our church, gave their bodies to be our studies, as much as may be, burned in confirmation of their doc- into this channel, are very apt to trine. It is greatly to be wished, suffer our time and thoughts to be that their lives and discourses, living engrossed with such studies and and dying, and their remaining writ- employments as are foreign to our ings, were more generally known profession, and interfere with it, among us, and did not remain and which leave at most but a locked up from the world in large secondary attention for the study folios in the learned languages, and of the word of God. And who can in books out of print, or exceed- deny, that many do not bestow so ingly scarce. In consequence of much pains in meditating upon the this, the members of our national Bible, and in comparing spiritual church are in general utterly igno- things with spiritual; or one part rant of its standard doctrines, and of Scripture with another, and every ignorantly brand those as Metho- part with what they experience in dists and Enthusiasts, who preach their own hearts, and what they zealously the very doctrines of the hear and see in the world around first Reformers. them, as they do about matters of IV. I would observe the great far less consequence? So that proinfluence which the study of the bably, should they at any time sit Scriptures had in producing this down to diligent examination of the change. whole word of God, they would find

We are all too apt, without care-it a very different book than they ful examination, to take things for expected. Thus at least it has been granted, especially in respect of with me, and possibly it may be so religion. We often collect our with many others.

scheme of divinity from other au- The word of God informs us that thors, or from our own reasonings true wisdom, the saving, practical, and imaginations; and only seek and experimental knowledge of difor a few detached texts which vine things, is not to be acquired appear to countenance our precon- without earnest and diligent seekceived opinions; neglecting, or very ing: "My son, if thou wilt receive slightly considering such parts of my words, and hide my commandthe word of God as seem incapable ments with thee; so that thou inof being made use of to our purpose. cline thine ear unto wisdom, and We are likewise too prone, in avail- apply thine heart to understanding; ing ourselves of the labours of yea, if thou criest after knowledge, critics and expositors, to resign up and liftest up thy voice for underourselves implicitly to their guid- standing if thou seekest her as ance, and to imagine that we have silver, and searchest for her as for proof enough of our doctrines, if we hid treasures; then shalt thou uncan produce the sanction of some derstand the fear of the Lord, and great name that has espoused and find the knowledge of God." Prov. maintained them, without carefully ii. 1-6. If then our wisdom has examining whether they be right or been acquired without any of that wrong but this is to pay that defer- eagerness and painful diligence with ence to the human interpretation, which the covetous man desires and which is only due to the divine seeks for his riches, it is a shrewd book commented on. We, minis- conjecture, that it is not of the ters especially, though at ordination genuine sort. Once I had in my we solemnly promise to turn all own esteem a sort of wisdom, which

seemed to offer itself to me sponta- | work that required much time, great neously, and to be found with little diligence, mature consideration, seeking. But now I am persuaded and an unbiassed, unprejudiced it was a mere counterfeit, a fair- mind. seeming pernicious foolishness.

With this view of the matter That which I now esteem to be partly obtained, and continually true wisdom, if I could but attain more and more unfolding itself, I to it, is not to be acquired in so easy studied the word of God; and a manner. When I first began to having now for nearly four years desire and seek this wisdom, I set thus employed a very considerable out with the assurance that it was part of my time, neither rejecting, to be found in the Holy Scriptures, nor yet greatly depending on the and no where else; they alone be- assistance of interpreters. I sining able to make us wise unto sal- cerely desired to know the truth, vation. I therefore consider myself and for that end I read the Scripengaged to make them my study; tures, "not as the word of man, but and as the whole was "given by as the word of God." And though inspiration from God," and was all there have been seasons of remissdeclared to be profitable, according ness, when other employments and to the various ends which the Holy studies too much interfered with Spirit designed in it, I made the this main business; and though at whole my study. Thus I learned first I was very far from an unto look upon the Bible as my book biassed mind, being blindly and of instructions, given me along with obstinately prejudiced against those the ministerial office by my Lord doctrines which I now believe to and Master; that from thence I be the true gospel of Jesus Christ; might deduce all my doctrines, in- yet in that space, I have read the structions, and admonitions, warn-Bible many times over, in every ings, examples, encouragements, part with the strictest attention of rules of duty, and motives to duty; which I have been capable. There and I also considered it to be the are very few passages which relate believer's charter of privileges, con- to doctrine, that I have not repeattaining exceedingly great and pre-edly and diligently examined, comcious promises, and the whole of paring one with another, with all that which God saw fit to reveal the care and consideration I could; concerning those unspeakable and and I seldom ever ceased meditatinconceivable good things which he ing on any portion of Scripture, hath of his infinite mercy prepared until I had attained to some satisfor them that love him. In order fying conclusion concerning its true therefore faithfully to declare my meaning, and its agreement with message from the Lord Almighty other Scriptures. I may truly say, to the souls of men, I found it in- I have filled reams of paper with dispensably needful to be well ac-religious discussions, with sermons, quainted with every part, and to expositions, and letters; in all which take the word of God myself, as I ransacked the Bible to bring as well as propose it to others, as much Scriptural evidence for my "the lantern of my feet, and the direction as possible. For these light of my paths;" not only attend- last two years I have scarcely ing to the letter, but also to the opened a book except upon relitrue meaning, the mind of the Spirit gious subjects, and from morning of God in it. This I found to be a till night, nearly every day, all

this while, my thoughts incessantly | would hear and grant my request, have been employed in meditation and by his Holy Spirit powerfully inupon the great truths of the gospel.cline the hearts of all who read these Every difficulty and objection (and sheets, according to their leisure, difficulties and objections, both from station in life, obligations, and opmy own meditations and in the portunities, thus attentively to read course of my reading, continually their Bibles; not as the word of crowded upon my mind), sent me man, but as the word of God himto the word of God, and increased self, speaking from heaven unto my care and attention in examining them, and concerning the everlastand weighing every text of Scrip- ing interests of their precious and ture, respecting the point in ques-immortal souls! Be the adviser tion, before I exchanged my old what he will, despised and deservopinion for a new one. ing to be despised, the advice is

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Thus, I may truly say, I have undoubtedly good:-advice he will sought in the word of God (that have no occasion to repent having field in which alone this precious thus given, at the solemn hour of treasure lies hid), "for wisdom," death, and the awful day of judgfor the saving knowledge of divine ment; advice which, at those apthings, "as for silver, and searched proaching seasons, none will repent for her as for hid treasure." And having followed, though it should though I am sensible that my know- divert them from more amusing, ledge is still comparatively super- and at this day, more reputable ficial, the knowledge of a child, of studies; or engross that time which a novice in the school of Christ; they have been accustomed to deyet, I trust that, as far as relates to vote to more pleasurable and fashthe leading truths of the gospel, ionable employments; but which, according to the promise, I am neglected, will be an additional brought to understand the fear sting in every conscience through of the Lord, and have found the all the countless ages of eternity. knowledge of God." And, Oh! that they to whom Permit me now, beloved reader, the chief Shepherd hath committed to put thee in remembrance, that the care of precious souls, and at until thou hast, with some good whose hands he will assuredly remeasure of this diligence, studied quire every one that perishes the whole word of God, thou runnest through their default, would take very great hazards in passing judg-in good part this expression of the ment upon men and doctrines. Be very affectionate desire of my soul, cautious what thou doest; let these both in behalf of them and of their men quite alone, until thou hast flocks, in dropping these hints conimitated the conduct of the noble cerning their peculiar obligations, Bereans, and thoroughly, and with to devote much of their time to the unbiassed mind, examined and me- attentive unbiassed study of the ditated upon the whole word of word of God, that infinitely best, God, to see whether the things but often least studied, of all books! they believe and teach be so or What avails it, that the ministers not: lest otherwise it should come of the everlasting gospel should be to pass (as probably it will), that, learned classical scholars, profound in opposing and condemning them, philosophers, metaphysicians and thou shouldst be found to fight mathematicians, expert logicians, or against God. Oh! that the Lord adorned with the knowledge of the

