MR. TAYLOR' S THIRD REPLY. 263 



Litcral applications of Scripture — against it. 



But " human opinions'' do not really " decide" the question ! 

 And who — (unless my friend) — ever imagined that human 

 opinions cmdd decide it ? The few authorities / at least have 

 adduced have been summoned as my witnesses; — not appealed 

 to as my judges. Our cause can submit to but one arbiter. 

 Our only controversy is ''The Scriptural authority of the Sab- 

 bath." I^ human authority, I shall not interrogate.* If in 

 the interpretation of our mutual Law both parties can present 

 "names equally illustrious" in corroboration of our respective 

 views, then is the contest thrown back and confined to the 

 naked statute; and he who brings the greatest weight of rele- 

 vant quotation — he who most asserts and insists upon the 

 litcral reading of the text — he who finds the least necessity for 

 paraphrase, explanation, limitation, or addition — he whose ap- 

 plications, in short, are most pertinent, most explicit, most con- 

 sistent with themselves and all others — must in fairness be 

 adjudged the victor. This issue is with the discriminating 

 reader : — I shrink not from the verdiet. 



I cordially agree with J. N. B. in entertaining but little re- 

 speet for that human exposition which evades or impinges upon 

 the teachings it professes to elucidate ; which " walks in 

 craftiness, and handles the word of God deceitfully.'' I know 

 full well that even " great men are not always wise, neither do 

 the aged always understand judgment. Therefore I said, 

 hearken to me ; I also will shew mine opinion." 



Says J. N. B. : " My friend has chosen on this point [the 

 reference to human authorities] the ungracious task of Ham 

 to Noah." (^p. 192.) Now, however unspeakable the offence 

 of the reprobate son, I think that the impartial justice of a 

 healthy morality will hardly exculpate the pranks of the some- 

 what fantastic patriarch. If it was beyond measure wicked to 

 sec his exposure, it was in some measure improper to mahe the 

 exposure. To apply this ancient lesson, if I " have chosen the 



Sec Note D, at the end of this Eeply, 



