Not only for the apostles
And this all people allow with regard to some parts of the discourse that follows. No one, for instance, denies that what is said of poverty of spirit relates to all mankind. But many have supposed that other parts concerned only the apostles, or the first Christians, or the ministers of Christ, and were never designed for people in general, who therefore have nothing at all to do with them.
But may we not fairly ask, who told them this? That some parts of this discourse concerned only the apostles? Or the Christians of the apostolic age? Or the ministers of Christ? Bare assertions are not proof enough to settle a point of such importance. Has our Lord himself taught us that some parts of his discourse do not concern all mankind? Without doubt, if it had been so, he would have told us. He could not have left out so necessary a piece of information. But has he told us so? Where? In the discourse itself? No. Here there is not the least hint of it. Has he said so elsewhere? In any other of his discourses? Not one word that even glances this way can we find in anything he ever spoke, either to the multitudes or to his disciples. Has any of the apostles, or any other inspired writer, left such an instruction on record? No such thing. No assertion of this kind is to be found in all the oracles of God. Who then are the people who are so much wiser than God? Wise, so far above what is written?
Perhaps they will say that the reason of the thing requires such a restriction. If it does, it must be for one of these two reasons: because without such a restriction the discourse would either be plainly absurd, or would contradict some other scripture. But this is not the case. It will plainly appear, when we come to examine the several particulars, that there is no absurdity at all in applying everything our Lord has delivered here to all mankind. Neither does it imply any contradiction to anything else he has delivered, or to any other scripture whatever. Indeed, it will further appear that either all the parts of this discourse are to be applied to people in general, or no part of it, since they are all connected, all joined like the stones in an arch, of which you cannot take one away without destroying the whole fabric.
1771 text
5. And this all men allow, with regard to some parts of the ensuing discourse. No man, for instance, denies, that what is said of poverty of spirit, relates to all mankind. But many have supposed, that other parts concerned only the apostles, or the first Christians, or ministers of Christ; and were never designed for the generality of men, who consequently, have nothing at all to do with them.
But may we not justly enquire, who told them this? That some parts of this discourse, concerned only the apostles? Or the Christians of the apostolic age? Or the ministers of Christ? Bare assertions are not a sufficient proof, to establish a point of so great importance. Has then our Lord himself taught us; that some parts of his discourse, do not concern all mankind? Without doubt, had it been so, he would have told us; he could not have omitted so necessary an information. But has he told us so? Where? In the discourse itself? No: here is not the least intimation of it. Has he said so elsewhere? In any other of his discourses? Not one word so much as glancing this way, can we find in any thing he ever spoke, either to the multitudes or to his disciples. Has any of the apostles, or other inspired writers, left such an instruction upon record? No such thing. No assertion of this kind is to be found in all the oracles of God. Who then are the men who are so much wiser than God? Wise, so far above that is written?
6. Perhaps they will say, “That the reason of the thing requires such a restriction to be made.” If it does, it must be on one of these two accounts; because without such a restriction, the discourse would either be apparently absurd, or would contradict some other scripture. But this is not the case. It will plainly appear, when we come to examine the several particulars, that there is no absurdity at all in applying all which our Lord hath here delivered, to all mankind. Neither will it infer any contradiction to any thing else he has delivered, nor to any other scripture whatever. Nay, it will farther appear, that either all the parts of this discourse are to be applied to men in general, or no part; seeing they are all connected together, all joined as the stones in an arch, of which you cannot take one away, without destroying the whole fabrick.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.