BY GEORGE CAMPBELL, D. D. F.R.S. EDINBURGH.

PRINCIPAL OF THE MARISCHAL COLLEGE, ABERDEEN.

BS 3554

C23

Printed by J. F. Dove, St. John's Square.

CONTENTS.

MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.

SECTION I.

The Nativity.-Ch. i. ii.

THE lineage of Jesus from Abraham. His conception and birth. The

visit of the magians. The judgment of the chief priests and scribes

concerning the place where the Messiah should be born. Joseph's

retreat into Egypt. The murder of the infants. Herod's death. Jo-

seph's return to Galilee

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SECTION II.

The Baptism.-Ch. iii. iv.

John sent to baptize and announce the Messiah. Jesus baptized by him,

and attested from heaven. Tempted by the devil in the desert. Re-

turns to Galilee. Calls Peter, Andrew, and the two sons of Zebedee.

Gives intimation to the people of the reign of God. Performs mira-

culous cures

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Who are happy. The disciples of Jesus bound to be exemplary. He

came to ratify the divine law, much impaired by the traditions of the

Pharisees. I. in respect of extent. Exemplified in what concerns:

1. murder; 2. adultery; 3. divorce; 4. oaths; 5. retaliation; 6. the love of

our neighbour. II. in respect of motive. Where the end is applause,

the virtue is destroyed. Exemplified, 1. in almsgiving; 2. in prayer;

3. in fasting. Did we estimate the stability of the things in heaven

compared with the things on earth, we should pursue the former with

ardour, and prove superior to all anxiety about the latter. The ser-

vice of Mammon incompatible with the service of God. Admonitions

to charitableness in judging others. To impartiality in judging our-

selves. To discretion in dispensing religious benefits. To assiduity

in pursuing spiritual good. To humanity and equity in our behaviour

to all. Caution against the seducing influence of the multitude, com-

monly in the wrong. Warning against false teachers, who are best

known by their actions. The wisdom of adding practice to know-

ledge. The insignificancy of the latter without the former.

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SECTION IV.

Several Miracles.-Ch. viii. ix. 1–34.

The cure of a leper; of a centurion's servant; of Peter's wife's mother;

of some demoniacs and others. Those who follow Jesus must do it

at all hazards, and without delay. The stilling of a tempest on the

The cure of two furious demoniacs; of a paralytic carried on a

bed. Matthew called. The reason why Jesus associated with sinners.

Why his disciples did not fast. A woman cured of a bloody issue. A

ruler's daughter restored to life. The cure of two blind men, and of a

dumb demoniac

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SECTION V.

The Charge to the Apostles.-Ch. ix. 35, &c. x. xi. 1.

Jesus selects twelve whom he names apostles. Commissions them to

announce the reign of heaven to his countrymen the Jews, empowering

them to perform miraculous cures. To secure them against solicitude,

he assures them of the care of Providence, and of the illuminations of

the Spirit. He warns them by his own example of what they may ex-

pect from men, against the dread of whom he fortifies them by the con-

sideration of the omnipotence of God. His cause will occasion divi-

sions in families. By all genuine disciples he will be preferred to

every other object. The smallest services performed from love to him,

shall not be unrewarded.

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SECTION VI.

The Character of the Times.-Ch. xi. 2, &c. xii.

John's message to Jesus. The testimony of Jesus concerning John.
The people's opinion of both. The aggravated guilt of Chorazin,
Bethsaida, and Capernaum, who had enjoyed the ministry of Jesus,
and seen his miracles, yet remained impenitent. The wisdom of God
in adapting his new dispensation to the simple and unlearned, who are
invited by Jesus to come under his guidance. The doctrine of the
Pharisees concerning the Sabbath confuted: 1. from Scripture; 2. from
reason; 3. from their own practice. The manner wherein they account
for his expelling demons exposed. The danger of detracting from the
Holy Spirit. Miracles not intended for gratifying curiosity or captions-
ness. The obduracy and folly of the age strongly condemned by the
repentance of the Ninevites, and the zeal for wisdom manifested by the
queen of Sheba. The misimprovement of benefits begets insensibility.
Who are considered by Jesus as his nearest relatives

SECTION VII.

Parables.-Ch. xiii. 1-53.

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The parable of the sower. The reason why Jews taught in parables.
The explanation of the parables. The parable of the darnel. Of the
grain of mustard seed. Of the leaven. The explanation of the para-

ble of the darnel. The parable of the hidden treasure. Of the precious

pearl. Of the sweep net, with its explanation.

SECTION VIII.

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The People twice fed in the Desert.—Ch. xiii. 54, &c. xiv. xv. xvi. 1—12.

Jesus despised by his fellow-citizens on account of his parentage; is in-

formed how John the Baptist was killed by Herod; retires to a desert;

is followed by more than 5000 persons, whom he there feeds miracu-

lously; makes his disciples embark for the other side of the lake; fol-

lows them in the night, walking on the water; entering the bark, stills

the storm; many, in the country of Gennesaret, cured by touching his

garment; his disciples vindicated from the charge brought by the Pha-

risees, who, by their traditions, annulled the law of God. Moral pol-

lution proceeds only from vice. A demon expelled from the daughter

of a woman who, though a Gentile, shewed extraordinary faith. In a

mountain, near the sea of Galilee, many cures performed, and upwards

of 4000 miraculously fed. A sign, such as they demanded, refused

to both Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples cautioned against

their doctrine under the name of leaven, which they, interpreting lite-

rally, misunderstood

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SECTION IX.

The Transfiguration.-Ch. xvi. 13, &c. xvii. xviii.

The opinions of the people concerning Jesus. Peter avows him to be the

Messiah. Jesus asserts the perpetuity of his church soon to be erected.

Foretels his own death. Rebukes Peter, who was scandalized at

hearing it mentioned. All who would be followers warned to prepare

for sufferings and death. Jesus transfigured in the presence of Peter,

James, and John. Lets them know who the Elijah was that should

come first. Asserts the power of faith. To avoid giving offence, pays

the tribute, though entitled to exemption. Humility the road to emi-

nence in the reign of heaven. The meanest disciple not to be de-

spised. Snares and offences to be avoided. The method of reclaim-

ing an offending brother. Personal injuries, though often repeated,

still to be forgiven. The implacable not to expect forgiveness from

God. The parable of the king who reckoned with his servants 54

SECTION X.

The Rich Man's Application.—Ch. xix. xx. 1—16.

.

What it is that justifies divorce. Who they are that should abstain from

marriage. The people encouraged to bring children to Jesus; what

must be done to obtain eternal life; how far endeavours after perfec-

tion will carry us. Riches a great obstruction to our admission into

the kingdom. The reward of those who abandon any thing for Jesus.

God gives gratuitously much beyond his promise. Illustrated by the

parable of the labourers in the vineyard

SECTION XI.

The Entry into Jerusalem.—Ch. xx. 17, &c. xxi. xxii. 1—14.

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Jesus travelling to Jerusalem, foretels his sufferings and resurrection.
The application of Zebedee's wife in behalf of her sons,

Jesus asserts