ishment." From the plain teaching of God's Holy Word, we can reach but one conclusion, which is this, that the doctrine of the future endless punishment of the wicked is as certainly taught as is the doctrine of the future endless happiness of the righteous. Any line of argument that would explain away the one, would explain away the other. On all questions which relate to the future destiny of mankind our standard is, and of necessity must be, the Word of God. From the plain teaching of the Holy Scriptures, it must be apparent that the four propositions specifically named in this article of the Confession are abundantly sustained: first, the resurrection of the dead; second, a future general judgment; third, the future endless happiness of the righteous; fourth, the future endless punishment of the wicked. CONCLUSION. By a careful review of this Confession of Faith it will be found that every fundamental doctrine of Christian. theology is embraced in it. These are stated in clear, simple language. While perfection is not claimed, we think that it may be said without egotism that there are but few, if indeed any, creeds or confessions in Christendom more methodically arranged than this one; few, if any, that in a less number of words more completely cover the whole field of Christian doctrine. It is hoped that this brief comment upon the Confession may be helpful especially to those who have not the time nor opportunity to study elaborate books on Christian theology. What we need most of all is to be well established in all the cardinal doctrines of Christianity, and then, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, practice them in our lives. INDEX. Acts of the Apostles, quoted, 48, cited, 50, 59, 102, 105. privileges secured by, 89. Adoption of a confession by the General Conference, 20. Apostles' Creed, 12. origin of, 12, 13. promotive of unity, 15. referred to, 11, 12, 13, 17. II., Of Creation and Providence, III., Of Jesus Christ, 36. IV., Of the Holy Ghost, 49. V., Of the Holy Scriptures, 53. VI., Of the Church, 61. VII., Of the Sacraments, 69. X., Of Regeneration and Adop- XI., Of Sanctification, 90. 96. XIII., Of the Future State, 101. Athanasian Creed, origin of, 13. necessity of, 40. vicarious, 42, 80. universal, 42. distinguished from redemption, 43. cited, 38, 46, 52, 66, 83. Confession of Faith, a definition Confession of Faith of the United Confession in use prior to 1815. revision of, 20, 23, 24. the revised, origin of. 21, 22. comment on, 25. subscription 25. to, reasonable, Constantinople, mentioned, 15. Heaven, 106. Hebrews, Epistle to the, quoted, cited, 37, 38, 40, 42, 50, 66. Heresies, referred to, 13, 15. of the origin and development Hodge, A. A., quoted, 25. James. Epistle of, quoted, 83, 84. Jenkyn, Dr.. quoted, 52. Jeremiah, quoted, 76. Jerome, quoted, 12. Jesus Christ, Of, 36. divinity of, 36. resurrection and ascension, 44. second coming of, 47. 47, 50, 51, 52, 56, 64, 67, 69, Job. quoted. 76. cited, 50. John, First Epistle of, quoted, 37, cited, 59. John, Gospel of, quoted, 37, 39, 47, 50, 52, 56, 66, 87, 89. Judgment. a future general, 47, the fact of, 104. extent of, 106. description of, 107, 108. Justice of God, 81. Justification, Of. 79. Justin Martyr, mentioned, 99. K Kings, II., quoted, 28. L Lord's Supper, the, 69, 71. obligation of, 71, 73. advantages of its observance, who may partake, 72. position of the body, 72, 73. |