IT is twenty years since and more, good Reader, that the lessons of M. John Calvin upon the Prophet Isaiah (which being collected by M. Nicolas Gallars) were printed under the title of a Commentary; and dedicated to that noble Prince of blessed memory, Edward the sixth, King of England. A long time after, the Author himself reviewing this collection, imprinted both in Latin, and in French: satisfied not himself only to review it, thereby to explain that, which otherwise seemed obscure, by reason of the brevity of it; and to set that in order, which was somewhat confused: but he laboured therein with such diligence and good success, that he augmented it in Latin with excellent and necessary matters for the understanding of the text; more then the third part: bringing all things into so exact a form, that if any be pleased to take so much pains, as to confer the first Commentary or collection of those lessons, with this second; he shall find that which we have said to be very true. Neither was this gathered in the schools the second time, as at the first; but was written in the house, even word for word by the Authors own direction: who hath so aptly disposed and couched the whole together, that in perusing of it, you shall perceive in this book, as well as in others which have already passed his hands, that he hath done great service to the Church of God, and hath also faithfully chalked out the way unto such as desire to profit in divine studies. But especially by these his Commentaries, which being carefully read, will serve no less to the explaining of many texts that are contained in other books of the holy Scripture, as they will also be most helpful to give the true sense of the Prophet Isaiah; which hath moved me (good Reader) to bestow my pains in translating the whole anew into French: lest such among you as understand not the Latin tongue, should be deprived of so great a benefit. Read, and profit thereby in the fear of God.
IT is twentie yeeres since and more, good Reader, that the lessons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Prophet Isaiah (which being collected by M. Nicolas Gallars) were printed vnder the title of a Commentarie; and dedicated to that noble Prince of blessed memorie, Edward the sixth, King of England. A long time after, the Author himselfe reuiewing this collection, imprinted both in Latin, and in French: satisfied not himselfe only to reuiew it, thereby to explane that, which otherwise seemed obscure, by reason of the breuitie of it; and to set that in order, which was somewhat confused: but he laboured therein with such diligence and good successe, that he augmented it in Latin with excellent and necessarie matters for the vnderstanding of the text; more then the third part: bringing all things into so exact a forme, that if any bee pleased to take so much paines, as to conferre the first Commentarie or collection of those lessons, with this second; he shall find that which we haue said to be very true. Neither was this gathered in the schooles the second time, as at the first; but was written in the house, euen word for word by the Authors owne direction: who hath so aptly disposed and couched the whole together, that in perusing of it, you shall perceiue in this booke, as well as in others which haue alreadie passed his hands, that he hath done great seruice to the Church of God, and hath also faithfully chalked out the way vnto such as desire to profit in diuine studies. But especially by these his Commentaries, which being carefully read, will serue no lesse to the explaning of many texts that are contained in other bookes of the holy Scripture, as they will also be most helpefull to giue the true sense of the Prophet Isaiah; which hath mooued mee (good Reader) to bestow my paines in translating the whole anew into French: lest such among you as vnderstand not the Latin tongue, should be depriued of so great a benefit. Reade, and profit thereby in the feare of God.
