stition. We see men professing a greater degree of human wisdom, making attempts to find out the way that leads to rest and peace, which only betray the impotency of human power to this end. The Scriptures are given that men may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work, and that they may be wise unto salvation, 2 Tim. iii. 15-17, and that the souls of men may be preserved from the uncertainty and danger that would follow, were nothing but oral tradition possessed. Sensible of this wise provision from a covenant God, we are to consider it sufficient, that is, that it contains, according to this article, "all things necessary to salvation, so that, whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite, or necessary, to salvation." Very different are the opinions of the corrupt Jews. They had deviated from the express command, that they should not add to, nor diminish from, the written word; and by multiplied traditions, they had, in many instances, made the word of God of none effect. They pretended, that in addition to the law that was proclaimed, from Mount Sinai, and written in the Scriptures, Moses had received on the Mount certain directions from the mouth of God, which he was to communicate to Israel; this they call the Oral Law, and pronounce it binding, as the moral law, being committed by Moses to the elders,

and so on in succession, as a trust to the church: to this other traditions were continually added, and for this Jesus severely rebuked them, Mark vii. 1-10. The Romish Church is nearly allied to the corrupt Jews in this respect. It holds that Jesus Christ gave many things to the apostles, not written in the Scriptures, but which were to be taught the people; and that these things were lodged as a trust, and transmitted by an uninterrupted succession to their church; which they consider as a high privilege, and to which traditionary counsel they give an attention superior to that which is paid to the Scriptures; for they are not ashamed of avowing, that they do not consider the Scriptures sufficient, that they esteem the added traditions of their church necessary, and that even the Scriptures are amenable to the judgment of their church, and no interpretation of them is to be accepted but such as is given by them. In consequence of this horrible notion, they keep back the simple text of Scripture from the use of men, prohibiting the free use of the Bible, and pronouncing an anathema upon those who presume to read the Scriptures without the note and comment of their church added thereto. These are awful errors against which the protestant reformers boldly testified. They justly considered, that these pretensions were opposed to the will of God, contrary to the example of the first Christians, of deadly consequence to the souls of

men, leading them away from the pure light, and bringing them into bondage to the precepts of men and when we examine the witness of God himself upon this subject, and further inves.. tigate the many abominations that have arisen out of this corruption in the Romish Church, we shall, it is hoped, be fully disposed to coincide with the reformers in their judgment, and to give a hearty assent to this article.

But let us seek the witness of God, by turning to the sacred page, and inquiring, if we can find a record, proving that the Scripture is given by inspiration of God? 2 Tim. iii. 16. 1 Thes. ii.13.

Is it as clear that the Holy Ghost used the medium of man's powers, and that he gave the supernatural and unerring wisdom necessary in this work? 2 Pet. i. 21. 1 Cor. ii. 12, 13. Matt. x. 19, 20.

Can we prove that God prohibits the adding to, or diminishing from, his word? Matt. xv. 2, 3. Deut. iv. 2. xii. 2. Rev. xxii. 18, 19.

Is it manifestly contrary to the Scriptures, when men prohibit others from searching the word for themselves? John v. 39. Is it in opposition to the practice of the first Christians? Acts xvii. 11. Does the Scripture affirm that the inspired page is sufficient for the end designed? 2 Tim. iii. 15—17. Are the Scriptures instrumental, and appointed, to impart spiritual consolation to the believer? Rom. xv. 4.

E

Thus furnished with proof of the error of a church, from which we by mercy have been separated, should we not experience, and cherish in our hearts, a lively gratitude to our God, for the privilege of protestant light? With what emotions of awe and compassion, should we contemplate the thousands who are still under the yoke of priestly imposition and craft! and whilst we look with indignation upon the dark machinations, which have prevailed to forge such frightful chains of ignorance, and superstition, for miserable men, how should we unite. prayers and efforts for the rescue, at least, of a remnant from this dark dominion! This will best be attempted by seeking to diffuse the Scriptures to the utmost of our power, and by labouring to induce men to read for themselves, remembering the word that is written in the Bible, and judging their teachers thereby,-" to the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them," Is. viii. 20. Surely the very cunning of holding back the word from the people, is a token of the badness of their cause, which can only be maintained by keeping it enveloped in the shades of darkness. How differently did Jesus and His apostles act, who constantly sent the people to the Scriptures, and bid them search the inspired word, and examine their testimony by its light. Let Christians be roused to the dis

charge of that duty which now rests upon the true church of Christ, and give diligence to prove themselves guardians of the word which is committed to their trust, and zealous dispensers of this precious food for immortal souls: and may the victory of Christ Jesus be universal through the energy of this two-edged sword, and may it slay superstition, idolatry, and sin! But further influence should be sought for ourselves. Great as our privileges are, we are little benefited unless we can make use of them; and more especially in the possession of the Scriptures, we should consider, that we are rendered doubly responsible to God: we thereby have the means of obtaining information upon the interests that ought to be dearest to our hearts: and ignorance can be no excuse, seeing the means of knowledge are so near to us all: it is our duty to read, study, and pray over the sacred word, seeking the presence of the Holy Ghost, to expound to us His own meaning in the several pages through which we pass, and imploring that he would break the seals, and shine forth upon the open testimony of Jesus. This ought to be the daily practice of Christians, both in private and in their family; and in this way we should best prove our gratitude for the liberty we possess. And let us remember, that in taking up the Bible, we take up the word of GOD! Reverence and faith should be in action, therefore; and since it is the instrument, through which the