XIII. "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES." ST. JOHN V., part of 39th verse. THE Bible-the Book-is THE BOOK OF GOD. There is but one Book in the world that bears the marks of a revelation from God. This has stood the test of ages, and will stand for ever, for God is its Author. To this, Historical evidence bears witness, and saith, Behold the Word of God!* The Book itself carries the proofs of its inspiration, and saith to each inquirer, Handle me and see whether I do not rightly bear the superscription of "the Book of God." If we but prayerfully search into its prophecies, doctrines, precepts, we shall mark the print of Deity stamped upon them all. Its effects proclaim the same, and constrain us to confess that "the sword of the Spirit" is that Word of God. How blessed the change in the heart where this Word comes with power; the lion is turned into the lamb, * See an excellent work on this subject published by Hatchard:"The Bible the Word of God." he whom no chains could bind is found "sitting at the feet of Jesus," with peace and joy in believing; what would this world itself become, were that Word of God searched into, believed in, and obeyed! Brethren! we own the Bible to be the Book of God, let us not forget that it is the Book for Man, that whilst it has God for its Author, it has salvation for its subject, it testifies of Christ to a lost and ruined world! In bringing before you the subject of my text, I would first I. Press on you the Exhortation to Search the Scriptures. II. Direct you How to Search Them Aright. I. I would press on you the Exhortation"Search the Scriptures." I urge it for this reason above all, that Christ bids us search them. He Who knew what was in man, Hẹ before Whose eye are the depths of our hearts, He Who alone hath searched the deathful disease of our nature-sin-and alone can give the cure, that same One it is who saith "Search the Scriptures." And remember that He said these words when the Old Testament only existed, when as yet the glorious gospel of the blessed God, in its full revelation in the New Testament, was not yet added to those Scriptures, how much more then does that exhortation come home to us, to whom Jehovah hath given that precious boon, the whole Book of God, the complete record of His will. But I would urge on you to search the Scriptures, because (as indeed is implied in Christ's command)— 2. Your soul needs them. "Thy word," saith the Psalmist, "is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,". Psa. cxix. 105. It directed him in his course, pointed out the dangers to be shunned, and the road to be pursued; and do we think that the way can now be trodden without the guidance of God's truth? Do we imagine that a sinner can escape the snares of the Fowler, and thread the mazes of a bewildering world, unless he makes this the book of his counsel, and "takes heed according to that Word ?" Impossible! "The Holy Scriptures are" indeed "able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus," 2 Tim. iii. 15; but that man who seeks not herein wisdom and strength, will sooner or later find that he cannot stem the two-fold tide of an evil heart and an evil world; he will be carried away by the torrent. Oh, prize the Word of God! how instructive its counsels in our seasons of difficulty! how strengthening its aid in our times of temptation! how comforting its promises in the hour of sorrow, of sickness, or of death! Brethren! there is a mighty power in the Word, so that where it is received by faith, as the voice of God, it quickens-cheers— sanctifies the soul, John xvii. 17; Psa. cxix. 50. Once more I would beseech the Scriptures, for you to search 3. The account must be given in. Think not that the Book of God will always be a silent witness; a witness it is, unheeded by many now, but it will one day speak, when the once owner thereof shall be speechless. It It may lie neglected in your drawer, unused upon your book-shelf, richly ornamented on your table, but that word spoken by our Lord to His disciple, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?" will come with awful import unto those, who profess to receive the Bible as the message of God, and yet hear not what it hath to say; who profess that in that book eternal life is revealed, and yet suffer days to pass by without applying to its well of living water: oh! if you would obey Christ's command, if you would have the need of your soul supplied, if you would give in your account with joy, when "the Lord comes and reckoneth with His servants," lay to heart the words of my text, and henceforth Search the Scriptures. But I would endeavour, in dependence on God's blessing, to II. Direct you How to Search Them Aright. 1. The term itself is full of meaning, "SEARCH." Our Lord's words are "Search the Scriptures,' an expression that refers us to the diligence of the miner, who digs for treasures in the bowels of the earth, or of the unwearied pursuit of the animal that follows the track of its prey. Alas! we fear that many who read the Bible know not of this diligence. They read a chapter, and the words pass over the mind, like a bird's flight in the air, and escape from the memory, as water through a sieve. Or they take up the Bible as a by-thing, when opportunity offers, instead of making an opportunity when it offers not. Unlike are these to the noble Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily, and found thereby a blessing to their souls, Acts xvii. 11. Such reading cannot be called searching the Scriptures; not by such reading will the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, Col. iii. 16. We |