value almost immense-all heaped up (as an ingenious critic speaks) with a confused magnificence, above the little niceties of order. If we look for the strength of reasoning, and the warmth of exhortation; the insinuating arts of genteel address, or the manly boldness of impartial reproof; all the thunder of the orator, without any of his ostentation; all the politeness of the courtier, without any of his flattery; let us have recours to the Acts of the Apostles, and to the epistles of St. Paul. These are a specimen, or rather these are the standard, of them all. I do not wonder, therefore, that a taste so refined, and a judgment so correct as Milton's, should discern higher attractives in the volume of inspiration, than in the most celebrated authors of Greece and Rome. Yet not the more Cease I to wander, where the muses haunt That wash thy hallowed feet, and warbling flow, Asp. Another recommendation of the Scriptures, is, that they afford the most awful and most amiable manifestations of the Godhead. His glory shines, and his goodness smiles, in those divine pages, with unparalleled lustre. Here we have a satisfactory explanation of our own state. The origin of evil is traced; the cause of all our misery discovered; and the re Another very remarkable instance of propriety in St. Paul's writings, is, that though diffuse in the doctrinal, they are concise in the preceptive parts. On the former, it was absolutely necessary to enlarge; on the latter, it is always judicious to be short. The celebrated rule of Horace, Quicquid præcipies, ésto brevis, was never more exactly observed, nor more finely exemplified; than by our apostolic author. See that noble string of precepts, 1 Thess. v. 16, 17, &c. See another choice collection of the same kind, Rom. xii. 9, 10, &c. In which the energy of the diction is no less admirable, than the conciseness of the sentence, Αποστυγουντες - κολλώμενοι -- φιλοστοργοι- ζέοντες προσκαρτερουντες - διωκοντες - are some of the most vigorous words that language can furnish, and form the most animated meaning that imagination can conceive. That is, He still was pleased to study the beauties of the ancient poets; but his highest delight was in the songs of Sion, in the holy Scriptures, and in these he meditated day and night," -See Dr. Newton's edit. medy, the infallible remedy, both clearly shewn and freely offered. The merits of the bleeding Jesus lay a firm foundation for all our hopes; while gratitude for his dying love suggests the most winning incitements to every duty, Morality, Theron, your (and let me add, my) admired morality, is delineated in all its branches; is placed upon its proper basis, and raised to its highest elevation. The Spirit of God is promised to enlighten the darkness of our understandings and strengthen the imbecility of our wills. What an ample Can you indulge me on this favourite topic? Ther. It is, I assure you, equally pleasing to myself. Your enlargements, therefore, need no apology. Asp. What ample provision is made by these blessed books for all our spiritual wants! And, in this respect, how indisputable is their superiority to all other com. positions! Is any one convinced of guilt, as provoking heaven and ruining the soul? Let him ask Reason to point out a means of reconciliation and a refuge of safety. Rea son hesitates, as she replies, "The Deity may, perhaps, accept our supplications, and grant forgiveness;' but the Scriptures leave us not to the sad uncertainty of con jecture. They speak the language of clear assurance. God has set forth a propitiation. He does forgive our iniquities; he will remember our sins no more.‡ Are we assaulted by temptation, or averse to duty? Philosophy may attempt to parry the thrust, or to stir up the reluctant mind, by disclosing the deformity of vice, and urging the fitness of things. Feeble expedients! Just as well calculated to accomplish the ends proposed, as the flimsy fortification of a cobweb to defend us from the ball of a cannon; or, as the gentle vibrations of a lady's fan to make a wind-bound navy sail. The bible recommends no such incompetent succours. My grace,' says its Almighty Author, 'is sufficient for thee.' Sin shall not have dominion over you.' The great Jehovah, in whom is everlasting strength, he worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure.'¶ Rom. iii. 25. § 2 Cor. xii, 9. + Psalm ciii. 3. Heb. viii. 12. Should we be visited with sickness, or overtaken by any calamity, the consolation which Plato offers, is, that such dispensations coincide with the universal plan of divine government. Virgil will tell us, for our relief, that afflictive visitations are, more or less, the unavoidable lot of all men. Another moralist whispers in the dejected sufferer's ear, Impatience adds to the load; whereas a calm submission renders it more supportable. Does the word of revelation dispense such spiritless and fugitive cordials? No; those sacred pages inform us, that tribulations are fatherly chastisements, tokens of our Maker's love, and fruits of his care; that they are intended to work in us the peace. able fruits of righteousness, and to work out for us an eternal weight of glory.. Should we, under the summons of death, have recourse to the most celebrated comforters in the heathen world, they would increase our apprehensions rather than mitigate our dread. Death is represented, by the great master of their schools, as the most formidable of all evils.' They were not able positively to determine whether the soul survived; and never so much as dreamt of the resurrection of the body. Whereas the Book of God strips the monster of his horrors, or turns him into a messenger of peace; gives him an angel's face, and a deliverer's hand: ascertaining to the souls of the righteous an immediate translation into the regions of bliss, and insuring to their bodies a most advantageous revival at the restoration of all things. Inestimable book! It heals the maladies of life, and subdues the fears of death. It strikes a lightsome vista through the gloom of the grave, and opens a charming, a glorious prospect of immortality in the heavens. 