualandmoral,andconcernonlyinherentqualitiesandstates.Adoptioncomprehendsthecomplexconditionofthebelieverasatoncethesubjectofboth.

3Whatistheorderofgraceintheapplicationofredemption?

I.Thetwoprincipleswhichfundamentallycharacterize

ProtestantSoteriologyare––1st.Thecleardistinctionbetweenthechangeofrelationsignalizedbyjustification,andthechangeofcharactersignalizedbyregenerationandsanctification.2nd.Thatthechangeofrelation,theremissionofpenalty,andtherestorationtofavorinvolvedinjustification,necessarilyprecedes,andrenderspossible,therealmoralchangeexpressedbyregenerationandsanctification.Thecontinuanceofjudicialcondemnationprecludestheexerciseofgrace.RemissionofpunishmentmustprecedetheworkoftheSpirit.Wearepardonedinorderthatwemaybegood,nevermadegoodinorderthatwemaybepardoned.

"ItisevidentthatGodmusthimselfalreadyhavebeensecretlyfavorableandgracioustoaman,andmustalreadyhavepardonedhimforumdivinum(Divinepardoning),forthesakeofChristandhisrelationtohumannature,tobeabletobestowuponhimthegraceofregeneration.InfactviewedasactusDeiforensistherewasofnecessitythatitshouldberegardedasexistingpriortoman’sconsciousnessofit,naypriortofaith."–Dr.J.A.Dorner’s"Hist.Prot.Theo.,"Vol.2.,pp.156,160.

II.Hencetheapparentcircleintheorderofgrace.TherighteousnessofChristissaidtobeimputedtothebeliever,andjustificationtobethroughfaith.Yetfaithisanactofasoulalreadyregenerated,andregenerationispossibleonlytoasoultowhomGodisreconciledbytheapplicationofChrist’ssatisfaction.

ThusthesatisfactionandmeritofChrististheantecedentcauseofregeneration,andontheotherhandtheparticipationofthebelieverinthesatisfactionandmeritofChrist(hisjustification)isconditionedonhisfaith,whichistheeffectofhisregeneration.WemusthavepartinChristsofarforthastoberegenerated,inordertohavepartinhimsofarforthastobejustified.

Thisisnotaquestionoforderintime,becauseregenerationandjustificationaregraciousactsofGodabsolutelysynchronous.Thequestionispurelyastothetrueorderofcausation;IstherighteousnessofChristimputedtousthatwemaybelieve,orisitimputedtousbecausewebelieve?Isjustificationananalyticjudgment,thatthemanisjustified

asabelieverthoughasinner,orisitasyntheticjudgment,thatthissinnerisjustifiedforChrist’ssake?

III.ThesolutionistobesoughtinthefactthatChristimpetratedtheapplicationofhissalvationtohis"own,"andallthemeans,conditions,andstagesthereof,andthatthiswasdoneinpursuanceofacovenantengagementwiththefather,whichprovidedforapplicationtospecificpersonsatcertaintimesandundercertainconditions.TherelationfrombirthofanelectpersontoAdam,andtosinanditscondemnation,ispreciselythesamewiththatofallhisfellow–men.ButhisrelationtothesatisfactionandmeritsofChrist,andtothegracestheyobtain,isanalogoustothatofanheirtoaninheritancesecuredtohimbywill.Aslongasheisunderagethewillsecurestheinitialrightoftheheirdejure.Itprovidesforhiseducationattheexpenseoftheestateinpreparationforhisinheritance.Itdeterminesthepreviousinstallmentsofhispatrimonytobegivenhimbyhistrustees.Itdeterminesinsomesensehispresentstatusasaprospectiveheir.Itdeterminestheprecisetimeandconditionsofhisbeinginductedintoabsolutepossession.Hepossessescertainrightsandenjoyscertainbenefitsfromthefirst.Buthehasabsoluterightsandpowersofownershiponlywhenhereachestheperiodandfulfillstheconditionsprescribedthereforinthewill.ThusthemeritsofChristareimputedtotheelectheirfromhisbirthsofarforthastheyconstitutethebasisofthegraciousdealingprovidedForhimaspreparatorytohisfullpossession.

JustificationisassignedbyProtestanttheologianstothatfinalmentalactofGodasJudgewherebyhedeclarestheheirinfullpossessionoftherightsofhisinheritance,henceforthtoberecognizedandtreatedastheheirinpossession,althoughtheactualconsummationofthatpossessionisnoteffecteduntiltheresurrection.Christandhisrighteousnessarenotgiventothebelieverbecauseoffaith.faithistheconscioustrustingreceivingofthatwhichisalreadygiven.OurCatechism,Ques.33,says,"JustificationisanactofGod’sfreegrace,whereinhepardonethalloursins,andacceptethusasrighteousinhissightonlyfortherighteousnessofChrist(1)imputedtous,and(2)receivedbyfaithalone."

Regenerationandconsequentlyfaitharewroughtinusfor

Christ’ssakeandastheresultconditionedonapreviousimputationofhisrighteousnesstothatend.Justificationsupervenesuponfaith,andimpliessuchanimputationofChrist’srighteousnessaseffectsaradicalandpermanentchangeofrelationshiptothelawasaconditionoflife.

4.WhatisrepresentedinScriptureasinvolvedinbeingachildofGodbythisadoption?

1st.DerivationofnaturefromGod.—John1:13;James1:18;1John5:18.

2nd.BeingbornagainintheimageofGod,bearinghislikeness.–Romans8:29;2Corinthians3:18;Colossians3:10;2Peter1:4.

3rd.Bearinghisname.––lJohn3:1;Revelation2:17;3:12.

4th.Beingtheobjectsofhispeculiarlove.–John17:23;Romans5:5–8;Titus3:4;1John4:7–11.

5th.TheindwellingoftheSpiritofhisSon(Galatians4:5,6),whoformsinusafilialspirit,oraspiritbecomingthechildrenofGod,obedient,1Peter1:14;2John6;freefromsenseofguilt,legalbondage,fearofdeath,Romans8:15,21;2Corinthians3:17;Galatians5:1;Hebrews2:15;1John5:14;andelevatedwithaholyboldnessandroyaldignity,Hebrews10:19,22;1Peter2:9;4:14.

6th.Presentprotection,consolations,andabundantprovisionsPsalm125:2;Isaiah66:13;Luke12:27–32;John14:18;1Corinthians3:21,23;2Corinthians1:4.

7th.Presentfatherlychastisementsforourgood,includingbothspiritualandtemporalafflictions.–Psalm51:11,12;Hebrews12:5–11.

8th.ThecertaininheritanceoftherichesofourFather’sglory,asheirswithGodandjointheirswithChrist,Romans8:17;James2:5;1Peter1:4;3:7;includingtheexaltationofourbodiestofellowshipwithhim.–Romans8:23;Philippians3:21.

5.Whatrelationdothethree.personsofthetrinity

sustaintothisadoption,andintowhatrelationdoesitintroduceustoeachofthemseverally?

ThisadoptionproceedsaccordingtotheeternalpurposeoftheFather,uponthemeritsoftheSon,andbytheefficientagencyoftheHolyGhost.–John1:12,13;Galatians4:5,6;Titus3:5,6.ByitGodtheFatherismadeourFather.TheincarnateGod–manismadeourelderbrother,andwearemade–(1)likehim;(2)intimatelyassociatedwithhimincommunityoflife,standing,relations,andprivileges;(3)jointheirswithhimofhisglory.––Romans8:17,29;Hebrews2:17;4:15.TheHolyGhostisourindweller,teacher,guide,advocate,comforter,andsanctifier.Allbelievers,beingsubjectsofthesameadoption,arebrethren–Ephesians3:6;1John3:14;5:1.

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Chapter35:Sanctification

1.Whatsensedothewordsἅγιος,holyandἁγιάζειν,tosanotify,bearintheScriptures?

TheverbἁγιάζεινisusedintwodistinctsensesintheNewTestament:

1st.Tomakecleanphysically,ormorally.(1)ceremonialpurification.––Hebrews9:13.(2)Torendercleaninamoralsense.––1Corinthians6:11;Hebrews13:12.Hencethephrase"themthataresanctified,"isconvertablewithbelievers.––1Corinthians1:2.

2nd.Tosetapartfromacommontoasacreduse,todevote,(1)spokenofthings,Matthew23:17;(2)spokenofpersons,John10:36,(3)toregardandvenerateasholy,Matthew6:9;1Pet3:15.Ἅγιος,asanadjective,pure,holy,asanoun,saint,isalsousedintwodistinctsenses,correspondingtothoseoftheverb.

1st.Pure,clean;(1)ceremonially,(2)morally,Ephesians1:4,(3)asanoun,saints,sanctifiedones,Romans1:7;8:27.

2nd.Consecrated,devoted.–Matthew4:5;Acts6:13;21:28;Hebrews9:3.ThiswordisalsousedinascriptionsofpraisetoGod.––John17:11;Revelation4:8.

2.Whatarethedifferentviewsentertainedastothenatureofsanctification?

1st.Pelagiansdenyingoriginalsinandthemoralinabilityofman,andholdingthatsincanbepredicatedonlyofactsof:thewill,andnotofinherentstatesordispositions,consequentlyregardsanctificationasnothingmorethanamoralreformationoflifeandhabits,wroughtundertheinfluenceofthetruthinthenaturalstrengthofthesinnerhimself

2nd.Theadvocatesofthe"exercisescheme"holdthatwecanfindnothinginthesoulotherthantheagentandhisexercises.Regeneration,therefore,isnothingmorethanthecessationfromaseriesofunholyandtheinaugurationofaseriesofholyexercises;andsanctificationthemaintenanceoftheseholyexercises.Oneparty,representedbyDr.Emmons,saythatGodimmediatelyeffectstheseholyexercises.Anotherparty,representedbyDr.Taylor,ofNewHaven,heldthatthemanhimselfdeterminesthecharacterofhisownbychoosingGodashischiefgood;theHolySpiritinsomeunexplainedwayassisting.—Seeabove,Chap.29.,Questions5and6.

3rd.ManymembersoftheChurchofEngland,asdistinguishedfromtheevangelicalparty,holdthatamanconformingtothechurch,whichistheconditionoftheGospelcovenant,isintroducedtoallthebenefitsofthatcovenant,andinthedecentperformanceofrelativedutiesandobservanceofthesacraments,isenabledtodoallthatisnowrequiredofhim,andtoattaintoallthemoralgoodnowpossibleordesirable.

4th.TheorthodoxdoctrineisthattheHolyGhost,byhisconstantinfluencesuponthewholesoulinallitsfaculties,throughtheinstrumentalityofthetruth,nourishes,exercises,anddevelopsthoseholyprinciplesanddispositionswhichheimplantedinthenewbirth,untilbyaconstantprogressallsinfuldispositionsbeingmortifiedandextirpated,

andallholydispositionsbeingfullymatured,thesubjectofthisgraceisbroughtimmediatelyupondeathtothemeasureofthestatureofperfectmanhoodinChrist."Con.Faith,"Chap.13.;"LCat.,"Question75;"ShorterCatechism,"Question35.

3.Howcanitbeshownthatsanctificationinvolvesmorethanmerereformation?

SeeaboveChap.29.,Question12.

4.Howmayitbeshownthatitinvolvesmorethantheproductionofholyexercises?

Seeabove,Chap.29.,Questions7–10.

Besidestheargumentspresentedinthechapterabovereferredto,thistruthisestablishedbytheevidenceofthosepassagesofScripturewhichdistinguishbetweenthechangewroughtintheheartandtheeffectsofthatchangeintheactions.–Matthew12:33–35;Luke6:43–45.

5.Whatrelationdoessanctificationsustaintoregeneration?

RegenerationisthecreativeactoftheHolySpirit,implantinganewprincipleofspirituallifeinthesoul.

Conversionisthefirstexerciseofthatnewgraciousprinciple,inthespontaneousturningofthenew–bornsinnertoGod.SanctificationisthesustaininganddevelopingworkoftheHolyGhost,bringingallthefacultiesofthesoulmoreandmoreperfectlyunderthepurifyingandregulatinginfluenceoftheimplantedprincipleofspirituallife.

6.Whatistherelationwhichjustificationandsanctificationsustaintoeachother?

Intheorderofnature,regenerationprecedesjustification,althoughastotimetheyarealwaysnecessarilycontemporaneous.,theinstantGodregeneratesasinnerheactsfaithinChrist.TheinstantheactsfaithinChristheisjustified,andsanctification,whichistheworkof

carryingonandperfectingthatwhichisbeguninregeneration,isaccomplishedundertheconditionsofthosenewrelationsintowhichheisintroducedbyjustification.Injustificationwearedeliveredfromallthepenalconsequencesofsin,andbroughtintosuchastateofreconciliationwithGod,andcommunionoftheHolyGhost,thatweareemancipatedfromthebondageoflegalfear,andenduedwiththatspiritoffilialconfidenceandlovewhichistheessentialprincipleofallacceptableobedience.Ourjustification,moreover,proceedsonthegroundofourfederalunionwithChristbyfaith,whichisthebasisofthatvitalandspiritualunionofthesoulwithhimfromwhomoursanctificationflows.—Seeabove,Chap.31.,Question3.

7.Howcanitbeshownthatthisworkextendstothewholeman,theunderstanding,willandaffections?

Thesoulisaunit,thesamesingleagentalike,thinking,feeling,andwilling.Amancannotlovethatlovelinesswhichhedoesnotperceive,norcanheperceivethatbeauty,whethermoralornatural,whichisuncongenialtohisownheart.Hiswholenatureismorallydepraved,1st,blindorinsensibletospiritualbeauty;2nd,averse,inthereigningdispositionsofthewill,tomoralright,andthereforedisobedient.Theorderinwhichthefacultiesactisasfollows:Theintellectperceivesthequalitiesoftheobjectconcerningwhichthemindisengaged;theheartlovesthosequalitieswhicharecongenialtoit;thewillchoosesthatwhichisloved.

Thisisproved,1st,byexperience.Astheheartbecomesmoredepravedthemindbecomesmoreinsensibletospirituallight.Ontheotherhand,astheeyesbeholdmoreandmoreclearlythebeautyofthetruth,themorelivelybecometheaffections,andthemoreobedientthewill.2nd.FromthetestimonyofScripture.Bynaturethewholemanisdepraved.Theunderstandingdarkened,aswellastheaffectionsandwillperverted.–Ephesians4:18.

Ifthisbeso,itisevidentthatsanctificationmustalsobeeffectedthroughouttheentirenature.1st.Fromthenecessityofthecase.2nd.FromthetestimonyofScripture.––Romans6:13;2Corinthians4:6;Ephesians1:18;Colossians3:1;1Thessalonians5:23;1John4:7.

8.Inwhatsenseisthebodysanctified?

1st.Asconsecrated,(1)asbeingthetempleoftheHolyGhost,1Corinthians6:19;(2)henceasbeingamemberofChrist.–1Corinthians6:15.2nd.Assanctified,sincetheyareintegralpartsofourpersons,theirinstinctsandappetitesactimmediatelyuponthepassionsofoursouls,andconsequentlythesemustbebroughtsubjecttothecontrolofthesanctifiedsoul,andallitsmembers,asorgansofthesoul,madeinstrumentsofrighteousnessuntoGod.–Romans6:13;1Thessalonians4:4.3rd.ItWillbemadelikeChrist’sglorifiedbody.–1Corinthians15:44;Philippians3:21.

9.TowhomistheworkofsanctificationreferredinScripture?

1st.TotheFather.––1Thessalonians6:23;Hebrews13:21.2nd.TotheSon.–Ephesians5:25,26;Titus2:14.3rd.TotheHolyGhost.–1Corinthians6:11;2Thessalonians2:13.

InallexternalactionsthethreePersonsoftheTrinityarealwaysrepresentedasconcurring,thefatherworkingthroughtheSonandSpirit,andtheSonthroughtheSpirit.HencetheworkofsanctificationiswithspecialprominenceattributedtotheHolySpirit,sinceheistheimmediateagenttherein,andsincethisishisspecialofficeworkintheplanofredemption.

10.Whatdothescripturesteachastotheagencyofthetruthintheworkofsanctification?

Thewholeprocessofsanctificationconsistsinthedevelopmentandconfirmationofthenewprincipleofspirituallifeimplantedinthesoulinregeneration,conductedbytheHolyGhostinperfectconformityto,andthroughtheoperationofthelawsandhabitsofactionnaturaltothesoulasanintelligent,moralandfreeagent.Likethenaturalfacultiesbothofbodyandmind,andthenaturalhabitswhichmodifytheactionsofthosefaculties,soChristiangraces,orspiritualhabits,aredevelopedbyexercise;thetruthsofthegospelbeingtheobjectsuponwhichthesegracesact,andbywhichtheyarebothexcitedanddirected.Thusthe

divinelovelinessofGodpresentedinthetruth,whichishisimage,istheobjectofourcomplacentlove;hisgoodnessofourgratitude;hispromisesofourtrust;hisJudgmentsofourwholesomeawe,andhiscommandmentsvariouslyexerciseusinthethousandformsoffilialobedience.John17:19;1Peter1:22;2:2;2Peter1:4;James1:18.

11.WhatefficiencydotheScripturesascribeinthisworktotheSacraments?

Therearethreeviewsentertainedonthissubjectbytheologians–

1st.Thelowestviewis,thatthesacramentssimply,assymbols,presentthetruthinalivelymannertotheeye,andareeffectivethusonlyasaformofpresentingthegospelobjectively.

2nd.Theopinionoccupyingtheoppositeextremeisthatthey,oftheirownproperefficiency,conveysanctifyinggraceexopereoperato(bytheworksperformed),"becausetheyconveygracebythevirtueofthesacramentalactionitself,institutedbyGodforthisveryend,andnotthroughthemeriteitheroftheagent(priest)orthereceiver."––Bellarmin,"DeSac.,"2,1.

3rd.Thetrueviewis,"thatthesacramentsareefficaciousmeansofgrace,notmerelyexhibitingbutactuallyconferringuponthosewhoworthilyreceivethemthebenefitswhichtheyrepresent;"yetthisefficacydoesnotresideproperlyinthem,butaccompaniestheirproperuseinvirtueofthedivineinstitutionandpromise,throughtheaccompanyingagencyoftheHolyGhost,andassuspendedupontheexerciseoffaithuponthepartoftherecipient,whichfaithisatoncetheconditionandtheinstrumentofthereceptionofthebenefit.––Matthew3:11;Acts2:41;10:47;Romans6:3;1Corinthians12:13;Titus3:5;1Peter3:21.

12.WhatofficedotheScripturesascribetofaithinsanctification?

Faithisthefirstgraceinorderexercisedbythesoulconsequentuponregeneration,andtherootofallothergracesinprinciple.––Acts

15:9;26:18.Itisinstrumentalinsecuringsanctificationtherefore––

1st.Bysecuringthechangeofthebeliever’srelationtoGodandtothelaw,asaconditionoflifeandfavor.––Seeabove,Question6.

2nd.BysecuringhisunionwithChrist.––1Corinthians13:;Galatians2:20;Colossians3:3.

3rd.Itissanctifyinginitsownnature,since,initswidestsense,faithisthatspiritualstateofthesoulinwhichitholdslivingactivecommunionwithspiritualtruth."BythisfaithaChristianbelievethtobetrue,whatsoeverisrevealedintheword,fortheauthorityofGodhimselfspeakingtherein;andactethdifferently,uponthatwhicheveryparticularpassagethereofcontaineth;yieldingobediencetothecommands,tremblingtothethreatenings,andembracingthepromisesofGodforthislife,andthatwhichistocome."––"Conf:Faith"ch.14§2.

13.What,accordingtoScripture,isnecessarytoconstituteagoodwork?

1st.Thatitshouldspringfromarightmotive,i.e.,loveforGod’scharacter,regardforhisauthority,andzealforhisglory;loveasafruitoftheSpirit,ifnotalwaysconsciouslypresent,yetreigningasapermanentandcontrollingprincipleinthesoul.

2nd.Thatitbeinaccordancewithhisrevealedlaw.––Deuteronomy12:32;Isaiah1:11,12;Colossians2:16–23.

14.WhatisthePopishdoctrineasto"thecounsels"ofChrist,whicharenotincludedinthepositivepreceptsofthelaw?

ThepositivecommandsofChristarerepresentedasbindingonallclassesofChristiansalike,andtheirobservancenecessaryinordertosalvation.Hiscounsels,ontheotherhand,arebindingonlyuponthosewho,seekingahigherdegreeofperfectionandamoreexcellentreward,voluntarily,assumethem.Thesearesuchascelibacy,voluntarypoverty,etc.,andobediencetorule(monastic).––Bellarmin,"DeMonachis,"Cap.

7.

Thewickednessofthisdistinctionisevident–

1st.BecauseChristdemandstheentireconsecrationofeveryChristian:afterwehavedoneallweareonlyunprofitableservants.Worksofsupererogation,therefore,areimpossible.

2nd.AllsuchwillworshipisdeclaredabhorrenttoGod.––Colossians2:18–23;1Timothy4:3.

15.Whatjudgmentistobeformedofthegoodworksofunrenewedmen?

Unrenewedmenretainsomedispositionsandaffectionsinthemselvesrelativelygood,andtheydomanythingsinthemselvesright,andaccordingtotheletterofGod’slaw.Yet–

1st.Astohisperson,everyunrenewedmanisunderGod’swrathandcurse,andconsequentlycandonothingpleasingtohim.Therebelinarmsisineverythingarebeluntilhesubmitsandreturnstohisallegiance.

2nd.LoveforGodandregardtohisauthorityareneverhissuprememotiveinanyofhisacts.Thuswhilemanyofhisactionsarecivillygoodasrespectshisfellow–men,noneofthemcanbespirituallygoodasitrespectsGod.Thereisanobviousdistinctionbetweenanactviewedinitself;andviewedinconnectionwithitsagent.Thesinner,previoustojustificationandrenewal,isarebel;eachoneofhisactsistheactofarebel,thoughasconsideredinitselfanysingleactmaybeeithergood,bad,orindifferent.

16.Inwhatsensearegoodnecessarysalvation?

Asthenecessaryandinvariablefruitsofboththechangeofrelationaccomplishedinjustification,andofthechangeofnatureaccomplishedinregeneration,thoughneverasthemeritoriousgroundsorconditionsofoursalvation.

Thisnecessityresults,1st,fromtheholinessofGod;2nd,fromhiseternalpurpose,Ephesians1:4;2:10;3rd,fromthedesignandredemptiveefficacyofChrist’sdeath,Ephesians5:25–27;4th,fromtheunionofthebelieverwithChrist,andtheenergyofhisindwellingSpirit,John15:5;Galatians5:22;5th,fromtheverynatureoffaith,whichfirstleadstoandthenworksbylove,Galatians5:6;6th,fromthecommandofGod,1Thessalonians4:6;1Peter1:15;7th,fromthenatureofheaven,Revelation21:27.

17.WhatisthetheoryoftheAntinomiansuponthissubject?

Antinomiansare,astheirnamesignifies,thosewhodenythatChristiansareboundtoobeythelaw.Theyarguethat,asChristhasinourplacefulfilledboththepreceptiveandthepenaldepartmentsofGod’slaw,hispeoplemustbedeliveredfromallobligationtoobserveit,eitherasaruleofdutyorasaconditionofsalvation.––Seeabove,Question3,Chap.25.

ItisevidentthatallsystemsofPerfectionism,whichteach(asthePelagianandOberlintheories)thatmen’sabilitytoobeyisthemeasureoftheirresponsibility,or(asthePapalandArmeniantheories)thatGod,forChrist’ssake,hasgraciouslyreducedhisdemandfromabsolutemoralperfectiontofaithandevangelicalobedience,areessentiallyAntinomian.BecausetheyallagreeinteachingthatChristiansinthislifearenolongerunderobligationstofulfilltheAdamiclawofabsolutemoralperfection.

Paul,inthe6thchapterofRomans,declaresthatthisdamnableheresywaschargedasalegitimateconsequentuponhisdoctrineinthatday.Henotonlyrepudiatesthecharge,but,onthecontrary,affirmsthatfreejustificationthroughanimputedrighteousness,withoutthemeritsofworks,istheonlypossibleconditioninwhichthesinnercanlearntobringforthholyworksasthefruitsoffiliallove.TheverypurposeofChristwastoredeemtohimselfapeculiarpeople,zealousofgoodworks,andthisheaccomplishedbydeliveringthemfromthefederalbondageofthelaw,inordertorenderthemcapableastheLord’sfreedmenofmoralconformitytoit,everincreasinglyinthislife,absolutelyinthelifeto

come.

18.Whatarethedifferentsenseswhichhavebeenappliedtotheterm"merit"?

Ithasbeentechnicallyusedintwodifferentsenses.1st.Strictly,todesignatethecommonqualityofallservicestowhicharewardisdue,exjusticiâ,onaccountoftheirintrinsicvalueanddignity.2nd.Improperly,itwasusedbytheFathersasequivalenttothatwhichresultsinorattainstoarewardorconsequent,withoutspecifyingthegroundorvirtueonaccountofwhichitissecured.––Turretin,50.17.,Quaestio5.

19.WhatdistinctiondoestheRomishChurch,designtosignalizebytheterms"meritofcondignity"andthe"meritofcongruity"?

The"meritofcondignity"theyteachattachesonlytoworkswroughtsubsequentlytoregenerationbytheaidofdivinegrace,andisthatdegreeofmeritthatintrinsically,andinthewayofequalright,notbymerepromiseorcovenantdeservestherewarditattainsatGod’shands.The"meritofcongruity"theyteachattachestothosegooddispositionsorworkswhichamanmay,previouslytoregeneration,realizewithouttheaidofdivinegrace,andwhichmakesitcongruousorspeciallyfittingforGodtorewardtheagentbyinfusinggraceintohisheart.

ItisextremelydifficulttodeterminetheexactpositionoftheRomishChurchonthissubject,sincedifferentschoolsoftheologiansinhermidstdifferwidely,andthedecisionsoftheCouncilofTrentarestudiouslyambiguous.Thegeneralbeliefappearstobethatabilitytoperformgoodworksspringsfromgraceinfusedintothesinner’sheartforChrist’ssake,throughtheinstrumentalityofthesacraments,butthatafterwardsthesegoodworksmerit,thatis,layforusthefoundationofajustclaimtosalvationandglory.Somesay,likeBellarmin,"DeJustific.,"5,1,and4,7,thatthismeritattachestothegoodworksofChristiansintrinsically,aswellasinconsequenceofGod’spromise;othersthattheseworksdeservetherewardonlybecauseGodhaspromisedtherewardontheconditionofthework.––"Coun.Trent,"Sess.6.,Cap.16.,

andcanons24and32.

20.Whatisnecessarythataworkshouldbeinthepropersenseofthetermmeritorious?

Turretinmakesfiveconditionsnecessarytothatend.1st.Thattheworkbenotofdebt,orwhichtheworkerwasunderobligationtorender.––Luke17:10.2nd.Thatitisourown,i.e.,effectedbyourownnaturalenergy.3rd.Thatitbeperfect.4th.Thatitbeequaltotherewardmerited.5th.Thattherewardbeofjusticeduetosuchanact.––Turretin,50.17.,Questio5.

Accordingtothisdefinition,itisevident,fromtheabsolutedependenceandobligationofthecreature,thathecannevermeritanyrewardforwhateverobediencehemayrendertothecommandsofhisCreator.1st.BecauseallthestrengthheworkswithisfreelygivenbyGod.2nd.AlltheservicehecanrenderisowedtoGod.3rd.NothinghecandocanequaltherewardofGod’sfavorandeternalblessedness.

Underthecovenantofworks,GodgraciouslypromisedtorewardtheobedienceofAdamwitheternallife.Thiswasareward,however,notofmerit,butoffreegraceandpromise.EverythingunderthatconstitutiondependeduponthestandingofthepersonbeforeGod.AslongasAdamcontinuedwithoutsin,hisserviceswereacceptedandrewardedaccordingtopromise.Butfromthemomentheforfeitedthepromise,andlosthisstandingbeforeGodnoworkofhis,nomatterofwhatcharacter,couldmeritanytilingatthehandofGod.

21.HowcanitbeProvedthatourgoodworks,evenaftertherestorationofourpersontoGod’s'favorbyjustification,donotmeritheaven?

1st.JustificationproceedsupontheinfinitemeritsofChrist,andonthatfoundationrestsourtitletothefavorofGodandalltheinfiniteconsequencesthereof:Christ'smerit,lyingatthefoundationandembracingall,excludesthepossibilityofourmeritinganything.2nd.Thelawdemandsperfectobedience.–Romans3:23;Galatians5:3.3rd.Wearesavedbygracenotbyworks.––Ephesians2:8,9.4th.Allgood

dispositionsaregracesorgiftsofGod.—1Corinthians15:10;Philippians2:13;1Thessalonians2:13.5th.EternallifeitselfisdeclaredtobethegiftofGod.––1John5:11.

22.Whatdothescripturesteachconcerningthegoodworksofbelievers,andtherewardspromisedtothem?

Boththeworkanditsrewardarebranchesfromthesamegraciousroot.Thecovenantofgraceprovidesalikefortheinfusionofgraceintheheart,theexerciseofthisgraceinthelife,andtherewardsofthatgracesoexercised.Itisallofgrace,graceforgrace,graceaddedtograce,presentedtousinthisformofareward:

1st.Thatitmayactuponusasarationalmotivetodiligentobedience.2nd.TomarkthatthegiftofheavenandeternalblessednessisanactofstrictlegalJustice(1)inrespecttotheperfectmeritsofChrist,(2)inrespecttoGod’sfaithfuladherencetohisownfreepromise.––1John1:9.3rd.Toindicatethattheheavenlyrewardstandsinacertaingraciousproportiontothegracegivenintheobedienceonearth;(1)becauseGodsowillsit,Matthew16:27;1Corinthians3:8;(3)becausethegracegivenonearthpreparesthesoultoreceivethegracegiveninheaven,2Corinthians4:17.

ISPERFECTSANCTIFICATIONATTAINABLEBYBELIEVERSINCHRISTINTHISLIFE?

23.What,ingeneralterms,isperfectionism?

ThevarioustheoriesofperfectionismallagreeinmaintainingthatitispossibleforachildofGodinthisworldtobecome,1st,perfectlyfreefromsin,2nd,conformedtothelawunderwhichtheynowlive.

Theydifferveryvariouslyamongthemselves,however,1st,astowhatsinis;2nd,astowhatlawwearenowobligedtofulfill;3rd,astothemeanswherebythisperfectionmaybeattained,whetherbynatureorbygrace.

24.HowdoesthePelagiantheoryofthenatureofman

andofgraceleadtoperfectionism?

Pelagiansmaintain,1st,astoman’snature,thatitwasnotradicallycorruptedbythefall,andthateverymanpossessessufficientpowertofulfillallthedutiesrequiredofhim,sinceGodcannotinjusticedemandthatwhichmanhasnotfullpowertodo.2nd.AstoGod’sgrace,thatitisnothingmorethanthefavorableconstitutionofourownminds,andtheinfluenceexertedonthembythetruthhehasrevealedtous,andthepropitiouscircumstancesinwhichhehasplacedus.ThusintheChristianchurch,andwiththeChristianrevelation,menare,infact,placedinthemostpropitiouscircumstancespossibletopersuadethemtoperformtheirduties.Itfollowsfromthissystemdirectlythateveryonewhowishesmaycertainlyattainperfectionbyusinghisnaturalpowersandadvantagesofpositionwithsufficientcare.––"Wigger’sHistoricalViewofAugustinianismandPelagianism."

25.What,accordingtothePelagiantheory,isthenatureofthesinfromwhichmanmaybeperfectlyfree;whatthelawwhichhemayperfectlyfulfill,andwhatarethemeansbywhichthisperfectionmaybeattained?

Theydenyoriginalandinherentcorruptionofnature,andholdthatsinisonlyvoluntarytransgressionofknownlaw,fromwhichanymanmayabstainifhewill.

Astothelawwhichmaninhispresentstatemayperfectlyfulfill,theyholdthatitisthesingleandoriginallawofGod,therequirementsofwhich,however,inthecaseofeveryindividualsubject,aremeasuredbytheindividual’sability,andopportunitiesofknowledge.Astothemeanswherebythisperfectionmaybeattained,theymaintaintheplenaryabilityman’snaturalwilltodischargealltheobligationsrestinguponhim,andtheyadmittheassistanceofGod’sgraceonlyinthesenseoftheinfluenceofthetruth,andotherfavorablecircumstancesinpersuadingmantousehisownpower.Thusthemeansofperfectsanctificationare,1st,man’sownvolition,2nd,ashelpedbythestudyoftheBible,prudentavoidanceoftemptation,etc.

26.InwhatsensedoRomanistsholdthedoctrineof

perfection?

ThedecisionsoftheCouncilofTrentuponthesubject,asuponallcriticalpoints,arestudiouslyambiguous.Theylaydowntheprinciplethatthelawmustbepossibletothemuponwhomitisbinding,sinceGoddoesnotcommandimpossibilities.Menjustified(sanctified)maybythegraceofGoddwellinginthemsatisfythedivinelaw,prohujusvitœstatu,i.e.,asgraciouslyforChrist’ssakeadjustedtoourpresentcapacities.Theyconfess,nevertheless,thatthejustmayfallintovenialsinseveryday,andthatwhileinthefleshnomancanliveentirelywithoutsin(unlessbyaspecialprivilegeofGod);yetthatinthislifetherenewedcanfullykeepthedivinelaw;andevenbytheobservanceoftheevangelicalcounselsdomorethaniscommanded;andthus,asmanysaintshaveactuallydone,layupafundofsupererogatorymerit.––"CouncilofTrent,"Session6.CompareChap.11.and16.,andCanons18,23,and32.Seeabove,Question14.

27.Inwhatsensedotheyholdthattherenewedmay,inthislifelivewithoutsin;inwhatsensefullysatisfythelaw;andbytheuseofwhatmeansdotheyteachthatthisperfectionmaybeattained?

Astosin,theyholdthedistinctionbetweenmortalandpardonablesins,andthatthestrongdesirethatremainsinthebosomoftherenewed,astheresultoforiginalandthefuelofactualsin,isnotitselfsin,sincesinconsistsonlyintheconsentofthewilltotheimpulseofstrongdesire.In.accordancewiththeseviewstheyholdthataChristianinthislifemaylivewithoutcommittingmortalsins,butthathenevercanbefreefromtheinwardmovementsofstrongdesire,norfromliabilitytofallthroughignorance,inattention,orpassion,intovenialsins.

Astothelaw,whichabelieverinthislifemayfullysatisfy,theyholdthatasGodisjustandcannotdemandofuswhatisimpossible,hislawisgraciouslyadjustedtoourpresentcapacities,asassistedbygrace,andthatitisthislawprohujusvitaestatu,whichwemayfulfil.

Astothemeanswherebythisperfectionmaybeattained,theyholdthatdivinegraceprecedes,accompanies,andfollowsallofourgood

works,whichdivinegraceistobesoughtthroughthosesacramentalandpriestlychannelswhichChristhasinstitutedinhischurch,andespeciallyintheobservanceofworksofprayer,fasting,andalmsdeeds,andtheacquisitionofsupererogatorymeritbythefulfillmentofthecounselsofChristtochastity,obedience,andvoluntarypoverty.––"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.14.,Chapter5.,Sess.6.,Chapters11.and12.,Sess.5.,Canon5;"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chapter2.,Question32,andPart2.,chapter5.,Question59,andPart3.,Chapter10.,Questions5––10.

28.InwhatformwasthedoctrinetaughtbytheearlyArminians?

Arminiusdeclaredthathismindwasinsuspenseuponthissubject("WritingsofArminius,"translatedbyNichols,Vol.1.,p.256).Hisimmediatesuccessorsinthetheologicalleadershipoftheremonstrantparty,developedatheoryofperfectionismapparentlyidenticalwiththattaughtbyWesley,andprofessedbyhisdisciples."Amancan,withtheassistanceofdivinegrace,keepallthecommandmentsofGodperfectly,accordingtothegospelorcovenantofgrace.Thehighestevangelicalperfection(forwearenotteachingalegalperfection,whichincludessinlessnessentireinallrespectsandinthehighestdegree,andexcludesallimperfectionandinfirmity,forthiswebelievetobeimpossible),embracestwothings,1st,aperfectionproportionedtothepowersofeachindividual;2nd,adesireofmakingcontinualprogressandincreasingone’sstrengthmoreandmore."––Episcopius,quotedbyDr.G.Peck,"ChristianPerfection,"pp.135and136.

29.WhatistheWesleyandoctrineonthissubject?

1st.Thatalthougheverybelieverassoonasheisjustifiedisregenerated,andcommencestheincipientstagesofsanctification,yetthisdoesnotexcludetheremainsofmuchinherentsin,northewarfareofthefleshagainsttheSpirit,whichmaycontinueforalongtime,butwhichmustceaseatsometimebeforethesubjectcanbefitforheaven.

2nd.Thisstateofprogressivesanctificationisnotitselfperfection,whichisproperlydesignatedbythephrases"entire"or"perfectsanctification."This,soonerorlater,everyheirofglorymust

experience;althoughthemajoritydonotreachitlongbeforedeath,itistheattainmentofsomeinthemidstoflifeandconsequentlyitisthedutyandprivilegeofalltodesire,strivefor,andexpectitsattainmentnow.

3rd.ThisstateofevangelicalperfectiondoesnotconsistinanabilitytofulfillperfectlytheoriginalandabsolutelawofholinessunderwhichAdamwascreated,nordoesitexcludeallliabilitytomistake,ortotheinfirmitiesoftheflesh,andofnaturaltemperament,butitdoesexcludeallinwarddispositiontosinaswellasalloutwardcommissionofit,sinceitconsistsinastateinwhichperfectfaithinChristandperfectloveforGodfillsthewholesoulandgovernstheentirelife,andthusfulfillsalltherequirementsofthe"lawofChrist,"underwhichalonetheChristian’sprobationisnowheld.

30.Inwhatsensedotheyteachthatmenmaylivewithoutsin?

Mr.Wesleydidnothimselfuse,thoughhedidnotobjectto,thephrase"sinlessperfection."Hedistinguishedbetween"sin,properlysocalled,i.e.,avoluntarytransgressionofaknownlaw,andsin,improperlysocalled,i.e.,aninvoluntarytransgressionofadivinelaw,knownorunknown,"anddeclared

"Ibelievethereisnosuchperfectioninthislifeasexcludestheseinvoluntarytransgressions,whichIapprehendtobenaturallyconsequentontheignoranceandmistakesinseparablefrommortality."HealsodeclaresthattheobedienceoftheperfectChristian"cannotbeartherigorofGod’sjustice,butneedsatoningblood,"andconsequentlythemostperfect"mustcontinuallysay,‘forgiveusourtrespasses’,"andDr.Pecksaysthattheholiermenarehere"themoretheyloatheandabhorthemselves."OntheotherhandtheyholdthataChristianmayinthislifeattaintoastateofperfectandconstantlovewhichfulfillsperfectlyalltherequirementsofthegospelcovenant.ViolationsoftheoriginalandabsolutelawofGodarenotcountedtothebelieverforsin,sinceforhimChristhasbeenmadetheendofthatlawforrighteousness,andforChrist’ssakehehasbeendeliveredfromthatlawandbeenmadesubjecttothe"lawofChrist,"andthatonlyissintotheChristianwhichisaviolationofthislawoflove.SeeMr.Wesley’s"TractonChristian

Perfection,"inthevolumeof"MethodistDoctrinalTracts,"pp.294,310,312,andDr.Peck’s"ChristianDoc.ofPerfection,"p.204.

31.WhatlawdotheysaytheChristiancaninthislifeperfectlyobey?

Dr.Pecksays,p.244,"Tofallenhumanity,thoughrenewedbygrace,perfectobediencetothemorallawisimpracticableduringthepresentprobationarystate.AndconsequentlyChristianperfectiondoesnotimplyperfectobediencetothemorallaw."––Peck,p.244.

Thismorallawtheyholdtobeuniversalandunchangeable,allmoralagentsareunderperpetualobligationstofulfillit,andtheyareinnodegreereleasedtherefrombytheirlossofabilitythroughsin.––Peck,p.271.Thislawsustains,however,atwofoldrelationtothecreature.1st.Itisaruleofbeingandacting.2nd.Itisaconditionofacceptance.Inconsequenceofsin,itbecameimpossibleformentoobtainsalvationbythelaw,andthereforeChristappearedandrenderedtothislawperfectsatisfactioninourstead,andthusisforustheendofthelawforrighteousness.Thislaw,therefore,remainingforeverasaruleofduty,isabrogatedbyChristasaconditionofouracceptance."NorisanymanlivingboundtoobservetheAdamicmorethantheMosaiclaw(Imeanitisnottheconditioneitherofpresentorfuturesalvation.)"––"DoctrinalTracts,"p.332."Thegospel,whichisthelawoflove,the‘lawofliberty’offerssalvationuponotherterms,andyetprovidesthevindicationofthebrokenlaw.Theconditionofjustificationatfirstisfaithaloneandtheconditionofcontinuedacceptanceisfaithworkingbylove.

Therearedegreesoffaith,anddegreesoflove....PerfectfaithandperfectloveisChristianperfection."

"Christiancharacterisestimatedbytheconditionsofthegospel;Christianperfectionimpliestheperfectperformanceoftheseconditionsandnothingmore."

32.Bywhatmeansdotheyteachthisperfectionistobeattained?

Wesleysays,"Ibelievethisperfectionisalwayswroughtinthesoulbyasimpleactoffaith,consequentlyinaninstant.ButIbelievethereisagradualwork,bothprecedingandfollowingthatinstant."–quotedbyDr.Peck,pp.47,48.

Theyholdthatthisentiresanctificationisnottobeeffectedthrougheitherthestrengthorthemeritofman,butentirelyofgrace,forChrist’ssake,bytheHolyGhost,throughtheinstrumentalityoffaithintheLordJesusChrist,whichfaithinvolvesourbelieving,1st,"inthesufficiencyoftheprovisionsofthegospelforthecompletedeliveranceofthesoulfromsin."2nd."Thattheseprovisionsaremadeforus."3rd."Thatthisblessingisforusnow."–Peck,"Ch.Doc.Sanc.,"pp.405–407.

33.WhatistheOberlindoctrineofperfection?

"Itisafullandperfectdischargeofourentireduty,ofallexistingobligationstoGod,andallotherbeings.Itisperfectobediencetothemorallaw."ThisisGod’soriginalanduniversallaw,which,however,always,notbecauseofgrace,butofsheer.justice,adjustsitsdemandstothemeasureofthepresentabilityofthesubject.ThelawofGodcannotnowjustlydemandthatweshouldlovehimaswemighthavedoneif,wehadalwaysimprovedourtime,etc.YetaChristianmaynowattaintoastateof"perfectanddisinterestedbenevolence,"maybe,"accordingtohisknowledge,asuprightasGodis,"andas"perfectlyconformedtothewillofGodasisthewilloftheinhabitantsofheaven."Andthis,Mr.

Finneyappearstoteach,isessentialforeventheloweststageofgenuineChristianexperience.Theamountofthematterappearstobe,Godhasarighttodemandonlythatwhichwehavethepowertorendertherefore,itfollowsthatwehavefullpowertorenderallthatGoddemands,and,therefore,wemaybeasperfectlyconformedtohiswillasitregardsus,astheinhabitantsofheavenaretohiswillasitregardsthem."

Pres.Mahan,"ScriptureDoctrinesofChristianPerfection,"andProf.Finney,"OberlinEvangelist,"Vol.4.,No.19,andVol.4.,No.15,asquotedbyDr.Peck.

34.Statethepointsofagreementanddisagreementbetweentheseseveraltheories,Pelagian,Romish,Armenian,andOberlin?

1st.Theyallagreeinmaintainingthatitispossibleformeninthislifetoattainastateinwhichtheymayhabituallyandperfectlyfulfillalltheirobligations,i.e.,tobeanddoperfectlyallthatGodrequiresthemtobeordoatpresent.

2nd.ThePelagiantheorydiffersfromalltherest,indenyingthedeteriorationofournaturalandmoralpowers,andconsequently,indenyingthenecessityoftheinterventionofsupernaturalgracetotheendofmakingmenperfect.

3rd.ThePelagianandOberlintheoriesagreeinmakingtheoriginalmorallawofGodthestandardofperfection.TheOberlintheologians,however,admittingthatourpowersaredeterioratedbysin,holdthatGod’slaw,asamatterofsheerjustice,adjustsitsdemandstothepresentabilityofthesubject.TheRomishtheoryregardsthesamelawasthestandardofperfection,butdiffersfromthePelagiantheoryinmaintainingthatthedemandsofthislawareadjustedtoman’sdeterioratedpowers;andontheotherhand,itdiffersfromtheOberlintheory,byholdingthattheloweringofthedemandsofthislawinadjustmenttotheenfeebledpowersofman,insteadofbeingofsheerjustice,isofgraceforthemeritsofChrist.TheArmeniantheorydiffersfromalltherestindenyingthattheoriginallawisthestandardofevangelicalperfection;inholdingthatthatlawhavingbeenfulfilledbyChrist,theChristianisnowrequiredonlytofulfilltherequirementsofthegospelcovenantofgrace.This,however,appearstodiffermoreinformthanessencefromtheRomishpositioninthisregard.

4th.TheRomishandArmeniantheoriesagree––lst.InadmittingthattheperfectChristianisstillliabletotransgresstheprovisionsoftheoriginalmorallaw,andthatheissubjecttomistakesandinfirmities.

TheRomanistscallsthemvenialsins;theArmenian,mistakesorinfirmities.2nd.Inreferringalltheworkofmakingmanperfecttothe

efficiencyoftheHolyGhost,whoisgivenforChrist’ssake.Buttheydiffer,ontheotherhand,1st,astothenatureofthatfaithbywhichsanctificationiseffected,and,2nd,astothemeritofgoodworks.

35.Whataretheargumentsuponwhichperfectionistssustaintheirtheory,andhowmaytheybeanswered?

1st.Theyarguethatthisperfectionisattainableinthislife,(1)FromthecommandsofGod,whoneverwillcommandimpossibilities.–Matthew5:48.(2)FromthefactthatabundantprovisionhasalreadybeenmadeinthegospelforsecuringtheperfectsanctificationofGod’speople;infact,alltheprovisionthateverwillbemade.(3)FromthepromisesofGodtoredeemIsraelfromallhisiniquities,etc.––Psalm130:8;Ezekiel36:25–29;1John1:7,9.(4)FromtheprayersofsaintsrecordedinScripturewithimpliedapproval.–Psalm51:2;Hebrews13:21.

2nd.Theyarguethatthisperfectionhasinfactbeenattained,(1)Frombiblicalexamples,asDavid.—Acts9:22.SeealsoGenesis6:9;Job1:1;Luke1:6.(2)Modernexamples—Peck’s"ChristianPerfection,"pp.365–396.

WeANSWER–

1st.TheScripturesneverassertthataChristianmayinthisliftattaintoastateinwhichhemaylivewithoutsin.

2nd.ThemeaningofspecialpassagesmustbeinterpretedinconsistencywiththeentiretestimonyofScripture.

3rd.ThelanguageofScriptureneverimpliesthatmanmayherelivewithoutsin.ThecommandsofGodareadjustedtoman’sresponsibility,andtheaspirationsandprayersofthesaintstotheirdutiesandultimateprivileges,andnottotheirpresentability.PerfectionisthetrueaimoftheChristian’seffortineveryperiodofgrowthandineveryact.Theterms"perfect"and"blameless"areoftenrelative,orusedtosignifysimplegenuinenessorsincerity.Thisisevidentfromtherecordedfact–

4th.ThatalltheperfectmenoftheScripturessometimessinned;witnessthehistoriesof:Noah,Job,David,Paul,andcompareGenesis6:9,withGenesis9:21,andJob1:1,withJob3:1,and9:20;alsoseeGalatians2:11,14;Psalm19:12;Romans7:;Galatians5:17;Philippians3:12–14.

36.WhatspecialobjectionsbearagainstthePelagiantheoryofperfection?

ThisisapartofawhollyAnti–Christiansystem.ItsconstituentelementsareadenialoftheScripturetestimonywithregardtooriginalsin,andtheworkoftheSpiritofgraceineffectualcalling,andanassertionofman’sabilitytosavehimself.Itinvolveslowviewsoftheguiltandturpitudeofsin,andoftheextent,spirituality,andunchangeablenessofGod’sholylaw.Thisistheonlyperfectlyconsistenttheoryofperfectioneverventilated,andinthesameproportionitisthemostthoroughlyunchristian.

37.WhatspecialobjectionsbearagainsttheRomishtheory?

Thistheoryisinconsistent–

1st.Withthetruenatureofsin.Itdeniesthatstrongdesireissin,andadmitsassuchonlythosedeliberateactsofthewillwhichassenttotheimpulseofstrongdesire.Itdistinguishesbetweenmortalandvenialsins.Thetruthisthateverysinismortal,andconcupiscence,"sindwellinginme,""lawinmymembers,"isoftheveryessenceofsin.––Romans7:8–23.

2nd.ItisinconsistentwiththenatureofGod’sholylaw,whichisessentiallyimmutable,andthedemandsofwhichhaveneverbeenloweredinaccommodationtotheweakenedfacultiesofmen.

3rd.Itisessentiallyconnectedwiththeirtheoryofthemeritofgoodworks,andofthehighermeritofworksofsupererogationwhichisradicallysubversiveoftheessentialsofthegospel.

38.WhatspecialobjectionsbearagainsttheOberlintheory?

Thistheoryappearstoassimilatemorenearlythantheotherswiththeterribleself–consistencyandtheAnti–ChristianspiritofthePelagianview.Itdiffersfromthatheresy,however,inholding––1st.ThatthelawofGodis,asamatterofsheerjustice,accommodatedtotheweakenedfacultiesofmen.2nd.Thattheshortcomingsofmeninthepresentlife,asmeasuredbytheoriginallawofGod,arenotsin,sinceaman’sdutyismeasuredonlybyhisability.3rd.Inmakingtheprincipleofthisperfectiontoconsistin"perfectanddisinterestedbenevolence."Inalltheserespects,also,thistheoryisinconsistentwiththetruenatureofGod’slaw,thetruenatureofsin,andthetruenatureofvirtue.

39.WhatspecialobjectionsbearagainsttheArmeniantheory?

Thisview,aspresentedbytheWesleyanstandardwriters,isfarlessinconsistentwiththeprinciplesandspiritofChristianitythaneitheroftheothers,andconsequentlyitispreciselyinthesameproportionlessself–consistentasatheory,andlessaccurateinitsuseoftechnicallanguage.TheseChristianbrethrenaretobehonoredfortheirexaltedviews,andearnestadvocacyofthedutyofpressingforwardtothehighestmeasuresofChristianattainment,whileitistobeforeverlamentedthattheirgreatfounderwassofarmisledbytheprejudicesofsystemastobindinunnaturalalliancesomuchprecioustruthwithatheoryandterminologyproperonlytoradicalerror.Iwillmakehere,onceforall,thegeneralexplanation,thatwhenstatingtheArmeniandoctrineonanypoint,IhavegenerallypreferredtorefertotheforminwhichthedoctrinewasexplicitlydefinedbytheDutchRemonstrantsratherthantothemodified,and,asitseemstome,farlesslogicallydefiniteforminwhichitissetforthbytheauthoritiesoftheWesleyanchurches,whoproperlystylethemselvesEvangelicalArminians.Iattributethepeculiartheoreticalindefinitenesswhichappearstorendertheirdefinitionsobscure,especiallyonthesubjectsofjustificationandofperfection,tothespiritofawarm,loving,workingChristianitystrugglingwiththefalsepremisesofanArmenianphilosophy.

1st.WhileoverandoverinsistinguponthedistinctionastothetwofoldrelationsustainedbytheoriginallawofGodtoman(1)asaruleofbeingandacting,(2)asaconditionofdivinefavor,theirwholetheoryisbaseduponalogicalconfusionofthesetwothingssodistinct.Dr.Peckteachesearnestly,andconfirmsbymanyWesleyantestimonies,excellentCalvinisticdoctrineuponthefollowingpoints:TheoriginallawofGodisuniversalandunchangeable,itsdemandsnevercanbechangednorcompromised.

Obediencetothislawwastheconditionoftheoriginalcovenantofworks.ThisconditionwasbrokenbyAdam,but,inourbehalfperfectlyfulfilledbyChrist,andthustheintegrityofGod’schangelesslawwaspreserved.Therefore,hegoesontoargue,thebelieverisnolongerunderthelaw,butunderthecovenantofgrace,i.e.,touseWesley’sownqualifyingparenthesis"astheconditionofeitherpresentorfuturesalvation."Certainly,weanswer,Christistheendofthelawforusforrighteousness,initsforensicsense,thatis,tosecureourjustification,butsurelyChristdidnotsatisfythatchangelesslaw,inourplace,insuchasensethatitdoesnotremainourruleofaction,towhichitisourdutytobepersonallyconformed.Thequestionofperfectionisonewhichrelatestoourpersonalcharacter,nottoourrelations;itismoralandinherent,andnotforensic.Toprove,therefore,whatwealsorejoicetobelieve,thattheoriginallawofGod,underthegospelcovenant,isnolongerourconditionofsalvation,doesnotavailoneiotatowardsprovingthatGod,underthegospel,demandsanobedienceadjustedtoanyeasierstandardthanwasrequiredbefore.

2nd.ThistheoryispartoftheArmenianviewofthecovenantofgrace,whichweregardsoinconsistentwiththegospel,andwhichMr.Watson(see"Institutes,"Part2.,Chap.23.)appearstoattempttoavoidwhilerefusingtoadmittheimputationtothebelieverofChrist’srighteousness.Thisviewis,thatbyChrist’spropitiation,hehavingfulfilledtheoriginallawofGod,itismadeconsistentwithdivinejusticetopresentsalvationuponeasierconditions,i.e.,faithandevangelicalobedience;Christianperfectionrequiringnothingmorethantheperfectfulfillmentofthesenewgraciousconditions.Nowthisview,besidesconfoundingtheideasoflaw,andofcovenant,andofrule,andofa

condition,ofagroundofjustification,andofastandardofsanctification,isinconsistentwiththebroadteachingsofthegospelconcerningtherighteousnessofChrist,andtheofficeoffaithinjustification.ItmakesthemeritofChristonlyinsomeuncertainanddistantwaytheoccasionofoursalvation,andfaith,andevangelicalobedience,intheplaceofperfectobedienceundertheoldcovenant,thegroundinsteadofthemereinstrumentandfruitofourjustification.Logicallydeveloped,thistheorymustleadtotheRomishdoctrineastothemeritofgoodworks.

3rd.Thistheorydeniesthatmistakesandinfirmitiesresultingfromtheeffectsoforiginalsin,arethemselvessin,yetadmitsthattheyaretobeconfessed,forgivenessimploredforthem,andtheatonementofChrist’sbloodappliedtothem,andthatthemoreperfectamanbecomesthemoreheabhorshisowninternalstate.Surelythisisaconfusionoflanguage,andabuseofthewordsin.Whatissinbut(1)thatwhichtransgressedGod’soriginallaw,(2)whichneedsChrist’satonement,(3)whichshouldbeconfessed,andmustbeforgiven,(4)whichlaysaproperfoundationforself–abhorrence.

40.WhatexpressdeclarationsofScripturearecontradictedbyeverypossiblemodificationofthetheoryofChristianperfection?

1Kings8:46;Proverbs20:9;Ecclesiastes7:20;James3:2;1John1:8.

41.Howmayitbeshowntobeinoppositiontotheexperienceofsaints,asrecordedinthescriptures?

SeePaul’saccountofhimself,Romans7:14–25;Philippians3:12–14.SeecaseofDavid,Psalm19:12;Psalm51:;ofMoses,Psalm90:8;Job42:5,6;ofDaniel,9:20.SeeLuke18:13;Galatians2:11–13;6:1;James5:16.

42.HowdoesitconflictwiththeordinaryexperienceofGod’speople?

Themoreholyamanis,themorehumble,self–renouncing,

self–abhorring,andthemoresensitivetoeverysinhebecomesandthemorecloselyheclingstoChrist.Themoralimperfectionswhichclingtohimhefeelstobesins,lamentsandstrivestoovercomethem.Believersfindthattheirlifeisaconstantwarfare,andtheyneedtotakethekingdomofheavenbystorm,andwatchwhiletheypray.Theyarealwayssubjecttotheconstantchastisementoftheirfather’slovinghand,whichcanonlybedesignedtocorrecttheirimperfections,andtoconfirmtheirgraces.AndithasbeennotoriouslythefactthatthebestChristianshavebeenthosewhohavebeentheleastpronetoclaimtheattainmentofperfectionforthemselves.

43.Whatarethelegitimatepracticaleffectsofperfectionism?

Thetendencyofeverysuchdoctrinemustbeevil,exceptinsofarasitismodifiedorcounteractedbylimitingorinconsistenttruthsheldinconnection,whichispre–eminentlythecasewithrespecttotheWesleyanview,fromtheamountofpuregospelwhichinthatinstancethefigmentofperfectionismalloys.Butperfectionism,byitself,musttend,1st,tolowviewsofGod’slaw;2nd,toinadequateviewsoftheheinousnessofsin;3rd,toalowstandardofmoralexcellence;4th,tospiritualprideandfanaticism.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE.

ROMISHDOCTRINEASTOTHEMORALPERFECTIONOFTHEREGENERATEASTOGOODWORKS,ANDWORKSOFSUPEREROGATION.AstotheirviewoftheMERITOFGOOD

WORKS,seeabove,Chapter33.

"Conc.Trident.,"Sess.5,can.5.—"Ifanyonedenies,that,bythegraceofourLordJesusChrist,whichisconferredinbaptism,theguiltoforiginalsinisremitted;orevenassertsthatthewholeofthatwhichhasthetrueandpropernatureofsinisnottakenaway;butsaysthatitisonlyrased,ornotimputed;lethimbeanathema.....ButthisholySynodconfessesandissensible,thatinthebaptizedthereremains

concupiscence,oranincentive(tosin)....Thisconcupiscence,whichtheApostlesometimescallssin,theholySynoddeclaresthattheCatholicChurchhasneverunderstoodittobecalledsin,asbeingtrulyandproperlysininthosebornagain,butbecauseitisofsinandinclinestosin.Ifanymanisofacontrarysentiment,lethimbeanathema."

"Conc.Trident.,"Sess.6,can.18.—"IfanyonesaysthatthecommandmentsofGod,evenforonethatisjustifiedandconstitutedingraceareimpossibletokeep,lethimbeanathema."

Bellarmin,"DeJustific.,"iv10,sqq.–"Ifpreceptsareimpossibletheyobligenoone,andhencethepreceptsarenotprecepts.Neitherisitpossibletodevisewhereinanyonesinsinrespecttothatwhichitisimpossibletoavoid."

Ibid,"DeMonachis,"cap.7.—"A‘councilofperfection’wecallagoodwork,notcommandedusbyChrist,butdeclared;notappointedbutcommended.Butitdiffersfromapreceptinrespecttoitsmattersubject,form,andend.(1)Inrespecttotheirmatter(thedifference)istwofold.First,becausethematterofthepreceptiseasier,thatofthecounselmoredifficult,fortheformerisderivedfromtheprinciplesofnature,whilethelatterinsomesenseexceedsnature,e.g.,fornatureinclinestothepreservationofconjugalfidelity,butnottoabstainingfromtheconjugalrelation.Secondly,becausethematterofthepreceptisgood...forthecouncilincludestheprecept,whichrelatestothesamematter,andaddssomethingbeyondtheprecept.(2)Inrespecttothesubject,preceptsandcounselsdiffer,becausethepreceptbindsallmenincommon,whilethecounseldoesnot.(3)Inrespecttotheirformtheydiffer,becausethepreceptbindsofitsowninherentobligation,butthecounselthroughthewillofman.(4)Inrespecttotheirendoreffectstheydiffer,becausethepreceptobservedhasareward,butwhennotobservedapenalty,butthecounselwhennotobservedhasnopenalty,butwhenobservedhasthegreaterreward."Cap.8.—"ItistheopinionofallCatholicsthattherearemanytrueandproperevangelicalcounsels,butespecially,viz.,celibacy,poverty,andobedience(monastic),whichareneithercommandedtoall,normattersofindifferencebutgratefultoGodandbyhimcommended(Matthew19:11,sq.,21;1Corinthians7:1–7.)

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.

"ApologyforAuburgConfession,"p.91.—"TheentireScriptureendthewholechurchdeclarethattheLawcannotbesatisfied(byanythingwithinman’spowersincethefall).Thisincompletefulfillingofthelawisaccepted,notonitsownaccount,butonlythroughfaithinChrist.Otherwisethelawalwaysaccusesus...Inthisinfirmitythereisalwayssin,whichmaybechargedtoouraccount(forcondemnation)."

"FormulaConcordiœ,"p.678.—"Thepapalandmonasticdoctrine,thatamanafterheisregeneratedisableperfectlytofulfillthelawofGodinthislife,istoberejected."

Ib.,p.589.—"OurConfessionis,thatgoodworksmostsurelyandindubitablyfollowatruefaith,asthefruitsofagoodtree.Wealsobelievethatgoodworksareentirelytobeleftoutofaccount,notonlywhenwearetreatingofjustification,butevenwhenwearedebatingconcerningoureternallife."

Ib.,p.700.—"Becausethosearenotgoodworks,whichanyonehimselfdeviseswithgoodintention,orwhicharedoneaccordingtohumantraditions,butthosewhichGodhimselfhasprescribedandorderedinhisownword.Becauseworkstrulygoodcanbeperformed,notbythepropernaturalpowers,butthenonlywhenthepersonis,byfaith,reconciledwithGod,andisrenewedbytheSpirit,andiscreatedanewtogoodworksinJesusChrist."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.

"HeidelbergCatechism,"Q.62.—"Ourbestworksinthepresentlifeareallimperfectandstainedwithsin."

"Thirty-nineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland,"Art.12.—"AlbeitthatGoodWorks,whicharethefruitsoffaith,andfollowafterJustification,cannotputawayoursins,andenduretheseverityofGod’sjudgmentyetaretheypleasingandacceptabletoGodinChrist,anddospringoutnecessarilyofatrueandlivelyfaith;insomuchthatbythemalivelyfaithmaybeasevidentlyknownasatreediscernedbythefruit."

Ib.,Art.14.—"Voluntaryworksbesides,overandabove,God’scommandments,whichtheycallWorksofSupererogation,cannotbetaughtwithoutarrogancyandimpiety;forbythemmendodeclarethattheydonotonlyrenderuntoGodasmuchastheyareboundtodo,butthattheydomoreforhissake,thanofboundendutyisrequired:whereasChristsaithplainly,Whenyehavedoneallthatarecommandedtoyou,say,weareunprofitableservants."

"Confess.Helveticaposterior,"p.498.—"WeteachthatGodgivesanamplerewardtothosedoinggoodworks.YetwereferthisrewardthattheLordgives,nottothemeritofthemenreceivingit,buttothegoodness,liberality,andtruthofGod,whopromisesandbestowsit;who,whileheowesnothingtoanyone,yethaspromisedthathewillgivearewardtohisfaithfulworshippers."

"West.ConfessionofFaith,"ch.16,§4.—"Theywhointheirobedienceattaintothegreatestheightwhichispossibleinthislife,aresofarfrombeingabletosupererogate,andtodomorethanGodrequires,thattheyfallshortofmuch,whichintheirdutytheyareboundtodo"(seethewholechapter).

