J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12

Here, J.C. Ryle addresses the wonderful words of the Lord Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, words of comfort, hope and encouragement. He calls upon his readers to look briefly at the meaning of each of the Beatitudes, and who Jesus calls 'Blessed'. Learn therefore and study who are the poor in spirit; those who mourn; those who are meek; the ones who hunger and thirst after righteousness; those who are merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Ryle contends that we should learn "how holy and spiritually-minded all believers should be", and that we "should never aim at any standard lower than that of the Sermon on the Mount".