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    a topic , to which he has not even adverted , which is so important in itself in which the character and spirit of Divine Revelation are so deeply in * , volved ; which is so distinctly and directly to his purpose ; and about which there is so much misrepresentation and confusion , even amongst the most intelligent , that its discussion by such a master-mind would have been most delightful . We mean , the nature and extent of the exercise of reason which

    is required by revelation . Nothing is more common , nor at the same time more incorrect , than to speak of faith or revelation as in some way or other superseding reason , or fixing boundaries to its employment . It seems to be generally imagined that there is some point , though as to where it should be fixed opinions greatly differ , at which the province of reason ends , and that of faith begins . Those who believe the Scriptures to be the revelation , affirm that reason ' s work is done when the authenticity of the books is

    established , and their genuine text ascertained . Others , who allow that the Scriptures only contain the revelation , and who find that in certain general principles and propositions , draw the line there , and tell us that these propositions must be received whether they be proved or not , whether they be understood or not . With submission , they tell us great nonsense . The terms of a proposition must be made intelligible to the mind , so far as

    relates to the connexion affirmed of them by that proposition ; and that connexion must be evidenced , before there can be any real credence produced . The confusion arises from overlooking x > r mistaking the nature of Divine Revelation . It consists of facts ; of facts which not only may be , but which must be reasoned upon , to arrive at the truth which they were intended to communicate . The supernatural events of the Old and New Testament from the call of Abraham to the destruction of Jerusalem—events by

    which we are taught the supremacy of Jehovah , his irresistible power , his unfathomable wisdom , his exhaustless patience and mercy ; which illustrate his physical and moral government of the world , and develop its principles ; and in which , at length , in the person of Christ , man's destiny to immortality is actually exhibited ; but which teach us these truths only by the exercise of our reason upon them ;—these events , so reasoned upo ^ constitute the revelation . So far is faith from limiting the exercise of reason , that it

    cannot exist without that exercise . Instead of confining , it opens a new , and the most important field for the operations of intellect . To the materials for thought already possessed in the facts of Nature and Providence , it adds a cohected series of supernatural facts , expressly arranged for the purpose of communicating instruction , and making us wise unto salvation . Hence the tendency of revelation is to elicit , strengthen , expand , and elevate reason . As was finely said by Lessihg , " Revelation is to the whole

    race of mankind what education is to the individual person . " It is a scheme , not for driving them to the repetition of an unintelligible lesson , but for stimulating their reason to activity , md providing them with materials for its useful employment . It yields out iruth to the inquirer in proportion to the talent , honesty , and diligence which he exercises . It gives a rich return even to the meanest capacity , but fails not of a proportionate harvest to the most powerful . It expands to the expansion oi * individual intellect , and keeps pace with the general advance of knan'kin'd . No progress of knowledge can raise above the need of its teachings ; ft * the wiser man is , the more of wisdom will fee perceive in its facts ; tfoe fhore precious and exalting will be the lessons he will have become qualified to derive from * the * n . Revelation is not what 'Creed manufacturers and imposers would make it , a sort of tripket warehouse , guarded by * ' the spirit < of fear / ' which makes

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    662 Channing s Design of Christianity .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1828, page 662, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2565/page/6/