SCRIPTURE ACCOUNT OF THB F^iTi /&m pi^eineE of enaiTiaii; CONSISTING OF AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF PERTINENT TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE, ILLUSTRATIVE O? THE VARIOUS ARTICLES OF REVEALED RELIGION : REDUCED INTO DISTINCT SECTIONS, • 80 AS TO EMBRACE ALL THE BRANCHES OF EACH SUBJECT, THE MOTIVES TO THE BELIEF OR PRACTICE OF THE DOCTRINES TAUGHT, AND THE THREATENINGS, PROMISES, REWARDS, PUNISHMENTS, EXAMPLES, ETC. ANNEXED. ADDRESSED TO THE UNDERSTANDING, THE HOPES, AND THE FEARS OF CHRISTIANS. THE WHOLE FORMING A COMPLETE CONCORDANCE THE ARTICLES OF FAITH AND PRACTICE TAUGHT IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. BY HUGH GASTON, V. D. M. ' t > NEW EDITION, CORRECTED AND REVISED, BY THE REV. JOHN HALL. PHILADELPHIA: B. F. JACKSON, 1853. \ 4 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by Hogan &. Thompson, In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Miases . ■ It ADVERTISEMENT. Although the former Philadelphia editions of Gaston's Collections embraced very material corrections and revisions of the original work, yet experience has shown that it was still in want of a searching re- examination. In preparing to issue this new edition, the publishers provided for the most accurate revision ; and the result has been the correction of a multitude of errors in the references and citations, that have defaced all former impressions, both British and American. It is believed to be now as perfectly correct as the most minute care can make it ; and the publishers have great confidence, that the present edition of this important work will be received as the only standard one that has ever appeared ; and that its hitherto acknowledged usefulness will be greatly enhanced by the labours of the present editor. a2 PREFACE The sacred Scriptures, after the strictest researches of an en- lightened and inquiring age, are still allowed by the wise, judicious, and thinking part of mankind, who are acquainted with them, to be the only books in the world which truly and fully show the way of salvation to all those who take any serious thought about it. The Scriptures, from the solid principles of truth contained in them, have the strongest tendency to improve and perfect human nature in every branch of personal and social duty, and to make mankind wiser and better in every station and relation of life. This effect they have produced, and will still produce, wherever they are duly attended to. An attempt, if well executed, to promote the knowledge and practice of the truths they contain, must therefore be of real service to society ; and though the attempt should fail, the undertaker may, nevertheless, enjoy the pleasure of a heart ready and disposed to do good, while the candid part of mankind will, on account of the goodness of the design, make the most favourable allowances. With these views, the author of the following work offers it to the public ; confident that it will be found, upon perusal, as well as by the following account of it, to be entirely new, and different, at least in method, from any thing of the Kind hitherto published. Method. — In this work, the several articles of revealed religion are ranged under distinct heads, or Chapters. The subject of each chapter is only mentioned at the beginning of it ; and the Scripture vii Vlll PREFACE. account of the subject is afterwards given at large, in a numerous collection of express and pertinent texts of Scripture, with which the chapter is filled up. Care is taken to insert every article of revealed religion, and every express and pertinent text upon each article, in order to make it full and complete. The several different words by which any article of religion is expressed in the Bible, are ex- hibited under distinct Sections ; and these sections are filled up with those texts in the Bible, where the word occurs upon that subject, and introduced mostly in the order in which they lie in the sacred boo^s : So this work, in some measure, answers the ends both of a Common-place Book, and Concordance, upon the various articles of religion. Thus, in chap. i. page 34, the eternity of God is expressed by the different words, eternal, everlasting, for ever, the first and the last, which make so many distinct sections. In like manner, every doctrine or duty of revealed religion is laid down first, and the motives to the belief or practice of them are made so many distinct sections in each chapter, and generally come under the heads of threatening, promises, rewards, punishments, examples, fyc. — In this respect the work differs from any book of the kind hitherto published. So much is transcribed of the places quoted, as expresses the principal part of the text, while at the same time it directs the reader to the places themselves, as they lie in the Bible, to be con- sulted at large upon the subject: more would have needlessly increased the size of the book, and not have left sufficient room for inserting every express and pertinent text upon each subject. Occasion and design of the work.