PREFACE.

THE ignorance among many in his parish of the first principles of divine truth, and the importance of bringing that truth before them in a simple, easy, and devotional form, led the author to endeavour to prepare a series of tracts adapted to their situation. He had been in the habit of publishing a yearly address to his parishioners, referring to the past year, and, as he hoped, not without benefit. But it appeared to him that he might, by bringing before them the leading truths of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, in occasional addresses, on a regular plan, more effectually promote their spiritual good. His "Christian Psalmody" afforded him an outline of those leading truths: and it was his design, from time to time, as God enabled him, in short practical tracts, to endeavour to illustrate and apply, with as much plainness as he could use, the great truths of the gospel, in the order brought forward in that work. His immediate object was that none under his charge should be without a plain and clear statement of those great principles of divine revelation which God has made known in his word for our salvation; and he hoped that it might please God to prosper this effort, not only for this immediate object, but for more extensive usefulness.

This work was commenced about four years since

and was originally published in separate numbers, and designed for the author's poorer parishioners. It was entitled "The Cottagers' Guide to Christian Truth," but the author was induced to change that title from a similar title having at the same time unconsciously been adopted by a beloved brother minister, the Rev. A. C. R. Dallas, for a very useful work on the New Testament. He was led to the present title, "Christian Truth, a Family Guide to the Chief Truths of the Gospel," as more adapted to the nature of the work as it grew under his writing it from year to year.

Should it please God to give him opportunity he purposes at some future time to add, as a second series, "The Christian Church, a Family Guide to the Church of Christ," in pursuance of his original plan, to follow the order of subjects laid out in his Christian Psalmody.

The author would venture to recommend the reading of a portion of the chapter to the poor by the Cottage or District Visitor once a week, or oftener, as a help to conversation with them and possibly parents might find some assistance in conveying religious principles to their children in the same way. Questions might advantageously be put on the portion read.

May it please the Father of mercies to bless the work as a help to each reader's knowledge of divine truth, and an assistance in the most blessed and enriching of all duties and privileges, that of communion with himself.

Watton Rectory, Herts,

Oct. 15, 1838.

EDWARD BIckersteth.

CHRISTIAN TRUTH.

CHAPTER I.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

1. The Bible is the word of God.-2. What it contains.-3. The Bible shows us what is to take place.-4. How the Bible is to be read. --5. Family Reading and Conversation.-6. Prayers before and after reading.-7. Useful Tables.

1. THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF god.

THERE are many books in the world, but there is one of an entirely different character from every other, professing to be not the word of an erring human being, but the express and infallible word of the great God who made us.

It is called The Bible, which comes from a Greek word, meaning THE BOOK. It has a peculiar title to this name, as the one book of supreme importance and value; which, if duly regarded, brings the greatest advantage to us, and which cannot be neglected without the greatest danger and the most se

B

rious injury to our best interests. It is also called Scripture, which means THE WRITINGS, on account of its superiority to every other writing. When it was first given to man, printing was not found out, and to distinguish these writings from all others, they were called The Writings. This book has the first of all possible claims to our attention, because by it God speaks to us. It is the word of God: "Thus saith the Lord," may be inscribed on the Bible.

How may a poor man know that the Bible is the word of God? Let us look around: who are those that profess to believe this, and who really endeavour to act according to the directions of the Bible? Are they not persons of good character and integrity? and the more they seek to live according to the Bible, are they not the more remarkable for uprightness, benevolence, and diligence in doing good to others? Look next at those who disbelieve the Bible as the word of God, and we shall find the more they reject the Bible, and speak against it, the more they are vainglorious, disreputable, and selfish, and generally immoral in some part or other of their conduct.

Then open the Bible: see how, throughout, it condemns sin and falsehood, and all that our conscience tells us is wrong; and how it declares that all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. It everywhere insists upon truth, righteousness, and all that our conscience tells us is right. It thus bears the mark and stamp of truth in every part. Bad men could not have written a book everywhere condemning all wickedness: it must have been written by good men.

Then think what the Bible says of itself. It ex

pressly declares, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. iii. 16. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Peter i. 20. Good men would not, durst not, have imposed so monstrous a lie upon us as to call their own words merely, the word of the living God, and to require all men to believe this, or be for ever ruined.

The glory of the Bible is that it reveals, throughout, A SAVIOUR. It shows to us sinful creatures a way of free and complete deliverance from our sins, planned and executed by the great God himself, and to be proclaimed to every human being. The whole of this great salvation is so peculiar, so adapted to our wants, so above all the natural ideas of man, and so contrary to all his prejudices, as to furnish a strong evidence that the Bible is from God.

Look then at the different classes of men in the world. You see a singular people called THe Jews, everywhere dispersed over the earth, claiming to be descended from their forefather Abraham. They have in their keeping one part of the Bible, called the Old Testament. They profess to have received it from the beginning as written by inspired prophets of their own nation. Their whole national history is bound up with the miracles, and history, and truth of the Bible. They are our witnesses for the purity of the books which they believe. Especially it is clear that they would not have invented those parts which occur so frequently about their national crimes and sinfulness, and those PROPHECIES which so clearly foretell the history, sufferings, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom they have rejected. We may be certain, therefore, that it is a true record of historical facts, and that all these pro