The cloud dispelled...

Front matter

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Introduction

It is some where remarked by that most acute and subtle of tliinkerSj — Coleridge, — that ^^ had it been the object of the demon of dispute to invent a question in which all possible difficulties should be collected, it could not have been accomplished more to his heart's content than by starting this of Free Sovereign Grace." Setting out with a profession of special deference for the authoritative teachings of revelation, as compared with that of human reason and the intuitions of the understanding, the advocates of the doctrine of predestination proceed to build up that system by a process of strictly logical deductions. The recognition of the infinite Knowledge of God, comprehending as its objects, all things real and possible, — past, present, and future, is^ made to so occupy the mind as to exclude all practical apprehension of the other attributes of the Godhead, and to foreclose their influence upon the conceptions of the divine character and government. With this recogni*-

VI INTRODUCTION.

tion of God's omniscience as a first premise, the argument prgceeds by inferring the eflScient preordination of the things foreseen. Then to escape the appearance of a conflict between such an exercise of divine power with the principles and claims of justice, that attribute of God is degraded to a mere proprietary right, — the tyrant's power to do as he may please with his own. This view of the divine character is not only partial, and therefore monstrous, it is selfcontradictory and self-destructive. God, as thus presented, is contemplated as a being possessing all knowledge, but without wisdom, and with all power but without love, — a blind omnipotence acting without a purpose or moral design. As thus considered, wisdom and goodness do not appear among the impelling and guiding influences by which the divine power is exercised : they are only the results of the relation of his acts to himself, and his acts are not performed by him, because they are wise or good, but they are so because he performs them.

The questions at issue between the advocates and the opposers of the doctrine of predestination are not likely soon to be settled. Both sides find abundant Scripture proofs in favor of their own peculiar views, but these proof-texts convey very

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different ideas to different classes of minds. In most cases of disputation upon the subject evidently the strife is simply about words, and in not a few the whole subject is quite beyond the mental grasp of the disputants. It is always important that those who debate on any question should first ascertain in how far they are agreed, and so to narrow the questions at issue to those as to which there is a real disagreement. As between the friends and the enemies of the theological system popularly denominated Calvinism, this precaution is often neglected. With the former that system includes all the great doctrines of salvation by grace, — so that the doctrines of Origioal Sin, Justification by Faith, and of Salvation by pure unmixed grace, and by the sole merits of Christ's death, are accounted distinctive elements of doctrinal Calvinism. And yet all of these are believed and cherished by multitudes who reject the name of Calvinists, and do not hold the distinctive tenets of Calvinism. Between Calvinists and their opponents the controversy is not about the doctrines of grace, but of predestination ; though the former strangely enough confound the two together. To minds trained and habituated to the modes of thought and the modes of inter-

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pretation of Scripture that prevail among Calvinists, the Bible no donbt seems to be full of the doctrine of predestination : while to minds educated beyond the warping influence of an artificial and one-sided creed, the strongest proof-texts of the predestinarians are readily harmonized with the general teachings of the Bible, as these agree with the instincts of natural justice and righteousness in the human heart.

It is only just to concede to the advocates of the doctrine of predestination great praise for the clear and strong light in which they set some of the great doctrines of religion. From no other source do we meet with more just and worthy exhibitions of the majesty and glory of God, and of his awful Sovereignty. And from this view of the divine Majesty the mind passes naturally and almost necessarily to apprehend the guilt and vileness of sin, and the greatness of the work of re'demption as to both the power and the price by which it is effected. But their fault is, that while thus exalting the divine glory in one of its aspects, they hide and becloud it in others equally important. The Almiglity God is more than an awful Sovereign : He is also a tender and loving Father, delighting to do good to all His children. To contemplate the divine

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character without clearly recognizing this distinguishing glory of His name, is at once erroneous and damaging. God is indeed a Being of infinite majesty and dominion, and therefore He is to be feared and worshijjed by all His creatures. He is also the Father of the Spirits of all flesh, — our heavenly Father, who knows and cares for all our wants — we may therefore confide in His goodness, and rejoice in His loving-kindness. And because the doctrine of predestination obscures these glories of the Godhead, it should be rejected as contrary alike to Scripture and reason. The doctrine of predestination labors under the disadvantage of being opposed to the best instincts of our nature. It can not be denied that to most minds the notion, that the character and destiny of each individual are fixed by an eternal and irreversible decree, seems to make God unjust, and the whole array of exhortations, warnings and promises found in the Gospel, a mere mockery and cruel farce. It would, indeed, be harsh and unfair to hold those who accept that doctrine responsible for what to others seem to be its necessary implications ; though the system itself mmst be held to such a responsibility. It is especially when brought to this test that the weakness of the

