I have taken the instance at random, and any other proposition might have served my purpose as well.  But men do not speak to one another at random; when they say anything to their neighbour, they mean it to produce on his mind a certain effect.  Suppose that we were living near the sea-coast, and any one were suddenly to come in, and to utter the words which I have taken as my example:  should we not know that what the man meant by these words was, that there was a danger at hand for which our help was needed?  It matters not that we have no distinct ideas of the terms “frigate” or “breakers;” we understand enough for our belief and practice, and we should hasten to the sea-shore accordingly.  Or suppose that the same words were told us of a frigate in which we had some near relation:  should we not see at once that what we were meant to understand and to believe in the words was, that we had lost a relation?  That is the truth with which we are concerned; and this we can understand and feel, although we may be able to understand nothing more of the words in which that truth is conveyed to us.  Now, in like manner, in whatever God says to us there is a purpose:  it is intended to produce on our minds a certain impression, and so far it must be understood.  But when God speaks to us of heavenly things, the terms employed can only be understood in part, and so far as God’s purpose with regard to our minds reaches; but there must be a great deal in them which we can no more understand than one who had never seen a ship, or a picture of one, could understand the word “frigate.”  Our business is to consider what impression or what actions the words are intended to produce in us.  Up to this point we can and must understand them:  beyond this they may be wholly above the reach of our faculties, and we can form of them no ideas at all.

It is clear that this will be the case most especially whenever God reveals to us anything concerning himself.  Take these few words, for example, “God is a spirit;” take them as a mere abstract truth, and how little can we understand about them!  Who will dare to say that he understands all that is contained in the words “God” and “spirit?” We might weary ourselves for ever in attempting so to search out either.  But God said these words to us:  and the point is, What impression did he mean them to have upon us? how far can we understand them?  This he has not by any means left doubtful, for it follows immediately, “They who worship him should worship Him in spirit and in truth.”  For this end the words were spoken, and thus far they are clear to us.  God lives not on Mount Gerizim or at Jerusalem:  but in every place he hears the prayers of the sincere and contrite heart, in no place will he regard the offerings of the proud and evil.