Israel from bondage, "by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." See Psalm lxxiv. 2, and lxxviii. 54, and Deuteronomy xxvi. 8. ERROR 37.-That pardon is by purchase. This is inconsistent in itself, and carries its own refutation on its front. Purchase and pardon are opposite terms. If a man is pardoned, there is no purchase in the case; and if there is a purchase, there can be no pardon, but strict justice. ERROR 38.-That the Christian graces are exclusively the work of the Spirit. This is a dangerous antinomian error. The Christian graces are the exercises of the affections of the believer in Christ. The Spirit never loves, hopes, desires, fears, trusts, and rejoices for the Christian, these are his own appropriate works, and there is not a being in the universe that can do these things for him. ERROR 39.-That the death of Christ satisfied divine justice in behalf of the elect. This doctrine goes on the supposition that there was a commercial transaction between Christ and God, and that Christ paid the Father the amount that his justice demanded. It is absurd to hold such a sentiment; for Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, constitute but one God; and this one God could not thus bargain with and pay himself. If there were two or three separate and independent Gods, such a commercial transaction might take place, but not otherwise. The justice of God is that perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely just in all his proceedings with his creatures. This attribute of God cannot be satisfied nor dissatisfied. ERROR 40. That all for whom Christ died shall certainly and finally be saved. Universalism has legitimately grown out of this antinomian error. The Bible unequivocally declares that Christ died for all: Hebrews, ii. 9, and 2 Corinthians, xiv. 15. Then, according to this error, all will be saved; which is contrary to other portions of Scripture; 2nd Peter, ii. 1, "Even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 1st Corinthians, ix. 27. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest by any means when I have preached to others I myself be a castaway." And, Romans, xiv. 15. “ Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died." The death of Christ, of itself, will save no one; except men repent and believe the Gospel, and thus become inerested in Christ, they cannot be saved. . ERROR 41.—That grace is a principle of action. Grace is not a person, an agent, nor a principle, but simply favour shown to the ill-deserving; and does not constitute any ability for the performance of duty. The phrases, "common grace, special grace, imputed grace, inherent grace, convicting grace, converting grace, electing grace, reconciling grace, redeeming grace, enabling grace, assisting grace, reclaiming grace, procuring grace, justifying grace, pardoning grace, adopting grace, establishing grace, sanctifying grace, comforting grace, dying grace, almighty grace, victorious grace," and those phrases that represent grace as a person and acting, are calculated to lead to a host of errors and absurdities; and their use is not warranted by the word of God. ERROR 42.—That man cannot think a good thought. This error is based on a misapprehension of a passage of Scripture in 2d Corinthians, iii. 5. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves, our sufficiency is of God." We might as well conclude from this text, that man could not think an evil thought, as that he could not think a good one; neither position would be true; but that we are dependent on God for all our powers of thinking, whether good or evil. ERROR 43.-That man cannot keep the law of God. This casts a severe reflection on the law, and on the divine Law-giver; the Scriptures uniformly require man to keep the law, and annexes a dreadful penalty to the individual that violates it. It is written in Romans, vii. 12, "Wherefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." And God is a holy, good and benevolent being. And Job, xxxiv. 23, says, "For he will not lay upon man more than right," and man has all the powers of a free moral agent. Therefore man can keep the law of God. ERROR 44.- That the sinner must wait God's time in the use of means. This is a ruinous error. The Scriptures declare, in Hebrews, iii. 7, 8, "Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." And in the 2d Corinthians, vi. 2. "Behold! now is the accepted time, behold! now is the day of salvation." ERROR 45.—That man can do nothing towards his salvation. We readily grant, that man can lay no foundation for his salvation; 1st Corinthians, iii. 11. "For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Nor can he do any thing to lay God under obligation to bestow his favour. Yet, although the foundation is laid for the salvation of the whole human family, there is not one soul can be saved, unless he performs certain conditions required in the Bible; such as faith, repentance, obedience, &c. For, although Christ has died, "He that believeth not shall be damned. Mark, xvi. 16. And "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." Luke, xiii. 3; also Colossians, iii. 6. "For which thing's sake, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." ERROR 46.-That if God should enter into judgment with the Christian for his best deeds, he would be condemned. This is a vile antinomian error, without a foundation, and is contrary to the word of God. It is said of Abel, Hebrews, xi. 4. "That he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:" and of Enoch, Hebrews, xi. 5, “That before his translation, he had this testimony that he pleased God." And of the long list of worthies recorded in this xith chapter, 33, "That they wrought righteousness." The apostle Paul said of himself, and his fellow-workers in the ministry: 1st Thessalonians, ii. 10. "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe." And in Titus, ii. 14, it is written, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." The Christian then can do good deeds, for which he cannot be condemned. ERROR 47.-That the Christian begins to love Christ when he finds that Christ will save him; and that this is the true motive of his love. This position is the essence of selfishness; "Self love is in its whole nature, and every degree of it enmity against God; it is not subject to the law of God, and is the only affection that can oppose him." Every object in the universe should be loved according to its own intrinsic value; and, as God is of more importance than all the universe beside, he is to be loved "with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength." ERROR 48.-That a Christian cannot be disinterested, the interest of self, must be the motive and end of all his actions. Self is the moving spring that actuates every sinner in the universe; and unless he is converted, and actuated by higher motives, he can have no part or lot with Christ. 66 Beloved self must be denied, |