: THE VINDICATION, ^ "^ CONTAINING j( , A HISTORY OF THE TRIAL OF THE REV. ALBERT BARNES, BY THE SECOND PRESBYTERY, AND BY THE SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA. TO WHICH ARE APPENDED, NEW SCHOOLISM IN THE SEVENTEENTH COMPARED WITH NEW 8CH00LISM IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. BY REV. GEORGE JUNKIN, D.D. PHILADELPHIA PRINTED BY WM. S. MARTIEN. 1836.- INDEX. Page Ability and Inability, 40, 48, 50 Accuser, opprobrium of ----- - 5 reasons for ----- - 6 right denied 7 not a publisher of slander - - . - 9 special reason for - - - - - 10 objections to, answered . - - - H Adam, his ignorance, - 39 covenant with 64 Adopting act of 1729, 23 Appeal to Synod, _-.... xx to which ib Argument begins, 3 Baxter, Richard, on guilt and punishment, - - 102 Bradford, Esq. Thomas, urges trial, _ - . xiv Calvin, on imputation, misstated, - - - - 81 Charges, I. 34. II. 37. III. 39. IV. 54. V. 60. VI. 72. VII. 95. VIII. 112. IX. 122. X. 132. Constitution of church, what"? . - . 22 Covenant of works denied, ----- 38, 60 proved, ----- 64 equality not necessary, * - - 69 non-consent, . - - - 71 Bort, Synod, its doctrines and the contrary, - - 145 Edwards' doctrine of ability, 46 opposes Arminian free will, - - - 50 views perverted, ----- 79 repenting of Adam's sin, - - - - 91 Ely, Dr., denies any citation, . - - xii wishes to proceed with trial, - - - xvi Equivocal terms, ------- 135 Errors, systematic ------ 31 Explanation, right of, denied, - - - - 37 Faith, an act only, ------ 54, 58 Free-will, -------- 50 leads to Antinominianism, - - - 52 Fundamentals, no difference in them, - - - 154 Grotius, a semi-Socinian, 107 Guilt of Adam's sin, imputed, — - - . 95, 103 Heresy, terms, why not in charges, - . - 14 iv INDEX. Pagre Imputation, denied, 72, 85 in Confession, . - - 78 doctrine misrepresented, - - - 79, 83 objections against it, - - - 85, 124, 125 Infants, argument from case of - - - - 100 Judgment of 2d Presbytery. ... - xvii ofSynotl, xxyi state of vote on, ib Letters— Mr. Barnes to Dr. Junkin, - - - v Dr. Junkin to Mr. Barnes, - - - iv to 2d Presbytery, - . - vi to Mr. Grant, . - _ x Mr. Eustace to Dr. Junkin, . - . xi Presbytery refuses charges, . - - viii Presbytery apprising of time of Presbytery meeting, ------ xi Mason, Dr. J. M., on imputation, - - - - 84 New-schoolism in the 17th compared with New- schoolism in 19th century, - . - 145 Original sin, denied,—Synod of Dort, - - - 95, 103 0\Ven's views, misrepresented, - - - - 109 Peace prevailed before innovation, . - 145 disturbed by it, 146 Penalty, Christ's endurance of it denied, - - 112 proved, 113 Pelagius' views and character, - - - - 35, 53, 102 Policy in the I7th and 19th centuries, - - - 152 Presbytery, 2d, special meeting of, - - - xii stated meeting, - - . iii refuses charges, - - - - viii adjourned, 2d April, - - - xi adjourned June 30th for trial, - - xiv refuses to proceed, - - - - ib Repentance for Adam's sin, . - - - 91 Representation, consent not necessary to - - 71 Romans v. 12—22, opened, 1 - - - - 98 Satisfaction, full affinity with - - - . 120 Subscription to Confession refused by Arminius, - 156 System, theological, a Presbyterian bound by it, - 17 Mr. Barnes writes under its in- fluence, . - - - 20 Taylor, Dr., agrees with Mr. Barnes, - - - 93, m Terms, vague, used, ------ 105 Toleration claimed by Arminius, - - - - 157 Trial, daring one and then drawing back, - - xiv, 155 Wilson, Dr. J. P., faith a principle— its object Christ, 58 on covenant of works, - - 67 on righteousness, - - - 125 INTRODUCTION. THE HISTORY FREFARATORY TO THE ACTUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIAD. In February, 1835, I was in Philadelphia on business, and whilst there, had my attention called to the new work of Rev. Albert Barnes, on the Epistle to the Romans. This arrest of at- tention was by an unknown correspondent of the Presbyterian, over the signature of Veritas, who presented a number of extracts from the work, accompanied by very judicious and forcible re- marks; pointing out the errors of the Notes, and their opposition to the Standards of the Presbyterian Church. The new book, as from these notices might well be expected, was a subject of fre-- quent conversation : and among other places, at the table of my friend and host. Rev. John Chambers, who stepped up to his study, and brought the book itself. I read a few pages in it, aad was induced to procure a copy to examine at my leisure. This examination; resulted in the conviction, right or wrong, tliat, as no other person appeared disposed to do it, it would be proper for me to comply with the order of the General Assembly, and endeavour t<> procure an ultimate decision on these controverted subjects.