preceding verses, of the display of the divine perfections in the works of creation and providence, makes a sudden transition in the text to the book of revelation, and extols it far above them. The abruptness of this transition, when considered in connexion with the commendations bestowed on the inspired volume, seems to point out the insufficiency of the instructions of nature, and the necessity and excellency of a revelation from God.

The subject, then, which we have now to consider is, the excellency of the Sacred Scriptures.

In explaining this, I shall have to point out, the properties, the efficacy, and the value of the word of God.

I. WE MUST NOTICE THE EXCELLENT PROPERTIES OF THE WORD OF GOD.

AS A LAW IT IS PERFECT. The revelation of God, which is his law in the most extensive sense of the term, is complete and entire. It has no flaw nor defect. It contains every thing necessary for our salvation. Nature declares the glory of God only in a general manner; and even this instruction is to us now become obscure and imperfect. It was suited to man in his state of innocence, but it cannot shew him his danger as a transgressor, or point out any certain method of pardon, or give him any sure hope of felicity. But the law of God is perfect. Nothing can be added to it, nothing taken from it. It embraces every part of truth.

Not indeed every part, absolutely speaking; but every part which God has seen it right to reveal. It comprehends all our duty, and all our consolation; all that is necessary to make us happy and holy; all that regards the doctrine of pardon and the way of peace. It reveals the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The writings of the heathen philosophers contain

a few mutilated principles and some fine sentiments; but they are incomplete as a rule, and grossly defective as to their principles of action. The Bible alone is perfect, beginning with the statement of man's sinfulness and guilt, discovering to us a stupendous atonement for sin, revealing a Spirit of grace and holiness, laying down a complete rule of life; and connecting with these a history of the creation, fall, and redemption of mankind. It is all given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

But further, AS A TESTIMONY, the word of GOD is spoken of as SURE. Considered as the solemn witness and attestation of God to all those truths which concern man's everlasting salvation, it is sure. It comes with a force and authority to the conscience. The former property denoted the completeness, this the solidity and firmness, if I may be allowed the expression, of the instructions of God in the Scriptures. They are faithful. They are like solid ground on which your foot stands fast, and where you may take a firm step. The authenticity and divine inspiration of the Bible being established by accumulated evidence, all its contents are to be entirely depended on. Whatever doubts we may have as to the opinions or writings of the best of men, we can have none with regard to the words of the Holy Ghost. They are a sure direction as to the principles of truth, and a sure guide in the way of duty.

It is added, that THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT. The statutes and judgments of the divine law are altogether right, true, clean, and righteous, (Ver. 8 and 9.) The equity and holiness of them equal their completeness and certainty.

They are in all respects true and just and excellent. There is nothing harsh, nothing defiling, nothing erroneous, nothing arbitrary in them. They have not only authority, but goodness on their side. We may not, in all points, be able to perceive the reasons of the divine declarations. It would be surprising if we could. But shall we not believe that the Judge of all the earth doth right? Shall we not adore what we cannot comprehend? Shall we not esteem all God's precepts concerning all things to be right? Though obscurity rest on some part of the words and judgments of the Almighty, yet shall we not acknowledge, that they are in themselves undoubtedly true and righteous altogether; conceived in eternal wisdom, founded on eternal truth, strictly harmonising with the unchangeable principles of good and evil, precisely and in every respect that which they ought to be? And as to the leading features of the moral government of God, as to the stupendous mercies of redemption, and the offers and terms of salvation, there is no enlightened mind but must at once discover their rectitude and excellency. They are clean from all dross or alloy; they are free from all error; they are completely true and righteous.

It is a further property of the word of God, that, AS A COMMANDMENT, IT IS PURE. The Bible is a clear and perspicuous rule of duty. Like the light of the sun, (to which the word rendered pure may allude,) it is lucid and brilliant, without any mixture of darkness. The perspicuity of Holy Writ is as remarkable as its other qualities. It manifests itself without difficulty. Its pure doctrine has no need of elaborate proofs, reasonings, or study. It enters, through the power of the Spirit, into the mind, and discovers itself by its own brightness. It seizes the conscience, and silences the vain cavils of passion. Other books are debased by obscure and

confused sentiments and positions; this is pure and luminous, in all essential points, as heaven itself.

Nor is this all. It is next spoken of as ETERNAL. The laws of men are mutable. Even the ceremonial law, though divinely revealed, yet being designed only for a time, was abolished when Christ appeared. But the word of God, in all its main and essential characters, as leading to the habitual fear of his name, endureth for ever. The obligations of revealed truth are perpetual. They vary not with times and circumstances. The blessings of it, the

rewards, the effects are unchangeable. The moral precepts of God are immutable. The life proposed by the Gospel, and the redemption which it reveals, are eternal. Heaven in which it terminates will know no end. He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

These, then, are the properties of the Sacred Scriptures; and they all combine to impress upon us the AUTHORITY of divine truth. The several expressions to which we have adverted-law, testimony, statutes, commandments, fear, judgments,—all tend to enforce on us a most reverential sense of the importance and weight of Holy Scripture. It is not a vain thing. Religion is not a matter left to our choice. The Sacred Writings are not to be perverted or rejected at our pleasure. They come with a divine commission, and speak to us in the name of God.

But properties of themselves are of little moment, unless they appear in correspondent effects.

Let us proceed then to consider,

II. THE SURPRISING EFFECTS WHICH THE WORD OF GOD PRODuces.

It produces conversion, wisdom, joy, illumination, and fear.

IT CONVERTS THE SOUL. "The word of God,"

says a Prelate of our Church," is perfectly adapted to convert, restore, and bring back the soul from error to truth, from sin to righteousness, from sickness to health, from death to life; as it convinces of sin, holds forth the Saviour, is a means of grace, and a rule of conduct." The first thing which man needs as a fallen creature, is an entire conversion of soul. This the Sacred Scripture, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is able to effect. It begins where our necessities begin, with the heart, and brings it back directly to God. It proclaims the holy law, which condemns every transgression. It displays the depravity of our nature. It exhibits the astonishing scheme of redemption in the death of the incarnate Saviour; and then invites us to repent and be converted, that our sins may be blotted out. Thus men are actually turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. They are pricked to the heart under the sense of their guilt and danger, and cry out in anguish, What shall we do? They then hear the invitations of mercy in the Gospel; obey these invitations; and believe on the name of Jesus Christ. They confess and forsake their sins, that they may find mercy. Thus by the grace of God attending the Holy Scriptures, a radical change is effected, in the thoughts, desires, affections, pursuits, and conduct of men, who were before wicked and worldly; and they begin to hate sin, to believe in Christ, to love God, to love their neighbour, and to live a life of holiness, spirituality, prayer, humility, and good works.

But the Bible not only thus acts upon the heart of man generally, but it acts thus in the case of the most simple and ignorant. It is said to MAKE WISE THE SIMPLE. The ignorant and unlearned, who are most exposed to delusion, and for whom the writings of philosophers and moralists are little adapted, by receiving humbly the word of God, become wise unto