have been examined, but they are generally expressly cited. The remarks, it will be observed, are more frequently explanatory than devotional; but the Compiler trusts, that he shall not therefore be supposed to undervalue the latter; for he firmly believes, that the holy Scriptures were not written, like the compositions of uninspired men, to gratify curiosity by the communication of knowledge, but to make the reader "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus ;" and he is persuaded, that they have been justly characterised by the Apostle, (2 Tim. iii. 16.) as " profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Still he has considered, that the text must be accurately understood before it can be judiciously applied; and he has introduced no moral and spiritual improvements of it which would have enlarged the volume, without increasing in proportion its value, since he does not aspire to equal in excellence, or usefulness, those contained in the many edifying works in which our language happily abounds. He would refer the Student, who seeks through their assistance to be "built up in our most holy faith," (Jude 20.) to works which have been long familiar to the devout believer, and which will not disappoint him; to Bishop Hall's Contemplations, Matthew Henry's Bible, and Doddridge's Family Expositor; and he would add, that a valuable accession has been made lately to this department of Christian literature, by the present Bishop of Chester, in his Exposition of the Gospels, and by the Rev. Charles Girdlestone, in his Commentary on the New Testament, which are intended, and particularly adapted, for family worship. Oxford, July 27, 1835. CONTENTS. Page 7. The angel informs Joseph of the miraculous immaculate concep- tion of his virgin bride of the predicted Saviour. Matt. i. 8. The birth at Bethlehem of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9, 10. The two genealogies of our Saviour. Matt. i. 11. The infant Saviour receives the homage of shepherds. 12. Circumcision and presentation of Christ in the Temple. 13. The Eastern Magi bring offerings as an homage to the new-born King of the Jews. Joseph by divine direction conducts the Virgin and her Son into Egypt, to avoid the fury of Herod, who, in order to destroy him, massacred all the male infant children of Bethlehem; and after his death settles with them 16. Jesus comes to John for Baptism. Matt. iii. Luke iii. 22. John again bears testimony to the superiority of Jesus. John iii. 187 23. Jesus, on his way to Galilee, passes two days at Sychar, in 26. The miraculous draught of fishes. Luke v. Mark i. 27-30. Jesus works all manner of miraculous cures; those of a demoniac, Peter's wife's mother, a leper, and a paralytic man, |