Ib.,chap.13,§2.—"Thissanctificationisthroughoutinthewholeman,yetimperfectinthislife:thereabidethstillsomeremnantsofcorruptionineverypart,whencearisethacontinualandirreconcilablewar,thefleshlustingagainsttheSpirit,andtheSpiritagainsttheflesh."§3.—"Inwhichwar,althoughtheremainingcorruptionforatimemaymuchprevail,yet,throughthecontinualsupplyofstrengthfromthesanctifyingSpiritofChrist,theregeneratepartdothovercome:andsothesaintsgrowingrace,perfectingholinessinthefearofGod."

~~~~~~

Chapter36:PerseveranceSaints

1.WhatistheScripturaldoctrineastotheperseveranceofthesaints?

TheywhomGodhathacceptedinhisbeloved,effectivelycalledandsanctifiedbyhisSpirit,canneithertotallynorfinallyfallawayfromthestateofgrace;butshallcertainlyperseverethereintotheend,and

beeternallysaved.-"Con.Faith,"Chap.17.;"LargerCatechism,"Question79.

2.Bywhatargumentsmaythecertaintyofthefinalperseveranceofthesaintsbeestablished.

1st.ThedirectassertionsofScripture.-John10:28,29;Romans11:29;Philippians1:6;1Peter1:5.

2nd.Thiscertaintyisanecessaryinference,fromtheScripturaldoctrine(1)ofelection,Jeremiah31:3;Matthew24:22––24;Acts13:48;Romans8:30;(2)ofthecovenantofgrace,whereintheFathergavehispeopletohisSonastherewardofhisobedienceandsuffering,Jeremiah32:40;John17:2––6;(3)oftheunionofChristianswithChrist,inthefederalaspectofwhichChrististheirsurety,andtheycannotfail(Romans8:1),andinthespiritualandvitalaspectofwhichtheyabideinhim,andbecausehelivestheymustlivealso,John14:19;Romans8:38,39;Galatians2:20;(4)oftheatonement,whereinChristdischargedalltheobligationsofhispeopletothelawasacovenantoflife,andpurchasedforthemallcovenantedblessings;ifoneofthemshouldfail,therefore,thesurefoundationofallwouldbeshaken,Isaiah53:6,11;Matthew20:28;1Peter2:24;(5)ofjustification,whichdeclaresalltheconditionsofthecovenantoflifesatisfied,andsetsitssubjectintoanewrelationtoGodforallfuturetime,sothathecannotfallundercondemnation,sinceheisnotunderthelaw,butundergrace,Romans6:14;(6)oftheindwellingoftheHolyGhost,(a)asasealbywhichwearemarkedasbelongingtoGod,(b)asanearnest,orfirstinstallmentofthepromisedredemption,inpledgeofcompletefulfillmentJohn14:16;2

Corinthians1:21,22;5:5;Ephesians1:14;(7)oftheprevalenceofChrist’sintercession.John11:42;17:11,15,20;Romans8:34.

3.WhatisthedoctrineoftheRomishChurchonthissubject?

"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.6.,Canon23."Ifanyonemaintainthatamanoncejustifiedcannotlosegrace,and,therefore,thathewhofallsandsinsneverwastrulyjustified,lethimbeaccursed."––Seebelow,underRomishdoctrineinthischapter,theirviewasto"venialsins."

4.WhatistheArminiandoctrineonthispoint?

ItisaninseparablepartoftheArminiansystem,flowingnecessarilyfromtheirviewsofelection,ofthedesignandeffectofChrist’sdeath,andofsufficientgraceandfreewill,thatthosewhowereoncejustifiedandregeneratedmay,byneglectinggraceandgrievingtheHolySpirit,fallintosuchsinsasareinconsistentwithtruejustifyingfaith,andcontinuinganddyinginthesame,mayconsequentlyfinallyfallintoperdition.––"ConfessionoftheRemonstrants,"11.7.TheLutheransandtheArminiansagreeonthispoint.Theybothbelievethatthe"elect"(thosewhomGodhaschosentoeternallifebecausehehascertainlyforeseentheirperseveranceinfaithandobediencetotheend)cannotfinallyapostatize.ThetruequestionbetweenthemandtheCalvinists,therefore,isnotwhetherthe"elect,"butwhetherthoseoncetruly"regenerateandjustified"canfinallyapostatizeandperish.

5.Whatobjectionisurgedagainsttheorthodoxdoctrineonthegroundofthefreeagencyofman?

Thosewhodenythecertaintyofthefinalperseveranceofthesaintsholdthefalsetheorythatlibertyofthewillconsistsinindifference,orthepowerofcontrarychoice,andconsequentlythatcertaintyisinconsistentwithliberty.Thisfallacyisdisprovedabove,Chap.15.,seeespeciallyQuestions25,26.

ThatGoddoesgovernthefreeactsofhiscreatures,asamatteroffact,isclearfromhistoryandprophecy,fromuniversalChristianconsciousnessandexperience,andfromScripture.––Acts2:23;Ephesians1:11;Philippians2:13;Proverbs21:1.

Thathedoessecurethefinalperseveranceofhispeopleinamannerperfectlyconsistentwiththeirfreeagencyisalsoclear.Hechangestheiraffectionsandthusdeterminesthewillbyitsownfree

spontaneity.

Hebringsthemintothepositionofchildrenbyadoption,surroundingthemwithallofthesourcesandinstrumentsofsanctifyinginfluence,andwhentheysinhecarefullychastisesandrestoresthem.HencethedoctrineofScriptureisnotthatamanwhohasoncetrulybelievedissecureofultimatesalvation,subsequentlyfeelandactashemay;but,onthecontrarythatGodsecurestheultimatesalvationofeveryonewhoisoncetrulyunitedtohisSonbyfaith,bysecuring,throughthepoweroftheHolyGhost,hismostfreeperseveranceinChristianfeelingandobediencetotheend.

6.Whatobjectionisurgedagainsttheorthodoxdoctrineuponthegroundofitssupposedunfavorableinfluenceuponmorality?

Theobjectionchargedis,thatthisdoctrine"onceingracealwaysingrace,"mustnaturallyleadtocarelessness,throughafalsesenseofsecurityinourpresentposition,andofconfidencethatGodwillsecureourfinalsalvationindependentlyofourownagency.

Althoughitiscertain,onthepartofGod,thatifweareelectedandcalled,weshallbesaved;yetitrequiresconstantwatchfulness,anddiligence,andprayertomakethatcallingandelectionsuretous.––2

Peter1:10.ThatGodpowerfullyworkswithus,andthereforesecuresforussuccessinourcontestwithsin,isinScriptureurgedasapowerfulreasonnotforslothbutfordiligence.—Philippians2:13.Theorthodoxdoctrinedoesnotaffirmcertaintyofsalvationbecausewehaveoncebelieved,butcertaintyofperseveranceinholinessifwehavetrulybelieved,whichperseveranceinholiness,therefore,inoppositiontoallweaknessesandtemptations,istheonlysureevidenceofthegenuinenessofpastexperience,orofthevalidityofourconfidenceastoourfuturesalvation,andsurelysuchanassuranceofcertaintycannotencourageeithercarelessnessorimmorality.

7.Whatobjectiontothisdoctrineisfoundedontheexhortationstodiligence;andonthewarningsofdangerin

caseofcarelessness,addressedtobelieversintheScriptures?

Theobjectionallegedis,thattheseexhortationsandwarningsnecessarilyimplythecontingencyofthebeliever’ssalvation,asconditioneduponthebeliever’scontinuedfaithfulness,andconsequentlyinvolvingliabilitytoapostasy.

Weanswer–

1st.Theoutwardwordnecessarilycomestoallmenalike,addressingthemintheclassesinwhichtheyregardthemselvesasstanding;andasprofessors,or"thosewhothinktheystand,"aremanyofthemself–deceived,thisoutwardwordtrulyimpliestheuncertaintyoftheirposition(asfarasman’sknowledgegoes),andtheirliabilitytofall.

2nd.ThatGodsecurestheperseveranceinholinessofallhistruepeoplebytheuseofmeansadaptedtotheirnatureasrational,moral,andfreeagents.Viewedinthemselvestheyarealways,asGodwarnsthem,unstable,andtherefore,asheexhortsthem,theymustdiligentlycleavetohisgrace.Itisalwaystrue,also,thatiftheyapostatizetheyshallbelost;butbymeansoftheseverythreateninghisSpiritgraciouslysecuresthemfromapostasy.

8.Whatspecialtextsarereliedupontorebuttheargumentsoftheorthodoxuponthissubject?

Ezekiel18:24;Matthew13:20,21;2Peter2:20,21,andespeciallyHebrews6:4–6;10:26.

AllofthesepassagesmaybenaturallyexplainedinperfectconsistencywiththeorthodoxdoctrinewhichissupporteduponthatwiderangeofScriptureevidencewehavesetforthabove,Question2.Theypresenteither,1st,hypotheticalwarningsoftheconsequencesofapostasywiththedesignofpreventingit,byshowingthenaturalconsequencesofindifferenceandofsin,andthenecessityforearnestcareandeffort;or,2nd,theyindicatethedreadfulconsequencesofmisimprovingorofabusingtheinfluencesofcommongrace,which,althoughinvolvinggreatresponsibility,neverthelesscomeshortofa

radicalchangeofnatureorgenuineconversion.

9.WhatargumentdotheopponentsofthisdoctrineurgefromBibleexamplesandfromourowndailyexperienceofapostates?

TheycitefromtheScripturessuchinstancesasthatofDavidandPeter,andtheyrefertothemanyexamplesoftheapostlesofwell–accreditedprofessors,withwhich,alas!weareallfamiliar.

Alltheseexamples,however,fallevidentlyunderoneoftwoclasses,either,1st,theywerefromthebeginningwithouttherealpowerofGodliness,althoughbearingsofairanappearanceoflifeinthesightoftheirfellow–menRomans2:28,9:6;1John2:19;Revelation3:1;or,2nd,theyaretruebelieverswho,becauseofthetemporarywithdrawalofrestraininggrace,havebeenallowedtobackslideforatime,whileineverysuchcasetheyaregraciouslyrestored,andthatgenerallybychastisement.––Revelation3:19.OfthisclasswereDavidandPeter.NotrueChristianiscapableofdeliberateapostasy;hisfurthestdeparturefromrighteousnessbeingoccasionedbythesuddenimpulseofpassionorfear.—Matthew24:24;Luke22:31.

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE

ROMISHDOCTRINE.

"Conc.Trident.,"Sess.6,ch.15.—"Itistobemaintainedthatthereceivedgraceofjustificationislost,notonlybyinfidelity,wherebyevenfaithitselfislost,butalsobyanyothermortalsinwhatever,thoughfaithbenotlost."

Ib.,can.23.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatamanoncejustifiedcansinnomore,norlosegrace,andthatthereforehethatfallsandsinswasnevertrulyjustified...lethimbeanathema."

Ib.,chap.11–"For,although,duringthismortallife,menhowholyandjustsoever,attimesfallatleastintolightanddailysins,which

arealsocalledvenial,notthereforedotheyceasetobejust."

Ib.,Sess.14,ch.5.—"Forvenialsins,wherebywearenotexcludedfromthegraceofGod,andintowhichwefallmorefrequently,althoughtheyberightlyandprofitably,andwithoutanypresumption,declaredinconfession,asthecustomofpiouspersonsdemonstrates,yetmaytheybeomittedwithoutguilt,andbeexpiatedbymanyotherremedies.Butwhereasallmortalsins,eventhoseofthought,rendermenchildrenofwrath,andenemiesofGod,itisnecessarytoseekalsoforthepardonofthemallfromGod,withamodestandopenconfession."

Bellarmin,"DeAmiss.Gra.,"Sess.14,cap.5.—"(1)Venialsinisdistinguishedfrommortalsin,asofitsownnature,andwithoutanyrelationtothepredestinationorthemercyofGod,ortothestateoftheregenerate,deservingacertainbutnotaneternalpunishment.(2)Thesesinsareeithervenialfromtheirownnature,havingfortheirobjectathingevilandinordinate,butwhichdoesnotopposetheloveofGodandofourneighbor—asanidleword,ortheyarevenialfromtheimperfectionoftheaction,i.e.,(a)suchasarenotperfectlyvoluntary(deliberate),asarisingfromasuddenmovementofcupidityoranger,and(b)suchasrelatetotrifles,asthetheftofoneobolus."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE

"Formulaconcordiœ,"p.705.—"Thatfalseopinionistobeearnestlyconfutedandrejected,whichcertainfeign,thatfaith,andrealizedjustification,andsalvationitself,cannotbelostbyanysinsorcrimeswhatsoever."

Ib.,p.591.—"Wecondemnthatdogma,thatfaithinChristisnotlost,andthattheHolySpiritcontinuestodwellnonethelessinamanalthoughheknowinglyandwillinglysins,andthatthesanctifiedandelectretaintheHolySpirit,althoughtheyfallintoadulteriesorothercrimes,andpersevereinthem."

"Apol.Aug.Confession,"p.71.—"Faithcannotcoexistwithmortalsin."

Ib.,p.86.—"Thatfaith,whichreceivesremissionofsins..doesnotremaininthosewhoindulgetheirlusts,neithercanitcoexistwithmortalsin."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.

"Can.oftheSynodofDort,"ch.5,c.3.—"Becauseoftheremainsofindwellingsin...theconvertedcouldnotcontinueinthisgrace,iftheywerelefttotheirownstrength.ButGodisfaithful,whoconfirmstheminthegraceoncemercifullyconferredonthem,andpowerfullypreservestheminthesame,evenuntotheend.Can.4.—ButthoughthatpowerofGod,confirmingthetrulyfaithfulingrace,and

preservingthem,isgreaterthanwhatcanbeovercomebytheflesh,yettheconvertedarenotalwayssoinfluencedandmovedbyGod,thattinescannotdepartincertainparticularactions,fromtheleadingofgrace,andbeseducedbythelustsoftheflesh,andobeythem.Theymayfallevenintogrievousandatrocioussins.....Can.5.—ButbysuchenormoussinstheyexceedinglyoffendGod,theyincurtheguiltofdeath,theygrievetheHolySpirit,theyinterrupttheexerciseoffaith,theymostgrievouslywoundconscience,andtheysometimesloseforatimethesenseofgrace,untilbyseriousrepentancereturningintotheway,thepaternalcountenanceofGodagainshinesuponthem.Can.6.ForGod,whoisrichinmercy,fromhisimmutablepurposeofelectiondoesnotwhollytakeawayhisHolySpiritfromhisown,eveninlamentablefalls,nordoeshesopermitthemtoglidedownthattheyshouldfallfromthegraceofadoption,andthestateofjustification,orcommitthesinuntodeath,oragainsttheHolySpirit,thatbeingdesertedbyhim,theyshouldcastthemselvesheadlongintoeternaldestruction...Can.8.—Sothatnotbytheirownmeritsorstrength,butbythegratuitousmercyofGodthey(theelect)obtainit,thattheyneithertotallyfallfromfaithandgrace,norfinallycontinueintheirfallsandperish."

"West.ConfessionFaith,"ch.17,§1.—"TheywhomGodhathacceptedinhisBeloved,effectuallycalledandsanctifiedbyhisSpirit,canneithertotallynorfinallyfallawayfromthestateofgrace,butshallcertainlyperseverethereintotheend,andbeeternallysaved.§2.—Thisperseveranceofthesaintsdependsnotupontheirownfree–will,but

upontheimmutabilityofthedegreeofelection,flowingfromthefreeandunchangeableloveofGodtheFather;upontheefficacyofthemeritandintercessionofJesusChrist;theabidingoftheSpiritandoftheseedofGodwithinthem,andthenatureofthecovenantofgrace:fromallwhicharisethalsothecertaintyandinfallibilitythereof."

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Chapter37:DeathandtheStateoftheSoulAfterDeath

1.Whatdepartmentoftheologyarewenowentering,andwhatsubjectsareembracedinit?

ThedepartmentofESCHATOLOGYorthediscussionoflastthingsτἀἔσχατα.Itembracesthesubjectsofdeath,thestateofthesoulafterdeath,thesecondadventofChrist,theresurrectionofthedead,thefinaljudgment,theendoftheworld,heavenandhell.

2.BywhatformsofexpressionisdeathdescribedintheBible?

Adepartureoutofthisworld.––2Timothy4:6.Agoingthewayofalltheearth.––Joshua23:14.Abeinggatheredtoone’sfathers,Judges2:10;andtoone’speople,Deuteronomy32:50.Adissolvingtheearthlyhouseofthistabernacle.––2Corinthians5:1.Areturningtothedust.––Ecclesiastes12:7.Asleep.––John11:11.Agivinguptheghost.––Acts5:10.AbeingabsentfromthebodyandpresentwiththeLord.––2Corinthians5:8.SleepinginJesus.––1Thessalonians4:14.

3.Whatisdeath?

Thesuspensionofthepersonalunionbetweenthebodyandthesoul,followedbytheresolutionofthebodyintoitschemicalelements,andtheintroductionofthesoulintothatseparatestateofexistencewhichmaybeassignedtoitbyitsCreatorandJudge.––Ecclesiastes12:7.

4.Howdoesdeathstandrelatedtosin?

Theentirepenaltyofthelaw,includingallthespiritual,physical,andeternalpenalconsequencesofsin,iscalleddeathinScripture.Thesentencewas,"Thedaythoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie."––Genesis2:17;Romans5:12.ThatthisincludednaturaldeathisprovedbyRomans5:13,14;andfromthefactthatwhenChristborethepenaltyofthelawitwasnecessaryforhimtodie.—Hebrews9:22.

5.Whydothejustifieddie?

Justificationchangestheentirefederalrelationofitssubjecttothelaw,andraiseshimforeveraboveallthepenalconsequencesofsin.Death,therefore,whileremainingapartofthepenaltyoftheunsatisfiedlawinrelationtotheunjust,islikeallotherafflictionschanged,inrelationtothejustified,intoanelementofimprovingdiscipline.Itismadenecessaryforthemfromthepresentconstitutionofthebody,whileitistobothbodyandsoulthegatewayofheaven.Theyaremadefreefromitsstingandfear.––1

Corinthians15:55,57;Hebrews2:15.Theyarenow"blessed"indeathbecausetheydie"intheLord,"Revelation14:13,andtheyshallatlastbecompletelydeliveredfromitspowerwhenthelastenemyshallbedestroyed.1Corinthians15:26.

6.Whatevidencehaveweoftheimmaterialityofthesoul,andwhatargumentmaybederivedfromthatsourceinproofofitscontinuedexistenceafterdeath?

FortheevidenceestablishingtheimmaterialityofthesoulseeChap.2.,Question18.

NowalthoughthecontinuedexistenceofanycreaturemustdependsimplyuponthewillofitsCreator,thatwillmayeitherbemadeknownbydirectrevelation,orinferredinanyparticularinstancebyanalogicalreasoningfromwhatisknownofhisdoingsinothercases.Asfarasthisargumentfromanalogygoesitdecidedlyconfirmsthebeliefthataspiritualsubstanceis,assuch,immortal.Theentirerangeof

humanexperiencefailstomakeusacquaintedwithasingleinstanceoftheannihilationofanatomofmatter,i.e.,ofmatterassuch.Materialbodies,organizedorchemicallycompounded,ormeremechanicalaggregations,weobserveconstantlycomingintoexistence,aninturnpassingaway,yetneverthroughtheannihilationoftheirelementaryconstituentsorcomponentparts,butsimplyfromthedissolutionofthatrelationwhichthesepartshadtemporarilysustainedtoeachother.Spirit,however,isessentiallysimpleandsingle,andthereforeincapableofthatdissolutionofpartstowhichmaterialbodiesaresubject.Weinfer,therefore,thatspiritsareimmortalsincetheycannotbesubjecttothatonlyformofdeathofwhichwehaveanyknowledge.

7.Whatargumentinfavoroftheimmortalityofthesoulmayliederivedfromitsimperfectdevelopmentinthisworld?

Ineverydepartmentoforganizedlifeeveryindividualcreature,initsnormalstate,tendstogrowtowardaconditionofcompletedevelopment,whichistheperfectionofitskind.Theacornbothprophesiesandgrowstowardtheoak.Everyhumanbeing,however,isconsciousthatinthislifeheneverattainsthatcompletenesswhichtheCreatorcontemplatedintheidealofhistype;hehasfacultiesundeveloped,capacitiesunfulfilled,naturaldesiresunsatisfied;heknowshewasdesignedtobemuchmorethanheis,andtofillamuchhighersphere.AsthepropheticreasonoftheCreatormakesprovisionforthebutterflythroughtheinstinctofthecaterpillar,sothesameCreatorrevealstheimmortalexistenceofthesoulinahigherspherebarmeansofitsconsciouslimitationsandinstinctivemovementsinthis.

8.WhatargumentonthissubjectmaybederivedfromthedistributivejusticeofGod?

Itisaninvariablejudgmentofnaturalreason,andafundamentaldoctrineoftheBible,thatmoralgoodisassociatedwithhappiness,andmoralevilwithmisery,bytheunchangeablenatureandpurposeofGod.

Butthehistoryofallindividualsandcommunitiesalikeestablishesthefactthatthislifeisnotastateofretribution;thathere

wickednessisoftenassociatedwithprosperity,andmoralexcellencewithsorrow;wemusthenceconcludethatthereisafuturestateinwhichallthatappearsatpresentinconsistentwiththejusticeofGodshallbeadjusted.—SeePsalm73.

9.Howdotheoperationsofconsciencepointtoafuturestate?

ConscienceisthevoiceofGodinthesoul,whichwitnessestooursinfulnessandill–desert,andtohisessentialjustice.ExceptinthecaseofthosewhohavefoundrefugeintherighteousnessofChrist,everymanfeelsthathismoralrelationstoGodareneversettledinthislife,andhencethecharacteristictestimonyofthehumanconscience,inspiteofgreatindividualdifferencesastolight,sensibility,etc.,hasalwaysbeencoincidentwiththewordofGod,that"afterdeathcomestheJUDGMENT."

10.Howisthisdoctrineestablishedbythegeneralconsentofmankind?

Thishasbeentheuniversalfaithofallmen,ofallraces,andinallages.Universalconsent,likeeveryuniversaleffect,mustbereferredtoanequallyuniversalcause,andthisconsent,uniformamongmendifferingineveryotherpossiblerespect,canbereferredtonocommonoriginotherthantheconstitutionofman’scommonnature,whichisthetestimonyofhisMaker.

11.ShowthattheOldTestamentteachesthesamedistinctionbetweensoulandbodythatistaughtintheNewTestament.

1st.Intheaccountofthecreation.Thebodywasformedofthedustoftheearth,andthesoulintheimageoftheAlmighty.––Genesis1:26;2:7.

2nd.Inthedefinitionofdeath.––Ecclesiastes12:7."Thenshallthedustreturntotheearthasitwas,andthespiritshallreturntoGodwhogaveit."––seealsoEcclesiastes3:21.

12.WhatdoestheOldTestamentteachconcerningSheol?andhowisitshown,fromtheusageofthatword,thattheimmortalityofthesoulwasadoctrineoftheancientcovenant?

Sheolisderivedfromtheverb לַאָׁש ,toask,expressingthesenseofourEnglishproverb,thatthe"gravecriethgive,give."ItisusedintheOldTestamenttosignify,inavagueandgeneralsense,thestateofthedeparted,boththegoodandbad,intermediatebetweendeathandtheresurrectionoftherighteous(Hosea13:14),generallyinvestedwithgloomyassociations,andindefinitelyreferredtothelowerpartsoftheearth.Deuteronomy32:22;Amos9:2.Thusitisusedforgraveasthereceptacleofthebodyafterdeath(Genesis37:35;Job14:13),butprincipallytodesignatethereceptacleofdepartedspirits,withoutexplicitreferencetoanydivisionbetweenthestationsallottedtotherighteousandthewicked.ThattheywereactiveandconsciousinthisstateappearstobeindicatedbywhatisrevealedofSamuel.––1Samuel28:7–20;Isaiah14:15–17.Withregardtothegood,however,theresidenceinSheolwaslookedupononlyasintermediatebetweendeathandahappyresurrection.––Psalm49:15.Intheirtreatmentofthiswholesubject,theOldTestamentscripturesrathertakethecontinuedexistenceofthesoulforgranted,thanexplicitlyassertit.––Fairbairn’s"Herm.Manual";"Josephus,Ant.,"18,1.

13.WhatisthepurportofourSaviour’sargumentonthissubjectagainsttheSadducees?

Luke20:37,38.LongafterthedeathofAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,JehovahdesignatedhimselftoMosesastheirGod.Exodus3:6.But,arguesChristagainsttheSadduceewhodeniedtheresurrectionofthedead,"heistheGod,notofthedead,butoftheliving."Thismoreimmediatelyprovestheimmortalityoftheirsouls,butasGodisthecovenantGodofpersons,andasthepersonsofthesepatriarchsincludedalikebodyandsoul,thisargumentlikewiseestablishestheultimateimmortalityofthebodyalso,i.e.,oftheentireperson.

14.WhatpassagesoftheOldTestamentassertorimplythehopeofastateofblessednessafterdeath?

Numbers23:10;Job19:26,27;Psalm16:9–11;17:15;49:14,15;73:24–26;Is.25:8;26:19;Hosea13:14;Daniel12:2,3,13.

15.WhatotherevidencedoestheOldTestamentaffordofthecontinuedexistenceofthesoul?

1st.ThetranslationsofEnochandElijahandthetemporaryreappearanceofSamuel.––Genesis5:24;Hebrews11:5;2Kings2:11;1Samuel28:7–20.

2nd.Thecommandtoabstainfromtheartsofnecromancyimpliestheprevalentexistenceofabeliefthatthedeadstillcontinueinbeinginanotherstate.––Deuteronomy18:11,12.

3rd.IntheirsymbolicalsystemCanaanrepresentsthepermanentinheritanceofChrist’speople,andtheentirepurposeofthewholeOldTestamentrevelation,asapprehendedbyOldTestamentbelievers,hadrespecttoafutureexistenceandinheritanceafterdeath.ThisisdirectlyassertedintheNewTestament.––Acts26:6–8;Hebrews11:10–16;Ephesians1:14.

16.WhatdoestheNewTestamentteachofthestateofthesoulimmediatelyafterdeath?

"Thesoulsoftherighteous,beingmadeperfectinholiness,arereceivedintothehighestheavens,wheretheybeholdthefaceofGodinlightandglory,waitingforthefullredemptionoftheirbodies."––Luke23:43;2Corinthians5:6,8;Philippians1:23,24."Andthesoulsofthewickedarecastintohell,wheretheyremainintormentandutterdarkness,reservedtothejudgmentofthegreatday."––Luke16:23,24;Jude.6,7."ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.32.,§1.

ThisstatementrepresentsthedoctrineoftheLutheranandReformedchurches.

Itincludesthefollowingpoints:1st.Thestateofsoulsbetweendeathandtheresurrectionmayproperlybecalledintermediatewhenviewedwithrelationtothestateswhichprecedeandfollow.2nd.

WhethertherebealsoanintermediateplaceornottheScripturesdonotdefinitelydeclare,buttheysuggestit.—Seebelow,Ch.40.,Question3.3rd.Thesoulsbothoftherighteousandthelostcontinueduringthisstateactiveandconscious.4th.Themoralandspiritualcharacteranddestinyofeachisirrevocablydecidedatdeatheitherforgoodorevil5th.Therighteousareimmediatelymadeperfectinholiness.6th.

TheypassatonceandremainduringthewholeperiodinthepresenceofChrist.7th.Thisintermediatediffersfromthefinalstateoftheredeemed––(1)Becauseoftheabsenceofthebody.(2)Becauseredemptionisnotyetrealizedinitsfinalstage.

17.Whatisthesignificationandusageofthewordἅιδης,Hades,inScripture?

]Aidhv,fromaprimitive,andijdein,"designatesgenerallytheinvisibleworldinhabitedbythespiritsofdeadmen.Amongtheancientclassicalheathen,thisinvisibleworldwasregardedasconsistingoftwocontrastedregions,theonecalledElysium,theabodeoftheblessedgood,andtheotherTartarus,theabodeoftheviciousandmiserable.

ItwasusedbytheauthorsoftheSeptuaginttotranslatetheHebrewwordSheol,compareActs2:27,andPsalm16:10.IntheNewTestamentthiswordoccursonlyeleventimes.Matthew11:23;16:18;Luke10:15;16:23;Acts2:27,31;1Corinthians15:55;Revelation1:18;6:8;20:13,14.Ineverycase,except1Corinthians15:55,wherethemorecriticaleditionsoftheoriginalsubstitutethewordqa>neteintheplaceofadhhadesistranslatedhell,andcertainlyalwaysrepresentstheinvisibleworldasunderthedominionofSatan,asopposedtothekingdomofChrist,andasfinallysubduedunderhisvictoriouspower.SeeFairbairn’s"Herm.Manual."

18.Whatisthesignificationandusageofthewordsπαράδεισοςandγέεννα?

ΠαράδεισοςParadise,derivedfromsomeorientallanguage,andadoptedintoboththeHebrewandGreeklanguages,signifiesparks,pleasuregardens.––Nehemiah2:8;Ecclesiastes2:5.TheSeptuagint

translatorsusethiswordtorepresentthegardenofEden.––Genesis2:8,etc.ItoccursonlythreetimesintheNewTestament,Luke23:43;2Corinthians12:4;Revelation2:7;wherethecontextprovesthatitreferstothe"thirdheavens,"thegardenoftheLord,inwhichgrowsthe"treeoflife,"whichisbytheriverwhichflowsoutofthethroneofGodandoftheLamb.Revelation22:1,2.

ΓέενναisacompoundHebrewwordexpressedinGreekletters,signifying"ValleyofHinnom,Joshua15:8,skirtingJerusalemonthesouth,runningwestwardfromthevalleyofJehosaphat,underMountZion.HerewasestablishedtheidolatrousworshipofMoloch,towhominfantswereburnedinsacrifice.––1Kings11:7.ThisworshipwasbrokenupandtheplacedesecratedbyJosiah,2Kings23:10–14,afterwhichitappearstohavebecomethereceptacleforallthefilthofthecity,andofthedeadbodiesofanimals,andofmalefactors,toconsumewhichfireswouldappeartohavebeenfromtimetotimekeptup,hencecalledTophet,anabomination,avomit,Jeremiah7:31."Robinson’s"GreekLex."

Byanaturalfigure,therefore,thiswordwasusedtodesignatetheplaceoffinalpunishment,forciblycarryingwithittheideaofpollutionandmisery.ItoccurstwelvetimesintheNewTestament,andalwaystosignifytheplaceoffinaltorment.––Matthew5:22,29,30;10:28;18:9;23:15,33;Mark9:43,47;Luke12:5;James3:6.

19.Whatvariousviewsaremaintainedastotheintermediatestateofthesoulsofmenbetweendeathandthejudgment?

1st.ManyProtestants,especiallyoftheChurchofEngland,retainingtheclassicalsenseofthewordHades,asequivalenttotheJewishSheol(asgivenabove,Question12),holdthatthereisanintermediateregion,consistingoftwodistinctdepartments,inoneorotherofwhichthedisembodiedsouls,bothofthelostandoftheredeemed,respectivelyawaittheresurrectionoftheirbodies,theawardofjudgment,andtheirtranslationtotheirfinalabodesofblissormisery.TheydifferfromthecommonProtestantdoctrinechiefly––(1)Inpositivelyassertingthattheplaceaswellasthestateisintermediate.(2)

Inassertingthatitissituated"under"inrespecttothisworld.(3)Inholdingthatitisnotthe"highestheavens"whereGodmanifestshisspecialpresence,andwhereChristhabituallyabides.––SeetheRev.E.H.Bickersteth’s"Yesterday,To–day,andForever,"and"HadesandHeaven,orStateoftheBlessedDead."

2nd.ForthecompletestatementofthedoctrineoftheRomanists,seebelow,Question22.

3rd.MaterialistsandsomeSociniansholdthatthesoulsofmenremaininastateofunconsciousnessorsuspendedlifefromdeathuntilthemomentoftheresurrection.

Thisopinionisalsoheldbytheadvocatesoftheultimateannihilationofthewicked,andadvocatedmostablybyC.F.HudsoninAmerica,andasprobablebythelateArchbishopWhatelyinEngland("ViewofSc.ConcerningaFutureState").

Theargumentsare––(1)Wehavenoexperienceandcanformnoconceptionofconsciousmentalactivityinadisembodiedstate.(2)ThattheScripturalevidencerelieduponforthesupportofthechurchdoctrineisobscureandinconclusive.(3)Thattheoriginalandsimplemeaningoftheworddeathis"extinctionofbeing."GodsaidtoAdam"Thedaythoueatestthereofthou,"notthybody,butthyself,"shallsurelydie."Matthew10:28.(4)ThatthegreatprominenceaffordedintheNewTestamenttothefutureresurrectionofthebody,astheeffectofredemption,andtheobjectofChristianhope,provesthattheonlyfuturelifetheapostlesexpectedwassubsequenttoanddependentuponthatevent.––1Corinthians15:14.(5)TheyquotemanypassagestoprovethattheScripturesteachthatthedeadremainatpresentinastateofbodilyandspiritualinactivity.–Psalm6:5."Forindeaththereisnoremembranceofthee,inthegravewhoshallgivetheethanks."–Psalm146:4;Jeremiah51:57.

ThisdoctrinewasfirsttaughtbycertainhereticsinArabiainthetimeofOrigen,calledThnetopsychites.

Itwasrevivedasanopinionofsometheologiansinthe

thirteenthandfourteenthcenturies,butcondemnedbytheUniversityofParis,1240,andbyPopeBenedictXII.,1366.ItwasrevivedbysomeAnabaptistandrefutedbyCalvininhis"Psychopannychia,etc."Ithasneverbeenheldbyanychurchorpermanentschooloftheologians.

IsaacTaylor,inhis"PhysicalTheoryofAnotherLife,"ch.17,concludes,purelyonBiblicalgrounds,thattheintermediatestateofredeemedsoulsisone"notofunconsciousnessindeed,butofcomparativeinaction,orofsuspendedenergy.Atransitionstateduringthecontinuanceofwhichthepassivefacultiesofournatureratherthantheactivearetoawake."

20.StatetheScripturalgroundsuponwhichtheProtestantdoctrinestatedabove,Ques.16,rests.

1st.ThereappearanceofSamuelintheuseofallhisfaculties.2Samuel28:7–20.TheappearanceofMosesandEliasatthetransfigurationofChristonthemount.––Matthew17:3.Christ’saddresstothethiefuponthecross.–Luke23:43.TheparableoftherichmanandLazarus.––Luke16:23,24.TheprayerofdyingStephen.––Acts7:59.In2Corinthians5:1–8PauldeclaresthattobeathomeinthebodyistobeabsentfromtheLord,andtobeabsentfromthebodyistobepresentwiththeLord,andhencehesays(Philippians1:21–24)thatforhimtodieisgain,andthathewasinastraitbetwixttwo,"havingadesiretodepartandbewithChrist,whichisfarbetter,neverthelesstoabideinthefleshismoreneedfulforyou."Hedeclares(1Thessalonians5:10)thatthesleepofdeathisalivingtogetherwithChrist.–SeealsoEphesians3:15;Hebrews6:12–20;Acts1:25;Jude6,7;Hebrews12:23;Revelation5:9;6:9–11;7:9,and14:1,3.

21.HowcanitbeshownthattheIntermediateStatedoesnotaffordafurtherprobationforthosewhodepartfromthislifeoutofChrist?

AnopinionisbecomingprevalentamongsomeclassesofProtestantsthatanotheropportunityforrepentanceandfaithwillbeaffordedtoChristlesssoulsbetweendeathandtheresurrection.Thatthisisunfoundedappears––1st.Fromthefactthatitisnowheretaughtin

Scripture.Itisahopeatbestsuggestedbythewish,butwithoutanyfoundationinthewordofGod.Evenifthe"preachingtothespiritsinprison"(1Peter3:19)isrightlyreferredtoChrist’spersonalministryinthesphereoftheintermediatestate,itcertainlydidnotapplytothosewhohadrejectedhimonearth,anditwould,inthatcase,probablyapplyonlytotruebelieversundertheOldTestamentDispensation,astheCatholicChurchhasalwaystaught.2nd.TheassumptionisbuiltuponthegrosslyunchristianprinciplethatGodowestoallmenafavorableopportunityofknowingandofreceivingChrist.IfthisweretruethegospelwouldbeofdebtandnotofGRACE.3rd.AlltheteachingofChristandhisapostlesimpliesthecontrary."Itisappointeduntomenoncetodie,butalterthisthejudgment."–Hebrews9:27."Igomyway,andyeshallseekme,andshalldieinyoursins;whitherIgoyecannotcome."––John8:21."Andbesidesallthis,betweenusandyouthereisagreatgulffixed,sothattheywhichwouldpassfromhencetoyou,cannot,neithercantheypasstous,thatwouldcomefromthence."––Luke16:26;Revelation22:11.4th.Thelawofhabit,andofconfirmedmoralcharacterwould,ofcourse,evenifconditionsofrepentancewereoffered,renderthemoralstateofthesinnerfarmoreobdurateandhopelessintheintermediatestate,thanitwasduringtheearthlylife.the"Hope,"isasmuchunwarrantedbyreasonasitisbyrevelation.

22.WhatdoRomaniststeachwithregardtothesoulofmenafterdeath?

1st.Thatthesoulsofunbaptizedinfantsgotoaplacepreparedexpresslyforthem,calledthe"limbusinfantum(borderlandofinfants),"wheretheyendurenopositivesuffering,althoughtheydonotenjoythevisionofGod.ThisisplacedinahigherpartoftheInfernuswhichthefirescannotreach,andtheysufferonlyapœnamdamni(penaltyofloss),andhavenoshareinthepœnamsensûs(penaltyofactualsuffering),whichafflictsadultsinners.

2nd.Thatallunbaptizedadults,andallthosewhosubsequentlyhavelostthegraceofbaptismbymortalsin,anddieunreconciledtothechurch,goimmediatelytohell.

3rd.Thatthosebelieverswhohaveattainedtostateof

Christianperfectiongoimmediatelytoheaven.

4th.ThatthegreatmassofpartiallysanctifiedChristiansdyinginfellowshipwiththechurch,yetstillencumberedwithimperfections,gotopurgatory,wheretheysuffer,moreorlessintensely,foralongerorshorterperiod,untiltheirsinsarebothatonedforandpurgedout,whentheyaretranslatedtoheaven,duringwhichintermediateperiodtheymaybeefficientlyassistedbytheprayersandlaborsoftheirfriendsonearth.

5th.ThatOldTestamentbelieversweregatheredintoaregioncalled"limbuspatrum"called"Abraham’sbosom,"wheretheyremainedwithoutthebeatificvisionofGod,yetwithoutsuffering,untilChrist,duringthethreedaysinwhichhisbodylayinthegrave,cameandreleasedthem.––1Peter3:19,20.Cat.Rom.PartL,Chapter6.,Question3;"CouncilofTrent,"Sess.25.,dePurgatorio.

AstopurgatorytheCouncilofTrentsettledonlytwopoints,1st,thatthereisapurgatory;2nd,thatsoulsthereinmaybebenefitedbytheprayersandmassofthechurchonearth.

Itisgenerallyheld,however,thatitspainsarebothnegativeandpositive.Thattheinstrumentofitssufferingsismaterialfire.Thatthesearedreadfulandindefiniteinextent.Thatsatisfactionmayberenderedinthisworldonmucheasierterms.Thatwhiletheretheirsoulscanneitherincurguiltnormeritanything,theycanalonerendersatisfactionfortheirsinsbymeansofpassivesufferings.

TheyconfessthatthisdoctrineisnottaughtdirectlyinScripture,butmaintain,1st,thatitfollowsnecessarilyfromtheirgeneraldoctrineofthesatisfactionforsins;2nd,thatChristandtheapostlestaughtitincidentallyastheydidinfantbaptism,etc.TheyrefertoMatthew12:32;1Corinthians3:15.

23.HowmaytheAnti–Christiancharacterofthisdoctrinebeshown?

1st.Itconfessedlyhasnodirect,andobviouslynorealfoundationinScripture.Thisconsiderationalonesuffices.

2nd.Itproceedsuponanentirelyunchristianviewofthemethodofsatisfyingdivinejusticeforsins.(1)ThatwhileChrist’smeritsareinfinite,theyatoneonlyfororiginalsins.(2)Thateachbelievermustmakesatisfactioninhisownpersonforsinswhichhecommitsafterbaptism,eitherinthepainsofpenanceorofpurgatory.ThisiscontrarytoalltheScripturesteach,aswehaveaboveshownundertheirrespectiveheads,(1)astothesatisfactionrenderedtojusticebyChrist;(2)thenatureofjustification;(3)natureofsin;(4)relationofthesufferingsandgoodworksofthejustifiedmantothelaw;(5)stateofthesoulsofbelieversafterdeath,etc.,etc.

3rd.ItisaheathendoctrinederivedfromtheEgyptiansthroughtheGreeksandRomans,andcurrentlyreceivedthroughtheRomanempire.––Virgil’s"Eneid,"6.739,43.

4th.Itspracticaleffectshavealwaysbeen,1st,theabjectsubjectionofthepeopletothepriesthood;2nd,thegrossdemoralizationofthepeople.Thechurchistheself–appointeddepositoryanddispenserofthesuperabundantmeritsofChrist,andthesupererogatorymeritsofhereminentsaints.Onthisfoundationshedispensesthepainsofpurgatorytothosewhopayforpastsins,orsellsindulgencestothosewhopayforthelibertytosininthefuture.Thusthepeoplesinandpay,andthepriesttakesthemoneyandremitsthepenalty.Thefigmentofapurgatoryunderthecontrolofthepriestisthemainsourceofhisholduponthefearsofthepeople.––SeeCh.32.,Q.19

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE.

ROMISHDOCTRINE.

"Cat.ofConc.Trident,"Pt.1,ch.6,3.—"Thereisalsothefireofpurgatory,inwhichthesoulsofthejustarepurifiedbypunishmentforastatedtime,totheendthattheymaybeadmittedintotheireternalcountry,intowhichnothingthatdefilethentereth.AndofthetruthofthisdoctrinewhichholyCouncilsdeclaretobeconfirmedbythetestimoniesofScriptureandbyapostolictradition,thepastorwillhaveoccasiontotreatmorediligentlyandfrequently,aswearefallenontimeswhenmen

endurenotsounddoctrine."

Bellarmin,"Purgator,"2.10.—"Itiscertainthatinpurgatory,asthereisalsoinhell,thereispunishmentbyfire,whetherthatfireisunderstoodliterallyormetaphorically."Hisownopinionisthatitiscorporealfire.

DOCTRINEOFTHEGREEKCHURCH.–"TheLongerCatechismoftheOrthodoxCatholic,Eastern

Church,"nowthemostauthoritativestandardofTheOrthodoxGraeco–RussianChurch.Onthe11thArticle,Ques.372–377.–"Fromdeathtillthegeneralresurrectionthesoulsoftherighteousareinlightandrest,withaforetasteofeternalhappiness;butthesoulsofthewickedareinastatethereverseofthis.

WeknowthisbecauseitisordainedthattheperfectretributionaccordingtoworksshallbereceivedbytheperfectmanaftertheresurrectionofthebodyandGod’slastjudgment.—2Timothy2:8and2

Corinthians5:10.ButthattheyhaveaforetasteofblississhownonthetestimonyofJesusChrist,whosaysintheparablethattherighteousLazaruswasimmediatelyafterdeathcarriedintoAbraham’sbosom.—Luke16:22;Philippians1:23.Butweremarkofsuchsoulsashavedepartedwithfaith,butwithouthavinghadtimetobringforthfruitsworthyofrepentance,thattheymaybeaidedtowardstheattainmentofablessedresurrectionbyprayersofferedintheirbehalf,especiallysuchasareofferedinunionwiththeoblationofthebloodlesssacrificeoftheBodyandBloodofChrist,andbyworksofmercydoneinfaithfortheirmemory."

PROTESTANTDOCTRINE

"ArticlesofSmalcald"(Lutheran),p.307.—"Purgatory,andwhateverofreligionsrites,worship,orbusinesspertainstoit,isameredisguiseoftheDevil."

"Thirty–nineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland,"Art.22.—"The

Romishdoctrineconcerningpurgatory,pardons,worshippingandadorationaswellasofimagesasofrelics,andalsoinvocationofsaints,isafondthing,vainlyinvented,andgroundeduponnowarrantyofScripture,butratherrepugnanttothewordofGod."

"ShorterCatechismofWest.Assembly,"Ques.37.—"Thesoulsofbelieversareattheirdeathmadeperfectinholinessanddoimmediatelypassintoglory;andtheirbodiesbeingstillunitedtoChrist,dorestintheirgravestilltheresurrection."

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Chapter38:TheResurrection

1.Whatisthemeaningofthephrase,"resurrectionofthedead,"and"fromthedead,"asusedinScripture?

Ἀνάστασιςsignifiesetymologically(basedonearliestknowntranslations)"arisingorraisingup."ItisusedinScripturetodesignatethefuturegeneralraising,bythepowerofGod,ofthebodiesofallmenfromthesleepofdeath.

2.WhatOldTestamentpassagesbearuponthissubject?

Job19:25–27;Psalm49:15;Isaiah26:l9;Daniel12:1–3.

3.WhataretheprincipalpassagesbearinguponthissubjectintheNewTestament?

Matthew5:29;10:28;27:52,53;John5:28,29;6:39;Acts2:25–34;13:34;Romans8:11,22,23;

Philippians3:20,21;1Thessalonians4:13–17,and1Corinthians15

4.Whatisthemeaningofthephrases,σῶμαψυχικὸν,naturalbody,andσῶμαπνευματικόν,spiritualbody,asusedby

Paul,1Corinthians15:44?

Thewordyuch>whencontrastedwithpne~umaalwaysdesignatestheprincipleofanimallife,asdistinguishedfromtheprincipleofintelligenceandmoralagency,whichistheπνε͂υμα.Aσῶμαψυχικὸν,translatednaturalbodyevidentlymeansabodyendowedwithanimallife,andadaptedtothepresentconditionofthesoul,andtothepresentphysicalconstitutionoftheworlditinhabits.inhabits.Aσῶμαπνευματικόν,translatedspiritualbody,isabodyadaptedtotheuseofthesoulinitsfutureglorifiedestate,andtothemoralandphysicalconditionsoftheheavenlyworld,andtothisendassimilatedbytheHolyGhost,whodwellsinit,totheglorifiedbodyofChrist.––1Corinthians15:45–48.

5.Howdoesitappearthatthesamebodyistorisethatisdeportedinthegrave?

ThepassagesofScripturewhichtreatofthissubjectmakeitplainthatthesamebodiesaretoberaisedthataredepositedinthegrave,bythephrasesbywhichtheydesignatethebodiesraised:1st,"ourbodies,"Philippians3:21;2nd,"thiscorruptible",1Corinthians15:53,54;3rd,"allwhoareintheirgraves,"John5:28.4th,"theywhoareasleep,"1Thessalonians4:13–17;5th,"ourbodiesarethemembersofChrist,"1Corinthians6:15;6th,ourresurrectionistobebecauseofandlikethatofChrist,whichwasofhisidenticalbody.–John20:27.

6.Howdoesitappearthatthefinalresurrectionistobesimultaneousandgeneral?

Seebelow,Chap.39.,Questions9and10.

7.WhatdotheScripturesteachconcerningthenatureoftheresurrectionbody?

1st.Itistobespiritual.–1Corinthians15:44.Seeabove,Question4.2nd.ItistobelikeChrist’sbody.––Philippians3:21.3rd.Glorious,incorruptible,andpowerful.––1Corinthians15:54.4th.Itshallneverdie.—Revelation21:4.5th.Neverbegiveninmarriage.Matthew22:30.

8.HowmayitbeprovedthatthematerialbodyofChristrosefromthedead?

1st.Christpredictedit.–John2:19–21.2nd.Hisresurrectionisreferredtoasamiraculousattestationofthetruthofhismission,butunlesshisbodyroseliterallytherewasnothingmiraculousinhiscontinuedlife.3rd.Thewholelanguageoftheinspirednarrativesnecessarilyimpliesthis,therollingawayofthestone,thefoldingupofthegarments,etc.4th.Hedidnotriseuntilthethirdday,whichprovesthatitwasaphysicalchange,andnotamerecontinuanceofspiritualexistence.––1Corinthians15:4.5th.Hisbodywasseen,handled,andexamined,forthespaceoffortydays,inordertoestablishthisveryfact.––Luke24:39.Dr.Hodge.

9.HowcanthematerialityofChrist’sresurrectionbodybereconciledwithwhatissaidastothemodesofitsmanifestation,andofitsascensionintoheaven?

Theeventsofhissuddenlyappearingandvanishingfromsight,recordedinLuke24:31;John20:19;Acts1:9,wereaccomplishedthroughamiraculousinterferencewiththeordinarylawsregulatingmaterialbodies,ofthesamekindpreciselywithmanymiracleswhichJesuswroughtinhisbodybeforehisdeath,e.g.,hiswalkingonthesea.–Matthew14:25;John6:9–14.

10.HowdoestheresurrectionofChristsecureandillustratethatofhispeople?

Bodyandsoultogetherconstitutetheoneperson,andmaninhisentireperson,andnothissoulseparately,isembracedinboththecovenantsofworksandofgrace,andinfederalandvitalunionwithboththefirstandthesecondAdam.Christ’sresurrectionsecuresours––1st.Becausehisresurrectionsealsandconsummateshisredemptivepower;andtheredemptionofourpersonsinvolvestheredemptionofourbodies.––Romans8:23.2nd.BecauseofourfederalandvitalunionwithChrist.1Corinthians15:21,22;1Thessalonians4:14.3rd.BecauseofhisSpiritwhichdwellsinus(Romans8:11),makingourbodieshismembers.––1Corinthians6:15.4th.BecauseChristbycovenantisLord

bothofthelivingandthedead.–Romans14:9.ThissamefederalandvitalunionoftheChristianwithChrist(seeabove,Chapter31.)likewisecausestheresurrectionofthebelievertobesimilarto,aswellasconsequentuponthatofChrist.––1Corinthians15:49;Philippians3:21;1John3:2.

11.Towhatextentareobjectionsofascientificcharacteragainstthedoctrineoftheresurrectionofthebodyentitledtoweight?

Alltruthisone,andofGod,andnecessarilyconsistent,whetherrevealedbymeansofthephenomenaofnatureorofthewordsofinspiration.Ontheotherhand,itfollowsfromourpartialknowledgeandoftenerroneousinterpretationofthedatabothofscienceandrevelation,thatweoftenareunabletodiscerntheharmoniesoftruthsinrealityintimatelyrelated.Nothingcanbebelievedtobetruewhichisclearlyseentobeinconsistentwithtruthalreadycertainlyestablished.But,ontheotherhand,inthepresentstageofourdevelopment,thelargestproportionofthematerialsofourknowledgerestsuponindependentevidence,andarereceivedbyusallascertainontheirownrespectivegrounds,althoughwefailasyettoreconcileeachfactwitheveryotherintheharmoniesoftheirhigherlaws.Theprinciplesofphysicalsciencearetobetakenastrueupontheirownground,i.e.,sofarastheyarematured,andthetestimonyofrevelationistobetakenasinfallibletruthonitsownground.Theonemaymodifyourinterpretationoftheother,butthemostcertainofallprinciplesisthatamaturedsciencewillalwayscorroboraterightlyinterpretedrevelation.

12.Howmaytheidentityofourfutureuntieourpresentbodiesbereconciledwith1Corinthians15:42,50?

Inverses42–44thisidentityisexpresslyasserted.Thebodyistobethesame,thoughchangedintheseseveralparticulars.1st.Itisnowsubjecttocorruption,thenincorruptible.2nd.Itisnowdishonored,itwillthenbeglorified.3rd.Itisnowweak,itwillthenbepowerful.4th.Itisnownatural,i.e.,adaptedtothepresentconditionofthesoulandconstitutionoftheworld.Itwillthenbespiritual,i.e.,adaptedtotheglorifiedconditionofthesoul,andconstitutionofthe"newheavensandnewearth."Verse50declaressimplythat"fleshandblood,"thatis,the

presentcorruptible,weak,anddepravedconstitutionofthebodycannotinheritheaven.Yetthepassageasawholeclearlyteaches,notthesubstitutionofanewbody,butthetransformationoftheold.

13.Whatfactsdoesphysiologicalscienceestablishwithrespecttotheperpetualchangesthataregoingoninourpresentbodies,andwhatrelationdothesefactssustaintothisdoctrine?

Byaceaselessprocessoftheassimilationofnewmaterialandexcretionoftheold,theparticlescomposingourbodiesareceaselesslychangingfrombirthtodeath,effecting,asitiscomputed,achangeineveryatomoftheentirestructureeverysevenyears.Thustherewillnotbeaparticleintheorganismofanadultwhichconstitutedpartofhispersonwhenaboy,norinthatoftheoldmanofthatwhichbelongedtohimwhenofmiddleage.Thebodyfromyouthtoageisuniversallysubjecttovastchangesinsize,form,expression,condition,andmanytimestototalchangeofconstituentparticles.Allthisiscertain;butitisnonethelesscertainthatthroughallthesechangesthemanpossessesidenticallythesamepersonfromyouthtoage.Thisprovesthatneithertheidentityofthebodyofthesamemanfromyouthtoage,northeidentityofourpresentwithourresurrectionbodies,consistsinsamenessofparticles.Ifwearesureofouridentityintheonecase,weneednotstumbleatthedifficultiesattendingtheother.

14.Whatobjectiontothisdoctrineisderivedfromtheknownfactofthedispersionandassimilationintootherorganismsoftheparticlesofourbodiesafterdeath?

Theinstantthevitalprinciplesurrenderstheelementsofthebodytotheunmodifiedcontrolofthelawsofchemicalaffinity,theirpresentcombinationsaredissolvedanddistributedthroughoutspace,andtheyaretakenupandassimilatedbyotheranimalandvegetableorganisms.Thusthesameparticleshaveformed,atdifferenttimes,partofthebodiesofmyriadsofmen,inthesuccessiveperiodsofthegrowthofindividuals,andinsuccessivegenerations.Henceithasbeenobjectedtothescripturaldoctrineoftheresurrectionofthebody,thatitwillbeimpossibletodecidetowhichofthethousandbodieswhichthese

particleshaveformedpartinturn,theyshouldbeassignedintheresurrection;ortoreinvesteachsoulwithitsownbody,whenalltheconstituentelementsofeverybodyhavebeensharedincommonbymany.Weanswerthatbodilyidentitydoesnotconsistinsamenessofconstituentparticles.Seeabove,Question13.JustasGodhasrevealedtousthroughconsciousnessthatourbodiesareidenticalfrominfancytoage,althoughtheirconstituentelementsoftenchange,hehas,withequalcertaintyandreasonableness,revealedtousinhisinspiredwordthatourbodies,raisedinglory,areidenticalwithourbodiessownindishonor,althoughtheirconstituentparticlesmayhavebeenscatteredtotheendsoftheearth.

15.Whatisessentialtoidentity?

1st."Itisevidentthatidentitydependsupondifferentconditionsindifferentcases.Theidentityofastoneoranyotherportionofunorganizedmatterconsistsinitssubstanceandform.Ontheotherhand,theidentityofaplantfromtheseedtoitsmaturityis,inagreatmeasure,independentofsamenessofsubstanceorofform.Theiridentityappearstoconsistineachplant’sbeingoneorganizedwholeandinthecontinuityofthesuccessionofitselementsandparts.Theidentityofapicturedoesnotdependuponthesamenessoftheparticlesofcoloringmatterofwhichitiscomposed,forthesewemayconceivetobecontinuallychanging,butuponthedrawing,thetints,thelightandshade,theexpression,theideawhichitembodies,"etc.

2nd.Bodilyidentityisnotaconclusiondrawnfromthecomparison,orcombinationofotherfacts,butitisitselfasingleirresolvablefactofconsciousness.Thechild,thesavage,thephilosopher,arealikecertainofthesamenessoftheirbodiesatdifferentperiodsoftheirlives,andonthesamegrounds.Thisintuitiveconviction,asitisnottheresultofscience,soitisnomoreboundtogiveanaccountofitselftoscience,i.e.,wearenomorecalledupontoexplainitbeforewebelieveitthanwearetoexplainanyotherofthesimpledataofconsciousness.

3rd.Theresurrectionofourbodies,althoughacertainfactofrevelation,istous,asyet,anunrealizedexperience,anunobservedphenomenon.Thephysicalconditions,therefore,oftheidentityofour

