Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc。_第1章

　　Contents：
　　IntroductionConfessionsofanInquiringSpiritLettersontheInspirationoftheScriptures。
　　AnEssayonFaithNotesontheBookofCommonPrayerANightlyPrayerASailor’sFortuneEssayI
　　EssayII
　　EssayIII
　　EssayIV
　　EssayV
　　EssayVI
　　INTRODUCTION
　　SamuelTaylorColeridgewasbornonthe21stofOctober，1772，youngestofmanychildrenoftheRev。JohnColeridge，VicaroftheParishandHeadMasteroftheGrammarSchoolofOtterySt。Mary，inDevonshire。Oneofthepoet’selderbrotherswasthegrandfatherofLordChiefJusticeColeridge。Coleridge’smotherwasanotablehousewife，aswasneedfulinthemotheroftenchildren，whohadthreemoretransmittedtoherfromherhusband’sformerwife。
　　Coleridge’sfatherwasakindlyandlearnedman，littlesophisticated，anddistinguishinghimselfnowandthenbycomicalactsofwhatiscalledabsenceofmind。CharlesBuller，afterwardsajudge，wasoneofhisboys，and，whenherhusband’slifeseemedtobefailing，hadpromisedwhathelphecouldgivetotheanxiouswife。
　　Whenhisfatherdied，SamuelTaylorColeridgewasbuteightyearsold，andCharlesBullerobtainedforhimhispresentationtoChrist’sHospital。Coleridge’sminddelightedinfarwanderingoverthefieldsofthought；fromaboyhetookintensedelightindreamyspeculationonthemysteriesthatliearoundthelifeofman。FromaboyalsoheprovedhissubtletiesofthoughtthroughwhatCharlesLambcalledthe"deepandsweetintonations"ofsuchspeechascouldcomeonlyfromapoet。
　　FromtheCharterhouse，ColeridgewenttoJesusCollege，Cambridge，wherehesoonwonagoldmedalforaGreekodeontheSlaveTrade，butthroughindolenceheslippedintoahundredpoundsofdebt。ThestiroftheFrenchRevolutionwasthenquickeningyoungmindsintoboldfreedomofspeculation，resentmentagainsttyrannyofcustom，andyearningforahigherlifeinthisworld。Oldopinionsthatfamiliarityhadmadetothemultitudeconventionalwereforthatreasondistrustedanddiscarded。Coleridgenolongerheldhisreligiousfaithintheformtaughtbyhisfather。HecouldnotsigntheThirty-nineArticles，andfelthiscareerclosedattheUniversity。Hisdebtalsopresseduponhimheavily。Afteralongvacationwithaburdenedmind，inwhichonepleasantdayofpicnicgaveoccasiontohis"SongsofthePixies，"ColeridgewentbacktoCambridge。Butsoonafterwardshethrewallupindespair。Heresolvedtobecomelosttohisfriends，andfindsomeplacewherehecouldearninobscuritybaredailybread。HecametoLondon，andthenenlistedasaprivateinthe15thLightDragoons。Afterfourmonthshewasdiscovered，hisdischargewasobtained，andhewentbacktoCambridge。
　　Buthehadnocareerbeforehimthere，forhisreligiousopinionsthenexcludedbeliefinthedoctrineoftheTrinity，andtheUniversitieswerenotthenopentoDissenters。AvisittoOxfordbroughthimintorelationwithRobertSoutheyandfellow-studentsofSouthey’swhowerealsotouchedwithrevolutionaryardour。ColeridgejoinedwiththemintheresolvetoleavetheOldWorldandcreateabetterintheNew，asfoundersofaPantisocracy——anall-equalgovernment——onthebanksoftheSusquehannah。Theywouldneedwives，andSoutheyknewofthreegoodliberal-mindedsistersatBristol，oneofthemdesignedforhimself；hertwosistersherecommendedforasfarastheywouldgo。ThechiefpromotersofthePantisocracyremovedtoBristol，andoneofthethreesisters，SarahFricker，wasmarriedbyColeridge；Southeymarryinganother，Edith；whileanotheryoungOxfordenthusiastmarriedtheremainingMissFricker；andsotheymadethreepairsoffuturepatriarchsandmatriarchs。
　　NothingcameofthePantisocracy，forwantofmoneytopayfarestotheNewWorld。Coleridgesupportedhimselfbygivinglectures，andin1797publishedPoems。Theyincludedhis"ReligiousMusings，"
　　whichcontainexpressionofhisferventrevolutionaryhopes。Thenheplannedaweeklypaper，theWatchman，thatwastocarrythelanternofphilosophictruth，andcallthehourforthosewhocaredaboutthedutiesoftheday。WhenonlythreeorfourhundredsubscribershadbeengottogetherinBristol，Coleridgeresolvedtotravelfromtowntotowninsearchofsubscriptions。Whereverhewenthiseloquenceprevailed；andhecamebackwithaverylargesubscriptionlist。Butthepowerofclosedailywork，bywhichaloneColeridgecouldcarryoutsuchadesign，wasnotinhim，andtheWatchmanonlyreachedtoitstenthnumber。
　　ThenColeridgesettledatNetherStowey，bytheBristolChannel，partlyforconvenienceofneighbourhoodtoThomasPoole，fromwhomhecouldborrowatneed。HehadtherealsoayearlyallowancefromtheWedgwoodsofEtruria，whohadastrongfaithinhisfuture。FromNetherStowey，ColeridgewalkedovertomakefriendswithWordsworthatRacedown，andthefriendshipthereestablishedcausedWordsworthandhissistertoremovetotheneighbourhoodofNetherStowey。OutoftherelationswithWordsworththusestablishedcameColeridge’sbestachievementsasapoet，the"AncientMariner"and"Christabel。"
　　The"AncientMariner"wasfinished，andwasthechiefpartofColeridge’scontributiontothe"LyricalBallads，"whichthetwofriendspublishedin1798。"Christabel，"beingunfinished，wasleftunpublisheduntil1816。
　　WithhelpfromtheWedgwoods，ColeridgewentabroadwithWordsworthandhissister，leftthematHamburg，andduringfourteenmonthsincreasedhisfamiliaritywithGerman。Hecamebackinthelatesummerof1799，fullofenthusiasmforSchiller’slastgreatwork，hisWallenstein，whichColeridgehadseenacted。TheCamphadbeenfirstactedatWeimaronthe18thofOctober，1798；thePiccolominionthe30thofJanuary，1799；andWallenstein’sDeathonthe10thofthenextfollowingApril。Coleridge，undertheinfluenceoffreshenthusiasm，rapidlycompletedforMessrs。LongmanhistranslationofWallenstein’sDeathintoanEnglishpoemofthehighestmark。
　　Thenfollowedaweakeningofhealth。Coleridgeearnedfitfullyasjournalist；settledatKeswick；foundhistendencytorheumatismincreasedbythedampoftheLakeCountry；tookaremedycontainingopium，andbegantoacquirethattastefortheexcitementofopiumwhichruinedthenextyearsofhislife。HewasinvitedtoMalta，forthebenefitoftheclimate，byhisfriend，JohnStoddart，whowasthere。AtMaltahemadetheacquaintanceofthegovernor，SirAlexanderBall，whoseworthhecelebratesinessaysoftheFriend，whichareincludedunderthetitleof"ASailor’sFortune"inthislittlevolume。ForashorttimeheactedassecretarytoSirAlexander，thenreturnedtotheLakesandplannedhisjournal，theFriend，publishedatPenrith，ofwhichthefirstnumberappearedonthe1stofAugust，1809，thetwenty-eighthandlasttowardstheendofMarch，1810。
　　NextfollowedsixyearsofstruggletoliveasjournalistandlecturerinLondonandelsewhere，whilethehabitoftakingopiumgrewyearbyyear，andatlastadvancedfromtwoquartsoflaudanumaweektoapintaday。ColeridgeputhimselfundervoluntaryrestraintforatimewithaMr。MorganatCalne。Finallyheplacedhimself，inApril，1816——theyearofthepublicationof"Christabel"——
　　withasurgeonatHighgate，Mr。Gillman，underwhosefriendlycarehewasrestoredtohimself，andinwhosehousehediedonthe25thofJuly，1834。ItwasduringthiscalmautumnofhislifethatColeridge，turningwhollytothehigherspeculationsonphilosophyandreligionuponwhichhismindwaschieflyfixed，areverttotheChurch，andoftenactivelyantagonisttotheopinionshehadheldforafewyears，wrote，his"LaySermons，"andhis"BiographiaLiteraria，"andarrangedalsoavolumeofEssaysoftheFriend。HelecturedonShakespeare，wrote"AidstoReflection，"andshowedhowhisdoubtsweresetatrestinthese"ConfessionsofanInquiringSpirit，"whichwerefirstpublishedin1840，aftertheirwriter’sdeath。
　　H。M。
　　CONFESSIONSOFANINQUIRINGSPIRIT。
　　LETTERSONTHEINSPIRATIONOFTHESCRIPTURES。
　　LETTERI。
　　Mydearfriend，IemployedthecompelledandmostunwelcomeleisureofsevereindispositioninreadingTheConfessionsofaFairSaintinMr。
　　Carlyle’srecenttranslationoftheWilhelmMeister，whichmight，I
