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TABLE OF CONTENTSAssociations Are Blessings Conditional The Will of God The Body of Christ Difficulty & SweetnessOf God’s Will The Fulfillment of Scripture ...Correspondences

ASSOCIATIONS S.C. Phillips

We published the original Plan of Unionfor the formation of Baptists’ associations,chains of correspondances, and stateconventions in the August issue. It wasdevised during the late colonial period whenwe were, as a nation, under transition from theArticles of Confederation to ourConstitutional federal union. It was a timewhen many individuals in Puritan,Presbyterian, and Episcopalian societies werequestioning both the “mode” of baptism (byimmersion, rantism, or sprinkling) and theproper subjects of the ordinance (believers, orinfants of believers).

The early Puritan theocracy in NewEngland had allowed, at first, only churchmembers to vote or hold political offices.Later, the franchise was extended to childrenof Puritan church members; yet, children ofnon-church members could not vote. TheHalfway Covenant during the GreatAwakening period attempted to rectify thisgrievance among the decendants of non-Puritans and opened up the whole question ofbaptism of infants, or — pedo-baptism. Theresult was a rapid growth of Baptist sentimentamong the pedo-baptist religions, or,Protestants. These Baptists (called Separates)were mixed with non-baptist congregations,and, by law, were legally bound to them. InNew England alone over 300 Separatecongregations withdrew from Protestantchurches to form “Baptist” churches. The document we printed in the August,1983 issue, called for the following steps: (1)the formation of baptized assemblies in everycommunity, so as to have places of worshipfor those holding to believers’ immersion; and(2) the formation of association in eachprovince to expedite correspondance betweenthese congregations. This would benecessary: for in order to establish the firstabove, the whole legal structure of the

theocratic colonial governments would haveto be attacked and modified; no disunited andscattered group of people could achieve thisand thus gain religious freedom; and (3) thechartering of, and seating of representativesfrom each provincial association with the then“central governing body” — the PhiladelphiaBaptist Association. For a legal baffle, Legalinstitutions were necessary.

Historically, the Plan was put into useand under severe persecutions the “baptizedchurches of Christ” (as they were then called)eventually were victorious. By the time theyhad achieved this, John Leland, Isaac Backus,and other “antifederalists,” had moved thewhole debate away from exclusive religiousissues to the broad political freedoms andrights later incorporated into the first tenamendments — the Bill of Rights — in ourConstitution. The Constitution was ratified,the Bill of Rights was added to it; and by1806 religious institutions were finallyseparated from the states’ governments, andthe established “churches” disfranchised. ThePlan had been highly successful.

Alas! Now that religious freedom for“baptized churches of Christ” had beensecured, the leaders of this new and dynamicorganization had to find new work uponwhich to focus the energies of this new force.If they could not, their prestige and statusamong the Baptists would fall. In fact, from1807 to 1815, many churches ceased to meetannually with the General Committee.Independence of churches was growingrapidly as new churches were being formed,while the power of associations wasdeclining. But, what would this uselessorganization discover to recreate and directthe force of the Baptists’ organization? Itneeded something badly, and Satan was morethan willing to supply it!

The documents give a clear answer —Judson and Rice, the evangelical Puritans, andtheir Armiman Fullerite missionism! In 1813,

the call went out for the meeting inPhiladelphia to devise some plan to supportmissions, and create the national organization(which was in the original plan). So, in 1814,the “Baptist Board of Foreign and DomesticMissions” was formed, and Philadelphia didindeed become the “central location” orcapital city of this new religious order — asplanned. Thus, the new bureaucracy of theBaptist organization had found their destiny—missionism! And destiny it was: decreed ofGod, and foretold to the church — as thiswriter and Beebe understood it —inRevelation 9:3-21. It was associations andcorrespondances which made the wholemission effort possible! Without thisorganizational vehicle, the mission enterprisecould never have found the instrument, ormeans, among Baptists, necessary to collectthe monies and achieve their design.

During the Colonial Period and up toapproximately 1820, most churches wereindependent. Even most associations wereindependent of corresponding chains. (In ouruse of “independence” we includeindependent associations as well asindependent local churches — Ed) Howeverthe proselyting zeal of the missionaries,following the original plan, drew most ofthese independents into associations (as withLandmark groups) and state conventions. Infact, the documents of the period —particularly the records and letters of theBoard of Foreign and Domestic Missions —prove conclusively that the overwhelmingmajority of “missionaries” were actually sentto established churches to draw them into thedenominational organization. Apparently in“saving souls,” the missionary also intendedto save these from their liberties asindependent churches and associations! Veryfew, if any, independents were spared. Atleast none remained free grace that everembraced Fullerism. Arminianism andconventionism eventually destroyed most, if

not all, of them.In the midst of the missionary and

Fullerite controversy, the Black Rock Addressstands as a witness against the new idolatry.Those churches and associations whichrejected the strange new theories, concepts,movements, and practices inaugurated by thecentral organization in Philadelphia refusedthe fellowship of those being swept into it.The Address gave the reasons for thisrejection and discussed some of the mostblasphemous and wide-spread innovations.

The old order churches also utilizedassociations and correspondances, but to alesser degree. These would be much later indeveloping the tyranny of these organizationsthan the earlier missionary groups. Theygenerally corresponded with associations inclose proximity, or those with which theywere familiar and had close ties in doctrinalunity among themselves. Churcheswithdrawing from missionary associationsestablished “Primitive” associations. Out ofthe chaos of the Great Baptist Separation theregradually evolved several different OldSchool correspondances. [Such as the Clark“Regulars” or “Primitives”, Old Regulars, OldUnited, Kehukeites, Beebe Baptists, Bourites,etc. et. al. I Out of all of these, there werealways some independents who did notbelieve in associations or correspondances,nor would they allow associational overlordsto dictate to the churches. In fact, the basicposition relative to associationism held by thePredestinarian Old School correspondancesuntil after the turn of the present century wasthat the associations had no power over thechurches; that associations were the creaturesof the churches, and churches were notcreated by associations; and that if a churchever allowed an association to dictate to it,such a church ceased to be a church of ChristJesus, and became a tool for tyrants.

That associations are no more Scripturalthan Sunday Schools and Mission Boards; no

more Biblical today than in New Testamenttimes; and no better for Old School Baptiststhan for Missionary Baptists is indisputable.However, there is less agreement that they areinherently evil. Associations of churchesconsisting of members who love one anotherand respect the rights of their individualchurches enjoy more peace and harmony thanthose with goats intermixed. Nevertheless,even in the most loveable and orthodoxgroups, outside troubles follow the chains ofcorrespondance from distant places into theirmember associations; and at times disrupttheir peace.

We printed Gilbert Beebe’s article onAssociations, written in 1838 in the Octoberissue because we basically agree with Beebe’sposition that churches should associatetogether (the general church of Christ isinterdependent —being “one” body”).Nevertheless they should neither organizetheir fellowship and unity, nor surrender theirindependence to man-made institutions. Theseinstitutions are unwarranted by Christ and theapostles of the church in the pattern given tothe churches in the New Testament.

Our own feelings upon associations arethat they are unscriptural, and being so, theycan not solve the problems which are sent totry our faith and purge out the leaven from ourmidst. We believe that those churches whichachieve independence should fellowship thosechurches which hold to like precious faithwith them. They should also realize thatchurches of like precious faith withinassociations and correspondances are, ingeneral, churches of Christ; and thereforeshould treat brethren therein with all therespect that spiritual love signifies.

Independent churches should promote theinterest of the Gospel and the peace of thegeneral church; but not go so far as tocompromise the Scriptural pattern of the NewTestament; nor join in organizational unionwith the correspondances. Certainly, they

should not be the cause of confusion amongothers - this in itself is a violation of the veryconcept of independence. By love and byexample they should teach others; but to makethemselves obnoxious is contrary to theGospel of Christ.

Nor do we wish to be understood that allIndependents ought to be united. That surelywould destroy the truth and purity of Gospelorder; for “how can two walk together exceptthey be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Someassemblies see nothing wrong with receivingunrepentant nonimal believers; some believeit disorder to reject polygamy; and somebelieve a church must commune with anyonewith whom a sister church communes. Theycertainly could not achieve unity together anymore than could associations andcorrespondances. Many Independents havewithdrawn from Conditional associations,while many others have withdrawn fromPredestinarian associations. So long as theyretain their doctrinal differences, there couldbe no more unity between them than betweenthese two types of correspondances.Nevertheless, experience has demonstratedthat when the powers of the “esteemedoverlords” of the correspondances are broken,churches and ministers move more rapidlytoward Biblical positions: polly-parrotpreaching is no longer necessary; the fear ofman is broken and boldness replaces it; andGospel liberty is experienced and promoted.When such churches achieve commonality offaith and experience, then unity is achievedwith their fellowship in Christ upon a soundfoundation of truth. This we encourage. Butwe do not advocate amalgamation of allmanner of heresies. The chains ofcorrespondances have done that with their“catholic” (umbrella) structure.

Many independents have had bitterexperiences with their former affiliates whichlinger on. Surely, we should not be foundfighting or persecuting others; or gossiping

about them; or rejoicing in their afflictions.God forbid that such should be found in thosewho love the truth! We are taught that if wesee that others are wrong, to “let them alone.They be blind leaders of the blind; and if theblind lead the blind, both of them shall fallinto the ditch.” So, just leave them alone. Godwill settle all matters according to His ownsovereign will. It may be so that others fight,or boast, or brag, or persecute and say allmanner of evil against you — then let it bethem; but let it not be becoming of us!

The above is the basic position of thechurches of the Little Zion in Mississippi. Weare independent Predestinarian Old SchoolPrimitive Baptists. Our association conductsno business, has no committees, norpermanent organization. All business isconducted by the host church when thechurches meet together for the exclusivepurpose to worship God and maintain theirfellowship. - SCP

ARE OUR BLESSINGSCONDITIONAL?

W. W. Hudson

“1 am the Lord: that is My name: and Myglory will I not give to another, neither Mypraise to graven images.” - Isaiah42:8.

As the Lord blesses us, we desire tocomment upon this expression: “My glorywill I not give to another.” We believe theScriptures teach that all the honor, praise andglory belongs to the Lord. “From the rising ofthe sun unto .the going down of the same theLord’s name is to be praised.” (Psa. 113:3)

The Scriptures teach that salvation is ofthe Lord, and man does not do anything tomerit this salvation. What causes the world toadvocate that salvation depends upon certainconditions performed by man in order to sealthe contract-or merit his blessings? What isthe hidden motive? Do you believe Satan is

behind this? “And I will put enmity betweenthee and the woman, and between thy seedand her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thoushalt bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:15) Weunderstand enmity to mean “ill will on oneside or both, hatred.” This enmity has alwaysbeen between the church and Satan.

“Now the serpent was more subtle thanany beast of the field which the Lord God hadmade.” (Gen. 3:1) Satan was very crafty inintroducing the conditional theory in thechurches a few years ago. The hidden motiveis to praise man by robbing God of the honor,praise and glory that belongs to the Lord.What are the words of Almighty God?“MY GLORY I WILL NOT GIVE TOANOTHER.”

Satan is very cunning in bringing forththe theory that the responsibility is upon manto perform certain conditions. After oneperforms the necessary conditions, Satantempts him to actually praise himself becausehe completed the deeds by his own ability.This is one of Satan’s methods of robbingGod of the praise that rightly belongs to HisHoly Name. This method by Satan couldapply to the doctrine of salvation as well asblessings in this life.

(Briefly, here are a few references upon:Salvation — see Titus 3:3-7; Eph. 2:1-10 andGal. 3:13. Blessings in this life — see Eph.1:3; Rom. 4:4; Phil. 2:12-13; and Heb. 13:20-21)

“Conditional Time Salvation”: Accordingto this theory, man has the natural ability,after grace, through his own merits to performgood works, and by doing so, he will enjoy apeace of mind and obtain blessings whichGod has promised to them who takeadvantage of the opportunity offered. In otherwords, the advocates of this theory teach thatGod has laid out the blessings before thechildren of God, and that they may enjoy thebenefits of them (here in time) if they takeadvantage of the opportunity offered them. If

they do not perform certain conditions, thenthey will miss the blessings offered.

Such a doctrine as this is erroneous. itdoes not give to God the praise for theblessings we enjoy. It exalts man, becauseman is responsible for obtaining the blessing,since he took advantage of the opportunity toperform the conditions. According to thattheory, man is the author of “time salvation!“~ This is similar to the condition of theGalatians. Notice the expression of Paul: “Areye so foolish? Having begun IN THE SPIRIT,are ye NOW MADE PERFECT BY THEFLESH?” (Gal. 3:3) And, “But now, AFTERthat ye have known God, or rather are knownof God, how turn ye again to the weak andbeggarly elements, whereunto ye desire againto be in bondage?” (Gal. 4:9)

This error is to puff man up. It is to giveman the credit for the blessings he receives. Inother words, man deserves the praise becausehe took advantage of the blessings offered,and by performing certain conditions, Godwas obligated to bless him. Or, since man didperform these conditions, God becameindebted to man and obligated to bless him.Therefore, man controls his spiritual seasons,according to this theory, and by man’s ownability, he can always enjoy seasons ofbasking in the sunshine of God’s mercy, ifonly he would.

But this is error. ALL praise, honor, andglory belong unto the Lord. We cannot controlthe natural seasons, and we cannot control ourspiritual seasons. If it is midnight with oursouls, we cannot drive the darkness away, andwe cannot hasten the coming of morning.

Let us remember that God takes care ofHis people. Satan uses such error as theconditional time salvation theory to attempt torob God of His glory, and to puff man up; but“Though thou shalt exalt thyself as the eagle,and though thou set thy nest among the stars,thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.”(Obadiah 1:4)

Though we do not believe this theory, webelieve Satan still tempts us in ourexperiences with the evil principles of it. And,Oh how cunning Satan is! In Genesis 3:1, weread, “The serpent was more subtile than anybeast of the field.”

For example: Let us assume that weperform good deeds or works, such as visitingthe sick and shut-ins, and helping our needybrethren, etc. Now, this is good on thesurface. “Pure religion and undefiled beforethe Father is this: to visit the fatherless andwidows in their affliction, and to keep himselfunspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) Inthe epistles of John, we notice that headmonishes the ones who have this world’sgoods vouchsafed to them to help the ones inneed.

On the surface, these deeds are good, butwhat about the motive involved? “Menlooketh upon the outward appearance, butGod looketh upon the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7)“Take heed that ye do not your alms beforemen, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have noreward of your Father which is in heaven.Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do notsound a trumpet before thee as the hypocritesdo in the synagogues and in the streets, thatthey may have the glory of men, verily I sayunto you, they have their reward. But whenthou doest alms, let not thy left hand knowwhat thy right hand doeth; that thine alms maybe in secret: and thy Father which seeth insecret Himself shall reward thee openly.”(Matthew 6:1-4)

Now, are we doing these deeds becausewe feel impressed to do so? If so, then themotive is good. On the other hand, are wedoing these deeds in order to be seen of men,and to receive the praise of men? Are wedoing these deeds for the purpose of gainingthe favor of God, and to receive a blessingfrom Him? If so, then a selfish motiveprompts us

But, Satan does not give up. Let us

assume that we are impressed by God toperform certain deeds. After it is performed,Satan may slip thoughts as this in our mind:“My, you sure are a good person to do this.There are not many people like you. Youshould be proud of yourself, etc.” Thoughts asthis tend to puff one up also.

Let us remember that Satan does not havea set pattern. He may set thoughts as this inyour mind to attempt to drive you to despair:“You really think you are somebody, don’tyou? These people you visited think you are alittle saint. But they just do not know you. Thereason you visited them was for a selfishreason. You wanted their praise, andadmiration and wanted them to think you area good person, etc.” Accusations as these tendto drive us to despair, except the Lordintervenes and speaks sweet peace to our poorsouls.

Let us briefly state another selfish motivein performing good deeds. Doing a good deedfor the motive of expecting a favor in return iswrong. The motive of helping our brethrenwith the expectation of receiving a favor inreturn is not prompted by love. It is just aselfish motive.

