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argumentation. Such is the admirable simplicity that pervades the whole, that he who runs may read' and even the meanest capacity, if accompanied with a humble teachable spirit, is in no danger of being misled in any particular essential to salvation. Points of less moment are not, indeed, so clearly expressed; but in every matter of vital importance, there is, in Scripture, abundant means of discovering the truth, and confuting error.

While the Inspired records are thus profitable for the establishment of sound doctrine, they are equally efficacious for promoting holy practice. Innumerable evils obtain in the world; but every one of them is here condemned; and at the same time, the ways of true piety are accurately pointed out. There is not a secret evil of the heart that does not here find correction;' nor any attainment of true righteousness in relation to which we do not find the most explicit instruction. Nothing can be added to the directions given, or to the examples set before us, nor can any further light be desired. Wherefore, if from the awful state of sin and ignorance, in which all mankind are by nature, we would rise to faith, to holiness, and to the hope of immortality and bliss in the world to come, it must be through the medium of this blessed Book. The 'doctrines' it contains, we must cordially embrace; to the 'reproofs' it administers we must attentively hearken; the 'reformation' it requires, we must diligently promote; and the instructions in righteousness,' which it gives, we must steadily follow, in humble dependance upon almighty grace to strengthen and confirm us therein. For this end were the Scriptures given, and they were given by Inspiration of God, that we might not doubt their

certainty. They are made complete for this great and most gracious purpose, that we may be perfect in all the wisdom and knowledge which is necessary to salvation, and thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The subject will be closed by some reflexions. 1. With what confidence may we receive the Scriptures as the Word of God ! The more diligently we examine the evidences of their divine origin, the more fully are we convinced of their authenticity. We rise from the examination with a firm conviction that the foundation of our faith is solid and immoveable as a rock; that the gospel is no delusive meteor beguiling mankind into the mazes of error (as the Infidel would have us believe); but, on the contrary, that it is 'the day spring from on high,' which will guide our feet into the paths of everlasting peace. By its potent energy, thousands, and tens of thousands, have been turned from darkness to light, from sin and Satan, to holiness and God. Millions of redeemed souls have entered glory, who through life, amidst the scoffs of the prophane, and in the trying hour of nature's dissolution, gave strong testimonies to the religion of Jesus: and multitudes of the living gladly raise their voice in its favour, both from a conviction of its truth, and an experience of its power. In fact, the wisest and the best of mankind, the greatest philosophers, and the most virtuous of men, have ever been steady believers in revealed religion. We will, then, hold fast this sacred volume; and should the Infidel endeavour to withdraw us from it, we will tell him, that we cannot let go this anchor of hope, while exposed to storms and dangers. Until he can furnish us with a better book, a safer guide, a richer treasure, we will not give up that whereon we have staked

our eternal interests, but are determined to follow its precepts, and trust to its precious promises.

2. With what veneration ought we to receive these Holy Scriptures! With what reverence should we regard so precious a gift, imparted by the living God! Ought we not to open this sacred volume with as deep a veneration as the High Priest of the Jews felt when he entered the Holy of Holies? What, then, shall we say of those who never consult the Scriptures but for strife and debate? Or of those who profess to believe them, and yet apply them to the most trivial affairs, or the most humourous conceits? What shall we think of their conduct, who seem to consider it a glorious exploit to twist the sacred language of Jehovah into a thousand fantastic forms and witty allusions, to make mirth for the profane and profligate? Can we imagine that such impiety will go unpunished? Let us beware, then, how we treat the Book of God: may we never open it, but with profound reverence and devotion; nor ever forget the immense importance of its sacred contents; since they are no other than revelations from the God of unerring wisdom, infallible truth, and unbounded benevolence; by which revelations, we shall all be judged at the last great day of final account-when, accordingly as we have conformed to, or neglected their injunctions, regarded, or despised their encouragements and threatening, so we shall be either admitted to eternal happiness, or doomed to everlasting destruction.

3. With what gratitude ought we to receive the sacred Scriptures! Never can we be sufficiently thankful for so inestimable a present. Unmoved, can we behold its precious promises clustering in such rich abundance, admirably suited to our

wants, and freely offered for our acceptance? Can we look upon the wonders of redeeming love, displayed therein with the majesty and splendour that adorns the works of Omnipotence, and not feel the glow of gratitude for such stupendous mercy? But, alas! who has sufficiently regarded it? Because we have so long possessed the Bible, and its light and comfort are familiar to our minds, we behold it, as we behold the sun in the heavens, unmindful of the majesty and benignity of its author, and almost unconscious of the importance of its beams. Surely, the views we have taken of the subject, reproves this insensibility to the best blessing of life-God grant they may operate to its correction. When we reflect on the divine Inspiration, the pre-eminent excellency, and the benevolent design of the sacred Scriptures, we shall be ungrateful, indeed, to our heavenly Author, and no less unjust to ourselves, if we do not receive them with the most unshaken confidence, the most profound veneration, and the deepest gratitude. O, that every one of us may be enabled to prize them according to their value, and so shall we derive from them wisdom to guide us into the paths of peace, and righteousness, and everlasting joy! αμαρίωλος.

A LETTER FROM A CLERGYMAN TO A DISSENTING MINISTER,

Containing Remarks on Death, Ministerial Labours, and Worldly Mutability.

DEAR SIR,

December 27th, 1806.

I did not give your kind and welcome letter an earlier reply, because its principal topic

was a matter out of my present consideration. But assure yourself, that I feel highly obliged to you for your attention. Time is fertile with events, whether we regard a wide or more contracted circle. Jena has been fought since we wrote, thousands have passed the irretrievable stream. The destiny of many an individual has been fixed. It comes close to my own breast, that I must emphatically assert Ta Пa'τponλos: so Homer speaks. But you know that I turn to W- and am looking on the grave of one whom I valued in a manner that I cannot express. To me M-was dear. He spoke, he wrote, with wisdom. Non obliviscendus; you echo my assertions, and augment their number and their emphasis. But we cannot iament; release from mortality, is to the Christian release from misery. The Christian's last groan is an adieu to sorrow. His last sigh is but a gentle waft to bliss. Weeping and wept is the history of man. As yet I am unacquainted with the awful mysteries of death. In fact they are what I cannot behold. A future period will make me more familiar with them. But, on this head I need not enlarge. Jordan is to be passed indiscriminately by all. We need not fear. He that prepares with diligence, though he feel alarm, will pass with safety.

I trust, indeed, that you are now settled once more: that the sorrows of Bare eased by the flowing tide of present comfort; and that you see around your pulpit, a people that desire the sincere milk of the word,' and not any accommodating system. How you may read the human heart I know not. A chart of it from your pen, would, I trust, much add to my comfort, or stimulate to diligence, or inspire with

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