Search them daily. Search them not from curiosity merely, though curiosity and learning are amply remunerated by the search; but from a deep and personal interest in their instructions. Endeavour to extract from them the sense they were intended to convey. And that you may do this, go to them with a heart and mind deeply imbued with their spirit. It is true they require thought and intellect; but it is not always when mere intellect is most exercised and acute, that divine truth discloses itself to the mind most clearly, or in its most lovely forms. I have known men who were profound critics and acute controversialists; whose inquiries indicated an enlarged and comprehensive acquaintance with the sacred volume; who employed all their energy and resources in becoming masters of that varied learning which might shed light upon this ancient book; but who were never "mighty in the Scriptures," because they had not drank into its spirit, and who instead of unlocking this rich treasury, took away the key of knowledge. The Bible is not more a revelation of the mind, than of the heart of the Deity. It has a soul; and it is the soul only that can catch its heavenly teachings. When you go to this book of God, let it be not so much to gratify a restive intellect, as to find spiritual aliment; not so much to decipher the Urim and Thummim, as to find the heavenly manna. There are difficulties, nay, there are mys teries in the Bible; and so there are mysteries in every star and every grain of sand. But if it

makes you holy and fits you for heaven, you may leave it to its enemies to reproach it on account of its mysteries.

Nor is it enough to understand the Scriptures. They must be loved and obeyed. Search them, sincerely desirous not only to know, but to do the will of their Author. Though they may be wounding to your pride, receive them with all readiness of mind. Though there may be a sensible collision, a severe conflict, between the truth of God and the unhumbled heart; yet must the truth of God be believed and loved. It is no impossible thing for your convictions to correspond with the truths of the Bible, while your affections and dispositions have no such correspondence. The word of God has comprehensive claims. Its great Author requires every man to receive it on his own divine testimony. True Christianity is heartfelt obedience to the truth of God. "He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record which God hath given concerning his Son." O, it were a grief of heart, my young friends, to live and die the enemy of this Bible and this Saviour. "Hold fast that thou hast, let no man take thy crown!"

I have now concluded this series of lectures. In bringing them to a close, I cannot but express my devout gratitude to Almighty God for the favour with which his providence has attended them. Most unfeignedly also do I express my acknowledgements to this audience for the attentive ear

with which they have listened to these exercises. My humble prayer is, that in that Great Day which shall disclose the results of our privileges and obligations, both the hearers and the speaker may see that they have had some influence in securing a welcome entrance of the word of life into your hearts and his own. "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, amen!