point out the remedy-to shew us our errors, and to direct our conduct; to be the light of our feet, and the guide of our steps, in our passage through life. These truths, my brethren, you all profess to believe. But is it not true, that you are apt to lose sight of them-and to neglect that book, by which alone you can safely be guided in the way of everlasting peace?

III. But for what end was this revelation given? It was "that the man of God may

"be perfect; throughly furnished unto all

"good works."

There is no doubt, that by

But

the expression, the man of God, the Apostle primarily intended the minister of religion, and that he meant to assert that it was from the bible that he is to derive all his instructions, both of a doctrinal and practical nature. doubtless, he meant also, to include every christian; whether in a public or private station. And what, we may ask, must be the effect of a constant and humble study of the word of God upon him? Will he not continually be gaining fresh insight into the works and ways of God? Will he not be daily increasing his knowledge of the wonders of redemption? Will he not daily learn more of the evil of his nature, and the sinfulness of

his life?-and has not all this a tendency to lead him to deeper humiliation before Godto excite him to repentance-to humble reliance upon his Saviour-to thankful acceptance of the mercy offered to him in the gospel? And can he who is daily studying the word of God in a spirit of prayer, and with a sincere desire to know, in order that he may practise his duty, fail to learn more of the behaviour which becomes him towards all men, both superiors and inferiors? Can the man who believes that his only hope of salvation proceeds from Him who died for him; and whose heart glows with thankfulness for his mercy— and who desires to shew forth his praises-can such an one, I say, be taught that the test of his gratitude is to be obedience to the divine commands, without being induced to follow after holiness? And has he not a sufficient directory in the word of God? Can he study that word in humility and prayer, without being throughly furnished unto all good "works?" Can he want any thing further to make him know how he "ought to walk and "to please God?"

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But seeing, my brethren, that God has in this blessed book, provided for your use a revelation of his will, sufficient to answer purposes so great and so important to you; sufficient

to teach you all that it is necessary for you to know; capable of making you wise unto salvation; able to lead you to holiness and to happiness in this world, and to everlasting life in the world to come:-in what manner ought you to receive it? Is it proper and becoming, as too many do, to turn your backs upon it, and neglect it; to prefer reading any vain or useless or wicked production of man, to the study of it? What greater contempt of God can you shew, than, if when he has given you a book, which contains the words of eternal life, you put it from you, and do not count it worthy of your perusal? Yet this is too often done by those who make it their boast, that they are called by the name of Christ, the great author of the salvation there revealed. But how inconsistent, how impious, is their conduct! How awfully is it suited to draw down upon them the wrath of Him, whose goodness and mercy they thus despise!

A proper reflection on the goodness of God, in giving to you his holy word, must convince you that it is your bounden duty, with the utmost diligence to improve it, for all those purposes for which it was given.

If the Scripture is profitable for doctrine, it becomes you with reverence to enquire what it teaches you to believe-seeking simply to

know what God has spoken in his word-and then implicitly submitting your will and judgment to his declaration, however that declaration may be opposed to your natural propensities; forming your faith according to its dictates, without regarding the workings of your own inclinations.

Again, if the word of God be profitable for conviction, you ought to endeavour, by means of its light, to discover what there is wrong in your spirit, temper and conduct. Such a discovery may be painful and humiliating, but it is of most salutary tendency; since it will lead you off from every vain and useless dependance on your own deeds, to trust in Him, who alone can furnish you with a sure ground of hope. It will tend to lead you to repentance, to humiliation, and to all those dispositions which become you, as unworthy sinners in the sight of God.

It is likewise by means of this book, that the evils of our hearts and lives are to be rectified; and that we are to grow in grace, and in preparation for the kingdom of heaven. These are the blessings to which our thoughts ought continually to be directed; to them our most ardent desires ought to extend, and our constant endeavours ought to be applied.

It appears then, my brethren, most evidently

that the word of God ought to be your daily study that it ought to be read, not in a light, trifling, and careless manner; but since it is given by inspiration of God, you ought to listen to it, as you would wish to listen if God spake immediately to you. You should "hearken what the Lord God will say concern

you

ing you." You should not pass over his words as of small consequence, but should earnestly look for some important instruction from what read. Without this state of mind, the bible will be to you as a sealed book; you may read it without benefit; while the poorest man, of the most humble attainments in human knowledge, who possesses a meek and lowly spirit, will find it a rich mine, in which though some parts may abound more than others in the precious object of his research, yet everywhere he will obtain enough, amply to repay the labour which he bestows upon it.

But, my brethren, in proportion as our value for the scripture increases-in proportion as by our own experience we become acquainted with the profitableness of it, so must our minds be impressed with a deep feeling of the disadvantage under which they labour, who are destitute of it.

It alone contains the words of eternal life. It alone can shed a ray of cheering light upon