The Scripture Guide, a Familiar Introduction to the Study of the Bible [pp. 201-221]

1839.] Critical Study of the English Bible.
upon the truth and inspiration of God's word, among the
Germans, were aimed at the Old Testament, and for many
years confined to it. Hence not a few, who had experimental faith in the New Testament, but who had been accustomed to neglect the Old, were drawn into the snare of neological criticism, under the impression that a great deal might
be safely conceded, with regard to the Old Testament, without at all detracting from the truth and inspiration of the
New. There have in fact been many cases, in that country, of apparently sincerely believers in the truth of Christianity, and in the divinity of the New Testament, who
seemed almost prepared to go to any length with infidels in
cavilling and carping at the rest of scripture. But mark
the event. The very same principles of criticism and logic
which were employed against the one, have now been turned
with equal force against the other, and the mistaken souls in
question are beginning to repent of their delusion, and to
tremble for the mutilated basis of their faith. Let us learn
wisdom from the folly of our neighbours. A prudent man
foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on
and are punished.
But here the thought may possibly arise in some mind,
that the evil we complain of has already been provided for.
A new impulse has been given to the study of the original
scriptures, new facilities have been provided, and a growing
number are engaged in usingthem. Allthis istrue,and calls
for devout gratitude. But let us not imagine that the work is
done, or that all the efforts made in this way tend to the promotion of the cause of truth. There are too many symptoms
of a disposition to make biblical study a mere branch of polite
learning, as it has been made in Germany. One of these symptoms is an obvious inclination to conduct the study, without
any reference to the English version. If a man would have
the reputation of a Greek or Hebrew scholar, he must be
above the imputation of consulting, much less studying, the
English Bible; he must ape the latest fashions of the German
critics, and support himself by catalogues of German names.
Now what has all this pedantry and foppery of learning
to do with popular instruction? Critical works, for the in struction of the clergy, and the educated classes, are impera tively called for; but if biblical study is pursued by our or dinary pastors, merely as a polite accomplishment, it will only
tend to the neglect of our own version, and, when it has at tained its height, will leave the Christian ministry divided into
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