" if men hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." 2. It is equally easy to explain away a supernatural visitation, as it is to explain away the evidence of revelation. The attestations actually afforded to revealed truth, comprehend evidence of the same order as is sought in a renewed and palpable disclosure of the invisible world; and in rejecting that truth, despite is done to the very mode of confirmation, which it is supposed would be so conclusive and resistless. An infidelity, assumed against the word of God as ordinarily delivered, puts the mind in a state of readiness and preparation for the exercise of further infidelity, in case any fresh claim be made upon its submission. He who has refused to be persuaded by the signs and wonders, which accompanied the introduction of religion, and have been made known and assured on the concurrent authority of so many witnesses to the faith, is, by the process which induced that refusal, provided with facilities for dismissing the testimony of another messenger, come under what form he may. Supposing a vision permitted to such a one from the world of spirits, --while the mysterious visitor was in actual presence, there would probably be a high degree of astonishment and terror; but when the eye beheld no longer, how many suggestions would urge the mind to remain in original incredulity, and to account for the occurrence, in a manner which would impose no obligation to obey! 'It was a phantom-an illusion-a deception of the sighta picture of imagination-the capricious scenery of a trance, or a dream.' Such insinuations would be plausible and at hand; or if the reality could scarcely thus be disposed of, other arguments of the same sceptical tendency might yet be proffered against the truth of the tidings, and against the authority by which the messenger came. And then, the ridicule and unbelief of those around, and the deadening influence of time and events, would perform their part in operating at last to negative the warning, and blot out the impression for ever. We cannot compare the obstacles which must be overcome, ere the collected and established proofs of religion can be trampled on, with the obstacles which would oppose the evasion of the novel testimony proposed, without returning to the principle, that " if men hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." 3. The inefficiency of supernatural visitations has been shown by experience. The assertions made on the subject, may be corroborated by an appeal to facts. We possess several histories of men, to whom were made developments of the spiritual world peculiarly impressive and imposing, and to whom, moreover, they were perfectly without avail. The heart of Pharaoh was hardened amidst successive manifestations of divine power, which were most peculiarly adapted to overawe, and it remained hardened to the end. The Jews, who had been delivered from bondage by the mighty arm of Jehovah, who had seen the lightnings, and heard the thunders of Sinai, and who could gaze every hour on the pillar of cloud and fire, turned aside to the worship of a golden calf, and, with an unparalleled rapidity of blasphemy, denied the God that bought them. Men who beheld the marvellous acts of the Redeemer, yet continued to reject him, and while he multiplied the achievements of his omnipotence before them, only denounced him as one who derived his power from "the prince of the devils." It was in spite of the "signs, and wonders, and miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost," with which God bore witness to the apostles, that the enmity of the human mind was roused to most malicious fury, and poured forth its rage in the numberless inflictions of savage and unrelenting persecution. In later times, it will be found, as far as instances can be collected, that those whose lives are stated to have been connected with circumstances, approaching nearest to these extraordinary events of preceding ages, have usually returned " like the dog to his vomit again, and like the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." If any cases could be named, in which particular visitations had been the instruments of saving good, after the ordinary means of grace had been used in vain and despised, they would be but exceptions to a rule; and experience confirms the principle which authority has asserted, that " if men hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." 66 4. It is the positive arrangement of God, that his word, as given in the inspired record, and proclaimed in the established ordinances of grace, shall be the only means of persuasion and conversion; and the promise of the Spirit's influence does not extend to any other instrumentality.In reference to this fact, we have but to mention some of the distinct statements of the inspired record itself, which are to be considered perfectly conclusive. Take the following:--that the words of Christ are spirit and life;" that " faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God;" that "the sword of the Spirit is the word of God;" that "Christ sanctifies and cleanses his church, with the washing of water by the word;" that men are "born again by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever, that word which by the gospel is preached unto them." The arrangement by which the renovating operations of the Divine Spirit are connected with the word of truth, is, in these and other passages, clearly announced. It has been fully illustrated in the great facts of spiritual history, from the day of Pentecost down to the times in which we live, achieving the repentance and salvation of millions; and is commended to us in a manner which ought to excite the full acknowledgment of our souls. Every possible consideration unites to exhibit and impress the principle we desire specially to bring home to this audience, no other method will ever be employed to convince and redeem you, but that which operates in the ministrations of the Christian system; and if those ministrations, in some one of the varied forms in which they exist, be not blessed to your hearts, your case, as far as man is permitted to judge, must be regarded as desperate and hopeless. The spiritual world might unveil its mysteries before you; you might gaze on the wonders of eternity; you might hold communion with the departed, and survey the residences of beings who have gone to the upper or lower world, dwelling amidst the glories of the blessed, or the torments of the damned; and yet all would pass away in forgetfulness, and leave you as brands for the burning! "If you hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will you be persuaded though one rose from the dead." |