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There is a slavish fear of God, which devils feel, and which is felt by many wicked men. This fear is founded, either on a conviction of guilt which must be punished, or in gross ignorance of Jehovah's character. Devils and the damned fear that wrath, which their crimes have justly provoked; and many wicked men, like trembling slaves, fear the Lord as a cruel tyrant. But is our Lord a cruel tyrant? What says the word of inspiration? "The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works." Ps. cxlv, 9.

A filial fear, from filius, a son, is that fear which God commands, and which is so frequently spoken of in terms of the highest approbation. This fear implies reverence, love, and obedience. A view of JEHOVAH'S excellencies excites reverence, the same view excites admiration and love; and these, sweetly combined, produce a fear of offending. Thus, a worthy son looks up to his father as a superior being, loves him, and would not willingly offend. When this principle is deeply rooted in the heart, sin becomes hateful. Hence, pious men have preferred death, in its most terrific forms, to the indulgence of any known sin. No wonder, therefore, that the fear of the Lord should be so extensively applied in the holy Scriptures. It frequently signifies every branch of inward religion. In our text it implies that habitual reverence and love of Jehovah, which leads to every good word and work.

II. WE SHOULD CONTINUE IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD ALL THE DAY LONG.

Every day should be begun, carried on, and ended, in the fear of the Lord. The following plan, suggested to the author, many years ago, by an excellent discourse in Bennett's Christian Oratory, is well calculated to promote this important duty.

The moment we awake, let us, like David, feel ourselves in the Divine presence: "When I awake, I am still with thee." Ps. cxxxix, 18. We should, then, survey his glories, that we may admire him; recollect our obligations, that we may praise him; and feel our wants, that we may pray to him. Thus, our first thoughts will be sweet and refreshing, and a good foundation will be laid for a pious conduct throughout the day.

When we are dressed, let us immediately engage in solemn set devotion. "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Ps. v, 3. It would prove a blessing, at that early period, to read a select portion of the holy Scriptures. The labouring poor, indeed, have not much time to spare; but one half-hour might be spent in this way, by those who are the most busily engaged in the active duties of life. Those who cannot do it on any other plan, might rise a little earlier to engage in this highly-important work.

At a convenient hour in the morning, the masters of families should call their families together, and join with them in the worship of God. Family worship, when conducted in a right spirit, makes our houses resemble the heavenly temple of Jehovah. By this means, our children, servants, and all who are placed under our care, learn to fear and love the Lord. But, let us guard against levity, formality, and irreverence,

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in family worship; and that our morning sacrifice may go up with acceptance, let us be serious, spiritual, and humble before the Lord.

We should carry religious tempers into every branch of our temporal business; and, while we labour with our hands, devote our hearts to God. That we may do so, our business should be lawful, and our em ployment useful and honourable. Upon this plan, we shall be as much in the way of duty, when engaged in business, as if we were in our closets. There is a fit time for every thing, which, religiously observed, tends to promote both the glory of God, and the happiness of man.

Company should be improved to the best of purposes. Let us carefully shun the company of those who do not fear the Lord; but, when that cannot be done, let us be deeply serious, and sacredly watchful. "I said I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." Ps. xxxix, 1. If we can drop an useful word in such company, let us do it in the name of the Lord; but, at all events, let us take care that they see nothing in us contrary to our high vocation. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. v, 16.

Let us observe our meals religiously. Before we eat, the blessing of the Lord should be craved upon our food. We should eat and drink with moderation, not indulging our appetites, either in the quantity or quality of our food, so as to injure our health, or unfit us for devotion. But, especially, "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: For they are deceitful meat." Prov. xxiii, 1-3. This rule is binding, not only at a princely feast, but at our common tables. When nature is satisfied, we should sincerely and gratefully return thanks to God, for feeding and nourishing our frail bodies, with the food which perisheth.

After dinner it would be profitable to retire for devotional purposes; because at that season we generally have a few leisure moments on our hands. It appears, from the following passage, that this was the practice of pious David; "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice." Ps. lv, 17. Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God." Dan. vi, 10. It is a frivolous objection, that we are generally so dull and heavy after dinner, as to be unfit to go into the solemn presence of God; because that dulness and heaviness are effectually prevented by temperance and sobriety.

Our diversions should be consistent with the fear of the Lord. These, indeed, should be very sparing, and always innocent. Some, who put evil for good, and good for evil, call those diversions innocent, which have a direct tendency to corrupt the heart; but we may try them all by the following queries: Can we engage in them with a single eye to the glory of God? Will they leave a savour of religion behind? Shall we feel, after our diversions, as great a relish for devotion as we did before? In short, can we pursue them in the fear of the Lord?

The Christian temper should be maintained, amidst all the varying

occurrences of the day. Many things may happen in the course of a day, to move our anger; but let us put on meekness. When tempted to murmur and complain, let us review our mercies, and be thankful: When occasions of levity occur, let us seriously reflect, that we are in the awful presence of JEHOVAH: When a sour or peevish temper would prevail, let us recollect that it is our duty to rejoice evermore. Finally, let us watch against every evil which may rise up in our breast, neither indulging improper thoughts, nor sinful affections; and then our minds will be kept in peace all the day long.

In the evening, let us again call our families together to worship the Lord, thanking him for the mercies of the day; and committing both them and ourselves to the guardian care of heaven. Then we may hope to spend the dark and silent watches of the night in peace and safety. Our sleep will be refreshing, our dreams will be sanctified; and neither wicked men, nor evil spirits, will be suffered to do us any harm. And if death approach us in the hours of sleep, we shall die in peace and safety, and enter into that glory which is prepared for them that fear the Lord.

Lastly, let us retire, and conclude the day in secret devotion. It would be useful, in our retirement, to sit down a few moments, to review the principal occurrences of the day. By that means, we should be prepared to confess our sins; to pray for pardon; to thank God for his goodness; and to beg a continued enjoyment of his loving kindness and tender mercy.

Had we spent all our days on this plan, it would have been well for us, for our families, and for all with whom we have had connections! But, alas! this has not been the case. Many of our days have passed away unimproved; and many of them have been days of sin and folly. But may we redeem the time which has been lost; and when our fleeting days on earth have passed away, may be admitted into the holiest place, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SERMON XXXVIII.

THE DUTY OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES.

Search the Scriptures. JOHN v, 39.

THOSE men who deny the divine authority of the Bible, are unacquainted with its excellencies. If they were as diligent in searching this blessed volume, as they are in collecting arguments against it, they would soon acknowledge, with that correct reasoner, Mr. Locke, that "it hath God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth, without a mixture of error, for its matter."

When Christ appeared in our nature, he gave evident proofs that he was sent of God; but the unbelieving Jews rejected him. To convince them that he was indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God, he referred them to the Scriptures. "Search the Scriptures," said he, "for in them ye think ye have eternal life: And they are they which testify of me." Let us, First, make a few general observations on the Scriptures; and, Secondly, consider the duty of searching them.

I. GENERAL OBSERVAVIONS ON THE SCRIPTURES.

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The Scriptures referred to in our text, are the books of the old Testament; for, when Jesus spake these words, the books of the New Testament were not written. The New Testament, however, is of equal authority with the Old; and both will either stand or fall together. The Old Testament, without the New, is incomplete; but when the New Testament is added to the Old, we have a full and sufficient revelation of the will of God to man. Whatever, therefore, may be said in this discourse, must be understood of all the Scriptures.

As the Scriptures are known by several names, we should endeavour to understand the meaning of those names. The word Bible, signifies The Book; and this name is given to the Scriptures by way of eminence and distinction. The Bible is the book of books. The word Testament, signifies a will, or covenant. This name is given, because these books contain the substance of God's covenant with the Jews under the legal dispensation, and the substance of the Christian covenant, which was sealed by the blood of Christ. The word Scripture, signifies a writing. This name is given, because the mind of God is written in these books, and is not left, as it formerly was, to uncertain tradition. These books are called the Oracles of God, because they contain the answers which God has given, from his holy place, to the inquiries of his people. And they are called the Word of God, because they were written by his authority, and under his direction. The word holy is often connected with other titles, to express the pure quality, and the holy tendency, of these books.

All the Scriptures are divinely inspired. The men who wrote them, professed to be inspired; and they have left such proofs of their wisdom and integrity, that we cannot doubt their profession. The matter contained in the Scripture is pure; its tendency is good; and it discovers the goodness of its divine Author. The mighty miracles that were wrought, to prove the truths which are recorded in the Scriptures, afford a strong proof that those writings have God for their Author. The wonderful prophecies contained in these books, could not be the production of mere men. They discover the profound wisdom of that God, who declares "the end from the beginning." Isa. xlvi, 10. These books, like the works of creation, will bear repeated examination; and the more industriously we search them, the more beauties we discover. And what convinces me, as much as any thing, that the Scriptures are inspired of God, is, that pious and good men always relish them; but that they are always offensive to the impious and wicked. Infidels, actuated by the spirit of the devil, have endeavoured to overthrow them; but they stand firmly, like a stately temple, on the rock of truth.

II. THE DUTY OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES. While others search the works of nature, and the laws of nations, let us search the infallible records of truth. Do we want wisdom to guide our steps through this dark world? Do we want consolation in distress?

Do we want to find bright examples of piety? Do we want rational amusement? Let us search the Scriptures. These holy books should be read in our closets, where all is calm and still; in our families, that our children and servants may be instructed; and in the public assemblies of religious worship, that all may learn. But let us search the Scriptures on a judicious plan, that our profiting may appear to all. The following rules, carefully and constantly observed, will greatly assist us in this important work:

Search the Scriptures seriously and reverently. God is so serious, in all his commands, promises, and threatenings, that a light and trifling mind cannot profit by the word. Every thing in the Scriptures is of serious importance. Let us reverence the Author, while we read his work! Look upon the book with solemn awe! We should habituate ourselves, upon opening it, to think, This is the Book of God!

Bless God for a revelation of his will, and search the Scriptures thankfully. The Roman Catholics do not allow the common people to read the word of God; and thousands in the Heathen world never heard of it: But we are in a Protestant nation; and the Holy Bible, faithfully translated, is put into our hands. Let it be sweet to our taste. "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey, or the honeycomb." Ps. xix, 8-10.

Let us search the word of God attentively. Examine every sentence with studious care. Compare one part with another, and those parts which are plain will throw light upon those which are obscure. Some read these sacred books without reflection; but let us attentively weigh and examine them, for they are of infinite importance. When Ezra read the law to the Jewish people, "the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law." Neh. viii, 8.

The Scriptures should be searched with prayer. Entreat God, by whom they were inspired, to open your eyes, that you "may behold wondrous things out of" his "law." Ps. cxix, 18. The Holy Ghost, by his secret influences, can open our eyes; and if we ask for this blessing, we have every reason to hope it will be granted.

Search the Scriptures with faith. Give full credit to every word of God. Some things are above our capacity; but that is not a sufficient plea for unbelief. Seeming contradictions should not stagger our faith; for they all vanish when we examine them by the rules of sound criticism. Faith in the word will make the Scriptures an unspeakable blessing; unbelief will make them a curse. They are a savour of death unto death to unbelievers; but to believers, a savour of life unto life. Humility is necessary in searching the Scriptures. A proud spirit calls every thing in question; an humble spirit receives all with thank

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