reason to confide in their authority, and to believe them to be what they have always been esteemed, the inspired word of God.

Let us, therefore, proceed to consider the proper effects of this belief upon our lives and conversations.

Having seen that there are many things touching our duty to God and our neighbour, which we cannot discover by the exercise of our own minds; having seen also that it was neither beyond the power of God, nor inconsistent with his attributes to make a revelation of his will to man; having moreover been convinced that he has actually made that revelation, and by his providence caused to be preserved and handed down to us, the records of the history of his dealings with man from the beginning of the world to the coming of that great LIGHT which shone out upon the world in the person of his blessed Son; it is surely our duty to study and meditate upon; to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest, the important truths therein contained. For we may be sure that "the holy Scriptures were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort in them, might have hope," of reaping in a future state the rich and lasting fruits of virtue and holiness here.

If those who lived before the revelation of God's will in the Gospel, or those to whom his gracious message has not yet been sent,

are to be called to account for neglecting the law written faintly in their own minds, how much more strictly shall they be examined who have enjoyed the advantages of a full knowledge? Let us, therefore, be careful to avail ourselves of the privileges we possess in having a ready access to the fountain of light and truth. If God has graciously condescended to point out to man his various duties as a religious and social being; if he has plainly taught him what he owes to his Maker, to his neighbour and to himself, is it not incumbent on all men to think frequently and seriously on these things, and to endeavour to make themselves better and better acquainted with every thing that God has revealed?

If you were to hear of some book, containing instructions as to the best means of acquiring riches, or other worldly advantages, would you not, one and all, be very desirous of getting a sight of it? Would you not be anxious to read it, or to hear it read and explained? Assuredly you would. You would endeavour to procure a copy that you might study it at your leisure. You would sell all you had to get this "pearl of great price." If, then, you are told that there is a book which will put you in the way of acquiring what is more valuable than the riches, or the pleasures which you are capable of enjoying in this world, will you not be still more

anxious to hear the contents of it? And if it appear that this book be within the reach of all, will you not stretch out your hands to receive it? Will you not listen with attention to its matter? The Bible is such a book. Take an example" from the children of this generation," and let them not any longer boast of "being wiser than the children of light." The Bible puts you in possession of much more important information than any you can acquire elsewhere: it tells you what you must do to please God, and that the consequence of pleasing him is "pleasure at his right hand for evermore :" it proclaims to you that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what God hath provided for them that love him." Will ye not, then, seize every opportunity of learning how to realize such glorious promises?

"Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it;" it is full of comfort to them in this life, whilst it inspires them with the hopes of happiness in that which is to come. Regard it, then, as the greatest treasure you can possess-it will be a "light unto your paths, and a lantern unto your feet;" your guide, your director, and your comforter in the various situations, public and private, in which you may be placed.Think it not enough that you are able to read its pages; but mark, learn, and

inwardly digest them;" meditate upon the deeply interesting things of which it is composed; attend to its admonitions, and rejoice in its consolations: thus will it "make you wise unto salvation," and enable you firmly "to embrace and ever to hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which God has given you in his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

SERMON IV.

ROMANS iii. 23.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

In the foregoing discourses, we have considered the arguments for the being of a God, and the grounds on which we believe in his providence. We have also treated of the revelation or discovery which he has made of himself to blind and ignorant man; and we have shewn that the sacred Scriptures are the records of that revelation, and that they contain the words of eternal life, and constitute a body of instruction for us in the nature of our duties, both to our Creator and our fellow-creatures.

What these Scriptures more particularly relate to concerning God's dealings with man, of man's state by nature, and his state by grace, I propose now to inquire. Follow me, therefore, with your attention for a few moments, whilst I speak of man's natural corruption, and the consequences of his fall from original righteousness.