How to Study the Bible and Understand the Gospel

Here is direction on how to read and study holy truths, especially the sacred mysteries of the gospel. We think to break into them with the engine of our intelligence, and to understand them, and never come to God for his Spirit. God will curse such proud attempts. In studying the gospel, let us come with a spirit of faith, and a spirit of humility and meekness. There is no breaking into these things with the strength of our parts. That has been the ground of so many heresies as have been in the church. Only Christ 'has the key of David, that shuts, and no man opens; and opens, and no man shuts' (Rev. 3:7). He has the key of the Scripture, and the key to open the understanding. If 'eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man to conceive’ the things of the gospel (1 Cor. 2:9), without the revelation of the Spirit, then we must come with this mind when we come to hear the things of the gospel. 'Lord, without your Holy Spirit they are all as a clasped book; they are hidden mysteries to me, though they be revealed in the gospel. If my heart be shut to them, they are all hidden to me.'
The course that God takes with his children is this. Those that he means to save, he first inspires into their hearts some desire to come to hear and attend upon the means of salvation, to understand the gospel. Then under the means of salvation he shines into the understanding and inspires into the will and affections some heavenly inclination to the truth of the gospel. Under these means the soul comes to relish and to understand these mysteries. A believing man, that has his heart subdued by the Spirit of God relishes the point of forgiveness of sins; he relishes the point of sanctification; he studies it daily more and more; he relishes peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Spirit; they are sweet things. Must not the heart be new-moulded again if the former frame be not sufficient for these things?

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Glance of Heaven, Works, vol. 4, p. 160-61
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