THE METHODIST PREACHER: CONTAINING TWENTY-EIGHT SERMONS, ON DOCTRINAL AND PRACTICAL SUBJECTS. BY BISHOP HEDDING, DR. FISK, DR. BANGS, DR. DURBIN, AND OTHER MINISTERS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. AUBURN: INTRODUCTION. "THE Bible, the Bible, sir," said Chillingworth, "is the religion of protestants." This is a most important truth, beautifully and forcibly expressed, and worthy to be reiterated from every pulpit in Christendom. The fifth article of religion in the discipline of the M. E. Church, reads as follows: "The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation." This acknowledges the Bible alone as the authoritative standard in doctrine, experience, discipline, and practice. The Popish and semiPopish notion, that the Bible is not sufficient, taken alone, is discarded as unworthy a place in a Christian creed, and a virtual denial of the authority of Revelation. Tradition, however important as a portion of church history, has neither a co-ordinate or subordinate authority, in anything essential in the doctrine and government of the Church. What may have been said by Fathers, Popes, or Councils, is of very little consequence, unless confirmed by Holy Scripture, notwithstanding their self-claimed infallibility. The Bible is more ancient than fathers, more wise than councils, and more infallible than Popes. It is the exact and perfect standard of truth; the unerring wisdom of God. Our religious views and practices are neither true nor useful, unless moulded and directed by its divine teachings, and moral power. The theology of Wesley, and of those who have rallied under the standard which he raised, and have taken their place in the great family of protestant denominations, has ever been distinguished for its pure Scriptural character. "To the law and the testimony," has ever been their motto. "If any man speak not according to these, it is because there is no light in him." Luther was educated according to the regimen of the Catholic Church, but he never would have been moved to action as a reformer, without access to the Scriptures. Wesley received his training in the university of Oxford, according to the most approved plan of manufacturing ministers for the establishment. He would have been an eminent man, if he had never become a Master in Israel. He would most likely have been distinguished for his scholastic attainments, philosophic wisdom, and classical taste in any event; but it was the Bible that made him what he was as a minister. This made the doctrines and facts of Christianity appear to him, other than mere speculations-it transformed them into living and momentous realities-moulded his opinions, changed his |