Respectable Witnesses to the Value of the Bible,
and to the Importance of Its Systematic Study. Dr. Rush.—“We err, not only in human affairs, but in religious likewise, only because we do not know the Scriptures, and obey their instructions.” Sir Matthew Hale.—“There is no book like the Bible, for excellent wisdom, learning and use.” John Locke.—“It has God for its Author, Salvation for its end, and Truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. It is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much, nothing wanting.” Bishop Ridley.—“The wall and trees of my orchard, could they speak, would bear witness that there I learned by heart almost all of the Epistles; of which study, although in time the greater part was lost, yet the sweet savor thereof, I trust, I shall carry with me to Heaveu.” Thomas a Kempis.—“Man, without a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, is a soldier without weapons, a horse without a bridle, a ship without a rudder, a writer without a pen, and a bird without wings.” Rev. Dr. Hamilton.—The Bible.—“The World's Maker is the Bible's Author. Let me entreat you to study the Bible; study it with prayer, with expectation; with eyes alert and open, read it; in your most tranquil retirement, read it; and when a few of you, who are friends likeminded, come together, read it; search it; sift it; talk about it; talk with it. And as he thus grows mighty in it, I promise each earnest Bible student two rewards—it will make him both a wiser and a better man.” Turtullian.—“I adore the fullness of Scripture. I do not admit what thou bringest in of thine own without Scripture.” Austin.—“The Holy Scripture is a golden epistle sent to us from God. This is to be read diligently. Ignorance of Scripture is the mother of error, not of devotion.”