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TOCKTHBK WITH THK UVRS OF THE PATRIARCHS AND PROI'HHTS AND OF THK MOST KMINKNT CHRISTIAN MARTYRS, FATHERS AND RliFORMKRS, TO WHICH IS ADDED THE IIISTOKV Ol" Till-: JllWS FROM THH I:AR1.I1:ST TIMES ALSO A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, SHOWING THK MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF JEWISH AND CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY FROM THK CREATION OF THK WORLD. EMBELLISHED WITH MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FINE ENGRAVINGS AND SUPERB ILLUMINATED PLATES. R. A. H. MORROW, ST. JOIilJT, j » • t Kntered accurding lo Act of C'ongn:**, in the year l*8g, by J . U. JONKS, 111 the Office of the I.ilirarian of CoiiKref Conj>ic»<, in the year 1890, by J. R. _If)N KS. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. f. TREFACE. This peerless volume is the crowning success of all efforts to furnish a Life of Christ that is worthy of its great theme. It is the fruit of vast research, unlimited resources, and brilliant scholarship. Thei*e is a constant demand for a faithful record of the birth, early life, public ministry, beautiful parables and thrilling miracles of Christ. In this superb work the fas- cinating story is told with such graphic power that young persons are interested, while there is sur^b lofty thought, and glowing description, that the most cultured minds are en- lightened and charmed. The work begins with the birth of Jesus, and those very interesting scenes which surround his advent. The reader hears the angels singing to the shepherds of Bethlehem, and sees the Child Wonderful in the lowly manger, the adoring sages bringing their costly gifts, and the swift flight into Egypt to escape the murderous decree of Herod. The massacre of the infants of Bethlehem ; the birth of that mighty prophet, John the Baptist; the death of Herod; the return of Joseph and Mary from Egypt, and the interesting scene when the youthful Nazarene disputefe with the learned Doctors in the Temple, are thrilling incidents connected with the early life of Christ, and are fully depicted in '• Star of Bethlehem." The striking events in his public ministry are described with a masterly hand. The reader stands on the banks of the Jordan and witnesses his baptism by John, and the de- scent of the Spirit in the form of a dove ; then his terrible PREFACE. temptaition in the wildernesB, and victory over the powers of darkness ; and afterward tlie first miracle which showed his divine power, the expulsion of the money-changers from the Temple, the remarkable discourse at Jacob's well to the poor Samaritan woman, and the healing of the sick at Ca- pernaum. The interest grows at every step as the striking scenes are unfolded — such as the delivery of the famous sermon on the mount ; the curing of all forma of disease ; the rebuke of the winds and waves on the stormy Sea of Galilee; the calling of the rugged fishermen to be Apostles, and those beneficent acts, astonishing miracles, and deeds of mercy which displayed a love and sympathy no less mar- velous than the acts of his omnipotence. Such teachings of Christ as the Golden Rule, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the pathetic story of the Prodigal Son, are both familiar and dear to the heart of the world. The words of the Great Teacher have affected human cus- toms, laws, civilization, and have given character to nations. To unfold the meaning of the mai'velous teachings is one of the main objects of this great work, and forms one of its most attractive features. The reader hears the lips that spake as never man spake repeating the words which have enlightened, cheered and blessed the world since the Heav- enly Dawn of Christianity. No work ever before published has equalled this in gems of thought ; the rich and beauti- ful meaning delights the reader, and makes the Sublime Gospel story as captivating as if told for the first time. " Star of Bethlehem " presents a most attractive and thrilling panorama of the closing scenes in the Life of Christ. You behold him in the crowded streets of Jerusalem ; nt the ^ little village of Bethany ; agonizing in the Garden of Geth- semane ; seized by his enemies and condemned by Pilate ; bearing his cross on the way to Golgotha ; and wearing the crown of thorns. In startling pen pictures the awful scenes of the crucifixion are depicted, and these are followed by the rending of the tomb and sublime Ascension. It would I -5 i " 5 PREFACE. ▼« not be possible for human pen to protray more vividly those majestic events, at once awful and fascinating, which furni the closing part of Christ's life upon earth. Tiiere are sin- gle chapters in tliis unrivalled wori< which contain more to interest and instruct than many whole volumes. It is uni- versally regarded as the most fascinating and valuable wori< upon this grand subject. After an eloquent review of the life and doct/iiies of Christ, this part of the work closes with a brilliant state- ment of the nature of the Christian religion, the truths and principles it teaches, and its grand effects upon tlu; indi- vidual, ti)e home and the nation. The " Life of Christ," comprehensive as it is, is only one part of tin's captivating volume. It is followed with the " Lives of the Apostles and Holy Women." These are graphic histories of those great characters of the Fible which surpass the loftiest creations of fiction. The reader is made acquainted with all the apostles, those valiant heroes and martyrs, " of whom the world was not worthy." Peter. James, John, Luke, Mark, Paul, and many others renowned in the glowing annals of the early church, with such devoted women as the Virgin Mother, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the sister of Lazarus, are pictured in a manner worthy of their renown. The next part of " Star of Bethlehem " contains fascin- ating descriptions of " Old Testament Characters." From Adarn to Daniel, including Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Samson, David, Solomon, find many others, there are new surprises and entrancing discoveries at every step. Pathetic scenes, fierce battles and memorable victories, pass in rapid succession before the eye of the reader. Nothing is omitted that can furnish instruction and delight, and give absorbing interest to the Bible story. The work would be incomplete did it fail to trace the spread of Christianity from the (la\ s of the apostles to the modern era. This is done in a series of Biographies of the vin PREFACE " Early Christian Martyrs, Fathers, and Reformers," em- bracing a period from St. Juhn to the Reformation, and showing how the truth was witnessed by these noble men. No religious work, so full and comprehensive, and rang- ing over so wide a field, has ever been offered to the American people. Its high character is guaranteed by the fact that apart from the efforts of Fleetwood and the Editor, the book is the sum of the learned labors and researches of the most distinguished Biblical writers of the world, namely, Dr. William Smith, Dean Alford, Dr. Bevan, the Bishop of Ely, Dean Farrar, Dean Mil man. Dr. Browne, Mr. Layard, Dr. Milner, Prof. Marks and others, whose names are a sufficient endorsement of the work. One of the great merits of this work is that it comprises, in one large volume, information which heretofore could only be obtained by perusing a large number of books. It is therefore in itself a complete library of religious literature. Nothing necessary to a full understanding of the truths of revealed religion has been omitted, and care has been taken not to burden the reader with matters merely speculative in their character. This work will be found especially valuable to parent* and others desiring to instruct the young in the truths of religion. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Presage of the Birth of Christ— Prediction of tlie Birth of John the Baptist- Salutation of the blessed Virgin by the Angel — Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Biizabeth— Birth of the Baptist i) CHAPTER II. Qeneral Decree for taxation published — Birth of Christ — Declaration of the same to the shepherds — Circumcision and presentation of Chr'st in the temple — The wise men of tlie East worship the Holy Child — Fliglit of Jo- seph into Egypt — Massacre of the infants at Bethlehem — Death of Herod — Return of Joseph out of Egypt 31 CHAPTER III. State of our Lord's childhood and private life— His argument with the Jew- ish doctors — Mission, character, and doctrine of tlic Baptist — Bsptism of Christ, and visible descent of the Spirit on tliat solemnity 9V CHAPTER IV. Commencement of our Saviour's ministry — His temptation in the wlldemesB — Deputation of tlie Sanhedrim to John the Baptist— First miracle wrought bjr the blessed Jesus 46 CHAPTER V. Expulsion of the profaners of the temple— Jesus visits and disputes with Nicodemus — Baptizes in Judea — Instructs a poor Samari'nn— Heals a sick person at Capernaum— Retires again to Nazareth, and is 'expelled thence by his impious countrymen 5S CHAPTER VI. Our Lord proceeds to Capernaum— Adds to the number of his followers — Proclaims the gospel in Galilee — Preaches to a numerous audience his well known and excellent discourse upon the mount 76 9 10 CONTEXTS. CHAPTER VII. Our blessed Lord cures the leprosy and palsy — Casts out a devil— Succort the niothcr-in-law of Peter ; and afterwards pursues his journej through the country of Oalilee 88 CHAPTER VIII. Jesus confirms Ins missian by producing a miraculous draught of fishes- Curing the leprosy a second time — Appeasing the boisterous waves — Cast- ing devils out of divers persons grievously possessed 89 CHAPTER IX. Our Lord proceeds in acts of mercy and benevolence — Adds Matthew to tho number of his disciples — Casts out an evil spirit — Passes again through Oalilee — Selects twelve from among his disciph's, as his constant followers and companions, and harangues tlic multitude in an excellent discourse... 99 CHAPTER X. Continuation of our Lord's glorious doctrines, beneficent acts, and astonish- ing miracles wrought in confirmation of tho divinity of his mission, and the extending of his heavenly kingdom Ill CHAPTER XI. The character of Jolin the Baptist cleared and justified by the blessed Jesus — Display of our Lord's humility and condescension, by conforming to the custom of the age and the place where he lived 115 CHAPTER XII. Miraculous cure effected at the pool of Bethesda— Reproof of the superstition of the Jews, in condemning tlie performance of necessary works on tlie Sabbath day — After doing many acts of mercy and wonder, our blessed Lord is visited by his mother and his brethren, and makes a spiritual re- flection on that incident 131 CHAPTER XIII. Our Lord delivers many remarkable parables, and explains several of them — Returns to Nazareth and commissions tl»e twelve Apostles, whom he had before selected as his constant attendants and followers, to disperse and preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God in divers places — After the death of John the Baptist, the Apostles return to Nazareth 126 CHAPTER XIV. Our Lord adds to the confirmatiou of his mission and doctrine by working a miracle in the wilderness of Bethsaida — The people, struck with the power and grace of the blessed Jesus, projiose to raise him to the earthly dignity of king — Peter, by means of his blessed Master, performs a miracle in walking upon ti»e sea -Our Lord's improvement of the miracle wrought in the wilderness, introduced in a discourse delivered in the synagogue of Capernaum 'M»uv >>• • •• < • 1^11 CONTJJNTS 11 CHAPTER XV. Plmrisaical enpcrstitioa severely reprimanded — Tlie great Redeemer con. timiea to display his power and benevolence, in the relief of several olyects of affliction— Gnards his disciples against the prevailing errors (\nd fallacies of the Scribes and Pharisees — Proceeds on the works of his Heavenly Father 159 CHAPTER XVI. The blessed Jesns delegates a special power to Peter, one of his disciples — Pronounces the final judgment of the world, and is afterwards transfigured upon the mount 161 CHAPTER XVII. Our Saviour relieves a youth tortured -with a dumb spirit — Conforms cheer- fully to the custom of the country by paying the trlb\ile— Reproves the pride of his disciples, and delivers some excellent moral precepts.. 106 CHAPTER XVIII. Our blessed Lord attends for the fourtlt time the celebration of the Passover at Jerusalem— Harangues the multitude at the solemn Feast of Taber- nacles — E.»ompts the woman detected in adultery from the punishment annexed by the Jews to that crime — Escapes from the snares laid for him by the inveterate Scribes and Pharisees ITo CHAPTER XIX. Our Lord continues to work miracles in confirmation of his mission and doc- trine — Calls forth and sends out seventy disciples — Preaclies to the people of Judea by way of parables li>l CHAPTER XX. The humble Jesus resides with Martha and JIary, two obscure women of Bethany — Improves a circumstance which occurred at the Feast of Dedi- cation — Prescribes a mode of prayer to his disciples and future followers — Revisits some of the Pharisaical tribe 205 i CHAPTER XXI. Explanation of the origin and opinion of the dlfl'erent sects amongst the Jews — Our Lord teaches the multitude by plain discourse, and also by parable 219 CHAPTER XXII. Our Lord reproves the ignorance of the people In not understanding the signs which preceded his appearance — Pertinently replies to an Ignorant question and inference concerning the Galileans — Teaches by parable— Re- lieves a distressed woman ; and is warned to depart the country^ in order to escape the resentment of Herod • •• 8S7 12 CONVENTS. CHAPTER XXIII The blessed Jcfius accepta flie Plinrisee's iuvitation a third time — DellTen divers parables reprcseiuing tlic rcquisif^s (or admittance into the kingdom of God — The care of tiie Redeemer for every one of his people — The re- caption of a penitent sinner, and the punishment of misusing the benefits of the gospel 889 CHAPTER XXIV. Jesus rebukes the insolent derision of the Plmrisees — Describes by a parable the nature of future rewards and punisliments ; and enforces the doctrine of mutual forbearance 841i CHAPTER XXV. Our Lord is applied to in behalf of poor Lazarus — Cures ten persons of the leprosy in Samaria, and restores La/arus to life Sol CHAPTER XXVI. The Great Prophet of Israel forett-lls the ruin of the Jewish state, enforces many important doctrines hj- parable — Blcssi-s the children as emblems of the heavenly and Christian temper and disposition 259 CHAPTER XXVII. Our Lord departs from his retirement- Declares the only way of salvation — Shows the duty of improvlnij tlie means -M" grace, by the parable of the vineyard — Prediction of lii.-s suffering, and contention of the disciples about precedence in his kingdom 2G5 CHAPfER XXVIII. The benevolent Saviour restores sight to the blind — Kindly regard? Zacchcus tlie publican — Delivers tlie jjuralile of the servants entrusted with their Lord's money — Accepts the kind offices of >Iary — Makes a public entry into Jcritsalem 273 CHAPTER XXIX. Jesus pronounces a curse upon tlie fig tree — Expels the profaners of the temple— Asserts his divine authority, and delivers two parables 279 CHAPTER XXX. The blessed Jesus wisely retorts on the Pharisees and Sadducees, who pro- pound an intricate question to him — Settles the most important point of the law — Enforces his mission and doctrine ; and foretells the judgment that would fall upon the Pharisaical tribe 287 CHAPTER XXXI. Our Saviour commends even the smallest act proceeding from a truly be- nevolent motive — Predicts the demolition of the temple of Jerusalem, and dcUvers several instructive parables CONTENTS. f3 CHAPTER XXXII. Onr blessed lord is anointed byapuur but pious wonmn — Tlie perfidious Judas conbeuts to betray liis Muster — Tlie iiunible .Jesus waslies the feet ot Ills disciples, and t'oretells that disciple who was to betray him into the oand'i ot his inveterate enemies tl4 CHAPTER XXXIII. Jesus institutes the sacrament in commemoration of his death and suffer- ings — Settles a dispute which :aose amongst his ilistiples — Predicts Peter's cowardice in denying his Master — Fortlties ids disciples against the ap- proaching shock — Foretells Peter's cowardice again — Preaches to and prays with his disciples for the last time — Passionate address of our Lord to his Fatlier in the garden 826 CHAPTER XXXIV. The blessed Redeemer is taken by a band of soldiers, at the information of the traitor Judas — Heals a wound given to the High Priest's sirvant by Simon Peter 848 CHAPTER XXXV. Fulfilment of our Lord's prediction concerning Peter 858 CHAPTER XXXVI. The Saviour of the world is arraigned at the bar of the Sanhedrim, and tried by the Jewish Council 866 CHAPTER XXXVII. Our blessed Saviour is carried before tlie Roman Governor— The traitor Judas becomes his own executioner— Pilate publicly acquits Jesus, and re- fers his case to the decision of Herod 880 CHAPTER XXXVIII. The Roman Governor, for want of evidence, proposes to acquit and release Jesus three several times, but at length, at the pressing instigation of the inveterate Jews, he condemns and delivers him up 867 CHAPTER XXXIX. The innocent, immaculate Redeemer is led forth to Mount Calvary, and there ignominiously crucified between two notorious malefactors— Reviled by the spectators -A phenomenon appears on the important occasion— Our Lord addresses his friends from the cross, and gives up the ghost 878 CHAPTER XL. The blessed Jesus is treated with indignity after his crucifixion— A pious psMoa begs his body of Pilate, in order for interment 88G 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLI. Two pious women go to view the sepulchre of their crucifled Lord and Saviour — An awtui phenomenon happens— A ministering spirit descends — The Redeemer bursts tlie chains of death, and rises from tlic conflnes of the grave... asf CHAPTER XLII. The angel addresses the nious women— Two disciples go to the sepulchre- Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene- Afterwards to a company of women- Peter meets Jiis Lord and Master, after his resurrection 8M CHAPTER XLIII. Jesus appears on divers occasions to different disciples— Reproves and con- vinces Thomas of his unbelief— Shows himself to a great number of his followers in Galilee 398 CHAPTER XLIV. Our Lord's ascension— The resurrection of Jesus asserted and vindicated, against tlie ol)jection8 of unbelievers — General review of the life and doc- trines of the great Redeemer 400 CHAPTER XLV. Remarks on the peculiar nature of the Christian religion, tho principles it inculcates, and its fitness to render men holy and humble here, and happily glorified hereafter 412 THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES AND HOLY WOMEN. St. Peter 42& St. Paul 45« St. Andrew 497 St. James the Great 501 St. John the Evangelist 504 St. Pliilip 511 St. Bartholomew 514 St. Matthew 516 St. Thomas 518 St. James the Less 521 St. Simon the Zealot 524 St. Jude ~ »9» St. Matthias 527 St. Mark 528 St. Luke 580 St. BamaTias 58? St. Stephen 686 •t.. Timothy 016 CONTENTS. 15 Titus S41 The Virgin Mary 542 Joseph, the IIuKband of Mary 548 Mary, the Sister of Lazarus Sf/O Joseph 553 Joseph of Ariiuathea 553 Nieudenius 554 John Mark 557 Clement 558 Mary Magdalene 559 St. John the Baptist 5G0 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. Adam 567 Soah 573 Abraham 581 Isaac 593 Jacob 598 Joseph 608 Moses 618 Joshua 637 Ruth 642 Samson 64() Samuel 651 David 6.56 Solomon 674 Elijah 683 Daniel 691 LIVES OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN FATHERS. Ignatius 697 Polycarp 699 Origen 701 Cyprian 705 Eusebius 707 Augustine 708 Jerome 710 Patrick 712 Peter Waldo 715 John Wycliffe 716 John Huss 720 Martin Luther 722 John Calvin 730 THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY 785 A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Showing the Principal Events of Jewish and Contemporaneous History, Erom the Creation of the World 788 I "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD." ^£a>:^j I The Christian Quarter II The ArmuaiaD Quarter III The J«wa Quartet IV The Mahommcdai^Qttarter V The Moors Quarter m UhMlfiri it Synagogue of the Purtugueu Jtwt 20 MctquB. IT.-TnB KOILIUJISDAS OUASIBib r Kh»D Mil lUtaar. 23 tliDArkl DAih S3 Convent Ktiii SchooU. £4 InatixitP for lllind DerrljhM 2a lliMritHJ of St. Helena 26 Itpimioil Bite ofllio llmiae of the rtlch Man. Z7 Repi..p(l site nftlie Ilonac of St. Vuonlca. 2S KeaiJence iif tlio Turki^li Paaba. 28 Aidi of Uio " Kcce llumu " 3( Piiice uf llin " Siala SaDCta," ibe ilolv (jlalrcaae. 31 l>8vid'H Tonili. d rincn of Wxi inc of thu Jew*. yiu< loUAin Zioift O'"" art vmtehtd oJboim t^ Uptn- i Ocliatii't CMtie. S CtiUKb nl llnly 8«paleti«. 4 Qff-ffc Ooo'i-ot. 8 Oj('Hr Cooveiit t ItiiiiisofSl Jolin'< TTnapltM. 7 Oreoi rtiurrli Pt J'lin'». B I'lMMeiice uf III? t'liriAliiiii Dishoph 9 Clmnli of IliP Groek Siliifflmllcn, 10 Towprof Ilipiiicin |lll^i(l'a Tower. U Smiposfd Sr^ile of Ihr Tower of I'l .3 Th* Frawtau Cautulutx •a Modorn Evan(t(>Iici»l ("tiurcn. U Uospilal and Syr'ao Coiiveut. II.-iaB ABUEMAN QCARTSE as AmenUn CoDTent, with th« Chonlti cS Bt. iamea. ne oitly liuiUlinp in JenuaUm vkiA pnsenis any njyp.aranct ftf eonyfort, . It Vunniry of St. Gtorga. 17 Barriicks. IM.-TIIE JEWS' irARTM. Vie most wre'chtd in the eitf. It Byoacogua of the Sbepudlm. Star of Bethlehem OR THE HEAVENLY DAWN. CHAPTER I. PBB8A0E OF THE BrRTH OP CHUIST -PREDICTION OP THE BIRTH OP JOHN THE BAPTI°T— SALUTATION OP THE BLESSED VIRGIN BY THE ANGEl/— VISITATION OP THE VIRGIN MARY TO ELIZABETH — BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST. No event that ever did, or perhaps will happen, can more re- markably display the wisdom and power of the Great Jehovah, than the glorious manner in which he brought life and immortality to light, by the Gospel of his only Son, manifested in the flesh. History, as it refers merely to human events, is a pleasing and instructing subject ; but that which relates to our immortal interest, certainly claims our most serious regard. If we survey the works of a stupendous Creator, we shall find that few arrived at perfection at once. This observation is amply con- firmed by the various productions in the natural, and changes in the moral world. The Supreme Being, who conducts all his operations a(!Cording to his infinite wisdom, appears to have retained the same maxim in the regulating of his kindest design to the sons of men, The Divine mind and will were not revealed to mankind, at first, in their clearest evidence and fullest splendor. The dawn, in a spiritual as well as in a natural sense, preceded the meridian glory ; the former revelation was but a type or earnest of the latter, and, in comparison with it, intricate and mysterious. The all-gracious God, as it seemed best to his unerring wisdom, Has pleased, by tlegrees, to open and unfold his glorious counr?!r; a n yiT r THE LIFE OF CHRIST —tmd.piiin gradually attained to the knowledge of the great plan of i' salvation, and the means used by its great Author to promote and establish it. Some time before the incarnation of the blessed Jesus an opinion prevailed, among the pious part of the Jews, that the Great Jehovah would condescend to favor them with a clearer revelation of his mind and will, by the mission of some eminent ]|>erson qualified from above to instruct them in the same. This oj)inion was founded on the predictions of the ancient prophets, who had described, with the utmost beauty and clearness, the person, character, and glory of the Messiah, appointed by God, in his own time, to deciar-" his eternal counsels to mankind.* Relying on the fulfilment of these prophecies, the devout persons among the Jews imagined the time appointed by God at hand, and that the promised Messiah would shortly make his appearance, and therefore arc said to have " waited night and day for the consolation of Israel.'' These people, at that time grievously oppressed by the Roman power, and consequently anxious of regaining their liberty, as well as revenging themselves on their tyrannical oppressors, waiteil for the accomplishment of the prophecies with the most solici- tous desire. But this opinion of the approach of a general Deliverer extended much farther than the country of the Jews; for, through their connexion with so many countries, their disputes with the learned men among the heathen, and the translation of the Old Testament into a language now almost general, their religion greatly prevailed in the east; and, consequently, their opinion, that a Prince would appear in the kingdom of Judea, who would dispel the mists of ignorance, deliver the Jews from the Roman yoke, and spread hia dominion from one end of the world to the other. *Dr. Wm. Smith, in his Dictionary of the Bible, writes as follows, concerning the Messianic prophecies : "The earliest gleam of the Gospel is found in the account of the full (Gen. iii. 15). Many interpreters would understand by the seed of the woman the Mes- siah only ; but it is easier to think with Calvin, that mankind, after they are gathered into one army by Jesus the Christ, the Head of the Church, are to achieve the victory over evil. The blessings in store for the children of Shem are remarkably indicated in the words of Noah, ' Blessed be the God of Shem ' (Gen. ix. ::6). Next follows the promise to Abraham, wherein the blessings to Shem are turned into the narrower channel of one family. (Gen. xii. 2, 3.) The promise is still inde6nite ; but it tends to the undoing of the curse of Adam by a blessing to all the earth through the seed of Abraham, as death bad come OD the whole earth through Adam. m T II E t> I P E E (' II \\ I vS T. 19 While the eastern world was fraught witli these SJingiiine hopes, the same angel who had appeared to Daniel, the prophet, with a cer- tain information as to the {n'riml of the Messiah's coming, as well as his transactions in this lower world, was sent to Zacharias, while he was executing his offic(^ before G, he could not utter a word, and was under a necessity of making signs to the j)eople that an angel had appeared to him in the temple, and that he was deprived of the faculty of «peech, as a punishment for his doubting the fulfilment of an event of which he had l)een foretold concerning him. Soon after Zacharias departed to his own hoase (the days of his ministration being accomplished), his wife Elizabeth, according to the prediction of the angel, conceived, and retired into a private place, where she lived five months in the uninterrupted exercises of piety, devotion, and contemplation on the mysterious providence of the Almighty, and his amazing goodness to the sinful children of men. When Elizabeth was advanced six months in her pregnancy, the same heavenly ambassador was sent to a poor virgin, called Mary, who lived in obscurity in Nazareth, under the care of Joseph, to whom she was espoused. This man and woman were both lineally descended from the house of David, from whose loins it was foretold the great Messiah should spring. -f THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 21 This virgin being ordained by the Most Higli to be the Mother of the great Saviour of the world, was saluted by the angel in the most respectful terms : " Hail ! thou that art highly favoreil, the Lord is with thee ; blessed art thou among women !" Such aa address from 60 exalted a Being, greatly alarmed the meek and humble virgin ; to allay whose fear, and encourage whose lieart, the angel related, in most rapturous terms, the subject of his embassy, which was to assure her, That she was chosen by God to the greatest honor which could be conferred on a mortal, and which would perpetuate her memory : an honor no less than that of being the mother of *jyi promised and long-expected Messiah, who upon earth shall be calleo Jesus, because he should save his people from their sins, be the rcsk^rer of human nature, and the procuring cause of eternal bliss to sinners, who had forfeited the favor, and incurred the resentment, of an offended God : that this divine })erson was to be considered as the Son of the Most High God ; to whom should be given by his Almighty Father the throne of David, his earthly father, on which he should preside; and which, being the whole church of Christ, the house of Jacob, tht* spiritual Israel, or the kingdom of the Messiah, should continue for ever and ever. The astonished virgin, unmindful, likewise, that Isaiah had long since prophesied, " That a virgin should conceive and bear a son."' thought her virginity an insurmountable barrier to the fulfilment of the prophecy, especially as such an event had never occurred since the creation of the world, and therefore required of the angel an explanation of the manner in which such a circumstance could be f'ffected. This desire by no means implies her not remembering that with God all things were possible, but only serves to prove the weakness of her apprehension on the one hand, or her diffidence and sense of her own unworthiness on the other. The angel, therefore, perceiving the goodness of her disposition, notwithstanding some little proof of human weakness and shortness of sight, vouchsafed an immediate answer to her inquiry: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall cover thee;" or, in other words, this miraculous event shall be brought about by the aid of the Holy Spirit, and wonderful exertion of the power of the Most High. As thy conception is effected by the immediate interposition of the Holy Ghost, " Therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God." 22 T H E L I F E O F C IT R I S T. To confirm hor faith in tlie glorious message, the heavenly messenger observed to her that her cousin Elizabeth, notwithstanding her advanced years, and reputed barrenness, was above six months preg- nant ; assigning this incontt^stable argument for the miraculous incident, " For with God nothing shall be imj)()ssibli'.'' This reply not only removed all her doubts and fears, but filled her with inexpressil>le joy, so that she even anticipated the promised felicity ; for she, with the rest of the daughters of Jacob, had long indulged a hope of being selected by God to be the honored mothei of the Saviour of Israel : and therefore, on her being assutv^d that such great happiness Mas destined lier by the heavenly Disposer of all events, she thus expressed her reliance on the fulfilment of the Divine promise, and her perfect acquiescence in the pleasure of the Aliuighty : " Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." The angel had no sooner departed, than Mary set out for the mountainous country of Judea, though at a very remote distance from Nazareth, in order to rejoice with her cousin Elizabeth in the joyful news she had received from the angel concerning her. The rapture and delight which filknl the minds of Mary, Joseph her husband, and Elizabeth, on the occasion of this salutation, can alone be ex- pressed by the affecting description recorded by the evangelist Luke, who is peculiar for the beauty of his style, and elegance of his expressions.' That evangelist writes, that the salutation of Mary had such an effect upon Elizabeth, that, on her hearing of the miraculous event which had befallen the Virgin, the babe leaped within her, and that she being inspired with a holy delight on the approaching prospect of the nativity of her Saviour, she exclaimed with raj)turc, "And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ?" Luke i. 34. Nor did her ecstacy cease with this token of humility and joy on the important event; in the ardor of which siie evinced that prophetic influence, which, while it amazed th/* blessed Virgin, could not fail of establishing her belief in what the angel had foretold, for she repeated the very words expressed by the angel, in his salutation of the Holy Virgin, "Blessed art thou among women," together with a quotation from the Psalms, and " blessed is the fruit of thy womb ! " For as Mary conceived the seed long promised, and earneftly liesired — the seed in whom all the nations of the earth were to b» ^^'^l-i 24 THE LIFE OF CHRIS T. blessed — he could not but be blessed himself, according to the words of the Psalmist : " His name shall continue as long us the sun, and men shall be blessed in him : all nations shall call him blessed/' The happy Virgin, catching the holy flame from the aged Elizabeth, broke out into an humble acknowledgment of her unworthiness, and the wonderful grace of the Almighty, in appointing her to the exalted honor of Ix-aring in her womb the Redeemer of Israel, as expressed in those well-known words, *' My soul doth magnify the Lord," etc. Having thus conflrraed herself by this visit, in the belief of the pre- diction of the angel Gabriel, when the period of Elizabeth's preg- nancy api)roached, she returned to Nazareth, having resided in Judea about three months. Soon after the departure of Mary, Elizabeth brought forth her son, the appointed harbinger of the King of Glory ; and on the eighth day after his birth, according to the Judaical custom, he was circumcised, and called according to the appointment of the angel, John, alluding, in the Helirew tongue, to the gracious display of the wisdom and goodness God was about to manifest to the world, by the spreading of the gospel of his Son, of whom this John was the appointed fore- runner. This promise being thus fulfilled, the aged priest was restored to his speech, and immediately broke out into praise and rapture at the marvellous works of God, in strains which astonished all around him. This most surprising event greatly alarmed the peo[)le of the adjacent country, who were divided in their opinions concerning a child whose birth was attended with so many extraordinary circumstances. In- deed, these incidents were worthy of general admiration : that he who was to be the forerunner of the mijrhtv Saviour of Israel, should not make iiis entrance on life in an obscure and common manner, but with j)articular tokens of the favor ijjf heaven, in order to attract the observation of his countrymen, and excite their attention to that ministry which he was called to by God, even the preparation of the people for the reception of the Messiah, who was shortly to appear in the flesh. It is observable that the Baptist, from his infancy, displayed great qualities, both of mind and body ; for such was his strength of con- stitution, through the blessing of the God of Nature, that he lived till near the thirtieth year of his age, when his public ministry began, in the mountain': and desert country of Judea, bereft of almost all the comforts of life. But at length the prophecy of the good old Zacha- I THE LIFE OF CHRIST 2d rias, relating to liis I'litnre oli'vation, was literally fulfilled : '' Tiiou, O child, slialt 1)0 called ilie Prophet of the Highest: for thou shult go before the face of the Lord, to prepare hi.s ways ; to give Unowledge of salvatiou to his people, by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercies of our God; whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." As Joseph had abstained from all matrimonial intercourse with his wife, he was not a little alarmed, when, shortly after her return to Nazareth, she discovered evident signs of pregnancy; nay, so far was he wrought on by this circumstance, that he absolutely resolved on a dissolution of the marriage ; but previous to such a rigorous procedure, !juestioning her concerning the same, she, to wipe oif so foul an aspersion, minutely related to him the particulars of the vision from the angel, and the extraordinary event that had befallen Zucharias and Elizabeth. Notwithstanding this ingenuous declaration, Joseph's suspicions contimied, and suggested to him, that this might be a device, concer- tetnpl(i at the iostAut I I- i THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 31 {n which the pious Simeon exulted in the birth of the heavenly Infant, and finding tiiat he was the promised Messiah, likewise joined with him in praising God, and went forth and declared the glad tidings of salvation to all the faithful in these parts. Having thus, in every respect, complied with the ceremonies and rites contained in the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary, with the child Jesus, entered into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth ; but did not long aliide there; for having adjusted their affairs, they returned again to Bethlehem, the place of our Lord's nativity. This step seems to have been pursued in consequence of their opinion that it was necessary, in order to his being acknowledged the Messiah, "sent by God," that he should reside some time in the |)lace of his birth. Whatever might be their motive for removal, it is evident from Scripture, that while they were in Bethlehem with their Son, certain Eastern philosophers, called Magi, or wise men, came, jn consequence of the appearance they had seen, to Jerusalem, and inquired for the king of the Jews, declaring they had seen his star in their own quarter, and were come to pay him the adorations due to his dignity. Various conjectures have been formed by the learned concerning this star, which is .said to have appeared in the east : some think it was the Spirit of God, others an angel, some a comet, others a lumin- ous appearance, etc. A modern writer supposes it to have been the glory that surrounded the angels who appeared to the shepherds at Bethlehem, on the night of the blessed Lord's nativity. But, notwithstanding these uncertain conjectures, the star answered the end designed, and directed the Magi to the spot where resided the Lord of life and glory. Some men, too wise to admit of the eviden- ces fronj the Revelation, have sceptically inquired, how these East- ern Magi could arrive at any knowledge that the Jews expected the Messiah, and that, therefore, on the appearance of this new star in the tirmamenf, how they should apprehend it pointed out the birth of the great Redeemer of Israel ? The learned assertors of the Chris- tian cause, in answer to these queries, observe, that an opinion of the approach of the Messiah's kingdom had long prevailed all over the East ; nay, this is declared in profane history, by Suetonius, Tacitus, and others. The reason of this prevailing opinion is very obvious. The Jews conceived mighty expectations of the Messiah, from the many prophe- cies concerning him recorded in their o\\ n language ; and the ?>2 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. l! Arabians, from the prophecios to the same import made to Abraham ; it being certain that those jieople retained traditional knowledge of this promise, from the words of Hahuim, who was an Arabian prophet : " There shall eome a star out of Jaeob, and a sceptre shall arise out nf Israel," etc., which every impartial reader mu.st acknowledge refers to the appearance of the Messiah only, and not to any other incident whatever. The other Eastern nations derived their expectations of the Messiah from their commercial connections with the Jews and Arabians, but more especially from the Jews, who being scattered over the whole country of the East, spread their religion wherever they went, which occasioned several Roman historians to take notice of the prevalence of that opinion. Nay, the exjiectation of the Messiah being born in Judea, was strongly impressed on the minds of the followers of Zoroaster, who reformed the religion of the Persians, and who, being a servant. to the prophet Daniel, was partieidarly favored with revelations concerning the appearance of the Messiah. From these considerations, it evidently appears that tin's opinion prevaileft.. if 88 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. were not generally known. The evangelist affirms that Joseph, with the infimt and his mother, resided in Xazarcth, w here the lioly Jesua spent his youth : ''That it might be fulfilled whieli was spoken by the prophet, lie shall be ealKd a Nazarene." It is ^vitlent that our Lord's residing at Nazareth* tended in a remarkable manner to the fuHilment of those propheeies, beeause, in the eoursi; of his public ministry, he was i'requently reproaelu-d with the same, and his eountrymcu often urged it as a reason for their dis- regard of his doctrine. But as the stubbornness oi" unbelief will never admit of eonvietion, we have therefore added these remarks to eonfirm the faith of the Christian, rather than eonvinee the obstinate Infidel. ♦Nazareth Avas an obscuro Yillinj;f' in the days of our T,orcl. and but tor its con- nection with his history, would have remained so. It is situated aniung the liills which constitute tiie south ridi^es of Lebanon, just l)f'rore they descend to tlie plain of Esdraeh)n. At present it contains liOOO inliabitants, and is one of the better-class villages of the Holy Land. It was clos<' to the borders of the country of tl)e heatlien, Avith whom it nialntaini'd more intimate relations tliau the rest of .ludea. Its jieople spoke a ruder dialect than their breUiren, and were less cultivated. Theri'fore tlie Jews looked doAvn upon the jilace and its people with contempt. It is supposeil by some writers that the morals of the people of Jfa/.aretii were so loose as to .^ubjfct thrm to especial odium. ■i i s fe ^r i J I 1 '\jm '"■'"li liill. n ASCIBUT ItA.N(jUBT. "''"*^,<, THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 39 111 i CHAPTER III. HATE OF OCR lord's Cnil.DHOOD AND PRIVATE LIFE— HIS AROUMENT WITH TIIIC JKWISII DUCTOItS— MIS!<10N, CIIARACTLR, AND DdCTUlNE OP THK HAl' TIST BAPTISM OF CUKIST, AND VISIBLE DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT ON THAT SOLEMNITY. The precise circunistances of our Lord's childhood and life, previoii? to his puljlie iiiiiiistry, cannot be ascertained from the writings of any of the evangelists, which can alone be relied on as authentic. All wc lan gather from them is, that the faculties of his mind were enlargal in proportion to the growth of his body, insomuch that he arrived at ilie very perfection of heavenly wisdom. As his parents were poorand humble, he had not the advantage of a linished education; and he seems to have received no other instruc- tion than what his parents gave him in conformity to the Jewish law. But supernatural al)ilities amply compensated for the deficiency of natural acquirements, and he gave instances in his earliest years of amazing penetration and consunuuate wisdom. According to the Mosaic institution, his parents annually went up to Jerusalem, and, when he arrived at the age of twelve years, carried liini with them to that city, in order that he might early imbibe the pn'cepts of religion and virtue. In this place the holy Jesus ttirried without the kiiow-r^dge, and consequently the consent, of his parents, who departed witli the rest that were going toward Galilee; and, tliir.king that he was got?c forward with some of their relations or •u'(puiint;uK'es, they continued their journey, not doubting they should overtake him on the road, or meet with him at the place where they had appointed to lodge. But on their arrival, not finding the child in the village, nor among their relations, they returned to Jerusalem, much troubled, and, after a most anxious search of three days, found him in the temple, sitting among the learned doctors, who were amazed at the wisdom of his questions, and the pertinence of his replies ; which Were greatly superior to what they could expect from one of his tender years and mean education. Those doctors, or expounders of the law, among the Jews, always taught the people publicly on the three great festivals: and it was ou 40 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. one of tliese public occasions tirat the blessed Jesus pave such manifest proof's of Ills wistloni anil penetration as astonished all beholders, many of whom tlionglit he nuist be sometiiing more than human. As, ac- cording to his own declaration, he was employed in his heavenly "^■ther's business, it is natural to think, in the e(»urse of these disputes, he modestly corrected some of the errors which the Jewish rs then taught, and which were repugnant to the principles of that religion which he came to proniote and establish. The wonder of his parents, at finding him in such sublime employment, was beyond ex- pression ; though his pious mother, notwithstanding the |>leasure which the discovery aflbrded her, could not help sliowing the concern which his absence, without their knowledge, had occasioned lutth to Joseph anil herself, addressed him thus, "Son, why hast thou dealt thus with us? Behold thy fither and I have sought thee sorrowing." To this question he replied, Tiiat their siu'prise at his absenting himself with- out their knowledge was groundless and absurd, a they might have been assured from his extraordinary birth, aiul the wonderl'ul circum- stances attending it, that his Father was no less than the Almighty One of Israel ; that he assumed human nature to promote his glorious designs; and, therefore, as his errand was of such moiuent, they nuist not imajfine he (N)uld alwavs reside with them. "How is it that ve sought me? Wist ve not that I must bo about mv Father's busi- ness?" It would seem from this that his unique life was already beginning to dawn upou him. This scene in the teniple lifts the veil for a moment which hides nearly the whole of the early life of Jesus. Here he appears in thf^ sacred edifice as if he would teach that childhood's proper place is in the sanctuary where instruction is given, whore worship is ofTcred, and lessons are taught which benefit all, especially the yomig. Bo- hold, too, his early zeal, and the first outburst of the flame that after- ward shone so brightly. " Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Though his parents did not clearly discern the full meaning of this excellent remonstrance, his pious mother committed his words t<> memory, and, together with Joseph her husband, joyfully returned with him to their poor dwelling at Nazareth, where he lived with them in dutiful sulyection, thereby affording a noble example for the imitation of all children, who certainiy are bound to yield obedience to their |>a- rents, since the Son of God himself, when on earth, has set them the pat- tern, by practising every branch of filial duty to his earthly parents. I THE LIFE OF CHRIST, 41 inifest many Is, ae- ivi'iily spates, ](K•t^rs •f tliat ■ <»f his )n(l ex- ; which I which Joscplj us wilh To this If with- ht have circuin- lini^hty gloiious cv nmst that ye htisi- ah'cady h hides < in \\w ;\oo is in offe 1-0(1, Hj;. Be- at aftor- )ont my of this orris tat- parents. Many persons, of more speculation than piety, may be induced to inquire the cause which prevented the evangelists giving us an exact detail of the transactions of our blessed Saviour's life from tlie twelfth vcar of his a;;c till the time of his public ministry. To such we reply, that the design of the inspired writers being to instruct rather than amuse, they (onsultcd our interests more than our humor and caprice; and that, therefore, the wisdom of God, by whose inspiration they wrote, demands our admiration, in that they passols to an enormous bulk, fit only for the perusal of the studious, and tiiose persons who have much vacant time; whereas the four Gospels, as they are written, make only a small volume, which is con- venient for carriage, Ibr reading, for the memory to retain, as well aa adapted, by the plainness of their style, to the meanest capacities ; notwithstanding which they cont:iin all the important transactions of our Saviour's life, such as those which relate to his mediatorial oHicc, the design of his incarnation, which was to teach us those things which belong to our eternal peace and happiness; to instruct us in his heavenly doctrines, as our prophet; to offer himself a sacrifice upon the cross, as our priest; and to burst the chains of death, and trium]»h- antly ascend into heaven, as king or head of his church. The omissions, thcrelbre, can be of no real consequence, since " These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his name." During the obscure state of our blessed Redeemer at Nazareth, the Emperor Augustus died in Campania, after a long reign of nearly forty years, to the general regret of the whole Roman empire, and was succeeded by Tilierius, his step-son, a prince of a very different temper of mind from his ])redeeessor. This emperor, in the second year of his reign, recalled Rufus from the government of Judea, and sent Valerius (jlracchus to succeed liim. After reigning eleven yeai-s, Gracchus was recalled, and succeeded by Pontius Pilate, a j)erson resLMubling in disposition his master Tiberius, who was malicious, cruel, and covetous. Soon after Pontius Pilat<> was appointed to tht government of Judea, John the Baptist began to open his con - • mission for jireparing our Saviour's way before him, according as was appointed, by preaching " The bajitism of repentance for the remission of sins." Sacred history has not informed us of the manner in which the Baptist spent the former part of liis life; but according to ancient 48 THE LIFP: of CHRIST. trudition, Elizabctli, hearing of HertKl's barbarous massacre of the infants of Bi'thk-hi'iu, tied into the wilderness to secure the infant Jolin, tlien about eij^hteen mouths old, from tlie releutle-ss cruelty of that iniuunaii monster, and there nurtured iiim, witii all the tender- ness of an alleetionate mother, within forty days after which, she died. His aged father, Zaeharias, was slain afterwards, when eilieiating in the teujple, by command «»f the; tyiiuit Herod, for refusing to dis- cover the plaee of liis sou's abodi-. The intended harbinger of the blessed Jesus being thus dej)rive(l of his earthly jjarents, the Fattier of the fatherless took compassion on him, and sent an angel to deiend and support him till he had attaineil to a snlfieient age and strength to provide for himself. It api)ears from the accounts of the evangelists, that he ilwelt in the desert till the time of his public ministry, resend)ling tlie ancient prophet l']lijah, in the meanness of his clothing, and plainness of his diet. His dress was composed of camel's hair, his food the si)onta- neous productions of the wilderness, such as locusts and wild honey, and his driidc the pure water of some crystal spring. His course of life was, indeed, admirably adapted to the doctrine of repentance, which he j)rea(!hcd, as well as to engage the attention of his hearers; ' so that it apjiears highly reasonable that those persons who waited the coming of the Messiah with earnest expectation, should flock to him, anxious to hear what lie had to deliver concerning him. He proved very successful in his ministry, as ho enforced the doc^triue of repentance, because the Icingdom of heaven was at hand : persons of all degrees and professions flocked to him, f^oufcssed their sins, were baptized in Jordan, and submitted to whatever the proi)hct prescribed as necessary to inherit that kingdom, the apj)roach of which he came to declare. Amongst his converts were many of the Pharisaical tribe, some of whom confessed their sins, and were bap- tized in Jordan. The conversion of the Pharisees surprised tlie Bajitist, knowing that they maintiiined a high opinion of their own sanctity, for which reason it was very astonishing that they should express any desire of obtaining a remission of their sins. In short, he was much sur- prised to find the whole nation so afrccted by his thrcatcnings, espe- cially as he knew that they expected salvation on account of their being of the seed of Abraham, a conceit which they greatly cherished, and Mhich they seemed to have derived from a misrepresentation of the following passage : " Thus saith the Lord, who giveth the sun 1 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 43 for a liglit by day, and the ordinances of the moon and the stairs for a light hy nigiit; wlio ilividetli the sea, when the waves tliereof roar the Lord of Ilo.st.s is liis name. If those ordinanees (hpart from hcfore me, wiitii tiie Lord, then tiie seed of Israel al^ovo can be measured, ami the foundations of the earth Hoar(;hed «"/» beneath, I will also east olfthe si-etl of Israel for all that they hav*' done, saith tiic Lord." But th' Biptist, to eurb this arrogance, called them tlie "ofrspring of vipei-*," instead of the "children of Abraham." IVrhaps the I*h;iriseci and Sad.lucees applied to John for baptism, thinking by that mi ins to avoid the danger they might incur from being the avowed 'enemies of the Messiah, whom they expected to come in all the pom',) of royalty, and to maintain his su|ieriority by force of arms. Thus, by a life of inflexible virtue, discourses nervous and pathetic, exhortiitious sincert^and fervent, and rebukes honest and courageous, the liiptist became renowned throughout the region of Judea. Such was the ailmiration of the people at his life and doctrine, that from the vision of his father Zicharias in the temj)le, the arrival of the Magi at Jerusalem, the prophecies of Simeon, circumstances recent in their memories, they began to conjecture that John miglit be the promised Messiah, and were even reaily to jironounee him the Redeemer of Israel ; so that, had he asj)ired to worldly dignity, he might for a time have shone in all the grandeur of human jiomp, and claimed a regard superior to any of the sons of men. But, pious in principle, and humble in heart, he could not arrogate honors of which he was conscious of his unwortliiness ; and therefore honestly undeceived his numerous followers, by assuring them, that so far from being the glorious person promised, he was only his forerunner; and (hat such was his own inferiority, that he was unworthy of doing his most menial offices. "1 indeed bapti/e you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose." Luke iii. 16. During the time of the Baptist's continuance at Bethabara, the Messed Jesus lefl his retirement at Nazareth ; and previous to his public ministry repaired to the banks of the river Jordan,* where * Tlie river Jonlan lorms ttie eastprn boundary of the Holy Land. It rises in Anti-Libanus, by two sources, and flows south, tiirough several lakes, into th« Dead Sea. Its course in an air line measures about sixtj' miles, but the wind- logs of the stream make its total length one hundred sud twenty miles. ItA 44 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. I! Jolin was executing liis commission from above, in order to be there baptized by him. We cannot impute this conduct of our Lord to any necessity there was for his conforming to the institution of baptism ; for i)urity needs no cleansing. It is therefore evident, that his motive w.ui to add a sanction to that ordinance, for ever after appointed to be the initiating rite of Christianity : "Go, baptize all nations," etc. It appeai-s that John immediately, as it were by a j)rophetic revelation, hnew the Saviour of the world ; for we find from the evangelist that he acknowledged liis superiority, and de- clined the office. " I liave need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me ?" Our Lord's answer, though short, is very full and expressive : " Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfd all righteousness." As if he had said. Regard not the preced- ence at this time, but perform thy office ; for it is necessary that we should, in the minutest point, con- form to the Divine will, by which V'< ''nstitution is enjoined. This remonstrance removed the objec- tions of John, and he baptized the immaculate Jesus in the river Jor- dan, in the presence of numerous spectators. When the ceremony was per- formed, as he needed not the in- structions usually given on the occasion, he went up str-aightway out of tlie water, and kneeling on the bank of the river, fervently addressed his Almiirhtv Father for an abundant eflusion of his IIolv Spirit, as he was now entering on his public ministry, the prelude ission. the end of which was the salvation of DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST uroN CHRIST. man kind. ipori breadth ami dcptli vary greatly ; in spring, when liiglicst, it has been found to be one liundred and forty leet wide in gome phices, and entirely unlbrdable, with a very swift current, and many cataracts. Tlic valley through which it Hows, is about five miles in width, and is liemmed in by bold cliffs ; the soil is satidj- and l)arren, but the banks of the river are covered witli a tliick undergrowth. Several small streams ilow into the river. Tl»e waters of the Jordan are clear and swoet THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 45 i His prayer was lieard, his request was granted ; and an immediate attestation of tli^* Divine pleasure given, by a visible ray of glory around liim, and an audible voice proceeding from the Holy Spirit, in thy form of a dove, and pronouncing these words, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased !" Distinguishing hia peculiar approbation of tlio blessed Jesus, by the epithet '* beloved," as well as his standing in that relation to him, in a manner nearer than any of the human race, who arc called, in common, the sons of men. This voice resembled not any human sound, but was loud and awful, like the thunders of heaven, in order to strike with reverence the surrounding multitude, and publicly declare the holy mission of the promised Messiah. The blessed Jesus was called, in the Old Testament, the Son of God, but was, on this occasion, declared by the Almighty himself to be the long-expected deliverer of Israel. Thus all who were ])rosont at this marvellous descent of the Holy Spirit, were amply convinced of the Divine mission of car blessed I^ord, by an infallible testimony from above, this being the Star that was to come out of Jacob, and the Sceptre that was to rise out of Israel ; the Shiloh foretold by the patriarch Jacob; the Great Prophet, by Moses; the Holy One, by David ; the Frime of Peace, by Isaiah, and the Son of 3Ian. But this remarkable event tended much more to the glory of the Mes.siah than all those prophecies, as it was, in some measure, a real display of what they could only picture in the dark. A2T £AtTSfiy blVAV. I 4§ THE LIFE OF CHRIST. ■•'i*». CHAPTER IV. I f COJIMENCEMEXT OP OUU BAVIOUU'b MIKISTRY — HIS TKMPTATIOX IW THB WILDERNKBH— DEPUTATION OF TIIK BAMILDUIM TO JOHN THE BAPTI81 — FIK8T MIIiACLE WKOUOHT BY THE T^LKSSliD JKSCS. The great Rcdecnior, having thus coniplietl with the institution o( baptism, and received a most convincing testimony of liis heavenly Father's approbation, by tlic miraculous descent and efmsion of the Holy Ghost upon him while jjraying on the banks of the Jordan in the presence of a multitude of spectators, entered on his j)ublio ministry at the age of thirty years, according to the custom of the priests among the Jews. It was apprehended by the people that, as he had just begun his public office, he would repair to Jerusalem, the seat of power and grandeur, in order to display to the mighty and the learned his miraculous abilities and eifulgent glories. But, averse to human parade, the heavenly-minded Jesus preferred solitude to the noise and hurry of public life: he therefore retired into the wilderness in order to prepare liimself, by fasting, meditation, prayer, and sustaining tenij)tation, for the important work on which he was entering — the salvation of mankind. To promote this grand design, the evangelists write that this retirement into the wilderness was in consequence of the immediate direction ()f the Divine Spirit. Though solitude itself is melancholy, the blessed Jesus added to the dismal scene by retiring to a barren spot surrounded by high and craggy mouutains, forming a dark aud gloomy ehaos. In this wild and dreary situation the great Redeemer, as Moses and Elijal) had done before him, fasted lorty days and forty nights, maintained an incessant communion witli his heavenly Father, digested the doctrine he was about to deliver, and the obedience he came to perform, and, by a total abstinence from food for forty days and forty nights, "vineed the Divinity of his mission, or, in other words, ])roved that he was a " teacher come from Got!." But the melancholy solitude of a desert, and the extremes of hunger and thirst, were but a small part of ouf. Saviour's aufferings in the •"»!",. THE LIFE OF C H U I S T. 47 L'holy, or, m -sS 4* wilderness : Satan, that implacable foe to nianland, was periuitted to billet him with tlio most insinuating wiles, and assail him with t!ic most alluring temptations, in order to attempt the defeat of Heaven'* most gracious designs, and keep mankind under the dreadful dorain-* ion of s!u and deatli. Tlie enemies of Revelation liave not failed to represent this event in the most lu:licrou3 manner. If any, therefore, s!iould demand ;v!iy God permitted his only Son, tlie Saviour of the worhl, to be tj-.nptod by tlio devil, whoso jiower was deemed to be restrained, Ave reply as follows : — One cause of the Redeemer's being su^Tered to be tcinptcd, was, that he, being pci-sonally acquainted with the wiles of Satan, might become a faithful and compassionate high-jiricst, know how to succor his people in time of adversity, and i)ity them when tiny fjll into temptations. T!iat in order to be a shining pattern of every virtue, also a wise and valiant genp"al, the blessed Redeemer underwent all the dlfueulties and trials attending his service; that we, being animated by his glorious example, might not sink under the pressure and troubles which God, for our good, should be pleased to lay upon us. The Saviour of the world hath not only been exposed to poverty and ridicule, but also to the most trying temptations of Satan ; that as the Captain of our Salvation has undergone the same, we ought not to faint when wo are tempted, out like him be able to withstand the fiery darts of the devil. It doubtless appears highly proper, in order that our blessed Lord and Master might both enter upon and prosecute his ministry with more glory to himself and advantage to mankind, that he should previously overcome the most subtle arts of that deceiver who, under the mask of a serpent, seduced our first ])arents, and involved them and their posterity in one common ruin. But, at the expiration of the forty days, when the blessed Jesus had endured the keenest hunger, the tempter, to make proof of the divinity of his mission, insolently demanded why lie bore the sensation of liungor, since, if he was the Son of God, ho must have power to eliange the stones of that dreary wilderness into bread j and, by so marvellous a transmutation, ho might have the satisfac- tion of knowing the truth of what was said concerning him at liis baptism. But our blessed Saviour repelled this device by citing the words of Mosca, which implied tliat Gofl, whenever it seemed good in his Right, could, by extraordinary means, provide for the support of the T "^l 48 THE LIFE OF CURIST. . I 1 : i I it! human race. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke iv. 4. Satan being defeated in his efibrt, took him to the top of a very high mountain, and, thinking to work on him by another artifiee, showed a bri;>;ht view of all tlic kiniidoms of the world, with all tiicir alluring glories, promising hiju universal empire over them if he would bow down and yield liim the honor of the benefaction. But observe his accursed pride and arrogance in promising that which is the gift of God alone — universal empire over the earth; and requiring what was due to none but the Supreme — religious homa;;o. This blasphemy, as well as insolence, incited the blessed Jesus to p.xQvt his divine authority and command him, in a peremptory manner, to desist; citing this special injunction from sacred writ, •' Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Though thus repelled, he repeated the attempt, and, having taken our Lord to Jerusalem, placed him on the pinnacle of the tcniple, and, by a taunt of insolence, urged him to prove the truth of his mission by casting himself down from thence ; citing, as an encouragement for him to comply with his desire, the words of the inspired Psalmist: "If thou be the Sou of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, ho shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash tliy foot against a stone." Matt. iv. G. But our Saviour soon balllcd this attempt by another apt quotation from Scripture: "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Matt. iv. 7. Thou shalt not provoke the Lord, either by disobeying his command or by an impertinent curiosity to know more concerning his mind and will than ho is pleased to reveal. Thus baffled in all his arts and devices, by the wisdom and power of the Son of God, he departed from him, and a host of celestial spirits, despatclicd from the regions of bliss, came and ministered refreshment to our Saviour after his victory over the great enemy and deceiver of mankind. Hence, notwithstanding the ridicule of the infidel. Christians nuiy derive great encouragement to fight manfully against the flesh, the world, and the devil, under the banner of the great Captain of their enlvation, who is ever ready to supply them with spiritual armor to sustain the combat with that inveterate and subtle foe whose devices he haa experienced — being in every respect tempted like them. During the time of our Saviour's retirement in the wildernew^ THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 49 hi3 faithful harbinger, tlio Baptist, being assured, from the miraculous clcscont of the Holy S^)irit and other concurring testimonies, tliat Jesus Avus the promised and long-cxpcctcd Messiah, continued publishing his mission to tho multitude; so that the rulers in Jerusalem received information of the surprising events that had happened in B.M'.ibava, beyond Jordan, before they saw the blessed Jesus, in confirmation of whose mission and doctrine they were clfccted. Prompted by curiosity, they despatched a deputation of priests and Levitcs to tho Baptist, to demand of him vliether he was (ho Messiah or Eiias, or that prophet who was to rise from the dead (uid precede tlic !Mcssiah, the powerful Prince so earnestly expected bv the whole nation of Israel. Tiio B.ii)tist frankly replied that ho was not tho Messiah Avhora they expected, nor Elias, who, as they vainly thought, would per- Bitnally appear among them, nor any other prophet risen from the dead; but at the same time, hinted to them that, though he was not E'ias himself, yet he w.is that person spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, and him of whom he thus prophesied : "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye tho way of tho Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Isa. xl. 3. The priests and Levitcs, not sufficiently gratified with this reply of the Baptist, demanded of him why ho assumed the power of l)aptizing the people if lie was neither the Messiah, nor Elias, nor any of the ancient prophets risen from the dead? To this demand John answered, I indeed bai)tizc to sliow tho necessity of repent- ance, but my baptism is only that of Avater, and wholly inefieetual in itself to the remission of sins; whereas that washing foretold by Z u'harias, which is of most sovereign cTect, is not my province, but solely that of tho JNIccoiah, for whom I am not worthy to perform t!io meanest offices, and who is actually upon cartli, and among you, tliougli ye know him not, becauso he hath not manifested himself uiit'> tho world. TIic day after the departure of tho priests and Levitcs from dhabara, our blessed Lord left tho wilderness and repaired thither himself, wliilo John was yet baptizing and preaching tiie doctrine of rejientanco. The Baptist, as liis prand business was to direct all persons to flic Messiah for life and salvation in and through him, embraced tJife seasonable opportunity of pointing iiim out to tho multitude: "Behold tJie Lamb of God, which takcth away tho sius of the world I" Lcsi 4 50 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. the attending crowd should surmise that it luul been previously oon- eertcd between Jesus and John, that the ibriuer should assunir^, and tlio latter give him, the aj)pellation of Messiah, ho publicly and solemnly declared that he was, equally with them, ignorant of the pretensions of Jesus to that higii character until he saw the miracu- lous descent of the Holy Ghost, and heard him pntnounccd, in the rtiost awfid manner, the Son of God. "And John bare record, say- ■ ig, I saw th^ .Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he (hat sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto mc. Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God." John i. 32, etc. The Baptist having made this public; declaration, the Messiah left Bethabara, but returned the day following, and John, happening to stand with two of his followers on the bank of the river Jordan, ])ointed to him as he passed, and in a pious rapture rcpe;'ted what he had addressed to the multitude the jircceding day, "Behold the Lamb of God." It is lience imagined that these two discjphs or followers of the Baptist, were absent at the time of the descent of the Holy Ghost, and for that reason this method was taken of pointing out to them the person of the promis(.'d Redeemer. Animated with an ardent desire of iiearing, as well as seeing, this extraordinary person, they left John, and followed Jesus, who, con- scious of their design, turned about, and with the utmost affability gave them an Invitation to the place of his residence. The evangelist John informs us that one of these disciples was Andrew, the brother of Siniou Peter; and it is conjectured from his silence that himself was the other; for it is remarkable that, in his writings, he lias studi- ously concealed his own name. Bo that as it may, it is abundantly evident that the testimony of the Baptist, added to the tokeus he had from the blessed Jesus in the course of liis converse with him, amply satisfied Andrew that he was indeed the promised Messiah, the Saviour and Redeemer of lost and perishing sinners. Andrew soon after found his brother Peter and brought him to our blessed Lord, who immediately called bin by his name, telling him that he should afterward be called Cephas (which signifies a rock), from his firm resolution of mind, and also because lie should contribute toward the foundation of the Christian church. Some time after, Jesus met with Philip, an inhabitant of the town THE LIFE OF CHRIST. M y con- 0, and y and of tlic liracu- ■v in the d, say- aiul it 1 nio to u .slialt ; :-is ewhicli M rd that ,iah \vi\ ' fl nini:: to Jordan, \Yhat ho ohl the (•i])Us or it of the juiintinji in,ii, this lio, con- iflahility ^'"^ v-angt'lii^t hrotlior himself ^ as studi- >! Lindantly s he had a, amply 'i iiah, the ■ 3 t him to c, telling ignificH a le should the town of Bethsaida, and said unto him, " Follow me." Thilip immediately obeyed the divine command, having heard of the character and miasion of our blessed Savioiu'. It is supposed that this disciple was present at the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit on our I^ord it liis baptism, which being admitted, his compliance with his call is no matter of admiration. Philip, meeting with Nathanacl, an inhabitant of Cana, a town of Galilee, informed liim of the actual coming of the long-expected Messiah, that great Deliverer of Israel spoken of by Moses and the ancient prophets, ** Jesus of !Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Xathanael was assured, from the predictions concerning the !^[cssiah, that he was to be dcsee-idod from the lino of David and bora in the city of Bethlehem, and therefore disccvored an amazement at his being called Jesus of Nazareth : " Can any good thing come out of Naza- reth?'' Can that most contomi)t:1>le of places, Nazareth, be supposed to have given birth to the mighty Saviour, the Prince of Peace, especially as it was cxprcssiy foretold by the prophet that he was to be born in Iiethlchem, tho city cf David? Notw"thstanding the improbability of such an event, Nathanacl li:«tcned to Philip, and determined on an examination of the ])erson whom he said was the ])romised ISIcssiah. Accordingly, under his direction, ho repaired to the blessed Jesus, who, knowing his charac- ter, saluted him on his approach with this honorable appellation: *' Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile !" Nathanacl, amazed at our liord's pertinent address, as he had never before seen him, asked by what means he obtained such precise knowledge of him. Our Lord replied, he had seen him under the fig-troo. Probably Nathanacl had been praying under the fig-tree, ar.d been overheard by our Lord, Avho, from the substance of his l)rayer, thus concluded his character; for when Jesus informed him tliat he ga/: him that character on account of what had passed under the fig-tree, Nathanacl perceived that he knew not only what had passed at a distance, but had access to the inmost thoughts of the heart, a projwrty not allotted to mortals, and therefore exclaimed, with rapture, " Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel." Our Saviour then told him he should hereafter have much stronger testimonials of the divinity of his mission, when he should be eye- witness to what the old patriarch Jacob had before seen in a vision — the angels of heaven descending and ascending, to attend the person ■■**k 52 THE LIFE OF CHRIST and execute the coniniaiids of the Son of Man : an appel'ation our blessed Lord assuiiicd, not onlv as consideriiicr his htiiuauiiv, but in order to iullil most peremptorily that reniarliahle pre- dielion of tiie prophet Daniel coiKmiini;- him : " I .saw in the night visions, and l)eh()Ul, one like the Son of !Man came with the cloud.s of heaviii, and came to the Ancient of Pavs, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kiiigdnm, that all peojile, nations, and languages slionld serve him ; his (Imiiinioii is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom tiiat which shall not be destroyetl." Dan. vii. 13, 14. These glowing ])rophecies of the Messiah beam like morning stars through the s-hadows of the old dispensation, and tell of the rising dawn. There was an expectation, a waitinsr, a lontrinsr, the wearv world sighing tor a new lifi". Strange that predictions should be so signally fulfilled, and men should not know it. The great Redeemer, having attested the divinity of his mission by many incontestable evidences, and m:ide five disciples, deparlod for Galilee, where, soon after his Mi'rival, he was invited, with hi> mother and disciples, to a marriage-feast at Cana, a place nem Nazareth. At these nuptials there happened to be a scarcity of wine, and his mother, who interested Ik ivelf in the conduct of the feast, and was therefore desirous that every thing should be done with decorum, applied to lier Son, h(i|Hiigli(' wouhl be able to remedy the defect. She had doubtless conceived he had the power of working miracles, and was therefore desirous that he would give proof of his ability in the presence of her iViends, who were assend)le(I at the marriage. Addressing herself, therefore, to her Son, she represented to hira that they had no wine. Our Lord gently reproved her, in these words: " Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come : " that is, The time or period of my public ministry is not yet arrived ; nor is it time yet i'or me to display my supernatural powers. Notwithstanding this mild reproof, his mother still entertairicd an opinion that he would intenst himself in behalf of her and the company, and therefore ordered the servants punctually to obey his commands. Our blessed Lord, being assured that working a miracle would greatly tend to confirm the faith of his young disciples, exerted his «' B ^1$: III at the ! 64 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. !* ' il (livino power, by ordering the sorviints to fill six watiT-pots, con- tuiniuj; each about twenty {gallons, with water; which was no sooner (lone than the whole was eonverted into excellent wine. He then desired them to di-aw, and bear to the governor of the feast; who, beiiig ignorant of the miracle that had been wrought, and astonished at the i)reierence of this wine to that which had been served up at the beginning of tiie feast, addressed himself to the bridegroom, in the hearing of the whole eoni])any, telling Ijini that, contrary to the usual custom, he had reserved the best wine (<» the last; at the same tim(> cotumending jo judicious a practice, as a plain proof of his approbation of his irieiids present at the entertain- ment. The bridegroom was equally surprised at the address of the governor of the feast, and the occasion of it, which was effected by the sujK'rnatnral power of our blessed Lord. This miracle, which was the lirst wrought by Jesus, confirmed the faith of his followers, and sj)read his renown throughout the adjacent country. The blessed Jesus having thus, by divers means, confirmed the faith of his disciples, and attested the trutii and the divinity of his mission amongst those with whom he had been brought up, departed from Cana, and proceeded towards Jerusalem, in order to keep the ipprof'cliiiig Passover. J.KaUS DBIVES OUT THE MONEY-CHAXOEBS. THE LIFE OF C II 11 I S T. 6ft CHAPTER V. EXPULSION OF THE PnOFANEHS OF THE TEMPLE — JESUS VISITS AND DISPUTES WITH NIC0DEMU8— UAPTIZKS IN JUUKA— 1N8THUCT8 A POOK 8AMAUITAN - IIKAI.S A SICK PEHSON AT ( APKUNAUM — UET1KE8 AGAIN TO NAZAllETU, AND Ili KXI'ELLEU THENCE IJY lUS IMPIOUS COUNTUYMEN. OiR blessed Lord, imiiu'diiitcly on his arrival at Jerusalem, repaired to the temple; where lie was slioeked at behoKlinjr a j)lacc' (letlieatt'd to the solemn serviee of Almighty God prostituted to ])ur[)ose.s of fraud and avariee, and beeome the resort of traders of every kind. Sueh abuse eould not long escape his notice and correction ; having an absolute right to cliastise so flagrant a pc rvcr- sion of a place that, .strictly speaking, was liis own. "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the Mes- senger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in : Behold, he shall come, saitli the Lord of Hosts." Accordingly, the blessed Jesus, whose pious soul was vexed at their j)rofanation of the sacred place, drove out the traders, and overset the tables of the money-changers ; saying unto them that sold doves, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise." These mercenary wretches appeared to have been struck at once with a consciousness of their guilt, and the severity of our Lord's reproof, as they immediately departed without making the least resistance. But our Lord's conduct in this affair carrying with it every token of zeal, for which the ancient prophets were so remarkable, the council assembled, and determined to inquire by what authority he attempted sueh a reformation, requiring at the same time a demon- strative proof of the divinity of his commission. To gratify their cariosity, our blessed Lord referred them only to the miracle of his own resurrection: "D.'stroy," says he, laying his hand on his breast, "this temple, and I will raise it up in three days." The rulers mistaking his meaning, imagined that he referred to the superb and lofty temple finished by Herod ; and therefore told him such a relation was highly iin[)rol)ablc, nor had they the least reason to think he could possibly rebuild iu three days that magnificent structure, which had been M T II !■: LIFE F C II 11 1 S T. fmisiit'd ut iiiimc'iKso cxjk'ii.sc, uiul u;i.s tlic lal.or ol' i'ovty ami six years. Tliough tho i)lt'.«.si'(l iIcsiH (Iccliiud (()iii|ili!iiic(' with tlio rcqucsl of tlio iiiiglily iiiid noMo anioiight tlic iiil.al)it;in.s ol' J( riisalom, lie wrought st'VCTal miracles in tlio presence! of (!k; (omnion i)((i|)I(', in order to eonfinn tlie, doctriiuH he delivered, and prove the divinitv of liis mission. As there had iiot hecii any miraeles wron^hl ainon;r>'t them for ti consideiahic time, tlionrh many wire recorded ill their sacred hoohs, they beheld our blessed Lord w\[\\ amazeiiK nt and veneration; and nu:nber8 were satisfied that ho was tho long- promised Messiah, tho desired of all nations, so olteii foretold by tho ancient prophet>*. For \viso reasons, however, he did not puhlicly discover that ho was tho Great Pro[)het, as ho knew that tho laith of numbers wa? yet but Avealc, and that consequently many would desert his cause when they found ho was opposed by tlio Sanhedrim, or great council of the nation, and did not set uj) a Avorldly Kingdom, as they thought the expected j\I(ssiah was to do. But tho miracles wrought by tho holy Jesus did not excite tho wonder and astonish- ment of tho common and illiterate class of the j)'.'opIo alone. Nicodemus, a principal person among them, on impartial reflection upon his wondrous works, so astonishing in their nature, eo deinon- btrative in thi>it proof, so salutary in their clicc t, so liapj)i!y adapted to the confirmation of his doetrincs, and so perfectly agreeable to tho attributes of Deity, as well as tho ])redictions of tho ancient iirophcts concerning the Messiah, tho Sun of IlighteousiKss, who was to rise with healing in his wings, was perfectly assured that nothing less than Omnipotence itself could pro:luco such wonders; and thence, like many others of his countrymen, concluded that Jesus was of a truth the Son, and sent of G^-., mIucIi last term is tho meaning of the word Messiah. But scruples still arose in his mind, when, on the other hand he considered the obscurity ol his birth, and the meanness of his appearance ; so difl'crent from the exalted notions tho people of the Jews always entertained concerning this powerful Prince, who was to erect his throne in the mighty city of Jerusalem, and subject to his dominion all the states and kingdoms of the earth. To remove, therefore, these scruples, and solve these perplexing doubts, Nicodemus resolved on an interview with the blessed Jesus; but desiring to conceal his visit from the other members of the Sanhedrim, who were greatly averse to his person and doctrine, he chose the night as most convenient for that purpose. T II E L 1 V i: 1' c II u I s 'r. 61 H\X Ilis salutation ot'tlic iniglity IlfdcciiHT ul* Israi'l was tliis: *' KaMii, \\v know that thou art u tcadier conie from G8 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. you must undergo a spiritual and mental regeneration, a renovation of the heart, whieh changes the whole man, and fits you for the participation of heavenly blessedness. This imporfcint work is like- wise spiritual in its operation, unseen by mortal eyes, being wrought on the mind or heart of man by the powerful influences of the Holy Spirit, which change his nature ; and with respect to eternal things, make him another, a new creature. " The wind blowcth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Notwithstanding this explanation of the blessed Jesus, Nicodenius was so prepossessed with partiality towards the Jews, who, on i»v'- (tount of their alliance to Abraham, thought tlioy were the peoi)le of God, entitled to heaven, and consequently in no need of this new- operation of the mind, called regeneration, that he again demanded, " How can these things be?" The Divine Instructor then reproves his dulness and misapp.ehension of what he had so clearly explained and propounded to him, especially as he was himself a teacher of the people, and one of the grei\t council of the nation. " Art tiiou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things?" The doctrines I deliver are not fiction and mere surmise, but founded on eternal truth, immediately revealed from Gotl, and consistent with the will of heaven. I am witness to the same, and therefore affirm that such testimony is sufficient to render them valid. But your preju- dices still prevail, nor can your unbelief be conquered by all the arguments I can advance. -'We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness." If ye thus re- ject the first principles of the Christian religion, such as the necessity of regeneration, or the influence of the Sj)irit of God upon the heart of man, how will ye believe the sublinier truths I shall hereafter deliver concerning the kingdom of God, or state of the saints in glory? If I inform you of spiritual transactions in this lower world, and ye believe not, how can ye believe if I tell you of those things which relate solely to another and a heavenly state? But to con- firm your belief in what I have delivered, know that niy assured know'edge of these things is derived from the Father of Light, the Go«l of Truth, by whom I am vested with gifts superior to any of the ancient prophets. No man hath ascended the regions of immortality, and descended from thence, but " the Son of Man," consequently no man but the Son '%■' THE LIFE OF CUR I ST. 59 of Ivlan can, with truth and certainty, reveal the immediate will of the Father, who is in heaven. Your great lawgiver, Mosos, as- cended not there — Mount Sinai was the summit of his elevition ; whereas the Son of Man, who was in heaven, and came down from thence, with a Divine commission to sinful mortals, hud the most dear and couvincing proofs of the will of his Almighty Father, p;'netrated into the designs of infinite wisdom and grace, and consc- (juently must be higher than any other prophet, being, in a peculiar bonse, the prophet of the Most High God, or angel of his presence. The Divine Preacher, who spake as no man ever spake, likewise labors to eradicate the favorite principles of the Jews, I mean that of confining all blessings, temporal and eternal, to their own nation and people, as well as to show the vanity of cx])ecting the ap])earance of the Messiah in pomp and magnificence. To effect this glorious design, he lays open to the rabbi, that it was agreeable both to the doctrines of Moses, as well as the will of God, that the Redeemer, in this state of mortality, should be exposed to poverty and distress of every kind ; that his conqui'sts were not to be of a temporal nature, over the hearts and will of men ; that his throne was not to be established in the earthly, but the heavenly Jerusalem ; previous to which he was to shed his blood, as, by virtue of the same, all, of every nation and kingdom throughout the earth, might i)ass into the heavenly world, and there, for ever, provided they relied on his merits, and conformed their lives to the doctrines ho preached, enjoy that perfection of bliss, which through his suirerings was provided for them by God himself, to all eternity. This is the sum and substance of Christianity ; this is the sum and substance of what our blessed Lord preached to Nicodemus, that great ruler and teacher of the Jews; a sermon comprehending the whole of wh.at is necessary to be taught, notwithstanding religion is at this day rent to pieces by sectaries, each of whom invents some new-fangled doctrine, suggested by ignorance or presumption, or both united. That God Almighty, the Father, out of his unsupplicated, un- merited grace and mercy to the sinful race of men, sent his only- b(>gotten Son, to purchase ettTnal life through the effusion of his own blood, for all of every nation and kingdom throughout the earth, who should believe in the divinity of his mission, and the efficacy of I'.is atonement, and, in consequence of that faith, conform, as far as the infirmities of sinful nature will permit, to the rules of his gospel. 60 THE LIFE OF C II K T S T. I '■' Only lot your conversation be as bocoineth tlic gospel of Christ." Condemnation, justly passed on all transi;ressors of the law of God, (which are all niaidniy to t)ie Jevs-s, and the worship in the temjile at Jerusalem ? But the wonmn hear- ing Jesus call himself the Messiah, left her pitcher, and ran into the city, to publish the jrlad tidina;s, that the f^roat Deliverer of mankind was then sitting by the well of Jacob, and had told lier all the secret transactions of her life. This report astonished the Samaritans, and, at the same time, roused their curiosity to sec a person foretold by Mo.scs and the jirophcts, and of whose a])pearanee there was then so universal an expectation. The disciples, on their return, set before tluur Master the ])rovision they had purc!iased ; but he, wholly absorbed in niedi- ;atIon, refused the refreshment so biivhly requisite, telling them he had " meat to cat that they knew nothing of." This unexpected answer surprised his disciples ; who, understand- ing his words in their natural sense, asked one another, whether any regarded them with the utmost contempt. In IHO B. C, the Samaritan temple was destroyed, but the people of that race continued to maintain their national existence down to t!ie time of our Lord, although it had been more tlian seven hundred years since they had been planted in Samaria by the Assyrian king. They lay just in the midst of the Jews, but did not coalesce with them, and though tlicir temple had uL-en destroyed, still worshipped towards the mount on which it hixd stood. Tlie Saviour seems to have manifested a special tenderness upon all Qccosions towards these lost sheep of the House of Tsruel. 66 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. I n ^} person had, during their iibsemH', .supplied hiiu witli provisions? Hut Jesus soon exphiined the inysterv, l)y tcliinj^ them thtit ho did not mean natural, but spiritual food; that to exeeute tlie eonunissiou he had received from his Father, was far better to him than meat or drink; and the satisfaetion he was going to recinve from the eonver- sion of the Samaritans, much greater than any sensual enjoyments. Many of the Samaritans were now near Jesus, who, lifting up hi.s eyefe, and seeing the ways erov.'ded with people coming to him from the Mty, he stretched out his benevolent hands towards them, and ad- d'^' kI his disciples in the following manner: — "Say not ye. There art yet four montlis, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, r^ift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John iv. 35. — Behold yonder nndtitudcs, how they are thronging to hear the word, winch has only a few minutes been sown in their hearts! It is not, therefore, always necessary to wait with patience for the eltcct; for it sometimes immedi- ately follows the cause. To gather this spiritual harvest, and finish the work of him that sent me, is my proper food; adding, for the encouragement of his disciples, as you have labored with me in tho harvest of souls, so shall you participate in the great recompense of eternal rewards: "He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal ; that botli he that soweth and he that reaj>eth may rejoice together." John iv. 36. Many of the jjeople had b(;en so affected at the words of the wo- man, that they were fully persuaded that Jesus could be no other than the great Messiah ; acicordingly their first request was, that he would deign to take up his residence in their city; the compassionate Redeemer of the human race so far complied, as to stay with them two days, an interval which he spent in preaching to them the king- dom of God : so that the greatest part of the city embraced the doctrine of the gospel; and, at his departure, said unto the woman, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." John iv. 42. Having accomplished his gracious design in Samaria, Jesus con- tinued his journey to Galilee, to exercise his ministry, and preach there the kingdom of God, telling his disciples, that the time wa» now accomplished which had been predetermined by Omnipotence for erecting the happy kingdom of the Prince of Peace, the Mosalo- reremonies being no longer obligatory. THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 67 Our Lord had performed sevonvl miracles at Jerusalem during the passover, at which the inhahitant.s of Galileo were present. His preaching was, therefore, at first, attendcil with great hue(!cs8, for thcj listened attentively to his doctrine, and received it with great kind- ness and courtesy, especially the people of Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. During his residence in that city, a nobleman of Capernaum came to him, requesting, with .^reat humility and reverence, that lie would come down and heal his son, who was at the point of death. Our blessed Saviour readily complied with th: latter part of this request; but to remove a prejudice they had conceived, that it was necessary to be personally present in order to restore the sick j)crson to health, refused to go down to Capernaum,* dismissing the father with this assurance that his son was restored to health, "Go thy way, thy son liveth." John iv. 50. The nobleman obeyed the word of Jesus, and immediately departed for his own house; but before his arrival he was mot by his servants with the joyful news tJiat his son was re- covered. On this the fatlier inquired at what time they perceived an alteration for the better; and froni their answer was satisfied that im- mediately after the words were B])oken by the blessed Jesus the fever left him, and he was recovered in a miraculous manner. This amaz- ing instance of his power and goodness abundantly convinced the nobleman and his fiimily that Jesus was the true Messiah, the great Prophet so long promised to the world. After some stay in the city and neighborhood of Cana, Jesus went to Nazareth where he had spent the greatest part of his youth, and, as his constant custom was, went to the synagogue on the Sabbath- * Galilee, In wliich about one half of our Lord's ministr}' was performed, em- braced all that country lying between Syro Plioenicia on the north, Samaria on the south, the Jordan river on the cast, and the Mediterranean on the west. It was on« of tlie most beautiful .ind fertile portions of Palestine, and contained the towns of Nazaretii, in which the early years of the Saviour were spent, Cana, in which His first miracle Avas performed, and Capernaum, a dclightl'ully situated town at the head of the Sea of Galilee in which our Lord spent the greater part of iiis private life, and performed many miracles. It was divided into Upper and Lower Galilee, and durirg onr Lord's ministry was under the rule of Herod Antipas. The Apostles were all either Galileans by birth or residence. Capernaum was the chosen residence of the Lord, and was peculiarly His " own city." It Avas a place of considerable importance, and was one of the most delightful cities of the Holy Land. The doom which Christ pronounced against U, has been strikingly fultllled, and to-day it is impossible to locate even its site with any degree of certainty. 68 CHUKST HEALS TIIK NOBLEMAN'S SON. I 11 K I. 1 F E () F C H 11 1 S T. 6» (lav, and nad that 'clcliratt'd prediction of tiio Messiah by th<' Miopiict Lsiiah : " The Spirit of the Lord is upon mc, b<'«'aust' h« Iiath anointtKl nio to preach the gosiK'l to the poor ; he huth sent nie to heal the hrokeii-heart< continue in their uneleanness, snificieiitly proved that the prophets had on some extraordinary occasions wrought miracles in iiivor of those whom the Israelites judged unworthy of such marks of peculiar favor. The council was so incensed at this reply, that forgetting the san(!tity of the sabbath, they hurried him through the streets " to the brow of the hill whereon the city was built," intending to ca-t hira hca, AND I'Alt l' OK THE SOUTH WALL OF .IF,rUTSAr>EM. works drew i>eople from (Jalilee, Jerusalein, Jiuloa, and hoyorid Jor- dan. Nor was tli(! knowledge of these miracles eoncealed from the heathen, particularly the inhabitants of Syria; for they also brought their sicik to (jralilec to be healed by him. Consequently the time our blessed Saviour spent i" *hese tours must have been con- siderable, tliough the cvangelisu. iiavc said very little concern- ing it. But whatever time was spent in these benevolent actions, the vasi multitudes which flocked to him from every quarter, moved his com- paKsion towards those who wen; bewildered in the darkness of igiioran(!e, and determined him to preach to them "the words of eternal life." For this blessed purpose he ascended a mountain in the neighborhood, and placing himscilf on an eminence, from whence he could Ix* heard by the throngs of people attending him, Ik; incul('at(!d in an amazingly pathetit; manner, the most important points of religion. But, alas ! they were coldly received, because many of tlu^m were dire(!tly opposite to the standing precepts del' ered by the Scribes and Pharisees. Surely these p >op!e, who had seen the blesses.s: a 8ul)ji;(!t \vlii(;li the teuelicrs ol" wLsdoin have always oon- sin, instx;ad of a k>ee|»tr(! of riff hteonsness, would liave been the 8cej)tre of his kingdom. Nay, some of the di.s(Mj»Ies themsiilves retained, for u time, this notion, till they were eoijvin(!ed of their nistake, by the spirit, word, and coiidiKtt of their Divine Sa^ iour. Our Lord and Master, therefore, to show hi8 hearers in genenil, and his disciiples in particular, the grossness of their error, declared that the highest happiness of men consisted in th(! fiivor and image of (Jod; these will make man uns[)eakably happy, even in tribulation. I'osscHsing these, the; soi 1 has peace and joy, and a lively hope of eternal rest; without these, no situation, h;)wever |)leasant, no wealth, however abundant, no stiition, however exalted, can atford solid or jxTinanent satislliction of iiiind. You (!ongratulat(^ the rich and the great, said the lledeemer, but "lilcssed are the poor in spirit," thos(! humble souls, that, ih^eply con- scious of their ignorance and guilt, can quietly yield to Divine teach- ings, and Divin(! disp)sals; for how(iver they may be despised, " theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." You admire ilie ^sdy and jovial part of mankind, and please youi-selves with the lio|)es of joy and festivity; but I say liuto you, "lilcssed are they that mourn, for they shall be c iinforted,'' The truti; of this heavenly aphorism is very evident; for what has HO great a power to turn the ll,'ct of th(! .sons of men into the path of virtue a.s illliction? Has it not a natural te.idency to giv( n tidcind a distaste to the pleasures of the world, anil convince thein (hey are nothing more than vanity and vexation of spirit; and cons('quently to demonstrate that they must seek for ha])piness in things more solid and permanent than any in this vale of tears? The Holy Spirit then awakens the most serious thou<.dits in the mind; com|)ose8 it into agnivcand settl d frame, very diderent from the levity inspired by pros{MTity; gives it a fellow-ff-eling for the 8orrow.s of others; and u T HE L I F E OF C U 11 1 S T. I nialvps it tliorouglily ?;en,sil)lc of iho (hmgor of departing from God, the source and centre of all its joys. Nor are the passionate happy; but, on the contrary, the meek: — those who have subdued their tenii)ers can patiently bear provocation, and are strangers to that (h'structive |)assion, envy, Tl»e meek shall inherit the choicest blessings ol" the present life; for. indeed, they prin- cipally flow from that benevolent and heavenly temper of mind. Meekness consists in the nio(h'nition of our passions, which renders a j)erson lovely and venerable in the eyes of liis fellow-mortids; and thence he jjossesses their sincere esteem, while the passionate and en- vious man is considered as despicable, though adorned with the robe of honor, and dignified with the most am|)le possessions. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Men, through vanity and blindness, consider as happy those who enjoy the pleasnres of this life, by rioting in luxury and excess. But this is far from being the case; on the contrary, those are tlu; truly hapj)y who have the most vehement desire of treading 'he paths of virtue and rel";. 'on, for they, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, shall obtain every thing they desire; and shall be iiappy here in the practice of righteousness; and after th's transitory life is ended, be received into the blissful mansions of the heavenly Canaan. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Forgiveness, not resentment, for injuries done, is a real spring of happiness; and those being of a himiane and beneficent disposition, rejoice when they can ju'ribnn a benevolent a'tion, especially to their fellow-mortals in distress. TIk; merciful shall see tluiniselves recom- pensed even in this life; for they shall find, after many .lays, the bread they have cast upon the waters of affliction, return tenfold into their bunoiu. And sunsly nothing can surpass the pleasure felt by a generous mind, at having relieved a brother, when pressed beneath a load of misfortunes; the pleasure is Godlike, it is divine! "Blessed are the mcrcitiii, i'or they shall obtain incrcy." With what dcliglit do we behold the glories of th(^ sun, and con- template the beantifid scenes of nature that surround us! But what |)ropf)rtion has this to the delight that must fill the minds of thos(? who behold the great Creator hinisell", who called the whoh; universe from nothing, and still supports it with the word of his power? But the ineiVal)I(! pleasures of a pure mind cannot be enjoyed by those ho^-k it in the goods of this wurld : it is the lot of those only THE LIFE OK C II U 1 S T. 75 iii'piness was very different from what the lews were accustomed to near from the Scribes and Pharisees, he Id THE LIFE OP CHRIST. tliought proper to name of Father also teaches us, that we owe our being to God, points out his goory where; is about our paths, and about our bod, and narrowly inspecteth every action of the sous of men; but they express his majesty and power, and distinguish him from those we call fatliei*s upon earth, and from false gods, whi(!h are not in heaven, and happy mansions of bliss and felicity, where the Al- mighty, who is essentially present in every part of the universe, gives iimrc especial manifestation of his presence to such of his creatures aa lie hath exalted to share with him in the eternal felicities of the heavenly .b.TUsah'in. Hallowed he thy name. By the name of God, the Hebrews under- stood Cod liimsiilf, his attributes, and his works; and, therefore, the meaning of the petition is, May thy existence be luiivei-sally believwl, thy presence loved and imitated, thy works admired, thy supremacy over all things acknowledged, thy providence reverenced and confided in! May all (he sons of men think so highly of his Divine Majesty, of the attributes, of his works! and may we so express our veneration of God, that his glory may be manifested in every corner of the world ! Thy kingdom comt. Let the kingdom of the Messiah bo extended to tlie utmost parts of the earth, that all the children of men "may know his salvation, and become one fold under one she|)herd, Jesus Christ the righteous." Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. May thy will, O thou great Fatlier of the universe, be done upon us, f ,iat by the light of thy glorious gospel we may be enabled to imitiite the angels of light, by giving as sincere, univ(>rsal, and constant obedience to thy Divino tbrgiv(! our debts, we beg that he would be niereifully pleased to remit the punishment of all our sins, particularly the [)ains of hell ; and tliat, laying asid(( liis displeasure, he would gracuously re(!eive us into favor, and blesa ua with life eternal. In this petition, therefore, we confess our sins, and express th(! sense we have of their guilt; namely, that they deserve death; and surely nothing can be more j)roj)er than such a confession in our ad- dresses to Go'^ : because liumility and a sense of our own imworthi- ness, when wo ask favors of the Almighty, whether spiritual or temporal, have a tendency to give us a propcn* scnso of tho goodness of God in bestowing them upon us. The terms of this petition arc worthy our notice: Forgive us only as we forgioe. We must forgive others, if wc hope ourselves to be forgiven; and are permitted to crave from God such forgiveness only as we grant to otiiers: so that if we do not forgive our enemies, we seriously ahd '".uiemnly implore the Almighty to condemn us to tho punishment of eternal death! How exceedingly careful, therefore, should men be to purge their hearts from all rancor and malice be- fore they venture into the temple of the Almighty, to ofier up their prayers to the throne of grace! And lead us not into temptation, hid dclivei' us from evil. O thou that helpest our infirmities, suffer us not to enter into temptation, to be overcome, or suffer loss thereby, but make a way for us to escape, and deliver us by some means from the evil; cither by removing the temptation, or increasing our pover to resist it. This petition teaches us to preserve a sense of our own inability to repel and overcome the solicitations of the world, and of the necessity there is of our receiving assistance from above, both to regulate our j)assions, and enable us to prosecute a religious life. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Because the government of the universe is thine for ever, and thou alone possesscst the power of creating and upholding all things; and because the glory of thine infinite perfections remains eternally with thee, therefore all men ought to hallow thy name, submit themselves to thy government, and perform thy will. And in an hun-.ble eenso of their dependence, seek from thee the 8Ui)ply of their wants, tho pardon of tiieir sins, and the kind protection of tliy providence. T H K L I F E O F C II 11 1 S T. 79 tH; aiul This is t'lnpliaticiilly ciillcd the I^ord's PRiyrr, bocausc! ilclivoreii by ttic Soil of God hiiiiwili"; mid tlicrclon^ wc; should do well to uiider- Ktaiid it thoroughly, that whcu we enter the teiu[)le ol' the Lord, and address him in solemn prayer, Ave may have hopes tliat he Avili grant onr petitions. Tlu; i)i\ in(.' I'reaeher [)roeeedeil to consider the groat duty of fast- inir, in whieii lie direeted them not to follow the hypocrites in dislig- ui'ing their faces, and in clothing themselves in the melancholy weeds of 8(»rrow, but to be chiefly solicitous to appear before God as one that truly iJisteth. Then will the Almighty, who constantly surrounds us, and is acfpiainted even with the most secret thoughts of our hearts, op<;nly hrhtow upon us the blessing he hath promised ii true })enitcnt, whoso iiinrtification, contrition, and humility he can discern without the ox- tciiial appearances of sorrow and repentance. It must, however, be reiiiciiibered, that our blessed Saviour is here sjjcaking of private la>ling, and to this alone his diret.tions are to be applied ; for when we are called upon to mourn over public sins and calamities, it ought to be performed in the most ])ul)lie manner. lleaveidy-mindedness was the next inculcated by the blessed .fesus; and this he reconunended with a peculiar earnestness, because; the J(!wish doctors wore in general strangers to this virtue, in which he was desirous his followers should bo clothed, as being the most excel- lent ornament for a teacher of righteousness. This is strenuously recommended by our blessed Saviour, by showing the deformity of its op{)ositc — eovetousness, wJiieh has only perishable tilings for its ol))ect: — "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corru])t, and where thieves do not break throuiih nor steal : for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. vi. 10, 20, 21. More solid happiness will accrue from depositing your treasures in heaven, thar, in laying them up in earth, where they are subject to a thousand disasters, and even at best, can remain only for a short series of years: whereas those that are laid up in the heavenly Jerusalem are iiermanent, subject to no accident, and will lead to " ii crown of glory that fadetli not away, eternal in the heavens." Nor let any man be so foolish as to think he can place his heart on the happiness of a future life, when his treasures are deposited in this vale of mis- ery; for wherever are laid up vho goods which his soul desireth, there 80 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. his lioart and all't'ctions will also iviuuin. It", tliorcfoiv, you are desir- ous of sharing in the joys of eternity, you must lay up your treasures in the "mansions of my Father's kingdom.*' Lest they siiould imagine it was possible to be both heavenly- minded and eovetuus at the same time, he assured them that this was full as absurd as to injagine a person eould, at the same time, serve two musters ol' opposite eharaeters. " No man ean serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye eannot serve God and Mammon." Matt. vi. 24. To strengthen this doctrine he added a few plain and evident in- stanees of the power, j)erfeetion and extent of God's providence, in wl'.ieh his tender eare ibr the least and weakest of his ereatures shines with remarkable lustre, demonstrating the wise and paternal attention of the Deity to all the works of his liand. *' Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment?" Matt. vi. 25. lie desired them to ol)si'i've the bii'ds of the air, the lilies, and even the grass of the iield ; leading his most illiterate hearers to forma more elevated and extensive idea of the divine; government than the piiilosophers had attiiined, W'ho, though they allowed, in general, that the world was governed by Ciod, had very eonfused notions of his providence with regard to every individual creature and action. He taught them that the Almighty Father of tlie whole is the guardian and protector of every being in the universe; that every action is subject to ills will, and nothing left to the blind determination of <'!ianee. And if our lives be according to the Divine will, we have surely no reason to lie anxious about the iiecesssirics of life. "Behold (says the blessed Jesus) the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they rciip, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feed- eth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matt. vi. 26. Are not the fowls of the air, who have no concern for future wants, feord then prohibited all rash and uncharitable censure, either SS^IH^ THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 81 with regard to the cliuructera of others in genenil, or thtur actions in pQrti(Milar ; lest, in .«o doinj,', both God and man resent the injury. If you judge (iharitably, says the benevolent Ucdccinor of the human race making allowances lor the frailties of human nature, and are ready to pity and pardon their limits, both your heavenly Father and man will deal with you after the same manner, ihit if you al- ways i)ut the harshest construction upon every action, and are not touched with a feeling of your brother's infirmities, nor show any mercy in the opinions you form of his character and actions, no mercy will be shown you either from Omni|)ot<'nce or the sons of men. God will inflict on you the punishments you deserve, and the world will be sure to retaliate the injury. "Judge not, that yo be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and witli what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. vii. 1, 2. The blessed Jesus, In this pious discoui-se, charged them to cultivate an entire reformation in themselves; a particular absolutely nwiessary in those whose office it is to reprove and reform their brethren. And surely nothing can be more preposterous than to condemn in others what we practi(H^ ourselves; or to set up for reformers of the world, whiiu we ourselves are contaminated with the most enormous vices. With what countenance can we undertake to rebuke others, when we ourselves are plunged in the most detestable pollutions? Well might the lledecmer of the world say, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matt. vii. 5. Lest the disciples should think that these precepts were not to be attamed by human nature, he dire(^t belief of these; instru(!tions, without the practici; of them, is of no manner of importance. The way of life which our blessed Redeemer has marked out for us, in such precej)ts as the above, may indeed, to corrupt nature, appear rugged and narrow, and the gate strait, through which we are to pass; but let us encourtige ourselves against all the difficulties, by considering- that immortal life and glory to which they infallibly lead. Then shall we, doubtless, prefer the most painful way of })iety and virtue, though with yet fewer companions, than we might reasonably expect, to all those flowery and frequented paths of vice, which lead to the chambers of death. |i w **!*>*. THK T-1 FK OF CII IM ST. S8 CHAPTER VII. Jim BLE88KD LOUD CUUK8 THK LRPU09Y AND PALSY— CASTS OOT A ')|.VM.— SOCCOU8 THE MOTIIKK-IN-I.AW OK I'KTKU ; AND AFTKHWAUD8 PUKStlKH MIS JOUUNEY TUKOUHH THE COL'NTIIY OK (lALILEK. TliK jrri'iit prt'uclier of l.sruol Imviujf fini.sIi(Kl liiu exccIU-nt
