from all preceding dictionaries of the kind. The author wishes to compress into as small a compass as possible, all that is useful in a way of explanation, so as to pass over nothing that is essential, and at the same time to notice nothing that is superfluous. Hence many words will be omitted, whose obvious meaning, in the present day of knowledge, is so well understood, asto render their insertion here unnecessary. While on the other hand, some, that perhaps are but just glanced at, in former concordances, (but which according to the author's view demand more attention) will have a larger discussion. In short, the present design, aims rather to be useful than large to suit the humble christian more than the learned. The reader is requested to keep in remembrance through the whole of the work, that it is the "Poor Man's Concordance." And to all such it is hoped, that what is here offered, under the divine blessing, will prove helpful, in making wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

:

One word more I would beg to offer, by way of Preface; namely, to observe, that with a view to greater usefulness, I have sometimes judged it might be profitable, when giving the names of persons and of places, to direct the reader to the original word, or root from whence either hath been derived. It will not be unfrequently found that much meaning is veiled under it. And in doing this, I have only followed the plan of our old Bibles, whose marginal

readings are truly valuable on this account. It is well known, to all lovers of biblical truths, that it was the uniform custom of our fathers, in the Church of God, and from the earliest period, to own God in his providences, by giving names to persons and places, when at any time receiving some more than ordinary manifestation of divine favour. Thus Abraham called the mount of deliverance, in a critical moment, Jehovah Jireh. Jacob stiled the place where the visions of the Lord began with him, Bethel. And Moses, was so called by his mother from being drawn out of the water. And Hannah, no less from the same view of the Lord, had her Samuel. And the margin of the Bible, at each of those histories, as well as in numberless other instances of a like nature, hath thrown great light upon the subject. in giving their explanation. See Gen. xxii. 14; Gen. xxviii. 19; Exod. ii. 10; 1 Sam. i. 20. It hath been my endeavour to render this department of the "Poor Man's Concordance," particularly useful, by adopting the same plan. And I venture to persuade myself, that I shall have thereby performed no unacceptable service to the truly pious reader.

Perhaps, with some readers, an apology may be thought necessary, that I have entered upon this service, in sending forth before the public, a Concor. dance, before that I have finished my Commentary. But the truth is, I have, through grace, concluded my writings on the old Testament Scripture: and

many months since, set up my Eben-ezer upon that occasion. What I propose therefore by this Concordance, is intended only by way of a parenthesis, between my finishing the Commentary on the Old Testament, and my entering on the New. I hope very shortly, if the Lord spares, (and long before my printer is ready for me) to re-assume that soulrefreshing service of the sacred Word, and of going over the Gospel of the ever blessed God: and sure I am, that when I have closed my Concordance, which furnisheth both profit and amusement for my leisure hours, I shall enter on the remaining engagement of the Commentary with increasing earnestness and delight. In the mean time, I take occasion, in this place, to beg an interest in the prayers of the faithful, for those, and indeed all my other poor labours in my honoured Lord's household: commending both myself and them to the Master's blessing.

I am well aware that I am proposing to myself. great undertakings, with slender means; and marking out much to be done, in the remainder of life, when but little of life itself remains to be filled up. Hastening now fast to the boundary of time, as it stands with me, it might be expected from my declining years, that I should rather retire from past labours, than commence new ones. But I have long known, that if the pillar of the cloud go before in the way, it matters not what year we count in the arithmetic of human life. That sweet promise is

sure, it hath never yet failed, "As thy day is, so shall thy strength be." If the Lord's glory be the end proposed; the Lord's grace will furnish means to the accomplishment. And if the Lord be pleased to appoint that I am to finish life before that I have finished my proposed labours, it will be but to leave that imperfect, which forms a part in all the imperfections of human nature. And surely no man can propose to himself, a sweeter close to the whole of his pilgrimage upon earth, than to depart with the word of God in his hand, and Christ in his heart the hope of glory. Amen.

Plymouth, Charles' Vicarage,

November, 1812.

A

CONCORDANCE

TO THE

SACRED SCRIPTURES.

A.

In the very opening of this Concordance, I cannot pass over the first letter, which the Hebrews call Aleph, and which they pronounce A. And I do this the rather, because, as the Greeks call their first letter Alpha, and our adorable Redeemer graciously condescended to call himself by that name; so equally applicable is Aleph to the person of Jesus. Indeed, as if to shew the infinite fulness and comprehensiveness of his nature and character, the Lord Jesus took the names both of Alpha and Omega: the former, the first, and the latter, the last, in the letters of the alphabet. There is no letter before the Alpha, and none after the Omega. Nothing can be more strikingly characteristic of Christ. For as Christ,

he was, and is, and ever will be, the first letter in all Jehovah's alphabet; and the last, in all the ultimate design of his glory. See Rev. i. 8; Rev. xxi. 6; Rev. xxii. 13. Now the word Aleph is expressive also, of a first, a leader, or chief and sovereign person. this sense, Jesus is Aleph, as well as Alpha.

So that in

And it is