must compare Scripture with Scripture,* and not be so anxious to read large portions, as to study thoroughly what we do read, until by meditation and prayer that blessed Book in something of its expansion of "breadth and length and depth and height" be opened to our awe-struck yet rejoicing hearts.

2. Search them as a duty, till you can search them as a privilege. Love is the constraining principle; a taste of the sweetness of the Word will most effectually draw us to the further study of it: but if you cannot thus come to the reading of it, make not your sluggishness and coldness of heart an excuse for neglecting it."Whilst I was musing," saith David, "the fire kindled;" and whilst you are reading, will not the blessing descend, and your affections be kindled by the Spirit of God? If you cannot read them as you would desire-with comfort and joy, read them at least in obedience to Him "Whose commandments are not grievous," but ever bring a blessing with them: "in keeping of them there is great reward." Do you complain that you cannot understand them, and that there are mysteries beyond your reach? Know that it is To this end how valuable a Bible with marginal references.

the Word of the Infinite-the Unsearchable,but know also that "the entrance of that Word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." The prophet's servant bidden to look towards the sea, brought at first the message back "There is nothing; but "Go again seven times," was the reply made by Elijah: at that seventh time the little cloud appeared, and soon there was abundance of rain. Alas! shall man study for years his trade, his profession, and consider his time not mis-spent, and shall we think that at a glance we are to understand the Book of God, without prayer, meditation, or effort?.... And this brings me to the third direction :

3. Search them with prayer for the light of God's Spirit. Blame not the Word, but blame yourselves, brethren, if you do not understand; the things of God are "spiritually discerned;" He is the Revealer of His own truth. "If ever we know the mind of God, we must be beholden to the Spirit of God for it. "At the beginning of thy supplications," said the angel to Daniel, "the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee," (Dan. ix. 23); "Ask, and it shall be given you;" "Who con.sults a sun-dial in the shade? or holds a candle to it to learn the hour by it?" Pray

fervently; pray in reading the Word, that the beams of the Sun of Righteousness may shine forth, and cry also " Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." So shall we profit by God's Book,"the Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth." Further I would say

4. Search them, with direct application to your own soul. The language of every page of Scripture is, "I have a message of God to thee." Happy he who notes the glance of "this eye, like that of a portrait, uniformly fixed upon him turn where he will;"* he shall find that Word his most faithful monitor and his sweetest comforter: he shall find it "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.) Lord! teach us thus to read and to profit by thy Word! Lastly,

5. Search the Scriptures with a view to Christ, in each and all. "They are they," (said our Lord,) "which testify of ME." Of Him, "Moses in the law, and the prophets did write;" to Him the gospels, epistles, and book of the Revelation alike point. He is * Miller's Bampton Lectures, p. 128.

their Alpha and Omega, their Beginning and Ending, their First and their Last. The object of that Book is to make known unto you JESUS, and through Him the FATHER, by the witness of the SPIRIT. "Search the Scriptures," and you will find JESUS to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," made unto those that believe, "wisdom and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption;" your burden shall fall off as you believe these happy tidings, and give glory to God by their reception. As you look at the precepts of that Word, and read "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me," you will learn that whilst separate from Him "ye can do nothing," you shall be able to "do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth you." Promises will be doubly sweet, because they are all "yea and amen" in Christ Jesus; His commands will be delighted in because "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." The Spirit revealing unto you Jesus in those sacred pages as "the Resurrection and the Life," you will "go on your way rejoicing.'

Let me address in conclusion, first

1. Those who cannot read. You hear

Christ's command to search the Scriptures, you hear the exhortation to comply pressed upon you; but alas! you cannot read you rest, it may be, content; believing that you are free from obedience to this command. Are you sure that it is out of your power to supply this defect by diligence? Put the case to yourself of an estate coming to you, on condition that you read the deed that makes it over to you; would not the difficulty be overcome? Or were you in prison, and liberty offered you so soon as you should be able to read, would not the difficulty be overcome? If men were but sensible of the riches which this Book contains, many who now remain in their ignorance, would set themselves in earnest to the work, and with God's blessing would succeed. There are several who have begun late in life, and yet have conquered all hindrances. But I would speak secondly to

2. Those who can read the Word, and but seldom do read it. This is an awful case. You that so treat God's word are, in fact, so treating God Himself; in neglecting the message, you neglect Him who sends it. Surely since the Most High hath in mercy given His word, it ill becomes us to refuse to search it. You find time for business, time for your meals,