The World's Great Sermons, Volume 07: Hale to Farrar
Religion
The World's Great Sermons, Volume 07: Hale to Farrar
Sermons
They are not of man, but of God. We can not now refer to the varied
and multitudinous considerations which enter into the proofs of
this. It is capable, however, of being established by the very
highest moral evidences. The wisest and best men of every age have
concurred in receiving the Scriptures as from God. And it is not
possible to give a rational account of their origin, and the source
of their contents, without ascribing them to the divine authorship
which they claim.
It may seem strange that the infinite God should condescend to
put His great thoughts into the poor language of mortals, to
communicate with creatures so dull and stupid as the sons of men;
but this He has done. Portions of the Scriptures are made up of
the very words of God, articulated by Himself in the hearing of
men commissioned to declare them. One chapter, which embodies the
moral essence of all the rest, was engraven by His own finger upon
tables of rock, and delivered to Moses all ready formed and set
in the alphabetic signs employed by men. Other parts consist of
communications of celestial messengers sent directly from heaven's
throne to declare God's will and purposes to the dwellers upon
earth. A still larger portion was taken down as it fell from the
lips of One in whom God had incarnated Himself, and whose every
word and act in this world was a revelation from the unknown
Deity. Even those parts which were written by men were produced
by mysterious motion and illumination of the Holy Ghost,--by
inspiration of God. Indeed, the whole book is a literary aerolite,
all the characteristics of which are unearthly, and whose own
superior attributes are so many demonstrations of its superhuman
source. Its very address is so far above that of man, that no
mortal, unprompted, could ever have risen to it. Its subjects are
all treated after an unearthly manner. Every leaf of it bears the
sunlight of some higher sphere. Every page has on it the imprimatur
of God. And all its words are instinct with divine fires, flashing
the admonition upon every reader, "Put off thy shoes from off thy
feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." They
that look upon it look upon expressions of the eternal Spirit.
They that rightly take its lessons drink in living emanations from
unsearchable Godhead. It is the abiding miracle of _rapport_ with
the Mind which projected, upholds, and governs the universe. It is
the Word of God.
III. The testimonies of the Lord are wonderful in their originality
and instructiveness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account