1. For their instruction — [We cannot conceive of any good work whicli a person instructed out of the Holy Scriptures is not fitted to perform. Take him as " a man of God," discharging the ministerial office : he may learn from the Scriptures how to demean him- self in the Church of God so wisely and so profitably, that nothing shall be wanting to the edification of his flock. Or, take him as a private individual : take him «w his secret walk tvith God : What needs he more than is there contained ? What can any man add to the directions there given, or to the examples that are there set before us? or what further light can any creature in the universe desire ? Take him in his conduct towards his fellow-creatures : What duty is there which is undefined? Let a person occupy any station, or sustain any relation of life, husband or wife, parent or child, master or servant, magistrate or subject, he will equally find such directions as shall leave him at no loss how to please God^ or to approve himself to men.]
2. For their encouragement —
[There is not a motive capable of influencing the human mind which is not there suggested and enforced. Not only are the tremendous sanctions of heaven and hell set forth in order to work upon our hopes and fears, but all the wonders of redeeming love are there displayed in such majesty and splendour, that no person irradiated with their light can want any thing to increase their constraining influence. Besides, the promises of God contained in this blessed book are so rich, so free, so full, that nothing can be added to them : nor can a man be in any circumstances whatever, wherein suitable pro- vision is not made for his encouragement and support ; so that he is not only " furnished for every good work," but assured of success in all that he attempts to execute : if he be called to act, he is " able to do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him ;" or, if he be called to suffer, he is made " more than conqueror through Him who loved him."]
Such then being the excellency of the Holy Scrip- tures, let every one of you set himself to dis- charge his DUTIES in relation to them — 1. Refer every thing to them as your standard —
[Rest not in the opinions of men, whoever those men may be : but bring every thing to the law and to the testimony : for, whoever they be, if they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them^ You cannot but know, that, both
^ Isai. viii. 20.