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BIBLICAL CRITICISM.
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On John xii. 31, 32. HAVE already observ...
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VOI,. XI V* <fc
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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( 109 )
( 109 )
Biblical Criticism.
BIBLICAL CRITICISM .
On John Xii. 31, 32. Have Already Observ...
On John xii . 31 , 32 . HAVE already observed , [ see I Moru Repos . XTIL 265—269 , ] that these words contain an illustrious prediction of a great crisis shortly to take place hi the state of the moral
-world : that the whole system of Pagan idolatry , that empire of the prince of this world , should be extirpated ; and mankind in general should embrace the gospel religion , and believe in Christ as the Saviour and
Lord of all men : and that all this should be effected in consequence of our Lord ' s approaching death , by being lifted up on the cross , and his exaltation to glory . Let us attentively consider the words , in this view .
Iu very prediction of future events , which really happen accordingly , ex * hibits a more striking and convincing proof of Divine foreknowledge and agencv , by how much less apparent
probability there was , at the time of delivering the prediction , of such events taking place . If at the time there appeared little or no probability at all ; but many and great improbabilities , difficulties and obstructions
to the production of the thing foretold , vvepe obvious and apparent ; and yet the event succeeds , and suits exactly to the prediction , one finds onesself compelled to acknowledge the interposal of Him who foreseeth all things , and in whose han ^ l are all times and events . Now let us
examine the subject before us according to these principles , and endeavour to refer our thoughts back to the very times , and the state of things , which existed when this prediction was delivered , and make ourselves , as it were , a part of the multitude in whose
hearing it was spoken . And 1 . Let us consider the nature of the things foretold : from which , 1 apprehend , we shall see many and great difficulties arising against the event- Jesus here foretells , not a change of empire , the overthrow of that which was then
established , and the rise of one not yet in being ; nor does he foretell any extraordinary phenomena , or importaut events in the natural world : such
On John Xii. 31, 32. Have Already Observ...
things as these had often happened before , and probably would happen again ; and a person of superior skill in natural or political causes and . effects * by his extraordinary sagacity and penetration , and by peculiarly accurate observations , might possibly
have discovered a certain series * or chain of causes , already begun , and leading on to important future events in the natural or political world , which the rest of mankind might hot then have discovered ; but would
afterwards observe , as they should begin to ripen towards the issue : and consequently , he might be able to foretell such events , without any assistances superior to human ability , only he was so fortunate as to be the first that discovered that train of
causes and effects which brought on the events , and which others afterwards could trace as well as he . But he foretells a general change , and a great improvement to . be shortly made in the state of the moral world ; that the universal prevalence of
idolatry and daemon-worship should be extirpated , and that a religion of pure worship of the one true God , a religion of truth , righteousness and virtue , should be generally established and embraced . Now , what * probability of such events could at that time
be discovered by any human sagacity or observation ? Had there ever any events happened in the world of a like nature before ? No , never . Was there ever any nation , which had once sunk into idolatry , that ever forsook their false gods , and became
worshipers of the true God , or embraced a true religion ? No , never . All history , till the time when Jesus delivered this prediction , affords not one such example—excepting only the Jews , and their case was peculiar , and the
reasons of it more than human . Facts , till that time , universally had been thusj that every nation , which had once degenerated into idolatry , . sunk deeper and deeper , but never recbvered out of it . And every nation was at last overwhelmed in it , not one excepted throughout the known world .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 22, 1819, page 109, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/mrp_22021819/page/41/
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