Christianity; Or, the Evidences and Characters of the Christian Religion - William Poynter (Bp. of Halia) - Google Books

Books

CONTENTS.

MEANS OF ASCERTAINING THE TRUTH OF THE REVEALED

DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY.

Page

Definitions, and Preliminary Observations.-Knowledge.-Truth.

-Certitude.-Evidence.-Different mediums of evidence.... 1

The competency of human reason, as a sure guide to Truth, in

moral, and natural sciences, considered. Its deficiency in many

instances, regarding natural religion, and morality-and the

physical order of the universe

On the means of ascertaining, with absolute certitude, the TRUTH of

the Revealed Doctrines of Christianity.-Previous observations.

-It cannot be ascertained, by the medium of intrinsic demon-

strative evidence, or by the natural light of reason.— -Exem-

plified in the Doctrines of the Trinity, and Incarnation.-

And in revealed doctrines, the objects of which depend on the

free will of God.-The obscurity of the possibility of a mys-

tery, is not evidence of its impossibility.

Consequences of the principle of not admitting the TRUTH of re-

vealed Doctrines, unless it can be proved by intrinsic demonstra-

tive evidence.-Uncertainty in Religious Doctrines.-Infidelity.

-These consequences appear in the history of religious

opinions, since the changes made in religion in the sixteenth

century.-Reason and Revelation not opposed to each other.-

The province of Reason, in the search of Revealed Truths.-

Religious liberty....

The certitude of the TRUTH of the Revealed Doctrines of Christi-

anity, can be obtained, only by the medium of extrinsic evidence,

or by the testimony of God, given in the act of the Divine Reve-

lation of these Doctrines.-Shewn from the nature of the

question. From the reasoning of St. Paul.From the natural

method of coming to the true and certain knowledge of the

will of a Legislator...

The FACT of the Divine Revelation of the Christian Religion.-

The Christian Religion was taught by Christ.- Christ, as

man, was divinely commissioned to teach it.-The nature and

effect of miracles.-The divine mission of Christ proved by

miracles.-Christ, who taught the Christian Religion, is him-

self true GOD.-His divinity shewn, principally by the fact of

his resurrection-Consequences in proof of the divine Reve-

lation of the Christian Religion, and of the Obligation of ob

serving its Precepts....

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MEANS OF ASCERTAINING WHAT ARE THE GENUINE DOCTRINES

AND PRECEPTS OF CHRISTIANITY.

On the means of ascertaining, with absolute certitude, what are the

doctrines of faith, the moral precepts, and the religious obser-

vances, which were delivered by Christ, in the revelation, and

institution of the Christian Religion.-Previous observations.-

Two methods proposed.- Of authoritative testimony. And of

private judgment, and private interpretation of Scripture

The competency of private judgment, and private interpretation

of Scripture, examined.—Private judgment leads to uncertain-

ty, and error, whether it be used to determine the question,

by intrinsic, or extrinsic evidence.-Private interpretation of

Scripture also leads to uncertainty, and error

Consequences of following the principle of private judgment and

private interpretation of Scripture, as the rule and means of de-

termining, WHAT are the doctrines, precepts, and ordinances,

which were delivered by Christ.-Divisions in faith.-Contra-

dictory religious opinions.-Inconsistent religious observances.

-Vain attempts to restore unity and uniformity.-The in-

vention of fundamental, and non-fundamental articles.-The

authority of Synods.-The intervention of the civil power.-

The reading, and private interpretation of Scripture were not

appointed by Christ, as the means of communicating the cer-

tain knowledge of all that he taught, and ordained, to be be-

lieved and observed by men

The only means, by which it can be ascertained, with absolute cer-

titude, WHAT are the doctrines of faith, the moral precepts, and

the religious observances, which were delivered by Christ, in the

revelation, and institution of the Christian Religion, is the pro-

mulgation of his law, made by the authority of the ministry,

which Christ instituted for that purpose.-That, which Christ

commanded to be believed, and to be observed, constitutes

his law. A law is made known by authoritative promulgation.

