pronounces, in strong and reiterated terms of memorable condemnation, the sentence of those who preach any other gospel than that which Paul preached. Yet, though nothing can be clearer than the punishment, nothing can be more indefinite than the offence. And the object of this appears to have been, to shew that no wilful deviation from the strict truth would be pardonedthat our obedience to the revealed will of God admits not of limitation or degree-and that in the minutest parts of the Gospel there is the truth, concerning which it at least behoves "every man to be fully persuaded in his own mind."'7

With these views, then, with regard to the present aspect of religious affairs; and with the humble hope of doing no dis-service to the cause of truth by adopting such a course of argument,—we propose to take a cursory (for it can only be a cursory) view of some of the main questions on which the integrity and even existence of the Catholic Church may be said to hinge, and in which all minor debates and controversies will be found ultimately to merge. Our attention, then, shall in the first instance, be directed to the foundation of all revealed truththe inspiration and authority of scripture. this will naturally follow an enquiry into the necessity and validity of Creeds. Then, as a modification

17 Romans, xiv. 5.

Upon

and extension of the same principle, we are led to the consideration of Articles of Religion. This brings us directly to the subject of Rituals and Liturgies; and our inquiry would not be complete, without some explication of the sin of Schism; and the authority which the Catholic Church ought to possess, to guard itself from external injury, and to propagate its doctrines by education or other public instruction. All these are vital questions; they are all the subject of much doubt and earnest debate; and concerning each there is the truth, to which we may doubtless be permitted to approximate, by the help of sincere and sober investigation. The learning and research with which each of these subjects has been discussed, must be left to be sought in those voluminous and standard works where they are readily to be found. It is with results rather · than processes that we are at present compelled to deal; and if from some patient and unbiassed thought on topics concerning which absolute certainty is not attainable, we can in some measure simplify these complex questions, and at least ascertain the strong and weak points of each of them, such a summary view as we now propose will neither be deficient in interest nor in practical utility. May, then, the blessing of God rest upon these our labours! May I be enabled to speak in such language as best becomes the momentous import of

these questions-and the weakness of him who thus ventures to approach them; and may you be disposed to hear in such a spirit, as, while it may most profit by these inquiries, will be the readiest to pardon such deficiences as spring rather from the feebleness of the advocate, than the want of importance' in his subject, or of truth in his conclusions.

END OF LECTURE I.

LECTURE II.

AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE.

THE ARGUMENT.

DIFFERENCE AS TO CLAIMS TO AUTHORITY AND INSPIRATION BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS-THE OLD TESTAMENT LITERALLY A LAW, BOTH AS TO INSTRUMENT, WRITTEN LAWS, AND ADMINISTRATORS OF IT-THE NEW, IN EACH OF THESE RESPECTS, LESS DEFINITELY SOTHE OLD LAYING MORE POSITIVE AND EXPRESS CLAIMS TO DIRECT INSPIRATION THAN THE NEW-NO INFERIORITY IN THE NEW ON THESE ACCOUNTS PROVED, FIRST, BECAUSE THESE DIFFERENCES ARE THOSE OF OMISSION-THOSE PRINCIPLES IN THE OLD WHICH ARE CONTINUED IN THE NEW, ARE NOT EXPRESSED BECAUSE IMPLIED-SECONDLY, BECAUSE EVEN CHANGES MAY BE ENFORCED BY TYPE AS STRONGLY AS BY DIRECT PRECEPT-THIS ILLUSTRATED BY THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH DAY, AND ALSO BY THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PRIESTHOOD, AND THE LEGAL POWER OF THE GOSPEL, UNDER FORMS ADAPTED TO THE NEW CONDITION OF THINGS-SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT.