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OI' CHRISTIAN CONl)U€T. • .>\^wv>».. .,^,-»,^'» \ A SEKMON PREACHED a/ THE OPENlNtJ QV THE SYNOD OF. TUK FREE CnUliCII OF NOVA-SeOTlA, AT NEW (iLASGOVV, JUNE iGxir, 1850. • ■ ■ , BV THE REV. ANDKEW KING, M. A. Professou of Tueolouv, IIaliI' ax. HALIFAX*, NOVA-SCOTIA, ^ rUBLIltoD by' a. & W. MACJvIJ^LAY. -3»L. V r. r^ N *«•' .f TO THE MINISTERS AND ELDEBS OP TQB \ ^ ■ FREE SYNOD OF NOVA-St^OTIA, THE FOLLOWING SERMON, PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST, « a IS MO§T BESPECTIULLY DEDICATED. . \( T THE TRUE RULE OF CIIRrSTIAN CONDUCT. A SERMON. PniLiPPUNS iii. IS, IG. — ^ L6t us therefore, as 'many at be perfect, bt t/iils minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already al- tained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." My Reverend Fathers and Brethren are aware that there it •ome diversity of reading in the 16th verae. This common text (n^^v •ij"© 'irrr. ",crcLc, wvn. lo^mcrly reckon..! g«i.. to l,i.„, lu- now counlodlo,, or C * •• YW:.lo..l..l'..." 1.0 -a,,, "a..,! I ...u^. all Unna; la. lo« for „^ 1,1,0 rom.a i..l.i.n, not Laving hi. ,>..n riKl,.oou,..c«,w.ol. .* "1 r law, l,u. that wl,icV i< tkrougl. the li.i.h of Cl.ri... tho r,gl.t..o.,,no.< ,hich i orCo,! b, faiih. Much a. he ha/, alrea,ly »,.ficrc,l ,n the »,.r. Tea 1 lor .1,0 sake of hi, M«.er, ovi.lon.ly a, divine sr,.eo l.a.l boon ■ "orkt ' in him an.l l,y hi.n, ha .li.l not re.t .atislicl in .1,0 a.ia.n.-.-t. ■ ^ , .. ho ha,. ,na.h., he diJ no, feel him^el.' U. ho a. liberty to ..o,. »ho,. hi career, t .n .he contrary, knowing that bo bad no, yet al.n.ned, , a . was ,.0. ye, perleet. that heither bi, work ,.or hi., eharajHf r «a ycTb o.,ll„ to Ml . a„.rity. he forgot the tbiag, .ha, were beb.n.l, he CZ 1or.l. „n.o .ho.e ,hing, that we,-o be.ore, -' F-e. wa 0.e n>a.k Tor .be ,,ri,.e of ,1,0 high calbn, o, (.od ,„ <'!"-' J; '^;,,j^^^ . -Ibo wo,-,l» of our text, to .■hieb we have now more P""™ " ?." "", our attention, bo exhort, the I'bilipi.ia". !" " '""''"I ™";2 ,w 1 V , . .berelore, fa .nany a, bo perfeet, be tbn, m.ndod , a.*l d .n ""? " .^ J; ho Olherwisc minded, (iod shall reveal even .1„» unto yon. ^ev. ..be ,1, 'dlcJo wo ha,; ,.lre.ady attain,..!, let n, walk by tbo eame rule, h. us mind the same tiling." . ,., , , ,i ..„„„ i.lmulf ai A, the apostle bad jus, dochired that !,o .ltd ne look "PO" '"^''- '^'_ ,„.i„. pcrf. '.t, i, is evi,lent .hat when, iu the tex,, ho say, ■• I.el u, he e .... ,„..nv .,s be verfecl, he .bus n.inded :" be uses *e word ' per- ; ■• ; ..1^.^1 and reh;,ivo sense. The word wbich i« *«"-;';; d nroporlv si^n;lle, one who has reached the end : «deno OS that ,o , he rfr°,on and p,oper stale of whleb ncbi.,? is wa.,.ing. I, .s al- m- y d, h„wev.'r. .' i.b' .U.reren, sl..a.les of meaning, to to>«'""»''"^- .oipared wi.b an infant or a youth i-lo denote one ,.cf,.o««nn to. quaiatanco with any ar,-or seienee.-,o denolo one « r^tcrrf •" mo.^1 Tl reli-ious „..ain,nen.s-and. without reference to the progress acu- ally ma3e. it is en.ployed ,o denote one who ,ims a, pcrfocon ; . h. ;^ fo" man. in .bis sense, being one. no. who has f^^y^^ Lion, but who keeps i, babilually in view, and who s, holy apo8.1e, and prophcs by V^" ''^''^j^^ „,\u tae. should bo fellow heirs, an., of «.e same bod , ^J^^'^ Colos- promise in Chris, by the gospel." So, '^^^l'^^J^\^^^, ^ath been Lns, at .he 20,h verse, ^e -penksof " be^« ^ .„^.. hid from ages and from genera..ons, ''"V' " .\" „, ... „,„™ of .he .. .,hou, God would make -'"O- » »- ! :;„'^::, . e h:^^ " mystery among .he gentiles j which i» thnsl m y°"' J , ^,1,^™ tL.oL.emen« clearly indicalc a <>' ««-°;' '^;;:;r .wi „1"* ..yoyed a. different timcsby the church,.n tbedgre^^^^^^^^ ri.e has been favoured, »H con«quen.ly^ .n .ho degre wWch .he could make in the full '"■1™;«»7"'J"' ''^^''.Sy, U no ■ffhi* i. tiui evident when w« coDKder the church a. a DO y. ,^,? %« TM TIUI ECril Of CUKUITIAN CONDLCT. ^ T iMt tfldcnt when we look to Iho individuaU of whom it it en(npoa«d. Tho work o( enlightening iind ^nctifying tho aoul is not completed the