That the vicious should disbelieve in the intercession
of the spirit of God, and in His divine inspiration, is
natural, for they will stifle that which whets the conscience
to turn its sharpened edge upon all their iniquity. That
philosophers should doubt, proceeds from another and too
exclusive occupation and reliance of the mind, withdraw-
ing its attention from a watchful perception of and *sub-
mission to God's best gift to man, in its cherished growth
constituting man's highest excellence and perfection of
character. But that professing Christians and Christian
teachers should call in question this great saving Truth,
without which -all religion loses its vitality, is matter of
marvel, and only to be comprehended in the admission
of the fapt that sjich out>vard and literal views are taien



DIVINE INSPIRATION. 99

by them as to turn the perception and intellect from the
true source of Divine enlightenment and religious cor vic-
tion. The Scriptures assure us of the visitations of the
spirit of the Almighty to the souls of men in ancient
days J that it strove with man ; that " in the beginning
was the Word — and the Word was God :" He raised up
prophets in all ages, and they addressed themselves to that
which was spiritual in man. He declared to Israel, " I
will pour my spirit on thy seed." Has the human race,
then, become less the object of Divine regard ? Did
Christianity introduce a less spiritual dispensation ? or
did it more especially and emphatically call man to a
recognition of the spiritual coming of Christ again ? It
declares, " A man can receive nothing unless it be given
him of Heaven." " Unto every one of us is given grace,
according to the measure of the gift of Christ." And
Jesus said, " I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever ;"
" the spirit of Truth will guide you into all Truth ;"
and thus the New Testament abounds in blessed promises.
