Explanatory Notes UPON THE NEW TESTAMENT. BY JOHN WESLEY, M.A. LATE FELLOW OF LINCOLN-COLLEGE, OXFORD. New Edition, LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CONFERENCE-OFFICE, 14, CITY-ROAD, SOLD BY THOMAS BLANSHARD, 14, CITY-ROAD; ALSO, BY J. RUTTERWORTH Preface. 1. FOR many years I have had a desire of setting down and laying together, what has occurred to my mind, either in reading, thinking, or conversation, which might assist serious persons, who have not the advantage of learning, in understanding the New Testament. But I have been continually deterred from attempting any thing of this kind, by a deep sense of my own inability: of my want not only of learning for such a work, but much more of experience and wisdom. This has often occasioned my laying aside the thought. And when by much importunity I have been prevailed upon to resume it, still I determined to delay it as long as possible, 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 arise 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 spent, and (even in a natural way) the shadows 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 else: being prevented by my present weakness, from either travelling or preaching. But, blessed be Go 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 designed for men of learning; who are provided with many other helps: and much less for men of long and deep experience in the ways and word of God. I desire to sit 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 desire to save their souls. 4. In order to assist these in such a measure as I am able, I design first to set down the text itself, for the most part, in the common English translation, which is in general (so far as I can judge) abundantly the best that I have seen. Yet I do not say, that it is incapable of being brought in several places nearer to the original. Neither will I affirm, that the Greek copies from which this translation was made, are always the most correct. And therefore I shall take the liberty, as occasion may require, to make here and there a small alteration. 5. I am very sensible this will be liable to objection: nay, to objections of quite opposite 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, so much as in one place, altered it, for altering's sake: but there, and there only, where, First, The sense was made better, stronger, clearer, or more consistent with the context: Secondly, Where the sense being equally good, the phrase 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 such trivial alterations, as add neither clearness nor strength to the text? This I could not prevail upon myself to do: so much the less, because there is, to my apprehension, I know not what peculiarly solemn and venerable in the old language of our translation. And suppose this to be a mistaken apprehension, and an instance of human infirmity; yet is it not an excusable 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 souls? 6. I have endeavoured to make the Notes as short as possible, that the comment may not obscure or swallow up the text and as plain as possible, in pursuance of my main design, to assist the unlearned reader: for this reason I have studiously avoided, not only all curious and critical inquiries, and all use of the learned languages, but all such methods of reasoning and modes of expression, as people in common life are unacquainted with: for the same reason, as I rather endeavour to obviate than to propose and answer objections, so I purposely decline going deep into many difficulties, lest I should leave the ordinary reader behind me. 7. I once designed to write down barely what occurred to my own mind, consulting none but the inspired writers. But no sooner was I acquainted with that great light of the Christian world, (lately gone to his reward,) Bengelius, than I entirely changed my design, being thoroughly convinced, it might be of more service to the cause of religion, were I barely to translate his Gnomon Novi Testamenti, than to write many volumes upon it. Many of his excellent Notes I have therefore translated. Many more I have abridged; omitting that part which was purely critical, and giving the substance of the rest. Those various readings likewise which he has shewed to have a vast majority of ancient copies and 1 translations on their side, I have without scruple incorporated with the text: which after his manner I have divided all along, (though not omitting the common division into chapters and verses, which is of use on various accounts,) according to the matter it contains, making a larger or smaller pause, just as the sense requires. And even this is such a help in many places, as one who has not tried it can scarcely conceive. 8. I am likewise indebted for some useful observations, to Dr. Heylin's Theological Lectures: and for many more to Dr. Guise, and to the Family Expositor of the late pious and learned Dr. Doddridge. It was a doubt with me for some time, whether I should not subjoin to every note I received from them, the name of the author from whom it was taken; especially considering I had transcribed some, and abridged many more, almost in the words of the author. But upon farther consideration, I resolved to name none, that nothing might divert the mind of the reader from keeping close to the point in view, and receiving what was spoken, only according to its own intrinsic 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 so great difficulty. But my own conscience acquits me of having designedly misrepresented any single passage 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 Jesus, a vehicle to convey such poison. Would to God that all the party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms, which have divided the Christian world, were forgot: and that we might all agree to sit down together, as humble, loving disciples, at the feet of our common Master, 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 observed, the Word of the Living God, which directed the first patriarchs also, was, in the time of Moses, committed to writing. To this were added, in several succeeding generations, the inspired writings of the other prophets. Afterwards, what the Son of God preached, and the Holy Ghost spake by the apostles, the apostles and evangelists wrote. This is what we now style 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 shall not pass away. The Scripture therefore of the Old and New |