enlightens the eyes; they are quickened, they are made wise. They learn their condition; they have a perfect knowledge of their redemption, and

are reminded of Thus scriptural

the judgment to come. knowledge is imparted not only to the living object, but to future generations,—it may be to millions yet unborn.

But let us examine a few of the excuses which men make for not studying the Scriptures. The words of our text in the original imply that we must diligently search them,-trace out their meaning by continual application, and not deviate from this holy pursuit. The primary idea is that of a predatory animal, tracking out and hunting its prey. Are exhortations required to stimulate you to a realization of the precept contained in this metaphor? Be ye therefore equally indefatigable in the study of the Word of God! The inability to read the Scriptures cannot be felt amongst us; and if we put in as a plea, the want of assistance to understand them, it is almost as useless as the excuse in not being able to read them. The Scriptures are so

T

plain and so well adapted to the lowest capacity, that he that runneth can read; besides in this enlightened age, this cannot possibly be urged as an excuse. We must remember that when the Ethiopian became desirous to study the Scriptures, God sent him a teacher. And if we cannot find any assistance, we should follow his example and pray for the teaching of God. Indeed prayer is absolutely necessary for the understanding of the Scriptures. The Jews were deeply read in the Scriptures when they crucified Christ, yet they fatally missed the sense of their law and their prophecies, on account of their pride and hardness of heart ; só we, unless we pray for the assistance of the Holy Spirit, cannot understand the spiritual part of those doctrines, which point out to us the way, that leads to salvation.

Another objection very often made by the worldly-minded against reading the Scriptures is the want of time. This is the most trivial and wicked of all other excuses. For what can be more impious, than for a man deliberately to assert that he has no

time for "wisdom unto salvation?'

What,

then, we ask, becomes of the Sabbath,-of those hours which are spent without this house of God? Are they passed profitably?

or are they spent in the sins of omission, or it may be, in those of commission ? God forbid that such should be the case. God forbid that man should become so low, amid the preaching the Gospel, as to be unable to find one solitary hour towards his own salvation! What are his worldly concerns to the concern of his own soul? The business which demands his attention on the week days, on the Sabbath is closed; this day of sacred rest requires his strictest attention. The more he is engaged in the week with his temporal affairs, so much the more should he be engaged in the service of God on this day; if, indeed, he would have his occupations prosper,-if he would save his soul alive,-if he would save himself from the terrible condemnation, which at the last day awaits the wicked and negligent.

We are aware that there are many other excuses, which men make for not reading

the Scriptures; not one of which (we may rest assured) will be accepted by our heavenly Father. Idleness and an indifference in the great matter of religion, we believe to be the principal causes which keep men from reading the Bible. Oh! my brethren, to what a state of degradation must the mind be reduced, to become indifferent towards the salvation of the soul!-what a state of danger, of perdition, must hover over the soul while in this melancholy situation! Without knowledge, and particularly the knowledge of the Scriptures, the mind is but a wilderness, yielding thorns and thistles, producing false doctrine, heresy and schism; converting the Word of God into a lie, which turns to its own destruction. But how different is the case, if the mind be possessed with a perfect knowledge of the Scriptures! then fruits are brought forth unto holiness, and the end of this knowledge is everlasting life. New ideas are conceived,—new affections burst forth,-a new life is led,a new prospect of bliss is opened, and the sure and certain trust in the Redeemer's merits is entertained. Go to the man who

has searched the Scriptures with a meek and lowly heart, with fervent prayer, and in a right spirit, and ask him as to the comfort which he derives from the Gospel of Jesus Christ; he will tell you that, like his brethren, he has been "troubled on every side," "yet not distressed," that he has been "perplexed," but never "in despair," that he has been persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed." He will tell you, that armed with the Word of God, he fears no evil, he dreads no peril ; yea, that in all things, whether they be in life or death, he is more than conqueror.

Such is the advantage which the studious and spiritual reader gains from the Bible. My brethren," search the Scriptures; in them you have the words of eternal life;" in them you obtain a knowledge of salvation, of the mercy of Jesus Christ, of the love of God, of the necessary assistance of the Holy Spirit, and of the place prepared for the faithful followers of God, and of the place reserved for the wicked. Read them, search them with a meek and lowly heart, pray over them, that you may understand