THE GOSPEL

ACCORDING TO THE

APOSTLE MATTHEW.

"HAP. N OW in those days, while Jesus | them, “O! brood of vipers ! who CHAP: III.

TV dwelt at Nazareth, cometh hath warned you to flee from the spear. John the Baptist in the desert of wrath that is approaching? Bring 8 hin the

Judea, saying, “Repent ye, for forth therefore fruits suitable to reptist. the kingdom of heaven, (the gos- pentance, and say not within your

pel dispensation) draweth near.” selves, "We have Abraham for 9

3 This is he who was spoken of by our father ;' for I say unto you, xl. 3. · Isaiah the Prophet, saying, “ The that from these stones God is able

voice of one crying in the desert, to raise up children unto Abraham : Prepare ye the way of 2 Jehovah, and even now the axe is laid to the 10 make straight a high-way for our root of the trees, so that every tree, 4 God.” And this John had his which beareth not good fruit, will

raiment of camel's hair, with a lea- be cut down and cast into the fire. thern girdle about his loins, and I indeed baptize you with water un- 11 his food was s locusts and wild to repentance: but he who is com5 honey. Then many of the people ing after me is mightier than I, of Jerusalem, and of all parts of whose sandals I am not worthy to .

Judea, and of all the country about carry ; he will baptize you with a 6 Jordan, went out to him: and purifying spirit and with fire : for 12

were baptized by him in the river his fan is in his hand, and he will
Jordan, upon confession of their thoroughly cleanse his floor, and
7 sins. But when he saw many of lay up his wheat in the garner, but

the Pharisees and Sadducees com- will burn up the chaff with a un-
ing to his baptism, he said unto quenchable fire.”

rt of the

CHAP. And Jesus went about all Gali- and so were persecuted the teachers CHAP.

lee, teaching in their synagogues, that were before you. Dures va- and preaching the glad tidings of “ Ye are the salt of the earth, 13 nous dis.

mis kingdom, and curing every dis- but if this salt have lost its savour, Duty of

ease and every infirmity among with what shall it be seasoned ? it setting a - 24 the people. And his fame went is no longer good for any thing ample.

through all Syria ; and they brought but to be cast out, and trodden un-
unto him all that were disordered ; derfoot by men. Ye are the light 14
people afflicted with various disa of the world. A city which is
eases and torments ; demoniacs, I placed on a hill cannot be hidden,

lunatics, and those that had palsies; nor is a lamp lighted to be put un-15 28 and he cured them; and great der a bushel, but on a stand, and multitudes followed him from Ga- it shineth to all that are in the . lilee, and - Decapolis, and Jerusa-, house. In like manner, let your 16 lem, and Judea,and from the side of light shine before men, that they Jordan.

may see your good works, and gloCHAP. And when he saw the multitudes rify your Father which is in heaven.

"he went up a mountain, and sat 5 Think not that I am come to 17 Who are down and his disciples came un-destroy the spirit and end of the The moral bapoy: to him. And he opened his mouth law or the prophets ; I am not par

" law of and taught them, saying, “ Happy come to destroy, but to establish Moses 3 are the poor in spirit, for theirs is them ; for verily I say unto you, established 4 the kingdom of heaven. Happy | The heaven and the earth will by Christ.

are those who mourn for their sooner pass away, than one jot or

sins, for they shall be conforted. one tittle of the law be destroyed
5 Happy are the meek, for they shall or fail of its accomplishment.
6 possess the land in peace. Happy Whosoever therefore shall break 19
are those that hunger and thirst one of the least of these my com-
after righteousness, for they shall inandments, and teach men so, he
be filled with all necessary in- will be least in the kingdom of
7 struction in their duty. Flappy heaven, but whoever shall perform

are the compassionate, for they and teach them will be greatest in
8 shall obtain compassion. Happy the kingdom of heaven. For I say 20

are the pure in heart, for they shall unto you, except your righteous9 * see God. Happy are the peace-ness exceed the righteousness of

makers, for they shall be called the the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall 10 sons of God. Happy are those by no means enter into the kinga

that suffer wrong for righteousness'dom of heaven.

sake; for their's is the kingdom of “Ye have heard that it was said 21 11 heaven. Happy are ye when men to those of old, • Thou shalt do no Of murder. reproach you, and persecute you, murder, and whosoever commit

13. Numb. and speak all kind of evil against teth murder, shall be liable to the xxxv. 30.12 you falsely for my sake. Rejoice judgment of the common courts of

and be exceedingly glad, for great justice.' But I say unto you, 22
shall be your reward in heaven ; Whosoever is angry with his bro-

CHAP. ther without a cause, shall be in causeth her to commit adultery ; CHAP.
V danger of the judgment, and who- and whosoever shall marry her who

ever shall say to his brother without hath been divorced, committeth
a cause, Thou empty, senseless adultery.
fellow ! shall be liable to the coun- " Again, ye have heard that it 33
cil or supreme court, and whoever was said to those of old, “Thou Of com-
shall say without cause, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt inon
worthless, unprincipled wretch !' I perform unto the Lord thine oaths.'

shall be in danger of hell fire. But I say unto you, Swear not on Numb. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to any account; either by the heaven, ***

the altar and there remember that thy for it is God's throne; or by the 35

brother hath a complaint against earth, for it is his footstool ; or by 24 thee ; leave there thy gift before Jerusalem, for it is the city of the

the altar, and go ; first be reconcil great king. Neither shalt thou 36

ed to thy brother, and then come swear by thy head, for thou canst
25 and offer thy gift. Agree with not make one hair white or black.

