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There are several reasons to justify this boldness in religion: —

I. IT IS A DIVINE SYSTEM.

1. All the arguments for the Divinity of this book may be ranged under one word — congruity.

(1) The congruity of its contents with collateral history.

(2) The congruity of its Contents with itself. Though written by different men in different ages, in different lands, there is no essential contradiction.

(3) Congruity with our antecedent notions of God.

(4) Congruity with man's reason, intuitions, wants.

2. What folly to be ashamed of speaking of a book whose author is God Himself.

II. IT IS A RATIONAL SYSTEM.

1. In saying this we do not say —

(1) That men's interpretations of it are rational. Nor —

(2) That all it contains can be comprehended by reason.

2. Its incomprehensibles answer two purposes — furnish an argument for its Divinity, and a schooling energy for the student.

3. There are two facts in favour of this rationality.

(1) That its most thoughtful students have ever been impressed with its reasonableness.

(2) That it has ever proved itself the most powerful agent in developing the rationality of mankind. Why, then, should we be ashamed of speaking of a system so rational, a system that can bear the scrutiny of the keenest intellect, the analysis of the severest philosophy?

III. IT IS A POWERFUL SYSTEM.

1. Because it is true. All truth is powerful.

2. Because it is moral truth. Truth for the affections and conscience is the most powerful kind of truth.

3. Because it is remedial truth. Truth revealing provisions for recovering sinners.

4. Because it is embodied truth: — Truth, coming, not in mere proposition or precept, but in example, in the example of God Himself. It is, indeed, "the power of God." Every page in the history of its triumphs demonstrates its almighty power. Then you may well glory in it.

IV. IT IS A RESTORATIVE SYSTEM. It is a power, not to destroy, but to save.

V. IT IS A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM. It is not for a class, a sect, a province, a period; it is for universal man.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

WEB: I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.