— It might easily be made appear, that the reading of the Holy Scriptures, after a method which the nature of their composition seems to require, must be highly useful and proper, for our acquiring from the Scriptures themselves the true knowledge of every article of religion contained in them. Every one who is acquainted with the sacred Scriptures knows, that the complete account which they contain of any one article PREFACE. IX of religion, is never to be met with altogether in one place, without otter subjects intermixed with it ; but is to be collected from many diferent places of the Bible, where the sacred writers have touched upm it. h every one of the many different places of the Bible, where any one article of religion is touched upon, it is still placed in some useul light for instruction, so that none of these places are su- perfuous. All these places, taken together, do make up the com- plete Scripture account of the subject ; and contain all the light which the Spirit of revelation has afforded upon it, as needful for our instnction: whoever, therefore, will view any Scripture truth in all tint light afforded, must search the Scriptures for the different place j in which it is contained, or where the subject is mentioned. In thse places it will be found sufficiently explained, enforced by all its proper motives, applied to all its proper uses, and set in every advantageous light needful for being rightly understood, and poperly applied, even after extraordinary inspiration hath ceased. Our tessed Saviour, who best knew the most profitable method of our -eading the Scriptures, directed [John v. 39] to search them forthe knowledge of his character and offices, taught, not all in one, bt in different places of the Scriptures ; which being taken altogether fully and plainly described him to the world, and left unbelieve; inexcusable. Those have succeeded best in ascertaining the true sese of many portions of Scripture, and in answering objec- tions again, them, and setting several Scripture doctrines in a clear light, who bye first searched the Scriptures for the whole and complete account of te subject : hereby they were enabled to show that what was doubtfuby being briefly expressed in one place, was sufficiently enlarged upc and explained in others. Besides such explications of Scripture \uths as are to be found in the Scriptures themselves, none else ar^o be depended upon: for the sacred writers, being sufficiently quified for their work, did not leave it to be mended by inferior hands^ut left the Scriptures a finished performance, con 2 X PREFACE. taming a system of religion from God, which, like all his other works, is good and perfect in its kind ; being full and complete in all its parts, plain and proper in its terms and expressions, and efficacious or sufficient to answer the ends for which it was written. If it nils, no other writing will prove effectual for reforming the world, and making mankind wise to salvation. Every hopeful method ought to be tried for assisting Chrisians to reap from the Holy Scriptures all the benefit they are suited to afford. The dividing of the books of the Bible into chapter? and verses, [though not first written in that form,] is of great ue for finding any particular place the reader is directed to consut. A work, pointing out to the reader the various places of the Bible ^here may be found the complete and full account which the sacred raters have given of every article of religion, it is presumed, might be of great use to many who have not leisure or proper helps f self — Christ Jesus. 96 The Holy Ghost. 97 God's worship. 98 The worship of God fixed among his peo- ple, a cause of rejoicing. 99 God's presence with his people, a cause of joy. 100 God's love and care of bis people, a cause of joy. 101 His mercy, a cause of joy. 102 Help and strength from God, a cause of j°y- 103 Salvation from God against enemies, a cause of joy. 104 God's vengeance upon his and his peo- ple's enemies, a cause of rejoicing. 105 Rejoicing in God's word. 106 Joy in God's providential government. 107 Temporal deliverances of God's church, a cause of joy. 108 Spiritual blessings a cause of rejoicing. 109 God's work of creation, a cause of joy. 110 Worldly prosperity from the hand of God, a cause of joy. 111 Rejoicing in God in time of worldly ad- versity. 112 Comfort in God. — He giveth comfort and consolation. 113 Satisfaction. — God satisfieth. 114 Delight in God. 115 Things of God delighted in by his peo- ple. 116 Delight in Christ. 117 Glorying in God. 118 Sinful glorying forbidden. 119 Boasting in God. 120 Sinful boasting of the wicked. 121 Hope in God — and in Christ. 122 The hope of the wicked perisheth 22 CONTENTS. Sect. 123 The expectation of the righteous from God. 124 Expectation of the wicked. 125 Waiting. — The righteous wait for God. 126 The wicked wait not for him. 127 Submission and resignation to God. — Language expressive of this temper o mind. 128 Relying upon God. 129 Trusting in God — and in Christ. 130 Confidence in God. 131 Confidence in God a security against the fear of evil from man. 132 The confidence of the wicked. 133 Assurance of the righteous. 134 Seeking God commanded. 135 God is to be sought with all the heart. 136 Promises to them that seek God. 137 Prayers for them that seek him. 138 Examples of God's people seeking him. 139 The wicked seeking not God. 140 They seek not God aright. — Threats against such. 141 Drawing near to God. 142 Coming to God through Christ.— To Christ. 143 Following God. 144 Christ. 145 Forsaking God. Threats. 146 Departing from God. — Not departing; instances. 147 Backsliding from God. 148 Going astray. — The wicked go aside, go astray, err, wander, turn away from God. 149 Confession of going astray. 150 Threats against going astray. 151 Worship. — Due to God only. 152 How God is to be worshipped. 153 Worship offered by the wicked unaccept- able to God. 1 54 Fasting. — Appointed of God. 155 Fasts extraordinary and miraculous. 156 Fasting acceptably. 