The story of the gospels in a single narrative : combined from the four evangelists showing in a new translation their unity, to which is added a like continuous narrative in the original Greek

Front matter

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Preface

TT is generally acknowledged by the learned that no commentary or harmony, ancient or modem, satisfactorily explains some passages in the four Gospels. The student therefore who is in search after truth wisely consults the originals as the safest interpreters of each other, and if he has full confidence in the Evangelists as writers he is careful that the chronological order of each record be adhered to, and that the most probable readings be taken in their literal and grammatical sense.

This course has been adopted by the author of the present work, with the happy result that the combination so formed from two or three narratives is invariably more perspicuous in. sense, more complete in arrangement, and more enriched with the niceties of circumstantial detail than the corresponding account in any one single Evangelist. In this way a strict attention to chronovi Preface,

logy has supplied a solution to many questions of doubtful criticism.

The uniform success of such practice, repeated at different parts of the Gospels, at length suggested the fundamental principle of this work; namely, Tliat the Evangelists (however fragmentary their narratives may be) are strictly correct in the chronological order of the events recorded in their respective histories. This principle when appUed to some controverted passages, as might be expected, conducts to a view of the Gospel narrative different from the generally received interpretation, and gives to this work an independence which renders the labours of other authors for the most part inapphcable for its compilation. Many of the papers which contain arguments as they were originally drawn during the analysis of the Gospels are printed in an Appendix, in order that the reader who is desirous of so doing may see the rationale of the work, which was itself not originally intended for publication, and which the author does not as yet consider to be perfect.

As the Church however has hitherto not been acquainted with a harmony which allows to ea^h of the four Evangelists an uninterrupted chrono-

Preface. vii

logical order, this work may be received as supplying an acknowledged want, and will be, the author trusts, acceptable to all. First, to men of intellect, by presenting to them results accurately and philosophically obtained solely upon the fourfold authority of the Evangelists. Secondly, to the theological student, by supplying to him an additional interest in the records themselves, whilst he tests the newly-acquired results by the touchstone of his own matured opinions. Thirdly, to the ordinary reader much engaged in the active life of this world's calling, by presenting to him fresh from the originals a unique and continuous history of all the events recorded in the four Evangelists. And lastly, to all men who in their spiritual life are pressing on "to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus " their Lord, by supplying to them in this combination of the foiu* Gospels an intimate acquaintance with the words and the works of "Him whom they love," and "in whom they rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Chap. IY. — The Inspiration of the Four Gospels . . . xxiii

Chap. V. — The System of Teachiuf^ suitable to the Mission of

the Messiah xzix

Chap. VI. — The Fourfold System adopted by Jesus of Nazareth :~Sec. 1. Of Plain Teiiching ; Sec. 2. Of Miracles ; Sec. 3. Of Parables ; Sec. 4. Of Denunciation . . xxxv

Chap. Yll. — ^A Repetition of similar Facts and Narratives, a necessary Consequence of a Fourfold System repeated at different Places of Residence li

Chap. VIII. — The Scheme, containing the Consecutive Order (Chapter and Verse) of each of the Four Gospels, and showing where all passages may be found in the Chapters of this Work Iv

The Story of the Gospels.