May all men make use of the holy scriptures?

Should the scriptures be read?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read, (Isaiah 34:16)

Should we read them to ourselves?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The eunuch returning and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet, (Acts 8:28)

Should we read them to others?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Thou shalt read this law before all Israel, (Deuteronomy 31:11)

And should we cause others to read them?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Cause that this epistle be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, (Colossians 4:16)

Should the scriptures be read attentively?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: What is written in the law, how readest thou, (Luke 10:26)

Should they be read diligently?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Search the scriptures, (John 5:39)

Should we persevere in reading of them?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: He shall read therein all the days of his life, (Deuteronomy 17:19)

Should we do this particularly on the sabbath-day?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For they were read every sabbath-day, (Acts 13:27)

And should we prefer them to all other writings?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For what is the chaff to the wheat, (Jeremiah 23:28)

Was reading the scriptures an ancient custom?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For Moses of old time was read in the synagogues, (Acts 15:21)

Was it the practice of Christ?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: As his custom was, he went up into the synagogue and stood up for to read, (Luke 4:16)

Is the matter contained in the scripture worthy of our attention?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: In them ye think ye have eternal life, (John 5:39)

Does the neglect hereof lead to ignorance and error?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, (Matthew 22:29)

And is a blessing promised to the diligent performance of it?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, (Revelation 1:3)

Should the word of God be heard?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: He that is of God, heareth God’s word, (John 8:47)

Should all God’s word be heard?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: We are here present to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, (Acts 10:33)

Should we hear God’s word with holy reverence?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The Lord looketh to him that trembleth at his word, (Isaiah 66:2)

And with delight?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The common people heard Christ gladly, (Mark 12:37)

And in faith?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Believe his prophets, so shall you prosper, (2 Chronicles 20:20)

And with meekness?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: With meekness receive the ingrafted word, (James 1:21)

And with settled resolutions of obedience?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: We must observe to do, (Deuteronomy 32:46)

Should we desire to hear the word again and again?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: They besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath-day, (Acts 13:42)

Do all thus hear the word?

Answer: No.

Proof: Some put the word of God from them, (Acts 13:46)

Is this an instance of their folly?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Lo! they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them, (Jeremiah 8:9)

And will it be to their prejudice?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed, (Proverbs 13:13)

Should we be careful to understand the scriptures?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Whosoever readeth let him understand, (Matthew 24:15)

Are there some things in scripture difficult to be understood?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: In which are some things hard to be understood, (2 Peter 3:16)

Does this call for diligence?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, (Proverbs 2:4–5)

And for prayer?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things, out of thy law, (Psalm 119:18)

Have all an understanding of the scriptures?

Answer: No.

Proof: Some are without understanding, (Romans 1:31)

Is this owing in some to wilful negligence?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: They know not, neither will they understand, (Psalm 82:5)

And in others to judicial blindness?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand, (Isaiah 6:10)

Is the scripture like to be wrested by those that do not understand it?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, (2 Peter 3:16)

And is the case of such deplorable?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, (2 Corinthians 4:3)

Are we not only permitted but commanded and exhorted to make use of the holy scriptures?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Let him that hath an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, (Revelation 2:29)

Is this the duty of all?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Give ear O heavens and I will speak, and hear O earth the words of my mouth, (Deuteronomy 32:1)

Is it the duty of ministers as well as people?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Give attendance unto reading, (1 Timothy 4:13)

And of young as well as old?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, (2 Timothy 3:15)