In concluding this subject, we would impress upon your mind two important reflections.
First, How thankful should zee be for the Holy Scriptures ! One of the greatest advantages that the Jews possessed above the Gentile world, was, that to them had been committed the oracles of God0.
h 1 Cor. vi. 9—11. I 1 Cor. x. 13. k Heb. xii. 1.
1 Matt. iv. 10. m John viii. 44. " Isai. li. 9 — 11.
0 R( m. iii. 2.
This advantage we enjoy in a still higher degree ; inasmuch as we have the light of the New Testament in addition to that of the Old. To judge properly respecting this, we should put ourselves in the situa- tion of unenlightened heathens. They are all " led captive by the devil at his will :" and no wonder, since they see no means of escape from his assaults, or of resistance to his power. But we, if it be not utterly our own fault, are asserting our liberty, and victoriously contending with him. Even those who are far from having attained their full growth, if only they are skilled in exercising this potent weapon, " have overcome the wicked onep." Let then the Scriptures be precious to us, " sweeter than honey, and the honey-comb q," and " dearer than our neces- sary foodr." Let " our meditation be in them day and night8 :" let them be " a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths4." Let them on all occasions be " our delight and our counsellors"." Then may we be assured that they shall be " the power of God to our salvation x :" for God's promise to Joshua is, in fact, addressed to every one of us ; " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein ; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success y."
Next it may be observed, Hoxo earnestly should we seek the influences of the Holy Ghost ! Many, instead of handling the sword for the subjugating of their enemies, are really using it in their defence : they draw from the Scriptures only what shall appear to countenance their lusts and errors ; and thus " wrest them," as the Apostle says, " to their own destruc- tion2." And if " the Spirit of wisdom and revelation be not given to usa," to guide us into all truth b, we shall derive no greater benefit from the sacred volume
p 1 John ii. 14. i Ps. xix. 10. r Job. xxiii. 12.
s Ps. i. 2. t ps. cxix. io5. u Ps. cxix. 24.
* Rom. i. 17. y Josh. i. 8. z 2 Pet. iii. 16.
a Eph. i. 17, 18. b John xvi. 13.