Questions For Antinomians

Integral to the system of antinomianism is a denial of duty and responsibility.

Are all men responsible to obey the moral laws of God?

Are all men responsible to acknowledge their sins and just condemnation?

Are all men responsible to repent of their sins and return to God?

Are all men responsible to believe the Gospel or on Christ?

Are all men responsible for their rejection of the Gospel?

Are all men responsible to pray to God?

Are all men responsible to praise and worship God?

Are all men responsible for whether they are finally saved or lost?

Are all men called to salvation?

Is it a sin to be impenitent? Is it a sin to reject Christ and his word and salvation?

From "Hardshell Antinomianism I" (here)

Regular Baptist Magazine

 

"For the defense of the truth of God and the comfort of his people."

This is the image for the periodical edited by Elder E. H. Burnham (many have his name as Burnam but I have seen where he signed his name as Burnham, with the "h" as well as without it, as below) and which began in 1875 if we are to believe the following record:

"The Regular Baptist Magazine was a forty-page monthly, the organ of the "primitive" Baptists. It was published in 1875 by E.H. Burnam. (From the Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri by Alexander N. De Menil, 1901). "For the defense of the truth of God and the comfort of his people." 

Fifth Volume of the Magazine (published September, 1880)

"The Prospectus for this volume was sent forth with, as we trust, a prayerful endeavor to commit its disposal to the direction of the All-Wise One, and to be reconciled to that decision, whatever it might be. Relying on the encouragement of old and new friends, and their promises to continue their exertions on behalf of this work, we continue it hopefully, and if the Lord will, as a lifetime labor. We earnestly trust our brethren and friends will labor and pray for our success in spreading and defending Bible Truth. In return we promise them, by God's help, to use our best exertions to render the visits of this publication pleasant and profitable to the household of faith, to inquiring souls, and to those who are out of the way. 

We hope to receive contributions on all subjects relating to the prosperity of the Church and the welfare of men generally, such as the Experience of the Christian Life, the Active Ministry, Practice and Support of the Gospel, News of the World, and the Second Personal Coming of our Lord from Heaven. According as articles shall seem to us profitable or not, we shall exercise, impartially, the editor's right to accept or reject them."

"All letters and communications should be addressed to E.H. BURNAM, St. Louis, MO"

Burnam was a well known leader of the Hardshells, particularly of those in the tradition of men like Elders John Watson ("Old Baptist Test") and John Clark (editor of "Zion's Advocate"), of those who believed that the gospel was God's ordained means of giving new birth to sinners. In the mid to late 1870s I find where Burnam wrote in Elder Fain's (and Stephens, et als) paper "The Baptist Watchman" and described his tour through several of the southern states over several weeks and his widespread acceptance. In the late 1870s, even perhaps up till the time of Elder Clark's death in 1882, he was an associate editor of "Zion's Advocate."

Burnam and many other elders, holding to the means view, the original view of the "Primitive" or "Old School" Baptists, and of the Baptists in general, became opponents of men, like Elder Lemuel Potter, who took a new position, the anti means position. 

I have been looking for many years now for a library that would have copies of the "Regular Baptist Magazine." I believe in it will be many articles of great interest to historians of the "Primitive Baptist Church" in relation to the issue of means.

Spurgeon on Hyper Calvinist Soil Testers

1834 - 1892 

"It is God's work to direct the saving Word into the chosen hearts which He has prepared to receive it. But as for us, we are to preach the Gospel to every creature—and going out into the streets and lanes of the city—as many as we find we are to bid to the supper. Many are called but few are chosen! It was never intended that the external call should be as narrow as the election, yet there are some ministers whose preaching consists far more of an analysis of soils than of a sowing of seed." 

This is true in regard to the Hyper Calvinists and Hardshell Baptists. Their preaching "consists far more of an analysis of soils than of sowing of seed." 

Spurgeon also said:

"Leaving the analyzing of the soil to God, I take my commission from His hands and desire to fulfill it. Stony-ground Hearer, there is a handful of seed for you. You who are hard like the trodden road, there is a handful for you. And even among the thorns, which are plentiful enough in this age, shall the good seed fall like a heavenly shower. And if God shall graciously direct it to His own chosen, and they, like the good ground, shall receive it, it will be His doing! It will never be effected by any skill of mine. It is mine to sow beside all waters and His to give the increase. The best shot that was ever made with bow and arrow was taken at a venture as Ahab the king was pierced between the joints of his harness. So also, while drawing my bow to preach the Gospel to every creature, my faith feels confident that the Lord will direct the arrow and effect His purposes of Divine Grace."

(The Seed Upon Stony Ground - here)