A Commentary on the New Testament
from the Talmud and Hebraica
John Lightfoot
(1602-1675)
To the Right Honourable
Sir Orlando Bridegeman;
Knight and Baronet;
Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England,
And
One of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council.
My Lord,
Let me bespeak you in the words of
Orosius to St. Austin: "I have obeyed your commands (my most honoured
lord); I wish I could say, to as much purpose as I have done it
willingly: but I satisfy myself with the bare testimony of my
obedience, wherein my will and endeavour is at least seen."
Such is your lordship's value for the
Holy Scriptures, such hath been your care to promote and encourage the
explication of them for the benefit of others, that you have not
disdained my poor endeavours of this kind; animating me to a progress
in what I have begun, not only with bare entreaties, but with the
additions of your lordship's counsel, assistance, patronage, and
bounty.
I should be the most stupid amongst
men, if such kind and benign encouragements should not inflame me to
attempt something, wherein at least I may give your lordship some
specimen, not only of my obedience, but gratitude.
I confess myself, by I know not what
kind of genius, warmly carried out towards these kind of studies, than
which nothing can to me be more delightsome and satisfactory. But when
it pleases your lordship both to add such sails to my little vessel,
and also fill those sails with such gales of your favour, I still the
more pleasingly engage myself, having not only the conscience of my
own duty, but an ambition of serving your lordship, and approving
myself grateful to quicken me to it.
Under your lordship's wings, do these
worthless labours of mine adventure abroad; alas! how much below your
patronage, short of your worth, and indeed of my own undertaking; the
thin and slender product of a plentiful watering, aiming at great
things but trifling in the performance.
I took, I confess, a high flight,
when I attempted the explication of this evangelist; but how weak and
languid I have proved, (besides that the thing itself speaks
sufficiently,) there shall be none readier to accuse, than I to
condemn myself. Let then the reader spare his censure, for I will load
myself with a shameful acknowledgment, that I have adventured in
things too high for me: and when he sees this, perhaps he will forgive
me undertaking so difficult a task, wherein my design hath been only
to be useful: nay, perhaps pity me if I cannot indeed attain at what I
would. But if he will neither forgive nor pity, but still carp and
censure me, let him make the experiment upon this evangelist himself;
and see if he also may not step as short as I have done.
My lord, I have this comfort
however, that I have not been idle: I had rather puzzle myself with
hard and knotty inquiries, than wear out my time in either doing
nothing or trivially. Nor can I reproach myself that I have made this
research into this sacred volume through unwarrantable curiosity, but
out of humble sincere zeal of mind, both to learn what I can myself,
and teach others; offering, I hope, nothing that is noxious, and
sometimes that that may profit.
But, my lord, that which is my
principal encouragement is, the patronage and candour of so great a
man, who I cannot but hope will accept this small trifling gift
with a gentle and easy aspect, from the frequent experiment I have
already made. But I must recall that rash word gift, when all
that I can offer to your lordship is absolute debt: and alas! how poor
a paymaster does your lordship find of me! A few sorry scribblings for
great and substantial kindnesses not to be reckoned up. Yet such they
are, that bring along with them all the returns of thanks that I am
able to make. And since I have nothing else, may the great God of
heaven, of his infinite goodness and bounty, reward you with all
manner of felicity, temporal and eternal: which he from his heart
wishes and makes it his daily prayer, who is,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most humble,
most obliged, and faithful servant,
John Lightfoot
