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THE

HISTORICAL INTERVAL

BETWEEN THE

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS;

ILLUSTRATING THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO HIS PEOPLE, THE
FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY, ETC. ETC.

Besigned chiefly for the Use of Young Persons.

BY THE

AUTHOR OF "A SPONSOR'S GIFT."

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY HATCHARD AND SON,

PICCADILLY.

1830.

MUSEUM

BRITANNICU

C. Whittingham, 21, Tooks Court, Chancery Lane.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

IMPORTANCE of studying the holy scriptures. Sacred his-

tory the most ancient, as well as the most authentic and

important

LETTER II.

Retrospective view of the declension of Israel and Judah.

Neglect of warnings. Josiah's reform only external, as

it regarded the people. His death at Megiddo. Dege-

neracy of his successors. Mercy of God in still sending

his prophets. Invasion of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar,

who takes Jerusalem. Commencement of the seventy

years' captivity

LETTER III.

Rebellion of Jehoiakim. Prophecies fulfilled in his mise-

rable end. Jehoiachin his successor taken by Nebuchad-

nezzar, and sent captive to Babylon. Important events

which happened at this time in other nations. Birth of

Cyaxares or Darius the Mede, and of Cyrus prince of

Persia. Reflections

LETTER IV.

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Reign of Zedekiah the last king of Judah. God's gracious

declarations respecting those who were gone into capti-

vity. Jeremiah foretels the exaltation of Nebuchad-

nezzar, and the subjection of the nations by him. Coun-

sels Zedekiah to submit. Death of the false prophets

Hananiah, Ahab, and Zedekiah. A true prophet (Ezekiel)

raised up among the captives at Babylon. Obduracy of

Zedekiah-he rebels against Nebuchadnezzar. Siege of

Jerusalem. Remarkable prophecies. Zedekiah's unbelief 15

LETTER V.

Jeremiah, in prison, is comforted by God's promise of res-

toration to Judah; and by revelations of future blessings

through Christ the Branch of Righteousness. Zedekiah,

deserted by his ally Pharaoh Hophra, inquires the will of

the Lord, who answers by his prophet. Jeremiah is cast

into the dungeon. His deliverance. Famine in Jeru-

salem. The city taken. Zedekiah attempting to escape,

is made prisoner. Practical improvement.

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Page

LETTER VI.

Nebuzar-adan sent to destroy Jerusalem. The priests and
nobles put to death at Riblah. Preservation of Jeremiah.
His choice. Treachery of Ishmael, who murders Geda-
liah. The remnant left in Judah resolve on going into
Egypt. The Lord's declarations concerning them. Cha-

~racter of Jeremiah

LETTER VII.

Remarks on the character of Daniel. His piety and self-

denial. His wisdom and that of his three companions.

What the foundation of it. He interprets Nebuchad-

nezzar's dream. His advancement

LETTER VIII.

Miraculous deliverance of Daniel's three companions. The

pride and haughtiness of Nebuchadnezzar contrasted

with the calm resolution of his intended victims. Result

of their faith advantageous to all the captives. Practical

inferences. Christians also in danger of idolatry

LETTER IX.

Fulfilment of God's promises to his people in captivity. Of

his threatenings also to other nations. Degradation of

Nebuchadnezzar. His restoration. His death. Evil

Merodach succeeds. He releases Jehoiachin from prison.

Deposition and death of Evil Merodach. Succeeded by

Nereglissar

LETTER X.

War between the Medes and Babylonians. Cyrus prince

of Persia commands the forces of the Medes. Predictions

of him as the restorer of God's people. Nereglissar, killed

in battle, is succeeded by Laborosoarchod, whose vices

excite his subjects to rebellion. His death. Reign of

Belshazzar. Wisdom of Nitocris. Daniel's visions of

the four empires. Conquests of Cyrus. He defeats

Croesus, and lays siege to Babylon

LETTER XI.

Strength of Babylon. Stratagem of Cyrus. The city taken.

Belshazzar slain. End of the war. The account of these

facts as related in the Bible. Predictions respecting them

circumstantially fulfilled.

LETTER XII.

Cyrus and Darius settle the affairs of the empire. Advance-
ment of Daniel. Envy of the princes. Their conspiracy
miraculously frustrated. Daniel's faith rendered benefi-

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