In closing out our thoughts concerningthe error of conditional time salvation theory,we quote from J.C. Philpot:

“But the Lord has attached — I will notcall it a condition, (it is a word I abhor), but adeclaration; which declaration is linked onwith the promise. The Lord has appointed acertain path, wherein the soul is to walk. Thewalking in that path is a necessary step, toobtain the blessing that lies at the end of thepath. It is no condition to be performed by thecreature; it is nothing that springs out of, ordepends upon, human will or human merit;but it hangs upon the Lord’s appointment.God has connected certain promises withcertain appointments; He has connectedcertain deliverances with certain trials; He has

connected certain blessings with certain statesand positions of the soul. The text states thatthe Lord has declared a certain path; He hasmade a positive declaration: and to thispositive appointment He has graciouslyannexed a certain pro-misc. “He shall call upon Me, and I willanswer him.” Thus it is no matter of free will,it is no matter of man’s righteousness orman’s wisdom, whether he shall “call uponGod;” it is appointed he should call uponHim. God has said so in positive terms —(and His “I will,” and His “he shall,” nevercan be broken) —“He shall call upon Me.” Ittherefore does not rest with the creature,whether he will call upon Him or not; its not amatter poised in the balances of the creature,whether he shall pray or not; God has not leftit to man, whether he shall take up prayer orlay aside prayer; but He has made it a part ofHis own sovereign appointments, of His owneternal decrees, which can no more befrustrated, than salvation itself. Therefore thissoul, that “dwells in the secret place of theMost High” — “he shall call upon God.” It isnot left to him, whether he will call or not; butit stands in a way of eternal decree, in a wayof sovereign good pleasure. He must call uponGod, because God says “he shall.” (SelectedSermons, by J.C. Philpot, pg. 105-6.)

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THE WILL OF GODBy Gilbert Beebe, Oct. 15, 1855

“How beautiful upon the mountains are thefeet of Him that bringeth good tidings ofgood; that publisheth salvation; that saithunto Zion, thy God reigneth.” - Isaiah 52:7

When duly impressed with a sense of thesuperlative perfections of Jehovah, theenlightened Christian contemplates theprinciple on which God governs and controlsall things, with inexpressible delight; and inthe inspired language of the Psalmist will say,“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice.” (Psa.97:1) The grandest theme that moved theprophetic pen, was that in which the absolutegovernment of God is declared unto Zion.“How beautiful upon the mountains are thefeet of Him that bringeth good tidings ofgood; that publisheth salvation; that saith untoZion, Thy God reigneth.” If He were onlytrying to reign, and unable to overcome theimpediments thrown in His way by men anddevils, the anxiety of His people would bevery great. But the good tidings of good, thepublication of peace, the proclamation ofsalvation, by heaven inspired, is based uponthe assurance that the God of Zion REIGNS.He “rules in the armies of heaven, and amongthe inhabitants of the earth.” (Dan. 4:35)Sparrows are guided and protected by theorders from His throne, and the “very hairs ofour heads are all numbered,” so that not oneof them can by any casuality fall to the groundwithout His decree. The natural heavensdeclare His glory, the marshalled hosts aregoverned by His law. The sun, moon and starsobey the sovereign orders of their God. Theearth and seas also obey Him, and the islandsshall wait for His law. The winds and storms

are His messengers. He rides upon the wingsthereof, and makes the clouds His chariots.The troubled ocean is calm when He rebukesthe tempest, and the monsters of the deep areswift to obey His mandates. Angels, men, andeven devils, are encircled by His power; theycan neither think nor act in any sphere beyondthat which He has appointed them.

In the administration of the divinegovernment, as exemplified in creation,providence and grace, many things areinscrutable to us, for we can only know andcomprehend His government so far as He ispleased to enlighten us. The faith which Hehas given us is brought into active operation,affording us that confidence in God, that wecan cheerfully trust in Him, where we cannottrace Him. When He plants His footsteps inthe sea, and when His ways are past findingout, “we know that all things do worktogether for good to them that love” Him,“who are the called according to Hispurpose.” When darkness veils the sky, whenthick darkness of the sky is His pavilion,when He keepeth back the face of His throne,and spreads His cloud upon it, even then welearn to “Be still and know that He is God.”And the more dark and inscrutable Hisgovernment is to us, the more clearly is ourfaith and confidence in Him demonstrated. Ifthe sun and the land were always in sight, themariner would have no use for his compass.Faith is a fruit of the Spirit, in the saints,which God has ordained shall be subjected tofiery trials; but it has power to shine thebrightest when most opposed. Nothing wouldbe allowed to come in conflict with it, if itwere not necessary for our good, and God’sdeclarative glory.

But the principle or standard of the divinegovernment, is what we design to notice moreparticularly in this article. Seeing that allthings are governed by the power andprovidence of our God, how consoling it is toknow that Zion’s God is perfectly competent

to administer the government over all Hisworks; for, “He worketh all things after thecounsel of His own will.” (Eph. 1:11) Now ifwe have confidence in His will, if we arereconciled to it, and in the language of thedear Redeemer can say, “Not my will, but Thywill be done;” or in the language of theprayer, “Thy will be done in earth as it is inheaven,” then we shall rejoice that the LordGod omnipotent reigneth. If His governmentwere administered according to any other thanGod’s will, we might fear the result. If Heconsulted our wills and inclinations, alas, howfickle and trifling are we! Or should thegovernment of earth be left to the popularvote of the race of mankind, how uncertainwould be the result. But all is made to dependon His own will, and hence the final result ofall things is secure.

The supreme will of Jehovah is thestandard of all the actions and government ofGod. He has no other law by which to do Hispleasure in the armies of heaven, or amongthe inhabitants of the earth; and we rejoicethat it is so, for His will is perfect, pure,infallible, immutable and holy. No other ruleof government therefore could be so honoringto God, or safe for us, as that by which all theorders of His throne are administered. In Hiswill all the eternal attributes of the Godheadare embraced. His wisdom, truth, justice,immutability, omniscience, omnipotence andeternity, affords us indemnity that nothingwill be administered that can possibly conflictwith the eternal perfections of the Godhead.Who then would wish to shorten the sceptreof His power, or pluck one gem from Hiscrown? Could we act rationally orconsistently in asking or desiring Him tochange His administrations, however dark orinscrutable they may seem to us, or to adoptas a rule of His government the will of any orall of His creatures? Or who that knoweth theLord, can desire to limit His control over theevents or destiny of all beings and all worlds?

Nay, we can but rejoice that He is King ofkings, and Lord of lords.

We rejoice not only that the saints aregoverned by His law, but also that wickedmen and devils are under His control; were itotherwise all would be confusion. Their limitsare fixed, their bounds are irrevocably set;hereunto they shall come, but no farther. Thehearts of kings and proud monarchs of theearth “He turneth as the rivers of water areturned.” Truly the kings of the earth setthemselves, and the rulers take counseltogether against the Lord, and against HisAnointed, saying, “Let us break their bandsasunder, and cast their cords away from us.”But, “He that sitteth in the heavens shalllaugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.”The monarch of Babylon may attempt toascend above the clouds, to set His throneabove the stars, and to be like the Most High,but he shall be brought down to hell, to theborders of the pit. Pharaoh may determine todetain the Lord’s chosen tribes in Egypt, or topursue and bring them back after God hasbroken their yoke, but God will display all Hiswonders on Pharaoh and His host, and Israelshall sing the song of deliverance in full sightof their vanquished enemies. All this resultsfrom the administration of the divinegovernment according to the will of God. Canany saint be found to say, This is more poweror government than what properly belongs toGod? Will any say that His power should berestricted to “good” men, and their “good”actions, and that He has no right to controlevil men, and evil actions of men, accordingto the counsel of His own will? We hope not.

But it is sometimes objected, that if“God works all things after the counsel ofHis own will,” and nothing after the counselof His creatures’ will, and if His will iseternally the same, [Which it must be ifimmutable — Ed.] from everlasting toeverlasting, so that He has “Declared the endfrom the beginning,” and said, “My counsel

shall stand, and I will do ALL MYPLEASURE,” (Isa. 46:10), then we are onlymachines, bound fast in the decrees of Fate,and only like clay in the hands of the potter. Ifthis be true, they say, we are not accountablebeings, and “Why doth He yet find fault?Who hath resisted His will?” “Nay, who artthou O man that repliest against God? Shallthe thing formed say unto Him that formed it,Why hast Thou made me thus? Hath not thepotter power over the clay, of the same lumpto make one vessel unto honor, and anotherunto dishonor?” (Rom. 9:20-22) The apostledid not shrink from a defense of thesovereignty of God because men would surelysay, “Why doth He yet find fault?” etc., butrebukes the fault-finder with merited severity.The inferences and conclusions of men inregard to the nature and tendency of thisdoctrine are not reliable. Man is by no meansreleased from his accountability, nor is hepropelled like a machine in his action; he actsvoluntarily in his course of wickedness, andhe is held accountable for his conduct, andwill be punished for his sins, according to thetestimony of the Scriptures. [This is exactlywhat we here believe relative to this subject— all of us! — S.C.P.]

