By Scriptures are specially and particularly meant the holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. In the strict sense of the word, Scriptures no doubt mean writings, generally speaking, for all writings are Scriptures; but long use hath long fixed to the term the Holy Scriptures, and them only, including the two books of the Old and New Testament. The Apocrypha is no more implied in the term Scriptures than any other uninspired writings of fallible men. But the blessed Book of God, comprized as it is in the two sacred canons of the Old and New Testament, form the Holy Scriptures, concerning which, as the Lord Jesus saith of the breasts of his spouse, they are like two young roes that are twins. (Song of Solomon 4:5)
And it is most blessed to see what a beautiful harmony there is between them. Doth the Old Testament shadow forth by type and figure the person work, character, and relation of the Lord Jesus Christ? And what is the New Testament record but the sum and substance of the same? Doth the Old Testament relate the prophecies, hold forth the promises, and insist upon the doctrines, which were to be revealed openly, and completed in the person of Jesus? And is not Jesus, in the testimony given of him in the New Testament, the spirit of prophecy, the yea and amen of all the promises, and the pardon and remission of sins, the glorious doctrine in his blood and righteousness fully proclaimed and confirmed to his church and people? In short, the former prefigured, and the latter realized, the immense event of salvation, and all in Christ. Nothing do we find predicted of Jesus in the Old Testament but what the New brought forth the accomplishment of; and nothing that we hear of or meet with concerning the person and glory of Christ in the New Testament, but what the Old had foretold. So that when reading the one fulfilled in the other, we may say; in language similar to what the disciples did after Jesus was glorified"These things they understood not at the first but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things, were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." (John 12:16)
Such then is the meaning of the word Scriptures. And it is the most blessed of all employments to be everlastingly studying those precious oracles of divine truth, which the Lord Jesus so strongly enjoined in relation to the Old Testament, and which all his believing people find more refreshing than their necessary food, both in the Old and New. "Search the Scriptures, (said that dear Lord) for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:38) "Thy words were found, (said one of the prophets) and I did eat them, and they were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." (Jeremiah 15:16) "Oh, how I love thy law (said another) it is my meditation all the day! The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver." (Psalms 119:97; Psalms 119:72)