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system appears. Only let its opposers grant all that it claims, and then allow these assumptions to run onward to their legitimate consequences, and the system breaks down under the weight thus laid upon it. And this method of dealing with the subject is not only legitimate, it is the only one by which the question can be tested. As a subject of abstract reasoning, it is too vast and abstruse for our limited powers, and we can judge of it only by its relations to things which we are able to understand. We are more than authorized to reject any doctrine which dishonors God by contravening those eternal principles of justice, righteousness, and truth which He has implanted in our natures, and which we recognize as emanations from His own fullness. It is enough for us to know that our God will do right, — that He both punishes transgressors, and keeps mercy for thousands who love Him. In this aspect we delight to contemplate Him. The doctrine of predestination is, in the heart that receives it, a cloud dimming the brightness of the divine glory : but by the rising of the sun of Gospel truth that cloud is dispelled, and all men may see that God is love.

To aid in the work of dispelling this cloud

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which an artificial and extra-Scriptural theology has interposed between men's minds and the divine glory, is the design of the following pages. J^lieving that undue claims to exclusive orthodoxy and to supereminent evangelism have been prefeiTed in favor of those who embrace the doctrines of predestination, the Author has brought those doctrines to the tests of Scripture and reason, and has not only there stripped them of their false claims, but also convicted them of dishonoring rather than exalting the divine name. Here in a concise form the sincere inquirer after the truth may find the substance of the Calvinistic controversy presented with all requisite fullness, and its strange conclusions satisfactorily reversed. It is proper, and perhaps as should be expected, that Scotland, the land in which beyond all others the doctrine of predestination has had sway, should afford the needed antidote, and we are happy to present such a preparation in this little volume, to which the reader's attention is solicited, with the full conviction that its perusal can not fail to induce juster views of the divine dispensations, as harmonizing 'with the attributes of God, and with those principles of truth, justice, and goodness, which

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He has implanted in men's hearts. With this conviction as to its relations and probable influences, is this little work now given to the American public, and with the earnest hope that under the blessing of God it may vindicate and diffuse His glory, and so contribute to the highest interest of His kingdom in the earth.

Daniel Curry.

New Rochelle, N. T., Sept., 1860.

Author's Preface

Our Grod and Saviour is frequently represented in the Bible as a Sun — a glorious center of light and life. All who know Him are most fully prepared to acknowledge the appropriateness of the figure, and to yield their adoring affection to the attractive loveKness of Jehovah. Many there are, however, who '-know not God," and who are perishing " for lack of knowledge." Error has taken the place of truth in their minds — error that covers the whole field of their spiritual vision, and shrouds the great and holy One in the deepest darkness. The experience of such is, that the .less they think of Him the happier they feel. Very lately, I met with a most interesting person, who had been for many years in such a state of mind as to be unable to open a Bible, 'or hsten to a word about God, without experiencing the most overwhelming horror. To a superficial observer, the experience of this person might have seemed the result of mental disease ; but this idea is completely set aside by the fact that her suffering commenced by reading and hearing statements, that represented Jehovah as having, from aU eternity, elected a portion of mankind, and as having reprobated the rest, while it was completely removed by the exposition of His true character. There are many such cases while there are m^ny others in whom utter neglect of God is the result of this error regarding Him. The view given of His character and ways

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is of such a kind, as to appear an inextricable perplexity to their minds, and it is left in indifference as a subject on which they are not called to decide. Thousands are sinking into eternity who have no real hold upon the Rock of Ages, from these causes.

The object of this little volume is to dispel the erroneous conceptions that many have formed of Jehovah, in connection with the doctrine of predestination. The substance of what is thus published, having been delivered in a course of lectures, and several brought to rejoice in the Lord, through this means, it appeared desirable to give the exposition this more permanent form, that in the hand of the great Deliverer, the truth might be useful to a much wider circle than could otherwise be reached. Deeply conscious of the imperfection of the effort so far as I am concerned, but confident in the truth and in that God whose honor I have sought to vindicate, I commend these pages to Him, and to the careful consideration of my fellow-men.

J. K.

Edinettegh, 1st June, 1847.