　　think，havebeenbetterrenderedliterallyTheConfessionsofaBeautifulSoul。This，actinginconjunctionwiththeconcludingsentencesofyourletter，threwmythoughtsinwardonmyownreligiousexperience，andgaveimmediateoccasiontothefollowingConfessionsofonewhoisneitherfairnorsaintly，butwho，groaningunderadeepsenseofinfirmityandmanifoldimperfection，feelsthewant，thenecessity，ofreligioussupport；whocannotaffordtoloseanythesmallestbuttress，butwhonotonlylovesTruthevenforitself，andwhenitrevealsitselfalooffromallinterest，butwholovesitwithanindescribableawe，whichtoooftenwithdrawsthegenialsapofhisactivityfromthecolumnartrunk，theshelteringleaves，thebrightandfragrantflower，andthefoodfulormedicinalfruitage，tothedeeproot，ramifyinginobscurityandlabyrinthineway-winning-
　　Indarknesstheretohouseunknown，Farunderground，PiercedbynosoundSavesuchasliveinFancy’searalone，Thatlistensfortheuptornmandrake’spartinggroan！
　　Ishould，perhaps，beahappier——atalleventsamoreuseful——manifmymindwereotherwiseconstituted。Butsoitis，andevenwithregardtoChristianityitself，likecertainplants，Icreeptowardsthelight，eventhoughitdrawmeawayfromthemorenourishingwarmth。Yea，Ishoulddoso，evenifthelighthadmadeitswaythrougharentinthewalloftheTemple。Glad，indeed，andgratefulamI，thatnotintheTempleitself，butonlyinoneortwoofthesidechapels，notessentialtotheedifice，andprobablynotcoevalwithit，haveIfoundthelightabsent，andthattherentinthewallhasbutadmittedthefreelightoftheTempleitself。
　　Ishallbestcommunicatethestateofmyfaithbytakingthecreed，orsystemofcredenda，commontoalltheFathersoftheReformation——
　　overlooking，asnon-essential，thedifferencesbetweentheseveralReformedChurches，accordingtothefivemainclassesorsectionsintowhichtheaggregatedistributesitselftomyapprehension。I
　　havethenonlytostatetheeffectproducedonmymindbyeachofthese，orthequantumofrecipiencyandcoincidenceinmyselfrelativelythereto，inordertocompletemyConfessionofFaith。
　　I。TheAbsolute；theinnominable[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]etCausaSui，inwhosetranscendentIAM，astheGround，ISwhateverVERILYis：-theTriuneGod，bywhoseWordandSpirit，asthetranscendentCause，EXISTSwhateverSUBSTANTIALLYexists：-GodAlmighty——Father，Son，andHolyGhost，undivided，unconfounded，co-
　　eternal。ThisclassIdesignatebytheword[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。
　　II。TheEternalPossibilities；theactualityofwhichhathnotitsorigininGod：Chaosspirituale：-[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。
　　III。TheCreationandFormationoftheheavenandearthbytheRedemptiveWord：-theApostasyofMan：-theRedemptionofMan：-theIncarnationoftheWordintheSonofMan：-theCrucifixionandResurrectionoftheSonofMan：-theDescentoftheComforter：-
　　Repentance（[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]）：-Regeneration：-
　　Faith：-Prayer：-Grace——CommunionwiththeSpirit：-Conflict：-Self-
　　abasement：-AssurancethroughtherighteousnessofChrist：-SpiritualGrowth：-Love：-Discipline：-Perseverance：-Hopeindeath：-[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
　　IV。Buttheseoffers，gifts，andgracesarenotforone，orforafew。Theyareofferedtoall。EvenwhentheGospelispreachedtoasingleindividualitisofferedtohimastooneofagreathousehold。Notonlyman，but，saysSt。Paul，thewholecreationisincludedintheconsequencesoftheFall——[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]——soalsointhoseofthechangeattheRedemption——[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。WetooshallberaisedINTHE
　　BODY。Christianityisfactnolessthantruth。Itisspiritual，yetsoastobehistorical；andbetweenthesetwopolestheremustlikewisebeamidpoint，inwhichthehistoricalandspiritualmeet。
　　Christianitymusthaveitshistory——ahistoryofitselfandlikewisethehistoryofitsintroduction，itsspread，anditsoutward-
　　becoming；and，asthemidpointabovementioned，aportionofthesefactsmustbemiraculous，thatis，phenomenainnaturethatarebeyondnature。Furthermore，thehistoryofallhistoricalnationsmustinsomesensebeitshistory——inotherwords，allhistorymustbeprovidential，andthisaprovidence，apreparation，andalookingforwardtoChrist。
　　Here，then，wehavefouroutofthefiveclasses。Andinallthesetheskyofmybeliefisserene，uncloudedbyadoubt。WouldtoGodthatmyfaith，thatfaithwhichworksonthewholeman，confirmingandconforming，werebutinjustproportiontomybelief，tothefullacquiescenceofmyintellect，andthedeepconsentofmyconscience！
　　Theverydifficultiesarguethetruthofthewholeschemeandsystemformyunderstanding，sinceIseeplainlythatsomustthetruthappear，ifitbethetruth。
　　V。ButthereisaBookoftwoparts，eachpartconsistingofseveralbooks。Thefirstpart（Ispeakinthecharacterofanuninterestedcriticorphilologist）containstherelicsoftheliteratureoftheHebrewpeople，whiletheHebrewwasstillthelivinglanguage。Thesecondpartcomprisesthewritings，and，withoneortwoinconsiderableanddoubtfulexceptions，allthewritingsofthefollowersofChristwithinthespaceofninetyyearsfromthedateoftheResurrection。IdonotmyselfthinkthatanyofthesewritingswerecomposedaslateasA。D。120；butIwishtoprecludealldispute。ThisBookIresumeasread，andyetunread——readandfamiliartomymindinallparts，butwhichisyettobeperusedasawhole，orratherawork，cujusparticulasetsententiolasomnesetsingulasrecogniturussum，butthecomponentintegersofwhich，andtheirconspiration，Ihaveyettostudy。ItakeupthisworkwiththepurposetoreaditforthefirsttimeasIshouldreadanyotherwork，asfaratleastasIcanordare。ForIneithercan，nordare，throwoffastrongandawfulprepossessioninitsfavour——certainasIamthatalargepartofthelightandlife，inandbywhichIsee，love，andembracethetruthsandthestrengthsco-organisedintoalivingbodyoffaithandknowledgeinthefourprecedingclasses，hasbeendirectlyorindirectlyderivedtomefromthissacredvolume——
　　andunabletodeterminewhatIdonotowetoitsinfluences。Butevenonthisaccount，andbecauseithastheseinalienableclaimsonmyreverenceandgratitude，IwillnotleaveitinthepowerofunbelieverstosaythattheBibleisformeonlywhattheKoranisforthedeafTurk，andtheVedasforthefeebleandacquiescentHindoo。No；IwillretireUPINTOTHEMOUNTAIN，andholdsecretcommunewithmyBibleabovethecontagiousblastmentsofprejudice，andthefog-blightofselfishsuperstition。FORFEARHATHTORMENT。
　　AndwhatthoughMYreasonbetothepowerandsplendouroftheScripturesbutasthereflectedandsecondaryshineofthemooncomparedwiththesolarradiance；yetthesunendurestheoccasionalco-presenceoftheunsteadyorb，andleavingitvisibleseemstosanctionthecomparison。ThereisaLighthigherthanall，evenTHE
　　WORDTHATWASINTHEBEGINNING；theLight，ofwhichlightitselfisbuttheshechinahandcloudytabernacle；theWordthatisLightforeveryman，andlifeforasmanyasgiveheedtoit。IfbetweenthisWordandthewrittenletterIshallanywhereseemtomyselftofindadiscrepance，Iwillnotconcludethatsuchthereactuallyis，norontheotherhandwillIfallunderthecondemnationofthemthatwouldLIEFORGOD，butseekasImay，bethankfulforwhatIhave——andwait。
　　Withsuchpurposes，withsuchfeelings，haveIperusedthebooksoftheOldandNewTestaments，eachbookasawhole，andalsoasanintegralpart。AndneedIsaythatIhavemeteverywheremoreorlesscopioussourcesoftruth，andpower，andpurifyingimpulses，thatIhavefoundwordsformyinmostthoughts，songsformyjoy，utterancesformyhiddengriefs，andpleadingsformyshameandmyfeebleness？Inshort，whateverFINDSme，bearswitnessforitselfthatithasproceededfromaHolySpirit，evenfromthesameSpirit，WHICHREMAININGINITSELF，YETREGENERATETHALLOTHERPOWERS，ANDIN
　　ALLAGESENTERINGINTOHOLYSOULS，MAKETHTHEMFRIENDSOFGOD，AND
