THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO ST. MATTHEW. THE substance of the following Exposition was delivered weekly, in the evening, to an illiterate audience. I mention this, because some passages have a reference to the time and occasion, and because the repeated inculcation of the same thoughts might otherwise be liable to censure. My business and single aim was to instruct and awaken persons in an inferior rank of life, of small attainments in christian knowledge, and to turn their attention to the great point of redemption by Christ, and his power and will to save them. The Exposition, therefore, must of necessity be practical or exhortatory, and addressed, as such, to their affections or understandings. How far it may be profitable to others, I am not able to judge; but can truly say, that the publication of it is owing to the advice and sole impor tunity of those who perused it; and if any of the Clergy in particular, into whose hands it may come, should be induced to labour in the same way, on this or any other plan, from a due consideration of the state of their parishes, I shall wish it had been published sooner. I have only to add, that if these annotations should meet with a favourable reception, they will be followed by a set of Lectures, which accompanied them, when they were delivered a second time from the pulpit on Sundays in the afternoon. EXPOSITION, &c. ST. MATTHEW. SECTION I Chap. i. verse 1-25. GENEALOGY AND BIRTH OF CHRIST. 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren ; 3. And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Pharez begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4. And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6. And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7. And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8. And Asa begat Josaphat, and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10. And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon ; and Amon begat Josias ; 11. And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon : |