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ESSAYS
[SECOND SERIES]
ON SOME OF THE
DIFFICULTIES
IN THE
WRITINGS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL,
AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE
NEW TESTAMENT.
BY
RICHARD WHATELY, D.D.
ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN;
LATE PRINCIPAL OF ST. ALBAN'S HALL, OXFORD, AND FORMERLY FELLOW
OF ORIEL COLLEGE.
AZ 2266/2
FOURTH EDITION, REVISED.
LONDON:
B. FELLOWES, LUDGATE STREET.
46169.
SONE
SITAIRE
R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD-STREET-HILL.
ते
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Connexion of the former series of Essays with the present,
p. xiii; the Scriptures not to be regarded with
dread or disgust, on account of the difficulties to
be found in them, p. xiv; outline of the present
series
Page
XV
ESSAY I.
ON THE LOVE OF TRUTH.
§ 1. Christian religion distinguished from Paganism and
characterised, by its claim to truth as established
by evidence, and its demand of Faith in that
Truth
§ 2. Liability of Christians to act inconsistently with this
characteristic, by not steadily following truth
§ 3. Necessity of self-examination as to this point, p. 18;
objections to the principle of universally pursuing
and propagating truth
1
14
20
§ 4. Danger of men's flattering themselves without suf-
ficient grounds that they are lovers of truth,
p. 33: Maxim of making it not the second but
the first question, what is the truth, p. 34; ob-
stacles to the cultivation of this habit, dislike of
doubt, p. 35; love of originality, p. 38; ex-
cessive deference for authority, p. 39; views of
expediency
5. Cautionary maxims: no unfair argument to be used,
p. 46; nor erroneous notion countenanced, p. 47;
no revealed truth to be suppressed; nor dread to
be entertained of the progress of science, p. 53;
human approbation not often bestowed on the
lover of truth
44
55
ESSAY II.
ON THE DIFFICULTIES AND THE VALUE OF ST. PAUL'S WRITINGS GENERALLY.
§ 1. Paul more exposed than any of the Apostles to the
attacks both of open enemies and false friends,
-both personally, p. 57; and in his writings. . 63
§ 2. Ambiguity of the word Gospel, p. 65; full in-
struction in the Christian scheme not to be found
in the Four Evangelists, p. 67; but in the apo-
stolic Epistles, p. 77; especially Paul's, p. 78;
danger of misinterpretation not to deter us from
the study of them
§ 3. Study of Paul's writings not to be deferred till a
mass of theological learning has been acquired
from other sources
80
85
§ 4. Paul's writings dreaded chiefly from the unac-
ceptableness of some of his doctrines, p. 90; the
vehemence with which his works have been
decried, a proof of their importance
ESSAY III.
ON ELECTION.
Importance of explaining those parts of Scripture
especially, from which dangerous consequences
have been drawn
92
96
§ 1. In order to understand the Apostle Paul aright, we
should be acquainted with his character and situ-
ation, p. 97; and with that of his hearers, p. 100;
his continual reference to the Mosaic dispensa-
tion, p. 103; which was the shadow of the Gospel 104
§ 2. Disputes relative to Election, p. 107; Election
under the old dispensation, and the new, may
be expected to correspond
§ 3. Questions, whether under the former dispensation
Election was arbitrary, p. 112; who were elected,
p. 114; to what the Elect were chosen, ibid.;
application, by analogy, to the Gospel-scheme,
p. 117; confirmed by Paul's express authority,
p. 119; and by the analogy of God's general
providence, p. 122; no technical uniformity of
language to be looked for in Scripture, p. 124;
misinterpretations of Scripture produced by an-
tecedent bias, p. 127; errors in reasoning com-
mitted on both sides
112
131
§ 4. Metaphysical difficulties, resulting from ambi-
guities of language, p. 132; objections connected
with the origin of evil, dangerous for both parties 137