Science in theology; sermons

and popular one, that Christianity was rejected by cotemporary inves-
tigators; 2. The philosophical one of Maimonides, that an incarnation
of God is impossible, and contrary to the analogy of the old Hebrew
religion; 3. The critical one, of the Spanish school of Jewish inter-
preters, that the Messianic prophecies are misinterpreted by Christians.
- Remarks on the need of a more correct system in prophetic inter-

pretation. Concluding inferences

Page 103

SERMON V.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

EPHESIANS ii. 18.

Peculiarity of the doctrine, among all others in Christianity, in depending

for its proof entirely on revelation. The practical statements of

Scripture in relation to it contrasted with the theoretic terms of Creeds.

-I. History of controversy in reference to the doctrine:-1. In the

Greek university of Alexandria.—Sketch of the Neo-Platonic philo-

sophy, first as a metaphysical, secondly a political, thirdly a logical

movement; and its relation to the doctrine of the Trinity; 2. In the

rise of Socinianism in the 16th century; 3. In the philosophical

systems of modern Germany and of Coleridge. - II. The doctrine

which is really to be believed as the residuum after the theories which

have encrusted the inspired teaching are removed.

The idea of per-

sonality shown to be derived from human analogy, but to convey a

true fact.. The influence of science shown in creating a moral dispo-

sition to believe mystery if it rest on evidence. - Practical in-

The Transfiguration studied:-1. In its geographical scene; 2. In its
moral meaning. The fact that our Saviour's teaching entirely changed

from this event (for previously to it he had not proclaimed the fact

that he was to suffer) used as a proof that the Transfiguration had a

real meaning in reference to our Lord, and was not merely a parable

acted to instruct the disciples.-(Illustrations of similar mystery beyond

their moral meaning to us in our Lord's Temptation and Agony.) -

Statement of the modern theories on the purpose of our Lord's suffer-

ing, and also of the Apostolic teaching in reference to it. The

subject of the Atonement the chief purpose of this Sermon. — I. An

historic sketch of the successive theories on the Atonement from the

Apostolic times :-(a) the Patristic to A.D. 1000, which taught that it

was to ransom man from the Devil (the view, e. g. of Gregory the

Great); (3) the Scholastic (A.D. 1000-1500), that it was a satisfac-

tion rendered to a broken law, either by the life of Christ (Anselm's

view) or the death of Christ (Aquinas'); (7) the Protestant view (of

the Reformers and Grotius, A.D. 1500-1700), that it was a satisfac-

tion for sin viewed under the corrective, as distinct from the retributive,

theory of punishment; () the view of modern German philosophers,

that it was only to reconcile man to God, not God to man. — - II.

Refutation of the first three views, as going beyond inspired teaching,

and constructed in forgetfulness of the proofs which Physical science

gives of the poverty of human intelligence, and Mental science of the

extent to which analogy is the medium of revealed truth.-III. Hints

for the refutation of the fourth view, as falling short of the truth.

Criticism on other modes adopted for refuting this fourth view, such

as the ordinary one and Mr. Mansel's. — Another suggested, resting

on the idea of guilt and the fact of sacrifice.-Conclusion as to the

reality of Christ's death being a true but undiscoverable means of

reconciling (so to say) God to man, as well as man to God. Page 169

SERMON VII.

LAWS IN THE LIFE SPIRITUAL.

2 TIMOTHY iv. 7.

Statement of the three forms of human life, the practical, the intellectual,

and the spiritual. - St. Paul's character studied as an harmonious

embodiment of them all; and his influence estimated at different

periods of church history in awakening theological speculation and

stimulating religious effort. The religious life studied as follows:-

I. Is it subject to fixed laws? Three opinions stated; (a) that which

resolves it into ordinary processes of moral psychology (Butler's view);

(3) that which makes it dependent on Divine election (Calvin's);

(7) that which makes it exist in a faculty transcending consciousness

(Schleiermacher's). - II. Are its laws discoverable?-III. By what

means? By induction from inspired and uninspired religious bio-

graphy. Enumeration of tests applicable to ensure correctness in

such discovery. — IV. Laws of religious life derivable from St. Paul's

life, in reference to conversion, assurance, salvation in death. Page 203

SERMON VIII.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

JOHN xiv. 16.

The miracle of the descent of the Spirit compared with the miracles of

Creation and of Redemption. Four great gifts of the Spirit to be

studied :—I. Miracle.-The comparison of Christianity with Boodhism

and Mahometanism an evidence of the reality of ancient Christian

miracles. Reason of their disappearance.

- How

II. Inspiration.

far it was, like Miracle, a temporary gift. III. Holiness-studied in
apostolic Christians and in the history of the religious consciousness
shown to be a gift for all time.-IV. Supernatural religious useful-
- In what sense perpetual. — Illustrations from history of reli-

gious reawakenings in later times, e. g. the ministry of Francis of Assisi,

Methodism, the Rev. C. Simeon, &c.

ness.

234

SERMON IX.

PROVIDENCE IN POLITICAL REVOLUTIONS.

PROVERBS Xvi. 4.

Discussion of the Oriental (apparently fatalistic) modes of expression in
Scripture. Instances of good brought by Providence out of evil,

(a) in Jewish, (B) in general, history. Application of this principle
to the English Revolution in the reign of Charles I., in the form of a
proof that Providence overrules national convulsions to ultimate good
by a law which is impressed on society. The relation of this argu-