combination and succession of the species. The contents of the Bible resemble the materials of natural history, and the foundations of science. The latter lie strewn in all unimaginable shapes and positions, through all the domain of creation; in mines and caverns, in the depths of the ocean, over the earth's whole surface, and through the boundless space of the heavens; with majestic confusion,-a confusion which, for the purposes of universal vitality and reciprocal action, is the most perfect order. So, the facts and doctrines, the laws and instructions, the promises, threatenings, warnings, and consolations, of the sacred word, are disclosed by their Divine Author in that seeming irregularity, which best comports with a gradual manifestation of his will, and an education of the human race to receive it. But, in both instances, this scattered profusion becomes the motive, and at the same time originates the composition, of accurate knowledge and useful application. In the one case, generation after generation have been employed in collecting substances and observing occurrences, in grouping, separating, comparing, analyzing, recomposing, calculating, and proving the verity of results: and hence the beautiful fabric of natural science, by the labour of three thousand years, has been constructed on a basis which can never be destroyed; and its practical results have diffused themselves, in millions of channels, around the globe, carrying conveniency and enjoyment into the minutest recesses of men's domestic and personal condition. And this process is not completed. Vast as is the sum of discovery and invention, every philosophical student, even of the

coolest and least imaginative temperament, is persuaded that an astonishing amount is yet to be developed, of important fact, and application richly beneficent.

The

The analogy holds, with admirable exactness, with respect to the records of inspired truth. facts and principles filling, with divine magnificence, the entire construction of the Scriptures, are capable of being transplanted, separated, grouped, and combined, without end: and, in all their varieties of position, they are ever prolific of new views of truth, unexpected implications and deductions, and practical lessons to every feeling of the heart, every power of the understanding, and every exigency in life. It is out of these materials of eternal wisdom, that the sanctified talents of those who were at once the most experienced Christians, the deepest and clearest thinkers, and the most powerful masters of other minds, have formed those treatises of theology and devotion, virtue and morals, which, especially in these latter ages, have enriched the church of Christ.

To despise these treasures, which, though derived and mediate, are still divine, is very different from the state of being unable to obtain them. In the latter case, where infelicitous circumstances have precluded access to all books but the Bible, it has indeed answered to its name; it has been THE Book, the one and all. The Spirit of God has blessed it. as his own chosen weapon, and has made it "quick and powerful, sharper than any twoedged sword;" piercing, detecting, convincing, slaying the inveteracy of sin, quickening to a new life, enlightening and sanctifying, and answering all the

purposes of other means to holiness and salvation. Instances of this process have occurred, where extreme poverty, unfavourable connexions, the intellectual and moral scantiness of a Popish country, or some similar cause, have rendered impossible the acquisition of excellent human writings, or have even precluded any knowledge that such instruments of edification existed. Examples of this kind have occasionally come to light: but it is probable, that by far the larger number remain to be disclosed in the future world.

destitute of it.

No such result, however, dare we to anticipate, where the gifts for edification, with which the Holy Spirit has filled many of his faithful servants, are resolutely and systematically contemned. Very different is the state of the person who despises a blessing, from that of one who is unconsciously The mental and moral condition of those rejecters, is usually a distressing elucidation of the way in which their favourite principles operate upon them. With a characteristic ignorance, they have no feeling that they want instruction, nor even a suspicion of their spiritual atrophy. Or, "heady and high-minded," they regard themselves as qualified to give instruction to all; but that it is quite a condescension in them to listen to it from any. That sole and dominant reading of the Bible, in which they so pride themselves, is, in some instances, an extremely diminutive modicum, but which they make to serve for the quieting of conscience or it is a piece of task-work, adjusted to a daily prescription by measurement or numeration, a devouring of chapters and verses, scarcely ever impeded in its hurry

ing career by any exercise of thought, in retracing, comparing, deducing, or applying to the mind and heart: or it is a treating the sacred word as a box of mottoes, a repository of pithy sayings, fragments shivered off from that connexion, without a knowledge of which they are exposed to be grievously misunderstood or misused or the Bible is opened, and dipped into as an instrument of divination; and is thus degraded to sanction a relic of wretched heathenism, not yet wholly extirpated.

We have permitted ourselves thus to enlarge upon a class or facts, which exhibit at once both symptoms and causes of religious ignorance, from a conviction that they, and others in affinity with them, are prolific of deep injuries on the state of our personal and social religion. A narrow-minded and selfish bigotry is produced; a vice often very unjustly imputed, but against which, therefore, we should be not the less on our guard. Erroneous interpretations of the Scriptures are adopted without suspicion, and are wrought into the habit of recollection and quotation. A being "filled with the knowledge of the will" of Christ, "in all wisdom and spiritual understanding," is grievously obstructed. Knowledge is the basis of FAITH. When, therefore, this foundation is so narrow, the structure may indeed tower high; but it is slender and frail, and much reason there is for apprehension, that some gust of false "philosophy and vain deceit" will lay it low. That primary grace is deprived of its strong supports and rich supplies, when the acquaintance with its objects, its evidences, and its manifold associations, is poor and scanty.

the

The weakness of Faith is an evil of portentous quality, and very baneful effect. baneful effect. For, let us define or describe faith as we may, this is undeniable, that it is a mode of thinking. It is thought exercised in the due manner, upon objects of the highest possible interest to the subject of that thought, and to all of his species; objects spiritual, eternal, and divine; objects not within the cognizance of our senses, not capable of being subjected to experiment, not within the reach of excursion, exploring, or any means of discovery; objects which we know, and can know only, by testimony-testimony proved by sufficient evidence to be adequate, yea, to be the only possible medium of information that is adequate testimony of the Eternal Fountain of Truth, whose very essence includes necessary veracity. But this testimony is reposited in the Scriptures. It is there given out"in many portions and in many modes;" the very method which indicates the obligation of calling forth the most quickened and sharpened intellect upon the profusion of the Bible, with every aid that can be acquired, for successfully digging in this vast field, replete with the "pearls of great price." These are the riches which supply the nutriment of faith: hence it has its strength, and growth, and activity. Defrauded of this supply, it droops, it becomes sickly, it sinks into a state of inordinate and morbid craving, it is tempted to the high-seasoned viands of unscriptural exaggeration and artificial experience: its celestial vitality, indeed, cannot be destroyed; but it may be weakened and vitiated to a degree beyond the power of mortals to assign.