As a further inducement to a careful and particular attention to the study of the beautiful imagery of Scripture, it will be found, on an attentive examination, that all its similitudes, when applied to Deity, are perfect in their representation, and have legibly inscribed upon them, mercy, and goodness, and truth. One of the most learned and excellent scholars and critics, the late Sir William Jones, has written at the end of his Bible the following glowing description of the sacred volume. "I have carefully and regularly perused these Holy Scriptures; and I am of opinion, that this volume, independently of its divine origin, contains more true sublimity, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains both of poetry and eloquence, than can be collected from all other books, in whatever age or language they may have been written. EXPLANATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FIGURES OF SPEECH. Metaphor.-A Metaphor is a figure founded entirely on the resemblance which one object bears to another. -Illustrations of this figure, see page 9 to 24. Allegory.-An Allegory may be regarded as a metaphor continued, since it is the representation of some one thing by another that resembles it, and which stands for it.-Illustrations of this figure, page 25 to 30. Comparison. A Comparison or Simile is, when the resemblance between two objects is expressed in form, and generally pursued more fully than the nature of a metaphor admits.-Illustrations of this figure, page 31 to 37. Personification.-Personification is that figure by which we attribute life and action to inanimate objects. —Illustrations of this figure, page 38 to 41. Apostrophe.-Apostrophe is a turning off from the regular course of the subject, to address some person or thing. Illustrations of this figure, page 42 to 43. Antithesis or Contrust.-Comparison is founded on the resemblance; Antithesis, on the contrast or opposition of two objects.-Illustrations of this figure page 44 to 52. Interrogation. The unfigured, literal use of interrogation is to ask a question: but when men are strongly moved, whatever they would affirm or deny, with great earnestness, they naturally put in the form of a question, expressing thereby the strongest confidence of the truth of their own sentiment, and appealing to their hearers for the impossibility of the contrary.-Illustrations of this figure, page 53 to 59. Exclamation is a strong emotion of the mind; such as surprise, admiration, joy, grief, and the like:-Illustrations of this figure, page 60 to 66. Irony, is expressing ourselves in a manner contrary to our thoughts, not with a view to deceive, but to add force to our observations.-Illustrations of this figure, page 67 to 68. Amplification, or Climax.-It consists in heightening all the circumstances of an object or action, which we desire to place in a strong light.-Illustrations of this figure, page 69 to 71. For further explanations of the Figures of Speech, the reader is referred to Murray's Grammar. SACRED IMAGERY. METAPHOR. For an explanation of this Figure of Speech, see page 7. GEN. XV. 1. I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Ps. iii. 3. Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Ps. xviii. 35. Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Ps. xci. 4. His truth shall be thy shield. PROV XXX. 5. He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Ps. cxv. 9, 10, 11. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. EPH. vi. 16, 17. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God |