New-York tribune., 1901-06-01
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION.
NOME OF THE POINTS MOST IN DISPUTE BE-
TWEEN THE REvISIONISTS AND
THEIR OPPONENTS

Ihe suggestion of correspondent that The Trib-
"he PRINT the Westminster Confession in fu.t In
oroer that IT'S readers might better undersy IT.:
the agitation for its revision is feasible he-
cause of its great length. 1t will doubtless how
ever, meet his needs those of others interested
IN the question TO quote the passages in the
fession to which objection has been made Section
{ of the resolution appointing the revision COM
mittee reads follows
We further recommend that this committee be
Instructed to prepare amendments of Chapter III.
Chapter y, Section 3; Chapter XVI. Section Z;
ton g. of our Confession of Faith, either by modi-
ncation of the text or by declaratory statement,
but far possible by declaratory statement so
as more clearly to express the mind of the Church.
with additional statements concerning the love OF
tIod Tor all men, missions. and the Holy Spirit, it
being understood that the revision shall in no way
impair the integrity of the of doctrine set
Scripture. 10y
Chapter III is entitled "Of Gods Eternal De-
cree. and the paragraph to which particular ex-
cepton is taken is the third, which reads BY the
decree of God for the manifestation of His glory
some men and angels are predestinated unto ever
lasting life and others foreordained to everlasting
DEATH
ms paragraph seems to teach supralapsarian-
ism; that is to say, that God made His decree of
eIeclIoh before the creation of man. while modern
Presbyterian thought incnes to the subapsarian
VieW' namely. that this decree was made after the
creation of man. Another paragraph in the same
chapter to which exception has been made reads:
These angels and men. thus predestinated and fore
orialned, are particularly and unchangeably de-
signed; and their number is certain and definite
that II cannot be either increased diminished.
The passage aimed at the doctrine of the
Roman Church that the Pope or bishop could
prevent any ones redemption election by ex-
communication.
The passage in Chapter X, Section 3. reads as
follows
Elect infants. dying in infancy. are regenerated
eth when and where and how He pleaseth.
This seems to to imply that there must
be nOn-elect infants, although the conservatives
interpret it to discriminate between elect infants
and elect adults. 1t is. in fact. said that Calvin
taught the salvation of all infants.
Chapter XVI. Section T. reads:
Works done by unregenerate man. although for
the matter of them they may be things which God
commands and of good use both to themselves and
heart purified by faith, nor are done in right
manner. according to the word. a right end.
the glory of God. they therefore sinful and
cannot please God or make meet to receive
grace from God.
This passage aimed at the Roman doctrine
Of supererogation. But to many modern Presby-
terians 1t seems to convey a false implication as
TO the essential nature of good deeds
Section of Chapter XXI condemns the refusal
10 take oath imposed by the State and Section
OF Chapter XXV reads:
There is no other head Of the Church but the
Lord Jesus Christ. Nor the Pope of Rome
In any sense be head thereof but is that anti
christ. that man OF sin and son Of perdtion that
eXa!teth himself In the Church against Christ and
all that is called God.
Many modern Presbyterians consider this state
ment needlessly harsh and untrue in part. as they
do not believe the Pope be an antichrist or a
son Of pcrdtiou. -
The additional statements called for by the reso-
luton appointing 4 committee will Law strong en-
phasis on the love Of God and His desire 10 have
truth.