Ah-Ah Crete oe st-e-ter toteres to on. Teeny cues, DUKE UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL LIBRARY THE PREACHER’S MANUAL, Ney tig CLAVIS BIBLICA, OR, . A COMPENDIUM OF SCRIPTURAL KNOWLEDGE: q BY ADAM CLARKE, LL. D. F. A. 5. . AND HIS LETTER TO A METHODIST PREACHER, x ON HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE WORK OF THE . MINISTRY. AND ALSO, . COKE’S FOUR DISCOURSES ' OW THE S$ OF A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint tetor we preach not ourselyes, but Christ Jesus the Lord ; and ourselves your seryants for Jesus’ sake.” gf 2 Cor. iy. 1. % . - NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY N. BANGS AND T. MASON, FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. William A. Mercein, Printer. CLAVIS BIBLICA: OR, A Compendium of Scriptural Knowledge : CONTAINING A GENERAL VIEW OF THE CONTENTS OF _ THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS; The Principles of Christianity derived from them, and the Reasons on which they are founded: with Directions i how to read most profitably THE HOLY BIBLE. ORIGINALLY DRAWN UP FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF 0 HIGH PRIESTS OF BUDHOO, i i vom the Island of Ceylon. i BY ADAM CLARKE, LL. D. F.A.S. Thus saith | the Lord; Stand ye in the wo and see, and ask for the old pat here is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest { your Baa Ser: vi. 16, —-—_— NEW-YORK : Published by N. Bangs and T. Mason, for the ‘Methodist Episcopal Church. ooo ed 193? 5 acer e770 LOL ae Upininierr, 25 0 C37 “. Se pee EE Allie Tract wascricinally down _ ‘Up, as the title expresses, for the instruction ; pf two high-priests of Budhoo; of whoma when The Hon. Sir Alexander John- ief judge of Ceylon, was obliged tore-. a two priests in question, Sree Goo- hi Rat’hana, and his cousin Dherma priests of the temple of Dood- r Galle. in the island of Ceylon, applied im, with earuest entreaties, to permit them to accompany him to England, sy might study Christianity in the | ad rhere the people lived according toits a precepts. This strange proposition, com- om two high-priests of considerable 7 Ries 28 who by such a step must ent themselves off from all the emoluments of their temple forever, and from all their SLSBLL: , vi Advertisement. acquaintance ‘and kindred, did not a little surprise him. He saw plainly that they must be sincere; and their readiness to abandon all secular good, without the small- est prospect of gaining any thing in return but spiritual advantages, was the proof.— They had for a considerable time suspected the sufficiency, and even truth, of their owm religious system; and having met with New Testament, printed in Cingalese the Wesleyan Missionaries, at Colémb they carefully read it; and were gre struck with the benevolent wisdom of Christ, and the « city and purity of His relig only saw Divine things th ly, they did not like to @ and suspicions on the sys em of Bud till they had examined the subjec minutely, and consulted the teachers Christianity on the various doctrines) ty poses. sas ; After much hesitation, Sir Alexand a1 consented to take them under his care.— And on their arrival in England, they were kindly received by the Wesleyan Mission- ” te ee tism. Advertisement. Vii ary Society, who, in conjunction with Sir Alexander, desired me to undertake their instruction. I did so; and in doing it en- countered many difficulties, which, because the good hand of my God was upon me, I surmounted ; and after twenty months’ in- struction under my own roof, I was fully convinced that they were sincere converts to the Christian Religion, and that their minds were under a very gracious influ- ences at their own earnest desire, I admit- ted them into the Church of Christ by bap- Expecting that they might soon return to India, and being well aware that there were several points of Christian knowledge on which their information must necessari- ly be imperfect, I thought it best to em- body and systematize those instructions whe Thad frequently given them, that they ht be able at all times to have recourse a them, and be the better qualified to speak with their enemies in the gate, of whom they expected no inconsiderable numbers both in rank and learning. Ihave done what I intended, and made a copy for Vill Advertisement. -each to take with him on his journey ; not having even the slightest thoughts of com- mitting it to the press: but their own en- treaties, as well as those of several judi- cious friends, who thought it might be use- ful as a tract for the Foreign Missions, and a profitable manual to many at home, have induced me, my own judgment on the whole concurring, to give it, by means of press, a wider circulation. ‘ea That I see nothing in the Holy § rel with no man on accou liarities of his religious my own to be the trath as I have long been, a h to all mankind, a serve and a friend to the public. ADAM CLAR London, i" May 9th, 1820. A : LETTER TO ADAM SREE GOONA MUNHI RAT’HANA, “a VADHEYGAY, &, AND | ALEXANDER DHERMA RAMA, APOTANTREYGAY, erly Teerunanzies, or High-priests of Budhoo, Gis? in the Island of Ceylon. i | eS hi Millorook, Feb. Vth, 1820. My Dear Frienps, _, Havine heard in your own country, though indistinctly, of that Supreme Gop, who ig the sole Object of the Christians’ worship ; and of that Christ, through and by whom, He ‘dispenses salvation to the human race; you took a long and painful journey from your na- tive island to visit that favoured nation, where this God is more especially known and adored, that you might learn among His genuine fol- lowers to know his nature, and the nature of that worship which Himself has prescribed. 1 1@ ' Letter. In the course of His unsearchable, but gre+ cious providence, you were placed under my care; and it has been my earnest and anxious study to lead you to this God, through the Son of His love, who died for the offences of a sin- ful world, and rose again for the justification of men; and has commanded repentance and remission of sins to be preached in His name among all nations. And it is with great satis- faction and gratitude to God, that I hope | can say, neither your application nor my endea- vours have been in vain. You have learned to know that God who | -the Father of the spirits of all flesh; and ¥ is not willing that any should perish, but th all should come to the knowledge of the tr and be saved. You have songht throngh the Lord Jesus Chris! often afforded you the drawings of © These He has granted you, only as2 of what he will communicate if you to know the Lord; that is, if yo Scriptures diligently, and pray | placing your whole confidence for sa the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. r He will give you to know and to feel, that you are not only turned from idols to the livi God ; from vain hope and superstitious fea to that hope which maketh not ashamed ; ane that fear which is the beginning of wisdom: _ but he will also give you to know and feel that you are adopted into the Keay of heaven, and Letter. i1 become the sons of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. After long and carefully studying our holy religion, and finding that our blessed Lord commands His disciples to baptize all converts to Christianity with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, _ you have applied to me for that baptism; and af- k ter having been well instructed in its nature,im- ‘portance, and design, you received it in a most solemn manner, in the public congregation, where prayers from more than a thousand hearts were offered up to God for your sent and eternal happiness; and you there. felt, that in answer to those prayers, and your fervent supplications, God did pour out His gracious Spirit upon you, so that you found such peace f conscience, such joy in God, as your tengues were incapable of expressing. Thus, then, ‘by this public profession you have put on Christ = you have assumed the Christian name ; you have promised to be His faithful, loving, obedient servants to the end of your days : in a word, “ to renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful desires of the flesh ; and to keep God’s holy will and com- mandments, and walk in the same all the days of your life.” Thus you have taken the true God to be your Gon; and He has taken you to be His children. You have promised to be obe- dient to Him; and He has engaged to furnish you with that grace and strength, without which 12 Letter. no good act ever was, or ever can be done. For this heavenly help you must continue to pray, humbly offering all your desires, pray- ers, and obedience, unto God through Jesus Christ your Saviour; who alone can make them acceptable in His sight who is the Foun- tain of infinite purity and justice. You have also promised to take up the cross of Christ ; *« not to be ashamed of Christ crucified, but bold- ly confess Him, and fight manfally under His ~ banner against the world, the flesh, and the vil.” Be steady; God’s grace will eve - siificient for you ; and, after having guid by his counsel through ‘life, He will, if yo tinue steadfast in the faith, at last receiy to His eternal glory, by Christ J As your stay with me has be acquire both the English la neral knowledge of the Sac the doctrines they contain, sibly soon return to your drawn up the following she sive, view of the Holy Scriptures of t New Testaments, and the principles of 1 derived from them; to which I have ad few directions, by attending to which yo never read this Divine word without gain increase of heavenly knowledge, and ani crease of religious experience. I wish you to have always at hand those principles which have often been the subject of my teaching, and of your learning; that understanding them, and the reasons on which they are founded, Letter. 83 yeu need not be afraid of your most cunning adversaries ; but be always able to give them that ask you, a reason of the hope that is in you ; and which | trust you will ever feel it ' your duty and interest to recommend to the notice and consciences of your Heathen coun- trymen, who are still lying in that darkness, out of which, by the mercy of the true God, you have nowrisen. I know that it is your pre- _ sent purpose to announce to the Heathen in eur own country, and in continental India, Gospel of the grace of God. In reference is, should God call you to sucha work, I to give you a few particular directions. 1. If you go forward in the spirit of the eriginal apostles and followers of Jesus Christ, trusting not in man, but in the living God, He will ena e you to pull down the strong holds of sin and Satan, and that work by which He is ‘prosper in your hands. 2. Remember, that as the souls of sinners are saved by the mere mercy and power of God; by the same principles is the world to be con- verted. Human might, authority, or influence, can do little here: “it is not by might, nor by~ er, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of _ Hosts,” that this great work is to be perform- ed. Zech. iv. 6. 3. The primitive disciples of Jesus Christ, when they went to the Heathen, as you are now going, had nothing to recommend them but the simplicity and holiness of their lives, and the excellency of the Deetrine which they to wi 14 Letter. preached: and they had no support but that which they received from their Lord. But this was sufficient to pull down the strong holds of sin and the devil. The weapons of their warfare were not carnal, such as world- ly men use ; but they were spiritual, such as Gop furnishes: and they were, therefore, mighty through God. They’ had Christ in their hearts, they had a powerful love for the perishing souls of men ; and they went forth in His strength, proclaiming to the Gentiles the un- _ Searchable riches of Christ. 4. The same work is still to be done; 2 the same grace and simplicity of heart. equally requisite now, as formerly. suppose that human strength, and hu ing howsoever useful, will accomp what it required the arm of th perform in those primitive time of sinners are as dark and formerly ; and nothing but the: illuminate them, and nothing but Gop can make them soft. TT: in Him, both in behalf of your in behalf of those to whom you may m and point them, and ever go yourselves, to that “< Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.”? Johni. 29. 5. There is one thing more, of which it may .* be requisite to apprize you. As preachers of the gospel of Jesus, do not expect worldly honours: these Jesus Christ neither took to Himself, nor gave to His disciples. If you be. Letter. 15 faithful, you will have that honour that comes from God: His Spirit will say in your hearts, ** Well done, good and faithful servants.” In- stead of receiving the honour that comes from men, you may possibly be despised, defamed, and persecuted. For the “ laws of Christ condemn a vicious world, and gall it to re- venge ; and as the religion of Christ gives noe quarter to vice, so the vicious will give no uarter to that religion. Do not wonder, efore, if you should be mocked, insulted, ed: ‘if they have persecuted me,” said , ‘* they will also persecute you.” This imitive disciples found: but they tell us that, from being discouraged on this ac- count, “ they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His namesake.” Acts y. 41.' His true ministers have ever found the same spirit in the unconverted. You have read of the persecutions of the primitive Christians ; and you have also read of the many holy men, bishops, ministers, and others, who haye lost their lives in this country, when ess power, false religion, blind zeal, and itish bigotry prevailed: but these blessed _ Martyrs all died in triumph—they glorified God inthe fires ; and, when consuming at the stake in the raging flames, they possessed the high- est consolation of God, and rejoiced that ever they were born! Should you be ever called to bear the same testimony, you will doubtless find the same grace and support. ; 16 Letter. I mention these things, because their oce currence is possible—yet itis not very likely that you will he called to suffer personal abuse. Wherever you go, whether in India or Ceylon, you will be under the protection of the mild, excellent, and powerful laws of the British King! These laws you know are vastly supe- rior to all those of which you have heard or read Of this king, (under whose government you have received the light of life; and in — whose paternal kingdom you have found,thougk strangers and foreigners, a place of refug and among whose subjects you have found s many friends and brothers;) you canno speak well. 1 know you love him, ¢ administration ; and | know that yor clare to your countrymen what | enjoy, who live among the C of a Christian king. And not add that you will ever ment, and gratitude to that | (the Wesleyan Methodists,) took you by the hand, on yo ) this country, and placed you under m with the wish that you should have everyt necessary for your bodies and your souls. Hoy this wish has been accomplished, while under my roof, yourselves know best. If I have been faithful, my work is with the Lord: and f for my cares and anxieties, I ask only an inte- rest in your prayers. To what | have said in the foregoing pages, I need scarcely add any thing further.