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copies from which this Tranflation was made, are always the most correct. And therefore I fhall take the liberty, as occafion may require, to make here and there a small al

teration.

5. I am very fenfible this will be liable to objection; nay, to objections of quite oppofite kinds. Some will probably think, the Text is altered too much; and others, that it is altered too little. To the former I would observe, that I have never knowingly, fo much as in one place, altered it, for altering's fake: but there, and there only, where, first, the sense was made better, ftronger, clearer, or more confiftent with the context: fecondly, where the sense being equally good, the phrafe was better or nearer the original. To the latter, who think the alterations too few, and that the Translation might have been nearer still, I answer, this is true; I acknowledge it might. But what valuable end would it have answered, to multiply fuch trivial alterations, as add neither clearness nor strength to the Text? This I could not prevail upon myself to do: fo much the less, because there is, to my apprehenfion, I know not what culiarly folemn and venerable in the old language of our Tranflation. And fuppofe this to be a mistaken apprehenfion, and an inftance of human infirmity; yet is it not an excufable infirmity, to be unwilling to part with what we have been long accustomed to, and to love the very words, by which GOD has often conveyed strength or comfort to our fouls?

pe

6. I have endeavoured to make the Notes as short as poffible, that the Comment may not obfcure or swallow up the Text: and as plain as poffible, in pursuance of my main defign, to affift the unlearned reader: for this reason I have ftudioufly avoided, not only all curious and critical enquiries, and all use of the learned languages, but all fuch methods of reasoning and modes of expreffion, as people in Common Life are unacquainted with: for the fame reason, as I rather endeavour to obviate than to propose and answer objections, fo I purpofely decline going deep into many difficulties, left I fhould leave the ordinary Reader behind me.

7. I once defigned to write down, barely what occurred to my own mind, confulting none but the infpired Writers. But no fooner was I acquainted with that great light of the Christian World (lately gone to his reward) Bengelius, than I entirely changed my design, being throughly convinced, it might be of more fervice to the cause of religion, were I

barely

barely to translate his Gnomon Novi Teftamenti, than to writemany volumes upon it. Many of his excellent Notes I have therefore tranflated. Many more I have abridged; omitting that part which was purely critical, and giving the fubstance of the rest. Thofe various readings likewise which he has shewed to have a vast majority of ancient copies and tranflations on their fide, I have without fcruple incorporated with the Text: which after his manner I have di vided all along (though not omitting the common divifion into chapters and verses, which is of ufe on various accounts) according to the matter it contains, making a larger or smaller pause, just as the sense requires. And even this is fuch an help in many places, as one who has not tried it can fcarcely conceive.

8. I am likewife indebted for fome useful observations, to Dr. Heylin's Theological Lectures: and for many more to Dr. Guyfe, and to the Family Expofitor of the late pious and learned Dr. Doddridge. It was a doubt with me for fome time, whether I fhould not fubjoin to every Note I received from them, the name of the author from whom it was taken; especially confidering I had transcribed fome, and abridged many more, almoft in the words of the author. But upon farther confideration, I refolved to name none, that nothing might divert the mind of the reader from keeping clofe to the point in view, and receiving what was fpoke, only according to its own intrinfic value.

9. I cannot flatter myself so far (to use the words of one of the above-named writers) as to imagine that I have fallen into no mistakes, in a work of fo great difficulty. But my own conscience acquits me of having defignedly mifre presented any fingle paffage of Scripture, or of having written one line, with a purpose of inflaming the hearts of Christians against each other. GOD forbid that I should make the words of the most gentle and benevolent Jefus, a vehicle to convey fuch poison. Would' to GOD that all the party names, and unfcriptural phrafes and forms, which have divided the Christian World, were forgot: and that we might all agree to fit down together, as humble, loving Difciples, at the feet of our common Mafter, to hear his Word, to imbibe his Spirit, and to transcribe his Life in our own!

10. Concerning the Scriptures in general, it may be ob ferved, the Word of the living GoD, which directed the

A-3

first

first Patriarchs, was, in the time of Mofes, committed to writing. To this were added, in feveral fucceeding gene. rations, the infpired writings of the other Prophets. After. wards, what the Son of God preached, and the Holy Ghoft fpake by the Apostles, the Apoftles and Evange lifts wrote. This is what we now ftile the Holy Scriptures: this is that word of God which remaineth for ever: of which, though heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle fhall not pass away. The Scripture therefore of the Old and New Teftament, is a moft folid and precious fyftem of divine truth. Every part thereof is worthy of God: and all together are one entire body, wherein is no defect, no excess. It is the fountain of heavenly wisdom, which they who are able to tafte, prefer to all the writings of men, however wife, or learned, or holy.

