July 10, 2004

The 'Illuminated' Bible! by Spurgeon

Do any of you have an 'illuminated' Bible at home?
"No," says one, "I have a morocco Bible; I have a Polyglot Bible; I have a marginal reference Bible."Ah! that is all very well, but have you an illuminated Bible? "Yes, I have a large family Bible with pictures in it. "There is a picture of John the Baptist baptizing Christ by pouring water on his head, and many other nonsensical things; but that is not what I mean: have you an illuminated Bible? "Yes, I have a Bible with splendid engravings in it. "Yes; I know you may have; but have you an illuminated Bible? "I don't understand what you mean by an illuminated Bible. "Well, it is the Christian man who has an illuminated Bible.He does not buy it illuminated originally, but when he reads it" A glory gilds the sacred page, Majestic like the sun Which gives a light to every page,-It gives, but burrows none. "There is nothing like reading an illuminated Bible, beloved. You may read the Bible to all eternity, and never learn anything by it, unless it is illuminated by the Spirit;and then the words shine forth like stars! The book seems made of gold leaf; every singleletter glitters like a diamond. Oh, it is a blessed thing to read an illuminated Biblel it up by the radiance of the Holy Spirit!