THE GOSPEL GUIDE; OR, THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN JESUS. EXHIBITED WITH THE DESIGN OF REMOVING THE NUMEROUS OBTAINING OF PEACE WITH GOD. BY THOMAS HUGHES MILNER EDINBURGH. MOTHE 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' The Lord Jesus. EDINBURGH: EBENEZER HENDERSON, 10 NICOLSON STREET. 1853. 101. d. 396. INTRODUCTION. A LITTLE treatise exhibiting the truth as it is in Jesus, so as to remove the numerous obstacles, difficulties, and objections which enter the sinner's mind, and prevent the enjoyment of peace with God, has long appeared to us to be very greatly wanted. The design of this little work is to supply that want. If, then, it should be honoured of God in leading the careless, the undecided, the christless, the perplexed, the burdened, the doubting, or the anxious sinner to the saving knowledge of Him whom to know is life eternal, our object shall be gained. order that it may, as far as possible, accomplish the end desired, we beg to suggest, In FIRST to the Christian reader, that should he, upon perusal of the Gospel Guide, think that it is fitted under the blessing of God to lead the sinner to the Saviour, he recommend it and employ it to the full extent of his influence and power. То facilitate this important co-operation in giving the Guide an extensive circulation, it is published at a price that puts it within the reach of all, and espe cially of Christians who may desire to furnish their unconverted friends and neighbours with a book exhibiting appropriately to their varied cases that gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. SECOND-to the inquiring reader, we say, for you expressly, dear friend, this little work is written. Its design is to guide you into the knowledge and belief of the gospel of Christ-the enjoyment of peace with Jehovah-the assurance of the remission of your sins of present and eternal safety-and the possession of a sure hope of everlasting felicity and glory. With a design so exalted as this we may well call upon you to give us such a hearing as will afford you the benefit of the truths here written for your guidance. You know, dear reader, that the same thing may be done either properly or improperly. As in every thing else, so is it in reading a book. However well calculated the truth read may be to profit you, you may so read it as to derive no advantage from it whatever. Allow us, then, to press upon your attention the following suggestions: 1. Read carefully, deliberately, thoughtfully. Careless, inattentive reading is always profitless and often dangerous, especially when the subject is important and demands action and decision. 2. Read seriously. To consider the most solemn realities to which your attention can possibly be invited without the deepest seriousness, is, to say the least of it, unbecoming and imprudent. 3. Read humbly, willingly, teachably. We are taught alike by reason, experience, and revelation, that child-like docility is essential to the learning of any description of truth. How can he who is too proud to submit to be taught, ever learn? What person can ever be taught that is too wise in his own conceits to condescend to receive instruction? Does not the apostolic testimony confirm that of history, that the world by its wisdom-its philosophisingknew not God? And does not the heavenly Teacher tell us that God reveals to babes-teachable, humble learners-what he hides from the wise and prudent, the self-conceited and the proud in intellect? And does not reason ask, how can it be otherwise? Do then, dear reader, condescend to the low estate of a scholar, that you may be made wise unto salvation. may, by assuming the position of the critic and the reviewer, discover the writer's defects, but you shall overlook the saving truth, andleave your soul unsaved. You 4. Read believingly and dependently. We say read believingly, because to read the truth and disbelieve it is to render yourself proof against it; and we say, read dependently, not on the writer, but on God, because it is certain he will not fail to render you every spiritual and mental aid which you require. 5. Read intelligently and scripturally. Take nothing of ours for granted. Believe nothing merely because we say it. Exercise your judgment in regard to every statement we advance. Make the testimony of the divine Spirit your standard of appeal. We do pray you to try our statements by that infallible rule. Thus shall your faith rest in God, not in man. 6. Read opportunely and repeatedly. Take the first time and place of appropriate leisure; as, for |