bibles neglected from day to day is really to shut our eyes against the light; it is practically to pour contempt on that goodness which afforded the scriptures, and on that authority which enjoins us to search them. This is a truth which I would most solemnly press upon the consciences of every reader of these pages. Many of you perhaps aim at being moral in your conduct, chaste in your conversation, and "doing to others as you would that others should do unto you" Your ears are probably shocked at the impiety of the swearer; your eyes are probably disgusted upon witnessing a neighbor debasing himself by foul intoxication, or guilty of the open profanation of the Lord's day; yet you yourselves live habitually, and perhaps without remorse, in the omission of commanded duty: You rarely pray in your closets or families, and suffer days to pass away without reading a chapter in the bible. But is it not a direct command of God, "search the scriptures; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom?" and is there no guilt, no danger in the habitual omission of this command? A parent feels no less offended with his child for neglecting time after time any service which he has positively enjoined, than for doing what he has actually forbidden; and is the great God, the moral Governor of the universe, less jealous of his prerogatives than frail, imperfect mortals ?-Recollect, therefore, that he is no less displeased VOL. 3.

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and dishonored at your omission of what he has required, than your commission of what he has forbidden. "The servant that knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Prophecy came not in old time by the will of men; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ;" the inspired writers were only the medium, the message was from Jehovah, and will you turn away from a speaker so august and divine? Is it to be supposed that he "whose understanding is infinite" would raise up men in different ages, prophets and apostles; that he would move them when to speak, and direct them what to say; that he would preserve their writings unaltered amidst the most fiery opposition of earth and hell, and yet that there is no guilt in leaving these writings unimproved? But waving the divine authority which binds you to this perusal of the scriptures, may not a regard for your own interest constrain you to it? As the sacred volume is "a faithful saying," being written by inspiration of God, it is " worthy of all acceptation," being replete with consolation to man. Under a conviction of guilt, is there nothing reviving in those declarations, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: I will be merciful to your unrighteousness?" Amidst the numerous evils and discouragements which you experience, is

there nothing supporting in the assurance, "all things shall work together for good to them that love God: The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly?" While you find the infirmities of nature gradually increasing, all earthly enjoyments losing their relish, and "the grass-hopper becoming a burden;" is there no support in that heavenly word, "and even to hoary hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and I will deliver you: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness?" In the prospect of parting with your dear offspring, and leaving them in a world of corruption, and vexation, and sorrow, is there no relief to thine anxious soul in that invitation, "leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me: Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me: I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and their children after them ?" When the clay tabernacle begins to totter, and thou art forewarned of a speedy dissoJution, is there nothing animating in that declaration of a risen Saviour, "he that believeth on me hath everlasting life: I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth on me, although he were dead, yet shall he live?" These promises frequently read, and

sealed upon the heart by the divine Spirit, impart purer joy ; and more substantial support than can be derived from any created source." More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honey comb."

Do you object that you have often read the scriptures, and committed portions of them to memory, but without any real advantage? you have never felt their efficacy either for convincing of sin, or for animating to the discharge of duty. Be exhorted to read them more frequently, and with still greater attention to their meaning. We are not to expect profit from the bible by running over a chapter of it as we would a page of the almanack, or a paragraph in the newspaper: We should attend to this duty as an ordinance of the living God with the utmost solemnity and earnestness; revolving in our minds again and again the doctrines which it reveals, and the admonitions which it contains. "We ought therefore to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard or read, lest at any time we let them slip." We are commanded to have his word in our hearts by making it the subject of our frequent and delightful contemplation; "to talk of it when we are sitting in the house, and walking by the way: when we are lying down and rising up."-Again, read the scriptures with more fervent prayer to that Spirit who alone can reveal them savingly to your souls. The understanding

is darkened by nature, and incapable of discerning spiritual objects until it is divinely illuminated. When you take this heavenly volume into your hands, be impressed that however great and precious its promises, and however excellent its precepts, you must be taught of God before it will be profitable, either for reproof, or correction, or consolation; and then expostulate with the Father of lights, "open thou mine eyes to behold wondrous things out of thy law: Give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation-that I may know what is the hope of thy calling, and what the riches of the glory of thine inheritance among the saints." For the Lord's sake, and for your own soul's sake, I entreat you not to conclude that, because you can not make these oracles effectual, it is therefore useless to read or improve them. Such insinuations originate in unbelief, and ought instantly to be resisted; they are cherished by that arch-enemy who aims at dragging you as miserable captives to the same torments with himself. Because you cannot make your corn grow, will you not plant? Because you cannot command the dews to distil, or the genial rains to descend, will you not sow? Because the mariner cannot oblige the winds to blow when or in what direction he pleases, will he refuse to spread his sails? The children of this world are wiser in their generation than to reason after this manner. They know that without sowing they cannot reap, but by VOL. 3.

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