SCRIPTURE MAGAZINE; (FORMERLY "CRITICA BIBLICA.") DEPOSITORY OF SACRED LITERATURE: . COMPRISING REMARKS, Ellustrative, Critical, and Philological, ON THE SACRED SCRIPTURES; THE OUTLINES OF A SCRIPTURE ENCYCLOPÆDIA, ON A PHILOSOPHICAL PLAN, BIBLICAL BIOGRAPHY, SCRIPTURE GEOGRAPHY, AND BIBLIOGRAPHY; SACRED POETRY, Etc. "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of Wisdom. - SOLOMON. "In whom are bid all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge.- PAUL, VOL. III. LONDON: WILLIAM BOOTH, 32, DUKE STREET, MANCHESTER SQUARE. Printed by Taylor, Green, & Littlewood, 15, Old Bailey. PREFACE. THE third volume of the SCRIPTURE MAGAZINE is presented to the Public with mingled feelings of satisfaction and regret. The Editors cannot but feel gratified at the cordial reception which their labours have obtained, from some of the most enlightened and intelligent of the Christian community: nor can they repress the risings of regret which they experience, at witnessing the apathy which too generally prevails in the Christian Church, with reference to the high and important subjects which are inseparably connected with the literal import and understanding of the Sacred Volume. It is indisputable, that of all literary works extant, the Bible requires the greatest extent, as well as the greatest variety of learning, in order to discern its beauties-to understand its history-and to comprehend its meaning. While its doctrines are so clearly revealed, and so plainly written, that "he who runs may read," and he who reads may understand, there are matters beyond these, of no trifling moment, which call for profound and extensive learning in those who would understand and explain them. "Every word of God is pure:" every iota of truth, especially of Divine truth, demands attention, investigation, and defence, -and will abundantly repay the most diligent application of the studious mind. Nor is there any lack of means for the assistance of those who would employ themselves in the delightful and gratifying study of the Scriptures of truth.— For the elucidation of no other subject has such a mighty and efficient apparatus been constructed by the labours of the learned, as for that now under consideration. This apparatus, too, is of such a nature that it is capable of being placed, to a considerable extent, under the control, and rendered tributary to the acquisitions and instructions of every ingenuous mind. "The children of this world," however, "are wiser in their generation than the children of light"! We are daily gratified at beholding the adoption of some new plan for the purpose of accelerating" the march of intellect" among the middle and lower, as well as the higher classes of society; but we fear that a corresponding application and zeal a like determination and perseverance, is not yet discernible throughout the various classes of the Christian Church, with reference to the elucidation and exposition of the oracles of God. We are aware that in many cases the apathy complained of may be traced up to a conscientious opinion, that genuine piety and literary or critical attainments are incompatible with each other that the devotional reading and critical examination of the Scriptures cannot be generally recommended and adopted, without endangering the highest interests of the Christian Church. But we feel no hesitation in expressing our opinion, that such sentiments are erroneous; and that their advocates would not tolerate such a mode of reasoning upon any other subject with which they are conversant. Were this a proper occasion to discuss the notion, we should not fear the result; as it is not, however, we must content ourselves with remarking, that such an opinion must appear obviously wrong to every reflecting mind, capable of comprehending the nature and tendency of true religion. It is that " wisdom which descends from God"-frem HIM who is "light," and "in whom is no darkness;" and as rationally might we expect the polar regions to become the source of heat, as "ignorance the mother of devotion." The religion of the Bible shrinks not from the light of truth; it seeks not to retard the progress of science; it rejects not its assistance in spreading the influence of its own principles; and the man who would quench a single ray of light, or divert its course in visiting and irradiating the darkness of the human intellect, mistakes his duty, and renders religion a disservice.— |