  • <- (•oiu'se, canu! down from the mountain, surmundcil In- a nmllitudc of people, who had listened with astonishnicnt to the doctiims he de- livered, whi<'h w(!ro soon eonfirnu'd by divers miracles. A leju^r met him in his way to CaixTiiaum, and being doubtless acquainted with the wondrous works he had already performed, threw himself witli great hunulity before the Son of (lod, using this remarkable expres- sion, " Lord, if thou wilt, thou eanst make me clean.'' The species of leprosy, common among the Jews and other eastern nations, was equally nauseous and infectious; but this was so tar tVoin preventing the blessed Jesus from approa(;liing so loathsome an oliject, that it increased his pity: he even touched him; but instead of being pol- luted himself, the leper was instiintly cleansed, and lie departed, glorifying God. The evangelist adds, that Jesus forbade him to tell any person what had been at a condescension to one who was not of the seed of Jacob, and therefore told him that he did not mean that he should give himself the trouble of going to his housc^, which was an honor he had not the least reason to expect, being confident that his word alone would be sufficient; disease and devils being as much subject to his commands as his soldiers were to him. Our Lord wa» not ignorant of the centurion's faith, or the basit on r ,.^„.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ut lU £2.2 £ U£ IIIIZO i.8 U II 1.6 ^ <% /j 7 o^ /A iV L1>^ \\ ^V <^^ V '^O^ A^ THE LIFE <0V CHRIST. which it was built ; he well knew ti!n thou(;hts of Ills heart long )>o> fore he uttered his requent; and to ninkc this iiiith the nion; conspicu- ous, he gave it the pruisc it so justly dest'i'vj'd : " Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Isniel." Matt. viii. 10. This (centurion douhtless relied upon the rninicle Jesuw had before wrought upon the nobleman's son; but the excelleiu-y and peculiarity of it i-onsisted in applying the most grand ideas of the Divine power t«» su8, who, according to outwanl appearance, was only one «)f tin- sons of men. This exalttnl laitli induced the blessed ,I«'sus to dc<;Iaiv the gracious intentions of his Almighty Father, with ivgard to the (lentiles, namely, that he would as readily accept their faith as that of the Jews, and place them with Abndiam, Isaa«', and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; while those who boast<'«l of Ix'ing the otts))riiig of these gnntt ]>atriarchs, but fell far short of the heathen in faith, ^hould be excluded from the blii^sful scats of paradise. "And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Ja(M)b, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall 1m> cnst out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth/' Matt. viii. 11, 12. Having thas addressed the multitude, the blesse^l Jesus turnesu8, who wanted the testimony of no such con- fessors, commanded him to keep silence, and immediately to come out of the man ; which <'ommand the evil spirit instantly obeyetending that no more is meant by a person possessed of the devil than that he was afflicted with some loathsome disease; and tJiat beodiUi«ie •tcpulchres were considered as {diluted ^^'1!"|* THE LIFK OF CHRIST. 86 p)ait«, therefore, whenever any tnelunclioly |K>rRun frequcntetl them, they were 8aid to lie posHessed of unclean Hpirits. They add, that it will l)c y brought unto him all sick [KTople that were taken with divers diseases, and those which were possessco\rer against unclean spirits, to cast them out, anssion of a large share of the world; and, tlurefore, one end of the inciirnation of the Son of God was, that he might " o "1 THK LIKK OF II II I S 1. 87 It liiw Ihjcii twkcfl, why tlie di-vil, who, it iis phiiii from the text, kn(>w our Saviour to be the Sou of GcmI, sliouM put it into tlie heart <>r .Imhifs l<» hetiiiy him, ainec this w;w the proper nutli< not ignorant of his divinity, yet he might be so far infatuated, as to tliink, that by destroying his hmuanity, he shouUi dcl'cat tiie great design of Oinnipothend, till Ciod himself was pleascKl to r(!vo il it. Having performed this astcmishing mirade in the synagogue, our Lord retired to Peter's house, where he found his wife's mother siek of a fifver; but on his taking her by the hand, she was imnunliately restored to health, and arose from the IkhI, and " ministered unto him." The evangelist St. F^ike, in his aeeount of this miraculous cure, tells us, that "he rel)iike«l the fever," Luke iv. 39, to intimate his authority over all diseases, lieing analogous to the figurative exprcss- ptTHonal power of evil, he uses im argument, us to the division nut assert or imply any ohjeetive reality of jiossession. In the face of this ma^s of evidence it seems ilifli<;idt to conceive h(»w the theory can be reconciled witli anytiiing lilie truth of Scripture. Ill We aro led, therelbre, to the ordinary and literal interpretation of these passag<'s, that there are evil spirits, subject i of tlie Kvil One, who in the days of the Lord himself and his Apostles especially, were permitted hy Ood to exercise a direct infliicnco over the soula and bodies of certain men. This intluence Is clearly dietingu.shed from the ordinary power of corrujilioii and temptation wielded by Satan through the permission of God. The distinguishing feature of possession 's tlio complete or incomplete loss of the sufferer's retuson oi power of will ; his itctions, his words, and almost his thoughts, are mastered hy the evil spirit (Mark i. 24, v. 7; Acts xix. 15), till liii« personality seems to bo destroyed, or, if not destroyed, so overborne as to pntdiice tlie consciousness of a twofold will within him, iiko that sometimes ftlt in a dream. In the ordinary temptations and assaults ot Suu-vn, the will itself yields consciously, and by yielding gradually assumes, without losing its apparent fre<'dom of action, the characteristics of the Satanic nature. It is solicited, urged, and persuaded against the strivings of grace, but not OTer- l»orno." -Dr. William Smith. •• THE LIFE OK C II K I 8 T. ions in Scripture, wiiiclt not only r«-{>n-M-iit all iiiuiiiiimtu creAturvH aa •ervantM to the Almighty, hut diM'siMt*, liitninc, |H-htilcufC, a\n\ the like, 08 uxifutioncrs, wuitiiig on him to inflid puni^^liiiM iit on rebel- lious sinners. " Before him wont thi- {M.'stilenirc, anuM« went forth at his finl." Heh. iii. 6. The fame of tht-si* minicles wan wwn («|m>uath was over, which cndiKi at the setting of the sun, the wlioU' city was gathcrni togctiicr ahout Peter's houi^*, and with them grmt numbers of n'wU. |H>rsonH, and those posses-sed witli devils. The sight of so many human objecrts in diKtrcss excite prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled : " IlituHcIf took our infirmities, and ban- our sickuj-KxcH." But the vast concoun**- of |>ooplc that now gathereHome, and he retired into a desert, whither the multitude s«miii followcfus4>r8 of people, tliat ho found it necessary to step ih^o Peter';< »hip; from whence ho tau;;lit the ninltitudc, who stood ou the Khurc liBtoniug with great attention to IiIh d(M*trine. Having concluilcd his discourse, ho turnotl himself to Simon Peter, dcHiring hitn to launch out further from the shore,* ami let down his net. On which the discnpio told him of the unsueeessful pains they had t:ikcn during the whole night ; but added, that he would, in ohcdiencc to his command, make one trial more. Nor had he any r.iusc to rejM'nt; for the net was no sooner in the lake than they iou:"d it w) full of fishes, that it was in danger of breaking; the dnuigh*' being so large, they were eomjx'lled to call "unto their [tar^iers in another ship that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both ships." This Buwicss, arter such ill fortune, astonished Peter, who, falling down at the feet of Jesus, cried out, " Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." lie was conscious of the many sins he had • Tlie Scaof OaMlep, or of Gcnnrsurct, is called the Boa of Chinncreth, or rinncrotli, in the Old Testampnt. It is a bcautitui hike, oval in sliapr, about lliiitcpn or fourteen geograpliicjil miles long, and six wide. It is sometimes spoken of as tlio 9ca «»f Til)eriu«, in the New Testament, that celebrated city liuving stood on its lianlis. It was situated in tlic most densely |>opulatcd part of Palestine, liaviuij no less than nine cities on its shores. The Uiver Jordan 'lows Ihnm^h it, nnterinij it nt its northern end, and (lowing out at the south. It is seven hundred feet IHow the level of the ocean, and is surrounded by a r ijrged and unattractive country. "The great depression makes the siiores almost tropical. This is very sensibly felt by the traveller In going down from tlie plains of Oalilee. In summer the heat is intense, and even In early «pring thoairhas something of an Egyptian balminess." Tno beach is covered with lirijht, sparklinr pebbles, and adds much to the appenranco of the Uke. Th» waicr Is clear, cool, and sweet, and abounds in fish. THK LIFK OF CHRIST. 91 been guilty of; and tlierctore afraid of Im-Iiij^ in the coiiipuny of m divine a pci-soii, it^t ttonie otleuei- nii^iit iiavu exposed him to more than ordinary elia.-.ti.s«!ni<'nt. But tlic iKiu'Volenl llnlcemer of iiianint of him and hix companions should U; far moiv noWIe ; they should '* eateh men;" that is, they should turn iliem from the crooiied paths of iniquity, to the strait road leading to the heavenly mansions. This miracle was \ unsisus, fell on his fiicc, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Luke v. 12. It was the custom in Judea, for the priests to banish from 80ci<>ty those iK'rsons who were aflBicted with contagious leprosy. The disease of this person, therefore, was of a less jiestilential kind, as he was Hutlcred to enjoy the c«)nversation of men. His case, however, excited the pity of the com|Ki>wioiiate Jesus, who imnuHliately cleansed him, and ordered him to repair to Jerusalem ; and, af>er showing himself to the priest, offer the gifts commander, and tho other mcntioncHl in the ibreguingchupt4'r, ure one and the wuni; |>orRon ; but this iH a iniHtukn. The former wuh cured in the fields, the luttcr in the city. After eleunHinfr the first, Jesuu went to CiiiMecn determined by Providence (Viieern- ing him. In the meantime, " he was to work the works of him that Bent him while it was day." John ix. 4, and to propagate his gos|K>I with the greater facility both among the Jews and Gentiles; which could not have been so conveniently |)erformeblFK OF C11U18T. N to the other side of the laku ; u|m)ii which u iiTtn'iu Scribe, who ha|>- iKTicd to 1)0 present, j>o«etl the MesHiah would cstub- jinh, fold him, that if he intended nothing more by following him, than to improve his worldly wealth, he would find himself wretchedly miHtakcn. "The foxi's have hoh's," said the blcHscd Jceus to this teacher of Isniel, " and the birds of the air have nests; but tlic Son of man hath not where to lay his liead." Matt. viii. 20. The title, Son of man, is a name by which the Mtrssiah is called in the prophe<;y eoneerning him rcconlcil by the prophet Daniel, (vii. 13,) where his universal dominion is described; ami, therefore, when applied to our great Rtslecmcr, denotes ids human nature, and, at the Maine time, (umveys an ias of the night increased the horrors of the temi)est. Now they were carried on the top of the mountjii nous waves, and seenKHl to touch the skies : then plunged to the l)ottom of the deep, while the foaming billows roared horribly above them. In vain the diseri8h!" Their vehement cries rouse U O n o 03 M ■"**' T 11 K L I K K (» K (' II K I ST. »{> MA inHtantly olx'ytHl liiH cotiiiiiuiui. Tlir arriul torrent MtopiNti sliurt ill itH iiii|H'tuou8 coursi', uiui Ihiiiiiu' nilciit uh tlu? ^I'ikvi , wliili' tli<> niuuntaiiioiiM wuvi« Hiiiik at otuv into their iM-dM, und the riiirtiiee of the deep lH-en their ^reat Master perform ntuny miraeles; and therefore iiad ahuiidant reaw>n to rely wholly on hin |X)wer and gfHxIneHs. They Mhould have eonnidered that he who wuld by hiw word nstore (he Hick, und bring the inhabit^mts of tin 8ca to their net«, eould with the Mtine ea>M> have HnpiM)rt<>4l them on the Huriiiee of the ileep, had tin* >>hip snnk iM'neath them, ami earrie*! tlicni safe to the place whither they were going. IJnt they w-^'nunl u* have forgotten the power of their Master ; and, when hmnan assist anee f'liled, to have abandone. The blessed Jesus, tlierelure, very justly rebuked them, "Why are ye tearful, O ye «f little faith?" Why should ye doubt of my i)ower to protect you? The voyage was undertaken at my e()mmanil : and theivfore you should have Ixfu eonfident that I would not sutli'r you to |M'risli in it. It is indeinl strange that the dlHciph-s sliouM have? Ikh-u so n'n;?irk- ably terrili«Kl during lh<' storni, and after it to make this reflection, " What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the seu obey him'"' Matt. viii. 27. But it should 1m' remendH-nHl that the terror of the storm had (h-- priveil them of all pri'senec of mind, so that they tlid not n-folh-el tlie divine power of their Master during the fury of the tempest : and tlie transition from a terrible storm to the most perfect cidm was so quick and astonishing, that they probably uttt^red this refleetiou before the confusion in their minds was over. Soon afler the storm was allaywl, they arrived in the country of Gadara ; and on their landing, two men |)ossessed with devils esuiu-- from the tombs to meet Jesus. One of then>, who was more furious than the other, had been often bound with chains and fetters, but to no pur|)ose, lK>ing always broken with great fury; so that no man attemptev ('Illy inandati! \va.s no scKnu-r t^ivrii than they fell on their fotx-s, crying out, " What have 1 to do with thee, Jesus, thou Stm of tl»o Most Iligli God?" Mark V. 7. "Art thou roiiur hither to torment us before the time?" Matt. viii. 'J!>. "I adjure tlieo by God, tliat thou torment me not," Mark v. 7. The apostate spirits well knew the power of the Son of God, and treiultled lest ho Khould immedi- ately cast them into the torments ])repared for them, and not suffer them to continue moving through tlu^ earth till the day of judgment, when they shouhl be condemned to eternal punishment in the sight of the whole creation. Jesus being willing that the torment 8ufl(;nMl by those miserable men »held at a distaiue the torments these poor creatures sudercd, with what amazing nipidity they ran to the confines of the lake, leaped from the precipiee^f into the sea, "and ]M'rished in the Avaters;" while the persons who, a iiiouient before, were raving and cutting them- solvca in the most shocking manner, became at onee meek and com- posed, having reeoveres8e«l Jesus, who entering the shij), returned to the country from whence he came, leaving them a valuable pletlge of his love, and us a noble pattern of perseverance in well-doing, even when our kind- nesses are comlemned, or requited with injuries. He would not suffer the persons di.-possesse per- formed such astonishing miracles as ought to have removed all their scruples with regard to the truth of his mission. Among other instances he gave of his Divine power, was that of restoring a man to perfect health, who had long been afllictcd with the palsy, and was reduced by that terrible disease to the most nielan- clio'y condition, being unable to move any member of his IkkIv, but eeemcd ratlier an ematiated carcass than a man. Tiiis miserable objcH^t was supported in his bed by four persons, who being unable to critcr by the door, on account of the multitude, carried him to the top of the houso, which, like the other roofs in that country, was flat, arni had a battlement round, according to the direction given by Moses. Dcut. xvii. 8. On these roofs there was a kind of trap-door, by which they came out of the aouses upon the roofs, where they spent a considerable part of the day. It was also common to lu.ve a flight of stairs from the garden to the roof; and by these the persons seem to have carried the eick of the palsy ; but finding the door fastened, forced it ojwn, or uncovered the roof, and throu.;h the opening lot down by ropes the sick of the jmlsy, lying on his bed, into the midst of the company, before Jesus, who seeing the faith of the friends of this afllicted person, 100 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. he had compassion on him, and spake aloud, "Son, be of good cheer I thy sins are forgiven thee," Thi* pride of the Scribes tidving ofTenee at this sjiying, cried out, This man S|>ealveth bhisplieniy ; lor he appropriates that to liiniself, wiiich is solely the province of Omnipotence. '* Who can forgive sins, but God only ?" They were ignorant that the person who uttered such gracious wonls was the Son of God ; and consequently, had the power of forgiving the sins of the human race. But our Lord who had reuri)ose, "came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment : for she said within hereelf. If I may but touch his clothes I shall be well." Nor was she deceived; for no sooner had she touched the border of the garment of the Son of God, than "her issue of blood dried up:" and she felt, by the return of her hcaltii and strength, and other agreeable sensations that accompany such sudden changes, from painful diseases to perfect health, that the cure was absolutely complete. But this transaction could not be conccale, trembling, and told him all. Perhaps the uneleanness of her distemper was the reason of her fear, thinking he wonUl he off'emled, even al her touching the hem of his garment. But the divine physician, far from being angry, spake to her in th' kindest manner, and commended her faith, on Vvliich account he had consented to heal her plague : ** Daughter, be of good comfort : thy faith h'<.th made thee whole." Matt. ix. 22. Such a miraculous incident must, doubtless, have greatly strength- ened the ruler's faith ; for, behold, a virtue, little inferior to that of raising the dead, issues from the border of Christ's garment, and heals a disease, which, for the space of twelve years, had baflfled all the precepts of the healing art, and defied the |iower of medicine. Indeed, the faith of this ruler had great need of the strongest confir- niations; for news was brought him, that his daughter was even now dead; and therefore it was needless for him to give any further trouble to Jesus, not in the least suspecting that he had power to recall the fleeting spirit, and to reanimate a breathless carcass. This message was a terrible blow to the affectionate parent. His only daughter, who, a few days before, 'vas in the bloom of youth, was now a pale and lifeless corpse; and with her all his joys and comforts were fled. But Jesus, commiserating his grief, desiretl him to be comforted, promising that his daughter should be made whole. On his coming to the ruler's house, he found it full of mourners, who made terrible lamentations ; a sufficient demonstration that the damsel was really dead. And, accordingly, wdien our blessed Saviour desired the mourners to cease their funeral ceremonies, as " the maid was not dead, but sleeping," they " laughed him to scorn." It is necessary to remark, in this place, that the Jews, when they spoke of a person's death, styled it "oleep," to intimate their belief that his spirit existed in the happy scenes of paradise, and their hopes of a future resurrection to life eternal. But the blessed Jesus used the word with remarkable propriety, to signify, that though she was now locked in the cold embraces of death, yet he was going to release her from the power of the kinr^ of terrors, with the same ease as a person is awaked from sleep. Thus our blessed Saviour, in the very nianner of performing a miracle, modestly declined the honor that would undoubtedly result from a work so greatly superior to all tho powers of the sons of meu. 104 CIUUST BAISIMO JAIKUS* OAUGUTSB. THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 105 Haviii"- thus briefly addrt-s-scd the mourners, he entered the chambci where the dainscl was 'ying, but sutVered none to follow him, except iVter, James and John ; together with tiie lather and mother of tho damsel. Probably his reason for suffering these only to l)c specta- tors of so stupendous u work, was, that they migh'^ have an oj)portu- nity of examining the whole transaction in the most careful manner, and be thence enabled, afterwards, to rej>ort it upon the fullest eon- viclion, and with every circumstance of credil)ility. Tlie blessed Jesus now approached the body, took her by the hand, and, with a gentle voice, said, "Maid, arise!" The heavenly com- mand was instantly obeyed : the damsel arose, as from a sleep, and wifli all the appearance of health and vigor; for Jesus commanded to give her something to eat : a plain proof that she did not appear in the weak and languishing condition of a person worn out with dis- ease, or even like one who had fainted away; a circumstance that abundantly proves the greatness and perfection of the miracle. It is, thirdbie, no wonder that her parents should be astonished at so stupendous a work, the fame of which was soon spread through all the neighboring country; though Jesus, who was in every sense above praise, and therefore never courted it, had strictly charged them that they should tell no man what was done. Tliese instances of power did the blessed Jesus display, to convince tlie world, that those who die in him are not dead ; and that he hath the keys of life and death. Those also of the jiresent age, who believe that tlie soul sleeps with the body till the resurrection, would do well to consider the expression of the evangelist, "Her spirit came again," Luke viii. 55; which sufficiently shows that the soul exists sepa- rately, when the body is laid in the chambers of the grave. Having performed this benevolent miracle, our blessed Saviour left the ruler's house, and was followe disciples to him, and chose twelve, "whom he named apostles, to be Avilh him: and that he might send them forth to preach." lie ordered them to be w ith him, that they might learn from his own mouth the doctrines they were to preach to the whole world ; that they might "see his glory," the transcendent glory of the virtues which adorned his human life; and that they might be witnesses of all the wondrous works he should perform (luring his residence in the vale of misery, and by which his mission C-om the courts of heaven was to be fully demonstrated. These twelve persons, thus (^^ualified, were to supply the people 108 THE LIFE OF CURIST. with that spiritual food ihcy bo greatly wanlotl, Iwth whilo their Master continued hero below, and after his ascension to tho right hand of Power. Having ordained them to their resjx^tivc offices, ho sent them ont hy two and two, into tho most distant parts of Jndea, to jircach there tlifc glad tidings of tlie gospel, nnd prepare the way for tlicir Master, th ; great Shcplu'rd of Israel. And that notliing might bo wanting to render their preaching ncceptablc to the j)eoi)le, and confirm tho important doctrines they deliveie- • Bupcrior he gospel ita power IS taaght than tho igh their its own miracles 10 wholly I ly the rcmarkahlo snecess that attcnde*! it. It was received cverjwhcro \y tlic bulk of mankind with the highest applause, sis something tluy had hitherto l>een seeking in vain; while the niaxiiiirt and jirecepia of tho philo80])hcrs seldom spread farther than their respective sehool-s. It was, therefore, with tho highest wisdom that the foundations of the chureh were l:ii«l in the lahors of a fiw illiUTatc fishermen, for it demonstrated, with irresistible evidence, tiiat the immense fabrio Mas nt first raiswl, and is still sustained, not by the arm of flesh, hut purely h" liie hand of the Almighty. After apiwinting the twelve apostles, lie came down from tho moinitain, and was joyfully received by the multitudes of people Avho were waiting for hini in tho plain, and pressed to touch him ; well- knowing that if tluy could only touch llic border of h:s garment, they should be healed of whatever distemper they were adlieted with. A Butficient reason why they were continually waiting for him, and were willing to accompany him, even into the remotest corners of tho wilderne&s. The preaching and miracles of our Lord were not attended to by the low and vulgsir only ; persons of the first rank and character c«me from distant parts of the country, to converse with him, \wxkx his doctrine, and be spectators of his wonderful works. It therefore evidently apjKars, that persons of all ranks were desirous of following hira; and their desire could be founded on nothing but the truth of his miracles. After healing all tho sick among tho multitude, ho turned towards his disciples, and delivered a divine discourse, something like that he had lM?fore preached to them on the mountain; but in the former, he only pronounce BED JESD8 — DISPLAY OF OUR LORD'S HUMIUTY AND CONDESCENSION. We have taken notice in a foregoing clmpter, that Herod, incensed at the honest freedom of the Baptist's reproving his adulterous com- merce with Herodius, his brother Philip's wife, had cast him into prison, and in this state he still continued, though his disciples were fisuffered to visit and converse with him. In one of these visits they had given him an account of our Saviour's having elected twelve apostles to preach the gospel, and of his miracles, particularly of his raising to life the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow of Nain. On hearing these wonderful relations the Baptist immediately dis- patched two of his disciples to Jesus, to ask him this important question: "Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?" Accordingly, the disciples of John came to Jesus, and proposed the question of their master at the very time when he " cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits, and to many that were blind he gave sight." Matt. xi. 4, 5. Jesus, therefore, instead of directly answering their question, bid them return, and inform their master what they had seen : " Go, and shew John again those tilings which ye hear and see ; how the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." Matt, xi. 4, 5. Go tell your Master, that the very miracles the prophet Isaiah so long since foretold she aid be wrought by tlie Messiah, ye yourselves have seen performed. It appears from Scriptu>'e, that the Baptist, through the whole course of his ministry, had borne constant and ample testimony to our Saviour's divine mission ; that he exhorted those who came to him, to rest their ftiith not on himself, but on ** him that should come after him ;" and that as soon as he was acquainted who Jcous was, by a visible descent of the Holy Ghost, and a voice from heaven, he made it his business to dispose the Jews in general, and his own dis- ciples in particular, to receive and reverence him, by testifying 116 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. everywhere tliat he was the " Son of God, the Lamb of God who came liuwn from heaven and spake the words of God, and to wliom God had given the Spirit not by measure." A remarkable figure, this John the Baptist ! Four hundred years before his appearance the prophet Malachi liad announced that the Messiah wouM have a forerunner, one who would prepare the way for his great advent; one who would sinoothe the path for such foot- steps as never consecrated the world before. John's advent was in keeping with that of iiis more illustrious Master. He, too, might have l>een born in a manger, and nursek we for another?" Not that he entertained any doubt of bis being the true Messiah, intending THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 117 liearmg nothin"' more by making the demand, but to comj)lain that Josus had not acted the part whieli he thought the Messiah should have acted ; and that this was really the case seems sufficiently plain from the caution added by our blessed Saviour himself: " And blessed is ho whomsoever siiall not be offended in me : " as if he had said, when you have informed your master of what you have seen and heard, tell hitu that he would do well not to be offended either at the choice of the Apostles, or that no miracle has been wrought for his release. From this circumstance it is evident that impatience, on account of his long confinement, was the true reason for the Baptist's sending his disciples with this question to Jesus, and that the purjwrt of the answer was to teach hiiu submission in a case that was plainly above the reach of his judgment. Lost the people from this conversation sliould imbibe any notion prejudicial to the character of the Baptist, our blessed Saviour thought fit to place it in a proper point of light. He praised his invincible courage and constancy, which was not to be overcome, or" like a reed to be shaken with the wind :" his austere and mortified life; for he was not "clotlied in soft raiment," like those who wait in the palaces of kings; adding, that he was "a prophet, nay, more than a prophet: for this i? he of whom it was written. Behold I send my messenger before thy face, which shall jircpare thy way before thee." But subjoined, "notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The propriety of ibis remark will appear when it is considered, that though the Baptist excelled all the prophets that were before him, yet the least inspired |)crson in tiio kingdom of heaven, the least aj)ostle or iireacher of the gospel, was greater than he, because by constantly attending on Jesus, they were rmieh better acquainted with his character, disposition, and doctrine tliun the Baptist, who had only scon him transiently ; wherefore, in respect of their personal knowledge of the Messiah, the apostles greatly excelled the Baptist. Having thus shown the greatness of the B;'ptistV character, and wherein he was surpassed by the disciples, our blessed Saviour took occasion from thence to blame the perverseness of the age in rejecting loth his own and the Baptist's testimony. It seems that the Scril)es and Pharisees, seeing their pretended mortifications eclipsed by the real austerity of the Baptist, impudently affirmed that his living in the desert, his shunning the company of men, the coarseness of his clothing, the abstemiousness of hia diet, 118 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. and the other severities he practised, were the eifecta of his being possessed by an apostate spirit, or of a religions melancholy. "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he hath a devil." Matt. xi. 18. On the other hand, they would not listen to the heaven 'y doctrines preached by Christ, because he did not separate himself from society : attributing his free manner of living to a certain looseness of dis- position, though they well knew that he observed the strictest temi^er- ance himself, and never encouraged the vices of others, either by dissimulation or example. "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children." Matt. xi. 19. He next proceeded to upbraid the several cities where his most wonderful works had been performed. For though they had heard him preach many awakening sermons, and seen him perform many astonishing miracles, such as would have converted Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, cities infamous for their impiety, contempt of religion, pride, luxury, and debauchery; yet so great was their obstinacy, that they pei*sisted in their wickedness, notwithstanding all he had done to convert them from the evil of their ways. " Woe unto thee, Chorazin, woo unto thee, Bcthsaida ; for if the mighty works that have been done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell ; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee," Matt, xi. 21, etc. Having denounced those judgments on the cities which had neglected to profit by his mighty works, he concluded his discourse with these heavenly words : " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Toke my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt. xi. 28, etc. Having concluded this public address, one of the Pharisees, named Simon, desired he would " eat with him ;" the blessed Jesus aoceptce who forget God ; for these may deceive ibr a ';ime, by assuming the robes of virtue and religion ; yet they will not fail, sooner or later, to betray themselves, and show that they arc only wolves in sheep's clot'iing. At the same time, however sincerely we may wish to see the church freed from her corrupted members, we must not extirpate them by force, lest, being deceived by outward ap- pearances, we also destroy the wheat, or sound members. W'e must leave this distinction to the awful day, when the great Messiah will descend to judgment; for then a final separation will be made, the wicked cast into torments that will never have an end, but the righteous received into life eternal, where they shall ** shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. xiii. 43. Our Lord on this occasion delivered the parables of the treasure hid in the field, and of the pearl of great price, both designed for the same purpose, to promote the diligence, zeal, and resolution of his disciples, in searching into and teaching these great and important truths, in which the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, were so much con- cerned. And surely the similitudes, both of the treasure and pearl, are very naturally used to signify the gospel ; the former as it enriches all who possess it ; and the latter, because it is more precious than rubies. But that the disciples must expect that the Chri^itian church would consist of a mixed multitude of people, the good blended with the bad in such a manner that it would be difficult to separate them, he compared it to a net cast into the sea, which gathered fish of every kind, good and bad, which were separated when the net was drawn to land ; that is, at the last great day of accounts, when the righteous will be conveyed to life eternal, and the wicked cast into everlasting misery. Our blessed Saviour having finished these parables, asked his dis- ciples if they understood them; and upon their answering in the affirmative, he added, that every teacher of the gospel ought to re- semble a person whose house was completely furnisiied, and brought " forth out of his treasure things new and old." Matt. xiii. 52. Soon after Jesus left Capernaum, and repaired to Xuzareth, where 136 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. lie had been brought up, and preached in the synagogue the glad tidings of the kingdom of God ; l)ut his townsmen, though astonished at his doctrine, oould not overcome the prejudices they had conceived against him, on account of tlic meanness of his family, and thence re- fused lo own him for the Messiah. Our Saviour finding them the same incorrigible persons as when he visited them before, departed froiM them, and tauglit in the neigliboring villages. They, in common with all the Jews, were strangers to tlie true character of the Messiah, whom they considered as a temporal prince; and therefore could not bear that a jiersou so juean as Jesus appeared to be, should perform works peculiar to that idol of their vai'ity, a glorious, triumphant, secular Messiah. While our Lord resided in the neighborhood of Nazareth, lie sent out his disciples to preach in different parts of Galilee, and to i)ro- claim the glad tidings, that God was then going to establish the king- dom of the Messiah, wherein he would be worshipped in spirit and in truth. And in order that they might confirm the doctrines they de- livered, and prove that they had receivwd their commission from the Son of God, they were endowed with the power of working miracles. How long they continued tlieir preaching cannot be known, but it is reasonable to think they spent a considerable time in it, pi'caching in several parts of Judea. The miracles which the apostles Avrought raised the expectations of men higher than ever: the people were astonished to see the disciples of Jesus perform so many miracles ; and thence concluded that our Saviour must be greater than any of the old prophets, who could not transmit the power they enjoyed to any other. This extraordinary circumstance could not fail of spreading his fame through the whole country ; it even reached the ears of Herod the Tctrach, who, fearing a person of such extraordinary abilities, was very uneasy; which somo of his courtiers observing, endeavored to remove, telling him, that ouo of the old prophets was risen from the dead ; but this did not satisfy him, and lie declared that he believed it was John the Baptist risen from the dead. "And he said unto his servants, Tkis is John the Kaptist : he is risen from the dead ; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him." Matt. xiv. 2. The evangelists, having on this account mentioned John the Bap- tist, inform us that Herod had put him to death ; but when this hap- pened is uncertain. /t has already been observed, that Herod had cast John into prison THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 137 for his boldness, in reproving him for the adulterous commerce in which he lived with his brother's wife. The sacred writers have not told us how long he continued in prison ; but it is plain from his two disciples, who came from him to our Sa-.'iour, that his followers did not forsake him in his melancholy condition. Nay, Herod himself loth respected and feared him, knowing that he was highly and dc- !^t•rvedly beloved by the people: he consulted him often, and in many things followed his advice. But Herodias, his brother's wife, with whom he lived in so shameful a manner, being continually uneasy lest Herod should be prevailed upon to set him at liberty, sought all op- portunities to destroy him ; and at last an incident happened which enabled her to accomplish her intentions. The king having, on his birth-day, made a great feast for his friends, she sent her daughtvr Salome, whom she had by Philij), her lawful husband, into the saloon, to dance before the king and his guests. Her performance was remarkably elegant, and so charmed Horcil, that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Having obtained so remarkable a promise, she ran to her mother, desiring to know what she should ask; and was instructed by that wicked woman to require the head of John the Baptist. Her moth- er's desire doubtless surprised Salome, as she coidd not possibly sec the use of asking what could be of no use to her. But Herodias would take no denial, peremptorily insisting on her demanding the head of the Baptist. Accordingly siie returned to Herod, saying, "I will that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John t'le Baptist." So cruel a request thrilled every breast; the gaycty of the king was vanished : he was vexed and confounded : but being unwilling to aj)- pcar either rash, fickle, or false, before a company of the first persons of his kingdom for rank and character, he commanded the head to be given her; not one of the guests having the courage to speak a single word in behalf of an innocent man, or attempt to divert Herod from his mad purpose, though he gave them an opportunity of doing it, by signifying to them that he performed his oath merely out of regard to the company. Thus Herod, through a misplaced regard to his oath and his guests, committed a most unjust and cruel action; an action that will forever brand his memory with dishonor, and render bis very name detestable to the latest posterity. Soon after the command was given, the head of that v^erablo 138 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. prophet, whose rebukes had struck Herod with awe in his loosest moments, and whose exhortations had often alarmed his guilty con- science, was brought pale and bloody, in a charger, and given to the daughter of Herodias, in the presence of all the guests. Tiie young lady eagerly received the bloody present, and carried it to her mother, who enjoyed the whole pleivsui'e of revenge, and feasted her eyes with the sight of her enemy's head, now silent and harmless. But she could not silence the sounding of the name of the Baptist; it became louder and louder, filling the earth and heavens, and pub- lishing to every people and nation this woman's baseness and adul- tery. Thus fell that great and good man, John the Baptist, who was pro- claimed by our blessed Saviour himself to be " more than a prophet." Josephus tells us, that his whole crime consisted in exhorting the Jews to the love and practice of virtue : and in the first place, to piety, jus- tice, and regeneration, or newness of life ; and not by the abstinence from this or that particular sin, but by an habitual purity of mind and body. RUINS OF PEIK COr.ISEUM AT KOJUB. THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 139 CHAPTER XIV. ODU LORD ADDS TO THE COSFIHMATION OF niS MISSION AND DOCTRINE BY WORK ING A MIRACLE IN THE WILDERNESS OF BETHSAIDA — THE PEOPLE, STRUCK WITH TUB POWER AND GRACE OF THE BLESSED JESUS, PROPOSE TO RAISE III.M TO THE EARTHLY DIGNITY OF KINO — PETER, BY MEANS OF HIS BLESSED MASTER, PERFORMS A MIRACLE IN WALKING UPON THE SEA — OUR LORD'S IMPROVEMENT OP THE MIRACLES WROUGHT IN THE WILDERNESS, INTRODUCED IN A DISCOURSE DELIVERED IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM. The disciples were so alarmed at the cruel fate of the Baptist, whose memory they highly revered, that they returned from their mission, and assisted in r-^rforming the last oflices to the body of their old Master, many of the apostles having been originally disciples of John. As soon as these pious rites were over, they repaired to Jesus, and told him all that had happened. Their comj^assionate Master, on hearing this melancholy news, re- tired with them, by sea, into a desert place, belonging to Bethsaida, that by retirement, meditation, and prayer, they might be refreshed and recruited fc* their spiritual labors ; and at the same time leave an example to us that we should often retire from the noise and hurry of the world, and offer up the most fervent prayers to our heavenly Father. But the multitude attended so closely, that their departure was no( long concealed ; and great numbers of people repaired to the place where they supposed Jesus and his disciples had secluded themselves. Struck with the greatness of his miracles on those that were sick, and anxious to hear more instructions from the mouth of so divine a teacher, no difficulties were too great for them to surmount, nor any place too retired for them to penetrate, in search of their admired preadier. Nor w-as the beneficent Saviour of the world regardless of their pious esteem. He saw them, he was " moved with compassion " towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, multitudes of people without a pastor, a large harvest without la- borers; motives abundantly sufficient to excite compassion in the Son of God. The gituatiou of those uumeroua throngs of people scattered abroad, s o s H THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 141 without a guide, without a guardian ; a large flock of defenceless sheep, without a single shepherd to defend them from the jaws of the infernal wolf, was truly deplorable; the blessed Jescs, therefore, that "gootl shepherd who earae to lay down his life for the sheep," was moved with pity towards them : the same pity which brought him from the courts of heaven for the sake of his lost and wandering sheep in the desert, now brought him to this multitude of people, whom he instructed in the doctrines of eternal life ; and with his usual goodness, healed all the sick among them. Intently devoted to teaching and healing the people, our blessed Saviour did not seem to notice the day to wear away, and that the greatest part of it was already spent : but his disciples, too anxious about the things of this world, thought proper to advise him of it ; as if the Son of God wanted any directions from man. The day, said his disciples, is now far advanced, and the place a solitary desert, where neither food nor lodging can be proc;ured : it would, therefore, be convenient to dismiss the people, that they may repair to the towns or villagep on the bordei*s of the wilderness, and provide themselves with food and lodging, for they have nothing to eat. But our Lord prevented that trouble, by telling them there was no necessity for sending the people away to procure victuals for them- selves, as they might satisfy the hunger of the multitude, by giving them to eat. And at the same time to prove what opinion his disci- ples entertained of his power, addressed himself to Philip, who was well acquainted with the country, and said, " Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Philip, astonished at the seeming impossibility of procuring a sup- ply for so great a multitude, with the small sum of money which he knew was their all, and forgetting the extent of his Master's power, answered, " Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little." John vi. 6. Our blessed Saviour might now have put the same question to Philip that he did on another occasion : " Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou net known me, Philip ?" John xiv. 9. Hast thou beheld so many miracles, and art still ignorant that I can supply food not only for this people, but for all the sons of men, and for " the cattle upon a thousand hills?" But he contented himself with answering, "Give ye them to eat." The twelve, not yet comprehending the design of their Master, re- peated the objeotion of Philip, but added that they were willing to 142 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. expend llieir whole stock in order to procure as large a supply as pos-« siblc. " Shall we go,"' said they, *' and buy two hundred penny-worth of bread, that they may cat?" But this was by no means the design of their great Master, who, instead of making a direct answer to their question, asked them, "How many loaves have ye?" How much provision can be found among this multitude? go and see. The disciples obeyed the command of their Master, and Andrew soon returned to inlorm him, that the whole stock amounted to no hiore than five l)arley loaves and two small fishes; a quantity so in- considerable that they scarcely deserved notice. " What are they," said his disciples, " among so many?" What, indeed, would they have been among such a nuiltiturd, therefore, finding it impossible to remain at Jerusalem in safety, departed from that city, and retired into Galilee. The Pharisees were sensible they could not perpetrate their mali- cious designs upon him on that occasion ; yet they followed him, hoping to find something by which they might accuse him, and at length ventured to attack him for permitting his disciples to eat with uvjwashed handS, because in so doing they transgressed the tradition of the ciders. Mosjs had, indeed, required external cleanness as a part of their religion ; but it was only to signify how careful the sjrrants of the Almighty should be to purify themselves from all unclean ness, both of flesh and spirit. These ceremonial institutions were, in process of time, prodigiously multiplied ; and the Pharisees, who pretended to observe every tittle of tlic law, considered it as a notorious offence to cat bread with unwashed hands ; thougli, at the same time, they suf- fered the more weighty precepts of the law to bo neglected and for- gotten. To expose tlie absurdity of such superstitious customs, our Saviour ai)plicd to them tiic words of tlic propiict Isaiah: *' This people honor- etli me with their lip.^, but their heart is far from me." Adding, that all their worship was vain and displeasing to the Almighty, while they practised themselves and imposed ui)on others the frivolous pre- cepts of man's invention, and, at tlie same time, neglected the eternal rules of righteousness ; and t j remove all objections that might bo i THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 168 brought against tliis imputation of gross prof'anencss in the Pharisees, iiosuj)portcd it by a very remarkable instance. God, said tiie Saviour of the world, hath commanded children to honor their parents, and to maintain them, when reduced to poverty by sickness, age, or misfortunes ; promising life to such as observe this precept, and threatening death to those who disregard it. But notwith- staiuiiiig the peremptory commandment of Omnipotence, you teach that it is a more sacred duty to enrich the temple, than to nourish their ])an'nts, reduced to the utmost necessity ; pretending tliat what is olFered to the great Parent of the universe is much better bestowed tlian what is given to the support of our earthly parents; making the honor of God absolutely different from that of his creatures. Nay, ye teach that it is no breach of the commandment, for a man to suffer his parents to perish, provided lie has given what ought to nourish them to the tjmple at Jerusalem. Thus have you concealed under the cloak of piety the most irreligious and horrid, the most unnatural crime any person can commit. Having thus reproved the Pharisees, he called the multitude to him ; and desired them to reflect on the absurdity of the precepts in- culcated by the Scribes. These hypocrites, said he, solicitous about trifles, neglect the great duties of morality, which are of eternal obli- gation. They sliudiler with horror at unwashed han('- , but are per- fectly easy, under the guilt of a polluted conscience ; though they must be sensible that " Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth the man ; but that which cometh out of tjie mouth, this defileth the man." Matt. XV. 11. The haughty Pharisees were highly offended at Ids speaking in a degrading manner of their traditions. And the apostles, who would gladly have reconciled their Master and the Pharisees, insinuated to Jesus, that he ought to have acted in another manner. To which our Saviour answered, " Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. xv. 13. As if he had s;iid, you have no cause to fear their anger, as both they and their doctrine shall perish together, for neither of them came from God. Adding, " Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matt. XV. 14. His disciples, not fully comprehending this doctrine, desired their Master to explain it. This our Saviour complied with, and showed them, that meats being of a corporeal nature, could not defile the 154 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. mind of man, or rciKlor him polluted in the sight of tlu; Almighty, uiless they were used to excess, or in opposition to the commandment )t' God : and even then the pollution arose from the man, and not Irom the meat, lint, on the contrary, that which proceeleth out of tiie mouth of a man comes from his heart, and really polluteth his mind. These doctrines of the truth could not fail of irritating the Phari- sees, as they tended to strip them of the mask witii which they con- cealed their deformity, and rendered themselves so venerable in the eyes of the vulgar; and therefore their plots were levelled against his reputation and life. Jesus, to avoid their malice, retired to the very borders of Pales- tine, to the coasts of those two celebrated Gentile cities, Tyre and Sidon,* purposing there to conceal himself ibr a time: but he could not, be hid. It was as impossible for the "Son of righteousness" to be concealed wherever ho came, with his healing wings and message of peace, as it is for the sun in the firmament, when he riseth in all his glory, " as a bridegroom cometh out of his chamber, and as a giant rejoicing to run his course." For a certain woman of Canaan, having heard of him, determined to implore his assistance. She was, indeed, one of the most abject sort of Gentiles, a Cauaanite, one of that detested race with which the Jews would have no dealing, nor even conversation ; but notwithstanding all these discouraging cir- *Tyre and Sidon were tlie chief cities of Phcenicia, and were extensively en- gaged in commerce. They were amongst tlie most magnificent cities of tlic East, but were steeped in idolatry and sensviality. The country to which they belonged was very powerful, and tlie cities were all bound by a confederation. Sidon is said to have been founded by Zidon, the first-born son of Canaan. Tyre is of more mo lorn origin, but is mentioned in the book of Joshua. Iliram, King of Tj're, made a number of magnificent presents to Solomon at the building of the temple, and a friendship thus sprung up between the Jews and the Tyrians, which lasted long after the revolt of the ten tribes. Tyre and Sidon were both captured by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the former after a siege of thirteen years' duration. Tlic " strong city '' was utterly demolished ; but it afterwards rose from its ruins, and became a great city. Alexander the Great took it after a siege of seven months, and burned it ; but it again sprung up, and under the Greek.'* and Romans became a great city. Both cities were in the height of theii glory in the days of our Lord. Both were taken by the Christians in the C'ru- sades, having passed into the hands of the Turks, in 1G33 — '38, when the CalipK Omar conquered Palestine. After the taking of Acre, in 1391, by the Sultan of Egypt, the Christian inhabitants of Tyre abandoned the city, and fled in theii ships. Tyre was occupied by the conquerors, and since then has declined. During the present century, however, it has shown some signs of reviving. Sidon still retains a little of its ancient commerce ; but has declined almost in pro- portion with the growth of Beyroot. THE WOMAN OF CANAAN. 115 156 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. cumstances, she threw herself, as an humble petitioner, on the never- failing mercies of the Son of God. Strong necessity urged her on ; and insuperable distress caused lier to be importunate. Alas I unhapiiy i)arcnt ! her only daughter, her beloved child, had an un- clean spirit — " Mas grievously vexed with a devil." When her case was so urgent, and her woes so poignant, who can wonder that she was so importunate, and would take no refusal from this divine person, whom she knew was able to deliver her! Ac- cordingly, she came, she fjll at his feet, she besought him, slic cried, saying, " Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David," have mercy! I plead no merits; as a worthless, suubring wretch, I entreat only the bowels of tliy mercy ; I entreat it, f )r I believe thee to be the Son of David, the promised Messiah, the much-dcsircd Saviour of the world ; have mercy on me, for the case of my clill J and her distresses arc my own; "My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." Matt. xv. 22. Is it not, at the firet view, astonishing that such a petitioner should be apparently rejected ; and that by a bountiful and merciful Re- deemer, who kindly invited all that were heavy laden to come to him; who promised never to cast out any that would come, and whose business it was "to go about doing good?" We, however, find he answered this woman not a word : he did not, in appearance, take the least notice cither of her or her distress! But this silence did not intimidate her: she still cried, she still be- sought, she still importunately pressed her petition; so that the very disciples were moved with her cries, and became her advocates. They, themselves, though Jews, besought their Master to dismiss this petitioner — to grant her request, and to send her away. But Jesus soon silenced them, by an answer agreeable to their own prejudices : " I am not sent," said he, " but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." To this the disciples readily assented ; and, as they had an high opinion of the Jews' prerogative, were so well satisfied with the answer, that we hear them pleading no more for this lost, this miserable Gentile. But this soothed not her griefs; it was her own cause, and what is immetliately our own concern, animates us to the most zealous appli- cation. Somewhat eneouragetl that she was the subject of discourse between our Lord and his disciples, she ventured to approach the Saviour of the world, though she well knew that the custom actually forbade such au intercourse; yet she came, she worshipped this "Son THE. LIFE OF CHRIST. 15T of David," she confessed again his divinity, and prayed, saying, " Lord, help me." The compassionate Saviour now condescended to speak to her, but with words seemingly sufficient to have discouraged every farther at- tempt; nay, to have filled her with bitter dislike to liis person, though (•he had conceived such high and noble notions of his mercy and fa- vor: "It is not meet," said he, ** to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." Matt. xv. 26. It is not justice to deprive the Jews, who are the children of the covenant, the descendants of Abraham, of any part of those blessings which I came into the world to bestow, especially to you, who arc aliens and strangers from the common- wealth of Israel. This answer, however severe, could not siiake her humility, nor overcome her patience; she meekly answered, "Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their Master's table." Matt. XV. 27. Let me enjoy that kindness, which the dogs of any family are not denied ; from the plenty of miraculous cures which thou be- stowest on the Jews, drop this one to me, who am a poor, dis^trcsocd heathen ; for they will suffer no greater loss by it than the children of a family do by the crumbs which are cast to the dogs. Our Lord having put the woman's faith to a very severe trial, and well knowing that she possessed a just notion of his power and goo«l- ncss, as well as of her own unworthincss, wrought with pleasure the cure she solicited in behalf of her daughter; and, at the same time, gave her faith the praise it so justly deserved. " O, woman ! great is thy faith ; be it unto thee even as thou wilt : and her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Matt. xv. 28. After performing this miracle, Jesus returned to the sea of Galilee, through the region of Decapolis.* In this country, a man M-as brought to him who was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech. Objects in distress were always treated with benevolence by the holy Jesus; but as the people now thronged about iiim, in expectation that he would soon establish his kingdom, he thought proper to take the * Decapolis is tlie name applied to a large district, extending on both sides of the Jordan. It contained ten noted cities, which are enumerated as follows, hv Pliny : Scythopolis, Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Pliiladelidiia, Gerasa, Dion, Canatha, D:;mas- CU8, and Raphana. Josephus, however, does not include Damascus in the ton ; for he speaks of Pcytliopolis as the largetst city of Decapolis. All these cities, with the exception of the one last named, lay east of the Jordan. This region wag densely populated during the time of tnir Paviour, and multitudes flocked here to £stea to and see aim. Now, it lias scarcely an inhabitant. 1.58 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. man, with his relations, aside from the nuihitiide; after which he put his fingers in liis ears, and touclied his tongue, that the deaf man, who could not be instructed by language, might know from whence all his benefits flowed. lie then " looked up to heaven, and sighed, and said unto hini, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. Anil he charged them that they should tell no man." Mark vii. 34-36. We cannot fiil to be im[)ressed with the fact that the spirit of Christ was thai of humility, and his manner was far removed from that parade and ostentation which mark the world's ambitious heroes, if ordinary men perform a great feat, if some renowned achievement is born of their genius or valor, they are willing the trumpet should be blown, and their praises sounded. They are not apt to dash aside the wreath held out to deck their brows, and refuse the honors which applauding multitudes arc eager to confer. But notwithstanding they were onjcdned to secrecy, the man, or his relations, published it in every part of the country, doubtless thinking they could not be too lavish in the praises of so great a benefactor ; especially as the modesty with which he had performed the cnn; abundantly demonstrated that his sole view was the benefit of the human race. This rumor gathered the multitude round him in Decapolis; for the fame of his miracles was extended to every corner of the country ; he, therefore, to avoid these prodigious crowds of people, retired to a desert mountain, near the sea of Galilee. But the solitary retreats of the wilderness were unable to conceal this beneficent Saviour of the human race. They soon discovered his retreat, and brought him from all quarters the sick, the lame, the dumb, the blind, and the maimed. The sight of so many objects in distress so excited the com- passion of the Son of God, that he graciously released them from all their complaints. Miracles like these could not fail of astonishing the spectators, especially those performed upon the dumb; for it must be remembered, that he not only conferred on these the faculty of hearing and pronouncing articulate sounds, but conveyed at once into their minds the whole language of their country ; they were instantly ac- quainted with all the words it contained, their significations, their forms, their powers, and their uses ; at the same time they enjoyed the habit of speaking it both fluently and copiously. This was surely enough to demonstrate to the most stupid that such works could have been effected by nothing less than infinite power. " The multitude wonderesirc to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." Mark ix. 35. The disciples were now convinced that it was in vain to conceal the Bubject of the debate that had happened on the way; and accordingly they drew near to their Master, desiring him to decide a point which had often given occasion to dispute. " Who," said they, "is the great- est in the kingdom of heaven ?" Matt, xviii. 1. eJesus, to check these foolish emulations in his (lisci[)les, called a little child unto him, and placed him in the midst, that they might consider him attentively; and said unto them, *' Verily I say unto you, ex(!ept ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingd(»m of heaven." Matt. xvii. 3. Unless ye bo rogenerated by the ])ower of divine grace, and brought U a due sense of the vanity of all earthly preferments, riches, and honors, and become mock and humbled in spirit, ye shall be so far from becoming the greatest in my kingdom, that ye shall never enter into it. But whosoever shall accept of the remedy provided, and receive with meekness all the divine instructions, however contrary to his own huilinations, and prefer others to himself, that man is really the greatest in my kingdom. "Whosoever, there- fore, shall humble himself, as this little child, the same is greatest ii) the kingdoii) pf heaven," Matt, xyiii, 4f no THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Our Saviour, to dcuioustrute how truly lU'ci'ptablc the grace of Im- niility is to the Ahuigiity, took the chikl in his arms, declaring that "whoever humbled themselves like a little child, and showed kindness to their fellow-creatures for his sake, should have the same kindness showed them in the groat day of account, especially if they performed tiiese worthy actions in obedience to his conunands. It seems, from circumstances, that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were principally concerned in this debate, for we find that John endeavored to divert it, by telling his Master they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and had forbidden him, because he did not join himself to their company. To which Jesus replied, that they should not have forbidden him, since he must have entertained very high notions of their Master's power, and at seeing the devils leave the bodies of men on mentioning the name of Jesus. " Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me," Mark ix. 39. You shoul I, added the blessed Jesus, consider that every one that docs not persecute us is a friend ; and that the ejection of devils in my name will advance my reputation and promote my interest, ev.m though the exorcist and the devils themselves should design the con- trary. He also told his disciples, that the least degree of respect showed him by any one, even though it should be no more than the giving a cup of cold water to his thirsty disciples, was acceptable to him^ and should not fail of meeting an adequate reward. " For who- soever shall give you a cu]) of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." Mark ix. 41. But, on the other hand, the least discouragement given to his disci- ples in the [)ropagaiion of the gospel, come from what quarter it will, shall bo punished with the greatest severity. "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a mill-stone Avere hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." Mark ix. 42. From this saying Jesus inferred, that it was more advantageops to deny ourselves the highest enjoyments of this world, and to part with everything, however precious, represented by a- hand, a foot, or an eye, than by these to cause the Aveakest of his friends to stumble. Aiul as the disciples were api)ointed to sow the seeds of truth and religion in the world, or according to the metaphor, to sPit the peo})le for au oneri)\g to heaven, in allusion to sacrifice being salted at the temple; THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 171 Jesus exhorted them to mortity themselves, tliut they raiglit appear worthy of so high au ofhee as that uf salting mankind fur the altar of heaven • for as they were to be the salt of the earth, it was requisite that they should themselves be filled with the spiritual salt of all the graees, and particularly the holy salt of love and peace, that they mi<>-ht, as far as possible, be free from the rottenness of ambition, pride, contention, and every evil work. Pride is the source of numberless sins, and, therefore, the blessed Jesus cautioned his disciples, in the most solemn manner, to beware of that vice; assuring them that the meanest child is an object of the care of Providence ; and " that their angels do always behold the face of my Father, which is in heaven." Our blessed Saviour did not mean by this expression, that every man who practices the duties of religion has a particular guardian angel assigned him : but as all angels are sent as ministering spirits, they may truly be called his angels. To show the concern of his Almiiihtv Father for the least of his reasonable creatures, and the great value he sets upon the souls of the human race, our Saviour told them, that he not only gave his highest angels charge concerning them, but had also sent his only-begotten Son to seek and to save that which was lost ; and would share in the joy which the heavenly beings are filled with on their recovery. " How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave tiie ninety and nine, and gocth into the mountains, and' seeketh that which is gone astray? and if so be that he fiad it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the w'ill of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perisli." Matt, xviii. 12-14. Having thus addressed the offending party, he turned himself towards his disciples, and gave them instructions with regard to the offended. " If thy brotlier shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouths of two or three witnwses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a jmblican." Matt, xviii. 15-17. Try every measure lo reclaim thy brother, and in order to this, repre- sent bi? fault to him privately. If this rebuke has the desired effect. 172 THE L 1 F K OF Cll II 1 S T. tliou liust brought liini back to the paths wliich lead to haj)piiics.s ; but, iftliis goutle metlioil fail, two or more grave ])ei-sons should join in the rebuke, that lie may be convinced of the injury he has done thee. If he still remains obstinate, tell his ott'ence to the church, whose sentence will sufficiently show that thou hast done thy duty, and that he alone is to blame. But if he be so hardened as not t*) be ailected by the censure of the church, he is from thenceforth to be treated as the Pharisees treat the heathen and publicnms ; namely, as an incorrigible sinner, whose company and conversation being contii- giou:?, ought to be shunned by all who have any love for religion. Our .Saviour now conferred on all his disci})les the sj)ecial power which some think he liad before confined to Peter. " Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven." Matt, xviii. 18. That is, ye have free power to excom- municate such offenders as will not be reclaimed by })roper means, or to free from church censure those who were truly penitent; and such decree will remain valid in the court of heaven, though passed here below. But, on the other hand, if the offxiuding brother continues impeni- tent, after all the method above described are tried, his guilt is bound the faster upon him ; because, by the precepts of the gospel, none but penitents can obtain j)ardon. Our blessed Saviour also added, as an encouragement to good men, that if they continued earnest in their endeavors to bring sinners to repentance, and offered up their prayerf to the Almighty for assist- ance, he would always grant their petitions, provided they were agree- able to the wise ends of his providence. " Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agreeonearth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three i.re gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt, xviii. ly, 20. Peter had before heard his Master speak of the doctrine of frequent forgiveness, and imagined that what he had now so strongly incul- cated might prove dangerous? to society ; and therefore thought it his duty to offer his objections. " Lord," said he, " how oft shall my l>rothersin against me, and I forgive him, till seven times?" Matt, xviii. 21. He thought it a strange doctrine which obliged him to forgive offences seven times repeated ; but our blessed Saviour told hi» he was very greatly mistakep ; that he flevef intepded to Umh I'HE LIFK OF OHIUST. It;] torf^ivencss to seven times, but that it ought to be extendeil even to scrventy times seven. This excellent moral preeept he enforced by the parable of the two servants, debtors to one lord ; in order to show the necessity of foi - giving the greatest injuries, in every ease where the olfending party is sensible of his fault, and promises amendment; because on this con- dition alone our heavenly Father will forgive our oliences. " There- fore," said the blessed Jesus, " is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants." God is the great King and Sovereign of all creatures, and all are accountable to him as servants to a master. He will reckon with all, and hapj)y are they who live sensible of this important truth. Wlien he had began to reckon, one servant was brought unto him who owed him an immense debt, "ten thousand talents," a debt much greater than he was able to pay. His lord, therefore, connnanded him, agreeably to the custom of those times, to be sold for a slave, and his " wife and children, and all that he' had, and j)ayment to be made." The servant, convinced of the justice of the sentence, and knowing he had nothing to hope for, but from the mercy and clemency of his lord, fell down in the most humble manner, and importunately be- sought him, saying, " Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." The master, moved with compassion towards him, accepted of his humiliation; and to make his happiness couiplete, loosed him from the sentence inflicted, and freely forgave him the enormous debt ; an obligation, one would have su|)posed, sufficient to have melted the hardest heart into gratitude towards his lord, and the tenderest sym- pathy t(»wards any of his brethren in distress. Rut, alas! who is ac- ([uainted with the human heart? This very servant went out from the presence of his compassionate lord, and found one of his fellow- servants who owed him an "hundred pence:" a poor, inconsiderable debt in comparison of what he himself owed his lord, But behold the inhumanity of this -orvant: he laid hands on the poor debtor, seizing him violently by the throat, and saying, " l*ay me that thou owest." His fellow-servant fell down at his feet, even as he had just before done at the feet of his lord and besought him in the very same words he himself had so lately used, " Have jjatience with me, and I will pay thee all." Such a similarity of circumstances one would surely have thought must have affected his stony heart, brought to remembrance his own late distress, and melted his soul tu ffilil LIFR OF CtttllST. into the like generous coiiipassioii wliicli Iiiiil llowcil so sweetly froiil his k)r(l to iiiin. lint liis eoiuluct was the very reverse ; he would have no patience ; he would show no pity : he went and cast the un- happy debtor into prison, till he shoukl pay the debt. His fellow- servants, when they saw what was done, were exeeedini^ly afflicted, and came and told their lord the whole transaction. Upon which he sununonod th(( unuicrcil'ul servant to appear before hin>, and filled with indignation and abhorrence, said unto him, O thou wicked ser- vant, how perverse is thy luihaviour, how ungrateful and base thy proceeding ; " I forgave thee all that debt," that enormous debt thou owedst me, " because; thou desiredst nie :" I was moved to clemency and compassion by thy entreaties and distress, and " shonldst not thou also have had compassion on tliy fellow-servant even as I had })ity on thee?" Sliouldst not thou nmch rather have forgiven him, who was thy fellow-servant, and owed tlu!e so small a sum, when I, thy king and lord, had il)rgiven thee so immense a debt? Having tiuis expostulated with him, his wrath was kindled, and he " delivered him to the t' rmenfors, till he should j)ay all that was due unto him. So likewise;," added the Son of (iod, "shall my heavenly Father do also unio you, if ye, from your hearts, forgive not one another your trespasses." Matt, xviii. 34, 35. And surely this aw- ful threatening ought to strike the minds of fierce and im])lacable men with terror. For whatever they may think, it will certainly, in its full extent, be inflicted upon all Avho refuse to obey the dictates of di- vine mercy, and forgive not only their fellow-servants, but every brother in Christ, who through weakness or inadvertence may have done them an injury, either in person or property. THE LIFE OP CHRIST. Its CHAPTER XVIII. OUR Bl-ESSED LOUD ATTENDS FOIl THE FOUIITH TIME THE CELEBUATION OF TIIR PA8SOVEU AT JKUUHALKM — AUDKESSES THE MUI/IITUDE AT THE KOLEMN FEAST OF TABERNACLES — EXEMPTS THE WOMAN DETECTED IN ADULTERY FROM THE I'UMSIIMENT ANNK::K1) UY THE JEWS TO THAT CRIME — ESCAPES PROM THE BNJUtES LAID FOR lUM HY THE INVETERATE SCRIBES AND IMIARISEE8. The groat Rodooiner, luiving j)ro!notcd liis Fatlior's work in Galileo, dopartod into Judoa, ]»a.s.sing through the country boyond Jordan, that the .lows who inliabitod those distant parts might enjoy the unspeakable benefits of liis discourses and niiraeles. And ai'tor sowing the seeds of eternal life, and publishing the glad tidings of siil- VHtion in those remote countries, repaired to Jerusalem to celebrate the fourth ])assover ; but the malignity of the Scribes and Pharisees was so great that lie staid but a short time in the capitjU, and then returned into Galilee, while the multitude again resorted to him, and lie again instructed them in the paths that lead to everlasting life. • The feast of tabernacles now drcAV on, at which all the males of the Jewish nation, capable of travelling, repaired to Jerusalem, and dwelt in the tabernacles, or booths, made of the boughs of trees, in commem- oration of their fathers having had no other habitation, during their forty year sojourning in the wilderness. To this feast some of the kinsmen of the blessed Jesus desired ho would accompany them, and there show himself openly to the whole nation of the Jews. They did not themselves believe that he was the great Pro])het so long expected, and therefore condemned the method he pursued in his jmblic ministry as altogether absurd. " My time," said the blessed Jesus to these unbelieving relations, " is not yet come : but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you : but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye uj) unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast, for my time is not yet full come.'' John vii. 6-8. As if he had said, it is not ])roper for me to go before the feast begins ; but you may repair to the capital whenever you ])lease : the Jews are your friends, you have done nothing to displease them; but the purity of IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A i 1.0 I.I 1.25 2,2 1^ u 1.4 20 1.6 m //, /, f 7 /<^ J.- ^ '% i7u THE LIFE Of CHRIST. the (liKJtrincs I liav<; preacliean, and therefore wonder how I could per- form it. But surely Moses gave you the law of circumcision, and you make no scruple of perlbrming the ceremony on the Sabbath day, because it is a precept both of Moses and the fathers. Since, there- fore, ye think yourselves bound to disix-nse with the strict observance of the Sabbath, in onler to ol)ey a c<>romonial precept, can you be angry with me, l>ecau8e, in order to fulfil the great end of all the divine law, I have cured a man who was infirm in all his members, and even with far less bodily lalwr than you jwrform the ceremony of circumcision? Consider, therefore, the nature of the thing; divest yourselves of your prejudices, and the su)>erstitious opinions taught by your elders, and judge impartially. ** Moses therefore gave unto you cinmmcision ; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye, on the Sabbath day, cinrumcise a man. If a 12 man, on the ITS TIIK LIFE OP CHRIST. Sabbiilh day, receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken, are ye angiy ut mc, bi'cai'sc I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbuth day? Ju«lge not a<«ording to the ap{K!nnince, but judge righteous judgment." John vii. 23, 24. Notwithstanding the strength of this argument, several of our biCsscil Saviour's invett'rate enemies a.sk(>r»H'eeded from their being Cfmvineed that he was the Messiali! and, at the same time, to deride his pretensions to that high ehanicter, sainHl nothing by his servants, the prophets, conct?rning the Messiah but what is true, and will all Ixi fuIHlleil in me: but ye are totally ignorant of his gracious p<'rfe<'tions and gracious counsels, and have no iik<^]ination to oIm'v his just commands. You are really igno- rant of what the j>rophets have tlclivered concerning the Messiah ; for, had you undcrstootl their predi<'tions, you would have known that one of his princi])al characters is to understand the }>erfections und will of (Jiml more fully, and explain them to the sons of men more clearly, than any other messenger ever before sent from the Most High. And wouKl you attentively consider the eliev(Hl on him, and affirmed publicly, in the temple, that he was the Messiah. "And many of the j)eople Ixjlieved on him, aneriod, and therefore you shouhl, during the short time it hxs to liLst, be very careful to improve every op[)ortunity of hearing the word: you should listen, with the greatest attcntiaring my instructions, ) \\t shall never obtain them. "Yet a little while am I with you, a."d then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye mnnot come." John vii. 83, .'M. The Jews, who did not understand that our bless(>d Saviour al- liuhnl to his own death, resurrec^tion, and ascension to tlu> right hand of the Majesty on high, whither their sins would not jM-rmit them to follow him, wonderetl at this d(M'trine, and imagined that he intt>nded to l((ave Judea, and preach to their brethren dispersed among the (ientiles. But this sup[)osition was not sufficient; because, if he did go and preach among the Gentiles, they thought it was not impossible for them to follow him thither. " Then said the Jews among them- selves. Whither w'll he go that we shall not find him? AVill he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and t«'acli the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?" John vii. 35, 36. While the divine teacher was thus instructing the people in the temple, the water from Siloam was brought in, acconling to the np- I)ointment of the prophets Haggai and Zcchariah, part of which they drank, with loud acclamations, in commemonitioii of the mercy showed to their fathers, who were relieved by a stream which minicu- lously flowetl from a roi;k, and refreshed a whole nation, then ready to perish with thirst in a drearj' and sjuuly waste ; and the other part they poured out as a drink-ofTering to the Almighty, accompanying it with their prayers, for the former or latter rain to fall in its season; the whole congregation singing the following passage: "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. xii. 3. It was the custom of the blessed Jesus to deliver moral instruo- 180 THE LIFK OF CHRIST. tions, ill allusion to nmny occiirreiicee that hn{)]H>iict hiiu couic unt(» nu; anully shall flow rivers of living water." John vii. .'17, ns. I.nring this discoui-si' to the jHHipIe, the oflTurrs fnmi the council esune to appreluiid him ; hut hearing that the topic he was discussing was a very singular om , and Ik; sct-ri (h1 to tlelivcr his dis<'ours<' with remarkable fervor, tlu i,* curiosity iti«lucc«l them to listen some tinu' to his disc(»urscs l>(>fore they laid hands on liim. Hut thceltHpicnt nuin- ner in which he deliveriH! his suhjc't ap|K'a.seronunciation, and the plainnt^s au«l jK'rspicuity of his discourse, (>lucidateil the heautits of truth, anr« the understanding, with their native lustre. Acconl- ingly, his very cncnues, who were come from the council on pur|M)se to apprehend him, were ast«>nished; the greatness of the suhjcrt, ma«h«, as it Avcre, visible hy the divine s|)eaker, fille the oflitrrs of the council who were sent to apprehend hinj, the succt'ss of his eloquence, even in that case, ha«l been truly wonderful ; but, in the ease l)eforc us, it surt^ly was superior to all i)raise ; for, in a discounw; addressttl to others, and even on a spiritual subjwt, it disarmed a band of in- veterate enemies, and made them his friends. Nor were the officers the only jHTsons affected by this discourse, for many of tliem declared that he must be one of the old prophets ; and others, that he was no other than the Messiah himself. Some, ^lowever, led away with the common mistake, that he was born at Nazareth, asked, with disdain, if the Messiah was to come out of T H K L 1 F K OF C II U I S T. 181 (i:ilil(H>; nml whether they would a«-kii<)wlc a (iaiilcaii tor the Mowiah, when the «eriptiiru had ulMM»hit<'ly dfi-larcd that he wan to Ir' born in liethleheni, the native town ol' his tiitl>or I>avid. " Many of the i>eo|»Ie, therefore, when they lieard this wiyinj;, .sjiid, Of a truth, this is the prophet. Others s:ii wi'll knew their nialieiouH intentions, retireil to the Mount ol'OliveM, where ht- »|ient the night with his diseipleH. Our l>lt>»ttl I^nl, early the following morning, returned to the ten>|)h', and again taught the iMM.ple. The SerilK's and Pharisees now deternunwi to rcmicr him (mHous to the multitude, or ohnoxioua to the Uonian govcnior, an.l tiien-forc placed beforu him a woman that hud U'en taken in the aet of adultery, desiring his opinion what punishment she ought to suffer. " This woman," sjiid they to Ji'sus, " was taken in a«lulterj', in the very aet. Now Moses, in the law, eommandeil a^, that »u«'h shouKl he stoned, hut what saycst thou?" John viii. 4, 5. Had our Ix»nl disapprovetl the sentence of the law, they would douhtle?** Iiave n-presentcil him to the multitude as a person who c4>ntrjilirtentinuercssing him to give an answer; and at last Jesus, in allusion to the law, which ordered that the hands of the witnesses, by whoee testimony an adulterer was convicted, should be first U|H)n him, said, " He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Ix*t those who are remarkably zealous for having justice exeeuteil u|»on others, at least tidvc care to purify them- selves from all heinous crinH'S. This reply had its desirwl effect. The hy[M)critlcal Scribes and Pharisees were convicied of sin by their own consciences, so that they immediately retirwl, fearing Jesus would have made their particular Bins public. "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even onto the last." John viii. 9. The woman's aevuscis being all retired, Jesus told her, that THE L I F K OF C II K I S T. 183 9" na no man hiul pronoiinctMl wnt«'n«r <»(' dratli ufmn lier, neither wouM lie pnusouiico it; Imt adviwHl lier to Ik' very carcriil lor the t'litiire, to avoid the teniptutiuuH wiiieii iiad indueed her to eommit ho hiaek u eriine. The wi.stloni, knowhHl^e, and i>o\ver of our bles-sed iSsiviour were eminently diH|>hiyeo\ver in making use of their own conseiemx.'s to render their artful intentions abortive. It was, therefore, with remarkal)le propriety, that the grejit lle- (liemer of mankind now ealleil himself the " light of the world : " as if he had said, I am the spiritual sun that diHjK^ls the darkness of ig- noraneo and 8U(>erstition, in whieh the minds of men are immersed, and di.s(>overs the path that leads to eternal life: nor shall any who follow me ever be involved in darkness. " 1 am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John viii. 12. This assertion of our Ijord highly provoked the Pharisees, who told him he must be a deeeiver, l)eeause he boiistiHl of himself. To whieh the great lleileemer of mankind repliee: nor would you yourselves nfuse to acknowledge it, did you know fronj what authority I rc- ceiveil my commission, and to whom, when T have executed it, I must return. But these things ye are totally ignorant of, and there- fore judge according tooutwartl ap(K'arerfc<'tly agreeable to the character of a messenger from heaven, U'ar suHicient witness of me ; and the Father, by the miracles he has cnabltHl me to perform, l>eareth witness of me; ye are, therefori', altogether cul|Mible in objecting to my mis- Bion. " It is also written in your law, that the tcstimonv of two men ia true. I am one that bcareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me iH-areth witnet« of mc." John 17, 18. The Jews then asktnl him, Where is thy Father, the other witness to whom thou apiK'alest? Jesus replitnl. Your conduct sufficiently demonstrates that ye are strangers l)oth to me and my Father ; for had ye 'inown who I lun, ye must have also known who it is I call my Fadier : had ye Ikhju convincere tlie chests were placcnl for receiving the offerings of all who came up to worship in the temple; and, therefore, must have been a place of great rcst)rt, l)eing frequented by aU, even the priests and rulei*s. But, notwithstanding the public manner in which our blesseil Saviour now asserted his claim to the charsictcr of the Messiah, no man attempted to seize him ; Providence not suffering them to put their nialicioas designs in execution, because his " hour," or the time of his suflcrings, " was not yet come." The debate being ended, Jesus again reixjateil what he had before told them ; namely, that he should shortly depart from them ; and that they should then geek him, but not be able to find him. " I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." John viii. 21. As if he had said, after my ascension into heaven, when the Roman armies shall 'iprcad horror •nd desolation in every corner of the land, ye shall then earnestly wish for the coming of the Messiah, in expectation of l)eing delivered by his TlIK LIKE OF inos.s. The Jews by no means eompn-hendetl tliiw departure of which our Jiord toUl them. They even fancied lie would destroy himself, Ik.'- cause they thought the only retreat where tluy could not Hn capabiu of committing the horrid crime of self-murder. Jiut my extraction is very different: it is from heaven, ami conseqiu-ntly my mind is^ot tainted with the corruption of human nature, tlu; source of temptiition to every %in. You, therefore, must believe that I am the "bread of life," the neavenly manna, the light of the world, the true Messiah, if you are desirous of being cleansed from these pollu- tions which flow from your earthly origin ; but if you still continue in your unbelief "you shall die in your sins." The Jews now, in order to vindicate themselves, demanded what sort of jH'rson he pretended to be. To which Jesus answereil, " Even the same that I said unto you from the l)eginning," that is, at the be- ginning of his discourse, " the light of the world." Adding, " I have many things to say and to judge of you : but he that sent me is true; and I 8j)eak to the world those things which I have heanl of him." John viii. 26. This discourse?, however plain it may ap|)car, was not understiKMl by the jwrverse Jews ; tluiy did not j)erceive " that he spoke to tlu'in of the Father." But Jesus told them, that when they had crucifie«l him, they would be convinced, by the miracles accompanying that awful hour, the resurret^tion from the dead, the eifusion of the Holy Spirit on his disl K I.I F K () I' (' II III ST. |K>ri(Ml mI' lii.H .suHrriii^'s, or even at tlir lioiii'df Imm dciitli, as lit* had al< wjiy^ iwU-il a^^n-talilv lo liis will. TluiH,' wmi-iIh iii(liircI(' to U'licvii liiiii - jM«M'd that he now cntvrtaint'd Hcnfimcnts worthy of the McHniah, and were, therefore, very ready to aeknowledjj;(! him as wueh ; and helievo the doctrine he iiad delivered, «-oneernin^ Win mission, liui Jesus told them, that if tiiey iHTsever*-*! iu the belief and |>raetillation, he fully instructe«l in every d»K'trine of the jjos|H'1, and not only frei-d from the slavery of sin and its cons<'(pienees, hut also from th( 'erenjonial laws delivered l»y Moses. " If ye «'on- tinue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and#e shall know the truth, und the truth .shall niuke you i'vw." John viii. ;u, 32. The Jews, on liearinj; him mention that they slioiiM W made fre*.-, answered, " We bo Abraham's seed, and were never in bondajije to any man." This assertion, if taken literally, was absolutely false; the whole nation at that very tim*; being in bondage to the licunans : nor were their ancestors any stningers to slavery, having severely felt the hand of tyranny, both in Egypt, Assyria, and IJabylon. The expres- sion, therefore, according to some writei-s, must be tJik- i in a metii- l)horieal sense, to signify spiritual bondage; it was a fretiloni by truth, a freeilom in resjH'ct of religion which they now assertetl. They meant that they were the descendants of illustrious ancestors; and during the worst of times, had preserved sentiments in religion and government worthy the posterity of Abraham ; nor had the hottest jR-rstH-ution of the Assyrian kings Iwen able toeompel them to embrace the religion of the heathen. In respect of truth, " we were never in bondage to any man: how siiyest thou, Ye shall be made free?" In answer to this question, Jesus told them that those who gave themselves up totln^ pr.u'tice«)f sin and the gnitificjition of their sinful apiK-'tites, were absoluti'ly slaves, and how far they might deserve that :ippellation, it was incumbent on them to consider. "Verily, verily, I tiixy unto you, whosoever committethsin is the servant of sin." And as a slave cannot Ixi assured of the continuance of his master's favor, or certain of abiding continually in the family ; so my Father can, when he pleases, dis<'jird8uch habitual sinners, ose to reveal it to the sons of men. Adding, that he did not come of himself, but was sent by the great Creator of the universe. " If God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God : neither came I of myself, but he sent me." John viii. 42. But ye, continued the blcsseti Jesus, inherit the nature of your father, the devil, and therefore will continue to gratify the lusts ye have derivetl from him. He was an enemy to, and a murderer of, mankind from the beginning, and has ever since exerted his whole power to work their destruction ; sometimes by seel. " Verily, verily, 1 say unto you, if a man keep n»y saying, he shall never see death." John viii. 51. On this declaration, the Jews, who were total strangere to our Lord's spiritual meaning of death, cried out. Now we suffi- ciently know that thou art jiossessed with a devil ; for the most right- eoas persons that ever flourished among the sons of men are dead ; Abraham, and the prophets, and other holy men, are all laid in the chambers of the dust, and thou hast the impudence and folly to affirm, that whosoever keeps thy precepts shall never die. Thou surely canst not think nor pretend to be more in favor of the Almighty than Abraham and the prophets were, who, though the strictest observers of the divine precepts, could not obtiiiu the privilege of being them- selves exempt from the stroke of death, much less for their followers. " Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophet'j; and thou sayest. If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste o'.' death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead : whom makest thou thyself?" John viii. 52, 53. In reply to this impertinent query, the Messiah returnetl. If I should attempt to speak in praise of myself, you would call it vain and foolish, and, like the Pharisees, tell me, " Thou l)earest record of thy.self: thy record is not true." Instead, therefore, of giving you a full des(;ription of my dignity, I shall only inform you, that it is my Father who speaketh honorably of me, by the many miracles he en- ables me to perform. And surely this may be sufficient to convince you I<»0 Til K LIFE OP CHRIST. of wliiit I have promi.stHl for my (lis(!l|)los; csiKH;ially when I tell you that my Father is no other than the Almiglity (Jotl of Jaeoh, whom all the descendants of Abraham pretend to worship. lint though you vainly hottst of woi*shippiiij^ my Father as your (jimI, you are ignorant of him : you neither form just eoneeptions of him, nor woi-ship him in the manner yon ought. Your knowledge and actions, therefore, dis- agree with your profession; hut, on the contiiuy, I entertain proj)er ideasof him, and obey his precepts. You niay, perhaps, construe this declaration as proceeding from vanity: hut if I shoidd say I do not form adequate conceptions of him, or aeknowUnlg*' him as he deserves, I should l)e a liar like unto you. Even your father Abraham, of whom you so highly boast, earnestly desired to behohl the time when T, the promistnl seee made manifest in him," Jesus addcul, " I must work tiie works of hin) that sent me, while it is day : the night Cometh, when no man can work." Intimating to his disciples and all the sons of men, his imwearied labor in the work of his Almighty Father. In this he was (K'cupietl day and night, during the time of his sojourning in the flesh. To this alone he directed all his thoughts and all his intentions. This he estwmed oven as his meat and drink ; and for this hesutteretl the negle<'t of his ordinary fixMl, that he might finish the blcssetl, the beneficent work of human salvation. A work, to accomplish which he left the courts of heaven; and, during the ex- ecution of it, went about doing good. It was now the Sabbath day, and the blessed Jesus was going to perform a miracle, in which there was to be a snuiU degree of servile work ; and therefore he told his disciples, that they need not be sur- prised to see him work miracles of that kind on the Sabbath day. For, though they should imagine that he might defiT them till the day of rest was over, his time on earth was so short, that it was necessary for him to embrace every opportunity that oilered of work- ing miracles. Perhaps he chose to pc>rform this work on the Sabbath, l)ecause he knew the Pharisees would, for that nason, inquire into it with the utmost attention, and consequently render it more generally known. But, however this be, our blesseil Saviour, who was now going to confer sight on one that was born blind, took occasion from thence to speak of himself as one apjwinted to give light also to the minds of men involved in darkness. " As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having declared the salutary design of his cwuung into the world, " He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and Siiid unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is, by interpretation, Sent). He went his way, therefore, and washetl, and came, seeing." John ix. 6, 7. This miraculous operation could not fail of proilucing a general curiosity and surprise, and induced those who had seen this blind man in his dark and deplorable condition, to be very particular in their inquiries into the means of so singular a miracle. It was d(mbt- less the subject of general conversation ; and, it is natural to think. r n K L 1 F E O F C 11 K I S T 193 :)h<)ulaii.s of u gciicnil convorsloii : but, as too frequently happens, a |x;rverse curiosity prevented its salutary elltHits \i\K>n. their souls. Uiibelief and hartlness of lu-art led some of them even to doubt of the plainest fact; a fact the most evident and indisputable, and plainly the work of the divinity, and others to |H'i'st>euto at one« both the object and the author of itl "The neighbors, therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? some said, This is he: others siiid, Ho is like him: but he said, I am he.'* John ix. 8, 9. The man, transported with gratitude and joy, perceiving his neigh- Iwrs doubttKl of the identity of his person, proclaimed himself to be the very same, whom they lately saw begging in total darkness. I am he, thus wonderfully blest with sight by the jwculiar mercy of the Almighty ! I am he who was blind from my birth, whom ye have all seen, and many relieved in my miserable distress ! I am he who was, even from my mother's womb, involved in pitchy darkness, but now enjoy the enlivening light of day I So genuine an acknowledgment of the fact excited in them curiosity to know how this admii-jible effect was productnl. " How were thine eyes opened?" to this question he readily rej)li«Hl, " A man that is lulled Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the p(X)l of Siloam and wash : and I went and washetl, and I received sight." John ix. 1 1. They then asked him where the per- son was, who had |K!rf<)rme«l so stu|)endous a work? to which the man answered, " I know not: " for Jesus liad retired while the man went to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam, probably to avoid the ap' plauses which would nntundly have been given him, and which we see, through the whole Gosj>el, he generally studied to avoid. The neighbors, either stimulated by envy, or excit«Hl by a desire of having the truth of this extraordinary event searched to the bottom, brought the man before the tKumcil as the proper judges of this affair. Accordingly, he was no sooner placed before the assembly, than the Pharisees began to inquire of him, "how he had recovered his sight?" Not daunted by tliis awful assembly, though terrible to a man of his mean circumstances, he boldly answered, " He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see." John ix. 1 5. * On hearing this account of the miracle, the Pharisees di^ lared thai the author of it must be an inipostor, because he had, by performing it, violated the Sabbath day. But others, more candid in their way 13 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 195 of tliinking, guvo it as t'leir opinion, that no (UM-civer coul»l possibly \v(»ri< !i miracle of tliat kind, bwauso it was too great and hont*- ticial foranyt'vil being to have either the inclination or power to perforin. The court iK'ing thus divided in their opinion with regard to the chanictcr of Jesns, they asked the nmn himself what he thouj^lit of the person who had conferred on him the blessing of sight; to which he boldly and plainly answered, '' He is a prophet." But the Jews, liopintr to prove the whole a cheat, stjirted another objection, namely, tliat tiiis person wa." not born blind, though all his neighbors had al- ready testified the truth of it. Accordingly, they called his parents, and asked tliem whether be was their son; if he had been born blind; and by what means he had obtaincnl his sight. To which they answered, that he was truly their N»n, and had been born blind; but with regard to the manner in which he received his sight, and the person who had conferred it on him, they could give no information : their 8\v<-nHl, " I have told you already, and ye did not hear : wlwrefon; woiihl you hear it a:iii, wa.t it not lirard timt uny man oik-iicxI the eyes of oik! that wuh Iwrtj hlind. It' tlib man were nut of (io«l, lie eouhl do nothing." John i.\. M()-.'J3. The honest man's arp,iiiiu'nt.s, though phiin, were |)owirfiil, and fouiKh^l upon truths they »'ould not (h'uy. Tliey all ownt-d thit G

