The Right and Wrong Uses of the BibleNewton, Richard Heber
Religion
The Right and Wrong Uses of the Bible
Newton, Richard Heber
Bible -- Study and teaching; Sermons, American
It is impossible to forget the noble enthusiasm with which this
dangerous heretic, as he was regarded in England, grasped the small
Greek Testament which he had in his hand as we entered and said: "In
this little book is contained all the wisdom of the world."
Stanley: "History of the Jewish Church," III. x. [Reminiscence of a
visit to Ewald.]
Truth, not eloquence, is to be sought for in Holy Scripture. We should
rather search after our profit in the Scriptures, than subtilty of
speech..... Search not who spoke this or that, but mark what is spoken.
À Kempis: "Imitation of Christ," Ch. V.
Do not hear for any other end but to become better in your life, and to
be instructed in every good work, and to increase in the love and
service of God.
Jeremy Taylor: "Holy Living," Ch. IV. Sect. iv.
We search the world for truth: we cull
The good, the pure, the beautiful
From graven stone and written scroll,
From all old flower-fields of the soul;
And, weary seekers of the best,
We come back laden from our quest,
To find that all the sages said,
Is in the Book our mothers read.
Whittier: "Miriam."
VII.
The Right Ethical and Spiritual Use of the Bible.
"From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus."--2 Timothy, iii. 15.
The right use of the Bible is admirably stated by St. Paul. These books do
not make one learned in any knowledge--they make one wise in life. The
Jewish tradition concerning Solomon's choice expressed a deep truth.
Wisdom is the supreme benediction to be sought in life. Invaluable as is
knowledge, it is as a means to an end. Knowledge provides for man the
material out of which Wisdom, using "the best means to attain the best
ends," builds a noble life. To have the mind clear, the judgment just, the
conscience true, the will strong, so that we may sight the goal of life,
may learn the laws by which it is to be won, and may firmly seek it,
steadfast amid all seductions--this is wisdom.
Would that for one single day, we may have lived in this world as we
ought.
Thus prays the author of the Imitation of Christ; and in so praying he is
sighing after wisdom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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