Lettheseresults，Isay，besupposed——andshallIstillbetoldthatmyfriendisneverthelessanalieninthehouseholdofFaith？
ScrupulouslyorthodoxasIknowyoutobe，willyoutellmethatI
oughttohaveleftthisscepticasIfoundhim，ratherthanattempthisconversionbysuchmeans；orthatIwasdeceivinghim，whenI
saidtohim：-
\"Friend！ThetruthrevealedthroughChristhasitsevidenceinitself，andtheproofofitsdivineauthorityinitsfitnesstoournatureandneeds；theclearnessandcogencyofthisproofbeingproportionatetothedegreeofself-knowledgeineachindividualhearer。Christianityhaslikewiseitshistoricalevidences，andtheseasstrongasiscompatiblewiththenatureofhistory，andwiththeaimsandobjectsofareligiousdispensation。AndtoalltheseChristianityitself，asanexistingpowerintheworld，andChristendomasanexistingfact，withthenolessevidentfactofaprogressiveexpansion，giveaforceofmoraldemonstrationthatalmostsupersedesparticulartestimony。Theseproofsandevidenceswouldremainunshaken，eventhoughthesumofourreligionweretobedrawnfromthetheologiansofeachsuccessivecentury，ontheprincipleofreceivingthatonlyasdivinewhichshouldbefoundinall——quodsemper，quodubique，quodabomnibus。Beonly，myfriend！
asorthodoxabelieverasyouwouldhaveabundantreasontobe，thoughfromsomeaccidentofbirth，country，oreducation，thepreciousboonoftheBible，withitsadditionalevidence，haduptothismomentbeenconcealedfromyou；——andthenreaditscontentswithonlythesamepietywhichyoufreelyaccordonotheroccasionstothewritingsofmen，consideredthebestandwisestoftheirseveralages！Whatyoufindthereincoincidentwithyourpre-establishedconvictions，youwillofcourserecogniseastheRevealedWord，while，asyoureadtherecordedworkingsoftheWordandtheSpiritintheminds，lives，andheartsofspiritualmen，theinfluenceofthesameSpiritonyourownbeing，andtheconflictsofgraceandinfirmityinyourownsoul，willenableyoutodiscernandtoknowinandbywhatspirittheyspakeandacted——asfaratleastasshallbeneedfulforyou，andinthetimesofyourneed。
\"Thenceforward，therefore，yourdoubtswillbeconfinedtosuchpartsorpassagesofthereceivedCanonasseemtoyouirreconcilablewithknowntruths，andatvariancewiththetestsgivenintheScripturesthemselves，andasshallcontinuesotoappearafteryouhaveexaminedeachinreferencetothecircumstancesofthewriterorspeaker，thedispensationunderwhichhelived，thepurposeoftheparticularpassage，andtheintentandobjectoftheScripturesatlarge。Respectingthese，decideforyourself：andfearnotfortheresult。Iventuretotellityoubeforehand。Theresultwillbe，aconfidenceinthejudgmentandfidelityofthecompilersoftheCanonincreasedbytheapparentexceptions。Fortheywillbefoundneithermorenorgreaterthanmaywellbesupposedrequisite，ontheonehand，topreventusfromsinkingintoahabitofslothful，undiscriminatingacquiescence，andontheothertoprovideacheckagainstthosepresumptuousfanaticswhowouldrendtheURIMAND
THUMMIMFROMTHEBREASTPLATEOFJUDGMENT，andframeoraclesbyprivatedivinationfromeachletterofeachdisjointedgem，uninterpretedbythePriest，anddesertedbytheSpirit，whichshinesinthepartsonlyasitpervadesandirradiatesthewhole。\"
SuchisthelanguageinwhichIhaveaddressedahaltingfriend——
halting，yetwithhisfacetowardtherightpath。IfIhaveerred，enablemetoseemyerror。Correctme，orconfirmme。Farewell。
LETTERV。
Yes，mydearfriend，itismyconvictionthatinallordinarycasestheknowledgeandbeliefoftheChristianReligionshouldprecedethestudyoftheHebrewCanon。Indeed，withregardtobothTestaments，I
consideroralandcatechismalinstructionasthepreparativeprovidedbyChristhimselfintheestablishmentofavisibleChurch。AndtomaketheBible，apartfromthetruths，doctrines，andspiritualexperiencescontainedtherein，thesubjectofaspecialarticleoffaith，Iholdanunnecessaryanduselessabstraction，whichintoomanyinstanceshastheeffectofsubstitutingabarrenacquiescenceintheletterforthelivelyFAITHTHATCOMETHBYHEARING；evenasthehearingisproductiveofthisfaith，becauseitistheWordofGodthatisheardandpreached。（Rom。x。8，17。）AndhereImeanthewrittenWordpreservedinthearmouryoftheChurchtobetheswordoffaithOUTOFTHEMOUTHofthepreacher，asChrist’sambassadorandrepresentative（Rev。i。16），andoutoftheheartofthebelieverfromgenerationtogeneration。Whoshalldaredissolveorloosenthisholybond，thisdivinereciprocality，ofFaithandScripture？Whoshalldareenjoinaughtelseasanobjectofsavingfaith，besidethetruthsthatappertaintosalvation？Theimposerstakeonthemselvesaheavyresponsibility，howeverdefensibletheopinionitself，asanopinion，maybe。Forbyimposingit，theycounteracttheirownpurposes。Theyantedatequestions，andthus，inallcases，aggravatethedifficultyofansweringthemsatisfactorily。
Andnotseldomtheycreatedifficultiesthatmightneverhaveoccurred。But，worstofall，theyconvertthingstriflingorindifferentintomischievouspretextsforthewanton，fearfuldifficultiesfortheweak，andformidableobjectionsfortheinquiring。ForwhatmanFEARINGGoddaresthinkanytheleastpointindifferent，whichheisrequiredtoreceiveasGod’sownimmediateWordmiraculouslyinfused，miraculouslyrecorded，andbyasuccessionofmiraclespreservedunblendedandwithoutchange？——Throughallthepagesofalargeandmultifoldvolume，ateachsuccessiveperiod，ateverysentence，mustthequestionrecur：-\"DareIbelieve——doIinmyheartbelieve——thesewordstohavebeendictatedbyaninfalliblereason，andtheimmediateutteranceofAlmightyGod？\"——No！ItisduetoChristiancharitythataquestionsoawfulshouldnotbeputunnecessarily，andshouldnotbeputoutoftime。ThenecessityI
deny。Andoutoftimethequestionmustbeput，ifafterenumeratingtheseveralarticlesoftheCatholicFaithIamboundtoadd：-\"andfurtheryouaretobelievewithequalfaith，ashavingthesameimmediateandmiraculousderivationfromGod，whateverelseyoushallhereafterreadinanyofthesixty-sixbookscollectedintheOldandNewTestaments。\"
Iwouldneversaythis。YetletmenotbemisjudgedasifItreatedtheScripturesasamatterofindifference。Iwouldnotsaythis，butwhereIsawadesiretobelieve，andabeginningloveofChrist，Iwouldtheresay：-\"Therearelikewisesacredwritings，which，takeninconnectionwiththeinstitutionandperpetuityofavisibleChurch，allbelieversrevereasthemostpreciousboonofGod，nexttoChristianityitself，andattributeboththeircommunicationandpreservationtoanespecialProvidence。Inthemyouwillfindalltherevealedtruths，whichhavebeensetforthandofferedtoyou，clearlyandcircumstantiallyrecorded；and，inadditiontothese，examplesofobedienceanddisobediencebothinstatesandindividuals，thelivesandactionsofmeneminentundereachdispensation，theirsentiments，maxims，hymns，andprayers——theiraffections，emotions，andconflicts；——inallwhichyouwillrecognisetheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit，withaconvictionincreasingwiththegrowthofyourownfaithandspiritualexperience。\"
Farewell。
LETTERVI。
