Page:Groves - Darbyism - Its Rise and Development and a Review of the Bethesda Question.djvu/25

 Newton—and both the natural result of the condition of things in Plymouth: and we find Mr. Newton then placing our Lord, by virtue of his relation to Adam, and not vicariously, under ”sentence of death,” and under the inflictions of the hand of God in wrath otherwise than as our sin-bearer. It is painful to reflect how far the truth was departed from in vain speculations on the position occupied by the Lord in his relation to God and to mạn, which must, if but carried out to their legitimate result, open the way for the denial of those essential verities, which an impartial reader, perusing Mr. Newton’s writings, could but see he held as well as his opposers. That love which alone can enable one to deal rightly with the errors of another, was wanting; and Mr. Newton’s erroneous views were so taken up, distorted, and exaggerated, that those not then mixed up with the discussions, and looking back upon them through the influence of time and circumstances, can but wonder how it was possible that those pro fessing themselves actuated by the holiest principles of love for the Lord’s honour, could so forget their Master and his grace, as to come to the controversy in a spirit, that in its uncharitable character tended to cast into the shade the erroneous statements of him whom it was sought to withstand. Truth fears no error, and light dreads no darkness: this it is needful to remember, or man will come to fight the Lord’s battles with an arm of flesh. Had the truth been the only thing to have been defended in the present conflict, the antagonists of error would have been content with the armour of light;” they would not have gone to buckle on Saul’s armour, or to use his sword and his bow; they would have been content with the five smooth stones from the brook of the water of life, and have met the evil in faith, with the sling and with the stone. The object of the war in the mind of him who wages it may ever be judged of by the weapons he makes use of: if the war is undertaken for the honour of God, it will be remembered, that He is as much to be honoured in the manner of the conflict, as in its legitimate end; for he who strives for masteries is not crowned unless he strive according to the laws laid down by Him who has appointed the conflict. Judging of the war then going on at Plymouth by this rule, we see truth and error, right and wrong, so lost sight of in the personal animosities that reigned, that those religious disputes became a byword and a reproach—a lie on the principles professed, and a libel on the name of Him whom all called Lord and Master.

How far Mr. Darby was the person to come forward against Mr. Newton, after the painful position he had occupied towards him but two years before; or how far he has before or since proved himself guiltless in this