"spiritualbodies"withour"naturalbodies,"wecannotnowpossiblycomprehend,sincewehaveneithertheexperience,theobservation,northerevelationofthefactsinvolvedinsuchknowledge.Thismuch,however,iscertainastotheresult––1st.Thebodyoftheresurrectionwillbeasstrictlyidenticalwiththebodyofdeath,asthebodyofdeathiswiththebodyofbirth.2nd.Eachsoulwillhaveanindubitableintuitiveconsciousnessthatitsnewbodyisidenticalwiththeold.3rd.Eachfriendshallrecognizetheindividualcharacteristicsofthesoulintheperfectlytransparentexpressionofthenewbody.––Dr.Hodge.

16.TowhatextentwasthedoctrineoftheresurrectionofthebodyheldbytheJews?

Withtheexceptionofsomehereticalsects,astheSadducees,theJewsheldthisdoctrineinthesamesenseinwhichweholditnow.Thisisevident—1st.Becauseitwasclearlyrevealedintheirinspiredwritings,seeabove,Question2.2nd.Itisaffirmedintheiruninspiredwritings.–Wisdom.3:6,13;4:15;2Maccabees7:9,14,23,29.3rd.Christinhisdiscourses,insteadofprovingthisdoctrine,assumesitasrecognized.–Luke14:14;John5:28,29.4th.PaulassertsthatboththeancientJews(Hebrews11:35),andhisowncontemporaries(Acts24:15),believedthisdoctrine.

17.WhatearlyhereticalsectsintheChristianchurchrejectedthisdoctrine?

AllthesectsbearingthegenericdesignationofGnostic,andundervariousspecificnamesembodyingtheleavenoforientalphilosophy,whichinfestedthechurchofChristfromthebeginningformanycenturies,believed,1st,thatmatterisessentiallyvile,andthesourceofallsinandmiserytothesoul;2nd,thatcompletesanctificationisconsummatedonlyinthedissolutionofthebodyandtheemancipationofthesoul;3rd,thatconsequentlyanyliteralresurrectionof:thebodyisrepugnanttothespirit,andwouldbedestructivetothepurposeofthewholegospel.

18.WhatisthedoctrinetaughtbySwedenborgonthissubject?

ItissubstantiallythesamewiththatsetforthbyProfessorBushinhisoncefamousbook,"Anastasia."

Theyteachthattheliteralbodyisdissolved,andfinallyperishesindeath.Butbyasubtlelawofournatureanetherial,luminousbodyiseliminatedoutoftheψυχή(theseatofthenervoussensibility,occupyingthemiddlelinkbetweenmatterandspirit),sothatthesouldoesnotgoforthfromitstabernacleoffleshabarepowerofthought,butisclotheduponatoncebythispsychicalbody.Thisresurrectionofthebody,theypretend,takesplaceineverycaseimmediatelyatdeath,andaccompaniestheoutgoingsoul.––See"ReligionandPhilosophyofSwedenborg,"TheophilusParsons.

19.HowdomodernrationalistsexplainthepassagesofScripturewhichrelatetothissubject?

Theyexplainthemaway,denyingtheirplainsense,either,1st,aspurelyallegoricalmodesofinculcatingthetruthofthecontinuedexistenceofthesoulafterdeath;or,2nd,asconcessionstotheprejudicesandsuperstitionsoftheJews.

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Chapter39:TheSecondAdventandGeneralJudgment

1.Whatisthemeaningoftheexpressions"thecoming,"or"thedayoftheLord,"asusedinboththeOldandNewTestaments?

1st.foranyspecialmanifestationofGod’spresenceandpower.––John14:18,23;Isaiah13:6;Jeremiah46:10.2nd,Bywayofeminence.(1)IntheOldTestament,forthecomingofChristintheflesh,andtheabrogationoftheJewisheconomy.Malachi3:2;4:5.(2)IntheNewTestament,forthesecondandfinalcomingofChrist.

Theseveraltermsreferringtothislastgreateventare,1st,

ἀποκάλυψις,revelation.–1Corinthians1:7;2Thessalonians1:7;1Peter1:7,13;4:13.2nd.parosiaπαρουσία,presence,advent.––Matthew24:3,27,37,39;1Corinthians15:23;1Thessalonians2:l9;3:13;4:15;5:23;2Thessalonians2:1–9;James5:7,8;2Peter1:16;3:4,12;1John2:28.3rd.ἐπιφάνεια,appearance,manifestation.–2Thessalonians2:8;1Timothy6:14;2Timothy4:1,8;Titus2:13.

Thetimeofthatcomingisdesignatedas"thedayofGod."2Peter3:12."ThedayoftheLord."––1

Thessalonians5:2."ThedayoftheLordJesus,andofJesusChrist."––1Corinthians1:8;Philippians1:6,10;2Peter3:10."Thatday."––2Thessalonians1:10;2Timothy1:12,18."Thelastday."––John6:39–54.

"Thegreatday,""thedayofwrath,"and"ofjudgment,"and"ofrevelation."–Jude6;Revelation6:17;Romans2:5;2Peter2:9.

Christiscalledὁἐρχόμενος,thecomingone,withreferencetobothadvents.––Matthew21:9;Luke7:19,20;19:38;John3:31;Revelation1:4;4:8;11:17.

2.PresenttheevidencethataliteralpersonaladventofChriststillfutureistaughtintheBible.

1st.Theanalogyofthefirstadvent.Thepropheciesrelatingtotheonehavingbeenliterallyfulfilledbyapersonalcoming,wemaybecertainthattheperfectlysimilarpropheciesrelatingtotheotherwillbefulfilledinthesamesense.

2nd.ThelanguageofChristpredictingsuchadventadmitsofnootherrationalinterpretation.Thecomingitself,itsmannerandpurposearealikedefined.Heistobeattendedwiththehostsofheaven,inpowerandgreatglory.Heistocomeupontheoccasionofthegeneralresurrectionandjudgment,andforthepurposeofconsummatinghismediatorialwork,bythefinalcondemnationandperditionofallhisenemies,andlaytheacknowledgmentandcompletedglorificationofallhisfriends.––Matthew16:27;24:30;25:31;26:64;Mark8:38;Luke

21:27.

3rd.TheapostlesunderstoodthesepredictionstorelatetoaliteraladventofChristinperson.Theyteachtheirdisciplestoformthehabitofconstantlylookingforwardtoit,asasolemnizingmotivetofidelity,andtoencouragementandresignationunderpresenttrials.Theyteachthathiscomingwillbevisibleandglorious,accompaniedwiththeabrogationofthepresentgospeldispensation,thedestructionofhisenemies,theglorificationofhisfriends,theconflagrationoftheworld,andtheappearanceofthe"newheavenandnewearth."Seethepassagesquotedundertheprecedingchapter,andActs.1:11;3:19–21;1

Corinthians4:5;11:26;15:23;Hebrews9:28;10:37.–Dr.Hodge’s"Lecture."

3.WhatthreemodesofinterpretationhavebeenadoptedinreferencetoMatthew24and25.?

"Itistoberemarkedthatthesechapterscontainananswertothreedistinctquestions.1st.Whenthetempleandcityweretobedestroyed.2nd.WhatweretobethesignsofChrist’scoming?3rd.Thethirdquestionrelatedtotheendoftheworld.Thedifficultyconsistsinseparatingtheportionsrelatingtotheseseveralquestions.Therearethreemethodsadoptedintheexplanationofthesechapters.1st.ThefirstassumesthattheyreferexclusivelytotheoverthrowoftheJewishpolity,andtheestablishmentandprogressofthegospel.2nd.ThesecondassumesthatwhatisheresaidhasbeenfulfilledinonesenseinthedestructionofJerusalem,andistobefulfilledinahighersenseatthelastday.3rd.Thethirdsupposesthatsomeportionsreferexclusivelytotheformereventandothersexclusivelytothelatter.Itisplainthatthefirstviewisuntenable,andwhetherthesecondorthirdviewbeadopted,theobscurityrestinguponthispassagecannotproperlybeallowedtoleadustorejecttheclearandconstantteachingofthenewTestamentwithregardtothesecondpersonalandvisibleadventoftheSonofGod."–Dr.Hodge.

4.InwhatpassagesisthetimeofChrist’ssecondadventdeclaredtobeunknown?

Matthew24:36;Mark13:32;Luke12:40;Acts1:6,7;1Thessalonians5:1–3;2Peter3:3,4,10;Revelation16:15.

5.Whatpassagesarecommonlycitedinproofthattheapostlesexpectedthesecondadventduringtheirlives?

Philippians1:6;1Thessalonians4:15;Hebrews10:25;1Peter1:5;James5:8.

6.Howmayitbeshownthattheydidnotentertainsuchanexpectation?

1st.Theapostles,asindividuals,apartfromtheirpubliccapacityasinspiredteachers,weresubjecttothecommonprejudicesoftheirageandnation,andonlygraduallywerebroughttothefullknowledgeofthetruth.DuringChrist’slifetheyexpectedthathewouldestablishhiskingdominitsgloryatthattime,Luke24:21;andafterhisresurrectionthefirstquestiontheyaskedhimwas,"WiltthouatthistimerestorethekingdomtoIsrael?"

2nd.IntheirinspiredwritingstheyhavenevertaughtthatthesecondcomingoftheirLordwastooccurintheirlifetime,oratanyfixedtimewhatever.Theyonlytaught(1)thatitoughttobehabituallydesired,and(2).sinceitisuncertainastotime,thatitshouldalwaysberegardedasimminent.

3rd.Asfurtherrevelationswerevouchsafedtothem,theylearned,andexplicitlytaught,thatthetimeofthesecondadventwasnotonlyuncertain,butthatmanyevents,stillfuture,mustpreviouslyoccur,e.g.,theanti–Christianapostasy,thepreachingofthegospeltoeverynation,thefullnessoftheGentles,theconversionoftheJewsthemillennialprosperityofthechurch,andthefinaldefection.–Romans11:15–32;2Corinthians3:15,16;2Thessalonians2:3.Thisisclear,becausethecomingofChristisdeclaredtobeattendedwiththeresurrectionofthedead,thegeneraljudgment,thegeneralconflagration,andtherestitutionofallthings.Seebelow,Question9.

7.WhatistheScripturaldoctrineconcerningthe

millennium?

1st.TheScriptures,bothoftheOldandNewTestament,clearlyrevealthatthegospelistoexerciseaninfluenceoverallbranchesofthehumanfamily,immeasurablymoreextensiveandmorethoroughlytransformingthananyithaseverrealizedintimepast.ThisendistobegraduallyattainedthroughthespiritualpresenceofChristintheordinarydispensationofProvidence,andministrationsofhischurch.––Matthew13:31,32;28:19,20;Psalm2:7,8;22:27,29;72:8–11;Isaiah2:2,3;11:6–9;60:12;66:23;Daniel2:35,44;Zechariah9:10;14:9;Revelation11:15.

2nd.Theperiodofthisgeneralprevalencyofthegospelwillcontinueathousandyears,andishencedesignatedthemillennium.––Revelation20:2–7.

3rd.TheJewsaretobeconvertedtoChristianityeitheratthecommencementorduringthecontinuanceofthisperiod.Zechariah12:10;13:1;Romans11:26–29;2Corinthians3:15,16.

4th.Attheendofthesethousandyears,andbeforethecomingofChrist,therewillbeacomparativelyshortseasonofapostasyandviolentconflictbetweenthekingdomsoflightanddarkness.––Luke17:26–30;2Peter3:3,4;Revelation20:7–9.

5th.Christ’sadvent,thegeneralresurrectionandjudgment,willbesimultaneous,andimmediatelysucceededbytheburningoftheold,andtherevelationofthenewearthandheavens."ConfessionofFaith,"Chaps.32.and33.

8.WhatistheviewofthosewhomaintainthatChrist’scomingwillbe"premillennial,"andthathewillreignpersonallyupontheearthathousandyearsbeforethejudgment?

1st.ManyoftheJews,mistakingaltogetherthespiritualcharacteroftheMessiah’skingdom,entertainedtheopinionthatasthechurchhadcontinuedtwothousandyearsbeforethegivingofthelawsoitwouldcontinuetwothousandyearsunderthelaw,whentheMessiah

wouldcommencehispersonalreign,whichshould,inturn,continuetwothousandyearstothecommencementoftheeternalSabbath.TheyexpectedthattheMessiahwouldreignvisiblyandgloriouslyinJerusalem,ashiscapital,overallthenationsoftheearth,theJewsashisespecialpeople,beingexaltedtopre–eminentdignityandprivilege.

2nd.TheApostolicalFathersoftheJewishChristianbranchofthechurchsuchasBarnabas,Hermes,andPapias,adoptedit.ItprevailedgenerallythroughoutthechurchfromAD.150,toAD.250,beingadvocatedbyIrenaeusandTertullian.Sincethattimethedoctrinetaughtinthischapterhasbeentheonegenerallyrecognizedbythewholechurch,whileMillenarianismorChilianismhasbeenconfinedtoindividualsandtransientparties.ItsadvocatesbasedtheirdoctrineontheliteralinterpretationofRevelation20:1–10,andheld––(1)Thatafterthedevelopmentoftheanti–Christianapostasy,atsometimeveryvariouslyestimated,ChristwassuddenlytoappearandcommencehispersonalreignofathousandyearsinJerusalem.ThedeadinChrist(somesayonlythemartyrs)werethentoriseandreignwithhimintheworld,themajorityofwhoseinhabitantsshallbeconverted,andliveduringthisperiodingreatprosperityandhappiness,theJewsinthemeantimebeingconverted,andrestoredtotheirownland.(2)Thatafterthethousandyearsthereshallcomethefinalapostasyforalittleseason,andthentheresurrectionoftherestofthedead,i.e.,thewickedandtheirjudgmentandcondemnationatthelastday,thefinalconflagration,andnewheavensandearth.

3rd.Modernpremillenarians,whiledifferingamongthemselvesastothedetailsoftheirinterpretations,agreesubstantiallywiththeviewjuststated.Hencetheyarecalledpremillenarians,becausetheybelievetheadventofChristwilloccurbeforetheMillennium.

9.WhataretheprincipalScripturalargumentsagainstthisview?

1st.ThetheoryisevidentlyJewishinitsoriginandJudaizinginitstendency.

2nd.ItisnotconsistentwithwhattheScripturesteach.(1)Asto

thenatureofChrist’skingdom,e.g.,(a)thatitisnotofthisworldbutspiritual,Matthew13:11–44;John18:36;Romans14:17;(b)thatitwasnottobeconfinedtotheJewsMatthew8:11,12;(c)thatregenerationistheconditionofadmissiontoit,John3:3,5;(d)thattheblessingsofthekingdomarepurelyspiritual,aspardon,sanctification,etc.,Matthew3:2,11;Colossians1:13,14.(2)AstothefactthatthekingdomofChristhasalreadycome.HehassatuponthethroneofhisFatherDavideversincehisascension.––Acts2:29–36;3:13–15;4:26–28;5:29–31;Hebrews10:12,13;Revelation3:7–12.TheOldTestamentprophecies,therefore,whichpredictthiskingdom,mustrefertothepresentdispensationofgrace,andnottoafuturereignofChristonearthinpersonamongmenintheflesh.

3rd.Thesecondadventisnottooccuruntiltheresurrection,whenallthedead,bothgoodandbad,aretoriseatonce.Daniel12:2;John5:28,29;1Corinthians15:23;1Thessalonians4:16;Revelation20:11,15.

Onlyonepassage(Revelation20:1–10)isevenapparentlyinconsistentwiththefacthereasserted.Forthetrueinterpretationofthatpassage,seenextquestion.

4th.Thesecondadventisnottooccuruntilthesimultaneousjudgmentofallmen,thegoodandthebadtogether.Matthew7:21,23;13:30–43;16:24,27;25:31–46;Romans2:5,16;1Corinthians3:12–15;2Corinthians5:9–11;2Thessalonians1:6–10;Revelation20:11–15.

5th.Thesecondadventistobeattendedwiththegeneralconflagrationandthegenerationofthe"newheavensandthenewearth."––2Peter3:7–13;Revelation20:11;21:1."BrownontheSecondAdvent."

10.WhatconsiderationsfavorthespiritualandopposetheliteralinterpretationofRevelation20:1–10.

Thespiritualinterpretationofthisdifficultpassageisasfollows:Christhasinreserveforhischurchaperiodofuniversalexpansionandofpre–eminentspiritualprosperity,whenthespiritandcharacterofthe

"noblearmyofmartyrs"shallbereproducedagaininthegreatbodyofGod’speopleinanunprecedentedmeasure,andwhenthesemartyrsshall,inthegeneraltriumphoftheircause,andintheoverthrowofthatoftheirenemies,receivejudgmentovertheirfoesandreignintheearth;whilethepartyofSatan,"therestofthedead,"shallnotflourishagainuntilthethousandyearsbeended,whenitshallprevailagainforalittleseason.

Theconsiderationsinfavorofthisinterpretationofthepassageare—

1st.ItoccursinoneofthemosthighlyfigurativebooksoftheBible.

2nd.ThisinterpretationisperfectlyconsistentwithalltheothermoreexplicitteachingsoftheScripturesontheseveralpoinitsinvolved.

3rd.Thesamefigure,viz.,thatoflifeagainfromthedead,isfrequentlyusedinScripturetoexpresstheideaofthespiritualrevivalofthechurch.––Isaiah26:19;Ezekiel37:12–14;Hosea6:1–3;Romans11:15;Revelation11:11.

Theconsiderationsbearingagainsttheliteralinterpretationofthispassageare—

1st.Thatthepretendeddoctrineoftworesurrections,i.e.,firstoftherighteous,andthen,afteranintervalofathousandyears,ofthewicked,istaughtnowhereelseintheBible,andthissinglepassageinwhichitoccursisanobscureone.Thisisastrongpresumptionagainstthetruthofthedoctrine.

2nd.ItisinconsistentwithwhattheScripturesuniformlyteachastothenatureoftheresurrectionbody,i.e.,thatitistobe"spiritual,"not"natural,"or"fleshandblood."––1Corinthians15:44.Itis,onthecontrary,anessentialpartofthedoctrineassociatedwiththeliteralinterpretationofthispassage,thatthesaints,oratleastthemartyrs,aretoriseandreignathousandyearsintheflesh,andinthisworldasatpresentconstituted.

3rd.TheliteralinterpretationofthispassagecontradictstheclearanduniformteachingoftheScriptures,thatallthedead,goodandbad,aretoriseandbejudgedtogetheratthesecondcomingofChristandtheentirerevolutionofthepresentorderofcreation.SeetheScripturetestimoniescollectedundertheprecedingquestion.

11.ShowthatthefuturegeneralconversionoftheJewsistaughtinScripture?

ThisPaul,inRomans11:15–29,bothassertsandprovesfromOldTestamentprophecies,e.g.,Isaiah59:20;Jeremiah31.SeealsoZechariah12:10;1Corinthians3:15,16.

12.StatetheargumentforandagainsttheopinionthattheJewsaretoberestoredtotheirownland?

Theargumentsinfavorofthatreturnare—

1st.TheliteralsenseofmanyoldTestamentprophecies.Isaiah11:11,12;Jeremiah3:17;16:14,15;Ezekiel20:40–44;34:11–31;36:1–36;Hosea3:4,5;Amos9:11–15;Zechariah10:6–10;14:1–20;Joel3:1–17.

2nd.ThatthewholeterritorypromisedbyGodtoAbrahamhasneveratanyperiodbeenfullypossessedbyhisdescendants,Genesis15:18–21;Numbers34:6–12,andrenewedthroughEzekiel,Ezekiel47:1–23.

3rd.Theland,thoughcapableofmaintainingavastpopulation,isaspreservedunoccupied,evidentlywaitingforinhabitants.––SeeKeith’s"LandofIsrael."

4th.TheJews,thoughscatteredamongallnations,havebeenmiraculouslypreservedaseparatepeople,andevidentlyawaitadestinyassignalandpeculiarashasbeentheirhistory.Theargumentsagainsttheirreturntothelandoftheirfathersare––

1st.TheNewTestamentisentirelysilentonthesubjectofanysuchreturn,whichwould,beaninexplicableomissionintheclearerrevelation,ifthateventisreallyfuture.

2nd.TheliteralinterpretationoftheOldTestamentpropheciesconcernedinthisquestionwouldbemostunnatural–(1)Because,iftheinterpretationistobeconsistent,itmustbeliteralinallitsparts.Thenitwould,followthatDavidhimselfinperson,mustberaisedtoreignagaininJerusalem.Ezekiel37:24,etc.ThentheLeviticalpriesthoodmustberestored,andbloodysacrificesofferedtoGod.––Ezekiel40-46;Jeremiah17:25,26.ThenmustJerusalembethecentreofgovernment,theJewsasuperiorclassintheChristianchurch,andallworshippersmustcomemonthlyandfromSabbathtoSabbath,fromtheendsoftheearthtoworshipattheHolyCity.––Isaiah2:2,3;66:20–23;Zechariah14:16–21.(2)BecausetheliteralinterpretationthusleadstotherevivaloftheentireritualsystemoftheJews,andisinconsistentwiththespiritualityofthekingdomofChrist.—Seeabove,Question9.(3)BecausetheliteralinterpretationofthesepassagesisinconsistentwithwhattheNewTestamentplainlyteachesastotheabolitionofalldistinctionsbetweentheJewandGentile;theJews,whenconverted,aretobegraftedbackintothesamechurch.Romans11:19–24;Ephesians2:13–19.(4)BecausethisinterpretationisinconsistentwithwhattheNewTestamentteachesastothetemporarypurpose,thevirtualinsufficiency,andthefinalabolitionoftheLeviticalpriesthoodandtheirsacrifices,andoftheinfinitesufficiencyofthesacrificeofChrist,andtheeternityofhispriesthood.-–Galatians4:9,10;5:4–8;Colossians2:16–23;Hebrews7:12–18;8:7–13;9:1–14.

3rd.Ontheotherhand,thespiritualinterpretationoftheseOldTestamentprophecies––whichregardsthemaspredictingthefuturepurityandextensionoftheChristianchurch,andasindicatingthesespiritualsubjectsbymeansofthosepersons,places,andordinancesoftheoldeconomywhichweretypicalofthem––isbothnaturalandaccordanttotheanalogyofScripture.IntheNewTestament,ChristiansarecalledAbraham’sseed,Galatians3:29;Israelites,Galatians6:16;Ephesians2:12,19;comerstoMountZion,Hebrews12:22;citizensoftheheavenlyJerusalem,Galatians4:26;thecircumcision,Philippians3:3;Colossians2:11,andinRevelation2:9,theyarecalledJews.ThereisalsoaChristianpriesthoodandspiritualsacrifice.––1Peter2:5,9;Hebrews13:15,16;Romans12:1.SeeFairbairn’s"TypologyAppendix,"Vol.1.

13.Whoistobethejudgeoftheworld?

JesusChrist,inhisofficialcharacterasMediator,inbothnatures,astheGod–man.Thisisevident,1st,becauseasjudgeheiscalledthe"SonofMan,"Matthew25:31,32,andthe"manordainedbyGod."–Acts17:31.2nd.BecausealljudgmentissaidtobecommittedtohimbytheFather.–John5:22,27.3rd.BecauseitpertainstohimasMediatortocompleteandpubliclymanifestthesalvationofhispeople,andtheoverthrowofhisenemies,togetherwiththegloriousrighteousnessofhisworkinbothrespects,2Thessalonians1:7–10;Revelation1:7;andthusaccomplishthe"restitutionofallthings."–Acts3:21.Andthisheshalldoinhisownperson,thathisglorymaybethemoremanifest,thediscomfitureofhisenemiesthemorehumiliating,andthehopeandjoyofhisredeemedthemorecomplete.

14.Whoaretobethesubjectsofthejudgment?

1st.ThewholeraceofAdam,withoutexception,ofeverygeneration,condition,andcharacter,eachindividualappearingintheintegrityofhisperson,"body,soul,andspirit."Thedeadwillberaised,andthelivingchangedsimultaneously.Matthew25:31–46;1Corinthians15:51,52;2Corinthians5:10;1Thessalonians4:17;2Thessalonians1:6–10;Revelation20:11–15.2nd.Allevilangels.2Peter2:4;Jude6.Goodangelsappearingasattendantsandministers.–Matthew13:41,42.

15.Inwhatsenseisitsaidthatthesaintsshalljudgetheworld.

SeeMatthew19:28;Luke22:29,30;1Corinthians6:2,3;Revelation20:4.

InvirtueoftheunionofbelieverswithChrist,histriumphanddominionistheirs.Theyarejointheirswithhim,andiftheysufferwithhimtheyshallreignwithhim.––Romans8:17;2Timothy2:12.Hewilljudgeandcondemnhisenemiesasheadandchampionofhischurch,allhismembersassentingtohisjudgmentandgloryinginhistriumph.––Revelation19:1–5.Hodge’s"Commentaryon1stCor."

16.Uponwhatprincipleswillhisjudgmentbedispensed?

Thejudgeisfigurativelyrepresented(Revelation20:12),aftertheanalogyofhumantribunals,asopening"books"injudgmentaccordingtothethingswritteninwhichthedeadaretobejudged,andalso"anotherbook,""whichisthebookoflife."Thebooksfirstmentioneddoubtlessfiguratively,representthelaworstandardaccordingtowhicheachonewastobejudged,andthefactsinhiscase,or"theworkswhichhehaddone."The"bookoflife"(seealsoPhilippians4:3;Revelation3:5;13:8;20:15)isthebookofGod’seternalelectinglove.Thosewhosenamesarefoundwritteninthe"bookoflife"willbedeclaredrighteousonthegroundoftheirparticipationintherighteousnessofChrist.Theirholycharactersandgooddeeds,however,willhepubliclydeclaredastheevidencesoftheirelection,oftheirrelationtoChrist,andofthegloriousworkofChristinthem.––Matthew13:43;25:34–40.

Thosewhosenamesarenotfoundwrittenin"thebookoflife"willbecondemnedonthegroundoftheevil"deedstheyhavedoneinthebody,"triedbythestandardofGod’slaw,notasthatlawhasbeenignorantlyconceivedofbyeach,butasithasbeenmoreorlessfullyandclearlyrevealedbytheJudgehimselftoeachseverally.Theheathenwhohassinnedwithoutthewrittenlaw"shallbeJudgedwithoutthelaw,"i.e.,bythelawwrittenuponhisheart,whichmadehimalawuntohimself.–Luke12:47,48;Romans2:12–15.TheJew,who"sinnedinthelaw,shallbejudgedbythelaw."––Romans2:12.EveryindividualdwellingunderthelightoftheChristianrevelationshallbejudgedinstrictaccordancewiththewholewillofGodasmadeknowntohim,allofthespecialadvantagesofeverykindenjoyedbyhimindividuallymodifyingtheproportionofhisresponsibility.––Matthew11:20–24;John3:19.

Thesecretsofallhearts,theinwardstatesandhiddenspringsofaction,willbebroughtinasthesubjectmatterofjudgment,aswellastheactionsthemselves,Ecclesiastes12:14;1Corinthians4:5;andpubliclydeclaredtovindicatethejusticeoftheJudge,andtomakemanifesttheshameofthesinner.––Luke8:17;12:2,3;Mark4:22.Whetherthesinsofthesaintswillbebroughtforwardatthejudgmentornotisaquestionnot

settledbytheScriptures,thoughdebatedbytheologians.Iftheyshouldbe,wearesurethatitwillbedoneonlywiththedesignandeffectofenhancingthegloryoftheSaviorandthecomfortofthesaved.

17.WhatdotheScripturesrevealconcerningthefuturedestructionofourearthbyfire?

TheprincipalpassagesbearinguponthispointarePsalm102:26,27;Isaiah51:–6;Romans8:19–23;Hebrews12:26,27;2Peter3:10–13;Revelation20and21.

Manyoftheoldertheologiansthoughtthatthesepassagesindicatedthatthewholeexistingphysicaluniversewastobedestroyed.Thisviewisnowuniversallydiscarded.Someheldthatthisearthistobeannihilated.

Themostcommonandprobableopinionisthatat"therestitutionofallthings,"Acts.3:21,thisearth,withitsatmosphere,istobesubjectedtointenseheat,whichwillradicallychangeitspresentphysicalcondition,introducingintheplaceofthepresentanhigherorderofthings,whichshallappearasa"newheavensandanewearth,"wherein"thecreatureitself,also,shallbedeliveredfromthebondageofcorruptionintothegloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGod,"Romans8:19–23,andwhereintheconstitutionofthenewworkswillbeadaptedtothe"spiritual"orresurrectionbodiesofthesaints,1Corinthians15:44,tobethesceneoftheheavenlysociety,and,aboveall,tobethepalace–templeoftheGod–manforever.––Ephesians1:14;Revelation5:9,10;21:1–5.SeealsoFairbairn’s"Typology,"Vol.1.,Part2.,Chap.2.,sec.7.

18.WhatshouldbethemoraleffectoftheScripturedoctrineofChrist’ssecondadvent?

Christiansoughttherebytobecomfortedwheninsorrow,andalwaysstimulatedtoduty.—Philippians3:20;Colossians3:4,5;James5:7;1John3:2,3.Itistheirdutyalsotolove,watch,waitfor,andhastenuntothecomingoftheirLord.––Luke12:35,37;1Corinthians1:7,8;Philippians3:20;1Thessalonians1:9,10;2Timothy4:8;2Peter3:12;Revelation22:20.

Unbelieversshouldbefilledwithfearfulapprehension,andwithalltheirmighttheyshouldseekplaceforimmediaterepentance.—Mark13:35,37;2Peter3:9,10;Jude14,15.Brown’s"SecondAdvent."

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE

Augustine("DeCivitateDei,"20,7)states,thatheonceheldthedoctrineofamillenariansabbath,butthenrejecteditandadvocatesthedoctrineofthischapter,whichhasthenceforwardprevailedintheRomanChurch.

"AugsburgConfession,"Pt.1,Art.17.—"TheyalsoteachthatChristwillappearattheandoftheworldforjudgment,andthathewillresuscitateallthedead,andthathewillgivetothepiouselecteternallifeandperpetualjoy,butcondemnwickedmenanddevilsthattheyshallbetormentedwithoutend.TheycondemntheAnabaptists,whobelievethattherewillbeanendofthefuturepunishmentoflostmenanddevils.AndtheycondemnotherswhoscatterJewishopinions,totheeffectthatbeforetheresurrectionofthedeadthepiouswilloccupythekingdomoftheworld,andthewickedbeeverywhereinsubjection."

"TheEnglishConfessionofEdwardVI."––"ThosewhoendeavortorecallthefableoftheMillenarians,opposethesacredScriptures,precipitatethemselvesintoJewishinsanities."

"BelgicConfession,"Art,37.—"Lastly,webelieve,fromthewordofGodthatourLordJesusChristwillreturnfromheavenbodilyandvisibly,andwiththehighestglory,whenthetimepredeterminedbyGod,butunknowntoallcreatures,shallarrive,andthenumberoftheelectbecomplete....Atthattimeallwhohaveheretoforediedontheearthshallarise."

"WestminsterConfessionChaps.32and33;"LargerCat.,Ques.87–89.–Theseteach—1.Atthelastdayshallbeageneralresurrectionofthedeadbothofthejustandoftheunjust.2.Allfoundaliveshallbeimmediatelychanged.3.Immediatelyaftertheresurrectionshallfollowthegeneralandfinaljudgmentofallangelsandmen,good

andbad.4.ThatthedateofthisdayandhourispurposelykeptsecretbyGod.

InQues.53–56,wearefurthertaught,thatChrist’ssecondcomingwillnotoccuruntil"thelastday,""theendoftheworld,"andthathewillthencome"tojudgetheworldinrighteousness."

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Chapter40:HeavenandHell

1.WhatistheNewTestamentusageastothetermsὀυρανός,"heaven."andἐπουράνια,"heavenlyplaces?"

Ὀυρανόςisusedchieflyinthreesenses.1st.Theupperairwherethebirdsfly.––Matthew8:20;24:30.2nd.Theregioninwhichthestarsrevolve.––Acts7:42;Hebrews11:12.3rd.TheabodeofChrist’shumannature,thesceneofthespecialmanifestationofdivineglory,andoftheeternalblessednessofthesaints.––Hebrews9:24;1Peter3:22.Thisissometimescalledthe"thirdheaven."––2Corinthians12:2.Thephrases"newheaven",and"newearth",incontrastwith"firstheavens,"and"firstearth,"2Peter3:7,13;Revelation21:1,refertosomeunexplainedchangewhichwilltakeplaceinthefinalcatastrophe,bywhichGodwillrevolutionizeourportionofthephysicaluniverse,cleansingitfromthestainofsin,andqualifyingittobetheabodeofblessedness.

Fortheusagewithregardtothephrase"kingdomofheaven,"seeabove,Chap.27.,Question5.

Thephraseτάἐπουράνιαistranslatedsometimes,"heavenlythings,"John3:12,whereitsignifiesthemysteriesoftheunseenspiritualworld,andsometimes"heavenlyplaces,"Ephesians1:3,and2:6,whereitmeansthestateintowhichabelieverisintroducedathisregeneration;seealsoEphesians1:20,whereitmeansthe"thirdheavens";andEphesians6:12,whereitsignifiesindefinitelythesupermundaneuniverse.

2.Whataretheprincipalterms,bothliteralandfigurative,whichareusedinScripturetodesignatethefutureblessednessofthesaints?

Literalterms:"life,eternallifeandlifeeverlasting.––Matthew7:14;19:16,29;25:46.Glory,thegloryofGod,aneternalweightofglory.––Romans2:7,10;5:2;2Corinthians4:17.Peace.Romans2:10.

Salvation,andeternalsalvation.––Hebrews5:9."

Figurativeterms:"Paradise.––Luke23:43;2Corinthians12:4;Revelation2:7.Heavenly

Jerusalem.––Galatians4:26;Revelation3:12.Kingdomofheaven,heavenlykingdom,eternalkingdom,kingdompreparedfromthefoundationoftheworld.––Matthew25:34;2Timothy4:18;2Peter1:11.

Eternalinheritance.––1Peter1:4;Hebrews9:15.TheblessedaresaidtositdownwithAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,tobeinAbraham’sbosom,Luke16:22;Matthew8:11;toreignwithChrist,1Timothy2:11,12;toenjoyaSabbathorrest,Hebrews4:10,11."––Kitto’s"Bib.Ency."

3.Whatisrevealedwithrespecttoheavenasaplace?

AlltheScripturerepresentationsofheaveninvolvetheideaofadefiniteplace,aswellasofastateofblessedness.Ofthatplace,however,nothingmoreisrevealedthanthatitisdefinedbythelocalpresenceofChrist’sfinitesoulandbody,andthatitisthesceneofthepre–eminentmanifestationofGod’sglory.John17:24;2Corinthians5:9;Revelation5:6.

FromsuchpassagesasRomans8:19–23;2Peter3:5–13;Revelation21:1,itappearsnotimprobablethatafterthegeneraldestructionofthepresentformoftheworldbyfire,whichshallaccompanythejudgment,thisworkswillbereconstituted,andgloriouslyadaptedtobethepermanentresidenceofChristandhischurch.Asthereistobea"spiritualbody,"theremaybeinthesamesenseaspiritualworld,thatis,aworld,adaptedtobethetheatreoftheglorifiedspiritsofthesaintsmadeperfect.Asnaturewascursedforman’ssake,andthecreature,throughhim,madesubjecttovanity,itmaybethattheyshallshareinhisredemptionandexaltation.––SeeFairhairn’s"Typology,"Part2.,Chap.2.,sec.7.

4.Whereindoestheblessednessofheavenconsistasfarasrevealed?

1st.Negatively,inperfectdeliverancefromsin,andfromallitsevilconsequences,physical,moral,andsocial.––Revelation7:16,17;21:4,27.

2nd.Positively.(1)Intheperfectionofournature,bothmaterialandspiritual;thefulldevelopmentandharmoniousexerciseofallourfaculties,intellectualandmoral,andintheunrestrainedprogressthereoftoeternity.––1Corinthians13:9–12;15:45–49;1John3:2.(2)InthesightofourblessedRedeemer,communionwithhisperson,andfellowshipinallhisgloryandblessedness,andthroughhimwithsaintsandangels.John17:24;1John1:3;Revelation3:21;21:3,4,5.(3)Inthat"beatificvisionofGod,"which,consistingintheeverincreasinglycleardiscoveryofthedivineexcellencelovinglyapprehendedtransformsthesoulintothesameimage,fromgloryuntoglory.––Matthew5:8;2Corinthians3:18.

Inmeditatinguponwhatisrevealedoftheconditionsofheavenlyexistencetwoerrorsaretobeavoided:1st,theextremeofregardingthemodeofexistenceexperiencedbythesaintsinheavenastoonearlyanalogoustothatofourearthlylife;2nd,theoppositeextremeofregardingtheconditionsoftheheavenlylifeastoowidelydistinguishedfromthatofourpresentexperience.Theevileffectofthefirstextremewill,ofcourse,betodegradebyunworthyassociationsourconceptionofheaven;whiletheevileffectoftheoppositeextremewillbeingreatmeasuretodestroythemoralpowerwhichahopeofheavenshouldnaturallyexertoverourheartsandlives,byrenderingourconceptionsofitvague,andoursympathywithitscharacteristicsconsequentlydistantandfeeble.Toavoidbothoftheseextremes,weshouldfixthelimitswithinwhichourconceptionsofthefutureexistenceofthesaintsmustrange,bydistinguishingbetweenthoseelementsofman’snature,andofhisrelationstoGodandothermen,whichareessentialandunchangeable,andthoseelementswhichmustbechangedinordertorenderhisnatureinhisrelationsperfect.1st.Thefollowingmustbechanged:(1)allsinanditsconsequencesmustberemoved;(2)"spiritualbodies,"musttaketheplaceofourpresentfleshandblood;(3)thenewheavensandthenewearthmusttaketheplaceofthepresentheavensandearth,asthesceneofman’slife;(4)thelawsofsocial

organizationmustberadicallychanged,sinceinheaventherewillbenomarriage,butasocialorderanalogoustothatofthe"angelsofGod"introduced.

2nd.Thefollowingelementsareessential,andthereforeunchangeable.(1)Manwillcontinueevertoexist,ascompoundedoftwonatures,spiritualandmaterial.(2)Heisessentiallyintellectual,andmustlivebyknowledge.(3)Heisessentiallyactive,andmusthaveworktodo.(4)Mancan,asafinitecreature,knowGodonlymediately,i.e.,throughhisworksofcreationandprovidence,theexperienceofhisgraciousworkuponourhearts,andthroughhisincarnateSon,whoistheimageofhisperson,andthefulnessoftheGodheadbodily.Godwillthereforeinheavencontinuetoteachmanthroughhisworks,andtoactuponhimbymeansofmotivesaddressedtohiswillthroughhisunderstanding.(5)Thememoryofmanneverfinallylosestheslightestimpression,anditwillbelongtotheperfectionoftheheavenlystatethateveryexperienceacquiredinthepastwillalwaysbewithintheperfectcontrolofthewill.(6)Manisessentiallyasocialbeing.This,takeninconnectionwiththeprecedingpoint,indicatestheconclusionthattheassociations,aswellastheexperienceofourearthlylife,willcarryalloftheirnaturalconsequenceswiththemintothenewmodeofexistence,exceptasfarastheyarenecessarilymodified(notlost)bythechange.(7)Man’slifeisessentiallyaneternalprogresstowardsinfiniteperfection.(8)AlltheknownanalogiesofGod’sworksincreation,inhisprovidenceinthematerialandmoralworld,andinhisdispensationofgrace(1Corinthians12:5–28),indicatethatinheavensaintswilldifferamongthemselvesbothastoinherentcapacitiesandqualities,andastorelativerankandoffice.

Thesedifferenceswilldoubtlessbedetermined(a)byconstitutionaldifferencesofnaturalcapacity,(b)bygraciousrewardsinheavencorrespondinginkindanddegreetothegraciousfruitfulnessoftheindividualonearth,(c)bytheabsolutesovereigntyoftheCreator.––Matthew16:27;Romans2:6;1Corinthians12:4–28.

5.Whataretheprincipalterms,literalandfigurative,whichareappliedinScripturetothefutureconditionofthereprobate?

saplace,itissometimesliterallydesignatedbyἄιδης,Hades,andsometimesbyγεέννα,bothtranslatedhell.––Matthew5:22,29,30;Luke16:23.Alsobythephrase,"placeoftorment."––Luke16:28.Asaconditionofsuffering,itisliterallydesignatedbythephrases,"wrathofGod,"Romans2:5,and"seconddeath,"Revelation21:8.

Figurativeterms.––Everlastingfire,preparedforthedevilandhisangels.––Matthew25:41.Thehelloffire,wherethewormdiethnot,andthefireisnotquenched.––Mark9:44.Thelakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone.––Revelation21:8.Bottomlesspit.—Revelation9:2.Thedreadfulnatureofthisabodeofthewickedisimpliedinsuchexpressionsas"outerdarkness,"theplace"wherethereisweepingandgnashingofteeth,"Matthew8:12;"Iamtormentedinthisflame,"Luke16:24;"unquenchablefire,"Luke3:17;"furnaceoffire,"Matthew13:42;"blacknessofdarkness,"Jude13;"tormentinfireandbrimstone,"Revelation14:10;"thesmokeoftheirtormentascendethforeverandever,andtheyhavenorestdaynornight,"Revelation14:11.––Kitto’s"Bib.Ency."

6.WhatdotheScripturesteachastothenatureoffuturepunishments?

ThetermsusedinScripturetodescribethesesufferingsareevidentlyfigurative,yettheycertainlyestablishthefollowingpoints.Thesesufferingswillconsist––

1st.Inthelossofallgood,whethernatural,asgrantedthroughAdam,orgracious,asofferedthroughChrist.2nd.Inallthenaturalconsequencesofunrestrainedsin,judicialabandonment,utteralienationfromGodandtheawfulsocietyoflostmenanddevils.––2Thessalonians1:9.3rd.Inthepositiveinflictionoftorment,God’swrathandcursedescendinguponboththemoralandphysicalnatureofitsobjects.TheScripturesalsoestablishthefactthatthesesufferingsmustbe––1st.Inconceivablydreadfulindegree.2nd.Endlessinduration.3rd.Variousindegree,proportionatelytothedesertsofthesubject.––Matthew10:15;Luke12:48.

7.Whatistheusageofthewords,ἀιών,andἀιώνιος,eternal,intheNewTestament,andtheargumentthencederivedestablishingtheendlessdurationoffuturepunishment?

1st.TheGreeklanguagepossessesnomoreemphatictermswithwhichtoexpresstheideaofendlessdurationthanthese.2nd.AlthoughtheyaresometimesemployedintheNewTestamenttodesignatelimitedduration,yet,inthevastmajorityofinstances,theyevidentlydesignateunlimitedduration.3rd.TheyareusedtoexpresstheendlessdurationofGod.(1.)ἀιώνisthusused,1Timothy1:17,andasappliedtoChrist,Revelation1:18.(2)(2.)ἀιώνιοςisthusused,Rom.16:26,andasappliedtotheHolyGhost.—Heb.9:14.4th.Theyareusedtoexpresstheendlessdurationofthefuturehappinessofthesaints.(1.)ἀιώνisthusused.—John6:57,58;2Cor.9:9.(2.)ἀιώνιοςisthusused.;Mark10:30;John3:15;Romans2:7.5th.InMatthew25:46,theverysamewordisusedinasingleclausetodefineatoncethedurationofthefuturehappinessofthesaints,andthemiseryofthelost.ThustheScripturesdoexpresslydeclarethatthedurationofthefuturemiseryofthelostistobeinpreciselythesamesenseunending,asiseitherthelifeofGod,ortheblessednessofthesaints.Seethelearnedindependent,andconclusivecriticalexaminationoftheNewTestamentusageofthesewordsbythelateProf.MosesStuart,"Stuart’sEssaysonFuturePunishment,"publishedPresby.BoardofPublication.

8.Whatevidenceforthetruthonthissubjectisfurnishedby,theNewTestamentusageofthewordἀιδιος?

Thisword,formedfromἀεί,always,forever,signifies,inclassicalGreek,eternal.ItoccursonlytwiceintheNewTestamentRomans1:20,"evenhiseternalpowerandGodhead,"andJude6,"Angelsreservedineverlastingchains."Butlostmensharethefateoflostangels.––Matthew25:41,Revelation20:10.ThusthesamewordexpressesthedurationoftheGodheadandofthesufferingsofthelost.

9.WhatotherevidencedotheScripturesfurnishonthissubject?

1st.ThereisnothingintheScriptureswhichevenbythemostremoteimplication,suggeststhatthesufferingsofthelostshalleverend.

2nd.Theconstantapplicationtothesubjectofsuchfigurativelanguageas,"firethatshallnotbequenched,""fireunquenchable,""thewormthatneverdies,""bottomlesspit,"thenecessityofpayingthe"uttermostfarthing,""thesmokeoftheirtormentarisingforeverandever,"Luke3:17;Mark9:45,46;Revelation14:10,11,isconsistentonlywiththeconvictionthatGodwillsustobelieveonhisauthoritythatfuturepunishmentsareliterallyendless.Itissaidof:thosewhocommittheunpardonablesinthattheyshallneverbeforgiven,"neitherinthisworld,norinthatwhichistocome."––Matthew12:32.

Itisarguedthatthislanguageisfigurative,andthedictumisquoted"Theologiasymbolicanonestdemonstrativa".Thisistrue.Butofwhatarethesethefigures?WhatdoesGodintendtosignifybysuchsymbols?Theymayunquestionablyhepulledtopiecesseverally,andtheirmeaningbroughtintodoubtindetail.Butitmustberemembered––(1)ThatthislanguageischaracteristicofallGod’srevelationstousofthefutureofthosewhodieimpenitent.Suchdescriptionscoloruniformlythewholepresentation.

(2)TheBiblewasintendedforpopularinstruction.Hencetheobviousmeaningmusthavebeentheoneintendedtobeconveyed,andhencetheonetowhichthedivineveracityispledged.Thisisespeciallyaweightyconsiderationinthecaseofthisdoctrine,because–(a)Itisapracticaloneofpersonalconcernment.(b)Thelanguageoccursfrequently,andstrikestheeyeofeveryreader.(c)Theentirehistoricalchurch(withonlyindividualexceptions)have,asamatteroffact,interpreteditinthesenseofendlesssuffering.Andthisinspiteoftheconstantandtremendouspressureofhumandesirestowardtheoppositeconclusion.

10.Whatpresumptiononthissubjectisaffordedbyreasonandexperience?

TheScripturesteachus––(1)Thatmanisdeadinsinandmorallyimpotent.(2)Thatrepentanceandfaitharewroughtinthesoul

bytheHolyGhost.Experienceteachesusthatrepentanceandfaithareasdutiesexceedinglydifficultunderthemostfavorableconditions.Reasonandexperienceuniteinteachingusthattheybecomemoredifficultandunusualthelongerapersonlivesandthemoredefinitelyhismoralcharacterandhabitsarefixed.

1st.Themostfavorablepossibleconditionsareaffordedinthislife.Youth,immaturecharacter,thewordandtheSpirit,andtheprovidenceofGodandtheChristianChurch.Supernaturaldemonstrationsandpurgatorialsufferingswouldhavenoequalmoraleffect."IftheyhearnotMosesandtheprophets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedthoughonerosefromthedead."––Luke16:31.

2nd.Thelawofhabitandfixedmoralcharacterleadstotheconclusion,thatthehopeofafavorablechangemustrapidlydecreaseinproportionasitisdelayed.

11.WhattwoviewsonthissubjecthavebeenheldbydifferentpartiesinoppositiontothefaithofthewholeChristianChurch,andtheclearteachingofGod’sword?

I.Thatofthetotalextinctionofthebeingofthefinallyreprobate,asthesentenceofthe"seconddeath,"afterthelastJudgment.Thisdoctrineisstyledpopularly"TheAnnihilationoftheWicked,"andbyitsadvocates"ConditionalImmortality."Ithasbeenadvocatedablyin"DebtandGraceaselatedtotheDoctrineofaFutureLife,"byC.F.Hudson,andin"TheDurationandNatureofFuturePunishment,"byHenryConstable,and"ViewofScriptureRevelationconcerningaFutureState,"byArchb.Whately,andin"LifeinChrist,"byEdwardWhite.

Theyarguethattheword"death"meansalways"cessationofbeing",and"eternaldestruction"meansalwaysthe"puttingoutofexistence."

Weanswer––(1)Theyfailutterlyintheirattempttoshowthatthewordsandphrasescitedeverhave,andmuchmorethattheyalwayshave,thesensecontendedfor.(2)TheirdoctrineisinplaincontradictionoftheuniformrepresentationofScriptureastotheultimatestateofthe

finallyimpenitentasillustratedabove,Ques.9.(3)Theirdoctrineisincontradictionofthenaturalanduniversalinstinctofimmortalitywitnessedtobythereligionsandliteraturesofallnations,whetherheathen,JewishorChristian.

II.Theopinionofthosewhoagreeingeneralinteachingthefuturerestorationofsinnersafteranindefiniteperiodofpurifyingdisciplinesubsequenttodeath,whetherintheintermediatestateorafterthejudgment(seeabove,Ch.37.,Ques.21).Thisviewrests,(1)uponaclassoftextspresumedtoteachtherestitutionofallthingsasActs3:21;Ephesians1:10;Colossians1:19,20,etc.(2)Uponwhattheyclaimtobeamoralintuitionthatendlesspunishmentwould,beunworthyofGod.

WeANSWER––1st.ThepassagesofScriptureuponwhichtheargumentisbasedwouldbeconsistentwiththisviewofultimateuniversalsalvation,iftherewerenoexplicitstatementsofScripturetothecontrary.EachclassofScripturemustbeinterpretedinviewoftheother.Anditisself–evidentthatthegeneralandindefinitemustberuledbythedefiniteandexplicit.Itisanaxiomthatthephrase"all"and"allthings"includemoreorlessaccordingtothesubject.Wegladlyadmit––(1)thatALLinChristshallbemadealive,and(2).thathewillbemadeheadofALLTHINGSabsolutelywithoutexception,inthesensethattheentireuniverse,includingfriendsandfoes,shallbesubjectedtohisroyalsupremacy,allrevoltsubdued,andeachclassputintoitsownsphere.––Seebelow,Ques.14.

2nd.The"intuitions"uponwhichthedoctrineisfoundedareshownbelow,Ques.12and13,nottobetrustworthy.

3rd.Seeabove,Ques.10,asthehopeofmoralreformationinanotherlifeisnotaccordantwiththerepresentationsofScripture,soitisnotconfirmedbythelessonsofreasonandexperience.

12.WhatobjectionsareurgedagainstthisdoctrinederivedfromthejusticeofGod?

ThejusticeofGodrequires––(1)Thatnoneshouldsufferforthatforwhichtheyarenotresponsible.(2)Thatpunishmentshouldinevery

casebeexactlyproportionedtotheguiltofthesubject.

Butitisobjected––1st.MultitudesinChristianaswellasinheathenlandsarenotresponsiblefortheirimpenitency,becausetheyhaveneverintheirwholeliveshadanopportunityofknowingorofreceivingChrist.

WeANSWER––thatthedirectstatementsoftheBible,thewholeanalogyoftheChristiansystem,andtheexperienceofallChristians,uniteinaffirmingthatallhumannatureisguiltyanddeservingofthewrathandcurseofGodanteriortothegiftortherejectionofChrist.IfitwerenotsoChristneednothavebeengiventoexpiateguilt.IfitwerenotsoChristwouldbe"deadinvain,"andsalvationwould,beofdebtandnotofGRACE.

Itisobjected––2nd.Nosinofafinitecreaturecandeserveaninfinitepunishment,butallendlesspunishmentisinfinite.

WeANSWER––thatthewordinfiniteinthisconnectionismisleading.ItisplainthatendlesssindeservesendlesspunishmentandthatisalltheScripturesortheChurchteach.OnesindeservesthewrathandcurseofGod.Heisundernoobligationinjusticetoprovidearedemption.TheinstantasoulsinsitiscutofffromthecommunionandlifeofGod.Aslongasitcontinuesinthatstateitwillcontinuetosin.Aslongasitcontinuestosin,itwillcontinuetodeservehiswrathandcurse.Itisobviousthatthesinfultempersandconductindulgedinhellwilldeserveandreceivepunishmentasstrictlyasthosepreviouslyindulgedinthislife.Otherwisethemonstrousprinciplewould,betruethattheworstasinnerbecomesthelessisheworthyofblameorpunishment.

Itisobjected––3rd.Theinfinitedoesnotadmitofdegrees,yettheguiltofdifferentsinnersisvarious.

WeANSWER––thisisadishonestcavil.Itisplainthatsufferingsalikeendlessmayvaryindefinitelyindegree.

Itisobjected––4th.Thatthemoraldifferencebetweenthelowestsaintsavedandthemostamiablesinnerlostmaybe

imperceptible,yetthedifferenceofdestinyisinfinite.

WeANSWER––thatthisisalltrue,butthegroundofthetreatmentofthemostunworthybelieveristherighteousnessofChrist,andthegroundofthetreatmentoftheleastunworthyunbelieverishisowncharacterandconduct.

13.WhatobjectiondrawnfromthebenevolenceofGodisurgedagainstthisdoctrine?

Itisclaimed––1st.ThatthebenevolenceofGodpromptshimtodoallinhispowertopromotetheirhappiness.Andaswehavenorighttolimitthatpower,wearewarrantedtohopethathewillultimatelysecurethehappinessofall.

WeANSWER––(1)God’sbenevolencepromptshimtosecurethehappinessofallhiscreaturesasfarasthatisconsistentwithhisotherattributesofwisdom,holiness,andjustice.(2)Wehaveconstantexperiencethathedoesinflictuponhiscreaturesevilswhichhavenotendencyandnoinfluenceinpromotingtheultimatehappinessoftheindividualsconcerned.(3)Thebenevolenceofthesupreme

MoralGovernor,asconcernedforthepeaceandpurityoftheuniverse,concurswithhisjusticeindemandingtheexecutionofthefullpenaltyofthelawuponalllaw–breakers,especiallyuponallwhohaveaggravatedtheirguiltbytherejectionofhiscrucifiedSon.

Itisclaimed––2nd.ThatthecultivatedintuitionsofChristianmenassurethemthatitisinconsistentwiththemoralperfectionsofGodfirsttobringintoexistenceimmortalbeingsunderconditionscommontothemajorityofmen,andthentodoomthemtoanafter–lifeofendlessmisery.

WeANSWER––(1)Thepermissionofsiningeneralisamystery.ThebeforebirthforfeitureofhumanbeingsinAdamisamystery.Buteveryenlightenedhumanbeingknowshimselftobewithoutexcuse,andworthyofGod’swrath.(2)GodhasshownhissenseoftheterribleguiltofmenbythepenaltyheexecuteduponhisownSon,whenhesufferedin

ourplace.(3)ItisabsurdforustoclaimthatourintuitionsareadequatetodeterminewhatitwillberightfortheMoralGovernorofalltheuniversetodowithfinallyimpenitentsinners.Doubtlessrighteousnessinhimispreciselywhatrighteousnessisinaperfectlyrighteousman.Butwedonotknowalltheconditionsofthecase,andour"intuitions"aredarkenedbysin(Hebrews3:13).HenceouronlysourceofreliableknowledgeisthewordofGod,andthat,aswehaveseen,givesusnogroundtohopeforrepentancebeyondthegrave.(2)ItisabsolutelycrueltofollowtheexampleofthedevilwithEveinpersuadingthepeoplethatafterallGodmaybemorebenevolentthanthelanguageofhiswordimplies(Genesis3:3,4).

14.WhatargumentforthefuturerestorationofallrationalcreaturestoholinessandhappinessisfoundeduponRomans5:18,19;1Corinthians15:22–28;Ephesians1:10;Colossians1:19,20?

InregardtoRomans5:18,itisarguedthatthephrase"allmen"musthavepreciselythesameextentofapplicationintheoneclauseasintheother.Weanswer,1st,thephrase"allmen"isoftenusedinScriptureinconnectionswhichnecessarilyrestrictthesense.––John3:26;12:32.2nd.Inthiscasethephrase"allmen"isevidentlydefinedbythequalifyingphrase,ver.17,whohavereceivedabundanceofgraceandthegiftofrighteousness.3rd.Thiscontrastbetweenthe"allmen"inAdamandthe"allmen"inChristisconsistentwiththeanalogyofthewholegospel.

Inregardto1Corinthians15:22,theargumentisthesameasthatdrawnfromRomans5:18.Fromverses25–28itisarguedthatthegreatendofChrist’smediatorialreignmustbetherestorationofeverycreaturetoholinessandblessedness.Tothisweanswer,1st,thisisastrainedinterpretationputuponthesewords,whichtheydonotnecessarilybear,andwhichisclearlyrefutedbythemanydirecttestimonieswehavecitedfromScriptureabove.2nd.ItisinconsistentwiththescopeofPaul’ssubjectinthispassage.HesaysthatfrometernitytotheascensionGodreignedabsolutely.FromtheascensiontotherestitutionofallthingsGodreignsinthepersonoftheGod–manasMediator.FromtherestitutiontoeternityGodwillagainreigndirectlyas

absoluteGod.

TheultimatesalvationofallcreaturesisarguedalsofromEphesians1:10;Colossians1:19,20.Inbothpassages,however,the"allthings"signifythewholecompanyofangelsandredeemedmen,whoaregatheredunderthedominionofChrist.Because,1st,inbothpassagesthesubjectofdiscourseisthechurch,nottheuniverse;2nd,inbothpassagesthe"allthings"islimitedbythequalifyingphrases,"thepredestinated,""wewhofirsttrustedinChrist,""theacceptedinthebeloved,""ifyecontinueinthefaith,"etc.,etc.SeeHodge’s"CommentariesonRomans,1stCorinthians,andEphesians."

