truly fulfilled the high commis- | superficial judges, to be almost Such was pre contradictory. cisely the case with St. Paul and St. James. They both preached the Gospel with much wisdom and ability. They were both inspired by the very same spirit; yet the one will seem to many to have spoken inconsist A little sion they had received from Je- reflection, however, on differ- What has been said may serve to correct the error of those who would confine the preaching of the Gospel to those doctrines alone which relate to the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus. This is indeed a most highly important part of the Gospel; but it is not the whole. In some congregations, it may be that the state of the hearers may require that these doctrines should be chiefly dwelt upon. In othcrs, however, the practical parts of religion may be more particularly necessary. To preach the Gospel wisely and faithfully to each would require a strain of preaching which might secm, to In conclusion, let it be remarked, that nothing new can be expected in the preaching of the Gospel. If it be new, it is on that very account false. Yet many persons seem to be anxious to find out something new which is to operate as a charm in effecting their salvation. That only is the Gospel which the Scriptures have revealed as such; and there the truth will always be found to be clear just in proportion to its importance. One preacher may be more happy than another in his talents, his mode of expression, his manner. He may have more ingenuity of illustration, and may be more expert in handling particular subjects; but the truth itself is old and well known. Nor is it only folly to expect something new in the preaching of the Gospel : such an expectation often leads to fatal consequences. Many, through life, are thus seeking and never finding the truth.Some persons are led to fix on particular expressions of Scripture, to the neglect of what is most important in doctrine ; some to cherish a fond regard to doctrines without attending to practice; and some to use even religion itself for stifling the re The hour is fast approaching, as on the wings of a whirlwind, when empty speculations will not be allowed as a substitution for a living faith and a holy practice. God grant that every one who reads this paper may be found in that day to have receiv ed the truth in the love of it, and to have brought forth abundant fruit to the glory of our Lord and Saviour! [Ch. Ob. Difference between mere Knowt edge and Practice in Religion. T HAT there is a great dif ference between the knowledge of the truth, and an habit monstrances of conscience. Hence also come divisions in the Church. It has ever been the policy of Satan rather to undermine the Church than to attack it openly. An open denial of any truth would be rejected; but the disproportionate exaltation of one part of the Gospel, to the depression of the rest, is not so soon perceived to be pregpant with danger. Let it be ever remembered, that it is the practical application of old and well known truths to the conscience, which is chiefly wanted, and from which Satan would divert the attention of man. What will avail, as has been already said, the speculative belief of any religious truth, unless that truth be brought into effect? The knowledge of the sinful-ual love and practice of what is ness of our nature will benefit those only who trace it through its windings, cherish the convictions of their conscience, confess their sins before God, are deeply humbled on account of them, and strive against them in the power of Jesus Christ. Inquire a knowledge of Divine like manner, the knowledge of truths. The nature of the docthe grace of the Gospel will ben- trines of the Gospel, and their efit those only who, weary and mutual harmony and dependheavy laden with the burden of ence, open an extensive field of their sins, listen to the invita- speculation to their view. They tions of Christ Jesus, make their read the Bible and religious application to him in faith and books with eager curiosity; and prayer, and rely on him for sal- the sermons which they hear are vation with the heart unto right- readily impressed on the memoeousness. No more will the ry. After some time, these subknowledge of the pure precepts lime truths begin to lose their of the Gospel benefit any but novelty; the field is surveyed, those who are purifying them- and the same objects generally selves even as He is pure, and present themselves to their obwho are watching over their servation. An accurate knowlwhole conduct that the temper edge of the great doctrines of and dispositions of a Christian the Gospel is now acquired; and may be found in them to the ho- here the danger begins which nor of their blessed Master.- the writer wishes to investigate. good, is a position which few will controvert. It deserves, however, an attentive consideration. I believe it is common for young persons of lively imaginations, upon their becoming religious, to be anxious to ac. Persons of a warm fancy are likely to be carried either into the depths of speculative di vinity, or into the heights of mystical extravagance. Plain truths are no longer relished; and something must be found to gratify an insatiable curiosity, or the most enlightened preacher will be thought superficial, and the Bible itself perhaps will be considered almost as a dead letter. The writer has witnessed some of these excesses and dangerous errors in certain divisions of Christians; and a misconception of the nature and importance of religious principles, as the ultimate end of religious knowledge, has probably been a frequent source of sects and heresies. hear them explained and enforced, without weariness or satiety, if we are only desirous of reducing them to practice. For instance, the doctrine of man's fall and consequent depravity should teach us the important lesson of humility and self-distrust. The doctrine of Divine grace and favor, through a glorious Mediator, should fill us with humble hope, with stedfast faith, and with lively gratitude. God's gracious care over his people, and his readiness to communicate the graces of his Holy Spirit, to renew, sanctify, and comfort them, are calculated to inspire in them a patient submission to his sovereign will, and a constant reliance on his all-powerful support. The attentive reader of the Bible, or hearer of sermons, may easily draw similar practical lessons from other religious doctrines. And if he is properly acquainted and the depravity of his heart, he will find it necessary to have a frequent recurrence to the same general principles. He will seek to be grounded and settled in the truth. In order, therefore, to avoid these evils, we must consider the