Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

able work, so that, in a very brief narrative of its contents, I must necessarily repeat a great deal that you already know.

Catherine. I often think I am acquainted with the whole; but when we are examined, we all discover our ignorance. A general view of the story and system, I think, would impress our memory, and enable us better to understand the several parts; for you will admit that the Bible is a difficult book,-even the import of the name is not obvious.

Mother. All that we are required to understand, as a rule either of faith or of practice, is abundantly clear. Some doctrines are indeed mysterious; but as we can prove them to have proceeded from infinite wisdom, we may well yield our assent, although we are unable to reduce them to the level of our finite minds. They may be mysterious, because they are in their nature incomprehensible to us. There is, nevertheless, this advantage in the communication, that the curiosity which they excite, impels every faculty of the mind to the study of the Scriptures; and our faith in the divine veracity, moreover, is exercised. Were we more fully acquainted, than we are, with the manners of the people to whom they were originally addressed, apparent difficulties would vanish. Many have already been dissipated, by the arduous labours and indefatigable diligence of a succession of learned travellers and philosophers, who have explored the scene of action, and examined the languages and customs. The permanency of these, in that country, contributes effectually to the explanation of difficult passages in the sacred writings, which are found, in reality, to be obscured only by our ignorance. Places are at this moment identified, in many instances, by the same names, or by names very similar to those by which they were known in the earliest times; and relative narrations are elucidated by the manners and traditions of the inhabitants. As to the word BIBLE, your brother, though so many years younger than you are, has the advantage of you. I dare say he can tell you the meaning of the word.

Charles. The name is taken from the Greek word Biblos, which signifies a book.

Mother.

GENERAL CONTENTS OF THE BIBLE.

11

Yes. THE BIBLE is the book by way of eminence, indicating its superior excellence and authority. It consists of two parts, the OLD and the NEW TESTAMENT, which are connected by a chain of predictions, many of them unquestionably fulfilled; the event and the prophecy, thus mutually explaining each other.

The OLD TESTAMENT was chiefly written in the Hebrew language, and the NEW, with the exception, perhaps, of the gospel by Matthew, in Greek. They are subdivided into books, composed by different hands and in different ages throughout the long period of sixteen hundred years, yet forming a whole, harmonious in all its parts; because the writers were divinely taught, and their labours were all directed to one end, namely, to show the defection of man from the righteousness in which he was created, and the consequent forfeiture of eternal life. The total and uniform depravity of his heart from that moment, and the mode of his restoration by the unmerited favour of the Sovereign Creator and Disposer of all things,-through a Redeemer.

Connected with and illustrating this one grand design, the Bible gives us a history of the creation of the world, and the rise and fall of nations, the origin of languages and the arts, and a variety of particulars, of which we have no other account which bears the credible marks of authenticity. The Bible consists of narrative and doctrine, precept and prophecy. The importance and sublimity of each, would alone demonstrate their divine origin, if external evidence were wanting. But of this too there is more than enough. The sacred books have been subjected to the most enlightened and candid scrutiny of their friends, and to the persevering malignity of their enemies. Many of these latter have been competent to the detection of imposture. They have objected, and their objections have been shown to be nugatory. The Bible stands unblemished, and the Christian can say with confidence, "The Lord will not forsake the work of his own hands.'

Prophecy is unquestionably the most obscure portion of the Scriptures; yet is it sufficiently plain, to form the chief argument of their divinity. Its predictions are far beyond the penetration of human intellect; and the accomplish

12

GENERAL CONTENTS OF THE BIBLE.

ment of these predictions is so multiplied and exact, as no art of man or combinations of men could achieve. The most hardened infidelity is compelled to refer both the prescience and the power, to something more than human.

But our business being with the contents, I shall not speak of the evidence in favour of the Scriptures. You have been taught to receive them as the word of God. Take it for granted, then, that what you shall hear in the course of our conversations is the truth. Yet you are not to build your faith upon my word. It is, your duty, to examine for yourselves, when your minds shall be matured. In the mean time, rest assured, that whenever the arguments by which the Scriptures are defended shall be considered, their force will be found irresistible, and the study most delightful to a mind properly disposed.

Fanny. If the accomplishment of a prophecy occur, I hope it will comport with your plan to point it out. I should like to see the fulfilment of the promises.