—The - Letier. li Holy Scriptures tell you, that your adversary the devil goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; | Peter v. 8. therefore watch, pray, believe, love, and obey. Warcnr against his temptations; watch against your own spirits. Pray much in private. Pray for God’s grace to make you humble and teachable. Pray for His Spirit to help your weakness. Pray for ivine light, and pray for holiness of heart. ve on the Lord Jesus, as having died Believe on Him as your intercessor hrone of God. ‘Him who first loved you, and called a darkness into His marvellous light. Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and « robes, affectionately in all things: obey Him as your Master, your King, and your God ; and continue in His truth until death. Paaeéiaen im doing His will ; i. e. whatso- ever He ¢ ~ Persevere in suffering bearing whatsoever af- ial He may permit to come upon now commend you to God, and to the f His grace, which is able to build you _ up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.” I am, my dear friends, , Your affectionate Teacher and Servant in Christ Jesus, ADAM CLARKE. i9 - GENERAL ACCOUNT SACRED WRITINGS. —— Search the ScrrPTURES, for in themye think élernal life; and they are they which testify of JOHN v. 39. : All ScripTuRE is given by INSPIRATION and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, fi an righteousness; that the man of God thoroughly furnished unto all good wor 17. et > } delivered by _by Moses and Jewish church THAT Collection of Wri Divine Authority to the Ji the Prophets, and which has always received as a cludes thirty-nine Books, the nam are the following: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges I. Samuel, 1. Samuel, I. Kings, 11. Kings, 0. ‘ Chronicles, 11. Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Eze- kiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jo- nah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, _ Haggai, Zechariah, and Malach. General Account, &c. 15 These books collectively have had a variety of appellations each of which serves te point out some excellence. of those writings, as con- tradistinguished from all others. The Jews have divided them into three classes, which they have termed, 1. mr To- pap. 2. oom Nesrm. 3. coro He-xz- _ FHUBIM: or, a5 we sometimes express it, The Law, The Paroruets, and The Haciocnarua. Ve Sak, eteied me the Eeateicach, or five ne + -stlterdt Joshua, and Judges, the ks of Samuel, and the two Books ae J the intervention of man ; aed pees pre- dictions and exzpestulations, as they were moved es, they acknowledzed as divinely aediaeie have been given on : ordinary occasions as these on which Lz Sear the different oracles delivered tot prophets, had been communicated. 1. The whole of these books collectively, they sometimes termed wpe> Ha-Mizazs, The Reapisc ; emphatically signifying, that these records were alone worthy to be read andsta- _ died, because of their importance, entiganty. - 20 General Account of and Divine inspiration. It was from this epi- thet of the Sacred Writings of the Jews, that Mchammed borrowed the word gy} Jt Al-Ko- RAN, which he prefixed to his pretended re- velations ; and which has the same meaning with the Hebrew s-ppn Ha-Mrxra, both signify- ing ‘The Reapinc. 2. In order to distinguish these Sacred Books from all others, they were termed by the Jews in those places where the Greek language pre- vailed, Ac pagar, 47-Grapuat, The Script or Wrrrinss, as being alone worthy of high importance. 2. Because they ed the most ancient writings i . the Decalogue, or Ten Comn of the book of Exodus, bein regular production in Alpha ever seen by man; and the books of Moses, being unque est record in existence. _ 3. Testament, m3 Beri OVENANT, Avaéyxn, Was another term ery early St. Paul calls the sacred books befe time of Christ H TWoraum Avadyxn, hé P. Diatheké, THe Orv Covenant, 2 Cor. ini. 14. which is a very proper and descriptive title of the grand subject of those books. ‘This apos- tle evidently considers the Orv and New Testa- ments as two Covenants, Gal. iv. 24. and,in com~ The Sacred Writings. 2I paring these two together, he calls one Moray AvoSgxyv, the Oxp Covenant ; the other xawny, the New: one apwcnv, the first; the other veow, that which is recent. In opposition to the Oxp Covenant, which was to terminate in the New, he calls this xpevrrova, better, more excel- lent, Heb. vii. 22. vill. 6. and aaroy, everlast- ang, Heb. xiii. 20. because it is never to be _ changed, or terminate in any other; and is to dure endlessly itself. e word Covenant, we borrow from the Latin convenio, from con, together, and vento, I canta signifying a contract or ugreement made between two parties ; to fulfil the condi- tions of which they are mutually bound. The Oxp Covenant, in its essential parts, was very simple; 1 wit Be your Gop, Ys sHALL BE MY Preorre ;—the spirit of which was never chan- ged. The people were to take Jehovah as the sole Object oftheir religious worship; put their whole trust and confidence in Him; and serve Him in,His own way, according to the prescribed forms which He should lay be- fore them. This was their part. On His side, God was to accept them as Mis people; give _ them His Spirit to gwide them; His mercy to pardon them; His providence to support them ; and His grace to preserve them unto eternal life. But all this was connected with the strict observance of a great variety of rites and ceremonies, at once expressive of the holi- ness of God, the purity of Divine justice, and the exceeding sinfulness and utter helpless 2 22 General Account of state of man. A great part of the four latter books of Moses is employed in prescribing and illustrating these rites and ceremonies ; and what is called the New Covenant is the com- plement, or fulfilment and perfection of the whole. 4. When the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles were added, to distinguish them from the others, they were termed H Kawy Avabnxn, Hé Kainé Diatheké, The New Covenant, TesTaMEnT, signifying the New agreem made between God and att mankind, the Gen- tiles as well as the Jews, the first or OLp Cove- nant being made principally in favour of the latter ; which New Covenant was? ti the incarnation, sufferings, death, ane tion of Jesus Christ, as the succe edit tion of princreLes point out. The books containing his or Testament are twenty-seven in number; and have been divided into four classes :—I. The Gosrers. Il. The Acts ofithe A Ill. The Eristtes. IV. The Arocary: Revelations. Ma The Gospels of St. Matthew, of Mark, of Luke and of John; The Acts of the Apostles, probably written by St. Luke. The Epistles of St. — Pau. :—To the Romans—First and Second te the Corinthians—To the Galatians—To the Ephesians—To the Philippians—To the Colos- sians—First and Second to the Thessalontans— First and Second to Timothy—To Titus—To Phe Sacred Writings. 23 Philemon—And to the Hebrews —The Epistle ef St. Jawes.—The first and Second Epistles ef St. Perer.—The First, Second, and Thirdof St. Jouw.—The Epistle of St. Jupe.—And the Book of the Apocalypse, or Revelation ; proba- bly written by St. Joun, the author of the Gos- pel and the three Epistles mentioned above. —_— ; AVING given a general view of the Bible, as a ection of Sacred Writings, it may be neces- sary for the benefit of the young and unexpe- . Fienced to give a more particular account of the confents or subject of each book, included in this collection. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD COVENANT. 1. THE PENTATEUCH, OR FIVE BOOKS OF ‘ MOSES. a rf GENEsIs. ‘his book has its name from the Greek word ow, used by that ancient Greek version of _ the Scriptures commonly called the Septuagint, which signifies generation, or origination ; be- cause this book gives an account of the origin, or beginning, of all things. It begins at the creation of the heavens and the earth ; gives an account of the creation and fall of man; the history of the first inhabitants of the world; 24, General Account of the origin of nations ; the call of Abraham; and the history of the Hebrew Patriarchs ; and ends at the death of Joseph ; comprehend- ing the space of about 2400, or at the lowest computation of 2369 years. Exopus. The name of this book is also borrowed from the Greek Ego3oc, Exodus, which signifies the go- _ ing out or departure; because the departure 0} the people of Israel from Egypt, to goto or the land of Judea, promised by God to th fathers, is the most remarkable fact contz in the bene It gives an account of the bi of Moses, the Jewish lawgiver ; and ¢e history of the transactions of 14 , begin- ning at the death of Joseph, B. €. 1635, where the book of Genesis ends, and coming down to’ the erection of the tabernacle inthe wilderness of Arabia, at the foot of Mount Sinai, B. C. 1490. at %. Leviticus. _ This book has the name of Leviticus, | cause it treats principally of the Levites, descendants of Levi, the son of the patriar ¢ Jacob, who were all devoted to the service o God in the tabernacle and temple. It also gives an account of the priests, the sons and descendants of Aaron, the int of Moses ; The Sacred Writings. 25 and of all the ceremonies to be observed in the different sacrifices and religious feasts prescri- bed by God. It seems to contain little more than the history of what passed during the eight days employed in consecrating Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. The above occurrences are supposed to have takenplace in the year of the world 2514, 7. e. 1490 years before Christ. Tap Noumeers. on This book has been called Numbers from its containing an account of the numbering and marshalling the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness, or desert of Arabia, to the Promised Land. It comprehends the ‘history of between thirty-eight and thirty-nine years; i.e. from 1490 B.C. to 1451 B.C. and gives a distinct account of the several sta- ges of the Israelites’ journey ; the various oc- currences in the way ; their trials, rebellions, punishments, deliverances, conquests, &c. with the several laws and ordinances, not mentioned in the preceding books ; together with a repe- tition and explanation of several others which had been previously mentioned. The whole _ forming a most interesting history of the jus- _ tice, mercy, and providence of God. DEUTERONOMY. This book has its name from the Greek Aeutspovonvor, Deuteronomion, which signifies the second law, because it contains a repetition of 26 General Account of the preceding laws. It includes an account of what passed in the wilderness from the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, to the seventh day of the twelfth month of the same; making in the whole the history of the trans- actions of exactly five weeks. Besides a repeti- tion of the previous laws, this book gives us the finest illustrations of each, so thatitmay well be called a spiritual comment on the laws ~ of Moses ; and also an account of the de: of this most eminent man, and all his last i ses with the people. It is continued seven days after his death. For deliver his first discourse to the peor plains of Moab the jirst day of the month of the fortieth year, chap, 1. 3. and died on the first day of the twelfth month of the same year, aged one hundred and twenty years. I. THE HISTORICAL BOOKS. Josnva. aun This Book was probably written by son whose name it bears; and is prop continuation of the Book of Deuteronomy. It begins where that ends, immediately after the death of Moses ; for by this great man Joshua was appointed general and leader of the Israel- itish people ; and under his direction it was, that they entered the land of Canaan. It con- tains an account of all Josinats battles ; his The Sacred Writings. a conquest of the land; division of it by lot to the twelve tribes according to their different families ; exhortations to the people ; remark- able providences of God: and concludes with Joshua’s death, at the age of 110 years, 1443 years before the Christian era. It seems to include the period of about eight years. JupcEs. Markt, ~ ~ This Book contains a history of a high class of Israelitish magistrates, called by the name of judges, raised up at particular times by the especial providence of God, to deliver the peo- ple from their enemies, and to govern them _ according tothe law of God. The duration of this species of government, from the death of Joshua to the reign of Saul, was about 348 years. But as this Book does not include the government of Elz and Samuel, the two last judg- es, but ends at the death of Samson, which hap- pened in the year of the world 2884 ; conse- quently includes the period of only 323 years. ys Roru. This Book, which contains the interesting history of the woman whose name it bears, is a sort of appendix to the Book of Judges ; and introduction to the Books of Samuel, next fol- lowing. Ruth was a Moabitess, who was mar- ried to a Hebrew of the name of Mahlon, born in the land of Moab, where his parents Elime- lech and Naomi had gone to@ojourn in a time “= — 7 we eee * 7 28 General Account of when a famine had obliged them to leave their own country. Elimelech dying, Naomi, his widow, returned to Judea, her daughter-in- law Ruth accompanying her, whose husband had lately died. Arriving at Bethlehem, Ruth was soon known by a kinsman of her own, nam- ed Boaz, who took her to wife, from whom ‘sprang Obed, the father of Jessé, who was the father of David, the progenitor of the Messiah. The Book seems to have been written to as- certain the genealogy of our Lord. i Ist Boox or Samugt. Samuel was an eminent propbet and the last of the Israelitish judges; and most likely the author of the materials which constitute the two Books that go under his name, though pro- bably compiled by another hand. The first Book contains an account of the’ Israelitish af- fairs under the government of El the high- priest, who was the fourteenth judge ; under Samuel the fifteenth ; as also an account of Saul, the first king of Israel, his reign and death, with which the Book concludes. It seems to include a period of about 115 years. * . ¢ 2d Boox or Samvet. — ay? This Book is a continuation of the preceding ; and includes the history of the reign of David, the successor of Saul, and comprises the pe- riod of about forty years. . ir The Sacred Writings. 