IN ITS PROGRESSIVE REVELATIONS OF GOD TO MEN. DESIGNED FOR BOTH PASTORS AND PEOPLE. BY REV. HENRY COWLES, D. D. "Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I unless NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & CO., 549 AND 551 BROADWAY. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by REV. HENRY COWLES, D.D., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. . PREFACE. My reasons for treating the Pentateuch topically rather than textually will be obvious. Criticism on the original text is rarely needed. There is seldom the least occasion to aid the reader in following the line of thought or the course of argument. The demand here is rather for the discussion and due presentation of the great themes of the book. My plan has therefore aimed to meet this demand, discussing these themes critically so far as seemed necessary either because of their intrinsic nature or because of popular objections or misconceptions; and always practically so far forth as to show the important moral bearings of these themes as revelations of God to man. It has been, however, my purpose to explain all the difficult, doubtful, or controverted passages. The modern objections to Genesis, more or less related to true science, have been brought under special examination because they are at present eliciting so much public attention. Let all real truth be welcomed and held in honor, whether revealed in the works of God or in his word. It is knowledge of God that we seek; some of which we learn through his works of creation or of providence; more through his revealed word. It behooves us to dismiss all apprehensions lest these diverse forms of divine revelation may come into real conflict, and equally, all fear lest the Bible should be compelled to recede as Science advances. The points of contact between sacred and profane history and antiquities have been carefully examined, both for their own intrinsic interest and for the incidental confirmation which they bring to the sacred volume. As will appear in the Introduction I have had an eye somewhat to the idea of progress in these successive steps of divine revelation-yet with an aim not so much to prove a point disputed as to illustrate a fact sometimes overlooked; hoping thus to heighten the reader's interest. This wonderful grouping of those events of the earliest ages of time, given us of God through the masterly hand of Moses, is for every reason worthy of profoundest study. In the humble hope that these pages may serve to obviate old difficulties; suggest new aspects of truth; inspire fresh zeal in this study; and enhance the spiritual profit of every reader-this volume is submitted to the Christian public. HENRY COWLES. OBERLIN, O., October, 1873. |