Truth, in defence of the word of God--vanquishing infidelity

Front matter

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PART I. Introductory Prayer

questions proposed by infidelity and answered by truth.

" What is man?"

" If the Bible be a book inspired by God, and written to guide mankind to heaven, how may the contents be understood ; and its divine authority traced to a foundation that is sure V

" To me this Word a mystery is : I cannot see the glory that beams to you therefrom. How may man its beauty feel, and his bosom be warmed to love?"

« Were not the men who wrote the Scriptures mortal ? And being mortal, may they not have erred?"

" Is not the authority of the church raised above Scripture?" " If the Scriptures as the rule of religion, are plain and easy to be understood, why do learned men encourage heresy?" " Do the Scriptures suffer by translation ? " " Should all mankind be taught to read the Scriptures?" " If universal instruction, in reading and writing, benefit society, how is it that so many who are thus taught abuse the power knowledge gives, prove rebellious subjects, promoters of disorder, examples of depravity to others, and frequently commit offences for which they are taken to the criminal's bar, thence hurried beyond the grave to meet the Just Judge of heaven ?"

Xll QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY INFIDELITY

PART II. " Nature's God ! "

" If the Bible is the book of God, cannot he preserve it from being defaced, and confound the schemes of men who conspire to cloud its glory, without the aiding voice of man ? "

" May eternity be ascribed to matter?"

" When learned men publish varying theories which are weak and unconvincing, because evidence is absent, where may truth be found?"

" Shall I, this day, look on the Bible page?"

" What effect has been produced by the declaration of the Reverend William Buckland, professor of geology, of Christ Church, Oxford : ' That a change has been judged necessary in the interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, that treats of the creation of the world, and its organic creatures ? "

" Is it not supposed Luther entertained ideas in accordance with those expressed by the Reverend Professor?"

" The Bible page beams glory to you. From me : Does a vapour cloud the effulgence of its shining? But; if Luther acknowledged the received translation, why should he deem a transposition of the verses at the beginning of the Book expedient?"

" When God said, ' Let there be light,' did light mingle with the darkness, that in chaotic night was felt, in the circuit of earth's motion?"

PART III. "Elohim! "

" Are all the works of creation subjects of God's Providence ?"

" May we consider the Dog, the Horse, and other creatures of the brute families as having the power of retaining received impressions? Do they not possess memory?'*

" How did earth first become illumined?"

" What influence lias the sun in creation's Works within the bosom of the earth?"

AND ANSWERED BY TRUTH. X11L

" At what watch may we consider the computation of time began ? "

" May not the term clay signify and include a superior portion of time to that we compute to be a day V

" Why is evening named before morning ? Is it supposed the work of creation began in the evening?"

" May not earth have lived in darkness ere illumined by light?"

"Do men err who think this terrestrial globe was at first created a smaller body than she now presents : and that a superior covering of the earth may have had place, at the period distinguished in the Word written by Moses?"

" How may the twenty-seventh verse of the Book of Genesis be explained to meet the pronoun them in the noun man ?"

" Can cause be shewn why learned men differ in the interpretation of the Scriptures ?"

" Have Angels been from Eternity ? Are they created beings and real substances?"

" May not the term Day imply a year, or a longer period of time ?"

" Is there other evidence to favour what you have assumed with reference to the time constituting a day ?"

PART IV. " Were not every day blessed and sanctified ?"

" How may the sixth verse of the second chapter of Genesis be explained?"

" Did man live when first formed before he received the Breath of lives?"

" How are the natures of man to be distinguished ?"

" Was the earth planted, and her important features defined, before man was created ?"

" What was the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden ? — And how may we know the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil ?"

" In the Prohibition, was not restraint laid on Mans Free- Agency ?"

QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY INFIDELITY

" How were the cattle and all the creatures brought befor Adam? And, How could he know the names adapted them ?"

" May we suppose that Adam and Eve were in twin-form when first created — conjoined only by some vital material Part ? If not, How could Adam know, 4 she was bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh ?"

Part V

" Did the Serpent appear visible to the eye of sense, moving erect ; or, did the reptile, insinuating, curling, wind its way to Eve's notice playing among the flowers, grass, or branching shrubs? Or did he ascend the tree and gather fruit to tempt Adam's daughter?"

" What kind of fruit may it have been, of which Eve and Adam partook when they sinned and fell V

" And could the tree yielding such fruit be called good by God?"

