5thly. If we would rightly understand the inspired writings, it is incumbent upon us to use all the helps in our power. We are to exercise our own rational faculties. Religion is the most reasonable thing in the world, as well as most important. About what therefore can our reason be better or more worthily employed? For what was reason, by which man is so remarkably distinguished from the brutal herd, given us, if not to use it, to learn the duties, and doctrines of Religion, and to aid us in searching out the truth, and substantial happiness?——
There is a great variety of helps or advantages to gain the right sense and meaning of Scripture, for which we ought to be sincerely thankful, and which we ought most wisely to improve. We can read them in our own language. And by the wise institution of common schools, in our favoured Land, almost all classes of people are able to read them. They have, by a wonderful Providence, been handed down to us pure and uncorrupted to a sufficient degree. Many judicious and excellent Commentaries have been written upon them by pious and able men, which we may consult at pleasure, or as we may have opportunity. And here it would be a criminal omission, not to observe, that public worship on the Lord’s day, to which we may constantly repair, is designed to open, explain, and apply them. And when any are in doubt about the true way of worship, or of understanding the Scripture, the regular and appointed Teachers of Religion may be, and ought to be resorted to. For the Priest’s lips were to keep knowledge. And they will esteem it a happiness to instruct the unlearned—to confirm the unstable—and to guide the doubtful.—Such people as have a real desire to know the truth, an honest heart to enquire after the right way of the Lord, will not fail to apply and use all these helps. Plain is it, that no person can, with any consistency or honest impartiality, profess to be seeking the true way of the Lord, who doth not use and improve all these helps and advantages.—It may here be remarked, that it is a work of much labour and care, painful study and diligent enquiry to understand the scriptures. Knowledge, whether human or divine, is not easily acquired.—And ignorant and uninformed people are the most confident and self-sufficient.—It is to be regretted that it is so. But fact and experience verify it. Many too, shut their eyes upon the light, through prejudice. Vicious and profane persons hate the light and will not come unto it, lest their deeds should be reproved.
6thly. A further way to understand aright the inspired writings, is to seek to heaven for light, guidance, and instruction. We are not to lean to our own understanding, or confide in our abilities or learning. Man is a poor, imperfect frail being. He has prejudices, which he knows not. He is at all times prone to err, through the corruptions of his nature. Sin has brought a thick cloud over his mind. He needs divine illumination. The most acute and learned need this, as well as the unlearned and weak. The divine assistances are to be prayerfully sought. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. would we, consequently, understand aright the holy Oracles, we must not only peruse them, with industry and care, but devoutly and fervently implore the God of all grace to open them to us, to spread a divine light over them, that they may instruct, warn, and quicken us. We should seek to him, who gave them to us, to enable us to perceive their true beauty and glory, and to conform our hopes, hearts, and lives to them: to be animated by their promises—warned by their threatenings—comforted with their hopes; and guided to heaven by their precepts. The teachings of the holy spirit are to be devoutly implored, that they may be savingly profitable to us. Rightly understood, and duly improved, they are able through faith in Jesus Christ, to make us wise unto salvation. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Divine grace must sanctify us by them, and them to us. The teachings of Christ, as the true prophet are requisite to open the mind, to remove prejudices, and to enable us to see the beauty, glory and importance of them. Being born again, says the Apostle Peter, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is grass, and all the glory of man, as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
7thly. A renewed heart is the best help to understand aright the sacred writings. A holy temper of heart will dispose us to sit, like Mary, at the feet of Jesus to receive with joy his instructions. If we have this, we shall feel most sensibly when we read and hear—read the written, and hear the preached word. This will enable us to see the beauty and glory of the divine character—the excellency of the Mediator’s character—to behold the equity of Providence, the riches of divine grace, the wonders of a Redeemer’s love, and give us a lively view—of all the truth, duties, doctrines, and ordinances of the Gospel. A very different sense of scripture has the saint from the sinner, the penitent believing Christian, from the thoughtless and profane sinner, the sanctified from the unsanctified heart. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. This doth not mean that an unrenewed person cannot understand the true meaning of scripture, or the doctrines of it. For, then, it could be of no benefit or use to him. What cannot be understood, cannot work any good effect upon the heart or life. To assert that none can understand the word of God, unless inspired by the same spirit, which gave it, is inconsistent with every principle of reason, common sense, and scripture. For it, that is, the scripture, addresses itself to all, good and bad, saints and sinners.——Finally—
8thly. In order to understand the written word of God aright, we must practise what we do know—practise according to its divine precepts. A right and saving knowledge, is a practical knowledge. We must not only be willing to receive all our doctrines and principles from the holy scriptures, but to be guided by them altogether, in our conduct and conversation:—to embrace them as the only rule of faith and practice.—Then shall we be safe. Then shall we have a guide that cannot mislead us. If any man do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.——Thus we are to do, in order rightly to understand the scripture——Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures.—
DISCOURSE XIII.
The Gospel to be supported by those who enjoy it.
GALATIANS vi. 6.
Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.