A. Bishop White says, "In theories as diverse as possible from the one mentioned, there are those who acknowledge no signs of evangelical preaching, except as it tends to agitate the feelings of our animal mechanism, having no connexion with the gracious affections known in Scripture as a new creation, and a vesting within properties which are a renewal of the image in which our race was originally created; but spending their forces in a variety of extravagances as diverse from one another as from Scriptural and rational devotion." Q. Is the term "evangelical" sometimes used for party purposes? A. Bishop White says, "It is sometimes used for the casting of unmerited reproach, and with a view to very unworthy purposes; especially when it is so *Genl. Theol. Sem. Address, 1829, p. 5. applied as to cover an agency in party, it will not be checked by any dictates of moral obligation.” Q. How is the claim of evangelical preaching often made? A. Bishop White says,* The claim of evangelical preaching is often made, either in the way of denying that any thing short of Calvinism is Gospel doctrine; or else, as resolving all religion into animal sensibility. The name in question (evangelical,) when assumed with a view to the making of a distinction on such grounds, has a tendency to slander many faithful ministers, who make a conscience of opening to their flocks the whole counsel of God; but do not consider the opinions here alluded to, or any practices connected with them, as comprehended within the de sign. On this account it is here supposed, that a clergyman may be truly evangelical in his preaching, and yet, not wish to be characterized by a name, so far as it is abused to an unworthy purpose." SECTION V. Of the Bible; and the Relation of the Church to the Bible. "The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith."-From Art. XX. "Great evils and unhappy divisions among Christians have arisen from construing particular passages in a sense different from the general tenor and design of the sacred volume."-Bishop Griswold, Discourses, p. 470. Q. How has the Divine Being imparted to us his Revelation? A. Bishop White says, "The Divine * Charge 1807, p. 29. Being has been pleased to impart to us a revelation of his will, under a form, in which it cannot be applied to edification without a knowledge, to be possessed at least by some, of various branches of literature, which contribute to the ascertaining of the true sense of Scripture." Q. On what authority does our Church rest the authority of the books of Scripture? * Q. Bishop White says, "She rests the authority of the books alleged to be Scripture, on the testimony of the Church; affirming in her 20th article, that this body is a witness and a keeper of holy writ;' and she has not, in any of her institutions, given a hint of any other ground on which we are to believe one book or another to have been given by inspiration.' * Comp. Views, vol. ii. p. 24 Q. On what testimony does the genuineness of the canonical books of Scripture rest? A. Bishop White says,* * "It will therefore be perceived, that their (the canonical book of Scripture) genuineness rests on the testimony of the Church; and the stating of this must be understood to the exclusion of other standards of authenticity, imagined by different descriptions of persons." Q. Is the internal evidence of itself sufficient? A. Bishop White says, "There are some who think we need no other evidence than the stamp of divinity, which may be traced in the excellent matter contained; which, by the way, is precisely the argument alleged by the Mus * Comment. p. 22, vide p. 24. |