Prufrock
Arbitrary Moderation
I have been sitting in a hospital waiting room for a long time and am not able to get work done while here, so I thought I would try to put my time to good use. Many people produce lists of "The Best Commentaries." This is not one of those lists. Instead, I was searching through my files (and the placeholders in my files) and thought that a list of *all* the old Reformed commentaries would be a highly useful resource. Thus, while it is obvious many works will be left out, I have attempted to create a database of which 16th and 17th century British and Continental Reformed commentators have published on which books. The reader will note that a few 18th century authors have slipped in (and even a nineteenth century author by accident -- a prize to the person who notices first!). I have restricted myself to Reformed authors, which means I have indeed passed by several good works which are Lutheran. Also, contrary to a list such as Spurgeon's list of commentaries, this passes by many grammatical and exegetical works from the 18th, 19th (and by extension 20th centuries), focusing strictly upon those old, orthodox (generally dogmatic) Reformed commentaries. Also, the reader will note that many of these works are yet in Latin. Apologies. This is designed simply to serve as a database for those doing research or sermon prep who want to know what older resources are available. Which brings me to my last point -- *almost* all of the works included on this list are available in electronic format somehow -- whether through free resources such as googlebooks, Internet Archives, the Munich library, or any of the sources listed on Calvin Seminary's wonderful new resource; but many of them are, indeed, through databases which require subscription. Thus, here is the NT list -- or at least part of it if I don't finish it quickly enough. (Finally, please feel free to mention any works left out, so long as they fit the parameters of this list and I will include them!)
The Whole New Testament:
1. Beza, Theodore Annotations. The full version of this is only available in Latin, but is pure gold.
2. Bullinger, Heinrich. Bullinger produced (mostly all still in Latin):
4. Cameron, John produced annotations on the NT.
5. Cartwright, Thomas. Confutation of the Rhemists translation.
6. Diodati -- Brief annotations.
7. The Dutch Annotations -- brief annotations prepared by order of the Synod of Dort.
8. Geneva Bible annotations.
9. Henry, Matthew. Practical commentary on the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles. He died before working on the the epistles, so they were done by others and published with his work.
10. Leigh, Edward produced his Critica Sacra of philological and theological annotations on scripture.
11. Piscator, Johannes composed annotations upon all the NT, with (I think) the exception of Revelation. Latin.
12. Poole, Matthew, Synopsis Criticorum. This was his attempt at a synopsis of all the critical remarks of all commentators. Valuable as a "one stop shop." Mostly Latin, though the Matthew Poole Project has now released some NT material. Also, he wrote his English Annotations, a commentary of a quite different nature than his previous work (though the whole of the NT of this work was completed by others, as well as much of the OT, on account of his death).
13.Trapp, John
14. Westminster Annotations. Prepared by various British divines.
15. Zwingli, Ulrich wrote annotations upon the NT. Latin. Of historical interest, but unfortunately I have found little use for them.
16. Baxter, Richard - though his name's appearance here (along with Cameron's) might be suspect, nevertheless his paraphrase of the NT can have value.
17. Cocceius, Johannes. Commentaries, annotations or scholia in all books of the New Testament.
18. Mayer, John. English.
19. Pearson, John, et al. Critici Sacri. A massive anthology of various Reformed exegetes on each verse of scripture.
20. Marlorat, Augustin. Novi Testamenti Catholica expositio ecclesiastica... Latin compilation of Greek text and notes by many exegetes.
21. Aretius, Benedictus. Commentarii in Novum Testamentum.
Remember for all following categories that the above works also apply, as they cover the whole of the NT.
The Gospels
Matthew:
Mark
Luke:
John
Acts
Romans
The Corinthian Letters
Galatians
Ephesians
End of part 1. I should be sitting again later, and will organize the second half.