    ility of doubt, and wai such as never any man performed : it there- tore undeniably followed, tlujt J(!sus was not a sinner, but sent from God, since otherwise he could do nothing. The l*harisces were not ignorant that this argument was conclusive; they felt its wln)le fon^e, and well knew that it coiUd not be resist*"*!. Accordingly, they did not attempt to answer it, but had recourse to punishment and abusive language. Thou wickwl, illiterati', imj)udent mortal, sai(I they, whose un«h'rstanding is still as blind as thy bmly lately was, and who wca't l)orn under the heaviest punishment of sin, dost thou pretend to instruct in a matter of this kind the guidi>tinly dorlurod liiti iittciitioii of going to Jcrutuileiii, uiid «et forward ou his journey witli great eourage and resolution. The road from Galilee to Jerusalem lay through Samaria, the in- hahitantH of whieh entertained the most inveterate hatred against ail who woi'slii|)|)ed in .Jerusalem. Jesus being nostrangt'r to this dispo- sition of the Samaritans, thought proper to send messengers before him, that they might, against his arrival, find reeeption for him in one of the villagi's. The i)r(;judiee<.l Samaritans, finding that the in- tention of his journey was to worahip in the temple at Jerusalem, re- fused to receive either him or his diseij)les into their houses. The messenger.'*, being thus disappointed, returned to Jesus, and gave him an account of all that had passed, at which James and John were so exceedingly incensetl, that they proposed to their Master to call for fire from heaven, in order to destroy such inhospitable wretches; alleging, in excuse for such violent proceedings, the exam- ple of the prophet Elijah : " Lord, wilt thou that we command fin» to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?" Luke ix. 54. Our Lord, desirous of displaying an example of humility on every occasion, sharply rebuked them for entertaining so unbecoming a re- sentment for this oflenee. " Ye know not," said he, " what maimer of spirit ye are of." Ye are ignorant of the sinfulness of the dispo- sition ye have now expressed ; nor do ye consider the diHerencic of times, pei-sons, and dispensations. The severity exercised by Elijah, on the men who came from Ahab to apprehend him, was a just re- proof to an idolatrous king and people; very proper for the times, and very agreeable to the characters, both of the prophet who gave it, and of the ottenders to whom it was given, and, at the same time, not un- suitable to the Mosaic dispensations. But the gospel breathed a very different spirit ; and the intention of the Messiah's coming into the ^orld was not to destroy, but to save the lives of the children of men. Ye wise of this world, who reject saving knowledge, behold here an instance of patience under a real and unprovoked injury, which you cannot parallel among all your boasted heroes of antiquity ! An in- stance of patience which expressed infinite sweetness of disposition, and should be imitated by all the human race, especially by those who call themselves the disciples of Christ. Being denied the reception by the inhospitable inhabitants of this Sa- maritan village, Jesus, attended by his disciples, directed his way towards another, and as they travelled, a certain man said to him. T II K L I K K OF C 11 II I 8 T. 1»V **li()r(l, T will follow ill*'*' wliitliuraoever tliou jio<'Ht." Hut Jt'.«u>, to wlumi the seeivt j)iir[)().sf',s of all hmrts wen* open, knowing he only desired tlie ri(;liey anil lionors of tiiu Me-sHiali's kin^tlorn, thought i)ro|)er to make him i^ensihie of \m iniMtike, und aeeordingly Haid to him, "Foxes have lioles, and birds of the air have nests; hut the Son of man hath not wliere to lay his lieatl." Luke ix. 58, I am so far from boasting of a temj)oraI kingdom, and tin; power and pomp at- tending it, that 1 have not even the aeeommodation provided by nature for the beasts of the field and tiie fowls of the air. They have safe and secure retreats ; but the Son of man is destitute of uu habitation. Jesus, in the course of his wandering, met with one who had form- erly been his disciple, and ordered him to disengage himself from all worldly employments, and to follow him; but he wius desirous of ex- cusing himself for the present, under the pretence that he was bound by the ties of gratitude to continue with his aged father till death, and he had laid his remains in the sepulchre of his ancestors. " Lord," said he, "suffer me first to go and bury my father." To which Jesus answered, " Let the dead bury their tlcad ; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God," Luke ix. 59, GO. Let those that arc immersed in worldly atfairs, follow the affairs of the world ; but those who have embraceil the doctrines of the gospel, do everything in their power to spread the glad tidings of salvation in every part of the earth. A third person ottered to follow him, provided he would give hira the liberty to return to his house, and take leave of his family: but Jesus told him, that he should not suifer any domestic atfairs to inter- fere with the care of his salvation ; that the calls of religion were too pressing to admit of the least delay or excuse whatever ; and that all who set themselves to seek the welfare of their souls, should pursue the work assiduously, without looking carelessly around tlieni, as if they wore regardless of tlic work they had undertaken to perform. ^*No man, having put his linnd to the ]>lough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Ijukc ix. 62. As our blessed Saviour's ministry was from this time till its final period to be confined to Judea, and the countries beyond Jordan, it was necessary that some harbingers should be sent into every town and village he was to visit, to prepare his way. Accordingly, he called his seventy disciples unto him, and afler instructing them in the duties of their mission, and the particulars they were to observe in their journey, he sent tliem into different parts of the country, to those particular place* soo T il K LIFE OP C H 11 1 S T. whither he himM'lf intumlrd t4) ioUow tliciii, and pni^uh the tioctriiicA of the g()s]M>l to the inhabitJintH. Our IjonI, iic<'onliiig to his own (l<>chimtion, ortant nu'stuigc um he hud dotio the twelve bt>fore. The harvest was pleuteous in Judca and Peresi, as well as in (jalilee, and the laborens also few; and being never nion* to preach in Ch()r)»zin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, the eities wherein he liad usually reside welcome reception than their Master. The seventy disciples having received their instructions and the power of working miracles from the Messiah, departed to execute their important commission in the cities and villages o^ Judca and Perea. And, after visiting the several places, publishing the glad tidings of salvation, and working many miracfes in confirmation of their mission, they returned to their Master with great joy, saying, " Lord, even the devils are subject unto us, through thy name ! " From this appeal, it seems that they knew not the extent of their delegated power: and were pleasingly surprised to find the apostate •pirits tremble at their command. To which their great Master re- THE LIFE OP CHUIST. 201 n plied, "I beheld SaUiii an liglitnin;^ full from lieavvu." Ynu will lie no longer uMtonished tliut the devilM uru Hui>ji-ll you that their priiiee in not able to 8tan- witliMtanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are 8ubje<;t unto you; hut rather rejoice, l)ecau8e your names arc written in heaven." l>uke X. 20. Nor could the blcftS(!. " Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful : and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke x. 41, 42. When Jesus repaired to Jerusalem, to celebrate the feast of dedica- tion, he was informed that the beggar he had restored to sight at the feast of tabernacles, was, by the council, cast out of the synagogue. This information excited the pity of the Son of God, and he ' 'ved to make him full amends for the injury he had suifered. Ii • not long before he met the suffering person, and said to him, " Dobt thou believe on the Son of God ? He answered and said, Who is he, I^ord, that I might believe on him? And Jeaua said unto him. Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said^ Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him." John ix. 35-38. We have hinted, tliat the b^gar was thoroughly convinced that 201 THE L I F K OF CHRIST. the person who opeiiccl his eyes wiis u lui'ssenger from licaven; it ia, therefore, no wonder that, iis soon as lie knew Jesus was the person who had i»erformed so great a work, lie readily believed him to be the Son of God. Our Saviour having thus given the poor man ample proof of his Messiahsliip, direeted his discourse to the people, and said unto them : " For judgment 1 am come into this world ; that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind." John ix. 39. The meaning of our Saviour, though he alluded to the blind man, was spiritual. He did not intend to represent the design of his coming, but the effect it would have on the minds of men ; {•« it would demonstrate what character and disposition every person pos- sessed. The humble, the docile, and the honest, though they were imnr jrsed in the night of darkness, with regjird to religion and the knowledge of the scriptures, should bo enlightened by his '^oming, as the blind man had enjoyed the invaluable gift of sight from his hands; but those who were wise, learned, and enlightenetl in their own opinion, fihould appear in their true character, absolutely ignorant, foolish, and blind. The Pharisees, who happened to be present when he spake these words to the people, imagined that he intended to throw a reflection on their sect, which the common people, from their skill in the law, held in great veneration. Accordingly, they asked him, with disdain, "Are we blind also?" Dost thou place us, who are teachers, and have taken such pains to acquire the knowledge of the Scriptures, on a level with the vulgar? To which Jesus answered, "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin ; but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth." If ye had not eiijoyee(;ause it is sincere, and springs from a right prin- ciple. For they have just notions of my dignity and character; they know that I am their Shepherd and Saviour sent fi'om God; and that I am able to feed them with knowledge, deliver them from sin, and the punishment of it, and bestow on them eternal life, and procure them a place in the blissful mansions of my Father's house. " I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." John X. 14. And tliis mutual knowledge and lov»* of each other is like that subsisting between me and my Father. " As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father : and I lay down my life for the sheep." John x. l/>. I will give a convincing proof of the love I bear the sheep: I will hiy down my life for them : an instance of regard that will never bo given by an hireling. But I have other sheep besides those of the seed of Abrahafu ; mnnbers of my flock are among the Gentiles. These also I must hring into my church, and they will ciieerfuUy submit to my laws. There shall then be but one fold, and they shall know me, shall dis- tinguish ray voice from that of a stranger, and though consisting of lews and Gentiles, yet they shall have but one shepherd, to feed and (overn them : for the middle wall of partition shall be broken down. ' And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold : them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice ; and there shall be one told and one shepherd." John x. 16. And because I lay down my life to save the world, therefore my heavenly Father loveth me. But though I lay down my life, I will take it again ; for I will, ia 14 210 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. duo tiinr, rise from the d(%id. 1 do not, however, eitlier lay down iiiy lite or rise from the dead without the appointment of the Al- niij^hty. I aet in both aeople, by pretending to be the great Son of David promised by the prophets, in order to usurp the kingdom, told them, that they must ftmii a judgment of him from his actions. " I told you, and ye Ix-lieved not ; the works I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you." John x. 2'), 26. Your unbelief is t\ie effect of your attiiehment to this world, being unwilling to receive the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven ; because you must then renounce all your fond hopes of temporal power and advantage. But, on th'^ contrary, those who are of a meek and humble dis])Osltion, and their minds free from worldly passions, easily perceive the truth of my doctrine and miracles, and consequently are readily disposed to be- come my disciples. Nor shall such pei-sons lose their reward ; for I will willingly receive them, and make them partakers of eterntfl life in my Father's kingdom. And however assiduous malicious men T H K LIFE OF C H li I S T. ail may be in endoavoring to hinder uwu from believing on me, they tihall never be al)le to ellect their purposse, tiiough U!58ist<'ened to cast out a devil, when some who were present ascribed the miracle to Beelzebub : " And ho was casting out a devil, and it wat^ dumb. And it came to psi^, THE LIFE OF C II 11 1ST. 218 TUK SANHEDRIM IN SKSSICN. when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake ; aiul tlie people won- dered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beel- nibub, the ehi(!f of the devils." T-iuke xi. 14, 15. However strange this argument may seem, and however weak and absurd it must appear to impartial judges, yet it had a considerable effeet on illiterate j»ersons, especially on those whose prejudices and interests it fa- vored. The Pharisees ])retended, that as Jesus had all along been at great pains to oppose the traditions which most of the teachers of that age considered as the essentials of religion, and the prin- cipal branches of jiiety, they concluded that he must be a very wicked person. They also supposed that a false prophet had the power of working signs and wonders; and thence concluded that our Saviour performed all his miracles by the a&sistance of evil spirits, with an intention to turn the people from the worship of the true God. Another pretended reason for as«iribing his miracles to evil spiritB iras, that the demons themselves, when they departed oat of the per ilH THE L 1 F K OF CHRIS T. iHmti )>OH808Hed, honori>d him with the title of Mesuiuh. Tiuir ai-<;ii' iiu'nts, though 80 evidently ibuucitil on tulseitood, contributed lurgclv to the infidelity of the Jews, and however we may be Hurprised that Htieh weak reasons should have any etfect, considering what multi- tudes were witnesses of the many miracles the blessed Jesus perlbrnu"*! on the si<^k of all sorts, on the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the muimcd, the lame, on paralytics, lunatics, demoniacs, and ithcv miserable ob- jemer of mankind U(rept(xl the invitation, though })rol)al>ly given, us nome think, with an insidious design, uecompunied the Pimrisee to his house, and sat down to meat, hut without performing the ceremony of washing, observed by ail the other gu(>sts. An omission of this kind eould not fail of surprising tlu; Pharisee, iw he hud thereby shown un open eontempt of their traditions. Jesus, who well knew the thoughts of this bigoted Pharisee, said to him, Your sect are remarkably careful to ki-ep everything table to your Maker. " Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the , o4. THK VALLEY OF TOPHET, 218 THE LIFE OF CHKIST. CHAPTER XXI. BXPLANATION OP THE ORIOIN AND OPINIONS OF THE DIFFERENT SECTS AMONGST THE JEWS — ODU LOKD TEACHES THE MULTITUDE BY PLAIN DISCOURSE, AM) AI^O BY PARABLES. Having undertaken to write the history of the life of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we cannot omit a distinct account ■of the different sects of the Jews, a people with whom he was most intimately concerned, both as an elucidation of many circumstances, 418 well as a verification of many things foretold concerning the Messiah. Josephus reckons four principal sects among the Jews; the Pharisees, the Sadducees, (called also Herodians,) the Essenes, and the Galileans, The evangelists mention only two, the Pharisees and Sadducees. The ' ise of the Pharisees is unknown. They claim, indeed, the • t\nm\, u[)()n their entrance into the contemplative life, to renounce the world, and to divide among their friends and relations their j)roperties and estates. They never eat till after sunset, and the best of their foocJ was coarse bread, a little salt, and a few stomachic! herbs. Their clothing was made of coarse wool, plain, but white. They condemned all sorts of unctions and perfumes as luxurious and effeminate. Their beds were hard, and their sleep short. Their heads, or suj)eriors, were generally chosen according to seniority, unless there started Hp among the brotherhood some more conspicuous for their learning, piety, or prophetic spirit. Some of them, indeed, were so contemplative, that they never stirred out of their cells, or even looked out of their windows during the whole week, spending their time in reading sa- cred books, and writing comments upon them. On the Sabbath day they repaired to their synagogues early in the morning, and continued there the whole day in prayers, singing of psalms, or expounding the sacred books. Having endeavored to explain the origin and tenets of several sects among the Jews, we now return to the history of our blessed Saviour, whom we left preaching in the country beyond .Jordan, where he was surroundetl by an innumerable multitiule of people. . In the audience of this vast assembly, he gave his disciples in gen- eral a charge to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, namely^ hypocrisy ; because all their actions would be brought to light, either in this world or in that which is to come ; and therefore exhorted them to be very careful never to do anything which could not bear the light, but to let the whole of their behavior be honest, just, and good. " Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hy{)ocrisy. For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed ; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore, whatsoever ye have spoken in dark- ness, shall be heard in the light ; and that which ye have spoken in the ear, in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops." Luke xii. 1-3. This argument against hypocrisy he improved as a reason for their acquiring another quality, which would much better serve all the ends they could propose; namely, an undaunted resolution in the perform- ance of their duty, founded on a firm confidence in God, who would bring to light the most secret word and thought, publicly condemo the wicked, and justify his faithful servants and children. 224 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Feur not, said he, the inalux> of the huiiuin race ; it can extend n« farther than the destruction of the botly ; your soul may bid defiance to their iinfiotent rage. But dread the displeaHure of that Almighty Being, who, at\er lie hath dt«troye of the sky ; and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" Luke xii. 54, etc. The prediction of the Son of man coming to punish the Jews for tiieir rebellion and infidelity, delivered under the similitude of one who cometh secretly and unexpectedly to plunder a house, was a loud call to a national repentance. In order, therefore, to improve that prediction, he exhorted them to a speedy reformation ; telling them, that the least degree of reflec- tion would be sufficient to point out to them the best methods tluy could ptissibly make use of, for averting the impending judgments of the Almighty; illustrating Avhat he liad said by the punishments commonly inflicted on the man who refuses to make reparation for the injuries he has done his neighbor. " When thou goest with thijie adversary to the iiiagistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mnyest be delivered from him ; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite." Luke xii. 08, 59. Some of his hearers thought proper to confirm this doctrine, by ^jiving what they considered as an example of it : " There were pres- 228 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. ,T ent at that scosun some that told liiin of i\w (ialilraiiH, wliosu bUxKi Pilate hail mingled with their sacrifices;" thinking that Providence, for some extraordinary crinii', had sntl'ercd these (ialileans to he nmrdered at tlie altar, IJiit onr Lord showi'd tlu-m the error of their opinion and inference concerning this point, it iteing no indication that these Galileans were greater sinners than their conntrynien, hecanse they had suffered so severe a calamity ; ar»d, at the sjinie time, exhorted them to improve such instances of calamity, as incite- ments to their own repentance; assuring them that if they neglected 60 salutary a work, they should all likewise perish. "And Jesus answering, said unto them, Suppose; ye that these Galileans were sin- ners above all the Galileans, because they su tiered such things? I tell you, Nay: but e.xcept ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke xiii. 2, 3. He illustrated this doctrine by putting them in mind of the eighteen persons on whom the tower of Siloam fell ; showing them, by this insUmee, the folly of interpreting the dispensations of Provi- dence in that manner; for, though this calamity .seemed to flow im- mediately from the hand of God, yet in all probability it had involved people who were remarkable for their j)iety and goodness. "Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in 8iIoam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jeru.sa- lem ? I tell you. Nay : but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke xiii. 4, 5. To rouse them from their indolence, and to induce them to seek the aid of God's grace iMid Spirit, he added the parable of the fig-tree, which the master of the vineyard, after finding it three years barren, orderetl to be destroyed ; 4)ut which was spared one year longer, at the earnest solicitations of the gardener. " A certain man had a fig- tree planted in his vineyard ; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none : cut it down ; why cumbercth it the ground ? And he answering, said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well ; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke xiii. 6, etc. By tffis parable our blessed Saviour represented the goodness of the Almighty towards the Jews, in choosing them for his people, giving them the outward dispensations of religion, and informing them of the improvements he expected they should make of these advantages, THE LIFE OF CHRIST. MD hM'i the punishments lie WdiiUI inHict iiixm them, in case they slightwl 811' h benevolent otters. He also represented \>y it, in a very beaiUirul manner, the un- bouniled mereies of the Almigiity, in sparing them at the interees-sion of his Son, and giving them o ♦uHher time of trial, and still greater advantages, by the preaehing of the blesseil Je.sus and his apostles ; eoneluding with an intimation, that if they negleeted this la.st oppor- tunity, they should perish without remedy. During the stay of Jesus in the country of Perea, he observed, while he was preaehing in one of the synagogues, on the Sabbath TING THE UKQUISITE8 FOR ADMITTANCB INTO THE KINGDOM OP OOD--THE CAUE OF THE UEDEEMEU FOIl EVEUY ONE Of niS PEOPLE — THE KECEPTION OP" A PENITENT SINNER, AND THE PUNI6HME^T OF MISUSING THE BENEFITS OP THE GOSPEL. Our Saviour having finished this awful exclamation and predic- tion, was invited by one of the Pharisees to his house. Though he knew tliat tliis invitation arose not from a generous motive, yet as he never shunned any opportunity of doing good, even to his most im- ])laeal)le enemies, he accepted it. At his entering the Pharisee's house, they placed before him a man that had a dropsy, doubtless with an intention to accuse him of healing on the Sabbath day; being per- suaded tliat he would work a miracle in favor of so melancholy an oliject. Jesus, who knew the secret thoughts of their hearts, asked the lawyers and Pharisees, whetlicr it was lawful to heal on the Sab- bath day. But they refusing to give any answer to the question, Jesus laid his hand on the diseased person, and immediately his com- plexion returned, his body was reduced to its ordinary dimensions, and his former health and strength renewed in an instant. So surprising a miracle might surely have convinced the Pharisees, that the author must have been endued with power from on high ; but instead of being persuaded that he was a person sent from God, and labored only for the benefit of the children of men, they were con- triving how they might turn this miracle to his disadvantage. Our Lord, however, soon disconcerted their projects, by proving that, ac- cording to their own avowed practice, he had done nothing but what was truly lawful. " Which of you," said he, " shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not straightway })ull him out on the Sabbath day?" If a calamity happens to one of your beasts, you make no scruple of assisting it on the Sabbath, though the action may be attended with considemblo labor; and surely I may relieve a de- scendant of Abraham, when nothing more is requisite than touching him with my hand. This argument was conclusive, and so plain, 234 THE LIFE OF CHRIST, that even the grossest stupidity must feel its force, ami ciie most viru- lent malice couUl not contradict it. As the entertainment approached, our blessed Saviour, had an opportunity of observing the pride of the Pharisees, and remarking what an anxiety each of them expressed to obtain the most honorable place at the table. Nor did he let their ridiculous behavior pass without a proper uninuidvei*sion ; in which he observed, that pride generally exposed a person to many elfronts, and tlmt humility is the surest method of gaining respect. " When thou art bidden," said ho, "of any man to a -wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him ; and he that bade thee and him come and say unto thee. Give this man place ; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bid- den, go and sit down in tlie lowest room ; t'tiat when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee. Friend, go up higher : then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth lilraself shall be abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke xiv. 8, etc. Having thus addressed the guests in general, he turned to the mas- ter of the house, and said unto him, " When thou makest a diimer or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighI)ors ; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But Mhen thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind." Luke xiv. 12, 13. Be very ciireful not to limit thy hospitality to the rich, but let the poor also partake of thy bounty. " And thou shalt be blessed ; for they cannot recompense tiiee : for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke xiv. 14. One of the Pharisees, ravished with the delignuul prospect of the hajipiness good men enjoyed in the heavenly Canaan, cried out, " Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." Blessed is he, who being admitted into the happy regions of Paradise, shall enjoy the conversation of the inhabitants of those heavenly countries ; as those spiritual re[)asts must regale and invigorate his mind beyond expression. In answer to which our blessed Saviour delivered the parable of the marriage-sujiper, representing, by the invitation of the guests, the doctrine of the gospel, and the success those beneficent invitations to the great feast of heaven should meet with among the Jews : foretelling, that though it was attended with every inviting circumstance, they would disdainfully reject it, and prefer the plena^ THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 235 ares of a temporal existence to those of an eternal state ; while the Gentiles, with the greatest cheerfuhiess, wonkl embrace the beneficent offer, and thereby be prepared to sit down witli Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the hapj)y mansions of the kingdom of heaven. But as this parable was afterwards spoken by our blessed Saviour in the temple, we shall defer our observations on it, till we come to the history ^^'hcre it wa." igain delivered. When Jesus departed from the Pharisee's house, great multitudes of people thronged to him, to hear his doctrine ; but mistook the true intention of it, expecting he was going to establish the Messiah's throne in Jerusalem, and render all the nations of the world tributary to iiis power. The benevolent Jesus therefore took this opi)ortunity to undeceive them, and to declare, in tlie plainest terms, that his king- dom was not of this world, and consequently tliat those who expected, by following him, to obtain temporal advantages, would find them- selves wretciiedly mistidien ; as, on the contrary, his disciples must expect to be persecuted from city to city, and hated of all men for his namesake : though 't was requisite for those who would be his true followers, to ])refer his service to the riches, grandeur, and i)lcasures of the world : and to show, by their conduct, that they had nuich less respect and value for the dearest objects of their affections than for him. "If any man come to me, and hnte not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come afler me, cannot be my discii)lc." Luke xiv. 26, 27. And in order to induce them to weigh tliis doctrine attentively in their minds, he elucidatcfl it with two o[)posite cases, that of an un- thinking builder, and that of a rash warrior. The former was obliged to leave the structure luifinishcd, because he had foolishly begun the building before he had computed the cost ; and the latter, reduced to the dilemma of being ingloriously defeated, or meanly suing for peace previous to the battle ; having rashly declared war, before he had con- sidered the strength of his own and his enemy's army. "So likewise, whosoever he l)e of you," added the blessed Jesus, " that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke xiv. 33. Tiie publicans* and sinners, roused by the alarming doctrine of our • The publicans were exceedingly obnoxious to the Jews, inasmuch as they were the collectors of the Roman revenue. It was the habit of tlie Roman Senate to form the direct taxes and tlie customs {porforia} to Capitalists who undertook to pay a given sum into the treasury (in j)ublicum), from which tiiey were called • 236 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Lord, listened to it attentively. This opportunity was readily em> braced by the great Rcdeciiier of mankind, who not only condescended to preach to them the happy tidings of eternal life, but even accom- panied them to their own houses ; that, if i>ossible, the seeds of the gospel might take root in their hearts. But this condescension of the meek and humble Jesus was consid- ered by the haughty Pharisees as an action t mean for the character of a prophet. Tiiey nuu'nuirod, and were highly dis2)leascd at a con- descension, whi'^h ought to have given them the greatest joy. But Jesus soon sho.»cd them their mistake, by repeating to them the para- bles of the lost sheep and piece of money, intimating thereby the great care all prophets and pastoi*s ought to take of those committed to their care, and the obligations they lay under for searching diligently for every wandering sinner, whose convei'sion is a gniteful offering to the Almighty. " There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke xv. 10. To illustrate this doctrine still further, and show to the greatest sinner the willingness of God to receive him into his grac« and favor — if convinced of his unworthy and lost condition in himself, and im- ploring forgiveness through the merits of Jesus Christ, and the renewal of his heart by the efficacious influence of his Spirit — he delivered the expressive parable of the prodigal son. A certain man had two sons, the younger of whom, not content to publicani. Sometimes the revenues were farmed out to a society, whose affairs were managed by a director wlio resided at Rome, and transacted the business of Ihe company through tlie stth-mayMri, or local agents. These men were com- monly natives of the iirovinccs to which tliey were appointed. " The publicant,^^ says Dr. Wm. Smith, " were banded together to support each other's interest, and at once resented and defied all interference. They demanded severe laws, and at once put every such law into execution. Their agents were encouraged in the most vexatious and fraudulent exactions, and a remedy was almost impossi- ble. If this was the case with the company, we may imagine how it stood with the underlings. They overcharged -.vhenever they had an opportunity. They brought false charges, in the hope of extorting hush money. Tliey detained and opened letters on mere suspicion. It was the basest of all livelihoods. * * In Judaja and Galilee, thero were special circumstances of aggravation. The em- ployment brought out all the besetting vices of the Jewish characer. The strong feeling of many Jews as to the absolute unlawfulness of paying tribute at all mado matters worse. * * In addition to their other faults, the jblicans of the New Testament were regarded as traitors and apostates, defiled by their frequent inter- course with the heathen, willing tools of the oppressor. The class thus practi- cally excommunicated, furnished some of the earliest disciples botU of tLs Bap- tist and of our Lord," T H K LIFE OF C H 11 1 S T 237 live in his father's house, siife under his protection, iuul happv under liis eye, desired his father to give him the portion of goods whicii fell to liis share. The indulgent father did not hesitate to grant his i"e- ipiest : hut the ungrateful son had no sooner obtuiut'tl what he asked of his parent, than he left the presence and neighborhood of so kind a father, and retired into a far country, wIktc he had an opportunity of indulging, without restraint, his wicked inclinations; and there he wasted his substance in riotous living. Having thus consumed tin; [)ortion given him by his indulgent parent, he began to feel the miseries of want, and, to add to his misfortunes, a terrible llunine arose in that land ; so that he soon became accpiainted with the shar]) stings of hunger. In this distressed condition, he joined himself to a citizen of that country, willing to try every expedient, rather than re- turn to his kind, his merciful fiither, and humbly confess his faults. His master, from a just contempt of his former prodigality, em- ployed him in the meanest and most contemptible offices ; he sent him into his field to feed swine. Behold here, ye sons of extrava- gance, a change indeetl ! Behold this thoughtless prodigal, reduced at once from a life of voluptuousness and gaiety, a life of pleasure and excess, to a life of the most abject slavery, a life of penury and w'aut. Nay, so great was his hunger, so i)rodigious his distress, that he would even have been contenttKl, in this miserable state, to have satisfied the cravings of hunger with the husks oaten by the swine : but no man relieved him, no man showed the letust compa-ssion for him ; so that the very swine were in a better condition than this miserable prodigal ! Thus miserably reduced, he was brought to himself: he had hitherto been in a state of utter forgetfulness ; but now began to reflect on his happy condition, while he continued with his father, before he had deviated from the paths of virtue, and to compare it with his present deplorable condition. " How many hired servants of ray father," said he to himself, " have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger !" I will therefore, undeserving as I am, have recourse to his mercy and favor. " I will arise and go to my father," for such he still is, and I, though wretched and lost, am yet his son ; I will, therefore, " say unto him. Father, I have siimed against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son :" that happiness is too great for me to expect or desire ; I have, by my be- havior, forfeited all right to so endearing, so valuable a title : " make me as one of thy hired servants." I desire nothing more, than that thou wouldst mercifully receive me as one of thy hired servants. 238 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. I ITaviujT; tliin taki-n a firm rcsoliitioii oi' throwinj:; liimself at the fct'J of liis ilitlior, ainl iiii|>I(>i*ing l'oi'<^ivoncss lor his ptLst oftbuccs, ho did not delay to put it iniim'st, his ruined child; jKiternal fondness would not t^nller him to forliear; hi! ran to meet him, ho fell on liis neck, he kissed him. Encouraj^ed hy this kind reception, the son fell down at his father's feet, and heir:in to make confe-^sion of his fuilts, to plead his own uii- worthincss, to reqiicsit his father's jiardon : " Fatjier," said lie, '* I have siimcd against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." lie was not suffered to j)rocced any further, the love of his parent prevr>nted tlu; rest ; he conunanded his servants to liring the best robe, anosterity's return, hath provided such grace and compas- sion for them, that they may be reinstated in their former place and favor. And the same grace not being granted to the higher order of intellectual beings, the fallen spirits, is the cause of their murmuring against God and men, represented by the answer of the elder brother in this parable. Others, secondly, with a much greater show of probability, expound this parable of the two people, the Jews and Gentiles, who have but one Father, even God; and while they both continued in their Father's house, the true church, they wanted for nothing: there was plenty of food for the soul, there was substance enough for them both. But the latter, rejiresented by the younger brother, possessed of his share of knowledge, went into a strange country, left God, and bpent his substance, the evidence and knowledge of the Almighty, TiiK LiFi; or c in; I ST. 241 fell into idolatry, ami wastwl all ho had in r;<)(()ii-i living — all his l>i)Owlcdgo of Crod in the loo.so and absurd ocninoMiis of idolatry. Then bfhoKl a mighty faniini' aiosu in that land, the uor.-hip of the true God was Ivmished the eonntiy. In tills dnadlul dearlli, and hunger, ho joined himself to the devil, and worked all "uneleanness with greediness:'' J3ut finding nothing to satisfy his spiritual hun- ger, this j)rodigal, long estranged from his Fatliir, reflecting on his spiritual famine and his own severe wants, huiid^ly eoufesscd his faults, returned to his olll mled Father, was re-admitted into favor, and blessed with tJie privileges of the gospel. But the elder lirother, the Jewish chureh, daily employed in the field of legal cerenionies, and who had long groaned under the yoke of the law, seeing the Gentiles reeeived into the eovenant of the gospel, obtain the remission of sins and the hopes of everlasting life, murmured against the be- nevolent acts of the Almighty. God, however, out of his great com- passion, pleaded pathetically the eause with the ehler brother, ollered him all thing.s, upon supposition of his continuing in his obedience, and declared that he liAd delivered the nation from the heavy \oke of the ceremonial law. Thus the parable has a very clear and elegant exposition; the mur- muring of the elder brother is explained to us without the least diffi- culty; and as the ofienee of receiving the Gentiles to pardon and peace, through Jesus Christ, was so great a stumbling-block to the Jews, it is natural to imagine that our Saviour intended to obviate and remove it by this excel k'ut parable. It is, however, evident, both from the context and the occasion of delivering it, that tin! third interj)retation is the first in design and importance. The publicans and sinners drew near to hear Jesus. This gave occasion to a murmuring among the Pharisees; and, upon their murmuring, our Saviour delivered this and two other parables, to show, that if tiiey would resend)le God and the celestial host, they sliould, instead of murmuring, njoice at seeing sinners willing to end)raee the doctrines of the gospel ; because there is joy in the presence of God and his angels over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and m'ne just persons that "need no re- pentance.'' The obstinacy and malicious temper ot the Pharisees, who opposed every gf)od doctrine, made a deep impression on the spirit of tlu' blesse 16 ■■-«•«■«<„ f^'-^'^, '^N. .^»uk S49 THE LIFE OF C R R I S T. tifyiiig Ills rocoiving sinners, in order to tijoir Itcing jnstifiod and Bavcd tlirongli Iiiin, hut, in tlio presence of the Scribes .'ind Pharisees, turned hiuisclf to his diseiph's, and delivered the i)arahl(! ot" the art- i'ul steward, as an instance of the iniprovMMuents made hy the chihlren of this worhl, in enihracing every oj)iK)rtunity and advantage for im- proving their interests. " Tliero was," said lio, "a certain rich man, which had a steward, and the same was accused unto liitn, that he had wasted his goods. j*.nd ho calU'd him and said unto hini, IIow is it that I Jiear tliis of tliee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest he no longer steward." Luke xvi. 1, 2. This reprimand of his lord, au«l the inward conviction of his own conscience that the accusation was just, induced liim to rcflectt on his own ill numagcmcnt of his lord's adliirs, and in what manner he should support himself when lie should bo discharged from his ser- vice. " What shall I do," said lie, " for my lord taheth away from me the stewardship? I cannot dig, to beg, I am ashamed." In this manner he deliberated with liimself, and at last resolved on the fol- lowing expedient, in order to make himself friends, who would succor him in his distress. "I am resolved what to do, that when I am ])nt out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and sail unto the first. How much owcst thou unto my lord? and ho said an. hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and sit dowiv ipiickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another. And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill and write fourscore." Luke xvi. 4, etc. To illustrate this parable, we beg leave to oliserve, that the riches and trade of the .Jews originally consisted principally in the products of the earth ; they were, if we may be allowed the exj)res3ion, a nation of farmers and shepherds; so that their wealth chiefly arose from the produce of tluiir flocks and herbs, ami the fruits of the earth ; their corn, their wine, and their oil. Thus the steward, to secure the friendship of his lord's tenants, bound them to him under a lasting obligation ; and the master, when he he^^rd the proceedings of his steward, coramemled him, not because he had acted honestly, but because he had acted wisely : he commended the art and address he had shown, in jirocuring future subsistence; he commended the prudence and ingenuity he had used with regard to •■■r, .^-«^- THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 243 his own priv.'itft inttMvst, ami to deliver from fiituro itovtrty ami ilis' frcss. " For the ciiiUiren of this world," added tlie blessed Jesu*, "are in their generation wiser than the children of light." They are more prudent and careful, more anxious and circuiiisneet to secure tiieir j)os.sessions in tiiis world, than the children ot light arc; to secure in the next an eternal inheritiince. " And I say unto you, niaUe to youi-selves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." Luke xvi, 9. This advice of our Saviour is worthy our most serious atten- tion ; the best use we can make of oin- riches being to employ them in promoting the salvation of others. For if we use our abilities and in- terests in turning sinners from the evil of their ways; if we spend oni wealth in this excellent service, from pure motives and to the glory of God, wo shall have the good will of all the heavenly beings, who will greatly rejoice at the conversion of sinners, and with open arms receive us into the mansions of felicity. But this is not the whole a[)plication our Saviour made of this para- ble. He added, that if we made use of our riches in the manner he recommended, from a j)rinciple of love to God and men, we should be received into those everlasting habitations, where all the Iriends of virtue and religion ri-sid*.'; because, by our fidelity in managing the small trust of temporal advantages coinnuttespis(>d the pleasures of this world, for no othcv reason but because he was not able to procure them. It is, therefore, no wonder, that men who had showed such a complication of the very worst dispositions, should receive a sharp rebuke from the meek and humble Jesus: accordingly, he told theui that they made, indeed, specious pretences to extraordinary sanc- tity, by outwardly shunning the company of sinners, while in private they made no scruple of having society with them, or evenof joining with them in their wickedness, " Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts.'' Ye may, indeed, cover the foulness of your crimes with the painted cloak of hyi)0crisy, and in this disguise deceive those who look no farther than the outside, but ye cannot screen your wii'kedness from the penetrating eye of Omnipotence, to whom all things are naked and expo .1, and who judges of things, not by their appearances, but according to truth ; it is, therefore, no wonder that he often abhors both ])ersons and things, that are iield by n)en in the liighest estimation: "for tliat which is highly esteemed among men, is al)omination in the sight of God." Tins afftKrted sanctity, while the mind is unrenewed, is an abomina- tion to the God of purity and truth. Christ detested hyjun-risy, and frequented the company of publicans and sinners, to bring abcmt their conversion ; the Mosaic dispensation, which made a ditference between men, ceasing when John the Ba}>tist first preached the doctrine of re- j)entance; and the gospel dispensation, which admits all rcp(>nting sinners, M'ithout distinction, then conmienced. " The law and the prophets wore until John : since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Luke xvi. 16. Think 246 THE LIFK or run 1ST. not that 1 mean to dcslrov, l)Ut to fulfil tlu; law, which is of essential obligation ; I'or till the law is abrogated, the least of its prece2)ts cannot be neglected. " It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than for one tittle of the law to fail." Luke xvi. 17. After treating of tlifse particulars, he proceeded to consider the love of pleasure, so highly valued by the Pharisees, whose lust discovered itself by their Irccjucnt divorces, a practice which our blessed Saviour justly condemned. " Whosoever puttcth away his wife, and marrieth another, commiteth adultery : and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adidtery." Luke xvi. 18. These reasons were clear and unanswerable : but the Pharisees, stupi- lled and intoxicated with sensual j)lcasures, were deaf to every argu- ment, liow pow.rful soever, provided it was levelled against their lusts. In order to illustrate this truth, confirm his assertion, and rouse these hypocritical rulers j'rom their lethargy, he delivered the awakening paral)le of the rich man and the beggar. "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared SMmptnously every day : and there was a certiiin beggar, named Lazan s, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring te be fei'ud iiini to my father's house ; for I have five hrethven : tiv i he may testily unto them, lest they also eonio into this plaet of tor- ment." This also was a petition that could not be granted. It is too late to hope for relief, when the Siinl is east into the hottondess pit. They may learn, said Abraham, the certainty of the immortality of the S(m! from the books of Moses and the prophets, if they will give tiiemselves the troul)le to ])eruse them attentively. 'I'o which the miserable ol)jeet replied, that the books of Moses and the prophets had been inetfeetual to him, and he feared would bo so to his lirethren. But if one actually arose from the dead, and appeared to tliem, they would certainly repent, and cmbi'aee those oiTers of salvation they had before slighted. " Nay, father Abraham : but if one went unto them irom the dead, they will re])ent." But Abraham told him, that in this he was greatly mistaken ; for that if they refused to believe the evidences of a future state contained in the writings of Moses and the projihets, the testimony of a messenger from the dead would not be sutlieient to lonvinee them. " If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Having thus reprimanded tlu; Pharisees, he look occasion to speak of affronts and ollenei's, described their evil nature, u;id their dreadful punishment. " It is impossible i)ut that oH'ences will come: but woe unto him through whom they come! It were better for him tJiat a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he east into the sea, than that he should oifenil one of these little ones." Luke xvii. 1, 2. That is, the children of God, the followers of the Lamb, must meet with disgrace, reviling, and persecution here; but woe unto those who revile and persecute them ! they had bett<'r undergo the worst of tos had just aeeiised him falsely, by calling him a false teacher, suffi(aently proves how truly he forgave them all the personal injuries they had committed against him; and 2fi0 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. should be a powerful rocommcndation of that amiable disposition which leads to the forgiveness of injuries. But however beautilul these diseoursis of our Saviour appear, when examined witli atiention, they seem to have staggered the faith of his disciples and followers; perhaps they still imagined that he wo'ild shortly erect a temporal kingdom, and distribute among them the rewards they ex[)ecteil for their services. If so, they might well desire their Master "to increase their faith;" as discourses like these had a very ditferent tendency from what might naturally have been expected from onportunity of beholding the miracle, and fell on his face at his feet, thanking him in the most humble manner, for his condescension in healing him of so terrible a disease. Jesus, in order to intimate that those who were enlightened with the knowledge of the truth, ought, at least, to have shown as great a sense of piety and gratitude as this Samaritan, asked, " Were there not ten cleansed? where are the nine? There are not found that re- turned to give glory to God, save this stranger." Luke xvii. 17, IS. Jesus and his di.sciples now continued their journey towards Beth- any, wliere he was informed by some of the inhabitants of that village that I^zanis Avas not only dead, as he had foretold, but had now lain in the grave four days. The afflicted sisters were overwhelmed with sorrow, so that many of the Jews from Jerusaleni came to comfort them concerning their brother. It seems the news of our Lord's coming had readied Bethany, be- fore he arrived at that village ; for Martha, the sister of Lazarus, being informed of his approach, went out and met him ; but !Mary, who was of a more melancholy and contemplative disposition, sat still 254 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. in the house. >»'o sooner wiw she come into the presence of Jesun, than in an exce-ss of grief she ponred forth her complaints, " Ix)r(1/' wild siic, '* If thou hatlst been here, my hrother had not died." U' tiiuii Iiadst complied with the message we .sent thee, i well know that thy interest from heaven had prevailed, my brother had been curetl of his disea.se, and delivere' it, that they may believe that thou hast sent n)e." John xi. 41, etc. I entertained J»o doubt of tiiy empowering me to do this miracle, and THE LIFE OF CHRIS T. 257 therefore did not pray for my own suke ; I well knew that tliou hear- est me always. I praywl for the Hak(! of the people, to eonvitiee them that thou iovest me, luwt Hvut me, and are eoiitinually with me. After returning thanks to his Father, for tliis opportunity of dis- playing his glory, " He (;ried with a loud voice, La/arus, come forth !" This loud and efficacious call of the Son of (iod awakened the dead; the breathless (slay was instantly reanimated; and he who had lain four days in the tond) obeyed inuncdiately the powerfid sound. " And he that was dead came forth, hound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was hound about with a napkin, Jesus saith unto them, IjOosc him, and let him go." It would have been the least part of the miracde, had Jesus, by his powerful word, imloosed the napkins wherewith Lazarus was bound; but he brought him out in the same manner as he was lying, and ordered the spectators to loose him, that they might be the better con- vinced of the miracle ; for, in taking off the grave-clothes they had tiie fullest evidence both of his death and resurrection ; for, on the one hand, the maimer in which he was swathed must soon have killed him, had he been alive when buried ; which consequently demon- strated, beyond all excejition, that Lazarus had bet .1 dead several days, before Jesus called him again to life. Besides, in stripping him, the linen probably ottered, both to their eyes and .smell, abundant proofs of his putrefaction ; and by that means convnneed them that he had not been in a delirium, but was really dead ; on the other hand, l)y his lively countenance, appearing when tlie napkin was removed, his fresh color, and his active vigor, those who came near and handled him must be convinced that lie was in perfect health, and had an opportunity of proving the truth of tins miracle by the closest ex- amination. There is something extremely beautiful in our Lord's beiiavior on this occasion: he did not utter one upbraiding word, either to the doubting sisters or the malicious Jews, nor did he let fall one word of triumph or exultation. "Loose him, and let him go," were the only words we have recorded. He was in this, as on all other occasions, consistent with himself, a pattern of perfect humility and modesty. Such was the astonishing work wrought by the Son of God, at Bethany ; and in the resurrection of Lazarus, thus corrupted and thus raised by the powerful call of Jesus, we have a striking emblem and a glorious earnest of the resurrection of our bodies from the grave at the last day, when the same powerful mandate which s])oke Lazarua 17 ,. \.J-^: 9M THJ!! LIJ'E OP CftRISt. again Into being, shall collect the scattered particles of our bodies, and raise them to innnortality. kSucIi an extraordinary power displayed before the face of a niulti- tiide, and near to Jerusalem, even overcame the prejudices of some ol' the most olistinate among them. Many believed that Jesus cduUI be no other than the great Messiah so long promised ; though others, who still exj)ect(.!d a temporal prin(«, and were therefore unwilling to ac- knowledge him for their Saviour, were fdled witli indignation, par- ticularly the chief priests and elders. liut this miracle, as well as all the rest he had wrought in confirmation of his mission, was too evi- dent to bo denied: and, therefore, they jyreU'nded that his whole in- tention was to estjiblish a new sect in religion, whit^h would endanger both their church and nation. " Tiicn gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him ; and the Romans shall come, and take away both our place and nation." John xi. 47, etc. Tlie common people, astonished at his miracles, will, if we do not take care to prevent it, certainly set him up for the Messiah ; and the Romans, under pretence of a rebellifm, 'vill dc2)rive us both of our lib- erty and religion. Accordingly, tiiey came to a resolution to put him to death. This resolution was not, however, unanimous, tor Nico- dennis, Joseph of Arimath and other disciples of our Saviour, then members of the council, urg<.a the injustice of what they proposed to do, from the consideration of his miracles and innocence. But Caia- phas, the high-priest, from a principle of human policy, told them, that thejiaturc of government often recpiired certsiin acts of injustice in order to procun; the safety of the stsitc. " Ye know nothing at all, nor (consider that it is expedient for us that one man die for the peo- ple, and ti. A3 EMBLEMS OP THE HEAVENLY ANO CHUIHTIAN TEMPER AND DISPOHITION. VVllILK the l)li',sse«l Jesus rcinained in rt'tirt'iiiont on tlie l)onl('rs of the wilderness, he was desired hy some of the Pharisees to ini'orni them, when the Messiah's kin<^doin would eomiuenee. Nor is their anxiety on that aeciount matter of surprise, for as they entertiiined very exalted notions of his coming in pomp and magnificence, it was nat- ural for them to be very desirous oi' having his emj)irc speedily erec^ted. But our Saviour, to correct this mistaken notion, told them, that the Messiah's kingdom did not consist in any external form of gov- ernment, erected in some particular country by the terror of arms and the desolation of war, but in the subjection of the minds of men, and in rendering tlienj conformable to the lav.s of the Almighty, which .vas to be effecfted by a new dispensation of religion, and this dispen- sation was already begun. It was, therci'ore, needless lor them to seek in this or that pla(!e for t\u' kingdom of (iod, as it had been al- ready preached among them by Christ and his apostles, and confirmed by innumerable miracles. "The kingdom of God," sair to excite them to a constant ])cr- severance in prayer, and not to be so weary and fiiint in their minds, as to neglect or wholly omit this necessary duty. There was in a dty, siiid the Saviour of the world, a judge, who being governed by athe- istical principles, he had no regard to the precepts of religion, and being very powerful, did not regard what was said of him by any man ; so that all his decisions were influenced merely by passion or interest. In the same city was also a widow, who having no friends to assist her, was absolutely unable to defend herself from injuries, or procure redress for any she had received. In this deplorable situation she had recourse to the unjust judge, in order to obtain satisfaction for some oppressive wrong siie had lately received ; but the judge was so abandoned to pleasure, that he rei'used, for a time, to listen to her request ; he would not give himself the trouble to examine her case, though the crying injustice pleaded so powerfully for this distressed widow. She was not, however, intimidated by his refusal ; she inces- santly importuned him, till, by repeated representations of her dis- tress, she filled his mind with such displeasing ideas, that he was obliged to do her justice, merely to free himself from her imjiortunity, " Though," said he to himself, " I foar not God, nor regard man ; yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." Luke xviii. 4, 5. "Hear," said the blessed Jesus, " what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God aventje his own elect, which crv dav and ninht unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." Tiuke xviii. 6, etc. As if he had said, If this judge, though destitute of the fear either of God or man, was thus prompted to espouse the cause of the widow, shall not a righteous God, the Father of his people, avenge on the wicked the many evils they havedoue unto them, though he bear long with them. Certuinly he will, and that in a most awful manner. Our blesseti 'Saviour having thus enforced the duty of prayer, in 262 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. this cxprossivo i)arul)le, asked tlic following apposite questions: "Nevertheless, when the Son of manconieth, shall he find faith on the earth?" As if he had said, Notwithstanding all the miracles I have wrought, and the excellent doctrines I have delivered, shall I find, at my coming again, that faith among the children of men there is rea- son to expect? Will not most of them be found to have abandoned the faith, and wantonly ask, " Where is the promise of his coming." The blessed Jesus next rebuked the self-righteous Pharisees. But as these particulars are better illustrated by their opposites, he placed the character of this species of men in opposition to those of the hum- ble; describing the reception each class met with from the Almighty, in a i>arablc of the Pharisee and publican, who went up together to the temple, at the time when the sacrifice was olfered, to direct their petitions to the God of their fathci's. The Pharisee, having a high opinion of liis own righteousness, went far into the court of the temple, that ho might be as near the place of the divine residence as jiossiblc. Here he offered his prayer, giving God the praise of his supposed righteousness; and had he been 2)ossessed of any he would have acted properly. " God," said ho, "I thank thee that I am i:ot.as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adul- terers, or even as this publican : I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I posseas." Having thus commended himself to God, he wrajiped himself up in his own righteousness, and giving the poor publican a scornful look, walked away, })erhaps to transgress some of the weightier matters of the law, judgment, justice, and truth, and to devour the houses of distressed widows and helpless orphans. But liow different was the behavior of the humble publican ! Impressed M'ith a deep sense of his o.yn unworthiness, he would not even enter the courts of the temple, but stood afar off, and smote upon his breast and, in the bitterness of his soul, earnestly implored the mercy of Omnij)otence, "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner." Luke xviii. 13. Specious as the Pharisee's behavior may seem, his prayer was an abomination to the Lord; while the poor publican, who confessed Ids guilt, and implored mercy, was justified in the sight of God. rather than this arrogant boaster. The parable sufficiently indicates that all the sons of men stand in need of mercy : both the strict Pharisee and the despised pal)lican, v/ith the •vhole race of mankind, are sinners ; and conscqueutly all THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 263 must implore pardon of" their gracious Creator. We must all ascend to the Uiuiple, and there pour forth our prayers betbre the throne of grace ; for there he has promised ever to be present, to grant the j)C- titions of all who ask with sincerity and truth, through the Son of liis love. These parables were spoken in the town of E])hraim ; and during his continuance in that city, the Pharisees asked him, whether he thought it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause. Our Saviour had twice before declared his opinion of this particular, once in Galilee, and once in Perea; it is therefore probable that the Pharisees were not ignorant of his sentiments, and that they asked the question then, to find an opportunity of incensing the people against him, well knowing that the Israelites held the liberty which the law gave them of divorcing their wives as oneof their chief privi- leges : but however that be, Jesus was far from fearing the popular resentment, and accordingly declared the third time against arbitrary divorces. The Pharisees then asked him, why they were conmiandcd by Mo- ses to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away; insinuat- ing that Moses was so tender of their happiness, that he gave them liberty of putting away their wives when they saw occasion. To which Jesus answered. Because of the hardness of your hearts, Moses suffered you to jjut away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. As divorce was not ])ermitted in the state of iiniocence, so neither shall it be under the gospel dis[)ensation. " Ami I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, ex(;ept it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery : and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matt. xix. 9. The disciples were greatly surprised at their Master's decision; and though they held their peace while the Pharisees were present, yet they did not fail to ask him the reason on which he founded his de- termination, when thoy were returned home. "And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, com- mitteth adultery against lier. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery." Mark X. 10, etc. The ;iractice of unlimited divorces, which prevailed among the Tews, gave great encouragement to family quarrels, Avcre very des- tructive of happiness, and hindered the education of their common 264 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. offspring. Besidos, it greatly tendtil to make their cliildren lo.sc' tliat reverence for them w iiich is due to parents, as it was liardly possiblt! for the children to avoid engaging in the quarrel. Our Lord's pro- hibition, therefore, ol' these divorces is f(»unded on the strongest rea- sons, and greatly tends to promote the welfare of society. Our Saviour having, in the coui-se of his ministry, performed in- numerable cures in different ])arts of the country, several persons, who earnestly desired that his blessing niight rest upon their offspring as well as themselves, brought their children to him, desiring that he would put his hands u})<>n them and bless them. The disciples, how- ever, mistaking the intention, were angry with the 2)ersons, and re- buked thera for endeavoring to give this trouble to their Master. But Jesus nc .sooner saw it, than he was greatly displeasetl with his disci- ples, and ordered them not to hinder parents from bringing their children to him. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke xviii. 16. THE ACIlOrOLIS AT ATHENS. THE LITK OF CURIST. 265 CHAPTER XXVII. (»Cn LOUD DI'.rARTS FROM HIS UKTIUKXIENT — DECLAHES THE ONLY WAT OF SAL- VATION— SHOWS THE DUTY OF IMrUOVlNQ THE MEANS OF GRACE, BY THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD — PREDICTION OP HIS SUFFERING, AND CONTEN- TION OP THE DISCIPLES ABOUT PRECEDENCE IN HIS KINGDOM. The ])ori(ul of" our blessed Saviour's passion now approacliing, he departed from Epliraiin, and repaired by the way of Jericho towards Jerusalem : but before he arrived at Jerielio, a ruler of the synagogue came running to him, and, kneeling down before liim, asked him, " Good jNIaster, what good things shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Matt. xix. 16^ This young magistrate, or ruler, pretended to pay great honor to our dear Redeemer, yet the whole was no more than a piece of raillery. For though he styled him good, yet he did not believe that he was sent from God, as sufficiently appears from his refusing to obbervc the counsel given him by Jesus; nor could his artful insinuations escape the piercing eye of the great Saviour of the world. He well knew his secret intentions, and beheld the inmost recesses of his soul ; and accordingly rebuked him for his hypo- critical address, before he answered his question. "Why callest thou me good ? There is none good but one, that is God." Matt, xix. 17. But as he had desired the advice of our blessed Jesus, who never refused it to any of the sons of men, he readily answered his question, by telling him that he must observe all the moral 2)recepts of the law; especially those of the second table, which can only be done by keep- ing those of the firsU *' If thou wilt enter into life, keep the com- mandments. He saith unto h-.n. Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder; Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not eteal ; Thou shalt not bear false witness ; Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him. All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" Matt. xix. 17, etc. These commandments perhaps he had obeyed in the vague sense put upon them by the doctors and interpreters of the law, and there- fom the character lie gave of himself might be very just. For though 266 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. he was far from being a person who feared Go that is, of ruling the church of Christ, which they were to plant in different parts of the earth ; and, after this life, to a proportionate degree of glory in heaven. " Verily I say unto you, that ye which have fol- lowed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt. xix. 28. Having given this answer to Peter, he next mentioned the rewards his other disciples should receive, both in this world and that which is to come. They, said he, who have forsaken all for my sake, shall be no losers in the end : their benevolent Father, who intends to give them possessions iu the heavenly Canaan, will not fail to support them during their long and painful journey to that happy country; and raise them up friends who shall assist them with those necessaries they might have expected from their relations, iiad they not left them for my sake. Divine Pi'ovidence will take care that they have everything valuable that could be given them by their relations, or they could desire from large ])ossessions. They shall, indeed, be fed with the bread of sorrow ; but this shall produce joys, to which all the earthly pleasures bear no proportion ! and, in the end, obtain everlasting life. They shall leave this vale of tears, with all its pains and sorrows behind them, and fly to the bosom of their Almighty Father, the fountain of life and joy, where they shall be infinitely rewarded for all the sufferings they have undergone for his sake in this world. Things shall then be reversed, and those who have been reviled and contemned on earth for the sake of the gospel, shall be exalted to honor, glory, and immortality : while the others shall be consigned to eternal infamy. " But many that arc first shall be last ; and the last shall be first." Matt. xix. 30. 268 TJIK LIFE OF CHRIST. These words seetn also to have hvvn spoken to keep the diselplos humble; for in nil probability they at first understood the promise of their sitting on twelve thrones in a literal sense, as they were ready to construe every expression to a temporal kingdom, whieh they still expected their Master would erect upon earth. Our blessed Havioin-, therefore, to remove all thoughts they might entertiiin of this kind, told them, tiiat though he iuid described the rewards they were to expect for the ready obedience they had shown to his commands, and the pains they were to take in propagating the gospel among the children of men, yet those rewards were si)iritual, and not confined to the Jews alone, but extended also to the (Jentiles, who, in point of time, should excel the Jews, and universally embrace the gospel Ikv fore that nation was convertcul. To excite their ardent pressing forward in faith and good works, our Lord relates the parable of the householder, who, at different liours of the day, hired laborers to work in his vineyard. "The kingdo!i» of heaven," says our blessed Saviour, "is like unto a man that is an householder, which went early in the morning to liire la- borers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market- place, and said unto them. Go ye also into tlie vineyard ; and what- eoever is right, I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh liour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard ; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye re- ceive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward. Call the laborers, and give them their liire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came tliat were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But Avhen the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of tlu; house, saying, These last liave wrought but one liotu', and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said. Friend, I do thee no wrong : didst not thou agree Avith mc for a penny? Take that is thine and go thy way : I will give unto this last even as unto THE LIFE OF C II H I S T. 960 thee. Is it not lawful for iik; to ilo wlmt I will with mine own? Is thiiK! eye evil becauso I am good? So the last shall he first, and th(! lirst last: for many bo called, but lew chosen." Matt. xx. I-IG. Such is the parable of the householder, as delivered by our Saviour, and, froi.i the application he has made of it, it would not bo difficult (o inter{)ret it. The dispensations of religion which God gave to mankind in different parts of the world an; represented by the vine- yard. Th. :^ 4-,^^ ^ P 5tO t It K LIFE OP CHRIST. attention ; we should often meditate upon it, and take care to make our calling and election sure. After Jesus had tinished these dis- courses, he continued his journey towards Jerusalem, where, it is said, the chief priests and elders, soon after the resurrection of Lazarus, issued a proclamation, promising a reward to any one who should ap- prehend him. In all probability this was the reason why the disciples were astonished at the alacrity of our Lord, during thi-j journey, while they themselves followed him, trembling. Jesus, therefore, thought proper to repeat the prophecies concerning his sufferings, in order to show his disciples that they were entirely voluntary ; adding, that though the Jews should put him to death, yet, instead of weakening, it should increase their faith, especially as he would rise again on the third day from the dead. "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivcriil unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, an'8 MONKY ACCKPT8 lUE KIND OKKICK8 OK MAHY — MAKES A I'UUUO ENTKY INTO JKUUHALEH. Jesus, with Wis disc-ipk>8 iiiul the multitude tliut uix-onipan'uil him, were now arrived at Jericho, a famous city of Palestine, aiul the K'coml in the Ivingdom. Near this town Jesus cured two blinil men, wht) Silt by the road begging, and expressed their belief in him as the Messiah. "And as tluy departed from Jericho, a great multitude fol- lowed him. And, beiiold, two blind men, sitting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, s;iyiug, Have mercy on us, O liord, thou iS(»n of David I And the multitude rebuked them, l)eeause they should hold their j)eace : but they erietl the more, saying, Iluve mercy on us, () liord, thou Son of David." Matt. xx. 29-31. This imjxirtunate recjuest had its desired effect on the Son of Gotl. He stood still, and called them to him, that, by their manner of walk- ing, the speetiitors might be convinced that they were really blind. As soon as they approached him, he asked them, what they requested with sueh earnestness; to whi(;h the beggars answered, that they might receive their sight. " What will ye that I shall do unto you V" they say, " Lord, that our eyes may be openeil." This request was not made in vain. Their com|)a.ssionate Saviour touched their eyes, and immediately they receivetl sight, and followed him, glorifying and praising God. After conferring sight on these beggars, Zaceheus, chief of the pub- licans, having often heard the fame of our Saviour's mirai'les, was de- sirous of seeing his person: but He lowness of his stature preventing him from satisfying his curiosity, " he ran before, and climbed up a sycamore-tree to see him ; for he was to pass that way." As Jesus approachetl the place where he was, *' he looked up, and saw him, and Baid unto him, Zaceheus, make haste, and come down ; for to-day I must abide at thy Imuse." Luke xix. 5. The publican expressed his joy ut our lionl's condescending to visit hi .i, took him to his house It BLIND BARTIMEUS. 273 8T4 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. and Hliowed him all the murks of civility in \m [mwor. But the peo pie, when they saw he was going to the house of u publiciui, (;onilemne< his conduct, as not conformable to the clmracter of u prophet. Zjic- cheus seen J to have heard tiic»e unjust reflections, and therefore wu.s willing to justify himself before Jesus and his attendants. " And Zaccheus stood, . jaid unto the Lord, Bi'hoKl, Loid, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold. And Jesus said untfi him, This d?y is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also \h a son of Abraham." Luke xix. 8, etc. Ou • .Saviour further, Ut convince the {)eople that the design of his mission was to seek and to restore life and salvation to lost and perisliing sinners, adds : " The Son of man is come to sdek and to save that which was lost." While Jesus continued in the house of Zaccheus, the publican, he spake a parable to his followers, who supposerd, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, l>eho]d, here is thy {K)une j)oor? This he said, not that he caret! for the p(M>r; but because he vjis a thief, and had the bag and bare what was therein. Then ?«»id Jesus, Let her alone: against the d, if possible, to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death. Ourblesseti liord, though he knew the design of the Jews upon him. also knew that it became him to fulfil all righteousness, and was so 3 O ^ 9 M. T H P: life of CHRIST. ITt far from decHninj; to visit Jorusah'm, that lie even entered it in a public inanntr. " When they were eonie to Betiiphuge, nnto the Mount of Olives,* then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tieil and u colt with her : loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall sjiy. The Ijord hath need of them, and straightway he will send them. All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, the King eometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus com mandwl them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way ; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewe even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they hIiuII not leave in thee one 8tone uiK)n another ; because thou knewcHt not the time of thy visita- tion." Luke xix. 42, vU'.. Ik'hold here, ye wandering mortals, U'liold an example of generos- ity infinitely 8U)H;rior to any furnished l>y the heathen world ; an ex- ample highly worthy for them to imitate and admire ! When JesuH, surrounde^1.^, ^ y-Uil '>-^;-. ','Arv^-' — -jui T" /ItRUSALBll AKP ITS TALLKTS. [ THE LIFK OF Oil HI ST. ITI CHAPTER XXIX. JKHCS PRONOUNCES A CUUHK UPON THE PIO-TIIKE — EXPKI.A THE PKOFANCIIB OP THE TEMPLE— ASHKUTB IIIH DIVINE AUTllUltlTY, AND UELIVEH8 TWO PAll- AUI.E8. At the earliest dawn our blesstnl Saviour left Bethany to visit again the (»|>ital of .Judoa. And as he imrsiied his journey he saw at a distaiKHi a fig-tnu', which, from its fulnof+s of hsives, promised abun- dance of fruit. This inviting object iiKkiwI hini to a[)proach it, in ex|)ectation of finding figs, for ho was hungry, and the seiison for gathering them was not yet arriveeealed by the Son of God, so that the very children, when they saw the many miraculoua cures he performed, proclaimed him to be the great Son of Pavid, the fl80 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Ioiij5 oxiKt'ttHl McHrtiuli. iSui'li bfliuvior not a litth' iii<-cii.s4>rstand, that the niean(>8t of (iod's works have been made instrumental in spread- ing his j)nus«?. The evening Ix'ing now come, Jesus, with his disciples, left the city and retireon which our blessed 8uviour told \\'\n disciples that ho shouhl wmiu l)o himonnl with tho fonvornion of the Gentiles. " The hour is c«iine," fuiid ho, "that the Son of nuin hhould Ik; glorifioil." But detlarcKl, that Ix-'foro this glorious event hapiNued, he must sufl'cr death ; illus- trating tho nwessity there was of his dying, by i\w Hiinilitudc! of cast- ing grain into the earth. " Verily, verily, I say unto you, exwpt a corn of wheat fall into tho ground and die, it abideth ulone; but if it die, it bringt>th forth much fruit." John Xii. 24. Adding, that since it was al)solut<'ly necessary for him, tlu-ir liord and Master, to suffer the iKiins of death Iw'foro ho a«<'endt'd tho throne of his glory, HO they, a.s his foll«>wers, must also expect to be j>er8ocutod and spitefully ustnl for his name's sake; but if they persi'vered, and even resolvwl to lose their lives in his service, he would reward their constancy with a crown of glory ; and at the ssime timo he intimatefore he was answered by an audible voice from heaven: "1 have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The miracles thou hast already jwrformed have glorificnt execute my judgment upon those who refuse to embrace the doctrines of the gospel ; for I am not come to condemn and punish, but to Siive the world, and con- sequently to try every gentle and winning method to reclaim the wicketl from the error of their ways, and turn their feet into the paths of life and salvation. Tlicy shall not, however, escape unpunished who neglect the instructions and offci-s of salvation now made to them ; for the doctrines I have preached shall bear witness against them j»t the awful tribunal of the last day ; and as it has aggravated their sin, so it shall then heighten their punishment. While Jesus was thus preaching in the temple, a deputation of priests and elders was sent from the sui)rcine council, to ask him con- cerning the nature of the authority by which he acted, whether it was as prophet, priest, or king, as no other person had a right to make any alterations, either in church or state ; and if he laid claim to either of those cliaractcrs, from whom he received it. But our blessed Saviour, instead of giving a direct answer to the questions of the Pharisees, asked them anotiier; promising, if they resolved his ques- tion, he would also answer theirs. " I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like Avise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or of men ?" Matt. xxi. 24, 25. Tins question pu/zled the pri'^ts. They considered, on the one hand, that if it wtus from God, it would oblige them to acknowletlge the authority of Jesus, John having more than once publicly dec^lared iiim to Iw the Messiah ; and, on the other, if they peremptorily denied the authority of John, they would be in danger of l)eing stoned by the people, who in general ?Qiwidwe(J him as a prophet. Thev, therefore^ thought it the p^ost 284 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. eligible method to answer, that they could not tell i'rom whence John's baptism was. Thus, by declining to answer the question askele, wherein he described, on the one hand, the bad suc(!ess which the preaching of the gospel was to meet with among the Jews ; and, on the other, the cheerful ret^eption given it among the Gentiles. This gracious design of the Almighty, in giving the^^ospel to the children of men, our blessed Saviour illustrated by the behavior of a certain king, who, in honor of his son, made a great feast, to which he invited many guests. '* The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son." This marriage-supper, or great feast, signi- fies the joys of grace and glory, which are properly compared to an elegant entertainment, on account of their exquisitencss and dur.ition ; and are here said to be j)re})ared in honor of the Son of God, because they are bestowed on men in consequence of his sufferings in their stead and behalf. Some time before the supper was ready, the servants went forth to call the guests to the wedding: i. e., when the fulness of time ap- proached, the Jews, as being the peculiar people of God, were first called by John the Baptist, and afterwards by Christ himself; but they refused all these benevolent calls of mercy, and rejected the kind invitations of the gospel, though pressed by the preaching of the Mes- siah and his forerunner. After our Saviour's resurrection and ascension, the apostles were sent forth to inform the Jews that the gospel-covenant was established, mansions in heaven prepared, and nothing wanting but the cheerful acceptance of the honor designed them. '* Agjiin, he sent forth other servants, saying. Tell them which are bidden. Behold, I have prepared my dinner ; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready : come unto the marriage." But these messengers were as un- successful as the former. The Jews, undervaluing the flivor offered them, mocked at the message : and some of them, more rude than the rest, insulted, beat, and slew the servants that h d been sent to call them to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. " But when the king heard thereof, he was wrath : and he sent forth his armies, and de- stroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city." This part of the parable plainly predicted the destruction of the .■J 286 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. Jews by the Roman armies, called here the armies of the Almighty, because they were apjM)inted by him to execute vengeance on that once favorite, but now rel»ellious people. The parable is then continued as follows: The king again sent forth his servants into the countries of the Gentiles, with orders to compel all that tliey met with to come unto the marriage. This was imme- diately done, and the wedding was furnisheon which our blessed Saviour answered them, Since this money bears the image of Caesar it is his; and by making use of it you acknowledge his authority. But at the same time that you discharge your duty to the civil magistrate, you should never forget the duty you owe to your God ; but remember that as you profess to bear the image of the great, the omnipotent King, you are his subjects, and ought to love him with all your heart, and serve him to the very utmost of your power. The Pharisees and their followers, under a pretence of religion, often justified sedition ; but the Herodians, in order to ingratiate them- selves with the reigning powers, made them a compliment of their consciences, com})lying with whatever they enjoined, however opposite their commands might be to the Divine law. Our Lord, therefore, adapted his answer to them both, exhorting them, in their regards to God and the magistrate, to give each his due; there being no inconsistency l)etween their rights, when their rights only are in- sisted on. So unexpected an answer quite disconcerted and silenced these cmfty enemies. They were astonished both at his having discovered their design, and his wisdom in avoiding the snare they had so art- fully laid for him. " When they had heard these worda, they mar- velled, and left him, and went their way." Matt. xxii. 22. Though our Lord thus wisely obviated their crafty designs, enemien 19 t90 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. came against him from everj- quarter. The Sadduoees, who denied the doctrine of a future state, togetiier with the existence of angela and spirits, came forward to the charge; proposing to hira their strongest argument against the resurrection, which they deduced from the law given by Moses, with regard to marriage. " Master," said they, " Mosea ^vrote unto us, If any man's brotlior die, having a wife, and ho die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren : and the first took a wiie, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner tlic seven also : and they lefl no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of them jhe? for seven had her to wife." Luke xx. 28, etc. The Sadducees, who believed the soul to be nothing more than a refined matter, were jxjrsuaded that if thcra were any future state it must resemble the pi-esent ; and that being in that state material and mortal, the human race could not be continued, nor the individuals rendered happy, without the pleasures and conveniences of marriage ; and hence considered it as a necessary consequence of the doctrine of the resurrection, or a future state, that every man's wife should be restored to hira. But this argument our blessed Saviour soon confuted, by telling t*'? Sadducees they were ignorant of the power of God, who had created spirit as well as matter, and who can render man completely happy in the enjoyment of liimself. He also observed, that the nature of the life obtained in a future state made marriage altogether superfluous, because in the world to come, men being spiritual and immortal, like the angels, there was no need of natural means to propagjxte or con- tinue the kind. " Ye do err," said the blessed Jesus, " not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage." Matt. xxii. 29. " Neither can they die any more : for they are equal unto the angels ; and ai'e the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke XX. 36. Hence we may observe, that good men are called the children of the Most High, from their inheritance at the resurrec- tion, and particularly on account of their being adorned with immor- tality. Having thus shown their folly and unbelief, he proceeded to show liiat they were also ignorant of the scriptures, and particularly cf the writings of Moses, from whence they had drawn their objection, by THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 991 (loiuonstrating from the very law itself the certainty of a resurrection, at least that of just men, and eonsequently quito demolished the opin- ion of the Sudducees, who, h(>lieving in the materiality of the .