29 ist Boox or Kinés. This Book gives an account of the death of David, the reign of Solomon his son, the build- ing of the Temple, the death of Solomon, the di- - vision of the empire under his son Rehoboam into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah; the idolatry of the ten tribes under Jeroboam, who seized on that part of the empire called the kingdom of Israel, and the transactions of the various kings of Israel and Judah down to the death of Ahaziah, king of Israel, and Jehosha- phat, king of Judah. The whole including a period of one hundred and nineteen years. 2d Boox or Kines. _ This Book contains the history of the Jewish and [sraelitish kings down to the destruction of Judah by the Chaldeans, succeeded by the Babylonish captivity, including a period ef three hundred and eight years. | Ist Boox or Curonictirs. This and the following Book have their name from the Greek word xpovxa, Chronica, from xpoves, chronos, time, signifying a narrative of events, registered according to the times, reigns, and years, in which they happened. The first Book, in the nine first chapters, con- fains several genealogies, from the Creation 3 : 30 General Account of down to the Babylonish captivity. The rest of the Book gives the history of the we of David, beginning at the death of Saul, B. C. 1056, 2d Boox or CHrRonicLes. This Book contains the history of the kings of Judah, from Solomon to the Babylonish cap- tivity. It is very similar 1o the Books of a Kings; giving in many places the same « but ‘scarcely ever mentions the idolatre of Israel; confining itself in gen ni, Ezra. “Ss se In this Book we are informed that Cyrus, king of Persia, into whose hands the Babylo- nian empire had fallen, permitted the captive Jews whom he found scattered through his provinces, to return to their own land, under Zerubbabel, one of the Jewish princes, and Je- shua the high-priest : the oppositi they met with till the accession of Darius tthe Rersian throne, who gave leave to the Jews to rebuild their temple which had been destroyed by Ne- buchadnezzar, king of Babylon ; and sent Ezra, a man of great eminence, to assist them in the work. This man was full of faith and the Holy Spirit: he collected all the Sacred Books of the Jews, placed them in that order in which they now stand, and rendered the returned The Sacred Writings. iat Jews the most important services.. Ezra flou- rished about 450 years before Christ. Boox or NEHEMIAR. This is a continuation of the history of the Jews after their return from captivity. NVehe- midh was cupbearer to Artaxerxes Longimanus, or, as the Persians call him, Ardsheer Diraz- “dest, the long-handed Ardsheer, who, at his re- quest, permitted him to go to Jerusalem seve- ral years after Ezra had gone thither, to settle the Jewish state, which was then in great dis- a } 5 order. He took two several journeys to Jeru- salem, eueint the walls, restored the Divine worship, rectified a number of abuses, and again returned to the Persian court. He was ‘a man of amazing resolution and fortitude, tempered with much wisdom, piety, and pru- dence ; and is a model for all civil governors. Nehemiah flourished about 440 years before Christ. rises me EstTHer. This woman was a Jewish captive ; and be- eame queen to Ahasuerus, king of Persia, about 458 B.C. She was, in this: capacity, the: means of preventing the massacre of the whole Jewish nation, which had been plotted by Ha- man, prime minister and favourite of the king. It details the whole history of these transac- fions, and of the wonderful providence of God BS 27 General Account of in raising her to the throne, preserving the Jews, and defeating their enemies. il. POETICAL BOOKS, AND THOSE WHICH CONTAIN MAXIMS FOR THE GOVERN- MENT OF LIFE. This Book gives the history of a an chief illustrious for his riches, patience, and pie- ty. It contains principally we ina highly poetical strain between a his friends, concerning the providence and per ec- tions of Gop. He was at first ry rich and affluent ; but God permitted him to be depri- ved of his property and children, and also to be sorely afflicted in his body: all which he bo with exemplary patience, which was aoe re- warded with a double increase of tem poral blessings, and the high approbation of his bis Mi ker. When he flourished, is ii uncer . ¥ Psatms. - This is a Book of 150 most elegant and ap ritual hymns, chiefly written by king David. As poetic effusions, they excel every thing written by man; and from their depth and sublimity, their just descriptions of the majesty and per- fections of God, the nature and consequences of sin, and the heights and depths of holiness, — 7 rn = “The Sacred Writings. 33 properly challenge a distinguished place among the inspired writings of the Old Testament. PRovEREs. This Book contains a very large collection of wise sayings, spoken at different times by _ Solomon, king of Israel, and other eminent sa- | ges ; affording counsels and maxims for the di- rec and regulation of every department, ce, and circumstance of life. They are delivered in a high oriental strain ; and many be said to contain all the wisdom of the ancient world. ; ¢ ¢ _. Ecerestastes. _ A Book supposed to have been written by Solomon in order to shew the vanity of the world, and of human life, whether in high or low estate : and that no happiness can be ex- pected by the human soul, but in the fear, love, and obedience of God. Cantictes, of Tue Sone or Sonomon. gtr? This is a very highly finished Hebrew ode, which, if literally taken, seems to describe the great love and affection which subsisted be- tween Solomon and his queen, the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. But most com- mentators suppose it to be an allegorical poem, in which Solomon represents Christ, and his SF a x 34 General Account of Queen the Christian Church. Taken in this sense, it shews the great love which Christ bears to His genuine foHowers; and the duty and affection which they owe toHim. Itis in the form of a pastoral. IV. MAJOR PROPHETS. IsarAH. This most eminent and holy man began to prophesy about 760 years before Christ, un- der Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Ma- nasseh, kings of Judah. This last king was ex- tremely wicked; and under his reign, and by . his command, it is said that Isaiah suffered martyrdom, being sawn asunder with a wooden saw ! He is supposed to have been of the blood- royal of Judah ; and is the most sublime of all. the prophets. His prophecies are so clear and _ Minute, that they appear rather to be narra- tions of things past, than predictions of things to come. Of these prophecies the jive first chapters are supposed to have been delivered in the reign of Uzziah; the sixth in the reign of Jotham ; the seventh to the fifteenth in the reign of Ahaz ; and the rest in that of Hezekiah. His predictions of the advent, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glorious conquests of Jesus Christ, are so clear and pointed, as to have gained him the appellation of The Evangelical Prophet. He spoke clearly also of the calling of the Gentiles ; and foretold the ruin that Ne- The Sacred Writings. 35 buchadnezzar brought on the Tyrians, Moab- ites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Philistines ; and also the ruin of Nebuchadnezzar himself, and the Babylonish empire. He is supposed to have prophesied about fifty orsixty years. JEREMIAH. __ This man was a priest of the tribe of Benja- min ; and entered on the prophetic office about the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, seventy years after the death of Isaiah. He foretold the ruin, captivity, and restoration of the Jews, and the destruction of the Babylonishempire. He also predicted the calling of the Gentiles. He lived to see the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, and suffer- ed much himself, all which he feelingly de- scribes. When Jerusalem was taken, and the king of Babylon had committed the government of the land to Gedaliah, Jeremiah continued in Judea: but Ishmael, who was of the seed royal, © having slain Gedaliah, the remaining Jews, fear- ing the Chaldeans, fled to Egypt, whither this prophet was carried, and there died or was put to death. He prophesied about forty-five years during the reigns of Josiah,-Jehoiakim, and Zedekioh, and under the government of Gedaliah ; about 588 years before Christ. LaMENTATIONS. The Lamentations of Jeremiah composed after the destruction of Jerusalem, and the. 36 General Account of captivity of Judah, are divided into five distinct chapters, which are so many beautiful elegies bewailing those sad events. Chap. i—iv. are written in acrostichs, each verse beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in consecutive order. The third chapter is written in double acrostichs ; and the fifth in single lines, without this artificial order. Ezexr.. we) This prophet was one of the pre: ho was carried captive to Babylon, with Jehoiakim, king of Judab. He began to prophesy in Chaldea, about the fifth y of before Christ 595 years ; twenty-five years. He ; ed again ipiquities of the Jews; ; foretold the de- struction of several n iring nations, ene- mies to the Jews. He was chiefly sent for the edification of the poor captives in Babylm. He foretold the calling of the Gentiles, and the glo- rious state of the ch under the si- militude of a temple, the parts of which he very minutely describes. He is on the eo ere ebscure. i ae Dantex. “ey This prophet,was also one of the captives in Babylon, whither itis supposed he was carried when very young. He wascontemporary with Ezckiel ; and was famous for wisdom, penetra- az _ * The Sacred Writings. 37 tion, and piety. His prophecies concerning the Messiah ; the destruction of Jerusalem; the Pection of the Chaldean, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, and their revolutions ; are so very clear, that their very dates are fixed. That concerning the advent and death of our Lord is the ctearest prophecy ever delivered : , though he lived nearly 600 years before our Lord, he foretold the very year in which He should be man:fested, and the year in which He should be cut of. He, and his companions, after running great risks, and suffering great hardships, were raised to great honours in the kingdom of Babylon. His prophecy is a lasting monument against the Jews of the truth of the Christian religion. He died about 536 years before Christ. V. THE TWELVE MINOR PROPHETS. Hoska. This prophet is thought by some to have been the earliest of all the prophets. He was certainly contemporary with Isaiah ; and ex- ercised his office in the kingdom of [Jsrael, about the same time that Isaiah exercised his in the kingdom of Judah. His prophecies are chiefly directed against the ten tribes, pre- viously to their being carried into captivity. He also predicts the coming of the Messiah, and the glorious state of the Christian church. ~ flourished from 785 to 725 years before hrist. 38 General Account of . Jor. This prophet was contemporary with Hosea, and flourished about 785 years before the In- carnation. His prophecy may be considered in the light of a very solemn sermon, warning the Jews to repent of their sins; foretelling a grievous famine which was to be occasioned by an innumerable host of locusts; promises the penitent God’s mercy; and fortells in a very pointed manner that great out-pouring of the Divine Spirit which should take place un- der the gospel dispensation. Amos. This man was neither of the sacerdotal nor prophetic order: but was a herdsman, a keeper of cattle, in the territory of Tekoa; and was sent by God to call the people of Israel to repentance, and denounce the Divine judg- ments against the von of iniquity. He foretells the judgments of God which were to fail on the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edom- ites, Moabites, and Ammonites. He flourished about 787 years before Christ. ey OxavIaH This is the shortest of all the prophets. His prophecy refers to the Edomites, the descend- ants of Esau, whom he threatens with utter - “ The Sacred Writings. 