FOREIGN THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY. VOLUME V. Olshausen's Commentary on the Gospels, VOL. I. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED THE SAME AUTHOR'S Proof of the Eenuineness of the New Testament Writings. EDINBURGH: T. & T. CLARK, 38 GEORGE STREET. LONDON: SEELEY AND CO.; WARD AND CO.; AND JACKSON AND WALFORD. PHILADELPHIA: S. AGNEW. BOSTON: TAPPAN AND DENNET. MDCCCXLVII. ON THE GOSPELS, ADAPTED ESPECIALLY FOR PREACHERS AND STUDENTS. BY HERMANN OLSHAUSEN, D.D., PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ERLANGEN. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES, BY DR SERGIUS LOEWE, AUTHOR OF A CRITICAL LIFE of Fr. von SCHILLER," ETC. VOLUME I. EDINBURGH: T. & T. CLARK, 38 GEORGE STREET. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO.; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO.; MDCCCXLVII. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. THE Author of the present Commentary belongs to that class of men, whom a wise Providence raises from time to time, to declare to the world that Religion is no empty sound, and that the Christian religion is least so. It is well for the just cause, that while it is defended by Hilax and Likodes,' whereby it frequently becomes the victim of the zeal of both parties, men inspired by God, and penetrated by the Divine truths contained in his holy word, should come forward, and rescue it from the hand of its would-be defenders. Such a man is, or rather was, Dr Hermann Olshausen. Remarkable for his extensive learning, sincere and heartfelt belief in the Saviour of mankind, this illustrious writer occupied no mean position in the present orthodox school of Germany. Like Tholuck and others, he was conspicuous in the sphere of German research and learning. Nor was Germany blind to his merits. He had, and still has, a great number of admirers, or rather followers, who have contributed in a great measure to his universal celebrity. But, he lacked no opponents, if not declared enemies; and yet even these must admit that he was distinguished for extraordinary talents, for a right cultivation of them, and for an incessant activity to benefit the church of Christ. A rare moveableness and restlessness of mind, the greatest and most wonderful powers to express the most varied frames of his mind, an eagle eye capable of penetrating into the deepest recesses of truth, exquisite language, and a rare productive talent, so that even the most insignificant subject assumes in his hands a pleasing and interesting form,-are but a few of those traits that distinguish our commentator. With the foregoing he combines a predilection for assimilating and using 1 Das beschützte Lamm (the protected lamb). A Fable; by J. C. E. Lessing. 79137 |