CHAPTER I.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION TO BE CONSULTED JOINTLY WITH THE BOOK OF NATURE. CERTAIN GREAT TRUTHS EXHIBITED IN SCRIPTURE WILL ILLUSTRATE OUR PRINCIPLES AND SERVE AS GUIDES OF CONDUCT.

HITHERTO the attention of our inquirer has been occupied in obtaining and illustrating his conclusions in whatever manner he was able. Any source of assistance that lay before him, he has adopted. And surely without impropriety. For though in carrying on such speculations as those to which he has been led, men have sometimes studiously avoided all considerations of revealed religion,* his objects have not been to

....

Mr. Hume (writes Paley) has been pleased to complain of the modern scheme of uniting ethics with the Christian theology." "An ambassador judging by what he knows of his sovereign's disposition, and arguing from what he has observed of his conduct, or is acquainted with of his designs, may take his measures in many cases with safety, and presume with great probability how his master would have him act on most occasions that arise; but if he have his commission and instructions in his pocket, it would be strange not to look into them. He will naturally conduct himself by both rules."

establish systems upon limited data, but to find out and so discharge his duty as a "sensitive, intellectual, moral, and religious being." His proceedings, however, have been but agreeable to the conduct of all men in matters wherein they are deeply interested. When any one is struggling for life or death, he gladly takes assistance whencesoever it may be gained. Accordingly the inquirer struggling for spiritual life or

"We have two sources of knowledge (says Abercrombie), the light of conscience, and the light of divine revelation. In making this statement I am aware that I tread on delicate ground, and that some will consider an appeal to the sacred writings as a departure from the strict course of philosophical inquiry...... If indeed in any investigation in moral science, we disregard the light which is furnished by the sacred writings, we resemble an astronomer who should rely entirely on his unaided sight, and reject those optical inventions which extend so remarkably the field of his vision, as to be to him the revelation of things not seen. . . . In the limited knowledge which is furnished by vision alone, he finds difficulties which he cannot explain,.... but in the more extended knowledge which the telescope yields, these difficulties disappear; facts are brought together which seemed unconnected or discordant; and the universe appears one beautiful system of order and consistency. It is the same in the experience of the moral inquirer when he extends his views beyond the inductions of reason, and corrects his conclusions by the testimony of God. Discordant principles are brought together; doubts and difficulties disappear; and beauty, order, and harmony are seen to pervade the government of the Deity."

* Brown's Lectures.

spiritual death, has gathered the elements of his knowledge wherever they lay scattered. Of the book of revelation as well as of the book of nature,* God assuredly designed us to make use, and to observe the phenomena of other men's minds, and to avail ourselves of their knowledge no less than of our own. But, from what source soever the inquirer has derived his truths, they are at all events illustrations of the application of moral evidence: and though we have not pretended to exhibit a complete system in regard to any subject on which we have touched, it has still been our aim to shew a manner of proceeding which may be adopted by the mind of man in all matters claiming its attention. An extension of his principles may, it is hoped, suffice for our inquirer in what circumstances soever he may be placed.

In regard to what now lies before us, it is indeed foreign to our purpose to pursue the details of Scripture: it is certain, too, that plain precepts, or even clear inferences from acknowledged truths, will at once be received by every one who studies the sacred volume from a sense

* "There are two books (says an old writer) from whence I collect my divinity; besides that written one of God, another of His servant nature, that universal and public manuscript that lies expansed unto the eyes of all."

of duty and with a sincere desire of improvement.* Nevertheless, Scripture being a book, as

* It really seems almost superfluous to urge upon Christians the duty of frequently and diligently studying Scripture. This book is not a mere subject of curious speculation and literary research, but is stamped with divine authority, and exhibits the relation of God to man. Consider the conduct of men even in temporal relations. If the legislature of a country enacts a law, those who are to carry out the enactment diligently study its force and meaning. Otherwise how can they fulfil their duty? Can anything more decidedly express disrespect and contempt for any one than to take no heed of the meaning of a notice which he gives you? We pay attention to what is said by an inferior, much more an equal, still more a superior. But what if that superior has an official authority and control over our conduct? Suppose a parent writes a letter to his son containing directions for his guidance: will he not read and diligently try to understand its full meaning? Yet how infinitely less stringent are any human ties than those which bind man to God! What inexpressible majesty and dignity are combined in the idea of the Deity! What feelings of love, veneration, and hope are united at the mention of His name!

Again, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matth. iv. 4.) If a child does not receive that sufficiency of bodily food which would be wholesome, is not his growth stunted, his body weakened, his energy impaired? But on the other hand, if he is properly fed, does he not duly increase in stature and become physically vigorous? Does not analogy, then, thus shew what is likely to be the case in regard to spiritual growth; in regard to our increase "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ ?"

(Eph. iv. 13.)