us to receive as the truth of God, whatever suggestions most comport with our particular bent of mind.
It is indeed by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the heart is softened and opened to receive the truth, and also that the truth when received, is applied with saving efficacy to the heart, and made to produce fruit unto holiness; but let us with fixed attention to the following passages, consider the Divine testimony to the authority of the word, which word whether originally written or spoken, comes down to us by the revelation of the spirit through the Scriptures; constantly bearing in mind that it is through these divine records that we at this day, have the true knowledge of God—of his holy law, and of the gospel of life and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word[1] of God." Rom. x. 17.
1st.—As to the Written word.
| "The scripture cannot be broken"[2] Jesus Christ.—John, x. 35. | "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, what thou seest, |
- ↑ In the Greek, rhematos—not logou from logos as in 1 chap. John—ῥήμα (rhema) and λόγος (logos) are both translated word; both are used in the New Testament, logos much the more frequently. The meaning of logos is not definite, and the context can alone determine the sense. It is used both for the declaratory word, and for the eternal word. Rhema comes from rheo, to speak, and, according to the best authorities, is never applied to Christ, but means saying, command, discourse: therefore, where this term occurs, the sense is fixed as in the passage above, and also Eph. vi. 17. "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," and some others.
- ↑ Disannulled.—Purver.
