FOOTNOTES:

[1] The reader is invited to refer to the passages cited in the present volume, at [pp. lxxxvii]. and [lxxxviii].

[2] See [p. 47] to p. 50. Also [Appendix (B.)]

[3] In illustration of what is meant, may be particularized a highly objectionable Sermon which Dr. Temple preached before the University some years ago, and which occasioned no small offence to many who heard it,—as all in Oxford well remember. It was almost as unsound as the same writer's Essay "On the Education of the World," which, to the best of my remembrance, it strongly resembled.—A printed Sermon by Dr. Temple may also be referred to, "preached on Act-Sunday, July 1, 1860, before the University of Oxford, during the Meeting of the British Association," entitled "The present Relations of Science to Religion."—Professor Jowett's handling of the Doctrine of the Atonement, needs only to be referred to.

[4] Page 80 to 82.

[5] "To the Reader," prefixed to Essays and Reviews.

[6] 'Neo-Christianity' in the Westminster Review, No. 36.—How true is what follows:—"The Bible is one; and it is too late now to propose to divide it. We shall only point out that the moral value of the Gospel teaching becomes suspicious when the whole miraculous element is discarded.

"We certainly do think that the Gospels assert a miraculous Incarnation, Resurrection, and Ascension; and that the Epistles teach Original Sin, and a vicarious Sacrifice. If this be doubted by our authors, it is sufficient for us to say that such is the impression they have created on all ages of Christians."

"We desire that if the Bible, or any part of it be retained as Holy Writ, it be defended as a miraculous gift to Man, and not by distorting the principles of modern Science. Let the Essayists be assured that there exists no middle course; that there is no Inspiration more than is natural, yet not supernatural; no Theology which can abandon its doctrines and retain its authority."

Lastly, with what sickening and almost Satanic power, does the same writer invite the Essayists and Reviewers to make shipwreck of their souls in the following terrible passage. And yet, who sees not that on their principles absolute and professed unbelief is inevitable? He says:—"How long shall this last? Until men have the courage to bury their dead convictions out of sight, and the greater courage to form new. All honour to these writers for the boldness with which they have, at great risk, urged their opinions. But what is wanted is strength not merely to face the world, but to face one's own conclusions. We know the cost. It must be endured. Let each who has thought and felt for himself, ask himself first what he does not believe, and then, if wise or needful, avow it. Next let him ask himself what he does believe, and pursue it to its true and full conclusions. Neither loose accommodation nor sonorous principles will long give them rest. It is of as little use to surrender the more glaring contradictions of Science as it is to evaporate discredited doctrine into a few vague precepts. That end will not be attained by our authors by subliming Religion into an emotion, and making an armistice with Science. It will not be obtained by any unreal adaptation; nor by this, which is, of all recent adaptations, at once the most able, the most earnest, and the most suicidal."

[7] The Bishop of Exeter to Dr. Temple.

[8] The Bishop of Manchester exactly expressed the general opinion, when he said,—"Nor will I for a single moment, however my personal feelings might interfere, conceal my deliberate conviction that every partner in that work is equally guilty."—(Guardian, Ap. 10, 1861, p. 341.) But the most faithful language of all came from the Bishop of Exeter in his crushing reply to an inquiry put to him by Dr. Temple. "I avow that I hold every one of the seven persons acting together for such an object to be alike responsible for the several acts of every individual among them in executing their avowed common purpose."

[9] A letter from Dr. Rowland Williams, which has appeared in the newspapers, contains the following language with reference to the American reprint of "Essays and Reviews:"—"I confess myself personally gratified that my own work, and that of my far more distinguished coadjutors, with whom it is sufficient honour for me to be included in the same volume, should have obtained the honour of a reprint in another hemisphere. Still more would I hail the circumstance as an auspicious token of the sympathy which should prevail between kindred nations, as regards subjects of the highest import, and as a sign of the prospects of Christian freedom beyond the Atlantic....

