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WESTMINSTER DIVINES & OTHER
PURITANS (Gouge, Gataker, et al.)
The Westminster Annotations
and Commentary on the Whole Bible (6 volumes, 1657)
The original title read: "Annotations Upon all the Books of the Old and
New Testament: This Third, above the First and Second, Edition so enlarged, As
they make an entire Commentary on the Sacred Scriptures: The like never before
published in English. Wherein the Text is Explained, Doubts Resolved, Scripture
Parallel'd, and Various Readings observed; By the Labour of certain Learned
Divines thereunto appointed, and therein employed, As is expressed in the
Preface." The preface (found in the first volume) recounts not only a
short history of the English Bible, but sets forth the great advantage to true
Religion which accrues (contrary to the mysticism of the Anabaptists and the
anti-intellectualism of the modern backsliding church) when faithful notes are
"bound in" with the Scripture text -- this bringing forth nothing
different than the effect generated (through God's grace) by faithful
preaching, faithful commentaries, faithful creeds, faithful covenants, faithful
confessions, etc. Pointing out that this blessing from God was never more
obvious than in the case of the Geneva Bible ($159.95, leather hardcover) and
its marginal notes (and that the people knew it to be so when they were left
with Bibles without annotations honoring to God), the preface further states,
"hence were divers of the Stationers and Printers of London induced (by
the people--RB) to petition the committee of the Honourable House of Commons,
for licence to print the Geneva notes upon the Bible, or that some notes might
be fitted to the new translation: which was accordingly granted, with an order
for review and correction of those of the Geneva edition, by leaving out such
of them as there was cause to dislike, by clearing those that were doubtful,
and by supplying such as were defective. For which purpose letters were
directed to some of us from the Chair of the Committee for Religion (in
1648--RB), and personal invitations to others, to undertake and divide the task
among us, and so cometh in our part, whereof we shall give the world a true and
just account in that which followeth." The detailed account which follows
in the preface is fascinating, mentioning, among many other things, the
divines' "use of... of the Dutch Bibles... set forth at... Holland, by
order of the States."
The diligence given, the energy
expended, the obvious humility, and the fearful trembling before God's Word
which is evident in these commentators makes this truly a classic Puritan work
-- a work of great value! Just knowing, as Barker points out, that this
commentary was "prepared mostly by Westminster divines, by order of Parliament, at the time of
the Assembly" (Puritan Profiles, p. 37), certainly bodes well for the level of scholarship
it contains. Moreover, with Gouge, one of the most respected English
Covenanters at the Assembly playing a major role, the thoughtful student of
Scripture and history ought to take note: for a theological feast of mature
Puritan thought surely awaits those that sup at this table. Esteemed, by the mid-1640's, "as
the father of the London Ministers," Gouge was elected as Assessor for the
Westminster Assembly on Nov. 25, 1647. His detractors sometimes called him an
"arch Puritan" (cf. Ibid., p. 35). Dr. Gouge's "share of the
useful work consisted of Kings, and the subsequent books down to Esther,
inclusive" (Smith, Select Memoirs of English and Scottish Divines, p. 534). Most of the others chosen to
this work had similar credentials, though not all exhibit equal proficiency and
some later backslid from attainments reached at this point. Nevertheless, when
the commentators where first chosen, these Annotations where produced by some
of the most qualified English Puritans -- as a historical high water mark for
Puritan scholarship was beginning to crest. Furthermore, in prosecuting this
work the divines note, "therefore we have put ourselves to much more pains
(for many months) in consulting with many more authors, in several languages,
than at first we thought of, that (for the propriety of the original text, for
pertinent and profitable variety of versions, for consonancy of parallel
Scriptures, and for perspicuity in clearing of the darkest places) we might
bring in such observations, as might not only serve to edify the ordinary
reader, but might likewise gratify our brethren of the ministry, at least such
among them, as have not the means to purchase, or leisure to pursue, so many
books, as (by order of the Committee) we were furnished with all, for the
finishing of the work, committed to our hands" (preface). As the work wore
on, however, it became apparent that the original intention (of printing these
annotations as marginal notes in the Bible) would no longer fit the scope and
length of commentary that had been produced. Thus, the notes were not added to
the Scriptures directly, but rather published as a separate commentary (which
we are offering here) -- except that we have divided the work into six volumes
rather than the original two, because of logistics.
