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then in his own Closet, and to me utterly unknown. I need not add, that the Sermons being defigned for a plain Country Auditory, without any Thoughts at that Time of publishing them to the World, the Reader is to expect no further Excellency in the Style than Plainness and Perfpicuity. If through the Bleffing of God, they prove any way useful to caft Light on that admirable Portion of Holy Scripture, the Sermon on the Mount; and especially to recommend the great Chriftian Duties therein contained, I have my Aim: Let God have the Glory. I hope too I shall gain another Point, which will richly answer all my Labour, and is indeed the chief Defign of this Preface, which is, that from the Experiment here made, Students will be convinced that the practical Subjects of the Holy Scriptures are fo far from being as yet exhaufted by the Commentators, and other Writers upon them, that there are very extraordinary Gleanings left, or rather a plentiful Harvest fill, to reward the Pains of the diligent and impartial Inquirer, who will take the Courage to throw off the Chains of Custom, and to betake himself to his fervent Prayers and vigorous Endeavours to find out theTruth. Think not that I am recommending any Thing of Fancy or Enthufiafm; there is no Man further from it; for I know not any thing that has made more bad Interpretations of Scripture than that has done. What I recommend is only the keeping the Mind in a good Temper; and a more careful Study of the Scripture it felf, especially of thofe neglected Hints of the Context, which often ferve for Keys to open up the whole Difcourfe, to which they are annexed; to one of which discovering the Occafion of this Sermon, not as yet taken notice of by any Interpreter that I

bave feen, and to another, concerning the proper Auditors of it, obferved but by a few, I owe my chief Affiftance in the Explication I have given of the feveral Beatitudes, and the other Parts of this Divine Sermon. What these are is opened in the Three firft Difcourfes; to which I refer: Praying for a right Understanding to my Readers in all Things; and that they may take in good Part my fincere Endeavour to caft Light on this excellent Portion of Holy Scripture. From the Discoveries and Improvements bere made, I hope fome better Pens will adventure in the like Manner on the Explication of other practical Parts of Holy Writ, which from Experience I think I dare promife them will richly quit coft; and that if they will plow with the fame Heifer, they fhall find out many Things which bave hitherto lain hid in the Riddles of Darkness and Error.

The

A Paraphrafe on the Sermon on the Mount.

Page 1.

Sermon I. Of the Scope and Occafion of the Sermon on

the Mount, Mat. v. 1.

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I, 2.

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Sermon XXX. The Exemplarinefs of our Good Works, Mat.

Sermon XXXI, God glorified by our Good Works, Mat.v.16.

486

A

PARAPHRASE

ON

Our Saviour's SERMON on the MOUNT.

MAT. vth, vith and virth Chapters.

V. 1. And feeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was fet, bis difciples

came unto him. 2. And be opened his mouth and taught them, faying,

+ Or, looking upon, fee Mark viii. 33.

VOL. I.

CHA P. V.

V

ERSE 1 and 2. By this time Jefus had acquired great Fame; the People being prepared for the Reception of him by John the Baptift, who had pointed him out as the Meffiah; and his own wonderful Doctrine and Miracles, perfuading a great many that obferved them, that he was that Great King foretold by the Prophets; tho' till he had tried the Affections of the People, they thought he would not take upon him that Character. However, many believed

B

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believed him to be the Meffiah, and were baptized in his Name, and owned themselves his Difciples. And many more, tho' they did not as yet believe, looked upon him as a very extraordinary Perfon, that wrought great Miracles, and would perhaps, with the Affiftance of the People, reftore them to their Liberty. Vaft Numbers of both Sorts folIlowed him, but upon false Hopes, being all big with Expectations of great Wealth and Honour, Conqueft and Revenge, and all manner of Gratifications of Luxury, in his Service. But the ftrict Duties of the Moral Law, which fecure Mens Lives, Liberties and Properties, ftanding in the way of thofe Ends, they expected the Meffiab would abrogate that Law, tho' enjoin'd by Mofes and the Prophets; or at leaft would dispense with it to his Followers, till his Kingdom was thoroughly established. Jefus caft an Eye of Pity on their Ignorance, and refolved to take this publick Opportunity to undeceive them. For which End he went up into a Mountain, from whence he might

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