[101] A writer in the _Saturday Review_, (April 6, 1861,) in an admirable Article on the importance of retaining the office of 'Dean' in its integrity, (instead of suicidally merging it in the office of 'Bishop,') speaks of there being "no English Commentary on the New Testament brought up to the level of modern Theological Science." [As if "the level" had been rising of late!] "Butler and Paley are still our text-books on the Evidences; and we are defending _old beliefs_ behind wooden walls _against the rifled cannon and iron broadsides of modern Philosophy_."--p. 337. What a strange misapprehension of the entire question,--of the relation of Theological to Physical Science,--does such a sentence betray! [102] See below, p. 235. [103] As the excellent Townson observed long since,--"The brightness of countenance and raiment which dazzled and overcame the sight of His Apostles when He was Transfigured on the Mount, was to Him but _a ray of that glory in which He dwelt before the Worlds were made_."--Sermon on "The manner of our SAVIOUR'S Teaching,"--_Works_, vol. i. p. 282. [104] St. Matth. xvii. 2. [105] St. Mark ix. 3. [106] 1 Tim. vi. 15, 16.--If it be more philosophical to suppose that the Light which shone upon the earth during the first three days proceeded from the Sun, (the orb of which remained invisible,) and not from any extraneous independent source,--I have no objection whatever to such a supposition,--or indeed to any other which suffers the inspired record to remain intact. I am by no means clear however that Philosophy (begging her pardon,) does not entirely mistake her office, when she pretends to explain the first chapter of Genesis. Hence, her constrained language, and unnatural manner, when she desires to be respectful,--her inconsequential remarks and perpetual blunders when she rather prefers to be irreligious. She is simply out of her element, and is discoursing of what _she does not understand_.--Theology, dealing with a physical problem by the method of Theological Science; and Philosophy, applying to a chapter in the Bible the physical method,--are alike at fault, and alike ridiculous. This truth, however obvious, does not seem to be generally understood.