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_______ _ . -7 -
| For the, Christian Index.]
Till. EVIDENCES OF ADOPTION.
N ... 2.
It is tin evidence of adoption, if afflictions are recei- j
ved as coming from the hand of God, and not from ;
man. The unregenerate receive them as the effects I
oi climi'-e, or as mere manifestations of the power of
God, and bear them with impatience and murmuring.
Th ;/ refuse to submit to the'lland that inflicts them ;
and their hearts, though sad, are, unsojtened—their
mindyjejaeted, yet uniustructed —ahd their atllictjous,
; ! • riffl'd, and <:• V. •,!? ~: 1 \ mipro
fiUible. But the Christian sees the rod in the hands oil
God, and sees God himself inflicting the chastisement,
and regulating its severity, and its continuance. To
him affliction is ihe audible voice of God, reproving!
; nd instructing him ; and though the world might call!
n a casualty of nature, yet lie receives it as a part of]
the wise yet inscrutable government and appointment]
of his heavenly Father —even as “chastening from the]]
Lord.” He bows his head, and remembers that “af
fliction co'meth not forth of the dust, neither doth trou
ble spring out of the ground.” He is ready to say oil|
God, “Ho performetii the tiling that is appointed for
me, and many such tilings are with Him.” It is the j
highest wish of his soul that his losses and sufferings
may have a salutary influence upon his life. He en
deavors to hear them with patience; and, instead of
slighting or disregarding them, makes a diligent search]
into his past character, and investigates the motives
which have determined his conduct. “As many as I
love 1 rebuke and chasten,” are the words of his Fath
er, and, with such an assurance, he desires to be quiet
and submissive. It was said by the ancient Greeks,
that their goddess, Ceres, wished to make Triptolemus
immortal; and every night, when his parents were
asleep, used to lay him on burning coals for the pur
pose of consuming the corruptions of human nature.
The child grew astonishingly, and this induced his pa
rents to watch Ceres ; but discovering their child on
tiie burning coals, his mother became very much alarm-j
cd, and would no longer suffer it. Though it is a fa
ble, it vividly portrays human nature. Like the rnoth-j
er, we are alarmed at the losses which purify and]
strengthen us—at the adversities which, under divine’
control, become blessings—and at many dispensations
of God’s providence, which are evidences oi llis love,!
and intended to lead us to His feet. “The trial of”!
our “faith” is “ much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire;” ior “tribula-j
tion worketh patience, and patience experience, and
experience hope.” We often think it “ strange con-;
cerning the fiery’ trial, “* - ‘as though some strange
thing happened.” But the prosperity, which is often!
hurtful, pleases us; the success, which endangers,de
lights us; and the ease, which is enfeebling, is often;
most gratifying and acceptable. But “ the Father of]
mercies and God of all comfort” does not love His chil
dren with a blind or short-sighted love, hut with a wise
protecting love, which looks far out into the boundless
future, and corrects them for tlieir “profit,” that they!
may be “partakers of his holiness.” They suffer, but
He watches kindly over them—they fear and 1/einble,
but His mighty angels pitch their tents around them to
protect them—they often feel in their affliction as if they’
were forsaken, but God is with them; invisibly, it is
TII E TRU TII 1 N LOY E .
PENEIEGD, GiE, MMIGII II, mi
true, yet actively—strengthening, teaching, reproving,
refining, and beautifying them, and adjusting every
event of His providence with secret designs of tender
mercy. In prosperity, they know very little about
themselves ; but in adversity, they discover the impa
tience and rebellion of their hearts, and become better
acquainted with themselves ant with God. lie loves
them more tb.aij it is possible for them to love them
selves ; and, in pity to their squis, afflicts them, that
i their graces may be more properly developed, and
strengthened, and in this way prepared for more ex
tensive usefulness. i SIGMA.
[For the ClirislidP Index.]
Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 22. 18-17.
Bear Broilin': —Having requested a place in your
estimable paper, for some brief strictures on the Now
Hampshire Articles of Faith, permit me, in the begin
ning of this letter, to state that it is at least very proba-i
ible that the X. IL brethren are eln istinns as good as wej
who belong to the family ofChrM in other portions of!
i His kingdom ; and also, that they did not intend their!
! Articles should lie interpreted according to their mani-j
] test features, as they present themselves to my view.!
iTheir own inherent faith may be good, but their man-!
urn - of expressing itis, indeed, unfortunate. Only some’
[of those Articles arc exceptionable.?
A part of the <ilh Article 1 shall take the liberty toil
object to, namely : “ Nothing the salvation of
the greatest sinner on earth, except his own voluntary
refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here is a
contradictiqn, in terms, *of a .pariiof the 3d Article,
which says, “ That all mankind nib destitute of holi
ness, sinners by choice,
nthorf-W#
lure is condemned, whether they have an opportunity
to reject the gospel or not. Their own voluntary re
fusal of t,he gospel is nothing more or less than tlieir
aggravated condemnation. The act oi refusal is but !
the repulsion of the mind. For this they are accounta
ble. The impelling power is in what is previously
] condemned—in original depravity. Were there no
| condemnation of the sinner hut his refusal of the gospel,
all that will not have heard the gospel, shall be subjects
of eternal life. Moreover, it would be infinitely better
| for the world to have never heard the gospel preached.
The following text is often used to shew the doctrine
objected to: “This is the condemnation that light is
come into the world, and mm loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.” This scrip
lure alludes to the part in reference to the affections of
the wicked, as well as to their conduct. They “ loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were]
evil.” The gospel condemned their former affections
and manners, and held them responsible for its claims.
