Direction 21. Set upon the practice of what you read
Direction 22. Make use of Christ’s prophetical office.
Direction 23. Tread often upon the threshold of the sanctuary.
Direction 24. Pray that God will make you profit.
Two corollaries, –
[1]. Content not yourselves with the bare reading of scripture, but labour to find some spiritual increment and profit. — Get the word transcribed into your hearts. . . . Never leave till you are assimilated into the word.
[2]. You who have profited by reading the holy scriptures, adore God’s distinguishing grace. — Bless God that he hath not only brought the light to you, but opened your eyes to see it; that he hath unlocked his hid treasure, and enriched you with saving knowledge. Some perish by not having scripture, and others by not improving it. That God should pass by millions in the world, and the lost of his electing love should fall upon you; that the scripture, like the pillar of cloud, should have a dark side to others, but a light side to you; that to others it should be a “dead letter,” but to you that “savour of life;” that Christ should not only be revealed to you, but in you; [Gal 1.16] how should you be in an holy ecstasy of wonder, and wish that you had hearts of seraphim burning in love to God, and the voices of angels, to make heaven ring with God’s praises!
Thomas Watson, “How We May Read the Scriptures With Most Spiritual Profit,” in Puritan Sermons 1659-1689, 68-71, vol 2 of 6.
HT: Brian Mahon