　　PROPHETS。（Wisd。vii。）Andhere，perhaps，Imighthavebeencontenttorest，ifIhadnotlearnedthat，asaChristian，Icannot，mustnot，standalone；orifIhadnotknownthatmorethanthiswasholdenandrequiredbytheFathersoftheReformation，andbytheChurchescollectively，sincetheCouncilofNiceatlatest，theonlyexceptionsbeingthatdoubtfuloneofthecorruptRomishChurchimplied，thoughnotavowed，initsequalisationoftheApocryphalBookswiththoseoftheHebrewCanon，andtheirrelevantoneofthefewandobscuresectswhoacknowledgenohistoricalChristianity。
　　Thissomewhatmore，inwhichJerome，Augustine，Luther，andHookerwereofoneandthesamejudgment，andlessthanwhichnotoneofthemwouldhavetolerated——woulditfallwithinthescopeofmypresentdoubtsandobjections？Ihopeitwouldnot。LetonlytheirgeneralexpressionsbeinterpretedbytheirtreatmentoftheScripturesindetail，andIdareconfidentlytrustthatitwouldnot。
　　ForIcannomorereconcilethedoctrinewhichstartlesmybeliefwiththepracticeandparticulardeclarationsofthesegreatmen，thanwiththeconvictionsofmyownunderstandingandconscience。Atallevents——andIcannottooearlyortooearnestlyguardagainstanymisapprehensionofmymeaningandpurpose——letitbedistinctlyunderstoodthatmyargumentsandobjectionsapplyexclusivelytothefollowingdoctrineordogma。Totheopinionswhichindividualdivineshaveadvancedinlieuofthisdoctrine，myonlyobjection，asfarasIobject，is——thatIdonotunderstandthem。ThepreciseenunciationofthisdoctrineIdefertothecommencementofthenextLetter。Farewell。
　　LETTERII。
　　Mydearfriend，InmylastLetterIsaidthatintheBiblethereismorethatFINDS
　　methanIhaveexperiencedinallotherbooksputtogether；thatthewordsoftheBiblefindmeatgreaterdepthsofmybeing；andthatwhateverfindsmebringswithitanirresistibleevidenceofitshavingproceededfromtheHolySpirit。Butthedoctrineinquestionrequiresmetobelievethatnotonlywhatfindsme，butthatallthatexistsinthesacredvolume，andwhichIamboundtofindtherein，was——notaloneinspiredby，thatiscomposedby，menundertheactuatinginfluenceoftheHolySpirit，butlikewise——dictatedbyanInfallibleIntelligence；thatthewriters，eachandall，weredivinelyinformedaswellasinspired。Nowhereallevasion，allexcuse，iscutoff。Aninfallibleintelligenceextendstoallthings，physicalnolessthanspiritual。Itmayconveythetruthinanyoneofthethreepossiblelanguages——thatofsense，asobjectsappeartothebeholderonthisearth；orthatofscience，whichsupposesthebeholderplacedinthecentre；orthatofphilosophy，whichresolvesbothintoasupersensualreality。Butwhicheverbechosen——anditisobviousthattheincompatibilityexistsonlybetweenthefirstandsecond，bothofthembeingindifferentandofequalvaluetothethird——itmustbeemployedconsistently；foraninfallibleintelligencemustintendtobeintelligible，andnottodeceive。And，moreover，whicheverofthesethreelanguagesbechosen，itmustbetranslatableintotruth。Forthisistheveryessenceofthedoctrine，thatoneandthesameintelligenceisspeakingintheunityofaperson；whichunityisnomorebrokenbythediversityofthepipesthroughwhichitmakesitselfaudible，thanisatunebythedifferentinstrumentsonwhichitisplayedbyaconsummatemusician，equallyperfectinall。Oneinstrumentmaybemorecapaciousthananother，butasfarasitscompassextends，andinwhatitsoundsforth，itwillbetruetotheconceptionofthemaster。Icanconceivenosofteningherewhichwouldnotnullifythedoctrine，andconvertittoacloudforeachman’sfancytoshiftandshapeatwill。Andthisdoctrine，Iconfess，plantsthevineyardoftheWordwiththornsforme，andplacessnaresinitspathways。
　　Thesemaybedelusionsofanevilspirit；butereIsoharshlyquestiontheseemingangeloflight——myreason，Imean，andmoralsenseinconjunctionwithmyclearestknowledge——Imustinquireonwhatauthoritythisdoctrinerests。AndwhatotherauthoritydaresatrulycatholicChristianadmitascoerciveinthefinaldecision，butthedeclarationsoftheBookitself——thoughIshouldnot，withoutstruggles，andatremblingreluctance，gainsayevenauniversaltradition？
　　IreturntotheBook。WithafullpersuasionofsoulrespectingallthearticlesoftheChristianFaith，ascontainedinthefirstfourclasses，Ireceivewillinglyalsothetruthofthehistory，namely，thattheWordoftheLorddidcometoSamuel，toIsaiah，toothers；
　　andthatthewordswhichgaveutterancetothesamearefaithfullyrecorded。Butthoughtheoriginofthewords，evenasofthemiraculousacts，besupernatural，yettheformeronceuttered，thelatteroncehavingtakentheirplaceamongthephenomenaofthesenses，thefaithfulrecordingofthesamedoesnotofitselfimply，orseemtorequire，anysupernaturalworking，otherthanasalltruthandgoodnessaresuch。InthebooksofMoses，andonceortwiceintheprophecyofJeremiah，Ifinditindeedassertedthatnotonlythewordsweregiven，buttherecordingofthesameenjoinedbythespecialcommandofGod，anddoubtlessexecutedunderthespecialguidanceoftheDivineSpirit。Astoallsuchpassages，therefore，therecanbenodispute；andallothersinwhichthewordsarebythesacredhistoriandeclaredtohavebeentheWordoftheLordsupernaturallycommunicated，Ireceiveassuchwithadegreeofconfidenceproportionedtotheconfidencerequiredofmebythewriterhimself，andtotheclaimshehimselfmakesonmybelief。
　　Letus，therefore，removeallsuchpassages，andtakeeachbookbyitself；andIrepeatthatIbelievethewriterinwhateverhehimselfrelatesofhisownauthority，andofitsorigin。ButIcannotfindanysuchclaim，asthedoctrineinquestionsupposes，madebythesewriters，explicitlyorbyimplication。Onthecontrary，theyrefertootherdocuments，andinallpointsexpressthemselvesassober-
　　mindedandveraciouswritersunderordinarycircumstancesareknowntodo。Butperhapstheybeartestimony，thesuccessortohispredecessor？Orsomeoneofthenumberhasleftitonrecord，thatbyspecialinspirationHEwascommandedtodeclaretheplenaryinspirationofalltherest？Thepassageswhichcanwithoutviolencebeappealedtoassubstantiatingthelatterpositionaresofew，andthesesoincidental——theconclusiondrawnfromtheminvolvinglikewisesoobviouslyapetitioprincipii，namely，thesupernaturaldictation，wordbyword，ofthebookinwhichthequestionisfound（for，untilthisisestablished，theutmostthatsuchatextcanproveisthecurrentbeliefofthewriter’sageandcountryconcerningthecharacterofthebooksthencalledtheScriptures）——
　　thatitcannotbutseemstrange，andassuredlyisagainstallanalogyofGospelrevelation，thatsuchadoctrine——which，iftrue，mustbeanarticleoffaith，andamostimportant，yea，essentialarticleoffaith——shouldbeleftthusfaintly，thusobscurely，and，ifImaysosay，OBITANEOUSLY，declaredandenjoined。ThetimeoftheformationandclosingoftheCanonunknown；——theselectorsandcompilersunknown，orrecordedbyknownfabulists；——and（moreperplexingstill）
　　thebeliefoftheJewishChurch——thebelief，Imean，commontotheJewsofPalestineandtheirmorecultivatedbrethreninAlexandria（noreprehensionofwhichistobefoundintheNewTestament）——
　　concerningthenatureandimportofthe[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]attributedtothepreciousremainsoftheirTempleLibrary；——thesecircumstancesaresuch，especiallythelast，asineffecttoevacuatethetenet，ofwhichIamspeaking，oftheonlymeaninginwhichitpracticallymeansanythingatalltangible，steadfast，orobligatory。Ininfallibilitytherearenodegrees。
　　ThepoweroftheHighandHolyOneisoneandthesame，whetherthespherewhichitfillsbelargerorsmaller；——theareatraversedbyacomet，ortheoracleofthehouse，theholyplacebeneaththewingsofthecherubim；——thePentateuchoftheLegislator，whodrewneartothethickdarknesswhereGodwas，andwhospakeinthecloudwhencethethunderingsandlightningscame，andwhomGodansweredbyavoice；orbutaletterofthirteenversesfromtheaffectionateELDER
