Page:Companion to the Bible.djvu/13



word Bible is taken from the Greek word Biblos, which signifies book; and the volume to which christians give that title, by way of eminence, is called The Bible, because of its supreme excellency, being the book of books, the best book.

The Bible is called The Scriptures, from the Latin word Scriptura, which signifies a writing; and it is called The Holy Scriptures, because it contains the collection of the writings of holy men, who, at different times, were raised up and inspired of God, for the purpose of publishing his commandments and promises, and the records of his mercies and judgments, for the instruction and salvation of mankind.

The two parts of the Bible are called the Old and New Testaments, (2 Cor. iii. 6. and 14.) or covenants. They are so named because they contain the revelations or testaments of God's covenant of mercy, for the redemption and glorification of sinful man, by the interposition of the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Mediator between God and man.

the Bible has existed from very remote ages, will not be disputed, except by those who are grossly ignorant. The proofs of its antiquity are, beyond all comparison, more numerous and convincing, than can be advanced in favour of any other book in existence. It has never been