P R E FACE.

To the many Compilations publighed for the use of Schools

, it seemed expedient that a Selection pould be added from the Bible. And with respect to the propriety of selecting, where all is presumed to be excellent, it will not surely 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 universal, 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 loft 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 debasé subjects

, which, in the sacred text, appear witb 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 on authority. He therefore adopted in the New Testa:
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 selection, which is here
followed in the First Part, are these :

« In this collection you will find the Book of God,
« written by the Evangelifts and Apostles, comprised in
ca moft admirable and comprehensive Epitomet.
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
pasages and books; and if he' has in any respect erred, he
hopes the rectitude of his intention will secure 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-
fances of a good Type and a pleasing appearance of both Page
and Paper. These are of consequence to the young learner,
as they lefen the tedium of reading, by easing 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
espectfully offered to the superintendants of education.

# Vid. Blackwall's Introduction to the Classics, pag. 132, 1336

SACRED

-

Воок І. From the New Testament,

T.

on the mount. XXV. Parable of the ten virgins; and of the

talents : description of the last judgment.XXVI. The rulers
conspire against Christ; Judas selleth him : Christ eateth the Pass-
over; is betrayed : Peter denieth him.-XXVII. Christ delivered
to Pilate: Judas hangeth himself: Christ is crucified; his death,
and burial. -XXVIII. Christ's resurrection; 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. -XÌII. Destruction of the temple. Persecutions for the

Gospel. Calamities to the Jews. Christ's coming to judgment.
$T. 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
desirous to fee Christ. Christ's transfiguration.. -XV. Parable
of the loft sheep ; of the piece of silver ; and of the prodigal son.
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 resurrection declared to the women ; they report it

to others: Christ himself appeareth ; and ascendeth up to heaven.

6T. JOHN, p. 42.- CHAP. I. Divinity, humanity, and office of

Jesus Christ. Testimony of John. Calling of Andrew, Peter,

&c.—XI. Christ raifeth Lazarus. Caiaphas prophesieth.

XIV. Christ comforteth his disciples ; professeth himself the way,

the truth, and the life. -XV. The mutual love between Christ

and his members, under the parable of the vine.—XVI. Christ

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 in unity and in truth. -XIX. Chrift
is scourged, crowned with thorns, and, beaten ; delivered to be cru-

cified : he dieth, and is buried. --XX. Christ's resurrection.
ACTS of the APOSTLES, p. 60.-CHAP. XXVI. Paul before

Agrippa. XXVII. His dangerous voyage towards Rome.

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

1 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,

1 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.
1 JOHN, p. 125.-CHAPs. I. III.
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. EXODUS, p. 175.-CHAPs. XIX. XX. NUMBERS, p. 177.--CHAPs. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. DEUTERONOMY, p. 184.-CHAP. XVI. JUDGES, p. 186.-CHAPs. V. XIII. XIV. XV, XVI. RUTH, p. 197.-CHAPs. I. II. I SAMUEL,p.201.CH.II.III. XII.XVI.to XXII. XXIV. XXXI. 2 SAMUEL, p. 227.-CAAPS. I. XII. XVIII. 2 KINGS, p. 234.-CHAPs. IV. V. 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. LXIII. 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.

BOOK III. Apocryphal.
WISDOM of SOLOMON, p. 475.-The whole.
ECCLESIASTICUS, p. 506.-CHAPs. I. to XXXV. XXXVII.
to XLIV. L, LI.

PREFACE.