Ah! how many Christian travellers and di vines, whilst occupying the same spots, though they saw not a thousandth part of what the apostle saw, have had their whole minds so engrossed by scenes of earthly magnificence, as not to feel one sentiment of pity for the Pagans who formerly dwelt there, or the Mahometans who are the present proprietors of those venerable ruins!

PECULIAR CHARACTER OF THE SCRIPTURES.

WHAT seems the peculiar character of the scriptures is, their continual introduction of the Deity, and their incessant aim to produce, preserve, and revive the impression of him on the mind and heart of the reader. Other histories present us with views of nature and art. We sce in them abundant instances of human skill and human power; and if these scem insufficient to account for an event, the deficiency is supplied by the operations of chance. In the Bible alone, the divine Being possesses in full the glory of his own works, and evidently appears to govern the world. If the thunder roars, it is the voice of God. If the prudence, industry, and integrity of Joseph, procure him the favour of his Egyptian master, it is the Lord that prospers him. If the Babylonish tyrant satiates his ambition and cruelty at the expense of the surrounding nations, he is the "overflowing scourge" in the hand of Jehovah to punish the sins of these nations. If the Persian monarch displays his wisdom and generosity in restoring the Jews to their own country, the Lord stirs up his heart for that purpose. Nor is the Deity introduced as by a hea

then poet, for the sake of ornament, or to dignify a human hero; but as a real agent, and as the prominent character. Thus the "Great Invisible" is exhibited as it were to our senses, not occasionally, but continually. We are made to feel that in "Him we live, and move, and have our being." "He compasses us behind and before, and lays his hand upon us."

BENEFITS OF A PARTIAL REVELATION.

Ir need not be thought surprising, that the same narrow horizon which limits our view in all our concernments on earth, should confine our prospect when it is directed towards heaven. If we search for the attributes of the Creator by the light which the natural world affords, we see the rays of goodness and justice emerging from his throne, though their lustre is partially obscured by clouds and darkness. In proceeding from natural religion to revelation, we find enough to assure us of its certainty, but too little to satisfy our curiosity: we see but a part of the scheme in which we are included, its final object being inveloped in mystery. But this imperfection, instead of giving birth to sceptical murmurs, may be improved to a beneficial purpose, if it has its intended effect of reminding us, that the state we are now passing through is initiatory, not finalis a trial, a warfare, a pilgrimage; but that we must look upward to an eternal habitation for that unclouded light which may be one of the purest rewards of constant and victorious virtue.

THE CREEDS OR SYMBOLS OF BELIEF IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, EXPRESSED IN FEW WORDS.

If we observe the creeds or symbols of belief that are in the New Testament, we shall find them very short. "Lord, I believe that thou art the Son of God who was to come into the world;" -that was Martha's creed. " Thou art Christ the Son of the living God;"—that was Peter's creed. "We know and believe that thou art Christ the Son of the living God;"—that was the creed of all the apostles. "This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God; and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent;"-that was the creed which our blessed Lord himself propounded. And again, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, yea, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth in me, shall not die for ever;"-that was the catechism that Christ made for Martha, and questioned her upon the article, "Believest thou this?" and this belief was the end of the gospel, and in sufficient perfect order to eternal life. For so St. John, "These things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. For this is the word of faith which we preach, namely, if you with the mouth confess Jesus to be the Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."-That is the Christian's creed. "For I have resolved to know nothing amongst you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified; that in us ye may learn not to be wise above that which

is written, that ye may not be puffed up for another, one against another."-That was St. Paul's creed, and that which he recommends to the church of Rome, to prevent pride, and faction, and schism.

BEAUTIES OF THE PSALMS.

THE fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of paradise become, as we are accustomed to them, still more and more beautiful; their bloom appears to be daily heightened; fresh odours are emitted, and new sweets are extracted from them. He who hath once tasted their excellencies, will desire to taste them yet again; and he who tastes them oftenest, will relish them best.

FOLLY OF INFIDELITY IN ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE.

AND is it possible that you (Paine) should think so highly of your performance, as to believe, that you have thereby demolished the authority of a Book, which Newton himself esteemed the most authentic of all histories; which, by its celestial light, illumines the darkest ages of antiquity; which is the touchstone whereby we are enabled to distinguish between true and fabulous theology, between the God of Israel, holy, just, and good, and the impure rabble of heathen Baalim;

which has been thought, by competent judges, to have afforded matter for the laws of Solon, and a foundation for the philosophy of Plato;-which has been illustrated by the labour of learning, in all ages and countries;-and been admired and venerated for its piety, its sublimity, its veracity, by all who were able to read and understand it? No, sir; you have gone, indeed, through the wood, with the best intention in the world to cut it down; but you have merely busied yourself in exposing to vulgar contempt a few unsightly shrubs which good men had wisely concealed from public view; you have entangled yourself in thickets of thorns and briers; you have lost your way on the mountains of Lebanon; the goodly cedar trees whereof, lamenting the madness, and pitying the blindness of your rage against them, have scorned the blunt edge, and the basc temper of your axe, and laughed unhurt, at the feebleness of your stroke. The Bible has withstood the learning of Porphyry, and the power of Julian; to say nothing of the Manichean Faustus. It has resisted the genius of Bolingbroke, and the wit of Voltaire to say nothing of a numerous herd of inferior assailants; and it will not fall by your force. You have barbed anew the blunted arrows of former adversaries; you have feathered them with blasphemy and ridicule; dipped them in your deadliest poison; aimed them with your utmost skill; shot them against the shield of faith with your utmost vigour; but, like the feeble javelin of aged Priam, they will scarcely reach the mark-will fall to the ground without a stroke.