This is James Stuart Russell's argument for having NO Historical Verification to support his views. So the very point in question is the very thing he can not prove without having special eyes of faith to discern the mind of God. Russell makes Preterism a issue of faith in the unseen things and goes to great length to say how God demands this view. I find this approach typical of HyperPreterism and very arrogant to say the least.
Guinness Rogers. The Congregational Review. 1887.
The Parousia. Review from the "Presbyterian review," By the Rev. Dr. Briggs.
James Stuart Russell responding to Dr. Briggs. "The absence of " historical verification " must appear to many a serious, if not an insurmountable, difficulty. I know that I am " asking a great deal" when I ask men to believe in fulfillments of prophecy WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE REGION OF THE UNSEEN. (UNSEEN PAST EVENTS?) But, after all, it is not I who make this demand. I venture to affirm that it is made by the highest of all authority. (In other words, GOD DEMANDS THIS VIEW) I have endeavored to show that everything predicted which was capable of historical verification, has been amply, punctually verified ; but my contention is that a certain portion of the same prediction, resting on the same authority, is, in the nature of things, not capable of historical verification. I think it not unreasonable to argue that the actual accomplishment of nine-tenths of the prophecy, is a guarantee for the accomplishment of the tenth which does not fall within the sphere of human observation. I can conceive this, and I can believe it on the ground which to Dr. Briggs seems so preposterous — viz., " merely on the ground that these things were predicted by Jesus and His apostles." The illustrious Herder says: "It is obviously reasonable that the ascertained truth of one prophecy delivered by our Saviour should be strongly conclusive of the truth of another.'" There are cases in which a generous confidence is more reasonable and more Christian than a suspicious incredulity ; cases in which the language of our Lord to the doubting disciple is appropriate — "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." This, in my judgment, is pre-eminently a case in point ; and, after every cavil and question which unbelief can suggest, I venture humbly but confidently to repeat the saying which satisfied the scruples of hesitating disciples of old — IPSE DIXIT. (Page 151)
