of Christ. Be thankful that it is not yet too late for you to lift up your voice in prayer to God. Read the Scriptures, with prayer for the teachings of God's Spirit, and improve every opportunity of hearing them explained to you in public : they are given you as " a light shining in a dark place ;" and it becomes you to "take heed to them" without delay0. With our Lord, therefore, I say, " Search the Scriptures ;" or, in the words of our text, " You have Moses and the Prophets,
3. What cause of thankfulness have they who have heard it xvith effect!
[This is a mercy to you from God, the richest mercy that God himself could bestow. It is God alone can " give us an understanding, that we may know him that is true :" and if he had not opened your understandings, you would still have been as blind as ever. Know then to whom you are indebted : and let it be the labour of your lives to express a just sense of the obligations conferred upon you. But how shall you do this to the best purpose ? I answer, Look around you, and see how many there are regardless of the Scriptures, and of the state to which they are hastening. Unhappy creatures ! they have many friends or relatives that would gladly come from heaven or from hell to warn them : but no such intercourse can be allowed. They have the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament; and if they disregard these, no other means of salvation will be afforded them. But it is not prohibited to living saints to warn them : you may have access to them as often as you please, and even a more favourable access, than a disembodied spirit could have. To you they may listen with- out any terror or dismay. Improve then the opportunity that is afforded you. " Freely ye have received, freely give." It is not for yourselves only that God has given you light, it is for others also ; that you may put it on a candlestick, and give light to all around you. You have some brethren or friends ; go to them as an angel of light: and may God succeed your endeavours, to the salvation of many souls !]
0 2 Pet. i. 19.