THE FREENESS OF THE BIBLE.

HERE is no truth more plainly taught in Scripture than this, that while man's salvation is entirely of God's grace and mercy, his ruin is altogether of himself. If he perish, it will be his own fault, and he will have no one but himself to blame. Wherever the Gospel of Christ comes, it freely invites all to accept the blessings which it brings. Whether men will be the better for the invitation, depends on the reception which they give to it. If they are willing to receive it, and consent to the terms proposed, the blessing will be theirs; but if they refuse and are disobedient, it will be justly withheld from them. Cooper.

THE UNIVERSAL APPLICABILITY OF

THE BIBLE.

AM led to conclude that an identity of moral character has pervaded the whole human race ever since the fall of Adam; that the descriptions of man in a state of nature and in a state of grace, respectively,

which were applicable to him eighteen hundred years ago, are equally applicable to him now; and that, in general, whether we look to doctrines or to precepts, scarcely a passage can be pointed out in the whole New Testament which does not, either directly or indirectly, either specifically or by analogy, concern us at this present time. This opinion, however, does not in the least degree militate against the necessity of being well versed in the history of the Jews, their various sects, their national customs, their popular prejudices, their prevailing errors, in order to gain an accurate and comprehensive view of the writings of the four Evangelists. So also, in the interpretation of the Epistles, it is essentially requisite that we should be acquainted with the general scope of each respectively, the particular occasion upon which it was written, the erroneous opinions which it was intended to combat, or the evil practices which it was intended to condemn; these, and other collateral circumstances, will be borne in mind by the judicious expositor. Nevertheless, since there is, as has been before observed, a striking degree of uniformity in the general features which both sin and error assume in all ages of the world, we may safely infer, that

whatever was written at the dictation of the Holy Spirit in the apostolic era in reprehension of the one, or in confutation of the other, will be strictly applicable, mutatis mutandis, to professing Christians in these days.

Browne.

EXPANSIVE SPIRIT OF THE BIBLE. BITTLE, indeed, must he have partaken of the spirit of the Gospel who, having once tasted of the tree of knowledge, would withhold its precious fruits from less favoured communities. Little can he have felt of his own need of renewal by the Spirit of righteousness, who is not zealous to impart the offer of grace to those who have never so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Little can he have entered into the exceeding love of that Saviour who gave His life in our stead, and by His own voluntary sacrifice made a propitiation for the sins of the whole world, if He would not seek to increase the numbers of Christ's visible Church on earth, and teach the wanderers from His flock that there is "one

fold and one Shepherd," and that to Him must the whole household of the redeemed throughout all the earth be gathered. Sumner,

THE PROMISE OF THE BIBLE.

HAT does it comprise? What does it promise? What does it provide for man? We answer, with our Lord, LIFE! Life temporal, life eternal. It has the promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. Man, in his state of nature, is doomed to death, and he finds here a reprieve. Man lies on the border of destruction; there is but a step between him and eternal death; and, lo pardon is here offered to him—a way of escape and deliverance, the forgiveness of his sins, and the acceptance of his person in Christ. The Gospel offers to man a promise of this life: the protection of Providence; the supply of his temporal wants; food to eat; raiment to put on; peace, hope, solace; a quiet conscience; a mind filled with love to all; union with the body of Christ's Church; unnumbered mercies and blessings, which he merits not to receive.

But the great distinguishing promise of the Gospel is, ETERNAL LIFE. "I give unto them," says Christ, "eternal life, and they shall never perish." Life, that is, in the very midst of death; life secured in a decaying and mouldering tabernacle-life unceasing, continuous, eternal-life surviving the grave, and invincible to the power of death-life at the right-hand of God, the fountain and source of life to all. This life is in Christ. Man is expressly invited to come to Him, that he may have life. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." For there is nothing, independently of Christ, throughout the region of space, that can give life to man. Death is stamped on all. Death may be communicated by all we see, and touch, and handle; life by nothing. But Christ bestows life.

Jesus always speaks in love. Every word is intended to do us good. Let us then take up His word, and say, "I will hear what God the Lord will say."

Smith.