　　TOTHEELECTLADYANDHERCHILDREN，WHOMHELOVEDINTHETRUTH。ButatnoperiodwasthisthejudgmentoftheJewishChurchrespectingallthecanonicalbooks。ToMosesalone——toMosesintherecordingnolessthaninthereceivingoftheLaw——andtoallandeverypartofthefivebookscalledtheBooksofMoses，theJewishdoctorsofthegenerationbefore，andcoevalwith，theapostles，assignedthatunmodifiedandabsolutetheopneustywhichourdivines，inwordsatleast，attributetotheCanoncollectively。InfactitwasfromtheJewishRabbis——who，inoppositiontotheChristianscheme，contendedforaperfectionintherevelationbyMoses，whichneitherrequirednorenduredanyaddition，andwhostrainedtheirfanciesinexpressingthetranscendencyofthebooksofMoses，inaidoftheiropinion——thatthefoundersofthedoctrineborrowedtheirnotionsandphrasesrespectingtheBiblethroughout。RemovethemetaphoricaldraperyfromthedoctrineoftheCabbalists，anditwillbefoundtocontaintheonlyintelligibleandconsistentideaofthatplenaryinspiration，whichlaterdivinesextendtoallthecanonicalbooks；
　　asthus：-"ThePentateuchisbutONEWORD，eventheWordofGod；andthelettersandarticulatesounds，bywhichthisWordiscommunicatedtoourhumanapprehensions，arelikewisedivinelycommunicated。"
　　Now，for’Pentateuch’substitute’OldandNewTestament，’andthenI
　　saythatthisisthedoctrinewhichIrejectassuperstitiousandunscriptural。AndyetaslongastheconceptionsoftherevealingWordandtheinspiringSpiritareidentifiedandconfounded，Iassertthatwhateversayslessthanthis，sayslittlemorethannothing。
　　Forhowcanabsoluteinfallibilitybeblendedwithfallibility？
　　Whereistheinfalliblecriterion？Howcaninfallibletruthbeinfalliblyconveyedindefectiveandfallibleexpressions？TheJewishteachersconfinedthismiraculouscharactertothePentateuch。
　　BetweentheMosaicandthePropheticinspirationtheyassertedsuchadifferenceasamountstoadiversity；andbetweenboththeoneandtheother，andtheremainingbookscomprisedunderthetitheofHagiographa，theintervalwasstillwider，andtheinferiorityinkind，andnotonlyindegree，wasunequivocallyexpressed。Ifwetakeintoaccountthehabit，universalwiththeHebrewdoctors，ofreferringallexcellentorextraordinarythingstothegreatFirstCause，withoutmentionoftheproximateandinstrumentalcauses——astrikingillustrationofwhichmaybeobtainedbycomparingthenarrativesofthesameeventinthePsalmsandinthehistoricalbooks；andifwefurtherreflectthatthedistinctionoftheprovidentialandthemiraculousdidnotenterintotheirformsofthinking——atalleventsnotintotheirmodeofconveyingtheirthoughts——thelanguageoftheJewsrespectingtheHagiographawillbefoundtodifferlittle，ifatall，fromthatofreligiouspersonsamongourselves，whenspeakingofanauthoraboundingingifts，stirredupbytheHolySpirit，writingundertheinfluenceofspecialgrace，andthelike。
　　Butitformsnopartofmypresentpurposetodiscussthepointhistorically，ortospeculateontheformationofeitherCanon。
　　Rather，suchinquiriesarealtogetheralienfromthegreatobjectofmypursuitsandstudies，whichistoconvincemyselfandothersthattheBibleandChristianityaretheirownsufficientevidence。ButitconcernsbothmycharacterandmypeaceofmindtosatisfyunprejudicedjudgesthatifmypresentconvictionsshouldinallotherrespectsbefoundconsistentwiththefaithandfeelingsofaChristian——andifinmanyandthoseimportantpointstheytendtosecurethatfaithandtodeepenthosefeelings——thewordsoftheApostle，rightlyinterpreted，donotrequiretheircondemnation。
　　Enough，ifwhathasbeenstatedaboverespectingthegeneraldoctrineoftheHebrewmasters，underwhomtheApostlewasbred，shallremoveanymisconceptionsthatmightpreventtherightinterpretationofhiswords。Farewell。
　　LETTERIII。
　　Mydearfriend，HavingintheformertwoLettersdefinedthedoctrinewhichIreject，IamnowtocommunicatetheviewsthatIwouldproposetosubstituteinitsplace。
　　Before，however，Iattempttolaydownonthetheologicalcharttheroad-placetowhichmybarkhasdrifted，andtomarkthespotandcircumscribethespacewithinwhichIswingatanchor，letmefirstthankyoufor，andthenattempttoanswer，theobjections——oratleastthequestions——whichyouhaveurgeduponme。
　　"ThepresentBibleistheCanontowhichChristandtheApostlesreferred？"
　　Doubtless。
　　"AndintermswhichaChristianmusttrembletotamperwith？"
　　Yea。Theexpressionsareasdirectasstrong；andatruebelieverwillneitherattempttodivertnordilutetheirstrength。
　　"Thedoctrinewhichisconsideredastheorthodoxviewseemstheobviousandmostnaturalinterpretationofthetextinquestion？"
　　Yea，andnay。Tothosewhosemindsareprepossessedbythedoctrineitself——whofromearliestchildhoodhavealwaysmeantthisdoctrinebytheverywordBible——thedoctrinebeingbutitsexpositionandparaphrase——Yea。InsuchmindsthewordsofourLordandthedeclarationsofSt。Paulcanawakennoothersense。Tothoseontheotherhandwhofindthedoctrinesenselessandself-confuting，andwhotakeuptheBibleastheydootherbooks，andapplytoitthesamerulesofinterpretation——Nay。
　　And，lastly，hewho，likemyself，recognisesinneitherofthetwothestateofhisownmind——whocannotrestintheformer，andfeels，orfears，apresumptuousspiritinthenegativedogmatismofthelatter——hehashisanswertoseek。ButsofarIdarehazardareplytothequestion——Inwhatothersensecanthewordsbeinterpreted？——
　　beseechingyou，however，totakewhatIamabouttoofferbutasanattempttodelineateanarcofoscillation——thattheeulogyofSt。
　　PaulisinnowisecontravenedbytheopiniontowhichIincline，whofullybelievetheOldTestamentcollectively，bothinthecompositionandinitspreservation，agreatandpreciousgiftofProvidence；——
　　whofindinitallthattheApostledescribes，andwhomorethanbelievethatallwhichtheApostlespokeofwasofDivineinspiration，andablessingintendedforasmanyasareincommunionwiththeSpiritthroughallages。AndIfreelyconfessthatmywholeheartwouldturnawaywithanangryimpatiencefromthecoldandcaptiousmortalwho，themomentIhadbeenpouringouttheloveandgladnessofmysoul——whilebookafterbook，law，andtruth，andexample，oracle，andlovelyhymn，andchoralsongoftenthousandthousands，andacceptedprayersofsaintsandprophets，sentback，asitwere，fromheaven，likedoves，tobeletlooseagainwithanewfreightofspiritualjoysandgriefsandnecessities，werepassingacrossmymemory——atthefirstpauseofmyvoice，andwhilstmycountenancewasstillspeaking——shouldaskmewhetherIwasthinkingoftheBookofEsther，ormeantparticularlytoincludethefirstsixchaptersofDaniel，orverses6-20ofthe109thPsalm，orthelastverseofthe137thPsalm？Wouldanyconclusionofthissortbedrawninanyotheranalogouscase？InthecourseofmylecturesonDramaticPoetry，I，inhalfascoreinstances，referredmyauditorstothepreciousvolumebeforeme——Shakespeare——andspokeenthusiastically，bothingeneralandwithdetailofparticularbeauties，oftheplaysofShakespeare，asinalltheirkinds，andinrelationtothepurposesofthewriter，excellent。Wouldithavebeenfair，oraccordingtothecommonusageandunderstandingofmen，tohaveinferredanintentiononmyparttodecidethequestionrespectingTitusAndronicus，orthelargerportionofthethreepartsofHenryVI。？WouldnoteverygenialmindunderstandbyShakespearethatunityortotalimpressioncomprisingandresultingfromthethousandfoldseveralandparticularemotionsofdelight，admiration，gratitudeexcitedbyhisworks？Butifitbeanswered，"Aye！butwemustnotinterpretSt。Paulaswemayandshouldinterpretanyotherhonestandintelligentwriterorspeaker，"——then，Isay，thisistheverypetitioprincipiiofwhichIcomplain。
　　StilllessdothewordsofourLordapplyagainstmyview。HaveI
　　notdeclared——doInotbeginbydeclaring——thatwhateverisreferredbythesacredpenmantoadirectcommunicationfromGod，andwhereveritisrecordedthatthesubjectofthehistoryhadassertedhimselftohavereceivedthisorthatcommand，thisorthatinformationorassurance，fromasuperhumanIntelligence，orwherethewriterinhisownperson，andinthecharacterofanhistorian，relatesthattheWORDOFTHELORDCAMEuntopriest，prophet，chieftain，orotherindividual——haveInotdeclaredthatIreceivethesamewithfullbelief，andadmititsinappellableauthority？WhomoreconvincedthanIam——whomoreanxioustoimpressthatconvictiononthemindsofothers——thattheLawandtheProphetsspeakthroughoutofChrist？
