d
these, I supposed, were the majority, to give in their adhesion to
the new symbol? how had the Arians drawn up their creeds? Was it not
on the principle of using vague ambiguous language, which to the
subscribers would seem to bear a Catholic sense, but which, when
worked out in the long run, would prove to be heterodox? Accordingly,
there was great antecedent probability, that, fierce as the Articles
might look at first sight, their bark would prove worse than their
bite. I say antecedent probability, for to what extent that surmise
might be true, could only be ascertained by investigation.

3. But a consideration came up at once, which threw light on this
surmise:--what if it should turn out that the very men who drew up
the Articles, in the very act of doing so, had avowed, or rather in
one of those very Articles themselves had imposed on subscribers,
a number of those very "Papistical" doctrines, which they were now
thought to deny, as part and parcel of that very Protestantism, which
they were now thought to consider divine? and this was the fact, and
I showed it in my Essay.

Let the reader observe:--the 35th Article says: "The second Book of
Homilies doth contain _a godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary
for_ these times, as doth the former Book of Homilies." Here the
_doctrine_ of the Homilies is recognised as godly and wholesome, and
subscription to that proposition is imposed on all subscribers of the
Articles. Let us then turn to the Homilies, and see what this godly
doctrine is: I quoted from them to the following effect:

1. They declare that the so-called "apocryphal" book of Tobit is the
teaching of the Holy Ghost, and is Scripture.

2. That the so-called "apocryphal" book of Wisdom is Scripture, and
the infallible and undeceivable word of God.

3. That the Primitive Church, next to the apostles' time, and, as
they imply, for almost 700 years, is no doubt most pure.

4. That the Primitive Church is specially to be followed.

5. That the four first general councils belong to the Primitive
Church.

6. That there are six councils which are allowed and received by all
men.

7. Again, they speak of a certain truth which they are enforcing, as
declared by God's word, the sentences of the ancient doctors, and
judgment of the Primitive Church.

8. Of the learned and holy Bishops and doctors of the first eight
centuries being of good authority and credit with the people.

9. Of the declaratio