Berean Crossroads

Below is a poem that was found “in the front matter of a 1599 Geneva Bible…entitled “Of the Incomparable Treasure of the Holy Scriptures.””

Here is the spring where waters flow, to quench our heat of sin.
Here is the tree where truth doth grow, to lead our lives therein.
Here is the judge that stints the strife, when men's devices fail.
Here is the bread that feeds the life, that death cannot assail.
The tidings of salvation dear, comes to our ears from hence.
The fortress of our faith is here, and shield of our defense.
Then be not like the hog that hath a pearl at his desire,
And takes more pleasure in the trough and wallowing in the mire.
Read not this book in any case, but with a single eye.
Read not but first desire God's grace, to understand thereby.
Pray still in faith with this respect, to fructify therein,
That knowledge may bring this effect, to mortify thy sin.
Then happy thou in all thy life, what so to thee befalls,
Yea, double happy shalt thou be, when God by death thee calls.

Text comes from page 367-368 in Reformed Systematic Theology Vol 1 Revelation and God by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley.