revealed nothing merely to satisfy curiosity, we soon lose ourselves when we attempt to reason on those deep subjects which do not directly concern us. That evil should be permitted to exist at all is an insoluble mystery. The Bible does not unravel it, and it is no discredit to it that it does not make the attempt. But it shows how it may be got rid of, so far as each individual soul is concerned; and the remainder of the mystery we must leave to that time when "we shall see face to face;" and we may feel sure that then there will be ample ground for that adoring song with which the great multitude surround the throne, "who have come out of all nations and kindreds, and people and tongues, and who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." A great part of the difficulties that surround the Christian revelation disappears when the principle of faith is allowed its proper place in the heart. Rationalism rebels against this. How can I believe what I cannot understand? is its cry. It takes up a combative position from the very first, and allows no truth to enter the spiritual faculties that has not first passed the narrow gateway of man's finite reason. But God addresses Himself directly to man's spiritual nature. He knows that it can respond directly, and can verify the truth of what He says by tests sufficient for the real requirements of our nature. God does not seek in the Bible to do violence to our rational constitution. It is a false faith that seeks to crush the clear verdict of reason; and He who created the human mind is careful not to hurt its powers when He appeals to our spiritual nature; but still the truth is clearly stated in the Bible that "The natural man knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God, nor can know them, because they are spiritually discerned," and for this reason it is vain to expect to explain away every difficulty that mere human reason may start against the Christian scheme. This permanent cause of unbelief resides in the carnal mind of man, and often the only answer that can be given to its questionings is, "Thus saith the Lord." This does not dispense us from seeking to remove all obstacles that will yield to learning and research; but it will guard against the illusion that all cavils will be silenced, or even all honest difficulties set at rest by any explanations it lies in the power of the Christian apologist to render. The last and final appeal of Christianity is to the soul enlightened by the Spirit of God; and we make bold to say that no one who has searched the Scriptures in devout submission to the Divine will, has failed to find them "given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." |