To the Reader.
IT is a Truth acknowledged
by all, of all persuasions, viz. The
Scripture to be the best interpreter of Scripture. To this I shall add a
few things.
I. Such is the
fulness and perfection of the holy Scripture, as it hath enough, and
sufficiency in it self for the Explanation and opening of the Sence and
meaning of it.
II. That this Explanation
and Opening of Scripture by Scripture, is attainable; and (by Gods
blessing) may be done, and with such fulness of matter, and clearness to the
truth of the Sence, as there will be little need for other Interpreters,
much less for men to impose their private Interpretations, and bold Glosses
upon the Text.
III. I do not
know any way whereby the Word of God (as to the Majesty, Authority, Truth,
perfection, &c. of it) can be more honored and held forth: and the Adversaries
of it (of all sorts) so thorowly convinced, and silenced, as to have the Scripture
to be its own Interpreter. This I am sure, did men in their Expositions
on the Scriptures speak less themselves, and the Scripture more, the
Scripture would have more honour, and themselves less.
But here I must
confess, to have a Scripture-interpreter,
in the way I speak, Viz. of that Sufficiency
and Fulness, as there should be no need to seek farther for the Sence
and meaning of the Text: There are many things first to be done; among which
some particulars I shall briefly set down.
I. That the Original
Text of Scripture be rightly Translated, and, as much as possible, even
word for word, without departing from the Letter of Scripture in the
least. For it is necessary to preserve the Letter intire, how inconvenient,
yea, how absurd soever and harsh it may seem to men’s carnal Reason: because
the foolishness of God is wiser then men.
II. That Scripture
Metaphors be not omitted, nor mistranslated one for another, but rightly
opened.
III. Concerning
the various Readings: here all care, study, and endeavour ought to be
used, that nothing be taken but what is breathed by the Spirit of God in
the Text.
IV. That the Genuine
and proper signification of the Original words be truly opened, and
explained; for this is of great use and furtherance to the work I mention.
V. The doubts
and seeming differences be carefully heeded, and by Parallel
Scriptures reconciled.
VI. That some
words which are in the Original Tongues left untranslated be translated, and
their signification opened. For howsoever such words to some may seem
unfruitful, and afford not such matter in the Letter, yet according to the manifold
wisdom of God, (and as the spiritual man judgeth) there is an
excellent meaning of the Spirit in them.
Lastly. The Original
particles are to be minded, and special notice taken of them, as a thing of
great Concernment, to shew the Connexion of the Text and Context.
There are other
particulars besides these, to have an exact and full Scripture-interpreter, but I shall refer them to another Time,
and Place more proper. What I have done concerning this work, the thing it self
will shew when it cometh forth: and therefore I will say nothing more or less: but onely as Christ said of the
woman, I have done what I could.
Something I will
speak of the Reasons and Grounds whereby I have been encouraged in
this kinde of labor.
1. The sweetness
and great content that I have had all along in this Scripture work, hath
caused me to account other studies and readings (which I formerly
used) very low in comparison of it. It is said of Jacob, that he
served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed but a few days, for the love he
had to her. I can truly speak it, I have served the Lord in this work more
than thrise seven years, and the time hath not seemed long, neither hath
the work been any way a burden to me, for the love I have had to it.
But 2. That
which hath more encouraged me, hath been a perswasion and good hope, that many
will have much Soul good, and spiritual Comfort by it. For 1 Some
people wilbe the more willing and forward to read and Search the Scriptures;
having by them a Guide and Help: as when they meet with any place
which is dark and they understand it not, then by direction to some
other Text of Scripture immediately to be informed and satisfied, without
looking into Commentaries which may be they have not. 2. A Scripture Interpreter
will encourage men to exercise themselves, and in the meditation and Study
of the Scriptures: as when a man hath a light carried before him, he
goeth more cheerfully, then if he were in the dark, and groped for his way. 3. By
this means not onely the knowledge of God and his Truth will grow and increase:
But the Scriptures wilbe unto people more familiar and more their own (as I may
say) then they were before: For those things which we hear from others, or have
out of Books, usually soon come, and soon gone: whereas such Truths
as are gotten by our own searching the Scriptures (the Lord giving a
blessing to it) doe abide and continue with us.
4. Seeing it is
the Spirit of God, that inlivens and breathes in the Scriptures,
where can we expect the presence of this good Spirit, if not in the
search and Meditation of the Scriptures. I speak not to the derogation of Commentators
and other works of godly men: yet this I say, we making our prayer to the
onely wise God, may expect the pouring out of the Spirit, as to be guided
into the truth of the sence of the Scriptures in Reading and Studying them, more
then in reading other Books.
5. That the
Scriptures every where, are so much Neglected, so little honoured and regarded
among men, one reason is, their Ignorance of them: to have therefore
this Ignorance removed, and the word of God loved and delighted in,
there cannot be (as I humbly conceive) a better way and meanes then a
Scripture self-Interpreter.
6. It is not the
Scripture that leadeth men into Errours and By-wayes, but the Misinterpretations,
and false Glosses imposed upon it, as when men by perverting the Scripture
to their own Principles and purposes will make them speak their
sence, and private Interpretation. Laying therefore aside mens
Interpretations, and onely following the Scripture Interpreting it self,
it must needs be the best way, and freest from Errors.
But 3, That
which hath most encouraged me is, the honour and glory of God: which I
hope and desire will redound to his holy Name by it. And therefore whosoever
shall reap any benefit either by this or what followeth, I beg of him for
Christs sake that he give praise to God alone.
For conclusion,
These Scripture-References, they are FEW, to those I could have produced.
But I have made
it a great part of my work to comprise much in a little room, and therefore
have viewed over all my Larger Notes, and with my own hand from beginning
to the end, verse after verse, have chosen the most principall and
proper Texts, so far as the Margin could contain. Besides I have used
what care and diligence I could, to avoid all Mistakes in the Notes,
and to have them placed in a right and due order.
Moreover
(Reader) I intend God assisting with health and life, to set forth an Edition
of the Bible in a large and fair Character, with large Annotations (a work
I have been many years upon) and to make what speed I can. But the work will be
heavy and require Care and Time.
For I purpose Therein
to set forth all that I have done concerning the Scripture interpreter:
whether I shall live to see it finished, God onely known: Howsoever it is ready
and prepared for the press: so that if the Lord take me away before it be published,
what remains of the Copy unprinted I shall leave in such hands as will (I doubt
not) be both carefull and faithfull in accomplishing my Intentions;
which that it may be to the glory of God, and good of his people every where,
is my earnest prayer.
John Canne.
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