FERGUSSON'S PREFACE TO GALATIANS
I now here present thee with an exposition of two of
Pauls epistles, after the pattern (so far its my weakness could reach)
held forth by those two reverend brethren, Mr. David Dickson and Mr. George
Hutcheson, in their late pieces of this kind upon other parcels of Holy
Scripture. The reasons of my undertaking (besides what is held forth in the
former epistle) were not any confidence I had to come up to my copy, wherein I
doubt not but, as I myself am very conscious, so the intelligent reader will
easily perceive that I come far short, and that the superstructure by me is
much unanswerable, as to fulness of purpose, accuracy and style of language, to
the foundation laid by them: but, first, an apprehension I had, that as the
completing of such a work as this upon the whole Scripture, is much wished for
by many, and would prove acceptable and profitable to the Church of Christ; so,
many of greater abilities and fitness than I for such a task, who did lie by,
might be strongly induced to contribute their endeavours towards it, if any
essay of mine should be accepted, wherein I bless the Lord, I have not been in
a mistake, as may appear by what is sent abroad to the world since the
publishing of my former piece, by a reverend brother, my nearest
fellow-labourer in the work of the ministry, upon the two epistles of
Peter.
And, secondly I was one of those who, some ten years ago, without my
knowledge, were pitched upon by some Reverend Brethren of the ministry carrying
on this work at which at which time I almost perfected the whole task then
allotted for me; but, through some sad accident in those troubled times, all
the papers I had written on that subject were destroyed and lost, and so a
great part of my time and labour in a manner lost with them; which
notwithstanding did not so much discourage me, but the remembrance of what
sweetness I tasted in that study, and of the manifold advantage wherewith it
did recompense my pains, did make me full seven years after more easy to he
wrought upon and persuaded by the earnest desires of others to make a new
essay, as being confident from former experience, I myself at least should be
no loser by it.
If any shall think this present piece to be of greater
length than the former, and some others of this kind are, I hope they will (for
satisfaction) consider, that seeing the apostle doth discuss a great and
needful controversy in the Epistle to tho Galatians, it requireth time and
enlargement to find and follow the thread of an intricate dispute ; and to
explain those excellent trials, which the apostle doth so much labour to
assert. And as to the Epistle to the Ephesians, it is well known to be so
comprehensive (as containing the whole substance of Christian religion in
little bulk) that hardly can any man (at least not I) satisfy either himself,
or his reader, without enlarging himself somewhat in opening up such a rich
treasure and excellent subject.
I know there may he much coincidence of
doctrines, which do natively arise from those epistles and from those others In
the Phillippians and Colossians ; but, the reader may, for his satisfaction,
consider that (besides I have frequently referred him to those places, where
such doctrines were formerly raised) seeing the Spirit of God hath thought it
necessary to assert truths oftener than once, in several scriptures, for our
further confirmation, it should not be thought an idle repetition in a matter
to draw out the same conclusion from the same truth.
I do not only hold
forth the doctrine and conclusion, which flow naturally from the text; but also
couch in some explanations, cautions, reasons, and sometimes some short uses ;
for those serve to obviate mistakes about the truth in hand, and to leave some
impression of it upon the heart and affections. If any take exception that
scriptures are too frequently cited, and think they are hereby retarded from
making progress in reading the treatise, they may be pleased to consider, that
I cite no scriptures to confirm the doctrines themselves, which, as I conceive,
are sufficiently grounded upon, and confirmed from the text, but only the
cautions, reasons, and uses of those doctrines, which not being grounded upon
the present scripture, I desired none to take off my hand upon trust.
However, if any understand the purpose to be truth, aud grounded upon
Scripture, he needeth not stand to seek the particular passage, which is
brought to prove it, except he please and judge it couvenient, that he may have
some further ground of meditation upou the truth in hand thereby afforded. And
now, beloved Christians, let me exbort you all, aud especially you to whom tbe
Lord hath carved out such a lot in things worldly that ye have abundance of
time and leisure from your other employments, give more of your time to the
searching of Scripture, and labour to understaud tbe mind of God concerning
your salvation revealed therein. Hereby shall you be preserved from being led
aside by Satans emissaries, who do err, not knowing the Scriptures, Matt.
xxii. 29. Hereby ye are wise unto salvation, and rendered over your strongest
lusts, and tho for the most difficult duties, while his Spirit shall make the
Scripture unto you for doctrine, for reproof, for for instruction in
righteousness, shall make you perfect, thoroughly furnished for good works, 2
Tim. iii. 16, 17. Only to the gaining of those rich advantages by reading
Scripture, ye would read, conscientiously, attentively, and do not slight to
take what helps you from the labours of others, for attaining increase of solid
knowledge and and grace. What human frailties you discern in these works of
mine (which doubtless are not a few) pity them, and so much the more pray for
me that I may discern and amend them: and be so faithful and free as to
advertise them immediately, or by causing others to aquaint me with them, I
shall (God willing) be thankful, and endeavour to make the best use I can of
their freedom, knowing that such reproofs will not break my head, but be as
ointment. The great and gracious God will bless your endeavours for advancing
yourselves and your relations in knowledge and grace. So prayeth,
Your
servant in the Lord, JAMES FERGUSSON
Back to
Menu