27770 PREFACE. THE following work is designed to furnish the means of easy reference to the most useful books in the important department of biblical literature. Under this head are included, Polyglots, and editions of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures; Concordances, Lexicons, and Introductions to the Bible; works relating to its geography, chronology, and antiquities; translations and commentaries; books which treat of the principles of sacred criticism, hermeneutics, and philology; and numerous productions of a miscellaneous nature, which furnish illustrations of the sacred writings. Of the importance of such a work, there can be but one opinion among theologians; but the difficulties which belong to its successful accomplishment are very considerable. |