accustomed to use; and to inquire what there might be in the occasion or circumstances under which he wrote, tending to throw further light upon the immediate object he had in view. This is only to render common justice to the writer; it is necessary, both for the discovery of his real meaning, and to secure him against any wanton charge of error or inconsistency. Now, if this may justly be required in any ordinary work of uninspired composition; how much more indispensable must it be, when we sit in judgment upon the Sacred Volume; in which (if we acknowledge its Divine original) it is impos-> sible even to imagine a failure, either in judgment or in integrity. How exact and scrupulous a care in these respects may reasonably be expected from the Scripture Critic; lest, through any inadvertency on his part, "the way of truth should be evil

" spoken of1!"

A reputed saying of Rabbinical writers, that "there is no difficulty in their Law,

i 2 Pet. ii. 2.

"of

"of which the Law itself does not afford "a solution," is applicable to the Scriptures in general, both of the Old and New Testament :-and the maxim of human jurisprudence, that "no particular Law "is to be judged of, without taking the "whole Law into consideration," is still more indispensable where the Law proceeds from a Divine Legislator. Difficulties, therefore, are to be removed, in the first place, by the help of Scripture itself. Detached texts may be rendered clearer by a collation with those analogous to them, either in verbal expression or in general sentiment. What in one is wrapped up in obscurer terms, may in another be more explicitly developed. Even slight variations will oftentimes serve for the purpose of reciprocal illustration. This will be more or less perceptible, according to the subject of investigation: but in almost every instance it will amply remunerate the labour. Where the subjects of the pas sages compared are correlative;-as in the case of Type and Antitype, or Prophecy and the Fulfilment of Prophecy ;—its ad

vantages

vantages will be instantly perceived. In certain cases, the benefit may arise from the effect of contrast only in others, from the connection of subordinate points with those which are of higher moment. But, whatever mode of comparison be instituted, additional light cannot fail to be thrown on the point to be examined.

Respecting these rules for the Collation of Scripture, or "comparing spiritual

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things with spiritual," it will readily be perceived, that they presuppose a due attention to those already suggested for its Analysis, or rightly dividing the Word "of truth." The great leading distinction between points of doctrine fundamental or non-fundamental; and the subordinate distinctions, between the several Dispensations, or Covenants, of Revealed Religion, the various subjects of the Sacred Writings, and the general or special purposes for which they were composed;-these must lay the foundation for every systematic arrangement of Scripture truth. As, in the investigation of any subject of human science, we first endeavour by Ana

lysis to resolve it into its elementary principles or constituent parts; and then, by a synthetic process, proceed from these simple truths to a comprehensive view of the whole;-so, in the study of Revealed Religion, a clear apprehension of its primary and essential truths prepares the way for combining into a coherent and welldigested system the entire doctrine of Holy Writ. Regarding these as connected in unity of purpose and in effect, though distinct in character and in operation; every portion of Scripture derives additional interest from being thus made to accord with the rest and the work of Interpretation proceeds with the best assurance that human fallibility may pretend to, of a successful result.

These several Analogies, then, are intended to cooperate in explaining obscure passages by those which are clearer, in confirming those of a doubtful character by such as are beyond all question, and in regulating those of minor consideration by the great leading principles of the Christian Covenant. Their joint effect will be, to exhibit in a compendious view the

entire Analogy of the Faith, such as we meet with in well-digested Bodies of Divinity; or such as in earlier times was comprised in those shorter summaries of Christian Doctrine to which we may conceive St. Paul to refer, when he says to Timothy, "Hold fast the form of sound "words, which thou hast heard of me, in "faith and love that is in Christ Jesus. "That good thing which was committed “unto thee, keep by the Holy Ghost, "which dwelleth in you*."

II. I proceed now to illustrate these observations by some specific examples.

And first, the doctrine of Regeneration presents itself, as a subject of radical importance in the Christian system, and on which a due regard to all these Analogies appears to be indispensable for the prevention of error.

The determinate sense of the word Regeneration depends upon the subject to which it relates. Abstractedly, it denotes an entrance upon any new state of being; a state, essentially different from that in

k2 Tim. i. 13, 14.