15.WhatopinionshaveprevailedamongextremeArminiansonthissubject?

Fromtheirfundamentalprinciplesastotherelationofabilitytoresponsibility,theymustholdthatnonecanperishwhohavenotinsomeformanddegreeoranotherhadanopportunityofavailingthemselvesofsalvationthroughChrist.

Inordertoavoidtheobviousinferencesfromthebroadfactsofthecase,somehavesupposedthatGodmayextendtheprobationofsomebeyondthislife.––Scot’s"ChristianLife."

Limborch(Lib.4.,100.11.)says,thatprobablyallwhomakeagooduseoftheirlightinthisworldwillbesaved,butifwerejectthis,ratherthanbelievethatthedivinegoodnesscouldcondemntohellfirethese(theignorant)itappearsbettertoholdthatasthereisathreefoldestateofmankindinthislife,––believers,ofunbelievers,andoftheignorant,––sothereisalsoathreefoldestateafterthislife:ofeternallifeforbelievers,ofinfernalsufferingsforunbelievers,andbesidesthesethestatusignorantium.

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Chapter41:Sacraments

1.Whatistheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)andwhattheclassicalandpatristicusageoftheword"sacramentum?"

1st.Itisderivedfromsacro,are,tomakesacred,dedicatetoGodsorsacreduses.

2nd.Initsclassicalusageitsignified––(1)Thatbywhichapersonbindshimselftoanothertoperformanything.(2)Thenceasumdepositedwiththecourtaspledge,andwhichifforfeited,wasdevotedtosacreduses.(3)Alsoanoath,especiallyasoldier’soathoffaithfulconsecrationtohiscountry’sservice.––Ainsworth’s"Dic."

3rd.TheFathersusedthiswordinaconventionalsenseasequivalenttotheGreekμυστήριον,amystery,i.e.,somethingunknownuntilrevealed,andhenceanemblem,atype,aritehavingsomelatentspiritualmeaningknownonlytotheinitiated,orinstructed.

TheGreekfathersappliedthetermμυστήριονtotheChristianordinancesofbaptismandtheLord’sSupper,inasmuchastheseriteshadaspiritualsignificance,andwerethusaformofrevelationofdivinetruth.

TheLatinfathersusedtheword"sacramentum"asaLatinword,initsownpropersense,foranythingsacredinitselforhavingthepowerofbinding,orconsecratingmen,andinadditiontheyuseditastheequivalentoftheGreekwordμυστήριον,i.e.,intheentirelydifferentsenseofarevealedtruth,orasignorsymbolrevealingatruthotherwisehidden.Thisfacthasgiventotheusageofthisword"sacramentum,"inthescholastictheology,aninjuriouslatitudeandindefinitenessofmeaning.ThusinEphesians3:3,4,9;5:32;1Timothy3:16;Revelation1:20,thewordμυστήριονtrulybearsthesenseof"therevelationofatruthundiscoverablebyreason,"anditistranslatedinsuchpassagesintheEnglishversion,mystery,andintheLatinvulgate,"sacramentum."ThustheRomishchurchusesthesamewordintwoentirelydifferentsenses,applyingitindifferentlytobaptismandtheLord’sSupper"asbindingordinances",andtotheunionofbelieverswithChristasarevealedtruth.––Ephesians5:32.Andhencetheyabsurdlyinferthatmatrimonyisasacrament.

2.WhatisthedefinitionofasacramentasgivenbytheFatherstheSchoolmen,theRemastered,theChurchofEngland,andinourownStandards?

1st.Augustine’sdefinitionis"Signumreisacrae,"or"Sacramentumestinvisibilisgratiaevisibilesignum,adnostramjustificationeminstitutum;""acceditverbumadelementum,etfitsacramentum."

2nd.VictorofSt.Hugo:"Sacramentumestvisibilisformainvisibilisgratiaeineocollatæ."

3rd.TheCouncilofTrent:"Asacramentissomethingpresentedtothesenses,whichhasthepower,bydivineinstitution,notonlyofsignifying,butalsoofefficientlyconveyinggrace."–"Cat.Rom."Part2.,Chap.1.,Q.6.

4th.TheChurchofEngland,inthe25tharticleofreligion,affirmsthat"SacramentsinstitutedbyChristarenotonlythebadgesandtokensoftheprofessionofChristianmen,butrathertheybecertainsurewitnessesandeffectualsignsofgrace,andofGod’sgoodwilltowardsus,bythewhichhedothworkinwardlyinus,anddothnotonlyquicken,butalsostrengthenandconfirmourfaithinhim."

5th.The"WestminsterAssembly’sLargerCat.",Q.162and163,affirmsthata"SacramentisaholyordinanceinstitutedbyChristinhischurch,tosignify,seal,andexhibittothosewhoarewithinthecovenantofgracethebenefitsofhismediation,toincreasetheirfaithandallothergraces,toobligethemtoobedience,totestifyandcherishtheirloveandcommunionwithoneanother,andtodistinguishthemfromthosethatarewithout."Thepartsofasacramentaretwo,theoneanoutwardandsensiblesignusedaccordingtoChrist’sownappointment;theotheraninwardspiritualgracetherebysignified."

3.Onwhatprinciplesissuchadefinitiontobeconstructed?

1st.Itistoberememberedthattheterm"sacrament"doesnot

occurintheBible.

2nd.Fromtheextremelatitudewithwhichthistermhasbeenused,bothinthesensepropertoitasaLatinword,andinthatattributedtoitastheconventionalequivalentoftheGreekwordmusth>rionitisevidentthatnodefinitionofagospelordinancecanbearrivedatbyamerereferenceeithertotheetymology(linguisticdevelopment)orecclesiasticalusageoftheword"sacramentum."

3rd.ThedefinitionofaclassofgospelordinancescanbeproperlyformedonlybyacomparisonofalltheScripturesteachconcerningtheorigin,nature,anddesignofthoseordinancesuniversallyrecognizedasbelongingtothatclass,andthusbydeterminingthoseessentialelementswhicharecommontoeachmemberoftheclass,andwhichdistinguishthemasaclassfromallotherdivineordinances.

4th.Thoseordinanceswhichare"universallyrecognized"assacramentsarebaptismandtheLord’sSupper.ThomasAquinasagreedwithothertheologians,"Summa"P.3.,Qu.62,Art.5,inregardingbaptismandtheLord’sSupperas"potissimasacramenta."––Hagenbach.Thetruequestionthenis,ArethereanyotherdivineordinanceshavingtheessentialcharacteristicswhicharecommontobaptismandtheLord’sSupper?

4.HowmanysacramentsdoRomanistsmake,andhowmaythecontroversybetweenthen,andtheProtestantsbedecided?

TheRomanchurchteachesthattherearesevensacraments,viz.,baptism,confirmation,theLord’sSupper,penance,extremeunction,orders,marriage.

Wemaintain,however,thatonlybaptismandtheLord’sSuppercanbeproperlyembracedundereithertheProtestantortheCatholicdefinitionsofasacrament,asgivenabove,Question2.

1st.Confirmation,penance,andextremeunctionarenotdivineinstitutions,havingnowarrantwhateverinScripture.

2nd.ThatmarriageinstitutedbyGodinParadise,andordinationtothegospelministryinstitutedbyChrist,althoughbothdivineinstitutions,areevidentlynotordinancesofthesamekindwithbaptismandtheLord’sSupper,anddonotmeettheconditionsofeitherdefinitionsofasacrament,sincetheyneithersignifynorconveyanyinwardgrace.

5.Whattwothingsareincludedineverysacrament?

1st."AnoutwardvisiblesignusedaccordingtoChrist’sownappointment;

2nd,aninwardspiritualgracetherebysignified."––"LargerCatechism,"Q.163.Seebelow,"Apol.Aug.Confession"(Hase),p.267.

TheRomanists,inthelanguageoftheSchoolmen,distinguishbetweenthematterandtheformofasacrament.Thematteristhatpartofthesacramentsubjectedtothesenses,andsignificantofgrace,e.g.,thewater,andtheactofapplyingthewaterinbaptism,andthebreadandwine,andtheactsofbreakingthebread,andpouringoutthewineintheLord’sSupper.Theformisthedivinewordusedbytheministerinadministeringtheelements,devotingthemthustotheofficeofsignifyinggrace.

6.What,accordingtotheRomanists,istherelationbetweenthesignandthegracesignified?

Theyholdthatinconsequenceofthedivineinstitution,andinvirtueofthe"poweroftheOmnipotentwhichexistsinthem,"thegracesignifiediscontainedintheverynatureofthesacramentsthemselves,sothatitisalwaysconferred,exopereoperato(i.e.,exviipsiusactionissacramentalis),uponeveryreceiverofthemwhodoesnotopposeapositiveobstaclethereto.Thustheyunderstandthe"sacramentalunion,"orrelationbetweenthesignandthegracesignifiedtobephysicalorthatwhichsubsistsbetweenasubstanceanditsproperties,i.e.,thevirtueofconferringgraceis,inthesacraments,asthevirtueofburningisinfire.––"CouncilofTrent",Sess.7,Cans.6and8."Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.1.,Q.18.Bellarmin,"DeSacram.,"2,1.

7.WhatistheZwingliandoctrineonthissubject?

Zwingle,thereformerofSwitzerland,heldapositionattheoppositeextremetothatoftheRomishchurch,viz.,thatthesignsimplyrepresentsbyappropriatesymbols,andsymbolicalactions,thegracetowhichitisrelated.Thusthesacramentsareonlyeffectivemeansoftheobjectivepresentationofthetruthsymbolized.

8.Inwhatsenseistheword"exhibit"usedinourstandardsinreferencetothissubject?

Compare"Con.ofFaith,"Chap.27.,Sec.3,andChap.28.Sec.6,and"LargerCatechism,"Q.162.

ThiswordisderivedfromtheLatinword"exhibeo,"whichborethetwofoldsenseofconveyingandofdisclosing.Itisevidentthattheterm"exhibit"hasretainedinourstandardstheformersenseofconveying,conferring.Asinmedicallanguage,"toexhibitaremedy"istoadministerit.

9.WhatisthecommondoctrineoftheReformedchurchesastotherelationofthesigntothegracesignified?

TheReformedconfessionsagreeinteachingthatthisrelationis,1st,simplymoral,i.e.,itisestablishedonlybythe·institutionandpromiseofChrist,anditdependsupontherightadministrationoftheordinance,anduponthefaithandoftherecipient.And,2nd,thatitisreal,thatis,whenrightlyadministered,andwhenreceivedbytherecipientwithknowledgeandfaiththeydoreally,becauseofthepromiseofChrist,sealthegracesignified,andconveyittotherecipient,i.e.,therecipientdoesreceivethegracewiththesign.

Thisdoctrine,therefore,includes,

1st,theZwinglianview,thattheoutwardvisiblesigntrulysignifiesthegrace.And,

2nd,thattheyare,asordinancesofGod’sappointment,sealsattachedtothepromisetoauthenticateit,asthenaturalphenomenonof

therainbowwasmadeasealofGod’spromisetoNoahinvirtueofthedivineappointment.

3rd.Thatassealsthusaccompanyingadivinepromisebydivineauthority,theydoactuallyconveythegracetheysignifytothoseforwhomthatgraceisintended,andwhoareinaproperspiritualstatetoreceiveit,"asakeyconveysadmission,adeedanestate,theceremonyofmarriagetherightsofmarriage."SeeTurretin,L.19.,Question4;"ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.27.;"LargerCatechism"Questions162,163;"Cat.Gene.,"sec.5th,"deSacramentis;""ConfessionFaithoftheFrenchChurch,"article34;"OldScotchConfession,"section21.

10.Whatisthedesignofthesacraments?

1st.Thattheyshouldsignify,seal,andexhibittothosewithinthecovenantofgracethebenefitsofChrist’sredemption,andthusasaprincipalmeansofgraceedifythechurch.Matthew3:11;Genesis17:11,13;1Corinthians10:2–21;11:23–26;12:13;Romans2:28,23;4:11;6:3,4;Galatians3:27;1Peter3:21.

2nd.Thattheyshouldbevisiblebadgesofmembershipinthechurch,toputavisibledifferencebetweentheprofessedfollowersofChristandtheworld,Genesis34:14;Exodus12:48;Ephesians2:19;"ConfessionFaith,"Chap.27:,section1.

THEROMISHDOCTRINEASTOTHEEFFICACYOFTHESACRAMENTS.

11.WhatistheRomishdoctrineastotheefficacyoftheSacraments?

1st.Asshownabove,underQuestion6,theyholdthatthesacramentscontainthegracewhichtheysignify.Thatthisgraceconferringenergyisinseparablefromagenuinesacrament,andthatasanobjectivefact,theycontainitatalltimes,andpresentitaliketoallsubjectsirrespectiveofcharacter.

2nd.Ineverycaseoftheirapplication,exceptwhenpositively

opposedandnullified,theyeffectthegracetheysignify,asanopusoperatum,i.e.,bythemereinherentpowerofthesacramentalactionitself:12.Uponwhatconditionsonthepartoftheadministratordotheybelievethattheefficacyofthesacramentdepends?

Thegenuinenessofasacramentonthepartoftheadministrator,depends,accordingtotheRomanists––

1st.Onhisbeingcanonicallyauthorized.Incaseofthesacramentsofordersandconfirmationhemustbeabishopincommunionwiththepope.Inthecaseoftheothersacramentshemustbearegularpopishpriest.Thepersonalcharacterofthebishoporpriest,eventhoughhebeinmortalsin,doesnotpreventtheeffect.—"Con.Trident,"Sess.can.12.

2nd.Theadministratormust,intheact,exercisethepositiveintentionofeffectingwhatthechurchintendstobeeffectedbyeachsacrament.

Dens(Vol.5.,p.127)says,"Tothevalidperformanceofthesacramentisrequiredtheintentionuponthepartoftheofficiatingministerofdoingthatwhichthechurchdoes.Thenecessaryintentionintheministerconsistsinanactofhiswill,bywhichhewillstheexternalactionwiththeintentionofdoingwhatthechurchdoes;"thatis,ofperformingavalidsacrament.Otherwise,althougheveryexternalactionmayberegularlyperformed,thewholeisvoid.See"Con.Trent,"Sess.7,canon11.Thisleavestherecipiententirelyatthemercyoftheminister,sincethevalidityofthewholeservicedependsuponhissecretintention,andisevidentlyoneofthedevicesofthatanti–Christianchurchtomakethepeopledependentuponthepriesthood.

13.WhatisthesenseinwhichProtestantsadmit"intention"tobenecessary?

Theyadmitthatinordertorendertheoutwardserviceavalidsacrament,itmustbeperformedwiththeostensibleprofesseddesignofcomplyingtherebywiththecommandofChrist,andofdoingwhatherequirestobedonebythosewhoacceptthegospelcovenant.

14.WhatconditiondotheRomanistsholdtobeessentialtotheefficacyofasacrament,onthepartofthesubject?

1st.Inthecaseofinfantbaptismnoconditionuponthepartofthesubjectisnecessary.

2nd.Onthepartofadults,theonlyconditionisthattheyshallnotpositivelyopposethembyabsoluteinfidelityorresistanceofwill(nonponentibusobicem).Faithandrepentance,asthesearepossibletotheunregeneratesoul,arealsorequiredasnecessarytotheeffectofbaptism("Cat.Rom.,"Pt.2.,Chap.2.,Ques.39).Bellarmin,"DeSacramentis,"2,1,saysthatthewilltobebaptized,faith,andpenitence,arenecessarydispositionsenablingthesacramenttoproduceitseffect,justasdrynessonthepartofwoodistheconditionofthefireburningitwhenapplied,butneverthecauseoftheburning.

15.WhataccordingtothePapalChurcharetheeffectsproducedbythesacraments?

1st.Justifying(sanctifying)grace.

2nd.Threeofthesacraments,baptism,confirmation,andorders,alsoimpressuponthesubject"acharacter"This"sacramentalcharacter"(fromtheGreekwordcarakth>r,amark,ordevice,engravedorimpressedbyaseal)isadistinctiveandindelibleimpressionstampedonthesoul,"thetwofoldeffectofwhichis,thatitqualifiesustoreceiveorperformsomethingsacred,anddistinguishesonefromanother."Itisuponthisaccountthatbaptismandconfirmationareneverrepeated,andthattheauthorityandprivilegesofthepriesthoodcanneverbealienated.––"Cat.Rom."Part2.,Chap.1.,Q.21––25;"CouncilTrent,"Sess.7,can.9.

16.Howmaythisdoctrinebedisproved?

Thatthesacramentshavenotthepowerofconveyinggracetoall,whethertheyareincludedwithinthecovenantofgraceornot,orwhethertheypossessfaithornot,iscertain,because––

1st.Theyaresealsofthegospelcovenant(seebelow,Question14).Butasealmerelyratifiesacovenantasacovenant.Itcanconveythegracepromisedonlyonthesuppositionthattheconditionsoftidecovenantarefulfilled.Butsalvationandeveryspiritualblessingisbythatcovenantdeclaredtodependupontheconditionoffaith.

2nd.Knowledgeandfaitharerequiredastheprerequisiteconditionsnecessarytobefoundinallapplicants,astheessentialqualificationforreceivingthesacraments.––Acts2:41;8:37;10:47;Romans4:11.

3rd.Faithisessentialtorenderthesacramentsefficacious.Romans2:25–29;1Corinthians11:27–29;1Peter3:21.

4th.Manywhoreceivethesacramentsarenotoriouslywithoutthegracetheysignify.WitnessthecaseofSimonMagus,Acts8:1––21,andofmanyoftheCorinthiansandGalatians,andofthemajorityofnominalChristiansinthepresentday.

5th.Manyhavehadthegracewithoutthesacraments.WitnessAbraham,thethiefuponthecross,andCorneliusthecenturion,andamultitudeofeminentChristiansamongtheSocietyofFriends.

6th.ThisdoctrineblasphemouslytiesdownthegraceoftheeverlivingandsovereignGod,andputsitsentiredisposalintothehandsoffallibleandoftenwickedmen.

7th.ThisdoctrineisanessentialelementofthatritualisticandpriestlysystemwhichprevailedamongthePharisees,andagainstwhichthewholeNewTestamentisaprotest.

8th.Theuniformeffectofthissystemhasbeentoexaltthepowerofthepriests,andtoconfoundallknowledgeastothenatureoftruereligion.Asthebaptized,asamatteroffact,donotalwaysnorgenerallybearthefruitsoftheSpirit,allritualizesagreeinregardingthesefruitsasnotessentialtosalvation.WherethissystemprevailsvitalGodlinessexpires.

DOCTRINEOFPROTESTANTCHURCHESASTOTHEEFFICACYOFTHESACRAMENTS

17.WhatistheLutherandoctrineastotheefficacyofthesacraments?

1st.Theyrejectthepopishdoctrinethatthesacramentseffectgraceexopereoperato.

2nd.Theymaintainthattheirgrace–conferringefficacyresidesinthesacramentsintrinsically.

3rd.Thatasanobjectivefactitiscommunicatedtoeveryrecipient,whetherhehavefaithornot.

4th.Butittakeseffectonlyinthosewhohavetruefaithtoreceiveit.AsthehealingvirtueresidedinChristwhetherthewomantouchedornot(Matthew9:20),yetitwouldnothaveavailedherunlessshehadbelievedandtouched.

5th.Theyholdthatthisefficacyresidesnotinthesignorceremony,butintheWordwhichaccompaniesthesignandconstitutesitasacrament.Theefficacyisnotduetothemeremoralpowerofthetruth,nortothefaithoftherecipient,butitissupernatural,residinginthepoweroftheHolyGhost.ButnotthepoweroftheHolyGhostasextrinsictothetruth,butasdwellinginit,andinseparablefromit––thevirtusSpiritsSanctiintrinsicusaccedens.SeeKrauth’s"ConservativeReformation,"pp.825––830.

18.WhatistheZwinglianandRemonstrantviewastothesame?

ThetendencyofthoughtonthissubjectfirstdevelopedbyZwinglewasafterwardcarriedoutmorefullybytheRemonstrantsofthenextcentury,andtoagreaterextentbytheSocinians.Lowviewsastothenatureandefficacyofthesacramentshavealsolargelyprevailedinthiscenturyamongallevangelicalchurches,inreactionfromtheextremeviewsoftheRomanistsandRitualists.Forageneralstatementofthis

modeofthoughtseeabove,Ques.7.

19.StatethedoctrineoftheReformedchurchesonthissubject.

Astotheirdoctrineoftherelationofthesigntothegracesignified,seeabove,Ques.9.

HenceastotheefficacyofthesacramentstheReformed–1st.Denythattheyconfergraceasanopusoperatum.2nd.Theyaffirmthattheyconveynogracetotheunworthyrecipient.3rd.Thattheirefficacyisnotofthemeremoralpowerofthetruththeysymbolize.4th.Thattheydoreallyconfergraceupontheworthyrecipient.5th.Buttheydothisinstrumentally,becausethesupernaturalefficiencyisnotduetothem,nortohimthatadministersthem,buttotheHolySpiritwhoasafreepersonalagentusesthemsovereignlyashisinstrumentstodohiswill(virtusSpiritusSanctiextrinsicusaccedens).6th.Thatassealsofthecovenantofgracetheyconveyandconfirmgracetothosetowhomitbelongs,i.e.,thatistothosewhoarewithinthatcovenant,andinthecaseofadults,onlythroughalivingfaith.7th.Thatthegraceconferredbythesacramentsoftenisconferredupontruebelieversbeforeandwithouttheiruse.

20.BywhatevidenceisthetruthoftheReformedDoctrineestablished?

ThetruthoftheReformeddoctrineisestablishedontheonehandbytheevidencedisprovingthetruthoftheRomishdoctrine,setforthunderQues.16.ItstruthasopposedtothemeagreZwinglianview,ontheotherhand,isestablishedasfollows:(1)ThatthesacramentsarenotonlysignsofthegraceofChrist,butalsosealsofthegospelcovenantofferingusthatgraceupontheconditionoffaith,"isevidentfromthefactthatPaulsaysthatcircumcisionisthesealoftherighteousnessoffaith.––Romans4:11.AndthattheapostleregardedbaptisminthesamelightisevidentfromColossians2:11.InreferencetotheLord’sSupper,theSaviorsaid,‘thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood’i.e.,thenewcovenantwasratifiedbyhisblood.Ofthatbloodthecupistheappointedmemorial,anditis,therefore,boththememorialandtheconfirmationof

thecovenantitself.....Thegospelisrepresentedundertheformofacovenant.Thesacramentsarethesealsofthatcovenant.God,intheirappointment,bindshimselftothefulfillmentofhispromises;hispeople,byreceivingthem,bindthemselvestotrustandservehim.Thisideaisincludedintherepresentationgiven(Romans6:3,4)intheformulaofbaptism,andinallthosepassagesinwhichaparticipationof:,Christianordinancesissaidtoincludeaprofessionofthegospel"(2)Assealsattachedtothecovenant,itfollowsthattheyactuallyconveythegracesignified,asalegalformofinvestiture,tothosetowhom,accordingtothetermsof:,thecovenant,itbelongs.Thusadeed,whensignedandsealed,issaidtoconveythepropertyitrepresents,becauseitisthelegalformbywhichtheintentionoftheoriginalpossessorispubliclyexpressed,andhisactratified.ItisonthisgroundthatinScripture,asincommonlanguage,thenamesandattributesofthegracessealedareascribedtothesacramentsbywhichtheyaresealedandconveyedtotheirrightfulpossessors.––"ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.27.,section2.Theyaresaidtowashawaysin,tounitetoChrist,tosave,etc.––Acts2:38;22:16;Romans6:2;6;1Corinthians10:16;12:13;Galatians3:27;Titus3:5."WayofLife."

THENECESSITYOFTHESACRAMENTS

21.WhatdoctrinedotheRomanistsmaintainastothenecessityoftheSacraments?

TheRomanistsdistinguish,1st,betweenaconditionabsolutelynecessarytoattainanend,andonewhichisonlyhighlyconvenientandhelpfulinordertoit.And,2nd,betweenthenecessitywhichattachestoessentialmeans,andthatobligationwhicharisesfromthepositivecommandofGod.Accordingly,theyholdthattheseveralsacramentsarenecessaryindifferentrespects.

BAPTISMtheyholdtobeabsolutelynecessary,eitheritsactualreception,orthehonestpurposetoreceiveit,alikeforinfantsandadults,asthesolemeansofattainingsalvation.

PENANCEtheyholdtobeabsolutelynecessaryinthesamesense,butonlyforthosewhohavecommittedmortalsinsubsequentlyto

theirbaptism.

ORDERStheyholdtobeabsolutelynecessaryinthesamesense,yetnotforeveryindividual,asameansofpersonalsalvation,butinrespecttothewholechurchasacommunity.

CONFIRMATION,theEUCHARIST,andEXTREMEUNCTIONarenecessaryonlyinthesenseofhavingbeencommanded,andofbeingeminentlyhelpful.

MARRIAGEtheyholdtobenecessaryonlyinthissecondsense,andonlyforthosewhoenterintotheconjugalrelation.––"Cat.Rom.,"Part2.,Chap.1.,Q.13.

Puseyitesandhighchurchmengenerally,holdthedogmaofbaptismalregeneration,andofcoursetheconsequencethatbaptismisabsolutelynecessaryasthesolemeansofsalvation.

22.WhatistheProtestantdoctrineastothenecessityofthesacraments?

1st.ThatthesacramentsofbaptismandtheLord’sSupperwereinstitutedbyChrist,andthattheirperpetualobservanceisobligatoryuponthechurchuponthegroundofthedivineprecept.Thisisevident(1)fromtherecordoftheirinstitution,Matthew28:19;1Corinthians11:25,26;(2)fromtheexampleoftheapostles.––Acts2:41;8:37;1Corinthians11:23–28;10:16–21.

2nd.Thatneverthelessthegraceofferedinthegospelcovenantdoesnotresideinthesesacramentsphysically,norisittiedtotheminseparably,sothat,althoughobligatoryasduties,andhelpfulasmeanstothosewhoarepreparedtoreceivethem,theyareinnosensetheessentialmeans,withoutwhichsalvationcannotbeattained.Thisisprovedbytheargumentspresentedabove,underQ.16.

THEVALIDITYOFTHESACRAMENTS

Thisincludeswhateverisessentialtothegenuinenessofasacrament,inorderthatitmayavailtotheendofitsinstitution.

23.Whatarethevariousopinionsonthissubject?

Allchurchpartiesagreethattheremustbe––1st.Theright."matter,"theproperelements,andactions.

2nd.Theright"form,"theprescribedwordswhichattenditsadministration,andaddedtothe"form"constitutethesacrament.Theright"intention,"theseriousdesignofdoingwhatChristcommandedintheinstitutionoftherite.

Differentchurchesdifferastowhataretheproper"matter,""form,"and"intention."ItappearscertainthatnoonenotsincerelybelievinginthesupremedeityofChristandinhisofficeasRedeemer,andinthepersonalityoftheHolyGhost,canpossiblyhavetheright"intention",HencetheGeneralAssembly,1814("Moore’sDigest.,"p.660),decided,"ItisthedeliberateandunanimousopinionoftheAssembly,thatthosewhorenouncethefundamentaldoctrinesoftheTrinity,anddenythatJesusChrististhesameinsubstance,equalinpowerandglorywiththeFather,cannotberecognizedasministersofthegospel,andthattheirministrations(baptism,etc.)arewhollyinvalid."Allchurchesagreethat"theefficacyofasacramentdoesnotdependuponthepietyofhimthatdothadministerit."––"ConfessionofFaith,"Ch.27.,§3,"Can.Conc.Trident,"Sess.7,can.11.Andthe"GallicConfession,"Art.28,statesthecommonopinionandpracticeofalltheProtestantchurcheswithrespecttoRomishbaptism."Because,nevertheless,thatinthepapacysomescantvestigesofthetruechurchremain,andespeciallythesubstanceofbaptism,theefficacyofwhichdoesnotdependonhimthatadministersit,weacknowledgethosebaptizedbythem,nottoneedtoberebaptized,althoughonaccountofthecorruptionsadhering,noonecanofferhisinfantstobebaptizedbythem,withoutsufferingpollutionhimself."

InrespecttothequalificationsofthepersonadministratingthePapistsmaintainthatitisessentialtothevalidityofasacramentthatitshouldbeadministeredbyacanonicallyordainedminister.Forordersandconfirmationabishop,fortherestapriest.Butonaccountoftheabsolutenecessity(astheyhold)ofbaptismforsalvation,theyadmit"all,

evenfromamongthelaity,whethermenorwomen,whateversecttheyprofess(tobaptize).forthisispermitted,fitnecessitycompels,eventoJews,infidelsorheretics,provided,however,theyintendtoperformwhattheCatholicChurchperformsinthatactofherministry."–––"Cat.ofConc.Trident,"and"Conc.Trident",Sess.7,"OnBapt.,"can.4.

ProtestantsregardthesacramentsbothasapreachingoftheWord,andasauthoritativeseals,andbadgesofchurchmembershipTheiradministrationconsequentlymustbeconfinedtothosechurchofficerswhopossessbydivinecommissiontheofficeofteachingandruling,"neitherofwhich(sacraments)maybedispensedbyany,butbyaministeroftheWord,lawfullyordained."––"ConfessionofFaith",Ch.27.§4.Notregardingbaptismasessentialtosalvation,Protestantsgenerallymakenoexceptioninfavoroflay–baptism.––"DirectoryforWorship,"Ch.7.,§1,Calvin’s"Instit.,"Bk.4.,Ch.15.,§20.

THEAUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFVARIOUSCHURCHES.

ROMISHDOCTRINE.–––"Cat.Conc.Trident,"Pt.2,ch.1.,Ques.8.—"Asacramentisathinglyingopentothesenses,whichfromtheinstitutionofGod,hasthepowerbothofsignifyingandofeffectingholinessandrighteousness."

"Conc.Trident,"Sess.7,can.1.—"IfanyonesaiththatthesacramentsoftheNewLaw,werenotallinstitutedbyJesusChrist,ourLordorthattheyaremoreorlessthanseven,towit,Baptism,

Confirmation,theEucharist,Penance,ExtremeUnction,Order,andMatrimony,oreventhatanyoneofthesesevenisnottrulyandproperlyasacrament;lethimbeanathema."

Can.4.—"IfanyonesaiththatthesacramentsoftheNewLawarenotnecessaryuntosalvation,butsuperfluous;andthat,withoutthem.orwithoutthedesirethereofmenobtainofGod,throughfaithalone,thegraceofjustification(thoughallthesacramentsarenotnecessaryforeveryindividual),lethimbeanathema."

Can.6.—"IfanyonesaiththatthesacramentsoftheNewLawdonotcontainthegracewhichtheysignify;orthattheydonotconferthatgraceonthosewhodonotplaceanobstaclethereunto;asthoughtheyweremerelyoutwardsignsofgraceorjusticereceivedthroughfaithandcertainmarksoftheChristianprofession,wherebybelieversaredistinguishedamongstmenfromunbelievers;lethimbeanathema."

Can.8.—"IfanyonesaiththatbythesacramentsoftheNewLawgraceisnotconferredexopereoperato,butthatfaithaloneinthedivinepromisesufficesfortheobtainingofgrace,lethimbeanathema."

Can.9.—"Ifanyonesaysthatinthethreesacraments,ofBaptismConfirmation,andOrders,thereisnotimprintedinthesoulacharacter,thatisacertainspiritualandindeliblesign,onaccountofwhichtheycannotherepeated;lethimbeanathema."

Can.11.—"Ifanyonesaiththatinministers,whentheyeffectandconferthesacraments,thereisnotrequiredtheintention,atleast,ofdoingwhattheChurchdoes,lethimbeanathema."

"Cat.Conc.Trident,"Pt.2,ch.1.,Ques.24,25.—"TheothereffectofBaptism,Confirmation,andOrdersisthecharacterwhichtheyimpressonthesoul.Thischaracteris,asitwere,acertaindistinctivemarkimpressedonthesoul,whichinheringasitdoesperpetually,canneverbeblottedout...ithasatwofoldeffect:itbothrendersusfittoundertakeandperformsomethingsacred,anditservestodistinguishusonefromanotherbysomemark."

Bellarmin"DeSac."2,1.—"Thatwhichactively,proximately,andinstrumentallyeffectsthegraceofjustificationisthatsoleexternalactionwhichiscalledasacrament,andthisiscalledanopusoperatum,beingreceivedpassively(operatum),sothatitisthesameforasacramenttoconfergraceexopereoperato,thatitistoconfergracebyvirtueofthesacramentalactionitselfinstitutedbyGodforthisend,andnotfromthemeriteitheroftheagentorofthereceiver....ThewillofGod,whichusesthesacrament,concursindeedactively,butistheprincipalcause.ThesufferingsofChristconcur,butisthemeritoriouscause,nothowevertheefficient(cause),sinceitisnotintheactbuthas

passedaway,althoughitremainsobjectivelyinthemindofGod.Thepowerandwilloftheministernecessarilyconcur,buttheyareremotecauses,fortheyarerequiredtoeffectthesacramentalactionitselfwhichafterwardsactsimmediately....Will,faith,andrepentanceintheadultrecipientarenecessarilyrequiredasdispositionsonthepartofthesubject,notasactivecauses,fornotevenfaithandrepentancecaneithereffectsacramentalgrace,orgiveefficacytothesacrament,butonlyremoveobstacles,whichwouldhinderthesacramentsfromexercisingtheirownefficacy,henceinthecaseofchildren,wheredispositionisnotrequired,justificationiseffectedwithoutthesethings.Ifinordertoburnwood,thewoodisfirstdried,thefirestruckoutfromtheflint,andthenappliedtothewood,andthencombustionensues,noonewouldsaythattheimmediatecauseofthecombustionwaseitherthedryness,orthestrikingoffirefromtheflint,oritsapplicationtothewood,butthattheprimarycauseisthefirealone,andtheinstrumentalcauseistheheatingalone."

THELUTHERANDOCTRINE."Aug.Confession,"p.13.(Hase).—"Sacramentshavebeeninstitutednotonlythattheymightbemarksofprofessionamongmen,butmorethattheymaybesignsandtestimoniesofthewillofGodtowardsetforthtoexciteandconfirmfaithinthosewhousethem."

"Apol.Augs.Confession,"p.267.—"Andbecausethatinasacramenttherearetwothings,thesignandtheword;thewordistheNewTestamentpromiseoftheremissionofsin...andtheceremonyisasitwereapictureofthewordorasealshowingthepromise.Thereforeasthepromiseisineffectiveifitbenotacceptedbyfaith,sotheceremonyisineffectiveunlessfaithaccedes.Andasthewordisgiventoexcitethisfaith,sothesacramentisinstituted,thatthisrepresentationmeetingtheeyesmaymovethehearttobelieve."

Ib.,p.203.—"Wecondemnthewholeclassofscholasticdoctors,whoteachthattoonepresentingnoobstaclethesacramentsconfergraceexopereoperato,withoutanygoodmovementofthepartaker.Butsacramentsaresignsofpromises,thereforeintheuseofthemfaithshouldbepresent...Weherespeakofthespecialfaithwhichtrustsapresentpromise,whichnotonlybelievesingeneralthatGodis,but

believesthatremissionofsinsisoffered."

Quenstedt(Wittenburg†1688),Vol.1.,p.169.—"ThewordofGodhas,fromthewillandordinationofGodhimself,evenbeforeandbeyondalllegitimateuse,anintrinsicpowerdivineandcommontoallmen,andsufficientforproducingimmediatelyandproperlyspiritualanddivineeffects,bothgraciousandpunitive."

"Aug.Confession,"Art.9.—"TheycondemntheAnabaptistswhodisapproveofthebaptismofchildren,andwhoaffirmthatchildrencanbesavedwithoutbaptism."

"Apol.Aug.Confession,"p.156.—"Thenintharticleisapprovedinwhichweconfess,thatBaptismisnecessaryforsalvation,andthatchildrenaretobebaptized,andthatthebaptismofchildrenisnotvoid,butnecessaryandefficacioustosalvation."

"ArtSmalcald,"pars.3,ch.8.—"Andinrespecttothesethingswhichconcernthespokenandoutwardword,itissteadfastlytobemaintained,thatGodgrantstonoonehisSpiritorgrace,unlessthroughthewordandwiththewordoutwardandpreceding...Whereforeinthiswemustconstantlypersevere,becauseGoddoesnotwishtoactotherwisewithusthanthroughthespokenwordandsacraments,andbecausewhateverisboastedof,astheSpirit,withoutthewordandsacraments,isthedevilhimself."

THEREFORMEDDOCTRINE."Catech.Genev.,"p.519.—"Asacrament.isanoutwardattestationofthedivinebenevolencetowardsus,whichbyavisiblesignfiguresspiritualgraces,forsealingthepromisesofGodtoourhearts,wherebytheirvirtuemaybethebetterconfirmed.Doyouthinkthatthepowerandefficacyofthesacramentareembracednotintheoutwardelement,butflowonlyfromtheSpiritofGod?Ithinksotruly,asitwouldbepleasingtotheMastertoexercisehisownforcethroughhisowninstrumentalities,towhateverdesign."

"Cat.Heidelb.,"Fr.66.—"Sacramentsarevisible,sacredsignsandsealsappointedbyGodthatintheirusewemayhavethepromiseofthegospelmadeclearerandsealed;towit,thatGod,forthesakeofthe

oneoblationofChristbestowsonusforgivenessofsinsandeternallife."

"Thirty–nineArticles,"Art.25.––"SacramentsordainedofChristbeonlybadgesortokensofChristianmen’sprofessionbutrathertheybecertainsurewitnessesandeffectualsignsofgrace,andGod’sgoodwilltowardsus,bythewhichhedothworkinvisiblyinusanddothnotonlyquickenbutalsostrengthenandconfirmourfaithinhim....Andinsuchonlyasworthilyreceivethesametheyhaveawholesomeeffectoroperation;buttheythatreceivethemunworthily,purchasetothemselvesdamnation,asSt.Paulsaith."

"West.ConfessionofFaith,"ch.27;"LargerCatechism"Ques.161–168;"ShorterCatechism,"Ques.91–93.Seeabove,page589.

ZWINGLIANANDREMONSTRANTDOCTRINE.Limborch,"Christ.Theo.,"5,66,31.—"ItremainstosaythatGod,throughthesacraments,exhibitstoushisgrace,notbyconferringitinfactthroughthem,butbyrepresentingitandplacingitbeforeoureyesthroughthemasclearandevidentsigns...

Andthisefficacyisnootherthanobjective,whichrequiresacognitivefacultyrightlydisposedthatitmaybeabletoapprehendthatwhichthesignoffersobjectivelytothemind...Theyoperateuponus,assignsrepresentingtothemindthethingwhosesigntheyare.Nootherefficacyoughttobesoughtforinthem."

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Chapter42:Baptism:itsNatureandDesign,Mode,Subjects,EfficacyandNecessityThe

NatureandDesignofBaptism

1.Statethefactswithregardtotheprevalenceofwashinguntiewater,asasymbolofspiritualpurification,amongtheJewsandGentilenationsbeforetheadventofChrist.

Nootherreligioussymbolissonaturalandobvious,andnonehasbeensouniversallypracticed.ItsusageisdistinctlytracedamongthedisciplesofZoroaster,theBrahmen,theEgyptians,Greeks,andRomans,andespeciallytheJews.Intheoriginaltabernacle,thepatternofwhichGodshowedMosesonthemount,alargelaverstoodbetweenthealtaronwhichexpiationwasmadeforsin,andtheHolyHouse.AtwhichlaverthepriestscontinuallywashederetheyenteredthepresenceofGod.Thissymbolismpenetratedalltheirreligiousservicesandlanguage(Psalm26:6;Hebrews9:10),andatthetimeofChristitwascarriedintoallthedetailsofsecularlife(Mark7:3,4).

Thereligiouswashingofthebodywithwaterlay,therefore,readytotheuseofJohntheBaptist,andthedisciplesofourLord.

2.WasJohn’sbaptismChristianbaptism?

The"CouncilofTrent,"(sees.7,"DeBaptismo,"can.1)decided,"IfanyoneshouldsaythatthebaptismofJohnhadthesameeffectwiththebaptismofChrist;lethimbeanathema."ForcontroversialreasonsProtestants,especiallythoseoftheschoolofZwingleandCalvin,tooktheoppositeside,anddecidedthatthetwowereidentical(Calvin's"Instit.,"Bk.4.,Ch.15.,&7–18,Turretin’s"Instit.,"50.l9,Quae.16).

WebelieveCalvin,etc.,tohavebeenwrong,forthefollowingreason—

1st.JohnbelongedtotheOldandnottotheNewTestamenteconomy.Hecame"inthespiritandpowerofElias,"Luke1:17,inthegarb,withthemanners,andteachingthedoctrineoftheancientprophets(Matthew11:13,14;Luke1:17).

2nd.Hiswasthe"baptismofrepentance,"bindingitssubjectstorepentance,butnottothefaithandobedienceofChrist.

3rd.TheJewishChurchyetremainedinitsoldform.TheChristianChurch,assuch,didnotexist.Johnpreachedthat"thekingdomofheavenwasathand"buthedidnotbybaptismgatherandsealthesubjectsofthatkingdomintoaseparatevisiblesociety.Whilehe

livedhispersonaldiscipleswerenevermergedwiththoseofChrist.

4th.ItwasnotadministeredinthenameoftheTrinity.

5th.ThosebaptizedbyJohnwererebaptizedbyPaul(Acts18:24–19:7).

3.WerethebaptismspracticedbythedisciplesofChristprevioustohiscrucifixionidenticalwiththatpracticedbytheApostlesafterhisascension?––SeeJohn3:22and4:1and2.

UptothetimeofhisdeathChrist,likeJohn,conformedtotheusagesandtaughtthedoctrinesoftheJewishdispensation.Hiscrucifixionandresurrectionmarktheactualtransitionofthenewoutoftheolddispensation.Thenatureofhiskingdomandhisowndivinity,andhencethedoctrineoftheTrinitywasnotclearlydiscerned,andtheChristianChurchasadistinctcommunionwasnotyetorganized.HepreachedlikeJohn,"Repentforthekingdomofheavenisathand"Matthew4:17,andhecommissionedhisdisciplestosay"thekingdomofGodhascomenighuntoyou."––Luke10:9.

We,therefore,believethatthisbaptismpracticedbyhisdisciplesbeforehiscrucifixionwas,likethatofJohn,simplyapreparatorypurifyingritebindingtorepentance.

4.WhereistherecordoftherealinstitutionofChristianbaptismcontained?

Matthew28:19,20.––"Goyetherefore,anddisciple(maqhteu>sate)allnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost;teachingthemtoobserveallthings,whatsoeverIhavecommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld."

5.Provethatitsobservanceisofperpetualobligation.

ThishasbeendeniedbySociniansonrationalisticgrounds,andbyQuakers(Barclay,"Apol.Prop.,"12,comm.§6),onthegroundofafalsespiritualism,andbysomepartiesofAntiBaptists,whoholdbaptism

tohavebeenexclusivelydesignedfortheinitiationofalienstothechurch,andthereforenottobeappliedtothosebornwithinthechurch,inestablishedChristiancommunities.

Thatitwasdesignedtobeobservedeverywhereandalwaysisplain––1st.Fromthecommandgiveninthewordsofinstitution.(1)"Allnations,"and(2)"alway,evenuntotheendoftheworld."2nd.Thecommandsandpracticeoftheapostles.Acts2:38;10:47;16:33,etc.3rd.Thereasonofandnecessityfortheordinancewhichdetermineditsexistenceatthefirst,remainsandisuniversal.4th.Theuniformpracticeoftheentirechurchinallitsbranchesfromthebeginning.

6.Howisbaptismdefinedinourstandards?

"Con.ofFaith,"Chap.28.;"LargerCatechism",Q.165;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.94.

Theessentialpointsofthisdefinitionare––1st.Itisawashingwithwater.2nd.Awashinginthenameofthefather,son,andHolyGhost.3rd.Itisdonewiththedesignto"signifyandsealouringraftingintoChrist,andpartakingofthebenefitsofthecovenantofgrace,andourengagementtobetheLord’s."

7.Whatisessentialtothe"matter"ofbaptism?

Astoits"matter,"baptismisessentiallyawashingwithwater.Noparticularmodeofwashingisessential––1st.Becausenosuchmodeisspecifiedinthecommand.––Seebelow,Questions12––21.2nd.

Becausenosuchmodeofadministrationisessentialtothepropersymbolismoftheordinance.––Seebelow,Question11.Ontheotherhand,water.isnecessary––1st.Becauseitiscommanded.2nd.

Becauseitisessentialtothesymbolismoftherite.Itisthenaturalsymbolofmoralpurification,Ephesians5:25,26;anditwasestablishedassuchintheritualofMoses.

8.Whatisnecessaryastotheformofwordsinwhichbaptismisadministered?

Itisessentialtothevalidityoftheordinancethatitshouldbeadministered"inthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost."Thisiscertain––1st.Becauseitisincludedinthecommand.––Matthew28:19.2nd.Fromthesignificancyoftherite.Besidesbeingasymbolofpurification,itisessentially,asariteofinitiationintotheChristianchurch,acovenantingordinancewherebytherecipientrecognizesandpledgeshisallegiancetoGodinthatcharacterandinthoserelationsinwhichhehasrevealedhimselftousintheScriptures.Theformulaofbaptism,therefore,isasummarystatementofthewholeScripturedoctrineoftheTriuneJehovahashehaschosentorevealhimselftous,andinallthoserelationswhichtheseveralPersonsoftheTrinitygraciouslysustainintheschemeofredemptiontothebeliever.HencethebaptismofallthosesectswhichrejectthescripturaldoctrineoftheTrinityisinvalid.

Thefrequentphrases,tobebaptizedin"thenameofJesusChrist",or"inthenameoftheLordJesus",or"inthenameoftheLord"(Acts2:38;10:48;19:5),donotatallpresenttheformofwordswhichtheapostlesusedinadministeringthissacrament,butaresimplyusedtodesignateChristianbaptismindistinctionfromthatofJohn,ortoindicatetheuniformeffectofthatspiritualgracewhichissymbolizedinbaptism,viz.,unionwithChrist.––Galatians3:27.

9.Whatisthemeaningoftheformula"tobaptize"inthename(eijvto>o]noma)ofanyone?

Tobebaptized"inthenameofPaul"(eijvto<o]noma),1Corinthians1:13,or"untoMoses,"(eijvtonMwùsh~n),1Corinthians10:2,is,onthepartofthebaptized,tobemadethebelievingandobedientdisciplesofPaulandMoses,andtheobjectsoftheircare,andtheparticipantsinwhateverblessingstheyhavetobestow.TobebaptizedinthenameoftheTrinity(Matthew28:19),or"inthenameoftheLordJesus"(Acts19:5),or"intoJesusChrist,"(Romans6:3),isbybaptism,orratherbythegraceofwhichritualbaptismisthesign,tobeunitedtoChrist,ortotheTrinitythroughChrist,ashisdisciples,believersinhisdoctrine,heirsofhispromises,andparticipantsinhisspirituallife.

10.Whatisthedesignofbaptism?

Itsdesignis–

1st.Primarily,tosignify,seal,andconveytothosetowhomtheybelongthebenefitsofthecovenantofgrace.Thus––(1)Itsymbolizes"thewashingofregeneration""therenewingoftheHolyGhost,"whichunitesthebelievertoChrist,andsomakeshimaparticipantinChrist’slifeandallotherbenefits.––1Corinthians12:13;Galatians3:27;Titus3:5.(2)Christhereinvisiblysealshispromisestothosewhoreceiveitwithfaith,andinveststhemwiththegracepromised.

2nd.Itsdesignwas,secondarily,asspringingfromtheformer,(1)tobeavisiblesignofourcovenanttobetheLord’s,i.e.,toaccepthissalvation,andtoconsecrateourselvestohisservice.(2)And,hence,tobeabadgeofourpublicprofession,ourseparationfromtheworld,andourinitiationintothevisiblechurch.AsabadgeitmarksusasbelongingtotheLord,andconsequently(a)distinguishesusfromtheworld,(b)symbolizesourunionwithourfellow–Christians.––1Corinthians12:13.

11.Whatistheemblematicimportofbaptism?

Ineverysacramentthereisavisiblesignrepresentinganinvisiblegrace.ThesignrepresentsthegraceinvirtueofChrist’sauthoritativelyappointingitthereto,buttheselectionbyChristoftheparticularsignisfoundedonitsfitnessasanaturalemblemofthegracewhichheappointsittorepresent.ThusintheLord’ssupperthebreadbrokenbytheofficiatingminister,andthewinepouredout,arenaturalemblemsofthebodyofChristbroken,andhisbloodshedasasacrificeforoursins.Andinlikemannerinthesacramentofbaptismtheapplicationofwatertothepersonoftherecipientisanaturalemblemofthe"washingofregeneration."––Titus3:5.Hencewearesaidtobe"bornofwaterandoftheSpirit,"John3:5,i.e.,regeneratedbytheHolySpirit,ofwhichnewbirthbaptismwithwateristheemblem;andtobebaptized"byoneSpiritintoonebody,"i.e.,thespiritualbodyofChrist;andtobe"baptizedintoChrist,"soas"tohaveputonChrist,"Galatians3:27;andtobe"baptizedintohisdeath,"andtobe"buriedwithhiminbaptism...sothatweshouldwalkwithhiminnewnessoflife,"Romans6:3,4,

becausethesacramentofbaptismistheemblemofthatspiritualregenerationwhichunitesusbothfederallyandspirituallytoChrist,sothatwehavepartwithhimbothinhislifeandinhisdeath,andashedieduntosinasasacrifice,sowedieuntosininitsceasingtobethecontrollingprincipleofournatures;andasheroseagainintheresumptionofhisnaturallife,werisetothepossessionandexerciseofanewspirituallife.

Baptistinterpreters,ontheotherhand,insistthattheBibleteachesthattheoutwardsigninthissacrament,beingtheimmersionofthewholebodyinwater,isanemblembothofpurificationandofourdeath,burial,andresurrectionwithChrist.Dr.Carsonsays,p.381,"Theimmersionofthewholebodyisessentialtobaptism,notbecausenothingbutimmersioncanbeanemblemofpurification,butbecauseimmersionisthethingcommanded,andbecausethat,withoutimmersion,thereisnoemblemofdeath,burial,andresurrection,whichareintheemblemequallywithpurification."Hefoundshisassumptionthattheoutwardsigninthesacramentofbaptismwasdesignedtobeanemblemofthedeath,burial,andresurrectionofthebelieverinunionwithChrist,uponRomans6:3,4,andColossians2:12.

Weobjecttothisinterpretation––1st.InneitherofthesepassagesdoesPaulsaythatourbaptisminwaterisanemblemofourburialwithChrist.Heisevidentlyspeakingofthatspiritualbaptismofwhichwaterbaptismistheemblem;bywhichspiritualbaptismwearecausedtodieuntosin,andliveuntoholiness,inwhichdeathandnewlifeweareconformeduntothedeathandresurrectionofChrist.Wearesaidtobe"baptizedintoChrist,"whichistheworkoftheSpiritnot"intothenameofChrist.,"whichisthephrasealwaysusedwhenspeakingofritualbaptism.––Matthew28:19;Acts2:38;19:5.2nd.Tobe"baptizedintohisdeath"isaphraseperfectlyanalogoustobaptism"intorepentance,"Matthew3:11and"intoremissionofsins,"Mark1:4,and"intoonebody,"1Corinthians12:13,i.e.,inorderthat,ortotheeffectthat,weparticipateinthebenefitsofhisdeath.

3rd.TheBaptistinterpretationinvolvesanutterconfusioninreferencetotheemblem.Dotheymeanthattheoutwardsignofimmersionisanemblemofthedeath,burial,andresurrectionofChrist,

orofthespiritualdeath,burial,andresurrectionofthebeliever?Butthepointofcomparisoninthepassagesthemselvesisplainly"notbetweenourbaptismandtheburialandresurrectionofChrist,butbetweenourdeathtosinandrisingtoholiness,andthedeathandresurrectionoftheRedeemer."

4th.Baptistsagreewithusthatbaptismwithwaterisanemblemofspiritualpurification,i.e.,regeneration,butinsistthatitisalsoanemblem(inthemodeofimmersion)ofthedeathofthebelievertosinandhisnewlifeofholiness.––Dr.Carson,p.143.Butwhatisthedistinctionbetweenregenerationandadeathuntosin,andlifeuntoholiness.

5th.Baptistsagreewithusthatwaterbaptismisanemblemofpurification.Butsurelyitisimpossiblethatthesameactionshouldatthesametimebeanemblemofawashing,andofaburialandaresurrection.Oneideamaybeassociatedwiththeotherinconsequenceoftheirspiritualrelations,butitisimpossiblethatthesamevisiblesignshouldbeemblematicalofboth.

6th.OurunionwithChristthroughtheSpirit,andthespiritualconsequencesthereof;areillustratedinScripturebymanyvariousfigures,e.g.,thesubstitutionofaheartoffleshforaheartofstone,Ezekiel36:26;thebuildingofahouse,Ephesians2:22;theingraftingofalimbintoavine,John15:5;theputtingoffoffilthygarments,andtheputtingonofclean,Ephesians4:22–24;asaspiritualdeath,burial,andresurrection,andasabeingplantedinthelikenessofhisdeath,Romans6:3–5;astheapplicationofacleansingelementtothebody,Ezekiel36:25.Nowbaptismwithwaterrepresentsallthese,becauseitisanemblemofspiritualregeneration,ofwhichalloftheseareanalogicalillustrations.Hencewearesaidtobe"baptizedintoonebody,"1Corinthians12:13,andbybaptismto"haveputonChrist,"Galatians3:27.Yetitwouldbeabsurdtoregardwaterbaptismasaliteralemblemofallthese,andourBaptistbrethrenhavenoscripturalwarrantforassumingthattheoutwardsigninthissacramentisanemblemoftheoneanalogymorethanoftheother.––SeeDr.Armstrong’s"DoctrineofBaptisms"Part2.,Chap.2.

THEMODEOFBAPTISM

12.Whatarethewordswhich,intheoriginallanguageofScripture,areusedtoconveythecommandtobaptize?

Theprimarywordba>ptwoccursfourtimesinthenewTestament(Luke16:24;John13:26;Revelation19:13),butneverinconnectionwiththesubjectofChristianbaptism.Itsclassicalmeaningwas,1st,todip;2nd,todye;3rd,towashbydippingorpouring.

Thewordbapti>zwinform,thoughnotinusage,thefrequentativeofba>ptw,occursseventy–sixtimesintheNewTestament,andisthewordusedbytheHolyGhosttoconveythecommandtobaptize.

Itsclassicalmeaningwas,(1)dip,submerge,sink;(2)towetthoroughly;(3)topourupon,todrench;(4)tooverwhelm.Besidesthese,wehavethenounsofthesamerootandusage,ba>ptsmaoccurringtwenty–twotimes,translatedbaptism,andbaptismo>voccurringfourtimes,translatedbaptism,Hebrews6:2,andwashing,Mark.7:4,8;Hebrews9:10.Theonlyquestionwithwhichweareconcerned,however,isastothescripturalusageofthesewords.Itisanimportantanduniversallyrecognizedprinciple,thatthebiblicalandclassicalusageofthesamewordisoftenverydifferent.Thiseffectistobetracedtotheinfluenceofthreegeneralcauses.––See"Baptism,itsModesandSubjects,"byDr.Alex.Carson;"MeaningandUseoftheWordBaptizein,"byRev.Dr.Conant,and"Classic,Judaic,Johannic,andChristianBaptism,"byRev.JamesW.Dale,D.D.

1st.TheprincipalclassicsofthelanguagewerecomposedintheAtticdialect.ButthegenerallanguageusedbytheGreek–speakingworldattheChristianerawasthe"common,orHellenicdialectofthelaterGreek"resultingfromthefusionofthedifferentdialectspreviouslyexisting.

2nd.ThelanguageofthewritersoftheNewTestamentwasagaingreatlymodifiedbythefactthattheirvernacularwasaformoftheHebrewlanguage(Syro–Chaldaic);thattheirconstantuseofthe

SeptuaginttranslationoftheHebrewScriptureshadlargelyinfluencedtheirusageoftheGreeklanguage,especiallyinthedepartmentofreligiousthoughtandexpression;andthat,intheveryactofcomposingtheNewTestamentScriptures,theywereengagedinthestatementofreligiousideas,anintheinaugurationofreligiousinstitutionswhichhadtheirtypesandsymbolsintheancientdispensation,asrevealedinthesacredlanguageoftheHebrewscriptures.

3rd.TheNewTestamentwritingsarearevelationofnewideasandrelations,andhencethewordsandphrasesthroughwhichthesenewthoughtsareconveyedmustbegreatlymodifiedinrespecttotheirformeretymologicalsenseandheathenusage,and"forthefulldepthandcompassofmeaningbelongingtothemintheirnewapplicationwemustlooktotheNewTestamentitself,comparingonepassagewithanother,andviewingthelanguageusedinthelightofthegreatthingswhichitbringstoourapprehension."

Asexamplesofthiscontrastbetweenthescripturalandclassicalusageofaword,observe,a]ggelov,angel;presbu>terovpresbyterorelder;ejkklesi>a,church;basilei>atou~qeou~,ortwnoujranw~n,kingdomofGod,orofheaven;paliggenesi>a,regeneration;ca>riv,grace,etc.,etc.––Fairbairn’s"Herm.Manual,"Part1.,section2.

13.WhatisthepositionoftheBaptistchurchesastothemeaningoftheScripturalwordbapti>zwandbywhatargumentsdotheyseektoprovethatimmersionistheonlyvalidmodeofbaptism?

"Thatitalwayssignifiestodip,neverexpressinganythingbutmode."––"CarsononBaptism,"p.55.Heconfesses:"IhaveALLthelexicographersandcommentatorsagainstme."Baptistsinsist,therefore,uponalwaystranslatingthewordsbapti>zwandba>ptismabythewordsimmerseandimmersion.

Theyarguethatimmersionistheonlyvalidmodeofbaptism––1st.Fromtheconstantmeaningofthewordbapti>zw.2nd.Fromthesymbolicalimportoftherite,asemblematicofburialandresurrection.3rd.Fromthepracticeoftheapostles.4th.Fromhistoryoftheearly

church.

14.WhatisthepositionoccupieduponthispointbyallotherChristians?

1st.Itisanestablishedprincipleofscripturalusagethatthenamesandattributesofthethingssignifiedbysacramentalsignsareattributedtothesigns,andontheotherhandthatthenameofthesignisusedtodesignatethegracesignified.Thus,Genesis17:11,13,thenameofcovenantisgiventocircumcision;Matthew26:26–28,Christcalledthebreadhisbody,andthewinehisblood;Titus3:5,baptismiscalledthewashingofregeneration.ThusalsothewordsBAPTIZEandBAPTISMareoftenusedtodesignatethatworkoftheHolyGhostinregeneration,whichthesign,orwaterbaptism,signifies.––Matthew3:11;1Corinthians12:13;Galatians3:27;Deuteronomy30:6.Itfollowsconsequentlythatthesewordsareoftenusedinaspiritualsense.

2nd.Thesewordswhenrelatingtoritualbaptism,orthesignrepresentingthethingsignified,implytheapplicationofwaterinthenameoftheTrinity,asanemblemofpurificationorspiritualregeneration,andnever,intheirscripturalusage,signifyanythingwhateverastothemodeinwhichthewaterisapplied.

Theprecisequestionindebateistobestatedthus.BaptistsinsistthatChrist’scommandtobaptizeisacommandto"immerse."AllotherChristiansholdthatitisacommandto"washwithwater,"asasymbolofspiritualpurification.

Ihaveanswered,underQuestion11,above,thesecondBaptistargument,asstatedunderQuestion13.

Theirfirstandthirdarguments,astherestated,Iwillproceedtoanswernow.

15.Howmayitbeprovedfromtheirscripturalusagethatthewardsbapti>zwandba>ptismadonotsignifyimmersion,butWASHINGtoeffectPURIFICATION,withoutanyreferencetomode?

1st.ThewordoccursfourtimesintheSeptuaginttranslationoftheOldTestament,inthreeofwhichinstancesitreferstobaptismwithwater.2Kings5:14––TheprophettoldNaamanto"washandbeclean,"and"hebaptizedhimselfinJordan,andhewasclean."Ecclesiastes34:25––"Hethatbaptizethhimselfafterthetouchingofadeadbody."Thispurificationaccordingtothelawwasaccomplishedbysprinklingthewaterofseparation.––Numbers19:9,13,20,"baptizedherselfinthecampatafountainofwater."Bathingwasnotperformedamongthosenationsbyimmersion;andthecircumstancesinwhichJudithwasplacedincreasetheimprobabilityinhercase.Itwasapurification,forshe"baptizedherself,"and"socameinclean."

2nd.ThequestionagitatedbetweensomeofJohn’sdisciplesandtheJews,John3:22–30,and4:1–3,concerningbaptism,iscalledaquestionconcerningpurification,perijkaqarismou~.

3rd.Matthew15:2;Mark7:1–5;Luke11:37–39.Thewordbapti>zwishereused(1)forthecustomarywashingofthehandsbeforemeals,whichwasdesignedtopurify,andwashabituallyperformedbypouringwateruponthem,2Kings3:11;(2)itisinterchangedwiththewordni>ptw,whichalwayssignifiesapartialwashing;(3)itseffectisdeclaredtobetopurify,kaqari>zein;(4)thebaptizedorwashedhandsareopposedtotheunclean,koinai>v.

4th.Mark7:4,8,"Baptismofpotsandcups,brazenvessels,andoftableskli>nai,couchesuponwhichJewsreclinedattheirmeals,largeenoughtoaccommodateseveralpersonsatonce.Theobjectofthesebaptismswaspurification,andthemodecouldnothavebeenimmersioninthecaseofthetables,couches,etc."

5th.Hebrews9:10,Paulsaysthefirsttabernacle"stoodonlyinmeats,anddrinks,anddiversbaptisms."Inverses13,19,21,hespecifiessomeofthese"diversbaptisms"orwashings,"Forifthebloodofbullsandgoats,andtheashesofanheifersprinklingtheunclean,sanctifiethtothepurifyingoftheflesh"and"Mosessprinkledboththebookandallthepeople,andthetabernacle,andallthevesselsoftheministry."—Dr.Armstrong’s"Doc.ofBapt.,"PartI.

16.WhatargumentinfavorofthisviewofthesubjectmaybedrawnfromwhatissaidofbaptismwiththeHolyGhost?

Matthew3:11;Mark1:8;Luke3:16;John1:26,33;Acts1:5;11:16;1Corinthians12:13.

Ifthewordbapti>zwonlymeanstoimmerse,itwouldbeincapableofthefigurativeusetowhich,inthesepassages,itisactuallysubjected.Butif,asweclaim,itsignifiestopurify,tocleanse,thenwaterbaptism,asawashing,thoughneverasanimmersion,mayfitlyrepresentthecleansingworkoftheHolyGhost.SeenextQuestion.

17.Whatargumentmaybedrawnfromthefactthattheblessingssymbolizedbybaptismaresaidtobeappliedbysprinklingandpouring?

ThegiftoftheHolyGhostwasthegracesignified.––Acts2:1–4,32,33;10:44–48;11:15,16.Thefirewhichdidnotimmersethem,butappearedascloventongues,and"satuponeachoneofthem,"wasthesignofthatgrace.Jesuswashimselfthebaptizer,whonowfulfilledthepredictionofJohntheBaptistthatheshouldbaptizewiththeHolyGhostandwithfire.ThisgiftoftheHolyGhostissetforthinsuchtermsas"camefromheaven,""pouredout,""shedforth,""fellonthem."TheseveryblessingswerepredictedintheOldTestamentbysimilarlanguage.––Isaiah44:3;52:15;Ezekiel36:25–27;Joel2:28,29.HencewearguethatifthesespiritualblessingswerepredictedintheOldTestamentbymeansofthesefiguresofsprinkling;andpouring,andifintheNewTestamenttheyweresymbolicallysetforthunderthesameform,theymay,ofcourse,besymbolizedbythechurchnowbythesameemblematicalactions.

18.WhatargumentmaybedrawnfromthemodeofpurificationadoptedundertheOldTestament?

TheritesofpurificationprescribedbytheLeviticallawwereinnocasecommandedtobeperformedbyimmersioninthecaseofpersons.Washingandbathingisprescribed,butthereisnoindication

givenbythewordsused,orotherwise,thatthesewereperformedbyimmersion,whichwasnottheusualmodeofbathingpracticedinthosecountries.Thehandsandfeetofthepriests,whenevertheyappearedtoministerbeforetheLord,werewashed,Exodus30:18–21,andtheirpersonalablutionswereperformedatthebrazenlaver,2Chronicles4:6,fromwhichthewaterpouredforththroughspoutsorcocks.––1Kings7:27–39.Ontheotherhand,purificationwasfreelyorderedtobeeffectedbysprinklingofblood,ashes,orwater.––Leviticus8:30;14:7and51;Exodus24:5–8;Numbers8:6,7;Hebrews9:12-22.Now,asChristianbaptismisapurification,andasitwasinstitutedamongtheJews,familiarwiththeJewishformsofpurification,itfollowsthataknowledgeofthoseformsmustthrowmuchlightupontheessentialnatureandpropermodeoftheChristianrite.

19.Howmayitbeshownfrom1Corinthians10:1,2,andfrom1Peter3:20,21,thattobaptizedoesnotmeantoimmerse?

1Corinthians10:1,2.TheIsraelitesaresaidtohavebeen"baptizeduntoMosesinthecloudandinthesea."––CompareExodus14:19–31.TheIsraeliteswerebaptized,yetwentoverdryshod.TheEgyptianswereimmersed,yetnotbaptized.Dr.Carson,p.413,says,Moses"gotadrydip."1Peter3:20,21.Peterdeclaresthatbaptismistheantitypeofthesalvationoftheeightsoulsintheark.

Yettheirsalvationconsistedintheirnotbeingimmersed.

20.WhatargumentastothepropermodeofbaptismistobedrawnfromtherecordofthebaptismsperformedbyJohn?

1st.John’sbaptismwasnottheChristiansacrament,butariteofpurificationadministeredbyaJewuponJews,underJewishlaw.Fromthisweinfer(1)thatitwasnotperformedbyimmersion,sincetheLeviticalpurificationofpersonswasnotperformedinthatway;yet(2)thatheneededforhispurposeeitherarunningstreamasJordan,ormuchwaterasatÆnon(orthesprings),becauseunderthatlawwhatsoeveranuncleanpersontouchedprevioustohispurificationbecameunclean,Numbers19:21,22,withtheexceptionofa"fountainor

pitinwhichisplentyofwater,"Leviticus11:36,whichhecouldnotfindinthedesertinwhichhepreached.Afterthegospeldispensationwasintroducedwehearnothingoftheapostlesbaptizinginrivers,orneeding"muchwater"forthatpurpose.

2nd.InnosingleinstanceisitstatedintherecordthatJohnbaptizedbyimmersion.Allthelanguageemployedappliesjustasnaturallyasaccuratelytoabaptismperformedbyeffusion(thesubjectstandingpartlyinthewater,thebaptizerpouringwateruponthepersonwithhishand).Thephrases"baptizedinJordan,""comingoutofthewater,"wouldhavebeenasaccuratelyappliedintheonecaseasintheother.

ThatJohn’sbaptismwasmoreprobablyperformedbyaffusionappears(1)fromthefactthatitwasapurificationperformedbyaJewishprophetuponJews,andthatJewishwashingswereperformedbyeffusion.Thecustomwasgeneralthen,andhascontinuedtothisday.(2)Thismodebetteraccordswiththevastmultitudesbaptizedbyoneman.––Matthew3:5,6;Mark1:5;Luke3:3-21.(3)TheveryearliestworksofChristianartextantrepresentthebaptismofChristbyJohnashavingbeenperformedbyaffusion.––Dr.Armstrong’s"DoctrineofBaptisms,"Part2.,Chap.3.

21.WhatevidenceisaffordedbytheinstancesofChristianbaptismrecordedintheNewTestament?

1st.Ithasbeenabundantlyshownabovethatthecommandtobaptizeisacommandtopurifybywashingwithwater,andithencefollowsthatevenifitcouldbeshownthattheapostlesbaptizedbyimmersion,thatfactwouldnotprovethatparticularmodeofwashingtobeessentialtothevalidityoftheordinance,unlessitcanbeprovedalsothat,accordingtotheanalogiesofgospelinstitutions,themeremodeofobeyingacommandismadeasessentialasthethingitself:Butthereverseisnotoriouslythefact.Thechurchwasorganizedoncertaingeneralprinciples,andthepublicworshipofthegospelordained,butthedetailsastothemannerofaccomplishingthoseendsarenotprescribed.ChristinstitutedtheLord’ssupperatnight,recliningonacouch,andwithunleavenedbread.Yetinnoneoftheserespectsisthe"mode,"

essential.

2nd.But,infact,thereisnotoneinstanceinwhichtherecordmakesitevenprobablethattheapostlesbaptizedbyimmersion,andinthegreatmajorityofinstancesitisrenderedinthelastdegreeimprobable.

(1)ThebaptismoftheeunuchbyPhilip,Acts8:26–39,istheonlyinstancewhichevenbyappearancefavorsimmersion.Butobserve(a)thelanguageusedbyLuke,evenasrenderedinourversion,appliesjustasnaturallytobaptismperformedbyeffusionasbyimmersion.(b)TheGreekprepositions,eijv,heretranslatedinto,andejk,heretranslatedoutof,areininnumerableinstancesusedtoexpressmotion,toward,untoandfrom.––Acts26:14;27:34,40.Theyprobablydescendedfromthechariottothebrinkofthewater.Philipisalsosaidtohave"descendedto,"andtohave"ascendedfromthewater,"butsurelyhewasnotalsoimmersed.(c)TheverypassageofIsaiah,whichtheeunuchwasreading,Isaiah52:15,declaredthattheMessiah,inwhomhebelieved,should"sprinklemanynations."(d)Lukesaystheplacewas"adesert,"andnobodyofwatersufficientforimmersioncanbediscoveredonthatroad.(2)EveryotherinstanceofChristianbaptismrecordedintheScripturesbearsevidencepositivelyagainstimmersion.(a)ThebaptismofthreethousandinJerusalemononeoccasiononthedayof

Pentecost.––Acts2:38–41.(b)ThebaptismofPaul.––Acts9:17,18;22:12–16.Ananiassaidtohim"standingup,bebaptized,"ajnasta<vba>ptisai,and,"standingup,hewasbaptized."(c)ThebaptismofCornelius.––Acts10:44–48.(d)Thebaptismofthejailor,atPhilippi.––Acts16:2–34.Inalltheseinstancesbaptismwasadministeredonthespot,wherevertheconvertreceivedthegospel.Nothingissaidofrivers,ormuchwater,butvastmultitudesatatime,andindividualsandfamilieswerebaptizedintheirhouses,orinprisons,wherevertheyhappenedtobeatthemoment.

22.Whathasbeeninthepast,andwhatisinthepresent,theusageofthechurchesastothemodeofbaptism?

Intheearlychurchtheprevalentmodewastoimmersethe

nakedbody.Forseveralagestrine–immersionwaspracticed,orthedippingtheheadofthepersonstandinginthewater,threetimes.Incasesofextremedangerofdeath,andwhenwaterwasscarce,affusionorsprinklingwasconsideredvalid(Bingham’s"Christ.Antiquities,"Bk.2.,ch.11.;Neander’s"Ch.Hist.,"Vol.1.,Torrey’sTrans.,p.310;Schaff’s"Ch.Hist.,"Vol.2.,§92).TheGreekChurchhasinsistedonimmersion.TheRomishandProtestantchurchesadmiteitherform.Themoderncustomsfavorsprinkling.

TheBaptistsmaintainthatimmersionistheonlyvalidbaptism.Allotherwesternchurchesdenythisandmaintaintheequalvalidityofpouringandofsprinkling.––"Con.Faith,"Ch.28.,§3.

Noadvocateofsprinklingcan,inconsistencywithhisownfundamentalprinciplesorwiththehistoricalusagesoftheChristianChurch,outlawimmersion.TheoppositionofmostchurchestoimmersionarisesfromthenarrowandarrogantclaimsoftheBaptists,andfromtheirfalseviewswithrespecttotheemblematicimportofbaptism,makingita"burying,"insteadofa"washing";againstTHISwemeantoprotest.

SUBJECTSOFBAPTISM

23.Whoarethepropersubjectsofbaptisms?

"ConfessionofFaith"Chap.28.,Section4;"LargerCatechism,"Question166;"ShorterCatechism,"Question95.

Allthose,andthoseonly,whoaremembersoftthevisiblechurch,aretobebaptized.Theseare,1st,theywhomakeacredibleprofessionoftheirfaithinChrist;2nd,thechildrenofoneorbothbelievingparents.

24.Whatinthecaseofadultsaretheprequisitesofbaptism?

CredibleprofessionoftheirfaithinJesusastheirSaviour.Thisisevident––1st.Fromtheverynatureoftheordinanceassymbolizing

spiritualgifts,andassealingourcovenanttobetheLord’s.2nd.Fromtheuniformpracticeoftheapostlesandevangelists.––Acts2:41;8:37.Forafullanswertothisquestion,seebelowCh.43.,Ques.25,forconditionsofadmissiontoLord’stable,whichareidenticalwiththoserequisiteforbaptism.

25.Uponwhatessentialconstitutionalprincipleofhumannaturedoesthisinstitutionrest?andshowhowthatprincipleisrecognizedinallGod’sprovidentialandgraciousdealingwiththerace.

Thegrandpeculiarityofhumanityisthatwhileeachindividualisafreeresponsiblemoralagent,yetweconstitutearace,reproducedunderthelawofgeneration,andeachnewbornagentiseducatedandhischaracterformedundersocialconditions.Henceeverywherethe"freewilloftheparentbecomesthedestinyofthechild."Henceresultstherepresentativecharacterofprogenitors,andtheinheritedcharacteranddestinyofallraces,nations,andfamilies.

ThisprinciplerunsthroughallGod’sdealingwiththehumanraceundertheeconomyofredemption.

Thefamilyandnottheindividualistheunitembracedinallcovenantsanddispensations.ThismaybetracedinallGod’sdealingswithAdam,Noah(Genesis9:9),Abraham(Genesis17:7,andGalatians3:8),andthenationofIsrael(Exodus20:5;Deuteronomy29:10–13).ThesameprincipleiscontinuedintheChristiandispensationasassertedbyPeterinthefirstsermon.––Acts2:38–39.

26.Whatisthevisiblechurch,towhichbaptismistheinitiatingrite?

1st.Thewordchurch,ejkklhsi>aisusedinScriptureinthegeneralsenseofthecompanyofGod’speople,calledoutfromtheworld,andboundtohimincovenantrelations.

2nd.Thetruespiritualchurch,therefore,indistinctiontothephenomenalchurchorganizedonearth,consistsofthewholecompanyof

theelect,whoareincludedintheeternalcovenantofgraceformedbetweenthefatherandthesecondAdam.––Ephesians5:27;Hebrews12:23.

3rd.Butthevisiblechurchuniversalconsistsof"allthosethroughouttheworldthatprofessthetruereligion,togetherwiththeirchildren,andisthekingdomoftheLordJesusChrist,thehouseandfamilyofGod,outofwhichthereisnoordinarypossibilityofsalvation."––"ConfessionofFaith,"chap.25,section2.Thisvisiblekingdom,Christ,asMediatorofthecovenantofgrace,hasinstituted,asanadministrativeprovision,forthepurposeofadministeringtherebytheprovisionsofthatcovenant;andthiskingdom,asanoutwardvisiblesocietyofprofessors,heestablishedbythecovenanthemadewithAbraham.––Genesis12:1–3;17:1–14.

4th.Christhasadministeredthiscovenantinthreesuccessivemodesordispensations.(1)FromAbrahamtoMoses,duringwhichheattachedtoittheratifyingsealofcircumcision.(2)FromMosestohisadvent(forthelawwhichwastemporarilyaddeddidnotmakethepromiseofnoneeffect,butratheradministereditinaspecialmode,Galatians3:17),headdedanewseal,thepassover,emblematicoftheatoningworkofthepromisedseed,assetforthintheclearerrevelationthenvouchsafed.(3)FromChristtotheendoftheworld,whenthepromisebeingunfoldedinanincomparablyfullerrevelation,theoriginalsealsaresupersededbybaptismandtheLord’sSupper.Seebelow,Question26.

5th.ThattheAbrahamiccovenantwasdesignedtoembracethevisiblechurchofChrist,andnothismerenaturalseedintheirfamilyornationalcapacity,isplain.(1)ItpledgedsalvationbyChristontheconditionoffaith.––CompareGenesis12:3,withGalatians3:8,16;Acts3:25,26.(2)Thesignandsealattachedtoitsymbolizedspiritualblessings,andsealedjustificationbyfaith.––Deuteronomy10:15,16;30:6;Jeremiah4:4;Romans2:28,29;4:11.(3)Thiscovenantwasmadewithhimastherepresentativeofthevisiblechurchuniversal.(a)Itwasmadewithhimasthe"fatherofmanynations."

Paulsaiditconstitutedhimthe"heiroftheworld,""thefatherof

allthemthatbelieve,"Romans4:11,13,andthatallbelieversinChristnow,JeworGentile,are"Abraham’sseedandheirsaccordingtothepromise."––Galatians3:29.(b)Itcontainedaprovisionfortheintroductiontoitsprivileges,ofthosewhowerenotbornofthenaturalseedofAbraham.––Genesis17:12.MultitudesofsuchproselyteshadbeenthusintroducedbeforetheadventofChrist,andmanysuchwerepresentillJerusalemasmembersofthechurchunderitsoldformonthedayofPentecost"outofeverynationunderheaven."––Acts2:5–11.

6th.Thatthechurchthusembracedinthisadministrativecovenantisnotthebodyoftheelect,assuch,butthevisiblechurchofprofessorsandtheirchildren,isevident,because,(1)thecovenantcontainstheofferofthegospel,includingthesettingforthofChrist,andtheofferofhissalvationtoallmen(allthefamiliesoftheearth)ontheconditionoffaith.Galatians3:8.Butthisbelongstothevisiblechurch,andmustbeadministeredbymeansofinspiredoraclesandavisibleministry.(2)Asanindisputablefact,therewassuchavisiblesocietyundertheolddispensation;andunderthenewdispensationall

Christians,whatevertheoriestheymayentertain,attempttorealizetheidealofsuchavisiblesociety,forChristianandministerialcommunion.(3)UnderbothdispensationsChristhascommittedtohischurch,astoavisiblekingdom,writtenrecords,sacramentalordinances,ecclesiasticalinstitutions,andateachingandrulingministry.Althoughthesearealldesignedtoministertheprovisionsofthecovenantofgraceandtoeffectastheirultimateendtheingatheringoftheelect,itisevidentthatvisiblesignsandseals,awrittenwordandavisibleministry,can,assuch,attachonlytoavisiblechurch.Romans9:4;Ephesians4:11.(4)ThesamerepresentationofthechurchisgivenintheNewTestament,intheparableofthetares,etc.––Matthew13:24–30and47–50;25:1–13.Itwastoconsistofamixedcommunityofgoodandevil,trueandmerelyprofessedbelievers,andtheseparationisnottobemadeuntilthe"endoftheworld."

7th.Thisvisiblechurchfromthebeginninghasbeentransmittedandextendedinatwofoldmanner.(1)Thosewhoareborn"strangersfromthecovenantsofpromise,"or"aliensfromthecommonwealthofIsrael,"Ephesians2:12,wereintroducedtothat

relationonlybyprofessionoffaithandconformityoflife.Undertheolddispensationthesearecalledproselytes.Acts2:10;Numbers15:15.(2)Allbornwithinthecovenanthadpartinallofthebenefitsofastandinginthevisiblechurchbyinheritance.ThecovenantwaswithAbrahamandhis"seedafterhim,inalltheirgenerations,asaneverlastingcovenant,"andconsequentlytheyreceivedthesacramentwhichwasthesignandsealofthatcovenant.

Hencethedutyofteachingandtrainingwasengraftedonthecovenant,Genesis18:18,19;andthechurchmadeaschool,ortraininginstitution,Deuteronomy6:6–9.Inaccordancewiththis,Christcommissionedhisapostlestodiscipleallnations,baptizingandteachingthem.Matthew28:19,20.Thusthechurchisrepresentedasaflock,includingthelambswiththesheep,Isaiah40:11,andasavineyardinwhichthescionistrained,thebarrentreecultivated,and,ifincurable,cutdown.––Isaiah5:1–7;Luke13:7,8.

27.Howmayitbeshownthatthisvisiblechurchisidenticalunderbothdispensations,andwhatargumentmaybethencederivedtoprovethattheinfantchildrenofbelieversshouldbebaptized?

1st.Thechurch,underbothdispensations,hasthesamenatureanddesign.TheOldTestamentchurch,embracedintheAbrahamiccovenant,restedonthegospelofferofsalvationbyfaith.––Galatians3:8;Hebrews11.ItsdesignwastoprepareaspiritualseedfortheLord.Hence––(1)Itsfoundationwasthesame––thesacrificeandmediationofChrist.(2)Conditionsofmembershipwerethesame.(a)EverytrueIsraelitewasatruebeliever.––Galatians3:7.(b)AllIsraeliteswereatleastprofessorsofthetruereligion.(3)ItssacramentssymbolizedandsealedthesamegraceasthoseoftheNewTestamentchurch.

Thusthepassover,astheLord’sSupper,representedthesacrificeofChrist.––1Corinthians5:7.

Circumcision,asbaptism,represented"theputtingoffthebodyofthesinsoftheflesh,"andbaptismiscalledbyPaul"thecircumcisionofChrist."Colossians2:11,12.EventheritualoftheMosaiclawwasonlya

symbolicalrevelationofthegospel.

2nd.Theybearpreciselythesamename.ejkklhsi>akuri>ou,thechurchoftheLord,isanexactrenderinginGreekoftheHebrewhw;hy]lh'q]translatedinourversionthe"congregationoftheLord,"––ComparePsalm22:22,withHebrews2:12.ThusStephencalledthecongregationofIsraelbeforeSinai"thechurch.inthewilderness."––CompareActs7:38,withExodus32.ThusalsoChrististheGreekformoftheHebrewMessiah,andtheeldersoftheNewTestamentchurchareidenticalinfunctionandnamewiththoseofthesynagogue.

3rd.Thereisnoevidencewhateverfurnishedbytheapostolicalrecordsthattheancientchurchwasabolishedandanewandadifferentoneorganizedinitsplace.Theapostlesneversayonewordaboutanysuchneworganization.Thepre–existenceofsuchavisiblesocietyiseverywheretakenforgrantedasafact.Theirdiscipleswerealwaysaddedtothe"church,"or"congregation"previouslyexisting.––Acts2:47.TheMosaicrituallaw,bymeansofwhichtheAbrahamiccharacterofthechurchhadbeenadministeredforaboutfifteenhundredyears,wasindeedabolished.ButPaularguesthattheintroductionofthislaw,fourhundredandthirtyyearsafter,couldnotmakethepromiseofnoneeffect,Galatians3:17,andconsequentlythedisannullingofthelaw,couldonlygiveplacetothemoreperfectexecutionofthecovenant,anddevelopmentofthechurchembracedwithinit.

4th.Thereisabundantpositiveevidencethattheancientchurch,restinguponitsoriginalcharter,wasnotabolishedbythenewdispensation.(1)ManyoftheOldTestamentpropheciesplainlydeclarethatthethenexistingvisiblechurch,insteadofbeingabrogatedbytheadventoftheMessiah,shouldtherebybegloriously–strengthenedandenlarged,soastoembracetheGentilesalso.––Isaiah49:13–23,and

60:1–14.Theydeclarealsothatthefederalconstitution,embracingthechildwiththeparent,shallcontinueunderthenewdispensationofthechurch,after"theRedeemerhascometoZion."––Isaiah59:21,22.Peter,inActs3:22,23,expoundstheprophecyofMoses,Deuteronomy18:15–19,totheeffectthateverysoulwhichwillnothearthatprophet(theMessiah)shallbecutofffromamongthepeople,i.e.,

fromthechurch,whichofcourseimpliesthatthechurchfromwhichtheyarecutoffcontinues.(2)InpreciseaccordancewiththesepropheciesPauldeclaresthattheJewishchurchwasnotabolished,butthattheunbelievingJewswerecutofffromtheirownolive–tree,andtheGentilebranchesgraftedinintheirplace;andheforetellsthetimewhenGodwillgrafttheJewsbackagainintotheirownstockandnotintoanother.Romans11:18–26.HesaysthatthealienGentilesaremadefellow–citizenswithbelievingJewsintheoldhouseholdofthefaith.––Ephesians2:11–22.(3)ThecovenantwhichconstitutedtheancientchurchalsoconstitutedAbrahamthefatherofmanynation.ThepromiseofthecovenantwasthatGodwould"beaGoduntohimandtohisseedafterhim."Thiscovenant,therefore,embracedthe"manynations"withtheirfatherAbraham.HenceitnevercouldhavebeenfulfilleduntiltheadventoftheMessiah,andtheabolishmentoftherestrictivelaw.HencetheAbrahamiccovenant,insteadofhavingbeensupersededbythegospel,onlynowbeginstohaveitsjustaccomplishment.

Hence,onthedayofPentecost,PeterexhortsalltorepentandbeBAPTIZED,BECAUSEtheAbrahamiccovenantstillheldinforceforallJewsandfortheirchildren,andforallthoseafaroff,i.e.,Gentiles,asmanyasGodshouldcall.Acts2:38,39.HencealsoPaularguedearnestlythatsincetheAbrahamiccovenantisstillinforce,therefore,fromitsveryterms,theGentileswhoshouldbelieveinChristhadarighttoaplaceinthatancientchurch,whichwasfoundeduponit,onequaltermswiththeJews."Intheeshallallnationsbeblessed,soTHEN,"saysPaul,"theywhichbeoffaithareblessedwithfaithfulAbraham,"andallwhobelieveinChrist,JeworGentileindiscriminately,"are,"tothefullintentofthecovenant,"Abraham’sseed"andheirsaccordingtothepromise,Galatians3:6–29,whichpromisewas,"IwillbeaGodtothee,andTOTHYSEEDAFTERTHEE."

Thebearingofthisargumentuponthequestionofinfantbaptismisdirectandconclusive.

1st.Baptismnowoccupiesthesamerelationtothecovenantandthechurchwhichcircumcisiondid.(1)Bothritesrepresentthesamespiritualgrace,namely,regeneration.––Deuteronomy30:6;Colossians2:11;Romans6:3,4.(2)Baptismisnowwhatcircumcisionwas,theseal,

orconfirmingsign,oftheAbrahamiccovenant.Petersays,"bebaptizedFORthePROMISEistoyouandtoyourchildren."—Acts2:38,39.Paulsaysexplicitlythatbaptismisthesignofthatcovenant,"forasmanyashavebeenbaptizedintoChristareAbraham’sseed,andheirsaccordingtothepromise,"Galatians3:27,29;andthatbaptismisthecircumcisionofChrist.––Colossians2:10,11.(3)Bothritesaretheappointedforms,insuccessiveeras,ofinitiationintothechurch,whichwehaveprovedtobethesamechurchunderbothdispensations.

2nd.Sincethechurchisthesame,intheabsenceofallexplicitcommandtothecontrary,themembersarethesame.Childrenofbelieversweremembersthen.Theyoughttoberecognizedasmembersnow,andreceivetheinitiatoryrite.Thistheapostlestookforgrantedasself–evident,anduniversallyadmitted;anexplicitcommandtobaptizewouldhaveimplieddoubtintheancientchurchrightsofinfants.

3rd.Sincethecovenant,withitspromisetobe"aGodtothebelieverandhisseed,"isexpresslydeclaredtostandfirmunderthegospel,thebeliever’sseedhavearighttothesealofthatpromise.––Dr.JohnM.Mason’s"EssaysontheChurch."

28.PresenttheevidencethatChristrecognizedthechurchstandingofchildren.

1st.Christdeclaresoflittlechildren(Matthew,paidi>a,Lukebre>fh,infants)that"ofsuchisthekingdomofheaven."––Matthew19:14;Luke18:16.Thephrase"kingdomofGodandofheaven"signifiesthevisiblechurchunderthenewdispensation.––Matthew3:2;13:47.

2nd.InhisrecommissionofPeter,afterhisapostasy,ourLordcommandedhim,asundershepherd,tofeedthelambs,aswellasthesheepoftheflock.––John21:15–17.

3rd.Inhisgeneralcommissionoftheapostles,hecommandedthemtodisciplenations(whicharealwaysconstitutedoffamilies)bybaptizing,andthenteachingthem.—Matthew28:19,20.

29.Showthattheapostlesalwaysactedontheprinciple

thatthechildisachurchmemberiftheparentis.

TheapostleswerenotsettledpastorsinthemidstofanestablishedChristiancommunity,butitinerantmissionariestoanunbelievingworld,sentnottobaptize,buttopreachthegospel.––1Corinthians1:7.

HencewehaveintheActsandEpistlestherecordofonlytenseparateinstancesofbaptism.Intwoofthese,viz.,oftheeunuchandofPaul,Acts8:38;9:18,therewerenofamiliestobebaptized.InthecaseofthethreethousandonthedayofPentecost,thepeopleofSamaria,andthedisciplesofJohnatEphesus,crowdswerebaptizedontheveryspotonwhichtheyprofessedtobelieve.Oftheremainingfiveinstances,inthefourcasesinwhichthefamilyismentionedatall,itisexpresslysaidtheywerebaptized,viz.,thehouseholdsofLydiaofThyatira,ofthejailerofPhilippi,ofStephanas,andofCrispus.––Acts16:15,32,33;18:8;1Corinthians1:16.IntheremaininginstanceofCornelius,therecordimpliesthatthefamilywasalsobaptized.Thustheapostles,ineverycase,withoutasinglerecordedexception,baptizedbelieversonthespot,andwhenevertheyhadfamilies,theyalsobaptizedtheirhouseholds,assuch.

Theyalsoaddressedchildrenintheirepistlesasmembersofthechurch.––CompareEphesians1:1,andColossians1:1,2,withEphesians6:1–3,andColossians3:20.Anddeclaredthateventhechildrenofonlyonebelievingparentweretoberegarded"holy,"orconsecratedtotheLord,i.e.,aschurchmembers.––1Corinthians7:12–14.

30.Whatargumentmaybeinferredfromthefactthattheblessingssymbolizedinbaptismarepromisedandgrantedtochildren?

BaptismrepresentsregenerationinunionwithChrist.Infantsarebornchildrenofwrath,evenasothers.

Theycannotbesaved,therefore,unlesstheyarebornagain,andhavepartinthebenefitsofChrist’sdeath.Theyareevidently,fromthenatureofthecase,inthesamesensecapableofbeingsubjectsofregenerationasadultsare."Ofsuchisthekingdomofheaven."––

Matthew21:15,16;Luke1:41,44.

31.Whatargumentmaybedrawnfromthepracticeoftheearlychurch?

Thepracticeofinfantbaptismisaninstitutionwhichexistsasafact,andprevailsthroughouttheuniversalchurch,withtheexceptionofthemodernBaptists,whoseorigincanbedefinitelytracedtotheAnabaptistsofGermany,aboutAD.1537.Suchaninstitutionmusteitherhavebeenhandeddownfromtheapostles,orhavehadadefinitecommencementasanovelty,whichmusthavebeensignalizedbyoppositionandcontroversy.Asafact,however,wefinditnoticedintheveryearliestrecordsasauniversalcustom,andanapostolicaltradition.JustinMartyr,writingAD.138,saysthat"TherewereamongChristiansofhistime,manypersonsofbothsexes,somesixtyandsomeseventyyearsold,whohadbeenmadedisciplesofChristfromtheirinfancy."Irenaeus,bornaboutAD.97,says,"Hecametosaveallbyhimself;allIsaywhobyhimarebornagainuntoGod,infants,andlittlechildrenandyouths."ItisacknowledgedbyTertullian,borninCarthage,AD.160,oronlysixtyyearsafterthedeathoftheapostleJohn.Origen,bornofChristianparentsinEgypt,AD.185,declaresthatitwas"theusageofthechurchtobaptizeinfants,"andthat"thechurchhadreceivedthetraditionfromtheapostles."

Cyprian,bishopofCarthagefromAD.248to258,togetherwithanentiresynodoverwhichhepresided,decidedthatbaptismshouldbeadministeredtoinfantsbeforetheeighthday.St.Augustine,bornAD.358,declaredthatthis"doctrinesisheldbythewholechurch,notinstitutedbycouncils,butalwaysretained."ThisPelagiusadmitted,afterhavingvisitedallpartsofthechurchfromBritaintoSyria,althoughthefactwassorepugnanttohissystemofdoctrine.––SeeWall’s"Hist.ofInfantBaptism,"andBingham’s"Christ.Antiquities"Bk.11.,Ch.4.

Ourargumentisthatinfantbaptismhasprevailed(a)fromtheapostolicage,(b)inallsectionsoftheancientchurch,(c)uninterruptedlytothepresenttime,(d)ineveryoneofthegreathistoricalchurchesoftheReformation.Whileitsimpugners(a)datesincetheReformation,(b)andaregenerallyguiltyofthegrossschismaticalsinofclosecommunion.

32.Howistheobjection,thatfaithisaprerequisitetobaptism,andthatinfantscannotbelieve,tobeanswered?

TheBaptistsargue––

1st.FromthecommissionoftheLord,"Gopreach––hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved;hethatbelievethnotshallbedamned,"Mark16:16,thatinfantsoughtnottobebaptizedbecausetheycannotbelieve.2nd.Fromthenatureofbaptism,asasignofaspiritualgraceandsealofacovenant,thatinfantsoughtnottobebaptized,sincetheyareincapableofunderstandingthesign,orofcontractingthecovenant.

Weanswer––1st.Therequisitionoffaithevidentlyappliesonlytotheadult,becausefaithismadetheessentialprerequisiteofsalvation,andyetinfantsaresaved,thoughtheycannotbelieve.2nd.

Circumcisionwasasignofaspiritualgrace;itrequiredfaithintheadultrecipient,anditwasthesealofacovenant;yet,byGod’sappointment,infantswerecircumcised.Thetruthisthatfaithisrequired,butitisthefaithoftheparentactingforhischild.Thecovenantofwhichbaptismisthesealiscontractedwiththeparent,inbehalfofthechilduponwhomthesealisproperlyapplied.

Itisbesidestoberememberedthattheinfantisnotathing,butapersonbornwithanunholymoralnature,andfullycapableofpresentregeneration,andofreceivingfromtheHolyGhostthe"habit"orstateofsoulofwhichfaithistheexpression.HenceCalvinsays("Instit.,"Bk.4,Ch.16.,&20),"TheseedofbothrepentanceandfaithlieshidinthembythesecretoperationoftheSpirit."

33.HowcanweavoidtheconclusionthatinfantsshouldbeadmittedtotheLord’sSupper,iftheyareadmittedtobaptism?

Thesamereasonandthesameprecedentsdonotholdinrelationtobothsacraments.1st.Baptismrecognizesandsealschurchmembership,whiletheLord’sSupperisacommemorativeact.2nd.In

theactionofbaptismthesubjectispassive,andinthatoftheLord’sSupperactive.3rd.InfantswereneveradmittedtothePassoveruntiltheywerecapableofcomprehendingthenatureoftheservice.4th.Theapostlesbaptized.households,butneveradmittedhouseholdsassuchtotheSupper.

34.Whosechildrenoughttobebaptized?

"Infantsofsuchasaremembersofthevisiblechurch,""ShorterCatechism"Q.95;thatis,theoretically,"infantsofoneorbothbelievingparents,""Con.ofFaith,"Chap.28.,sec.4;andpractically,"ofparents,oneorbothofthemprofessingfaithnChrist."––"LargerCatechism,"Q.166.RomanCatholics,Episcopalians,theProtestantsofthecontinent,thePresbyteriansofScotland(andformerlyofthiscountry),actupontheprinciplethateverybaptizedperson,notexcommunicated,beinghimselfamemberofthevisiblechurch,hasarighttohavehischildregardedandtreatedassuchalso.EvenwhenparentsareunbelieversCatholicsandEpiscopalianswillbaptizetheirinfantsuponthefaithofsponsors.

Itisevident,however,thatonlythechildrenofsuchparents,oractualguardians,asmakeacredibleprofessionofpersonalfaithoughttobebaptized.1st..Becauseofthenatureoftheact.Faithistheconditionofthecovenantofwhichbaptismistheseal.TheGen.Assemblyof1794decidedthatour"DirectoryforWorship"demandsthattheparententersbeforeGodandtheChurchintoanexpressengagement,"thattheypraywithandforthechild,thattheysetanexampleofpietyandgodlinessbeforeit"etc.AndtheGen.Synodof1735assertsthatifotherthanparentsprofessingpietyareencouragedtotaketheseengagements"thesealwouldbesettoablank"("Moore’sDigest,"pp.665and666).Henceitisevidentthattheconditionsprerequisiteforhavingone’schildrenbaptizedarepreciselythesamewiththoseprerequisiteforbeingbaptizedoradmittedtotheLord’sSupperone’sself,i.e.,credibleprofessionofatruefaith.

2nd.Sponsorswhoareneitherparentsnoractualandpermanentguardiansareevidentlyneithertheprovidentiallyconstitutedrepresentativesofthechild,norinapositiontomakegoodtheirengagements.

3rd.Thosewhohavingbeenbaptized,donotbyfaithandobediencedischargetheirbaptismalvowswhentheyareofmatureage,areipsofactoinastateofsuspensionfromcovenantprivileges,andcannot,therefore,pleadthemfortheirchildren.

4th.TheapostlesbaptizedthehouseholdsonlyofthosewhoprofessedfaithinChrist.

THEEFFICACYOFBAPTISM.

35.WhatistheRomishandRitualisticdoctrineastotheefficacyofbaptism.

TheRomishdoctrine,withwhichthe"Tractarian"doctrineessentiallyagrees,is,1st,thatbaptismconfersthemeritsofChristandthepoweroftheHolyGhost,andtherefore(1)itcleansesfrominherentcorruption;(2)itsecurestheremissionofthepenaltyofsin;(3)itsecurestheinfusionofsanctifyinggrace;(4)itunitestoChrist;(5)itimpressesuponthesoulanindeliblecharacter;(6)itopenstheportalsofheaven.Newman,"LecturesonJustification"p.257;"Cat.Rom.,"Pt.2.,Chap.2.Q.32–44.2nd.Thattheefficacyoftheordinanceisinherentinitselfinvirtueofthedivineinstitution.Itsvirtuedoesnotdependeitheronthemeritoftheofficiatingminister,noronthatoftherecipient,butinthesacramentalactionitselfasanopusoperatum(worksperformed).Inthecaseofinfants,theonlyconditionofitsefficiencyistherightadministrationoftheordinance.Inthecaseofadultsitsefficiencydependsupontheadditionalconditionthattherecipientisnotinmortalsin,anddoesnotresistbyanopposingwill.––Dens"DeBaptismo,"N.29.

36.WhatistheLutherandoctrineonthissubject?

TheLutheransagreedwiththeReformedchurchesinrepudiatingtheRomishdoctrineofthemagicalefficacyofthissacramentasanopusoperatum.ButtheywentmuchfurtherthantheReformedinmaintainingthesacramentalunionbetweenthesignandthegracesignified.Luther,inhis"SmallCat.,"Pt.4.,sec.2,saysbaptism,"workethforgivenessofsins,deliversfromdeathandthedevil,andconfers

everlastingsalvationonallwhobelieve"and,insec.3,that"itisnotthewaterindeedwhichproducestheseeffects,butthewordofGodwhichaccompanies,andisconnectedwiththewater,andourfaith,whichreliesonthewordofGodconnectedwiththewater.Forthewaterwithoutthewordissimplywaterandnobaptism.ButwhenconnectedwiththewordofGod,itisabaptism,thatis,agraciouswateroflife,andawashingofregeneration."Thisefficacydependsupontruesavingfaithintheadultsubject:"

Moreover,faithbeingabsent,itremainsonlyanakedandinoperativesign."

Hencetheyhold––lst.BaptismisanefficientmeansofconferringtheforgivenessofsinsandthegraceofChrist.2nd.Itcontainsthegraceitconfers.3rd.ItsefficacyresidesnotinthewaterbutinthewordandintheHolySpiritintheword.4th.Itsefficacy,inthecaseoftheadult,dependsuponthefaithofthesubject.Krauth’s"ConservativeReformation",pp.545–584.

37.WhatwastheZwingliandoctrineonthissubject?

Thattheoutwardriteisameresign,anobjectiverepresentationbysymbolofthetruth,havingnoefficacywhateverbeyondthatduetothetruthrepresented.

38.WhatisthedoctrineoftheReformedchurches,andofourownamongthenumber,onthissubject?

Theyallagree,1st,thattheZwinglianviewisincomplete.

2nd.Thatbesidesbeingasign,baptismisalsothesealofgrace,andthereforeapresentandsensibleconveyanceandconfirmationofgracetothebelieverwhohasthewitnessinhimself,andtoalltheelectasealofthebenefitsofthecovenantofgrace,tobesoonerorlaterconveyedinGod’sgoodtime.

3rd.Thatthisconveyanceiseffected,notbythebareoperationofthesacramentalaction,butbytheHolyGhost,whichaccompanieshis

ownordinance.

4th.Thatintheadultthereceptionoftheblessingdependsuponfaith.

5th.Thatthebenefitsconveyedbybaptismarenotpeculiartoit,butbelongtothebelieverbeforeorwithoutbaptism,andareoftenrenewedtohimafterwards.

Our"ConfessionofFaith,"Chap.28.,sections5and6,affirms,"1st.Thatbytherightuseofthisordinancethegracepromisedisnotonlyoffered,butreallyexhibitedandconferredbytheHolyGhosttosuch(whetherofageorinfants),asthatgracebelongethunto."

2nd.Thatbaptismdoesnotinallcasessecuretheblessingsofthecovenant.

3rd.Thatinthecasesinwhichitdoesthegiftisnotconnectednecessarilyintimewiththeadministrationoftheordinance.

4th."Thattheseblessingsdependupontwothings:(1)therightuseoftheordinance;(2)thesecretpurposeofGod."–Dr.Hodge.

39.WhatingeneralisthedoctrineknownasBaptismalRegeneration?Onwhatgrounddoesitrest?andhowcanitbeshowntobefalse?

TheProtestantadvocatesofBaptismalRegeneration,withoutcommittingthemselvestotheRomishtheoryofanopusoperatum,holdthatbaptismisGod’sordainedinstrumentofcommunicatingthebenefitsofredemptioninthefirstinstance.Thatwhatevergraciousexperiencesmaybeenjoyedbytheunbaptized,areuncovenantedmercies.Thatbybaptismtheguiltoforiginalsinisremoved,andtheHolyGhostisgiven,whoseeffectsremainlikeaseedinthesoul,tobeactualizedbythefree–willofthesubject,orneglectedandhencerenderedabortive.Everyinfantisregeneratedwhenbaptized.Ifhediesininfancytheseedisactualizedinparadise.Ifhelivestoadultage,itsresultdependsuponhisuseofit(Blunt’s"Dict.ofTheology,"Art.Baptism).Seeabove,Ch.29.,Question

4.

TheyresttheirdoctrineonalargeclassofScripturepassageslikethefollowing,"Christgavehimselfforthechurchthathemightsanctifyandcleanseitbythewashingofwater,bytheword"Ephesians5:26,"Ariseandbebaptized,andwashawaythysins."––Acts22:16.AlsoJohn3:5;1Peter3:21;Galatians3:27,etc.

TheReformedexplainthesepassagesonthefollowingprinciples.1st.Ineverysacramenttherearetwothings(a)anoutwardvisiblesign,and(b)aninwardinvisiblegracetherebysignified.Thereisbetweentheseasacramentalorsymbolicalrelationthatnaturallygivesrisetoaususloquendi(meaningofwordsbyusage),wherebythepropertiesandeffectsofthegraceareattributedtothesign.Yetitneverfollowsthatthetwoareinseparable,anymorethanitprovestheabsurditythatthetwoareidentical.

2nd.Thesacramentsarebadgesofreligiousfaith,andnecessarilyinvolvetheprofessionofthatfaith.Inallordinarylanguage,therefore,thatfaithispresumedtobepresent,andtobegenuine,inwhichcasethegracesignifiedbythesacramentis,ofcourse,alwaysnotonlyofferedbutconveyed("ShorterCatechism,"Ques.91and.92).

Thatbaptismcannotbetheonlyoreventheordinarymeansofconveyingthegraceofregeneration(i.e.,forinitiatingthesoulintoastateofgrace)isplain.––1st.Faithandrepentancearethefruitsofregeneration.Butfaithandrepentancearerequiredasconditionsprerequisitetobaptism.—Acts2:38;8:37;10:47,and11:17.

2nd.ThisdoctrineisidenticalwiththatofthePharisees,whichChristandhisapostlesconstantlyrebuked.––Matthew23:23–26."ForinChristJesusneithercircumcisionavailethanything,noruncircumcision,butfaiththatworkethbylove––butanewcreature."––Galatians5:6,and6:15;Romans2:25–29.Faithaloneissaidtosave,theabsenceoffaithalonetodamn.––Acts16:31,andMark16:16.

3rd.Theentirespiritandmethodofthegospelisethicalnotmagical.ThegreatinstrumentoftheHolyGhostistheTRUTH,andall

thatiseversaidoftheefficacyofthesacramentsissaidoftheefficacyofthetruth.Theyaremeansofgracethereforeincommonwiththewordandastheycontainandsealit(1Peter1:23,andJohn17:17,19).OurSavioursays"bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem."––(Matthew7:20).

4th.Thisdoctrineisdisprovedbyexperience.Vastmultitudesofthebaptizedofallagesandnationsbringforthnoneofthefruitsofregeneration.Multitudeswhowereneverbaptizedhaveproducedthesefruits.Theagesandcommunitiesinwhichthisdoctrinehasbeenmoststrictlyheldhavebeenconspicuousforspiritualbarrenness.

5th.Thegreatevilofthesystemofwhichthedoctrineofbaptismalregenerationisapart,isthatittendstomakereligionamatterofexternalandmagicalforms,andhencetopromoterationalisticskepticismamongtheintelligent,andsuperstitionamongtheignorantandmorbid,andtodissociateamongallclassesreligionandmorality.

THENECESSITYOFBAPTISM.

40.WhatistheRomishdoctrineastothenecessityofbaptism?

ThatitisbytheappointmentofGodtheonemeans,sinequanon,ofjustification(regeneration,etc.)bothforinfantsandadults.Inthecaseofadultstheyexceptonlythecaseofthosewhohaveformedasincerepurposeofbeingbaptized,whichhasbeenprovidentiallyhindered.Inthecaseofinfantsthereisnoexception.

41.WhatistheLutheranview?

Theirstandardsstatethenecessityofthesacramentswithoutapparentqualification(See"Aug.Confession"Art.9,and"Apol.Aug.Confession,"p.156,quotedunderlastchapter).ButDr.KrauthhasshownfromthewritingsofLutherandtheirstandardtheologians,thattheiractualviewwasthat(1)baptismisnotessential(ase.g.,Christ’satonementis),butthat(2)itisnecessary,astheordainedordinarymeansofconferringgrace,yet(3)notunconditionally,becausethe"necessity"islimited(a)bythepossibilityofhavingit,sothatnotthe

deprivationofbaptism,butthecontemptofitcondemnsaman,and(b)bythefactthatalltheblessingsofbaptismareconditionedonfaith.(4)Baptismisnotalwaysfollowedbyregeneration,andregenerationisnotalwaysprecededbybaptism,andmenmaybesavedthoughunbaptized.(5)Thatwithinthechurchallinfantsaresavedalthoughunbaptized.(6)Astoinfantsofheathen,thepointundecided,becauseunrevealed,buthopefulviewsentertained.––Krauth"Conserv.Reform.,"pp.557–564.

42WhatistheReformeddoctrine?

Thatitis"necessary"becausecommanded,anduniversallyobligatory,becauseitisadivinelyordainedandmostpreciousmeansofgrace,whichitwouldbeimpiousknowinglyandwillinglytoneglect.AndbecauseitistheappointedandcommonlyrecognizedbadgewherebyourallegiancetoChristisopenlyacknowledged.Underthecircumstances,intelligentneglectofthesacramentslooksveryliketreason.

Butbaptismdoesnotordinarilyconfergraceinthefirstinstance,butpresupposesit,andthegraceitsymbolizesandsealsisoftenrealizedbothbeforeandwithouttheiruse.–"ConfessionofFaith,"Ch.28.,"Cal.Instit.,"Bk.4.,ch.16.,&26.

THEAUTHORITATIVECREEDSTATEMENTS

ROMISHDOCTRINE.

"Cat.Conc.Trident."Pt.2,Ch.2,Ques.5.––"Itfollowsthatbaptismmaybeaccuratelyandappositelydefinedtobethesacramentofregenerationbywaterintheword.ForbynaturewearebornfromAdamchildrenofwrath,butbybaptismweareregeneratedinChristchildrenofmercy."

Ib.,Pt.2,Ch.2,Ques.33.––"Forasnoothermeansofsalvationremainsforinfantchildrenexceptbaptism,itiseasytocomprehendtheenormityoftheguiltunderwhichtheylaythemselves,whosufferthemtobedeprivedofthegraceofthesacramentlongerthannecessityrequires."

Bellarmin"Bapt.,"1,4.–"Thechurchhasalwaysbelievedthat

infantsperishiftheydepartthislifewithoutbaptism.Foralthoughlittlechildrenfailofbaptismwithoutanyfaultoftheirown,yettheydonotperishwithouttheirownfault,sincetheyhaveoriginalsin."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.––Seequotationsunderlastchapter.

Quenstedt,.147.—"BybaptismandinbaptismtheHolyGhostexcitesininfantsatrue,saving,life–giving,andactualfaith,whencealsobaptizedinfantstrulybelieve."

"Art.Smalcald,"pt.3,art.5,"DeBaptismo."––"BaptismisnothingelsethanthewordofGodwithdippinginwater,accordingtohisinstitutionandcommand....Thewordisaddedtotheelementanditbecomesasacrament."

"Cat.Minor,"4.,Ques.3.—"Baptismeffectsremissionofsins,liberatesfromdeathandthedevil,andgiveseternalblessednesstoallandeachwhobelievethiswhichthewordanddivinepromisesholdforth."

REFORMEDDOCTRINE.

"Cat.Genev.,"p.522.––"Thesignificationofbaptismhastwoparts,forthereinisrepresentedremissionofsins.....:Doyouattributenothingelsetothewater,thanthatitisonlyafigureofwashing?Ithinkitissuchafigure,thatatthesametimeatruthisjoinedwithit.ForGoddoesnotdisappointusinpromisingtoushisgifts.Henceitiscertainthatpardonofsinsandnewnessoflifeareofferedandreceivedbyusinbaptism."

Calvin’s"Instit.",B.4.,Ch.16,&26.—"Iwouldnotbeunderstoodasinsinuatingthatbaptismmaybecontemnedwithimpunity.Sofarfromexcusingthiscontempt,IholdthatitviolatesthecovenantoftheLord.Thepassage(John5:24)onlyservestoshowthatwemustnotdeembaptismsonecessaryastosupposethateveryonewhohaslosttheopportunityofobtainingithasforthwithperished."

"Thirty–nineArt.ofCh.ofEngland,"Art.27.––"Baptismisnot

onlyasignofprofession,andmarkofdifference,wherebyChristianmenarediscernedfromothersthatarenotchristened,butitisalsoasignofregenerationornewbirth,whereby,asbyaninstrument,theythatreceivebaptismrightlyaregraftedintothechurch:thepromisesoftheforgivenessofsin,andofouradoptiontobethesonsofGodbytheHolyGhostarevisiblysignedandsealed;faithisconfirmed,andgraceincreasedbyvirtueofprayeruntoGod."

"Thebaptismofyoungchildrenisinanywisetoberetainedinthechurch,asmostagreeablewiththeinstitutionofChrist."

"ConfessionofFaith,"Ch.28;"LargerCatechism",Q.165–167;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.94,95.

§1.—"BaptismisasacramentoftheNewTestament,ordainedbyJesusChristnotonlyforthesolemnadmissionofthepartybaptizedintothevisiblechurch,butalsotobeuntohimasignandsealofthecovenantofgrace,ofhisingraftingintoChrist,ofregeneration,ofremissionofsins,andofhisgivingupuntoGod,throughJesusChrist,towalkinnewnessoflife."

§5.––"Althoughitbeagreatsintocontemnofneglectthisordinance,yetgraceandsalvationarenotsoinseparablyannexeduntoit,asthatnopersoncanberegeneratedorsavedwithoutit,orthatallthatarebaptizedareundoubtedlyregenerated."

§6.––"Theefficacyofbaptismisnottiedtothatmomentoftimewhereinitisadministered,yet,notwithstanding,bytherightuseofthisordinancethegracepromisedisnotonlyoffered,butreallyexhibitedandconferredbytheHolyGhost,tosuch(whetherofageorinfants)asthatgracebelongethunto,accordingtothecouncilofGod’sownwill,inhisappointedtime."

SOCINIANDOCTRINE.––SocinusbelievedbaptismtohavebeenpracticedbytheapostlesafterthedeathofChrist,andtohavebeenapplicableonlytoconvertsfromwithoutthechurch.SociniansgenerallyheldbaptismtobeonlyabadgeofpublicprofessionofadherencetoChrist,andmaintainedthatimmersionistheonlypropermode,and

adultstheonlypropersubjects.––"RacovianCat.",Section5,Ch.3.

