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WHAT SHALL WE READ?

OR,

THE ORACLE CONSULTED.

A MANUAL OF REFERENCE FOR BIBLE READERS.

BY

WILLIAM R. LYTH.

"To the law and to the testimony."-ISA. 8: 20.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."—II. TIM. 3: 18.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."-Ps. 119: 105.

BIBL

LONDON:

LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AND DYER

MDCCCLXIX.

101. g. 361.

PRELIMINARY NOTE.-The original Scriptures were not divided into chapters, bnt only into books. The former division was invented to facilitate reference; and some divisions being awkwardly made, a verse or two may advantageously be taken from the end of one chapter, and added to the beginning of another; or the verses that commence the next, sometimes are more properly to be appended to the one that precedes it. This the careful reader will discover.

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Page 18, line 1 from the top, read parts 1 to 6.

do.

read Ps. xi.

19, line 8
19, fourth line from the bottom, read 975-897.
20, line 8 from the top, read parts 19 and 20.

20, line second from the bottom, read 400 instead of 4000.
35, line 14 from the top, read rises, not raises.
4, Genesis i. xi., not i.-ix.

EXPLANATORY PREFACE.

THE Bible is the Oracle and Standard of all truth, affecting our present and future happiness. It is open to every man as his book of appeal. "Blessed art thou, O God, teach me thy statutes."

In this manual the books of Scripture follow in the order in which they are supposed to have been written, with the exception of the chapters referred to in each seventh line, which are transposed from their usual position for the purpose of being read as a parallel reading, or reflective improvement on the chapters immediately foregoing. The compiler has found by thus endeavouring to pursue his plan through the Bible, that he has broken a mine of inexhaustible profit to earnest explorers of revealed truth.

The contents given to each chapter are necessarily brief to economise space; yet, they will be found sufficient to aid the memory, and to facilitate a comprehensive knowledge of the scope of revelation. Each seventh line expressed in the words of Scripture, and those commencing with thick letters, represent the most suitable chapters for FAMILY READING. The thinner letters indicate the more difficult and obscure portions, together with genealogies, numberings of the tribes, and other matters peculiar to the Jews. The chapters

marked thus () are of a mixed character, and can be read at discretion.

Suggestive references and readings are superadded to be consulted for special meditation, as the heart or mind may require. In the occasional notes much valuable information will be found, illustrative of the inspiration and oneness of the book.

The present undertaking has been the happy employment of several month's of interrupted health. The desire and prayer of the compiler is, that it may lead many humbly and prayerfully to "Search the Scriptures," so that they may be "wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus."

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THE TWO TESTAMENTS ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER,

FOR PRIVATE OR FAMILY READING.

"The method of reading the Scriptures in private should be regulated by the end more immediately had in view. Selections from them seem most suitable for devotional purposes; and those of a greater or shorter length, according to the frame of the mind, taking care never to read more than the mind can relish and digest.

"For the purposes of information and extensive acquaintance, they should be read in course, not by single chapters or small portions merely, a way in which we read no other book whatever, but by whole books, or considerable parts at a time. The mind can in no other way become so well acquainted with the general scope of the sacred writer, whose book is under perusal."-- Leifchild.

* OBSERVE.-Each seventh line, expressed in the words of Scripture, and those commencing with thick letters, represent the most suitable chapters for Family reading. The chapters marked (‡) are of a mixed character, and can be read at discretion. (See preface.)

CHAP.

GEN. 1

CONTENTS.

THE CREATION. (B.C. 4004.)

2 The Sabbath and marriage instituted in Paradise.

3 Sin and death enter into the world.

4 The murder of Abel and the curse of Cain.

5

Of the family of Seth, from which Christ came.

6 God determines to destroy the world for sin.

7 The deluge. Noah, with his family, &c., enter the ark.
He spake and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast.
8 Noah worships his deliverer.

9 Noah's blessing, covenant, life, and death.

[Ps. xxxiii.

10

11

JOB 1

His descendants in the new world recorded. (B.C. 1921.)
The Tower of Babel, and confusion of tongues.
The man of Uz and his great afflictions.

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8 Bildad speaks of God's equity.

9 Job acknowledges God's justice and power.

1. THE FIRST ELEVEN CHAPTERS OF GENESIS, with the whole book of Job, may be regarded as relating to the first period of revelation: i.e. extending from the creation of Adam to the call of Abraham, about 2083 years.

2. "THE BOOK OF JOв does not belong to the Pentateuch, but the history of it comes in about the time that the children of Israel were in slavery in Egypt."-Leifchild

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