nay, it obliged him to set them in a stronger light. John iii. 5; Matt. vii. 21-23; and xxv. 41; Luke xiii. 3.

3. It was renewed by the testimony of the apostles, under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Rom. i. 18; ii. 5, 6. 8, 9; viii. 6, 7; 1 Cor. vi. 9; Heb. xii. 14; 1 Pet. i. 22, 23; 1 John ii. 29.

2. The nature of future happiness is such, that an unregenerate person would be incapable of relishing it.

The Scriptures represent the happiness of heaven as consisting,

1. In the perfection of our minds in knowledge and holiness. Heb. xii. 23; Rev. xxi. 27; 1 John iii. 2.

2. In the sight and enjoyment of the ever-blessed God. Matt. v. 8; Rev. iii. 12; and xxii. 3, 4.

3. In the beholding the glory of our exalted Redeemer. John xvii. 24; Phil. i. 23.

4. In enjoying the society of angels and glorified saints. Heb. xii. 22, 23; Matt. viii. 11.

5. In the assured prospect of the everlasting continuance of this felicity. 2 Cor. iv. 17, and v. 1; 1 Pet. i. 4. II. The nature of regeneration; a being born again. 1. A being born of the Spirit. John iii. 5; 1 Peter ii. 9; Col. i. 13.

2. A change of disposition. Eph. iv. 22-24; Col. ii. 11, 12.

3. A taking away the power of sin. Rom. vi. 14 John v. 18.

4. A restoring us to the image of God. Col. iii. 10; 2 Cor. iii. 18.

III. The means of regeneration,

Rom. viii. 29;

1. Seeking God. Isa. lv. 6; Jer. xxix. 13. 2. Renouncing sin. Isa. i. 16-18; lv. 7. 3. Repentance. Acts ii. 37, 38; iii. 19.

4. Faith in Christ. Acts xvi. 31; and xx. 21. To conclude.

You, who, through divine grace, are "born again," 1. Be thankful to God for what you have experienced. Ps. xxx, 4: Col. i. 12.

2. Improve it, by devoting yourselves wholly to God. Rom. xii. 1; Eph. iv. 1.

3. Study to promote the work of God on the hearts of others. Ps. li. 14; Col. i. 28.

4. Long for that blessed world where you shall live in the fruition of God for ever. Phil. i. 23; 2 Cor. v. 8.

THE DUTY OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES.

66

Search the Scriptures.—John v. 39.

THE Scriptures may indisputably be ranked among the greatest blessings that ever God gave to mankind; it, therefore, highly bebooves us to hold them in great estimation. They teach us the mind of God with such perspicuity, that he who runneth may read ;" and, therefore, all are highly culpable who are ignorant of the subjects upon which they treat. The shameful ignorance of the Scriptures, which is manifest in the present day, is justly a matter of regret to all good men. This ignorance of the word of God, is probably one principal reason of that skepticism and infidelity, which every where abound. Ig norant of the sacred oracles, we entertain the most vague and indeterminate ideas of the plain religion of Jesus.

Christians frequently hold the most absurd notions of the plainest truths; the bumble inquirer after truth can obtain no satisfaction, and hence numbers reject Christianity as a "cunningly devised fable," &c.

I. What is implied in the duty bere enforced.

The word search, undoubtedly means something more than a turning over the sacred pages in a careless manner; it is a metaphor, borrowed from the circumstance of a person's digging in mines for some hidden treasure. Now, conceive with what assiduity such a person will seek, and apply it to the case in hand. (Prov. ii. 4.) In the word of God there are invaluable treasures, &c.

1. But it seemeth necessary, in a right manner of searching, that we should be directed by what we think the Scriptures teach; for it is not probable that we shall diligently strive to understand what we are not determined to make any use of. Every man hath a right to interpret the Scriptures as his judgment directs him. "To the law and to the testimony," &c.

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2. That we read them with care and meditation. read any thing that is worth reading, carelessly, is a mere waste of time; here let us make use of our understanding, memory, &c.

3. A comparing one scripture with another, &c.

By this method we shall understand the meaning of a great variety of expressions, which are generally very little understood: such as atonement, justification, faith, 'salvation, sanctification, &c.

4. Read them with much prayer to God. "The things of God knoweth no man but by the Spirit of God, but by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; the wisdom that cometh from above," is the most valuable acquisition you can possess, &c.

