Man’s Various Opinions of the Holy Scriptures
A small ship will sail safely over reefs upon which a large ship will crash. Such is also true for people as far as giving credence to the Word of God. Some do not look beyond the surface of the Word of God, nor do they seriously reflect upon the fact whether it is God’s Word. They hear and read it as something that is beneficial in nature—and beyond that they do not know what to say about it. Such is generally true for natural men who concern themselves but little with God and religion. Others receive it as being of divine origin, doing so simply because the church and everyone else declares it to be so. They neither desire nor are able to contradict it. Such generally do not derive any benefit from the Word and leave it be for what it is.
There are people—wretches I ought to call them—who succumb to the doubt of Descartes and fall into his whirlpool. They are of a quick understanding in their own eyes and insist on seeing, touching, and experiencing things. Wherever some knowledge is to be acquired, they are there. They put their reason upon the judgment seat and summon the Bible before them for the purpose of cross-examination, thus demanding at the same time that God give them an explanation of what He has said. Such are punished for their blatant boldness by being given over to a strong delusion—and frequently to eternal damnation.
Some are secretly wrought upon by the Holy Ghost (unbeknown to themselves) to believe the truth of the gospel in general and that the Scripture is of divine origin. The Word is effective upon their heart for comfort and godliness and they do not seek to know whether they are assured of its divine origin. God spares their little strength and does not subject them to these temptations. I counsel them that they proceed in their simplicity and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. They will thus enter heaven while others are battling each other.
Many of the Godly are Subject to This Temptation
Many of the godly, however, contrary to their wishes, become subject to doubts as to whether the Bible is the Word of God. Frequently the devil is the instigator, perhaps by way of sudden interjection: “Is this really true?” Or he may conceal himself in a subtle manner and craftily create the opportunity to arouse such thoughts, bringing forth counterfeit arguments and stirring a person up to respond to these. Thus, the safest course is to despise such suggestions and flee from them. However, such doubts also proceed from our own unbelieving heart. Sometimes one may quickly set such suggestions aside without giving heed to them; and thus they do no harm. Sometimes such suggestions have more effect, however, and we begin to entertain doubtful arguments (which I do not wish to mention here lest they gain a foothold) as they present themselves, and we reflect upon them. If this causes us to be in a dilemma and stimulates us to respond to it, we have become captives.
This begets all manner of undesirable frames such as darkness of understanding, unbelief, listlessness, restlessness, fear, and impotence. Such persons will then neither be able nor have the vigor to come to Jesus to view and receive Him as Surety. They will not be able to go to God through Him in order to be justified and they will not be able to derive comfort from any promise in the Word. The Word then neither functions as a hammer, fire, sword, or balm; nor does it nourish them. Such are kept from praying; and if they pray, it is spiritless, and the exercise of faith is nearly absent in it. All religious exercises are impeded, and they would pursue an independent religion of a natural sort, if both the spiritual light and the life yet residing in the soul did not prevent this. Since, however, this spiritual life and light cannot gain the upper hand over inherent unbelief (it being strengthened by natural reason), the soul will thus be grievously tossed back and forth. There can be neither rest nor peace in the soul, but only unsettledness and sorrow. This is not only the result of being unable to believe, pray, or engage themselves, but also because of an inability to ascertain Christ to be Surety and the complete way of salvation (for this is the necessary consequence of doubting divine truths). They are then also tempted to reject Him as such. Their conscience will rebuke them for this as being a dreadful and abominable sin, and it will cause them to be fearful of being damned. This condition will thus inflict considerable harm upon the soul.
How such would rejoice if they could be conclusively and powerfully convinced that the Bible is God’s voice, His declaration, and His Word! Since, however, this cannot be ascertained by either external senses or reason, but must be determined by faith alone, this must be the work of the Spirit of faith: “It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth” (1 John 5:6). The Spirit reveals to the conscience of believers that the Word of God has been inspired by the Spirit of God and is the infallible truth. Nevertheless, as faith in Christ is wrought by means of the Word, God likewise also uses means to convince of the truth of the Word itself. They are but means, however, and they cannot be efficacious unless the Spirit works by those means. May the Lord therefore work in the heart of such a faltering soul as I am engaged in seeking to convince and strengthen her. In the meantime, may such a person refrain from opposing us in this. Let him rather be silent and submissively allow himself to be instructed that the Bible is God’s Word.