The first and main point is to regard Scripture as a whole, with one great purpose of God pervading it; so that, whenever one reads, one should feel that this part is contributing to the grand object. If the object of Scripture as a whole be misunderstood, then all the subsequent learning must be defective and powerless to a great degree, because I am not consciously instructed in keeping with its own mind and aim.
Here so many pious souls lose or miss the energy of the Word. It does, through God’s grace in it, help their piety, but there is little power to walk according to God’s mind, because God’s mind in His Word is not known. They are like flowers kept alive in water, or like animals in youth excluded from light—they have never developed as they ought. Early, sound instruction is therefore of great importance. Much of the time of Christians brought up in the theological schools, is spent in unlearning the defective and false definitions that they adopted from man’s commentaries on God’s Word.
The first thing, then, is to ascertain the one great subject of Scripture, to the expression and development of which the whole, without interruption, conspires. The next, that in reading it you be convinced of its plenary inspiration, and because of this, that you note every word and ascertain its meaning, which is best done by writing down the word, and seeing then the use you make of it. It is the habit of this that is so useful. Next, reading distinct books at a time, and seeking for the leading idea or aim of the book, which is easy enough, though perhaps not so easily sustained through all parts of the book; to be able to connect all the parts like a dissected map is very helpful.
Another mode of acquiring a knowledge of Scripture is taking a subject and seeing how it is exemplified in different parts by different aspects and different characters. This gives great power in the practical application of Scripture.
Lastly, I believe the soul acquires a color and a tone from reading Scripture ad libitum. If you are in trouble, or sorrow, or conflict, it is wonderful the effect that reading
Scripture will have on you; you are carried into its mind and current almost unknown to yourself. It is change of air and scene-the best restorative power to the moral invalid; and, I need not add, the better you understand the first point—i.e., the grand aim of Scripture—the more strength you imbibe from reading it, even in a desultory way.