scriptures contain the true sayings of God, which may be safely depended upon.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.—The principles inculcated in the sacred scriptures accord with the nature and fitness of things. That which they require approves itself to the conscience; and that which they teach though foolishness in the account of unbelievers, is, to those who understand and believe it, the wisdom of God. This property gives joy to every upright mind; for the friends of righteousness must needs rejoice in that which is right.

The commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes.--Their freedom from every mixture of corruption renders them fit to illuminate the mind, and cheer the heart. Wearied with the discordant opinions of men, we turn to the scriptures, and, like Jonathan on tasting the honey, our eyes are enlightened.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever.-The wor ship of God as taught in the sacred scriptures, is chaste and uncorrupt; and therefore shall continue when idolatry, and every abomination which has passed under the name of religion, shall be

no more.

The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.— The sacred scriptures contain the decisions of the Judge of all both as to things and characters, from which there is no appeal nor is it fit there should be; seeing they are not only formed in wisdom, but perfectly accord with truth and equity.

More to be desired are they than gold; yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.-There is a rich, a valuable, I might say an invaluable quality in these writings, which is not to be found in any other; and which so interests the heart, that the things most valued in the world lose all their attractions in comparison of it.

Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward.-They are adapted, at the same time, to preserve us from evil, and to lead us in the good and the right way; and, as we follow it, yield inexpressible satisfaction. If, in reading these holy oracles, we make the proper use of them, we shall, according to the remaining verses in the Psalm, perceive

that our errors are innumerable; shall feel the need of keeping grace to preserve us even from the worst of crimes; and shall aspire to a conformity in our words and thoughts to the will of God.

May the blessing of God attend the various attempts to translate and circulate the sacred scriptures! A few years ago a certain infidel braggadocio pretended to have gone through the wood, and cut down the trees; which the priests, he said, might stick in again, but they would not grow! And have the sacred scriptures been less in request since that time than they were before? Rather have they not been much more so? Infidelity, by overacting its part, has given itself a wound; and its abettors, like Herod, have been eaten of worms, and have died. But the word of the Lord has grown and been multiplied.

Affectionately yours,

A. E.

LETTER VII.

ON THE UNIFORM BEARING OF THE SCRIPTURES ON THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST.

My dear Brother,

In the two preceding letters, I have endeavoured to show the necessity of divine revelation, and to give evidence of the Bible's being written by inspiration of God, so as to answer to that necessity in this, I shall add a few thoughts on its uniform bearings on the person and work of Christ.

We need not follow those who drag in Christ on all occasions To suppose for instance, that all the Psalms of David refer to him, is to establish the gospel on the ruins of common sense. Still less need we see him prefigured by every thing in which a heated imagination may trace a resemblance. This were to go into a kind of spiritual Quixotism, finding a castle where others would only find a windmill. Nevertheless, the sacred scriptures are full of Christ, and uniformly lead to him. The holy book begins with an account of the creation of the world: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But they elsewhere inform us, that, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Yea more, that not only were all things made by him, as the first cause, but for him, as the last end. The creation seems to have been designed as a theatre on which he should display his glory, particularly in the work of redemption. Surely it was in this view that he rejoiced in the

habitable parts of the earth, and his delights were with the sons of

men.

The history contained in the sacred scriptures is that of the church or people of God; other nations are only introduced in an incidental manner, as being connected with them: and this people were formed for Christ. Him God appointed to be heir of all things. All that was done by the' patriarchs and prophets, under the Old Testament, was preparatory to his kingdom. It was in his field that they laboured, and therefore his apostles entered into their labours. God's calling Abraham, and blessing and increasing bim, had all along a reference to the kingdom of his Son. He was the principal seed in whom all the kindreds of the earth were to be blessed. Why did Melchizedek, on meeting Abraham when he returned from the slaughter of the kings bless him with so much heart? Was it not as knowing that he had the promises; especially that of the Messiah? Why is Esau's despising his birthright reckoned profaneness, but on account of its referring to something sacred? The promises made to Abraham's posterity chiefly related to things at a great distance; but Esau longed for something nearer at hand, and therefore sold his birthright for a present enjoyment. Why is the reproach which Moses preferred to the treasures of Egypt, called the reproach of Christ, but that Israel being in possession of the promise of Him, and Moses believing it, cast in his lot with them, though in a state of slavery? Were not these the good things to which he referred, in persuading Hobab to go with them? All that was done for Israel, from their going down into Egypt to their settlement in Canaan, and from thence to the coming of Christ, was in reference to him. The conquest of the seven nations was authorized, and even commanded by JeHoVaH, for the purpose of re-establishing his government in his own world, from which he had, in a manner, been driven by idolatry. It was setting up his standard with the design of ultimately subduing the world to the obedience of faith. What, but the promise of Christ as included in the covenant that God made with David, rendered it all his salvation, and all his desire? It was owing to the bearing which the Old Testament history had on the person and work of Christ, that Stephen and Paul, when