STUDY THE SCRIPTURES by Fleming

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 19.

STUDY THE SCRIPTURES.

By Fleming

STUDY the Scriptures, and become thus the humble, impartial, and obedient scholars of Christ. Let me put you in mind of one thing, than which nothing is more neglected and yet nothing is more necessary in order to profit truly by the Bible, viz., that ye have a care of laying down any opinion or scheme of opinions in matters religious, previously to your having impartially examined the sacred Scriptures in such matters. For they that do so, come not to be taught of God, but to dictate to the Almighty, and are not afraid often to wiredraw the sacred text, in order to force it to speak, not what it really does, but what they would have it do, as best suits with their prejudices, passions, and party designs, that I say not lusts also. Therefore, let me desire you, as I often have done from the pulpit, to make the Bible itself, and particularly the New Testament, your chief (and in a proper sense only) system, confession of faith, and creed. For whatever excellency there is in any human composures of this kind, we are to own them no farther than we find them to agree and harmonize with the divine oracles.—Fleming.