01.00. Four Treatises

Four Treatises by Haldane, James Alexander

CONTENT

Preface Treatise 1 - The Wisdom of God Displayed in the Mystery of Redemption Treatise 2 - The Prayer of Moses Treatise 3 - On the Duty of Self Examination Treatise 4 - On the Faith of the Gospel Appendix: (Finish)

FOUR TREATISES ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:

1. MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION.

2. PRAYER OF MOSES.

3. DOCTRINE AND DUTY OF SELF-EXAMINATION.

4. ON THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL. TO WHICH IS ADDED THE REVELATION OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. BY

J. A. HALDANE.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY GEORGE MITTON, (SUCCESSOR TO EDWARD VARTY).

27, CAMOMILE STREET, E.C.

1878.

ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION

T0 THE FOUR -TREATISES. THE Author of this little volume deems no apology necessary for its publication. It consists of four short Treatises on subjects connected with the eternal welfare of every individual of the human race; and the writer considers it to be the duty of every believer in Christ, to endeavor, by all the means in his power, to call the attention of his fellow­sinners to the glorious gospel of his God and Savior. In the first of the following Treatises the writer has attempted---how feebly he is well aware---to point out some part of the Divine Wisdom, as displayed in the Mystery of Redemption. This is a subject of boundless extent---a subject too immense for the in­tellect of an angel to grasp in all its gran­deur---but at the same time one which ought habitually to occupy our minds. In the Incarnation of the Son of God is displayed the immensity of the misery of man, as occasioned by the fall, by the immensity of the Remedy which was necessary to restore him to happiness. Here then we may medi­tate with profit, and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, learn that wisdom which cometh from above. In the second Treatise is attempted an illustration of one of the most beautiful pieces of Poetry recorded in the sacred volume. The Author considers, that a part of that Psalm, entitled "The Prayer of Moses," refers, not as is perhaps most generally supposed, to man’s returning to the dust, but to the Resurrection at the last­ day---and he has accordingly endeavored to support this view by a reference as well to other passages of scripture, as to the context. May the remarks which arose out of the consideration of this Psalm, by the blessing of God, prove useful in establishing the believer in his most holy faith, and in showing to some poor sinner the freeness and the efficacy of that gospel which can alone enable us to live with comfort, and support us in that hour when the world, with all its enchantments, is receding from our eyes, and we are about to appear before the Lord of the Universe. The third Treatise on the Doctrine and Duty of Self-examination, was originally published in the year 1806. A new edition has been repeatedly asked for, and the Author hopes that this attempt to enforce a most important duty will not be the less acceptable because it does not appear in a separate form. The last Treatise is on the Faith of the Gospel; it was written many years ago, and is now published without alteration. It was the aim of the writer to remove, so far as he was able, that obscurity in which he considered this subject to have been occa­sionally involved---to show that the mind of the Christian ought not, in the Examination of his Faith, to be so much occupied with the manner as with the substance of his belief---to show that the gospel cannot be really believed merely speculatively, and that those who either trust to their Faith as an act, or to their clear views of the Nature of Faith, instead of fixing their attention on the great Object of Faith, are alike entangled in a grand and most fatal error.

Before concluding these remarks, the writer cannot but advert to the different characters of those into whose hands these pages may possibly come. It is a melan­choly consideration, that the largest pro­portion of the people who live in a country where the gospel is preached, are borne along the current of life, forgetful of God, and regardless of eternity.---Such unconcern In a matter that regards their everlasting happiness or misery, is indeed calculated to inspire awe as well as amazement. Whether he engages in the pursuit of wealth, or enters on the race of ambition---whether he devotes himself to the attainment of knowledge, or surrenders himself to the allurements of pleasure---observe the eagerness with which man grasps at earthly happiness. And is it not astonishing, that while he knows death is approaching, and that a frail and un­certain life alone separates him from the unseen world, he can deliberately thrust aside the thought of eternity, as if it were possible to annihilate it by ceasing to enter­tain it in his thoughts. If men would act on their own maxims in regard to religion, they would at once confess that such conduct is irrational, shocking to common sense, and in the highest degree criminal. Does not this inconceivable blindness to his own interest, as it has been well remarked by the profound Pascal, prove the truth of Christianity, and show how strange a re­volution has been wrought on man by the fall.

There are others who advance a step farther, and openly avow their disbelief in Christianity. It would be to little purpose to argue with those who triumph in their infidelity, and attempt, in spite of the secret warnings of conscience, to brave their Maker, and "rush upon the thick bosses of Je­hovah’s buckler." But if we could imagine anyone who entertained doubts on this subject, and was yet desirous of information, we would direct him to that book to Which) all have access, and desire him to read it with attention, and then pronounce whether it can possibly be a forgery. We would desire him to look at the long succession of prophecies, at the end of two thousand years centering in Jesus Christ: we would desire him to look at the life, the miracles, the dis­courses, the death and resurrection of the redeemer; we would desire him to look at his apostles, chosen from among the poor fishermen of Galilee, and commissioned to preach that gospel which has overturned idolatry, superstition, and the systems of false philosophy, wherever it has come: we would desire him to look at the history of Jews, and compare it with their present condition, scattered as they are all over the world, and yet preserved in a state of com­plete separation---and after looking at this standing testimony to the miraculous power of God, we would desire him to turn to the prophecies which are now being fulfilled, and observe the progress which the gospel is making---a progress which, like the ad­vancing tide, may occasionally have ap­peared to be changed for a receding impulse, but which will certainly go forward till the knowledge of the Lord cover the whole earth.---We would further desire the man we have supposed, to look at the sanctifying effect which this doctrine produces in the lives of those who embrace it---and then we would ask, if demonstration itself ought to produce a firmer conviction on the mind.

There is another class of men, and it is to be feared not a small one, who do not alto­gether neglect religion, who profess to believe in Christianity, and who, notwith­standing, pervert and misunderstand the gospel. They are zealous for the cause of morality, and apprehensive lest the freeness of the gospel-offers of pardon should lead to licentiousness. They therefore erect for themselves a system in which they make salvation through Christ a sort of consequence attendant on, or at best the con­comitant of, good, works. But they err, not knowing the scriptures. His honor God will not give unto another, and there is none other name given under Heaven whereby men can be saved, but the name of His beloved Son. "Without faith it is impos­sible to please God," (Hebrews 11:6) and "Faith is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) Until therefore we are en­dowed with this gift, no action we perform can be rewarded by the God of infinite purity. We may attribute our good works to God, as did the Pharisee, when he thanked God (Luke 8:11) on this very account; but if we do not come to Christ upon the same footing as did the thief upon the cross, we may rest assured that we are in some secret way flat­tering our pride, and building upon some "other foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 3:11) "Oh the pre­sumptuous vanity," it is well remarked by an eloquent writer, (Essay on Faith, by Thomas Erskine, Esq. p. 116.) whose words I am happy to quote, "Oh the presumptuous Vanity of men, who would dream of in­venting a defense for the interests of holiness, better and securer than that which God himself has appointed."

It were an endless task to point out the different ways in which men pervert and misapply the doctrine of our blessed Savior. But the author is happy to think, that there are also many who receive the truth in the, love of it; who are not ashamed of the gospel, but are prepared to follow their Master through good and through bad re­port. Should the following pages be useful to a single individual, in awakening him from false security, in confirming his faith, in removing his doubts, in "stirring up his pure mind by way of remembrance," or in enlarging his views of the wisdom and glory of God, the writer will feel himself highly honored, and the object of this publication will be fully answered.

George-street, Edinburgh,

June 13, 1823.