39 destruction, because of their cruelty and op- pression to the Jews. It is supposed that he lived about 587 years before the Christian era; and was contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, ; JoNAH. Jonah was a native of Gath-Hepher, in Gali- lee; and was sent by God to denounce His judgments against the Ninevites: but, fearing for his personal safety, he determined on leay- ing his own country ; and so took ship, and endeavoured to escape to Turshish. Meeting with an extraordinary storm, the sailors, con- cluding that there must be some person aboard against whom there was Divine wrath, ques- tioned him on the subject. He coufessed his sin, was thrown overboard, and was swallowed by a fish, in whose belly he remained three days and three nights; and was a type of our Lord’s death and resurrection. The fish hay- ‘ing cast him up on dry land, he went to Ni- neveh, delivered the Divine message, the peo- ple trembled, fasted, and repented, and were saved. ( He is supposed to have flourished about 862 years before our'Lord. Micaz. This prophet was sent to reprove both Is- rael and Judah for their manifold sins, which -he did, with great warmth and fidelity. He 40 General Account of foretold their captivities; conforted the god- ly ; and predicted the incarnation of our Lord, mentioned the very place of his birth, Beth- lehem, described his offices, as King and Priest of his people ; and foretold the glory of the Christian church in the latter days. He flourished at the same time with IJsazah and era. Nauum. Though the Ninevites had repented at the preaching of Jonah, they did not continue to bring forth the fruits of repentance. This prophet was, therefore, sent to foretell their destruction, and the ruin of the Assyrian em- pire, of which Nineveh was the capital. This destruction was effected by the Medes and Babylonians, about sexty years after. Nahum lived under the reign of Hezekiah, about nine- ty years later than Jonah, or about 772 years before the Christian ores is the most sub- lime and energetic of all the minor prophets. HapakxuxK. The preceding prophet foretold the destruc- tion of the .4ssyrians who carried the ten tribes into captivity ; and Habakkuk foretold the ruin ‘of the Chaldeans, who completed the captivity of this unhappy people, by carrying away the two tribes that remained. He is supposed to Hosea, about 750 years before the Christian © ee The Sacred Writings. At have been contemporary with Teenie and to have flourished about 626 years before our Lord. The Prayer in the third chapter of this prophecy is inimitably fine. ‘ ZEPHANIAH. This prophet was sent to the Jews under Josiah to foretell them of their approaching captivity by the Chaldeans, on account of their idolatry, and other heinous offences ; of which he strenuously exhorts them to repent. He foretells also the destructiou about to be brought on the Philistines, Moabites, Ethiopians, and Assyrians. He flourished about 630 years before Christ. Hacear. This prophet, with the two following, were sent to the Jews after their return from the Babylonish captivity. He reprehends their negligence in not building the temple, being more intent on their secular interests than on the glory ef God; on account of which God sent a dearth, by which they had been griev- ously distressed. At his instigation, the peo- ple resumed the work, which had been sadly neglected ; and the temple was soon finished : and though that temple was much inferior to that built by Solomon, yet he foretold that its glory should be greater than that of the former ; which was accomplished in the Mes- 4 42 General Account of siah’s honouring it with His presence and preaching. He lived about 520 years before Christ. ZECHARIAH. This was. the second prophet sent to the Jews after their return from captivity; and he encouraged the people to proceed with the building of the temple. There are many prophetic visions in this book which relate to the Jews ; and several prophecies relative to our Lord; his riding into Jerusalem as a King; the thirty pieces of silver, for which Judas sold his Master; the destruction of the Jews ; and the calling of the Gentiles. He flourished about 520 years before our Lord. Ma.acui. This was the third and last prophet sent to the Jews after their return from the Babylo- nish captivity. From his prophecy, it appears that the Jews were in his time greatly cor- rupted. They hac not only neglected, but profaned, the Divine service: these he sharp- ly reproves ; and encourages them much, who in those times of degeneracy continued faith- ful. He foretells the coming of Christ; and very clearly speaks of his forerunner, John the Baptist. He intimates, that no other pro- phet would be sent to them; and that they must be careful to observe the law of Moses, tet Sak : “* The Sacred Writings. 43 till the Advent of the Messiah. He flourished about 397 years before the Incarnation ; and was the las: prophet ever sent to the Jewish people. His book, therefore, properly closes up the canon of the Old Testament. About his time Ezra, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, had made a complete collec- _ tion of all the Sacred Books of the Jews, in ~ which all the major as well as the minor pro- “phets were included; though some think Simon the Just added Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ‘and Malachi, to Ezra’s work. This is the same collection which ex- ists to the present day ; to which nothing has been added, and from which nothing has been takenaway- See Ezra. The next extraordinary Messenger with whom the Jews were favoured; was J: aw tHe Bar- Tist, of whom this prophet (Malachi) so clear- ly speaks. After him came Gop manirEsTED IN THE FLESH; whe, before His ascension to heaven, commissioned His disciples, who were afterwards called 4postles, to *« go inte all the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- ture, beginning first at Jerusalem.””— Luke xxiv. 47. This was accordingly done ; and the word of the Lord had free course, ran, and was glorified. ae A4 General Account of GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE BOOKS CON- TAINED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were writ- len for our learning ; that we, through patience and com- fort of the ScripTuRES, might have hope—Rom. xv. 4. I come now to consider the writings he New Covenayr, which were the effect. revelation of Jesus Christ, and the mission of His Apostles ; and shall divide them into four classes — 1. The Historical Books; including the four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. il. The thirteen Epistles of St. Paul. Ill. The Catholic or general epistles : viz. of James, Peter, John, and Jude. IV. The Apocalypse, or Book of the Reve- lation. Of these different books 1 shall endeavour to point out the author, the time when written, and the chief subject of each. . I. THE HISTORICAL BOOKS; VIZ. THE FOUR GOSPELS, AND ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. he Sr. Marruew. This Evangelist is supposed to be the same who is also called Lev?, son of Alpheus. He was ‘ & The Sacred Writings. 45 by birth a Jew; and, like the rest of our Lord’s disciples, a native of Galilee; and ap- pears to have been at first a collector of the public taxes under the Roman government. He was called by our Lord to be a disciple, when sitting in his public office by the sea- side, near the city Capernaum. He was placed by our Lord in the number of His Apostles, and continued with Him during His life. After the ascension of Christ, he was at Jerusalem ; and received the Holy Spi- rit with the rest of the disciples, on the day of Pentecost. His Gospel, (7. e. his history of the incarnation, preaching, miracles, death, re- surrection, and ascension of our Lord) is gene- rally allowed to be the most ancient part of the writings of the New Covenant. | It is very pro- bable that he wrote this book in Hebrew, about the ewghth year after the ascension of our Lord, or A. D. 37. and that it was by himself, or some other, translated into Greek about A. D. 61. Matthew being a constant attendant on our Lord, his history is an account of what he saw and heard ; and, being influenced by the Holy Spirit, his history is entitled to the utmost de- gree of credibility. Whether he was martyr- ed for the truth, or died a natural death, is un- certain. Sr. Marx. This is the same who is called John Mark; -- and who travelled from Jerusalem to Antioch A* / 46 General Account of with Paul and Barnabas, and afterwards into other countries.—Acts xil. 25 xill. 5. It is supposed that he wrote this Gospel at Rome, about A. D. 64. and that he died at Iex- andria, in Egypt, in the eighth year of the reign of Vero, the Roman emperor. It is very pro- bable that he had seen the Gospel written by St Matthew, as he omits several things which are amply detailed by that evangelist : at i same time he inserts several curious pa lars, not mentioned by any of the one Pe a te: Sr. Luke. | St. Luke is the most elegant of all the evan- gelical writers ; bis language being purer, and much more free trom Hebraisms, than any of the rest. He was an early convert to Chris- tianity, and was St. Paul’s fellow-labourer, (Philemon, ver. 24.) and accompanied him when he first went to Macedonia; and from Greece through Macedonia and Asia, to Jerusalem ; and from Jerusalem again to Rome, where he staid with him the two years of his imprison- ment in that city, It is generally believed that he finished and published his Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles, in Greece, about A, D. 47. both of which he dedicates to Theophilus, an honourable Christian friend of his in that couniry. His Gospel, like those of the pre- ceding evangelists, gives an accountof the birth, preaching, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. It is supposed es The Sacred Writings. 47, that he died in peace about the erghtieth or. eighty-fourth year of his age. Sr. Jonn. This evangelist was the son of a fisherman named Zebedee, and his mother’s name was Sa- lome. They were probably of Bethsaida ; and are. father and his sons James and John followed ir occupation on the sea of Galilee. Both , se brothers were called to the Apostleshap ; and John.is supposed to have been about twen- ty-five years of age when he began to follow our Lord. It is likely that he was one of our Lord’s relatives ; and was that disciple whom it is said our Lord loved: that is, he hada pecu- har affection for him. He was also an eye and ear witness of our Lord’s labours, journeyings, discourses, miracles, sufferings, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension. The Gospel of John pre-supposes the Gos- pels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke: the grand facts he has in common with them; but he sup- plies many particulars which are not found in the others. St. Matthew seems to labour to prove the fact of the realzty of our Lord’s in- carnation or humanity: on the other hand, John takes up the eternal Divinity, which he powerfully establishes ; and gives us many in- valuable discourses and conversations of our Lord with his disciples, as well as several mi- racles that are not found in the other evange- lists. No one of the Gospels gives us the 48 General Account of whole history of our Lord; we must read all four, to have this complete. John was banish- ed by the Roman emperor Domitian to the isle of Patmos in the’#gean sea: but his successor Nerva, having recalled all the exiles banished by Domitian, John returned to Ephesus, where he died, aged upwards of one hundred years. The Holy Virgin is said to have lived with him till her death, which took place about fifteen ‘y ears after the crucifixion. y rt * one OF THE APOSTLES. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is the Jifth and last of the historical books. It was doubtless written by St. Luke, probably about A.D. 63.; and is dedicated tothe same noble per- sonage, Theophilus, to whom he dedicated his Gospel. The design of the apostle in writing this book appears to have been two-fold: 1. To relate in what manner the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost were communicated on the day of Pentecost; and the subsequent miracles per- formed by the apostles, by which the truth and Divine origin of Christianity were confirmed. 2. To deliver such accounts as proved the claim of the Gentiles to admission into the Church of Christ. In this book we see how the Christian church was formed and settled.— The Apostles simply proclaimed the truth of God, relative to the passion, death, resurrec- tion, and ascension of Christ ; and God accom- panied their testimony with the demonstration Phe Sacred Writings. 49 ef His Spirit. The consequence was, thou- sands embraced Christianity, and openly pro- fessed it at the risk of their lives. They were converted, not merely from one relzgious senti- ment to another ; but from sin to holiness. Their tempers, passions, and moral prospects, were all changed ; and they only lived to bring glory to God, “and do good to men. ‘This mighty change is every where in this book attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit, which, took of the things which were Christ's, and applied them to the souls of the people. Such was the Christian Church at its formation: and such it must be to the end of the world, if it deserve. the name of Christian. I. THE THIRTEEN EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL. Tue Eristie To THE Romans. ~ Paul, at first called Saul, was born of Jewish parents’ at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. When young, he was sent to Jerusalem for the pur- pose of receiving a Jewish education; and was placed there under a most eminent doetor or Rabbi, called Gamaliel. He joined the Jewish sect called Pharisees, who were at once the best learned, the most proud, hypocritical, and intolerant of all the Jews. Paul imbibed much of their spirit, as he acquired the whole of their learning. He became proud, overbear- ing, and haughty ; and grievously persecuted 50 General Account of the Christians : but as he was on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, with authority from the chief priests, to bind and variously perse- cute all that bore the Christian name, he hada most remarkable vision, which see related in Acts, chap. ix. in consequence of which he carefully examined and embraced the Chris- tian faith ; and afterwards became one of the most zealous promoters and successful defend- ers of that cause, which he had fore so in- veterately persecuted. , Of his labours, sufferings, and i we have an ample account in the book of the Acts. He was long imprisoned at Rome ; and at length suffered martyrdom, having his head cut off, by an order of the Roman emperor JVero, on June 29, A. D. 66. Rome, to whose inhabitants, or rather to the Christian Church there, this Epistle was di- rected, was the metropolis of the Roman em- pire, and the mistress of the world. The occasion of writing this Epistle was the . follwoing :—Many Gentiles as well as Jews having been converted by the preaching of the Gospel, the latter refused to admit the former to all the privileges of the church of Christ, un- less they submitted to be circumcised; as they supposed that this was the only gate through which they should be admitted into the fold. In this Epistle St. Paul shows, that the Jewish rites and ceremonies were done away ; that all men, both Jews and Gentiles, had sinned against God; and that no sacrifices or observances of The Sacred Writings. 