Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-07


lasting glory etc, etc" Were the phrase
"Some of Manki omitted, emphasis would
be taken from the definite and individual
character of the Divine election and the ad-
tlition of the clause given above sufficiently
removes all misunderstanding.
, We are dissatisfied with the revision OF
Section s, five OF the revision.) We believe
that the doctrine of preterition should pc
expressed. We do not object particularly
30 the change of ''to pass bv and ordain"
unto mot to elect but to ordain." Neither
do we specially object TO the added clause
at the close of the section, except to remark
that the phraSeolOgY would be clearer II the
last clause read " nor is restraint laid upon
anyone so as to hinder his acceptance OF TINS
offer" But we sincerely object to the
omission of the clause "for the glory
OF His Sovereign power
creatures" This omission leaves the
the ground on which Gods discrimina-
tion among sinful men rests, viz, His
sovriegn right as their Creator and Propre-
tor. 1t leaves the fact of preterltlon unsnp-
ported by any statement of its rlghtfulness
and consequently as hard, repulsive fact,
apparently grounded in nothing, but mere
Divine will. We believe that it is OF the
highest importance that the Sovereign
rights of the Creator should he plainly
stated since only where they are reallzed
will il ne also felt that even in the matter OF
pretention "He is righteous in all His ways
We are nos particular, however, about mere
words.
We are aware that some object TO the
term power" in this clause, and that others
feel that the whole clause suggests the
supralapsarian theory. We suggest, there
fore that for power dominion" might
be substituted [see Chapter IL, section p,
and the phrascology might be altered so as
to prevent misunderstanding, as follows:
The rest of mankind God WAS pleased
according to the unsearchable counsel OF
l. Wi
His sovereign dominion over His creatures,
He eXtendeth to or withholdeth from fallen
man His saving mercy as He pleaseth, not
to elect, etc. We ask particular attention
TO this suggestion, convinced that without
the above clause or its equivalent the state
ment of the doctrine would be seriously, II
not IA atally, injured.
II With reference TO ". l (of creation)
the proposed changes seem TO us to imply,
the adoption of particular scientific inter
probation of the first chapter of Genesis,
position which it would be very undeslra-
BILE to take in the confession. We prefer
therefore the omission from the revised sec
tion of the last sentence.
III. We approve of the changes made in
ch. VI. 4, so far as the first sentence is con-
cerned, but we think that in view of the
proposed chapter on the Holy Spirit, the
second sentence is an instance or needless
repetition, especially unbecoRing in doc
trinal symbol.
". In respect to vii. 8, we are of the
opinion that the introduction of the phrase,
take, inasmuch as this does not appear to be
the proper place to mention the means by
which the offer of the covenant OF God is
made known OF applied. In the two follow
ing sections these reasons are stated more
comprehCnSivelv and satisfactorily.
V. In regard 10 the new chapter on "The
Work OF fine Holy Spirit" the Presbytery
thinks the whole chapter would be better if
considerably shortened. The first two sec
tions commend themselves to us as admira-
bic statements of the Person of the
Spirit and His work in the prodnc-
ion OF the Scriptures, but the re-
naming sections ought to be, in our judg-
ment. considerably amended and some por-
tions entirely recast, while the title OF the
chapter should simply be, 'Of the Holy
Spirit"
SOME DOUBTS ON OTHER POINTS.
In section we lind much dissatisfaction
with some of the proof texts cited, and
question whether sufficient scriptural au-
thority can be adduced for the in itself true
statement that the Spirit '-iS the source Of
all the wisdom, virtue and reverence for
God found in men, and of the pea ce and good
order in society,"" We doubt also, whether
lie in all cases accompanies the Gospel
with His persuasive energy as the word
everywhere might be understood to i'm
ply. and we think that the phrase, "The
Lord and Giver OF life." should be trans
feTred to the fourth section where the life
giving work of the Spirit is trea ted. In sec
tion we think it is needless and shameful
concession 10 Une prc1uulceS OF Il lew 10 say
He efrectually calls sinners to new life
We would say frankly what we
believe that He effectually calls to new
life in Christ Jesus those given to the Son by
the Father" The following description
also OF His Sanctifying work in the believer
appears 70 us defective and poorly worded,
while the concluding clause strikes us as
peculiarly unhappy since 1t reverses the
proper order of "sanctified" and sealed"
and closes with the implication of a wholly
false eXegeSis of ColoS. i. Il. OF section
likewise, the last sentence needs recasting.
We think that some of our people would
see in it an express condemnation of one
view of the future Of Christ's kingdom
which, By the admission even of those who
differ from them, they have right to hold.
The guidance of Christs people by the
spirit unto the truth should also be stated
here rather than in section 4. As indicating
what statements these sections should con-
tain we suggest the following, without pre-
suming that our notifications of the COM
misSiOners' report are themselves free from
objections.
THE HOLY SPIRIT EVERYWHERE PRESENT.
III. The Holy Spirit is everywhere present
among men, confirming the teachings of
Nature and the law of God written on the
heart, restraining from evil and inciting to
good. Joel ii, 2s; Rom. l. 1920; ii, Alb. 1t is
His mission to convict the world IN respect
of sin and of righteousness and of judg-
ment, John xvi, S, bearing witness in mems
hearts to the truth of the word, John ii,
c
wherever it is preached. He also accom-
panies the Gospel with His persuasive
energy, enlightening their minds concern
ing divine things and drawing them by His
grace, so that they who reject its merciful
offer are not only without excuse, but are
also guilty of resisting the Holy Spirit Rev.
xii l7 Is lxiii 10; Acts ii, l6lS: vii, 81; xiv,
-: Hehr Y. %; Matt. xii, %.
". The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of
life is the only efficient agent i'll applying
and communicating redemption. He effect
ualiv calls to new life in Christ Jesus those
given to the Son by the Father, regenerating
them by His Almighty grace, freeing them
from the bondage of sin and death, and per-
suadng and enabling them to embrace
Jesus Christ by faith. In them lie also
dwelis as their comforter and sacrifcer, and
as the spirit of adoption and of Supplication,
making the means of grace e1ficacious in
their edi1icatlon, and producing in their
lives such blessed and holy fruits as evi-
dence them to be branches of the true vine,
Jesus Christ
Y Bv the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all
who are regcnerate, being Yitally united to
Christ, who is the head. arc also reunited to
one another in the Church, which is His
body He calls and anoints ministers for
their holy office. He also calls and qualities
other officers in the Church for their special
work and imDarts manifold gifts and graces
TO its members. He gives efficacy to the
ord and to the ordinances of the gospel
and is ever guiding the Church into all the
truth, directing in its councils with essing
20 its message keeping 1t from apostasy and
TtNlNl ing II III IllntS OF ucclcnSlCn. Dy I1llu
the Church has been and will be preserved,
increased and purified ana groweth unto
holy temple in the Lord
AS TO THE FREE WILL PORTION.
II. In regard to the chapter on free will,
VIC approve of the evident purpose of the
proposed revision 20 make plain to every
reader thaS mans inability since the fall to
90 any spiritual good is moral, and not
natural to his constitution as man; and that
therefore it does not destroy the responsi-