The entire divergence between these views and Mr. Darby’s is so evident, that the attempt to make out from his writings that they are in accordance, would be as unaccountable as it is dishonorable, did we not know the blinding effect of partisanship. This, however, has compelled repeated reference to Mr. D.’s works. We add also, some extracts found in close juxtaposition to those on which it is sought to base this supposed agreement.
Extract of a letter in the Christian Friend {edited by Ed. Dennett} for April, 1885, on “Justification of Life,” and the difference which has been noted between the teaching of Rom. 5, and “in Christ” in chapters 6 and 8.
As to “justification of life,” it is that justification we have as being alive in Christ; that is, it goes beyond mere forgiveness of sins as in the old man which are put away. It is the clearance of all imputation which we have as alive in Christ; but the passage gives us something more specific, it refers to verses 16 and 17.
Verse 16 is of many offences to justification, which of itself goes farther than clearing the conscience of sins.
Verse 17 further adds that they who have received abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life. This, while based on the clearing brings us into a new place in life, and reigning in it.
Hence we have “justification of life.” “By one offence towards all to condemnation.” “By one complete righteousness towards all men to justification” (v. 18) but then “in life,” a new life in Christ; not merely, that is, the old sins cleared away negatively, but in the new place by the work of Christ, which God had fully owned. He had finished the work which His Father had given Him to do, and was in virtue of it in a new place, as Man, in life – life (in us) and justification went together. I do not know if I have made myself plain. It does not go quite so far as the “in Christ,” but it does identify our justification and a new life in Him.
As to the first part of the Romans to chapter 5:12, the following passage has been quoted
I repeat, the first part {Rom. 1-5:12} is complete in itself; the man is a pardoned, justified man, enjoying God’s favor, His love in his heart by the Holy Ghost given to him, and rejoicing in the hope of glory. It is judicial.
The next paragraph thus continues
Our state and standing out of Christ and in Christ, is another and distinct point, but when “in Christ,” the sealing of the Holy Ghost is here also assumed and developed. It is specifically taught in Ephesians and 2 Corinthians, but always as that of believers, that is of those who have life already, and are washed in the blood of the Lamb. Christianity is not known in its real character where this is not. The starting point of this as to our standing, is – we have been baptized to Christ’s death, our old man is crucified with Christ, so that we should not serve sin. It is done with for faith we are set free . . . To stand before God on this ground is therefore a hopeless matter, but the question is, in this part of Romans, our standing before Him (Collected Writings, vol. 31, pp. 405, 406).
Again
In Romans, the mention of the Holy Ghost comes in when forgiveness and justification have been made known, as in chapter 4, and indeed in chapter 3, and before the experience of what we are and our being in Christ is entered upon.
Next paragraph
Some Christians would oblige souls to have the experience of Rom. 7, in order to the salvation of Rom.5 being true. It may come before. When it does, and acceptance in Christ is seen in simplicity, all the subsequent Christian life is one of assured grace, save cases of special discipline. But the acceptance of chapter 5 may be known by itself first (but then justification is forgiveness, applies to what we have done, is not our being the righteousness of God in Christ); but if so, self-knowledge and our place in Christ must be learned afterwards (Collected Writings vol. 26 pp. 216, 217).
The truths, moreover, for which we have been contending are those which God has given to us in these last days, before the return of the Lord, for the recovery of His saints, and to recall them to a heavenly position in waiting for that blessed event. The responsibility for their maintenance becomes therefore very serious. The object of these covert attacks of the enemy by sap and mine is the more apparent; nor will the plausible assertion of jealousy for the work of Christ (the same plea that was put forward by Mr. Newton, when resisting the spread of heavenly truth), prevail, save with those who willingly allow themselves to be deceived – when it is remembered, that the full value of that blessed work has been brought out (not by those who insisted on justification federal headship, since reformation times, nor by those who now plead for them), but by those who have recently been gathered to the Lord, and who specially insisted on, and were the means of, unfolding our position in Christ, and corresponding heavenly truth.
