"not run in vain, neither laboured in "vain." But the Apostle endeavours most especially to kindle our grateful joy for the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; a blessing which, though thrown open to the acceptance of all on the offered terms, is to every believer distinctly personal. He endeavours to excite our praises for every instance of faith and holiness recorded in scripture. He teaches us, that whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our instruction. The humble believer may claim his share -for in this case appropriation is not monopoly of every doctrine, of every precept, of every promise, of every example. The Christian may exultingly say, the Holy Scriptures were written for my reproof, for my correction, for my instruction in righteousness. The Holy Spirit, who teaches me to apply it to myself, dictated it for me. Not a miracle upon record, record, not an instance of trust in God, not a pattern of obedience to Him, not a gratulation of David, not a prophecy of Isaiah, not an office of Christ, not a doctrine of an Evangelist, not an exhortation of an apostle, not a consolation of Saint Paul, but has its immediate application to my wants; but makes a distinct call upon my gratitude; but furnishes a personal demand upon my responsibility. The whole record of the sacred Canon is but a record of the special mercies of God to me, and of his promises to myself, and to every individual Christian, to the end of the world. That Divine Spirit, which dictated the inspired Volume, has taken care that we should never be at a loss for materials for devotion. Not a prophet or apostle but has more or less contributed to the sacred fund, but has cast his mite into the treasury. The writings of Saint Paul, especially, are rich in petitions, abundant in thanksgivings, overflowing in praises. The Psalms of David have enlarged the medium of intercourse between earth and heaven. They have supplied to all ages materials for Christian worship, under every supposeable circumstance of human life. They have facilitated the means of negociation for the penitent, and of gratitude for the pardoned. They have provided confession for the contrite, consolation for the broken-hearted, invitation to the weary, and rest for the heavy laden. They have furnished petitions for the needy, praise for the grateful, and adoration for all. However indigent in himself, no one can complain of want, who has access to such a magazine of intellectual and spiritual treasure. These variously-gifted compositions, not only kindle the devoutest feelings, but suggest the aptest expressions: they invest the sublimest meanings with the noblest eloquence. They have taught the tongue of the stammerer to speak plainly; they have furnished him who was ready to perish for lack of knowledge, with principles as well as feelings; they have provided the illiterate with the form, and the devout with the spirit of prayer. To him who previously felt not his wants, they have imparted fervent desires, they have inspired the faint with energy, and the naturally dead, with spiritual life. The writings and the practice of Saint Paul do not less abundantly, than the compositions of David, manifest the supreme power of fervent devotion. The whole tenor of his life proves that his heart was habitually engaged in intercourse with the father of Spirits. His conversation, like the face of Moses, betrays, by its brightness, that he had familiar admission to the presence of God. He exhibits the noblest instance, with which the world has presented us, of this peculiar effect of vital religion : that |