Mydearfriend，InmylasttwoLettersIhavegiventhestateoftheargumentasitwouldstandbetweenaChristian，thinkingasIdo，andaseriouswell-disposedDeist。Iwillnowendeavourtostatetheargument，asbetweentheformerandtheadvocatesforthepopularbelief，——suchofthem，Imean，asarecompetenttodeliveradispassionatejudgmentinthecause。Andagain，moreparticularly，Imeanthelearnedandreflectingpartofthem，whoareinfluencedtotheretentionoftheprevailingdogmabythesupposedconsequencesofadifferentview，and，especially，bytheirdreadofconcedingtoallalike，simpleandlearned，theprivilegeofpickingandchoosingtheScripturesthataretobereceivedasbindingontheirconsciences。Betweenthesepersonsandmyselfthecontroversymaybereducedtoasinglequestion：-
Isitsaferfortheindividual，andmoreconducivetotheinterestsoftheChurchofChrist，initstwofoldcharacterofpastoralandmilitant，toconcludethus：-TheBibleistheWordofGod，andtherefore，true，holy，andinallpartsunquestionable？Orthus：-
TheBible，consideredinreferencetoitsdeclaredendsandpurposes，istrueandholy，andforallwhoseektruthwithhumblespiritsanunquestionableguide，andthereforeitistheWordofGod？
Ineverygeneration，andwhereverthelightofRevelationhasshone，menofallranks，conditions，andstatesofmindhavefoundinthisvolumeacorrespondentforeverymovementtowardthebetter，feltintheirownhearts，theneedysoulhasfoundsupply，thefeebleahelp，thesorrowfulacomfort；yea，betherecipiencytheleastthatcanconsistwithmorallife，thereisanansweringgracereadytoenter。
TheBiblehasbeenfoundaSpiritualWorld，spiritualandyetatthesametimeoutwardandcommontoall。Youinoneplace，Iinanother，allmensomewhereoratsometime，meetwithanassurancethatthehopesandfears，thethoughtsandyearningsthatproceedfrom，ortendto，arightspiritinus，arenotdreamsorfleetingsingularities，novoicesheardinsleep，orspectreswhichtheeyesuffersbutnotperceives。Asifonsomedarknightapilgrim，suddenlybeholdingabrightstarmovingbeforehim，shouldstopinfearandperplexity。Butlo！travelleraftertravellerpassesbyhim，andeach，beingquestionedwhitherheisgoing，makesanswer，\"I
amfollowingyonguidingstar！\"Thepilgrimquickenshisownsteps，andpressesonwardinconfidence。Moreconfidentstillwillhebe，if，bythewayside，heshouldfind，hereandthere，ancientmonuments，eachwithitsvotivelamp，andoneachthenameofsomeformerpilgrim，andarecordthattherehehadfirstseenorbeguntofollowthebenignantStar！
NootherwiseisitwiththevariedcontentsoftheSacredVolume。
Thehungryhavefoundfood，thethirstyalivingspring，thefeebleastaff，andthevictoriouswarfarersongsofwelcomeandstrainsofmusic；andaslongaseachmanasksonaccountofhiswants，andaskswhathewants，nomanwilldiscoveraughtamissordeficientinthevastandmany-chamberedstorehouse。Butif，insteadofthis，anidlerorscoffershouldwanderthroughtherooms，peeringandpeeping，andeitherdetects，orfancieshehasdetected，herearustedswordorpointlessshaft，thereatoolofrudeconstruction，andsupersededbylaterimprovements（andpreserved，perhaps，tomakeusmoregratefulforthem）；——whichoftwothingswillasober-mindedman，——who，fromhischildhoodupwardhadbeenfed，clothed，armed，andfurnishedwiththemeansofinstructionfromthisverymagazine，——
thinkthefitterplan？Willheinsistthattherustisnotrust，orthatitisarustsuigeneris，intentionallyformedonthesteelforsomemysteriousvirtueinit，andthatthestaffandastrolabeofashepherd-astronomerareidenticalwith，orequivalentto，thequadrantandtelescopeofNewtonorHerschel？Orwillhenotrathergivethecuriousinquisitorjoyofhismightydiscoveries，andthecreditofthemforhisreward？
Orlastly，putthematterthus：FormorethanathousandyearstheBible，collectivelytaken，hasgonehandinhandwithcivilisation，science，law——inshort，withthemoralandintellectualcultivationofthespecies，alwayssupporting，andoftenleading，theway。Itsverypresence，asabelievedBook，hasrenderedthenationsemphaticallyachosenrace，andthistooinexactproportionasitismoreorlessgenerallyknownandstudied。Ofthosenationswhichinthehighestdegreeenjoyitsinfluencesitisnottoomuchtoaffirm，thatthedifferences，publicandprivate，physical，moralandintellectual，areonlylessthanwhatmightbeexpectedfromadiversityinspecies。Goodandholymen，andthebestandwisestofmankind，thekinglyspiritsofhistory，enthronedintheheartsofmightynations，havebornewitnesstoitsinfluences，havedeclaredittobebeyondcomparethemostperfectinstrument，theonlyadequateorgan，ofHumanity；theorganandinstrumentofallthegifts，powers，andtendencies，bywhichtheindividualisprivilegedtoriseabovehimself——toleavebehind，andlosehisindividualphantomself，inordertofindhistrueselfinthatDistinctnesswherenodivisioncanbe——intheEternalIAM，theEver-livingWORD，ofwhomalltheelectfromthearchangelbeforetimethronetothepoorwrestlerwiththeSpiritUNTILTHEBREAKINGOFDAYarebutthefainterandstillfainterechoes。AndareallthesetestimoniesandlightsofexperiencetolosetheirvalueandefficiencybecauseI
feelnowarrantofhistory，orHolyWrit，orofmyownheartfordenying，thatintheframeworkandoutwardcaseofthisinstrumentafewpartsmaybediscoveredoflesscostlymaterialsandofmeanerworkmanship？IsitnotafactthattheBooksoftheNewTestamentweretriedbytheirconsonancewiththerule，andaccordingtotheanalogy，offaith？Doesnottheuniversallyadmittedcanon——thateachpartofScripturemustbeinterpretedbythespiritofthewhole——leadtothesamepracticalconclusionasthatforwhichIamnowcontending——namely，thatitisthespiritoftheBible，andnotthedetachedwordsandsentences，thatisinfallibleandabsolute？
Practical，Isay，andspiritualtoo；andwhatknowledgenotpracticalorspiritualareweentitledtoseekinourBibles？IsthegraceofGodsoconfined——aretheevidencesofthepresentandactuatingSpiritsodimanddoubtful——thattobeassuredofthesamewemustfirsttakeforgrantedthatallthelifeandco-agencyofourhumanityismiraculouslysuspended？
Whateverisspiritual，iseonominesupernatural；butmustitbealwaysandofnecessitymiraculous？Miraclescouldopentheeyesofthebody；andhethatwasbornblindbeheldhisRedeemer。Butmiracles，eventhoseoftheRedeemerhimself，couldnotopentheeyesoftheself-blinded，oftheSadduceansensualist，ortheself-
righteousPharisee——whiletohavesaid，ISAWTHEEUNDERTHEFIG-
TREE，sufficedtomakeaNathanaelbelieve。
