the ground of novelty; and no portion of the Scriptures has suffered so much from this popular prejudice, as those prophetical parts of the Word of God which relate to the last days, and which speak of the future glory of Jerusalem on a new earth under new heavens. If any fresh light is cast on the Word of Revelation, it is either referred to old sources and old commentaries, or else it is renounced and despised as "old wives' fables," the fanciful production of a lively imagination.

Now, the renewal, by the priest every Sabbath, of the shew-bread on the golden temple in the holy place of Solomon's Temple, was clearly typical of a "Scribe, which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, "who is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out "of his treasure things new and old." Thus does the written Word support the principle affirmed.

Here, however, we must distinguish between the essential parts of truth, which are comprehended more especially in "the analogy of "faith," and their application in detail. There are certain general principles which must be distinguished from those which are particular, in the same manner as the genus is distinguished from the species. With regard to general principles, there can be nothing new in Divine Truth. For example, let the analogy of faith be compared to what involves unity. Then, though truth may be shewn to be one and unchanging, yet are there various sides to this one truth, which may be brought successively to view, and distinctively considered. And, since God's Truth is, like his perfections, infinite in expansion, new sides may be continually presented. Similar is the great variety of landscape-scenes presented by an extensive view, when seen from different spots. Or, like a venerable cathedral, there are not only certain prominent parts in the noble structure, but there are also many inferior beauties, which the eye of an architect only may be enabled to discover, and which require to be minutely surveyed. Or, the same subject may be illustrated from the light of the sun, seen under the refracting power of various transparent substances.

In reading the Scriptures, we must remember the power of God, the great Author of revealed truth; since our Lord declared the true source of error, when He said: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor "the power of God."

The subject under consideration may perhaps be presented in a simpler light, by means of a familiar illustration, taken from the power of numbers, which are known to be infinite in combination. Arithmetic has been divided into general rules, which may be taken to represent

those truths that more especially constitute the outline of the analogy or proportion of faith. The examples of those arithmetical rules will then correspond to the application of these general truths. And, as none would venture to affirm that no new examples can be framed for the application of the general rules of arithmetic, so would it be equally absurd to maintain that no new examples can be discovered in the Word of God, illustrative of the general truths of Revelation. Though there are no new rules to be discovered, yet are there endless exemplifications of those rules. And as any arithmetician might frame examples to the rules of arithmetic, which were never before brought forward; so, in rightly dividing the Word of God, we can place no limit to the exemplification of the general rules comprised in the analogy of faith. But we must never forget that the rule is one thing, and the application another. To these general rules, St. Paul seems to refer in Heb. vi, 1: "Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection." This perfection, or fulness of age, applies not only to liberty of conscience, but also to spiritual discernment. Therefore, in the verse immediately preceding, the Apostle says: "Strong meat helongeth to "them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." The writings of others on revealed truth are useful, just as worked examples to the rules of arithmetic are found to facilitate the progress of the learner: they were never designed to prevent the student from working out examples for himself. But it is in the school of the Cross only that any can be taught thus to work for themselves the rules of a spiritual arithmetic.

Let it not, however, be supposed that there is no danger in thus working out the examples of revealed truth for ourselves. There is much need of a chastened heart and mind that we may submit our carnal reason to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We may otherwise easily mistake the rule by which we work our example: for heresy is nothing more than truth worked by a wrong rule. To this principle may the errors of the present day, as well as all former heresies, be traced; while, at the same time, we may recognise a depth of human wisdom in the mechanical part of the solution of these heretical problems.

It is by Christ only that we can be taught " the truth as it is in "Jesus;" or be enabled, with unveiled face, to behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, in the future glory of his Church. "In his light (only) can we see light." "The entrance (only) of God's words "giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." The written

Word is the chosen channel for the conveyance of spiritual graces and of spiritual light. It is necessary for the Christian frequently to pray, in an humble dependence on the promises of a covenant-keeping God: "O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them "bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles !"

Thus does grace only enable to separate Divine light from the false glare emitted from beneath; and to distinguish true "Protestant "Novelties" from the perverted truths of "the Father of lies,” and from the false inferences of a counterfeit teaching of the Spirit.

May" times of refreshing" soon "come from the presence of the "Lord!"

Haselbury, near Crewkerne,
May 26th, 1846.

F. D.

In sending the last sheet of the CHRISTIAN'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE to the press, those who have laboured in it in behalf of the truth are anxious gratefully to acknowledge the kindness and sympathy which they have experienced from many quarters since its commencement, and humbly to thank that merciful God, who has sustained and blessed them up to this hour.

June 1, 1846.

EDITOR of "The Christian's Monthly Magazine."

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66 THE CHRISTIAN'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE.”

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