Page images
PDF
EPUB

assures us that they are of divine original, and they declare that the Father, the Word, and Holy Ghost are one, we should believe it to be so of their authority; besides each, separately considered, bears such evident marks of divinity, that it is inconsistent with common sense not to allow it him, and it is not possible that there can be more than one GOD; therefore the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost must be included in the Supreme Being.

The Epistles, which were written by some of the Apostles to the different churches which they established, are a supplement to the spiritual instructions given by our Lord to his disciples while on earth these throw great light on the doctrines inculcated in the volumes. Whatever portion of Scripture we make the subject of our meditations, we should always remember that a humble, teachable mind is an indispensable qualification, with which we may expect the aid of the Holy Spirit in understanding it; without which we shall soon be involved in a labyrinth of doubt and perplexity. "After the most laborious researches of the most

enlarged minds, many things will remain mysterious. The nature and attributes of angels—of the human mind of the state of departed souls of the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell, our understanding cannot comprehend, neither is such knowledge necesfor our salvation- we know enough to be saved if we will live accordingly."

sary

"Several reasons may be assigned why many things should remain mysterious in this world. Mysteries are necessary for the exercise of our faith; they have a natural tendency to excite religious awe and reverence, to humble the pride of human reason, and make that the mean of life, the very reverse of which was the mean of death. Man fell by pride through a sense of his knowledge; he is restored by humility through a sense of his ignorance. There is in the Scriptures light enough to enlighten believers, and obscurity enough to try them."

"The fuller comprehension of mysteries will make a part of our happiness in the world to come. At present we are at a vast distance from GOD and CHRIST, but in the next world we shall be near

G

we here converse with men, but in heaven we shall converse with angels. The earthly body now presses down the soul, but after the resurrection we shall have spiritual bodies-we now walk by faith, but shall then walk by light."

Let us then, from those truths we cannot comprehend, learn to reverence the Divine author of them; and if we are desirous of knowing more of spiritual things than the Scriptures teach us, let us endeavour to live so as to secure an inheritance in the blessed Regions of Eternity.

On these accounts, and many others, I warmly recommend the frequent perusal of the sacred volume. Open it where you will, and you will find the language every where simple, grave, and natural; alike when the subject requires the plain tone of humble narration, or rises into the most exalted heights of poetic enthusiasm. It has been observed in the former part of this volume, and reasoned upon, that certainly many passages in the Bible, are hard to be understood, but when we consider its remote antiquity, it is not to be wondered at, if we meet with occasional obscurities,

existing by our not understanding allusions made to circumstances, now, perhaps, for ever lost and unknown; but even on these occasions, though the sense may be obscured, the language is never debased. I know indeed of no composition, (for what can reach inspiration) that deserves so high a degree of praise; and in speaking of the arduous undertaking, (I allude to the translating of it into English) it is impossible not to feel a strong emotion of respect and admiration for the persons who achieved it, and viewing it as one of the most striking monuments of human industry and genius: it may truly be said, that our present translation has happily given a stability and perfection to the English language it would never, very likely, without it have attained.

[graphic]

WITH

THE LAST SUPPER.

REMARKS, AND A SELECTION OF PRIVATE PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS FOR DULY RECE IVING THE SAME.

(St. Mark's Narrative, c. xiv. v. 12-25.)

AND the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, His disciples said unto Him, where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, 'Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him.And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house.' 'The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?' And he will show you a large

« PreviousContinue »