caused these things to be written for our learning.' To be written: he would not trust them to be handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth; for then most likely, through the sinfulness and perverseness of man's nature, the revelation of his will would have been perverted, and we should have had error instead of truth. In this respect God has acted like a wise and prudent master, who having an important message to send, will not trust to his servant's lips, but writes it down on paper, that there may be no mistake.

And another great advantage to be derived from the will of God being written is, that we might have copies in our houses, and consult them whenever we please. And it should be our practice to consult them every day of our lives. O let us consider what is said in our text, "They were written for our learning," not to be kept and not read, nor to be read merely with indifference, but with constancy, diligence, and self-application. And let me also remind you that they are to be read with prayer for the Spirit's teaching; for he alone can "break the seals," and so instruct us in the mysteries of the kingdom of God" that they shall become "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Surely, brethren, that man is witness against himself that he fears not God, that he does not appreciate his mercies, that he does not think this most precious of all his gifts worth caring for, that he does not desire to become acquainted with God, or to have knowledge of his ways, who does not study his Bible, and make it his every

day companion. A truly godly man will always manage to find a few minutes for his bible every day, however busily he may be engaged with the necessary employments of the world.

Our text also speaks of the patience required in studying and acting according to the Scriptures, "that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we may have hope." Great patience and humbleness of mind are necessary in reading and studying the bible, because we meet there with " many things hard to be understood." It is natural that we should, because it is the revelation of the mind of the infinitely wise and holy God. And we also find there at times things which appear to contradict one another, (not that they really do, they only appear to do so, because of the darkness and blindness of our understandings,) and we may be perplexed to know what God really means; so that you see the study of the Scriptures requires patience and perseverance. But they who do wait patiently upon the Lord, and strive to know his ways, shall not strive and wait in vain. Patience is also required for acting out what the Scriptures require of us. The path in which the Bible bids us walk is frequently found to be hard to flesh and blood. It is no little thing to "crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts," to "mortify our members which are upon the earth," to "deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and follow Christ!" But this is what the Bible does require of us every day." He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." So that we are evidently called to the exercise of patience in following the Scriptures as well as studying them.

But our text speaks of comfort as well as patience. Though in following on according to the Scriptures we sometimes find we have a slippery, sometimes a rough, sometimes an up-hill path to walk in, which requires much patience, yet he who has bidden us to

go in that way, "turning aside neither to the right hand nor the left," does not leave us without comfort and abundant encouragement. The same book which calls us to our difficulties supplies us with refreshment. The Lord gives us to "drink of the brook in the way." He requires of us our duties, even though in the discharge of them we are called upon to do that which is as painful as cutting off a right hand, or plucking out a right eye. Bot think of the multitude of precious promises which he has ordained to meet us by the way! So that in our greatest trials we may say with David, "In the multitude of sorrows that I had in my heart thy comforts have refreshed my soul." This will explain that part of the Christian character which is thus described, "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

Our text also says, that this "patience and comfort of the Scriptures" tends to the increase of hope. Of course it does. The more a man feels that the testimonies of the Lord are his guides and counsellers, directing and leading him in the way of truth and righteousness, the more he is upheld by their encouragements in times of trial and difficulty, and soothed by their comforts in the time of sorrow; the more convinced he becomes that God is with him of a truth; and under this conviction he feels more and more the assurance of hope that he is holding him by his right hand, "guiding him with his counsel, and will afterward receive him to glory."

God give you grace then to be thankful for, to love, to value, to study, and to follow, the Bible: for

'There are your choicest treasures hid,

There your chief comfort lies,

There your desires are satisfied,

The Everlasting Father styled,

a Isa ix. 6

b Ps cxlvii. 5, Luke ii. 52 c Gal iv. 4

Yet lately born the Virgin's child; d d Isa ix. 6, Matt i. 23
Nor father he nor mother had,

Yet full with both relations clad. e

His titles differ, and accord,

e Heb vii. 3, Luke ii. 48

f Matt xxii. 41-45

As David's son, and David's Lord; f
'Through earth and hell how conq'ring rode,
The dying man, the rising God! g

g Matt xxi. 5, Col ii. 15

Stern vengeance and compassion sweet. qq Rom v. 20, Psalm

A King of kings and kingdoms broad, y y Rev xix. 16, ix. 15

A servant both to man and God, z

To be my book and alphabet,

z Matt xx. 28, Isa xlii. 1

This Prophet kind himself has set

Alpha, Omega, and Amen. *-Old Author.

*Rev i. 8. iii. 14.

And ev'ry needful letter plain,

END OF VOL. XI.

Rev. H. A, Simcoe, Penheale-Press, Cornwall.