~~~~~~

Chapter43:TheLord’sSupper

1.InwhatpassagesoftheNewTestamentistheinstitutionoftheLord’sSupperrecorded?

Matthew26:26–28;Mark14:22–24;Luke22:17–20;1Corinthians10:16,17;and11:23–30.

2.Provethatitsobservanceisaperpetualobligation.

1st.Fromthewordsofinstitution,"Dothisinremembranceofme,"andagain"thisdoasoftasyedrinkitinremembranceofme."2nd.Paul’sword.––1Corinthians11:26."ForasoftenasyeeatthisbreadanddrinkthiscupyedoshowtheLord’sdeathtillhecome."3rd.Theapostolicexample(Acts2:42and46;20:7,etc.).4th.Thefrequentreferencetoitasofperpetualobligationintheapostolicalwritings(1Corinthians10:16–21,etc.).5th.ThepracticeoftheentireChristianchurchinallitsbranchesfromthefirst.

3.WhatarethevariousphrasesusedinScripturetodesignatetheLord’sSupper,andtheirimport?

1st."Lord’sSupper."––1Corinthians11:20.TheGreekwordδεἰπνον,translatedsupper,designatedthedinner,orprincipalmealoftheJews,takentowardsorintheevening.Hencethissacramentreceivedthisnamebecauseitwasinstitutedatthatmeal.Itwascalledthe"Lord’s,"becauseitwasinstitutedbyhim,tocommemoratehisdeath,andsignifyandsealhisgrace.

2nd."Cupofblessing."––1Corinthians10:16ThecupwasblessedbyChrist,andtheblessingofGodisnowinvokeduponitbytheofficiatingminister.––Matthew26:26,27.

3rd."Lord’sTable."––1Corinthians10:21.Tableherestandsbyausualfigurefortheprovisionsspreaduponit.ItisthetableatwhichtheLordinviteshisguests,andatwhichhepresides.

4th."Communion."––1Corinthians10:16.Inpartakingofthissacrament,thefellowshipofthebelieverwithChristisestablishedandexercisedinamutualgivingandreceiving,andconsequentlyalsothefellowshipofbelieverswithoneanother,throughChrist.

5th."Breakingofbread."––Acts2:42.Herethesymbolicalactionoftheofficiatingministerisputforthewholeservice.

4.Bywhatothertermswasitdesignatedintheearlychurch?

1st."Eucharist,"fromἐυχαριστέω,togivethanks.SeeMatthew26:27.Thisbeautifullydesignatesitasathanksgivingservice.Itisboththecupofthanksgiving,wherebywecelebratethegraceofGodandpledgeourgratitudetohim,andthecupofblessing,ortheconsecratedcup.

2nd."2d."Σύναξις,"acomingtogether,becausethesacramentwasadministeredinthepubliccongregation.

3rd.""Αειτουργία,"asacredministration,appliedtothesacramentbywayofeminence.FromthiswordisderivedtheEnglishwordliturgy.

4th."Θυσία,"sacrificeoffering"Thistermwasnotappliedtothesacramentinthepropersenseofapropitiatorysacrifice.But(1)becauseitwasaccompaniedwithacollectionandoblationofalms;(2)becauseitcommemoratedthetruesacrificeofChristonthecross;(3)becauseitwastrulyaeucharisticalsacrificeofpraiseandthanksgiving,Hebrews13:15;(4)because,inthestyleoftheancients,everyreligiousaction,wherebyweconsecrateanythingtoGodforhisgloryandoursalvation,iscalledasacrifice."

5th.5th.Ἀγάπη.TheAgapæ,orlovefeasts,weremealsatwhichallthecommunicantsassembled,andinconnectionwithwhichtheyreceivedtheconsecratedelements.Hencethenameofthefeastwasgiventothesacramentitself.

6th.6th.Μυστήριον,amystery,orasymbolicalrevelationoftruth,designedforthespecialbenefitofinitiatedChristians.Thiswasappliedtobothsacraments.IntheScripturesitisappliedtoallthedoctrinesofrevelation.––Matthew13:11;Colossians1:26.

7th.Missa,mass.TheprincipaldesignationusedbytheLatinchurch.Themostprobablederivationofthistermisfromtheancientformulaofdismission.Whenthesacredriteswerefinishedthedeaconscalledout,"Ite,missaest,"go,itisdischarged.Turretin50.19,Q.21.

5.Howisthissacramentdefined,andwhataretheessentialpointsincludedinthedefinition?

See"LargerCatechism,"Q.168;"ShorterCatechism,"Q.96.

Theessentialpointsofthisdefinitionare,1st,theelements,breadandwine,givenandreceivedaccordingtotheappointmentofJesusChrist.2nd.ThedesignoftherecipientofdoingthisinobediencetoChrist’sappointment,inremembranceofhim,toshowforthhisdeathtillhecome.3rd.ThepromisedpresenceofChristinthesacramentbyhisSpirit,"sothattheworthyreceiversarenotafteracorporealandcarnalmanner,butbyfaith,madepartakersofChrist’sbodyandblood,withallhisbenefits,totheirspiritualnourishmentandgrowthingrace."

6.Whatkindofbreadistobeusedinthesacrament,andwhatistheusageofthedifferentchurchesonthispoint?

Breadofsomekindisessential,1st,fromthecommandofChrist;2nd,fromthesignificancyofthesymbol;sincebread,astheprincipalnaturalnourishmentofourbodies,representshisflesh,which,aslivingbread,hegaveforthelifeoftheworld.––John6:51.Butthekindof(read,whetherleavenedorunleavened,isnotspecifiedinthecommand,norisitrenderedessentialbythenatureoftheservice.

ChristusedunleavenedbreadbecauseitwaspresentatthePassover.TheearlyChristianscelebratedtheCommunionatacommonmeal,withthebreadofcommonlife,whichwasleavened.TheRomishChurchhasusedunleavenedbreadeversincetheeighthcentury,and

commandstheuseofthesameastheonlyproperkind,butdoesnotmakeitessential("Cat.Conc.Trident.,"Pt.2,ch.4:,&&13and14).

TheGreekChurchinsistsupontheuseofleavenedbread.TheLutheransChurchusesunleavenedbread.

TheReformedChurch,includingtheChurchofEngland,regardstheuseofleavenedbread,asthefoodofcommonlife,tobemostproper,sincebreadintheSupperisthesymbolofspiritualnourishment.Theuseofsweetcake,practicedinsomeofourchurchesisprovincialandarbitrary,andiswithoutanysupportinScripture,tradition,orgoodtaste.

7.Whatisthemeaningofthetermὀῖνος,wine,intheNewTestament,andhowdoesitappearthatwineandnootherliquidmustbeusedintheLord’sSupper?

ItisevidentfromtheusageofthiswordintheNewTestamentthatitwasdesignedbythesacredwriterstodesignatethefermentedjuiceofthegrape.––Matthew9:17;John2:3–10;Romans14:21;Ephesians5:18;1Timothy3:8;5:23;Titus2:3.

ThisisestablishedbytheunanimoustestimonyofallcompetentscholarsandmissionaryresidentsintheEast.––SeeDr.LindsayW.Alexander’sarticleinKitto’s"Cyclopædia";andDr.Wm.L.Bevan’sart.on"Wine"in"Smith’sBibleDict.";andDr.Ph.SchaffinLange’s"CommentaryonJohn,"ch.2:1-11,notep.111;andRev.Dr.T.Laurie,missionary,inthe"BibliothecaSacra,"Jan.,1869;andDr.JustinPerkins,

"ResidenceofEightYearsinPersia,"p.236;andDr.EliSmithinthe"Bib.Sacra,"1846,pp.385,etc.;andRev.J.H.Shedd(missionary),in"Interior,"ofJuly20,1871.

TheRomishChurchcontends,ontheauthorityoftradition,thatwatershouldbemingledwiththewine("Cat.Conc.Trident.",Pt.2.,Ch.4.,Ques.16and17).Butthishasnotbeencommanded,norisitinvolvedinanywayinthesymbolicalsignificancyoftherite.Thatwineandnootherliquidistobeusedisclearfromtherecordoftheinstitution,

Matthew26:26–29,andfromtheusageoftheapostles.

8.Howdoesitappearthatbreakingthebreadisanimportantpartoftheservice?

1st.TheexampleofChristintheactofinstitution,whichisparticularlynoticedineachinspiredrecordofthematter.Matthew26:26;Mark14:22;Luke22:l9;1Corinthians11:24.

2nd.Itisprominentlysetforthinthereferencemadebytheapostlestothesacramentintheepistles.––1Corinthians10:16.Theentireserviceisdesignatedfromthisoneaction.

3rd.Itpertainstothesymbolicalsignificancyofthesacrament.(1)ItrepresentsthebreakingofChrist’sbodyforus.1Corinthians11:24.(2)Itrepresentsthecommunionofbelievers,beingmanyinonebody.––1Corinthians10:17.ThisisdeniedbytheLutheranChurch,whichholdsthatthe"breaking"isonlyapreparationfordistribution(seeKrauth’s"ConservativeReformation,"pp.719–722).

9.Whatistheproperinterpretationof1Corinthians10:16,andinwhatsensearetheelementstobeblessedorconsecrated?

ThephrasetoblessisusedinScriptureonlyinthreesenses,1st.ToblessGod,i.e.,todeclarehispraises,andtoutterourgratitudetohim.2nd.Toconferblessingactually,asGoddoesuponhiscreatures.3rd.

ToinvoketheblessingofGoduponanypersonorthing.

The"cupofblessingwhichwebless"istheconsecratedcupuponwhichtheministerhasinvokedthedivineblessing.AstheblessingofGodisinvokeduponfood,anditisthusconsecrateduntotheendofitsnaturaluse,1Timothy4:5,sotheelementsaresetapartassacramentalsignsofaninvisiblespiritualgrace,totheendofshowingforthChristdeath,andofministeringgracetothebelievingrecipient.bytheinvocationbytheministerofGod’sblessinginthepromisedpresenceofChristthroughhisspirit.

TheRomishChurchteachesthatwhenthepriestpronouncesthewordsofconsecrationwiththedueintention,hereallyeffectsthetransubstantiationofthebreadandwineintothebodyandbloodofChrist.

Theformtobeusedintheconsecrationofthebreadis,"Thisismybody."Theformtobeusedinconsecratingthewineis,"Forthisisthechaliceofmyblood,ofthenewandeternaltestament,themysteryoffaith,whichshallbeshedforyouandformanyfortheremissionofsins"("Cat.Conc.Trident.,"Pt.2.,Ch.4.,Ques.19–26).

10.Showthatthedistributionoftheelementstothepeopleandtheirreceptionbythemisanessentialpartofthissacrament?

SincetheRomishChurchhasperfectlydevelopedthedoctrinesoftransubstantiation,andofthesacrificeofthemass,theyhavelogicallycometoregardtheessentialdesignoftheordinancetobeeffectedwhentheactofconsecrationhasbeenperformed,andhencethedistributionoftheelementstothepeopleisconsiderednon–essential.HencetheypreservethebreadastheveritablebodyoftheLordshutupinthepyx,carryitaboutinprocessionsandworshipit.Hencetheyalsomaintaintherightofthepriestinthemasstocommunicatewithoutthepeople,andtocarrythewafertothesickwhoareabsentfromtheplaceofcommunion.––"Conc.Trident.,"Sess.13,Ch.6,andcans.4–7,andSess.22,can.8.

Protestants,onthecontrary,holdthatitisoftheessenceofthisholyordinancethatitisanaction,beginningandendingintheappointeduseoftheelements."Takeeat,"saidChrist."Thisdoinremembranceofme."Itisa"breakingofbread,"an"eatinganddrinking"inremembranceofChrist,itisa"communion."Protestantsallhold,consequently,thatthedistributionandreceptionoftheelementsareessentialpartsoftheservice,andthatwhentheseareaccomplishedthesacramentends.TheLutheransholdthatthepresenceofthefleshandbloodofChristinthesacramentisconfinedtothetimeofthesacramentaluseoftheelements,thatistothetimeoftheirdistributionandreception,andthatwhatremainsafterwardsiscommonbreadandwine.––"Form.Concord.,"Pt.

2,Ch.7,82,and108;"ConfessionofFaith,"Ch.29,§4.

TheReformedChurchholdsthattheelementsshouldbeputintothehandsofthecommunicant,andnotasCatholics,intohismouth.Christsaid,"takeeat,"andtheactissymbolicalofpersonalself–appropriation.

Sincethissacramentisa"communion"(1Corinthians10:16,17)ofthememberswithoneanotherandwithChristtogether,theriteisabusedwhentheelementsaresenttopersonsabsentfromthecompanyamongwhomitiscelebrated,andallprivatecommunionofministersorlaymenisabsurd.IncaseofneedallReformedChurchesallowthepastorandelderstogo.withasmanyChristianfiendsasthecaseadmitsof;andholdacommunioninthechamberofsickbelievers,whootherwisewouldbeunabletoattend(Gen.Assem.O.S.,1863,"Moore’sDigest.,"p.668).

11.Whatshouldbethenatureoftheexercisesduringthedistributionoftheelements?

"TheSacramentsaresealsoftheCovenantofGrace"formedbetweenChristandhispeople,andintheLord’sSupper"theworthyreceiversreallyandtrulyreceiveandapplyuntothemselvesChristcrucified,"eachbelieverbeingmade"apriestuntoGod"(1Peter2:5;Revelation1:20),"havinglibertytoenterintotheholiestbythebloodofJesus"(Hebrews10:19).FromallthisitnecessarilyfollowsthatinthissacramentthecommunicantsaretoactimmediatelyintheircovenantingwiththeLord.

Theministeroughtnever,therefore,tothrowthecommunicantsintoapassiveattitudeastherecipientsofinstructionsorexhortations.Allsuchdidacticandhortatoryexercisesbeingassignedtothe"preparatory"services,andtothesermonbeforecommunion,theministershouldconfinehimselftoleadingthecommunicantsintheactofcommunioninexercisesofdirectworship,suchassuitableprayersandhymns.Andalltheprayersandhymnsassociatedwiththisholyordinanceshouldbespecificallyappropriatetoit,andnotmerelyofageneralreligiouscharacter.

THERELATIONOFTHESIGNANDTHEGRACESIGNIFIED

12.WhatistheRomishdoctrineonthissubject?Andhowisitexpressedbytheterm

Transubstantiation?

TheearlyfathersspokeofthepresenceofChristintheSupperinindefinitelanguage,andwithageneraltendencytoexaggeration.Theirmetaphoricallanguagetendedtoaconfusionbetweenthesymbolsofreligiousserviceandthespiritualideasrepresented.Astheministrycametoberegardedasapriesthood,andtheonlychannelsofgracetothepeople,thesacramentsweremoreandmoreexaltedintothenecessaryinstrumentsthroughwhichtheyacted.Withtheconceptionofarealpriesthoodnecessarilyemergedtheneedofarealsacrifice;andfortherealityofthesacrificetherealpresenceofadivineincarnatevictimalsowasnecessarilyprovided.

ThedoctrineinitspresentformwasfirstbroughtoutexplicitlybyPaschasiusRadbert,abbotofCorbet(AD.831).ItwasopposedbyRatramnus,butgraduallygainedground.Thetermtransubstantiatio,conversionofsubstance,wasusedtodefineitinthefirstinstancebyHildebertofTours(†1134).Itwasfirstdecreedasanarticleoffaith,attheinstanceofInnocentIII.,bythefourth"LateranCouncil,"AD.1215.

Theirdoctrineisthatwhenthewordsofconsecrationarepronouncedbythepriest––

1st.ThewholesubstanceofthebreadischangedintotheverybodyofChristwhichwasbornoftheVirgin,andisnowseatedattherighthandoftheFatherinheaven,andthewholesubstanceofthewineischangedintothebloodofChrist.

2nd.Thatasinhistheantropicpersonthesoulisinseparablefromthebody,andthedivinityfromthesoul,sointhesacramentthesoulandbodyoftheRedeemerispresentwithhisfleshandblood.

3rd.Thatonlythespecies,orsensiblequalitiesofthebreadandwineremain,accidentiasinesubjecto,andthatthesubstanceofthefleshandbloodispresentwithouttheiraccidents.

4th.Thisconversionofsubstanceispermanent,sothatthefleshandbloodremainpermanentlyandaretobepreservedandadoredassuch.TheyresttheirdoctrineonScripture(Hicestcorpusmeum),tradition,andtheauthorityofcouncils.

13.OnwhatgroundsdoestheRomishChurchwithholdtheuseofthecupfromallexcepttheofficiatingpriestandwhatistheirdoctrineof‘concomitance.’(breadandwine‘areone’withthebodyandbloodofChrist)?

TheEarlyChurchforages,andtheGreekandallProtestantChurchestothepresenttime,followtheexampleofChristandhisapostlesindistributingamongallcommunicantsboththebreadandthewine"subutraqueforma."TheRomishChurchhowever,forfearthatsomeportionoftheLord’spersonmightbeunintentionallydesecrated,hasrestrictedthecuptotheofficiatingministeralone.TheonlyexceptionallowediswhenthecardinalsreceivethecupfromthepopeofficiatingonHolyThursday.TheHussiteWarhadforitsprincipalobjectthegainingforthepeopletheprivilegeofcommunicatinginbothkinds.TodefendtheircustomtheologiansadvancedthedoctrinethatthewholeChristispresentineachoftheelements,towhichThomasAquinasfirstgavethenameconcomitantia.Thebodyincludesthenerves,sinews,andallelsethatisnecessarytoacompletebody;andasthebloodisinseparablefromtheflesh,andthesoulfromthebody,andthedivinityfromthesoul,itfollowsthattheentirepersonoftheRedeemerispresentineachparticleofbothelements,separationhavingbeenmade.He,therefore,whoreceivesanyfractionofthebreadreceivesbloodaswellasflesh,becausehereceivesthewholeChrist.

14.PresenttheargumentsprovingtheRomishdoctrineoftherelationofthesigntothethingssignifiedtobeunscripturalaswellasirrational.

1st.ThesoleScripturalargumentoftheRomanistsisderived

fromthewordsofinstitution,"Thisismybody"(Matthew26:26).Protestantsanswer.Thisphraseinthisplacemustmean,"thisbreadrepresents,orsymbolizes,mybody."Thisisevident––(1)BecausesuchlanguageinScripturemustoftenbesointerpreted,e.g.,Genesis41:26,27––"Thesevengoodkinearesevenyears:andthesevengoodearsaresevenyears."Daniel7:24––"Andthetenhornsaretenkings."Exodus12:11;Ezekiel37:11––"ThesebonesarethewholehouseofIsrael."Matthew13:19,37;Revelation1:20––"Thesevenstarsaretheangelsofthesevenchurches,andthesevencandlesticksarethesevenchurches."(2)InthiscaseanyotherinterpretationisrenderedimpossiblebythefactthatChristwassittingpresentinthebodywhenhespokethewords,andthathealsoeatthebread.(3)AlsobywhatChristsaysofthecup.Matt.,"Thiscupismyblood."Luke,"ThiscupistheNewTestamentinmyblood."Paul(1Cor.10:16)saysthecupistheκοινωνίαoftheblood,andthebreadistheκοινωνίαofthebodyofChris.

2nd.Paulcallsoneoftheelementsbread,aswellafterasbeforeitsconsecration.––1Corinthians10:16;11:26–28.

3rd.Thisdoctrineisinconsistentwiththeirowndefinitionofasacrament.TheyagreewithProtestantsandwiththefathersindistinguishing,ineverysacrament,twothings,viz.,thesignandthething

signified.Seeabove,Chap.41.,Question2.Butthedoctrineoftransubstantiationconfoundsthesetogether.

4th.Thesenses,whenexercisedintheirpropersphere,areasmucharevelationfromGodasanyother.

NomiraclerecordedintheBiblecontradictedthesenses,but,onthecontrary,therealityofthemiraclewasestablishedbythetestimonyofthesenses.Seethetransubstantiationofwaterintowine.––John2:1–10,andLuke24:36–43.Butthisdoctrineflatlycontradictsoursenses,sincewesee,smell,taste,andtouchthebreadandwineaswellaftertheirconsecrationasbefore.

5th.Reasonalso,initspropersphere,isadivinerevelation,andthoughitmaybetranscended,nevercanbecontradictedbyany

otherrevelation,supernaturalorotherwise.Seeabove,Chap.3.,Question14.Butthisdoctrinecontradictstheprinciplesofreason(1)withrespecttothenatureofChrist’sbody,bysupposingthat,althoughitismaterial,itmaybe,withoutdivision,whollypresentinheaven,andatmanydifferentplacesonearthatthesametime.(2)InmaintainingthatthebodyandbloodofChristarepresentinthesacrament,yetwithoutanyoftheirsensiblequalities,andthatallthesensiblequalitiesofthebreadandwinearepresent,whilethebodiestowhichtheybelongareabsent.Butqualitieshavenoexistenceapartfromthesubstancestowhichtheybelong.

6th.Thisdoctrineisaninseparablepartofasystemofpriestcraftentirelyanti–Christian,includingtheworshipofthehost,thesacrificeofthemass,andhencetheentiresubstitutionofthepriestandhisworkintheplaceofChristandhiswork.ItalsoblasphemouslysubjectstheawfuldivinityofourSaviourtothecontrolofhissinfulcreatures,whoattheirownwillcallhimdownfromheaven,andwithholdorcommunicatehimtothepeople.

15.StatetheLutheranviewastothenatureofChrist’spresenceintheEucharist.

TheLutheranshold––1st.Thecommunicatioidiomatum,orthatthepersonalunionofthedivineandhumannaturesinvolvethesharingofthehumanityatleastwiththeomnipresenceofthedivinity.TheentirepersonoftheincarnateGod,body,soul,anddivinityareeverywhere.2nd.ThatthelanguageofourLordintheinstitution,"This(bread)ismybody,"istobeunderstoodliterally.

They,therefore,hold––

1st.Thattheentireperson,bodyandbloodofChristarereallyandcorporeallypresentin,withandunderthesensibleelements.2nd.Thattheyarereceivedbythemouth.3rd.Thattheyarereceivedbytheunbelieveraswellasbythebeliever.Buttheunbelieverreceivesthemtohisowncondemnation.

Ontheotherhandtheydeny––1st.Transubstantiation;holding

thatthebreadandwineremain(astotheirsubstance)whattheyappear.2nd.ThatthepresenceofChristinthesacramentiseffectedbytheofficiatingminister.3rd.ThatthepresenceofChristintheelementsispermanent;beingsacramental,itceaseswhenthesacramentisover.4th.ThatthebreadandwineonlyrepresentChrist’sbodyandblood.

5th.Thatthepresenceofthetruebodyandbloodis"spiritual,"inthesenseofbeingmediatedeither(a)throughtheHolyGhost,or(b)throughthefaithoftherecipient.

16.StatethedoctrineoftheReformedChurch.

Luther’sactivityasareformerextendedfrom1517to1546;Melanchthon’sfrom1521to1560;

Zwingle’sfromhisappearanceatZurich,1518,tohisdeath,1531;Calvin’sfrom1536to1564.TheMarburgColloquywasheldOctober,1529;theAugsburgConfessionpublishedJune,1530;andthefirsteditionof"Calvin’sInstitutes,"waspublishedatBasle,1536,andthefinishedworkwaspublishedbyhiminGeneva,1559.

I.ZwingleheldthatthebreadandwinearemerememorialsofthebodyofChristabsentinheaven.HisviewatfirstprevailedamongtheReformedchurches,andwasembodiedinZwingle’s"FideiRatio,"senttothedietatAugsburg,1530;the"ConfessioTetrapolitana,"byMartinBucer,1530;the"FirstBasle,Confession,"byOswaldMyconius,1532;andthe"FirstHelveticConfession,"byBullinger,Myconius,etc.,1536.

II.CalvinoccupiedmiddlegroundbetweentheZwingliansandLutherans.Heheld––(1)IncommonwithZwingleandalltheReformedthatthewords"Thisismybody",means"thisbreadrepresentsmybody."(2)ThatGodinthissacramentofferstoall,andgivestoallbelievingrecipients,throughtheeatinganddrinkingthebreadandwineallthesacrificialbenefitsofChrist’sredemption.(3)HealsotaughtthatbesidesthistheverybodyandbloodofChrist,thoughabsentinheaven,communicatealife–givinginfluencetothebelieverintheactofreceivingtheelements.Butthatthisinfluencethoughrealandvitalis(a)mysticalnotphysical,(b)mediatedthroughtheHolyGhost,(c)conditionedupon

theactoffaithbywhichthecommunicantreceivesthem.Thisviewissetforthchieflyinhis"Institutes,"Bk.4,Ch.17andinthe"GallicConfession,"Art.36,preparedbyaSynodinParis,1559;inthe"ScottishConfession,"Art.21,byJohnKnox,1560;andthe"BelgicConfession,"Art.35,byVonBres,1561.

III.AlterallhopeofreconcilingtheLutheranswiththeReformedbranchesofthechurchonthissubjectwasexhausted,CalvindrewuptheConsensusTigurinusin1549forthepurposeofunitingtheZurich–ZwinglianwiththeGenevan–CalvanisticpartyinonedoctrineoftheEucharist.Itwasacceptedbybothparties,andthedoctrineitpresentshaseversincebeenreceivedastheconsensusoftheReformedchurches.Itprevailsinthe"SecondHelveticConfession,"byBullinger,1564;the"HeidelbergCathechism,"byUrsinus,astudentofMelanchton,1562;the"Thirty–nineArticlesoftheChurchofEngland,"1562;andthe"WestminsterConfessionofFaith,"1648.

Theseallagree––1st.Astothe"presence,"ofthefleshandbloodofChrist.(1)Hishumannatureisinheavenonly.(2)HisPersonasGod–manisomnipresenteverywhereandalways,ourcommunioniswithhisentirepersonratherthatwithhisfleshandblood(seeabove,Chapter13.,Ques.13and16).(3)Thepresenceofhisfleshandbloodinthesacramentisneitherphysicalnorlocal;butonlythroughtheHolySpirit,affectingthesoulgraciously.2nd.Astothatwhichthebelieverfeedsupon,theyagreedthatitwasnotthe"substance"butthevirtueorefficacyofhisbodyandblood,i.e.,theirsacrificialvirtue,asbrokenandshedforsin.3rd.Astothe"feeding,"ofbelieversuponthis"bodyandblood,"theyagreed––(1)Itwasnotwiththemouthinanymanner.(2)Itwasbythesoulalone.(3)Itwasbyfaith,themouthorhandofthesoul.(4)ByorthroughthepoweroftheHolyGhost.(5)ItisnotconfinedtotheLord’sSupper.Ittakesplacewheneverfaithinhimisexercised.—"Bib.Ref:,"April,1848.

THEEFFICACYOFTHISSACRAMENT

17.WhatistheRomishdoctrineastotheefficacyoftheEucharist,andinwhatsenseandonwhatgrounddotheyholdthatitisalsoasacrifice?

Theydistinguishbetweentheeucharistasasacrament,andasasacrifice.Asasacramentitseffectisthatexopereoperatothereceiverwhodoesnotpresentanobstacle,isnourishedspiritually,sanctifiedandreplenishedwithmeritbytheactualsubstanceoftheRedeemereatenordrunk.

Ontheotherhand––"ThesacrificeofthemassisanexternaloblationofthebodyandbloodofChristofferedtoGodinrecognitionofhissupremeLordship,undertheappearanceofbreadandwinevisiblyexhibitedbyalegitimateminister,withtheadditionofcertainprayersandceremoniesprescribedbythechurchforthegreaterworshipofGodandedificationofthepeople."––Dens,Vol.5.,p.358.

Withrespecttoitsenditistobedistinguishedinto,1st,Latreuticum,oranactofsupremeworshipofferedtoGod.2nd.Eucharisticum,thanksgiving.3rd.Propitiatorium,atoningforsin,andpropitiatingGodbytheofferingupofthebodyandbloodofChristagain.4th.Imperatorium,sincethroughitweattaintomanyspiritualandtemporalblessings.––Dens,Vol.5.,p.368.

Thedifferencebetweentheeucharistasasacramentandasacrificeisverygreat,andistwofold;asasacramentitisperfectedbyconsecration,asasacrificeallitsefficacy,consistsinitsoblation.Asasacramentitistotheworthyreceiverasourceofmerit,asasacrificeitisnotonlyasourceofmerit,butalsoofsatisfaction,expiatingthesinsofthelivingandthedead.––"Cat.Rom.,"Pt.2.,Chap.4.,Q.55;"CouncilTrent,"Sess.22.

Theyfoundthisdoctrineupontheauthorityofthechurch,andabsurdlyappealtoMalachi1:11,asaprophecyofthisperpetuallyrecurrentsacrifice,andtothedeclaration,Hebrews7:17,thatChristis"apriestforever,aftertheorderofMelchizedec,"who,saythey,dischargedhispriestlyfunctionsinofferingbreadandwinetoAbraham.––Genesis14:18.

18.Howmaythisdoctrineberefuted?

1st.IthasnofoundationwhateverinScripture.Theirappealto

theprophecyinMalachi,andtothetypicalrelationofMelchizedectoChrist,isself–evidentlyabsurd.

2nd.Itrestswhollyuponthefictionoftransubstantiation,whichwasdisprovedabove,Question14.

3rd.ThesacrificeofChristonthecrosswasperfect,andfromitsessentialnatureexcludesallothers.––Hebrews9:25–28;10:10–14and18,26,27.

4th.ItisinconsistentwiththewordsofinstitutionpronouncedbyChrist.––Luke22:19,and1Corinthians11:24–26.ThesacramentcommemoratesthesacrificeofChristuponthecross,andconsequentlycannotbeanewpropitiatorysacrificeitselfforthesamereasontheessenceofasacramentisdifferentfromthatofasacrifice.Thetwocannotcoexistinthesameordinance.

5th.Itbelongedtotheveryessenceofallpropitiatorysacrifices,aswelltothetypicalsacrificesoftheOldTestament,astotheall–perfectoneofChrist,thatlifeshouldbetaken,thatbloodshouldbeshed,sinceitconsistedinvicariouslysufferingthepenaltyofthelaw.––Hebrews9:22.ButthePapiststhemselvescallthemassabloodlesssacrifice,anditiswhollywithoutpainordeath.

6th.Asacrificeimpliesapriesttopresentit,buttheChristianministryisnotapriesthood.––Seeabove,Chap.24,Question21.

19.WhatistheLutheranviewastotheefficacyofthesacrament?

TheLutheranviewonthispointisthattheefficacyofthesacramentresidesnotinthesigns,butinthewordofGodconnectedwiththem,andthatitisoperativeonlywhenthereistruefaithinthereceiver.

Thiseffectisidenticalwiththatoftheword,andthroughfaithincludesthebenefitsofvitalcommunionwithChristandallthefruitsthereof.It,however,laysstressuponthevirtueoftheliteralbodyandbloodofChristaspresentin,with,andunder,thebreadandwine.This

bodyandblood,beingphysicallyreceivedequallybythebelieverandunbeliever,butbeingofgraciousavailonlyinthecaseofthebeliever.––Luther’s"SmallCat.,"PartV.,Krauth’s"Conserv.Reform.,"pp.825–829.

20.Whatistheso–calledZwinglianandRemonstrantandSociniansviewastotheefficacyoftheEucharist?

Zwinglediedprematurely.Heundoubtedlytooktoolowaviewofthesacraments.Ifhehadlivedhewould,doubtless,haveaccompaniedhisdisciplesintheirunionwithCalvinintheadoptionoftheConsensusTigurinus.Thedoctrineeversinceknownbyhisname,andreallyheldbytheSociniansandRemonstrants,differsfromtheReformed––1st.Inmakingtheelementsmeresigns;andindenyingthatChristisinanyspecialsensepresentintheeucharist.2nd.Indenyingthattheyaremeansofgrace,andholdingthattheyarebareactsofcommemorationandbadgesofprofession.

21.WhatistheviewoftheReformedchurchesuponthissubject?

TheyrejectedtheRomishviewwhichregardstheefficacyofthesacramentasinheringinitphysicallyasitsintrinsicproperty,asheatinheresinfire.TheyrejectedalsotheLutheranviewasfarasitattributestothesacramentaninherentsupernaturalpowerdueindeednottothesigns,buttothewordofGodwhichaccompaniesthem,butwhich,nevertheless,isalwaysoperative,providedtherebefaithinthereceiver.

And,thirdly,theyrejectedthedoctrineoftheSociniansandothers,thatthesacramentisamerebadgeofprofession,oranemptysignofChristandhisbenefits.Theydeclaredittobeanefficaciousmeansofgrace;butitsefficacy,assuch,isreferredneithertoanyvirtueinit,norinhimthatadministersit,butsolelytotheattendingoperationoftheHolyGhost(virtueSpiritusSanctiextrinsecusaccedens),preciselyasinthecaseoftheword.Ithasindeedthemoralobjectivepowerofasignificantemblem,andasasealitreallyconveystoeverybelieverthegraceofwhichitisasign,anditissetapartwithespecialsolemnityasameetingpointbetweenChristandhispeople;butitspowertoconveygracedependsentirely,asinthecaseoftheword,onthecooperationofthe

HolyGhost.Hencethepowerisinnowaytiedtothesacrament.Itmaybeexertedwithoutit.Itdoesnotalwaysattendit,norisitconfinedtothetime,place,orservice.––"Bib.Ref.,April,1848;seeGal.Confession,"Arts.36and37;"Helv.,"2.,100.

21;"ScotchConf:,"Art.21;28thand29th"ArticlesofChurchofEngland";alsoourownstandards,"ConfessionofFaith,"Chapter29.,section7.

22.WhatdoourstandardsteachastothequalificationsforadmissiontotheLord’sSupper?

1st.OnlythosewhoaretrulyregeneratedbytheHolyGhostarequalified,andonlythosewhoprofessfaithinChristandwalkconsistentlyaretobeadmitted.

2nd.Wickedandignorantpersons,andthosewhoknowthemselvesnottoberegenerate,arenotqualified,andoughtnottobeadmittedbythechurchofficers.––"ConfessionofFaith,"Ch.29.section8;"LargerCatechism,"Question173.

3rd.ButsincemanywhodoubtastotheirbeinginChristareneverthelessgenuineChristians,soifonethusdoubtingunfeignedlydesirestobefoundinChrist,andtodepartfrominiquity,heoughttolabortohavehisdoubtsresolved,and,sodoing,tocometotheLord’sSupper,thathemaybefurtherstrengthened.––"LCat.,"Question172.

4th."Childrenbornwithinthepaleofthevisiblechurch,anddedicatedtoGodinbaptism,whentheycometoyearsofdiscretion,iftheybefreefromscandal,appearsoberandsteady,andtohavesufficientknowledgetodiscerntheLord’sbody,theyoughttobeinformeditistheirdutyandtheirprivilegetocometotheLord’sSupper.""TheyearsofdiscretioninyoungChristianscannotbepreciselyfixed.Thismustbelefttotheprudenceoftheeldership."––"Direct.forWorship,"Chap.9.

23.Whatisthepracticewhichprevailsinthedifferentchurchesonthissubject,andonwhatprinciplesdoessuchpracticerest?

1st.TheRomanistsmaketheconditionofsalvationtobeunionwithandobediencetothechurch,and,consequently,admitalltothesacramentswhoexpresstheirdesiretoconformandobey."Noone,"however,"consciousofmortalsin,andhavinganopportunityofrecurringtoaconfessor,howevercontritehemaydeemhimself;istoapproachtheholyeucharist,untilheispurifiedbysacramentalconfession."––"Coun.Trent,"sess.13,canon11.TheLutheransagreewiththeminadmittingallwhoconformtotheexternalrequirementsofthechurch.

2nd.HighChurchprelatists,andotherswhoregardthesacramentsasinthemselveseffectivemeansofgrace,maintainthateventhosewho,knowingthemselvestobedestituteofthefruitsoftheSpirit,neverthelesshavespeculativefaith,inthegospel,andarefreefromscandal,anddesiretocome,shouldbeadmitted.

3rd.Thefaithandpracticeofalltheevangelicalchurchesisthatthecommunionisdesignedonlyforbelievers,andtherefore,thatacredibleprofessionoffaithandobedienceshouldberequiredofeveryapplicant.(1)TheBaptistchurches,denyingaltogethertherightofinfantchurchmembership,receiveallapplicantsforthecommunionasfromtheworld,andthereforedemandpositiveevidencesofthenewbirthofall.(2)AllthePedobaptistchurches,maintainingthatallchildrenbaptizedininfancyarealreadymembersofthechurch,distinguishbetweentheadmissionofthechildrenofthechurchtothecommunion,andtheadmissiondenovo(altogethernew)tothechurchoftheunbaptizedalienfromtheworld.Withregardtotheformer,thepresumptionisthattheyshouldcometotheLord’stablewhentheyarriveat"yearsofdiscretion,iftheybefreefromscandal,appeartobesoberandsteady,andtohavesufficientknowledgetodiscerntheLord’sbody."Inthecaseoftheunbaptizedworldling,thepresumptionisthattheyarealiensuntiltheybringacredibleprofessionofachange.

24.HowmayitbeprovedthattheLord’sSupperisnotdesignedfortheunrenewed?

Itcan,ofcourse,bedesignedonlyforthosewhoarespirituallyqualifiedtodoinrealitywhateveryrecipientofthesacramentdoesin

formandprofessedly.Butthisordinanceisessentially–

1st.AprofessionofChrist.

2nd.AsolemncovenanttoacceptChristandhisgospel,andtofulfiltheconditionsofdiscipleship.

3rd.AnactofspiritualcommunionwithChrist.

Thequalificationsforacceptablecommunion,therefore,aresuchknowledge,andsuchaspiritualcondition,asshallenabletherecipientintelligentlyandhonestlytodiscernintheemblemstheLord’sbodyassacrificedforsin,tocontractwithhimthegospelcovenant,andtoholdfellowshipwithhimthroughtheSpirit.

25.WhathavethechurchanditsofficersarighttorequireofthosewhomtheyadmittotheLord’sSupper?

"Theofficersofthechurcharethejudgesofthequalificationsofthosetobeadmittedtosealingordinances.""Andthosesoadmittedshallbeexaminedastotheirknowledgeandpiety."––"DirectforWorsh.,"Chap.9.AsGodhasnotendowedanyoftheseofficerswiththepowerofreadingtheheart,itfollowsthatthequalificationsofwhichtheyarethejudgesaresimplythoseofcompetentknowledgepurityoflife,andcredibleprofessionoffaith.[By"credible,"ismeantnotthatwhichconvinces,butthatwhichcanbebelievedtobegenuine.]Itistheirdutytoexaminetheapplicantastohisknowledge,towatchandinquireconcerninghiswalkandconversation,tosetbeforehimfaithfullytheinwardspiritualqualificationsrequisiteforacceptablecommunion,andtohearhisprofessionofthatspiritualfaithandpurpose.Theresponsibilityoftheactthenrestsupontheindividualprofessor,andnotuponthesession,whoarenevertobeunderstoodaspassingjudgmentupon,orasindorsingthevalidityofhisevidences.

26.WhatisthedifferencebetweenthePresbyterianandtheCongregationalchurchesuponthispoint?

Thereexistsadifferencebetweenthetraditionaryviewsand

practiceofthesetwobodiesofChristianswithrespecttotheability,theright,andthedutyofchurchofficers,offormingandaffirmingapositiveofficialjudgmentupontheinwardspiritualcharacterofapplicantsforchurchprivileges.The

Congregationalistsunderstandby"credibleprofession"thepositiveevidenceofareligiousexperiencewhichsatisfiestheofficialjudgesofthegraciousstateoftheapplicant.ThePresbyteriansunderstandbythatphraseonlyanintelligentprofessionoftruespiritualfaithinChrist,whichisnotcontradictedbythelife.

Dr.Candlish,inthe"EdinburghWitness,"June8th,1848,says,"Theprinciple(ofcommunion),asitisnotoriousthatthePresbyterianchurchhasalwaysheldit,doesnotconstitutethepastor,elders,orcongregation,judgesoftheactualconversionoftheapplicant;but,onthecontrary,laysmuchresponsibilityupontheapplicanthimselfTheministerandkirksessionmustbesatisfiedastohiscompetentknowledge,credibleprofession,andconsistentwalkTheymustdeterminenegativelythatthereisnoreasonforpronouncinghimnottobeaChristian,buttheydonotundertaketheresponsibilityofpositivelyjudgingofhisconversion.ThisisthePresbyterianruleofdiscipline,beitrightorwrong,differingmateriallyfromthatoftheCongregationalists.Inpracticethereisroomformuchdealingwiththeconscienceundereitherrule,andpersonsdestituteofknowledgeandofacredibleprofessionareexcluded."

AUTHORITATIVESTATEMENTSOFCHURCHDOCTRINE

ROMISHDOCTRINE.––DOCTRINEOFTHEEUCHARISTBOTHASASACRAMENTANDASA

SACRIFICE.

"Conc.Trident.,"Sess.13,can.1.––"Ifanyonedenieth,thatinthesacramentofthemostholyEucharist,arecontainedtruly,really,andsubstantially,thebodyandbloodtogetherwiththesoulanddivinityofourLordJesusChrist,andconsequentlythewholeChrist;butsaiththat

heisonlythereinasinasign,orinfigure,orvirtue;lethimbeanathema."

Can.2.—"Ifanyonesaith,that,inthesacredandholysacramentoftheEucharist,thesubstanceofthebreadandwineremainsconjointlywiththebodyandbloodofourLordJesusChrist,anddenieththatwonderfulandsingularconversionofthewholesubstanceofthebreadintothebody,andthewholesubstanceofthewineintotheblood—thespecies(accidents)ofthebreadandwineremaining––whichconversionindeedtheCatholicChurchmostaptlycallsTransubstantiation;lethimbeanathema."

Can.3.—"Ifanyonedenieth,that,inthevenerablesacramentoftheEucharist,thewholeChristiscontainedundereachspecies,andundereverypartofeachspecies,whenseparationhasbeenmade;lethimbeanathema."

Can.4.––"Ifanyonesaith,that,aftertheconsecrationhasbeencompleted,thebodyandbloodofourLordJesusChristarenotintheadmirablesacramentoftheEucharist,but(arethere)onlyduringtheuse,whilstitisbeingtaken,andnoteitherbeforeorafter;andthatinthehost,orconsecratedparticles,whicharereceivedorremainaftercommunion,thetruebodyremainethnot;lethimbeanathema."

Can.6.—"Ifanyonesaith,that,intheholysacramentoftheEucharist,Christ,theonlybegottenSonofGod,isnottobeadoredwiththeworship,evenexternal,oflatria;andis,consequently,neithertobeveneratedwithspecialfestivesolemnity,nortobesolemnlyborneaboutinprocessions,accordingtothelaudableanduniversalriteandcustomofholychurch,or,isnottobeexposedpubliclytothepeopletobeadored,andthattheadorersthereofareidolaters;lethimbeanathema."

Can.7.—"Ifanyoneshallsay–thatitisnotlawfulforthesacredEucharisttobereservedinthesacrarium,butthatimmediatelyafterconsecration,itmustnecessarilybedistributedamongstthosepresent;or,thatitisnotlawfulthatitbecarriedwithhonortothesick;lethimbeanathema."

Can.8.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatChrist,givenintheEucharist,iseatenspirituallyonly,andnotalsosacramentallyandreally;lethimbeanathema."

Can.10.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatitisnotlawfulforthecelebratingpriesttocommunicatebyhimself;lethimbeanathema."

Sess.21,Can.1.—"Ifanyonesaith,that,bythepreceptofGod,orbynecessityofsalvation,allandeachofthefaithfulofChristoughttoreceivebothspeciesofthemostholysacramentoftheEucharist,lethimbeanathema."

Can.2.—"Ifanyonesaith,thattheholyCatholicChurchwasnotinduced,byjustcausesandreasons,tocommunicateunderthespeciesofbreadonly,laymenandalsoclericswhennotconsecrating;lethimbeanathema."

Can.3.—"IfanyonedenieththatChristwholeandentire––thefountainandauthorofallgraces––isreceivedundertheonespeciesofbread;becausethat––assomefalselyassert––heisnotreceivedaccordingtotheinstitutionofChristhimselfunderbothspecies,lethimbeanathema."

Sess.22,Can.1.––"Ifanyonesaith,thatinthemass,atrueandpropersacrificeisnotmadetoGod,or,thattobeofferedisnothingelsebutthatChristisgivenustoeat;lethimbeanathema."

Can.2.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatbythosewords,Dothisforthecommemorationofme(Luke22:19),Christdidnotinstitutetheapostlespriests,ordidnotordainthattheyandotherpriestsshouldofferhisownbodyandblood,lethimbeanathema."

Can3.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatthesacrificeofthemassisonlyasacrificeofpraiseandofthanksgiving;or,thatitisabarecommemorationofthesacrificeconsummatedonthecross,butnotapropitiatorysacrifice,or,thatitprofitshimonlythatreceives;andthatitoughtnottobeofferedforthelivingandforthedead,forsins,pains,satisfactions,andothernecessities;lethimbeanathema."

Can.8.—"Ifanyonesaith,thatmasses,whereinthepriestalonecommunicatessacramentally,areunlawful..lethimbeanathema."

Chap.2.—"Forasmuchasinthisdivinesacrificewhichiscelebratedinthemass,thatsameChristiscontainedandimmolatedinanunbloodymanner,whoonceofferedhimselfinabloodymanneronthealtarofthecross...therefor,notonlyforthesins,punishments,satisfactions,andothernecessitiesofthefaithfulwhoareliving,butalsoforthosewhoaredepartedinChrist,andwhoarenotasyetfullypurified,isitrightlyofferedagreeablytoatraditionoftheapostles."

Bellarmin,"Controv.deEuchar.,"5.5.—"Thesacrificeofthemasshasnotanefficacyexopereoperatoafterthemannerofasacrament.Thesacrificedoesnotoperateefficientlyandimmediately,norisitproperlytheinstrumentofGodformakingjust.Itdoesnotmakejustimmediatelyasbaptismandabsolutiondo,butitimpetratesthegiftofpenitence,throughwhichasinnerismadewillingtoapproachthesacramentandbythisbejustified...Thesacrificeofthemassistheprocurernotonlyofspiritualbutalsooftemporalbenefits,andthereforeitcanbeofferedforsins,forpunishments,andforanyothernecessaryuses."

LUTHERANDOCTRINE.

"AugsburgConfession,"Pars1,Art.10;"Apol.Augs.Confession,"p.157(Hase),"FormulaConcordioe,"Pars1,ch.7,§1.—"Webelieve,teach,andprofessthatintheLord’sSupperthebodyandbloodofChristaretrulyandsubstantiallypresent,andthattogetherwiththebreadandwinetheyaretrulydistributedandreceived.§2.––ThewordsofChrist(thisismybody)aretobeunderstoodonlyintheirstrictlyliteralsense;sothatneitherthebreadsignifiestheabsentbodyofChrist,northewinetheabsentbloodofChrist,butsothatonaccountofthesacramentalunionthebreadandwinetrulyarethebodyandbloodofChrist.§3.––Astowhatpertainstotheconsecrationwebelieve,etc.,thatnohumanact,noranyutteranceoftheministerofthechurch,isthecauseofthepresenceofthebodyandbloodofChristintheSupper,butthatthisistobeattributedsolelytotheomnipotentpowerofourLordJesusChrist.§5––Thegrounds,however,onwhich,inthismatter,we

contendagainsttheSacramentarians,arethese...ThefirstgroundisanarticleofourChristianfaith,namely,JesusChrististrue,essential,natural,perfectGodandman,inunityofpersoninseparableandundivided.ThesecondisthattherighthandofGodiseverywhere;butthereChristhas,trulyandinverydeed,beenplaced,inrespecttohishumanity,andthereforebeingpresentherules,andholdsinhishandsandunderhisfeetallthingswhichareinheavenandonearth.ThethirdisthatthewordofGodcannotbefalse.ThefourthisthatGodknowsandhasinhispowervariousmodesinwhichitispossibletobeinaplace(present),andhewasnotrestrictedtothatsinglemodeofpresencewhichphilosophershavebeenaccustomedtocalllocalorcircumscribed.§6.––Webelieve,etc.,thatthebodyandbloodofChristarereceivednotonlyspirituallythroughfaith,butalsobythemouth,notafteracapernaitish,butasupernaturalandcelestialmanner,byvirtueofasacramentalunion...§7.––Webelieve,etc.,thatnotonlythosewhobelieveinChrist,andworthilyapproachtheLord’sSupper,butalsotheunworthyandunbelieversreceivethetruebodyandbloodofChrist,sothat,however,theyshallnotthencederiveeitherconsolationorlife,butratherthatthisreceivingshallfallouttojudgmenttothem,unlesstheybeconvertedandexerciserepentance."

DOCTRINEOFTHEREFORMEDCHURCHES.

"GallicConfession,"Art.36.—"AlthoughChristisnowinheaven,therealsotoremaintillheshallcometojudgetheworld,yetwebelievethathe,bythehiddenandincomprehensiblepowerofhisSpirit,nourishesandvivifiesuswiththesubstanceofhisbodyandblood,apprehendedbyfaith.,"

"ScottishConfession"––"Andalthoughthereisgreatdistanceofplacebetweenhisnowglorifiedbodyinheavenandusmortalsnowupontheearth,yetweneverthelessbelievethatthebreadwhichwebreakisthecommunionofhisbody,andthecupwhichweblessisthecommunionofhisblood...SoweconfessthatbelieversintherightuseoftheLord’sSupperdothuseatthebodyanddrinkthebloodofJesusChrist;andwesurelybelievethatheremainsinthemandtheyinhim,yea,sobecomefleshofhisfleshandboneofhisbones,thatastheeternaldivinitygiveslifeandimmortalitytothefleshofJesusChrist,soalso,hisfleshand

blood,wheneatenanddrunkbyus,conferonusthesameprivileges."

"BelgicConfession,"Art.35.

Calvin’s"Institutes,"Bk.4.,Ch.17§10.—"Thesumis,thatthefleshandbloodofChrist,feedoursoulsjustasbreadandwinemaintainandsupportourcorporeallife...ButthoughitseemsanincrediblethingthatthefleshandbloodofChrist,whileatsuchadistancefromusinrespectofplace,shouldbefoodtous,letusrememberhowfarthesecretvirtueoftheHolySpiritsurpassesallourconceptions,andhowfoolishitistomeasureitsimmensitybyourfeeblecapacity.Thereforewhatourminddoesnotcomprehend,letfaithconceive;viz.,thattheSpirittrulyunitesthingsseparatedbyspace.ThatsacredcommunionoffleshandbloodwherebyChristtransfuseshislifeintous,justasifitpenetratedourbonesandmarrow,hetestifiesandsealsinhissupper,andthatnotbypresentingavainoremptysign,butbythereexertinganefficacyoftheSpiritbywhichhefulfilswhathepromises.Andtrulythethingtheresignifiedheexhibitsandofferstoallwhositdownatthatspiritualfeast,althoughitisbeneficiallyreceivedbybelieversonly."

"Thirty–nineArticles"Art.28.—"TheSupperoftheLordisasacramentoftheredemptionbyChrist’sdeath:insomuchthattosuchasrightly,worthily,andwithfaithreceivethesame,thebreadwhichwebreakisapartakingofthebodyofChrist,andlikewisethecupofblessingisapartakingofthebloodofChrist,..ThebodyofChrist,isgiven,taken,andeatenintheSupperonlyafteranheavenlyandspiritualmanner.AndthemeanwherebythebodyofChristisreceivedandeatenintheSupperisfaith.ThesacramentoftheLord’sSupperwasnotbyChrist’sordinancereserved,carriedabout,liftedup,orworshipped."

"HeidelbergCat."Ques.76.—"WhatisittoeatthecrucifiedbodyofChrist,andtodrinkhisshedblood?Itmeans,notonlywiththankfulheartstoappropriatethepassionofChrist,andtherebyreceiveforgivenessofsinsandeternallife,butalsoandtherein,throughtheHolyGhostwhodwellethinChristandinus,tobemoreandmoreunitedtohisblessedbodysothat,althoughheisinheaven,andweareuponearth,weneverthelessarefleshofhisflesh,andboneofhisbones,andliveforeveronespiritwithhim."

"West.ConfessionofFaith,"Ch..29,§5.––"Theoutwardelementsinthissacrament,dulysetaparttotheusesordainedbyChrist,havesucharelationtohimcrucified,asthattruly,yetsacramentallyonlytheyaresometimescalledbythenamesofthethingstheyrepresent,towit,thebodyandbloodofChrist,albeitinsubstanceandnaturetheystillremaintrulyandonlybreadandwine.§7.––Worthyreceivers,outwardlypartakingofthevisibleelementsinthissacrament,dothenalsoinwardlybyfaith,reallyandindeed,butnotcarnallyandcorporeally,butspirituallyreceiveandfeeduponChristcrucifiedandallthebenefitsofhisdeath:thebodyandbloodofChristbeingthennotcorporeallyorcarnallyin,with,orunderthebreadandwine;yetasreallybutspirituallypresenttothefaithofbelieversinthatordinance,astheelementsthemselvesaretotheoutwardsenses."––See"ConsensusTigurinus,"inAppendix.

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APPENDIXTHECONSENSUSTIGURINUSANDTHEFORMULACONSENSUS

HELVETICA

ITHECONSENSUSTIGURINUS

WRITTENBYCALVIN,1549,FORTHEPURPOSEOFUNITINGALL

BRANCHESOFTHEREFORMEDCHURCHINACOMMON

DOCTRINEASTOTHELORDSSUPPER

HEADSOFCONSENT

ThewholeSpiritualregimen,oftheChurchleadsustoChrist.

I.SinceChrististheendoftheLaw,andtheknowledgeofHimcomprehendsinitselftheentiresumoftheGospel,thereisnodoubtbut

thatthewholespiritualregimenoftheChurchisdesignedtoleadustoChrist;asthroughHimalonewereachGod,whoistheultimateendofablessed(holy)life;andsowhoeverdepartsintheleastfromthistruthwillneverspeakrightlyorfitlyrespectinganyoftheordinancesofGod.

AtrueknowledgeoftheSacramentsfromaknowledgeofChrist.

II.MoreoversincetheSacramentsareauxiliaries(appendices)oftheGospel,hecertainlywilldiscussbothaptlyandusefullytheirnature,theirpower,theirofficeandtheirfruit,whoweaveshisdiscoursefromChrist;notmerelytouchingthenameofChristincidentally,buttruthfullyholdingforththepurposeforwhichHewasgiventousbytheFather,andthebenefitswhichHehasconferreduponus.

KnowledgeofChrist,whatitinvolves.

III.Accordinglyitmustbeheld,thatChrist,beingtheeternalSonofGod,ofthesameessenceandglorywiththeFather,putonourfleshinorderthat,byrightofadoption,HemightcommunicatetouswhatbynaturewassolelyHisown,towit,thatweshouldbesonsofGod.Thistakesplacewhenwe,ingraftedthroughfaithintothebodyofChrist,andthisbythepoweroftheHolySpirit,arefirstjustifiedbythegratuitousimputationofrighteousness,andthenregeneratedintoanewlife,that,new-createdintheimageoftheHeavenlyFather,wemayputofftheoldman.

Christ,PriestandKing.

IV.WemustthereforeregardChristinHisfleshasaPriest,whohasexpiatedoursinsbyHisdeath,theonlySacrifice,blottedoutallouriniquitiesbyHisobedience,procuredforusaperfectrighteousness,andnowintercedesforusthatwemayhaveaccesstoGod;asanexpiatorySacrificewherebyGodwasreconciledtotheworld;asaBrother,whofromwretchedsonsofAdamhasmadeusblessedsonsofGod;asaRestorer(Reparator),whobythepowerofHisSpirittransformsallthatiscorrupt(vitiosum)inus,thatwemaynolongerliveuntotheworldandtheflesh,andGodhimselfmayliveinus;asaKing,

whoenrichesuswitheverykindofgood,governsandpreservesusbyHispower,establishesuswithspiritualarms,deliversusfromeveryevil,andrestrainsanddirectsusbythesceptreofHismouth;andHeistobesoregarded,thatHemayliftusuptoHimself,veryGod,andtotheFather,untilthatshallbefulfilledwhichistobeatlast,thatGodbeallinall.

HowChristcommunicatesHimselftous.

V.MoreoverinorderthatChristmaymanifestHimselfsuchaonetousandproducesucheffectsinus,itbehoovesustobemadeonewithHimandgrowtogetherinHisbody.ForHediffusesHislifeinusinnootherwaythanbybeingourHead;"fromwhomthewholebodyfitlyjoinedtogether,andcompactedbythatwhicheveryjointsupplieth,accordingtotheeffectualworkinginthemeasureofeverypart,makethincreaseofthebody"(Ephesians4:16).

Communionspiritual.Sacramentsinstituted.

VI.ThiscommunionwhichwehavewiththeSonofGod,isspiritual;sothatHe,dwellinginusbyHisSpirit,makesallofuswhobelievepartakersofallthegoodthatresidesinHim.Tobearwitnessofthis,boththepreachingoftheGospelandtheuseoftheSacraments,HolyBaptismandtheHolySupperwereinstituted.

TheEndsoftheSacraments.

VII.TheSacraments,however,havealsotheseends:—tobemarksandtokensofChristianprofessionand(Christian)association,orbrotherhood;toincitegratitude(thanksgiving),andtobeexercisesoffaithandapiouslife,inshort,bonds(sealedcontracts)makingthesethingsobligatory.Butamongotherendsthisoneischief,thatbytheseSacramentsGodattests,presentsanew,andsealstousHisgrace.Forwhiletheyindeedsignifynothingmorethanisdeclaredintheworditself,yetitisnosmallmatterthattheyarepresentedtooureyesaslivelysymbolswhichbetteraffectourfeeling,leadingustothereality(inrem),whiletheyrecalltomemoryChrist'sdeathandallthebenefitsthereof,inorderthatfaithmayhavemorevigorousexercise;andfinally,itisofnolittlemomentthatwhatwasproclaimedtousbythemouthofGod,is

confirmedandsanctionedbyseals.

Thanksgiving.

VIII.Moreover,sincethetestimonialsandsealsofHisgrace,whichtheLordhasgivenus,areverities,surelyHehimselfwillbeyondalldoubtmakegoodtousinwardly,byHisSpirit,whattheSacramentssymbolizetooureyesandothersenses,viz.,possessionofChristasthefountainofallblessings,thenreconciliationtoGodbyvirtueofHisdeath,restorationbytheSpirituntoholinessoflife,andfinallyattainmentofrighteousnessandsalvation;accompaniedwiththanksgivingforthesemercies,whichwereformerlydisplayedonthecross,.andthroughfaitharedailyreceivedbyus.

Thesignsandthethingssignifiedarenotseparated,butdistinct.

IX.Wherefore,thoughwerightlymakeadistinctionbetweenthesignsandthethingssignified,yetwedonotseparatetheverityfromthesigns;butwebelieve,thatallwhobyfaithembracethepromisesthereinoffered,dospirituallyreceiveChristandHisspiritualgifts,andsoalsotheywhohavebeforebeenmadepartakersofChrist,docontinueandrenewtheircommunion.

IntheSacramentsthepromiseischieflytobekeptinview.

X.Fornottothebaresigns,butrathertothepromisewhichisannexedtothem,itbecomesustolook.

AsfarthenasourfaithadvancesinthepromiseofferedintheSacramentssofarwillthispowerandefficacyofwhichwespeakexertitself.Accordinglythematter(materia)ofthewater,breadorwine,bynomeanspresentChristtous,normakesuspartakersofHisspiritualgifts;butwemustlookrathertothepromise,whoseofficeitistoleadustoChristbytherightwayoffaith,andthisfaithmakesuspartakersofChrist.

TheElementsarenottobesuperstitiouslyworshipped.

XI.Hencetheerrorofthosewhosuperstitiouslyworship(obstupescunt)theelements,andrestthereintheassuranceoftheirsalvation,fallstotheground.FortheSacramentsapartfromChristarenothingbutemptymasks;andtheythemselvesclearlydeclaretoallthistruth,thatwemustclingtonothingelsebutChristalone,andinnothingelsemustthefreegiftofsalvationbesought.

TheSacraments(perse)havenoefficacy.

XII.Furthermore,ifanybenefitisconferreduponusbytheSacraments,thisdoesnotproceedfromanyvirtueoftheirown,eventhoughthepromisewherebytheyaredistinguishedbeincluded.ForitisGodalonewhoworksbyHisSpirit.AndinusingtheinstrumentalityoftheSacraments,HetherebyneitherinfusesintothemHisownpower,norabatesintheleasttheefficiencyofHisSpirit;butinaccordancewiththecapacityofourignorance(ruditas)Heusesthemasinstrumentsinsuchawaythatthewholeefficiency(facultasagendi)remainssolelywithHimself.

Godusestheinstrumentbutinsuchawaythatallthepower(virtus)isHis.

XIII.Therefore,asPauladvisesusthat"neitherishethatplantethanything,neitherhethatwatereth,butGodthatgiveththeincrease"(1Corinthians3:7);soalsoitmaybesaidoftheSacraments,thattheyarenothing,fortheywillbeofnoavailexceptGodworkthewholetocompletion(insolidumomniaefficiat).TheyareindeedinstrumentswithwhichGodworksefficiently,whenitpleasesHim,butinsuchamannerthatthewholeworkofoursalvationmustbecreditedsolelytoHim.

XIV.WehavethereforedecidedthatitissolelyChristwhoverilybaptizesuswithin,whomakesuspartakersofHimintheSupper,who,infine,fulfilswhattheSacramentssymbolize,andsousesindeed,theseinstruments,thatthewholeefficiencyresidesinHisSpirit.

HowtheSacramentsconfirm.

XV.SotheSacramentsaresometimescalledseals,aresaidtonourish,confirm,andpromotefaith;andyettheSpiritaloneisproperlytheseal,andthesameSpiritistheoriginatorandperfecterofourfaith.

ForalltheseattributesoftheSacramentsoccupyasubordinateplace,sothatnoteventheleastportionoftheworkofoursalvationistransferredfromitssoleauthortoeitherthecreatureortheelements.

NotallwhoparticipateintheSacramentspartakealsooftheverity.

XVI.Moreover,wesedulouslyteachthatGoddoesnotexertHispowerpromiscuouslyinallwhoreceivetheSacraments,butonlyintheelect.ForjustasheenlightensuntofaithnonebutthosewhomHehasforeordaineduntolife,sobythehiddenpowerofHisspiritHecausesonlytheelecttoreceivewhattheSacramentsoffer.

TheSacramentsdonotconfergrace.

XVII.ThisdoctrinerefutesthatinventionofsophistswhichteachesthattheSacramentsoftheNewCovenantconfergraceonallwhodonotinterposetheimpedimentofamortalsin.ForbesidesthetruththatnothingisreceivedintheSacramentsexceptbefaith,itisalsotobeheldthatGod'sgraceisnotintheleastsolinkedtotheSacramentsthemselvesthatwhoeverhasthesignpossessesalsothereality(res);forthesignsareadministeredtothereprobateaswellastotheelect,buttheverityofthesignscomesonlytothelatter.

God'sgiftsareofferedtoall;believersalonereceivethem.

XVIII.ItisindeedcertainthatChristandHisgifts(dona)areofferedtoallalike,andthattheverityofGodisnotsoimpairedbytheunbeliefofmenthattheSacramentsdonotalwaysretaintheirpropervirtue(vim);butallpersonsarenotcapableofreceivingChristandHisgifts(dona).ThereforeonGod'spartthereisnovariableness,butonthe

partofmeneachonereceivesaccordingtothemeasureofhisfaith.

BelievershavecommunionwithChrist,beforeandwithouttheuseoftheSacraments.

XIX.Moreover,astheuseoftheSacramentsconfersonunbelieversnothingmorethaniftheyhadabstainedtherefrom,indeed,isonlypernicioustothem;sowithouttheirusetheveritywhichtheysymbolizeendurestothosewhobelieve.ThusinBaptismwerewashedawayPaul'ssins,whichhadalreadybeenwashedawaybefore.ThusalsoBaptismwastoCorneliusthewashingofregeneration,andyethehadalreadyreceivedthegiftoftheHolySpirit.SointheSupperChristcommunicateshimselftous,andyetHeimpartedhimselftousbefore,andabidescontinuallyinusforever.Forsinceeachoneiscommandedtoexaminehimself,ithencefollowsthatfaithisrequiredofeachbeforehecomestotheSacraments.AndyetthereisnofaithwithoutChrist;butinsofarasintheSacramentsfaithisconfirmedandgrows,God'sgiftsareconfirmedinus,andsoinameasureChristgrowsinusandweinHim.

GraceisnotsojoinedtotheactoftheSacraments,thattheirfruitisreceivedimmediatelyaftertheact.

XX.ThebenefitalsowhichwederivefromtheSacramentsshouldbynomeansberestrictedtothetimeinwhichtheyareadministeredtous;justasifthevisiblesignwhenbroughtforwardintoview,didatthesamemomentwithitselfbringGod'sgrace.Forthosewhoarebaptizedinearlyinfancy,Godregeneratesinboyhood,inbuddingyouth,andsometimeseveninoldage.SothebenefitofBaptismliesopentothewholecourseoflife;forthepromisewhichitcontainsisperpetuallyvalid.Itmay,also,sometimeshappen,thatapartakingoftheSupper,whichintheactitselfbroughtuslittlegoodbecauseofourinconsideratenessordullness,afterwardbringsforthitsfruit.

Localimaginationshouldbesuppressed.

XXI.Especiallyshouldeveryconceptionoflocal(bodily)presencebesuppressed.Forwhilethesignsarehereintheworldseenbytheeyes,andfeltbythehands,Christ,insofarasHeisman,wemust

contemplateasinnootherplacebutheaven,andseekHiminnootherwaythanwiththemindandfaith'sunderstanding.WhereforeitisapreposterousandimpioussuperstitiontoencloseHimunderelementsofthisworld.

ExpositionofthewordsoftheLord'sSupper,"Thisisanybody."

XXII.Wethereforerepudiateasabsurdinterpreters,thosewhourgethepreciseliteralsense,astheysay,ofthecustomarywordsintheSupper,"Thisismybody,""Thisismyblood."Forweplaceitbeyondallcontroversythatthesewordsaretobeunderstoodfiguratively,sothatthebreadandthewinearesaidtobethatwhichtheysignify.Andverilyitoughtnottoseemnovelorunusualthatthenameofthethingsignifiedbetransferredbymetonomytothesign,forexpressionsofthiskindarescatteredthroughouttheScriptures;andsayingthisweassertnothingthatdoesnotplainlyappearmalltheoldestandmostapprovedwritersoftheChurch.

ConcerningtheeatingofthebodyofChrist.

XXIII.Moreover,thatChrist,throughfaithbythepowerofHisHolySpirit,feedsoursoulswiththeeatingofHisfleshandthedrinkingofHisblood,isnottobeunderstoodasifanycomminglingortransfusionofsubstanceoccurred,butasmeaningthatfromfleshonceofferedinsacrificeandbloodoncepouredoutinexpiationwederivelife.

AgainstTransubstantiationandothersillyconceits.

XXIV.InthiswaynotonlyistheinventionofPapistsabouttransubstantiationrefuted,butalsoallthegrossfictionsandfutilesubtletieswhichareeitherderogatorytoHisdivinegloryorinconsistentwiththeverityofHishumannature.ForweconsideritnolessabsurdtolocateChristunderthebread,orconjoinHimwiththebread,thantotransubstantiatethebreadintoHisbody.

Christ'sbodyisinheavenasinaplace.

XXV.Butinorderthatnoambiguitymayremain,whenwesaythatChristshouldbecontemplatedasinheaven,thephraseimpliesandexpressesadifferenceofplace(adistancebetweenplaces).Forthough,philosophicallyspeaking,"abovetheheavens"isnotalocality,yetbecausethebodyofChrist—asthenatureandthelimitationofthehumanbodyshow—isfinite,andiscontainedinheavenasinaplace,itisthereforenecessarilyseparatedfromusbyasgreatanintervalasliesbetweenheavenandearth.

Christisrottobeworshippedinthebread.

XXVI.ButifitisnotrightforusinimaginationtoaffixChristtothebreadandwine,muchlessisitlawfultoworshipHiminthebread.ForthoughthebreadispresentedtousasasymbolandpledgeofourcommunionwithChrist,yetbecauseitisthesign,notthereality,neitherhastherealityenclosedinitoraffixedtoit,theythereforewhobendtheirmindsuponittoworshipChrist,makeitanidol.

II

FORMULACONSENSUSHELVETICA

COMPOSEDATZURICH,AD.1675,BYJOHNHENRYHEIDEGGER,OFZURICH,

ASSISTEDBYFRANCISTURRETINE,OFGENEVA,ANDLUKEGERNLER,

OFBASLE,ANDDESIGNEDTOCONDEMNANDEXCLUDETHATMODIFIED

FORMOFCALVINISM,WHICH,INTHESEVENTEENTHCENTURY,EMANATED

FROMTHETHEOLOGICALSCHOOLATSAUMUR,REPRESENTED

BYAMYRAULT,PLACÆUS,ANDDAILLE;ENTITLED"FORMOFAGREEMENT

OFTHEHELVETICREFORMEDCHURCHESRESPECTINGTHEDOCTRINEOF

UNIVERSALGRACE,THEDOCTRINESCONNECTEDTHEREWITH,ANDSOMEOTHERPOINTS."

CANONS

I.God,theSupremeJudge,notonlytookcaretohaveHisword,whichisthe"powerofGoduntosalvationtoeveryonethatbelieveth"(Romans1:16),committedtowritingbyMoses,theProphets,andtheApostles,buthasalsowatchedandcherisheditwithpaternalcareeversinceitwaswrittenuptothepresenttime,sothatitcouldnotbecorruptedbycraftofSatanorfraudofman.ThereforetheChurchjustlyascribesittoHissingulargraceandgoodnessthatshehas,andwillhavetotheendoftheworld,a"surewordofprophecy"and"HolyScriptures"(2Timothy3:15),fromwhich,thoughheavenandearthperish,"onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepass"(Matthew5:18).

II.But,inparticular,theHebrewOriginaloftheOldTestament,whichwehavereceivedandtothisdaydoretainashandeddownbytheJewishChurch,untowhomformerly"werecommittedtheoraclesofGod"(Romans3:2),is,notonlyinitsconsonants,butinitsvowels—eitherthevowelpointsthemselves,oratleastthepowerofthepoints—notonlyinitsmatter,butinitswords,inspiredofGod,thusforming,togetherwiththeOriginaloftheNewTestament,thesoleandcompleteruleofourfaithandlife;andtoitsstandard,astoaLydianstone,allextantversions,orientalandoccidental,oughttobeapplied,andwhereevertheydiffer,beconformed.

III.ThereforewecanbynomeansapprovetheopinionofthosewhodeclarethatthetextwhichtheHebrewOriginalexhibitswasdeterminedbyman'swillalone,anddonotscrupleatalltoremodelaHebrewreadingwhichtheyconsiderunsuitable,andamenditfromtheGreekVersionsoftheLXXandothers,theSamaritanPentateuch,theChaldeeTargums,orevenfromothersources,yea,sometimesfromtheirownreasonalone;andfurthermore,theydonotacknowledgeanyotherreadingtobegenuineexceptthatwhichcanbeeducedbythecritical

powerofthehumanjudgmentfromthecollationofeditionswitheachotherandwiththevariousreadingsoftheHebrewOriginalitself—which,theymaintain,hasbeencorruptedinvariousways;andfinally,theyaffirmthatbesidestheHebreweditionofthepresenttime,thereareintheVersionsoftheancientinterpreterswhichdifferfromourHebrewcontextotherHebrewOriginals,sincetheseVersionsarealsoindicativeofancientHebrewOriginalsdifferingfromeachother.Thustheybringthefoundationofourfaithanditsinviolableauthorityintoperiloushazard.

IV.BeforethefoundationoftheworldGodpurposedinChristJesus,ourLord,aneternalpurpose(Ephesians3:11),inwhich,fromthemeregoodpleasureofHisownwill,withoutanyprevisionofthemeritofworksoroffaith,untothepraiseofHisgloriousgrace,outofthehumanracelyinginthesamemassofcorruptionandofcommonblood,and,therefore,corruptedbysin,Heelectedacertainanddefinitenumbertobeled,intime,untosalvationbyChrist,theirSuretyandsoleMediator,andonaccountofHismerit,bythemightypoweroftheregeneratingHolySpirit,tobeeffectuallycalled,regenerated,andgiftedwithfaithandrepentance.So,indeed,God,determiningtoillustrateHisglory,decreedtocreatemanperfect,inthefirstplace,then,permithimtofallandatlengthpitysomeofthefallen,andthereforeelectthose,butleavetherestinthecorruptmass,andfinallygivethemovertoeternaldestruction.

V.InthatgraciousdecreeofDivineElection,moreoverChristhimselfisalsoincluded,notasthemeritoriouscause,orfoundationanteriortoElectionitself,butasbeingHimselfalsoelect(1Peter2:4,6),foreknownbeforethefoundationoftheworld,andaccordingly,asthefirstrequisiteoftheexecutionofthedecreeofElection,chosenMediator,andourfirstbornBrother,whosepreciousmeritGoddeterminedtouseforthepurposeofconferring,withoutdetrimenttoHisownjustice,salvationuponus.

FortheHolyScripturesnotonlydeclarethatElectionwasmadeaccordingtothemeregoodpleasureoftheDivinecounselandwill(Ephesians1:5,9;Matthew6:26),butalsomaketheappointmentandgivingofChrist,ourMediator,toproceedfromthestrenuousloveofGodtheFathertowardtheworldoftheelect.

VI.Whereforewecannotgivesuffragetotheopinionofthosewhoteach:—(1)thatGod,movedbyphilanthropy,orasortofspecialloveforthefallenhumanrace,topreviouselection,did,inakindofconditionedwilling—willingness—firstmovingofpity,astheycallit—inefficaciousdesire—purposethesalvationofallandeachatleast,conditionally,i.e.,iftheywouldbelieve;(2)thatHeappointedChristMediatorforallandeachofthefallen;and(3)that,atlength,certainoneswhomHeregarded,notsimplyassinnersinthefirstAdam,butasredeemedinthesecondAdam,Heelected,i.e.,Hedeterminedtograciouslybestowonthese,intime,thesavinggiftoffaith;andinthissoleactElectionproperlysocallediscomplete.FortheseandallotherkindredteachingsareinnowiseinsignificantdeviationsfromtheformofsoundwordsrespectingDivineElection;becausetheScripturesdonotextenduntoallandeachGod'spurposeofshowingmercytoman,butrestrictittotheelectalone,thereprobatebeingexcluded,evenbyname,asEsau,whomGodhatedwithaneternalhatred(Romans9:10-13).ThesameHolyScripturestestifythatthecounselandthewillofGodchangenot,butstandimmovable,andGodintheheavensdoethwhatsoeverhewill(Psalm115:3;Isaiah46:10);forGodisinfinitelyremovedfrontallthathumanimperfectionwhichcharacterizesinefficaciousaffectionsanddesires,rashness,repentance,andchangeofpurpose.Theappointment,also,ofChrist,asMediator,equallywiththesalvationofthosewhoweregiventoHimforapossessionandaninheritancethatcannotbetakenaway,proceedsfromoneandthesameElection,anddoesnotunderlyElectionasitsfoundation.

VII.AsallHisworkswereknownuntoGodfrometernity(Acts15:18),sointime,accordingtoHisinfinitepower,wisdom,andgoodness,Hemademan,thegloryandendofHisworks,inHisownimage,and,therefore,uprightwise,andjust.Him,thusconstituted,HeputundertheCovenantofWorks,andinthisCovenantfreelypromisedhimcommunionwithGod,favor,andlife,ifindeedheactedinobediencetoHiswill.

VIII.MoreoverthatpromiseannexedtotheCovenantofWorkswasnotacontinuationonlyofearthlylifeandhappiness,butthepossessionespeciallyoflifeeternalandcelestial,alife,namely,ofboth

bodyandsoulinheaven—ifindeedmanranthecourseofperfectobedience—withunspeakablejoyincommunionwithGod.FornotonlydidtheTreeofLifeprefigurethisverythinguntoAdam,butthepowerofthelaw,which,beingfulfilledbyChrist,whowentunderitinourstead,awardstousnootherthancelestiallifeinChristwhokepttherighteousnessofthelaw(Romans2:26),manifestlyprovesthesame,asalsotheoppositethreateningofdeathbothtemporalandeternal.

IX.WhereforewecannotassenttotheopinionofthosewhodenythatarewardofheavenlyblisswasprofferedtoAdamonconditionofobediencetoGod,anddonotadmitthatthepromiseoftheCovenantofWorkswasanythingmorethanapromiseofperpetuallifeaboundingineverykindofgoodthatcanbesuitedtothebodyandsoulofmaninastateofperfectnature,andtheenjoymentthereofinanearthlyParadise.ForthisalsoiscontrarytothesoundsenseoftheDivineWord,andweakensthepower(potestas)ofthelawinitselfconsidered.

X.As,however,GodenteredintotheCovenantofWorksnotonlywithAdamforhimself,butalso,inhimastheheadandroot(stirps),withthewholehumanrace,whowould,byvirtueoftheblessingofthenaturederivedfromhim,inheritalsothesameperfection,providedhecontinuedtherein;soAdambyhismournfulfall,notonlyforhimself,butalsoforthewholehumanracethatwouldbebornofbloodsandthewilloftheflesh,sinnedandlostthebenefitspromisedintheCovenant.Wehold,therefore,thatthesinofAdamisimputedbythemysteriousandjustjudgmentofGodtoallhisposterity.FortheApostletestifiesthatinAdamallsinned,byoneman'sdisobediencemanyweremadesinners(Romans5:12,19),andinAdamalldie(1Corinthians15:21,22).Butthereappearsnowayinwhichhereditarycorruptioncouldfall,asaspiritualdeath,uponthewholehumanracebythejustjudgmentofGod,unlesssomesin(delictum)ofthatracepreceded,incurring(inducens)thepenalty(reatum,guilt)ofthatdeath.ForGod,thesupremelyjustJudgeofalltheearth,punishesnonebuttheguilty.

XI.Foradoublereason,therefore,man,becauseofsin(postpeccatum)isbynature,andhencefromhisbirth,beforecommittinganyactualsin,exposedtoGod'swrathandcurse;first,onaccountofthetransgressionanddisobediencewhichhecommittedintheloinsof

Adam;and,secondly,onaccountoftheconsequenthereditarycorruptionimplantedinhisveryconception,wherebyhiswholenatureisdepravedandspirituallydead;sothatoriginalsinmayrightlyberegardedastwofold,viz,imputedsinandinherenthereditarysin.

XII.Accordinglywecannot,withoutharmtoDivinetruth,giveassenttothosewhodenythatAdamrepresentedhisposteritybyappointmentofGod,andthathissinisimputed,therefore,immediatelytohisposterity;andunderthetermimputationmediateandconsequentnotonlydestroytheimputationofthefirstsin,butalsoexposethedoctrine(assertio)ofhereditarycorruptiontogreatdanger.

XIII.AsChristwasfrometernityelectedtheHead,Prince,andLord(Hœras)ofallwho,intime,aresavedbyHisgrace,soalso,intime,HewasmadeSuretyoftheNewCovenantonlyforthosewho,bytheeternalElection,weregiventoHimasHisownpeople(populuspeculii),Hisseedandinheritance.

ForaccordingtothedeterminatecounseloftheFatherandHisownintention,Heencountereddreadfuldeathinsteadoftheelectalone,restoredonlytheseintothebosomoftheFather'sgrace,andtheseonlyhereconciledtoGod,theoffendedFather,anddeliveredfromthecurseofthelaw.ForourJesussavesHispeoplefromtheirsins(Matthew1:21),whogaveHislifearansomformanysheep(Matthew20:28;John10:15),Hisown,whohearHisvoice(John10:27,28),andfortheseonlyHealsointercedes,asadivinelyappointedPriest,andnotfortheworld(John17:9).AccordinglyinthedeathofChrist,onlytheelect,whointimearemadenewcreatures(2Corinthians5:17),andforwhomChristinHisdeathwassubstitutedasanexpiatorysacrifice,areregardedashavingdiedwithHimandasbeingjustifiedfromsin;andthuswiththecounseloftheFatherwhogavetoChristnonebuttheelecttoberedeemed,andalsowiththeworkingoftheHolySpiritwhosanctifiesandsealsuntoalivinghopeofeternallifenonebuttheelect,thewillofChristwhodiedsoagreesandamicablyconspiresinperfectharmony,thatthesphereoftheFather'selection(Patriseligentis),theSon'sredemption(Filiiredimentis),andtheSpirit'ssanctification(SpiritusS.sanctificantis)isoneandthesame(œqualispateat).

XIV.Thisverythingfurtherappearsinthisalso,thatChristmeritedforthoseinwhosesteadHediedthemeansofsalvation,especiallytheregeneratingSpiritandtheheavenlygiftoffaith,aswellassalvationitself,andactuallyconferstheseuponthem.FortheScripturestestifythatChrist,theLord,cametosavethelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael(Matthew15:21),andsendsthesameHolySpirit,thefountofregeneration,asHisown(John16:7,8);thatamongthebetterpromisesoftheNewCovenantofwhichHewasmadeMediatorandSuretythisoneispre-eminent,thatHewillwriteHislaw,i.e.,thelawoffaith,intheheartsofhispeople(Hebrew8:10);thatwhatsoevertheFatherhasgiventoChristwillcometoHim,byfaith,surely;andfinally,thatwearechoseninChristtobeholyandwithoutblame,and,moreover,childrenbyHim(Ephesians1:4,5);butourbeingholyandchildrenofGodproceedsonlyfromfaithandtheSpiritofregeneration.

XV.ButbytheobedienceofhisdeathChristinsteadoftheelectsosatisfiedGodtheFather,thatintheestimate,nevertheless,ofHisvicariousrighteousnessandofthatobedience,allofthatwhichHerenderedtothelaw,asitsjustservant,duringthewholecourseofHislife,whetherbydoingorbysuffering,oughttobecalledobedience.ForChrist'slife,accordingtotheApostle'stestimony

(Philippians2:7,8),wasnothingbutacontinuousemptyingofself,submissionandhumiliation,descendingstepbysteptotheverylowestextreme,eventhedeathoftheCross;andtheSpiritofGodplainlydeclaresthatChristinoursteadsatisfiedthelawandDivinejusticebyHismostholylife,andmakesthatransomwithwhichGodhasredeemedustoconsistnotinHissufferingsonly,butinHiswholelifeconformedtothelaw.TheSpirit.however,ascribesourredemptiontothedeath,ortheblood,ofChrist,innoothersensethanthatitwasconsummatedbysufferings;andfromthatlastterminatingandgrandestactderivesaname(denominationemfacit)indeed,butinsuchawayasbynomeanstoseparatethelifeprecedingfromHisdeath.

XVI.Sinceallthesethingsareentirelyso,surelywecannotapprovethecontrarydoctrineofthosewhoaffirmthatofHisownintention,byHisowncounselandthatoftheFatherwhosentHim,Christdiedforallandeachupontheimpossiblecondition,providedthey

believe:thatHeobtainedforallasalvation,which,nevertheless,isnotappliedtoall,andbyHisdeathmeritedsalvationandfaithfornooneindividuallyandcertainly(proprieetactu),butonlyremovedtheobstacleofDivinejustice,andacquiredfortheFatherthelibertyofenteringintoanewcovenantofgracewithallmen;andfinally,theysoseparatetheactiveandpassiverighteousnessofChrist,astoassertthatHeclaimsHisactiverighteousnessforhimselfasHisown,butgivesandimputesonlyHispassiverighteousnesstotheelect.

Alltheseopinions,andallthatarelikethese,arecontrarytotheplainScripturesandthegloryofChrist,whoisAuthorandFinisherofourfaithandsalvation;theymakeHiscrossofnoneeffect,andundertheappearanceofaugmentingHismerit,theyreallydiminishit.

XVII.Thecalluntosalvationwassuitedtoitsduetime(1Timothy2:6);sincebyGod'swillitwasatonetimemorerestricted,atanother,moreextendedandgeneral,butneverabsolutelyuniversal.For,indeed,intheOldTestamentGodshowedHisworduntoJacob,HisstatutesandHisjudgmentsuntoIsrael;Hedealtnotsowithantnation(Psalm147:19,20).IntheNewTestament,peacebeingmadeinthebloodofChristandtheinnerwallofpartitionbrokendown,Godsoextendedthelimits(pomœria)ofGospelpreachingandtheexternalcall,thatthereisnolongeranydifferencebetweentheJewandtheGreek;forthesameLordoverallisrichuntoallthatcalluponHim(Romans10:12).Butnoteventhusisthecalluniversal;forChristtestifiesthatmanyarecalled(Matthew20:16),notall;andwhenPaulandTimothyessayedtogointoBithyniatopreachtheGospel,theSpiritsufferedthemnot(Acts16:7);andtherehavebeenandthereareto-day,asexperiencetestifies,innumerablemyriadsofmentowhomChristisnotknownevenbyrumor.

XVIII.MeanwhileGodleftnothimselfwithoutwitness(Acts14:17)untothosewhomHerefusedtocallbyHisWorduntosalvation.ForHedivideduntothemthespectacleoftheheavensandthestars

(Deuteronomy4:19),andthatwhichmaybeknownofGod,evenfromtheworksofnatureandProvidence,Hehathshoweduntothem(Romans1:19).forthepurposeofattestingHislongsuffering.

YetitisnottobeaffirmedthattheworksofnatureandDivineProvidenceweremeans(organa),sufficientofthemselvesandfulfillingthefunctionoftheexternalcall,wherebyHewouldrevealuntothemthemysteryofthegoodpleasureormercyofGodinChrist.FortheApostleimmediatelyadds(Romans1:20),"TheinvisiblethingsofHimfromthecreationareclearlyseen,beingunderstoodbythethingsthataremade,evenHiseternalpowerandGodhead;"notHishiddengoodpleasureinChrist,andnoteventotheendthatthencetheymightlearnthemysteryofsalvationthroughChrist,butthattheymightbewithoutexcuse,becausetheydidnotusearighttheknowledgethatwasleftthem,butwhentheyknewGod,theyglorifiedHimnotasGod,neitherwerethankful.WhereforealsoChristglorifiesGod,HisFather,becauseHehadhiddenthesethingsfromthewiseandtheprudent,andrevealedthemuntobabes(Matthew11:25);andtheApostleteaches,moreover,thatGodhasmadeknownuntousthemysteryofHiswillaccordingtoHisgoodpleasurewhichHehathpurposedinHimself(inChristo),(Ephesians1:9).

XIX.Likewisetheexternalcallitself,whichismadebythepreachingoftheGospel,isonthepartofGodalso,whocalls,earnestandsincere.ForinHisWordHeunfoldsearnestlyandmosttruly,not,indeed,Hissecretintentionrespectingthesalvationordestructionofeachindividual,butwhatbelongstoourduty,andwhatremainsforusifwedoorneglectthisduty.ClearlyitisthewillofGodwhocalls,thattheywhoarecalledcometoHimandnotneglectsogreatsalvation,andsoHepromiseseternallifealsoingoodearnest,tothosewhocometoHimbyfaith;for,astheApostledeclares,"itisafaithfulsaying:—ForifwebedeadwithHim,weshallalsolivewithHim;ifwesuffer,weshallalsoreignwithHim;ifwedenyHim,Healsowilldenyus;ifwebelievenot,yetHeabidethfaithful;HecannotdenyHimself."Norinregardtothosewhodonotobeythecallisthiswillinefficacious;forGodalwaysattainsthatwhichHeintendsinHiswill(quodvolensintendit),eventhedemonstrationofduty,andfollowingthis,eitherthesalvationoftheelectwhodotheirduty,ortheinexcusablenessoftherestwhoneglectthedutysetbeforethem.Surelythespiritualmaninnowaysecures(conciliat)theinternalpurposeofGodtoproducefaith(conceptumDeiinternum,fideianalogum)alongwiththeexternallyproffered,orwrittenWordof

God.Moreover,becauseGodapprovedeveryveritywhichflowsfromHiscounsel,thereforeitisrightlysaidtobeHiswill,thatallwhoseetheSonandbelieveonHimmayhaveeverlastinglife(John6:40).Althoughthese"all"aretheelectalone,andGodformednoplanofuniversalsalvationwithoutanyselectionofpersons,andChristthereforediednotforeveryonebutfortheelectonlywhoweregiventoHim;yetHeintendsthisinanycasetobeuniversallytrue,whichfollowsfromHisspecialanddefinitepurpose.Butthat,byGod'swill,theelectalonebelieveintheexternalcallthusuniversallyproffered,whilethereprobatearehardened,proceedssolelyfromthediscriminatinggraceofGod:electionbythesamegracetothemthatbelieve;buttheirownnativewickednesstothereprobatewhoremaininsin,andaftertheirhardnessandimpenitenthearttreasureupuntothemselveswrathagainstthedayofwrath,andrevelationoftherighteousjudgmentofGod(Romans2:5).

XX.AccordinglywehavenodoubtthattheyerrwhoholdthatthecalluntosalvationisdisclosednotbythepreachingoftheGospelsolely,butevenbytheworksofnatureandProvidencewithoutanyfurtherproclamation;adding,thatthecalluntosalvationissoindefiniteanduniversalthatthereisnomortalwhoisnot,atleastobjectively,astheysay,sufficientlycalledeithermediately,namely,inthatGodwillfurtherbestowthelightofgraceonhimwhorightlyusesthelightofnature,orimmediately,untoChristandsalvation;andfinallydenyingthattheexternalcallcanbesaidtobeseriousandtrue,orthecandorandsincerityofGodbedefended,withoutassertingtheabsoluteuniversalityofgrace.ForsuchdoctrinesarecontrarytotheHolyScripturesandtheexperienceofallages,andmanifestlyconfoundnaturewithgrace,thatwhichmaybeknownofGodwithHishiddenwisdom,thelightofreason,infine,withthelightofDivineRevelation.

XXI.TheywhoarecalleduntosalvationthroughthepreachingoftheGospelcanneitherbelievenorobeythecall,unlesstheyareraisedupoutofspiritualdeathbythatverypowerwherebyGodcommandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness,andGodshinesintotheirheartswiththesoul-swayinggraceofHisSpirit,togivethelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist(2Corinthians4:6).ForthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod;fortheyare

foolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned(1Corinthians2:14);andthisutterinabilitytheScripturedemonstratesbysomanydirecttestimoniesandundersomanyemblemsthatscarcelyinanyotherpointisitsurer(locupletior).Thisinabilitymay,indeed,becalledmoraleveninsofarasitpertainstoamoralsubjectorobject;butitoughtatthesametimetobealsocallednatural,inasmuchasmanbynature,andsobythelawofhisformationinthewomb,andhencefromhisbirth,isthechildofdisobedience(Ephesians2:2);andhasthatinabilitysoinnate(congenitam)thatitcanbeshakenoffinnowayexceptbytheomnipotentheart-turninggraceoftheHolySpirit.

XXII.Weholdthereforethattheyspeakwithtoolittleaccuracyandnotwithoutdanger,whocallthisinabilitytobelievemoralinability,anddonotholdittobenatural,addingthatmaninwhateverconditionhemaybeplacedisabletobelieveifhewill,andthatfaithinsomewayorother,indeed,isself-originated;andyettheApostlemostdistinctlycallsitthegiftofGod(Ephesians2:8).

XXIII.TherearetwowaysinwhichGod,thejustJudge,haspromisedjustification:eitherbyone'sownworksordeedsinthelaw;orbytheobedienceorrighteousnessofanother,evenofChristourSurety,imputedbygracetohimthatbelievesintheGospel.Theformeristhemethodofjustifyingmanperfect;butthelatter,ofjustifyingmanasinnerandcorrupt.InaccordancewiththesetwowaysofjustificationtheScriptureestablishestwocovenants:theCovenantofWorks,enteredintowithAdamandwitheachoneofhisdescendantsinhim,butmadevoidbysin;andtheCovenantofGrace,madewithonlytheelectinChrist,thesecondAdam,eternal,andliabletonoabrogation,astheformer.

XXIV.ButthislaterCovenantofGraceaccordingtothediversityoftimeshadalsodifferentdispensations.ForwhentheApostlespeaksofthedispensationofthefulnessoftimes,i.e.,theadministrationofthelasttime,heveryclearlyindicatesthattherehadbeenanotherdispensationandadministrationforthetimeswhichtheproqesmi>an(Galatians4:2),orappointedtime.YetineachdispensationoftheCovenantofGracetheelecthavenotbeensavedinanyotherwaythanbytheAngelofhispresence(Isaiah63:9),theLambslainfromthe

foundationoftheworld(Revelation13:8),ChristJesus,throughtheknowledgeofthatjustServantandfaithinHimandintheFatherandHisSpirit.ForChrististhesameyesterday,to-day,andforever(Hebrews13:8);andbyHisgracewebelievethatwearesaved(servari)inthesamemannerastheFathersalsoweresaved(salvatisunt),andinbothTestamentsthesestaturesremainimmutable:"BlessedarealltheythatputtheirtrustinHim,"theSon(Psalm2:12);"HethatbelievethinHimisnotcondemnedbuthethatbelievethnotiscondemnedalready"(John3:18);"YebelieveinGod,"eventheFather,"believealsoinme"(John14:1).Butif,moreover,thesaintedFathersbelievedinChristastheirGoël,itfollowsthattheyalsobelievedintheHolySpirit,withoutwhomnoonecancallJesusLord.TrulysomanyaretheclearestexhibitionsofthisfaithoftheFathersandofthenecessitythereofineitherCovenant,thattheycannotescapeanyoneunlesshewillsit.ButthoughthissavingknowledgeofChristandtheHolyTrinitywasnecessarilyderived,accordingtothedispensationofthattimebothfromthepromiseandfromshadowsandfiguresandenigmas,withgreaterdifficulty(operosius)thannowintheNewTestament;yetitwasatrueknowledge,and,inproportiontothemeasureofDivineRevelation,wassufficienttoprocurefortheelect,byhelpofGod'sgrace,salvationandpeaceofconscience.

XXV.WedisapprovethereforeofthedoctrineofthosewhofabricateforusthreeCovenants,theNatural,theLegal,andtheGospelCovenant,differentintheirwholenatureandpith;andinexplainingtheseandassigningtheirdifferences,sointricatelyentanglethemselvesthattheyobscurenotalittle,orevenimpair,thenucleusofsolidtruthandpiety;nordotheyhesitateatall,withregardtothenecessity,undertheOldTestamentdispensation,ofknowledgeofChristandfaithinHimandHissatisfactionandinthewholesacredTrinity,totheologizemuchtoolooselyandnotwithoutdanger.

XXVI.Finally,bothuntous,towhomintheChurch,whichisGod'shouse,hasbeenentrustedthedispensationforthepresent,anduntoallourNazarenes,anduntothosewhounderthewillanddirectionofGodwillatanytimesucceedusinourcharge,inordertopresentthefearfulenkindlingofdissensionswithwhichtheChurchofGodin

differentplacesisdisturbed(infestatur)interribleways,weearnestlywish(volumus,will)thistobealaw:—

Thatinthiscorruptionoftheworld,withtheApostleoftheGentilesasourfaithfulmonitor,weallkeepfaithfullythatwhichiscommittedtoourtrust,avoidingprofaneandvainbabblings(1Timothy6:20);andreligiouslyguardthepurityandsimplicityofthatknowledgewhichisaccordingtopiety,constantlyclingingtothatbeautifulpair,CharityandFaith,unstained.

Moreover,inorderthatnoonemaybeinducedtoproposeeitherpubliclyorprivatelysomedoubtfulornewdogmaoffaithhithertounheardofinourchurches,andcontrarytoGod'sWord,toourHelveticConfession,ourSymbolicalBooks,andtotheCanonsoftheSynodofDort,andnotprovedandsanctionedinapublicassemblyofbrothersaccordingtotheWordofGod,letitalsobealaw:—

ThatwenotonlyhanddownsincerelyinaccordancewiththeDivineWord,theespecialnecessityofthesanctificationoftheLord'sDay,butalsoimpressivelyinculcateitandimportunatelyurgeitsobservation;and,infine,thatinourchurchesandschools,asoftenasoccasiondemands,weunanimouslyandfaithfullyhold,teach,andassertthetruthoftheCanonshereinrecorded,truthdeducedfromtheindubitableWordofGod.

TheveryGodofpeaceintruthsanctifyuswholly,andpreserveourwholespiritandsoulandbodyblamelessuntothecomingofourLordJesusChrist!towhom,withtheFatherandtheHolySpiritbeeternalhonor,praiseandglory.Amen!

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