Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever… I. THAT WE SHOULD NEVER PRY INTO MATTERS WHICH INFINITE WISDOM HATH CONCEALED. For we shall seldom, if at all, be wiser for such inquiries; we shall never be happier or better; and we shall usually be more wretched, and less innocent. In what reason or experience discovers to us, further speculations may produce new discoveries. But of articles depending on mere revelation, as we could have discerned nothing without it, we shall be able to discern very little of anything beyond it. In the shortest, and seemingly most obvious, consequences drawn concerning subjects that lie naturally out of our reach, we must be exceedingly liable to mistakes; and venturing far into the dark is the sure way to stumble. Another state may probably withdraw the veil, and acquaint us clearly with what now perplexes our reasonings and wearies our conjectures. Let us wait, then, contentedly for the time, which of necessity we must wait for. II. The next rule which Moses gives is, THAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE WITH ATTENTIVE HUMILITY WHATEVER INFINITE WISDOM COMMUNICATES TO US. For those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever. III. The last rule implied in the text is, THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW EVERY DIVINE TRUTH ITS DUE INFLUENCE ON OUR BEHAVIOUR. For we are to learn them, that we may do all the words of this law. Indeed, merely receiving the truth in the love of it is a moral act, and in some cases may be one of great virtue. When our Saviour saith of St. Thomas, "Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed." Blessed in proportion to the integrity of their judgment, not the positiveness of their persuasion. But scarce will it be found that any article of faith is proposed for the probation of this only. Each hath its practical consequences, either flowing of necessity from it or built with propriety upon it. (Archbishop Secker.) Parallel Verses KJV: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. |
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