tion of Scripture is perhaps as unwise as that of making no application at all. Some persons seem to read God's word with attention, but only for their neighbours. With the scriptural standard they compare the conduct of other men; on scriptural principles they prescribe rules for their correction or improvement; but at the same time forget to gather wisdom for themselves. Now, though it is true that the Christian minister, and even other persons to a certain extent, from a principle of charity, are required to study the Scriptures with a view to the improvement or benefit of those who are around them, still, the first duty of every individual is that of a private application with a view to personal instruction. If we find it our duty to study the Bible for others, we should be jealous of even this sense of our situation, lest it should lead us, unawares, to neglect that study for ourselves. Let each listen for himself to God speaking in his word, as each must hereafter listen for himself to the Judge of all men speaking from his throne. 6. Lastly: if we would profit by reading God's holy word, we must study it in dependence upon the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and humbly, but perseveringly, seek for this divine illumination by diligent prayer. We have every motive and every encouragement to combine this temper and practice with our study of Scripture. The husbandman who casts seed into the ground expects not that it will produce a corresponding crop, unless his labour shall be succeeded by the genial influence of sunshine and No more have we reason to look rain from heaven. for benefit or fruit from our perusal of Scripture, unless the light and dew of God's blessing contribute. to this valuable result. The promises of God may convince us at once of our need of heavenly illumination, and of the certainty of our obtaining it in answer to our prayers. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?' Luke xi. 11—13. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.' James i. 5. If heavenly instruction were not needful for us, or if God were not ready to impart it, such promises would never have been given. Nor should we forget that these promises contain within them a command; and that the faith which expects the fulfilment of a promise, and that which applies itself to the performance of a duty prescribed in connexion with such promise, is, in fact, but one and the self-same principle. If we are expecting the blessing while we are neglecting the duty, we are not acting under the influence of practical Christian faith. Holy men of old have left us abundant examples H of prayers for the light of God's Spirit upon the words of revelation. 'I will meditate on thy precepts,' said the psalmist, and have respect unto thy ways.' But he did not expect to become wise by his meditations, unless they should be attended with the especial blessing of the Most High; and accordingly, in addition to this firm resolution, he preferred that tition, Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.' Ps. cxix. 15, 18. And again,Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law: yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.' ib. 33, 34. pe It is the office of a heavenly teacher to impart to us such an understanding of the Scriptures as may conduct us to the love of the truths which they disclose, and incite us to a performance of the duties they prescribe. And it is precisely in this way that our knowledge becomes a wisdom that makes us wise unto salvation. While therefore we peruse the sacred pages of inspiration with a fixed and sincere desire of spiritual improvement,-with reverence and gravity of spirit,-with meekness and humble docility, combined with unlimited confidence,-with candid and impartial investigation, and with habitual application of what we learn to our own state and circumstances, and the regulation of our lives, let us at the same time remember that the words which we read are but means for the accomplishment of our ultimate object, and let us not forget to look up with continual prayer to that Holy Spirit by whose influence these means may be rendered effectual. Let us seek ever the rays of that pure light which can at once pervade the understanding and shine into the heart,-can disclose to us the meaning and impress us with the power of the truths of revelation, can quicken our perceptions of duty, inspire us with reverence and admiration of God's dealings recorded in his word, more especially the great work of our incarnate, suffering, and glorified Redeemer, and, above all, can impart to us the spirit and ability to practise the lessons we may learn, and faithfully to serve that glorious Being whose ways and whose will are made known to us. THE END. |