He wounded the old serpent three times!

(Thomas Watson, "The Christian Soldier" 1669)

What an infinite mercy it is, that God has blessed us
with the Scriptures! The barbarous Indians have their
golden mines—but not the Scriptures, which are 'more
to be desired than much fine gold.'

Our Savior bids us 'search the Scriptures'. We must not
read these holy lines carelessly, as if they did not concern
us, or run over them hastily—but peruse them with reverence
and seriousness. The noble Bereans 'searched the Scriptures
daily.' The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge;
it is the rule and touchstone of truth; out of this well—we
draw the water of life.

Read the Word as a book made by God Himself. Other
books may be written by holy men—but this book is inspired
by the Holy Spirit. It is the library of the Holy Spirit!

Read the Word as the perfect rule of faith; it contains all
things essential to salvation. The Word teaches us how to please
God; and how to order our lives in the world. It instructs us in
all things that belong either to prudence or piety, and is 'able
to make us wise unto salvation.'

When you read the Word, look on it as a soul-enriching
treasury. Search it as for 'hidden treasure!' In this Word
are scattered many divine sayings—gather them up as so
many jewels! This blessed book will enrich you—it fills your
head with divine knowledge, and your heart with divine 
grace! In this field, the Pearl of price is hidden! What are
all the world's riches compared to these? Islands of spices,
coasts of pearl, rocks of diamonds? These are but the riches
which reprobates may have—but the Word gives us those
riches which angels have!

Look upon the Word as a spiritual armory, out of which
you fetch all your weapons to fight against sin and Satan.

Here are weapons to fight against SIN. The Word of God is
a holy sword, which cuts asunder the lusts of the heart!
When pride begins to lift up itself, the sword of the Spirit
destroys this sin! When passion vents itself, the Word of
God, like Hercules' club, beats down this angry fury! When
lust boils, the Word of God cools that intemperate passion!

Here are weapons to fight against SATAN. When the devil
tempted Christ, He wounded the old serpent three times
with the sword of the Spirit—"It is written!" Satan soon foils
that Christian when he is unarmed, and without Scripture
weapons.

Look upon the Word as a spiritual looking-glass to dress
yourselves by! It is a mirror for the blind, 'The commands of
the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes!' In other mirrors
you may see your faces; in this mirror you may see your hearts!
This mirror of the Word clearly represents Christ. He is . . .
  most precious;
  altogether lovely;
  a wonder of beauty;
  a paradise of delight!

Look upon the Word as a shop of spiritual antidotes and
remedies. If you find yourself dead in duty—here is a medicine.
If you find your heart hard—the Word will soften and mollify it.
If you are poisoned with sin—here is an herb to expel it.

Look upon the Word as a sovereign elixir to comfort you
in distress. It comforts you against all your sins, temptations,
and afflictions. What are the promises—but divine cordials to
revive fainting souls.

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