65185 1856.845 PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE Polyglott Bible. THE form in which this Volume now ed exceedingly desirable that a NEW Bi it ery one; and has been well under- were too large, or the page too crowded, od by many pious and able men, to so as to be made wearisome to the eye, its se diligent and useful labours the couvenience would be lessened; and if, in Public is unspeakably indebted. the limits which these considerations imfences, however, have hitherto posed, great care were not employed in priated, almost exclusively, in the examining and applying the References, its of Bibles of a large size; and utility would in a great degree, be destroybenefit resulting from them has, in ed. On mature deliberation, therefore, ence, been very much restrict-appeared best to adopt the plan here pre-the only small Bible with Refe-sented to the notice of the Public; in in the English language, being which the Marginal Readings and Refeat published by Mr. Canne. The defects rences are all contained in a MIDDLE CO. of which are many; for though he was a LUMN, between two of text; and the numat stodent of the Scriptures, and his ber introduced is sufficient, except in a few was at that time eminently service- pages only, completely to fill that column. able, yet, as he was not in possession The Chronology is always placed at the se helps, for the accomplishment of top of this middle column, where it deSe task which he had undertaken, that notes the Date of the writing or transacnow afforded by many valuable tion contained in the text, at the begintions and comments, which have been ning of the page. nated in different languages since The Marginal Readings contained in the tine; and being, therefore, under the folio and quarto Bibles are all introduced; necessity of relying chiefly on his own the idioms of the original languages which industry; it is not surprising that he should are preserved in many of them, and also have been less successful than he would the various senses of particular words or otherwise have been. His references are phrases, being in most instances instrucoften only remotely applicable: he seems tive, and in all worthy to be known. But frequently to have been guided more by it has not been thought necessary, in givton: the errors in the letter-press are are repeated in the text, and which would larity of expression than by illustra-ing these readings, to insert such words as cameros: many of the Marginal Readings therefore have fruitlessly occupied a por are omitted: the Chronology is altogether tion of the space allotted to references. the larger Bibles, are placed in the mar-small figures placed immediately before the a of the text; by which they are render- words for which they are to be substituted; nd lable to be cut in binding, or worn and the References by Italic letters, which Away by use, or bound so into the back of are generally placed after the first or second On all these accounts, it has long appear- when they are intended to illustrate the eft out: and all the References in this, as The Various Readings are referred to by word of a verse, or clause of a verse BS185 1856.P45 PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE Polyglott Bible. THE form in which this Volume now ed exceedingly desirable that a NEW Bi appears, is altogether different from any ble, of convenient size for the Pocket, or thang which has before been given to the Pub-ginal in its plan, purpose, and execution c, but its originality will be found pre-emi- should be published; in which a MORE AP nently to consist in a laborious and entirely PROPRIATE and ACCURATE selection, adap New Selection and Arrangement of Refe- tation, and Arrangement of References might rences, in which it has been endeavoured be introduced; both for the Assistance of futhfally to exhibit the Scripture as its own Expositor. Private Readers, and to facilitate the ready examination and quotation of passages, which the Preacher, or the Biblical Student, may have an immediate occasion to cite, or to consult. The greatness of the advantages that must accrue to a sincere and diligent reader of the Sacred Pages, from having constantly before him a reference to similar Convenience and utility were, however, and illustrative passages, carefully investi- to be equally consulted in all the parts of gated, and suitably applied, must be obvi- the undertaking. If the size of the hook ous to every one; and has been well understood by many pious and able men, to whose diligent and useful labours the Public is unspeakably indebted. top of this middle column, where it denotes the Date of the writing or transaction contained in the text, at the beginning of the page. were too large, or the page too crowded, so as to be made wearisome to the eye, its convenience would be lessened; and if, in the limits which these considerations imReferences, however, have hitherto posed, great care were not employed in been printed, almost exclusively, in the examining and applying the References, its margins of Bibles of a large size; and utility would in a great degree, be destroy the benefit resulting from them has, in ed. On mature deliberation, therefore, it consequence, been very much restrict- appeared best to adopt the plan here preed-the only small Bible with Refe- sented to the notice of the Public; in rences, in the English language, being which the Marginal Readings and Refethat published by Mr. Canne. The defects rences are all contained in a MIDDLE CO. of which are many; for though he was a LUMN, between two of text; and the numdiligent student of the Scriptures, and his ber introduced is sufficient, except in a few work was at that time eminently service- pages only, completely to fill that column. able, yet, as he was not in possession The Chronology is always placed at the of those helps, for the accomplishment of the task which he had undertaken, that are now afforded by many valuable editions and comments, which have been printed in different languages since The Marginal Readings contained in the his time; and being, therefore, under the folio and quarto Bibles are all introduced; necessity of relying chiefly on his