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O F

SCRIPTURE.*

could, that we state boldly and uncom promisingly the ground we take, and are prepared to defend, in relation to the present controversy. At the outset let us be candid with those whom we shall be forced to treat as opponents in the course of our argument. We foresee the momentous results pending upon the issue of this discussion, and in the staunch defense of the truth, which we believe to be imperiled, we must make an end of unmeaning compliments. There can be no dalliance in war. On either side the conflict is too serious to be staid or assuaged by any weak considerations. The battle must be resolutely fought without quarter, till by the strain of argument against argument it be proved with whom the victory rests. All that can be required, therefore, in any writer who enters

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this controversy, is the clearest and most forcible statement of arguments, whether in exposure of an opponent's weakness, or in the defense of his own position. To this law we pledge ourselves. We feel too deeply and too strongly to write in doubtful language, or with impotent reserve. The question, whether there has been a Divine revelation or not, is the altimate and essential form into which all inquiries concerning inspiration resolve themselves; and the answer to that question manifestly involves our knowledge of God, the existence of the Church, the standard of duty, and our hopes of a future world; in fact, every interest of mankind that is revered and precious. Selfrespect, therefore, and respect for the convictions of those who differ from us, but who must acknowledge the vast importance and far-reaching potency of the conclusions which they seek to establish, compel us to use the exactest and plainest language we can find to express and enforce our opinions on this subject.

prevail; and it is far better to have an
open and thorough criticism of its evi-
dences which will triumphantly vindicate
their strength, than to be dwelling in
imaginary dread of their possible insuffi-
ciency. But if there be such an honest
examination of this doctrine, that brazen-
throated artillery of menacing epithets
which has been pealing far and near must
be silenced. The strong reasons on either
side must be scrupulously weighed, and
the balance fairly struck. If truth does
not capitulate to bribes, neither will it to
threats; it must be solicited and won by
the severe exercise of unimpassioned and
unprejudiced reason.
We do not purpose
to collect within the limits of one or even
two articles every quillet of proof either
for or against the doctrine of plenary in-
spiration; but we trust to give a clear
statement of the doctrine as we hold it,
to expound fairly the evidence which
vouches this doctrine, and to expose the
fallacy of the various theories which have
been hatched to supplant it-only revers-
ing the order of these propositions, that
by the destruction of false theories we
may clear the ground for orthodox scrip

our share to the settlement of the present
disturbed controversy, in the renewed
acceptance and the firmer establishment
of the hitherto received doctrine, that
the whole Bible is the word of God.

Let it not, however, be conceived, that we sympathize with the ignorant and bilious denunciations with which the doubters and impugners of orthodox be-tural truths. So far we hope to contribute lief on this subject are so frequently assailed. Orthodox truth suffers more from such an ignoble and cowardly mode of defense, than from the most virulent attacks. If it is to be honorably maintained, it must be by the calm exposition of its evidences, and not by a savage howl at its opponents. Difficulties are admitted to complicate the doctrine of inspiration, which may be supposed sufficient to bewilder or to repulse many sincere inquiries, without the further incentive of sinister motives. For their recovery to sound doctrine, angry threats and browbeatings are the worst possible means to adopt. At any rate, they can be useful no longer. This doctrine is now threatened on every side. The sluices of the controversy which has so long deluged Germany have been lifted up in this country. High authorities in the Episcopalian Church pronounce opinions widely at variance from the commonly received faith, and loudly affirm that the commonly received faith is indefensible. In every direction it is intimated that the time has come for a thorough investigation and fresh settlement of the doctrine of inspiration. We are content that it should be so, since we are convinced that the old faith will yet

In a controversy so important, there should be the most rigorous care in the definition of the terms that are employed. Of late, the embroilment of language has become almost hopeless, from the various meanings into which the term "inspiration" has been distorted; and the distinction drawn by Coleridge, and since almost very generally adopted, between revelation and inspiration, seems to us to have increased, instead of relieving, this perplexity. According to this distinction, revelation consists in the immediate communication from God by voice, dreams, visions, or by some transcendental mode of impressing the consciousness with knowledge, which otherwise would have been unattainable by man; and inspiration consists in that spiritual aid which was given to writers of Scripture, to convey to their fellow-men the knowledge which had been thus supernaturally communicated to them, and whatever information or sentiment of their own they pleased to combine with it Now, this dis

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