An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Translator to the reader
The Translator to the READER.
THis Reverend Author having so well approved himself to the Church of God, by his several labours upon the Holy Scriptures, was a great motive to us, to make these elaborate Expositions upon the Epistles, of universal use, by putting them into the same language, with his pious Commentaries on the Psalms of David, St. Matthews Gospel, and other Tractates that have promoted sober minds in the practical understanding of the word of God. And for this in thy hands, as many learned men (with great commendation) have taken much pains in the explication of these sacred Letters of St. Paul; so this Learned Professor of Divinity ▪ hath very much served the Church of God, by the addition of his Analytical Exposition, wherein hee is true to his Method, solid in his Explication, and learned in both. Yet possible it is, that matters of the best desert, may fall under the censures of some, amongst the rest, perhaps the translating of this book into the English tongue; I hope the suspicion of an offence will not appear so great, when wee shall have shewed the reasons that carried us thereunto, which among the rest were such as these▪
Whilst this Commentary remained in the same language wherein the Author sent it into the world, it was more confined in its use, and could be helpful onelyonly to some, and those men of learning; By this means it becomes instrumental to all, both learned and unlearned. And surely it is very meet that the learned should condescend to the good of others, when they cannot ascend to their own.
We conceived that this eminent part of the Holy Scriptures, being plainly opened (seeing that so many have, and do wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction) might prove very useful to all Families, where the word of God is conscionably read, and diligently studied, for their direction in the true intent and meaning of the Holy Ghost; for want whereof, many have abused their own understandings, and the apprehensions of others about the mind of God in his revealed word; whereas this Commentary, being near at hand, will readily lead them, not onelyonly to the sense of every single verse in any Chapter throughout this work, but to the scope and aim of the Apostle, in the whole design hee hath in hand: For by abstracting a particular sentence (or verse) from the body of the Epistle, it may seem to look another way, than the c…ntexture of the discourse doth import.
Another motive of this translation, was that which sometime moved King Alured (or Alfred) to procure the turning of Gregories Pastorals into English, because some of his Church-men did not understand the Latin tongue. Thus it pleases God to have it at this day; Many Preachers in England, who take upon them to teach others, understand nothing but their Mother-tongue themselves, nor ever came they where Learning grew. But seeing they will undertake to minister to the people, and the wind blows for their turn; That the Church of Christ, purchased with his most precious blood, might not be left qu…e destitute, and totally subver…ed by comments of their own, wee thought it meet to commend this useful Author to their understandings, whereby they might have some assistance proportionable to their capacities.
These were the main inducements wee eyed in attempting this work, and wee hope its general serviceableness▪ will answer to whatever might be objected against the undertaking. Sometimes through the mistakes of printing the Latin book, the sense was here and there disturbed, whereupon wee were forced to take the more care in finding out the Authors mind, that wee might accordingly commend it to …hy benefit.
Another thing I should signifie to the Reader: Some years since this Author set forth his Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews, a Book so useful and solid, that it became deservedly acceptable to most men: This wee have inserted in its proper place, in this Volume and Edition: So that besides the Analy…cal Exposition of these Epistles (which was the sole intendment of the Author in this present work) yo… have his practical observations formerly set forth, upon the Epistle to the Hebrews.
… remains, but that thou apply thy self to the perusal of the whole, and before thou unde…kest …o be a Iudge become a Reader; and while thy meditations are imployed in these sacred Oracles of God, I shall pray that the Spirit of truth and goodness may come down and rest upon thee: For … hee b…eathes from these mountains of spices, and wee delude our selves with the visions of our own heart… ▪ while wee think to finde the Holy Spirit, God blessed for ever, in any other Chanels, but these wherein he is determined to conveigh his holy and heavenly motions.
Farewel. Thine in the work of the Lord, WILLIAM RETCHFORD.