A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, To the reader 2
To the Reader.
THou maist wonder to see me once more in Print, and no wonder, for I wonder, (all things considered) at it my self. I was fully resolved to rest, and never to trouble the world any more in this kind; yet having finisht my other works for the Press, and finding experimentally that I had best health when I was most strongly imployed, and that my work was to me instead of Physick, I chose rather to spend my self with labour, then consume with rust and sickness. I saw that Master Barlow had finisht the two first Chapters of the second Epistle to Timothy, and perusing the two last Chapters of that Epistle I perceived the handling of them would be very useful and seasonable (both in respect of Practicals and Polemicals) for these present times. Hereupon I would have had some abler Pen to have undertaken the work, and that failing, I would have got some assistance, but that would not be, I was constrained if I would have any thing done to do it my self. VponUpon this I buckled to the work, and in less then two years space (notwithstanding my double imployment) by the strength of God compleatly finisht both Chapters for the Press. I confess it hath cost me much pains, and more then at first I imagined, but if it may be profitable to Gods Church, I have my desire.
It is observed that many Posthumous work have had Supplements excelling their Predecessors; this cannot be expected from me: All that I can prom…se thee is this; That there is not a Text, nor a word (of any consequence in the Text) but I have as plainly, faithfully and fully explained it as possibly I could; I have broken every clod that I might find out the gold…n Oar, In tenui labor est Vocum & Phrasium enodatio, tenuis gloria, at non tenuis Vtilitas. Scultetus.though such labour may seem small, yet the profit is great; a good foundation is the strength of the building.
2. Many common-places are succinctly, yet fully handled. I have couched as much matter in as little room as possibly I could, being Naturally averse to tediousness.
3. Where any Controversies occurre, they are handled Pro and Con, the Truth is confirmed, and falsehood confuted; so that if thou art ignorant, this will help to instruct thee; if erroneous, to reclaim thee; if wavering, to settle thee; if poore, to enrich thee; if rich, to humble thee.
4. Where I am too short in the close of a Point, I give you references to such Authors as will satisfie those who will be satisfied with Scripture and Reason. The Quotations are entire, I have scarcely so much as touched any of those which I refer to, because I studie brevitie; besides many of them are S…rmons and such Books as have no Indexes.
I Quote the more Authours, that if any misse of one, yet happily he may have another to consult with, store is no sore. They may serve also as a Directory to young Divines in the choice of their Bookes, it hath cost me a considerable summe, before I could know them. For the perfecting of the work: I have perused the choisest Authors that could be gained for love or money.
If any aske what meaneth the Citation of so much Humane Learning?
I Answer, that I have been larger (in this Particular) with my Pen, then I was in the Pulpit, and have added many things here, which I omitted there.
2. Being versed in Humane Learning (by reason of my imployment amongst my Nursery) I have made some use of it, if any dislike it he may passe it over, it may please some, sparinglie, and as I use it, it can justlie displease none.
I remember it is the wish …f a Learned man, That every one of S. Pauls Epistles, Yea, every Booke of Holy Writ might have a Davenant to draw forth its Lineaments, nor do I know any work that would be of more general and singular use then a Practical Commentarie upon the whole Bible. Many have done worthily on a great part already▪
As, VVillet and Babington on the [P…ntateuch,] Attersol on [Numbers,] M. Richard Rogers on [Iudges,] Topsel and Fuller on [Ruth,] Caryll on [Iob,] Dickson and VVilcox on [Psalms] VVilcox, Dod and Taylor on [Proverbs,] Cotton, Robotham and D. Guild on [Canticles,] Vdal on [Lamentations] Greenhil on [Ezekiel,] VVillet on [Daniel,] Hutchinson and Trap on [All the 12 lesser Prophets] Burroughs on [Hosea,] Topsel on [Ioel,] Marburie on [Obadiah,] Abbot and King on [Ionah] Pemble on [Zacchariah,] Stock and Doctor Slatyr on [Malachie,] Ward and Trap] on [Matthew,] Hutchinson on [Iohn] Perkins on [Galatians,] Bain on [Ephesians,] Doctor Airy, on [Philippians,] Davenant, Bysield and Elton on [Colossians,] Doctor Slatyr on 1▪ and 2. to [Thessalonians,] Barlow on [the 2 Epistle to Timothie,] Dr. Taylor on [Titus,] Attersol and Dyke on [Philemon,] Dr. Gouge and David Dickson on [Hebrewes,] Manton on [James,] Byfield and Rogers of Dedham on [1 Epistle of Peter] Adams and Sympson on [2 Epistle of Peter,] Cotton and Hardie on [1 Epistle of John,] Perkins, Willet, Jenkin and Manton on [Iude] Dent and Bernard on [Revelations.]
It were a work well becoming some learned Godly Divines to set upon the remaining Books which yet want a Practical commentarie on them.
To conclude, thou hast here mine All, even the Cream and Quintessence of many years studies; which I the rather send abroad to the Eye, partly to recompence my natural swiftness in delivery.
2. As judgeing this way more beneficial in *Though the lively voice more pierce the heart, and be apter to move affection, yet men seldome take the paines or time to lay down things in speech, as they doe for publick writings. Robinsons Essayes, Observat. 23. Vbi plura. And Master Philip Goodwin in his Epistle Dedicatory to his Family-Religion.some respects then speaking.
…. What is written will last longer; what is spoken is Transient and passeth away, but what is written is permanent. Litera Scripta manet.
2. It is a more generall good, and spreadeth it selfe further by farre for Persons, Time and Place, then the voyce can reach, our Bookes may come to be seen where our Voice shall never be heard, Speech is onelyonly for presence, but what we write may be usefull in our absence, yea, when we are *Non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam. Horat. Ode 30. Lib. 3.dead, yet by our writings we may still speak for the good of others.
If thou reape any benefit give God the Praise, and let him have thy Prayers, who desireth to live no longer then he ma… be some way serviceable to the Church of God in his Generation.
THO. HALL.