3. Inspiration does not override and overwhelm the inspired writer's personal characteristics. There appears to be no such thing as an inspired style. The style of St. John is as different from that of St. Paul as the style of Bishop Butler is from that of Jeremy Taylor. Each inspired writer uses the language, and the illustrations, and the arguments that are natural and familiar to him. If he has an argumentative mind, he argues his points; if he has not, he states them without argument. If he has literary skill, he exhibits it; if he has none, inspiration does not give it to him. "No inspiration theory can stand for a moment which does not leave room for the personal agency and individual peculiarities of the sacred authors and the exercise of their natural faculties in writing" (Schaff, _Apostolic Christianity_, p. 608). What inspiration has _not_ done in these various particulars is manifest to every one who studies the sacred writings. What it _has_ done is scarcely less manifest, and is certainly much more generally recognized. It has produced writings which are absolutely without a parallel in the literature of the world. Even as regards literary merits they have few rivals. But it is not in their literary beauty that their unique character consists. It lies rather in their lofty spirituality; their inexhaustible capacities for instruction and consolation; their boundless adaptability to all ages and circumstances; above all, in their ceaseless power of satisfying the noblest cravings and aspirations of the human heart. Other writings are profitable for knowledge, for advancement, for amusement, for delight, for wealth. But these "make wise unto salvation." They produce that discipline which has its sphere in righteousness. They have power to instruct the ignorant, to convict the guilty, to reclaim the fallen, to school all in holiness; that all may be complete as men of God, "furnished completely unto every good work." FOOTNOTES: [94] "Rationalism in Religion," in _Tracts for the Times_, republished in _Essays Critical and Historical_, vol. i. p. 32. [95] See the quotations given in Alford's note on πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ in Eph. ii. 21, which might be increased, if necessary: _e.g._ πᾶν σῶμα, in Arist., _Nic. Eth._, I. xiii. 7, which must = "the whole body." CHAPTER XXXV. _THE PARADOXICAL EXULTATION OF THE APOSTLE.--HIS APPARENT FAILURE AND THE APPARENT FAILURE OF THE CHURCH.--THE GREAT TEST OF SINCERITY._ "But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved His appearing."--2 TIM. iv. 5-8.