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sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, Heb. ix. 15 - 18. It is the magna charta, and statute-book of the kingdom of heaven, Isa. viii. 20. It is the book of privileges and immunities of God's children, Rom. vi. 14 - 22, 1 John v. 13. It is the word of grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified, Acts xx. 32. For it will make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus, making you perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim. iii. 15 - 17.

Whenever therefore you hear this word preached, and when at any time you read it, you must receive it not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, then it will work effectually in you that believe, 1 Thess. ii. 13.

Secondly, When you read this word, lift up the heart in prayer to God for the spirit of understanding and wisdom, Psa. cxix. 18, that your mind may be more and more enlightened, and your heart more and more strengthened with grace by it. For this word is spiritual, containing the great counsels of God for man's salvation, and which is as a book sealed up, Isa. xxix. 11, 12, in respect of discovery of the things of God in it, 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11, to all that have not the help of God's Spirit; so that none can know the inward and spiritual meaning thereof, powerfully, and savingly, but by the Spirit of God.

Thirdly, Read the word with a hunger and thirst after knowledge and growth in grace by it, 1 Peter ii. 2, with a reverent, humble, teachable, and honest heart, Luke viii. 15; believing all that you read; trembling at the threatenings and judgments against sinners; rejoicing in the promises made unto, and the favours bestowed upon the penitent, and the godly; willing and resolving to obey all the commandments.

Thus if you read, blessed shall you be in your reading, Rev. i. 3; and blessed shall you be in your deed, James i. 25.

Who must read the Scriptures.

The holy Scriptures are thus to be read of all, of every sort and condition, and of each sex; for all are