PRACTICAL COMMENTARY, OR AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES ON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 2427 DELIVERED IN SUNDRY WEEKLY LECTURES AT STOKE-NEWINGTON, BY THE REV. THOMAS MANTON, D. D. LONDON: R. GLADDING, 97, AND 98, WHITECHAPEL-ROAD ; HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., 33, PATERNOSTER-ROW, 1842. AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER. GOOD READER, Ir is usual with those that publish books, to premise somewhat by way of excuse and acknowledgment of the unworthiness of what they publish; which, setting aside the modest sense that every man should have of his own endeavours, seemeth not to be without crime. If it be unworthy, the excuse will not make it better or more passable; for this is to adventure upon a crime against conviction, and (if we may allude to a matter so weighty) is somewhat like Pilate's case, who washed his hands, and yet condemned Christ. Usually, such professions are but counterfeit, and that praise which men seem to neglect, or beat back at the first hop, they readily take at next rebound, which certainly is a vain and wicked artifice in divine matters; for, besides the hypocrisy, there is a disparagement done to the precious truths which they publish, whilst they would seem to weaken the esteem of them, that they may the more plausibly promote their own honour. The best that can be said is, that every man in public would appear in a better dress than common infirmity will allow; and to this work we come, not out of choice, but constraint. For my own part (though I know apologies of this nature are little credited), I can freely profess, that I had no itch to appear in public, as conceiving my gifts fitter for private edification; and, being humbled with the constant burthen of four times a week preaching, what could I do? And if I had a mind to divulge my labours, some will wonder that I made choice of this subject, which was conceived in my very youth, and without the least aim of any further publication than to the auditory that then attended upon it; but, it being an entire piece, and being persuaded by the renewed importunity of many gracious ministers and Christians, that it might conduce somewhat to public benefit, I was willing to be deaf to all considerations of my own credit and fame. Wherein is that to be accounted of, so one poor soul receive comfort and profit? The epistle of Jude was with this licensed to the press; but, being wearied with this and the constant returns of my other employment, and hearing that another learned brother* intendeth to publish his elaborate meditations on that epistle, I shall confine my thoughts to that privacy to which I had intended these, had they not been thus publicly drawn forth. The matter herein delivered, will, I conceive, be found holy and useful. If any expression should be found that savoureth not of true piety, or suiteth not with reverence to God, charity to men, or zeal of good works, I do from my soul wish it expunged, and shall upon conviction take the next occasion to retract it. I know some are prejudiced against endeavours of this kind, as if nothing could be said but what hath been said already. For my part, I pretend to nothing novel; and, though *Mr. Jenkins. 144133 |