Imatges de pàgina
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3. The WHOLE system of revelation must be explained, so as to be consistent with itself.-When two passages APPEAR to be contradictory, if the sense of the one can be clearly ascertained, in such case that must regulate our interpretation of the other.

Thus, in one passage, the apostle John says; If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins: if we say we have not sinned, we make him liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John í. 8—10.) In another passage the same apostle affirms Whoever abideth in him, sinneth not. Whosoerer is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John iii. 6. 9.)

This is an apparent contradiction; but the texts must be explained, so as to agree with one another. Now, from Scripture and experience we are certain, that the first passage must be literally understood. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon said: If they sin against thee, and thou be angry, (for there is no man that sinneth not) 1 Kings viii. 46. And in Eccl. vii. 20. For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not. The explanation of the second passage, therefore, must be regulated by the established signification of the first; that both may agree. When it is affirmed, that even good men cannot say, they have no sin; the apostle speaks of occasional acts, from which none are free. When Saint John says, that he who is born of God doth not commit sin, he evidently means, habitually as the slave of sin; and this is incompatible with a state of grace. Both passages, therefore, agree, as the one refers to particular deeds, and the other to general practice and in this manner, must every seeming con tradiction be removed. The passage, of which the literal sense can be establish ed, must always regulate the interpretation of a different expression, so as to make it agree with fixed principles.

4. No interpretation of Scripture can belong to the analogy of faith, that contradicts any of those fundamental points of DOCTRINE or MORALITY, which are frequently repeated in the Scriptures, and which we every where find most urgently enforced.

To this purpose Saint John (1 John iv. 2, 3.) has laid down the following axiom as a test by which to try the spirits, or teachers pretending to be inspired by the Holy Spirit: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. This was a fundamental doctrine, or principle of Christianity by which other doctrines were to be tried. Nearly to the same purpose is the fol lowing rule of Saint Paul (1 Tim. vi. 3. 5.) ; — If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, and to the doctrine which is according to godli ness,......from_such withdraw thyself. The obvious meaning of which is, that if any man teach such doctrines as contradict the main design of Christianity, which is to promote true holiness, he is not to be attended to; nor is the sense which such a one gives of any particular text of Scripture to be received, because it militates against the grand design of the Christian scheme, which explicitly states (to use the language of Saint Paul himself,) that Christ came into the world to destroy the works of the Devil, and gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Tit. ii. 14.)

5. An obscure, doubtful, ambiguous, or figurative text must never be interpreted in such a sense as to make it contradict a plain one: for, in explaining the Scriptures, consistency of sense and principles ought to be supported in all their several parts; and if any one part be so interpreted as to clash with another, such interpretation cannot be justified. Nor can it be otherwise corrected than by considering every doubtful or difficult text, first by itself, then with its context, and then by comparing it with other passages of Scripture; and thus bringing what may seem ob scure into a consistency with what is plain and evident.

The doctrine of transubstantiation, inculcated by the church of Rome, is founded on a strictly literal interpretation of figurative expressions, this is my body, &c. (Matt. xxvi. 26, &c.) and (which has no relation to the supper,) eat my flesh, drink my blood. (John vi. 51-58.) But independently of this, we may further conclude that the sense put upon the words "this is my body," by the church #

Rome, cannot be the true one, being contrary to the express declaration of the New Testament history, from which it is evident that our Lord is ascended into Heaven, where he is to continue "till the time of the restitution of all things;" (Acts iii. 21.) that is, till his second coming to judgment. How then can his body be in ten thousand several places on earth at one and the same time? We may further add that, if the doctrine of transubstantiation be true, it will follow that our Saviour, when he instituted the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, did actually eat his own flesh and drink his own blood; a conclusion this, so obviously contradictory both to reason and to Scripture, that it is astonishing how any sensible and religious man can credit such a tenet.

