But in process of time, and for want of clear conceptions and clear teaching, it came about that the real good works, commanded by Christ, as a part of the love of God required, were confounded with the rites and forms, and outward deeds commanded by the church, and which may be performed without the principle of love to Christ, which is exhibited in obedience to his teachings. The result has been that the teachings and writings of many Protestants often make the impression that the good works of a pure morality are of no avail and often very [pg 293] much in the way of a man's final salvation. Thus has arisen the distinction often made between good moral men and good religious men. This classification rests entirely on the Augustinian dogma, that until the depraved nature received from Adam is regenerated, all the moral acts of men, however virtuous and excellent, are “sin, and sin only.”
The true meaning of “justification by faith and not by works,” is that men are not to be saved by actually finding out in all possible cases what is for the best and then doing it, which no man ever did or ever can do without mistake; but rather by a ruling purpose to discover and to obey all the laws of the Creator. This last is the spiritual principle in opposition to mere outward acts. It is practical faith in God which is to save the soul of man. All, therefore, who believe Christ to be God are “justified” by faith in Christ. That is, they are regarded and treated as just and righteous, when they have this internal principle of obedience to Christ, even though they are never free from actual transgression of law, either known or unknown. Thus the ancient patriarchs were saved by faith in Christ, he being the God of the old dispensation as much as of the new.
That this is the sense in which the Reformers used the words “justification, or salvation by faith,” in opposition to “salvation by works,” may easily be proved. At the same time, it is as easy to show that they used this term in another sense also. But at this time no reference will be made to any other use than the one under consideration. Their other use of this term in reference to the atonement of Jesus Christ will be referred to hereafter.
The preceding exhibits the several ways in which the Angustinian theory tends to becloud the mind in regard to practical questions of right and wrong. These tendencies have been more or less counteracted by the implanted principles of reason. Still more have they been rectified by the steady and clear teachings of the Bible, which never, when truly interpreted, contradict either the moral sense or common sense of man, but rather strengthen them and guide them aright.
Chapter XLIV. Tendencies of the Two Systems in the Training of Children.
It has been shown that the common-sense system results from the implanted principles of mind, so that no person can be entirely free from its influence.
The Augustinian system has also been shown in its Calvinistic and Arminian tendencies.
The Calvinistic form, making it certain that, owing to the depravity of nature consequent on Adam's sin, every moral act is sin and only sin, while there is no revealed mode of securing regeneration, leads to hopeless inefficiency and neglect of religious advantages. The Arminian form, maintaining the efficacy of certain rites and ceremonies in securing regeneration, tends to a disastrous dependence on outward observances.
Those parents who are trained in the Calvinistic school, usually begin education more or less on the [pg 295] common-sense theory that children can and do please God when they are obedient, gentle, kind, self-denying and conscientious. Prayers and hymns are also taught to the little ones that make this impression.