Many have failed to perceive how Godcan govern the world, and control all events,without influencing men to sin, or being theauthor of sin. By the terms “author of sin”, wesuppose they mean the fountain or source ofsin. If this be their meaning, nothing can bemore remote from the truth. For God isperfectly holy in His nature, and in all Hisadministrations. Men are never influenced todo wickedly by any impulse directly fromHim. Their fallen natures inclines them to dowickedly, and so far as God will permit themto have their own way, they will drink ininiquity as the ox drinketh water. This weknow to be the case by our own experience, aswell as by the testimony of the Scriptures.Hence, God’s perfect knowledge, and even

His design in ALL they do, does NOTCHANGE either their inclination to sin, ortheir accountability for sinning. Joseph’sbrethren acted voluntarily in meditating hismurder, and in selling him to the Ishmaelitesto be carried down to Egypt; and they wereheld accountable for their wickedness, asmuch so as though God had no purpose in thematter; yet the event shows, and the Word ofGod declares, that God had a purpose in it all;[ “But as for you, ye thought evil against me;but God meant it unto good, to bring to passas it is this day, to save much people alive.”(Gen.50:20)I and we conclude that God hadas much purpose in Joseph’s going intoEgypt, as though his brethren had had noagency in the matter. How these things can be,may be a mystery to men, but all is plain withGod.

The Jews and Romans were guilty inputting Christ to death, although they couldonly do what God’s hand and purpose hadbefore determined should be done. (Acts 2:23and 4:28) It was not a divine influence thatfilled them with malice and hatred to Christ,nor was it by any gracious impulse of theSpirit of God, they crucified the Lord of glory.The spirit of their carnal minds, and theinfluence of Satan, urged them on in thebloody work, and they were without excuse.And as it was in the case of Joseph, and in thecrucifixion of Christ, so we believe it is inregard to all the wicked acts of men.

A brother has used the figure of the“good tree” and the “evil tree”, which werecreated with all their subsequentdevelopments in them, and under theunavoidable necessity of bringing forth thefruit which was according to their nature. Thisis unquestionably true in regard to trees, buttrees have no volition; they are passive, and tothem attaches neither blame nor approval.Men are accountable beings, and actvoluntarily in sinning, and are subject ofcondemnation and wrath. The figure of trees

is applied to men, we admit, but not inreference to their original creation. Christsays, “First make the tree good, and his fruitshall be good,” &c. But His application of thefigure contemplates man as a fallen sinner,already condemned; he is like a corrupt tree;in his present state he can bring forth corruptfruit, but he cannot bring forth good fruit. Allmen are by nature, that is, in their fallennature, evil trees, and polluted fountains, sothat until God makes good the tree, andcleanses the fountain, no pure or holyproductions can be developed.

We would not indulge in any vainspeculations in regard to God, or in thecontemplation of His perfections; the subjectis too sacred to be approached but with themost profound reverence, but we do rejoice inbelieving that the God of Zion presides inpower and majesty over all the works of Hishands, and accomplishes His own purpose,and worketh all things after the counsel of Hisown will; causing the wrath of man to praiseHim, and restraining the remainder of theirwrath.(Psa. 76:10) And we do rejoice to knowthat the will of God is the invariable rule of allHis work of creation, providence and grace.“Therefore hath He mercy on whom He willhave mercy, and whom He will Hehardeneth.” We entertain no fear of Hisexceeding His eternal right in executing thecounsel of His will; and so far as He instructsus that justice and judgment are the habitationof His throne, we shall be led in Spirit to cryout, “Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O mostAlmighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty;and in majesty ride prosperously because oftruth and meekness and righteousness; andThy right hand shall teach Thee terriblethings.” - Psalm 45:3-4.— Editorials of Gilbert Beebe, Vol.3

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THE BODY OF CHRISTBy S. C. Phillips

“And when He had spoken these things. whilethey beheld, He was taken up; and a cloudreceived Him out of their sight. And whilethey looked steadfastly toward heaven as Hewent up, behold, two men stood by them inwhite apparel; which also said, Ye men ofGalilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?this same Jesus, which is taken up from youinto heaven, shall so come in like manner asye have seen Him go into heaven.”

— Acts 1: 9-11.

There is an error which has long beenassociated with other groups of Baptistswhich now appears occasionally among OldSchool Baptists. Briefly, it is a view that inorder to be in the Bride of Christ, or TheChurch, one must be baptized into water, andthus into Christ. That is close to the truth. Butits chief error lies in the inability of men tomake a difference between “into Christ” and“into the body of Christ.” The conclusion,with which our inward spirit recoils, is thatone cannot be (a) married to Christ if notbaptized in water; or (b) an object of mercy ifnot baptized in water. If either of these two

conclusions is reached, then the individualholding such a view is unsound upon thedoctrine of Christ.

We are categorized by theologians as“supralapsarians” because we believe thechurch of Jesus Christ was chosen in Him,rather than in Adam, before the foundation ofthe world. (Eph. 1:4-6) This church — thewhole church — has ever been “in Christ”;and Christ has ever stood as the actual andfederal Head of the church from all eternity.While the Scriptures use the expression of thechurch as “the body of Christ,” we can notconclude that the “body of Christ” used inthese instances has reference to that body ofChrist the disciples steadfastly gazed upon asHe ascended into glory. It is important thatthis difference always be kept in mind. Itseems so easy for heresy to creep, or gallop,into the churches, and its horse is Biblicalignorance, or outright blindness.

One thing is certain, water baptism wasnot practiced in the Old Testamentdispensation. How were any of the saints inChrist? or were they? Were they married tothe Lord? Of course they were, for He saith,“Turn, O backsliding children, saith theLord; for Jam married unto you: and I willtake you one of a city, and two of a family,and I will bring you to Zion.” (Jere. 3:14)

Equally important, were the saints of theOld Testament espoused to Christ, or, that is,the Bride of Christ? Of course they were, forHe saith again, “And I will betroth thee untoMe for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Mein righteousness, and in judgment, and inloving-kindness, and in mercies. I will evenbetroth thee unto Me in faithfulness: and thoushalt know the Lord.” (Hos. 3:19-20) Andagain, “For thy Maker is thine Husband; theLord of Hosts is His name; and thy Redeemerthe Holy One of Israel; The God of the wholeearth shall He be called.” (Isa. 54:5) It isclear, it seems, that where there is a husband,and one betroth to him, that one must be a

bride.So many seem to see some great problem

in harmonizing the saints of the olddispensation with those of the new. We see nosuch problem. They too, were chosen inChrist before the foundation of the world. Theexternal dispensations under which they liveddid not change their standing and relation to’Christ.

Water baptism, we believe, is necessaryas a pre-requisite to membership in the bodyof Christ, as a collective group of peoplebelonging to Him. But to be “in Christ Jesus”,as being represented in and by Him as theHead of the general church, one does not haveto be baptized into water for this blessedstanding or state. We believe one must be “inHim” for the Holy Spirit to ever call him, orever lay upon him within his soul the divinecommand to “Arise and be baptized, and washaway thy sins, calling on the name of theLord.” (Acts 22:16)

Then, in what sense is the “body ofChrist” meant as it relates to the church? Apeople ruled by one government is, bydefinition, a “body politic.” A “body ofpeople” (the preposition “of” denotespossession) elected, redeemed, called, andsanctified by Christ as His peculiar people is“His Body,” the church, in a possessive sense.The Greek word for “body” is “soma”: thebody (as a sound whole.)

