od's method of dealing with his
people; from which you may draw practical lessons of caution and
encouragement for yourself. 3. Inquire what doctrinal truth is either
taught, illustrated, or enforced, in the passage you are reading; and
also, what _principle_ is recognized. Great and important principles of
the divine government and of practical duty are often implied in a
passage of history which relates to a comparatively unimportant event.
Let it be your business to draw out these principles, and apply them to
practice. Thus, you will be daily increasing your knowledge of the great
system of divine truth, the necessity of which I need not urge. 4. Note
every promise and every prediction; and observe God's faithfulness in
keeping his promises and fulfilling his prophecies. This will tend to
strengthen your confidence in him. You will find it profitable, as you
proceed, to take notes of these several matters, particularly; and, at
the close of every book, review your notes, and sum them up under
different heads.

(6.) Read the gospels with great care, for the particular purpose of
studying the character of the blessed Jesus. Dwell upon every action of
his life, and inquire after his motives. By this course you will be
surprised to find the Godhead shining through the manhood, in little
incidents which you have often read without interest. Look upon him at
all times in his true character, as Mediator between God and man.
Observe his several offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. See in which
of these characters he is acting at different times; and inquire what
bearing the particular action you are considering has upon his
mediatorial character. Observe, also, the particular traits of
character which appear conspicuous in particular actions; as power,
energy, manly hardihood, dignity, condescension, humility, love,
meekness, pity, compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, &c. Take notes; and
when you have finished the course, draw from them, in writing, a minute
and particular description of his character. This will be of great
service to you as a pattern. You will also, by this means, see a
peculiar beauty and fitness in Christ for the office he has undertaken,
which you would not otherwise have discovered. But, do not stop with
going through this course once. Repeat it as often as you can
consistently with your plan of a systematic study of the Holy
Scriptures. You will always find something new; and upon every fresh
discov