Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit | Page 6

the whole creation is included in the
consequences of the Fall--[Greek text which cannot be reproduced]--so
also in those of the change at the Redemption--[Greek text which
cannot be reproduced]. We too shall be raised IN THE BODY.
Christianity is fact no less than truth. It is spiritual, yet so as to be
historical; and between these two poles there must likewise be a
midpoint, in which the historical and spiritual meet. Christianity must
have its history--a history of itself and likewise the history of its
introduction, its spread, and its outward- becoming; and, as the
midpoint abovementioned, a portion of these facts must be miraculous,
that is, phenomena in nature that are beyond nature. Furthermore, the
history of all historical nations must in some sense be its history--in
other words, all history must be providential, and this a providence, a
preparation, and a looking forward to Christ.
Here, then, we have four out of the five classes. And in all these the sky
of my belief is serene, unclouded by a doubt. Would to God that my
faith, that faith which works on the whole man, confirming and
conforming, were but in just proportion to my belief, to the full
acquiescence of my intellect, and the deep consent of my conscience!
The very difficulties argue the truth of the whole scheme and system for
my understanding, since I see plainly that so must the truth appear, if it

be the truth.
V. But there is a Book of two parts, each part consisting of several
books. The first part (I speak in the character of an uninterested critic
or philologist) contains the relics of the literature of the Hebrew people,
while the Hebrew was still the living language. The second part
comprises the writings, and, with one or two inconsiderable and
doubtful exceptions, all the writings of the followers of Christ within
the space of ninety years from the date of the Resurrection. I do not
myself think that any of these writings were composed as late as A.D.
120; but I wish to preclude all dispute. This Book I resume as read, and
yet unread--read and familiar to my mind in all parts, but which is yet
to be perused as a whole, or rather a work, cujus particulas et
sententiolas omnes et singulas recogniturus sum, but the component
integers of which, and their conspiration, I have yet to study. I take up
this work with the purpose to read it for the first time as I should read
any other work, as far at least as I can or dare. For I neither can, nor
dare, throw off a strong and awful prepossession in its favour--certain
as I am that a large part of the light and life, in and by which I see, love,
and embrace the truths and the strengths co-organised into a living
body of faith and knowledge in the four preceding classes, has been
directly or indirectly derived to me from this sacred volume-- and
unable to determine what I do not owe to its influences. But even on
this account, and because it has these inalienable claims on my
reverence and gratitude, I will not leave it in the power of unbelievers
to say that the Bible is for me only what the Koran is for the deaf Turk,
and the Vedas for the feeble and acquiescent Hindoo. No; I will retire
UP INTO THE MOUNTAIN, and hold secret commune with my Bible
above the contagious blastments of prejudice, and the fog-blight of
selfish superstition. FOR FEAR HATH TORMENT. And what though
MY reason be to the power and splendour of the Scriptures but as the
reflected and secondary shine of the moon compared with the solar
radiance; yet the sun endures the occasional co-presence of the
unsteady orb, and leaving it visible seems to sanction the comparison.
There is a Light higher than all, even THE WORD THAT WAS IN THE
BEGINNING; the Light, of which light itself is but the shechinah and
cloudy tabernacle; the Word that is Light for every man, and life for as

many as give heed to it. If between this Word and the written letter I
shall anywhere seem to myself to find a discrepance, I will not
conclude that such there actually is, nor on the other hand will I fall
under the condemnation of them that would LIE FOR GOD, but seek as
I may, be thankful for what I have--and wait.
With such purposes, with such feelings, have I perused the books of the
Old and New Testaments, each book as a whole, and also as an
integral part. And need I say that I have met everywhere more or less
copious sources of truth, and power, and purifying impulses, that I
have found