Page images
PDF
EPUB

But, agreeably to the principles of this church, and the command to search the scriptures, given by him who was not only full of grace and truth, but the way and the truth, I hold myself bound at all times to be open to conviction, and to the reception of truth, as the same shall be presented to my mind.

I add further, that duty to myself, to the cause of truth and christian liberty, and especially to the memory of those venerable men who established this, the most ancient baptist church in America, into which they admitted no creed but the holy scriptures, leaving every man to his own judgment, compels me to protest, and I do hereby protest against, and utterly deny, the right of this church, by the laws of Jesus Christ, or the principles on which this church was founded, to discipline any member, on account of his faith in relation to this subject, who will make the confession which I here make. I caution you, my brethren, not to be wise "above that which is written;" you especially, because this church has never acknowledged any rule other than the scriptures of truth. I warn you against a denial, by your treatment of me, of the truth of these declarations of inspiration: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God." 1 John v. 1. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God." 1 John iv. 15. I caution you to take heed to the words of Paul: "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth," Rom. xiv. 4. lest the reproach fall on you which fell on him who said, “Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou." Isaiah lxv. 5. Once more, I caution you, my brethren, not to be influenced by the backbitings and misrepresentations of ignorant and malevolent talebearers, who neither know, nor care to know, by any investigation of truth, the merits of this question; and with me to remember, that we shall all "stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

April 2d, 1818.

SAMUEL EDDY.

This did not give satisfaction. The subject was at length postponed to the next monthly meeting, and in

the interim the following remarks were penned, though not read until the 5th of June. They were not attempted to be answered, nor was any notice taken of them.

BRETHREN,

The same reasons which induced me at the last meeting to state in writing my faith respecting God and Christ, have also induced me to commit to writing what further I have to say on the subject before you.

Two questions, only, present themselves for your consideration. First, whether, in the opinion of the church, my opinions be scriptural or not? Secondly, if not, whether for that cause only, the church can, by the laws of Jesus Christ, or the principles on which this church was founded, discipline me? It is to be remembered, that for my opinions only, am I called in question.

Duty to myself, and to you, require that I should state the origin of my doubts, respecting the commonly received doctrine of the Trinity, and the course of investigation pursued by me. But before I state this, permit me to say, that to my great surprise, my opinions are represented by many as indicating a state of mind, altogether indifferent as to my future welfare, and even as betokening doubts of a future state of rewards and punishments; a state rendered certain, in the opinion of some of the best and most learned men, from the very light of nature, independent of all revelation. Brethren, can you believe that life, eternal life, has all at once become of no value to me? And that for no other reason than to be exposed to hatred, calumny and reproach, I have voluntarily departed from him, who is the way, and the truth, and the life? Do you think that my mind has become callous to the solemnities of judgment and the joys of salvation? Can you believe that I have willingly, and without a cause, incurred the loss, not only of christian fellowship, but private friendship? That I have at once become insensible to all that is most dear to man, either in time or eternity? You must either believe this, or you must do

me the justice to acknowledge, that my opinions are the result of careful investigation, and avowed under a serious sense of duty, and a full persuasion of future responsibility.

The common doctrine of the Trinity was received by me, as it is by most others, without examination. I had, as you probably have, taken it for granted, without investigation, to be the truth of revelation; and for a time, that faith in it was necessary to constitute the character of a christian. I am happy, however, in saying, that this was but a short time. And so strong was my prejudice on this subject, that notwithstanding the contrary faith was frequently a subject of conversation, I never once gave that side of the question any attention. As far as I can recollect, false arguments, seriously adduced in proof of the underived power, and proper deity of Christ, first turned my mind to a consideration of this subject. As I read the Scriptures, passages presented themselves in a light in which I had never before viewed them, and my doubts increased. As I had read nothing against the received doctrine, I was determined to satisfy my mind from the only correct source of information. Whatever the true doctrine might be, I was persuaded that it must appear in the New Testament. To that I therefore had recourse. And that I might have the whole evidence on the subject before me at once, as far as possible, I transcribed every word, from the beginning of Matthew to the end of Revelations, which appeared to me to bear on the question. The result was a full conviction, that the Father was the only true God, and that Christ was not the Father, or that being whom Christ asserts to be the only true God. Many difficulties however remained. Difficulties still remain, probably will remain, though the number lessens by reading and reflection. In the belief of the strict unity of God, however, I have no difficulty. Nor in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. But there are passages respecting him, which I cannot, to my satisfaction, reconcile with other passages. This however I attribute to my own weakness and ignorance, and not to any defect in the inspired penmen.

