their separation from the world in a very different light; and on them it had a humbling effect. Similar are the effects produced now by the various and opposite views which are taken of the subject in question. Let it be viewed apart from the doctrine of the cross, and the dof worst consequences will follow! It is well to mark the use made by the apostles of every doctrine they taught. What is suited to one state of mind may be ill adapted to another. This consideration, no doubt, guided the spirit of wisdom in framing the general structure of Revelation so as best to fit it for general use. Should a thing be in itself connected with the nature and administration of the Almighty, yet, if it cannot, in our circumstances, be of real advantage to us to dwell upon it, there is reason to expect that his word will be t silent on it. There are, accordingly, things which, though they result from every right view of the perfections of God, the Scriptures do not, strictly speaking, teach, much less dwell upon. They leave them as they are; and, instead of occupying our minds with what is calculated to perplex, they point us to those things which at once enlighten, purify, and comfort. They leall not to the inscrutable secrets of eternity, or to what we cannot here, and perhaps not hereafter, in the least degree comprehend, but direct us to what may in a considerable measure be understood in this life, and which, when understood, will influence our principles and character, so as to promote our conformity to the image of God, and our true and permanent blessedness. 10 esh 9 m vol

In the history of the labours of the apostles we find them invariably dwelling on the unfettered invitations of the Gospel, as the means of bringing sinners to the Saviour. They expatiate in the most promiscuous assemblies on the perfection and all-sufficiency of the atonement-they in the most unrestricted manner call

stent w The Gospel addresses men simply as sininers, and not as included in a particular purpose, and the faith of the Gospel is not the belief of one's election, but the belief of the testimony of God concerning the perfection and all-sufficiency of the work of the Redeemer; and if so, why 15 perplex lex the hearers of the Gospel with discussions the he which, however different our design may be, will almost infallibly lead them to dwell on the unrevealed secrets of heaven, rather than on the blessed message of reconciliation. Many of them can understand the difference between being saved in any measure by their own deeds, and being saved entirely through Christ, who are really incapable of at all following discussions on the subject in question. Many, too, who have received the love of the saving truth, are naturally incapable of going far into abstract reasonings on these subjects, without being stumbled not only as to human reSvetog sarde even sponsibility, but even as to the doctrine of the grace of God. Now, were they treated as they are in Scripture, to do turo. ballco taui ud and, not in an abstract manner, the safie difficulties. itas eldersbtenos te feltibiste smoa to ansiteind would by no means

It has been very justly remarked, that Theology, properly so called, consists of necessary truths and revealed truths; its principles, in other words, consist of facts. The origin of that class of truths which arise

from the very nature of things, is not in Revelation, though it has furnished the light by which alone they ht by which al were clearly discoverable; and supplies the strongest possible confirmation of their antecedent existence. All metaphysical speculations respecting the origin of evil, the nature of free will, the consistency of the Divine prescience with the freedom of moral agency, and, in general, the c causes and nd essences of things, are foreign from what is substantially a system of facts,, involving practical consequences of an infinite value. Take away, for instance, from the gospel system the proposition, that all men are sinners, and it is without meaning, by logo yet it is not responsible for the fact. The state of man is not, indeed, clearly discoverable by the light of nature, but yet true antecedently to the revelation which to 7001291.901 20 confirms it. Discussions, therefore, on the subjects just mentioned are out of place when introduc introduced in connection with the gospel remedy, and it were well if those metaphysical, or indeed, rather physical controversies, org which have obtained regarding them, were treated as 10 19189 relating to a system which, though implied or assumed in revelation, has not been originate 2243 originated by it." It is on these principles that the Scriptures rather take certain 0982990 has absob things for granted than directly teach them, even though -they arise necessarily out of the attributes, and perfec

tions of the Divine naturevse odt to syol sdt havi -doa The views, dear f friend, now stated respecting the Scripture manner of treating those those subjects, serve to to show the wisdom of the ambassadors of Christ, who gave 97to every one his portion in due season, whether they were yet in the world, or but just called out of it, or came ujjon Christians of some standing, and of considerable emivenence in the faith of Christ, They considered well what was likely to be of most s o likely to be injurious. What in o

comes a stimulant, may in another induce torpor. The

great thing is the state of the heart, whether really ho nest or the contrary. To one whose affections are in a healthful state, and and whose powers are in constant action, the apostolic views of these things will be salutary. But to those who are beginning to see the light, and who, through mental infirmity, and perhaps rooted prejudices, cannot bear such discussions, they may be very morbi stumbling and perplexing. When even a Christian sinks into a morbid state, what was once of of service may

characters among

us. There were many things which even the disciples of Christ could not fine the first Christfor a time bear, and the apostles fed similar char ians with milk, and by no means with strong meat. When they declared “the whole counsel of God," they did so because they

Acts xx. 20.

kept back nothing that was profitable There was nothing like sinful to 91500g 32691, ont ralj Jo compromise, but a wise adaptation, to the attainments of their hearers. To such especially whose hearts have not been reconciled to God, another mode of instruction had been highly injurious. The attention of unbelievers of the Gospel, when occupied with the subjects in question, is turned from the particular truths which in a special manner are addressed to them, and which alone can reconcile the heart unto God. The justly esteemed Mr. Scott, has well observed that they are not 10 proper subjects to insist on when we speak to sin

all

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or to newly awakened persons. It is true that

have before us a great

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as we ought to be,

the 1913 0107, boreupon How 24 truth of the time, but if with the harmony and connexion of the

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Scripture, properly impressed with the great object of our instructions, and a

and alive to our need of Divine teaching, we shall be enabled to give every one his portion od onota of truth in due season without keeping back one

which our circumstances require to be declared. A rash

and an unguarded manner of stating doctrines of Scrip

tion. This amounts to nothing more than beginning 0 h the Gospel as J62193585 10 391TRY. 33979 82 9101ed oved you with first principles; for it is with the sciences, into which no person can deeply enter trand 30 pidiments. without being well acquainted with What is it but," to use "rightly dividing

ao dod prove actually injurious. They are in fact in some re 29.00 is to roam babysugm ne bite