we find in the fully developed teaching of the apostles of Christ. Those who call in question the truth of the doctrine because it was unknown to patriarchs and Hebrews, can hardly have apprehended the principle of Divine Revelation or even of the natural and providential government of the world. In all spheres the Divine processes are gradual, and it would not be reasonable to expect that the Most High should flash upon the eyes of His creatures the full blaze of a complete revelation of Himself without a previous prolonged and careful preparation.
At the same time, if these doctrines are true, we might certainly expect some dim traces or obscure intimations of them in the earlier records of Divine Revelation, and at least we should be sure that in the earlier stages there would be nothing inconsistent with the fuller revelation afterwards to be afforded. We should be sure that these earlier teachings, although themselves incomplete, would yet adapt themselves to the later and fuller disclosures of Divine truth. Like an outline map, they might teach us but little, but that little would be accurate as far as it went, and it would prepare the mind for the more complete revelation afterwards to be given. We might also expect that we should find the revelation brightening onwards from its first dim
