The tradition of men is never faith; whether it be truth or error, it is never faith; it is natural, and belongs to man. Faith is the reception of a divine testimony by the soul, so that God Himself is believed; and, further, it is founded on His testimony alone. Man may be the instrument of leading me into truth—a signpost shows me the way—but I cannot believe man; that is, I cannot believe because man says it; I believe God. We have believed Satan when we were enjoying God's blessings; now God calls upon us to believe Himself. Herein is the real return of the soul to God. If I believe because "the Church" has put its authority or its sanction on that which I believe, I am just simply saying that I do not believe God.
The Bible is the Word of God. God has given a testimony carrying His authority with it, which testimony I am bound to believe; otherwise I despise God's testimony. To believe because man says it is true, or because "the Church" says it is true, is to make God a liar; for when I had only what God said, I did not believe. It is well to look this distinctly and definitely in the face.
There are two things: (1) that which I believe—the fullness, riches, and perfection of Christ; and (2) the ground on which I believe it. Now as to the latter, if a person were to tell me something, in order to really believe that person's testimony I must receive what he said, because he said it.
If I cannot believe God, why is it? My eyes are holden; I cannot believe when God speaks. He has not failed in giving the testimony. The only righteousness in regard of this is to believe what God says, because He says it; in other words, to believe God. To tell a person, "I will believe what you say when I get it sanctioned by another," is to distrust him. To require "the Church's" testimony to accredit God's Word is to disbelieve—to dishonor—God. In doing this, I am, as it respects moral position, infidel in regard to God.
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