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A HELP to the READING of the HOLY SCRIPTURES:

OR,

RULES for the more profitable Reading of the Bible, and instructing Persons of ordinary Understandings what Parts of the Old and New Testament are fittest for them to read, and best suited to their several Necessities and Capacities.

THESE Holy Books all christians look upon as the oracles of God, and

the sacred records of divine truth: and whoever retains a due reverence for them, and makes them his study and meditation, will continue grounded and settled in the faith, and not be moved from the hope of the gospel. For, as licentiousness in opinion always makes way for licentiousness in practice, so I cannot but earnestly recommend, to all that are sincere lovers of the truth, the careful reading of the holy scriptures, which will afford, to all that seriously peruse them, so many internal arguments of their divine authority, as cannot be withstood by any ingenuous mind. And

The Holy Spirit has condescended to the weaker and more ignorant part of mankind, in that plain and unaffected style wherewith all necessary truths are delivered, that he who has much understanding will find employment for his best thoughts, in searching out the deep things of God's word; and he that has but little may thence learn enough to make him wise unto salvation. But I premise, that it is absolutely necessary, that persons of ordinary education and capacities should depend upon the judgment of those teachers and instructors, which God has placed over them, for the sense of difficult places in scripture. For it is but reasonable, that persons of ordinary capacities, and such as have not made the study of the scriptures their business, ought to have the same deference for the judgment of their teachers, in difficulties relating to points of religion, as those that never studied law or physic have for the judgment of lawyers or physicans in matters relating to their several professions. And, as the meanest artificer thinks his trade and mystery not to be learned without serving an apprenticeship; is it not a shame, that many of those very persons fancy the profession of divinity requires neither parts nor industry, but will leap into the doctor's chair?

Therefore, in some wise to prevent and remedy any such mistake, I shall now proceed to lay down particular rules and directions for the right understanding and interpretation of these Holy Books. And

The first rule I shall offer is this, That we should begin with reading the plainest books.

I take the Gospels to be the most proper books for any person to begin with, who designs to make a good progress in scripture knowledge. For here we have Him speak unto us, who came down from heaven on purpose that he might instruct us, and teach us the way of God more perfectly: we have him speak unto us, who spake as never man did.' Next to the Gospels, I would recommend the reading of the book of Psalms, as very proper to raise in our souls devout affections of faith and hope toward God; of love and thankfulness to him; of re verence to his name and word, and submission to his will and providence. I might proceed further in my own, but rather choose to recommend to your observation the method which St. Jerome prescribes, in his epistle concerning the education of Lata's daughter. He advises her, first to teach her daughter the Psalms, and let her be entertained with these holy songs; let her then be instructed in the common duties of life by the Proverbs of Solomon: let her learn from

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Ecclesiastes to despise worldly things: transcribe from Job the practice of patience and virtue: let her pass then to the Gospels, and never let them be out of her hands; and then imbibe with all the faculties of her mind the Acts and Epistles. When she has enriched the storehouse of her breast with those treasures, let her learn the books of Moses, Joshua, and Judges, the books of Kings and Chronicles, the volumes of Ezra and Esther; and, lastly, the Canticles.'

Yet although it be advisable thus to read one portion of scripture before another, they all agree in teaching the same fundamental truths, and in promoting one and the same excellent design, viz. the glory of God, and the eternal happiness of men.

The Books of the Old Testament

ARE DIVIDED INTO

Historical, Moral, Psalms, and Prophets.

THE CONTENTS.

I. THE HISTORICAL books described, with particular Rules and Directions for the profitable reading of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. II. The MORAL books, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. III. The book of Psalms reduced into such order, that every one may thereby find a help to raise their affections to God in every circumstance of life. IV. The PROPHETICAL books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

I. The HISTORICAL books commence with an account of the beginning of the world, and afford us a prospect unto the end of it. Moses begins with the history of the creation, of the state of innocence, of the deluge, and of the peop ling of the world afterward: of all which wonderful transactions the heathens had only an obscure tradition. He proceeds with giving an account of the fall of man, of the entrance of sin into the world, and those many evils and calamities which it brought along with it; displaying both the justice and goodness of God in this matter. For here we see the scene of man's redemption beginning to open immediately after the creation, to show us that Christ was the end of the law and of all the dispensations of providence which preceded it; that he was the Lamb slain in the purpose and decree of God, before the foundation of the world, and promised from or before ancient times.

