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OR,

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF THE

PRINCIPAL FIGURES OF SPEECH

FROM THE BIBLE.

Intended for the instruction of young Children, by assisting them in the acquirement of the great principles of language, and enabling them better to understand the sublime and beautiful imagery of the Holy Scriptures.

BY JOSEPH FINCHER, ESQ. AUTHOR OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PRAYER," AND THE "INTERPOSITIONS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE."

I have used similitudes.-Hos. xii. 10.

LONDON:

J. HATCHARD AND SON, 187, PICCADILLY.

1832.

1410. f. 67.

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BOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Compiler of the accompanying pages, while engaged with his dear young children in the pleasing duty of instructing them in the rudiments of English grammar, was led to think that an earlier acquaintance with the principal Figures of Speech, than is usually considered advisable, would greatly facilitate their acquirement of the essential principles of language, and enable them better to understand the sublime and beautiful imagery of the Holy Scriptures.

This he considered the more important, from an increasing conviction that an early and correct acquaintance with the sacred volume, will ever be found the best safeguard against erroneous and delusive doctrines, and the only true foundation on which all other knowledge can be erected. And as the sacred oracles are so richly stored with the most beautiful tropes and figures, he thought

that by inviting them to make their own selections, and to classify them under each distinct figure of speech, it would "allure" them to the study of the Holy Scriptures, increase their delight in those blessed oracles, and enable them to understand and admire the force and beauty of many passages with which they were previously unacquainted.

Nor was he in the least disappointed; for he had the happiness to see that in a short time after they had been instructed in the grammatical meaning and use of the principal figures of speech, they greatly improved in their reading, had a far more correct acquaintance with the beauties and ornaments of composition, and above all, that his other and best hopes were more than realized.

This has led to a more extensive selection of the beautiful models from the Bible; and the little volume is presented to the children of pious families, with an earnest and prayerful desire, that it may be so honoured with the Divine approbation, as to be made useful to many dear children in their search after divine truth; and that the selections here made, and which they may be led by these examples to make for themselves, may be

greatly endeared to them, and permanently fixed in their memories, and in their hearts.

There is only one remark he would take the liberty of making. There may be many dear children to whom these pages may become peculiarly interesting, who may, perhaps, soon learn to appreciate and admire the beauties of Sacred Imagery, while their hearts are unaffected with the divine realities of the Bible. To such, let him most affectionately observe, that the Most High has expressly declared, that without his divine teaching we cannot understand the saving truths of his word; and our blessed Saviour has taught us by imagery the most tender and persuasive, the great complacency and delight of our heavenly Father, in bestowing, on his humble and prayerful children, the teachings and influences of his Holy Spirit. "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ?"

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