I now solicit your attention to the question, whether by the laws of Jesus Christ, or the principles on which this church was founded, my opinions render me a subject of church discipline?

In the first place I assert, that no example can be produced from the New Testament, for disciplining a member for entertaining erroneous opinions. Neither is there any precept, which will warrant such discipline against one who acknowledges Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. All the cases recorded are of criminal conduct, not opinions. The scriptural meaning of schism and heresy has been too often explained to render it necessary for me to prove at this time, that mere opinions constitute no part of the offences expressed by these words. It is conduct, not faith, right or wrong, that makes men heretics and schismatics. A leader of a party, a wilful sower of discord in the church, is a heretic, however orthodox his opinions may be. But what party have I formed? To whom, or against whom have I set myself up as a leader? Into whose mind have I instilled, or endeavoured to instil, my own sentiments? What book have I recommended; to whom have I recommended any book, on the subject before you? On these questions I challenge investigation. And let those who are most forward in the charge of criminality on this ground, take care that while they accuse me, they condemn not themselves. To be the occasion of contention, is no evidence of criminality; for of this a man may be the innocent occasion. Indeed of this, Christ himself, and all the apostles, were the innocent occasion. If my opinions have occasioned discord in this church, they who have made the discord, and not my opinions are chargeable with this. I have no contention with any man. For my opinions I am ready to answer, and to shew that for them you have no authority over me.

To whose example shall we look, or to whose can we look, as a rule of Christian fellowship, better than to that of Christ and the apostles? What was the conduct of the former, and with whom did he associate in worship? With those only. who invoke Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and who acknowledge three persons

in one God, and each of these persons very God? Certainly not, for no such worshippers were then to be found on the face of the earth. But he constantly united with those who worshipped the one living and true God, the God of Israel. This he did in the synagogues, taking an active part. This was his custom. Luke vi. 16. But it may be said, Jesus was a Jew, a minister of the circumcision, made under the law and came to fulfil it. Be it so. But he was a worshipper of the one living and true God. Not in two or three persons, but one, and had fellowship with those who worshipped this one liv ing and true God. And his steps we are commanded to follow. 1 Pet. ii. 21. But it may be replied, the christian dispensation was not then fully commenced; the apostles had not then received their commission, nor been indued with power from on high. Let us then examine their conduct, and see, if on this subject it differed from that of their Master. And with whom were they in the practice of uniting in worship? With the Jews as constantly as their Master, with both Sadducees and Pharisees, in the temple and in the synagogues. It may be said, they went not there to worship, but to preach the gospel. This however is not the truth. What said Jesus, foretelling their persecutions? "They (the Jews) shall put you out of (that is, exclude you from) the synagogues." John xvi. 2. And would that have been persecution, had it been unlawful to enter in and worship with the Jews? On the principles I am opposing, he ought to have said, Go not into the synagogues, nor have fellowship with those who worship in them, for they are all (and in this he would have said truly) anti-trinitarians, and deniers of my deity. And what said Paul to the Jews of Ephesus? "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem " Acts xviii. 21. What said he in his defence before Felix? "There are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship," Acts xxiv. 2. in the temple; whither went Peter and John "at the hour of prayer," Acts iii. 1. and whither, in Solomon's porch, Acts v. 12. the apostles and brethren resorted for worship. The same temple in which Paul, in the very act of worship, was seized as a heretic. Acts xxi. 27,

"

« PreviousContinue »