William Burkitt

Expository Notes, with Practical Observations by William Burkitt

William Burkitt (1650-1703) was a vicar and lecturer in Dedham, England. Burkitt was the son of a Puritan minister, but he became a conforming Reformed clergyman of the Church of England. He is best known for his Expository Notes on the New Testament. Matthew through John was published in 1700 and Acts through Revelation in 1703. After Burkitt’s death in 1703 it went through a number of printings in England. The Notes were very popular going through at least twenty editions during the 19th Century. Both Matthew Henry and Charles Spurgeon valued Burkitt’s work and recommended it highly.

The first American Edition was published in 1794 in New Haven and the second edition (erroneously called the First American Edition on the title page) was published in 1796 by Dunning & Hyer in New York and by William W. Woodward in Philadelphia. It is possible that they began in New York but were unable to finance the venture (even with subscribers) and sold the remaining sheets to Woodward who published them with a new title page. The American editions are large folio volumes and would have been very expensive to purchase.

The New Testament text is the King James Version with few, if any alterations. Burkitt's notes are placed after the biblical text.

British Editions

Tenth Edition - 1734

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Title: Expository Notes, with Practical Observations, on the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherein The Sacred Text is at large Recited, the Sense Explained, and the Instructive Example of the Blessed Jesus and his Holy Apostles to our Imitation Recommended. The Whole designed to encourage the Reading of the Scriptures in Private Families, and to render the Daily Perusal of them Profitable and Delightful. Endeavored by William Burkitt, M.A. Late Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham in Essex. The Tenth Edition carefully Corrected.
Date: Tenth Edition: 1734 (Gospels published 1700, Acts to Revelation published 1703).
Publisher: London: Printed for James, John and P. Knapton, in Ludgate-Street; D. Midwinter, R. Robinson, C. Rivington, in St. Paul's Church Yard; A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, J. Osborn and T. Longman, Jer. Batley, in Pater-noster-Row; J. Downing, in Bartholomew-Close; R. Ford, R. Hett, in Poultry; F. Clay, without Temple-Bar; A. Ward in Little-Britain; T. Ward and E. Wicksteed, in the Inner-Temple-Lane; J. Clarke, in Duck-Lane; and T. Hatchett, under the Royal-Exchange.
Contents: New Testament withBurkitt's Notes
Images: Title page
Comments: This appears to follow the Authorized or King James Version very closely, but I have discovered a few minor variations from the KJV.

American Editions

Second American Edition - 1796

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Title: First American Edition. Expository Notes, with Practical Observations, on the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherein The Sacred Text is at Large Recited, the Sense Explained, and the Instructive Example of the Blessed Jesus, and his Holy Apostles, to our Imitation Recommended. The Whole Designed to Encourage the Reading of the Scriptures in Private Families, and to Render the Daily Perusal of them Profitable and Delightful. By William Burkitt, M.A. Late Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham in Essex. From the Twentieth European Edition, Carefully Corrected. Philadelphia: Printed by William W. Woodward, Chestnut Street, No. 16, Franklin's Head. 1796.
Date: 1796
Publisher: Philadelphia: Printed by William W. Woodward, Chestnut Street, No. 16, Franklin's Head.
Contents: New Testament with Burkitt's Notes
Images: Title page

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