accomplished, and the reasons, for which they were ordained, are not all laid open to his view, he concludes, therefore, that the revelation itself cannot be true. As justly might he dispute the existence of the sun, or of the stars; because his arm cannot reach them, or his hand balance them. This also is not the use, it is the abuse of reason. Read not as he reads--form a more humble, a more accurate estimate of your nature and your powers. Read, in the Scriptures, the great lines of duty, all that is necessary to your happiness, all that is necessary to your salvation, written so, that," he may run that reads." Read also, there, some "things hard to be understood;" some things to the full comprehension of which the human mind never can attain, till we shall cease to see through a glass darkly;" and shall be admitted to behold God" face to face," but these things read with faith', and with humility. Bear in mind, that what is revealed. is all, that is necessary for you to know in

66

"Propose me,” said Chillingworth," any thing out of this book, and require whether I believe it, or no; and, seem it never so incomprehensible to human reason, I will subscribe it hand and heart; as knowing no demonstration can be stronger than this, God hath said so, therefore it is true." Relig, of Prot. Chap. vi. p. 56,

D

your present state; and what is hidden has been determined, by the infinite wisdom of God, to be either of no importance to us, or too much for our limited capacities to receive.

Read also with impartiality, read not as he reads, who wishes to select passages, or ingeniously perverts his reason in distorting precepts, by which he may deceive himself, and silence the reproaches of his conscience. Never pass hastily over those parts of Scripture, which happen to condemn some favourite sin, some habitual neglect nor endeavour to twist other parts into an excuse, to save you from doing violence to your inclination. "Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them." Take not single passages; but examine well the whole scope, and tenor of the Scriptures. Think not to compound for the neglect, or the violation of one precept, by. the rigid and scrupulous observance of another. Rely not upon a partial obedience; separate not one member of the body from the rest; trust not to faith, without holiness, nor to holiness without faith. Believe, and hope in the efficacy of Christ's atoning blood, in his powerful mediation, and in his promised assistance. But never delude yourselves with the wild notion; that we must

therefore sin," that grace may abound *;" or that, at any period of our lives we are to relax in our vigilance, or to desist from striving to "work out our salvation with fear, and trem→ bling." Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Scriptures. Study, and compare every part of them; and they will be found every where consistent, every where faithful, and unerring guides.

Lastly; read them with sincerity; not as matters of mere speculation and curiosity; but with a sincere intention, to make them your rule of life, and to conform to them in your practice. Read them not, as the mere formalist does; who reads only because others read, and who never meditates upon what they suggest to him. But read with that spirit, with which St. Paul said, “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" with an ardent desire to know the will of God, and with a full and determined purpose to do it.

Thus praying for God's grace and co-operating earnestly with that grace, may we so read, that, “ through patience, and comfort of the holy Scriptures, we may have hope." Thus, confirming our faith, strengthening our hope, amending our life, may we, (though

Rom. vi. 1.

1 Phil. ii. 12.

m

Acts ix. 6.

descended from a Gentile stock) "glorify God for his mercy." May we celebrate with joy and thankfulness the Advent of our Redeemer. Let us bless and praise him, while we read those Scriptures "written for our learning," which announce, and those which confirm our admission to the covenant of grace and mercy. mercy. Especially let Especially let us not fail to meditate upon those passages prophetic of that great event, which the Apostle, from whose epistle our text is taken, has cited ; and which are so judiciously set before us in connection with the collect for this day. Let us not be deaf to that call in which we as Gentiles, are especially addressed. "Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles, and laud Him all ye people." And Esaias saith, "there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise, to reign over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles trust." Let us then bear our part in accomplishing the very words of the prophet. Let us indeed trust in Him. Let us now" embrace, and may we ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life which God has given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."

SERMON III.

ON THE COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

1 COR. IV. 1.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

In the collects of the two preceding Sundays in Advent, the grace of God has been implored; firstly, for the general purpose of enabling us to "cast off the works of darkness, and to put upon us the armour of light;" secondly, for the particular purpose of deriving means, instructions, and encouragements to do this, from a diligent and profitable perusal of the Scriptures. In the collect for the third Sunday in Advent, we are directed to pray for that grace upon his ministers, that they may be fitted for the discharge of the sacred office, with which they are invested, and powerfully assisted in the accomplishment of