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RB 23 a 19520

BRITISH

LIBRARY

PREF A C E.

To O the many Compilations published for the use of Schools, it feemed expedient that a Selection fhould be added from the BIBLE. And with respect to the propriety of felecting, where all is prefumed to be excellent, it will not furely be denied by the judicious and impartial, that fome parts of Holy Scripture are better adapted than others, to the perufal of readers in the puerile age.

It appears that the practice of initiating young people in reading by the New and Old Teftament, which was once univerfal, is rather on the decline; and one reason of it may be, a difapprobation of reading them, WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, at a time when the understanding is immature.

But while the New and Old Teftament have loft ground in Schools, many trifling and uninterefting Books have fupplied their place; books which imprefs ideas but feebly, and which, if they are remembered, furnish the mind with little more than lumber. Even hiftories of Jefus Chrift and of the Bible, conveyed in the language of a poor writer, tend to debafe fubjects, which, in the facred text, appear with an air of native majesty.

It is defirable that the more important matter of Holy Writ fhould make an early impreffion, and be remembered for life, and it is therefore right to let it be read, as in the days of our forefathers, during the courfe of early education, when all that is received is likely to be long retained. A fample once relished by the learner, may invite him in due time to feaft upon the whole.

Such ideas on the subject fuggefted the expediency of the following felection. In beginning it, the Editor was glad to

lean on authority. He therefore adopted in the New Tefta-
ment the Chapters particularly recommended by Dr. An-
thony Blackwall, the celebrated author of the Sacred Claf-
fics, who, from his peculiar ftudies, may be fuppofed well
prepared to direct fuch a choice.

His words on the subject of his felection, which is here
followed in the First Part, are thefe:

"In this collection you will find the Book of God,
"written by the Evangelifts and Apoftles, comprised in
a most admirable and comprehenfive Epitome +."

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In the Second Part, which confifts of Extracts from the
Old Teftament, the Editor has endeavoured to felect, accord-
ing to his own judgment, the most entertaining and improving
paffages and books; and if he has in any respect erred, he
hopes the rectitude of his intention will fecure pardon.

In the Third Part he has inferted most of those beautiful
and moral books of Apocrypha, the Wisdom of Solomon, and
Ecclefiafticus.

As the great objections to the Editions of Bibles,ufually intro-
duced into Schools are, a fmall Letter and a crowded Page,
regard has been paid in this Selection to the external circum-
fances of a good Type and a pleasing appearance of both Page
and Paper. Thefe are of confequence to the young learner,
as they leffen the tedium of reading, by eafing the eye.

Sincerely hoping that this Publication may contribute fome-
thing, as an elementary book, to the promotion of religious
knowledge and rational piety in the most docile age, it is
refpectfully offered to the fuperintendants of education.

+ Vid. Blackwall's Introduction to the Claffics, pag. 132, 133′′

SACRED

O R

PASSAGES from SCRIPTURE, SELECTED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

BOOK

I.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT.

From the Gospel according to St. MATTHEW.

A

CHAP. V.,

ND feeing the multi

ful for they fhall obtain

mercy.

8 Bleffed are the pure in tudes, he went up into heart; for they fhall fee a mountain and when he | God. 1: was fet, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, faying,

9 Bleffed are the peacemakers for they fhall be called the children of God,

10 Bleffed are they which are perfecuted for righteouf3¶ Bleffed are the poor in nefs' fake for their's is the fpirit: for their's is the king-kingdom of heaven. dom of heaven.

4 Bleffed are they that mourn for they fhall be comforted.

5 Bleffed are the meek: for they ey fhall inherit the earth. 6 Bleffed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they fhall be filled.

II Bleffed are ye when men fhall revile you, and perfecute you, and fhall fay all manner of evil against you falfely for my fake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for fo perfecuted they the prophets which were before

7 Blessed are the merci-you.

B

13 Ye

i

13 ¶ Ye are the falt of the earth but if the falt have loft his favour, wherewith fhall it be falted? it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be caft out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is fet on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bufhel, but on a candleftick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light fo fhine before men, that they may fee your good works, and glorify your Father which is

in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to deftroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pafs, one jot or one tittle fhall in no wife pafs from the law, till all be fulfilled.

nefs fhall exceed the righte oufness of the fcribes and Pharifees, ye fhall in no cafe enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that. it was faid by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whofoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgement:

22. But I fay unto you, That whofoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgement: and whofoever fhall fay to his brother, Raca, fhall be in danger of the council: but whofoever fhall fay, Thou fool, fhall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembereft that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; firft be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

19 Whofoever therefore fhall break one of these leaft 25 Agree with thine adcommandments, and fhall versary quickly, whiles thou teach men fo, he fhall be art in the way with him: left called the leaft in the king-at any time the adverfary dedom of heaven: but whofo-liver thee to the judge, and the ever fhall do, and teach them, judge deliver thee to the ofthe fame shall be called great ficer, and thou be caft into in the kingdom of heaven. prifon.

20 For I fay unto you, That except your righteouf

26 Verily I fay unto thee, Thou shalt by no means

come

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