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biguous language as to admit of opposite interpretations. No put the Bible into the hands of the most simple, and let him peruse it with attention, he will put the best and plainest construction on every sentence,-the construction most consistent with the sweetest, unadulterated truths of Christianity. On the contrary, the sects before named make use of the most unhappy ingenuity to cause any passage of Scripture to seem to favour their tenets, and many passages as they pretend to explain them, are literally the most palpable nonsense, tending rather to obscure the light of truth, and to bring revelation itself into contempt. We make bold to assert that since the days of the primitive Christians-the golden age of religion, no new discoveries have been made in it, and those who go in search of such, involve both themselves and their followers in dangerous and destructive errors.

It is of importance for us to examine ourselves closely that we may find out under what dominion we are. "If we sow to the flesh, we shall reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit, we shall of the Spirit reap eternal life." Let us earnestly pray to the Almighty that he will grant us his Spirit, which, indeed, he has promised to those who ask him :-thus shall we have a certain evidence that we are Christians indeed, "the Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirits that we are the children of God:"-" being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever."

J. B. H.

CHAP. VI.

SEEKING REST FOR THE SOUL.-DEATH.-RESURRECTION AND GLORY.

If there be so certain and glorious a rest for the saints, why is there not more industry used in seeking after it? One would think, if a man did but once hear of such unspeakable glory to be obtained, and believed what he heard to be true, he would be transported with the vehemency of his desire, and almost forget to eat or drink. That he would care for nothing else, and speak of, and enquire after nothing else, but how to obtain this treasure. And yet people who hear of it daily, and profess to believe it, as a fundamental article of their faith, do as little mind it, or labour for it, as if they had never heard of such a thing, or did not believe one word of the matter. This reproof is more particularly applicable to the wordly-minded-the profane multitude-the formal professors, and even to the godly themselves.

The worldly-minded are so taken up with seeking for things below, that they have neither heart

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nor time to seek this rest. O foolish sinners," who hath bewitched you?" The world bewitches men into brute beasts, and reduces them some degrees below madness. See what riding and running; what scrambling and catching for a thing of nought, while eternal rest lies neglected. What contriving and caring to get a step higher in the world than their brethren, while they neglect the kingly dignity of the saints. What insatiable pursuit of fleshly pleasures, while they look on the praises of God, and the joy of angels, as a tiresome burden. What unwearied diligence in raising their posterity, enlarging their possessions-perhaps even for a poor living from hand to mouth; while judgment is drawing near: but how it will then be with them, never puts them to one hour's consideration. What rising early and sitting up late-what labour from year to year to maintain themselves and their children in credit till they die; but they never think on what follows after. Yet these men cry, "May we not be saved without so much to do?" How early do they rouse up their servants to their labour, but how seldom do they call them to prayer, or to read the Scriptures. But what, after all, hath this world done for its friends and admirers, that it is so eagerly followed, and so painfully sought after, while Christ and heaven stand by and few regard them? or what will the world do for them in time to come? The common entrance into it is through anguish and sorrow; the passage through it is with

continual care and labour; and the last scene in it is the sharpest of all.

O unreasonable, bewitched men, will mirth and pleasure stick close to you in the time of your utmost need? Will they hear your cry in the day of your calamity, at the hour of your death? Will they either answer you or relieve you ? Will they go along with you to the other world, and purchase you a seat among the blessed?-Ah! no: there is not the least hope of it; for the rich man wanted a drop of water to cool his tongue, yet could not obtain it and after his awful example let us not imagine that the sweet morsels of present delight and honor are of more worth than eternal rest, or that they can recompense the loss of an enduring inheritance. Ah! vile, deceitful world! how often have we heard thy most faithful servants complaining at last, "Oh! the world hath deceived me and undone me! It flattered me in my prosperity, but now it turns me off in my necessity. If I had as faithfully served Christ as I have served it, HE would not have left me comfortless and hopeless." Thus they complain; and yet succeeding sinners will take no warning.

As to the profane multitude, they will not be persuaded to be at so much pains for salvation, as even to perform the common, outward duties of religion. If they have the Gospel preached in the town where they dwell, it may be they will give it a hearing one part of the day, and stay at home the

other. Even if they wish to hear the plain and powerful preaching of the Gospel, how few are there who will travel a mile or two for the purpose, though they go many miles to market for provision for their bodies. They know that the Scripture is the law of God, by which they must be acquitted or condemned in judgment, and that the man is blessed" whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth meditate day and night," yet they will not be at the pains to read a chapter once a day.They may carry a Bible to church, but this is all the use they make of it, for they neglect it all the week. Though they are commanded to pray without ceasing,—to pray always,—and in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to make their requests known unto God, yet they will neither pray constantly in their families, nor yet in secret. Though Daniel would rather be cast to the lions, than forbear praying three times a day in his house, where his enemies could hear him; yet these men will rather venture to be an eternal prey to Satan, that "roaring lion," than thus seek their own safety. Or else their cold and heartless prayers invite God to a denial; for among men it is taken for granted, that he who asks but slightly and seldom cares not much for what he asks.

They must judge meanly of heaven, or be in utter despair of obtaining it, who do not make it the object of their constant and earnest request. If every door were marked, where families do not earnestly

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