The New Testament, Abridged and Illustrated for Children

An Abridgement of the Sacred History of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. Containing the Most Striking Passages in the New Testament. Adapted to the Understanding of the Meanest Capacities, and Design’d for the Improvement of Christian Knowledge. 
London: Printed and Sold by Edward Ryland, 1772.
[Bound with:] An Abridgement of Scripture History Designed for the Amusement and Improvement of Children: Wherein the Most Striking Actions in the Old Testament are Made Plain to the Youngest Capacities . . . . 
London: Printed and Sold by Edward Ryland, 1772. (BRB0976 A/B)

The second editions of An Abridgement of the Sacred History of Jesus Christ and His Apostles and An Abridgement of Scripture History Designed for the Amusement and Improvement of Children, illustrated in the same manner as the first editions, were printed in 1772 and issued and bound together here in a publisher’s deluxe binding.  The adaptation of the New Testament is dedicated to the officers of the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, as the editor had “found, by experience, that small treatises have many advantages more than voluminous works, in the propagation of the Gospel; and those passages of the Holy Scriptures which are expressed & accompanied with copper plates, exhibiting at one view the whole subject to be read, are more edifying and much better received.” The frontispiece (on display) illustrates Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”