Scriptures must be profitable for the reprod of fuperftition, and the detection of error: fo here the GOD of truth speaks. The dif coveries are HIS. The precepts are HIS

The laws are HIS.

III. The Scriptures are profitable for cor rection, that is, for the reformation of faults in moral practice, as well as errors in judgment They are fuited to awaken a fenfe of fhame, and to bring men to repentance. "The law "of GOD is perfect, converting the foul." Hence the Pfalmift, fpeaking of the judgments and ftatutes of the LORD, adds, "moreover by "them is thy fervant warned;" cautioned against the fnares of fin, and admonished of its guilt and malignity.

Here we learn, that fin is the baneful evil, which first introduced death and all the forrows of human life; that funk the old world in the flood of the deluge; and hath through all ages been fucceeded by calamity and woe, and followed by the just vengeance of the power of Heaven. Here we learn to form a very affecting, interesting opinion of the danger to which it expofeth those who

1 Psalm xix. 7.

}

practise it, when we fee fo glorious and diftinguished a character, as JESUS CHRIST, raised up to destroy its dominion; and that it coft him the labours of his miniftry, and the agonies of his cross, to redeem us from its power. Here the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness of men, and the dark regions of hell and deftruction are exposed to view.

But not in general only do the Scriptures condemn fin; they reprove every particular vice, and fit in judgment on the thoughts and intents of the heart. This divine book directs its reproofs and denunciations not against the drunkard only, but against them who" are mighty to drink wine," and can fit 'long at the cup," without feeling its intoxicating effects: not against "the hands only "that shed innocent blood," but against the "heart that devifeth wicked imaginations :"" not "against the false witness only," " who fpeaketh lies," doth it inveigh; but it pronounceth him that "uttereth a flander a fool." It condemneth "the proud look

"and the falfe balance, and him that fowet "difcord among brethren." It levelleth it ferious cenfures against "wrath, malice, an filthy communications." Hypocrify and

open vice, fuperftition and impiety, are al here ftigmatised and condemned. There i no finful character, but what is here exposed no iniquity, but what is here prohibited and cenfured.

It doth not merely remonftrate with the finner, and calmly admonish him: it rebukes with authority, and cenfures with a facred energy. As the Apoftle expreffeth it, "The "word of God is quick and powerful, and fharper than any two-edged fword, piercing, "even to the dividing asunder of foul and 'fpirit, and of the joints and marrow." It fpeaketh to the heart, and penetrateth the confcience. It difcovers vice, and dethrones it. A text of Scripture hath more power to check and controul an unruly paffion, than an hundred smooth harangues of human compofition.

With what divine power did the word of GOD, at the first preaching of christianity, in

numerous inftances, produce conviction, establish true religion, fubvert idolatry, and rescue men from the flavery of fin!

And would

we reprove and admonish an offending brother, from whence fhall we be supplied with fo many and such awakening topics of inftruction and rebuke? From whence shall we be furnished with fuch fuitable and alarming confiderations, to shake the confidence of the guilty, and rouse the fears of the careless: as from the book of God, and the terrors of his law? From whence shall we learn the most effectual and infinuating manner of admonition and exhortation; but from those writings, which glow with the love of mankind; in which the terrors of the LORD are tempered with the invitations of mercy; where the denunciations of punishment are mingled with the pathetic invitations of compassion; where we are taught and required, "if any man be overtaken with "a fault, to reprove fuch an one in the spirit "of meeknefs?" Thefe confiderations ferve to illuftrate the usefulness of the Scriptures, as

t Gal. vi, 1.

the inftrument of correction and reformation. We proceed to fhew,

IV. That they are profitable for instruction in righteousness. They deliver the best precepts for the direction of all our actions.· They teach us the fummary of what is good, and what the LORD doth require of us, namely, "to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with GOD,"" They teach us "to" deny all ungodliness and worldly lufts, and "to live foberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." "Whatsoever things are "true, whatsoever things are pure, what"foever things are venerable, whatsoever

things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and any praife," these things are inculcated with perfpicuity, and urged upon us in the name of GOD. The duties of every relation are enforced the divine and focial, the perfonal and political virtues are all enjoined.,

The

Art thou the creature of GOD, and the dependant upon the fountain of life? Scriptures direct thee to "love the LORD thy