b'BS 604 \n.W3 \n1819 \nCopy 1 \n\n\n\n;... "V" \n\n\n\nk\xc2\xbb \n\n\n\nM \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\\J \n\n\n\n\\ \n\n% LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, | \n\nI \xe2\x84\xa2 i ; ; \n\n$ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. $ \n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW \n\nOF THE WHOLE \n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY \n\n\n\n4 CONTINUATION OF THE JEWISH AFFAIRS FROM \n\nTHE OLD TESTAMENT TILL THE \n\nTIME OF CHRIST; \n\nAND \n\nAN ACCOUNT OF THE CHIEF PROPHECIES \nTHAT RELATE TO HLM I \n\nRepresented in a Way of Question and Jlnswer. \n\nfllustrated with \n\n- ARIOUS REMARKS ON THE HISTORY AND THE RELIGION OE \n\nTHE PATRIARCHS, JEWS AND CHRISTIANS, AND ON \n\nTHE LAWS, GOVERNMENT, SECTS, CUSTOMS \n\nAND WRITINGS OF THE JEWS. \n\n\n\nBY L WATTS, D. D. \n\nFIRST AMERICAN EDITION. *,\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\n\n\nBOSTON ; \n\n.PUBLISHED BY CHARLES fiWEF, NC, 51, CORNHILL. \nSewell Phelps, Printer. \n\n1819. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"vtV \n\n\n\nPREFACE, \n\n\n\nTHE DESIGN OF SUCH A SHORT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE \nHISTORY, AND THE ADVANTAGES OF IT. \n\n\n\nThe rfoly Scripture is divided into two books, which are \ncommonly called the Old Testament and the New. And as \neach of these books contains several articles or propositions \nwhich God has revealed to men for the direction of their faith \nand practice in the successive age9 of the world ; so there are \nseveral histories contained in them, or narratives of the lives \nand deaths of men, of the affairs of nations, and especially of \nthe transactions of God with mankind. \n\nSome knowledge of these historical matters is necessary and \nuseful, in order to obtain a more clear and full acquaintance \nwith the principles of our holy religion, as well as to assist and \nengage us in the practice of it by way of motive. It is the \nhistory all along introduces the peculiar doctrine and duties ; \nand all the latter revelations of the mind and will of God, relat- \ning to religion, have some connexion with and dependence \nupon the events which went before. \n\nThe very Gospel of Christ consists partly in the history of \nhis life and death ; nor can the other part of it, namely, the \ndoctrines and duties, be so well understood without some \nknowledge of the law of Moses, the ceremonies of the Jews, the \nreligion of the patriarchs, and the transactions of God with \nAdam, the first father of all mankind. \n\nThe great and blessed God at one single view surveys all his \nown works and designs, from the beginning to the end of them ; \nand every part of his grand scheme stands in a delightful har- \nmony with the rest. He has ordained all his more early deal- \nings with men in such a manner, as to let in divine light by \nseveral gradations upon a dark world, and to lay a happy foun- \ndation for its latest and bestr revelation made by his own Son, \n\n\n\n-iv PREFACE. \n\nand his apostles : and in many cases the former laws, ordi" \nnances, and transactions, are evidently designed to prefigure \nand shadow out, as well as to introduce those which follow. \nAdam, our first father, by whom sin and death icere brought into \nthe world, was a type or figure of Jesus the second Adam, who \nbrought in righteousness arid lift. Rom. v. 14. 1 Cor. xv. 21, \n22, 45, 49. The law of Moses Avas a shadoiv of the good things \nwhich were to come ; but the body and substance of these \nblessings was given us by Christ our Saviour. Col. ii. 17. Hth. \nx. 1. And it is certain we may obtain a more extensive and \ncomplete knowledge of Christianity, by our acquaintance with \nthe sucrcd affairs of Adam and Noah, of Abraham and Moses, \nand the sons of Israel. \n\nBesides, it is the history of the Bible, which hath conveyed \n\ndown to us tha knowledge of those miracles and divine won- \n\n: ich have been wrought by the prophets, the immediate \n\nDgers of heaven, to prove that they were sent of God : \n\nit i in tin- history we read those prophecies of things to come, \n\ni v. iih tli* accomplishment of them, which stand in a \nbeautiful connexion from the beginning of the world to the \ndays of the Messiah. All of them join to confirm our faith in \nthe icveral revelations of religion which God has made to the \n\nmen ; and all concur to establish the last and noblest \nscheme of religion, that is, Christianity. Thus the very history \nof Scripture has a powerful and rational influence to establish \n:.::r belief of the Gospel, and to make us Christians upon solid \nand reasonable grounds. \n\nI add yet further, that in the historical part of Scripture we \nthe holy laws of God, exemplified in the life and practice \n( f ?nod men in several ages of the world : and when we see the \nrules of r Urion copied out in the words and actions of our fel- \nlow creator* -. it renders the performance of them more practi- \ndelightful to us. While the -word of command \nstands in the law to require our obedience, the actual obedience \nof our fathers to those commands recorded in the histopy invites \nour imitation, and makes the work more easy. \n\nTo conclude : we find not only the precepts but the sanctions \nof the law of God exemplified \'in the narrative of Scripture. \nflow often do we read the premises of God fulfilled in the re- \n\nof the righteous, and his threatenings executed against \nwilful transgressors ! These tilings set the government of God \n\ni ur eyi in a stronger light; they shew us that his word:, \nof promise and threatening are not empty sounds ; and make it \n,.:,; ear villi sensible conviction, that he will certainly reVard. \nwild that he wiii as certainly. punish. The many wonderful in- \nstance^ of a divine Providence which concerns itself in the af- \nfairs of men. and which are recorded in the word of God. have \n\n\n\nPREFACE. v \n\na natural tendency to awaken our fear of so great and glorious \na Being, and to encourage our hope and trust in him. In a \nword, the perfections of God, whereby he made and governs \nthe world, are set before our eyes by the Scripture history in \nsuch divine colours, as give us a more awful and amiable idea \nof God himself, than any words of description could have done, \nwithout such an historical account of his works of nature, grace, \nand providence. \n\nSince then it appears, that some knowledge of the history of \nScripture is necessary and useful to every one among us who \nwould know and love God, and be a partaker of his favour, the \nnext thing to be inquired is, how this knowledge may be best \nattained ? How shall persons, whose capacity is weak, or who \nhave, little time to employ on these subjects, be led in the \nshortest and easiest way to a competent acquaintance with the \nsacred history ? And how shall those who are young in years, \nbe trained up in the plainest and most alluring manner to some \nknowledge of these important affairs, till their growing age and \nfurther advantages, shall give them a mors extensive and capa- \ncious view of all the transactions between God and men record- \ned in Scripture ? \n\nThe Bible itself is a very large book,. and though it ought to \nbe read (at least many parts of it) by persons of all characters \nand conditions, yet the reducing of the several things contained \nin it to a short and narrow view, by way of abridgment, is so \nexceeding useful, that I had almost called it necessary, at least \nfor youth, and for persons in the lower ranks of life, who have \nfewer conveniences and advantages of knowledge. I have made \nthis sufficiently evident with regard to the doc^ines and duties \nof religion, in my Discourse concerning the Composition and \nUse of Catechisms, to which I refer my reader : and the same \nargument will hold good with regard to the historical part of \nScripture. There 1 have shewn particularly how needful it is \nto collect the great articles and rules of our religion, which lie \nscattered up and down in the Bible, into a shorter scheme for \nthe use of younger understandings ; and I have given my rea- \nsons also, why the catechetical method of question and an- \nswer is preferable to all other methods *of instruction ; and I \nneed not repeat the same things here, with regard to sacred \nhistory. \n\nIt is proper the reader should know, that at the end of the \nHistory of the Old Testament I have inserted one chapter^. \nwherein the Jewish affairs are continued from the time of Nehe- \nmiah (where the sacred writers end) down to the time of Christ \nand the Gospel. This is borrowed from- the best ancient writ- \nnigs we have of these events, namely, 4he books of Maccabees \nm the Apocrypha, and the history of Josephus, though I am. \n\n\n\nvi PREFACE. \n\ngreatly indebted also to Dr. PrideauxVs Historical Com \n\nof the Old and New Testament, < \n\nso happily reduced to a chronological order, and erabi \n\nand improved with man) vain m h\xc2\xab athen historians. \n\nAnd to render the work v< t more us< ful in these daya of in- \nfidelity, 1 have added another chapter, which I call a Prophet* \nical Connection between the (>M and New Testament , wherein \nthe most emirlent prophecies relating to our blessed Lord are \nset down in one view, together with their accomplishment ; \nthat younger minds may see how much this great Messiah, 01 \nanointed Saviour, was foretold and expected through all \nand may have their faith of Christ built early upon \nfoundation. \n\nI have nothing more to add, but to acquaint the reader with \nthe method I have taken in composing this work, and with the \nuse that he should make of it- \n\nIn framing this book, I have observed the following \nnamely, \n\nI. I have proceeded, for the most part according to the \norder of things as they lie in the bocks of Scripture ; but still \nendeavouring to maintain some connexion throughout the whole \nhistory. Yet 1 cannot say I have always reduced things to that \norder in which they were transacted : f r in bi \\> ral \n\nfound that a strict observation of chronology would Ii;i\\e inter- \nmingled too many incidents of different kind.-, would have \nbroken the scheme of things I had proposed, or interrupted the \nnarrative of some particular event, and rendered the%istory \nmuch more unconnected and disagreeable to thoae for whom 1 \nwrite. \n\nII. Though I have not been solicitous to insert everj inci- \ndent, and the name of every person contained in the 01 \ntament. yet I have omitted scan or n markable \ntransaction which has be< n r< ferr< d to or cit< d in the N< \n\nhas any connexion with the Gospel < f Christ, which i \n\nreligion of Christians. It was not i \n\nticular narratives cont iin< d in the Scripture, without n \n\nanother book almost^is big as the Bible itself : when \n\njprime design was to give an i \n\nhistory, for the us< of person of su< \n\ntions of life, as are not able to att\xc2\xab n I to much re. \n\na fuller and more accurate knowledge of the transaction oi \n\nGod With men. \n\nIII. I have added tin- chaj.b r \n\n. \xe2\x80\xa2 \nreader might be invited to sear* h his Bibh \nlarger and more particuh r \nmatters which I hav< h \n\n\n\nPREFACE. yfi \n\n. efsons by this r?eans are allured to grow familiar with \nrd of God, I am persuaded the advantage the}- may reap \nthereby will richly compensate all their labour? in reading this \nhistorical abridgment of Scripture, and all my pains in writ- \nins: it. \n\nIV. It is all divided into chapters, and some chapters into \nsections, with a new title io each. This will, in some measure, \nrive a comprehensive view of the method and order of the \nwhole. It is evident that the catechetical form of question \nand answer takes off the tiresomeness of reading from younger \nminds, and perpetually allures their inquiry and curiosity on- \nward by short answers, without that weariness which arises \nfrom many long Continued pages of mere narrative : and in the \nsame manner a proper distinction of the history into chapters \nand sections under different titles, renders the work of reading \nmuch more delightful by the frequent returning rests and pauses. \n\nV. Since I intended it originally for persons of younger \nyears, and the common rank of mankind, I have studied gene- \nrally to use such words and forms of speech as are most plain \nand easy to be understood. It would not have answered my \ndesign so well, if I must have sent my reader too often to his \ndictionary to inquire the meaning of hard words and Latinized \nexpressions. \n\nVI. Yet I have not so confined myself to the service of my \nunlearned readers, as to neglect all useful criticisms and occa- \nsional remarks to clear up difficulties : but have freely inter- \nspersed them throughout the Avhole book, so far as may inform \nthe inquisitive, and give some hints to the more intelligent \nreader, for the further illustration of some passages of Scripture \nboth in the Old Testament and the New. \n\nIf there should be found any mistakes in drawing up this \nhistory, which might have been rectified by further consulting \nthe writings of the learned, I would only mention one apology \nfor myself ; and that is, a great part of it was drawn up in the \ncountry, at a distance from my usual habitation, where I had \nno learned writings to consult, and was confined to my Bible \nidone. A friendly notice of any such mistakes might occasion \na correction of them. \n\nLet me here speak a word or two more of the particular uses \nwhich may be made of this summary of sacred history. \n\nIt may not be an improper book to lie constantly in the \nnursery or the parlour, to assist the instruction of children, or \nthe conversation of grown persons. And if this and other useful \nbooks were suffered always to lie in the places appointed for \nservants, especially in great families, it might be an allurement \nto them to employ some of their leisure in a profitable manner. \nThe placing it in any room of usual residence, may entice per- \n\n\n\nviii PREFACE. \n\nsons often to look into it, and lead them into an easy acquaint- \nance with the various dealings of God with men from i 1 \nginning of the world. \n\nNor can I think it would be a vain or useless employment \nfor persons who are not furnished with better advaiit \nScripture knowledge, to read it over once in \nin order to keep these sacred memoir> ever fresh in their miadi \nHaifa chapter in a week would be no heavy ta>k, and this \nwould finish it in one year\'s time. \n\nMay the divine blessing attend this feeble endeavour of mine \nto diffuse the knowledge of divine things among mankind, and \nto furnish families with useful matter for conversation, whereby \nthey may be better secured against the temptations oJ \nand vicious writings, and vain discourse, which give an unhappy \ntincture to the imagination in early years, and tend to defile \nand destroy the soul. \n\n\n\nV \n\n\n\nTABLE OF CONTENTS. \n\n\n\nTHE OLD TESTAMENT. \n\nPAGE. \n\nThf. Introduction, - 1 \n\nAn Account of the several Di f God toward \n\nMen, 2 \n\nChap. I. The History of Mankind before the Flood, \n\nnamely, of Adam, Eye, Cain, Abel, Enoch, &c. . 3 \n\nChap. II. Of Noah, Abraham, and their Families after \n\nthe Flood, . 9 \n\nRoot. 1. Of Noah and his Sons, .... 9 \n\nSect. 2. Of Abraham and Lot, Ishmael and Isaac, 12 \n\nSect. 3. Of Esau and Jacob, and their Posterity, 17 \n\nChap. III. The Deliverance of the Israelites from F>gypt \n\nby Moses and Aaron, ...... 21 \n\nChap. IV. Of the Moral Lav.-, . ... 26 \n\nChap. V. Of the Ceremonial Law of the Jews, . 28 \n\nSect. 1. Of the Ceremonies of Purification, ., 29 \n\nSect. 2. Of the Holy Persons, namely, Priests, Le- \n\nfcites, Naznrites, . , 32 \n\nSect. 3. Of the Holy Places, particularly the Taber- \nnacle, . . . . . ... 34 \n\nSect. 4. Of the Holy Things, namely, the Ark. Table, \nCandlestick, Altars, Layer, Holy Garments, Sacrifi- \nces, Incense. Ointment. Water of Purification, &c. 36 \nSect. 5. Of the Holy Times, Feasts and Fasts, the \nSabbaths, the New Moons, the Pass-over. Pentecost, \nFeast of Tabernacles, Dav of Atonement, &c; 44 \nBeet. 6. The Use of the Jewish Ceremonies, both to \nthe Jews and to Christians, . . . \' 49 \n\n\n\n\\ \n\n\n\nx CONTENTS. \n\nPAGE. \n\nChap. VI. Of the Political or Judicial Law of the J, ws, \nnamely, of their Wars, Marriages, rood, Raiment, \nCattle, Sabbatical Year, Jubilee, &c. \nChap. VII. Of the Sins and Punishments of the Jews in \n\nthe Wilderness, 50 \n\nChap. VIII. Of the Jews\' Entrance into Canaan, and \n\ntheir first Government by Judge.", . 62 \n\nSect. 1. Of their Possession of Canaan, and destroying \n\nthe old Inhabitants, 62 \n\nSect. 2. Of the Government of the Jews by Judges, \nnamely, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, \nSamson, &c. ....... 68 \n\nChap. IX. Of the Government of the Jews under their \n\nKings ; and first of Saul and David, . . 75 \n\nChap. X. Of the Reign of Solomon and Rehoboam over \nall Israel, and the Division of the Nation into two \nKingdoms, ........ 34 \n\nChap. XI. Of the Kings of Israel , ... .89 \n\nChap. XII. Of the Kings of Judah, ... 9T \n\nChap. XIII. Of the Return of the Jews from Captivity, \nand the building the City of Jerusalem and the Tem- \nple, under the Conduct of Ezra and Nehemiah, 103 \nChap. XIV. The History of Job, . . . .117 \n\nChap. XV. The History of Jonah, .... 120 \n\nChap. XVI. The History of Jeremiah, . . 1\xc2\xa32 \n\nChap. XVII. The History of Daniel, \n\nChap. XVIII. The History of Esther, 133 \n\nChap. XIX. A Continuation of the Jewish History from \n\nthe End of the Old T< stament to the Tiim a of Chri.\xc2\xabt, 137 \nSect. 1. Of Nehemiab\'a further Reformation ; of Syn- \nagogues, Targums, Samaritans, Proselyti b, ..V<\\ 13? \nSect. 2. Of the Jewish affair.- under the Persian and \nGrecian Monarchies, and particularly under Alexan- \nder the Great, 1-4-1 \n\nSect. 3. The Jewish Affairs under the Pi \n\nof Egypt. <>i the gr< al Synagogue, tin- Miahnah and \nTalmud, and Septuagint, or Gre< k Translation of the \n\nBible, . 147 \n\nSect. 4. Of the Jewish Affairs under Antiochua the \nGreat, Seleucus^ and Antiochus Epiphanes, Kings of \nSyria, 154 \n\n\n\nCONTENTS. xi \n\nPAGE. \n\n"Sect. 5. Of Mattathias the great Reformer, the Father \n\nof the Maccabees, \xe2\x96\xa0 158 \n\nSect. 6. Of the Jewish Government under the Asmo- \nneans, or Maccabees ; and first of the three Brothers, \nJudas, Jonathan, and Simon, .... 161 \n\nSect. 7. Of the Posterity and Successors of Simon, \nand of the several Sects among the Jews, namely, \nPharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Herodians, and Kara- \nites, . . . ... . . 176 \n\nSect. 8. Of the Government of Herod the Great, and \nhis Posterity, - . . . . - . 191 \nChap. XX. A Prophetical Connection between the Old \nTestament and the New, by a View of the Prophecies \nrelating to Christ, and their Accomplishment, . 203 \n\n\n\nTHE NEW TESTAMENT. \n\nChap. XXL Of John the Baptist, . . . 222 \nChap. XXII. Of the Birth and Childhood of Jesus Christ, 227 \nChap. XXIII. Of the public Life and Ministry of Christ, 230 \nIntroduction. His Preparation for his public Work, 230 \nSect. 1. Jesus Christ\'s Appearance, with the Charac- \nters of the Messiah, 232 \n\nSect. 2. Of the Subjects of his Preaching, his Parables, \n\nDisputes, &c , . 234 \n\nSect. 3. Of the Miracles of Christ, , 241 \n\nSect. 4. The Example of Christ, . . . 242 \n\nSect. 5. His calling the Apostles, and instructing them, 244 \nSect. 6. His appointment or Institution of the two \n\nSacraments, ....... 246 \n\nSect. 7. Remarkable Occurrences or Transactions in \n\nthe Life of Christ, . . . . . . 248 \n\nChap. XXIV. Of the Death, Resurrection, and Ascen- \nsion of Christ, . . . . - -. 252 \n\nSect. 1. Of his Sufferings, Death, an4 Burial, . 252 \nSect. 2. Of the Resurrection of Christ, and his seve- \nral Appearances to his Disciples, . . . 259 \nSect. 3. Of his Ascension to heaven, . . \xe2\x96\xa0\'. 262 \n\n\n\n3ji CONTENTS. \n\nTAG*. \n\nChap. XXV. Of the Acts of the Ap \n\nand John, and the Ueao ; 1 i\'hilip, . 263 \n\nChaj). XXV L The Acts of Paul the Apostle, his Travels \n\nand Sufferings, his Life and Death, \n\n\n\nOF THE WHOLE \n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY, &c \n\nThe History of the Old Testament, \n\nTHE INTRODUCTION. \n\nTHERE is no history in the world so ancient as the \nBible, nor is there any which gives us so early an ac- \ncount of things. The Old Testament begins with the \ncreation of the world, brings us into acquaintance with \nAdam and Eve, our first parents, informs us of their state \nof innocence, their sin against God, and their being driv- \nen out ef paradise ; it recounts the first generations of \nmen, and their multiplied iniquities, which provoked God \nto destroy them by a flood. \n\nThen it treats of the character, circumstances and \nconduct of Neah and Abraham, and of their families af- \nter the flood, enlarging most upon the household of Jacob, \nor Israel, the grandson of Abraham, who, at the invitation \nof his son Joseph, went down with his family to dwell in \nEgypt, where they were enslaved by Pharaoh the king. \n\nThe history proceeds to the deliverance of the Israel- \nites out of Egyptian bondage by Moses and Aaron, and \ntheir being set apart to be a peculiar people to God. It \nrehearses the laws and statutes which were given them, \ntogether with their sins and punishments while they were \n2" \n\n\n\n2 INTRODUCTION. \n\nin the wilderness, travelling to the land of Canaan, which \nGod had promised them. \n\nThen there follows an account of their conquest over \n^;he land of Canaan under the conduct of Joshua ; their \ngovernment by judges several hundred years ; mid after \nthat there is a narrative of their four first kings, \nSaul, David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. In his days the \nnation was divided into two kingdoms, which were call- \ned the kingdom of Israel, and the kingdom of Judah. \n\nThere are also particular records of the government \nof these two distinct kingdoms, under a long succession \nof their own kings, till they were both earned into cap- \ntivity by the kings of Assyria. \n\nAfter this, the sacred history relates the return of \nmany of them, (chiefty the tribes of Judah and Benja- \nmin) into their own land, and their rebuilding the city of \nJerusalem, and the temple of God, and the settlement of \nthe affairs of the church and state by Ezra and Nehemi- \nah, which is the end of the historical part of the Old \nTestament. \n\nDuring all this time there is an account given of the \nseveral prophets and messengers which were >i>nt from \nGod on special occasions to reveal his mind and will to \nmen: and there is also a larger and more particular nar- \nrative of the lives or transactions of some extraordinary \npersons, several of which are much interwoven with the \nseries of the history: but there are others which seem to \njstand separate and distinct ; such are the affairs relating \nto Job, a rich man of the East, Jonah a Prophet in Israel, \nand Esther the- Queen of Persia, to which I have added \nsome account of Jeremiah and Daniel, the prophets, in \ndistinct chapters. \n\nAt the end of these I have put in two chapters before \nthe bejiinnin;; of the New Testament, which contain an \nHistorical and Prophetical Convection between the Old \nTestament anil the New ; of which I have tpven an ac- \ncount in the Introduction to those particular chapters, \n\xc2\xbbas well as in the general Preface. \n\n\n\nChap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. S \n\nCHAPTER I. \n\nThe History of Mankind before the Flood. \n\n1 Quest. How came this world into being ? \nAnsw. In the beginning the great God made heaven \n\nand earth, and all things that are in them. Gen. i. 1. \nExod.xz. 11. \n\n2 Q. How did God make all things ? \n\nA. By his powerful word, for he commanded, and it \nwas done. Gen. i. 3, 6, 9, &c. Heb. xi.3. Psalm xxxiii. 9. \n\nJVo/e. We are also informed in the New Testament, that \nGod created all things by his son Jesus Christ, Eph. iii. 9. and \nthat his name is The Word of God. John i. 3. Rev. xix. 13. \n\n5 Q. What time did God spend in making the world ? \n\nA. God, who could have made all things at once, by \nhis perfect wisdom and almighty power, chose rather to \ndo it by degrees, and spent six days in making the world, \nwith the creatures that are in it. Gen. i. 31. Eccod. xx. 1 1 \xc2\xab. \n\n4 Q. What was his work on the first day ? \n\nA. He made light, and divided it from the darkness, \nand the evening and the morning were the first day. \nGen. i. 3, 5. \n\n5 Q. What did God make the second day? \n\nA. The air or the lower heavens, which are here call- \ned the Firmament, and the clouds, which are the waters \nabove the firmament, ver. 6. \n\n6 Q. What did he do on the third day ? \n\nA. He separated the earth from the sea, and made\' \nthe trees and herbs to grow out of the ground, ver. 8-12\xe2\x80\x9e~ \n\n7 Q. What was the work of the fourth day ? \n\nA. The sun, moon, and stars, which were appointed \nto give light upon the earth, and to make our days, our \nmonths, and our years, ver. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n8 q. What was the fifth day\'s work ? \n\nA. The birds and the fishes, which were both made \nout of the water, ver. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n9i Q, And what was the sixth and last day\'s work .3 \n\n\n\n4 , SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nA. Creeping things, beasts, and man, which were all \nformed out of the earth, ver. 24 \xe2\x80\x94 26; and God bless- \ned his creatures, and pronounced his works all VCW \ngood. ver. 28, 3 1 . \n\n10 Q. What did God do the seventh day ? \n\nJl. God rested from his work of creation, and Bet \napart the seventh day for a holy sabbath, or day of rest. \nGen. ii. 2, 3. \n\n11 Q. . Who were the first man and woman that God \nmade r \n\nJl. Adam and Eve. Gen. v. 1, 2. 1 Cor. xv. 45. \nGen. iii. 20. \n\n12 Q. In what manner did God make Adam ? \n\nJl. He framed his body out of the dust of the ground, \nand then put a living soul within him. Gen. ii. 7. \n\n13 Q. How did God make Eve r \n\nJl. He cast Adam into a deep sleep, and formed Eve \nout of one of his ribs, and then brought her to him to be \nhis wife. Gen. ii. 20, 21, &c. \n\n14 Q. In what state did God create them ? \n\nJl. God created them both in his own likeness, in a \nholy and happy state, which is called the state of inno- \ncence. Gen. i, 26. \n\n15 Q. Where did God put Adam and Eve when he \nhad made them ? \n\nJl. Into the garden of Eden, to keep it, and take care \nof it, that even in the state of innocence and happiness, \nthey might have some work to be employed in. Qen* \nii. 15. \n\n16 O. "What was their food in that garden ? \n\nJ&, God gave them leave to eat of" any of the herbs, \nplants, or fruits, that grew there, except the fruit of one \ntree, which lie forbid them to taste of on pain of death. \nHen. i. 29, and ii. 1(>, 17. \n\n17 ({. What was the name of that teee ? \n\nJl, It was called the tree of the knowledge of good \nand evil, because as Boon as man eat of it, be would \nknow evil to his sorrow, a* well as he knew good before \nto his comfort, ver. 17, and chap. iii. 5. \n\n18 ({. As there was one tree so dangerous; that it \n\n\n\nChap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \' 5 \n\nexposed him to death if he eat of it, was there not also a \ntree that would secure him from death ? \n\nJl. Yes ; there was a tree called the tree of life, placed \nin the midst of the garden, whose fruit was also able to \nhave preserved him in life, if he had continued to obey \nGod, Gen. ii. 9, and chap. iii. 22, and it is reasonably \nsupposed to be designed as a pledge or seal of eternal \nlife to him, if he had continued in his innocency. \n\n19 Q. What was the religion of Adam in the state \nof innocency? \n\nJ?. The practice of all the duties toward God, and \ntoward his creatures, which the light of nature or reason \ncould teach him ; together with nis observance of this \none positive precept of abstaining from the fruit of the \ntree of knowledge ; and this was given him as a special \ntest or trial of his obedience to his Maker. This is call- \ned the DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE. \n\n20 Q. TIow did Adam behave himself in this time of \nhis trial ? \n\nJl. He eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which \nGod had forbid him on pain of death. Gen. ii. 17, and \nchap. iii. 6. \n\n21 Q. How came Adam to disobey God, and eat of \nthis forbidden tree ? \n\nJl. Eve first was persuaded to eat of that deadly \nfruit, and then she persuaded Adam to eat of it too. \nGen. iii. 12. \n\n22 Q. Who tempted Eve to eat of it ? \n\nJ. The Evil Spirit, that is the Devil, which lay hid \nin the serpent, Gen. iii. 1. 2 Cor. xi.S. and for this* \nreason he is called the old Serpent. Iter. xii. 9. \n\n23 Q. What mischief followed from hence \xc2\xa3 \n\nA.- As Adam sinned against God, so he brought in\' \nsin and death among all mankind, who were his chil- \ndren, and they have spread through all generations. \nRom.x. 12. \n\n24 q. Then God did not put Adam and Eve t<* \ndeath as soon as they had sinned ? \n\nJl. No; but they were condemned to die ; and be- \ncame liable to sickness and* death; they were driven out \n\n\n\n6 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nof the garden of paradise, that they might not taste of \nthe tree of life, and they were appointed to labour hard \nfor their food all their days. Gen. iii. 1 ( ), 23. \n\n25 Q. Did God, who spared their life, shew them \nany further pity ? \n\nJl. Yes; he gave them a kind promise, and clothed \nthem with the skins of beasts, because they were naked. \nGen. iii. 15,21. \n\n26 Q. What was the kind promise that he gave \nthem ? \n\nJl. That the seed of the woman should Weak the head \nof the serpent, who tempted them to sin. Gen. iii. 1 5. \n\n27 ({. Who is this seed of the woman ? \n\n.#. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who in \ndue time i&ds born of a woman Gal. iv. 4. \n\n28 Q. What is meant by his breaking the serpent\'.- \nliead ? \n\nJl. That Christ should destroy the wicked works \nand designs of the Devil, and thereby save mankind \nfrom the sin and death, which were brought in among \nthem by his temptation. 1 John iii. 8. Heb. ii. 1-i, 15. \n\n29 Q. Whence came the skins of the beasts with \nwhich God clothed Adam and Eve ? \n\nJl. It is likely God taught Adam to offer sacrifices \nat this time, and that these were the skins of the beasts \nthat were offered in sacrifice.. \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2TWe. Whether flesh was eaten by the religious fkmili \nlore the flood, is uncertain ; but it does not appear that God \nhad given Adam express leave to eat flesh, Gen. i. 29, chap. ii. \n26, and ix. 23, and then there could be no skins to be hud \nfrom beasts killed for food. But the sin of man deserved death ; \nand it was probably at this time that God appointed b< \nbe sacrificed or put to death, to shew that hu deservi d death, \nand to make a sort of typical atonement, or anawi r for the sin \nof man; since cutting and burning God\'s liviir.; \nnot seem to be a contrivance of man himself t<> app ,- \nfor his own sin. Then it i> natural to suppose that God clotht d \nAdam and Eve with the skim of tl \nficed, to shew them, in a typical or figurative \nclothes covered the naked body from shame and harm. \nlices, offered according to God\'s appointment, should il \nsense protect tbem from the punishment which nn had \ned\xc2\xbb \n\n\n\nChap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nAnd it is very possible God might inform Adam that all these- \nappointments were only a figure of Christ the great sacrifice,. \nthe seed of tke iceman, who should make a real and effectual \natonement for sin hereafter by his own death. I confess all this \ndoes not so evidently appear in the writings of Moses, nor could \nit be expected, -where the account of things in these early times \nis so exceeding short ; though it is very agreeable to the dis- \ncoveries made in the following parts of Scripture. I add yet \nfurther that sacrifices might be instituted at this time with this. \nview and design, even though Adam himself might not be in- \nformed of it : for the great God does not always immediately \nreveal to his creatures the reason and design of all his precept? \nor his providences. Job xxxiii. 14. . \n\nSO Q. What was the religion of man after the foil \nor sin of Adam? \n\nJi. All the duties of the light of nature which were \nrequired before : and besides these he was now called to \nrepentance for sin, faith or trust in the mercy of God, \nexpectation of the promised Saviour, and ottering of \nsacrifices. This is called the Adamical dispensation \nof the covenant of grace, and it reached to Noah\'s floods \n\n31 Q. Who- were Adam\'s first children ? \nJi. Cain and Abel. Gen.\'w. 1,2. \n\n32 Q. AY hat was Cain ? \n\nJi. Adam\'s eldest son, and he was a tiller of. the \nground. Gen. iv. 1 , 2. \n\n33 ^. But what mischief did Cain do ? \n\nJi. He killed his brother Abel, who was a keeper of \nsheep. Gen. iv. 2, 8. \n\n54 Q. Why did Cain kill him ? \n\nJi. Because his own works were evil, and God did \nnot accept his sacrifices ; but his brother\'s works were \nrighteous, and God gave some token that he accepted\' \nhim. Gen. iv. 4, 5. 1 John, iii. 18. \n\n35 (^ Whither went Cain when God reproved him \nfor this murder r \n\nJi. He went out, and departed from the presence of \nthe Lord, and from his father\'s family, where God was \nworshipped. Gen. iv. 16. . \n\n36 (f. What were the posterity of Cain ? \n\nJi* Some of them are famous for inventions of music \n\n\n\n8 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nand handicraft-trades, but they are supposed to have \nneglected religion. Gen. iv. 20, 22. \n\n37 Q. What other son had Adam r \n\nJl. Seth, who was born soon after the death of Abel, \nand several others after him. Gen. iv. 25, and v. 4. \n\n38 ({. l>id the children of Seth neglect religion too? \n\nJl. Religion was publicly maintained for some gene- \nrations in seth\'s family, for they distinguished them- \nselves from the wicked Sons of men, they pra\\ \nGod, and were called the Sons of God. Gen. iv. 26. \nand chap. vi. 2, 4. \n\n39 Q. Did they grow degenerate afterwards r + \nA. All mankind grew so wicked, except a very few, \n\ntliat God saw it proper to manifest his righteous judg- \nment, and his anger against sin, by destroying them. \nGen. vi. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n40 Q. Who were some of the chief person- of Seth\'fl \nposterity mentioned in Scripture in those early times 2 \n\nJl. Enoch and Methuselah, Lamech and Noah, were \nThe most remarkable. \n\n41 Q. Who was Enoch ? \n\n*1. The man who walked with God and pleased him \nin the midst of a wicked world, and foretold the judg- \nment of God on sinners. Gen. v. 22. Jude 14, 15. \n\nJVo/e. When Enoch and Noah are raid to wall with God. \nionie learned men have supposed, that it does not onlj \nthat they behaved themselves always as in the presence \xe2\x80\xa2 \nand conversed with hint by meditation ami prayer, and walk* <! \nin his ways; but that God appeared of old to theM pioos DM n. \nas he did to Abraham, and walked and convened with them in \na bodily form ; and this was the original of that phi \nwith God, to signify the practice of religion. \n\n42 Q. What became of Enoch ?\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nJl. God took him to heaven without dying, as a pe- \nculiar favour and honour done to him. Gen. v. 24. neb. \nni. 5. \n\n43 Q. Who was Methuselah ? \n\nJl. The son of Enoch, and the oldest man that we \never read of. Gen. v. 21. \n\n44 (\xc2\xa3. liow long did he live ? \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 9 \n\nA. Nine hundred and sixty-nine years. Gen. \\. 27* \n\n45 Q. Who was Lamech ? \n\nA. Noah\'s father, who prophesied of the blessing the \nearth should find in his son, which had been laid under \na curse for the sin of Adam. Gen. v. 29. \n\n\n\nCHAP. II. \n\nOf Noah, Abraham, and their Families, after the Flood* \n\n\n\nSect. I. Of Noah and his Sons. \n\n1 Q. Who was Noah ? \n\nA. The righteous man, who was saved when the \nworld was drowned by a flood. Gen. vii. 23. \n\n2 Q. How did God drown the world ? \n\nA. When mankind had provoked him by their sins^ \nwhich were exceeding great, Gen. \\T. 5, 6, 7, lie broke \nup the fountains of the great deep under ground, and \ncaused it to rain forty clays, and forty nights. Gen. \nvii. 4, 11. \n\n3 ({. How was Noah saved ? \n\nA. In an ark, or great ship or vessel, which God \ntaught him to build. Gen. vi. 9, 14, &c. \n\nXote. Noah had waning of this judgment of God one hun- \ndred and twenty yea* before it came to pass. Gen. vi. ?. \nAnd as he was a pi-eacher of righteousness. % Pet. ii. 5, so we \nmay justly suppose he gave continual waruins; to a sinful world \nwhile the Ark was building. I Pet. iii. 19, W.. Ilib.xl 7. \n\n4 Q. Who was saved with him? \n\nA. All his family, and some- living Greatures of every \nkind, nam ely* two of every unclean beast and bird which \nwere neither fit for food or sacrifice, and seven of every \nclean creature which were fit for one or both uses. Gen*.. \nvaii. 2,3, 13, 14. \n\n5 ({.. How long did Noah tarry in. this ark? \n\n\n\n10 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chant & \n\nA. At nine months end he sent forth a dove, which \nbrought in an olive-branch, to shew him that the \\ \nwere abated ; and at the end of twelve months and ten \ndays he came forth, and the creatures which were with \nhim. Gen. vii. 11, and viii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 IS. \n\n6 Q. What commands did God give Noah ? \n\nJi. The ottering of sacrifices was continued. Gen. \nviii. 20, 21. Flesh was given to man for food, as herne \nwere before. Qen.ix. 2,3. Blood was forbidden to be \neaten, the blood of man was expressly forbid to be shed, \nand murder was to be punished with death. Gen. ix. 4, \n5,6. \n\n-Yo/e. The religion of Noah wat- the same with that of Adam \nafter his fall, (See Chap. I. Q. 30) with these few additions \nhere mentioned. And this was the Noahchicai. DftPEVSATlOH \nof the covenant of grace, whereby all men, from Noah to Abra- \nham, were to seek salvation ; and whereby all besides tin- \nfiamily of Abraham were to be saved, even all the heathen \nworld, till they bear of Christ. \n\n7 Q. What promise did God make to Noah ? \n\nS. That the world should never be drowned again, \nand it pleased God to appoint the rainbow to be a token \nof it. Gen. ix. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n8 Q. Was there no rainbow before the flood r \n\nJ). It is probable that there was no rain before the \nflood, for the earth was watered daily by a thick mist, \nGen. ii. 5, t>, and then there could be naturally no rain- \nbow, for it is made by the sunbeainj shining upon fatting \nrain. \n\n9 ({. Who were Noah\'s three BOOS? \n\nJ3. Shem, Ham, and Japhet : and they were the \nfathers of all mankind after the flood. Gen. ix. 18, \\V, \nand x. 52. \n\n10 Q. Who were the offspring or posterity of 8hem i \nA, The Persians, who came from Elam their father; \n\nthe Syrians from Aram: the Hebrews from KIxm \nsupposed : and particularly the Jews, with other inhabi- \ntants of Asia. Gen. x. 81. \n\n11 ({. Who were the posterity of Ham r \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. il \n\n\xc2\xbbfl. The Canaanites, the Philistines, and others in \nAsia, and iftie Egyptians, with other inhabitants of Africa. \nGen. x. 6, &c. \n\n12 Q. y ^9 were the posterity of Japhet? \n\nA. Gomeffupposed to be the father of the Germans, \nJavan of the Greeks, Meshech of the Muscovites, ^nd \nother families that dwelt in Europe. Gen. x. 2. \n\n1 3 Q. Wherein did Ham the father of the Canaan- \nites do amiss ? \n\nJl. He saw his father Noah naked, and made sport \nwith him, and he was cursed under the name of his son \nCanaan. Gen. ix. 21, 25. \n\nJVo/e. It is probable that Canaan joined with his father \nHam in the mockery of his grandfather Noah, and therefore he \nwas cursed : and Resides, this gave early notice to the Israelites, \nthat the Canaanites, -whose land God gave them to possess, \nwere a people under an ancient curse. \n\n14 Q. What did Shem and Japhet do on this occa- \nsion ? \n\nJl. They covered their father with a garment, and \nconcealed his shame, and were blessed. Gen. ix. 23, \n26, 27. \n\n15 Q. Did mankind froely divide themselves after \nthe flood into several nations? \n\nJl. No ; but being all of one language, they agreed \nrather to build a chief city with a tower, that all men \nmight be joined in one nation or kingdom. Gen. xi. 4. \n\n16 Q. How did God scatter them abroad into differ- \nent nations ? \n\nA. By making them speak different languages, and \nthen they ceased to build the tower, which was called \nBabel, or Confusion. Gen. xi. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n1 7 Q. Did God preserve the true religion in any of \ntheir families ? \n\nJl. It is supposed to have been chiefly preserved in \nthe family of Shem, for God is called the Lord God of \nShem. Gen. ix. 26. \n\nJVo/e. Though the knowledge of the true God and religion \nwere chiefly preserved in the family of Shem, yet it is evident \nthat some brandies of Ham\'s family, and probably of Japhet\'g \n\n\n\n*2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 2 \n\ntoo, preserved it for ?ome hundreds of year- : for Afeichivedek. a \nking ci the Canaanites in Abraham^ tim< -t of thf \n\nmost hieh God : and Abimelech, a king <it" the Philistine -. \nGod, and had a sense of religion; and both tin \nfrom Ham. ^\xc2\xbb \n\n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2Sect. II. Of .Abraham and Lot, Ishmael and Isaac. \n\n18 ^. Who was the most famous man of SI \nposterity in these early ages ? \n\nJi. Abraham the son of Terah, of the posterity of \nEber. Gen. xi. 27* \n\n19 Q. What was the first remarkable thing recorded \nof Abraham ? \n\nJi. He left his own native country to go wheresoev- \ner God called him. Gen- xii. 1,4. \n\n20 Q. Whence did Abraham come, and whither did \nhe go? \n\n.i. He came first from Chaldea, then from Haran ; \nand he went to dwell among strangers in the land ot \nCanaan. Gen. xi. 31, and xii. 5. Ileb. xi, 8, 9. \n\n21 Q. Who came with Abraham into Canaan? \n\nJi. Lot, his brother\'s son ; and they brought with \nthem all their substance and their household. Gen. xiii. 5. \n\n22 Q. Did they continue to dwell together J \n\nJi. Their cattle and servants grew so numerous, that \nthey parted for fear of quarrelling, and Abraham gave \nLot his choice to go to the east or the west Gen. xiii. 1 , 9, \n\n23 ({. Where did Lot sojourn ? \n\nA. He chose the east, and pitched his tent towards \nSodom, because it was a well-watered and fruitful coun- \ntry, ver. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n24 ({. What Calamity betel Lot here? \n\nJi. He was carried away captive, together with other \nInhabitants of Sodom, when the king of Sodom was \nrouted in battle by his enemies. Gen. \\iv. \n\n25 ({ What did Abraham do on this occasion ? \n\n*i. He armed his own three hundred and \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 13 \n\neighteen men, who pursued the conquerors and routed \nthem, and brought back Lot and the other captives with \ntheir goods, Gen. xiv. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n26 ((. When Abraham returned from the slaughter \nof the kings, what honour was done him ? \n\n\xc2\xbbi. Melchisedek, the king of Salem, and the priest of \nthe most high God, met him, and pronounced a blessing \nupon him. Gen. xiv. 18-\xe2\x80\x94 20. \n\n27 Q. What civility did the king of Sodom shew \nVbraham ? \n\nJi. He offered him all the goods that Abraham had \nrecovered from the former conquerors, but Abraham re- \nfused to accept them. ver. 21, &c. \n\n28 Q. What became of Sodom afterwards^ \n\nA. It was burnt by fire and brimstone from heaven, \ntogether with Gomorrah, and other cities, because of the \nabominable wickedness of their inhabitants. Gen. xix. \n24. \n\n29 Q. W\'as there nobody to plead with God to \nspare them ? . \n\nJl. Yes ; Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom, \nand God would have dene it> had there been but ten \nrighteous men in all the city. Gen. xviii. 23\xe2\x80\x9433. \n\n30 Q. How. did Lot escape ? \n\nJl. The two angels, which were sent to destroy \nSodom, persuaded him to flee away with his family first. \nGen. xix. 15. \n\n31 Q. How many of his family escaped this judg- \nment ? \n\nJl. Only himself and his two daughters, for his two \nssns-in-law refused to remove. Gen. xix. 14* \n\n32 Q. W r hat became of Lot\'s wife? \n\nA. She went with him part of the way, but when she \nlooked back, hankering after Sodom, she was struck \ndead immediately, perhaps with a blast of that lightning \nwhich burnt Sodom, and she stood like a pillar of salt,, \nGen. xix. 26. \n\n33 Q. Was Lot a religious man r* \n\nA. Yes ; and his righteous soul was daily vexed With \nttie wicked conversation of the men of Sodom. 2 Pet. ik \n\n\n\n14 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, \xc2\xbb. \n\n34 Q. Did he maintain his righteous character evtf \nafterwards ? \n\nA. He once was enticed into the sin of drunk* : \nand then he let his two daughters lie with him and a \nhim. Gen. xix. 30, &c. \n\n35 Q. Had Lot any children by this sinful action ? \nJi. Yes; Moab was the son of one daughter, and \n\nBen-ammi of the other; and they were afterwards the \nfathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, who proved to \nbe sore enemies of God\'s people. Gen. xix. 37, 38. \n\n36 Q. Thus ends the nistory of Lot and Sodom : let \nus return now to Abraham : in what part of the country \ndid he dwell ? \n\nJi. When he removed from Lot he went toward the \nwest, and travelling on toward the southwest, he sojourn- \ned in the land of Abimelech. Gen. xx. 1. \n\n37 Q. Who was Abimelech ? \n\nJi. He was king of Gerar in the country of the Phi- \nlistines. Gen. xx. 2, xxi. 32. \n\n38 Q. What did Abimelech do at Abraham\'s coming: \nJi. He took Sarah, Abraham\'s wife, into hi^ h(A|8\xe2\x82\xac ; \n\nbut being warned of God, he restored her \nGen. xx. 2, 6, 14. \n\n39 Q. How came Abimelech to take Abraham\'- \nwife ? \n\nA. Because she was a beautiful woman, and Abra- \nham did not call her his wife, but his sister : and bv this \nmeans he exposed her to be taken bv other men. \nGen. xx. 2. \n\n40 Q. What sons had Abraham : \n\nA. The two chief were Ishmael and Isaac Gen. \nxxv. 9. \n\n41 Q. What was Ishmael ? \n\nA. He was the son of Abraham bv Hagar his servant \nmaid. Gen. xvi. 15. \n\n42 Q. How came Abraham to take his maid to be \nhis concubine : \n\nA. God had promised him a son, ami he thought his \nwife Sarah was too old to have a child, and therefore by \nher advice he took Hagar. G m. xvi. \n\n\n\nSect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 15 \n\n43 Q. What became of Ishmael ? \n\nA. Abraham, bv the command of God, turned Ishma- \nel and his toother out of his house into the wilderness, \nbecause they mocked and abused his younger son Isaac. \nGen. xxi. 9, &c. \n\n44 Q. Did Ishmael perish in the wilderness ? \n\nA. The angel of God appeared to Hagar, and shew- \ned her a spring of water, when they were dying with \nthirst: and Ishmael grew up to be a great man, and the \nfather of a large nation. Gen. xxi. 16\xe2\x80\x94 20, and xxv. 16. \n\n45 Q. Who was Isaac\'s mother ? \n\nA. Isaac was the son of Abraham, by Sarah his wife, \naccording to the promise of God, when they were both \ngrown old. Gen. xsd. 1, &c, Rom. ix. 7, 8. \n\xc2\xb0 46 Q. Why is Abraham called the father of the \nfaithful, i. e. of the believers ? \n\nA. Because he believed the promises of God against \nall probable appearance, and was a pattern to other be- \nlievers in all ages. Gen. xv. 16. Rom. iv. 11,12. \n\n47 Q. What were the three chief promises which \nGod gave Abraham? \n\nA. (1.) That he should have a son when he was a \nhundred years old. (2.) That his children should pos- \nsess the land of Canaan, when he had not ground enough \nto set his foot on there. And (3.) that all the families \nof the earth should be blessed in him and his offspring, \nwhen he was but a private person. Gen. xvii. 8, 16, 17 3 \nand xii. 3. Jets vii. 5. \n\n48 Q. What did this last promise mean ? \n\nA. That Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, should \ncome from his family. Gal. iii. 8, 16. \n\n49 Q. What did God appoint to Abraham for a to- \nken of these promises and this covenant, and of his own \nacceptance with God ? \n\nA. He commanded him and all his sons to be cir- \ncumcised in all generations. Gen. xvii. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 10. Rom. \niv. 11. \n\n50 Q. What was the religion of Abraham ? \n\nA. The same with the religion of Adam after the fall \nin Chap. I. Q. 30, and the religion of Noah under Chap, \n\n\n\n16 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. B. \n\nII. Q. 6, with the addition of circumcision, and the ex- \npectation of Canaan to be given to his -red, as a type <\xc2\xbbi \nheaven; and a trust in the promise of the Saviour, who \nshould spring from him, and bless all nations. \n\nJWe. This wu<= called the Abraham) \nbut it was confined to the family of Abraham in thi \nof it; with those temporal precepts and ; \nsion and the inheritance of Canaan : tn ipirituaJ \n\nsense of it, it r I man ; and l. I \n\ntheir father. Horn. iv. 16, 17. \n\n51 Q. How did Abraham further, and most eminent* \n! v shew his obedience to God : *\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nJl* In his readiness to offer up liis son Isaac in sa- \ncrifice to God\'s command. Gen, xxii. H. \n\n52 Q. And did he oiler him in sacrifice ? \n\n\xc2\xab$. No; God withheld his hand, and sent a ram to \nbe sacrificed in his stead. Gen. xxii. tS. \n\n55 Q. What farther favours did Abraham receive \nfrom God? \n\nJl. God visited him and conversed with him as a \nfriend several times in a visible manner, and changed \nhis name from Abram to Abraham. Gen. xv. and xvii. \nand xviii. James ii. c 23. \n\n54 Q. What is written concerning Sarah, Abra \nwife ? \n\nJl. She believed God\'s promise, and had a - \nninety Years old, and her name \nSarai to Sarah. Gen, xvii. 15, 17. Heb. x ; . \n\nJVWe. Som Idition \n\nc f the Hebrew It tt< r h t \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n- ;i new relal \nthink it to be a pari of the w< rd / 1 \nfilude ; because God promised in \nfhein wh< ii he \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n; .) Q. Whal is recorded coi \n\nJ. Me feared the God of his father Abraham, lie had \nfrequent visions of God, anil went out into \nmeditate or pray, and offered - \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 17 \n\n56 Q. Who was Isaac\'s wife ? \n\nA. His father Abraham sent afar, and took a wife \nfor him, even Rebecca, out of his own family in Meso- \npotamia, because lie was unwilling he should marry \namong the wicked Canaanites whom God had doomed \nto destruction. Gen. xxiv. 3, 4, 51, &c. \n\n57 Q. What children had Isaac? \n\nA. Two sons, Esau and Jacob. Gen. xxiv. 25, 26. \n\n\n\nSect. III. Of Esau and Jacob, and their Posterity. \n\n58 Q. What was Esau ? \n\nA. He was Isaac\'s eldest son, bred up to hunting \nrather than husbandly, who sold his birth right to his \nbrother for a mess of pottage when he was faint with \nhunting. Gen. xxv. 31, 33. \n\n59 Q- What was Jacob ? \n\nA. The youngest son of Isaac, who by his mother\'s \ncontrivance obtained his father\'s blessing, though not in \na right way. Gen. xvii. 27. \n\n60 Q. \'By what treachery did he obtain the blessing? \nA. When his father Isaac was old and his eyes dim, \n\nby order of his mother, he put on Esau\'s clothes, and told \nhis father he was Esau his eldest son. Gen. xxvii. \n\n61 q. How did Esau take this ? \n\nA. Esau threatened to kill him, and therefore he left \nhis father\'s house. Gen. xxvii. 41, 43. \n\n62 q. Whither did Jacob go ? \n\nA. To Laban the Syrian, who was his mother\'s broth- \ner. Gen. xxviii. 2, 5. \n\n63 Q. "What did he meet with in going thither ? \n\nA. He lay down to sleep on a stone at Bethel, and \nhad a holy dream of God, and of angels there ascending \nand descending between heaven and earth. Gen. xviii. \n12\xe2\x80\x9414. \n\n64 Q. What did he do in Laban\'s house ? \n\nA. He kept his uncle Laban\'s cattle, and he married \n\xe2\x80\xa2Vis two daughters Rachel and Leah, Gen. x^ix. 15, &c. \n\n\n\n18 SCRIPTCRE HISTORY. Ck \n\n65 Q. How lonp; did he live there r \n\nJi. Twenty years, till he had <n>t a large \nchildren and servants, much cattle aud \xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x80\x9e\xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x96\xa0 \nGen. xxx. and xxxi. 41. \n\n66 Q. What did Jacob meet with in his return to \nCanaan ? \n\nJi. He had a vision, of God as of a man wrestling \nwith him. Gen. xxxii. 24, &c. \n\n67 Q. Why was Jacob called Israel ? \n\nJi. Because he prayed and prevailed with God for a \nblessing, while he- wrestled with him in the form of a \nman. Gen. xxxii. 28. Hos. xiii. 4. \n\n68 Q. How did his brother Esau meet him ? \n\nJi. God turned Esau\'s heart, so that he met him with \ngreat civility, though ha came out witli four hundred \nmen (as Jacob feared) to destroy him. Gen, xxxii. \n\n\xc2\xa79 Q. What posterity had Esau ? \n\nA. A large posterity, who chiefly inhabited Mount \nSeir, and were called Edomites, from their father\'s other \nname Edom. Gen. xxxvi. 8, 9. \n\n70 Q. How many sons had Jacob ? \n\nA. Twelve, and "they were called the twelve Patri- \narchs, because they were the fathers of the twelve tribes \nof Israel. Gen. xxxv. 22. Acts vii. 8. JWmb. i. \n\n71 Q. W r hat are their names ? \n\nA. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Ze- \nbulon, the sons of his wife Leah; Joseph and Benjamin, \nthe sons of his wife Rachel ; Dan and Napthali, the \nsons of Bilhah his concubine ; and Gad and Asher the \nsons of Zilpah his concubine. Gen. xxxv. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n72 Q. Who were the most famous of all th- - \nsacred history ? \n\nA. Levi, Judah, and Joseph. \n\n73 Q. What is there remarkable concerning Levi ? \nA* The priesthood, and other things relating to the \n\nworship of God, were committed to Levi\'s family in fol- \nlowing times. Dent. xxii. 9, and xxviii. 8, 10. \n\n74 Q. But did not Levi do a very wicked thing in \nkilling the Shechemites ? \n\n/. Yes j he and his brother Simeon dealt very \n\n\n\nSect 3. 3CREPTURE HISTORY. V) \n\ntreacherously and cruelly with them, in slaving them \nafter they had made a covenant of peace with them. Gen. \nxxxiv. \n\n75 Q. How did Jacob bear this? \n\nA. He severely reproved them for it, and upon his \ndeath-bed, by the spirit of prophecy, pronounced a curse \nupon them, that they should be scattered abroad tiuough \nall the land of Israel. Gen. xxxiv. 30, and xlix. 5. \n\n76 Q. Was this curse- executed ? \n\nA. Yes, in some measure ;. for the Simeonites as well \nas Levites had their possessions scattered among all the \ntribes of Israel ; but the curse of the Levites was light- \nened by their having the priesthood given them. Josh- \nua xxi. \n\n77 Q. What is there remarkable relating to Judah P \nA. He dealt very basely with his daughter in law \n\nTamar, and committed shameful wickedness. Geru \nxxxviii, \n\n78 Q. Did God forgive this sin ? \n\nA. Yes ; God forgave it so far as not to punish his \nposterity for it : for the kingdom and government in fu- \nture ages was promised chieify to his family. Gen. xlix. 10, \n\n79 Q. What is there remarkable said of Joseph? \n\nA. His brethren sold him for a slave into Egypt, \nwhere he became the ruler of the land. Gen. xxxvii. 27* \nandxlii.40. Actsv\'u. 9.10. \n\n80 Q. Why did they sell him ? \n\nA. For envy, because his father loved him, and made \nhim a coat of many colours, and because he dreamed \nthat they should bow down to him. Gen. xxxvii. 3, 4. \n\n81 Q. What was his first station in. the land of \n\nEgypt- \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nA. He was a servant in the house of Potiphar, a \ncaptain of the guard, and by a false accusation of his \nmaster\'s wife he was cast into prison, though he was en- \ntirely innocent. Gen. xxxix. \n\n82 Q. What was the occasion of his advancement? \nA. He interpreted the dreams of some of his fellow \n\nprisoners, and when the interpretation proved true, then \nhe was sent for to court to interpret the kind\'s dream> \nGen.xh, b \n\n\n\n20 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. u, \n\n83 Q. And did this raise Joseph to be the ruler of \nEgypt ? \n\nA. Yes; he was thus advanced, because lie foretold \nthe seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, \n\nwhich Pharaoh the kin\'j; dreamed of under two different \nemblein> of good and bad ears of corn, and of seven fat \nkine and seven lean ones. Gen. xli. 39. \n\n84 (f. How did Joseph cany himself towards his \nbrethren i!i his advancement? \n\nA. In the famine they came down to buy corn in \nEgypt, and bowed down to him, according to his di \nbut he treated them roughly at first, as a great hud and \na stranger, till their consciences smote them for their \nformer cruelty to him. Gph. xlii. 7, 19, 21. \n\n85 ^. Did he then revenge himself upon them ? \n\nA. No ; but he made himself known to them with \nmuch affection and tenderness. Gen. xlv. \n\n86 Q. How did he manifest his forgiveness of them ? \nA. lie sent for his father, and bid his brethren brine \n\nall their families into Egypt, and he maintained them all \nduring the famine. Grew, xlv. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n87 Q. Did Jacob die in Egypt? \n\nA. Yes; but according to his desire his bodj \ncarried up to the land of Canaan, and was buried there, \nin the faith of the promise, that his seed should possess \nthat land. Gen. xlix. 29, and 1. 13, \n\n88 Q. What became of the families of Israel \nJoseph\'s death ? \n\nA. They were made slaves in Egypt, and a new long, \nwho knew not Joseph, sorely oppressed them, and \ndeavoured to destroy them. Exod. i. IS, 14, Ik \n\n89 Q. Did Joseph, ns well as his father, profeai am \nhope of his family and kindred returning from Egypt in \nfollowing times P \n\nA. Yes : he died in faith of the promise made \' \nfathers, that they should <;o and possess the land oi \nnaan ; and therefore he required them, when they \nto carry up his bones and bury them in t 1 :* \nland. fee*. 1. 24, \n\n\n\nChap. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER III. \n\nThe Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, and of \nJ\\foses and Aaron. \n\n1 Q. Who delivered the Israelites from the slavery, \nof Egypt ? \n\n\xe2\x96\xa0& " God heard their cry. and delivered them by the \nhand of Moses and Aaron. \xe2\x96\xa0 Exod. iii. 9, 10, and xii. 3L \nJosh. xxiv. 5, 6. \n\n2 Q. Who was Moses ? \n\nA. He was one of the family of Levi among the \npeople of Israel, who was wonderfully saved from drown- \ning when he was an infant. Exod. ii. 10. \n\n3 Q. How was he in danger of drowning ? \n\nA. Pharaoh the king of Egypt had commanded every \nmale child to be drowned ; and when Moses\'s parents \n&buld hide him no longer, they laid him by the bank of \nthe river in an ark or box of bulrushes. E.vod. i. 2 V 2, \nand ii. 3. \n\n4 Q. How was he saved ? \n\nA. The kiift; of Egypt\'s daughter found him by the \nriver, and pitied the child, and brought him up for her \nown son. Exod. ii. 5, 6, 9. \n\n5 Q. Did he continue a courtier in Egypt? \n\nA. No; for when he was grown a man he shewed \npity to his kindred in their slavery, and slew an Egyp- \ntian; which being known, he iled from the court of Pha- \nraoh. Exod.. ii. 1 1 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n6 Q. Whither did he fly ? \n\nA. To the land of Midian, where he kept the sheep \nof Jethro a priest, or prince of the country, and married \nhis daughter. Exod. ii. 1-1, and iii. 1. \n\n7 Q. How did God appoint him to deliver Israel ? \nJl. God appeared to him in a; burning bush, as he was \n\n"keeping Jethro\'s sheep, and sent him to Pharaoh, to re- \nquire the release of Israel his people. Exod, iii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 IS. \n\n8 Q What was his oilice afterwards ?. \n\n(%. God made him the leader and lawgiver of the- \n\n\n\n22 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chtp\xc2\xbb3. \n\npeople of Israel. E.vod. xxxii. 34. Unit, wxiii. 4, 5. \nJohn i. 17. \n\n9 ^. Who was Aaron ? \n\nJ. He was brother to Moses, and he was Bent of God \nto meet liim as he was returning to Egypt, and appoint- \ned to assist him in his dealing with Pharaoh the kins. \nE.vod. iv. 14, 27. \n\n10 Q. What was Aaron\'s office afterwards? \n\nJi. He was made the first high priest of Israel. \nJBxod. xxviii. 1. Hcb. v. 1, 4. \n\n11 ((. How did Moses and Aaron prove to Ph \n\nand to the people, that God had sent them upon this \nerrand r \n\nJi. They had power given them from God him-- \nwork several miracles, or si^us and wo \nthe people of Israel, as well as Pharaoh, that they had a \ncommission from God. E.vod. iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n12 ((. What was the first miracle r \n\nJi. Aaron cast down his rod, and it because a serpent; \nand when Pharaoh\'s conjurors did so too, \nswallowed theirs all up. E.vod. vii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 1 ?. \n\n13 Q. What did Moses and Aaron do further to de- \nliver that people ? \n\nJi. Upon Pharaoh\'s refusal to let the people of] \ngo, they brought ten miraculous plagues upon flic kin^, \nand upon all the land, by the authority and power of \nGod. E.vod. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. and xiv. 10, &c. Pmlm \ncy. 26, &c \n\n14 Q. What were these ten pla!_ rl \n\nJ. (I.) Water turned into blood. (0. \\ \nLice. (4.) Flies. (5.) Murrain among \nand blisters on man and beast. (7.) Thunder, lightning \nand hail. (8.) Locusts. (9.) Thick darkness, \nfirst-born slain. \n\n13 q. Were Pharaoh and his people witling to re- \nlease the Israelite* \n\nJi. Yea : when they saw tin \nstroyed ; for there was not a \n\nnot one dead : then they hastened them out, and lent \nthem jewels and gold to adorn then \nship. E.vod. xii. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 36. \n\n\n\nChap: 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 23 \n\n16 Q. How great was the number of the Israelites \nthat went out of Egypt ? \n\nA. Six hundred thousand men, besides children, and \nall went on foot. Exod. xii. 37. \n\n17 ^. Which way did the Israelites bend their \njourney ? \n\nA. Toward the wilderness of the Red Sea, as they \nwere guided by God himself marching before them in a \npillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. \nExod. xiii. 18, 21. \n\n18 Q. But did not Pharaoh and his army pursue \nthem after they were gone ? \n\nA. Yes ; they repented that they let them go, and \npursued them to the Red Sea, resolving to destroy \nthem. Exod. xiv. 5, and xv. 9. \n\n1 9 Q. How did the people of Israel, who came out \nof Egypt, get over the Red Sea ? \n\nA. When they were in distress, with the Red Sea \nbefore them, and Pharaoh\'s army behind them, they cried \nunto God, whereon Moses bid them stand still, and see \nthe salvation of the Lord. Then, at the command of \nGod, Moses struck the sea with his rod, and divided the \nwaters asunder, and the children of Israel went through \nupon dry land, Exod. xiv. 10, 16, 21, 29. \n\n20 Q. What became of the Egyptians that followed \nthem ? \n\nA. God troubled their army, retarded their march, \nand when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea \nagain, the waters returned upon them, and they were \ndrowned. Exod. xiv. 28. \n\n21 Q. Whither did the. children of Israel go then ? \nA. They went wheresoever God guided them by the \n\npillar of cloud, and the pillar of fire ; and they moved, \nand they rested, according to the rest or the motion of \nIhis cloud. Exod. xiii. 21. Numb. x. 33, 34. \n\n22 Q. How did the people of Israel, who had seen \nall these wonders, behave themselves in their travels ? \n\nA. At every new difficulty, when they wanted meat \nor water, or met with enemies, they fell a murmuring \nagainst God and Moses. Exod. xv. 23. 24, and xvi. 2, 3. \n\n\n\nSCRIPTURE HISTOR*. (Imp. :,. \n\n23 ({. How long was it before they came t<\xc2\xbb the \nplace that God had promised them? \n\nA. They wandered forty years in the wildernest \ntheir sins. Numb. xiv. S2, S& See Psalm lxxviii. \n\n24 q. What did they cat all the time? \n\nA. God ted them with manna, or bread that came \ndown every night from heaven, and lav all round the \ncamp. E.vod. xvi. 4, 15, 35. J)eut. viii. 3. \n\n25 O. What did they drink in the wilderness ? \n\nA. Moses smote the rock with his rod, and wii<r \ngushed out in a river, which altended them in their jour- \nnies. E.vod. xvii. 5, 6. 1 Cor. x. 4. A\'umb. xx. 11. \nNehem. ix. 15. \n\n26 Q. What did they do for clothes during thesf \nforty years ? \n\nA. Their raiment waxed not old, nor did their \nwear out. Dent. xxix. 5. \n\n27 Q. Did Moses govern all this people himself r \n\nA, By his father in law Jcthro\'s advice, and by God\'s \napprobation, he appointed officers and judu r e> over the \npeople for common cases, but every harder cause \nbrought to Moses. E.vod. xviii. \n\n28 Q. You told me, that Moses was a lawgivi \nthe Jews or people of Israel ; pray how came he l>\\ \nwise and holy laws which he gave them r \n\nA. He conversed with God fourscore days and nighti \nin Mount Sinai, and there he learnt them. / \n12\xe2\x80\x9418. Deut. ix. 9, 18. \n\nNote. The people of Israel were not all nil af- \n\nter the return from the captivity of Babylon, the chiel i \n1hn.\xc2\xabe who returned being of the tribe "f Judah: yet in all later \nhistories, the Israelites art- so universally called \nhave sometimes used this name even in the < nrli< \nhistory. \xe2\x80\x94 It is plain, that M \nSinai, and that forty \n\nand finding the id"! -.: \\> n calf, t>r..i; \n\ntin- law which God wroti ! called him d \n\nsecond time, and wrote the law on u< v \nxxxiv. 1\xe2\x80\x946, 28. \n\n29 ({. What token was there that Most \n\nwith God ? \n\n\n\n(hap. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 25 \n\n/J. The face of Moses shone so that the people could \nnot converse with hirfv, till he put a veil on his face. \nExod. xxxiv. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n50 Q. What sort of laws were those which Moses \ngave the Jews ? \n\nJ. Moral laws, ceremonial laws, and judicial laws, \nand all by God\'s own appointment. Exod. xxiv. 12. \nIsa. xxxiii. 22. \n\n31 Q. What was the religion of the Jews, or Israel- \nites? . \n\nA. The same with the religion of Adam after his* fall ; \nof ISoah, and Abraham, in Chap. II, Q. 50, with these \nadditions given by Moses, \n\nXote. This is called the Jewish, or Mosaical, or Leviti- \ncal dispensation ; and herein God may be considered under \nthree characters. \n\n1. As the Universal Creator of all men, and as the Lord \nGod and Ruler of the souls and consciences of all, and of the \nJews, as a part of mankind : and under this character he re- \nquired of the Jews all the duties of the light of nature, or the \nmoral law, which obliged all mankind as well as them, and \nthat under every dispensation. \n\n2- He may be considered as the God of Israel, or the Jews, \nas a church outward and visible ; whom he had separated from \nthe Test of the nations to be a peculiar people to himself ; and \nso he prescribed to them peculiar forms of worship, and special \nceremonies and rites of religion, as tokens of their duty and \nhis grace. \n\n3. He may be considered as the proper King of the Israel- \nites as a nation, and as they were his subjects, and so he gave \nthem judicial or political laws, which relate to their govern- \nment, and the common affairs of the civil law. \xe2\x80\x94 But these three \nsorts of laws are not kept so entirely distinct as not to be inter- \nmingled with each other. It is all indeed but one body of laws, \nand given properly to that one people under different dispensa- \ntions. And on this account it is sometimes hard to say, under \nwhich head some of these commands of God must be reduced. \nSome commands relating to their houses and garments, their \nplowing and sowing^ and the prohibition of particular sorts of \nfood, are naturally ranked under their political laws; and yet \nthere is plainly something ceremonial or religious designed or \nincluded in them. Again, that which we call the moral law, or \nthe ten commands, is for the most part the law of nature, but it \nhas something of a positive institution, ceremonial or ritual, in \n4 \n\n\n\n26 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 4. \n\nit. This n vrrv plain in the fourth comii - tenth \n\nday sabbath: But jn this catechism it was \n\ninto too nice inquiries on this subject. The threi \n\nthis distinction of the Jewish laws in th \n\n.enough, though they happen to be intermingled in some . \n\n\n\nCHAP. IV. \n\nOf the Moral Laic. \n\n1 Q. Which was the moral law jjiven to the J \n\n.3. All those commands which relate to their beha- \nviour, considered as men, and which lie scattered up and \ndown in the books of Moses ; but they are as it wert re- \nduced into a small compass in the ten commandments. \n\n2 Q. How were these ten commands first nren them } \nJi. By the voice of God on Mount Sinai, three months \n\nafter their coming out of Egjprt : and it was attended \nwith thunder, and fire, and smoke, and the sou ml of i \ntrumpet. Exod. xix. 18, 19, and xx. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \n\n3 ^. Where was this moral law more especially \nwritten ? \n\nJi. In the two tables of stone which God wrote with \nhis own hand, and save to Moses. Bxod. xxiv. 1 -?, \nchap, xxxii. 15, 16, and xxxiv. 1. \n\n4 Q. What did the first table contain ? \n\nJi. Their duty towards God in the fr.-st four coin- \nmandments. See Exod. xx. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 11. DeuL \\ \n\n5 Q. What are these four first commands \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2& (1.) Thou shalt have no other eods before me. \n\n(2.) Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven im- \nage, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, \nOr that is in the earth beneath, or that is in I \n\xe2\x96\xa0der the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, \nJior serve them ; for 1 the Lord thy God am a je \nGod, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the child- \nren, unto the third and fourth generation of them that \nhate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them thai \nlove me, and keep my command \n\n\n\nChap. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY.- 2? \n\n(3.) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy \nGod in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless \nthat taketh his name in vain. \n\n(-!.) Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six \ndays shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but the sev- \nenth day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou \nshalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daugh- \nter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy \ncattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates ; for in \nsix days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and \nall that in them is, and rested the seventh day : where- \nfore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. \n\n6 Q. Is God\'s resting from his works of creation the \nseventh day, the only reason why the Jews were requir- \ned to keep the sabbath or day of rest ? \n\nJi. This latter part of the fourth commandment, \nnamely, the reason of the sabbath, taken from the crea-" \ntion, and God\'s resting on the seventh day, is entirely \nomitted in the rehearsal of the ten commands in the \nfifth or Deuteronomy: and instead of it the Jews are re- \nquired to observe this command of the sabbath or holy \nrest, for another reason, namely, because they were \nslaves in Egypt, and God gave them a release and rest \nfrom their slavery. Deut. v. 15. Though it is possible \nboth reasons of this command might be pronounced from \nMount Sinai, and only that mentioned in Exodus be writ \non the tables of stone. * \n\n7 ({. What did the second table contain ? \n\n\xc2\xbb?. Their duty toward man in the side last command- \nments. Exod. xx. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 17. Deut v. 22. \n\n8 ^. What are these six last commandments ? \n\nJi. (5.) Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy \ndays may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God \ngiveth thee. \n\n(6.) Thou shalt not kill. \n\n(7.) Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n\n(8.) Thou shalt not steal. \n\n(9.) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy \nneighbour. \n\n(10.) Thou 6halt not covet thy neighbour\'s house; \n\n\n\n28 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( i \n\nthou shalt not covet thy neighbour\'s wife, nor his man \nservant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor hi- if \nany thing that is thy neighbou: \n\n9 Q. Were these ten commands given to the . \nonly, or are they given to all mankind r \n\njr. Almost everything contained in these coma \nis taught by 1he light of nature, and obliges all mankind : \nthe honour that is done them in the New Testament in- \ntimates this also. Hut there are several expression! in \nthese laws by which it plainly appears, they were pecu- \nliarly appropriated and suited to the Jewish nation in \ntheir awful proclamation at Mount Sinai. \n\n10 Q. Wherein does it appear so plainly that these \nlaws, as given at Mount Sinai, have a peculiar reap \n\nthe Jews r \n\nJ. This is evident in the preface, where God enga- \nges their attention and obedience by telling them, that he \n^Cl!s the Lord tticir God, who brought tliem out of the \nland of Egypt. Tins appears also in the fuurth com, \nmand, where the seventh day is the appointed sabbath \nfor the Jews : and in J)eut. v. 15, God <_ r ive> tins i \nfor the sabbath, that he brought them out if Egypt with \na mighty hand. It is yet further manifest in the tilth \ncommandment, where the promise of hug lif> in the \nland, literally refers to the land of Canaan which God \ngave to that people : that thy days may be long in t In- \nland which the Lord thy Hod givetk thn>. iel,a\xc2\xab i- \nbefore intimated, the citation of them by the apostles in \nthe New Testament as rules of our duty, doth plainly \nenforce the enervation of them s;> tar on the com \n<es of Christians. \n\n\n\nCHAP. V. \n\nOf the Ceremonial Law of the ./. \n\n1 (\xc2\xa3. What was the ceremonial law : \nJ. All those commands which seem to have some \nreligious design in them, especially such as related to \n\n\n\nSecil. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 29 \n\ntheir cleansings from any defilement, and their peculiar \nforms of worship. \n\nNote . I have hinted before, that several of the political laws, \nwhich were given to the Jews bj God as their King, have some- \nthing ceremonial in them ; and they were designed to be \nemblems, type*, or figures of some spiritual parts of religion. \nThere were also some parts of their ceremonies of purification, \nand their rites of religious worship, which have a political as- \npect, and were prescribed by God as King of their nation. But \nI choose to rank all their purifying rites, and their rules of wor- \nship, rather under this head of the ceremonial or religious laws, \nbecause their forms of purification do more plainly and eminent- \nly typify or represent to us how much care the people of God \nshould take to be separated and purified from every sin, and \nfrom the communion of sinners : and the Jewish rites of worship \nrepresent to us, by wav of type or emblem, that, spiritual and \nevangelic worship which should be paid to God, especially un- \nder the New Testament, as the Lord of souls and consciences ; \nas well as those blessings of the Gospel, which are brought in \nby Christ and the Holy Spirit, are represented hereby. \n\n\n\nSect. I. Of the Ceremonies of Purification. \n\n3 {\xc2\xa3. What were the chief rites or ceremonies ap- \npointed for purification or cleansing among the Jews ? \n\nJi. Washing with water, sprinkling with water or \nblood, anointing with holy oil, shaving the head of man \nor woman, together with various sorts of sacrifices, and \nsome other appointments. Heb. ix. 10, 13, 19. Lev. xv. \nxvi. and xiii. 33. Numb. vi. 19: Exod. xl. 9. \n\n3 Q. What were those things or persons among the \nJews which were required to be purified ? \n\nJ. All persons, houses or buildings, garments, or \nother things, which were set apart for the service of God % \nand all such as had been defiled by leprosy, by touching \nhuman dead bodies, or the carcases of any unclean ani- \nmal, or by other ceremonial pollutions. See Lev. xi. xii. \nxiii. xiv. and xv. Exod. xl. 9\xe2\x80\x9415. Numb. viii. 6, and \nxix. 9, &c. \n\n4* \n\n\n\n30 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. \n\n4 Q. How were the persons or things of the gentiles \nto be purified for the use of the Israelites i \n\nA. The things which could endure thr fire," were to \n\npass through the fire; other things were to be n \nwith water. Numb. xxxi. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 ^4. And the maidens \nwere to have their heads shaven, and their nails pared, \nbefore an Israelite could take any of them for a wife. \nDeut. xxi. 12. \n\n5 ^. Were there not some things which could n<>; \nbe purified at all by any ceremonio ? \n\nA. All the several nations of Canaanites, and the \nmales among other gentile captives in war, who had re- \nfused the offer of peace, were judged so unclean and \npolluted, that they were all to be destroved. Deut. vii. \n1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. Josh.Vi. 21, vii. 26, and x. 28, 30, 32, -in, fc& \nDeut. xx. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 17. And the houses and garments of tin- \nIsraelites, where the leprous spots could not be taken \naway, were to be destroyed also. Lev. xiii. 57, and c/i \nxiv. 45, and those Israelites in whom the leprosy prevail- \ned, were to be shut out of the camp as unclean. Lev. \nxiii. 45, 46. \n\n6 Q. Were there any crimes of real immorality oi \nimpiety which could be taken away by any of these out- \nward ceremonies of purification r \n\nA. The mere outward performance of any of these \nceremonies did purify the persons defiled no further, \nthan to set them right in their political state, as subjects \nunder God as their King; and to cleanse them, as mem- \nbers of the Jewish visible church, from ceremonial defile* \nment. Heb. ix. 13. The blood of bulla and of _ \nand the ashes of an heijer, sprinkling the umlran, asae- \ntifieth no further than to the purifying of the Jlsh. \nBut Heb. 10. 4. It is not possible that the blood of bulls \nand goats should take away sins; that is, a- the \ncommitted against God as the Lord of their sou I \nconsciences. \n\n7 Q. How then were the sins of the Jew- elea \n\nor pardoned, I mean their real immoralities and impie- \nties against God, as the Lord of cons< i \n\nA. They obtained pardou of God according to the \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 31 \n\ndiscovery of grace and forgiveness scattered up and \ndown through all the five books of Moses, and especially \naccording to the promises made, and the encouragements \ngiven to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and in general to \nall those who sincerely repent of sin, and trust in the \nmercy of God, so far as it was then revealed, and to be \nfurther revealed in time to come. Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. \nDent. iv. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 51. Isa. lv. 7, &c. But this forgiveness \nis oming to the effectual atonement of Christ, which was \nto b\xe2\x82\xac made in clue time, and which took away sins past \nas well as to come. Horn, iii. 21, 24, 25, 26. \n\n8 Q. Did these outward rites of purification then \ndo nothing towards the removal of their moral defile- \nments or sins ? \n\nJi. As their outward or ceremonial defilements were \nappointed to be emblems and figures of the spiritual or \nmoral defilement of the soul by sin, so many of these \nceremonies of purification, and particularly those by wa- \nter and blood, were pledges and tokens to assure them \nthat God would forgive sin; and they were also figures \nand emblems of the removal of moral defilement or \nsin from the souls of men by the atoning blood of Christ, \nand by the sanctifying spirit of God, which is represent- \ned under the figure of clean water- See Heb. ix. and x. \n\nNote. The following question perhaps might come in pro- \nperly after the account of sacrifices ; But having here inquired \nwhether the ceremonies of purification did any thing toward \nthe removal of the moral defilement of sin, I thought it as \nproper to introduce it here, as a kind of objection against the \nforegoing answers. \n\n9 Q. But were there not some Jewish sacrifices and \nmethods of purification and atonement, appointed for \nsome real immoralities and wickedness, as when a man \nhad committed a trespass against the Lord, by lying to \nhis neighbour, by cheating or robbing him, or by swearing \nfalsely, when he had found any thing that was lost, and \nwithheld it from the owner? Lev. vi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. Is it not \nsaid, He shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, \nand the priest shall make an atonement for him before \nthe Lord) and it shall be forgiven him? \n\n\n\n52 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. \n\nJi. This trespass offering would set him right in- \ndeed in tlw Bishl of God, ;ts Kiii\'j; of the nation ;:. \nwhose political laws the man had committed tin- \npass; but it never was designed to free him froi \nguilt of his sin in the Bight of God .:- the Lord ol con- \nscience, unless he repented of this sin in his heart, and \ntrusted in the mercy ol\' God bo far as it was \nthat day ; for it is a certain truth, that tin blood <>f \ncannot take away sin. Heb. x. 1. \n\nI \n\nSect. II. Of the Holy ! \n\n10 Q. Having*finished the rites of purificatioi \nus inquire now what were the most remarkable \nrelating to their forms of public worship? \n\nA. These live, namely, holy persons, and holy > \nholy things, holy times, and holy actions. \n\n11 Q. "What mean you by calling all the* \n\n%J. I mean such persons, such places, such thing! \nsuch times and actions, as wore devoted to God and his \nworship, or appointed for his special service. \xe2\x80\xa2 \nxvi. 5. Lev. xxi. 8, and xxii. 15. \n\n12 Q. Who might be called the holy persons among \nthe Jews or Israelites ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2\xc2\xa3. The priests and the Nazarites, and all the 1 . \nLev. xxi. 1, 6. Numb. vi. 2, 8, and viii. 14, ; \nsometimes the whole nation are called holy. I \nxix. 6. \n\n13 ({. Who were appointed to be / n I Us ? \n\nJi. First Aaron himself, and then the eldest of Aaron\'s \nfamily were appointed to be high priests in bu< < ession ; \nand the rest of his *ons and tneir posterity were the \ntipriests, provided they had no blemish in their bodies. \nLev. xvi. 32, and xxi. 17. Exod. rxix. 30. A\'amb. iii. \n5, 4, 10, 32, chap. iv. 16, chap. xvi. -40, and \n\n14 Q. How were they made priest \n\nJ. They were solemnly separated at first to the \n\nS riot\'s office by anointings, and purifications, and sacri- \nces. Lev. viii. \n\n\n\nSect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. S3 \n\n15 Q. "What was the business of the priests ? \n\nA. Their chief business was to offer sacrifices to the \nLord, to burn incense before him in the holy place, to \nkindle the lamps, to do the Higher services of the sanc- \ntuary, and to instruct the people. Lev. i. 5, 7, 8, and ii. \n2. Numb. xvi. 40. Exod. xxx. 7. \n\n16 ^. What was the office of the high priest ? \n\nA. He was appointed to come nearer to God, even \nto enter into the most holy place, to do special services \non tfie yearly day of atonement, to oversee all the pub- \nlic worship, and to judge among them, in many civil \nmatters as well as religious. Acts, xxiii. 4, 5. Lev. xvi. \nA"nmb. iii. 4, 6. Veut. xvii. \n\n17 Q. Was there any work which the priests per* \nformed in common with the high priest ? \n\nA. All the priests were to teach the people their du- \nty, to assist in judging of civil and religious matters, \nand bless the people in the name of the Lord. Deut. xvii. \n8 \xe2\x80\x94 13, and xxi. 5. Numb. vi. 23. Mai. ii* 7. \n\nNote. The priests were appointed to give the sense of the \nlaw in civil as well as religious concerns, because the same God \nwho was the object of their worship was also King of their na- \ntion. \n\n18 Q. Who were the Nazarites ? \n\nA. Men or women of any tribe who separated or de- \nvoted themselves to the Lord for a time by a particular \nvow. Numb. vi. \n\n19 Q. What were the rules of a Nazarite\'s vow or \nseparation ? \n\nA. He was to drink no wine nor strong liquor, to \ncome at no dead body, nor to suffer any razor to come \nupon his head, but let his hair grow all the time, unless \nhe fell under some ceremonial defilement. Numb. vi. \n5, 6, 9, &c. \n\n20 Q. How was his vow to be finished or ended ? \nA. By shaving his head at the door of the tabernacle, \n\noffering a sacrifice, and burning his hair in the fire of it. \nNumb.Yi. 13, 18. \n\n21 Q. Who were the Lzvites \xc2\xa3 \n\n\n\n34 SCRIPTCRK HISTORY. (Lap. 5. \n\nA. All the tribe or familj of Levi, for ti \nken into the service of God, instead of the first-born of \nall the tribes of Israel, whom God claimed as his own. \nMmb. iii. 40, and viii. IS \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n22 q. AVhy did God claim nil the first-born of \nIsrael ? \n\nA. Because he saved them from the destroying an- \ngel, when he smote all the first-born of Egypt A\'umb. \nviii. 14\xe2\x80\x9418. \n\n23 Q. What was the business of the Levites ? I \n\nA. To wait on the priests in their office, and to do \nthe lower services of the sanctuary or holy place. Numb. \nviii. 19, and iii. 4, 6\\ \n\n24 Q. How were the Levites separated to the service \nof the sanctuary ? \n\nA. . By sprinkling water of purification on them, \nshaving their flesh, washing their garments, and t ; . \npie laying their hands on them, as well as by several \nsacrifices. Numb. vi. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n\n\nSect. III. Of the Holy Places, particularly the \nTabernacle. \n\n25 Q. Next to the holy persons let us inquire what \nwere the holy places ? \n\nA. The tabernacle in the days of Moses, and the \ntemple in the days of Solomon, each of which i> - \ntimes called the sanctuary. Exod. xxv. 8. I Chrou. \nxxii. 19. \n\n26 ((. What was the tabernacle ? \n\nA. It was a sort of moveable building, made of pil- \nlars and boards, set in sockets of silver, and fine linen \ncurtains embroidered with cherubs, and coupled with \nloops and tacks of gold, that the whole might be t dcen \nto pieces, and carried with them in their journies. \nExod. x\\ \\i. \n\nXoif. When Mos< - I ad r c\xc2\xab i\\i .1 full \ntabernacle, he cam< ad found the \n\n\n\n\xc2\xbbect.3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 3d \n\npeople had been guilty of idolatry, in making a golden calf: \n(hen it is said, He took the tabernacle, and pitched it without \nthe camp, and afar from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle \nof the Congregation : and every one that sought the Lord icent \nout to this tabernacle. This is supposed to be a little occasional \ntabernacle, made like a small chapel for present worship- for \nGod resided there at the door of it in a cloudy pillar ; and Mo- \nses went into this tabernacle and talked with God there. Exod. \nxxxiii. 6, 7, &c. But when the great tabernacle was finished, \naccording to God\'s appointment, it stood not without the camp, \nas appears in the following question. \n\n27 Q. Where did the tabernacle stand when it was \nreared up ? \n\nJl. It stood within a large space of ground which \nwas called the court of the tabernacle, one hundred cu- \nbits long, and fifty cubits broad. Exod. xxvii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \nand all the tribes pitched their tents round about it. \nNumb. ii. \xc2\xa3\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\n28 Q. How was the court %\xc2\xa3 the tabernacle en- \nclosed ? \n\nJl. It was enclosed by a row of pillars on each side, \nwith curtains reaching from pillar to pillar. Exod. xxvii. \n9\xe2\x80\x9418, and xl. 33. \n\n29 Q. How was the tabernacle covered ? \n\nJl. With four vails or curtains; one of fine linen, \none of goats hair ; the third was made of the skins of \nrams dyed red, and the fourth or outermost of badger \nskins to endure the weather. Exod. xxvi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n30 Q. Into what rooms was the tabernacle divided ? \nJl. Into the holy place, where the priests entered to \n\nminister daily, and the most holy place, where none but \nthe high priest entered, and that but once a year. Heb. \n*ix. 6, 7. \n\n31 Q. How was the holy place divided from the \nmost holy? \n\nJl. By a curtain or vail of fine linen of various \ncolours embroidered with cherubs, and hung on four \npillars overlaid with gold. Exod. xxvi. 31, 32, 34. \n\n32 Q. What was the temple ? \n\nJl. A most glorious building of stone and timber, \n.raised near five hundred years afterward by king Solo- \n\n\n\n3G SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI \n\nmon, instead of this moveable tabernacle. 1 Chvon. \nxvii. 5, 11, T2. 1 Kings, vi. 1 \n33 Q. Hut besides these hoi v places, (namely, the \n\ntabernacle and the temple) was not Jerusalem called the \nholy city ? \n\nJl. Yes ; because God appointed the tabernacle in \nDavid\'s time to be removed to Mount Zion, and because \nthe temple was built by Solomon on Mount Moriah, \nboth which are included within the city* of Jerusalem. \nJVeh. xi. 1. 2 Chron. iii. 1, and 1 Kings, viii. 1. \n\n\n\nSect. IV. Of the Holy Things, namely, Altars, \nGarments, Sacrifices, dj*c. \n\n34 Q. What yierc the holy things ? \n\nA. There was a great number of holy things made of \ngold and silver, brass ai^cl wood, and fine linen, and oth- \ner materials, both dry and liquid, which were used in \nthe Jewish worship. \n\n35 Q. What were the chief or most considerable of \nthese holy things ? \n\nA. The ark of the covenant, and the mercy-seat, the \naltar of incense, the table and the candlestick, the altar \nof burnt-offering, and the laver, the priests\' garments, \nthe sacrifices, the purifying water, the holy oil and holy \nperfume, together with vessels or instruments relal \nall or any of these. Ejcod. xxxi. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 11. rji \n\n36 ({. What was the ark ? \n\nA. It was a chest or coffer made of wood, and i \nlaid with gold, wherein the two tables of the law were \nkept, of God\'s own writing, with some other pre \nthings, which were afterward laid up there. ExoiL \\\\\\. \n10\xe2\x80\x9416. Dent. x. 1\xe2\x80\x945. Jleb. ix. 4, 5. \n\nNote. The rod of Varon, which blossomed and brought forth \nalmonds, and the pot of manna, which the I*ra< lit< \nin the wilderness, were both ] ;i id up in the rk f< r ;i )>\xe2\x80\xa2 \nmemorial of those miraculous events, Kxod. x\\ i. \nNumb. xvii. 10. Heb. ix. 4. Though - \nsuppose these were only pi rk, and Dot in it. \n\n\n\n" \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ST \n\n37 Q. What was the mercy-seat ^ \n,f It was the covering of the ark, and it was made of \n|purc gold, with a cherub of gold at each end of it, with \nTheir wings* stretched out to cover the mercy-seat, and \ntheir faces towards each other, and toward the mercy- \nseat also. Exod. xv. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 21. \n\nNote. A cherub is used in Scripture to denote some angelic \npower under the figure of some strange anfmal. It is described \nalways like a living creature with wings, and probably with clo- \nven feet too ; but whether it be rather in the shape of an ox, \nor of a man, the learned are not agreed. Perhaps it was some- \ntimes nearer to the one form, and sometimes to. the other. \n\n58 Q. Why was the covering of the ark called the \nmercy -seat ? \n\nJi. Because God dwelt on it asn*k|^rod of Israel, \nbetween the cherubs, in a body of ligli^Jp. bright cloud, \nand appeared there as a God of mercy, accepting their \nsacrifices and their prayers. Eocod. xxv. 22.*\xc2\xbb Lev. xvi. \n2. JVwmb. vii. 1 9. PsalAxxx. 1. This light was called \nby the Jews the Sheehinah, or the habitation of God, and \nsometimes the Glory. Rom. ix. 4. \n\n39 Q. Where were the ark and the mercy-seat plac- \n\n\n\ned \n\n\n\nA. In the holy of holies within the vail. Exod. xxvi. \n33, 34. \n\n40 Q. What was the altar of incense ? \n\nJI. An altar made of wood, covered with gold, with \na crown or ledge of gold round about it. Exod. xxx. \n\n41 Q. What was done here ? \n\nA. Incense or perfume or sweet spices was burnt and \noffered upon it every morning and evening. Exod. xxx. \n7,8. \n\n42 q. What was the table? \n\nJi. The table was made of wood, covered with gold, \nand had a golden crown or ledge round it, with golden \ndishes and spoons. Exod. xxv. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n43 Q. What was put on this table ? \n\nJI. Twelve cakes of bread were set there fresh every \nsabbath, and it was called shew-bread. Lev. xxiv. &-\'\xe2\x96\xa0"\xe2\x96\xa0 \n5 \n\n\n\n* \n\n\n\n58 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. \n\n44 Q. What was the candlestick ? \n\nA. It was made of pure gold, like a pillar or shaft. \nwith three branches on each side, and thus it would hold \none lamp on the top, and six lamps on the hit \nExod. xxv. 31. \n\n45 Q. When were these lamps drcs-rd } \n\nA. Every morning and every evening they were \ndressed and supplied with pure oil, to burn always before \nthe Lord. Exod. xxviii. 20, and xxx. 7, 8. \n\n46 Q. Where were the altar of incense, the table of \n-hew-bread, and the candlestick placed ? \n\nA. In the holy place. \n\n47 Q. What was the altar of burnt-offering f \nA. It was made of wood, and overlaid with b \n\nwith shovels and fire-pans, and basons and other vessels \nbelonging to it.^flpH. xxvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n48 Q. WhIHKsThe use of it r \n\nA. All the burnt-offerings and sacrifices were offered \n.:ponit. Exod. xxxviii. 1. \n\n49 Q. What was one of the chief glories of it ? \n\nA. That the first sacrifice that was offered upon it, \nwas burnt by fire from heaven, and that fire was always \nkept burning there for holy uses. Lev. ix. 24, and vi. L*. \n\n50 Q. What was the laver ? \n\nA. A vast vessel of brass containing a large quantitv \nof water. Exod. xxx. 1 8\xe2\x80\x942 1 . \n\n51 ^. What was the design of it ? \n\nA. For the priests to wash their hands and theii \nwhen they went to do service in the tabernacle. / \nxxx. 18\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\n52 Q. Where did the altar of burnt-offering and the \nlaver stand ? \n\nA. In the court of the tabernacle, under the open sky. \nExod. xl. 29, 30. \n\n53 Q. Having seen the holy things that belong \nthe tabernacle, let us now inquire what were the p \nholy garments? \n\nA." The common priests had a vest called an ephod, \nand some peculiar garments of fine linen appointed them \nwhen they ministered in the tabernacle; but r \nmen(l of \\}\\a high priest were very peculiar, and < \n\n\n\nt \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 39 \n\ning rich and glorious. 1 &\xc2\xab?n.xxii. 18. Exod. xxxix. 1, \n27, 41. \n\n54 Q What were the high priest\'s chief garments ? \nJi. These six or seven, namely, the ephod, with the \n\nbreast-plate and girdle of curious work, the robe of the \nephod, the embroidered linen coat, and the mitre, with a \ngolden plate. Exod. xxviii. 4. \n\nNote here. The common priests had such a linen coat and \ngirdle, but not embroidered, and such a mitre of linen, but \nwithout a golden plate. Exod. xxviii. 40. \n\n55 Q. What was the ephod? \n\nJi. It was a sort of short vest without sleeves, to be \nworn above all the other garments ; it was made of fine \nlinen, with blue, purple, and scarlet, interwoven with \nplates and wires of gold. Exod. xxxix. 2, 3. \n\n56 Q. W r hat was the breast-plate ? \n\nJi. It was made of the same work as the ephod ; of \na span square, with twelve jewels set in gold, ranked in \nfour rows and fastened to the ephod. Exod. xxxix. 8, \n9, 10. \n\n57 Q. What was engraven on these jewels ? \n\nJi. The twelve names of the children of Israel, that the \nhigh priest might bear them on his breast, as a memorial \nbefore the Eord. Exod. xxviii. 32, and xxxix. 14. \n\n58 Q. What was the Urim and Thummim on the \nbreast-plate ? \n\nJi. It was something whereby the mind and will of \nGod were made known to the high priest, when he in- \nquired in cases of difficulty. Exod. xxviii. 30. Numb. \nxxvii. 31, \n\nNote here, on this ephod wns the Urim and Thummim in the \nbreast plate, Avhich are sometimes called the oracle, because the \nhigh-priest by consulting this in any inquiry of importance \nfound the mind of God, and told it to the inquirer. But we \nknow not what this Urim and Thummim were, or by what signs \nor tokens, or in whafc,manner the mind of God was made \nknown, on or by this bYeast-plate to the priest, whether the an- \nswer was given by a particular lustre on such letters on the \nbreast-plate as spelled out distinct words, or whether by a voice \nfrom the ephod, or from the mercy-seat, is not hitherto agreed \nby the learned, and their conjectures about it are very various \n-and uncertain, \n\n\n\n40 8CRIPTURK HISTORY. Chap. 5. \n\n59 Q. What was the girdle of the ephod ? \n\nJj. A curious linen girdle of embroidered work, to \nbind the ephod with other garments close to the body, \nE.vod. xxviii. 