instant that any one turns » from dtirkniM to light, and from the power ofMitanunto Cod." However fully tho gospel may have been set be- fore him, his Mpprchonsions of it nt first umy bo very indistinct. It it the light of djvinc truth which hui bearavd upon his soul, ho himself i| DOW rendered "light in tho Lord ;" hut he has many lessons still to learo. In tho work of regeneration he hai been renewed, indeed, in tho whole man after the imago of God, but tho fcatilfes of that image arc but im- perfectly developed ; and he has still to grow both in graco and In the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Tho apostio John accordingly speoks, in reference to spiritual attainment, of " little chiKi dren," of "young men," and of" fathers ;" the language employed ex- pressing very clearly tho idea, that while those who constitute these dif- ferent classes are, all of them, God's people, tho young men are not so matured as tho fathers, and the little children are still less advanced than the young men. The same individual may, in the progress ol time, be presented to us in these successive stages ; ond tho church, whether we look to tho progress of notmal life or to.\ho developement of that which is spiritual, in its numerous^mbors and thoir diversified eireumstaneei, presents io us a body composed at once of little children, of young men, ihd of fathers, diflering much in the progress which they have mad% but all partakers of divine grace, and dear to him who carries the lamba m his bosom, and who also says, Isaiah, xlvi. 4, « even to your old ago I am he ; and cv6n to hoar hairs will I carry you." 2nd. While tho Christian life moy consist with very low degrees of attainment, It is nevertheless progressive; and tho Christian must presa on toward tho mark for the prize of the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus. Tho apostio does not write here as one who held that, the Christianity of these Philippians being admitted, their diversity of views, their prejudices, their errors, were of no consequence. On the contrary, he anticipates the time when they would come taa fuller aoknowledg. ment of the truth, and when even those things on which they differed would bo revealed to them. « If in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this onto you." And here it may be necessary to observe that, although we hav« hi- therto confined our remarks to the greater or less amount of knowledge ud of positive Christian attainment which some may possess as com- pared with others, all of whom are really the followers of Christ, the dl- yeraity of which the apostle speaks does not result so much from eunpla 'gQorAQce, in tho cas9 of those who mo ^otherwiM minded," m from tht »•." ,* ■•'«# J- t •fiiK FRtJE BULii or cimi.sn.vN conduct. . . r 1 « .rn.», tho holdlhK of some views which are opi»6.sed to it. He hiraseii imu sncaUs of those who were evop have tan, ''''■ ;^"r.«lena-.- I" *« «»?«., Ihcy ma, adopt .,, „,„ „„. P»;«-^f^ 7J™%b ,„, 9.) and ,a,,.. Wear, but the lansoage of B.Uad the bhu _ , ^ .cj^rflagly speak of of yesterday, and know not ung. J"" »^ J „^ mysteries of re their progress in knowledge. ™ ""°';"'„8,^„ j^^j^ '„ ,o„u !„,„._ Nay, they tell f \''''' ™7'' "' i„,,_,i„„. The apostle Panl says, sr';:: i:x ^ -„•. .-h u„.o .e Ge„.i.s.^^^^^^^^^^^ „eno.on.n^enn«^v.ew.asfa^^^^ . no error. Tl)e holdmg ol error i Oneness of mnd docs ordered ..«e of mind fjom «"f " .^;°;, ^Ic clearness of . notneeessarijy i.1^.. -^^ K,.or , perception ; but it certaimy mp oiintradiction of the truth.- #is the very principle of ^^^^^^^Tm^^^ "i- -^«" Still farther, it is essentially sintul. fo i is a com a ^^^^^ .«is light, and in whom is no d^^knes. «t aU^ E^ ea - j^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^,,^. " be different degrees of attainment, for God alone IS omni^^^^^ .^ Uly perfect; yet there, notwithstanding di^^^^^^^^^ .^^^. oneness of mind, there is no Contr-'^-^^on^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ bitants there in God's light eee ligh. ^^^;'^^!;;"^, ^^ded, God therefore, when he says-if in any Uiingy^^^^^^ ^ shall reveal even this unto you," «» »«' "^^'^^ ^""^"^ " ...j „or isit, t ved, for omniscience is exclusively the per^^ctic. of God, n^^^^ ^^^^ that they shall be all brought to the same level, for they my ^^ .^ fol differing, as " on.mr ^i^f-''^^^ ^"^^^ divid- i,, that their mistakes shallbe corrected, aad that error, Uaati y ing principle, shall be removed. ^ _ . ^j^I, r^. , : i d^ion impfies, on the part of tha^a^^^^^^ "^sft- lid to it. pirit of were nay rc- J"0, and eaturcs, f adopt arc but peak of s of rc- L into.— ler ends, ,ul says, aints, is Bcarclia- wslup of ;D hid in wn htj the 1 purpose Bsc angels rheyliold and a dis- nind docs jarnesa of ,n. K«.or ,e truth.— II im who" there must t and ab=o- e, there is ; the inha- he apostle, inded, God ihallbo rc- 1, nor is ii, oay be still Orj,;"butic truly cliviJ- ingwitb rc- THB rnu« RUL* or cnRlSTlA.f COKDUCt. • gard to God's people whom ho sees to bo in error, and of whom h» h«r«i «peaks as being otherwise minded, that stands oui in distinct contrast toi that which is implied in the expression " let us agree to differ." That phi-aee, when employed with regard to religious truth, means that, frtuU professing to hold certain principles as upon the authority of God's word* word, we are perfectly willing that others should not only remain igno- rant of them, but should even reject them, and cling to the opposing er* ror. Nor is that all. Right religious principles are the appropriate sourco from which right moral qonduct is to proceed ; as is implied in the prayer of our Saviour, " Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word is truth." On the other hand, where erroneous principles a^-? adopted, corresponding evil fruits will be produced in the life. In <^pe circum- fllances therefore, to " agree to differ," implies our willingness or consent that the parties with whom we thus agree should remain ignorant of, and even opposed to, that truth which God, has revealed for the Very end " that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," — that they should remain under the power of those preju- dices and errors which, to all the e'itent to which they operate, obstruct advancement in those ways in which it is found that ** the path of tb« just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." This is ah agreement into which no man has a right to enter. — It is true, whdre means, and even the most appropriate means, may b« employed to disabuse the mind of a brother of the errors by whieh it ii entiiralled, he may continue wedded to those erfors still. But with what-r ever tenacity error may be clung to, we are not to give it the sanction which is implied in agreeing that any one should hold by it. If we would exonerate our own conscience, we must act upon the charge, Levit. zix. 17., " Thou shall noS hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in anj wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him." And although duty does not call upon us, in every case, lo engage in a direct discussion . of the controverted topics, and still less to prosecute such discussion, when entered upon, till the brother is convinced of his error and brought to embrace the truth ; yet it does require that we be careful to make our light shine before men ; and, particularly, that we so act as that even where we decline controversy — where it may seem most advisable to let opposers alone— we nevertheless give them no warrant to suppose that it is with our approval that they abide in their errors. It does not alter the case to tell us, that these men who are otherwise minded may be as conscientious as we in the views which they hold, and that eachviias a right to the exercise of his own judgmctvt. Tho re- nktks whwh we are now making do not at all interfere with the right of '% («■' T rW 10 THB TnU» Btftl Of CmUSTUN CONDUCT, individaal judgment. Every man is bound, for the regulation of his oun eondnct, and under his solemn responsibility to God, to « try the spirits." But the right of individual judgment is very different from a right, in the exercise of it, to reject any part of that counsel