Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/19

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not only in such language, but also in such order, as would best enable all classes of readers to grasp the subject and general plan clearly. While thorough and orderly study is necessary to the appreciation of any of the sciences, it is specially so in the science of Divine revelation. And in this work it is doubly necessary, from the Tact that in addi- tion to its being a treatise on divinely revealed truths, it is an examination of the subject from, so far as vre know, cm altogether different standpoint from that of any other work. We have no apology to offer for treating many subjects usually neglected by Christians among others, the coming of our Lord, and the prophecies and symbolism of the Old and New Testaments. No system of theology should be pre- sented, or accepted, which overlooks or o.iiits the most prominent features of Scripture teaching. We trust, how- ever, that a wide distinction will be recognised between the earnest, sober and reverent study o< r prophecy and other scriptures, in the light of accomplished historic facts, to obtain conclusions which sanctified common sense can ap- prove, and a too common practice of general speculation, which, when applied to divine prophecy, is too apt to give loose rein to wild theory and vague fancy. Those who fall into this dangerous habit generally develop into proph- ets (?) instead of prophetic students.

No work is more noble and ennobling than the reverent study of the revealed purposes of God " which things the angels desire to look into." (i Pet. i : 12.) The fact that God's wisdom provided prophecies of the future, as well as statements regarding the present and the past, is of itself a reproof by Jehovah of the foolishness of some of his chil- dren, Vr'ho have excused their ignorance and neglect of the study of His Word by saying: "There is enough in the fifth chapter of Matthew to save any man." Nor should we suppose that prophecy was given merely to satisfy curiosity

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