Title page EXPLANATORY
NOTES
UPON
The New Testament. BY
JOHN WESLEY, M. A.
Late Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. LONDON,
Printed by William Bowyer. MDCCLV. 1755

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 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 God, 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, 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, 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, so much as in one place, altered it, for altering 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 are 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 Enquiries,17Q0001 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 throughly 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 Antient Copies and Translations on their side, I have without Scruple incorporated with the Text: Which after his manner I have divided all along (tho' 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 an 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. Guyse, 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 spoke, 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 Scripture: this is that Word of our God which remaineth for ever: Of which, tho' heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle shall

not pass away. The Scripture therefore of the Old and New Testament, is a most solid and most precious System of Divine Truth. Every Part thereof is worthy of God: And all together are one intire Body, wherein is no Defect, no Excess. It is the Fountain of heavenly Wisdom, which they who are able to taste, prefer to all Writings of Men, however wise, or learned, or holy.

11. An exact Knowledge of the Truth was accompanied in the Inspired Writers with an exactly regular Series of Arguments, a precise Expression of their Meaning, and a genuine Vigour of suitable Affections. The Chain of Argument in each Book is briefly exhibited in the Table prefixt to it, which contains also the Sum thereof, and may be of more use, than prefixing the Argument to each Chapter; the Division of the New Testament into Chapters, having been made in the dark Ages, and very incorrectly; often separating things that are closely joined, and joining those that are intirely distinct from each other.

12. In the Language of the Sacred Writings, we may observe the utmost Depth, together with the utmost Ease. All the Elegancies of Human Composures sink into nothing before it: God speaks not as Man, but as God. His Thoughts are very deep; and thence his Words are of inexhaustible Virtue. And the Language of his Messengers also, is exact in the highest degree: For the words which were given them accurately answered the Impression made upon their minds: And hence Luther says, “Divinity is nothing but a Grammar of the Language of the Holy Ghost.” To understand this throughly, we should observe the Emphasis which lies on every Word; the Holy Affections exprest thereby, and the Tempers shewn by every Writer. But how little are these, the latter especially, regarded? Tho' they are wonderfully diffused thro' the whole New Testament, and are in truth a continued Commendation of Him, who acts, or speaks, or writes.

13. The New Testament is, all those Sacred Writings in which the New Testament or Covenant is described. The former Part of this contains The Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles: The latter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. In the former is first, the History of Jesus Christ, from his Coming in the Flesh, to his Ascension into Heaven; then, the Institution and History of the Christian Church, from the time of his Ascension. The Revelation delivers what is to be, with regard to Christ, the Church, and the Universe, till the Consummation of all things.

Bristol Hot-wells, Jan. 4, 1754.