" In the command, ' Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth,' were not sensual pleasures sanctioned by God V

" Since you admit connubial bliss was ordained by God, and the Law made known to man, in the Language of Life which spoke to the understanding : c How, when, with the offspring of his bosom, the daughter of his love, the partner of his joy, he in the fond observance of that exalting duty, was by natural feelingconducted to the height of the most exquisite as inexpressible delight of participated enjoyment ; how might the happy beings thus blest, thus enjoying, have known the line limiting the glory of the horizon ; to pass which was death ?"

" Did God appear to Adam and Eve as a man when He passed sentence on them ?"

" To whom did the Lord God speak when he spoke the word written in the twenty-second verse ? What is meant by ' Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil ? Do not the words so used admit Polytheism, or sanction the doctrine of plurality of Gods ?"

" How may we explain the latter part of the twenty-second

)re to

AND ANSWERED BY TRUTH, XV

verse of the third chapter of Genesis, f And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live for ever?"

Part VI

" How was man driven out of the garden of Eden ? And what are the 0herubini9 and flaming sword, which turned everyway r

" Where might the first of the Human Race find consolation in their fallen state ?"

" What was the most afflicting consequence of the excess indulged I"

" Did the earth continue the same after the Deluge as before the Flood?"

" How may the spiritual Eden be known ?"

" What is meant by the guiding-star ? And, How may the same be distinguished ?"

Part VII

" May it be thought God would create enjoyments for man, place him in possession of them, and not sanction his taking thereof to gratify his own natural feeling, even as desire working in him might be moved to incline V

" May it be supposed Adam and Eve fell on their nuptial day ?"

Digression, Reference to a funeral Discourse, by the Author, from Job xix. 25 — 27.

" Who inspired Job thus to speak ?"

" What is implied in the words, ' Yet in my flesh shall I see God?'" -

" Did the Messiah's sufferings afflict his Spirit ?"

Man contemplated in a redeemed Creation ilium 'd by the Sun that calls to the Resurrection, and re-admitted to Glory in the Tree of Life !

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.

Omnipresent Three in One, Omnipotent Source of Light, Jehovah Lord God Almighty, of heaven and earth Creator ! humbly to Thee I look : unto Thee for holy aid I come. Father of Spirits and Fountain of Life, deign, I beseech Thee, to approve of that wherein I now engage ; and from thy Spirit's fountain, whence the spring-tide of goodness continually flows, breathe into all the soulrejoicing smile. In me let thy presence reign ; from me thy truth effulgent shine in the light of conviction's power. Holy One of Israel ! come strengthen the mental vision that I may see, in glory's calm, the treasures of thy field. More and more bring men to adore Thee, creation's Lord ; let their grateful offsprings revere and honour the Bible page, in which, unto us, Thou hast given a faithful sketch of the perfect picture, a key to Christ, our Head. While we are guided to search the inspired volume, breathe, oh ! breathe in the soul, a superior portion of thy spirit-refining fire,

a2 that from its purifying overflowings I may the spirit of wisdom drink, and exalted live by the redeeming influence of the soul's bright morningstar. Feed the lamp within us kindled with the oil of Jesus' love, and further our endeavours thy glory to promote, so shall the knowledge of thy saving truths, more and more expanding, on earth and seas unceasing spread ; until time may into eternity drop. Let me, strong in thy strength, more than conqueror prove while defending thy cause, that Christ's kingdom may receive the honour due, and thy children's labour obtain the reward of their Creator's smile. Heavenly Physician ! open, I pray Thee, every vein, increase the flowing of every stream, when the pulse pants to bathe in the ocean of truth, and let our efforts convey a refreshing dew to the soul that would live with Thee ; let thy love fill this heart, and so swell the spirit's vigour that I may defend thy Book in language which proclaims the peace its Author gives, to rejoice all who revere Jehovah's Word, and do thy holy will. Preserve those who, in religion's peaceful calm, seek the pardon offered ; fill the soul's receptive garden ; within us wield thy flaming sword of light ; around us extend thy almighty shield ; defeat the tyrant sin, and chase the prince of evil ; so may death and hell be conquered, and sinners who have listened to the voice of life ; blissful joy in salvation find. Be pleased, Almighty God, to bring those who in shadow wander from the dungeon of slavery, to seek the

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.

