must not be attributed to any deficiency of evidence in its claims, or of solidity in its truths, but to the folly, and obstinacy, and incredulity of men. "The day-spring from on high has visited the world, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide their feet into the way of peace." When men will be so perverse as choose death, and to fly from peace, then, "let God be true." who has amply performed what mercy and goodness could incline him to do; but "let men be liars," who will be slaves of their own passions instead of being subjects of his truth.

But farther.-These extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were not an essential part of Christianity. They were intended as means of facilitating its progress; but the end and design of the Christian religion itself was the salvation of men. The methods by which this salvation is attainable are repentance and amendment of life,-a remission by baptism, through the merits of Christ, of sins that are past,and a ready and sincere obedience to his laws for the future. Those persons who were endowed with the miraculous powers, were, indeed, enabled by them to teach and confirm their doctrines with so much the greater strength and evidence; but their own salvation did not necessarily follow from their exercise of those powers. Hence it is, that some of them are mentioned to us in Scripture not only as "full of the Holy Ghost," but also, and by way of describing a distinct part of their character, as "good men."

Their supernatural abilities qualified them to be instrumental to the salvation of others, but did not, at the same time and as matter of course, ensure their own salvation. There was yet "a more excellent way." There were other important points, such as righteousness, and mercy, and charity, to be observed,-“lest, after they had preached to others, they themselves should be cast away." Therefore, as the promises and benefits of the Gospel were not annexed to these extraordinary graces, which were distributed by the Almighty for the general advantage, according to his own will,-it was reasonable to expect, that they would be withdrawn when that end of the general advantage was sufficiently answered, -lest (as was actually the case in the Corinthian Church) men should grow presumptuous, and fix their pride upon them, to the neglect aud prejudice of those indispensable duties, the performance of which makes us true subjects of Christ, both in his kingdom of mercy here, and in his kingdom of glory hereafter.

"How," then, "shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Our religion is built upon the strongest evidence,-upon truth itself, and upon the authority of God. Yet that truth will lose its force, and that authority will be checked in its influence, if we do not observe its dictates, and obey its commands. Heaven is not to be gained by force of genius or superiority of understanding. The brightest faculties are insignificant, if they do not tend to

the glory of God, in making us serviceable to ourselves and our fellow-creatures, in imitation of our blessed Lord and Saviour's example. He must reign in our affections; and we must shew our duty and allegiance to him by our actions. "Let us, then, give heed to these important matters, that we may not let them slip." Let us guard against transgression, for fear of its punishment. Let us hold fast our obedience, in hopes of its reward. Let our hearts be softened, and our wills influenced by an extensive charity; that we may be protected by Christ, and accepted of God, and finally be made partakers of eternal rest.

SERMON XVI.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

JOHN V. 39.

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

THE Holy Scriptures excel all other writings in the grandeur and importance of their subjects,—and they differ from all others in this respect,-that amidst all their variety of style and date, they have one common spirit and purpose, and harmonize with each other in the most striking and admirable way. They are one professed and continued illustration of God's power and providence. The five books of Moses, for instance, relate partly to general history, and partly to the particular laws and institutions of the Jews; yet their pervading their avowed object, is to represent Almighty God as the Creator and Preserver, the Governor and Judge of mankind. They celebrate his omnipotence, in having created

the whole universe out of nothing,-his providence, in supplying his creatures with all things necessary to their support and well-being ;-his authority as Lord both of heaven and earth :-his love of holiness and ;his detestation of sin,--the punishments which he justly awards to bad men,—the love and favour with which he regards the good. The other books of Scripture are either historical, as all of them are that occur in our translation from Deuteronomy to Job; -or devotional, as the Psalms,-or doctrinal and moral, as the Proverbs and other writings of Solomon, -or prophetical, as those are which begin with Isaiah, and are continued to the end of the Old Testament. Yet the attributes of God, and his sovereignty in particular, are uniformly the main subject of them all. The same observation applies to the books of the New Testament, which are to us Christians a part of Scripture, though they are not included in our Saviour's admonition in the text; because, indeed, they were not then written. They also harmonize in spirit and in substance with the books of the Old Testament; for they record the development of that great and consistent plan of religion, which, in the times of the more ancient Scriptures, was in an introductory, and for the most part, in a halfopened state. If we look into any other series of writings, whether ancient or modern, we shall find that, in general, their subjects are as different as their style. In some of them, religion may be the main topic;-in others, it may be mentioned inci