Let all true Christians remember, that their best things are yet to come. Let us count it no strange thing, if we have sufferings in this present time. It is a season of probation. We are yet at school. We are learning patience, gentleness, and meekness, which we could hardly learn if we had our good things now. But there is an eternal holiday yet to begin. For this let us wait quietly. It will make amends for all. “Our light affliction which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).
J.C. Ryle

Skeleton of Theology: Lecture 22

This entry is part 23 of 42 in the series Charles Finney Skeletons of Theological Lectures

Charles Finney Skeletons of Theological Lectures

Skeleton of Theology: Lecture 22

SKELETONS OF A COURSE OF

THEOLOGICAL LECTURES

BY THE

REV. CHAS. G. FINNEY    

 

Lecture XXII.

Moral Government.–No. 1.

 

First. Define Moral Government.

Second. Show what is implied in it.

 

First. Define Moral Government.

1. Moral Government, when opposed to physical, is the government of mind in opposition to the government of matter.

2. It is a government of motive or moral suasion, in opposition to a government of force.

3. Moral Government is the influence of moral considerations over the minds of moral agents.

4. Moral Government, in its most extensive sense, includes the whole influence of God’s character as revealed in his works, providence, and word, over the universe of moral beings. It includes whatever influence God exerts to control the minds of moral agents, in conformity with the eternal principles of righteousness.

 

Second. Show what is implied in Moral Government.

1. Moral Government cannot be an end, but a means; and therefore implies and end, to which it sustains the relation of a means.

2. All rightful Moral Government implies that the end to which it sustains the relation of a means is good.

3. Rightful Moral Government implies the mutual dependence of both the ruler and the subject upon this means for the promotion of the desired end.

4. Moral Government, therefore, implies a necessity for its existence.

5. It implies that both the ruler and the ruled are moral agents.

6. It implies the existence of moral law.

7. It implies that both the ruler and the ruled are under a moral obligation, to obey the law, so far as it is applicable to the circumstances of each.

8. It implies the existence of a ruler who has a right to enforce moral obligation.

9. It implies that the ruler is under moral obligation to do this.

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