the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the same ; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners both of yourselves and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures : and for this self- same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares and studies." Here let us pause a moment, to reflect, what stress our Reformers laid on the Holy Scriptures, as the only sure directory for our faith and practice, and the only certain rule of all our ministrations. They have clearly given it as their sentiment, that to study the word of God ourselves, and to open it to others, is the proper labour of a minister ; a labour, that calls for all his time, and all his attention : and, by this zeal of theirs in behalf of the Inspired Volume, they were happily successful in bringing it into general use. But, if they could look down upon us at this time, and see what an unprecedented zeal has pervaded all ranks and orders of men amongst us for the dissemination of that truth, which they, at the expense of their own lives, transmitted to us ; how would they rejoice and leap for joy ! Yet, methinks, if they cast an eye upon this favoured spot, and saw, that, whilst the Lord Jesus Christ is thus exalted in almost every other place, we are lukewarm in his cause ; and whilst thousands all around us are emu- lating each other in exertions to extend his kingdom through the world, we, who are so liberal on other occasions, have not yet appeared in his favour ; they would be ready to rebuke our tardiness, as David did the indifference of Judah, from whom he had reason to expect the most active support ; " Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house ? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house a." But I am persuaded, that there is nothing wanting but that a suitable proposal be
a 2 Sam. xix. 11.