The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-21

p. 1877. In this he agrees with the Unitarian views
When Mr.. Barnes comes to explain the matter
and substance of what is imputed TO the soul of a
believer he passes by all reference what has
been done by Christ and the righteousness which
he had wrought out discovers it in the faith"
of the believer. Justification by faith, according
to him. is achieved by faith itself The settled doc
trine of all the evangelical churches Ref
ormation down, is that justification is by grace
supplying it's basis in the righteousness of God by
faith as the mere instrument of receiving it, To
construe faith itself the matter or substance on
which justification is predicated, is a wide depart
ure from the tenets of the Evangelical churches
Inc Westminster Standards to which Mr.. Barnes
and his New School associates have given their
adherence testify in Question 73 of Larger Cate
chlsnn and in the Shorter Catechism Question 33 as
follows Faith justiies sinner in the sight of Cod
not because of those other graces which do always
accompany 1t, or of good works that the fruits
of it, if the grace faith any act thereof
were imputed to him for justification; but only as
it is an instrument, by which he recerveth and an
plleth Christ and his righteousness. Justification
is an act of Gods free grace, wherein he pardoneh
all our sins and accepteth righteous in his
sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed
TO u.s. and received by faith alone
Now the testimony of Mr. Barnes In direct
contradiction to the Westminster Standards he de-
clares that the act of faith imputed to us
Tor righteousness. On Romans w. Sit was
counted to him for righteousness" he remarks saws
Mr.. Cheeseman. 1T here evidently refers to the
act of believing 1t does refer to the righteous
ness of another, of God of the Messiah. Faith
Is always an act Of the mind; it is a created
substance which is placed within the soul. 1t is
hot substance created independently of the soul
and placed within it by Almighty power" How
Them is faith said to be the of the Spirit and
the git OF God"' If faith is act of the mind
unaided by grace, which is the basis or matter on
Whlch Justification proceeds what occasion is left
for the righteousness of God which is bv faith p"
Faith as an act of the mind, is a work of the man;
"hat then prevents justification from being by
works? Mr.. Barnes goes to say: God prom
Uses, man believes, and that is the whole of it
The word Gmpute) is never used to denote imput-
ing in the of transferring or of charging that
on one Whlcn does not properly belong him.
Inc same is the case in the New Testament. The
word occurs about forty times-and in a similar
significance. No doctrine transferring or of set
ting over to man what does not properly belong TO
him. be 1t sin or holiness be derived from this
word Whatever is meant by it here, it evidently
is declared that the act of believing is that which
is intended both by Moses and by Paul" And
again. on the 21st verse, 1T was imputed to him
for. righteousness" he remarks. HE was tried
and he had such confidence in God that he showed
that he was supremely attached to him, and would
obey and serve him. This was reckoned as q
full proof Of friendship and he was reckoned and
treated as righteous" That is to saw Abraham,
was accepted as righteous for the love which he
mad In his heart to God. Here again is the basis
of justification found in a personal grace in the
heart Of the Father of the Faithful. 1t seems not
to have entered into the mind of Mr. Barnes that
this affection in the heart Abraham was the fruit
OF previous grant of holy heart, given him on
the basis Of his faith in him whose day he saw
afar off, and rejoced to behold it,
Inc secondary grant of loving heart is con-
srued to the utter obscurng of the previous grant
OF grace based on the real great gospel foundation
Ihis secondary grace is taken by Mr. Barnes as IAN
act demonstrable of love to him. and to which God
is graciously pleased to promise pardon though II
receives not indeed it cannot the righteousness
Oh God or of the Messiah" SO comments Mr.
Cheeseman. The faith which laws hold m tho