PHILOSOPHY, OR TRUTH? REMARKS ON THE FIRST FIVE LECTURES BY THE DEAN OF WITH OTHER PLAIN WORDS ON QUESTIONS OF THE DAY, REGARDING Faith, the Bible, and the Church. BY THE REV. S. C. MALAN, M.A., OF BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD; AND VICAR OF BROADWINDSOR, Dorset. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition Μέγιστον τοίνυν κτῆμά ἐστι, τὸ τῶν δογμάτων μάθημα, καὶ χρεία νηφαλέου S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catech. IV. LONDON: JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, AND NEW BOND STREET. MDCCCLXV. 110. i. 15. PREFACE. FOR Some time past earnest men in England have been alarmed at the spread of certain loose, rationalistic opinions in matters of Religion connected with the Bible, and they have wondered at it-justly, perhaps ; since irreverence and unbelief seem out of keeping with the good sense of the English character. Yet, the cause-or, may be, the causes of the present falling away from the Faith appear natural enough, and not far to seek. One is of native growth; the other is foreign. I. As to the English side of the present state of things-antagonism between honest Churchmen and Free-inquirers, Free-thinkers, Rationalists, and socalled Philosophers; alarm in the mind of some, inindifference in that of others; a growing scepticism, and, in consequence, also a lower tone of morals in society in general-it is only the fruit of former errors and short-comings. The Church-the best and purest form of the Catholic and Apostolic Church on earth-was, as a national Church, intended by GOD to be the nursing Mother of a great and good people. Equally free |