8, and some suppose it t<> hare been fasten- \ned to the ephod. \n\nt ; ({. What was the robe of the ephod ? \n\nA. It was an upper garment woven all of blue, wi\xc2\xbb!i \nwrought pomegranates, and golden bells hanging ob the \nhem, to make a sound when the high priest went into \nthe holy place. E.vod. xxxix. 31, S3, &c. \n\n61 ({. What was the coat? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 i. An under garment, closer to the body, raa< \nlinen, and finely embroidered. Ejcud. xxviii. 4, \n\n62 Q. What was the mitre ? \n\n./. It was a cap of fine linen, with a plate of pure \ngold fastened on the fore part, of it with a lace of blue. \nE.vod. xxviii. xxxvi. and xxxix. \xc2\xa38, 30. \n\n(33 Q. What was engraved on this plate ? \n\n*1. Holiness to the Lord, because Aaron P \nbear the iniquity of their holy things, that they might be \naccepted before the Lord. Exod. xxviii. \nxxxix. 28, 30, 31. \n\no4 Q. Thus much for the holy garnqp - \nus hear what are the sacrifices that were appointed, \nwhich are also numbered among the holy thi \n\nJi. All sacrifices were offerings made to God : some \nwere of corn, or wine, or oil ; and others v \nof living creatures, birds or beast-, which w< \nto be slain : But all \nkind, and without a blemish. Lev, sxii. 19, CO. \n\nTh< re :.- on \n:.], where a bollock or a lamb, vvl \nmall natural itn] \n\niu the o \xe2\x80\xa2 \xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0; a mi . \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nplainly to require sacrifices without .\xc2\xbb blen \n; ira think this text dj \n\n\n\nhere were these sacrifices to be ofi\'ered r \nother place but at the dour of the \' \npie. Lev. xvil 8. 9. V \n\n\n\nG5 q. w \n\nJ. Id no \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 41 \n\n66 Q. But do we not read of Gideon and Samuel, \nand David, and Elijah, building altars, and offering sa- \ncrifices in other places ? \n\nJl. This was not lawful to be done but by prophets \nand inspired men, or at God\'s express command. \n\n67 Q. How were the sacrifices offered to God ? \n\nJl. In some sacrifices the whole was burnt on the al- \ntar; in others, a part was burnt, and other parts were \ngiven to the priests for their subsistence : And in some \nsacrifices the person who offered them was allowed to \npartake also. See the seven first chapters of Leviticus. \n\n68 Q. What was done with the blood of the living \ncreatures that were sacrificed ? \n\nJl. The blood was never to be eaten, but to be pour- \ned out or sprinkled, according to God\'s appointment; \nfor the blood is the soul or life of the beast, and it is \nblood that maketh atonement for the soul or life of man. \nSee Lev. xvii. \n\n69 Q. What was the design of sacrifices of corn, \nwine, and oil ? \n\nJl. These were called meat-offerings and drink-of- \nferings, and they were appointed chiefly to give thanks \nto God for mercies received. \n\n70 Q. What was the design of killing and burning \nliving creatures in sacrifices ? \n\nJl. Some might be designed perhaps by way of thanks- \ngiving, but most of them were to make atonement for \nsins oi trespasses against the law of the Jews, or to pu- \nrify the unclean from some ceremonial defilement. Heb. \nix. 7, 13, 22. \n\n71 Q. How could the killing and burning of living \ncreatures make atonement for sin ? \n\nJl. It is not possible (as St. Paul assures us) that \nthe blood of bulls and goats should really take away sins \ncommitted against God, as the Lord of conscience : \nbut when a man among the Jews had offended God, con- \nsidered as a King of the nation, by some civil trespass \nagainst the laws of the land, God was pleased to accept \nof the suffering or death of the beast, instead of the \ndeath or suffering of the man : or if a person fell into \n5* \n\n\n\nr: SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. \n\nsome ceremonial defilement, he was to be purifie \nthe blood of a beast: and this was an emblem, 01 \nand token lhat the sin of man deserved death, and that \nGod, considered as the Lord of conw ience, would foi \n\nfive sin, and would accept of the sufl\'eringa and (hath oi \nis Son in due time, as a real sacrifice <>f atonement, in \nthe room of the sianer. See Heb. ix. and x. 1 Pet. i \n19, and ii. 24. See Quest. 6, 7, 8, of this chapter. \n\n72 Q. With what fire were the sacrifices bumf r \nJi. With fire which came down at first from he \n\non the altar, and it was kept always burning on the altai \nfor sacred uses, that is, to light the lamps, to burn in- \ncense and to kindle other fires in their worship. Lev- \nix. 24, and vi. 1 3. \n\n73 Q. Who were those persons that dared to \nother fire in worship than what God had appointed r \n\nJl. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, burnt in- \ncense with strange fire. Lev. x. \n\n74 Q. What was their punishment ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa25. There went out a fire from the Lord and de- \nvoured them. Lev.\\. 1, 2. \n\n75 Q. When were these various sacrifices to be \noffered ? \n\nA. Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, and on many \nspecial occasions, as God revealed to Moses. \n\n76 ^. What was the daily sacrifice/ \n\nA. A young lamb every morning and every evening \nfor a burnt-offering, together with a meat-offering and \ndrink-offering. Numb, xxvii. 3, &c. \n\n77 Q. What was the design of it ? \n\nJi. To keep the people in remembrance that for then \ndaily sins they needed continual atonement and pardon, \nand that God required continual thanksgiving for his \ndaily mercies. \n\n78 Q. What were the weekly, monthly, and yearlv \nsacrifices? \n\nA. Such as were required on the several holy times, \nor the festivals and fasts which God appointed. \n\n79 Q. What was the special sacrifice which \noffered to make the purifying water, called the icu\' \nseparation ? \n\n\n\nsect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 43 \n\nJl. A red heifer was to be slain and burnt without \nthe camp, with her skin, flesh, and blood, with cedar- \nwood, hyssop and scarlet: and all the ashes were to be \ngathered and laid up in a clean place without the camp. \nNumb, xix. \n\n80 Q. How was the water of separation to be made r \nJl. Some of the ashes of the burnt heifer were to be \n\nput in a vessel, and to be mingled with running water \nNumb. xix. 17. \n\n81 Q. What was the use of it ? \n\nJl. To purify persons, or things, or places, which \nwere defiled by touching a human dead body, or the \nbones of a man, or a grave, ver. 11 \xe2\x80\x94 16, \n\n82 Q. How must it be applied to the defiled thing \nor person in order to cleanse them ? \n\nA. Some clean person must take hyssop and dip it \nin water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon the \npersons and vessels that were unclean, ver. 18. Psalm \nfi.7. Heb. ix. 13. \n\n83 Q. After the water of purification, tell me now \nwhat was the holy anointing oil ? \n\nJl. It was a kind of liquid ointment, compounded of \nmyrrh, cinnamon, and other rich spices, with oil-olive s \nby the art of the apothecary ; and there was none to be \nmade like it on pain of death. Exod. xxx. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 33. \n\n84 Q. What was the use of this holy oil ? \n\nJl. All the vessels of the tabernacle were to be \nanointed with it, as well as Aaron the high priest, and \nhis sons. Exod. xxx. 26. \n\n85 Q. What was the incense or holy perfume ? \n\nJl. It was a composition of sweet spices with frank- \nincense ; nor was any to be made like it on pain of death. \nExod. xxx. 34 \xe2\x80\x94 38. \n\n86 Q. What was the use of this incense or perfume P \nJl. Some of it was to be beat to powder, and laid be- \nfore the ark in the most holy place before the Lord. \nExod. xxx. 36. And it was this incense of sweet spices \nwhich was burnt daily on the altar of incense. See \nExod. xxx. 7, 8, 9, and xxxv. 15, and xxxvii. 29. \n\n87 q. What is the last sort of holy things relating \nto the Jewish worship ? \n\n\n\n44 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. \n\nJ. The instruments and vessels which were used in \ntheir sacrifices, and in any other part of their religion : \nand they were made chiefly of gold, silver, bra- \nwood. \n\n83 Q. What instruments were made of gold S \nJl. The golden censer belonging to the most holy \nplace; the vessels belonging to the table of shew-bread ; \nnamely, the bowls, and dishes, and spoons, and < i \nthe vessels belonging to the candlesticks and lamps, \nnamely, the snuffers and snuff-dishes, &c. J/ib. ix. 4. \nExod. xxxvii. 16, 23. \n\n89 Q. What instruments were made of silver/ \n\nA. Besides the hooks and fillets of the pillars of the \ncourt, and the sockets of some of the pillars, and of all \nthe boards of the tabernacle, which were of silver, I \nxxvi. 19, &c. and xxvii. 10, &c. there were chargers and \nbowls of silver, offered by the princes for the use of the \nsanctuarv, Numb. vii. 13, and trumpets of silver. JS\'umb. \nX. 2. \n\n90 Q. What were the instruments of brass f \n\nA. Those which belonged to the altar of burnt offer- \ning, namely, the pots, shovels, basons, and flesh-hooks, \nand fire pans, beside the brazen grate of net \\s<\xc2\xbbrk. \nExod. xxviii. 3, 4. Also the common censers for in- \ncense were supposed to be vessels of brass fit to hold fire. \n\xe2\x80\xa2Yumb. xvi. 17, 37. \n\n91 Q. What were the instruments of wood? \n\nA. The staves fixed to the golden rings to bear both \nthe ark, the incense altar, and the golden table, won- all \nmade of shittim wood, and overlaid with gold. / \nxxxvii. 4, 15, 28, but the staves to bear the altar of burnt \noffering were overlaid with brass. Exod. xxxviii. 6. \n\n\n\nSect. V. Of the Holy Times and Holy Actions. \n\n92 Q. Having surveyed the holy things of the . \nlet us inquire what were the chief of the holy times or \ndays appointed to them ? \n\n\n\nSect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 45 \n\nA. The weekly sabbaths, the new moons, the feast of \nthe passover, the feast of pentecost, the feast of trum- \npets, the great day of atonement, and the feast of taber- \nnacles. See most or all these holy times prescribed in \nLev. xxiii. and the several sacrifices belonging to them \nin JVumb. xxviii. xxix. \n\n93 Q. What was the weekly sabbath ? \n\nA. The seventh day of every week was a day of ho- \nly rest from all the common labours of life, and a day of \nassembling, or worship, which is called an holy convoca- \ntion. EarotL xx. 8, 10. Lev. xxiii. % 3. \n\n94 (\xc2\xa3. What special public service was done on \nthis day J \n\nA. The daily sacrifice was doubled, Numb, xxviii. \n9, and it is very probable, that some portions of the law \nwere to be read, and perhaps expounded, chiefly by the \npriests and Levites, as was practised afterward in the \nsynagogues, Acts xv. 21, and perhaps also this might \nbe done, at least in the following times, on all days of \nholy convocation. \n\n95 Q. Why was this day sanctified or made holy ? \n\nA. Partly from God\'s resting from the work of crea- \ntion on the seventh day, and partly in remembrance of \nthe Israelites\' deliverance and rest from their slavish la- \nbours in Egypt. Exod. xx. 11. Deut. v. 15. \n\n96 Q. What was the feast of tlie new-moons? \n\nA, In the beginning of their months, which they \nreckoned by new-moons, they were to blow the silver \ntrumpets, *and offer a special sacrifice. Numb. x. 10. \nxxviii, 11. 1 Sam. xx. 5. Psalm lxxxi. 3* \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n97 Q. What was the feast of the pass-over ? \n\nA. It was kept for seven days in their first month, \nAbib, by sacrificing a lamb, and eating it in every fami- \nly, in remembrance of God\'s passing over the families of \nIsrael, when he slew the first born in every house of the \nEgyptians.. Exod. xii. 18, &c. \n\nHere note, that the first month of the Jews, for all the com- \nmon affairs of life, which are called civil affairs, wasTisri, which \nin part answers to our September, and is the first month after \nthe d*utumiial equinox : and it was always so to continue foi; \n\n\n\n40 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( \n\ncivil affairs, as appears from Exod. xxiii. 16 > chap. xxiv. j \nLev. xxv. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 10. Bui as t<> ecclesiastical or r< i; \nthe first month after the rernal equinox, called Abib, which an- \nswers partly to <>ur March, \n\nthe year to the Jew.-, in memory of their u r r<- \nfrom Egypt. \n\n98 Q. In what manner was the feast of the pass- \nkept ? \n\nA. On the fourteenth day of the month, they were to \n. roast a lamb for supper, and to eat unleavened bread that \nevening, and seven days after. Exod. xii. 3, 8, 19. \nJWmb, xxviii. 16, 17. \n\n99 Q. Was there any particular worship performed \non these seven days ? \n\nJl. Yes; there were special sacrifices every d \nsheaf of the first ripe corn, that is, barley, \nfered to God; and on the first and la>t day then \nan holv convocation or assembly for worship, E.vod. xii. \n16. Numb, xxviii. 16, &c. Lev. xxiii. 10. \n\n100 Q. What was the feast of peutecos* f \n\n~ A. Fifty days or seven weeks after the first ripe corn \n(or barley) had been offered to God, there was a particu- \nlar sacrifice, and an holy assembly, and two loaves of the \nfirst fruits of wheat were to be ottered. Let?, xxiii. \n15\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\nNote. This was called the feast of weeks. Dent. xvi. 1\xc2\xbbJ. \ncompared with Exod. xxiii. 16. It n is b ibeaf of barley that \nwas offered ;tt the paw-over, and t . \n\ncost, both of them as lir.-t fruits. Annotat. on \n\n\xc2\xa3xod. xxiii. 16. \n\n101 Q. What was the reason of the feast of pente- \ncost r \n\n* Jl. It was kept as a thanksgiving for the beginning \nof wheat harvest, E.vod. xxiii. 16, and perhaps also in \nmemory of the giving of the law at Mount Sinai ; \nwhich was seven weeks, or fiftj days after tl i \nand their coming out of Egypt. E.vod. w. 1, 11. \n\nNote. Thf-y went nut of Egypt the fourteenth dav \niira mouth. Exod. xii. 17. 18. From thence to the beginning \n\n\n\nSect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 4? \n\nof the third month is forty six or forty seven days, when they \ncame to the Mount of Sinai. Exod. xx. 1, 2. Then they pu- \nrified themselves three days, ver. 11, 16, and God gave the law \nthe fiftieth day : and this feast was called pentecost, which in \nthe Greek signifies^/i/Vie//^ \n\n102 Q. What was the feast of trumpets ? \n\nJi. The first day of the seventh month, blowing of \ntrumpets was appointed with peculiar sacrifices, and an \nholy assembly, .Leu. xxiii. 24. Numb. xxix. 1, &c. \n\n103 Q. What are supposed to be the two chief de- \nsigns of this feast of trumpets ? \n\nJl. (1.) The seventh month having several holy days \nin it, it was a sort of sabbatical month, or month of sab- \nbaths, and was to be begun with an extraordinary sound \nof trumpets. (2.)This was counted the first month, and \nfirst day of the year for civil matters, as the other was \nfor things religious, and was to be proclaimed by sound \nof trumpet. See Pool\'s Annotat. on Lev, xxiii. 24, and \nxxv. 9. \n\nJS\'ote. As\' the seventh day was the sabbath, or day of rest \nfrom labour, so the seventh month was a sort of sabbatical month; \nthe seventh year a sabbatical year, to let the land rest from till- \nage ; and at or after the seventh sabbatical year, that is, once \nin fifty years, there was a year of jubilee, or release and rest \nfrom servitude or bondage. Lev. xxv. 2, &c. 8, &c. \n\n104 Q. What was the great day of atonement ? \n\nA, The tenth day of the seventh month was appoint- \ned as a general day of public fasting and humiliation, \nrepentance, and atonement, for all the people. Lev. \nxxiii. 27, and xvi. 29, and Numb. xxix. \n\n105 Q. What was to be done on that day ? \n\n*#. This was the day when the high priest, dressed \xe2\x96\xa0 \nin his richest garments, was to enter into the most holy \nplace with the blood of a peculiar sacrifice, and sprinkle \nit upon the mercy-seat before the Lord, to make atone- \nment for the sins of the whole nation, and to offer in- \ncense on the golden censer. See several more ceremo- \nnies belonging to this day, Lev. xvi. Let it be ob- \nserved also, that in the year of jubilee, on this gr^t day \n\n\n\n48 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. < \n\nof atonement, the trumpet of jubilee \nthrough the land, to proclaim liberty to ;.1I the inhabi- \ntants. Lev. xxv. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n106 q. What was the feast of tabernacles? \n\nJi. On tlit* fifteenth day of the* seventh month, at the \nend of all their harvest, they begun this feast, and dwelt \nseven days in booths made of the boughs of trees. Ihut. \nxvi. 13. \n\n107 Q. What was the design of this ceremom \n\nA. To keep in memory their dwelling in booths in \nthe wilderness, when they went out of the land of Egjpf \nLev. xxiii. 39\xe2\x80\x9444. \n\n108 Q. How was this feast observed? \n\n&. By peculiar sacrifices every day of the feast, and \na holy assembly on the first day, and on the eighth day. \nNumb. xxix. 1 2. \n\n109 Q. At what hour did their sabbaths, and all thei\xc2\xbb \nfeasts begin and end ? \n\nJl. The Jews counted their days, and particularly \ntheir holy days, from the evening at sunset to the \nevening. Gen. i. 5. Lev. xxiii. 5, 32. \n\n110 Q. At what place Mere the feasts to be kept : \nJ0. At the place which God should choose for the \n\nresidence of the ark and tabernacle; which was first at \nShiloh, afterwards at Jerusalem ; though the blowing ol \ntrumpets to proclaim the beginning of the year was prac- \ntised in all the cities of Israel. See Dent. xvi. 1G, and \nPool\'s Annotat. on Lev. xxiii. 24. 2 k\'ings, xxi. 4. \n\n111 Q. How then could all Israel keep tin iff t \n\nJi. At the three chief feasts, namely, the pass-over, \npentecost, and the feast of tabernacles, all the I \nwere to appear before God in one place with some offer- \ning. Exod. xxiii. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 IT. Dent. xvi. 16. \n\n112 Q. What was the offering they were to briny; \nunto God when they appeared before him at thest \nemn feasts ? \n\nJ\\. The tithe or tenth part of their corn, wine, and oil, \nand the first born of their cattle: but they themi \nwere to partake in eating of it, I> \nthough the bulk of it was t<< be given to tin \nLerites. See (\'Imp. VI. (ftiest 15, i\xc2\xbb\'>. \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 49 \n\n113 Q. Was it not dangerous for them to leave their \nown dwellings, in towns and villages which bordered on \ntheir enemy\'s country ? \n\nJi. God promised them, that when they should go up \nto appear before him thrice in the year, no man should \ndesire their land, Exod. xxxiv. 23, 24, which was a \nstanding miracle during that dispensation. \n\n114 Q. Having heard this account of holy persons \nand places, things and times, let us now inquire what \nwere the holy actions? \n\nA. All those actions may be called holy, which were \nappointed to be a part of this ceremonial worship; but \nthe actions relating to the natural worship of God, \nsuch as prayer and praise, are in themselves holy, and \nreligious. \n\n\n\nSect. VI. The Use of the Jewish Ceremonies. \n\n115 Q. What were the chief uses of all these cere- \nmonial commands ? \n\nJi. These three : (1.) To distinguish the Jews from \nall other people, as a holy people, and God\'s peculiar \nvisible church, who eminently bore up Ms name and hon- \nour in the world. Lev. xx. 22 \xe2\x80\x94 26, \n\n(2.) To employ that people* who were so much given \nto idolatry, in many varieties of outward forms and rites \nof religion, lest they should be tempted to follow the su- \nperstition and idolatry of the nations round about them. \nBent. vi. 1, 2, 14, 17. Deut, xxix. 1, 9\xe2\x80\x94 -18. \n\n(3.) To represent by types, figures and emblems, \nmany of the offices of Christ, and the glories and bless- \nings of his Gospel. \n\n116 Q. How doth it appear that any of these Jewish \nceremonies are emblems or types of Christ and his \nGospel ? \n\nJi. (1.) This appears from many places in the New \nTestament, where Jesus Christ and the blessing of the \nGospel are called by the same names ; so Christ is called \n\n\n\n50 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ! \n\n\xc2\xa9Or High Priest. Jlh.Yn. l,andiv. 14. lie is 1! ic Lamb \nthat wa9 slain. Rev. v. C. 1 7V/. i. 19,20. O-n \nover, 1 for. v. 7, and Sacrifice to take away Bill. //\xe2\x96\xa0 \' \nix. 26. The atonement or Propitiation for sin. \niii. 25. 1 ,7o/i\xc2\xab ii. 2. His body is called the Temple, \nbecause God dwelt in it as in the Jewish temple. .Jo/w \nii. 19, 21 Col. ii. 9. \n\n(2.) This appears yet Farther from die evident and in- \ntended resemblance which the Scripture re] \ntween several of the Jewish ceremonies, and the tl \nof the Gospel. The Wood of Christ obtained eternal re- \ndemption for us, as the blood of bulls and goats cleansed \nand freed the Jews from ceremonial defilements. //> I. \nix 12, &c. His blood is called the blood of sprinkling, \nHeb. xii. 24, to sprinkle or cleanse us from a guilft \nscience, as the sprinkling of the blood of the \' \nrifices purified the people. Heb. ix. 20, and x. 22. The \nmost holy place, where God dwelt of old on the m< \nseat, is the figure of the true heaven, where God dwells \non a throne of grace. Heb. ix. 8, 24, and iv. 16. The high \npriest\'s entrance with the blood of the sacrifice, and with \nthe names of the tribes on his breast, into the moat holy \nplace, to appear before God there for the Jews, is a plain \nfigure of Christ\'s entrance into heaven with hi> own \nblood, to appear before God for us. //</>. ix. I \nThe Jewish incense was a type or figure of prayer. \nRev. v. 8, and viii. 3. The Jewish sabbath, or dai/ of \nrest, as well as the land of Canaan, was a type of the \nrest and release of believers from sin and jjuilt, and from \nan uneasy conscience, under the Gospel, and the final \nrest of the saints in heaven. Heb. iv. 3, 4, 9, 1<>. \n\nThis might be proved more at large by some other \nscriptures, where the Jewish rights in general are called \nfigures or shadows of the good things of the Go-pel. \nCol. ii. 1(3, 17. Heb. viii. 5, and iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 14, \n\n117 Q. Did the Jews themselves understand the \nspiritual meaning of these ceremoni \n\nA. Perhaps a few of them, who were more enlighten- \ned, might understand the meaning of some of the chief- \nest and most considerable type- ; but the bulk of the \n\n\n\nSect. 6 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. $i \n\npeople can hardly be supposed to have understood the \nspiritual meaning of them ; at least the Bible gives us no \nintimation of it. \n\n118^. How could they be appointed as types and \nfigures of spiritual tilings, if the people, who were re- \nquired to use them in their worship, did not understand \nthe spiritual meaning of them ? \n\nd. (1.) The Jewish dispensation was the childish or \ninfant state of the church of God, as it is described, Gah \niv. 1, 2, 3, &c. Now, children are sometimes employed \nin several things by their wiser parents, the chief design \nand meaniag whereof they understand not till riper \nyears. \n\n(2.) If these ceremonies were not understood by the \nancient Jews, to whom they were given, yet they might \nbe designed as types and figures of Christ, and the bless- \nings of the Gospel, in order to confirm the religion of \nChrist and the Gospel, when it should be afterwards \npublished to the world, by seeing how happily it answers \nthese ancient types. \n\n119 Q. Where doth this appear ? \n\nA. St. Paul does actually confirm Christianity this \nway, especially in his epistle to the Hebrews, by shewing \nhow these ancient types and ceremonies are fulfilled m \nthe Gospel of Christ. \n\nNote. As a prophecy is the foretelling of things to come, in \nwords, so a iype is the foretelling of something to come, in some \nveal emblem or figure or resemblance of it : now as there are \nmany ancient prophecies which were not understood by the \npersons to whom they were first spoken, nor by the person? \nwho spoke them, 1 Pet. i. 11, 12, yet when they are fulfilled \nthey come to be better understood, and bear witness to. the \nhand of God, both in the prophecy and in the accomplishment. \nSo though types may be obscure, when they are first appointed, \nyet when they are accomplished or fulfilled, they are better un- \nderstood, and shew the hand of God, both in appointing the \nsign, and bringing to pass the thing signified. \n\n120 Q. Can these things be said therefore to be ful- \nfilled or accomplished in Christ, since the meaning of all \nthese ceremonies or types is not yet known even to* \nChristians themselves r \n\n\n\n52 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. t>. \n\nA. The New Testament has revealed to us, ami \ntaught us to understand the chief and most considerable \nboth of the types and prophecies ; but neither one nor \nthe other are understood luliv : and yet we Bake no \ndoubt but the prophecies are, or ehall be accomplished in \nChrist; and why not the types also? Probably it i- re- \nserved as one part of the glory of that happy day, when \nthe Jews shall be converted/that the rest of their pro- \nphesies, as well as the rites and ceremonies of their ancieni \nworship, together with their accomplishment in Christ \nand the Gospel, shall be more completely understood \n\n\n\nCHAP. VI. \nOf the Political or Judicial Law of the Jew*. \n\n1 Q. We have had a particular relation of the moral \nand ceremonial laws of the Jews; say now what \ntheir judicial or political law f \n\nJi. That which related to their civil government as \na nation. \n\n2 Q. Who was their governor r \n\nA. God himself condescended to take upon hire the \ntitle of their King, and he appointed various kinds of \ngovernors under him, as he thought fit. Judges \\iii. 23. \n1 Sam. xii. 12, 13. Isa. xxxii. 22. \n\nNote. Since the same person was both tl.t ir God and tl,\xc2\xab ii \nKing, the tabernacle and the tempi-- maj \nonly as the residence of tlxir God, but as the i \nKing also. The court of the tabernacle na> the court \npalace; the holy of holies was the presence chambei \nmercy-seat was his throne ; the cherubs represented In- \ndents us God, and the priests were his miniff \nthe high-priest his prime-minister ; the Levites were his ( \ndispersed through all tin- kingdom; the I \ntogether \\\\ ith some part of t ; \npriest, did represent tin provision for his hous< hoi \n\nWhatsoever other governors were made from t \neither captain*, judg< - or kings, th\xc2\xab \\ w < re hut d\xc2\xab | \nwho put them in ;uid turned tl \n\n\n\nChap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 53 \n\n3 Q. What did the political or civil laws, or com- \nmands, oblige the people to ? \n\nA To many particular practices, relating, (1.) To \nwar and peace. (2.) To husbands and wives. (3.) Pa- \nrents and children. (4.) Masters and servants. (5.) \nFood and raiment. (6.) Houses and lands. (7.) Corn \nand husbandry. (8.) Money and cattle. (9.) The birds \nand beasts. (10.) The first-born of all things. (11.) \nThe maintenance of the Levites and priests. (12.) The \ncare of the bodies and lives of men. \n\n4 Q. What were some of the more peculiar laws \nabout war and peace ? \n\nJi. That they should make no peace with the seven \nnations of Canaan, but that they should destroy them \nutterly ; and that when they went to war, every soldier \nwho was afraid might go home. Bent. vii. 1, 2, 3, and \nchap. xx. 8. \n\n5 Q. W T hat were some of their peculiar laws about \nhusbands and wives ? \n\nJi. That a man should marry his brother\'s widow, if \nhis brother died childless : and that men were permitted \nto put away their wives by a writing of divorce. DeuL. \nxxv. 5, xxi v. 1. And that adultery was to be punished \nwith death. Lev. xx. 10. \n\n6 Q. What were some of their special laws about \nparents and children ? \n\nA. The first-born son was to have a double portion : \nand that any child who smote or cursed his father or \nhis mother, or was obstinately rebellious and incorrigible* \nwas to be put to death. IJeut. xxi. 17, 18 \xe2\x80\x94 21. Exod. \nxxi. 15, 17. \n\n7 Q. What are some of their special laws about \nmasters and servants ? \n\nJi. Any servant might go free if his master had \nmaimed him : and an Israelitish servant, though he were\' \nbought with money, shall go out free for nothing in the \nseventh year ; and if he will not go out free, his master\' \nshall bore his ear through on the door post witli an awl^ \nand he shall serve him forever. Eocod. xxxi. 2 \xe2\x80\x94 6 S ancfi \n^r,26,,27. \n\n6* \n\n\n\n54 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 6. \n\nNote. This word, fore per, signifies till the year of }\xc2\xab \nfor all servants or slaves who Were 1J< \nhave their free Ion, and return to their own land- and i \nj-ions, in their own tribe. Sec Lev.xw. D9 \xe2\x80\x94 42. And \nthe be\xc2\xabt way of reconciling Exod. wi. with Le\\ \none text saith, The /arrant shall go out fret in the seventh \n;md another in the yiar of jubiU.f. and the third B&ith, kt \nserve forever. \n\n8 Q. What special laws had (hey relating to their \nfood \xc2\xa5 \n\nJl. That they should eat no blood, nor the fat of the \nkidneys, nor any thing that died of itself, or was torn o\\ \nwild beasts, nor any of the beasts or birds, or fishes, \nwhich were pronounced to be unclean. Lev. x\'<. and xvii. \nDeut. xiv. 21. And therefore they would not eat with \nheathens, lest they should taste unclean food. \n\n9 Q. What were some of the laws rotating to their \nclothing ? \n\nJ. A man must not wear the raiment of women, nor \na woman the raiment of men : they must wear no mix- \ned garment made of woollen and linen ; and they were. \nrequired to make fringes in the border- of their garments, \nand put upon the fringe of the border- a ribbon of blue, \nthat they might look upon it, and remember to i \ncommandments of the Lord. JVurab. xv. 38, 39. Deut. \nxxti. 5, 11, 12. \n\nJWe. In our Saviour\'s time tiny \non parchment, and put them on their fore-heads ;ind th< \nments : these were c died phylacteries. Matt, xxiii. 5. \n\n10 Q. What are some of their special laws about \nhouses and lands ? \n\nJi. That every seventh year the land should real from \nploughing and sowing; and God promised to rive then \nfood enough in the sixth for the three year-. And every \nfiftieth year, which is the year of jubilee, all houses and \nlands that were sold, should return to their form, \nsessors, except houses in walled towns. Lev. xxv. 2 \xe2\x80\x94 1 7, \n20, 21, 30, &c. \n\nJVo/c. Every seventh year, in which the field? were not to \nbe tilled, was called a sabbath, cr sabbatical ytar ; and after \n\n\n\nChap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 55 \n\nseven sabbatical years, that is, forty-nine years, was the year of \njubilee, in the fiftieth. Though some have supposed the jubilee \nto-be the forty-ninth year itself, that so two sabbatical years, \nmight not come together : for in the jubilee it is plain, there \nWas to be no ploughing, nor sowing, nor reaping, nor vintage. \nLev. xxv. 11. \n\n1 1 Q. What were some special Jewish laws about \ncorn and husbandry? \n\nJ. They were forbid to plough with an ox and an \nass together ; to sow their fields with seeds of different \nkinds ; or to make clean riddance of their harvests, either \nof the field or of the trees, for the gleanings Were to be \nleft for the poor. Beut. xxii. 9\xe2\x80\x9411. Lev. xix. 9, 10, 19. \nAnd any travellers might eat their fill of grapes or corn \nin a field or vineyard, but might carry none away. \nBeut, xxiii. 24, 25. \n\n12 Q. What were some of their peculiar laws about \nmoney, goods, and cattle ? \n\nA. They might lend money upon usury to a stranger \nbut not to an Israelite. That a thief should restore \ndouble for whatsoever thing he had stolen ; but if he \nstole cattle, and killed or sold them, he must pay five \noxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. Exod. xxii. \n22. Beut. xxiii. 19, 20. Exod, xxii. 1\xe2\x80\x949. But if he had \nnothing to pay, the thief should be sold for his theft. \nver. 3. \n\n13 Q. W T hat special laws related to beasts and \nbirds? \n\nA. They were forbid to muzzle the mouth of the \nox that trod out the corn, that so he might eat some \nwhile he was treading it : nor when they took a bird\'s \nnest in the field with eggs or young ones, were they per- \nmitted to take the dam with them. Beut. xxv. 4, and \nxxii. 6, 7. \n\n14 % What laws were given them about the first" \nborn ? \n\nw3. The first-born of man and beasts were devoted \nor given to God, as well as the first-fruits of the trees \nand of the field. Exod. xxii, 29, 30. Numb. xvii. 12, IS. \n\n\n\n56 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\n.Yote. The first-born of men were redeemed bj \n\nThe first-born of beast- wore to !>< Bacrificed or \n\nto death, if not redeemed. Exod. xii. J. 12, 13, \\~>. \n\niii. 41. \n\n15 Q. "What were the laws about the maintenance \nof the priest* ? \n\nJi. The priests were to he maintained by the first- \nborn of all cattle, and the first-fruits of oil, and wine, and \ncorn, and they had a share in various sacrifices, namely, \nthe heave-offerings, the Avave-breast, and the right shoul- \nder, &c. Numb, xviii. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n.Xotc. Hrrtre-njj\'criyigs were to be moved upwardjpn<! \nuard?, towards heaven and earth. Wave-offering^wtre \xc2\xbb\xe2\x96\xa0> be \nshaken to and fro T or moved toward the four qu \nheaven. All this is supposed to signify i \n\nGod, as universal Lord of all parts of t) \xe2\x80\xa2 :,d who \n\ndwells everywhere. \n\n16 Q. "What were the laws about the Invite? main- \ntenance ? \n\nA. They were maintained by the tenth or tithe of \nfruits and corn, which God appointed for them. J\\ \nxvp. 21,24. And they had some cities and their su- \nburbs, given them out of every tribe. Josh. xxi. \n\n17 ({. What were some of their special laws about \nthe bodies and the lives of men 9 \n\nJi. He that killed, or stole, and sold a man, must die \nfor it Ejcod.xx\'i. 12, 1G. And in all cases of real in- \njury or mischief, life was to pay for life, an eye i \neye, a hand for a hand, or a foot for a foot \'Lev. wiv. \n\\7 \xe2\x80\x94 20. And this was the penalty of a false frit \nwho intended to bring any mischief whatsoever on an- \nother, JJeut. xix. 18, &c. for the same was to be executed \non the false witness. \n\n18 Q. Was there no pardon for him that killed an- \nother ? \n\nJi. If he did it wilfully there was no pardon; but if \nit was done by chance, there were ^i>: cities of refuse in \nthe land of Canaan appointed, to which the mansUyei \nmight Hyand be safe. But he was bound to dwell \ntill the death of the high-priest. Numb, zzxr.il- \n\n\n\nChap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 57 \n\n19 Q. Was the law the same for the servant or slave, \nand for the freeman^m case of maiming and of murder? \n\nA. Not entirely the same ; for in some cases of \nmaiming or killing a slave, the offender was not punish- \ned to the same degree as if the injured person had been \na freeman. Exod. xxi. 20, 26. \n\n20 Q. What were some of the usual punishments of \ncriminals appointed in the Jewish law? \n\nJi. A fine of money or cattle to be paid, a cutting \noff from the people or congregation, scourging or beat- \ning, at most with forty stripes, the loss of a limb, or the \nloss of life. Exod. xxi. 19, 22, 36. Lew xix- 20, chap, \nxxiv. 17\xe2\x80\x94 20. \n\n21 Q. What is the meaning of being cut off from \nthe people, or the congregation f \n\nJi. In some greater crimes, such as presumptuous \nrebellion against the laws of God, wilful sabbath-break- \ning, Sec. it may signify capital punishment or death by \nthe hands of the magistrate. Numb. xv. SO, 31. Exod. \nxxxi. 14. In some cases it may intend a being devoted \nto some judgment by the immediate hand of God. Lev. \nxvii. 10, and xx. 5, 6. But in some lesser crimes, per- \nhaps, it may signify no more than to be excommunicated, \nor shut out of the congregation of Israel, and the privi- \nleges thereof; as for eating leavened bread at the time \nof the pass-over, Exod. xiL 15, or for a man\'s going unto \nthe holy things with his uncleanness upon him. Lev. \nxxii. 3, where it is expressed, that f/m\xc2\xa3 soul shall be cut \noff from the presence of God. But this question hath \nsome difficulties in it, and learned men differ about the \nsense of these words, being cut off. \n\n22 Q. If the Jews were permitted to give forty \nstripes, how came Paul five times to receive but forty \nstripes save one from the Jews, who so much hated him ? \n1 Cor. xi. 24. \n\nJ. Because they pretended to be very scrupulous in \nobserving the law exactly, and therefore they never in- \nflicted more than thirty-nine stripes, lest they should \nhappen to mistake in the tale while they were inflicting \nforty, and thus transgress the law, \n\n\n\n58 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. :. \n\n25 ^. AVhat were their most common ways of putting \ncriminals to death r \n\n.?. By hanging them on a tree, or by stoning them \nwith stones. A)unb. xxv. 4. Deuf. u 9, 10. \n\n*Vhw&. xv. f>.">. \n\n24 ^. How many wit \ndemn a criminal to death ? \n\nJS. At the mouth of /?ro or fAra witnesses shall he \nthat is worthy of death be put to death, but not at the \nmouth of one witness. Iteut. xvii. 6, 7. \n\n25 ({. What was the design of God in giving them \nso many peculiar laws about their ci\\il or political af- \nfairs : \n\nJ, (1.) To let them know that God was their King \nas well as their God, and to keep them distinct and \nseparate from the rest of the nations, as his own people \nand kingdom. \n\n(2.) Many of these laws were in them \nlently suited to the advantage, of that people, dwelling \nin that country, and under those circumstances. \n\n(3.) Some of these laws had a moral or spiritual \nmeaning in them, which might partly be known i \ntime, and which was further discovered afterv \n\n20 Q. What instances can you give of mural / \ntaught by these political laws r \n\nA. Thou shaft not take the dam with the young, \n.Dent. xxii. 6,7, is to teach men mildness and a \nsion. Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treads \ncom, JJeut. xxv. -l, is to shew that ministers, who pro- \nvide us spiritual food, ought to be maintained then - \n1 Cor. ix. 9, 10, for so the apostle Paul has explained it. \n\n\n\nCHAP. VII. \n\nOf the Sins and Punishments of the Jews in tht WU\' \nderuess. \n\n1 Q. After all this accouut of the moral, cen \n\nnial, and judicial laws, can you tell me whether the \nchildren of Israel obeyed them or no r \n\n\n\nChap. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 59 \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2J. No ; they often broke the laws of God, and sinned \nagainst him, and were often punished. Isa. lxiii. 10. \nFsalm Ixxviii. 82 \xe2\x80\x94 34. \n\n2 Q. What were the most remarkable sins against \nGod in the wilderness ? \n\nA. Besides their murmurings at some difficulties in \nthe beginning of their journey, their first remarkable and \nnotorious crime was their making a golden calf, and \nworshipping it at the foot of Mount Sinai. Exod. xxxii. \n4, 8. \n\n3 Q. W hat temptation, or what pretence could they \nhave for such a crime ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2#\xe2\x80\xa2 Moses was gone up into Mount Sinai, and tarried \nthere so many days longer than they expected, that they \nwanted some visible token of God\'s presence among \nthem ; and so they constrained Aaron to make this gol- \nden image, to be a representation of the presence of \nGod, but without God\'s appointment. Hocod. xxxii. 1. \n\nJVote. It is scarcely to be supposed that this was the mere \nimage of a common calf, or that the Jews could fall down and \nworship such an image ; or that they could suppose an ox or \ncalf, which was the idol of their enemies the Egyptians, was a \nproper emblem of the God of Israel, their deliverer from Egypt. \nProbably therefore it was the image of a cherub, partly in the \nform of a winged ox. And since God was represented imme- \ndiately afterward by Moses as dwelling among the cherubims \non the mercy-seat, this might be a common opinion or notion \nbeforehand among the people even of that age.* And it might \nbe made as a visible representation of the presence of God, for \nthey proclaimed a feast to Jehovah, ver. 5, in the same manner \nas Jeroboam, long afterward, made perhaps the same sort of \nimages for the same purpose, which are called calves. But both \nthis and that being done without God\'s appointment, it was all \nidolatry, and in a way of the utmost contempt, it was called \n\xe2\x96\xa0worshipping a calf ; and was accordingly punished as highly \ncriminal. See Chap. v. Q. 37. \n\n\n\n* There were some things relating to the worship of God which \nthat people had some general notion of, before Moses went up into \nthe mount to learn all the particulars from God : as for instance, \nthey had altars, and sacrifices, and sprinkling of blood. Exod. \nxxiv. 4, 6, 8. They had priests, Exod. xix. 22, *24, and a taber- \nnacle, or moveable chapel. Exod. xxxiii. 6, 7. And they might \n\n\n\n60 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, 7. \n\n4 Q. How did God punish them for the golden calf? \nA. The children of Levi were commanded to \n\ntheir brethren, and they slew three thousand of the chil- \ndren of Israel. E.vod. xxxii. 27, 28\xc2\xbb \n\n5 Q. What was another of their remarkable i \n\nA. In the next stage, after Sinai, they Loathed the \nmanna, which God sent them, and murmured for want \nof flesh. Numb. xi. 4. \n\n6 (\xc2\xa3. How was the murmuring punished ? \n\nA. God gave them the flesh of quails in abundance, \nand sent the plague with it. Numb. xi. 31, S3. \n\n7 ^. What was their third remarkable tin f \n\nA. Being discouraged by the spies who searched out \nthe land of Canaan, and brought an ill report of that \npromised land, they were for making a captain to return \nto Egypt Numb. xxii. 32, and xiv. 3, 4, 36. \n\n8 Q. How was this rebellion chastised ? \n\nA. Ten of tltt spies died immediately of a plague, and \nall the peoplejwere condemned to wander forty \nin the wilderness, till all those who were above twenty \nyears old should die by degrees in their travels. Numh. \nxiv. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 37, \n\n9 Q. Who of the spies were saved ? \n\nA. None but Caleb and Joshua, who followed the \nLord fully, and gave a good account of the land of prom- \nise. Numb, xiv. 6, 23, 24, 37, 38, and xxvi. 65. \n\n10 Q. What was their fourth remarkable ainf \n\nA. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, stirred up a \nrebellion against Moses and Aaron. Numb. xvi. 1, etc. \n\n11 (\xc2\xb1. What was the occasion of this rebellion of \nKorah and his companions ? \n\nA. They pretended that all Israel were holy, and \nthat Aaron and his family had no more right to the \npriesthood than they; and that Moses took too much \nupon him to determine every thing among thenu Numb. \nxvi. 3, 10. \n\nknow that God dwelt among mtgeh % or some glorious wing \nings, as hit attendants. And these cherubs might be WDe< \nfigured as flying men with calves\' feet, or as flying o.vcn, :is> | \nthe equipage or attendants of God- \n\n\n\nCfaapVf. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Si \n\n12 Q. H\xc2\xb0 w wcre Korah, Dathan and Abiram pun- \nished r * \n\nA. They and their families were swallowed up by \nan earthquake,* and their two hundred and fifty com- \npanions were burnt by a fire which came out from God, \nver. 31, 35, and when the congregation murmured \nagainst Moses and Aaron for the death of these sinners, \nGod smote above fourteen thousand of them, and they \ndied of the plague, ver. 41 \xe2\x80\x94 50. \n\n13 Q. What miracle did God work to shew that he \nhad chosen Aaron\'s family to the priesthood ? \n\nA. He bid the heads of the people choose twelve \nrods for the twelve tribes of Israel, and write Aaron\'s \nname upon Levi\'s rod, and Jay them up in the taberna- \ncle till the morrow : at which time they took each man \nhis rod, and Aaron\'s rod blossomed and yielded almonds. \nNumb, xvii. 2\xe2\x80\x946\xe2\x80\x9410. \n\n14 <\xc2\xa3. What was done with this rod of Aaron ? \n\nA. It was laid up in the ark to be a lasting testimony \nagainst these rebels, ver. 10, and to confirm Aaron\'s right \nto the priesthood. \n\n15 0. What was a fifth remarkable sin of the peo- \nple ? \n\nA. They "murmured because of the length of the \nway, and for want of better food than manna. Numb. \nxxi. 4, 5. \n\n16 Q How was this new murmuring punished ? \n\nA. God sent fiery serpents among them which destroy- \ned many of them. " Numb. xxi. 6. \n\n17 Q. How were the people healed which were bitten \nby the serpents \xe2\x96\xa0? \n\nA. By looking up to a serpent of brass, which Moses \nput upon a high pole at God\'s command. Numb. xxi. \n3,9. \n\n18 Q. What was the sixth remarkable sin of Israel? \nA. ^ Whoredom and idolatry ; for they loved the Mid- \n\nianitish women, and worshipped their gods. Numb, \nxxv. 1, 2. \n\nYet in J\\Tum& xxvl. 11, the sons of Korah RVe excepted. \n\n\n\n62 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\n19 Q. How was this whoredom and idolatry punish- \ned? \n\nJi. By the command of God and Moses to kill tin* \noffenders, and by a plague which slew twenty-four thou- \nsand. Numb. xxv. 4, 5, 9. \n\n\xc2\xa30 Q. Who tempted them to this idolatry : \n\nJi. Balaam, the wicked prophet and sooths \nNumb. xxxi. 16. \n\n21 ({. Why did he tempt them to it ? \n\nJi. Because God hindered him from cursing Israel, \nwhen Balak the king of Moab had hired him to do it \nNumb. xxii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n22 Q. How did God hinder him ? \n\nJi. Three ways. (1.) By forbidding him to go at first, \nthough afterwards he permitted him. (2.) By making his \nown ass speak to him, to stop him when he \n(3.) By inspiring him with prophecies, and compelling \nhim to bless Israel three or four times, instead of cursing \nthem. See Numb. xxii. 12, 30, 31, and xxiii. 7, 8, &c. \n\n23 Q. What became of Balaam at last\'? \n\nJi. He was slain among the Midianitea by the men oi \nIsrael, under the conduct of Moses, before they i u \nthe river of Jordan. Numb. xxxi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\n\n\nCHAP. VIII. \n\nOf the Jews\' Entrance into Canaan, and their Hov- \ner inn rut hy Judges. \n\nSect. I. Of the Israelite^ Fos^ssion of Canaan. \n\n1 Q. What became of Hie people of Israel aft< \ntheir wanderings in the wUden* \n\nJi. Though their sins and punishments were manj \nand great, yet they were not destroyed : but God brought \nthem at last into Canaan, the land which \nto their fathers. Josh. ; . 1 \' \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 63 \n\n2 Q. Did Moses lead them into that land ? \n\nJi, No ; he was only permitted to see it from Mount \nPisgah, and there he died, and God buried him. Deut* \nxxxiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\n3 (\xc2\xa3. Did Aaron go with them into Canaan ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2& Aaron died before Moses, and Eleazar his son \nwas made high priest in his room. Numb. xx. 24 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n4 Q. Why were not Moses the lawgiver, nor Aaron \nthe high priest suffered to bring the people into the land \nof promise ? \n\nJi. Because they had both sinned and offended God- \nin the wilderness, and God would shew his displeasure \nagainst sin. DeuL xxii. 48 \xe2\x80\x94 51. \n\n5 (J. What other lesson might God design to teach- \nus by this conduct of providence ? \n\nJi. Perhaps God might teach us hereby that neither \nthe laws of Moses, nor the priesthood or Aaron, were- \nsufficient to bring us into the possession of the heavenly \ncountry, of which Canaan was a figure. \n\n6 Q. Who was appointed to lead the people of Israel \ninto the promised land ? \n\nA. Joshua, whose name is the same with Jesus, and \nwho came to be the governor and captain of Israel after \nMoses died. Josh. iii. IS \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n7 Q, How did they get over the river Jordan ? \n\nJi. As soon as the priests who bore the ark dipped \ntheir feet in the brink of the river, the waters which were \nabove rose up in an heap, and the channel was left dry \nwhile ail the people passed over. Josh. iii. 14, 15. \n\n8 (j[. What memorial did they leave of their passing \nover Jordan on foot ? \n\nJi. By God\'s appointment they took up twelve stones \nout of the midst of Jordan, where the priests stood with \nthe ark while the tribes passed over, and set them up as \na monument in the place wherein they lodged the first \nnight. Josh. iv. 3 \xe2\x80\x94 9, 23. \n\n9 Q. How were they commanded to deal with the \nCanaanites when they took their land ? \n\nJi, They were required to destroy them utterly,. lest \n\n\n\n64 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8. \n\nif they should live they might teach Israel their idolatries \nand their wicked customs. Unit. vii. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n10 ({. But what right had the Jews to destroy them, \nand take their country ? \n\n.7. The Canaanites were abominable sinners, and \nGod, by particular inspiration, made the Jev. \ntioners of liis wrath against them, ju>t a^ he might have \nused a plague, or the beasts of tlie earth to have *!. \ned them ; and then, as the sovereign Lord of all, he \ngave their forfeited country and possessions to who \npleased. Lev. xviii. 24, 25. Psalm exxxvi. IT \xe2\x80\x94 \n\nHere let it be observed, thai this awful \nlion\'s destroying another, and tei/inp tin \ndions, was authorised by God himself, thr ri \nworld, in and by a 1 \n\nmiracles and prophecies ; so that the Israelite a could not \nreived in tin ir divine f r thi* bloody work, \n\nit liable to be made a precedent, or a in- \nflation or\'pcr.-.on (o treat their neighbours \never so wicked, unless they can shi \ndoubted att< rtai ;i commission I \n\nQUS Governor of the world, and [\'..\xe2\x96\xa0 \\.<-rd o*\' all. \n\n1 1 Q. "What was the. fust citj in Canaan r \n,i. Jericho, whose walls fell down, wh \n\nappointment they sounded trumpets made of ram? h \nJosh. vi. 5, 20. \n\n12 Q* What did they do when they took the city ? \n.7. By God\'s command they devoted it as the \n\ni\'ruits, to be a sacrifice to the Lord, and therefore they \nburnt all the goods in it, together with the city, as v. ell \nas destroyed all the inhabitants, except Uahab the harlot, \nand her kindred. Josh. vi. 24, 25. \n\nI 8 0. Why was Rahab spared ? \n\nJ. Because" she believed that (Sod would give Israel \nthe land of Canaan, and she hid ami saved the spies \nwhom Joshua sent. Josh. ii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 14, ami vi. 2 . H \nxi. 31. \n\n14 Q. How did the army of I ? rael sua \nthe men of Ai ? \n\nJ. God suffered Israel to be put to flight before the \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 65 \n\nmen of Ai, because Achan an Israelite had stole and hid \nsome of the spoil of the city of Jericho, which was ao- \ncursed, and devoted to the fire. Josh. vii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n15 Q. How was the anger of God appeased for this \ncrime ? \n\nA. They mourned humbly before God, they sought \nout the person who had stolen this accursed thing, and \nstoned him and his family to death. Josh. vii. 6, 13, 14, \n24. \n\n16 q. How did they take the city of Ai at last ? \n\nA. By counterfeiting a flight as on the former day ; \nand when the men of Ai were drawn out of the city, \nthe Israelites who lay in ambush entered and burnt it. \nJosh. viii. 13\xe2\x80\x9429. \n\n17 Q. How did the Gibeonites deceive the people of \nIsrael, and save themselves from death ? \n\nA. They sent ambassadors, with old sacks upon their \nasses, and old garments and mouldy bread, to prove that \nthey came from a far country ; and the men of Israel \nrashly made peace with them, and swore to it. Josh. \nix. 4\xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n1 8 Q. What did Joshua do when he found that they \ndwelt in the midst of Canaan ? \n\nA. He let them live, because the elders had sworn ta \nthem ; but he made them hewers of wood and drawers \nof water for the congregation and for the altar of the \nLord. ver. 27. \n\n1 9 Q. How did Israel conquer the king of Jerusalem* \nwith his four allies ? \n\nA. God helped Israel, by casting great hailstones from \nheaven upon their enemies. Josh. x*. 10, 11. \n\n20 Q. What remarkable thing did Joshua do that day ? \nA. He bid the sun and moon stand still to lengthen \n\nout the dav for his victory, and they obeyed him. Josh. \nX.12-\xe2\x80\x94 14." \n\n21 Q. What did Joshua do with the five kings when \nhe took them ? \n\nA. He called the captains of Israel to set their feet \non their necks, and then he slew them, and hanged them \nup on five trees before the Lord. Josh. x. 24, 26. \n\n\n\n06 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cna \n\n22 Q. Did Joshua proceed to conquer the whole \ncountry ? \n\nJl. The Israelites, under the conduct of Joshua, weni \non till they had slain one ami thirty kings, and then the \npeople rested from war tor a season. Josh. xi. -23, and \nxii. 24. \n\n23 Q. Where was the tabernacle first set up aftev \nthey came to Canaan ? \n\nJl. In Shiloh, in the tribe of Kphraim, at -nine <li- \ntance from Jerusalem, and there it tarried above three \nhundred years, even till the days of Samuel. Josh, xviii \n1. 1 Sam. i. 3. \n\n24 (f. How came it to be set up there r \n\nA. By the appointment of God; for it i- said, He \nset his name first in Shiloh. Jer. vii. 12. See Dent. \nxii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n25 Q. How was the land of Canaan divided lining \nthe people ? \n\nA. Reuben, and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, \nhad their inheritance given them by Moses on the other \nside Jordan, and Joshua cast lots for the rest of the tribes \nbefore the Lord in Shiloh. JS m umh. xxxii. Josh. xiii. 7, \n8, and xviii. 10. \n\n26 Q. Did not the tribes of- Reuben and Gad, and \nhalf Manasseh, go to help their brethren in de sta e yi ng \nthe Canaanitcs r \n\n.#. Yes; by the appointment of Moses, they went \nover Jordan to assist their brethren, till they were settled \nin the land. Numb, xxxii. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 33, and Josh. i. |fl \xe2\x80\x94 is. \n\n27 Q. What memorial did these two tribes and an \nhalf leave in the land of Canaan, that they belonged to \nthe nation of Israel ? \n\nJl. They built a great altar upon the borders of Jor- \ndan, not for sacrifice, but merely as a memorial of their \ninterest in the God of Israel, in the tabernacle, and in the \nworship thereof. Josh. xxii. \n\n28 Q. Where was the tribe of Levi disposed of? \n\nJl. Being devoted to the service of the tabernacle \nand religion, they were not fixed in one spot o* ground, \nbut had a share io the inheritance of ever \n\n\n\nSect I. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 67 \n\nthey might teach every city the laws of God and their \nduty. Josh. xxi. 3. \n\n29 Q. What did Joshua do just before his death ? \nA* He summoned the people together, and made a \n\nmost solemn covenant with them, that they should serve \nthe Lord. Josh, xxiii. and xxiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n30 Q. Did the Israelites go on to drive out the in- \nhabitants of Canaan after the death of Joshua ? \n\nA. Yes ; by the appointment of God, the tribe of Ju~ \ndah went up against Bezek. Judg. i. 1\xe2\x80\x944. \n\n31 Q. What did the Israelites do to Adoni-bezek \n(or the king of Bezek) when they took him ? \n\nA. They cut off his thumbs and great toes. Judg A. 6^ \n\n32 Q. What remark did he make upon it ?- \n\nA. He confessed the justice of God in this punish- \nment, for he had cut off the thumbs and great toes of \nthreescore and ten kings, and made them gather meat \nunder his table, ver. 7. \n\n33 Q. Did the Israelites drive all the Canaanites \nout of the land ? \n\nA~ No; for there were some left for several hundred \nyears after Joshua\'s death : the Jebusites and the Philis- \ntines continued till the days of David. 2 Sam. v. 6, 17. \n\n34 Q. Why did not God assist Israel to drive them \nall out ? \n\nA. Because Israel did not obey the commands of \nGod, and some of the Canaanites were left to prove Is- \nrael, whether they would obey the? Lord, and to be as- \nthorrrs in their sides, to punish them for their sins. Josh* \nxxiii. 12, 13. Judg. ii. 3, 21, and iii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n35 Q. What were the most common sins that Israel \nwas guilty of after their settlement in Canaan ? \n\nA, They fell to idolatry, or worshipping the gods \nof the nations round about them, after Joshua was dead,, \nand the elders of the people of that age that outlived \nJoshua. Judg. ii. 6 7 10 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n\n\n68 SCRrPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8. \n\nSect. N. Of the Government of Israel by .1 \n\n36 Q. Who governed the people of Israerafter J \n\nua\'s deatli r \n\nJi. God was always the Kins: and Hulcr of Israel, \nand under him the several tribes probably chose their own \njudges, magistrates and officers, according to the appoint- \nment of Moses- Exod. xviii. JJeut. i. 13. Josh. xxiv. I. \n\nNofc. Tlif-^c officdv, or judge?, which were set over the \npeople by Moses, at the advice of Jethro, \n\nby the people in their several tribes just after they came otM of \nEgypt. Exod. xviii. Moses says to the people, Takt . \nmen, Sec. Deut. i. 13. Tin seventy or seventy-two \n\xe2\x96\xa0were the gravest and most vem rable of thi se offic< r-. sb \nevery tribe ; for God says t>> Moses, Cottar to m \nof the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest, to h \nthem. Numb. xi. 16. These were to meet togeth< r. and con- \nsult upon extraordinary occasions, as when a lorl of -edition \n\xe2\x80\xa2was raised by the murmurings of the people, Numb. xi. or in \nsuch like cases of danger. \n\nThe high priest was the chief counsellor, and \njudge ; for the oracle of God was with him, and he u \nposed to be chiefly skilled in the law, especially if be \xc2\xab \nelderly man. The common priests and I \n\nsistants to the judges, by way of counsel, and in deciding con- \ntroversies in every tribe. Dtut. xvii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 12. Buf still I \necutive power was vested in the judge of each tribe, and God \nhimself was their Kin& and the centre of union and g \nment. \n\nBut when, through their idolatry and v. \nsook the people, and their officers and judges m \nduty, the people sustained the miseries and conl \nanarchy, as it is several times < xpressed in the book of .\' \nThere teas no king in Israel, and ttery out did what tea \nin his ova eyes. And by their disunion \nment they were weakened, and 1" i \nenemies round about them : but at i \n\ned them up extraordinary judges t" r. covi r tin in from si \nand to restore government among them : and tin \nminion over many, or all the tribes, being raised up eminently \nby God himself. \n\nThat this was the original and app< inted method of tl \nemment of Israel, as I have described it, we may lean \n\n\n\nSect. a. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 69 \n\nfrom Deut. i. 13, where the officers are chosen, and Deut. xvii. \n8 \xe2\x80\x94 12, and xix. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 18, where Moses appoints the business of \nthe priests and the judges ; and partly from 2 Chron. xvii. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 9, \nand xix. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 11, where Hezekiah makes a reformation through- \nout the laud, and appoints the judges to be executors of jus- \ntice, the priests and Levites to be the teachers of the people^ \nand counsellors to the judges, and the high priest to be the \nchief counsellor : and sometimes he was a judge also, as was \nbefore intimated. \n\n\xe2\x96\xa037 Q. Was not the high priest their ruler under \nGod ? \n\nS. The high priest seems to be appointed by God \nand Moses, to be the chief counsellor in declaring the \nlaws and statutes of God, as the other priests were also \ncounsellors; but the executive power of government was \nrather vested in those who were called judges, whether \nthey were ordinary, or extraordinary. Deut. xvii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\nS8 (\xc2\xa3. Did these ordinary officers do justice, and \nmaintain good order in the land after the days of Josh- \nua? \n\nJR. We have very little account of them; but it is \ncertain they did not Fulfil their duty, because there was \nsometimes great wickedness among the people, without \nrestraint ; much idolatry and mischief, both public and \nprivate, and that for want of government. Judg. xvii. \n6, and xxi. 25. \n\n39 Q. Why did God, the King of Israel, leave his \npeople under these inconveniences? \n\nd. As they had forsaken God and his laws, so God \nseemed sometimes to have forsaken the care of them, and \nisriven them up to the confusions and miseries which arise \nfrom the want of government for a season ; and also \nsuffered their enemies on every side to make inroads up- \non them, and bring them into slavery. Judg. ii. 1 1 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n40 Q. But did not the great God interpose for their \ndeliverance r \n\n\xc2\xbbi. Sometimes in the course of his providence, and \nby special inspiration, he raised up extraordinary judges \nto rescue them from the hand of their enemies, and to \nrestore government among them. Judg. ii. 16\xe2\x80\x9419. \n\n\n\n70 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8*. \n\n41 Q. Who were some of the most remarkable of \nthese extraordinary judgi \n\nA. Ehud, and Shamgar, Deborah and Gideon, Jeph- \nthah, Samson, and Samuel. \n\n42 Q. Who was Ehud? \n\n& A man of Benjamin* "who delivered Israel from \nthe oppression of Eglon king of Moab. Judg. iii. I \n\n4.3 ({. How did he deliver them r \n\nA. fey bringing a present to Eglon, and then stabbing \n!iim with a dagger. Judg. iii. 1< ; , IT. \n\n44 ({. What did Shamgar do toward their delive- \nrance ? \n\nA. He rescued Israel from t\\\\c oppression of the \nPhilistines, and slew six hundred of them with a \ngoad. Judg. iii. SI. \n\n45 Q. Who was Deborah ? \n\nA. She was a woman, a prophetess, who delivered \nIsrael from tiie tyranny of Jabin, kin^ of Canaan, who \nhad nine hundred chariots of iron. Juag. iv. % -1. \n\n46 Q. How did she deliver Israel from his hand ? \nA. She sent forth Barak to battle against him, who \n\nrouted his army, which was commanded b \ngeneral. Judg. iv. 5. \n\n4T Q. How was Sisera slain ? \n\nJ. By. the hand of Jael, a woman, who when he came \nto rest himself in her tent, drove a nail into his temples. \nJudg. iv. 18\xe2\x80\x9422. \n\n48 Q. Who was Gideon ? \n\n.7. The son of Joash ; lie was called by an an \nby God himself, to destroy the worship ol Baal, i \ndeliver Israel from the hands of the Midiani \nyi. 11 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\nNote. Gideon had sufficient evidenc< I \n\nm (; \' ! himself, for the an^el talk\xc2\xab d v. it ; i liiin ; an \nGideon had f( I \n\nanc^el bid him lay them upon a rock, ami pour (.\xe2\x80\xa2ut< th< \nupon them, then with one end >>i his rod ih< \nthem, and tire arose and consumed them. \n\n49 Q. How did he begin his work : \n\n\n\nML\'& SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ?i \n\n\xc2\xbb?. He first threw down the altar of Baal the idol by \nnight, anil cut down the idolatrous grove, and then offer- \ned a sacrifice to the Lord, according to the order he had \nreceived from God. Judg. vi. 25 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n50 Q. What farther sign did God give him of suc- \ncess ? \n\nJl. At his request God made a fleece of wool wet, \nwhen the ground all around it was dry ; and again, he \nmade a fleece of wool dry, when the ground was wet. \nJudg. vi. 36 \xe2\x80\x94 40. \n\n51 (\xc2\xa3. How many men did God appoint for Gideon\'s \narmy ? \n\nJl. Out of thirty-two thousand he appointed but three \nhundred men. Judg. vii. 3, 6, 7. \n\n52 Q. How did three hundred men conquer Midian ? \nJ. Each of them, by Gideon\'s order, took a trumpet, \n\nand a pitcher with a lamp in it, and coming at midnight \non the camp of the Mklianites, they broke their pitchers, \nand frighted them with a sudden blaze of lamps, the \nsound of the trumpets, and loud shouting. Judg. vii. \n20\xe2\x80\x9423. \n\n53 Q. Did Gideon reign over Israel after this great \nvictory ? \n\nJl. No ; he refused it, for he said God was their King. \nJudg. viii. 23, \n\n54 (\xc2\xa3. Did Gideon\'s sons govern Israel afterwards ? \nJl. None of Gideon\'s threescore and ten sons set up \n\nthemselves, but Abimelech, the son of his concubine, made \nhimself king. Judg. ix. 1, 2, 6. \n\n55 Q. How did Abimelech advance himself to the \nkingdom ? \n\nJl. He slew all his threescore and ten brothers ex- \ncept the youngest, who escaped. Judg. ix. 5. \n\n56 Q. How was Abimelech slain ? \n\nA* When he was besieging a city, a woman cast a \npiece of millstone upon his head. Judg. ix. 51 \xe2\x80\x94 53 \n\n57 Q. Who was Jephthah ? \n\nJl. A mighty man of valour, who delivered Israel \nfrom the power of the Ammonites. Judg. xi. 1, 32, 33. \n\n58 Q, What was remarkable concerning him ? \n\n\n\nr* SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (Imp. 8. \n\nt 9. lie made a rash vow to sacrifice to God tin \ntiling that came to meet him alter his victory, and that \nhappened to be his daughter and only child. Judg. xi. \n30, 31, 34. \n\nNote. It is a matter of doubt rog the \n\nlearned whether Jephthah, being a soldier, in thos< \nranee, did not really offer his daughter far corning \n\nto his vow, as the Scripture seems to express it ; or. win 1 \nonly restrained her from marriage and bearing children, which \nin those days was accounted like a sacrifice, and \nof death passed on them. \n\n59 Q. Who was Samson r \n\nJ. The son of Manoah,and he delivered Israel from \nllie hands of the Philistines. Judg. xiii. and xiv, &c. \n\n60 Q. What was his character r \n\nA. He was the strongest of men, but he dot \nseem to have been the wisest or the best. \n\n(31 Q. Wherein did his strength lie r \n\nA. He was a Nazarite, devoted to God from his \nbirth, and so was bound to let his hair grow, and then \nGod was with him ; but when his hair was cut, God let! \nhim. Judg. xiii. 7, and xvi. 17. \n\n62 Q. What instances did he give of his greai \nstrength ? \n\nJi. He tore a lion asunder, he broke all the cords \nwith which he was bound, he slew a thousand Philifi \nwith the jaw-bone of an ass: and when he fell in love \nwith a harlot in Gaza, and the Philistines beset the citj \ngates, he carried away the gates and jjate-po^t* of tin- \ncity with him, when he made his way out ai \nJudg. xiv. 5, 6, and xv. 13, 14, and xvi. 3, 11, 1 \xe2\x80\xa2. \n\n63 Q. What befel him afterward r \n\nJi. He fell in love with Delilah, another of the 1\' \ntine women, who cut oil his hair, and then - \nhim to the Philistines, who put out his eyes, ami \nhim grind in a mill. Judg, wi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 21. \n\n64 Q. What was Samson\'s end : \n\nJi. Thousands of the Philistines were gatto \ngether to make sport with Samson ; and, ii: \nvenge himself of the Philistines, and to destroy the ene- \n\n\n\nSect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 73 \n\nmies of Israel, he pulled the house down upon their \nheads and his own. Judg. xvi. 30. \n\n65 ^. Who judged Israel after Samson ? \n\nJi. Eli the high priest is said to judge Israel forty \nyears ; but he is not supposed to be one of the extraor- \ndinary judges who delivered them, but rather that he \nwas made an ordinary magistrate, perhaps, over some \npart of thejand. 1 Sam, iv. 18. \n\n66 Q. Who was the last of these extraordinary \njudges ? \n\nJi. Samuel the prophet, the son of Hannah, a pious \nwoman, who had no child before, and requested of God \nto give her one. 1 Sam. i. 20. \n\n67 Q. What is written in honour of Hannah ? \n\nA. When she was greatly provoked and grieved in \nspirit, she prayed to God at the tabernacle, and she went \naway cheerful. 1 Sam, i. 15 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \n\n68 Q. Where was Samuel brought up ? \n\nJi. As he was requested of the Lord, so he was giv- \nen to the Lord, and was brought up at the tabernacle in \nShiloh under the care of Eli the high priest. 1 Sam. L \n22, 28. \n\n69 Q. What was Samuel\'s office ? \n\nJi. He waited on the service of the tabernacle as a \nLevite, being the first-born, and being given to God. 1 \nSam. ii. 18. \n\n70 Q. Was he not also a prophet ? \n\nJi. Yes; God called him three times in one night \nwhen he was a child, and made a prophet of him, and \ntold him what calamities should befall the house of Eli \nthe high priest. 1 Sam. iii. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n71 Q. What was the great crime of Eli ? \n\nJi. Though he loved and honoured God himself, yet \nhe did not restrain his sens from wickedness. I Sam. \niii. 13. \n\n72 Q. In what manner did God shew his displeas- \nure against the house of Eli ? \n\nA. His two sons were slain by the Philistines in bat- \ntle, and the high priesthood went into another branch of \nAaron\'s family. 1 Sam. ii. 27 \xe2\x80\x94 36. 1 Kings ii. 27, \n\n\n\n74 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. P. \n\n73 Q. "What became of Eli himself? \n\nA. When he heard that the ark of God was taken by \nthe Philistines he fainted for grief, and fulling down \nbackward lie brake his neck. 1 Sam. iv. 17, 18. \n\n74 q. What did the Philistines do with the ark of \nGod? \n\nA. They brought it into the house of their idol, I)a- \ngon, and the idol fell down and broke oft\' his head and his \nhands upon the threshold. 1 Sam v. 2 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n75 ({. What punishment did the Philistines suffer \nfor keeping the ark ? \n\nA. In several cities where tbey placed it, God de- \nstroyed many of the inhabitants, and smote the rest with \n.sore diseases. 1 Sam. v. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n76 Q. What became of the ark then ? \n\nA. The Philistines put it into a new cart drawn by \ntwo milch kine, whose calves were shut up at home, and \nyet they carried it directly into the land of Israel to \nBethshemesh. 1 Sam. vi. 1 2. \n\n77 Q. What did the men of Bethshemesh dor \n\nA. They looked into the ark, which was utterly for- \nbidden, and God smote manv of them with a \nslaughter, and they sent the ark away to Kirjath-ji \n1 Sam.\\i. 19\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\n78 Q. How did Samuel deliver Israel from the Phi- \nlistines when they made a new war upon ti i \n\nA. He offered a burnt-offering, and prayed ti \nLord, and God fought against the Philistines with thun- \nder from heaven, and scattered and them. \n1 Sam. vii. 9, 10, 13. \n\n79 Q- How did Samuel govern the people I \n\nA. He travelled through the land every year, he \njudged Israel with great honour and justice for i \nyears; but in histoid age he made his sons judges \nthey oppressed and abused the people. I San \n15 \xe2\x80\x94 17, and viii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4, and xii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 I. \n\n80 Q. What was the request of the peoj \noccasion? \n\nA. That they might have a kir.u; like the rest of the \nnations. 1 Ann* vii \n\n\n\nChap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 75 \n\n81 Q. What did Samuel do in this case $ \n\nJi. He would have advised them against it, because\' \nGod was their king, but they still persisted in desiring., \na man for a king. 1 Sam. viii. 6, 7, 19, 20. \n\n82 Q. Did Samuel gratify them in this desire ? \n\n.1. Being admonished of God he complied with their \ndesire, and appointed a king over them. 1 Sam. viii. 22.- \n\n\n\nCHAP. IX. \n\nOf the Government of Israel under their Kings; and \nfirst of Saul and David. \n\n1 Q. Who was the first King of Israel ? \n\nJi. Saul, a very tall young man, the son of Kish a \nBenjamite. 1 Sam. ix. 1, 2. \n\n2 Q. How did Samuel first meet with him ? \n\nA. Saul was sent by his father to seek some asses \nthat he had lost, and asking Samuel about them, Samuel \ntook him aside privately, and anointed him king of Is- \nrael. 1 Sam. ix. 15 \xe2\x80\x94 27, and x. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\n3 Q. But how was he made king publicly ? \n\nJi. God chose and determined Saul to be king by \ncasting lots among the tribes and families of Israel. \n1 Sam. x. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\n4 Q. How did Saul behave himself in his kingdom ? \nJi. He governed well at first for a little time, but \n\nafterward he disobeyed the word of God in several in- \nstances, and God rejected him. 1 Sam, xiii. 13, and \nxv. 23. \n\n5 Q. Whom did God choose in his room ? \n\nJi. David, of the tribe of Judah, who is called the man \nafter God\'s own heart. 1 Sam.xvi. 1, and xiii. 14. Jicts \nxiii. 22. jfc \n\n6 ^. Wio were the forefathers of David ? \n\nA. He was the youngest son of Jesse, who was the \nson of Obed, who was the son of Boaz by Ruth his wife, \nRuth iv. 17\xe2\x80\x9422. \n\n\n\n76 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. \n\n7 q. What was this Ruth? \n\nJ. She was a woman of Moab, and she married \nMahlon a Jew, the son of Naomi, when I \nsojourn in Moab, because of a famine in Israel. Ruth \ni. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n8 Q. Did Ruth leave tlie country of Moab ? \n\nA. Yes ; after her husband died in the laud of Moab, \nshe followed her mother-in-law Naomi into the land of \nIsrael, and took the God of Israel for her God. liuth i. \n16, 17. \n\n9 Q. What kind providence attended her in the \nland of Israel r \n\nJi. Boaz, a rich man, who was near of kin to her \nformer husband, married her, and so she became the \ngreat-grandmother of David. Huih iv. 16, 17. \n\n10 ({. What was David\'s employment P \n\nJi. Being the youngest son of a. large family, he was \nbred up to keep his father\'s sheep. 1 Sam. xvi. 1 1. \nJ 11 Q. What considerable actions did he do while he \nwas a shepherd ? \n\nJi. He killed a lion and a bear who came to rob his- \nfather\'s flock. 1 Saw. xvii. 34. \n\n12 Q. How did God anoint him to be king r \n\nJ. He sent Samuel secretly to anoint him with oil \nat Bethlehem, in the midst of his brethren. 1 Saw. \nxvi. 13. \n\n13 Q. How did David make his first appearance at \ncourt ? \n\nJi. David understood music, and when the evil spirit \nof melancholy came upon Saul, hearing of David\'s skill \nin music, he sent for him to play on the harp to i \nhim. 1 Sam. xvi. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n14 Q. What remarkable action made him more pub- \n\'icly known? \n\nJi. When Goliath the giant challenged the mi \nIsrael, David undertook the combat, and skw him with \na sling and stone. 1 Sam, xvii. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 54. \n\n15 ({. How did Saul employ him afterwards? \n\nJi. He sent him out against the Philistine*, and he \n-lew many thousands of them. 1 Sam. \\i\\ \n\n\n\nChap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 77 \n\n16 Q. How came Saul then to bear him an ill-will ? \nJi. From mere envy, because the women of Israel \n\nsung to their instruments of music, Saul had slain his \nthousands, and David his ten thousands, 1 Sam, xviii. \n5, 6, 7. \n\n17 Q. Wherein did Saul discover his ill-will to him ? \nJi. He threw a javelin at him, and often attempted \n\nto kill him. 1 Sam. xviii. 21. \n\n1 8 ^. Did not Saul marry his second daughter Mi- \nchal to him ? \n\nJi. Yes ; but he required of him the slaughter of a \nhundred Philistines instead of her dowry, hoping that \nDavid himself would be slain in the attempt. 1 Sam. \nxviii. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n19 Q. Who then were the friends of David when \nthe king was his enemy ? \n\nA. All the people of Israel loved him, and so did \nJonathan the son of Saul, who skreened him often from \nhis father\'s malice. 1 Sam. xviii. 5, and xix. 2. \n\n20 Q. But how could David escape so long when \nSaul ordered his servants to kill him ? \n\nJi. He fled from place to place in the land of Israel, \nand was hunted like a partridge on the mountains, till \nat last he was forced to hide himself twice among \nthe Philistines. 1 Sam. xxi. 10, and xxvi. 20, and \nxxvii. 1. \n\n21 q. What did he do there? \n\nJi. When he was at Gath the first time, he feigned \nhimself mad, lest Achish the king of Gath should kill \nhim. 1 Sam. xxi. 12, IS. \n\n22 Q. How did David save his father\'s house from \nSaul\'s rage ? \n\nJi. He desired the king of Moab to let his father and \nhis mother dwell there, but he himself went into the land \nof Judah. 1 Sam. xxii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n23 Q. How did Saul further manifest his rage against \nDavid ? \n\nJi. He slew fourscore and five persons of tfr? priests \nof- the Lord, because he supposed they had concealed \n8*-- \n\n\n\n78 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. \n\nDavid, and did not tell the king where he was. 1 Sam. \nxxii. 17,18. \n\n24 Q. Had David any army under his command a \nthat time ? \n\nJl. Yes ; he had gathered together about four hun- \ndred men, which grew in a little time to mx hundred. \n1 Sam. xxii. 2, and xxiii. 13. \n\n25 q. Did David fight with Saul all this time? \n\nJl. No; he avoided niin, and fled from him continu- \nally, by shifting his place whensoever Saul pursued him j \nand at last was forced to go into the land of the Philis- \ntines again. 1 Sam. xxiii. and xxiv. and xxvii. \n\n26 Q. Did David never attempt to kill Saul ? \n\nJl. No; but he spared his life twice when he had i\xc2\xab \nin his power to kill him. 1 Sam. xxiv. 7, 8, 10, 1 1, and \nxxvi. 11, 12, &c. \n\n27 Q. Had this kindness of David no influence to \nsoften the heart of Saul toward him r \n\nJl. Yes ; it did for the present ; but Saul\'s envy and \nmalice were.so rooted in his heart, that they prevailed \nabove all the principles of kindness and gratitude. 1 \nSam. xxir. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 21, and xxvi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3, and xxvii. 1. \n\n28 Q. What became of Saul at last ? \n\nJ. The Philistines invaded Israel, and Saul was in \ngreat distress, because God gave him no direction*, nor \nanswered him by dreams, nor by the priests nor prophets. \n1 Sam. xxviii. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n29 Q. What did Saul do then ? \n\nJl. He inquired of a woman who had a familial \nspirit, and there he was told by an apparition of \ntning in the shape of Samuel, that he and his sons should \ndie on the morrow. 1 Sam. xxviii. 8, 19. \n\n30 Q. Did this come to pass ? \n\nJl. Yes; the Philistiues slew several of hb sons, and \nwounded him sorely in the battle, and then he fell upon \nhis own sword, and slew himself. 1 Sam. \\\\\\\\. .\\ -4. \n\n31 Q. Where was David all this while r \n\nJl. Hi was tied the second time to Achish king <\xc2\xbbt \nGath, and he had been just then employed in destroying \nthe Amalekites, who had plundered the city of ZiaUg \n\n\n\nChap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 79. \n\nwhere he dwelt, and had carried away his wives. 1 \nSam. xxx. 16\xe2\x80\x9420. \n\n32 Q. Did not David offer his service to the Philis- \ntines r \n\nJi. Yes ; but he always avoided fighting against the \nIsraelites ; and besides, the lords of the Philistines at \nthis time would not suffer him to continue in their army : \nwhich was done by the kind providence of God, that \nDavid might not fight against Israel. 1 Sam. xxvii. \n8 \xe2\x80\x94 11, and xxxix. 4, and 2 Sam. i. 1. \n\nS3 ((. What did David do upon the death of Saul \xc2\xa3 \n\nA. He made a very fine elegy upon him and Jona- \nthan his son, and went up to Hebron, a city of Judah, \nby God\'s direction, where the men of Judah made him \ntheir king.. 2 Sam. ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n84 Q. Who then reigned over the rest of the tribes \nof Israel? \n\nJi. Ishbosheth, another of the sons of Saul. 2 Sam. \nii. 8, 9. \n\n35 Q. How came Ishbosheth to lose the kingdom ? \n\n*/?. He quarrelled with Abner the general of his \narmy, whereupon Abner joined with David ; and after \nthis, two of lshbosheth\'s own servants slew him in his \nbed. 2 Sam. ii. 7\xe2\x80\x94 10, 17, 18, and iv. 5, 7. \n\n56 Q. How long did David reign in Hebron ? \n\nA. Seven years and an half; and then all Israel \ncame to him and chose him for their king, and brought \nhim up to Jerusalem. 2 Sam. v. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n57 Q What was the first thing. David did when he \ncame to Jerusalem ? \n\nJi. He took the strong hold of Zion from the Jebu- \nsites, who had held it to that day, and called it the city \nof David. 2 Sam. v. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n58 Q. W T here was the ark of God all this while ? \nJi. At Kirjathjearim, whence David now fetched it \n\nup by God\'s direction to Jerusalem ki triumph, and \nplaced it in Zion. 2 Sam. vi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 17. 1 Chron. xiii.5, 6. \n\n59 Q. What was David\'s pious design toward the \nark of God ? \n\nJL He had a mind to build a house for the ark of \n\n\n\n80 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. \n\nGod, which had hitherto dwelt in curtains. 2 8am. vii. \n2, 3. \n\n-JO Q. Did God encourage him to proceed in it r \n\nA. No : God did not encourage him, because he had \nshed much blood ; but he promised that he should have \na son, who should build him an house. 2 Sam. vii. 0, 3. \n\n41 <j. Had David no wars after this? \n\nA. Yes ; he had many battles, and was victorious \nover his enemies round about him ; namely, the Philis- \ntines and Moabites, the Syrians and Edomites, 8 \nSam. viii. 1\xe2\x80\x9414. \n\n\n\n42 q. ] \n\nA. He i \n\n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 executed judgment and justice among all the \npeople. 2 Sam. viii. 15. \n\n43 q. What were the chief blemishes of David\'s \nlife ? \n\nA. His adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah, \nand his pride in numbering the people of Israel. \n\n44 Q. How came David to fall in love with Bath- \nsheba ? \n\nA. David from the top of his house happened to see \nher washing herself, and sent for her and defiled her. \n2 Sam. xi. 4. \n\n45 q. What aggravation attended this Bin ? \n\nA. Besides the heinous crime of adultery in the Bight \nof God, here was vile ingratitude and base carnac \nwards Uriah, who at that time was abroad fightii \nhim against the Ammonites. 2 Sam, \\i. 6. \n\n46 q. How did he try to hide it from Uriah and \nfrom the world r \n\nA. When he could not persuade Uriah to iro to his \nown house, he sent an order to Joab his general, that he \nshould set Uriah in the hottest place of the battle, and \nretire from him and leave him to be slain. -2 Sam. xi. 15. \n\n47 q. What followed upon the death of Uriah which \nDavid had thus contrived ? \n\nA. David added Bathsheba to the rest of his a \nand she bare him a son. I Sam. xi. 27. \n\n48 q. How was David convinced of his sin? \n\nA. By an ingenious parable of Nathan the prophet, \n\n\n\nChap. 9; SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 81 \n\nconcerning a rich man who robbed his neighbour of an \newe-lamb, though he had large flocks of his own. 2 Sam. \nxii. 1\xe2\x80\x948. \n\n49 Q. How did God testify his displeasure against \nDavid for his sin ? \n\nJi. He struck the child that was born with sickness \nand death, and threatened David that the sword should \nnever depart from his house, and that his own wives \nshould be publicly abused. 2 Sam. xii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\nA\'ofc. David testified his deep repentance for this sin in the \nfifty-first Psalm, and perhaps also in some others ; yet God saw \nit proper to punish him severely, because he had given the ene- \nmies of God occasion to blaspheme. 2 Sam. xii. 14. \n\n50 Q. What were some of the chief troubles that \nactually came on David\'s family on this account ? \n\nJi. The troubles that he met with from three of \nhis sons, namely, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah. \n\n51 Q. What was the trouble he met with from Am- \nnon ? \n\nJi. Amnon defiled his sister Tamar by force, upon, \nwhich Absalom slew him, and then fled out of the land \nfor fear of justice. 2 Sam. xiii. 14, 28, 57. \n\n52 Q. Did Absalom never return again ? \n\nJi. Yes ; Absalom returned after two years, when \nDavid was pacified, and by his subtil carriage he raised \na rebellion against the king his father, and made himself \nking, 2 Sam. xiv. and xv. \n\n53 Q. What followed upon this wicked practice of \nAbsalom ? \n\nA. David being forced to flee from Jerusalem, Ab- \nsalom entered the city, and defiled his father\'s concu- \nbines publicly. 2 Sam. xv. 14, and xvi. 21. \n\n54 Q. Who was Absalom\'s chief counsellor in this \nrebellion ? \n\nJi. Ahitophel, who, when he saw that his last counsel \nwas not followed, went home and hanged himself. \xc2\xa3 \nSaw.xvii. 23. \n\n55 Q. What became of Absalom at last ? \n\nd. As he was riding; under an oak in the. day of \n\n\n\n82 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] \n\nbattle, he was caught by the hair of the head, and hung \nbetween heaven and earth, where Joab, Dav \nfound him and stabbed him to the heart, 2 Sam. xviii. \n9, 14, and thus put an end to his rebellion and his life. \n\n56 ({. What was the other remarkable crime of Da- \nvid, besides his abuse and murder of Uriah ? \n\nJl. The pride of his heart in numbering all the people \nof the tribes of Israel, that he might know how great a \nking he was. 2 Sam, xxiv. 2. \n\n57 Q. How was he punished for this sin ? \n\nA. God gave him leave to choose one of these three \npunishments, either seven years famine, or three months \nof war, or three days pestilence. 2 Sam, xxiv. 13. \n\n58 Q. Which did David choose ? \n\nA. The famine or the pestilence, rather than war ; \nfor he chose rather to fall into the hands of God than of \nman. 2 Sam. xxiv. 14. \n\n59 Q. Which of these two judgments did God send \nupon the land ? \n\nJl. A pestilence that destroyed seventy thousand men \nin three days time. ver. 15. \n\n60 Q. How was this pestilence stopped ? \n\n\xc2\xbbfl. When David saw the angel of the Lord stand be- \ntween heaven and earth, having a drawn sword in his \nhand stretched out over Jerusalem, he and the elders of \nIsrael fell upon their faces clothed in sackcloth ; and \nDavid confessed his crime, and prayed that the anger of \nGod might fall on himself, rather than on the people. 1 \nChrou. xxi. 15, 16. \n\n61 Q. How did God manifest his act i \nhim ? \n\nJl. He bid the prophet Gad order David to build an \naltar; and otter sacrifices on that mi\\ spot of ground \non the threshing-floor of Oman ; and when David \ned, fire came from heaven and consumed tin \n1 Chron. xxi. 21\xe2\x80\x9426. \n\n62 Q. What was the trouble that David met with \nfrom his son Adonijah r \n\nJl. When David was old, Adonijah set himself up \nfor king. 1 Kings i. 1, 5. \n\n\n\n\xe2\x82\xachap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 83 \n\n63 Q. How came Adonijah to be so insolent ? \n\nA. His father humoured him too much all his life, and \nnever displeased him. ver. 6. \n\n64 Q. What did David do under this trouble ? \n\nA. He proclaimed Solomon the son of Bathsheba, \nkingpin his own life-time; and Zadock the priest, and \nNathan the prophet, anointed him king of Israel, ver, 34, \n38, 39. \n\n65 Q. Why was Solomon preferred, when he was a \n3 r ounger brother ? \n\nA. Because God chose him fo the kingdom, and gave \nDavid some notice of it. 1 Chron. xxii. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 10, and \nxxviii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n66 Q. What became of Adonijah? \n\nA. He submitted to Solomon, who spared him for \nthat time, though for a new fault he put him to death af- \nterwards, ver. 50, 53, and ii. 2, 24. \n\n67 Q. How long did David reign in all ? \n\nA, Forty years, and then he died in his bed in peace. \n1 Kings ii. 10, 11. \n\n68 Q. What were David\'s remarkable characters, \nbesides that of a musician, a warrior, and a king ? \n\nA, He was a great poet and a prophet 2 Sam. xxiii. \n\n69 Q. Wherein did his skill in poesy appear ? \n\nA. Not only in his admirable elegy on Saul and \nJonathan, but on several occasions ; he wrote the most \npart of the book of Psalms, which are the finest pieces of \nancient poesy, and he was called, the sweet Psalmist of \nIsrael. 2 Sam. xxiii. 1. \n\n70 Q. Wherein doth it appear that he had the gift \nof prophecy ? \n\nA. Because these Psalms were written by divine in- \nspiration, for in some of them there are many things ev- \nidently foretold concerning Christ. Luke xxiv. 44. \n*$cts ii. 29, 30. \n\n71 ^. What further evidences are there of his being \na prophet ? \n\nA. He had a particular revelation made to him by \nthe spirit of God, of the pattern of the temple, which \n\n\n\n84 SCRIPTURE HISTORY, (hap. 10. \n\nSolomon his son was to build, and of the orders of the \npriests and Levites, and of several things relating to (he \n\nworship of God, which he gave to his son Solomon. 1 \nChron. xxviii. 11\xe2\x80\x9413, 19. \n\n72 Q. What did David do towards the building of \nthis temple before his death ? \xc2\xbb \n\nJi. He made a vast preparation of gold and Bllver, \nand jewels, and other materials, and gave the pattern of \neverything to his son Solomon, as he received it of God. \n1 Chron. xxii. 5, 14, an$ xxviii. 11, 19, and xxix. 2. \n\n\n\nCHAP. X. \n\nOf the Reign of Solomon and Rehoboam over all \nIsrael, and the Division of the Nation into two \nKingdoms. \n\n1 Q. What was the general character of Solomon r \nJi. That he was the wisest of men. 1 Kings iii. 12, \n\nand iv. 31. \n\n2 Q. Wherein did his wisdom towards God appear r \nJi. In that he asked not long life, nor riches, nor hon- \nours, but understanding and knowledge to govern so \ngreat a people. 1 Kings iii. 7, &c. \n\n3 Q. What was the first instance of his wisdom in \nthe government? \n\nA. His deciding the quarrel between two women who \ncontended about a child, and in giving the child to the \ntrue mother. 1 Kings iii. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n4 Q. How did he find out the true mother? \n\nA. He commanded the child to be divided in two, \nthat each woman might have half : then the tenderness ind \nlove of the true mother appeared, in yielding uj \npretensions to it, rather than see it divided. 1 A \njii. 25. \n\n5 ^. What special care did Solomon take C \nworship of God ? \n\nJi* He built that temple for which David had made \n\n\n\nChap. 10. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. *5 \n\nso large a preparation. It was a most glorious palace, \nbuilt of cedar and fir, and olive wood, and hewn stone, \nwith most amazing expense of gold and silver, and brass, \nand precious stones, both for the adorning of the house \nitself, and for the holy vessels thereof. 1 Kings vi. and \nvii. He built also two distinct courts about it, one for \nthe people of Israel, and one for the priests, all which \nwere called the temple. 2 Kings xxiii. 12, and 2 Chron. \niv. 9. \n\nNole. In this temple of Solomon there does not seem to be \nany court of the Gentiles, hut only the court of the priests, m \nwhich the house of God or sanctuary stood, and the court of \nthe people, to which all Israel resorted : nor can I find the \nGentiles forbidden by any express word of God. See 2 Chron. \nvi. 32. One was the outer court, and the other the inner court. \n2 Chron. iv. 9, and 1 Kings vi. 36. Nor were the people ex- \ncluded from the inner court. See 2 Chron. xxxiii. 10. In the \nsecond temple, which was built by Zerubbabel, after the cap- \ntivity, we do not read of any court of the Gentiles at the \nbuilding of it. But in following years, when there were \nmore frequent communications and transactions with Gentiles, \nthere was a partition made, called Chel, to divide them from \nthe Jews, and the other part of the outer court was left for the \nGentiles. In the temple which Herod built, and which was in \nour Saviour\'s time, there was a court made on purpose for the \nGentiles, and those Jews which were unclean. But this divi- \nsion does not sufficiently appear to be of divine appointment, \nthough it must be confessed, the partition wall, in Eph. ii. 14, \nseems to refer to it. \n\n6 Q. In what form did he build it ? \n\nA. In imitation of the tabernacle of Moses and the \ncourt thereof, but with vast and universal improvement \nin the grandeur, riches, and magnificence of it, by the \npattern that David his father received from God, and \ngave to him. 1 Chron. xxii. 5, and xxviii. 11, 19. \n\n7 Q. On what spot of ground did he build it? \n\nJ. On Mount Moriah, not very far from Mount Zi- \non in Jerusalem : it was the place where Abraham was \ncalled to offer his son Isaac, and where God appeared to \nDavid when he stopped the pestilence. 2 Chron. Hi. 1, \n\xe2\x96\xa0and Gen. xxii. 2, and gave him a miraculous token of hi\xc2\xab \n9 \n\n\n\n86 SCRIPTURE HIS TORY. < ; \n\n\n\nacceptance, by fire from heaven consuming his sicnfiee. \n\nI C fir on. xv. \n\nJVotc. Though the temple wae built on Mount MoriaJ \ni i of Zion is stiH pr< h rved by the follow \nthe place of I nd had \n\nwritten bo Much in hia Psaln \n\nand tabernacle stood in bis days, and made the name familiar \nto the people; and partly because Zion waa literally tin < ity \nof David, and, in u tj ji<;d -. n\xc2\xabe, i 1 v city or resid* m e of < \'hrist. \nAnd indeed Zion and Moriali ma> h< accounted hut tv \niinot heads of t! e ?ame mountain ; and though tl \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nween them, Solomon joined them by a ! \nmight easily pass from hia palace in Zion to the tempb . \nphus makes mention of it more than once. \n\n8 Q. How did Solomon dedicate this temple to God r \nA. By assembling all the men of Israel, by bringing \n\nthither the ark and the holy things from Zion, by i de- \nvout prayer to God, by music and praises, by a h \nseven days, and a vast number of sacrifices. 1 / \nviii. and 2 Chrun. vi. and vii. \n\n9 Q. In what manner did God shew his approbation \nof it? \n\nA. He filled the house with a cloud of glory, to rep- \nresent his taking possession of it ; he sent fire down from \nheaven to consume the sacrifices; and lie appeared in \ndie night to Solomon, and assured him he had heard his \nprayer, and chosen that place for a house of sacrifice to \nhimself. 2 (\'hron.\\\\\\. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3, 12. \n\n10 Q. Wherein did God bless the reign of Solomon ? \nA. By giving him prodigious treasures and ma \n\ncent state, and spreading the fame of his greatnc \nwisdom over all nations. 1 Kings x. \n\n11 ({. What peculiar honours were done to him on \nthis account r \n\nA. The princes round about him coveted his friend- \nship, and gave him their assistance and in. \nand the queen of Sheba tamo to visil him. 1 A* \nand x. \n\n12 Q. What satisfaction did she find in this vil \n\n\n\nChap. 10. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 87 \n\nA. She was astonished at the sight of his grandeur \nand wisdom, and confessed that the one half of it was \nnot told her. 1 Kings x. 1\xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n13 i-l. Wherein did Solomon displease God after- \nwards ? \n\nA. In process of time he forgot his great obligations \nto God; he took wives and concubines in multitudes, \nand that out of the idolatrous nations ; and by them his \nheart was so far led away after other gods, that he built \nplaces of worship for them very near Jerusalem, and of- \nfered sacrifices to them. See 1 Kings xi. i \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n14 Q. How did God punish him for it? \n\nA. He stirred up several enemies against him, and par- \nticularly Jeroboam, his own servant. See 1 Kings xi. \n14, 23, 26. \n\n15 Q. What was Jeroboam\'s own pretence for dis- \nturbing the government ? \n\nA. The building of some expensive palace for Pha- \nraoh\'s daughter, who was his queen, and the raising heavy- \ntaxes for that and other buildings. 1 Kings ix. 24, xi. \n27, xii. 4. \n\nNote. Jeroboam doth not appear to charge Solomon with \npromoting idolatry, or with breaking the laws of God in divine \nworship ; for he himself did so afterwards, when he Avas king of \nIsrael ; which was a high provocation in the eyes of God, both \nin Solomon and Jeroboam. \n\n16 Q. And how far did God encourage Jeroboam in \nthis opposition to Solomon ? \n\nA. Abijah the prophet, being sent of God, caught \nhold of Jeroboam\'s garment when he met him in the \nfield, and rent it into twelve pieces, and gave ten of them \nto Jeroboam. 1 Kings xi. 29, &c. \n\n17 Q. What was the meaning of this? \n\nA. The prophet told him, that God had given him \nten of the tribes of Israel, and had left the posterity of \nSolomon one tribe, that is, Judah and Benjamin, which \nwere afterwards united into one under the name of Jews. \n1 Kings xi. 31, and xii. 20, 21, and 2 Chron. xi. 12. \n\n18 Q. Was this fulfilled in Solomon\'s days ? \n\n\n\n88 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. lu. \n\nA. No ; for it pleased God to withhold these calam- \nities from the house of Solomon till the d;iv \nver. 23. \n\n19 (f. Did Solomon ever repent of his ami tha \nvoked the anger of God against him? \n\nA. It is generally supposed that the book of E< \nastes is a sort of proof that Solomon repented, be \nhe there describes the vanity of every labour and ever) \nenjoyment under the sun, and sums up all in the \nof God and keeping his commandments, as the whole \nduty and chief interest of man. Eccle. i. and ii. and \n\\-ii. 13, 14. \n\n20 Q. How long did Solomon reign r \n\nA. Forty years ; and though he had such a shameful \nnumber of wives and concubines, yet he left but one son \nbehind him, whose name was Rehoboam, to succeed him \nin the kingdom of Israel. 