The divine purpose explained, or, All things decreed, yet evil not caused, nor moral freedom impaired; and the glory of God, the end of all

Front matter

sewage a ae ;

‘ HF

Sy ie ay

Preface

To show How itis that though all things are decreed, yet the decree is not the cause of sin, and that man acts freely in doing what is decreed; and, also, to assign a satisfactory reason for the existence of moral evil, are the things aimed at in the following pages. It will freely be acknowledged that if the attempt has been successful, relief may be afforded to many a mind, anxious for some plain and satisfactory explanation of these matters.

The subjects treated are confessedly among the most difficult and profound in the whole field of theological research. And if all obscurity be not removed, and clear and satisfactory results not reached, on all points, it will not be esteemed as anything remarkable. For though the greatest minds, and the finest talents and attainments have been exercised with these themes, much still pertains to them, very obscure and hard to be understood. And the metaphysical disputations, which have been so much indulged in, on these topics, have probably been attended with but very little advantage. Such is certainly the case, at least in relation to a large class of those, who on these subjects are anxious for information.

And the wants of the masses of Christian people, whose minds have not been cultivated by a liberal education and literary pursuits, have been kept especially in view in the preparation of the work. Chiefly for them have we written; and should no pleasure be ministered to the refined literary taste, this will be received as some extenuation for the deficiency.

y

— ee

4 | PREFACE.

And with our main purpose in view, everything of the nature of nctaphysical disquisition has been avoided, as far as it possibly could, considering the nature of the subjects under consideration. here is also more diffuseness of style than if the object had been different. And it is believed that the most strictly logical method of treating a subject, is not the best adapted to bring it fully within the comprehension of minds untrained by literary discipline and thought. ‘And, therefore, the same truths and ideas may be met with, in different connections and in varied aspects; and designedly so, in order that they may the more certainly be apprehended and fixed upon the mind. And though on some points a more extended elucidation might have been desirable, yet this has been dispensed with, in order that the work might be easily within the reach of those for whom it is especially designed.

The usual practice of giving the chapter and verse, with Scripture quotations has not been adopted. It is supposed that at the present time, and in this land of Bibles, their insertion is in a great measure a useless additional expense. There is not one reader in a hundred, who has any desire to turn to the Bible to read the text there. When the Scripture quotation is given, it is known to be such, and usually there is no anxicty to know just where it is to be found. And if it is practicable to dispense with the insertion of chapter and verse without mue¢h disadvantage, it is certainly to be preferred, because when placed in the body of the work, they are a serious obstruction in the way of the reader. It is difficult to read on without reading them, and in reading them the mind is diverted from the thought with which it was engaged, and a real interruption is thus encountered, which it is not possible to avoid. And to insert them in the margin does not wholly remove the difficulty, and is an increase of trouble and expense with scarcely any aivantage.

It is not to be expected that this work should escape the common fate of Calvinistic controversial writings, which is to be garbled and misrepresented, and especially when made the subject of discussion by the public speaker. And when a sentence or part of a sentence is severed from its legitimate con-

PREFACE. 5 nection, by the art of declamation it may be wrought up into a horrible picture, and monstrous views set forth as those of the author, not difficult to meet, and the mere statement of which is enough for their refutation; while the author’s views, or any refutation of them, may be the most remote thing imaginable from the minds of both speaker and hearer. For often it is the case in these declamatory harangues, that the hearers get not so much as a solitary glimpse of the writer’s views; and anything like a refutation of them is, of course, impossible. And though all ought to know that declamation is not argument, yet there are not a few, who are satisfied with it, and even consider it as argument of the very best kind, which doubtless results from the fact, that they are incapable of comprehending any other. And often too, the speaker finds the subject unmanageable in any other way; and when arguments cannot be answered, it is safer to leave them out of sight, or substitute declamation for reasoning and proof. And thus it may be accounted for, that on some occasions there is such a lack of argument, while declamation so exceedingly abounds. But declaming is not proving a doctrine to be erroneous, nor is it taking up an argument and showing it to be fallacious and unsound.

While endeavoring to explain subjects encompassed with many difficulties, to be guided by the Word and Spirit of God, has been both the design and desire in every part of the work. On topics of this kind the speculations of mere human wisdom, when prosecuted without regard to the teachings of Divine Truth, are certainly of very little value, and ought to be so regarded. Without Ieaven’s Revealed Light, man’s light is but darkness, his wisdom is but folly, and the more of his light he sheds on such subjects, usually the more obscure they become. If a man’s light that is in him “be darkness, how great is that darkness!” And how can he else than “darken counsel by words without knowledge!” “‘ To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” And if there be anything in the work not in harmony with the precious Word of God, none would repudiate it more readily or sincerely than the author. 1*

6 PREFACE.

To know the Truth, and to aid others in knowing the Truth, has been the principal design. If it has failed, it was not for lack of desire to know and teach the Truth, and nothing but the Truth. “Buy the truth and sell it not,” is the injunction of the Word of Truth, and implies that the truth is of inestimable value. It is through the knowledge of the truth that men are saved. “And ye shall know the truth,” saith the Saviour, “and the truth shall make you free.” And an inspired apostle says, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.” And another says, “‘ Being born again, not of corruptible seed ; but of: incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” All of which teach that the truth is of execeding great value, and worthy to be sought for, with prayerful diligence, and persevering application. And if the author knows his own heart, it is his privilege to rest in the consciousness of having sought for nothing but the truth. And from love to it, not without much prayer and meditation, has the effort been made, to explain the truth, and set it forth for the benefit of others. The work has not been sent out after a brief and hasty investigation of the subjects treated; for with much thought, and long protracted meditation, it has been prepared. And the main positions taken have been well considered, and scrutinized in their various aspects and bearings; though that elaborate elucidation of every point, which might free it from objection and remove all doubt, has been precluded by the limited nature of thé work. But it is sent forth to the Christian public, with the fond hope that, notwithstanding its imperfections, it may not be unacceptable; and may contribute somewhat to their stores of religious knowledge, and afford some assistance in the elucidation of subjects both difficult and hard to be understood. If God will graciously acknowledge it, and by his blessing make it instrumental in building up his people “on their most holy faith,’ and in promoting the cause of righteousness and truth, the author will then have realized a very great reward.

PHILADELPHIA, May, 1860.

Chapter I. Foreordination Established

PAGE

Importance of the subject—The Divine Purpose a Reality —God manages His affairs according to a fixed Plan— The Word of God our only true guide on this subject— God worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will—Divine Counsel and Purpose the same—No Plurality of Purposes with God—The Divine Purpose comprehends all things—Sinful actions foreordained—They are comprehended in the Plan of the Universe—Secriptural proofs fur the foreordination of Evil—And of Good —The Bible asserts Foreordination, and only the interpretations of men deny it—Inability to understand Toreordination no reason for its TEJECHION.....seeeceeeeeeereee ences 13