THOMAS ADAM’S PRIVATE THOUGHTS ON SCRIPTURE

The Scripture is light and truth from God; a clue put into my hands by him, to guide me through the mazes of darkness and error; the instrument he works with in the destruction of sin and purification of my nature; and if I do but receive it as such, I am sure he will bless it to me in such ways as he knows to be best for me. My only prayer to the Father of mercies and God of all consolation is, that he would give me a full conviction and certain apprehension of my faith and sincerity in the use of it.

The Scripture sends me to my heart; and my heart, well known and considered, sends me back again to the Scripture, with great advantage for the understanding of it.

If we had a voice from heaven, it would reveal no new Scripture to us: it would send us to the law and the testimony. Why then should we not adhere to the Word, and make a diligent use of it without? We should, if we believed it.

The religion of most men is fixed from nature, that is, worldly ease and convenience, before they come to the reading of the Scripture. The consequence is plain: In all points where it exceeds their standard, it will be pared away.

With what a mixture of fear, reverence, and holy joy, should we open the Bible — the book of truth and happiness! Gods heart opened to man!

The Scripture is unto us what the star was to the wise men; but if we spend all our time in gazing upon it, observing its motions, and admiring its splendour, without being led to Christ by it, the use of it will be lost to us.

Perhaps it may be a good rule in the reading of Scripture, not to run from one passage to another, or suppose it a duty to read a certain portion of it every day, but to dwell upon particular passages, till they have in some measure done their office.

Scripture reading is a feast indeed, when we find in ourselves a disposition to receive it in truth and simplicity.

It is an awful, dreadful thing, to come full into the light of Scripture, and be upon a footing of sincerity with God.

Our spiritual progress is greatly hindered by running from one thing to another. When any thought, discovery, or passage of Scripture makes a strong impression, and, as it were, seizes upon the mind, consider it as of God, and give it time and opportunity to work its effect, by excluding every thing else for a season. It would be of infinite use to keep an exact history of such inward workings; their rise, continuance, declension, and revival; and the communication and comparison of many such histories, would not only afford matter of knowledge, great improvement, and mutual comfort, but, perhaps, be one of the strongest evidences of Christ’s mission, and the truth of Scripture.

It is no objection to the truth of Scripture, that so many different sects find their own opinions in it. For, first, If they were all agreed in their sense of it, and submission to it, the testimony it brings against the blindness and corruption of mankind would be weakened: secondly, It is no disparagement to a looking-glass, that all see something in it that is pleasing to themselves; the glass is true, the eye is partial.

It is the great design of the Scripture to teach the best to despair of being self-saved; the worst not to despair of being saved by Christ, and to offer to all the help they want.

The Scripture was written to be transcribed into the heart, and it has its effect when the heart is in such full consent and agreement therewith, that the Scripture might have been copied from it.

The design of revelation is to inform mankind that they are in a state of ruin, and under the divine displeasure by reason of sin, and to propose the means of their recovery to the favour of God, and the hope of eternal life, by faith in a Redeemer, and submission to his teaching and authority.

I have the writings of a most invaluable estate in my hands, made over to me as my own property; and whenever I open the New Testament, and think of the unsearchable riches of Christ therein conveyed to every believer, I may look down with contempt on all earthly possessions, and deserve to forfeit my interest in the gospel treasure, if I do not.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen