A Christian dictionarie Opening the signification of the chiefe words dispersed generally through Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, tending to increase Christian knowledge. Whereunto is annexed, a perticular dictionary for the Reuelation of S. Iohn. For the Canticles or Song of Salomon. For the Epistle to the Hebrues. By Tho: Wilson minister of the Word, at Saint Georges in Canterbury.

TO THE RIGHT Reuerend Fathers in Christ, my Lord Bishop of Carlile, and of Wor∣cester. Also, to the Right Worshipfull, M^r. Doctor NEVILE, Deane of CHRIST-CHVRCH, in Canterbury; THOMAS WILSON, wisheth all health and Happinesse, from Christ our Lord.

RIght Reuerend, that which King Asuerus saide of Mordechaie, when he found by reading in the Chronicles the great pleasure he had done him, by discouery of a dangerous treason against him, What Honor and dignity (saith he) hath bin done to him for this? The like (though not the same) may I say, concerning your Lordships and Worship, vpon recor∣ding with my selfe, the many and great fauours which you haue done me from my youth, to this day: what duty and ser∣uice (for I may not say, what Dignity and Honour) hath bin returned to you for all this? My Conscience doth aunswere me with some checke, as his Seruants answered their King: There hath beene nothing done. If vpon this aunswere, that Heathen man entered into some deliberation with him∣selfe, how to recompence Mordoche, my checke would proue a sting in the end, if I should alwayes suffer my selfe to forget your very great and most constant Good-will and benificence. For one of you; to wit, my Lord of Carlile, was vnder God, the foundation of all the learning and preferment which I enioy, hauing cherrished me in his Colledge (whereof he was a most

worthy Prouest and Gouernor, neglecting himselfe and his, for the good of his house;) and afterward, sending mee to the place where yet I abide, by Gods goodnesse; and there haue beene, and still am much comforted through the great loue & care of that Reuerend and most courteous Deane of that Church, whereof I am a Member. The third, vouchsafing me his louing respect, both long before and since hee was ad∣uanced to his first Sea. Entering into some deliberation, what I might do, not for dignifying you (albeit that were my part to do, were it in my power) but for deliuering my selfe from su∣spition and imputation of an ingratefull minde, I resolued to presume vpon your great and well approued benignity and pa∣tience to dedicate to you, and vnder your three names (being for your place and painfulnesse, cheefe setters foorth, and tea∣chers of Christianity) to publish a great part of this my Chri∣stian Dictionarie, which with much and long labour, and not without some fruite (I hope) to the Godly Professors (for whose sake and good, cheefely, I meant it) I am sure, vvith much gaine of knowledge, and encrease of iudgement to my selfe, I haue at length (as I could) finished it. Vnto which, if your Honourable Lordships will affoord Patronage, Coun∣tenance, and gracious Aspect, I shall in such wise, acquite some part of bounden dutie towards you, as yet I will acknow∣ledge my debt encreased▪ by the addition of dignity vnto me▪ so to grace this poore but painfull Work▪ as it may haue shelter vnder your wings, against the carping Tongues of the enui∣ous, who neither will put forth their strength to do good, nor yet will beare with others, which desire to employ their Ta∣lents. Thus crauing pardon of my boldnesse, and submitting my selfe and endeuours to your fauourable acceptance, I com∣mend you all three, to him who is one in Essence, and three in persons; the Blessed Trinitie, in vndeuideable Vnitie. Whose wisedome and power, euer guide and defend you in earth▪ till his infinite goodnesse and mercy, haue glorified you in heauen.

From my house in Canterbury. An. Dom. 1611.