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We ask, What are the substantial truths, and what the formal errors, of Orthodoxy? But what do we mean by these terms? § 3. Orthodoxy as Eight Belief. By Orthodoxy in general is meant the right system of belief. This is the dictionary definition. But as the world and the Church diiFer as to which Is the right system of belief as there are a vast multitude of systems and as all sects and parties, and all men, believe the system they themselves hold to be the right belief Orthodoxy, in this sense of right belief, means nothing. In this sense there are as many orthodoxies as there are believers, for no two men, even in the same Church, think exactly alike. Unless, therefore, we have some further test, by which to find out which orthodoxy, among all these orthodoxies, is the true orthodoxy we accomplish little by giving to any one system that name. Here, for instance, in New England, we have a system of belief which goes by the name of Orthodoxy; which, however, ia considered very heterodox out of New England. The man who -is thought sound by Andover is considered very unsound by Princeton. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in 1837, cut off four synods, containing some forty thousand members, because they were supposed not to be sound in doctrinal belief. But these excommunicated synods formed a New School Presbyterian Church, having its own orthodoxy. Andover considers itself more orthodox than Cambridge ; but the New School Presbyterians think themselves more orthodox than Andover the Old School Presbyterians think themselves more orthodox than the New School. But the most orthodox Protestant is called a heretic by the Roman Catholics. The Eoman Catholics, again,are called heretics by the Greek Church. So that orthodoxy, in this sense, seems an impossib...