The wells in Canaan, type of the heavenly country which had been dug by Abraham when he sojourned there whilst the Philistines were yet in the land, had to be subsequently recovered and redug by Isaac and his servants and that not without great contention and resistance from the Philistines, as the names of Ezek and Sitnah witness. Yet God, in the end, gave success and blessing at Rehoboth and Beersheba, where He appeared Himself to encourage and assure by His presence. Though there was not the energy of Abraham’s faith, yet his earnestness and persistence met with its reward (Gen. 26:18-2518And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. 20And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. 21And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah. 22And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. 23And he went up from thence to Beer-sheba. 24And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake. 25And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well. (Genesis 26:18‑25)). It is a time of contention now for the precious truth God has given us, and the result will be the same for those who hold fast. For we have to “overcome in the evil day, and having overcome, to stand”; and our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with wicked spirits in heavenly places. As to those who may be the leaders in these new schools of thought, which are yet not new, but old theological views revived, embellished with a few new ideas borrowed from those we are all so indebted to, we have to bear in mind that no excellence, or piety, nor scholarship either, though accompanied with the best intentions of the authors, if the mind be not kept in lowly dependence, will save from the snare of the enemy, or from becoming his instruments, to the great injury of souls; nay, these very qualities will expose their possessors all the more to this influence. Peter would have sought, out of sincere but misapplied affection for his Master, to turn Him from the cross which led to the heavenly glory, and was rebuked by the Lord as Satan, the real originator of the suggestion and of its utterance at that moment.
Nor should we think the less of the effort now made to deprive us of heavenly truth, because what is ordinarily considered fundamental is not in question, for Christ is “the truth” – no lie is of the truth – and the Spirit is the “Spirit of truth” sent down from heaven, to guide us into all truth, truth which could not be made known before His ascension; nor do we ever know, in giving up a part of the glory of Christ where it may lead us, for there is a unity in the truth which we cannot afford to overlook. The scripture, however warns us that “there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” {1 Cor. 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19)}.
If we are to judge by the teaching of scripture, as regards the value of heavenly truth, we shall see that the Spirit of God regards with great jealousy any effort to weaken its effect. The indignation of Moses was greatly aroused (Num. 32) when the two and a half tribes first proposed to settle on the other side of Jordan; he reminds them that, when the spies discouraged the children of Israel from going in to possess the land, promised by God to their fathers, they were destroyed, for it was really rebellion against the Lord, and brought His wrath upon the whole congregation. He adds, “Ye are risen up, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel.” For it was turning away from “after him,” instead of following Him fully, as Caleb and Joshua had done nor is Moses pacified until assured that they will go into the land, and fight all the battles of the Lord, with their brethren until they are in full possession of the inheritance the Lord had promised them, and, if not, he says, “Ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.”
Error spreads, and influences gradually deteriorating the soul, by affecting its communion with God, if not resisted rejected, and departed from. Many who, at first, as they have owned, in reading these pamphlets, felt a chill something benumbing their spiritual senses or feelings, and did not then receive their teaching, are now found defending it, or to have wholly adopted it. Where there is first insensibility and indifference to error, and continued association with it, there will soon be acceptance of, and adherence to, it. Such as we are, we cannot afford to be neutral, nor does the value of the truth, or the glory of God admit of it.
A solemn responsibility rests, therefore, upon those who are upholding the teachers of false doctrine, for “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” {Gal. 5:99A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)}; and if it is not the truth of God to build up souls, it is surely error, which weakens and damages them. The apostle tells us that, even in those who were appointed by the Holy Ghost to have the care and oversight of the flock, there would arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them {Acts 20:3030Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)}; and those who caused dissensions and offences and stumbling-blocks, contrary to the doctrine saints had learned, were to be marked and avoided {Rom. 16:1717Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)}.
Upon such must rest the burden of the scandals and divisions caused by the introduction of these doctrines among the faithful, as well as upon their adherents and those who link themselves with them. They have demanded the examination of these views, and it is for them now to go into the presence of God, and, laying aside their own self-will, which is sure to becloud the mind, ask themselves what they have gained spiritually by these speculations, and what they have lost. “If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father” {1 John 2:2424Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. (1 John 2:24)}.
Confusion and darkness will surely be the result in the end, of giving up that which has been received from God.
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive” (Jer. 13:16, 1716Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive. (Jeremiah 13:16‑17)).
“Italics” are mostly the Author’s.