I would like to introduce this selection of quotations on Romans 8:28 by asking the reader to pay notice to when they were made. Every single citation we’ve made thus far in our series and all those compiled within the publication ‘Glory in Tribulations Also’ furnished by UPBUILD were made prior to the 1900s. This is most important!
The turn of the 20th century was the approximate time when the seeds of the anti-means position seen in Elder John Watson’s day began to develop into the doctrine of time salvation. Contained within the great upheavals of this period was the controversy over predestination in which conditionalism was born and gained the supremacy within the Primitive Baptist denomination.
We stated in our last posting that there remains a connection between predestination and Romans 8:28. It is therefore not strange that we should read of quotations prior to the division over predestination in which the “all things” which work together for the good of the elect are not limited as they are today, there being no controversy over the doctrine at the time. Were there a struggle over Beebe’s doctrine of absolute predestination we feel strongly this would have been reflected in the interpretation of Romans 8:28. Yet what have we found thus far, but very explicit statements that our sufferings and trials are PART of those things which God works for our good? Nor were these isolated statements. On the contrary, they were made within leading publications of the day such as the Zion’s Advocate and Signs of the Times.
How was it possible for men to be so vocal on this without rebuke? How could their thoughts be recorded and distributed to the general company unless this was the recognized, or at the very least, acceptable, position of the day? We think it highly improbable that an article could be published today in some of the leading periodicals if the author endorsed the broad view of Romans 8:28. Seeing that we have in our possession current articles on this text, and having heard numerous sermons in which the limited view of “all things” is presented, our persuasion is that it would not be allowed. Reducing the “all things” to “some things” lies within the borders of conditionalism, and to endorse the alternative is to give some semblance to the intolerable view of absolutism. But if the prominent take on Romans 8:28 in the 1800s was to apply it broadly, compared to the limited understanding which prevails today, does that not suggest a change at some point? And if so, who are we to say is correct? Which one of these views is OLD Baptist doctrine?
We’ve shown the answer in our first two installments, and do it again here.
"He can see afterwards that the very afflictions of which he complained at the time, and which he thought were for his destruction, were just what he needed, and were for his salvation from destruction. He can see that it was the hand of a faithful, merciful, and loving God, that had been lain upon him, for his good, for his correction. He is finally brought to see and to say that it was good for him to be afflicted. He can see that he had borne the indignation of the Lord for his sins, for his departures, and can behold the righteousness of the Lord in afflicting him. He can now see this, being brought to the light, being enabled of the Lord to see it. He can plainly see that if he had been allowed to have had his own way, that he would have gone to destruction.Thus he is brought in humility to kiss the rod that smote him, and put his trust in him that slew him. Yes, with [Job] he can say, “Though he slayeth me, yet will I put my trust in him.” He can now see that all things work together for good, to them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Thus the bitter waters of Marah are sweetened for him; and he comes to Elim, where are wells of water and palm trees, and there he encamps by the waters. He is much encouraged by his affliction that he has suffered and been enabled to endure; encouraged to have patience and trust in the Lord, having seen the end of the Lord, that he is very pitiful and of tender mercy." (Thomas J. Bazemore, Ruth the Moabitess, 1881)
"Brethren, why has God permitted these evils to come upon his church? Why doubtless it is to try the faith of his own people—to prove them whether they will stand up for him against the gainsayers and against the wicked world now got into a church state,—and to keep them busy and employed in his service, so that they may find no time to loiter and parley with sin or give way to the tempter. For we are assured that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. He thus in his providence calls us to the duties of Christian soldiers and servants. He saith not yet to us, “Go, sit down to meat:” but rather, “Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself and serve me: and afterward thou shalt eat and drink.” Luke xvii. 7, 8. " (1840 Corresponding Letter of the South Carolina Association)
"How comfortable must the reflection be to the Christian, that all the changes he meets with in this world, whether in spiritual or temporal things, are closely connected with his sanctification! To this we must attribute sickness and pain, poverty and disgrace, personal and relative afflictions, severe temptations, spiritual desertions, trials which faith and patience meet with; and, what seems most of all astonishing, that even their very backsliding, by being made the instruments of their correction, are made use of by the divine Spirit, who brings light out of darkness, order out confusion, and causes “all things work together for good to them that love God, (Rom. viii. 28.)” (1803 Circular Letter of the Philadelphia Association)
"I am deeply touched by what you say in reference to your infirmities, but I am sure your afflictions, which Paul said endure for a moment, work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. You do not live as Adam did in Eden, surrounded by every good thing, having daily communion with God, having so little appreciation of them, and such an entire absence of faith as to never notice, much less eat of the tree of life, and live forever. Your appreciation and longing desire for the fruit of that tree, and your growing feeling of helplessness and calling on God, is the glory, in my opinion, which these afflictions are working for you. How much more exceeding and eternal are they than the glory which health, wealth, and the honors of this world bring to us. Jesus said that which is highly esteemed with men is an abomination in the sight of God, and yet there is that about us which leads us to desire such esteem. Affliction and trial is the sponge which absorbs it from us." (H. Bussey, "The Gospel Messenger vol. 17 no. 5, May 1895)
"So we ought not, my brethren, to think hard of persecution or rail out against those who persecute us or speak evil of us; but let us try to pray for them, and pray the Lord to sanctify it to their and our good and his glory. And let us take courage of such things, seeing that such things have been for the good of Zion. So let us glory in tribulation and persecution, believing that all things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to his purpose." (Rudolph Rorer, The Primitive Baptist vol. 4 no. 10, 1839)