«oul, iilliiined that men were annihilated after their death, and that their <»j)inion was founded on the writings of Moses. "Now," said our Saviour, " that the dead are raised, evtu Moses sliowed at the bush, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the Gotl of Jacob. For he is not a God of tlie dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." Luke xx. 37, 38. As if he had said, The Almighty cannot j)roj)erly be called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, unless they exist, for he is not a Gotl of the dead, but of the living. Since therefore, Moses called him the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, long after these veuerable patriarchs were dead, the relation denoted by the word of God still subsisted betwec'ii them ; consequently they were not annihilated, as you pretend, but still in being, and continue to be the servants of the Most High. This argument effectually silenced the Sadducees, and agreeably sm'i)rised the people, to see the objection hitherto thought impregnabJe totally abolished, and the sect they had long abominated fully confuted, " And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine." Matt. xxii. 33. Nor could even the Pharisees refrain from giving the Saviour of mankind the praise due to his sujierlative wisdom ; for one of the scribes desirent one supreme Clod, whom we must all ailore; and if we love him above all temporal things, and our ncighb(»r as ourselves, we worship him more acceptably than if wo Kierifiee to him all the cattle upon n thousand hills. Our blessed Lord hi_L;jhly apj)lauded the piety and wisdom of this reflection, by declaring that the person who made it was not fur from the kingdom of Goil. As the Pharisees, during the course of our Saviour's ministry, had proposed to him many diflieult questions, with an intention to prove his prophetical gifts, he now, in his turn, thought pro^Xir to make a trial of their knowledge in the sacred writinijs. For this purpose he asked their opinion of a dilliculty concerning the Messiah's pedigree. "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David." Matt. xxii. 42. I know, answered Jesus, you say, Christ is the son of David ; but how can you support your opinion, or render it consistent with the words of David, who himself calls him Lord; anil how is he his son ? It seems that the Jewish doctors did not imagine that their Messiah would be endued with any perfections greater than tlioso that might be enjoyed by human nature; for, though they called him the Son of God, they had no notion that he had a divine power from heaven, and therefore could not pretend to solve the difficulty. The latter question, however, might have convinced them of their error; for, if the Messiah was only to be a secular prince, as they supposed, and to rule over the men of his own time, he never could have been called Lord by persons vvho died before he was born ; far less would so mighty a prince as David, who was also his progeni- tor, have conferred on him that title. Since, therefore, he rule* over not only those of former ages, but even over the kings from wlience he was himself descended, and his kingdom comprehends the men of all countries and times, past, present, and to come, the doctors, if they had thought accurately upon the subject, would have ex- pected in their Messiah a king dififerent from all other kings. BeaidCi M4 THE LIFE OP CHRIST. he is to Hit at GikI's right hand, " till ail hih cueiuius are made hio footstool." Such fiolid rt'a.soiiiiii; gave the {K'oplu a high opinion of his wisdom, and showed them how far sujK'rior he waa to their most renowned nihhinH, whose argiunenf.s, to prove their opinions and answers to the ohjeetioiis which were miseil against him, were, in genenil, very weak and trifling. Nay, his iocs themselves, irom the repe;itclan, suitable in the idea they had conceived of his future empire. Filled with these pleasing imaginations, they received tiie news with pleasure, medita- ting, as they walked to the mountain, on the glorious things which were shortly to come to pass. When they arrived on the Mount of Olives, and their Master had taken his seat on some eminence, from whence they had a prospect of the temple and part of the city, his disciples drew near to know when the demolition of the old structure was to hai)pen and what were to be the signs of his coming, and of the end of the world. "And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what hliall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world ? " Matt, xxiv. 3. THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 301 The disciples, by tiiis request, seemed desirous of knowing what BigMS should prcceilo the erection of that extensive empire over which they su])i)used the INIessiuh was to reign, for they still expected ho would govern a secular kingdom. They, therefore, connected the de- molition of the temple with their Master's coming, though they had not the least notion that he was to destroy the nation and change the form of religious worship. They therefore meant by the " end of the world : " or as the words should have been translated, the end of the age, the period of the po- litical government then executed by heathen procurators, and consid- ered their Master's coming to destroy the constitution then subsisting as a very desirable event. They also thought the demolition of the temple ])ropcr, as they expected a larger and more superb building, proportioned to the number of the Messiah's subjects, would be erec- ted in its stead. That this is the real sense of the disciples' questioli, will sufficiently appear, if we consider that they were delighted with the prosjjeet ; whereas, if thoy had meant by the end of the world, the final period of all things, the destruction of the temple would have exhibited to them, in their proK'ut temper of mind, a melancholy prospect which they could not have beheld without a deep concern. Our blessed Saviour, therefore, was careful to convince tliem of their mistake, by tolling them that he was not come to rule a secular empire, as thoy supj>osed, but to punish the Jews for their perfidy and rol)ellif)n, by destroying l)oth their temple and nation. "Take heed," said he, " that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many." This caution was far from being unnecessary, because, though the disciples wore to sec their Master ascend into heaven, they might take occasion from the j)rophecy to think that he would appear again on earth, and therefore be in danger of seduction by the false Christs that should arise. " And when ye shall hoar of wars, and rumors of wars, sec that ye be not troubled : for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Before this nation and temple are des- troyed, terrible wars will happen in the land : " for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom : and there shall be fiimines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." Matt, xxiv. 6, 7. These are the preludes of the important event, forerunners of the evils which shall befall this nation and people. At the same time you 802 THE LIFE OF CUR 1ST. shall meet witli liot persecutions ; walk, therefore, circumspectly, and arm yourselves both with patience and fortitude, that ye may be able to perform your duty, through the whole course of these persecutions: for you sliall be brought l)efore the groat men of the earth for my sake. " But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no tliought beforehand what yc shall speak, neither do ye premeditate ; but whatsoever sluill be given you in that houi", that speak ye : for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark xiii. 11. During this time of trouble and confusion, he told them the perfidy of mankind sliould be so great towards one another, that " brother sliall betray the brotlicr to deatli, and tlic father the son : and children shall rise up against their j)arcnts, and shall cause them to be put to death." Tlie unbelieving Jews and api tatc Christians shall commit the most enormous and inhuman crimes. It is, therefore, no wonder that tlie perfidy and Avickedncss of such pretended Christians should discourage many disciples, and greatly hinder the propagation of the gospel. But ho who lives by faith during these persecutions, and is not led astray by the seduction of false Christians, shall escape that terrible destruction, wliieh, like a deluge, will overflow the land. And when Jerusalem shall be surrounded with armies, Pagan armies, bearing in their standards the images of their gods, the " abom- ination of desolation " mentioned by tiie prophet Daniel, then let him who readeth the predictions of that prophet understand that the end of the city and sanctuary, together with tiie ceasing of sacrifices and (tblation there predicted is come, and consequently the final period of the Jewish polity. " Tiien let them Avhicli are in Judea flee to the mountains ; and let them which arc in the midst of it depart out." Luke xxi. 21. "Let him which is on the house-top not come down to take anything out of his house : neither let him which is in the field return back to take 1 lis clothes." Matt. xxiv. 17, 18. Then shall be fulfilled the awful l)redictions of the prophet Daniel, and the dreadful judgments de- nounced against the impenitent and unbelieving. In those days of vengeance the women who are with child, and tliose who have infants hanging at their breasts, shall be particularly unhappy, because they cannot flee from the impending destruction. " But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter," when the bad- ness of the roads and the rigor of the season will render speedy travelling verj' troublesome, if not impossible, " neither on the Sabbath THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 808 day," when you shall think it unlawful. " For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall he." Matt. xxiv. 21. This is confirmed by what Josephus tells us, that no less than eleven hundred thousand perished in the siege. The lieavenly prophet added, that except the days of tribulation sliould be shortened, none of the inhabibints of Jerusalem and Judca, of whom he was speaking, should escape destruction. In confirmation of which Josephus tolls us that the quarrels which raged during the siege were so fierce and obstinate, that both within the walls of Jeru- galem and without, in the neighboring country, the whole land was one continued scene of horror and desolation : and had the siege con- tinued much longer, the whole nation of the Jews had been totally destroyed, according to our Lord's prediction. " But," added our blessed Saviour, " for the elects' sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. " By the elect are meant such of the Jews as had embraced the doctrines of the gospel, and particularly those who were brought in with the believing Gentiles. As it is natural in time of trouble to look with eager expectation for a deliverer, our blessed Saviour cautioned his disciples not to listen to any j)retenees of that kind, as many false Christs would arise and deceive great numbers of the piH)i)le ; a prediction that was fully accomplished during the terrible siege of Jerusalem by the Romans: 60 Josephus tells us, that many arose pretending to be the Messiah, boasting that they would deliver the nation from all its enemies. And the multitude, always too prone to listen to deceivei's, who promise temporal advantages, giving credit to those deceivers, became more ob- stinate in their opposition to the Romans, and thereby rendered their destruction more severe and inevitable. And what still increased the infatuation of the people was their performing wonderful things during the war; and accordingly Jo- sephus calls them magicians and sorcerers. Hence we see the pro- priety of the caution given by the Son of God, who foretold that " they fihouki show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possi- ble they would deceive the very elect. But take heed ; behold, I have foretold you all things." And as the partisans of the false Christs might pretend that the Messiah was concealed awhile for fear of the Romans, and the weaker sort of Christians, without this Avarnirig, have imagined that Christ waa actually returned to deliver the nation in its extremity, and to 1 804 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. punish their enerries, who now so cruelly oppressed them, and that ho would show himself as soon as it was proper, the blessed Jesus thought proper to caution thcin against this particular. " Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in tlie desert; go not forth : Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning Cometh out of the oast, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also tiie coming of tlie Son of man be." Matt. xxiv. 26, etc. The coming of the Son of man shall bo like lightning, swift and destructive. But he will come not personally ; his servants only shall come, the Roman armies, mIio, by his command, shall destroy this nation as eagles devour their prey. Having thus given them a particular account of the various circum- stances which should jirecede the destruction of Jerusalem, ho next described that catastrophe itself, in all the pomp of language and ima- gery made use of by the ancient propiiets, when they foretold the destruction of cities and kingdoms. " But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun .shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stare of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken." !Mark xili. 24, 25. "And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roar- ing; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke xxi. 25, 26. By these lofty and figurative expressions, the decaying of all the glory, excellency, and prosperity of tlie nation, and the introduction of universal sadness, misery, and confusion are beautifully described. The roaring of the sea and the waves may justly bo considered as metaphorical, as the signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, are plainly so, and by the powers of heaven are meant the whole Jew- ish polity, government, laws, and religion, Avhich were the work of heaven ; these our Lord tells us should be shaken, or rather dis- solved. As the disciples had, in conformity to the repeated questions of the Pharisees, during his ministry, asked what should be the sign of his coming, our blessed Saviour told them, that after the tribulation of those days, when the sun should be darkened, and all the enemies of the Messiah should mourn, they should see the accomplishment of what Daniel foretold, by the figurative expression of the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven ; for they should behold the signal punishment executed on the Jewish nation by the Roman armies, sent for that purpose by the decree and permission of heaven, " Then THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 805 eliall appear the sign of the Sou of man in heaven ; and then shall :ill the tribes of the earth mourn, and tiiey shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." Matt. xxiv. 30. Then were the followers of Christ to be delivered from the op- pression under which they had long groaned, and o{K»nly honored before the whole earth ; and on this may true believers rest ; because it is founded on etare the prediction of our &.-.viour with the his- tory Josephus wrote of the war, cannot fail of being struck with the wisdom of Christ, acknowledging that his prediction vas truly divine ; for as the Jewish nation was at this time in the most flourishing state, the event here foretold appeared altogether improbable. Besides, the circumstances of the destruction are very numerous and surprisingly great ; and the whole delivered without any ambiguity. It is, there- fore, a prophecy of such a kind as could never have been uttered by any impostor, and consequently the person who delivered it was acquainted with the secret councils of heaven, and was truly divine. Many cavillers against the Christian religion have asked, why Christ should order his disciples not to flee from Jerusalem till they saw it encompassed with the Roman army, when it would then be impossible for them to make their escape? But pei-sons, before they l)ropose such questions, would do well to read attentively the history Josephus has given us of these terrible calamities, because they would there find a solution to the difficulty. That historian tells us, that Cestius Callus surrounded the city with his army, and at a time when he could easily have taken the city, suddenly withdrew Ins forces, without any apparent reason. He adds, that as soon as the siege was raised many eminent persons fled from it as from a sinking ship. In all probability, many of these were Christians, who, being warned by this prophecy of their great Master, saved themselves by flight, as he had directed. Thus we see what frivolous objections are made by the free-thinkers of our age, against the truth of the sacred writings, and \o\v easily they are answered. Having thus beautifully, but awfully, described this important and iiriking event, the blessed Jesus assured his disciples that it would be teiy unexpected, and thence urged the necessity of a watchful vigi- 20 300 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. lance, lest they should be surprised, and have a share in those calami- ties. " But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of tlm Son of man he." Matt. xxiv. 37. " Watch ye, therefore; for y(! know not when tlie Master of the house comcth, at even, or at midnight, or at the coek-crowing, or in the morning ; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping." Mark xiii. lib, 36. It was natural, as men were to undergo, at the destruction of Jeru- salem, nearly the same miseries, and as the passions which its ap- proach would raise in their minds were similar to those which will haj)pen at the destruction of the world and tlie general judgment ; it was natural, I say, for our blessed Saviour on this occasion to jjut his disciples in mind of that judgment, and exhort them to the faithful discbnrgc of their duty, from the consideration of the suddenness of his coming to call every individual to accDiuit after death: "There- fore be ye also ready ; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant whom his Jjord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you. That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." Matt. xxiv. 44. etc. As if he had said. You who are the ministers of religion ought to be particularly atten- tive in discharging the important trust committed to your aire. You are the stewards to whom is intrusted the whole household of the church ; and you would do well to remember that your example will have a great effect upon the minds of those employed under you. It is your duty to be well acquainted with the stores of evangelical truths, and to understand how they may be ap])lied to the best advantage : you should be also careful to know the characters of the different per- sons under your directions, that you may be able to give every one of them his portion of meat in due season ; and if I find you thus em- ployed at my coming, I will reward you with the joys of my king- dom, even as an earthly master bestows particular marks '»f respect on such servants as have been remarkably faithful in any important trust. But, on the other hand, if you are not true to the trust re- posed in you ; if you pervert your office, and watch not over the souls committed to your care, I will come to you unexpectedly, and make you dreadful examples of mine anger, by the severe punishments which I will inflict upon you. " But, and if that evil servant shall Pay in his heart. My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to 8niit« his ^cUow-servante, and to eat and drink with the drunken ; the THE LIFE OF CHRIST. SOI lord of that servant shall come in a day wiicii he looketh not for hiiri, and in an hoin* that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypix-rites ; there shall he weep- ing and gnashing of teeth." Matt. xxiv. 48, etc. Having thus generally described the future state of retribution, our Lord passed to the consideration of the general Judgment, when thoso rewards and punishments should be distributed in their utmost ex- tent. This could not lUil of animating his disciples to a vigorous discharge of their duty; and by the striking representation of the last judgment he has here given, nuist greatly tend to rouse the con- sciences of men from their lethargy, and consider before it be too late, the things which belong to their peace. Then shall the kingdom of heaven, the gospel-kingdom, in the last dispensation of it, when the king was iK'ar at hand ; upon which they trimmed their lamps, went fitrlli to wol«)me him, and conducted him with his hride into the house, iur which they were honored as guests at the marriage feast, and shared in the usual festivities. To ten such virgins our blessed Saviour compares thost; to whom the gospel is pnached, because this was tlu; j^'ueral number appointed to wait ider themselves as candiara- tion arrives. The weakness of the flxilish is repn'sented by their taking no oil in their vessels with their lamps; that is, the foolish professors (;ontent themselves with the bare lani[» <»f a profession, and never think of furnishing it with th(! oil ot' divine grace, the fruit of which is a life of holiness; whereas the wise, well knowing that a lamp, without the sup])ly of on, would be .-speedily extingui-hcd ; that faith, without love and holiness, will be of" no conse(|uence, take care to secure a supply for themselves of the divine grace, and to display in their lives the works of love and charity. While all those virgins, though diflercntly .-upplieil, waiting the coming of the bridegroom, all slumbered aiul slcjtt ; that is, as some think all Christians, both good and bad, the >incerc ami the hypocrite, lie down together in the sleep of death ; and while the bridegroom delays his coming, slumber in the chambers of the dust. But others suppose, that this argues the want of \igilance and care, even in the wise as well as the foolish; that few, it' any, arc so attentive as they ought to be, to the coming of the Lord. The Jews have a tradition, that Christ's coming to judgment will be at midnight, which agrees with that particular in the parable, " Ai midnight there W'ai> a cry made. Go ye out to meet him." But how- ever this be, whether he will ome at midnight, or in the morning, it will be awfully sitdden and alarming. The great ciy will be heard to the ends of the earth. The trumpet shall sound, and the mighty THK Lino OF CHRIST ;ioy arrhangel's voiri,nt the foolish ••oon jK'rtvivetl their folly: their lamj>s were gone out, totally extin- guished, and they had no oil to support the tlame : in like manner the hyiMK-rite's hope shall porirfh. But the wise were in a much happier eondition ; they had oil in their vessels, sntlieient for them- selves, hut none to spare; for, when the foolish virgins would have l»nK'urertunity cried, "Lord, Lord, open unto us." I»ut he answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." As you denied me on earth, I deny you now ; depart from me, I know you not ! But as this duty was of the utmost importance, our blessed Saviour, to show us more clearly the nature and use of Christian watchfulness, to which he exhorts us at the conclusion of the parable of the ten virgins, adde glad that he retires, and leaves us in this vale of misery? No, it is impossible; the human heart, on so melancholy an occasion, can have no disposition to rejoice. Our blessed Saviour, therefore, adds this reason to solve the seem- ing paradox; "because he was going to the Father;" that is, he was going to ascend to the right hand of infinite power, from whence he would send them all the a&sistanee they could desire. It must not, however, be supposed that he meant by these words, that his disciples should not be concerned at his death, or that they could not love hira unless they expressed a visible joy on this occasion. That would, in- decil, have been a hard interpretation of their grief: he knew their 320 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. grief flowed from love ; and that if tlieir love had not been Hirong, their sorrow had been much less. Indeed, their Master was fiillv convinced that love was the occasion of their sorrow; and, therefore, he used these argument.^ to mitigate it, and direct it in a proper coui'se. Nor did our JiOril intend to intimate that all sorrow for so worthy a friend was unlawful, or an unbecoming expression of their love ; doubtless he was notilis])lea.«ed to see his disciples so tenderly afl'ected ut his removal from them. He who shed tears at the grave of Laz;;« rus, blended with sighs and groans, cannot be thought to forbid them wholly at his own. He, therefore, did not chide his disciples with angry reproaches, as though they had been entirely in the wrong, but gently reasoned Mith them by kind persuasions. "Let not your hearts be troubled," as rather i)itying than condemning their son'0\v. Soon after Jesus had spoken these things, his heart was greatly troubled, to think that one of his disciples should prove his enemy: he complained of it at the table, declaring that one of them should betray him. This moving declaration greatly affected the disciples, and they began every one of them to say to their Master, "Lord, is it I ?" But Jesus, giving them no decisive answer, John, the beloved disciple, whose sweet disposition and other amiable qualities is per- petuated in the peculiar love his great Master bore him, and was now reclining on his bosom, asked him, who among the disciples could be guilty of so detestable a ci'ime. Jesus told him that the person tn whom he should give the sop, when he had dipyed it, was he who should betray him. Accordingly, as soon as he had dipped the sop in the dish, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, saying to him at the sanut time, " That thou doest do quickly." Judas received the sop without knowing anything of what his Mas- ter had told the beloved disciple ; nor did any of the dis iples, except St. John, entertain the least suspicion that Judas was the person who would betray their Master. The innocent disciples were indeed so deeply aifeeted with his declaration, that one of them should betray him, that they did not remark the words of Jesus to his apostate dis- ciple, but continued to ask him who was the person that should be guilty of so base a crime. Willing at last to satisfy their importunity, the blessed Jesus de- clared, that the person who dipped his hand with him in the dish fihould betray him. This to the eleven was a joyful declaration, but THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 321 confounding in the highest degree to Judas. Impudent as he was, it btnick him speechless, pointing him ouJ pUiinly, and displaying the louluess of his heart. While Judas continued mute with confusion, the blessed Jesus de- dared that his death should bo brought about according to the de- crees of Heaven, though that would not in the least mitigate the crime of the person who betrayed iiim ; adding, " it had been good for that man if he had not been born." Judas having now recovered himself a little, asserted his innocence by a question wiiich implied a denial of the charge. But his Master soon silenced him, by positively affirm- ing that he was really the person. As various conjectures have been formed concerning the motives which induced the perfidious Judas cruelly to deliver up his innocent Master into the hands of his enemies, it nmy not be improper to cite those which appear to be the most probable, though the decision must be entirely left to the reader. Some are of opinion that he was induced to commit this villany by the resentment of the rebuke given him by his Master for blaming tlie woman who came with the precicus ointment, and anointed the head of Jesus, as he sat at meat in the house of Simon the leper. But though this had doubtless its weight with the traitor, yet it could not, I think, be his only motive, because the rebuke was given in general to all the disciples, who had certainly been forward with him in censuring the woman. Nor c"an we imagine, even if he had been rebuked alone, that so mild a reproof could provoke any pei-son, however wicked, to the horrid act of murdering his friend, much less Judas, whose covetous disposition must have disposed him to bear everything from his Master, from whom he expected the liighcst pre- ferment, if he should openly declare himself the Messiah, and take the reins of govex'nment into his own hands. Others think that Judas betrayed his Master through covetousncss. But if we understand by covetousncss the reward given by the priests, this opinion is equdlly defective ; for the sum was too small for the most sordid wretch to think equivalent to the life of a friend, especi- ally when he expected from him the highest posts and advantages. Others attribute the perfidy of Judas to his doubting wliethev his Master was the Messiah, and that he b(itrayed him in a fit of despair. But of all the solutions this is the worst founded. For if Judas be- lieved his Master to be an impostor, he must have observed something in his behavior which led him to form such an opinion of him ; ai\^ 21 822 THE LIFE OF OH HIST. in that case he would doubtless have mentioned it to the chief pricstf and ciders, when he made the contract with them; which it in plain he did not, as they would have reminded him of it when he eamo back and expressed his n^norse for what he had done. It should also l)c observed, that had Judas given them any intima- tions of this kind, they would doubtless Iiave urgtxl them against our blessed Saviour himself in the course of his trial, when they were at so great a loss for witnesses to support their accusations; and against the apostles afterwards, when they reproved them for siK"aking in the name of Jesus. Besides had Judas thought his Master an impostor, and ])roposed nothing by his treachery but the price he j)ut upon his life, how came he to sell him for such a trifle, when lie well knew that the chief priests and rulci*s would have given him any sum, rather than not have got him into their hands? In fine, the supposition that Judas believed his Master to be an impostor is directly confuted by the solemn declaration lie made to the priests, when he declared the deepest conviction of the innocence of our great Redeemer. " I have sinned," said he, " in betraying th« innocent blood." It must be remembered that the remorse he felt for this crime, when he saw his Master condemned, wius too bitter to be enduretl, so that he fled even to the king of terrors for relief. The evangelist St. John tells us that he was of so covetous a dispo- sition as to steal money out of our Lord's bag; and hence we have sufficient reason to believe that he first followed Jesus with a view of obtaining riches and other temporal advantages, which he expected the Messiah's friends would enjoy. It likewise authorizes us to think, that as he had hitherto reaped ncme of these advantages he might grow impatient under the delay ; and the rather as Jesus had lately discouraged all ambitious views among his disciples, and neglected to embrace the opportunity of erecting that kingdom, which was offered him by the multitude who accomi)anied him into Jerusalem with shouts, and crying Hosanna to the Son of "David. His impa- tience, therefore, becoming excessive, suggested to him the thought of delivering his Master into the hands of the council, firmly pereuadctl that he M'ould then bo obliged to assume the dignity of the Messiah, and consequently be able to reward his followers. For as this court was composed of the chief priests, ciders, and scribes ; that is, the principal persons of vhe sacerdotal onlor, the representatives of the gTeat families and the dwtors of the law, the traitor did not doubt THE LIFE OF CIIUIST. dSd rimt \m Master, when brought before so august an avjembly, would assert lii.s ureteusioMs to the tilU' oi" Messiah, prove his tiaiui to their I'ull wnvietion, gain them over to his interest, autl iiiiiucdiately enter on hid regal tliguity. And tiuaigh he must be sensible that tiie meas- ures he took to eoinpass his intention were very oilensive to lii.s Mas- ter, yet he might think the sueeess of it would procure his pardon from so eon) passionate a Master, and even reeommenu him to Itivor. In the meantime his projeet, however phui.^ible it may a[)pear to one of his turn, was far from being Iree from dillieuUy ; and therefore, while he revolved it in his own mind, many things might oeeur to stiigger his resolution. At length, thinking himself alfrontcd by the rebuke of Jesus, at the time when the woman anointed the head of his Master, he was provokeil to execute the resolution he had formed of obliging him to liter his measures. Rising, therefore, directly from the tabfe, ho went immetliately into the eity, to the palace of the high priest, where he found the council assembled, consulting how thcv mijiht take Jesus by subtilty, in the absence of the multitude. To them he made known his intention of delivering his Master into their hands, and undertook, for a small sum of money, to conduct a band of armed men to the place where tise Saviour of the world usually spent the night with his disciples, where they might ai)prehen(l him without the least danger of a tumult. Some n-asons may be otlcred in support of this o|)inion concerning the motives which induced Judas to betray his blaster. Fii-st — from the nature of the contract, " What will ye give me," said he, "and I will deliver him unto you?" lie did not mean that he would deliver him up to be put to death ; foi* though the priests had consnltet also have thought that he believed him to be an impostor, hi which case they would donbtleas have produced him as one of their principal ev- idences, no person being more proper. Also, wlien Judas returncl to them with the money, declaring that he had sinned in betraying the innocent blood, instead of replying, " What is that to us? see thou to 824 THE LIFE OF OURIST. that," it was the most natural thing in tlic world to have U2)braide(l liim with the sbxin he had put upon his Master's character, by the contract they had made witli iiim. It is true they called the m .)ney they gave him, *' tiie price of blood : " but they did not mean this in the strictest sense, as they liad neither hired Juda.'- to assassinate his Master, nor c;in they be supposed to liave charged themselves with the guilt of murdering him. It was only the price of blood consequent on being the reward they had given to the traitor for putting it in their power to take away the life of Christ under the color and form of public justice. Now it may be doubted whether Judas asked the money a:s a re- ward of his service. He covetously, indeed, kept it; and the priests, for that reason, called it the price of blood. In short, Judas knew that the rulei's could not take away the life of any person whatsoever, the Romans having de])rived them of that power, and therefore some think he could have no design of *his kind in delivering him up: not to mention that it was a conunon opinion among the Jews, that the Messiah could never die : an opinion ihat Judas might easily embrace, having seen his Master raise several persons, and among the rest, one who had been in the grave no less than four days. Another reason which may be assigned in confirmation of this opinion is, the traitor's hanging himself when he found him condemned not by the governor, but by the council, whose prerogative it was ♦'^ judge prophets. Had Juda.s proposed to take away the life of his Master, the Eentence of condemnation passed upon him, instead of fill- ing him with despair, must have gratified him, beitig the accomplish- ment of his project ; whereas the light wherem we have endeavored to place his conduct shows this circumstance to have been perfectly natural. He knew him to be thoroughly innocent; and expected that he would have wrought such miracles before the eouncil as should have constrained them to believe. Therefore, when he found that nothing of this kind was done, and that the priests had passed the sentence of condemnation upon him, and were carrying him to the governor to get it executed, he repented of his rash and covetous project, came to the chief priests and eldere, the pei*sons to whom he had betrayed him, offered them their money again, and solemnly declare^l tlie deepest conviction of his Master's innocence, hoping that they would have desisted from the prosecution. But they were obstinate, and would D^ relent : upon which his remorse arose to such a pitch, that, unable THE LIFE OF C H 11 1 S T. 325 to support the torments of Wis own conscience, he went and hanged liimsclf. Thus it is probable that the traitor's intention in delivering up his Master was not to get him punished with death, but only to lay hinj luider a necessity of proving his pretensions before the grandees, whom ho had hitherto shunned ; thinking that if they had yielded, the whole nation would inunediately have been raised forthwith to the summit of their expectations. This account of Judas's conduct is by no means calculated to lessen tlie foulness of his crime, which was the blackest imaginable. For even in the light aI)ove mentioned, it implied both an insatiable ava- rice and a wilful opposition to the counsels of Providence, and ren- dered the actor of it a disgrace to human nature. But it is calculated to set the credibility of the traitor's action in a proper light, and to show that he was not moved to it by anything suspicious in the char- acter of his Master; because, according to his view of it, his perfidy, instead of implying that he entertained suspicions of iiis Master's in- tegrity, plainly proves that he had the fullest conviction of his being the Messiah. Nor was it possible for any one who had been present at the miracles which Jesus wrought and the doctrines which he de- livered, to admit of a doubt o( his being the Son of God, the Saviouf of mankind, unless blinded by the most obstinate prejudice. JJSU8 8UPP0UTS THE SINKINO PETER. 88C THE LIFE OF CHRIST. CHAPTER XXXIII. JESUS INSTITUTES THE SACRAMENT IX COMMEMORATION OF HIS DEATH AND SUF- FERINGS — SETTLES A DISPUTE WHICH AROSE AMONG HIS DISCIPLES— PREDICTS PETER'S COWARDICE IN DKN YINO JIlS MASTER— FORTIFIES HIS DISCIPLES AGAINST THE APPROACHING SHOCK — FORETELLS PETEU's COWARDICE AGAIN — PREACHK.3 TO AND PRAYS WITH HIS DISCIPLES FOR THE LAST TIME — PASSIONATE ADDRESS OF OUR LORD TO HIS FATHER IN THE GARDEN. The great Xlodecmci', ever mindful of the grand design of his mis- sion, even the salvation of lost and perishing sinners, was not in the least prevented by the treachery of his apostate disciple; for knowing that he must become a sacrifice for sin, etc., he instituted the sacra- ment of his supper, to perpetuate the memory of it throughout all ages. Accordingly, as they were eating the paschal supper, "Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and eaid. Take, eat ; this is my body." ^latt. xxvi. 2G. Observe this rite no lousier in remembrance of vour deliverance from Egypt, but in remembrance of me, who, by dying ibr yon, will bring you out of a spiritual bondage, a bondage far worse than the Egyptian, under which your fathers groaned, and will establish you in the glorious liberty of the children of God. Do it in remembrance of me, who, by laying down my life, will ransom you from sin, from death, from hell, and will set open the gates of heaven to you, that you may enter immortality in triumph. Having given the bread to his disciples, he also took the cup, and gave it to them, saying, " Driidv ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testame.' t, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matt. xxvi. 27, 28. All of you, and all of my disciples, in all ages, must drink of this cup, because it represents my blood shed for the remission of the sins of mankind; my blood, by which the new cove- nant between God and man is ratified. It is, therefore, my blood of liic new covenant ; so that this institution exhibits to your joyful med- itation the grand basis of the hopes of the children of men, and per- petuates the memory of it to the end of tlie world. He added, •*I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until that daj THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 32T jrhen I drink it uew with you ia my Fatlier's kingdom." Matt xxvi- 29. The manifestation of the Son of God is tiie most illustrious, the most momentous event that is possible to engage the meditations of man- kind. To his life and death, his resurreetion and ascension into glory, we are indebted for our hopes and assurances of pardon, for our peace, for our happiness. To procure our salvation, he made the most amazing condescension from the dignity he enjoyed with his Father, l)y putting on the veil of flesh ; he poured divine instruction from his lips, and shone forth with an all-perfect and all-lovely example. For our benefit he sul)niitted to a course of the most cruel treatment from his bitter enemies, to the agonies of the cross, and to the stroke of the king of terrors. For our hapi)iness ho arose again with power and lustre, ascended into the mansions of eternal happiness, manages our atfairs with the Father, and holds the reins of government. With the greatest wisdom and goodness, therefore, this beneficent Jesus in- stituted a rite that should recall his love to our memories, and awake each pious passion in our breast; a rite which, by the breaking of bread, and the pouring out of wine, should represent to us in a striking manner that most signal proof of the affection both of himself and his heavenly Father, when his tender frame was exposed to wounds and bruises, when streams of the most precious blood issued from his sacred veins. The important, the awfid scene, now approached, when the great work was to be finished. The traitor Judas was gone to the chief priests and elders for a band of soldiers to apprehend hitn ; but this did not discompose the Redeemer of mankind ; he took occasion to meditate on the glory that would accrue both to hiujself and to the Almighty froni those sufferings, and spake of it to his disciples. " Now," said he, " is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him." He told them, that having aln^ady done honor to his Father, by the past actions of his life, and being about to honor him yet further, by his sufferings and death, which would display his perfections, ))articularly his infinite love to the human race, in the most astonishing and amiable light, he was, in his turn, to receive honor from his Father; intimating that his human nature was to be exalted to the right hand of Omnipotence, and that his mission from God was to be supported by irrefragable at- testations. But his disciples, imagining tliat he spake of the glor}' of a temji'j- 828 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. ral kingdom, tlieir ambition was again revived, and they began t« disputo witli as much keenness as ever, which of them shoukl be greatest in that kingdom. This contention Jesus suppressed by the arguments he had formerly used for the same purpose. Among the Gentiles, said he, they are reckoned the greatest who have the great- est power, and have exercised it in the most absolute manner: but your greatness shall bo very different from theirs: it shall not consist in being unlimited with I'cgard to tyrannical power, even though it should be joined with an affectation of titles, which denote qualities truly honorable ; but whosoever desires to be great, or chief among you, let him be so by his humility and the service he renders to the rest, in imitation of me, your Master, whoso greatness consists in this, that I am become the servant of you all. Adding, as they had continued with him in this temptation, he would bestow upon them such a kingdom as his Father had appointed for him. At the same time, to check their ambition, and lead them to form a just notion of his kingdom, he told them that he was soon to leave them, and that whither he was going they could not at that time fol- low him; for which reason, instead of contending with one another, which of them should be the greatest, they would do well to be united among themselves in the hajipy bond of love. For, by loving one aiwther sincerely and fervently, they W'Ould prove themselves his dis- ciples, to the conviction of mankind, who could not be ignorant that love was a distinguishing part of his character. This is termed a new commandment, not because mutual love had never been enjoined to mankind before, but because it was a precept of peculiar excellency ; for the word translated new, in the Hebrew language, denotes excellency and truth ; he also called this a new commandment, because they were to exercise it under a new relation, according to a new measure, and from new motives. They were to love one another in the relation of his disciples, and in that degree of love which he had shown to them ; for they were to lay down their lives for the brethren. This excellent doctrine, however, did not make such an impres- sion on Peter as the words which Jesus had spoken concerning a place whither his disciples could not come. He therefore I'eplied, by asking where he was going; to which Jesus answered, "Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but shall follow me aflerward." Further, in order to make his disciples humble, watchful, and kindly affectionate one towards anothei*, he assured them that THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 829 Satan was seeking to rnin them all by his temptations. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, Behold Satan hath desired to have you, that lie might sift you as wheat ; hut I have prayed for th(v. that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengtlien thy brethren." Peter was greatly offended that his Master should have singled him out as the weakest; for so he interpreted his pi-aying for him particu- larly; and supposing that he mentioned Satan's seeking to sift him, as the thing which would hinder hi:ii frcm following his Master, re- plied, " Why cannot I follow thee now? Is there any road more terrible than the dark valley of the shadow of death? Yet through these black and gloomy sliades I am willing this moment to accom- pany thee." Jesus, knowing h.is weak, though, sincere, resolution, answered, "Art thou so very confident of thine own strength ? I tell thee, that this very night, before the cock crows, thou wilt thrice deny me to be thy Master." Our blessed Saviour having finished what he had to say to Peter in particular, turned himself to his other disciples, and put them in mind that when thev were first sent out he directed them to relv wholly upon the Almighty for assistance. "Wlun I sent you for- merly," said he " to preach the gospel, you may remember I ordered you to go without any provision, either for your sustenance or defence, assuring you, that though you would indeed meet with great oppo- sition, yet Providence would dispose some men, in all places, to be your friends, and to fiu-nish you with all necessaries; and accordingly you found that you wanted for nothing, but were wonderfully suj)- ported, without any care or })rovision of your own, in the whole journey, and finished your work with success. But now the case is very different; the time of that greatest trial and distress, whereof I have often forewarned you, is just at hand ; and you may now make all the provision in your power, and arui yourselves against it as much as you are able. I have finished the work for which I was sent into the world ; and notliing now remains for me but to undergo those sufferings which the prophets have foretold concerning me, and to complete this whole dispensation of Providence, by subuiitting at last to a cruel and ignominious death." The disciples, thinking their great Master meant that they should arm themselves in a literal sense, and endeavor to oppose thj assaults that would shortly be made upon them by the Jews, answered, " Iiord, here are two swords." - ■'-'-•'-' ■^- «80 THE LiFE OP CHRIST. But the blessed Jesus, who only intended to convey an idea of their approaching distress and temptations, and to arm them against the surprise, replied, " It is enough, you need not trouble yourseh'os about any more weapons Df this nature for your delence. Be not ter- rified and disconsolate," added the compassionate Jesus, " because i have told you that I must undergo great sufferings, and be taken away from you for a iime. "You have always been taught to believe in God, who is the Al- mighty Preserver aud Governor of all things; anil to rely on him for deliverance in every affliction and distress. Learn now, in like man- ner, to believe in me, who have all p' .ver committed to me, as the preserver and head of my church; and trust in me to accomplish fully all things that I have promised you. "If you do this, ami persist steadfastly in the belief of my doctrine, and in obedience of my commands, nothing in this vale of misery, not even persecution or death itself, shall be able to hinder you fronj attaining the happiness I have proposed to you. "For in heaven, my Father's house, tliere is abundant room to re- ceive you : otherwise I would not have filled your minds with the hopes and expectation of happiness. But as there are mansions suf- ficient for you in another state, you may, with confidence and assur- ance, hope for the full accomplishment of my promises, notwithstanding all this present world may contrive or act against you. And ye ought also to bear patiently my departure from you at this time, since I only leave you to prepare a place, and open the portals of those eternal habitations where I shall be ever with you. Wiien I have prepared a place for you in that eternal state, I will again return and take you to njyself. Nor shall you ever more be s(^ pa rated from me, but continue with me to all eternity, in full participation of my eternal glory and happiness, in the blissful regions of the lieavonly Canaan. You must now surely know whither I am going, and the way that leads to these happy seats of immortality." But the disciples, whose minds were not yet fully weaned from tlie expectation of a temporal jiower and glory, did not understand this discourse of their great and beloved Master. Accordingly, Thomas replied, " Lord, we cannot comprehend whither thou art going ; and, therefore, must needs be ignorant of the way." To which our blessed Jesus answered, " I myself, as I have often told you, am the true and only way to life; nor can any man go thither by any other way. If ve say ye do not know the Father, I tell you, that no man who know- THE LIFE OF CHRIST. gSl cth me can be ignorant of my Father, of his will, and the manner of pleasing iiira : if ye know me, ye must know that all my actions have l)een directed by the will of the Father, and for the glory of his name. Philip answered, liord, show us but once the Father, and we shall be fully satisfied. Jesus replied. Have I been so long with you. Philip, and yet art thou a stranger to him who sends me? I tell you, that to know one is to be acquainted with both. What, then, can you mean by desiring to see the Father, as if you could still be ignorant of him, after being so long acquainted with me? Be assured, Philip, that whatsoever I speak is the declaration of his will, and whatsoever I do is the operation of his power. And if ye refuse to believe my own affirmation, yet, at least^ let my works convince you ; lor they carry in them undeniable evidences of a divine power. * He that be- lieveth on me, the works that I do shall he do also ; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father.' John xiv. 12. Surely, then, you have matter sufficient to comfort and sup- port your spirits under the thoughts of my departure from you. Ye have abtnidant reason to believe that I have power to perform all the promises I have made you ; and the design of my departure actually to perform them. When I am returned to my Father, ye shall soon receive sufficient pledges of my care and remembrance of you. You shall be endued with power not only to perform the same works ye have seen me do, as healing diseases, giving sight to the blind, casting out devils, and the like, for the conviction of the Jews, but t%'en to do greater things than these; to speak with all kinds of tongues, and to propagate my religion among the Gentiles, even through all the nations of the earth. And whatsoever ye shall ask of my Father in my ncime, as being my disciples, and in order to pro- mote the work of the gospel, shall certainly be granted you. That God may be greatly gloiified, by the extraordinary success and I spreading of the religion of his Son, I say, that whatsoever ye shall ask I will take care, after my return to the Father, that it shall be granted you. Only ye must remember, as the necessary condition I upon which all depends, that ye be careful ubove all things to con- tinue steadfast and immovable in your obedience to my commands: this is the only true mark you can giv^e of the sincerity of your love towards me; it is more than your grieving at my departure, or any other external indication of zeal whatsoever. The Father, I Su^'; shall send you another advocate and comforter, even the Holy Spirit, the author and teache^' of truth, who shall guide and direct, assist and 332 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. roinfort you in all cases. This Spirit, the sensual and corrupt worM cannot receive, having no knowledge of the divine trnths, nor dis]K»- sition to be governed by them. But ye know thcni, and are disposed to entertain them. The spirit of the Father is already within you, by his secret and invisible efficacy ; and shall hereafter appear in you openly, by great and visible manifestations. " Thus, though I must depart from you, yet I do by no means leave you comfortless., I leave you with a promise of the Holy Si)irit; and I leave you in expectation also of my own return. For er methods used for their conversion and salvation, and yet they wilfully and obstinately reject these means of grace, it is plain they have no excuse for their sin, but they oppose and persecute you only because they will not forsake their worldly lusts, and out of mere mal ce will not bear to be instructed in the commands of the Almighty. So that they who oppose and j>ersecute you, as they have before per- secuted me, show plainly that they are hatei-s of God and of his most ^'oly commandments. Which is, as I have already told you, a plain evidence of the justice of your own cause, and of the injustice of your persecutors. " If I had not,.! say, done such works among them as no man evei 22 i »1 M\ 338 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. (lid, tliov might indeed have had some appearanec of excuse for thelh fin. IJiit now, having seen ahundant prools of my authority, and undenial)le evidence of the trutii of my doetrine, arul yet wilfully and uhstinately persisting in oj)po.sing it, because inconsistent with their lusts; it is plain that their dishonoring me is a dishonor done to God himself, and a direct contempt of his cdunnands: so that they are utterly inexcu-;ahle. lint it is no wonder, when men lune given themselves wholly up to bo gove>"ned by worldly atlections, passions, and vices, they should act contrary t ^ all the reason and evidence in the world, for this is l)nt the natural consequence of (thstinate and habitual wickedness; and hereby is oidy fulfilled in me wliat holy David long since {)rophetically complainctl of, that they hated him without a cause. JJut p.iiwithstanding all the opposition that wicked and incorrigible men will make against my doctrine, there will not be wanting powerful promoters of it, who shall eirectually overcome all opposition. For the Comforter, who I said I will send you from heaven, even that Si)irit of Truth which cometh forth and is sent from the Father shall, when he cometh, with wonderful efficacy bear testimony to the truth of my doctri'-e, and cause it to be spread through the world with incredible success. Nay, and ye yourselves also, though now so weak, fearful, and doubting, .'•hall then very pttwertully bear testimony to the trutli of all the thii'gs whereof ye, having been all ah)ng i)resent with me, have been eye witnesses from tiie beginning. "Thus liave I warned you beforehand, of the opposition and perse- cution ye must expect to mcit with in the world, that when it cometh ye may not be surprist-d iind terrified, so as to be discouraged thereby from i)ersisting in the pcrformani-e of ^vour duty. Ye nust expect particularly that tlie chief i)riests and rulers of the Jews, men of great hypocrisy and sr.perstition, zealous for their ceremoines and ritual traditions, but careless to know and obey the will of tiic Al- mighty in matters of great and eternal obligation, and invincibly prejudiced against the spirit'nd holiness and purity of my doctrine; t'cse, I say, you must expect, will exconununicate you as apostates, and cast you out of all their societies, as th(> vilest of malefactors. Nuy, to such an absurd height of malice will their superstition carry them, that they will oven fancy they promote the service of God, and the cause of religion, when they most barbarously murder and destroy you. " But 1 have warned you of all this beforehand, that ye may rreparo am "thJ Sl'll to I coll i:nE Lii^E OF CHRIST. 330 iind fortify yourselves ag-ainst it; and tliat, when it cometh to pass, yd may rememher I foretold it to yoa, and your faith in me may thereby be strengthened. It was needless to aequaint you with theso scenes of suffering while I was with you. But n(j\v, being about to leave you, I think it necessary to acquaint you what things are likely to eo:ne upon you after my departure, and also at the same time what (•iiiilbrt you may expect to support you under them. "Now I must mention the m'lancholy part, namely, that I ai'.i ^oing from you, and that great temptations will bel'all you in my absence: this, indeed, ye readily apprehend, and sulfer your hearts to be overwhelmed with grief at the thoughts of it. But the comlbrt- able part of my discourse, namely, that my departure is only in order to return to him that sent me, and that I will soon after send you the Holy Spirit; and the other advantages that will thence result to you, are neither considered, nor are you solicitous about them. " Xevertheless, if ye will listen, I will pl;,inly tell you the truth. Yc are so far from having reason to be dejected at the thought of my ileparture, that, on the contrary, it is really profitable and expedient for you that I should now depart; for such is the order and dispen- sation of Providence towards you, and the aj)pointment of my Father's eternal and all-wise counsel, that before 1 go and take pos- session of my kingdom, the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, cannot be sent unto you ; but when I am departed from you, and have all power iu heaven and earth committed unto me, then J will send him unto you. And when he cometh, he shall abinidantly support and comfort you under all your troid)les; shall ])ower- fully plead your cause against your adversaries; and shall, with wonderful efficacy, cause the doctrin<'S of the gospel to spread and prevail in the world against all opposition. "He shall particularly, and in a most extraordinary and convincing manner, make the world sensible of the g'-eatness and heinousness of a sin of which thcv were not aware; of the ritrhteousness and justice of a dis[)onsation they did not understand, and of the execution of a most remarkable judgment they did not expect. "First — By wonderfully attesting and confirming the truth of my doctrine, by the gifl of tongues, and other wonderful signs, he shall convince the world of the greatness and heinousness of their sins, in disbelieving and rejecting mc. "Secondly — By demonstrating that my departure out of the woi'ld was uot perishing and dying, but only a returning to my Father, in ■H &iii THE LIFE OF CHRIST. order to be invested witli all power, both in heaven and earth, he shall convince the world of the righteousness and justice of my cause, and of the excellency of that dispensation which I preach and declare to mankind. " Lastly, by mightily destroying the power of the devil and the ressed you ; ye for your parts will be overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. "But within a short time I will »eturn to you again; and then your sorrow shall be turned into exceeding great joy. Even as a woman when she is in labor hath great pain and sorrow for the present, but as soon as she is delivered, forgets all her sufferings, and rejoices greatly at the birth of her soh ; so ye, while ye are under the immedi- ale apprehension of my departure from you, and during that time of distress and temptation, which shall befall you in my absence, will be full of sorrow and anxiety of mind ; but when I return to you again, then ye shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and no jiower or malice of man shall ever be able to take from you any more the cause or continuance of it. " But though I sliall return to you again, and your hearts will thereupon be filled with inexpressible joy, and which shall never be taken from you any more ; j"et there will be no necessity that I should then continue long with you in pei*son, to instruct you upon every occasion, as I have now done with my own mouth. For, besides that, the Holy Spirit will be sent to instruct you in all things neees- Biiry, my Father himself also will hear your petitions, and be ready to grant you whatsoever ye shall desire of him iu m^ name, and as being my disciples. "Hitherto ye have asked nothing of God in my name; but from henceforth put your petitions in my name; and whatsoever ye sha'! 143 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. so ask for the glory of Goil and in order to enaMc you to go through the work of your minislry .su('i'(',s.sfully, shall certainly be granted you; that your joy, whieh.will begin at my appearing to you again after my death, may be completed by the wonderful success and elli- caey of your own ministry. "These things 1 have told you at present imperfectly and obscurely, according as your capacities arc able to bear them. But tlu^ time is coining, when I will sj)cak to you with more o|)enness, freedom, and plaiiuiess, the whole will of my Father concerning the natnri; and es- tablishment of my kingdom, and what things and in what manner yc ought to i)ray unto him for. At that time yc shall with fnnn assur- ance pray to my Father in my name ftir what ye want. "And I need not tell you, that I will intercede with the Father on your behalf; I'or besides the love he has bore for me, and the powi r and authority my prayt^rs have with him, he has, moreover, of himsell' a great love for you, and a ready disposition to grant your prayers, because ye are become grateful and acceptable to idm by your love towards me, whiih ye liave shown in cnd)racing willingly that holy doctrine which I have revealed to you from him. "Toconcluile — the sum of what I have told you is briefly and })lainly this: I came do An from heaven, from God my Father, ami have lived upon earth in the state of iVail anrsons, there- fore, I now pray, that as thou hast begun the work of their salvation by my preaching and revealing to them thy will while I have been present with them here upon earth, so also that thou wouldst preserve them when 1 am departed from this world, and complete the work of their redemption by my resurrection and ascension into heaven, after my death. I do not pray for the unbelieving, impenitent world, but for those who have embraced that most holy doctrine, which thou hast taught them through nie by my pi'eaching ; for those who have glorified and will glorify my name by their ministry, and who conse- quently are to be esteemed as thine own, in common with nic. I am now about to leave the world in order to return to thee ; but th'ise, my disciples, who continue after mc, I recommend to thy divine pro- tection when I am gone : endue them with powers to persevere in preaching and practising the truth, and to deliver the same holy doc- trines which I have given to them, that so they may remain insepara- bly united to me, as I am to thee. So long as I have been with th«im in the world, I have watched over them, and kept them from falling away, both by example, preaching, and continual admonition, accord- ing to the power and authority wdiich thou didst commit to me ; nor has one of my apostles miscarried under my care, except that perfidi- ous traitor, who, as the scripture foretold, has ungratefully conspired with my enemies to destroy me, and will perish according to his deserts. " While I have continued with my disciples, I have watched over them and preserved them under mine own eye ; but now, as I am going to leave the world, I beseech thee to keep and assist them by thy good Spirit; and let the expectation of their continuing under thy special care and [)rotection be tlieir comfort and support in my ab- sence. The world, indeed, will persecute and hate them on this ac- count, as my doctrine is repugnant to the lusts and affections, the pas- sions, designs, and inclinations of worldly men, it must necessarily be that the vicious and incorrigible world will oi>pose and pereecute them, as it 1ms before persecuted me. I beseech thee, therefore, to take them under thy particular care, to support them against the viu* 'nc^. and oppression of an evil world. I do not desire that thou shouldat T U E LIFE OF CHRIST. 345 take them out of the world, but preserve them in it, to ho instruments of thy word, thy glory, and to bo teachers of thy truth ; nor sutfer tliem to bo cither destroyed by the malice and violence, or corrupted by the evil customs and opinions of a perverse and wicked generation. They arc of a temper and spirit very different from the current affec- tion and common dispositions of the world, according to the example of purity which I have set before them. I>o thou preserve and in- crease in them that modcraiion and candor of mind, cause them to be thoroughly affected and impressed with that true docti'ine so frequently recommended to them from my mouth, so as to express it visibly in their lives and practice, and to promote it zealously in their preaching, that they may, both by word and good cxam[)le, become worthy and successful ministers of my gospel. For as thou hast sent me into the world to reveal thy will to mankind, so send I these, my apostles, to continue preaching the same doctrine begun by me. And the princi- pal design of my exemplary life, constant teaching, and now volunta- rily offering myself to death, is to atone for sins, and enable these my servants to preach my doctrines with success and efficacy for the salva- tion of men. Neither pray I for these, my apostles, only, but for all ot'iers who shall, by their preaching and ])ractice, promote thy true religion ; and being converted from the world, may by their sincere endeavors, go on to reform others, convincing the world of the excel- lency of their religion, and consequently enforcing men to acknowl- edge the truth and divine authority thereof For promoting which great end I have connnunicated to my apostles the same power and authority of doing mighty works, for the confirmation of their doc- trine, and the evidence of thy truth, as thou didst connnunicate to me; that so, I working in them, as thou hast done in me, and thus con- fiiming with great efficacy and demonstration of the Spirit, they may declare the same doctrine which I published in person ; the world may, by this evidence, ho (.'onvinced that T was really sent by thee, and that mv disciples n 't bv the same divine commission. "Holy and Almighty Father, all those whom thou h.ast thus given nie, who have heartily embraced my doctrine and siiujcrely obeyed it, I desire that thou wouldst make them i>artakers of the same happi- ness with myself, and exalt them to behold the incomprehensible glory which I had with thee, in thy eternal love, before the found* tion of the world. " The generality of mortals, O righteous Father, have not known thee, nor lieen willing to embrace, and obey the revelation of thy will _ 846 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. But I have known thy will, and luivo niado it known to my disciples, men of .siniplicitv and lioncstv : and llitv have eiubraced and obcvcd it. And I will continnally make it known to tlicui more and moic, that they may grow up and imj)rove in Ihith, in lujlincss, and in all good works, so as finally to arrive, and cause others to arrive at that eternal happiness, which is the ellect of thy infinite love towards nu , and through me towards them." This pious and benevolent prayer being ended, Jesus and his disci- ples came down fr.)m the Mount of Olives into a held below, called Gethsemane,* through uhich the brook Kedrou ra i, and in it, on the other side of the brook, was a garden, called the jjarilcn of Gethsem- ane. Here he desired Jiis disciples to sit down, till he should re- tire to pray, taking \ h liim Peter, James, and John, those three select disciples whom .le had betbre chosen to be witnesses of hi.- transfiguration, and now to be eye-witnesses of his passion, leaving the other diseij)les at the garden-door to watch the approach of Judas and lu's band. The sulVerings he Avas on the ])oiut of undergoing were s;) great, that the very prospect of them excited this doleful exclamation, " My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto 'V^atli : tarry ye here and watch." On this great occasion he sustained ihose grievous s(»r- rows in his soid by which, as well as by »lying on the cross, lie be- came a sln-ofFering, and accomplished the redemption of mankind. He now withdrew from them about a stone's cast, and his human nature belnjr now overburdened bevond measure, he found it neces- sary to retire and pray, that if it was possible, or consistent with tlie salvation o*' iae worhl, he might be delivered from the suHcriug>. which were tl..'n 1 vinsr on mm. * "Gethsemane, a email 'farm,' situated across the hrook Kedron, prohahly at the fcot of Mount Olivet, to iiie norlhwest, about one-halt or three-quarters ot a'i English mile from the walls of Jerusalem. There was a 'garden,' or rather orchard, attached to it, to which the olive, tig, and pomegranate doubtless invited csort by their hospitable shade. And we know from the Evangelists Luke and John tiiat our Lord ofttimcs resorted thither wiUi His discii)les. According to /osephus the suburbs of Jerusalem aI)ounded with gardens and jileasure grounds. But Getiisemane has not come down to us as a scene of mirth ; its inexhaustil)le associations are the ofTsprinir of a sin;i:le event — tlie a;i:ony of the Son of God on the evening preceding His Passion. A modern garden, in which are eight vencra. We olive trees, and a grotto to the north, detached from it, and in closer connec- tion with the Church of the Sepulchre of the Virgin. Against the contemporary antiquity of tiie olive trees, it has been urged tliat Titus cut down all tiic trees ^und about Jerusalem. Tiie prot)al)ihly woidd seem to be that they were planted by Christian hands to mark the spot ; unless, like the sacred olive of Die Acropolis, U'.cy may have icproduced themselves."— i*/', 11 «(. i^iuilh. THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 347 CIIKIST I!.\TSi:S THE "WIDOWS SOX. It v.as not the four of dyinj; on tlio cross wlii<'li made liiin speak or pray in snoh a niannor. To snjiposc tliis, would iiifmitt'Iy degrade his cliar.'icter. Make his sufT'erinji;s as terrible as possible, clothe them with all the ao provoked. When the council found that Jesus declined answering the ques- tions whereby they expected to have drawn from him an acknowledg- ment of his being the Messiah, they proceeded to examine many witnesses to prove his having assumed that character; as they consid- ered such a pretension as blasphemy in his mouth, who being only a man, according to their opinion, could not, without the higliest affront to the Divine Majesty, pretend to the title of the Sou of God, as it be- longed only to the Messiah. But in this examination, they acted like interested and enraged per- secutors, rather than impartial judges, forming their questions in the most artful manner, in order, if possible, to draw expressions from him which they might pervert into suspicions of guilt, as some foun- dation for condemning Jesus, who had so long and faithfully labored for their salvation. Their witnesses, however, disappointed them, some of them disagreeing in their story, and others mentioning things of no manner of importance. At last two persons agreed in their de- positions, namely, in hearing him say, that he was able to destroy the temple of God, and to raise it in three days. But this testimony was absolutely false; for our great Redeemer never said he could destroy and build the temple of Jerusalem in three days, as they affirmed. It is true that after banishing the traders from the temple, when the Jews desired to know by what au- thority he undertook to make such a reformation, he referred them to the miracle of his resurrection; bidding them ''destroy this temple, (pointing probably to his body,) and in three days he would raise it up." The witnesses, therefore, either through malice or ignon'nce, perverted liis answer into an affirmation, that he was able to destroy and build up the m:\gnificent temjjle of Jerusalem in three days; and the judges considered this assertion as blnsphemy, because it cculd be only done by the divine ])owcr. Our Saviour made no leply to the evidence that was produced against him, which greatly pro\oked the high priest, who, supposing 358 THE LIFE OF CUEIST. that ho intended by his silence to put an all'ront on the council, roso from his seat, and with great perturljation, deiuaiided the reason tor such remarkable conduct. " Answerest thou nothing?" said he: " lu'hold how many things they witness against thee." And some of the council added, " Art thou the Christ?" To which our l»lessed Saviour answered, If I should tell you plainly, you would not believe me; and if 1 should demonstrate it to you by the most evident and undeniable arguments, ye would neither be convinced, nor let me go. The high priest, finding all his attempts to entrap our Saviour in S'ain, said to him, I adjure you solemnly, by the dreadful and tremendous name of God, in whose presence you sUuid, that you tell us plainly and truly, Avhether you are the Messiah, the Son of God. The consequence attending his confession of the truth did not in- timidate the blessed Jesus ; for being adjured by the chief magistrate, he immediately acknowledged the ciiarge, adding, Ye shall shortly see a convincing evidence of this truth, in that wonderful and unparal- leled destruction which I will send upon the Jewish nation ; in the quick and powerful progress which the gospel shall make upon the earth: and, finally, in my glorious appearance in the clouds of heaven at the last day, the sign you iiave so often demanded in confirmation of my mission. Upon our blessed Saviour's making this answer, a number of them cried out at once, " Art thou the Son of God ?" To which our great Redeemer replied, "Ye say that I am :" a manner of speaking among the Jews, which expressed a plain and strong affirmation of the thing expressed. When the high priest heai'd this second assertion, he rent his clothes witii great indignation, and said unto the council, Why need we to trouble ourselves to seek for any more witnesses ? Ye your- selves, nay, this whole assembly, are witnesses that he hath spoken manifest and notorious blasphemy ; what think ye? To which they all replied, that for assuming to liimsclf the character of the Messiah he deserved to be pu<^ to death. Then began the servants and common peo})le to fall ujxrn him as a man already condemned; spitting upon him, buffeting him, a'id of- fering him ail manner of rudeness and indignities. They blindlblded him ; and some of the council, in order to ridicule him for having professed to be the ^reat Prophet, bid him prophecy. i! m 360 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. CHAPTER XXXVII. a of wl OUn BLESSED RAVIOUn IS CARRIED BEFORE THE ROMAN GOVERNOR— THH TRAITOR JUDAS BECOMES HIS OWN EXECUTIONER — FILATE PUBLICLY ACQUITS JESUS, AND REFERS HIS CASE TO THE DECISION OF KEROD. The blessed Jesus being thus condemned by the unanimous voice of the grand assembly, it was resolved to carry him before the gover- nor, that he likewise might pass sentence on him. The Roman governors of Judea generally resided in Caesaroa ; but at the great feasts they came up to Jerusalem to prevent or suppress tumults, and to administer justice ; it being a custom for the Roman governors of provinces to visit the principal towns under their juris- diction on this latter account. Pilate,* being accordingly come to Jerusalem some time before the feast, had been intbrmee Lake of Lucerne, in Switzerland, now called Mount Pilatus, and that he spent jevcral years here, a prey to remorse and despair, and finally drowned himself iy the gloomy lake which.occupics the summit of the mountaii:^ ! THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 361 whose account it was raisod, for lie entertained a just notion of it : " lie knew that for envy they had delivered him." He knew the cause of their envy, was impressed with a favomble opinion of Jesus, and wished, if possible, to deliver him from his vile persecutors. Early in the morning the Jewish council brought Jesus to the hall of judgment, or governor's palace. They themselves, however, went not into the hall, but stood without, lest they should be defiled, and rendered incapable of eating the passover. Now Judas Iscariot, who had delivered his Master into the hands of the council, finding his project turned out very differently from what he expected, was filled with the deepest remorse for what he had done. He saw all his golden dreams of temporal honors and advan- tages sunk at once to nothing. He saw his kind, his indulgent Mas- ter condemned, and foi-saken by all his followers. He saw all this, and determined to make all the satisfaction in his power for the crime he had committed. Accordingly, he came and confessed openly his sin before the chief priests and eldere; offered them the money they had given him to commit it, and earnestly wished he could recall the fatal transaction of the preceding night. It seems he thought this was the most public testimony he could possibly give of his Master's innocence and his own repentance. I have, said he, committed a most horrid crime in betraying an innocent man to death. But this moving speech of Judas had no effect on the callous hearts of the Jewish rulers. They affirmed, that however he might think the prisoner innocent, and for that reason had sinned in bringing the sentence of death upon his head, they were not to blame, because they knew him a blasphemer, who deserved to die. " What is that to us ?" said they ; " see thou to that." Nay, they even refused to take back the money they had given him as a reward for performing the base act of betraying his Master. The deepest remorse now seized upon the wretched Judas, and his Boul was agitated by the horrors of despair. The innocence and be- nevolence of his Master, the many favors ha himself had received from him, and the many kind offices he had done for the sons and daugh- ters of afflictio'i, crowded at once into his mind, and rendered his tor- ments intolerable. Racketi with those agonizing passions, and unable to su})port the misery, he threw down the wages of his iniquity in the temple; and confessing at the same time his own sin and the innocence of his Mas- ter, went away in despair, and hangetl hinisel£ i 362 T II K LIFE O F C H R I S T. Thus pcrislit'd .Judas Lscariot, the traitor, a luif^iirahlc oxauiplu of the fatal inHueiieeuft-ovetousucss, and a sstaud'mj^ luouunieut of diviiu' vengeauce, to deter I'uture generations from acting in opposition to tiic dictates of eonscienee, througli a love of the things of tliis world, for which this wretched mortal betrayed his Master, his Friend, ids Sa- viour, and accumulated such a load of guilt on himself as sunk his soul into the lowest pit of perdition, 'i'lie pieces of silver cast down by Judas were gathered up and delivereil to the priests, who, thinking it unlawful to put them into the treasury, because they were the wages of a traitor agreed to lay thcin out in purchasing the potter's- field, and to make it a common burial-place for strangers. This the evangelist tells us was done, that a particular proi)liccy, relating to the Messiah, might be fulfilled: "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the i)otter's-field, as the liord appointed me." This prophecy is found in Zachariah ; but by a mistake of some copyist, the word Jeremiah is inserted in the Greek manuscripts of St. Matthew's gosj)el ; unless we sui)pose, with the learned Grotius, that this remarkable proj)hecy was first made by Jeremiah, and after- wards repeated by the immediate direction of the Spirit, by Zachariah ; and that, therefore, the evangelist has only ascribcnl the prophecy to its original author. But however this be, the prophecy is re- markable, and was remarkably fulfilled. And the evangelist, by thus appealing to a public transaction, puts the truth of this part of the his- tory beyond all manner of exception. We have already observed, that the chief priests and elders refused to go themselves into the judgment-hall, lest they should contract some pollutions in the house of a heathen, which would have rendered them unfit for eating the passover. The stime reason also hindered them from entering the governor's palace on other festivals, when that magistrate attended in order to administer justice : a kind of structure was, therefore erected, adjoining to the i)alace, which served instead of a tribunal or judgment-scat. This structure, called in the Hebrew Gabbatha, was finely paved with small i)ieces of marble of different colors, being always exposed to the weather. One side of this structure joined to the palace, and a door was made in the wall, through which the governor passed to the tribunal. By this contrivance, the ])eoplo might stand round the tri- bunal, in the oj)en air, hear and see the governor when he spake to| ani mi ai'i ed an no ai m: nil thi nil seii se< ws ul re of ai ai m S( ai 1 T U E L 1 F E O F C II 11 1 S T. 303 to them from the piivement, and ohscrve the whole iKhninistriUioii of justice, without (Uingcf of iK'iiig (Iclllcd oitlior hy hiiu or any of liis retinue. Before this trihinial tiie great Re(U'einer of mankind was brought, and the priests and ehlers having taiveu their places round the pave- ment, tlie governor ascended the judgment-seat, and asked them whnt accusation they brought against the prisoner. Though nothing could he more natural than for the governor to ask this (pieslion, yet llic Jews thought theni- selves highly aflroiit- ^ ed by it, and haughtily f answered, If he had not been a very great and extraordiiiiiry mah'liictor, we should not have given you this trouble at all, much less at so un- seasonable an hour. Pilate then examined Jesus, and finding he had not been guilty either of rebellion or sedition, but that he was accused of partic- ulars relating to the religion and customs of the Jews, grew angry and said. What arc these things to me? Take him your- selves, and judge him according to your own law. Plainly insinuating, that in his opinion the crime they laid to the prisoner's charge was not of a capital nature; and that such punishments as they were permitted by Ca;sar to inflict, were adc^ ^^ii^ 1.0 1^ m I.I 1.25 1.4 12 !.6 0% -% ^^ />i ^^ ¥^ t himself up fur a king. The eagerness of tiie Jews to get Jesus condemned by the Komaii governor, who often sentenced nmlefnc^tors to Ihj crncitied, tended to fulfil the saying of our great Retleemer, who, during the course of his ministry, had often mentioned what kind of death he was, hy the counsel of his father, nppointeil to die. Pilate finding it im|)088il)le to prevent a tumult, unh'ss he proceeded to try Jesus, ascendetl again the judgment-si-at, and commiinded hisaceusei's to prwluce their accu- sations against him. Accordingly they accused him of seditious practices, affirming that he had useersou : if this l»e not the truth, let me know what is, and the crime thou has Ikhmi guilty of. Jesus answered, I have indeed a kingdom, and this kingdom I have professcear witness to tlip truth ; and whosoever sincerely lovis, and is always rtidy to embrace the truth, will hear n\y testimony and be i-onvince*! by it. Pilate an- swered, What IS truth ? and immediately went out to the Jews, and said unto them, I have agtiin examined this man, but can find him guilty of no fault, which according to the Koman law, is worthy of death. This generous dwlaration made by the governor, of the inn(K'enc« of our blesseil Saviour, had no effect on the su|K'rstitious and bigoted Jews. They even jwrsisted in thei" accusations with more vehemence than Wfore, aflirming that he had attempteil t'> mise a stHlition in fialilce: "He stirreth up," said they, " the j)eople, beginning from Galilee to this place." Jesus, however, made no answer at all to this heavy charge. Nay, he continued silent, notwithstanding the governor himself expressly required him to 8|)eak in his own defence. A conduct so extmordinarv, in such ''ircumstanc'es, astonished Pilate exceedingly ; for he had great reason to be jjersuaded of the innocence of our dear Redeemer. The truth Ls, he was altoo^ether ignorant of the divine ctmnsel by which the whole affair was directed. There were many reasons which induced the blessed Jesus not to make a public defence. He came into the world purely to redeem lost and undone sinners by offering up himself a sacrifice for them, but Iiad he plraded with his usual force, the jKHiplc had, in all proba- bili y, been induced to ask liis release, and consfc|)oamI that Hcrrxl, in whoso (loniiiiioiiM tlic Knlition was sai<1 td Imvo Invii raised, niit a iiiiieh Ix'tter jiKlgc of the affair tlian hiiu- solf. Ik'siiiU-s, hi.-* licinjr a Jew rciidortHl him iiioro cx|)crt in the ivli- gioii of his own cotiiitn*, niul pave him gresiter iiiHiicnce over the <'hief priestn ami ehh-rs; he therefore fonsi(U'i*e«l liiiu as the most |>i*o|K'r |;erHHi to prevail on tiie JewL»h e«)inu'il to (hvsist from tht !r cruel i>ro!, hy tlii« aetion, to n'gjiin Herod's friendship, whieh he had fonnerly h«!«t hy encnwehiug, in all probability, on his privileges. iJut however tluit may Ik*, or whatever motive indueinl I'ilate to }«end our great Kedefnier to Herleasure of iM'holding him |H>rfonu mmuc great miraele. In this he wa.s however disappointed ; fJ>r as Herod had apostatized from the tist, to whieh he was onee j)robably a eonvert, and had even put his teaeher to death, the blesstnl Jesus, however liberal of his miracles to the sons and daughters of affliction, would not work them to gratifv the euriofiity of a tynuit, nor even answer one of the many quk^ions he pn>|)osoe a gross and malicious fal.>4>hood. Ami no crime M'orthy of death l)eing laid to his charge, Herod sc:. him again to Pilate. It seenis, that thousrh he w.is displeased witw tlic groat ReU'. At this feast there was one in pris(m named Barah- has, who, at the head of numbers of rebels, had made an insurretrtion in the oity, and committed nnmler during the confusion. The multitude being now again iissembled before the governor's palace, began to call aloud on him to perform the annual office of mercy customary at that festival. Pilate, glad of this opportunity, told them that he was very willing to grant the favor they desiretl ; and asked tiieni whether they would have Barabbas or Jesus reloasand, who was then sitting with the tribunal on the pavement, and begged him to have no hand in the death of the righteous i)erson he was then judging. The |)cople had not yet determined whether they would have Jesus or Bsirabbas r"leji8ed to them ; therefore, when Pilate received the nu'ssage from his wife he called the chief priests and rulers together, and in the hearing of the multitude, made a speech to them, in which he gave them an account of the examination which Jesus had under- gone, both at his own and Herod's tribunal, declaring that in both courts it had turnericstM the lionor of desiring to know their incli- nations in jKirticular, i)erha|)s with a design to .soAen their stonv liearts, ^ninteHtion, for he could hardly believe what he had himself heard. Hut on their agiiin diH;laring that they desired Ranib- })a8 might be released, he asked them what he should do with Jesus, which is calknl Christ? As if he had said, You demand that Burablms ehould be released ; but what shall I then do with Jesus? You can- not surely desire me to crucify him whom so many of you have ac- knowleilged as your Messiah ? But they cried, saying Crucify him, crucify him ! Then Pilate saith unto them, Why? what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Cnicify him!" They were so resolutely determined to have him destroyed, that, not- withstanding the governor urged them agsiin and again to desire his release, declared his innocence, ' nd oifereil several times to dismiss him, they would not hear it, uttering their rage, sometimes in hollow, distant, inarticulate murmurs, and sometimes in furious outcries ; to such a pitch were their passions raise According therefore to the Jewish rites, Pilate made the most sol- emn and public declaration of the innocence of our dear Redeemer, and of his resolution of having no hand in his death. But notwith* Bl b| CI THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 309 standing the solemnity of this declaration, the Jews continued inflexi- ble, and cried out, \tith one voice, " His blood be on us and on our children. " Drendful imprecation ! It shocks humanity 1 An imprecation which brought on them the dreadful vengeance of Omnipotence, and is still a heavy burden on that i)eriidiou8 {)eople! There is no madness equal to the madness of religious zeal ; there are no quarrels more bitter and unreasonable than church quarrels, for conscience comes in to give intensity to the struggle. The mob that clamored for the life of Christ were as unthinking as men always are who assume that they are right and all others are wrong. Nothing would cool their fervor except blood, the blood of the innocent. Be- fore such a rabble the robber was in luck, and gained his lil)erty. The Christ fared sadly, for he was not a robl)er. The governor, finding it impossible to alter their choice, released unto them Barabbas. And as it was the general practice of the Ro- mans to scourge those criminals they condemned to be crucified, Pilate ordered the blessed Jesus to be scourged before he delivered him to the soldiers to be put to death. The soldiers, having scourged Jesus, and received orders to crucify him, carried him into the Prsetorium or common hall, where they added the shame of disgrace to the bitter- ness of his punishment; for, sore as he was by reason of the stripes they had given him, they dressed him in a purple robe, in derision of his being king of the Jews. Flaving dressed him in this robe of inoc!t-majesty, they put a reed in his hand, instead of a sceptre, and r.der platting a wreath of thorns, they put it on his head for a crown, forcing it down in so rude a man- ner that his temples were torn and his face besmeared with his most precious blooe crucified, he was io 84 8t0 TIIK LIFE OF CHRIST. hopofl that if lir sIjowcmI him to tlio jicoplc in tliat condition they iniist relent, and ejinu-stly |H'titi«)n him to Ik? reUnused. Filled with (his thought lu* resolvt'rtunity of saving his life. As soon as the governor had finislunl his siM-eeh, Jesus apiK-arinl on the pavement, his hair, his i'tuv, his shoulders all clotted with Mood, and the purple robe bedaulMHl with spittle of the s«>ldiers. And that the sight of Jesas in this distress might make the greater impression on the |>eo- ple, Pilate, while he was coming forward, criwl out, " Behold the man !" As if he had s;iid. Will nothing make you relent? Have yo lost all the feelings of humanity, and bowels of compsussion? Can you Ix'Ar to see the inncN-ent, a son of Abndiam, thus injured? But all this was to no pur|V)se. The priests, whoso rage and malice had extinguishtnl not ctnly the si'utiments of justice and feelings of pity natural to the human hrart, but also that love which countrymen l)ear for ejich other, no soon.r sjiv -sus than th(>y Ixigan to fear the fickle i)opulace might relent; and therefore, laying dect»ncy aside, tl'cy led the way for the multitude, crying out, with all their might, "Crucify him ! crucity him !" Pilate, vexed to see the Jewish rulers thus obstinatelv lient on the destruction of a |)erson from whom they had nothing to fear that was dangerous, either with reg-ard to their church or stite, passionately told them, that if they would have him crucified, they must do it themselves ; because he would not suffer his people to murder a man who was guilty of no crime. But this they also refused, thinking it dishonorable to receive permissi without the highest tlogree of guilt. " We have a law, and hy our law he ought to die, be<'au8e he made hiniHelf the Son of God." When Pilate heard that Jesus eallest; or, perhaps, he was himself more afraid than ever to take away his life, because he 8US|>eeted it might l)c true. He doubtless rememberetl the miracles said to have Imh'U iH'rformeeareopular fury constrains you to do unto me. Thou hast thy power from above, from the emperor ; for which cause the Jewish liigh priest, who hath put me into thy hands, and by pretending that I am Ctesar's enemy, forces thee to condemn me; or, if thou refusest, will accuse thee as negligent of the emperor's interest; he is more guilty than thou. " He that delivered nie unto thee hath the greater sin." This sweet and modest answer made such an impression on Pilate, that he went out to the people, and declared his intention of releasing Jesus, whether they gave their consent or not. U|K>n which the chief priests and rulpi*s of Israel cried out, " If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend : whosoever niaketh himself a king, s|)eaketh against Caesar." If thou releasest the pris- oner, who hath set himself up for a king, and has Iwcn accuseiocused to TIIm'- ritts, who ill all affairs of govorninont always susixx'tcd the worst, and punished the most minute crimes relative thereto with death. The governor Ixjing thus constmined to yii'ld, contrary t<» his inclination, was very angry with the j)riest« for stirring nj) the people to such a pitch of madness, and determined to affront them. He, therefore, brought Jesus out a second time into the {Kivcment, wearing the pur- CHRIST 8 ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. pie robe and the crown of thorns; and, pointing to him, said, " Behold your king!" ridiculing the national ex|)cctation of the Messiah. This sarcastic-al expression stung them to the quick, and they cried out, "Away with him ! away with him ! Crucify him ! " To which Pilate answered, with the same mocking air, " Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Ciesar." Thus did they publicly renounce their hope of the Messiah, which the whole economy of their religion had been calculated to cherish ; they also publicly acknowledged their subjection to the Romans ; and con- sequently condemned themselves when they afterwards rebelled against the emperor. ■ THE LIFE OF C II III ST. 873 9 CHAPTKR XXXiX. TII« IWNOTKNT AND IMMACt'I.ATK KKORKMKK IH I.KH FORTH TO MOPNT CAI.VAKY, ANDTUKKK KtNOMINIOlHI.Y fUl'CIKIKI) IIKTWKKW TWO NimiKIOl'H M AI.KKAl-TOltH — KEVILED BY TIIK HPR.TATOR8— A PIIENOMKNON Al'I'KAIM ON TIIK IMIHJHTANT (KX'A«ION— OUR LOUD ADDRBBSES lilS KUIKNDS FliOM THE CU08H, AND OIVE8 It' THE OHOHT. The solemn, tlte awful period now approaolied, when the Son of God, the Rwleeiner of the world, was to jiudergo the oppressive bur- den of our siuH upon the tree, and submit uuto death, even the (lenth of the cross, that we might live at the right hand of God for ever and ever. Sentence being pronounced upon the bU'ssed Jesus, the soldiers were ordcrwl to prepare for his execution • a command which they readily obeyed, ainl, after clothing him in his own garments, led him away to crucify him. It is not said that they took the crown of thorns from his temples; probably he died wearing it, that the title placed over his head might Ikj the better understoml. This title was written in Greek, and Hebrew, and Latin — significant fact; for as these were the three groat languages of the world, the fa<'t that Jesus was called King in each of them, although in derision, was nothing less than a prophecy that in all languages and auH)ng all nations his name should be known, his kingship should be acknowl- edged, and his peaceful reign be established. Like those three languages, all the languages of earth shall proclaim Jesus as the King. It is not to be expected that the ministers of Jewish malice re- mitted any of the circumstances of affliction, which were ever laid on persons condemned to be crucificil. Accordingly Jesus was obligeHUH, Itiit to prt'vciit IiIh (lying with the latiguc, uiul l>y that iiicaiis cluilu hi8 puii- iHhiiu'iit. The hU-sswl JfMUs, ill this jouriioy to Calvary, was followwl hy an innuiiu'rahle multitude of jK'opIc, particularly of wonu'i), who la- nieiitcHl hitt«rly tho severity of his sfntoneo, and showeil all the tokens of sineere eoin|)assion and grief. Jesus, who always felt the wtx>s of others more than he did his own, forgetting his ilistress at the very time when it lay heaviest upon him, turned himself alxmt, and, witii a lu'iievolenee and tenderness truly divine, sjiid to them, *' Daughtei-s of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for youi'selves, and for your c'lihlren. For, behold, the day« are coining, in the which they shall say, Liessed are the Iwirren, and the wouibs thivt never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains. Fall on us, and t^) the hills, Cover us. For, if they do these things in a groen tree, what shall he done in the dry?" Luke xxiii. 