5i the Jewish law could make atonement for sin ; (for by its works no soul could be justified ;) God had therefore appointed a new way of sal- vation, the sacrifice of Christ, and facth in that sacrifice. That this privilege was not granted to the Jews alone, but equally to the Gentiles ; that none could be saved, butin this way ; and that those who were thus saved stood upon the broad ground of God’s infinite mercy, and were equal in their religious rank, rights, and privi- leges. This view of the subject gave the apos- tle ample scope, Ist, to show the absolute in- efficacy of human works, whether consisting in moral obedience, or in observation of religious Fites and ceremomes, to purchase the favour of God, or make an atonement for sin: and, 2d, the sovereign efficacy of the death of Christ, and faith in the merit of that death, to bring the soul into the favour of God, and give it a right to eternal life. That sacrificial offering of Christ being the sole grand procuring cause, and faith the means of applying its benefit to the guilty conscience. . Ist Eristte to THE CorinTHIANS. Corinth, to which this and the following Epis- tle were sent, was one of the most celebrated © cities of Greece. It is situated on a gulf of the same name ; and was anciently the capztal of the Peloponnesus, or Achaia. It was: joined to the main land by a narrow isthmus, or neck of land, that had the port of Lechewm on the 52 General Account of West, and the port of Cenchrea on the East, by which it commanded the commerce both of the Ionian and /Egean seas. By the ort um it received the merchandise of It the western nations ; and by t port of it received that of the gean ea, the coasts of Asia Minor, and of the Phanicians. As this ci- ty abounded in riches, so did it corruption of manners: and n habitable globe needed the g more than this did. Here ac ed, the principal members of whic ere emi- nently endowed with the gifts and graces of God's Spirit: but as some dissentions had ari- sen among them concerning things lawful and unlawful, what might be done with a clear con- science, and what ought not to be done, they wrote to St. Paul to give his judgment, and set- tle these disputes. This first Episile is in answer to that letter ; in which, among other things, he discusses the question of the unlawfulness of — eating things offered to idols; and enters at large into a consideration of that most import- ant doctrine, the resurrection from the dead, and its proofs drawn from the natural and mo- ral world, and from the resurrection of the body of our blessed Lord. 2d EpistLe To THE CorINTHIANS. The preceding Epistle haying been well re- ceived, and its exhortations and reprehensions having produced the desired effect ; the apos- i. The Sacred Writings. 53 ile writes this to comfort and confirm them in the truth. He reproves a false apostle who pe Sinuated himself among them, and en- leavoured to render their minds evil affected towards himself. Inthis Epistle he vindicates his own doctrine and conduct against the asper- sions of that false apostle. gives an affecting ac- ‘count of his own ¢rials and sufferings, and brig shorts them to holiness of heart and li . Ye a 4 t } EristLe TO THE GALaTIANs. Galatia or Gallogrecia, was anciently a part of Phrygia in Asia Minor, bounded on the east by Cappadocia, on the west by Bithynia, on the south by Pamphylia, and on the north by the Euxine sea. The church of God founded in this place seems to have been greatly perplexed and dis- turbed by some Jewish teachers, who endea- voured to persuade the converted Gentiles, that unless they were circumcised, and kept the law of Moses, they could not be saved.— Many having been stumbled and turned aside by these teachers, the apostle wrote to them, 1. To vindicate his own apostleship which those false teachers had undervalued. 2. To assert and maintain the doctrine of justification by faith, from which they had been departing. And, 3. To call them back to the liberty of the gospel from which, under those bad teachers, some of them had apostatized. He proves at 5 54 General Account of large, 1. That no rites or ceremonies of the Jewish law could avail in their justification. 2. That their own works could avail nothing in re- ference to their acceptance with God ; the only way of salvation being by faith, and. that this was the original way, “for Abraham was justifi- ed by faith long before the Law was given. 3. That the curse of the law was upon every sinner, and is not removed but by a erifice of Christ. EpisTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. Ephesus was a very famous city of Ionia, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. The grand subject of this Epistle is to prove, that the great mystery of God, which had been hidden from al! former ages, was opened and explained by calling the Gentiles into the church, making them one with the converted Jews, and placing them under the one great and only Shep- — herd, Christ Jesus. The apostle also shows the necessity of the doctrine of justification by faith; — enters into a description of the heights, lengths, and breadths, of Christian holiness ; points out the enemies of true believers ; shows them the spiritual armour with which they are to defend themselves ; and concludes by giving them the most pointed directions relative to the cultiva- tion of their hearts, their moral conduct, and particularly their exact mcesrae. of all the re- lative duties. ay — The Sacred Writings. 55 EristLe To THE PHILIPPIANS } [Philippi was a town of Macedonia, in the con- fines of Thrace, and near the northern extremi- ty of the Egean sea. St. Paul first preached the gospel here about A. D. 53, and estab- lished one of the most pure and excellent churches. False teachers had crept into this church also, against whom he warns the peo- ple, exhorts them to unity and concord, points out to them the glory which shall be revealed to the truly faithful, speaks of the blessedness of his own experience, and thanks and com- mends them for the contributions they sent to supply his wants. ErisTLe To THE Coxossrans. Colosse, or Colassa, was a city of Phrygia Pa- _eatiana, now a part of Natolia in Asia Minor, situated on an eminence on the south side of the river Meander. There is a very great si- milarity between this Epistle, and that to the Ephesians. It contains the very depth and es- sence of Christian doctrine, and Christian expe- rience ; strongly excites to holiness of heart and life; and exhorts to a regular fulfilment of the relative duties, viz. parents and children, hus- bands and wives, masters and servants, &e. Ist EpistTLeE To THE THESSALONIANS. Thessalonica, now called by the Turks Salo- nicht, is a seaport town of Turkey in Europe, on ~ 56 General Account of and anciently the capital of Macedonia. Paul and Szlas preached the gospel in this city about A. D. 51 or 52. This Epistle is probably the Jirst that St. Paul wrote: and it appears that the church of Thessalonica was the purest of all the apostolic churches. The apostle finds scarcely any thing among them to reprove They had received the whole truth as it was in ‘Jesus, and their conduct was conformed to it. They had a faith that worked, a love that labour- ed, and a hope which enabled them to bear all afflictions patiently, and wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus. The directi which he — gives in the last chapter, relative to the per- fection of their Christian faith and character, are of the utmost importance ; and intimately concern all Christian churches, and all who bear the Christian name. 2d Eristte To THE THESSALONIANS. It appears that the second Epistle was writ- ten shortly after the first, the main design of which is to warn the people against crediting a false report which they had heard relative to the sudden appearing of Christ to judge the world ; which they had so far received and | credited, as actually (at least some of them) to give up their secular affairs, as being incon- sistent with the expectation of so solemn an event, so speedily to take place. On this sub- ject the apostle sets them right by giving just notions of the future judgment, predicts acer- The Sacred Writings. 57 tain apostucy from the faith, and exhorts them to obedience and fidelity in all the circumstan- ces of life in which God may place them. 1st Ertstte to Timotny. Timothy, the person to whom this Epistle was addressed, was the son of a Gentile, by a Jewish woman named Eunice, the daughter of a Jewess named Lois. It is likely that, at the time that Lozs was converted to the Christian faith, her husband was dead, as was also the ‘husband of Eunice ; and that the grandmother, mother, and son, lived all together. Theirson ‘Timothy became strongly attached to St. Paul, received the Christian faith in its power, be- came an Evangelist, and travelled with the apostle through different parts, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. The apostle having left him in the city of Ephesus to su- perintend the church in that place, he wrote this first Epistle to him, probably about A. D. 64 or 65, in which he gives him direction, 1. To oppose those fables invented by Jewish teachers, to recommend the observance of the Mosaic law as necessary to salvation. 2. To oppose those uncertain genealogies by which certain persons wished to show their descent from Abraham, on the persuasion that they should be saved merely because they were his descendants. 3. That he might oppose a foolish propensity which they had to the discussion of intricate questions, which, instead ef leading to godliness, engendered strife.— 5x 58 General Account of 4, The apostle gives him suitable directions how to act the part of an Evangelist ; how to rule the church of God ; and how to repress irregularities, and maintain truth. 2d Eristite To TimoTuy. This was in all probability written a short time after the first; for the same sort of per- sons. doctrines, and practices, are reprobated in the second, which were condemned in the first. The same commands and instructions are given to Timothy in the second as in the first. The same remedies for the corruptions which had taken place at Ephesus are prescribed in the second as in the first. And in this second Epis- tle every thing is addressed to Timothy as the superintendent both of the preachers and laaty in the church of Ephesus: All which prove, that.as the same persons and the same state of things continued when this second Epistle was written, as when the first was written; conse- quently, both must have been sent within a short time of each other. In this Epistle St. Paul strongly exhorts his son Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which had been delivered to him; shows — him what and how to preach ; predicts the evils of the latter times, and his own approaching martyrdom ; and sends salutations to different friends. : Both Epistles are a treasury to the church of Christ, and of the utmost consequence to all ° preachers of the gospel. The Sacred Writings. 59 Epistie To Titus. From frequent mention made of this person im St. Paul’s Epistles, we learn that he was a Greek, and most probably a Heathen till con- verted to Christianity by St. Paul. He accom- panied this apostle in several of his journeys ; and was at last left by him in the island of Crete, as superintendent or bishop of the churches there planted. Crete is a very large island in the Mediterranean sea; being about 180 miles long, by ae broad. - This Epistle is very similar to the first Epis- tle to Timothy. They are both principally oc- cupied in describing the qualifications of those who should be appointed to ecclesiastical offices ; and the ingredients in this description are near- ly the same in both Epistles. Timothy and Titus are both cautioned against the same pre- vailing corruptions ; the phrases and expres- sions in both letters are nearly the same ; and the writer accosts his two disciples with the same salutations ; which shows, not only that the two Epistles were written by the same per- son, but nearly about the same time, viz. A. D. EpistLe To PHiLemon. Philemon seems to have been a person of consideration, affluence, and charity, in the city ef Colosse ; and a distinguished Christian, whe 60 General Account of had a church at his house; and frequently enter- tained the Christians and Christian ministers who passed that way. The occasion of writing this letter was the following :—Onesimus, a slave, had on some pretence or other run away from his master Philemon, and come to Rome, where St. Paul then was as a prisoner, though dwelling in his own hired house, and guarded by a Roman sol- dier. Onesimus having found him out, was con- verted by the apostle, who wrote this letter to his- friend Philemon in behalf of one who, though formerly unfaithful, now restored to a’ better mind. The recommendation is managed with great skill and address, and was no doubt successful. The Epistle contains no pointed reference to any particular doctrine of Christianity; but is a model for recommendato- ry and intercessory letters. It was probably written about A. D. 62. " EristTLe TO THE HEBREWS. This is allowed to have been the last writ- ten by St. Paul, of which we have any know- ledge ; and was most probably composed i A.D. 63. The design was to prevent the Tee who had received the gospel, from turning back again to Mosaic rites and ceremonies. And, to accomplish this design, he shows them that the Law was but the shadow of good things to come, and the Gospel the substance; that the former without the latter was without meaning, The Sacred Writings. 