[The Jews, putting a literal construction on the passage before us, wrote portions of God's word on scraps of parch- ment, and wore them as bracelets on their wrists, and as frontlets on their heads. But we shall more truly answer the end of this commandment by consulting the Scriptures on all occasions as our sure and only guide, and making them (N.B.) the one rule of our faith and practice. There are many general precepts and promises which we should have conti- nually in view, as much as if they were fixed on our doors and gates ; which also, as if fastened on our foreheads and our hands, should both direct our way, and regulate our actions.]
4. We should instruct the rising generation in the knowledge of it —
[All are solicitous to teach their children some business, whereby they may provide a maintenance for their bodies: and should we not endeavour to instruct them in the things relating to their souls ? Abraham was particularly commended for his care with respect to this k : and the injunction in the text, confirmed by many other passages1, requires that we should "diligently" perform this duty. Nor should we imagine that the mere teaching of children to repeat a cate- chism will suffice : we should open to them all the wonders of redemption, and endeavour to cast their minds, as it were, into the very mould of the Gospel.]
In the close of the text we are directed to bear in mind, II. Our encouragement to fulfil this duty —
This unfeigned love to the Scriptures will be pro- ductive of the greatest good :
1. It will tend greatly to our present happiness —
[A peaceful enjoyment of the promised land, and of all the good things of this life, was held forth to the Jews as the reward of their obedience : but we are taught rather to look forward to the possession of a better country, that is, an heavenly. Nevertheless, " godliness has at this time also the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come™1:" and therefore we may properly consider the present benefits arising from a due attention to the Scriptures. Sup- pose then that the blessed word of God were regarded by us as it ought to be, that it engaged our affections, entered into our conversation, regulated our conduct, and were instilled into the minds of the rising generation, would not much light, obscene,
* Gen. xviii. 19. l Exod. xiii. 8, 14 — 16. Ps. lxxviii. 5 — 8.
m 1 Tim. iv. 8.