do not question His eternal Presence, though many details CHAP. VIII. of His operation transcend our knowledge, so neither need we doubt the perfect inspiration of the Scriptures, though frequently we may be unable to recognize the treasure of God in the earthly vessels which contain it. The diffi- 2 Cor. iv. 7. culties of Scripture are useful as unfolding the true analogy of God's works. But, not to rest in this school of nature,' we must remember in the midst of the doubts and perplexities which so easily beset us, that at present we know but in 1 Cor. xiii. 9. part the facts and the bearings of revelation. Dim views of a wider scope and a more perfect wisdom are ever opened before us. wards; and even now we see enough whereon to rest securely the firm foundations of our hope, possessing our souls in peace, till that which is in part shall be done away -till the glorious buildings of the New Jerusalem and its heavenly splendours shall be fully disclosed, whereof at present we can but discern, amid the mists of earth, wondrous pillars and buttresses, or through some dim window the distant rays of that glorious Sun-even the Lamb of God Rev. xxi. 23. -which shall at one time illumine the Holy City. Faith looks forwards as well as in ΓΕΝΗΘΗΤΩ ΗΜΙΝ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΙΣTIN ΗΜΩΝ ΚΑΘ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΙΣΤΕΥΟΜΕΝ ΟΤΙ ΠACA ΓΡΑΦΗ ΘΕΟΠΝΕΥΣTOC OYCA ΚΑΙ ΩΦΕΛΙ MOC ECTI. ORIGENES APPENDIX A. ON THE QUOTATIONS IN THE GOSPELS. Οὐδέποτε οὕτως ἐλάλησεν ἄνθρωπος. JOHN vii. 46. Testament in THE quotations made from the Old Testament by our Lord and His APPEN. A. disciples, give us, perhaps, the truest and most decisive view of the inspiraThe Inspiration of the Bible; for no one, I suppose, will refuse that authority to the tion of the Old Gospels and Epistles, which is assured to the Law and the Prophets. The volves that of Christian Councils must have had the same authority and guidance in de- the New. ciding on the Canon of the new Scriptures as was enjoyed by the Jewish Church, nor can we believe that less grace was given to those who portrayed the substance of the Gospel, than to those who saw its shadow; for the only alternative is to deny the need of an outward society and a divine Word for the fulfilment of the second dispensation. It will be seen from the following passages, taken from the books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets, that a spiritual significance lies beneath the Bible as a whole; that its power and usefulness is not confined to striking predictions or definite precepts, but spread over simple historic details, and involved in the records of individual life. We may conclude this, I. From the mode in which our Lord appeals to Scripture as decisive: And that is (a) In direct precepts: Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Cf. Luke iv. 4, 8, 12 (yéypañτаι elpηraï Deut. vi. 13, 16; viii. 3). Matt. ix. 13; xii. 7 (Hos. vi. 11). 12). (8) In distinct prophecies: Matt. xi. 1o (οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται, Mal. iii. r). Matt. xxiv. 15. Mark xiii. 14 (rò pnèr và Aarina Tou πρ. Dan. ix. 27; xii. 11). Matt. xxvi. 54 (πῶς οὖν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαὶ ὅτι οὕτω δεῖ γενέ σθαι; Cf. v. 56). proved, |