nd yet would not be at the pains to inform himself? Are the
interests of this world of such importance, which in a few fleeting
years we must leave and have done with for ever, and our final state
in the next, which is to fix us in happiness or misery through the
endless days of eternity, not worth a thought? Think then, and
seriously ask, 'What if it be so? What if this be indeed the word of
God given by inspiration, for the rule of both our faith and manners,
and by which we are to be judged? What if this same God, who so kindly
reveals his will to men, has with it given the clearest evidences and
strongest proofs that it is his own word?' Think, I say, my dear
friend, if it should be so, what they deserve who either reject or
neglect it without taking the trouble to inform themselves, or to be
convinced that it either is or is not of divine authority.

"How many great, learned, and wise men have sifted these
evidences with the greatest care, and the deeper they entered into the
search, the more clear they appeared, even those whose lives are
entirely contrary to it, and whose interest it is to wish it false,
cannot deny. As to the various explanations of it, it is every one's
duty to read for himself, and although there may be some parts of it
too deep for every capacity, and which may perhaps require a knowledge
of the history of the times to understand, yet the simple truths of
the gospel, what we are to believe concerning God, and what duties he
requires of us, and what he forbids, are equally plain and easy. If we
can only once be satisfied that it is indeed the word of God, set
ourselves to study it with an unprejudiced mind, with a sincere desire
to know the truth and be led by it, with earnest prayer that the same
Spirit which inspired the writers would make it plain to our hearts
and understandings, that God himself would teach us its true meaning,
and save us from error, we shall, I venture to say, be taught all
necessary knowledge, and be led in the way to eternal life, and not
suffered to err: we have God's promise that it shall be so. 'If any
man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of
God.'

"Forgive me, my dear friend; the subject appears to me so
important that I know not how to have done. I love you with a true
and sincere friendship: I love your soul, and am deeply interested
in its eternal happiness. Once more I commit you to that God, who
only can lead you to hi