ToassertandtodemandmiracleswithoutnecessitywastheviceoftheunbelievingJewsofold；andfromtheRabbisandTalmudiststheinfectionhasspread。AndwouldIcouldsaythatthesymptomsofthediseaseareconfinedtotheChurchesoftheApostasy！Butallthemiracles，whichthelegendsofMonkorRabbicontain，canscarcelybeputincompetition，onthescoreofcomplication，inexplicableness，theabsenceofallintelligibleuseorpurpose，andofcircuitousself-frustration，withthosethatmustbeassumedbythemaintainersofthisdoctrine，inordertogiveeffecttotheseriesofmiracles，bywhichallthenominalcomposersoftheHebrewnationbeforethetimeofEzra，ofwhomthereareanyremains，weresuccessivelytransformedintoAUTOMATONcompositors——sothattheoriginaltextshouldbeinsentiment，image，word，syntax，andcompositionanexactimpressionofthedivinecopy！Incommonconsistencythetheologians，whoimposethisbeliefontheirfellowChristians，oughttoinsistequallyonthesuperhumanoriginandauthorityoftheMasora，andtousemorerespectfulterms，thanhasbeentheirwontoflate，inspeakingofthefalseAristeas’slegendconcerningtheSeptuagint。AndwhythemiracleshouldstopattheGreekVersion，andnotincludetheVulgate，Icandiscovernogroundinreason。Orifitbeanobjectiontothelatter，thatthisbeliefisactuallyenjoinedbythePapalChurch，yetthenumberofChristianswhoroadtheLutheran，theGenevan，orourownauthorised，Bible，andareignorantofthedeadlanguages，greatlyexceedsthenumberofthosewhohaveaccesstotheSeptuagint。Whyrefusethewritofconsecrationtothese，ortotheoneatleastappointedbytheassertors’ownChurch？IfindmuchmoreconsistencyintheoppositionmadeunderpretextofthisdoctrinetotheproposalsandpublicationsofKennicot，Mill，Bentley，andArchbishopNewcome。
ButIamwearyofdiscussingatenetwhichthegeneralityofdivinesandtheleadersofthereligiouspublichaveceasedtodefend，andyetcontinuetoassertorimply。Thetendencymanifestedinthisconduct，thespiritofthisandtheprecedingcentury，onwhich，notindeedthetenetitself，buttheobstinateadherencetoitagainsttheclearestlightofreasonandexperience，isgrounded——thisitiswhich，accordingtomyconviction，givesthevenomtotheerror，andjustifiestheattempttosubstituteajusterview。AslongasitwasthecommonandeffectivebeliefofalltheReformedChurches（andbynonewasitmoresedulouslyormoreemphaticallyenjoinedthanbythegreatReformersofourChurch），thatbythegoodSpiritwerethespiritstried，andthatthelight，whichbeamsforthfromthewrittenWord，wasitsownevidenceforthechildrenoflight；aslongasChristiansconsideredtheirBibleasaplenteousentertainment，whereeveryguest，dulycalledandattired，foundthefoodneedfulandfittingforhim，andwhereeach——insteadoftroublinghimselfaboutthecoversnotwithinhisreach——beholdingallaroundhimgladandsatisfied，praisedthebanquetandthankfullyglorifiedtheMasterofthefeast——solongdidthetenet——thattheScriptureswerewrittenunderthespecialimpulseoftheHolyGhostremainsafeandprofitable。Nay，inthesense，andwiththefeelings，inwhichitwasasserted，itwasatruth——atruthtowhicheveryspiritualbelievernowandinalltimeswillbearwitnessbyvirtueofhisownexperience。AndifintheoverflowofloveandgratitudetheyconfoundedthepowerandpresenceoftheHolySpirit，workingalikeinweaknessandinstrength，inthemorningmistsandintheclearnessofthefullday；iftheyconfoundedthiscommunionandco-
agencyofdivinegrace，attributabletotheScripturegenerally，withthoseexpress，andexpresslyrecorded，communicationsandmessagesoftheMostHighwhichformsolargeandprominentaportionofthesameScriptures；if，inshort，theydidnotalwaysdulydistinguishtheinspiration，theimbreathment，ofthepredisposingandassistingSPIRITfromtherevelationoftheinformingWORD，itwasatworstaharmlesshyperbole。Itwasholdenbyall，thatifthepoweroftheSpiritfromwithoutfurnishedthetext，thegraceofthesameSpiritfromwithinmustsupplythecomment。
InthesacredVolumetheysawandreverencedtheboundenwheat-sheafthatSTOODUPRIGHTandhadOBEISANCEfromalltheothersheaves（thewritings，Imean，oftheFathersandDoctorsoftheChurch），sheavesdepreciatedindeed，moreorless，withtares，\"andfurrow-weeds，DarnelandmanyanidleflowerthatgrewMidthesustainingcorn；\"
yetsheavesofthesameharvest，thesheavesofbrethren！Nordiditoccurtothem，that，inyieldingthemorefullandabsolutehonourtothesheafofthehighlyfavouredoftheirFather，theyshouldbesupposedtoattributethesameworthandqualitytothestraw-bandswhichheldittogether。Thebreadoflifewasthere。AndthisinanespecialsensewasBREADFROMHEAVEN；fornowherehadthesamebeenfoundwild；nosoilorclimatedaredclaimitforitsnaturalgrowth。
InsimplicityofhearttheyreceivedtheBibleasthepreciousgiftofGod，providentialalikeinorigin，preservation，anddistribution，withoutaskingthenicequestionwhetherallandeverypartwerelikewisemiraculous。Thedistinctionbetweentheprovidentialandthemiraculous，betweentheDivineWillworkingwiththeagencyofnaturalcauses，andthesameWillsupplyingtheirplacebyaspecialfiat——thisdistinctionhas，Idoubtnot，manyusesinspeculativedivinity。Butitsweightiestpracticalapplicationisshown，whenitisemployedtofreethesoulsoftheunwaryandweakinfaithfromthenetsandsnares，theinsidiousqueriesandcaptiousobjections，oftheInfidelbycalmingtheflutteroftheirspirits。Theymustbequieted，beforewecancommencethemeansnecessaryfortheirdisentanglement。Andinnowaycanthisbebettereffectedthanwhenthefrightenedcaptivesaremadetoseeinhowmanypointsthedisentanglingitselfisaworkofexpedienceratherthanofnecessity；soeasilyandatsolittlelossmightthewebbecutorbrushedaway。
First，lettheirattentionbefixedonthehistoryofChristianityaslearntfromuniversaltradition，andthewritersofeachsuccessivegeneration。Drawtheirmindstothefactoftheprogressiveandstillcontinuingfulfilmentoftheassuranceofafewfishermen，thatboththeirownreligion，thoughofDivineorigin，andthereligionoftheirconquerors，whichincludedorrecognisedallotherreligiousoftheknownworld，shouldbesupersededbythefaithinamanrecentlyandignominiouslyexecuted。TheninducethemtomeditateontheuniversalsofChristianFaith——onChristianitytakenasthesumofbeliefcommontoGreekandLatin，toRomanistandProtestant。Showthemthatthisandonlythisistheordotraditionis，quamtradideruntApostoliiisquibuscommittebantecclesias，andwhichweshouldhavebeenboundtofollow，saysIrenaeus，sinequeApostoliquidemScripturasreliquissent。Thisisthatregulafidei，thatsacramentumsymbolimemoriaemandatum，ofwhichSt。Augustinesays：-
noveritishocesseFideiCatholicaefundamentumsuperquodedificiumsurrexitEcclesiae。ThisisthenormaCatholicietEcclesiasticisensus，determinedandexplicated，butnotaugmented，bytheNiceneFathers，asWaterlandhasirrefragablyshown；anormormodelofFaithgroundedonthesolemnaffirmationsoftheBishopscollectedfromallpartsoftheRomanEmpire，thatthiswastheessentialandunalterableGospelreceivedbythemfromtheirpredecessorsinallthechurchesasthe[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]cui，saysIrenaeus，assentiuntmultaegenteseorumquiinChristumcreduntsinechartaetatramento，scriptamhabentesperSpiritumincordibussuissalutem，etveterumtraditionemdiligentercustodientes。Lettheattentionofsuchashavebeenshakenbytheassaultsofinfidelitybethusdirected，andthentellmewhereinaspiritualphysicianwouldbeblameworthy，ifhecarriedonthecurebyaddressinghispatientinthismanner：-
