778. ACT 8:30. READING THE SCRIPTURES

Act_8:30. Reading the Scriptures

"Understandest thou what thou readest."’97Act_8:30.

Our text relates to a distinguished individual, a Jewish proselyte, who was the prime minister of the Queen of Ethiopia; and was now returning to his own country, after observing the Jewish festivals at Jerusalem. Reading in his chariot, his mind was occupied in perusing a portion of the Old Testament scriptures. How dignified and profitable an employment, how exactly fulfilling the command of the Lord to his ancient people. Deu_6:6, "And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up," &c. Philip was directed by the Lord to join himself to this illustrious traveller.

I. Let us notice the book.

He was reading the scriptures. The revelation of God’s mind, the word of eternal truth, the only book wherein God has made known his will. But the eunuch had only access to the Old Testament scriptures,’97the law, the psalms, the narratives, and the prophets. We have the completed volume,’97all they possessed, and much more; the gospels, the epistles, the vision of the apocalypse. We have this book, too, in our own tongue. Originally it was a sealed book, except to the learned. How different now, and how grateful we should be for it. In 1420, the Bible would have cost about ‘a3216s., a sum equal to ‘a325 of the present currency. Portions of the Scriptures were translated into the languages of the British islanders in the eighth century; but the oldest translation was by Wycliffe, about 1390.

II. The exercise.

He was reading. Now, let us view this in three lights.

1. As a human right.

It was thought for centuries that none but the priests should read it. The most awful curses were pronounced upon those who dared to do so. Now this doctrine was the chief pillar of the Romish church for ages, and gave to the priests a wicked monopoly of the word of life. I need not remind you that such a prohibition is contrary to God’s express will, and tramples upon the rights of human conscience.

2. This exercise is more than a right,’97it is an express duty.

I not only may, but ought to do so. If. I do not, I am guilty of breaking God’s positive precepts. He says, "Search ye out of the book of the Lord, and read." "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." But it is more than a duty, it is,

3. A distinguished privilege.

And so all the godly in every age have felt it. Listen to Job. "I have esteemed the words of thy mouth more than my necessary food." David says, "The law of thy mouth," &c. Does not the poor man count it a privilege to have access to a rich treasury,’97the sick man to a laboratory of healing medicines,’97the warrior to an armory of every kind of weapon,’97the famishing man to a feast? Such is the word of God to the Christian. There too he peruses the bequest of his future inheritance. Our subject relates,

III. To the manner.

"How readest thou," &c. Now, this is a very important question. We know of few more so. The right manner of doing this is what we wish chiefly to impress on your notice.

1. We should do so with an unwavering belief of its divinity and truth.

If we read in doubt we cannot profit. If doubts exist, they must first of all be removed by a candid consideration of the style and the subjects of revelation. Its prophecies, its miracles, &c. Its morality, its external and internal influence, on its disciples, &c.

2. With solemn reverence for its author. With what reverence it should be perused.

This is God’s book. God speaking on the most momentous subject in the universe.

3. With a spirit of candid discrimination.

Every word of God is pure. That is, of the original scriptures. In the languages in which they were written. But always difficulty in translating,’97many things could not be expressed in the exact words of the original. What could we do with the words ice, snow, and frost, in a language spoken where these are not known. Now, the truths are divine. God’s words; but not the peculiarities of our translation, not the divisions of the chapters and the verses, not the words in italics, not the head lines to the chapters, &c. Bibles are most useful with marginal readings, references, &c.

4. With a view to understand the sense and meaning.

Not to bring our meaning to be supported, but to take God’s meaning, and be satisfied with it. Now, we must have the meaning, and not merely the sound, if we profit. The ideas, the thoughts, &c.

5. With a sincere desire to practise and enjoy its blessings.

Not to speculate; not as a form; but to be made wiser, better, happier, and more meet for eternal glory. Let me press the question, "Understandest thou," &c.

(1.) So as to have clear views of the way of salvation. Of sin, and grace; your ruin, and redemption; your danger, and help.

(2.) So as to derive internal enjoyment from it. A sense of God’s love and favor.

(3.) So as to regulate your entire selves by it.

Application

Let me, in applying this subject, observe,

1. The criminality of total negligence.

2. The inefficiency of an indifferent perusal of it. It is a mine, and we must dig; an ocean, and we must dive for its pearls; a field, and we must search and labor in it.

3. The necessity of greater regard and attention to it. Who is not deficient? In reading, in laboring to understand it, in practising it. With humility and prayer let us treat this book as we never did before.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS