WITH A COMMENTARY CONSISTING OF SHORT LECTURES FOR THE DAILY USE OF FAMILIES, BY THE REV. CHARLES GIRDLESTONE, M.A. VICAR OF SEDGLEY, STAFFORDSHIRE. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO FLACE, PALL MALL; SOLD BY J. H. PARKER, OXFORD; H. C. LANGBRIDGE, BIRMINGHAM ; AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS. PREFACE. The general object of this commentary has been already stated, in the preface to a corresponding work, on the New Testament, lately published. And the writer may be allowed to refer his readers to that preface, or rather to the book itself, as to what he has endeavoured to do, towards furnishing a work that should be well adapted to the purpose of family reading. Thus much only he would repeat, for the sake of those who may have one work and not the other, that he keeps in view this same object throughout both, namely, the reading aloud of the Scriptures and commentary to an assembled family; that for this use the text is divided into paragraphs of a convenient length, the explanation and practical improvement being condensed into one continuous lecture; that the parallel passages are largely quoted and always in the very words of Scripture, the quotations from the Psalms being taken from our Prayer Book translation, as being more familiar to most hearers; that controversial matter is studiously avoided, the sense of each passage which is adopted as the right one being commented on as if it were the only one; and that the doctrines and duties insisted on are in accordance with the formularies of the holy catholic church of Christ, as established in this our highly favoured country. In almost every respect this work on the Old Testament will be found written on the same principles, and upon the same plan as the other; so as to form in fact one work only. The text and the lecture will be kept within two pages, in one opening of the book; for both to be at once under the reader's eye. And the Lectures will still be drawn up in a method, which admits accord ing to the nature of the subject, of annotation, paraphrase, disquisition, or practical reflection. Only in the Old Testament, it will be found, that usually there is more of text and less of comment allotted to each single lecture, than in the work previously published. For the practical improvement to be derived from this portion of Scripture, does not so often as in the other portion arise from single expressions or texts; but rather from passages of greater length, whether historical or prophetical. And in such a case, it is desirable both for the assembled family, and for the private student, that a longer passage of Scripture should first be read; and then the comment, which is as the frame to the inimitable picture, or as the setting to the inestimable jewel, will better do its office of directing our attention to the excellency and beauty of the word of God. It is to be hoped that the diligent study which has been applied to the New Testament, in order to complete that part of the whole undertaking, will have prepared the way for a successful attempt to illustrate the writings of the elder covenant. For not only is the Old Testament not contrary to the New; they are throughout in perfect harmony, the one with the other. And the two taken together constitute one complete revelation of all that man in his present state has to know concerning the mind of God. To explain and enforce the several contents of a Book so heavenly in its origin, so comprehensive in its nature, and so mighty in its influence to all eternity, is indeed a most responsible undertaking. And it is with fear and trembling that this new beginning has been made, in a work, which demands, for its perfect execution, all the wisdom of the wise, and all the devotion of the good. But since every ordained minister ought to be able to explain the whole counsel of God, and since nothing is attempted in this work beyond that which any well instructed master of a family might be supposed able to set forth before his household, it is hoped that the attempt, made simply for the love of God's truth, and with a view to illustrate his holy word, will not be deemed to savour of presumption. And it may perhaps be thought that there is some advantage in having a whole com |