acquisition of virtuous and religious habits as of far greater importance than the richest stores of knowledge. "Knowl-with the weakness of his nature, edg puffeth up, but charity edifieth." A mere knowledge of the truth will lead to vain jangling, conceit and spiritual pride. If, then, we are seeking sound knowledge and information on religious points, let it be our The writer by no means wishprincipal aim to become wise un-es to disparage religious knowlto salvation through faith in edge; his only aim is to point Christ Jesus. If we wish to out the danger and disadvantage know the truth, let it be with of resting satisfied with mere this view, that the truth may knowledge. He would have make us free from all errors in men not only to grow wiser but judgment, and all evils in prac- better, by every opportunity tice; that we may not only which they enjoy of attending know, but practise what is on divine things. Now all the holy, and just, and good; and means of grace, though they may may follow whatsoever things not increase our knowledge, have are pure, and lovely, and of certainly a tendency to nourish good report. We shall find, us in all goodness. The regular that we may frequently review performance of the duties of the same truths, and frequently prayer and praise, whether pub lic or private, has a tendency to external form. And a little experience will convince them, that those who use no regular forms of prayer, do sometimes grow formal. They will find that these external shadows do not constitute the essence of devotion, and that they are only means for the attainment of something vastly more important; that is, to grow up unto the image of Christ, and a fitness for eternal glory. Now, in order to attain this important end, to grow up unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, to increase in all the virtues and graces of the Gospel, we may well repeat the same services, we may frequently use the same means of grace, we may daily breathe the same ejaculations. Does a person in a healthy state of body refuse to take the same wholesome food? Does he ever loathe his daily bread? And how does a child grow up to a perfect man? By an excessive use of high seasoned viands, or by the satisfying nourishment of a simple diet? Since the acquiring of religious principles and virtuous habits, is, as regards ourselves, the principal end of divine ordinances (the obligation we are under to attend on them as duties towards God, is not the object of this discussion,) we should carefully look on them in that point of view, and prepare ourselves accordingly. We shall then see, that spiritual improvement in the divine life, is much more to be regarded, than the gratifying of an idle curiosity, or the Let it, then, be our anxious indulgence of empty specula- care so to hunger and thirst after tions. Where this disposition righteousness, that we may be prevails, those ministers will be filled with grace and heavenly esteemed whose discourses are benedictions; and let us never solid and pious, rather than such grow weary of the sweet manna as are flashy or flowery. In the and the waters of life which are estimation of these, a sermon communicated to us in the ordiwill not be less valued because nances of God. May we daily it has been previously composed, grow in grace, while we increase if it be delivered by one who is in the knowledge of our Lord deeply interested in his work and Saviour Jesus Christ. May nor will their prayers grow lan- we give all diligence to add to guid and faint, because they are our faith, virtue; and to virtue, presented in words which have knowledge; and to knowledge, been in use for so many genera- temperance; and to temperance, tions. They will not expect to patience; and to patience, godlifind acceptance before the Di-ness; and to godliness, brothervine Majesty on account of any ly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these, red from the Black Jews of Mathings be in us, and abound, they | labar, and which is now deposi will make us such that we shall MISCELLANEOUS. Hebrew Manuscripts. Professor Yeates' Collation of the Hebrew Manuscripts, brought from India by Dr. Buchanan is published; of which the following is an English Review. I' ted, together with several other Biblical MSS. collected by Dr. Buchanan during his travels in the East, in the Library of the University of Cambridge. This MS. is on a roll of leather skins, which is the form of the Codices used by the Jews in their synagogues, and considered by them Like the European rolls, the as containing the purest text.— Malabar copy is written in colaccording to the rules observed umns, and without vowel-points, by the Jewish scribes, as stated T has long been a desideratum by Mr. Yeates, in his Preliminawith Biblical scholars to ob-ry Remarks, p. 5. This MS., tain copies of the Hebrew Scriptures from the Jews who are settled in India and other parts of the East. It was reasonably supposed, that, as these Jews had been for so many ages separated from the rest of the nation in the West, their MSS. might contain a text derived from the autographs of the sacred writers, by a channel independent of that through which the text of our printed Bibles has been transmitted to us. Dr. Keunicott was very anxious to obtain a copy, or, at least a collation of a MS. from India or China, for his edition of the Hebrew Bible, in expectation that it would exhibit important variations from the Masoretic editions; but he unsuccessful in his endeavors to procure it; and the honor of first bringing an Indian MS. of the Hebrew Scriptures into Europe was reserved for Dr. Buchanan. was The work before us presents us with the collation of a copy of the Pentateuch, which that learned and pious Divine procu therefore, is of importance, as representing, as far as it is complete,* the authorised text of the books of Moses used in the public worship of the Jews of India; and its value is enhanced by its being composed of the fragments of three several rolls, and thus affording specimens of the reading of so many different copies. The Jews, from whom Dr. Buchanan procured it, differed in their account of its origin. According to some, it was brought from Senna, in Arabia; others said that it came from Cashmire.t Mr. Yeates thinks that these accounts may be reconciled, by supposing that that part of it which is written on brown skins, in a character corresponding to that found in rolls of Arabian * The latter part of the Book of the beginning of Numbers, are wantExodus, the whole of Leviticus, and ing. In the provinces of Cashmire and Afghanistan, several Jews are from the Ten Tribes, who were to be found,supposed to be descended carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. |