How to Study the Scripture

Chapter 1

1. For the undertaking of the work, we need to be prepared with a

firm and constant resolution before we start, partly because of the sluggishness of our carnal natures towards holy duties and our inconsistency in persevering and completing them to the end, and partly because we know h

Chapter 2

3. The assurance that this is the means ordained by God to help us

out of ignorance: "We have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in our hearts."

Chapter 3

5. A person's heart (thus confirmed with a full purpose and settled

resolution to undertake and continually engage in the study of the holy Scriptures) must be more specifically prepared for the work itself by: Cleansing the heart of all excess and wrongdoing, of all worldly thoughts and

Chapter 4

1. At the beginning of our Bible reading or when starting a new

book in the Bible, it's beneficial to review an Analytical Table. This helps us understand the purpose and direction of the Holy Spirit, making it easier to remember. Towards this end, I have included such a table at the

Chapter 5

2. We should pay close attention to what we read. There are good

reasons for this attention: 1. Due to the authority and wisdom of the Speaker. A child must listen to their father (Prov. 4.1.), and a subject must attentively consider the words of a ruler (Job 29.21.), yet none of them

Chapter 6

3. We must keep Jesus Christ in mind while reading the Scripture

as the ultimate purpose, focus, and essence of it. What are the entire Scriptures but the spiritual swaddling clothes of the holy child Jesus? 1. Christ is the Truth and Essence of all the Types and Shadows. 2. Christ is

Chapter 7

4. Christ is the reality signified, sealed, and presented in the

Sacraments of the Old and New Testaments. 5. Scripture genealogies lead us to the true lineage of Christ. 6. Scripture chronologies reveal to us the times and seasons of Christ. 7. Scripture laws are our schoolmaster to

Chapter 8

4. We should take note of special passages where we find things

represented that are either weightier in themselves or more relevant to our personal use and circumstances. I do not deny that all God's testimonies are wonderful in themselves (Psal. 119.129.), pure (ver. 140.), profita

Chapter 9

5. We should give our approval and assent to what we read, both

because it is the truth of God and because until our judgment approves it, we cannot truly believe it or bring our hearts to obey it sincerely and genuinely. It is true that every godly person always assents to every tru

Chapter 10

3. Identify and apply what is of particular relevance to ourselves in

such a way as if we were personally addressed in any command, reproof, promise, warning, consolation, or similar passages. This is the most effective way to awaken and stir up our affections, as demonstrated by the exemp

Chapter 11

3. Developing a love for God's counsel that we embrace through

faith, appreciating its purity, completeness, righteousness, and -- 12 of 77 -- especially its incredible benefit to us in revitalizing the spirit, imparting wisdom, and converting the soul. These remarkable qualities

Chapter 12

5. Evaluating our conduct, measuring how closely it aligns with the

standard, and acknowledging any shortcomings. On one hand, this encourages us to conform our practice to the Law and rejoice in God's grace at work within us with gratitude. On the other hand, it humbles and saddens us f

Chapter 13

5. By reading only one chapter a day from the principal books and

using it as a guide for the rest. However, every individual can, with a little effort, discover this calendar or another one that is more beneficial to them. Therefore, not to unnecessarily extend this book, I will leave

Chapter 14

5. Prophetic, foretelling future events, like Isaiah, Jeremiah,

Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Regarding Ezra, Tobit, Judith, parts of Esther, Wisdom, and Ecclesiasticus: These books are

Chapter 15

4. Jacob; in him, consider his journey: To Mesopotamia, where

note: His journey there. [Chapter 28] His arrival and marriage. [Chapter 29] His wealth and children. [Chapter 30] To Canaan, where: His journey there. [Chapter 31] His arrival and his encounter with Esau. [Chapter 32, 3

Chapter 16

6. Himself, during which we find: His summoning by Joseph.

[Chapter 45] His journey there. [Chapter 46] His stay, during which he: Holds conversations. [Chapter 47] Bestows blessings. [Chapter 48] Prophesies. [Chapter 49] Passes away. [Chapter 50] §. 2. Exodus deals with the giv

Chapter 17

16. Prophecies. [Chapter 32, 33.] [Chapter 34] 4. The Conclusion of

all through the death of Moses. Up to this point, we've discussed the Law. Now, let's delve into the Prophets, which are categorized as either Historical, known as the Anterior Prophets. Doctrinal, referred to as the Hag

Chapter 18

34. The decline during the reigns of Rehoboam. [Chapter 10, 11, 12.]

Abia. [Chapter 13.] Asa. [Chapter 14, 15, 16.] Jehoshaphat. [Chapter 17, 18, 19, 20.] Joram. [Chapter 21.] Ahaziah. [Chapter 22.] Joash. [Chapter 23, 24.] Amaziah. [Chapter 25.] Uzziah. -- 32 of 77 -- [Chapter 26.] Jot

Chapter 19

22. The peace of the Jews. [Chapter 10] Up to this point, we have

covered the Legal and Historical Books. Now, let's turn our attention to the Dogmatical or Sapiential Books, which revolve around either A specific subject, as in Job. A general theme, such as David's Psalms. Solomon's P

Chapter 20

5. The participants, and so take note of the speeches of The

Disputants, Eliphaz. [Chapter 4, 5.] Job. [Chapter 6, 7.] Bildad. [Chapter 8] Job. [Chapter 9, 10.] Zophar. [Chapter 11] Job. [Chapter 12, 13, 14] Eliphaz. [Chapter 15] Job. [Chapter 16, 17.] Bildad. [Chapter 18] Job. [C

