1594 JOHN JEWEL. Exposition Upon Thessalonians. One of Earliest English Commentaries.

As the Reformation blossomed in 16th century England, access to Scriptures and the faithful preaching of the Gospel, especially as articulated in Romans, lay at the core of the movement. Attempts at published expositions were scarce. William Tyndale engaged in some published exposition, i.e. I John [1531] and Matthew 5-7 [1533]. Aside from these works, there were very few. English Reformers focused on the process of Reformation and published often smaller, controversial works or works regarding the Reformation's impact on the Anglican Church.

Jewel engaged this controversy with vigor, in support of the Anglican church and certainly was the leader of the Reformation wing of the Anglican church. 

As access to Scripture increased, the appetite for exposition grew also. Rather than new works English commentators, the Reformers instead began the process of translating the Continental Reformers. So Calvin's Expositions were Englysh'd [as they styled it], Martin Luther on Galatians, etc. 

Perhaps the first English exposition to be widely read and distributed, quickly going through four editions, was the present, John Jewel's [1522-1571] Exposition of I & II Thessalonians [1562, 1st]

Jewel was a second-generation English Reformer; a disciple of Pietro Martire Vermigli, i.e. Peter Martyr, and was Secretary to the martyred Bishop, Nicholas Ridley.

Jewel, John. An Exposition upon the Two Epistles of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. By the reverend Father John Jewel, late Bishop of Sarisburie. Whereunto is adjoyned a very necessary Table of the principall matters contained in this Exposition. At London. Printed for Ralfe Newberie. anno salutis humanae. 1594. 387pp.

Rather rare in the trade. A 16th century edition in worse condition textually sold at Sotheby's in 2021 for just under $2,000 with commissions.

A textually well-preserved example, complete and generally very clean. Bound by Mudie of London in the 19th century, some light rubbing, a bit more so on hinges. Nicely consolidated.