"I think we can afford to admit 'that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,' both in heaven and earth, among his people, and also in the midst of the inhabitants of earth. The course of rulers of this world, the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires are within the scope of his decrees, efficaciously, or permissively, and in all things directively. So 'all things work together for good to them that love God.'" (James H. Oliphant, "God's Decrees", The Pilgrim's Banner vol. 3 no. 16, 1896)
"But can it be said, with propriety, that Zion rests, since God has chosen her in the furnace of affliction, and has said it is through much tribulation her sons shall enter the kingdom! Most certainly, those that believe what the Lord has said, do, for they know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (D.L. Harding, Signs of the Times vol. 25 no. 2, Jan. 1857)
"The Apostle Paul says, For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, &c. On this divine maxim the children of the Lord must necessarily be, in some way or other, profited by this intestine war. Yes, and that the God of Israel intends it for their good is evident enough by his exercising them so much in this way; for which of the saints of the Most High is not acquainted with this war? And also which of them can in his heart say that he has received no sort of instruction or advantage from the difficulties which the Lord has exercised him with and brought him through? Surely there cannot be such a person found in the household of faith.Grace makes men honest, and hence men of grace will tell the truth concerning the benefits which they receive from the Lord through the medium of this war: and the greater the difficulties are through which they are brought, the higher will the benefits received therefrom be rated by them. If everywhere and in all things, the saints are to be instructed, instruction they are sure to reap from this inward conflict. Let every one of these spiritual soldiers therefore, hold fast a confidence in the captain of his salvation worthy of the station he occupies, and bear in mind the fact, that faith is the victory which over comes the world, the flesh, and the devil." (James Osbourne, "Letter 2", The Primitive Baptist vol. 9 no. 10, May 1844)
"However sever we may think some of our afflictions are, they cannot exceed the extent of our Heavenly Father’s love, and they will answer a good purpose, being generally inflicted according to the wisdom of the Father." (William M. Mitchell, Signs of the Times vol. 16 no. 8, April 1848)
"Accommodating himself to the situation, the wants, and the capacities of the weakest, meanest, and poorest of his children, his eye is continually over them all and his ear is ever open to their cries. Their needs will all be supplied from that store-house which is infinite, and therefore, inexhaustible. In the midst of their deepest sorrows they will not be left comfortless, and as hope springs up from their experience of patience in tribulations they are caused to joy in them from the knowledge God has given them concerning the benefits that accrue even from tribulation. "We know," says Paul, "that all things work together for good to them that love God." Surely the true spirit of obedience is possessed by those who really love God, and such a spirit is willing to receive the slightest intimations of the divine will. It is true we sometimes grow cold and our zeal abates as the cares of this poor, imperfect life bear heavily upon us and clog our way. At such times we would do well to repair to the Saviour's cross, and fix our attention on the exhibition of his love presented there, and pray God to revive us and restore the joys of his salvation." (John R. Daily, "Obedience to God" Part II, Zion's Advocate vol. 38 no. 7, July 1899)
"Then one of the strongest marks of regeneration is true humility, which is opposed to pride and arrogance, and this humility is a fruit of our Father’s rod. Then we should be thankful that the rod is in his own hands, who always uses it with much mercy and for our profit, causing the peaceable fruits of righteousness to flow from its correction. Then let it be outward affliction or inward grief, it shall all work together for the good of every regenerated soul. For God’s grace is sufficient for them, and their strength is made perfect in weakness." (L.L. Walden, The Messenger of Peace, 1877)
"The words that I here write are written by a very feeble hand. I have been, up to date of this writing, confined to my house for two years and some few months, and I have spent about nine years of my life confined to my bed and house; and I am now thirty-six years of age. I deeply sympathize with the afflicted. I often times, while lying upon my bed, ponder and wonder what such afflictions are for, but when I do, I am referred to the Scriptures which read: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” (Rom. viii. 18) and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.— Rom. viii. 28. O, how solacing it is to meditate on such portions of God’s word.My dear brothers and sisters, I have just told you about my affliction, for about having to keep in my house for about nine years. My first sickness was about seven years, my last over two years; but I can only say it is good, yea, it is all for the best. Peradventure it has required those gentle strokes to make me heed to that which I would not have done without. Our afflictions here may seem to be long and very grievous, but let us consider them good. Lord, increase our faith, and make us to rest content with what the day may bring. O, how good and merciful the Lord is. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the afflictions of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him He heard.—Ps. xxii. 24." (L.H. Hammons, "Contentment in Afflictions", The Gospel Messenger vol. 2 no. 13, Feb. 1891)
"Since 'total depravity' in fallen humanity and devils is the entire real and sufficient cause of all sin being committed as often as God does not restrain and hinder them from it. For instead of causing creatures to sin, He hinders, prevents, and restrains them from sin, except that what sin it is His will to suffer the wicked to do. What he suffers of sin enacted is disagreeable, hateful, and offensive to Himself—hence must be disagreeable to His positive will, as His attribute. But by permissive will He decides to suffer (not hinder) sins committed. But to overrule them for good afterward, so it may later redound to His glory." (J. T. Oliphant, Primitive Baptist Principles)
"And oh, my dear brother what divine consolation from God’s holy word, to all his dear children to let them know, in all their sorrows, afflictions, mournings, and cries, that their blessed Jesus knows all things, and knows that every thing shall work together for their good; for he has every disposition of every heart to work it so, and having all power in heaven and earth, it must be so. Thus it seems to me to come out conclusive from God’s word, that Jesus shall save his people from their sins, and crown them with his glorious righteousness in the kingdom of their Father; while the religion of the world, or nature, or works, has its unction from the spirit of the world; it has its fashion, form, or image, for the world will love its own." (William Crutcher, The Primitive Baptist vol. 3 no. 24, Dec. 1838)
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