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Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke 1&2, John 1,2&3 J.C. Ryle The "Expository Thoughts" divides the sacred text into sections or passages, averaging about twelve verses in each. I have then supplied a continuous series of short, plain "Expositions" of each of these passages. Each Exposition generally begins by stating as briefly as possible the main scope and purpose of the passage under consideration. Then selecting two, three, or four prominent points in the passage, singled them out from the rest, dwelt exclusively on them, and endeavored to enforce them plainly and vigorously on the reader's attention. The points selected will be found to be sometimes doctrinal, and sometimes practical. The only rule in selection has been to seize on the really leading points of the passage. Ryle has tried to place myself in the position of one who is reading aloud to others, and must arrest their attention, if he can as if he was addressing a mixed company, in a very short time.--Keeping this in view, he has constantly left many things unsaid that might have been said, and have endeavored to dwell chiefly on the things needful to salvation and deliberately passed over many subjects of secondary importance, in order to say something that might strike and stick in consciences. A few notes, explaining difficult passages, have occasionally been added to the Exposition. |