The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-03
For the Central Presbyterian.
PRESBYTERIANISM.
Concerning the Holy Scriptures.
No. 8.
Doctrines 2.

This is the subject of the first chapter
of the Confession of Faith AS doctrine
is teaching, so Scripture means a writ
ing. The Scriptures are called Holv. be-
cause they proceed from God. In this
chapter we have set forth, what is be-
heved and taught by Presbyterian minis
tiers, OF which the following is a sum
mary: L. The efforts of man to discover,
by reasoning on the light of nature, what
they are to believe and do, in order to
be the true children of God, have proved,
during all ages, utterly inefectual.-
Hence the necessity for a revelation from
God. 2. We.are then informed in what
writings such revelation is found There
are the thlrty-nlaae books of the Old and
t1genty-SeOe1 of the New Testament
Holy men of old, wrote these books, as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit, -
the Old Testament in the Hebrew. and
the New, in the Greek language AS
these languages are understood by only
a few persons, the Bible must be trans
lated into the vulgar or vernacufar Ian
guage of all nations, and such translations,
when rightly presenting the thoughts ex-
pressed IN the original languages of the
Scriptures, furnish safe and adequate
guide to all, who will use the ordinary
means, for learning the way of salvation.
There may be many passages, hard to be
understood, yet the great Fundamental
truths of Gods word are apprehensible,
by all humble, patient, prayerful and dill
igent enquirers 3. The Holy Spirit,
speaking to us in revelation, is the Su-
preme Judge in all controversies, and on
all the DEGREES of councils and opinions
Of men. AS the Scriptures are the infal-
lible teachings of God, they supply the
best means for their own Interpretation,
lnasmuch as obscure passages are ex-
planned by the palmer. God has also
provided men, who are called of Him, to
be holy men, and who are led by His
Spirit: IN the use Of proper means, to be
able to convince gainsayers and guide
those who seek the knowledge of His
truth, to a right Interpretation. And
though these may differ in their views.
owing to that fallibility which pertains
to man, yet it may easily be shown, that
among the sincerely pious, in those
churches which are called evangelical.
as there is a substantial agreement in re-
celving the Bible, as it has been described
so, on all truth, necessary to salvation
there is no variation of opinion. 4. These
Scriptures are further set forth, as deriv-
ing their whole authority from God. and
not from the DEGREES of human associa-
lions of State or Church, or the powers
that rule in them And hence none NAV
add to, or take away any Of the teachings
of the Bible. These views are commend
ed by the patent fact, that those who
know most fully and believe most i'm
Plicitly and follow most carefully the
teachings of the Scriptures, prove to be
the best men and those communities
which are freest from the doctrines and
communicating mere human author
lty in religion, and are the most subject
to the teachings Of the Scriptures. are the
most advanced in moral civilization
Goodness has the promise of the life
that now is, as we'll as that which is to
come, and Righteousness, as taught in
the Bible, "exalteth a nation" 5. Yet if
must be remembered that however clear
ly and fully men may be convinced of
the divine origin Of the Scriptures. by
means Of the external evidence of this
truth, presented in prophecy and mira
cles and Gods wonderful proyidential
care Of His word and by internal evil
dence, in the excellence of the truths
taught and their wonderful adaptation
to promote mans welfare, here and here