صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

We can, therefore, do no more than appropriate by faith the information which God hath given us: and if the Scriptures speak of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as standing in certain relations to each other, and sustaining distinct parts in man's salvation; if they are represented as willing, and acting distinctly, though in perfect harmony; and if the powers, attri butes, and operations ascribed to each of them, be peculiar to Deity, and incommunicable to a finite being, (as omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, &c.;} then we have sufficient authority for asserting, that there are three persons in the unity of that God, into whose one name all christians are or ought to be baptized.* The opposers of this mystery, therefore, should either prove that such things are not contained in the scripture, or that the scripture is not the word of God: for till one of these be completely performed; they only argue in a circle, and beg the question, when they assert the doctrine to be irrational, and therefore false. Indeed we know so little of being, in general, that where an evident contradiction is not implied, it only proves a man's arrogance, and rash presumption, to say that it is impossible for a substance to have such and such powers and properties, because he cannot conceive how it can possess them. What then must it be to affirm roundly, that the one living and true God cannot possibly subsist in three distinct coequal Persons; (that is, that he cannot be three in one respect, and one in another,) though it

VOL. III.

* Matt. xxviii. 19.

hath often been proved, and cannot be disproved, that he hath revealed this concerning himself? It is impossible fully to explain, or clearly to conceive of such mysteries; but it is very reasonable to believe them on the Lord's own authenticated testimony: for though the subject be out of the reach of our rational powers, and therefore out of their province; it does not thence follow, that it is contrary to any of their sober and warranted decisions: as we do not mean that the Deity is three in the same respect in which he is one. It does not, therefore, accord with some men's self-voted applause for candour and liberality of sentiment, to censure or ridicule as irrational, superstitious, or enthusiastical bigots, the whole remnant that in this respect adhere to the doctrine of scripture.

The apostle allowed, that his doctrine concerning Christ, as "God manifest in the flesh," was "with"out controversy a great mystery:" nay, he gloried in it "as the great mystery of Godliness." From a spiritual and believing apprehension of this fundamental truth, all proper dispositions and affections in the hearts of fallen men, are derived; all godliness results from it, is connected with it, and centres in it: and facts evince, that where it is opposed, explained away, or greatly kept out of sight, religion gradually dwindles into a lifeless form, or a heartless task; one truth of revelation is given up after another; and the progress is often very rapid to open impiety, infidelity, and atheism. Whereas vital piety, in its most pure, genuine, and ennobling exercises, hath uniformly most flourished, where this doctrine hath been most

fully preached and attended to. Indeed what can the great enemy of all good devise more effectual, entirely to destroy godliness from among men, than to set them against "the great mystery of Godliness?" But the church is built on this rock; and neither the power and rage of persecutors, nor the sagacity of heretical teachers, will ever be able to subvert it. Yet the vigorous efforts of the gates of hell, in the the present age, beyond the example of former times, should excite the friends of truth, "to contend earn"estly for the faith, which was once delivered to the "saints."

A reflecting man will indeed make a pause, before he embraces so wonderful a doctrine, as an article in his creed. That he, who made and upholds all worlds, and for whom they were all created, who is truly God, equal to and one with the Father, should "be

come flesh, and dwell among us," in order that he might obey, suffer, and die in our nature and for our salvation, is such a stupendous instance of condescension, compassion, and love, that we cannot attain to any adequate conception of it! And even the size of our globe, and the insignificancy of the human race, compared with the whole creation, will startle our minds, whenever we deeply think on this subject. But when we consider, that the earth was, as it were, the chosen theatre, on which the Lord was pleased to make himself known, in all his harmonious perfections, to his rational creatures; that the whole was devised and accomplished, " to the praise of his glory;" that the meanness and vileness of those objects, proportionably recommended his mercy and

grace as most illustrious and adorable; and that all holy intelligences through eternal ages will admire and celebrate that display of the divine character, which was made by the cross of Emmanuel: such reflections, I say, will satisfy the humble enquirer; and, whilst he is filled with astonishment at this "love of "Christ which passeth knowledge," he will by no means deem it incredible. For, an adequate reason being assigned, why such a plan should be formed in the eternal counsels of God, even "for the praise of "his own glory" in man's salvation; and sufficient evidence being given, that it is indeed the word of God, "who cannot lie;" his doubts and hesitation, like those of the incredulous apostle, will vanish, or rather be exchanged for adoring wonder, joy, and gratitude; and he will no longer delay to address the incarnate Saviour as "his Lord and his God."

It is also the uniform doctrine of scripture, that "without shedding of blood, there is no remission of "sins:" and where the Mosaick law appointed no sacrifice, the transgressor was left to bear his own iniquity. In common language an atonement implies the idea of compensation: he, who is pardoned, has not made atonement, though a pacification has taken place; but he, that hath born the punisment due to his crimes, hath atoned for them, though no pacification follow. In a lax way of speaking about human affairs, repentance is sometimes said to atone for a slight offence: but generally, in more important matters, some service, or suffering, which reinstates the law in its honour, is supposed to be required: so that the language of scripture on this subject coincides with that

of the more exact reasoners on the affairs of human government.

The institution of sacrifices represented the imputation of guilt to the innocent, by translation from the simmer to the devoted and spotless animal; so that the latter suffered death, and was either wholly or in part consumed on the altar, by fire the emblem of the di. vine vengeance; whilst the former escaped deserved punishment: and every one would allow, that no more injustice was done to those animals, which were offered for sacrifice, than to such as were slaughtered for food. "But it was impossible that the blood of "bulls and of goats should take away sin." If it were enquired, for what reason it could not? no answer can be given but this; because such sacrifices were no adequate display of the divine justice, or the desert of sin; nor could they reinstate the law of God in its pristine honour and dignity. The same reason is equally valid, against the sufficiency and efficacy of every sacrifice, which any mere creature could offer: and, therefore, the only begotten of the Father interposed and said, "Lo, I come, to do thy will O God:" and as his obedience unto death was, strictly speaking, of infinite value and efficacy; so it was most honourable for God to pardon and bless believing sinners on the account of it.—But how, say some per`sons, can it consist with justice to punish the innocent and holy instead of the guilty? This question hath often been asked, and as often solidly answered; and yet it is frequently alluded to, as if it contained an insuperable objection to the doctrine of redemption by the blood of Christ. Let us, however, be careful not

« السابقةمتابعة »