The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-16
"keep under his own body and bring it into

; be indicated which should destroy assurance
and forbode an entire resignation to the
world. Of all things, a man ought most tc
) fear the loss of 6 % favor. Because itE
loss so far as we hays warrant to believe may
be its final loss. " have no right whatever
beforehand to counl pom It's recovery; 1t is
wholly with God 3 peradventure He will
grant unto us rep tance and restoration.
Were not these thi. in the mind of Paul
There is dificu in the minds of some
persons in regard these words of Paul.
He seems to repro MT his salvation as sus-
pended on slende thread. The difficulty
may be owing, in rome degree, to the fact
that after the finishing of his course they
are able to assume as an absolute certainty
what Paul declared ne did not count himself
to have apprehenGed Doubtless his victory
in the beginning of his course did not seem
to him quite SO much an accomplished fact
as it now appears to us with all his life, trl-
umphant end, and place in the divine record
before u.s.
Then again, these words have been claimed
as strong hold by those who say that a
man may be true believer to-day, and yet
finally perish. 1t is simply no hold at alb
much less strong hold.
The propriety of these words of Paul, as
here interpreted, is apparent in the very ma
ture of things. 1t is not only true that God
is sovereign; and that his electing love and
power is the cause and means, and the only
cause and means, of the salvation, from be-
ginning to end, of all the saved,
This is perhaps the greatest truth of the
Bible, because it pertains to the very nature
and glory of God. 1t is also true that man
is free, responsible agent; and as such
must strive, and press forward in the exercise
of his faculties and affections towards the
attainment of freedom from sin. This truth
pertains to man in the very nature of man
III LIS IeldGlOu w Oou. 4ue eOop0A "0 NotA'0
to recognize both these fundamental truths
the better for US. There is long line Of
truths running all through the Scriptures
exhortations, invitations, commands, admo
nitions, warnings, all based upon and spring
ing out of the fact of mans freedom and
responsibility. And there is another glori-
GUS line of truths running together side by
side with the others all through the Scrip
lures, inviting Gods people to continued
feast of peace, consolation, JOY, and rejoic-
ing, based upon and springing out of the
eternal purpose, unchanging love and power
of Gnd 6at EG is chiefly made up of
these eRo lines IS u, lths. They are botn
parts of the way Of salvation. But Paul
cannot speak of tmG things at the same time.
He is here pursuing one line of truth; but
in so doing he does not invalidate the other.
In presenting Christ simply as the Son Of
Man, the Unitarian may be we'll pleased.
But when you begin to present him as also
God, the grand, leading double truth of
Revelation, he will cry out, contradiction"
and refuse to receive both truths. 1t is just
this one-sided method of treating God's word
that we adopt, if we consider Paul'S final
security exclusively confined to his own ex-
ertions. 1t is partial view of the matter
to so consider it. This is to ignore and rule
out another whole line of revealed truth, and
to decide the case without it. In another
place, Paul exhorts us, "Work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling" This is
one view of the case. But he goes to the
root of the matter when he continues in the
same sentence, For it is God which worketh
in you, both to will and to do, of his good
pleasure" 1t is only by endeavoring to
keep both lines of truth in mind together
that we may understand anything rightly of
either side.
Are there not two views which every one
who runs the Christian race ought ever and
anon to take--a look at himself, and a look
at Christ Was aot Paul, like Bunyau,
fleeing from the City of Destruction Did
he not tremble an admonish himself when
he looked at himself, as we'll as rejoice with
Joy unspeakable Wien "looking unto JesuS?"
This double exercise is uttered by every
Christian experience. Without it what be-
comes of prayer, of faith, of repentance, of
self.examinaticn The Christian is drawn
along by an irresistible love. Heis impelled
from behind by wholesome fear.
would not abate one jot or little the force
of these words. Especially as it is not i'm
possible that, in tie preaching of these last
times, the very magnitude of the display of
Gods mercy to len, composed with their
slight view of his incorporating justice,
has allayed their f, ar of God.
Goodness sonnet mes comes to mean good
nature,
1t seems to me these words of 80 eminent
saint as Paul, are full of profound mean.
ing to us, and very necessary. 1t is SER
mon which the best of Gods people ought
often to hear, that they have no right to con.
slider themselves true believers, unless they
have the testimony of their consciences thai
, they are engaged in excepting under the
| body, and bringing it into subjection;" and
, this although they handle the very word o.
life, and are ministering to the good of 9th
= ers. And it will prove salutary to any per