The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - "...in a due use of the ordinary means..."

VirginiaHuguenot · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 11:39 AM

I think what the divines were getting at is that the Bible is not some esoteric book which contains hidden mysteries unknowable to the ordinary layman without priestly instruction. The divines certainly understood and emphasized the value of Christ's gift to the church in providing pastors and teachers to feed the flock. There is a corporate aspect to understanding God's Word, 2 Peter 1.20, whereby there is no "private interpretation"; yet, at the same time, the Bible is God's Word to all sorts of people, both learned and unlearned. While babies and the mentally infirm may be unable to process that Word as we do and so are special cases, yet in the due use of ordinary means, God's Word is for all people. This, I think, includes both the personal aspects of one's mental gifts (ie., ability to read and comprehend), and their use in receiving the Word (approaching it reverently with the desire to hear the Shepard's voice and obey), the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit, and the corporate gifts of pastors, teachers, commentators and even holy conferences, as the Puritans used to say, ie., one brother sharpening another like iron. Here is a list of the ordinary means as given by Richard Greenham:

A Profitable Treatise, Containing a Direction for the Reading and Understanding of the Holy Scriptures by Master Richard Grenham:

Quote:

But that the reading of the Scriptures publicly in the Church of God, and privately by ourselves, is a special and ordinary means, if not to beget, yet to increase faith in us. It is likewise proved, Deut 6:6; Deut 11:18; Ps 1:2; John 5:39; Matt 14:15; Rom 15:14; 2 Pet 1:19; Neh 8:8; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21. The manifold fruit which comes of the reading of the Scriptures proves the same.

Reading rather establisheth, than derogateth from preaching: for none can be profitable hearers of preaching, that have not been trained up in reading the Scriptures, or hearing them read.
...
Again reading helpeth men's judgments, memories and affections, but especially it serveth for the confirmation of our faith: which may be proved by the example of the men of Berea, Acts 17:13; it serveth to discern the spirits of men, 1 John 4 to make sounder confession of our faith, to stop the mouths of our adversaries, and to answer the temptations of Satan and the wicked.

But because men sin, not only in neglect of hearing and reading, but also in hearing and reading amiss: therefore the properties of reverent and faithful reading and hearing are to be set down, which are these that follow: they be eight in number.

1. Diligence.

2. Wisdom.

3. Preparation.

4. Meditation.

5. Conference.

6. Faith.

7. Practice.

8. Prayer.

The three first go before reading and preaching. The four next come after them. The last must go before, and be with them, and come after them.

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KMK (01-22-2008)