28, etc. As if he had said, Dry up these tears, ye daughti>rs of Jcrusjilem, which ye shed in c^ni- l>assion to me, and reserve them for the dcplomble fate of yourselves and of your children ; for the calamities that will soon fall on you and your offspring are truly terrible, and call for the bitterest lamen- tations. In those days of vengeance you will jNtssionately wish that you had not given birth to a generation whose wieketlncss has ren- dered them the objects of the wrath of the Almighty to such a degree as never was before experienced in the world. Then shall they wish to be crushetl under the weight of enormous mountains, and concealed from their enemies in the bowels of the hills. The thoughts of these calamities afflict my soul far more than the feeling of my own suffer- ings ; for if the Romans are permitted to inflict such punishments on me, who am innocent, how dreadful must the vengeance be which they shall inflict on a nation whose sins cry aloud to Heaven, hasten- ing the pace of the divine judgments, and rendering the perpetrators as pro[>er for punishment as drink it. being determined to bear bis sufferings, however sharp, nDt by in- y tup: life of c h r i s t. 375 toximtiiig uiul Htu|M>tyiiig himsolt', Imt liy the strciigtli of paticiKx;, ibrtitiido, uikI t'uitli. ,]v»un Imving rrriistil the |HitiK>eeh- ing his Ileaveidy Father to fltrgive them, and cxeusiiig them himself hy the only cireumstanee that could alleviate their guilt; I mean, their ignorance. " Father," said the compassionate Ile- deemer of man- kind, " forgive them, for they know not what they do." This was infinite meek- ness and gcKxlness, truly worthy of the only-lx'gotten Son of God ; an example of for- giveness which, though it I'an never be ccjualled 1)V anv, should be imitated hy all. J^ut behold the nppoiiiteossible for him now to escape out of their hands. V \ 378 THE LIFE OF CHRIST. The soldiers also joiiuMl in this jjcncnil Htfiie of iiKK'kcrv : " If thou be the kinj^ of the Jews," siiid they "sjive thyst'lf." It' then art the great Messiaii c'.\|)e<-tiHl hy the Jews, (Ifscciul I'roiu the crosii by mira- cle, and deliver thyself from these exeriieiating torments. Nor did even one of the thieves forbear moeking the great Lord of heaven and wirth, though laboring himself under the most racking pains, and struggling with the agonies of death. But the other exercised a most extrsiordinary faith, at a time when our great Redeemer was in the highest alflietion, mocketl by men, and hanged upon the cross, as the most ignominious of malefactors. This Jewish criminal seems to have entertained a more rational and exalted notion of the Messiah's kingdom than even the disciples them- selves. They expected nothing but a set-ular empire ; he gave strong intimations of his having an idea of Christ's spiritual dominioji; for at the very time when Jesus was dying on the cross, he begged to be rememl)cred by him when he came into his kingdom. " Lonl," said he, " remember me when tliou <'omest into thy kingdom." Nor did he make this request in vain : the great Redeemer of mankind an- swered him, " Verily, I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." But let us attentively consider the history of our blessed Saviour's passion, as it otfei-s to our view events absolutely astonishing. For when we remember the perfect innocence of our great Retleemer, the uncommon love he bore to the children of men, and the many kind and benevolent offices he did for the sons and daughters of affliction ; when we reflect on the esteem in which he was lield all along by the eommon people, how cheerfully they followed him to the remotest corners of the country, nay, even into the desolate rt'treats of the Avilderness, and with what pleasure they listenei' to his discourses ; when we consider these particulars, I say we cannot help btnng aston- ished to linil them at the concliLsion rushing all of a sudden into the opposite extremes, and every individual as it were combinetl to treat him with the most barbarous cruelty. When Pilate asked the peoj)le if they desired to have Jesus released, his disciples, though they were very numerous, and might have made a great api)earance in his behalf, remainetl absolutely silent, as if they had been speechless, or infatuated. The Roman soldiers, notwithsfcinding their general had declared him innocent, insulted him in the most inhuman manner. The scribes and Pharisees ridiculetl him. ^ THE li I F E OF CHRIST. 379 The common people, wlio had received him with hosanims a lew (hiy.s before, moekotl him as they pa.ssetl by, and railed at him a.s a deceiver. Nay, the very tliief on the cross reviled him. This snddeii revolution in the humors of the whole nation muy seem unaccounta- ble. But if we eouhl assign a i)roiK'r reason tor the silence of the disci[)lcs, the i)rin{rip]e8 which influenced the rest mijiht be discovered in their several speeches. The followers of the blessed .Jesus had attached themselves to him in expeiut8 into his blessed licad, that head which was ever meditating peace to poor, lost and undone sinners, and spent many a wakeful night in anient prayers for their happiness! See him lalraring in the agonies of death, l>reat)iii.g out his soul into the hands of his Almighty Father, and praying for his t'ruel eneniios! Was ever love like this? Was ever benevolence so gloriously dis- playetl ? But sec the sun, that glorious luminary of heaven, as it were, hides his face from this detestable action of mortals, is wrapped in the pitchy mantle of chaotic darkness ! This preternatural ecli|>se of the sun continued for three hours, to the great terror and astonishment of the i>eople present at the cruci- fixion of our ilear Redeemer. And surely nothing could be more proper than this extraordinar\' alteration in the face of nature, while the Sun of Righte«)usness was withdrawing his beams, not only from the promisetl land, but from the whole world ; for it was at once a miraculous testimony given by the Almighty himself to the innocence of his Son, and a proiier emblem bf the departure of him who was the light of the world; at least till his luminous rays, like the beams of the morning, shone out anew with additional splendor in the ministry of his apostles. Nor was the darkness which now coverever, at which time our dear Redeemer suffered, was always celebrated at the full. Besides, the total darkness of an eclipse of the sun never exceeds twelve or fifteen minutes, whereas this continued three full hours. Nothing, therefore, but the immediate hand of that Almighty Being, which placed the sun in the centre of the i)laiietary system, could have producetl this astonishing darkness. Nothing but Omnipotence, who first lighted tins glorious luminary of heaven, could have de- prived it of its cheering rays. Now, ye scoffers of Israel, whose blood have ye so earnestly desired, and wished it might fall upon you and your children ? Behold all nature is dressed in the sable veil of sor- row, and, in a language that cannot be mistaken, mourns the depart- ure of its Lord and Master, weeps for your crimes, and deprecates the vengeance of heaves upon your guil^ heads I Happy for you that r THE tiFE 1<^ CHRIST. 381 this suffering Jesus is compassion itself, and even in the agonies of death prays to hid heavenly Fatiier to avert from you the stroke of ills justice I This preternatural eclipse of the sun was considerwl as a miracle iiy the heathen themseK cs ; and one of them cried out, " P^ither the world is at an end, or the Gotl of nature suffers !" aneen the custom of tin* 'cws, ir nit'xing quotations, to mention only the first wonlsof the Psalm or section which they cite. If so, as this Psalm contains the most re- markable particulars of our dear Redeemer's |)assion, l)eing as it were, a summary of all the prophecies relative to that subject, by repeating it on the cross, the blessed Jesus signified that he was now accompliHhing the things that were predicted concerning the Messiah. And as this Psalm is composed in the form of a prayer, by pro- nouncing it at this time, he also claimed of his Father the perform- ance of all the promises he had made, whether to him or to his people. Some of the people who stood by, when they heard our blessed Saviour pronounce the first words of the Psalm, misunderstood him ; probably from their not hearing him distinctly, and concluded that he called for Elias. Upon which one of them fiUetl a sponge with vine- gar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink ; being desirous of keep- ing him alive as long a possible, to see whether Elias would come to take him down from the cross. THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 383 But asfloon as Josiis had tasted the vinegar, he said, " It is finished." That ie, the work of man's redemption is aecoinplished : that great work which the only-lx»gotteM Son of God came into the world to perform, is finishe !S(il)butli was putiMxl, to return to tliu nepul- chrc, uiul cinbulnj the Ixxly of tlu'ir dciwl Saviour, by unointinj; and uwatliing iiini in tlu; nianucr then coniniun uniong the Jcwh. Ao- cordingly tliey retiree8. During these tmnsaetionft, the ehief priests ami Pharise***, remcin- iK'ring that Jesus had more than onec predieted his own resurrection, came to the governor and informe'- vent these guards from combining with the disciples in carrying on any fraud, placed them at their post, and sealed the stone which was rolled to the door of the sepulchre. Thus, what was designed to expose the mission and doctnnea oi' Jesus as rank falsehood and vile imposture, proved in fact the strong- est confirmation of the truth and divinity of the same that could possi- bly be given ; and placed what they wanted to refute, which was hi-" resurrection from the dead, even beyond a doubt. »XM T UK li 1 K 14 O K G 11 K 1 S V CHAPTER XLI. TWO I'lonn WOlfRN OO TO VIBW TOK HKI>UI4;nRV OF THKIU CUDril'IKn i-oitn Ann ■AVIomi — AN AWFUI. rilKNOMKNON UAl'rKNS — A MI MSTKIII N4I KPIIIIT DK- aCEM)H— TUK IlKUUKHKU UOIUTa TIIK OIIAINH OK UKATII, AND iUSKH KItOM Tlljt TOUU. Vkiiy early in the inorninj;, aflor the Sahbutli, ISIary Mai^dau'in" and tli(! ofhor Mary (."ame to visit the stipulnhre, in order to einln^hn our Lordrt body; for the jM'rfbrniauce of \vlii(!h they liad, in concert with sovend other women from (ialiiee, brought ointments an«l wpiees. THE BE8UURECTI0N. But l)efore they reached the sepulchre, there was a great carthqi'aks preceding the most memorable event that ever happened among the children of men — the resurrection of the Son of God from the ('lead. " Per the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His counte- nanoe was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow ; and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men ;" they fled into the city, and the Saviour of the world rose from the dead. THK L;FK of ClIKIHT. MO Tliu nni;cl, wlio liar) till then 8at U[)on the Rtono, quitted \m HtatioD, and ontenid into tlio wpulohrc. In the nieiuitinie, Mary Magdalene and tho other Mary were Btill m their way to the place, together with Salome, who joined them on the roasole obntaele to their design, (for it does not ap|tcjir tlii-y knew any- thing of the guard,) they lil'te«l uj> their eyes, anil perceived it was already rolled away. Alarnunl at so extraordinary and unexjHietwl a eireumstanee, Mary Magdalene concluded that the stone could not have been rolled away without some design, and that those who rolleil it away could have no other intent than that of removing our Ix)rd's btxly. Inmgining, by apfxjarances, that they had really done soj she ran immediately to acquaint Peter and John with what she had seen, and what she sus- |Kx;ted, having Mary and Siilomc there, that if the other women should arrive during her absence, they might acquaint them with their sur- prise at linding the stone removed, and of Mary Magdalene's running to inform the apostles of it. In tiie meantime the soldiere, who were terrified at seeing an awful messonger from on high roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and o}>en it in quality of a servant, fled into the city, and informed the Jewish rulers of these miraculous appearances. This account was highly mortifying to the chief priests, as it was a proof of our Saviour's resurrection that could not be denied ; they therefore resolved to stifle it immediately, and accordingly bribed the soldiers; to eontieal the real fact, and to publish everywhere that hia disciples had stolen the body out of the pepulehre. What! the body taken away while tlie place was guarded by Ro- man soldiers! Yes, according to these wise priests, the disciples stole the body while the soldiers slept ! A story so inconsistent, and which so evidently carries the marks of its own confutation with it, deserves no answer. The priests themselves could net be so stupid as not to foresee what construction the world would put upon the acaiunt given by persons wljo prct^ended to know and tell what was done while they were asleep. tM THE li I P H OF H R I 3 T. CHAPTER Xm. THK ANGEL ADDRBSSBS THK PIOUS WOMBN — TWO DISCtPLBS OO TO THE BBPUL- CHKK — JE8U8 APPKAU8 TO MAUY MAQDALKNE — AFTBUWAKDS TO A COMPANY OK WOXBIf — PETKU MEETS HIH 1,I>IU> AND HA8TEK, AKTEK HIS KEHUUKECTION. While Mary Magdalene was going to inform tiie disciples that the stone was rolled away from the mouth of the sepulchre, and the body taken away, Mary and Salome continued advancing towards the place, and at their arrival found what they expected, the body of their beloved Master gone from the sepul(;hre where it had been de- j)osited by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea ; but at the same time beheld, to their great astonishment, a beautiful young man in shining raiment, very glorious to bel.old, sitting on the right side of the sepulchre. Matthew tells us, that it was the angel who had rolled away the •fjne, and frightened away the guards from the sepulchre. It seems he had now laid aside his terrors in which he was tiien arrayed, and assumed the form and dr(«s of a human being, in order that these pious women, who had accompanied our Saviour during the greatest part of the time of his public ministry, might be as little terrified as |>ossible. But notwithstanding his beauty and benign appearance, they wore greatly affrighted, and on the point of turning back, when the heav- enly messenger, to banish their fears, told them, in a gentle accent, that he knew their errand. " Fear not," said he, " for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here ; for he is risen, as he said :" and then invited them to come down into the sepulchre, and view the place where the Son of God had lain : that is, to look on the linen clothes, and the napkin that was about his head, and which he had left behind him when he arose from the dead : for to look at the place in any other view would not have tended to confirm tlieir faith of his resurrection. The women greatly entx)uragcd by the agreeable news, as well as by the })eculiar accent with which this blessed nu^psengor from the heavenly Canaan delivered his speech, went down into the sepulchre, when behold another of the angelic choir appeared ! 302 THE LIFE OF OHKIST They did not, however, yet seem to give sufficient credit to what was told them by the angel : and therefore the otlier gently reproved', them for seeking the living among the dead, with an intention to do him an office due to the latter, and for not believing what was told them by a messenger from heaven, or rather for not remembering the words which their great Master had himself told them with regard to his own resurrection, " Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, l)ut is risen : remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying. The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." When the women had satisfied their minds by looking at the place where the Lord had lain, and where nothing was to be found but the linen clothes, the angel who first appeared to them resumed the dis- course, and bade them go and tell his disciples, particularly Peter, the glad tidings of his Master's resurrection from the dead ; that he was going before them to Galilee, and that thv-y should there have the pleasure of seeing him. The reason why the disciples were ordered to go into Galilee i« meet their great and beloved Master seems to be this: they were. now most of them in Jerusalem, celebrating the passover ; and it may be easily imagined, that on receiving the news of their Lord's resurrec tion, many, if not all, would resolve to tarry in Jerusalem, in expeo- tafion of meeting him there ; a thing which must have proved of great detriment to them at that time of the year, when the harvest was about to begin, the sheaf of first-fruits l)eing always offered on the second day of the passover-week. In order, therefore, to prevent their staying so long from home, the message was sent directing them to return into Galilee, with full assur- ance thaC they should there have the pleasure of seeing their great Lord and Master ; and by that means have all their doubts reraovefl,. and be fully convinced that he had patiently undergone all his suffer- ings for the sins of mankind. The women, highly elated with the news of their Lord's resurrec- tion, left the sepulchre immediately, and ran to carry the disctiples the glad tidings. — - During these transactions at the sepulchre, Peter and John, having been informed by Mary Magdalene that the stone was rolled away and the body of Jesus not to be found, were hastening to the grave, and missed the women who had seen the appearance of angels. THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 893 ThG disciples being astonishetl at what Mary Magdalene had told tlicin, and desirous ol' having their doubts <'leare time. Jesus repeated the same questioti used before by the angel: "Woman, why weepest thou?" To which Mary, who now supposed him to be the gardcMier, answered. Sir, if his body be trouble- some in the septdehns and thou hast removed him, tell me where he Is deposited, and T will take him away. But our blessed Saviour, 4194 THE LIFE OF CHRIST willing to remove her anxiety, called her by her iiaiiu>, with iii.s iisiiai tone of voice. On which i$lie iuiiiu'diatclv know him, and tUlliiit; down before him would have embnici'd his knees, acc^onliiig to that move all praise, if we remem'xT their late l)ehavior. T H K L I F K OF CHRIS T. 31)5 Simon, a Cyrenian, wsis compelled hy the Roman soldiers to vhavi him of iiis pondoroiis burden. But iiotwithHtuiiding they liad refused to iussist their Master during his sutterings for the sins of the world, he graciously, lie freely forgave them: he assured them of their par- don, and called thera even by the endearing name of brethren. There is something very remarkable in this part of the history. None of the apostles, or male disciples wen; honored with the appear- ance of the angels, or with tlie imnunliate news of the resurrection of the Son of God, much loss with tlie ap])earance of Jesus himself. The angels in the 8ei)ulehre kept themselves invisible all the time that Peter and John were observing the linen clothes, and satisfying themselves that the body of their Master was not there. Perhaps the male disciples in general were treated with this mark of disrcsjKX't, both because they had, with shameful cowardice, forsaken their Mas- tor when he was betrayed into the hands of iiis cnemios, and because their faith was so weak that they had al)Solutely despaired of his being the Messiah when they saw him expire on the cross. But how different was the conduct of the womon ! I^aying aside the weakness and timidity natural to their sex, they showed an uncommon niag- nanimity on this melancholy occasion. For, in (H)ntradiction to those of the Jews who so vehemently recpiired Jesus to be crucified as a deceiver, they proclaimed his iimocence by tears, cries, and lamenta- tions, when they saw him led forth to suffer on Mount Calvary ; ac- companied him to the cross, the most infamous of all punishments; kindly waited on him in his expiring moments, giving him all the consolation in their power, though at the same time the sight of his suffering pierced them to the heart; and when he expired, and his body was carried off, they accompanied him to his grave, not despair- ing, though they found he had not delivered himself, but to ap{)oar- anco was conquered by death, the universal enemy of mankind. Per- haps these pious women entertained some faint hopes that he would Btill revive, or, if they did not entertain expectations of tliiit \<.'nu\ they at least cherished a strong degree of love for their I^ord, and determined to flo him all the honor in their power. A faith so remarkably strong, a love so ardent, and a fortitude so unshaken, could not fail of receiving distinguished marks of the divine approbation; and they wore accordingly honored with the news of Christ's resurrection before the male discipk-s had their eyes cheered with the first sight of their beloved Lord,, after he arose from tlie chambers of the grave, so that they preachod the joyful tidings ■of his resurrection to the apostles themselves. liiMl'ii ii|]||^f^--^-t-"^''-»--^'^'^-- «->: 396 T H K L I F E OF C U K 1 S T. The women, on their arrival, told as many of the disciples as tlu-y could find, that they had seen at the sepulchre tlie appearance of aiio-ols, who assur'xl them that Jesus was risen from the dead. This now information astonished the disciples exceedingly; and as they had before sent Potor and John to examine into the truth of what Mary Magdalene had told them concerning the body being removed out of the scpulr Peter and John; and perhaps were overtaken by Mary Magdalene on the road, unless we suppose that she arrived a few minutes before theni. But bo that as it may, this is certain, that they arrived either at or near the same time; so that their accounts of this miraculous event tended to con- firm each other. The disciples were now lost in astonishment at what the women had related; they considered the account they had before given them, of their having seen the angels, as an improbability, and now they seem to have considered this as something worse; for the evangelists tell us that they believed not. Peter, indeed, to whom the angel sent the message, was disposed by his sanguine temper to give a little more credit to their words than the rest ; possibly because the messengers from the heavenly Canaan had done him the honor of naming him in particular. Elated with the respect thus jiaid him, he immediately repaired again to the sep- ulchre; hoping, in all probability, that his Master would appear to him, or at least the angel who had so particularly distinguished him from the rest of the disciples. As soon as Peter ai rived at the F^pulchre he stooped down, and seeing the linen clothes lying in the same manner as before, he viewed their position, the form in which they were laid, and returned, won- dering greatly in hitnself at what had happened. 398 T II R L I P B OK C II 11 1 8 T. CHAPTER XLIII. JK8US APPKAUH ON DITRKS OCCASIONS TO DIKKKKKNT DISCIPLES — REPR0VE8 AN It t'ONVINCHa THOMAS OH' IIIB UN UKUEP—SIIOWB IIIMBKLK TO A OllKAT NUMBEIi OK UlS VOLLOWKIU IN UAULEE. Soon after the women's first return to the disciples with tlie news that they h;ul so<}n the appearance of angels, who told them that Jesus was risen Irom the dead, two of the brethren departed on their journey to a village called Eminaus, about two miles distant from Jerusalem. The concern tl.ey were in on account of the death of their great and beloved Mawtor, was sufliciently visil)le in their coun- tenances ; and as they pui"sued their journey, talking with one an- other, and debating about the things that had lately happened among them, concerning the life and doctrine, the sulferings and death of the holy Jesus, and of the report that was just spread among his dis- ciples of his l)eiiig that very morning risen from the dead, Jesus him- self overtook them and joined comi)any with them. As he a|)pearetl like a stranger, they did not in the least suspect that their fellow-traveller was no other than the great Redeemer of the sons of men. He soon entereeople, for the excellency of his doctrine, his humility of life, and the number, benefit, and greatness of his miracles. Our chief priests and elders, therefore, envying him as one who lessened their authority over the people, apprehended him, and found means to put him to deatli. ' THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 39» But wo firmly beliove lie would have proved himself the Messiah, or great deliverer. And this persuasion we a long time supported ; nor were we willing to abandon it, even when we saw him put to (Icatli. But it is now three days since these things were done, and tlicx'fore begin to fear we were mistaken. This very morning, indeed, a thing happened whitii extremely sur- prises us, and we are very solicitous with regard to the event. ISome women, who had entertained the same hopes and e.\pe( Uitions as we, going early in the morning to pay their last duties to their MastcT, by embalming his bcxly, returned with great haste to the city, and in- formed us that they had been at the sepulchre, but were disaj)pointed in not iiiuling the body: and, to increase our surprise, they added, that they had seen the a[)pearance of angels, who told them that Jesus was risen from tlie dead. This relation s;'cmed at first to us as not probable, nay, altogether incredible; but two of the com[)any going immediately after to the Bcpulchre, found everything exactly as the women had reported. They saw the; angels, but heard not anything of the bin"./ ; so that we are still in doubt and });'rplexity with regard to this wonderl'ul event. In reply Jesus saiil, Why arc yc so very averse to bolieve all that the prophets have with one voice predicted eojicerning the Messiah? Is it not clearly and very expressly foretold, in all the pro2)hetic writings, that it was appointed by the counsel of Omnipotence for the Messiah to sud'er in this manner, and that after sustaining the greatest indignities, reproach, and contempt from the malice and perverseness of mankind, and even undergoing an ignominious and cruel death, ho should be exalted to a glorious and eternal kingdom ? Having said this, he began at the writings of Moses, and explained to them, in order, all the principal passages, both in the books of that great legis- lator and the writings of the other prophets, relating to his own suffer- ings, death, and glorious resurrection. And this he did with such surprising plainness, clearness, and itrcngtli, that the two disciples, not yet suspecting who he was, were as much amazed to find a stranger so well acquainted with all that Jesus did and suffered, as they at first wondered at his appearing to be totally ignorant of these transactions. Tliey were also astonished to hear him interpret and apply the scriptures to their present purpose, with such readiness and convincing clearness of argument, as carried with it a strange and unusual au- thority and efficacy. When, therefore, ihey came to the village whither 400 THE L I F K OF C H K 1 S T. tliey were goinKHft>k tlieir Master for a spirit, notwithst^mding nmny of them were convinced that he was really fisfin from the dead, and were at that moment (ionversing al)out h'w resurrection. But, to dispel their fears and doubts, Jesus came forward, and arition. " Why are ye troulded,'' said the benevolent Redeenicr of mankind, "and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and niy feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not Hc«li and bones, riR ye see me have." These infallible prools sufficiently convinced the disciples of the truth of their Lord's resurrection, and they received him with rapture and exultation. But their joy and wonder had so great an effect on their minds, tiiat some of them, sensible of the great commotion they were in, suspended their belief, till they had considered the matter more calmly. Jesus, therefore, knowing their thoughts, csdled for meat, and eat with them, in order to prove more fully the truth of his rcaurrectioii from the dead, and the reality of his presence with them on this occasion. After giving this further ocular demonstration of his having van- quished the power of death and opened the tremendous jjortals of the grave, he again repeated his salutation, " Peace be unto you ;" adding, The same commission that my Father hath given unto nic I give unto you : go "you, therefore, into every part of the world, and preach the gospel to all the children of men. Then, breathing on them, he said. Receive ye the Holy Ghost to direct and assist you in the execution of your commission. Whosoever embraces your doctrine, sincerely repents, and believes on me, ye shall declare unto him the free forgiveness of his sins, and your declaration shall lie ratified and confirmed in the courts of heaven ; and whosoever -vthcr obsti- 2» 402 * THE LIFE OF CHRIST. nately rejects your doctrine, disobeys it, or behaves liiniself unworthily after he liath embraced it, his sins shall not be forgiven him; but the censure ye shall pass upon him on earth shall be confirmed in heaven. Thomas, otherwise called Didymus, was absent at this meeting of the apostles, nor did this happen without the special direction of Providence, that the particular and extraordinary satisfaction which was af\oi"wards granted him might be an abundant and undeniable testimony of the truth of our blessed Saviour's resurrection to all suc- ceeding generations. The rest of the apostles, therefore, told him that they had seen the Lord, and repeated to him the words he had de- livered in their hearing. But Thomas replied. This event is of such great importance that, unless, to prevent all possibility of deception, I see him with mine own eyes, and feel him with mine own hands, ])ut- ting my fingers into the print of the nails whereby he was fastened to the cross, and thrust my hand into his side which the soldicT pierced with his spear, I will not believe that he is really and truly risen from the dead. Thus have we enumerated, in the most explicit manner, the trans- actions of that day on which the great Redeemer of mankind arose from the dead ; a day highly to be remembered by the children of men throughout all generations. A day in which was fully com- pleted and displayed the conceptions lodged in the breast of infinite Wisdom ; even those thoughts of love and mercy on which the salva- tion of the world depended. Christians have, therefore, the highest reason to solemnize this day with gladness, each returning week, by ceasing from their labor, and giving up themselves to hearing and reading the word of God, pious meditations, and other exei'cises of religion. The redemption of mankind, which they weekly com- memorate, affords matter for eternal praise; it is a subject impossible to be equalled, and whose lustre neither length of time nor frequent reviewing can either tarnish or diminish. Eight days after the resurrection of our great Redeemer, the blessed Jesus showwl himself again to his disciples while Thomas was with them, aud upbraided that disciple for his unbelief: but knowing that it did not, like that of the Pharisees, proceed from a wicked mind, bnt from an honest heart and a sincere desire of being satisfied of the truth, he thus addressed himself to his doubting disciple : " Thomas," said he, "since thou wilt not be contented to rely on the testimony of others, but must be convinced by the experience of thy own senses. T H E L I P E O P C H R I S T. 403 behold the wounds in my hands, and roach hither thy hand, and Uirust it into my side, and doubt no longer of the reality of my resur- rection." 'rifomas was immediately induced to believe, by the invitation of his dear Master, antl, being fully satisfied, he cried out, I am abun- dantly convinced : thou art indeed my Lord, the very same that was crucified ; and I acknowledge thy Almighty power in having tri- uinplied over death, and worship thee as my God. To which tlu^ blessed Jesus replied : Because thou hast seen, Thomas, thou hast believed that I am really risen from the dead ; but blessed are they who, without such evidence of the senses, shall, uj)on credible testimony, be willing to believe and embrace a doctrine which tends so greatly to the glory of God and the salvation of the sons of men. St, John adds, that the blessed Jesus appeared on several other oc- casions to his disciples afler his resurrection ; and, by many clear and infallible proofs, not mentionetl by the evangelists, fully convinced them that he was alive after his passion. But that those which are mentioned are abundantly sufficient to excrite men to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the great Messiah so often foretold by the ancient prophets; and that by means of that belief they may obtain everlasting life, in the happy regions of the heavenly Canaan. Our blessed Saviour having, first by the angels and afterwards in person, ordered his disciples to repair to their respective habitations in Galilee, it is reasonable to think they would leave Jerusalem as soon as possible. This they accordingly did, and, on their arrival at their respective places of abode, applied themselves to their usual occupations ; and the apostles returned to their old trade of fishing on the lake of Tiberius. Here they were toiling with their nets very early in the morning, and saw Jesus stiinding on the shore, but did not then know iiim to be their Master, as it was somewhat dark, and they at a considerable distance from him. He, however, called to them, and asked if they had taken any fish; to which they answered, they had caught nothing. He then desired them to let down their nets on the right side of the boat, and they should not be dis- ajjpointed. The distnples, imagining that he might he acquainted with tlie places proper for fishing, did as he had directed them, and enclosed in tlieir net such a prodigious multitude of fishes, that they v,'crs uot abl« 41)4 THE L 1 F K OF CHRIST. to draw it into the bout, but were tbrce, and enlarged on the stu[)endous miracle of his resurrection, on which glorious event the whole Christian doctrine is founded. We shall conclude this chapter with a few observations on the general conduct of our blessed Redeemer, during his abode with men on earth. The human character of the blessed Jesus, as it results from the accounts given of him by the evangelists, for they have not formally drawn it up, is entirely different from that of all other men whatso- ever ; for, whereas they have selfish passions deeply rootetl in their breasts, and are influenced by them in almost everything they do,. Jesus was so entirely free from them, that the most severe scrutiny cannot furnish one single action in the whole course of his life wherein he consulted his own interest only. No, he was influeneeations, Jesus had no other business than that of doing the will of his Father, and promoting the happiness of the sons of men. Nor did he wait till he was solicited to extend his benevolent hand to the distressed. He M'ent about doing good, and always accounted it more I)les8ed to give than to receive; resembling God rather than man. He went about doing j?ood • benevolence was the very life of his soul ; "v'r *■ iw THE LIFE OP CHRIST. 409 he not only (Vu\ gootl to olytH'Ls j>resentetl to him ibr relief, but he in- dusiriou.sly sought them out, in order to extend his compassionate Hssirttanee. It is common litr persons of the most exalted faculties to be elated with success and api)lau.se, or dejected by censure and dis- appointments; but the blesscil Jesus was never elated by the one, nor depressed by the other, lie was never more courageous than when he met with the greatest opposition and cruel treatment; nor more humble than when the sons of men worshipped at his feet. He came into the world inspired with the grandest purpose that ever was formceon greater enemies to the progress of religion than those who delineate it in a gloomy and terrifying form ; nor any guilty of a more injurious calunniy against the gospel, than those who represent its precepts as rigorous impositions and unnecessary restraints. True religion is the perfection of human nature, and the foundation of uniform exalted j)lea8ure: of public order and private happiness. Christianity is the most excellent and the most useful institution, having the " pwmise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It is the voice of reason ; it is also the language of scripture ; tlie ways of wisdom "are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace ;" and our blessed Saviour himself assures us that his precepts we easy, and the burden of his religion light. The Christian religion is a rational service, a worship in spirit and in truth, a worship worthy of the majesty of the Almighty to receive ain'(l, and the soul weakened by sin. The aninial i)assions are strong and ct)rrupt, and oppose the dictates of the Spirit of God : objects of sense make powerful impreasions on the mind. Wo are, in every situati make his example the model of our lives^ Every motive of decency, gratitude, and interest constrain us to tread the j)ath9 he trod before us. -r~"fy ■ "'^ 416 THE LIFE OF CHRIS T. We sliould also rt'inenibci' that our burden is easy ; beoauso Gorf, who '•' knowctli whereof we iiro made, who considcreth that we are but dust," is ever ready to assist us. The heatiien sages themselves Imd some notions of this assistaneo, though guided only by the gliiu- mcring lamp of reason. But wiiat they looked upon as probable, the gospel clearly and strongly asserts. We there hear the apostle, exhorting, " Ijet us eome boldly to the thr^^no of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of nciul." Wo there hear the blessed Jesus Iiimself arguing in this convincing manner: " If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heaveidy Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" I would not here be imderstood to mean that the agency of the Spirit is irresistible, and lays a necessitating bias on all the faeultief and affections of men. Where this is the case, precepts and pro- hibitions, promises and threatenings, would signiiy nothing, and iluty and obligation would be words without a meaning. The Spirit assisteth in a manner agreeable to the frame of human nature, not controlling the free use of reason ; but by assisting the nndei'stand- ing, influencing the will, and renewing the afi'ections. But though we may not be able to explain the mode of his operations, the Scri)- tures warrant us to assert, that when men are renewed and prep!>''"d for heaven, it is through ssinctificatiou of the Spirit and belief of the truth. How eidivening the thought! how encouraging the motiv'! I We are not left to struggle alone with the difficulties which attend the practit-e of religion in the jjrcscnt imperfect state. The merciful Father of our spirits is ever near to help om* infirmities, to cnligliten the undei*standiug, to strengthen good resolutions, and, iu concur- rence with our own endeavors, to make us conqucsrors over all oppo- sition. Faithful is he to his promises, and will not suii'er the sincere and faithful to be tempted above what they are able to bear. What can be desired more than this ? To promote the hajjpiness of his people, everything is done that is requisite, his grace is all-suflfieicnt, his Spirit is able to conduct us through this vale of teara to never- fading bliss. We should also remember that the great doctrine of the gospel con- cerning the infinite mercy of God to all penitents, through Christ Jesus, greatly contril)utes to the consolation of Christians. Ijet it be granted that the hope of pardon is essential to the religion of fallen creatures, and one of its firet pi*inciples ; yet, considering tlie doubtb H E LIFE OF CHRIS T. 41T mul suspicions which are apt tx) arise in a mind conwious ol" guilt, it in undoubtedly a great, an inestimable favor, to be relieved in this resiKJct by a messenger irorn Omnipotence himseli". This is our hap- piness. We are not left to depend upon conse([uential reasonings, which the bulk of mankind are little usetl to ; but we are assured, that, u2)on our true repentance and believing in Christ, we shall, through his mediation, receive the full remission of past sins, and be restored to the same state of favor with our Maker as if we had never transgressed his laws. Here the gospel triumphs. With these as- surances it abounds. Upon this head the declarations of our blessed Saviour and his apostles are so exprass and full, that every one who believes them, and knows himself to be a true penitent, ought to banish every doubt and fear, and rejoice with joy uiis|)eakable. ■^'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. xi. 28. " All manner of sin and blasphemy .shall be forgiven unto men." Matt. xii. 31. " Be it known unto yoAi therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins : and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not l)e justified by the law of Moses." Acts xiii. 38, 39. "The blood of Jesus deanseth from all sin." John i. 17. What grace and favor is this! Who can dwell upon the transporting theme too long ! Now our way is plain before us, and the burden we are to bear is made easy. Our sins are par- donable if rej)ented of and forsaken. Consider this, all ye who have never yet regiirdetl religion, but pursued a coiu-se of vice and sensuality all your lives long. ThougU your conduct has Iwen base to the last degree, your |)Osed new and powerful motives to influence our minds and to determine our conduct. Nothing is enjoinwl to he believed but what is worthy of God, nothing to be practiced but what ia friendly to man. All the doctrines of the gospel are rational and (insistent : all its precepts are truly wise, just, and good. The gospel contains nothing grievous to an ingenuous mind : it debars us from nothing but doing harm to ourselves or to our fellow-creatures ; and permits us to range anywhere but in the paths of danger and destruc- tion. It only requires us to accept the remedy provided, to act Uj) to its excellent commands, and to prefer to the vanishing pleasure of sin, the smiles of a reconciled God and an eternal weight of glory. And is this a rigorous exaction, a heavy burden, not to be endured ? How can sinful mortals harbor so unworthy a thought? Surely no man who is a real friend to the csiuse of religion and to the interest of mankind can ever be an enemy to Christianity, if he truly understands it, and seriously reflects on its wise and useful ten- dency. It conducteth us to our journey's end by the plainest and securest path ; where the "stcj^s are not straitened, and where he that runneth stumbleth not." Let us, who live under this last and most gracious dispensation of €rod to mankind, ''count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowletlge of Christ Jesus our Lonl ;" and not suffer ourselves, by the slight cavils of unbelievers, to be " moved away from the hope of the gospel." Let us demonstrate that we believe the superior excellency of the Christian dis})ensation, by de- pending on Christ, and conforming to his precepts. Let us show that we are Christians in deed and in truth ; not by endless disputes about trifles, and the transports of a blind zeal, but by abounding in those "fruits of righteousness which are through Christ to the praise and glory of God." From what has been said, we may clearly perceive how groundless all those prejudices are which some conceive against religion, as if it were a peevish, morose scheme, burdensome to human nature, and in- consistent with the tnie enjoyment of life. Such sentiments are too apt to prevail in the heat of youth, when the spirits are brisk and lively, and the passions warm and impetuous ; but it is wholly a mis- take, and a mistake of the most dangerous tendency. The truth is. . \' THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 421 there is no pleasure like that of a good conscience, no real peace but what results from a sense of the Divine favor. This strengthens the mind, and can alone support it under all the various and unequal scenes of the present state of trial. This lays a sure foundation olan easy, comfortable life, of a serene, peaceful death, and of eternal joys and happiness hereafkir; whereas, vice is ruinous to nil our most valuable interests ; spoils tne native beauty and subverts the order of the soul; renders us the scorn of man, the rejecte' the Jews. But after his becoming a disciple of the bl"ssed Jesns, the additional title of Cephas was conferred upon him l)y his Master, to denote the firmness of his faith — the word cephas, in the Syriac, the common language of the Jews at that time, signifying a stone, or rock ; and thence he is called, in Greek, Petros, and by us Peter, which implies the same thing. With regard to the parents of St. Peter, the evangelists have also been silent, except in telling us that his fiither's name was Jonas, who ▼as highly honored by onr blessed Saviour, who chose two of hi» 425 ' 426 L I V K 8 O F T U K A I' O S T L K 3 80118, Andrew and Peter, to be his uiMwtles, and preachcre of the glad tidings of salvation to tlu! children ol" !iien. St. Peter, in his youth, was brought up to the trade of fishing on the lake of B(!thsai(la, famous for different kinds of fish, wiiieh exeelled all others in the fineness of their taste. Here he followed the trade of fishing, l)Ut afterwards removed to Capernaum, where he settled ; for we find he had a house there when our Saviour began his publie ministry, and there he paid tribute The business of Peter was both mean and servile; it exposed him to all the injuries of the weather, the tenipestuousness of the sea, and the darkness and horror of the night, and all to acquire a mean live- lihood for himself and fiimily. But meanness of worldly degree is no obstaele to the favor of (loil. Nay, if we review the state ol" Christianity, from its rise to the present |)eriod, we shall find that its friends and votaries eonsist rather of persons of lunnble and lowly stations in life, than of the great, the dignified, and the opident. And herein are manifested the wis(* and admirable methods made use of by Divine Providence, in making choice of such mean and unlikely instruments in planting and propagating the Christian re- ligion in the world. Men who were destitute of the advantages of education, and brought up to the meanest employments, were chosen to confound the wise, and overturn the learning of the great. Sacred history hath not ascertained of what sect the apostle was. We know, indeed, that his brother Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist, that preacher of repentance ; and it is very unlikely that he who was ready to carry his brother the early tidings of the Mes- siah, that the sun of righteouness was already risen in those parts, should not be equally solicitous to bring him under the discipline and influences of John the Baptist, the day-star which apj)earcd to usher in the glorious advent of the Son of God. Besides, Peter's great readiness and curiosity, at the first news of Christ's a|)pearance, to on his important mission, thought proper to select some particular |)erson8 from among his fbl- lowei's to be constant witnesses of his niimeles and doctrines, and who, after his departure, might Ihj entrustwl with the mru of building his (church, and planting that religion in the world for which he himself left; the mansions of heaven and put on the veil of inniiortality. lu order to this, he withdrew privately, in the evening, tt) a solitiuy mountain, where he sjK'nt the night in solenui addresses to his Al- mighty Father, for rendering the great work he was going to under- take prosperous and successful. Early the next morning the disciph^ came to him, out of whom he made choice of twelve to be his apostles and the constant attendants ■on his Jargon. These he afterwards invested with the power of working miracles, and sent them into different parts of Judea in ordei to carry on with more rapidity the great work which he himself had so happily begun. All the evangelists, in their enumeration of these apostles, ct»n- «tantly place St. Peter first. But we must not, on that account, sup- pose that St. Peter was invested with any personal prerogative above his brethren ; none of them ever intimated any such thing, and St. Paul says expressly, that he himself was not inferior to the very •chiefest apostle. Soon after this election, tha blessed Jesus, attended by Peter and the two sons of 2Jebedee, followetl Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, to his house, in order to restore his daughter, an only child, who lay at the point of death ; but before their arrival a messenger arrivetl with the news that the damsel was dead, and therefore it was unnecessary for our Saviour to give himself any further trouble. But our blessed Saviour bid the ruler not despair ; for if he believed, his daughter should yet be I'estored to her former health. And accordingly, on his arrival, he took the maid by the hand, and with the power of a word 430 LIVES OF T H K A I» S T L E S. recalled her fleeting spirit, which had quitted its earthly tahernacle, and restored her again to life and health. We have no further account of St. Peter in particular till the night after our Saviour's miraculously feeding the multitude in the wilder- ness. Jesus had ordcrctl his disciples to talm ship and pass over to the other side, while he sent the nniltitudc away. But a violent storm arising, they were in great danger of their lives, when their great Master came unto them, walking on the surface of the boisterous billows, with the same ease as if it had been dry ground. At his approach the discuples were greatly terrified, supposing they had seen a spirit. But their compassionate Master soon dispelled their fears, by telling tlieni it was he himself, and therefore they had no reason to be terriHed. Peter, who was always remarkable for bold resolutions, desired his Master to give him leave to come to him on the water, and on obtain- ing permi&sion he left the ship and walked on the sea to meet his Saviour. But when he heard the deep roar around him, and the waves increase, he began to be afraid, and as his faith declined his body sunk in the water, so that, in the greatest agony, he called for assistance to him who was able to save. Nor was his cry in vain ; the compassionate Redeemer of mankind strctcluHl out his hand, and aga!;i placed him on the surface of the water, with this gentle reproof, " O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" And no sooner had the blessed Jesus and his disciple entered into the ship than the winds ceased, the waves subsided, and the ship was at the land whither they were going. A miracle of this kind could not fail of astonishing the disciples, and convincing them of the divinity of his missi».,> : accordingly they drew near and worship[)ed him, with this confession : " Of a truth thou art the Son of God." The next day our blessed Saviour entered the synagogue of Caper- naum, and from the miracle of the loaves, took occasion to (discourse concerning himself as the true manna, and the bread which ca le down from heaven, opening to them the more sublime and spirifc^ial mys- teries of the gospel. On which great part of the audience, who ex- pected he w^as going to erect a temporal kingdom, and re-establish th» throne of David in Jerusalem, offended at his representing his domin- ion as entirely spiritual, departed from him, and came no more to hear his discourses. Jesus, on beholding this defection, turned him- self towards his disciples, and asked them whether they also would go 1 CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA, 481 432 LIVES OF THE A I' O S T L K S away. To which Peter replied, "Lord, wliither shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." To whom should we apply for life and salvation ? " thou art the way, the truth, and the life." The inhabitants of Judea, who beheld with astonishment the mira- cles wrought by the blessed Jesus, had formed many conjectures con- cerning him. (Jur great Redetsmer was not ignorant of this, but being willing to hear what account his disciples would give of the various opinions of the people, asked them what the world said con- cerning him. To which they replied, that some took him for John the Baptist, risen from the dead ; some thought him to l>e Elias, and others Jeremiah, or one of the old prophets. He asked them what they themselves thought of him ; to which Peter, in the name of the rest, answered, " Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God," anointed and set apart by the Most High to be the great King, Priest, and Prophet of Israel. This full and comprehensive declaration of Peter satisfied the in- quiry of our blessed Saviour, who answered, " Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah ; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." That is, this fiiifh which thou bant now confessetl is not human, or built upon the testimony of man, but upon that knowledge which I was sent from God to reveal unto tlie world : therefore I say also unto thee, " that thou art Peter, and upin this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not pre- vail against it." As thy name signifies a rock, so shalt thou prove firm, solid, and immovable in building my church, which shall be so firmly established by thy care and diligence upon that faith thou hast now professed, that all the assaults of men and devils shall not be able to destroy it. The disciples had no idea that their Master was to suffer death for the sins of the world ; on the contrary, they considered him as immor- tal, having imbibed the opinion of the Scribes and Pharisees, that " Christ abideth forever ;" so that when the blessed Jesus told them of the sufferings he must undergo at Jerusalem, what affronts and indignities he must suffer, and be at last put to death, with all the acts of torture and disgrace, by a sentence of the Jewish Sanhedrim, Peter, who could not endure the thoughts of his Master's suffering even the least punishment, much less those cruelties he had mentioned, and at last death itself, interruptei^l him very unseasonably, and said, " Be it far from thee, Lord ; this shall not be unto thee." He con- sidered thpMc sufferings as inconsistent with the character of the great ■is. i i i AND HOLY WOMEN. 488 Messiah, whom he expected woukl venture the s})leii(lor of the throne of David, his latlier, and reduce ail the Icingdoms of tlie earth to his obedience. But our blessed Savioui", who came down from heaven to give his life a ransom for the sins of the world, and who valued the redemption of mankind infinitely more than his own ease and safety, highly resented this speech of St. Peter, and accordingly returned this sharp reproof, *' Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an otteiice to me." Thy pernicious counsel, in seeking to oppose the design for which I purposely left the courts of heaven, is ottensive ; and thou " savoures* not the things of God, but those that be of men." Some time after, the great Redeemer of the souls of men, being to receive a specimen of his future glorification, took with him three of his most intimate apostles, Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and went up into a very high mountain ; and while they were employed in earnest adtlresses to the Almighty, he was transfigured before them, darting such lustre from his face, as exceeded the meridian rays of the sun in brightness ; and such beams of light issued from his gar- ments as exceeded the light of the clearest day : an event and sensible representation of that state when "the just shall walk in white robes, and shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." During this heavenly stjcne, the great |)rophets, Moses and Elias, appeared in all the brightness and majesty of a glorified state, familiarly conversing with him, and discoursing of the death and sufferings he was shortly to undergo, and his ascension to the heavenly regions of bliss and hap{)iness. After this heavenly scene, our blessed Ijord travelled through Galilee, and at his return to Capernaum, the tax-gatherers came to Peter, and asked him whether his Master was not obliged to pay tribute. When our blessed Saviour was informed of this demand, rather than give offence he wrought a miracle to pay it. Our great Redeemer was now going for the last time to Jerusalem, and he or- ilered two of his disciples, probably Peter and John, to fetch him an ass, that he might enter into the city on it, as had been foretold. The disciples obeyed their Master, and brought the ass to Jesus, who being mountetl thereon, he entered the city amidst the hosannahs of a numerous multitude, with palm-branches in their hands, proclaim- ing at once both the majesty of a prince and the triumph of a Saviour. The blessed Jesus proceeded from Jerusalem to Bethany, from whence he sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, to make prepa- rations for his celebrating the passover. Everything being ready, our 28 434 LIVESOFTHE APOSTLEfl blessed Saviour and his apostles entered the house, and sat down to table. But their great Master, who often taught them by example, ad well as precept, arose from his seat, laid aside his upjxsr garment, took the towel, and, pouring water into a basin, began to wash his tlisciples' feet, to teach them humility and charity by his own ex- ample. But, on his coming to Peter, he would by no means admit his Master to perform so mean and condescending an office. What ! the Son of (Jod stoop to wash the feet of a sinful mortal ! A thought which shockeil the apostle, who strenuously declared, " Thou shall never wash my feet!" But the blessed Jesus told him, that if he washed him not, he could have no part with him — insinuating that this action was mystical, and signified the remission of sins, and the purifying virtue of the Spirit of the Most High, to be poured upon all true Christians. This answer sufficiently removed the scruples of Peter, who cried out, " Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Wash me in every part, rather than let me lose my portion in thee. The blesseil Jesus liaving set them this pattern of humility, began to reflect on his approaching sufferings, and on the person who should betray him into the hands of wicked and cruel men, telling them that not a stranger or an enemy, but one of his friends, one of his apostles, and even one of them who then sat at table with him, would betray him. This declaration exceedingly affected them all in general, and Peter in particular, who made signs to St. John, to ask him particularly who it was. Jesus complietl with this request, and gave them to under- stand that it was Judas Iscariot. Our great Redeemer now began the institution of his supper, that great and solemn institution which he resolved to leave behind him, to be constantly celebrateil in his church, as a standing monument of his love in dying for mankind ; telling them at the same time, that he himself was now going to leave them, and that " whither he went they could not come." Peter, not well understanding what he meant, asked him whither he was going ; to which our great Redeemer re- plied, that he was going to that place whither he could not now, but fihould hereafter follow him, intimating the martyrdom he was to suf- fer for his Master's religion. Peter answereare and order would not have been observed in disposing of the linen clothes. But Peter did not wait long in suspense with regard to his great Lord and Master, for the same day Jesus appeared to him, and as he was the first of the disciples who had made a signal confession of the divinity of the Messiah's mission, so it was reasonable he should first see him after his resurrection ; at the same time to convince him that the crime he had been guilty of in denying him was pardoned, and that he was come, like the good Samaritan, to pour oil into his wounded conscience. Soon after the apostles prepared to obey the command of their great Master, by retiring into Galilee; and we find that Peter, Nathaniel, the two sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples, returned to their old trade of fishing on the lake. One morning, early, as they were laboring at their employment, having spent the whole night to no purpose, they saw on the shore a grave person, who called to them, and asked them if they had any meat, to which they answered, No. Cast, then, replied he, the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They followed hia directions, and enclosed a prodigious number of large fish. Aston- ished at such remarkable success, the disciples looked one upon another for son e time, till St. John told I'eter that the person on the shore was doubtless their great Lord and Master, whom the winds, the sea, and the inhabitants of the watery regions were so ready to obey. Peter no sooner heard the beloved disciple declare his opinion con- cerning the stranger, than his zeal took fire, and notwithstanding the coldness of the season, girt on his fisher's coat, threw himself into the sea, and swam to shore ; his impatience to be with his dear Lord and Master not suffering hirn to stay the few minutes necessary to bring the ship to land. i 488 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES As soon as the disciples came on sliore they tbuiui u tire iviudled, and fish laid upon it, either immediately created by the power of their Divine Master, or which came ashore of its own luxiord, and of- fered itself to iiis hand. But notwithstanding there were fish already on the fire, lie orderetl them to bring of those they had now caught, and dross them for their repast, he himself eating with them; both to give them an instance of mutual love and friendship, and also to as- sure them of the truth of his human nature, sincj he was risen from the dead. When the repast was ended ourblessetl Saviour addressed himself particularly to Peter, ging him to the utmost diligence in his care of souls: and becau;. he knew that nothing but a sincere love to himself could support him under the troubles and dangers of so labor- ious and difficult an employment, he inquired of him whether he loved him more than the rest of the apostles, mildly reproving him for his over-confident resolution, Peter, whom fatal experience had taught humility, modestly answered, that none knew so well as him- self the integrity of his affections. Thou knowest the hearts of all men, nothing is hid from thee, and therefore thou knowest that I love thee. The question was three several times repeated by our blessed Saviour, and as oftentimes answered by the apostle ; it being but just that he, who, by a threefold denial, had given so much reason to question his affection, should now, by a threefold con- fession, give more than common assurance of his sincere love for his Master; and to each of these confessions our great Redeemer added this signal trial of his affection, "Feed my sheep." Instruct and teach them with the utmost care and the utmost tenderness. The blessed Jesus having thus engaged Peter to a cheerful compli- ance with the dangers that might attend the discharge of his office, particularly intiinated to him the fate that would attend him ; telling him, that when Ife was young he girt himself, lived at his pleasure, and went wherever his fancy directed him ; but when he should reach the term of old age, he should stretch forth his hands, and another should gird and bind him, and lead him whither he had no desire to go, intimating, as the evangelist tells us, " by what death he should glorify God." Peter was well pleased to drink the bitter cup, and make his con- fession as public as his denial, providing all would be sufficient to prove the sincerity of his love. And seeing John following, he asked his great Master, what should be his, and whether he who AND HOLY WOMEN. 439 had been the object of his Muster's love in his lifetime, sliould nut have as honorable a death as he that had denied him. To wliich Jesus replied, It doth not concern thee to know how 1 shall dispose of events with regard to him : he shall see the destruction of the Jewish nation, and then go down to the chaml)crs of the dust in peace. Not long after our l)lessed Saviour appeared to his disciples at Jerusalem, to take his last farewell of them who hud attended him I luring his public ministry among the sons of men. He now led them out as far as Bethany, a small village on the Mount of Olives, where he briefly told them that they were the per- sons he had" chosen to be the witnesses both of his death and resur- rection ; a testimony which they should publish in every part of the world. In order to which he would, after his ascension into heaven, pour out liis Spirit upon them in an extraordinary manner, that they might be the better enabled to struggle with that violent rage and fury with which the doctrine of the gospel would be opposed by men and devils. Adding, that in the meantime they should return to Jerusalem, and there wait till those miraculous powers were given them from on high. Having finished this discourse, he laid hands upon them, and gave them his solemn benediction ; during which he was taken from them, and received up into the regions of the heavenly Canaan. The apostles, who beheld their Master visibly ascend into heaven, were filled with a greater sense of his glory than they had ever been while he conversed with them familiarly on earth. And having per- formed their solemn adorations to him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, there to wait for the accomplishment of their great Master's promise. The apostles, though deprived of the personal presence of their dear Lord and Master, were indefatigable in fulfilling the commission they had received from him. The first object that engaged their at- tention, after their return to Jerusalem, was to fill up the vacancy in their number, lately made by the unhappy fall and apostasy of Judas. In order to this, they called together the church and entered into an upper room, when Peter, as president of the assembly, proposed to them the choice of a new apostle. After filling up the vacancy in the apostolic number, they spent their time in prayer and meditation till the feast of Pentecost, when tL<) promise of their great Master in sending the Holy Ghost was 440 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. I'ultilled. Tlic Christian assembly were met, an usual, to perlonn the public services of tihir worship, when suddenly a sounti, like that of a mighty wind, rushed in upon them, representing the powerful effi- cacy of that Divine .Si)iiit which was now to bo eoninunii(;at(!d to tliem. After which there appeared small flames ol' tire, which, in the shaiic of cloven tongut's, descended and sat upon the head of vavh of them, to denote that the enjoyment of this gift should be constant and per- [K'tual, and not like the prophets of old, who were inspired only at Bonie particular times and seasons. Upon this they were all immedi- ately tilled with the Holy Ghost, which, in an instant, enabled them to si)eak fluently several languages which they had never loarnevvl<>(l^(> temple, and asking alms of those who entered the sacTed editice. This miserable object moved their compassion ; and Peter, beholding him with attention, said, The riches of this world, the silver and gold so highly coveted by the sons of men, are not in my j)o\ver to l)e8tow ; but I posseas the power of restoring life and health, and am ready to assist thee. Then, taking the man by the hand, he commanded him, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, to rise up and walk. Immediately his nerves and sinews were enlarged, and the several parts of his diseased members performed their natural functions. Upon which the man accompanied them into the ttunple, walking, leaping, and praising God. So strange and extraordinary a cure filled the minds of the people with admiration, and their (curiosity drew them around the apostles to view the men who had |)erform(;d it. Peter, seeing the multitude gathering round them, took the opportunity of speaking to them and as.suring them that this miracle was wrought not through his own power, but through that of the same Jesus of Nazareth whom they had crucifieen court of judicature, and in the hearing of all the people. The court aflter beholding them with a kind of astonishment, re- membered that they had seen them with Jesus of Nazareth, and there- fore ordered them to withdraw, while they debated among themselves what was pro|)er to be done. It was impossible to deny the miracle; for it was performed before all the people, and the person on whom it was wrought, no stranger in Jerusalem. They therefore resolved to charge them strictly not to preach any more in the name of Jesus. Accordingly they were again called in, and acquainted with this resolution of the council ; to which the apostles answered, that as they had received a commission from Heaven, to declare tt) all nations what they had seen and heard, it was certainly their duty to obey i, found themselves enal>le(l to preach the gospel of their great and beloved Master, with more boldness than ever. The labors of the apostles were (irowned with abundant success, and it seems that such w is the aversion of the inveterate Jews to those who Ix'came converts to the faith of Christ, that they were de[)rived of business in their respective callings; for we find that the professors of the religion of the holy Jesus sold their effects, and brought the money to the apostles, that they might deposit it in one common treasury, and from thence supply the several exigencies of the church. But hypocrisy was not unknown among the professors of religion, even in these primitive times. Ananias, and his wife Saphira, liaving embraced the doctrines of the gospel, pretended to follow the free and generous spirit of others, by consecrating and devoting ti eir estate to the honor of God, and the necessities of the chundi. Accordingly they sold their possessions, and brought part of the money and laid it at the apostles' feet, hoping to deceive them, though gu ^ by the Spirit of Omnipotence. But Peter, at his first coming in, asked Ana- nias how he could suffer Satan to fill his heart with such enormous wicked: ;s, as to think to deceive the Holy Ghost. That before it was sold it was wholly in his own power, and afterwards the money entirely at his own disposal ; so that his action was capable of no other interpretation than ihat he had not only abu."3CHi and injured man, but mocked the Almighty himself, who he must know was privy to his most secret thoughts. The apostles had no sooner finished, than Ananias, to the great surprise of all that were present, fell down dead by a stroke front Heaven. Not long after this his wife came in, whom Peter reproved in the same manner he had done her husband, adding, tL . she should im- mediately end her life in the Si me awful maaner ; upon which she was smitten by tlifl hand of Omnipotence, and fell down dead, sharing with her husband in the punishment, as she had before in the heinous A N D H O L V W O M K N . 445 crime. This remarkable instance of severity filled all the converts with fear and trembling, and prevented, in a great measure, that hy- pocrisy and dissimulation by which others might flatter themselves to lied. We certainly ought to obey God rather than man. And though you have so barbarously and contumeliously treated the Saviour of the world, yet God hath risen him up to be a prince and Saviour, to give both repentance and remission of sins. And of these things both we and the miraculous powers which the Holy Ghost hath conferred on all ChrL^ians are wit- nesses. 446 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES This answer, delivered witli remarkable Ijoldnesa, exasperated the council, and tliey began to consult howtiiey might destroy them. But Gamaliel, a gmve and learned counsellor, alter commanding the apostles to withdraw, desired them to proceed with caution in an af- fair of this nature, reminding them that several persons had already mised parties, and drawn great numbers of jiersons after them, but that every one of them had miscarried, and all their designs were ren- dered abortive, witiiout the interposition of "hat court. That they would, therefore, do well to let the apostles alone ; for if their doc- trines and designs were of human invention, they would come to nothing, but if they were of God, all their power and policy wovild be of no effect, and sad experience would too soon convince- them that they had themselves opposed the counsels of the Most High. This prudent and rational advice had the desired success ; the coun- cil were satisfied, and after commanding the apostles to be scourged, they strictly charged them to preach no more in the name of Jesus, and set them at liberty. But this charge had little effect on the dis- ciples of the blessed Jesus; tliey returned home in triumph, rejoicing that they were thought wortliy to suffer ai so righteous a cause, and to undergo shame and reproach lor so kind and so powerful a Master. The Ciristian doctrine had been propagated hitherto without much violence of opposition in Jerusalem, but now a storm commenced with the death of the proto-martyr Stephen ; nor did it end but wi Ji the dispersion of the disciples, by wiiich means the glad tidings of the gospel, which till now had been confined to Judea, were j)reached to the Gentile worlil, and an ancient prophecy fulfilled, which says, " Out of Sion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. '' Among the dispersed followers of the blessed Jesus was Philip, the deacon, who had retired to Samaria, where, by his preaching, exhor- tations, and miracles, he had converted many souls. The apostles, who continued at Jemisalcm, were soon informed of this remarkable success of Philip's ministry in Samaria, and thought it necessary to send him assistance. Accordingly, Peter and John were deputed to this infant cliurch, who having prayed and laid their nandj on the new converts, they received the Holy Ghost.'**" Among Philip's converts was one, Simon, who, by msi^c arts and diabolical sorceries, had gotten liimself much fame, and "liiti even 448 L1VE8 OF T HK APOSTLES claimed to have the |K)\ver of a god. Thiis inun cuiue to the aix)stles, and offered theiu nioney if tliey would invest hiiu with a portion of their power, so that whosoever he laid hands on might receive tiie Holy Ghost. Peter sternly rcbnked his sinful presumption, and showed him his sin with such stiirtling truthfulness, that the magician prayetl him to make intercession with God, that his sin might be forgiven and he escajK; the heavy judgments he deserved. The apostles did not stay any longer in JSamaria than was necessary to confirm the new converts in the iaith they had embraced, and to preach the glad tidings of salvation in the adjacent villages ; after which they returned to Jerusalem, to assist the rest of the disciples with their power. The storm, though violent, being at length blow ii over, the church enjoyed a time of calmness and serenity; during which St. Peter went to visit the churches lately planted in those parts, by the disciples whom the |)ersecution had dispersed. And at his arrival at Lydda, he miraculously healed .^neas, who had been afflicted with the palsy, and confinetl to his IxhI eight yeai-s; but on Peter's bidding him arise in the name of Jesus, he was immediately restored to perfect health. Nor was the success of this miracle confincnl to^lCneasand his family: the fame of it wjts blazed through all the neighboring country, and many believetl in the iloctrine of the Son of God. It was even known at Joppa, a seajjort town about six miles from Lydda, and the brethren immediately sent for Peter, on the following melancholy otx-asion : Tabitha, whose Greek name was Dorcas, a woman venerable for her piety and extensive charity, was newly dead, to the great loss of all mankind who loved genuine l)enevolence, especially the poor and afflicted, who were supported by her charity. At Peter's arrival he found her dressed for the funeral solenm'ty, and surrounded by mournful widows, who showed the coats and gannciits wherew^ith she had clothed them, the monuments of her liberality. But Peter put them all out, and, kneeling down, prayed with the utmost fervency ; then turning the body, he commanded her to arise, and, taking her by the hand, presented her in perfect health to her friends and others, who wen> assemble be all those of every land and tongue who should confess the faith of Christ crucified, and own him as their Lord and Master. The Apostle at once gave utterance to this conviction in glowing words, and while ho was thus sjK'aking to his hearers, the Ploly Ghost fell upon the greatest part of them. At this the Jews who ac- companied Peter marvelled exceedingly, to see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost wore poured tipon the Gentiles; and Peter seeing this told the company that he knew no reason why these persons should not be baptized, as they had received the Holy Ghost as well as they; and accordingly he gave ordera that they should be baptized; and t(t confirm them in the lioly faith they had embraced, he stayed with tlicm some time. Peter now returned to Jerusalem where he labored incessantly, in behalf of the church. Herod Agrippa, who had greatly pleased the Jews by putting the Apostle James to death, had Peter thrown into prison soon after his return to Jerusalem, intending to slay liim also. But the churches prayed earnestly for the apostle's deliverance, and God heard their prayers. On the very night before the day aj)pointed for the execution, an angel Avas sent from heaven to the dungeon where he found Peter asleep between his keepers. The angel raised him up, and took off his chains, ordered him to gird on his garments and follow him. Peter obeyed, and having passed through the first and second watch they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord. The angel also acc()mj)anied him through one of the streets, and then departed from him; on which Peter tame to himself and perceived that it was no vision, but that his great and beloved Master had really sent a messenger from above, and released him from prison. He therefore repaired to the bouse of Mary, whore many pious persons were assembled, offering up their prayers to the throne of grace for his safety. On his knocking at the door, a maid who came to let him in, knowing his voice, ran back to tell them that Peter was at the door : which they at first considered as the effect of fancy; but the damsei I'ontinuiug to affirm tliat it was AND HOLY WOMEN. 451 really true, they ooncl tided it was his nngel, or some messenger sent from the court of heaven. But opening (he door they wore eon- w 5!! a ft H a 3 C O vinced of their mistake, finding that it was really Peter himself, who briefly told them how he was delivered and, desiring them to inform his brethren of his being set at liberty, retired to another place. 452 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES Some time after this miraculous deliverance of Peter, a controversy arose between the Jewish and Gentile cunverts, with regard to observ- ing the Mosaic law; a dispute which gave great uneasiness to many persons; the Jews zealously contended that it was absolutely necessary to salvation to be circumcised, and observe the precepts of the cere- monial law, as well as those of the gospel. To compose this ditfer- ence, it was tliought necessary to summon a general council of the apostles and brethren to meet at Jerusalem. This was accordingly (lone, and the case thoroughly debated. At last Peter stood up, and declared that God having chosen him out of all the apostles to be the first preacher of the gospel among the Gentiles, God, who was best able to judge of the hearts of men, had borne witness to them, tliat they wore accepteil of him, by giving them his Holy Spirit, :is well as he had done the Jews, and consequently, that"there was no difference between them. They could not tlierefore place the Jewish yoke, which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear, upon the necks of the disciples, without tempting find provoking the Almighty, who had given sufficient reasons to believe that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, would be saved by the grace of the gospel. Tin's declaration of St. Peter convinced the church, and it was unan- imously decreed that no other burden than the strict observance of a few particular precepts, equally convenient to the Jew and Gentile, should be imposed on them. And the decision was drawn up into a synodical epistle, and sent to the several churches for allaying the heats and controversies this dispute had occasioned. Thus early in the history of the Christian Church did differences of opinion arise concerning doctrine and government. Such differ- ences are only to be expected, as every individual has a right to his own opinion and convictions, and it is important that, as in this case, a spirit of charity and toleration should prevail. Soon after this council Peter left Jerusalem, and wont down to An- tioch, where, using the liberty given him by the gospel, he freely ate, and conversed with the Gentile proselytes, considei'ing them now as "fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God." This he had been taught by the vision of the sheet let down from heaven : this had been lately decreed at Jerusalem ; this he had before prac- ticed with regard to Cornelius and his family, and justified the action to the satisfaction of his accusers, and this he had freely and innocently done at Antioch, till some of the Jewish brethren coming thither, he, for fear of ofiendiog them, withdrew himself from the Gentiles, as if / AND UOLY WOMEN. 453 it had been unlawful for liiiu toiiold conversation with uncircuniciscd porsoiis, notwithstanding he knew and wa.s fully satisiiod that our l)les.sed Saviour had broken down the wall of partition between the Jew and Gentile. By thus acting against the light of his own mind and judgment, ho condemned what he had approved, and destroyed the superstructure he had boiore erected ; at the same time he confirmed the Jewish zealots in their inveterate errors, fdled the minds of the Gentiles with scruples, and their consciencses with fears. Nor was this all ; the old prejudices between Jew and Gentile were revived, and the whole num- ber of Jewish converts following the apostle's example, separated themselves from the company of Gentile Christians. Nay, even Bar- nabas himself was carried away by this torrent of unwarrantable practice. St. Paul was now at Antioch, and resolutely opposed St. Peter to his face; he publicly reproved him as a person worthy to be blamed for his gross prevarication. He reasoned and severely expostulated with him, that he who was himself a Jew, and consequently under a more immediate obligation of observing the Mosaic law, should throw off the yoke himself, and at the same time endeavor to impose it on the Gentiles, who were never under the necessity of observing the (x^remonies of the Israelites. A severe though an impartial charge ; but the remarkable eagerness of St. Paul to place things on a projicr foundation, though he succeeded for the present, made a great noise afterwards in the world, and gave occasion to the enemies of Chris- tianity to represent the whole as a compact of forgery and deceit : of such pernicious consequence are diyjiutes among the principals of the church, and so fatal are the effects of pusillanimity, and a fear of of- fending persons bigoted to insignificant ceremonies. As we have already related all the transactions of this apostle that are founded on Scripture authority, ve shall now- have recourse to an- cient history for the residue of his life. Some time before this contest at Antioch, St. Peter preached the gospel in various parts of the world, enlarging the kingdom of his great Master, and spreading the glad tidings of salvation among the inhabitants of various countries; and among the rest, those of Home, then the mistress of the world. In that capital he is said to have continued several years, till the emperor Claudius, taking advantage of gome seditious tumults raised by the Jews, published an edict, whereby they were banished from Rome, and among the rest St. Peter, _jtfW . - ^^ .^^- ^J '^ ,%. .oJv^^% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 m 12.5 IIIM lliU 1.4 M 1.6 V} ^ /}. U;^, el e. e). Cif ^, ^i ■■?:■ o 7 e Photographic Sciences CorpoKition %' ^% 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4503 ri>^ Q>- I v\ ^ 454 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES who returned to Jerusalem, and was present at the synod already men- tioned. But how long he continued in the capita' of Judea is uncer. tain ; for we have no account of his transactions for many years. This however is certain, that he was not idle in ilio service of his great Master; and Eusebius tells us, from Mctaphrastes, that ho visitetl several of the western parts, where he continued several years, spreading the glad tidings of salvation in these remote places, an(l converting the several nations to the Christian faith. But however this be, whether St. Peter was or was not in these parts, it is certain that towards the latter end of Nero's reign he re- turned to Rome, where he found the minds of the people strangely bewildered and hardened against the doctrines of the gospel by the sorceries of Simon Magus, who, as lias already been observed, was chastised by Peter for his wickedness at Samaria. This monster of impiety not only opposed the preaching of the apostles, but also did all in his power to render them and their doctrine odious to tho emperor. St. Peter foreseeing that the calumnies of Simon and his adherents would hasten his death, took the greater pains, and was still more assiduous to confirm those who had been any ways instru- mental in converting to the sublime truths they had received ; and in order to this, he strongly opposed that gn at deceiver of mankind ; for in tlic last years of his life he seems to have wrote his two epistles to the dispersed Jews in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bythinia ; and in an appointed encounter with Simon, discovered his magical impostures, and, through the power and assistance of the Almighty, brought him to an exemplary and miserable death. The circumstiinces which attended this remarkable event are re- lated as follows: The apostle, meeting with Simon at Rome, and find- ing liira still pretending to be some great person, even the promised Messiah, he could not help opposing zealously his })resumptuors arro- gance. But Simon, more incensed by the opposition, offered to give the people such an evident demonstration of his being what ae pre- tended, that he would place the whole beyond contradiction by imme- diately ascending up into heaven. Upon this, by the help of some unperceived device, he raised himself from the earth, and seemears in the rebellion of Crassus. St. Paul was, therefore, born a Roman citizen, and he often pleads this privilege on his trials. It was common for the inhabitants of Tarsus to send their children Into other cities for learning and improvement, especially to Jeru- salem, where they were so numerous that they had a synagogue of their own, called the synagogue of the Cilicians. To this ca})ital our apostle was also sent, and brought up at the feet of that eminent rabbi Gamaliel, in the most exact knowledge of the law of Moses. Nor did he fail to profit by the instructions of that great master, for he so dili- gei.ily confirmed himself to its precepts, that, without boasting, he THE CONVERSION OF SAUL. tf7 468 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES asserts of himself, that toucliing the righteousness of the law he waa blameless, and defied even his enemies to allege anything to the con- trary, even in his youth. He joined himself to the sect of the Phari~ sees, the ujost strict order of the Jewish religion, but at the same time the proudest, and the greatest enemies to Chris'^ and his holy religion. With regard to his double capacity of Jewish extraction and Ro- man freedom, lie had two names, Saul and Paul, the former Hebrew, and the latter Latin. It was common for.the descendants of Benjamin to give the name f Saul to their cliildren ever since the time of the first king of Israel, who was chosen out of that tribe; and Paul wa8 a name as common among the Romans. We must also consider his traile of tent-making as a part of his education, it being the constant practice of the Jews to bring up their children to some honest calling, that in case of necessity they might provide for themselves by the labor of their own har ds. Saul having obtained a thorough knowledge of the sciences culti- vated by the Jews, and being naturally of a very hot and fiery temper, i became a great champion of the law of Moses, and the traditions of the elders, which he considered as zeal for God. This rendered him impatient of all opposition to the doctrine and tenets he had im- bibed, and a vehement persecutor of the Christians, who were commonly reputed the enemies and destroyers of the Jewish economy. Tiio first action we red to dispute with him, and uttered many blasphemous expressions against the name of Jesus of Nazareth; whereupon Paul told them, that, as the Jews would not accept the salvation ollered them, the gospel was henceforth to be preached to tlic Gentiles as well. This declaration caused the Gentile hearers of the apostles to njoiee exceedingly, magnifving the words of the Almighty, and .nany of them embraced the doctrines of the Gospel. But this oidy increased the malice and fury of the Jews, who, by false and artful insinuations, succeeded in having Paul and Barnabas driven out of the city. At which the apostles departed, shaking olf the dust of their feet as a testimony against their ingratitude and infidelity. From Anti(H'h they went to Icouium, the metropolis of Lyeaonia, a province of Lesser Asia, where they again entered into the synagogue of the Jews, notwithstanding the ill treatment they had received from them in other places, and preaeluHl so successful ly that they converted a large part of the city ; but the Jews succeeded in gathering a mob for the purpose of stoning the apostles, who, however, receiving timely warning of their danger, fied from the city, and went to Lystra, where they renewed their labors. Among the converts at Lysti-a was a man who had been lame from his mother's wond), and had never walked. I*aul perceiving his cliaiige of heart, thought it proper to make him a public example of the power of Christ, and standing in the midst of the congregation, «aid to him in an audible voice, " Stand upright on thy feet ;" and the words were no sooner pronounced, than his strength was at once restored, and he leaped up and walkwl. The people who beheld this miracle well knew that it was not wrought by any human powei-, and at once declared that the gods were come down to them in the likeness of men. They called Biirna- bas Jupiter, on account of his venerable gravity, and Paid Mercury, from his eloquence. The whole city flocked out to do honor to the apostles, who, with great difficulty, persuaded them that they were 468 LIVES 1" r H K APOSTLES Bimply men like lliciiisclvi'i!. This acconiplislied, tliey proceeded to explain the gospel to tli(!in. While they were thus ('iiii:iii('m to th(> protection of th' Almighty, to whose care they recommended them by prayer ansed through Pisidia and came to Pamphilia ; and after preaching the gospel at Perg.i they went down to Attalia. Having thus finished the cinuiit of their ministry, they returned back to Antioeh in Syria, from whentie thev at first departed. \Joro they summoned the church, and gave them an account of their ministry, the success it had met with in these diH'erent parts, and how great a door had thus been o))enod for the conversion of the Gentile world. While St. Peter eontimied at Antioeh, that famous controversy with resrard to the observation of the Jewish ceremonies under the Christian willing, in lawful and indin'erent matters, to conibrm himself to the tempers and a])prehensions of men, in order to save their souls. In this instance the apostle evinced juuch prudence, well knowing that inveterate prejudices in religious matters are not easily overcome; for which reason he is said to become all things to all men. Everything being ready for their journey, St. Paul and iiis com- panions departed I'roni Lyslra, pa-sing through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, where the apostle was entertained with the greatest kindness and veneration, the people looking upon him as an angel sent immediately from heaven ; and being by revelation forbidden to go into Asia, he was commanded by a second vision to repair to Mace- donia, to j)reach the gospel. Accordingly, our a2)ostle prepared to pass from Asia into Euro[)e. Here St. Luke joined them, and becanu! ever after the inseparable companion of St. Paul, who being desirous of finding the s[)eediest passage into Macedonia, took ship with his com}»anions, Sihi>, Luke, and Timothy, and came to Samothracia, an island in the ^Egean sea, not far from Thrace; and the next diiy he went to iSeapolis, a port of Macedonia. Leaving Xeaj)olis, they repaired to Philippi, die me- tropolis of that part of Macedonia, and a lioman colony, where they staid some days. In this city Paul, according to his constant practice, preaehctl in a proseucha, or oratory of the Jews, which stood by the river's side, at some distance from the city, and was much IVeipiented by the devout women of their religion, who met there to pray and hear the law. To these St. Paul preached the glad tidings of the gospel ; and by the in- fluence of the Holy Spirit converted many, especially a certain woman named Lydia, a Jewish proselyte, a seller of purple in that city, but a native of Thyatira. This woman, being baptized with her whole family, was so importunate with St. Paul and his companions to abide at her house, that they were constrained to accept of her invitation. During the time of the apostles' residing in this city they coutiuued PAUL COMMANDING THK CRIPPLE TO STAND UP. 471 472 LIVES OF TUE APOSTLES their daily course of worrfhippiiig iit the biiiiic oratory. And al'tor several days, us they wore repairing to the same pUice of devotion, there met thrm a damse) viiio was possessed of a spirit of divina- tion, by whom her mastct's aequired very great advantage. This woman followed Paul and his eompanions, crying out, "These nun are tho servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation." Paul at first took no notice of her, not bcinsr willinir to multiply miraeles witnout necest^ity. But when he saw her I'ullow- ing them several days together he oegau to be troubled, and in imita- tion of his great Master, who would not sufler the devil to acknowl- edge him, lest his false and lying tongue should prejudice the truth in the minds of men, commanding the spirit, in tiie name of Jesus, to come out of her. The evil spirit with reluetanee obeyed, and left the damsel that very instant. This miraculous cure proving a great loss to her masters, who ac- quired If rge giiins from her soothsaying, they were filled with envy and malice against the apostles, and by tlieir instigation the multitude arose, and, seizing upon Paul and his companions, hurried them before the magistrates and governors of the colony, accusing them of introducing many innovations which were pnjudicisii to the State, and unlawful for them to comply with as being Romans. The magistrates being eoneerned for the tranquillity of the State, and jealous of all disturbances, were very forward to punish the offenders, against whom great numbers of the multitude testified, and therefore commanded the officers to strip them, and scourge them se- verely, as seditious persons. This was accordingly executed ; after whicli the apostles were com- mitted to close custody, the gaoler receiving more than ordinary charge to keep them safely ; and he accordingly thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But the most obscure dungeon, or the pitchy mantle of the night, cannot intercept the beams of divine joy and comfort from the souls of ])ious men. Their minds were all serenity; and at midnight they prayed and sung praises so loud, that they were hetird in every part of the prison. Nor were their prayers offered to the throne of grace in vain : an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, o])ened the doors, loosed the chains, and set the prisoners at liberty. This convulsion of nature roused the gaoler from his sleep ; who, concluding from what he saw that all his prisonei-s were escaj)ed, was going to put a pi'riod to his life, but, Paul observing him, hastily cried out, "Do AXD HOLY WOMKN. 47:J thyself no harm, for we are all here." The keeper wa.s now as «;reatly surprised at the goodness of the apostl(!S, as ho was before terrified al the tljought of tlieir escajje ; and calling for a light, he came immedi- ately into the presence of the apostles, fell down at their feet, to(»k tliem from the dungeon, brought tlieni to his own house, washed their strii)ei., and begged of them to instruct him in the knowledge of that (Jod who was so mighty to save. St. Paul readily grained his request, antl rei)lied, that, if he be- lieved in Jesus Christ, he might be saved, with his whole house. Accordingly, the gaoler, with all his family, were, iftcr competent instruction, baptized, and received as mcnd)ers of the Chin-ch of Christ. As soon as it was day, the magistrates, either hearing what had ha[)i)enc(l, or reflecting on what they had done as too harsh and un- just! Hal >le, sent their serjeant to the gaoler, with orders to discharges the apostles. The gaoler joyfully delivered the message, and biil them " de})art in peace.'' J5nt Paul, that he might make the magistrates sensible what injury tliey had done them, and how unjjistly they had punished them without examination or trial, sent them word, that as they thought proj)er to scourge and iniprison liomans, contrary to the laws of the Empire, he expected they should come themselves, and make them some satisfaction. The magistrates were terrified at this message, well knowing how dangerous it was to ])rovoke the formidable power of the Romans, who never suifered any freeman to be beatiii uneondennied. They came therefore to the prison, and very sul)mi>sively enti-eafctl the apostles to depart without any further disturbance. This small recompense for the cruel usage they had reciived was acee[)ted by the meek followers of the blessi^d Jesus. They left the prison, and retired to the house of Tjvdia, where they comforted their brethren with an account of their deliverance, and de[)arte(l, having laid the foundation of a very eminent church, as it appears from St. Paul's Epistle t) the Philippians. Leaving PIiilipi)i, Paul and his companions continued their jour- nev towards the west, till they came to Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia, about a hundred and twenty miles from Phili[)pi. On their arrival at Thessalonica, Paul, according to his custom, went into the synagogue of the Jews, and {)reached unto his countrymen — the ungrateful usage he had met with in other places not discouraging him from persevering in so glorious a work. His doctrine, however, 474 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES THESSALONICA. was strenuously opposed by tlie Jews, wlio would not allow Jesus to be the Messiah, because of his i}i;nonunious death. During the stay of the Apostles at Thessalonica, they lodged in the house of a certain Christian named Jason, who entertained them very courteously. But the Jews would not suffer the aj)ostles to continue at rest. They refused to embrace the gospel themselves, and therefore envietl its success, and determined to oppose its progress. Accord- ingly they gathered together a great number of lewd and wicked wretches, who beset the house of Jason, intending to take Paul and deliver him up to an incensed multitude. But in this they were dis- appointed, Paul and Silas being removed from thence by the Chris- tians, and concealed in some other part of the city. Their fury, however, was rather exasperated than lessened at losing their prey ; and as they could not find the apostles of the blessed Jesus, they determined to be revenged on Jason, who had concealed them. Accordingly they seized on him, with some others of the brethren, and carried them before the magistrates of the city, accusing them, as they had before done the apostles tiiemselves at Philippi, of disturbing the peace of the Empire, and setting up Jesus as a king, in derogation of the Emperor's dignity and authority. This accusa- tion induced both the people ond the magistrates to be their enemiei. r ^^ \ AND HOLY WOMEN. ilk And though Jason was only accused of harbornig thos*; innovators, yet the magistntcs couhl not be prevailed upon to dismiss him and his companions, till they had given security ibr their api>e:iraneev^.