I illustrated sufficiently, last time, in what way fulness of Inspiration is consistent with the expression of individual character: even while I availed myself of the ancient illustration that an inspired writer is like an instrument in the harper's hand[403]. I did not, of course, "intend thereby to affirm that the Writers of Holy Scripture were _constrained_ to write, without any volition or consciousness on their part.... ALMIGHTY GOD, while He _inspired_ the Writers of Scripture, did not impair their moral and intellectual faculties, nor destroy their personal identity[404]." Let me not be told therefore that this is to advocate a mechanical theory of Interpretation. Theory I have none[405]. The Bible comes to me as the Word of GOD; and, _as the Word of GOD_, (the LORD being my helper!) I will receive it. I should as soon think of holding a theory of Providence and Freewill, as of holding a theory of Inspiration. I _believe_ in Providence. I _know_ that I am a free agent. And that is enough for me.--The case of Inspiration seems strictly parallel. I _believe_ in the Divine origin of the Bible. I _see_ that the writers of the several books wrote like men.... _That_ outer circle of causation, which, leaving each individual will entirely free, so controuls without coercing, so overrules without occasioning, the actions of men,--that all things shall work together for good in the end, and the great designs of GOD'S Providence find free accomplishment;--all this, far, far transcends your and my powers of comprehension. It is as much beyond us as Heaven is higher than the Earth. And, in like manner, we must be content to own that Inspiration,--the analysis of which is so favourite a problem with this inquisitive age,--is far, far above us likewise. To St. Luke "it seemed good" to write a Gospel; and doubtless he held high communing on the subject,--which may, or may not, have sounded like ordinary human converse,--with St. Paul. St. Mark in like sort, beyond a question, enjoyed the help of St. Peter, while he wrote his Gospel. But St. Peter and St. Mark, and St. Paul and St. Luke, were all alike,--however unconsciously,--held by the Ancient of Days within the hollow of His palm; and, as Augustine says,--"Whatsoever He willed that _we_ should read concerning His acts and sayings,--_that_ He commissioned the Evangelists to write,--as though it had been _Himself_ that wrote it[406]."--The guidance was remote, I grant you. The mechanism which moved the pens of those blessed writers was far above out of their sight; and complex beyond anything which the mind of man can imagine; (so that the publican lisped of "gold, and silver, and brass[407];"--and the companion of St. Peter, at Rome, wrote Latin words in Greek letters[408];--and the Physician of Antioch withheld the statement that the woman who had spent all that she had in consulting many physicians, "was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse[409];"--and the beloved