Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/165

Rh All these things without a revelation, and in the present state of mankind without the Word, would have been altogether unknown; and yet man is so created, that as to his spirit or soul he can never die.

It is well known, that the art of writing has prevailed here from the most ancient time, first on the rind or bark of trees, next on skins or parchment, afterwards on paper, and lastly that the art of printing with types has succeeded. This was provided of the Lord for the sake of the Word, that it might be published, multiplied, and preserved through all ages. It's publication through the whole earth is facilitated by means of the general commerce or communication, which subsists among all nations, both by land and water: so that the Word, once written and printed, may be transferred from one country to another, and be every where taught. Such communication was also provided of the Lord for the sake of the Word, and the incalculable blessings resulting from a knowledge of it's divine contents. The first and most essential thing, on account of which the Word was given, is, as before observed, that it might be made known to all, that God hath been made a Man: for no one can believe in a God, and love a God, without contemplating him under some appearance or form. Hence it is, that they who acknowledge him in no form, but regard him as a something incomprehensible, diffused through infinite space, sink in their thought into nature, and thereby believe in no God, however they may profess the contrary with their lips. Such being the danger, to which man is exposed, who thinks of a Divine Being without light from heaven, it therefore pleased the Lord to be born here, and to make this manifest by the Word, that it might not only be made known to the inhabitants of this globe, but to all in