A TRVE CHRISTIANS DAILY DELIGHT : BEING The Summe of euery Chapter of the Old and New Testaments , set downe Alphabetically , in English Verse , that the Scriptures we reade may more happily be remembred , and the things forgotten more easily recalled .

By Simon Wastel , sometimes of Queenes Colledge in Oxford , now Schoole-Master of the Free-Schoole in Northampton .

LONDON , Printed by G. Eld and M. Flesher , for Robert Mylbourne , and are to be sold at his shop at the great South doore of Paules . 1623.

NOT long agoe ( Christian Reader ) there was published a little Book in Latin verse , called Bibliorum Summula , set forth by Master Iohn Shaw ( a man whom both for his learning and grauity , as also for our old and ancient acquaintance ( being Schoole-fellowes in Westmerland 50 yeeres agoe , and both of Queenes Colledge in Oxford ) I did , and doe much esteeme and respect . ) This Booke I perceiued to bee much applauded of the godly learned Ministers , and of many other Schollers that had seene and read the same . And therefore after hee had sent me one , ( as a token of his loue ) I began to study how I might teach it to speake English , being as desirous to benefit the vnlearned , as he was the learned ; and hauing translated the Bookes of Moses , and offered them to his and to other learned and graue Ministers view and censures , they did by their perswasions so pricke & spurre me forward , that I could not giue ouer , vntill ( through Gods assistance ) I had gone through both the old and new Testaments . I confesse I haue not precisely tyed my selfe to his method & manner , because the English tongue is farre more copious then the Latine ; but haue taken liberty ( according as the contents of each Chapter were longer or briefer ) to conclude them sometimes in two , sometimes in foure , sometimes in more Disticks , with as much breuity ( obseruing perspicuity ) as I could . I haue purposely laboured to speake plainly , to the capacity and vnderstanding of the simple and ignorant , rather then by poeticall straines to please the eare , and the eye of the curious learned Readers . Thou hast also not onely the contents of euery Chapter set downe in order Alphabetically , with figures to direct thee vnto them , but also figures in euery line to direct thee to the verse where thou shalt find that presently which thou desirest to know , without reading ouer the whole Chapter . Thou hast also a Chronologicall obseruation of times from Adam to Christ , and from Christ to Antichrist . Thou hast also the names of all the Bookes of the Bible , as they follow in order .

Lastly , thou hast comforts and encouragements against the feare of death , called , the old mans A. B. C. If it shall please thee ( gentle Reader ) when thou hast read or heard a Chapter , to read ouer the Contents in meeter once , or twice , thou maiest be able to rehearse and say the said Contents by heart , and so in short time bee acquainted with the History of the whole Bible . If any be so zealously affected with the knowledge of the Scriptures , as the Lord Cromwell was , who ( as Master Fox recordeth in the Booke of Martyrs , of the fift Edition , page 1075. ) got by heart all the new Testament of Erasmus his translation in his iourney to Rome , hee might in shorter time get by heart these briefe contents of the whole Bible . If therefore the Law of God be thy delight , ( as it was Dauids ) this little Book will be a comfortable companion , whether thou walkest abroad , or stayest at home . And finally , if thou reapest any increase of sauing knowledge , iustifying faith , or holinesse of life , by these my poore labours , to the edification and saluation of thy soule , I haue all that I desire , sauing that I would entreat thee to ascribe the praise and glory of all to God , and to afford mee thy charitable censure , well-wishings , and prayers .