If God is interested in the eternal welfare of the creature man, and his thoughts are essential in order to that welfare, it is reasonable that he should not only reveal those thoughts, but also guard them against perversion. This we find he purposed to do. To the Jews he said. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Deut. 4: 2. Again, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." Deut. 12: 32. These prohibitions are repeated in the New Testament, with the assurance that the anathamas of heaven will rest upon all who disregard them.
The thoughts of God could not be known but by revelation, and this revelation could not be but by the inspiration of the Almighty. Therefore, the inspiration essential in order to the desired end was afforded and no more. As the glory of God and the eternal interests of humanity were involved in these matters, man could not decide as to the amount of revelation required. The will of man, hence, never governed the action of inspiration; or, in other words, no inspiration was ever afforded at the mere suggestion of man. We are assured that no prophecy ever came at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. II. Peter 1: 20, 21. As to the purpose or extent of his working God never counseled man, but worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. 1: 11. If we can ascertain the decision of God as to the amount of inspiration and revelation essential in order to the desired end it will be satisfactory to all who desire simply the truth.
There are different books that claim to exist by virtue of inspiration, and claim, hence, to be revelations from God. By way of introduction to a proper course of inquiry, we place certain of these books before us. First, we take the book called the Bible. If the claims of this book to inspiration cannot be sustained, no other book need put up such claim. The Bible is
