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RULES FOR READING THE BIBLE.
FIRST SERIES.
A PREACHER who was widely known in the last century, William Jay, of Argyle Chapel, Bath (1769-1853),
while still young in Gospel ministry, prefixed the following rules to his study Bible:
In reading this Book let me guard against four things
(1) The contractedness of the Systematic:
(2) The mysticism' of the Allegoriser
(3) The dogmatism of the Bigot
(.f) The presumption of the Rationalist.
Let me tremble at God's Word, and let me in reading it keep three purposes in
view:
1.. To collect facts rather than form opinions
2. To regulate practice rather than encourage speculation
3. To aid devotion rather than dispute.
SECOND SERIES.
Somewhat similar were the rules which the late Dr. Bullinger placed on the flyleaf of his Bible:
" In reading this Book let me guard against --
"The dogmatizing of the systematic divine ; --
"The mysticism of the allegorizing interpreter; and The bold and daring freedom of the rational and philosophizing critic.
" Let me read it --
"With a view to collect facts rather than to form a creed; --
" With the view of practice rather than speculation ; and
"With, a devotional spirit rather than a controversial temper."
On comparison, there is no doubt that the second is an adaptation of the first,
and by one who, during a long career, acted out the rules thus formulated.
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