The way one is brought into Christ Jesusis by divine election (Eph. 1:1-6). It seemsstrange that a free grace person can be blind tothis. The way one is experimentallymanifested “in Him” is by effectual calling. Itis equally strange that any child of grace doesnot know and feel this. The way one is addedto the local, collected, body of Christ is by aheavenly experience of grace in the soul,followed by water baptism, and consent of thelocal body (a sound whole). But, addition tothe number of that local body (which is Hisassembly) is a far cry from being added to

“Christ Jesus!”Why do we object to such high

churchism? In particular, why does theunscriptural view that all the elect will bebaptized into a Baptist church, and thatanyone not a Baptist is going to hell offendus? First, because our spirit returns to our ownbosom when we hear it. The witness is strongthat it is a dangerous heresy. Second, itappears to us as idolatry — the worship of theelect people, rather than the worship of God.Third, it is papacy. To declare that a certainbody of people is the Body of Christ, and thatyou must be an accepted member of thatparticular Body in order to be IN CHRIST isthe root, or fundamental doctrine, of Rome.Wherein does the Papal Church differ? Onlyin degree.

We can rejoice when Christ is preached,but we cannot fellowship will-worship of men— even righteous men. We question the verymotive for this great emphasis on “theChurch,” when there is so little preachingtoday on what God the Father, Son, and Spirithas done for His elect people; so few left topreach it; and such an apparently short timeleft to preach it. Surely the priorities ofministers are severely out of balance whenthey can’t find enough about Christ to occupytheir time.

The Church belongs to Christ. None of usshall add one member to it, nor hinder onemember from entering it. Preaching “theChurch” in hope of adding to it those notincluded in it, in the Person of Christ, is vain.All the powers of men, angels, or demons willnever increase the “body of Christ” — thatelect nation of antiquity. To preach “theChurch” to glory in it, may prove far morethan one wishes proved — it may just proveone is not in it!

Satan has always found ways to preventChrist from being preached. This writer isfully persuaded that he has found a new —yes, NEW — doctrine for a hobby-horse. It is

foolish to ride a hobby-horse — they never goany place. It is NOT Old Baptists belief!

DIFFICULTY AND SWEETNESS OFGOD’S WILL

By I.K. of Abingdon, Eng.,1847

[ Editor’s Note: I understand that I.K. was aMr. Kay, who wrote a book entitled InwardKingdom, and, of course, was associated withthe Strict Baptist brethren. We select thesewritings, primarily because so little “inward”evidence of divine experiences are now givenmuch consideration. As with the period inwhich he lived, so in our own, much which ispassed off as “Gospel preaching” is either thatrotten duty-faith of the carnal flesh, or elsecold dead orthodoxy — dry doctrine.

In making that condemnation, We do notmean it to be a ringing denunciation of ourministers. This editor feels the barrenness ofexperience very keenly, and desires the dearLord to rectify this condition in his own soul.We offer these hoping that they will beprofitable in giving us a mirror to examine ourpoverty-stricken ministry more thoroughly.]

Never scarce in all my life did I, underGod the Spirit, labour under a doctrine ofScripture more than the one just below. If youobserve, therein is included all that is or everwas known of experienced Christianity sincethe creation of the world. Therein you willobserve lukewarmness, and rebellion, and allmanner of things, good and bad, equally cut ator supported. The text is this: “Epaphras,who is one of you, a servant of Christ,saluteth you, always labouring fervently foryou in prayers, that ye may stand perfect andcomplete inaU the will of God.” — Col 4:12.

From this text I gather what has stunnedme many a time, namely, that God has a will.And that WILL also embraces the minutest

circumstances of our lives, both of bitters andsweets, joys and sorrows. If “five sparrows aresold for two farthings”, and, as we areassured, are “not forgotten by the HeavenlyFather;” if “the very hairs of our head are allnumbered;” if “every idle word” and “secretthought” is taken into account; I gather fromthis that the Infinite God is no carelessLooker-on, observing and regulating theaffairs of the sons of men.

The stature is FIXED; the “number of ourdays is appointed,” also the “boundaries ofour habitation,” — our days of sorrow andjoy, our sinkings and risings, our pleasuresand pains. And are all these, even to the least,the smallest circumstances, appointedexecutively or permissively of God, even tothe most exact and nice degree? Is it allweighed out unalterably by Him by whom“actions (not notions) are weighed?” Otremendous “deep!”

I have been long convinced of the folly ofstriving against God. I believe I pass a goodpart of my time in communion with God, theAppointer of all things executively orpermissively. And how do I pass that time incommunion? In dictating? No. I know Godhas a will, as Epaphras says. My employmentin the communion with God is, to find out bythe Holy Spirit’s goings experimentally in mysoul, what that will is. Thus, Enoch,Abraham, and Noah “walked” with God.People walking always together are likely toknow a good deal of one another. How certainI am that I shall have all the trouble I am tohave! How this makes me cleave withpurpose of heart to God! “I have stuck untoThy testimonies.” Epaphras labours ferventlyfor ALL THE WILL OF GOD TO BE DONEIN US. O the terrible deep!

I have known the time when I have beenbrim-ful of trouble, my heart almost fit tobreak. And yet I durst not lift up my littlefinger to alter anything without God. And Ihave found that God can alter things betterthan I can. How He can speak to men (and to

me to) out of the whirlwind, or melt themsweetly in the sunshine, to mould them to Hissecret will!

O how my soul trembles with adorationbefore Him! Now those who tremble at Histhreatenings, and those who tremble withdelight at His consolations; those who trembleat their own ignorance and a sense of God’ssuperior wisdom, at their own infinitely lessthan littleness, (for we are five hundred or tenthousand talents terribly in debt!) and atGod’s unsearchable greatness; those tremblersthus, these are the men, that living so nearGod get acquainted by secret revelation (inaccordance with Scripture) as to what God’swill is.

Epaphras laboured fervently to this end inprayers. As Hart says, “Accomplish in me allThy will.”

But it may be objected, if none beside weare elected, bought with a price, and redeemedthus in particular redemption, that it is aneeds-be we must fall into all the sin we areredeemed from. But does that encourage mein sin? Just the reverse! I know I shall havethe rod for my sin. I know it killed theBeloved Redeemer. Thus love and fear makesme watch, fight, groan, wrestle, and struggleunto blood against sin, and die, in Christ, to it,in evangelical crucifixion and mortificationthereto; insomuch so, that Arminians whotrust less or more to their own righteousness,and bitterly reject Christ’s righteousnessimputed by gift as the only possiblefoundation and salvation; these Arminians, Ihave long perceived, with their wretched self-righteousness, have not a fiftieth part of thetenderness of conscience that I feel.

Epaphras’s fervent labouring certainlyembraces both the sorrows and joys we arepredestinated to go through, before we launchout of time into the next world. His ferventlabouring in his prayers embraces all thingsthat the elect have to go through, and must gothrough, in the time-state of this present

world. And who is sufficient for these things?Excruciating bitters and insupportable sweets;“Stay me with flagons; comfort me withapples; for I am sick of love;” and, “rivers oftears running down one’s eyes” spiritually,because of insupportable troubles: every-daytroubles less or more: all is included: as isalso every-day comfort more or less; whichquickened souls must go through, in theirbeing God’s “workmanship.” All, all thewondrous catalogue is included in thewondrous grasp of Epaphras’s ample prayer!

And who, I ask again, is sufficient forthese things? God “will spue” (vulgar wordfor our refined hypocrisy!) lukewarmChristians out of His mouth. (Rev. 3:16) Hewill fill backsliders with their own ways. Hewill keep rebels in a dry land. He will letfoolish virgins and wise ones slumbertogether in professedly experimentalchurches, for some deep purpose. He willmaul the head of pride. He will workcontrition, poorness, and trembling, into thesouls of His people.

And herein let me make a remark or two.Contrition, poverty, and trembling, whichspiritually our first Adam’s nature huffs at,are in the sight of God of great price. God will“look” at them. When, alas! the brightestmere knowledge shall pass away as of not theslightest account with God, like the idle noiseof a jingling bell or a sounding cymbal.

O the glories, beauties, and grace ofripening to stand complete and perfect in all(the whole of) the will of God! O the labour,continuing, and fervency to this wonderfulend! The text says Epaphras was “always” atit, at this prayer. “Thy will be done” is the Aand Z of the alphabet. All his modes, &c., in“prayers,” he was thus enabled to drive to thisend. And O the immortal sweetness of successand triumph herein, in which severity andcomeliness shine! He was winning the prize,and travailing for it for others of the elect.

