What I have done, through grace, to the clearer understanding of the Apostles scope, and the larger explanation of the common places here offered, I shall not mention, but leave to the Readers judgment: some will blame me for being too large, and others in many places for being too short; I shall only let the first sort know, that in the larger explications of points of doctrine, I have rather satisfied the desires of others, than followed my own judgment; who, when these things were first delivered (which was long since) in the way of short notes, were willing to hear the points ⟨image 8⟩more largely debated, and so I went over them again in a Sermon-fashion: if any blame me for being too short, let them know, that therein I have more satisfied my self, as keeping to the Laws of an expository exercise. I confess I am so conscious to the many imperfections of this work, that the Reader had never been troubled with it, had it not been extorted from me by such importunity as I could not withstand: especially did I judg the publication needless, the Elaborate commentary of my Reverend Brother Mr William Jenkins being already printed; but when I saw that we went different ways in prosecuting the same truth, that objection ceased: seasonable things must be often urged, and the variety of method maketh the repetition grateful. I observe Gods providence in it, when divers men fall upon the same work, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth might be established. Beza (I remember) persuadeth Olevian to print his Meditations on the Galatians, though many excellent Writers had but lately and diligently explained that Epistle: Dr King, Dr Abbot and Dr Benefield all wrote upon Jonah and with approbation near about the same time. As much as my occasions would permit me, I consulted with my Reverend Brothers Book, and when I found any point at large discussed by him, I either omitted it, or mentioned it very briefly; so that his Labours will be necessary to supply the weaknesses of mine. This work hath been long in the Press; and no wonder, the Author lying under such an oppression of Business, it being carried on by snatches and spare hours; many faults have been occasioned, whether by the obscurity of the Copy, or the negligence of the ⟨image 9⟩Printer, I will not now determine:
What I have done, through grace, to the clearer understanding of the Apostles scope, and the larger explanation of the common places here offered, I shall not mention, but leave to the Readers judgment: some will blame mee for being too large, and others in many places for being too short; I shall only let the first sort know, that in the larger explications of points of doctrine, I have rather satisfied the desires of others, than followed my own judgment; who, when these things were first delivered (which was long since) in the way of short notes, were willing to hear the points ⟨image 8⟩more largely debated, and so I went over them again in a Sermon-fashion: if any blame mee for being too short, let them know, that therein I have more satisfied my self, as keeping to the Laws of an expository exercise. I confess I am so conscious to the many imperfections of this work, that the Reader had never been troubled with it, had it not been extorted from mee by such importunity as I could not withstand: especially did I judg the publication needless, the Elaborate commentary of my Reverend Brother Mr William Jenkyns being already printed; but when I saw that wee went different waies in prosecuting the same truth, that objection ceased: seasonable things must be often urged, and the variety of method maketh the repetition gratefull. I observe Gods providence in it, when divers men fall upon the same work, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth might be established. Beza (I remember) perswadeth Olevian to print his Meditations on the Galatians, though many excellent Writers had but lately and diligently explained that Epistle: Dr King, Dr Abbot and Dr Benefield all wrote upon Jonah and with approbation near about the same time. As much as my occasions would permit me, I consulted with my Reverend Brothers Book, and when I found any point at large discussed by him, I either omitted it, or mentioned it very briefly; so that his Labors will be necessary to supply the weaknesses of mine. This work hath been long in the Press; and no wonder, the Authour lying under such an oppression of Business, it being carried on by snatches and spare hours; many faults have been occasioned, whether by the obscurity of the Copy, or the negligence of the ⟨image 9⟩Printer, I will not now determine:
