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ON THE

PLENARY AND VERBAL

INSPIRATION

OF

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

BY DONALD FRASER, D.D.,

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, KENNOWAY, FIFESHIRE.

EDINBURGH:

THOMAS AFFLECK; WAUGH AND INNES; AND
THOMAS IRELAND, JUNIOR;

AND ANDREW RUTHERGLEN AND CO., GLASGOW.

MDCCCXXXIV.

PREFACE.

THE full inspiration of the Holy Scriptures is a weighty and an interesting topic. The most industrious and successful inquiries regarding their genuineness and authenticity prove almost abortive, if it be still impracticable to establish their complete inspiration; or if, after all, they consist merely of inspired and uninspired portions, betwixt which no line of distinction can with certainty be drawn.

Whilst the press teems with treatises written in defence of the credibility of the Sacred Volume, its Plenary and Verbal Inspiration has been discussed less frequently and less amply than the importance of the subject demands. The number of publications peculiarly devoted to this question is comparatively small; and some even of these, though otherwise able and excellent, have been thought to exhibit a vehemence and asperity, that lessen their value and obstruct their usefulness. The religious public seem generally to feel, that, whatever has been accomplished in this department of investigation respecting Christianity, the ground remains open, and the labours of succeeding writers are by no means superseded.

The author of the following Essay has, therefore, endeavoured to contribute his mite towards the vindication of the truth. His aim is to furnish a methodical, dispassionate, and somewhat ample defence of verbal inspiration, unencumbered by disquisitions foreign to the point.

From express acknowledgments that occur in the course of this Essay, it will be seen that he is not insensible of his obligations to those who have preceded him in the same field of inquiry. To have forborne making use of texts and arguments essential to the discussion, merely because they had been previously employed by others, would, in his opinion, have savoured more of a false scrupulosity than of a cordial attachment to truth. He is unconscious, however, of having servilely borrowed from any source; and even ventures to cherish the hope, that the plan of illustration adopted, and the points of view in which various considerations pertaining to the question

are placed, may perhaps serve to render this performance somewhat better adapted to the instruction and establishment of several classes of readers, than the works of some other writers, possessing far higher claims to learning and originality.

The subject has confessedly its difficulties; and it has been viewed in different lights by men of intelligence and principle. To differ in some respects in opinion from persons whose character he esteems, or whose memory he venerates, affords no pleasure to the writer; but he claims to himself the same liberty of judgment which he cheerfully allows to others. He sincerely wishes, meanwhile, that, on an article so momentous as the verbal inspiration of the Bible, all the friends of revelation were enabled to 66 see eye to eye." Aware of his own deficiencies, but animated by the persuasion, that "Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts," the cause of truth and the best interests of mankind are advanced, he commends this humble attempt in favour of religion to the blessing of God, and to the candid judgment of Christians.

D. F.

Kennoway, October 6, 1834.

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