This accords with the language of Paul: “ For the
invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world,
are clearly seen, being understood by the tilings that
arc made, even His eternal power and godhead, so that
they (the heathen, who have not heard the gospel,) are
without excuse.” It is not the jaundiced face that kills
the patient. It is the located disease. That exhibits
the infection—ibis is the seat of death. The refusal of]
, ihe sinner to love God is hut the picture of his heart.]
jjl-lis heart is the original of all that is mean, wicked and!
[jabominable, whether he is a Jew or Gentile, a gospel]
] sinner or a worshipper of idols. It is not his own voi-j
ijuntary refusal, merely, that prevents his salvation.!
;, He is condemned at his birth. “I was shapen in ini-:
liquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” He is:
] condemned in the transgression of Adam. “ For as byi
jone man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sin-i
lined.” He is condemned in practice. “They go’
! j astray as soon as they be born, telling lies.” He is
([Condemned for his disobedience. “I was an hunger
lee, and ye gave me no meat—thirsty, and yfi gave me!
jno drink; 1 was a stranger, and ye took me not in—
| naked, and ye clothed me not—sick, and in prison, and;
jye visited me not.” “ Cursed is every one that con-!
j tinueth not in all things which are written in the hook of]
i the law to do them.”
1 The Ist clause of the Bth Article is the next that is;
] not orthodox: “ That election is the gracious purpose
of God, according to w hich lie regenerates, sanctifies,
and saves sinners.” If election is the purpose of God,]
He has no choice. Election is not a purpose. It is al
choice. “ According as lie hath chosen us in Him be-,
fore the foundation of the world, that we should be ho-i
U\E W SEIIYES Ml. W .-X 0 . 11.
ly and without blame before Him in love. Knowing,
brethren beloved, your election (choice) of God. That
God’s purpose (decree) according to election (choice)
should stand.” If we speak after tfie manner of men,
God first loved, then chose, then predestinated his peo
ple, to obtain salvation, holiness and love, in and
through Jesus Christ. God’s gracious purpose t<> save
sinners was his decree, but not his choice. Among
men, a decree, purpose, or law enacted, must be sub
sequent, and not antecedent, to the choice made of
such intention. We first choose our physician, then
purpose to employ him. We first choose our attor
ney, then purpose to employ him. It would he simple
in a man to purpose going to the Capitol by the way
of Canada, unless he already chose to do so. The
Almighty is always consistent with Himself. The
moral government of God shows His Consistency.
When He had converted “ Saul of Tarsus,” He said
lo Ananias, “Go thy'way, for lie is a chosen vessel
unto me, to bear'my name before the Gentiles and
Kings, and the children of Israel; for 1 will shew him
how great things lie must suffer for my name’s sake.”
He first revealed to Ananias his choice of Paul, then
[ told his purpose concerning him. That purpose'was
that he should preach the gospel, and suffer for His
j sake.
The leading proposition of the full Article merits at
-1 tention : “That such only are 1 rue believers as endure
unto the end.” This is undoubtedly true ; but it does
not express the final perseverance of the saints. It is
, only a negative for a false profession. Unequivocal
affirmatives constitute the Christian faith. Paul ex
presses himself affirmatively concerning the life oi a
Christian : “Nqw, (be just shrill live by faith.” . He eti-
I man draw back, my soul shall have fm pleasure in
I him.” If wo say, “only giant’s were strong,” we are
illogical; but if we say “giants were the strongest
men in ancient times,” we are correct, explicit and
true. It maybe argued that “the succeeding clauses
in that Article explain the first proposition.” This
would belike shewing a stranger the strength of a col
umn, by looking at its decorations. A ray of light may
be beautiful, but it has no substance from its lunar or
bit. Arguments derived from weak premises may be
splendid, but they cannot, strengthen tlieir propositions.
No structure can make its foundation strong, The
foundation must support, and preserve it strong, and
serve to make it permanent. No substitution in argu
ment will suffice for these words: “ Make the tree
good, and his fruit will be good.” 1 intend no violence
i to the Scripture when 1 say—make the proposition
! good, and the argument, illustration and conclusion,
shall be safe. The -.proposition that ought to be used,
to express the final perseverance of the saints, might be
this: All God’s people shall persevere to the end in a
holy life, and not one of his chosen people is ever final
ly lost. “I give unto them eternal life, and they shall
never perish; neither shall any pluck them out of my
hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than
all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father’s
hand.” “But we are not of them who draw back unto
• perdition, but of them who believe to the saving of the
! soul. The path of the just is as the shining light, tiiat
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
There is a texture of untruth in the 10th Article:
i|“The inability which the Scriptures ascribe t<> fallen
jjmen, to fulfil their precepts, arises entirely from tlieir
.1 love of sin.” 11 the love of sin is the only inability of
j the sinner’s heart, to love God and keep 1! is command
i! merits, what has become of the other attributes of his
,!! wicked nature ? His depravity does not admit of one
■!;imperfection alone. “For from within, out of the
i’ heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulte
: ries, fornications, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, de
. ceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, fool
ishness: all these evil things come from within, and
. defile tiie man.” Here are fourteen attributes of wick
edness in the human heart. The love of siu is an evil
1 : affection, but it is only a counterpart of a train—a mul
i; tituue of evil affections. The love of sin is but a rill
j from tiie fountain of death. It lias a thousand issues;
and as they flow on, they leave the reservoir not only
andiminished, but increasing in the pollulive source,
j and disqualifications, and impotency of sin. True, the
. love of sin is a great evil, but what produces that love
is greater still. The infant does not heartily love sin,
■i yet the infant is radically and totally depraved. “ J
■I know’ that in me—that is, in my flesh, (in my first na-