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politer sciences, if they are unac-alone sufficient to denominate any quainted, or but superficially ac-person a Methodist. It is however quainted, with the sacred Scrip- most certain, that the word of God tures? These other branches of is full of precepts, instructions, exliterature may amuse and entertain hortations, invitations, promises, them, may procure them preferment, and examples to this effect. He reputation, respect, and favour; but never read his Bible who knows the knowledge of the Bible alone not this; nor can any man, under can enable them, in such a manner, any pretence whatever, make a jest to "take heed to themselves, and of this great duty and privilege of to their doctrine," as shall issue in a believer, without pouring contempt the everlasting salvation of their upon the Holy Scriptures, and inown souls, and the souls committed sulting the brightest characters to their care. Far be it from me there proposed to us as examples, to presume to lay down my opinions not excepting the Lord Jesus himas the standard of doctrine, or a self. Let men, therefore, under the rule for the faith and preaching of profession of Christianity, be as irremy brethren in the sacred ministry! ligious and profane as they please, but the more obscure I am, the less I shall not be ashamed to speak objection can there reasonably be upon so unfashionable a topic: for against my hinting to them, that if if the word of God be true, he never any one should find this subject knew any thing as he ought to know, manifest itself to his conscience, never believed, never repented, and make him sensible, that verily never performed one duty aright in he hath been faulty in attending to his life, who hath not sought all other employments, and studying his wisdom, knowledge, faith, reother books more than the word of pentance, and sufficiency for obediGod; then, possibly, he may be ence, from God, by fervent, instant, mistaken in his sentiments concern- persevering prayer. Time was, even ing the doctrines of the gospel, and, since I had souls committed to my being mistaken himself, may be mis- care, that I lived in the neglect of leading others, to the endangering this duty, and so " without God in of their immortal souls: for he can- the world;" but since, through his not be certain but that, should he forbearance and mercy, I have been employ some years in this single in earnest about the salvation of study (which its importance well my own soul, and the souls of other deserves), he may find the Bible a men, my conduct in this respect very different book than he ex- has been very different. pected.

V. I would observe the influence which prayer appears to have had in effecting this change.

"If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shail your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them I am aware that the world, though that ask him?" and "if any man called Christian, is come to such a have not the Spirit of Christ, he is pass, that the very mention of this none of his." As he is the Spirit subject in many companies is ac- of truth, it is his office to lead us counted ill manners, or even re-into all truth, and to teach us all ceived with ridicule; and that being things: for he searches and reveals known to maintain a constant com- the deep things of God. It is exmunion with God, by prayer and pressly promised to the true church, supplication with thanksgiving, is that all her children shall be

taught of the Lord." (Isaiah, liv. [him, by every one who would be 13.) Referring to this, Christ hath wise unto salvation; that "the declared that "none can come unto secret of the Lord is with them that him, except he be drawn of the fear him ;" and that those "who Father," and "taught of God." receive not the love of the truth, (John, vi. 44, 45.) And St. Paul that they may be saved, are given declares, that "The natural man over to a strong delusion to believe receiveth not the things of the a lie; that they might all be damned Spirit of God, for they are foolish- who believe not the truth, but have ness to him; neither can he know pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 them, because they are spiritually Thess. ii. 10-12.)

discerned." (1 Cor. ii. 14.) The On these grounds, and depending natural man [uxxos] is explained upon the promises and invitations in Jude, by not having the Spirit; so plentifully interspersed throughwhich is evidently the Apostle's out the Scriptures; when I began meaning in this passage; for in the to inquire after the truth, I was led preceding verse he declares that he also in some measure to cry unto preached the gospel," not in words the Lord for his guidance and teachwhich man's wisdom teacheth, but ing; and, as my mind grew more which the Holy Ghost teacheth, engaged, and my difficulties, in excomparing spiritual things with tricating myself from the labyrinths spiritual.' On these grounds I con- of controversy, increased, I became cluded that man's natural under- more and more earnest, constant, standing could not, spiritually or and particular, in making my reprofitably, receive the knowledge quests known unto God. My conof revealed mysteries, unless it were stant prayer to the Lord was, to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. I delivered from pride and prejudice, learned also, that our eyes may be blindness of heart, contempt of the blinded by Satan, the god and prince truth, obstinacy, enthusiasm, ignoof this world; that our understand-rance, and error; and that the Lord ings may be closed, and a yeil be upon would give me wisdom and knowour hearts, when we read the word ledge, guide me to the truth as it of God; in which case the letter of is in Jesus, open my understanding, the Scriptures, without the Spirit, take away the veil from my heart, only killeth. Hence the need of and make known unto me the way the" understanding being opened, of salvation which is revealed to to understand the Scriptures;" for sinners in his holy word. Thus, want of which the plainest discourses waiting upon the Lord according of our Lord to his disciples, con- to his own appointment, depending cerning his sufferings, death, and on him and pleading his promises resurrection, were hidden from them, from day to day, I was led from one and they understood them not.— thing to another, until my view of The veil also must be taken from religious truth was totally changed. the heart: for want of which the This I most firmly believe to have Jews, in reading the Old Testament, been by the promised teaching of cannot understand the plainest de- the Spirit of truth, powerfully enclarations of Moses and the prophets, lightening my mind, opening the concerning their promised Saviour. Scriptures, and, by dispelling the The Scriptures also every where clouds of error and prejudice, enadeclare, that true wisdom is the bling me to receive the truth in gift of God, and must be asked of faith and love. I am conscious that

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