A compendium of the religious doctrines

Front matter

Prrvri

UMMy^

/VUU'

Chap. 1. Attributes and Government of God 15

2. Attributes, Life,and Example, of our

Lord Jesus Christ

3. Attributes, or Offices of the Hoi

Iv

Ghost

4. Baptism - - ^

5. Beneficence

6. Benevolence

7. Charity

8, Chastity

9. Commandments

10. Contentment

11. Counsel ^ - -

12. Covetousness

13. Creation - - -

14. Crucifixion, Death, and Burial, of our Lord Jesus Christ

15. Depravity of Man

16. Doctrine of the Trinity

17. Duties of Christian Brethren

18. Duties to Enemies

19. Duties to God

£0. Duties of Husbands and Wives

£1. Duties of Magistrates and Citizens 87

£2. Duties to Mankind

23. Duties of Masters- and Servants

£4. Duties of Ministers and People

£5. Duties of Parents and Children loi

£6. Envy

£7. Equality -

£8. Evil-Speaking

£9. Faith and Works -

CONTENTS.

SI. Fidelity - - - 111

33. Forgiveness - - 114

35. Frailty and Imperfection of Man 116

36. Fraud, Oppression, and Violence 119

37. Friendship - - 122

38. Future Happiness and Misery 123

39. Godliness - - 126

40. Government of the Thoughts, Lan-

guage, and Passions - 128

42. Hospitality - - 136

44. Hypocrisy - - 141

46. In- mortality, Resurrection, and

Future Judgment - 145

48. Integrity - - - 154

49. Justice, and Impartiality - 155

50. Kingdom and Church of our Lord

Jesus Christ - - 158

51. Lord's Supper - - 159

55. Mercy and Compassion - 163

56. Miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ 165

57. Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 173

58. Original State of Man, Sin, the

Fall, and Death - - 174

59. Parables of our Lord Jesus Christ 177

CONTENTS. 5

62. Perseverance - - 184

63. Politeness - - - 189

66. Prosperity and Adversity - 194

68. Public Worship - - 199

69. Redemption and Salvation 200

70. Regeneration - - 205

71. Repentance - - 203

72. Resurrection, Appearance, and : Ascension, of our Lord Jesus

Christ - - - £15

73. Retribution - - 222

74. Righteousness - - £25

76. Scriptures - - - 228

77. Sincerity and Truth - £32

78. Stability . - - 233

79. Temperance - - £34

80. Theft and Trespass - £36

81. Vigilance - - £37

82. Wickedness - - £37

83. Wisdom and Understanding £38

84. Zeal - - - 242 ^5, Miscellaneous Selection - £44

Miscellaneous Moral Selection

from the Apocrypha - £65

1*

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIRST EDITION.

Of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lathrop^ of West- Springfietd.

WesT'Sphingfield^ Sepi'. 13, 1814.

DEAR SIR,

I THANK you for the present you have made me of jour Compendium of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Bible. I have perused it as far as I have had leisure : am happy to find, that you have collected all or most bi the truths and virtues stated in the Scriptures, with their opposite errors and vices ; and in application to them have adduced the most pertinent passages, so that we have a compendious view, of the substance of what inspiration has taught on those various subjects. The Book, I think, may be very useful in families and schools.

1 rejoice, sir, whenever gentlemen in civil life, under the impression of Divine Truth, become fellow^ workers with the ministers of Jesus, in the same great cause ; and I hope, that by their united exertions the kingdom of the Redeemer may be promoted, and the most essential interests of mankind advanced.

I am, sir, with respect, your humble servant,

JOSEPH LATHROP.

jR. Dickinson^ Esq.

Of the Rev, Dr. Edward D. Griffin^ of Boston.

BosroN^ Sept. 8, 1814.

SIR,

I HAVE read a sufficient portion of your Compendium, to form a judgment of your plan ; and of the manner of its execution. The design

RECOMMENDATIONS. 7

of presenting the great truths and duties of re- Kgion under distinct heads, in the languaj^e of Scripture, and giving an opportunity to see, at one view, in how many forms the same sentiment is expressed and explained in the Sacred Oracles, was happily conceived. Let the Bible speak for itself, and it will speak intelligibly to every unprejudiced mind ; and if any thing can conquer prejudice itself, it is such a mode of throwing together the various declarations of Scripture on the same point. The execution, although it admits of degrees of improvement almost without end, has, in this first attempt, at«ained a character highly creditable to the industry and judgment of the Compiler. Such a Compedium, while it will furnish important aid to maturer minds, will be of special service " as a Reading Book for Schools," and if generally adopted, may have incalculable influence in settling the faith, and forming the religious character of the rising generation. You have my hearty thanks for this service to the cause of truth, and my warmest wishes for the success of your interesting volume.

EDWARD D. GRIFFIN.

