mand as delightful in its obedience, as it is authoritative in its declaration.

Let us yield implicit submission to the decisions of the Scriptures. In them we read the oracles of God-the mind of the Spirit-infallible wisdom. As inspired pages, their authority is absolute. It is plain duty, therefore, to bring every question of truth or practice to their judgment; and to bow, without a question or a murmur, or the least reserve of mind or heart, to whatever they require. To proceed on any other principle, to bring any thoughts of ours into the least competition with the decision of the Scriptures, to submit to one portion of the Bible more than to another, to withhold assent to any of its doctrines till we can fully perceive their necessity or reasonableness, or their consistency with certain notions of human wisdom, is a practical denial of the divine authority of the whole volume, and deserves no other name than that of unbelief.

Let us search the Scriptures daily; for they were made to be daily "profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness." It is only when taken as an intimate companion and friend, that the Bible throws off its reserve and appears in all its excellence. Then it speaks to the heart, and begins to develope treasures of consolation as numerous as the wants of sinners, as endless as the grace of their Saviour. We can well perceive the hand of God in the general construction of Christianity, while standing without, and looking only upon its walls and bulwarks; but, like the temple of Jerusalem, we

must enter within the holy place to "behold the fair beauty of the sanctuary," the fine gold of its workmanship, and the glory of Him "who dwelleth between the cherubim." "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.'

Let us search the Scriptures with prayer-"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," that we may be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.' The key of the ark, in which are laid up the tables of testimony, is prayer. By this alone can we get into "the secret place of the Most High," and be taught of God. He who without prayer should seek to enter within the veil, and obtain a view of the divine glory as it shines within the Scriptures, would act no less presumptuously than Aaron the high-priest, had he attempted without his brazen censer and his incense to pass the veil of the holy of holies, and stand before the mercy-seat. "My son," saith the Scripture, "if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."

We began these lectures with prayer to God for his Holy Spirit to guide our way and help our infirmities, that all of us might see and embrace the truth. We recommended prayer as one of the chief means to be used by all who would study the evidences of Christianity in a right spirit. We are now just at

the last words of a course which, we trust, God has not permitted to be heard by you without precious benefit, as well in increasing your impression of the solemn claims of the gospel upon your hearts and lives, as in strengthening your conviction of its truth as a revelation from God for the salvation of men. Take, we beseech you, the holy Scriptures, wherein God speaks by his Spirit to every generation, as your unfailing guide, your most dear treasure, the appointed means by which, as the inspired vehicle of God's truth, it is his revealed purpose to carry on, through the inworking of the Holy Ghost, the sanctification of them that believe in the name of his only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

"BLESSED LORD, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ." AMEN.