THE PREFACE. TH 'HE chief defign of compiling this work, was to affift thofe who are religiously difpofed, although unlearned, to read the Holy Scriptures with understanding, pleafure, and profit. For which purpose, the Author hath endeavoured, by a plain familiar method and ftyle, to be the Reader's Guide, in his fearching of the Scriptures, (seeing, as it hath been long ago* obferved, "There is depth enough therein to exercife "the wife; and plainnefs enough to instruct "the weak; it being like unto a river, having its fhallows and depths, where the lamb ' may wade, as well as the elephant fwim,") particularly, by giving an account of fome matters which feemed neceffary to be confidered. In the first place, fuch as the four Ancient Monarchies, and the fcene of thofe tranfactions mentioned in the Old and New Testament, * Greg. Mag. Epift. ad Leandr. c. iv. apud Forbesii inftruct. Hioric. Theol. 1. iii. c. 30. fect. 4. : ment, viz. the Land of Canaan, and the City of Jerufalem; and alfo by an enquiry into the nature of Revelation and Inspiration in general; the grounds on which we believe the Holy Bible to be the word of God; the reafons why the Scriptures ought to be read by the common people, and the manner how they should read them. Secondly, Follows an account of the titles and divifions of the Bible; with fome general rules for the understanding thereof; together with a concife view of the history of the Jews, and the state of the church, from the beginning, to the final destruction of Jerufalem. And for the Reader's better understanding of every part of the Bible, there are prefixed fome general remarks on the Pentateuch, and the Prophets, in the Old Teftament; as alfo on the Gofpels, the Acts, and the Epiftles, in the New; and throughout, the Reader is fhewn the defign and chief scope of each Book. Further, because our Saviour hath pronounced him to be the happy perfon, not only who may know thefe things, but who fhall do them, fuch practical obfervations are annexed, as tend to promote Religion and prevent miftakes. There is alfo an addition of the chief periods of the Jewish History, after the return return from the Babylonian Captivity (where the Old Testament ends) to the time of Chrift, and thence to the deftruction of Jerulafem by. the Romans; together with a brief account of that dreadful Judgment, and of the ftate of the City afterwards. As to the Chronology of the Old Teftament, Archbishop Ufher's Annals have been followed: And for the New Teftament, Mr. Achdeacon Echard's Tables in his Ecclefiaftical History. From whence there is a Chronological Table drawn up, in fuch a method, as will fully anfwer the design propofed of inftructing the unlearned, for whofe further help, the distance of time is fet down between every obfervable occurrence, from the beginning to the destruction of Jerus falem. The remarks interfperfed were made by the Author in reading over the Primitive Writers of the church, and of ancient and latter Commentators, and a few of the Jewifh Rabbies, (particularly the moft judicious of them, Maimonides, according to Buxtorf's Tranflation, with others, as they are cited by Hottinger and Dr. Lightfoot,) as alfo the works of modern Divines who have defended Revealed Religion. Our literary Notes contain no other Quotations than what are abfolutely neceffary, VOL. I. b either ly, any either to confirm, or more fully to illuftrate what they refer to, in cafe thefe papers fhould chance to fall into the hands of fome perfon, more converfant in books than thofe are for whom they are chiefly defigned; particularof the younger Students in Divinity, who may greatly improve by the remarks of others, and who are defired to excufe a few Repetitions, which may be of ufe to common Readers, and the Explanations of fome ufeful Terms, which could not well be omitted, and without which they would not be intelligible to the vulgar. ; The Subject, indeed, is the most noble and worthy the purfuit of the utmost skill and diligence. And the Author humbly hopes he fhall not any where be found guilty of mifguiding the Reader, by a wrong interpretation of Gods holy word. What he comforts himself with, is, that as his office engages him frequently to conclude our holy Liturgy in public, with granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlafting; fo he can hope for the benefit of the fame petition, as ufed on this occafion in private; and that a fincere defire, as well as honeft endeavour of affifting his brethren to fearch the Scriptures with delight and profit, may in fome meafure excufe the defects either of learning or judgment, both with God and man. Whatever Whatever difficulties we may meet with, moft certainly, great are our encouragements to a conftant diligent perufal of the Holy Bible, above all other books whatsoever: Thereby we converfe with God himself, and his fon Jefus Chrift; with the ancient Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apoftles: We improve in the most excellent divine knowledge, fuch as will forward our admiffion into Heaven, and accompany us* thither: That true wifdom which is from above, and will make us wife unto Salvation, procure for us riches which fade not away, with that glory, honour, and pleasure, which earthly pomps, poffeflions, and enjoyments, (all the moft ample rewards of other ftudies,) are not fo much as faint refemblances or fhadows of, and which fhall never be diminished nor taken from us. Where any part of Holy Scripture is explained in general, or according to fuch Doctrine or Practice, of which fome Readers may not have the fame opinion with the Author; he hopes it will appear, that if there be not enough faid to convince, there is nothing that can justly offend any unprejudiced fearcher after Truth. What relates to the Jewish History, after their return from the Babylonian Captivity, is extracted from the Maccabees, and Jofephus; of which it may not be b 2 improper * Difcamus in terris, quarum nobis fcientia perfeveret in cœlo. Hieronym Epift. ad Paulinum. |