"I have not yet discovered any community or individual possessing the right to cast the first stone at those who interpret the Bible in freedom, and who subordinate its letter to its spirit, or its parts to its whole. Even if Holy Scripture were, as is popularly fancied, the foundation,—and not, as I believe, the expression and the memorial,—of Religious Truth in man, it would be absurd to render it honours essentially different from those which it claims for itself, or to make it a master, where it claims only to be a servant."

[10] [Serm. V.]

[11] [See Sermon VII.]

[12] Essays and Reviews, p. 166.

[13] See [p. clxxvii.] to p. clxxxiii.

[14] Mr. Jowett in Essays and Reviews, p. 433.

[15] Article XX.

[16] Essays and Reviews, p. 45.

[17] It should perhaps be stated that the edition of "Essays and Reviews" which I have employed is the Third (1860.)

[18] pp. 72-3.

CONTENTS.

Dedication.
Preface.
I.Some account of the present volume
II.Growth of irreligious Opinion.
III.'Essayists and Reviewers' to be as 'freely-handled' as the Prophets, Evangelists, and Apostles of Christ.
Table of Contents.
Preliminary Remarks on "Essays and Reviews."page
I. Examination of the contribution of Rev. F. Temple, D.D. [ii]
II. Rev. Rowland Williams, D.D. [xxx]
III. Rev. Professor Baden Powell, M.A.[xlvi]
IV. Rev. H. B. Wilson, M.A.[lxiv]
V. C. W. Goodwin, M.A. [lxxxvi]
VI. Rev. Mark Pattison, B.D. [cxii]
VII. Rev. Professor Jowett, M.A. [cxxxix]
In what sense Mr. Jowett's fundamental principle, (that "Scripture is to be interpreted like any other book,") may be cheerfully accepted [cxl]
Mr. Jowett's main assertion that "Scripture has one and only one true meaning," shewn to be founded on his assumption that the Bible is uninspired,—"like any other book" [cxlii]
1. Eight Characteristics of the Bible enumerated, which shew that it is unlike "any other book" [cl]
But the distinctive characteristic of the Bible, is, that it professes to be the work of the Holy Ghost [clx]
Mr. Jowett's syllogism corrected, in consequence [clxii]
2. Mr. Jowett's proposal accepted, that we should "Interpret Scripture from itself." Notion of Interpretation obtained from the volume of Inspiration [clxii]
3. In addition to the testimony of Scripture, we have to consider the testimony of Antiquity [clxix]
Remarks on primitive Patristic Interpretation [clxx]
This part of the subject misunderstood by Mr. Jowett [clxxiii]
Remarks on primitive Tradition.—The Creeds, the records of Primitive Christianity [clxxvii]
This part of the subject also misunderstood by Mr. Jowett [clxxix]
4. Examination of some of Mr. Jowett's reasons for rejecting that method of Interpretation which has been (α) Established by our Lord; (β) Employed by His Apostles; (γ) Universally adopted by the primitive Church; and (δ) Accepted by the most learned and judicious of modern Commentators [clxxxvi]
The peroration of Mr. Jowett's Essay examined and commented on [ccvi]
Retrospect of the entire subject [ccxvi]
Conclusion [ccxxvii]

SERMON I.

St. John vi. 68. Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of Eternal Life.

the study of the bible recommended; and a method of studying it described.

The Gospel, as a written message, meets with the same reception at the hands of the World now, as in the days of the Son of Man [1]
Some points of analogy between the Written and the Incarnate Word [2]
Difficulties and seeming contradictions in the Gospel[3]
Unattractive aspect.—Union of the Human and Divine[4]
The Bible is generally little read.—Its preciousness[6]
The age unlearned as well as unfaithful [7]
Want of preparation for the Ministry.—The question of preparation narrowed to the duty of studying the Bible [8]
Conditions of successful Study:—a fixed time for reading the Bible, and a fixed quantity to be read [9]
Vigilance, and independent inquiry [10]
Consecutive reading.—The first chapter of Genesis [11]
Nothing to be skipped.—Result of such a method [12]
The Bible is to be read, not in the same manner, but with at least the same attention, as a merely human work [13]
A caution [14]
Men not competent to make their own Religion out of the Bible [16]
The advantages of such a study of the Bible as has been here recommended, explained [17]

SERMON II.

