God's judgments on the wicked, and confidence in God's tried mercy. Ver. 1. Help thou me, O Lord, for the upright man is not to be found, for the faithful fail among the children of men. 2. They fpeak falfhood every one with his neighbour, with flattering lips, and with a deceitful heart. 3. But the Lord fhall cut them off, and every tongue that fpeaketh vain imaginations, like the counfels of Abithophel, and proud things. 4. They fay, with our tongue, and vain councils, will we prevail; our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? 5. For the oppreffion of my fervant, for his fighing and distress, now will I arife, (faith the Lord) I will in oppofition to the proud boafter fet him in fafety. 6. And I know for my encouragement, the words of the Lord are pure, as filver tried in a furnace feven times. 7. For thou wilt keep the godly, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this rebellious people, and for ever. 8. Nor need I be cast down at their evil devices; for I know the wicked walk on every fide of me, fuch as Shimei, when the vileft men are exalted. D IV I ON THE ELEGANCE AND DIGNITY OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. THE fcriptures ire certainly an in exhauftible fund of materials, for the most delightful and ennobling dif course. When we confider the author of those facred books-that they came originally from heaven--were dictated by divine wifdom-have the fame confummate excellence, as the works of creation, it is really furprising, that we are not always fearching, by ftudy, by meditation, or converfe, into one or other of thofe grand volumes.. When Secker preached, or Murray pleaded, the church was crouded, and the bar was thronged. When Spence produced the refinements of criticifm, or Young difplayed the graces of poetry; the prefs toiled, yet was fcarce able to fupply the demands of the public.-Are we eager to hear and impatient to purchase, what proceeds from fuch eloquent tongues, and mafterly pens? and can we be coldly indifferent when not the most accomplished of mankind-not N I T Y. the most exalted of creatures -but the adorable author of all wisdom speaks in his revealed word? Strange! that our attention does not hang upon the venerable accents, and our talk dwell upon the most incomparable truths! For would you see history in all her fimplicity, and all her force; moft beautifully eafy, yet irrefittably ftriking-See her, or rather feel her energy, touching the nicest movements of the foul, and triumphing over all our paffions, in the inimitable narrative of Jofeph's life-The reprefentation of Efau's bitter diftrefs; the converfation pieces of Jonathan, and his gallant friend; the memorable journal of the difciples going to Emmaus; are finifhed models of the impaffioned and affecting Here is nothing ftudied; no flights of fancy no embellishments of oratory. how inferior is the epifode of Nifus and Eurialus, though worked up by the most masterly hand in the world, to the undiffembled artlefs fervency of these feriptural sketches! Yet Are we pleased with the elevation and dignity of an heroic poem ; or the tenderness and perplexity of a dramatic performance? in the book of Job they are both united, and both unequalled unequalled.-Conformably to the exactest rules of art, as the action advances, the incidents are more alarming, and the images more magnificent. The language glows, and the pathos fwells. Till, at laft, the Deity himself makes his entrance. He fpeaks from the whirlwind, and fummonfes creation : fummonfes heaven and all its shining hoft; the elements, and their most wonderful productions, to vouch for the wisdom of his providential difpofitions-His word ftrikes terror, and flashes conviction decides the momentous controverfy, and clofes the auguft drama with all poffible folemnity and gran deur. If we fometimes chufe a plaintive ftrain; fuch as foftens the mind, and fooths an agreeable melancholy: Are any of the ancient tragedies fuperior in the eloquence of mourning, to David's pathetic elegy on his beloved Jonathan, to his moft paffionate and inconfoleable moan over his lovely but unhappy Abfalom; or to that melodious woe, which warbles and bleeds in every line of Jeremiah's lamentations? Would you be entertained with the daring fublimity of Homer, or the correct majesty of Virgil? with the expreffive delicacy of Horace, or the rapid excurfions of Pindar? Behold them joined, behold them excelled in the odes of Mofes, and the euchariftic hymn of Deborah; in the exalted devotion of the Pfalms, and the glorious enthusiasm of the prophets. Only with this difference, that the former are tuneful triflers, and amuse the fancy with empty fiction; the latter are teachers fent from God, and make the foul wife unto falvation. Are we admirers of antiquity?— Here we are led back, beyond the univerfal deluge, and far beyond the date of any other annals. We are introduced among the earliest inhabitants of the earth. We take a view of mankind in their undifguifed primitive plainnefs, and when the days of their lives were but little fhort of a thousand years. We are brought acquainted with the origin of nations with the creation of the world; and with the birth of time itself. Are we delighted with vaft atchieve. ments? Where is any thing comparable to the miracles in Egypt, and the wonders in the field of Zoan? to the memoirs of the Ifraelites, paffing through the depths of the fea; fojourning in the inhofpitable defarts; and conquering the kingdoms of Canaan?-Where fhall we meet with inftances of martial bravery, equal to the prodigious exploits of the Judges; or the adventurous deeds of Jeffe's valiant fon, and his matchlefs band of worthies ?