To the Right Honorable, Oliver Lord St. John, Baron of Bletso

THe sacred Scriptures (Right Honourable) are so plainely styled by the spirit of truth to be all and wholly righteous,perfect and pure, yea mostpure, that it must needes sauour of the spirit of Antichrist to judge any part thereof (as the Papists doe) vnmeete for Gods people to be acquainted withal. And yet I doubt not but that on our behalfe for some respects, a kinde of preeminence may be yielded to some parcels of Scripture above others, without any derogation therefrom-: els the Apostles should have wronged Moses and the Prophets, by preferring the Gospel farre before them in glorie and euidence. And therefore as Paul gaue a speciall charge to Timothie of his parchments above his bookes, as beeing, though not for matter more pretious, yet for present use at least, more expedient: so may our hearts, embracing with reuerence the whole truth of God as pure and perfect, in regard of fitnesse to our peculiar estate, cleaue more nearely to some portion thereof then unto others: for seeing herein is both milke and strong meate, who will doubt, but that according to our age and growth in Christ we should affect? But I may not here dilate of this difference of Scripture, and therefore will come directly to that portion of it, Christs Sermon in the Mount, which is here explaned in this Commentarie; endeavoring briefly to show some notes of eminence in these three Chapters, for which they deserue among all the Lords Worthies to have the name of the first three. And to omit the Author hereof, though Jesus Christ the Sonne of God, because the whole Scripture was given by inspiration from the same spirit; as also his preparation hereunto (though extraordinarie) byprayer to God the whole night before, which must needes import some consequence of great importance; I will onely point at the manner of penning this Sermon, and the matter which it contains.

For the first: when the beloved Apostle saith of Christs sayings and doings, that many things were not written, and yetsome things were written for the ground and confirmation of our faith, none (I hope) will denie, but these things which were written, were by the H. Ghost judged more behoouefull for the Church, thē those which were omitted, whence by good collection it will follow, that things more largely penned were also deemed the more expedient: for why should the Holy Spirit in penning be more copious, unless the things propounded were (to us at least) more pretious? Now search the holy records of Christ throughout, and see what Sermon is so fully registred as this is; unless it were his consolation uttered to his Disciples, with his prayer unto his Father a little before his passion: This beeing his welcome to them into their Apostleship, and That, his farewell at his death.

But to come to the matter it selfe. This Sermon contains 12. seuerall heades of doctrine, answerable indeede to the number of the 12. Apostles, to whome it was principally intended, upon their calling to that office, although I dare not say, particularly to be applied part to person, but rather generally the whole to every one; unless it may be, in the last parcell by the great ruine of the house upon the sandes, Christ had a speciall ayme at the fearefull fall of Judas that betraied him. Now the first of these concerns mans chiefegood in true happinesse, which is here so plainly declared in eight seuerall rules, as they lead every man hereto, and give the child of God most comfortable assurance hereof, even in his greatest miserie. The second does more peculiarly respect the function of the ministry, the ordinarie means of attaining the former happines. The third restors the morall law to his true sense and meaning, which the Iewish teachers had shamefully peruerted, so as now wee may make straight steps unto our feete in the way of obedience. Thefourth directs us in the right manner of doing good workes, by speciall instance in these three, alms, prayer, and fasting, wherein the hypocriticall Pharisies had spent much labour in vaine. The fist prescribs that moderate care and desire of earthly things, which does stock up couetousnesse, the root of all evil. The sixt reforms the practise of rash judgment, for the better euidence of humilitie in our selues, & of loue unto our brethren. The seauenth prescribs ministeriall discretion, in the dispensation of the holy things of God, for the pure keeping of the things themselues, and the safe-beeing of the dispensers thereof. The eight does notablie incouragevs both by precept and promise, to the holy exercise of prayer and inuocation. The ninth does furnish us to the practise of justice and equitie in our ciuill conuersatiō. The tenth does effectually vrge us unto care of our salvation, by walking in the straite way of life, and shunning the broad way that leads to destruction. The eleuenth does forewarne us of false teachers, who bee the maine seducers out of the way of life. The twelfth and last, with the conclusion, does knit up all, perswading us both by promise of happinesse eternal, and of securitie, most comfortable; as also upon perill of utter ruine irrecouerable, with outward profession to ioyne answerable obedience, both in heart and life.

Now all and every one of these (Right Honourable) are of that importance in the life of a Christian, that none of them can be neglected of him that with comfort and safety would live godly in Christ Jesus. For the better euidence whereof, I must referre your Honour, with the Christian Reader, to this godly and learned exposition ensuing; wherin the reuerent Author, of blessed memorie, has faithfully laboured upon sound interpretation of the Text, to laie down wholesome instructions for the obedience of faith. My paines herein has beene chiefly this, as neere as I could, out of mine own and others notes, to commend unto the publike view, the authors faithfull labours in his own meaning. Onely I have here and there upon good occasion (though priuate to my selfe) added some references in the margent unto classicall popish writers, for such opinions as are herein charged upon them. Mine interest for the publishing of this worke, I hope I shall approoue unto any gainsayer. Now whatsoever it is, in all bounden duty & service, I humbly commend it unto your Lordship, and under your Honourable protection, to the houshold of faith. And because I doubt not of your diligence in the faithful and frequent perusall of it, I wil turne my perswasions towards you this way, into prayer to the Almightie for you, that by the edifying of your faith, and other graces of God herein, you may more and more abound in the fruits of righteousnesse, inioying here much true honour, with long and happie daies, in the peace of our Syon, and the prosperitie of your familie, and in the ende eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Your Honours to commaund, THOMAS PIERSON. Maie. 1608.