No; if we have any real reverence for the Holy
Scriptures, we must take them word for word in their plain meaning, and
find the message of God's Spirit in that plain meaning, instead of trying
to put it in for ourselves. Therefore it is that the VII. Article bids
us beware of playing with Scripture in this way. It says the Old
Testament is not contrary to the New, for both in the Old and New
Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ. Wherefore
they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for
transitory promises, that is temporary promises, promises which would be
fulfilled only in this life, and end and pass away when they died.
But some one will say, how can that be, when so many of the old Hebrews
seem to have known nothing about the next life? Moses, for instance,
always promises the Children of Israel that if they do right, and obey
God, they shall be rewarded in this life, with peace and prosperity,
fruitfulness and wealth; but of their being rewarded in the next life he
never says one word--which last statement is undeniably true.
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