own the idioms of the original languages which industry; it is not surprising that he should are preserved in many of them, and also have been less successful than he would the various senses of particular words or otherwise have been. His references are phrases, being in most instances instrucaften only remotely applicable: he seems tive, and in all worthy to be known. But frequently to have been guided more by it has not been thought necessary, in givmilarity of expression than by illustra- ing these readings, to insert such words as Lon the errors in the letter-press are are repeated in the text, and which would tamerous: many of the Marginal Readings therefore have fruitlessly occupied a por are omitted: the Chronology is altogether tion of the space allotted to references. eft out: and all the References in this, as The Various Readings are referred to by in the larger Bibles, are placed in the mar- small figures placed immediately before the of the text; by which they are render- words for which they are to be substituted; ed liable to be cut in binding, or worn and the References by Italic letters, which Away by use, or bound so into the back of are generally placed after the first or second the book as not to be easily read. word of a verse, or clause of a verse, when they are intended to illustrate the On all these accounts, it has long appear PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH VERSION whole of that verse or clause: but when | MAY BE PERFECT, THOROUGHLY FURNISHED the principal force of the illustration UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS." But it must be rests on a single word, the letter reference evident, that the Scripture could not be is placed immediately after that word. effectually profitable for these great ends This has been the general rule; and the nor make the man of God PERFECT, if it exceptions have either been unavoidable, were not perfect itself; if its different parts or are quite immaterial. were at variance with each other: if, notIn referring to several relations of the withstanding all the variety of matter, and same facts, by different Writers in the Sa- multiplicity of detail, which such a book cred Volume, (as in the histories recorded required, the doctrines revealed, and the by the Four Evangelists, and in those con- moral duties enjoined, were not substantained in the Books of Kings and Chroni- tially and essentially the same throughcles,) the corresponding chapters, or parts out; and if all the parts did not concur in of chapters in each, having been once the plan of the whole. To exhibit, then, noted at the beginning of the history or the harmony of the Sacred Writers, on the subject, it has not been thought necessary subjects of which they treat, has been the to repeat those references in the subse-primary design of this selection. And as quent verses, except where something there are some subjects of leading impormaterial is to be noticed. That also in tance, in which all the rest are included, the prophecy of Obadiah, which relates and by means of which the harmony and chiefly to the destruction of the Edomites, perfection of the Inspired Pages are writ the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Eze- ten, as with the beams of the sun; to kiel, and Amos, on the same subject, hav- these, especial care and attention have ing been once pointed out at the com- been devoted. mencement, are not again referred to. And so in the history of our Lord's temptation, given in the fourth chapter of the Gospel by St. Matthew, reference being made from the first verse to the fourth chapter of that by St. Luke, where the same history is recorded, no further reference is made to that chapter in the subsequent verses; the connexion of the whole being obvious, and the comparison easy. More space has been thus retained for the illustration or confirmation of the subjects or sentences individually, which are comprised in the particular parts of the history or discourse. For a similar reason, where the same identical words, or nearly so, might be found in a great number of texts, a few of these only have been selected;---illustration, not repetition, having been the object in view. The references, therefore, which fill the middle column, have all been diligently considered and applied with a particular attention to this specific end, that none which were superfluous might be introduced, while the most material purposes to be answered by References might nevertheless be effectually secured. WHETHER the latitude or the limits of such an undertaking be considered, it is proper that the principles on which it has been conducted should be so far explained, as that the Reader may be apprised of what he is to expect from it, and in what branches of religious inquiry it may most materially assist him. I. It has appeared an object of the first magnitude, that the reader of the Holy Scriptures should be assisted by references from text to text, to have constantly in view the connexion of all the divine attributes, and the holy uniformity of God in his government, both of his Church, and of the world. A display of the true character and perfections of God is, without dispute, one chief design of the Inspired Volume. Here, as in Isaiah's miraculous vision, may Jehovah be seen, sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; his train fills the temple, and the Sacred Writers, like the Seraphim, cover themselves, and cry one to another, and say, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY. It is this which gives to the Scripture its superlative grandeur. By it, God is known; his will is promulgated; his purposes are revealed: his mercy is announced; and he is every where exhibited as worthy of the supreme adoration, love, service, and praise, of all his intelligent creatures. Little do those who neglect their Bibles think what refined delight they lose, by thus turning away their eyes from the most sublime, the most glorious, and the most beatifying object of contemplation, that the whole universe affords. II. But this manifestation of the Divine character and government is not presented to us as a matter of mere speculation, in