43 



culty: but in this combat we shall soon find that strength con- 

 sists in a consciousness of our own weakness, and that retreat is 

 victory. 



Let us then, in a spirit of humility and love, mediLale upon 

 the volume of divine inspiration; we shall find the whole to possess 

 those charms which bishop Home has sweetly described ; and we 

 shall then know, in a degree, the delight which he experienced 

 in writing his invaluable commentary on the Psalms. " Great- 

 ness," says this amiable prelate, " confers no exemption from the 

 cares and sorrows of life. Its share of them frequently bears a 

 melancholy proportion to its exaltation : this the Israelitish monarch 

 experienced ; he sought in piety that peace which he could not 

 find in empire, and alleviated the disquietudes of state with the 

 exercise of devotion." 



" His invaluable psalms convey those comforts to others, 

 which they afforded to himself. Composed upon particular occa- 

 sions, yet designed for general use, they present religion to us in the 

 most engaging dress ; communicating truths which philosophy 

 could never investigate, in a style which poetry can never equal; 

 while History is made the vehicle of Prophecy, and Creation 

 lends all its charms to paint the glories of Redemption. Calcu- 

 lated alike to profit and to please, they inform the understanding, 

 elevate the affections, and entertain the imagination. Indited 

 under the influence of him to whom all hearts are known, and 

 all events foreknown, they suit mankind in all situations; grateful 

 as the manna which descended from above, and conformed itself 

 to every palate. The fairest productions of human wit, after a 

 few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands, and lose 



