The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-09-05
The Atonement.

eause-all viii admit that there have been |
in every system Of philosophy few zealots,
who, not satisfied with holding up and de-
Tending their own theory, nor even with |
pointing outwhat they, after diligent inquiry
into and fair weighing of the theories Of
others, conscientously believe to be the
points in which their theory is superior, to
them all but Gisobeying the divine injunc-
ton " thou shalt not bear false wine g
against thy neighbor," they either misrep-
resent the whole without quoting any part
or quote garbled extracts, which (if not i9s-
tended to create a false impression) are none
the less sure to effect that end. Nor is the
religious world entirely free from persons
whose zeal for the tenets Of a sect clouds
theiRreason and transports them to con-
clusiona which they would have escaped if
they had been as Aunt6y in search Of the
truth as they are ho8ty to establish the re-
suit come to in their minds, Honestly itmay
be and often is,) but certainly without that
research and charitable deliberation which
the dignity and extensiveness of the subject
require. There is, however, a large class ofall
scots who do not profess to be theologians
or philosophers; who are lovers of the
truth who attach themselves to no sect
farther than their conceptions Of the truth
bind them; who long for the time when ig
noranee and bitterness in discussions after
the truth among those who profess to teach
theology, viii give place to wisdom and
brotherly love-
For the benefit OF those Of this class who
read the article upon election in the Bolivar
BULLETIN of the 22d ult., and who have no
Westminster Confession Of Faith, we notice
several omissions by the author, uninten-
tional of course, by winch fair idea of
what is taught in the confession of faith we
think is not presented. The author quotes
sections and Of chapter 3, and omits
fections and 2, which go Immediately be-
fore, explaining and qualifying the whole
chapter They are as follows:
God from all eternity did by the most
wise and holy counsel Of his own will, freely
and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes
to pass yet so as thereby neither Is God
the uutbor OF sin nor rs UioLeHce offered 10
the 1oiU Of The creatures, nor as the liberty or
contingency Of second causes taken Gl0dy,
5ut Tather established.
2 Although God knows whatsoever may
or can come to pass, upon all supposed con-
ditions; vet hath he not decreed any thing
because he foresaw 1t as future, or as that
which would come to pass, upon such con-
ditions.
Section is as follows:
5. Those Of mankind that are predesti-
mated unto life, God, before the foundation
Of tho world was laid, according to his eter-
nal and immutahle purpose, and the secret
counsel and good pleasure of his Will, hath
chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out
of his mere free grace and love, without any
foresight of faith or good works, or perse-
verance in either Of them, or any other thing
in the creature as conditions, or causes
moving him thereunto and all to the praise
of his glorious grace.
The author quotes that part which says
"without any foresight Of faith or good
works, or perseverance in either Of them"
and omits the qualifying clause, "as condi-
lions, o., causes psooirg him Mereunt0."
Sections 6 and 7 are as follows:
g. As God hath appointed the elect unto
glory so hath he by the eternal and most
free purpose Of his viii, foreordained all the
means thereunto. Wherefore they who are
elected being fallen in Adam, are redeemed
by Christ, are effectually called unto faith
in Christ by his Spirit working in due sea-
son; are justified, adopted, sanctifed, and
kept by his power through faith unto saliva
ton. Neither are any other redeemed by
Christ, efectually called, justified, adopted,
sanctifed and saved, but the elect only.
7. The rest Of mankind, God was pleased,
according to the unsearchable counsel Of his
own win, whereby he extendeth or with
holdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory
of his sovereign power over his creatures,
to pass by, and to Ordain them to dishOnor
and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his
glorious justice.
Chapter 10, section /, is as follows:
All those whom God hath predestinated
unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in
his appointed and accepted time, etfectually
20 call, by his word and Spirit, out of that
state Of sin and death, in which they are by
nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus
Christ enlightening their minds, spiritually
and savingy, TO understand the things of
God, taking away their heart of stone, and
giving unto them an heart of flesh; renew
ing their wills, and by his almighty power
determining Them to that which is good; ;
and eflectually drawing them to Jesus
Christ yet so as they come most freely
being made willing by his grace.
The author quotes the first clause and
omits the last, to wit: Yet so as they coDee
most freely, being made willing by his
grace.
Chapter 9, which is altogether omitted, is
as follows:
Cod hath endured the will of man with
tbat natural liberty, that it is neither forced,
nor bv any absolute necessity of nature de-
termined to good or evil
2. Man, in his state of innocency, had
freedom and power to will and to do that
which is good and well-pleasing to Sod; but
vet mutually so that he might fall from it.
8. Man, by this fall into state of sin,
hath wholly lost all ability of will to any
spiritual good accompanying salvation; so
ms natural man being altogether averse
from that good, and dead in sin, is not able,
nv his own strength, to cORUert himself Of
to prepare himself thereuHto.
4 When God converts a sinner, and trans