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in many of them, and also the vari-prised in the particular parts of the ous senses of particular words or history or discourse.

phrases, being in most instances in- For a similar reason, where the structive, and in all worthy to be same identical words, or nearly so, known. But it has not been thought might be found in a great numnecessary, in giving these readings, ber of texts, a few of these only have to insert such words as are repeated been selected ;-illustration, not rein the text, and which would there- petition, having been the object in fore have fruitlessly occupied a por-view. tion of the space allotted to refer

ences,

The References, therefore, which fill the middle column, have all been The Various Readings are referred diligently considered and applied to by small figures placed immedi- with a particular attention to this ately before the words for which they specific end, that none which were are to be substituted; and the Re- superfluous might be introduced, ferences by Italic letters, which are while the most material purposes to generally placed after the first or se- be answered by References might cond word of a verse, or clause of a nevertheless be effectually secured. verse, when they are intended to il- WHETHER the latitude or the lilustrate the whole of that verse or mits of such an undertaking be conclause but when the principal force sidered, it is proper that the princiof the illustration rests on a single ples on which it has been conducted word, the letter reference is placed im- should be so far explained, as that mediately after that word. This has the Reader may be apprised of what been the general rule, and the ex- he is to expect from it, and in what ceptions have either been unavoida- branches of religious inquiry it may ble, or are quite immaterial. most materially assist him.

In referring to several relations of In that grand enunciation of the the same facts, by different Writers dignity and design of the Sacred Voin the Sacred Volume, (as in the his-lume, which is given by the Apostle ories recorded by the Four Evan- Paul, (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17,) we are told, gelists, and in those contained in the that "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY IN Books of Kings and Chronicles,) the SPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITAcorresponding chapters, or parts of BLE FOR DOCTRINE,FOR REPROOF,FOR chapters in each, having been once CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN noted at the beginning of the history RIGHTEOUSNESS; THAT THE MAN OF or subject, it has not been thought GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THOROUGHLY necessary to repeat those references FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS." in the subsequent verses, except But it must be evident, that the where something material is to be Scripture could not be effectually noticed. Thus also in the prophecy profitable for these great ends, nor of Obadiah, which relates chiefly to make the man of God PERFECT, if the destruction of the Edomites, the it were not perfect itself; if its difprophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Eze-ferent parts were at variance with kiel, and Amos, on the same subject, each other if, notwithstanding all having been once pointed out at the the variety of matter, and multiplicommencement, are not again refer-city of detail, which such a book red to. And so in the history of our required, the doctrines revealed, and Lord's temptation,given in the fourth the moral duties enjoined, were not chapter of the Gospel by St. Matthew, substantially and essentially the reference being made from the first same throughout; and if all the verse to the fourth chapter of that parts did not concur in the plan by St. Luke, where the same history of the whole. To exhibit, then, the is recorded, no further reference is harmony of the Sacred Writers, on made to that chapter in the subse-the subjects of which they treat, has quent verses; the connexion of the been the primary design of this sewhole being obvious, and the com-lection. And as there are some sub parison easy. More space has been jects of leading importance, in which thus retained for the illustration or

onfirmation of the subjects or sen- *'APTION, perfectus, integer, sanus, incolu ences individually, which are com-Imis, consentaneus, tmsummatus.-Hedericu

OF THE POLYGLOTT BIBLE.

all the rest are included, and by life, that they may not fail of these means of which the harmony and great ends, except by their own wilperfection of the Inspired Pages are ful rejection of the counsel of God written, as with the beams of the against themselves. The salvation sun; to these, especial care and at- of his own soul should therefore be tention have been devoted. the grand concern of every reader of

