Lectures on the Symbolic Character of the Sacred ScripturesGeneral Books, 2013 - 70 This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. REASONS WHY THE LITERAL SENSE OF THE WORD OF GOD MUST SYMBOLIZE A HIGHER SENSE. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." (John vi. 63.) We are now commencing a course of lectures upon the symbolic character of the Sacred Scriptures, or of the Divine Language. But, are we truly sensible of what we are undertaking? Are we, indeed, conscious that the language we purpose to explain is infinite, that God's words must contain infinite ideas, and that, to fully comprehend them, would require the wisdom of the great Jehovah--a capacity so far beyond the reach of men or angels? All this we fully believe. And we also believe, that we can learn to appreciate the meaning and force of God's language, only in degrees according to our states; and that we can do this properly, only as we become acquainted with God's nature and character. For if we would enter into the real life and spirit or any book, we must know the qualities and character of the author; for the real author lives in his words and his works. And, as from the language of men, we are introduced to a knowledge of their minds; so, from the language of God, we may become somewhat acquainted with the will and wisdom of our heavenly Father. For God lives in his language. The words which He speaks, "They are spirit and they are life." And that spirit and life are God Himself in His wisdom and love. But what is the divine language? In its broadest sense it is everything that manifests the Lord's qualities. He is the author of everything; he lives in everything, and speaks in everything, either directly or indirectly. But His speech is understood according to the state and ability of the reader. Some see it in the light of divine wisdom, and understand it... |
