(2.) Reasonable objections against the evidences by which a doctrine is established have force, and should be duly considered; but rational objections to any prin- ciple fairly established by the language of Scripture have no force whatever, unless they amount to a palpable contradiction to other principles certainly known. And whenever this can be shown, the reasonable inference is, not that the teachings of Scripture are to be modified in» conformity thereto, but that the Scriptures themselves are to be rejected as false. Nothing is more senseless than the attempt to modify the results of the inspiration of Jehovah in conformity with human reason. |
(3.) The force of the argument in behalf of this or any other doctrine does not lie in special words or passages, nor in the several arguments regarded sepa- rately. These are like the sticks of the bundle which
INTRODUCTORY. 23
the boy in the fable: broke one by one with ease. The overwhelming demonstration lies in the fact that all Seripture, both of the Old and New Testaments, when naturally interpreted, is as 2f the doctrine were true. . The number and variety of converging lines are absolutely inconsistent with doubt as to the meaning intended. Our opponents are in the habit of demanding that we should show that each text in detail not only may, but absolutely nvust, teach the doctrine we hold, and none other. In these tactics they have been greatly excelled by the more consistent Socinians, who, by a like pro- cess, have satisfied themselves that Christ’s proper divi- nity is not taught in Scripture.
I propose, then,
First, To state the Church doctrine on this subject, defining all the points involved, and the terms used in the definitions. 3
Second, To present a summary of the several depart-
ments of the scriptural evidence by which the doctrine
is established.
Third, To prove that the true Church has Bie from the days of the apostles to the present, in all its branches, been in essential agreement as to the essential elements of the doctrine, as taught at large in the Con- fessions of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches.
Fourth, To state and answer the principal objections made to the doctrine.
Fifth, To state, compare, and expose the fallacy of the several erroneous views held in opposition to the truth.
Stath, To state and prove the common doctrine of the Reformed Churches as to the design of the Atonement with respect to its objects.
CHAPTER I.
—
Plan of the fol- lowing Treatise.
CHAPTER |
II.
Attitude of God in relation to the Atone- ment.
CHAPTER II.
STATEMENT OF DOCTRINE.
Ppa gia | may elucidate the statement of the points in- Me sae «volved in the orthodox doctrine as to the
nature of Christ’s Redemptive Work, which I
propose to give in this chapter, if we first take a step backward, and attempt to estimate those conditions which made that work necessary. It is assumed that the end to be attained was to reconcile God and man. What, then, were the difficulties to be surmounted? What parties are to be affected by the
introduction of such a provision into the administration
of the divine government? And how do they severally stand in relation to it ?
1. There is God. It is evident that whatever the nature of God demands, as the condition of this recon- ciliation, must be provided. And it is no less evident that the conditions rendered necessary by God’s nature must take precedence of all others; and, indeed, since all created natures and relations are contingent upon God’s nature, so all other conditions of redemption what- soever must be contingent upon the demands of his nature. Now we expect to show, (1.) That the Scriptures teach that one of the attributes of the divine essence is abhorrence of sin for its intrinsic sinfulness, both in its aspect as pollution and in its aspect as guilt. It is of the essence of his moral perfection to forbid it and punish
STATEMENT OF DOCTRINE. 25
it. (2.) That God has, from the first enunciation of his law to Adam, pledged his incorruptible truth that “ the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
2. There is the sinner himself in a certain legal rela- tion, and with a certain moral disposition as it respects God. |