I. It has appeared an object of the the Scripture. Here the immortality first magnitude, that the reader of of the soul is brought to light, and the Holy Scriptures should be assisted placed in unquestionable evidence by references from text to text, to Here, its defection from original puhave constantly in view the con- rity is clearly demonstrated; the nexion of all the divine attributes, means of its restoration are set forth; and the holy uniformity of God in his and its future destiny is declared. It government, both of his Church, and is an awful responsibility which of the world. A display of the true they incur who wilfully neglect this character and perfections of God holy book, and devote all their time, is, without dispute, one chief de- and the powers of their minds, to sign of the Inspired Volume. Here, terrestrial, and subordinate objects. as in Isaiah's miraculous vision, They slight the pearl of greatest may Jehovah be seen, sitting upon a price, which is no where else to be throne, high and lifted up; his train found; and seem as if they were defills the temple, and the Sacred termined to frustrate, as far as reWriters, like the Seraphim, cover spects themselves, all that Divine themselves, and cry one to another, wisdom and goodness have done to and say, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, IS THE rescue the immortal mind of man LORD OF HOSTS, THE WHOLE EARTH from spiritual ignorance, error, va IS FULL OF HIS GLORY. It is this nity, vice, and ruin. Those, howwhich gives to the Scripture its su- ever, who are seeking to enjoy the perlative grandeur. By it, God is blessings which the Gospel reveals, known; his will is promulgated; his will, as they are able, search the purposes are revealed; his mercy is Scriptures; and such persons will announced; and he is every where receive great help from having reexhibited as worthy of the supreme ferences at hand to assist their inadoration, love, service, and praise, quiries. "It were to be wished," of all his intelligent creatures. Lit- says Bishop Horsley, "that no Bibles tle do those who neglect their Bibles were printed without References. think what refined delight they lose, Particular diligence should be used by thus turning away their eyes in comparing the parallel texts of from the most sublime, the most glo- the Old and New Testaments. . . rious,and the most beautifying object It is incredible," he adds, "to any of contemplation, that the whole one who has not made the experiuniverse affords. ment, what a proficiency maybe made II. But this manifestation of the in that knowledge which maketh Divine character and government is wise unto salvation, by studying the not presented to us as a matter of Scriptures in this manner, WITHOUT mere speculation, in which we have ANY OTHER COMMENTARY, OR EXPOno immediate and personal interest. sITION, THAN WHAT THE DIFFERENT The Holy Scriptures are designed to PARTS OF THE SACRED VOLUME MU promote the Glory of God BY THE TUALLY FURNISH FOR EACH OTHER SALVATION OF MAN. The peculiar pur- Let the most illiterate Christian stupose of the whole is, to turn men dy them in this manner, and let him from darkness to light, and from the never cease to pray for the illuminpower of Satan to God; to raise them ation of that Spirit by which these from the ruins of the Fall, and to books were dictated and the whole put them in possession of the bless- compass of abstruse philosophy, and ings of Redemption; to lead them recondite history, shall furnish no from sin to holiness; to conduct them argument with which the perverse through a state of conflict and trial will of man shall be able to shak on earth, to a state of rest and felicity this learned Christian's faith." * S in heaven; and so to assist and direct

them in all possible conditions in

*Horsley's Nine Sermons, p. 224-88.

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great and perfect is the coincidence as relate to the future happiness and of every part of the Word of God in glory which is promised to the faith the grand and merciful design of the ful, or punishment and misery denounced against the impenitent. A

whole !

