Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-09-23

with those IDEAS This is conscience in the per-
fect state but it may be "seared as with8hot
iron n Tim 4:2,) and neither approve, nor dis.
approves. The word Of God, which is contained
in the Scriptures OF the Old and New Testaments,
is the only rule to direct US how we may sle.ify
mon .s on "a the Mount by Major D. H. h' p p
In accordance WITH Mr.. Hill, IA Presbyterian
is tanatic in this matter. And in accordance
with Mr. Hill, in his notice of the case of st. Paul
himself, ..he Paul verify thoughfby the dictates
of his uaealighteaed conscience, and heart unsanc-
tilted, that he ought to do many things contrary
to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26: 81
Which he actually did, and he gave his vote, even
for the deaths of the saints Of God accordugto
his snenlg ghteRed Verse TO- }AQaery.
When "A Presbyterian" was in search to find the
cases of conscience, in the life of Paul, did he see
that one Is heso ignorant in the Scriptures, as
not to know this case? Or, is he so vicious as to
eyade its force?
"a Presbyterian" teaches us, that Mr.. Henry
holds with him. in his notions Of the conscience; and
quotes his exposition on Acts %: l. to provet. He
represents Mr.. Henry, when speaking on this text,
as saying of St. Paul ''He universally consci-
entious, and they that are not so, are not at oil
truly conscientious He intended here to prove
by Mr.. Henry, that St. Paul al,Oays was governed
by bis conscience as rule Of moral action. Mr..
| Henry had just said Of st. Paul, Even when he
prosecuted the church Of God he thought be ought
to do it; aud that he did God service in it, Though
his conscience was misintormsd; yet he acted ac-
cording to its dictates" He quoted Acts 26: 0,
to show this fact. and not ia approval Of the con-
duct of St. Paul; or Saul of Tarsus, 10 his obey.
iug the dictates Of his miuaformed conscience; nor
| in the establishment Of conscience as q rule for
moral action. "a Presbyterian" deserves high
censure, for this his abuse of the opinions Of good
Mr.. Henry. (see Hsnry's Exposition. Acts %: 1.
ga Presbyterian" quoted Mr.. MeCosh, on Sep
tember 18th, to prove for him. that conscience
natural conscience, when unenlightened, is a rule
for moral obligation. And that it alpays fairly
and fully represents the will Of God in its dictates
have read Mr. McCosh's book on conscience
rule;" and soy to you Mr.. Editor: that "A Pres
byteran' has served him, rs he did Mr.. Henry.
He has made him prove in your columns BY gar
bled extracts, what he teaches not In his book.
Nor has "a Presbyterian" here given to US the
title Of the book, nor chapter page TO 6ud out
| his cheat. You do not know sir, that Mr. McCosh
ever wrote the words quoted for you Ia these ex-
tracts. Mr. McCosh says: "Wben conscience
is perverted, or when It is not In lively stste, 1t
is absolutely necessary, In order to its recti6ca-
ton, that there be outward law, embodying an
clearly and correctly the will of Ged"-the Bible,
to rectify conscience BY. Divine Government,
.. 804.J Why did not "a Presbyterian" quote
this passage from Mr.. McCosh and be, correct in
asmuch as he said September 18th, that he "de-
sired to be absolutely correct" when he altered
the piece of Scripture which he made? Did he
suppose that am such fool as to let him garbk
passages from books, and not detect him? Or did
he expect to carry his point by the influence of
the name of Mr.. McCcsh, and thus establish his
foolery-his nonsense?
"a Presbyterian" has again quoted from DR..
Thornwell, to prove conscience In man rale for
moral duty, independently Of the written Bible. I
have read DR.. Thornwell's book, and find IL 9TH
erwise He treats on, "Truth," aud not profess
edly on conscience yet he speaks ofitby the way.