lamp that illumines the way through the Redeemer's flowing fountain, feeding and crowning the glorious day-star, that, given from on high, shines in prophetic splendour, to guide all unto Thee, our Father ; Rock ; and Refuge. Grant us grace to interpret thy Word. Let, what thy Spirit may guide us to speak and write, be felt as arrows shot from thy almighty bow, to dispel the shadows that cloud the minds of those who exist in the midnight gloom of unfelt misery. With thy presence, Lord, refresh the spirits of all who love to meet Thee in the Holy Bible page ; guard thy servants on the celestial way ; and, in the power of love divine and mercy mild, visit those who thirst to drink salvation's streams ; bring them to seek the soul-invigorating light of life, issuing from the cleansing flood Immanuel bled on Moriah Mount, when infinite love brought him to die the death of the cross for Adam and for us, to redeem the human race, that mankind, whom thou didst create in thy divine image, may be restored to inherit thy glory, and walk in the path wherein the immortal essence may live, draped in the light of Jesus' love, crowned with immortality. These, with every other blessing, it may please Thee to bestow, Eternal Three in One, of Thee we ask, in the name of Him through whom we are invited to approach Thee, our Tree of Life, in the spirit of the Word, as taught by the Redeemer, who said — " When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name : Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in hea-> ven. Give us day by day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins ; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."

THE BOOK OF GENESIS.

Part I

" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." — Col. ii. 8.

" Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called ; which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee — Amen."

ARGUMENT.

INFIDELITY objecting to the first chapter of Genesis, rejects the Word of God, and meditates a varying of the same to suit the views of geologists. Truth takes up the rejected Word ; meets the objections, and defends the Bible's glory.

Truth, in the garden speaking : " Hail lovely morn ! Birds delighted, grateful, chaunt their matin song of praise ; all unite to acknowledge the Great First Cause. Flowers arrayed with glories of the sun-beam, glowing, smiling beauties new, expand the bosom wide, and thirsting, drink the liquid fire from Sol's life-giving flow ; the medium way through whom, in sweet peaceful silence, they pure exhalations yield ; to greet the reviving smile of their bountiful Creator!"

Attracted by creation's work, Infidelity appears wrapped in his shading mantle, and listening to the voice, whispers to himself, — " What ! a stranger in the field to oppose me and my legion : Surely had not that I spoke been received as true, some friend — at least, one among them, I know, would have shewn to me how erroneous were the views we entertain of the account Moses has written of the creation. Shall I remain in the field? No, I'll retire. But why should I ? Though I have no desire to contend with him, yet, his voice seems to secure my presence here; and, draped as I am, none will recognize me. Besides, though my voice shall not be heard, questions, as flowing from me may he suggest, then, that I know not I shall learn ; and surely the reproof of one will be more than counterbalanced by the greetings of the multitude, who, delighted, listened approving of what I made known to them : And who is this ? or what is man — that I should fear being vanquished by him V

Truth. " Man a creature was ; Man a creature is, created by the word Jehovah, to be God's vicegerent on this earth. A Being in whom matter and spirit lives, in a body and soul united. A Being that erst was, and now is, affected, and also governed, either by sensuality or spirituality, even as the disposition of his soul may cause the will to incline. When the soul of man is influenced by the spiritual sensation that flows to him in an emanation from Jehovah, then will he rejoice to know, and knowing, love and fear Elohim, Omnipotent, All in All ! from whom issues the springs of life whose Spirit Word ; the Bible is. The grateful heart will then be by conviction taught that the Lord, in his spiritual essence divine; will acknowledge only those who worship Him in spirit and in truth : Man christianized then will feel that now, free from life's refreshing day-spring, through Holy Jesus' cleansing fountain flows the redeeming luminary, bearing the spirit star that drapes the Christian's soul in the robe of love celestial, feeding her every faculty with intellectual light, that she, while gazing on. nature may ; commune with nature's God !

THE BOOK OP GENESIS. V

" Likewise man will know, that an inferior spirit there also is, a tyrant prince, in shadows dwelling, who, when man prefers to be his slave, is permitted to exhale from his clouded dungeon a gloomy veil, wove by sin, to bind the soul in unfelt anguish; and drape her spirit in the garb of unconscious woe : the favourite robe of hell. But the veil of darkness, first by Satan chosen, Christian spirits reject: moving distant from that broad guilty way, strong in Almighty strength, they, thirsting only to drink of the fount that feeds with knowledge true, delight to honour the sacred field where, in due time, the shadowed herbage grew : So should men draw near the garden of God, where salvation's tree is planted and blooming from the Eternal rock, wherein is Christ our Head, through whom, to the souls of his redeemed is sent • the Spirit of truth the Comforter. Would to God all men revered the Bible page, as the golden key that guides to Paradise by the Redeemer opened to those who spiritually receive his Record true : that they would wield the sword of the Spirit with which the Word is armed, and grateful to their God, humbly enter the heavenly field, praying that they may illumined be, and guided by Jehovah's light, to enjoy the sacred treasure. — A wonder indeed is man to man, wonderfully displaying the power and wisdom of Jehovah God Almighty.