Ye

III. This is more apparent, and small body of divinity is sometimes the harmony and perfection of the comprised in a few texts connected Holy Scriptures are rendered more together in this way. Thus, from peculiarly evident and distinct, by those words in Ezek. xxiii. 49. the constant reference of all its shall bear the sins of your idols, the writers to our Lord and Saviour Reader is referred first to Numb. xiv. Jesus Christ. To HIM GIVE ALL THE 34, as a parallel passage, shewing PROPHETS WITNESS. Acts x. 43. The God visiting sin upon the transgresthings which were written in the sors themselves; then to Numb. xviii. law of Moses, and in all the Prophets, 23, to shew the typical visitation cf and in the Psalms, concern HIM; it upon the Levitical priesthood; (Luke xxiv. 27, 44 ;) and would come then to Isaiah liii. 11, to shew the to nothing if he were separated from prophetic declaration of its being them. He is the bright and morning laid on Christ; and, lastly, to 1 Pet. star; the true light that must lighten ii. 24, to shew the actual fulfilment every man who comes to see the of that prophecy, and the end to be glory of Divine Revelation. Rev. answered by it: for there we are xxii. 16. John i. 9. It has therefore told, that He that judgeth righteously, been a chief design of this work to "his own self, bare our sins in his own connect and to exhibit the testimony body on the tree, that we, being dead which all the Sacred Penmen bear to sin, should live to righteousness." to the adorable Immanuel; to the V. The concurrence of the Old and proper and unequivocal Divinity of New Testament with each other, his nature, the necessity of his me- and the relation of the types before diation, the reality and design of and under the Mosaic law, to their under the Gospel, have his incarnation, his spotless and ex- completion emplary life, his unparalleled suffer- been studiously regarded, so as to ngs, his vicarious death, the verity render it evident, that whatever vaof his resurrection and ascension riations may have been made in the into heaven, the sufficiency of his form and administration of external righteousness, the prevalence of his worship, true religion, under the intercession, the spirituality of his former dispensations, was always kingdom, his sovereignty in the essentially the same as true reliChurch, his constant care and love gion under the present; that "he is of his people, and the certainty of not a Jew which is one outwardly; his second coming to raise the dead neither is that circumcision which and judge the world in righteous- is outward in the flesh but he is a ness-grand and sublime truths, in Jew which is one inwardly; and which every individual of the hu- circumcision is that of the heart, in man race is deeply and eternally in- the spirit, and not in the letter, terested. whose praise is not of men, but of IV. The chief purpose of Christ's God. For in every nation, he that mission being that such as believe feareth God, and worketh righteouson him might be saved from sin, ness, is accepted of him." Rom. ii. which is the transgression of the 28, 29. Acts x. 35. In this, the reDivine law, and from the punish-velation made before the institution ment due to it; it has been thought of the Levitical priesthood, that important frequently to connect made during its continuance, and those texts which speak of trans- that which has been made since its gressions, with those in which the termination, all agree. The Mosaic law concerning them is to be found, ritual was the shadow of good things and in which punishment is threat- to come; so were the priesthood and ened; and sometimes with those in kingdom of Melchisedec: and the which the atonement is set forth, body is Christ, who is essentially the and pardon is proclaimed; or in same, both in his person and in his which sanctifiation is promised, or government, yesterday, to-day, and enforced; and these again with such for ever. Heb. xiii. 8.

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VI. But the instruction diffused, VIII. Further, the Scriptures are through the Scriptures, respecting not merely intended to lead men to the gracious and indispensable ope- godliness: they are intended also to rations of the Holy Ghost the Sanc- exemplify it. Repentance, Faith, tifier, has not been forgotten: and Hope, Charity, and Devotion, are the references on this article will here exhibited in the most perfect shew, that, as to his sacred influence models; and it has therefore entered on the minds of the Inspired Pen- into the design of this Work to shew men, we are indebted for all the the corresponding emotions and contruths they have taught us; so to his duct of the Saints, both of the Old influence on the minds of those who Testament and the New, when unreceive and regard them, must such der the influence of those disposipersons be indebted for all they have tions,contemplations, and emotions, learned, or can learn, of them. His which are most peculiarly charac work completes the great design of teristic of true piety; and also to the whole; and his assistance and connect the devotional parts of Scripblessing are distinctly promised to ture with the occurrenceswhich gave all who sincerely ask them. rise to them, as far as they can be

