Mysteries of the Bible [pp. 624-628]

consideration it... i se
derstood.' Need it be said that reference is had
to the volumes of Creation and of Providence.
In order that a perfect analogy in this respect
may be visible, it is necessary to examine each of
these departments of knowledge in detail. Glance
an eye then, for a moment, over the book of Nature
or Creation. Survey, with the most minute inspection, the countless varieties of inanimate and
animate matter with which it teems, from the atom,
that floats in the sunbeam to man-the noblest
handiwork of his Creator, and the most exalted
link in the vast chain of the Deity's terrestrial
works; and then say-are there no mysteries
above, or around, or beneath us! Can the most
profound scholar in Natural Science, or the most
extensive proficient in Metaphysics, understand and
explain a solitary leaf in this sealed book The
multifarious changes and operations of matter and
of spirit, have they ever been developed to the
acutest intellectual discernment. Who can comprehend the law of gravitation, which governs the
fall of an apple, which guides in their orbits those
worlds of light, that are scattered with such magnificent profusion through the wilds of immensity,
and preserves in such constant and unvarying harmony, the'chiming spheres I' Whose eye, gifted
with power of vision so acute. has penetrated the
secret recesses of repulsion! W-ho can describe in
what manner the cold earth, and the beaming sun,
and the'soft, refreshing rains' cause the tender
herb to spring up, and ripen to maturity! All, yea!
all is wrapped up in the impenetrable folds of
mystery.
The physical and intellectual constitution of man
are embraced within the ample pages of the book
of Nature. It is a sublime truth, w hich the' Mo -
narch Minstrel' has so happily and elegantly expressed, that "we are fearfully and wonderfully
made." Who can comprehend the admirable organization of the human system, with all its surprizing and complicated machinery? That individual has never yet lived in'the tide of time,'
who could fully elucidate its arrangement of parts,
and point out the intimate connexion, that subsists
between it, and the immortal spirit. The astonishing symmetry and perfect proportion of our entire
physical system, and the consummate adaptedness
of every part-of bone, and muscle, and sinewinto
answer the purposes of its creation, is a theme of
delightful contemplation. But to comprehend and
to explicate its construction, is beyond the utmost
ability of any created intelligence. The most severe and protracted researches in this field of investig~ation are utterly abortive. Its very entrance,
like the gate-way to the garden of Eden, is guarded against the inquisitive intrusion of man by the
' Cherubim and flaming sword.'
And the Mind —the immortal mind! —upon this
subject' clouds and darkness' emphatically rest.
When we approach a subject so intricate and so
consideration it is, that has induced me t o contribute the arguments, which follow, in defence of the
authenticity and inspiration of the' Word of God,'
notwithstanding the striking and admonitory lines
of Milton
Fsor, in the wild whirlwind of passion, in the reckless conflicts of party, in t he eager pursuits of unhallowe d ambition, in th e all-absorbing devotedness
of spirit t o the acquisition of wealt h, a mid th e
gaiety of fashion, and the zest of pleasure, through
the complicated bustles and turmoils of life, the' still
small voice' of this great Teacher is too little able
to be heard. But to our theme!
T he t ruth and i nspiration, of the' Old and New
T estaments,' are beautifully confirmed by the sublime mysteries in which they abound. This important consideration is not often adduced in evidence, and, at a prima facie view, it may appear to
disprove the very position it was designed to establish. Indeed the enemies of revelation, for centuries gone by, have wielded it, and, in their own
opinion with remarkable dexterity, as an unanswerable argument against the whole system of religious belief. The course of reasoning they have
employed on this subject, is precisely such as we
should expect from the crafty and cold-hearted infidel. And it is indispensably requisite that this
main argument, of the opponents of Revelation,this front pillar, that supports the tottering fabric,
in which they seek to shelter themselves from the
sacred influence of inspired truth, should be fully
and fairly tested, in order that its extreme weak
ness may more manifestly appear.
The fact, therefore, which it will be the object
of this paper to substantiate, is that the mysteries
in question, instead of impairing, in the least degree, their authenticity, constitute irrefutable proof
that the Bible is the Word of God, and not a mere
fable of human device. In order correctly to examine the point at issue, and thus to develope the
truth of our position in the clearest light, it will be
well to ascertain whether there exist any analogies
within the circle of our knowledge, which will afford us aid in arriving at a correct conclusion! Is
the'Book of Books' the only volume, with which
a beneficent Providence has favored the family of
man! Most certainly not! Even the unlettered
rustic, whose science and whose wishes are circumscribed by the narrow limits of his paternal
home; who has only learned in the school of stern
experience to "drive his team afield," and perform
the other menial offices of his lowly lot; even he,
content in his happy ignorance, has read page after
page of, at least, two other volumes, which the
objector himself admits to have been derived from
God, and, which abound in'things hard to be un
VOL. VI-79
1840.].
Xysteries of the Bible.
625
-" None,
But such as are good men, can give good things;
And that, which is not good, is not delicious
To a well-governed, and wise appetite.,,