Hidden thoughts brought to light/To the Reader

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3709954Hidden thoughts brought to light — To the ReaderJohn Axford


TO THE

READER.

FOR a general Good, and the Increase of Knowledge and understanding in reading the Bible, I have been at some Pains and Trouble in examining several Dictionaries, to find out the true value of the Coins and Measures and what Shekels are. Of these there are three Sorts, the common, the King's and those of the Sanctuary. So there are three Sorts of Talents, the common, the King's, and those of the Sanctuary; all which I have cast up, both in Gold, Silver and Weight; And how much the Value of each is, according to current English Money, from One to Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Talents and plain words. Also of the Pieces of Silver, Silverings, and Pence: and in what Chapter or Chapters, Verse or Verses, any of them are to be found. Likewise the Measures, how much any of them is in English. In this Edition I have added the Money, Weights, and Measures, mentioned in the Apocrypha. This Word signifies a Thing to be of no Authority, hidden, or doubtful. The Bible (before the Apocryphy) is called Canonical, that is approved by common Consent, or exact Rule. This Division was made about four hundred Years after Christ, there being assembled four hundred Bishops of Carthage in Africa, who ordained, that all the Bible, from Genesis to the End of Malachi, be called Canonical as also the New Testament, and the other Apocrypha. I have likewise explained the hard Words, as of Office, Sects, Pharisees, Herodians, Tetrarch Proselytes Legion, Stoics, and many others being very useful and necessary for all People that can read the Bible, whereby they will come to know the exceeding vast Riches of Sheba, there being no Emperor, King, Prince, or Potentate now in the World, or before, that have, or ever had the like: and also of other Kings before, which is all fully mentioned in what follows. The like not before extant, in so plain a Way, for all Persons who can read English, whereby their Knowledge may be increased, their Understanding improved, and all to the Glory of Almighty God, being the Desire of him who published it for the general Good.

JOHN AXFORD.