Page:The Judgment Day.pdf/74

 from all those writings which only express those thoughts, which have passed through finite minds. If the reader is sincerely desirous of obtaining more rational and enlightened views of the word of the Lord and of spiritual things, it is certainly not unreasonable to hope, that he will not dismiss this subject as the unbelieving jews did the teaching of the Lord, by asking whether any of the "rulers or of the Pharisees had believed on him;" The "rulers and pharisees" have always an interest in upholding the old and established forms of religious doctrine; and, of course, place themselves in an attitude of uncompromising hostility, against every thing that looks like innovation. It will be in vain, therefore, to go to them, for any encouragement or aid in examining this subject. They may not say to you, with as much candor and fairness as Demetrius, the silver smith, said to his fellow workmen, "ye know that by this craft we have our wealth;" but they will be able to present you any number of stereotyped reasons for disregarding, in this instance, the advice of him who said, "he that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

But the reader will probably be still perplexed with the views that have been presented in regard to the writings of the apostles. The question will still recur, have not these writings been generally regarded, as equally canonical with other portions of the sacred scripture? Have they not for many ages been included in the catalogue of canonical books, and printed in our bibles as part of the divine word? All this is undoubtedly true: and it it equally true and well known, that this has been done on the authority of certain ancient ecclesiastical councils. Those councils decided by vote what portions of the scriptures should be received by the churches as canonical; and the apostolic letters, contained in our bibles, were among those which were thus received. Have we then any additional light on this subject, which can warrant us in setting aside the opinion of the ancient fathers, of the christian church; and in fact the