Bishop Pearce quotes Ps. cx. 1, but this, with his
meaning, proves too much. It disproves an article of the Creed. It proves that
Christ never will "come to judge the quick and the dead." He also
quotes 1 Tim. iv. 13. How do we know that when Paul did come he might not have
other employment for him?
. . .
When we have fully "examined numerous passages of
Holy Scripture," as Helvidius did, we trust there are few but will come to
the same conclusion.
(1.) Gen. xix. 22. But we know that when Lot was come
thither the angel did do something.
(2.) Gen. xlix. 10. But we know that when Shiloh came the
sceptre did depart from Judah.
(3.) 1 Sam. xiv. 24. But no one imagines the fast was
continued beyond the evening.
(4.) 1 Sam. xv. 35. Had the phrase in Matt. i. 25, been
as here, ουκ εγινωσκεν αυτην εως ημερας θανατου αυτου, we should have seen
plainly that another thing was meant than what we read. They cannot both mean
the same. So of 2 Sam. vi. 23. Mary had no child till the day of her death.
(5.) Dan. iv. 23. "Till seven times," &c.
But we know that after the seven times the king was restored.
(6.) John, xxi. 22. "Tarry till I come," (A.D. 96,
as seems most likely.) He did not tarry much longer. See Rev. i.
(7.) Acts, xxiii. 12. But doubtless they would not have
fasted much longer. This is a case in point.
(8.) Rev. xx. 5. The Catholic interpretation of Matt. i.
25, applied to this verse would prove that there would be no "resurrection
to damnation" at all.
(9.) Ps. cxxxii. 5. But surely when the place was found
out he would go to rest. This is another parallel case.
(10.) Ezek. xxi. 27. But surely God would not continue to
"overturn" after His coming! And history compared with prophecy shows
that He did not.
(11.) Matt. ii. 13. But not after word was brought.
(12.) 1 Tim. vi. 14. "Fight the good fight of faith
.... until the appearing of our Lord Jesus." But surely at His appearing
our warfare is ended. (See 2 Tim. iv. 7.)
(13.) Matt. v. 26. But, doubtless, when it was paid the
unfortunate debtor would be let out.
(14.) Josh. x. 13. Here, too, when the people had avenged
themselves, the sun appeared again as usual, advancing on its course. We need
not to be told this.
(15.) Matt. xxviii. 20. In reference to this passage, it
is asked triumphantly, Will Christ forsake his disciples after the end of the
world? We answer, This is a promise of special guidance and protection to the
preachers of the Gospel as long as they are faithful and their services are needed.
But we know the time will come when "they shall no longer say each man to
his brother, Know the Lord; for they shall all know him from the greatest to
the least." Just so 1 Cor. xi. 26,-"till he come," but no
longer; for memorials of an absent Lord will not then be needed.
(16.) Comp. Luke, xxi. 24, with Isa. xiii. 20. These
examples are sufficient to show that if Joseph really did make and keep a vow
of continence, the phrase in Matt. i. 25, is calculated to mislead. Not as in
Deut. xxxiv. 6, to give us no information beyond a certain point, but
positively to give us false information. (Helvidius Redivivus; or, an
Examination of the Question, Who Were the Brethren of our Lord Spoken of Matt.
xiii. 55 [London: Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday, 1857], 3, 4-6)
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