Page:Dennet - The Plymouth Brethren.djvu/39

 Bibles. But the danger of such a course cannot be concealed. For if, on their authority, certain Scriptures are not applicable to us—though there is nothing in the context to indicate it, and though, in many cases, they contain words spoken by the Saviour to His Disciples—then, on the authority of the rationalist, I must also omit certain others, and I have launched on a sea of uncertainty and confusion. Perversion of Scripture is as dangerous as rejection.

(4.) On the human nature of Christ.—Their opinions and teaching on this important subject differ from the views of other Christians. That the Saviour was a man they, of course, admit, but they frequently term Him a “heavenly” man.

It is very difficult, as Dr. Carson’s controversy with Mr. Macintosh has shown, to obtain from them an exact definition of the meaning of this expression. Still, they would concede that they do not hold that the Saviour’s humanity was in all respects like ours, sin excepted. That Mr. Darby holds the same views is clear. Referring to the expression, “Bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh,” he says, “We, the Church, are bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh, now that He is glorified and the saints united to Him who is on high. The thought is a totally different one, and does not refer to His incarnation, but to our union with Him when glorified. As incarnate, He abode alone.” They do not believe, therefore, that the Saviour’s human body was mortal. They have thus altered many of their hymns which contained the word “mortal” as applied to Christ. This new doctrine is the key-stone of a large superstructure, and, of necessity, alters their whole conception, as we shall see, of the work of Christ. As an example,