The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-31

VI,
1.-THE preaching and hearing of the word,
the sacraments and prayer p Thess.
IL: Ii. IA. This regeneration of the soul
precedes the exercise of faith and repent
ance, as life from the death in trespasses
and sins (Eph. ii y precedes the ex-
lstence of holy affections in the order of
nature. Such is the analogy of nature
There must be life before any of its attri-
butes, as breathing pulsation, sense, and
motion are developed. And as in ma
ture, so in grace, these evidences of life
are co-existence, in the order of time, with
its beginning When the drowned man
is resuscitated we know that he is alive
by perceiving that he breathes, even
when the breath is so feeble that barely
perceptible effect is produced on the
highest polished surface placed close to
his nostril. But the life precedeS the
6reothlng. So a new born soul evinces
life, however feeble his faith and imper-
feet his true repentance. But there must
be spiritual life preceding, in the order
OF nature, the spiritual exercises of that
new born soul. Owing to this identity,
IN the order of time, of the new birth or
regeneration of the sinner who was dead
in sin, and the evidences of that new
birth presented by faith and repentance,
there frequently exists, in the popular
mind, misapprehension, and faith and
repentance are held to precede regenera-
ton. But the Scriptures ascribe these
graces to Gods agency, and as graces Of
a new nature which is of God, (John iii :
5-S). But it may be asked, why are
men eXhorted to believe and repent E?
Because such is the duty of all men. Il John
iii: %; Acts xvii; 8O). SO He com
mands us to be holy, to serve him, and to
the compliance with all His commands.
Yet no mere man is able of himself to
comply. Gods word teaches the duty.
and when men convinced of their help
lessness cry for mercy, God hears them
and gives the grace they need. But is it
not, then, for the merit of these aOorks
that He does this? Does the beggar OBJ
tam relief because he has me,1ted it by
begging? After all, we see how neces-
sary it is that men be taught the hum
bling truths which have now been set
forth briefly, in order to the saving recep-
ton of Christ
IHOSe VINO receive ana rest on Christ,
are justified freely by Gods grace their
sins are pardoned and they are accepted
and treated as righteous, not for any
merit of their own, but by virtue of
Christ's righteousness imputed to them
who believe. From faith and repentance
proceeds love, new obedience, growth in
knowledge, in grace, and in duty, dying
unto sin and living unto holiness; and at
the same time the believer is adopted into
Gods family as child, and has given to
him the filial spirit whereby he approaches
God as a gracious reconciled God and
Father Gods providence of grace guides
him through life, supports him in death,
and he, as glorifed saint, then passes
into heaven, made perfect in holiness.
His body, still united with Christ, sleeps
in the grave till the resurrection; is then
raised an incompatible body, and re-
united to the soul, enters at the Judgment
day fully acknowledged and acquitted,
into the perfect blessedness procured for
him by the glorious Mediator our Lord
} Jesus Christ. b. M. S.