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The principle of this course of biblical reading is excellently illustrated by the habit of the venerable writer just referred to: Having perhaps heard or read the opinions of different men on any disputed subject, I have, in my daily reading of the Scriptures, constantly kept those opinions in view, that I might at length form my judgment on which side truth lay. In doing this, I have always aimed to keep my mind from the two extremes—on the one hand, of giving up my own opinion, from a kind of false humility, and deference for men, without being previously convinced that I had been mistaken; and, on the other hand, of assuming my opinion to be truth, so as to exclude light, especially if it came from an enemy, or a person not entitled to much deference. So that I have always aimed to be open to conviction; to bring every man’s probable opinion to the touchstone, and to give it a fair trial, if not tried before; but not to receive it, without plainly perceiving its agreement with the Scripture; and at the same time to aim, that my heart might be suitably affected with the conclusions of my understanding—in which I have principally failed.’ Scott’s Life, pp. 329, 330, and some valuable remarks of his son in enforcing this particular feature of his father’s example, pp. 667, 668.
Upon the same principles, Archbishop Usher gave the following wise instructions to young Ministers:
‘1. Read and study the Scriptures carefully, which contains the best learning, and only infallible truth. They can furnish you with the best materials for your sermons; the only rules of faith and practice; the most powerful motives to persuade and convince the conscience; and the strongest arguments to confute all errors, heresies, and schisms.
‘2. Do not hastily take up with other men’s opinions without due testing; nor vent your own conceits; but compare them first with the analogy of faith and rules of holiness recorded in the Scriptures, which are the proper tests of all opinions and doctrines: Life of Usher, by his Chaplain, Dr. Parr, prefixed to his valuable Collection of Letters, p. 87.