II. Before descending, however, to the _business_ of Interpretation, there is clearly one preliminary question to be settled: namely, _the principle_ on which Interpretation is to be conducted. And this is all that can be discussed to-day. To seek for that principle in the contradictory pages of solitary theorists, would of course be hopeless, as well as absurd. To elicit it from Patristic Commentaries, would obviously leave a door open for cavil. The ancient Fathers, (allowing that they often speak with consentient voice,) singly, were but fallible men,--however famous, as professors of Theological Science, they may have been. _This_, however, I venture to assume without any hesitation whatever,--that if, instead of either of these two ways of ascertaining how Holy Scripture ought to be handled, we can be so fortunate as to discover from the Inspired Writers themselves what _their_ method was with respect to the Word of GOD,--in such case, I say, we shall be in a position of entire certainty[447]. We shall then have full warrant for disregarding the dicta of modern sciolists on this great subject;--however arrogant their dogmatism, however confident their unsupported asseverations. I desire to be very clearly understood. My position is this. All Christian men allow that the Apostles and Evangelists of our LORD were inspired. Before such an audience as the present, I will not condescend even to _allude_ to the absolute claim of our SAVIOUR CHRIST, who, as the Son of Man, enjoyed the gift of the Spirit without measure; who, as very GOD, "in the beginning created the Heaven and the Earth,"--(for, "In the beginning was THE WORD; and THE WORD was with GOD; and THE WORD was GOD.... All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made[448]:")--I will not, I say, for every utterance of our _SAVIOUR CHRIST_ pause even, to claim the entire reverence of our hearts,--the prostrate homage of our understandings.... Well then. If we _can_ but discover what the mind and method of these several speakers and writers was, with regard to the Interpretation of Holy Scripture; on what principle, and with what sentiments, _they_ bandied the Book of GOD'S Law; we shall have discovered the thing of which we are in search. For the _Author_ of a book must perforce be allowed to be the best judge of the method and intention of that book:--the HOLY SPIRIT _must_ be allowed to be the best authority as to His own meaning!