157 Fasts of the wicked. 158 General occasions of Fasts. — Before war. 159 After being defeated by enemies. 160 Upon threatened judgments, &c. Ser*. 161 Discretionary fasts of particular persons. 162 Prayer. — Persons whose prayer shall be heard. 163 The divine influence, or the Spirit's* assis- tance in prayer. 1 64 Prayer to be made in the name of Christ. 165 Prayer to be made in faith. 166 With sincerity of heart. 167 With love to God. 168 With the fear of God. 169 With obedience to God. 170 With humility, confession, and turning from sin. 171 With forgiveness toward men. 172 With alms and good works. 173 Prayer must be frequent, fervent, and im portunate. 174 Prayer with tears. 175 Private prayer. 176 Public prayer, a part of public wo. ship. 177 Directions concerning the words or ex pressions to be used in prayer. 1 78 Of the gestures of the body in prayer. 179 Things to be prayed for, &c. 180 The Lord's prayer, a good and brief mo- del of these. 181 Spiritual blessings, wisdom and grace, to be prayed for. 182 Such earthly things as are agreeable to God's will, with submission to it. 183 Daily bread to be prayed for. 184 Health and deliverance from sickness. 185 The prayer of the poor heard. 186 Intercessory prayer, or prayer for others. 1 87 For whom we ought to pray. 188 For the church of God. 189 Instances of such prayers. 190 For enemies. 191 Instances of such prayers. 192 Motives to prayer. It is a commanded duty. 193 God promiseth that he will hear prayer. 1 94 Declarations that he hath heard prayer. 195 Testimony of God's people that he hath heard their prayers. 196 Their expectations that their prayers shall be heard. CONTENTS. 23 Sect. 197 Their entreaties that they may be heard. 198 Their grief at not being answered. 199 The efficacy of prayer. Miracles wrought by it. 200 Armies defeated by prayer, and God's people delivered. 201 Prayers against evil from enemies. 202 Prayer in trouble; instances thereof. 203 Of prayerless persons, or of not pray- ing. 204 The prayers of hypocrites. 205 The prayers of the wicked not acceptable to God. 206 Of praising God. — Praise and thanks due unto him, and required from the righteous. 207 Praises from the wicked unacceptable to God. 208 The wicked are unthankful. 209 Praise must be frequent. 210 It must be with sincerity. 211 God prepareth his people for his praise; or divine influences therefor. 212 Thanking God through Christ. 213 Praise is a part of public worship. 214 Of singing the praises of God. 215 Subjects of praise. God's goodness and mercy, &c. 216 Praise for Christ. 217 For blessings by and through Christ 218 For God's will revealed. 219 For the obedience and faith of Christians as owing to God. 220 For his care of his church. 221 For his great and marvellous works. 222 For God's marvellous acts upon the bodies and minds of mankind. 223 For daily bread. 224 For deliverance from trouble and afflic- tion. 225 For deliverance from enemies. 226 Honouring God. — Honour due to God, and claimed by him. 227 God is honoured by acts of worship. 228 By holiness of life. 229 By keeping the Sabbath. 230 By acts of charity and mercy to the poor. Sect. 231 Honouring Christ. Motives. 232 The wicked dishonour God, and are pu- nished. 233 Glorifying God. — Commanded. 234 Christ glorified on earth. 235 Men glorify God by praise and thankful- ness. 236 By faith. 237 By good works. 238 By various branches of duty. 239 Doxologies, or glory ascribed to God in worship. 240 God is glorified in the restoration and prevalence of true religion among his people. — By those who saw the mira- cles wrought by Christ. 241 The wicked glorify not God, and are pu- nished. 242 God is glorified in the destruction of the wicked. 243 Sanctifying God. 244 Threats against those who sanctify not God. CHAP. XT. Characters good and bad, with promises and threats. 1 Godliness in heart and life. 2 Promises to the godly. 3 Means of godliness given. 4 Godliness misrepresented. 5 Tbe ungodly described by their prac- tice. 6 Threats against the ungodly. 7 Righteousness required. 8 Promises to the righteous of peculiar fa- vour from God. 9 Promises of blessings, as the consequence of righteousness, by the appointment of God. 10 The righteous shall be delivered from ene- mies. 1 1 The death of the righteous blessed. 12 They are blessed after death. 13 Unrighteousness forbidden. 14 Threats against the unrighteous. 24 CONTENTS. Sect. 15 Pardon promised to those that forsake un- righteousness. 16 Zeal a duty. — Erroneous zeal. Want of zeal. 17 Uprightness. 18 Promises to the upright. 19 Uprightness prayed for. 20 Integrity. 21 Particular instances of integrity. 22 Sincerity. 23 Perfection, a commanded duty. 24 Directions for attaining perfection. 25 Perfections, from God and Christ. 26 The holy Scriptures a mean of perfec- tion. 27 The ministry a mean of perfection. 28 Promises to the perfect. 29 Instances of Persons called perfect. 30 Hypocrisy forbidden. 31 Marks of hypocrites. 32 Threats. 33 Hypocrites hurtful to men. 34 The heart. — The heart of the righteous is toward God. The whole heart signifies sincerity in duties. 35 A pure heart. 36 Perfect heart. 37 Upright heart. 38 Single heart. 39 Clean heart. 40 Broken contrite heart; 41 Duties respecting the heart. 42 God taketh notice of the heart. 43 God influenceth the hearts of the right- eous. 44 God's judgments on the heart of the wicked. 45 Satan influences the hearts of the wicked : instances thereof. 46 An evil heart described. 47 The heart of the wicked variously cha- racterized; as wicked, uncircumcised, &c.