PREFACE TO THE SECOND STEREOTYPE REVISION.

THE Bible furnishes very ample materials for all needful moral instruction, reproof, and encouragement. In its own inimitable language, it is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword — is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”-“is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. But the compilation of a convenient Manual of proof texts from its pages has been unaccountably neglected. The loose manner in which Gaston, and others, have thrown together texts of Scripture for this purpose, has long been a tax upon our patience. The SCRIPTURE MANUAL owes its origin to a conviction of the need of a Text-Book, that should assume a more convenient order, bear more effectually against the modern forms of error and vice, and more fully and fearlessly declare“ all the counsel of God.” The Editor is greatly obliged to the friends of this enterprise, who have aided in the preparation or circulation of the several editions and revisions of the work. The present revision has been stereotyped sooner than was otherwise necessary, in order to embrace the improvements and additions made during the last five years. It has over one hundred additional topics, a much more full and perfect index, a triple or quadruple number of references to kindred subjects, together with no little improvement in the relevancy of its proof texts, and order of the work.

This Bible Manual of select proof texts was cut from the pages

of Bibles in the most common use, and the Manual may be depended upon as accurate Scripture. The italic words are also preserved. The number of the verses is given, that the reader may discover any omission made, of passages not

in point, in any particular extract. Explanatory words are in brackets.

In selecting topics, care has been taken to embrace those wbich have a prominence in the Bible, and which in all ages have been considered of primary importance in theological and moral inquiry. Such manifestly are those which relate to the perfections, prerogatives, designs, providence, and law of God the character, rights, and destiny of man the economy of grace, or way and terms of salvation through Christ - our essential duties towards God and each other, and civil and religious institutions.

Christian nations are far more indebted to the Bible for their elevation above heathenism, than is commonly believed. The revealed facts respecting God and his designs and governmentthe precepts of his law, clothed with infinite authority — the . promises of his grace, and the threatenings of his justice, are the best safeguards against disgraceful and ruinous vices.

It is believed that a convenient and faithful compilation of proofs from the Bible, upon its weighty and practical subjects, may prove one of the most effeetive auxiliaries' to the cause of Christian enterprise. The impressions made upon the public mind in favor of pure and undefiled religion, by a copious and systematic array of proof texts, in a convenient and popular form, must prove a most powerful incentive to virtue, and restraint

upon

destructive errors, sins and vices. I now commit the success of this work to the overruling providence of that Being who has mercifully sustained and helped me during its preparation. If it shall tend to confirm the public mind in revealed truth, and become a guard against those crrors and vices which lead to death, as is confidently boped the labor of preparing it will not have been in vain

CHARLES SIMMONS

INDEX.

N. B. The figures in this Index, and those in brackets at the enii of many of the
kections in this work, both refer to the number of the sections, or topics, which, to
avoid confusion, is placed on the top of the pages, and correspond with those that occut
apon the pages. The usual paging is placed at the bottom, and will not be used. A
dash between figures, signifies inclusive: for example, 496—8, includes the pumbers
496, 497, and 498. An occasional figure in a parenthesis, refers to some specification
under the foregoing numbers, which rarely occurs : for example, 17,(2, refers to
the second specification under the seventeenth topic, or section. The reader will be
more sure to find the subject desired, by looking for the principal word first - by look-
ing for the noun before the verb, and both noun and verb before the adjective: for
example, for Divine Teaching, look for Teaching, Divine; and for Perfections of God,
look for God's Perfections.

Ability of God to sanctify, 588. Apostasy, original, 13, 157
" of man to do right, 421.

general, to come, 86.
Abrahamic church, 116.

APOSTATES warned, 19.
" covenant, 117–121.

“ hard to reclaim, 20.
Acceptance with God, 583-4. were they regenerated ? 21.
ACTIVITY required, 1.

Apostles, 97—100.
" in conversion, 600.

ATHEISM, 22.
Adam's fall, 157.

Atonement, 576–9.
“ effects of, 158.

