Holy Scripture, Part 2 - The Well of Life

"Therefore, forsaking the corrupt judgment of carnal men, which care not but for their carcass, let us reverently hear and read Holy Scripture, which is the food of the soul. Let us diligently search for the well of life, in the books of the New and Old Testaments, and not run to the stinking puddles of men’s traditions, devised by man’s imagination, for our justification and salvation. For in Holy Scripture is fully contained what we ought to do and what to eschew, what to believe, what to love, and what to look for at God’s hands at length. In those books we shall find the Father from whom, the Son by whom, and the Holy Ghost in whom all things have their being and conservation, and these three persons to be but one God and one substance. In these books, we may learn to know our selves, how vile and miserable we are, and also to know God, how good he is of himself and how he communicates his goodness unto us and to all creatures. We may learn also in these books to know God’s will and pleasure, as much as (for this present time) is convenient for us to know. And (as the great scholar and godly preacher Saint John Chrysostom says), whatsoever is required of man for salvation is fully contained in the Scripture of God. He that is ignorant may there learn and have knowledge. He that is hard-hearted and an obstinate sinner shall there find eternal torments (prepared by God’s justice) to make him afraid and to soften him. He that is oppressed with misery in this world shall there find relief in the promises of eternal life, to his great consolation and comfort. He that is wounded (by the Devil) unto death shall find there medicine whereby he may be restored again unto health. If it is required to teach any truth or reprove false doctrine, to rebuke any vice, to commend any virtue, to give good counsel, to comfort, or to exhort, or to do any other thing requisite for our salvation, all those things (says St. Chrysostom) we may learn plentifully from the Scripture. There is (says Fulgentius) abundantly enough, both for men to eat and children to suck. There is whatsoever is convenient for all ages and for all degrees and sorts of men. These books therefore ought to be much in our hands, in our eyes, in our ears, in our mouths, but most of all in our hearts. For the Scripture of God is the heavenly meat of our souls. The hearing and keeping of it makes us blessed, sanctifies us, and makes us holy. It converts our souls; it is a light lantern to our feet; it is a sure, a constant, and a perpetual instrument of salvation; it gives wisdom to the humble and lowly hearts; it comforts, makes glad, cheers and nurtures our consciences; it is a more excellent jewel or treasure than any gold or precious stone; it is more sweet than honey or honeycomb; it is called the best part, which Mary did choose, for it hath in it everlasting comfort. The words of Holy Scripture are called words of everlasting life, for they are God’s instrument, ordained for the same purpose. They have power to convert through God’s promise, and they are effectual through God’s assistance, and (being received in a faithful heart) they have ever a heavenly spiritual working in them. They are lively, quick, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and enter through, even unto the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, of the joints and the marrow. Christ calls him a wise builder that builds upon his word, upon his sure and substantial foundation. By this word of God we shall be judged: for the word that I speak (says Christ) is it that shall judge in the last day. He that keeps the word of Christ is promised the love and favor of God, and that he shall be the mansion place or temple of the blessed Trinity. This word, whosoever is diligent to read, and on his heart to print what he reads, the great affection for the transitory things of this world shall be diminished in him, and the great desire for heavenly things (that are therein promised by God) shall increase in him. And there is nothing that so much establishes our faith and trust in God, that so much conserves innocence and pureness of heart, and also of outward godly life and conversation, as continual reading and meditation on God’s word. For that thing which (by perpetual custom of reading Holy Scripture, and diligent searching of the same) is deeply printed and graven on the heart, at length turns almost into nature. And, moreover, the effect and virtue of God’s word is to illuminate the ignorant and to give more light unto them that faithfully and diligently read it, to comfort their hearts and to encourage them to perform that which by God is commanded. It teaches patience in all adversity; in prosperity, humbleness; what honor is due unto God; what mercy and charity to our neighbor. It gives good counsel in all doubtful things. It shows to whom we shall look for aid and help in all perils, and that God is the only giver of victory in all battles and temptations by our enemies, bodily and ghostly. And in reading of God’s word, he most profits not always that is most ready in turning to the book, or in reciting it without the book, but he that is most turned into it, that is, most inspired with the Holy Ghost, most in his heart and life altered and transformed into that thing which he reads—he that is daily less and less proud, less ireful, less covetous, and less desirous of worldly and vain pleasures; he that daily (forsaking his old vicious life) increases in virtue more and more. And, to be short, there is nothing that more maintains godliness of the mind and expels ungodliness than does the continual reading or hearing of God’s word, if it be joined with a godly mind and a good affection to know and follow God’s will. For without a single eye, pure intent, and good mind, nothing is considered good before God." (from A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading and Knowledge of Holy Scripture by Thomas Cranmer)

Saturday, March 1, Genesis 44
Sunday, March 2 – Genesis 45
Monday, March 3 – Genesis 46
Tuesday, March 4 – Genesis 47
Wednesday, March 5 – Genesis 48
Thursday, March 6 – Genesis 49