The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

RIGHT OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT. 175placed on each. Every time the latter is repeated, it acquiresa new addition, or variation, or corruption. It isinconceivable that the truths of salvationshould have beenconveyed to us through a medium so inaccurate, fluctuating,and doubtful. Was it not one main design of Christ andhis apostles, in committing their doctrine to writing, toguard against the uncertainties of tradition ? In places innumerable,are not traditions, as a ground of faith, explicitlyand pointedly condemned, and the study of the Scripturesstrenuously enjoined I Besides, why should the Church ofRome offer proofs from Scripture on this or any otherpoint 1 Does she not act inconsistently in doing so, inasmuchas she at the same instant forbids and requires theexercise of private judgment IBut, in the second place, from the Church, say the Romanists,you received the Bible ; she transmitted it to you,and you take her authority for its authenticity and genuineness.*We admit the Church, that is, the universal Church,and not exclusively theChurch of Rome, to be a main witnessas to the authenticity and genuineness of the Scriptures,on the ground that they have come down to usthrough her ; but that is another question altogether fromher right to solely and infallibly interpret Scripture. Themessenger who carries a letter may be a very competentwitness as to its authenticity and genuineness. He had itfrom the writer; it has not been out of his possession since;and he can speak very confidently and authoritatively asits expressing the will of the person whose signature itbears ; but is he only, therefore, entitled to interpret itsmeaning ? He may be a very competent authority on itsauthenticity, but a very incompetent authority on its sense.The Church of Rome has confounded the question ofauthenticity and the question of interpretation. Becausethe Church carried this divine letter to us, we will listen towhat she has to say on its authenticity ; but inasnmch asto• Miliier's Eud of Couti-oversy, letter ix.