To a true child of God, nothing is so precious as the
volume of inspiration. It is like a mine of all sorts of metals and precious
stones, overlaid with gold and silver. That which is most necessary for the
common purposes of life lies on the surface. These are the simple truths of
the gospel, which are essential to salvation. But below these are the iron,
the tin, the copper—the strong truths, the doctrines, the practical
principles, which tax the powers of the mind to develop, but which give
strength and consistency to the Christian character. Yet beyond these is an
inexhaustible treasure of precious stones, every examination of which
discovers new gems of surpassing luster and surprising beauty.
The Bible is the charter of the Christian's hopes, the
deed of his inheritance. Is he a wayfaring man in a strange land?
This book contains a description of the country to which he is bound, with a
map of the way, on which all the cross-ways and by-paths are designated. Is
he a mariner on the stormy ocean of life? This is both his chart and
compass. Here he finds all the shoals and reefs distinctly marked, and
monuments placed upon many dangerous places, where others have made
shipwreck.
Seeing, then, we have such a treasure put into our hands,
it cannot be a matter of surprise that we should be directed to search after
the precious things it contains, nor that Christians should love to ponder
its sacred pages. "Your word," says the Psalmist, "is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path." It is like a lantern, which sheds light on our
path, amid the darkness of the night, to direct the steps of our feet. The
sincere Christian will therefore search the word of God, for a knowledge of
his will, with more eagerness than he would search for hidden treasures of
gold and silver.
In obedience to the command of God, he will set his
heart to the work. After the giving of the law, Moses says, "Set your
hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day." To set
our hearts upon any object, implies such a love for it, and desire after
it, as leads to a strong determination to make every possible effort to
obtain it; and this ought to be the settled and permanent feeling of our
hearts, in regard to a knowledge of the will of God, as revealed in his
word. And, as we obtain this knowledge, we should imitate the Psalmist, who
said, "Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against
you." His object, in hiding the word in his heart, was to know how to
regulate his conduct so as not to sin against God. So must we hide the
word of God in our hearts, and for the same reason. We must study it as
the directory of life. Whenever we open this blessed book, this should
be the sincere inquiry of our heart: "Lord, what will you have me to
do?" Let us come to it with this childlike spirit of obedience, and
we shall not fail to learn the will of God. When we have learned our duty
in God's word, the next thing is, to do it without delay. First,
there must be an earnest desire to know present duty, and then a steadfast
and settled determination to do it as soon as it is known. The
pressure of obligation rests upon the present moment; and, when present duty
is ascertained, the delay of a single moment is sin.
With these remarks, I submit a few
If you read at random, here a little and there a little, your views of
divine truth will be partial and limited. This method may, indeed, be
pursued in regard to reading strictly devotional; but only when other
time is taken for obtaining a connected view and a critical understanding of
the whole Bible. The Holy Scriptures are like a dish of savory dainties.
There is almost every variety of style and matter. There is history,
biography, doctrinal teaching, and poetry. Although these various kinds
of writing are contained in a great number of books, written by various
authors, at different times, without concert; yet a remarkable unity of
design pervades the whole; and perfect harmony of sentiment prevails
throughout. Everything, from the very beginning, points to the glorious plan
of redemption revealed in the gospel. Although we may, at first view, feel
the lack of a regular system of divinity, yet a careful attention to the
subject will discover Divine Wisdom in the present arrangement. We have here
the principles of his government exhibited in living examples; which
give us a clearer view, and more vivid impression of them, than we could
obtain from the study of an abstract system. In the systematic and thorough
study of the Bible, the following hints may be of use—
1. Keep before your mind the grand design of the
Scriptures; which is, to convince mankind of their lost and
ruined condition, make known the way of salvation, and persuade them to
embrace it.
2. Make it your constant aim to ascertain what is the
plain and obvious meaning of the writer; for this is the mind of the Spirit.
