SERMONS On the Beginning of All Things, AS REVEALED TO US IN THE WORD OF GOD. BY THE HON. S. BEST, CLK., M.A., RECTOR OF ABBOTTS ANN, HANTS. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL AND CO. PREFACE. To the reader I would say a few words in subjecting these discourses to his judgment. They were not written for the profoundly wise and scientific, but for a country congregation, amongst whom it has been the author's blessed privilege to minister for the larger portion of his life, until at least two generations have grown up under his teaching in Church and in School. He knows, therefore, their powers and the familiar subjects which interest them, and has endeavoured in these discourses to turn the thoughts and observations of every day life to their profit. In thought is our strength. If "dimidium facti, qui bene cœpit habet" is true, it is far more true that if we can only lead any one to think, we have done half our work, and if to think soundly, the victory is won. May GOD lead those who read this little effort to fulfil this duty. Controvert it if they will, but think and think soberly, and GOD's blessing is with them. The thoughts and arguments are the same as those made use of in a series of scripture readings for families and schools. SERMONS. 2 TIM. iii. 16. "Scripture is given by inspiration of God." WE may look on this as a noble preface to the Bible. It tells us whence it comes, and whose word it is. Were we to pursue the question further it would tell us, in the following words, why and for what purposes it was given. But it is not my intention at the present moment to lead you into this. I want you to go with me in investigating what these words mean; not in the spirit of controversy, which I dread, for it only separates that which ought to be united, but that we may go away from this house of GOD wiser and better for considering His ways and dealings with men. Let me suppose that a thoughtful and well-instructed mind for the first time found a Bible or had it put into his hands, and was told that it was the Book of GOD, of that great and glorious Spirit who created, and who rules the |