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FROM

THE CREATION TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST;

WITH

EXPLANATORY NOTES

AND

A SET OF CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES.

For the use of Schools and Families.

THE WHOLE INTENDED TO EXCITE, AMONG THE RISING GENERATION,
A TASTE FOR SACRED LITERATRUE; AND TO PROMOTE A MORE

EXTENSIVE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE BIBLE.

BY ANDREW THOMSON.

"He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he com-
manded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
"That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be
born, who should arise and declare them to their children;

"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep
his commandments" Psl. lxxviii, 5---7.

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RB 23. a. 23777

Entered at Stationers' Hall.

A

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THIS volume contains a succinct narration of Old Testament History, from the Creation of the world to the Government of Jerusalem by Nehemiah, one hundred and twenty-eight years after the termination of the Babylonish Captivity; a summary of Jewish history (interspersed with the most important events of profane history) from that period to the birth of Christ, chiefly digested from the works of the learned Dean PRIdeaux; and a series of chronological tables, constructed solely from the data furnished by the Scriptures: so that the whole presents a course of sacred history, as concise as the importance of such a work will admit, and from which nothing proper to be exhibited to the minds of the young has been designedly omitted.

To render the work still more useful and interesting, copious notes and appendixes are added, containing extracts from the works of some of the most celebrated

commentators, travellers, &c. illustrative of the laws, manners, and customs of the Jews and other oriental nations.

Should the work experience a favourable reception from the public, it will be speedily followed by the New Testament history, embracing, very fully, the life and doctrines of the Redeemer. The two parts will form a complete series of Sacred History, in which the truths of revelation are exhibited, as far as possible, in the language of Scripture itself: that in "the form of sound words," our children may be brought up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

BRISTOL, May, 1826.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IN this edition the author has attempted several improvements. The errors of the former have been rectified; the references in the appendix have been placed as notes immediately under the passages to which they apply; the chronology has not only been much enlarged, but illustrated by several additional tables; and a copious index has been prefixed. It would have saved much time and trouble had the narrative been direct, instead of exhibiting the interruptions arising from the catechetical mode: but the approbation bestowed upon the volume in its original form, has induced the author to re-issue it in the same manner.

Notwithstanding the objections urged of late against teaching by question and answer, arising too often from the injudicious and slovenly manner in which some books are compiled, it will be readily allowed, that, in the propagation of religious truth, by far the most important knowledge to man, catechising has been used for ages, and

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