When the Church of Israel was taken into covenant, revelation was committed to writing; and in the ceremonial Law of Moses it received a new form, not only more adapted to the state of the Church, but, by means of their ritual, and the writings of their prophets, the doctrines of revelation were carried abroad among the natious. When the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, the Lord gave the Word, and all that the law and the prophets had foretold began to be fulfilled. But when, in addition to this, after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent down from above, and the apostles were divinely inspired for that purpose, they were directed, not only by their doctrines, but by their writings, to complete and finish all that Infinite Wisdom sees meet to reveal, all t at man needs to know. That same Jesus, who spoke on earth, was sent to testify the truth of the scriptures, with this awful admonition: "If any man shall add to what these scriptures reveal, God shall add to him the plagues that are written therein. And if any man shall take away from them, God shall take away his part out of the book of life," &c. Morrison.

Good men would never do so ill a thing as to counterfeit the broad seal of Heaven, and to affix it to a patent of their own framing, though in itself never so just; no, these are not the words of him that bath a devil. Mait. Henry's Pref. to his Exposition.

There is a most amazing perspicuity in the sacred writings, beyond any to be found in human composures, according to a common observation, though there are in them such depths that an elephant may swim, yet such shallows that a lamb may wade in them; that is, though there is enough to exercise the talents of men of the greatest capacities to search into, and find out the things contained therein, yet what are essential to salvation, or necessary to be known by men with respect to their faith and practice, are clear and plain, and easy to be understood by an enlightened mind, though otherwise of the meanest capacity. This divine book contains in it interesting things to persons of every rank and class, of every different capacity, of every age and sex. It is written for the use of all sorts, men, women, and children; and, therefore, the main and es

sential things in it are written in such manner as to be understood by them all thus Timothy from a child knew the holy Scriptures, (2 Tim. iii. 15,) and herein the wisdom of God is wonderfully displayed, and is a plain mark of the divinity of them.

Dr. Gill.

The Bible is not, indeed, a plan of religion delineated with minute accuracy, to instruct men, as in something altogether new, or to excite a vain admiration and applause; but it is somewhat unspeakbly more great and noble, comprehending, in the grandest and most magnificent order, along with every essential of that plan, the various dispensations of God to mankind, from the foundation of this earth to the consummation of all things. Other books may afford us much entertainment and instruction, may gratify our curiosity, may calm our passions, may exalt our sentiments, may even improve our hearts; but they have not, they cannot have, that authority in what they affirm, in what they promise and threaten, that the Scriptures have. There is a peculiar weight and energy in them, which is not to be found in any other writings. Their denunciations are more awful, their convictions stronger, their consolations more powerful, their counsels more authentic, their warnings more alarming, their expostulations more penetrating. There are passages in them, throughout so sublime, so pathetic, full of energy and force upon the heart and conscience, yet without the least appearance of labour and study for that purpose; indeed, the design of the whole is so noble, so well suited to the sad condition of human kind; the morals have in them such purity and dignity; so many of them above reason, yet so perfectly reconcileable with it; the expression is so majestic, yet familiarized with such easy simplicity, that the more we read and study these writings, with pious dispositions and judicious attention, the more we shall see and feel the hand of God in them. Archbishop Secker.

The Bible should not be read as you read other books, merely to form an opinion on the merit of the performance, or to say you have read them; but to be taught. God has given his word as a sovereign rule; it is committed to the Church as the great standard of truth; to its authority all must bow, and before its tribunal all must

stand. The Scripture is the great expositor of Providence; indeed, they throw light upon each other; in the one is the prediction, in the other the fulfilment. Sabine.

The book of God is a most wonderful book, whether we consider the variety of subjects it embraces, the glorious things it brings to view, the grace it reveals, or the benefits it confers upon man. In this book is set before us the character of God, the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, the real state of the Church and of the world. It describes not only what exists in the present world, but reveals a world to come. Life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel. It is a book full of eternal truth and love; it is God's mind; it is man's instructor. Jones.

If the carnal mind were not enmity against God, and incapable of discerning spiritual things, the scriptures would be universally admired. Laying aside the idea of divine inspiration, they are inimitably beautiful, both in respect of sentiment and composition.

