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of matter, mind, and spirit—the science of all finite existence—the science of the Eternal Council? She is the profound science of Godhead; and the noblest employment that science can devote itself to, in the study of the Gospel of the Son of God. The duty of a Church, when a difference of opinion arises within her pale, regarding either the scripturalness of her standards or the exact nature of their teaching, is to make the matter in dispute one of forbearance, until clearer light is given to her—light which will enable her to understand more fully the teaching of revelation, and bring her standards into unity with Scripture doctrine.
This, at all times, is the clear and well-defined duty of a Church in such circumstances, and especially so when there are grave misgivings if there be one of her ministers or congregations who literally conform to her standards or directories. The words of St. Augustine should have weight for us at this hour—"If any thing cannot be true by certain and clear places of the Scriptures, let man's presumption stay itself, not leaning to either part." Or those of Bishop Jeremy Taylor-"It were good, if standing in the measure of the Divine law, we should lay a snare for no man's feet by putting fetters upon his liberty without just cause, but not without great, great danger."
We close with the well-chosen words of a great man and illustrious scholar:—"If I have erred, it is in good company, I have the countenance of Luther and Melancthon on a similar point; of Chalmers, Whately, Thirlwall, Wesley, Bunting, Robinson, and many more divines, with all the great names in Hebrew philology and commentary; men who, released from the solemn frippery, tedious casuistry, and perplexing despotism of the Canon Law, form their own independent conclusions as to the meaning of the sacred records."-(John Eadie, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Theology to the U. P. Church, in exposition of Leviticus xviii 18.)
May God, in His great mercy, grant to the Presbyterian Church. of Victoria wisdom equal to her times. Amen.
MASON, FIRTH, AND M'CUTCH GON, PRINTERS, MELBIOURNE.
