A GUIDE

ΤΟ

THE PRACTICAL READING

OF

THE BIBLE.

BY

WILLIAM CARPENTER.

Biblical learning not only serves directly to dispel errors of
opinion, by throwing open the true sense of Scripture; but it
contains within itself what might be termed a physical prevent-
ive against heresy, which, if it be not always efficacious, is per-
ceptibly operative.
Natural History of Enthusiasm.

LONDON:

HOLDSWORTH AND BALL,

18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD.

MUSEUM BRITANNICES

PREFACE.

THE design with which the following pages were written, was to convey to the readers of the English Bible that kind of elementary knowledge of its history and character, which should have a tendency to create a well-founded reliance on its fidelity, as a translation, and to induce a rational and profitable study of its contents.

The substance of some of the early chapters has already appeared, in a periodical work, in the shape of essays; but they have

been mostly re-written, and generally much extended.

The third part was not originally intended to comprise part of the publication; the idea suggested itself to the author's mind while the sheets of the preceding parts were passing through the press; and it was conceived that a few pages might be written upon the topics which it embraces, in perfect accordance with the original design of the work, and, indeed, that such an addition was necessary to the completion of an elementary scripture manual.

Upon reviewing what he has here presented to the christian public, the author finds that he has great need to propitiate its indulgence, for many imperfections both in the plan and details of the work. It will be of no avail to say that most of it has been written in haste, amidst many and pressing avocations, because he has voluntarily chosen to give it publication.