378 PREFACE. added another chapter, which I call a prophetical connexion between theOM Testament and the New, wherein the most eminent prophecies relating to our blessed Lord are set down inone view, together with their accomplishment; that younger minds may see how much this Great Messiah or anointed Savi- our was foretold and expected through all ages, and may have theirfaith of Christ built early upon a solid foundation. 1 have nothing more to add, hut to acquaint the reader with the method 1 have taken in composing this work, and with the use that he should make of it. in framing this book, I have observed the following rules, viz. I. I have proceeded, for the most part, according to the orderof things, as they lie in the hooksof scripture ; but still endeavouring to maintain sonie connexion throughout the whole history. Yet I cannot say I have always re- duced things to that order in which they were transacted : For in several places I found that a strict observation of chronology would have intermingled too many incidents of different kinds, would have broken the scheme ofthings I had proposed, or interrupted the narrative of some particular event, and ren- dered the history much more unconnected and disagreeble to those for whom I write. 2. Though I have not been solicitous to insert every incident, and the name of every person contained in the Old Testament, yet I have omitted scarce any name or remarkable transaction which has been referred to or cited in the New, or has any connexionwith the gospel of Christ, which is the re- ligion of christians. was not possible to insert all the particular narratives contained in the scripture, without making another book almost as big as the bible itself: whereas my prime design was to give an abstract or short view of the sacred history for the use of persons of such age, capacities, or conditions of life, as are not able to attend to much reading, nor gain a fuller and more accurate knowledgeof the transactions of God with men. 3. I have addedthe chapter and verse of one or more texts of scripture to every answer that required it, that the readermight be invited to search his bible, and there gain a larger and more particular acquaintance with those historical matters which I have briefly mentioned in a line or two. if young persons by this meana are allured to grow familiar with the word of God, I am persuaded the advantage they may reap thereby will richly compensate all their labours in reading this historical abridgment .of scripture, and all nay pains in writing it. 5. It is all divided into chapters, and some chapters into sections with a new title to each. This will in some measure, give a comprehensiveview of the method and order of the whole. It is evident that the catechetical form of question and answer takes off the tiresomeness of reading from younger minds, and perpetually allures their enquiry and curiosityonward by short answers, without that weariness which arises from many long continued pages of mere narrative: And in the same manner a proper distinction of the history into chapters and sections under different titles renders the work of reading muchmore delightful by the frequent returning rests and pauses. 5. Since I intended it originally for persons of younger years, and the common rank of matikind, I have studied generally to use such words and forms of speech as are meat plain and easy to be understood. It would not have answered may design so well, if I must have sent my reader too often to hisdictionaries to enquire the meaning of hard wordsand latinized expressions. 6. Yet I have not so confuted myself to the service of my unlearned readers, as to neglect all useful criticisms and occasional remarks to clear up difficulties, but havefreely interspersed them through the whole book, so far as may infaria the iuiquisitive, and give some hints to the more intelligentreader for thefurther illustration of some passages ofscripture both in theOld Testa- ment and the New. If there should he found any mistakes in drawing up this history, which might have been rectified by further consulting the writings of
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