תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

By the resumption of these grants, the depreciation of the value of money, and other causes, the resources of the officiating Clergy were grievously diminished, and the income of a great part of them is now reduced to a slender pittance, not only unequal to "the maintenance of hospitality," but even insufficient for the support of their families. Such a state of affairs certainly is not favourable to literary pursuits, or to a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures. But let us hope that better times will come, and that the inconveniencies under which many of the Clergy labour will be gradually lessened. Meanwhile, let us endeavour to discharge the important commission entrusted to us to the utmost extent of our abilities, and of our means and opportunities of acquiring knowledge; recollecting that be the talents consigned to us few or many, we must account for them at the great day of reckoning.

Before I take my leave of this remarkable passage of the Prophet Ezekiel, I am desirous to add a few words in reply to the objections of those who may think any thing like a critical discussion out of place in a popular discourse, before a country audience. If such discussion be introduced for the purpose of making an ostentatious display of learning, it is certainly deserving of censure. But if it

is intended to remove such obscurities, and reconcile such apparent inconsistencies, as will of necessity sometimes be found in writings of great antiquity, the language of which is but imperfectly understood, I do not see what blame can be attached to it. Why is a competent portion of professional knowledge demanded of those who enter upon the Clerical Office, if no benefit is to be derived from it to those whose pursuits are not of a literary nature? Few, I believe, even of well-educated persons among the Laity would be satisfied to read the Bible without a commentary: and what is a commentary but a critical discussion of less perspicuous Texts, and an elucidation of such terms and phrases as are not of com

mon occurrence.

It is recommended by the practice of a late eminent scholar and prelate, whom I have before cited,* that an improved version (or an attempt at an improved version) of any passage of Holy Writ should be accompanied with short explanatory notes for the benefit of the common English Reader; which, he observes, is the only way in which the result of such critical inquiries can be communicated to the unlearned. "And to them," says he, "it is to be communicated. For I never will admit

[blocks in formation]

that our Religion has belonging to it any secret doctrine, from the hearing of which the the unlearned Laity are to be excluded. The notion of the incompetence of the common people to understand the whole of the revealed doctrine, and of the danger of expounding the Prophecies to them, is false and abominable. It is the very principle upon which the Sacred Text was, for so many ages, kept under the lock and key of the dead languages."

To unlock this treasure, and to put it as far as possible into the possession of his hearers is the duty of every Christian Minister. No man can be so absurd as to wish to render himself unintelligible. On the contrary, his object will be to adapt both his sentiments and his language to the capacities of those whom he is addressing. But there is such a thing as an affectation of humility, as well as an affectation of learning; and I think it will be allowed that in our days the former is at least as common as the latter. If there is no part of Scripture but what is highly deserving to be known, of which I presume no question will be made by the truly religious, there is no part which it is unreasonable or unjustifiable to attempt to expound, and in the elucidation of it to put forth all the means of information which we may enjoy. But the sensible and prudent expositor will not give out for truths

the unauthorised, perhaps the fanciful, results of his own judgment. He will exert his faculties to the utmost in order to attain to the real sense of every difficult Text; but he will not forget how liable he is to error, and how many have failed in the same arduous undertaking. Above all, he will labour to discharge his duty in the eyes of Him, from whom cometh every good gift; seeking his glory and not the praise of men, and offering his tribute, however small, of service in "the spirit of humility."

"On such principles may all our investigations of the true sense and intention of Scripture be conducted;" may we shew ourselves faithful "ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God;" and "whatever in other respects may be the success of our labour, we shall then be enabled to assure ourselves that we shall obtain by it the favour of that great Being, on whom our ultimate and best success, both in this world and the next, must without doubt solely and eternally depend."*

[blocks in formation]

SERMON XIX.

ON RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

JOHN III. 12.

If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?

THE subject of our Saviour's conversation with the Jewish Rabbi, Nicodemus, of which these words are a part, is the doctrine of Regeneration; a doctrine not altogether unknown to the Jews, but of which, it seems, their wisest men had an inadequate notion. They regarded a Proselyte to their Religion as regenerate, and pronounced him to be "as a child newly born;" but this related only to Gentile, or Heathen Converts.* How it could be necessary for one

*"The Gentile that is made a Proselyte, and the Servant that is made free, behold he is like a Child newly born." Vide Lightfoot, Opp. Tom. I. p. 571; Tom. II. p. 533. In the language of the Rabbins-"to be born again"-signifies to be adopted by God as a son of Abraham, and by following the example of his Faith to become worthy of that title. Michaelis' Introduction, New Testament (Marsh's Translation) Vol. I. p. 133. 2nd Ed.

« הקודםהמשך »