A more effectual or scientific method of inculcating antinomianism could not well be devised. It is the old Walkerite view revived, of “crediting a testimony and consenting to a proposition,” a method by which the Gospel is used as a salve to ease the conscience, whilst the person is still left where he was before—a person of the world. And this method of Gospel preaching has been adopted by many for years, and furnishes a ready mode of conversion, with which Satan has little or no controversy, as it can always be “anon with joy received.” It is, therefore, no wonder that with these parties the life of faith is considered far better expressed by “taking a right Church position,” and by “standing on true church ground,” than in all other matters put together,or in Christian experience of any kind.
Now, if we adopt a similar rendering to this in other vital passages, and on other subjects, how will it be? For instance, “the new birth.” Thus, “Except a man be born on the principle of (ek) water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “That which is born on the principle of the flesh, is flesh,” &c. “Which were born not on the principle of blood, nor on the principle of man, nor on the principle of the will of the flesh, but on the principle of God.” (John, i. 13.) “He that committeth sin, is on the principle of the devil,” &c., and so on.
Here the grammar and construction are preserved just as in the former, but the sense and meaning entirely altered. Now, there is just as much truth in saying, one is born on a principle, as in saying, one is justified on a principle. It has no foundation whatever save in the author’s imagination—none whatever from the original language.
ANSWER.
In no case does the term, “by faith” refer to God, as if God were acting on a principle. The term cannot possibly refer to God. Neither does it mean that a sinner in believing is acting on a principle. A sinner, when his eyes are open to his sins, knows nothing of principles; he simply takes bold of an object with all his soul. It is not merely that he credits a testimony on a principle, or is at agreement with the principle on which God is acting; but he grasps a revelation with all the strength of his soul, and makes the object of that revelation his own. This is faith and justification “by faith.” Of course, God in all His works and ways acts on a principle, and He had His own ways and principles in elabo-
