Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][ocr errors]

Bible - New Testament [English]

1507/1500

NOT E S

UPON THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

By JOHN WESLEY, M. A.

Late Fellow of Lincoln-College, OXFORD.

The FIFTH EDITION, Corrected.

VOLUME I.

Containing the FOUR GOSPELS.

LONDON:

Printed by G. PARAMORE, North-Green, Worship-Street.
Sold by G. WHITFIELD, at the Chapel, City-Road; and at the
Methodist Preaching-Houfes in Town and Country. 1795.

BRITISH

A

PRE F A C E.

1. FOR many years I have had a defire of setting down

and laying together, what has occurred to my mind, either in reading, thinking, or converfation, which might affift ferious perfons, who have not the advantage of learning, in Understanding the New Teftament. But I have been continually deterred from attempting any thing of this kind, by a deep fense of my own inability; of my want not only of learning for fuch a work, but much more of experience and wisdom. This has often occafioned my laying afide the thought. And when by much importunity I have been prevailed upon to refume it, ftill I determined to delay it as long as poffible, that (if it should please GoD). I might finish my work and my life together.

2. But having lately had a loud call from GOD, to arife, and go hence, I am convinced that, if I attempt any thing of this kind at all, I must not delay any longer. My day is far fpent, and (even in a natural way) the fhadows of the evening come on apace. And I am the rather induced to do what little I can in this way, because I can do nothing.. elfe: being prevented by my present weakness, from either travelling or preaching. But, bleffed be GOD, I can still read, and write, and think. O that it may be to his,

glory!

3. It will be easily discerned, even from what I have said. already, and much more from the Notes themselves, that: they were not principally defigned for men of learning; who are provided with many other helps: and much leis for men of long and deep experience in the ways and word of GOD. I defire to fit at their feet, and to learn of them. But I write chiefly for plain, unlettered men, who understand only their mother-tongue, and yet reverence and love the Word of GOD, and have a defire to fave their fouls.

4. In order to affift these in fuch a measure as I am able, I defign first to set down the Text itself, for the most part, in the common English Tranflation, which is in general (fo far as I can judge) abundantly the beft that I have feen. Yet I do not fay, it is incapable of being brought in feveral places nearer to the original. Neither will I affirm, that the Greek

A 2

copies

« PreviousContinue »