make one hair black or white, much less to alter the disposition of our souls. To Him, therefore, we are directed to look in a supplicating tone of soul; that in attending to the great truths of the Bible, "we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them," that they may be "profitable to us for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

And here, with a view of advancing the profitable reading of the holy Volume, I would offer a few very plain and practical remarks, in regard to the manner in which it may be read with a prospect of its being thus beneficial.

In the first place, brethren, when you hear or read the holy Scriptures, it will be well to remember, that God, and not man, speaks to you in and by them. "Thus saith the Lord," is the authority which the Scriptures bear; and, therefore, they who slight them, slight not man, but God. This consideration alone can produce that ungainsaying reverence and that subjection of soul, which are so seriously and unquestionably becoming. If they to whose notice the words of eternal life are submitted, would only seriously con

sider whose words claim their attention, they might give them more of the reverence which is due, and might deem the subjects presented to them of most lively interest. The Thessalonians are commended upon this very principle, that they received the word from St. Paul, not as the word of man, but, as it was in truth, the word of God; and so, it effectually wrought in them to their eternal salvation.

Secondly. When we address ourselves to the study of the Scriptures, we ought to do so in a deeply humble frame of soul. It is written, that "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." My brethren, it is for want of this peculiar spirit, that so many, in other respects wellinformed people, are so lamentably ignorant of divine things. Nothing can be more true, than that the Bible is not to be read, or heard, in the manner in which any book of mere human authority is to be studied. There is a willingness to receive subjects of revelation, which overstep the limit of our natural understandings; there is a readiness to embrace truths, which are in full opposition to all the principles of our nature; and

there is a mind to submit to the only infallible teaching, that of the Holy Spirit of eternal truth, without which we shall remain in deep and ruinous ignorance, and shall follow the devices of our own delusions, till they lead us to final and inextricable despair. "Go to the Scriptures," says a high authority," with hearts sensible of your own unworthiness to be taught, and of your own disability to learn: go with hearts ready to receive, embrace, and submit unto what shall be made known unto you: this is the way to be taught of God."*

In the third place, the holy Scriptures must be read continually, and with great diligence. A careful attention to them in this particular, will produce that acquaintance and familiarity with them, which are so very beneficial in seasons of trial and difficulty. We know too well, with what perseverance and assiduity men dig for gold; how unceasingly they labour to become rich. But gold is not to be compared (to whatever extent it may be possessed) with the faintest ray of the knowledge of God. That

* Dr. Owen.

knowledge is above all price; and makes those who have it, poor as they may be in other respects, rich indeed. Surely, then, our diligence in searching the Scriptures, which are an inexhaustible mine of wealth, ought to be somewhat in proportion to their value. We may be assured, that our attention will be well repaid. If, in compliance with the command given to Joshua, "we meditate upon the word night and day," with the design "of observing to do all that is written therein, our way will be made prosperous, and we shall have good success." If, with the Bereans, we "search the Scriptures daily," we shall have the faith of the Bereans. "If we follow on to know the Lord, we shall know Him; and He will come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

In the last place, the holy Scriptures, in order to their being profitably received, must be approached in earnest, frequent, and believing prayer to Almighty God. We may read and hear with the greatest regularity; we may, indeed, have the whole Bible laid up in our natural memory, and

be able to speak with much accuracy and fluency upon the great subjects which it reveals; and, after all, be savingly unacquainted with it, for want of serious private prayer. The apostles themselves, though the constant companions of our blessed Lord, still required to have their understandings opened, that they might understand the Scriptures. Oh! how great, then, must be our necessity! Let us be earnest, diligent, and fervent in our petitions to "the throne of the heavenly grace," that God will, according to His promise, graciously send His Holy Spirit, to lead, guide, and instruct us; to open our minds, and to preserve us from mistakes! Without His guidance, we shall be lost in sinful and permanent ignorance; but with it, we shall be directed into all truth; "and the truth shall make us free."

The sum of these few remarks is simply this:-" My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; if thou criest after knowledge,