" When man retires within himself to contemplate the formation of the foetus in the womb, and to consider that there are above six hundred muscles, having about ten distinct intentions each, that consequently about the muscles alone, no less than six thousand ends are to be promoted ; and that, in the human figure, there are about two hundred and eighty-four bones, the distinct scopes or intentions of each of which being above forty, in all are about twelve thousand. Considering that thus it is with all the other parts, as the skin, ligaments, vessels, and humours, but more especially with the several vessels of the body which do, in regard of the great variety and multitude of those several intentions required to them, greatly exceed the homogeneous parts, and above all, to reflect that within the creature formed of these distinct parts is an immortal soul, a spirit un tangible, an essence invisible, hovering in the fluid life to distinguish the being of whom I speak, — can we thus contemplate man, and not look to the Creator, saying, ' Lord, I will give thee thanks, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ; marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect, and in thy book were all my members written/* A breath to man, thou, O God, hast given, with power to think, understand, judge, reason, choose, and act, and these, in faculties branching from the soul, are fed by thy Tree of Life, whence men true knowledge derive, and, by using which, they celebrate thy praise, although the finite mind is unable to express the mighty acts of thee, O Lord ! Yet with the Psalmist man may rejoicing say, ' O Lord, how wonderful are thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all ; the earth is full of thy riches.'

" The names in Holy Scripture by which the Great First Cause is distinguished, are — First, Jehovah, from the Hebrew word, signifying an eternal independent Essence, having his being from none, and giving being to all creatures. 2. Jah, a contract of Jehovah, denotes a Being eternally subsisting of himself. 3. Eheje, derived from the same root as Jehovah, and signifies an eternal and unchangeable Being, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. 4. The Greek word denoting Lord or Governor, answers to the name of Jehovah, and imports that God is an absolute Lord, having power and dominion over all creatures in heaven and in earth, and that in his Providence he governs them as seemeth to him good. 5. The Greek word that denotes God, leads us to consider him as a Being

* Psalm cxxxix. 14. 16.

omnipresent, beholding and observing all things ; giving life and invigorating all the works of creation. 6. El signifies fortitude and power ; and in reference to the holy God, it infers that he is most powerful; able to do whatsoever he pleaseth. 7. Elohim is attributed to God as the Creator, Governor, and Almighty Judge of the world ; and signifies the holy essence in God united. 8. Shaddai also is used as signifying that God is omnipotent, a Being whose power none can resist, able to enrich us with all blessings; gracious and waiting to answer prayer, ready to give all good to those who worship him in spirit and in truth. 9. Helion signifies most high, denoting that God is high above all, infinitely exceeding all creatures in glory perfection, and power. 10. Abba, signifying Father, is a title attributed unto God Almighty, because he hath given being to all creatures ; his Providence sustains them therein, and careth for them, even as he careth for men and feedeth them as children, when they live obedient to his law, and walk in the light revealed in Christ's gospel truths, whose glory confirms and crowns the Word Jehovah's Spirit to our fathers gave, as emanations from him, flowing through his faithful rivulets, to refresh the weary pilgrim, to guide the stranger in the path ; and conduct the thirsting soul of the way-worn traveller: to enjoy everlasting rest."

Infidelity. " If the Bible be a book inspired by God, and written to guide mankind to heaven, how may the contents be understood ; and its authority traced to a foundation that is sure?"

Truth. " The Holy Bible being the book acknowledged by our Lord Jehovah, the same to us declares his will, as by his Holy Spirit breathed through the medium of his chosen servants, whose souls were spiritualized, and draped with light and glory, which emanated from their Creator, to whose rock the sacred truths are traced ; whose eternity was firm ere time began : and will eternal stand. This Bible holy being the Book of Books, as the Sun of glory in the spiritual firmament of learning, to man beams forth consoling rays, and with stars of comfort feeds the Christian's soul ; teaching knowledge true : from its pages heavenly wisdom flows, to meet the glory descending from on high ; where the Author of its spirit is in glorified majesty brighter seen. Jehovah's immediate light, by his command, inspired holy men to reveal the great things of his divine law in the written Word, that the same might be with greater confidence received, and that the sacred page transmitted should be, to the most distant climes and ages of the world, for the benefit of mankind, until time shall to eternity cede the glory that in its pages live ; that from its verses glow.

" The part of Holy Scripture, called the Old Testament, containing the acts and movements of the Church of the Lord Jehovah, from the creation, almost to the coming of Christ, makes known to us the truths He to our forefathers revealed : the divine laws by him enacted : the devotions paid by his people : the prophesies given by his spiritual prophets : and the events which concerned his chosen people, are, by God's servants, distinguished as a perfect sketch of the glorious picture the Redeemer came to finish, and is called 'The Bock of the Generation of Jesus Christ,' who came to unveil the shadowed mysteries that from his Holy Spirit flowed, and, to prove that Record true, He sealed the same with his spiritualizing blood j that Adam's children might meet their God.

