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sence. Every one, who sincerely loves these doctrines, must earnestly desire to spread them. With this object in view, as the chief motive of his undertaking, the author has been induced to publish the following pages. His aim has not been elegance, but perspicuity of language. The reader of refined taste may discover many defects; but if the subject be felt of great importance, such defects will, he trusts, be covered with the veil of candour, or at least be considered as comparatively of little consequence. If, under the blessing of God, this little work should be the means of bringing one benighted, wandering soul to experience the ex

cellency and value of the knowledge of Christ, or of confirming and consoling any that have already believed through grace, he will deem his feeble endeavours amply rewarded. It is the sincere wish, and ardent prayer of his heart, that every attempt to diffuse the Gospel and its blessings may be crowned with success by the great Head of the Church.

THE

CHRISTIAN'S CONSOLATION.

CHAP. I.

ON THE PERFECTIONS AND EXCELLENCIES OF
CHRIST.

IT is not easy fully to describe the manifold advantages to be derived from the sacred Scriptures. The most important and interesting events in history, the purest and sublimest precepts in morality, and the most just and striking delineations of character, are found in the books of the Old and New Testament. But the chief excellency of the inspired volume is its bright display of Immanuel. There, his distinguishing titles, his various and important offices, his free abounding grace, and his glorious everlasting kingdom, are amply unfolded in the plainest language, and beautifully exhibited under the most expressive imagery. Hence we see the propriety and force of his own address to the Jews: "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal

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life; and they are they which testify of me." To him give all the prophets witness; and while they foretold his incarnation, his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, they were wrapt up in devout admiration and praise. The lively interest, which they felt in this pleasing theme, prompted them to pursue their inquiries with the warmest zeal, and with unwearied assiduity, 1 Pet. i, 10, 11. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you," &c. As soon as the apostles were enlightened to know, and honoured with a commission to make known the adorable Saviour and his Gospel to all nations, they accounted every thing else comparatively as dross. Their characters were then raised to such a degree of dignity, decision, heroic fortitude, and exemplary holiness, that even their enemies were often put to silence and filled with astonishment. Nor are beings of the highest order in the heavenly world indifferent to the great mystery of Redemption; for, as Peter says, "Into these things the angels desire to look.”

Whatever other advantages we may derive from the Scriptures, let us never forget that their grand design is to make us wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus." To take Christ from the Bible," says an old writer, "would be

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