glaring to be overlooked, and too dangerous to pass uncensured.

Commentaries of this nature are but the opinions of those who write them, and as no man, however wise, is infallible, the most perfect commentary is unsafe to depend upon without reference to the original subject.

There are grievous divisions in the church of Christ, and these divisions are the result of depending upon man's interpretation of the law, instead of resting upon the law itself. One is of this connection, another of that: one quotes Calvin as his Scripture, another Luther: one this father, another that-what says St. Paul?

"For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? who then is Paul, and who is Apollos?"-1 Cor. c. 3, v. 4, and part of

v. 5.

Who then is Calvin? who Luther? who this reverend doctor? who that?-again, St. Paul.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."-1 Cor. c. 3, v. 11.

Calvin, Luther, and all commentators, are but builders upon this foundation: let us then examine the nature of the foundation before we pronounce their superstructures fitting to be erected upon it.

Every man must answer to God for himself; therefore, let him seek for that from which he is to prepare his answer himself, in the records where it is to be found; and not content himself with asking the opinion of another; who may possibly mislead him, not wilfully, but through misconception; but should he not, the enquirer, trusting to him, stakes his salvation upon the word of man instead of the word of God.

Young Christians, read the Scriptures yourselves first, to supply your minds with a proper principle of faith, and excite your reason and hearts to act upon that principle: assure yourselves of what God

has declared, by reading it where it is written by those to whom it was imparted; who have recorded it without adding their own opinions.You will find it in the four gospels; and in language too plainly adapted to all capacities to be misunderstood: in these you will find all that is essential to salvation, though you never were to see any other of the Scriptures. Observe, I do not mean that you need not read any other part of Scriptures ; quite the contrary; I only mean, that, if it so happened you never could see any other part of the Scriptures but the gospels, yet if you believed in and acted in obedience to what you there found, you would be accepted Christians.

It is necessary to observe to you that you may find some things which you may not exactly comprehend; but that part which contains the essentials of faith to salvation is too plain for you to misunderstand; and when these

essentials are fully impressed upon your minds, your eyes will in time be opened to the rest: for no man learns any thing that is important but by degrees: and the epistles will enable you to discover what was not clear to you in the gospels at your first reading. You will find, nevertheless, in the epistles many texts which may perplex you, particularly in those of St. Paul; but this must not discourage you although upon some of these texts are founded all the divisions in the Christian church; owing to different men giving different opinions of them, and making such opinions their several rules of faith; but, after all, you may depend upon it that there is nothing said in the epistles which is not in perfect agreement with that which is said in the gospels. In such perplexities some sensible Christian friend who has studied the Scriptures may be consulted, or some commentary which he may recommend; but, if it happen that you can arrive at no

satisfactory explanation, do not let it distress you, because the longer you learn the more will you be enlightened, and in time you will succeed; but, should you never succeed, hold fast by that which you find in the gospels, and you will be safe; for God will not require more of you, if you be sincere and diligent, than he enables you to understand. To read the Scriptures profitably, never, if you can possibly avoid it, let a single day pass without reading some part of them; for they are to be read over and over again; you never can read them too often, for they are the lessons of life; and we are only born for the purpose of doing that which they teach us. Never read more at one time than you can digest; that is, remember the substance of; otherwise you will read without profit; and pray to God that he will be pleased when you read to open your eyes, that you may see; your ears, that you may hear, and your hearts that you may understand; or, in other words, that he