Modolphus Dickinson, Esq,

Of the Rev, Samuel Taggart, of ColeraiUj Memher of Congress.

CoLERAiNj Sept, 20, 1814.

DEAR SIR,

I HAVE perused but partially your Compendium of religious doctrines, and of religious and moral precepts conceived in the language ef Scripture. I am much pleased with the design, and hope it may be a means of introducing

8 RECOMMENDATIONS.

the Bible into Schools, which has been of late years, too much excluded, and thereby tend to the increase of religious knowledge. The improvements which such a work will admit, are almost without limits : some of which your own reflections will suggest in a future edition. I am, respectfully, yours,

SAMUEL TAGGART.

Of the Rev. John Taylor^ Esq, of Enfield^ late Minister of Beerfield.

En FIELD, Ocr. 9, 18X4.

SIR,

I HAVE examined the work entitled '^ A Compendium of the Religious Doctrines, Religious and Moral Precepts, Historical and Descriptive Beauties of the Bible, &c." and find it a work calculated to promote a general knowledge of the Scriptures. The texts introduced to prove and illustrate the several subjects, of which the work is composed, appear to be impartially chosen and judiciously arranged. I hope, Sir, for the benefit of society, that this " Compendium" may be duly appreciated by parents, and introduced into their families and schools, to the exclusion of many volumes faT less useful.

JOHN TAYLOR, Jl, Dickinson,

Oftihe Rev. Samuel WiUard^ of JOeerfield. Deerfield^ Sept, 9^ IS14,

SIR,

I HAVE given your Compendium a hasty, but careful perusal. The design is laudable, the

RECOMMENDATIONS. 9

general plan, as i conceive, judicious ; and the execution, with a few exceptions, and those of minor importance, highly satisfactory. In most, if not all the excepted cases, you may have been governed by adequate reasons, that have not occurred to me. I rejoice in seeing the doctrinal and preceptive parts of our blessed religion displayed in the engaging form they generally wear in your Compendium ; and I think that the Christian parent^ as well as the schoolmaster^ will, with the blessing of God, find your book of vast benefit in a course of religious education. Yours,

SAMUEL WILLARD.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECOND EDITION.

Of the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Fitch^ President of Williams College, Williams College^ March 2, 1815.

SIR,

YOUR Compendium of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Bible was, a few days since, put into my hands. I have devoted the little leisure, which my necessary duties and daily avocations left me, to perusing the Work and comparing the second edition with the first. The plan of the Work is, I think, judicious ; and the selection and arrangement of scripture passages under the several heads manifest great labor and impartiality, and a good acquaintance with the Sacred Oracles. The execution of your plan doubtless admits of improvement. But as th;*. Work is now presented to the public, I think it calculated to be highly useful to private chris-

10 RECOMMENDATIONS.

tians and families, and especially to the rising generation. I should be glad to see it introduced as a Reading Book in all our common schools. The happy consequence, I think, would be, the improvement of children and youth in moral and religious knowledge, and eventually, through divine grace, in the practice of true virtue and piety. You have my cordial approbation of your labors and endeavors to promote this highly important object, and my fervent wishes that they may be abundantly successful.

feBENEZER FITCH.

Rodolphus Dickinson^ Esq.

Of the Rev. Br. Eliphalet J\"ott^ President of Union College.

ScHENECTADr March 2, 1815.

Sir,

I HAVE partially examined the compilation entitled Ji Compendium of Religious Doctrines^ &c. The plan meets my entire approbation ; and it appears to have been executed with candour and ability. It is in my opinion a Book worthy of being introduced both into families and schools.

ELIPHALET NOTT.

R. Dickinson^ Esq^

Preface

1['he compiler is aware of the unusual responsibility incurred by this publication. He can, however, sincerely affirm, that it has been his uniform and anxious design, to present to the public, an impartial compendium and digest of the religion and morals of the Bible. While the work is heartily intended to be a fair exhibition of the scriptural doctrines of Christianity, it contains a body of moral instruction, and probably more of the rules of faith and conduct, than are comprised within the same extent, in any other compilation. It denounces vice and error, enforces piety and virtue, unfolds the perfections of the Deity, and the most important facts relating to divine Providence, and the salvation of mankind. It displays alike the faith -and practice, the commands and promises of the Gospel ; and is consecrated to the heavenly cause of evahgelical religion. Such historical titles have also been included, as were considered indispensable to the plan of a work, intended for the most part as a manual of religion. He is not conscious of having been under the influence of any sentiments unfavourable to the impartial execution of it; nor, as every word is copied from the Scriptures, has he been disposed to be wise above what is written. He has adopted the received text, as an invariable guide, and disclaiming the most distant intention of omitt- ^ing any subject compatible with tlie nature and limits of the work, or of adding f}v diminishing ypon any subject, with a view to any opinioas ?]ot

12 PREFACE.

warranted by the whole tenor of the Scriptures, - has faithfully endeavoured, as far as practicable, to offer to the public, in a form that would be inviting, a miniature representation of the great principles of divine morality and religion.

