1. In the preparation of this Commentary, my aim throughout has
been evangelical and practical. A study of the Book of Isaiah
suggests many historical, critical, and speculative questions,
but these I have entirely disregarded. I have asked only, What
messages from God has this inspired prophet for the men of this
generation? What instruction has he to give us? What warnings?
What encouragements? What consolations? To these questions I
believe there are answers in the outlines I have myself
prepared, and in those I have obtained from other sources.
2. As my work proceeded, my methods somewhat changed. I discovered
that I had commenced the Commentary on too large a scale, and
that it was in danger of becoming too large and costly. I
therefore ceased to append illustrations to the outlines, and
contented myself with giving references to illustrations in my
_"Homiletic Encyclopædia of Illustrations in Theology and
Morals"_ and my _"Dictionary of Poetical Illustrations,"_ using
for this purpose the letters H. E. I. and P. D.
3. I also ceased to prepare outlines on _all_ the texts, and
limited myself to those most likely to be profitable to ordinary
congregations.
4. As I proceeded, I also became more convinced that a book
intended to be helpful to many minds should contain the best
thoughts of many minds; and therefore, instead of preparing
outlines which might be expanded into sermons, I condensed
sermons preached by others into outlines. Remembering that I was
working for ministers, I stripped the _thoughts_ contained in
those sermons of most of their dress, and so the substance of a
sermon of twenty pages was frequently placed on a page. The
result is that in this volume a hundred and fifty students of
Scripture--Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and
Baptists--combine to offer to their brethren suggestions as to
the best practical uses to which the writings of Isaiah may be
put today.
5. On pp. 447-496 are some valuable outlines obtained too late for
insertion in their proper places. Three of them are interesting
specimens of Welsh preaching.