\"Allmenoflearning，evenlearnedunbelievers，admitthatthegreaterpartoftheobjections，urgedinthepopularworksofinfidelity，tothisorthatverseorchapteroftheBible，proveonlytheignoranceordishonestyoftheobjectors。Butletitbesupposedforamomentthatafewremainhithertounanswered——nay，thattoyourjudgmentandfeelingstheyappearunanswerable。Whatfollows？ThattheApostles’andNiceneCreedisnotcredible，theTenCommandmentsnottobeobeyed，theclausesoftheLord’sPrayernottobedesired，ortheSermonontheMountnottobepractised？Seehowthelogicwouldlook。DavidcruellytorturedtheinhabitantsofRabbah（2Sam。
xii。31；1Chron。xx。3），andinseveralofthePsalmsheinvokesthebitterestcursesonhisenemies：thereforeitisnottobebelievedthatTHELOVEOFGODTOWARDUSWASMANIFESTEDINSENDINGHISONLY
BEGOTTENSONINTOTHEWORLD，THATWEMIGHTLIVETHROUGHHIM（1Johniv。9）。Or，Abijahissaidtohavecollectedanarmyof400，000men，andJeroboamtohavemethimwithanarmyof800，000men，eacharmyconsistingofchosenmen（2Chron。xiii。3），andmakingtogetherahostof1，200，000，andAbijahtohaveslain500，000outofthe800，000：therefore，thewordswhichadmonishusthatIFGODSOLOVED
US，WEOUGHTALSOTOLOVEONEANOTHER（1Johniv。11），evenourenemies，yea，TOBLESSTHEMTHATCURSEus，andtoDOGOODTOTHEM
THATHATEus（Matt。v。44），cannotproceedfromtheHolySpirit。Or：
ThefirstsixchaptersofthebookofDanielcontainseveralwordsandphrasesirreconcilablewiththecommonlyreceiveddates，andthosechaptersandtheBookofEstherhaveatraditionalandlegendarycharacterunlikethatoftheotherhistoricalbooksoftheOldTestament；thereforethoseotherbooks，bycontrastwithwhichtheformerappearsuspicious，andthehistoricaldocument（1Cor。xv。
1-8），arenottobecredited！\"
WeassuredlybelievethattheBiblecontainsalltruthsnecessarytosalvation，andthatthereinispreservedtheundoubtedWordofGod。
Weassertlikewisethat，besidestheseexpressoraclesandimmediaterevelations，thereareScriptureswhichtothesoulandconscienceofeveryChristianmanbearirresistibleevidenceoftheDivineSpiritassistingandactuatingtheauthors；andthatboththeseandtheformeraresuchastorenderitmorallyimpossiblethatanypassageofthesmallinconsiderableportion，notincludedinoneorotherofthese，cansupplyeithergroundoroccasionofanyerrorinfaith，practice，oraffection，excepttothosewhowickedlyandwilfullyseekapretextfortheirunbelief。AndifinthatsmallportionoftheBiblewhichstandsinnonecessaryconnectionwiththeknownandespecialendsandpurposesoftheScriptures，thereshouldbeafewapparenterrorsresultingfromthestateofknowledgethenexisting——
errorswhichthebestandholiestmenmightentertainuninjured，andwhichwithoutamiraclethosemenmusthaveentertained；ifIfindnosuchmiraculouspreventionasserted，andseenoreasonforsupposingit——mayInot，toeasethescruplesofaperplexedinquirer，venturetosaytohim；\"Beitso。Whatthen？Theabsoluteinfallibilityevenoftheinspiredwritersinmattersaltogetherincidentalandforeigntotheobjectsandpurposesoftheirinspirationisnopartofmycreed：andevenifaprofesseddivineshouldfollowthedoctrineoftheJewishChurchsofarasnottoattributetotheHagiographa，ineverywordandsentence，thesameheightandfulnessofinspirationastotheLawandtheProphets，Ifeelnowarranttobrandhimasahereticforanopinion，theadmissionofwhichdisarmstheinfidelwithoutendangeringasinglearticleoftheCatholicFaith。\"——IftoanunlearnedbutearnestandthoughtfulneighbourI
givetheadvice；——\"UsetheOldTestamenttoexpresstheaffectionsexcited，andtoconfirmthefaithandmoralstaughtyou，intheNew，andleavealltheresttothestudentsandprofessorsoftheologyandChurchhistory！YouprofessonlytobeaChristian：\"——amI
misleadingmybrotherinChrist？
ThisIbelievebymyowndearexperience——thatthemoretranquillyaninquirertakesuptheBibleashewouldanyotherbodyofancientwritings，thelivelierandsteadierwillbehisimpressionsofitssuperioritytoallotherbooks，tillatlengthallotherbooksandallotherknowledgewillbevaluableinhiseyesinproportionastheyhelphimtoabetterunderstandingofhisBible。DifficultyafterdifficultyhasbeenovercomefromthetimethatIbegantostudytheScriptureswithfreeandunbodingspirit，undertheconvictionthatmyfaithintheIncarnateWordandHisGospelwassecure，whatevertheresultmightbe；——thedifficultiesthatstillremainbeingsofewandinsignificantinmyownestimation，thatI
havelesspersonalinterestinthequestionthanmanyofthosewhowillmostdogmaticallycondemnmeforpresumingtomakeaquestionofit。
Somuchforscholars——formenoflikeeducationandpursuitsasmyself。WithrespecttoChristiansgenerally，Iobjecttotheconsequencedrawnfromthedoctrineratherthantothedoctrineitself；——aconsequencenotonlydeduciblefromthepremises，butactuallyandimperiouslydeduced；accordingtowhicheverymanthatcanbutreadistositdowntotheconsecutiveandconnectedperusaloftheBibleundertheexpectationandassurancethatthewholeiswithinhiscomprehension，andthat，unaidedbynoteorcomment，catechismorliturgicalpreparation，heistofindoutforhimselfwhatheisboundtobelieveandpractise，andthatwhateverheconscientiouslyunderstandsbywhathereadsistobeHISreligion。
ForhehasfounditinhisBible，andtheBibleistheReligionofProtestants！
WouldIthenwithholdtheBiblefromthecottagerandtheartisan？——
Heavenforfend！ThefairestflowerthateverclombupacottagewindowisnotsofairasighttomyeyesastheBiblegleamingthroughthelowerpanes。Letitbutbereadasbysuchmenitusedtoberead；whentheycametoitastoagroundcoveredwithmanna，eventhebreadwhichtheLordhadgivenforhispeopletoeat；wherehethatgatheredmuchhadnothingover，andhethatgatheredlittlehadnolack。Theygatheredeverymanaccordingtohiseating。Theycametoitastoatreasure-houseofScriptures；eachvisitanttakingwhatwaspreciousandleavingaspreciousforothers；——Yea，more，saysourworthyoldChurch-historian，Fuller，where\"thesamemanatseveraltimesmayinhisapprehensionpreferseveralScripturesasbest，formerlymostaffectedwithoneplace，forthepresentmoredelightedwithanother，andafterwards，conceivingcomfortthereinnotsoclear，chooseotherplacesasmorepregnantandpertinenttohispurpose。ThusGodordersit，thatdiversmen（andperhapsthesamemanatdiverstimes），makeuseofallHisgifts，gleaningandgatheringcomfortasitisscatteredthroughthewholefieldoftheScripture。\"Farewell。
LETTERVII。
Youarenow，mydearfriend，inpossessionofmywholemindonthispoint——onethingonlyexceptedwhichhasweighedwithmemorethanalltherest，andwhichIhavethereforereservedformyconcludingletter。Thisistheimpellingprincipleorwayofthinking，whichI
haveinmostinstancesnoticedintheassertorsofwhatIhaveventuredtocallBibliolatry，andwhichIbelievetobethemaingroundofitsprevalenceatthistime，andamongmenwhosereligiousviewsareanythingratherthanenthusiastic。AndIheretakeoccasiontodeclare，thatmyconvictionofthedangerandinjuryofthisprinciplewasandismychiefmotiveforbringingthedoctrineitselfintoquestion；themainerrorofwhichconsistsintheconfoundingoftwodistinctconceptions——revelationbytheEternalWord，andactuationoftheHolySpirit。Theformerindeedisnotalwaysornecessarilyunitedwiththelatter——theprophecyofBalaamisaninstanceofthecontrary，——butyetbeingordinarily，andonlynotalways，sounited，theterm，\"Inspiration，\"hasacquiredadoublesense。
First，thetermisusedinthesenseofInformationmiraculouslycommunicatedbyvoiceorvision；andsecondly，wherewithoutanysensibleadditionorinfusion，thewriterorspeakerusesandapplieshisexistinggiftsofpowerandknowledgeunderthepredisposing，aiding，anddirectingactuationofGod’sHolySpirit。Now，betweenthefirstsense，thatis，inspiredrevelation，andthehighestdegreeofthatgraceandcommunionwiththeSpiritwhichtheChurchunderallcircumstances，andeveryregeneratememberoftheChurchofChrist，ispermittedtohopeandinstructedtoprayfor，thereisapositivedifferenceofkind——achasm，thepretendedoverleapingofwhichconstitutesimposture，orbetraysinsanity。OfthefirstkindaretheLawandtheProphets，nojotortittleofwhichcanpassunfulfilled，andthesubstanceandlastinterpretationofwhichpassesnotaway；fortheywroteofChrist，andshadowedouttheeverlastingGospel。Butwithregardtothesecond，neithertheholywriters——theso-calledHagiographi——themselves，noranyfairinterpretationsofScripture，assertanysuchabsolutediversity，orenjointhebeliefofanygreaterdifferenceofdegree，thantheexperienceoftheChristianWorld，groundedonandgrowingwiththecomparisonoftheseScriptureswithotherworksholdeninhonourbytheChurches，hasestablished。AndTHISdifferenceIadmit，anddoubtnotthatithasineverygenerationbeenrenderedevidenttoasmanyasreadtheseScripturesunderthegraciousinfluenceofthespiritinwhichtheywerewritten。
Butalas！thisisnotsufficient；thiscannotbutbevagueandunsufficingtothosewithwhomtheChristianreligioniswhollyobjective，totheexclusionofallitscorrespondentsubjective。Itmustappearvague，Isay，tothosewhoseChristianityasmatterofbeliefiswhollyexternal，andliketheobjectsofsense，commontoallalike；altogetherhistorical，anopusoperatum——itsexistingandpresentoperancyinnorespectdifferingfromanyotherfactofhistory，andnotatallmodifiedbythesupernaturalprincipleinwhichithaditsoriginintime。Divinesofthispersuasionareactually，thoughwithouttheirownknowledge，inastatenotdissimilartothatintowhichtheLatinChurchsankdeeperamiddeeperfromthesixthtothefourteenthcentury；duringwhichtimereligionwaslikewisemerelyobjectiveandsuperstitious——aletterproudlyemblazonedandilluminated，butyetadeadletterthatwastobereadbyitsownoutwardglorieswithoutthelightoftheSpiritinthemindofthebeliever。Theconsequencewastooglaringnottobeanticipated，and，ifpossible，prevented。Withoutthatspiritineachtruebeliever，wherebyweknowthespiritoftruthandthespiritoferrorinallthingsappertainingtosalvation，theconsequencemustbe——somanymen，somanyminds！AndwhatwastheantidotewhichthePriestsandRabbisofthispurelyobjectiveFaithopposedtothisperil？Why，anobjective，outwardInfallibility，concerningwhich，however，thedifferenceswerescarcelylessorfewerthanthosewhichitwastoheal；anInfallibilitywhichtakenliterallyandunqualified，becamethesourceofperplexitytothewell-disposed，ofunbelieftothewavering，andofscoffandtriumphtothecommonenemy，andwhichwas，therefore，tobequalifiedandlimited，andthenitmeantsomunchandsolittlethattomenofplainunderstandingsandsingleheartsitmeantnothingatall。Itresidedhere。No！there。No！butinathirdsubject。Nay！neitherhere，northere，norinthethird，butinallthreeconjointly！
Buteventhisfailedtosatisfy；andwhatwasthefinalresource——thedoctrineofthosewhowouldnotbecalledaProtestantChurch，butinwhichdoctrinetheFathersofProtestantisminEnglandwouldhavefoundlittleotherfault，thanthatitmightbeaffirmedastrulyofthedecisionsofanyotherbishopasoftheBishopofRome？Thefinalresourcewastorestorewhatoughtnevertohavebeenremoved——
thecorrespondentsubjective，thatis，theassentandconfirmationoftheSpiritpromisedtoalltruebelievers，asprovedandmanifestedinthereceptionofsuchdecisionbytheChurchUniversalinallitsrightfulmembers。
Icompriseandconcludethesumofmyconvictioninthisonesentence。Revealedreligion（andIknowofnoreligionnotrevealed）
isinitshighestcontemplationtheunity，thatis，theidentityorco-inherence，ofsubjectiveandobjective。Itisinitself，andirrelativelyatonceinwardlifeandtruth，andoutwardfactandluminary。Butasallpowermanifestsitselfintheharmonyofcorrespondentopposites，eachsupposingandsupportingtheother；sohasreligionitsobjective，orhistoricandecclesiasticalpoleanditssubjective，orspiritualandindividualpole。Inthemiraclesandmiraculouspartsofreligion——bothinthefirstcommunicationofDivinetruths，andinthepromulgationofthetruthsthuscommunicated——wehavetheunionofthetwo，thatis，thesubjectiveandsupernaturaldisplayedobjectively——outwardlyandphenomenally——
ASsubjectiveandsupernatural。
Lastly，intheScriptures，asfarastheyarenotincludedintheaboveasmiracles，andinthemindofthebelievingandregeneratereaderandmeditater，thereisprovedtousthereciprocityorreciprocationofthespiritassubjectiveandobjective，whichinconformitywiththeschemeproposedbyme，inaidofdistinctconceptionandeasyrecollection，IhavenamedtheIndifference。
WhatImeanbythis，afamiliaracquaintancewiththemorepopularpartsofLuther’sworks，especiallyhis\"Commentaries，\"andthedelightfulvolumeofhis\"TableTalk，\"wouldinterpretformebetterthanIcandoformyself。ButIdomybest，whenIsaythatnoChristianprobationer，whoisearnestlyworkingouthissalvation，andexperiencestheconflictofthespiritwiththeevilandtheinfirmitywithinhimandaroundhim，canfindhisownstatebroughtbeforehim，and，asitwere，antedated，inwritingsreverendevenfortheirantiquityandenduringpermanence，andfarmoreandmoreabundantlyconsecratedbythereverence，love，andgratefultestimoniesofgoodmen，throughthelongsuccessionofages，ineverygeneration，andunderallstatesofmindsandcircumstancesoffortune，thatnoman，Isay，canrecognisehisowninwardexperiencesinsuchwritings，andnotfindanobjectiveness，aconfirmingandassuringoutwardness，andallthemaincharactersofrealityreflectedtherefromonthespirit，workinginhimselfandinhisownthoughts，emotions，andaspirations，warringagainstsinandthemotionsofsin。Theunsubstantial，insulatedselfpassesawayasastream；butthesearetheshadowsandreflectionsoftheRockofAges，andoftheTreeofLifethatstartsforthfromitsside。
Ontheotherhand，asmuchofreality，asmuchofobjectivetruth，astheScripturescommunicatetothesubjectiveexperiencesofthebeliever，somuchofpresentlife，oflivingandeffectiveimport，dotheseexperiencesgivetotheletteroftheseScriptures。IntheoneTHESPIRITITSELFBEARETHWITNESSWITHOURSPIRIT，thatwehavereceivedtheSPIRITOFADOPTION；intheotherourspiritbearswitnesstothepoweroftheWord，thatitisindeedtheSpiritthatproceedethfromGod。Ifintheholymenthusactuatedallimperfectionofknowledge，allparticipationinthemistakesandlimitsoftheirseveralageshadbeenexcluded，howcouldthesewritingsbeorbecomethehistoryandexample，theechoandmorelustrousimageoftheworkandwarfareofthesanctifyingprincipleinus？Ifafterallthis，andinspiteofallthis，somecaptiouslitigatorshouldlayholdofatexthereorthere——St。Paul’sCLOAK
