Paley says, "sui generis," it may be worth our while, before we conclude our speculations, to take more particular account of certain capital points established in Holy Writ. For truths materially affecting the condition of man, and intimately connected with the consideration of his powers and responsibilities, are there presented to us, and are not discoverable by mere human sagacity. But in whatever way we can gain information of circumstances so weighty as to change, or indeed considerably modify, our whole position as creatures related to our great Creator, whether from the light of nature alone, or from that and Scripture conjoined, or from Scripture

Moreover, how admirably suited is constant meditation upon Scripture to produce the desired results. We often fail in our duty, not because we are ignorant, but because the sense of this duty is not sufficiently fixed in our minds. The remembrance glides away in the hurry and bustle of life. Accordingly St. Peter writes, "I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them." (2 Pet. i. 12). Now the frequent perusal of holy Scripture naturally supplies a remedy for our weakness, and stirs up the remembrance of things which though not unknown, are still unready for application at the time of need.

Add to these considerations the blessing which, we may well hope, will attend those who study God's Word in obedience to His will. Experience likewise shews that such study does tend to the implanting, cherishing, and strengthening of holy desires.

only,* such information must be of inestimable value to those who are honestly endeavouring to fulfil their destiny.

* Some persons are in the habit of absurdly vilifying their natural powers, and conclude that they thus honour God, that they exalt His written word, and abase themselves in a manner acceptable to Him by entertaining a low estimate of their own capacities.

Now it is quite clear that Scripture cannot be exalted by such contempt of men's natural faculties: for Scripture is admitted because the evidence on which it depends is such as to commend itself to the judicial faculty of mankind. If therefore we vilify this faculty, instead of exalting Scripture, we sap the very foundations on which it is supported. "In God's name," says a learned prelate, "if Scripture can be shewn to be inconsistent with reason, let Scripture be given

up."

Moreover, as regards self-abasement, the judicial faculty is God's gift equally with Scripture, and therefore not to be lightly esteemed. Again, whatever we have, we hold as stewards. If then we despise, i. e. do not estimate at its true worth that which we thus hold, how shall we duly apply it to its proper purposes, and so render a joyful account to our Lord? Besides, to undervalue what is good, is to cherish a falsehood, and must therefore be offensive in the sight of a God of truth.

But as these persons are disposed unduly to abase men's natural powers, so there are others who improperly exalt them; claim for them more than is their right; require explanations to which they are not entitled; and reject Scripture because their natural faculties are unable to comprehend the mysteries therein revealed. If I have evidence to shew that a thing is, it is absurd to reject such evidence because I know

Moreover, by considering these main features of Scripture, we shall but continue the course which has hitherto been pursued: we shall but contemplate truths which illustrate the power of moral evidence, and are themselves guides of conduct.

not how it is. An ignorant peasant may observe a railway train pass by him with amazing velocity: he knows not how the velocity is accomplished; but his belief that it is accomplished is not at all shaken by such ignorance. A certain quantity of arsenic if administered to a man will assuredly kill him. I may not be sufficiently acquainted with the secrets of nature, with chemistry and the constitution of the human subject, to know how this comes to pass; but I am convinced that it does happen, because I have abundant evidence compelling me to believe, and none at all to the contrary. Such examples illustrate by contrast the conduct of those who reject Scripture because it contains things above their comprehension. While they profess to exalt the natural powers of man, they are in reality guilty of absurdity. Just as the former persons, pretending to exalt Scripture do in effect, as far as in them lies, undermine its foundations.

CHAPTER II.

THE NATURAL SINFULNESS OF MAN.

SIN, according to the definition given in Scripture, is "the transgression of the law."* And it is plain that these words draw no distinction between what are called small sins and great sins: but it is determined absolutely that he who transgresseth the law sinneth. Now a most remarkable trait in the human character, and a truth of immense importance as well as difficulty for man both fully to know and practically to acknowledge, is the defilement and degradation of the entire human race. To an intelligent mind acquainted with only a portion of our history, might it not appear most strange and inexplicable that rational creatures, such as we are, should not only not fulfil but even oppose the designs of the Creator. For why, he might argue, should an omniscient Maker make such beings? When he was informed that God had written a law in sufficiently legible characters

* 1 John iii. 4.

upon our hearts, would not his surprise be increased? For now, he might reason, was not this law thus written with the intent that it should be obeyed? After he was told that the law of nature had been emphatically repeated and authoritatively confirmed by a communication written in ink, as that of Holy Scripture, would not this astonishment be altogether inexpressible? Might he not observe that the rivers obey their law and flow into the ocean; the planets know their courses; "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handywork; one day telleth another, and one night certifieth another; the sun cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course"?* Might he not cry out with Jeremy Taylor, that "God has fitted horses and mules with strength, bees and pismires with sagacity, harts and hares with swiftness, birds with feathers and a light airy body; and they all know their times, and are fitted for their work, and regularly acquire the proper end of their creation; but man that was designed to an immortal duration and the fruition of God for ever, knows not how to obtain it; he is made upright to look up to heaven, but he knows no more how to purchase it than to climb it." For,

* Psa. xix.