which God has been pleased to reveal. No man has, or can have, a right to reject the truth and to cling to error. In the exercise of what is not only his right, but hs duty, to judge and to prove all tilings, ho may come to a wrong con- elusion ; and instead of holding fast that which is good, he may beheve a lie. In this, however, he sins. Foi his sin in thus rejecting the truth and believing a lie, he is responsible to God ; and there arc many cases in which, if he carry out his belief into practice, he may be made to feel that he is under a responsibility also to man. He may be quite consci- entiouB in the views which he holds, just as Saul of Tarsus was, when he thought that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth : but ev^n conscience is an unsafe guide if it is not enligU- ened. Notwithstanding the strength of our conviction that we are right, when we believe a lie, the error which we hold is an error stUl ; and the very strength of our conviction that it is a truth, will only render it all the more influential in urging us on in a course that is wrong. The a* postle understood this well ; and while he raises no question about tie conscientiousness of those who were otherwise minded, on the contrary, admitting their sincerity, and speaking to them as brethren, so far from agreeing that they should continue to differ, as if that were a matter of no consequence, he tells them that he anticipates the time when their views would be changed. He cannot agree to it that their heavenward course should be always impeded by that error wBch at present so far Enthrals their mind— that they should always be^trangers to ihe sancti- Jying and comforting influences of Ifcat truth to which they are now op- //posed.; and his affection for them as brethren, leads him to rejoice m the thought that even this wottld yet be revealed to them. 3rd. Divine revelation is the source of that Ught which dispels error, and guides the feet in the way of peace. This is true with respect to an external revelation. It is the testimony of tiie Lord that is sure, making wise the simple; and he who would truly cleanse his way must take heed thereto according to God's Word. The words of our text, howev- er, do not seem to refer so much to the necessity of an external Revelati- on, that the truth which makes wise unto salvation may be presented to the mind, as to the necessity of the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that the truth thus revealed may be received into the heart. In so far as m«re objective exhibition of the truth is concerned, that had been already en- joyed in tiie experience of those of whom the apostic here speaks. Ht ..mm * ■ f ■ TBC TRUE BULK OF CttRISTUM CONDUCT. It hifl own spirits." it, in the as been lie truth igbt, but >ng COD* r believe llxe truth ,ny cases le to feel J consci- whenhe of Jesua i enligld- ire right, ; and the lerit all The a* ibout tie contrary, > far from matter of hen their avenward !nt so far he sancti- J now op- >ice in the pels error, ipecttoan re, making must take tt, howev- il^evelati- esented to it, that the r as m«re Iready en- eaks. Hf had iaade known to {hem the truth, in the|^ inspired communications wUk , which they had been Already favoured ; but with respect to some ports of that revelation they were still "otherwise minded." It is in refer- ence to instruction already addressed to them that he says, " Let us therefoi^e, as many as be perfect be thus minded" ; while he adds, " and if in any thing ye be otVerwiso minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." 'Even where men enjoy the advantage of an external revelation, there is need still further of inward divine teaching ; for " the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually dis- cerned." It is not when the gospel i^ merely preached, but when, in connexion with the preaching of the gospel, the Lord, as in the case of Lydia, opens the heart, that the entrance of the word gives light and li- berty to the souL " The carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. viiu 7.