my Lord, I should glory in the name of low-churchman; for the unwarrantable mixture of what is divine and what is human fills me with awe; and gladly would I be distinguished from all who are bold enough to make it. In conclusion, he says, "In all this I see no progress, but a most rapid retrogression. Nor can I refrain from reminding your Lordship of the trivial nature of several points now occasioning amongst us grave discussion. We may smile or weep to think that Christians, professors of so sublime a faith, should ever have been distracted by controversies concerning the time of Easter, or the form of the tonsure. But how will our own controversies appear to our posterity?" A note is appended in which it is stated, that, "There are in France two opinions about English High-churchmanship: the first, that it is verging to Popery; the second, that it desires to beat down Popery in such a way as to succeed to its ecclesiastical dominion." May not this be also said of England likewise!! POPULAR ERRORS IN THEOLOGY. "THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD." GOD is a sovereign! is an expression occasionally uttered, both by the devout and the careless. By the former, it is mentioned as a reason for sincere gratitude and unqualified submission; but by the latter, it is urged to excuse indolence and justify impenitence. It is evident that the views entertained by these two classes of this Divine Prerogative, are so different, that they cannot both be correct. Now, as a clear and scriptural statement of a truth is frequently the best way of answering objections by which it may be assailed, and the most effectual means of guarding it from abuse; we shall pursue this course, in endeavoring to correct any false views that may prevail respecting the sovereignty of God. It must not be confounded with supremacy. Every divine perfection is supreme, because they all exist in an infinite degree. But while they are all supreme, they are not all sovereign, for sovereign justice is a phrase as unmeaning as equitable mercy. The justice of God is controlled, in its exercise, by something without himself-the desert of the creature; while his sovereignty, in its exercise, finds its only reason in his own perfect nature. Sovereignty never yet consigned any man to perdition, that is the office of justice, regulated by a strict regard to individual demerit. Besides this important distinction between the two, supremacy, it may be added, is a relative term, which supposes the existence of other beings, above whom its possessor is exalted, and over whom he presides; but sovereignty was possessed and exercised prior to the existence of all created beings. It decided whether the universe should be called into existence or not, and if so, what should be its form, extent and duration; and what the nature, faculties, and variety of the creatures by whom it should be peopled. Sovereignty is not arbitrariness. To act without a reason is the part of folly. To act without a reason, which is both sufficient and the best, is the part of ignorance or imbecility. No sober man can ascribe such conduct to the only wise God. It is true, that there are many things of which he does not see fit to give us an account, and that his ways are often to us inscrutable; but to infer thence, that there is any thing like caprice in his conduct, would be delusive in the extreme. When we consider the vastness of the scale upon which he acts, and the limited nature of our own faculties; we must cease to wonder that the reasons of his conduct are not always disclosed. They must often be such as far surpass finite comprehension. When God does as he pleases, he acts in conformity with his own perfect nature, and, as that nature is wise, holy, and benevolent, every act of sovereignty must bear the impress of these perfections. Sovereignty has nothing to do with punishment. That is a matter which belongs exclusively to justice. As God cannot deny himself, so it is impossible that he should stretch his sovereign prerogative so far as to obscure, much less destroy his rectitude. We know that some have rashly taught, and others implicitly believed, that a sovereign.purpose to destroy some, is the necessary counterpart of a gracious determination to save others. But such a notion is a libel upon the Divine Character, which scripture condemns, and at which reason revolts. It is impenitence, and not sovereignty, that ruins the transgressor. Sovereignty is the source of good only. It is not the attribute of the Judge, but the prerogative of the Benefactor. All the evil suffered by accountable creatures must be traced to justice, and the deserving cause of its infliction, will be found in their own character; while all good they enjoy beyond what they deserve, must be ascribed to Sovereign favor. We are all guilty, and as guilt and merit cannot exist at the same time, in the same person; all our mercies, whether great or small, temporal or spiritual, to be possessed in time, or enjoyed through eternity, must be ascribed to Sovereign grace. From this we have every thing to hope, and nothing to fear. Rightly understood, it cannot produce depression, but must yield encouragement. It is the great source of boundless and universal good. In brief, Divine Sovereignty is Jehovah's right to do as he pleases, but the perfection of his nature, makes it morally impossible that he should ever please to do wrong. He will never exercise his sovereign right, but in perfect harmony with strict rectitude, perfect wisdom and infinite love. Were it our object to prove, as well as state this glorious truth, we should refer you to the absolate dependence of the creature, to the essential and infinite perfection of the Divine Nature, and to the statements of the written Word.-Dan. iv. 35. Matt. xi. 26. Rom. ix. 15. Rev. iv. 11. Now if these views of this important subject are correct it follows, not only that Divine sovereignty has nothing to do with the ruin of men, but that it is the source of their greatest encouragement in the pursuit of salvation. If God did not possess sovereign grace, as well as strict justice, there would be no hope. If he did nothing for man beyond his desert, we might then sit down in despair; but since salvation is of God, who showeth mercy: pardon and eternal life are placed within our reach and invite our efforts. But there are those, who while they admit that sovereign grace is the source of encouragement in the pursuit of spiritual blessings, still have very misty notions about it, as a very fitful and capricious thing, destroying the connection between means and ends, and rendering success extremely doubtful. Now, these persons overlook the simplest fact, that it has pleased God to bring the exercise of his sovereignty, to a considerable extent, under the control of his promise. He may exceed his promise, and does in every instance in which he is found of them that seek him not, but whatever is contained in the promise may certainly be obtained. The original promise of pardon, the influences of the Holy Spirit, and other blessings comprised in the gospel, was an act of Divine sovereignty, but the fulfilment of the promise, now it is given, is not merely an act of sovereignty, but faithfulness. God has bound himself by his own sacred Word, to hear those that pray, to pardon those that believe, and to sustain those that look to heaven for strength. If therefore, we continue destitute of promised blessings, the fault is entirely our own. Among the sovereign purposes of God, none stands firmer than this:-"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matt. vii. 7. POETRY. "THE PLANT OF RENOWN," COMPOSED AFTER HEARING A SERMON PREACHED BY THE REV. G. CHRISTIE, AT FINCHINGFIELD, NOV. 6TH, 1842-FROM EZEKIEL XXXIV. 29. THE cedars of Lebanon waft in the breeze The elegant palm-tree affords cooling shade, The stately old oak and the foliage it wears, Stands firmly unhurt while the storms beat around; That oak of the forest, how mean it appears, Compared with our Jesus-"the plant of renown." The gardens and orchards with trees choice and rare, So laden with fruit, that the branches bear down, In beauty or fruitfulness cannot compare, With our dear Redeemer-"the plant of renown. When nature is clothed in her lovely attire, If virtue and purity reign on the earth, And righteousness, knowledge, and wisdom abound; They will be insignificant, little in worth, Contrasted with Jesus-" the plant of renown." When vicissitudes, pains, and sorrows are done, We our heaven shall reach, and behold with his crown, In glory and honor, high on his great throne, Then aloud, shall we sing the great anthem of praise, And with sweet hallelujahs heaven's court shall resound, To the great King of Kings we our voices will raise, And adore our dear Saviour-"the plant of renown." Bardfield. J. L. SHEARCROFT, PRINTER, BRAINTREE. |