　　Thatalltheintermediateapplicationsandrealisationsofthewordsarebuttypesandrepetitions——translations，asitwere，fromthelanguageoflettersandarticulatesoundsintothelanguageofeventsandsymbolicalpersons？
　　Andhereagainletmerecurtotheaidofanalogy。SupposealifeofSirThomasMorebyhisson-in-law，oralifeofLordBaconbyhischaplain；thatapartoftherecordsoftheCourtofChancerybelongingtotheseperiodswerelost；thatinRoper’sorinRawley’sbiographicalworktherewerepreservedaseriesofdictaandjudgmentsattributedtotheseillustriousChancellors，manyandimportantspecimensoftheirtablediscourses，withlargeextractsfromworkswrittenbythem，andfromsomethatarenolongerextant。
　　Letitbesupposed，too，thattherearenogrounds，internalorexternal，todoubteitherthemoral，intellectual，orcircumstantialcompetenceofthebiographers。Suppose，moreover，thatwherevertheopportunityexistedofcollatingtheirdocumentsandquotationswiththerecordsandworksstillpreserved，theformerwerefoundsubstantiallycorrectandfaithful，thefewdifferencesinnowisealteringordisturbingthespiritandpurposeoftheparagraphsinwhichtheywerefound；andthatofwhatwasnotcollatable，andtowhichnotestabextracouldbeapplied，thefarlargerpartborewitnessinitselfofthesamespiritandorigin；andthatnotonlybyitscharacteristicfeatures，butbyitssurpassingexcellence，itrenderedthechancesofitshavinghadanyotherauthorthanthegiant-mind，towhomthebiographerascribesit，smallindeed！Now，fromthenatureandobjectsofmypursuits，Ihave，wewillsuppose，frequentoccasiontorefertooneorotheroftheseworks；forexample，toRawley’sDictaetFactaFranciscideVerulam。AtonetimeImightrefertotheworkinsomesuchwordsas——"RememberwhatFrancisofVerulamsaidorjudged；"or，"Ifyoubelievenotme，yetbelieveLordBacon。"AtanothertimeImighttaketherunningtitleofthevolume，andatanotherthenameofthebiographer；——"TurntoyourRawley！HEwillsetyouright；"or，"THEREyouwillfindadepthwhichnoresearchwilleverexhaust；"orwhateverotherstrongexpressionmysenseofBacon’sgreatnessandoftheintrinsicworthandthevalueoftheproofsandspecimensofthatgreatness，containedandpreservedinthatvolume，wouldexciteandjustify。
　　Butletmyexpressionsbeasvividandunqualifiedasthemostsanguinetemperamenteverinspired，wouldanymanofsenseconcludefromthemthatImeant——andmeanttomakeothersbelieve——thatnotonlyeachandalloftheseanecdotes，adages，decisions，extracts，incidents，hadbeendictated，wordbyword，byLordBacon；andthatallRawley’sownobservationsandinferences，alltheconnectivesanddisjunctives，alltherecollectionsoftime，place，andcircumstance，togetherwiththeorderandsuccessionofthenarrative，wereinlikemannerdictatedandrevisedbythespiritofthedeceasedChancellor？
　　Theanswerwillbe——mustbe——Nomaninhissenses！"Nomaninhissenses——inTHISinstance；butinthatoftheBibleitisquiteotherwise；for（Itakeitasanadmittedpointthat）itISquiteotherwise！"
　　AndhereIrenounceanyadvantageImightobtainformyargumentbyrestrictingtheapplicationofourLord’sandtheApostle’swordstotheHebrewCanon。Iadmitthejustice——Ihavelongfeltthefullforce——oftheremark——"Wehaveallthattheoccasionallowed。"AndifthesameawfulauthoritydoesnotapplysodirectlytotheEvangelicalandApostolicalwritingsastotheHebrewCanon，yettheanalogyoffaithjustifiesthetransfer。IfthedoctrinebelessdecisivelyScripturalinitsapplicationtotheNewTestamentortheChristianCanon，thetemptationtodoubtitislikewiseless。Soatleastweareledtoinfer；sinceinpointoffactitistheapparentorimaginedcontrast，thediversityofspiritwhichsundryindividualshavebelievedthemselvestofindintheOldTestamentandintheGospel，thathasgivenoccasiontothedoubt；——and，intheheartofthousandswhoyieldafaithofacquiescencetothecontrary，andfindrestintheirhumility——suppliesfueltoafearfulwishthatitwerepermittedtomakeadistinction。
　　But，lastly，youobjectthat——evengrantingthatnocoercive，positivereasonsforthebelief——nodirectandnotinferredassertions——oftheplenaryinspirationoftheOldandNewTestament，inthegenerallyreceivedimportoftheterm，couldbeadduced，yet——
　　inbehalfofadoctrinesocatholic，andduringsolongasuccessionofagesaffirmedandactedonbyJewandChristian，Greek，Romish，andProtestant，youneednootheranswerthan：-"Tellme，first，whyitshouldnotbereceived！WhyshouldInotbelievetheScripturesthroughoutdictated，inwordandthought，byaninfallibleIntelligence？"Iadmitthefairnessoftheretort；andeagerlyandearnestlydoIanswer：ForeveryreasonthatmakesmeprizeandreveretheseScriptures；——prizethem，lovethem，reverethem，beyondallotherbooks！WHYshouldInot？BecausethedoctrineinquestionpetrifiesatoncethewholebodyofHolyWritwithallitsharmoniesandsymmetricalgradations——theflexileandtherigid——thesupportinghardandtheclothingsoft——thebloodWHICHISTHELIFE——theintelligencingnerves，andtherudelywoven，butsoftandspringy，cellularsubstance，inwhichallareimbeddedandlightlyboundtogether。Thisbreathingorganism，thisgloriouspanharmoniconwhichIhadseenstandonitsfeetasaman，andwithaman’svoicegiventoit，thedoctrineinquestionturnsatonceintoacolossalMemnon’shead，ahollowpassageforavoice，avoicethatmocksthevoicesofmanymen，andspeaksintheirnames，andyetisbutonevoice，andthesame；andnomanutteredit，andneverinahumanheartwasitconceived。WHYshouldInot？——Becausethedoctrineevacuatesofallsenseandefficacythesureandconstanttradition，thatalltheseveralbooksbounduptogetherinourpreciousfamilyBiblewerecomposedindifferentandwidely-distantages，underthegreatestdiversityofcircumstances，anddegreesoflightandinformation，andyetthatthecomposers，whetherasutteringorasrecordingwhatwasutteredandwhatwasdone，wereallactuatedbyapureandholySpirit，oneandthesame——（foristhereanyspiritpureandholy，andyetnotproceedingfromGod——andyetnotproceedinginandwiththeHolySpirit？）——oneSpirit，workingdiversely，nowawakeningstrength，andnowglorifyingitselfinweakness，nowgivingpoweranddirectiontoknowledge，andnowtakingawaythestingfromerror！Erethesummerandthemonthsofripeninghadarrivedfortheheartoftherace；whilethewholesapofthetreewascrude，andeachandeveryfruitlivedintheharshandbitterprinciple；eventhenthisSpiritwithdrewitschosenministersfromthefalseandguilt-makingcentreofSelf。Itconvertedthewrathintoaformandanorganoflove，andonthepassingstorm-cloudimpressedthefairrainbowofpromisetoallgenerations。PutthelustofSelfintheforkedlightning，andwoulditnotbeaSpiritofMoloch？ButGodmakeththelightningsHisministers，fireandhail，vapoursandstormywindsfulfillingHisword。
　　CURSEYEMEROZ，SAIDTHEANGELOFTHELORD；CURSEYEBITTERLYTHE
　　INHABITANTSTHEREOF——sangDeborah。Wasitthatshecalledtomindanypersonalwrongs——rapineorinsult——thatsheorthehouseofLapidothhadreceivedfromJabinorSisera？No；shehaddweltunderherpalmtreeinthedepthofthemountain。ButshewasaMOTHERIN
　　ISRAEL；andwithamother’sheart，andwiththevehemencyofamother’sandapatriot’slove，shehadshotthelightoflovefromhereyes，andpouredtheblessingsoflovefromherlips，onthepeoplethathadJEOPARDEDTHEIRLIVESUNTOTHEDEATHagainsttheoppressors；andthebitterness，awakenedandbornealoftbythesamelove，sheprecipitatedincursesontheselfishandcowardrecreantswhoCAMENOTTOTHEHELPOFTHELORD，TOTHEHELPOFTHELORD，AGAINSTTHEMIGHTY。AslongasIhavetheimageofDeborahbeforemyeyes，andwhileIthrowmyselfbackintotheage，country，circumstances，ofthisHebrewBonducainthenotyettamedchaosofthespiritualcreation；——aslongasIcontemplatetheimpassioned，high-souled，heroicwomaninalltheprominenceandindividualityofwillandcharacter，——IfeelasifIwereamongthefirstfermentsofthegreataffections——theproplasticwavesofthemicrocosmicchaos，swellingupagainst——andyettowards——theoutspreadwingsofthedovethatliesbroodingonthetroubledwaters。Solongalliswell，——allrepletewithinstructionandexample。InthefierceandinordinateI