- After this determination, the next question was as to the manner: and here, too, it appeared to me the Assembly was correct ; the only proper way w^as to bring charges against the author. Before I could arrive at this conclusion, it was early in March; and it ap- peared exceedingly desirable to have the whole matter embraced v/ithin as short a space of time as^ practicable : so as to give occasion^ to the least possible amount of agitation, with its evils. Hence the plan proposed in n^y letter below, of making the case what, in civil matters, is called an amicable sait. Ignorant of it, I dropped a line to brotiier Steel, requesting him to let me know when the- Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, of which brother Barnes is a member, held its stated meeting, and whether it would be practi^ cable to accomplish the object as proposed. He informed me by letter, dated the 12th March, that the stated meeting in question was to have been late in April, but that a special meeting was about to be called, viz. on Friday, the 20th, for the purpose of changing the time of holding the stated meeting: and advised to prepare and send forward to him my paper, and promised to have it presented, &c. Or, if Mr. Barnesrefused the request to waive his right of ten day-s, or if the said stated meeting should be fixed too far on in April, to receive the charges, and allow the ten days for preparation, which our Book guarantees to prosecuted persons, and to finish the trial before the Assembly, then he would endea- A IV INTRODUCTION. vour to procure a jnu re nata meeting- to receive the charges, so that they miglit come up at the stated meeting. Agreeably to this arrangement, 1 wrote to Mr. Barnes as follows: Lafayette College, March IGth, 1835. Rev. and Dear Sir. —In your Notes on the Epistle to the Ro- mans, there are doctrines set forth, which, in my humble opinion, are contrary to tlie Standards of the Presbyterian Church and to the word of God. It a 'so appears to me, and has long so appeared, that these, and certain affiliated doctrines, have been the chief causes of the un- happy distraction over which we all mourn. A third opinion, operating to the production of this communica- tion, is, that peace and union in evangelical effort cannot take place, so long as these important doctrinal points remain unsettled; and that, therefore, all the friends of such union and peace ought to desire their final adjustment by the proper judicatories of the Church. It is certainly true that many have wished to see them brought up, fairly and legally, before the proper tribunals, uncon- nected with mere questions of ecclesiastical policy, and without anyadmixture of personal or congregational feelings. Regret has often been expressed by many, and by myself among others, that the Presbytery of Philadelphia, had not, at the outset, instituted process against yourself, instead of the course they pursued. I am sure, however, they did what they thought for the best. It is much easier to find fault atler a measure has been put into opera- tion, than to foresee its defects and prevent them. Now, dear Brother, your recent publication has re-opened the door, and, unworthy as I am, and incompetent to the solemn duty, yet duty 1 feel it to be to enter it; and by an open, fair, candid, and Christian prosecution of the case, to bring out a formal and legal decision of your Presbytery on the points alluded to. 1 therefore intend, Deo volente, to prefer charges against you, founded solely upon your Notes on Romanf, and referring to no other evidence for their support, than what shall be deduced from that book. In prosecuting these charges, I hope I shall be enabled to act with gravity, solemnity, brotherly affection, and all the respect due to a court of Jesus Christ. The object is peace through union in the Truth; and I hope the God of Truth and Peace will direct us to a happy issue. Most conscientiously do I believe that you have fallen into dangerous error. I feel that yoiir doctrine shakes the foundation of my personal hopes for eternity. If it be true, then I cannot " read my title clear, to mansions in the skies." Around the discussion of a subject so solemn, I cannot doubt, the Son of God will throw a hallowed influence, which will call up feelings very different from those that too often agitate ecclesiastical bodies, where principles of minor consequence acquire exciting power from adventitious circumstances. : —; INTRODUCTION. V May I now ask of you the favour to transmit to Mr. Henry McKeen's, No. 142 Market street, a note with responses to the following queries, viz:— 1. Will you admit the Notes on Romans, bearing- your name, to be your own production, and save me the trouble of proving it I 2. Will you waive the constitutional right often days, &.C., [Book pp. 396-402,] and so let the case come up and pass through the Presbytery with as little delay as possible provided I furnish you with a copy of the charges at least that number of days beforehand 1 To these postulates I can see no reasonable objection on your part, and presume there will be none.