Cruden’s Complete Concordance to the Holy Scriptures

Cruden’s Complete Concordance — historical edition — Section 1

* Presented to the library of the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO by Professor Harvey Olnick ivwo»'uj>p »-»^MA hs TO THE K I N G. £ / i?, HIS CONCORDANCE was begun with a defign to promote the fludy and knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and the method taken therein is deemed by competent judges to be the beft towards a complete Concordance that hath hitherto appeared in our language. It is acknow- ledged to be an ufeful book to private Chriftians who fearch the Scrip- tures, and to be very neceflary for all the Preachers of the Gofpel : Therefore to whom can this new Edition be more properly offered than to your Majefty, now in the beginning of your reign, having al- ready manifefted a great regard to Religion, and an earneft concern for promoting it among your fubjecls ? A 2 All DEDICATION. All other books are of little or no importance in companion of the holy Scriptures, which are a revelation from God, and are given as the only rule of faith and practice. If the kings of //w/were required not only " to read the law of Mo/es all the days of their life, but alfo to " write out a copy of it with their own hand, that they might learn to " fear the Lord their God, and keep all the words of his law ;" it may be reafonably expecled that Chriftian Princes mould make the glorious gofpel of our Lord, and Saviour Jesus Christ their daily ftudy, that it may become their conftant guide and rule for the government of their people, as well as for their own falvation. It hath been often obferved, that the moft effectual way to a general external Reformation is " to make Religion a ftep to preferment, and " Irreligion a bar to it ;" becaufe example has a more powerful influ- ence over the minds of men than precept, or even than punifhment* The early declarations and ftrong refolutions your Majefty was pleafed to make at your coming to the throne, " that you would encourage thofe " who are religious, and difcourage thofe that are otherwife/ rejoiced the hearts of all who earneftly defire the revival of vital and practical religion, and to fee your Majefty' s fubjedls a holy and happy people.