ΟΑΝΟΝ OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT ASCERTAINED; OR, THE BIBLE COMPLETE WITHOUT THE APOCRYPHA AND UNWRITTEN TRADITIONS. BY ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY, IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, AT PREFACE. ONE motive which induced the author to undertake the following compilation, was the desire of furnishing a supplement to the little volume which he recently published, on the Evi DENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION; for the argument for the truth of Divine Revelation cannot be considered complete, without the testimonies, by which the Canonical authority of the several books of Scripture is established. But he was also influenced by the consideration, that a convenient and compendious work on this subject, is a desideratum, in our English Theological Literature. The works which we possess on the Canon of Scripture, are either too learned or too voluminous, for the use of common readers. Besides, the whole subject has been seldom treated by the same author; for while one vindicates the Canon of the Old Testament alone, another confines himself to the settling of the Canon of the New Testament. The object of the writer of this work, is to exhibit a compendious view of the whole subject, and in such a form as will be level to the capacities of all descriptions of readers. He has aimed at bringing forward the result of the researches of learned men, who have treated this subject in such a manner, that the substance of their works might be easily accessible to that numerous class of readers, who are unskilled in the learned languages. It was, moreover, his opinion, that such a volume as this, would not be unacceptable to theological students, and to clergymen, who have it not in their power to procure more costly works. ง 736 20 JUN 121918 397403 |