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its spirit and its sentiments; read it prayerfully, if you would be cast into it as a mould; read it with absolute dependence on the promised teaching of the Holy Spirit, if you would be profited, fed, and blessed; read it with meditation, if you would become truly wise, for the Psalmist could say, (and why should not you?) "I have more understanding than all my teachers, because I meditate in thy word." Meditation, as an old divine says, "is a duty which always brings meat in its mouth :" if so, then the meditative Christian shall be fat and well-favoured this the Psalmist anticipated; hence he says, 'My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." Psalm lxiii. 5, 6.

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To conclude: let us stand reproved that we have so much neglected, and so often slighted, portions of God's holy word. Let us look at our Bibles as a precious treasure given us by our God-a mine of wealth, containing veins of precious ore in every part; and let us seek of our God light that we may see, ability that we may dig, wisdom that we may find and claim, and pru

dence that we may use our riches to the glory of our gracious God, the good of our connexions, and the comfort and advantage of our own souls. If we read and search our Bibles and seem to get nothing, it cannot be because the wells are dry, or the storehouse is empty; but it must be because our motive or our manner is wrong; and above all things let us beware of coming to our Bibles as scholars, or as controversialists; for if we do, God only knows into what absurdities we may be left to run; but let us come as children, to learn our Father's mind and will; as pilgrims, to learn our way to Zion's blest abode; as soldiers, to be armed and learn our duty; as citizens, to read the charter of our rights and privileges; as workmen, to receive orders from the great Householder and Lord; and as poor, dependent, loving disciples, to be made rich, happy, and holy, through the the knowledge of the truth. Always come to learn, to receive, and to carry away: for unless we transplant from this paradise of God into the garden of our souls, we shall be but little benefited. May the Lord make our memories the libraries of Christ, and fill our souls with love to every part of his word. Amen.

AN EXTENSIVE LAW.

Some who profess the Lord Jesus Christ, at times speak in reference to some things, as though they had no rule to go by, but were left to their own choice: now it is clear that a real believer is never left to his own corrupt choice in anything; there may be no definite precept referring to the subject in agitation, but there are some precepts of universal application, and these should be kept constantly in view. It is evident that God's new creation, who are appointed to show forth his praise, exhibit his virtues, and bring honour to his name and character, should aim in all they do at the same end that God aims at in all he does. Now, the Lord has always one and the same grand design in view, and all his acts are subservient to his purpose, "I WILL BE GLORIFIED." It was to this end that we were chosen in Christ; predestinated to the adoption of children; preserved in Christ Jesus; redeemed by blood from curse and condemnation ; called by grace to God's kingdom and glory; and entitled to all the promises, privileges, and blessings of the

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gospel. In all, our God designed the glori. fication of himself; and the Holy Ghost exhorts us to make this our end and aim in all we undertake and perform. Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD."1 Cor. x. 31.

This, then, is a precept of universal application, and there is no circumstance into which we can be brought, or difficulty with which we can be posed, but we shall find it to be of real use. He that aims at God's glory in all things will find but few of his undertakings miscarry; for God has pledged himself to honour those who honour him, and to lower those in the esteem of the wise and holy, who practically despise him. He that seeks God's glory as his end will find the Lord taking care of his comforts and joys; doubtless our comforts would be greater and more durable if we sought comfort less, and the glory of Jehovah more. We only answer the end of our existence as creatures, and the design with which we were new created in Christ Jesus, by living to the glory of God. In order to this, selt must be abased, the old man must be crucified, the members must be mortified, the world and the things of the world must be

seen through a just medium, and we must daily watch and pray. Unless we have a living faith exercised on Jesus and his perfect work, we cannot walk at liberty in this perfect way unless we have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, we cannot pursue this as our one grand end unless we have our affections set on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, we cannot steadily pursue this glorious purpose. We must die to the world, live by the faith of the Son of God, walk in love, be clothed with humility, esteem others better than ourselves, and be inhabited by the Holy Spirit, if we perform this delightful precept.

If this precept was constantly observed, how different would the church appear! what would become of our jealousies, envyings, strifes, divisions, and the other evils which now disgrace the church of Jesus? They would fly like darkness before the rising sun; and peace, love, and unity would resume their places. Then our wilderness would become like Eden, and our deserts like the garden of the Lord. Then we should see in the countenance of every believer, notwithstanding minor differences, the smile of friendship, and the glow of

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