"That mode of expression which conveys our ideas of things in the
fewest words, is the most perfect."

"If commentators were more intent on simplifying the scriptures,
than amplifying them, their real meaning would be more easily dis-
covered, and less room left for diversity of construction."

DILLWYN'S MAXIMS.

LONDON:

CHARLES GILPIN, BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT.

1849.

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INTRODUCTION.

"Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation, so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man as an article of faith, or necessary to salvation."-Book of Common Prayer.

WHILST this witness is true, the converse to the proposition is true also. Whatsoever things necessary to salvation are read in the Scriptures, or may be proved thereby, ARE REQUIRED of every man to be believed, and implicitly obeyed, without question or compromise.

Seeing that all Christian people agree to refer to the Bible as the record of their faith, is it not marvellous to find so many shades of difference existing among them, diverging in some cases to direct opposition in their respective opinions, as to what the Bible really requires of them: one party affirming what another denies, whilst ALL claim to measure themselves by one standard, or to derive their religious principles from the same source. May not these discrepancies in faith and practice be mainly attributed to the popular opinion which ages have sanc

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