wants are centered in Christ, as is, Life Eternal. The manifestation of both, in One, (Christ,) is so plain, so evident, so circumstantial, throughout the Old Testament, that it is really wonderful how any shadow of doubt can remain on the mind, which searches that only fountain of truth in a humble and teachable disposition. The reader will mark the testimony of the Roman historian Tacitus, on the belief of the Jews in Life Eternal; also, the full and satisfactory evidence of Josephus, which might be much enlarged. No other authorities have been sought for, beyond the pale of the Jewish and Christian faith. But above all, he will gather from the Gospel evidences, brought forward in these Sermons, what the decision of Christ and His Apostles was, on this doctrine, (while Jerusalem yet stood, while the Jewish Nation yet existed as a Nation,) unobscured by the errors, and ever-changing heresies and superstitions, which have arisen during eighteen centuries. If these evidences be correctly stated, who can contradict such prevailing witnesses, who can gainsay such overwhelming testimony? But what say the learned on this subject? The learned Christians of every age and country, bear unequivocal witness to the antiquity, and Divine Authority of these Books. Under such circumstances, the chief point is, what do the internal evidences of these Books prove on the subject? They, are the only authority of Christian Belief. Neither the writings of the Fathers of the Christian Church, nor the doctrines, nor articles of any Church, be it of Rome, or of England, or any other, are to be put in competition, for a moment, with the revealed truth of the CATHOLIC WORD. In it, as in its Author, there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning; it is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. When learning is subservient to Divine Truth, that is, to these Books, then it can scarcely be too highly appreciated; but human wisdom, and talents of the highest order, are as St. Paul asserts, foolishness', uninstructed, and uncontrolled by knowledge from on High; while that knowledge, as we are warned, is often hid (as far as regards Eternity) from the wise and prudent, when it is made known unto the simple. Why? because the latter submit their understanding to God, and His Gospel; while the former will, against every warning, rather rely on their own fancied powers and merits, than accept the way, the truth, and the life'. Are these words written in an 1 Corinthians i. 23. 2 John xiv. 6. exclusive and uncharitable spirit? God forbid! What have any of us, that we have not received? We live, and move, and have our being1 in Christ. From Him we inherit our Faith, our every faculty, and all we possess, of knowledge, of virtue, and of righteousness in this life; and in Him, is our Eternal Inheritance. We judge no man for mere opinions, until the Master come; but knowing and feeling its inestimable benefit, we earnestly desire to make known to every soul that breathes, the truth, as it is in Jesus. It has been observed, moreover, that the arguments which certain learned writers, of later times, have held on this subject, have been purposely, or ignorantly, wrested from their meaning and tendency, and thus made subservient to Acts xvii. 28. 2 infidelity. Thus, the celebrated Bishop Warburton's opinions have been turned against the great cause, which they were intended to defend and promote. It must unfortunately be admitted, that these opinions were urged too far, in supporting a favourite theory. If Eternal Life be revealed to His subjects by a Lawgiver1, who, is the King of Eternity 2; it follows, of necessity, that His Law must be sanctioned by future rewards and punishments; although immediate rewards and punishments may be chiefly, or altogether, insisted upon, to prevent immediate transgression; since transgression, must, involve eternal consequences. The mere Revelation of Eternal Life is complete and The Lord is OUR LAWGIVER, the Lord is our King. 2 The Lord is the God of Truth, He is the Living God, and the KING of ETERNITY. Jeremiah x. 10. Marginal reading. |