1 Kings xi. S, 43. \n\n21 Q. What was the character of Rehoboam ? \n\nA. Though Solomon had written so many excellent \nlessons of morality and piety for his son in the book of \nProverbs, and given him so many warnings, yet he fol- \nlowed evil courses; and Solomon him- to inti- \nmate it in the book of Ecclesiastes, Chap. W. 19. Who \nknoweih whether his son will be a wise man or a fool S \n\n\xc2\xa32 ({. What further occasion did Rehoboam \ntor the revolt of the tribes of Israel from him r \n\nJ. Upon the death of his father, and hi \nto the throne, he despised the counsel of (he \xc2\xbb\xc2\xbbld men, \nand hearkened to the advice of rash young men ; he \nthreatened the nation of Israel to make their yoke heav- \nier than his father had done, that is, to lay heaviei \nupon them. I Kings xii. 8, &c. \n\nS3 ({. What followed upon this threatening of king \nRehoboam ? \n\ni. AH the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benja- \nmin, made Jeroboam their kin<;: and thus the nation was \ndivided into two kingdoms, which were afterwards) \ndie kingdom of Judah, and the kingdom o\\ I \nKings \xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x80\xa2!!. 15, P.O. - Citron. \\\\. 11. i \\ \n\n\n\nChap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 89 \n\nCHAP. XL \n\nOf the Kings of Israel. \n\n1 Q. How many kings reigned over Israel after they \nwere separated from Judah ? \n\nA. These nineteen, and not one of them were good y \nJeroboam the first, Nadab, Baashah, Elah, Zimri, Omri, \nAhab, Ahaziah, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jerobo- \nam the second, Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, \nPekah and Hoshea. \n\n2 Q. Who were the most remarkable among these \nkings of Israel ? \n\nJ. Jeroboam the first, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehu, \nJoash. Pekah, and Hoshea. \n\n3 (\xc2\xa3. What was the chief character and crime of \nJeroboam ? \n\nA. Instead of worshipping God w r ho dwelt between \nthe cherubs in the temple at Jerusalem, he made two \ngolden images, which are called calves, and set them up \nin two distant parts of the land of Israel, namely, Dan \nand Bethel, and taught the people to worship before them* \n1 Kings xii. 28\xe2\x80\x9430. \n\n4 Q. What was the worship he appointed ? \n\nA. Something like the worship which God appointed \nat Jerusalem, with an altar, and priests, and sacrifices., \nand incense, ver. 32. \n\n5 Q. Wherein did it differ from the worship at Jeru- \nsalem ? \n\nJi. Besides the forsaking of the temple and the place \nwhich God appointed^ he also made priests of the lowest \nof the people, instead of the sons of Levi, and ordained \nfeasts at a different time from that which God had ap- \npointed, and set up the images of calves to represent \nthe presence of God. ver, 23, 32, and 2 Chron. xi. 6 ? \nand xii. 13, and xiii. 8, 9. \n\nNote. Here it is not "to be supposed that Jeroboam- forsook \nthe God of Israel, and taught the people to worship aiere \ncalves ; hut only that he devised of has own h-eart other times \n9* \n\n\n\n90 8CMPTURK HISTORY. Chap. 11. \n\nand place?, and oth< r forms and circumstances of woi \nbe paid to the God of Israel ; and thai by in \nwhich wort- probablj the 6gures of the cheroba on the dm n \\- \nseat, where God dwelt; but the Scripture in contempt \nthem calves. See Chap. V. Qu. 37, and Chap. VII. f, \nAnd the worship is called dolatry and (hi worship \nThe prophet Hosea, who lived in the days of Jerobo \nsecond, the son of Jbash, perpetually rebukes this sin of idola- \ntry, and inveighs against these idob, tin taht-. Hvs. i. 1, and \nchop. viii. 3, 5, and chap. x. 5, and xiii. 2. \n\n6 Q. For what end did Jeroboam do this ? \n\nA. He feared, if the people went up frequently to \nsacrifice at Jerusalem, they would be tempted to return \nagain to Rehoboam king of Judah. ver. 26, 27, 28. \n\n7 Q. What visible token of displeasure did God \nmanifest against this worship which Jeroboam set up ? \n\nA. He sent a prophet to the altar at Bethel, who \nforetold that a son of the house of David, Josiah by name, \nshould burn the bones of Jeroboam\'s priests upon the al- \ntar. 1 Kings xiii. 1, 2. \n\n8 Q. What sign did the prophet give that this pro- \nphecy should be fulfilled ? \n\nA. The prophet foretold that the altar should be rent \nasunder, and the ashes poured out, both which were ful- \nfilled immediately: and Jeroboam\'s hand withered when \nhe stretched it out to lay hold of the prophet, ver. 3, 4, \n&c though at the prayer of the prophet, God restored it \nagain. \n\n9 Q. What other token did God give of his anger \nagainst Jeroboam r \n\nA, God threatened Jeroboam and his family with ut- \nter destruction, so that none of them should find a g \nbesides Abijah his youngest son, because there \nfound in him some good inclinations toward the God of \nIsrael. 1 TCings xix. 13. \n\n10 Q. Who was Omri ? \n\nA. The captain of the host of Israel, who was made \nking by the people when Zimi i set up himself. 1 A \nxvi. lo. \n\n11 Q. W T hat is recorded concerning Omri ? \n\nA, (1.) That he besieged Zimri his predecessor so \n\n\n\nChap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. $L \n\nclosely in Tirzah, the royal city, that Zimri burnt himself \nand the palace together, and died. (2.) That he built \nSamaria for the royal city, on a hill. And (3.) That he \nwalked in all the sinful ways of Jeroboam, ver. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n12 Q. Who was Ahab, and what was his character? \n\nJl. Ahab was the son of Omri, who followed the wick- \ned ways of his predecessors ; he sinned against God and \nman grieviously, and provoked God beyond all who were \nbefore him. ver. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 S3, and 1 Kings xxi. 25. \n\n13 ^. How did God signify his displeasure against \nAhab ? \n\nA. He sent Elijah the prophet to reprove him, and to \nforetel that there should be neither dew nor rain for sev- \neral years, which accordingly came to pass. 1 Kings \nxvii. 1. \n\n14 Q. How was Elijah himself fed during this fam- \nine? \n\nJl. He was appointed to hide himself by the brook \nCherith, and the ravens brought him bread and flesh in \nthe morning and the evening, and he drank of the water \nof the brook, ver. 5, 6. \n\n15 Q. Whither did the prophet go when the brook \nwas dried up ? \n\nJl. God sent him to a woman of Sarepta near Sidon, \nto be maintained by her, when she had only a handful of \nmeal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruise. 1 Kings \nxvii. 9, &c. \n\n16 Q. How could this maintain the woman, her son> \nand the prophet ? \n\nJl. God wonderfully increased the oil and the meal, \nso that the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the \ncruise of oil fail, till God sent rain upon the land. ver. \n14, &c. \n\n17 Q. What further miracles did Elijah work in \nthis woman\'s family, to prove that he was sent from \nGod? \n\nJl. "When her son died, the prophet raised him to \nlife again, ver. 21 \xe2\x80\x94 24. \n\n18 Q. W x hat special deliverance did God give Israel \nin the time of Ahab ? \n\n\n\n92 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 11. \n\nJi. Though Ahab was so great a sinner, v.t Oo| \nmade Israel victorious over the Syrians who invaded \nthem, because Benhadad the king of Syria boasted* and \nblasphemed God. 1 lungs xx. 10, 28. \n\n19 Q. What were some of the special sins of Ahab \nagainst God ? \n\n.1. Besides the idolatry of the calves, he also se< Up \nthe idol Baal, he caused Israel to worship it, and by the \ninfluence of his wife Je/,ebel, slew a jjreat number of the \nprophets of the Lord. 1 Kings xviii. 4. \n\n20 ({. Were any of the prophets of the Lord - \n\nA. Obadiah, the governor of Ahab\'s house, hid a \nhundred of them in two caves, and M them with bread \nand water, while Elijah tied wheresoever lie could find \na hiding place, ver. 5, 0, 10. \n\n21 $ How did Elijah bring about the destruction of \nBaal\'s prophets ? \n\nA. He boldly met Ahab, and bid him summon all Is- \nrael together, and the four hundred and fifty proph \nBaal, that a sacrifice might be ottered to Baal and to Je- \nhovah, to make an experiment which was the tree I \n\n22 Q. How did he convince the people that Jehovah \nwas the true God ? \n\nA. Fire came from heaven and consumed Elijah\'s \nsacrifice, after he had poured great quantities ol \nupon it ; which the prophets of Baal attempted in \\ain \nto procure on their altar, though they cut thems \nwith knives, and cried aloud to their god. 1 A \nxviii. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 58. \n\n23 ({. What influence had this upon the people ? \nA. They fell upon their faces, and a< knowleog \n\nhovah "to be the true God ; and then at the command ot \nElijah, the people slew all the prophets of Baal. \n39, 40. \n\n24 Q. How did God further manifest his approbation \nof this conduct of Elijah .- \n\nJi. He immedi.iteU -cot rain, and put an end I \nfamine. Oer. 41, 45. \n\n2" (}. \\\\"1rit v. a- one of the most remarkable N \nAhab against man ? \n\n\n\nChap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 93 \n\nA. He coveted the vineyard of Naboth, and by the \nhelp of false witnesses stoned Naboth to death for blas- \nphemy, and took possession of his land. 1 Kings xxi. \n5\xe2\x80\x9414, \n\nc 26 Q. "What was the manner of Ahab\'s death at last, \nafter so wicked a life ? \n\nA. In opposition to the prophecy of Micaiah he went \nto fight with the king of Syria, and received a mortal \nwound. 1 Kings xxii. 34. \n\n27 ({. Wherein did the judgment of God against \nAhab appear in his death r \n\nd. The dogs licked up his blood on that spot of \nground where IS aboth\'s blood was shed, according to the \nprophecy of Elijah. 1 Kings xxi. 19, and xxii. 38. \n\n28 Q. What sort of a man was Ahaziah ? \n\nA. Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, who succeeded him in \nhis kingdom, followed his wicked ways. 1 Kings xxii. 51. \n\n29 ({. What particular crimes of Ahaziah are re- \ncorded ? \n\nA. When he was sick, he sent to inquire of Baalze- \nbub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery ; and because \nElijah reproved him for it, he sent three captains each \nwith fifty men, to make Elijah their prisoner. 2 Kings \ni. 1,9. \n\n30 Q. What did Elijah do on this occasion? \n\nA. He brought down fire from heaven, which consum- \ned the two first of them with their troops, but he spared \nthe third upon his entreaty, and then went down with \nhim to king Ahaziah, and told him that he should surely \ndie. ver. 9\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n31 (\xc2\xa3. How did Elijah leave the world? \n\nA. He was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, by a \nchariot and horses of fire, and left his mantle behind him. \n2 Kings ii. \n\n3 2 ^. Who succeeded Elij ah in the office of prophet ? \nA. Elisha, who was with him when he was taken up \n\nto heaven, and had a double portion of the spirit of Eli- \njah given him. ver. 9, 10. \n\n33 Q. What were some of the chief miracles and \nprophecies of Elisha r \n\n\n\n94 SCRIPTUIE HISTORY. (hap. II. \n\nJl. (I.) He smote the waters of Jordan with Elijah\'s \nmantle, Baying, Where is the Lord God <>f I \nand the Waters divided for him to ; \ncured the unwholesome water near Jericho, by a \nsalt into it. (3.) lie cursed some children I \nand reproached him, and there came t\\ \nthe wood and tore t;> pieces forty-two of tnei \nbrought water in a time of dru \n\nmies, namely, those of Edom,Judah, and Israel. ("\xc2\xbb.) He \nincreased the widow\'s pot of oil that \npay her debts and maintain her. [ . \nson to the Shunamite woman who entertain \nwas before barren, and raised this son to life \nhe died. (J.) He healed Naaman the Syrian <>l his le- \nprosy, by bidding him wash, in Jordan. (8.) lie pro- \nnounced the plague of leprosy on Gehazi, his own servant \nfor his covetousness and lying. (\xc2\xb0.) He made the iron \nhead of an axe float on the water that it inig \ned to its owner. (10.) He discovered the king of S \nprivate counsels to the king of Israel, and smot< \nmy with blindness. (11.) lie foretold \\ on the \n\nmorrow, in the midst of a siege and famine in Samaria. \nflS.) He foretold the death of Benhadad the king of \nSyria, and that Hazael should succeed him, and treat \nIsrael with cruelty. See the second book- of fCing8,from \nthe second to the eiglilh chapter. \n\n34 Q. Who was Jehu, and how came he to the king- \ndom ? \n\nA, Jehu was a captain, who was anointed king by the \nprophet whom Elisha sent for that purpose, according to \nthe appointment of God and Elijah. 1 A 7 \nand 2 Kuigs \\x. 1,2, &c. \n\n35 ((. What was the great work for which Gqd \ned up Jehu to the kingdom r \n\nJL To destroy the worship of Baal, and to bring the \nthreatened judgments of God on the house of Aha \ntheir wickedness, ver. 7. \n\n36 Q. How did Jehu execute this bloody work \nthe house of Ahab ? \n\nJi. These three ways ; (1.) He shot Jehoram, ti \n\n\n\nChap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. go- \n\nof Ahab, who was then king, with an arrow, and cast \nhim upon the land of Naboth, whom Ahab slew. (2.) He \ncommanded Jezebel, the wicked and idolatrous queen- \nmother, to be thrown out of the window, and the dogs \neat her up. (3.) He ordered the seventy remaining sons \nof Ahab to be slain in Samaria, and their heads to be \nbrought him in baskets. 2 Kings ix. and x. \n\n37 Q. How did he destroy the worship of Baal ? \n\nA. He gathered the prophets of Baal, and his priests \nand his worshippers together, into his temple, under pre- \ntence of a great sacrifice to Baal ; and then commanded \nthem all to be slain with the sword, and the image to \nbe burnt, and the temple to be destroyed, ver. 18 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n38 Q. Did Jehu continue to obey God in. all things ? \nA. No ; for though he executed the vengeance of \n\nGod against Ahab, and the worshippers of Baal, yet he \nmaintained the idolatry of Jeroboam, namely, the calves \nof Dan and Bethel, ver. 29, 30. \n\n39 q. Who was Joash ? \n\nA. He was the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, and \nlie reigned over Israel. 2 Kings xiii. 10. \n\n40 Q. What is remarkable in his conduct ? \n\nA. When Elisha was upon his death-bed, he came \ndown to see him, and wept over him, yet he departed \nnot from the sins of Jeroboam, ver, 14. \n\n41 ({. What did he do for the good of Israel ? \n\nA. According to the prophecy of dying Elisha, he \nsmote the Syrians thrice, who had oppressed Israel in \nthe cfeys of his father, ver. 15, 19 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\n42 Q. Is there any thing of moment recorded con- \ncerning Elisha after his death ? \n\nA. They buried a "man the year following in the se- \npulchre of Elisha, and as soon as he touched the bones of \nElisha, he revived and stood upon his feet. ver. 21. \n\n43 Q. What did Joash do against Judah ? \n\nA. When Amaziah king of Judah provoked him to \nwar, he routed the army of Judah, and took the king \nprisoner : he brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and \nplundered the house of the Lord, and the king^s house, \nof all the gold and silver vessels. 2 Kings xiv. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n\n\n96 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( bap. 1 1 \n\n44 Q. Was there any considerable thing fell out in \nthe reign of Pekah ? \n\nJi. This Pekah joined with the kinj* of* Syria to in- \nvade Judah, but he was repulsed: in his days, Tiglath- \nPileser, king of Assyria, took many cities in Galilee, \nand earned many of the people captive to Assyria. 2 \nKings xiv. -29, and xvi. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n45 Q. Who was Hoshea, and what is recorded of \nhim ? \n\nJi. He was the last king of Israel ; he slew Pekah \nand made himself king;. i 2 Kings w. 30. \n\n46 Q. How came the kingdom to end in him r \n\nJi. In his days Shalmaneser king of Assyria, took the \ncity of Samaria, bound Hoshea the king in prison, car- \nried multitudes of Israel captive into Assyria, and dis- \ntributed them into several distant countries, from which \nthey have never returned to this dav. 2 Kings w\\\\. \n}\xe2\x80\x94 6, 23. \n\n47 Q. What provoked Shalmaneser to do this ? \n\nJi. Hoshea had submitted to him, and afterwards \nplotted and rebelled against him. ver. 3, 4. \n\n48 Q. What provoked God to punish Israel f; \nJi. The people of Israel, with all their kings, \n\ntheir separation from the house of David, had been guilty \nof continual idolatry, in opposition to the many pn \nand warnings of God, by the writings of Moses, and the \nvoice of all the prophets, ver. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 IS. \n\n49 Q.^ What became of Samaria, and the other citie- \nof Israel, when the people were driven out of them ? \n\nJi. Several of the heathen nations were placed \nand each worshipped their own trod- and idols-, where- \nfore the Lord sent lions amongst them, and destroyed \nmany of them. vet. 24 \xe2\x80\x94 31. \n\n50 Q. What was done upon this occasion (o ap] \nthe anger of God, and save the people from the lio \n\nJi. The kin\xc2\xab of Assyria sent a Jewish priest thither \nto teach them the worship of the God of Israel. I \xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n51 ({. What was the effect of this conduct <>l the \nking of Assyria : \n\n.?. These nations feared the God of Israel, ai i \n\n\n\nChap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 97 \n\nthey could not lay aside their own idolatries, for they \ncontinued to serve their own graven images also in ma- \nny following generations, ver. 41. \n\n52 Q. But did they always continue in this mixed \nkind of religion ? \n\nA. In process of time they forsook their idols, wor- \nshipped the true God only, and submitted themselves to \nthe Jewish religion, so as to receive the five books of \nMoses : they had a temple of their own built on Mount \nGerizim, and in the New Testament are called Samari- \ntans. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XII. \n\nOf the Kings of Judah. \n\n1 Q. How many kings and rulers reigned over \nJudah? \n\nA, Twenty; namely, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Je- \nlioshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah the queen, Joash, \nAmaziah, Uzziah, Jothan, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, \nAnion, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and \nZedekiah. \n\n2 Q. Were all these rulers of Judah also great sin- \nners, as well as the kings of Israel ? \n\nA, A few of them Mere very religious, some very \nkicked, and others of an indifferent or mixed character. \n\n3 (\xc2\xa3. What fell out in Rehoboam\'s reign, after the \nten tribes had made Jeroboam their king ? # \n\nJl. W hen Rehoboam raised a great army out of Ju- \ndah and Benjamin to recover the ten tribes, God by his \nprophet forbid them to proceed. 1 Kings xii. 22 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\n4 Q. Were there no wars then between Judah and \nIsrael ? \n\nJi. Yes ; in the following times there were bloody \nwars between them. \n\n5 Q. How did the people of Judah behave themselves \nunder the government of Rehoboam ? \n\n10 ^ \n\n\n\n98 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 1% \n\nA They fell into idolatry and shameful sins, where- \nupon God was angry, and Shishack kinjr of Egypt plun- \ndered the temple and the king\'s house <>f their tre \nin the fifth year of Rehoboam\'s reign. 1 AV \nSo short-lived was the supreme grandeur and gfc \nthe Jewish church and stare. \n\n6 Q. Did Abijah the son of Rehoboam 3o any thing \nremarkable in his reign r \n\nA. He made a speech, and pleaded against Israel, \nwhen Jeroboam led them to war against him ; he reprov- \ned them for their departure from the true worship of \nGod, and from the house of David ; and when they \nwould not hearken, but set upon him in battle, he and \nhis army cried unto the Lord, and shouted, and slew five \nhundred thousand men. A brave example of divine \nsuccess! 2 Chron. xiii. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n7 Q. What is recorded concerning Asa, the son of \nAbijah, and king of Judah ? \n\nA. That he did what was rij^ht in the eyes oi" the \nLord, and destroyed the idols which had been set up in \nthe land. 2 Chron. xiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n8 Q. What token of favour did God shew him r \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2\xc2\xa3, When he called upon the Lord, and trusted in \nhim, he defeated the army of the Ethiopians, who \nagainst him, though they were a thousand thousand, ver. \n9\xe2\x80\x9415. \n\n9 Q. Did Asa continue all his days to fear the Lord r \nA, In his old age he fell into distrust of God, and \n\nhe gave the treasure that remained in the house of God, \nand in the king\'s house, to the king of Syria, to g \njrnd help him against Baasha the king of Israel ; and he \nimprisoned the prophet which reproved him for it. 2 \nChron. xvi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n10 (j. What is remarkable in Asa\'s death ? \n\nA. That in the disease of his feet (which is sup] \niobc the gout) lie sougld not the Lord, but only I \nphysicians : and he slept with his fathers, ver. 11\xe2\x80\x94 \n\n11 ((. How did his son Jeho-haj> \n\'d the kin^diun : \n\n\n\n\n\n\nChap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 9$ \n\nJ. He walked in the first and best ways of his father \nDavid, and God was with him. 2 Chron. xviii. 3. \n\n12 Q. Wherein did Jehoshaphat more particularly \ndiscover his piety and goodness ? \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nJl. He appointed Levites and priests throughout all \nthe cities of Judah, to teach the law of the Lord ; and \nhe set judges in the land with a solemn charge to do \njustice without bribery. 2 Chron. xvii. 7\xe2\x80\x94 -9, and xix. \n5\xe2\x80\x94 -1,1. \n\n13 Q. Wherein did God manifest his special favour \nto Jehoshaphat ? \n\nw2. God gave him very great treasures, and the fear \nof the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms round about Ju- \ndah, so that for many years they made no war upon him. \n2 Chron. xvii. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n14 (?. W T herein did he offend God ? \n\n\xc2\xab#.. In joining in alliance with Ahab the wicked king \nof Israel, whereby he was in great danger of being slain \nin a battle against the Syrians. 2 Chron. xviii. 1, 31, \nand xix. 2. \n\n15 ^. When Moab and Amnion joined their forces \nagainst Jehoshaphat, how was he delivered from them ? \n\nA. He proclaimed a fast through the land, and in the \nmidst of the people he prayed earnestly to the Lord* \nand when he went out to battle, he appointed the singer* \nbefore the army, to sing praises to the Lord. 2 Chron. \nxx. 1\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\n16 Q. What was the effect of this pious practice? \nA. When they began to sing and to pray, his ene- \nmies fell upon one another till they were all slain, ver. \n\n17 Q. Did Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, imitate \nhis father\'s government in piety ? \n\nJl. By no means ; for he slew all his own brethren, \nhe walked in the ways of Ahab king of Israel, and took \nhis daughter Athaliah to wife. 2 Chron. xxi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n18 (\xc2\xa3. How did God testify his displeasure against \nJehoram ? \n\nS. He smote Jehoram with such an incurable dig- \n\n\n\n100 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, l : \n\ntemper, that his bowels fell out, and he died \neases, ver. 15 \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n19 Q. Who succeeded Jehoram in the kingdom ? \n*U Ahaziah his youngest son, for all his \xc2\xab \n\nslain in the camp by the Arabians. 2 Vhrotu xxii. 1. \n\n20 Q. What was the behaviour and the fate of \nziah king of Judah r \n\ni9. He followed the evil practices of the houi \nAhab, by the persuasions of his mother Athaliah, who \nwas the grand-daughter of Omri ; and when he wei \nwith Jehoram, the king of Israel, against Jehu, he wa* \nslain by Jehu. 2 Chron. xxii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n21 Q. "Who succeeded to the throne of Judah when \nAhaziah was dead ? \n\nA. Athaliah his mother seized the kingdom, and de- \nstroyed all the seed-royal of the house of Judah, \xe2\x80\xa2 \nJoash, the 9on of Ahaziah, an infant of a year old, who \nwas hid in the temple. 2 Chron, xxii. 2, 1*0 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n22 Q. How did Athaliah reign r \n\nJi. As she counselled her son Ahaziah before, so she \nherself practised the idolatry of the house of Aba \nChron. xxii. 3, 17, and xxiv. 7. \n\n23 ({. How was Athaliah deposed : \n\nA. Jehoida the high priest stirred up the captains of \nthe army, the Levites, and the chief of the people . \\ \nher : he set Joash on the throne when he was \nyears old, anointed and proclaimed him king, then order- \ned the guards to slay Athaliah, and destroyed the wor- \nship of "Baal. 2 Chron. xxiii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 15, \n\n24 Q. What was the conduct of Joash in hlfi \nernment ? \n\nJi, He did that which was right in the si^ht \nLord all the days of Jehoida the priest, who \n< le ; he repaired the temple, and the vessels thereof, and \nrestored the worship of God. 2 Chron. xxiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n25 ({. How did Joash behave after Jehoida\'s de \nJi. He was persuaded to change the worship ol \n\nfor idols, and most ungratefully slew Zechariah, tin \nof Jehoida, because he reproved the idolatrj \npie. 2 Chron, xxiv. 17\xe2\x80\x9422, Matt. x\\. \n\n\n\n4 \n\n\n\nChap. IS* SCRIPTURE HISTORY. i0% \n\n26 Q. 1,11 what manner did God punish him for his \ncrime ? \n\nA. He sent an army of the Syrians against him, who \npillaged the country ; he smote him with sore diseases, \nand at last his own servants slew him on his bed. ver. \n23\xe2\x80\x9426. \n\n27 Q. How did Amaziah the son of Joash reign ? \nJi. At first he seemed to work righteousness, and \n\nhearkened to the voice of God and his prophets; but \nafterwards, gaining a victory over the Edomites, he learnt \nto worship the gods of Edom. 2 Chron. xxv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n28 Q\xe2\x80\x9e. How came Amaziah to meet his ruin and his \ndeath > \n\nJi. Being puifed up with his success against Edom, \nhe challenged the king of Israel to battle, and was rout- \ned shamefully, and was slain at last by a conspiracy of \nhis own people. 2 Chron. xxv. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n29 Q. What was the character and reign of Uzziah \nthe king ? \n\nA. He was made king at sixteen years old, in the \nroom of his father Amaziah ; he sought after God in the \ndays of Zechariah the prophet, and God prospered his \narms against all his enemies, and made his name great. \n2 Chron.- xxri.l \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\nNote. This was several hundred years before that Zechariah \nwho prophecied after the captivity. \n\n30 Q. Wherein did he provoke God afterwards ? \n\nJi. His heart was lifted up by his prosperity, and he^ \nassumed the priest\'s office, and burnt incense in the tem- \nple, though the priests opposed him. ver. 16. \n\n31 Q. What was his punishment lor this crime ? \n\nJl. While he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, \nthe leprosy rose up in his forehead, and he continued a \nleper till his death, ver 19. \n\n52 Q. Is there any thing very remarkable in the \nreign of. Jotham, the son of Uzziah ? \n\nJi. He was a good king, and God blessed his arms, \nso that he brought the Ammonites under tribute, 2 Chron,, \nxxvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n10* \n\n\n\n102 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Ci.v \n\n33 Q. How did Ahaz the son of Jotham behave him- \nself? \n\nA. He walked in the ways of the kin-- \nmade images for Baal, and ottered his children in \nfice by fire, after the abominations of the heath- \nChron. xxviii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n34 Q. How did God shew Ids displeasure* a-_ \nAhaz ? \n\nA. His land was invaded by the king of Syria, and \nby the king of Israel ; multitudes of his people \nslain, and many captives were carried to Damascus and \nto Samaria, though the Israelites restored their captives \nagain at the word of the prophet Oded. ver. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n35 Q. What further iniquities of Ahaz are recorded i \nA. That he set aside the brazen altar which v \n\nfore the Lord, and set up another in the court of the \ntemple, according to the pattern of an altar he had seen \nat Damascus, and at last fell in with the idolatry i \nheathen nations. 2 Kings xvi. 10. 3 Chron, xxviii. \n\n36 Q. What was one particular aggravation of his \ncrimes r \n\nA. That even in the time of his distress, he sinned the \nmore against God ; and because God did not help him. \nhe sacrificed to the gods of Damascus ; he cut in pieces \nthe vessels of the house of God, shut up the doors of the \ntemple, and set up idols in Jerusalem, and through all \nthe land. 2 Chron. xxviii. 22 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\n37 Q. Did Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, continue in \nthe sins of his father? \n\nA. No; but he made a great reformation, not only in \nJudah, but also\'in Ephraim and Manasseh ; he brake the \nimages, cut down the groves, destroyed their altar-, re- \npaired the temple, and restored the worship of the tree \nGod there. 2 Chron. xxix. and xxxi. \n\n38 Q. What peculiar instance did he give of his zeal \nagainst all manner of idolatry r \n\nA. He brake in pieces the brazen serpent that M \nhad made in thewilderness, because the people burnt in- \ncense to it 2 Kings xviii. 4. \n\n39 ^. In what manner did he keep the pass-over : \n\n\n\nChap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 103 \n\nJi. He sent to ail Israel, as well as to Judah, to in- \nvite them to keep the pass-over at Jerusalem, according \nto the appointment of God. 2 Chron. xxx. \n\nThough Hezekiah king of Judah, began this reformation in \nthe first year of his reign, yet it might not be carried to this \nheight till the sixth or seventh year, at which time there was no \nking in Israel ; Hoshea, the last king, being taken and imprison- \ned by the king of Assyria, and a great part of the people being \ncarried into captivity, in the sixth year of Hezekiah\'s reign. \nSee 2 Chron. xxix. 3, and 2 Kings xviii. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n40 Q. Did the other tribes of Israel come at his in- \nvitation ? \n\nJi. Some mocked the message, but many out of sev- \neral tribes came to the pass-over, so that there was not \nthe like since the time of Solomon, ver. 18 \xe2\x80\x94 26. \n\n41 Q. Were all these people sufficiently purified to \nkeep the pass-over ? \n\nJi. No ; but at the prayer of Hezekiah, the Lord par- \ndoned and accepted them, though several things in this \npass-over were not exactly conformable to the holy insti- \ntution, ver. 18\xe2\x80\x9420. \n\n42 Q- Wherein did God shew his acceptance of \nHezekiah\'s zeal and piety ? \n\nJi. God prospered him in his wars against his ene- \nmies, and enabled him to cast oft\' the yoke of the king of \nAssyria while he trusted in him. 2 Kings xvii. 7, 8. \n\n43 Q. Wliat weakness was Hezekiah guilty of after- \nward, when Sennacherib king of Assyria invaded Judah ?\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nJi. He bribed him to depart, with gold and silver \ntaken from the house of God. ver 15 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n44 Q. What success had this conduct of Hezekiah ?. \n\nJi. Very ill success ; for some few years after, Sen- \nnacherib sent an army to take Jerusalem. 2 Kings \nxviii. 9\xe2\x80\x9413, 17. \n\n45 Q. What did Hezekiah do in this distress ? \n\nJi. W"hen Sennacherib sent Rabshakeh with blasphe- \nmies against God, and threatenings against the people, \nHezekiah humbled himself greatly, and spread the rail- \ning letter before the Lord in the temple, and prayed \nearnestly to God for deliverance. 2 Kings xviii. and xix. \n\n\n\nJ04 SCRIFrURE HISTORY. Cha \n\n45 Q. What was the success of Ilezekiah\'s pra \nJi. Isaiah the pi\xc2\xab\xc2\xbb|>h\xc2\xab-t assured hini of deliva \nand the angel of tne Lord slew in the camp of il \nSyrians, one hundred and fourscore and live thousand \nmen at once. 2 Kings xix. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 85. \n\n47 ({. What further favour did Hezekiah receive \nfrom God ? \n\nA. When he was sick, near to death, God heard Ida \nprayer, and assured him he should live fifteen years long- \ner: 2 ICings xx. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n48 Q. What sign did God give him to confirm kia \nfaith in this promise ? \n\n\xc2\xbbtf. The shadow returned backward ten degn \non the dial of Ahaz. irr. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 1 1. \n\n49 ({. Wherein did Hezekiah misbehave him- \nter he had received all this mercy I \n\nJl. In the vanity and pride of his heart, he shewed \nthe messengers of the king of Babylon all I \nver 12, 13, and 2 Chron. xxiv. 31. \n\n50 Q. How was Hezekiah\'s pride punished ? \n\nJl. God told him by the prophet Isaiah, that all these \ntreasures should be carried into Babylon : but be \nHezekiah humbled himself, God deferred the execution \nof it till after his death. 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26. \n\n51 Q. What was the character and the government \nof his son Manasseh ? \n\nJl. He forsook the good ways of his father Hezekiah ; \nhe brought in idolatry of many kind> ; he worshipped \nthe sun, moon, and stars; he made his son pas- (faroogh \nthe fire: he used enchantments, and shed much inno \nblood. 2 Kings xxi. 2 \xe2\x80\x94 16. 2 Chron. xxxiii. \n\n52 Q. How were his transgressions punished : \n\nJl. The captains of the hosl of Assyria came up again-; \nManasseh, took him among the thorns, bound him with \nfetters, and carried him to Babylon. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 1 1. \n\n53 ^. How did Manasseh behave in his affliction r \nJl. He humbled himself greatlv before God in pi \n\nwhereupon God restored him to his kingdom, where he \nwrought a great reformation, ver. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 H>. \n\n54 Q. What is written concerning Anion the son ori \nManasseh ? \n\n\n\nChap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 105 \n\nJl. Am on restored the idolatry which Manasseh had \nonce set up, but he never repented or returned to God \nas his father had done, and he was slain by his own ser- \nvants. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\n55 Q. What is worthy of notice in the reign of Jo- \nsiah the son of Anion ? \n\nSi. At eight years old he began his reign, at sixteen he \nsought after God, and at twenty he destroyed the altar \nand idols which his father Amon, the son of Manasseh, \nset up. 2 Kings xxiii. S \xe2\x80\x94 14. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7., \n\n56 Q. How did he carry on this work of reformation t \nA. He repaired the temple, and restored the worship \n\nof God ; and finding a book of the law of the Lord by \nMoses, he rent his clothes, and mourned to think how \nlittle this law had been observed, ver. 18, 19. \n\n57 Q. What further use did he make of this book ? \n\n\xc2\xab/2. He lead the words of it in the ears of all the el- \nders of Judah, and the people, the priests, and the pro- \nphets, and made a covenant with the people of Judah, to \nperforin what was written in this book. 2 Kings \nxxiii. 2, 3. \n\n58 Q. Did he make also any reformation in Israel ? \nA. The kingdom of Israel being now destroyed by the \n\nking of Assyria, Josiah spread his influence over those \nwho remained in the land, and many of Israel as well as \nof Judah, came to keep the pass-over. 2 Chron. xxxv. 17. \n\n59 Q. Were not many of Israel present also at \nHezekiah\'s pass-over ? Wherein then did this pass-over \nof Josiah exceed that in the days of Hezekiah ? \n\nA. In the exact conformity of it to all the rules ap- \npointed by Moses, so that no such pa;js-over had been \nkept since the days of Samuel the prophet. 2 Chron. \nxxxv. 18. \n\n60 Q. Did Josiah destroy all the remainder of the \nidolatrv of Israel, which Jeroboam set up at Dan and \nBethel ? \n\n*3. Yes ; and he slew the priests of the high places, \nand burnt the bones of the priests that had been buried \nthere, upon the altar, according to the word which the \nold prophet spake to Jeroboam. 2 Kings xxiii. 15 \xe2\x80\x94 20,. \nI Kings xiii. 2. \n\n\n\n106 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap \n\nGl Q. How came Josiah by his death ? \n\nJi. He went out to ii^ht with the kini; of Egypt, with- \nout the direction of God, and lie was slain, ami la- \nmentation was made for him. 2 Citron, w \n\n62 Q. Who succeeded Josiah in die kingdom? \n\n*fl. His son Jehoaha/,, who when he had reigned three \nmonths, was put in bonds by the kin;; of Egypt, was car- \nried thither, and (here he died. 2 A7/>\xc2\xbb.s xxiii. 31 \xe2\x80\x94 34. \n\n63 Q. Whom did the king of Egypt make king in bu \nroom ? \n\n^. Eliakiin his brother, and gave him the name of \nJehoiakim. 2 R\'ings xxiii. 34. \n\n64 ((. What sort of governor was Jehoiakim ami \nwhat was Ids end ? \n\nJ], He did evil in the sight of the Lord, several \nneighboring nations beset him round about, and Nebu- \nchadnezzar, king of Babylon, sent up his foi \nhim, took some captives, bound the lung in fetters, and \nhe died in shame, his dead body bein;; cast without the \ngates of Jerusalem, and without a burial : and bi- \nson Jehoiachin reigned in his stead. 2 < \n5\xe2\x80\x948. l)an.\\. 1\xe2\x80\x943. Jer. xxii. IS, \\{\\ \n\n65 Q. What became of this Jehoiachin, who is \ncalled Jechoniah and Coniah ? \n\nJf. When he had reigned three months, Nebuchad- \nnezzar took the city of Jerusalem, and carried him to \nBabylon, together with tvn thousand captives, and rich \nx treasures of silver and gold that remained in the temple \nand in the king\'s house. 2 J. \nxxii. 24\xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n66 Q. Was there any king in Judah after J \n\nJ. Yes; th \xe2\x80\xa2 last king was Zedekiah, his fat \nbrother, whom Nebuchadnezzar made king in Jerufi \nver. 17, 18. \n\n67 q. What fell out in the days of Zedekiah? \n\nJ. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, to whom \nhe had sworn subjection by the name of the true \nwhereupon Nebuchadnezzar came up and touk thi \nof Jerusalem . \xe2\x80\xa2 siege of 1 V \' \n\nixv. l\xe2\x80\x94l. \n\n\n\nChap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 107 \n\n68 Q. How did he punish Zedekiah for his rebellion ? \nJl, When Zedekiah tied from the city, he was seized \n\nby the Babylonians ; Nebuchadnezzar ordered his sons \nto be slain before his face, then his eyes were put out, lie \nwas bound with fetters of brass, and carried to Babylon, \nand there was no more a king in Judali. ver. 6, 7. 2 \nChron. xxx vi. 13. \n\n69 ^. What became of the city and temple at this \ntime ? \n\nJL The king of Babylon burnt the temple of the \nLord, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jeru- \nsalem ; he brake down the walls of the city, and carried \naway the rest of the people captive ; together with all \nthe vessels of gold, silver, and brass, great and small, \nthat belonged to the temple. 2 Kings xxv. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n70 Q. But were the people punished thus for the \nsins of their king ? \n\nA. The princes, and the priests, and the people, had \na large share in the common idolatry and wickedness, \ntogether with the kings, and that in opposition to all the \nwarnings of their prophets, whereby God was provoked \nto punish them all. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 21. \n\n71 Q. Was there any ruler of the scattered people \nthat remained in the land of Israel ? \n\nA. Gedaliah was made governor by the king of \nBabylon, but he was slain in a little time by a faction un- \nder Ishmael, one of the seed-royal ; and there was noth- \ning but confusion and disorder in the land. 2 Kings xxv. \n22, &c. \n\n72 Q. What became of the people afterward ? \n\nA. Johanan, the son of Kareah, one of the captains \nunder Gedaliah, routed Ishmael, and drove him out of \nthe land ; yet being afraid of the anger of the king of \nBabylon, and his resentment of the murder of Gedaliah \nhis governor, he was tempted to fly into Egypt, and to \ncarry most of the people thither with him, where they \nwere dispersed into several cities. Jer. xli. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 18, and \nxlii. xliii. \n\n73 ^. Was this done by any divine order ? \n\n*9. No ; but directly against the word of the Lord. \n\n\n\n108 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 13, \n\nby the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet, who was left \namong them in the land ; and they carried him al><\xc2\xbb into \nEgypt with them. Jer. xliii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n74 Q. Did the Jews behave themselves better in \nEgypt after all their afflictions and distresses? \n\nJi. They practised idolatry in Egypt with insolence, \nin opposition to the reproofs of Jeremiah the prophet. \nJer. xliv. \n\n75 Q. Did they perish there, or return r \n\nJi. Jeremiah was ordered by the Lord to foretel the \ndestruction of Egypt by the king of Babylon, and to de- \nnounce utmost calamities and death, by sword and fam- \nine upon the Jews that sojourned there ; and that but a \nvery small number of them should ever return to the \nland of Judah, though he foretold the return of their \nbrethren from their captivity in Babylon. Jer. xliii. 9. \nand xliv. 11, 28, &c. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XIII. \n\nOf the Return of the Jews from Captivity in Baby- \nlon, and the Rebuilding of the City of JenutUm, \nand the Temple. \n\n1 Q. How long did the nation of the Jews continue \nin their captivity, and their land lie desolate ? \n\nJi. Though the land lay not utterly desolate till the \nfinal destruction of Jerusalem, in the days of Zedekiah, \nwhich was between fifty and sixty years before their \nfirst release; yet, from their first captivity by Nebuchad- \nnezzar in former reigns, their land was in some measure \ndesolate seventy years, according to the prophecy of Jere- \nmiah. See 2 Chron. xxxm. 21. Jer. xxv. 11, 10. \n\nHere let it be observed, that as there v.- r< ?ev< ral -\xe2\x80\xa2 \nand under different kim;-. when part of the chil \nand Judah were carried into captivity, and sev< \nwhence their xtesolati \n\nral seasons also of their return and r< storation : but il \nduration of their capti\\ itj and desolate circuu:-tai\xc2\xbb\' \n\n\n\n\n\n\nChap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 100 \n\nty years. See 2 Kings xxiv. 1, 2, 10\xe2\x80\x9414, and chap. xxv. 11, \nrompared with Ezra i. 1, 2, and chap. vi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 12, chap. vii. 7, \n\xc2\xbbnd Nehem. ii. 1, &c. \n\n2 Q. Who gave them release from their captivity in \nBabylon ? \n\nJi. When Babylon was taken by Cyrus, the general \nof the army under Darius, the king of the Medes, the \nAssyrian or Babylonish empire was finished. After Da- \nrius\'s death, Cyrus himself became king of Persia, and \nhe not only gave the people of the Jews a release, but \ngave them also a commission to rebuild the temple, and \nrestored to them the vessels of gold and silver ; and this \nhe did by the hand of Shesbazzar, a prince of Judah. \nEzra i. 7\xe2\x80\x9411. \n\nNote\\ Now was that prophecy fulfilled which Isaiah pro- \nnounced above a hundred years before, ha. xliv. 28, that it \nwas Cyrus who should say to Jerusalem, be thou built ; and to \nthe temple, be thy foundation laid ; and chap. xiv. 13, who \nshould build the city of God, and release his captives. \n\n3 Q. Which of the tribes did accept of this commis- \nsion, and return to their own land ? \n\nA. There were many persons and families of seve- \nral tribes of Israel who took this opportunity of return- \ning ; yet it was chiefly those of Judah and Benjamin, \nwith the priests and several of the Levites, who return- \ned, and were now all united under the name of Jews. \nEzra i. 5, "and iv. 12. \n\n4 Q. Who were their first leaders and directors ? \n\nJi* Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah, of the seed-royal, \nwhose Chaldaick or Babylonish name was Shesbazzar ; \nhe was their prince or captain, and Jeshua or Joshua was \ntheir high priest. Ezra i. 11, and ii. 2, and iii. 8, compar- \ned with v. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 16, and Zech. iii. and iv. \n\nNote. This Shesbazzar, or Zerubbabel, was the son of Sa- \nlathiel, the son of Jehoiachin or Jechoniah, king of Judah : he \nwas made governor of the land, under the title of Tirshatha, \nby a commission from Cyrus. Jeshua was the son of Jozadak \nor Josedech, the son of Seraia, who was high priest when Jeru- \nsalem was destroyed, and who was put to death by Nebuchad- \n: r. . \n\n11 \n\n\n\n110 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 16 \n\n5 Q. What was the first thing they did after theii \nreturn ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa20. They made a Jarge contribution toward the re- \nbuilding of the temple, they gathered themselves tog \nto Jerusalem, they set up the altar of the C i\xc2\xbbnl of Israel and \noffered sacrifices\' upon it. Ezra ii. 68, and iii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n6 Q. In what manner did they lay the foundation of \nthe temple ? \n\nJi. While the buildei b laid tht foundation, the priest* \nand the Levites sung and praised the Lord with trum- \npets and other instruments, after the ordinance of David. \n.Ezra iii. 10, 11. \n\n7 Q. What remarkable occurrences attended the \nlaying of the foundation of the temple r \n\nA. . While the younger part of the people shouted \nfor joy, many of the ancient fathers wept with a loud \nvoice, when they remembered how much more glorimfi \nthe first temple was than the second was like to be. ver. \n12, 13, and Ilng.W. 3. \n\nHere it may be observed, that though the foundation \nsecond temple stood on the same con \nyet a company of poor exiles, returning from a i \ncould not promise or hope for so glorious a building \ntemple of Solomon, neither in the richness of th< i \nin the magnificence and curiosity of the workmanship. \nDr. Pridtaux^s Connection, Vol. I. p. 143. \n\nThe Jews also generally suppose 6ve thil \nthe second temple, after it Mas finished, which did l\xc2\xbb. | \nthe first ; namely, (1.) The ark of I \ncy-seat, which was npon it, with tlie cherubs of l \nwith the tables of stone in which tl \nwere in the ark when it Mas bronghl into Solomon\'\' \nKings viii. 9. 2 Ckron. v. 10, though one Mould thank \n.should have made an ark and a m< rcy-seat, 1" fore irhfc \nhigh priest should officiate once a year, \nsupposed He r< was such an ark made, and that i \ncopy of the Bible v, as laid up in it : and that it i \nof this, that the pn -\xe2\x80\xa2 nt Jews in all tlnir - \nan ark or coffer, wherein thej lv \xe2\x96\xa0 \n( hinuh. or di\\ ine pjes< nee, in a cloud of glorj on U \xe2\x80\xa2 \n(3.) The trim and Thumm \ndivine answers to 1 1 1* ir inquiries. (1.) \'1 I \naltar, which came from heaven. (5.) Th< \nFpr though Haggai, Zechariah, and Mai \n\n\n\nChap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. It* \n\nsecond temple was building, and prophecied after it was built v \nyet on their death the prophetic spirit ceased from among them. \n\n8 Q. What was the first hindrance they found in \nthe building of the temple ? \n\nJ. The Samaritans desired to join with them in their \nbuilding, and because the Jews forbid them, they gave \nthem continual trouble in the days of Cyrus. Ezra iv. \n1\xe2\x80\x945. \n\n9 Q. What was the second hindrance they met \nwith ? \n\n.#. When Artaxerxes the first came to the throne of \nPersia these people wrote an accusation against the Jews s \nthat the city of Jerusalem had been rebellious in former \ntimes ; whereupon Artaxerxes caused the work to cease \ntill the second year of Darius, ver. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 24, \n\nNote* This was not Darius, the first king, and he who \ntook Babylon, and released Daniel from the lions 1 den ; but \nanother, who reigned several years after him, and was called \nDarius Hystaspes, as the best authors assert X and this also was \nlong before that Darius whom Alexander subdued, and put anr \nend to the Persian kingdom. \n\nHere let it be observed in general, that it is not a very easy \nmatter for learned men to agree exactly in adjusting the time \nof all these events, and the particular accomplishment of every \nprophecy, because there were several kings of the samename ; \nas, three or four Artaxerxes\'s, and three or more Darius\'s, &c \nAnd there were four decrees from the kings of Persia in favour \nof the Jews : the first from Cyrus to Zerubbabel or Shesbazzar, \na prince of Judah. Esra i. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. The second from Darius the \nsecond to the enemies of the Jews, to forbid their hindrance of \nthe work. Esra vi. 1\xe2\x80\x947. The third from Artaxerxes the se- \ncond to Ezra, recorded in Ezra vii. 11. The fourth from the \n.same Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, written in Nehem.W. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n10 Q. Who persuaded the Jews to go on with their \nwork under the reign of this Darius I \n\nA. The prophets of God which were with them en- \ncouraged and required them in the name of the Lord, \nto go on with the work of the temple ; for several of \nthem were too negligent, and God punished them for it \nwith scarcity of corn and wine. Ezra v. 1, 2. Hag. I \n3 \xe2\x80\x94 11. Zech. i. 7, &c. and chap. iii. and iv. \n\n\n\n112 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap \n\ni 1 ({. What encouragement did they meet with from \nthe Persian court ? \n\nA. The governors of the provinces at lin- \ning them renew their building, sent to inquire \nthe order which Cyrus gave for it : and Darius ha \nfound this order among the records of Babylon, \xc2\xbb \nfresh command for the rebuilding of the house of God. \nEzra v. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 17, and vi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n12 Q. When was the temple finished r \n\njf. Through many delays, arising partly from the \nnegligence of the Jews, partly from the opposition of \ntheir enemies, it was twenty years in building : nor was \nit finished till the sixth year of the reign of Dari \nwhich time they dedicated it with many sacrifices, and \nkept the pass-over with joy. Ezra vi. 15\xe2\x80\x94 \n\nHere it may be worthy of our observation, that the tl \ned destruction of Babylon kept pace with th< \nstoration and joy of the Jew-, h < \n\nof the army of Darius the first, took Babylon I \nblood and slaughter, who also relent d the caj tiv< \nlie came to be king of Persia. Th< n the river i \nupon the country round it ; which Isaiah foretold, \n*.*Lnd 1 1 \' \n\n\'. But \nwhen the Babi It.. I. in the \n\nHystas] sii ged them with a vaM army, thei \n\nJation w it. They themselves I] their \n\nwomen aad young children, to make their provisions bold o\xc2\xabrt. \nThen U i f Isaiah was fulfilled, chap, \n\nthings shall com to them in otu day, tin \n.,,\xe2\x80\x9e/. rjarius took the \xc2\xab it> in th. i \nof his ; \xe2\x96\xa0\' \'in" tin J cm ish t( \n\nup lo the plunder of his I \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2., .ill- down from three hundred cubil \n\nler this, Bab) Ion I ... ile, and al I \n\nI \n\nIS <{ What further cncoui lid the Jews \n\nreceive from another king Art ax \n\nA. Axtaxerxes the second, king of Pcrsii \nthe priest and scribe a letter and decree, to enco \nthe Jews vei remaining in liabvlon, to \xe2\x80\xa2:\xc2\xab> up to \' \n\n\n\nChap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 115 \n\nlem and establislt the worship of the true God there. \nEzra vii. 1 1\xe2\x80\x9426. \n\nNote. This second Artaxerxes is supposed by Dr. Prideaux \nTo be Artaxerxes Longimanus, as the heathen historians call \nhim ; and to be that same Ahasuerus who made Esther his \nqueen, and so became very friendly to the Jews. \n\n14 \xc2\xa3\xc2\xa3. How did the king enable them to fulfil this \ndecree ? \n\nA. The king and his counsellors freely offered much \nsilver and gold for this work, and being sensible of the \ngreatness and power of the God of the Jews, whom he \ncalls the God of heaven, he sought to secure his favour \nfor himself and his family, and pronounced a speedy \nsentence of death, banishment, loss of goods, or impri- \nsonment, on those who should dare to hinder this build- \ning, ver. 15\xe2\x80\x94 17, 23, 26. \n\n15 ^. What did Ezra do in his journey to Jeru- \nsalem r \n\nA. He proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer, to \nseek the assistance of God ; for he was ashamed to ask \nthe king for soldiers to be their guard, because he had \ntold the king of the power and the mercy of their God. \nEzra viii. 21, 22. \n\n16 Q. What did Ezra do when he came to Jerusa- \nlem ? \n\nA. He delivered the orders of the king to the gov- \nernors of the provinces, and the gold and silver to those \nwho had the care of the building, and so promoted the \nwork, ver, 33 \xe2\x80\x94 36. \n\n17 Q. W r hat reformation did Ezra work among the \npeople ? \n\nA. W hen he was informed that many of the Jews \nhad mingled themselves in marriages with the heathens, \nhe, together with the more religious part of the Jews, \nhumbled themselves before God for all their former in- \niquities, in an excellent prayer, and brought them into a \ncovenant and an oath to put away their strange wive3. \nEzra ix. and x. \n\nNote. None of the Jews of either sex might marry with a \nGentile of any nation, unless they were made proselytes .- and \n11* \n\n\n\n114 SCRIPTURE HISTORV. Chap \n\neven then, they suppose th( I \n\n(Deut. vii.) and the males among tl e Moabit< - and Amu \n\nto be excluded forever ; as they interpret Una. xxiii. J. \n\n18 Q. Did the Jews rebuild the city of Jerusa!* \n\nJi. Yes; for the Babylonian army had broke down \nthe walls, and burnt the gates of it. AVA. i. S, \n\n19 Q. Whom did liod raise up to carry on the re- \nbuilding the city ? \n\nJi. Nehemiah the Jew, who was a cup-bearer to Ar- \ntaxerxes the king of Persia. Nehem. i. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 1 1. \n\n20 Q. How was Nehemiah engaged herein? \nJi. When he heard of the continuance of the <!\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\ntions made by the enemies, he fasted and prayed toG \nand then he obtained leave of Artaxerxes the kij- \nup to Jerusalem, and rebuild the city of the sepul \nof his fathers. JYehem. ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n21 (J. What further encouragement did Nehemiah \nreceive from the king? \n\nJi. He received orders for the governors of the pro- \nvinces to assist him, and to give timber out of the kiog\'e \nforest, ver. 7, 8. \n\n22 Q. How did Nehemiah begin his work I \n\nJi. He rode round the city by night, and took a pri- \nvate survey of the ruins thereof, and appointed a parti- \ncular part of the walls and gates to be repaired by par- \nticular persons and their companies. JYlekem. ii. and iii. \n\n23 ({. What opposition did the Jews meet with in \nthis part of their work ? \n\nA. Sanballat the Samaritan, and Tobiah the Ammon- \nite, and their accomplices, at \\\\\\M laughed the J\xc2\xab \nscorn, and then conspired to light against them while \nthey were at work. JYehem. iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n24 Q. How did Nehemiah prevent the mischief the} \ndesigned ? \n\nJi. He encouraged the Jews to trust in their God. \nand appointed every man that laboured in the work to \nhave a weapon ready to defend himself, ver. VS \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n25 Q. What reformation did Nehemiah work anions \nthem? \n\nJi* He reproved those that took usury, and oppress* \n\n\n\nChap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 115 \n\ned their brethren ; and he set himself for an example, \nwho though he was governor twelve years, took no sala- \nry, but maintained himself and one hundred and fifty \nJews at his own charge. JVehem. v. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n26 Q. In what manner did they worship God when \nthe city was built? \n\nJL* On the first day of the seventh month all the peo- \nple were gathered together in one street, ami Ezra the \npriest and scribe read in the book of the law, and gave \nthe sense of the words, that they might see their past sins \nand errors, and might be instructed to yield a more re- \ngular and exact obedience for time to come ; and this \nbeing done, he blessed the great God, and all the people \nanswered, Amen, Amen. Nehem. viii. I \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\nNote. It is a remark of Dr. Prideaux, that though Ezra\'s au- \nthority and government expired before this time, yet he went \non as a skilful scribe of the law of God, to preach righteousness, \nto perfect the reformation, to gather the several parts of Scrip- \nture together, to set forth correct copies of them, and to bring \nall things in church and state to the rules thereof: \xe2\x80\x94 And this \nhe did by the assistance of the next governor, Nehemiah, doing \nthe same things by his authority, which before he did b} r his \nown. \n\n27 Q. How did they keep the feast of tabernacles ? \nA. By dwelling in booths made of branches of trees \n\nseven days together, as God had commanded by Moses, \nand they read in the book of the law every day of the \nseven, and explained it. ver. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \n\n28 Q. How did they keep a fast on the twenty-fourth \nday of the seventh month ? \n\nA. One fourth part of the day they confessed their \nsins, and another fourth part they read in the book of the \nlaw, and then they entered into a covenant with an oath \nto be the Lord\'s people, and the princes and the priests \nand the Levites sealed it. JSTehem. ix. and x, 1, 2. \n\n29 Q. How were the people disposed of in their ha- \nbitations ? \n\nA. The rulers dwelt at \'Jerusalem, the rest of the \npriests and people cast lots to bring one in ten to dwell \nat Jerusalem, and nine parts in the other cities, that the \nland might be peopled. JVehem. xi, \n\n\n\n116 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cl \n\n50 ({. How was the wall of Jerusalem t\\ \ndedicated r \n\nA. Tii.\' Levites came from all ;>. \nand joined with the priests and the rulers in two \ncompanies, and gave thanks, and offered sacrifices \nsung the praises of God, so that the e a wis \n\nheard alar oft". Nehem. xii. 87- \n\n51 ({. What further reformation did Nehemiah bring \nin among the people ? \n\nJ. lie turned Tobiah the Ammonite out of his \ning in the temple, which Eliashib the \xe2\x80\xa2 \npared for him ; he established the portion of the fruits of \nthe earth which belonged to the Levites j he forbid the \nprofanation of the Sabbath, by buying and sellin \nbearing burdens; and punished the Jews who m \nstrange wives. JV*ehem. xiii. 4\xe2\x80\x94 \n\n32 Q What remarkable instance did Nehemiah iiive \nof his zeal in punishing those who married Strang \n\nA. He drove away one of the sons of Joiada the son \nof Eliashib the high priest, for marrying the daughter of \nSanballat the Beromte, who had hindered the .!\xe2\x96\xa0 \nmuch in their building several years before, ver. \n\nJWe. Tlii* young: man\'s name was M; \ninforms as. \n\nSo Q. Had Nehemiah no prophet to assi>t him in \nthis difficult work ? \n\nA. It is supposed that Malachi. the last of th< \nphets, prophesied about this time, for he doth not reprove \nthem for neglect of building as Haggai did, Hag. i. 4, 9 f \nnor does he speak of the finishing of the temple, as Zeeh- \nariah did. chap, iv. 7, 9. Hut supposing that already \ndone, he reproved them about their marriage of stran- \ngers, and of several wives, or of taking concubines, JUaL \nii. 11, 14, 16, and their robbing God of their tithes, chap. \niii. &c. and their polluting the altar, and neglect of offer- \ning God the best, chap. i. which were the very things \nwhich Nehemiah corrected in his last reformation. \n\n\n\nChap. 14. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 117 \n\nThus far the Holy Scripture has delivered clown \nto us the history of the transactions of God with \nmen, and particularly Avith his own people, the na- \ntion of Israel, in a long and continued succession of \nevents, from the creation of the world to the return \nof the Jews from the captivity of Babylon, and the \nsettling of the church and state under Nehemiah, \nwhom the king of Persia made governor over the \nland. \n\nThere are several other historical matters related \nin Scripture which belong to particular persons f the \nmost considerable of them are the histories of Job \nand Jonah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Esther. \n\n\n\nCHAP, xn \nThe History of Job. \n\n1 Q. Who was Job? \n\nA. A most religious man in the land of Uz, who had \nten children, and very great riches. Job i. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. \n\n2 Q. In what age of the world is Job supposed to \nhave lived ? \n\nA. In, or before the days of Moses, because there is \nnot the least intimation of "any transactions of God with \nIsrael in the whole book of Job. \n\n3 Q. What particular act of piety is related con- \ncerning him in his prosperous state ? \n\nJi. When his children had been feasting each other \nin their turns, Job offered sacrifices for them, lest they \nshould have sinned, and provoked God in the seasons \nof their mirth, ver. 4, 5. \n\n4 Q. What were the afflictions that fell upon Job r \n.#. God permitted the devil, by kindling of lightning, \n\nand by stirring up robbers and plunderers among his \nheathen neighbours, to bereave him of ail his cattle and \nhis wealth in one day, and to destrov all his children* \n\n\n\nlis 3CWPTURE HISTORY. (Imp. 14. \n\neven seveu sons and three daughters; by a tempest \nwhich blew down the house in which they w \nver. 6\xe2\x80\x9419. \n\n5 -Q. Was the devil suffered to veut hi;-, malice upon \nthe person of Job? \n\nA. Yes; God permitted him to smite Job with Bote \nboils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his bead. \nJob ii. 6, 7. \n\n6 Q. What was the design of God in these provi- \ndences toward Job-? \n\nJi. To try the strength of his piety, and to >et him \nup as an example of patience, both in the ei \nand in the rewards of it. Job xxiii. 10. Jam,\'* v. 1 1. \n\n7 Q. What was the behaviour of Job undei \ntrial ? \n\nJi. He blessed the name of the Lord, and did not \nmurmur at his providence. Job i. \xc2\xa30 \xe2\x80\x94 22, and ii. 10. \n\n8 Q. What was a further aggravation of Jobfa dis- \ntress ? \n\nA. That his wife tempted him to abandon all reli- \ngion, because God suffered him to be thus afflicted. Job \nii. 9, 10. \n\n9 Q. Had Job any comforter ? \n\nA. Three friends came from the neighbouring | \nto mourn with him and comfort him. ivr. 1 1. \n\n10 Q. How long did his patience continue in thi- \nperfect exercise of it ? \n\nA. Seven days he sat down in ashes, and w;i< silent \nunder the hand of God. v<v. IS. \n\n11 Q. Wherein did any impatience of Job at \nappear ? \n\nA, In cursing the day on which he was born. Job \niii. 1\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n12 Q. What were the sentiments of Job\'s thm \nfriends on this mournful occasion, and how did the] \n\nry it towards him r \n\nJi. When they saw- him to be so dreadfully affli \nthey rashly concluded he had been guilty ol \nsins* notwithstanding his outward profession <>f \n\n\n\n\xe2\x82\xachap. 14. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 119 \n\nand therefore they severely reproved him for his griev- \nous complaints, chap. iv. &c. \n\n1 3 Q. How did Job answer to their charges ? \n\nJl. He maintained against them all this great truth, \nthat God did sometimes afflict those who were innocent, \nfor wise and unsearchable reasons ; and he vindicated \nhis own innocence, placing his trust in God. chap. ix. &c. \n\n14 Q. Wherein did Job fail in his duty towards God \nin this matter ? \n\nA, Under the violence of his distress, and the most \nunjust accusations of his friends, he sometimes spake \nwords of unreasonable despair, and sometimes he used \nrash and unbecoming language against the great God, \nand vindicated himself too much, as though he had been \nperfectly innocent before God as well as before men. \nchap. vi. &c. \n\n1 J Q. How was the controversy between Job and his \nfriends compromised at last ? \n\nA. Elihu, a fourth friend, who was younger than the \nrest, and had come to visit him, took a middle way to \nend this controversy, and spoke more agreeably to the \ntruth : and though he reproved the three friends for as- \nserting that God would never afflict any innocent man \nso much as Job was affiictea ; yet he severely reproved \nJob for insisting so much on his own innocence before \nGod. chop, xxxii. &c. \n\n16 Q. What was the foundation of Elihu\'s argument \non this occasion ? \n\nJ\\. The supreme majesty and holiness of God, the \nmeanness and sinfulness of the best of men in his sight ; \nhis sovereign dominion over all things, and the unsearch- \nableness of his wisdom and conduct toward men. chap, \nxxxiii. and xxxvi. &c. \n\n17 Q. How did God himself manifestly engage in \ndeciding this controversy ? \n\nJi. He greatly confirmed the sentiments and opin- \nions of Elihu, by asserting and displaying his own su- \npreme wisdom and power, his grandeur and dominion \nover all things, by a voice out of the whirlwind, chap. \nxxxv. &c. \n\n\n\n120 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cb4] \n\n18 Q. "What effect had this upon his servant Job r \nJl. Job confessed his folly, abnorred himself for his \n\nsin under the apprehension of the holiness and the majes- \nty of God, and repented in dust and ashes. Job xlii. l \xe2\x80\x94 (i. \n\n19 Q. How did God deal with the three friends of \nJob? \n\nA. He disapproved of their false accusations of Job, \nand their wrong sentiments concerning God himself and \nhis conduct, and bid them offer a sacrifice of atonement, \nand Job to pray for them. ver. 7, 8. \n\n20 Q. What tokens of approbation and favour did \nGod shew to Job ? \n\nA. While Job prayed for his friends, God rel< \nhim from all his afflictions, and afterward gave him ten \nchildren, as he had at first, he doubled his estate, and \nprolonged his life to four generations. chaj \n10\xe2\x80\x9417. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XV. \n\n\n\nThe Histojga of Jonah, \n\n\n\n1 Q. Who was Jonah r \n\nA. A prophet who lived about the time of Jero \nthe seconcl, king of Israel. Jonah i. I \nThere is no need of particular citations of \nverse for the history of Jonah, since the wjiole i> contain- \ned in four short chapters. \n\n2 Q. Whither did God send him? \n\nA. He was sent to Nineveh, to pronounce del \ntion upon that great city for their wickedm \nS ({. How did Jonali disobey God ? \nA. He took shipping and fled toward Tarshish, from \nthe presence of the Lord, because he supposed that the \nmercy of God would spare Nineveh after he hai \nnounced destruction upon it, and then he \nounted a raise prophet \n1 ({. What fcefcl him in this \\ <>^ ig \n\n\n\nChap. 15. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 121 \n\nA. There arose a terrible tempest, which endangered \nthe ship ; and Jonah being conscious of his own guilt, \nadvised the sailors to cast him into the sea, and then the \nstorm ceased. \n\n5 Q. What became of Jonah ? \n\nA. A great fish swallowed him up, and he continued \nin the bowels of the fish three days and three nights. \n\n6 Q. Did he ever come to the shore again ? \n\nA. At his repentance and earnest prayer, God com- \nmanded the fish to vomit out Jonah upon the dry land. \nJonah ii. \n\n7 Q. What service did God assign to Jonah after \nthis great deliverance ? \n\nJl. He sent him the second time to Nineveh, to \npreach destruction against it within forty days. Jonah ih\\ \n\n8 Q. What effect had this preaching upon the peo- \nple? \n\nA. The king and the people put on sackcloth, mourn- \ned for their sins, turned from their evil ways, and cried \nmightily to God for mercy, whereupon God withheld \nthe punishment winch he threatened. \n\n9 ^. How did Jonah resent this merciful dealing of \nGod with Nineveh ? \n\nJi. He feared he should be counted a false prophet, \nand, in an angry temper, desired God to take away his \nlife. Jonah iv. \n\n10 Q. What did God do to convince him of the un- \nreasonableness of his anger ? \n\nA. He made a gourd grow up in a night, whicli shel- \ntered him from the heat of the sun, and he caused it to \nwither the next day; upon which Jonah murmured \nagainst God. \n\n11 Q. Hew did God argue with Jonah upon this oc- \ncurrence ? \n\nJL God reproved the prophet, that he should be so \nmuch concerned about a gourd, a senseless plant, which \ngrew up in one night, and only afforded him some con- \nveniency of life ; and that he should be no more concern- \ned about the lives of so great and populous a city, which \n12 \n\n\n\nlfcl SCHlPTURl HISTORY. Chap. 16. \n\nbesides men and women, had above six score thousand \n-children in it. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XVI. \n\nThe History of Jeremiah. \n\n1 Q. Who was Jeremiah ? \n\nJi. One of the priests in the land of Benjamin, whom \nGod called to be a prophet when he was very yonng, in \nthe days of Josiah king of Judah. Jet, i. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n2 ({. What encouragement hud he when he \\ \nvoting to pronounce the judgment.-* of God \npeople r \n\nA. God put forth Ins hand and touched his mouth, to \nsignify Ms divine inspiration, and promised his pines \nWith him to deliver him from all that should oppose him. \nver. 7\xe2\x80\x94 -19. \n\n3 Q. What was the chief message with which Jere- \nmiah wa> sent to the people, and to the prim \n\nof Judah ? \n\nJ. That Jerusalem should be destroyed, and t 1 \npie and princes should be carried away captive into \nBabylon, because of their sins, and remain there m \nvears. From chap. vii. to xxv. per. 11, 12. \n\n4 Q. By what method did Jeremi \ntheir sins and these judgments of God ? \n\n./. By some very plain and direct \nexample of the Rechabites set before them, and lr\\ \nparables or emblems. \n\n5 Q. How did Jeremiah shew them the heinot \nof their sins by a view of the example of the Rechal \n\n.7. Since all the family of Rechab abstained h \xc2\xbbm \nwine, which is no unlawful liquor, merely b \ndab their father forbid them; much more should the \nhave abstained from tln.se practices which \nunlawful, when the God of Israel had forbid \nI xv. \n\n\n\nChap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 12\xc2\xa3 \n\n6 Q. Wliat were some of the emblems by which God \nordered Jeremiah to foretel their calamities? \n\nA. A linen girdle,. a potter?s vessel, an earthen bot- \ntle, yokes of wood and of iron, &c. \n\n7 ({. What was designed by the linen girdle ? \n\nA. Jeremiah was commanded to hide it in the hole of \na rock near the river Euphrates, and when he sought it \nagain, it was quite spoiled ; so God decreed to spoil the \npride of Jerusalem by the nation that dwelt near Eu- \nphrates, that is, Assyria. Jer. xiii. \n\n8 Q. What was intended by the potter\'s vessel ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2#. As, when the vessel of clay was spoiled in the \nmaking;, the form of it was changed, and it was moulded \nup into another vessel, as the potter pleased ; so God \ndeclared his power over the house of Israel, to manage \nand dispose of them as he pleased ; and that he would \nchange his providences and their state, according to their \nbehaviour. Jer. xviii. \n\n9 ({. What further lesson was taught by an earthen \nbottle ? \n\nJi. Jeremiah was commanded to break the bottle in \nthe sight of the priests and the elders, and to declare, \nThus saith the Lord, even so will I break this nation \nand this city, that it shall not be made whole again. \nJer. xix. \n\n10 <\xc2\xa3. What did Jeremiah teach them by the emblems \nof bonds and yokes ? \n\nJ. In the days of Jehoiakim king of Judah, God \ncommanded Jeremiah to make bonds and yokes, and put \nthem upon his own neck, and then to send them to the \nkings of the nations round about, to assure them that \nthey should all be made subject to Nebuchadnezzar king \nof Babylon. Jer. xxvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n1 1 ({. Who- were Jeremiah\'s chief enemies ? \n\nJl. The priests and the false prophets, who would \nhave put him to death in the reign of Jehoiakim. Jer. \nxxvi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\n12 q. Who saved Jeremiah at that time ? \n\n*#. The princes and the people saved him from death, , \n\n\n\n124 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI.. \n\nthough the kin:; slew Urijah ti- \nthe words of Jeremiah. >\xe2\x80\xa2<-/\xe2\x80\xa2. II \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n13 <{. What abuses did from \nPashur the pri \n\nJ. Pashur smote the prophet and j>ut him in the \n\\. J r. \\\\. \' \n\n14 (). Whet evil was denounced i - or on \nthis account P \n\nJ. God changed his name to Magor-mist \nnote that he should be a terror to himself and to all hi> \nfriends ; and foretold that he should be led captive to \nBabylon, and die there, n r. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 < ; . \n\n15 Q. How did Jeremiah\'s patience hold out under \nthe many injuries he received ? \n\nA. In the main he continued to trust in God, but \nonce he murmured against God, refused I \nand cursed the day of his birth, ver. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 I B, \n\n16 (\xc2\xa3. In what manner did God overcome his mur- \nmuring and his disobedience r \n\nJi. The Word of the Lord was in hi^ heart like a \nburning fire shut up in his bones, and he could i, \nbear speaking, ver. 9. \n\n17 Q. How did Jeremiah publisl becieS \nwhen he could not appear in public himself, being shut \nup in prison ? \n\nJi. He commanded Baruch the scribe to write the \nwords of bis prophecies from his mouth in a volum< \nbook, and to read them in the i :i the \n\ntemple on a fast-day. Jer. xixvi, 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10, \n\n18 ^. What effect had this upon Jehoiakii] \nking ? \n\n.7. When he heard of it he sent for the \\ \na little of it, cut it with a pen-knife, and burnt it in the \ntire, and then sent to seize Jeremiah and Baruch; but \nGod by his kind providence kept them hid from the king. \ni?er.20\xe2\x80\x94 26. \n\n19 ({. What was the i \n\xe2\x80\xa2niah? \n\n./. That he should take another voluii* \n\n\n\nChap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 125 \n\nBaruch should write over again from his mouth the same \nwords, and many others of the same import, ver. 27, 32. \n\n20 Q. What did Jeremiah prophecy concerning Je- \nhoahaz, the son of Josiah king of Judah, who is here call- \ned Shallum ? \n\n.#. That he should die a captive in the land of Egypt. \nJer. xxii. 11, 12. 2 Kings xxiii. 31 \xe2\x80\x94 34. \n\n21 Q. What did he say concerning Jehoiakim his \nbrother ? \n\nA. That he should die unlamented, and be buried \nlike an ass, drawn and cast out beyond the gates of Je- \nrusalem. Jer. xxii. 18, 20. \n\n22 Q. What did he pronounce concerning Jehoiachin, \nwho is also called Jeconiah and Coniah? \n\nA. That he should die in a strange land, and none of \nhis seed should sit on the throne of Judah, Jer. xxii. 24 \n\xe2\x80\x94 30, and he accordingly was carried to Babylon, and \nlived long there, and there he died. Jer. Hi. 31. \n\n23 Q. What advice did he give to Zedekiah king of \nJudah ? \n\nJi. To submit willingly to the yoke of the king of \nBabylon, that both lie and his people might meet with \nbetter treatment. Jer. xxvii. 12, 18. \n\n24 Q. How did the false prophet Hananiah oppose \nJeremiah ? \n\nA. He took the yoke from the prophet Jeremiah\'s \nneck, which probably he had worn for some years ; and \nas he brake it, he declared, the Lord would break tli3 \nyoke of Nebuchadnezzar in two years from the necks of \nthe nations. Jer. xxviii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n25 Q. How did Jeremiah answer him ? \n\nA. That God had appointed yokes of iron instead of \nyokes of wood, for all the nations to serve the king of \nBabylon ; and that Hananiah should die in that year mi- \nnis falsehood ; which came to pass in two months after \nver. 10\xe2\x80\x9417. \n\n26 Q. Among all these predictions of distress, did \n5 not Jeremiah prophecy any thing comfortable to the na- \ntion of Israel r \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2A. Yes ; he foretold the return of the Jews to then \n12* \n\n\n\n126 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip \n\nown land with joy, after seventy years captivity : and he \n\nencouraged their faith and hope by many tracioui prnm- \nises of the Messiah who was to come. chap. xx\\ \nxxx. and xxxi. \n\n27 Q. How did king Zedekiah deal with Jen \n\nthe prophet when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem ? \nA. He shut him up in the court of the prison which \nwas in the king\'s house, because 1h\xc2\xab foretold that Jerusa- \nlem should be taken, and that Zedekiah the king should \nnot escape, but be carried to Babylon. J$r, xwii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 . \n\n28 ^. What did Jeremiah do in prison to \n\nthem that the Jews should return from captivity, and \npossess the cities of Judali again ? \n\nA. By express order from God he bought a field of \nhis cousin Hananeel, paid him the moi \nevidence, and sealed it before witnesses, as an i-mblem \nand pledge of what should be done in Jerusalem h< \nter. ver. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 16, 44. \n\n29 Q. What did Jeremiah do when he was it fill \n\nA. He endeavoured to flee out of Jerusalem, but lie \nwas seized by the guard upon suspicion of fatting away \nto the Chaldeans, and he was thrust down into a dungeon \nby the princes, because he prophecied the destruction of \nthe city- chap, xxxvii. 11 \xe2\x80\x94 1G, and xxxviii. I \xe2\x80\x94 G. \n\n30 ^. What relief did the prophet find I i \n\nA. When he sunk in the mire, Ebedmefoch the \nEthiopian, a servant in the king\'s house, drew him up \nwith ropes, by leave from the king ; and he remaii \nthe court of the prison till the city was taken \n7\xe2\x80\x9414. \n\n31 Q. What favour did God shew to Ebedm< \non this account ? \n\nA. He assured him he should not die by the - \nbut his life should be given him, because he trusted in \nthe Lord. Jrr. xxx\\x. 1G. \n\n32 (\xc2\xa3. When Zedekiah the king sent for Jen \nwhat message bad he from God r \n\nA. He repeated his advice to the king oi \ngo forth and submit to the king of Babylon, in order to \nsave himself and the city, ver, IT, &c\xc2\xbb \n\n\n\nChap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \\%7 \n\nS3 Q. Did the king hearken to his advice ? \n\nA. No ; he did not obey the prophet ; so the city \nwas taken, and burnt, the princes of Judah were slain, \nand the king\'s sons were put to death before his eyes ; \nthen the king had his eyes put out, and he was carried \nin chains to Babylon, and died there. Jew xxxix. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10, \nand Hi. S\xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\njYote. Then was fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel concern- \ning Zedekiah, chap. xii. 23. / will bring him to Babylon, the \nland of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see ?7, though he shall \ndie there. \n\n34 Q. What became of Jeremiah after the city was \ntaken ? \n\nA. Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to the officers of his \narmy to take care of him ; and to give him his liberty to \ngo where he pleased. Jew xxxix. 11, and xl. 4, 5. \n\n35 Q. Whither did Jeremiah choose to go ? \n\nA. He chose to continue in the land of Israel, and \nput himself under the protection of Gedaliah, whom the \nking of Babylon made governor in the land. ver. 6, 7". \n\n36 Q. Did Jeremiah continue under his protection ? \nA. Gedaliah was quickly slain by a taction raised by \n\nIshmael ; and Ishmael also was put to flight by another \nfaction under the command of Johanan. Jew xl. 41. \n\n37 Q. What did Johanan do with Jeremiah ? \n\nJ. He carried him and a multitude of the people ii> \nto Egypt, in direct opposition to the advice which Jere- \nmiah gave him from the Lord. chap. xlii. and xliii. \n\n38 Q. What did Jeremiah do in the land of Egypt ? \nA. He severely reproved the Jews for their idolatry \n\nthere ; he denounced ruin upon them ; he took great \nstones and hid them in the clay at the entrance of Phari- \noh the king of Egypt\'s palace, and foretold, that Nebu- \nchadnezzar should conquer Egypt, and should set his \nthrone upon those stones. Jer. xliii. 9, 10. \n\n39 Q. Among the several prophecies against the na- \ntions round about, did not Jeremiah foretel the destruc* \ntion of Babylon ? \n\nA. Yes ; he pronounced the severe judgments of God \nagainst Babylon, who had plundered Jerusalem in a no* \n\n\n\n128 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\ntabic and dreadful manner, as Isaiah did be( \nwhich were eminently fulfilled, partly whe \nPersian took the city of Babylon, and partly in fol- \nlowing times. Jer. 1. and li. \n\n40 Q. What emblem or pledge did Jeremiah gr \nthe accomplishment of this prophecj ? \n\nJt, He wrote in a book all these threatenings, and \nbid Seraiah, one of the Jewish captives, read it when be \ncame to Babylon, then bind a stone to it, and cast it into \nthe river Euphrates, and say, Thus shall Babylon \nnnd shall never rise again. Jer. li. 59 \xe2\x80\x94 04. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XVII. \n\nThe History of Daniel. \n\nI Q. Who was Daniel ? \n\nA. A young man of the tribe of Judah, who was \nried captive by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, in the \nreign of Jehoiakim king of Judah. J)nn. i. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n\xc2\xa3 Q. How was he disposed of in Bain i \n\nA. Daniel and his fellows, Shadrach, Meshach, and \nAbednego, were appointed to be nourished bv tin- \nprovision, and to be trained up in the learning \nChaldeans, that in three years time they might stand he- \nfore the king. ver. 5, 6. \n\n3 Q. And did they, being Jew-., eat of the kin^\'- j\xc2\xbbi <\xe2\x96\xba- \nvision, which was prepared after the manner of the \nheathens ? \n\nJl. No; they chose to be fed with pulse and \\ \nrather than defile themselves with the king\'s meat. \n8\xe2\x80\x9414. \n\n4 Q. How did they thrive bj \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2fl. Their countenances appeared fairer, and then \npect was better approved by Melzar, who I \nthem, than the rest who fed on royal daintiest \n\n5 Q. How did they approve themselves wfcen \n^vere culled before the king r \n\n\n\nChap. ir. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 1\xc2\xa39 \n\nJi. The king found them far wiser and better than all \nthe astrologers and magicians in his kingdom, ver. 20. \n\n6 Q. What was the first special occasion of Daniel\'s \nadvancement at court ? \n\nJ. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream which much \ntroubled him, yet he forgot it in the morning ; and sent \norders to destroy all the wise men and astrologers, be- \ncause they could not tell him both the dream and the in- \nterpretation thereof. Ban., ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n7 Q. How did Daniel obtain this secret from God ? \nA. He engaged himself and his three companions, \n\nShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in prayer to the God \nof heaven, that he would reveal this secret to them, that \nthey might not all perish together with the astrologers, \nwhom the king had doomed to death. Dan. ii. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \n\n8 ^. What was this dream which Daniel rehearsed \nbefore the king ? \n\nJl. There appeared a bright and terrible image, \nwhose head was gold, his breast and arms of silver, his \nbelly and thighs of brass, his legs of iron, and his feet \npart of iron and part of clay, which was dashed to pieces \nby a stone, and the stone became a mountain, and filled \nthe whole earth, ver. 31 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n9 Q. What was the interpretation of it? \n\nJi. It signifies the four great monarchies of the world, \nnamely, the Assyrian, the Persian, the Grecian, and the \nRoman, which should destroy one another in succession ; \nand the last of them should be destroyed by the kingdom \nof Christ, which should spread through the earth and re- \nmain for ever. ver. 31 \xe2\x80\x94 45. \n\n10 Q. What honours did Nebuchadnezzar bestow \non Daniel on this occasion ? \n\nJl. He acknowledged the supremacy of the God of \nDaniel, he made Daniel ruler over Babylon, and at his re- \nquest made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, officers \nunder him. ver, 46 \xe2\x80\x94 49. \n\n11 Q. What became of Shadrach, Meshach, and \nAbednego ? \n\nJi. Notwithstanding the honour the king had given \nthem, jet they were cast into a fiery furnace, becausa \n\n\n\n130 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 17. \n\nthey would not woi ge which king \n\nNeDuchadnezzar i: d set up. Dan iii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n12 ({. Whal rem irkable pi I theii \nbeing cast into the furni \n\nJi. Tlu\' I. i bold- \n\nly to w< \nmade \nflame slew the men that cast them in f i \n\n13 ({. How were they saved i:i the fiery furn. \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nA. Though these three men were cast into the fur- \nnace bound, and : <!i (\'own in the fire, tlj af- \nterward, the kin\xc2\xb0 saw four men \' ie fire, \nand thej r.i\\rt: and the form of the fourth was \nlike the son of God, \n\nous person whom Nebuchadnezzar could d \nscribe than as a heavenly being, \n\n14 ({. What influence had thi< upon the king? \nA. He called them to come out of the furnace, \n\nblessed their God who had sent his angel to deliver them, \nand made a decree, that no man should sp \nthe God of the Jews. vpv. 26 \xe2\x80\x94 L 28. \n\n15 Q. What other dream of Nebuchadnezzar\'s did \nDaniel interpret r \n\n*2. The dream of a tall and spreading tree that was \ncut down, and the stump of it was left in the earth, and \nthat it should have a beast\'s heart given it instead of a \nman\'s for seven years. Han. iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n16 Q. What interpretation did Daniel I \n\nd. That Nebuchadnezzar the king should be driven \nfrom his kingdom, should run mad, and dwell \nyears with the beasts of the earth, and then be rest \nto his reason and his kingdom again, ver. 19- \n\n17 ({. How soon was this fulfilled ? \n\nJ. At the end of twelve months he was walk \nthe palace of Babylon, and boasting of his grandeur and \nmajesty, and there fell a voice from heaven that his \ndom was departed, and he should l>" driven from men: \nand immediately he was seized with madness, and th. \nsentence was executed upon him, and lie fled from th< \n\n\n\nChap. 17. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 13 1 \n\nsociety of men, and herded with the beasts in the open \nfield. * ver. 28 \xe2\x80\x94 33. \n\n18 Q. What did Nebuchadnezzar tto at seven years \nend, when his understanding and his kingdom were res- \ntored to him ? \n\nQ. He did further honours to the God of heaven, and \npublished this history of himself, and these signs and \nwonders of the great God, throughout all his dominions. \nver. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. \n\n19 Q. What notice was taken of Daniel in the time \nof Bslshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar ? \n\nA. He was sent for to court to read and interpret \nthree or four words which were written upon the wall \nby the apparition of a hand while Belshazzar was feast- \ning. Ban. v. 5-- 1 6. \n\n20 Q. What was there in Belshazzar\'s feast that \neminently provoked God against him ? \n\nA, He and his nobles drank in the holy vessels that \nwere taken out of the temple of God at Jerusalem, and \nat the same time they praised their gods of gold and \nsilver, of wood and stone. Ban. v. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n21 Q. What was the meaning of this writing against \nthe wall ? \n\nA. That God had finished Belshazzar\'s kingdom, \nand given it to the Medes and Persians, ver. 25 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n22 Q. What honour was done to Daniel ? \n\nA. He was immediately clothed in scarlet, with a \nchain of gold, and made the third ruler in the kingdom. \nver. 29. \n\n; 23 Q. When was this sentence executed on Bel- \nshazzar ? \n\nA. He was slain that very night, by the army under \nthe command of Cyrus the general, who after a long \nsiege took the city of Babylon, and the kingdom was \ntranslated to Darius the Mede, the emperor of the \nMedes and Persians, ver. 30, 31. \n\n24 Q. Did Daniel lose his preferment by the change \n*f the kingdom ? \n\nA. No ; for Darius set Daniel over all the hundred \n\n\n\n&2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( bap. IT \n\nand twenty princes, and made liim first of the ihvcc \n\npresidents. Dan. vi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. \n\n25 (\xc2\xa3. How did tlic envy of the \\ id the \n\nprinces persecute him on this occasion ? \n\n.1. They knew that Daniel would pray to his God, \nand they persuaded king Darius t<> Bign a decree, that it \nany man sliould ask a petition of any God or man for \nthirty days, besides of the king himself, he Should b \ninto "the lions\' den. ver. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n\xc2\xa36 Q. "What did Daniel do when he heard of this \ndecree ? \n\nJi. He went to his house, and the windowi \nopen toward Jerusalem, he prayed to his God three \na day, according to his custom, ver. JO. \n\n27 Q. What was the consequence of this? \n\n*#. Though the king himself was sorry for 1 i- d< \nand tried all means to save Daniel, yet his enetni< \nvailed to have him cast into the den of lions, bt \nthe laws of the Medes and Persians were not t\xc2\xab> be alter- \ned, ver. 11- \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n28 Q. Wherein did the king further shew his \ncern for Daniel r \n\nJi. He passed the night without music or sleep, he \nwent early to the lions\' den in the morning, and found \nDaniel safe, to his great joy ; for God had shut the \nmouths of the lions, that they did him no hurt vir. \n18\xe2\x80\x9425. \n\n29 Q. Wherein did king Darius manifest hit n \nment against the enemies of Daniel r \n\nJi. He cast them with their wives and children, \nthe den of lions, who broke all their bones immediately. \nver. 24. \n\n50 Q. What special regard did Darius shew to the \ntrue God on this occasion r \n\nJI. He sent a decree through all nations, that men \nshould fear the God of Daniel, ver, \n\n51 Q. What are the other most remarkable I \nin the history of Daniel r \n\nA. The visions which he saw, the excellent | \nwhich he made for the restoration of the Jews from cap- \n\n\n\nChap. 18. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 133 \n\ntivity, and the other prophecies which were given him \nby angels. \n\n32 Q. What were some of his visions and prophe- \ncies? \n\n, Ji. Emblems and representations of the four monar- \nchies of the world, and of the kingdom of Christ ; and \npredictions concerning future events among the Jews, \nand other nations of the earth ; some of which are ex- \npressed so plainly, that the enemies of the Bible sup- \npose them to be written after those events came to pass. \nchap. vii. and viii. and xi. \n\n33 Q. What remarkable answer did Daniel receive \nto this excellent prayer of his for the restoration of the \nJews ? \n\nJi. The angel Gabriel was^ ordered to fly swiftly, and \nto inform him of his own acceptance with God ; of the \ncommandment of the kings of Persia to rebuild the holy \ncity ; of the time of the coming, and the death of the \nMessiah, to take away the sins of men ; and of the se- \ncond destruction of Jerusalem. Dan. ix. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 27. \n\n34 Q. What other eminent prophecies did Daniel \nreceive by his converse with angels ? \n\nJi. Besides the various events relating to this world, \nhe had some predictions concerning the Christian church \nand its troubles, and the period of them ; concerning \nthe resurrection of the dead, everlasting life, and ever- \nlasting punishment, chap. xii. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XVIIL \n\nThe History of Esther. \n\n1 q. Who was Esther ? \n\nJi. A beautiful young Jewish virgin, whose ancestors \nwere carried captive by the king of Babylon, in the days \nof Jeconiah, king of Judah. Esther ii. 5, 6. \n\n2 Q. W r here was she educated ? \n\n& She was brought up in Shushan, the palace of the \n13 \n\n\n\n134 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (),, \n\nking of Persia, by Mordecai her first cousin, f< \n\nfather and mother were dead. ver. 7. \n\n5 ({. To what honour was she advanced f \n\nJi. King Ahasuerus took berinto his royal house, and \n\nmade her queen in the room of his former queen, Vaatftti. \n\nver. 16, 17. \n\nAble. This Ahaeuenu i- supj I bj Dr. Prideqprx, and \n\nthat with great probability, I \n\nof Persia, who was called Longimanus \\ and ul . \n\ning influenced l>.\\ Esther and Mordecai, gave a d< \n\nto promote the building of the temple .t .\'\xe2\x96\xa0 rusj \n\ncaptivity in Babylon. See Chap. XIII. Qu. 0, and 13. \n\n4 Q. What was the occasion of Vashtft disgrace? \nJi. When the king had made a most magnificent \n\nfeast for all his nobles and princes, he Sent for Vashti to \nshew the princes her beauty, and to grace the f< \nbut she refused to come. Esther i. IC \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n5 Q. What service did Mordecai do for the king, \nwhich laid a foundation for his future advancement r \n\nA. He gave information against two of the chamber- \nlains who had conspired against the king, upon which \nthey were tried and lian^ed. Esther ii. 01 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n6 Q. "Who was made the king\'s chief favourite I lit- \ntle after this time ? < \n\nJi. Kaman, of the seed of Agad the Amalekite. \nEsther iii. 1 , 2. \n\n7 Q. Wherein did Mordecai offend Haman ? \nJi. H& refused to bow before him, and to do i \n\nence to him, as the king\'s servants did at court n \n\n8 Q. How did Haman attempt to revenge hinu \nJi. By persuading the kins; to send orders t<> d< \n\nall the Jews that were in all his dominions. \n\n9 ({. What did Mordecai do on this occasion f \nJ. He desired Esther the queen to venture into \n\nking\'s presenre, though she were not called, Hi on \npetition the kin- for the lives of her people the \nEsther iv. \n\n10 Q. Did Esther comply with his request ? \n\nJi. Though she knew it was death bv the law to ven- \ntre into the king^ presence, unless he held out nil \n\n\n\nChap. 18. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. M \n\nden sceptre to her ; jet having first fasted and prayed to \nGod \'three days,, and appointed the Jews*in Shushan to \nfast and pray, she ventured to approach the king. Est- \nher v. 1. \n\n11 Q. What success did queen Esther find? \n\nJl. The king held out his golden sceptre to her, and \npromised to grant her request, even to the half of his \nkingdom. Esther v. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. \n\n12 Q. What was Esther\'s first request to the king? \n\nJ. That the king and Haman would come to a ban- \nquet which the queen had prepared for them ; which re- \nquest also she repeated the next day. Esther v. 3 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \n\n13 Q. How was Haman employed on that day ? \n\nA. He rejoiced at the invitation that Esther gave \nhim, and set up a gallows for Mordecai fifty cubits high, \nexpecting that at his desire the king would order Mor-- \ndecai to be hanged thereon, ver. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n14 Q. How did the king pass the time that night ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa23. He could not sleep, and he had the book of re- \ncords read to entertain him, wherein was written Mor- \ndecai\'s information of the conspiracy against the king. \nEsther vi. 1, 2. \n\n15 Q. What effect had this on the king? \n\nJi. When he inquired and found that Mordecai had \nreceived no recompence for his faithfulness, he ordered \nHaman to array him in royal apparel, to set him on the \nking\'s own horse, and to do the highest honours to him in \na public procession through the city. ver. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n16 C(. In what remarkable ho\'ar did Haman receive \nthis order from the king ? \n\nA. At that very time when he was come to court to \nspeak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he \nhad set up. ver. 4, 5. \n\n17 Q. When the king and Haman were come to the \nbanquet, what was queen Esther\'s further request ? \n\nJi. That the nation of the Jews, which were her kin- \ndred, might be delivered from the general massacre that \nHaman had contrived for them. Esther vii. 1\xe2\x80\x947. \n\n18^. What change of affairs ensued on this petition \nto the king ? - \n\n\n\n136 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 18 \n\nA. The king commanded Hainan to bo banged on the \ngallows he had prepared for Mortlecai ; be put Moulecai \ninto Hainan\'s jdace at court ; and sent orders throi \nhis dominions for the Jews to defend themselves. / \nvii. 9, 10, and viii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n19 ({. Why was not the order for the slaughter of \nthe Jews rather reversed r \n\nA. Because what is written in tin* kind\'s name, and \nsealed with Insuring, could not be reversed, according to \nthe laws of the government, ver. 8, and God ordered it \nthus in his providence, for the public destruction of \ntheir enemies. \n\n20 Q. How did the Jews defend themselves in the \nday designed for their general slaughter r \n\nA. They slew seventy-rive thousand of those that \nrose up against them, and the ten sons of Hainan among \nthe rest. Esth e r i x. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 1 6. \n\n21 Q. What memorial of this great delivcran* \npreserved amongst the Jew^ r \n\nJl. All the Jews agreed, by and with the authority of \nEsther and Mordecai, to keep the Hth and 15th day of \nthe month Adar, every year, as a day of thank . \nfor this salvation, ver. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 32. \n\n22 ((. What was the name of this festival ? \n\nJl. These two days were called the days of pnrim, \nfrom pur, which signifies a lot ; because Hainan h \nlots in a superstitious manner, to find out what month or \nday was the most lucky to execute his bloody d<-\\\'nt. \nagainst the Jews. Either i\\. \'\xe2\x96\xa0\'.. 7. \n\n23 Q. How does this history appear to be a true ac- \ncount of things, since there is not the least hint v \n\nthe writer of it, not i* the name of God in it r \n\nJ. Because it is delivered down to us among \nsacred writings by the Jews themselves, who we\\ \nkeepers \xc2\xbbf ill.\' oracles of (rod. Rom. iii. I. And b \nthis teast of purim is observed by the Jews to thi \nin memory of this deliverance. \n\nV\'/\'f End of the Histories of th? \n\nOld Test a went. \n\n\n\nChap. 19. bCRIPTURE HISTORY. ffi \n\n\n\nCHAP. XIX. \n\n.1 Continuation of the History of the Government \nand Church of\' the Jews, from the End of the Old \nTestament^ to the Times of Christ. \n\nINTRODUCTION. \n\nThe learned Dr. Prideaux hath written two large \nand valuable volumes, which he calls the Connection of \nthe History of the Old and New Testament; wherein \nhe gives us an account of all the most credible things \nthat he can find in ancient historians, relating to the \nJews and their customs, as well as their history, during \nthat period of time between the end of the Old Testa- \nment and the beginning of the New : he intermingles al- \nso a large collection of historical matters relating to \nPersia, Babylon, Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, \nRome, and all the more known and remarkable nations, \nof the earth, wherein the great affairs of the four mon- \narchies of the world were transacted. This renders his \nwork a little too tedious to those who expected nothing \nmore than a mere continuation of the Jewish history to \nthe times of our Saviour. \n\nNow it is only a very brief abstract of the history of \nthe Jews which I endeavour here to set before the read- \ner, that he may gain a little acquaintance with the affairs \nof the Jews, or the church of God, from the days of Ne- \nhemiah, when Scripture history ends, to the beginning of \nthe Gospel, and the times of Christ. A great part of it \nmust be taken originally from Josephus, the Jewish his- \ntorian, and from the books of Maccabees whom I have \nconsulted upon this occasion ; but I have borrowed much \nfurther light and assistance from Dr. Prideaux in this \nmatter, whose laborious collection from heathen writers, \nand his judicious determination in many dubious points, \nhas rendered his work more complete and accurate, and \nmine more easy. \n13* \n\n\n\n158 SCRIPTl\'KK HISTORY. Cha \n\n\n\nSect. I. Of Nehemiah\'s further Reformation, Syna- \ngogues, Targums, Samaritans, Proselytes, \n\nNote. This chapter being \xc2\xabo lonir, the question \ntion shall be numbered apart. \n\n1 Q. What further reformation did Nehemiah make \nin Israel ? \n\nA. It is reported by the Jews, that he himself togeth- \ner with Ezra the scribe, having found a great \\\\ \nthe knowledge of the law among the people, did about \nthis time appoint the reading of the law in the several \ntowns and cities; and on this occasion, it is sup] \nthat synagogues began to be built throughout the land, 01 \nat least to be restored and renewed, if there had been \nany built before. \n\n2 Q. Where were the synagogues to be built ? \n\nJl. According to the account which the .lews have \ngiven us, they might be built in any town wheres \nthey could find tew persons of full age, and of such con- \ndition and easy circumstances of life, as to be alw, \nleisure to attend the service. \n\n3 Q. What was the service performed in the syna- \ngogues ? \n\nJl. Prayer and praise to God, reading the holy B \ntures, and preaching and expounding them. \n\n4 Q. In what manner were the Scriptures expound- \ned? \n\nA. The Jews and their posterity having hist much \nof their own language in Babylon, did not so well under- \nstand the Scriptures in the Hebrew tongue ; and there- \nfore when Ezra read the law to the people, the \nwas given to them in Chaldee, by man) Levit< \nstood by, and caused them to understand /A.\' n \nNehem. viii. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 8. And this manner of readii \nScriptures, \\cr-c by verse, and translating it i: \nChaldee, with some little paraphrase upon it, v. \nmanner of expounding used in the ancient - \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 139 \n\nNote 1. This was the original of the Jewish targums, which \nword in Chaldee signifies an interpretation. \xe2\x80\x94 For when syna- \ngogues were multiplied among the Jews, beyond the number of \nable interpreters, it became necessary that such translations of \nthe Hebrew into Chaldee should be made, for the use of the \nteachers and the people ; and that in private families also, as \nwell as in synagogues. \n\nThere were anciently many of these targums, or translations, \nor expositions, and that upon different parts of Scripture, and of \ndifferent sorts ; as there were also many different versions of the \nScripture into Greek, in following ages, for the same purposes. \nSeveral of these targums are lost, through length of time ; but \nthe chief of those which remain to this day, is the targum or \nChaldee paraphrase of Onkelos, upon the law of Moses ; and \nthe targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel, upon the prophets : Both \nwhich, some learned men suppose to be written before Christ ; \nand are by the Jews valued as equal to the Hebrew text. As \nfor the Jerusalem targum, it is an exposition upon the law ; and \nothers are on different parts of Scripture ; but they are all of \nless esteem, and of much later date. But neither the one nor \nthe other of the targums were much known to the primitive \nChristian writers, though these expositions greatly favour the \nChristian cause. \n\nNote 2. Among the Jews, the books of Joshua, Judges, Sam- \nuel, and Kings, <fcc. are sometimes called the former prophets ,- \nand the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve mi- \nnor prophets, are called the latter prophets ; but they are all \ncalled the prophets : Thus the laiv and the prophets make up \nthe whole Bible. \n\nNote 3. That there are in Daniel two hundred verses of the \nBible written originally in Chaldee, and sixty-seven in Ezra, \nand one verse in Jeremiah, namely, ver. 11, chap. x. And \nsome suppose, for this reason, there is no targum on- Daniel and \nEzra ; neither indeed is there on Nehemiah, though that book \nbe called Hebrew. \n\n5 Q. What were the times appointed for this service \nin the synagogues ? \n\nJi. Two days in the week, besides the sabbath and \ntheir other festivals. The law being divided into so \nmany sections or lessons as there are weeks in their year, \nthey read half a lesson on Monday \'morning, and the oth- \ner half on Thursday morning ; and this same whole \nlesson they read on the sabbath, both morning and after- \nnoon, Acts xv. 21. We are toid that reading the law \n\n\n\n140 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ,,. \n\nwas a custom of ancient times on the - I when \n\nreading of the prophets was added to that of ti \xe2\x96\xa0 \nthey observed the same order in it. \n\nti (\xc2\xa3. What were the hours of their daily prai \n\nA. At the time of morning and cvi \nincense. Luke i. 9, i i. 1. Whil \n\nwas i nse, the people were praying in the \n\ncourt : and Peter and John went up to prat/ in l : \npie at ti to these hours they conform* d their \n\nprayer-, in the temple, anil in th id usu- \n\nally too m their own hou \n\nJYWe. The Jew? supposed 1hat the offering up of th \nsacrifice?, and the burning of inc< i \nI to render God ; v<>] iti< us \nprayers acceptable ; and for this r i their \n\ntimes of prayer to these hours. So Davi \n2, Let my prayer be set before thee as incense, ice. Ai \nviii. 4, 5, \xe2\x80\x94 JLnd the smoke of the incense which canu with ihi \nprayer of the saint*, ascended up before God out of tht \nhands. \n\n7 Q. Had they any other season of prayer t* \nthese two ? \n\nJl. The Jews inform us, that besides these they had \na prayer at the beginning of night, while the evening \nsacrifice was left burning on the altar. Thus, by \nthree prayers in a day, they imitated the ancients ; !>.:- \nvid prayed morning, noon, and evening. Psalm lvii.dr. \nDaniel prayed three times a day. Dan. \\i. 10. \n\n8 ^. \' Who ministered in the service of the \ngogue ? \n\nA. The priests and Levites were consecrated to the \nservice of the temple: but for the service of the I \ngogue, persons of any tribe were appointed by some el- \nders of that town, who were called rulers of the syna- \ngogue. So our Saviour, being of the tribe of Judah, \nlead and expounded in the synagogue. Luke i\\. [I . \nafter reading the law and the prophets, Paul and \nwere engaged in preaching, when the master of the \nagogue asked them for a word of exhortation to \npeople. Acts xiii. 15. \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 141 \n\n9 Q. But were there not other places of prayer dis- \ntinct from the synagogues ? \n\n\xc2\xab/i. The synagogues were sometimes called prayer- \nhouses, yet there were prayer houses called proseuchai, \nwhich differed from synagogues in three respects. (1.) \nSynagogues were built for public worship, but these \nplaces of prayer for any one\'s private devotions occasion- \nally. (2.) Synagogues were covered houses, but the \nplaces of prayer were courts or inclosures, with walls, \nand open to the sky. (3.) Synagogues were chiefly in \n. towns or cities, the prayer-houses in open fields, or on \nmountains : such are mentioned where our Saviour spent \na whole night in the prayer-house, as it should be trans- \nlated, Luke vi. 12, and thither pious persons resorted, \nand prayer was wont to be made. Acts xvi. 13, 16. \n\n10 Q. Is there any certainty that there were any \nsynagogues before this time ? \n\nJl. That there were some places of assembly for \ndivine things in the land of Israel, before the destruction \nof Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, seems \npretty plain from Psalm lxxiv. 7, 8. They have burnt \nup all the synagogues of God in the land. Though \nthey might be but very few, and not established by any \nauthority, nor so constanty attended as afterward. And \nyet considering that the Jews fell so frequently into idol- \natry before, and had so few copies of the law,\' it is ques- \ntioned by some learned men, whether there were any \nsuch synagogues at all in tiie land of Israel till after the \nBabylonish captivity. \n\n11 Q. What eminent and remarkable service was \ndone by these public places of worship? \n\nA. It is supposed that frequent public readings of the \nlaw in the synagogues, after that time, were a special \nmeans to excite and preserve in the people of the Jews \nthat universal and perpetual hatred of idolatry,. to which- \nthey were so shamefully prone before ; and it did also \ndiffuse and maintain the knowledge of true religion and \nvirtue in the land. \n\n, 12 ^. Were these synagogues built any where be- \nsides in Judea ? \n\n\n\nM\xc2\xab" SCJUPTURB HISTORY. Chtplfc \n\nJi. \\\\ hen the Jews were afterwards scattered abroad \ninto various nations, they built places of worship for \nthemselves, wheresoever the rulers of the country would \npermit them. \n\n13 Q. Of what advantage were these syi j . \nthe heathens, or afterward to Christianity \': \n\njL It was by means of th \nheathens, where the Jews were dispersed, came i<> know \nthe true God, and some general principles of virtue and \npiety, and became proselytes of the gate; and bj \npublic places and seasons of worship, there was afterward \nan opportunity given to publish tin- gospel of Chi \nthe apostles, both among the Jews and Gentiles. \nxvii. 1, 2, and xix. 8. \n\n14 Q. What is meant by proselytes of the gfttt f \nJi. Those Gentiles who renounced idolatry, and re- \nceived the knowledge and the worship of the one true \nGod, the God of Israel; and fas some affirm) th< \nceived also the rules of abstaining from blood and things \nstrangled, and things offered to idols, which were forbid- \nden, Jicts xv. to the Gentile converts to Christianity. \n\nNote. These rules, with a few others, have been \ncalled the seven precepts of Noah, which the Jews m \nnecessary for all the world to obey, \n\nthem; and doubtless the laws given to N a to all \n\n\'he world, because all sprang from him. \n\n15 ({. Why were they called proselytes of the . \nA. The word proselyte signifies one that embn \n\nnew religion ; and they were called proselytes of the \ngate, because they were suffered to live within the \nof the Jews, according to the expression in the fourth \ncommandment, the stronger which is within thy _ \nThey were also permitted by the Jews to enter the \nward court of the temple, called the court of th> \ntiles, when that was built, and to worship God there; \nbut they were excluded from the gale of the inner couit. \n\nNote. These are they who in the hook <>f th< \xe2\x80\xa2 I \nApostlts are Buppi s< d l>\\ some to be culled tin- dt unit ,-\xe2\x96\xa0 \nand those vho ftan I \nxvii. 4, and xiii. 16. Among t of the \n\n\n\nSect. I. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 14S \n\nfirst Christian converts ; though there might be many persons \ntoo, who worshipped the one true God, who were under no \nproselytism to the Jewish church. \n\n16 Q. What were the other sort of proselytes ? \n\nA. They were such Gentiles as consented to be cir- \ncumcised, and obliged themselves to practise all the law \nof Moses ; GaL v. 3, therefore they were called proselytes \nof righteousness : they were taken into the Jewish na- \ntion, and united with them ; and were also called prose- \nlytes of the temple, because they were admitted by the \nJews into the inner courts. \n\nNote. This distinction of proselytes has been supported by \nthe common opinion for near two hundred years, but since it is \nsaid to have no better foundation than the Babylonish talmud, \nit is doubted by some learned men whether there were any \nproselytes, either under the Old or New Testament, besides \nthose who were circumcised and complete. \n\n17 Qo Having heard this particular account of syna- \ngogues and proselytes, proceed now to say what was the \nlast act of Nehemiah\'s reformation which we read in \nScripture ? \n\nA. That he turned out Manasseh, the son or grandson \nof the high priest, for marrying the daughter of Sanballat \nthe Horonite. JSTeh. xiii. 28. \n\n18 Q. What did Sanballat do with his son-in-law \nManasseh on this occasion ? \n\nJi, He procured a grant from Darius Nothus, who \nwas now king of Persia, to build on Mount Gerrizim, \nnear Samaria, a temple like that at Jerusalem, and to \nmake Manasseh, his son-in-law, the high priest of it. \n\n19 Q. What was the consequence of this practice ? \n\nA. Samaria thenceforth became the refuge of the re- \nbellious Jews, who were called to account for breaking \nthe sabbath, earing unclean meats, or were found guilty \nin sinning against the law in any remarkable instauces. \n\n20 Q. What change was wrought hereby among the \nSanu^itans? \n\nA. Their first original was from some eastern hea- \nthens, who were planted there by the king of Assyria, \nafter the captivity of Israel J but when, on several occa- \n\n\n\n144 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cn \n\nsions, Die Jews flocked to them, it made a considerable \nchange in their religion : lor though before they worship- \nped the God of Israel in conjunction with other \nAings xvii. M \xe2\x80\x94 11, they now cast off their idolatry: \nand since a temj le was built amongst them, in which the \nJewish ser i< e was performed, and the law of Moses read \npublicly, i ey came much nearer to the worship <>t the \ntrue God, prescribed in Scripture. \n\n21 ($. Did not the Jews love them the better on thil \naccount ? \n\nJi. No, by no means; but they hated them giv \nly. The enmity which began from the opposition which \nthe Samaritans made to the Jews in their rebuilding Je- \nrusalem and the temple, was so exceedingly in< \nby their sheltering all the rebellious Jews, that the Jewi \nat Jerusalem published the bitterest curse against them, \nthat ever was denounced against any people. \n\n22 Q. What miseries were contained in this \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\xc2\xbb#. The Jews forbid all communication with the Sa- \nmaritans ; declared all tie fruits of their land, and their \ncattle unclean ; excluded them from being ever received \nas proselytes, and barred them, as far as possible, from \nhaving any portion in the resurrection ot the dead to \neternal life. \n\n25 Q. What appearance of this great enmity do we \nfind in the New Testament r \n\nA. This seems to be confirmed by the words of Scrip \nture. John iv. 9. The Jews have no dealings with the \nSamaritans. And the woman of Samaria asked i \nviour, How is it that ?//\'\xe2\x80\xa2 w s asketh dri \n\nme, who am a woman of Samaria ? Aral v hen th. \nwould give the worst name thev could to our Saviour. \nthey said, Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil* \nJohn viii. 48. \n\n\n\nSect. II. Of the Jewish J fairs under \nand Grecian Mo \n\n1 Q. How were the Jews gov< rned alter the \nof Nehemiuh r \n\n\n\nSect. % SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 145 \n\n.#. We find not any more particular governors of Ju- \ndea, made by the kings or emperors of Persia ; but Judea \nseems to be made subject to those whom the Persian \nkings made governors of Syria ; and that, under them, \nthe regulation of affairs was committed to the high priest; \nso that he had all the sacred authority, and the civil \npower also, in a good measure, under the Syrian governor. \n\n2 <j[. Did the high priests continue their regular suc- \ncessions, as the eldest of Aaron\'s family ? \n\nJi. This succession was sometimes interrupted by \nthe emperors of the world, or their deputed governors of \nthe provinces, appointing another person to take that \noffice. \n\n3 Q. What is the first remarkable instance of that \nkind ? \n\nJi. When Johanan, or Jonathan, the son of Joiada, \nJWi. xii. 11, had possessed the royal priesthood several \nyears, Bagoses, the governor of Syria, appointed his \nyounger brother, Jeshua, to depose Kim, and take the \npriesthood ; upon which there was a tumult in the inner \ncourt of the temple, and Johanan slew Jeshua there. \n\n4 Q. How did Bagoses, the governor, resent this ? \nJi. He entered into the inner court of the temple, \n\nthough the Jews forbid him as being unclean ; but he told \nthem he was purer than the dead carcase of him whom \nthey had slain there ; and imposed on the priests a fine \nof about thirty-one shillings, for every lamb that was offer- \ned throughout the year. \n\n5 Q. What was the next more famous difficulty and \ndeliverance which the Jews met with? \n\nJi. They were most remarkably saved from the op* \npression and resentment of Alexander the great, who \nwas king of Macedonia in Greece, when they had refus- \ned to assist him in the siege of Tyrus. \n\n6 Q. in what manner were they delivered ? \n\n_ A. When Alexander marched against Jerusalem, de- \nsigning to punish the Jews on this account, Jaddua the \nhigh priest, the son of Johanan, being directed by a night \nvision, met the conquerer in his priestly robes, with the \nother priests attending him. in proper habits, nnd all the \n14 \n\n\n\n146 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. l& \n\npeople in white garments: Alexander being struck with \nthis sight, saluted the high priest with a religious venera- \ntion, embraced him, entered Jerusalem in a friendly man- \nner, and ottered sacrifice to Gotl in the temple, tor his \nlate victories. \n\n7 ({. How came Alexander so suddenly to change \nhis purpose, and behave himself with so much mild\' \n\nJ. Alexander declared, that lie himself, in Macedo- \nnia, had seen this very same person, thus habited, in a \nnight vision, encouraging him to pursue his expedition \nagainst the Persians, and promising him sin i \n\n8 Q. What further favours did Alexander shew the \nJews ? \n\nJl. When Jaddua, the high priest, had shewn him the \nprophecies of Daniel, particularly chap. viii. v, \nwhere the he-goat is interpreted to be the king of ( > \nwho should conquer the Medes and Persians ; and chap. \nxi. 3, he bid the Jews ask what they had to desire of \nhim: and, according to their request, lie granted them \n/.he liberty of their own laws and religion, and a fn \nfrom tribute or taxes every seventh j \nthey neither sowed nor reaped. \n\n9 Q-. Did Alexander succeed in his following \n\nand his attempts against the Persian empire, according \nto the Jewish prophecy ? \n\nJl. When lie departed out of Judea and Palestine, he \nmarched into Egypt which speedily submitted to him : \nthere he built the city Alexandria, and peopled it with \nseveral nations, among whom wore many Jews, to whom \nlie <^ave the same privileges as to his own Maoedoi \nThe next spring lie hastened to find out D \nmannus, king of Persia, whom he had route;! once I \nand lie now vanquished him in a final decisive battle \nnear Aibcla, and became master of the Persian empire. \n\n10 i{. How long did he reign after this battle : \n\nA. He went on and conquered India; but in five \ntime he fell into such riot and drunkennei \nput an end to his life ; though others say he was poisoned, \n\n\\) Q. What became of the Jews alter \ndeath? \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 147 \n\nA. A little after the death of Alexander, four of his \ngenerals divided his empire, who were the four horns of \nthe he-goat, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, which \ngrew up, after breaking the first horn. Daniel viii. 22, \nand xi. 4. And the Jews fell under the dominion of \nPtolemy, afterward surnamed Soter, who had Egypt \nArabia, Cselo-Syria, and Palestine, or the land of Israel, \nfor his share. \n\nHere it may be observed, that as Ptolemy had Egypt, Pales- \ntine, fee. for his share, so Cassander had Macedonia and Greece ; \nLysimachus had Thrace and Bithynia, and some other provin- \nces thereabout? Seleucus had Syria, and the northern and east" \nem provinces in Asia. \xe2\x80\x94 Thus was the empire of Alexander the* \ngreat divided among his generals. \n\n\xe2\x80\x94 \' \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nSect. III. Of the Jewish Affairs under Ptolemy \nSoter, Ptolemy Philadelphus, and Ptolemy Philo- \npater, Kings of Egypt. Of the Great Synagogue, \nthe Jewish Traditions, their Mishnah and Talmud ; \nand of the Septuagint Translation of the Bible into \nGreek. \n\n1 Q. How did Ptolemy king of Egypt deal with the \nJews? \n\nA. Ptolemy designing to make Alexandria, which \nwas built by Alexander, in Egypt, his capital city, he \npersuaded a multitude of Jews to settle there, granting \nthem the same privileges as Alexander had done before \nhim ; whence it came to pass that Alexandria had a great- \ner number of Jews still flocking to it. \n\n2 Q, What remarkable story is related of one Mo- \nsollam a Jew, who followed Ptolemy about this time ? \n\nA. When a certain soothsayer, or cunning-man, ad- \nvised a Jewish troop of horse, in which Mosollam rode, \nto stand still upon the sight of a bird in the way, and \ntold them they should either go backward or forward, as \nthat bird took its flight ; the Jew, being a great archer, \nimmediately shot the bird with an arrow, and said, " How \n\'* could that poor wretched bird foreshew us our fortune* \n\n\n\n148 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, \n\n"which knew nothing of its own ?"\' Hereby he des \n\nto expose and condemn the superstition of the heathens. \n\n3 Q. How did it fare with the Jews that tree \npersed about Babylon ? \n\n.7. Seteucus, another of Alexande \nruled in the greater and the lesser Asia, built i \nsixteen of which he called Antioch, from Antiot \nlather ! nine were called Seleucia from his own name : \nsix Laodicea, from the name Laodice\xc2\xbbhis mother; o \nApamea and Stratonice, from his wives! in all which he \nplanted Jews, and gave them equal privileges with the \nGreeks or Macedonians, especially at Antioch in \nwhere they settled in sxeat numbers. \n\n4 Q. What considerable person rose among the Jews \nat Jerusalem about this time ? \n\nJl. Simon the just, who is spoken of so honoti \nin the fiftieth chapter of Ecclesiasticus. I! \npriest of the Jews about this time, who merited \\ \nnayne of the just, by his great holiness toward (iod, and \njustice toward men; and he was the last of the men of \nthe great synagogue. \n\n5 Q. What was this great synagogue, and who were \nthe men that composed it ? \n\nJ. A hundred and twenty elders, who, in a continued \nsuccession, after the return of the Jews from Babylon, \nlaboured in restoring the Jewish church and state ; and \nmade it their chief care to publish the Scriptures to the \npeople with great accuracy. \n\n6 Q. What part of this work i> attributed to Simon? \nJi. It is supposed by some learned men, \n\nded the two books of Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemia \nher, and the prophecy of Malachi, to the canon of \nture ; which books were scarce supposed t.> bo inserted \nby Ezra, because several of thorn are thought to bo writ- \nben by Ezra himself; and the books of Nehcmiab and \nMalachi were most likely written alter Ezra\'s nine. \n\n7 ({. Did the Jews after this time, when the Old \nTestament was completed, religiously confine then - \n\nto the direction of Si ripturc r \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2A After this time their traditions began to prevail: \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 149 \n\nthat is, the sayings of the ancients delivered down by \ntradition. \n\nNote. Though traditions prevailed about this time, yet the \nMishnah, which is their secondary law, or a collection of tra- \\ \ndilions, and which they pretend to be dictated from God to \nMoses, was not compiled and put together till above a hundred \nyears after the time of Christ, by Rabbi Judah Hakkadash : \nand this Mishnah, together with their comments on these things, \nare called the Talmud. \n\nNote. There are two talmuds : that of Jerusalem, which was \ncomplete about three hundred years after Christ ; and that of \nBabylon, about five hundred years.: but each of them have the \nsame Mishnah though with different comments, which comments \nare called the Gemara. \n\n8 q. Who were the chief teackers of this secondary- \nlaw or traditions ? \n\nA, Antigonus of Socho was the*first of them, who \nbeing an eminent scribe in the law of God, was president \nof the Sanhedrim, or Senate of the elders at Jerusalem, \ngreat master of the Jewish school, and a teacher of \nrighteousness to the people, and of these traditions. \nAfterward all the teachers or doctors of the Jewish law \nwere in the New Testament sometimes called scribes t \nsometimes lawyers or those who sat in Moses\'s sent, \n\n9 Q. What special honour was paid to these men ? \n\nA. Besides other respects shewed them by the peo- \nple, who called them rabbi, and highly esteemed them, \nit was out of these doctors, that the great Sanhedrim, or \ncouncil of seventy-two, was chosen to govern the whole \nnation ; and the lesser council of twenty-three, which \nwas in every city of Judea^ > \n\nNote. These were called rulers, or elders, or counsellors ; \nsuch were jNicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Gamaliel. \n\nNote here also, that in the Jewish Talmudical books, or their \nfabulous writings, on which we cannot much depend, we are \ntold, that about this time one Sadoc mistook the doctrine of \nAntigonus of Socho, his master T who taught, "that we ought \nu not to serve God in a servile manner, merely with respect t\xc2\xa9\' \nu the reward ;" and inferred from hence, that there were no re- \nwards after this life, and begun the sect of the Sadducees % \nthough it may be justly doubted, whether this, and other dan- \ngerous doctrines of this sect, arose so early among the Jews- \n14* \n\n\n\n150 SCRIPTLRH HISTORY. (hap. 19 \n\n10 Q. Since the Jews were dispersed into ><\xc2\xbb main \ncountries, did they not acquaint the Gentiles with then \nreligion ? \n\nJi. Yes ; for Ptolemy Soter set up a col h. \ned men at Alexandria in Egypt, and begun a library \nthere; which Ptolemy Philadelphus, his younget \nand successor, improved to one hundred thousand rol- \numes : this prince is reported to have commanded the \nHebrew law to be translated into Greek, to add to this \nlibrary of his, that the Gentiles might read it: and ac- \ncordingly it was done. \n\nNote. This college of learned men was < ncouraged, and the \nlibrary increased by several Ptolemies successively, till it \nto seven hundred thou^oid books. Botl \nAlexandria a fatuous place of residence and r< sort i""i ! \nmen for several ages. . It happened that fhe lam r balf \nlibrary was burnt by Julius Caesar in hi- \\ iv ; the \n\nother part was by continual recruits, enlarj t num- \n\nber than the whole library before ; but it w;.- finally burnt and \ndestroyed by the Saracens, in the year of our Lor>: \n\n11 Q. In what manner is this translation reported to \nbe made ? \n\nA. Aristeas, the most ancient writer on, this subject. \nand Josephus the historian, who follows him, acqua \nthat after this Ptolemy had gained the favour of the \nJews, by paving the ransom of a hundred thousand of \ntheir countrymen, who were enslaved in Egypt, he pro- \ncured six elders out of every tribe of Israel, (whic 1 \nin all seventy-two) to come to his court; and a> \ntrial of their wisdom, by some particular qui \nput to each of them, he appointed them to translate \nlaw of Moses, by conferring together about I \nit, in the isle of Pharos: which being afterwards read to \nhim, and approved bv him, he uave them a liberal reward. \nUpon this account this translation is called the S^jttua- \nginty that is, the translation of the Beventj, or seventy- \ntwo elders. \n\n12 Q. But did not this story, in following time- - \nmuch more fabulous \\ \n\n\xc2\xab0. Philo the Jew, who lived about our Sai \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 151 \n\nreports, that each of these seventy-two elders were put \ninto a distinct cell, and were required to translate the \nwhole Bible apart; and that they performed it so exactly \nalike, word for word, that it was approved as miraculous \nand divine : and even several fathers of the Christian \nchurch, being too credulous and fond of miracles, have \nreceived this story, and conveyed it down in their writ- \nings. \n\n13 Q. How doth it appear to be a fable ? \n\nJi. The great imperfection of this translation, discov- \ners that it was no divine work, nor performed by miracle : \nbesides, the several contradictions, and the uncertainties \nthat are mingled up and down with this story, do utterly \noverthrowfhe credit of it. \n\n14 Q. Upon the whole view of things, what is the \nbest account of this translation ? \n\nJi. In the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphia there was \nsuch a version made of the five books of Moses, by the \nJews of Alexandria, into the Greek language, pi obably for \ntheir own use, and for the use of their countrymen ; for \nthe Jews in their dispersions had used themselves to the \nGreek tongue, the conquests of Alexander and his Gre- \ncian army having spread their language through the \nworld; and when Ptolemy Philadelphus had erected \nsuch a noble librai/^ he was desirous to have this book \ndeposited there. Whether his request or command gave \nany occasion to this translation, is hard to determine. \n\n15 Q. Were not the other sacred writings translated \ninto Greek also, as well as the five books of Moses ? \n\nJi. When the reading of the prophets as well as the \ntaw came into use in the synagogues, many years after- \nwards, in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, this occa- \nsioned a Greek translation of the prophets to be made ; \nand so the whole Old Testament was complete, which \nwe now call the Septuagint. \n\n16 Q. Did the Jews generally come to use this Greek \ntranslation of the Bible ? \n\nA. In and after the time of Ezra, the\' Scriptures \nwere read to the Jews in Hebrew, and interpreted intfr \nthe Chaldee language, which they had learnt in Babylon^ \n\n\n\n152 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nand was become most familiar to them, hut at Alexan- \ndria, after the making of this Greek version, it * \nterwards interpreted to them in Greek, which was after- \nwards done also in all other Grecian cities, whit* \nJews were dispersed. And from hence, those Jewa \ncalled Hellenists or Grecizing Jews, j used \n\nthe Greek language in their synagogues ; and by that \nname they were distinguished from the Hebrew Jews, \nwho used only the Hebrew and (ha Idee languagi \ntheir synagogues. And this distinction we find made \nbetween them. Jicts vi. 1. For the word which we there \ntranslate Grecians, is in the original \'EXXwuvm, that is, \nHellenists. So Dr. Prideanx. \n\n17 Q. But did not the evangelists and the spot \nwho were the writers of the New Testament, pa\\ \nhonour to this Greek translation ? \n\nA. Yes; they cited many scripture- of the Old \'1V-- \ntament, according to this translation, because it \\ \nbest Greek translation they had ; and it was by this time \nwell known amongst the Jews in Judea, as well as \nwho were scattered round the nation-. \n\n18 Q. Did the Jews in Judea continue in pea- \nder the government of the kinir- of Egypt r \n\nJi. The successors of the four generah of Alei \nthe great, who divided the world am\'ongst them, and par- \nticularly the kings of Egypt and Syria, being frequently \nengaged in wars for enlarging their kingdoms, th< \nwere reduced to vers great difficulties, and bod i \nwere at a loss what side to choose : they were in d \non both sides, and were sometimes distressed and i \nably grinded between the one and the other. \n\n19 (\\. Did they maintain the purity of their temple \nand worship ? \n\nJ\\. They were often exposed to grievous difficulties \non this account When Ptolemy Philopater, of I \nreigned over those provinces, he would ofter \nto the God of Israel for his success against Antiochun the \ngreat, the successor of Seleucus, king i Syria; snd be \nwas not content to stay in the outer i would \n\nhave pressed into the sanctuary, and even the h< \nholies. \n\n\n\nSect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 153 \n\n20 Q. How was he prevented from entering ? \n\nJi. The priests and the Levites, and all the people \nlifted up their hands to God in prayer, and when the \nking had passed the inner court, and was entering into \nthe temple, he was smitten from God, with such terror \nand confusion of mind, that he was carried out of the \nplace half dead. \n\n21 Q. But did not Ptolemy resent this afterwards? \nd. He purposed to be revenged on ail the Jewish \n\nnation ; when he came to Alexandria he ordered them to \nsacrifice to his gods; and if they refused, he "took away \ntheir privileges, which they had enjoyed in Egypt from \nthe time of Alexander the great; he ordered them to be \nenrolled ain^g the common people of Egypt, and to have \nthe mark ^PSn ivy-leaf, the badge of his god Bacchus, \nimpressed upon them by a hot iron ; and those who re- \nfused it, should be made slaves, or put to death. \n\n22 Q. AY hat did the Jews of Alexandria do on thi&^ \noccasion ? \n\nJl. A few of them forsook their God to gain the fa- \nvour of their king : but many thousands stood firm to \ntheir religion : and though several of them were enroll- \ned and branded with the ivy-leaf against their will, yet \nthey shewed a great abhorrence of all their countrymen \nthat sacrificed to the gods of the king. \n\n25 Q. Plow did Ptolemy bear with this conduct of \ntheirs ? \n\nA. He resolved to destroy the whole nation of the \nJews; and therefore, first he ordered all that lived any \nwhere in Egypt, to be brought in chains to Alexandria \nto be slain by his elephants. \n\n24 Q. And were they destroyed according to the \nking\'s appointment ? \n\nA. The elephants being made drunk with wine and \nfrankincense* and let loose upon them, instead of falling \nupon the Jews, they turned all their rage upon the spec- \ntators, and destroyed great numbers of them. \n\n25 Q. What influence had this upon the king \\ \n\n*#. He durst no longer persecute his rage against \nthem ; but fearing the vengeance of the God of Israel \n\n\n\n154 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nupon himself, be revoked liis cruel stored \n\ntheir privileges, and gave leave to put to death il i \nthat had abandoned their religion and worshipped k ols. \n\n\\nti . This storj is found in that which is called the third \nBook of Maccabees, written 1>\\ some ancient Jew un \ntitle, be< unt of the persecution and \n\nranee of the Jews, as thj firsl and -< i ond fcw \xe2\x96\xa0 k aj M \nThough thi> was transacted long b< fore the n/fiuejui Ma< \n\nfirst booh than the third. It i\'-*ot t\'ouifVa^^Mofer . \nphal books, because it was a \\tr^^mx\\\\)z \\ \n\nversion of the Bible, but it is found in many of th( \nof the Greek Septuagint, and particularly that of the Alexandri- \nan manuscript in the king\'s library. \n\n\n\nSect. IV. Of the Jewish Affair* under JBntiochus \nthe great, Seleucus, and Jntiochus Epiphane*. \nKings of Syria, \n\n1 Q. Did the Jews afterwards at Jerusalem continue \nunder the government of the Ptolemies, who \n\nof Egypt ? \n\nJI. When Ptolemy Philopater was dead, and I \nmy Epiphanes cam6 to the crown, the Jews having \ngreatly persecuted by the Ptolemies, submitted them- \nselves to Antioclius the great, king of Syria : and when \nhe came to Jerusalem in a solemn procession, the\\ \nto meet him, and received him gladly. \n\n2 Q. How did Antiochus reward them r \n\nA. He granted them many privileges, as lie had \nto their countrymen, who were settled in Babylon \nMesopotamia, having always found the men of that na- \ntion faith Jul to him. \n\n3 Q. What confidence did he put in them on this \naccount ? \n\nJi. lie transported several of them from Babylon t.> \nthe lesser Asia, to keep his forts and garrisons, ami \nthem good settlements there ; whence sprang \xe2\x80\xa2\' \npari >f the Jews that were found in that coi \napostles\' times. \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY- 155 \n\n4 Q. What remarkable events fell out in the days of \nSeleucus Philopater, son and successor to Antiochus tin \ngreat ? \n\nJ. Simon, a Benjamite, baing made governor of th< \ntemple, some difference arose between him and Oniat \nthe third, the high priest, an excellent man, concerning \nsome disorders in the city : and when Simon could noi \nobtain his will, he informed Appollonius, the governor o\\ \nthe province under Seleucus, that great treasures were \nhid in the temple ; whereupon Heliodorus the treasurer, \nwas sent to seize them. \n\n5 Q. How did the hand of God appear against He- \nliodorus in his attempt to enter the temple ? \n\nJl. The priests and the people made great outcries \nand supplications to God ; upon which Heliodorus is re- \nported to have seen a vision of a horse, with a terrible \nrider upon him, who smote Heliodorus with his forefeet; \nand two young men appeared who scourged him sorely : \nupon which Heliodorus fell suddenly to the ground in \ndarkness and confusion ; but being restored by the pray- \ners of Onias, he acknowledged the power of God, and \ndeparted from the city. \n\nRead this story more at large, 2 Maccabees, chap. iii. I con- \nfess it seems to have something a little fabulous in the air of it, \nas also other stories in that book. \n\n6 ^. How came so good a man as Onias to be turned \nout of the priesthood ? \n\nA. When Antiochus Epiphanes succeeded his brother \nSeleucus in the kingdom of Syria, Jason bribed him with \na large sum of money to turn out his own brother Onias, \nbanish him to Antioch, and confer the priesthood on \nhimself; not that he affected it as it was a religious of- \nfice, but as it included the power of civil government. \n2 Mace. iv. 7, \n\n7 Q. What did this wicked Jason do when he was \nhigh priest ? \n\nJl. He erected a place of exercise at Jerusalem, for \ntraining up youth according to the fashion of the Greeks, \nand made as many of them as he could forsake the re- \n\n\n\n1.56 SCRimHK HISTORY. Cbap. 19. \n\nligious customs and usages of their forefathers, and eon- \nform themselves in many things to the COStmi and \nceremonies of the heathens, ver. ( .>, &c. \n\n8 ({. What became of. this Jason ? \n\nJi. A few years after, when he employed Met \nhis brother to pav his tribute at the Syrian court, I \nsupplanted by him; for Menelaus by bribery obtained \nthe priesthood, and put Jason to Right. \n\n9 Q. Did Menelaus behave himself better in his \noffice ? \n\nJL He was worse than Jason ; he stole some of the \nvessels of gold out of the temple, he went to Antioch, \n"where he was reproved by Onias, who was yel \nfor his wickedness, and out of revenge procured I \nto be slain. \n\n10 (\xc2\xb1. "What was done at Jerusalem in the mean \ntime r \n\nJi, Lysimachus being left as a deputy by Mei \npractised many sacrileges on the vessels of the temple, \nwhich occasioned a great insurrection in the city, where- \nin multitudes on the part of Lysimachus weir wounded \nand slain, and the church-robber himself was killed. \n\n11 Q. Did Jason ever return again to Jerusalem : \nJi. When there was a false report of the death of \n\nAntiochus, Jason with a thousand men assaulted the ci- \nty, and slew many citizens, but was at last put to flight : \nand being driven from country to country, ami from i itv \nto city, he perished in a strange land, without the honour \nof a burial. 2 Jlacc. v. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 in. \n\n12 Q. Did Antiochus the king suffer thes \npass unresentedr \n\nJi, Upon the report of such a tumult in Jerusalem, \nhe imagined that Judea had revolted, and lie t ante upon \nthe city, and ordered his men of war not to spare young \nor old, and there were fourscore thousand destroyed in \nthe space of three days, \n\n13 ({. What profaneness was Antiochus guilty of in \nthe temple r \n\nA. Being condurted by Menelaus into the temple, he \ntook away the remaining holy vessels, the altar of in- \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 157 \n\ncense, the golden table and the candlestick ; he tore off* \nthe golden ornaments of the temple, and robbed it of the \nhidden treasures, he offered a large sow (that unclean \nand forbidden beast) on the altar of burnt-offering, and \nleft Jerusalem overwhelmed in blood and mourning. \n\n14 ^. Did he pursue this mischief and madness any \nlonger ? \n\nJi. Two years after he sent Apollonius, his collector \nof tribute, with a thousand men, who fell suddenly on \nthe city on the sabbath, while they were at worship, and \nslew the citizens and the priests ; made the sacrifices \ncease, led the women and children captive, pulled down \nthe houses and the walls, built a castle or fortress on a \nhigh hill in the city of David over against\' the temple, to \noverlook and annoy them, and placed a garrison therein, \nand laid up the spoils of the city there. \n\n15 Q. What further instances of rage did Antiochus \nshew against the Jewish religion ? \n\nA. He issued out an order, that all his dominions \nshould be of one religion, chiefly designing to distress \nthe Jews : he forbid their children to be circumcised, \nand forbid all burnt-offerings and sacrifices in the temple \nto the God of Israel : he called it the temple of Jupiter \nOlympus, set up his image on the altar, and sacrificed to \nit; he commanded the people to profane the sabbath, \nhe set up altars and groves, and chapels of idols through- \nout the cities, and required them to offer the flesh of \nswine and other unclean beasts, arid then to eat it ; \nand he destroyed the books of the law wheresoever they \nwere found. \n\nNote. This image of Jupiter, set up on the altar by Anti- \nochus Epiphanes, is supposed to be the abomination that mak- \neth desolate, foretold by Daniel, chap. xi. 31, as the Roman \nensign, Avith the eagle on it, which was the bird of Jupiter, set \nup in the temple, was the abomination of desolation which \nDaniel foretels, Dan,, ix. 27, and chap. xii. 11, and which our \nSaviour refers to, Matt. xxiv. 15. Abomination is the common \nname for an idol in the Old Testament : and Avhen such are set \nup in the sanctuary, it may\' well be called desolation, for the \npriests are drirfen away, and the true worship of God ceases. \n\nObserve yet further, that this Antiochus Epiphanes is called \n15 \n\n\n\n158 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, m \n\nby some the Jewish Antichri-t ; ! \xe2\x96\xa0 1 of the same \n\nthings are foretold of him !>,> the prophet Daniel, which \npo predicted of the Roman Antichrist, in the Christian church, \nby the apostle John. \n\n16 Q. Did any of the Israelites comply with hi? \ncommamU: \n\nA. Though there were multitudes who would not de- \nfile themselves, and break the law of God, yet too many \nof them for fear, and some out of ambition to please the \nking, conformed to his religion, and sacrificed, and burnt \nincense to idols in the streets of the cities of Judea. \n\n17 Q. How did the king punish those that refiu \n\nA. He put the men to death every month, he slew \nseveral women that had caused their children to be cir- \ncumcised, hanged the infants about their necks, and kill- \ned those that circumcised them. This persecution may \nbe seen more at large., 1 Mace. chap. i. and iii. and C \nMacc. vi. \n\n38 ({. What did the Samaritans do on this occas \nA. When the Jews were in prosperity, they chal- \nlenged kindred with the Jews : but they disowned them \nwhen they were under persecution: and the el \nthis occasion they made no apology to Antiochi \nking, for having heretofore used the Jewish rites ; bat \nnow having renounced them, they complied with the \nheathen religion, and desired their temple ou .Mount \n\xe2\x80\xa2Qerrizim might be made the temple of the Grecian Ju- \npiter, the defender of stranger*. 