ઃઃ THE REASON WHY-GENERAL SCIENCE," THE REASON WHY- With an Introduction BY A CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. LONDON: HOULSTON & WRIGHT, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW. [The Author Reserves the Right of Translation.] 1859.15 101. a. 13. INTRODUCTION. HE study of the Bible has ever been, and will always con tinue, a deeply interesting one to every earnest and faithful Christian; because it contains the seeds of that knowledge of salvation SO essential to his soul's welfare. Many clever and learned commentaries have been written on the Holy Scriptures, displaying, on the part of their authors, deep and profound erudition; but as many, who are, perchance, well acquainted with its sacred truths in their own language, may not be sufficiently, if at all, versed in the Hebrew, Chaldaic, or Greek-the original languages in which both the Old and New Testaments were written— these commentaries are to them sealed books, and many a passage is regarded as difficult and obscure for want of some plain and simple explanation of a particular custom or characteristic, that might at once clear away the cloud of darkness hanging over it. Another class of persons there are who have not had many educational advantages, and are able, not without labour and difficulty, to read their Bible. They must often feel the want of some book that would help them in their Biblical study, and, at the same time, originate for them a new train of thought. There is also the rising generation-that great hope of Christ's kingdom--of whom our Saviour said, "Suffer them to come unto me:" these are the constant objects of Christian solicitude; to them the Book of Life has to be opened, and its precious contents explained and applied. Considering the many difficulties that these classes of Biblical students must meet with in reading and studying the Bible, the Author of the present work has endeavoured to obviate these difficulties, and to give to the earnest and truth-seeking student greater pleasure and interest in his reading of the Holy Scriptures. Although much learning and careful research have been employed in the composition of this volume, as well as the attentive perusal of the many valuable works on Biblical literature, the great object has been throughout to avoid the introduction of Hebrew, Chaldaic, Syriac, or Greek words, in any other but English character, and the English meaning has always been appended, where such words have been deemed necessary to be employed in explanation. The division of the whole work into Question and Answer has been approved, as tending materially to facilitate the subjects treated of, and also more readily to convey the information, and fix it more effectually and permanently on the mind. No opinion has been adduced that does in any, or the slightest degree militate against the grand fundamental doctrines of our holy religion, as for instance, the Doctrine of Baptism, or of the Trinity; nor is there anything throughout the whole work that is hot perfectly consonant with the tenets of our Church, as contained in the Liturgy and Articles. Many talented scholars, as well as inferior ones, both in ancient and modern times, have taken up the Bible to read, not in the humble, meek spirit of a sincere Christian, but in a proud, worldly temper, hoping to find some error, some anomaly, at which to aim the arrow of scepticism and infidelity; but this study has generally, through the overruling providence of God, ended in leading the sceptic and infidel scholar to that which is more lasting, more valuable, than all the boasted wisdom of the world—even the knowledge of the dealings of the Most High. That this work, though not pretending to rival in scholarship, or profound learning, its older and more able. predecessors in Biblical lore, may yet be the means of helping many a sincere and right-minded Christian in the study of the Book of Life; and also may lead many a careless reader and hearer of its sacred truths to a more hearty longing for greater spiritual knowledge and growth in heavenly wisdom, is the most earnest wish and desire of A CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. |