knowledge, are these: 1. You may profit by the experience of others. You
see how the difficulties which arise in your own mind appeared to them,
and how they solved them. 2. Much light may be thrown upon many
difficult passages of Scripture, by an intimate acquaintance with the
times and circumstances under which they were written; and men who
undertake to write on these subjects generally search deeply into these
things. 3. God has been pleased, in every age, to raise up men "_mighty
in the Scriptures_." By the extraordinary powers of mind which he has
given them, they may have clearer perceptions of divine truth than you
are able to obtain by the exertion of your own faculties alone. You may
also employ the sermons which you hear, for an increase of doctrinal
knowledge, as well as an excitement to the performance of duty. But all
these things you must invariably bring to the test of God's word. We are
commanded to "try the spirits, whether they be of God." Do not take the
opinions of men upon trust. Compare them diligently with the word of
God, and do not receive them till you are fully convinced that they
agree with this unerring standard. Make this your text-book; and only
use others to assist you in coming to a right understanding of this.

4. _In all your researches after doctrinal knowledge, seek the guidance
of the Holy Spirit._ Make it a subject of daily prayer, that God would
enable you to understand his word, that you may be "rooted and grounded
in the faith." The influences of the Holy Spirit are two-fold. He
enlightens the understanding, to lead it into a correct knowledge of the
truth; and he applies the truth to the sanctification of the heart. Pray
diligently that you may have both. If you persevere in the proper
observance of this direction, you cannot fail to profit by the others.
But, if you neglect this, your pursuit of doctrinal knowledge will serve
only as food to your pride, self-confidence and vain-glory, and exert a
blighting influence upon your soul.