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happiness. The final Glorification of the Saints. Page 344.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Concluding Reflections on St. Paul's Character. Page 361.

CHAPTER XXIV.

On the blessed Effects of coming to God by faith. Page

384.

CHAPTER XXV.

On the Glory of the Cross of Christ. Awful Signs of the Times; and the duty of Christians. Apocalyptie Visions of heavenly felicity. Page 398.

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE,

AS DISPLAYED IN THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF ST. PAUL.

CHAPTER 1.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON THE VALUE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

"Blest is The Book whose leaves display,

Jesus the Life, the Truth, the Way;
Read it with diligence, with prayer;
Search it, and you will find HIM there."

AT a period like the present, when knowledge is rapidly increasing, through the prevalence of education and the facilities of the press: when Infidelity, alive to these advantages, is insinuating its poison in every form: when errors are unhappily springing up, and divisions are weakening the Christian Church:-what a treasure is the WORD OF GOD.

Here we have Light to dissipate our dark

B

ness;-Truth, to guide us amidst the mazes of error;-Consolations, to gladden us in a world of

misery.

The Bible is the Revelation of a Father's love-the Expression of Jehovah's grace to sinners the Depository of heavenly blessingsthe Charter of our highest privileges:-The Bible is the religion of Protestants-the glory of our Churches the Poor Man's Friend. Every thing sublime in conception, and tender in expression, is to be found in the Sacred Scriptures.

The Eternal Jehovah has there revealed Himself, as clothed with majesty and honour; glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders; of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; in whose sight the heavens are not clean-and there he has manifested forth his glory, as mighty to save; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.

In that Blessed Volume, Mercy is seen to arrest the arm of Justice, and all the tenderness of the Father is displayed in the person of the Son. Love breathes throughout its sacred pages; for even when he declares: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten,”—the severe reproof is but "the graver countenance of love." Can we then neglect the Scriptures, which contain the richest treasures, compared with which, all else is poor indeed.

When the Creator of the world becomes an Author, his word must be as perfect as his work. The heavens declare the glory of God, and so does the Volume of his Truth. To the humble seeker after God, the Lord makes himself known as a God of grace and mercy; for the Scriptures are

able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The Spirit no sooner applies the truth as it is in Jesus with power to the heart, than the desert is made to rejoice and to blossom as the rose; the soul is beautified with salvation, and all its powers are consecrated to the service of its Redeemer; "for the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." Hence, David, from happy experience could say: "By them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Before his resurrection Jesus prayed in behalf of his disciples: "Holy Father, sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." And after his resurrection, by his own Almighty Power, he opened their understanding, to understand the Scriptures. Happy then shall we be, if, in unison with the Psalmist we can say: "O how love I thy law, it is my meditation all the day. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Thy word hath quickened me."

Every thing around us is given to change; sickness impairs the hue of health; adversity, the prospect of pleasant years; earthly friends may vary in their aspect toward us, at one time, bestowing the testimony of affection, at another, grieving us by a chilling slight. But in the

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