The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-18
THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS.
A Sermon on Tim. i: 1s, and Titus i; o.

"Hold fast the form Of sound words, wnlcn tnou
hast heard of me, in faith and love when Is III
Christ Jesus"
tHolding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine ootn
to exhort, and to convince the galnsayers."
FATHERS AND BRETHREN has been hitherto
both the characteristic and the boast of our branch
of the Reformed Church, that it was strict advo'
cate of doctrinal correctness. Our confession Is
one of the largest and most detailed, as 1t IS the
most orthodox and udicious, among the symbols
of Professionalism 1t has been the tancled princl-
pie of Presbyterianism in all its better days, that
its teachers must subscribe its honored standards
they embody. The following statement OF facts
evinces the correctness of my assertion as to the
Presbyterian Church in America All the mem,
bers of the original Synod, (except one) adopted
in 1729 every doctrine of the Confession, as ex'
pressing his own faith, save certain clauses relating
to the power of civil magistrates in matters OF re-
| ligion q The Synod in 1880, declared that they
required all "intrants" to receive the standards as
strictly as the existing members had done the year
before 3. In 1876, the same declaration was
made in stronger terms. 4. When the two Synods
were united in 1858, after the schism, it was on
| the following basis as to doctrine: L. Botn
Synods having always approved and received the
Westminster Confession. and Larger and Shorter
Catechisms, as an orthodox and excellent system
Of Christian doctrine, founded on the word OF Ood,
we do still receive the same as the confession OF
our faith and also adhere to the plan of worship,
government and discipline contained in the West
minister Directory strictly enoining 1t on all our
ministers and probationers for the ministry, that
they preach and teach according to the form OF
sound words in the said Confession and Catechlsms,
and avoid and oppose all errors contrary thereto
| VI That no Presbytery license or ordaIn to the
work of the ministry, any candidate, until he give
+oh htc1
experimental acquaintance with religion, and skill
| in divinity and cases of conscience and declare
his acceptance of the Westminster Confession and
Catechisms, as the confession OF his faith, and
promise subjecton to the Presbyterian form OF
government in the Westminster. Directory In
l7SS, when the present Constitution was adopted,
| the same ground was taken.
| This time-honored principle is, in these latter
days by many misunderstood, and by not few
despised | propose therefore, to invite this ven
cradle Assembly of the guardians of Gods Church
and truth to scrptural discussion of it, founded
upon the ipjunctions of the holy Apostle to limo
| thy and Titus.
The introductions to the Epistles Il Tim. i: 3.
1. Titus, i 81 inform us that the two evangeIsts
then did the Holy Ghost move the Apostle to
write these pastoral Epistles: and why has the
providence of God preserved them among the
canon of Scripture? The obvious answer is, that
they are intended to instruct, not only the minis
ters to whom they were first SENT but all the pres
| byters of the church in all ages. And shall as
sumo, what none here will contest, the express
application to u.s. on whom these ends of the world
have come, of every permanent precept and prin-
cpe the Epstles contain.
The two texts which have presented speak
substantially the same thing To Timothy the
Apostle says: Hold fast the form of sound words
which thou hast heard of me-" 1t is not neces-
sary for me to assert, that this phrase indicates
literally vgbal formula epjoined upon Timothy
as fixed confession of his faith. But the form
of sound (or healthfu) words" was pattern Of
doctrine which Timothy had heard Of Paul, and
which the disciple was to preserve jealousy, and
| transmit e Tim. ii: y to succeeding presbyters
and evangelists. The succeeding verse calls it a
deposite, or trust of an excellent and responsible
nature, committed to Timothy by God to be kept
| by tie aid of the Holy Ghost. This description
clearly implies that doctrinal code was definite
thing marked by clear characteristics and that
Timothy had no discretion or license to remit or
modify any part OF 1t.
So In the parallel Injunction to Titus e.: 9,) the
man who is appointed Presbyter or Bishop over
| Christian Church must "hold fast the faithful
words as he hath been taught" The most compe-
tent expositors agree in constituting this to mean,
the word which is trustworthy, as of divine au-
thority, being in accordance with Paul's Apostolic
sufficiently evinces its nature: that purpose is to
exhort and edify Christians, and to confute gain.
savers, by "s some (healthful) doctrine" In both
precepts, the authorized code is called "Word:"
l'pattern of some words" and notwithstanding
the concession which was made above, this lam
guage does not at least authorize us to infer, that
the system committed to the Christian ministry is
to be presented and taught by them with exact
ness in all its parts. The solemn iteration with
which the holy Apostle urges this duty may both
assure you that we do not misrepresent its nature,
and teach you the importance which he attaches
TO it. The minister of Christ is steward of the
mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in
stewards that man be found faithful" Il Cor.
Iiv: l, 2.) The "heterodox teacher who consents
not to wholesome words, the words. of our Lord
Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which IS accord
ing to godliness, is proud, knowing nothing, but
doting" &c. Il Tim. wi: 3, A. The minister
must be a workman approved unto God, rightly
dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim. ii: 15.
Timothy must continue in the things which he
had learned and been assured of, knowing OF whom
he learned them" 2 Tim. iii: IA. Titus must
"show in doctrine uncorruptness, gravity, SINGER
itv. sound speech that cannot be condemned Ii
tus ii: is.
In enforcing upon Church teachers and rulers
the sacred obligation of strict orthodoxy. Presby-
terans fully admit that some doctrines of the Chris
tian system are not fundamental to salvation. BY
| this we mean, that soul who embraces the fun
damenta and necessary points will be saved not
E withstanding his failure, through ignorance or
misconception, to embrace the former. We ac-
cordingly gladly receive into the body of Christ
Church catholic and into the communion of saints
all such persons: although they do not receive
sundry truths which, we are assured, God has re-
yealed. Again, in obedience to Rom. xiv: /,
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not
to doubtful disputation, we uniformly receive prl-
yate or Law members to the full communion of our
, own branch of the Church, who profess only the
| primary rudiments of the faith; and we require
nothing more of them than that they confirm that
I profession by a HE OF repentance. Our Direc-
tory, Chap TX, l, instructs pastors to inquire
only whether the life of the applicant be consist
ent. and whether he has knowledge to discern the
Lords body. AS to the flock, there is no Church
under heaven more catholic and liberal than ours
in receiving all, whatever their doctrnal differ.
ences from us, provided they truly receive Christ
t as their Redeemer. We believe indeed, that oi
the Shepherds, who undertake to guide the flock,
our divine Head eXacts more perfect knowledge
| and agreement But even where they fail OF that
doctrinal harmony with us, to such an extent that
1--we dare no longer entrust to them part OF the
flock for which God makes us responsible, we still
act with respectful consideration for the uncertain
ties of the human reason, and draw broad dis
tinction between the misfortune Of honest error
s and the crlmlnalIty or wlful transgresslon.-S
Book of Discipline, Chap. 5, IA.
But with these allowances, we are compelled to
conclude, that tertrequres Of all Church teach
ers and rulers, strict and harmonious conformity
to revealed doctrine.
u l. Let the farther proof of this proposition be
introduced by some admissions which all are ready
to make. Every honest man believes that the in
diyidual teacher in the Church is absolutely bound
to declare the counsel of God, as. he himself con
scentiously understands it. He is Christs her
e aid the duty of herald is to convey precisely
the message of his King, without addition or dim
mutton He is steward of the divine mysteries
s AeA rrhosn first uirtna is fde