defcended to procure eternal Manfions for us in the Regions of Bliss and Immortality. He had none of the Sons of Grandeur to welcome his Approach into the World: But an Archangel foretold; an Host of Angels celebrated; and a Star was commiffioned to point out the Place of his Birth! He was deftitute of Habitation, Riches, and Honors: Even the pious Women, his Followers, adminiftred to his daily Neceffities: Notwithstanding this, He had an House not made with Hands, eternal in the Heavens. All Nature was at his Command. He fed the Hungry, healed the Sick, caft out Devils, and raised the Dead. No Pomp of Attendance was there to commit his precious Body to the filent Grave: But then all Nature was moved at the Sight: The Sun withdrew his Shining; the Rocks the Dead arose; and Angels left their golden Harps unftrung, entered the Grave, and attended him among the Dead. In short: Though he was lower than the lowest of the Sons of Men; yet was he, "The Mighty GoD, The E-verlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; The Creator, The Preferver, and The Redeemer of the World".

rent;

Well

Well might the Apoftle fay,

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Chrift". Why was he not ashamed? "Becaufe", fays he, "it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth". A Divine Energy had been exerted in Confequence of the Gofpel-Difpenfation, and the Apostle had experienced its transforming Influence. Hence he glories in the Gofpel, as the Means of his Salvation.

Whether what has been faid will have any Effect in making you prize, and more highly efteem the Book of God, I know not. This however we know, You will be happy in Proportion as you love, honor, read, study and obey it. In Theory, I believe, the Generality of us entertain a very high Opinion of the Bible: But is That all that's required? Has it a Práctical Influence alfo upon us? Do you make it the Study of your Life, to know, and do the Will of God as therein contained? Is the Gospel become the Power of God unto your Converfion and Salvation? Notwithstanding all your Professions of Faith in Chrift, are you not living in the allowed Tranfgreffion of his facred Laws?

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1

Laws? Does not That Gofpel, of which you fay you are not ashamed, condemn you? Alas, Alas!

Why call ye Chrift, Lord, Lord, and do not the Things which he fays"? Be affured, it is not every one that makes great Profeffions of Religion; that talks of inward Joys and Sins forgiven, that shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but they, and they alone, who Steadily, Regularly, and Uniformly, DO the Will of God, as contained in the Holy Scriptures.

Well, Christians; you have seen what are the Sentiments and Opinions of those Persons, in different Ages of the Church, who have been moft worthy of Credit and Regard, concerning the Inspired Volume.

GOD HIMSELF commands Joshua to read and meditate upon his Law, by Day and by Night.

JESUS CHRIST has left upon Record, that we muft, if we value eternal Life, fearch, examine, and scrutinize the Scriptures.

MOSES, DAVID, PETER and PAUL, have all agreed that the Bible is the Food of the Soul, the Bread of Life; and that who

foever

foever reads, hears, studies and obeys That Word, fhall live forever.

OUR PIOUS REFORMERS, who fealed the Truth with their Blood: All the Clergy of the Church of England: Nay, all the Clergy in all Ages and Nations, of every Sect and Denomination, though they differ ever so widely in other Matters, yet agree in this, That the Bible is to be received as the Word of God; the Book by which we are to be judged at the last Day.

PRIVATE PERSONS, of the stricteft Integrity, the greatest Abilities, and the freest from Enthusiasm and Prieft-Craft, have examined the Matter with the utmoft Impartiality and Care; andthey still agree, The Bible is attended with the most invincible Evidence, of which the Subject is capable, that it is, The Word of GOD.

I beseech you then, Sirs, be not ashamed of the Gospel of Chrift. Mind not the Cavils of a few pretended Rationalists. Look at their Lives and Conduct, and you will fee the Rea fon why they endeavor to mifrepresent and cry down the Bible. It is their Intereft; for if it is true, they are well aware, they cannot e

fcape the Damnation of Hell. Regard them not therefore, but laying afide all unneceffary Cares and Concerns, betake yourselves to read, study and meditate upon, the Word of God. Its Promifes are large and full; its Threats infinitely awful; and its Precepts divinely pure. Study to conform your whole Life to its Directions. Jefus Chrift you will find to be the Sum and Substance of it; the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End. His Obedience and Sufferings are therein reprefented as the alone meri. torious Caufe of a Sinner's Salvation. His Death the Ranfom of the World. Faith is represented as an Hand, or Inftrument, with which to lay hold on, or receive, the Merits of the Redeemer: And Duty, Love, and Gratitude, as uniting their joint Influence, to produce future Obedience. The Holy Spirit is reprefented as the Purchase of Chrift's Blood; and, at the fame Time, as the fole Author of Converfion, Regeneration, Repentance, Faith and Holiness.

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O that we could prevail with you, my Brethren, to fet about reading the Bible with a be