004. Publisher’s Advertisement

PUBLISHER’S ADVERTISEMENT In issuing the First Volume of this extensive Series of Standard Divines, the Publisher desires to acknowledge the obligations under which he has been placed by those whom he has consulted, for the hearty encouragement and ready aid which have been accorded to him so frankly and freely. The general approval which his Proposal met with from all sections of the Church, was a sufficient indication to him that the undertaking was likely to commend itself specially to those for whom it was designed. He has, accordingly, made arrangements for the publication of the Series with all the care he could exercise, so that, so far as was in his power, it should be worthy of the expectations formed of it. For details of the Scheme and Conditions of Publication, he begs respectfully to refer to his Prospectus, the issue of which he has deemed it better to defer till he could submit the First Volume to inspection. By adopting this course, intending Subscribers can judge fully of the scope of the Scheme, and of the manner in which the Works will be produced.

If to some the Publisher has appeared to be tardy in his movements, he can safely affirm he has not been unmindful of the responsibilities attaching to him in connexion with this enterprise. He has corresponded largely with distinguished Minister, wherever the English language is spoken, and endeavoured to perfect his arrangements as far as possible before bringing out the First Volume, that no difficulty might arise to interfere with the regular production of the Series. To those who are acquainted with the ponderous Folios of Goodwin, it does not require to be stated how numerous are the errors of the printer, how careless has been the punctuation, and how singularly inaccurate are the references to Scripture. To these points special attention has been given, and every text quoted has been verified. With the exception of changing the spelling to modern usage, adjusting the punctuation, and deleting redundant pronouns in such passages as the following,—“Adam he was created holy,”—the integrity of the text has been scrupulously preserved; and it is hoped the Edition will be recognised as possessing a great superiority over the original Folios. The Editor’s object has been to let the Author speak for himself, without attempting to explain his meaning by voluminous notes. The reader will thus be his own commentator. It is, however, designed to give, in the closing Volume of Goodwin,—and similarly with the other Works in the Series,—whatever important information can be elicited during the progress of the Scheme. It is anxiously wished to explain all allusions, to give references to sources of information concerning names, places, and facts incidentally referred to by the Author, and, generally, to supply in an Appendix whatever information can be obtained regarding the Author or his Writings which will enhance the value of the Edition, and be of interest to the reader. Contributions to this Appendix will be gratefully received by the Publisher, as well as a note of any inaccuracy which may have escaped detection. It is known only to those who have undertaken the preparation of such copy for the press how toilsome a work it is, and how difficult to detect every flaw which exists. The Volumes of this Series will probably present considerable difference in their thickness, as it will be an object to classify, as systematically as possible, the Writings of the Authors. Each Volume or consecutive Volumes will thus contain complete Treatises, or subjects of a cognate kind; but in each year it will be the Publisher’s endeavour to supply the full average of pages stated in his Prospectus, in accordance with the number of Subscribers he may obtain. The Publisher places much reliance on the spontaneous pledges of co-operation he has received from numerous sources, and he trusts that various considerations will influence the friends of the Scheme to make it known to their acquaintance, and that Clergymen and Ministers will bring it under the notice of those laymen in their congregations who are likely to appreciate such a Series. The necessary extent of circulation would thus be attained, and all would derive the advantage of the full development of the Scheme.

Edinburgh, April 1861.