Hebrews xi. 3. Through Faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God.

natural science and theological science.

Special act of Faith assigned to ourselves in Hebrews xi. [23]
The first Chapter of Genesis considered: Verse 1 [24]
Province of Geology [26]
The Work of the First Day [28]
——————— Second and the Third Day [29]
——————— Fourth and the Fifth Day [30]
——————— Sixth Day [31]
The Mosaic History of the Creation true [33]
Objections considered [34]
Speech ascribed to God [35]
Adam's knowledge [36]
The first pair.—The days of Creation real days [37]
Objections of pretenders to Natural Science [39]
The plea that the Bible is not a scientific book [40]
The historical truth of the Bible insisted upon [44]
Natural Science not undervalued [46]
The term "Science" not to be opposed to "Theology" [47]
Theology the Queen of Sciences [48]

SERMON III.

2 Tim. iii. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

inspiration of scripture.—gospel difficulties.—the word of god infallible.—other sciences subordinate to theological science.

The meaning of 2 Tim. iii. 16 [53]
St. Paul nowhere disclaims Inspiration [54]
Holy Scripture is attributed in Scripture to the Holy Ghost [56]
Forms of unbelief concerning Inspiration [57]
Impertinence of the modern way of speaking of the Evangelists [60]
Supposed inaccuracies, slips of memory, misstatements [61]
The Gospels not four but One [62]
A principle laid down for the reconcilement of all Gospel difficulties [63]
Illustration from a supposed case of testimony [64]
Computation of the hours in St. John's Gospel [66]
The accounts of the blind man restored to sight at Jericho, harmonized [67]
Characteristics of an Inspired narrative [68]
The mention of "Jeremy the prophet," and of Cyrenius, considered [70]
Faultlessness of the Gospel [72]
Absurdity of the common allegations against it [73]
The absolute Infallibility of Scripture maintained [74]
Every syllable of Holy Scripture inspired [75]
The nature of Inspiration illustrated [76]
Theology, the noblest of the Sciences [79]
Insubordination in these last days of Physical Science [80]
The infidel spirit of the Age, protested against [81]
Theological Science can never be called upon to give way before Physical Science [83]
Relations of Morals to Theology [84]
Conscience and the Moral Sense have been informed afresh by Revelation [87]

SERMON IV.

St. John xvii. 17. Thy Word is Truth.

the plenary inspiration of every part of the bible, vindicated and explained.—nature of inspiration.—the text of scripture.

Cavils against the Bible [92]
Absolute infallibility of every 'jot' and every 'tittle' of Holy Scripture [94]
The popular view of Inspiration stated [95]
No middle state between Inspiration and non-inspiration [96]
The popular theory applied and tested [96]
A different view of the nature and office of Inspiration stated [100]
Inspiration still the same, however diverse the subject-matter[102]
What is meant by 'a Prophet' [104]
The message still God's, whatever its nature may be [106]
Note of Inspiration in the Historical Books of the Bible [108]
The Title on the Cross [109]
Remonstrance [110]
Theories of Inspiration to be rejected [115]
Remarks on the nature of Inspiration [116]
Proof that men generally hold that the words of Scripture are inspired [117]
Absolute irrelevancy of objections drawn from the state of the Text of Scripture [118]
The Substance of Scripture inseparable from the Form [120]
Antichristian spirit of the age [121]
The Study of Scripture in a childlike spirit recommended [122]

SUPPLEMENT TO SERMON IV.

A favourite view of Inspiration stated [126]
Vagueness of this theory [127]
The theory practically tested, and found unmanageable [128]
Further examination of the theory [132]
Our Saviour's reasoning as difficult as that of St. Paul [134]

SERMON V.

St. Matthew iv. 4. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

interpretation of holy scripture.—inspired interpretation.—the bible is not to be interpreted like any other book.—god, (not man,) the real author of the bible.

