bishop Secker reminded his clergy) that you are ministers; all other learning will leave you essentially unqualified; and this alone, (the doctrine and precepts of the Gospel) comprehends every thing that is necessary.' With this end he recommends a diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures. Indeed, if the Bible be the fountain of light and truth, it is impossible to distinguish light from darkness, or truth from error in human writings, without an enlightened and enlarged apprehension of the word of God. By this touchstone we must "prove all things," so as to "hold fast that which is good." 2

But we want a study-a searching into the Scriptures the patient investigating spirit of the miner, digging into hidden treasure. 3 Some with good intentions and competent capacities, are in danger of becoming crude and inexperienced throughout their course, by substituting warm impressions of Scripture for that close study of its sacred contents, which can alone form a solid and efficient Ministry. In general,' (Mr. Scott remarks) I have found it advantageous sometimes to read the Scriptures with such exactness, as to weigh every expression, and the connexion, as if I were about to preach upon every verse; and then to apply the result to my own case, character, experience,

desirable amidst the conflicting opinions of commentators to arrive at an intelligent and satisfactory judgment from our own

resources.

1 Secker's Charges, p. 267.

2 1 Thess. v. 21. 'I find,' (said President Edwards,) 'it would be very much to my advantage to be thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures. When I am reading doctrinal books, or books of controversy, I can proceed with abundantly more confidence, and can see upon what foundation I stand.' Life, Works, Vol. i. p. 24.

3 Prov. ii. 4. John v. 39. See Matthew Henry's Counsel ut supra, and compare the account of Zwingle's diligent study of the Scriptures in Scott's Continuation of Milner, Vol. ii. Part ii.

and conduct, as if it had been directly addressed to me —in short-to make the passages into a kind of sermons, as if about to preach to others, and then to turn the whole application on myself, as far as suited to my case. At other times I have read a passage more generally, and then selected two or three of the most important observations from it, and endeavoured to employ my mind in meditation on them, and consider how they bore on the state of my heart, or on my past life, or on those things which I heard or observed, in the world or the Church, and to compare them with the variety of sentiments, experiences, conducts, or prominent characters, with which we become gradually more and more acquainted.' 1 It is most important also, that our research should compass, as far possible, the whole extent of the mine. The wise scattering of the truth over the whole surface of Scripture is far more adapted to the ends of instruction, than would have been a compression of its component parts within their several departments. None of us probably are wholly free from undue partialities; and, had our favourite doctrines been concentrated in particular divisions of the volume, an exclusive or disproportioned attention to those parts would have contracted our views of the whole system. The present disposition of truth, however, compels us to study the whole volume; and thus, by considering the whole mind of God, our views are extended to the length and breadth of the land, while we insensibly imbibe more of the enlarged spirit of the Divine revelation.

Perhaps the Pentateuch, the Prophecies, and the Epistles, may be marked out as the peculiar subjects of study. On the Pentateuch--Dean Graves's Lec

1 Life, p. 328, 329.

tures may be referred to for much valuable criticism and information, equally illustrative of the wisdom and of the difficulties of the Mosaic code. Faber's Hora Mosaicæ opens a diversified, instructive, and Christian view of this sacred field. On the Prophecies, Bishop Newton's Dissertations are full of important illustration respecting fulfilled Prophecy. Davison's Lectures lay open the scheme with much solid, serious, and original contemplation. After all that has been written in the present day upon unfulfilled prophecy, upon different principles of interpretation, (and not always with suitable humility, forbearance, and patience,) a dark cloud still hangs over the developement of the prospects of the Christian Church in the prophetic page. Faber's "Sacred Calendar of Prophecy," will however be deemed on all sides worthy of an attentive perusal, though serious doubts will be entertained on particular parts of his system. A comparison of the different chains of prophecy in the sacred volume in a simple, dependent, investigating spirit, would open a most interesting and profitable course of study, to which indeed the signs of the present times most imperiously call us. The Epistles, in some respects, may be considered the most important portion of Scripture to the Ministerial Student. Hence he will gather connected systems of Christian instruction—both as respects the foundation and the superstructure. Perhaps Scott's Commentary -with as large a selection of his references as may be practicable-may be regarded upon the whole as the best source of solid Scriptural instruction upon the grand subjects discussed by the different inspired

writers.

The importance of Scriptural research is sufficiently obvious from our obligation to keep back nothing

2

1

that is profitable unto' the people. Adults must be fed as well as babes. Those, that have successfully exercised the diligence of faith, must not be hindered in their advance to higher attainments by being bound up in the same line and measure with others, who with the same advantages have come short. The main design of the Ministry is (according to the original design) to carry our people forward to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." The exposition, therefore, of" the deep things of God," with reverential modesty, is included in our commission, and demands a deep and accurate study of the volume of Revelation; while the difficulties, which yet remain, and will remain to the end, are among the most profitable fruits of research, in the exercise of subjection to the authority of Scripture, and of habitual dependance upon Divine teaching for necessary instruction.

Professor Franck's Guide to the Reading of the Scriptures gives most admirable rules for the intelli gent, devotional, and practical study of the Scripture. Mr. Horne's Introduc ion to the Scriptures furnishes also a valuable digest of thoughtful matter. 3 We need only remark upon a submission of soul to the word, as the requisite preparation for admittance into this treasure of sacred truth-where, if some should enrich themselves with larger stores than others, the lowest possessor of a simple and dependent spirit will realize a most valuable blessing.

1 Acts xx. 20.

2 Eph. iv. 12. Col. i. 28.

3 Vol. ii. Part ii. Mr. Dodwell judiciously recommends to make the Bible the common-place book for all our other studies. (Letters of Advice, p. 235.) Philip Henry in his preparatory Ministerial study used an interleaved Bible for short notes upon Scripture a plan, which he recommended to his young men, adding, that such expositions and observations are more happy and considerable sometimes than those that are found in the professed commentators. "I profess," (he would say) "to teach no other learning but Scripture learning." Life, p. 206.

E

In speaking of Commentaries—the value of Scott's Commentary, as exhibiting a matured knowledge of Scripture, sound principles of interpretation, and a body of solid practical instructions-is generally acknowledged. Henry's Commentary (though inferior to Scott in luminous view of doctrine) may be said to excel him in simplicity of style and fertility of illustrations. Yet for the exegetical and critical explanation necessary for the satisfactory illustration of Scriptural difficulties, we must go to Calvin's Commentaries— Poole's Synopsis-or Patrick, Lowth, and Whitby in a lower and (as respects Whitby,) an unscriptural standard of theology.

It is, however, most important to remember, that the service or disservice of commentaries wholly depends upon the place which they occupy in the system of study. Let them not be discarded as utterly useless; for many of them comprise the labours of men, who had a far deeper insight into the word of God than those who despise them are generally likely to attain. But let them not be placed before the word, nor be consulted (habitually at least), until the mind has been well stored with the study of God's own book. Professor Campbell speaks most admirably upon this point -I would not have you at first' (says he) recur to any of them. Do not mistake me, as though I meant to signify, that there is no good to be had from commentaries. I am far from judging thus of the commentaries in general, any more than of systems. But neither are proper for the beginner, whose object it is impartially to search out the mind of the Spirit, and not to imbibe the scheme of any dogmatist. Almost every commentator hath his favourite system, which occupies his imagination, biases his understanding, and more or less tinges all his comments. The only