To the Reader

I Here offer to your view (gentle Reader) a Comment, and a Supplement: the Comment begunne by an excellent workeman, and drawne in excellent proportion, in all points suting to the analogie of faith, and the doctrine of the Orthodoxe Fathers of the Church, being the substance of his three yeares Lectures upon the Lords day. If his former workes either of Positiue divinity in sundrie of his Treatises, or Controuersall divinity in his Reformed Catholike, or Case-divinity in his Cases of Conscience, have ministred any comfort to you, or given you content: I doubt not but these Commentaries will abundantly satisfie your expectation. For (to omit the varietie of matter, as also the breuitie and admirable perspicuitie, in regard of the manner, being the chiefest commendation of Oecumenius or any Interpreter) in them as in a mirrour you maist more clearely see his knowledge in the mysterie of Christ; and his dexteritie in exemplifying that by practise which he had formerly taught by precept, thē in any of his writings besides: as hauing a double eminencie above the rest. First, in that they were penned the last of all his workes, being come to ripenes of judgment: and that upon mature deliberation after his Sermons (as his manner was.) Secondly, in that they were written with his own hand, whereas all his other writings (except some short Treatises) were taken by some diligent auditors, and perused by himselfe. Herein resembling the Epistle it selfe, which was written with Pauls own hand: all the rest (except that short one to Philemon) by his [••]ribes. And as they doe exceede his other Writings, so I might say (perhaps more truly then discreetly) that they surpasse in this kinde, all the moderne writers that have gone before them: so that he which will vouchsafe to read them, shall not greatly neede nor desire any other Interpreter upon this Scripture: the which I speake not as esteeming of Antiquitie no better worth then to be put under a bushell, that Noueltie might be set upon the candlesticke: but for that I see not, but that John Baptist the last of all the Prophets, was as goodly a burning and shining candle, as any of the rest: and that he pointed forth Christ more distinctly then the rest. But I hope I shall not neede to use many words in commendation either of the worke, or of the Author, being so well knowne and sufficiently commended by others, for soundnes of doctrine, and integritie of life: which (while he was liuing) did parallel each other, his doctrine being a patterne of his life, and his life a counterpaine of his doctrine. And now being dead, his savory-writings which he has left behind him, breathing forth (as it were) the sweete smell of a sanctified spirit (like a field which the Lord has blessed) has got him a name neuer to be forgotten: which gius him after his death a second life.

I am further to aduertise you, (good Reader,) that there were some places in the originall copie to which the Author would (no doubt) have given some reuiew and correction, if God had drawne out the line of his life but a little longer: which I have filed and polished according to my poore skill, though very sparingly, in such places onely as were obscure, or had any phrase of doubtfull construction, or otherwise seemed to be mistaken: pointing and interlining the rest to fit it for the Presse. It may be my vnskilfull handling of them, has depriued them of their due lustre, yet sure I am it has given them no tincture.

Touching the Supplement: it was my purpose at the first to have made a supplie of that which was wanting, out of the Authors own writings, as it has been done in Aquinas Summes and others: but afterwardes perceiuing that his workes alreadie extant, would not affoard me sufficient matter to furnish out that argument, I was inforced to take an other course, and to make a supplie with courser stuffe of mine own, as I could. Which if it shall seeme not to sure the former in all points, I shall desire you to consider that it is not so easie a matter for As[•]lepiodorus accustomed to draw with a cole or chaulke only, to finish a picture he [〈…〉]nne by Apelles with so curious a pensill: and that it is an argument wherein (I confesse) I have not been so much conuersant as perhaps in some other: neither chosen out of purpose to make ostentation of witt, reading, or inuention: but left as a necessary task to be performed by some for the perfecting of the worke and the good of the Church: (if this poore mite may conferre any thing to the Treasurie of the Lords temple.) And thus hoping that these respects may entreate for a friendly acceptance at your hands, and that you wilt afforde mee your good word for my good will, and a fauorable construction for my paines: I commend it to the blessing of the Almightie, and you to his gratious protection, unfainedly wishing to you as to my selfe, the mercie of God in Christ Jesus. August. 10.

your in the Lord Jesus, R. C.