If there be any limitation connected with the inspiration of the sacred writers, it is one of which the Holy Spirit is himself the author, and which cannot therefore injuriously affect their testimony.  It did not please God, for example, that the exact order of time should always be kept in the gospel narratives; nor that the identical forms of expression employed by the Saviour on given occasions should always be preserved; nor that the accompanying circumstances should in all cases be fully stated; for in all these respects the evangelists frequently differ among themselves.  Had the wisdom of God judged it best, minute accuracy in these particulars might have been secured.  But the result would probably have been injurious, by leading men to exalt the letter above the spirit of the gospel.  We should be glad to know with certainty which, if any, of the different ways that have been proposed for reconciling John’s narrative with those of the other evangelists in respect to the day of the month on which our Lord ate his last passover with his disciples, is the true one.  It would give us pleasure were we able to arrange all the incidents connected with our Lord’s resurrection, as recorded by the four evangelists, in the exact order of their occurrence.  Had we a full record of all the circumstances pertaining to these two transactions, this might be accomplished.  But it would not make any essential addition to our knowledge of the gospel.  We should have, in every jot and tittle, the same way of salvation that we have now, and the same duties in respect to it.  To all who, on grounds like these, find difficulty with the doctrine of plenary inspiration, we may say, in the words of the apostle, “Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

7.  The extent of the canon is determined by the extent of inspiration.  The question to be settled respecting each book of the New Testament is, Was it written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? or, which amounts to the same thing, Has it apostolic authority?  If it has, it is to be received; if not, it is to be rejected.  There is no middle ground—­no division of the canon into books of primary and of secondary authority.

CHAPTER VIII.

INSEPARABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT.

Although the great central truth of redemption, that “the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,” and that we have in the New Testament a true record of this mission, rests, as has been shown, upon an immovable foundation, we have as yet seen the argument in only half its strength.  Not until we consider the advent of Christ in connection with the bright train of revelations that preceded and prepared the way for his coming, do we see it in its full glory, or comprehend the amount of divine testimony by which it is certified to us.  We have already seen,