— • It is opposed to the holy, humbling truths of God's word; and even where renewing grace has been experieoeed, and a progress has been made in sanetification, there are still found opposing principles within.— Pride, prejudice, carnal affection in its various operations, may still ob- struct the progress of the work where it has been begun: but the gospel had come to these Philippians, as it had come to the Thessaloniana, ** not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much as- surance" ; and the apostle was confident of this very thing, that he which had beguv%i good work in them, would perform it antil the day of Jesus Chridt. ' '" 4th. It is a special duty incumbent iipon those who have beenthiis en- lightened to walk in this light— to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing. The language of the apostle here does not only imply that we are not to Dart with truth already received— that we ar^ to guard a- gainst d6dension or backsliding, but expressly enjoins the holding fast, and for the present regulation of our conduct, that which we have re- ceived. These attainments are so many talents, which must not be at any time hid in a napkin. Having received the love of the truth that we may be saved, we must walk in the light of that truth, we must make our light so shine before men, that others seeing our good works, maf glorify our Father who is in heaven. The doe consideration of t^b^U enable us to understand whose at- tainments it is of which the apostle speaks, when he says, " whereto wa have already attained, let us walk by the same^le, let ns mind the same thing," There are many who seem to conceive that the apostle here ne* '■■' 'ti'sx ^saar- '. IJ TUB TRUE RrL« 01' CHIUSTIAN CONPVCt. ' far. to What ftiay be admitted to be the attainment* of those who differ 1 us-tha? he truths which we hold in common do constitute at Lweto we have attained ; and that in other matters we must ^ust "a- . Tree d^ffern^^^^^ fames wS may be arrayed in support of such a view w.th all defer- / . o thX names we have no hesitation in saying that it has no sup- . 1 trrrds of tlvT apostle, it i« inconsistent with the object ot port from the ^^^f '* ,'dicL o some of the plainest statements of his argument . h cont^^^tory to _^l^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ .^ ^^^^ ^^ Hnd's word. It IS quite absuru m usbh. .tv =■ j i „ i i.„ cribedTo the aposUe mi^ht have been very distinctly expressed hud h , eribed to ine ap • ^^ nevertheless whereto you have al- addressing those that differed, 8a'«' " .^ ,^j^,,lf ^nd - wllk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing Bu w nlc tl is ^ hL I do for"ettin. those things which are behina*an.J reaching^ forth thing I do, *o'-«eiiin I ^ o ^ ^^^j^^ ^^^ ^^^^ p^,^^ unto those things which ^J^.^«^^^^^^^ .. ^he sentiment which is ♦ fid wth knowledge and understanding those whom they are eal- nuoils had yet reached. It is true, in Dncging wu L°th.l /regard .0 .h,ir progr^, -deoa>e he »,y la^^^^ .Uk, while other, n,., h. «o»nsM with rtrong meat : tot adapMg rUK XKL'K nW\i or GtolSTUN CU.HUVCT. It iaatruction to the capacity and progress of those who need to bo instruct- ed, U something essentially diflorent from mcctin}; wiih them simply on the ground of tiutli held in common, and " agreeing to dillcr" on every tbin{» else. They who themselves maintain, and who ascribe to the apoaile, the sentiment which we are now controverting, seem to ^hink iliat the inte- rests of the truth have been suinoionlly proyidod for, wlicu, u\ connexion with this rule of acting on truths held in common, each i.