Testaments; and to preserve them in his recollection, he used to repeat them once a year. The motive he assigned for the practice was singular. Being, in the younger part of life, under a deep sense of the evil of sin, and sadly ignorant of the gospel method of salvation through the righteousness of Christ, or in doubt as to any personal interest in the Saviour, he feared that hell would be his portion at last. He thought that if he must go to the place of misery, he would carry with him as much of the word of God as he possibly could. But the grace which thus engaged him to store up the Holy Scriptures, at length blessed them as the means of making him wise unto salvation, and of being eminently useful as a minister, and instructor of young men for the ministry.

Chap. iv. ver. 2.-Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine.

The natural temper of the late Rev. Andrew Fuller of Kettering, though neither churlish nor morose, was not distinguished by gentleness, meekness, or affability. He could rarely be faithful without being severe; and in giving reproof, he was often betrayed into intemperate zeal. Once, at a meeting of ministers, he took occasion to correct an erroneous opinion, delivered by one of his bre thren; and he laid on his censure so heavily, that Dr Ryland called out vehemently, in his own peculiar tone of voice, "Brother Fuller, brother Fuller! you can never admonish a mistaken friend, but you must take up a sledge-hammer and knock his brains out !"

Chap. iv. ver. 5.-But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

To a person who regretted to Dr Johnson, that he had not been a clergyman, because he considered the life of clergyman an easy and comfortable one, the Doctor made this memorable reply: "The life of a conscientious clergyman is not easy. I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain. No, Sir, I do not envy a clergyman's life as an easy life, nor do I envy the clergyman who makes it an easy life."

Chap. i. ver. 7.-Not given to filthy lucre. In the reign of James II. Dr Wallis was then dean of Waterford, in Ireland, and, during the troubles of that unhappy country at that period, suffered greatly in his private fortune, from his strong attachment to the protestant faith. After peace was restored, and the protestant religion firmly established by the accession of King William, Wallis was presented at the court of London, as a gentleman who had well merited the royal patronage. The king had before heard the story of his sufferings; and therefore, immediately turning to the dean, desired him to choose any church preferment then vacant. Wallis, with all the modesty incident to men of real worth, after a due acknowledgment of the royal favour, requested the dean, ery of Derry. "How," replied the king, in a transport of surprise," ask the deanery! when you must know the bishopric of that very place is also vacant ??? "True, my liege," replied Wallis, "I do know it; but could not in honesty demand so great a benefice, conscious there are many other gentlemen who have suffered more than myself, and deserved better at your majesty's hands; I therefore presume to repeat my former request." It is needless to add, his request was granted. They parted; the dean highly satisfied with his visit, and the king astonished at the noble instance of disinterestedness of which he had just been a witness.

Chap. ii. ver. 6.-Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.

The late Mr Walker, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, was naturally of a sanguine and somewhat choleric temperament, but his manners and general deportment were singularly patient and calm. He used to give the following account of the conquest which he obtained over his

constitutional iritability." When I was a young man, I had engaged to be at the marriage of a friend, and promised myself much pleasure on the occasion. I dreamed that I was on the way to the scene of festivity; and that I had a bridge to pass over. When I arrived at it, my horse became restive, and would not proceed. I used the whip and spur without success. I dismounted, and lashed him but all in vain. My passion was excited in a high degree; and the sensations produced by the impetuosity of my temper awoke me. In the instant of awaking, I beheld the bridge fall; while a voice, as I thought, struck my ear, YOUNG MAN, BE SOBER-MINDED.' The recollection of this circumstance, though a dream, produced a happy effect, for the future, in my constitutional impatience.'

Chap. iii. ver. 2.-To speak evil of no man.

The late Dr Waugh of London had a marked dislike of every thing bordering on slander or defamation. The following is an illustration of his character in this point:One of his people had travelled all the way from Newton to his father's, where he usually resided, to communicate to him an unfavourable report concerning another member of the congregation. Some friends being with him, this person was requested to stay and dine with them. After dinner, he took occasion, in a jocular manner, to ask each person, in his turn, how far he had ever known a man travel to tell an evil report of his neighbour; when some gave one reply, and some another: he at last came to this individual, but without waiting for his self-condemning reply, or unnecessarily exposing him, Mr Waugh stated, that he had lately met with a christian professor, apparently so zealous for the honour of the church, as to walk fourteen miles with no other object than that of making known to his minister the failings of a brother member. He then in a warm and impressive manner enlarged on the praise of that "charity which covers a multitude of sins; which rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."

Chap. iii. ver. 9-But avoid foolish ques

tions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

While Melancthon was at Spires, he paid a visit to Bretten, to see his mother. This good woman asked him, what she must believe, amidst these disputes? She repeated to him the prayers she was used to make, and which contained nothing that was superstitious. "Continue," said he, "to believe and pray as you have done hitherto, and never trouble yourself about controversies."

PHILEMON.

Ver. 11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and

to 'me.

The servants of Lord were greatly impressed, and evidently reformed, under the preaching of the gospel at. His lordship being one day on the promenade, was jeered by some of the company upon the revolution which had taken place among his servants by the change of their religion. The noble lord replied, "As to the change of their religion, or what their religious sentiments are, I cannot tell; but one thing I know, that since they have changed their religion they have been much better servants, and shall meet with no opposition from me."-How happy is it when servants thus adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and by well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men!

HEBREWS.

Chap. i. ver. 6.—And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world,

he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

. It was during the reign of Theodosius the Great, in the fourth century, that the Arians, through the lenity of the emperor, made their most vigorous attempts to undermine the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The event, however, of his making his son Arcadius partner with himself on his throne, was happily overruled to his seeing the God-dishonouring character of their creed. Among the bishops who came to congratulate him on the occasion, was the famous and esteemed Ampilochus, who, it is said, had suffered much under the Arian persecution. He approached the emperor, and, making a very handsome and dutiful address, was going to take his leave. "What," says Theodosius, "do you take no notice of my son? Do you not know that I have made him a partner with me in the empire ?"Upon this, the good old bishop went to young Arcadius, then about sixteen years of age, and putting his hand upon his head, said, The Lord bless thee, my son!" and immediately drew back. Even this did not satisfy the emperor. "What," said he, "is this all the respect you pay to a prince, that I have made of equal dignity with myself?" Upon this, the bishop arose, and looking the emperor in the face, with a tone of voice solemnly indignant, said,—“ Sir, do you so highly resent my apparent neglect of your son, because I do not give him equal honour with yourself? What must the eternal God think of you, who have allowed his co-equal and co-eternal Son to be degraded in his proper divinity in every part of your empire ?"-This was as a two-edged sword in the heart of the emperor. He felt the reproof to be just and confounding, and no longer would seem to give the least indulgence to that creed, which did not secure divine glory to the "Prince of Peace."

Chap. ii. ver. 3.-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation! which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.

Mr Blackader has recorded some instances of the power