CHAPTER I. THE PROTESTANT RULE OF FAITH. SYNOPSIS. 1. A rule of faith necessary. 2. What is meant by a rule of faith? 3. What constitutes the rule of faith? 4. Romish misrepresentation of the Protestant rule: viz., that it is the Bible interpreted by private judgment. Milner and Keenan cited. 5. Ritualistic and Protestant misstatements as to the rule. Cat. of Christ. Doc. Faber and Collette referred to. 6. THE PROTESTANT RULE IS THE BIBLE ONLY. of England and Ireland. Services. Proved by Art. VI. Ch. Homilies, Nowel's Catechism, Ordination 7. Further proved by Westminster Confession of Faith, and Larger and Shorter Catechisms. 8. The ground on which it is affirmed that the Bible is the rule of faith, is because it is the Word of God. 9. PROOFS THAT THE BIBLE IS A SUFFICIENT RULE, AND THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH. Ist Arg. We have no other. 10. 2nd Arg.-The Scriptures were written by inspiration of God. 11. 3rd Arg. From God's preservation of the Scriptures. 12. 4th Arg.-The Scriptures contain every commandment necessary for good life; and as faith is the foundation of good life, it is not likely that the Scriptures would be sufficient for the superstructure, without being sufficient also for the foundation-faith. 13. 5th Arg.-THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS THE RULE OF FAITH TO THE JEWISH CHURCH. Explanations: 14. Scripture proof. Deut. vi. 6-9; xi. 18-21; xxxi. 11-13-The Jews are commanded to write the Law, and teach it to their children. 15. Joshua i. 8-Joshua commanded to regulate his conduct by the Written Word.-Joshua viii. 34, 35-All the words of the Law read before the whole people.-xxiii. 6-Joshua's exhortation to all Israel to abide by the Written Word. 16. 2 Chron. xvii. 9-Jehoshaphat caused the people of Judah to be taught out of the Written Word.-xxxiv. 29-31-Josiah reads all the words of the Book of the Covenant to the priests, Levites, and all the people. B |