EXTRACT IV.
Perverting the Scripture.—Setting Scripture in its right place.
"There is no other way for them to act, without they would be willing to turn to the light, and gather into it. But for want of this the Scriptures are a sealed Book. And instead of being useful, it becomes a curse to them, while they are determined to put their own construction upon them, it keeps them in darkness.[1] And there are those who assert that I disbelieve the Scriptures, and that I undervalue them! But there is not a greater falsehood expressed among mankind! And I will assure you, my friends, that what I say is truth; I have loved the Scriptures from my youth, and I have delighted in reading them. And I presume, according to my knowledge, no man has received more advantage than I have, and continue to have, from reading them. And I am at this time convinced, that wherever I have been called to be a mouth for the Lord, in the line of the Gospel ministry, I need not make this apology or declaration. No individual ever brought forth more Scripture to prove their doctrines than I have, when under the influence of divine love and truth, that gave forth the Scriptures. Divine Wisdom knowing the state of the people, that they would hardly receive my doctrines unless confirmed by Scripture testimony, here immediately, without the necessity of seeking for it, a passage would rise up in consonance with my assertion or declaration. And I appeal to the people, where my lot has been cast, if it has not been the case. Then what infatuation, to say that I undervalue the Scriptures of truth. No, my friends, I do not undervalue the Scriptures, but I feel it a duty to set them in the right place, and I dare not set them above it"[2] p. 19.
- ↑ Some persons go to the Scriptures, not for the purpose of being taught by Scripture, but for the purpose of building up their own theories. "A desire to have Scripture on our side," says an eminent writer, "is one thing, and a sincere desire to be on the side of Scripture is another." With what force does the warning against the danger of putting our own construction upon Scripture, attach to those who thus awfully pervert the divine Word; and instead of interpreting Scripture by Scripture, and accepting what is given by inspiration of God in its most obvious sense, distort and becloud it with mysticism!
- ↑ Who is the man that admits that he undervalues the Scriptures? The veriest infidel thinks he sets them in their right place. The foregoing extract is a sufficient proof, that a declaration of high esteem for the Scriptures, is entitled to little regard, when it comes from those who account what our Lord Jesus Christ has spoken, and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to prophets and apostles, and has given for our instruction, inferior as a rule, to those impressions on their own minds, which they believe to be from the Holy Spirit.
