He has nowhere shown that Paul meant something "totally different" from the sense which I put on his words.

I know that he cannot.

I do not pretend always to bind myself to the definite sense of my predecessors; nor did the writers of the New Testament.

They often adopt and apply _in an avowedly new sense_ the words of the Old Testament; so does Dr.Watts with the Hebrew Psalms.

Such adaptation, in the way of development and enlargement, when done with sincerely pious intention, has never been reproved or forbidden by Christians, Whether I am wise or unwise in my interpretations, the _subject_ is a sacred one, and I treat it solemnly; and no errors in my "logic" can justify Mr.Rogers in putting on the mask of a profane sceptic, who scoffs (not once or twice, but through a long book) at the most sacred and tender matters, such as one always dreads to bring before a promiscuous public, lest one cast pearls before swine.