testify of mer." Yes, " the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy," and of the whole Scriptures s. It is in them that you will behold his whole character portrayed ; and by them will you have his whole work carried on and perfected within you*. Study them, then, with prayer. Nothing will be gained from them without prayer. From human compositions, you may acquire all that they contain by the mere force of intel- lectual exertion : but the Scriptures are " a sealed book," till God himself shall open them to your minds. But, if God shine upon his word, and enable you to comprehend the truths contained in it, you will derive from thence such views of Christ, as shall change you into the Divine image, and " fill you with all the fulness of Godu." " As new-born babes, then, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow there-
by*."]
2. Apply to yourselves every thing that is the proper object of faith —
[All the glory of heaven is unfolded in the Scriptures to the believing soul. Make the Scriptures, then, a ladder, whereby to ascend to heaven. Go thither, and there " behold Him that is invisible y." There get a sight of his covenant : there see your own " name written in the Lamb's book of life." There survey the throne prepared for you, with the crown of glory, and the golden harp already tuned for your touch. Survey it all as yours — your property, your portion, your inheritance. Rise thus upon the wings of faith, and all that is here on earth will vanish from before your eyes, or become like a mere speck in the unbounded regions of space. This is the proper office of faith ; and this is the privilege of the believing soul, even to have "your conversation in heaven2;" and to occupy " your seat there with Christ*," almost as you will do when you shall be personally dwelling in the realms of bliss. Verily, it is no mean thing to be a Christian. If you believe in Christ, " all things are yours ; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours ; and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's V]
r John v. 39. s Rev. xix. 10.
* Eph. v. 26. John xvii. 17. u Eph. hi. 18, 19.
x 1 Pet. ii. 2. y Heb. xi. 27. z Phil. iii. 20.
a Eph. ii. 6. b 1 Cor. iii. 21—23.