and reflections, for reading and prayer should

never be separated.

James 1, 5.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of "God, who giveth to every man liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given you."

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It was the saying of a learned man, says Dr. Lightfoot, that he gained more knowledge by his prayers, than by all his studies. Both reading and prayer however, should go together. Quesnelle says, not to read is to tempt God; but to read in order to appear more learned, is a sinful vanity.

Learning does not always lead men to God, it often carries men from him.

When they study in order to find out and correct their own weakness, their folly, and the corruption of their nature; to be convinced of the evil of sin, of the vanity of the world; to fill their souls with heavenly wisdom and devout affections toward God; such learning, leads men indeed to God. The rest is folly.

He that sets his heart upon the world, is not in a capacity for understanding the gospel.

Remember that a man may have the knowledge of the word without the spirit.

Obscurity of the Scriptures,

Serves to subdue the pride of man; to convince us, that to understand them, we have need of a light superior to reason, and that we must apply to God for help.

Pride and irreligion, meet with darkness in the midst of light; raise vain disputes, unprofitable reflections and enquiries; while humili. ty, attains to light in the midst of darkness and difficulty.

Whenever God vouchsafes to open the heart, be the understanding and parts never so small, we see the reasonableness and beauty of his word; we taste the sweetness and feel the power thereof.

We often read the scripture without comprehending its full meaning; however, let us not be discouraged; the light in God's good

time, will break out and disperse the darkness, and we shall see the mysteries of the gospel.

In all our studies, we should take care and beg of God to preserve us from error, and to lead us to, and keep us in all that's necessary for salvation.

The way to profit by reading the sacred scriptures, is to apply to ourselves, that which is spoken in general to all. This truth, this command, this threat, this promise, this intimation is to me.

Let some of the following Prayers be read before you enter on reading the scriptures.

I (or we) thank thee O God, for thy holy word, and that thou hast not left us the affair of eternity, to the uncertainty of our own judgment and reason.

Defend me (or us) against all delusions of error, the snares of wit and learning; the raileries of profane men, and from fearing to defend the truth.

Grant O God, that neither education, interest, prejudice or passion, may ever hinder me from discovering the truth.

Grant that I may with humility receive, and with perseverance hold fast, all those truths which thou hast revealed.

Against wavering.

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Grant O God, that I may so perfectly and without all doubt believe in thy son Jesus Christ, that my faith in thy sight may never be reproved.

Grant O God that we may not be carried about with every blast of vain doctrine, but that we may be firmly established in the truth of thy holy gospel.

Grant O God, that I may perfectly know thy son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life; the author of the way, the teacher of the truth, and the giver of life.

Grant O God, that when I read thy word, I may do it with a spirit crucified to the world,

to my curiosity, to my vanity, to my interest. and to my prejudices, may I desire to know thy will and the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ, and obey it.

May I O blessed Saviour, love the truths of thy word; make the gospel my delight, and continue in the practice of them to my life's

end.

Give me O God, a love of thy scriptures, and a true understanding of them.

O Jesus open my understanding, and cause me to know the truth, and order my life according to it.

Give O God, thy blessing unto thy word, that it may become effectual to my conversi on and salvation.

Give me grace to read thy holy word, with a reverence becoming the gracious manifestation of thy holy will to men; submitting my understanding and will to thine.

Let thy gracious promises contained in thy