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or rhapsody, or spiritual reverie, or the history and philosophy of the theopathy? Let St. Paul reply; age. Let him become a Jew io manThe natural.man receiveth not the pers, feelings, and associations. Let things of the Spirit of God, for they him know as far as possible the bisare foolishness unto him ; neither fory, genius, and mental charactercan be know them, because they are istics of each of the sacred writers spiritually discerned.

and let hiin minutely investigate It is a natural inference from their peculiar modes of expression. this view of the subject, that prayer In short, let his mind be enriched by is of indispensible necessity in read all the treasures of oriental literaing the word of God. This is the ture and science. But is this all ? medium of communication between Shall the interpreter be qoalified God and his children, and the sup- to enter into the views and feelings port of all the Christian graces of the sacred writers, merely as And if our spiritual understanding men, and not as holy men ? Shall of the Bible is in proportion to our he be unable to share those emotions holiness, it will increase as we be. which in their minds ruled with come mighty in prayer. Never overpowering sway? Shall be not are the sanctifying influences of the rather enter into their peculiar feelSpirit more powerfully exerted, ings as those who had been redewnever are holy emotions more vivid, ed by the Spirit of God? Do not than.when the soul bolds secret con- the laws of the buman mind, and the verse with God.

principles of sound interpretation It is also an obvions consequence demand it? And will any deny it, of these principles, tbat the maxim, except those who deny the sanctify" that the Bible is to be interpreted ing agency of the Holy Spirit and like all other human compositions," assert that there is no essential difis not true as commonly understood. ference between the feelings of the The Bible and other books to which natural and of the spiritual man? its spirit. extends, are conversant But some one may here object, it with a class of feelings, which occur spiritual understanding, is indispeein no other writings. And any one sable to a full perception of the who would be a complete interpre- meaning of the Bible, and yet no ter of such writings must be able to man has it by nature, how can meo enter into these feelings ; in other be required to understand tide word words, he must baye spiritual under- of God, or be criminal for not unstanding. I am aware that I may derstanding it, as does the spiritual bere be met witb charges of mysti- man ? I answer, if men are able to cism, or of enthusiasm. I may be exercise holy feelings, they are able reminded of the folly of many who also spiritually to understand the bave trusted to an inward light, and word of God ; lor, as I have shown, have rejected sound criticism and spiritoal onderstanding depends historical interpretation. But such upon nothing else. Whatever insuggestions are barmless. I am not ability oxists then, is moral and depreciating the value of philolo- criminal, and it is as proper to exgical research, nor of bistorical hort sintiers to remove the darkness illustration in the interpretation of of their hearts, and to realize tbe the word of God. Let the inter- spiritual meaning of the word of preter of the Bible be fully armed at God, as it is to exhort then to repent all points. Let bim be able in ima of sin, 10 love God, and to trust in gination to march through the length Gbrist. They are not surrounded and breadth of the land where the by physical darkness like that of sacred writer lived; to climb its Egypt, which they cannot remove, mountains, trace its rivers, and mark but, as saith the Holy Ghoet, their its scenery. Let him be waster of eyes have they closed, and their 1826_N. 1.

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heart is waxed gross, test they equally pleasant to the sanctified should see with their eyes and un- heart, who would most readily fall derstand with their hearts.

into St Paul's mode of thinking and One of the greatest dangers which feeling ; one who had no relish for attends the pursuit of Biblical lite. the truths which he communicates, rature arises from a disregard of and none of his feelings, and none of these principles. Some modern bis desires in view of them, or the schools of interpreters, especially the man whose heart is in accordance German, have produced authors with the whole word of God, and who are indeed learned and often more especially so with that part of indispensable to the thorough-going it which is most disagreeable to the student of the Bible. But they are other? In short who is most likely too often ψυχικοι μη έχοντες πνευμα. to evade and misinterpret the truths If correct in their interpretations, of the Bible ; he who loves or, be they are without any glow of feel- who bates them? ing. They see the truth in what The habit of interpreting the Lord Bacon calls a dry light, and of Bible, without spiritual feelings, very many of them we must, without tends also to introduce rash and irany want of catholicisın, assert that reverent criticism. Ifthe Bible is re. we bave no reason to think them garded merely as a literary produce the friends of God. And is there tion, and its interpretation as merenot great danger lest familiar inter- ly an intellectual exercise, the mind course with such men, should com- insensibly acquires a habit of demunicate to the student the chilly ciding questions without a due sense influence of their cold hearts. Even of their important consequences. if they were always intellectually Jf the interpretation of the Bible correct, it would be a most ruinous involved do more serious consecalamity, to acquire the babit of quences than that of Homer, a man viewing the truths of ihe Bible with-might be rash and hasły in his asout emotion. It would induce a bår- sertions, and yet injure nothing dened speculative correctness. And except his own reputation. But the expositions of the man who should the decisions of the Bible are decisexplain the word of God with intel- ions for eternity--and on whomsolectual correctness, but at the same ever this stone shall fall, it shall time without corresponding feel. grind bim to powder. How immeasjug, would be powerless in excitingurably dangerous, then, that spirit emotion in others. They would which can permit a man to dissect be like the rays of the moon upon a the word of God without care or surface of ice, though clear yet cold. reverence, as the anatomist would But the want of spiritual discern- dissect a dead body, and to adopt men: cannot be merely negative in bastily new theories, or new interits effects, so long as the inclination pretations, of which he has not seen of the heart affects the judgement all the bearings. The constant Not only are upsanctified men de- influence of holy feelings is needed ficient in that tact, which holy feel as a preventive of these effects, and ing wouldgive them, but the mor. a balance-wheel in the mind. al repulsion of their beart oft turns I do not, by any thing which I them aside froin the truth, and in fact bave said, mean to exclude those alt the various systems of false books from our libraries which are doctrine are to be traced to this as a written by men destitute of spiritual prime cause. The unsanctified heart understanding ; but I do mean to of mag does not love the humiliating list the voice of warning against a truths of the gospel. If it is true danger which is not unreal. He that many truths of the Bible are who loses spiritual understanding, vupleasant to the upsanctified, and in a coun. of tbeological study,

