Biblical Study

seq., 206, seq., 209, seq., 345-346, 373, seq.) It is chiefly responsible for the reaction into the other extreme of Rationalism. As Scholasticism is the chief provocative to Rationalism, it can never by any possibility overcome it. The evangelical spirit of the Biblical authors, the vital and experimental religion of the Reformers and Puritan fathers is the only force that will be at all effective. It is necessary that we should react to their principles and methods, and build upon them. True progress in theology is to be found in the working out of the principles of the Reformation and of Puritanism, in carrying them on to higher and grander results. These principles have been neglected by British and American theologians of the past century. It has been a constant aim in this book to call attention to these principles and to the methods of Biblical Study based upon them, and to explain the doctrine of the Bible in the chief Puritan symbol, the Westminster Confession, by citations from its authors and their forerunners. (See pp. 114, seq., 167, seq., 335, seq., 371, seq.)

At the same time a sketch of the entire history of each department of Biblical Study has been given, the stages of its development are traced, the normal is discriminated from the abnormal, and the whole is rooted in the methods of Christ and His apostles.

The Literature of Biblical Study has been considered in its appropriate places in the system. But it has been deemed best to present a catalogue of a reference library for Biblical Study by itself at the end of the work. The labor that has been expended upon this part of the book will be appreciated by those who have had experience in Bibliography. These will be ready to excuse any defects or errors that may have arisen from inadver tence or lack of material.

The ground of Biblical Study has been covered, with the exception of Biblical History. This department has been included in the Reference Library because it seemed necessary for completeness. It has been omitted from the discussions because it is usual to classify Biblical History with Historical Theology. The author did not care to determine this disputed question in a work already sufficiently extensive.

In the use of Scripture the freedom which characterizes the Biblical authors, the fathers, the reformers, and the Puritan sires has been followed. The A. V. and R. V. have been quoted, or modified, or a new translation from the originals has been given, just as it suited the author's purpose at the time. He has been concerned chiefly to give the sense of the originals of divine revelation.

The three indexes have been prepared by the author's pupil and friend, Rev. Charles R. Gillett, A.M., the librarian of the Union Theological Seminary, New York, to whom he would express his thanks for the great pains taken in the work.

With an implicit faith in the God of the Bible, and the power of grace contained in the holy Word; and with an unwavering recognition of the supreme excellence of the written Word, as the mirror of the eternal Logos; and with an entire submission to its author. ity as supreme over all doctrines of men and ecclesiastical decisions, this Biblical Study is submitted to the judgment of the intelligent reader.

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