From the address of the Translators of the Bible (1611) to their readers.
(Copied from an old Bible)
The Bible, in the hands of the Holy Spirit of God, is not only an armor, but also a whole armory of weapons, whereby we may save ourselves and put the enemy to flight. It is not an herb but a tree, or rather a whole paradise of trees of life, which bring forth fruit every month, and the fruit thereof is for meat and the leaves for medicine.
It is not a pot of manna, or a cruse of oil which were for memory only, or for a meals’ meat or two, but as it were a (copious) shower of heavenly food sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great, and as it were a whole cellar full of oil vessels, whereby all our necessities may be provided for, and our debts discharged.
In a word it is a (pantry) of wholesome food against (stale) traditions; a physician’s shop (as Basil calls it) of preservatives against poisoned heresies; a treasury; a code of profitable laws against rebellious spirits; a treasury of most costly jewels against beggarly rudiments.
Finally, it is a fountain of most pure water springing up into everlasting life, and what marvel, the original thereof being from heaven not from earth; the Author being God not man; the Inditer the Holy Spirit, not the wit of the apostles nor prophets; the penmen such as were sanctified from their birth, and endued with a principal portion of God’s Spirit. The matter—verity, purity, uprightness; the form—God’s Word, God’s testimony, God’s oracles, the word of truth and the word of salvation.
The effects—light of understanding, stableness of persuasion, repentance from dead works, newness of life, holiness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost.
Lastly, the end and reward of the study thereof, fellowship with the saints, participation of the heavenly fruition of an inheritance, immortal, undefiled and that never shall fade away. Happy is the man that delighteth in the Scriptures and thrice happy he that meditateth in them day and night.
“From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: