Sacred Extracts: Or, Books and Chapters Selected from the New and Old ...

LODLEIAN LIBRARY

6 JUN 87

☆ OXFORD.

PREFACE.

TO the many Compilations published for the use of Schools,

it seemed expedient that a Selection should be added from the BIBLE. And with respect to the propriety of selecting, where all is prefumed to be excellent, it will not furely be denied by the judicious and impartial, that some parts of Holy Scripture are better adapted than others, to the perufal of readers in the puerile age.

It appears that the practice of initiating young people in reading by the New and Old Testament, which was once univerfal, is rather on the decline; and one reason of it may be, a disapprobation of reading them, WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, at a time when the understanding is immature.

But while the New and Old Testament have lost ground in Schools, many trifling and uninteresting Books have fupplied their place; books which impress ideas but feebly, and which, if they are remembered, furnish the mind with little more than lumber. Even histories of Jesus Christ and of the Bible, conveyed in the language of a poor writer, tend to debase subjects, which, in the facred text, appear with an air of native majesty.

It is desirable that the more important matter of Holy Writ should make an early impression, and be remembered for life; and it is therefore right to let it be read, as in the days of our forefathers, during the course of early education, when all that is received is likely to be long retained. A fample once relished by the learner, may invite him in due time to feast upon the whole.

Such ideas on the subject suggested the expediency of the following selection. In beginning it, the Editor was glad ta

lean

lean on authority. He therefore adopted in the New Tefta-
ment the Chapters particularly recommended by Dr. An-
thony Blackwall, the celebrated author of the Sacred Claf-
fics, who, from his peculiar studies, may be supposed well
prepared to direct such a choice.

His words on the subject of his felection, which is here
followed in the First Part, are these :

" In this collection you will find the Book of God,
" written by the Evangelists and Apostles, comprised in
" a most admirable and comprehensive Epitome †."

In the Second Part, which consists of Extracts from the
Old Testament, the Editor has endeavoured to select, accord-
ing to his own judgment, the most entertaining and improving
passages and books, and if he has in any respect erred, he
hopes the rectitude of his intention will fecure pardon.

In the Third Part he has inserted most of those beautiful
and moral books of Apocrypha, the Wisdom of Solomon, and
Ecclefiafticus.

As the great objections to the Editions of Bibles usually intro-
duced into Schools are, a small Letter and a crowded Page,
regard has been paid in this Selection to the external circum-
ftances of a good Type and a pleasing appearance of both Page
and Paper. These are of confequence to the young learner,
as they leffen the tedium of reading, by eafing the eye.

Sincerely hoping that this Publication may contribute fome-
thing, as an elementary book, to the promotion of religious
knowledge and rational piety in the most docile age, it is
respectfully offered to the fuperintendants of education.

+ Vid. Blackwall's Introduction to the Claffics, pag. 132, 1336

SACRED

Воок І. From the New Testament.

T. MATTHEW, page 1.- CHAPS. V. VI. VII. Christ's fermon
on the mount. XXV. Parable of the ten virgins; and of the
talents: description of the last judgment. XXVI. The rulers
confpire against Chri Christ; Judas selleth him: Christ eateth the Pass-
over; is betrayed: Peter denieth him. XXVII. Chrift delivered
to Pilate: Judas hangeth himself: Christ is crucified; his death,
and burial. XXVIII. Christ's refurrection; he appeareth to the
women; and to his disciples, and sendeth them to baptize.

ST. MARK, p. 20.- CHAP. I. John Baptist's office. Jesus is bap-
tized: is tempted; preacheth; calleth Peter and others, and cureth
many.XIII. Destruction of the temple. Persecutions for the
Gofpel. Calamities to the Jews. Christ's coming to judgment.

ST. LUKE, p. 25. CHAP. II. Augustus taxeth all the Roman
empire. Christ's nativity; his circumcifion. Simeon and Anna
prophesy of Christ. IX. Christ sendeth his apostles. Herod is
defirous to fee Christ. Christ's transfiguration. -XV. Parable
of the loft sheep; of the piece of filver; and of the prodigal fon.
XVI. Of the unjust steward. Hypocrisy of the covetous Pharisees
reproved. The rich glutton, and Lazarus the beggar.
XXIII.
Jesus accused before Pilate; sent to Herod; mocked, and sent back
to Pilate; delivered to be crucified: his death and burial.--
XXIV. Christ's refurrection declared to the women; they report it
to others: Christ himself appeareth; and ascendeth up to heaven.

,ST. JOHN, p. 42.- CHAP. I. Divinity, humanity, and office of
Jesus Christ. Testimony of John. Calling of Andrew, Peter,
&c. XI. Chrift raifeth Lazarus. Caiaphas prophefieth.-
XIV. Chrift comforteth his difciples; professeth himself the way,
the truth, and the life. XV. The mutual love between Chrift
and his members, under the parable of the vine. XVI. Chrift
comforteth his disciples against tribulation, by the promise of the
Holy Ghost. XVII. Chrift prayeth to his Father to glorify him,
and to preserve his apostles apostles in unity and in truth. XIX. Chrift
is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten
cified: he dieth, and is buried. - XX. Christ's refurrection.
ACTS of the APOSTLES, p. 60.- CHAP. XXVI. Paul before
Agrippa.-XXVII. His dangerous voyage towards Rome.

ROMANS, p. 66.- CHAPS. II. VIII. XII.

;

delivered to be cru-

■ CORINTHIANS, p. 71.- CHAPS. III. IX. XIII, XV.
2 CORINTHIANS, p. 78.- CHAPS. IV. VI, XI.

EPHESIANS, p. 83. CHAPS. IV. V. VI.
PHILIPPIANS, p. 87.- CHAPS. I. II. III.
COLOSSIANS, p. 92. CHAPS. I. III.
THESSALONIANS, p. 96. CHAPS. II, V,

TIMOTHY,

1 TIMOTHY, p. 98.- CHAPS. I. VI.

2 TIMOTHY, P. 101.- CHAPS. II. III.

PHILEMON, p. 104.

HEBREWS, p. 105.- CHAPS. I. IV. VI. XI. XII.

1 PETER, p. 113.-The whole.

2 PETER, p. 120. - The whole.