though very important, docs not limit one to any particular considerations!
B) the adoption of such a plan as this, many good ends are attained: for not only is unity preserved, and a perspicuity diffused through the whole, but a variety of ideas suggest themselves which would not otherwise occur to the mind: an hackneyed way of treating texts will be avoided : the observa- tions will be more appropriate: they will arise in a better order, and be introduced to more advantage: the attention of the audience will be fixed more on the word of God: their memories will be assisted: and the very reading of the text afterwards will bring to their minds much of what they have luard: besides, they will be more enabled to discern beauties in the Scripture when they peruse it in their closets. But it may be thought, that, on this plan, it will be always neces- sary to use divisions. This, however, is by no means the case : every text drawn up after this manner, must of necessity have an unity of design; and wherever that is, the divisions may be either mentioned or concealed, as the writer shall choose. Let the forementioned text in Jer. xxxi. be treated without any division at all ; and the same arrangement will serve exactly as well as if the divisions were specified. It will stand thus —
" A true penitent in the beginning of his repentance re- flects on his incorrigibleness in the ways of sin, and pleads with God to turn and convert his soul —
" When he has advanced a little in his repentance, he reflects with gratitude on the progress he has made, and he gives to God the glory of it —
" In such a state he is most acceptable to God —
" Whilst he can scarcely find terms whereby to express his own vileness, God accounts no honours too great for him —
" He owns him as a pleasant child; expresses his com- passionate regard for him, promises to manifest his mercy towards him, and grants him all that he himself can possibly desire." —
Divest the Skeleton of Matt. xvi. 26, of its divisions, and it will be equally clear.
By ' the world' we are to understand pleasure, riches, and honour —