He maintained that he spoke only " the words of truth and soberness" —
[He was not afraid of his assertions being brought to any test : he knew that they were the very truth of God, and that unbiassed reason must approve of all that he had taught.]
And, as far as our doctrine agrees with his, we also are ready to make our appeal both to reason and Scripture —
[Let our words be tried, and see whether they be not words of truth and soberness. Refer to Moses and the pro- phets, and see whether they do not set forth Christ as the " All in all" in the salvation of man. See whether they do not characterize a life of faith on the Son of God, as the true, the sure, the only source of happiness, both in this world and the next. They uniformly declare, that, if we " awake from our sleep, and arise from the dead, Christ will give us
Ught\n
Reason also is no less on our side than Revelation. If there be a God, should we not serve him ? If he have provided a Saviour for us, should we not seek an interest in him ? If that Saviour be empowered to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him, should we not cleave to him with full purpose of heart? Men may call this madness, if they will; but they are the dictates of sound reason : and to contradict them is as irrational as it is impious and profane ]
Improvement —
1. Be not alarmed at the aspersions cast upon re- ligion—
[Ungodly men will revile religion, and endeavour to deter others from embracing it, by calling it " madness." But the truth is, that they themselves are mad. Try them by the standard of reason and revelation, and see whether they can
stand the test? No: they are beside themselves;
" madness is in their hearts while they live :" " a deceitful heart hath turned them aside, so that they cannot deliver their souls, or say, Have I not a lie in my right hand?" If then they cry out against religion, know whence their clamour proceeds. The Jews said of Christ himself, " He hath a devil, and is mad: Why hear ye him?" Wonder not there- fore if similar advice be given in reference to his faithful ser- vants, and similar reasons be assigned for it : and if the service
11 Eph. v. 14. These words, though quoted by St. Paul, are not contained in any particular passage of the Old Testament ; but they are the substance of the whole.