OBJECTION 27. — NOT SPEAKING SMOOTH THINGS

But what will not the opposer seize upon as an objection to the visions? It is usually considered a characteristic of false prophets that they prophesy peace, and speak smooth things; and the Bible so represents. But lo! the visions are denounced as false because they do not do this very thing. They denounce sin, they expose evil, they warn the church of its dangers, point out its wrongs and reveal its failings. Then, says the objector, this people are not God’s people, or they would not be guilty of being in such a condition as to merit these reproofs; but the visions say they are God’s people; hence the visions are false. According to the objection no people can be God’s people who are guilty of any wrong whatever; or if they are, they must never be reproved for it; and moreover, they must never get right and regain God’s favor, and be saved at last; for God’s people must always be perfect; and if they are ever in a condition to merit reproof, they are not his people! A more stultified and unscriptural process of reasoning, than is involved in this objection, is rarely to be met with. It does away with the Bible, and with every Christian people who have ever lived. It is requiring altogether too much to ask us to give up the visions for such reasons as this.VEGW 81.2