2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. y/// Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- tion, for instruction in right eous7iess : that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
LITTLE do men in general think how much they are indebted to God for the possession of the Holy Scriptures. This was the exclusive privilege of the Jewish nation for fifteen hundred years : and it ele- vated them above all other people upon the face of the earth. Their chief advantage, as St. Paul tells us, was, that " unto them were committed the Ora- cles of God." Li the knowledge of these Timothy was early instructed ; and " by these he was made wise unto salvation." Doubtless the way of salva- tion was not so clearly marked in them, as in the Christian Scriptures : but still, to any one who reads the writings of Moses and the Prophets with humility and prayer, there was every needful instruction both in relation to faith and practice. The whole Mosaic dispensation taught him this great lesson, that he must be saved by a vicarious sacrifice ; and all the prophets directed his views to that great sacrifice, which should, in due time, be offered by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is of these Scriptures that St. Paul speaks in my text ; and in the commendation which he bestows upon them, we see,
I. Their true origin —
The Scriptures of the Old Testament were " given by inspiration of God" —
[Of this there is abundant evidence, in the very nature of the things which they contain. What could Moses have known about the creation of the world, of the fall of man, and of the facts relating to the deluge, if they had not been revealed to him by God ? What could he have known of the nature and perfections of God ; or of the means by which fallen man was to be restored to his favour; or of the Prophet who should in due time be raised up from amongst his brethren, to be, like him. a Mediator, a Lawgiver, a Redeemer, a Governor? Hov/