Untitled - Electric Scotland

4 go LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xvn.
noble lord wished to expunge was unnecessary, and, being un
necessary, was more or less mischievous. It gave him consider
able pain to differ in a matter of this kind from the most
Reverend Primate and from others of his Episcopal brethren,
but there was no difference of principle. They were all equally
anxious to maintain that eternal truth of which the Bible was the
were all equally
anxious to maintain that form
they : depository
of sacred words in which that eternal truth had been handed
down by the Church. . . . But it was inevitable for persons of
different ages, and moving in different circumstances, that to
some more than to others were different forms of opinion and
feeling presented, and if it had been his lot to be thrown more
than his brethren in the way of those who felt the difficulties in
question, bethought himself bound, for the information of public
opinion and for the information of their lordships, to state what
was the result of his own observation in the matter."
After describing various forms in which the difficulties
had arisen, he continued :-
"There was no doubt therefore that with respect even to
clergymen of mature years these words caused scruples and
uneasiness of mind ; and with regard to young men who were
called to minister in holy things, they ought to be very cautious
how they trifled with their consciences. He knew the unwilling
ness on the part of young men of the highest abilities to bind
themselves more than was absolutely necessary. This might or
might not be a healthy state of things, but it was eminently desir
able to tell such men exactly what was required of them, and the
form of words should be such as to stand in no need of casuistry
to explain their meaning. Of course the great mass were not
troubled with any such scruples, but the most earnest men
were often the most troubled, and if any such persons were pre
vented from approaching or remaining in the ministry of the
Church, that of itself constituted a strong argument for the
reconsideration or removal of the words. He was glad to think
that in such a matter as this they were able to quote the au
thority of Burnet and of his great master, Leighton, that by ex
] Hinging these words they would be acting in the spirit of Tillotson,
Seeker, and Porteous. These were men of calm minds, who
entered very considerately into the people s scruples and feelings ;