Happily for Nathanael, he had a friend, who, if not able to satisfy all his doubts, was capable of giving him such advice, as, if duly followed, would issue in the removal of them.]
In this advice of Philip we shall see,
II. The remedy of it —
Inquiry is the obvious remedy to be applied, in all cases. To all then, who are under the influence of prejudice, I would say, " Come and see."
1. To the profane Atheist —
[I will grant that your prejudices are not wholly destitute of some plausible grounds whereon to stand. There are in the world many things which seem calculated to impress the mind with an idea that there is no controlling Providence, to protect
e Acts xix. 34. h Luke xii. 54 — 57.
the good, and to punish the workers of iniquity. It does appear strange that the ungodly should be permitted so to triumph, and that the righteous should be so exposed to their malignity. But, whilst I grant that these things may prove a stumbling-block to the inconsiderate, I must say, that, on a closer inspection, there will be found such evidence of a Divine agency in the world as will be abundantly sufficient to remove all doubts upon the subject. If we look at the earth, we cannot conceive that it came into existence by a fortuitous concussion of atoms : nor, if we survey the heavenly bodies, and trace them in their various courses, can we imagine, that they are left to themselves, without any one to uphold them in their orbits. If we behold a watch, or any other complicated machine, we never suppose that it made itself, or that it needs not the superintendence of an intelligent agent to regulate its motions. How much less, then, can we contemplate the infi- nitely diversified objects of the whole creation, all preserved in their order for thousands of years, and not confess a creating power, and a superintending Providence ? Only let any man " come and see," and his doubts will vanish, like the mist before the noon-day sun.]
2. To the proud infidel —
[You, too, have specious reasons for disbelieving the Holy Scriptures. There are in the sacred volume many things which you cannot comprehend. But is this a just ground for denying its divine authority ? Are there not truths in human sciences which surpass your comprehension ? Why, then, may you not expect to find such in a revelation from God ? Look at the evidences of our holy religion : see whether the prophecies, so numerous, so minute, so incapable of being accomplished by any collusion or confederacy whatever, do not determine, beyond a possibility of doubt, that they were inspired by an omniscient and Almighty God. Mark the miracles, too, by which the doctrines both of the Old and New Testament were confirmed ; and say whether they do not, of necessity, commend themselves as of divine origin. Only " come and see" with a candid mind, and you shall be fully satisfied that the Scriptures are indeed the word of God.]
3, To the self-justifying moralist —
[You persuade yourself, that because we deny to works the office of justifying the soul before God, we discourage the performance of them ; and that, consequently, the doctrine which we preach, of salvation by faith alone, cannot be true. But your conclusions are erroneous altogether. If you will but examine for yourselves, you shall find, that no other way of salvation than that which the Gospel has proclaimed is