to the word independent of the work of the Spirit. The doctrine maintained by us is obviously the true scriptural medium, between Arminian free will on the one hand, and fatalism on the other; and between an enthusiastic rejection of means on the one hand, and an Atheistical dependence upon them on the

other.

XVII. Many other passages of scripture might be introduced to confirm still farther the doctrine of this chapter; but it is not judged . expedient to burden the mind of the reader with unnecessary evidence in support of a position clearly proved.

After the mass of testimony already exhibited it would extend the work beyond due bounds to quote authorities which might be adduced to an almost indefinite extent. The mention of a few names who have maintained the principal doctrines of this Essay, will answer every practical purpose, such as, Calvin, Beza, Turretine, Marck, Witsius, Manton, Marshall, Owen, Howe, Flavel, Guise, Charnock, Boston, Brown, Gib, the Erskines, Fisher, Lawson, Dick, Witherspoon, Anderson The same doctrine is also intro

and Shaw.

good

duced into all the Confessions of the Reformed Churches, in some more, in others less explicitly. And in "A Warning against Unitarian and Hopkinsian Errors," issued in 1826, by the Associate Synod of North America, we find the following language p. 25:-" Sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, are raised from their grave by Almighty power; but that power is put forth in "the voice of the Son of God." The dry bones in the valley of vision are made to live; but it is by the prophet's prophesying at the command of God. Wherefore, we conclude, that, while no means can avail by any virtue in them, or without the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying them; yet this power of his is put forth through the instrumentality of those means which infinite wisdom has prescribed; and these are such as address the understanding immediately, and the heart through the understanding."

178

CHAPTER III.

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

To banish all reasonable doubt from the minds of serious inquirers after the way of truth and salvation, it seems necessary that the most plausible objections brought against the doctrine of the instrumentality of the word in regeneration, should be met and refuted.

I. It is objected, "if the Spirit employ the word, he cannot act immediately upon the soul." Immediate action of divine power is entirely consistent with the employment of instruments, or second causes; though the manner is difficult to be understood; because it is above, though not inconsistent with reason. Who ever supposed the employment of instrumentality in natural generation to be inconsistent with immediate divine action? Because instrumentality is employed, does the instrumentality therefore create us? Why then suppose the immediate action of divine

power any more inconsistent with instrumentality, in regeneration, than it is in natural generation? "When we say, that those who have begotten us, according to the flesh, are our fathers, it is an improper kind of speech: for no mortal creature deserveth this so high and excellent dignity: yet so it is, that God of his singular goodness advanceth men to this so high a step, that he wills that they be called. father: and he doth it to this end and purpose, that they should acknowledge themselves to be so much more bound unto him. Well, there is no great doubt as touching this present life, but we call those who have begotten children, fathers according to the flesh; but it seemeth that God is the only father of our souls, in such sort that it cannot be given to men, and yet notwithstanding the reason is all one. Why so. It is true, it is God only that BEGETTETH US BY HIS WORD, yet notwithstanding he calleth the church our mother."* The immediate, secret, effectual, ineffable working of the Almighty, both in nature and grace, we are called upon to believe on

* Calvin's Sermons on 1 Tim. p. 9.

the testimony of God, and the evidence we have of its effects. On the same evidence we believe the instrumentality of the word in regeneration: by it God calls things from nonexistence, as though they already were, and they are: they come at his bidding. But the manner of this, who shall declare? Surely, not that earth-worm, called man. "Canst thou by searching find out God?" Certainly, no man in this life, and probably no creature, shall ever be able to explain this mystery. But this we know, that God's working in the application of redemption to his people is not such as to destroy the instrumental efficacy of means. Yet, "vain man would be wise, though born like the wild ass's colt."

II. It is objected that "if the word operate, the soul must act." "For the word cannot be said to operate as an instrument in the production of that, the existence of which is necessary in order to its operation." To this, it may be replied, if the soul employed the word, in the first act of regeneration, this argument might be admitted: but inasmuch as the soul is passive, and it is the Spirit that employs the word, the objection is foreign to the question.