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passage, you may have your minds better prepared to hear what is to be spoken. And this is the thing I have always advised, and shall still continue to exhort you to, that you should not only hear what is said in this place, but spend your time at home continually in reading the Holy Scriptures. And here let no one use those frigid and vain excuses,I am a man engaged in the business of the law, I am taken up with civil affairs, I am a tradesman, I have a wife and children to breed up, I have the care of a family, I am a secular man it belongs not to me to read the Scriptures, but to those who have bid adieu to the world, and are retired into the mountains, and have nothing else to do but to exercise themselves in such a way of living.What sayest thou, O man? Is it not thy business to read the Scriptures, because thou art distracted with a multitude of other cares? Yes, certainly it belongs to thee more than them. For they have not so much need of the help of the Holy Scriptures as you have, who are tossed in the waves of the multiplicity of business. You have perpetual need of divine remedies, as well to cure the wounds you have already received, as to ward off those you are in danger of receiving.; to quench the darts of the devil, whilst they are at a distance, and drive them away by continual reading of the Holy Scriptures. For it is impossible that a man should attain salvation without perpetual exercise in reading spiritual things. But some again will say, what if we cannot understand the things that are contained therein? Why even in that case, though you do not understand every thing that is contained therein, yet by reading you shall obtain much sanctification. For it is impossible that you should be equally ignorant of all things in those books for the grace of the Spirit so ordered it, that they should originally be composed and written by publicans, and fishers, and tent-makers, and shepherds, and private and illiterate men, that none of the most. ignorant and unlearned might have this

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excuse of difficulty to fly to; that the things there spoken might be easy to be looked into by all men; that the handy craftsman, the servant, the widow, the most illiterate and unlearned among men, might reap benefit and advantage by hearing them read. The apostles and prophets wrote not like the pilosophers of the Gentiles, in obscure terms, but made things plain to the understandings of all men, as being the common teachers of the word, that every man by himself might learn by reading alone the things that were spoken. whom are not all things in the Gospelmanifest and plain? Who is there that hearing those sayings, "Blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart," and the like, would desire a teacher to understand the meaning of them? Moreover, the signs and miracles, and histories, are they not all intelligible and plain to any ordinary reader? This therefore is only a pretence, and excuse, and cloak for idleness. Thou dost not understand the things contained in the Scripture? How shouldest thou understand. them, when thou wilt not so much as look at them? Take the Book into thy hands, read the whole history, and remember those things that are intelligible and easy; and those things that are more obscure and dark, read over and over again; and if thou canst not by frequent reading dive into the meaning of what is said, go to a wiser person, betake thyself to a teacher, and confer with him about any such passage; shew thy diligence, and desire to be informed; and when God sees thy willingness and readiness of mind, he will not despise thy vigilance and care. But though man inform thee not in the things about which thou makest enquiry, he himself will certainly reveal it to thee. Remember the Eunuch of the Ethiopian queen, who though he was a barbarian, and immersed in a multitude of cares and business, and understood not what he read, yet he read for all that, sitting in his chariot. And if he shewed so great diligence by

the way, consider how he behaved himself | at last. If he would not omit reading in the time of a journey, much less would he omit it, when be sat quietly in his own house. If when he understood nothing of it, he still continued to read; much more would he do it, when he came to understand it. Wherefore because he read when he had no guile, he quickly found a guile. God knew the willingness of his mind, and accepted his diligence, and presently sent him a teacher. But Philip, you will say, does not now stand by us: no; but the Spirit that moved Philip, is still by

us.

Let us not neglect our own salvation, beloved. These things were written for our salvation, upon whom the ends of the world are come. The reading of the Scriptures is our great guard against sin Our ignorance of them is a dangerous precipice, and deep gulph. It is an absolute betraying of our salvation, to know nothing of the divine law. It is this that has brought forth so many heresies; this that has brought so much corruption into our lives; this that has turned all things into confusion.

St. Chrysostom.

By prayer we are cleansed from sin; by reading we are taught what we ought to do. Both of them are good, when they can be practised. But if they cannot both be practised, it is better to pray than to read; for when we pray we speak with God; when we read, God speaks with us. If you would always abide with God, always pay and always read. To read the Seriptures is exceedingly necessary for us: for by reading we learn what we ought to do, what to avoid, and at what we ought to aim. Whence it is said, Thy word, is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my paths." By reading, sense and understanding is increased. Reading furnishes us for prayer, and for action Reading Reading qualifies both for an active and contem No. 28.

