truth that place and that measure of importance which seem to be given to it in the sacred voknne. Were this mode of investigating the Holy Scriptures more generally adopted, there would be an end of almost all the controversies which agitate and distract the Christian world. The very disposition of mind which would be exercised in such endeavours, would go far to rectify our judgment, and would divest error of more than half its evils.
If it be said, that all have not leisure or ability for such examination of the Holy Scriptures, we answer. That, whether we have more or less of leisure and ability, this should be our mode of proceeding : and those especially, who are to teach others, should be careful to form their judgment in this way. The Scriptures should be studied diligently throughout ; the design of the inspired writers should be especially attended to ; the scope of every distinct passage should be ascertained by a strict examination of the context ; and the general analogy of faith must be borne in mind, in order to regulate us in our inter- pretation of passages that are of more doubtful sig- nification. In a word, we should without prejudice or partiality attend to every part of the sacred records, and then judge, as before God, respecting the genuine import of the whole. Whatever sentiment is brought before us as of heavenly origin and of divine autho- rity, we must bring it to the law and to the testimony, and give it only such weight in our minds as shall appear to be justified by the general tenour of the inspired volume. It was by such care that the Berseans attained the knowledge of salvation ; and by similar care we may confidently hope to be guided gradually into all truth.
Having thus formed our judgment, we must, in the next place, exercise it with candour. — There will to the last, whatever means be used for the regulating of our judgment, be some points whereon there will be a difference of opinion. The minds of men are differently constructed ; and there are no two men in the universe who on all points think alike. It