In this period we have: 1. The reign of Henry IV. of France: Louis XIII.-2. The Thirty Years' War.-3. The Minority of Louis XIV. 3. The time of the Pre-eminence of France. A.D. 1659 (It is, in fact, the reign of Louis XIV. A.D. 1643 (became 4. The time of the Pre-eminence of Great Britain; from = 5. The time of the French Revolution and Empire. A.D. · 26 years. 1789-1815 = Such is the outline of our subject.-You will put a Map of the world before you; and if you make yourselves acquainted with History chronologically, you will be able to point to one kingdom, and to another kingdom, and to tell me some few of the leading events that took place in each from its rise to its fall. We know but little indeed of many kingdoms: and there are many of which we know nothing, or only what amounts to nothing; of some not so much as even the names may have survived the lapse of time. But we know enough of the kingdoms of the world, if our object be not to gratify curiosity, but to derive the benefit which History is designed to communicate. You will observe, that God, in giving us Revelation, has given it very much in a historical form; as though it were His will that we should not only hear Him in the declaration of His Mind and Counsel, but also see Him in His Measures and conduct towards His creatures. And it may be remarked, that whether we contemplate and study the ways of God or the ways of men, the great lessons which we are taught by uninspired history are clearly taught us also by the History which is contained in the Bible. ། We now proceed to the examination of Ancient History: In the first place, I shall sketch the Sacred Church History: In the second place, I shall take a brief view of the Civil History contained in the Bible. In doing this, I shall direct your attention to the land of Canaan as a centre; and I shall then proceed to other Kingdoms which are mentioned in the Scriptures, and which were in one way or other connected with the chosen people of God. Of many kingdoms I shall take no notice: I may omit what I ought to mention, or mention what might have been omitted: I may make repetitions which should have been avoided. But however faulty and imperfect my work may be, I hope that you will attend to it with interest, delight, and benefit; finding in it a chart which gives you some glimpses of past ages and generations of men, and of regions both distant and near. And never forget, I would intreat you, that "God is in History." "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." Shall we not acknowledge him, who is the Lord and Ruler over all? Shall we not fear Him, who is so awful in His judgments? Shall we not love Him, who is so abundant in mercy, grace, and loving kindness? Shall we not always think of Him; and shall not our daily prayer be, that we may so believe in Him and serve Him in this troubled and transitory world, that we may rejoice before Him for ever in the glory and bliss of heaven? I. ANCIENT HISTORY. I. SACRED, OR CHURCH HISTORY. What does Sacred History chiefly record? In how many periods? In three successive periods. Mention them and also their duration. 1. The Patriarchal from the Creation to the Law. B.C. 2513 years. 4004-1491 2. The Jewish from the giving of the Law to Christ. B.C. 1491. 3. The Christian: since the first advent of Christ to 1849. Express in one word the nature or design of Revelation. Redemption; Deliverance; Salvation. Repeat the first promise of the Redeemer. Gen. iii. 15. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.” What do we see in the Bible, as to the History of the Church? 1. An account of God's faithful servants: 2. The neglect or abuse of religion by most men: 3. The judgments of God on the wicked: 4. The preservation of the Church through all ages. Has religion been neglected or abused by men? Awfully so, under all dispensations. Prove this, with regard to patriarchism. The Flood is a proof of it: see Gen. vi. 5—7. Prove it with regard to Judaism. The book Judges, the historical books, and the captivities, prove it. To what captivities do you refer? To that of Israel, 2 Kings xvii: to that of Judah, xxiv. xxv. Prove it with regard to Christianity. We may see it stated in the parable of the sower. St. What do you mean by the Church? The worshippers of the true God; those who have the light of Revelation. Into how many periods may we divide Sacred History? Into seven. 1. The Patriarchal Church. Mention the first of them. 1. From the creation to the deluge: 1656 years. What dispensation of divine truth did men then live under? Antediluvian Patriarchism. In what family do we see the Church in this period? In the line, family, or descendants, of Seth. Gen. v. 6. Mention a great character, and a remarkable event, in this period. Enoch, and his translation. Gen. v. 24. How did good men then serve God? By Sacrifice, Prayer, and Obedience. Mention the second period. 2. Postdiluvian Patriarchism. Divide this into two parts. 1. From Noah to the call of Abraham. B.C. 2348 2. Thence to the Law on Sinai. B.C. 1921-1491 years. Where do we find the Church in the former portion? In the line or family of Shem. Gen. xi. 10. &c. What was the state of the world at the call of Abraham? Idolatry abounded in it. Josh. xxiv. 2. Who are the chief characters in the latter portion? Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve Patriarchs. In what books of the Bible is Patriarchism unfolded? In Genesis and in the book of Job. Mention a good man not of the family of Abraham? Melchizedec. Gen. xiv. 18. Heb. vi. 20. vii. 1, &c. Mention a proof of God's abhorrence of sin in this period. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. B.C. 1897. Repeat the promise of a Redeemer made in this period. "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Gen. xii. 3. xxvi. 4. xxviii. 14. Repeat Jacob's prophecy of him. "The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." 2. The Jewish Church. Mention the third period. 3. From the giving of the Law to the reign of Saul. B.C. 1491-1095 = 396 years. What was the state of the Church in this period? Mingled, corrupt, calamitious: see Judges. How are those times described? "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The people were left to themselves: what was the result? Mention the fourth period. 4. From Saul to the death of Solomon. B.C. 1095-975 = 120 years. Sketch this period in a few words. 1. The troubled reign of Saul. 1 Sam. x-xxxi. 2. The warlike reign of David. 2 Sam. ii—1 Kings ii. 10. 3. The peaceful and splendid reign of Solomon. 1 Kings ii-xi. Mention two bright things relating to the Church in this period. The Psalms of David, and the Temple built by Solomon. Of whom do the Psalms especially testify? Of the suffering, exalted, and ruling Redeemer. Mention the fifth period. 5. From the death of Solomon to the return from the Captivity. B.C. 975-536 439 years. |