their leisure, station in life, obligations, and opportunities, thus attentively to read their Bibles; not as the word of men, but as the word of God himself, speaking from heaven unto them, and concerning the everlasting interests of their precious and immortal souls! Be the adviser what he may, despised and deserving to be despised, the advice is undoubtedly good: advice he will have no occasion to repent of having thus given, at the solemn hour of death, and the awful day of judgment: advice, which at those approaching seasons, none will repent having followed; though it should divert them from more amusing and, at this day, more reputable studies; or engross that time which they have been accustomed to devote to more pleasurable and fashionable employments; but which, neglected, will be an additional sting in every conscience through all the countless ages of eternity.

And oh! that they, to whom the chief Shepherd hath committed the care of precious souls, and at whose hands he will assuredly require every one that perishes through their default, would take in good part this expression of the very affectionate desire of my soul, both in behalf of them and of their flocks, in dropping these hints concerning their peculiar obligations, to devote much of their time to the attentive unbiassed study of the word of God, that infinitely best, but often least studied, of all books! What avails it that the ministers of the everlasting gospel should be learned, classical scholars, profound philosophers, metaphysicans and mathematicians, expert logicians, or adorned with the knowledge of the politer sciences; if they are unacquainted, or but superficially acquainted,

with the sacred scriptures? These other branches of literature may amuse and entertain them, may procure them preferment, reputation, respect, and favour; but the knowledge of the Bible alone can enable them, in such a manner, to "take heed to "themselves, and to their doctrine," as shall issue in the everlasting salvation of their own souls, and the souls committed to their care. Far be it from me to presume to lay down my opinions as the standard of doctrine, or a rule for the faith and preaching of my brethren in the sacred ministry! But the more obscure I am, the less objection can there reasonably be against my hinting to them, that, if any one should find this subject manifest itself to his conscience, and make him sensible that verily he hath been faulty in attending to other employments, and studying other books more than the word of God; then, possibly, he may be mistaken in his sentiments concerning the doctrines of the gospel, and, being mistaken himself, may be misleading others, to the endangering of their immortal souls: for he cannot be certain, but, that, should he employ some years in this single study, which its importance well deserves, he may find the Bible a very different book than he expected.

V. I would observe the influence which prayer appears to have had in effecting this change.

I am aware that the world, though called Christian, is come to such a pass, that the very mention of this subject in many companies is accounted ill manners, or even received with ridicule; and that being known to maintain constant communion with God, " by prayer and supplication with thansgiv

ing," is alone sufficient to denominate any person a methodist. It is however most certain, that the word of God is full of precepts, instructions, exhortations, invitations, promises, and examples to this effect. He never read his Bible who knows not this; nor can any man, under any pretence whatever, make a jest of this great duty and privilege, without pouring contempt upon the holy scriptures; and insulting the brightest characters there proposed to us as examples, not excepting the Lord Jesus himself. Let men, therefore, under the profession of Christianity, be as irreligious and profane as they please, I shall not be ashamed to speak upon so unfashionable a topic: for, if the word of God be true, he never knew any thing as he ought to know, never believed, never repented, never performed one duty aright in his life, who hath not sought all his wisdom, knowledge, faith, repentance, and sufficiency for obedience from God, by fervent, instant, persevering prayer. Time was even since I had souls committed to my care, that I lived in the neglect of this duty, and so "without God in the world;" but since, through his forbearance and mercy, I have been in earnest about the salvation of my own soul, and the souls of other men, my conduct in this respect has been very different.

"If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts "unto your children; how much more shall your "heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them "that ask him?" and, 66 If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." As he is the Spirit of truth, it is his office to "lead us into all truth," and "to teach us all things:" for he "searches" and reveals "the deep things of God."

It is expressly promised to the true church, that "all her children shall be taught of the Lord." (Isa. liv. 13.) Referring to this, Christ hath declared, that" none can come unto him, except he "be drawn of the Father," and, "taught of God." (John vi. 44, 45.) And St. Paul declares, that "The natural man receiveth not the things of the

Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; "neither can he know them, because they are spi"ritually discerned." (1 Cor. ii. 44.) The natural man (4vxikos) is explained in Jude by "not "having the Spirit;" which is evidently the apostles meaning in this passage: for in the preceding verse he declares that he preached the gospel, "not " in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which "the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual "things with spiritual."-On these grounds I concluded that man's natural understanding could not, spiritually or profitably, receive the knowledge of revealed mysteries, unless it were enlightened by the Holy Spirit. I learned also, that our eyes may be "blinded" by Satan, the god and prince of this world; that our understandings may be closed, and "a veil be upon our hearts," when we read the word of God; in which case the letter of the scriptures, without the Spirit, only "killeth." Hence the need of the "understanding being opened to "understand the scriptures;" for want of which the plainest discourses of our Lord to his disciples, concerning his sufferings, death, and resurrection, were hidden from them and they understood them not. The veil also must be taken from the heart; for want of which the Jews, in reading the Old Testament, cannot understand the plainest declara

tions of Moses and the prophets, concerning their promised Saviour.

The scriptures also every where declare that true wisdom is the gift of God, and must be asked of him, by every one who would be wise unto salvation; that, "the secret of the Lord is with "them that fear him ;" and that those, "who re"ceive not the love of the truth, that they may be "saved, are given over to a strong delusion to be"lieve a lie; that they might all be damned, who "believed not the truth, but have pleasure in un" righteousness." (2 Thes. ii. 10—12.)

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On these grounds and depending upon the promises and invitations so plentifully interspersed throughout the scriptures; when I began to enquire after the truth, I was led also in some measure to cry unto the Lord for his guidance and teaching and as my mind grew more engaged, and my difficulties, in extricating myself from the labyrinths of controversy, increased, I became more and more earnest, constant, particular, in "making my requests known unto God." My constant prayer to the Lord was, to be delivered from pride and prejudice, blindness of heart, contempt of the truth, obstinacy, enthusiasm, ignorance, and error; and that the Lord would give me wisdom and knowledge, guide me to the truth" as it is in Jesus," open my understanding, take away "the veil "from my heart," and make known unto me the way of salvation which is revealed to sinners in his holy word. Thus, waiting upon the Lord according to his own appointment, depending on him and pleading his promises from day to day, I was led from one thing to another, until my view of