-The old law was promulgated by Moses, and the ministry

of the Priesthood.-Christ revealed his new law to Peter, and

his other Apostles.-He ordained that the knowledge of

what he had taught, and commanded, should be communicated

to all nations, by the authoritative promulgation of his law,

made by his Apostles, and their Successors, in the ministry

of the Christian Priesthood ...

The Commission given by Christ to his Apostles, and their Suc-

cessors, explained.-Reflection of an ancient Christian writer,

on the mode of bringing mankind to the certain knowledge of

religious truth....

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THE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROPAGATION OF THE

CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

On the primitive promulgation of the Christian law.—Prophecies

relating to the promulgation of the law of Christ in Sion.

The miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost, on the Apostles.

-The new law is promulgated on the day of Pentecost by

Peter. This promulgation was a public fact, in all its cir-

cumstances. Those who embraced the law of Christ, as pro-

mulgated by Peter, were all united in one faith, and commu-

nion. The authority of Peter and the other Apostles, sanc-

tioned by acknowledged miracles

The revelation and establishment of the Christian religion, is a

series, and collection of public facts-exemplified in the history

of Christ, and in the ministry of his Apostles. The propagation

of the law, and religion of Christ over Judea, and the Gen-

tile world, by the ministry of the Apostles, and of Apostolic

men sent by them.-The Apostles make ecclesiastical laws, for

the preservation of unity in faith, and for the regulation of

matters of discipline

Page

A view of the designs and works of God, in the preparation and

execution of the establishment of the Christian religion.-The

Almighty had this work in contemplation, from the beginning

of the world. He promised it to the ancient Patriarchs.- He

foretold it by his inspired prophets. He exhibited a type and

model of this great work, in the institutions of the old law,"

and in the most remarkable events which occurred under the

Mosaic dispensation.-All these were accomplished in the his-

tory of the life and mysteries of Christ, and in the institu-

tion and establishment of the Christian religion

Blessings of Christianity diffused over all Nations.-Fall of man

from original justice to the state of sin.-Consequences. Igno-

rance and concupiscence.-Philosophy could not afford a re-

medy to these evils.-The sacrifice of atonement.-Remission

of sin offered to all nations.-The light of faith to dispel

ignorance of religious truths.-Excellence and sublimity of the

doctrines of the Christian faith.-Purity and sanctity of the

Gospel precepts, given to correct the corruption of the human

heart.-Motives to duty.-Efficacious graces administered by

the sacraments.-Efficacy of the Gospel in the conversion of

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, THE DEPOSITARY AND DISPENSER OF

THE MYSTERIES OF CHRISTIANITY.

The formation and nature of the Church of Christ.-It consists of

two classes; of the ministers of Christ, teaching and govern-

ing ;—and of the faithful, who are taught and governed.—The

Church of Christ to be propagated over all nations, and to con-

tinue through all ages. The government of the Church con-

stituted in the form of a kingdom. The guardianship and

dispensation of all the doctrines, precepts, and mysteries of

the Christian religion, were committed by Christ to the mi-

nistry, which he established in his Church.-Consequently it

is by the ministry of the Church of Christ, that all nations are

to be instructed in the true knowledge of the faith and law,

which Christ delivered to his Apostles..

On the marks of the true Church of Christ—UNITY and UNIVER-

SALITY are essential properties and characteristic marks of the

true Church of Christ; the guardian of the truths and institutions

of Christianity.Two or more religious societies, which have

not the same faith, or the same communion, or which are not

under the same ecclesiastical authority, cannot be both, nor all

of them the Church of Christ.-Unity in faith, in communion,

and ecclesiastical government, was universally introduced by

the Apostles, and Apostolic men, in the establishment and

propagation of Christianity in all countries

On unity, and universality in faith, communion, and government,

considered in the Roman Catholic Church.-Unity and univer-

sality are found in the Roman Catholic Church, at the present

time. They may be traced back, in the same Church, to the

first establishment of Christianity in all those countries, where

the Roman Catholic faith is now professed.-Proofs from a

reference to histories and liturgies..

Unity and universality, considered in respect to churches separated

from the communion of the Roman Catholic Church.-Unity

and universality are not found in all, or any of those particular

Churches which are separated from the Communion of the

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