and again. But, as you know, there is not a word of truth in it. Again, it is often their practice to class “the Church” of Rome, “the Church” of England, and “the other systems” together in a sentence; and then, speaking of the gross corruptions of the first, the simple reader is beguiled into the belief that these corruptions are found in all. Again, they are very apt in the quotation of Scripture—but if you will take the trouble to examine the passage with its context, you will often find that it has no reference to the subject in hand. Mr. Dorman has given a striking instance of this. He says—
“I take as an illustration of what I have said of this writer’s use—or misuse—of Scripture, the very first passage which is quoted by him. His question (p. 4) is a practical one. It is about ‘church position.’ He first tells us how diversified and conflicting are people’s thoughts upon this subject. From this he concludes that all cannot be right; and yet that there must be something right. And then he adds, ‘There is a path (quoting from Job xxviii. 7), blessed be God, though no fowl knoweth it, and the vulture’s eye hath not seen it.’ And having asked, ‘Where is this safe and blessed path?’ he says, ‘Hear the Divine reply,—“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”’ But was the Spirit of God in Job speaking of church position? Let any one read the twenty-eighth of Job, and he will see that the subject of enquiry is, ‘Where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?’ The Divine answer to which, as regards man—i.e. if man seeks for the wisdom that is above him—is this: ‘Unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom [not the path to it], and to depart from evil is understanding.’ And if anything more definite be looked for in the passage, than the abstract perfect wisdom of God, its reference is to Christ as the wisdom of God, and to the mystery of His death and cross, which is ‘to them that perish foolishness, but to us who are saved it is the power of God: because the foolishness