thine adversary quickly, whilst thou But let your discourse be Yes, 37
art on the way to the magistrate yes, no, no :' for whatever is more
with him ; lest the adversary deli-than these proceedeth from evil.
ver thee over to the judge, and the “ Ye have heard that it was said, 38

judge to the officer, and thou be 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth Of retali26 cast into prison. Verily I say unto for a tooth.' But I say unto you, as

thee, Thou mayest not come out Rather than this, resist not the xxi. 24.
thence, till thou hast paid the utter- injurious person ; but whosoever
most farthing.

shall strike thee on thy right cheek,
27 “ Ye have heard that it was said turn to him the other also ; and 40
Of Adul- to those of old, Thou shalt not whosoever will sue thee at law for
tery.

commit adultery.' But I say unto thy coat, give to him thy cloke Exod.

you, Whosoever looketh on a also. And whosoever shall force 41 xx. 14.

Woman, so as to indulge unlawful thee to go one mile, go with him
desires towards her, hath already two. Be disposed to give to him 42

committed wickedness with her in that asketh thee, and from him
29 his heart. Therefore, if even thy that would borrow of thee turn

right eye lead thee to sin, pluck not away.
it out and cast it from thee; for “ Ye have heard that it was said, 43
it is better for thee that one of thy Thou shalt love thy neighbour, Treatment

members perish, than that thy and hate thine enemy.' But I say of
30 whole body be cast into hell. And unto you, Love your enemies, 44

if thy right hand lead thee to sin, and to show that you do love them,
cut it off and cast it from thee; for bless those that curse you, do
it is better for thee that one of thy I good to those that hate you, and
members perish, than that thy pray for those that treat you injuri-

whole body be cast into hell. ously and persecute you ; that you 45

31 “And it was said, "Whosoever may be the sons of your Father, Of divorce, divorceth his wife, let him give her who is in heaven ; for he maketh

a writing of separation.' But I say his sun to rise on the evil and on xxiv. 1.

unto you, Whosoever shall di- the good, and he sendeth rain on
32 vorce his wife, unless for adultery, the just and unjust ; for if ye love 46

TA punishment co"responding to a death 3 This was an inference which the Jews by fire in the valley of Hinnom. See Jer. made from the books of Moses ; but without vii. 31.

good grounds. If she marry again during his life.

giving,

CHAP, those who love you, what is your 66 Our Father, who art in hea- CHAP. VI.

reward? Do not even the publi- ven, hallowed be thy name. Thy We 47 cans the same? And if ye salute kingdom come. Thy will be done A form of

your brethren only, what good on earth, as it is in heaven. Give prayer. will this do you? Do not the us this day the bread sufficient for 11

Gentiles act in the same manner? Jus: and forgive us our trespasses, 12 48 Be ye therefore perfect, as your as we forgive those who trespass

Father that is in heaven is perfect. against us, and s bring us not into CHAP. " Take heed not to perform temptation ; but deliver us from 13 VI.

your good deeds before men, that evil: for thine is the kingdom, and Of almse ye may be seen by them ; other the power, and the glory for ever.

wise ye have no reward with your Amen! For if ye forgive men 14
2 Father, who is in heaven. There-their offences, your heavenly Father

fore when thou doest thy alms, will also forgive you, but if ye forgive 15
sound not a trumpet before thee; not men their offences, neither will
as the hypocrites do in the syna- your Father forgive your offences.
gogues and in the streets, that they “ Moreover, when ye fast, be not 16
may receive honour from men. like the hypocrites, of a gloomy Of fasting.

Verily I say unto you, that they countenance, for they disfigure
3 have their reward. But when thou their faces, that they may appear

doest alms, let not thy left hand unto men to fast: verily I say unto

know what thy right hand doeth ; you, They have their reward ; 17 . 4 that thine alms may be in secret ; but when thou fastest, anoint thy

and thy Father who seeth in secret, head, and wash thy face; that 18
will reward thee openly.

thou appear not unto men to fast, 5 " And when thou prayest, be not but unto thy Father who is in seOf prayer, as the hypocrites are, for they lovecret ; and thy Father who seeth in

· to pray,standing in the synagogues, secret will reward thee openly.

and in the corners of streets, that “ Lay not up for yourselves 19
they may be seen by men. Verily treasures on earth, where moth and The best

I say unto you, They have their worm destroy, and where thieves treasures. 6 reward. But thou, when thou break through and steal; but lay 20

prayest, go into thy closet, and up for yourselves treasures in heawhen thou hast shut the door, pray ven, where neither moth nor worm to thy Father who is in secret, and destroy, nor thieves break through thy Father who seeth in secret will and steal: for where your treasure 21 7 reward thee openly. And when is, there will be your heart also. ye pray, usé not babbling repeti- " The eye is the lamp of the 22 tions, like the heathen: for they body; if therefore thine cye be Light of think they will be heard for their sound, thy whole body will be en

and mind, 8 much speaking. Be not therefore lightened; but if thine eye be dis

like them; for your Father know-ordered, thy whole body will be in
eth what things ye have need of be- darkness. If therefore the light
fore ye ask him. In this manner that is in thee become darkness,
therefore pray ye:

how great will that darkness be!

I The collectors or farmers of the Ro- thus: Bring us not so into temptation, as man taxes and customs. Men of bad cha- that we may be otherwise than delivered racter, and frequently ranked with sinners. from evil.

• Imitate the excellence and perfection of 4 That is, thine understanding, which is God, as much as lies in your power

the lamp of the mind. A sound understand3 This petition must be so connected with ing will make men prefer heavenly treasures the following, as if both had been expressed I to earthly, and God to riches.