At the same time, I must confess, it gave me pleasure about a year ago, to find this very book recommended in the strongest manner, in the second volume of Dr. _Calamy_’s lives. His words are these, “I cannot forbear here adding a particular account of the Bible which he published. He first formed the design in his younger years, in the university; and made it the work of his most retired leisure, and solemn thoughts. It ripened with years and experience, and was the result of great reading and consideration, both of the best practical writers and the most celebrated criticks. It is a work of great exactness and judgment; commonly fixes on the true sense of the place; diligently observes the connection of things; freely represents the principal matters that ♦occur; and contains the fullest account of parallel places, of any other extant.” He was so happy in this performance, as to obtain the concurring testimony of two great and excellent men, who were thought to have different sentiments of some points of religion; viz. Dr. _Owen_ and Mr. _Baxter_ in their respective epistles before the quarto edition of the New Testament. The words of the former are remarkable. “But this I must say, that to the best of my understanding, he has made his choice of the especial sense which he gives of the word, in all places, with great diligence and judgment. And it is evident, that in the whole, he has so carefully and constantly attended to the analogy of faith, that the reader may safely trust to him, without fear of being led into the snare of any error, or unsound opinion.” The words of the latter are: “And I especially commend it as orthodox, in explaining those texts which meddle with justification, remission of sin, with faith and works, and such great and practical points of doctrine; so that the reader need not fear the corrupting his understanding, by any secret insinuation of errors, or dangerous mixture of private, and unsound opinions.” Since both of them, herein freely expressed their proper sentiments, it is scarce conceivable how there could be any very important difference remaining between them. But be it as it will as to that; this was in a manner the work of Mr. _Clarke_’s life, and bears the lively signatures of his exact learning, singular piety, and indefatigable industry; and has been valued by good judges of different sentiments and persuasions, considering the brevity of the parts, and intireness of the whole, as the best single book upon the Bible in the world.
♦ “occcur” replaced with “occur”
To these may be added the joint opinions of Dr. _Bates_ and Mr. _How_, who thus expressed themselves. “Having seriously perused this laborious work, we cannot but judge, the usefulness will answer the author’s great industry; whose excellent skill hath with that conciseness, and yet clearness, given the mind of GOD in the sacred oracles of the New Testament, that we cannot doubt, but GOD will render it serviceable, to the edifying of conscientious and humble readers, in knowledge, faith and obedience.” If it should be objected that these were Dissenters, Dr. _Calamy_ adds, to our author’s honour, “that his annotations on the Bible were so highly valued by some of the most eminent of the clergy of the Church of _England_, that one of the learned body declared them to be so useful (especially that part that contained parallel scriptures) that he could not compose his sermons without them. Another said, that if they could not be had under fifty pounds, he would give that sum rather than not have them. And one of the highest rank thought fit to recommend them to young divines, at their ordination.”
In respect to Mr. _Clarke_’s personal character, Dr. _Calamy_ further informs us that, “He was a man of very considerable learning; a good critic; especially in the scriptures; a great textuary, an excellent preacher; a great enemy of superstition and bigotry: yet zealous for unaffected piety. He was one of great moderation, both in his principles and temper, lived usefully, and in much esteem; and in his last hours had great peace and serenity.” After such encomiums from such tall cedars in our _Lebanon_, any further recommendation from one of so small a growth, or such a shrub as I am, can be but of little weight. I shall therefore detain the intelligent and religious reader no longer, than whilst I subjoin my hearty prayers, that whether he or I, or any other christian of any denomination, read this or any other comment, or the pure scriptures, without any comment, that we may in such wise read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of GOD’s holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which he hath given us in our Saviour JESUS CHRIST.
Christian reader, Thine in our common LORD,