in that which they have already determined to hold, instead of desiring, like "new-born babes," to receive "the sincere milk of the word;" instead of sitting with lowly simplicity at the feet of Jesus, looking, that he should teach them, and guide them into every truth. And hence many take a part, instead of the whole. They dwell on those passages which seem to favour their views; and altogether put out of sight, the rest of the inspired volume. But is not this in a measure, to charge God with foolishness, and to insinuate, that much of what he has deemed necessary, might well have been dispensed with? Beware of such a spirit, brethren. To it, I think, may be attributed a great deal of that difference of opinion, which has unhappily, in every age, on so many questions, divided and distracted the professed members of the church of God. Our custom which agrees with that of the ancient church, of reading fixed lessons, is calculated to counteract this. Were the selection left to every individual minister, some favourite chapters would, in many churches, be repeatedly read, while others, as important, would be entirely omitted.

In CONCLUSION, I draw two or three brief inferences.

1. If you would understand and profit by the reading of the scriptures, you must seek the illumination of the Spirit who inspired them.

An author is always best able to explain his own composition; but here especially, when you bring with you a naturally dark and perverted understanding, a cold and hardened heart; what can enlighten the one and change the other, but that new-creating Power, whose office it is to take of the things of Jesus and shew them unto men. 1 Ask this precious gift in faith, and he shall be given you; he shall open your eyes, and cause you to see the "wondrous things" of God's law. Have you neglected to implore this blessing? O then it is not surprising that you are ignorant; "for the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned: " it is not surprising that you are impenitent, for the new heart of flesh is expressly declared

1 Vide John xvi. 14.

to be the operation of God by his Spirit.1 But whom have you to thank for this your miserable state? assuredly yourselves: you were not straitened in the Lord, but in yourselves : "You have not, because you ask not." I pray you, therefore, brethren, beware lest by your unwise carelessness, you bring upon your heads a swift destruction.

2. Again; with what force ought our preaching to come home to your hearts, when you hear our message confirmed by the unerring testimony of scripture.

You are very apt to think lightly of what is spoken from the pulpit; you are apt to regard it only as the word of man and indeed, if we proclaim any other doctrine, or advance any other statement, than you find in the bible, we say, refuse it: "Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed;" but if our teaching agrees with the inspired word, how can you escape if you neglect it? If the doctrines of the fall of man, regeneration by the Spirit, free salvation in Jesus Christ, be

1 Vide Ezekiel xxxiv. 26, 27.

doctrines of the bible,-and we challenge the inquiry-O beware, lest you reject the counsel of God against yourselves. If when you

might have learned, you would not hearken, if you have refused our counsel, and would none of our reproof, beware, I say, lest the words we speak-not ours, but those of Godrise as swift witnesses against you to condemn

you.

Lastly-what a precious blessing it is to the believer, that his "faith standeth not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God."

He depends not upon human assurances, as of Paul, or of Peter, or of Matthew, or of James, or of John, but upon the word of the Lord, upon the Spirit of truth. And he knows, that sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, than " one jot or tittle" of that word fail. He therefore stands fast; he knows in whom he has believed, and is enabled to look forward to a blessed inheritance, purchased by the blood of Christ, and reserved in heaven for him, with "a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory."

LECTURE V.

ON THE CHARACTER AND CONFESSION OF
SAVING FAITH.

ROMANS X. 8, 9.

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which we preach; that, if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

IT is one of the first principles of sound doctrine, that "by grace we are saved through faith." By faith, wrought in the heart by God the Spirit, a man takes hold upon the Saviour, and thus becomes vitally united unto Christ. The scriptures are, in almost every page, abundantly decisive on this fundamental point.