The Whole New Testament:
1. Beza, Theodore Annotations. The full version of this is only available in Latin, but is pure gold.
2. Bullinger, Heinrich. Bullinger produced (mostly all still in Latin):
a. A Harmony of the Gospels
b. Commentaries on Mark, John, Acts and the Epistles
c. A series of sermons from the Apocalypse
3. Calvin - Harmony on the Gospels, and commentaries on all NT books except Revelation. b. Commentaries on Mark, John, Acts and the Epistles
c. A series of sermons from the Apocalypse
4. Cameron, John produced annotations on the NT.
5. Cartwright, Thomas. Confutation of the Rhemists translation.
6. Diodati -- Brief annotations.
7. The Dutch Annotations -- brief annotations prepared by order of the Synod of Dort.
8. Geneva Bible annotations.
9. Henry, Matthew. Practical commentary on the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles. He died before working on the the epistles, so they were done by others and published with his work.
10. Leigh, Edward produced his Critica Sacra of philological and theological annotations on scripture.
11. Piscator, Johannes composed annotations upon all the NT, with (I think) the exception of Revelation. Latin.
12. Poole, Matthew, Synopsis Criticorum. This was his attempt at a synopsis of all the critical remarks of all commentators. Valuable as a "one stop shop." Mostly Latin, though the Matthew Poole Project has now released some NT material. Also, he wrote his English Annotations, a commentary of a quite different nature than his previous work (though the whole of the NT of this work was completed by others, as well as much of the OT, on account of his death).
13.Trapp, John
14. Westminster Annotations. Prepared by various British divines.
15. Zwingli, Ulrich wrote annotations upon the NT. Latin. Of historical interest, but unfortunately I have found little use for them.
16. Baxter, Richard - though his name's appearance here (along with Cameron's) might be suspect, nevertheless his paraphrase of the NT can have value.
17. Cocceius, Johannes. Commentaries, annotations or scholia in all books of the New Testament.
18. Mayer, John. English.
19. Pearson, John, et al. Critici Sacri. A massive anthology of various Reformed exegetes on each verse of scripture.
20. Marlorat, Augustin. Novi Testamenti Catholica expositio ecclesiastica... Latin compilation of Greek text and notes by many exegetes.
21. Aretius, Benedictus. Commentarii in Novum Testamentum.
Remember for all following categories that the above works also apply, as they cover the whole of the NT.
The Gospels
- Bucer, Martin wrote a harmony of the Gospels. Latin. (Also, he wrote separately on each gospel, though these are not included below).
- Burman, Franz appears to have written a harmony of the Evangelists in Dutch.
- Cartwright, Thomas. Harmonia evangelica, commentario, analytico, metaphrasitco, practico, illustrata.
- Gryneaus, J.J. Latin. I am not sure as to the precise nature of this work.
- Gwalther, Rudolf. Latin.
- Lightfoot, Bishop John. The Harmony of the Four Evangelists Among Themselves, in Works 4 and 5; also, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae; or, Hebrew and Talumudical Exercitations upon..., which covers Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans and 1 Corinthians.
- Scultetus, Abraham. Latin.
Matthew:
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin. On all four gospels.
- Daneau, Lambert.
- Dickson, David. Scottish divine.
- de Dieu, Loedwijk.
- Gomarus, Franciscus. Not a full commentary. Latin.
- Musclus, Wolfgang. Massive. Latin.
- Oecolampadius, Johannes. Latin.
- Pareus, David. Leigh highly esteemed this work. Latin.
- Ridley, Lancelot. English.
- Van Til, Salomon. Dutch.
- Marlorat, Augustin. English.
- Junius, Franciscus. Latin.
Mark
- Daneau, Lambert. Latin.
- de Dieu, Loedwijk.
- Junius, Franciscus. Latin.
- Marlorat, Augustin. English.
- Pareus, David. Latin.
- Petter, George.
Luke:
- de Dieu, Loedwijk
- Gomarus, Franciscus. Latin.
- Pareus, David. Latin.
- Foote, James. Lectures in English.
- Marlotat, Augustin. English.
- Lambert, Franz. Latin.
John
- Alesius, Alexander. Latin.
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin.
- Bucer, Martin. Latin. Enarratio in evangelion Johannis
- Daneau, Lambert.
