CONTENTS.

PREFACE

Page

v-xiii.

Scripture Readings,

WITH EXPOSITIONS AND PRAYERS.

25

1. The Faithful Saying, 1 Timothy i. 15, 16.

2. The Entrance of Sin into the World, Genesis iii. l-13.

3. The Same, continued

9

4. The Curse and the Promise, Genesis iii. 14—24. 13

5. The Same, continued

17

6. Labour and Sorrow, our portion here : Comfort, only

in Christ; Genesis iii. 16-19.

21

7. Death, the end of all below : Life Eternal, through

Jesus Christ; Genesis iii. 19.

8. The Fiery Serpents, Numbers xxi. 5—9.

30

9. The Cure of Intemperance, Proverbs xxiii. 29–35. - 34

10. Wandering Sinners, sought out, and saved by Christ,

Isaiah liii. 3-6.

40

11. Invitation to Sinners, Isaiah lv. 6-9.

45

12. Christ inviting the Weary, Matthew xi. 28—30. 49

13. Love, Faith, and Humility, Matthew xv. 21—28. 53

14. The Woman that was a Sinner, Luke vii. 40–50. 57

15. The Prodigal Son ; his Folly, Luke xv. 11–16.'- 02

16. The Prodigal Son ; his Repentance, Luke xv. 17—24. 66

17. Unceasing Prayer, Luke xviii. 148.

71

a

18. The Pharisee and the Publican, Luke xviii. 9—14. - 77

19. Regeneration, or the New Birth, John iii. 1--10. 80

20. The Same, continued

86

21. The Vine and the Branches, John xv. 1-5.

92

22. The Opening of the Heart, Acts xvi. 13—15.

96

23. The Jailor's Conversion, Acts xvi. 25–33.

101

24. Conviction of Sin, Romans iii. 9—20.

- 105

25. Salvation, only by Faith in Christ, Romans iii. 20—26. 111

26. Free Grace, leading to Holiness, Romans vi. 1-6. 116

27. A Heavenly Mind, and Holy Life, Colossians iii. 1–7. 121

28. Our Compassionate High Priest, Hebrews iv. 14—16. 125

29. Visit to the Afflicted, Hebrews xii. 5–13.

130

30, The Same, continued

135

Scripture Verses,

WITH PRACTICAL AND DEVOTIONAL REMARKS, SUITED TO

VARIOUS CASES.

.

1. Persons, apparently living in Ignorance and Sin 142

2. Persons, knowing the Gospel, but not living according

to their knowledge

THE Design of this little Volume is sufficiently explained in its Title. A short account, however, of the manner in which it eventually was written, may help Christian Friends in the use of it.

The Writer was accustomed, more than twenty years ago, when he had Pastoral Duties in a large Provincial Town, to carry with him a Bible or Testament, in which he had marked Select Passages, in the Margin, with a broad ink-line; so that, in visiting the Poor and Sick, the eye might readily turn to some portion of the Word of God suitable to their case. This is nothing more, he is aware, than what is done by many Ministers and Benevolent Christians, who seek out the Poor, for the purpose of teaching them the things necessary to their Salvation : but it is here mentioned, because the habit, early formed, has been found by the Author useful to him in many after-scenes of his life; in the parlour, in the prison, in the hospital, in the cottage, and the sick-chamber; in voyages, in journeys,

and sometimes in scenes where he has been suddenly called to speak to dying persons, who perhaps never before heard the Gospel. Such was the case with a young Englishman, whom he found in 1819) in a distant part of Egypt, languishing, and almost senseless; to whom there was just time, before his death, to speak of the Saviour, from the passage with which this Volume opens, 66 The Faithful Saying."

Now, however, during a residence of five years in or near this great Metropolis, the Writer daily perceives, that there are myriads of his FellowCountrymen living in the lowest depths of ignorance, sin and misery: and he has sometimes been led to think, that it may be easier to go forth as a Missionary to Malta, to India, or to China, than to reach the wants of these multitudes, who are perishing within a short distance of our own doors. .

Both objects, however, must, according to our abilities, be aimed at; Foreign Missions, and HomeLabours. And where we cannot do much, we must attempt a little; not hiding our one talent.

It has ever appeared to the Author, that one of the most desirable of Talents, would be, the art of