The Use of Sacred History; Especially as Illustrating and Confirming the Great Doctrines of Revelation. to Which Are Prefixed Two Dissertations the First, on the Authrnticity of the History Contained in the Pentateuch, and in Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1802 edition. Excerpt: ...of the greatest importance, that such objects be presented to it, as tend to make proper and useful impressions. In its natural state, it is under the power of vanity. Therefore the Gentiles are said to " walk in the vanity " of their minds," or imaginations, " having the " understanding darkened 1." This vanity of the mind especially appears by its ardent pursuit of vain objects, and by its great instability. The natural darkness of the understanding is greatly increased by the habitual vanity of the imagination. Flying from spiritual objects, and eagerly pursuing those that correspond to its own vanity, it obscures the understanding with a multitude of ideas which bear this character, and which therefore tend to pervert its judgment. As this power is changed by grace, God, in the external revelation he hath given us, is pleased to employ means which are adapted to its peculiar frame. He does not merely make use of considerations i Eph. iv. 17. ations suited to the nature of the understanding, and motives which have a tendency to influence the will: he also exhibits such objects as are most apt to impress the imagination, and exhibits them in such a way as is most likely to produce the deepest impression. Because this power of the foul is inferior to the understanding, and ought to submit to its decisions; because it is of itself wild and ungovernable, and very subject to illusion; many perhaps give it far less attention than it deserves, and may be apt to imagine that very little regard is paid to it in Scripture, or in gracious operation. But the more wild it is, the greater is the necessity of its being tamed. The more that it is subject to illusion, the greater is the occasion for supplying it with proper...