Now, any one “saluting” saints with this

doctrine is not well received by many. Herewere no perversive loopholes for rebellion,carnality, worldliness, free-will, self-righteousness, or antinomianism. Here, likeracers running a race, as Paul says, we arereminded that many run in a race who arenever to win. Here a saint is cautioned tocleanse his way by taking heed theretoaccording to God’s word. Here the nobleEpaphras cautions any one to see whether anypart at all of God’s word is against him. “Allthe will of God.” Crucifixion, and makingdead, or mortifying, to the world and theflesh, as well as salvation by grace withoutworks, (“the body is of Christ”) and keepingourselves from idols, and being crucified tothe flesh and the world, thus in a victory andtriumph over inordinate affections, &c.; theseand such like are the glorious effects.Glorious! For destitute of oil, the foolishvirgins, (sound in every thing but the secretlife of God in Christ within), I say thesefoolish virgins have neither the body actualnor the effects, and it is to be feared they areamong us in rightly constituted experimentalchurches. What is to become of the brains ofthe notional Calvinist? the false fire of theArminian? in all their shades, splits, divisions,and denominations? But I must leave them asripening for the knife of final slaughter, anddrop a few words more to those who areplanted and ripening as really elect in God’sgarden.

You may see by Epaphras’s prayer thatGod intends to realize in you the drift of whatis written in Scripture. Now I ask you plainly,can you see your character as in a looking-glass in Scripture, as there written of thesaints, by the hand of God Himself? I shallconclude with this, that “God is not mocked.”And, ask your conscience, reader. And thebeginning, middle, and end of religion shallbe gradually and finally fulfilled in the electof God, as Epaphras prayed for, and asScripture sets forth; while all prating fools, as

Solomon calls them, and notional, and stony-ground, and thorny-ground hearers, as theLord calls them; yes, those even who are thuspossessed of, even as Goodwin justly calls it,the “shallow enlightenings of the HolyGhost,” (short of the exceeding greatness ofHis power, which latter is confined to theelect alone;) all those, I say, mentioned inHebrews 6: 5,6, and 10:26, are not included atall in Epaphras’s prayer as above; for it wouldhave been better for those not to have knownthe way of Christ in the shallow enlighteningsof the Spirit, who have lamps burning withoutward apparent consistency, and who neverget at all in wars, changes, and victories, tothe marrow hinted at in Epaphras’s prayer.(Selected from the Gospel Standard, 1847)

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THE FULFILLMENT OF THESCRIPTURESBy H.M. Curry

I suppose that every one who professes tobelieve the Bible at all looks for thefulfillment of the prophecies. To what quarterthen are we to look for this fulfillment? Howcan those who deny predestination, either inpart or in whole, ever expect the exact, timely,and certain fulfillment of any or all of theprophecies of the divine oracles? God “hasdeclared the end from the beginning, andfrom ancient times the things not yet done,saying, My counsel shall stand and I will doALL My pleasure.” (Isa. 46:10) Part at least ofthis declaration He has made known unto usby the mouths of His prophets as recorded inthe Holy Scriptures. The events thus foretoldmust certainly have been foreordained or

predestinated, and therefore must be fulfilled,each in its time and season. The Saviour said,“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but Myword shall not pass, until all be fulfilled.”

When God says a thing shall come topass, does He mean that He will bring it topass? When He says a thing shall be done,does He not pledge His word for itsperformance? Were the prophecies of theScriptures uttered upon any other authoritythan the authority of God’s decree? Do theyrest upon any vicissitude of time for theirfulfillment that God’s decrees do notembrace? Would mere foreknowledge, or barepermission warrant or even justify theexpression, “It shall come to pass”? or theexpression “shall”, in any sense of the word?In this part of the country people read andnotice Hick’s weather forecasts. When suchchanges come as have been prophesied, theywill say, “Hicks hit it this time!” when theforecast fail, they say, “Hicks missed it thistime.” Are we to look upon God’s propheciesin this way? Are we to say, when we see theScriptures fulfilled in this thing, “God hit itthis time”? or when we fail to see themfulfilled in that thing, “God missed it thistime.”?

Are we to treat His prophecies as mereprognostications? One would say, O no, Godknew all these things would certainly come topass, and so He was kind enough andthoughtful enough to tell us of thembeforehand. This is a very puerile makeshift, avery fallacious and deceptive subterfuge, andinvolves the one accepting it in a difficulty farmore serious and ungodly than he supposesthe one to be which he is trying to evade, towit, God’s decree of predestination; for if Godknew that an event would transpire, that eventis inevitable, that is, it cannot fail to come topass exactly as foreknown; if inevitable, thenit has been determined, and if determined,who determined it? If God did not, who did?The difficulty that I meet here is an absolutely

determined future, and either no determiningpower or some determining power outside ofGod, and independent of Him determined it.This is Fatalism, and the one accepting such atheory is a fatalist in the fullest sense of thatword. So here he is plunged into the verything which he flatters himself that he wasavoiding. In endeavoring to shun an imaginaryScylla, he has fallen into a real Charybdis.

How often do we come upon theexpression in the New Testament, “This wasdone that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”When Herod sent forth and killed the littlechildren in Bethlehem and all the coaststhereof, it was said “then was fulfilled thatwhich was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,saying, In Ramah there was a voice heard,lamentation, and weeping and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children, and wouldnot be comforted because they are not.”Suppose Herod had not sent forth and killedthe little children, then the words of Jeremiahwould not have been fulfilled; if his wordshould fail in one thing, what confidencewould his prophecies be entitled to inanything? But it is not Jeremiah’s word whichis at stake here, it is God’s Word that must befulfilled. Herod’s persecution also caused theflight into Egypt, and this was done that theScripture might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypthave I called My Son.” On the return fromEgypt, notwithstanding Joseph had beenwarned of God to take the young child andHis mother and go into the land of Israel, Hethough unbelief, fearing Archelaus, turnedaside and dwelt in Nazareth, that it might befulfilled which was spoken by the prophets,“He shall be called a Nazarene.” Here notonly the wicked persecution of Herod, butalso the unbelief of Joseph alike fulfilled theScriptures.

When the time arrived that Jesus shouldbe betrayed into the hands of wicked men, thebetrayer was at hand, not as one whoaccidentally turned up in time of the

emergency, but one who had been foretold byprophecy. David had given a pen picture ofhim hundreds of years before. lt had also beensaid by the Christ that one of the twelveshould betray Him. Not only was the manmarked out by prophecy who should do this,but it had also been foretold how much thetraitor should receive for his work (thirtypieces of silver); and also what should befinally done with the money. The Son of Mantruly went as it was written of Him. He wasdelivered by the determinate counsel andforeknowledge of God, [whether any Baptistof any kind believes it or no — Ed.] and whenHerod and Pilate and the Gentiles and thepeople of Israel were gathered togetheragainst Him, they were gathered to dowhatsoever “God’s hand and counseldetermined before to be done.” (Acts 4:27,28)

When the Saviour was crucified, He wasput to death between two thieves. This wasdone that the Scripture might be fulfilledwhich said, “He was numbered with thetransgressors.” Suppose there had been nothieves or transgressors, how then could theScriptures have been fulfilled? It was thecustom to break the legs of those who wereput to death by crucifixion, but on thisoccasion they broke the legs of the thieves,but did not break the legs of Christ. This wasdone that the Scriptures might be fulfilledwhich said, “Not a bone of Him shall bebroken.” This prophecy was fulfilled in itsreference to the literal body of Christ, but itstill remains in force in its relation to Hisspiritual body, and must be fulfilled to theutmost in this also. So this prophecy warrantsthe eternal security of all the redeemed family,for we are members of His body and of Hisflesh and of His bones; so not a bone of Himshall indeed be broken. Instead of breakingHis legs according to the custom and therequest of the Jews, they pierced His side witha spear. This was done that the Scripture

might be fulfilled, “They shall look upon Himwhom they pierced.” When in His last agonyHe said, “I thirst,” they in their fiendishcruelty, gave Him vinegar to drink. This wasdone that the Scripture might be fulfilled,“They gave Me vinegar to drink.” And afterall, when they came to dispose of His raiment,they gambled for that, in order to fulfill theScripture, “They parted My raiment amongthem, and for My vesture did they cast lots.”In the most exact way, the Scriptures werefulfilled in the life and death of Christ, so thatit may well be said, “He died for our sinsaccording to the Scriptures.”