Backbiting forbidden, 729.
Adoption of believers, 584. BACKSLIDERS, 23.
Adultery forbidden, 402–5. “ Prone to murmur, 24.
AFFLICTIONS, common, 2.

“ insensible of thcir state, 25.
* from God, 3.

“ walk in darkness, 26.
* benefits of, 4.

" threats against, 27.
" of the righteous, short, 5. “ called to repentance, 28.
“ divine support under, 6.

necd re-conversion, 29.
“ demand sympathy, 7.

5 when turned, heartily confess, 80
" try mankind, 8.

BAPTISM, Mosaic, 31.
“ often misimproved, 9.

" figurativc, 32.
AGED PERSONS, 10.

" of John, 33, 34.
Agency of God, 264–7.

“ of Christ, by John, 35.
" of the Spirit, 347, 591–6.

instituted by Christ, 36.
" moral, 271, 329, 373, 600.

proper administrators of, 37.
Almsgiving required, 406-7, 526. proper subjects of, 38.
Amusement, see Mirth, 479. “ mode of, 39
ANGELS, numerous, 11.

Beauty of God, 229.
"how employed, 12.

" of Zion, 672.
ANGELS, APOSTATE, 13. Beneficence required, 406.
expressive names of, 14.

Benevolence of God, 224.
" character and employment of, 15. " of Christ, 56–60.
" devices of, 16.

" of saints, 661.
suggestions of, 17.

" enjoined upon all, 406
to be resisted, 18.

* disinterested 113.
Anger sin and folly of, 735.

16

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66

66

BIBLE inspired, 40.

" deadness to the world, 59
" the everlasting truth, 41.

love to man, 60.
* will all be fultilled, 42.

“ condescension, 61.
proved by miracles, 43.

“ meekness, etc, 62.
proved by prophecy, 44. “ diligence, 63.
" its internal evidence, 45.

prayerfulness, 64.
" our standard of faith, 46.

preaching, 65.
" the true means of grace, +7

reproving, 66.
to be studied and taught, 18. temporary reputation, 67
a written revelation, 49.

sufferings and death, 68.
“ not to be perverted, 50.

CIIRIST'S HUMANITY, 63
“ all of it profitable, 51.

dependence, 70.
Bishops, to instruct, etc., 101, 447. “son-slip, 71.
Blasphemy forbidden, 718—720. subjection to God, 72.
Blessedness of God, 215, 223, “ preëminence, 73.
“ of heaven, 339, 340, 672.

CHRIST'S DIVINITY, 74.
Blindness of sinners, 707.

equality with God, 75.
Boasting exemplified, 703.

“ divine attributes, 76.
" of saints excluded, 668.

“ divine works, 77, 78.
Boldness exemplified, 460. * divine honors, 79, 80.
Brotherly love required, 111. mystery asserted, 81.
Call to preach, 449.

"final triumph, 82.
Calling, effectual, 597.

CHRIST'S KINGDOM, 83.
CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS: nature of, 84.
“ against apostasy, 19.

generally opposed, 85, 86
backsliding, 23.

will overthrow its enemies, 8"
covetousness, 137.

and excite joy, 88.
bad company, 179. warns the wicked, 89.
error and errorists, 177. “ its certain triumph, 90.
intemperance, 366.

its duration, 91.
lewdness, 405.

CHURCH, design of, 92.
perverting Scripture, 50. · foundation of. 93.
false teachers, 477. ' is greatly beloved, 94.
the devices of Satan, 18. * is safe, 95.
soul-murder, 555.

its Head, 96.
suretyship, 717.

CHURCH OFFICERS:
tempters and temptation," apostles, 97—100.
724.

pastors, teachers, etc., 101.
trusting in man, 170. · deacons, 102.
self-deception, 704. • elders, plurality of, 103.
unrighteousness, 733. CHURCH ORDINANCES:

worldly idols, 741-2. * baptism and the Lord's Supper
See also Threats, in this Index.