Upon a similar literal interpretation of Matt. xvi. 18. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, the church of Rome has erected the claim of supremacy for Peter and his successors. Hence building on Peter is explained away by some commentators, as being contrary to the faith that Christ is the only foundation. (1 Cor. iii. 11.) The most eminent of the antient fathers, as well as some of the early bishops or popes of Rome, particularly Gregory the Great, and likewise several of the most judicious modern commentators, respectively take this rock to be the profession of faith, which Peter had just made that Christ was the Son of God. The connection however shows that Peter is here plainly meant. Thou art Peter, says Christ; and upon this rock, that is, Peter, pointing to him; for thus it connects with the reason which follows for the name, in the same manner as the reason is given for that of Abraham in Gen. xvii. 5. and of Israel in Gen. xxxii. 28. The Apostles are also called, in other parts of the New Tes tament, the foundation on which the church is built, as in Eph. ii. 20. and Rev. xxi. 14. as being the persons employed in erecting the church, by preaching. It is here promised that Peter should commence the building of it by his preaching, which was fulfilled by his first converting the Jews (Acts ii. 14—42.), and also the Gentiles. (Acts x. xv. 7.) This passage therefore gives no countenance to the papal supremacy, but the contrary, for this prerogative was personal and in communicable.1

6. Such passages as are expressed with brevity are to be expounded by those where the same doctrines or duties are expressed more largely and fully.

Even light variations will oftentimes serve for the purpose of reciprocal illus tration. Thus the beatitudes related in the sixth chapter of Saint Luke's Gospel, though delivered at another time and in a different place, are the same with those delivered by our Lord in his sermon on the mount, and recorded in the fifth chapter of Saint Matthew's Gospel. Being however epitomised by the former Evangelist, they may be explained by the latter. Further, the quotation from Isaiah vi. 9, 10. Hear ye indeed, but understand not, &c. is contracted in Mark iv. 12. Luke viii. 10. and John xii. 40., but it is given at large in Matt. xiii. 14, 15.; and accordingly from this last cited Gospel, the sense of the prophet is most evident, Again, nothing is more certain than that God hath no pleasure in wickedness, or sin (Psal. v. 4.), and consequently cannot be the cause of sin. When, therefore, any passages occur which appear to intimate the contrary, they must be so understood as not to impugn this important truth. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart, therefore, is not to be taken as the act of God, but that he permitted him to go on, following his own cruel schemes, regardless of the divine judgments.2

7. In ascertaining the analogy of faith, the seat of a subject must be consulted and considered.

By the seat of a subject we mean any place or passage in Scripture where any subject is treated, either professedly, or in subordination to another subject, or in which more especially it is regularly discussed and grounded by the special ap pointment of the Holy Spirit. This last has been termed its proper and principal seat, and is that which must chiefly be regarded: for there is no article of faith, necessary to be believed unto salvation, which is not clearly and explicitly proposed in some part or other of the Scripture. Such texts therefore as treat profess

1 Barrow's Works, vol. i. p. 581. Grotius in loc. Elsley's Annotations, vol. i pp. 273-275. Gerard's Institutes, p. 163. See also the commencement of Bishop Burgess's Letter to his Clergy, entitled Christ, and not St. Peter, the Rock of the Christian Church, and especially Dr. A. Clarke's Commentary on Matt. xvi. 18. 2 See this text more fully considered, supra, Vol. I. Appendix, No. III. Sect. V. pp. 558, 559. J. E. Pfeiffer has given some additional examples, illustrating the preceding rule, in his Inst. Herm. Sacr. pp. 142–144,

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edly on a subject, have greater weight than those which only touch upon it incidentally and texts that express it absolutely, and as it is in itself, are clearer and more decisive than such as have a reference to particular occasions, without & perfect knowledge of which they cannot be understood, but may be totally misapprehended.

