of

of God seems to afford no consolation to the Inquirer, there is a strong temptation to rove abroad in search of something to meet difficulties and feelings, which are not then met by the sacred Volume. And it is indeed true that many excellent works of pious Divines may assist him in part of his perplexities. But I have sometimes had reason to fear that an undue dependence on these had impeded the progress the reader. I have said an undue dependence;' for there is always some hazard of this, when the language of Holy Writ has discouraged his efforts to understand its meaning. Guard against this temptation. Remember that all, in these works, which could be of value in your own case, is derived from the Bible itself. And whatever blessing may rest upon a prayerful perusal of them, is from the fact that they are a species of ministration of the Word. This is the fountain-head, from which all else are but so many streams, liable to a greater or less degree of impurity, as they pass through distant grounds.

And now, my friend, before I close this letter, I can not forbear expressing a fear that the remarks I have made may lead to an error in practice; and thus, by detaining you from the

great end in view, defeat my own purpose. Let me beseech you, then, not to wait for any given degree of knowledge before you discharge the primary duty of making an unreserved surrender of yourself to Christ. Clear and full perceptions of divine truth are indeed necessary to evangelical and substantial peace. But you know enough to understand that God demands your whole heart at once. While you withhold this, all else is a fruitless form. Renounce, then, yourself, and all that is of human expectation: and while you do so, be it your prayer-" enlighten thou mine eyes to behold the wonderful things contained in thy Law!"

Very truly,

Yours, &c.

LETTER IX.

The folly of expending time in attempting to reconcile difficult passages The duty of diligence in examining the proper application of the Truth -The question, "what part of the Bible shall I read?"-Quotations— Application of a Parable-A personal appeal to Christ directed in Scripture-Conclusion.

MY DEAR SIR,

In order to obtain a right understanding of the Word of God, it is by no means necessary that you should engage your mind in endeavouring to elucidate its difficult passages, or to reconcile its apparent contradictions. This were an employment very distinct from your present purposes; and not unlikely to throw hindrances in your way. The mind of that man has a strong bias to skepticism, who insists on having every difficulty satisfactorily explained, before he will apply the sacred truths to himself. There is very little sincerity in his desires for spiritual peace, and no very deep sense of either his guilt or his danger. Thousands are partakers of the Hea

venly blessing, who are far from being versed in these matters, and have very little curiosity about them. The convinced sinner has not time for such an occupation; and if he had, its influence is unsalutary. He whose peace is made with his God, might indeed, employ a portion of his leisure in such a pursuit; but even then, the engagement should be secondary to the study of practical and spiritual truths, or the plan of salvation, as unfolded in the Gospel. But until that great end is completed, it is a wide departure from the line of duty to exercise our diligence in any thing not closely connected with matters of the heart. And you know that it is very possible to engross our attention with portions of the Bible which may have no tendency to furnish spiritual light, and which can in no way illustrate the important question before us. True conviction of sin, and evangelical repentance, arise from another quarter. And I should entertain as much hope,-and indeed more,—in the attempt to convince an infidel by the simplest truths of the Gospel, than by the best chain of reasoning, to establish its authenticity: for even the highest success in such an effort may bring him very little nearer to its

saving doctrines. I am equally sure, too, that the most complete success of the Inquirer, in his attempt to reconcile the difficult passages of the Bible-whatever self-complacency or pleasure may follow-will end in little or no moral good upon his mind. In the meanwhile, this diversion of his thoughts from the grand object of inquiry, is attended with a chilling and deleterious influence on his affections: And thus is the Sacred Book rendered an instrument, not of deepening his impres sions, but of erasing them altogether.

The following direction may be of some importance: Whenever, in the course of reading a practical or spiritual part of the Bible, you discover any thing which appears to convey an imperfect meaning, or presents no defined idea to your mind, ponder it well. Do not suffer it to escape your recollection, without extracting something from it. Never discard, as too abstruse, what on a little reflection may appear rich in meaning. It is attention to such a rule as this, which comprises a profitable reading of the Word. And a single sentence made the subject of deep thought, and rendered part of the materials of prayer, is worth

U