^ to IioM his distinctive principles up«n this understood " nsrecnicnt to dilFcr." But upon this we observe, in tl^e first place, that the di:^tiric(ive truths which are thus heM„ arc, by such agreement, rendered unavailing lo the very parlies who netcr I. Sectioa 4. X TUB TBUt AULK Of CHRI8TIA}( CONPtCT. \$ It is with respect to this that he thankji God in behalf of t.he Cbrfstiani at 'Rome (Roqians vi. 17.), that they had obejedfrom the heart that form of doctrine which had been deliverod them ; and it is with respect Ho the same revelation that he sajs to Timothy (2 Tim. i. 13.), " Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast beard of mc, in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus." This revelation, recorded in the Scrip- tures, comes to us, in its various portions, with the weight of divine au- thority ; and both dBno full extent of which the world does not yet know ; but what has been the result ? Confessedly the most influential religious body in Scotland, the Free Church is honoured to dispense to a nume- rous population there the ordinanoes of Christ's house administered in their purity. She has been the mcami of awakening the attention of men to principles a regard to which is essential to tho right constitution of society, as wicll ai to the scriptural adminisirntion of gospel ordinan- ces. In France, in Switzerland, in Prussia, movements are now in 'progress, of deepest interest to tho advonccnfent of Christ's kingdom, which have been originated or accelerated through tho light which she has been enabled to display. From all parts of the, world applica- tions have been addressed to her for aid ; and, notwithstanding tho scan- rtiness of her means and tho difliculties with which she herself has to con- tend, she has not been inattentive to such applications. These provin- ces of British North America have partaken largely of her liberality.— . Different parts on the continent of Europe, the West India Islands, the wide spread plains of India, anil tho rising settlements of Auet)|nalin, have been helped by her in various degrees. God has blessed her people with- largeness of heart; and they find that there is that scaitfereth, and ypt increaseth. With the light which events have^tbt^own upon princi- ples, can any friend of true religion, look upon (hese things and yet la- ment that the ministers and people of the Free Church adhered to truth, though at the expense of separating from brethren? We have cast in our lot with that church, and are bound to maintain the same standard. That stanc^ard contains principles which many here, whom we regard as brethreri, deny and oppose. It is not, however, the measure oUheir liglik which must regulate our conduct. Whereto we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Events too are showing the importance of the things in vfhich - we differ. Look, for instance, at what in Britain is now the great questi- on of the day— the education of the people. The dangers to which they ar€ exposed from overw*helraing masses of a population whose educatioi* J iy*. TiiF. rnrr nrtr. or cmiwruN roMncrt. * hni been neglected, nro forcing unwilling •Ute«men to acknowledge tli»l thcyhaveaduty to dUclmrge with reaped to tliU— iliU noddy cannot be kept together wlihoul religion— tj^at they mmt concern themiiolvee with the education of tiioto wliora they are called to rule, and timl that education muil bo baaed upon the Bible. Look alflo to the Habbath.— How little could it havo been anticipated, a ehort time ago, that atatea- mm wouhl, to soon, Imvo madn the conccwione In Its favour which have lately been obtained 1 Wo dt^jiot aay that human legislation can make ft people pioui, or that acta of parliament can aocuro the spiritual obscr- vanco of the Sabbath ; but wo do any, and it is our duty na a Church to u;ll tho civil maglatratc, whether ho will hoar, or whether he will for- bear, that there la a legitimate oxcrciso of hU power whi.ch may remove obHlruciiona to tho due obacrvanco of the Sabbath, which may facilitate the meana of attending on divine ortlinancea, and extend tho bleaainga of a rdigioua education ; and that it la hia duty to exercise hia power for thile enda ; while atill wo look to-divine grace— but grace to be expect- eti in attendance on diyine ordinances— to enlighten tho faiind, to aanc- tify tho heart, and to form a people to orderly habits in what concerns their civil relation!, as having been taught supremely to honour him by whom kings reign and princes decree justice. Whereto, therefore, wo have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the eantRihing. ■J ■ • ■ - o , 1 ■ II i i I m *X. f ' r\