None but devils and unbelievers despise him ; and shall any, who do not account him precious, be objects of his regard? Surely his final decision will correspond with that declaration11. — Let all then believe in him, that he may become precious to them ; nor let any be dejected because they cannot delight in him as they wish. The more we love him, the more shall we lament the coldness of our love. In a little time all the powers of our souls shall act without controul. Then shall we glory in him with unrestrained and unabated ardour.]
<i 1 Sam. ii. 30.
1 Pet. ii. 7 — 10. Unto you therefore which believe he is pre- cious : but unto them which be disobedient, the stone ivhich the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient : whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar peo- ple ; that ye should sheiv forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light : which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God : which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
THERE is a great and manifest difference put between men in respect to the advantages they enjoy, and the endowments they possess, Some are born to great possessions, while others from their birth experience nothing but penury and want. Some are blessed with a strength of intellect, that qualifies them for the deepest researches ; while others are so limited in their capacities, that they can scarcely comprehend the plainest and simplest things. A still greater difference obtains in respect to the oppor- tunities which men have for spiritual instruction. As of old, the light of divine truth was confined to one single nation, so, at this present moment, there is but a small part of the world who hear any thing of Christ, and a very small part indeed to whom the
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