II. Enforce the duty by a few plain arguments.

1. The express command of God. This ought to outweigh every other consideration. (Deut. xvii. 18, 19; Josh. i. 8; Deut. vi. 6, 7.) The same command we frequently have in the New Testament. Col. iii. 16.

2. Its peculiar excellency. It deriveth its original from heaven. (2 Tim. iii. 16.) The character of the persons concerned in publishing it, "Holy men, and moved by the Holy Ghost;" Jesus himself speaketh in them. (Heb. xii. 25.) The subjects they contain. John v. 39.

3. The invariable practice of believers. The example of the best of men ought to have some weight with us. Job xxiii. 12; Ps. xix. 8; cxix. 20. 24-103.

4. Its peculiar usefulness to the Christian, in every condition in life. (2 Tim. iii. 16.) The cause of error is a want of attention to the word of God: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." It is a preservative from temptation; (Matt. iv. 7.) from sin. (P's. cxix. 11.) It is a support under all your troubles; "There is no temptation taken you," &c. It is a mean of your fruitfulness. Ps. i. 3.

Inferences.

1. What a blessed thing it is that we have the Scriptures to search: "He hath not dealt so with every nation."

2. How much, then, are they to be pitied, who prefer the suggestions of their own imaginations to the Scrip

tores.

3. Let all read the Scriptures. Do not consider this as a task, but a privilege; as a privilege for which you can never be sufficiently thankful. When those who read profane authors rise to shame and contempt, it will be to your honour, that, like Timothy, "you have known the holy Scriptures;" or Apollos, mighty "in the Scriptures."

THE BEST COMPANY.

I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.-Ps. cxix. 65.

WE are commanded to imitate those who now, by faith and patience, inherit the promises; and here is a pattern set before us by the Psalmist, worthy of our imitation. We ought frequently to try ourselves by this test; if we be destitute of this affection, whatever pretences we may make to religion, they are vain. Our love must ex

tend to all whom we have reason to believe are the followers of Christ. David was both a prophet and a king, yet he said, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee," &c.

I. Illustrate the character of the people of God: "They fear him, and keep his precepts."

1. They fear him. There is a two-fold fear of God:

1. A servile fear; which consists in awful apprehensions of God. (Matt. xxv. 24, 25.) This believers are delivered from. Luke i. 74. Rom. viii. 15.

2. A filial fear; this is the fear intended in the text. This fear is promised. (Jer. xxxii. 40.) The most eminent saints are recommended for, and described by, this divine principle. Job i. 1. Mal. iii. 16.

This fear of God is represented in Scripture as a great preservative against both secret and open sins. (Gen. xxxix. 9; Lev. xix. 14; Heb. iv. 1.) This fear disposeth those who possess it to perform those duties the Lord requireth; (Isa. viii. 13.) for this reason the Psalmist pray

eth, Ps. xxxvi. 11. This principle is represented in scripture as inseparably connected with the lively exercises of other graces. Col. iii. 22; Ps. ii. 11; exii. 1.

2. They keep God's precepts; i. e. in an evangelical

sense.

all.

1. In purpose and resolution; they approve of them

2. In affection. Ps. xix. 10; cxix. 77.

3. They endeavour to observe them; and to observe them all.

II. What is implied in being a companion of those that fear God, &c.

xv. 12.

1. An high esteem and affection for them. 1 John iv. 20, 21.; Lev. xix. 18; John xiii. 34; 2. A delight in communion with them. 3. Joining with them in public worship. Ixxxiv. 1, 2.

4. A readiness to converse with them. Ps. xv. 4; Rom. i. 12.

Ps. xvi. 3.
Ps. xlii. 1, 2;

Mal. iii. 16;

Rom. xii. 15; Rev. i.

Gal. vi. 10; James ii.

III. The obligations we are under to aspire after such a temper and behaviour.

1. The relation we profess to stand in to God. Children of one father; (1 John iii. 1.) heirs of the same inheritance; (Rom. viii. 17.) animated by the same Spirit. Rom. viii. 16, &c.

2. This temper and behaviour is represented as inseparably connected with true love to God himself.

iii. 14; v. 1.

1 John

3. As no external acts of piety can be acceptable to God, without love to him; so no external duties, performed towards the brethren, are pleasing to God, without love to them. Matt. v. 23, 24.

4. Love to all who fear God, is mentioned as the most essential and vital part of true religion. 1 Cor. xiii. 4-8. 13.

5. Jesus Christ as our Redeemer, bath laid us under this obligation. John xiii. 34; 1 John iii. 16-19; Gal.