and theological discussions on the fall of man, he sees in it the dreadful consequences of diso bedience to a divine command. The same conviction is still more deeply impressed by the history of the deluge. Instead of questioning the possibility of that event, or contriving means, by which it may have been effected, or dwelling on those recent observations, which evince its reality, he only reflects, that a whole world may be ruined by obstinate perseverance in profligacy and impiety.

In the lives of the Patriarchs he finds an inexhaustible scource of instruction, religious, moral and prudential, whether he reflect on the faith and resignation of Abraham, the piety and mildness of Isaac, the art and duplicity of Jacob, or the liberal, affectionate and forgiving character of Esau. Above all, the story of Joseph and his brethren will long detain him with the most grateful and edifying contemplation.

In the history of the Israelites, he will behold' the providence of God displayed in a manner, different from its ordinary course, but adapted to the singular and important object to be attained, the maintenance of true religion, and the future restoration of our incorrigible race. While others are gratified or scandalized by the vices and crimes of the actors, he will admire the wisdom, with which they are all made subservient to the unchangeable purposes of the Eternal mind; and

will be edified both by the virtues which adorn, and the sins which pollute, the most distinguished characters.

He will guard against a promiscuous or a partial adoption of their sentiments as laws of God, and of their actions as rules of life: for this practice has been a pregnant source of war and persecu tion, bigotry, uncharitableness, and fanaticism. A scriptural name has been the watchword for a sanguinary war or a fiery persecution; has roused the fury of hostile armies, and inflamed the antipathies of contending sects. The meek and humble disciple will, therefore, look to the New Testament for the rule of life and the criterion of truth; and adopt the sentiments, or examples recorded in the Old Testament, only when they cor respond with those of the New.

While he thus traces the course of Providence, in the conduct of nations, he is not inattentive to its influence on the lives of individuals. Thus he is prepared for the doctrine of him, who taught, that "not a sparrow falleth to the ground without our heavenly Father, and that even the hairs of our heads are all numbered;" and thus he learns to repose an entire confidence in his Maker, with respect to his personal concerns, and to submit with resignation to all his dispensations, studying only, that his own "heart shall not reproach him, as long as he has being."

The grandeur and sublimity of the book of

Job, the sacred poetry of David, and the wisdom of Solomon will supply a perennial source of edification and religious entertainment; and, in the lives of those illustrious men, he will read important lessons of caution and circumspection.

In the history of the succeeding kings, he will meet many instructive lessons, both of imitation and admonition; but he will dwell with particular pleasure on the lives of Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah, those great prophets, who were sent to uphold a falling state, and retard the ruin of a degenerate people; and the last of them, to announce a glorious renovation of the world under the Messiah. Beside the dignified parts, which they acted in political affairs, and the sublimity, with which their conduct is described, he will take delight in following those great men to the cottage of the poor widow of Sarepta, and the hospitable chamber of the good Shunamite. He will moralize on the barrel of meal and the cruise of oil; and partake of the joy of the mother, and the triumph of the prophet, when he said, "Take up thy

son."

Instead of involving himself in the dark and intricate labyrinth of prophetical disquisitions, he will dwell on the awful admonitions of the prophets to their degenerate contemporaries, and those predictions, which the learned have agreed in referring to the person and times of the Messiah.

Too humble to deem himself capable of penetrating the mysteries of the Divine nature, and

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too pious to make such awful topics the theme of disputation, he is happy in being assured by both revelations, and contented to know, that "the Lord God is one Lord; and that beside him there is no other; that he is our merciful heavenly Father, and the rewarder of all those who diligently seek and serve him.”

While others waste their time in disputing about the nature, person and office of Christ, it is enough for the humble disciple to be assured, that he was invested with Divine authority, and that he made known the nature and the will of God; that he pointed out the way to life eternal, and evinced the truth of that doctrine, by his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into heaven, "where he ever liveth to make intercession for us; and whence he shall come to judge both the living and the dead." While they lose all pretension to the meek and lowly character of his disciples, by the bigotry and uncharitableness, into which they are betrayed by endless and unintelligible controversies, the pious reader of the Bible is engaged in the more pleasing task of meditating on the morality of the Gospel; applying to himself the pure and amiable precepts of his Divine Master; consoling himself under the calamities of life, by his gracious promises; fortifying his unstable virtue against the terrors of the world, or the allurements of temptation, by his awful admonitions; and moulding his whole character after the semblance of his perfect model.

The miracles of our Lord he receives as undoubted facts, according with the whole strain and tenor of sacred history, and as conclusive evidence of supernatural power, exercised for a wise and benevolent purpose.

The pious believer rejoices in the assurance, that faithful and pious disciples may hope to enjoy the benefit of a divine influence, in the perplexing difficulties both of their faith and practice; but whether this assistance be communicated by the Supreme Being himself, or by some other spiritual person, he leaves to be discussed by critics and divines.

The nature of our future state of existence, also, he commits to the mercy and justice of his heavenly Father and his final Judge, as he does the events, duration and termination of his present life; sensible, that, in either case, nothing, but anxiety, perplexity and doubt, can result from vain and idle curiosity. As to the enjoyments of heaven, it is sufficient to know, that there is a glorious inheritance laid up for those who love God. This blessed assurance is confirmed, and his further inquiries checked, by being told, that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither can the heart of man conceive what God hath reserved for those who love him." Even the debates concerning the nature and duration of future punishment, he considers as of little importance; since, on any supposition, the vile