As touching the usefulness of books , of this nature there needs no enlargment , this being done to my hand , by divers in their Epistolary and Prefationary discourses ; besides , any man knows , an Artificer cannot work without tools , nor any man be a good Clerk without books , the old Proverb is haurit aquam cribris Clericus absque libris . Now as to the generality of learning we have a large furniture from Photius , Gesnerus , Simlerus , Schottus , Clesius , Draudius , Bolduanus , Fabianus Justinianus , Alegambe , Catalog . Oxon. Sionensis , &c. For the particularity , Theological Voetius , Scriptural Resodnerus , Mathematical Sempilius , Medicks Vander Linden , Chimicks Borellius , and of our own Country men , who are as eminent for Learning in its several kinds as any in Europe , we have Pits , Bale , Mansel , & others , who have taken infinite pains , and to excellent purpose in this kind . And the truth is , what better way for communicating the treasures of Arts and Sciences is there imaginable ? Would we be brought into acquaintance with books of all sorts ? Would we satisfie our curiosities ? Would we furnish out a Library ? no readier way , this doth it . But , though we have accommodations as to the general , yet want we that which will be as profitable to us as any of the former , if not more , I mean a Catalogue of our English Writers of the holy Scriptures in particular , such as have treated upon the whole , or part , ( viz. ) Commentators , Adnotators , Expositors , single Sermons , and translated pieces . We may know that we have from amongst us men , renowned for their eminent piety , their profound learning , their indefatigable labours , their laborious performances in the ministerial function , and who are also highly esteemed by forreigners universally for their abilities , ( Neither do I remember that I have ever either read , or seen Postils or Sermons any manner of ways comparable to what our English treasury affords ) further also that they have lain neglected and as it were forgotten , which were their works known , and I dare say , nine parts of ten are unknown to hundreds of men , not that I upbraid any with ignorance , which is not imputable upon this score ; but were they known , they would be in their due esteem with us . Now in order to this , and for that you may be so fully furnished as not to be a stranger at home , you are here presented with a full discovery of the most considerable that have written any thing for these hundred years and upward : and herein , with , as it were , a key whereby you may unlock to your self , all the treasuries of holy Scripture ; some thing hath been done by some , as Mr. Vernel for one , &c. But of some few Authors , and some single texts . But here you are supplied with Authors upon whole Books , and parts of Books ; upon whole Chapters , and parts of Chapters ; and single Verses , in a method so accomodate for use as is possible . Furthermore that the book may fully correspond to the Title , I have added a Supplement ; so that I presume there is nothing wanting that is considerable . Likewise you may expect in convenient time a Catalogue of the like nature , of such Authors as have written in the Latine tongue , of what Country soever , together with the continuation of this as occasion shall offer it self . There remains now but this vote , that your advantages hereby may be answerable to the pains taken herein , and that those may be improved through the assistances of the divine grace to the advancement of his glory , in the edification of this part of his true Catholick Church here in England ,