He says: $50 far ast the simple knowledge Of duty
is concerned &c." "to say that We can have from
the dictates Of conscience, only negative coucep.
tions of reotitude &c."..."is to contradict alike
the testimony of Scripture. and the experience Of
mankind" (Rom2: IA. 15.) He admits most fully
perusraon Of the original conscience, or "priu-
cipe of right, to make light darkness, and dark
ness light" and he says: "The Scripture is an
authoritative rule Of duty, to guard against these
defects" Tin conscience ..."by the nfalibility Of
them, results &C.. The superior efficiency OF
the Bible lover consciencel is universally conce-
ded, by all who admit revelation at all."-
rsThornwell on Truth" p. Is. to %, and every
where to 87.) DR.. Thornwell, like Mr.. McCosh,
rectfes on unenlightened conscience by the iorit-
ten Bible. Nor can it be shown by his book, that
he sets up conscience alone as rule for moral
action, independently Of the Bible. And accord.
ing to him, "a Presbyterian" does not 'admit q
half right here, if not altogether so.
"a Presbyterian" again has goneiuto the Bible,
to prove by it, conscience law for moral duty,
on parity in authority With the icritlen Bible
He here has recopsidered ROM 2: IA, Is, to this
end; and makes Mr.. Henry prove again for him.
This Scripture says: "Their 1.-THE Gentiles con-
science also bearing wftness'' &c. he represents
Mr.. Henry, as teaching here, that the heathen,-
the unenlightened Gentle, have "The light Of NO.
ture,-conscience, instead Of written law, as
rule to them for moral duty, as dispeusation.
Not so. Mr.. Henry teaches, that at the General
Judgment, the heather will not be judged by the
written law, nor by "the law Of nature in their
hearts, corrupted, defaced, and imprisoned in un-
righteousness - but "by an uneorrupt original the
Judge keeps by him." When Mr.. Henry said Of
! the Gentiles here, ''though they have not the
written law. FPS. l47: 20,) they had that which
WAS an equivalent &c." he explains this, by alopt-
ing the words of Paul thus: "7Rey had The work
ofthe law-thst work which the law does. The
work of the law is to direct Us what to do," SO.
He says of conscience here, "They had that which
examined them what they had done. Their con-
science also bearing witness" Conscience Is q
witness" .'their thoughts accusing, or excusing.
passing judgment upon the testimony, by apply
ing the law to the facts" &c. He never makes
conscience a rule for moral duty, without the BIZ
BILE; bat he makes it witness, when the law Is
applied to the facts. (Henry's Exposition. Rom.
Q: IA, 15)
"a Presbyterian, if he has any self:respsc. in
matters Of this sort, must now feel ashamed, for
having abused the teachings Of these authors, in
garbling what they have written, and thus make
them prove for him. what they say not In their
books. am ashamed for him, in his pretending
to be q Presbyterian, and behaving thus. (See
commandment il. E1od. 20: l6.) ............
The Scripture doctrine on conscience I here
| briefly state. /. It Is the soufs opinion Of its
actions aud duties. Rom. q: Is. Conscience may
be good, Tim. /: s; Heb. 9: H. It may be evil,
Heb. 10: o. 1t may be hardened, /. Tim. 4:2,
2. Conscience is witness, Rom. 2: Is. Acts %:
l ;26: 10. 8. 1t is called an arbiter, judge, 1.
JON 8: 20, 81; l. Cor. IL: %. 1t is called law
reetfed by the writtsn Bible, or revelation from
God. Rom. 2: IA, Is, comp. l: 80; 2:2; 6: 20
| %. - n.6'G.Sl1
| Now, Mr.. Editor, I have briefly considered the
doctrine of conscience, as law for moral obliga-
ton, as held by "a Presbyterian; )" and have
found it wanting hope he will now let me and
call Christians" elone about moral obligation to
can do no more here, than make statement Of
the tendency Of his teachings on rule for obliga-
ton. 80
His teachings takes away all accountability
from men to God in cbristeudom, for ignorance,
and neglect Of the teachings of the Bible on mo-
rality. 1t takes away all difference between NOR
rio nd Writ in kha