Chapter 21

12. From Psalm 107 to the end of Psalm 150, concluding with

Hallelujah. This division seems to arise from the unique closure of these five Psalms. Others divide them into two parts, some Directed from Man to God, such as the Praying and Thanksgiving Psalms. Directed from God to M

Chapter 22

3. Comforts [Chapter to the end.]

§. 10. Jonah Describes the two callings of Jonah; in the First, the Manner of it. [Chapter 1] Effect of it, Prayer. [Chapter 2] Second, His Sermons to the Ninevites, and their Repentance. [Chapter 3] The effect of their

Chapter 23

3. Prophetical, in the Revelation. The Books for memory's sake, are

comprised in these verses, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, Peter, John, Jude, Revelation.

Chapter 24

7. Triumphs and eternal Glory. [Chapter 21, 22.]

SECT. 15. Of heads or common places of observations for profitable things. I previously stated (Sect. 4) that when reading the Scriptures, it would be beneficial for our spiritual growth to observe specific passages wher

Chapter 25

3. Under each title, they should record only the Book, Chapter, and

Verse, without including the exact words, as that could become tiresome in the long run. They may choose to transcribe the most significant passages only after completing a portion of their task or at the end of the year

Chapter 26

4. They should not expect immediate benefits from this practice

within the first week or month. Instead, they should consider how much it will enrich them by the end of the year. Undoubtedly, after gathering these insights, they would not part with their collections for a great price

Chapter 27

1. Places where, in reading the Scriptures, he found tangible

comfort: Exod. 14:13, 19:4, 5, 24:10, 11, 17, 34:6, 7, 8. Numb. 14:18. Deut. 5:29, 10:15. 1 Sam. 30:6. 2 Sam. 12:13. 2 Kings 20:5. 2 Chron. 12:12, 15:4, 20:21, 22, 27, 28. Job 5:11, 17, 18, 19, 33:25, 26. Prov. 3:12. Psa

Chapter 28

2. Places where, in reading, he found rebuke for corruption in his

nature or practice: Numb. 14:11. 1 Sam. 12, 13. 2 Chron. 32:26. Psal. 119:75. Isa. 56:11, 57:17, 59:11, 12. Jer. 6:13. Ezek. 34:2, 3, 4. Hosea 7:10. Mark 7:21, 22, 23. Luke 12:15. Rom. 7:23, 24. Ephes. 5:4. 1 Pet. 2:1. R

Chapter 29

3. Places that guided him in his particular calling:

Job 33:23, 24. Isa. 49:4, 5, 50:4, 52:11, 58:1, 62:1, 6, 7. Jer. 15:19, 23:22, 48:10. Ezek. 3:1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 33:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 34:10. Mal. 2:7. Mat. 10:16, 17, 18. Acts 20:20, 21, 23. 1 Cor. 1:5, 14:1, 12. 2

Chapter 30

4. Places containing moving passages that touched his heart:

Gen. 22:1 to 20. Gen. 24:31, 33, 50, 52, 33:10, 11, 43:14, 16, 30, 44:13, 16, 31, 45:3, 9, 14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 48:11, 12, 50:10, 11. Deut. 5:29. Judges 7:15, 20, 22. Ruth 2:10, 3:10, 18. 1 Sam. 17:30 to the end, 18:1, 2,

Chapter 31

5. Places that offer solace against the burden of daily infirmities,

inner temptations, and spiritual afflictions: Gen. 15:1. Exod. 34:6, 7. Psal. 18:6, 23:4, 5, 6, 34:18, 11:24. Hosea 6:1, 2. Mic. 7:19. Luke 17:4. John 17:20. Rom. 6:14, 16, 20. 1 Cor. 10:13. 2 Thess. 3:3. 1 Tim. 1:15. He

Chapter 32

7. Promises that console him in the face of outward difficulties:

Gen. 41:43. Exod. 4:31, 23:25. Judges 13:23. 2 Chron. 25:9. Psal. 23:1, 2, 37:25, 119:165. Pro. 1:33, 3:8, 10. Isa. 58:8. Dan. 6:16. Luke 21:18. John 16:33. Rom. 1:17, 2 Cor. 4:17, 18, 2 Tim. 2:12. Heb. 13:5, 6. 1 Pet. 3

Chapter 33

8. Places that elucidate his privileges in Christ, superior to those of

the wicked in the world: Gen. 3:15, 7:1, 23, 12:3, 15:6, 26:4, 28:14, 32:28. Exod. 19:4, 5, 6. Num. 23:21, 24:5, 6. Deut. 26:18, 19, 33:29. 1 Sam. 12:22. 2 Chron. 15:4, 16:9. Job 5:19 to 27. Psal. 32:7, 33:18, 19, 34:4,

Chapter 34

9. Places difficult to comprehend, for which he sought and

endeavored to find resolution, including all the Titles of the Psalms, especially those of Psalms 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 22, 30, 34, 38, 39, 4, 45, 46, 50, 53, 56, 57, 60, 72, 88, 90, 92, 119, 120, etc.

Chapter 35

10. Several other categories he noted in his private little Book,

which I shall mention for the imitation of others: Places that exemplify Experiences (or the word written in our hearts) as the best Commentary. Places that present various points of Religion that a Christian can confide