! A GOLDEN TREASURY FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD; CONSISTING OF SELECT TEXTS OF THE BIBLE, WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, IN PROSE AND VERSE, PREFACE. THE Editor thinks it incumbent upon him to inform the Reader, that several, both ancient and modern Christians, have contributed towards enriching this Treasury; and that he has not confined himself to any particular sect of Christians, but, wherever he found a passage among the old authors, striking, instructive, or encouraging to the people of God, has inserted it with great pleasure, and applied to friends for their illustration of particular points in divinity, which he thought were more immediately necessary for the information of common readers; not points of speculation, or doubtful interpretation, but what all allow are essential to the Christian Religion: such as Repentance, Faith, and Holiness. These friends readily favoured him with their sentiments; prompted, he doubts not, by the same generous motive, which, he trusts, actuates himself, "the edification of the children of God." He is, nevertheless, aware that there are many who discover an excellent spirit and lively zeal, yet confine their regards to a few principles, which, however important, are not the whole of Christianity, but want some other articles to guard them.-Knowledge and practice, he is persuaded, must go hand in hand. The edification of Christians in general, and of every reader in particular, is the professed design of this publication. The grace of God, forming the heart for God, is the Lord's work; "the new creature" is his workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." The foundation of the spiritual building is laid in Christ; on this foundation the Christian builds. In building upon their most holy faith, Christians will have their eye upon the Master Builder; will keep to the plan of the work, to the plan of the Christian life, as drawn and set by Jesus; and will be daily asking and receiving directions and materials for carrying on the work. In this good work they meet with many impediments, arising from self, the world, and the great enemy to religion, Satan; at times they are apt to be discouraged; as the Jews were often opposed and retarded in the building of the temple by the subtlety and power of those who hated them: happy when the work was going on pleasantly; sad and cast down when it was otherwise. So, when the good work in the soul is advancing, and there is a growth in the divine life, then are they glad, and revive. But, when the work is more at a stand; when many things concur to hinder the progress of religion in the soul; when the mind is disturbed with sinful desires and unbelieving thoughts, with the cares of the world, and |