Nor do I dispute the possibility of giving a different meaning to His words, for I know, and most gladly acquiesce in the righteousness of the fact, that revelation is not demonstration, which necessarily overcomes even the truth-hater, but such evidence as by its nature may satisfy the truth-seeker.  The criticism which is essential for our inquiry is that which will receive, and not give a meaning.  With such a principle, let the readers peruse any one Gospel—­especially the Gospel of St John—­and in the presence of God say, Was it the intention of Jesus himself to teach that He was human only, or that He was divine also?

Now, to illustrate what I mean, and to aid the reader to follow out this first branch of Scripture evidence for himself, let us look, for example, at the Sermon on the Mount.  This wonderful portion of our Lord’s teaching is most frequently referred to by those who profess to admire the precepts of the gospel, but not its “doctrines,” and to accept of Jesus as a teacher of morality, though rejecting Himself as divine.  Yet is it possible to hear that sermon even without perceiving a consciousness on the part of the speaker of an authority, a power, a dignity, which, belonged to no mere creature?  This is not so much brought forward in distinct doctrinal statements, but is assumed by Him, as that which gave to fact and doctrine all the additional authority which could be afforded by the lips of one who had come from God.  Consider such words, for instance, as the following:—­“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  Marvellous words indeed!  Who is this, we naturally ask after hearing them, who at the general judgment is to be addressed by “many?” How should He be thought of at all amidst the awful solemnities of that day, and be singled out and appealed to as one of such authority and power?  Who is this that is addressed as “Lord, Lord?” What “name” is this in which many prophesied, and by which many were able to cast out devils, and to do marvellous works?  Who is this that utters the sentence, “Depart from me?” and who is He that such a sentence should be an object of dread, yea, the very climax of human woe?  He who uttered these words was a poor man indeed, a Jewish artisan, at that moment seated on a grassy hill surrounded by many as poor and unknown as Himself!  But did He wish to give the impression that He was nothing more?  “The people were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  No wonder!  For what scribe—­what teacher—­what apostle—­what mere man who ever lived had authority to utter such words as those we have just read! (Read also in connexion with this, Matt. xxv. 31-46.)