Funeral Sermon for the Rev. J. J. Janeway

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BY THE REV. CHARLES HODGE, D.D. 293denominations of Christians, have different views asto matters of duty, but Christians nominally of thesame class often entertain the most discordant views.Some condemn all wars, others all use of intoxicatingliquors, others all slaveholding, others all participationin worldly amusements. Every profession andclass of business men have their rules of judgingwhat is right and wrong within their respectivespheres. What we have to remember as to thispoint is, first, that we cannot decide for ourselveswhat is right or wrong; and second, that others cannotdecide for us. We cannot assume the opinionsor conduct of other men as a rule of moral judgmentfor us, we must submit the conscience to Christ. Itmust be our definite object to learn what he, in anycase, would have us to do. This is an indispensablepart of our allegiance. To secure this entire subjectionof the conscience to Christ, is one great part ofthat inward conflict which every Christian is calledupon to sustain.It is however comparatively easy to subject thereason and the conscience. It is not so hard to believethat to be true which the Infinite Mind hasrevealed as truth, and that to be right or wrongwhich has been so declared by the Infinitely Holy; itis the heart which we find so difficult to restrain andgovern. To keep down all unholy feelings, to bringinto constant exercise the humility, the meekness,the forbearance, the deference to others, the love toGod and man, which the law of Christ requires, thisis the hard part of the believer’s conflict. Just in
294FUNERAL SERMONproportion that Christ’s authority is establishedwithin, will it be manifested in the outward life. Andthis struggle must go on until every proud thoughtand high imagination shall be brought down, untilevery judgment as to truth and duty, and everyexercise of the will and affections, until in short, thewhole inward and outward life, be brought into entiresubjection to the mind of Christ.In like manner in reference to others, the wholeend of the Christian conflict is to bring men to recognizeJesus Christ as their God and Saviour, andto subject their understandings, conscience, heart,and life to his authority. This was the definiteobject for which Paul lived and laboured. He everywhereendeavoured to persuade men that Jesus is theSon of God. He constantly resisted every form ofdoctrine not consistent with his word. He pronouncedany man accursed, yea, any angel, whoshould preach any other gospel. He resisted theJudaizers in Corinth and Galatia, and the philosophizersin Colosse and Ephesus. Everywhere hefought a good fight. He kept the faith. He declaredthe whole counsel of God. This is the fightin which every Christian is engaged. He is enlistedin a perpetual war against all Pagan, Mohammedan,Popish, rationalistic, or philosophical false doctrine.He must contend for the faith once delivered to thesaints. Paul exhorted the Philippians to stand fastin one spirit, striving together for the faith of thegospel. There is no greater treason towards Christas the God of truth, than giving up the doctrines
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Funeral Sermon for the Rev. J. J. Janeway

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