other works bearing more or less directly on the subject, he has read and tried to learn from. Some have suggested truth; others have, intentionally or unintentionally, warned against fallacies; all and each have contributed some light, and to all and each the author's thanks are cordially given. Professor Tholuck is named twice in the ensuing pages; and to his articles on "Inspirationslehre" the writer is especially indebted. But, after all, a careful perusal of the Bible itself, and much painful, but ultimately happy and truly remunerative reflection, have chiefly led the Essayist to the views now set forth by him.

In the materials of this book it is believed that there is nothing new. That which the writer believes to be novel, and that, consequently, which induces him to ask from the public a perusal of his book, is the combination of a tolerable freedom from bias; a fearless following of premises to their conclusions; and, after free inquiry, the candid avowal of those modified but distinct opinions regarding Inspiration which still remain in the mind of a believer and a clergyman. This combination, and the results to which it has led, the author believes to be both novel and important; and therefore he sends his book to the printer.

SECTION 10.-The Solemnity of the present Inquiry fully Recognised.

A CAREFUL judgment of the serious matters, not lightly or impiously handled in these pages, is asked

from the reader. It is feared that there may be some errors in the particulars of the Essay; but, as to the general soundness of the argument, the author entertains no doubt whatever; and he has, therefore, no hesitation in introducing his work to public notice, with the devout supplication that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-may bless this inquiry, to the relief of many doubting minds, to the confirmation of every reader's heavenly confidence, and to the general extension of the kingdom of Christ. May the author not write, nor the reader think, aught that would be untrue, ungodly, or uncharitable !

BOOK I.

DOES THE BIBLE PERMIT US TO REGARD ITS TEACHING AS INFALLIBLE?

CHAPTER I.

THE INSPIRED BOOK, AND ITS SUPPOSED INFALLIBILITY.

SECTION 1.-Importance of ascertaining the Meaning of Inspiration as a Characteristic of Holy Writ.

WHEN a volume is placed in our hands with the solemn and very important information that this Holy Book is the Inspired Word of God, and with the further assurance that all its contents are the whole extant Scriptures which have been given by inspiration of God, the question naturally arises in our mind, what is the meaning of the verb "inspire," whose derivatives, the participial adjective "inspired," and the noun "inspiration," are used with such apparent force in these religious assertions?

The verb and its derivatives are by no means uncommon in expressions which, at first sight, seem to have little or no connexion with religion. Thus we hear of one man being inspired by patriotism, another by awe,

and a third by music, and the "inspiration of poetry” is by no means a rare phrase.

Let us not, however, be misled by a premature inquiry into the so-called secular or profane meaning of these terms; but let our first inquiry be as to their signification when they occur in religious applications.

SECTION 2. No Definition to be found, ready to hand, in Scripture.

THE "Inspiration" of Scripture! What is meant by this use of the word? Ultimately we shall endeavour to frame a definition of this term by examining the several meanings which it bears in the usage of the sacred penmen: but, in the meanwhile, if we seek for a logical answer to our question, it will not be found in Holy Writ, at least not in the form of a definition; for the Bible is written throughout in popular, familiar phraseology, and not in the way of any philosophical system. One may find many rich and imaginative descriptions in the Bible, but not a single logical or scientific definition. Thus, if we adopt an accurate and idiomatic translation of a passage in Paul's second letter to Timothy, we may obtain a graphic and impressive account of the usefulness of Inspiration in the words, "Every divinely inspired writing" (besides the sanctity which attaches to it as originating with God) "is also "profitable for instruction, for reproof, for correction, for "education in righteousness, in order that the man of "God may be thoroughly fitted for every good work."

This is an exquisitely fine description of the uses of an inspired writing; but the passage manifestly fails to tell us what is the precise meaning of divine inspiration, and so fails to be a definition.

SECTION 3.-Definitions of "Inspiration," in the Dictionaries of Johnson, Richardson, Robinson, Eden, and Webster. IF, then, in the absence of any Scriptural definition, we desire to ascertain the signification of this term, as it is employed in our own language with reference to the Bible, the most natural method will be to consult a good English dictionary. Upon doing this, the great Johnson tells us that, in a religious sense, "inspiration" means "the infusion of ideas into the mind by a supe66 rior power;" and he quotes from Dr. Watts a fuller statement of this definition, regarded from the Christian stand-point: "Inspiration is when an overpowering im66 pression of any proposition is made upon the mind by "God himself, that gives a convincing and indubitable "evidence of the truth and divinity of it: so were the

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prophets and apostles inspired." Such was Dr. Johnson's definition and illustration of our word. To the same effect, Dr. Richardson, in his truly scholarlike English Dictionary, tells us that the meaning of the verb "inspire," in its religious acceptation, is "to give, grant, or bestow, the Spirit; (metaphorically) to infuse "the Spirit; to actuate, guide, or direct by the Spirit; "to animate."

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