61 and without use ; and that every thing in and under the law, pointed out some corresponding spiritual good under the Gospel. The major part of the Epistle is a comment upon the Law, and the most beautiful illustration of it that ever was or can be given. On the prophetic, sacerdotal, and regal offices of Christ, it is both ample and luminous; and no man can read it without having his head enlightened, and his heart mended. Itis by far the most elegant, the most argumentative, and the most useful Epis- tle of the great apostle of the Gentiles. In it he concentrates all his learning, all his legal knowledge, and all his evangelical experience and unction. The Epistle every where shows the hand of a master; and that hand was guided by the unerring wisdom of the eternal Spirit. Il. THE CATHOLIC OR GENERAL EPISTLES. Tre Epistte or James. James the Less, one of the disciples and kinsmen of our Lord, has been most generally supposed to have been the author of this Epis- tle ; and that it is the oldest of all the Aposto- lical Epistles, and perhaps prior to any of the Gospels. It seems to have been written to comfort and edify the believing Jews, who were scattered through the different nations of the earth. Itis written much in the style of 62 General Account of a Jewish prophet ; and seems to be a connecting link between the Law and the Gospel, as John the Baptist was between Judaism and Chris- tanity. The style of it is elevated, and the diction compressed and clear; and the lessons of morality and submission to the Divine will which it conveys, are not surpassed by any thing found in the writings of the other poetics. BIS ot 2) - ist Eristte or PETER, Peter was a native of Bethsaida, in Upper Galilee ; and by trade a fisherman. He and his brother Andrew were called early to be disciples of Christ. Being married, he had re- moved his family to Capernaum ; and his house there seems to have been the usual residence of our Lord when in those districts. He is generally supposed to have obtained the crown of martyrdom at Rome, at the beginning of Nero’s persecution, about A. D. 64 or 65. His Epistles seem to be written to believing Jews and Gentiles; especially those who were suffering persecution, or were obliged to leaye their country on account of the gospel, and — take refuge in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, . Asia, and Bithynia, He exhorts them to pa~ tience, submission, perseverance, and _holi- ness, after the example of our Lord ; and con- cludes with suitable exhortations to the elders to guard and feed the flock of Christ. The Sacred Writings. — 63 2d Eristte oF Peter. This is addressed to the same persons as the Jirst, and on nearly the same occasion. He shows that the believing Gentiles, though uncir- cumcised, were entitled to the same privileges as the believing Jews; exhorts them to pa- tience, and steadiness in their Christian pro- fession ; warns them against false prophets, and professing Christians, whose lives were unholy; refers to the day of judgment, and wonderfully describes the action of the fire, by which all things shall be destroyed ; but pre- dicts a renovation of all things, so that a new heaven and a new earth should be, by the power of God, generated as out of the old. Ist Evistte or Joun. The-writer of these three Epistles is the same as John the Evangelist, of whose history we have already had a sketch in speaking of his Gospel. This Epistle appears to have been written before the destruction of Jerusa- lem, and probably in the year of our Lord 68 or 69. ~ The design of this Epistle is to inculcate the doctrine of holiness of heart and life springing from love to God and man. Indeed this love seems to be his text, and he has written the whole Epistle on this text. His own soul was 64 General Alecount of filled with this heavenly fire ; and it shone on, and warmed all around. 2d Eristte or Joun. This Epistle is of a private nature, being written to an eminent Christian matron in or near Ephesus, probably a deaconess of the church ; or one who was in the habit of ac- commodating apostles, and itinerant evange- lists. He commends her for her piety, for the Christian state and discipline of her fa- mily ; warns her against false doctrines, and false teachers; and concludes by hoping short- ly to pay her a visit. 3d Episrze or Joun. This is also an Epistle of a private nature, being written to an eminent Christian friend of the name of Gaius, te whom he earnestly wishes,—1. Health of body. 2. Health of soul. And, 3. Prosperity in secular affairs. He commends him for bis charity and hospi- tality, warns him against a troublesome per- son of the name of Diotrephes, and promises to pay him a visit shortly. Both these per= sons must have been near the apostle’s ha- bitation, as he was now about ninety years of age, and consequently incapable of taking any long journey. Both these Epistles are supposed to have been written between A. D. 80 and 90. The exact time is not known. The Sacred Writings. 65 Epistite oF Jupe. We know no more of this person than what he tells us himself, in the beginning of this Epistle, that he was ‘‘ a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James.’ But as there were several Judes, and several James’s, we know not which are intended. It is not di- rected to any particular church or people, but to Christians in general; and hence it has been called a ‘“‘ General Epistle.”’, He warns the churches of Christ against false teachers, and against apostacy ; and de- scribes the false teachers of the time in the most vivid colours. The exhortation in verses 20, 21, is forcible and affectionate ; and the. doxology in verse 24 and 25 is well adapted to the subject, andis peculiarly dignified and sub- lime. It is supposed that this Epistle was written about the year of our Lord 64 or 65. IV. THE APOCALYPSE, OR BOOK OF THE ~ REVELATION. This is generally allowed to be written by John the Evangelist, author of the Gospel, and of the three Epistles lately reviewed; and that it was written while he was an exile in the isle of Patmos; and published after his return, about A. D. 96. It is undoubtedly. the latest piece of the New Covenant: after which the Divine Spirit has not thought proper to add 6 % os 66 General Account of any thing farther to the Christian code. This, therefore, finishes and seals up vision and pro- phecy under the New ‘Testament, as Malachi does under the Oxp. The Book opens. with a splendid appear- ance of the Lord Jesus, as the Ancient of Days, in bis sacerdotal vestments; who dic- tates to John seven Epistles, or Letters, which - he orders him to send to seven churches in Asia Minor; viz. Ephesus, Smyrna, Perga- mos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Lao- dicea. After these, there are a profusion of hiero- glyphic representations ; accompanied by a tis- ‘Sue of most solemn prophecies, supposed to re- gard not only the church, but the different go- vernments of the world, from that time to the day of judgment. Several of these prophecies appear to have been already fulfilled, some in the act of being accomplished. and others re- main which respect future ages. The Book is written in great dignity and majesty of figure, metaphor, and colouring : and several of the prophecies in it beara striking similitude to some in the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel.— Obscure as it is, God pronounces a blessing on all them who shall read it ; and, because it closes the canon of the New Testament and Revelation in general, God thus speaks : If any man shall app unto these thivgs, God shall add unto mim the plagues that are written in this book. If any shall tT\Ke away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take = The Sacred Writings. 67 wway his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are writ- ten in this book.—Rev. xxii. 18, 19. With this apostle the Reader may well add, unto him that Loven us, and wasnev us from our sins in His own Bioov, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to mim be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.— Rev. chap. i. 5, 6. — All these books collectively, whether given to the Jewish or Christian Churches, are some- times termed Tue Scriptures or THe OLD AND New Testament ; and generally through all Christian countries, and in almost all languages, The Brete ; froma Greek word £:Gaos, 4 Boox,’ as being the only book that teaches the know- ledge of the true God; the origin of the uni- verse ; the creation and fall of man; the com- mencement of the different nations of the earth; the confusion of languages ; the foundation of the church of God; the abominable and de- structive nature of idolatry, and false worship ; the Divine scheme of redemption ; the immor- tality of the soul ; the doctrine of the invisible and spiritual world; a future judgment; and the final retribution of the wicked in the pains of eternal perdition, and of the good in the blessedness of an endless glory. From this Bible, or collection of Sacred Wri- tings, the following principles have been ex- AT tee he } 68 General Account of ‘tracted ; which, though they do not contain every particular, yet they exhibit the grand principles of revealed religion ; and, in several cases, the reasons on which they are founded. I have endeavoured to deduce them in their dependent and progressive order, that the mind may be easily and gradually led from pri- — mitive to secondary and ultimate truths,through the whole economy of Divine justice, mercy, and grace, as far as these things are revealed to us in the Sacred Writings, or seem fairly deducible from the different parts of Divine Revelation. This is a desideratum, or thing to be de- sired, but not yet furnished, which few cate- chisms, creeds, or confessions of faith attempt to supply, though in them we might reasonably expect to find such principles. re Sat I have seen most compositions of this kind : but have not found in any of them such a con- densed synopsis, or general view of those prin- ciples, on which every Christian must found his faith, if he wish it not to stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. Bodies of divinity, so called, are out of the question ; as being by far too voluminous for the pur- pose ; nor do they in general contain princi-— ples, but rather systems of doctrines, most of which are founded on party creeds. These Scriptures we know to be reyela- tions from heaven : , 1. By the sublimity of the doctrines the contain ; all descriptions of God, of heaven, 2 The Sacred Writings 68 of the spiritual and eternal worlds, being in every respect worthy of their subjects ; and on this account, widely differing from the childish conceits, absurd representations, and ridiculous accounts, given of such subjects in the writings of idolaters, and superstitious re- ligionists, in all nations of the earth. 2. The Bible is proved to be a revelation from God, by the reasonableness and holiness of its precepts ; all its commands, exhortations, and promises, having the most direct tendency to make men wise, holy, and happy in themselves, and useful to one another. _ 3. By the miracles which they record: mi- racles of the most astonishing nature, which could be performed only by the almighty pow- er of God; miracles which were wrought in _ the sight of thousands, were denied by none, and attested through successive ages by writers of the first respectability, as well enemies as friends of the Christian religion. 4, By the truth of its prophecies, or predic- tions of future occurrences, which have been fulfilled exactly in the way, and in those times, which the predictions delivered many hun- dreds of years before, had pointed out. 5. By the promises which they contain.— Promises of pardon and peace to the penitent, of Divine assistance and support to true believ- ers, and of holiness and happiness to the god- ly, which are ever exactly fulfilled to all those who by faith plead them before God. 6* ; 70 General Account of 6. By the effects which these Scriptures pro- duce in the hearts and in the lives of those who piously read them ; it being always found that such persons become wiser, better, and happier in themselves, and more useful to others : bet- ter husbands and wives; better parents and children ; better governors and subjects; and better friends and neighbours. While those who neglect them are generally acurse to them- selves, a curse to society, and a reproach to the name of man. 7. To these proofs may be added, the po- verty, illiterate and defenceless state of our Lord's disciples, and the primitive preachers of His gospel. The Jewish rulers and priest- hood were as one man opposed to them; they sought by every means in their power to pre- vent the preaching of Christianity in Judea ; the disciples were persecuted every where, and had not one man in power or authority to support them, or espouse their cause; yet a glorious Christian church was founded even at Jerusalem ; thousands received and professed the faith of Christ crucified, and many of them gladly sealed the truth with their blood. When they had preached the gospel throughout Ju-» dea, they went to the Heathens, preached the — gospel in different parts of the Lesser Asia, Greece, and Italy. In all these places they had to contend with the whole power and influence of the Roman empire, then entirely Heathen, and the mistress of all the known world! Christian churches, notwithstanding, were founded every where ; and even in Rome itself, the throne The Sacred Writings. rel of the Roman emperor! Here they were as defenceless as in Judea itself; they had to con- tend with all the idolatrous priests, with all the Greek philosophers, with the secular go- vernment, and with the many millions of the» deluded and superstitious populace, who, insti- gated by furious zeal, endeavoured by the most barbarous acts of persecution to support their false gods, idols, temples, and false wor- ship : yet, before the preaching of these poor, comparatively unlearned, and ‘otally defence- less men, idolatry fell prostrate ; the Heathen oracles were struck dumb; the philosophers were confounded; and the people were convert- ed by thousands ; till at last all 4s¢a Minor and Greece, with Italy, and the various parts of the Roman empire, received the gospel, and abo- lished idolatry! Had not this doctrine been from God, and had not He by His almighty pow er aided these holy men, such effects could ne- ver have been produced. The success, there- fore, of the unarmed and defenceless apostles and primitive preachers of Christianity is an incontrovertible proof that the gospel is a re- velation from God ; that it is the means of con- veying light and life to the souls of men; and that no power, whether earthly or diabolic, shall ever be able to overthrow it, it has pre- vailed, and must prevail, till the whole earth shall be subdued, and the universe filled with the glory of God. Amen. All these are proofs which cannot be contra- dicted, that these Scriptures are a revelation — os. a a 72 General Account of, &c. from God; and consequently, the only com- plete directory of the faith and practice of men. ‘* The Scriptures of the Old and New Tes- tament,’’ said an eminent scholar, ‘‘ have Gop for their Author, the satvartion of mankind for their end, and rrurH without any mixture of error for their matter.” waits. . As a revelation from God, they have stood the test of many ages ; and as such maintained their ground against every species of enemy, and every mode of attack. Truth is mighty, and must prevail. This revelation is now complete. God will. add nothing more to it, because it contains every thing necessary for men, both in refer- ence to this world, and that which is to come : and He has denounced the heaviest judgments against those who shall add to it, or diminish any thing from it. Drinciples OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. ee I. There is one Gop,who is self-existing,un- created, infinitely wise, powerful, and good: who is present in every place; and fills the heavens, and earth, and all things. Now, as THIS ONE God is eternal, that is, without be- ginning or end, and is present every where, and fills all space, Isa. xliv. 6—8. there can be only one such Being; for there cannot be two or more eternals, or two or more who are present every where, and fill all things. To suppose more than one Supreme source of in- finite wisdom, power, and all perfections, is to assert that there is no Supreme Being in ex- istence. A plurality of eternal beings would resemble a plurality of universes, eternities, and infinite spaces ; all which would be con- tradictory and absurd. Isa. xliv. 6, 7, 8. II. This one infinite and eternal Being is a Spirit: i. e. he is not compounded, nor made up of parts ; for then He would be nothing differ- ent from matter, which is totally void of in- va The Principles of telligence and power. And hence He must be invisible ; for a spirit cannot be seen by the eye of man: nor is there any thing in this principle contradictory to reason or ex- perience. We all know that there is such a thing as the air we breathe, as the wind that whistles through the trees, fans and cools our bodies, and sometimes tears t ight trees from their roots, overture iiielione: est buildings, and agitates the vast ocean: but no man has ever seen this air or wind; though every one is sensible of its effects, and knows that it exists. Now, it would be as absurd to deny the existence of God, because we cannot see Him, as it would be to deny the existence of the air or wind, because we cannot see it. As, to reason and sense, the wind is known to exist by the effects which it produces, though it cannot be seen; so God is/known by His works: and a genuine Christian is as conscious that this Divine Spirit works in, enlightens, and changes his heart, as he is that he breathes the air, and feels the action of the wind upon his body ; and is either chilled, cooled, or re- freshed, by its breezes. John iv. 24. iil. 8. “Ve Ill. In this God there are found Three Per- sons,not distinctly or separately existing; but in one infinite unity; who are termed Father, Son, and Spirit; or Gop the Faruer, Gop the Son,and Gopthe Hoty Guosr; all existinginthe one infinite and eternal Gopueap; neither being Fhe Christian Religion. 75 before or after the other, neither being greater or less than the other. These three Divine Persons are frequently termed among Chris- tians Tue Trinity. 1 John v. 7. Luke iii. 22. IV. This God is the Creator, Governor, and Preserver of all things: all creatures, animate and inanimate, owe their being to Him; and by Him they are all supported. John i. 3. Neh. ix. 6. * V. The works of creation show God to be infinitely powerful, wise, and good. 'His pow- ER is seen in the vastness or magnitude of His works ; His wispom is seen in the skill and ‘contrivance, so evicent in each, and in the whole; and His coopvess is seen in the end for which each has been formed: for He has made all intelligent and animate beings capable of happiness ; and He has so contrived their bodies, minds, and different parts, as well as the things by which they are surrounded, that this happiness is, in general, within their reach. Psa. civ. 24. VI. Man is one of the chief works of God. His soul was created in the image of Gud, i.e. in roghteousness and true holiness ; and his body was formed out of the dust of the ground. ’ There was no imperfection in his body, a ma- chine of the most complicate, curious, and difficult contrivance: and no sinfulness in his mind ; for God, who is all perfection, could make nothing that is imperfect; and He, whe To. cts ee ve - oe 76 The Prineiples of is infinitely holy, could make nothing that is impure. Gen. i. 27. VII. But from this state of perfection and purity man fell, by his disobeying the com- mandment of God; and so became liable to sickness, death, corruption, and dissolution in his body ; ; and became ignorant, sinful, and vicious in his soul; which imperfections and sinful propensities he communic | to all his posterity : for as the stream must ever be the same with the fountain from whence it flows ; so all generations of men must necessarily have the same kind of nature with those from whom they are descended. Adam, the first Man, was made in the zmage and likeness of God: but, when he sinned, he lost that Divine image; and then, when he begat chil- dren, it is said zn the Sacred Writings, that he begat them in his own image, Gen. v. 3. 7. e. sinful and corrupt like himself. And in this state all human beings that are born into the world are still found: and their sinful dispos:- tions lead: them unto sinful practices; so that the whole human race are fallen, and all are sinners against God and their own souls. “Psa. - Riv. iii VIII. God, who is infinitely good, sh His mercy to fallen sinful man by ae him a Saviour who was to come in that time, which God should see to be the most suitable, Gen. iii. 15. 1X. This Saviour was no less a Papen than — the Lorp Jesus Curist, who in that suitable The Christian Religion. 74 time was to take upon Him the nature of man, by assuming a human body; which He subject- ed to death, that he might make a sacrifice and atonement for all those who were partakers of the same nature, z. e. for the WHOLE HUMAN race. Matt. i. 21, 28. Heb. ii. 9. X. Jesus Christ, as man, could suffer and die ;.as God, He was incapable of either: but it was necessary that His human nature should suffer in order to make an atonement; and it was necessary that His Deity should be united with that humanity, in order to make its suf- fering of infinite value, that thereby a suitable atonement might be made for the sins of the world. 1 Pet. iii. 18. it XI. The law which God gave to men was given to human nature. That nature trans- gressed this law ;-on that nature, therefore, Divine justice had aclaim; and from it that justice had a right to demand satisfaction.— To have destroyed that human nature existing — at the time of the transgression in the first hu- man pair only, would have been inconsistent with the innumerable purposes of Divine jus tice, mercy, and providence ; therefore, God permitted them to live and propagate a pos- terity upon the earth: but in His infinite love He found out a Redeemer for this fallen na- ture. But this Christ or Redeemer took not upon Him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, that is, huwmon nature, that in the nature which sinned He might make the expi- ation required. Heb. ii. 16. 7 — > mm: ie 78 The Principles of XII. It was also necessary that this Redeem- er should be infinitely Divine and perfect ; as the end of His great undertaking was not only to purchase pardon for a world of offenders, but to merit eternal happiness for mankind.— Now an infinite happiness cannot be purchased by any price less than that which is infinite in value ; and infinity of merit can only result from a nature that is infinitely Divine or per- fect. Col.i. 17. eal ' XI. Accordingly we find that, about 4000 years after the creation, this Jesus Christ was born in Judea, of a Virgin, whose name was Mary, in whose womb His human nature was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost; and about thirty-three years afterwards, having wrought multitudes of miracles, the most as- tonishing and beneficent, and preached that heavenly doctrine called the Gospel, or Good News, He gave up His life at Jerusalem as a sacrificial offering for the lives of all mankind. He was buried; rose again, by that Divine power which could not suffer death, on the third day, according to His own predictions ; and gave commission to His disciples, (holy men to whom He had taught the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,) to go into all the world, and preach His Gospel to every crea- ture; which they and their successors have — done, and are doing: and by these means Curistianity has been spread and established in the earth ; and will finally prevail in every nation of the world according to His own most The Christian Religion. 79 positive declarations. Luke ii. 11. Isa. liii. 9. 1 Tim. ii. 6... Mark xvi. 15. XIV. God has assured mankind that there is and can be_no salvation but through Jesus Christ: that for the sake, and on the account, of His sacrificial sufferings and death He can forgive sins ; and on no other account will He show mercy to any soul of man. Eph. 1. 7. XV. As all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, and are consequently ex- posed to endless punishment, and no man can make an atonement for his own soul, God has commanded all who hear the Gospel to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; that is, to believe on ‘Him as having died for them, and to believe that his sufferings and death are a sufficient sa- erwfice for their sins; and consequently, to offer this sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ as a ransom price for their souls. Mark xvi. 16. XVI. Butit is not likely that any person will feel his need of Jesus Christ as his Saviour, unless he feel that he is sinful, guilty, and can- not help himself: hence the Holy Scriptures require men to repent; that is, to turn from and be deeply sorry for their transgressions, to mourn and be distressed for having sinned against God; and to implore His mercy through Christ Jesus, by fervent and conti- nued prayer. Acts iii. 19. xviii. 30. XVII. The Scripture gives no hope to any man, that his sins can be blotted out, or his zoul saved, by any thing he can do, or has done, 80 ‘Phe Principles of — or by any sufferings through which he can pos- sibly pass : every man, therefore, must come to God through Christ, to be saved by free grace, and mere mercy alone. Rom. ili. 24. Eph. ii. 8. XVIII. When a sinner comes thus to God, with a broken and contrite heart, believing and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for sal- vation, God freely pardons him ; and he knows and feels that he is pardoned, because his dark- - ness and distress are all taken away ; and the Spirit of God bears witness with his spirit that he is a child of God: this God has promised ; _ and, therefore, it is the privilege of every Christian to know that his sins are forgiven him for Christ’s sake: and of this fact there are thousands of living witnesses in the Chris- tian church. -Let it ever be remembered, that genuine faith in Christ will ever be pro- ductive of good works; for this faith worketh by love, as the apostle says: and love to God always produces obedience to His holy laws. Rom. v. 5. viii. 16. XIX. Pardon, or forgiveness of sin, implies, that the man’s guilt is taken away; and that he is no longer in danger of falling into endless punishment: but it does not imply that the evil of his nature is wholly removed ; for this is a separate work of God’s mercy. Romans v. 1. villi. 1. XX. Hence, God promises His Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse the heart, so as utterly to destroy all pride, anger, self-will, peevishness, hatred, malice, and every thing contrary to His The Christian Religion. 81 own holiness. 1 Thess. v. 23. Rom. viii. 13. Ezek. xxxvi. 25—27. . Gig XXI. The work of pardon on the conscience is called sustirication ; the work of holiness » in the heart is termed sancriricatTion :—these two comprise the whole salvation of the soul in this world. He who is completely sanctified, or cleansed from all sin, and dies in this state, is fit for glory. Rez. iii. 5. XXII. Let it be therefore remembered, that REPENTANCE must go before justification ; that JUSTIFICATION must go before sanctification ; and that sancrirication must go before glori- fication. Consequently, he who does not re- pent and forsake sin cannot be justified, he who is not justified cannot be sanctified, and he who is not sanctified cannot be glorified. XXIII. As the grace that produces any of these states may be lost through sin, or care- lessness ; hence the necessity, that the true penitent should continue to watch and pray fill he is justified ; that, when justified, he should continue to watch and pray, and deny himself, and fake up his cross, till he is sanctified ; and, when sanctified, he should continue the same course, believing, loving, and obeying, till he is glorified. As he will be in danger as long as: he lives of falling from grace, so he should con- tinue to watch and pray, believe, and main- tain good works, as long as he breathes: for while thus employed, humbly trusting in the Lord Jesus, he cannot fall. 1 Cor. ix. 27 i 7% 82 The Principles of 2 Pet. ii. 17. Mark xiv. 88. xiti. 37. 2 Pet. ii. 10. XXIV. Jesus Christ has ordained only two sacraments, or religious ceremonies ;—T he first Baptism, by which we enter into His church ; and the second the Lonn’s Supper, often eulled 4 the Sackament, by which we soneee: mem- bers of His church. The former impli ing dipped in, or sprinkled with water, im name of the Farner, and of the Son, and of the Hoty Guost. The water is an emblem of the cleansing and purifying influence of the Holy Spirit ; and the whole of the act itself signifies a consecration of the person to the endless ser- vice and glory of the ever blessed Trinity, that is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in whose name he has been baptized. The second or ho- ly sacrament is an emblem of the sacrificial death of Christ; the BREAD which is used signify> - ing His sony that was crucified, and the wine His blood that was shed for the sins of the world. But the bread and wine are only emblems of this body and blood ; not changed into that of — our blessed Lord, as some have erroneously — pon cabpapd He, therefore, who receives the Holy Sacrament professes thereby that he ex-_ pects salvation only through the incarnation, — death, and resurrection of aur Lord Jesus.