CHAPTER V.
THE RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE.
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, having been given by Inspiration of God, are the all-sufficient and only Rule of Faith and Practice, and Judge of Controversies.
(This chapter is compiled from Dr. Hodge's unpublished "Lectures on the Church.")
1. What is meant by saying that the Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
Whatever God teaches or commands is of sovereign authority. Whatever conveys to us an infallible knowledge of his teachings and commands is an infallible rule. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only organs through which, during the present dispensation, God conveys to us a knowledge of his will about what we are to believe concerning himself, and what duties he requires of us.
2. What does the Romish Church declare to be the infallible rule of faith and practice?
The Romish theory is that the complete rule of faith and practice consists of Scripture and tradition, or the oral teaching of Christ and his apostles, handed down through the Church. Tradition they hold to be necessary, 1st, to teach additional truth not contained in the Scriptures; and, 2d, to interpret Scripture. The Church being the divinely constituted depository and judge of both Scripture and tradition.—"Decrees of Council of Trent," Session IV, and "Dens Theo.," Tom. II., N. 80 and 81.
3. By what arguments do they seek to establish the authority of tradition? By what criterion do they distinguish true traditions from false, and on what grounds do they base the authority of the traditions they receive?
1st. Their arguments in behalf of tradition are—(1.) Scripture authorizes it, 2 Thess. ii. 15; iii. 6. (2.) The early fathers
