already opportunity to remark, and it may be equally remarked that his history of the Acts of the Apostles, which indeed is a continuation or sequel of "the former treatise," was written for the benefit of Christians, that they might "know the certainty of those things wherein they have been instructed." And if we would be thoroughly grounded in our holy faith, we must be diligent in the study of these, as well as of the other holy Scriptures, which "God hath caused to be written for our learning." With whatever subject men are desirous of being acquainted, they must of necessity study the elements of it, and have recourse to those sources from whence information is to be drawn. Neglect of this so obvious a course of proceeding cannot but leave them in ignorance of the subject. The truth of this maxim is incontrovertible; and it is as applicable to religion as to all the other concerns of life. Neither religious knowledge, nor any other knowledge, comes by intuition; but it is the result of a careful application of the means, which God has provided for our instruction. One of these means, with respect, that is, to religious knowledge, is the study of the Scriptures. Disregard of this salutary provision leaves some men in a state of infidelity, and others, who profess and call themselves Christians, in a state of most deplorable ignorance as to the foundation and the articles of their professed belief: whereas, would men but give that attention to the subject, which its paramount importance demands, availing themselves withal of those assistances towards understanding the Scriptures, with which the providence of God has furnished them, they could hardly be destitute of a Christian hope, or of the power of "giving an answer to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them"." Let such be the conduct of any one, who is desirous of knowing" the certainty of those things, wherein Christians have been instructed;" and such in all probability will by God's grace be the result. Let him study the narratives of "the beloved Physician," "the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel," and of the other historians of our Lord's life and ministry. Let him compare the events which they record with the prophecies to which they refer. Let him examine with accuracy the circumstances of of all the wonderful works which they relate. Let him dwell on the parables of our blessed Saviour, and on his other lessons of divine wisdom; and withal on the unexampled righ teousness and purity of his character and actions, and on the singular circumstances of his 1 Pet. iii. 15. death and resurrection. Let him pass from the Gospels to the other work of our Evangelist: and there observe the fulfilment of our Saviour's promises to his disciples in the descent of the Holy Ghost after his ascension; the preaching, miracles, and sufferings of his Apostles; the propagation and establishment of the Gospel; the martyrdom of St. Stephen; the call of Cornelius; the conversion of St. Paul, and his subsequent labours, and persecutions, and abandonment of every worldly pleasure and emolument for the sake of Christ: and, provided he be indued with common sense and integrity, he will hardly fail of ranking himself amongst the believers in Christianity, delivered unto us, as it is, upon the authority of those," which from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word," and who have "had perfect understanding of all things from the very first." We have thus endeavoured to further the design of the Church, in providing for the commemoration of the Saint, whose festival is fixed on this day; "Luke, the beloved physician;" the companion, fellow-labourer, and comforter of St. Paul; "the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches." Upon the whole he has appeared before us as an amiable and estimable man, as a faithful disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as a most valuable contributor to our treasures of religious knowledge. The use to be made by us of these his good qualities and his exertions in the cause of our holy religion, is to thank God for his example and for his writings; to imitate in our practice the graces which adorn his character, and to make the truths and precepts, which he has delivered to us, the rule of our lives, and the foundation of our faith and of our hopes. And thou," Almighty God, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist and Physician of souls; may it please thee, that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." "LORD of all power and might, who art the Author and Giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." "PO GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity, mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy • Collect for the 7th Sunday after Trinity. for the 11th Sunday after Trinity. P Collect grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." LUKE, tho' 'twas not thy praise to stand Partner of him, whose valued name Physician lov'd, 'twas thine to ease |