Thus we find one and the same design pursued from one end of the Bible to the other; and all the sacred writers agree in displaying the great mystery of godliness by various steps and degrees, from the promise of the blessed seed in paradise, to the end and consummation of all things. Then Moses informs us how God chose Abraham and his seed, separating them from the rest of the world, and making a covenant with them, that he would be their God, and they should be his people; and that in the fulness of time the promised Seed should arise out of that nation. This was the first great step that God made toward fulfilling the promise of the Messiah. And this design was fulfilling by various steps and degrees for the space of four thousand years together, before it was fully complete and brought to perfection. And the remaining part of this history in the Old Testament is exactly pursued in a natural series of events for the space of near one thousand five hundred years, the principal transactions having such a connection with, and

dependence upon each other, that they do mutually support and confirm one another's credit. Therefore

I shall only remark further, that the main body of the Sacred History, and all the chief materials of it, are taken out of the public records and monuments of the nation, to which the writers themselves do often appeal, particularly in the books of Kings and Chronicles. And the connection which is observable between these several books of the scripture history,is likewise a plain indication that they were digested by public authority,and not the product of private pens; delivering their thoughts with great freedom,and speaking the truth without reserve; as if their only design was to give God the glory, and recommend their writings to the good opinion of their readers by a naked manifestation of the truth. And,

To the end that these books may be read with greater profit, I have here, for the ready finding any part thereof, collected and referred to the most material passages contained in them.

GENESIS.

The creation of the world and all things therein, chap. 1. and chap.

2. ver. 4.

Abram is encouraged by God, c. 15. v. 1.

で。

-Is promised a son, c. 15. v. 4.

The creation of Adam, c. 1. v. 27.-Is justified by faith, c. 15. v.6. and of Eve, c. 2. v. 21.

The institution of the sabbath, c.2.

v. 1.

Paradise, c. 2. v. 8.

Marriage instituted, c. 2. v. 24.
The fall of man, c. 3. v. 1.
The promised seed, c. 3 v. 15.

Hugar and. Ishmael's distress, c. 16. and c. 21. v. 15.

Abram's name changed to Abraham, c. 17. v. 5.

Circumcision instituted, c. 17. v. 10. Abraham entertaineth three angels, and prayeth for the inhabitants of

The punishment of mankind, c. 3. Sodom, c. 18.
v. 16:

The murder of Abel and curse of
Cain, c. 4. v. 8.

The godliness and translation of
Enoch, c. 5. v. 24.

An account of the ark, and God's
grace to Noah, c. 6 and 7.
The flood described, c. 7 and 8.
God's covenant with Noah, c. 8.
v. 20. and c. 9. to v. 13.

Lot entertaineth two angels, c. 19.

v. 1.

-Obtains favour of God, c. 19.

v. 12.

Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed, c. 19. v. 14.

Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt, c. 19. v. 26.

Abimelech deceived by Abraham and afflicted, c. 20.

Nimrod the first monarch, c, 10. Abraham offereth Isuac, c. 22.

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Isaac's journey and marriage of
Rebekah, c. 24. v. 10.

Abraham's death and burial, c. 25
v. 7.

Esau selleth his birthright, c.25 v. 29.

Jacob deceiveth his father in preju dice to Esau, c. 27. v. 1.

His vision of a ladder, c. 28.

v. 12.

-His vow, c. 28. v. 20.

c.-Arrives at laran, and serveth Laban for his daughters, c. 29.

Jacob's policy, whereby he became Moses born, c. 2. v. 1.

rich, c. 30. v. 37.

-How preserved, v. 5.

-Departure and covenant with-His flight into Midian, v. 15.

Laban, c. 31.

-Is afraid of Esau, and endeavours
to appease him, c. 32. v. 3.
-He wrestleth with an angel, and
receiveth the name of Israel, c.
32. v. 24.

The meeting of Jacob and Esau,
c. 33.

The murder of the Shechemites by
the sons of Jacob, c. 34. v. 25.
Joseph hated and sold by his bre-
thren, c. 37.

--Is advanced in Potiphar's house,
tempted by his mistress and im-
prisoned, c. 39.

-Interpreteth the dreams of the
chief butler and baker, c. 40.
v.5.

God appears to Moses in a burning
bush, and sends him to the Israel-
ites, c. 3. v. 2.

God's message to the Israelites,

c. 3. v. 15.

The name of God, c. 3. v. 14. and
c. 6. v. 3.

Moses instructed by God, c. 4. v. l.
God's message to Pharaoh by Mo-
ses and Aaron, c. 4. v. 21.
Its effects, c. 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Plagues of Egypt, c. 5 to 12.
The Passover instituted, c. 1o
v. 3.

