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1. There is much unbelief, even among Christians, respecting the inspiration and veracity of that book, which they call their Bible. If this were not the case, we should not see them so eager, as we find they are, to gratify their curiosity by listening to the predictions of every upstart prophet, and every pretender to a new revelation. In this day of wonders, several such have arisen, and the world, ever gaping after something strange, has gone after them. But, are the pretensions of such characters tried by the touchstone of truth, I mean, by the word of God? Does the man, who listens to their voice, enquire how far they are authorised by the Supreme Governor of the World to foretel those events, which are in the dispensation of His hand alone? Were the Scriptures regarded, as they ought to be, they would be considered as the fountain. of truth, and every man fearing God, and working righteousness, would examine those sacred records with all diligence, that he might be instructed, as far as was proper for him, in all good and useful knowledge. That sort of unbeliever, of whom I am speaking, does not imagine there is a sufficiency of information in the Word of God to afford him satisfaction, and therefore he applies his mind to almost every study except that of Divinity, and thus loses

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the gratification, which is afforded to the Children of God, who are permitted to handle the Word of Life, and to become acquainted with those precious things, which things, which "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,' "* but which God revealeth by his Spirit to those that love him. But,

II. Even among those, who pretend to hold the Bible in reverence, unbelief is too plainly discovered. Were it not, would the threatenings of God be so lightly esteemed? Consider with what awful solemnities the law was introduced, and how positively it is said respecting the several duties, which are commanded, and sins, which are forbidden,-this thou shalt do, and that thou shalt not do. Consider farther, how jealous God is of his honour, and how he has declared by the mouth of his be loved Son, whom he has commanded us to heart, that "One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled."t You cannot deny, if you take any pains in searching the Scriptures (and believing them to be the word of God, you must be very culpable if you do not search them) that great purity, and great holiness are required; nor can it be unknown to you, that it is written,

1 Cor. ii. 9.

+ Mat. xvii. 5:

Ch. v. 18.

"Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them."* And again, "The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God." And again, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish " Yet, with these threatenings sounding in your ears, and pronounced too by the God of Truth, ye are wonderfully easy while ye multiply transgres sions, and think, that somehow or another, without repentance, and without amendment, ye shall escape the damnation of Hell. But, is this to act agreeably to the revealed will of God? Is it not rather a daring insult against the righteous Lawgiver? Is it not reproaching him with falsehood? than which a more horrible crime cannot possibly be conceived. Happily, the wholesome laws, which have been enacted by our Government from time to time, operate to the prevention of much vice and immorality. Many a person refrains from seizing upon his neighbour's property, because he knows that imprisonment, transportation, or something worse, will be the consequence; and others, from the commission of murder, because that horrid wickedness is generally detected, and the punishment of death is sure to follow. Yet, why will per

* Gal, iii. 1.

+ 1 Cor. vi. 9.

Luke xiii. 3.

sons, who are afraid to transgress the laws of man, be so presumptuous as to transgress those of God? Because they believe not his word. They neither conceive their deeds to be open to his all-seeing eye, nor do they suppose that he will enter into judgment with them for all the things done in the body. They imagine the description of the worm which never dies, and of the fire which is never quenched, to be mere bugbear threatenings, and daringly sin with a high hand, till sad experience convinces them, that every word of God is true, and the power of his indignation the most insufferable of every pain. Oh! may the Lord induce your hearts to believe what he has spoken, that, while the day of grace lasteth, you may repent of your iniquities, and flee from the wrath to come.

III. Unbelief not only makes us indifferent to the threatenings of God, but disinclines us also to receive his promises. When Satan has long held dominion over a soul, he is unwil ling to let his captive go free. When, therefore, a man becomes sensible of the greatness of his sins, trembles under an apprehension of the Divine displeasure, and would take shelter under the wings of mercy, it is often suggested to him, "Thou hast sinned too long, too heinously, and too obstinately to expect par

don. It is too late now for thee to seek a new Lord, or to hope for a better service; besides, thy dispositions are rooted so deeply, as to become a second nature, insomuch that it will be quite impossible for thee to addict thyself to holiness in such a manner as to perform any thing like a steady, uniform obedience to the will of God." But, all these, and other thoughts of a similar nature, proceed from the father of lies, and, though they are suggested in direct opposition to what God has spoken, yet do they too often prevail to keep the soul long under bondage. Christ has said "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.' "'* And, as God has promised to "give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him," and assured those, who earnestly desire his great salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, that "Sin shall not have dominion over" them, nothing but unbelief can prevent the vilest transgressor from applying such exceeding great and precious promises to his own comfort. He cannot prove, from any part of the Scripture, that God will reject him, while he humbly implores for mercy in the way of divine appointment; for, through the merits of his Redeemer, he may claim admission to all the blessings of the covenant of + Luke xi. 13.

* Jolin vi. 37.

Rom. vi. 14.

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