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which have any appearance of relating to us: but follow the example of the blessed Virgin, who understood not several of our Saviour's sayings, yet kept them all in her heart *. Were we only to learn humility thus, it would be enough: but we shall come by degrees to apprehend far more than we expected, if we diligently compare spiritual things with spiritual; darker expressions with clearer, that are like or opposite to them: for contraries illustrate one another. In this laudable work, the marginal references in the later editions of the Bible will afford you most useful assistance: for they are very judiciously chosen. Such information also as you can get, (and you may get much from several books,) of the nature of the language of each Testament, and the history and notions of the times, when each book of it was written, will be extremely profitable: and the several excellent commentaries and paraphrases on the whole, or particular parts of it, still more: which therefore it is wonderful that so few Christians in proportion, of those who are well able, will be at the expence of purchasing for themselves; especially considering how very much greater expences, that will turn either to no account or a bad one, they so little grudge, that they cannot be restrained from them.

We

But how successfully soever we may increase our knowledge of Scripture, that alone is nothing. must not think we have done with a passage as soon as we have understood it. If we had understood it instantly, our principal work was to come yet: and they are strangely wrong, who apply so closely to study difficult places, that they forget to make due reflections on the plain. The word of God was

* Luke ii. 50, 51...,

† 1 Cor. ii. 13.

written to give us, not merely a speculative apprehension, but an experimental sense and feeling of holy things, comfortable or terrifying, as our spiritual state requires. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil, saith the Psalmist *: To this man will I look, saith the Lord, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my wordt. Too many, alas, have no conception of this efficacy in Scripture; and no wonder, for they have never seriously endeavoured to have any. But let them try in earnest, and they will infallibly succeed, if they use proper means. We read of some, what will be true of all in the same condition, that the word did not profit them, not being mixed with faith. God indeed can operate according to his own pleasure: but humanly speaking, persons will not be influenced by what they disbelieve; or much, by what they believe but faintly. Nay should they labour to make the strongest impressions on their own souls, without applying to him, whose gift saving faith is §, their efforts would be in vain. But let any one jointly strive and pray for a deep conviction, that the Bible is the appointed instrument of his religious proficiency: then let him read it, not as performing a task, he knows not why, from which he had rather be excused; not to outshine others in readiness of quotation, or plausibility of interpreting, or oppositions of science falsely so called||; not to furnish himself with weapons for debate and controversy, much less for uncharitableness and abuse; but to amend his inward state towards God: that as the excellent collect in our liturgy directs, by the patience in well doing and comfort in virtuous Heb. iv. 2.

* Psalm cxix. 162. § Eph. ii. 8.

+ Isaiah lxvi. 2.

|| 1 Tim. vi. 20.

suffering, which we learn of his holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life*. Let him accordingly stop on fit occasions, and think: what consolations doth this passage administer to me? What acknowledgements to Heaven doth this declaration require from me? What fear for myself doth this threatening call for? What duty doth this precept or pattern point out to me? of what sin doth it convince me? against what dangers doth it warn me? Is my character and behaviour suitable to this command or exhortation, this description or good example? or do I see myself here, under another name, reproved, condemned, stigmatized? Have I acquired that sense of my own sinfulness and weakness, of God's holiness and justice, of my need of the merits of Christ and the grace of the Divine Spirit, which the whole tenor of Scripture inculcates: or am I still inclined to stand or fall by my own righteousness? Faithful pains taken for some time in such home questions, without forcing unnatural uses out of any text, but only dwelling on those that fairly present themselves, will make us experience a divine virtue in the sacred writings, piercing first and healing afterwards: which, provided we are not satisfied with being piously moved at the time, and then relapsing into what we were before, but continue the inquiry steadily, and carry on every feeling into practice, will assuredly transform us into what we ought to be. Possibly indeed we may not all receive a very sensible benefit very soon. Alterative medicines often produce their effect but slowly and the most perfect regimen of diet sweetens and nourishes by unperceived degrees. We have surely no title to be

* Second Sunday in Advent.

impatient under the hands of our heavenly physician perfect recovery will at length be the certain consequence of his treatment of us: and every single ingredient in the great remedy, his holy word, and every direction for the use of it, will contribute its share to our cure. Let us therefore conscientiously observe all his orders, each in their due place; and as the only one, for which there is room left at present, let us intreat his blessing on our humble endeavours, that receiving the seed of the word into a good and honest heart, we may bring forth fruit with patience *: using for that purpose the petitions of his servant David. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law: yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of

thy commandments: for therein is my desire t

Luke viii. 15.

+ Psalm cxix. 33, 34, 35.

SERMON XXIV.

1 COR. XIV. 15.

-I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

THESE words, in their first and strictest sense, relate to those gifts of inspiration, which the primitive church enjoyed: the Holy Ghost then frequently enabling many members of it, besides the Apostles, to speak in tongues, which they had never learned, the wonderful works of God*; and dictating to them petitions and praises fitted to their circumstances. But, as the ordinary gifts of Heaven to mankind are left to be managed according to the discretion of those, who enjoy them: so the divine wisdom preserved an uniformity of conduct, and kept to the same rule, in respect of these extraordinary ones. The spirits of the prophets, as the Apostle tells us, ver. 32, were subject to the prophets. It was in their choice, when they would use the power of speaking with divers tongues: and on what occasions they would produce the prayers and hymns, with which they were inspired. In this, (and no wonder), they did not all of them judge always prudently; their thankful zeal to publish these miraculous favours, and perhaps a too great, but very natural, self-complacency in being possessed of such remarkable pri

Acts ii. 11.

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