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sacred oracles has its use, and throws light upon the rest and as preachers very properly make their appeal to the scriptures in support of their doctrines, so the hearers cannot so well judge how far their arguments are conclusive, unless they have a competent acquaintance with the whole of them. Nor is the Bible so large a book, but that even they, who have not much leisure, may, in process of time, get a general knowledge of it in every part, if they bestow a measure of diligence proportioned to the value of the acquisition; and as "all scripture is given by inspiration from God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works;" so every word demands a measure of our attention. It is therefore a very great hindrance to edification, when serious persons rest satisfied with text books, and abstracts from scripture, or with a few favourite passages, that are continually resorted to, whilst the rest of God's word is little regarded; and above all, those parts are neglected which teach men the particulars of the Christian temper, and of those duties in which they are most deficient.

It hath been found very useful by many to divide the Bible into two or three parts, and to read a portion from each of them in order, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, as people have leisure and opportunity; allowing a larger measure of time to the New Testament, or devotional parts of the Old; and reading these wholly, or principally, on the Lord's day, or other seasons set apart for religion. This, in a course of years, will bring a man familiarly acquainted with the whole scrip. And though singing the praises of God very properly forms a part of family worship, where both can be attended to; yet reading the scriptures in course (with a few exceptions, at the discretion

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of him who officiates) seems a most valuable method of preparing the minds of children and servants for profiting by public instruction, as well as for giving them a comprehensive view of our holy religion.

It is also very advantageous to ministers, and others who have much leisure, to vary their method of reading: at some times going through a ́ larger portion, with a more general regard to the scope of the sacred writer; at others minutely examining every word and sentence in a smaller portion; its connection with the context, and coincidence with other scriptures: and to mark well the harmony and mutual subserviency of every part of divine truth; the proportion of one part to another; the distinct parts of which the whole consists, and the way in which the several subjects are stated, handled, arranged, and expressed.

II. Search the scriptures daily. Divine truth is the food of the soul, which wants its nourishment as often as the body does. That day must have been mis-spent in which no part of the scriptures has been read, or meditated on; we should therefore redeem time from indolence, recreation, useless visits, trifling conversation, &c., for this employment; and then no lawful business would prevent any one from finding a little leisure, morning and evening at least, for reading some portion of the scripture, which would furnish the mind with subjects for meditation when not necessarily engrossed about other matters, to the exclusion of vain thoughts and polluting imaginations. The more habitual this practice becomes, the greater pleasure will it afford; and even the old Christian will not think that his knowledge renders it superfluous, or seek an excuse for omitting it, but will apply to it as a healthful person craves and relishes his food. I would especially enforce it upon the consciences of the young, not to let any

day begin or end without reading carefully a por.. tion of scripture: this will become, in a short time, a most useful habit; and if they are abridged of a little sleep by this means, their bodies will not be injured, and their minds will be improved by it. It may also be observed, that hearing sermons, reading religious books, or joining in pious discourse, will often mislead, and seldom profit those who do not compare the whole with the sacred scriptures, by "daily searching them to know whether things are so or no.'

III. Read the Bible, with the express purpose of appropriating the information communicated by it from God to man. When we have humbly and attentively considered and ascertained the meaning of any proposition, we should implicitly believe it, how contrary soever it may be to our former opinion, or that of others in reputation for wisdom. We ought to reverence the authority, omniscience, veracity, and faithfulness of the Lord, who speaks to us in his word; not doubting the truth or importance of any of his instructions, but studying the meaning of them in docility and patience. Thus imbibing wisdom and knowledge from their source, through the appointed medium, we shall grow more learned in divine things than any teachers, or aged students, who lean to their own understandings (Psalm cxix. 98-100); even as the bosom friend of the prince, who learns his secrets from his own lips, will know more of his designs than any conjectural politicians can do, though their sagacity and abilities be far superior to his.

IV. Use helps in searching the scriptures, but do not depend on them. The labours of those pious men who have spent their lives in studying and elucidating the sacred oracles, may be very profitable to those who either have less leisure or ability, or who are newly engaged in such re

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searches; and it savours of self-sufficiency to undervalue either commentators or other writers on divine things. Yet all men are fallible, and we should call no man teacher upon earth: it must therefore be proper to compare all their elucidations or inferences with the scriptures themselves. Above all, it behoves us " to ask wisdom of God," and to beg of him to give us the Holy Spirit, to remove from our minds every prejudice and carnal affection, and whatever may close them against any part of revealed truth, or indispose them to receive the illumination of Heaven, as the vitiated eye cannot make proper use of the light of the He alone who inspired the scriptures can help us to understand them; and if we search them in dependence on, and prayer for, his teaching, he will lead us into all truth, as far as our safety, peace, and duty require it. It may be proper here to caution the reader against fanciful interpretations, which surprise and amuse, but mislead men from the practical meaning of scripture; and against those who pretend to modernize divine truth, not choosing to "speak according to the oracles of God," but as they suppose the apostles would have done if they had possessed the advan. tage of modern improvements—a supposition just as wise as to attempt improving the light of the sun by astronomy ! In short, every text has its proper meaning, as it stands related to the context, and its proper application to us: these we should seriously investigate, with fervent prayer for divine teaching, without presuming to add to, alter, or deduct from, the revealed will of God (Deut. xxix. 29).

Lastly; We should search the scriptures, as the navigator consults his chart and makes his observations, that he may discover where he is and what course he must steer; or as any one looks into a glass, that he may both know what manner of man

he is, and learn to adjust what is unbecoming; or as an heir reads his father's will, and the inventory of his effects and estates, that he may know what the inheritance is, and the nature of the tenure by which he must possess it. We should accompany our reading with impartial self-examination, both in respect of our knowledge, judgment, dispositions, affections, motives, words, and actions, in every particular, at present and in times past; that we may learn the state and wants of our souls; and with self-application, as the persons spoken to in every instruction, precept, sanction, counsel, warning, invitation, promise, &c., according to our state, character, conduct, and circumstances; pausing to inquire whether we have understood what we have read, and what we learned from it; that, beseeching the Lord to pardon 12 what is past, and to help us for the future, we may without delay or reserve, begin to practise what we know, waiting for further light in such matters as still continue doubtful or obscure to us. It would be easy to multiply directions; but the scriptures thus studied are "able to make us wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ."

ESSAY III.

ON THE SCRIPTURE CHARACTER OF GOD.

EVERY attentive and intelligent student of the Bible will perceive, that revelation was vouchsafed to man, in order to deliver or preserve him from idolatry, by instructing him in the character and perfections of the one living and true God, and the way in which he would be worshipped; as well as to teach other duties, and to influence him to perform them. The jealous care of Jehovah, to

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