Grotius foresaw that his Commentary on the New Testament would occasion him some disputes.  “I am at a loss, says he, to Vossius, what to do with my Notes on the New Testament.  I shall easily find a bookseller here; but I am afraid of meeting with some difficulties from the Divines, who will have nothing of this kind published without their approbation:  and for my own part, I cannot submit in every thing to either of the two parties, nor can I be silent when I have something that may be of use to deliver.  I shall see how to remedy this inconveniency.  I have no hopes, says he to his brother[512], that the Divines of the Sorbonne will give their approbation to my Notes, especially since they censured Milletiere.  It remains to be considered whether I shall print them in my own house without approbation, of which there have been examples.”

Heinsius’s work, which was expected with so much impatience, had no success[513].  Salmasius (his declared enemy indeed) said publicly, he was ready to shew, that, abstracting what he had borrowed, there would not remain one remark of importance:  and it was held in no higher esteem by others of the first rank in learning[514].  Cardinal Richelieu, being informed that Grotius leaned more to the sentiments of the Roman Catholics, than to those of the Ministers of Charenton, gave orders[515] that his work should be printed without being obliged to pass the censors.  He kept measures however with Heinsius; and desired his brother William Grotius to tell him[516], that he had always said there were several things in his Notes which pleased him much; and that he had made the same remarks in some places that Heinsius had done, by mere chance.

As Grotius had a very great esteem for the learned Father Petau, he communicated to him his works.  On sending him his Notes on the Old Testament, he desired him to hint what alterations he thought necessary.

When his Commentary on the Evangelists was printed at Amsterdam[517], he sent a copy to Father Petau, desiring him to read it, if he had time, and acquaint him what ought to be omitted, added, or changed, that the second edition might appear with more advantage.  “The booksellers of Amsterdam offer to print what I have written on the Old Testament:  but I chose rather to have it printed here, that I may see the last proofs.  I shall expect your remarks, or those of the persons to whom you have communicated what I have written on the first part of the Old Testament.  I would have come for them myself had I not been confined by sore eyes.  I have a high sense of your goodness, he writes again to Petau[518], in taking the trouble to revise my Annotations on the Old Testament, in giving them to those who have time to examine them more strictly, and in contributing by your recommendation to the success of the work.  As I have now an opportunity of putting them to press, I must beg of you to return them as soon as may be with your remarks.  When the rest is transcribed, relying on your goodness I shall take the liberty to interrupt your occupations, however important and useful, by sending it.”