The Holy word in its own defence...

Front matter

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Preface

futable, and which we hope may throw such light upon the subject, from the Holy Word, and the Works of God, as may arrest the progress of Infidelity, by turning the thoughts of many, through the Analogy of the Divine Language, into a spiritually rational, religious channel ; and which may also serve as a suggestion to abler pens, to improve the present opportunity to give, to inquiring minds, the rational and illuminating views of God and His Word, and of the Way of Life, which the wants of the present age of commotion so much demand, and which the merciful Lord, by the Spiritual Light of the Word, has so amply provided.

In this work we lay no claim to originality, either in the harmony of the System, the Doctrines we present, or in the Science of Correspondences. The diction and manner of treating the subject, only are ours. All the principles and views rest in, and can be rationally sustained by, the Word and Works of the Most High God. Our entire argument, therefore, is, Thus saith God's Word, and, Thus say God 'Ǥ Works.

We have confined ourselves chiefly to God's Word and Works, without note or comment upon the views of others. This is because there is no other source of knowledge, and because to this Court we must finally appeal to determine the truth or falsity of an/thing contained in the countless volumes which have been written noon the Holy Word. And our desire and aim have been to defend the Sacred Scriptures, or rather to let them defend themselves, against the skeptical influence which the objections

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that Dr. Colenso and his Reviewers are raising to the literal narrative, and then leaving it in the dark, mayhave upon the pnblic mind. This we have hoped to do by showing that the contradictions and discrepancies which appear upon the surface of the letter of the Word, are not errors which have crept into the work through any carelessness, ignorance, or unfaithfulness of the hands through which It has passed j but that He who gave us the Holy Word, made it, in the original tongues, perfect, and has carefully preserved it; and that, when understood, it will be found to be free from all errors.

It is not a matter of surprise, that Dr. Colenso, in his sincere searching of the Scriptures and desire for the truth, for the salvation of the souls of men, should, in the honest convictions of his heart, be troubled at the obstacles which appear in the way of their truthfulness. And we respect his noble frankness in declaring to the world his convictions, while he still retains a profound reverence for the Book. Standing where the Doctor does, and looking with the eyes with which he sees, he is right in his conlusions that the " Mosaic narrative . . . cannot be regarded as historically true" so far as regards all the natural events mentioned. But we hope to convince the sincere and faithful reader of the following pages, and from the Word itself, that It is a true history of mental things, or of the creation and actions of minds ; that there is, running through the entire Word, a history of higher things than those of time and matter, describing the thoughts and feelings of the souls of men and the con-

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sequences of their character under all states and circumstances, whether in this world or the next ; and also revealing to us a knowledge of our God, of our souls, and of our duty ; and that, in order to give to man this knowledge of spiritual things, natural things are used as symbols ; and that thus it is that we may rationally look through nature up to nature's God, and know that the " Invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead." (Rotn. i, 20.) JSTot that there is not generally a true, literal sense in the Word, by the influence of which many souls are saved. But notwithstanding we have, in most of the Divine Word, an account of things which have taken place in this natural world, and the plain commandments given which all may understand, yet there is given, at the same time, a correct narrative of Spiritual or mental things, which may be seen and understood, by the sure law of Analogy which shows the relation between natural and spiritual things, revealing a Spiritual Sense within the literal. And our only hope of use, in preparing this work is, that Light from the Holy Word Itself, showing Its Symbolic Character, may tend to sustain Its Divine Authenticity, and elevate It in the public estimation ; and, at least, to convince some wayward and doubting souls of the true Nature and Character of God and His Word, and thus to bring them to the Divine Fountain, that they may drink of Its Spirit and Its Life, and be saved. For if there are any things of more importance

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than others for man to know and to lay to heart, they are a true knowledge of his God, of himself, and of his duties and destiny as revealed in God's Word, " Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven. The entrance of Thy Words giveth Light ; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Ps. cxix, 89, 130.)

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Ohap. I. — Inteoduction, 11