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6 Copeland Pinx

Printed by Hallmandei

London Pub by Booth Duke St Manchester Sq "Dec" 1823

OR

DEPOSITARY

OF

SACRED LITERATURE,

COMPRISING

REMARKS,

Ellustrative, Critical, and Philological,

ON THE

SACRED SCRIPTURES;

HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL PREFACES TO THE VARIOUS BOOKS,

BIBLICAL ANECDOTES,

CHARACTERISTIC NOTICES OF NEW WORKS,

SACRED POETRY,

&c.

Όμοιος εςιν ανθρώπω οικοδεσποτη οςις εκβάλλει εκ τε θησαυρό αυτό καινα και παλαια.

It is like the master of a house, who produceth from his treasury things new and old.

VOL. I.

London:

WILLIAM BOOTH, 32, DUKE STREET,

MANCHESTER SQUARE.

PRINTED BY T. RICHARDSON, 99, HIGH HOLBORN.

MATT. xii, 52.

PREFACE.

IT is not without feelings of satisfaction that the Editors of the CRITICA BIBLICA regard the completion of their first volume; and they venture to anticipate that some beneficial results have accrued from their labours, not only to the Biblical student, but to the more general and unlearned reader of the Holy Scriptures. The earnest endeavours of the editors have been directed to unite the utile dulci, and from the reception which their work has met, they believe their efforts have not been in vain.

The toil and anxiety necessarily attendant upon conducting such a work as the CRITICA BIBLICA, can only be appreciated by those engaged in similar pursuits, and it is upon this ground that the editors seek favourable regard for those errors which in its progress may have occurred, even after the most careful investigation.

The editors are not disposed to recapitulate the contents of the present volume, its leading features being generally known : to illustrate difficult and abstruse passages of the Bible-geographical, literary, and personal,-interspersed with occasional dissertations, and poetry of a sacred nature, with notices of books, directly or indirectly connected with the subject-to enlarge upon these points, however, would but fatigue and possibly disgust the reader-a reference to the volume will be far more satisfactory.

Of the utility and importance of a work similar to that now offered to the public, it is presumed there can be no difference of opinion, where the nature and value of the Sacred Volume is properly estimated. Nothing can be more remote from the intention of the editors, than to represent the meaning of the Inspired Writings as being placed beyond the reach of ordinary and unlearned readers; but they hesitate not to assert, that without some degree of that information which it is the object of the present work to communicate, a considerable portion of those inestimable compositions will appear to be wrapped in impenetrable obscurity, and their unrivalled literary beauties will lie totally concealed. If to understand the classic writings of antiquity, it is necessary to cultivate an acquaintance with the nature and peculiarities of their language-the laws under which they lived the local customs which prevailed-their sacred rites and festivals, with a multitude of other particulars; how shall we expect to understand and enjoy the beauties of the Sacred classics, while destitute of such acquirements! It is.

not necessary, however, to enlarge upon this topic; the want of a work like the present has been long felt and acknowledged.

Instead of concluding their preface by congratulating their numerous readers upon the extensive circulation of their work, the editors of the CRITICA BIBLICA will ingenuously acknowledge, that the number of their readers does not yet reach so high as the object of their pursuits would lead them to wish. Hence they respectfully, but earnestly, appeal to the enlightened friends of Revelation, to recognise the claims which they have upon their assistance, in the efforts they make to promote the illustration of the "Oracles of God." To their friends and subscribers they avow their sincere and heartfelt gratitude, and assure them that no exertion shall be deficient on their part to render their publication worthy of that support which they have hitherto so liberally extended; and they confidently rely upon a continuance of their kind patronage and assistance. They beg to be expressly understood, that their pen shall never be guided by party feeling: the cause of TRUTH-sacred and inviolable being the sole object for which they labour.

The editors feel happy in saying that the succeeding numbers of the CRITICA BIBLICA will not be in any respect inferior to those which have already appeared: indeed they confidently anticipate considerable improvements, both in their plan and subjects, several scholars of known and acknowledged talent having kindly volunteered their assistance. By the introduction of a smaller letter their work will contain considerably more matter; and by embracing a greater variety of subjects it will be rendered more generally interesting. There are two new features of their work, to which, the editors beg to call the attention of their readers. The first will be, the introduction of a bibliographical and critical account of the multitudinous versions of the Old and New Testaments, by way of directing the student in his researches. This, it is conceived, cannot fail of supplying a chasm hitherto universally felt and acknowledged. The other will be the introduction of a department for Biblical Intelligence; comprising information relative to Biblical Science, Education, Publications, &c. &c. both British and Foreign-from the European continent (particularly Germany), America, East Indies, &c. Such an addition cannot fail of proving acceptable to their readers, and will supply a most obvious desideratum.

It were unpardonable to close these remarks without offering our best thanks to those kind and able correspondents whose communications so greatly enhance the value of our work. We solicit and rely upon a continuance of their aid, which, next to the divine blessing, is necessary for the purpose of accomplishing the great object we have in view.

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