VII. As the Scriptures harmonize ascertained. Thus is Religion known in their primary and general objects, by its fruits: not as a thing merely so do they with regard to the parti- of times and circumstances: but a cular subjects comprehended in their living principle in the mind, which plan. Historical accounts are veri- times and circumstances call into fied by other coincident ones, or by action, and contribute to display. accounts of the persons or places to IX. The aphoristic and poetical which they refer. The prophecies parts of the Sacred Writings are also of one Prophet, concerning events connected, so as to illustrate and which were to take place, relating enforce each other; that the Reader either to kingdoms, families, indivi- may be constantly impressed with duals, or the world at large, are con-those momentous truths, and that sistent with those pronounced by sublime language with which they other Prophets. The accounts of the abound, and which afford perpetual Jewish polity under its various vi-food for the best exercises of the uncissitudes, are confirmed by the writ-derstanding, and the finest emotions ings of the Prophets who lived du-jof the heart; at once furnishing maring or after those vicissitudes:terials for the most rational enterwhile the former tend reciprocally to tainment, and the most solid instruc establish the authenticity of the lat- tion. In this respect, the Scriptures ter. The histories of the Four Evan- will be found to resemble the garden gelists have a regular connection of Eden, in which the Lord Gop has and parallelism, especially those of made to grow every tree that is Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The re-pleasant to the sight, and good for cital of the transactions of the Apos- spiritual food. But no Cherubin or tles, after the ascension of our Lord, flaming sword are here to prohibit strongly authenticates the Apostolic access to the Tree of Life. The chilEpistles and Archdeacon Paley has dren of the second Adam may freely, well shewn the confirmation which and without fear or interruption, the Epistles of St. Paul derive from now put forth their hands to its soulthe circumstances recorded by St. reviving fruit, and take, and eat, and Luke, in his book of the Acts. Pro-live for ever.

phecies are connected with their ac- X. The agreement of the Sacred complishments, as far as those ac- Writerswith each other will be found complishments are included in the not only to exist in the subjects on Scripture History. Promises and which they treat, but to extend t threatenings are connected with their own individual characters. their respective fulfilments; precept will appear that they were all with example, and with supplica-mated by the same Spirit; that th tion; and the prayers of believers were all holy men, speaking as the with the answers they have received. were moved by the Holy Ghost, ca All these relations have been care-ing men to holiness, as the indis fully regarded in this compilation, pensable requisite to the enjoyment

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PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH VERSION, &C.

of everlasting happiness ;-men, ne- conformed itself to every palate. vertheless, of like passions with our- The fairest productions of human selves; conscious of their own natu- wit, after a few perusals, like gatherral infirmity and sinfulness, and of jed flowers, wither in our hands, and the mercy of God through Christ Je- lose their fragrancy; but these unsus, as their only refuge from his fading plants of Paradise become, as Just displeasure. In short, they were we are accustomed to them, still men fearing God; loving God; loving more and more beautiful;their bloom his character, his laws, his will; ad- appears to be daily heightened, fresh miring his great and wonderful pur- odours are emitted, and new sweets poses, and voluntarily, deliberately, extracted from them. He who hath and determinedly devoting them- once tasted their excellencies, will selves to his service, whatever it desire to taste them yet again; and might cost them, and to whatever it he who tastes them oftenest will remight expose them. On all these lish them best."

accounts, they are held forth as ex- Happy in having laboured to faciamples, whose faith, patience, and litate the acquaintance of the Chrispractice, Christians are to follow. tian with this invaluable treasure, 1 Cor. xi. 1. Heb. xiii. 7. Ja. v. 10. the Editor has now only to implore It is thus that the Scriptures are the blessing of Him by whom its exPROFITABLE to all the purposes for haustless stores have been bestowed which they are destined, and are cal- on sinful man; and to hope that his culated to make the man of God feeble endeavours may be instrumenPERFECT, and thoroughly furnished tal in advancing the Reader's edificaunto all good works. To the Inspir- tion, and, in their humble measure, ed Pages at large may be applied tend to promote that happy state of the remarks of the excellent Bishop things, so long foretold, and so arHorne (on the Psalms.) "Indited dently to be desired, in which THE under the influence of Him, to whom EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE all hearts are known, and all events KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF JE foreknown, they suit mankind in all HOVAH AS THE WATERS COVER THE situations, grateful as the manna SEA. Heb. ii. 14. Is. xi. 9. which descended from above, and] T. C.

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