11. An exact knowledge of the truth, was accompanied in the infpired writers with an exactly regular series of arguments, a precife expreffion of their meaning, and a genuine vigour of suitable affections. The chain of Argument in each Book is briefly exhibited in the Table prefixt to it, which contains alfo the fum thereof, and may be of more ufe, than prefixing the argument to each chapter; the divifion of the New Teftament into chapters, having been made in the dark ages, and very incorrectly; often feparating things that are clofely joined, and joining those that are entirely diftinct from each other.

12. In the language of the facred Writings, we may obferve the utmost depth, together with the utmost ease. All the elegances of human compofitions fink into nothing before it: GOD fpeaks not as man, but as Gov. His thoughts are very deep; and thence his words are of inexhauftible virtue. And the language of his messengers alfo is exact in the highest degree: for the words which were given them, accurately anfwered the impreffion made upon their minds and hence Luther fays, "Divinity is nothing but a grammar of the language of the Holy Ghoft." To underftand this thoroughly, we fhould obferve the emphafis which lies on every word; the holy affections expreft thereby, and the tempers fhewn by every writer. But how little are thefe, the latter especially, regarded? though they are wonderfully diffused through the whole New Teftament, and are, in truth, a

of him, who acts, or speaks, ored commendation

3. The

13. The New Teftament is, all thofe facred writings in which the New Teftament or covenant is defcribed. The former part of this contains the Writings of the Evange lifts and Apostles: the latter, the revelation of Jefus Chrift. In the former is, firft, the hiftory of Jefus Chrift, from his coming in the flesh, to his ascension into heaven; then, the institution and history of the Christian Church, from the time of his afcenfion. The Revelation delivers what is to be, with regard to Chrift, the church, and the universe, till the confummation of all things.

BRISTOL HOT-WELLS, January 4, 1754.

NOTES ON THE GOSPEL
According to St. Matthew.

HE GOSPEL, (that is, Good Tidings) means a book containing the good tidings of our falvation by Jefus Chrift.

TH

St. Mark in his gospel prefuppofes that of St. Matthew, and supplies what is omitted therein. St. Luke fupplies what is omitted by both the former: St. John what is omitted by all the three.

St. Matthew particularly points out the fulfilling of the prophecies for the conviction of the Jews. St. Mark wrote a fhort compendium, and yet added many remarkable circumftances omitted by St. Matthew, particularly with regard to the Apoftles, immediately after they were called. St. Luke treated principally of the office of Chrift, and mostly in an hif torical manner. St. John refuted those who denied his Godhead: each chufing to treat more largely on thofe things, which most fuited the time when, and the persons to whom he wrote.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew, contains,

I. The birth of Chrift, and what prefently followed it:

a. His genealogy,

b. His birth,

c. The coming of the wife men,

d. His flight into Egypt and return,

II. The introduction:

a John the Baptist,

b. The Baptifm of Chrift,

c. His temptation and victory,

C. i. 1--17 18-25

C. ii.

1-12

13-23

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1-11

III. The actions and words by which Jefus proved he was

the Chrift:

4. At Capernaum,

Where we may obferve

1. His Preaching,

12-16

17 18-22

23-25

4. Sermon

2, Calling Andrew, and Peter, James, and John,

3. Preaching and healing, with a great concourfe of

people,

At Capernaum again..

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many that were fick,

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16

In his journey (wherein he admonished two that offered

to follow him) over the sea:

Here, we may observe,

1. His dominion over the winds and feas,

2. The Devils paffing from the Men into the Swine,

1. He cures the Paralytic,

18-27 28-34

Here, C. ix.

1

2. Calls Matthew, and defends his converfing with
Pablicans and Sinners,

9-13

3. Anfwers concerning Fafting,

14-17

4. Raifes Jairus' Daughter (after curing the Issue of

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7. Goes through the Cities, and directs to pray for
Labourers,

35-38

8. Sends and inftructs Labourers, and preaches Him-
felf,

9. Anfwers the Meffage of John,

10 Commends John, reproves the unbelieving Cities,

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14. Cures the Demoniac, while the People wonder,
and the Pharifees blafpheming are refuted,

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1. Herod having killed John, doubts concerning Jefus.

2. He heals the Sick, and feeds five thousand,

Jefus retiring, is fought for by the People, C. xiv. 1-18°

14-21

3. His Voyage and Miracles in the Land of Gennefaret, 22-36

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8. Those who require a Sign reproved, C. xv. 39 xvi.

29-31 32-38 1---4

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9. The Leaven of the Pharifees,

IV. Predictions of his Death and Refurrection:

a. The First Prediction,

1. Preparation for it by a Confirmation that He is the

Chrift,

13-20

2. The Prediction itself, and Reproof of Peter,

31-28

b. The Second Prediction.

1. The Transfiguration, and Silence enjoined, C. xvii.

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