-— — ^Is soon as the tumult was over, the TliessiUonians, who had been converted by them, sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea, a city about fifty miles south of Thessalonica, but out of the power of their enemies. Here also Paul's great love for his nmtryinen, the Jews, and his earnesi desire of their salvation, excited him to preach to them in particular. Accoidingly, he entered into their synagogue, and explained the gospel unto them, proving, out of the scriptures of the Old Testament, the truth of the doctrines he advanced. These Jews were of a more ingenuous and amdid temper than those of Thessalonica ; and as they heard him with great reverence and atten- tion expound and apply the scriptures, so they searcheil diligently whether his proofs were proper and pertinent, and consonant to the sense of the texts he referred to. And having found everything to be agreeable to what Paul had advanced, many of them believed ; and several Gentiles, following their example, became obedient to the lliith, among whom were several women of (piality. The news of this remarkable success was c-arried to Thessalonica, and greatly incensed the inveterate enemies of the gospel there, who accordingly repaired to Berea, and raised tumults against the apostles. So that Paul, in order to avoid their fury, was forced to leave the town. But Silas and Timothy, either less known or less envied, con- tinued still there. Paul leaving Berea under the conduct of certain guides, it was pre- tended he designed to retire by sea out of Greece, that his restless ene- mies might cease their persecution ; but the guides, according to Paul's order, brought him to Athens, and left him there, after receiving from him an order for Silas and Timothy to repair to him as soon as possible. While St. Paul continued at Athens, expecting the arrival of Silaa and Timothy, he walked up and down, to take a more accurate sur- vey of the city, which he found miserably overrun with 8uj>ei'stition and idolatry. The inhabitants were remarkably religions and devoiit. They had a great nuliiber of gods whom they adored. False indeed they were, but such as they, being destitute of revelation, accounted true. And so very careful were they that no deity should want due honor from them, that they had an altar inscribed " To the un- known God." f 476 PAUL ON MARS' HILL. AND HOLY WOMEN, 477 The Areopagus, tlu! .supniino court of the city, was to judge of all goils to whom public w«)rship might be allowed, and Paul was brought Ixjfore those judges, to give an account of his dix;»rine. Paul being placed bclbre the juek after him and serve him. A truth j)erceivabl(^ in the darkest state of ignorance, and acknowledged by one of your own poets. If this be the nature of God, it is surely the highest absurdity to represent him by an image or similitude. The divine patience hath been too much exercised already with such gross abuses in re- ligion ; but now God expects a thorough reformation ; having sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to make him known to the world, and at the same time to inform them that he hath appointed a day of general judgment, when the religion of mankind shall be tried by the test of the gospel, before his only-begotten Hon, who is a])pointed sole judge of cpiick and dead, and whose commission to that high office hath been ratified by the Almighty in raising him from the dead. On this mention of the resurrection some of the philosopher,-^ mocked and derided him; others, more modest, but not satisfied with the proofs he had given, gravely i)nswered, " We would hear thee again of this matter." After which Paul departe eonipanioiis. The mob ereated a IVighttul tumult, and nothing prevented the murder of the friends of the apostle, but the timely interposition of the town-elerk, who having obtiiineil silence reminded the people that their zeal in behalf of Diana was too well known throughout the world to n(;ed any such bloody attestation, and declared that if the silversmiths had anything to charge against Paul and his i'riends, they ought to do so through the civil courts, which were open to them, and reminded them that they woidd do well to do this, as they had already rendered themselves liable to be j)unished for inciting so great a tumult. His words had the desired etfect. Gains and Aristarchus were released, and the crowd dls])(M'sed. St. Paul reganh-d the es- cape of himself and his friends as miraculous, and so speaks of it in his writings. About this time he wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians, to cure som<^ dissensions and heresies which false teachers had caused in the infant church at Corinth. Soor. after the tumult at Ephesns, Paul called the Christians to- gether, and took h's leave of them with the most tender expressions of lovo and ailection. fie had now spent almost three years at Ephe- gus, and had founded there a very considerable church, of which lie ordained Timothy the first Bishop. From Ephesns he went to Troas, two hundred miles distant. He expected to meet Titus liere, but failing to find him continued his voyage to Macedonia, where he preached the gospel, even going as far as Illyricum, now called Scla- vonia. He met with many dangers and trials on tiiis voyage and in his journeys by land, but God mercifully sustained and brought him through them all. Soon after, Titus came to him, and cheered him M'ith the account of the good effects his epistle had produced at Cor- inth, bi'inging with him also a liberal contribution from the Corin- thian Christians fi)r the church at Jerusalem. Influenced by this ex- ample, the Macedonian Christians made contributions for the same purpose. During the stay of Titus in Macedonia, Paul wrote his second Epis- tle to the Corinthians, and sent it to them by Titus and Luke, and about this time he wrote ids fii-st Epistle to Timothy, whom he had left^ at Ephcsus. From Macedonia he went to Corinth, from which > 2 S ffi4 LIVKS OF THE APOSTLES r: ■ •- NAZAUKTII. place lie wrote his Epistle to the Romans, which he sent by Phcebe, a deaconess of the church of Cenchrea, near Corintli. St. Paul now set out on his journey to Jerusr.ieni to carry the con- tribucions of the Grecian churciies, but hearing that the Jews lud laid a plot to rob and murder him on the route, he returned to JNIace- donia, and went, by way of Philippi, to Troas, where he stayed seven lays. On the Lord's day he preaclied to the Ciiristians, intending to 'epart the next day, and while he was speaking, a young man named iCutychus, overcome by sleep, fell from the third story window in which he had been sitting, and was taken up for dead; but ihe apos tie, by his prayers to the throne cf grace, presently restored him to life and health. On his arrival at Miletus he sent to Ephesus, to summon the elders of the church, and, on their coming, addressed them at length, re- minding them of his laboi*s in their behalf, assuring them of his love for them, and exhorting them to remain steadfast in the faith of their crucilied and risen Redeemer. He told them they would see his facx- no more, and then, commending them to the care of God, took a ten- der farewell of them. Having finished his discourse, he kneeled down and joined with them in prayer; when (hey all melted into tears, and, with the great- est expressions of sorrow, attended him to the ship, grieving in th€ 465 48« LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. most passionate manner for what he had told them, that "tliey should see iiio I'lcc no more." From Miletus Paul went to Tyre, in Phanieia, l)y way of RlKHles, in the /E;j;('an sea, and Patara, the metropolis of Lyeia. Upon reach- ing Tyre he remained a week with the brethren, who warned iiim not to go up to Jerusalem, as he would he exposed to great danger there; hut he reliised to he turned from his i)urposi', and, after part- ing with them affectionately, passed on to Ca^sarea. Tliere he was warned hy a Christian prophet named Agabus, that if he went up to Jerusalem, the Jews would bind him and deliver him over to the Gentiles; but he de-lared he was "ready not only to he hound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus," and, resist- ing the entreaties of his friends, he went up to Jerusalem, where he was kindly received by the Christians. The day after their arrival, Paul and those who had couk' with him went to the house of St. James the apostle, where the rest of the bishops and governors of the chureh were met together. After mu- tual salutations, the apostle gave them a ])arti('ular account of the success with which God had blessed his labors among the Gentiles; for which they all joined in thanksgiving to God. St. Paul was now told that there were thousands of Jewish converts in Jerr.salem, who were all zealous for the law of Moses, and that, as these had heard of his doing away with the rite of circumcision in the ease of his Gentile converts, they woidd watch him closely, to see if he conformed to the ceremonial law, now that he was in Jerusalem; and he was advised, tliat, in order to prevent them from creating any disturbance, it would lie better for him to conform to that law in some specified particulars. To this he readily consented ; but while in the temple, attending to these ceremonies, he was seen by some Jews from Asia, who seized him, and excited the multitude against liim, by falsely declaring that he had everywhere preached doctrines deroga- tory to the Jewish nation, and destructive to the institutions of the law. Paul was, therefore, dragged out of the temple, the gates of which were shut, to prevent his return to that holy place. By ap- pealing to the governor, and stating that he was a free citizen of the rich and honorable city of Tarsus, he obtained leave to speak to the people, and addressed them in the Hebrew language, reciting to them the principal events of his early life, and his miraenlous convei'sion, and telling them how Christ had sent him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. ^ 487 488 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. The Jews, wlio despised the Gentiles, now refused to listen to him any longer, and the eaptain of tiie gntird had him taken to the castle, intending to scourge him until he should conless the true cause of the popular I'nry against hini. Paul, however, avoided this degrading and painlnl suH'ering hy demanding, its a free-born Roman citizen, that he should first be tried and sentenced for his alleged ollenee, ac- cording to the laws of the empire, before being punished. Thi:» leniand terrified the military authorities, who knew well the danger they would incur from maltreating a citizen of Rome. Accordingly, the apostle was freed from his chains, and the governor, in order to s.itisly himself of the cause of so unusual a commotion, summoned the .Sixnhedriin to meet him, and brought Paul before them. Rcing thus confronted with the great council of his nation, Paul told them he had always governed his actions by the severest rules of duty and conscience. This declaration, though perfectly true and appropriate, so diended the high priest Ananias, that lie commanded those who stood next to the apostle to strike him in the face ; at which the aj)ostle smartly replied, " Go 1 shall smite thee, thou whited wall;"' on which some of the s^jcctators replied, "It is not lawful to revile the high priest of the Almighty," and Paul answered, "I did not know that Ananias was appointed by God to be an high priest. ]>ut 'Ah he is invested with authority, it is unjust to revile him. God himself commanded that no man should speak evil of the rulers of the people." Paul perceiving that the council consisted partly of Sad- ducees, who denied the resurrection from the dead, and partly of liiarisees, who affirmed it, cried aloud, " Men and brethren, I am a ] 'harisee, the son of a Pharisee, and am now brought before this tri- bunal for asserting the resurrection from th(> dead." This declaration threw the whole court into confusion, the Phari- sses inclining to take sides with Paul, and the Sadducees demanding his punishment. The dissensions spread to the spectators, and pro- duced such a commotion that the captain of the guard, to save Paul from being torn to ])ieces, took him back to the castle. During the night God comforted him with a revelation that he should live, in spite of the malice of his enemies, to bear the gospel to Rome itself. The next day Pmd's sister's son detected a plot on the part of the Jews to kill the apostle, and accordingly the governor sent Paul to Cjesarea, under a strong military escort, with letters to Felix, the Ro- man governor of that province, relating the whole transaction. 4«9 JO LIVES OF THE APOSTLES Paul's accusers weri' also ordered to appear before Felix, who, finding that the apostle was a native of Cilicia, told him he would detorniino the matter as soon as his accusers presented themselves. Meanwhile, he ordered Paul to he confined in the [)lace called Herod's judgment halK Soon after this Fi'lix heard the case. Tertuilns made an eloquent speech against Paul, <'harging him with heresy, sedition, and tho profanation of the Temple; hut Paul re|)lied witii such force that Felix refused to pass any SL'iitcnct! until he could consult the governor of the castle at Jerusalem, who had iirst arrested Paul, He remanded the apostle to prison, but allowed liim to receive the visits and kind offices of his friends. Shortly after, Felix's wife, Drusilla, a Jewess, and daughter of the elder Herod, came down to him at Caesarea, in whose j)resence the governor sent for Paul, and gave him leave to explain the doctrines of Christianity. Paul (1:;I so in words of powerful eloquence, and de- scribed the terrors of the last judgment so vividly that Felix trembled on his throne, and abruptly interrupted the apostle, telling him he would hear the rest at a more convenicht season. Felix was soon succeeded in his governujent by Fortius Festus, before whom, as soon as he came to Jerusalem, the high priest and sanliedrini brought charges against Paul, requesting that he might be sent up to Jerusalem lo be tried, intending to assassinate him on the way ; but the governor refjlied that he was going down to Caesarea very soon, and that they must accuse Paul before him at that place. This they were prompt to do, and as soon as Festus had reached Cajsarea, they brought charges against Paul of which he soon cleared himsLilf, nor were his enemies able to prove anything against him. Festus, however, willing to win the favor of the Jews at the outset of ills career, asked Paul whether he would be willing to go up and be tried before him at Jerusalem. But the apostle, well knowing the consequences of such a proposal, answered, as a Roman, " I api)cal unto Ceesar." This method of appealing was common among tho Romans, and introduced to defend and secure the lives and fortunes of tli* people from the unjust encroachments and rigorous severities of the magis- trates, whereby it was unlawful, in cases of oppression, to appeal to the people for redress, a thing more than once settled by the sanction of the Valerian law. Some time after St. Paul had appealed unto Csesar, king Agrippa, AND HOLY WOMEN 491 who succeeded Herod in the tetrurclmte of GaliU'o, and lii.s sisier Bernice, canic to Ciesarea to visit the new jiovcriior. Kostii-i md- braced this opportunity of mcntioninq: the ease of our apostle to kin{; Afjrippa, toifctiicr witli the; retnarkahlc tumult this affair hail ocea- 8ion<'«l anionj; the .I«'\vs, and the appeal he had made to Cffisar. This aceount excited the curiosity of Uinj; Afjrippa; and he was desirous of heariiifjj himself what Sf. Paul had to say in his own vindication. Aecordinf^ly, the next day the kinj^ and his sister, aecom|)anied by Festus, the (governor, and several other persons of distinction, came into the court with a pompous and splendid retinue, where the pris- oner was hroujjjht Ixjforo them, (^n his appearing;;, Festus informed the court how greatly he had l>een importuned by the Jews, both at Ciesarea and Jerusalem, to put the prisoner to death as a malefactor; l)Ut havinjx, on examination, found him jjuilty of no capital crime, and the j)risoner himself having appealed unto Caisar, he was determined t( send him to Rome ; but was willin£j to have iiis cause debated be-, fore Af^rippa, that he niij^ht be turnished with .some material particu- lars to send with him ; it beinn iii^jhly absurd to send a prisoner with- '>>.]} ^'iJ^nifying the crimes alleged against him. Few scenes in hi.story are more impressive than the one here de- picted, in which the l)ohl apostle laces Agrippa and his royal attemhnits For sid)linie ;'oiirage, eloquence of speech, lordly bear- ing, and consummate tact. accomj)anieil with the fraidv utterance of •earnest ;onviction, this s(;eue is almost unrivalled in the annals of Christianity There is king Agrippa, while a man calmly faces him who is more than a king. There, too, is Festus, another Roman oHicial ; yet, in the presence of the empire that rules the world, Paul tells his thrilling story, and makes his appeal to Caesar. But, in our admira- tion for the apostle, let us not anticipate the order of events. Fe.stus having finished his speech, Agrippa told Paul he was now at liberty to make his own defence: and, silence being made, he dc- livei'cd himself in the following manner, a(hlre.ssing his speech par- ticularly to Agrippa ; "I consider it as a peculi.ir happiness, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence against the accusations of the Jews before thee; because thou art well acquainted with all their customs, and the ques- tions commonly debated among them : F therefore beseech thee to hear me patiently. All the Jews are well acquainted with my man- ner of life from my youth, the greatest part of it having been spent with mine own countrymen at Jerusalem. They also know that I LIVES OP THE APOSTLES was educated under tlio institutions of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our reli<;ion, and uni now arraigned for a tenet bclievetl hy all their fathers ; a tenet .suflieientiy credible in itself, and plainly revealed in the scriptures ; I njean, the resurrection of the sary accommodations. But while St. Paul was laying a few sticks on the fire, a viper, enlivened by the heat, came from amonsi; the wood and fastened on his hand. On seein<' this, the iidiabitants of the island concluded that he was certainly some notorious murderer, whom the Divine vengeance, though it suf- fered him to escape the se;', jiad reserved for a more public and solcnui execution. But when they saw hini shake ofF the venomous creature into the fire, and no manner of harm ensue, they changed their senti- ments, and cried out that he was a god. After three months' stay iu this island, the centurion, with hia charge, went on board the Castor and Pollux, a ship of Alexandria, l)ound to Italy. They jnit in at Syracns;', where they tarried three days, sailed thence to Begium, and so to Puteoli, where they landed ; and, finding some Christians there, staid, at their reouest, a Mcelc with them, and then set f »rward on their journi-y to Rome. The Christians of this city, hearing of the apostle's coining, went to meet him as far as Three Taverns, about tiiirty miles from Komc, and others a.s far as the Apiiforum, fiity-one miles distant from the capital. They kindly embraced each other, and the liberty lie saw the Chris- tians enjoy at Rome, greatly tended toeidiven the spirits of the apostle. Having refreshed himself after the fitigue of his voyage, the apos- tle sent for the heads of the Jewish consistory there, and related the cause of his coming to them, in the following manner: "Though I have been guilty of no violation of the laws of our religion, yet 1 was delivered by the Jews at Jerusalem to the Roman governors, who more than once would have acquitted me, as innocent of any capital offence ; but by the pcrverscness of my pers<'cutors, I was obliged to appeal unto Ctesar. iSot that I had anythiiig to aecuse my nation of. 1 had recourse to this methotl mei oly to clear my own innoecncy." Having tims removed a popular prejudice, ho added, that the true cause of his sufferings was what th 'ir own religion had taught him, the belief and expectation of a i'utun resurrection. But his discourse had different effects on different 1 c^-a'ers, some being convinced, and others persisting in their infidelity. r ■ ; 7:- -i III ' !'■ El 1 ' 496 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES For two whole years Paul dwelt at Rome, in a house he had hireo for his own use; wherein he assiduously employed himself in preach- ing and writing for the good of the chureh. Among other's of the apostle's converts at Rome, was one Onesimus, who had formerly been a servant to Philemon, a person of distinction i.i Colosse, but had run away from his master, and fraudulently taken with him some things of value. Having rambled as far Jis Rome he was now converted by St. Paul, and by him returned to his master, with a short recommendatory let- ter, earnestly desiring hira to pardon him; and, notwithstanding his former faults, to treat him kindly, and use him as a brother, pi'omising withal, that if he had Avronged or owed him anything, lie himself would repay it. The Christians at Philippi hearing of St. Paul's imprisonment at Rome, and not knowing what straits he might be reduced to, raised a contribution for him, and sent it by Epaphroditus, their bishop, by whom he returned an epistle to them. St. Paul had lived three years at Ephesus, preaching the gospel to the numerous inhabitants of that city, and was, therefore, well ac- quainted with the state and condition of the place, so that taking the o )portunity of Tychicus's going thither, he wrote his Epistle to the Epliesians. St. Paul himself had never been to Colosse ; but Epaphras, who was then at Rome, a prisoner with him, had preached the gospel there with great success; and from him he might learn that certain false teachers had endeavored to persuade the people that they ought not to apply to Go;l by Jesus Christ, who, since his ascension, was so far exalted above them that angels were now become the proper mediators be- tween God and man, and therefore in opposition to this, as well aa other seductions of the same nature, he wrote his Epistle to the Colos- sians. By what means St. Paul Avas i-eleased from imprisonment, and dis- charged from the accusation the Jews brought against him, wo have no account in histlo life: thoujih some of the ancients (.'11 us he was a married man. He was polished by no study or arts of learning, but wlut was wanting from human art was abun- dantly supplied by the excellent faculties of his mind, and that fullness of divine grace with which he was ailorned. His humility was ad- mirable, studiously concealing his own honor: for, in his epistles, he never styles himself either apostle or evangelist ; the title of pr(\sl)yter, or elder, is all ho assumes, :ind probably in regard to his age as much as his oHiee. In his gospel, when he speaks of " (he disciple whom Jesus loved," he constantly conceals his own nam(>, leaving the reader to discover whom he meant. Love and charity he practised himself, and alTectionately i)iTssed them upon others. The great love of his Saviour towards him seems to have inspired his soul with a larger and more generous charity than the rest. This is the great vein that runs through all his writings, especially his epistles, where he urges it tui the great and peeulinr law of Christianity, and without which m 510 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES all oflior pretences to the religion of the holy Jesus are vain and frivolon.-:, useless and insignificant. And this was his constant prac- tise to the very hour of his dissolution; for, when age and tlie decays of nature had rendered him so weak that he was unable to preach to tlie people any longer, tradition says, he was constantly led, at every public meeting, to the church at Ephesus, and always repeated to them the same precept, " Little children, love one another ; " and when his hearers, wearied with the constant repetition of the same thing, asked him why he never varied his discourse, he answered, "Because to love one another was the command of our blessed Saviour, and consequently one grand guide of our conduct through life, he that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stundjling in him ; but he that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knowetli not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." The greatest instance of our apostle's care for the souls of men is the writings he left to posterity. The first of M'hich in time, though placed last in the sacred canon, is his Apocalypse, or book of Rev- elations, which he wrote during his banishment to the isle of Patmos. Next to the Apocalypse, in order of time, are his three Epistles, the first of which is catholic, calculated for all times and places, containing the most excellent rules for the conduct of a Christian life, pressing to holiness and purenoss of manners, and not to be satisfied with a naked and empty profession of religion, not to be led away with the crafty insinuations of seducers, and cautioning men against the poisonous principles and practices of the Gnostics. The apostle here, according to his usual modesty, conceals his name, it being of more consequence to a wise man what is said than he who says it. It api)ears from St. Augustine that this Epistle was anciently inscribed to the ParthianSj because, in all probability, St. John preached the gospel in Parthia. The other two Epistles are but short, and directed to particular per- sons ; the one to a lady of great quality, the other to the charitable and hospitable Gains, the kindest and the most courteous entertainer of all indigent Christians. Before he undertook the task of writing his gospel he caused a gen- eral fist to be kepf by all the Asiatic churches, to implore the blessing of Heaven on so great and momentous an undertaking. When this was done he set abotit the work, and comy>leted it in so excellent and lublime a manner, that ihe ancients generally compared him to an AND HOLY WOMEN. 511 eagle soaring aloft among the clouds, whither the weak eye of man was not able to follow him. " Among all the evangelical writers," says St. Basil, " none are like St. John, the son of thunder, for the sublimity of his speech, and the height of his discourses, which are beyond any man's capacity fully to reach and comprehend." "St. John, as a true son of thunder," says Epiphanius, " by a loftiness of speech peculiar to himself, acquaints us, as it were, out of the clouds and dark recesses of wisdom, with the divine doctrine of the Son of God." ST. PHILIP. This apostle was a native of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.y^Ie had tiie honor of being first called to be a disciple of the great Messiah, which happened in the following manner: Our blessed Saviour soon after his return from the wilderness, where he had been tempted by the devil, met with Andrew and his brother Peter, and after some discourse parted from them. The next day, as he was passing through Galilee, he found Philip, whom he presently com- manded to follow him, the constant form he made use of in calling his disciples, and those that inseparably attended him. So that the pre- rogative of bei'^;^ first called evidently belongs to St. Piiilip, he being the first of our Lord's disciples; for though Andrew and Peter were the first that came and conversed with the S:iviour of the world, yet they immediately returned to their occupation, and were not called till a whole year after. __ It cannot be doubted, that notwithstanding St. Philip was a native of Galilee, yet he was excellently skilled in the law and the prophets. Metaphrastes assures us, that he had, from his childhoo- pointment, which, if they did not believe, his miracles were a suffi- cient evidence : that such demands were, therefore, unnecessary and impertinent; and that it was an indication of great weakness in him, after three years' education imder his discipline and instruction, to appear so ignorant with regard to these particulars. The ancients tell us, that in the distribution made by the apostles of the several regions of the world, the Upper Asia fell to his share, where he labored with an indefatigable diligence and industry. By the constancy and power of his preaching, ni"^ the efficacy of his mira- cles, he gained numerous converts, whon oaptizcd into the Chris- tian faith, curing at once their bodies of infirmities and distemjiers, and their souls of errors and idolatry. He continued with them a considerable time in settling churches, and appointing them guide* and ministers of religion. After several years successfully exercising his apostolical office in all those parts, he came at last to Hierapolis, in Phrygia, a city re- markably rich and populous, but at the same time overrun with the most enormous idolatry,»_ St. Piiilip being grieved to see the people so wretchedly enslaved b^' error and superstition, continually offered his addresses to Heoven, A K 1) HOLY VV xM E S . 61S JACOB'S WELL. till by his prayers and often calling on the name of Christ, he pro cured the death, or, at least, the vanishing of an enormous serpent, to which they paid adoration. Having thus demolished their deity, he demonstrated to them how ridiculous and unjust it was for them to pay divine honors to such odious creatures ; showed them that God alone was to be worship{)ed as the great Parent of all the world, who, in the beginning, made man after his glorious image, and when fallen from that innocent and happy state, sent his own Son into the world to redeem him ; that, in onler to perform this glorious work, he died on the cross, and rose again from the dead, and at the end of the world will come again to raise all the sons of men from the chambers of the dust, and sentence them to everlasting rewards and punishments. This discourse roused them from their lethargy ; they were ashamed of their Ute idolatry, and grout mimbers embraced the doctrines of the gospel. This provoked the great enemy of mankind, and he had recourse to his old methods — cruelty and persa^ution. The majjistrates of the 33 614 LIVES OV TMJJ Al^OSl'LfiS^ city seized the apostle, and, having thrown him into prison, caused liim to be scourged. When this preparatory cruelty was over, he was led to execution, and being bound, was hanged against a pillar; or, according to others, crucified. The apostle being dead, his body was taken down by St. Bartholomew, his fellow-laborer in the gospel, and Mariami 3, St. Philip's sister, the constant companion of his travels, and decently buried ; after which they confirmed the people in the faith of Christ, and departed from them. ST. BARTHOLOMEW. This ajwstle is mentioned amongst the twelve immediate disciples of our Lord, under the api^ellation of Bartholomew, though it is evi- dent, from divers passages of scripture, that he was also called Nathauael ; we shall, therefore, in our account of his life, consider the names of Nathanael and Bartholomew as belongiiig to one and the Svime person. With regard to his descent and family, some are of opinion that he was a Syrian, and that he was descended from the Ptolemies of Egypt. But it is plain, from the evangelical history, that he was a Galilean, St. John having expressly told us that Nathanael was of Cana, in Galilee. The scripture is silent with regard to his trade and manner of life, though, from some circumstances, there is room to imagine that he was a fisherman. He was, at his first coming to Christ, conducted by Philip, who told him they had now found the long-expected Messiah, so often foretold by Moses and the prophets, " Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And when he objected, that the Messiah could not be born at Nazareth, Philip desired him to come and satisfy himself that he was the Messiah. At his approach, our blessed Saviour saluted him with this honora- ble appellation, that he was an " Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile." Not as possessed by nature, but as obtained by grace ; for such perfection cannot be attached to human nature, but in the character of the blessed Jesus, of whon. it is sjiid, witli peculiar pro- priety, that he was " lioiv, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; blso, that he knew no sin, neither was guile," that \b., fraud nor decep' AND HOLY WOMEN. 515 tion, found in his tongue. Our Saviour knew that Bartholomew's doubt of his Messiahship arose from Philip's announcing him in the character of Jesus of Nazareth, a place stigmatized for the vices of its inhabitants ; which, on a similar occasion, caused an interrogatory, which accords witii Bartholomew's opinion, " Can any good come out of Nazareth ?" In this, therefore, he appeared to be a true Israelite, one that waited for redemption in Israel, which, from the times men- tioned in the scripture predictions, he knew to be near at hand. He was greatly surj>rised at our Lord's salutation, wondering how he co'.dd know him at first sight, thinking he had never before seen his face. But he was answered, that he had seen him while he was yet under the fig-tree, even before Philip called him. Convinced by this instance of our liord's divinity, he presently made this confession, that he was now sure that Jesus was the j)romised Messiah, the Son of God, whom he had appointed to govern his church. Our blessed Saviour told him, that if from this instance he could believe him to be the AEessiah, he should have far greater arguments to confirm his faith ; for that lie should hereafter behold the heavens opened to receive him, and tl>e angels visibly appearing to attend his triumphant en- trance into the heavenly Canaan. Eacii of the apostles had his own peculiarities and his own field of labor. They were most unlike in disposition and ability. How dif- ferent the mild, sweet-tempered, beloved John from impulsive, stormy Peter! There are diversities of gifts although only one spirit. Bar- tholomew was not the loftiest mountain-peak ; the morning sun did not strike him first. Others, like James and John and Peter, moved with more force and shook the earth more heavily, but in patience, laborious endeavor, and missionary zeal he proved iiimself worthy of the name he bore, llins every man has his influence, and in due time will find his field of usefulness. >» Our apostle, having his peculiar spot allotted him for the promul- gation of the gospel of his blessed Master, (who had now ascended into heaven, and dispensed his Holy Spirit to fit and qualify his dis- ciples for the important work,) visited different parts of the world to preach tlie gospel, and penetrated as far as the higher India. ,*— After spending a considerable time in India and the eastern ex- tremities of Asia, he returned to the northern and western parts, and we find him at Hierapolis, in Phrygia, laboring, in concert with St. Philip, to plant Christianity in those parts, and to convince the blind idolaters of the evil of their ways, and direct them in the paths that lead to eternal salvation. This enraged the bigoted magistrates, 61< tirfiS OF THE APOSTLES and he was, together with St. Paul, designed for martyrdom, and ii order to this fastened to a cross. But their consciences pricliing tliem for a time — they took him immediately down from the cross and set him at liberty. From hence he retired into Lyaconia, and St. Chrysostom assures us that he instructed and trained up the inhabitants in the Christian discipline. His last remove was to Albanople, in Great Armenia, a place miserably overrun with idolatry, from which he labored to re- claim the people. But his endeavors to "turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God," were so far from having the desired effect, that it provoked the magistrates, who pre- vailed on the governor to put him to death, which he cheerfully xui- derwent, sealing the truth of the doctrine he had preached with his blood. ST. MATTHEW. St. Matthew, called also Levi, though a Roman ofiicor, was a true Hebrew, and probably a Galilean. His tmde was that of a pub- lican, or tax-gatherer to the Romans — an office detested by the gen- erality of the Jews, on two accounts. First, because, having formed the custom of the Romans, they used every method of oppression in order to ])ay their rents to them ; secondly, because they demanded tribute of the Jews, who considered themselves as a free people, hav- ing received that privilege from God himself. And hence they had n common proverb among them, ** Take not a wife out of that family in which there is a publican, for they are all ])ublicans." That is, they are all thieves, robbei*s, and notorious sinners. And to this speech, and proverbial custom, our blessed Saviour alludes, when, speaking of an hardened sinner on whom neither private reproofs, nor the public censures and admonitions of the church can prevail, "I^et him be to thee as an heathen man and a publican." Our blessed Saviour liaving cured a person long afflicted with the palsy, retired out of Cai)ernaum, to walk by the sea-side, where he taught the people that flocked after him. Here he saw Matthew sitting in his office, and called him to follo\T him. The man was rich, had a large and profibible employment, wa.s a wise and prudent person, and doubtless understoo'en, by whose inunediate dictates and inspirations they Avere afterwards chiefly guided. The prayer being ended, the lots were drawn, by Avhich it appeared that Matthias was the person, and he was accord- ingly numbered among the twelve apostles. Not long after this election, the promised powers of the Holy Ghost were conferred upon the apostles, to qualify them for that great and difficult employment upon which they Avere sent, namely, the establishing the holy religion of the Son of God among the children of men. St. Matthias spent the first year of his ministry in Judea, where he reaped a very considerable harvest of souls, and then travelled into diffi;rent jKirts of the world, to publish the glad tidings of salvation to a people who had never yet heard of a Saviour ; but the jjarticular parts he visited are not certainly known. 628 LIVES OP THE APOSTPLES It is uncertain by wliat Iviiid of death lie left the regions of mo<^ tality, and sealetl the truth of the gospel he had so assiduously preached witij his blood. Dorotheus says he finished his coui-se at Sebastople, and wa? buried there near the Temple of the Sun. An ancient inartyrology reports him to have been sei/x-d by the Jews, and as a blasphemer to have been stoned and then beheaded. But the Greek offices, supported herein by the authority of several ancient breviaries, tell us that he was crucified. ST. MARK. St. Mark was descendetl from Jewish parents, and of the tribe of Levi. Xor was it uncommon among the Jews to change their namea on some remarkable revolution or accident of life, or when they in- tended to travel into any of the European jirovince'a of the Roman empire. The ancients generally considered him as one of the seventy disci- ples; and Epiphanius expressly tells us that he was one of those who, taking exception at our Lord's discourse of " eating his flesh and drinking his blood, went back, and walkerl no more with him." But there appears no manner of foundation for these opinions, nor likewise for that of Nicephorus, who will have him to be the son of St. Peter's sister. Eusebius tells us that St. Mark was sent into Egypt by St. Peter, to preach the gospel, and accordingly planted a church in Alexandria, the metropolis of it; and his success was so very remarkable, that he converted multitudes, both of men and women, jKrsuading them not only to embrace the Christian religion, but also a life of more than ordinarv strictness. St. Mark did not confine himself o Alexandria, and the oriental parts of Egypt, but removed westward to Lybia, passing through the countries of Marmacia, Pentapolis, and others adjacent, where, though the people were both barbarous in their manners and idolatrous in their worship, yet by his preaching and miracles he prevailed on them to embrace the tenets of the gospel ; nor did he leave them till he had confirmed them in the "lith. After this long tour he returned to Alexandria, where he preached with the greatest freedom, ordered and disuxxsed of the affairs of th« ANDttOLYWOMEK. &2« thurch, and wisely provided for its prosperity, by constituting gover* nore and pastors of" it. But the restless enemy of the souls of men would not suffer our apostle to continue iu peace and quietness; fof while he was assiduously laboring in tlie vineyard of his Master, the idolatrous inhabitants, about the time of Easter, when they were celebrating the solemnities of Serapis, tumultuously entered the church, forced St. Mark, then performing divine service, from thence ; and, binding his feet with cords, dragged him through the streets, and over the most craggy places, to the Bucelus, a precipice near the sea, leav- ing him there in a lonesome prison for that night; but his great and beloved Master appeared to him in a vision, comforting and encourag- ing his soul, under the ruins of his shattered botly. The next morn- ing early the tragedy Ixjgan afresh, for they dragged him about in the same cruel and barbarous manner till he expired. But their malice did not end with his death ; they burnt his mangled body after they had so inhumanly deprived it of life. But the Christians, afler the horrid tragedy was over, gathered up his bones and ashes, and de- cently interred them near the place where he used to preach. Hia remains were aflerwards, with great pomp, removed from Alexan- dria to Venice, where they were religiously honored, and he adopted as the titular saint and patron of that state. It is said he suffered martyrdom on the 25th of April, but the year is not absolutely known ; the most probable opinion, however, is, that it happened about the end of Nero's reign. His gospel, the only writing he lefl behind him, was written at the entreaty and earnest desire of the converts at Rome, who, not content with having heard St. Peter preach, pressed St. Mark, his fellow- disciple, to commit to writing an historical account of what he had delivered to them, which he performed with equal faithfulness and brevity, and being perused and approved by St. Peter, was commanded to be publicly read in their assemblies. It was frequently styled St Peter'fi gospel, not because he dictated it to St. Mark, but because the latter composed it in the same manner as St. Peter usually delivered his discourses to the people. And this is probably the reason of what St. Chrysostom observes, that in his style of expression he delights to imitate St. Peter, representing a great deal in a few words. The re- markable impartiality he observes in all his relations is plain, and hence, so far from concealing the shameful lapse and denial of Peter, he describes it with more aggravating circumstances than any other evangelist 34 630 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES ST. LUKE. This disciple of the blessed Jesus wa* born at Antioch, the metrop- olis of Syria, a city celebrated for the pleasantness of its situation, the fertility of its soil, the riches of its commerce, the wisdom of its senate, and the civility and politeness of its inhabitants, by the jiens of some of the greatest writers of those times. It was eminent for schools of learning, which produced the most renowned masters in the arts and flciences; so that biing born, as it were, in the lap of the muses, he could not well fail of acquiring an ingenious and liberal education. But he was not contented with the learning of his own country ;. he travelled for improvement into several parts of Greece and Egypt, and bt-came particularly skilled in physic, which he made his profession. But those who would, from this particular, infer the quality of hia birth and fortune, forget that the healing art was in those early times/^ practised by servants ; and hence Grotius is of opinion, that St. Luke was carried to Rome, and lived there as servant to some noble family, in quality of physician ; but after obtaining his freedom he returned into his own country, and probably continued his profession till his death, it being so highly consistent with, and in many cases subser- vient to the care of souls. He was also famous for his skill in another art, namely, painting, and en ancient inscription, found in a vault near the church of St. Maria de Via Latta, at Rome, supposed to have been the place where St. Paul dwelt, which mentions a picture of the blessed Virgin. Una ex vii ah Luca depidis, being one of the seven painted by St. Luke. St. Luke was a Jewish proselyte ; but at what time he became a Christian is uncertain. It is the opinion of some, from the in- troduction to his gospel, that he had the facts from the reports of others, who were eye-witnesses, and suppose him to have been con- verted by St. Paul ; and that he learned the history of his gospel from the convereation of that apostle, and wrote it under his direction ; and that when St. Paul, in one of his Epistles, says, " according to my gos- pel," he means that of St. Luke, which he styled his from the great share he had in the composition of it. On the other hand, those who hold that he wrote his gospel from 1 's own personal knowledge, observe, that he could not receive it from £/t. Paul, as an eye-witness of the mattera contained in it, because all ^ ^ ^-mr AND HOLY WOMEN. 63i those matters wore transacted before his conversion ; and that he never saw our Lord before he appeared to liim in his journey to Damascus, which was some time after he ascended into heaven. Consequently, when St. Paul says, " according to my gospel," he means no more than tiiat gospel in general which he preached ; the whole preaching of the apostles being styled the gospel. But however this be, St. Luke became the inseparable companion of St. Paul in all his travels, and his constant fellow-laborer in the work of the ministry. This infinitely endeared him to that apostle, who seems delighted with owping him for his fellow-laborer, and in calling him the " beloved physician," and the "brother whose praise is in the gospel." St. Luke wrote two books for the use of the church, his Gospel aivd the Acts of the Apostles; both of which he dedicated to Theophilus, which many of the ancients suppose to be a feigned name, denoting a lover of God, a title common to all sincere Christians. But others think it was a real person, because the title of "Most Excellent" is attributed to him ; the usual title and form of addreas in those times to princes and great men. His gospel contains the principal transactions of our Lord's life; and the particulars omitted by him are, in general, of less importance than those of the other evangelists. With regard to the Acts of the Apostles, written by St. Luke, the work was no doubt performed at Rome, about the time of St. Paul's imprisonment there, with which he concludes his story. It contains the actions, and sometimes the sufferings of the principal apostles, es- pecially St. Paul, whose activity in the cause of Christ made him bear a great part in the labors of his Master ; and St. Luke being his constant attendant, an eye-witness of the whole carriage of his life, and privy to his most intimate transactions, was consequently capable of giving a more full and satisfactory account of them. Among other things, he enumerates the great miracles the ajwstles did in confirma- tion of their doctrine. In both these treatises his manner of writing is exact and accurate, his style noble and elegant, sublime and lofty, yet clear and })erspicu- ous, flowing with an easy and natural grace and sweetness, admirably adaptetl to an historictil narrative. In short, as an historian, he was faithful to his relations, and elegant in his writings; as a minister care- ful and diligent for the good of souls ; as a Christian devout and pious ; and to crown all the rest, laid down his life in testimony of the gospel he had both preached and published tc; the world. 638 LIVES OV Tllfi At»0STLK8 ST. BARNABAS. St. Barnabas was ut Hi-st callod Joses, a softer termination, gen- erally given by the Greeks to Joseph. His follow diaciples added the name of Barnabas, as significant of some extraordinary property in him. St. Luke interprets it, " the son of consolation," from his being ever ready to administer to the afflicted, both by word and action. He was a descendant of the tribe of Levi, of a family removed out of Judea, and settled in the Isle of Cyprus, where they had purchased an estate, as the Levites might do out of their country. His parents, finding their son of a promising genius and disposition, placed him in one of the schools of Jerusiilem, under the tuition of Gamaliel, St. Paul's master; an accident which, in all proba- bility, laid the foundation for that intimacy which afterwards Bul)sisted between those two eminent servants of the blessetl Jesus. The first mention we find of St. Barnabas, in the holy scripture, ia the record of that great and worthy service he did the church of Ciirist, by succoring it with t' i sale of his patrimony in Cyprus, the whole price of which 1 • laid at the apostles' feet, to be put into the common stock, and disposed of as they should think fit, among the indigent lullowers of the holy Jesus. This worthy example was fol- lowed by those ./ho were blessed with temporal good, none kept their plenty to themselves, but turned their houses and lands into money, jind devoted it to the common use of the church. St. Barna- bas is indeed mentioned as selling a most valuable estate on this oc- casion ; being the most forward and ready to begin a common stock, and set others a laudable pattern of charity and benevolence. And now St. Barnabas became considerable in the ministry and government of the church ; for we find that St. Paul, coming to Jeru- »"«alem three /ears after his conversion, and not readily procuring ad- mittance into t' ) church, because he had been so grievous a persecutor of it, and might still be suspected of a design to betray it, addressed himself to Barnaba?, a leading man among the Christians, and one that had })ersonal knowledge of him. He accordingly introduced him to Peter and James, and satisfied them of the sincerity of his conversion, and in what a miracvdous manner it was brought about. This recommendation carried so much weight with it, that Paul was not only received into the communion of the apostles, but AND HOLY WOMEN. 538 taken into Peter's liouse, "and abode with him fifteen days." Gal. i. 18. Aoout four or five years after this, the agreeable news was brouglit to Jerusjdeni, that several of their body, wiio had been driven out of Judea by the perseeutions mised alx)ut St. Stephen, had preaehed at Antioeh with such sueeeas that a great nund)er, both of Jews and proselytes, embraced Christianity, and were desirous that some of the apostles Avould come down and visit them. This request was imme- diately granted, and Barnabas was deputed to settle the new planta- tion; and being himself "a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith," his charitable deeds accompanying his discourses, and his pious life exemplifying his sound doctrine, the people were greatly influenced by him, and very considerable additions were made to the Christian church. But there being too large a field for one laborer, he went to fetch Saul from Tarsus, who c;ame back with him to Antioeh, and assisted him a whole year in establishing that church. Their labors prospered ; their assemblies were crowded, and the disciples, who, before this, were called among themselves "brethren, believers, elect," and by their enemies, " Nazarenes and Galileans, were now called Christians first in Antioeh." .« When the apostles had fulfilled their charitable embassy, and staid some time at Jerusalem to see the good effect of it, they returned again to Antioeh, bringing with them John, whose surname was Mark, the son of Mary, sister to Barnabas, and at whose house the disciples found both security for their persons and conveniency for the solemnities of their worship. But soon after the apostles returned to Antioeh, an express relation was made to the church, by the mouth of one of the prophets who ministered there, that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart for an extraordinary work, unto which the Holy Ghost had appointed them. Upon this declaration, the church set apart a day for a solcnni mission ; after devout prayer and fasting, they laid their hands upon them, and ordained them to tlieir new work; which was to travel over certain countries, and preach the gos- pel to the Gentiles. From this joint commission, Barnabas obtained the name of an apostle, not only among later writers of the church, but with St. Paul himself, as we find in the history of the Acts of the Apostles. Paul and Barnabas being thus solenndy aiipointed " the apostles of the Gentiles," entered uy i their province, taking with thera John Mark for their minister or deacon, who assisted them in many ecclesiastical offices^ particularly in taking care of th» 634 LIVES OF THE A P O S T L E S The first city tl»i;y visited after their dijuirtiuv Iroin A»tioch waa Selu«ia, a city of Syria, adjoining to tlie sea. From whence they Siiiled for the ishind of Cyprus, the native \ihuv of St. Barnabas, and arrived at Sahunis, a port formerly rcmarlvable for its trade. Here they boldly preached the doctrines of the gosjjcl, in the synagogue of the Jews, and from thence travelled to Paphos, the capital of the island, and famous for a temple dedicated to Venus, the titular god- dess of Cyprus. Here their preaching was attended with remarkable success ; Servius Paulus, the pro-consul, being among others converted to the Christian faith. Leaving Cyprus, they crossed the sea to preach in Pamphylia, where their deacon, John, to tlic great grief of his uncle Barnabas, left them, and returned to Jerusalem — either tired with contiinial travels, or discouraged at the unavoidable dangers and difficulties which experience had sufficiently informed him would constantly attend the first preachers of the gospel, from hardened Jews and idola- trous Gentiles. Soon after their arrival at Lystra, Paul cured a man who had been lame from his mother's womb, which so astonished the inhabitants that they believed them to be gods who had visited the world in the form of men. Barnabas they treated as Jupiter, their sovereign deity, either because of his age, or the gravity and comeliness of Iiia person. For all the writers of antiquity represent him as a person of a venerable aspect, and a majestic presence. But the apostles, with the greatest humility, declared themselves to be but mortal. And the inconstant populace soon satisfied themselves of the truth of what they had asserted ; for at the persuasion of their indefatigable perse- cutors, who followed them hither also, they made an assault upon them, and stoned Paul till they left him for dead. But, supported by an invisible power from on high, he soon recovered his spirits and strength, and the apostles immediately departed for Derbe. Soon after their arrival they again applied themselves to the work of the ministry, and converted many to the religion of the blessed Jesus. From Derbe they returned back to Lystra, Iconium, and Anti(x;h, in Pisidia, "confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith ; and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts xiv. 22. After a short stay they again visited the churches of Pamphylia, Perga, and Attalia, where they took ship for Antioch, in Syria, the place from whence they first set out, Soon after their arrival they called the church of AND HOLY WOMEN. 535 this city togetlier, juhI gave tlioiu uu account of their travels, and the great success with which their preaching to the Gentiles had been attended. But they had not long continued in this city before their nssiHtanco was required to compose a ditlerence in the church, occasioned by some of the Jewish converts, who endeavored to persuade the Gen- tiles that they were bountl to observe the law of Moses, as well as that of Christ, and be circumcised as well as baptized. Barnabas cnileavored to dissuade the zealots from pressing such unnecessary observances. But all his endeavors jiroving ineilectual, he was de- puted, with St. Paul and others, to the church at Jerusalem, to submit the question to be determined there in full assembly. During their stay at Jerusalem, Mark, in all probability, reconciled himself to Bar- nabas, and returned with him and St. Paul to Antioch, after they had succeeded in their business at Jerusalem, and obtained a decree from tlie synod there, that the Gentile converts should not have circum- cision and other Mosaic rites imposed upon them. This determination generally comforted and quieted the minds of the Gentiles, but it did not prevent the bigoted Jews from keeping up a separation from them ; and that with so much obstiiuicy, that when St. Peter some time after came to Antioch, he, for fear of offend- ing them, deviatetl from his former practice, and late speech and vote in the synod of Jerusalem, by refraining from all kind of communion with the Gentiles. And Barnabas liimsclf, so great and good a man, was induced, by the authority of liis example, to commit the same error ; though doubtless, on being reproved by St. Paul, they both took more courage, and walked actiording to the true liberty and free- dom of the gospel. Some dayn afler this last occurrence Paul made a proposal to Barna- bas that thej' should repeat their late travels among the Gentiles, and Bee how the churches they had planted increased in their numbers, and improved in the doctrines they had taught them. Barnabas very readily complied with the motion, but desired they niiglit take with them his reconciled nephew, John Mark. This Paul absolutely re- fused, becsuise in their former voyage, Mark had not shown the con- stancy of a faithful minister of Christ, but consulted his own ease at a dangerous juncture, departed from them, without leave, at Pami)hylia, and returned to Jerusalem. Barnabas still insisted on taking him, and the other continuing as resolute to opj)ose it, a short debate arose, which terminated in a separation, whereby these two holy men, who 636 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. had for several years been companions in tiie ministry, and with united endeavors propagated the gospel of the Son of God, now took different provinces. Barnabas, with his kinsman, sivilod to his own country, Cyprus ; and Paul, accompanied by Silas, travelled to the churches of Syria and Cilicia. After this separation from St. Paul, the sacred writings give us no account of St. Barnabas ; nov are the ecclesiastical writers agreed among themselves with regard to the actions of this apostle after his sailing for Cyprus. This, however, seems to be certain, that ho did not spend the whole remainder of his life in that island, but visited different parts of the world, preaching the glad tidings of the gospel, healing the sick, and working other miracles among the Gentiles. After long and painful travels, attended with different degrees of success in dif- ferent places, he returned to Cyprus, his native country, wliere he suf- fered martyrdom in the following manner: Certain Jews coming from Syria to Salamis, where Barnabas was then preaching the gosjiol, being highly exasperated at his extraordinary success, fell upon him as he wan disputing in the synagogue, dragged him out, and after the most inhuman tortures, stoned him to death. His kinsman, John Mark, who was a spectator of this barbarous action, privately interred his l)ody in a cave; where it is said it remained till the time of tiie Em- peror Zeno, in the year of Christ 485, when it was discovered, with St. Matthew's Gosj "' in Hebrew, written with his own hiind, lying oa his breast. ST. STEPHEN. Both the scriptures and tlie ancient writers are wilent with regard to the birth, country, and parents of St. Stephen. Kpiphanius is of opinion that he was one of the seventy disciples; but this is very un- certain. Our blessed Saviour appointed his seventy dis<'iples to teach the doctrines and ])reach the glad tidings of the gosj)el ; but it does not appe ir that St. Stephen and the six other first deacon? liad »ny particr' r designation before they wore chosen for the service of the tab'es ; and, therefore, St. Stephen could not have been one of our Lord's disciples, though he might have of>er f>llowed him and listened to bis discourses. He was remarkably zealous for the cause of religion^ nnd full of th» ' k "'mi " i'v./'" 53a I, I V E S F T II K APOSTLES Holy Ghost; workinj^ many wondfrlul niinicle.s before the people, and presfiing them with the greatest earnestness to embrace the doctrines of the gosiJcl. This highly provoked the Jews ; and some of the synagogue of the freed men of Cyrenia, Alexandria, and other j)laccs entered into dis- pute with him ; but being unable to I'esist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake, they suborned false witnesses against him, to testify that they heard him blaspheme against Moses and against God. Nor did they stop here; they stirred up the })co])le by their calumnies, so that they dragged him before the council of the nation, or great san- hedrim, where they produced false witnesses against him, who deposed that they hail heard him speak against the temple and against the laAV, and aflfirm that Jesus of Nazareth wx)ukl de^;troy the holy place, and [ abolish the law of Moses. Stephen, supported by his own innocence I and an invisible power from on high, appeared undaunted in the j midst of this assembly, his countenance shining like that of an angel ; I when the high priest asked him w^hat he had to otfor against the accu- sations laid to his charge, he answered by reminding them of God's g'T-t mercies to them as a nation, and by sii», ,ving them J.ow they had t resisted him, and refused to receive the blessings he held out to them, closing his remarks as follows : " Ye stiff-necked, ye uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye will for- I ever resist the Holy Ghost. Ye tread in the })atlis of your fathers. [ As they did, so do you still continue to do. Did not your fathers [ persecute every one of the prophets ? Did not they slay them who [ showed the coming of the Holy One, whom ye yourselves have be- 'i trayed and murdered ? Ye have received the law by the disposition ji of angels, but never kept it." I At these words, they were so highly enraged that'they all gnashed I their teeth against him. But Steplien, lifting up his eyes to heaven, I saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand oi Om- nipotence. Upon which, he said to the council, " I see the heavens open, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." This I ■ ' so greatly provoked the Jews, that they cried out with one voice, and I stoppc'd their eai*s, as if they had licard some dreadful blasphemy; and falling upon him, they dragged him out of the city, and stoned j him to death. It was tlu; custom of the Jews, on these; occasions, for ! the witnesses to throw the first stone. Whether they observed this 5 particular at the martyrdom of Stephen, is uiu^ertiiin. But the evan- i gelist tells us that the witnesses were principally concerned in this AND HOLY WOMEN. 539 action ; for they stripped off their clothes, and Uiid them ivt the feet of a young man whose name was Saul, then a violent persecutor of the Christian church, but afterwards one of the most zealous preachers of the gospel. Stephen, while they were mangling his body with stones, was pray- ing to his heavenly Father for tlieir pardon. " Lord," said he, " lay not this sin to their charge." And then, calling on his dear liedeemer to receive his spirit, he yielded up his soul. ST. TIMOTHY. i TiifOTHY was a convert and disciple of St. Paul. He was born, according to some, at Lystra; or, according to others, at Derbe. Hia father was a Gentile, but his mother a Jewess, whose name was Eunice, and that of his grandmother Lois. These particulars are \x\kc\\ notice of because St. Paul c» -mmends their piety, and the good education which they had given Timothy. When St, Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, about the year of Christ 51 or 52, the brethren gave a very advantageous testimony of the piety and good disposition of Timothy ; and the apostle would have him along with him, but he initiated him at Lystra, before he received him into his company. Timothy applied himself to labor with St. Paul in the business of the gospel, and did him very important ser- vices through the whole course of his preaching. It is iiot known whc'.i he was mi.de a bishop. But it is believed that he received very early the imposition of the apostles' hands, and that in consc(jucnce of a particular revelation or direction from the Holy Ghost, St. Paul calls him not only his dearly-beloved son, but also his brother, the companion of his labors, and a man of God. He declared that there was no one more united with him in heart and mind than Timothy. This holy disciple accompanied St. Paul to Macedonia, to Philipj)!, to Thessalonica, to Berea ; and when the a|)ostle went from Berea he left Timothy and Silas there to confirni the converts. VV^hen became to Athens he sent for Timothy to come thither to him ; and when he was come, and had given him an account of the churches at Mace- donia, St. Paul sent him back to Thessalonica, from whence he afterwards returned with Sihis, and came to St. Paul at Conutb, i 540 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES Therfe he coiitiiiuwl with him, and the apostle mentions him with Silas, at the beginning of the two Epistles wiiieh he then wrote to ti;9 Thessalonians. Some years after this St. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus into Mn cedonia; and gave Timothy orders to call at Corinth, to refresh thi' minds of the Corinthians with regard to the truths which he had in- culcated upon them. And some time after, writing to the same Corinthians, he recommends them to take care of Timothy, and send him back in i)eace. After this Timothy returned to St. Paul in Asia, who there staid for him. They went together into Macedonia ; and the ai)0.stle puts Timothy's name Avith his own, before the second Epistle to the Corinthians, whicli he wrote to them from Macedonia, about the middle of the year of Christ 57 ; and he sends his recom- mendations to the Romans in the letter which he wrote them from Corinth the sjime year. When St. Paul returned from Rome, in 64, he; left Timothy at Ephesus, to take care of that church, of which he was the first bishop, as he is recognized by the council of Chalcedon. St, Paul wrote to him from Macalonia tlie first of the two Epistles which arc addressed to liim. He recommends him to be more moderate in his, austerities, and to drink a little wine, because of the weakness of hif stomach, and his frequent infirmities. After the apostle came to Rome, in tbe year 65, being now very near his death, lie wrote to him his second letter, which is full of the marks of his kindness and tenderness for this ins dear disciple, and which is justly looked upon as the last will of St. Paul. He detiires him to come to Rome to him before winter, and bring with him several things which St. Paul had left at Troas. If Timothy went to Rome, as it is i)robable he did, he must have been a witness there of the martyrdom of this ajmstle, in the year of Ciirist 66. If he did not die before the year 97, we can hardly doubt but that he must he the pastor of tlie church of Ephesus, to whom St. John writes in his Revelations ; though the reproaches with which he seems to load him for his declension in having left his first love, do not seem to agree to so holy a man as Timothy was, or show that men eminently holy may yet fall from their steadfastness. Thus he speaks to him, "I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and ho\v +]iou ranst not bear them which are evil : and thou ha? ' tried them which nay they are apostles, and are not, and hast found ikem liars; and h^^t bon?e and h^t patience^ and for my nanieV AND HOLY WOMEN. 541 Sakt! hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless, I have some- what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Ueniember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do thy first works ; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." The greater num- ber of interpreters think that these reproaches do not so much concern the person of Timothy, as that of some members of his church, whose zeal was grown cool. But others are persuaded that they may be applied to Timothy himself, who made ample amends by the martyrdom which he suffered for the r('j)roaches mentioned by St. John in this place. It is supposed that Timothy had Ont^imus for his successor. TITUS. Titus was a Gentile by religion and birth, but converted by St. Paul, who calls him his son. St. Jerome says that he was St. Paul's interpreter; and that probably because he might write what St. Paul dictated, or explained in I^atin what this apostle said in Greek ; or rendered into Greek what St. Paul said in Hebrew or Syriac. St. Paul took him with him to Jerusalem, when he went thither in the year 51 of the vulgar era, about dtK;iding the question which was then started, whether the converted Gentiles ought to be made subject to the ceremonies of the law. Some would then have obliged him to circumcise Titus, but neither he nor Titus would consent to it. Titus was sent by the same apostle to Corinth, upon occasion of some dis- putes which then divided the church. He was well received by the Corintliians, and very much satisfied with their retidy compliance, but would receive nothing from them, intimating thereby the disin- terestedness of his master. From thence he went to St. Paul in Macetlonia, and gave liim an account of the state of the church at Corinth. A little while after the apostle desired him tn return again to Corinth, to set things in order preparatory to his coming. Titus readily undertook this journey, and departed immediately, carrying with him St. Paul's s('(H)iid letter to the Corinthians. Titus was made bishop of the isle of Crete, about tlie 63d year of Christ, when St. Paul was obligcit to q'iit this island, Wi order to take care of the other churches. The following year h» 64'2 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES wrote to him to desire that, as soon a.s he should have sent Tyohycui of Artenuus to liiiu for siii)])lying iiis place in (Vete, Titus would come to him to Nicopolis in Macedonia, or to Nicopolis in Epirus upon the gulf of Amhracia, where the aj)ostle intended to pjiss his winter. The subject of this Epistle is to represent to Titus what are the qualities that a bishop should be endued with. As the principal ijnction which Titus was to exercise in the isle of Crete, was to or- dain elders, it was highly incumbent on him to make a discreet choice. The Epistle to Titus has always been acknowledged by the church. The Marcioiiitcs did not receive it, nor did the Basilidians, and some otiier heretics ; but Titian, the head of the Encratites, received it, and preferred it before all the rest. It is not certainly known from what place it was written, nor by whom it was sent. Aitus was deputed to preach the gospel in Dalmatia; and he was still there in the year 65, when the a{)ostle wrote his second Epistle to Timothy. He afterwards i-eturned into Crete ; from which it is said he j)ropagated the gospel into the neighboring islands. He died at the age of 94, and was buried in Crete. We are assured that the Cathedral of the citv of Candia is dedicated to his name, and that his head is preserved there entire. The Greeks keep his festival on the 25th of Augast, and the Latins on the 4th of January. THE VIRGIN MARY. As we are taught by the predictions of the Prophets, that a Virgin was to be the mother of the promised Messiah, so we are assured, by the unanimous concurrence of the Evangelists, that this Virgin's name was Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anna, of the tribe of Judah; and married to Joseph of the same tribe. The scripture, indeed, tells lis no more of the blessed Virgin's parents, than tiiat she was of the family of David. What is said concerning the birth of Mary and her parents, is to be found only in some aprocryphal writings, but which, however, are very ancient. St. John says, that Mary the wife of Cleophas, was the Virgin's sister Mary, that she was of the royal race of David. She was allicKl likewise to the family of Aaron, since Elizabeth the w^ife of Zacharias, and mother of John the Baptist, was her cousin. r K I AND HOLY WOMEN. 54d It is gonorally believed l)y tlie eliureli that the Virgin, in tho niid- fiumnier nt'tlie year o, IJ. C, wius living at the house ot" her parents in Kazaroth, not having yet been taken by Joseph to his iiomo. Being at this time betrothed to Joseph, she was by the J((\vish law and eus- tom regarded as his will', and is so spoken of in the New Testament, although he had not as yet a<'-'iolic Church celebrates a solemn mass at midnight of Christmas eve, and in Europe the church bells greet the anniversiiry of the glad event with their merriest p(!als. The Virgin remained for some time at Bethlehem, and while there the Holy Child was visited by the Wise Men of the East, who had seen His star, and had come to worship Him and bring Him gifts. But before this, fort)^ days after the birth of her Son, the time of the Virgin's purification iiaving come, she went to Jerusalem with her husband in order to present her Child in the Temple, and there to ofl'er the sacrifice appointed by the law for the purification of women after child-birth. While still in the Temple, there came to her an old man named Simeon, to whom the Holy Ghost had revealed the Divine character of the Babe. Taking the little Jesus in his arms, Simeon blessed Gotl that ho had been permitted to see the salvation of Israel ; and then, turning to Mary, said — " This Child is sent for the rising and falling of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against you; even so far as that thine own soul shall be pierced as with a Sword, that the secret thoughts in the hearts of many may be dis- covered." Soon after this, Joseph and Mary prepared to return to their own country of Nazareth ; but the former being warned of God in a dream of Herod's cruel designs against the infant Jesus, they fled into iigy^ivrith the child, where they remained until the death of Herotl, when they returned to their own country, and made their abode in AND HOLY WOMEN. Nazareth, not daring to go to Bctlilehem, whi(;h wixs in the territory of Archelaus, the son ai»»l successor of Herod the Great. Joseph and Mary were reguhir in their attendance upon the Feast of the Passover, and when Jesus was twelve years old, took him up to Jerusalem with them. When they set out for home, Jesus re- mained behind in the city, and liis mother and her husband failing to find him in the company with which they journeyed, returned to Jerusalem, and after three days' seeking, found him in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions, and astonishing all with the wisdom of his questions and replies. His mother tenderly reproached him for causing her so much anxiety : " Behold your father and myself, wiio have sought you in great affliction!" Jesus answered them, " Why d^d you seek me? Did you not know that I nuist be employed about my Father's business?" Afterwards he returned to Nazareth with them, and live•' -* VI j-'*> ^ * o^i -<;^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 Q- 64S LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. along with him to Ephesus, where she died in an extreme old age j and there is a letter of tlfe oecumenical council of Ephesus, importing, that in the fifth century it was believed she was buried there. Y.'t this opinion was not so universally received but that some au- thors of the same age think the Virgin Mary died and was buried at Jerusalem ; or, rather, in the sepulchre at Gethscmane, near that city, where, to this day, it is shown as a magnificent church dedicated to her name. The sentiments of the Romish Church are that she is dead. A portion of the members of this creed hold that she has risen again, others assert that siie remains like the rest of mortality awaiting the general resurrection at the last day. With regard to the age at which she died, and the precise year of her death, it is needless to trouble ourselves about this inquiry ; since nothing can be said on these matters but what is very doubtful ; and they cannot be fixed but at random. JOSEPH, THE HUSBAND OF MARY. Holy Scripture has vouchsafed to us very little information con- cerning Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, and the reputed father of Jesus Christ ; and what we do know has been already set forth in the chapters of this work relating to the Saviour and the Virgin, so that we can mei'ely repeat here what has been already written. Joseph was the son of Heli, and of the house and lineage of David. He was a just man, and feared God, and, according to the tradition of the church, was a widower at the time of his betrothal to the Vi' - gin. He lived at Nazareth, in Galilee, and it is believed that his family had resided in that place for many generations back, as had also the family of the Virgin, since Matthat, the common grand- father of both Joseph and Mary, had been a resident of Nazareth. He espoused Mary, his cousin, the daughter and heir of his uncle Jacob, but, according to the custom of the country, allowed her to re- main with her parents for some time after this. While she remained there he made the discovery that she was already with child, a db- •overy which caused hira to abandon all thoughts of consummatftig AND HOLY WOMEN. 649 his marriage with her, and set him to devising means for putting her away. He had not a doubt tliat she liad deceived liim, and had been a partner to some shameful intri^^ie. He loved her very tenderly, in spite of what he deemed her fault, and was not willing to ytut her away publicly upon the ground of unchastity, for the Jewish law punished that crime with death. He resolved, therefore, to put her away privately, which, according to the custom of his nation, he had a right to do; and while revolving these things in his mind, he was overcome by a gentle slumber, in which he received a revelation from God, acquainting him with the miraculous manner in which his be- trothed wife had conceived her child ; telling him of the divine char- acter of her offspring, and convincing him of the perfect purity of his most favored bride. He awoke joyfully, fully convinced by the heavenly vision, and, hastening to Mary, told her of his trust in her, and his perfect belief in her goodness and purity. He then took her to his home, as his wife, but had no carnal knowledge of her until after the birth of her first-born Son, the holy Jesus. Some time afler this he went, with his wife, up to Bethlehem, the city of their forefathers, that they might there be enrolled on the Ro- man register, for the purpose of being taxed ; ar.i, while there, Josepli was a witness to the birth r»f the Saviour and the visit of the shep- herds. He also went with Mar}' and the Child to i)rcscnt the latter in the T mple, and heard the words of the venerable Simeon, when that aged man recognizetl the infant Messiah. He was present when the wise men of the East brought their gifts and paid their homage to the Child, and received the heavenly warning which caused the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, to avoid Herod's barbarous cruelty. To him also was the summons addressed which called them back to the land of Israel. It was his intention to make his residouee at Bethlehem, in Judea; but hearing that Herod the Great had been succeeded by his son, Arehelaus, he feared that the new ruler might seek to carry out the barbarous ])urpose of his father, and seek to destroy the Messiah, and accordingly went to his old home, at Naza- reth, where he fixed his abode, and pursued his trade as a carpenter. When our Saviour was twelve years old, Joseph took him, with Mary and himself, to attend tlie passover at Jerusalem, and there the child Jesus tarried after the departure of Joseph and the Virgin. Being recovered by them, Jesus went with them to Nazareth, where he re- ms^ned with them until he grew to manhood. Joseph continued to «ct the part of a father to him, and was commonly regarded as his {Mreiit. 650 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. Here our knowfedge of Joseph oiuls. From this time the «\Tin- gclists arc silent concerning liim, and all tiiat is asscrtotl regarding him, i3 based upon very unreliable tiaditions. It seems certain that he died before the crucifixion : for it is hardly probable that our Lord would have left his mother to the care of St, Joiin, had her husband been living. Joseph is held in high honor in the Roman Catholic Church, and his festival is celebrated on the 19th of March. MARY, THE SISTER OF LAZARUS. Tins holy woman has been preposterously confounded with the sin- ful i)erson who sat at the feet of the blessed Jesus weeping, while he was at nuat in the house of Simon the leper. Luke vii. 37. Who tliis sinner was is unknown ; some will have her to be Mary Mag- dalene, but this opinion has nothing more than coujceture for its basis. But whoever this sinner was, she was a very different person from Mary, the sister A' Lazarus, who, with her sijiter Martha, lived with their brother at Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. The blessed Jesus had a ])ariieul:ir affection for this family, ami ofter retired to their house with his disciples. One day, and [)erhaps the first time that Jesus went thither, Martha recei'/ed him with remarkable affection, and took the greatest j)ains in providing a proper entertainment for him; but Mary, her sister, continued sitting at our Saviour's feet, listening to his words with peculiar attention. This Martha considered as an instance of disrespect, and, therefore, said to Jesus, " Lord, dost thou not care th:it my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her, therefore, that she help me." But the blessed Jesus justified Mary, by telling her sister, ** that she had chosen the better part, which should not be taken from her." Some time after, their brother Lazarus was taken sick, and his sisters sent to acquaint Jesus of the misfortune; but he did not arrive at Bethany till after Lazarus was dead. Martha hearing that Jesus was c jme into the Heighl)orhood, went and told him, tlmt if he Jiad not been absent, her brother had been stUl alive. J^ Pi < a o o o u CO c < > (£ 561 662 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES Jesus promised her that her brother sliould rise again. To which Martha answered, " I know that he shall rise again, at the last day." Jesus replied, " I am the resurrection and the lile ; he that beliovcth in me, though ho were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" Martha answered, " Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." Having said this she departed and gave her sister notice privately, that Jesus was come. Mary, as soon as she heard the welcome tidings, arose and went to Jesus ; and as Martha had done before her, said, " Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." The blessed Jesus was greatly moved at the pathetic complaints of these two worthy sisters, and on asking where they had buried him, they conducted him to the sepulchre. On his arrival at the place where the body of Lazarus was deposited, the great Redeemer of mankind groaned deeply in his spirit; he wept, he prayed to his Father, and then cried with a loud voice, " Lazarus, come forth." The dead obeyed the voice of the Son of God. Laza- rus immediately revived, and Jesus restored him to his sisters. After performing this 8tuj>endous miracle, Jesus departed from the neighborhood of Jerusalem, and did not return thither till some days before the passover. Six days before that festival Jesus again came to Bethany, with hii disciples, and was invited to a supper at the house of Simon the lepei — Martha attendegists ; nor was it inserted in the Koman till after the year 1585. The body of Jo.-5e|)h of Ariinathea was, it is said, brought to the Abbey of Moy- cnmoiitier, by Fortunatus, Archbishop of Grada, to whom Charle- magne had given this monastery under the denomination of a bene- fice. Here his remains were honored till the tenth age, but then tlio monastery being given to canons, who continued seventy years there, the relics were carried away by some foreign monks, and so lost with many others. NICODEMUS. NrcoDEMi's, one of the disciples of our blessed Saviour, was a Jew by nation, and by sect a Pharisee. The gospel calls him a ruler of the Jc.vs; , . Christ gives liim the name of a master of Israel. When our Saviour began to manifest himself bv his miracles at Jerusalem, at the first passover which he celebrated there after his baptism, Xicodcinus made no doubt but that he was the Mes- siah, and came to him by night, that he might learn of him the way to siUvation. Jesus told him, that no one could see the kingdom of lieaven, ex- cept he should be born again. Nicodemus, tivking this in the literal sense, made answer, " How can a man be bo«n again ? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?" To which Jesus replied, " If a man be not born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh ; and that which is born of the spirit, is spirit." Nicodemus asked him, "How can these things be?" Jesus an- swered, " Art thou a master of Israel, and ignorant of these things? We tell you what we know, and you receive not our testimony. If you believe not common things, and which may be called earthly, how will ye believe me if I speak to you of heavenly things ? And as I 656 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES Moses lirttxl up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man he lifted up m high ; lor (io3 LIVES OF THE APOSTLES twecn liis birth and tlu; bogimiinjijof his puhlif ininistrv. " The child grew, and waxed strong in s[)irit, anil was in the ileserts till the day of his showing unto Lsrael," Li'':e i. 80. There is a tradition, that when Ilerod sent forth to kill tiie children around liethleluin, Eliza- beth fl:'d to the desert witli the infant John, and died there soon al'ter, and that the child was nurtured in a miraculous manner from Heaven, until lie grew to be old enough to j)rovide ibr himself. John was ordained to bo a Xazarite from his birth. Luke i. 15. Dwelling by himself in the wild and thinly-peopled region westward of the Dead Sea, he prepared himself by self-discii>Iine, and by con- stant commiuiion with God, for the Monderful oHice to which he had been divinely called. The very appear- ance of the holy Ba})tist was, of itself, a lesson to his countrymen ; his dress was that of the old prophets — a garment woven of camel's hair, attachcH.1 to the body by a leathern girdle. His ibod was such as the desert aUbiiled — locusts and wild honey. At length, being fully pr('|)ared for his mission, this great preacher of the a|)proaching salvation came up out of the wilderness into the more thickly popu- lated portions of Juda;a. It was a time at which all the nations of the eastern world, the Jews in particular, were looking for the coming of some great person, who should bring great good to mankind. Suddenly, while Judjca was waiting in this vague expectancy, there was lieard "the voice of one crying in the wilderness," the wild, im]>assionate eloquence of John, callinjj on the people of the land to "repent for the King- dom of Heaven is at hand." His wonderful eloquence and his strange ai)i)eai'ance drew large crowds to hear him, and he laught them a doc- trine which was uew to them — that of repentance. This was the TUE II 3U lUlIEST. AND HOLY WOMEN 563 •rj; was crowned with a ffreat success. Many of every class pressed forward to coniess their sins and to be baptized. The preparatory baptism of John was a visible sign to the people, and a distinct acknowledgment by them, that a hearty renuneiati(»n of sin and a real amendment of life were necessary for admission into the Kingdom of Ilejiven, which the Baptist proclaimed to be at hand. There was, however, a I'nndamental distinction between John's baptism unto repentance, and that baptism aeeompanied with the gift of the IToly Si)irit which our Lord after- wards ordained, and which John himself dearly pointed out to his converts: "I, indeed, baptize yon with water unto repentance: but lie that Cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the IL)ly Ghost and with fire." Matt. iii. IL The mission of the Baptist — an extraordinary one for an extra- ordinary purpose — was not limited to those who had openly foi-saken the covenant of God, and so forfeited its jirineiplcs. It was to the whole people alike. Jesus himself came from Galileo to Jordan to be baptized of John. It appears that Joh.^ immediately, as it were by a prophetic revelation, knew the Saviour of the world, for w? 564 L'VES OF THE APOSTLES find from tlie ovangolist, that he aokiiovvledged his s.iperiority, and (leclinc'd the oIHih': " I Imve need lo he baptized of thee, and coniest thou to nie?" Our Saviour's answer, though short, is very full ami expressive: "SulTer it to he so now, for thus it beconieth us to fulfil all righteousness." As if he had said, Regard not the precedence at this time, ijut perform tliy office ; for it is necessary that we should, in the minutest point,, conform to the Divine Will, by which this insti- tution is enjoined. Tliis remonstrance removed the objections of John, and he baptized the immaculate Jesus in the River Jordan, in the presence of numerous spectators. Jesus received at once a seal from heaven to his obedience by the voice that proclaimed him to be tlie Beloved Son, and by the descent of the Holy Spirit in the tbrm of a dove. Al)ove the sacred scene at the Jordan the heavens opened, as if all the celestial inhabitants were gazing intently, and it was shown that the Nazarene was greater than John, although, in order to fulfil all righteousness, he pernutted the Baptist to perform the act which signified his spotless purity and his complete consecration. Thenceforth he was fully endowed for his public ministry. With the baptism of Jesus, John's more especial office ceased. He still continued, however, to present himself to his countrymen in the capacity of a tintness to Jesus. From incidental notices in scripture, we learn that Jolin and his disciples continued to baptize some time after our Lord had entered upon his public ministry. We gather, also, that John instructed his disciples in certain moral and religious duties, as fasting and prayer. But shortly after he had given his testimony to the Messiah, John's public ministry was brought to a close. In daring disregard of the divine laws, Herod Antipas had taken to himself the wife of his brother Philip; and when John re- proved him for this, as well as for other sins, Herod cast him into prison. He was confined in the Castle of Machaerus — a gloomy fortress lying on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. While he lan- guished here he heard reports of the many wonderful miracles which our Lord was working in Judea. With a view to overcome the scruples of his disciples, and convince them that this was indeed the very Christ, John sent two of them to Jesus himself, to ask the ques- tion, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" They were answered, not by words, but by a series of miracles wrought before their eyes ; and, while Jesus bade the two measengers carry back to John, as his only answer, the report of what they had 9«en and heard, he took occasion to guard the multitude that aur* - AND HOLY WOMEN. 565 ftjunded him against supposing that the Baptist himself M'as shaken in mind, by a direct appeal to their own knowledge of his life and character. ** Verily I say unto you, Among them that arc horn of women, there hath not risen a greater than John tlx.- Baptist." Matt, xi. 11. Jesus proceeds i'urther to declare that Jr.hn was, according to the true meaning of the prophecy, the Elijah of the new covenant, foretold by Malachi. Herod kept Jolin a prisoner for some time, being anxious to put him to death, but being deterred from such a crime by his fear of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. His guilty wife, Hcrodias, was not so timid. John's stern denunciation of her crin)inal inter- course with Herod had aroused her fiercest resentment, and she Mas resolved that the holy man should pay for his boldness with his life. While John lay in prison a great festival was held at the Castle of Machaerus, in honor of the king's birthday. Aftor supper, Salome, the daughter of Hcrodias, came in and danced beiorc the cgmpany, and so captivated the monarch with her grace, that he promised, Mith an oath, to give her whatever she should ask, even to the half of his kingdom. The damsel, prompted by her infamous mother, promptly demanded the head of John the Baptist. Herod still feared to j)ut John to death, but nevertheless, for his oath's sake, gave orders for his instiint execution. An officer of the guard went at once to the prison, and, with his sword, struck off the head of the holy man, and brought it to the young girl, who carried it to her mother. The death of John is supposed to have occurred just before the third pasfi- over, in the course of the Lord's ministry. CITY 9P UETUOE. mi rr. > 7'Mm 566 \ OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. ADAM. Holy Scri|viuro assigns no date for the epoch of the creation. Tho books of !Moses were designed for a people wiio bchcved iinphcitly in God, and they open Avith the simple statement that God created tho earth in the beginning. It is stated that, previous to this, the con- dition of the earth and heavens was chaotic; and, in relating tho manner in which the creation was accomplished, the divine narrative divides the great work into six successive stages, called days, and shows us that the Crciitor carried on this work in a progressive man- ner, beginning with the lowest and closing with the highest forms of being. Though these stages are called days by Moses, it is not quito certain that the word thus employed actually means a period of twenty-four hours. "On the First Da^ went forth the word of God — 'Let there be Light, and i/y//^ Has.' Light broke over the face of the chaos: we arc not told from what source, but probably through the floating vapors being now rare enough to be penetrated by the sun's light. It shone ui)on each part of the earth's surface that was exposed to it in turn, and so God divided the light from the darknes.3; and God called the light Day, and the darkness ho called Ki(/ht, And the evening and the morning were the First Dai/.' " As yet the watery vapors, raised by intense heat, formed an en- velop of mist around the earth. They were now jmrted into two divisions, those which lie U[)on and hang about the surface of the earth, anil those which float high above it. The blue heavens be- came visible, like a crystal vault, called the firmament (literally, expanse), because its appearance is that of an outspread covering, else- where likened to a tent. But the word chosen no more implies that the sky is really a solid vault, than that it is a canvas tent. It forms, 567 I 668 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. to the eye, the partition between the upper and lower heavens, be- tween * the waters under the (irnianicnt and the waters above the fiiMuan\ent.