To aid you in this, observe the following particulars—
(1.) Endeavor to become acquainted with the peculiarity
of each writer's style. Although the Scriptures were dictated by the Holy
Spirit, yet it was so done that each writer employed a style and manner
peculiar to himself. This does not invalidate the evidence of their divine
origin, but the rather shows the wisdom of the Spirit; for, if the whole
Bible had been written in a uniform style, it would have given opposers a
strong argument against its authenticity; while the lack of that uniformity
furnishes conclusive evidence that it could not have been the work of a
single impostor. Again, a continued sameness of style would make the reading
of so large a book as the Bible tedious and unpleasant; but the rich variety
presented by the various authors of this blessed book, helps our
infirmities, and makes the reading of it pleasing and delightful.
(2.) "Inquire into the character, situation, and office
of the writer; the time, place, and occasion of his writing; and the people
for whose immediate use he intended his work." This will enable you to
understand his allusions to particular circumstances and customs, and to see
the practical application of the principles he advances.
(3.) Consider the principal scope or aim of the book; or
what was the author's object, design, or intention, in writing it. Notice,
also, the general plan or method which he has pursued. This will enable you
to discover his leading ideas, if it is a doctrinal work; or the particular
instructions of God's providence, if it is historical.
(4.) Where the language is difficult to be understood,
pay strict attention to the context, and you will generally find the
author's meaning explained. But, if not, consider whether the difficult
phrase is a peculiarity of the writer's style. If so, look out the place
where he has used it in a different connection, and see what meaning is
attached to it there. But if this does not satisfy you, examine the passages
in other parts of the Scriptures which relate to the same subject, and
compare them with the one under consideration. This will generally clear up
the darkest passages. But if you still feel in doubt, you may find
assistance from consulting commentators, who have made themselves acquainted
with the particulars I have mentioned; which, with a knowledge of the
language in which the book was originally written, may have enabled them to
remove the difficulty. But, in reading commentaries, always bear in mind
that they are the productions of fallible men, whose opinions are not
to be taken for Scripture. You may, however, avail yourself of their
knowledge, without submitting your mind implicitly to their judgment; and
this you will be compelled to do, because, on many points, they differ in
opinion.
3. Do not task yourself with a certain quantity of
reading at the regular seasons devoted to the study of the Bible. This
may lead you to hurry over it, without ascertaining its meaning or drinking
into its spirit. You had better study one verse thoroughly, than to read
half a dozen chapters carelessly. The nourishment received from food depends
less on the quantity, than on its being perfectly digested. So with the
mind: one clear idea is better than a dozen confused ones; and the
mind, as well as the stomach, may be overloaded with undigested food. Ponder
upon every portion you read, until you get a full and clear view of the
truth which it teaches. Fix your mind and heart upon it, as the bee lights
upon the flower; and do not leave it until you have extracted the honey it
contains.
4. Read in course. By studying the whole Bible in
connection, you will obtain a more enlarged view of its contents, and
perceive more distinctly its unity of purpose. But I would not have you
confine yourself entirely to the regular reading of the whole Bible in
course. Some portions of the historical parts do not require so much
study as that which is more doctrinal; and some parts of the word of God
are more devotional than others, and therefore better fitted for daily
practical use. A very good plan is, to read the Old and New Testaments in
course, a portion in each every day. If you begin at Genesis, Job, and
Matthew, and read a chapter every day, at each place, omitting the first and
reading three Psalms on the Sabbath, you will read the whole Bible in a
year, while on every day you will have a suitable variety.
Besides this, the more devotional and practical books
should be read frequently. The Psalms furnish a great variety of
Christian experience, and may be resorted to with profit and comfort, in all
circumstances. This is the only book in the Bible which does not require to
be read in course. The Psalms are detached from each other, having no
necessary connection. The other books were, for the most part, originally
written like a sermon or a letter. They have, for convenience, since been
divided into chapters and verses. If you read a single chapter by itself,
you lose the connection; as, if you should take up a sermon and read a page
or two, you would not get a full view of the author's subject. I would
therefore recommend that, in addition to your daily reading in the Old and
New Testaments, you always have in a course of thorough and critical study,
some one of the most difficult and fruitful of these books. But, if you
attend the Sabbath school, either as teacher or pupil, the lessons there
studied will be sufficient for this purpose.
