05.03.02 - The Divine Care and Preservation of the Scriptures

(2) The Divine Care and Preservation of the Scriptures

Something needs to be said respecting the risks and hazards associated with the Scriptures as the record of God’s revelation to man, and the means by which they were to become acquainted with it, and the way God has cared for and preserved the Scriptures to the Church and the world. While many forms of belief, articles of faith, forms of worship, and even religious sects and parties, professedly based upon the Scriptures, or derived theirfrom, “ have had their day and ceased to be, the Scriptures themselves hold on their way, and survive all the shocks of hostile criticism, and attempts made to corrupt and destroy them; and to-day they are “the power of God” for the purpose of the enlightenment and salvation of men. The Scriptures, as concerned with the revelation of God’s gracious purposes for the race, are the object of Divine testimony and care, and as such commend themselves to men for acceptance and obedience. Moreover, the religious and the spiritual element shines forth upon the minds and hearts of men from out of that which is historical in a manner that is unique and challenges attention, and verifies their claims upon the faith and acceptance of men. We have here a witness to their Divine origin, and a presumptive evidence in favour of their Divine authority.