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leadings and teachings, gain a most powerful, irresistible, and imperishable hold, wheresoever experienced and applied by God the Holy Ghost. And such as are thus taught and blessed of God, feel the force and beauty of the divine declaration, that "no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation: for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; " and again, "Whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

Moreover, in these truth-despising days, it is desired the this little volume should prove to be a simple testimony for God; and that parents may hand it down to their children, as illustrative of the important saying of the venerable JOHN NEWTON, "Experience is the key with which to unlock many of the mysteries of Scripture." What, as the apostle John says, those have "heard," and "seen," and "handled" of the word of life, is too precious, and too deeply imbedded

in the heart, to be surrendered. "To the word and to the testimony," say they; "if a man speak not according to these, it is because he has no light in him.”

The book has been written under circumstances of deep anxiety and much domestic solicitude. Whilst the MS. was in progress, a precious child, of fifteen years of age, was called away to her everlasting rest. Both prior and subsequently to her death, the author was intensely anxious about the issue of the severe illness of three other beloved children. Within these pages, therefore, the writer was enabled, with some degree of hopeful relief, to pour out the anguish of his heart before the Lord, in immediate connexion with the lessons taught by Bible lives.

That the truths here embodied, and the lessons suggested by Bible lives, may be savingly inculcated upon many a reader's mind, is the author's ardent prayer. In these last days, may this humble volume be a simple means, in the hand of God, of leading precious souls, not only to "read, mark, learn," but also to "inwardly digest" the blessed

truths of God, as so richly and graciously presented in His own holy word; and, realizing the power and the preciousness of it in their own souls, may they exclaim, in spite of all that Satan may suggest, or ungodly men say, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart."

BEDMINSTER, BRISTOL,

March 8, 1864.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

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CHAPTER V.

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