　　ammadetoknowandbegratefulfortheclearerandpurerradiancewhichshinesonaChristian’spaths，neitherbluntedbythepreparatoryveil，norcrimsonedinitsstrugglethroughtheall-
　　enwrappingmistoftheworld’signorance：whilstintheself-
　　oblivionoftheseheroesoftheOldTestament，theirelevationabovealllowandindividualinterests，——aboveall，intheentireandvehementdevotionoftheirtotalbeingtotheserviceoftheirdivineMaster，Ifindalessonofhumility，agroundofhumiliation，andashaming，yetrousing，exampleoffaithandfealty。Butletmeoncebepersuadedthatalltheseheart-awakeningutterancesofhumanhearts——ofmenoflikefacultiesandpassionswithmyself，mourning，rejoicing，suffering，triumphing——arebutasaDivinaCommediaofasuperhuman——Obearwithme，ifIsay——Ventriloquist；——thattheroyalharper，towhomIhavesooftensubmittedmyselfasaMANY-STRINGED
　　INSTRUMENTforhisfire-tiptfingerstotraverse，whileeveryseveralnerveofemotion，passion，thought，thatthridstheflesh-and-bloodofourcommonhumanity，respondedtothetouch，——thatthisSWEET
　　PSALMISTOFISRAELwashimselfasmereaninstrumentashisharp，anAUTOMATONpoet，mourner，andsupplicant；——allisgone，——allsympathy，atleast，andallexample。Ilisteninaweandfear，butlikewiseinperplexityandconfusionofspirit。
　　Yetoneotherinstance，andletthisbethecrucialtestofthedoctrine。SaythattheBookofJobthroughoutwasdictatedbyaninfallibleintelligence。Thenre-perusethebook，andstill，asyouproceed，trytoapplythetenet；tryifyoucanevenattachanysenseorsemblanceofmeaningtothespeecheswhichyouarereading。What！
　　werethehollowtruisms，theunsufficinghalf-truths，thefalseassumptionsandmalignantinsinuationsofthesuperciliousbigots，whocorruptlydefendedthetruth：-weretheimpressivefacts，thepiercingoutcries，thepatheticappeals，andthecloseandpowerfulreasoningwithwhichthepoorsufferer——smartingatoncefromhiswounds，andfromtheoilofvitriolwhichtheorthodoxLIARSFORGOD
　　weredroppingintothem——impatiently，butuprightlyandholily，controvertedthistruth，whileinwillandinspiritheclungtoit；——
　　werebothdictatedbyaninfallibleintelligence？——Alas！ifImayjudgefromthemannerinwhichbothindiscriminatelyarerecited，quoted，appealedto，preacheduponbytheroutiniersofdeskandpulpit，Icannotdoubtthattheythinkso——orrather，withoutthinking，takeforgrantedthatsotheyaretothink；——themorereadily，perhaps，becausethesothinkingsupersedesthenecessityofallafterthought。Farewell。
　　LETTERIV。
　　Mydearfriend，YoureplytotheconclusionofmyLetter："Whathavewetodowithroutiniers？Quidmihicumhomunculisputataputidereputantibus？
　　Letnothingscountfornothing，andthedeadburythedead！Whobutsucheverunderstoodthetenetinthissense？"
　　Inwhatsensethen，Irejoin，doothersunderstandit？If，withexceptionofthepassagesalreadyexcepted，namely，therecordedwordsofGod——concerningwhichnoChristiancanhavedoubtorscruple，——thetenetinthissensebeinapplicabletotheScripture，destructiveofitsnoblestpurposes，andcontradictorytoitsownexpressdeclarations，——againandagainIask：-WhatamItosubstitute？Whatothersenseisconceivablethatdoesnotdestroythedoctrinewhichitprofessestointerpret——thatdoesnotconvertitintoitsownnegative？Asifageometricianshouldnameasugar-
　　loafanellipse，adding——"BywhichtermIheremeanacone；"——andthenjustifythemisnomeronthepretextthattheellipseisamongtheconicsections！Andyet——notwithstandingtherepugnancyofthedoctrine，initsunqualifiedsense，toScripture，Reason，andCommonSensetheoretically，whiletoallpracticalusesitisintractable，unmalleable，andaltogetherunprofitable——notwithstandingitsirrationality，andinthefaceofyourexpostulation，groundedonthepalpablenessofitsirrationality，——Imuststillavowmybeliefthat，howeverfittinglyandunsteadily，asthroughamist，itISthedoctrinewhichthegeneralityofourpopulardivinesreceiveasorthodox，andthisthesensewhichtheyattachtothewords。
　　ForonwhatothergroundcanIaccountforthewhimsicalsubintelligitursofournumerousharmonists——forthecuriouslyinferredfacts，theinventivecircumstantialdetail，thecomplementalandsupplementalhistorywhich，intheuttersilenceofallhistoriansandabsenceofallhistoricaldocuments，theybringtolightbymereforceoflogic？AndalltodoawaysomehalfscoreapparentdiscrepanciesinthechroniclesandmemoirsoftheOldandNewTestaments——discrepanciessoanalogoustowhatisfoundinallothernarrativesofthesamestorybyseveralnarrators——soanalogoustowhatisfoundinallotherknownandtrustedhistoriesbycontemporaryhistorians，whentheyarecollatedwitheachother（nay，notseldomwheneitherhistorianiscomparedwithhimself），astoformintheeyesofallcompetentjudgesacharacteristicmarkofthegenuineness，independency，and（ifImayapplythewordtoabook），theveraciousnessofeachseveraldocument；amark，theabsenceofwhichwouldwarrantasuspicionofcollusion，invention，oratbestofserviletranscription；discrepanciessotriflingincircumstanceandimport，that，althoughinsomeinstancesitishighlyprobable，andinallinstances，perhaps，possiblethattheyareonlyapparentandreconcilable，nowisemanwouldcareastawwhethertheywererealorapparent，reconciledorleftinharmlessandfriendlyvariance。What，Iask，couldhaveinducedlearnedandintelligentdivinestoadoptorsanctionsubterfuges，whichneutralisingtheordinarycriteriaoffullordefectiveevidenceinhistoricaldocuments，would，takenasageneralrule，renderallcollationandcross-examinationofwrittenrecordsineffective，andobliteratethemaincharacterbywhichauthentichistoriesaredistinguishedfromthosetraditionaltales，whicheachsuccessivereporterenlargesandfashionstohisownfancyandpurpose，andeverydifferenteditionofwhichmoreorlesscontradictstheother？Allowmetocreatechasmsadlibitum，andadlibitumtofillthemupwithimaginedfactsandincidents，andIwouldalmostundertaketoharmoniseFalstaff’saccountoftheroguesinbuckramintoacoherentandconsistentnarrative。What，Isay，couldhavetemptedgraveandpiousmenthustodisturbthefoundationoftheTemple，inordertorepairapettybreachorrat-holeinthewall，orfastenaloosestoneortwointheoutercourt，ifnotanassumednecessityarisingoutofthepeculiarcharacterofBiblehistory？
　　Thesubstanceofthesyllogism，bywhichtheirprocedurewasjustifiedtotheirownminds，canbenootherthanthis。That，withoutwhichtwoassertions——bothofwhichMUSTbealiketrueandcorrect——wouldcontradicteachother，andconsequentlybe，oneorboth，falseorincorrect，mustitselfbetrue。ButeverywordandsyllableexistingintheoriginaltextoftheCanonicalBooks，fromtheCherethiandPhelethiofDavidtothenameinthecopyofafamilyregister，thesiteofatown，orthecourseofariver，weredictatedtothesacredamanuensisbyaninfallibleintelligence。
　　Heretherecanbeneithermorenorless。Importantorunimportantgivesnogroundofdifference；andthenumberofthewritersaslittle。Thesecretariesmayhavebeenmany——thehistorianwasoneandthesame，andheinfallible。ThisistheMINORofthesyllogism，andifitcouldbeproved，theconclusionwouldbeatleastplausible；andtherewouldbebutoneobjectiontotheprocedure，namely，itsuselessness。Forifithadbeenprovedalready，whatneedofprovingitoveragain，andbymeans——theremoval，namely，ofapparentcontradictions——whichtheinfallibleAuthordidnotthinkgoodtoemploy？Butifithavenotbeenproved，whatbecomesoftheargumentwhichderivesitswholeforceandlegitimacyfromtheassumption？
