A key to the Old Testament, and Apocrypha

Front matter

SfS&TO it*

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Preface

The useful Key to the New Testament, by Doctor Percy, Bishop of Dromore, suggested the idea of the present work, first published in 1790. It was apprehended that a similar assistance to the perusal of the Books of the Old Testament, would prove equally convenient to those who might not have either leisure or opportunities to consult larger publications, for scattered information. A difference in the description of the books here treated of, has compelled the author to adopt a more diffusive and discursive method of conducting his subjects than that which is followed by the learned prelate. The uncertainty of the dates and authors of some books, the objections to opinions generally established, and the mixed character, and miscellaneous contents of the works considered, have necessarily occasioned complicated and extended discussions. The author was desirous of exhibiting in one point of view, the probable period of each book, the character and design of its writer, and the proofs of, or grounds for disputing its inspiration. He wished to

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present the reader with a general sketch of the respective importance of each, of its intrinsic pretensions and external sanctions; and to impart, in a compendious description, whatever might contribute to illustrate its history and contents. This he has done in a manner as concise as the subject would well admit, considering that it was designed to prefix general information and remarks as introductory, and separately to examine such questions as were immediately connected with the particular scope of the individual book. He judged it also improper to deliver opinions, without stating the reasons on which they were founded, or to adopt decisions on disputed or doubtful points, without producing, at least, the most considerable objections that might be urged against them, lest the reader should be led to decide on partial grounds.

Since the books often contain passages of obscure interpretation, and doubtful import ; also dates, names, and other particulars, upon the explanation of which their character for antiquity and authority must in some measure rest, it was impossible to avoid critical and chronological questions. In consequence of these, the notes have been increased in number and extent, beyond what was at first intended. The reader will, however, hereby be saved the trouble of referring to commentators ; or, if unwilling to acquiesce in the decision adopted, he may readily find the foundation and authorities on which it was established.

As the inspiration of the canonical books was to be

PREFACE. Vll

proved, it was often requisite to point out the accomplishment of prophecy; which, therefore, the author has done, in the most signal instances, though commonly by reference only and cursory observation. He presumes, however, that he has thereby often unfolded an interesting scene, or opened a wide field of instructive inquiry. The importance, likewise, of some discoveries and remarks which learned commentators have imparted, and the interest which sometimes attaches to ancient Versions and Paraphrases have, in some instances, tempted the Author to introduce particulars that may be thought too minute for a general and compendious Introduction ; but he has usually endeavoured to confine himself to such comments as contribute to general illustration, or are explanatory of passages immediately subjected to the reader's attention. He apprehends, that if the reader should occasionally discover observations which reflect only an oblique or partial light on the sacred volume, he will not be displeased, even though it should appear that a larger space is thereby allotted to some books than their comparative importance may seem to justify.

It was thought expedient, also, occasionally to advert to those popular mistakes and light objections which float in society, and operate on weak minds to the prejudice of the sacred books, as the author was conscious that fairly to state, was in some measure to refute them, and that they often produce more than their due effect because indistinctly viewed. In consequence of this

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design, he may, perhaps, be thought to have introduced remarks too obvious and trivial. The sincere and dispassionate inquirer after truth, who has deliberately weighed the evidence on which the Scriptures rest, cannot readily believe that a passage partially considered, a misconception of a revealed design, or a fancied inconsistency with pre-conceived opinions, should be allowed to affect the character, or diminish the influence of the sacred books, established as their authority is by the connected and incontrovertible evidence of successive ages: but experience fully proves that these are the foundations on which ignorance and infidelity ground their disrespect for the inspired writings.

The author has been cautious in treating of the canonical and apocryphal books, to discriminate their respective pretensions with accuracy; since, however valuable the latter may be considered for their general excellence, it is necessary to keep inviolate, and free from all intermixture, that consecrated canon in which the holy oracles were preserved by the Jews, which was stamped as infallible by the testimony of Christ and his apostles, and which, in the first and purest ages of the Church, was reverenced (together with the inspired books of the New Testament) as the only source of revealed wisdom, the invaluable gift of Providence, our guide in all the vicissitudes of life, our chart of direction, through faith in the atonement of Christ, to a state of eternal happiness.

The whole design of the author has been to assist

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the reader in forming a just conception of the character of the Old Testament, and of those uninspired books which are reputed to have been written under the firstdispensation ; and to supply such introductory intelligence, as might enable others to read them with pleasure and advantage. He lays claim to no praise, but that of having brought into a regular form such information as he could collect from various works, to illustrate the Book of Divine Wisdom. He acknowledges himself in the most unrestrained terms, to have borrowed from all authors of established reputation, such materials as he could find, after having deliberately considered and impartially collated their accounts. He has appropriated such obvious information as was to be collected from those writers who are universally known to have treated on the sacred books l ; and he has endeavoured farther to enrich and substantiate his accounts by diligent and extensive research. He has not wished to conceal the sources from which he has drawn his information, nor has he scrupled in some instances to employ the words of the writers whom he has consulted. The authorities (which have been frequently multiplied with a design to afford assistance to those who might wish to pursue the subjects in contemplation) have been cautiously reviewed and corrected in the present edition, especially on important and controverted points.

1 As Josephus, Eusebius, Jerom, Grotius, Huet, Calmet, Du Pin, Patrick, Lowth, &c. &c.

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If, in some instances, the author should be found to have been misled in inquiries carried up to remote periods ; or, if in a miscellaneous work, composed and published in early life, there be defects which at a maturer age he has not detected, he trusts that they are of little moment, and have no tendency to diminish the reverence due to those holy writings, which are themselves free from error.

An awful apprehension, and a prayer for forgiveness for involuntary mistakes, must ever become those who attempt to illustrate the Book of Life, or to bring forward, with defective views, the evidence that " all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," and " able to make men wise unto salvation."

Contents

PAGE

Preface v

Genesis ... 75

Preface to the Apocryphal Books 501

OfTobit 531

Of Judith 543

Of the rest of the Chapters of Esther 552

Of Ecclesiasticus '.. 570

OfBaruch 581

Of the Song of the Three Children 591

Of the History of Susannah 595

Of the History of Bel and the Dragon 599

Of the Prayer of Manasses . 603

Of the first Book of Maccabees 606

Of the second Book of Maccabees 615

ERRATA.

In the

Text.

line 1.

for "

: Ahaz" read " Ahab."

after under insert our.

In the

Notes.

note 2.

line for liii. read lii.

— omit xxix. 7.

— for Numbers xxxiii. 4. read xxxiii. 2.

— for Heb. xi. 23. read xi. 28.

— for Acts xxvii. read xxviii.

— for "Ezra. iv. 8. read vii. 6.

—

■ 6.

— for Exod. xii. 4. read xii. 46.

—

— for ii. 33. read iii. 33.

—

8, for xliii. 11. read xlii. 11.

— for cxv. read xcv.