Here you must recur to the pretensions of the writer to inspiration from God. But those facts in the Bible which contradict the laws of nature, must be examined with more care, and under a variety of faces. The testimony of the writer weighs in their favor, in one scale, and their not being against the laws of nature, does not weigh against them. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature, you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus. Read the Bible, then as you would read Livy or Tacitus.
You will naturally examine first, the religion of your own country. Question with boldness even the existence of a God because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. shake off all the fears & servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. In the first place, divest yourself of all bias in favor of novelty & singularity of opinion. Your reason is now mature enough to examine this object.
0 kommentar(er)
