INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER ON THE USE AND AUTHORITY OF THE FATHERS. As the Opinions of the Fathers concerning Baptism and Baptismal Regeneration are about to be adduced, it may be proper to state the sentiments of some authors of repute, respecting their Use, and the Authority and Deference due to them. With this object, the opinions of the following authors have been collected; so as to give a general notion on the subject: Collinson, Orme, Oxford Tract, Blunt, Walsh, Goode; Library of the Fathers by Pusey, Keble and Newman; Beveridge, Mosheim, Erasmus, Warburton, Bickersteth, Maurice, Wake,and in some of the above, are quoted or mentioned— Daillé, Middleton, Lindsey, Priestley, Bull, Justin Martyr, Irenæus, Clemens Alexandrinus, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Augustin, Martin Luther, Salmasius, Blondel, Chillingworth, Cave, Le Clerc, Kett, Reeves, Whitby, Barbeyrac, Milton, Hall, Cranmer, Ridley, Ken, Gerhard, Probus, Neander, Richer, Bangius, Wotton, Clement of Rome, Hieronymus, Chrysostom, Athanasius, Basil, Erasmus, Maclaine, Gregory Nazianzen, Cyril, Ambrose, Lord Faulkland, Lord Digby, Sir Kenhelm Digby, Jeremy Taylor, Bede, Matthew Paris, Lactantius, Toll, Bengelius, William Orme, Bellarmine, Usher, Bossuet, Laud, Evans, Chevalier, Faber, Dr Buet, Carey, Talmer, Jewell, Bagster, Montesquieu, Hermas, and Ignatius. COLLINSON. In his Key to the Writings of the principal Fathers of the first three centuries, being his Bampton Lectures for the year 1813, he gives "The Contents" of his first sermon as follows: The subject of the lecture proposed; viz. an Inquiry into the Writings of the Primitive Fathers of the first three centuries. The opinions which have been entertained of them in succeeding times by the Fathers of the Fourth and Fifth centuries. In the dark ages, from the Sixth to the Sixteenth century. At the time of the Reformation. DAILLÉ, MIDDLETON, LINDSEY, PRIESTLEY, Bishop BULL, CAVE, FLEURY. The just estimate and proper use of the Primitive Writings. In page 5 of this Sermon he writes; Above all, in order" to make us wise unto Salvation," we are to study Holy "Scripture; which the Divine Spirit has mercifully given, " that we might believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God; and in believing might have life through his name, (Joux xx, 31). Such is the scope and design of Scripture: "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid; which is Jesus Christ", (I COR. iii, 11) and it behoves us to take care, that, like wise builders, we erect upon this foundation, not hay and stubble, but a solid and precious superstructure. The operations of the Holy Ghost are indeed unbounded, and touch men's consciences with a sense of piety, in more various ways than can be expressed. Still, the revealed word is the rule of true religion; which it is the duty of all members of Christ's church, and particularly of the ministers of his flock, unceasingly to study; and by all just means, to explain, recommend, and enforce. Next to the volume of inspiration, and agreeably to the prophetical intimation in my text, (JER. vi, 16) we are to "enquire for the old paths," to fix our attention upon the recorded memorials of holy men; who in ancient times have trod the good way, and found rest for their souls. They constitute that history which is the best philcsophy, teaching by the best examples. Human performances admit of constant and progressive improvement; but divine truths are only to be explained, not amended; and it is therefore reasonable to suppose, that they who lived nearest to the times of revelation, will manifest its most powerful influence; as water near the fountain-head, is in most abundance and purity.... It is my purpose in the ensuing discourse to treat of them [the authors of the three first centuries] generally; and to examine what have been the sentiments entertained of them at different times in the Christian world. During the 4th and 5th centuries, which are the Augustan Ages of ecclesiastical literature, the numerous authors who then flourished, prove by continual quotations, the integrity of the antecedent writings |