　　Infact，itisclearthattheharmonistsandtheiradmirersheldandunderstoodthedoctrineliterally。Andmustnotthatdivinelikewisehavesounderstoodit，who，inanswertoaquestionconcerningthetranscendantblessednessofJael，andtherighteousnessoftheact，inwhichsheinhospitably，treacherously，perfidiouslymurderedsleep，theconfidingsleep，closedthecontroversybyobservingthathewantednobettermoralitythanthatoftheBible，andnootherproofofanaction’sbeingpraiseworthythanthattheBiblehaddeclareditworthytobepraised？——anobservation，asappliedinthisinstance，soslanderoustothemoralityandmoralspiritoftheBibleastobeinexplicable，exceptasaconsequenceofthedoctrineindispute。Butletamanbeoncefullypersuadedthatthereisnodifferencebetweenthetwopositions："TheBiblecontainsthereligionrevealedbyGod，"and"WhateveriscontainedintheBibleisreligion，andwasrevealedbyGod，"andthatwhatevercanbesaidoftheBible，collectivelytaken，mayandmustbesaidofeachandeverysentenceoftheBible，takenforandbyitself，andInolongerwonderattheseparadoxes。Ionlyobjecttotheinconsistencyofthosewhoprofessthesamebelief，andyetaffecttolookdownwithacontemptuousorcompassionatesmileonJohnWesleyforrejectingtheCopernicansystemasincompatibletherewith；orwhoexclaim"Wonderful！"whentheyhearthatSirMatthewHalesentacrazyoldwomantothegallowsinhonouroftheWitchofEndor。Inthelatterinstanceitmight，Iadmit，havebeenanerroneous（thoughevenatthisdaytheallbutuniversallyreceived）interpretationoftheword，whichwehaverenderedbyWITCH；butIchallengethesedivinesandtheiradherentstoestablishthecompatibilityofabeliefinthemodernastronomyandnaturalphilosophywiththeirandWesley’sdoctrinerespectingtheinspiredScriptures，withoutreducingthedoctrineitselftoaplaythingofwax；orrathertoahalf-inflatedbladder，which，whenthecontentsarerarefiedintheheatofrhetoricalgeneralities，swellsoutround，andwithoutacreaseorwrinkle；butbringitintothecooltemperatureofparticulars，andyoumaypress，andasitwereexcept，whatpartyoulike——soitbebutonepartatatime——betweenyourthumbandfinger。
　　Now，Iprayyou，whichisthemorehonest，nay，whichthemorereverentialproceeding——toplayatfastandlooseinthisway，ortosayatonce，"Seehere，intheseseveralwritingsoneandthesameHolySpirit，nowsanctifyingachosenvessel，andfittingitforthereceptionofheavenlytruthsproceedingimmediatelyfromthemouthofGod，andelsewhereworkinginfrailandfalliblemenlikeourselves，andlikeourselvesinstructedbyGod’swordandlaws？"ThefirstChristianmartyrhadtheformandfeaturesofanordinaryman，norarewetaughttobelievethatthesefeaturesweremiraculouslytransfiguredintosuperhumansymmetry；butHEBEINGFILLEDWITHTHE
　　HOLYGHOST，THEYTHATLOOKEDSTEADFASTLYonHIM，SAWHISFACEASIT
　　HADBEENTHEFACEOFANANGEL。Evensohasiteverbeen，andsoiteverwillbewithallwhowithhumbleheartsandarightlydisposedspiritscanthesacredvolume。AndtheywhoreaditwithANEVIL
　　HEARTOFUNBELIEFandanalienspirit，whatbootsforthemtheassertionthateverysentencewasmiraculouslycommunicatedtothenominalauthorbyGodhimself？Willitnotratherpresentadditionaltemptationstotheunhappyscoffers，andfurnishthemwithapretextofself-justification？
　　When，inmythirdletter，Ifirstechoedthequestion"WhyshouldI
　　not？"theanswerscamecrowdingonmymind。Iamwellcontent，however，tohavemerelysuggestedthemainpoints，inproofofthepositiveharmwhich，bothhistoricallyandspiritually，ourreligionsustainsfromthisdoctrine。Ofminorimportance，yetnottobeoverlooked，aretheforcedandfantasticinterpretations，thearbitraryallegoriesandmysticexpansionsofpropernames，towhichthisindiscriminateBibliolatryfurnishedfuel，spark，andwind。A
　　stillgreaterevil，andlessattributabletothevisionaryhumourandweakjudgmentoftheindividualexpositors，istheliteralrenderingofScriptureinpassages，whichthenumberandvarietyofimagesemployedindifferentplacestoexpressoneandthesameverity，plainlymarkoutforfigurative。Andlastly，addtoallthesethestrange——inallotherwritingsunexampled——practiceofbringingtogetherintologicaldependencydetachedsentencesfrombookscomposedatthedistanceofcenturies，nay，sometimesamillenniumfromeachother，underdifferentdispensations，andfordifferentobjects。AccommodationsofelderScripturalphrases——thatfavouriteornamentandgarnishofJewisheloquence；incidentalallusionstopopularnotions，traditions，apologues（forexample，thedisputebetweentheDevilandthearchangelMichaelaboutthebodyofMoses，Jude9）；fanciesandanachronismsimportedfromthesynagogueofAlexandriaintoPalestine，byortogetherwiththeSeptuagintversion，andappliedasmereargumentaadhomines（forexample，thedeliveryoftheLawbythedispositionofangels，Actsvii。53，Gal。
　　iii。19，Heb。ii。2），——these，detachedfromtheircontext，and，contrarytotheintentionofthesacredwriter，firstraisedintoindependenttheses，andthenbroughttogethertoproduceorsanctionsomenewcredendumforwhichneitherseparatelycouldhavefurnishedapretence！Bythisstrangemosaic，Scripturetextshavebeenworkedupintopassablelikenessesofpurgatory，Popery，theInquisition，andothermonstrousabuses。ButwouldyouhaveaProtestantinstanceofthesuperstitioususeofScripturearisingoutofthisdogma？
　　PassingbytheCabbalaoftheHutchinsonianSchoolasthedotageofafewweak-mindedindividuals，IreferyoutoBishopHacket’ssermonsontheIncarnation。Andifyouhavereadthesameauthor’slifeofArchbishopWilliams，andhaveseenandfelt（aseveryreaderofthislatterworkmustseeandfeel）histalent，learning，acuteness，androbustgoodsense，youwillhavenodifficultyindeterminingthequalityandcharacterofadogmawhichcouldengraftsuchfruitsonsuchatree。
　　Itwillperhapsappearaparadoxif，afterallthesereasons，I
　　shouldavowthattheyweighlessinmymindagainstthedoctrine，thanthemotivesusuallyassignedformaintainingandenjoiningit。
　　Such，forinstance，aretheargumentsdrawnfromtheanticipatedlossanddamagethatwouldresultfromitsabandonment；asthatitwoulddeprivetheChristianworldofitsonlyinfalliblearbiterinquestionsoffaithandduty，suppresstheonlycommonandinappellabletribunal；thattheBibleistheonlyreligiousbondofunionandgroundofunityamongProtestantsandthelike。Fortheconfutationofthiswholereasoning，itmightbesufficienttoask：
　　Hasitproducedtheseeffects？Wouldnotthecontrarystatementbenearertothefact？WhatdidtheChurchesofthefirstfourcenturiesholdonthispoint？Towhatdidtheyattributetheriseandmultiplicationofheresies？CananylearnedandcandidProtestantaffirmthatthereexistedandexistsnogroundforthechargesofBossuetandothereminentRomishdivines？Itisnoeasymattertoknowhowtohandleapartymaxim，soframed，thatwiththeexceptionofasingleword，itexpressesanimportanttruth，butwhichbymeansofthatwordismadetoconveyamostdangerouserror。
　　TheBibleistheappointedconservatory，anindispensablecriterion，andacontinualsourceandsupportoftruebelief。ButthattheBibleisthesolesource；thatitnotonlycontains，butconstitutes，theChristianReligion；thatitis，inshort，aCreed，consistingwhollyofarticlesofFaith；thatconsequentlyweneednorule，help，orguide，spiritualorhistorical，toteachuswhatpartsareandwhatarenotarticlesofFaith——allbeingsuch——andthedifferencebetweentheBibleandtheCreedbeingthis，thattheclausesofthelatterareallunconditionallynecessarytosalvation，butthoseoftheformerconditionallyso，thatis，assoonasthewordsareknowntoexistinanyoneofthecanonicalbooks；andthat，underthislimitation，thebeliefisofthesamenecessityinboth，andnotatallaffectedbythegreaterorlesserimportanceofthemattertobebelieved；——thisschemedifferswidelyfromthepreceding，thoughitsadherentsoftenmakeuseofthesamewordsinexpressingtheirbelief。Andthislatterscheme，Iassert，wasbroughtintocurrencybyandinfavourofthosebywhomtheoperationofgrace，theaidsoftheSpirit，thenecessityofregeneration，thecorruptionofournature，inshort，allthepeculiarandspiritualmysteriesoftheGospelwereexplainedanddilutedaway。