Before beginning the study of a book, you ought to
take an opportunity to read the whole of it rapidly at one sitting, in order
to learn the author's scope and design. You will find this a profitable
practice, whenever you have time for it; and you will be especially
interested to review, in this way, the books you have studied; and the more
thoroughly they have been studied, the more deeply will you be interested in
the review. You will find great advantage from the use of a reference Bible
and concordance. By looking out the parallel passages, as you proceed, you
will see how one part of the Scriptures explains another, and how
beautifully they all harmonize. But, for the reading of the Scriptures, a
paragraph Bible, without the divisions of chapters and verses, when you
become accustomed to it, will be more pleasant and profitable than the
common Bible.
5. In reading the Scriptures, there are some subjects of
inquiry which you should carry along with you constantly—
(1.) What do I find here which points to Christ?
Unless you keep this before your mind, you will lose half the interest of
many parts of the Old Testament; and much of it will appear to be almost
without meaning. It is full of types and prophecies relating to Christ,
which, by themselves, appear dry, but, when understood, most beautiful and
full of instruction.
(2.) The Bible contains a history of the church.
Endeavor, then, to learn the state of the church at the time of which you
are reading. For the sake of convenience, and a clearer view of the subject,
you may divide the history of the church into six periods:
1. From the fall to the flood;
2. From Noah to the giving of the law;
3. From Moses to David and the prophets;
4. From David to the Babylonian captivity;
5. From the captivity to Christ;
6. From Christ to the end of time, which is called the
gospel dispensation.
From the commencement you will see a gradual development
of God's designs of mercy, and a continually-increasing light. Take notice
of what period of the church you are reading; and from this you may judge of
the degree of obligation of its members; for this has been increasing with
the increase of light, from the fall to the present day; and it will
continue to increase to the end of time. Note, also, the various declensions
and revivals of religion which have occurred in every period of the church,
and endeavor to learn their causes and consequences. By this, you will
become familiar with God's method of dealing with his people; from which you
may draw practical lessons of caution and encouragement for yourself.
(3.) Inquire what doctrinal truth is taught, illustrated,
or enforced, in the passage you are reading; and also what principle
is recognized. Great and important principles of the divine government and
of practical duty are often implied in a passage of history which relates to
a comparatively unimportant event. Let it be your business to draw out these
principles, and apply them to practice. Thus you will be daily increasing
your knowledge of the great system of divine truth.
(4.) Note every promise and every prediction; and observe
God's faithfulness in keeping his promises, and fulfilling his prophecies.
This will tend to strengthen your faith. You will find it profitable, as you
proceed, to take notes of these several matters particularly; and, at the
close of every book, review your notes, and sum them up under different
heads.
6. Read the Gospels with great care, for the purpose of
studying the character of the blessed Jesus. Dwell upon every action of his
life, and inquire after his motives. By this course you will be surprised to
find the Godhead shining through the manhood in little incidents which you
have often read without interest. Look upon him at all times in his true
character, as Mediator between God and man. Observe his several offices of
Prophet, Priest, and King. See in which of these characters he is acting at
different times; and inquire what bearing the particular action you are
considering has upon his mediatorial character. Observe, also, the
particular traits of character which appear conspicuous in particular
actions—as, power, energy, manly hardihood, dignity, condescension,
humility, love, meekness, pity, compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, etc.
Take notes; and when you have finished the course, draw from them, in
writing, a minute and particular description of his character. This will be
of great service to you as a pattern. You will also, by this means, see a
peculiar beauty and fitness in Christ for the office he has undertaken,
which you would not otherwise have discovered. But do not stop with going
through this course once. Repeat it as often as you can consistently with
your plan of a systematic study of the Holy Scriptures. You will always find
something new; and upon every fresh discovery, you can revise your old
notes.
