The Analogy of Religion to the Constitution and Course of Nature. Butler Joseph
Having, in a previous chapter, [ch. iii.,] answered objections to Christianity as a matter of fact, and in this, as a general question of wisdom and goodness, the next thing is to discuss objections in particular.
As one of these is directed against the scheme, as just now described, it will be considered here.
Objec. Christianity is a roundabout, and perplexed contrivance; just such as men, for want of understanding or power, are obliged to adopt, in their designs.Ans. 1.) God uses just such complex arrangements in the natural world. The mystery is quite as great in nature as in grace.2.) We do not know what are means, and what are ends.3.) The natural world, and its government, are not fixed, but progressive.4.) Great length of time is required in some changes; e.g. animals, vegetables, geological periods, &c.5.) One state of life is a preparation and means for attaining another.6.) Man is impatient, but Jehovah deliberate.
CHAPTER V.
OF A MEDIATOR, AND REDEMPTION BY HIM.
Nothing in Christianity is so much objected to as the position assigned to Christ; yet nothing is more unjust. The whole world exhibits mediation.
I. Our existence, and all its satisfactions, are by the medium of others.
1. If so in the natural world, why not in the spiritual?
2. The objection therefore is not only against Christ’s mediation, but all mediation.
II. We cannot know all the ends for which God punishes, nor by whom he should punish.
1. Future punishment may be as natural a sequence of sin, as a broken limb is of falling from a precipice.
2. This is not taking punishment out of the hands of God, and giving it to nature; it is only distinguishing ordinary events from miraculous.
III. In natural providence, God has made provision that the bad consequences of actions do not always follow.
1. We may say God could have prevented all evil. But we see he permits it, and has provided relief, and even sometimes perfect remedies for it.1.) Thus the bad consequences of trifling on a precipice may be prevented by a friend, if we do not reject his assistance.2.) We may ourselves do much towards preventing the bad consequences of our misdeeds.3.) Still more if assisted.
2. It might have been perfectly just if it were not so; but that it is so, shows compassion, as distinguished from goodness.
3. The course of nature affords many instances of such compassion.
4. Thus analogy sanctions an arrangement, by which the ruinous consequences of vice or folly may be averted, at least in some cases.
5. If the consequences of rash and inconsiderate acts, which we scarcely call vicious, are often so serious, we may apprehend that the bad consequences will be greater, in proportion as the irregularity is greater.
6. A dissolute disregard to all religion, if there be a religion, is incomparably more reprehensible than the mere neglects, imprudencies, &c. of this life.
7. As the effects of worldly imprudence and vice are often misery, ruin, and even death, no one can say what may be the consequences of blasphemy, contempt of God, and final impenitence.
8. Nor can any one tell, how far the consequences of such great wickedness can possibly be prevented, consistently with the eternal rule of right.
9. Still there would, from analogy, be some hope of room for pardon.
IV. There is no probability that any thing we could do alone, would entirely prevent the effects of our irregularities.
1. We do not know all the reasons for punishment, nor why it should be fit to remit punishment.
2. Nor do we know all the consequences of vice, and so should not know how to prevent them.
3. Vice impairs men’s abilities for helping themselves.
4. Misconduct makes assistance necessary, which otherwise would not have been. Why should not the same things be so, as to our future interests?
5. In temporal things, behaving well in time to come, does not repair old errors, why should it as to future things?
6. Were it so in all cases it would be contrary to all our notions of government.
7. It could not be determined in what degree, or in what cases, it would be so, even if we knew it might in some cases.
8. The efficacy of repentance, as urged in opposition to atonement, is contrary to the general sense of mankind; as shown by the prevalence of propitiatory sacrifices.
V. In this state of apprehension, awakened by the light of nature, revelation comes in, and teaches positively, the possibility of pardon and safety.
1. Confirms our fears as to the unprevented consequences of sin.
2. Declares the world to be in a state of ruin.
3. That repentance alone will not secure pardon.
4. That there is a mode of pardon, by interposition.
5. That God’s moral government is compassionate, as well as his natural government.
6. That he has provided, by the interposition of a mediator, to save men.
7. All this seems to put man in a strange state of helpless degradation. But it is not Christianity which puts him so. All philosophy and history show man to be degraded and corrupt.
VI. Scripture, in addition to confirming the dim testimony of the light of nature, reveals a Christ, as mediator and propitiatory sacrifice.
1. He is “that prophet.”1.) Declared the will of God.2.) Published anew the law of nature.3.) Taught with authority.4.) Revealed the right manner of worship.5.) Revealed the exact use of repentance.6.) Revealed future rewards and punishments.7.) Set us a perfect example.
2. He has a kingdom which is not of this world.1.) Founded a church.2.) Governs it.3.) Of it, all who obey him are members.4.) Each of these shall live and reign with him forever.
3. He is a propitiatory sacrifice.1.) How his sacrifice becomes efficacious, we are not exactly told.2.) Conjectures may be absurd; at least cannot be certain.3.) If any complain for want of further instruction, let him produce his claim to it.4.) Some, because they cannot explain, leave it out of their creed; and regard Christ only as a teacher.5.) We had better accept the benefit, without disputing about how it was procured.
VII. We are not judges, antecedent to revelation, whether a mediator was necessary, nor what should be the whole nature of his office.
1. We know not how future punishment would have been inflicted.
2. Nor all the reasons why it would be necessary.
3. The satisfaction by Christ, does not represent God as indifferent whether he punishes the innocent or guilty.1.) We see, in this world, the innocent forced to suffer for the faults of the guilty.2.) But Christ suffered voluntarily.
4. Though, finally, every one shall receive according to his own deserts; yet, during the progress of God’s scheme,