　　AndhowhavethesementreatedthisveryBible？I，whoindeedprizeandreverencethissacredlibrary，asofalloutwardmeansandconservativesofChristianfaithandpracticethesurestandthemostreflectiveoftheinwardWord；I，whoholdthattheBiblecontainsthereligionofChristians，butwhodarenotsaythatwhateveriscontainedintheBibleistheChristianreligion，andwhoshrinkfromallquestionrespectingthecomparativeworthandefficacyofthewrittenWordasweighedagainstthepreachingoftheGospel，thedisciplineoftheChurches，thecontinuedsuccessionoftheMinistry，andthecommunionofSaints，lestbycomparingthemIshouldseemtodetachthem；ItrembleattheprocesseswhichtheGrotiandivineswithoutscruplecarryonintheirtreatmentofthesacredwriters，assoonasanytextsdeclaringthepeculiartenetsofourFaitharecitedagainstthem——eventenetsandmysterieswhichthebelieverathisbaptismreceivesasthetitle-writandbosom-rollofhisadoption；andwhich，accordingtomyscheme，everyChristianborninChurch-membershipoughttobringwithhimtothestudyofthesacredScripturesasthemaster-keyofinterpretation。Whateverthedoctrineofinfallibledictationmaybeinitself，inTHEIRhandsitistothelastdegreenugatory，andtobeparalleledonlybytheRomishtenetofInfallibility——intheexistenceofwhichallagree，butwhere，andinwhom，itexistsstatadhucsublite。EverysentencefoundinacanonicalBook，rightlyinterpreted，containsthedictumofaninfallibleMind；butwhattherightinterpretationis——
　　orwhethertheverywordsnowextantarecorruptorgenuine——mustbedeterminedbytheindustryandunderstandingoffallible，andalas！
　　moreorlessprejudicedtheologians。
　　AndyetIamtoldthatthisdoctrinemustnotberesistedorcalledinquestion，becauseofitsfitnesstopreserveunityoffaith，andforthepreventionofschismandsectarianbyways！LetthemanwhoholdsthislanguagetracethehistoryofProtestantism，andthegrowthofsectariandivisions，endingwithDr。Hawker’sultra-
　　CalvinisticTracts，andMr。Belsham’sNewVersionoftheTestament。
　　Andthenlethimtellmethatforthepreventionofanevilwhichalreadyexists，andwhichtheboastedpreventiveitselfmightratherseemtohaveoccasioned，Imustsubmittobesilencedbythefirstlearnedinfidel，whothrowsinmyfacetheblessingofDeborah，orthecursingsofDavid，ortheGrecismsandheavierdifficultiesinthebiographicalchaptersoftheBookofDaniel，orthehydrographyandnaturalphilosophyofthePatriarchalages。Imustforegothemeansofsilencing，andtheprospectofconvincing，analienatedbrother，becauseImustnotthusanswer"MyBrother！WhathasallthistodowiththetruthandtheworthofChristianity？IfyourejectaprioriallcommunionwiththeHolySpirit，thereisindeedachasmbetweenus，overwhichwecannotevenmakeourvoicesintelligibletoeachother。Butif——thoughbutwiththefaithofaSenecaoranAntonine——youadmittheco-operationofaDivineSpiritinsoulsdesirousofgood，evenasthebreathofheavenworksvariouslyineachseveralplantaccordingtoitskind，character，periodofgrowth，andcircumstanceofsoil，clime，andaspect；onwhatgroundcanyouassumethatitspresenceisincompatiblewithallimperfectioninthesubject——evenwithsuchimperfectionasisthenaturalaccompanimentoftheunripeseason？Ifyoucallyourgardenerorhusbandmantoaccountfortheplantsorcropsheisraising，wouldyounotregardthespecialpurposeineach，andjudgeofeachbythatwhichitwastendingto？Thornsarenotflowers，noristhehuskserviceable。Butitwasnotforitsthorns，butforitssweetandmedicinalflowersthattherosewascultivated；andhewhocannotseparatethehuskfromthegrain，wantsthepowerbecauseslothormalicehaspreventedthewill。IdemandfortheBibleonlythejusticewhichyougranttootherbooksofgraveauthority，andtootherprovedandacknowledgedbenefactorsofmankind。WillyoudenyaspiritofwisdominLordBacon，becauseinparticularfactshedidnotpossessperfectscience，oranentireimmunityfromthepositiveerrorswhichresultfromimperfectinsight？ADavywillnotsojudgehisgreatpredecessor；forherecognisesthespiritthatisnowworkinginhimself，andwhichundersimilardefectsoflightandobstaclesoferrorhadbeenhisguideandguardianinthemorningtwilightofhisowngenius。Mustnotthekindlywarmthawakenandvivifytheseed，inorderthatthestemmayspringupandrejoiceinthelight？Asthegenialwarmthtotheinforminglight，evensoisthepredisposingSpirittotherevealingWord。"
　　IfIshouldreasonthus——butwhydoIsayIF？Ihavereasonedthuswithmorethanoneseriousandwell-disposedsceptic；andwhatwastheanswer？——"YOUspeakrationally，butseemtoforgetthesubject。
　　IhavefrequentlyattendedmeetingsoftheBritishandForeignBibleSociety，whereIhaveheardspeakersofeverydenomination，CalvinistandArminian，QuakerandMethodist，DissentingMinistersandClergymen，nay，dignitariesoftheEstablishedChurch，andstillhaveIheardthesamedoctrine——thattheBiblewasnottoberegardedorreasonedaboutinthewaythatothergoodbooksareormaybe——thattheBiblewasdifferentinkind，andstoodbyitself。Bysomeindeedthisdoctrinewasratherimpliedthanexpressed，butyetevidentlyimplied。Butbyfarthegreaternumberofthespeakersitwasassertedinthestrongestandmostunqualifiedwordsthatlanguagecouldsupply。Whatismore，theirprincipalargumentsweregroundedontheposition，thattheBiblethroughoutwasdictatedbyOmniscience，andthereforeinallitspartsinfalliblytrueandobligatory，andthatthemenwhosenamesareprefixedtotheseveralbooksorchapterswereinfactbutasdifferentpensinthehandofoneandthesameWriter，andthewordsthewordsofGodHimself：andthatonthisaccountallnotesandcommentsweresuperfluous，nay，presumptuous——aprofanemixingofhumanwithdivine，thenotionsoffalliblecreatureswiththeoraclesofInfallibility——asifGod’smeaningcouldbesoclearlyorfitlyexpressedinman’sasinGod’sownwords！Buthowoftenyouyourselfmusthaveheardthesamelanguagefromthepulpit！"
　　WhatcouldIreplytothis？Icouldneitherdenythefact，norevadetheconclusion——namely，thatsuchisatpresentthepopularbelief。
　　Yes——Iatlengthrejoined——Ihaveheardthislanguagefromthepulpit，andmorethanoncefrommenwhoinanyotherplacewouldexplainitawayintosomethingsoverydifferentfromtheliteralsenseoftheirwordsascloselytoresemblethecontrary。Andthis，indeed，isthepeculiarcharacterofthedoctrine，thatyoucannotdiminishorqualifybutyoureverseit。Ihaveheardthislanguagefrommenwhoknewaswellasmyselfthatthebestandmostorthodoxdivineshaveineffectdisclaimedthedoctrine，inasmuchastheyconfessitcannotbeextendedtothewordsofthesacredwriters，ortheparticularimport——thatthereforethedoctrinedoesnotmeanallthattheusualwordingofitexpresses，thoughwhatitdoesmean，andwhytheycontinuetosanctionthishyperbolicalwording，Ihavesoughttolearnfromtheminvain。Butletathousandoratorsblazonitatpublicmeetings，andletasmanypulpitsechoit，surelyitbehovesyoutoinquirewhetheryoucannotbeaChristianonyourownfaith；anditcannotbutbebeneathawisemantobeanInfidelonthescoreofwhatothermenthinkfittoincludeintheirChristianity！
　　Nowsuppose——and，believeme，thesuppositionwillvarylittlefromthefact——thatinconsequenceoftheseviewsthesceptic’smindhadgraduallyopenedtothereceptionofallthetruthsenumeratedinmyfirstLetter。SupposethattheScripturesthemselvesfromthistimehadcontinuedtoriseinhisesteemandaffection——thebetterunderstood，themoredear；asinthecountenanceofone，whomthroughacloudofprejudiceswehaveatleastlearnedtoloveandvalueaboveallothers，newbeautiesdawnonusfromdaytoday，tillatlengthwewonderhowwecouldatanytimehavethoughtitotherthanmostbeautiful。Studyingthesacredvolumeinthelightandinthefreedomofafaithalreadysecured，ateveryfreshmeetingmyscepticfriendhastotellmeofsomenewpassage，formerlyviewedbyhimasadrystickonarottenbranch，whichhasBUDDEDand，liketherodofAaron，BROUGHTFORTHBUDSANDBLOOMEDBLOSSOMS，ANDYIELDEDALMONDS。

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