Sunday 7 February 2010

The tool for the job

Though a man had a precious jewel and a rich, yet if he wist not the value thereof nor wherefore it served, he were neither the better nor richer by a straw. 
Even so, though we read the Scripture and babble of it never so much, yet if we know not the use of it and wherefore it was given, and what is therein to be sought, it profiteth us nothing at all. 
It is not enough therefore to read and talk of it only, but we must also desire God day and night instantly to open our eyes, and to make us understand and feel wherefore the Scripture was given, that we may apply the medicine of the Scripture, every man to his own sores, unless that we pretend to be idle disputers and brawlers about vain words, ever gnawing upon bitter bark without and never attaining unto the sweet with within, and persecuting one another for defending of lewd imaginations and fantasies of our own invention. 
(Tynadale's Preface to the Pentateuch p35-36)

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