PREFACE TO VOL. I. THESE Volumes are designed to give the youthful reader a connected view of Scripture History; and if the writer has been successful, they will in some measure conduce to interest his mind, and assist his researches in the Sacred Volume. Elucidations of the more difficult parts, especially those connected with Natural Science and Oriental Customs, having been carefully sought, by examination and comparison of standard biblical writers, it is hoped they will be found generally correct. Above all, it is the earnest desire of the writer, that the remarks suggested may prove effectual, under the Divine blessing, in instilling correct moral principles, and promoting the growth of early piety. INTRODUCTION. THE BIBLE is the most entertaining, as well as the most instructive book in the world. Its chief design, doubtless, is to display the glory of God, in his dealings with the race of man and our chief object in studying it should be, to learn our Maker's will, our present duty, and our future destination. We should go to the Bible, as ignorant creatures to be instructed; as dependent creatures, to be governed; as guilty creatures, to be pardoned; as polluted creatures, to be made holy; and as immortal creatures, to learn the way to everlasting bliss. Blessed be God, for giving us a book so exactly adapted to our nature and our necessities! But, even independently of the divinity of its origin, and the importance of its moral truths, the Bible is an invaluable treasure, and, as such, has always been esteemed by persons of true taste and correct judg ment, on account of its interesting and important histories; its incomparably faithful and touching sketches of human character; the combined simplicity and sublimity of its eloquence; and the inimitable majesty, beauty, and correctness of its poetical imagery. Some of these distinguishing excellencies of the Holy Scriptures are more palpably striking even to the commonest observer: like the sun in the firmament, they require no pointing out; let a person's eyes be but open, and they must be seen. Others are of a more retiring character; they require investigation, but they amply reward it like the minutest works of nature, when examined through the medium of a microscope, as we closely inspect them, new and unexpected beauties present themselves to our view. Unlike the works of man, these beauties lose not their charm by familiarity; nor is there any danger of exhausting them by research. The book of life is like a fathomless mine, or an exhaustless ocean; thousands are in every age intellectually and spiritually enriched by it; yet without diminishing its sacred stores; succeeding ages find it still full. Indeed, all that man has hitherto achieved in scriptural research, so far from discouraging or superseding |