which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Nah. 1, 1. The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Hab. i, 1. The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. Zeph. i, 1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. Hag. i, 1. In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the mouth, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying. Zech. i, 1. In the eighth month, In the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying. Mal. i, 1. The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. SOME BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Matt. i, 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the sou of David, the son of Abraham. Mark i, 1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. the son of God. Luke i, 3, 4. It seemed good to me als, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. John xx, 31. But these are written, that yo might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Acts i. 1, 2. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. Rom. i, 1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. 1 Cor. i, 1, 2. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every plac call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 2 Cor. i, 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia. Gal. 1, 1, 2. Paul, an apostle And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia. Eph. i, 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Phil. i, 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. Col. i, 1, 2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. i, 1. Paul, and Silvanus and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. and Timotheus, unto the church 2 Thess. i, 1. Paul, and Silvanus, of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 1, 1, 2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ which is our hope, Unto Timothy my own son in the faith. 2 Tim. i, 1, 2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Tinothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. . Titus i, 1, 4. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Jesus Christ, and Timothy our Philemon, 1. Paul, a prisoner of brother, unto Fhilemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer. Hcb. xiii, 22. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. James 1, 1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 1 Pel. i 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Poutus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 Pet. 1, 1. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Jude 1. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. Rev. 1, 1, 2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. BOOKS QUOTED IN SCRIPTURE, BUT NOT IN THE CANON. Num. xxi, 14. 15. Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, And at the stream of the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon brooks that goeth down to the the border of Moab. Josh. x, 13. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 2 Sam. i, 18. Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jushier. the acts of Solomon, and all that 1 Kings x1, 41. And the rest of he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 1 Chron. xxix, 29, 30. Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the promight, and the times that went phet, and in the book of Gad the seer, With all his reign and his over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries. the acts of Solomon, first and 2 Chron. ix, 29. Now the rest of last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Alijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 2 Chron. xli, 15. Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemalah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jerobeam continually. Jeroboam. The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. Now 2 Chron. xiii, 22. And the rest the rest of the acts of Nadab, and of the acts of Abijah, and his all that he did, are they not writways, and his sayings, are written in the book of the Chronicles ten in the story of the prophet of the kings of Israel? Iddo. 2 Chron. xx, 34. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are writ. ten in the book of Jehu the son of Hanaui, who is mentioned in the book of the Kings of Israel. 2 Chron. xxvi. 22. Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah. first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amez, write. 2 Chron. xxxil, 32. Now the rest of the acts of 11 zekiah, and Lis goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 18. 19. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the secrs that spake to bin in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are writ ten in the book of the Kings of Israel: His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built hign places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled, behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers 2 Chron. xxxv, 25. And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing-men and the singing-women spake of Josiah in their lamenta ions to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel; and, behold they are writ ten in the Lamentations. REFERENCES TO OTHER HISTORICAL BOOKS. 1 Kings xiv, 19, 29. And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 1 Kings xv, 7, 23. 31. Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and 1 Kings xvi, 5. 14, 20, 27. Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 1 Kings xxii, 45. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings i 18. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 Kings viii, 23. And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings x, 31. Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 Kings xii, 19. And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings xiii. 8. 12. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amazah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 Kings xiv, 15, 18, 28. Now the rest of the acts of Jchoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in 655 the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he re Judah, for covered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Israel, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 Kings xv, 6, 11, 15, 21, 26, 31, 36. And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and al! that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings xvi, 19. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings xxi, 17, 25. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, of the Chronicles of the kings of are they not written in the book Judah? 2 Kings xxiil, 28. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings xxiv, 5. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 1 Chr. ix, 1. So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. 2 Chr. xvi, 11. And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. in the ears of all the congregati.n of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. Deut. xxxii, 44, 45. And Moses came and spake all the words of words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add uuto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written take away from the words of the in this book: And if any man shall book of this prophecy, God shall this song in the ears of the people, burdens laid upon him, and the take away his part out of the book he and Hoshea the son of Nun. of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are speaking all these words to all 2 Chr. xxiv, 27. Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. 2 Chr. xxv, 26. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? 2 Chr. xxvii, 7. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Chr. xxviii, 26. Now the rest of his acts, and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 2 Chr. xxxv, 26, 27. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD, And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah QUOTATIONS FROM PRO FANE AUTHORS. bis power, and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not writ ten in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? Acts xvil, 28. Fer in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Tit. i, 12. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 4th. THE BIBLE A PERFECT Deut. iv, 2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deut. xii 32. What thug soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Prov. xxx, 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Rev. xxii, 18, 19. For I testify unto every man that heareth the written in this book. TO BE READ IN PUBLIC. Deut. xxxi, 10-12. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law. Jer. v, 20. Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying. Jer. xi, 6. Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. Jer. xxvi, 6, 8. Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house upon the fasting-day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities. And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house. Col. iv, 16. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 1 Thess. v, 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. Exod. xix, 7. And Moses came, and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Exod. xxiv, 7. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. Deut. xxxi, 30. And Moses spake And Moses made an end of Israel. Josh. viii, 34, 35. And afterward he read allthe words of the law, the to all that is written in the book of blessings and cursings, according the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with and the strangers that were conthe women, and the little ones, versant among them. 2 Kings xxiii, 2. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusa lem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which cas found in the house of the LORD. 2 Chron. xxxiv, 18. 30. Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan reid it before the king. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small; and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the Covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. Neh. viii, 3, 18. And he read therein before the street that was before the water-gate from the morning until mid-day, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God.... Jer. xxxvi. 10, 14, 15. 21. Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house, in the ears of all the people. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying. Take iu thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them. And Jer. vi, 18. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Jer. x, 1. Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. law, even his prayer shall be abomination. hear it, my soul shall weep in Jer. xiii, 17. But if ye will not secret places for your pride. . . . with what measure ye mete, it' them, Take beed what ye hear; Mark iv, 24. And he said unto unto you that hear shall more be shall be measured to you; and given. they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: aud he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber: and Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which Logo unto me. Go and stand in Jer. xvii, 19, 20. Thus said the stood beside the king. Acts xiii, 15. And after the read-people, whereby the kings of the gate of the children of the ing of the law and the prophets, the Judah come in, and by the which rulers of the synagogue sent unto they go out, and in all the gates them, saying, le meu and breth- of Jerusalem; And say unto them, fore how ye hear: for whosoever ren, if ye have any word of ex- Hear ye the word of the LORD, hath, to him shall be given; Luke vill, 19. Take heed therehortation for the people say on. Acts xv, 21. For Moses of old and all the inhabitants of Jeruhim shall be taken even that ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and whosoever hath not, from time hath in every city them that salem, that enter in by these which he seemeth to have. preach him, being read in the gates. synagogues every sabbath-day. OBLIGATION TO HEAR IT. Josh. iii, 9. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. 1 Sam. ix, 27. And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servaut pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the Word of God. 2 Kings xx. 16. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. Ps. 1, 7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. Ps. 1xxviii, 1. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Isa. xxviii, 23. Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Isa. xxxiii, 13. Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. Isa. xxxiv, 1. Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. Isa. xxxix, 5. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts. Isa. li, 4. Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. Jer. ii, 4. Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Jer. v, 21. Hear now this, O fo lish people, and without understanding, which have eyes, and see not: which have ears, and hear not. Jer. xxix, 20. Hear ye therefore mial said unto all the people, and harlot, hear the word of the LORD. the LORD hath spoken which I take up against you, even Matth. xi, 15. He that hath ears AND IN HEARING TO OBEY Deut. iv, 1, 5, 14. Now therefore Ilear, O Israel, the statutes and all Israel, and said unto them, Deut. v, 1, 31. And Moses called judgments which I speak in your them, and keep, and do them. ears this day, that ye may learn Matth. xiii, 9. Who hath ears to by me, and I will speak unto thee But as for thee, stand thou here hear, let him hear. all the commandments, and the which thou shalt teach them, that statutes, and the judgments, which I give them to possess it. they may do them in the land Mark iv, 23. If any man have good ground, and sprang up, and let him hear. Rev. ii, 29. IIe that hath an ear, Rev. ili, 6, 13, 22. IIe that hath and the judgments, which the the commandments, the statutes, Deut. vi, 1. 8. Now these are LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to pos and observe to do it; that it may se-s it: Hear therefore, O Israel, be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. shall observe to do in the land statutes and judgments which ye Deut. xii, 1, 28. These are the which the LORD God of thy fathers Rev. xiii, 9. If any man have an days that ye live upon the earth. giveth thee to possess it, all the ear, let him hear. Prov. xxviii, 9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the 657 Observe and hear all these words good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. Deut. xxx, 14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Ps. cv, 45. That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD. Ps. cxix, 17, 101, 102, 129. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my Soul keep them. Prov. v, 7. Hear me now there fore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. James i, 22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Rev. 1, 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. NEGLECT OF THIS DUTY, AND ITS DANGER. Ps. cxix, 150. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Jer. viii, 8, 9. How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what Wisdom is in them? Jer. xx, 8. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Jer. xxiii, 33, 34, 38-40. And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD. And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD, Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD; Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence; And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. Jer. xxxvi, 11-13, 16, 20, 23, 25, 29. When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD, Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo. all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiali, and all the princes. Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Matth. xv, 10. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand. Mark iv, 13. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Mark vil, 14. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. is this: The seed is the word of Luke vill, 11. Now the parable God. Luke xxiv, 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid, both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words. And they went in to the king into the court, but Acts vili, 28, 30, 31. [The eunuch] they laid up the roll in the cham- Was returning, and sitting in his ber of Elishama the scribe, and chariot, read Esaias the prophet. told all the words in the ears of And Philip ran thither to him, the king. And it came to pass, and heard him read the prophet that when Jehudi had read three Esaias, and said, Understandest or four leaves, he cut it with the thou what thou readest? And he penknife, and cast it into the fire said, How can I, except some that was on the hearth, until all man should guide me? And he the roll was consumed in the fire desired Philip that he would come that was on the hearth. Never-up and sit with him. theless Elnathan, and Delafah, and Gemariah, had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll; but he would not hear them. And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burnt this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall causo to cease from thence man and beast? Hosea viii, 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. EXPOSITION OF SCRIPTURE. Acts xviii, 26. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts xxviii, 23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodg ing; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. DESIRE AND BENEFIT OF SEARCHING AND UNDERSTANDING IT. Deut. vi, 7. And thou shalt Ezra vii, 10. For Ezra had preof the LORD, and to do it, and to pared his heart to seek the law teach in Israel statutes and judg- teach them diligently unto thy ments. Neh. viii, 7, 8. Also Jeshua, and Bani,and Shere biah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseth, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Matth. xii, 18, 36. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Then Jesus sent the multi children. Neh. vill, 13. And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law. Ps. cxix, 12, 13, 46, 172. Blessed art thou, O LORD, teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I will speak of thy testi monies also before kings, and wil not be ashamed. My tongue 1 1 |