We saw (question 8) that Scripture is either complete or false, from its own professed design. We now prove its perspicuity upon the same principle. It professes to be (1.) a law to be obeyed ; (2.) a revelation of truth to be believed, to be received by us in both aspects upon the penalty of eternal death. To suppose it not to be perspicuous, relatively to its design of com- manding and teaching, is to charge God with dealing with us in a spirit at once disingenuous and cruel.
12. In ivhat passages is their perspicuity asserted ?
Ps. xix., 7, 8 ; cxix., 105, 130 ; 2 Cor. iii., 14 ; 2 Pet. i., 18, 19 ; Hab. ii., 2 ; 2 Tim. iii., 15, 17.
13. By what other arguments may this point be established ?
1st. The Scriptures are addressed immediately, either to all men promiscuously, or else to the whole body of believers as such. — Deut. vi., 4-9 ; Luke i., 3 ; Kom. L, 7 ; 1 Cor. i., 2 ; 2 Cor. i., 1 ; iv., 2 ; Gal. i, 2 ; Eph. i., 1 ; Phil, i., 1 ; Col. i., 2 ; James i., 1 ; 1 Peter i., 1 ; 2 Peter i., 1 ; 1 John ii., 12, 14 ; Jude L, 1 ; Kev. i., 3, 4; ii., 7. The only exceptions are the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
2d. All Christians promiscuously are commanded to search the Scriptures. — 2 Tim. iii., 15, 17 ; Acts xvii., 11 ; John v., 39.
3d. Universal experience. We have the same evidence of the light-giving power of Scripture that we have of the same property
ROMISH DOCTRINE. 83
in the sun. The argument to the contrary is an insult to the un- derstanding of the whole world of Bible readers.
4th. The essential unity in faith and practice, in spite of all circumstantial differences, of all Christian communities of every age and nation, who draw their religion directly from the open Scriptures.
14. What ivas the third quality required to constitute the Scriptures the sufficient ride of faith and practice ?
Accessibility. It is self-evident that this is the preeminent characteristic of the Scriptures, in contrast to tradition, which is in the custody of a corporation of priests, and to every other pre- tended rule whatsoever. The agency of the church in this mat- ter is simply to give all currency to the word of God.
15. What is meant by saying that the Scriptures are the judge as well as the ride in questions of faith ?
" A rule is a standard of judgment ; a judge is the expounder and applier of that rule to the decision of particular cases/' The Protestant doctrine is —
1st. That the Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
2d. (1.) Negatively. That there is no body of men who are either qualified, or authorized, to interpret the Scriptures, or to apply their principles to the decision of particular questions, in a sense binding upon the faith of their fellow Christians. (2.) Pos- sitively. That Scripture is the only infallible voice in the church, and is to be interpreted, in its own light, and with the gracious help of the Holy Ghost, who is promised to every Christian (1 John ii., 20-27), by each individual for himself, with the assistance, though not by the authority of his fellow Christians. Creeds and confessions, as to form, bind only those who voluntarily profess them, and as to matter, they bind only so far as they affirm truly what the Bible teaches, and because the Bible does so teach.
16. What is the Romish doctrine as to the authority of the church as the infallible interpreter of the rule of faith and the au- thoritative judge of all controversies ?
The Komish doctrine is that the church is absolutely infalli-
84 JUDGE OF CONTROVERSIES.
"ble in all matters of Christian faith and practice, and the divinely authorized depository and interpreter of the rule of faith. Her office is not to convey new revelations from God to man, yet her inspiration renders her infallible in disseminating and interpreting the original revelation communicated through the apostles.
The church, therefore, authoritatively determines, 1st, What is Scripture ? 2d. What is genuine tradition ? 3d. What is the true sense of Scripture and tradition, and what is the true appli- cation of that perfect rule to every particular question of belief or practice.
This authority vests in the pope, when acting in his official capacity, and in the bishops as a body ; as when assembled in general council, or when giving universal consent to a decree of pope or council. — -Decrees of Council of Trent, Session IV., Deus Theo., N. 80, 81, 84, 93, 94, 95, 96. Bellarmine, Lib. III., de eccles., cap. xiv., and Lib. II., de concil., cap. ii.
17. By toliat arguments do tliey seek to establish tliis authority ?
1st. The promises of Christ, given, as they claim, to the apos- tles, and to their official successors, securing their infallibility, and consequent authority. — Matt, xvi., 18 ; xviii., 18-20 ; Luke xxiv., 47-49 ; John xvi., 13 ; xx., 23.
2d. The commission given to the church as the teacher of the world. — Matt, xxviii., 19, 20 ; Luke x., 16, etc.