"GOD with all thy heart, and foul, and mind, "and strength." Art thou connected with beings of the fame rank in the universe, and of like powers; united to them in the ties of humanity, or blood, or friendship; and is thy happiness involved in their intereft? The Scriptures enjoin thee to "love thy neighbour

as thyself: to do to others as thou wouldst "have others do to thee; to honour and " reverence all men; to love the brotherhood; "to be courteous;" to exercise forbearance, to fhew mercy, and to cherish sympathy. Dost thou sustain any particular character in focial or relative life? The Scriptures teach thee, "wherein thou art called, therein to abide "with GOD." They extend their commands to the prince and the mafter; and do not overlook the duties of the subject and fervant. They inftruct parents and children; and affign the bonds of friendship, and settle the principles of harmony and peace in the conjugal connection. This divine book charges the rich "to be rich in good works, and not to “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living

* Matt. xxii. 37. Id. v. 39; vii. 12. 1 Pet. ii. 17; iii. 8.

21 Cor. vii. 24.

C

"GOD:" and it condescends to form the minds of the poor by the leffons of submission and contentment, of faith and hope. It is our counsellor through all the circumstances and difficulties of life, as far as our religious and moral conduct is concerned: and it trains us for a contest with the fnares and temptaup tions of this world, and for the joys and triumphs of a conquest. It inftructs us to

act our part on this theatre with decorum, usefulness, and dignity; and it leads us through the paths of wisdom and virtue, of humility and faith, to the gates of eternal life.

In folitude it attends us, and by its divine principles enters into our retirements, to animate our devotion, govern our thoughts, and to form us to fincere piety and purity of heart. It comforts us in adverfity; and directs us not to" defpife the chastening of the LORD, nor "to fink under his rebukes." It admonishes us in profperity, and inftructs us "not to be "high-minded, but to fear." In youth it inftills into the opening mind the foundest maxims, for it exhorts us to "remember our Heb. xii. 5.

a

1 Tim. vi. 17, 18.

c Rom. xi. 20..

"Creator and a future judgment,” in that gay period; and perfuades us to be foberminded, equally avoiding ftubborn conceit and youthful lüfts. In old age it recommends gravity, patience, and faith.

In a word, through the precepts of holy writ we get understanding, and by these we are taught to shun every falle way. The exhortations of Solomon may be applied to them, and urged with all the force and persuasion of which they are capable. Keep," chriftians, "the commandments" of the Scriptures: "and forfake not the laws" of the facred code. "Bind them upon thine heart, and tie "them about thy neck.". "When thou goeft," they "fhall lead thee;" when thou " fleepest, they fhall keep thee;" and when "thou "awakest," they "shall talk with thee.” “ For "the commandment is a lamp; and the law light:" and thofe reproofs and instructions in righteousness "are the way of life.”

Thus the holy Scriptures furnish us with the principles of knowledge and truth, correcting the errors of fuperftition and falsehood, with

the most powerful inftrument of reformation, and with the most perfect rules of virtue and godliness. We might expatiate on the fubject to a greater length. We might draw, from these holy books, the principles of comfort and hope; principles with which they abound, and which are kindly adapted to this scene of affliction, weakness, and fin. We might shew, how all the parts of Scripture are suited to improve the mind in whatever is good and excellent, beyond all competition with other writings. We might fhew the expediency and utility of its ceremonial institutions. We might display before your eyes, as animating models of goodness, or awakening warnings against vice, its fingular and inftructive examples. We might unfold the difpenfations of the divine government by the review of its historical records; and by the illuftration of its prophecies, confirm your faith, and reprove the iniquities of mankind.

But hath not fufficient been said to convince

you of the worth and excellence of the holy Scriptures; to raise your esteem of their invaluable pages; to excite your gratitude for their important difcoveries and momentous

leffons; and to engage you to read them frequently, and study them carefully?

"Search the Scriptures," fays our divine Mafter, "for in them ye have eternal life, and "they testify of me." The name of the Bereans, because they fearched the Scriptures, is preferved with honour. It was an encomium bestowed on Timothy, which latest times will hear, that "from a child he knew the

holy Scriptures, which are able to make us "wife unto falvation." Be this, chriftians, your commendation and honour. Have recourse to this treasury of heavenly and eternal riches. Apply to these never-failing fprings of truth, confolation, and peace. They carry in them genuine marks of their origin, ftrong indications of their worth and usefulness.

It is an obvious and powerful recommendation of them to our serious study, that the doctrines, precepts, and promises of these divine books are perfectly adapted to the real feelings of our nature and condition; and effectually teach us that wisdom, which the wifeft of men have, without him, fought in vain. 8 John v. 39.