A Brief Exposition of Matthew, To the reader – Biblical commentary
To the honest-hearted Reader.
BEside what I have said in the Epistle Dedicatory, I must acquaint thee (worthy Reader) yet further with my purpose and way in this Piece: The speciall intent of the putting forth of it, is not onelyonly that measure of edification which thou maist reap by this small Work; but also, that in satisfying the desire of sundry worthy men of GOD, who have …bt…st…d me to make proof, how some other place of Scripture may be fitted for the Churches edification after the mould of the Short Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews, I may engage them all (if it be possible) and others also with them, who are more able then I am, to quicken and prosecute, as partners, the motion made by me heretofore, and now renewed, to wit, That by the consent of a number of able Workmen, dividing the task among them, some such brief Explanation of the whole Text of Scripture, containing the chief Doctrines, in a way accommodate unto the capacity of common people, may see the light, for the setling of saving Truth in their hearts, by the force of divine Faith, closing immediatly with the Text of Scripture. Then which Work, I conceive there can be no one mean, after powerful Preaching, more forcible for rooting out of Errours, and manifesting unto all men the true Religion which wee profess in Brittain, and by Covenant are obliged to maintain and propagate according to our power.
In this Explanation of the Gospel according to Matthew, I have laboured to fit the mould so, that the deduction of the Doctrines from the Text, may be more obvious to the Readers up-taking, then it is in the Short Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
I have contented my self with some few observations upon each Text, which might serve most for the cleering of the place; leaving to every Reader, as he hath time for Meditation, and ability of Gifts, to observe what further the Text may afford, it being sufficient for my designe, that thou find so much clearnesse and sweetnesse in the Lords Word by what I offer to thy taste, as may make thee more in love with the daily reading of the Scripture, and the Learned and Able may be stirred up to help thee with more Stuffe of this kinde.
I point ordinarily at some words in the Text, for a Ground of the Doctrine proponed: from which words, if the Doctrines do not immediately arise, and formally follow; yet from these words such Doctrines may be inferred, after some little larger Explication of them, as these illate Particles, FOR and THEREFORE, do at least import.
The History being all along most part plain, I have forborn to trouble thee with large Contents or Analysis, or Exposition of words, and have insisted onelyonly where some difficulty is, and that so long onelyonly as was necessary to give some light; hasting in all other places unto the Doctrine, and couching in them frequently so much Exposition of the words as I could with clearnesse and brevity, of which I have had a speciall care, resolving with my self, that as larger Commentaries serve onelyonly for them who have Leasure and love to read much, so this sort of Writing must be for those onelyonly, who (for one reason or other) must either have something in short, or nothing at all. If this Mould seem unto thee fit for opening of the sealed Book, pray with me, that the Lord would fit, and stir up a sufficient number of Instruments for hastening forth this wished-for Work, unto thy Edification; and I will remain.
Thine, to serve thee, for CARIST'S cause, D. D.
Before the Evangel written by MATTHEW, a Title is prefixed, common to it, and all the rest of the Writings of the Apostles and Evangelists, which is this: THE NEW TESTAMENT (Or COVENANT) OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.
THe whole Bible is commonly called by the name of Old and New Testament, or Covenant: one word signifying both Covenant and Testament, as it were, A Testamentary Covenant. The reason why the holy Scriptures written before and since Christ came, are called by the name of Covenant, is, because the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son for purchasing of salvation, and saving graces to the Elect; and the Covenant of Grace made with the Church through Christ, for application of all purchased graces leading unto salvation, are the sum and subst…nce of the … Bible. The reason why the Scriptures are called also by the name of Testament, is, because the Son of Go… having undertaken to lay down his life (which now he hath pe…fo…m…) as the P…ce of Redemption, and so having made all things belonging to life to be his own by paction, he doth by way of Legacy, dispone and bequeath unto the children of promise in the holy Scriptures, as in a written and sealed Testament, whatsoever by his death hee hath purchased unto them, that whosoever in the sense of sin, and fear of wrath doe flee unto Christ, may lay claim unto righteousnesse and eternall life, as Heirs of Christ, and may seek with confidence, not onelyonly to have the first fruits of his conquest in this life, but also to have the full possession thereof in the life to come; and that as a Legacy left unto them by Christ. But because these heavenly Mysteries are not so cleerly and fully set down in the Writings of Moses and the Prophets, as they are now revealed in the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles: Therfore the Books of Scripture written before Christ came in the flesh, are called the Old Covenant, or the Old Testament; and these which are written since he came, are called the New Covenant, or the New Testament of our Lord Jesus.
The speciall Title prefixed to this Evangel, is, THE GOSPEL By, or According to MATTHEW.
THis Book is called the Gospel or glad Tidings, because the doctrine contained in it concerning our redemption from sin and misery, by Christ the Son of God, is the most joyfull news that ever the world did hear; especially, after that the Law and Covenant of works have discovered unto us the vilenesse of sin, and the unsupportable burden of Gods wrath due to our sin: It is called The GOSPEL by, or, according to Matthew, (who also was called Levi) because God in a speciall providence did make choice of him to write this Evangel to the world, as of one who had found in a speciall manner by experience in his own person, the power of life, and riches of grace is Christ, making him not onelyonly of a sinner a Saint, but also of … Publican an Apostle.