Page:Catholic Thoughts on the Bible and Theology.djvu/13



is by changes far less extensive than much of the later criticism would demand, that a conciliation may be honestly effected between progressive scholarship and traditional faith; and that many recent speculations, both in this country and abroad, are in some considerable measure the mere temporary consequences of that state of re-action which has almost always been found to take place after a period of undue exaction and restraint. And also so far as it may be allowable to prophesy at all, it may be said that the ecclesiastical disputes of our time and country are likely to produce among us for some years to come an unhealthy scepticism as to more important matters, on the part of many of those who have been attracted to religious subjects by the large promises which these discussions held out to them, but have ultimately found such discussions to be only deceptive and unprofitable. Any effort to obtain unjust dominion which fails can scarcely do otherwise than increase disproportionately the desire for liberty; and so much so, that for a while nothing is deemed Liberty but that which at other times would be deemed Licence. The faith of a healthy mind, however, tends always to calmness and to reverence, and when the excitement of the present ecclesiastical fever has passed off (as it assuredly must do soon) though it may leave a temporary exhaustion of strength and irritability of nerve, it will doubtless be followed by that normal state of the spiritual powers which will suffice for the impartial determination of the greater questions which must inevitably succeed. And it is supposed that such suggestions as may be here recorded, may have some special value for this very reason, that they will be the result of studies carried on with a clear foresight and full appreciation of the danger of such injurious and disturbing influences.

Finally; it is not within the plan of the following Pages to enter in detail upon the criticism connected with the multiplied subjects herein intended to be spoken of: the object of this Book rendering it unnecessary, as this is not to display generally the grounds for doubt and controversy which exist in connexion with Biblical and Theological studies, but to meet the wants and remove the dissatisfactions of those who have already