Interpretation described [140]
Three sources of Interpretation compared [141]
Eusebius on "the Captain of the Lord's Host" [143]
The principle must be ascertained, on which Inspiration is to be conducted [144]
How this is to be done [145]
This question may not be needlessly encumbered with difficulties [147]
The Holy Spirit's method of Interpretation must be the true method [148]
Specimens of Inspired Interpretation [149]
The very narrative of Scripture mysterious [152]
Divine exposition of the history of Melchizedek [152]
Further proofs of the mysterious texture of Holy Scripture [156]
Moses wrote concerning Christ [157]
Two propositions established by the foregoing inquiry: (1) That the Bible is not to be interpreted like any other book: (2) That the meaning of Scripture is not always only one [160]
Scripture to be interpreted literally [160]
The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife remarked upon [162]
The Bible is the Word of God [163]
Bishop Butler on Inspiration [165]
Unbelief remonstrated with from the analogy of Nature and of Providence [168]
How the inspired writers may be supposed to have understood what they delivered [171]
The question of Interpretation not be argued on à priori grounds [173]
Interpretation would be hopeless, but that the fountain of Inspiration is one [174]
An apology for these Sermons [177]
Exhortation to transmit the Faith [180]

SERMON VI.

Romans x. 6-9. But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,—'Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, 'Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? 'The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

the doctrine of arbitrary scriptural accommodation considered.

Many insidious methods of denying the Inspiration of Scripture[184]
The most subtle method of all, characterized [185]
The term "Accommodation" not in itself objectionable [187]
Arbitrary Accommodation explained [188]
Reasons for rejecting this theory [189]
Learned research proves that the theory is gratuitous [190]
St. Paul's exposition of a passage in Deuteronomy xxx, (Rom. x. 6 to 9,) proposed for examination [191]
License of Inspired quotation [194]
How the phenomenon is to be regarded [195]
St. Paul's exposition examined by the light of unassisted Reason [198]
Shewn not to be an instance of arbitrary Accommodation, but of genuine Interpretation [211]
The success or failure of such inquiries, unimportant [212]
No "Accommodation" when an inspired writer quotes Scripture [213]
Remarks on Inspired Reasoning [215]

SERMON VII.

St. Mark xii. 24. Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.

the marvels of holy scripture,—moral and physical.—jael's deed defended.—miracles vindicated.

Sadduceeism of the day [221]
The Moral and Physical Marvels of Scripture proposed for consideration [222]
Moral Marvels:—Jael.—How her story is to be read [223]
History of Jael. Her conduct explained and defended [224]
Jacob,—the Canaanites,—Abraham,—David [230]
Physical Marvels:—The greatest of those in the Old Testament are witnessed to in the New [232]
Design of the quotations in Holy Scripture [234]
Dr. Arnold and the Book of Daniel [235]
Miracles are not to be called violations, &c. of Nature [237]
Law in relation to God [238]
An objectionable Theory of Miracles exposed [239]
Bishop Butler on Miracles [240]
Miracles may be pared down, but cannot be explained away [242]
"Ideology" applied to the explanation of Miracles [243]
Ideology explained and exposed [245]
The Resurrection of Christ the foundation-truth of Christianity [248]
False and true Charity [250]
A parting Exhortation [252]

APPENDIX.

A Bishop Horsley on the double sense of Prophecy [257]
B Bishop Pearson on Theological Science [258]
C The Bible an instrument of Man's probation [260]
D St. Stephen's statement in Acts vii. 15, 16, explained[261]
E The simplest view of Inspiration the truest and the best[265]
F The written and the Incarnate Word [267]
G The volume of the Old Testament Scriptures, indivisible[268]
I Remarks on Theories of Inspiration.—The 'Human Element' [269]
J How the Inspired Authors of the New Testament handle the writings of the Inspired Authors of the Old [271]
K Bishop Bull on Deuteronomy xxx [273]
L Opinions of commentators concerning Accommodation [277]