COTTAGER'S GUIDE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT: THAT IS, THE LIFE AND DOCTRINE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, PLAINLY SET FORTH. VOL. I. BY THE REV. ALEXANDER DALLAS, A. M. RECTOR OF WONSTON, HANTS. "Whom shall he teach knowledge; and whom shall be make to understand doctrine ! "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the "To the poor the Gospel is preached" Luke vii. 22. LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO., BERNERS STREET. MDCCCXXXVII. 101.f PREFACE. THE Cottager's Guide to the New Testament is intended to convey, in a simple form, all the information which is necessary for a right understanding of that portion of the Word of God. Those who have had the benefit of a cultivated education are often little aware, how many things are unintelligible to the less educated reader, for want of that knowledge which is so common to themselves. Having acquired information, and finding others in their own class of society equally informed, they gradually assume that all classes are acquainted with that which they know so familiarly. Those, however, who have much intercourse with the lower classes of society, continually discover how much a want of acquaintance with the commonest things hinders the profitable reception of the instruction which so many are willing to afford. Most of the authors of the various excellent Commentaries on the Scriptures, have taken for granted, that a great deal more of preparatory knowledge is possessed by their readers, than has been, in fact, acquired by moderately educated persons. For this reason their works have been found to be comparatively of little value in the cottage. By the publication of "The Cottager's Guide to the New Testament" an attempt is made to remedy this evil. The first object of the work is to put before the reader a very plain explanation of every portion of the New Testament; arranging the History of our Lord in harmony, in which the plan of the Rev. Edward Gresswell is followed. Frequent references are made to other parts of Scripture, by which the consistency of the whole of the Bible, in its statement of doctrine, may be plainly perceived. Every thing will be explained as it occurs in the Scriptures, without supposing any preparatory information. Only such words and phrases will be used as seem most suited to the capacities of the class of persons for whose benefit the work is undertaken. In the arrangement of the Cottager's Guide, the Scriptures are divided into short portions, each sufficiently complete in itself to occupy the mind upon one subject. There are eight divisions in the arrangement of each portion. I. The first division will be a short and simple prayer for the assistance of the Holy Spirit in understanding the passage. II. The second will be a reference to the portion of Scripture which is to be read out of the New Testament. III. Then follows a list of such words as it may be likely the poor may find difficulty in understanding. Opposite to each of these is placed the meaning in very simple terms. IV. This part is the explanation of the whole of the passage referred to. The subject matter is related in other words; and every allusion which occurs in the Scripture is detailed in a very plain way. V. After this the reader is desired to read over again the passage of which the explanation has just been given. VI. As the former part has contained nothing but narrative and explanation, an application is now made of such points as seem to be the most obvious in the passage: this is first given by way of instruction; and, then questions for selfexamination are suggested. VII. A few of the more important objects for prayer are then selected from the previous instruction; and they are brought before the reader in short heads, to direct the mind in prayer upon the subject. pe VIII. And, lastly, a form of prayer, giving in words the titions suggested by the previous heads, is added, for the use of such persons as are not accustomed to express their wants in their own words. Forty-two portions have been published, which include all the Gospel History as far as the end of the Sermon on the Mount; and these constitute the First Volume. It is sent forth with earnest prayer that a blessing may accompany the reading of it; so that, through the Holy Spirit, God's word may be glorified more abundantly, even by means of this humble attempt to explain it. CONTENTS. Instructions how to read the Cottager's Guide, &c: First. The promise of a Son to Zacharias, and his pun- PAGE 7 9 24 Third. Mary's visit to Elizabeth. Luke i. 39-56. Fifth.-Birth and circumcision of John the Baptist, Sixth-Birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem. Lnke ii. 1-20. Seventh.-Circumcision of Jesus Christ-the lists of the 31 Eighth.-Jesus presented in the Temple. Luke ii. 22—38. 61 Herod sends them to Bethlehem, Matthew ii. 1-12. 70 . ren killed at Bethlehem by Herod-Joseph returns, ... 85 |