will ever be one of his favourite employments, he will find God, the great subject of it, every where exhibited to his view; and exhibited continually in lights, ever varying from each other. In the succession and in the comparison of an endless multitude of passages, all of them diverse, and all of them instructive, he will continually gain new apprehensions of the greatness and wisdom, the goodness, mercy, and truth of the Being, from whom he derived his own existence, and from whom he received all his blessings.

"These apprehensions will be enlarged, and improved, by his attention to the works of creation and providence. The works of God are always full of instruction to those who read and love his Word. Every person who peruses the Psalms with attention, must have observed how much instruction, and what elevated affections and purposes, David acquired from this source. Here, like David, every devout mind will see clearly elucidated the truth, reasonableness, and wisdom of very many scriptural doctrines; the propriety and excellence of very many precepts; the cogency of very many motives to his duty; and the fulfilment of very many predictions and promises. These, in innumerable instances, although unregarded by men of this world, will force themselves hourly, and irresistibly, on the eye of the Christian; for they are all congenial with his wishes, hopes, and designs; and to dwell upon them will be his peculiar delight.

"The dispensation of God to himself, his family, his friends, and his country, will in a peculiar manner cast a new light over all these interesting subjects. Whatever immediately concerns ourselves, and ours, becomes of course an object of our minute attention. As it is more thoroughly studied, so it is necessarily better understood, than the same things contained in dispensations to others. In our own blessings, and afflictions, many exhibitions are made to us of the character of God; and many proofs of his wisdom, goodness, and truth, are realized, which will hardly be derived from any other source. Here our Maker is seen in a thousand lights of providential care and kindness, as our Preserver, and Benefactor; as the proper object of ultimate hope and confidence; of which we should have

known little or nothing from any other source. At the same time this knowledge is deeply endeared to us, or solemnly impressed, by the events which disclose it; and is therefore deeply felt, and long remembered. Hence it becomes a part of our current thoughts, and is ready to be applied on every proper occasion to every useful purpose. In this manner the mind becomes enriched with a train of the most useful views, solid arguments, and important doctrines; which [raise it from its former level to a nobler elevation on the scale of intelligent being; and furnish it for higher enjoyment, and more extensive usefulness, in the kingdom of its Maker.

"In a similar manner Christians improve in the knowledge of their duty. All the duty of the Christian is originally learned from the Scriptures. As his acquaintance with this sacred volume enlarges, the precepts, which comprise the whole of his duty, are more and more known, remembered, compared, and made to elucidate each other. These from time to time he applies to his own practical concerns; and thus, as they pass under his eye from day to day, he learns more accurately the nature, extent, and spirituality of the precepts themselves, and the safest and best modes of applying them to the conduct of his life. In this manner the Scriptural precepts may be said to be always at hand; always ready for use; so as to guide him safely and happily, in many cases, where others would be compelled to struggle with doubt and perplexity.

"It ought to be added, that the knowledge of the Christian, acquired immediately from Scripture, and from his own experience, is greatly increased by the conversation of his fellow-christians, and by the valuable books, written by wise and good men concerning the subjects of Religion.

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"They resemble the heroic warrior, who raises the siege, and routs the foe, and turns the weapons of attack on his columns; but who, after strengthening the fortifications, and embellishing the exterior ramparts of the citadel, perishes without the gates, where he chose to pitch his tent."

Page 2.

London:

PRINTED FOR FRANCIS WESTLEY, 10, STATIONERS' COURT, AND AVE-MARIA LANE.

ON PROGRESS IN RELIGION.

PART II.

"This present world is to us a valley of weeping. In our passage through it, we are refreshed by the streams of divine grace flowing down from the great Fountain of consolation; and thus are we enabled to proceed from one degree of holiness to another, until we come to the glorified vision of God in heaven itself." Bishop Horne.

"MANY," said the impassioned preacher, "study the Scripture as they study any human composition,-merely to ascertain the meaning of the writers, and to acquire an accurate knowledge of the subjects on which they pour the light of a clear elucidation,-without feeling the importance of reducing to a practical application the precepts which they enjoin. They grow in knowledge, by which they are qualified to enter on the discussion of religious subjects; but not in grace, by which they would display the beauty and glory of the Christian character. They improve their intellect by the accuracy of their investigations, while their heart is not purified by the influence of the truth. They send forth their vindications of the divine origin of Christianity, while they remain ignorant of its spirit, and ulterior design. They resemble the heroic warrior, who raises the siege-and routs the foe-and turns the weapons of attack on his columns; but who, after strengthening the fortifications, and embellishing the exterior ramparts of the citadel, perishes without the gates, where he chose to pitch his tent. Or to vary the figure, I will quote the apt and striking language of our Lord. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it. You, brethren, are to grow, not only in knowledge, but,

"2. In grace.

"This is a generic term, and includes within it all the principles of the Christian character which we are to exercise and display. But as I wish to be precise in my statements, I will reduce them to a numerical order. "(1.) To grow in grace is to grow in faith.

"Faith in the existence of God--in the truth-of revelation-and in submission to his authority, is of so much importance, that without it, it is impossible to please him, Heb. xi. 6. This Christian principle pre-supposes the partial concealment of the truths which we are to believe; and that we are called to occupy a moral position where nought is seen by the eye-where no voice is heard by the ear-where the power of no authority acts with a direct force of impression on the conscience, or on the will. And is it not so? Do we not love an unseen Saviour? Do we not revere an inaudible authority? Do we not enjoy communion with an invisible Friend?-in whom we trust, for wisdom to guide us in the season of perplexity--for strength to support us in the hour of peril-for consolation under the diversified calamities of life-and for eternal blessedness. When this principle is first implanted, it is genuine, but weak;

we can scarcely venture to rely on the faithfulness and the love of God, though we cannot forbear: and hence, like the woman in the Gospel, who was SO abashed by her own unworthiness, that she could do nothing more than touch the hem of the Saviour's garment, we make approaches to an act of dependence which we cannot perform.

"To grow in this principle, so important in itself, and so necessary to the increase of every grace, is to become active, vigorous, and persevering in its exercise -to maintain our confidence in God, not only when favoured with sensible manifestations, but even when these are withdrawn-when, though clouds and darkness may be spread over the face of his throne, and we walk in darkness, having no light, we nevertheless trust in the name of the Lord, and stay ourselves upon our God -honouring him with our confidence-holding him fast by his faithfulness pledged in his promises-saying, in holy determination of soul, with Job, Although he slay me, yet will I trust in him—when, fixing on the immu