PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY KEATING AND BROWN,

PRINTERS TO THE R. R. VICARS APOSTOLIC,
No. 38, DUKE-STREET, GROSVENOR-SQUARE,

And 63, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1827.

CONTENTS...

PART I.

MEANS OF ASCERTAINING THE TRUTH OF THE REVEALED

DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY.

CHAPTER 1.

Page

Definitions, and Preliminary Observations.—Knowledge.-Truth.

-Certitude.--Evidence.-Different mediums of evidence ....,

CHAPTER II.

The competency of human reason, as a süre guide to Truth, in

moral, and natural sciences, considered. Its deficiency in many

instances, regarding natural religion, and morality—and the

physical order of the universe ............

............. 6

CHAPTER III.

On the means of ascertaining, with absolute certitude, the Truth of

the Revealed Doctrines of Christianity.- Previous observations.

-It cannot be ascertained, by the medium of intrinsic demon-

strative evidence, or by the natural light of reason.-Exem-

plified in the Doctrines of the Trinity, and Incarnation.

And in revealed doctrines, the objects of which depend on the

free will of God. The obscurity of the possibility of a mys.

tery, is not evidence of its impossibility ......

CHAPTER IV.

Consequences of the principle of not admitting the Truth of re-

vealed Doctrines, unless it can be proved by intrinsic demonstra-

tive evidence.Uncertainty in Religious Doctrines.„Infidelity.

- These consequences appear in the history of religious

opinions, since the changes made in religion in the sixteenth

century.-Reason and Revelation not opposed to each other...

The province of Reason, in the search of Revealed Truths.-

Religious liberty............

CHAPTER V.

The certitude of the Truth of the Revealed Doctrines of Christi-

anity, can be obtained, only by the medium of extrinsic evidence,

or by the testimony of God, given in the act of the Divine Reve-

lation of these Doctrines.-Shewn from the nature of the

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21

i.........

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question. From the reasoning of St. Paul. From the natural

method of coming to the true and certain knowledge of the

will of a Legislator...........

CHAPTER VI...

The Fact of the Divine Revelation of the Christian Religion.-

The Christian Religion was taught by Christ. - Christ, as

man, was divinely commissioned to teach it.—The nature and

effect of miracles. The divine mission of Christ proved by

miracles.-Christ, who taught the Christian Religion, is him-

self true God. His divinity shewn, principally by the fact of

his resurrection --Consequences in proof of the divine Reve-

lation of the Christian Religion, and of the Obligation of ob- ;'

serving its Precepts....

PART II.

MEANS OF ASCERTAINING WHAT ARE THE GENUINE DOCTRINES

AND PRECEPTS OF CHRISTIANITY.

CHAPTER I. .

On the means of ascertaining, with absolute certitude, what are the

doctrines of faith, the moral precepts, and the religious obser-

vances, which were delivered by Christ, in the revelation, and

institution of the Christian Religion.- Previous observations. —

Two methods proposed. Of authoritative testimony.-And of

private judgment, and private interpretation of Scripture .... 29

CHAPTER II.

The competency of private judgment, and private interpretation

of Scripture, examined.—Private judgment leads to uncertain-

ty, and error, whether it be used to determine the question,

by intrinsic, or extrinsic evidence.- Private interpretation of

Scripture also leads to uncertainty, and error .............. 31

CHAPTER III.

Consequences of following the principle of private judgment and

private interpretation of Scripture, as the rule and means of de-

termining, What are the doctrines, precepts, and ordinances,

which were delivered by Christ.--Divisions in faith.-Contra-

dictory religious opinions.-Inconsistent religious observances,

- Vain.

Page

- Vain attempts to restore unity and uniformity. The in vention of fundamental, and non-fundamental articles.--The . authority of Synods. The intervention of the civil power..." The reading, and private interpretation of Scripture were not appointed by Christ, as the means of communicating the certain knowledge of all that he taught, and ordained, to be be-... lieved and observed by men ............................ 35

CHAPTER IV. .. The only means, by which it can be ascertained, with absolute cer- ! .. titude, what are the doctrines of faith, the moral precepts, and , the religious observances, which were delivered by Christ, in the revelation, and institution of the Christian Religion, is the proas vin mulgation of his law, made by the authority of the ministry, which Christ instituted for that purpose. That, which Christ commanded to be believed, and to be observed, constitutes his law. A law is made known by authoritative promulgation. — The old law was promulgated by Moses, and the ministry of the Priesthood. - Christ revealed his new law to Peter, and his other Apostles.--He ordained that the knowledge of what he had taught, and commanded, should be communicated to-all nations, by the authoritative promulgation of his law, made by his Apostles, and their Successors, in the ministry of the Christian Priesthood ............................ 41

CHAPTER V.
The Commission given by Christ to his Apostles, and their Suc-
À cessors, explained.-Reflection of an ancient Christian writer,

on the mode of bringing mankind to the certain knowledge of
religious truth.................

......... 46

Linó PART III.

THE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROPAGATION OF THE

CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

- CHAPTER I. On the primitive promulgation of the Christian law. Prophecies

relating to the promulgation of the law of Christ in Sion.-mimar The miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost, on the Apostles. - The new law is promulgated on the day of Pentecost by