— Matt. xxvili. 29) xxvi, 26, 27, 28, One XXV. The body is mortal, and mustndiog aid mingle with the earth, out of which it was made : but it shall be raised again by the pow- er of Christ, in what is called the ResurRec- The Christian Religion. 83 Tron from the dead. But the soul is immor- tal, and can neither die nor perish: but-in the resurrection the body and soul shall be again united, both of the just and of the unjust.— Heb. 1x. 27. 1 Cor. xy. 51, 52. John y. 28, 29. Eccl. xiii. 7. XXVI. After the resurrection comes the ge- neral supcmentT, in which God shall render unto every man according as his works have been: those who have lived and died in sin shall be sent into hell, and be thus for ever banished from God and the glory of His pow- er: these who have here received the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have been faith- ful unto death, shall be brought into the king- dom of glory, and be eternally with the Lord. John v. 29. Rev. ii. 10. XXVII. In the interim, from death te the resurrection, all souls shall be in a state of conscious existence ; the wicked having a fore- taste of the misery that awaits them, and the good having a foretaste of the blessedness which is prepared forthem. But neither can be su- premely happy or wretched till the souls are joined to their respective bodies; otherwise a day of judgment would be rendered unneces- sary: for asthe works for which they shall be punished or rewarded were done in the body; so they must be joined to their bodies before they can be capable of bearing the due degree of punishment, or enjoying the fulness of eter- nal glory. Luke xxiii. 43. 84 The Principles of XXVIII. Those who, at the day of judg- ment, are sentenced to punishment, shall ne- ver escape from perdition ; and those who are taken to glory, shall never fall fromit. Both states shall be eternal. Matt. xxv. 46. -XXIX, The Brsuz, from whence the above principles are drawn, is a revelation from God Himself; and declares His will relative to the salvation of men. The words contained in it were inspired by the Holy Spirit into the minds of faithful men, called Propuers and Seers, in the Old Testament; and. EvancE.ists and Arost.es in the New. These all spoke as the Spirit gave them a Rev. xxii. 19. 2 Pet. i. 21. XXX. This Brexe, or hee Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are the only complete guide to everlasting blessedness: men may err, but the Scripture cannot; for it is the worD oF Gop Himself, who can neither mis- take, decetve, nor be deceived. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. XXXI. From this worp all doctrines must be derived and proved; and from it every man must learn his duty to God, to his neighbour, and to himself. Isa. viii. 20. XXXII. We have, therefore, three grand gifts, for which we should incessanfly magnify God :—First, His Son, Curist Jesus. Se- cond, The influence of His Holy Spirit. And, third, His blessed word. 1 John iv. 10. Luke xi. 13. John v. 39, The Christian Religion. 85 XXXII. This Word shows us that Gop is Love: that he hateth nothing that He hath made; that He is loving to every man, and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. 1 Johniv. 16. Psa. cxlv. 9. XXXIV. It shows us that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man, and that the whole human race may believe in Him to the saving ef their souls. Heb. ii. 9. 1 Tim. ii. 6. Ezek. Rvili 33. xxxili. 2. 2 Pet. iii. 9. XXXV. It shows us that God sends His Ho- ly Spirit into the hearts and consciences of all men, to convince them of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and that His light is to be found, even where His Word has not yet been revealed. John i. 19. xvi. 8, 9,10, 11. Rom. ii. 14. XXXVI. On this ground the Bible informs us, God will judge the Heathen, who have ne- ver been favoured with this Divine revelation. Those who have acted conscientiously, accord- ing to the dictates of this heavenly light in their minds, shall not perish eternally; but have that measure of glory and happiness which is suited to their state; while those who have acted contrary to it, shall be separated from God and happiness for ever. Rom. ii. 12. Luke xii. 47, 48. Acts x. 34. XXXVII. By this light even the heathens are taught the general principles of right and wrong; of justice and injustice : not to injure each other: to be honest and just in their a. =! ab of 86 The Principles of dealings; to abhor murder, cruelty, and op- pression; and to be charitable and merciful ac- cording to their power. John i. 9. Rom. ii. 14, XXXVIII. Those who have been favoured with Divine revelation shall be judged ac- cording to that revelation. They have re- ceived much, and from them much shall be re- quired; for the Bible assures us that those who have the Gospel, and do not obey it, shall be punished with an everlasting separation from the presence of God, and the glory of His power, in that place of misery where their worm, the accusation and self-reproaches of a guilty conscience, shall never die; and their fire, the instrument of their torment, shall ne- ver be quenched.—2 Thess. i. 9. Mark ix. 44. ~XXXIX. Thus we find that God will judge the heathen by the law which He has written in their minds; and He will judge the Jews by the Law which He has given them by Mo- ses and the prophets; and He will judge the Christians by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which He has given them by the evangelists and apostles; and He will judge the Moham- medans according to the opportunities they have had of knowing the Gospel, and the ob- stinacy with which they have rejected it. And this will be an aggravation of the punishment of the Jews, Mohammedans, and other unbe- © lievers, that the Gospel which would have made them wise unto salvation, has been re- i . The Christian Religion. 87 jected by them; and they continue blasphe- — mously to deny the Lord that bought them. XL. As the Sacred Scriptures were merci- fully given to man to promote his present as well as his eternal happiness; hence they contain di- rections for every state and condition of life : on husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, they enjoin mutual love, affection, obedience, and fidelity. To gover- nors and the governed they prescribe their re- spective duties; kings and magistrates, as the representatives of God, they enjoin to use their authority for the protection and comfort of the people: the people they command to love, honour, obey, and pray for their secu- lar rulers; to submit to those laws which are formed for the peace, good order, and pros- perity of the state; and to hold in abhorrence every thing that might tend to disturb the peace of the community. In a word, they require all men to love their neighbour, every human being, as themselves; and in all circumstances to do unto others as they would that others should do unto them. Matt. vii. 12. Luke x. 31. Rom. xiii. 1—7. Ephes. v. 21—33. vi. i—9. Col. ui. 18. 25. 1 Tim. ii. 1—3. Tit. ii. 1—6. iit. 1, 2. 1 Pet. iit. 1—7.‘ v. 1—5. XLI. From the foregoing principles we see that whatsoever is worthy of the infinite per- fections of the One Erernat Being, and what- soever is calculated to produce the present and everlasting happiness of mankind ts taught $8 The Principles of in the Bible; and that these truths have never been fully nor clearly taught, and most of them not at all, in any system of religion which has been adopted by even the wisest of the Heathen nations. —T hat, where this Book of Divine Re- velation has been received, there is found the greatest portion of -wisdom and true greatness; and the largest share of political, domestic, and personal happiness; and that none in s na- tions are wretched, ignorant, or miserable, but those who do not obey its dictates. XLII. As this religion positively commands ifs professors to love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and their neighbour, any and every human being, as themselves, hence it is the duty of all Christian nations and people to exert themselves in every possible _ and reasonable way to send this glorious light of revelation to all the nations of mankind who have not yet received it: and while they con- tinue to use that prayer which Jesus Christ has mercifully taught them, in which is con- tained this petition, Thy king:'iom come, they should keep a constant eye on the condition of the Heathen, and labour to send them that Gospel so essential to their peace, their com- fort, and their happiness. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature : he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; and he that ‘believeth net shall be damned.—Mark xvi. 16. a The Christan Relzgron, 89 And I saw an angel fly in the midst of hea- ven, having the eveRLastinc GosPEx to preach to them that dwell on the earth; and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people; saying with a loud voice, Fear Gep, and Give eLtory to Him.—Reo. xiv. 6, 7. DIRECTIONS FOR PROFITABLY READING THE WORD OF GOD. — —— Havine thus laid dewn at large the princi- ples of the Christian religion, and the reasons on which they are founded, and given a gene- ral view of that Divine revelation from which they are extracted, it may be necessary to give a few directions to those who seriously ask the question, ‘* How may we profit most, and grow wise unto salvation, by ‘reading the Sa- cred Writings?’ I answer :-— 1. Deeply consider that it is your duty and interest to read the Holy Scriptures. — 2. When you read, consider that it is Gop’s worp which you read; and that His faithfulness is pledged to fulfil both its promises and threat- enings. 3. Read the whole Bible, and read it in or- der ; two chapters in the Old Testament, and one in the New, daily, if you can possibly spare the time; and yeu will have more time than you are aware of, if you retrench all Directions, &c. 91 needless visits, and save the hours spent.in useless or unimportant conversation. pa 4, Think that the eye of Ged is upon xen while you are reading His word: and read and hear it with that reverence with which you would hear God speak, were He to address you as He did the prophets and people of old; for be assured, that He considers it as much His Word now, as He did when He first spoke it. 5. Remember that the word of God is not sent to particular persons, as if by name; and do not think you have no part in it, because you are not named there. It is not thus sent: it is addressed to particular characters ; to saints, sinners, the worldly minded, the proud, the unclean, the dishonest, the unfaithful, liars, sabbath-breakers, the penitent, the tempted, the persecuted, the afflicted, &c. &c. 6.. Therefore examine your own state, and see to which of these characters you belong, and then apply the word spoken to the cha- racter in question, to yourself; for it is as surely spoken to you as if your name were found printed in the Bible, and placed there by Divine inspiration itself. 7. When, in the course of such reading, you meet with a threatening, and know from your own state that this awful word is spoken against you, stop, and implore God, for the sake of the sufferings and death of His Son, to pardon the sin that exposes you to the punish- ment threatened, Pe vere ty cveen $2 Directions for Reading &. In like manner, when you meet witha | promise made to the penitent, tempted, aiflict- ed, &c. having found out your own case, stop, and implore God to fulfil that promise. 9. Should you. find, on self-examination, | that the threatening has been averted by your | having turned to God; that the promise has been fulfilled, through your faith in Christ ; stop here also, and return God thanks for hav- ing saved you from such sore evils, and brought you into such a glorious state of sal- vation. Thus you will constantly find matter in reading the Book of God. to excite-to-re- pentance, to exercise. faith, to produce confi- _ dence and consolation, and to beget gratitude; and gratitude will never fail to beget obe~- dience. He who reads the Bible in this way must infallibly profit by it. 10. It is always useful to read a portion of the Scriptures before prayer, whether per- formed in the family, or in the closet. In do- ing this, mark some particular passages,- that they may become a subject for your petitions : by attending to this, all formality and same- ness in this sacred duty -will be prevented ; and you will have an abundance of materials for petitions, supplications, thanksgiving, &c. And thus your prayers will never be tedious, unsatisfactory, or unedifying, either to your- self or to others. 11. Remember that in reading, you keep the eye of your mind steadily fixed upon Him, whe is the end of the Law, and the sam The Word of God. 93 of the Gospel ; for even the Holy Scriptures can make you wise unto Salvation only through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. iii. 15. 12. Let the Scriptures, therefore, lead you - to that Holy Spirit by which they were in- spired : let that Spirit lead you to Jesus Christ, who has ransomed you by His death. And let ’ this Christ lead you to the Father, that He may adopt you into the family of heaven; and thus being taught of Him, justified by His blood, and sanctified by His Spirit, you shall be saved with all the power of an endless life. 13. As often as you have an opportunity of hearing the word of God preached, be sure to’ attend ; for remember, the Holy Scripture asserts that ‘‘ faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. x. 17. It is, therefore, your duty and your interest to hear that word preached; diligently to attend public worship, and attentively hear what God, by the mouth of his ministers, shall say unto you. The minister is God’s messenger, and the expositor of His word. They who do not attend public worship, show that they have little reverence for His name, and little regard for their own souls. He who has the oppor- tunity, and does not wait upon God in public, has little reason to expect that God will de- ’ part from His own institutions, to bless him in private. ‘‘ The path of duty is the path of safety;” and “« they who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength.”’ Jsa. xl. 31. Q* 94 Directions for Reading, &c. 14. All these directions may be summed up ~ in that most excellent form of sound words, which is used in our church : COLLECT FOR THE SECOND