Every part of it is suited to answer some important purpose. This is what raises it so far above all the productions of men, and especially calls for our thankful attention to it.

It is

But let us consider more fully what purposes the word of God is designed to answer. profitable for doctrine; that is, it is calculated to teach every necessary article of faith-every thing relating to God the great Author of all things, and to ourselves as his creatures.

Man, left to himself, is utterly ignorant on all these points-his speculations are all involved in absurdity—and accordingly we find that, in every place to which the word of God has not been sent, the ideas maintained on these subjects, are not only false, but odious, and subversive of every species of morality.

But, in the bible, we possess a treasury of information, well adapted to our wants. We thence learn to entertain high and holy conceptions of the great object of our worship: we there are informed in what relation we stand to him, and what duties he requires from us. The immortality of the soul, and the future state of rewards and punishments, are there set before us, in a manner of which the wisest of the heathen could form no conception. A satisfactory account is given of the manner in which sin and misery came into the world: and an

all-sufficient remedy for our woe is offered to us. The great question, "how can man be "just with God?" is there fully answered. We are taught to expect salvation, not as our own desert, but as the gift of God. The word of truth teaches us that though man has sinned,though he has justly rendered himself obnoxious to the divine anger--still "God so loved the "world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, "but have everlasting life." It points to the cross of Christ as the only source from which hope can flow to the sinner. It calls our attention from every other dependance to him who "bare our sins in his own body on the tree," and says, "Behold the Lamb of God, which "taketh away the sin of the world." It proclaims, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and "thou shalt be saved." We are there taught, that it is not by works of righteousness "which we have done," but by the "mercy" of God that we are saved: but at the same time we are constrained to believe that, whoever by true faith is interested in the blessings of salvation, will shew the reality of that faith by a life of holy obedience to the commands of his God. Thus, while every method is used

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to exalt and magnify the Deity, and to humble guilty man; a sure foundation for holiness is laid, and motives are drawn from the goodness that has been shown to us, which must have a most efficacious influence on the mind of every one who has a due sense of the Divine mercy.

The time would however fail us, were we to attempt to speak of every doctrine laid down in the scriptures. Suffice it to say, that all necessary truth is made known so clearly and fully, that none can labour under any fatal mistake, unless through pride, or prejudice, or carelessness, he resolve to remain in ignorance.

But while the word of God, as being profitable for doctrine, affords a perfect rule of faith and practice, it is also profitable for reproof or conviction; because when we compare our hearts and lives with the rules there laid down, we cannot fail to discover that, in many instances, we have come short of that holiness which is required. This, my brethren, is necessary, in order to your being induced to welcome the most important doctrines of the bible. Till you are convinced that you are sinners, exposed to the wrath of God, you cannot feel your need of the Saviour; and the doctrine of salvation will appear uninteresting

to you. But when you are convinced of sin, that doctrine will appear in a new light you will feel it to be suitable to your case: you will count it "worthy of all acceptation."

But further, the scripture is profitable for correction. Not only is the outward conduct of man, as left to himself, very far from agreeing with the law of God; but the opinions and maxims which are entertained in his heart are erroneous, and of dangerous tendency. They are calculated to feed his pride, to fill him with high thoughts of himself, aud to lead him into continual mistakes. But the word of God is suited to correct all these, and to instil right principles and motives. In short, the doctrines of the bible have a direct tendency to set right all that sin has reduced to confusion; to remedy the evils which it has introduced; and to make the whole creation a scene of order, beauty, and happiness.

But supposing a man to have embraced

the doctrines of the word of God-to have been convinced of sin-to have fled to the Saviour and to have his views and desires upon the whole properly directed :-still, it by no means follows, that he should know at all times how he ought to act. Indeed, even in the best of men, there is much remaining errorthey frequently are drawn into conduct which

does not accord with their rule of duty; and is displeasing to their God. They need therefore to be instructed in righteousness. They need an explicit direction for their behaviour— and such a direction the bible contains: and therefore St. Paul says, that it is profitable for instruction in righteousness. It is suited to

teach men their duty towards each other, in all the various relations in which they stand. Did it contain no more on this subject than the one precept,-" Thou shalt love thy "neighbour as thyself;"-it would afford a better foundation for morality, than can be drawn from all the writings of those, to whom the word of God has not been given. But in every page of scripture we may find precepts and examples suited to direct our conduct in every circumstance of life:—and especially in the history of Jesus we have an example of perfection itself. In him we see what manner of men we should be, if we perfectly fulfilled the divine commands: while at the same time, we are called to be followers of him, to set him ever before our eyes, and to strive daily to become more like him. Thus is the word of God fully suited to the wants and circumstances of man-to convince us of sin, and to

Lev. xix, 18. Matt. xix, 19.