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Show J" -. " . : ' Stomas QIKenipi5.j I CHAPTER V. ' Of heading the Holy Scriptures: Truth, not eloquence, is to be sought for in Holy Scripture. Each part of the Scripture is. to be read with the, same spirit, wherewith it was written. Rom. xv (4). We should rather search after profit in the Scripture than after subtle arguments. We ought to read plain and devout books as willingly as those high and profound. Iet not the authority of the writer bo a stumbling-block, stumbling-block, whether he be of great or small (learning; but let the love of pure truth draw thee to read. Cor. ii (4). Enquire not who spoke this or that, but mark j what is spoken. Men pass away, but the truth of the j Txrd rcmaineth forever. Psalm j cxvii (2). ! God speaks unto us in sundry ways. ( wjthmtt -reyppf of persons. Luke xxi (33). " ... ! Our own curiosity qften hindereth us j in reading of the Scriptures, when we will examine and discuss that which we should rather pass over without more ado. If thou desire to profit, read witn humility, simplicity, and faithfulness: faithful-ness: nor ever desire the repute of i learning. Enquire willingly and hear j with silence Mie wordu of holy men., Let not the parable of the Elders displease dis-please thee, for they are not triven without cause. Prow i (6). CHAPTER VI. Of inordinate affections: Whensoever a man desireth anything inordinately, he becometh presently disquieted in himself. The proud and ! covetous can never rest. The poor and j humble in spirit dwell in the multitude! of peace. ' j The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself is quickly tempted and i overcome in small and trilling thingH. j j The weak in spirit and he that is yet i j in a manner carnal and prone to the j things of sense, can hardly withdraw ! himself altogether from earthly desires. And. therefore, he is often afflicted i v. hen he goeth about to withdraw him- self from them; and is easily angered when any opposeth him. j And if he hath followed his appetite, he is presently disquieted with re- J morse of conscience; for that he hath j yielded to his passion, which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the I peace which he sought. True quietness i of heart, therefore, is gotten by resisting resist-ing our passions, not by obeying them. There is, then, no peace in the heart i of a carnal man,' nor in him that is given to outward things, but in the spiritual and devout man. CHAPTER VII. 'Of avoiding vain hope and pride: He is vain that putteth his trust in man. Jer. xvii (5), or in creatures. Be not ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ; not to be esteemed poor in this world. Presume not upon thvself, but place thy hope in God. Psalm xxxi (1). Do what lieth in thy power and God will assist thy good will. Trust. not in thine own knowledge, knowl-edge, Jer. ix (23), nor. in the skill of any living creature; but rather in the grace of God. who helpeth the humble, and humbleth these that are proud, j Glory not in wealth if thou have it, I nor in friends because they are powerful, power-ful, but in God. who giveth all things, and who desireth to give thee Himself above all things. Esteem not thyself for the height of thy stature, nor for the beauty of thy person, which may be disfigured and destroyed by a little sickness. Plea.e not thyself in thy natural gifts' or'wit, lest thereby thou displease God. to whom appertaineih all the good whatsoever thou hast by nature. Esteem not thyself better than others. oth-ers. Exod. iii (11), lest perhaps in the sight of God. who knoweth what is in man, thou be accounted worse than they. Be not proud of well-doing. Job. ix (20), for the judgment of God is far different from the judgment of men, and that often offendeth Him which pleaseth them. If there be any good in thee, believe that there is much more in others, that so thou mayest preserve humility. It hurteth thee not to submit to all men. but it hurteth thee most of all to prefer thyself even to one. The humble enjoy continual peace, but in the heart of the proud is envy and frequent indignation. (To be Continued.) |