Mother. That, my children, we shall all see. We may behold it every day, if we are not wilfully blind. May it be your lot, to enjoy the blessings which those promises, in their highest import, have offered to your acceptance! With respect to subordinate events, their prediction and their fulfilment are so interwoven with the narrative, that separation would be destruction; and the same must be premised of the miracles of the Old Testament. You will, therefore, hear much of these interesting subjects.

The first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses, the great Jewish legislator. Taken collectively, they are called the Pentateuch. They commence with Genesis, which, in reference to the subject, signifies Creation; because it relates the history of the creation of all things.

Genesis contains the history of 2369 years; and informs us, first, that the Earth was created in six days by the almighty word of God. (B. C. 4004.) "He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast ;" and the same unerring wisdom pronounced it perfect: so perfect, that we are told, in a beautiful figure, the morning stars beheld it with songs, and acclamations of joy.-Job, Xxxxviii, 7.

[blocks in formation]

Every part of nature, both animate and inanimate, bears the impress of order; and thus it was in the beginning. All things did not start into existence at once, but successively. The original matter of which they were formed, was produced first, by the omnipotent Word. The spirit of God moved upon the elemental chaos, and light and darkness became day and night! Earth, air, and water, separated, and took their destined places; the sun and moon began their revolutions; and the shining stars were arranged in the firmament. Herbs, trees, and flowers, sprang next from the ground; the capacious bosom of the deep received its inhabitants; and the feathered tribes expanded their wings in air. Thus in five days our world came progressively from the Creator's hand. But supreme Wisdom does not work in vain. Every product of His mind must have an aim and end. The flowers would bloom and the fruits would cluster in vain, without a hand to gather them. Creation would display its magnificence in vain, without an intelligent creature to contemplate the Creator's glory in his works. Wherefore, on the sixth day, Man, the noblest of all, was produced; and to him came all the inferior animals, and he named them and governed them.

Every created being was furnished with a capacity to enjoy the Creator's beneficence, according to its nature. To man alone was imparted an intellectual power to admire and adore, at the same time that he enjoyed. All earth and air contributed to his pleasure, but there was none to participate; no being who could unite with him in grati tude to the author, or who could receive and return the social affections with which his soul was endued. But in this lonely state he did not long continue! He was cast into a deep sleep; and when he awaked, he beheld a companion, in all respects suited to his circumstances. "This is now bone of my bones, (said Adam) and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

The Mosaic account of the creation has been admired by the most accomplished scholars. The emphatical sen

[blocks in formation]

tence by which the instantaneous production of light is described, has often been cited as an example of the highest sublimity. And God said, “Let there be light,—and there was light." How exquisitely expressive of the grandeur of that power and wisdom, which could speak into existence a substance, at once so astonishing and so useful!

The seventh day, the glorious Architect rested from his labours; and therefore he "blessed and sanctified" that day. By these words, we understand the appointment of a Sabbath, or a reservation to himself of one day in seven, for his special service, and at the same time for the refreshment of his creatures by a total cessation of their labours.*

The division of time into weeks, which has been handed down to us from time immemorial, can no otherwise be accounted for, than in the divine ordinance here recorded; for the period is entirely arbitrary, not being indicated by any aspect of nature, like days, months, and years, by the revolutions of the sun and moon.

Adam and Evet were placed in the garden of Eden, a paradise abounding with all that was delightful to the eye, or delicious to the taste. The splendour of creation, and the bountiful provision for their enjoyment, might intimate to them the existence of a Creator and a Benefactor; but the highest exercise of their mental powers could ascertain but little of his nature, or of their own obligations. This transcendent knowledge required a divine revelation; and by a divine revelation they learned that their Creator was their Sovereign, entitled to their service, and implicit obedience to his will. The first pair, created innocent, and with all holy inclinations, might suppose themselves able to pay the requisite submission; but being endowed with perfect freedom of choice, the Sovereign thought fit to

*All nations, not absolutely savage, seem to have some knowledge of a Sabbath. Hints of a seventh day Sabbath are found in the most ancient heathen writers. We possess no blessing for which we ought to be more profoundly thankful, than for this day of rest. Those only who experience its many uses, both to society and the church, can tell the amount of our obligation. Without a Sabbath, there would be little or no religion in the world.

+A word signifying Life, and therefore chosen by Adam as the name of his wife, because she was "the mother of all living.”

« PreviousContinue »