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A SERMON.

will become learned in vain. Ha- timid mode of investigation would bits of devotion, habits of holy sym- not bave elicited. It has sustainer! pathy with the word of God, can the attacks first of open, then of alone give a warmth, and power to secret infidelity, deriving new exposition, without which it will be strength and new glory from the en. almost useless. And he who, as he counter. And now

some one is studies the word of God critically, needed who can take advantage of does not also study it spiritually, the past, and, separating the prewould be in the conference-room, cious from the vile, unite in one or in the midst of a revival, like an harmonious whole the most impor, icicle among coals of fire. He who tant results of modern investigations. lays aside this armour is as the man There remaineth yet inuch land to who on the day of battle should be possessed in the regions of bibthrow away his sword and helmet, lical interpretation ; but let him and march unarmed to the en- who enters these regions take to counter.

himself the whole arınour of God, Too long has the literature of the and let him not attempt to wield the Bible been in unholy bands. Must sword of the Spirit, which is the the church always depend on in- word of God, until the selfsame fidels, or op udsanctified men, for Spirit have taught bim to feel its; her interpretation of the Bible ? power.

D. R. The spirit of the day demands men who shall be wise in all the wisdom of the age, and yet be strong in the

Hebrews ix. 27. Lord, and in the power of his might. It is appointed unto men once to die, It is an undoubted fact that there is no commentary on all the Bible,

but after this the judgement. written for the purposes of critical This passage, though a separate and theological study, by a man who proposition, is a part of an arguunited in himself all the requisites ment ; and is not the great point. of an interpreter. He who should which the apostle is endeavouring unite the metaphysical skill and to establish. His general subject fervent piety of Edwards, with the is, the superiority of Christ to the extensive research, and accumulat- ancient priests and to all other beed learning of German scholars, and ings ; and in this particular part be with prudence and judgement, could is showing that Christ had made write a better commentaryon the Bi- one sacrifice which was sufficient. ble than any now in existence. The The sentiment of the text is howresults of German research are now ever no less, but far more impress, scattered over a wide field-good ive perhaps, than if it were an indeis mingled with bad, and truth with pendent subject. The apostle adfalsehood. And the young travel- duces it as a well-known, acknowller who attempts to traverse this edged fact, a first principle in reliFast field, before bis devotional gion ; and makes it bear upon bris,

; habits are deeply fixed, and his the- subject as an illustration. " And ological principles clearly defined, as it is appointed,” says he, “ undo often suffers loss, either in piety, or men once to die, but after this the', in principles, or in both. Yet the judgement; so Christ was once of., adventurous and even inpious spirit fered to bear the sins of many." of modern investigation will result We take it then as an establishi finally in good. The word of God ed fact that it is appointed ynto has been severely scrutinized, and men once to idie, but after this in the scrutiny, though often auda- the judgement ;"-established not cious and irreverent, many truths only by the assertion of the apostle, have been disclosed which a more but by his adducing it in such a.

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connexion as to show that it was fit, the life he gave be takes away. generally known and acknowledged. In his hand our breath is, and his The first part of the proposition is are all our ways. The moment he confirmed by universal experience pleases to withdraw his hand of proand observation; the last part,“ after iection, that moment we die ; the this the judgement," depends for its moment be gives forth the order truth on the veracity of God. that our breath depart from our

The sentiment of the text then nostrils, that moment we sink into shall furnish a subject, on this occa- the arms of death. sion, for a few reflections.

