An idle demand
To require a more minute and philosophical account of the manner by which we distinguish these, and of the criteria, or intrinsic marks, by which we know the voice of God, is to make a demand which can never be answered, no, not by one who has the deepest knowledge of God. Suppose, when Paul answered before Agrippa, the wise Roman had said, You talk of hearing the voice of the Son of God. How do you know it was his voice? By what criteria, what intrinsic marks, do you know the voice of God? Explain to me the manner of distinguishing this from a human or an angelic voice.
Can you believe the apostle himself would have once attempted to answer so idle a demand? And yet, doubtless, the moment he heard that voice, he knew it was the voice of God. But how he knew this, who is able to explain? Perhaps neither man nor angel.
1771 text
10. To require a more minute and philosophical account of the manner whereby we distinguish these, and of the criteria, or intrinsick marks, whereby we know the voice of God, is to make a demand which can never be answered; no, not by one who has the deepest knowledge of God. Suppose, when Paul answered before Agrippa, the wise Roman had said, “Thou talkest of hearing the voice of the Son of God. How dost thou know, it was his voice? By what criteria, what intrinsick marks, dost thou know the voice of God? Explain to me, the manner of distinguishing this, from a human or angelic voice.” Can you believe, the apostle himself would have once attempted to answer so idle a demand? And yet doubtless the moment he heard that voice, he knew it was the voice of God. But how he knew this, who is able to explain? Perhaps neither man nor angel.