He has attempted such an arrangement of the chapters as would give facility of reference 5 and has diligently sought to digest them upon a comprehensive and systematic plan ; so that each should exhibit, not only, a just summary of the great truths comprising it, but also a regular composition, as far as the subject would admit ; from which it will be perceived that it has been attended with no inconsiderable labour.

As the clergyman has his expositions, the lawyer his digest of cases and precedents, the physician his dispensatory, the legislator his statutes, the soldier his book of tactics, the seaman his nautical epitome, the farmer his manual of husbandry, the mechanic his secrets of the arts, and every other professor his hand book to consult in difficulties, will not every man, to whatever profession he may belong, be gratified with a compendium of the more essential principles and duties oi life, derived from a perfect and infallible directory? It would be a disparagement to the public taste, and to the moral and religiour> character of a professedly Christian country, to suppose that the most humble effort to recal the mind to the great doctrinal and practical truths of our blessed religion, infinitely surpassing all other subjects in importance, and even as specimens of fine writing, all the productions of uninspired men, would not be indulgently received. A judicious and well executed work, presenting at a single view the elegant and divine system of Christianity, in the language of the

PREFACE. 13

sacred Scriptures, must, at least, be a welcome tribute to the truly enlightened and the good. Should such be the character of this work, it might be presumed tb,"t the pure morals, sublime and eternally interesting doctrines which it comprises, W'ouiil in this, where they might not in ifjther forms, claim the serious and devout consideration of readers, and in some degree produce their benign and legitimate effects upon the life ; that the work would also tend to direct the attention to that inexhaustible fountain of good from whence it is derived, and contribute to inspire a love for the frequent and diligent perusal of the Word of God.

Though the work be designed as a school book for the instruction of youth, and of those in the parlier stages of life, it is conceived to be not less adapted to readers in general. To all whose attention may be arrested by unexampled simplicity, beauty, variety, grandeur, and sublimity of matter and of style ; to all who wish to possess an outline of the religious and moral excel- Jencies of the sacred Volume; to all who have hitherto viewed that invaluable Book with indifference, but may perhaps derive some happy impressions from a novel exhibition of a part of its interesting contents ; to all teachers and parents who deem it important that children should be early instructed in the inestimable doctrines 3Lnd precepts of revealed religioft^^ to all who revere the unerring and everlasting Word of God, who believe and love the Gospel insincerity, and *• earnestly contend for the, faith which was once delivered to the saints y^ this little volume is respectfully inscribed : and the blessing of Heaven for its usefulnessj humbly implored. 2

14 PREFACE.

In offering to his friends and fellow-titizens, this tribute of devotion to the most interesting cause, the compiler cannot omit the opportunity of bearing the public testimony of his homage to the divine excellence of the Christian religion. He deems it a sacred duty, and it affords him great pleasure, to s^te, as the result of his very limited, but as he trusts dispassionate reflection upon the Scriptures, that his mind has settled down into a^olemn and absolute conviction that they are " given by inspiration of God ;'' to avow his most sincere admiration of their pure, sublime, consistent, and eternally important system of religion and morals, and unequivocally, his most profound veneration of their contents; to declare to the world, that he is " not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ,'' having an unshaken confidence that " it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth ;" that by a faithful obedience to its divine injunctions, and a right acceptance of its merciful assurances, it will at once swell the measure of the highest earthly happiness, become a source of ever increasing consolation in this scene of probation, and lighten the way to an eternal world of felicity : presenting to the soul, immoital, and boundless in its desires, amid the adversities of life, and the fleeting and imperfect nature of the most elevated of human occupations, enjoyments, and subjects of contemplation, an ultimate, satisfactory, and ever blessed object of holy ambition, rising, like a majestic island, infinitely above the waves of all other pursuits.

RODOLPHUS DICKINSON.

COMPENDIUM OF THE BIBLE

CHAP. I.

ATTRIBUTES AND GOVERNMENT OF GOD.

r

God is love.

Our God is mercifiil.

The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender rnercy, gracious, and full of compassion. He is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil.

The Lord is of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression. He isihe faithful God, which keepeth covenant and meMy with them that love him and keep his commandmeixts.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear hi^n.

His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. His iender mercies are over all his works.

Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.

The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord God liveth.

My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

The Lord is the true God.

God is true. Thy law is the truth. Just and true are thy ways.

The truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.

God is faithful. Great is thy faithfulness.

Thy faithfubiess reacheth unto the clouds. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations.

Thou art good, and doest good. The Lord i^ good to all. There is none good but one, that is, God.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The goodness of God endureth continually. How great is his goodness !