Thus the Lord's Supper is treated of, professedly, and in its proper and principal seat, in the words of its institution related in Matt. xxvi. 26-28. Mark xiv. 22-24. Luke xxii. 19, 20. and 1 Cor. xi. 23-26. Now, should any question arise relative to this point, these passages are to be exclusively consulted, and not uncertain or dubious places, as Luke xxiv. 30. in which there appears no vestige of the Lord's Supper, or John vi. 51-58. where indeed mention is made of the eating of Christ's flesh and drinking his blood, but not sacramentally, as it is done in the Lord's Supper. Further, The doctrine of justification is considered in the third chapter of Saint Paul's epistle to the Philippians, as in its proper seat: and the epistle to the Galatians, and especially that to the Romans, are the principal seats of that momentous doctrine; and according to the tenor of these, particu larly Rom. iii., all the other passages of Scripture that treat of justification, should be explained.1

8." Where several doctrines of equal importance are proposed, and revealed with great clearness, we must be careful to give to each its full and equal weight."

"Thus, that we are saved by the free grace of God, and through faith in Christ. is a doctrine too plainly affirmed by the sacred writers to be set aside by any contravening position: for it is said, By grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (Eph. ii. 8.) But so, on the other hand, are the doctrines of repentance unto life, and of obedience unto salvation; for, again it is said, Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, (Acts iii. 19.) and, If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt. xix. 17.) To set either of these truths at variance with the others, would be to frustrate the declared purpose of the Gospel, and to make it of none effect. Points thus clearly established, and from their very nature indispensable, must be made to correspond with each other; and the exposition, which best preserves them unimpaired and undiminished, will in any case be a safe interpretation, and most probably the true one. The analogy of faith will thus be kept entire, and will ap prove itself, in every respect, as becoming its divine author, and worthy of all acceptation."2

Some farther remarks might be offered in addition to the above rules; but as they fall more properly under consideration in the subsequent part of this work, the preceding observations on the interpretations of Scripture by the analogy of faith will perhaps be found abundantly sufficient. It only remains to state, that valuable as this aid is for ascertaining the sense of Scripture, it must be used in concurrence with those which have been illustrated in the foregoing sections, and to subjoin a few cautions respecting the application of the analogy of faith, attention to which will enable us successfully to "compare things spiritual with spiritual."

1. "Care," then, "must be taken, not to confound seeming with real analogies; not to rely upon merély verbal resemblances when the seuse may require a different application; not to interpret what is parallel in one respect, as if it were so in all; not to give to any parallel passages so absolute a sway in our decisions as to over-rule the clear and evident meaning of the text under consideration; and, above all, not to suffer an eagerness in multiplying proofs of this kind, to betray us into a neglect of the immediate context of the passage in question, upon which its signification must principally depend.'

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1 Franck's Guide, p. 41. Pfeiffer, Herm. Sacr. c. xii. p. 659. and Critica Sacra0.15. pp. 719, 720. Gerard's Institutes, p. 161.

2 Bishop Vanmildert's Bampton Lectures, 204. 3 Ibid. p. 215.

The occasion, coherence, and connection of the writing, the argument carrying on, as well as the scope and intent of the paragraph, and the correspondence of the type with its antitype, are all to be carefully remarked.

2. Further," In forming the analogy of faith, all the plain texts relating to one subject or article, ought to be taken together, impartially compared, the expressions of one of them restricted by those of another, and explained in mutual consistency; and that article deduced from them all in conjunction: not, as has been most -commonly the practice, one set of texts selected, which have the same aspect, explained in their greatest possible rigour; and all others, which look another way, neglected or explained away, and tortured into a compatibility with the opinion in that manner partially deduced. 3. Lastly, the analogy of faith, as applicable to the examination of particular passages, ought to be very short, simple, and purely scriptural; but most sects conceive it, as taking in all the complex peculiarities, and scholastic refinements, of their own favourite systems."1

Thus, as it has been remarked with equal truth and elegance,2 "by due attention to these principles, accompanied with the great moral requisites already shown to be indispensable, and with humble supplication to the throne of grace for a blessing on his labours, the diligent inquirer after Scripture truth may confidently hope for success. The design of every portion of holy writ, its harmony with the rest, and the divine perfection of the whole, will more and more fully be displayed. And thus will he be led, with increasing veneration and gratitude, to adore HIM, to whom every sacred book bears witness, and every divine dispensation led the way; even HIM who is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever."3

SECTION IX.

ON COMMENTARIES.

