That simple inestimable code presents no puzzling question to tear the divided heart by contrary duties; it speaks of life as a mutable scene, teaches to enjoy its pleasures with moderation, and endure its evils with patience; it tells us that man is as variable as the world he inhabits; that errors mingle with the virtues of the best, and from the nature of good and evil, we learn to curb our passions, and moderate our desires; to expect with diffi. dence, enjoy with gratitude, and resign with submission. Conscious of our own failings, we become indulgent to the errors of others; and on the basis of mutual wants, general imperfection, and universal kindred, we build the structure of candour and benevolence. If the path of life is dreary and perplexed, if even the most virtuous find it sometimes gloomy and disconsolate, how deep must be its darkness to the wretch who has voluntarily forfeit ed the sunshine of the blameless heart,-the magnanimity of conscious rectitude, and the supporting influence of the christian religion.

SACRED SCRIPTURES.

GOD is wonderful for instructing men,

"Who teacheth like him" none so clearly, none so pleasantly, none with the same degree of accuracy, none with the same degree of power.

Did we believe the bible more stedfastly, and converse with its important truths with greater attention, it wonld give us a proper distaste for those little things which generally amuse men, and eat away their precious time.

There never was found, in any age of the world, either philosophy, or sect, or law, or discipline, which did so effectually promote the good of mankind, as the Sacred Scriptures.

The Sacred Scriptures are like a physician's shop full of remedies and preservatives: a code of divine laws which are highly beneficial: a treasury of immense riches: a cabinet of fine jewels: a fountain of pure water.

As the works of Christ were miraculous, so the words of Christ are mysterious; they are such a depth as none can sound, but those whom God hath furnished with the plummet of an enlightened understanding. Before any one can peruse the scriptures to profit, the Lamb of God must open the seven seals.

Those who collect pearls from the mines of Sacred Scripture, will leave as many behind as they carry with them.

The gospel describes the character and perfections of the blessed Jesus, with so much accuracy, and in such glowing colours as to give us his very picture: Reader have you never seen it and been struck with admiration and awe.

The word of God is an abstract of the divine mind, a map of the country, the best companion for the parlour and the closet, a pruning knife in the hand of the spirit, a feast of fat things to a hungry soul, a sword in the hands of a christian warrior, and a net in the hand of the christian minister. It is bright as a constellation! glorious as the meridian sun! fruitful as the rain, healing as balm, true as Jehovah, and lasting as eternity.

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

In the Sacred Scriptures all necessary truths are revealed, exceeding great and precious promises given, and the most illustrious and animating examples given for our imitation.

By the Sacred Scriptures we are led into the knowledge of God ourselves, and the way of salvation. Here we have life and immortality brought to light, with the awful realities of a future world; here we are instructed in our duty, urged to it by the noblest motives, and directed where to obtain assistance for the right discharge of it, to the certain rewards of piety, are added the most illustrious examples for our imitation.

Study the Sacred 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 any mixture of error, for its matter.

A calm and impartial investigation of the word of God, raises in our minds conceptions worthy the perfections of the deity-suitable to the circumstances of mankind, and adapted to purify and exalt our nature.