Brook calls this a "useful
work" and says of its authors that "several of them were celebrated
puritans" (Lives of the Puritans, vol. 3, p. 221n). Spurgeon comments that it "contains
valuable remarks" and that "the work is probably less esteemed than
it should be" (Commenting and Commentaries). In "A Narrative of His Life and
Death" prefixed to volume one of Gouge's three volume commentary on
Hebrews ($99.00 HP, $59.99 P), we also find this note, "He was likewise
chosen by a Committee of Parliament, among others, to make Annotations upon the
Bible, being well-known to be a judicious interpreter of Scripture. How well he
hath performed his trust is evident to all that read the annotations from the
beginning of the first book of Kings unto Job, which was his part."
Furthermore, Neal, in his history, furnishes us with a helpful (though partial)
list of each of the specific authors and books of the Bible they worked on in
the Annotations. He writes, "Those with asterisks were not of the
assembly. Rev. Mr. Ley, subdean of Chester (The commentary on the five books of
Moses), Dr. Gouge (1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther), *Mr. Meric Casaubon (The Psalms), Mr Francis Taylor (Proverbs), Dr.
Reynolds (Ecclesiastes), *Mr Smallwood, recommended by archbishop Usher
(Solomon's Song), Mr. Gataker (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations), *Mr. Pemberton
in the first edition and *Bishop Richardson in the second (Ezekiel, Daniel, and
the smaller Prophets), Mr. Ley (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Dr. D. Featly...
(St. Paul's Epistles). There were two other persons concerned in this work, who
might probably have the other parts of Scripture allotted them, not here
mentioned, viz. Mr. Downham and Mr. Reading" (pp. 504-505). (We have not
been able to ascertain who wrote the notes to books not covered in the list
above, so if anyone is privy to this information please pass it on to us, along
with your source.)
Additionally, as should be
evident, the Annotations were not, strictly speaking, a work of the Westminster
Assembly per se, but
rather a work primarily by men who attended the Westminster Assembly --
including a few others chosen to this task by Parliament. Notwithstanding, we
thought it prudent to title this work in accord with one of the primary names
by which it has come to be commonly known (i.e "The Westminster
Annotations"). As with much of the literature that was produced by those
attending the Westminster Assembly, or by those sympathetic to their work, the
modern reader has much to gain by carefully considering the words of these
spiritual giants. This work is no exception and we pray that this newly
published edition will strengthen and unite the church, turn individuals to
righteousness, uplift the family, and help direct the nations to the
covenanting love that surrounded the work at the Westminster Assembly in the
seventeenth century -- and in all this bring glory to God! 2383 (8.5" X
11") pages.
(Bound photocopy, all 6 volumes) $499.95-60%=199.98
(Hardcover photocopy, all 6 volumes) $299.98 (US funds)
PURCHASED AS SEPARATE VOLUMES:
(Bound photocopy, vol. 1,
Gen. to 2 Kings) $39.95
(Bound photocopy, vol. 2, 1 Chron. to Job) $$39.95
(Bound photocopy, vol. 3, Ps. to Song) $39.95
(Bound photocopy, vol. 4, Isaiah) $39.95
(Bound photocopy, vol. 5, Jer. to Malachi) $39.95
(Bound photocopy, vol. 6, complete NT) $39.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 1, Gen. to 2 Kings) $59.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 2, 1 Chron. to Job) $59.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 3, Ps. to Song) $59.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 4, Isaiah) $59.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 5, Jer. to Malachi) $59.95
(Hardcover photocopy, vol. 6, complete NT) $59.95
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