- Gomarus, Franciscus. Latin.
- Hesenius, Daniel. Latin.
- Hutcheson, George. English.
- Lampe, Friedrich. 3 Vols. Latin.
- Marlorat, Augustin. English. (Wrote on whole NT; will hence forth only list those separate works which have appeared in English)
- Musculus, Wolfgang.
- Oecolampadius, Johannes. Latin.
- Pareus, David. Latin.
- Rollock, Robert. English. On portions of the last several chapters on John.
Acts
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin.
- de Dieu, Loedwijk.
- Grynaeus, Johann Jakob.
- Gwalther, Rudolf. English! Successor of Bullinger at Zurich.
- Lightfoot, John. English.
Romans
- Alting, J. Latin. Commentarius in Epistolam ad Romanos, cui affixa est analysis nitidissima totius ejusem epistolae.
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin. In Commentarii in omnes epistolas D. Pauli, et canonicas.
- Brown, John (Edinburgh) English. Analytical Expositions of Romans.
- Brown, John (Wamphray) English. An Exposition of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Here.
- Bucer, Martin. Latin. Metaphrasis et enarratio in Epist. D. Pauli apostoli ad Romanos...
- Cocceius, Johannes. Commentarius in Epistolam Pauli ad Romanos. Works, 5.
- Dale, John. English. In Analysis of all the epistles of the New Testament
- de la Faye, Antoine. Latin. Commentarius in Epistolam ad Romanos.
- Dickson, David. English. In An Exposition Of All St. Pauls Epistles
- a Diest, Heinrich. Latin. Conciones in quinque priora capita Epistolae Pauli apostoli, ad Romanos,
- de Dieu, Loedwijk. Animadversiones in Epistolam ad Romanos...
- Gomarus, Franciscus. Latin. Analysis & Explicatio Epistolae Ad Romanos
- Gwalther, Rudolf. In D. Pauli Apostoli Epistolam Ad Romanos Homiliae XCVI
- Hyperius, Andreas. Latin. Commentarii in omnes D. Pauli apostoli epistolas, atque etiam in epistolas D. Iudae
- Leydekker, Melchior. In De mente Pauli in Epistolis ad Romanos et Galatas Exercitatio
- Musculus, Wolfgang. Latin. In Epistolam Romanos commentarii, ...
- Oecolampadius, Johannes. Latin. In Epistolam Ad Romanos Annotationes
- Olevian, Caspar. Latin. In Epistolam D. Pauli Apostoli Ad Romanos Notae
- Pareus, David. Latin. In divinam ad Romanos S. Pauli Epistolam Commentarius, 1620, Heidelberg: here.
- Parr, Elnathan. English. Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans. EEBO.
- Rollock, Robert. Latin. Analysis dialectica in Pauli Apostoli ad Romanos.
- Sclater, William. Incomplete. English. A Key to the Key of Scripture...; covers I-III; An exposition vvith notes on the whole fourth chapter to the the Romanes... on ch. 4. EEBO.
- Turretin, J.A. Latin. In Pauli apostoli ad Romanos epistolae capita XI praelectiones criticae, theologicae et concionatoriae I realize it may seem strange to include him, but he does represent an important period of Reformed exegesis. Available here.
- Van Til, Salomon. Dutch. De Sendbrieven van Paullus aan de Romeinen en Filippenses, ontleedt, verklaardt en betoogt
- Vermigli, Peter Martyr. In Epistolam S. Pauli ad Romanos commetarii doctissimi,...; also Englished in 1568 as Most learned and fruitful Commentaries of D. Peter Marir Vermilius Florentine, ...; and shortly, a new English translation to be released as part of the Peter Martyr Library, translated by Frank James.
- Vitringa, Campegius. Dutch. Verklaringe over de agt eerste capittelen van de Brief Paulli aan de Romeinen
- Willet, Andrew. English. Hexapla: that is, a six-fold commentarie upon the most divine Epistle...
- Wilson, Thomas. English. A commentary on the most divine epistle of St. Paul to the Romans eds. 1614, 1627, 1653 on EEBO.
