PREFACE.
TO the many Compilations published for the ufe of Schools, it feemed expedient that a Selection fhould 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 fome parts of Holy Scripture are better adapted than others, to the perusal of readers in the puerile age.
It appears that the practice of initiating young people in reading by the New and Old Teftament, which was once univerful, is rather on the decline; and one reason of it may be, a difapprobation of reading them, WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, at a time when the understanding is immature.
But while the New and Old Testament have loft ground in Schools, many trifling and uninterefting 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 hiftories of Jefus Chrift and of the Bible, conveyed in the language of a poor writer, tend to debafe fubjects, which, in the facred text, appear with an air of native majesty.
It is defirable that the more important matter of Holy Writ jhould 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 feaft upon the whole.
Such ideas on the fubject fuggefted the expediency of the following felection. In beginning it, the Editor was glad to
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 ftudies, may be fuppofed well
prepared to direct fuch a choice.
His words on the subject of his felection, which is here
followed in the First Part, are thefe :
"In this collection you will find the Book of God,
"written by the Evangelifts and Apoftles, comprised in
"a most admirable and comprehenfive Epitome +."
In the Second Part, which confifts of Extracts from the
Old Teftament, the Editor has endeavoured to felect, accord-
ing to his own judgment, the most entertaining and improving
paffages 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 inferted most of those beautiful
and moral books of Apocrypha, the Wisdom of Solomon, and
Ecclefiafticus.
As the great objections to the Editions of Bibles ufually intro-
duced into Schools are, a small Letter and a crowded Page,
regard has been paid in this Selection to the external circum-
fances of a good Type and a pleasing appearance of both Page
and Paper. Thefe are of confequence to the
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
refpectfully offered to the fuperintendants of education.
Vid. Blackwall's Introduction to the Claffics, pag. 132, 133
BOOK I. From the New Testament.
ST.
T. MATTHEW, page 1.-CHAPS. V. VI. VII. Chrift's fermon
on the mount.- XXV. Parable of the ten virgins; and of the
talents: defcription of the laft judgment.XXVI. The rulers
confpire against Chrift; Judas felleth him: Chrift eateth the Pass-
over; is betrayed: Peter denieth him.-XXVII. Chrift delivered
to Pilate: Judas hangeth himself: Chrift is crucified; his death,
and burial.- -XXVIII. Chrift's refurrection; he appeareth to the
women; and to his disciples, and sendeth them to baptize.
ST. MARK, p. 20.-CHAP. I. John Baptift's office. Jefus is bap-
tized is tempted; preacheth; calleth Peter and others, and cureth
many.. -XIII. Destruction of the temple. Perfecutions for the
Gofpel. Calamities to the Jews. Chrift's coming to judgment.
ST. LUKE, p. 25.-CHAP. II. Auguftus taxeth all the Roman
empire. Chrift's nativity; his circumcifion. Simeon and Anna
prophesy of Christ. -IX. Christ sendeth his apostles. Herod is
defirous to fee Chrift. Chrift's transfiguration.. -XV. Parable
of the loft sheep; of the piece of filver; and of the prodigal son.—————
XVI. Of the unjust steward. Hypocrify of the covetous Pharifees
reproved. The rich glutton, and Lazarus the beggar. -XXIII.
Jefus accufed before Pilate; fent to Herod; mocked, and fent back
to Pilate; delivered to be crucified: his death and burial.-
XXIV. Chrift'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
Jefus Chrift. Teftimony of John. Calling of Andrew, Peter,
&c.. -XI. Christ raiseth Lazarus. Caiaphas prophefieth.-
XIV. Chrift comforteth his difciples; profeffeth himself the
the truth, and the life.- -XV. The mutual love between Chrift
and his members, under the parable of the vine.XVI. Christ
comforteth his difciples against tribulation, by the promise of the
Holy Ghost.- -XVII. Chrift prayeth to his Father to glorify him,
and to preferve his apoftles in unity and in truth.- -XIX. Chrift
is fcourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten; delivered to be cru-
cified he dieth, and is buried. -XX. Chrift'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.
-
way,
■ 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,
JUDE, p. 127.
REVELATION, p. 129.-CHAPS. I. XVIII. XIX. XX.
Book II.
From the Old Testament.
GENESIS, p. 136.-CHAPS. I. II. III. VI. VII. VIII. IX.
XXXVII. XXXIX. XL. .XLI. XLII. XLIII.
JOB,
, p. 240.—The whole Book.
PSALMS, p. 293.—Pf. I. to VIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVIII.
XIX. XXII. to XXXIV. XXXVI. to XXXIX. XLI. XLII.
XLIII. XLV. XLVI. XLVII. XLIX. L. LI. LIII. LVII.
LXII. EXIII. LXV. LXVI. LXVII. LXVIII. LXXVI.
LXXXIV. LXXXVI. LXXXVIII. XC. XCI. XCII. XCIII.
XCV. XCVI. XCVII. XCVIII. XCIX. C. CI. CII. CIII. CIV.
CVIII. CXIX. Aleph, Beth, He. CXXI. to CXXVIII. CXXX,
CXXXI. CXXXIII. CXXXVII. to CL.
PROVERBS, p. 358.—The whole.
ECCLESIASTES, p. 402.-The whole.
ISAIAH, p. 417.-CHAPS. I. II. V. VII. IX. XI. XXIV. XXV.
XXVI. XXX. XXXII. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XLI. XLIII.
XLIV. XLVI. XLIX. LI. LIII. LV. LVI. LVII. LVIII,
LIX. LX. LXIV. LXV. LXVI.
DANIEL, p. 464.-CHAPS. III. V. VI. IX.
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