which we have no immediate and personal interest. The Holy Scriptures are designed to promote the Glory of God BY THE SALVATION OF MAN. The peculiar purpose of the whole is, to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satun to God; to raise them from the ruins of In that grand enunciation of the dignity and design of the Sacred Volume, which Is given by the Apostle Paul, (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17,) we are told, that "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, *'APTIOZ, perfectus, integer, snus, inco FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN limis, consentaneus, consummatus. RIGHTEOUSNESS; THAT THE MAN OF GOD Hedericks 1 OF THE POLYGLOTT BIBLE. the Fall, and to put them in possession of PHETS WITNESS. Acts x. 43. The things the blessings of Redemption; to lead them which were written in the law of Moses from sin to holiness; to conduct them and in all the Prophets, and in the Psalms through a state of conflict and trial on concern HIM; (Luke xxiv. 27, 44;) and earth, to a state of rest and felicity in hea- would come to nothing if he were separat ven; and so to assist and direct them in all ed from them. He is the bright and morn possible conditions in life, that they may ing star; the true light that must lighten not fail of these great ends, except by their every man who comes to see the glory of own wilful rejection of the counsel of God Divine Revelation. Rev. xxii, 16. John 1. against themselves. The salvation of his 9. It has therefore been a chief design of own soul should therefore be the grand this Work to connect and to exhibit the concern of every reader of the Scripture. testimony which all the Sacred Penmen Here the immortality of the soul is brought bear to the adorable Immanuel; to tho to light, and placed in unquestionable evi- proper and unequivocal Divinity of his nadence. Here, its defection from original ture, the necessity of his mediation, the punity is clearly demonstrated; the means reality and design of his incarnation. his of its restoration are set forth, and its fu- spotless and exemplary life, his unparallelture destiny is declared. It is an awful re-ed sufferings, his vicarious death,the verity sponsibility which they incur who wilfully of his resurrection and ascension into heaneglect this holy book, and devote all their ven, the sufficiency of his righteousness, time, and the powers of their minds, to the prevalence of his intercession, the terrestrial, and subordinate objects. They spirituality of his kingdom, his sovereignty light the pearl of greatest price, which is in the Church, his constant care and love to where else to be found; and seem as if of his people, and the certainty of his sethey were determined to frustrate, as far cond coming to raise the dead and judge as respects themselves, all that Divine wis- the world in righteousness;---grand and dom and goodness have done to rescue the sublime truths, in which every individual immortal mind of man from spiritual igno- of the human race is deeply and eternally rance, error, vanity, vice, and ruin. Those, interested. however, who are seeking to enjoy the IV. The chief purpose of Christ's mission blessings which the Gospel reveals, will, as being that such as believe on him might they are able, search the Scriptures; and be saved from sin, which is the transsuch persons will receive great help from gression of the Divine law, and from the having references at hand to assist their punishment due to it; it has been thought inquiries. "It were to be wished," says important frequently to connect those Bishop Horsely, "that no Bibles were texts which speak of transgressions, with printed without References. Particular those in which the law concerning them diligence should be used in comparing the is to be found, and in which punishment parallel texts of the Old and New Testa- is threatened; and sometimes with those ments.... It is incredible," he adds, "to in which the atonement is set forth, and any one who has not made the experiment, pardon is proclaimed; or in which sancti what a proficiency may be made in that fication is promised, or enforced; and knowledge which maketh wise unto salva- these again with such as relate to the fution, by studying the Scriptures in this ture happiness and glory which is promismanner, WITHOUT ANY OTHER COMMENTA-ed to the faithful, or punishment and miseEY, OR EXPOSITION, THAN WHAT THE DIF-ry denounced against the impenitent. A FERENT PARTS OF THE SACRED VOLUME small body of divinity is sometimes comMUTUALLY FURNISH FOR EACH OTHER. Let prised in a few texts connected together the most illiterate Christian study them in in this way. Thus, from those words in this manner, and let him never cease to Ezek. xxiii. 49. Ye shall bear the sins of pray for the illumination of that Spirit by your idols, the Reader is referred first to which these books were dictated: and the Numb. xiv. 34, as a parallel passage, whole compass of abstruse philosophy, showing God visiting sin upon the transrecondite history, shall furnish no argu- gressors themselves; then to Numb. xviii. ment with which the perverse will of man 23. to show the typical visitation of it shall be able to shake this learned Chris-upon the Levitical priesthood; then to tian's faith." So great and perfect is the Isaiah liii. 11. to show the prophetic decomcidence of every part of the Word of claration of its being laid on Christ: and, God in the grand and merciful design of the whole! Ill. This is more apparent, and the harmony and perfection of the Holy Scriptares are rendered more peculiarly evident and distinct, by the constant reference of all its writers to our Lord and Saviour Jeas Christ. TO HIM GIVE ALL THE PRO •Horsely's Nie Sermons, p. 224-238. lastly, to 1 Pet. ii. 24. to show the actual fulfilment of that prophecy, and the end to be answered by it for there we are told, that He that judgeth righteously, "his own self, bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live to righteousness. V. The concurrence of the Old and New Testament with each other, and the relation of the types before and under the Mosaic law, to their completion under the |