-Here we behold the fundamental laws of the univerfe, fometimes fufpended, fometimes reverfed: and not only the current of Jordan, but the course of nature controuled. In fhort, when we enter the field of fcripture, we tread-on enchanted, fhall I fay rather on confecrated ground; where aftonishment and awe are awakened at every turn; where is all, more than all, the marvellous of romance, connected with all the precision and fanctity of truth. If we want maxims of wifdom, or have a tafte for the laconic ftile; how copiously may our wants be fupplied, and how delicately our tatte gratified! efpecially in the book of Proverbs, Ecclefiaftes, and fome of the minor prophets. Here are the moft fage leffons of inftruction; adapted to every circumftance of life; formed upon the experience of all preceding ages; and perfected by the unerring fpirit of infpiration. Thefe delivered, with fuch remarkable conciseness, that one might venture to fay, every word is a fentence. At leaft, every fentence may be called an apothegm; fparkling with brightnefs of thought, or weighty with the folidity of fenfe. The whole, like a profufion of pearls-each containing, in a very fmall compass, a value almost immenfe-all heaped up (as an ingenious critic fpeaks) with a confuted magnificence above all order. If If we look for the ftrength of reafoning, and the warmth of exhortation: the infinuating arts of genteel addrefs, or the manly boldnefs of impartial reproof: all the thunder of the orator, without any of his oflentation; all the politenefs of the courtier, without any of his flattery: Let us have recourfe to the acts of the apoftles, and to the epiftles of St. Paul. Thefe are a fpecimen, or rather thefe are the ftandard of them all. Are you fond of paftoral, in all its graces? Never have we feen fuch exquifite touches of rural painting, or fuch fweet images of endeared affection, as in the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. All the brilliant and amiable appearances in nature are employed, to delineate the tenderness of his heart, who is love itfelf-to pourtray the beauty of his perfon, who is the chiefeft among ten thousand—and describe the happiness of thofe fouls, whose fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Christ. Another recommendation of the fcriptures is, that they afford the moft awful and the most amiable manifeftations of the Godhead. His glory fhines, and his goodnefs fmiles, in thofe divine pages, with unparalleled luftre. Here we have a fatisfactory explanation of our own state. The origin of evil is traced; the caufe of all our misery difcovered and the remedy, the infallible remedy, both clearly fhewn, and freely offered. The merits of the bleeding Jefus, lay a firm foundation for all our hopes; while gratitude for his dying love, fuggefts the moft winning incitement to every duty. Morality, admired morality is delineated in all its branches; is placed upon its proper bafis, and raised to its higheft elevation. The Spirit of God is promifed, to enlighten the darkness of our understandings, and ftrengthen the imbecility of our wills. What an ample provifion is made by thefe bleffed books, for all our fpiritual wants! And, in this refpect, how indifputable is their fuperiority to all other còmpofitions! Is any one convinced of guilt, as provoking heaven,,and ruining the foul? Let him afk reafon to point out a means of reconciliation, and a refuge of fafety. Reafon heftates, as the replies: "The Deity may, perhaps, accept our fupplications, and grant forgiveness." But the fcriptures leave us not to the fad uncertainty of conjecture. They fpeak the language of clear affurance. God has fet forth a propitiation. He does forgive our iniquities: He will remember our fins no more. Are we affaulted by temptation, or averfe to duty?-Philofophy may attempt to parry the thruft, or to ftir up the reluctant mind, by dif ciofing the deformity of vice, and urging the fitnefs of things. The Bible recommends no fuch incompetent fuccours." My grace," fays its almighty author, "is fufficient for thee-Sin fhall not have dominion over you." The great Jehovah, in whom is everlifting frength, "He worketh in us both to will, and to do, of his good pleasure." Should we be vifited with ficknefs, or overtaken by any calamity, the confolation which, Plato offers, is, That fuch difpenfations coincide with the univerfal plan of divine government. Virgil will tell us for relief, that afflictive vifitations are, more or lefs, the unavoidable lot of all men. Another moralist whispers in the dejected fufferer's ear, “impatience adds to the load: whereas, a calm fubmiffion renders it more fupportable."-Does the word of Revelation difpenfe fuch fpiritlefs and fugitive cordials? No, thofe facred pages inform us, That tribulations are fatherly chaftifements; tokens of our maker's love, and fruits of his care: That they are are intended to work in us, the. peaceable fruits of righteoufiefs, and to work out for us, an eternal weight of glory. Should we, under the fummons of death, have recourfe to the mot celebrated comforters in the heathen' world; they would encreafe our apprehenofins, rather than mitigate our dread. Death is reprefented, by the great mafter of their schools, "As the moft formidable of all evils." They were not able pofitively to determine, whether the foul furvived; and never fo much as dreamt of the refurrection of the body. Whereas, the book of God trips the moniter of his horrors, or turns him into a meffenger of peace: Gives him an angel's face, and a deliverer's hand. Afcertaining to the fouls