Essays on some of the difficulties in the writings of St. Paul

Front matter

ESSAYS

ON SOME OF

THE DIFFICULTIES

Preface

It was my object in a former series of Essays to set forth the importance of an earnest and studious attention to the Christian revelation. There is a notion, more commonly entertained than acknowledged, that the Gospel is a mere authoritative republication of natural religion ; — that consequently it is chiefly, if not solely, to those of unphilosophical and vulgar minds, incapable of perceiving the internal evidence of this natural religion, and the intrinsic beauty of virtue, that such a revelation is important or needful, — and that to the more intelligent and refined, it matters little whether or not they inquire minutely into the particulars of that revelation,— whether they believe, or disbelieve, or doubt its reality — or whether they even propose to themselves the question. With a view to counteract this (as it may be called) heresy of indifference, — in my view the most deadly of all errors, not excepting Atheism, — I pointed out and dwelt on several peculiarities of the Christian religion ; — points wherein the Gospel scheme differs from all other systems of religion, whether pretended revelations, or avowedly the offspring of human reason, that have ever existed. And the contemplation of these peculiarities must evince, I thought, the importance of carefully ascertaining whether the Gospel revelation is real or fictitious ; and if real, of endeavoring to understand as fully as possible its character, and to embrace it heartily as a rule of life. While at the same time the consideration that Christianity differs thus widely from every other religious system, in many important points, and in many wherein they all agree, and in 1*

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those very points in which a true revelation might be expected to differ from any scheme of man's devising,— this consideration, I say, presents a phenomenon well deserving the attention of such as are candidly inquiring for the evidences of this religion. For till unbelievers can propose some solution of the phenomenon, other than the truth of the revelation, which in so many centuries they have never accomplished, nor, as far as I know, even attempted, it must afford, at the very least, a strong presumption, that the religion is really from God.

These disquisitions seemed to lead naturally to some remarks as to the mode in which the Scriptures should be studied. For if it be supposed (and the notion is very prevalent) that great part of them consist of a series of perplexing difficulties, serving only to exercise the ingenuity of theologians in endless controversies, and barren of all edifying application, or even leading to dangerous practical consequences, the result will be, that the student's attention will be confined to a small portion of the sacred records, and to that portion which will, by itself, furnish the most imperfect view of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity : a result which cannot fail to foster the error above alluded to, of undervaluing the Gospel revelation, and regarding it as a mere authoritative declaration of certain moral truths.

The first step, then, in an examination of the Gospel scheme, after we have once been convinced generally that it is worth examining, is to guard against the bias to which we are liable either from the apprehension of perplexing difficulties in it, or from a suspicion of the inutility or dangerous tendency of its most remarkable doctrines. Such a bias cannot fail to deprave the judgment as to the real character of the Christian revelation.- In the preliminary Essay, accordingly, I have endeavored not only to inculcate the importance of such an earnest pursuit of truth, and

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steady adherence to it, as may overcome the seductions of indolence, and of seeming expediency, but I have pointed out also the several modes of self-deceit by which men persuade themselves that they are, when in fact they are not, sincere lovers of truth ; and the way in which that tendency may be best combated ; namely, by assigning in every case, not, as is usually done, the second, but the first place, to the inquiry, What is true.

In the second Essay, I have offered some remarks on the neglect or dread, prevalent among many persons, of St. Paul's writings ; on the causes which have produced this ; -^and on the consequences to which it leads.

In the succeeding four Essays, I have treated of certain doctrines which have given rise to much controversy, and particular views of which have mainly contributed to the dread felt by many of St. Paul's writings. I have accordingly endeavored to show that the doctrines in question, as taught by St. Paul, afford no just ground of alarm ; and that the extravagant representation of them that some have given, has arisen from a hasty and partial view of the works of this apostle. In these Essays I have especially endeavored to set forth the importance of referring to the Old Testament as an interpreter, by analogy, of the New.

Some other principles of interpretation, frequently overlooked, and very essential to the right understanding both of St. Paul and the other sacred writers, I have pointed out in the seventh and eighth Essays, as applicable to the doctrinal and to the moral precepts of the New Testament Scriptures. The use to be made of the apparent contradictions we so frequently meet with, has been particularly dwelt on ; with a view to show that they ought not to be regarded, as is commonly done, in the light merely of difficulties to be surmounted, but as a peculiar and most wisely contrived mode of instruction.

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In the concluding Essay. I have applied the principles before laid down to the ascertainment of the sense of Scripture respecting the doctrine of spiritual influence : — a doctrine of the highest practical importance ; — one concerning which the greatest difficulties have been started ; — and in respect of which, more perhaps than any other. St. Paul's authority has been confidently appealed to by some in support of the most extravagant conclusions, and for that reason, depreciated or disregarded by others.

In treating of these subjects, it has been my object, not to ascertain, on each point, every thing that may be reasonably believed and plausibly maintained; but, what we are bound to believe and to maintain as a pari of the Gospel revelation ; and this distinction I have more than once adverted to, as being one of the highest importance, and not seldom overlooked.

In the prosecution of these inquiries, I have freely availed myself of whatever remarks or illustrations I chanced to meet with in various authors that appeared suitable to my purpose. As therefore there is, I trust, no novelty in the doctrines inculcated, so there is no pretension to complete originality in the arguments adduced. If I shall have succeeded in selecting such as are at once sound, and generally intelligible, and in arranging and expressing them in a perspicuous and interesting manner, the object proposed will have been accomplished.

I have only to add, that the design of the present work being, not so much to refute or to advocate the tenets of any particular person or party, by means of an appeal to Scripture, as to facilitate the interpretation of Scripture to those who are seeking in simplicity for divine truths, I trust it will be received by the candid, even among such as may in some points differ from me. with no feeling of party prejudice or hostile suspicion.