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SERMON VI.

JOHN V. 39.

Search the Scriptures.

THE writings of the Old and New Testament are, and have been, from the earliest ages of Christianity, emphatically denominated the Bible, or the Book of Books; and this remarkable title has been so appropriated, because they contain the only revealed principles of true knowledge and essential wisdom; and because all other writings, however elaborate, or however renowned, sink into nothing when compared to this great repository of Divine communication.The Bible, then, in whatever view we regard its consequence, must be the

most valuable and important of human possessions. Possessing the high intelligence which it does, and preserved, as it has been, for so many ages, and through such a variety of dangers, by the most decided exertions of Providence, it stands a stupendous monument of mercy to the world, the inspired register of their hopes and fears.

Upon our conduct, with respect to this Sacred Volume, our Saviour gives this plain precept, "Search the Scriptures:" and from these words arise two distinct points for consideration.- First, the reasons why we should read and examine the Holy Scriptures; and, secondly, the manner in which this duty can most effectually be carried into practice. On the former of these, it is my intention to enter in the present discourse, reserving the consideration of the other (perhaps the more practically important subject of the two,) for, under Providence, another opportunity.

One of the first reasons, then, for our respect and attention to the Sacred Volume, is, because it is the word of God! We should recollect, for a moment, who God is, and what we are ourselves; viz. the one, the eternal Lord of Hosts, the Creator of all things, the Governor of the boundless universe! The other, dust and ashes, creatures of an hour, perishable worms! It may be thought wonderful that so great a Being should reveal himself at all to man: and it has been thought so much so, that many have refused to believe it, upon the ground of its improbability! But why is it improbable? kind and gracious, and condescending, undoubtedly it is: but then, is not God our kind and gracious father? and are we not in want of instruction? Did we know enough of heaven and hell, of the nature and value of the soul, and of the victory to be obtained over sin and the grave, without a revelation? or, do we know too much

even now, when all the treasures of the Bible are opened before our eyes? The greatest wonder is, not that God should give it, but that we should ever undervalue it. My brethren, I am not for a querulous exaggeration of the failings of the present age: I am not one of those who cry out despondingly, that virtue has left the earth, and that impiety and vice stalk unresisted abroad: quite the contrary :-I believe the present to be a highly intellectual age; to be a greatly improving age; to be a religious age,—an age in which the true, spiritual, humanizing doctrines of the Gospel are gaining ground upon the hearts and the conduct of the great body of the people of this kingdom: and one considerable proof of this is, the general diffusion of the Holy Scriptures, and the free, unconstrained appeal to them as the highest authority in all matters of doubt and difficulty: but still, it must, at the same time, be confess

ed, that individual delinquency abounds also: the study of the Bible is with many persons, and some of them with the best means and opportunities of study, strangely omitted. They possess it indeed, (it would be too glaring a defect not to have a Bible;) they select the best editions, they ornament it with the most splendid bindings; they place it in conspicuous parts of their libraries; they sometimes read, or hear read, a formal chapter but there the privilege ends. How many are there, who never prefer the Bible,-who never make it their delight,-who never meditate therein day nor night.—who never regard it as the mine from whence come the true riches,—who never choose it as the field, where they must search for the real treasure,—who never consider it as the great barn and storehouse of spiritual health and nourishment, from which only can be drawn forth the manna of heaven, and the bread of life!

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