difficult for the believer to appreciate any but the most superficial of its doctrines, except

he be persuaded that such doctrines constitute part of a connected, intelligible, whole.

The lesson we learn from the balance of the teaching of the three Creations is

expanded and supplemented by perceiving the equally important balance of

subject-matter which forms the skeleton framework upon which the whole revelation is

When we come to details and smaller features in subsequent studies, we hope to show

that this same principle is involved, and, throughout the series, may we be continually

impressed with the need for balance in our thinking, in our manner of life, in our witness,

and in all our ways.

In the last two papers we have been exercised with a subject so vast, that, while it may

be granted to the earnest believer to obtain some glimpse of the perfection of the great

purpose of the ages, in this life no one can ever hope to comprehend a tithe of what the

Scriptures actually teach on the subject. Let us now leave this vast and overwhelming

aspect of truth and turn to something that is within our grasp. Let us consider the

necessary balance that the Scripture insist should be maintained between doctrine and

The example of the apostle Paul and the character of his teaching will supply

sufficient material to show how vital to all living faith this balance is. First, the Apostle's

own example.

At the close of his life's work he thus wrote to Timothy:

What consistency of walk is implied in such a challenging statement! Having joined

the Apostle early in life, when Paul and Barnabas had but traveled half way round their

first missionary journey (Acts 16:), Timothy had thereafter remained in close contact

with the Apostle.  It is comparatively easy to maintain a "platform" or "pulpit"

consistency, but it is another matter to challenge investigation into one's life, especially

one  spent  in  perilous  journeyings,  bitter  feuds,  periods  of  want,  general

misunderstanding, and unmitigated opposition from within and without. Yet the Apostle

was able to do this. "I have showed you, and taught you" said he on another and earlier

occasion (Acts 20: 20), and in the same passage he supplemented this statement by