And my last accents hail thine opening day.”
The à priori proof of the existence of a Deity — Proof from Revelation — Dr. Johnson’s definition of Inspiration — Various Meanings assigned to the word ‘Revelation’ — Illustration of transmitted Testimony — The third source of proof of the existence of a Deity — By an examination of His Works — Effect of hearing the Athanasian Creed read for the first time.
THERE are three sources from which it is stated that man can arrive at the knowledge of the existence of a Deity.
- 1. The à priori or metaphysical proof. Such is that of Dr. Samuel Clarke.
- 2. From Revelation.
- 3. From the examination of the works of the Creator.
1. The first of these, the à priori proof, is of such a nature that it can only be apprehended in a high state of civilization, and then only by the most intellectual. Even amongst that very limited class it does not, as an argument, command universal assent.
2. The argument deduced from revelation is advanced in many countries and for several different forms of faith. {397} When it is sincerely adopted it deserves the most respectful examination. It must, however, on the other hand, be submitted to the most scrutinizing inquiry. As long as the believer in any form of revelation maintains it by evidence or by argument, it is only by such means that it ought to be questioned.
〈WILFUL ABUSE OF LANGUAGE.〉
When, however, professed believers dare to throw doubt upon the motives of those whose arguments they are unable to refute, and still more, when, availing themselves of the imperfections of language, they apply to their opponents epithets which they can defend in one sense but know will be interpreted in another—when they speak of an adversary as a disbeliever, because, though he believes in the same general revelation, he doubts the accuracy of certain texts, or believes in a different interpretation of others—when they apply the term infidel, meaning thereby a disbelief in their own view of revelation, but knowing that it will be understood as disbelief in a Deity,—then it is at least allowable to remind them that they are richly paid for the support of their own doctrines, whilst those they revile have no such motives to influence or to mislead their judgment.
Before, however, we enter upon that great question it is necessary to observe that belief is not a voluntary operation. Belief is the result of the influence of a greater or less preponderance of evidence acting upon the human mind.