Its ordnance, c. 12. v. 43.
See 2 Chron. c. 30.

v. 3.

c. 35. v. 1.

c. 13

v. 1.

The Israelites driven out of Egypt,

-Interpreteth the dream of Pha- c. 12. v. 31.
raoh, c. 41. v. 25.

-Is advanced next to Pharaoh, c.
41. v. 38.

The famine in Egypt, &c. c. 41.

v. 54. to c. 48.

The sorrow of Joseph's brethren,

c. 42. v. 16.

Judah's supplication to Joseph,

c. 44. v. 14.

Joseph maketh himself known to his
brethren, c. 45. v. 1.
Jacob, or Israel, goeth into Egypt
to Joseph his son, c. 46. v. 5.
-Blesseth Joseph's children, c. 48.
v. 9.

-

-Prophesieth his family's return to
Canaan, c. 48. v. 21.
-Blesseth his sons and dieth, c. 49.
-His funeral, c. 50. v. 7.
Joseph prophesieth, dieth, and is
embalmed, c. 50. v. 26.

EXODUS.

The Israelites persecuted in Egypt

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An intercourse between Moses and
_Jethro, c. 18.

God's message to the Israelites on.
mount Sinai, c. 19. v. 3.
The publication of the ten com-
mandments, c. 20.

Laws concerning men servants, c.
21. v. 1.

after the death of Joseph, c. 1.-Women servants, c. 21. v. 7.

v.8.

Pharaoh commands the midwives
to kill the male children of the
Israelites, c. 1. v. 16.

-Manslaughter, c. 21. v. 12.
-Stealers of men, c.21. v. 16.
--Cursers of parents, c. 2ř. v. 17.
-Smiters, c. 21. v. 18.

Laws concerning hurt by chance, The altar of incense, c. 30. v. 1.

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The Sabbath-day commanded, c.
31. v. 12. c. 35. v. 2..

Moses receiveth the two tables, c.
31. v. 18. and breaketh them, c.
32. v. 19.

The Israelites worship a molten
calf, c. 32. v. 1.

-Widows and orphans, c. 22. v. 22. Moses talketh with God, and desireth

-Usury, c. 22. v. 25.
-Pledges, c. 22. v. 26.
-Reverence to magistrates, c. 22.

v. 1.

-First fruits, c. 22. v. 29.
-Slander and false witness, c. 23.

v. 1.

—Justice, c. 23. v. 3.

Charitableness, c. 23. v. 4.
-Year of rest, c. 23. v. 10.
-Sabbath, c. 23. v. 12.
-Three feasts, c. 23. v. 14.
-Blood and fat of sacrifices, c.
v. 18.

to see his glory, c. 33. v.9.
-Receiveth two other tables, c. 34.

v. 1.

God's covenant with the Israelites,
c. 34. v. 10. where also you read
the history of the law, and the
terrible manner in which it was
published..

LEVITICUS.

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Moses in the mountain 40 days and -Peace-offering, c. 3. and c. 7. v.4.
nights, c. 24.

The form of the ark, c. 25. v. 10.
c. 37. v. 1.

The mercy-seat, c. 25. v. 17. c. 37.
v. 6.

The table, c. 25. v. 23. c. 37. v.
10.

The candlestick, c. 25. v. 31.
37. v. 17.

C.

The furniture of the tabernacle, c.
26. v. 1. C. 35. v.5.
The altar of burnt offering, c.27.
v. 1. c. 38. v. 1.

Aaron and his sons set apart for the
priests office, c. 28. v. 1. c.
v. 13. See Levit. c. 8. v. 1.
-His garments and dress,
v.5. c. 39. v. 1.
The manner of consecrating the
priests, c. 29. v. 1.

c. 28.

-Sin-offering, c. 4. and c. 6. v. 24.
c. 16. v. 11.

-Trespass-offering, c. 5. v. 6. C.
6. and c. 7. v. 1.

-The offering at the consecration
of a priest, c. 6. v. 19. c. 8. v. 14.
The consecration of Aaron, c. 8.
v. 1. and c. 9.

The punishment of Nadab and
Abihu, c. 10. v. 1.

Meats clean and unclean, c. 11. v. 1.
Laws concerning women after child
birth, c. 12. v. 2.

Leprosy, c. 13 and 14.
40.-Uncleanness by issues, c. 15.
The scape-goat, c. 16. v. 20.
The feast of expiation, c. 16. v. 29.
Blood forbidden, c. 17. v. 10.
Unlawful marriages, c. 18. v. 1
—Lusts, c. 18. v. 19.

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