- See also the vast collection of Homiletic material on various chapters of this epistle from Manton, Binning, Elton, Horton.
The Corinthian Letters
- Akersloot, Theodorus. Dutch. D'eerste Sendbrief van Paulus aan die van Korinthen, ...
- Alphen, Hieronymous van Ontleedende verklaaring van Paullus tweden brief an die Corinther.
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin. See under Romans.
- Coccieus, Johannes. Latin. Commentarius in Epistolas 1 & 2 Corinthios, in Works 5.
- Dickson, David. English. See under Romans.
- Gwalther, Rudolf. Latin. In Priorem D. Pauli Apostoli Ad Corinthios Epistolam Homiliae XCV; and In Posteriorem D. Pauli Apostoli Ad Corinthios Epistolam Homiliae LXIIII
- Hyperius, Andreas. Latin. See under Romans.
- Morton, Thomas. Latin. Expositio prioris epistolae ad Corinthios
- Musculus, Wolfgang. In Apostoli Pauli ambas Epistolas ad Corinthios commentarii
- Pareus, David. Latin. In divinam ad Corinthios priorem S. Pauli apostoli epistolam commentarius
- Rollock, Robert. Latin. In utramque ad Corinthios,...
- Sclater, William. Latin. Utriusque epistolae ad Corinthios explicata analytica,...
- Van Til, Salomon. Latin. Commentarius in quatuor Pauli Epistolas, nempe priorem ad Corinthios, Ephesios, Philippenses, ac Colossenses.; also, Dutch, Kort bondige verklaring over den eersten Brief van Paulus aan die van Korinthen
- Vermigli, Peter Martyr. Latin. In selectissimam S. Pauli priorem ad Corinth. epistolam ... commentarii . Soon to be English in the Peter Martyr Library.
- Vitringa, Campegius. Latin. Exercitationes in difficiliora loca prioris Epistolae Pauli ad Corinthios
Galatians
- Akersloot, Theodorus. Dutch. (also, German translation): de Sendbrief van Paullus an de Galaten.
- Alphen, Hieronymous van. (2 Separate works). Specimina analytica in Epistolas Pauli sex : ratione ordinis temporis, quo scriptae sunt, utrasque ad Thessalonicenses, ad Galatas, ad Ephesios, & ustraque ad Corinthios : inservientia consideratis attentè ad singulas prolegomenis investigationi sensus, scopi, et fili sermonis illarum
- Aretius, Benedict. See under Romans.
- Boston, Thomas. English. A Paraphrase upon the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
- Brown, John.
- Calvin, Jean. Sermons. English.
- Cocceius, Johannes. Latin.
- Dickson, David. English.
- Ferguson, James. English.
- Gomarus, Franciscus. Latin.
- Grynaeus, Johann Jakob.
- Gwalther, Rudolf. Latin.
- Hyperius, Andreas. Latin.
- Leydekker, Melchior. Latin. See under Romans.
- Megander, Caspar. Latin.
- Musculus, Wolfgang. Latin.
- Olevian, Caspar. Latin.
- Pareus, David.
- Perkins, William. English.
- Prime, John. English.
- Rollock, Robert. Latin.
Ephesians
- Aretius, Benedict. Latin.
- Baynes, Paul. English.
- Boyd, Robert. Latin.
- Bucer, Martin. Latin.
- Calvin, Jean. Sermons. English.
- Dickson, David. English.
- Dinant, Petrus. Latin.
- Du Bosc, Pierre. French.
- Goodwin, Thomas. Sermons on the first two chapters. English.
- Ferguson, James. English.
- Gwalther, Rudolf.
- Hyperius, Andreas. Latin.
- Megander, Caspar. Latin.
- Musculus, Wolfgang. Latin.
- Ridley, Lancelot. English.
- Rollock, Robert. Latin.
- Van Til, Salomon. Latin.
- Zanchi, Jerome. Latin.
End of part 1. I should be sitting again later, and will organize the second half.
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