Testament. Consideration interposed concerning the For he knew what was in man. Characteristic differences of manner to be expected, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- tion in righteousness: that the man of God may be per- fect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Preliminary recapitulation of the true state of the question concerning the reception or rejection of a re- velation, where such has been offered. Thoughts in- terposed upon their case who disallow the "atone> "ment." Nothing can excuse unbelief, but proof that Scripture is either hurtful or insufficient. Christian doctrines not mischievous. Instanced in that of na- tural corruption. Christian doctrines the only really adequate provision for the wants of the spirit of man. Continuous view of Christian edification. Sense of sin- fulness. Reconciliation through Christ's death. Mo- tive to the love of God hence resulting. Encourage- ment to active virtue through his resurrection. Motive to the love of our neighbour. Consolation, under a sense of imperfection, through his ascension, and send- ing of the Holy Spirit, and continued intercession. Power and beauty of the sacraments, as instituted means of grace. Reasonableness of this whole view. Wherein Scripture might yet be thought defective. Its fulness here also. Why not now exemplified. Indul- So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one Recapitulation of the plan of the Lectures. In what great social Christian principle in more familiar cases LECTURE I. 2 TIMOTHY iii. 14, 15. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. IN whatever manner we may be disposed to interpret these words of St. Paul, with respect to verbal or circumstantial differences ", their general precept must surely be pronounced, in these our own days, of universal application. Neither can the passage, as now belonging to ourselves, be understood otherwise than of the whole volume of canonical Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, of which we have virtually learnt so great a portion from St. Paul himself, as well as Timothy did; and all from the same source from whence that portion was derived to him, the Spirit of wisdom and of truth. In the Scriptures, then, we have received a solemn trust committed to us; and here is an apo a Macknight renders the verb iisans," with which thou "hast been intrusted." See also Benson, on this place. В stolical exhortation directing us to hold fast by them. The very tenor of the exhortation implies that we may let slip our hold: but the inference is equally clear, that we can only do so under peril of an awful penalty,—no less, than the loss of that wisdom which maketh wise unto salvation. Now looking at this passage of divine writ in this manner, and then glancing to the real, existing state of men and things around us, a very familiar picture presents itself to the mind, of no small interest. It is manifest, that this our hereditary possession is bequeathed to a vast diversity and inequality, as well of tempers and moral dispositions, as of intellectual faculties, and consequent attainments in human knowledge. In connection with which remark the thought will naturally suggest Matth. xix. itself, that the Bible contemplates and recog1 Cor. iii. 2. nizes such a diversity, and provides for all accordingly. 11, 12. Heb. v. 12, 14. It does. And in our further progress, when we come to search into the fulness of holy Scripture, once received as a law of life, we shall have occasion to perceive what a support is here to its divine authority. But while it does, and while we rejoice in it, and give thanks unto the Giver of all good that the case is so; there is yet an earlier point to be considered, of very vital importance, to which this comfortable thought does not extend. |