2 Cor. iv. 17. What are all the consolatory expedients, prescribed in all the volumes of heathen morality, compared with this one recipe of revelation! They are, in point of cheering efficacy, somewhat like the froth on the conflux of a thousand rapid streams, compared with a single draught of Homer's Nepenthe; which, he tells us, was Temper'd with drugs of sov'reign use, t' assuage The boiling bosom of tumultuous rage; To clear the cloudy frout of wrinkled care, And dry the tearful sluices of despair. Charm'd with that virtuous draught, th' exalted mind These, with many other excellencies peculiar to the Scriptures, one would imagine more than sufficient to engage every sensible heart in their favour, and introduce them, with the highest esteem, into every improved conversation. They had such an effect upon the finest genius, and most accomplished person, that former or latter ages can boast; insomuch, that he made, while living, this public declaration; and left it, when he died, upon everlasting record. 'How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth.'+O! how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.' Mine eyes prevent the nightwatches, that I may be occupied in thy precepts; and I will speak of thy testimonies even before the king.' If David tasted so much sweetness in a small, and that the least valuable, part of the divine word, how much richer is the feast to us; since the gospel is added to the law, and the canon of Scripture completed! Since (to borrow the words of a prophet) the Lord God has sealed up the sum, has put the last hand to his work, and rendered it full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." Ther. Another very distinguishing peculiarity of the sacred writings just occurs to my mind-The method of communicating advice, or administering re If we consider David, in the great variety of his fine qualifications, the ornaments of his person, and the far more illustrious endowments of his mind; the surprising revolutions in his fortune, sometimes reduced to the lowest ebb of adversity, sometimes riding upon the highest tide of prosperity; his singular dexterity in extricating himself from difficulties, and peculiar felicity in accommodating himself to all circumstances; the prizes he won as a youthful champion, and the victories he gained as an experienced general; his masterly hand upon the harp, and his inimitable talent for poetry; the admirable regulations of his royal government, and the incomparable usefulness of his public writings; the depth of his repentance, and the height of his devotion; the vigour of his faith in the divine promises, and the ardour of his love to the Divine Majesty ;-if we consider these, with several other marks of honour and grace which ennoble the history of his life, we shall see such an assemblage of shining qualities as perhaps were never united in any other merely human character. This observation was expunged; but, upon maturer thoughts, it is offered to the public; in order to convince a polite reader, that the love of the Scriptures, and the exercise of devotion, are by no means the low peculiarities of a vulgar mind. Psalm cxix. 46. † Psalm cxix. 103. Psalm cxix. 97. proof, by parables; a method, which levels itself to the lowest apprehension without giving offence to the most supercilious temper: yet, is as much superior to plain unornamented precept, as the enlivened scenes of a well-wrought tragedy are more impressive and affecting than a simple narration of the plot. Our Lord was asked, by a student of the Jewish law, Who is my neighbour? Which implied another ques. tion, How is he to be loved? The inquirer was conceited of himself; yet, ignorant of the truth, and deficient in his duty. Had the wise Instructor of mankind abruptly declared, 'You neither know the former, nor fulfil the latter,' probably the querist would have reddened with indignation, and departed in a rage. Therefore, to teach, and not disgust; to convince the man of his error, and not exasperate his mind; the blessed Jesus frames a reply, as amiable in the manner as it was pertinent to the purpose. A certain person going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves. Not content to rob him of his treasure, they strip him of his garments, wound him with great barbarity, and leave him half dead. Soon after this calamitous accident, a traveller happens to come along that very road; and what renders him more likely to administer relief, he is one of the sacred order; one who taught others the lovely lessons of bumanity and charity; and was, therefore, under the strongest obligations to exemplify them in his own practice. He just glances an eye upon the deplorable object; sees him stretched on the cold ground, and weltering in his blood; but takes no farther notice. Nay, to avoid the trouble of an inquiry, passes by on the other side. Scarce was he departed, when a Levite approaches. This man comes nearer, and looks on the miserable spectacle; takes a leisurely and attentive survey of the case; and, though every gash in the bleeding flesh cried and pleaded for compassion, this minister of the sanctuary neither speaks a word to comfort, nor moves a hand to help. Last comes a Luke x. 30, &c. +This seems to be the import of ελθὼν καὶ ιδων. Lake x. 32. This diversifies the idea, and heightens the description of Jewish inhumanity. |