" The Almighty, having in eternal counsel, divinely foreseen, provided as pre-ordained, that chosen men should be inspired to write and speak, as his Spirit gave them utterance; so, at the times and seasons decreed, He, the divine legislator, draped the sacred penman's soul in the Spirit of his glory, that the faithful servant should a herald be, to proclaim Jehovah's will to man, wherein we have the path of duty so clearly marked, that those who search the Scriptures, if by the Holy Spirit taught ; need not wander from the illumined way that leads to life eternal. In his Word to man, God hath showed what is good. In the power of omnipotence ; and knowledge infinite : the Great First Cause, foreseeing what man would need, provided for his wants. In return, therefore, what doth the Lord require of his favoured creatures, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. As a bountiful parent, in this his Holy Word, Jah hath to man revealed his will : herein is the rule of our obedience, and God doth not require that men should in anywise do contrary to his will revealed « but whatsoever Jehovah hath in his Word commanded, it is man's bounden duty to observe, and not to turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

" To understand the truths the Word of God reveals, men should, by faith and prayer, ask the Author of its spirit, in mercy, to wield his flaming sword, and chase the man of sin, that the mental eye may be opened to behold the star of immortality, which ever beams divinely bright to feed the soul with life, for, while the mental eye by sin's dark cloud is veiled, the saving lamp that burns within, the sinner cannot view, because of Satan's fume of death j that hovers before the way : wherein the light of glory lives that guides to eternal day."

Infidelity. " To me this Word a mystery is: I cannot see the glory that beams to you therefrom. How may man its beauty feel, and his bosom be warmed to love?"

Truth. " Great is the mystery of godliness: yet, the light that lives in Jehovah's Word, was not given that it should hidden burn; God gave it that Adam's children may all enjoy the spiritualizing streams of life which illumine the sacred page. But mankind, to whom this word is given, humbled at their own nothingness, should feel themselves dependent on the mercies of their bountiful Creator, and in spiritual prayer ask superior strength from Jehovah's source of omnipotence, to move in the heavenly way, that stronger and stronger they may possess Faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things the mortal eye cannot behold, but which the Christian's spiritual vision is guided to contemplate, as flowing from the Fount of Glory, by whom the soul's guiding star is fed in the celestial sun-beam, that waters the tree of life in man ; whose fruit, when matured in Jehovah's spiritualizing Sun; is ripe for immortality.

" Faith exalteth men to believe the worlds were created by the Word of God, and that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But, without faith, man cannot approach the Holy Invisible One, whose Word proclaims,* the peace that springs from Him: neither can the mortal eye understand the truths creation's field presents. The mental vision must illumined be, ere man can in holy calm enjoy the present, and gaze into Jehovah's love, where the Fountain flowing Divinity reigns, inspiring infant angel spirits : who are fed by their Father's glory. As faith in the heart grows strong, so will men the wisdom learn, that teaches them to revere the treasures given in the Word, whose riches then to the mind present: and the bosom fire more ardent burning, being fed with the oil of redeeming love that purifies the soul, they will continual thirst to drink refreshing life from the eternal flow of truth, whose waters fill with knowledge true, in wisdom, that teaches man to know himself, to examine what men are, and to secure the treasure that exalts the humble Christian, in the light of intellectual dignity ; which is not the imaginary phantom of fancy's dream, that flits in shadow : but a substance yielding consolation divine to prepare the soul for bliss. Unless thoughts like these, and superior desires enrich the mind, men will reject what may be said or written in defence of the Word of God. The Holy Bible's adversaries see not the streams of light that adorn the sacred page, and therefore may oppose them still; yet, being guided by the Fountain Source, though the fiend's shadowing torrents swell, the rivulets that issue from life's perennial flow, will continue to increase in strength, and gentle prevailing spread : inviting thee, O man ! to contemplate in thyself the deformed image of thy Maker! revering Him who created and breathed in thy nostrils the breath of lives ; remembering ever, that within thy clouded bosom the breathing of Divinity lives, and although unperceived by many, because of sinful shadows that hold their spirit prisoner, there is attendant in the form of dust, a soul redeeming star, in effulgent splendour shining, feeding on its immortal flame waiting there, prepared to illumine the immortal essence ; and to guide her on through Immanuel's purifying fountain : to blissful realms of joy.