LEFTATTROASWITHCARPUS，oraversefromtheCanticles，andask，\"Ofwhatspiritualuseisthis？\"——theanswerisready：-Itprovestousthatnothingcanbesotrifling，asnottosupplyanevilheartwithapretextforunbelief。
ArchbishopLeightonhasobservedthattheChurchhasitsextensiveandintensivestates，andthattheyseldomfalltogether。Certainitis，thatsincekingshavebeenhernursingfathers，andqueenshernursingmothers，ourtheologiansseemtoactinthespiritoffearratherthaninthatoffaith；andtoooften，insteadofinquiringafterthetruthintheconfidencethatwhateveristruthmustbefruitfulofgoodtoallwhoAREINHIMTHATISTRUE，theyseekwithvainprecautionstoGUARDAGAINSTTHEPOSSIBLEINFERENCESwhichperverseanddistemperedmindsmaypretend，whosewholeChristianity——
dowhatwewill——isandwillremainnothingbutapretence。
Youhavenowmyentiremindonthismomentousquestion，thegroundsonwhichitrests，andthemotiveswhichinducemetomakeitknown；
andInowconcludebyrepeatingmyrequest：Correctme，orconfirmme。
Farewell。
ESSAYONFAITH。
Faithmaybedefinedasfidelitytoourownbeing，sofarassuchbeingisnotandcannotbecomeanobjectofthesenses；andhence，byclearinferenceorimplicationtobeinggenerally，asfarasthesameisnottheobjectofthesenses；andagaintowhateverisaffirmedorunderstoodasthecondition，orconcomitant，orconsequenceofthesame。Thiswillbebestexplainedbyaninstanceorexample。ThatI
amconsciousofsomethingwithinmeperemptorilycommandingmetodountoothersasIwouldtheyshoulddountome；inotherwordsacategorical（thatis，primaryandunconditional）imperative；thatthemaxim（regulamaxima，orsupremerule）ofmyactions，bothinwardandoutward，shouldbesuchasIcould，withoutanycontradictionarisingtherefrom，willtobethelawofallmoralandrationalbeings。
This，Isay，isafactofwhichIamnolessconscious（thoughinadifferentway），norlessassured，thanIamofanyappearancepresentedbymyoutwardsenses。Noristhisall；butintheveryactofbeingconsciousofthisinmyownnature，Iknowthatitisafactofwhichallmeneitherareoroughttobeconscious；afact，theignoranceofwhichconstituteseitherthenon-personalityoftheignorant，ortheguilt；inwhichlattercasetheignoranceisequivalenttoknowledgewilfullydarkened。IknowthatIpossessthisknowledgeasaman，andnotasSamuelTaylorColeridge；hence，knowingthatconsciousnessofthisfactistherootofallotherconsciousness，andtheonlypracticalcontradistinctionofmanfromthebrutes，wenameittheconscience，bythenaturalabsenceorpresumedpresenceofwhichthelaw，bothDivineandhuman，determineswhetherXYZbeathingoraperson；theconsciencebeingthatwhichnevertohavehadplacestheobjectsinthesameorderofthingsasthebrutes，forexample，idiots，andtohavelostwhichimplieseitherinsanityorapostasy。Well，thiswehaveaffirmedisafactofwhicheveryhonestmanisasfullyassuredasofhisseeing，hearing，orsmelling。Butthoughtheformerassurancedoesnotdifferfromthelatterinthedegree，itisaltogetherdiverseinthekind；thesensesbeingmorallypassive，whiletheconscienceisessentiallyconnectedwiththewill，thoughnotalways，norindeedinanycase，exceptafterfrequentattemptsandaversionsofwilldependentonthechoice。Thencewecallthepresentationsofthesensesimpressions，thoseoftheconsciencecommandsordictates。Inthesenseswefindourreceptivity，andasfarasourpersonalbeingisconcerned，wearepassive，butinthefactoftheconsciencewearenotonlyagents，butitisbythisalonethatweknowourselvestobesuch——nay，thatourverypassivenessinthislatterisanactofpassiveness，andthatwearepatient（patientes），not，asintheothercase，SIMPLYpassive。
Theresultistheconsciousnessofresponsibility，andtheproofisaffordedbytheinwardexperienceofthediversitybetweenregretandremorse。
IfIhavesoundears，andmycompanionspeakstomewithadueproportionofvoice，ImaypersuadehimthatIdidnothear，butcannotdeceivemyself。Butwhenmyconsciencespeakstome，Icanbyrepeatedeffortsrendermyselffinallyinsensible；towhichaddthisotherdifference，namely，thattomakemyselfdeafisoneandthesamethingwithmakingmyconsciencedumb，tillatlengthIbecameunconsciousofmyconscience。Frequentaretheinstancesinwhichitissuspended，and，asitwere，drownedintheinundationoftheappetites，passions，andimaginationstowhichIhaveresignedmyself，makinguseofmywillinordertoabandonmyfree-will；andtherearenot，Ifear，exampleswantingoftheconsciencebeingutterlydestroyed，orofthepassageofwickednessintomadness；thatspeciesofmadness，namely，inwhichthereasonislost。Forsolongasthereasoncontinues，solongmusttheconscienceexist，eitherasagoodconscienceorasabadconscience。
Itappears，then，thateventheveryfirststep——thattheinitiationoftheprocess，thebecomingconsciousofaconscience——partakesofthenatureofanact。Itisanactinandbywhichwetakeuponourselvesanallegiance，andconsequentlytheobligationoffealty；
andthisfealtyorfidelityimplyingthepowerofbeingunfaithful，itisthefirstandfundamentalsenseoffaith。Itislikewisethecommencementofexperience，andtheresultofallotherexperience。
Inotherwords，conscienceinthisitssimplestform，mustbesupposedinordertoconsciousness，thatis，tohumanconsciousness。
Brutesmaybeandarescions，butthosebeingsonlywhohaveanI，scirepossunthocvelilludunacumseipsis；thatis，conscirevelscirealiquidmecum，ortoknowathinginrelationtomyself，andintheactofknowingmyselfasacteduponbythatsomething。
Nowthethirdpersoncouldneverhavebeendistinguishedfromthefirstbutbymeansofthesecond。TherecanbenoHewithoutapreviousThou。MuchlesscouldanIexistforusexceptasitexistsduringthesuspensionofthewill，asindreams；andthenatureofbrutesmaybebestunderstoodbyconsideringthemassomnambulists。
Thisisadeepmeditation，thoughthepositioniscapableofthestrictestproof，namely，thattherecanbenoIwithoutaThou，andthataThouisonlypossiblebyanequationinwhichIistakenasequaltoThou，andyetnotthesame。Andthis，again，isonlypossiblebyputtingtheminoppositionascorrespondentopposites，orcorrelatives。Inordertothis，asomethingmustbeaffirmedintheonewhichisrejectedintheother，andthissomethingisthewill。
Idonotwilltoconsidermyselfasequaltomyself，forintheveryactofconstructingmyself_I_，Itakeitasthesame，andthereforeasincapableofcomparison，thatis，ofanyapplicationofthewill。
If，then，IMINUSthewillbetheTHESIS，Thou，PLUSwill，mustbetheANTITHESIS，buttheequationofThouwithI，bymeansofafreeact，negativingthesamenessinordertoestablishtheequality，isthetruedefinitionofconscience。ButaswithoutaThoutherecanbenoYou，sowithoutaYounoThey，These，orThose；andasalltheseconjointlyformthematerialsandsubjectsofconsciousnessandtheconditionsofexperience，itisevidentthatconscienceistherootofallconsciousness——afortiori，thepreconditionofallexperience——andthattheconsciencecannothavebeeninitsfirstrevelationdeducedfromexperience。
