Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse V · §38

Paul the Pharisee

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Many of the scribes were of the sect of the Pharisees. Thus Saint Paul himself, who was educated for a scribe, first at the university of Tarsus, and after that in Jerusalem, at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the most learned scribes or doctors of the law then in the nation, declares of himself before the council, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and before King Agrippa, After the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee (Acts 26:5). And the whole body of the scribes generally esteemed and acted in concert with the Pharisees. Hence we find our Savior so frequently coupling them together, as coming in many respects under the same consideration. In this place they seem to be mentioned together as the most eminent professors of religion, the former of whom were accounted the wisest, the latter the holiest of men.

1771 text

Many of the Scribes were of the sect of the Pharisees. Thus St. Paul himself, who was educated for a Scribe, first at the university of Tarsus, and after that in Jerusalem, at the feet of Gamaliel (one of the most learned Scribes or doctors of the law that were then in the nation) declares of himself before the council, I am a Pharisee the son of a Pharisee: and before king Agrippa, After the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And the whole body of the Scribes generally esteemed and acted in concert with the Pharisees. Hence we find our Saviour so frequently coupling them together, as coming in many respects under the same consideration. In this place they seem to be mentioned together, as the most eminent professors of religion: the former of whom were accounted the wisest, the latter the holiest of men.

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 25 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:17-20.

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