(F. Delitzsch.)

(F. Delitzsch.)

(J. Parker, D. D.)

I. ALL GOOD STRUGGLE IN THE WORLD IS REALLY GOD'S BATTLE, and ought to recognise itself as such. Every special victory of human progress — the victory over slavery, superstition, social wrong, nay, even the victory over tough matter, the subduing of the hard stuff of nature to spiritual uses, — each of these is but a step in the great onward march of God taking possession of His own. Fight your battle with the sword bathed in heaven; so you shall make it victorious, and grow strong and great yourself in fighting it.

II. One of the most marvellous things about Jesus is the UNION OF FIRE AND PATIENCE. He saw His Father's house turned into a place of merchandise, and instantly the whip of small cords was in His hands, and He was cleansing the sacred place with His impassioned indignation. And yet He walked day after day through the streets of Jerusalem, and saw the sin, and let the sinners sin on with only the remonstrance of His pure presence and His pitying gaze. Only in God's own time and in God's own way can the battles of the Lord be fought. There is no self-will in Jesus. He is one with His Father, and lives by His Father's will. His sword was always bathed in heaven.

III. THE BATTLE WHICH GOES ON WITHIN OURSELVES IS GOD'S BATTLE, and is of supreme importance. If the battle be God's, it must be fought only with God's weapons. You want to get rid of your selfishness. You must not kill it with the sword of another selfishness, which thenceforth shall rule in its place. Selfishness can only be cast out by self-forget-fulness and consecration. To count sin God's enemy, and to fight it with all His purity and strength, that is what it means for us that our sword should be bathed m heaven.

(Phillips Brooks, D. D.)

II. THE SCRIPTURE IS A BOOK TO BE READ; carefully and diligently searched, consulted and sought unto.

( T. Watson, D. D.)

1. This Book discovers what no mortal could ever have done, and nowise could be had but by Divine revelation.

2. The perfect holiness of the doctrine.

3. The efficacy of the doctrine in its searching and convincing the conscience (Hebrews 4:12); converting souls from their most beloved lusts, even when nothing can be expected from the world for such a change (Psalm 19:7); rejoicing the heart under the deepest distresses (ver. 8). This is not from any virtue in the letters or syllables, but from the Spirit, whose instrument it is.

4. The miracles wherewith it has been confirmed.

5. There is an inward sensation of this in the spirits of those that have their senses exercised.

( T. Watson, D. D.)

1. That man has lost his way, and needs direction to find it.

2. That man is in hazard of being led further and further wrong.

3. That men are slow of heart to understand the mind of God in His Word.

4. That the Book of the Lord has its difficulties which are not to be easily solved.

5. That we need highly to understand it; otherwise we would not be bidden search into it.

6. That we may gain from it by diligent inquiry.

( T. Watson, D. D.)

1. Because the way of salvation is to be found only therein (John 5:39).

2. It is the only rule of our faith and lives (Isaiah 8:20). The lawyer studies his law books, the physician his medical books; and shall not a Christian study the Book of the Lord?

3. The Lord Himself dictated it and gave it us for that very end (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Romans 15:4).

4. We must be judged by the Scriptures at the great day (John 12:48).

( T. Watson, D. D.)

I. UNLESS THE GOSPEL BE MADE THE SUBJECT OF MUCH REFLECTION AND EARNEST INVESTIGATION IT CANNOT BE RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD. Are those truths which have a reference to the grandest objects in existence so very easily to be comprehended as to require less attention than the ordinary facts and principles which are connected with business or literature?

II. Universally human nature is in a state of moral disorder and rebellion against God; and AS CHRISTIANITY HAS BEEN SENT FROM HEAVEN WITH THE EXPRESS DESIGN OF REMOVING THAT DISORDER AND EFFECTING A RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, IT IS INDISPENSABLY REQUISITE THAT ALL SHOULD KNOW IN WHAT IT CONSISTS.

(W. Keith)

I. The Scriptures should be read with A SERIOUS MIND. The argument by which Moses urged the Jews to attend to the laws of God may be applied to Scripture at large — "It is not a vain thing: it is your life." When we read our Bible we stand in the presence of God: we are receiving His communications.

II. The Scriptures should be read with EARNEST PRAYER. Divine influence is needful to impress them upon our understandings and hearts.

III. Scripture should be read with PURE INTENTIONS. "If any man will do His will," &c. Nothing resists the evidence or dislikes the principles of the Bible but sin.

IV. The Bible should be read with EXPECTATIONS AND DESIRES. We cannot place too much confidence in its authority, or anticipate too much comfort from its influence. All that may be expected from God may be expected from His Word. There He opens His resources and declares His will; there we read what He is, and what He can do, and what He intends to do. To read the Bible and expect nothing from its influence is to reflect dishonour upon it.

V. The Bible should be read with RETENTIVE MEMORIES. It is intended not so much for present entertainment, as for future wisdom and holiness: its contents, therefore, should be stored and classed in the memory, to be drawn forth and applied as the different circumstances of life require. This study of the Scriptures produces incalculable advantages; it will afford —

1. The most valuable instruction.

2. The best impressions. There is an energy in the Bible which no man of feeling can withstand. The words which it contains are "spirit and life." Under Divine influence it has counteracted carnal affections and vicious propensities; it has raised men's minds to God: it has filled them with love to mankind. So as Scripture makes men holy it makes them happy. In the midst of trouble they have an unfailing refuge.

(Homilist.).