Soon，however，experiencecomesintoplay。Welearnthatthereareotherimpulsesbesidethedictatesofconscience，thattherearepowerswithinusandwithoutusreadytousurpthethroneofconscience，andbusyintemptingustotransferourallegiance。Welearnthattherearemanythingscontrarytoconscience，andthereforetoberejectedandutterlyexcluded，andmanythatcancoexistwithitssupremacyonlybybeingsubjugatedasbeastsofburthen；andothersagain，asforinstancethesocialtendernessesandaffections，andthefacultiesandexcitationsoftheintellect，whichmustbeatleastsubordinated。Thepreservationofourloyaltyandfealtyunderthesetrials，andagainsttheserivals，constitutesthesecondsenseoffaith；andweshallneedbutonemorepointofviewtocompleteitsfullimport。Thisistheconsiderationofwhatispresupposedinthehumanconscience。Theanswerisready。AsintheequationofthecorrelativeIandThou，oneofthetwinconstituentsistobetakenasPLUSwill，theotherasMINUSwill，soisithere；anditisobviousthatthereasonorSUPER-individualofeachman，wherebyheisaman，isthefactorwearetotakeasMINUS
will，andthattheindividualwillorpersonalisingprincipleoffreeagency（\"arbitrement\"isMilton’sword）isthefactormarkedPLUS
will；andagain，thatastheidentityorco-inherenceoftheabsolutewillandthereason，isthepeculiarcharacterofGod，soistheSYNTHESISoftheindividualwillandthecommonreason，bythesubordinationoftheformertothelatter，theonlypossiblelikenessorimageofthePROTHESISoridentity，andthereforetherequiredpropercharacterofman。Conscience，then，isawitnessrespectingtheidentityofthewillandthereason，effectedbytheself-
subordinationofthewillorselftothereason，asequaltoorrepresentingthewillofGod。ButthepersonalwillisafactorinothermoralSYNTHESIS，forexample，appetitePLUSpersonalwill=
sensuality；lustofpower，PLUSpersonalwill=ambition，andsoon，equallyasintheSYNTHESISonwhichtheconscienceisgrounded。Notthis，therefore，buttheotherSYNTHESIS，mustsupplythespecificcharacteroftheconscience，andwemustenterintoananalysisofreason。Suchasthenatureandobjectsofthereasonare，suchmustbethefunctionsandobjectsoftheconscience。Andtheformerweshallbestlearnbyrecapitulatingthoseconstituentsofthetotalmanwhichareeithercontrarytoordisparatefromthereason。
I。Reason，andtheproperobjectsofreason，arewhollyalienfromsensation。Reasonissupersensual，anditsantagonistisappetite，andtheobjectsofappetitethelustoftheflesh。
II。Reasonanditsobjectsdonotappertaintotheworldofthesenses，inwardoroutward；thatis，theypartakenotofsenseorfancy。Reasonissupersensuous，andhereitsantagonististhelustoftheeye。
III。Reasonanditsobjectsarenotthingsofreflection，association，discursion，discourseintheoldsenseofthewordasopposedtointuition；\"discursiveorintuitive，\"asMiltonhasit。
Reasondoesnotindeednecessarilyexcludethefinite，eitherintimeorinspace，butitincludesthememinenter。Thustheprimemoverofthematerialuniverseisaffirmedtocontainallmotionasitscause，butnottobe，ortosuffer，motioninitself。
Reasonisnotthefacultyofthefinite。ButhereImustpremisethefollowing。Thefacultyofthefiniteisthatwhichreducestheconfusedimpressionsofsensetotheiressentialforms——quantity，quality，relation，andintheseactionandreaction，causeandeffect，andthelike；thusraisesthematerialsfurnishedbythesensesandsensationsintoobjectsofreflection，andsomakesexperiencepossible。Withoutit，man’srepresentativepowerswouldbeadelirium，achaos，ascuddingcloudageofshapes；anditisthereforemostappropriatelycalledtheunderstanding，orsubstantiativefaculty。Oureldermetaphysicians，downtoHobbesinclusively，calledthislikewisediscourse，discuvsusdiscursio，fromitsmodeofactionasnotstayingatanyoneobject，butrunning，asitwere，toandfrotoabstract，generalise，andclassify。Nowwhenthisfacultyisemployedintheserviceofthepurereason，itbringsoutthenecessaryanduniversaltruthscontainedintheinfiniteintodistinctcontemplationbythepureactofthesensuousimagination——thatis，intheproductionoftheformsofspaceandtimeabstractedfromallcorporeity，andlikewiseoftheinherentformsoftheunderstandingitselfabstractedlyfromtheconsiderationofparticulars，asinthecaseofgeometry，numeralmathematics，universallogic，andpuremetaphysics。ThediscursivefacultythenbecomeswhatourShakespeare，withhappyprecision，calls\"discourseofreason。\"
Wewillnowtakeupourreasoningagainfromthewords\"motioninitself。\"
Itisevident，then，thatthereasonastheirradiativepower，andtherepresentativeoftheinfinite，judgestheunderstandingasthefacultyofthefinite，andcannotwithouterrorbejudgedbyit。
Whenthisisattempted，orwhentheunderstandinginitsSYNTHESIS
withthepersonalwill，usurpsthesupremacyofthereason，oraffectstosupersedethereason，itisthenwhatSt。Paulcallsthemindoftheflesh（[Greektext]），orthewisdomofthisworld。Theresultis，thatthereasonissuperfinite；andinthisrelation，itsantagonististheinsubordinateunderstanding，ormindoftheflesh。
IV。Reason，asonewiththeabsolutewill（INTHEBEGINNINGWASTHE
LOGOS，ANDTHELOGOSWASWITHGOD，ANDTHELOGOSWASGOD），andthereforeformanthecertainrepresentativeofthewillofGod，isabovethewillofmanasanindividualwill。WehaveseeninIII。
thatitstandsinantagonismtoallmereparticulars；buthereitstandsinantagonismtoallmereindividualinterestsassomanyselves，tothepersonalwillasseekingitsobjectsinthemanifestationofitselfforitself——sitprorationevoluntas；——
whetherthisberealisedwithadjuncts，asinthelustoftheflesh，andinthelustoftheeye；orwithoutadjuncts，asinthethirstandprideofpower，despotism，egoisticambition。Thefourthantagonist，then，ofreason，isthelustofthewill。
Corollary。Unlikeamillionoftigers，amillionofmenisverydifferentfromamilliontimesoneman。Eachmaninanumeroussocietyisnotonlycoexistentwith，butvirtuallyorganisedinto，themultitudeofwhichheisanintegralpart。Hisidemismodifiedbythealter。AndthereariseimpulsesandobjectsfromthisSYNTHESISofthealteretidem，myselfandmyneighbour。This，again，isstrictlyanalogoustowhattakesplaceinthevitalorganisationoftheindividualman。ThecerebralsystemofthenerveshasitscorrespondentANTITHESISintheabdominalsystem：buthencearisesaSYNTHESISofthetwointhepectoralsystemastheintermediate，and，likeadrawbridge，atonceconductorandboundary。
Inthelatter，asobjectisedbytheformer，arisetheemotions，theaffections，and，inoneword，thepassions，asdistinguishedfromthecognitionsandappetites。Now，thereasonhasbeenshowntobesuperindividual，generally，andthereforenotlesssowhentheformofanindividualisationsubsistsinthealterthanwhenitisconfinedtotheidem；notlesswhentheemotionshavetheirconsciousorbelievedobjectinanother，thanwhentheirsubjectistheindividualpersonalself。Forthoughtheseemotions，affections，attachments，andthelike，arethepreparedladderbywhichthelowernatureistakenupinto，andmadetopartakeof，thehighestroom——aswearetaughttogiveafeelingofrealitytothehigherpermediumcommunewiththelower，andthusgraduallytoseetherealityofthehigher（namely，theobjectsofreason），andfinallytoknowthatthelatterareindeed，andpre-eminentlyreal，asifyouloveyourearthlyparentswhomyousee，bythesemeansyouwilllearntoloveyourHeavenlyFatherwhoisinvisible；——yetthisholdsgoodonlysofarasthereasonisthepresident，anditsobjectstheultimateaim；
