S in a dream we
fancy that we hear, and that the organs of hearing are actually
impressed, and that we see with our eyes-although neither the bodily
organs of sight nor hearing are affected, but it is the mind alone
which has these sensations - so there is no absurdity in believing
that similar things occurred to the prophets, when it is recorded
that they witnessed occurrences of a rather wonderful kind, as when
they either heard the words of the Lord or beheld the heavens
opened. For I do not suppose that the visible heaven was actually
opened, and its physical structure divided, in order that Ezekiel
might be able to record such an occurrence. Should not, therefore,
the same be believed of the Saviour by every intelligent hearer of
the Gospels? - although such an occurrence may be a stumbling-block
to the simple, who in their simplicity would set the whole world in
movement, and split in sunder the compact and mighty body of the
whole heavens.