PART II.

SECTION I.

"God the first cause of Sin, but not the Author of Sin."

Having stated my principle objections against the divine ordination of Sin: I proceed to make a few remarks upon some of the glaring inconsistences of the doctrine. And by way of commencement I would notice the following parodox, viz., "God, the First Cause of Sin, but not the Author of Sin."

In order to lighten our darkness on this obscure point of doctrine, it will be necessary to borrow some reflecting rays from the bright sentences of its most able abettors. The learned advocates for the doctrine tell us then.

"It is certain, that the existence of Sin was the ordination of the divine will; and it is alike certain, that God could not be, the Author, worker, or abettor, of it." T- -R, L. xvi, p. 121.

To make this inconsistency appear consistent, they further tell us, that,

"The scriptures expressly and positively affirm, that God worketh all things after the counsel of his own will* and his perfections render it impossible to be otherwise. Scripture say they,

*What is the essential difference, or line of destination, betwixt God's decreeing of Sin, and being the Author of Sin? This I consider to be an important point of enquiry; for Divines tell us that it is Atheism for a man to deny that "God decreed the existence and entrance of Sin." Yet say they," To suppose that God is the Author of Sin, would be to make him worse than all the worst of beings united." If then these two points are so extremely opposite, the one, an essential and glorious truth; while the other is an awful and blasphemous lie;

"Also is equally clear, that he cannot be the Author of Sin; and his perfections render it equally impossible that he should: for to suppose it, would be making him worse than all the worst of beings united."- TUCKER, on predestination, p. 207.

They also tell us,

"That God did from all Eternity will or deeree the commission of all the sins in the world."-Dr. EDWARDS on the decrees, p. 104.

And yet they affirm "He is not the author of Sin." They tell us,

"That an infinitely Holy, Just, and good God, did eterually will the existence of moral evil."--TL. xvi, p. 120.

-R,

Yet they say "he is not the Author." They tell us, that,

"Sin could not have existence without, or contrary to, the Divine will: its being must be a consequent of the sovereign purpose.”—T——R, L xvi, 119.

Yet he is not the Author." They tell us, that,

"What his will determined, that his decree established, and his providence, either mediately or immediately effects. His will was the adorable spring of all."TOP, vol. v, p. 164.

Yet they affirm "He is not the Author." They tell us, that

there ought to be the most clear and eminent line of distinction drawn betwixt these two extremes, so that he might run that readeth it. But the advocates for the Divine decreeing of Sin, too frequently pass over this critical point without so much as leaving us the shadow of a way mark. ed to shew the distinction, bave thereby most glaringly manifested their want of honesty by their sophistry; but that the reader may judge for himself, I have placed before him a few of their own expressions on both sides of the subject.

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And such as have attempt

"Sin or moral evil is no accidental thing but a wise and holy ordination of God."-T-R, L. XV, P. 112. Yet they affirm" He is not the Author." They say,

"Hence we find every matter resolved, ultimately into the mere sovereign pleasure of God, as the spring and occasion of whatsoever is done in heaven and earth." ~Top. v. 5, p. 194.

Yet they affirm "He is not the Author." They tell us, that,

"The purpose of God, as it were, draws the outlines; and providence lays on the colours. What that designed, this accomplishes, what that ordained, this executes." -Top. v. 5, p. 163.

Yet they affirm "He is not the Author." Though he designed drew the outline-lays on the coloursexecutes and accomplishes the work. He is not the Author." Whatever then can constitute an Author?* They tell us, that,

"God made Adam and Eve for this very purpose that they might be tempted, and led into sin. And by the force of this decree they could but Sin."-PISCATOR, Yet they affirm "He is not the Author." For say they,

"It is not the necessity of sinuing, that maketh God the Author of it; but it is the personal acting that gives denomination to the Author of it, and that is not God but man. The man acts freely, as it is an act of his own, and from his will, and thence it is that he is the Author of the Sin committed. But God only fore

Let us bear what the word Author signifies in our language. AUTHOR The first Cause of a Thing: the Inventor or Maker of it, &c.-BAILEY's Dictionary.

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AUTHOR. 1st.-The first Beginner or Inventor of a thing; he to whom any thing owes its Original.

AUTHOR. 2d. The efficient; he that effects or produces any thing.---JOHNSON's Dictionary.

determines that such a Sin should be in the world." - Dr. EDWARDS on the decrees, p. 125.

But the advocates for the doctrine affirm,

"That whatsoever is done below or above God doeth it himself."-Top. v. 5, p. 213. And that,

"God worketh all things in all men even wickedness in the wicked."-LUTHER.

So that according to their own assertions, God is not only the spring and occasion of sin, but also the personal actor, doer, and worker of Sin. And according to their own positions, "It is the personal acting of Sin that gives denomination to the Author of it."-So that by insisting upon, and contending for the Divine decreeing of Sin, they evidently make God the Author of Sin. And by making him the Author of Sin, according to their own acknowledgement, they "Make him worse than all the worst of beings united."

The doctrine of God decreeing, and working all things without exception; i. e, working all sins; unquestionably makes God the Author of Sin, if such as advocate the doctrine are to be credited. For they tell us, that,

"If God by his decree did force men's wills, and so necessitate them to be vicious and wicked, then he might justly be styled the Author of Sin. But this is contrary to the holy and pure nature of the eternal Being, and therefore it is blasphemous to charge him with any such thing."-Dr. EDWARDS on the decrees, p. 125.

Yet they themselves also tell us, that,

"God either directly or remotely, excites bad men, as well as good ones to action. He undoubtedly is the supreme Author of all our actions, even all the actions done by the wicked."-TOPLADY.

So that if Sin be an action (according the above assertion), God is the Author of it. They also tell us, that,

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"God's predestination binds whom he pleases, not only to damnation, but to the causes of it."-BEZA. They tell us also, that,

"God doth holily drive or thrust men on unto wickedness."-PISCATOR.

So that if the leading position be correct, viz., "If God by his decree did force men's wills, and so vecessitate them to be vicious and wicked, then he might justly be styled the Author of Sin." And that he did this, you have the foregoing assertions.

Hence, we conclude, that such as hold the divine. and holy ordination of Sin, do thereby unquestionably make God the Author of Sin; and that, whether they acknowledge it or not.

But Mr. TUCKER says,

"Those who would impute this awful consequence on the decrees of God, seem to entertain the notion, that if God absolutely determined events, he must, by positive exertion of his power, produce them."p. 207.

And do not the high advocates of the doctrine teach as much? is not the notion held forth in the assembly's Catechism? where we are taught, that, "the reason why anything comes to pass in time is because God decreed it.' And that "the execution of the decree is an act of God's infinite power bringing the thing decreed into actual existence." And does not Mr. T. also teach the notion? If not, pray what are we to understand by such language as the following?

"Sin could not have existence without or contrary to the Divine will; its being must be a consequent of the sovereign purpose."-p. 119. And again,

"God's will is positively effective in the accom◄ plishment of all his designs."-p. 158.