Men are saved to fulfill the Scriptures.“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shallreturn and come to Zion,” is a prophecy thatmust be fulfilled; but for it to be fulfilled, theredeemed of the Lord must return and come toZion. This prophecy cannot be satisfied aslong as one for whom Christ died is awayfrom Zion. “All that the Father giveth Meshall come unto Me,” saith the Son. Therighteousness, wisdom, power, and grace ofGod are all engaged to fulfill these words,therefore there is no power or contingencythat can ever interfere with the timely andtriumphant victory of all the election of graceover every enemy. On the day of Pentecostwhen that great number of people cried out,“Men and brethren what shall we do?” wasexemplied in the fulfillment of prophecy. Agreat number of these men were Jews, thosewho only a few days before had crucified theSon of God with wicked hands: they had spitupon Him, had called Him Beelzebub, theprince of devils; and to express theirresolution never to repent, they said, “Let Hisblood be upon us and our children.” But theirobdurancy could not hold out — God’sprophecy must be fulfilled. The redeemed ofthe Lord must return and come to Zion. WhenAbel offered unto the Lord a more excellentsacrifice than Cain, this prophecy lay at theroot of the matter. In the days of Seth, when

men began to call upon the name of the Lord,the words of the prophet, “Therefore theredeemed of the Lord shall return and come toZion,” was being fulfilled in them. One mightsay that this prophecy had not been written inthe days of Seth. It had not been written uponparchment, but it had been written in the bookof God’s decrees, and experienced in thehearts and consciences of men. All theprophecies of Jehovah are from eternity, andare yea and amen in Christ. Every poorpilgrim, whose anxious heart and wearyfootsteps seek that city whose Builder andMaker is God, is upheld, forwarded, andguided on his journey by the immutabledecree that the redeemed of the Lord shallreturn and come to Zion; and through thecertain fulfillment of God’s word, he shallreach the holy city and rest forever in hersacred palaces.

Men are lost to fulfill the Scriptures. Isthis a hard saying? Can you not hear it? I amnot responsible for the saying, however hard itmay appear to be. The Saviour said to theFather in speaking of the twelve, “All of themhave I kept, and none of them is lost but theson of perdition, that the Scriptures might befulfilled.” (John 16:12) Had Judas not beenlost the Scriptures would have been broken(See Psalm 109, all of which pertains to Judasand his crime and punishment). Thethoughtless and presumptuous man wouldsay, If Judas had to do what he did, he wouldhave been exempt from crime; he would havehad no sin. Upon what ground would he havebeen without sin? What law would exempthim? According to whose judgment would hebe innocent? State the law and name thejudge, and if it be the law of God and GodHimself be the Judge, then I will agree thatthe conclusion is the correct one. Jesus, Whois Himself the embodiment of all law, and theJudge both of the living and the dead, saidwith regard to this matter in reply to Pilate,“Thou couldst have no power at all against

Me except it were given thee from above:therefore he that delivered Me unto thee haththe greater sin.” (John 19:11) Instead of thejudgment of Christ in this matter concurringwith the judgment of men, that under suchcircumstances a man would be without sin,He declared that for this very reason Judashad the greater sin. Here is a question ofresponsibility for some of the champions ofthat cause to settle. And here is another one:Christ said to the Jews, “Behold, I send untoyou prophets, and wise men, and scribes: andsome of them ye shall kill and crucify; andsome of them shall ye scourge in yoursynagogues, and persecute from city to city,that upon you may come all the righteousblood shed upon the earth, from the blood ofrighteous Abel unto the blood of righteousZacharias, whom ye slew between the templeand the altar.” (Matt. 23:34-35) The Saviourhere declares that these men should fill up themeasures of their fathers. He also designatesthe crimes that they should commit in order todo this, not only generic crimes but specificcrimes; and the end to be answered therebywas that upon them might come all therighteous blood that had been shed upon theearth, from the blood of Abel to the blood oftheir most recent victim.

Now upon what principle of justice andjudgment could four thousand years of crimebe required at the hand of one generation? Letsome of the champions of free agency solvethis problem from their favorite standpoint ofaccountability. I have been accused ofdenying human responsibility, but in this as inmany other things, I have been willfullymisrepresented. I have only denied that theatonement of Christ left any responsibilityupon His people; and further, I have deniedthe foolish, imaginary, sentimental andungrounded conclusion that predestinationrelieves men of accountability and acquitsthem of crime upon principles of equity andjustice, and that therefore in order to be

accountable, a man must be what men arepleased to call a free agent. I have herereferred to these things to show that in thefulfillment of God’s decrees according to Hisword, a deeper principle of justice is involvedthan human standards set forth, or humanpleaders comprehend.

Again it is said of some in the divinerecord that they were before of old ordained tothis condemnation. (Jude 4) Now if they werebefore of old ordained to this condemnation,when the condemnation came, did it not comein fulfillment of a decree? Who made thedecree? Some would say that God made it,but He made it upon conditions. This theythink necessary in order that the character ofGod stand above reproach in the judgment ofmen. They admit that the decree of electionunto life is unconditional, but that theordination of condemnation is conditional,and that the subjects of this decree areendowed with a free agency whereby they arepermitted to work out their condemnation.This notion involves a monstrous absurdity,and that absurdity is this, That God has deniedto man the freedom and ability torighteousness whereby he may be saved, butthat He has endowed man with that freedomand ability whereby he may and can work outa sure and foreknown condemnation! And thisis resorted to in the vain imagination that thecharacter of God is thus vindicated from thecharge of unrighteousness, and He justified inHis ways to man! Peter, in speaking of certainones, says they were appointed todisobedience and stumbling. (I Peter 2:8)Now if they were appointed to disobedience,must they not fulfill the appointment? Thisthey must do, even though God send themstrong delusions to accomplish it. (II Thess.2:11)

Many are ready to exclaim now, If thisbe true, who is to be blamed? This is an oldquestion, and I will give an old andauthoritative answer. I will first state the

question in its ancient form: “Thou wilt sayunto me then, Why doth He yet find fault? forwho hath resisted His will?” Reader, do yourecognize the question? If you have neverseen it before, if you will read the ninthchapter of Romans, you will find it. I will nowgive the ancient, time-honored answer: “Naybut, O man, who art thou that repliest againstGod? Shall the thing formed say to Him thatformed it, Why hast Thou made me thus?Hath not the potter power over the clay, of thesame lump to make one vessel unto honor andanother unto dishonor?” Do you recognize theanswer? If not, read the ninth chapter ofRomans and you will find it. This is not yourquestion; this is not a question of this ageonly. This question was asked two thousandyears ago. Neither is this my answer. This isGod’s answer, and I am satisfied with it. Thisquestion comprehends everything that thecavilers of all ages have urged against thedoctrine of God’s sovereign decrees. Is not theanswer of Inspiration plain and decisive? Ifthe solution of this problem is to be found inexceptions to God’s decrees, and in makingexcuses for Him, would He not have put avery different answer in the mouth of Hisinspired apostle? Is not this the place aboveall places for such an excuse to be given? Isnot this question sprung here for the expresspurpose of giving a decisive and unequivocalanswer? Is not such an answer given? Shallwe receive it as final and decisive, as comingfrom God Himself, or shall we seek another,which, although necessarily false, is morepleasing to our pride and presumption, andmore acceptable to ignorance and unbelief?

The unbelief of the Jews fulfilled theScriptures. It is recorded by John that,although He had done many mirades, “yetthey believed not on Him: That the saying ofEsaias, the prophet, might be fulfilled: Lord,who hath believed our report? and to whomhath the arm of the Lord been revealed?Therefore they could not believe, because that

Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes,and hardened their heart; that they should notsee with their eyes, nor understand with theirheart, and be converted, and I should healthem.” (John 12:3740) Here it is expresslystated that the reason they could not believewas that Esaiss had foretold their blindnessand hardness, and further that this blindnessand hardness of heart was given of God. Theobject of this blindness and hardening was toprevent them from being converted that Hemight heal them. This language seems toimply that there might have been a possibilityof their believing and being converted, hadnot God’s decree intercepted and cut them off.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away,” saysChrist, “but My word shall not pass awayuntil all be fulfilled.” Whatever the divinerecord says shall be, must be. The sameauthority that says, “The redeemed of theLord shall return and come to Zion,” has alsosaid, “The wicked shall do wickedly, andnone of the wicked shall understand.” Thesame book that says, “All that the Fathergiveth Me shall come to Me,” has also said,“Evil men and seducers shall wax worse andworse.” The same God that opened Lydia’sheart, that she attend to the things spoken byPaul, hardened Pharaoh’s heart that he wouldnot let the people go. The same God thatworks in His people “both to will and to do ofHis good ,pleasure,” has also put it in thehearts of wicked rulers “to fulfill His will, andto agree to give their kingdom to the beast,until the words of God be fulfilled.” (Rev.17:17)

When Paul was arraigned by the Jews forpreaching what was to them an obnoxious anddestructive doctrine, his defense was that hehad preached nothing but what Moses and theprophets said should come. If I am censuredfor what I have herein written, I have but onedefense to make and that is, I have onlywritten what Moses and the prophets andChrist and the apostles have said should be.

