Our Authorized Bible Vindicated - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

are told how he read those serious books which led
him to make a profession of conversion and to look
upon the Pope as Antichrist. He became a diligent
student of the prophecies, and even participated, in
some measure, in the current preaching and belief
of the time in the soon return of Christ.
From the moment, however, that he entered
Oxford University, his earlier Evangelical beliefs
passed under adverse influences. Hawkins, the
Provost of Oriel College, taught him that the Bible
must be interpreted in the light of tradition.
Whately led him to understand that the church, as
an institution, was of God’s appointment,
independent of the State, and having rights which
were the direct gift of heaven. Newman was led to
investigate the creed of the Church of England,
which was the Thirty-nine Articles. Of these
Cadman says:
“They constituted an authoritative standard
against the inroads of the Jesuit controversialists,
and instilled those religious and political
convictions which protected the integrity of the
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