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connoting the possession of that divine knowledge which is there obtained . The Unitarian explanation takes them all figuratively , supposing the ascent into heaven merely to express being admitted to the knowledge of divine things ; the descent from heaven , going forth into the world as an authorized divine messenger to communicate heavenly truths ; and being in
heaven , the continued reception of divine communications and powers . Most commentators interpret the first clause figuratively in the same manner as the Unitarians do , many take the second , and many the third , literally . The mixture of the literal and figurative senses , though not altogether impossible , is harsh , and not to be resorted to without very strong reasons . In describing the Unitarian scheme , Dr . S . very needlessly introduces the objections made by some to the notion of a local heaven ,
which objections he answers in a manner satisfactory to us ; but the question has no more than an accidental connexion with the present subject , and the acknowledgment that there may probably exist a place designated peculiarly as heaven , will not be supposed to imply that that place must be always literally meant whenever the word is used . But Dr . S . says ,
" The statement of the Calm Inquirer is not correct when he says , To ascend to heaven is a Hebrew form of expression , to denote the knowledge of things mysterious and remote from common apprehension / The four passages referred to by him and other writers , evidently signify a real and local ascent , with a view to obtain the knowledge , or other blessing , adverted to in the connexion of each . " -
The first of these passages is Deut . xxx . 11 —13 : " This commandment is not hidden from thee , neither is it far off . It is not in heaven that thou shouldst say , Who shall ascend for us to heaven and bring it to us , that we may hear it and do it ?" Our author contends that the succeeding sentence , which in the same manner affirms that the Israelites needed not to make long journeys or perilous voyages to acquire the knowledge of the Divine Will , proves that the words of the former question intend an actual ascent to some celestial region .
It proves that they believed heaven to be a place to which it was conceivable that men might ascend , and by reaching which the knowledge which is here unattainable might be supposed to be acquired ; but the expressions in both sentences are evidently figurative . Moses illustrates the position that the commandment was neither unintelligible , nor kept from their study , by telling them that they need not inquire after impossible or very difficult means of gaining the knowledge of it ; ascending to heaven represents the means of obtaining the knowledge of things mysterious , the commandment being in heaven signifies being unintelligible , beyond the reach of human faculties . 2 . Prov . xxx . 4 : " That the ascending and descending are here assumed as undoubted properties of the
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/> r . •/ . Pf . Smith ' s Scripture Testimony to the Messiah . 597
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1831, page 597, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2601/page/21/
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