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this earnest prayer, that the Holy Spirit may teach them the true use of it; then if they fight any battles, it may be presumed they are indeed the battles of the Lord.

Boston, May 1, 1806.

ESSAYS, &c.

The Superiority of Divine to Human Testimony.

THE

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HE importance of any subject may most commonly be gathered, from the solemnity which those speak with, who are interested therein. Thus among men (by the testimony of that word which is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart), "an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife." Heb. vi. 16. mortals, are serious things.

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Oaths in the mouths of

They should be spoken

with the greatest solemnity, and not without having the greatest reverence, and the most holy fear of God before our eyes: they should not be made " by "Heaven, for it is God's throne: nor by the "earth, for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusa

lem, for it is the city of the great king. Nei"ther (it is added) shalt thou swear by thy head, "because thou canst not make one hair white or "black." The communication of a christian should be, “yea, yea; nay, nay;" nor should incredulity towards his testimony, nor disregard to his word among his fellow creatures, tempt him to depart from such godly simplicity and plainness of speech; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of

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"evil."

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Matt. v. 34-37. And even when his authority is disputed, he should with faith, and an humble mind, commit himself, "to him who judgeth righteously." 1 Pet. ii. 23. and who will finally avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them.” Luke xviii. 7. But with God it is different, who cannot (as being above all) appeal to any above himself: nor need he appeal to his own immutability and honor for his own sake, but for the satisfaction of those on whom he has deigned to exercise the greatest compassion and the tenderest love; even for those, for whose sake he gave up his own dear Son to die for their sins. And for their sakes, "because "he could swear by no greater, he swear ́by him"self" the purpose of which was that he might express himself, "willing, more abundantly to shew "unto the heirs of promise, the immutability of "his counsel," which he therefore" confirmed "by an oath" and the gracious intent of which was, that "we might have a strong consolation, "who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope "set before us." Heb. vi. 13-17, 18, 19. "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and. knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out." Rom. xi. 33.-O the matchless love and wisdom of God in his glorious dealings for the good of the children of men!

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But these glorious dealings for our good must be

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