andcasesmayariseinwhichtheChristastheLogos，orRedemptiveReason，declares，HETHATLOVESFATHERORANOTHERMORETHANME，IS
NOTWORTHYOFME；nay，hethatcanpermithisemotionstorisetoanequalitywiththeuniversalreason，isinenmitywiththatreason。
Here，then，reasonappearsastheloveofGod；anditsantagonististheattachmenttoindividualswhereveritexistsindiminutionof，orincompetitionwith，thelovewhichisreason。
InthesefiveparagraphsIhaveenumeratedandexplainedtheseveralpowersorforcesbelongingorincidentaltohumannature，whichinallmattersofreasonthemanisboundeithertosubjugateorsubordinatetoreason。Theapplicationtofaithfollowsofitsownaccord。Thefirstormostindefinitesenseoffaithisfidelity：
thenfidelityunderpreviouscontractorparticularmoralobligation。
Inthissensefaithisfealtytoarightfulsuperior：faithisthedutyofafaithfulsubjecttoarightfulgovernor。Thenitisallegianceinactiveservice；fidelitytotheliegelordundercircumstances，andamidthetemptationsofusurpation，rebellion，andintestinediscord。Nextweseekforthatrightfulsuperioronourdutiestowhomallourdutiestoallothersuperiors，onourfaithfulnesstowhomallourboundenrelationstoallotherobjectsoffidelity，arefounded。Wemustinquireafterthatdutyinwhichallothersfindtheirseveraldegreesanddignities，andfromwhichtheyderivetheirobligativeforce。Wearetofindasuperior，whoserights，includingourduties，arepresentedtothemindintheveryideaofthatSupremeBeing，whosesovereignprerogativesarepredicatesimpliedinthesubjects，astheessentialpropertiesofacircleareco-assumedinthefirstassumptionofacircle，consequentlyunderived，unconditional，andasrationallyunsusceptible，soprobablyprohibitive，ofallfurtherquestion。Inthissense，then，faithisfidelity，fealty，allegianceofthemoralnaturetoGod，inoppositiontoallusurpation，andinresistancetoalltemptationtotheplacinganyotherclaimaboveorequalwithourfidelitytoGod。
ThewillofGodisthelastgroundandfinalaimofallourduties，andtothatthewholemanistobeharmonisedbysubordination，subjugation，orsuppressionalikeincommissionandomission。ButthewillofGod，whichisonewiththesupremeintelligence，isrevealedtomanthroughtheconscience。Buttheconscience，whichconsistsinaninappellablebearing-witnesstothetruthandrealityofourreason，maylegitimatelybeconstruedwiththetermreason，sofarastheconscienceisprescriptive；whileasapprovingorcondemning，itistheconsciousnessofthesubordinationorinsubordination，theharmonyordiscord，ofthepersonalwillofmantoandwiththerepresentativeofthewillofGod。Thisbringsmetothelastandfullestsenseoffaith，thatis，theobedienceoftheindividualwilltothereason，inthelustofthefleshasopposedtothesupersensual；inthelustoftheeyeasopposedtothesupersensuous；intheprideoftheunderstandingasopposedtotheinfinite；inthe[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]incontrarietytothespiritualtruth；inthelustofthepersonalwillasopposedtotheabsoluteanduniversal；andintheloveofthecreature，asfarasitisopposedtothelovewhichisonewiththereason，namely，theloveofGod。
Thus，then，toconclude。FaithsubsistsintheSYNTHESISoftheReasonandtheindividualWill。Byvirtueofthelattertherefore，itmustbeanenergy，and，inasmuchasitrelatestothewholemoralman，itmustbeexertedineachandallofhisconstituentsorincidents，facultiesandtendencies；——itmustbeatotal，notapartial——acontinuous，notadesultoryoroccasional——energy。Andbyvirtueoftheformer，thatisReason，FaithmustbeaLight，aformofknowing，abeholdingoftruth。IntheincomparablewordsoftheEvangelist，therefore，FAITHMUSTBEALIGHTORIGINATINGINTHE
LOGOS，ORTHESUBSTANTIALREASON，WHICHISCO-ETERNALANDONEWITH
THEHOLYWILL，ANDWHICHLIGHTISATTHESAMETIMETHELIFEOFMEN。
Now，asLIFEisherethesumorcollectiveofallmoralandspiritualacts，insuffering，doing，andbeing，soisFaiththesourceandthesum，theenergyandtheprincipleofthefidelityofmantoGod，bythesubordinationofhishumanWill，inallprovincesofhisnature，tohisReason，asthesumofspiritualTruth，representingandmanifestingtheWillDivine。
NOTESONTHEBOOKOFCOMMONPRAYER。
PRAYER。
Amanmaypraynightandday，andyetdeceivehimself；butnomancanbeassuredofhissinceritywhodoesnotpray。Prayerisfaithpassingintoact；aunionofthewillandtheintellectrealisinginanintellectualact。Itisthewholemanthatprays。Lessthanthisiswishing，orlip-work；acharmoramummery。PRAYALWAYS，saystheapostle：thatis，havethehabitofprayer，turningyourthoughtsintoactsbyconnectingthemwiththeideaoftheredeemingGod，andevensoreconvertingyouractionsintothoughts。
THESACRAMENTOFTHEEUCHARIST。
Thebestpreparationfortakingthissacrament，betterthananyorallofthebooksortractscomposedforthisend，istoreadoverandoveragain，andoftenonyourknees——atalleventswithakneelingandprayingheart——theGospelaccordingtoSt。John，tillyourmindisfamiliarisedtothecontemplationofChrist，theRedeemerandMediatorofmankind，yea，ofeverycreature，asthelivingandself-
subsistingWord，theverytruthofalltruebeing，andtheverybeingofallenduringtruth；thereality，whichisthesubstanceandunityofallreality；THELIGHTWHICHLIGHTETHEVERYMAN，sothatwhatwecallreasonisitselfalightfromthatlight，lumenaluce，astheLatinmoredistinctlyexpressesthisfact。Butitisnotmerelylight，butthereinislife；anditisthelifeofChrist，theco-
eternalSonofGod，thatistheonlytruelife-givinglightofmen。
Weareassured，andwebelieve，thatChristisGod；Godmanifestedintheflesh。AsGod，hemustbepresententireineverycreature；——
（forhowcanGod，orindeedanyspirit，existinparts？）——butheissaidtodwellintheregenerate，tocometothemwhoreceivehimbyfaithinhisname，thatis，inhispowerandinfluence；forthisisthemeaningoftheword\"name\"inScripturewhenappliedtoGodorhisChrist。Wheretruebeliefexists，Christisnotonlypresentwithoramongus；——forsoheisineveryman，eventhemostwicked；——
buttousandforus。THATWASTHETRUELIGHT，WHICHLIGHTETHEVERY
MANTHATCOMETHINTOTHEWORLD。HEWASINTHEWORLD，ANDTHEWORLD
WASMADEBYHIM，ANDTHEWORLDKNEWHIMNOT。BUTASMANYASRECEIVED
HIM，TOTHEMGAVEHEPOWERTOBECOMETHESONSOFGOD，EVENTOTHEM
THATBELIEVEINHISNAME；WHICHWEREBORN，NOTOFBLOOD，NOROFTHE
WILLOFTHEFLESH，NOROFTHEWILLOFMAN，BUTOFGOD。ANDTHEWORD
WASMADEFLESHANDDWELTAMONGUS。Johni。9-14。Again——WEWILL
COMEUNTOHIM，ANDMAKEOURABODEWITHHIM。Johnxiv。23。Astrulyandasreallyasyoursoulresidesconstitutivelyinyourlivingbody，personallyandsubstantiallydoesChristdwellineveryregenerateman。
