Preface to the Book of Church Order

Section 2 : The Preliminary Principles
Paragraph 4 : Of Truth and Godliness

4. That godliness is founded on truth, and a great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness; according to our Saviour's rule, "by their fruits ye shall know them." And that no opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon the same level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man's opinions are. On the contrary, we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

Footnote: John 17:7; Proverbs 17:13, 15. [as per M4GA, Appendix J, p. 203]

[Note : Changes instituted in 1974 include: 1. Godliness is founded on truth." ; 2. "that which brings truth and falsehood upon the same level." ; "consequence what a man's opinions are." (M2GA, 2-70, p. 55)

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, page 128
That truth is in order to goodness; and a great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness; according to our Saviour's rule, "by their fruits ye shall know them." And that no opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man's opinions are. On the contrary, we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Preface, Preliminary Principles, paragraph 2
That truth is in order to goodness; and a great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness; according to our Saviour's rule, "by their fruits ye shall know them." And that no opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man's opinions are. On the contrary, we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

PCUS 1879
PCUS 1869 draft
and
PCUS 1867 draft
[we have not located printed editions of the PCUS Constitution which include the Preliminary Principles. Reportedly the first edition, printed in 1861, did include the Principles, but we have been unable to locate subsequent editions with this material included.]


COMMENTARY:
Hodge, J. Aspinwall, What Is Presbyterian Law? (Philadelphia, 1882, pp. 25) :
IV. What is the fourth principle?
"That truth is in order to goodness ; and the great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness, according to our Saviour's rule, 'By their fruits ye shall know them."
What is the connection between truth and goodness?
Truth is the only source of goodness, and goodness is the fruit and test of truth. "No opinion can be more pernicious or more absurd, than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man's opinions are." "There is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it."