THIS DIVINE LIGHT.
In the Scriptures we have a revelation of God's character, so far as we
can receive such a revelation. We can also form some ideas of His law,
and the potentiality of His wisdom and love. We have besides a
revelation of the nature of sin, and can have some idea of what it
deserves. Moreover, Christ is "the true Light that lighteth every man
that cometh into the world." When we are illuminated with this divine
Light, submit all our opinions to the Word of God, and are raised to an
impartial plane of judgment, I reverently think we may and ought to make
some intelligent forecast as to the suffering of the next life. In fact
we have not the option of remaining entirely without ideas on a subject
that so vitally concerns ourselves. We must project our thought at times
into the future, and form some ideas, more or less concrete, as to what
is in store for the race.
It seems well, therefore, to use reason and revelation conjointly, so
far as they will carry us. And while not dogmatic, we ought to remember
Bishop Butler's dictum, that if two views are opposed, and one is even a
little more probable than the other, we ought to embrace it as though it
were clearly demonstrated. Along the same line Mr. Gladstone says:
"The free development of conviction is, upon the whole, the system most
in favor both of truth and of charity.
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