Holy and reverend is his name.

Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?

Who is like unto thee O Lord ? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ?

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Clouds and darkness are round about him : righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

The heavens declare his righteousness. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness.

God is pure. The words of the Lord are pure words. The commandment of the Lord is pure.

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.

God is great, and we know him not. Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised ; and his greatness is unsearchable.

His understanding is infinite. There is no searching of his understanding.

The Lord of hosts is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working, the only wise God.

The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocris3^

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? he that formed the eye, shall he not see ? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know ?

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

The Lord of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it ?

Can a man be profitable unto God ? Is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect ?

The Lord is high above all nations, and, his glory above the heavens.

All nations before him are as nothings and tliey are counted to him less than nothing and vanity.

Great and marvellous are thy works. Lord God Almighty.

l^e heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : as for the Vvorkl and the fulness thereof thou hast founded them.

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the liord^a tiiy God, tlie earth also^ witli all that therein i>.

All tilings are of God. He is the former of all things. He that built all things is God.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The Lord by wisdom has founded the earth ; bj understanding hath he established the heavens.

By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens.

O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all.

Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.

God created man in liis own image. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me.

He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

Thou hast created all things 5 and thou preservest them all.

In him we live, and move, and have our being.

Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour^ and thy visitation hath preserved my soul.

O bless our God, which holdeth our soul in life 1

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this ? in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it : except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late.

Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your liead are all numbered.

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man.

The eyes of all wait upon thee ; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it. Thou Vv^aterest the ridges thereof abundantly; thou settl est the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers : thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness ; and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks : the valleys also are covered over with corn.

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice. His kingdom ruleth over all. The Lord shall reign for ever.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

He doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

The kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the Governor among the nations.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water : he turneth it whithersoever he will.

God is a spirit. The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit r or whither shall 1 flee from thy presence ? If 1 ascend up iftto heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me, " ' I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things which are not yet done. God calleth those things which be not, as though they were.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ^Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight ; but ail things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with w^hom we have to do. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me ;

even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the

darkness hid eth not from thee; but the night

shinethasthe day: the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee.

The ways of man are before the eyes of the

Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

Mine eyes are upon all their ways, they are

not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity

hid from mine eyes.

The Lord looketh from heaven, he beholdeth

all the sons of men.

The Lord looketh on the heart. The righteous

God trieth the heart and reins.

Hell and destruction are before the Lord :

how much more then the liearts of the childrea

of men.

The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

Can any man hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him ?

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place benolding the evil and the good. The Lord searchest all hearts, and understandest all the imaginations of the thoughts. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

The Lord our God is one Lord.

There is none other God but one. God is one.

There are three that bare record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these three are one.

He that is our God is the God of salvation ; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

- All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God,

We trust in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.

O God of our salvation ; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth !

God is the judge. The Lord shall judge the people.

God hath appointed a day in which he will judg;e the world in righteousness.

(rod shall bring every work into judgment, 'with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

There is no respect of persons with God.

ram the Lord, I change not.

Every good gift, and every perfect gift is froiT> above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God is not a man that he should lie ; neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it ? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ?

He is the living God, and steadfast for ever. The word of our God shall stand for ever. Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever.

A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night

One day is with the Lord as a thousand years-* and a thousand years as one day. Thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

No man bath seen God at any time. There shall no man see me and live;

The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.

I am the Almighty God. The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty.

Great is our Lord, and of great power. With God all things are possible. With ( od nothing shall be impossible.

He commanded, and they were created.

By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made ; and all the host thereof by the breath of his mouth. For he spake, and it was done ; he commanded, and it stood fast. God said let there be light : and there was light.

Kone can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou? His hand, is stretched outj and ^vlio shall turn it back ?

It is he that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain ; which sliaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble ; which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and sealeth up the stars ; which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea : which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south ; which doeth great things past finding out ; yea, and wonders without number.

The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is w^eary.

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with' the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance ?

Who hath divided a w atercourse for the over' flowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder?

Tlie Lord thundered from heaven. The God of glory thundereth. The thunder of his power who can understand ?

His lightnings enlightened the w^orld : the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like ;c\' at the presence of the Lord.

The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at tlie presence of God.

The pillars of heaven tremble and are aston- ..-hed at his reproof.

With God is terrible majesty. God, thou ait terrible out ot thy hoi v pUices.

The Lord hath his way in the whirhvlud and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

He commandeth and raiseth the stormjr wind. He niaketh the storm a calm.

Extol him that rideth upon tlie heavens. Sing to him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens.

He bowed the heavens and came down : and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fiy : and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

His glery covered the heavens, and the earth w^as full of his praise. And his brightness was as tiie light. Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations ; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did. bow: his ways are everlasting.

I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction : and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. The mountains saw thee and they trembled: the overflow ing of the water passed by : the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation.