divine grace, I have been able to elucidate what was obscure, to confirm what was doubtful; in some instances, through the aid of mss. or versions, to supply what was defective, and to remove both apparent and real incongruities; if the mind and will of God in his word, be in any degree rendered more plain and easy to be understood by common readers; and if my biblical toils shall subserve the interest of Divine Truth, and tend to the promotion of scriptural knowledge, and of peace and comfort to serious and reflecting readers, then will the object I have had in view be attained. That such may be the result of my labours has often been my prayer to the Father of lights; and it shall still be my prayer, that every reader of this work may receive the Spirit of Wisdom, and be enlightened and sanctified by the Word of God, which contains nothing but pure, important, and saving Truth. 1 1. Huddersfield, October 31, 1823. ! THE AUTHOR. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. INTRODUCTION. THIS Portion of the Holy Scriptures is called the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, or more correctly, the New Covenant, and sometimes the Gospel, including the whole doctrine of Christ: Rom. i. 1, 9. Mark xiii. 10, 16, 18. It is used with various epithets, expressing its author, subject, nature, blessings, as 'the Gospel of God,' &c. Rom. i. 1. 'the Gospel of the Son of God, Rom. i. 9. 'The gospel of peace, Eph. vi. 15. The gospel of glory, or glorious gospel, Tim. i. 11. 'The gospel of salvation,' Eph. i. 13. The original import is, 'good news, glad tidings, and in this sense it is often used: 'The glad tidings of the kingdom, Matt. iv. 23.; ix. 35. Mark i. 14. By a common figure it denotes, the history of the life, teaching, miracles, death, resurrection and glory of Christ. In this sense we have four gospels, the holy gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Of Matthew we have no certain information, but what we collect from the gospels. He was a native of Galilee, a Jew by birth, and by office a publican or tax-gatherer, under the Romans. He was also called Levi, and is said to be the son of Alpheus, Mark ii. 14. Luke v. 27. When Jesus called him to be his follower, he made a feast and invited his acquaintance, doubtless that they might hear the instructions of Jesus. Matthew, with Andrew Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, are the only disciples whose call is particularly mentioned. It is un- certain where he laboured after the death of Christ, and when and where he died. For an account of his gospel, see Introduction, Vol. I. CHAPTER 1. The genealogy of Christ; his conception and birth; his names; Joseph informed in a dream respecting Christ: 1 THE genealogy and life of JESUS CHRIST, 2 the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac; and Isaac begot Jacob; and 3 Jacob begot Judah and his brethren; And Judah begot Pharez and Zarah by Tamar; and Pharez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram; 4 And Ram begot Aminadab; and Aminadab begot Nashon; and Nashon begot Salmon; 5 And Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab; and Boaz begot Obed by Ruth; and Obed begot Jesse; 6 And Jesse begot David the king; and David the king begot Solomon by her who had been 7 the wife of Uriah; And Solomon begot Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begot Abijah; and Abi8 jah begot Asa; And Asa begot Jehosaphat; and Jehosaphat begot Jehoram; and Jehoram CHAP. I. 8. 1 Chron. iii. 11, 12. CHAP. I. 1. And life. I thus render the idiomatical terms of the text, as including both the descent of our Lord and a narrative of his life. This verse is the title of the book. The son, &c. God had promised to David and Abraham that the Messiah should descend from them. 8. Ahaziah, &c. Compare 1 Chron. iii. 11, 12. It is difficult to account for the omission of these names, unless it has arisen from the negligence of the VOL. III. PART XIX. A a a begot Ahaziah; and Ahaziah begot Joash; 11.1 Chron. iii. 16. transcribers. The same remark applies to the 11th verse, with which compare 1 Chron. iii. 16. 12. Jeconiah begot, &c. It appears from Jer. xxii. 30. that Jeconiah outlived his son Salathiel; and as Zerubbabel is called the son of Pedaiah, 1 Chron. iii. 19. some think that he raised up seed to his brother Salathiel. 17. So all the, &c. If the names omitted ver. 8, 11. be inserted, the 1 |