Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Title page 1 – Dedication 1
MANY COMMENTARIES IN ONE: UPON,
Joshuah.
1 and 2 of Samuel.
Ezra.
Judges.
1 and 2 of Kings.
Nehemiah.
Ruth.
1 and 2 of Chronicles.
Esther.
Setting forth, The literall sense (according to the Hebrew) and therby correcting Translations where need requires, and clearing all obscure passages; reconciling differences, and diving into the mysteries: The further fetcht, and lesse usefull, being rejected; the divers Expositions of divers being examined; the best preferred, and others confuted; and where none satisfieth, new propounded.
Here are also many Observations for the use of edifying in Grace, all along inserted.
Being for all this, instar omnium, for the singular benefit of all that be studious of the Holy Scriptures.
Whereunto is added, A Continuation of the History of things most memorable (after NEHEMIAH his Principality) amongst the Jews, and the Monarchs of the world, till the time of our SAVIOURS Passion, and Ierusalems destruction.
Being both profitable for the understanding of divers Prophesies, and the manifold examples of Gods judgements occurring in those times, upon the notoriously wicked: And delightfull for the variety of matters.
By John Mayer, Doctor of Divinity.
LONDON, Printed by John Legatt, and Richard Cotes; and are to be sold by William Leak, at his shop, the signe of the Crown in Fleet street, between the two Temple Gates. MDCXLVII.
C…ll…gium Sancti Iohannis Evangelistae in Academia Cantabrigiensi 1700
TO THE HIGH AND HONOVRABLE COVRT OF PARLIAMENT: And by Name, (As to them, to whom he is most obliged) TO Sir Herbottle Grimstone, Knight and Baronet. M r. Maurice Ba…row, Esquire, his ever honoured patron. And M r. Herbottle Grimstone, Esquire. JOHN MAYER, doth in all humility, dedicate this his labour in the Lord.
THe saying is true (Right Honourable) in divine things, of that which is good we cannot have too much, and if a light in a dark room be good, the accession of more light is better and more delightfull. My hope therefore is, that to you, who have expressed your desire to have the Church of England furnished with Books in this kinde, the addition …f another will not be unacceptable. This work of mine, both in this part and another that should have come out before it▪ from the beginning of the Bible hitherto, was well nigh, if not altogether finished, before any other speaking in the English tongue in this kinde, upon so many Books of Scripture together▪ but there were enemies like Tobiah and Sanballa, who envied the coming out of any thing, whereby the Laitie might attain too much light of knowledge, that hindered it, till some years expired under worthy Darius, who set his minde more upon the building of the Temple, then any of his predecessours the Kings of Persia. For although under your auspicious government, the Presses have been open for publishing any good Books for illumination and edification, yet the times have been troublous almost hitherto, so that there hath been little encouragement to publish Volumes in this kinde, however they have swarmed with Pamphlets of all sorts. Therefore having now by Your meanes through Gods blessing, more tranquilitie, which he for his mercies sake establish and perpetuate, and through tranquilitie, opportunitie to set up our lights before hid under a bushell, how can I, but in gratitude for so great a benefit, through which mine comes now forth, inscribe it to so Honourable and worthy a Senate; and so devote it first to your use and service, and then of all well-affected Christians, who I know upon your approbation, will be excited the rather to look after it for their own good. Be pleased then (Right Honourable and Worshipfull) at your vacant times to reade it, us a piece, wherein haply yee may see more into the Oracles of God, then in any one Book yet extant, and if King must by Gods precept Deut. 17.be daily in reading the Book of God, whereupon David made it his continuall meditation, and Alphonsus King of Aragon and Sicilia, read the whole Bible with the ordinarie Glosse 14. times over; Yee must not think it beneath your greatnesse, but that it stands well with i…, to sequester some time daily, to reade both the text and glosses, which ye have as helps to more illumination, that Ye may the better know, how all things ought to go according to Gods will in Church, and Common-wealth, and order them accorlingly. Wherein if this of mine may be any help unto You, orto build You up, or any of Gods people in knowledge and grace, I shall much rejoyce, and that it may be so, shall not ceise to pray to Him who is able to make you abound in all wisedome and spirituall knowledge more and more.
Your honours most humbly devoted in all duty and service, IOHN MAYER.