CORRESPONDENCESalisbury, Md. 21801

October 10, 1983

Dear Elder Phillips,Greetings in the name of our sovereign

Lord. Though we have never met in the flesh,I hope that I know something of the things ofwhich you write. I have not been getting ThePredestinarian very long, though I haveintended to subscribe since I saw the very firstissue. That shows how good the intentions ofmen are, doesn’t it? Through the kindness of abrother, however, I am now a subscriber.

As a subscriber, I wish to tell you howmuch I enjoyed the August issue. The excerptfrom Morgan Edwards’ Materials was verytimely and your comments were very true. I,too, would like to see the present make-up ofassociational correspondence be radicallychanged (in other words done away with).What in the previous two centuries may havebeen necessary for communication betweendistant brethren is in no way what we needtoday. I think I see some agreement in whatyou wrote on this subject with Elder Berry’sposition (with which I, for one, heartilyconcur). There are those in associations whono more hold to the doctrine which we havebeen made to believe, but we are “infellowship” because the associations are“lined-up” that way. In the same manner,there are those who rejoice in the doctrine butbecause the associations are not “lined up” wecannot sit down together in “Churchfellowship.”

Your editorial, “Duty Faith” was alsovery good in its expose of the conditionalists.I was associated with them for a while (untilthey excluded me for heresy, i.e., believing inAbsolute Predestination). I only wish that youwould have also exposed their universal ismmore plainly. Perhaps in another article youwill be blessed to do that.

My only suggestion (and it is a minor

one) is that I wish you would have stated thatthe Ketocton Association of Virginia has beensince 1853 a Clark Baptist (nowconditionalist) association and not infellowship with the Predestinarians of thatday, i.e., Beebe, Trott, Dudley. I would hatefor those who do not know to think that anybody of Predestinarian Baptists is infellowship with them. This is in the MorganEdwards’ excerpt. [I was very much awarethat the Predestinarian Old School andConditional Primitives were separate bodiesin the mid-nineteenth century. But I wasunaware of the Ketocton’s present affiliationsor doctrines -. S.P.]

Please do not think that I would makeanyone an offender for a word, but “PrimitiveBaptist” can (as you well know) mean almostanything in this day. Please take this as asuggestion, not a complaint, that adifferentiation should be made when talkingabout those, who as the “seven women” havelaid hold of one man and want to eat theirown food (have their own doctrine) and weartheir own apparel (go about to establish theirown righteousness) but want the name of theMan to take away their reproach. They aredeceivers of the simple and many other thingswhich could be added here. But I will forbear.You know them well without my telling you.

I was also glad to see the articles by I.K.In my first reading of the old GospelStandard, I had no idea who I.K. was, butknew he wrote the truth. In learning it wasJohn Kay, my opinion did not lessen, butrather grew. He was the best writer that theStandard ever had. He wrote a book, TheInward Kingdom of God, which I have notbeen able to find.

Elder Hudson I knew when I lived inOklahoma. I always thought the world of him.I first met him at Pilgrim Rest Church just outof Fordyce, Ark., and until the trouble struckwould see him there and other places in my

travels. I have always enjoyed his writings.I will close with the prayer that God will

continue to bless you for Christ’s sake in thework He has called you to do. Is there anyway of getting a complete set of the backissues of the paper? I would be glad topurchase them if they are available. May theLord bless you. Yours in hope,Robert N. Lackey

Lexington, Ky. 40503Sept. 22, 1983

Dear Mr. Phillips,I have been thinking about you lately and

so thought I would write you. There havebeen many good articles in ThePredestinarian in the recent issues and I amglad I learned of the paper. In the last issue,your article on “Duty Faith” was very goodand from this article and others that you havewritten, I feel that the Lord has shown youand me some similar truths. I don’t know howfamiliar you are with the “Baptist Bride”group, or the Conditional Primitive Baptists,but you have been shown the same thingconcerning them that the Lord has shown me.[I’ve been “schooled” by the Lord in both ofthese groups — S.C.P.] I am very familiarwith both of these groups and their beliefs —(and I believe that basically all thedenominations of today are in the samecondition). Regardless of what “set ofdoctrines” they claim to believe, nearly allgroups today are filled with worldly peoplewho give no evidence of being different fromthe world in talk, act, or dress, and so ratherthan hurt anyone’s feelings or take a chanceon reducing their numbers, they water theScriptures down to suit their own situation.The “Baptist Bride” group tell the people thatif they don’t bring forth good works that theywill not be in the “Bride” and will lose manyrewards in heaven (but they will still get toheaven!): and the conditional group of

Primitives tell the people that they will onlylose blessings in this life if they don’t bringforth good works (but they will still get toheaven!) And so is it any wonder that we arein the cold, dead, carnal condition that we arein today? Is it any wonder that the “churches”are filled with worldly people? Surely not!Certainly these are perilous times when evil iscalled “good” and good is called evil: andmen are lovers of pleasure more than loversof God: and because iniquity abounds the loveof many has waxed cold! It is sad anddiscouraging to view the wickedness of non-professors, but how much more so that thosewho profess to be God’s peculiar peoplepartaking of the same wickedness. I don’tknow your beliefs about these things, and Ihope I write this in humbleness and love andnot in a holier-than-thou attitude, but I don’tbelieve that God’s people should have a T.V.and watch all the ungodliness that is shown onit, and I don’t believe God’s people shouldattend movies and other such worldly places. Idon’t believe God’s people should go aroundhalf-naked or wear revealing clothes either. Itnever ceases to amaze me how people can livein the above, but yet talk so freely of God.Maybe I am wrong, but I don’t believe thatone can be in close communion andfellowship with the Lord and at the same timehave their minds on such stuff as is pouredthrough the T.V. screen and go around halfdressed. I haven’t even touched the tip of theiceburg yet, but hope you can see what I amtrying to say.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I knowthat either doing or not doing the above thingswill not save a man’s soul I believe thatsalvation is entirely of the Lord from start tofinish, and that God shall save all those whomHe chose before the foundation of the worldand none of them shall be lost. I believe thatman is totally dead spiritually and cannot andwill not seek God until and unless the God ofmercy gives him spiritual life, and even after

possessing spiritual life, the Lord must makeus both to will and to do of His good pleasure;for without Him we can do nothing. All thesethings are true, but I am afraid that we areresting on a few doctrines and are omittingmany others! It is easy to profess to believe inthe sovereignty of God, election,predestination, etc.; and to always be talkingand preaching on them, but these truths arenot all the Scriptures teach. I don’t want to bea legalist, and I hope I am not, but regard. lessof what I am, I am convinced that “faithwithout works is dead” and I believe thatGod’s elect people shall bring forth goodworks; not because they are better than otherpeople and not of their own doings, but theyshall bring forth good works because God hasbefore ordained that they should walk inthem. (John 15:16; Eph. 2:10)

I hope you can understand what I havetried to say. I must confess that I an. notperfect and that I fall far short of what Ishould be, and hopefully what I desire to be,but this is no excuse for sin. Not only must Iwar against these outward evils, but I find thatinwardly I am full of sin also. How cold andlifeless I am as I try to read or pray and howmy mind wanders. And even worse than this,what lustful worldly thoughts I find in myheart so often! O wretched man that I am,who shall deliver me from this body of deathand this deceitful heart? Only the Lord GodOmnipotent is able and the Lamb worthy todeliver me. And so unto Him who loved usand died for us and washed us from our sinsin His own blood be glory, power anddominion forever and ever! I am insufficientto even write of these things, and seeing andfeeling the sin that is in me, I often fear that Iam not born again, but a self righteoushypocrite.

Well, I must stop. Write if you feel led toand I will appreciate it.In a low place,(editors withhold name)