THE GOSPELS ON THE BASIS OF THE HARMONIES OF LIGHTFOOT, DODDRIDGE, AND CRANFIELD: THE EPISTLES ARE INSERTED IN THE APOSTLES' ARGUMENTS. BY THE REV. GEORGE TOWNSEND, M.A. OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; AND DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. London : PRINTED FOR C. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, AND WATERLOO¬PLACE, PALL-MALL. 1825. ΤΟ THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL, K.G. FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY, LORD WARDEN OF THE CINQUE PORTS, &c. &c. THIS ARRANGEMENT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS INSCRIBED, IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICES, AND IN RESPECT FOR HIS PRIVATE VIRTUES, BY HIS LORDSHIP's MOST OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, GEO. TOWNSEND. INTRODUCTION. To search for truth is the best happiness of an individual; and to discover it, is the greatest blessing he can bestow on society. Moral and religious truth can only be obtained from the right interpretation of Scripture: and the most effectual means of eliciting that right interpretation must be, to ascertain its primary, or historical meaning. The books of Revelation were given to the world at various times, and upon different occasions. Each book was written for some one especial cause. The all-wise providence of God has not imparted his will, as human legislators are compelled to do, in abstract precepts, arbitrary institutions, or metaphysical distinctions. His Revelation is so constructed, that it is interwoven with the history of the world. It is a collection of facts and inferences of narratives and doctrines. To understand the latter, we must acquaint ourselves with the former: and then only shall we perceive that it is equally adapted at all times, to all ages, nations, and climates, so long as human nature remains the same; and so long as hope and fear, and joy and sorrow, and evil and good, and sin and holiness, characterise mankind. The most general cause of religious error, is the neglect of this mode of viewing Scripture. The Old, and New Testaments, not only in the present day, but in former ages, have been for the most part considered as large a |