Lectures on Christian Theology Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833 Excerpt: ...constitution of our nature, all our actions are principally dependant upon the fixed determination of the will, which is again dependant upon the strength and clearness of the motives present to the understanding. Now we are frequently hindered by external circumstances which are beyond our controul, from the practice of virtue. In this case, we are without guilt, and the omission cannot be imputed to us. (Here, however, we are liable to deception by Vol. II. 44 346 ART. X. 1 16. HOW WE ARE REDEEMED FROM SIN. thinking we are without fault, when this is not true.) But often, the fault is in ourselves. We allow sense to rule our reason. We refuse properly to consider the motives placed before us, or we neglect opportunity of instructing ourselves respecting duty; or are chargeable, perhaps, with both of these faults. If now in this case, we disobey the law of God, we are apt to bemoan our weakness and want of power for doing good. Such faults and weakness of the understanding and will, cannot be corrected by any miraculous power afforded by Christ. And the virtue which should be effected by such a miraculous power, would cease to be a personal virtue of the one in whom it was wrought, and consequently could not be imputed to him. There is no other way, but for man to learn the motives to piety and the avoiding of sin which are presented in the Christian doctrine, and to form the fixed resolve, that, under divine guidance and assistance, he will govern his own will by what he knows to be the will of God and Christ. Only then, when he has done every thing on his part, can he count upon the divine assistance. Until man has done his part, he is incapable of that assistance which God and Christ have promised to afford. If we are wanting in this thankful lov...