The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-15

TIdVGsI
have thysef in the house of God which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth
I TIMOTHY Iii: Is.
CONCLUDED
H. now proceed to make some general
observations respecting the management Of
the church. And l would first observe, that
although the doctrines of the cross ought
to be preached with simplicity and plainness,
yet it does not follow, that they ought to
be preached by ignorant or rash men,
Whatever may be true, in particularly cases,
it is by 70 means expedispt, in the general,
that illiterate men should preach the gospel.
The blind should not lead the blind: a
novice should not be put into the ministry.
Indeed, next to the curse of an unsancti-
fed ministry, there is perhaps no source
from which the church, in its different.
branches, has suffered more than from an ig
norant ministry. Omitting many things
that might be mentioned here, will just
remark, that the setting up of unscrptural
tests and evidences, for judging of the
Christian character and conversion, must
be traced principally to this cause. This
is certainly great evil, in our day; and
is lamented by the wise and good of all de-
nominations. In many cases, great stress
is laid on certain things, as evidence Of
Christian conversion, or Christian character,
which have little or no connexiOn whatever
with religion whilst the proper and scrip
tural evidences of a new heart and charac-
ter, are almost entirely overlooked. Such
mistakes not only lead to delusion and cor
ruption in the particular societies which en-
tertain them, but they fill those societies,
with uncharitable sentiments towards others.
Judging of other denominations, by unserip-
tural tests, they must judge wrong, and may
be led to denOuuee, as unohristian, those
better than themselves; they may even con-
scientiously think it their duty to counter
act and pull down society, which is doing
more for the cause of truth, than they are
doing. With respect to rash preaching,
will lust make one remark. Paul was an ex-
cellent example of plain and faithful preach
ing. He declared the whole counsel of God
but he was far removed from rashness.-
Many cases appear in his history and writ
tings, in which he employed great address
for. the purpose of exhibiting the truth, SC
as to give no unnecessary offence.
In the second place, would observe, tha
much prudence and wisdom is necessary il
conducting the controversies which mus
arise between different denominations in tn
Church. Many persons are of opinion, tina
there should be no controversy between
Christians; that ii should all be reserved
for infdels, and open enemies of religion
But if this opinion be right, the apostle
were wrong There was frequent cOntro
versy in the primitive church Paul, a
Antioch, zealou8ly opposed Peter, rathe
than permit the cause of truth to suffer; an
he often contended strenuously, with Jr
daizing teachers, whom still he did not de
nounce as enemies to the gospel. So, alsc
when Luther and his associates began tn
reformation, those holy men thought tn
time was come, when not only peace, br
life itself, should be hazarded for the caus
of truth. No doubt, the love Of peace, an
f the love of truth, are the two great prime
+ pies which ought to direct in all the intel
! course of the church. But ifthe8e prime
e ples should come into collision, as they ce
e tainly may, and often do-the love of pea'
n should yield to that of truth. The love
}. truth is a principle Of paramount authOrit
n When the love of truth is genuine, it is
k itself principle of candOur and charity al