doubt is given-wisely and mercifully given-in favour of the life that now is. Butler again and again suggests that there is a like claim to the benefit of a doubt in favour of the life that is to come. (I may here refer to Vinet's Studies on Pascal, 195-6; 276-7.) I have adverted to evidences other than these which are external or historical, to evidences which appeal directly to the heart and the spirit of man, and produce that full assurance that is "the gift of God." God in His sovereign wisdom provides the degrees and the kinds of evidence, according to His gracious purposes and the exigencies of our respective religious situations. We are not at liberty to exaggerate the importance of one kind of evidence, nor to depreciate that of another. Whatever tends to uphold the truth of Revelation, has an intrinsic value as a portion of the moral wealth of man. But that truth may be seriously obstructed by extravagance of argument; by theories untrue to nature or irreconcileable with Revelation, as God has in fact given it to us; by non-natural interpretation; by putting the letter in place of the spirit; by striving to be wise above and beyond what is written; by narrow and partial views of God's dispensations; by the lack of that Divine charity that thinketh no evil, and endureth all things. The illustrious Butler in this invaluable treatise which has so long (but not unprofitably I hope) engaged our attention, has taught us to remember our responsibility to God for the opinions which we form as well as for the actions which we do, and he has left an enduring monument of the wisdom of moderation and the force of truth. EXAMINATIONS IN BUTLER'S ANALOGY. Young Men's Christian Association IN CONNEXION WITH THE UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND. 1862. PRINTED QUESTIONS-J. P. MAHAFFY, ESQ., M. A., T. C. D. PART I. 1. Write out accurately, and explain fully, the title of Butler's Work. 3. What remark does Bishop Butler quote from Origen, and what use does he make of it? 3. Why does Bishop Butler not argue against Atheists? 4. There appear to be two meanings of the words "practical proof" in the Analogy-state these two. 5. Why does Bishop Butler think a probable proof of Christianity should have the same effect as a demonstrative one? 6. Explain the difference between a Natural and a Moral government of the world. What evidence have we that God is our Governor in both senses? 7. Mr. Napier states and compares three sorts of arguments for a future life? ་་ 8. Why are virtue and vice rewarded and punished in this world as such, and this rule never inverted ? 9. What argument does Lord Bacon draw from the nature of Poetry ? How does Mr. Napier apply this argument? 10. State, as fully as you can, Bishop Butler's Theory of Habits. 11. Explain how creatures made upright may fail, according to Butler. 12. Some ignorant persons have objected that Bishop Butler does not write sufficiently on Gospel principles. Refute this—(a) by general arguments; (6) by quoting such passages from his Work as imply or state Gospel Truth. 1863. WRITTEN QUESTIONS-REV. W. H. FERRAR, F. T. C. D. PART II. 1. What is the difference between moral and positive precepts. Give examples. 2. Show that positive precepts in general, are of the nature of moral commands. 3. How does Butler estimate the practical presumption against a miracle? 4. Enumerate the objections noticed by Butler to the Mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and give his answers to these objections. 5. What do the Miracles and Prophecies recorded in Scripture prove? 6. Moral duties are superior to positive duties; why? 7. Butler notices three special objections to Revelation ? 8. Discuss Hume's objections to Miracles. 9. To what other question is that of the occurrence of a miracle at any time ultimately reduced? INDEX A. Action, threefold source of, 114. Affliction, the place of, in moral discipline, 105. Albert, character of the late Prince, 58; opinion of, on the value of Statis- tics, 127. Alford, Dean, remarks of, on St. Luke's Gospel, 307. Analogy, plan and outline of the, 2, et seq.; proper title of Butler's Work on Apostles, the power of the, objected to as not miraculous, 243. Arguments, different sorts of, in favour of a Future Life, 20; relation of, Arnold, Dr., quotation from, in reference to the Resurrection, 32. Associations, benefits of Young Men's Christian, 68; opportunities offered Atheism, absurdities of, 225. Atonement, objections against the, 267, et seq.; Scriptural testimony Author, object of, in the Lectures on Butler, 150, et seq. Authority, republication of the Religion of Nature in the revealed system |