104.
Censoriousness forbidden, 729. preparation for, 105.
Charity, sec Love, 412-414. i privilege of, 106.

see also Liberality, 406—408. should be observed, 107.
Chastisement of saints, 2-4. CHURCHI ORDER, ETC.:
• of children, 494.

“ an early Convention, 108.
Chastity required, 404-5

discipline, 109.
CHEERFULNESS, 52.

* ruics for edification, 110.
CHILDREN, duties of, 53.

love and fellowship, 111.
'correction of, 54.

* di fellowship, 112.
sometimes pions, 55.

CHURCH UNITY, 113.
CHRIST'S EXAMPLE, 56. “ not to be rudely broken, 114.
obedience to God, 57.

“ its proper limits, 115.
'self-denial, 58.

root and branches, 116.

6

CHURCH ABRAHAMIC: Cruelty to servants forbidden, 479.
* its covenant, 117, 118.

“ of warriors, 734.
its scal, 119.

Custom, its power, 143.
its covenant blessings, 120. Darkness, works of, 167.
5 its covenant permanent, 121. Day of judgment, 383–390.
Circumcision, 119.

Deacons appointed, 102.
Civil government, 310—319. DEATH, by sin, 144.
Commandments, ten, 281.

the lot of all, 145.
COMPANIONS, 122.

" time of appointed, 146.
Compassion to sufferers, 7, 526. “ ordered by God, 147.
* of God, 223, 522.

soon approaches, 148.
of Christ, 60.

often sudden, 149.
Complacency of God, 504. “ the end of earth, 150.
of saints in God, 657.

Jate in life, desirable, 151.
" of saints in each other, 111.

destrovs not the soul, 152.
Condescension required, 123. * fear of overcomc, 153.
“ of God, 228.

" to be patiently waited for, 154
* of Christ, 61.

* dreadful to the wicked, 155.
Conditions, see Terms.

" demands preparation, 156.
Confession of sin, 124.

Death, spiritual, 165.
CONSCIENCE, 125.

Death, the second, 563.
" may be seared, 126.

“ in impenitence, 564.
“ often misinformed, 127.

" of false hopes, 590.
will not always sleep, 128. Decalogue, 281-3.
" demands obedience, 129.

Deceivers, 16, 474.
“ should be respected, 130:

Deceit of sinners, 702.
* causes comfort or pain, 131. Decciving ourselves, 704.
Consequences, belong to God, 659. Decrees of God, 249—258.
Consideration required, 132. Dependence on God, 261–3.
Contempt and scorn, 673.

" for sanctification, 594–6.
Contending for truth, 188.

" in using means, 434.
Contention sinful, 735–7.

“ consistent with freedom, 271.
Contentment, a duty, 133.

“s of Christ, 70.
Contrast, (law and gospel,) 306. DEPRAVITY-the fall, 157.
* saints and sinners, 645-656. consequences of, 158.
Controversy, God's, 230.

guilt of, personal, 159.
" with God, 272, 695.

its hateful nature, 160.
Conversion necessary, 589.

" its connection with law, 161.
“ of the Jews, 382.

“ not founded in mere ignoranco,
Conviction of sin, 590.

162.
COURAGE required, 134. " its universality, 163.
COURTESY required, 135. * its native origin, 164.
Covenant of redemption, 575. " its total dominion, 165.
* with Abraham, 117--121.

- its strength and obstinacy, 166.
Covenanting with God, 502. " its works of darkness, 167,
COVETOUSNESS, 136.

“ its restraints, 168.
“ prohibited, 137.

" its perpetuity, 169.
“punished, 138.

“ makes men untrusty, 170.
* evils of, 408.

N. B. - See also Sinners, 688-710
CREATION produced, 139. Despondency reproved, 171.
time employed in, 140.

Devices of Satan, 16.
" of the orbs, for lights, 141. Devil, character of, 14–17.
" indicates wisdom, 142.

“ to be resisted, 18.
Crimes, capital, 315, 316.

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