

Transcribed from the 1862 Wertheim, Macintosh and Hunt edition by David
Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org





                                 THOUGHTS
                                    ON
                              A REVELATION.


                                    BY
                           S. J. JERRAM, M.A.,
                        VICAR OF CHOBHAM, SURREY.

                                * * * * *

                                 LONDON:
                      WERTHEIM, MACINTOSH AND HUNT,
                           24, PATERNOSTER ROW,
                 AND 23, HOLLES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE.

                                  1862.




ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS.

                                                                 PAGE.

Introductory: proposed mode of treating the subject                1-4
1.--Knowledge of God needful                                         4
  ,,,,,, cannot be obtained by direct perception of               5
      God
  ,,,,,, cannot be obtained, to a sufficient extent,              6
      by exercise of natural faculties
  ,,,,,, cannot be obtained by any implanted idea                 6
  ,,,,,, therefore must be revealed                               8
   Objection arising from non-universality of a                      8
      Revelation answered
2.--Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected              9
      to be _given_
   Revelation must have a distinctive character                      9
  ,,,,,, must be authenticated to original recipients            10
  ,,,,,, cannot convey a perfect knowledge of God                12
  ,,,,,, must be limited by the object designed                  12
  ,,,,,, must be limited also by the state of                    14
      knowledge existing at the time when made
  ,,,,,, must be, in some degree, phenomenal                     15
   Such a Revelation appears to be the only one in                  16
      accordance with man's position, and also adequate
   Words as a medium of Revelation must be limited by               18
      ideas already existing, which ideas are also limited by
      experience
   Anthropomorphic notions of God; the Infinite and                 19
      Absolute
   Ideas as a medium of Revelation; ideas and perceptions           20
      distinguished, etc.
   Perception as a medium of Revelation; not in itself              22
      adequate
3.--Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected             26
      to be _recorded_, etc.
   Exact verbal record considered; difference of                    26
      languages, etc.
   Distinction drawn as to meaning of "exact verbal                 29
      record"
   Divine and human elements in a Revelation; variety of            29
      style, etc.
   Considerations as to the precise manner of recording a           31
      Revelation
4.--Conditions under which a Revelation may be expected             32
      to be _transmitted_
5.--Some considerations as to the conditions under which            34
      a professed Revelation may be properly _accepted_
   Evidence to contemporaries: miracles, doctrines, etc.            34
   Evidence to others                                               37
   Observations as to believing: aid derived from others,           37
      rapidity of mental processes, intuitions
6.--Some considerations as to the Bible, as a professed             41
      Revelation
   Its pure morality, hold on public opinion, etc., mark            43
      it out as _different_ from other books
   Why a candid spirit is _especially_ needful for the              43
      study of it
   Its offer of supernatural aid considered                         45
   Its offer of supernatural aid is in accordance with              46
      the general beliefs as to Providence, and prayer


THOUGHTS ON A REVELATION.


Few persons can have observed attentively the various phases of public
opinion on religious subjects during the last twenty years or more,
without noticing a growing tendency to the accumulation of difficulties
on the subject of Revelation.  Geology, ethnology, mythical
interpretation, critical investigation, and inquiries of other kinds,
have raised their several difficulties; and, in consequence, infidels
have rejoiced, candid inquirers have been perplexed, and even those who
have held with firmness decided views on the distinctive character of the
inspiration of the Bible, have sometimes found it difficult to satisfy
their minds entirely, and to see clearly the grounds of their
conclusions.

The writer of these pages does not propose to attempt a detailed reply to
the various difficulties which have been raised.  Answers to objections
arising from the pursuit of particular sciences are most effectually
given by those, who have made those sciences their study; nor can