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AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

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AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

4 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Nothing, therefore, can be more absurd than the fiction that, the power of judging Scripture is in the Church, and that on her nod its certainty depends. When the church receives it, and gives it the stamp of her authority, she does not make that authentic which was otherwise doubtful or controverted, but, acknowledging it as the truth of God, she, as in duty bound, shows her reverence by an unhesitating assent. As to the question, How shall we be persuaded that it came from God without recurring to a decree of the Church? it is just the same as if it were asked, How shall we learn to distinguish light from darkness, white from black, sweet from bitter? Scripture bears upon the face of it as clear evidence of its truth as white and black do of their color, sweet and bitter of their taste.

If, then, we would consult most effectually for our consciences, and save them from being driven about in a whirl of uncertainty, from wavering, and even stumbling at the smallest obstacle, our conviction of the truth of Scripture must be derived from a higher source than human conjectures, judgments, or reasons; namely, the secret testimony of the spirit …

“Profane men think that religion rests only on opinion, and, therefore, that they may not believe foolishly, or on slight grounds, desire and insist to have it proved by reason that Moses and the prophets were divinely inspired. But I answer, that the testimony of the Spirit is superior to reason. For as God alone can properly bear witness to His Own words, so these words will not obtain full credit in the hearts of men, until they are sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, Who spoke by the mouth of the prophets, must penetrate our hearts, in order to convince us that they faithfully delivered the message with which they were divinely entrusted …

Some worthy persons feel disconcerted, because, while the wicked murmur with impunity at the Word of God, they have not a clear proof at hand to silence them, forgetting that the Spirit is called an earnest and seal to confirm the faith of the godly, for this very reason, that, until He enlightens their minds, they are tossed to and fro in a sea of doubts.

“Let it therefore be held as fixed, that those who are inwardly taught by the Holy Spirit acquiesce implicity in Scripture; that Scripture carrying its own evidence along with it, deigns not to submit to proofs and arguments, but owes the full conviction with which we ought to receive it to the testimony of the Spirit. Enlightened by Him, we no longer believe, either on our own judgment or that of others, that the Scriptures are from God; but in a way superior to human judgment, feel perfectly assured—as much so as if we beheld the Divine image visibly impressed on it—that it came to us, by the instrumentality of men, from the very mouth of God. We ask not for proofs or probabilities on which to rest our judgment, but we subject our intellect and judgment to it as too transcendent for us to estimate.

“Only let us now understand that the only true faith is that which the Scripture of God seals on our hearts. Nay, the modest and teachable reader will find a sufficient reason in the promise contained in Isaiah, that all the children of the renovated Church ‘shall be taught of the Lord’ (Isa 54:13). This singular privilege God bestows on His elect only, whom He separates from the rest of mankind.

“God having been pleased to reserve the treasure of intelligence for His children, no wonder that so much ignorance and stupidity is seen in the generality of mankind. In the generality, I include even those specially chosen, until they are ingrafted into the body of the Church.

If at any time, then, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us, on the other hand, call to mind that none comprehend the mysteries of God save those to whom it is given.”—John Calvin

It is not presumptuous to take God at His word, and to believe and be sure that there shall be a performance of the things which are spoken and promised by the Lord.—Toplady.

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 oktober 1951

The Banner of Truth | 16 Pagina's

AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 oktober 1951

The Banner of Truth | 16 Pagina's