* Such was the work of the Second Day. "Next begun the tremendous upheavings and sinkings of the earth's crust, by the forces at work witliin it, whidi formed it into mountains and valleys, and provided channels and basins for tlie waters on its surface. These were now gathered into collections, which were called Sea8, while the name of Earth was applied, in a narrower sense than before, to the portions exposed above the waters. On these jjortions the germs of vegetation began at once to bui-st into life, forming grass and fruit trees. These had their seed in them- selves, after their kind. Hero is the great law of reproduction ac- cording to species, on which depends the order of the vegetable and animal kingdoms. This was the work of the Third Day. "On the Fourth Day tho Sun and Moon were seen in the firmament of heaven. The fact of their previous creation is involved in the sta- bility of the earth as a member of the Solar System, as well as in the appearance of light on the first day. It is not said that they were first created on the fourth day ; and of the stars, many of which must have existed myriads of years before their light reached the earth, it is simply said, * He made the stars also,' not when he made them. In fact, the 'fourth day' seems to mark the period during which the air was cleared of its thick vapors, by the action of the plants and other causes, so that the heavenly bodies became visible. Stress is laid on their ruling as well as lighting the day and night. God said, * Let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.' They were designed, as they have ever since been used, to mark out the periods of human life ; to inculcate the great lesson, that * to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.' " Vegetables could live and flourish in a thick, moist atmosphere ; and the lower animal organizations could already be associated with them, though they had not been mentioned as yet, because not out- wardly visible. But now the larger animals appeared. First, the watei-s teemed with the 'creeping things,' and the 'great sea mon- sters,* with fishes and reptiles. Birds were produced at the same time, and might have been seen flying over the waters and in the open firmament of heaven. This was the work of the Fifth Day. " The Sixth Day witnessed the creation of the higher animals and Man, These were formed out of the earth, the chemical constituents of which are, in the main, the same as those of animal bodies. The OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 5ft9 ' latter, in fact, derive their materials from the vegetables, which have fij-st derived tlKjii-s from the earth and water; and all render back their gaseous and fluiil components to air and water, and their solids to the earth. " Man, the last created, for whom all the previous works was but a preparation, ditJered from all other creatures in being made ///.c God. The depth and meaning contained in this statement, though partly revealed in the Son of God, the true head of our race, remains to be developed hereafter. But, at least, it includes intellectual and spivit- ual likeness, intel- ligence, moral power, and holi- ness. To man was given domin- ion over all other animals; and both to him and them the plants were given for food. All .vereapiioii.ted to e!)ntinue their species according to their own like- ness, and all were blessed - with fer- tility ; but on the human race was pronounced the special blessing : — "Be fruitful, and multiply, and re- plenish the earth, and subdue it :' — so that Man's lordship of the creation is a part of his original constitution. " On each of the works of the last four days God pronounced the blessing that it was very good — perfect in its kind — useful iu its pur- pose — and entirely subject to his holy laws. "On the Seventh Day, God eeascfl from his finished works, rested, and blessed the day by the perpetual institution of the Sabbath. Ilis rest, however, was not an entire cessation from activity. He had done creating, but he continued to sustain and bless his creatures." GAIIDEX OF EDEN. ■^^^rF^fPT^i^ 670 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. Having luado niaii, (Jod called his name Adam, and placed him in a garden which " tlic Lord (Jod had planted eastward in Eden," ibr t!io purpose of dressing it and keeping it. Adam was permitted to eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden hut one, which was called the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." What this was, it is im- possible to say. Its name would seem to indicate that it had the power of hcstowing the consciousness of the diil'ercnce between goo 1 ami evil ; in the ignorance of which man's innocence and happiness consisted. The prohibition to taste the fruit of this tree was enforced by the menace of death. There was also another tree, which was called the " tree of life," Some sup{)ose it to have acted as a kind of medi- cine, and that by the continual use of it, our first parents, not created immortid, were preserved from death. V/hile Adam was in the Garden of Eden, the beasts of the field and fiie fowls of the air were brought to him to be named, and what- soever he called everv liviu"- creature, that was the name thereof. Thus i!»e power of fitly designating objects of sense was possessed by the first man, a faculty which is generally considered as indicating mature and extensive intellectual resources. Upon the failure of a companion, suitable for Adam, among the creatures thus brought to him to be named, the Tiord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon hinj, and took one of his ribs from him, which he fashioned into a woman, and brought hor to the man. " And Adam said, This is now bono of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman, be- cause she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his 'nother, and shall cleave unto his wife : and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamtJ.' Gen. ii. 23-25. Man Wiis plac«:i: in Paradise upon the condition that he should re- strain his appetitv end self-will. God gave him every means of gratifying every ll•^Yful taste, and simply forbade him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "In the day that thou catcst thereof, thou shalt surely die." The vast freedom which was granted him su^ciently proved the goodness of the Creator, and the restriction taught ;.:ai that he was to live underalaw^; and that law w-as en- forced b) a practical penalty, of which he was mercifully warned. We must .ot regard the prohibition merely as a test of obedience, nor the penalty as arbitrary. The knowledge forbidden to him was of a kind which would corrupt his nature — so corrupt it, as to make him unfit, as well as unworthy to live forever. OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 6tl Satan, the chief of the fallen spirits, seeking to tlestroy the work of God, now endeavored to drag man down to his own level. He entered the garden in the form of a serpent and addressing himself to Eve, nrgod iier to eat of the irnit of the forbidden tree, telling her that death wonld not follow the eonnnission of the act, "i'or God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then yonr eyes shall lie opened, and ye shall be as yods, knowing good and evil." The woman list- ened to the voice of the deceiver, ate of the frnit of the tree, and fell into the three-fold sin of sensnality, pleasure, and and)ition. Having eaten she gave of the fruit to her hushand, and he fell with her. In one i)oint the devil had truly described the effect of eating the forbidden fruit. " Their eyes were opened." They had " become as gods" in respect of that knowledge of evil, as well as of good, which God had reserved to himself and mercifully denied to them. They became conscious of the working of lawless ))leasure in place of purity, in the very constitution given them by God to perpetuate their race; and they were ashamed bet^iusc they were naked. Toward God they felt fear in place of love, and they fled to hide themselves from his j)rcsence among the trees of the garden. Thus they were already self-condemned before God called tlieni forth to judgment. Then the man cast the blame upon the woman, and the woman upon the serpent ; and God proceeded to award a righteous sentence to each. The judgment passed upon the serpent is symbolical of the con- demnation of the devil. The creature, as Satan's instrument and type, is doomed to an accursed and degraded life ; and that enmity that has ever since existed between liim and man is the symbol of the conflict between the powers of hell and all that is good in the human race. The woman is condenuied to subjection to her husband, and sorrow and suffering in giving birth to her children ; but she had the consola- tion of hearing that hrr seed Avas to conquer in the battle with the serpent, crushing its head, after the reptile's had inflicted a deadly wound upon liis heel. The man is shut up to a life of toil, and the earth is etu-sed for his sake, to bring forth, like himself, evil weeds, that require all his exer- tions to keep them down. But, as before, a promise is added; jiis labor shall not be without its reward — " in the sweat of thy brow, thou shall cat bread." Reminded of the doom they had incurred, though its execution was postponed — "dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" — and 572 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. clotlieil by God's goodness with the skins of beasts, they were driven out of Paradise. An angoIi(! guard, with *a flaming sword, debarred them from returning to taste of the tree of life; for it would have perpetuated their suffering. "And Adum knew Eve his wife; and she eonceived and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And AIh-I was a keeper of sheep, but Caiu was a tiller of the ground." Gen. iv. 1,2. The two brothers at one time brought the "first fruits "of their labors to offer them to God. Abel had led a life of purity, while SACRIFICE OF CAIN AND ABEL. Cain had passed his days in wickedness. Therefore, God preferred Abel's offering to that of Cain, and Cain, being rendered jealous of his brother, slew him. When God demanded his brother's blood at his hands, the murderer was overcome with the enormity of his crime, and was driven out into perpetual banishment from his family. He became, however, the father of a remarkable race. After the death of Abel, another son was born to Adam, and he called his name Scth. It must not be supposed, however, that Cain, Abel, and Seth were the only children of Adam. The inference is, that he had a numerous family; for the mention of Cain's wife (Gen. iv. 17), as OLD TESTAMENT CHAUACTERS. 678 well as his Ibar that tnon would slay liiiu, iir(> iudicatioii.s lliat the •replenishing of the earth " had made considerable progp'ss bilbretho death of Abel. "And all the days of Adam were nine hundred and thirty yeai*s; ttud he died." NOAH. The name of Noah is very significant. It means rest or comfort, and it was given hi u by Lamech, his father, who said, throujrh j)ro- phetic inspiration, " This shall ' Mulbrt us concemiug our work and toil of our hands, because of the gn)aud which the Lord hath curscil." Gen. V. 29. These words seem to express a dcej)er weariness than that arising from the primal curse, from which, indeed, the age of Noah broujiht no deliverance. IJut it did bring the comfort of rest from the wickeilncss which had now reached its greatest height. The brief history of the world before the flood may fairly be filled up, to some extent, from our knowledge of hui'ian nature. The scrip- ture narrative shows uo lliat the race of Cain invented the implements of industry and art; and wo can have no doubt that their inventions were adopt<'d by the progeny of Seth. During the i,G5G years before the flood, and when the experience of individuals endjraced nearly 1,000 years, vast strides must have been made in knowledge and civ- ilization. Arts and scionce? may have reached a ripeness, of which the record, from its scantiness, conveys no adequate conception. The destruction caused by the flood must have olditerated a thousand dis- coveries, and left men to r(;cover again by slow and patient steps the ground they had lost. But the race of Seth also became infected with the vices of the Cainites. This seems to be the only reasonable sense of the intercourse between '' the sons of God," {sons of the Elohhn,) ami " the daughters of men," [daughters of Adam.) We may put aside all fancies borrowed from heathen mythology rcsi)ecting the union of superhuman beings with mortal women, and assume that both parties were of the human race. The family of Seth, 'vlio jjrcscrvcd their faith in God, and the family of Cain, who lived only for this world, had hitherto kept distinct ; but now a mingling of the two races took place, which resulted in the thorough corrujition of the former, who, falling awav, plunged into the deepest abyss of wickedness. We are 674 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS also told that tliisi union produced a stock conspicuous lor plivsical strength and courage; and this is a well-known result of the inter- niixtiu'c of diilerent races. On the whole, it seems that the antediluvian world hail reached a dcs})eratc pitch of wickedness, the climax of whicli was attained by the fusion of the two races. The marked leaturcs of this wicked- ness were lust and brutal outrage. An interval of divine forbearance only brought this wickedness to its height. Jehovah said, " My Spirit shall not always strive with (or remain or rule in) man ; (the Adam) for that they are but Hesh, and their days shall be an hundred and twenty years." In the somewhat obscure brevity of this speech, it is difficult to determine the force of each word; but the general sense seems to be : " I will take awav from man the life I at first gave lum, since he has v'orrupted himself to mere flesh ; and I will limit his time on earth to one hundred and twenty years.' That the period thus defined was a space for repentance seems clear from the context. The opinion that it marks out the future length of human life, does not a^ all agree with the duration of the lives of the post-diluviau patriarchs. So great, indeed, had the wickedness of man become, that we an told that "it repented Jehonih tlint he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." lie resolved to dcstioy the existing ract of living creatures, as if putting an end to an experiment which had failed. Measures of amelioration would not meet the case. It was necessary (to use an expressive phrase) "to make a clean sweep" of the existing race, if there were to be any hope of better things among another. For the destruction contemplated was neitiier total nor final. It pleased God to set aside from the general doom one family, for the purpose of re-peopling the earth, after the flood should have passed by, and the family chosen for this experiment was that of Noah. "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord," and is described as "a just man and perfect (upright or sincere) in his generations," that is, among his contemporaries. Like Enoch, he "walked with God," and was earnest in his protests against the j)rcvailing wickedness of the day. lie w:is a " preacher of righteousness." He had three sons — Shem, Ham and Ja[)heth, as tliey are named in order of prece- dence ; but Japheth seems to have been the eldest, and Shem the youngest. Noah was five hundred years old when the eldest was born. The other two followed within the uext two years. OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 57h About this tiiiK', j)i'rli;n>s at tlie U'giiiiiing ol' tlie one liundrod aiitl twenty years of delay, (iod revealed liis design to Noali, hidding Iiini to prepare an "ark," to save his flunily from the eoniing flood, with the raees of animals needful Ibr them, and promising to establish a new covenant with them. Noah at onee believed the word of God,, and set about i)reparing the ark, Ibllowing strietly the directions ol" the Almitihtv as to its size and shape. Meanwhile, he continued to preach, and warn the people of their impending doom ; but they paid no heed to him. They mocked hin), and denounced his ark as the work of a lunatic; but still ho persevered, and urged them to come . with him into his ark and be saved. They saw liis work going up slowly and si wlily, according to the divine plan, but the nearer it approached completion, the more merciless became their scolling. They went on, "eating and drink- ing, marrying and giving in n»ar- riage, until the day that Xoah entered into the ark; and knew not until the flood came and took tiiein all away." At the beginning of the six hundredth year of Noah's life, the ark was completed ; and on the tenth day of the second month of that year, he entered into it by God's command, with his wife, his three sons and their wives — eight persons in all. They took with them the food they would require, which was as yet of a vegetable nature. They took also two (a pair) of every animal ; but of clean animals (for the use of sacrifice had already establisheil this distinction) tiiey took seven; by which is generally understood, three pairs to continue the race, and one male for sacrifice. They took seven days to enter the ark, and then "Jehovah shut Noah in." On the same day, namely, the seventeenth day of the second month of the six-hundredth year of Noah's life, tlie flood began. "The fountiins of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened." The sacred narrative is vivid and forcible, thoi.vrh entirely wanting in that sort of description whicli, in a mod- ern historian or poet, would have occupied the largest space. We NOAII ENTEIMNG THE ARK. I 570 OLD TK8TAMENT CHARACTERS. fioc nothing of the death-struggle; we hoar not the cry of despair; we arc not calh'd upon to witness tlie frantic agony of husband and wile, of parent and child, as they fled in terror before the rising wa- ters. Nor is a word said of the sadness of the one righteous man, who, safe himself, looked upon the destruction which lie could not avert. But one impression is left upon the mind, with peculiar vivid- ness, from the very simplicity of the narrative, and it is that of utter desolation. "All flesh died that moveth upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creopeth upon the earth, and every man. * ♦ * * They were destroyed fi'om the earth, and Xoah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark." For five months, or one hundred and fifty days, the lonely ark floated upon the vast expanse of waters. At the end of this time, *'Cod remembered Xoah " and those that were with him in the earth, and caused a strong wind to pass over the earth, which caused the rising watcs to subside; and from this time they began steadily to fall. On tho seventeenth day of the seventh month of Xoah's life, the ark was left aground on Mount Ararat. More than two months were still required to uncover the tops of the mou!itains, which appeared on the first day of the tenth month. Xoah waited still forty days (to the eleventh day of the eleventh month). Before he opened the window of the ark, ho sent out a raven, which flew to and fro, probably on the mountain to[)s, but did not return into the ark. After seven days more, (the eighteenth day) he sent forth a dove, which found no rest- ing place, and returned to the ark. In another seven days (the twenty-fifth day) she was sent forth again, and returned with an olive leaf in her bill, the sign that even the low trees were uncovered, and the type for ages after of peace and rest. After seven days more, (the second of the twelfth month) the dove was sent out again, and proved by not returning, that the waters had finally subsided. These periods of seven days clearly point to the division of time into weeks. Xoah at lenjith removed the covering of the ark, and beheld the newly uncovered earth on the first day of the 601st year of his age. On the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was dry, and Xoah went out of the ark, by the command of God, with all the crea- tures. His first act was to build an altar, and offer a sacrifice of eveiy clean beast and bird. This act of piety called forth the promise from God that he would not again curse the earth on account of man, nor destroy it as he had done ; but that he would forbear with man's in- w i ti: ill , ' '11 ''1 lilll ife :i,p Aifi' ^ F mMm m^: E f # 1 m- .■f'^ I ,, I ;, '! ,1 nil iIj!« J i I'in'D"'' ,'li'»/ III i'.il'i i| !! ! ' l" ■. II ' ij; I irni 1 If ii'i!;ii|!.f;i'i!f ;•,':!: i' J 37 nil ^ y< u I 578 OLD TESTAMENT CHAllACTERS. nate tendemy to evil, and continue the existing course of nutun; until the appointed end of tiie world. He repeated to Noah and Iiis suns the blessing pronounced on Adam and Eve, that they should " l)e Ihiitl'id, and nudtiply, and replenish the earth;" and that the inferior creatures shoidd he subject to them. To this he added the use oi' animals for food. But the eating of their blood was forbidden, be- cause the blood is the life; and, lest the needful shedding of their blood should lead to deeds of blood, a new law was enacted against murder. The horror of the crime was clearly stated on the two grounds of the common brotherhood of man, which makes every mur- derer a iratricide, and of the creation of man in tlu; image of (lod. TI.e first murderer had been driven out as a fugitive and a vagabond ; but his life was sacred. Now, however, tlio penalty was changed, and the law laid down, " He that sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." This law amounts to giving the civil magistrates " the j)ower of the sword ;" and hence we may consider //(/(.• vcw pre- cepts to have been given to Noah, i:? addition to the laws of tlie Sab- bath and of marriage, which were revealed to Adam, namely, the abstinence from blood, the prohibition of murder, and the recognition of the civil authority. In addition to these promises and precepts, God made with N(tah a CovKNANT — that is, one of those agreemenU by which he hiis con- descended again and again to bind himself toward man ; not more sacred with him than a simple promise, but more satisfving to the weakness of our faith. Of these covenants, that made with Noah, on behalf of his descendants, is the first; and it may be called the Cov- eruint of God's forheamncc, under Avhich man lives to the end of time. It repeated the promise, that the world should not be again destroyed by a flood ; and it was ratified by the beautiful sign oi" the rainbow in the cloud, a nafui-dl })henomcnon suited to the natural laws of whose permanence it was the token. It is important for us not to suflTer our relations to Adam, as our first father, or to Abra- ham, as father of the faithful, to overshadow our j)art in God's cove- nant with Noah as the ancestor of the existing human race. Noah soon gave ])roof that his new race was still a fallen one, by yielding to a degrading vice. Intoxication was doubtUss practised by the profligate race who "ate and drmik" before the flood ; but it would seem to have lieen a new thing with Noah. II" began his new life as a husbandman ; and, living in a land (Armenia) which is ttill most favorable for the vine, he planted a vintyard, n)ade hiinself m iV cs S H H f I I ^ . Illi ill >7t» i I'iJ 580 OLD TKSTAMENT CHARACTERS. (l»'.iiik in liis tent, and suHlrt'd the (l('f«;ratUn daughter of li'i- brother Ha- ran, and at the time of God's call to hiin, was living with his family in t!ie ancient city of " Ur of the Chaldces," which has been identified by the most ancient traditions with the city of Orfah, in the highlands of Mesopotamia (Aram), which unite the table land of Armenia to the Y alley of the Euphrates (Padan Aram). In later ages it was called 682 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. h^lt>s,sa, and was celobratod as the capital of Abgarus or Acbarus, who was said to have reccivt'd tlie k'ttor and portrait ol" our Saviour. Go(i apiK-arcd to Abrani while ho .till dwelt in LTr, and told him (o depart out of his country into a land which he would show him.* In obe- dience to this call, Almiiu, accompanied by all his kimlred, left Ur, and niovinj)^ southwaid, they took up their residence at Ilaran, more properly called in the New Testament Charran, east of the Euphrates, "the flood" which divided the old home of the family froni the new land of jn'omiso. Here they remained fl)r some years, and here Terah died at the atr'' of two hundred and five veal's. Nahor, charmed with the fertility of the country, claimed the right of a first choice, and settled here. Abram was now sevnt, and came and dwelt in the plain of Manire, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." Gen. xiii. 14-18. Mainre became the usual dwelling pla(« of Abram, and it was while he was living here that the live cities of the plain rebelled against Chedorlaomer, the king of Khun, and chief of a nughty empire in Western Asia, to whom they had been in subjection for twelve years. The king of Elam marched against the five cities, with three allied kings, and defeated their forces in a great battle in the vale of Siddim. The victors despoiled the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and carried off Ijot and all his goods. As soon as Abram was in- formed of the fate of his nephew, the colleced 318 men of his own household, and a force of his Amorite allies, and pursued the victors. He overtook thorn at the sources of the Jordan, and by a bold night attack, defeated them, rescued I^ot, and recovered all the spoil. On his return he was met by the new king of Gomorrah, who offered him half the spoil, which he refused to accept. In this episode, Abram, "the Hebrew," a f))rcign chief, appears as a powerful Emir, with a numerous retaining of followers, living on terms of equality with others like himself, who were anxious to court the friendship of so formidable an ally, and combining with the peaceful habits of a pastoral life, the same capability for warfare which is characteristic of the Arab race. AVith great dignity he refuses to enrich himself with the fruite of his victory, and claims only a share of the booty for his Anioriti L^, ■n t ii t jt s m w .j ii ! 686 OLD TESTAMENT CHAUACTEUS. iillii'H, to whom, ai)i)art'iitly, he cxteiuls his protection in return fbi* jHTMiissioM to reside in tiieir territory. Anion}? those who met liim, on iiis return, was Meleiiizedek, the king of Salem, "a priest of tiie Most Iligii Ciod," and to iiim Abram gave tithes of ail the spoil. There is something surprising and mys- tass between them ; but the birds, being small and of the siune kind, were not divided, but placed entire opposite each other. Then the party making the agreement, or covenant, passed between the pieces, OLD T E S T A M E N T C H A 11 A C T E U S. 687 dtrlarinjif tin; t' rius by which he hound hiiusclt' to jihidc As this was tlic stroiij.'iost iiud most soh'niii iiictliod Al)nim know ol" contnict- iiijr a l)iiidiii), ohligation, ( iod thoii;;ht it proper to inakf use of it oit this ot'casioii." Abram was directed to make the necessary arrangements for such a ceremony J aud when he iiapc'cMlio(l tiiuc. (iod also chanj:;ed tlie |)atriar{'h's nanio to Ahnihdm (lather of a nmltitude) and his wife's nain(> to Sarah (princess), in eonsequenoc of her exaltod (!i<>;nity as the mother of the promised seed. At the same time, the command was ,i>;iven to establish the rite of circumcision, witli which Abraham comi-.'iicd in the person of himself, of Jshmael, and of every male in his household. Soon after this, the promise that vSarah should bear a son was re- peated. Three men stood before Abraham ;..t he sat before his tent in the heat of the day. The patriarch, with true Eastern hospitality* welcomed the strangers and bade them rest and refresh themselves; the meal ended they foretold the birth of Isaac. Sarah overheard this -prediction and lani;;hcd incredulously at it. The principal stran- ger rebuked her sternly for her unbelief, reminding her that every- OLD TESTAMKNT CHARACTERS. 589 thiiifi' was po.ssible with (Jnd. The iiuots (lien went on their way to Sodom. Ahraliain aceoiiipaniod them a part of the way, and was told hy (Jod of liis piir[)o.se to destroy tho wicked cities ol" the phiin. Full of sorrow, the patriarch besoutiht the Almi|L;hty tn s[)an' these cities if as many as fifty righteous men could he found in them, and oncourai^cd by a favorable answer, continued to plead until (jod prom- ised to spare tho cities if as many as ten righteous men ct)uld bo* found in them. Thus do wc see the eft'ect of fervent and constiuit prayer on the part of tho righteous. Clod is always more ready lo hear than we to pray, and more ready to grant than we to ask. Meanwhile, tho two angels wont on their way to Sodom, whoso peo- ple gave them a reception which filled up the measure of their sin.i. Even tho sons-in-law of Lot despised their warning ; and Lot himself was reluctantly dragged, with his wife and t.vo d:iuople of the city, in the course of which he behaves, and is treated by them, like a mighty and generous jjrince. Courteously refusing both the use of their sci)ulchres and the offer of a place for his own as a gift, he buys for its full value, four hundred shekels' weight of silver, "current money with the merchant," the Cave of Machpelah, (Doidile Cave) close to the oak of Mamrc, with the field in which it stood. Here he buried Sarali, and the place ul- timately became the sepulchre of his immediate descendants. He now returned to Beersheba, and his next care was to send his servant to choose a wife for his son Isaac, amongst iiis own kindred. His oldest servant undertook the journey, and pledged himself to his jn#ster not to select a wife for the heir amongst any of the daught^n 592 ABliAHAM AND ISAAC ASCExN'DlNG THE MOUNTAIN, I. D TESTAMENT CHARACTERS 593 of Canaan. The servant then set out, ana guided by God, Avent to Haran, in Me.sopotauua, where Nalior, the brother of Abraliani, had settled, and a tr a long journey, reached the well of Haran about the time of the evening that the damsels came to draw water. He knew that he should behold his young master's future bride among the throng, and ho prayed that God would bless him in his choice. Feel- iug very deeply the responsibility of the matter, he prayed the Al- 6M OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. ELIEZEH AND IJKI5KKAII AT THE WELL. mighty to give him a sign by which he should know whom to select — namely, that she who, to his request to give him and his camels to drink of the water, should say, "Driid<; and I will give thy camels drink also," should be the maid he should choo.se. While he was yet speaking, the women came forth from the city, and began their accustomed task. Eliezer singled out the fairest, and a^sked leave to drink from her pitcher. She grant(!d the request, and when he had drank, proceeded to give his camels water also. He was greatly encoumged by this, but was not yet sure tlu't t^hc was the maid he sought. Giving her several handsome i)resents of jewelry, he asked her, " Whose daughter art thou ? tell me, I pray thee ; is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?" She re- plied that she was the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Xahor, and to his astonishment, Eliezer found that she was atly distressed l)y the news of his brother's approach, not knowing whether lie came in friendship or anger. Jacob had now reached the Valley of the Jabbok,and he divided his people and herds into two bands, that if the first were snutten, the second ndght escape. Then he turned to God in prayer. To prayer he adds prudence, and sends forward ])resent after present, that their reiteration ndght win his brother's heart. This done, he rested for the night ; but, rising up before the day, he sent forward his wives and children across the ford of the Jabbok, remaining for a while in solitude, to prepare his mind for the trial of the day. It was tiien that "a man " appeared, and wrestled with him till the morning rose. This " man " was the "Angel Jehovah," and the conflict was a repeti- tion in act of the prayer which we have already seen Jacob offering "i ;..ik: MEETING OF JACOB AND ESAU, 605 C 0(5 L I) T I«: S T A M E N T C H A II A T E R S. in words. Though tnuglit his own weakness by the (lislocatiou of his thigh at the angel's toueh, lie gained the victory over him by his im- portunity — "J will not let thee go exeei)t thou bless mo" — and he received the new name ot'lsuAEi., [a i)riuce of God) as a sign that " he had prevailed with (Jod, and should, therefore, prevail with man." AW'll knowing with whom he had to do, lie called the place Peniel, {the face of God) " for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." The memory of his lameness, which he seems to have carried with him to the grave, was preserved by the custom of the Israelites not to eat of the sinew in the hollow of the thigh. At sunrise .Jacob descended into the valley of the Jabbok, and saw Esau and his warriors approaching. lie divided his last and most precious band, placing first the handmaids and their children, then Leah and her children, and Rachel and Joseph last. Advancing be- foi-e them all, he made his obeisance to Esau, who "ran to meet him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." After a cordial interview, Jacob prudently declined his brother's offer to march with him as a guard; and Esau returned to Mount Seir, and we hear no more of him except the genealogy of his descendants, the Edomites. Jacob pursued his journey westward and halted at Succoth, so called from his having there put up " booths " {Succoth) for his cattle, as well as a house for himself. He then crossed the Jordan, and ar- rived at Shechem, which had grown since the time of Abraham into a powerful EX- JAMIX [Son of fhe rif/ht hand). The grave of Rachel was long marked by the pillar which Jacob erected over it, and her memory was associated with the town of Bethlehem. Jacob's next resting place, near the tower of Edar, wa,s marked by the incest of Reuben, which forfeited his birthright. At length he reached the encampment of his father Isaac, at the old sta- tion of Mature, beside Hebron. Here Isaac died at the age of 180, "old and full of days, and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." Jacob was now an old man ; but his age was afflicted with the loss of his son, Joseph, as we shall see in the next chapter. Joseph was carried away thirteen years before the death of Isaac. After many years Jacob learned providentially that Joseph was not onl^ alive, but a great man in Egypt, and accepting the invitation of hi& son, wtiifc i i 1. 33' I 1 ■ : I < II 608 OLD T E S T A M E N T C II A R A C 'L' E R S. UACIIEI/S TOMl!. down into K'^ypt, :iiul died there at the age of 147. His body was carried into Ciuman by Josepli, with great pomp, and bnried in the Cave of MaehpeL.ii. JOSEPH. Althouuii Raehcl was the most tenderly loved wife of Jaeob, she was for many years childless, while lur sister lieah became the mother of sev'eral children. At length, however, it pleased God to give her u son, and his name was called Joseph. For many years she bore no more children, and at length died in giving birth to Benjann'n. Jose})h was the best loved of all Jacob's children, and received proofs innumerable of his father's alTectinn. This rendered him odious to his brethren, and ap[)ears to have made him so far forget himself as to beconie an informer upon them to their father. This fdled up the measure of their dislike, which was by no means diminished by Joseph receiving from his father a "coat of many colors,'' as a token of his great love. To increase their hatred, Joseph dn^amed two dreams, which even his father, who seems to have discerned their ])rophetic character, censured his imprudence in repeating. In the first dream, his brothers' sheaves of corn bowed down i(, liis, Avhich stood upright i 610 OLD TEST A ME XT C II A 11 A C T E K S. in their miflst ; a most fit typt', not only of their 8nhniis.sion to him, but of their .suing to him for corn in Ej;y|)t. Tlie second ermitted, however, to .nltivate their lands, a."? tenants under the crown, paying a rent of one-tifth of the produce, and this became the permanent law of the tcmnv of land in Egy|)t ; but the land of the priests was left in their own possession. The j)ressure of the famine in Canaan forced Jacob to send his sons down to Egypt to imy coi-ii ; but he kept back 1 benjamin, " lest mischief should bel'all him." .Ii)sepli knew his brcihren at once, but they failed to recognize him, and did hnnd)le reverence to him in his capacitv of A'icegerent, thus fnllilling one of his dreams. He spoke to them harshly, and charged them with being spies come down to see the nakedness of the land. They protestt'd their innocence, and related their history to him, thus giving him the news of his father and l)rother, which he most longed to hear. Probably to pun- ish them jbr their cruel ti'catment of himself, he put tlu-m all in prison, and kept them there three d.ays. Then his anger cooled, and ho dismissed them all but Simeon, whom he kept as a hostage lor the appearance of Henjamin, whom they promised to bring down to him. This they did, Jacob reluctantly giving his cousent to the journey of Benjamin into Egypt. Joseph had them all taken to his own house, where they dined with him. He was much affected by the sight of Benjamin, his own mother's son, and could scarcely refrain from making himself known to tlicin. Yet, wishing to satisfy hiniself that tiiey were true brothers to Benjamin, he caused his own cu]) to be put in the lad's sack, and, when they had gotten fairly stai'ted, sent his guard in pursuit of them. The pursuers found the cup in Benjamin's sack, and conducted him back to the city. His brethren voluntarily accompanied him to share his doom. Joseph, when they were brought before him, told them that all might return home but the one in i i (6 c c V. V. o o b. t- K c ?*. n 016 faMi,,__,>j 616 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. whopc .sack tlio cup liad been iouiid. Judali, who had been the first to j)r(i))()iaring the effect of their father's removal, si>nu:ht his forjxiveness and made submission to liiin. He generously assured them that he harbored no ill against them, "and comforted them and spoke kindly nnto them." Joseph survived his father for fifty-four years, still enjoying as we may assume, his honors at the court under the .same dynasty, though possibly under a succession of kings. He .saw E]>hraim's cliildren of the third generation, and had ^ranas.seh's grand-children on liis knees. At length he died at the age of 110. He was embalmed and placed !, ! ■ i 9 iilili w filT iipi f'1 &18 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. in a sarcophagus, but not buried. For before his death he had pr*- dieted to his brethren their I'cturn from Egypt to the promised land; and had bound thorn by an oatli to carry his remains with them. Througli all their afflictions, the children of Israel kept the sacred deposit of Joseph's bones, and when God led the people out of Egypt, Moses did not forget the trust. When they woi*e settled in Canaan, they buried Jose})h at Shechem, in the parcel of groiuid which Jacob bought from the Amorites, and which ho gave us a s;H'ci;il inheritance to Joseph. MOSES. '" il " 'Sovr tliere arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Jo- iseph." So begins the story of the affliction of the Israelites in Egypt, and of that marvellous deliverance, which has given to the second book in the Bible its Greek title of Exodus. The date of this event may be placed about or after the beginning of the sixteenth century, B. C, according to the common chronology; and it probably signifies a change of dynasty. But whether that change consisted in the ex- pulsion of the She) herds, and tlie rise of the groat Eighteenth Dy- nasty of native kings is unfortunately most uncertain. At all events, we see the new monarch dreading some war, in which the enemy might be aided by the people of Israel, who wore "more numerous and mightier than his own subjects," and dreading also their escape out of the land. He, therefore, adopted the policy of reducing them to slavery ; which was mailo more rigorous the more the people increased. Their labor consisted in field work, andoMi of the Kiiy|>tiuns," and as '* mighty in words and deeds." But the time at '!i?t arrived, when lie was resolved to reeiaini his natioualitv. lie svas n.)W forty years uld, and the sulleriniis of his conntrvmcii l)ene beti)re. Seeing an Israelite suf- ferim; the bastinado I'rom an Eiiyptian, and thinlsiuL;' (hey were alone, ho slew the Kiyi)tian, and buried the eorpse in the sand. 'J"he Hre (»f patriotism, whieh thus turns liim into a deliverer from the o])- pressors, turns him into the peace-maker of the oj)pressed, Tiie ma- lignity of his eountrymen bronglit the story of the death of the Egyptian to the ears of IMiaraoli, and tlie life of Moses was threat- ened ; not i"or the first time, if we may believe the ti'adition. IIo fled into Midian. Beyond the faet that it was in or near the Peninsula of Sinai, its precise situation is unknown. There was a famous well sorrounded by tanks for the ware ring of the flocks ol' the Bedou'u herdsmen. By this well the fugitive seated himself, and watched the gathering of the sheep. There were the Aral)ian shepherds, and theve were also seven maidens, whom the shepherds rudely drove awav from the water. ]\Ioses, indignant at such an outrage, came to tlie assistance of the maidens, and di'ove oil" the shej)her(ls ''and watend tlieir flock." They returned unusually soon to their lather, and told him of their adventure, and, in gratitude l(;)r the service thus ren- dei'ed, the man invited Moses to his house. The matter endetl in Moses' marrying Zippttrah, the daughter of his host, who was Jethro, the priest or j)rince of Midian. lb' also became his shepherd and slave, and ibr forty years wo must regard him as an Araluan. The ehi(>f elFcct of this stay in Arabia is on Moses himself. It waa in the seclusion and simitlicity of his shepherd lile that ho receiveh was not consumed." As he came near, to discover the cause of this strange sight, ho was siduted by an awful voice, which informed him that he stood in the presence of (iod, and commanded him to put olf his shoes, for tlie place WiVi holy ground. Moses did as he was commanded, and '' hid his face,' for he could not biar to look upon tlu' awt'ul sight. The Almighty then informed him that he had heard the cry of the Israel- ites, and was come down to deliver them, and to h'ad them into the promised lanut the moH! his mission is malagne was reniovetl, he refused to let tlieiu go. Then God smote all the l)easts of Egypt with a disease. These cattle were not only property, but Egyptian deities ; but they died with the plague. The king, however, still refused to let the people go. Then the Egyi)tians were smitten in their own persons with the plague of boils and blains, a terrible species of black leprosy ; but still Pharaoh's heart was hardened. Then the land was visited with a terrific storm of hail, mingled with fire, which destroyed all the growing crops, and every man and beast exposed to it. Phai'aoh en- treated Moses to intercede and procure the cessation of the jtlague, but, when tliis was done, still refused to let the people go. Then God covered the land with locusts, which ate up all the tire and hail had spared, and caused the Egyj)tians such sore trouble that the king again consented to let the people go; but, when the plague was re- moved, he again withdrew his consent. Then God sent a thick dark- ness over the land, which lasted three days. This darkness was frightful, and induced the king once more to consent to let the people go, if they would leave their flocks and herds behind. This conces- •ioQ made, he forbade Moses and Aaron from coming to hira again. TIm knd of Goabeu, in which the Israslitw c' vtlt^ had b««n cs- I im Jl > > 73 O ■y, o % •q s 7) •H 4 73 •4 y. •3 628 OLD TESTA M E N T CHARACTER S. > 639 emplcd from all these plagues- and now tluit the la.st, and niosl fcur- Cul (tf all was at hand, God eoninianded his peopli; to institute s I'eiTMiony called the Passover, whieh should always be to tliein a tnenioi'ial ol" tlu-jr jfi'eat ileliveranei' I'roni the terril)K' jiid;j,nient.s with which lie visited K^fvpt. The A;\\ , fcckoiied t'roin snn.-et to siin.set, in the nijiht ol' wiiieli tlio first l)()iMi ol' Egypt wen; slain, and the Israelites departed, was the lonrteenth ol' the Jewish month Ni.sm, or Ahih (March to April), which began about the time ol' the venial e(piinox, anut the preparations had already been made by the command of God. On tiie tenth dav of the month eai-h household had chosen a vearlinir lamb (or kid, ti)r either might be used), without blemish. 'J'his "Paschal Lamb" was siH apart till the evening whieh began tla; l()urteenth tlay. and was killi'd as a sacrifice at that moment in every fiimily of Israel. But before it was eaten, its blood was sprinkled, with a bunch of hyssop, on the lintel and door posts of the house; the divinely appointed sign, that Jehovah might jkiss nirr that house, when Me [)asse they defeatetl in a great battle. Then chey pressed on towards Sinai vi^ 55 S5 •< C 632 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 6$S aiul encainpetl at the loot ol' tlic inouiitain on tlie liist day of the third month aftor their leaving Egypt. Here tlicy remained eleven months and twenty day.-;, and duiing this time the Law wais given to Moses, with such wonderlnl and magnifi- cent displays of the jwwer and glory of God, that the people were sore afraid. Jint in spite of this, they made a golden ealf and worshipped it as a god, and thus ealletl down n|)on tiiemsi-lvcs the anger of the Lord, They were severely punished, and the Law was a second time given to Moses, as he had broken the first tables in his just anger at the idolatry of the people. It is the distinguishing attribute of genius that it is equal to emer- gencies; the greater and more unexpected the emergency, the brighter shines the genius that copes with it and gains the mastery. Moses was not an ordinary man. He hatl been schooled at the Court of Egypt, and in the wide jjastures where lie tended the flok'Us of Jethro. He had learned to be self-reliant; he was born to l)e a ioader; diffi- culties only aroused iiis heroic spirit; strong material was \y c into him, and although meoU he was firm and majestic, a man whose face could be made to shine, and whose hands were strong enough to carry tables of stone. For forty years Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, commanding their arndcs in battle, directing their movements in the long march which was imposed upon them for their sin in refu, ing to enter the land when first led to it, and pleading with Jehovah for them when their sins called down upon them the terrors of the divine wrath. The people tried him sorely, but he never failed in his duty, but, as far as man could »lo so, kept them true to the worship of Jehovah, and was to them a prophet, a law-giver, a greiit leader, a judge, a general, and a most loving father. We have not space to present here even an outline of tlie great events of his life, but must refer tiic reader tc the sacred ,)arrative for them. After thirty-eight years of wandering in the Arabian desert, the chosen people again ap[)roached the borders of Palestine, this time to enter in and possess the promised land. Moses theiefore knew that the day of his death could not be distant, tor he bad been warned that it was not his privilege to lead the people who had so long engaged his care to their inheritance, but only to behold it afar off. Indeed, his years had already been protracted to the utmost span to which man's life then reached ; but although not less than 120 years old, his e^e was not yet dim nor his natural strength abated, " His last care," ^ If] li m C«6 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. says Professor Jahii, " was to write for the ])(;oplo an earnest cxliorta- tion to obedience, in wliieli lie alluded to the instanees of tlie kin(liics,s, severity, and providence of God, wliieli the IIel)re\vs had already ex- perienced ; he exhibited in a strong light the sanctions of the law; he repeated the most important statutes, and added a lew new ones to the code. These cxln)rtations (which compose his lilth booi<, or Deuter- onomy) he delivered lo the magistrates as his farewell address, at a time when their minds were well prepared to receive wholesome in- fitrnetion bv the accomplishment oi" the divine promises which had already commenced. The genealogists, each in his own circle, com- municated all to the i)eople, including the women and the _'!ul(lren. " That the latest generations might have a visible and permanent memorial of their duty, he directed that, aft.'r they had taken po>ses- sion of ..naan, the law (or at least its fundamental principles, and the first develoi>ment of its sanctions, as exhibited in Exodus, xx,— xxiv.) should be engraved on pillars of stone, jdastcred with lime, and that these pillars should be erected with ai)[)ropriate solemnity at Shechem on Mount Ebal, or, more probably, Mount Gerizim. On this occasion the priests were to utter [)articular imprecations against all the secret transgressors of the law, to which the people were to as- sent bv responding ' Amen I' at the end of each imprecation. " m'oscs then developed a second time, and still more miinitcly than before, the conditions on which Jehovah, their God and King, would govern them. He; cast a prophetic glance into the most distant futu- rity, while he declared the ditferent destinies which awaited them to the latest generations, according to their conduct in regard to the law. In full view of these conditions, and in order to imi»rcss them the more deeply on their minds, he caused the whole people, even the women and children, again to take a solemn oath of obedience ; and that, not only for themselves, but also for their iM)sterity." This done, he eommissioued Joshua to lead Israel into the land of promise, after which he uttered his prophetic blessing of the tribes, and went up the mountain-side to render himself into the hands of his Maker. " And Moses went ui) from the plains of :Moab unto the Mountain of Xel)o, the summit of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And Jeliovah showed him all the land of G^ead unto Dan, and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasscjh, and all the land of Judah, even to the uttermost sea, and the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. So Moses, the Bervant of the Lord, died there iu the land of Moab, according to the . OLD TESTAMENT CIIAHACTEKS. Ool MOrXT NEPO. Word of the Lord. And he hiiricd liini in a valltv in tlic land of Moab, over ai>;ainst Betli-peor, l>nt no man knoweth ol' his i;ei)ulchre unto tliis day." The <'hild;en of Israel mourned for Moses in the ])luins of ^Lmh thirty days ; and they rendered ohedienee luito Joshua, the son of Xun, on whom Moses had laid his hands, and who was full of the «[iirit of wisdom. Centuries aflvrwards we behold the threat lawgivei-, standing in glory on the Monntof the Transfiuration, with Elias, the irreat vindi- cator of the law which had been <;'iven throu^•ll him, ami eonvei'sin^' with the great Messiah of the great ad which was at once to fulfd the whole law, and to inaugurate the new and better era of grace. Xi> greater honor could have been paifs were eoiKjuered ; amongst others the Anakin — the old terror of Israel — are especially recorded as destroyed everywhere except in Philistia. Joshua, now stricken in years, pro- ceeded, in conjunction with El?azar and the heads of the tribes, to romplote the division of the conquered land ; and when all was al- lotttnl, Timnath-serali in Mount Ephraim was assigned by the people as Joshua's peculiar inheritance. The Tabernacle of the congregation was established at Shiloh, six cities of lofuge were appointed, forty- eight cities assigned to the Levites, and tb« warriors of the traus- Jordanlc tribes disniissecf in peace to their homes. After an interval of iwt, Joshua oouvoked an assembly from all Israal. Ha daliverad OLD TESTAMENT CHAUACTERS. CrU two solotiin ihMitsscs, r('niiii(liii<; tliciii of tlu" mnrvfllotis riiHilment of GtMl's promises to tlicir (iilluTs, and warning tlicm of tlic coiiditioiiH on which tlit'ir prosperity 6^ % ^^ V- ^. s 642 BUTH. OLD TESTAMENT CHaHaCTERS. 648 It is pleasant to find one who had been so unfortunate as Ruth coining into a iiappier estate. She was a true woman, and in warmth of h)ve and devotedness to her newly-founvl mother, she shines forth as one of tlie most attractive characters in the Ohl Teslanient. It is not pleasant to be suddenly plunged into misfortune as she was, hut it may be profitable. Hers was a hard lot, but hers was a fortunate ending, as was that of Job after he was rent and uruised by unparal- leled afflictions. One very marked trait, that of courage, and another, that of indus- try, both exhibited finely in Ruth, account largely for her j.ood for- tune. She was not asluuned to work. Her soft hands deerncd it no dishonor to grow hard and tough. Sha believed a sun-bronned face, gained in the field of honest industry, was no detraction from a wonjau's beauty. One of the most pithy w'riters of Scotland, an essayist who combines singular good sense with a singularly pungent way of stating it, has eulogized the individual who can "comedown," but who "caiuiot give up." The Phoenix rises from its ashes, bright in plumage and strong of wing, and soars toward the sky. If one must "come down " he need not " ^ive up," but can rise triumphant from the dust. It is this hope, this courage, this acceptance of the situation and making the best of it, that gives such a charm to this woman whose simple story is read by all the world. There was a willingness to d what she had the ability to do. If she could not seize a sickle and <'lip and cut as a man would, gather- ing heavy sheaves, she could at least stoop down and ]>ick up the scattered stalks, and couhl glean where she could not d(t more. It was well, too, for her to be employed, and have her mind occupied. The tendency of human nature is to nurse its sorrows, to pet its griefs, and this \r, the most ineffectual method to cure the trouble. Better forget it by finding something else to think about. Ruth had less time and disposition to complain and mourn than she would have had if poverty had not pushed her into the harvest-field. And it is not difficult to trace here a plain providence of God. The fair maid of Moab was to take iter place in an illustrious linenge; she was to carry in her veins the blood of a miraculous humanity ; she was to be an ancestress of the Nazarene; so, too, was Boaz, and therefi)re she is found in his field. His generous heart became the home of the daughter of Moab. Ruth attracted his attention ; and when he learned who she was, he bade her glean ouly iu his field, and enjoined the reapers to show her ':••- a >• H W r o w o OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. C45 kindness. lu reply to her thanks, he praised her devotion to her mother-in-law, and her eoniing to place her trust under the wings of Jehovah, God of Israel. Thus passed the whole karvest, Ruth fol- lowing the reapers, who were instructed by Boaz to throw handfuk of corn in her way, and sharing their daily meal. MeanwhileXaon**, full of gratitude to God, who had thus guided her to iier husbaiu/'s nearest ivinsnian, instructed lluth to claim her rights under the Lev \- rate law. There was, as we have said, a still nearer kinsman ; but s^e may safely assert, that Naomi knew enough of him to be aware that the appeal to him would be fruitless. Hence she sent her daughter- in-law to Boaz. Ruth followed Naomi's instructions. Boaz blessed her in the name of Jehovah ; i)raised her virtue anil her fidelity to him whom the law had made her rightfid husband ; guarded the most scrupulous delicacy towards her ; and promised to do the part of a kinsman by her. In the morning he kept his word. We have a truly patriarchal picture of this wealthy and powerful man of Bethlehem sitting like Job in the gate of the city ; and, as all the inhabitants came forth, calling fii*st the " Goel," or nearest kinsman of Elimolech, to sit beside him, and then asking ten of the elders to take their seats to witness and ratify the transaction. In tlieir presence, he informed the " Goel " that Naomi had a field to sell, which must be redeemed either by him or by Boaz himself; and the "Goel " consented to redeem it, thus admit- ting the claim of kindred. But when Boaz went on to say, that if 'he "Goel" took the field, i»c must also take Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, " to raise up the name of the dead ui)ou his iidier- itance," the kinsman found an excuse, and transferred the right of re- demption to Boiiz. The ceremony prescribed by the law was then performed. The sandal of the kinsman was taken off in the presence of the elders and the people ; and Boaz called them to witness that he had bought of Naomi all that had belonged to Elimelech, and to his sonsChilion and Mahlon, and had purchased Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, to be his wife, to raise up the nam(> of the dead upon his iidieritance. The elders ratified the deed, invoking upon Ruth the blessing of Rachel and Leah, who had built the house of Israel, and that the house of Boaz might be made like that of his ancestor Pharez, the son of Judah. The blessing was fulfilled more highly than they thought. Ruth bore to Boaz a son, named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David ; and so Christ, " the Son of David," derived his lineage 646 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. from a Moabitish woman, who had shown a faith rarely found in Israel, and whose husband was the son of the harlot Rahab.* SAMSON. An ani;cl appeared to Manoah's wife, and promised she should have a sen. Manoali maile the promi i the subject of special prayer, and inquired earnestly how the promised chilil should be cducatea. "And Alanoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art tlxm the man that sparest unto the woman? And he said, I am. And Manoah said" — with great boldiiess; the boldness of Christian faith, not of human presiunptioii — "Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the c'.ild, and how shall we do unto him?" Pie was most an.dous that so remarkable a ohild should have a rare and remarkable education. Being a divino gift, he dc-^ircd that his instruction should be inspired by the divine presence. The angel repeated all he had already siiid to the woman, and indicated her duty strictly to observe all he commanded. Ma- noah said, " Let us detiiin thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee." This Belrg appeared in Imman nature, and was recog- nized and visible as a man. "But he answered, Though thou detain nie, I will not eat of thy bread ;" as much as to say, I am a sj)iritual being; I subsist not by earthly bread ; and, therelbre, to ask nu' to partiike of thy hospitality is to mistake my nature, my mission, and my office. "And if thou wilt ofl'cr a burnt offering, thou nmst offer it unto the Lord." I have no doubt these words imj)ly that it was to be offered unto himself, for it is added, " Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord ;" literally translated, " The angel Je- hovah." Samson was born, grew up, and proved himself a man of cxtra- • "As regards Raliab hcrsplf, wc learn from Matt. i. .'i, tliat she bccamo the wife of Sahnon, tlic son ol' Nasson, and the niotlicr of Roaz, .Jessie's grandfntlier. The snsiiicion naturally aiises that Salmon may have been one of the s| ies wlioselife she saved ; and tliat ftrntiinde for so irreat a iKnefil led, in his case, to a more ten- der passion, and obliterated the memory of any past disjrraee nttaehinir to her name. But Iioweverthis may be, it is certain, on the aiUhority of St. Matthew, that Rahab became the mother of the Hue from which sprung David, and eventtV •lljr Christ."— Z?r. Smith. T 648 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. ortliuary physical strength — u jiulge, a soUUer, and a horo. He married a woiuau of the Philistines against his duty, against the will of the nation, the Church, and the people whose avenger he had be- come; and he therefore began to taste the bitter fruits of a marriage, not, as tlie apostle requires it always to be, " in the Lord," but dictated by his own passion and preference. Accordingly, as he had mingled in family connection with people that hated the living and the true God, the almost universal result came to ensue. He was contaminated by their principles, and his married life b(!caine a thorn in the flesh, that lasted till the very day of his death. It is a lesson that one ought never to omit to inculcate — all marriages should be, as the apostle says, in the Lord. The father of his wife wanted to take her from him, and to give her to another — that is, to the friend of the bridegroom. Wishing to see her in the harem, the place in which the women in Eastern countries still and in ancient times then were accustomed to meet, he found that her father would not suffer him even to see her, while, with true Philistine morality, he offered Samson the sister instead of the wife, whom he had disposed of afler his own taste. A moral retribution runs through all this. Samson's wrath was kindled against all the Philistines, not from a divine spark, but from passion and in revenge. He seized three hundred f \e.s, and fastening them together, tail to tail, he tied to e* .1 coujjle a resinous ignited brand, let thom loose in the corn fields, and thus destroyed the crops of the Philistines. Instruments God docs not approve are oflcn compelled, in provi- dence, to fulfil his purposes. The Philistines were a doomed, because a guilty race, and the very means that punished annoyed by their apparent insignificance. As soon as the Philistines heard this, they resolved to punish Sjtm- 6on by destroying his wife and her father also. The moral retribution speedily came. Samson was j)unisheeaee with their masters, so as no lonj^er to j;ivi' them occa- sion to insult over them. They therefore sei/cd, or rather sought the submission of, their greatest benefactor, bound him with cords, in- tending to hand him over to the Philistines, to do with him as they pleased. But, on their binding him, he burst tlu; cords as if they had been flax exposed to the flame, and thereby showed the prodigious physical strength with which he was endued. As ii to evince, at the same time, the greater degradation of the Philistines, ami U) make the instrument with which he destroyed them a memorial of tlieir shame, he took a new jaw-bone — that is, not decayed, and thereiore retaining great strength in it — of an ass, and with that mean instrument, so mean as to make the memory of the slain ignoble and degraded, he slew a thousand men. And he called the place where he threw it down Ramath-lehi. Being thirsty, and expecting to die of thirst, and to tiill into the hands of the uncircumcised, God heard his |>rayer, and clave y hol- low place — -not, as in our translation, in the "jaw-bone." The Hebrew word Ichi mcjuis a jaw-bone, and the j)la('e where he threw down the jaw-bone was (tailed Kamath-lehi. God clave a fountain, not in the jaw-bone, but in the place in whicii he threw down the jaw-bone, namely, on the ground. The fountain was hollowed out by the hand of God, and thence t-ame water. And he called the name of the place, most beautifully, En-hakkor; namely, "The place provided for him that called upon his God ;" "and it is in Lehi unt(» this day." Samson was the representation of the greatest ])hysical strength ; Solomon was the type of the richest intellectual wisdom. Each had his gift by special grant, and both were cm])loycd t«)r special ends. His wife, really his enemy, pressed him till his soul was vexed unto death by her persistent entreaties, lier eloquent and touching appeals. At last, worn out, weary, able to stand it no more, he let out his secret. The secret of his strength was not in his hair, but in his vow as a Nazarite ; the condition of which was, that as long as he allowed his hair to grow, which a Nazarite was bound to do, and uo» 650 OLD TESTA ME XT CHARACTERS. taste uinc, sd long his groat .strength would be in him ; hut the mo- ment ho (li«l wliat was incoinpatlhlo witli tiio vow, shuvc off his hair, lie would lu'conio as otiicr men. IIo fell asleep after he had told her, resting his head upon her knee. In India one may often see u young num of eigliteen or twenty — the mother .seated on the carpet, not in a ehair, as is the case in European latitudes — lean his head ni)on liis mother's knee, and fall sweetly asleep. Samson, aeeording to Eastern customs, dill so; and then they hroiiglit a razor, and shaved his hair from his liead. How eotdd this he done without his waking? Easily. The sensation is rather .'toothing and agreeable than the rovor.sc. What was done here was neither impossible nor imi)robablo. Having thus taken off his hair, she roused him by crying, "The Philistines be upon thee! And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake my.'^elf " — little knowing what a ch;inge had taken place — " and he wist not that the Lord was de- parted from him." The lords of the Philistines gave their god Dagon all the credit of their success, and resolved to glorify that god by the destruction oi' Sam.-;on, the enemy of their country. He must be made a show first. There wore assembled all the aristocracy, and all the soldiers, and men, and great ladies of the Philistines, on the roof, and probably on gcaffoldings, erected for the grand exhibition which was to take place, of this vancpiislicd, strong man. It has been matter of great dispute liow it was possible that his pulling down the two pillars could upset the whole house. Sir Christoi)her Wren, the eminent architect, the builder of St. Paul's, was consulted upon this subject; and the ex- planation lie gave was, that in all probability it was a roof of cedar, that there might have been one hundred, or one himdred and twenty, enormous beams, of great strength, all mooting at the centre. But o.s it would bo impossible, or very improbable, that any pillar could be found on which all the ends of these beams could rest, OS each ap;)roached a radius from the circumference — that there were two pillars, and an architrave connected with them, and that all the b(^ams met together upon this short architrave, su.stained by two pillars, each beam coming from the circumference of the vast building — that Samson stood between the j)illars (m which *ho architrave was; his strength was restored by his repentance, and he put forth his whole .strength, and brought down the va.st edifice, hi- volving in its ruin the lords of the Philistines, and perishing himself iu the catastrophe. ! OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS C51 .<*^-^ nilLISTIA So great gifts may exist, and groat sins and ini perfect ions. Grace is infiiiitoly more pnioious tlian gifts. One first false step conducts to many evils. This giant suicide, " being dead, speaks" to us. SAMUEL. The last judge, the first of the regular sueoession of prophets, and the founder of the monarchy. He was the son of Elkanah, an Eph- c ■A >■ •it OLD T K S T A M K N T C 1 1 A 11 A C I K II S. fifta mthitc or Epliraiiniu-, aiwl Iliiiiiiali mi- Anna. TIk- (Kxciit of Elka- iiali is iiiv()lv(' niadi' a dt Mcntlant nf Korali, tlio Li^vite. His l)ii'tii-])ta('r i^ one nf' tin- vexed <|ne-tions of sicri'd ge(»j:;ra|)liy, ax his descent i- of siered genealnjiv. Tlie i-oni- Itincnl family nin^t have heen hn'<>c. i'ehinnah had xveral eliihh'en ; nul Ilaiinali -liad, l)esi(K's Sanniel, ihrei ■^inis and tun djm^ihters. It is on th(! mother of Samuel that our chief attcntidn i^ iixed in the ae- <'ount of his hirth. She is descrihed as n woman iA' a hi^h reli«;ions mission. Almost ii Nazarite by practice, and a prophetess in her ^i'ifts, she soU}i;ht from (Jod the jj;ift of the child, for which she lonjicd with u passionate dcvt)tion of silent prayer of which there is no other ••xample in the OUl Testament; ami, when t lie son was j; ran ted, the name which he l>ore, and thus fust intiodnccd into the world, ex- pressed her sense; of the in''oii- vened an assembly at Mizpeh. It was at the moment that he was of- firini:' up a sacrifice, that the Philistine host suddenly burst upon them. A violent thunder-storm came to the timely assistance of Israel. The Philistines fled, and, exactly at the spot where twenty ycai*s before they had obtained their great victory, they were totally routed. A stone was set up, w'hieh long remained as a memorial of Israel's triumph, and gave to the plaee its name of Eben-ezer, ** the Stone of Help." This was Samuel's first, and, as far as we know, his 654 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. only military acliievomcnt. But it was apparently this which raised him to the otfice of " Judge." He visited, in discliurge of iiis duties as ruler, the three chief sanctuaries on the west of Jordan — Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh. His own residence was still his native city, Ivamali or Ramathaim, which ho further consecrated liy an altar. Here he married, and two sons grew up to repeat under his eyes, the same perversion of high oHice that he had himself witnessetl in liis childhood in the case of tiie two sons of Eli. In his old age, he shared his power with them. Down to this point in Samni'l's life, there is hut little to distinguish his career from that of his predecessors. But his ])C('uliar position in the sacred narrative turns on the events which follow. He is the in- augurator of the transitictn from what is conimoiilv called the theoc- racy to tiie monarchy. The misdemeanor of his own sons prccijtitated the catastrophe which had been long prepariiig. The i)eoj)le de- manded a Iving. For the w1k)1c night, he lay fasting and sleepless, in the perplexity of doubt and dillicnlty. In the vision of that night* as recorded by the sacred historian, is given the dark side of the new institution, on which Samuel dwells on the following day. This pre- sents his reluctance to reeeivr the now order of things. The whole •'.arrative of the reception and consecration of Sanl gives his acquies- cence in it. The final conflict of feeling and surrender of his office is given in the last assembly over which he presided, and in his subse- quent relations with Saul. The assembly was held at Gilgal, imme- diately afler the victory over the Ammonites. The monarchy was a sivond time solemnly inaugurated, and '* Samuel and all the men of Israel rtjoiced greatly." Then takes j)lace his farewell address. It iii the most signal exan)ple afforded in the Old Testament of a great character reconciling liimself to a changed order of things, and of the divine sanction resting on his acquiescence. His subsequent relations with Saul are of the same mixed kind. The two institutions which they respectively represented ran on side by side. Samuel was still judge. He judged Israel "all the clays of his life" and from time to time came across the king's jjath. But these interventions are chiefly in another capacity, which this is the place to imfold. Samuel is called emphatically "the prophet" (Acts iii. 24, xiii. 20). He was esjiecially known in his old age as "Sam- uel the Seer" (1 Sam. ix. 11, 18, 19; 1 Chr. ix. 22, xxvi. 28, xxix. 29). He was consulted far and near on the small affairs of life. From thia faculty, combiued witii his office of ruler, an awful rcver- OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 655 3nce grew up arouiul him. No sacrificial feast was thouglit comi)lcte without his blessing. A peculiar virtue \v;!s believed to reside in his intercession. There was soinotiiiiig i)eciiliar in the long-sustained cry or shout of sup[.!ication, which seemed to draw down as by force the (livine answer. Bui tlierc are two other points which more especially placed him at the head of the prophetic order as it afterwards ap- [)cared. The first is brought out in his relation with Saul, iho second in his relation with David. He rcj)resents the independence of the moral law, of the Divine will, as distinct from regal or sacerdotal enactments, which is so re- markable a characteristic of all the later i)rophets. He was, if a Le- vite, yet certainly not a priest; and all the attempts to identify his op- position to Saul with a hierarchical interest are founded on a complete misconception of the facts of the case. From the time of the overthrow of Sliiloh, he never ajipcars in the remotest connection with the priestly order. When he counsels Saul, it is not as the j)riest, but as the prophet. Saul's sin, in both cases where he came into collision with Samuel, was not of intruding into sacerdotal functions, but of disobedience to the prophetic voice. The first was that of not waiting for Samuel'ss arrival, according to the sign given by Samuel at his original meeting at Rama ; the second was that of not carrying out the stern prophetic inj-nction for the destruction of the Amalekitcs. The parting was not one of rivals, but of dear, though divided, friends. The king throws himself oa the prophet with all his force ; not without a vehement effort, the prophet tcare himself away. He is the first of the regular succession of prophets. JNIoscs, Miriam, and Deborah, perhaps Ehud, had been i>rophets. But it was only from S.imuel that the continuous succession was unbroken. His mother, though not expressly so called, was in fact a pro|)hetess. But the connection of the continuity of the office with Samuel appears to be still more direct. It is in his lifetime, long after he had l)ecn " estab- lished as a proplict," that we hear of the companies of dist-i pics, called in the Old Testament " the sons of the prophets," by modern writers, " the schools of the proi)hets." In those schools, and learning to cul- tivate the prophetic gifis, were some whom we know for certain, others wlioni we may almost certainly conjecture to have been so trained or induenced. One was Said. Twice, at least, he is described as having been in the comjjany of Samuel's disoiplc-s. Another was David. Tlie fii-bt ac(juaintance of Saul with David was when he privately e56 OLD iESTAMEXT CHARACTERS. 'inoiiited him at tlie house of Jesse. But the con' ection thus begun with the shepherd-hoy must have been <'ontinue(l afterwards. David at first fled to " Xaioth in liamah/' as to liis second home. It ia needless to enlarge on the importance with which these incidents in- vest the api)oaranccof Sanuicl. He there becomes the spiritual father of the Psalmist king, lie is also the founder of the first regular in- stitutions of religious instruction, and communities for the purposes of education. The death of Samuel is described as taking place in the year of the dose of David's wanderings. It is said with pecidiar emj)hasis, as if to mark the loss, that " all the Israelites were gathered together" from all parts of this hitherto divided counti'v , and " lamented him," and " buried him," not in any consccnited place, nor outside the walls of his city, but within his own house, thus in a manner consecrated by being turned into his tomb. The place long pointed out as his tomb is the height, most conspicutius of all in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, immediately above the town of Gibcon, known to the Cru- Buders as " Montjoye," as the spot from whence they fii'st saw Jerusa- lem, now called Nehy Samicil, " the Prophet Samuel." Heinan, his grandson, was one of the chief singers in the Levitical choir. On the eve of the great battle of Gilboa, Saul in the midst of his despair, resorted to a woman known as a witch, living at Eudor, and demanded of her that she should siunmon up the spirit of Samuel ; and God ])ermitted the shade of the departed prophet to appear be- fore the doomed king, to give him warning of the fote which should befall him on the morrow. DAVID. Of all the characters of the Old Testament, there are few of which we know so much with certainty, or which appeal so warmly to our admiration, as David, the great King of Israel. He was the son of Jesse, who was the grandsoii of Ruth, and was the youngest son, urobably the youngest child, of a family of ten. His mother's name is unknown. His father was of a great age when David was still young, but both his parents lived till after his final rupture with Saul. His birth-place was Bethlehem, but he kept up his connections with his Moabitish relatives. OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. C57 ^1 GIDEON'S FLEECE. The first time D.ivi(l ap})ears in history, was after Samuel's final rupture with S.uil, and when the prophet had been connnanded by Jehovah to set apart a suceessor to the kingdom. There w;i.s a jjrae- tiee once a year at B;'thlehem, probably the first New Moon of the year, of holding a sacrificial feast, at which Jesse, as the chief pro- prietor of tlie j)lace, would preside, with the ciders of the town. At this, or such like feast, suddenly ai)peare(I the great prophet Samuel, driving a heifer before him, and Iiaving in his hand a horn of the consecrated oil of the Tabernacle. Ilis arrival caused much alarm, but he assured the cldcrti that he came in ^.ea e, aud bade them aud 42 I I- / 1 DAVID ANOINTED BY SAMUEL. , i OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 1)59 the house of Jesse to sanctify theinsolvos for tlie sticriricc. Tlicro the fiimily of Jesse made a goodly show ; and ho wa^ sniToiiii(U'd l)y all his eight sons, except the youngest, who seems to have hecn of small consideration in the fiimily, and accordingly was sent abroad to tend the sheep. Struck with the noble figure of the eldest son, f^.liab, the very counterpart of Saul, Samuel said to himself, "Snrel\, the anointed of Jehovaii is beibre me!'*' But he was v>arneC,b nowdctortniiicd to leave his country, and take ivfiigc, liko Coriolanui or Tliomistoc'lc'S in liiie oirciiinstaiu'cs, in the rourt of hif* enemy. Ik'fore this hist resolve, he visiteil NoH, the scat of the talKTiuule, partly to obtain a final interview with tiie high priest, jiartiy to ohltiin food and weapons. On the pretext of a secret mission iVoiii Saul, he }>;ained an answer from the oracle, some of the consecrated l«»av(s, and the (!t)nseerated sword of Goliath. His stay at the court of A( insii w:us short. Discovered possibly by " the sword of Goliath," his presence revivwl the national enmity of the Philistines against their i'M-mer conrjneror, and he only escaped by feigninjf madness. 3. His life as an iiulependent outlaw. His first retreat was the ciive oi' Adullaiu, probably the large (;avcrii, not far from Jktiileliem, I now called KhnreUun. From its vicinity to Bethlehem, he was joined there by his whole family, now feeling themselves insecure from Saul's fury. This was probably the foundation of his intimate connection with his nephews, the sons of Zeruiah. Besides these, were outlaws and debtors from every part. His next move was to a stronghold, either the mountain, afterwards called Heroditim, dose to Adullam, or the fastness called by Josepns Mamfhi, the Grcci/cd form of the Hebrew word Matzcd, in the neighborliocKl of En-gedi. While there, he had deposited his aged parents, for the sake of greater security, beyond the Jordan, with their ancestral kinsman of Moab. The neighboring king, Naliash of Amnion, also treated him kindly. Here occurred the chivalrous exploit of the three heroes to procure water from the Avell of Bethlehem, and David's chivalrous answer, like that of Alexander in the desert of Gedrosia. He was joined here by two se|)arate bands. One a little 'body of eleven fierce Gadite mountaineers, who swam the Jordan in flood-time to reach him, .Vnother was a detachment of men from Judah and Benjamin, under his nephew Amasa, who henceforth attached himself to David's for- tunes. At the warning of Gad, he fled next to the forest of ILtrvlh, and then again fell in with the Philistines, and aga'n, apparently ad- vised by Gad, made a descent on their foraging jjarties, and relieved Keilah, in which he took up his abode. Whilst ti?ere, now for the first time in a fortified town of his own, he was joined by a new and most important ally — Abi.athar, the last survivor of tlie house of Ithamar. By this time the four hundred who had joined him at Adullam had swelled to six hundred. The situation of David was now chau'^ed by the appearance of Saul himself on the scene. Ap- pai'ei'.tly tlie danger was too great for the little army to keep together. (506 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. They cscupid from Krilali, anrl dispersed, " whitlursovor tlioy could fio," amongst llif rastncsscs of'.Iudah. Ileiu'ciortli it bcroini's dilllcult to follow liis inoveiiK.'nts with exact iioss. But thus inueh wo diseorn. Ilt^is in the wilderness ot'//y;/(. Oneo (or twiec) the Ziphitcs hetray his niovenients to Saul. From thence Saul literally hunts him liloplc. For tho third time, David was anointed king, and a festival of three days celebrated the joylr.I event. IIis little band had now swelled into " a groat host, like the host of God." The command of it, which had formerly rested on David alone, ho now devolved on his nei)hcw, Joab. Kcign over all Israel (hirty-threo years. Now occurred the il»undation of Jerusalem. One liistness alone in the centre of the land had hitherto defied the arms of Israel. On this, with a singular prescience, David fixed as his future capital. By one sudden assault Jebus was taken. Tho reward bestowed on the snccessfid scaler of the ])recipice, was the highest place in the army. Joab henceforward Itecame captain of tho host. Tho roval residence was instantlv fixed there — fortifications were added by tho king and by Joab — and it was known by the special name of tho **city of David." The Piiilistines made two in- ofi'eetnai attacks on the new king, and a retribution on their former victories took place by tho cai)tnre and conflagration of their own idois. Tyre, now for the first time ai)|)earing in the sacred history, nl!i(Hl herself with Israel ; and Iliram sent cedar-wood tor the build- ings ot the new ca])ita], especially for the palace of David himself Unhallowed and profane as the city had been l)eforc, it was at once elevated to a sanctity which it has never lost, above any of the ancient sanctuaries of the land. The ark was now removed from its obscurity at Kirjath-jearim with fliarked solemnity. A temporary halt (owing to tho death of Uzza) detained it at Obed-cdom's house, after which It again moved forward with great state to Jerusalem, It was the gr^uteet day oi' David's life. One incident only taruished its splciKJ'f OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. CC9 — the reproach of Michul, his wife, a.s lie was finally (.'nttriiig' his own palace, to carry to his own hon.sehold the benediction uhicii he had already pronoiuici'd on his people. His act ot severity towards her was an adtlitional mark ol the stress which he liiniseii' laid on the .solemnity. The erection of the new capital at Jernsalem introdnees us to a ne\r era in David's life, and in the history of the monarchy. He heeame a Iving on the scale of the great Oriental sovereigns of Egypt and Persia, with a reifulur administration and oriianization of coiut and camp; anil he also loundetl an im[)erial dominion, which I'or the h'.st time rei'.!i/ed the propheti'^ description of the hounds of the chosen people. The internal organization now established lasted till the (ina) overthrow of the monarchy. The empire was of much shorter dura- tion, continuing only thntngh the reigns of David and his successor, Solomon. But, Ibr the period of its existence, it lent a peculiar char- acter to the sacretl history. In tlut internal organization of the king- dom, the first new element that has to be considered is the royal fam- ily, the dynasty of which David was the founder, a pinition which entitled him to the name of "Patriarch," and (idliniately) of the an- cestor of the ^Tessiah. Of these, Absalom and Ailonijali both iiihcr- itcn w;is fostered apparently by the growing jealousy of the tribe of Judah at seeing their king absorbed into the whole nation ; and if, as appears from 2 Sam. xi. 3, xxiii. 34, Ahitho})el was the grandfather of Bath- sheba, its main su[)porter was one whom David had provoked by his own crimes. For its general course the reader is referred to the names just mentioned. Mahanaim was the ca[)ital of David's exile, as it had been of the exiled house of Saul. His forces were ariiui>red under the thice great military officers who rcmai:}ed faithful to his fortunes — Joab, captain of the host; Abishai, captain of ''the mighty men;" and Ittai, who seems to have taken the j)lace of Benaiah, as captain of the guard. On Al)salom's side was David's nephew Amasa. The final battle was fought in the " forest of Ephraim," which terminated in the accident leading to the death of Absalom. At this point the narrative resumes its minute detail. The return was marked at every stage by rejoicing and amnesty. Judah was first reconciled. The end)ers of the insurrection, still smouldering in David's hereditary enemies of the tribe cf Benjamin, were tranipled out by the mixture of boldness and sagacity in Joab, now, after the murder of Amasa, once more in his old ])osition. And David again reigned in undisturbed peace at Jerusalem. The closing period of David's life, with the exception of one great calamity, may be considered as a gradual preparation for the reign of his successor. This calamity was the three days' pestilence which vis- ited Jerusalem at the warning of the prophet Gad. The occasion which led to this warning was the census of the people taken by Joab at the king's orders. Joab's repugnance to the measure was such that he refused altogether to nundier Levi and Benjamin. The plague and its cessation were comemmorated down to the latest times of the Jew- ish nation. Outside the walls of Jerusalem, Araunah, or Oman, a wealthy Jebusite — perhaps even the ancient king of Jcbus — {wssessed a threshing-floor ; there he and his sons were engaged in threshing the coru gathered iu from the harvest. At this spot an awful vision ai>- THE QUEEN OF SHEBAS VISIT TO SOLOMON i OLD T E S T A M E N T C H A R A C T E 11 S. 673 jH-'ared, sncli as is described in the later days of Jerusalem, of the Angel of the Lord stretehing oiu a drawn sword between earth and sky over the devoted eity. The scene of siu-h an apparition at such a moment was at once marked ont lor a sanctuary. David demanded, and Araunah willingly granted, the site; the altar was erected on tiie rook of the threshing-floor; the place was called by the name of " Monah," and for the first time a holy j)lacc. sjuictifiwl by a vision of the Divine presence, was recognized in Jerusalem. It was this spot which afterwards became the altar of the Teniple, and therefore the centre of the national worship, with but slight intcrru})tion, for more than 1,000 years, and it is even contended that the same spot is the rock, still regarded with almost idolatrous veneration, in the centre of the Mussulman ** Dome of the Rock." A formidable conspiracy to interrupt the succession broke out in the last days of David's reign, which detachetl from his person two of his court, who, from personal oifence or adherence to the ancient family, had been alienated from him — Joab and Abiathar. But Za- dok, Nathan, Bcnaiah, Sliimoi, and Rei remaining firm, the plot was stifled, and Solomon's inauguration took place under his father's aus- ])i''es. By this time David's infirmities had grown upon him. The warmth of his exhausted frame Avas attempted to be restored by the introduction of a young Shunamite, of the name of Abishag, men- tioned ajjparently for the sake of an incident which grew up in con- nection with her out of the later events. His last song is preserved — a striking union of the ideal of a just ruler w-hieli he had placed before him, and of the difficulties which he had felt in realizing it. His last words, as recorded, to his successor, are general exhortations to his duty, combined with warnings against Joab and Shimei, and charges to remember the children of Barzillai. He died, according to Josephus, at the age of 70, and "Avas buried in the city of David." After the return irom the captivity, "the sepulchres of David" were still pointed out "between Siloah and the house of the mighty men," or "the guard-house." His tomb, which became the general sepul- chre of the kings of Juduh, was pointed ont in tiie latest times of tlie Jewish people. The edifice shown as such from the Crusades to the present day, is on the southern hill of modern Jerusalem, commonly called Mount Ziou, and under the so-called " Crenaculum ;" but it cannot be identifiod with the tomb of David, which -was emphatically within the walls. 43 iu OLD T K S T A M K N T C II A U A C T K R S SOLOMON. Solomon was the child of David's ohl age, the latest born of all his sons, and the offspring of the beantiful Buthsheba. The feelings of the king and of his prophet-guide expressed themselves in the name with which they weleoujod his birth. The yearnings of the man of war now leriesthood transferred to another family. Solomon was l I, I) r K S 'I' A M K N T C II A K A C T K K S. ti77 hy iiiiirryiiii^ liis daiij^liln', Tlic iinmcdiatt' rcsiilt.-i were |)rol)al)ly l;iV(»ral)lo ciiitii^li. 'I'lw; new (jiicfii Itroti^lil witli licr as a dowry tlio iVoiiticr city of (Ji'/cr, against which, as tiircutciiiiig the traiKjiiiliity of Israel, aiul as .still |»oss(\sse»l hy a rciiiiiaiit of the old Canaanitcs, I'hai'aoh had led his armies. She was i-eceived with all honor. A separate and stately palace was hiiilt for her, before long, outside the citv of David. The ultimate issue of the alliance showcr in its noblest aspect. There were two holy places which divided the reverence of the people — the Ark and its provisional tid)ernaele at Jerusalem, and the original Tabernacle of the congrega- tion, which, aJ'ter many wanderings, was now pitched at Gibeon. It was thought right that the new king shoulil otlcr solenui sacrifices at both. After those at Gibeon, there came that vision of the night, in which Solomon prayed, not for riches, or long lite, or victory over enemies, but ft»r a " wise and underst;uiding heart," that he might judge the people. The"sj)eech j)leascd the Lord." The wisdom asked for was given in large measure, and took a varied i-.uigi'. The wide world of nature, animate and inanimate, the lives and characters of men, lay before him, and he took cognizance of all. liut the high- est wisdom was that wanted for the highest work — for governing and guiding; and the historian hastens to give an illustration of it. The pattern -in stance is, in all its circumstances, thoroughly Ori- entid. In reference to tlie king's finances, the first impression of the facts given us is that of abounding plenty. Large quantities of the j)re- cious metals were imported from Ophir and Tarshish. All the kings and princes of the subject-provinces ])aid tribute in the form of gifts, in money and in kind, "at a fixed rate, year by year." Monoi)()lics of trade contributed to the king's treasury. The king's domain-lands were apparently let out, at a fixed annual rental. All the provinces of his own kingdom were bound each in turn to supply the king's enormous household with ])rovisions. The total amount thus brought into the treasury in gold, exclusive of all payments in kind, amounted to 666 talents. It was hardly possible, however, that any finan(;ial system could bear the strain of the king's passion for magnificence. The cost of the 'i ■y.i' 680 O L I) T E S T A M E N T C H A 11 A C T E 11 S SOLOMOX'S TEMl'LE. Temple was, it is true, j)rovi(l(Hl for hy David's suvings and the offer- ings of the people; hut even while that was buildiiii;:, yet more wiien it was finished, one struetun; followiHl on another with ruinous rapid- ity. All the equipment of his court, the " apj)arel " of his servants, was on the same scale. A body guard attended him, " three score valiant men," tallest and handsomest of the sons of Israel, Forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand hoi*se- men made up the measure of his magnificence. As the treasury 1k!- carae empty, taxes multiplied, and mono[)olics became more irksome. The people complained, not of the king's idolatry, but of their burdens of his " grievous yoke." Their liatred fell heaviest on Adoniram, who was over the tribute. The Temple was the grandest and most memorable monument of Solomon's reign. As in the Tabernacle, the Temple consistcvl of thrco parts, the Porch, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. The Porch of the Temple was ten cubits deep, the width in both instances ueing the width of the house. The front of the porch was supported after the manner of some Egyptian temples, by the two great brazen Pinal's, Jachiu and Boaz, eighteen cubits high, with capitals of five cubits more, adorned with lily work anehold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." Here ends all the direct information which is vouchsafed to us of the life and work of this great Prophet. How deep was the impres- sion which he made on the mind of the nation, may be judged of from the fixed belief which many centuries after prevailed, that Elijah would again appear for the relief and restoration of his country. Ol\) T K S T A -M K N I' C II A R A (' T K II S . CDf DANIEL. In the ywir 00"), !».('., in the third year of .Ichnjakitu, Nobuchad- nezziir, king of Ji:ihyl(»ii, took the city of Jcnisiih-ni, after a fierce «iege ; hut left u king on the tiiroiie, as his vassal. lie conmiissioned Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs to select the most comely Hebrew youths of royal and noble birth, j)ossessed of natural graco and acquired learning, to be educated in the language and wisdom of the Chahhcans. They were to receive their fltod and wine from tho king's tjible, ane, and they themselves were promoted to higher stations in the ])rovin((' of liabylon. Another dream, which J)anii'l again interpreted when the Chalda'an soothsayers had faih.'d, warned the king that his reason should dejjart, and he should be d' iven from among men, to herd with the beasts of the field, till "seven times" had passed over his head. The judg- ment eame upon him at the expiration of a year. His enemies had been subdued on every side ; his great works of art and power had been completed ; and, as he surveyed them from the roof of his palace, he forgot God, of whose might he had had such ])roofs, and exclaimed, " Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of tiie kingdom, by the might of my j)ower, and for the honor of my ma- jesty?" The words had S(,'arcely mounted toward the vault of heaven, when a voice replied, "O king Xebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The lanr/doiii /.s departed from ihce;^' adding the details of his exile from among men, all of which were fulfilled for a sj)ace of seven years. After the close of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was deposed from his high offices. His next appearance is at tin; great banquet given by Belshaz/ar at the close of his reign. The city Mas besieged by Cyrus, the king of Media and Persia, but as it was believeil to be too strong to be taken, the Babylonians gave themselves little or no concern about their enemies. Cyrus wasted no eflbrts on the impregnable defences, but resolved tp divert the stream of the Euphrates, and to enter the city b^ it* ■iPMPi 694 OLD TEST A ME XT CHARACTERS. M bed. When the work was complete, Belsliazziir gave luin the cpjwr- tunity for a surprise by that great feast, of which we have so graphic an account in the book of Daniel. A thousand of his lords were as- sembled at the banquet; and the ])riiue, iuHanied with wine and flattery, ordered the gold and silver vessels of the Temple of the Jews to be brought, that he, and his wives, and concubines, and courtiers, might drink in them to the praise of their gods. At that moment a hand was seen writing ujjon the wall, ii'. the full light of the candelabra. Belshazzar, his joints unnerved by fear, cried out for the Chaldiean astrologers and soothsavcrs to be brought before him, and proclaimed that the man Avho could read the writing should be invested with the insignia of royalty, and made the third ruler in the kingdom. While the hand moved slowly on, from letter to letter, they confessed their inability to read the unknown characters. The king was beside himself with terror when a new person appeared on the scene. The "queen," who addresses Belshazzar in a tone of au- thority, was probably his mother, or his grandmother, and may, perhaps, be the Xitocris of Herodotus. She alone of all the court remembered the wonders that had been revealed to Nebuchadnezzar by Daniel, who seems to have been deposed from his post of master of the soothsayers. By her advice the king sent for iiim, and repeated his offers of reward. Rejecting tbem with disdain, Daniel reproached Belshazzar for not learning from the example of Nebuchadnezzar, and for the crowning insult of that night against God. Then he ex- plained to the trenibling monarch the awful message of Jehovah, which informed him that "The days of thy kingdom are numbered and finished, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting: "Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the JNfedes and Pei'sians." Belshazzar's last act of sovereignty was to confer the promised re- ward on Daniel. That night Cyrus took the city by surprise. Bel- shazzar was slain, and his kingdom passed into the hands of the conqueror. Daniel found favor with the conqueror, and shortly after tlie cap- ture of Babylon we find him enqiloyed by the king in some commission to Susa (Shushan), one of the Median capitals. Jle ai)pears to have attained the fullest confidence of "Darius, the Mede." "When this monarch was making new appointments of the governors of provinces, the proi)het was set over them all : and the king conteni- |)lated IV still furllu;- elevation for him, T-'is cseited the dislike ftud OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 695 jealousy of the native princes and presidents, who deternuned to work iiis ruin. In his achninistrution, his Imnds were so pure, that no ground of accusation could be found against him. They therefore devised a plan by which Daniel's known and tried fidelity to his re- ligion should work his destruction. Tiicy procured from tlie careless and vain king a decree, tliat no one should for thirty days offer any prayer or petition to any god or man save the king himself, under pain of being cast into the lion's den. The king at once became painfully conscious of his weak and criminal conduct, when his most trusted servant, DcUiicl, was accused before him as an open trans- gressor of this decree, and his i)unishmeut demanded. Among the Medes and Persians there was a singular restraint upon despotism — which, while at the first view it seemed to give intensity to the exer- cise of despotic j>ower, really tended to deter the kings from hasty and ill-consitlered decisions, by compelling them to feel the evil con- sequences with which they were attended. The king's word was irrevocable law. He coulil not himself dispense with the conse- quences of his own acts. Of this Darius was reminded ; and he saw at once that he was precluded from interfering in behalf of his friend. It is a beautiful illustration of the great truth, which appears as the main argument of this chapter, namely, that the glory of God was promoted among the heathen by the captivity of his jieople — that the king himself was already so well acquainted with the character and power of Jehovah; that he spontaneously rested himself upon the hope, that, although unable himself to deliver him from this well-laid snare, the God whom Daniel s.erved would certainly not suffer hira to perish. The prophet was cast into the lion's den, and the mouth thereof was closed with a sealed st(»ne. The king spent the night sleepless and in sorrow. Impelled by his vague hopes, he hastened early in the morning to the cavern, and cried in a doleful voice, *0 Daniel, servant of The Living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?' To the unutterable joy and astonishment of the king, the quiet voice of Daniel returned an affirmative answer, assuring the king of his perfect safety. In- stantly the cavern wae opened, the servant of God drawn forth, and his accusers were cast in, and immediately destroyed by the savage inmates of the den. This striking interposition inauced the king to issue a proclamation, to the same ultimate effect as that which Nebu- chadnezzar had issued in a former time. He wrote unto * all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwelt in all the earth/ charging them to 696 OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS. 'tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is The Livin(j God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom tliat which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be, even unto the end.' It would not be easy to overrate the imiwrtance of tlic diffusion of such truths as these through the length and breadth of the Median empire. " Daniel prophesied during the whole period of the captivity, but he probably did not long survive his last vision concerning the suc- cession of the kings of Persia, Avhich he beheld in the third year of Cyrus, A. M., 3470, when the prophet must have reached his ninetieth year. As Daniel dates this vision by a Persian era, it was apparently revealed to him in Persia ; and though some have asserted that he re- turned from the captivity with Ezra, and took upon him the govern- ment of Syria, it is probable that he was too old to avail himself of the decree of Cyrus, however he might have been accessory in obttiin- ing it; and that, agreeably to the received opinion, he died in Persia. Some affirm that he died in Babylon; and they say that his sepulchre was there to be seen many years after in the royal (;ave. Put it is more probable, according to the common tradition, that he was buried at Susa, or Shushan, where certainly he sometimes resided, and per- haps as governor of Persia, and where he was favored with some of his last visions. Benjamin Tudela, indeed, informs us that he was shown the reputed tomb of Daniel on the Tigris, where likewise, as we are assured by Josephus, was a magnificent edifice, in the form of a tower, which is said to have been built by Daniel, and which served as a sepulchre for the Persian and Parthian kings. This, in the time of the historian, retained its perfect beauty, and presented a fine specimen of the prophet's skill in architecture. The book of Daniel contains a very interesting mixture of history and ijrophecies; the former being introduced, as fiir as was necessary, to descri'' +he con- duct of the prophet, and to show the design and occasi( . his pre- dictions. The first six chapters are chiefly historical, though, indeed, the second chapter contains the prophetic inter})retation of Nebu- chadnezzar's dream concerning the kingdoms which were successively to illustrate the power of that God who remoyeth and setteth up kings, as seemetli good to liiiu^" MHtfiaiiuu-. Lives of the early fathers, AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. IGNATIUS. One of the most eminent of the early Christians was Ignatius, Bisiiop of Antioch in Syria. He was set apart to tliat high office in A. D., 75, and presided over the church for ahout 32 years, and finally suifered martyrdcui under the Emperor Trajan in A. D., 107. When the reader remerahers that the church fU; Antioch was the i)a- rent of all the Gentile churches, he will appreciate the importance of the position held by this good man, who was surnamed Tiieo})horus, for his great piety. His "Acts " and " Epistles," which were pub- lished in 1647 by Arch-bishop Usher, afford ns an oj)portunity of learning much of his history, as well as the spir't which actuated him. His "Acts" were written by those wlio had bp of the church at that place. He reached Rome in time for the great public spectacles in the amphitheatre, and was thrown to the wild beasts in the arena, and devoured by them. Only a few «»f his bones were left, and these were collected by the companions wIhi had accompanied him, and were carried back to Antioch, where they Avere buried. POLYCARP. This holy man was the Bishop of the church at Smyrna Wn- more than seventy years. He is believed to have been a disciple of St. John, and the pereon mentioned in the Revelation as the "Angel" of the church at Smyrna. Pie was the friend of Ignatius, who addressed one of his three Epistles to him, and one of his own Epi-stles to the Philippians is still extant. He is said to have been eminent for his piety and zeal, as well as for his personal amiability, to whicli estimate of his character even the pagans bore witness. He paid a visit to Rome about the year 150, to Anicctas, Bishop of Rome, to settle a troublesome controversy about the proper observance of Easter. The point in dispute was purely traditional, and no agreement was affected. While here he did not hesitate to denounce those who had departed from the true Apostolic doctrine. At length, in the reign of the Emperor INIarcus Aurelius, trie Smyrniote church was subjected to great persecutions. Polycarp was willing to remain in the city, and share the fate of his friends ; but the latter at length persuaded him to retire into the country, whither his persecutors followed and arrested him. He had been forewarned of this fate in a dream, and received the officers of the law Avith great kindness and dignity. H§ set before them a bountiful supply of refreshments, and while they were eating, devoted himself to fervent prayer. The soldiers took him before the Pro-con.sul, who, having persuaded one Quintus to save his life by denying his Saviour, thought he could 100 LIVES OP THE EARLY FATHERS work upon the fears of Polycarp in a similar niauMcr. But tlio good man was now al)out one hundred years old, and ready to depart, and steadfastly resisted the importunities of the magistrate. "Swear by the fortune of Ca\sar," said the Pro-consul, "swear, and I will release thee ; re})roaeh Christ." " Eighty and six years have I served him," said Polycarp, " and ho never Avronged me; and how can I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me? I am a Christian, and if yon desire to learn the Christian doctrine, assign me a day, and hear." "I have wild beasts," said the Pro-consul, "and I will expose you to them unless you repent." " Call them," was the calm reply, " Our minds are not to be changed from the better to the worse ; but it is a good thing to be changed from evil to good." "I will tame your spirit by fire unless you repent," said the Pro- consul. " You threaten me with fire, which burns for a moment," said the martyr; "but you are ignorant of the future judgment, and of the fire of the eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay ? Do what you please." The Pro-consul was sorely perplexed. It was the wish of the popu- lace that Polycarp should be given to the lions; but as the lawful time for opening the amphitheatre had gone by, this could not be done, and he was sentenced to die at the stake. When they sought to bind him to the stake, he said, " Let me remain as I am ; for he who gives me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me to remain un- moved." Then placing his hands behind him, he lifted up his voice in prayer, and thanked God for having given liim the privilege of sealing the faith with his life. Then the faggots were lighted ; but the wind blew the flames away so steadily, that in spite of the efforts of his tormentors, he remained uninjured. Upon this the executioner slew him with his sword. His friends begged his body ; but the Jews opposed the request, fiilsely asserting that the Christians would worship him instead of Christ. There being danger of a tumult, the centurion in charge of the execution burned the body, after which the charred bones were gathered up by the disciples of the martyr and buried. AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 701 ORIGEN. Oriqen, who was suriiamccl Adaniantius, on accjount of the strengtii of his constitution and, tl»e magnitude of his labors, wjus horn in Alexanih'ia, in Egypt, in the year 185. Itis father was a man of wealth and education, and, fmding that his son was a youth of unusual tiUent, had him thoroughly educated in the best schools of the city. Leonides, the father, was also a devoted Christian, and exerted himself to instruct his son in the knowledge of Christ. "He made him commit daily a portion of Sacred Scripture to memory. The boy took great delight in liis task, and already gave indications of his profoinidly inquisitive mind. Not satisfied with the explana- tion of the literal sense, which his father gave him, he required the thoughts eml)odied in the passages he had conunitted to be fully opened out, so that Leonides frequently found himself embarrassed. Tiie father eluded, indeed, his inconsiderate curiosity, and exhorted liim to be satisfied as became his years, with the literal sense; but he secretly rejoiced in the promising talents of the youth, and with a full lieart thanked God ho hud given him such a son. Often, it is said, Avhen the boy was asleep, he would uncover his breast, kissing it as a temple where the Holy Spirit designed to prepare his dwelling, and congratulated himself that he })ossessed such a treasure." Besides the instruction he received from his father, he was a pupil of Clement, the Catechist. The Christians of Egypt Avere severely persecuted during the reign of Severus, A ')., 202. Leonides was thrown into prison with others. Origen, young as he was, was ready to become a mnrtyr, and boldly hazarded his life by visiting his father in prison. His mother, how- ever, anxious for his safety, at length kept him at home by hiding his clothes. Unable, to see his father, he wrote to him, exhorting him not to let the thought of his fiimily make him recreant to the cause of Christ. The father kept the faith, and suffered death, leaving his widow and six ehildi^n helpless. Origen was now seventeen, and was enabled to prosecute his studies still farther through the kindness of a rich Christian lady, who received him into her house. Encouraged by Demetrius, the bishop and othei-s, Origen upon reaching the age of nineteen, revived the Catechetical School of Clement, which had been broken uj) by the persecution, and was ap- pointed Catechist. He sold his classical library for a mere pittance, on which he managed to live with great privation ; but this in his Tna LIVES OF THE EARLY PA THE US cy.s was better than (lependeiu'c. He was very sueeessful in his Bi'hool. Pupils, both Christians and Pagans, eanie in from all quar- ters. ALany of the latter were converted by him, and several became martyrs. He trieil to lead a blamek'ss life, and to avoid temi)tation, even went so far as to emasculate himself. Although he tried to con- coal this, his secret was discovered, and it is said that Denjctrius oa this account refused to ordain him. His zeal and activity in behalf of his religion made him many enemies, and his life was in constant danger. At one time he was seized and clothed in the dress of a priest of Scrai)is, and placed upon the steps of the temple, where he was ordered to distribute brancliea of palm in the usual way, to those who entered. Ho did as lie was l)idden, but said to those to Avhom he presented the branches, " Receive not the idol's palm, but the palm of C'lrist." "He now gave himself np to the study of the Bible and its literal interpretation, and there began the great change in the theological bent of his niiiul. It became his endeavor to trace the vestiges of truth in all human systems ; to examine all things, that he might everywhere separate the true from the tidse. "His residence in Alexandria, where sects so widely different were brought together ; his journey to Rome (in the year 211); his jour- neys to and within Palestine, to Achaia, to Cappadocia, gave him op- portunity, as he tells us himself, of visiting those who pretended to any extraordinary knowledge, and of becoming acquainted with and examining their doctrines. He made it his principle not to suffer himself to be governed by the traditional opinion of the multitude, but to hold fast that only as truth which he found after unbiased ex- amination. "By this liberality of mind, it was the happiness of Origen to bring back many heretics, with whom he fell in contact at Alexandria, particularly Gnostics, to the simple doctrine of the gospel. One remarkable exam])le of this sort was Ambrosius, a wealthy man, who, not sjitisfied with the manner in which Christianity had been exhibited to him, in the common representations of the chui-ch teachers, had sought, and supposed he had found, a more spiritual conception of it among the Gnostics; until, through the influence of Origen, he was undeceived of his error, and rejoiced at now finding, through his means, the right Gnosis at the same time with the true faith. He became Origen's warmest friend, and endeavored especially to promote his literary labors for the good of the Church. AND OTirKU KMTXKiVr C II 11 1 ST I A NS. 70.1 **Thiit lu( mi^lit avail himself of every lii'lp, Origcii stiulied He- brew, after lie had arrived at the age of manhood — a task of some difficulty to a Greek. Ih; undertook an emendation of the hihlical manuscripts, hy comparing them with one another. lie is the creator of sacred literature among the Ciiristians, although his arhitrary prin- ciples of interprctittion prevented, in his own case, the full realization of all those results whicli might otherwise have been cx[)ectcd from it. "As the number of those who resorted to him for religious instruc- tion continued to increase, and at the same time his literary labors on the Scriptures, which extended over a widening field, claimed more of his attention ; in order to gain time, he shared the task of cate(;hist with his friend lieraclas, giving over to the latter the ])rej)arat<)ry religious instruction, and reserving for himself the cxacter instruction of the more advanced. " The division of his official labors in this department made it possible for liim to enlarge the sj>here of his activity as a teacher of the church, in giving a course of lectures, in which he expounded to his pupils all the ancient philosophers in whom a moral and religious element Avas to be found, and sought to train them to that mental freedom which would enable them everywhere to separate truth from the mixture of falsehood. Thus he entitled himself to the great merit of difl'using a more liberal system of Christian and scientific education, of which the schools that resulted from his labors are the evidence. It was also his lot to conduct many, who had been drawn to him solely through the love of science, by gradual steps, to faith in the gospel. "Some opposed him in his work, but the efT'orts of his enemies only contributed to extend the sphere of his activity. He removed to Palestine, a circumstance important in its consequences, an o|)portunity being thus given him of laboring also from that point, for the difru- sion of 11 liberal scientific spirit in the church; and long were the traces of his activity to be discerned in these districts. Here, too, a circle of young men gathered around him, who were trained under his influence to fill the posts of theologians and church teachers. Hero he composed, among other works, his treatise on the utility of prayer, and on the exjiosition of the Lord's prayer, which he addresseTIANS. 70fl "As till! fury ol' tlu; cneinit'.s of CliriHtiuiiity, in the Dcriau i)er8wii- tion, wa.s directed uarticularly against those men who wero distin- giii.slicd among the Christians for their station, wealth, or their knowledge, and their aetivity in proninlgating the faith, it was natural that sueh a nuin as Origen should hwonie a shining mark for fanatical eruelty. After a steailfast confession, he was thrown into l)rison ; and here it was attempted, in conformity with the plan of the Decian iM'rseeution,.to overcome the infirmity of age, by exquisite and gradually increjising tortures. But the faith which he bore at lieart sustained the weakness of old age, and gave him power to withstand every trial. Afler having suilered so much, he wrote from his prison a letter full of consolation and encouragement for others. "The circumstances which contributed first to moderate, and then to bring wholly to an end, this persecution, procured for Origen free- dom and repose. Yet the sufferings which he had undergone served, perhaps, to hasten his death, which took place about the year 254, in tlie seventieth year of his age." I CYPRIAN. Cyprian of Cartilage was one of the brightest lights of the early Christian Church. He was a professor of oratory in the city of Carthage, and a man of wealth and jjosition. He was convertetl to Christ under the ministry of a presbyter named Cecilius, about the year 246, and at once embracing Christianity openly, assumed and held a prominent place in the ci.Mrch. Speaking of his convci-sioii, he has said : " While I lay in darkness and the night of paganism, and when I fluctuated, uncertain and dubious with wandering stops in the sea of a tempestuous age, ignorant of my own life, alienated from light and truth, it ai)i)carcd to me a hai-sh and difficult thing, as my manners then were, to obtain what Divine grace had promised, that a man should be born again ; and that, being animated with the love of re- generation by a new life, he should strip himself of what he was l)efore, and though the body remained the same, he should in his mind become altogether a new creature. How can so great a change be i)o)wible, said I, that a man should suddenly and at once put ofl" what nature and habit have confirmetl in him ? 46 70(5 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS " But after the new birth had made Hie a new creature indeed, im- mediately and in an amazing manner dubious things began to be cleared up, things onee siiut up to be opened, dark things to shine forth ; what before seemed ditHeult, now appeared feasible, and that was now evidently praetieable, which had been deemed impossible." He wtus unusually kind to the poor and needy, and literally stripped himself of his wealth lor their benefit. His wife opposed his Christian spirit of liberality ''n vain. He gave all he had, and in this way, and many others, so endearetl himself to the Christians of Carthage that he was made tii3ir bishop, in spite of his desire to avoid the honor. This was in the year 2 18. Five of the presbyters of the church voted against him, but they were overborne by the popular voice. In 249 the emperor Decius came to the throne, and began his ter- rible persecution of the Christians. Cyprian unwillingly retired from the fury of the Carthaginian pagans, to a place of safety, in which he remained for two and a half years. His brethren suffered greatly, but were much comforted by the letters of warning, counsel, and sympathy which he constantly sent them. A schism now broke out in the church of Carthage, headed by one Felicissumus, one of the presbyters who had voted against Cyprian. This division caused Cyprian much sorrow ; and, as the j)ersecution had almost ceased, he returned to Carthage, and af\er a time suc- ceeded in healing the division. This schism gave rise to his cele- brated tract on " The Unity of the Church," whiv h contains the fii*8t acknowledgment of the suj^ amacy of Rome as the chair of Saint Peter. Decius was succeedai by Gall us, who renewed the persecution of the Christians; but his death, in 253, gave them a rest of several years. Cyprian was firmly convinced, from these persecutions, that the end of the world was close at hand. In 258 the persecutions were renewed by Valerian. Cyprian was arrested during this persecution, and brought before Paternus, the Pro-consul, who, after vainly endeavoring to make h'm reveal the hiding place of his brethren, banished him to Curubes, a town fiflj miles from Carthaare. In 260 he recei . cd jiermission to return to Carthage and reside on one of his estates, which was restored to him. Here he regulated the affairs of the church, and distributed what he had lefl ; but, while thus employed, he was seized and conveyed before the Pro-consul, AND OTHER EMINENT C tt ll I S T 1 A N S . 70T who was indispo.scd at a town by tlie sca-sido, failed Sextiis, six miles from Carthage. Here he \vi\s brought into the judgment hall, where the Pro-cou.sul sat, and the following eolloquy took j)laee : "Are you Thaseius Cyprian ?" '' I am." "Are you he whom the Christians call their bisiiop?" " I am." *'Our princes have ordered you to worship the gods." "That I shall not do." " You will ilo better to consult your safety, and not despise the I?? " IMy safety and virtue is Christ the Lord, whom I desire to serve forever." " I pity your case, and would wish to consult for you." " I do not wisli that things should be otherwise with ine, than that, adoring my God, I may hasten to him with all the ardor of my soul : for the atHictions of this persecution are not worthy to be com- pared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." " You have lived sacrilegiously a long time, and have formed into a society men of an impious conspiracy, and have shown yourselves an enemy to the gods and to the counsels of our princes. You have ever been a father and a ringleader to the impious sect ; you shall therefore be an example i'or the rest, and they shall learn their duty by your blood. Let Thaseius Cyprian be put to death by the sword." " God be praised," said the martyr ; and while they were leading liim away, a nudtitude of the people followed and cried, " liCt us die \vith our holy bishop." He was led into a plain surrounded by trees, and fell upon his knees and offered up a prayer. He ordered a sum of money to be given to the executioner, and then himself bound the napkin over his eyes ; his hands were bound by a deacon and a presbyter, and the Christians laid before him najdvins and handkerchiefs to receive his blood. Then his head was cut oif by the executioner. EUSEBIUS. With the exception of Origen, the most learned of all the early Fathers, was Eusebius Paniphilus, Bishop of Cajsarea. Nothing is 4! I 70S LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS known of his parentage, education, or early life, but it is probable that Gesurea itself was the place of his birth, and that that event took place sometime before the year 270. He lirst appears in conncctiou with his friend Pumphilus, in the joint production of works of great learning, the object of which was to sjjread the knowledge of and con- firm the faith of the Christians in their doctrine. Pamphilus had collected a library at Ca;sarea, which is said to have contained thirty thousand manuscript volumes. " It seems to have been collected chiefly for the good of the church, and to lend out to all religiously-disposed people." Pamphilus sulfered martyrdom in the persecution under Diocletian, and Eusebius wrote an a])ology for him, in six books, and added his name to his own. How Eusebius escaped the llite of his friend during this fierce persecution is un- known. The succession of Constantine to the throne, enabled him to prose- cute his labors in j)ublie, and he at once became famous as the most learned man of his day. in 314 he was ordained Bishop of the church in CVesarea ; and in 324 he took a prominent part in the Council of Nice. He died about 340, at CVsarea, and was buried there. His Ecclesiastical History, Clcoraicon, Evangelical Prepara- tion, and Evangelical Demonstration, are all brought down to that period, though he survived Constantine, and wrote the life of this first Christian Emperor. Most of his other numerous works are lost, but these remain to attest his arduous labors and universal learning, consecrated, if not always wisely, yet honestly, to Christ and the highest good of mankind. AUGUSTINE. 'Hi ! AuiJUSTiNE was born in Tagasta, a town of Numidia, in Korthern Africa, in the year 354. His parents were poor, but of respectable jio- sition,and his mother was a true specimen of a Christian matron. She paid particular attention to his religious training, and at an early age put him among the catechumens to prej)are him more thoroughly. He lost his father when lie was sixteen years old, and his boyhood was spent in study and in dissipations. He conceived a thorough distaste for the study of the Greek literature, which he retaiucd AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 709 through life. He read the Heathen authors as well as the Sacred Scriptures. He became tainted with immorality also, and when only nineteen had a son by a mistress. He perplexed his intellect with vain studies, by which he hoped to find out the truth ; *' but turning from the fountain of truth, he be- came associated with the Manichteans, who, among many other absurd theories, maintained that man had two souls, with opposite tendencies, and that particles of God were imprisoned in the fruits of the earth. " Meanwhile, a pious mother was earnestly seeking his conversion to the true livith. Meeting with a bislioj), she entreated him to use his influence to turn Aus'ustine from such absiu'd iloctrines. But he replied to her solicitations by saying, * Let him alono^ only pray to the Lord for him ; he will at length, by reading, discover the error, and see how great his impiety.' At the same time, he told her how, when he was a child, he had been deceived in the same manner, and had not only read the boohs of the Manieha^an sect, but copied almost all of them, and had himself found out, without any one's disputing with him, or convineing him, how much that faith was to be detested, and had therefore forsaken it. Not siitisficd with this, she still im- portuned him, with tears, to attempt a reformation ; till, wearied with her continued entreaties, he impatiently answered, * Go your \\ay, God bless you, for it cannot be that a child of those tears sliouK* perish.' This, she afterward said, was to her as an oracle from heaven. " For the space of nine years, however, he continued his blind de- votion to the absurd system, following the cmiitiness of" poj)ular glory, and seeking in his false religion to j)erform mcritcious works that should entitle him to particular eminence, and satisly the desires of his restless spirit." At length, the death of a friend whom he tenderly loved, filled him with so much grief that he went to Carthage, where, becoming dis- gusted with the ignorance of one of the ])rincipal teachers of the Manichieans, and bcincc offended with the wavs of the scholars of Carthage, he removed to Rom!\ where he was sick of a dangerous fever, the recovery from which he attribut(>d to Jiis mother's prayers. He attempted to support himself in Rome by teaching eloquence, but failing in this, he went to ]Milan, where he was kindly received by Ambrose, the bishop of the Catholic church at that place, and was advised by him to study the Epistles cf St. Paul. Through the dili- gent reading of these, and the preaching of Ambrose, he was led to 710 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS the truth at last, and became an avowed ineniber of Christ's church; and one of its brightest ornaments. After this he set out on liis return to liis native city in Nuniidia, but his mother died on the journey, at Ostia, liappy that her constant prayers to God liad been lieard at hist. Upon reaching his old home, lie retired to an estate which he possessed, where, with a few friends, he lived in the practice of woiks of taith and love until 391. Here he composed several of his theological works. In 391 he went to the city of Hippo on business. While there the aged bishop Valerius induced him to become liis assistant, and had him ordained. On the death of Valerius, he became bishop of Hijipo, and resided there during the remainder of his life. He built a monastery there for men, and a convent for women. His sister be- came the Superior of the latter institution. In the year 429, the Vandals laid siege to Hippo. In the midst of these sutl'erings, and in the new prospect of dangers impending, it was Augustine's common prayer that God would deliver the town from the enemy ; or that he would grant his servants power to endure everything which his will should impose upon them ; or that God would take him out of the world. God mercifully granteil a part of this prayer, and in the the third month of the siege, which lasted fourteen months, Augustine died, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. The last thirty-five years of his age were crowded thick with literary labors. He wrote numerous treatises, and jircsented various theories and opinions, of which we cannot speak here. He set apart the last years of his long and active life for completing his theological works, which were in part connected with controversies which lie regarded as important. I JEROME. Jerome ranks first amongst the Latin Fathers in learning and genius. He was born in Stridon, an obscure town in Dalmatia, about the year 321. His parents were Christians, and were wealthy and of good position. He was liberally educated, and was at length sent to Rome, where he completed his studies. At first he plunged into the follies and dissipations of the great city, but at length he was mercifully rescued from these by the grace of God, and received the Christian rite of baptism. AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 711 After his baptism he travelled into France, in company with Bo- nosus, a fellow student. He carerully examined the libraries he met with, and acquired a vast amount of information. Returning to Rome, he determined to adopt the profession of a monk — a term which, in those days, meant simply a private recluse Christian, bound by no vows, but free to act according to his own judgment. He col- lected a large library at Rome. Here he became intimate with several families of rank, and aided in developing a fondness for the monastic life, which had long been popular in the Eastern Church. He became involved in some troublesome quarrels, however, and finally concluded to leave Rome. Taking with him his friends, Evagrius, Heliodorus, and others, and his books, he Avent to Syria, and became an inmate of the Monastery of Theodorus, near Antioch. Here he made himself mastei of the Hebrew language, and was or- dained presbyter by Paulinus. Bishop of Antioch, on condition of his remaining a recluse. He took this step by the advice of the Bishop of Rome. He remained four years in Syria, and then went to Constantinople to study theology with Gregory Nazianzan. In 382 Domas sum- moned him to Rome, and made him his secretary. He left Rome, on the death of Domas, in 385, in consequence of the annoyance given him by his enemies there, and went back to Syria, taking with him his younger brother Paulinianus, and two Roman ladies of rank and wealth, Paula, and her daughter, the Viigin Eustochisem. He visited Antioch and Jerusalem, and finally went into Egypt, where he visited Didymus of Alexandria, and afterwards the monks of Istria. Mc became disgusted witli the monks of this celebrated es- tablishment, and went back to Palestine, and fixed his residence at Bethlehem. Here Paula erected four monasteries, three for women, and one for men. In the latter Jerome passed the rest of his life. He instructed the women in theology, and gathered around him many of his learned friends. Here he composed the most of his writings, and made his fiimous translation of the Bible into the Latin language, which version the Roman Catholic Church adopted as its standard. He wrote commentaries on various books of the Old and New Testa- ment, lives of the Fathers who had preceded him, controversial tracts, and several epistles. He died at Bethlehem, in 420, in the ninetieth year of his age. 712 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS PATRICK. Patrick, generally called " The Apostle to the Irish," was bom in Scotland, A. D., 379, at the village of Bonaven, between the towns of Dunbarton and Glasgow. His original name was SuUkoth. He waa the son of a poor deacon of the village church, and was religiously educated, though he led a wild and careless life until his seventeenth year. At this time some pirates from the Irish coast made a descent upon his native place, and carried him away. They took him to Ire- land and sold him as a slave to one of the Celtic chiefs of that island. He was used very harshly by Ivis master, and in his trouble he turned to God for comfort. In his " Confessions," he says : "I was about sixteen years old, and knew nothing of the true God, when I and many thousand persons were carried away into captivity, according to our deserts, since we had departed from God, and had not observed His commands. There God ojiened my unbelieving mind, so that, although late, I thought of my sins, and turned with my whole heart to the Lord my God, to Him who looked down on my low condition, had pity on my youth and ignorance, and before I knew Him, before I could distinguish between good and evil, guarded, protected and cherished me, as a father his son. This I certainly know, that before God humbled me, I was like a stone sunk in the mire ; but when He came who had power to do it, He raised me in His mercy, and put me on a very high place. Wherefore I must testify aloud, in order to make some return to the Lord for such great blessings in time and eternity, which no human reason is able to es- timate. When I came to Ireland, and had daily charge of the cattle, I prayed many times a day ; the fear of God and love to Him was increasingly kindled in rae; faith grew in me, so that in one day I offered a hundred prayers, and at night almost as ma y ; and when I passed the night in the woods or on the mountains, I rose up to pray in the snow, ice, and rain, before day-break. Yet I felt no pain ; there was no sluggishness in me, such as I now find in myself, for then the spirit glowed within me." After spending six years in the eervice of this chief, he believed that he heard a voice in his sleep which promised him a speedy return u his native land, and soon an- nounced to him that a vessel was ready for him. Firmly believing in his vision, he set out for the sea-coast, and succeeded in obtaining passage on a ship about to sail for Scotland, and eventually reachetl i'. -.. AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 713 his home. Several years later, he was again captured by pirates, but succeeded in escaping and reaching home. It now became the wish of liis life to carry the Gospel to the wild people among whom he had spent the six years of his cii[)tivity, and in whose midst he had given his own heart to God. " As the A[)ostle Paul was called by the Lord, in a night-vision, to carry the first news of salvation to the people of jVIacedoiiia, so a man appeared to Patrick in a night-vision, with many letters. He gave him one, and he r'^-^ai the words, * words of the Irish,' and as he was reading, he thought he heard the united voices of many Irish, who dwell near the sea, exclaiming, ' we beseech thee, rhild of God, come and again walk among us!' His feelings would not allow him to read any further, and he awoke. Another night, he believed that ho heard a voice from heaven, in a dream, the last words of which were intelligible to him. * He who gave His life for thee. He speaks in thee.' He awoke full of joy. One night it was as if there was some- thing in him, and yet above him, that was not himself, praying with deep sighs, and at the close of the prayer, it spake as if it was no other than the spirit of God. He awoke and recollected the trans- cendent expressions of Paul, respecting the intimate intercourse of God's children with his own Spirit." In order to qualify himself for his mission, he went to Gaul, where he studied for three years in the monastery of jNIarmoiiticr, after which he spent many years in Italy, still engaged in his studies. In 432 he returned to Scotland, preparatory to entering Ireland. His friends and relatives strove to keep him back, assuring him that the undertaking was far beyond his powers. " Many opposed my going," says he, "and said behind my back, * AVliy does this man rush into danger among the heathen, who do not know the Lord?' It was not badly intende I on their part; but they could not comprehend the matter on account of my uncouth disposition." He passed over to Ireland and began his wcrk. By tho sound of a kettle drum, he collected large assemblies in ihe open air, and told them of the sufferings of the Saviour for sinfi.l man, and by his preaching made many converts. His work was not easy, however, for the people were wild and superstitious, and the priests and national bards opposed liim with a bitter hostility, and subjected him to many trying persecutions. His firm courage and faith, and his sweet and amiable disposition, by the grace of God, overcame all these, and the uumber of. his converts continued to increase. 714 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS He was al one time in a fliinily of rank, the members of whieh he baptized. The sou of the house, a youth, entertained such love for Patrick, that he resolved, however much his friends tried to dissuade him, to forsake all, and to accompany the preacher of the gosi)el amidst all his dangers and toils. On account of his friendly, gentle disposition, Patrick gave liim the name of Benignus. He availed himself of the agreeable voice of the youth, in order to influence the people by means of singing. Benignus was zealously cngage:l with him in publishing the gos[)el to the time of his death, and he succeeded liiin in the pastoral office. Man^ fthe national bards were converted by him, and sang, in their own j.ymns, of the worthlessncss of idolatry, and to the praise of God and Christ. By the grace of God, Patrick was permitted to perform some mirav cles which materially aided in the work cf converting the people. " Yet I conjure all persons," says he, in referring to them, " let no one, on account of these or similar things, believe that I place myself on a level with any of the apostles or perfected saints ; for I am a p(x»r, sinful, despicable man." Patrick devoted himself chiefly to the heads or chieftains of the people, knowing that their conversion would exercise a powerful iiiflu- ence upon their followers ; but he did not neglect the masses. He travelled through the country, frequently attended by his pupils and assistants, and preached to the inhabitants with the greatest suc- cess. He was careful to avoid even the appearance of seeking his own profit or honor, and when his grateful converts endeavored to induce him to accept presents from them, he firmly refused them. At first the givers were offended by this course ; but they finally came to re- spect him the more for it. Patrick was emphatically the benefactor of Ireland. Ho not only introduced Christianity into a country where paganism had prevailed before, but laid the foundations for the institutions of civilization, learning and the arts, which folloVi ed in the wake of the true faith. For more than thirty years, he labored in this great field. He gave up his home and friends for his work, and conquered the yearning of his heart to see them again. "Gladly," he says, "would I travel to my parents in my native land, and also visit the brethren in Gaul, to see once more the faces of the saints of my Lord. God knows that I wish it very much. But I am bound by the Spirit, who testifies that AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 715 lie will pronounce me guilty, if I do this, and I drciid lest the work I have begun, should ilill to the ground." Patrick lived until about 4G5 ; but the date of hi^ death, and the incidents of his last hours, are not known. PETER WALDO. In the twelfth century, there existed many men who sought to bring back the Catholic Church, which, in her external appearance, .seemed to them utterly corrupt, to primitive and apostolical purity. Among these was Petrus Waldus, a ricii merchant of the city of Lyons, in the south of France. He had been a person of great piety from his youth, and was a diligent student of the Bible, and the writings of the early Fatliei*s. These convinced him that there were abuses in the church, which needed reformation, and ind)ued him with a strong desire to see the Bible translated into the langunge of the (country, so that it might be placed in the hands of every Christian. iVt that time the only version of the Scriptures in use in Europe (be- sides tlie original Hebrew and Greek versions) was the Vulgate, or Latin Bible of St. Jerome ; but as a knowledge of the Latin was con- fined to a very few persons, the Holy Book was accessjible to hardly more tiian one in many thousands. Peter Waldo, who was a man of learning, resolved that this should no longer be the case, but that the word of God should be scattered abroad amongst the masses. So, with the assistance of several friends, ho translated the Bible into the French language, and began to circulate it amongst the j)eople. This was the first version in a modern tongue ever seen in Europe, and the effect of it was electrical. The demand for it grew greater every day, and the result was that, in the south of France especially, the hold which the Romish priesthood had upon the masses was weak- ened. In 1160, Peter ^yaldo sold his possessions, and distributed the pro- ceeds in charity, and began preat-hing to a body of associates, who were commonly called *' The Poor of Lyons." He and his followers had no design of seceding from the Church of Rome at first, but were ulti- mately driven to that step. The clergy bitterly opposed the preaching of Waldo and the circulation of the Bible ; but the work went on in 7irt LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS spite of ihcni. Then tlicy suiumoiicd persecution to their aid, but in vain. The Areh-bishop of Lyons conmuuided Waldo and his compan- ions to be sih'ut, -whereupon they appeah-d to Pope Alexander HI., in 1179, who likewise decided against them, and forbade their meet- ings for religious worship. Waldo continued to preach, however, teaching that he and his followers must obey God rather than man, and, in 1184, they were formally excommunicated by Po[)0 Lucius IIL The seed of religious liberty and reform, thus planted by Waldo, continued to grow, and his views spread in France, Italy, and Bohemia, and his adherents became especially numerous iu Provence and in the Valleys of Piedmont. Persecutions came thickly upon the little band of Christians. Waldo was driven about from place to place throughout Europe, to avoid the wrath of the Pope and his clergy. Ilis followers were burned at the stake, cut down with the sword, hurled from precipices, and tortured in almost every con- ceivable way, in the vain effort to destroy their religion. They re- mained faithful in the midst of all this, however, willing and even anxious to attest their faith. in their Saviour by martyrdom. Peter Waldo went to his rest in a good old age, but the great religious body known as the ^^'aldenses lias perpetuated his memory, and borne con- stant witness to the good ho wrought upon earth. lie led the way out from the corruptions of the Romish Church, and became the father of one of the most heroic religious bodies known to history. But, apart from this, his memory deserves to be cherished by all Christian people for the service he rendered the Church of Christ, in being the first to give the Bible to the masses in a language under- stood by them. JOHN WYCLIFFE. John Wycltffe, or Do Wycliffe, the father of the English Reformers, was born in the village Avhicli bears his name, near Rich- mond, in Yorkshire, in 1324. He belonged to the gentry, and his family dated back to the time of the Conquest as lords of the manor. He entered Queen's College, Oxford, about 1340, but soon removed to INIerton College, where ho became noted for Ids extraordinary tal- ents, piety, and scholai'ship. "He is said to have attained proficiency ' AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. tl7 in the civil, wuion, and coiiiiaoii law, but devotod liiiuself with the mulgated by him. Bcf irc this bull arrived an attempt was made to try him belbre ii Convocation assembled at tSaint Paid's. He appearetl in the court ace(jm])ai5icd by John of Gaunt, the great Duko of Lancaster, and Lord Percy, Eai-1 Marshal oi" Eng- land. Li consequence of the powerful ])rotection of these great lords, his enemies were unable to accomplish anything against him, and when the Pope's bidl arrived, it met with a cold reception. Soon after this, Wyclin'e, at the rc(piest of the Parliament, jtnpared a pa|K?r sustaining the right of the Kingdom to refuse to pay tribute to the Poi)e. In 1378, he was summoned before a synod of the clergy in Ijain- betli. It was the intention of the clergy to condemn him for heresy, but the po])nla('e and the (pieeu-mother sided with him, and his ene^ lilies Mcro overawed. L1^])on this occasion " h " maintained that the ultimate authority concerning the i)ersons and [)roi)crty of chnrchmen belonged to the laity, and he denied that censures pronoiuiced by ecclesiastics were valid, unless they accorded with the will of God." The schism in the cliurcli, caused by the election of two Popes, now occurred, and greatly weakened the power of the papacy, and beyond a doubt saved WyclifTe from a serious jicrsecution. He now resumed his lectures and writings, but the most important work of his life was the translation of the Bible into the English language, the first attempt of the kind ever made. He made, says Liiigard, "a new translation, multiplied the copies with the aid of transcribers, and by his poor priests recommended it to the perusal of their hearers. In their hands it became an engine of woiiderfid power. ]\Ien were flattered with the aj)peal to their private judg- ment ; the new doctrines insensibiy acquired partizans and protectors in the higher classes, who alone were acquainted with the use of let- ters; a spirit cf inquiry was geiverated ; and the seeds were sown of that religions revclr.tion wliici], in littie moie than a century, as- tonished and convulsed the nations of Europe." In this translation he was i:o noiibt assisted by pu|)ils, or learned friends. He was the head of au organization called " Poor Priests," who travelled about AND OTHER EMINENT CHRISTIANS. 719 through the country and (li.ssciiiinaU'd his opinifjtis \>y prt'ju-hing in the Jiuroh-yurtls, and at tho marUct and fairs. So groat was the enect of this system of proat-hing, and of his writings, that it is said that VVycliflTe's doctrines wer«> held by about one-half of the English IH'Oplc. In conseijuence of his public denial of the doctrine of transub- stmtiation, his enemies induced the king to banish him from the University of Oxford in 1382. He retired to the rectory of Lutter- worth, where he passed the remainder of iiis life in completing his translation of the Bible, and in literary laliors of various kinds. In December, 1384, he was cited to appear before the Pope to answer to the (shargc of heresy, but declared his physical inability to obey the summons. On the 31st of that month he was stri<'kcn with a fit of the palsy while hearing mass in his church, and never spoke again. The papal vengeancie, however, pursued him even into his grave. In 1415, the Council of Constance ordered his books to be burned, and his body to be torn from the grave and burned, which infamous decree was executed to the letter. The doctrines which Wyclift'e taught were directly liostile to the supremacy of Rome, though he never withdrew himself from the communion of that church, but died a priest in it. According to him, "the authority of the Crown was supreme over all persons and property in England, to the exclusion not only of the secular, but the spiritual jurisdiction of the papal court. He was opposed to the whole framework of the hierarchy, as a device of clerical ambition, to episcopacy, and endowments, and held that the clergy should be supported by alms, and should require only livelihood and clothing. He retained the ordinance of baptism, but without regarding it as essential to salvation ; and the sacrament of the mass, but without the doctrine of transubstantiation. He denied any intrinsic beneficial influence from confirmation, penance, 1-oly orders, or extreme unction, and declared them all fraught with delusion. He believed in the existence of an intermediate state, but held masses for the dead to be a piece of clerical machinery, adjusted with a view to gain. He taught that men are neither the better nor worse for church censures, but that the destiny of each is determined according to his own spir- itual condition as a responsible creature." a; 720 LITES OF THE EARLY FATnERS JOHN HUSS. JoriN' IIuss was lioru on tiie Gtli of July, I'M'^, at irussinotz, a small town in jjolieniia, iieai' tlio border of" Bavaria. AltlioiiL;h ot* an liuniUlo laniily, he managed to obtain the means to ])in'sne his .stndies, first in his own town, then at Praselialitz, and finally at tho L'niversity of Pragne, where lie gradnated in lo93. Tho University was at this time at tho height of its glory, liiiving more than twenty thonsand stndents in attendance upon it. In lo98, IIuss began to give lectures in Philosophy and Theology, and in 1-101 became presi' dent of tho university faculty of Theology. In 1 102 ho was ap- ])ointed preacher in the Bethlehem Chai)el, Avhich had ]»'.cn estab- lished in l;>02 fiir the jjurposo of enabling tho pcojtlo to hoar the gospel in the Bohemian tongue. Ho also became the confessor and friend of Queen Sophia; and Avhilo holding this position became acquainted Avith the writings ofWycliffc, the English reformer, and Mas not long in adopting his views. Ilis own j)rofonnd studies con- vinced him of tho truth of Wyclillb'.s leading ideas, and tho example of tho English writer inspired him in his turn to become the reformer of the church in Bohemia. He preached boldly against the doctrines of indulgences, of masses for tho dead, imago worship, set fasts, con- fession to priests, and deniandod the despoiling of the churches of their useless ornaments, that tho jioor miglit bo fed and clothed ; and called upon the secular officers to take cognizance of and punish the crimes and olTences of the ecelesias;' Ho also introduced swooping reforms into the University, of whicn no shortly after became rector. His bold course produced a terrible commotion in the church and in the University. About five thousand students from Germany and Poland withdrew from the University, but the Bohemians rallied to the support of IIuss, whom they regarded as their champion. In short, tho contest assumed tho character of a war between the Un'- versity and tho Church. Pcpo Alexander V. cited Huss to appear at Rome, but he refused to go. The Arch-bishop of Prague took active measures against him, and, amongst other things, burned 200 of "Wycliffe's books. Huss bohlly defended Wydiffe as far as he be- lieved him to 1)0 right, and declared his willingness to go to the stake in defence of what he believed to be the truth. The disturbance con- tinueil to increase, and an ou rcak occurred in the city, which resulted ia the flijjh^ of the Arch- bishop, and the return of Huss to his chapel. AND O T H K II E M I X E N T C II R I 8 T I A N S 721 Political questions now became involved with the Theological dis- putes between the University and the Pope, and the conduct of Huss, for political reasons, became obnoxious to the king, who, however, souo-ht carnestlv to moderate the zeal of the reformer. IIuss was not willing to cease his warfare against papal corruption for reasons of state policy, but yielded to the request of the king to withdraw from Pragtie for a time. He retired to his native town, from which he con- linucd to denounce the errors and abuses against which he had fought so boldly at the University. When the Council of Constjince was convened by Pope John XXIII., in 1414, Huss was summonetl to appear before it, to answer to the charge of heresy. The Emperor Sigusmund gave him a sjife con- duct, and, in opposition to the wLshes of his friends, he set out for Constance escorted by four knights, and receiving everywhere along his route assurances of sympathy and esteem from all classes. When he reached Constance, the P( pe received him with a fraternal greet- ing. " If John Huss had killed my own brother," s;iid the Pontiff, " I would hinder with all my power the least injustice to him during his stay in Constance." He even went so far as to promise to sus- pend the former interdict which had been pronounced against Huss. The enemies of Hitss (for the fiery zeal of the reformer had made many of these), now exerted themselves to stir up the popular fury against him ; and, by spreading the report that he intendeIe parentage. He obtained n good education, and at first set out to study l.iw; but Ids attention being strongly drawn towards religion by the perusal of a Latin Bible, he determined to adopt theology as his profess!or», and entered the monastery of tho Augustine inoidis, and be<'amo a mendicant friar. IFo was now a member of an order entirely devoted to l!io support of the papacy and all its abuses, and it seemed that his inuueuse Uileatti AND OTHER E M I N E N T C II II 1 S T I A N S. 723 were to be devoted to the s:imc object. Wliileu ineinkir of this order, he made a pilgrimajre to Rome. In the year 1517, however, an event occurred whicli changed the whole cnrrent of Luther's liie. l)oul>tlcss his eyes had been opened U) many of the errors «»f tlie system to wliicli he bch>nged ; but now, the cup was lilicd to overflowing, and Liitlicr icll cidh'd upon to lal<(! his phice as the champion of the trutii. .lohn Tctzcl, a DdUiiniciin monk, passed througii (Jermany, selling the indulgences of l'(»|)c Lc« X., " that is, he was |)ublicly s('///;k/ to all purchasers remissions ol" all sins, past, present, or liiturc, however great their number, however enormous their nature." Tetzel, it seems, ollcred these indulgenix'a for sale in the most outrageous and indecent manner. Lutiicr, (illed with indignation at the whole alliiir, drew up a ])ro- test in ninety-five articles, which lie naile(l to the door of the (thurcli in Wittcmberg, where he was then residing, in which he severely cen- sured not only the extortions of the indulgence mongers, but the co- operation of the clergy in seducing the people from the tiiie liiith, and calling them away lr<»m the only road to salvation, lie enclosed a cojjy of his protest to the Arch-bishop of Magdeburg, and entreated that i)relate to put a stop to Tetzel's scandalous practices. TiUther's action gave rise to a sharp controversy between himself and the purtizans of the I'ope. llnliki! the other reformers, la; had a gigantic power to aid h'ln in his warfare, ^llw printing press scat- tered his pamphlets all over (Germany, and bydiifusing his arguments won him thousands of supporters. "Leo X., a luxurious, indolent, and secular, though literary, pon- tiff, would have disrcg;'r(led the br(»il, and left it, like so many others, to subside; of ;«self, had not the Emperor Maximilian assured him of the dangerous impression it had already made on the (jerman people. Accordingly, i\e connnanded Luther to ajipcar at the ap- proaching diet of Augsburg, and jnstily himself before the papal legate. At the sam(> time he appointed ("anliual Caieton, a Domini- (•an, and a professed en iny of Luther, to be arbiter of tla; dispute. 'I'hey met in October, loIH; the legate was imperious; liUther was not submissive. lie sttlieitcd reasons, he was answered only with authority, lie left 'du city in haste, and appealed 'to the Pope IxHcr i)ifonucd him to accept the submission of liU- ther, and thus put the question for the moment at rest, was urged into measures of at least unseasonable vigor. He published a bull on the loth of June, 1520, in which he solemnly condemned forty-one heresies extracted from the writings of the Reformer, and condemned these to be publicly iMirnt. At the same time he summoned the au- thor, on ])ain of excommimication, to confess and retract his protended errors within the space of sixty days, and to throw himself upon the mercy of the Vatican. AND OTHER E xM I N E N T CHRISTIANS. 725 "Open to tlio influence of mildness and persuasion, tlie breast of Luther only swelled more boldly when he was assailed by menace and insult. lie refused the aet of humiliation rcipiired of him; more than that, he determined to anticipate the aunthemu sus])ended over him, bv at once withdrawing: himself from the; conuiumion of the Cluu'ch ; and again, having come to that resolution, hi; fixed u])on the manner best suited to give it efficacy and jjublicity. With this view he caused a pile of wood to be erected witiiout the walls of Wit- temberg, and there, in the presence of a vast nniltitudc; of all ranks and orders, he committed the bidl to tlu! flames; ami with it the De- cree!, the Decretals, the Clementines, the Extra.vagaiits, the entire code of Romish jurisprudence. It is necessary to observe, that he had prefaced this measure by a rtiiewal of his former ap])<'al to a general Council, so that the extent of his resistainv may be accu lately deli ned ; he continued a faithful member of the Catholic! church, but he re- jected the (h'sj)OLisin of the Pope, he refused obedience; to an unlimited and usurped authority. The bull of ex<'Ommunication innnediately followed, (January 6th, 1521,) but it fell without force, and any dangerous ettect which it might otherwise have j)roduced, was obvi- ated by the provident boldness of I.uther. " Here was the origin of the Reformation. This was the irreparable breach, which gradually widened to absolute (lisru[)tion. The Re- former was now com])romised, by his conduttt, by his principles, per- haps even by his passions. He had crossed the boiuids which divided insubordination from rebellion, and his banners were o[)enly unfurled, and his legions pressed forward on the march to Rome. Hencefoi'th the champion of the Gospel entered with more than his former courage on the pursuit of truth ; and having shaken olf one of the greatest and earliest of the prejudices in which he had been educated, he pro- ceeded with fearless independence to examine and di.ssii)atc the rest. "Charles V. succeeded Maximilian in the empire in the year 1519 ; and since Frederic of Saxony persisted in protecting the person of the Reformer, I^eo X. became the more anxious to arouse the impe- rial indignation in defence of the injured majesty of the Church. In 1521, a diet was assembled at Worms, and Luther was summoned to plead his cause before it. A safe-conduct was granted him by the Emperor, and on the 17th of April, he presented himself before the lugust aristocracy of Germany. This audience gave occasion to the most splendid scene in his history. His friends were yet few, and of uo great influence ; his enemies were numerous and powerful, and eager 12G LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS tor liis (lostniction. The cause of truth, the hopes of religious regen- eration, appeared to he phieed at that nionieut in the diseretion and eonstaney of one man. The faithful treinl)h(l ; l)iit Luther had then cast o(Tf the ineund)ranees of early fears and i)rep(»sse.-;sions, and wa?^ prej)ared to give a free course to liis earnest and unyielding eharacler. His manner and expression abounded with respect and humility ; hut in the matter of his puhlie apology, he declined in no one particular from the i'ulness of his conviction. Of the numerous opinions which he had hy this time adopted at variance with the injunctions of Rome, there was not one which in the hour of danger he consented to com- promise. The most violent exertions were made hy the papal party to eflect his immediate ruin; and there were some who were not ashamed to counsel a direct violation of th with those whom lie tJioiujhl in error, (it was the predoiin'nant spirit of the church whii-h lie lia0; but he was in con- stant correspondence with Melancthon during that iiarful period, and in the reproofs which he east on the temporizing, though pcrliaps necessary, negotiations of the latter, he at least ixhibiti-d his own up- rightness and impetuosity. The 'Confessions' of the Protestants, tliere pui)lished, were constructed on the basis of seventeen articles previously drawn up by Luther; and it was not without his counsels that the faith pi'rmanently adopted by the cluuch which bears his name wjis finally digested and matured. From that crisis the history of the Reformation took more of a political, less of a religious charac- ter, and the name of Luther is therefore less prominent than in the earlier proceedings. But still he continued, for sixteen years longer, to exert his energies in the cause which was j)eculiarly his own, and to influence, by his advice and authority, the new ecclesiastical system." His great labors literally wore out his energies. He was seized T30 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS with his last sickness whih; on a juurnoy to his native place, and died there on tlio ISth of Fehruury, 1;54G. Ilis remains were removed in stdemn procession to Wittemberj^, and deposited in the Castle church, near the puli»it. JOHN CALVIN. Jonx Calvix, or Chauvin, was born at Xoyon, near Paris, on tlin 10th of July, 1'jOO. His grandllither was a cooper, and his father apostolic notary and liscal jjrocurator in Xoyon, and a man of great intelligence. His mother, Jeanne Lanfranc de Cambrai, was noted for her beauty and her fervid i)iety, and it was from her that her sou inherited his strong religions views. His parents were both Roman Catholics, and he was educated in that faith. lie was enabled to pursue his studies with success, and was at first intended for tho priesthood. lie showed such undoubted talent, however, that Iiis father induced him to abandon the church and study law, and for this purpose he went to Baurges. " His natural inclination seems ever to have bout him towards the pursuits to which his earliest attention was directed ; and though he never attended the schools of theology, nor JKVil at any time any public master in that science, yet his thoughts were never far away from it ; and the time which he could spare fronj his professional labors was employed on subjects bearing more or less directly upon religion." It was during his legal studies that his attention was drawn to the doctrines of the reformers. He commenced to cxaniinc them for him- self, and soon came to embrace them, and took a prominent part in the discussions of the day in defence of them, and soon became so well known as their champion that he found himself very obnoxious to some of the i)artizans of Rome. In lo35 he published his great work, "The Christian Institute," which was designed as an exposi- tion of the religious faith of the French Reformers, and a defence of them against the charges Mhich confounded them with the Anabap- tists of Germany. In lo3G the enmity of the Catholics compelled him to quit Franco, and he determinsi to go into Germany. His route lay through Geneva. He found that city in a state of confusion. The Reforma- tion had driven away the Catholic bishops and clergy, and religious AND OTHER EMIN'EXT CnRISTIAXS. 731 affairs were in ix stato of anarchy. Calvin's writings lia .'% 7 A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. MS80 (716) 872-4503 t^ W MP, i t32 LIVES OF THE EARLY FATHERS transgressions. The strictest advocate of Divine sovereignty, he in- sisted most strcnnously upon man's rigid obedience. The churcli was the great institution I'or the regeneration of human society. ' Man cannot cuter into life unless he b< born of her womb, nourished at her breast, and kept under her fostering care.' The ministry is divinely appointed ; synods of ])astors and elders are for the preservation of truth and order, Tlie stati' is to aid, and not to rule, this spiritual institution, thougii both chiuvh and state concur in the sphere of morals. Kules of discipline, conformed to these radicjd views, were adopted by the whole people, Nov. 20tli, 1541. The presbyterial system was fully inaugurated, which became a motlel tor the govern- ment of reformed churches in other countries. The consistory had twice as many elders (12) as ministers, and these elders were annuaily elected by the church. The sy.>,tcm of representation was thus estab- lished, so fruitful in the subseq lent political history of Europe. The consistory met every Thursday to consider cases of discipline. A con- gregation was assembled on cacJi Friday for i)ractical religious im- provement. The general council elected by the people continued its functions; l)Ut it assend)led only twice a year, and the real power was trradually absorbed l;v the lesser council and bv the consistorv. The latter was the real tribunal of morals, and its inijuisitorial sphere ex- tended to the whole jjopulatiou. It could not punish beyond excom- munication; but the civil power \v:'s cxi)ected to do the rest. * * Severe penalties were often inflictcJ for slight ollcnces ; once a person was punished for laughing while John Talvin was ])reaching. But the effect upon the city was marvidlous. It became the most moral town in Europe. It was also the home of letters, and the bulwark of orthodoxy." Calvin was not oidy all-powerful in religious matters, but his in- fluence extended to civil affiiirs also. The magistrates never ventured upon any act without first consulting him, and his wislies generally prevailed in ordinary matters, and always in impertant ones. He was universally regarded as the head of the reformed church in France and^the greater part of Europe. Secure in his refuge from the perse- cution of the Catholics, he prepared a litiu'gy for the use of his church, and laws and rules of government for the congregations scat- tered throughout the continent. His writings were widely spread, and exercised a ])owerful influence upon the religious world. He pro- cured the establishment of the Univei"sity of Geneva, which was for years tho principal school for the Presbyterian ministry, and was the AND OTHER EMINENT C II III 8 T 1 A N S. 1:J3 boginniiij^ of tho marked degree of litorarv ciiltun' lur wliitli (Jeneva is now famous. It would be ini])0,ssible to state, much K'ss to explain, the thxtrines of Calvin in this brief sketch. They are familiar to the general reader, and we shall pass them by. Early in 15G4, his body began to give way under the weight of the cares which rested upon liim, and before the ravages of a conil)i- nation of diseases, which had been aggravated by his severe labors. He could s(,'uvcely eat his food, yet he continued to prepare his com- ments on the Hook of Joshua, which he dictated to an anuuuieiisis. On the fourth of February, of that year, he undei'took to preach a s(>rmon, but was obliged to stop. He was confined to his bed in April, and lingered on in great suffering until the evening of the 27th of May, 15()4, when he dicnl. "He was buried in the cemetery «»f Plain Palais ; at his own request, no monument marked the s}H>t, and no one in Geneva can now teli where rest tlu' remains of the nvm who made that city famous." He was verj' poor when he dietl, having cared jk (thing for wea'Mi. His entire estate did not exceed three hundred crowns, and dii* V left to iiw relativ c.-j and poor foreigners. OPENING OF THE SEVENTH SEAL. THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY. Of all the nations of the world, the Jca\^ or Hebrews, are the most remarkable. They trace theu* ancestry immetliately biu-k to the I'reation of man. " When little more numerous than a family, they had their language, customs, and peculiar observances — treated with princes — and in every respect acted as a nation. Though broken as if into atoms, and scattered through all clim».-!, among the rudest, and most civilizal nations, they have preserved, through thousands of years, common features, habits, and observances — a common religion, literature, and sacred language. Without any political union, with- out a common head or centre, they are genendly regarded, and regard themselves ar a nation. They began as nomads, ' migrating from nation to nation, from State to State ;' their law made them agricul- turalists for fifteen centuries; their exile has transformed them into a mercantile people. They have struggled for their national existence against the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Syrians, and Romans, have been conqueretl; and nearly exterminated, by each of these powers, and have survived them all. They have been oppressed and j)ersecuted by Emperors and Republics, Sultans and Popes, Moors and Inquisitors ; they were proscribed in Catholic Sjiain, Protestant Nor- way, and Greek Muscovy, while their persecutors sang the hymns of their psalmii'»ts, revered their books, believed in their j^rophets, and even persecr.ted them in the name of their God. They have num- bere solemn feast of the Passover was es- ftlSTORY OF THE JEWS, idd GODS PUOMISK TO AIJItAIIAM. tublished by the Israoli^os, to be a perpetual nieinorial of the goodnceB and power of Grineipiilly in tiie second and tiiird,and repeated in the fifth hook of tho Penluteueli, and whicii for ahont tifteen eentinies remained, ujid with the exception of a strictly national part still is, the j:;eneml code of the Hebrews, its aims are the moral pertection of the individual, and the welfare of society. Its means are chiefly a connnon and central worship, under the direction of the Aaronites, whose restrictive obli- gations are, however, not eipialied by the privilc^res they <'nj<»y; three fc;stivals for tlie coinineinoration of great national events, thanksgiv- ing and rejoicing, as well as for the aiumal gathering of the whole people; a last (hiy for repentance; periodica! readings of the law; general education through the Leviies, its guardians; a weekly day of rest (Sabbath) lor the i)eopl(! and their animals ; the seventh year as a iH-riodical time of rest for the earth, as well as for the extinction of various pecuniary claims; mnnerous and most fre(|iiently repeated obligations for the support of the fatherless and wiuow, the |)oor and the stranger; an organized judiciary and police; a severe penal code; strict rules for the preservation of health and cleaidiness; circumcision as a bodily mark of the covenant; and numerous other rites and cere- monies designed to guard the nationality, or to lead to the preserva- tion of truths and principles. The spirit of the whole was well defined by IJabbi Hijlej in his words to a heathen who desiriKl to be instructed in Judaism in a few minutes: '"Do not to others what you would not have others do to you," is the essence ; everything else is but comment.' The chief principles are: self-sanctifieaiion and righteousness, in imitation of God, who is holy and righteous; brotherly love and equality, for all people are his children ; freedom, for all are bound exclusively to his s<.'rviee ; liujited right of j)roperty, for the whole land belongs to him. The i)rineipal promise of reward is the natural share of the individual in the happiness of society ; the principal thn'at of celestial piniishmcnt, his natural share in its mis- fortunes ; every mention of reward beyond the grave, which, in the time of Moses, had long been a chief element in the teachings of Egyptian and other jiriests, is avoided throughout, probably as pro- moting selfishness in a rude static of society by referring exclusively to the individual. The form of government is the republican (though a h'mitwl monarchy may be estjvblished if the people demand it), with the moral theocratic dictatorship of a prophet like the lawgiver, with the sovereignty of the people who judge the merits and clainjs pf tbf* •' T49 HISTOUY OF TIIK JEWS. I I prophet above it, aiiernatnrs then descended from the mount with the tiibles of the law, and broke them in his anger at the wickecbiess of the people. He restoretl order in the camp by jjuttiiig the idolaters to death, but was overcome with despair for the success of his mission. Then he removed the Taber- nacle out of the camp, and there God majjifested his presence, and >IOSES KICUEIVING THE LAW. HISTORY OF TUK JKWS. US SOUTHEAST VIEW OF THE TAHERNACLE. made known liis will to Moses, who was eoininninled once more to go up into the mountain, and receive the law. This he did, remaining; forty days again, and when he came down his countenance shone so with the reflected glory of heaven that the people could not look uixin it, and he wiis ohliged to cover it with a veil. Together with the Ten Ominiandinents, Gcxl reveah-d to Moses every particular of the civil code of the Hebrews, and of the gorgeous ritual by which their worship was distinguished. The Tabernacle was soon after built according to the divine command, and in it were place 1 the tables of the law, and the Ark, and the Mercy 8eat, and over the whole structure there rested a brilliant cloud, the visible manifestation of the glory of God. From Sinai, the Israelites marched to the borders of Palestine. Spies were sent out by Moses to explore the land. They were twelve of the principal men of the nation, whose position would command the confidence of the j)eople in their report. They searched the land for forty days, and found it as the Garden of Eden in beauty and fertility ; but, with the ex(?eption of Caleb and Joshua, they were alarmed at the strength and enormous size of the people, and the ma.s«i*eness of their fortified cities. Their fears had more influence with the Israelites than their statements of the fatness of the land, and in spite of the entreaties of Moses and Aaron, and the earnest assurances of Joshua and Caleb, the |>eople jK)sitively refused to enter the promised land. They even proposed to elet;t a captain and return to Egypt; and were about to stone Moses and Aaron and Joshua and 744 HISTORY OF THE JEWS. C«?'^b, when tlie glory of the Lord suddenly blazed forth from tli« Tabernacle, and the Almighty, calling Moses to him, declared his purpose to disinherit Israel, and make him a nation. Moses again interceded with the people, and was successful. GckI agreed to try them still farther ; but for their sin, in refusing to enter the promised land, declared that not one of those who had refused to trust to and obey him should enter that land. The execution of the sentence was to begin on the morrow, by their turning into the Wilderness by tho way of the Red Sea. There they were to wander for forty years — a year for each day that the spies Iiad searched the land — till all tho men of twenty years old and upward had lefl their care-asses in the desert; and then at length their children, having shared their wan- derings, should enter on their inheritance. As an earnest of tho judgment, the ten faithless spies were slain by a plague. iJuring all these long years, the people were led by God, and provided by him with such things as were necessary to their health and safety. Mose'i continued to lead tliem, and to make intercession for them in their frequent sins against their King. At the close of the forty years, he led them to the borders of the Land of Promise, and there trans- ferred his office as leader and prophet to Joshua; and, having re- liearsed all the laws of the Almighty to the pco})le, and put them in mind of the love and goodness of which the/ had been the object, he a.scended Mounc Nelx), from which he was permitted to view the land, and there he died, and " God buried him." Joshua led the people over Jordan, the waters of which rolled back, as those of the Red Sea had done forty years before, and the people paasefl over dry shod. The land had been divided by Moses before his death, and the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, were given their inheritance cast of the Jordan, the inhab- itants of the country having 3cen conquered and driver.' out. This portion of Israel was bound, however, to assist in the conquest of tho rest of the land, with which engagement they gallantly complied. The rest of the land wivs afterwards divided between the tribe 3 of tho remaining sons of Jacob, with the exception of that of I^evi, and the tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, and the half tribe of his brother Manasseh. These tribes, under the leadership of Joshua, conquerctl the land, after a bloody war of extermination, and entered upon their possessions. The I^evites were given no particular portion of the country, but had an inheritance in each and every tribe, as being Bpecially set apart to the seryice pf the Lor I I 146 HISTORY OF THE JEWS. fiiunmoncd all Israel to a soleniii assciuLly at Shcchoin, in which they bound themselves and their children by a new covenant to serve the God of their fathei's, who had given them the victory over their enemies. This covenant they observed until the death ofJoshua and the elders who had witnessed the whole work of deliverance. Then they fell into idolatry and wickedness. "Parts of the country remained unconqucred, principally in the hands of the Phoonieians, in the N. AV., of the Philistines in tiio S. AV., and of the Jebusites in the centre. A^'ith these, and with other neighbors on the borders, frequent warfare had to be wagcnl, while the young state, forming a confederacy of twelve, (or counting Manassch OS two, of thirteen,) almost independent members had neither natural boundaries nor a capital, neither a hereditary head, nor an elective federal government, the only bond of union being the c(»mmon law, and the. only centre the scat of the ark of the covenant, whose guardi- ans, probably, enjoyed the privilege of convoking a general assembly of the people in cases of urgent necessity. Such national assendilies were often held at Mizpah. But the enmity and frequent attacks of the surrounding idolatrous trib(\s was less pernicious than their friendly relations in times of peace, when the voluptuous rites con- uected v/ith the worship of Ashtoreth and other divinities of the Phoe- ! nicians, Syrians, and Philistines, were too seductive for a people in an i andcveloped state, whose own religion required a rigid observance of i I itrict morality. To remedy these evils, heroic and inspired men I ^rose from time to time, repulsicd the enemies, restored order and the j I law, were acknowledged as leaders and judges, at least by a part of the people, and thus revived its unity. This period of republican fed- I erali^m, 'uidcr judges, is described in the book of that name — a con- tinuation of the Book of Joshua — and forms one of the most interesting ■ portions of Hebrew liistory. Othniel, a younger brother or nephew of Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, was the fu'st of the judges. Ehud, a Benjamite, delivered Israel from the oppression of the Moabites, hav- ■ ing killed with his own left hand Eglon, the king of the invaders. } j 'After him was Shamgar, the sou of Anath, who slew of the Philistines I 600 men with an ox-goad,' at a time when 'no shield was seen, or a j epear among 40,000 in Israel.' Barak, a Naphtalite, inspired by De- borah, a female prophet and judge, gained, together with her, a signal ' victory near Mount Tabor and the bnjok Kishon, over the army of i Sisera, connnander of Jabin, a Canaanite king on the north of Pales- tine, which numbered 900 iron war-chariots, Sisera fled, but wa» 1 HISTORY OF THE JEWS. 74t killed in sleep by Jael, a woman oi' tlir Xoiiiudic and neutral Kenite tribe, in whose tout he had sought ivluge. Gideon, cliiinietcriAd as the youngest .son of one of tiie weakest taniilies in Mana.sscli, sinju'ised with 300 .scleet men, the iniinen.se camp of the Midianites and Amalekite.s, di.spersed them, called tlie suiToundimg tribes to arms, exterminated the invaders, appeased the Kphraimites, who were jeal- ous of the glory gained by their neighbors, and refused to accept the royal dignity offered him by the gratitude of the people. Aljimclech, however, his son by a concubine, gained adherent** among the idola- trous friends of his mother in Sheehem, destroyed the numerous family of his father, was proclaimed king in that city, was afterwards expelled, but reconquered the city, and finally perished while be- sieging the tower of the neighboring Thebcz, by a piece of mill-stone cast from its top by a woman. Of the judges I'ola, of the tribe of Lssachar, and from Gilead in Manasseh beyond the Jordan, little more is preserved than their names. Jephthah, another Gileadite of ille- gitimate birth, having been expelled from his home, was" recalled by his native district to combat against the Ammonites, who had attacked it, and carried the war into the land of the enemy, and returned after a signal victory, of which his heroic daughter, in consequence of a vow, became a victim, being doomed to die or to live unmarried in loneliness, the obscurity of the narrative rendering this ])oint uneer- tjiin. The Ephraimites, who had not been called to i)articipate in the combat, now threatened vengeance on the conqueror, who, unlike Gideon, terminated the quarrel with a bloody defeat of the troublc- mma tribe, which is the first example of civil war among the Israel- ites, soon to be followed by others. Ibzan, of Bcthlchem-in-Judah, Elon, a Zcbulunite, and Abdon, an Ephraimite, are next brielly mentioned as judges. Dan, too, gave Israel a judge in the person of Samson, who braved and humiliated the Phili.stincs; he was a Naza- rite of prodigious strength, whose adventurou.s exploits in life and death greatly resemble those of the legendary heroes of Greece. Tiie greatest anarchy now ]>revailed. The Danites not having yet con- quered their territory, 600 men among them made an independent ex|xJition north, and concjucrcd a peaceful town of the I?lioenicians, Laish, which was by them named Dan, and is henceforth mentioncKl as the northernmost town of the whole country, the opposite .soutiiern point being Beersheba. The concubine of a Levito having been out- rageil to death on a pas.sage through Gibeah, in Benjamin, by some inhabitants of that place, her husband cut her corpse into pieces, and us HISTORY OF THE JEWS. sent tliciii to all the tribes, calling for vengeance. The peoi)le as- sembled at Mizpali, and demanded Irom Benjamin tlu; snrrendcr of the criminals. The IVnjamites nfusetl to obey what they probably regarded as a usurpation by the confederaty of their .sovereign riglits, and a bloodv civil war ensued, in which they were nearly cxtermi- nated, after a heroic .struggle against overwhcbning forces. The people wept over their fratricidal victory, and 600 Bcnjamites, who alone survived, were alllf had acquired for the improvc- inent of the country. lie built the city of Palmyra (Tadmor) iu tho desert, and other cities, and cn'niged largelv iu inereantilo venture!* with Hiram, kini; of the I*hi' to vioM to tin- pressure for thv present ; but lit r>.t'usocl to li.^ton to tliciii, and, proiijptvcl l)y liis rash youii;;- iViuiids, doolared tliat he wouUI not ligliti'ii tlu- pcopU-'s l)Urdciis, Sut Ivould eliastise thciu into oheiiience it' they re.si.sted. The eonsetjueiicc of this mad aet wu.s ii revolt of ten '.ribe.s, and the liight ol" Rehoboain iVoni the furious people. Only .Jud.dj and Benjamin remained liiith- ful to him, and he rcturneti to Jerusalem to ec^lleet an army for the purpose of conquering his revolted isubjeets. lie was turned from his iiitenti(ui, however, by the prophet Shemaiah, who, in the name of G(h1, ibrbade the people to go to war with each other. This separation was fnial. The eountiy njrth of Benjamin and that east of the Jardan was known tlieneefortii as the kingdom of I.^rael. The land of Jtidah and lienjamin was called the kingdom of Judah, an. C 1)75, but had not sufficient force of character ill himself to make a lasting impression on his jwople. A king, but not a founder of a dynasty, lie aimed at nothing beyond securing his jiresent elevation. The army soon learned its power to dictiite to the isolated monarch and disunited people. Baasha, in the midst of the army at nibb(>thon, slew the son and successor of Jeroboam ; Zimri, a captain of chariots, slew the son and successor of Baasha ; Oniri, the captain of the host, was chosen to ])unish Zimri; and after a civil Avar of four years lie prevailed over Tibni, the choice of half the peojile. For forty-five years Israel was governed by tlu; house of Oinri. That sagacious king pitciied on tlie strong hill of Samaria as the site of Jiis capital. The jirinccs of his house cultivated an alli- ance with the kings of Judah, which was cemented by the marriaijo iiiillifciiilliii h ! ::.2 H I s T o ii V o 1'* 'r ii k .i k \v s . of J^lioiaiu tiiul Atlialiali. 'I'lio aiI()i»tioii of Baal-worship linl to a re- action in the mitioii, to the nmral triuinpli oi" the prophets in tha person of Elijah, and to the extinction of the honsc of Ahuh in obedi- ence to the bidding of EMsiia, Unparalleled triumphs, but deeper humiliation, awaited the kingdom of Israel under the dynasty of Jehu. Hazael, the ablest king of Damascus, reduced Jehoahaz to the condi- tion of a vassal, and triumphed for a tinu; over both the disunited Hebrev/ kingdoms. Almost the first sign of the restoration of their strength was a war between them; and Jehoash, the grandson of Jehu, entered Jerusalem as the conqueror of Amaziah. Jehoash also turned the tide of war agv' "st the Syrians ; and Jeroboam II., the most pow- erful of all the kings of Israel, captured Damascus, and recovered tho whole ancient frontier from Hamath to the Dead >Sea. This short- lived greatness expired with the last king of Jehu's line. Military violence, it would seem, broke off the hereditary succession after tho ol)Scure and probably convulsed reign of ZatOiariah. An unsuccessf"ul usurper, Shallum, is followed by the cruel Menahem, who, being un- able to make head agjiinst the fii"st attack of Assyria under Pul, be- came the agent of that monarch for the oppressive taxation of his subjects. Y(!t his power at home was suflficient to insure for his son and successor, Pekahiah, a ten years' reign, cut short by a L jld usurper, Pekah. Abandoning the northern and transjordanie regions to the encroaching power of Assyria under Tiglath-Pileser, he was very near subjugating Judah, with the iielp of Damascus, now the co- equal ally of Israel. But Assyria interposing summarily put an end to the independence of Damascus, and perhaps Avas the indirect cause of the assassination of the baffled Pekah. The irresolute Hoshea, the next and last usurpen, became tributary to his invader, Shalmaneser betrayed the Assyrian to the rival monarchy of Egyj)t, and was \nin~ ished by the loss of his liberty, and by the capture, after a three years' siege, of his strong capital, Samaria. Some gleanings of the Ten Tribes yet remained in the land ni'ior so many years of religious de- cline, moral debasement, national degradation, anarchy, bloodshed, and deportation ; but these soon disappeared by intermingling with the neighboring people, and, with the final overthrow of the kingdom of Israel, the Ten Tribes are lost to history. Upon the separation of the land into two kingdoms, the territories of Simeon and Dan were recognized as belonging to Judii^. i^nd in tlie reigns of Ahab and Asa, the southern kingdom was enlarr ,1 by some additions taken out of the territory of E))hraim. The kingdom of Judah possessed many advantages, which secured HISTORY or THE JE^TS. tStf for it a longer contimuuu't! than Unit of Israel. A frontier less expose(l Jeremiah, tlio i)i'o|tliet, wlio liad warned tlie king of Jiidali ai:;aiiiat liis reheliion, and had predicted the result, and was allowed to reuKiiu at Mi/i>ah with (icnhdiah, who was niada the vieeroy of the king of Bahylon; and around )iini gatherwl all tliut was left of the nation. ( Ji'daliuh was appointed soon after, and the survivors of the Jewish nation, with Jeremiah, Hed into Kgypt. The prophet warned them against this step, assuring them that they would be pui'sued even into that country by the eoncpierors. His prerience in the Babylonish kingdom had the effect of attaching the Jews more firmly to their country and its institutions, and effectually cured th«m of idolatry. They abandoned their prac- HISTORY OF THE JEWS. 166 tire of iiitoriimiTyiiij^ with forci^iu'is, mikI Ik'cuiho luoro clMimi-"!! mid pxclusive ill all tlu'ir ways than tlit-y had ever In'on. Thi'V now Ix'^an to htolv lor the Messiah which had hccii promised them, und tlic great sect ol" the ( hasadim or I'harisees, founded upon the diM'triue of the inunorlality of thu isoul, now eanie into great pioini- iicnce. Under the Persiad kings the Jews wore treated with great niihlness. They wore merely nominal vassals in most things. The iligh Priest was allowed to act as their chief magistrate, and they were jiermitted to manage their ou n alliiirs. They devotea grew impa- tient of the p]gy[)tian rule, and when Antioehus the Great, king of Syria, attacked young Ptolemy V., the Jews willingly aided him in driving the Egyptians from their land (B. C. 198* They soon had reason to reirret this chanled slaughter of the religious inhabitants en- sued (B. ('. 1(59). Sot satisfied with this, Antioehus destroyed the walls of the (uty, garrisoned a new citadel with his soldiers, and de- creed the general and exclusive introduction (»f Cir-'ck idolatry, the image of the king was placed in the Temple, swine were sacrificed on the altjir, new alUirs were everywhere erected for the obligatory wor- ship of the Olympian Jupiter, the Hebrew Scrijitures were burned, circumcision was prohibited, and every act of o])position made a cap- ital crime and punished with extreme cruelty. Thousands after thou - Sivnds were dragged into captivity, sold as slaves, or butchered. Fi- nally the king departed on an expedition against the Parthian^, le^iving the completion of his work to his general, App(,ll(.!iius, the latter continued it in the spirit of his master, but soon mtt with a sudden check." There dwelt at this time in the eity of Modin, an aged priest named Mattathias, with his five sons, John, Simon, Juthis, Eleazar and Jona- than, besides other kindred. When the king's officers came to M«»- din for the purpose of compelling the people to submit to the pagan worship, they first called on Mattathias, as the principal man of the city, to earn honors and rewards by obeying the royal edict. But Mattathias indignantly refused, for himself, his sons, and all his kindred. Others wore prepared to be more comi)liant ; and one of them advanced to the altar, to contrast his obedience with the example of rebellion. Mattathias could forbear no longer. He rushed for- ward, and slew the fii-st apostate, anJi wliat AllVcd wjw to Kii^fliUid, Bruce to S*'ofliiii'('., "If our time be come, let us die manfull) for our brethren, and let us not stain our honor !" With this handful, he boldly attacked the Syrian right wing, commanded by Bacchides in person, and defeated it, although it contained the bulk of that army. The Syrian left, however, attacked him in the rear at this juncture. The Jews were terribly defeated, and Judas himself was slain. His surviving brothers fled with their followers to the desert on the south of the kingdom, from which they carried on a predatory wartiire, in which John was killed. The civil war in Syria, caused by the disputes which now broke out concerning the succession to the crown of that kingdom, gave Jonathan, and afterwards Simon, an op{X)rtunity of reconquering a portion of Judah. Jonathan and liis sons were assassinated by Tryphon, after which Simon took the citadel of Jerusalem, and held the city. He renewed the alliance with Rome, and was proclaimed an indepoidcnt i)rinco. Together witli his sons, ht maintained the independence of Judaea against the at- tacks of Antiochus Sidetes, i)ut was assassinated, with his sons, Judas and Mattathias, by his own son-in-law. He was succeeded by his surviving son, John Ilyrcaiuis, who defeated the invading army of Antiochus Sidetes, and compelled that monarch to make peace. He also conquered Idunueji, and added it to his dominions, and com- pleted the conquest of Samaria, and destroyed that city and tha temple ( n Mount Gerizim. He died a natural ileath, and wa.s suc- ceeded by his son, Aristobulus (B. C. 106). "Aristobulus, who as- sumed the royal title, ordered the murder of his brother, Antigonus, while their mother was starved to death in a dungeon. Alexander Jannseus (B. C. 105-70,) prove title o!" Ktiiimrcli. I'liilip iiiid Horod Antlpas were iiiailo Ti'trarclis. Tiic roniicr was ^ivcii Ji;iiitaii;oa, 'J'racliouitis, and Aiiniiiitis, East oftlio Jordan (iVnt-a), and tlic latter Galileo and a lew nniniportant additions. Arehelau.s was suininoncd to Rome, alter a reign of nine years, to answer to certain charges brought against him by his subjects. Augustus exiled liim to Vienne in Gaul, where he died. Jiidrea was then made a Roman province, depend- ent on the prelectiu'e of Syria. It was ruled by a Roman procurator, while Galileo continueil under the sway of Ilerod Antipas, whose reign is made memorable by the ministry and death of our blessed Saviour, and his forerunner, St. John the Baptist. Herod was finally •leposod by the ]"imj)eror Caligida, who appointed his nephew, PIcrod Agrippa, Etimarcli of Galilee. Claudius made him king of Judiea, and gav(^ him ail the dominions of his grandfii.ther, Ilerod th(> Great. JIo did not live long to enjoy his good fortune, but died at C iosarea, A. D. 44. As there was more than one king of this name, the reader will do well to bear in mind that this is the one mentioned in Acts xii. His son, Ilerod Agrippa II., being then a youth, Judaea be- came again a Roman province. When young Agri})j)a came of age Claudius gave him the provinces east of the Jordan, and at a later ])i'riod Nero added to them a part of Galilee. Although Juda3a con- tinued to be rulctl by Roman prot'iu'ators, Agrippa was entrusted by the Emperor with the superintending of the Temple and of the national worship of the Jews, Avhicli included the right to appoint and remove the High Priest. The headquarters of the Roman Gov- oj'nor being at f^u>sarea, Agrippa passed a larg(! part of his time at Jerusalem, and was residing in that city at the outbreak of the fatal Mar against the Romans. lie was the king before whom Saint Paul made his noble defence, which is recorded in Acts xxvi. In Judica matti-rs had been rapidly growing worse. The Roman Governors had driven the peoi)le to the verge of despair with their tyranny and rapacity. Florus, the last governor, fearful of being called to account before Ca\«ar, for his crimes, endeavored to drive the Jews into a revolt, hoping that in the elforts to subdue them his own enormities would be lost sight of Even Tacitus admits that the en- durance of the oppressed Jews could last no longer. Florus was successful in his eflTorts. The Jews, goaded to madness, paid no attention to the warning qf Herod Agrippa,'who told them of the folly of opposing Rome, and took up arms to avenge their wrongs. Cestius Gallus, the Prefect of Syria, who had allowed the w > *— t H H O 53 H W 5" to I" i T66 HISTORY OF THE JEWS. crimo?* of Floriis to 2)a.sH unnoticvd, now ciulfavorc'd to stop the clis- irdors, but in vain. Hostilities at once boifan, and the Ronmn garri- son at Jerusalem was massacred by the Jews, who, in a short while, gained com[)lete possession of the city. Cestius (ialhis made an inefleetual attempt to reeai)ture it, but was compelled to retire. The Jews then followed him to his camp at Scorns, and in three days gave him one of the most crushing defeats ever sustained by a Roman army. His catiipnlts and balistiw were taken from him, and reserved by the Jews for the final siege. This occurred on the 8tli of Man«^ chesvan (beginning of November), A. 1). 66. The insurrection was now general throughout Jiuhea, and war with Jlome inevital)le. Nero, who received the news in (Jli'eeee, committed the conduct of the war in Jiidica lo his ablest general, T. Fl.AVlus Vii^PASiANUH (afterward the em[)cror), who sent his son TiTUS before him. It was evident that the siege of Jerusalem was only a question of time. Ananus, the High Priest, a moderate and prudent man, took the lead ; the walls were re[)aired, arms and warlike instruments and machines of all kinds fabricated, and other preparations made. In this attitude of expectation — with occasional diversions, such as the expedition to Ascalon, and the skirmishes with Simon Bar- Gioras — the city remained, while Vespasian was reducing the north of the country, and till the fall of Giscala (Oct. or Nov. 67), when John, the son of Levi, escaped thence to Jerusalem, to become one of the most prominent persons in the future conflict. Nor must we omit to mention here John's great rival, Josei)h, the son of Matthias, who is best known by his ach)pted Roman name of Flavius Josepiius, the historian of the Jews and of this war. A priest of the most il- lustrious descent, distinguished alike for his ascetic piety and his Plebrew and Greek learning, he was appointed by the moderate party to defend Galilee and keep down the zealots. His energy in the latter task made him a mortal enemy to John of Giscala, while his brilliant, though vain, defence of Jotapata, before which Vespasian himself was wounded, earned him the respect of the Roman chief, who attached him to his person during the war, used his services as a mediator, though to no pur[)ose, and at last rewarded him with a grant of land in Jiuhea, a pension, and the Roman franchise. For the details of the war Josephus is our otdy authority, most unfortu- nately; for, besides the natural bias toward i)leasing his imperial patrons, his sense of the hopelessness of the Jewish cause overcame all patriotic sympathy with resistance to intolerable oppression, and per- niSTOIlV OF THE JEWS. 7G7 sniial animosity leads him to ])aiiit the zealots in the l)laek(>st colors. Nor is it (jiiite needless to warn the Christian reader a;;ainst jnd;j;injj the merits of the Jewish eanso by the iiigher ends which their doom was destined to fnlHl. (•''rom the arrival of John, two years and a half elapsed till Titns app.'ared before the walls of Jernsaleni, which now stood alone, liUc; a rock, out of the flood of eoncpiest that had overwhelmed all the countr)^. While Vespasian reduced (Jalilee, the Samaritans, who makiny; common cause with the tlews in their extremitv, had gathered their whole force on Mount Gerizim, and, heinjj comj)elled by thirst to surrender to Petilius Cerealis, were ti'eaeherously massacred — Tra- jan, the fiither of the emperor, toolc Januiia, the frontier fortress of Ju(hea, and Jopi)a, its only poit, (A. D. G7.) In the second campaign the Romans swept Para-a, as with the besom of destruction, and mul- titudes of the flying iidiabitants were slannhtered and drowned at the fords of Jericho. Vespasian had re-united his ibrces at that city, and was {)reparing to advance upon Jerusalem, when the news of Nero's death suspended his operations, upon what seemed to him a higher issue than the fate of the Holy City (A. D. 68). At Alexandria, whither he had retired with Titus to await the event oi Jvie civil war in ItiUy, he was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers on the Lst of July, A. D. 69, and his generals at Home secured his accession by the overthrow and death of V^itcilius on the 21st of 13ecend)er. Ves- pasian did not sail from Alexandria till the ibllowing May, leaving Titus to 'finish the Jewish war, which iiad been suspended for nearly two years. The whole of that time was occu])ied in contests between the moderate l)arty, whose desire was tt) take such a course as might yet preserve the nationality of the Jews and the existence of the city, and the Zi.'alotsor fanatics, the jussertors of national independence, who scouted the idea of compromise, and resolved to regain their freedom or perish. The Zealots, being utterly nnscrupulous, and resorting to massacre on the least resistance, soon triumphed, and at last reigned paramount, with no resistance but such as sprang from their own in- ternal factions. For the repulsive details of this frightful period of contention and outrage the reader must be referred to other works. It will be sufficient to say that at the beginning of A. D. 70, when Titus made his appearance, the Zealots themselves were divided into two parties: that of John of Giscala and Eleazar, who held the Tem- ple and its courts and the Antonia — 8,100 men ; that of Simon Bar- Gioras, whose head-quarters were in the tower Phasaelus, and who lift i i Jl t68 nistoiiv Of Una ji-mv^. hi'ld the Upper City, iVuni tlit' jtrcsoiit CVoiKicuIum to the Latin Convent, the Lower City in tlie viilley, jind the district wlierc; the old Acrii had formerly stood, north ot" tlie Teiiiph' — 10,000 men, and 5,000 Idunueans, in all a force of between 2;},000 and 24,000 sol- diers, trained in the civil cneonntors of tlie last two years to groat skill a! d tlioroun-h recklessness. The nnnd)ers of the other inhabi- ttmts, swelled as they were by the strangers and ])ilgriins who fl(Moo] — possibly that now known as the pool of Hezekiah — and near the high priest's monument. These banks seem to have been constructed of timber and fascines, to which the Romans must have been driven by the scarcity of earth. They H I S T O n Y O F r H K .1 K W S . t71 ftlworlu'd the inccsHuut labor of st^veiilcru (lays, and were coiupleU'd uit the 2!Hli Art(>niisius (al)oiit May 7). Joliii, in tlu> iiicantiiiic, had littt Ik'cii idle; h(! had employed the Heventeeii day.s' r«'Hj)ite in driving iiiiiu's throu}^h the solid Ihuestone of the hill, from within the fortreiis to helow the baidxs. The minea were formed with timber r(mi'h uixl suppori.s. When the hanks were quite complete, and the enjoin** plaeed upon them, the timber of the galleries was fired, the sujK'rin- eumbcnt ground gave way. and the labor of the RomauH was totjilly destroyed. At the other point, Simon had maintained a resistance with all his former intrepidity, and more than his former sucreKS. He had now greatly increased the number of his machines, and his people were nuich more expert in handling them than l)efore, so that he was able to impede materially the progress of the works. And when they were eomjjleted, and the battering rams had begun to make a sensible imprension on the wall, he made a furious a.s.sault on them, and suwec'ded in firing the nuns, seriously damaging the other engines, and destroying the banks. It now became plain to Titus that some other measures for the re- k," — j)0ssibly the modern "Tombs of the Prophets" — to the Mount of Offense. It then turned to the west; again dipped into the Kedron, ascended the Mount of Evil Counsel, and so kept on the upper side of the ravine to a village called Beth-Erebenthi, whence it ran outside of Herod's monument to its starting-point at the camp. Its entire length was thirty-nine furlongs — very near five miles; and it contained thirteen stations or guard-houses. The whole strength of the army was em- ployed on the Avork, and it was completed in the short space of three days. The siege was then vigorously pressed. The north attack was relinquished, and tlie whole force concentrated on the Antonia. Four 772 HISTORY OF THE ./EWS. ]■ :! IM new banks of greater size tlum before were eonstrueted, anc' as «!! the timber in the neigiiborhootl liad been aU'eady out down, the iv.aterials had to he proeure