The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-25

and as we shall now show, the great historic
names he adduces in support of his claims arc
singularlv unfortunate for his side of the argu-
ment He reminds us that in Switzerland
there was Stapfer, as well as Turrettine.
We presume he refers to the same Turrettine
whom Mr. Barnes in his lecture before the
Seminary in which he is Professor of Theolo
gy. classes with Abelard and Duns Scotus, and
thrusts aside among the theological and scien.
tifc rubbish of the middle ages. But what
does he mean by putting these two great names
together? If the reference has any pertinency
to the argument, it means that Stapfer pc
culiar views Especially his theory OF mediate
imputation) were regarded by the reformed
churches as equally allowable, and orthodox
with the views of Turrettlne. This Is the i'm
preston which our authors statements would
make upon any candid reader, aud we presume
it is the impression he intended to make. But
this is what we positively deny, and we Justify
this denial by the following lndIsputable facts
We have not space for the lucid historical
statements by which this denial is supported,
except the most material one which shows
that this heterodoxy iodS not tolerated. 1t did
not originate with Stapfer, who was never re-
cognized as a teacher Of theology in the Re-
formed Church of Switzerland, but with Pla-
ceus in 1910. See Mosheims History. 1t was
met by the great theologian Turrettine, his CO.
temporary, and denounced as heretical, and in
vented "ad tucuns Jaciendum" mere sub
terfuge:
"But this stout Old School Professor is not
the only witness to prove that the teachings OF
the school of Saumur, which Stapfer adopted,
and which DR.. Smith defends as part of the
historic sense of the Westminster Confession,
we're neither recognized, nor tolerated as ortho-
dox in the Reformed churches. The publica-
ton of these views made as great an excite
ment in France. and through all the Reformed
churches of Europe, as the publication OF
Rarnes' Notes on the Romans made in our
Presbyterian Church before the division The
theologians Of those days had not learned 1.-THE
alphabet of reunion The National Synod
of France, in 1915, condemned these doctrines
of Saumur with great unanimity. Their de-
cree was received as orthodox by all the Re
formed churches. Andrew Rivetus, theology.
cal Professor at Leyden, with the sanction OF
the whole University, and with the approba-
ton of the great body of the Church in Hol
land. published a book on the subject, IN
which he declares that the doctrine of Placeus
is contrary to the common consent OF all
Christians, except the followers Of Pslogius and
Socinius.
Other testimonies and arguments are pre-
sesented. for which however we have not
room The conclusion of the reviewer is as
follows:
eve do not believe there is Presbetery
connected with our Assembly in which man
denying these doctrines could be licensed :
Moreover, the Old School body as an organ.
lied Church of Jesus Christ, is committed and
pledged to the maintenance of these doctrines.
She cannot 90 back upon her own records on
this subject Her testimony for thirty years
has been uniform. By the solemn acts of her
church courts, by the teaching of her chosen
professors OF theology, by the books collected
| from past ages and written by her own sons,
which she has given to the people as embodl-
ments of the truth, she has condemned the
views of our New School brethren as inconsls-
tent with the integrity of our standards, and
with the word of God. And now, if under a
temporary enthusiasm, however pious the emo
tons which it enbodies and begets. she bots
this record, and agrees to tolerate as inditfer-
ent what she has before solemnly condemned
as unscriptural; she will acknowledge herself to
have been persecuter, and slanderer, and a
promoter of schism for these thirty years she
will SOW the seeds of strife, and invite the the
ology of Saumur to contend for the pre-emi
nence in the schools of Princeton and Allie
gheny; she will weaken, if she does not dis
solve the ties which bind her true sons to hel
! bosom. as the nurse. and the olo'a, ,''0ter eff
sound theology n. D. "