lives and letters has ennobled myriads of minds, and changed the face of the world."[1]
Can a Book, which has had so vast an influence over mankind, have had any other than a Divine origin? But it may be added, that the influence of this Divine Word is as yet but beginning to be felt. Its true meaning has been so long perverted or misunderstood, nay, in so many countries the book itself has been so kept out of the hands of the people, that it has had comparatively little opportunity to produce its legitimate effects. But as the holy Volume becomes more and more widely diffused, and its true sense more generally understood, its power will be more deeply and universally felt, and the effects of its silent but deep workings will at length be seen—like the vivifying presence of waters in a thirsty soil—covering the globe with spiritual viridity and life.
Having thus sought to show, by a brief history of these Sacred Writings, their origin, general character, and manner of preservation,—that they are truly what they purport to be, the Word of God, God speaking to men, His creatures,—the next interesting point of inquiry is, What do these Writings say? what testimony do they bear to the Divine character. His goodness, wisdom, and power? God, certainly, must know Himself infinitely better than any others can know Him. If therefore, these are indeed God's own words, and if in them He speaks of Himself, what He declares must be far more satisfactory testimony than any other; His words will speak to us even more clearly and satisfactorily than His works.
- ↑ North British Review.