There is a vast variety, and every one would find something to gratify his peculiar taste. The mind which loves the historic page would be wonderfully pleased with the history of the old world, and the amazing vicissitudes of the posterity of Jacob. How many miraculous events took place, from their going down into Egypt to the destruction of their city and temple by the Romans!

The

person delighted with the lofty strains of poetry would find infinite gratification in some ancient songs, composed to celebrate certain signal deliverances; as when Israel sang after their passage through the Red Sea, and Deborah when Sisera fell before her. The book of Job, the prophecies of Isaiah, and the performances of the sweet singer of Israel, would fill his heart with admiration. The Book of Ecclesiastes would suit the mind anxious to be acquainted with the works of nature; and the proverbs of Solomon are an unequalled system of morality. Were it not for the vitiated and depraved taste of mankind, the celebrated Parnassus would be forsaken for Zion-hill; and the poisonous streams, once sacred to the Muses, would be changed for the wells of salvation: but the scriptures are divine, and the natural man receiveth not the things

of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither cau he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. God hath written to us the great things of his law, but they are counted as a strange thing by the bulk of mankind. Anon.

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Let us, therefore, look upon all the books that compose cred volume as divinely inspired, as designed in all respects to our profit and edification; therefore, let us read and study them, not as the word of man, but, as they are indeed, the word of God; i. e. so as to prize and value them according to their worth; to love and delight in them; to praise God for them; to meditate upon them as men, not as children; and to conform our lives wholly to them.

And, in order to become thus the humble, and impartial, and obedient scholars of Christ, let me put you in mind of one thing, than which nothing is more necessary, in order to profit truly by the Bible, viz. that ye have a care of laying down any opinion, or scheme of opinion, in matters of religion, previously to your having impartially examined the sacred Scripture in such matters.

Fleming.

The Bible is incomparably the best book that ever was written. The Book of books, shining like the sun in the firmament of learning; other valuable and useful books, like the moon and stars, borrowing their light from it.

Henry.

Study the holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament; therein are contained the words of eternal life. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without mixture for its matter.

Locke.

In the Scriptures, all things which are truly benevolent and philanthropic are strongly enjoined from the purest motives--the love of Christ, in the practice of holiness; and, to the noblest end, the declarative glory of God. The Bible was not written to make us philosophers, but yet it is so deep that it can instruct the wisest; though it may be understood by all persons of the plainest understanding. It is worthy of remark, that the more holy and bumble any are, the more they read, admire, and value the Bible; but the

more immoral, worldly-minded, or proud any persons become, the more they neglect it. Fletcher.

It is a fact, that this Book has been, and still is, the grand instrument of reforming a degenerate world; and in proportion to the degree in which this evangelical scheme is received and relished, it is evident that the interest of true virtue and holiness flourishes, and the mind is formed to manly devotion, diffusive benevolence, and true fortitude.

Would to God, therefore, that, forgetting all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms, which have divided the Christian world, we might all agree to sit down together, as humble, loving disciples, at the feet of our common Master, to hear his word, imbibe his spirit, and transcribe his life in our own. Dr. Doddridge.

God has condescended to become an Author, that we might be ́endowed with knowledge; and hath diversified the subjects, to make them the more grateful. By the contents of this blessed Book we have great variety:-history, ethics, poetry, and prose, philosophy, and divinity, are to be met with in this precious volume. The design of its being given, is not only to inform us, but to make us wise unto salvation. What signifies all the learning that ever was amassed by man, if he knows not what he should do to be saved? Acquainted with every thing but this, and dying ig norant of this, he dies as a fool dies, without essential instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he goes astray.

We cannot know the grace of God in truth, but by the Scriptures; they enable us to steer our course through this life, to life eternal; they bring us to the knowledge of him who is the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ. They are not like a book that clogs our attention; but like our daily bread, which nature never loathes while we are in health.

The Scriptures have something in them ever new; we may read them again and again, and discover fresh beauties: they are the book of life, and the book for life. It will afford us pleasure when no other book will; its precious contents will be acceptable to the mind in dying moments, and prove a source of comfort when nothing else will. C. Winter.