The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-23
MORAL SINNERS.


Men of this class frequently object to the classl-
Gcation which places them on the same side of the
line with thieves, drunkards reviers, extortioners,
murderers. and such like And while ministers are
required to lay down the line so to let the peo-
pie discern that there are only two Sorts the right
eOus and the wicked, it may be that we sometimes
err By failure to discriminate between virtue and
vice. Our Saviours address to the respectable
Nicodemus, and that to the rich young Jew, whom
he loved as man, were very different from his
language to some whom he addressed as ser
samts" and ga generation of vipers, although in
~ these two former eases He showed IN the
most faithful manner their fearful need of change
Of heart.
Some who are not we'll acquainted with Calvin,
would expect from him a strain of severe and in
discriminate denunciation of all sinners But on
this, as well as on other themes, he observes the
symmetry of doctrine, and follows the example Of
the Master. He prepares the way for assailing
the heart by treating the life with all proper re-
speot. He makes his blow more vigorous and ef-
fective by showing the good company in which the
inward, sinful disposition is found. do not de-
nv he says, "that whatever exeellencies appear
in unbelievers, they are the gift Of God. am
not so at variance with the common opinion OF
mankind, as to contend that there is no difference
between the justice, moderation, and equity Of
Titus or Trajan, and the rage, incompetence, and
cruelty of Cafgula, or Nero, or DOmitian; be-
tween the obscenities Of Eberius and the cOnti-
nenee of Vespasian; and-not to dwell on partle
Mar virtues or vices-between the observance and
the contempt of moral obligation and positive laws
So great is the difference between just and UNJUST
that it is visible even in the ifeess image Of it.
For what order will be left in the world if these
opposites be COMPOUNDED together2 Such dis
tinction therefore as this, between virtuOus and
vicious actions, has not only been engrayen by the
Lord in the heart of every man, but has also been
frequently confirmed by his proyidental dispense
tons. We see how He eOnfers many blessings of
the present life on those who practise virtue
among men. Not that this external resemblance
of virtue merits the least favor from Him; but He
is pleased to discover His great esteem of true
righteousness by not permitting that which is ex-
ternal and hypoeritical to remain without tempo
raj reward. Whence it follows, as we have just
acknowledged, that these virtues, whatever they
may be, or rather images of virtues are the gifts
of God, since there is nothing in any respect laud-
able which does not proceed from Him.
This statement prepares the way for an argu-
ment that should be pressed upon the irrelgOus
moral man with great earnestness-hisO obligation to
God in consequence of these very advantages
which, through the means Of education and faith
full parental training, have been conferred upon
him his ingratitude to the Father of mercies
whose restraining providence has kept him from
the path of temporal destruction, from utter ruin
of health, reputation and all worldly distinction.
"Tbe observation of Augustine continues Cal
vim lis strictly true, that all who are strangers to
the religion of the one true God, however they
NAV be esteemed worthy of admiration for their
reputed virtue not only merit no reward but are
rather deserving of punishment because they con-
taminate the pure gifts of God with the pollution
of their own hearts. For though they are instru-
ments used by God for the preservation Of human
society by the exercise of justice, confluence,
friendship, temperance, fOrtitude, and prudence,
vet they perform these good works of God very
improperly; being restrained from the commission
of evil. not BY sincere attachment to true virtue,
but either by mere ambition or by self-lOve, or by
some other irregular disposition.
The Scriptural discussion which follows these
preliminary views of human character, leads the
moral man from premises, to which he cannot OBJ
ect, to dreadful conclusions which are irresistible,
eff there be any truth in the assertion Of John,
he that hath not the Son of God hath not life,
they who have no interest in Christ, whatever be
their characters, their actions, or their endeavOrs,
are constantly advancing through the whole course
of their lives towards destruction and the sentence
of eternal death.
One of the best illustrations we ever heard in
the pulpit on this subject was the following A
father leaving home commands his two sons not to
enter certain gate leading into the garden. Both
disobey him. The one advances a few steps within
the gate, and goes no farther; the other roams
over the place, defaces the walks, tramples the
flowers, strips the bushes of their fruits, and does
all the mischief he can. Let the moral man an
swer whether the children are to be punished ac-
cording to the difference Of their actions within the
garden, OF whether the reckoning is not first to be
with each for entering there in defiance of the
parental authority without regard to what was done
afterwards; and then let him discern whether the
chief offence of the immoral man be not the same
as the chief offence of the irreligious moral man,
EUiag IN a state Of diSoJedjence. The question in
either case is not about the number and magnitude
of sins, but it is Where art thOu?" in respect
to the command Of Him whom it is the duty Of all
alike to fear as Master, and to honor as Father,
and TO love with all the heart, and all the under
standing, and all the soul, and all the strength
In default of such perfect obedience, He now
cOmmandeth all men erery0here to repent, be-
cause he hath appointed a day in which He will
Judge the world in righteousness, by that man
whom He hath ordained, whereof he hath given as.
suraRce unto all men in that he hath raised Him
from the dead
Combination of Newspapers Rev. j.
Y. Logan, who has been for a short time the pro-
prietor and editor of the Free Christian Common
t0ealth, Louisville, KY, announces in that paper
of the 18th inst that he has sold and transferred
II IN Rev A. and Z. B. Converse, Editors of the