The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-07-29
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.
Rev. ]. L. McLees, of 0rangeburg, Preach.
ed an Admirable Sermon.
Nelvs and Courier, July 20.

AT Inc lT6b IItsUytellau OuuAOn
yesterday the pulpit was filled by the
Rev. j. L. McLees, of Orangeburg.
Mr.. McLees preached an excellent ser.
mon, taking as his text portion of
Galatians, I'd chapter, 10Th Terse:
"Knowing that man is not justified
by the works of the law, but by faith
in Jesus Christ, etc.
The Word of God, said the minister,
is constitution, the law to direct US in
all matters pertaining to salvation and
right living. Whatever it says is truly
the law and the Gospel, constitution
is unalterable, except by the trainers
of the said constitution. Now as the
Framer of this constitution is God, it
must be Interchangeable. Now, all
statutes however small, must be ac-
cording to the constitution or they are
not valid and cannot be executed.
Therefore, we have in our govern
ment a body to make laws, and force
to execute them, but all laws, all
statutes, however plausible, or how
ever overwhelming they may be, their
passage and endorsement is worthless
if they are not according to the con-
stitution. The constitution must de-
eide the question of its validity.
Now, as in temporal matters, so in di-
vine, the constitution must determine
and settle all questions that pertain to
our relation to God, and our hope of
heaven. Holiness is not what [ want
it to be or may desire it to be, but
what the constitution declares it to be,
and 80 with the whole line Of Chris
tian graces. Salvation is not what l
may want or may wish, but what the
constitution says.
Now, in the first place, this morn
ing 7 want to say that salvation by
works (lnatters not what man may say
and legislate in regard to iD is uncon-
stitutional.
First, from the fact that we are
saved not by inherent righteousness,
b 1t by imputed righteous ess. Adam
was made our federal head. We sin
IN him and fell with him. It was the
purpose of God to save the world by
imputed righteousness, and Abraham
believed and it was counted to him for
righteousness. Paul argues that in
Adam we all died, 80 in Christ we are
all made alive.
If Adam had kept pure and holy
then the race would have been saved
according to the constitution)
through and by his righteousness, and
would have been confirmed in holiness.
His righteousness would have been
imputed, but he sinned and all the
world became guilty b. ore God. Now,
by the atonement of Christ We are
again placed in a condition W hereby
we can be saved. For as by the one
mans disobedience many are made
sinners, so by the obedience of one
shall many be made righteous.
Second. Salvation by works is un-
constitutional from the fact that vio-
lation of law cannot be made perfect
under that law. If man violates any
law on our statute books he is guilty,
and can never find any protection un-
der the law. Let me illustrate. | in
volve myself in debt far beyond my
ability to pay. The law is no re.
specter of persons and by the law l
am thrust into prison. Now, while
there in prison I may be sorry for my
wrong. I may weep tears of sorrow.
NV heart NAV be full of regret. |
may promise never again to commit.
the wrong, but the law is cold, and
heeds not my good resolutions and
my deep penitence. The law says pay
and then you shall be free. The
money is what the law wants. 1t is
there that you have violated it and.it
is there that you must make amends
The creditor wants the money and the
law says he must have it. The law
has but two courses, either to secure
the debt or imprison the debtor. Now.
suppose some friend comes forward
and pays the debt. The majesty Of the
law is vindicated. There is nothing
now against the prisoner. He is free
man. The law could not retain him
if it so desired. He is as innocent in
the sight of the law as if he had paid
the debt himself.
So with the sinner, he has violated
the law of God and is debtor to the
law and must pay or suffer. But he
can't pay, for the law requireth per-
feet obedience and will be satisfied
with nothing less. The majesty of
the law must be vindicated. The full
amount must be paid. Not one cent
less will meet the requirements, and
this he cannot do. So if he is ever
saved it must be by another. Now
Christ comes, ascends Calvary and
pays the debt, pays it in full. The
law is satisfied, and the person is free
if he will only accept the payment OF
the debt. The moment the sinner
says to the law, II accept Christ's S
payment of the debt" the law says,
"then you are free" and from that
hour he is taken from under law and
put under grace.
Third. Salvation by works is uncon-
stitutional from the fact that man is
saved, not by holiness, but by right
eousness-obedience to law. Abra-
ham was saved by obedience, not holi-
ness, as was Noah. He that believ-
eth is saved and he that believeth not
is condemned. Adam was to save the
world, not by holiness, but by obedi-
ence. And so the second Adam came
into the world not to save the sinner
by His holiness, for then He would
have no need to have suffered and
died, but He came to obey the law,
and he was obedient unto death.
Fourth. Salvation by work is un-
constitutional from the fact that man
is no longer on trial. Adam is the
only creature God has ever put on
trial. He that believeth on Him is
not condemned, but he that believeth
not is condemned already. The man
who has been arraigned before a jury
of his peers for crime that is capital
by the law and the Court has passed
sentence of death upon him, fixed the
day of his execution and thrust him
into prison to wait that day. That
man is not on trial. Is not this the
condition of the sinner? They are all
guilty before God, and the sentence
has long since been passed.
Fifth. Salvation by work is uncon-
stitutional from the fact that the con-