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I. Different Classes of Commentaries. II. Nature of Scholia.III. Of Commentaries strictly so called.-IV. Paraphrases.V. Collections of Observations on Holy Writ. VI. The Utility and Advantage of Commentaries. -VII. Design to be kept in view, when consulting them. — VIII. Rules for consulting Commentaries to the best advantage.

THE labours of expositors and commentators have been divided into various classes, according to the nature of their different works; for, although few confine themselves to one method of interpretation, exclusively, yet each generally has some predominant character, by which he is peculiarly distinguished. Thus, some are,

1 Gerard's Institutes, p. 161. The analogy of faith is copiously illustrated, in addition to the authorities already cited, by Franck, in his Prælect. Herm. positio V. pp. 166-192.; by Rambach, in his Instit. Herm. Sacræ, lib. ii. c. i. pp. 87-106.; by Jahn in his Enchiridion Herm. Generalis, § 32. pp. 96-100.; by J. E. Pfeiffer, in his Instit. Herm. Sacræ, pp. 706-740.; and by Chladenius, in his Institutiones Exegetica, pp. 406-430.

2 By Bishop Vanmildert, Bampt. Lect. p. 216.

3 Rev. i. 11. Hob. xiii. 8.

1. Wholly spiritual or figurative; as Cocceius, and those foreign commentators who have followed his system, viz. that the Scripture is every where to be taken in the fullest sense it will admit; and in our own country, Dr. Gill, Dr. Hawker, and some minor writers.

2. Literal and Critical: such as Ainsworth, Wetstein, Dr. Blayney, Bishop Patrick, Lowth, and Whitby, Calmet, Chais, Bishop Lowth, Archbishop Newcome, Wall, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Priestley, and others. 3. Wholly practical: as Musculus, Zuingle, Baxter, Henry, Ostervald, Dr. Fawcett, the "Reformer's Bible," &c. &c.

4. Those who unite critical, philological, and practical observations such are the commentaries of Dr. Dodd, Bishop Mant and Dr. D'Oyly, Poole, Scott, M. Martin, Dr. A. Clarke, Mr. Benson, &c. on the entire Bible; and the paraphrases of Pyle, and of Mr. Orton, on the Old Testament; on the New Testament, Dr. S. Clarke and Pyle, Dr. Doddridge, Mr. Locke, Dr. Benson, Dr. Macknight; Mr. Gilpin on the New Testament, &c. &c.

A more correct classification of expository writings may be into scholiasts, commentators and paraphrasts: whose united design is, to lead their readers to the right understanding of the author whom they undertake to explain. Hence their province is, to illustrate obscure passages, to reconcile apparent contradictions, to obviate difficulties, whether verbal or real, and, in short, to remove every thing that may tend to excite doubts in the minds of the readers of the Bible.

II. Scholia, are short explanatory notes on the sacred writers; whose authors, termed scholiasts, particularly aim at brevity. In this kind of expository writings, obscure words and phrases are explained by such as are more clear; figurative, by such as are proper; and the genuine force of each word and phrase is pointed out. Further, the allusions to antient manners and customs are illustrated, and whatever light may be thrown upon the sacred writer from history or geography, is carefully concentrated, and concisely expressed: nor does the scholiast fail to select and introduce the principal and most valuable various readings, whose excellence, antiquity, and genuineness, to the best of his judgment, give them a claim to be noticed. The discordant interpretations of difficult passages are stated and examined, and the most probable one is pointed out. These various topics, however, are rather touched upon, than treated at length: though no material passages are (or at least ought to be) left unnoticed, yet some very obscure and difficult passages are left to be discussed and expounded by more learned men. Such was the method, according to which the antient scholiasts composed their scholia, for illustrating Homer, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Horace, Virgil, and other Greek and Latin classics: and the same mode has been adopted by those Christian writers who have written scholia on the Bible.1

1 Somewhat similar to Scholia are the questions or inquiries concerning particular books of Scripture, which were composed by antient ecclesiastical writers: they differ from Scholia in this respect, that questions are exclusively confined to the consideration of some difficult passages only, whose meaning was at that time a object of discussion while it is the design of Scholia to notice every difficult or

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