None will fay that

ly, and deliberately. this is an impracticable duty. The bufieft may, by a proper difpofition of their affairs, fet apart a portion of their time for this employment; and the idle may well fpare fome of thofe hours, which, with all their anxiety to find different amusements, they often know not how to difpofe of. To every one of us God hath given the Sabbath as a returning feafon of religious recollection. A part of it ought always to be spent in reading the Scriptures; and if we account the day of the Lord honourable, we will not want leifure for obeying the command in my text.

THE rules of facred criticism cannot be fuppofed to enter into a popular difcourse. I prefume not to address myself to those who are led, either by inclination, or by a sense of duty, to employ their literary talents in the profecution of theological ftudies. But, after the example of that Society before whom I fpeak, whofe inftitutions are calculated for the benefit

E

of the great body of the people in certain diftricts, I wish to affift those who have no peculiar advantages for study, in deriving information, comfort, and inftruction from the fearch of the Scriptures: And to them I fay, that, if they would not wish this employment to be "bodily exercise, which profiteth little," they must read with good intention,—with humility,—with application to their own cafe,-and with prayer.

1. In order to profit by fearching the Scriptures, it is necessary to read them with good Inten

tion.

IN bodily tasks, the difpofition of the workman's mind is not of great importance. Provided the work be done, his wages are earned, and his mafter is fatif fied: But the usefulness of thofe exercifes which minister to the improvement of the mind, depends very much upon the fentiments and views with which they are performed. Here the manner of doing the

work is often of more importance than the work that is done; and a wrong intention in the agent often prevents him from reaping the fruit of his toil,

IF you search the scriptures in order to make a display of your acquaintance with them, you may have your reward. By the readiness of your quotations, and the acuteness of your critical remarks, you may aftonish the ignorant, and obtain praise from those who value fuch researches. But your own heart will not be the better for "that knowledge which puffeth up." If you fearch the Sriptures in order to be learned in controverfy, you may know the grounds of all the different opinions respecting certain difputed points; you may be able to convince the adverfaries, and to defend your own tenets with dexterity. But there is a danger of your turning afide from the weighty matters of the law, to "queftions and ftrifes of words;" and in your zeal to establish what you account the truth, you may make fhipwreck of

faith and a good confcience. Once more, if you fearch the Scriptures with a captious fpirit, defirous of raifing objections, of finding matter of cenfure or of ridicule, you may fuccced beyond your expectation. You may puzzle both yourselves and others; you may derive from the venerable phrafeology of Scripture much aid to the barrennefs of your wit; by a fneer at what you do not understand, you may please those who know as little as you do; and by a ludicrous application of folemn expreffions, you may excite laughter amongst thofe who care not at what expence they are made merry. But your fearch of the Scriptures will, in this cafe, degrade in your eyes the great truths of religion, and, while it confounds ing, and tends to efface every ferious impression from your hearts, it will produce in difcourfe a multitude of idle words,

your

your

understand

for every one of which, your Mafter hath faid you fhall give account in the day of judgment.

THINK it not enough, then, that you fpend a portion of your time in reading your bibles; but examine yourfelves that, you may know the intention with which the work is done. Do not fearch the Scriptures for oftentation, for contention, or for fport. But search them as the book given by God to convey to you the most important knowledge, to comfort your hearts, and to direct your lives. Keep these great purposes of this book in your eye when you read it." As new born babes, defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" And if, "with good and honeft hearts," ye feek the profit which the Scriptures were given to administer, through the bleffing of God, ye shall ob

tain it.

2. In order to profit by fearching the Scriptures, it is necessary to read them with Humility.

In all our intercourfe with the Almighty, we receive leffons of humility. "Vain man, who would be wife," is perpetually