7. In reading the historical and biographical parts of
Scripture, observe—
(1.) The histories contained in the Bible are the
histories of God's providence. Notice his hand in every event, and inquire
what principle or law of his moral government is exemplified, carefully
observing its application to nations, communities, and individuals.
(2.) When you read of particular mercies or judgments,
look back for the cause; that you may discover the principles on which God
administers his most holy, wise, and just government.
(3.) In the biographies of the Bible, study the motives
and conduct of the characters described. If they are unconverted men, you
will learn the workings of human depravity, and discover what influence a
correct religious public sentiment has in restraining that depravity. If
they are godly men, you will see, in their good actions, living
illustrations of the great doctrines of the Bible. Endeavor to learn by what
means they made such attainments in holiness, and strive to imitate them. If
any of their actions are bad, look back and inquire into the cause of their
backslidings. If you discover it, you will find a way-mark, to caution you
against falling into the same pit.
8. The poetical and didactic parts of the Scriptures are
scattered throughout the whole Bible. These abound with highly-wrought
figures of speech. This is probably owing partly to the insufficiency of
ordinary language to express the lofty and sublime ideas presented to the
minds of the writers by the Spirit of truth, and partly to the method of
communicating ideas which always prevails in the infancy of language.
Endeavor to understand the figures used. They are often taken from
prevailing habits and customs, and from circumstances peculiar to the
countries where the Scriptures were written. These habits and circumstances
you must understand, or you will not see the force of the allusions. Others
are taken from circumstances peculiar to particular occupations in life.
These must also be thoroughly studied, in order to be understood. But where
the figures are drawn from things perfectly familiar, you will not perceive
their surprising beauty and exact fitness to express the idea of the sacred
penman, until you have carefully studied them, and noted the minutest
circumstances. Beware, however, that you do not carry out these figures so
far as to lead you into fanciful and visionary interpretations.
9. The books of the prophets consist of reproofs,
exhortations, warnings, threatenings, predictions, and promises. By
carefully studying the circumstances and characters of those for whom they
were written, you will find the principles and laws of God's government set
forth, in their application to nations, communities, and individuals. From
these you may draw practical rules of duty, and also learn how to view the
hand of God, in his providence, in different ages of the world. The
predictions contained in these books are the most difficult to be understood
of any part of the Bible. In reading them you will notice—
(1.) Those predictions whose fulfillment is recorded in
the Bible, and diligently examine the record of their fulfillment. You will
see how careful God is to fulfill every jot and tittle of his word.
(2.) There are other prophecies, the fulfillment of which
is recorded in secular history; and others still which are yet unfulfilled.
To understand these, it will be necessary to read ancient and modern
history, in connection with the explanation of the prophecies, by those
writers who have made them their study. Attention to this, so far as your
circumstances will admit, will be useful in enlarging your views of the
kingdom of Christ. But beware of becoming so deeply absorbed in these
matters as to neglect those of a more practical nature; and, especially, be
cautious of advancing far into the regions of speculation, as to what is yet
future.
10. You will find it an interesting and profitable
employment, occasionally to read a given book through for the purpose of
seeing what light it throws upon some particular point of Christian
doctrine, duty, practice, or character. For example, go through with Acts,
with your eye upon the doctrine of Christ's divinity. Then go through with
it a second time, to see what light it throws on the subject of Revivals of
Religion. Pursue the same course with other books, and in respect to other
subjects. In this way, you will sometimes be surprised to find how much you
have overlooked in your previous reading.
The foregoing suggestions may appear formidable, on
account of the time and study requisite to carry them into execution. But it
is to be remembered that the young Christian has his lifetime before him,
and that his great business is to obtain a knowledge of divine things. The
plan is not sketched with the expectation that everything here recommended
will be accomplished in a single year—but with the view of laying out
business for life.