The Word of God and the Perversions of Men Difference between Impossible and Impracticable. PART I. BIBLE AUTHORITY. IN the following pages, the BIBLE is continually appealed to as authority. On the principles, then, which it is intended here to advocate, it is requisite to show on what ground the Bible is thus appealed to, or why its words are brought forward as evidence. In a country of Christians by profession, or name, the Bible is held as the Voice of God, and therefore true, by great numbers, without any inquiry, just as they would have held the Koran if they had been born Mahomedans; and, perhaps, many of these are so contented in thus defying and outraging the principles and words of that book, which they maintain to be Divine, that they will, at first, shrink from any consideration of the question, "Why do you hold the Bible to be the Word of God?" The question puts them to shame. No one likes to admit that he has done anything so unworthy of a being to whom God has given reason, or that he has so set at nought the teaching of his Bible, as to have been led to profess belief in it, without ever thinking why? or wherefore? So it comes to pass, that an B angry refusal is too often the response, if such a one is asked to give any reason why he supposes the Bible is God's Word, rather than the Koran, or any other book which lays claim to be so, and which millions of men maintain is so. 66 They are all wrong, and I and those who agree with me are right." So says the mere professing Christian. So says the Mahomedan too! But there are many among us who are not satisfied with an answer that is so ungodly, and so unmanly— which the Bible itself, and all reason so utterly condemn. They ask their teachers, "How are we to know that this is God's Word?" They are told, "This Book was written by men inspired by God, who put in their minds exactly what they should say. The different parts have been carefully preserved, first by the Jews; then the New Testament, by the Christians; and at length it was translated into English; and we have our Bible thus." The inquiring mind, which has been taught, by that very Bible, to prove all things, that it may hold fast that which is good, will ask further guidance and light; will inquire about the evidences of the purity of the books in the original language; the evidences of the care with which they were preserved; and will hear with deep interest all that concerns these things. But when, to his former respect for the book of the religion in which he happens to be born, is added admiration and reverence for the writings about which he has been so inquiring, and has received such interesting information; when he has treasured up that information, perhaps having himself |