Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

as above, that no absolute necessity of Christ's death did exist. For if the
acts of his life justify in part, or conjunctly, they might, in so glorious a
personage, have justified separately and wholly; and consequently his
agony and bloody sweat, his cross and passion, and his death, burial, and
ascension would have been utterly useless, considered as acts and
consequences of acts, called atoning. Our grand doctrine is, 'We have
redemption in his blood.' Nor can we ever successfully comfort the
distressed but by proclaiming Christ crucified. having been 'delivered for
our offences, and raised again for our justification.' He is not represented
in heaven as performing acts of righteousness for our justification; but as
the Lamb newly slain before the throne. I have long thought that the
doctrine of imputed righteousness, as held by certain people, is equally
compounded of Pharisaism and Antinomianism; and, most certainly,
should find very little trouble, by analysis or synthesis, to demonstrate the
facts, little as its abettors think of the subject. But go on your way,
preaching all our doctrines, but not in a controversial way: and if at any
time you may be obliged to repel invective, do it in the meekness of
Christ. Our grand doctrines of the witness of the Spirit, and Christian
perfection, are opposed to all bad tempers, as well as bad words and
works.
"The peace of God be with you. Write often to
"Your affectionate brother and friend,
"A. CLARKE."
[8] As adoption is not so much a distinct act of God, but is involved
in our justification, I have not thought it necessary to give to it a separate
chapter.—S.D.
[9] The reading of Dr. Clarke's interesting "Memoirs of the Wesley
Family, by all parents and children, has my warmest
recommendation.—S.D.
[10] As I have found very little on this subject in Dr. Clarke's writings,
I shall perhaps be excused if I refer the reader to a small work recently