The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

TO THE READER.

Courteous Reader (for such a one I wish or none)

I May well say of writing Books as the wise Greek did of marriage, For a young man it is too soon, and with an old man his time is out. Yet have I ventured in youth to become publick, as if I were afraid that men would not take notice of my weakness and unlearnedness soon enough. If I fall far short of a Scholar (as I know I do) my youth might have some plea, but that mine attempt can have no excuse but thy Charity. To that I rather submit my self than to thy Censure. I have here brought home with me some gleanings of my more serious studies, which I offer to thee, not so much for thy Instruction, as for thy harmless Recreation. I bear in mind with me the say∣ing of Rabbi Josihar Jehudah in Pirke Abhoth. He that learns of young Men, is like a man that eats unripe Grapes, or that drinks Wine out of the Wine-press: but he that learneth of the Ancient, is like a Man that eateth ripe Grapes, and drinketh Wine that is old. For fear thy Teeth should be set on edge, I have brought some Variety: I have not kept any Method, for then I should not answer my Title of Miscellanies. I have upon some things been more Copious, than other, and (as Rab. Salo∣mon observes of Ruth) I have sometime but stood to Glean, and sometime sitten down. I hope thou wilt not censure me for Judaizing, though I cite them, for it is but (as the Musician in Plutarch did) setting a Discord first, that you may better judge of the Consort: and seeing Error, you may the more embrace the Truth. If this my Youthful attempt shall provoke any one that is Young to Emulation in the Holy Tongues, I shall think I have gained. Adjourn thy severe Censure till either future Silence, or some second Attempt either lose all, or make some Satisfaction. For the present, Quisquis haec legit, ubi pariter certus est, pergat mecum, ubi pariter hae∣sitat, quaerat mecum, ubi errorem suum cognoscit, redeat ad me, ubi meum revocet me. Aug. de Trinit. Lib. 1. Cap. 3.

Thine ready and willing, but unable I. Lightfoot.