Now that death should thus take In the first place, let us consider place by God's appointment, is to for a moment the cause of death. the man who feels as be ought to No doubt it is accomplished by the feel, a matter, of unspeakable conband of God. It is by him“ ap- solation. If we supposed with the pointed unto men opce to die." He healben, that some evil being was orders all events so that this ap- watching to destroy us, and might pointment always takes place. " See have the power of accomplishing dow," saith Jehovah, " that I, even bis purpose when our guardian I am he, and there is no God with god was not aware of it, we should me : I kill, and I make alive ; I be in perpetual terror. The fact wound, and I heal : neither is there being as it is, we may have abunany that can deliver out of my dant confidence that our death will band.” Men are very apt to al- take place under the direction of tribute the occurrence of death to the greatest possible wisdom and secondary causes. They blame goodness. The death of our friends themselves for the neglect of some too, though exceedingly grierous in means which they imagine would itself, we know could not take place have been effectual to prolong life. if He who sees through all causes They talk of deficiency in medical and knows all events, and who is skill. They look for peculiar cir- influenced by the highest possible cumstances of exposure in which benevolence, did not think it to be the subject of death bad been best. In proportion then to the placed; and a thousand causes are strength of our faith in God and our hunted after which may be found love towards him, will our consolaadequate to the effect produced. tion arise. We may indeed be But the scriptures assure us that it overwhelmed at first by the suddentakes place by divine appointment. ness of the event; we may even be These causes which we imagine,may driven to temporary insanity before indeed have been used as means of we have time to call up to view the bringing the end to pass; but they considerations arising from the goare ordered by Him who rules in vernment of God. But let a Chrisuncontrollable and holy authority, iian have time to reflect- let the the creatures he has made. If any first agitations of surprise be over, thing has beeu neglected, the use of and he will find delightful consolawhich might have prevented deatb; tion in the fact that God, and not an it was so appointed in the provi- evil being, bas caused the event dence of God. If medical skill be which cuts bim to the heart. As a ever deficient, if peculiar circum. child who looks up to his father btauces of exposure lead to death, with abuodant confidence that he be commands that it should be so. will do right, and when reduced to All the circumstances of our lite the most helpless state of disease, are ordered by him ; and he only is willing to take ihose medicines knoweth the bounds of our habita- which his parents think best ; so tion. He is not only our Creator the Christian, following the dictates

our Preserver, but wben he sees of faith, takes the dispensations

which his heavenly Father orders, term. From this source come our confidently believing that they are troubles of various kinds. On this what he needs. Who should direct account our peace is disturbed by a these things but he who is governed thousand intruders ; and earth is in all his purposes and actions by rendered a place of disquietude and intinite wisdom and goodness? woe. Sin gives to death its princi

Of God's right to take our lives pal sting. Without it, death would when he pleases, there can be no be but a comfortable passage to gloi dispute. He who gave, has a right ry, like the one which Elijah took to take away. He who committed when he ascended iu a chariot of into our hands talents which were tire to bis everlasting rest. his own, has a right to resume them III. The effect of death is the to himself whenever he pleases, and finishing of our probationary state to call us to give an account of our of existence. There is no knowstewardship.

ledge, or work, or device, in the Il. Let us see what is the occa- grave whither we hasten. While sion, of reason of death. Here we live we are met by the messenagain we must resort to revelation. ger of God and invited to partake of The language of that book is, ihe blessedness of religion. The " Death passed upon all men, for calls of the gospel are sounded in that all have sinned.” Sin then is our ears. The warnings of God the grand reason in the divine mind are held op to our view; the infor inflicting death upon our species. vitations of Jesus Christ to the As soon as sin had entered into the sweetness of forgiving love and to world, God pronounced the sen- all the consolations of his religion, tence, “ Dust thou art, and unto are urged upon us.

We are visited dust shalt thou return;" and thou- by the gracious influences of the sands of years have witnessed its Spirit of God. We are instructed faithful execution. One generation by the Providence of God. We of mea has passed away and another are perpetually reminded that here has come. One man has died in his we have no continuing city ; and we fall strength being wholly at ease are told of that city which God has and quiet ; another has died in the made eternal and happy above,where bitterness of his soul. No sinless we are urged to place our affections. being but one ever died ; and he We are constantly reminded in vanot for himself but for others. “ He rious ways that our breath is in the died, tbe just for the unjust.” The hands of God, and that he will take dark valley of the shadow of death it from us when be sees fit ; that must be passed therefore by us all, now is the accepted time, and now is because we all are sioners. The the day of salvation ; that if we direct tendency of sin is to destroy refuse to hear the voice that speaks all happiness. Hence all the car from heaven, we shall hereafter. lamities wbich visit our species are suffer the consequence of our guilt vrought upon us by reason of sin. in the world of retribution. . We All the sufferings in the universe are are constantly reminded that God endured by reason of sin. The now deals with us in the way of miserable beings who inhabit the mercy, whether by prosperity or bottomless pit are placed there by adversity, that we may be made parreason of sio ; and it is this reason takers of his holiness. And every only that prevents them from rising important truth is impressed upon to the seats of blessedness on high. us by a thousand means which God Sin is our worst enemy; and wher- has set in operation. ever it bolds undisputed dominion, But when death comes, our ears it prepares the way for desolation in are closed, and we cannot hear the ibe most tremendous sense of the invitations of the gospel. The voice

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