CONTENTS. PAGE. II. VI. The Study of Practical Works VII. The Study of Controversial Works. VIII. The Dangers connected with Studies X. Advice to a Student on entering the XI. The Right Application of Theological Know- XII. Jesus Christ the Chief and Best Teacher Successors to the Reformers 260 of Religions CHAPTER I. THE USEFULNESS OF THEOLOGICAL STUDY TO CHRISTIANS. THE Christian is placed by his heavenly Father in this world, as in a school to prepare him for his future and everlasting life. Every thing which he sees around him, and which he passes through, all the works of creation, and all the wonders of providence, daily bring before him lessons in that pure and heavenly wisdom which he has to acquire to make him meet for that inheritance, which fadeth not away. The Christian student is one who is constantly receiving instruction, and gaining knowledge to fit him for serving God on earth, and for the higher and more blessed service in which he hopes to spend a happy eternity. The design of this work chiefly is to set before him the best method of pursuing theological studies: that is, the study of human writings on religion, in connexion with a supreme regard to the word of God, in order that he may become instructed unto the kingdom of heaven. The wish of the author is so to assist him that he may, if a private Christian, be enabled always to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in him, with meekness and fear; and, if purposing to fulfil the more arduous office of a Christian minister, he may be directed to those studies which may better fit him for being a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. A Christian divine, in the true sense of the words, is the highest and most blessed character on earth. Witsius happily describes it: By a divine I understand one who, imbued with the solid knowledge of God and divine things, God Himself being the Teacher, not by words only but by the whole course of his life, sets forth and celebrates the admirable virtues of God, and so is wholly devoted to His glory. Such were in former days the holy patriarchs, such the divinely inspired prophets, such the apostolic teachers of the whole world, such some of those whom we call Fathers, widely shining lights of the primitive Church."* To attain this character, study is, among other things, indispensably requisite. When divine revelation was first committed to writing, it became a duty, a privilege, and a blessing, to read that writing. Respecting this duty there will, among Christians, be little difference of opinion. The advantages of a written statement of opinions being perceived, books multiplied, even before the coming of Christ, to a vast extent. Hence in the days of Solomon, it was asserted, of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The Alexandrine library, burnt about fifty years before Christ, is said to have contained 400,000 manuscript volumes. The invention of printing immensely increased the number of copies of books, and the facilities of access to them. There are doubtless evils inseparable from these advantages. Where books have an improper or evil tendency, the harm done becomes far more extensive; and the very multitude of books adds to the difficulty of choice and selection, and disposes the supine and indolent to sit down in contented ignorance. Pride and vanity are also fostered by mere literary acquisition; and the possession of religious knowledge may See his Oration on the True Theologian, in the 2d volume of his Miscellanea Sacra, 553. be fatally but easily mistaken for the possession of real religion. It is perfectly true, that not merely human learning, but scriptural knowledge in its highest degree, (prophecy and understanding all mysteries and all knowledge,) may be vain and unprofitable. A church may be enriched with all knowledge, and come behind in no gift, and yet be carnal and walk according to man. 1 Cor. iii. 3. There are also sorrows in knowledge from which the ignorant are free: we discover many evils which we could not before discern: we perceive an unexpected darkness where we thought all was light; we sometimes ourselves mistake error for truth; and doubts are excited where none existed before. But still, whatever sorrows attend wisdom, it excelleth folly as far as light excelleth darkness; much of this sorrow is real gain in the result; to be exempt from it through ignorance is no real advantage. It is better to know that evil which we may correct, than to slumber on in ignorance till all be lost. After making every abatement, real religion has all along been vastly advanced by means of learning. It is of written books that David gives those high commendations. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. It is of written books that our Saviour says, Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. And the apostle declares that they are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things are spoken of inspired books. But we have no reason to think that the apostle, when he told Timothy to give attendance to reading, wished |