Thoughts on a Revelation

by S. J. Jerram

Transcribed from the 1862 Wertheim, Macintosh and Hunt edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

THOUGHTS
on
A REVELATION.

by
S. J. JERRAM, M.A.,
vicar of chobham, surrey.

london:
WERTHEIM, MACINTOSH AND HUNT,
24, Paternoster Row,
and 23, Holles Street, Cavendish Square.

1862.

ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS.

	page.
Introductory: proposed mode of treating the subject	[1]–4
1.—Knowledge of God needful	[4]
,, ,, ,, cannot be obtained by direct perception of God	[5]
,, ,, ,, cannot be obtained, to a sufficient extent, by exercise of natural faculties	[6]
,, ,, ,, cannot be obtained by any implanted idea	[6]
,, ,, ,, therefore must be revealed	[8]
Objection arising from non-universality of a Revelation answered	[8]
2.—Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected to be given	[9]
Revelation must have a distinctive character	[9]
,, ,, ,, must be authenticated to original recipients	[10]
,, ,, ,, cannot convey a perfect knowledge of God	[12]
,, ,, ,, must be limited by the object designed	[12]
,, ,, ,, must be limited also by the state of knowledge existing at the time when made	[14]
,, ,, ,, must be, in some degree, phenomenal	[15]
Such a Revelation appears to be the only one in accordance with man’s position, and also adequate	[16]
Words as a medium of Revelation must be limited by ideas already existing, which ideas are also limited by experience	[18]
Anthropomorphic notions of God; the Infinite and Absolute	[19]
Ideas as a medium of Revelation; ideas and perceptions distinguished, etc.	[20]
Perception as a medium of Revelation; not in itself adequate	[22]
3.—Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected to be recorded, etc.	[26]
Exact verbal record considered; difference of languages, etc.	[26]
Distinction drawn as to meaning of “exact verbal record”	[29]
Divine and human elements in a Revelation; variety of style, etc.	[29]
Considerations as to the precise manner of recording a Revelation	[31]
4.—Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected to be transmitted	[32]
5.—Some considerations as to the conditions under which a professed Revelation may be properly accepted	[34]
Evidence to contemporaries: miracles, doctrines, etc.	[34]
Evidence to others	[37]
Observations as to believing: aid derived from others, rapidity of mental processes, intuitions	[37]
6.—Some considerations as to the Bible, as a professed Revelation	[41]
Its pure morality, hold on public opinion, etc., mark it out as different from other books	[43]
Why a candid spirit is especially needful for the study of it	[43]
Its offer of supernatural aid considered	[45]
Its offer of supernatural aid is in accordance with the general beliefs as to Providence, and prayer	[46]

THOUGHTS ON A REVELATION.

Few persons can have observed attentively the various phases of public opinion on religious subjects during the last twenty years or more, without noticing a growing tendency to the accumulation of difficulties on the subject of Revelation. Geology, ethnology, mythical interpretation, critical investigation, and inquiries of other kinds, have raised their several difficulties; and, in consequence, infidels have rejoiced, candid inquirers have been perplexed, and even those who have held with firmness decided views on the distinctive character of the inspiration of the Bible, have sometimes found it difficult to satisfy their minds entirely, and to see clearly the grounds of their conclusions.

The writer of these pages does not propose to attempt a detailed reply to the various difficulties which have been raised. Answers to objections arising from the pursuit of particular sciences are most effectually given by those, who have made those sciences their study; nor can there be any doubt that, if the book of nature and the Bible spring from the same source, an increasing acquaintance with both will tend to show their harmony with each other, and to dispel the perplexities which