rantly brand those as Methodists and Enthusiasts, who preach zealously the very doctrines of the first Reformers.

IV. I would observe the great influence, which the study of the Scriptures had in producing this change.

We are all too apt, without careful examination, to take things for granted, especially in respect of religion. We often collect our scheme of divinity from other authors, or from our own reasonings and imaginations; and only seek for a few detached texts which appear to countenance our preconceived opinions; neglecting or very slightly considering, such parts of the word of God as seem incapable of being made use of to our purpose. We are likewise too prone, in availing ourselves of the labours of critics and expositors, to resign up ourselves implicitly to their guidance, and to imagine that we have proof enough of our doctrines, if we can produce the sanction of some great name that has espoused and maintained them, without carefully examining whether they be right or wrong but this is to pay that deference to the human interpretation, which is due only to the divine book commented on. We ministers especially, though at our ordination we solemnly promise to turn all our studies, as much as may be, into this channel, are very apt to suffer our time and thoughts to be engrossed with such studies and employments, as are foreign to our profession, and interfere with it, and which leave at most but a secondary attention for the study of the word of God. And who can deny, that many do not bestow so much pains in meditating upon the Bible,

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and in comparing spiritual things with spiritual, or one part of scripture with another, and every part with what they experience in their own hearts, and what they hear and see in the world around them, as they do about matters of far less consequence? So that probably, should they at any time sit down to a diligent examination of the whole word of God, they would find it a very different book than they expected. Thus, at least, it has been with me, and possibly it may be so with many others.

The word of God informs us that true wisdom, the saving, practical, and experimental knowledge of divine things, is not to be acquired without earnest and diligent seeking: "My son, if thou wilt "receive my words and hide my commandments "with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto "wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her "as silver, and searchest for her as for hid trea66 sures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." (Prov. ii. 1-6.) If then our wisdom has been acquired, without any of that eagerness and painful diligence, with which the covetous man desires and seeks for his riches; it is a shrewd conjecture, that is not of the genuine sort. Once I had in my own esteem a sort of wisdom, which seemed to offer itself to me spontaneously, and to be found with little seeking. But now I am persuaded that it was a mere counterfeit, a fair-seeming pernicious foolishness.

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That, which I now esteem to be true wisdom, if I could but attain to it, is not to be acquired in so easy a manner. When I first began to desire and

seek this wisdom, I set out with the assurance, that it was to be found in the holy scriptures, and no where else; they alone being able "to make us "wise unto salvation." I therefore considered myself engaged to make them my study; and, as the whole was "given by inspiration from God," and was all declared to be "profitable," according to the various ends which the Holy Spirit designed in it; I made the whole my study. Thus I learned to look upon the Bible as my book of instructions, given me along with the ministerial office by my Lord and Master; that from thence I might deduce all my doctrines, instructions, and admonitions, warnings, examples, encouragements, rules of duty, and motives to duty: and I also considered it to be the believer's charter of privileges, containing exceedingly great and precious promises, and the whole of that which God saw fit to reveal, concerning those unspeakable and inconceivable good things, which he hath of his infinite mercy prepared for them that love him. In order therefore faithfully to declare my message from the Lord Almighty to the souls of men, I found it indispensably needful to be well acquainted with every part, and to take the word of God myself, as well as propose it to others, as "the lantern of my feet, and "the light of my paths:" not only attending to the letter, but also to the true meaning," the mind "of the Spirit" of God in it. This I found to be a work that required much time, great diligence, mature consideration, and an unbiassed unprejudiced mind.

With this view of the matter partly obtained, and continually more and more unfolding itself, I

studied the word of God; and have now for nearly four years thus employed a very considerable part of my time, neither rejecting, nor yet greatly depending on, the assistance of interpreters. I sincerely desired to know the truth, and for that end I read the scriptures, "not as the word of man, but "as the word of God." And, though there have been seasons of remissness, when other employments and studies too much interfered with this main business; and though at first I was very far from an unbiassed mind, being blindly and obstinately prejudiced against those doctrines which I now believe to be the true gospel of Jesus Christ; yet, in that space, I have read the Bible many times over, in every part, with the strictest attention of which I have been capable. There are very few passages, which relate to doctrine, that I have not repeatedly and diligently examined, comparing one with another, with all the care and consideration I could; and I seldom ever ceased meditating on any portion of scripture, till I had attained to some satisfying conclusion concerning its true meaning, and its agreement with other scriptures. I may truly say I have filled reams of paper with religious discussions, with sermons, expositions, and letters; in all which I ransacked the Bible, to bring as much scriptural evidence for my direction as possible. For these last two years I have scarcely opened a book except upon religious subjects, and from morning till night, nearly every day, all this time, my thoughts incessantly have been employed in meditation upon the great truths of the gospel. Every difficulty and objection (and difficulties and objections, both from my own meditations, and in the course of

my reading, continually crowded upon my mind,) sent me to the word of God, and increased my care and attention in examining and weighing every text of scripture, respecting the point in question, before I exchanged my old opinion for a new one.

Thus I may truly say, I have sought in the word of God, (that field in which alone this precious treasuré lies hid,)" for wisdom," for the saving knowledge of divine things, "as for silver, and searched "for her as for hid treasures." And though I am sensible that my knowledge is still comparatively superficial, the knowledge of a child, of a novice in the school of Christ: yet I trust that as far as relates to the leading truths of the gospel, I am brought, according to the promise, "to under"stand the fear of the Lord, and have found the "knowledge of God."

Permit me now, beloved reader, to put thee in remembrance, that, until thou hast, with some good measure of this diligence, studied the whole word of God, thou runnest very great hazards in passing judgment upon men and doctrines. Be cautious what thou doest; "let these men" quite 66 alone," until thou hast imitated the conduct of the noble Bereans, and thoroughly, and with unbiassed mind, examined and meditated upon the whole word of God, to see whether the things which they believe and teach be so or not: lest otherwise it should come to pass, (as probably it will,) that, in opposing and condemning them, thou shouldst "be found to fight against God."Oh! that the Lord would hear and grant my request, and by his Holy Spirit powerfully incline the hearts of all who read these sheets, according to