Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing ChristiansRyle, J. C. (John Charles)
Religion
Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles)
Christian life -- Anglican authors
(_h_) In the last place, _read the Bible with Christ continually in
view_. The grand primary object of all Scripture is to testify of
Jesus. Old Testament ceremonies are shadows of Christ. Old Testament
judges and deliverers are types of Christ. Old Testament history shows
the world's need of Christ. Old Testament prophecies are full of
Christ's sufferings, and of Christ's glory yet to come. The first advent
and the second,--the Lord's humiliation and the Lord's kingdom,--the
cross and the crown, shine forth everywhere in the Bible. Keep fast hold
on this clue, if you would read the Bible aright.
I might easily add to these hints, if space permitted. Few and short as
they are, you will find them worth attention. Act upon them, and I
firmly believe you will never be allowed to miss the way to heaven. Act
upon them, and you will find light continually increasing in your mind.
No book of evidence can be compared with that internal evidence which he
obtains who daily uses the Word in the right way. Such a man does not
need the books of learned men, like Paley, and Wilson, and M'Ilvaine. He
has the witness in himself. The book satisfies and feeds his soul. A
poor Christian woman once said to an infidel, "I am no scholar. I cannot
argue like you. But I know that honey is honey, because it leaves a
sweet taste in my mouth. And I know the Bible to be God's book, because
of the taste it leaves in my heart."
(3) This paper may fall into the hands of some one who _loves and
believes the Bible, and yet reads it but little_. I fear there are many
such in this day. It is a day of bustle and hurry. It is a day of
talking, and committee-meetings, and public work. These things are all
very well in their way, but I fear that they sometimes clip and cut
short the private reading of the Bible. Does your conscience tell you
that you are one of the persons I speak of? Listen to me, and I will say
a few things which deserve your serious attention.
You are the man that is likely to _get little comfort from the Bible in
time of need_. Trial is a sifting season. Affliction is a searching
wind, which strips the leaves off the trees, and brings to light the
birds' nests. Now I fear that your stores of Bible consolations may one
day run very low. I fear lest you should find yourself at last on very
short allowance, and come into harbour weak, worn and thin.
You are the man that is likely _never to be established in the truth_. I
shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and
questionings about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, and the like.
The devil is an old and cunning enemy. Like the Benjamites, he can
"throw stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss." (Judges xx. 16.) He can
quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not
sufficiently ready with your weapons to be able to fight a good fight
with him. Your armour does not fit you well. Your sword sits loosely in
your hand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account