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plative life; therefore it is said in the Psalms, The man is blessed who meditates in the law of the Lord day and night." Reading and prayer are the arms by which the devil is vanquished; these are the instruments by which eternal life is acquired. By prayer and reading our vices are destroyed, and virtues are nourished in the soul. The servant of the Lord ought always to pray and read. Hence it is written in the Psalms, Then shall I not be confounded, when I have respect unto all thy commandments " Therefore be much in Scriptures, be constant in the law of God, prayer, persevere in meditation upon the let your study be in the divine laws, be frequent in reading, let your daily reading be a meditation on the law. Reading leaves less roo:u for the follies of life, and May God open your hearts to understand draws us off from the vanity of the world. his precepts !

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Saviour was the subject of our meditation, that of his circumcision should be for Tuesday; and so in course, till in the month's time having run through all the actions of Jesus Christ, you come to contemplate him ascending into heaven in triumph! You are every month to begin these meditations again in the same order.

After dinner you shall resume your morn. ing prayer, and reflect on the same mystery half an hour. You are to employ yourself in this manner interiously through all the variety of your outward business; giving an hour in every day to the consideration of the most holy life of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whatsoever affair or in whatsoever incumbrance you are engaged.

Francis Havier.

should have inherited his honours and manors; so if you apply yourself diligently to this book, seeking to direct your life according to the rule of the same, you shall be an inheritor of such riches, as neither the covetous shall withdraw from you, neither the thief shall steal, neither yet the moths corrupt. Desire with David, my best sister, to understand the law of the Lord your God. Live still to die, that you by death may purchase eternal life. And trust not that the tenderness of your age shall lengthen your life; for unto God when he calleth, all hours, times, and seasons, are alike. And blessed are they whose lamps are furnished when he cometh; for as soon will the Lord be glorified in the young as in the old."

Lady Jane Gray.

The night before Lady Jane Gray was executed, she wrote a letter, of which the following is a part, on the blank leaves at the end of a Greek Testament, which she bequeathed as a legacy to her sister, the Lady Catharine Gray.

I have sent you, my dear sister Catharine, a book which, although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold, yet inwardly it is more worth than all the precious mines which the vast world can boast of. It is the book, my only best and best beloved sister, of the law of the Lord: it is the Testament and last Will which he bequeathed unto us wretches and wretched sinners, which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy; and if you with a good mind read it, and with an earnest desire follow it, no doubt it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting life. It will teach you to live, and learn you to die.-It shall win you more, and endow you with greater felicity, than you should have gained by the possession of our woeful father's lands. For, as if God had prospered him, you

Were Christians more generally sensible of their great need of divine assistance in order to their attaining to a saving knowledge of the Scriptures; did they by earnest prayer apply themselves toGod through Jesus Christ, for the aids of his Holy Spirit. to enlighten their minds, to purify their hearts and affections, to sanctify their wills, to reprove them for their failings, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth, and to set home the Scriptures on their consciences; they would questionless become wise unto salvation, and ready to every good work. Did Christians spend more time in reading and comparing the sacred writings, than in searching after the different and disagreeing opinions of expositors, I am persuaded the way to divine knowledge would be both easier, and shorter, and more satisfactory, the disputes among Christians fewer, and those which should remain would be managed with a spirit of meekness and love; the practice of religion would become more universal, and the world would feel the benefit of the religion

our blessed Saviour taught men, and be | bespoke him to be what he was, God maconvinced of its divine original. nifest in the flesh, to destroy the works of the devil.

Rev. Francis Fox, A. M.

There is in the Holy Scriptures, such a vast variety of entertainment for a well-disposed reader, that the Bible is not only the most excellent and useful, but really the most diverting book in the world. And would we but bestow as much time and application of mind upon it, as we do upon other considerable authors; we should soon discover such excellencies in it, as would even chain us to it, but with a most delightful captivity, and make us relish nothing like it.

What a noble account, for instance, does it give of the first formation of the world; the origin of the human race; the unhappy fall of our common ancestors from the favour of their Creator; and the hopes that were graciously given them of a recovery!

All the books in the world cannot afford any thing comparable to what this divine book treats of; and that in the most moving manner too, without the least appearance of artifice or affection, and with a natural majestic gracefulness in all its vari

ous turns.

But it is not every reader that will have this taste for the Scriptures; and 'tis not running through a single chapter now and then, without order and connection, and with all the haste that may be, and then laying the book aside, and thinking no more of the matter, that will do us any considerable good; for no book whatever of any value, that is huddled over at this heedless rate, would be read to any purpose, much less the Book of God.

No; we must dwell upon it, and, with holy David, make it our meditation day and night, comparing carefully one passage with another, and reading not scatter

How affecting is the history of the holyingly here and there a little, but perusing and venerable patriarchs; their intercourse with God and heavenly spirits; their great simplicity, piety and generosity; the wonderful providence of God towards them and their posterity; and the admirable steps and advances that were made from age to age to the happy times of the Messias!

And how surprizing is the relation we have of his conception, and birth, and life, and death, who was the desire of all nations!

How mean was his outward appearance! And yet how did his divinity break through all the clouds and vails that he was pleased to put upon it to conceal it! He seemed to be no other than a poor, despised, afflicted man; and yet the wondrous things he did, and heavenly doctrines he taught,

what is of the same nature and tendency together; and then fixing it in our minds by serious meditation, and above all, endeavouring to improve it to what is the great end, as to us, of its being written, the increase of a true sense of religion in us, and sincere holiness of life, that we may grow wise by it to salvation. For whoever reads the Scriptures out of curiosity only, or vain-glory, or for any purpose or design that does not tend to this in the conclusion, does highly profane and abuse them, and will sadly repent it at last.

But he that with due reverence, humility and pious intention, takes the course. I mentioned just now, in his sacred studies, will in a little time have a true relish for the Holy Writings; and the seeming dryness and obscurity of them at first, will

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The Gospels are by no means to be looked upon as so many detached pieces, composed by persons totally ignorant of each others intention: but rather as one complete entire system of divinity, supported by the strongest proofs, that the subject is capable of, and defended against all the objections which either Jews or Gentiles, or even its most dangerous heretical professors, could make to the truth and certainty of it. If we read them in proper order, we shall find them improving one upon another, and yet all conspiring to the same end-to a perfect representation of revealed religion.

Rev. Henry Owen, D. D.

To secret prayer, you will join devout study of the Bible; because it is our infallible guide, and the treasury of all truth necessary to salvation. But the riches laid up there are not to be found by proud or careless minds; none possess them, till they dig for them as for silver, longing to know the will of God, that they may do it. To superficial readers of the Bible, it presents little more than a great number of duties, which must be performed; and sins, which must be renounced; with insupportable pains, in failure of obedience: passages of excellent use, when believed; as they at once rouse the selfish soul of man to seek reconciliation with God, and help from heaven. But earnest and devout readers of the Bible discover much more-they dis

cover the tender heart of Christ; the effica

cy of his blood to cleanse from all uurighteousness; and a variety of spiritual blessings, which are the present reward of being true hearted in his service. I am at a loss for words to express how much solid knowledge, transforming your mind into the Divine image, you will certainly gain by persevering in diligent prayer year after year, for the true interpretation of God's blessed word, that you may be made wise and holy.

Rev. Henry Venn, M. A.

O what a sweet and spacious field is the Holy Scripture, my soul, in which thou mayest traverse about, and entertain thyself with the greatest variety of wonders and delights! This letter of love from beaven thou canst not peruse too often; but mayest make some of the best employment of thy time, to meditate in it day and night. There thou shalt find the noblest histories, the greatest remarks, the wisest counsels, the sublimest truths, the most surprising passages, the most momentous concerns, the exactest rules, the holiest precepts, the weightiest waruings, the most precious promises, the highest of all encouragements. Away then with all the impertinent writings, the stained papers, that do but abuse, if not debauch, the readers. O dear Book of all books! that has God himself for the blessed Author, aud eternal salvation for the subject matter! Nothing comes with such power upon the heart; nothing gives such satisfaction and

assurance to the mind. When 'tis "Thus saith the Lord," 'tis beyond all the sayings and confidence, of the greatest men in the world. To this test I bring all that I hear or read elsewhere; and in this centre

fix, and find sure footing. Amidst all the uncertainty and contradiction of sentiments in the world, I am easy, that I have the Divine Oracles, by which I can safely abide.

Rev. Benjamin Jenks, A. M.

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