The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-05

IS,
that God governs free agents, consistently
with their free agency, than we can the
mystery of the Incarnation, or the Trinity,
or the renewal of man by the Holy Spirit,
or scores of mysteries connected with our
own bodies and souls, and the union of
the soul and body. All we can do is to
act as we do in our daily lives, as to the
duties and privileges of time, accept the
facts and conduct ourselves accordingly.
3. Whatever faults may be found by
unfriendly criticism, the Confession
presents consistent system of doctrine
Comparing this system to well adjusted
arch, its keystone is mans fall and orig
mat san with natiUe deprGuty With
these doctrines are connected the related
teachings respecting God government by
His most holy, wise, and powerful " con
troll of all His creatures and all their
actions, thus setting forth the doctrine of
the DEGREES, predestination and effectual
calling Mans moral ruin is farther re-
lated to the scheme of Z" Redemption in
Christ Jesus" His humiliation, incarna-
ton, sufferings, and death as an expiatory
offering for the sins of the world; His in
talllble teaching, His priestly intercep-
ton, and his almighty and all glorious
rule as King in Zion. While thus pro-
vision is made for the pardon of sin and
restoration of man to God favor, there
is farther the teaching of the method and
agency for applying the work of Christ
by the work and Spirit, through tie CO.
operation Of which men are convinced OF
sin, enlightened to know Christ, and re
newed IN nature, so as to repent, believe
and live lives of increasing Righteousness
and conformity to God s law.
4. Such system farther eCahS God
and huna6teS man. 1t holds forth the
"creator of heaven and earth and sea and
all that in them is, as infinite in all His
attributes and projections, and fully and
only (of all Beings competent to govern
this world and the world to come. His
memorable justice, immaculate holiness.
and infalhble truth, assure us that He
will not tolerate sin. His infinite knowl-
edge and wisdom assure us that if any
means can be devised to save man con
slstently with the claims of divine Justice,
demanding his punishment, such means
can be devised by God alone. And
farther, the revelation of His infinite
goodness and mercy lays the basis of the
revelation of scheme which honors all
His attributes, in that the Suffering OF
the Just for the unjust, to bring us to
God" that united with Christ as our
representative, we may thus satisfy di.
vine justice, so that God can be Just and
yet justify such as by faith in Christ
become interested in His work as Pro-
phet, Priest, and King Mercy and truth
are thus met together, Righteousness and
peace embrace each, other. And while
God is thus honored, and honored in the
illustration of His projections, and in the
benefits and blessings procured for man
and accepted and enjoyed by man. Oh
the other hand, man is revealed in his
true place as a sinner by nature and by
practice, justly and hopelessly condemned
both on account of his sinfulness by ma
ture and by conduct, and helpless sup
plant, dependent solely on Gods mere
grace for his deliverance from condemna-
ton, his regeneration and sanctifcation,
so as to become meet for the privileges of
heaven.
s. And while the glory is rendered to
God the Father, who. $50 loved the world
as to devise this scheme, equal glory is
due to God the Son, who has given Him
self for us, endured the cross, descended
to the grave, assembled to the Father to
live and rule and reign with Him, in car
rying forward the blessed scheme He
commenced on earth to its final compile
ton and to God, the Holy Spirit, who
dwells with men, renews their natures
takes of the teachings of Christ and ap
plies them to their hearts, aids in prayer.
moulds their affections, and makes them
meet for the holy employments and en-
! joyments of the new heavens and the
new earth wherein dwelleth righteous
ness evermore.
1t will thus be obvious to the careful
reader of the Confession and Cate
chisms Of our Church, Cd That they do
not present mere skeleton of theology,
but a scheme of religious faith and prac-
tice. (2) They are exceedingly edifying
for the formation of right sentiments or
feelings, as well as right opinions and in
struction in the duty we owe to God
and man, as we'll as in the propositions
of faith. (3) 1t is not only very impor-
tant that parents teach their children the
Shorter Catechism but that they also
carefully and prayerfully study the Con
! fession and Larger Catechism," the
form Of sound words not only for their