A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

And as not of the Author, so neither to the Work it self, shall I say ought this way. I judge it sufficient to render it desirable, to tell you it was the Work of that learned man; yet more, of that gracious man, and faithful Servant of Christ, Mr. John Cotton, as is assured me by a reverend and godly neighbour, Mr. Tho. Oresby Minister of Hackwell in Essex, who well knew him, and heard him preach much of it: Such was the Author, that it commends the Work to attest it his; and yet such is the Work it self, that though the Author were unknown, it could not however but meet with reverent and ready entertainment for its own sake. Had his own hand put it forth, doubtless it had been more polished then now it is, more enlarged and refined: But Christians know how to be charitable, & to deal with the Works of Gods servants, brought into the world after themselves were taken out of the world, as we do by little Orphans whose Father is dead, if we see them any ways misused, or subjected to any wants, we reproach them not, but pity them, because their Carers for, are taken from them: And yet for the Work as it is, let me be bold to say, It may stand amongst none of the meanest helps to saving knowledge.

And as not of the Author, so neither to the Work it selfe, shall I say ought this way. I judge it sufficient to render it desirable, to tell you it was the Work of that learned man; yet more, of that gracious man, and faithfull Servant of Christ, Mr. John Cotton, as is assured me by a reverend and godly neighbor, Mr. Tho. Oresby Minister of Hackwell in Essex, who well knew him, and heard him preach much of it: Such was the Author, that it commends the Work to attest it his; and yet such is the Work it selfe, that though the Author were unknown, it could not however but meet with reverent and ready entertainment for its own sake. Had his own hand put it forth, doubtlesse it had been more polisht then now it is, more inlarged and refined: But Christians know how to be charitable, & to deale with the Works of Gods servants, brought into the world after themselves were taken out of the world, as we doe by little Orphans whose Father is dead, if we see them any wayes misused, or subjected to any wants, we reproach them not, but pity them, because their Carers for, are taken from them: And yet for the Work as it is, let me be bold to say, It may stand amongst none of the meanest helps to saving knowledge.