of the righteous, an immediate tranflation into the regions of blifs; and enfuring to their bodies, a most advantageous revival, at the restoration of all things. Ineftimable book! It heals the maladies of life, and fubdues the fear of death. It ftrikes a lightfome vifta through the gloom of the grave; and opens a charming, a glorious profpect of immortality in the heavens. Thefe, with many other excellencies peculiar to the fcriptures, one would imagine, more than fufficient, to engage every fenfible heart in their avour; and introduce them with the highcft efteem, into every improved converfation! Another very diftinguishing pcculiarity of the facred writings is, the method of communicating advice, or adminilering reproof, by parables; a method, which levels itfelf to the lowest apprehenfions, without giving offence to the most fupercilious temper: yet is as much fuperior to plain, unornamented precepts, as the enlivened fcenes of a well wrought tragedy are more impreffive and affecting, than a fimple narration of the plot. VOL. II. No. 16. It has been very jufly remarked, that this eloquence of fimilitudes is equally affecting to the wife, and intelligible to the ignorant-It fhews rather than relates, the point to be illuftrated.-It has been admired by the best judges in all ages: but never was carried to its higkeit perfection, till our Lord fpoke the parable of the Prodigal,Which has a beauty that no paraphrafe can heighten a perfpicuity, that renders all interpretation needless : and a force, which every reader, not totally infenfible, must feel. The condefcenfion and goodnefs of God are, every where, confpicuous in the productions of nature; he conveys to us the most valuable fruits, by the intervention of the lovelieft bloffoms. Though the prefent is, itself, extremely acceptable; he has given it an additional endearment, by the beauties' which array it, or the perfumes which furround it. In the pages of Revelation likewife, he has communicated to us the most glorious truths, adorned with all the graces of compofition: Such as may polish the man of genius, and improve the man of worth. Such as highly delight our imagination, even while they cultivate and refine our morals. Who then would not gladly receive that gracious exhortation 3 "Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly "Who would not wilingly obey that benign command; "Thou shalt talk of it, when thou fitteft in thine houfe, and when thou walket by the way, when thou liet down, and when thou rifft up." When we confider the language of the fcriptures, and fometimes experience their energy; other writings, though polished with the niceft touches of art, only tinkle on the ear, or affect us like the fhepherd's reed. But thefe, even amidst all their noble negligence, N n Arike, frike, alarm, tranfport us-Somewhat like the voice of thunder, or the arch-angel's trumpet." When we confider the contents of the fcriptures; and believe ourfelves interested in the promises they make, and the privileges they confer, we are induced to cry out," What are all the other books in the world, compared with thefe invaluable volumes! No more than an entertaining novel, or a few prudential rules for domeftic aconomy, compared with a parent's will, a royal charter, or an imperial grant of titles and manors. All these circumftances remind us of an encomium, moft defervedly given to the Bible, which, though quite artless, is abundantly more expreffive than the most laboured efforts of rhetoric. It came from the lips of a martyr, who, being condemned to die for his inviolable adherence to the pure doctrines of fcripture, when he arrived at the ftake, and had compofed himself for execution, took his final leave in thefe, affecting words, "Farewell fun and moon! Farewell all the beauties of creation, and comforts of life! Farewell my honoured friends! Farewell my beloved relations! And farewell thou precious, precious book of God." MISCELLANIE S. TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE. Gentlemen, BEING a conftant reader of your Chriftian Repofitory, which I very much esteem, I have with much deference fent you the underwritten Effay, on the Pleasures of Religion, which if fit for public view, I fhall efteem it a favour if you will pleafe to infert in your Chriftian Mifcellany, I am, Gentlemen, Your humble fervant, 'October 11, 1783. ON THE PLEASURES OF RELIGION. "Wifdom's ways are ways of pleafantnefs, and all her paths (are paths) of peace." P LEASURE is the object of moft men's purfuits; what pains, toils and anxiety do they undergo to 4. arrive at her fummit. Yet compaparatively fpeaking, there are but few, very few, who have right ideas, and conceptions of real, permanent, lasting pleasure; for what one fort of men esteem a pleasure, it is not fo with another of different difpofitions. 'The drunkard can find no pleafure but in the gratification of his infati able thirit; the epicure, or glutton, but in the gratification of his tafte; the debauchee can find no pleasure but in the gratification of his fleshly lufts and appetites; but to a fober perfon, how infatuated do thefe feveral votaries of pleafure appear; to elteem thofe pleasures which are calculated, directly, to lead to pain, ficknef, and death; not only of natural death, but of fpiritual death, and the punishment of the foul, the most noble part of man, which was formed by its divine Creator, for far more noble purposes, than those of drunkennefs, gluttony, and debauchery. Thefe fordid gratifications will foon palt the appetite, and render, the votaries thereof, miferable in themfelves, and detrimental to fociety, will |