2 Mace* vi. \n\n\n\n, V. Of Mattathias, the Father of the Macca- \n\n/>. es. and tlh< great Reformer, \n\n1 <\xc2\xa3 When the persecution Judea. \n\nwas there any eminent public opposition made to it t\xc2\xbb\\ \nany of the Jew s r \n\nJ. Mattathias^ a priest of the course of Joarib, who \ndwelt in Modin, was complimented b\\ \n\ntempted to comply with heathen worship there, ao \n\n\n\nSect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. f5Sr \n\ncording to the king\'s commandment ; but he boldly re- \nnounced their superstitions, and declared his resolution \nto die in the" religion of the Jews. 1 Mace. ii. \n\n2 Q. What instance did he give of his courage and \nzeal ? \n\nA. When one of the Jews came to sacrifice on tne \nheathen altar which was at Modin, he could not forbear \nto shew his indignation, as a zealot, but ran and slew the \nman upon the altar, and at the same time killed the \nking\'s chief officer there, who came to enforce these \nwicked commands. \n\n3 Q. In what manner did he maintain this bold en- \nterprise ? \n\nA. He cried with a loud voice through the city, Who- \nsoever is zealous of the law let him follow me. So he \nand his sons fled to the mountains, and a great number \nof Jews fled with him, and hid themselves in the wilder- \nness. \n\n4 Q. Did not the king\'s army pursue them r \n\n*#. Yes ; and camped against them, and attacked a \nconsiderable number of them on the sabbath day. \n\n5 Q. And did the Jews make no resistance ? \n\nA. None at all, because it was the 6abbath ; but they- \nsaid, Let us all die in our innocency : whereupon a \nthousand people were slain. \n\n6 Q. Did Mattathias and his friends approve of this \nconduct ? \n\nA. It seems as if their zeal at first approved of it ; \nbut upon better consideration they decreed,, it was lawful \nand necessary for them to defend themselves, if they \nwere attacked again on the sabbath day. \n\nJVo/e. This decree was ratified by the consent of all the \npriests and elders amongst them, and it was sent to all others \nthrough the land, and was made a rule in their following wars. \n\n7 ^. What did king Antiochus do, when he heard of \nthis bold and public resistance made to his commands \nand Ms government ? \n\nA Hi executed very great cruelties on all the Jews \nthat fell into his hands, who would not forsake the law of \nMoses ; since the mere terrors of death did not affright \nthem. \n\n\n\n160 SCRIPTURE HISTORY*. Chap. 19 \n\n8 Q. What very remarkable instances do we find in \nhistory of this cruelty ? \n\nA. Seven brethren, with their mother, were terribly \ntormented, to constrain them to eal swine\'s flesh, which \nthe law or Moses forbids. \n\n9 Q. How did they endure their torments? \n\nJ. With great courage, one after another, in a long \nsuccession, they bore the various tortures that wei \nflicted on them, and declared they were ready to sutler \nrather than transgress the laws of their fathers. \n\n10 Q. What tortures were those which the ki\' j \nedited upon them ? \n\nA- A great variety of exquisite and bloody cruel ties : \ntheir limbs were cut off, their tongues were cut out, they \nwere fried in frying-pans, the skin of the head was font \noff with the hair, and they died under the anguish and \nviolence of these torments; while their mother .. \nsame time looked on, and encouraged them all to Buffer \nboldly, in opposition to the entreaties, threatening - \ncommands of the king. \n\n11 Q. In what manner did she encourage her sons \nin their su fife rings ? \n\n.7. "Rv the tendpro^ e\xe2\x84\xa2~**~**~~ - r ~- \n\nmother to her sons, she beseeched them to fear God, and \nnot man; and to endure, in hope of a happy resurrec- \ntion, when she should receive them all again in mercy. \n\n12 Q. Did she herself also sutler the torment ? \n\nA. When she had seen all her sons die like martyrs \nbefore her, she finished that sad spectacle, and died also \nfor her religion. \xc2\xa3 Mace. vii. \n\n13 Q. What did Mattathias do all this while in the \nmountains? \n\n.7. lie still encouraged the Jews to join with him, \nand among others, there were many of t ! \nwho were zealous for the law, resorted to him. \n\n14 Q. Who were these dssideans, or Ch \nit ought to be written ? \n\n\xe2\x96\xa0 !\xe2\x96\xa0 A. sect among the Jews, wh \nor the pious, who were not onlv zealous of the la 1 \nof many other constitutions and tradition-, and forms ol \nmortification, beyond what the lav reciuii \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 161 \n\nthose who contented themselves with what was written \nin the law, were called Zadikim, or the righteous. \n\n15 Q. What exploits did Mattathias and his friends \nperform ? \n\nA. They went round about the towns and villages, \npulled down the heathen altars, and circumcised the \nchildren ; they slew and put to flight many of their en- \nemies, and recovered several copies of the Jewish law. \n\n16 Q. When Mattathias died, who succeeded him? \nA. Just before his death he made a noble speech to \n\nhis five sons to encourage them in the defence of their \nreligion and their country: he recommended his son Si- \nmon, as a man of counsel, but he made bis son Judas, \nsurnamed Maccabeus, their captain. \n\n17 Q. How came he to be called Maccabeus? \n\nA. The motto of his standard was the first letters of \nthat Hebrew sentence, Exod. xv. 11, Mi Camoka \nBacklim Jehovah, that is, Who is like to thee among the \nGods, Lord? Which letters were formed into the ar- \ntificial word Maccabi, and all that fought under his \nstandard were called Maccabees. \n\nNote. This has been a common practice among the Jews, to \nframe words in this manner. So Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon, that \nis, the son of Maimon, is called Rambam ; Rabbi Solomon \nJarchi, is called Rasi. Nor is the use of the first letters of \nwords for such kind of purposes unknown among heathens or \nChristians. The letters S. P. Q, R. were written on the Roman \nstandard, for Stnatus Populus Quce Romanus ; that is, " the \nRoman senate and people." Jesus Christ our Saviour hath \nbeen called a Fish, in Greek 1X0 YS, by the fathers, because \nthese are the first letters of those Greek words, Jesus Christ, , \nGod^s Son, the Saviour. \n\n\n\nSect. VI. Of the Jewish Government under the^ \nMaccabees, or Jismonians : and first of the three \nBrothers Judas, Jonathan, and Simon. \n\n1 q. What valiant actions did Judas and his breth- \nren do, in defence of the law, and against their perse- \ncutors ? \n\n15* \n\n\n\n162 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] \n\n\xc2\xab \nJl. He won many battles against kin^ Antiochus ind \nhis generals, and encouraged himself and his BoMiera in \nthe name of God, whensoever they began to faint \n\n2 ((. Where are these acts of Judas and his breth- \nren recorded ? \n\nJi. The earliest account of them is found in the first \nand second book of Maccabees. \n\nHere note, That the first book of M curate \n\nand excellent history, and comes oearesl to the style and man- \nner of the sacred writings : and i- suppoei ! to !>\xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x80\xa2 w ritttii a little \nafter these persecutions and wars w< \n\nbook consists of several pieces of much less value: It , \nwith two epistles from the Jews of Jerusalem, but both \xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0 \nposed to be fabulous stories, and in some | \ntrue. The following parts of it pretend to be an abridgm \nthe history of one Jason ; it relates some of the | \nAntiochus, and the acts of Judas, amplified with particul \ncumstances ; but it is not of equal esteem with the lir-t \nfor it seems to affect miracles and prodig \nreasonable credibility. \n\n3 Q. How did king Antiochus resent thes \nof Judas, and liis successes against him ? \n\nA. "When he went into Persia to gather the tribt \nthe countries there, he left Lysias with half his army, \nand with express orders to destroy and root the Jei \nof their land ? \n\n4 Q. Did Lysias pursue the kind\'s ordei \nj3. Yes; with great diligence he sought \n\nthese cruel orders: his army, of forty thousand foot \nand seven thousand horse, encamped at Etonians near \nJerusalem ; and another army of a thousand merchants, \nflocked thither upon presumption of their victory, with \ngreat quantities of silver and gold to buy the eaptives \nFor slaves. \n\n5 ^. How did their wicked counsel to destroy 1 - \nsucceed ? \n\njj. When thev were thus secure and confide] \nsuccess, Judas ami his brethren assembled at Mizpah, \nfasted, put on sackcloth, laid open the book of ri \nbefore God, where the heathens had painted their in \ncried mightily unto God for help, sounded the tru: \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. I6S \n\nbrought the army into order, and prepared for battle and \nfor death, unless God pleased to make them conquerors. \n\n6 ^. AY hat was the event of so much pious zeal and \ncourage ? \n\nA. Judas and his army put to flight and destroyed \nseveral large parties that Lysias had sent against him, \nthey drove the enemy out of Jerusalem, and almost out \nof the land of Judea, and took a very large booty both \nfrom the army and the merchants. \n\n7 Q. What was the first work that Judas and his \npeople applied themselves to upon this great success ? \n\nA. They went up into Mount Zion, and when they \nsaw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, the gates \nburnt up, shrubs and grass growing in the courts of the \ntemple, they rent their clothes, tell down upon their \nfaces, and made great lamentation, with humble cries to \nheaven. \n\n8* (\xc2\xa3. H af l they power and time to repair the temple, \nand restore the worship of God ? \n\n*?. \xe2\x80\xa2 Yes ; they applied themselves to the work with \nall diligence, they sought out priests of blameless con- \nversation to cleanse the sanctuary ; they pulled down \nthe altar of burnt-offerings, because the heathens had de- \nfiled it : they built a new- altar, as the law directs, with \nwhole stones; they made new holy vessels, the altar of \nincense, the table, and the candlesticks, all of gold, \nwhich they had taken from their enemies ; and they set \nall the parts of divine worship, in order again, and offer- \ned sacrifice according to the law. \n\n9 Q. How did they kindle the sacred fire on the \naltar r \n\nA. Having lost the fire which came down from heav- \nen, which was kept burning on the altar at Jerusalem \nbefore the Babylonish captivity, they struck fire with \nflints, and so kindled the sacrifices and the lamps. 2 \nffiacc* x. 3^ \n\nNote. We do.not read, that the second temple ever had thfa \nj sacred fire : the story of Jeremiah\'s hiding it, in 2 Mace chap, i, \nis counted a mere fable. \n\n\n\n164 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\n10 Q. Was there any thing remarkable in (he time \nor day of this restoration of temple worship? \n\nJl, That very day three years wherein tlie heathen \nhad profaned the altar by the offering of unclean b \non it, it was dedicated with songs, and harps, and cym- \nbals, and burnt-offerings of God\'s appointment, and that, \nfor eight days together. This w.i^ two years after Ju- \ndas had the chief command, and *hree years and a half \nafter the city and temple had been laid desolate by Apol- \nlonius. \n\n11 Q. What lasting memorial was appointed for this \nrestoration of the worship of God in the temple: \n\nA. Judas and his brethren, and the whole congi \ntion ordained that these days of the dedication of the \naltar should be kept yearly with mirth and gladness. \n\n12 Q. Did the worship of God continue long here \nafter this solemnity ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa25; We are told by historians, that it continued from \nthis time without any interruption from the heathens till \nthe destruction of the temple by the Romans, tbotig \nrusalem and the temple were often in the hands i \nheathens. \n\nJfote. Some pay tins was that verj ication, which \n\nour Saviour honoured w%h his presence at Jerusalem : tlnuujh \nothers think it was the dedication of Solomon^ tempk \nthe season being winter, it rather agrees to the tiim at Maccu- \nbeus\'s dedication. \n\n13 Q. AVerc not the Jews at all annoyed or til- \ned by the enemy in this pious work r \n\nJl. There was still that fortress built by Apollonius \nremaining in the hands of the heathens and apo \nJews; it stood on Mount Acra, a rising ground over \nagainst the mountain of the temple, and rather higher \nthan that mountain, whence the Jews received some an- \nnoyance in going to the temple. \n\n14 Q. What farther care did Judas and his pi \ntake for their own security ? \n\nJl. When they could not drive out the enemy at \xe2\x80\xa2 \nthey built up Mount Zion, with high walls and - \ntowers, and put a garrison there to keep it, and M I \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 165 \n\npossible to secure the priests and people when they went \nto worship, and to prevent the Gentiles from treading \ndown the sanctuary again. \n\n15 (\xc2\xa3. Did Judas and his people continue to enjoy \npeace ? \n\nJl. Though they maintained the temple worship, yet \nthey were still engaged in war : for all the nations round \nabout them were much displeased that the sanctuary was \nrestored, and they attacked the Jews on every side ; but \nGod gave Judas and his brethren the victory in many \nbattles ; and they returned to Jerusalem, and gave thanks \nto God in Zion for his remarkable protection of them, that \nthey had not lost one man. 1 Mace. v. 54. \n\n16 Q. Did Judas make any more expeditions against \nhis enemies ? \n\nJl. He led forth his forces against Gorgias, one of An- \ntiochus\'s generals, and against the Idumeans, who had \nbeen very vexatious to the Jews ; and though several of \nthe Jews were slain, yet Judas renewing the courage of \nhis army by singing psalms with a loud voice, and rush- \ning upon their enemies, put them to flight. \n\n17 Q. What remarkable crime was found among the \n\nJews ju&i v:ere slajs r \n\nA. When they came to bury their dead, they found \nthings consecrated to idols under the garment of every \nJew that was slain, whereupon the people praised the \nLord, the righteous Judge of men : but, without any en- \ncouragement from Scripture, they offered sacrifices and \nprayers for the pardon of the dead. 2 Mace. xii. 54, &c. \n\nNote. It is from this place, in the second book of the Macca- \nbees, that the papists borrow their prayers for the dead. \n\n18 Q. Where was Antiochus the king all this while ? \nJl. He was gone to Persia, not only to receive his \n\ntribute, as 1 Mace. iii. 31, but to plunder the temple of \nDiana, (who among the Persians is called Zaretes) which \ntemple stood at Elymas, and had incredible riches of \ngold and silver, and golden armour which were laid up \nthere. \n\n19 Q. Did he succeed in this enterprise: \n\n\n\n166 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. i\xc2\xab). \n\n*fl. The people of the country, having notice <>t" liis \ndesign, joined together in defence of that idol\'s temple, \nand beat him oft* with shame. \n\n20 ((. How did he receive the news of the defeat of \nhis generals and armies in Judea I \n\nJ. With the utmost rage and indignation, as w< \ngrief of mind ; but he resolved to make !ia>te thit.ier, \nand threatened to make the city of Jerusalem as one \ngrave for the Jews, where he would bury the whole na- \ntion. \n\n21 Q. What followed upon this insolent speech of \nAntiochus the king ? \n\nA. He was immediately smitten with an incurable \nplague in the midst of his journey, his bowels were Bejzed \nwith grievous torment, his chariot was overthrown, and \nhe was sorely bruised, and forced to be confined to his \nbed in a little town on the road, where he lay languish- \ning under foul ulcers of body, and sharp tenor of mind, \ntill he died. \n\nNote. It hath been observed by historians, that such a sort \nof death by fowl \\ilcers, hath befallen many persecutor 5 , both in \nformer and latter times. \n\n22 Q. Had he any regret upon his conscience, par- \nticularly for his cruelty and wickedness practised upon \nthe Jews ? \n\n.i. Both Jews and heathens give us an account of \nthe dreadful anguish of mind which he then suffered ; \nand though the heathen historian attributes it to the in- \ntended sacrilege and robbery designed upon the temple \nof Diana, yet the Jewish historians acquaint us, that An- \ntiochus himself imputed his calamities to the horrid im- \npieties and cruelties that he had been guilty of ag \nthe God of Israel and his people, and bitterly repented \nof them with inward horror on his death-bed. \n\nJVo/e. This Antiochus Epiphanes havim \nsor of the Jewish church, and th<- t \\ pe of Antichrist, th< \nlarger account of him in Daniel\'s prophecy than \nprince. The 11th chup. ver. ] 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4... r< lat< s wh< \nwell as some passages in the 8th and K\'tli \ncation and accomplishment of which may be read in Dr. 1\'ri- \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 16f \n\ndeaux\'s Connection, partii. book iii. And the accomplishment \nis so exact, that Porphyry, a learned heathen in the third cen- \ntury, pretends that it is a mere history, and that it was written \nafter the event. \n\n23 Q. What became of the garrison of the Syrians \nin the tower of Acra, which so much molested the Jews \nin Jerusalem ? \n\nJl. Judas Maccabeus besieged them, whereupon An- \ntiochus Eupator, the son and successor of Epiphanes, \nbrought a vast army against Judas, consisting of a hun- \ndred thousand foot, twenty thousand horse, thirty-two \nelephants, and three hundred armed chariots of war. \n\n24 Q. What could the Jews do against so great an \narmy ? \n\nA, Judas having given this watch-word, Victory is \nof the Lord, fell upon them in the night, and having \nslain four thousand immediately, and six hundred the \nnext morning, made a safe retreat to Jerusalem. \n\n25 Q. \\Y r hat remarkable instance of courage was \ngiven by Eleazer, the brother of Judas, in this battle ? \n\n*5. When he saw one elephant higher and more \nadorned than the rest, he supposed the king himself was \non it ; therefore he ran furiously through the troops, and \nmade his way to the beast, he thrust up his spear under \nhis belly, and the beast with the tower that was upon him, \nfalling down, crushed him to death. \n\n26 Q. Had Antiochus Eupator\'s army any success \nafterward against the Jews ? \n\nd. They marched to Jerusalem under the command \nof Lysias, they besieged the sanctuary, and when the \nJews were near surrendering for want of provision, they \nwere strangely relieved by the providence of God. \n\n27 (\xc2\xa3. In what manner did this relief come ? \n\nA. Lysias hearing that the city of Antioch was seized \n. by one Philip, a favourite of the late king, who had taken \nupon him the government of Syria, persuaded the pres- \nent king to grant peace to the Jews, which he did ; yet \ncontrary to his own promise, he pulled down the fortifi- \n\xe2\x80\xa2cations of the temple, when he came and saw how strong \n<they were. \n\n\n\n168 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. H>. \n\n28 Q. What became of Menelaus, the Wicked high \npriest ? \n\nA. He attended the king\'s army in this expedition \nagainst Jerusalem, in hopes to recover his office, and to \nbe made governor there : but Lysias, finding this war \nexceeding troublesome, accused Menelaus to the kil \nthe author of all this mischief: whereupon he was con- \ndemned to a miserable death, being cast headlong into a \ntower of ashes fifty cubits high. \n\n29 Q. Who was his successor in the the priesthood r \n*#. Onias, the son of Onias the third, and nepi i \n\nMenelaus, was the more rightful successor, but the king \nrejected him : and being disappointed of it, he fled into \nEgypt; while Alcimus or Jacimus, one of the family of \nAaron, (though not in the right line of Josedek, to which \nthe priesthood belonged) was made high priest by Antio- \nchus Eupator the king. \n\nNote. It was Joshua the son of Josedech or Jozadek, was \nthe rightful high priest at the return from Babylon. See Ezra \niii. 2, and Hag. i. 1. \n\n30 Q. Was Alcimus admitted to the exercise of the \noffice in Jerusalem ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2fl. He was refused by the Jew?, because he had com- \nplied with the heathen superstition in the time of the per- \nsecution ; but he besought the aid of Demetrius the new \nking against Judas anil the people, who refused to re- \nceive him. \n\n31 Q. How came this Demetrius to be kini:? \n\nJl. He was the son of Seleucus Philopater, who was \nthe eldest brother of Antiochus Epiphanes ; and though \nhe could not persuade the Romans to assist him in \ning the kingdom of Syria, since Antiochus Epip \nwas dead, yet he lanJed in Syria, and persuaded the \npeople that the Romans had sent him : whereupon An- \ntiocnus Eupator and Lysias were seized by their own \nsoldiers, and put to death by order of Demetrius. \n\n32 Q. Did Demetrius establish Alcimus in \npriesthood, in opposition to Judas and his people $ \n\nJl. He endeavoured to do it by sendii _ \nchides against them, but without success : \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 169 \n\nmaking Nicanor, who was master of his elephants, gover- \nnor of Judea, he sent him to slay Judas, and to subdue \nthe Jews. \n\n33 ^. What success had Nicanor in this attempt ? \nJi. Though at first he was unwilling to make war \n\non Judas, yet being urged by the king, he pursued it \nwith fury ; and having spoken many blasphemous words \nagainst the temple and the God of Israel, and threatened \nto demolish it, and to build a temple to Bacchus in the \nroom of it, he himself was slain, and his army was shame- \nfully routed by Judas. \n\n34 Q. What encouragement had Judas to hope for \nvictory in this battle ? \n\nJi. Not only from the blasphemies of Nicanor, but he \nwas animated also by a divine vision, and thus he en- \ncountered his enemies with cheerfulness, and with earn- \nest prayer to God. 2 Mace, xiv and xv, \n\n35 Q. What rejoicing did Judas and the Jews make \non this occasion ? \n\nA. He cut off\' Nicanor\'s head, and his right hand, \nwhich he had stretched out against the temple, and hang- \ned them up upon one of the towers of Jerusalem, and ap- \npointed a yearly day of thanksgiving in memory of this \nvictory, which is called Nicanor\'s day. \n\n36 Q. What was the next act of Judas for the good \nof his country ? \n\nJi. Hearing of the growing greatness of the Romans, \nhe sent to make a league for mutual defence with them ; \nto which the Romans consented, and established it, ac- \nknowledging the Jews as their friends and allies, and or- \ndered Demetrius to vex them no more. \n\n37 Q. Did Demetrius obey these orders ? \n\nJi. Before these orders came to his hand, he had sent \nBacchides the second time to revenge Nicanor\'s death, \nand to establish Alcimus in the priesthood. \n\n38 Q. What success had this second expedition of \n-Bacchides against the Jews ? \n\nJi. A very unhappy one indeed fdP the Jews : for he \nso much overpowered Judas with the number of his forc- \nes, who had then but three thousand men with him, and \n36 \n\n\n\n170 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\neven the greatest part of these three thousanc] Heel from \nhim for fear : and Judas being ashamed to 11 y for hi^ life, \nlie was slain through an excess of courage. \n\n39 Q. What mischiefs ensued on the death of Jo \nA. The Jew* w< i hid< - \n\nprevailed everywhere, took Jerusalem, subdued \ngreatest part of the country, and put to death the friends \nof Judas, where he could find them ; many apostati \nsided with him. Alcimus exercised the liigh priesthood \nin a very wicked manner, and imitated the heathen su- \nperstition in the worship of God. He gave ord \npull down the wall of the inner court of die sanctuary, \nand is supposed also to break down the wall which di- \nvided the more holy part of the mountain of the temple \nfrom the less holy, and gave the Gentiles equal liberty \nwith the Jews to enter there. \n\nXote first. It is said in I Mace. ix. 54, that ho actually pull- \ned down (lie work of tJie prophets, whatever thai was : But it i- \nthought he only gave order f<>r pulling down th< \n\xe2\x96\xa0ner court, which may be Bupposed to be thr court of the priests. \n\nNote second. His hard to determine how far the wall, \nsfparated the Gentiles from that outer court of the t< \nwhich was made for the Jews, was of C \nho\'w early it was built. We do not read of it in Scripture . \nneither in the building of the temple of Solomon, when \nwas only the court of the priests, and the great court \xe2\x80\xa2 nor in tin- \nrebuilding it by Zerubbabel does Scripture tell us of such \naration. Indeed, in Jehoshaphat\'fl time, we read offl mir court. \n2 Chron. xx. 5. What it was no man knows certainli \nhaps it was only one court renewed. For in M i \n\xe2\x96\xa0which was about \'200 years after, there wen but \nChron. xxxii. 5. Dr. Prideaux indeed suj | \nprophets, Haggai and Zechariah, ordered a low wall, <>r ratln r \ninclosure, to be built, called Chel. in the Becond temple, within \nwhich no uncircumcised person should \xe2\x80\xa2 rj \nof that opinion i-. 1m cause, 1 Mace. ix. 5-4. ii is Baid, t!,. I \nmus pulled down also thi work of tin \nsuch a separating Avail in th< \n\nis generally supposed ; that tiii- c6un of the Gi ntil< - \nHerod\'s temple, i- aCT< \xe2\x80\xa2< d ; \nit iu E : >Jks. ii. 14\xe2\x80\x94 marine broken down tin \ntition.- n /.:\xc2\xbb/.. \\l. 17. But whetl \n\nargument\' are effectual t- prove it was ofdivim \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 171 \n\nthe learned reader must judge. See Prideaux\'s Connection of the \nOld and New Test. Part II. Book IV. Page 261, in 8vo. and \nLightfoot of the temple, chap. xvii. \n\nIf it be as some have maintained, that the Jews in rebuilding \nthat temple under Zertlbbabel, took pattern, in a great measure, \nfrom the prophetical temple in EzekiePs vision; then there \nseems to have been a court large enough for the court of the \nGentiles : for chap. xi. 5, and xlii. 20,\xe2\x80\x94 There was a wall on \nthe outside of the house round dbout, of Jive hundred reeds \nsquare, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the pro- \nfane place. See Lowth on those texts. Perhaps in these times \nthis was called the mount of the temple. \n\n40 Q. What became of Alcimus when he practised \nthese things with insolence ? \n\n4. He was smitten by the hand of God with a palsy, \nhis speech was taken away, so that lie could give no fur- \nther wicked commands, nor so much as set in order his \nown house, and he died in great torment. 1 Mace. ix. \n54, 55. \n\n41 Q. Did the surviving brethren of Judas Macca- \nbeus make no efforts against these their enemies? \n\nA, Yes ; his brother Jonathan, being chosen by the \npeople, took on him the government ; and though their \nbrother John was slain by the Jambrites, yet Simon re- \nmained ; and these two made such a continual resistance, \nthat in some years time, Alcimus being dead, Bacchides \ngrew weary of the war, and he was inclined at last to \nmake a firm peace : and then he restored the Jews \nwhich had been his prisoners, and departed from Judea \nwithout ever returning. \n\n42 ({. What use did Jonathan make of this peace? \n\nc\'L lie governed Israel according to the law ; he re- \nstored the Jewish religion, reformed every thing as far as \nhe could, both in church and state, and rebuilt the walls \nand fortifications of Zion. \n\n43 O. Who performed the office of high priest all this \ntime r \n\n*/?. There was a vacancy of the office for seven years, \n\xe2\x80\xa2after the death of Alcimus : till Alexander an impostor, \npretended to be the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, seized \nthe kingdom of Syria, and made high proposals to engage \n\n\n\n\\7Z SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI, , \n\nJonathan on his side against Demetrius, Who had been \ntheir enemy. Among these proposal this, \xe2\x80\x94 \n\nThat he should be constituted and maintai \nvernor and the high priest of the Jews, and be \n\nthe Icing\'s friend. 1 .Uace. \\. \n\nAWe. I think Josephus supposes Judas to ba> \nhigh priest before his death ; but Dr. 1 \n\nhim in this matter; nor doth the book of Mai \ngive any account of it. Though upon J ring the \n\nJewish worship in the temple, there must I \nficiate as high ; \n\ninto Egypt, whether Judas hiu !l\\. or deput- \n\ned one of the other priests to do it, is not certain: perh \ndas might do the duty. chief family cf th< | \n\nhood, though he did not assume the title. \n\n44 Q. Dili Jonathan accept of these prop \n\nA. There being no other high priest in view, he ac- \ncepted it, by the consent of all the people ; and at the \nfeast of tabernacles he put on the holy robe. Being \ndignified, he joined with Alexander, who \nstronger, and slew his rival Demetrius in battle. \n\nNote here, That fmoi this time forw; rd the I . \ncontinued in this family of the Asn \nthe time of Herod, who changed it from an office of inht ril \nto an arbitrary appointment. \xe2\x80\x94 It may be pro] ir I \nthat the family whence the Maccal \n\nneans ; for Mattathias, their fathi r, of John, the \n\nson of Simon, the son of Asm \n\n45 Q. But was Jonathan of the eldest family ol \nion, to whom the priesthood belonged t \n\nA, Whether trie Maccabees or Asmone; \nthe race of Josedek the high priest, is uncertain, \niii. 2, but it is certain they were of the course of : \nwhich was of the first class of the sons of Aaron. 1 \nMacc.W. 1. 1 Chron. xxiv. 7. And therefore, ou the \nfailure of the former family of priests, and none a] \ning there with a better title, lie had the first right t< \nceed ; besides that he was chosen to it in a vacancy \n\xe2\x96\xa0 ; le people. \n\nJ.\'\'- (I Where, was Onias all this while ? \n\n\n\nSect. o. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. r, \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nd. Having fled into Egypt, he gained such an inte- \nrest in Ptolemy Philometer the king, as to build a Jewish \ntemple in Egypt, exactly like that at Jerusalem, adorned \nwith the same furniture of vessels and altars for incense \nand sacrifice ; and to have himself and his family estab- \nlished the high priests of it, where they performed the \nsame religious service as was done at Jerusalem. \n\n47 Q. In what part of Egvpt did he build this tem- \nple ? \n\nA. In the place where Heliopolis, or the city of the \nsun stood ; and there he built a city also, and called it \nOnian, after his own name. \n\n48 Q, But how did he persuade the Jews to perform \nsuch worship at this temple ? \n\nJ. By citing the words of Isaiah, chap. xix. vet. 18, \n19. In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt \nspeak the language of Canaan : \xe2\x80\x94 In that day there shall \nbe an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of \nEgypt, $*c. Which is truly to be interpreted concern- \ning\' the future state of the Gospel in that country in \nthe days of the Messiah; but Onias applied it to his own \ntemple and altar. \n\n49 Q. How long did this temple continue ? \n\nJi. Till after the destruction of the temple at Jeru- \nsalem, which was above two hundred years ; and then \nthe city Onian, and the temple, were both destroyed by \nthe command of Vespasian the emperor of Rome. \n\n50 Q. Did Jonathan go on to secure the Jews of Ju* \ndea in their possessions and their religion ? \n\nA. By making leagues with the princes and states \nthat favoured him, and by assisting sometimes one and \nsometimes another, as the interest and powers of princes \nwere often changing, he defended and governed his own- \nnation. \n\n51 Q. What became of him at last ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2ft. By the treachery of one Tryphon, who sought the \nkingdom of Syria, he was seized, and shut up close pri- \nsoner in Ptolemais, 1 Mace. xi. and xii, and afterwards \nwas slain with his two sons. chap. xiii. \n16*. \n\n\n\nin SCRIPTURE HIST01 ip. ia, \n\n52 ({. Who succeeded Jonathan in the high | \n\nhood and government .- \n\n./?. Simon his brother, by the request of all the \npie ? \n\n53 Q. "What Mere some of the first enterprii \nSimon ? \n\nJi. After an honourable burial of his brother at. Mo- \ndin, the city of his fathers, and the noble and lofty mon- \nument, and seven pyramids which lie set up for his pa- \nrents, his four brethren and himself, he fortified tin \nof Judea, made a league with young Derael \nof Demetrius, took the city of Gaza, \nfrom idols, and built himself a house there. \n\n54 Q. Did the garrison in the tower of Acra, \nthe temple, continue to annoy the Jews in their wo \n\nJi. Notwithstanding all the attempts of Juda \nJonathan, these enemies remained still till the d \nSimon, who shut them up so closely, that aftei \nnumbers perished with famine, the res! yielded \ntower to Simon: immediately he cleansed it from it- \npollutions, and entered into it with harps ami \nand great triumph. \n\n55 <\xc2\xa3. What precautions did Simon tak< \nlike annoyance for the time to come S \n\nJi. By consent and assistance of the people, he pull- \ned down the tower, and reduced the mountain itself so \nlow, that there might be no possibility of any future an- \nnoyance to the worship of the temple from that place. \n\n56 Q. What further success had Simon in hie \neminent? \n\nA. He established Jerusalem and Judea in \npeace and plenty ; he sought out the law, and made it \nto be obeyed ; he beautified the sanctuary, multiplied the \nvessels of the temple, and maintained their ieligion in \nthe divine institutions of it. \n\n57 Q. What peculiar honour was done him by the \nJews ? \n\nA. In a general assembly of the priests and elders, \nand the people of the Jews, met together at Jerusalem, \nhe was constituted their prince as well as their high \n\n\n\nSect 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 175 \n\npriest; and these dignities and offices were settled upon \nhis posterity forever. This was engraven on tables of \nbrass, together with the good deeds of himself and his \nfamily, which had merited such an honour ; and these \ntables were hung up in the sanctuary. \n\n58 Q. What regard was paid to him among the \nheathen nations ? \n\nA. Several princes and people, the Lacedemonians, \nthe Romans, and Antiochus, surnamed Sidetes, the son \nof Demetrius, king of Syria, all sought his friendship, \nmade leagues ami covenants with him, and conferred on \nhim special honours. I Mace. xiv. and xv. \n\n59 Q. Did Antiochus keep his covenant with Simon ? \nA. By no means ; for when he had vanquished Try- \n\nphon, his rival, he brake his league with Simon, and in- \nvaded some part of Judea ; but his general, Cendebeus, \nwas routed by Simon, and his two eldest sons Judas and \nJohn, whose surname was Hyrcanus. \n\n60 Q. What was the fate of Simon at last ? \n\nJ. When Simon was visiting the cities, and giving \norders for their welfare, one Ptolemeus, who was his son- \nin-law, invited him and his sons to a banquet at Jericho, \nand slew Simon with two of his sons, in order to get the \ngovernment of the country into his own hands ; and sent \nprivately to kill John also, \n\n61 Q. Did Ptolemeus succeed in this his treachery \nand murderous enterprise ? \n\nJi. John having got timely notice of it slew the assas- \nsins, and was invested with the high priesthood, and the \ngovernment after his father. \n\nNote. Here ends that excellent history, the first book of the \nMaccabees. The following part of this account of the Jews is \nborrowed chiefly from Josephus, who usually calls John by the \nsurname of Hyrcant^. \n\n\n\nm JSCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( \n\n\n\nSect. VII. >Of the Jewish Affairs under the ( \n\nof the Posterity and Successors of Simon the Mac* \n\n>\xe2\x80\xa2(/ h;>c ; and of the several Sects awo\\ \n\nnamely, Pharisees, Sadduu . Herodiaus, \n\nKaraites. \n\n1 Q. Did John Hyrcanus enjoy hi- offia in pence ? \nJi. Antiochus Sidetes being informed of the \n\nof Simon, and being invited by Ptolemeus, invaded Ju- \ndea again, besieged Jerusalem, and reduced Hyrcanus \nand the Jews to the last extremity by famine : but when \nthey sued for peace, he granted ir, upon condition of \npaying certain tributes to the king, and demolishing the \nfortifications of Jerusalem. \n\nXole. About this time Jesus, the son of Syr \nJerusalem, coining into Egypt, translated the hook of \'\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0 \nasticus, written by Jesus his grandfather, out of \nGreek, for the use of the Hellenistic Jews there. The i \ncalled it Panareton, or the treasury oi all virtue. \n\n2 Q. How did the affairs of the Jews succeed \nHyrcanus ? \n\nJi. A few years afterwards he took, advantage of the \nvast confusions that ensued among the nations, upon the \ndeath of Antiochus, to enlarge his borders, by seizing \nneighbouring towns on several sides of Judea, and to re- \nnounce all his dependence upon the kings of Syria. \n\n3. Q. Was he supported therein by any foreign pow- \ners? \n\nA. He renewed the league of friendship which his \nfather Simon had made with the Romans, who were then \ngrowing to their grandeur; and they ordered that lie \nshould De freed from the late imposed tribute, and that \nthe Syrians should make reparation for the damages they \nhad done him. \n\n4 Q. In what manner did Hyrcanus deal with the \nEdomites, or Idumeans, who were on the south of Ju \n\nA. He constrained them to embrace the Jewish reli- \ngion, or to leave their country; whereupon they \nto forsake their idolatry, and became proselytes to Juda- \n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 177 \n\nism, and were mingled and incorporated with the Jews ; \nand, by this means, in less than two hundred years, their \nvery name was lost. \n\nNote. In defence of this practice of Hyrcanus, among the \nIdumeans, which seems to be so contrary to the laws of nature \nand Scripture, it may be said, that at this time these Edomites \nhad encroached on the land of Judea, and inhabited all the \nsouth part of it : so that Hyrcanus, in banishing those who \nwould not become Jews, did but dispossess them of that coun- \ntry which was given to the Jews by God himself. Yet it must \nbe confessed, by this practice he seems to hare set an unhappy \npattern to his successors, to impose the religion of the Jews on \nconquered countries by force. \n\n5 Q. How did he treat the Samaritans on the north,, \nwhen his power was thus increased ? \n\nA. He marched with his army and took Shechem, \nwhich Mas then the chief seat ot" the Samaritan sect ; \nand he destroyed their temple on Mount Gerrizim, which \nSanballat had built ; though they continued still to keep \nan altar there, and to offer sacrifices. \n\n6 ^. How came Shechem to be their chief seat, in- \nstead of Samaria ? \n\nJ?. They were expelled from Samaria by Alexander, \nfor killing one of his deputy governors in a tumult; \nand they retiring to Shechem, made that their chief seat; \nwhile Alexander repeopled Samaria with heathens of the \nSyrian and Macedonian race. \n\n7 Q. Did Hyrcanus extend his power farther on that \nside of the country ? \n\nd. He besieged Samaria and took it, and utterly de- \nmolished it ; he not only ruled in Judea, but in Galilee \nalso, and the neighbouring towns : he became one of the \nmost considerable princes of his age, and preserved the \nJewish church and state in safety from their enemies, \nthroughout a long government. \n\n8 ^. What other remarkable actions, are ascribed to \nHyrcanus ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2#. He was esteemed a prophet for one or two nota- \nble predictions, or knowledge of things done at a dis- \ntance. He built the castle Baris, on a steep rock, fifty \ncubits high, without the outer square of the temple, but \n\n\n\nIra scRinvm: history, ci; \n\non the same mountain: tins was the palace dI \nnean princes in Jerusalem, and here the sacred rob \nthe high priest wore always laid up when (;.<\xe2\x96\xa0; \nin use. \n\n9 Q. What use was afterwards made of this c - \nJi. Herod new built it and made it a very strong \nfortress, to command both the city and the temple ; and \ncalled it Antonia, in honour oi* his great friend Mark \nAntony of Home : he raised it .so hig , \nwhat was done in the temple, and send hi \ncase of any tumult. Here the Romans kept a \ngarrison, and the governor of it was called captain of \nthe temple, dcis xxi. 31. \n\nNote. It was from lhi\xc2\xab place the sentinel spying tl \nready to kill Faul, gave noiirc to the gov< rnor \xe2\x80\xa2 \nwho went down immediately with some soldiers into (J \xe2\x80\xa2 \nof the Gentiles, whither they had draggt d St. Paul, t<> kill him, \nand rescued him, and brought him up the -t;>ir- ii \nand it was upon these stairs that Paul obtained li \nto the people. Acts xxi. 26, ..Vc-. \n\n10 Q. What troubles did Hyrcanus mi \nward the end of his life? \n\nIff. His title to the high priesthood was unjustly call- \ned in question by a bold man among the Pharisees ; and, \nbeing craftily imposed upon to think it the opinion of \nall that party, he hastily renounced that sect, for which \nhe had before the greatest value, he abolished their con- \nstitutions, and falling in with the sect of th< \nlost his esteem and love among the commoi \n\n11 Q. Since you mention the sect of the \nhere, pray let us know what were the chief - \nthe Je\\ \n\nJ. About this lime, the most considerable \nthe Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes : \nin the next century arose also the Herodians : and \nhundreds <>f years after was a sect called the k.;, \n\n12 ({. What peculiar opinions were held !>\xe2\x96\xa0 \nPharisee* ? \n\nA. The most distinguishing character oi \nwas their zeal for the traditions of the elders; fo \n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 179 \n\nthey acknowledged the writings of Moses and the pro- \nphets to be divine, they pretended that these traditions \nalso were delivered to* Moses on Mount Sinai; and con- \nveyed down without writing, through the several genera- \ntions of the Jews, from father to son : and by reason of \ntheir pretences to a more strict and rigorous observance \nof the law, according to their traditions, which they su- \nperadded to it, they looked on themselves as more holy \nthan other men, and they were called Pharisees, that \nis, persons separate from others. \n\nNote. These were the persons who had so much corrupted \nthe law in our Saviour\'s time, and made it void by their tradi- \ntions : yet their doctrine generally prevailed among the scribes \nand the lawyers, who were writers and explainers of the law ; \nand the bulk of the common people had them in high esteem \nand veneration, so that they were the most numerous of any \nsect. \n\n13 Q. Is the sect of the Pharisees still in being ? \n\nJl. The present religion of the Jews, in their several \ndispersions (except among the few Karaites) is wholly \nformed and practised according to the traditions of the \nPharisees, rather than according to the law and prophets : \nso that they have corrupted the old Jewish religion in \nthe same manner that the papists have the Christian. \n\n14 Q. What were the opinions of the Sadducees ? \nJl. The Sadducees at first are supposed by Dr. Pri- \n\ndeaux to be no more than the Zadikim, who only stuck \nto the written word of God, renouncing all other tra- \nditions ; and that probably they went no farther than \nthis in the days of Hyrcanus ; though the talmudical \nwriters derive their name, and their dangerous doctrines, \nmore early, from one Zadok, as is before related. But \nit is certain that afterward the Sadducees denied the \nresurrection of the dead, and the very being of angels or \nspirits, or souls of men departed, and any existence in a \nfuture state : they supposed God to be the only spirit, \nand that he rewarded and punished mankind in this \nworld only, and there was nothing to be hoped or feared \nafter death ; which principles render this sect an impious \n- party of men. \n\n\n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. I \' \n\n15 Q. "What did they profess ;is the rule of their \nreligion ? \n\nJl. They not only rejected all written traditions, but \nnil the written word of God, except the five books of \nMoses; for the doctrine of a future state i> not >o evi- \ndently taught therein : and therefore Christ argues Dot \nwith them out of the Psalms and prophets, but only out \nof the law of Moses, when he proves a future state \xc2\xab\'! \nresurrection from God\'s being the Gud of Jlbrahavi. \nIsaac, and Jacob. Luke xx. 37. \n\n16 Q, How long did this sect of the Sadducet - \ntinue r \n\nJl. Though all the common people had the chief ven- \neration for the Pharisees, yet most of the richest and the \ngreatest among them fell into the opinions of the Saddu- \ncees for several generations, but they were all tut off ill \nthe destruction of Jerusalem; nor do we find any men- \ntion of them as a sect for many ages after, till their \nname was revived and applied to the Karaites by way \nof reproach. \n\n17 Q. Who were these Karaites? \n\nJl. A much better sect among the Jews, who ii \nsixth century after Christ, began to be so much offended \nwith the incredible stories and fooleries of the Talmud, \nwhich was then published, and with the strange mystu al \nsenses which some of the Jews put on tin- Scriptures, \nthat they confined themselves only to the written word \nof the Scripture, which in the Babylonish langi \ncalled Kara ; and for the most part, thev content mem- \nselves with the literal sense of it. They are sometimes, \nbut very unjustly, called Sadducees, by the rabbinical or \ntalmudical Jews. \n\n18 Q. Where are these Karaites to be found ? \n\nJl. Very few of them dwell in these western parts ol \nthe world. They are found chiefly in Poland, and B \nthe Crim Tartars ; a tew also in Egypt and Persi \nthey are counted men of the best learning, and gn \nprobity and virtue among the Jev\\>; and it i> remarkable \namong them, that tiny perform their public worship in \nthe language of the country where they dwell. \n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 181 \n\n19 Q. What were the Essenes 2 - \n\nJl. They seem to have been originally of the same \nsect as the ^Pharisees ; but they set up for a more morti- \nfied way of living, and perhaps more unblameable. They \nso far agreed with the Sadducees, as to acknowledge or \nexpect no resurrection of the body ; but they believed a \nfuture state of eternal happiness or misery ; according \nlo their behaviour in this life. They seem to have been \ndistributed into societies or fraternities, and to have had \nno private possessions, but a common stock for the supply \nof all. They were in a special manner religious toward \nGod, both on the sabbath, and in their daily devotions ; \nand exceeding friendly and benevolent toward men. \nThey did not disclaim marriage; but they entered into # \nthat state more rarely, and with great caution : and in- \nstead of children of their own, they bred up poor chil- \' \ndren in their own sect. They were very abstemious as \nto their food, and their habit was a plain white garment. \nTheir rules of life are reported to us more at large by \nJosephus and by Philo, two Jews ; they are also describ- \ned by Pliny, a heathen, and by some of the Christian \nfathers. \n\n20 Q. If they were a considerable sect in the days \nof our Saviour, how came it to pass that they are not \nmentioned in the New Testament ? \n\nd. Some have supposed that they seldom came into \ncities, but living so very plain and abstemious a life, they \nresided for the most part in the country ; and thus they \nfell not under our Saviour\'s observation. And besides, \nthey being a very honest and sincere sort of people, they \ngave no such reason for reproof and censure, as others \nvery justly deserved. Though it must be confessed also, \nthat their disbelief of the resurrection of the body, their \nnon-attendance on the temple-worship, their traditional \nwashings, and self-invented purifications, their rigorous \nand needless abstinences from some sorts of meats, and \nother like superstitious customs and will-worship might \nhave given our Saviour just occasion for reproof had \nthey come in his way ; and perhaps they are censured \n\n\n\n182 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 1& \n\nunder the general name of Pharisees, in those supersti- \ntious traditions wherein they both agreed. \n21 Q. Now we are speaking of ihe several sects of \n\nthe Jews, let u> know also what were the Herodigi \n\nA. This sect arose not till the time of Herod the \ngreat, king of Judea : and it is plain they had \nliar evil tenets a> well as the other &e< ts, since our Sa- \nviour warned his disciples against the leaven of the Phari- \nsees and of Herod. Indeed they opposed the Phai \nand very justly, in one point ; for the Pharisees - \nthought \'it lawful to pay taxes directly to heathens, though \nthey acquired the sovereign power, and particularly to \nCsesar, in that day : but their special error, which Christ \ncalls their leaven, seems to be this ; that it was lawful, \nwhen constrained by superiors, to comply with idolatry, \nand with a false religion. Herod seems to have framed \nthis sect on purpose to justify himself in this prat \nwho being an Idumean by nation, was indeed halt . \nand half a heathen; and affected a conformity to the \nGentiles in some things, to please the Romans, who made \nhim king, while at the same time he professed Ju< \n\nNote. The Sadducees generally came into thw i \nopinion: and the same persons which art- called Hendiaru in \nMarkvm. 15, are called Sadducrrs in Matt. x\\i. o\'. Hut this \n^ect died in a little time, for we hear no more of I \n<iays of our Saviour. \n\nL 2-2 Q. Having done with the several sects of tin- \nJews, let us return now and inquire who suc< \nIlyrcanus at his death r \n\nA. Aristobulus, his eldest son, took the office i \nhigh priest, and governor of the country : and I \nthe first, since the captivity of Babylon, who pat a. dia- \ndem upon his head, and assumed the title of kinu r . \n23 (^. Whal is recorded of him? \nJ. lie put Iris own toother to death, \nmade some pretence to the government ; lie sent all Im \nbrothers, save one, to prison: then he atia<k\xc2\xbbd in \ndued the Itureans, who lived on the nortl \nland of Galilee, and forced them to he circumcised and \nreceive the Jewish religion. At last \n\n\n\n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 183 \n\nto put his favourite brother to death, upon an unjust sus- \npicion ; and then he died himself, vomiting blood, and \nin great horror, for his crimes. \n\ni?4 Q. Who succeeded him ? \n\nJ. His next brother, Alexander, surnamed Jannaeus, \ntook the kingdom, who also put another of the brothers \nto death, because of some attempt to supplant him. \n\n25 Q What success had Alexander in his govern* \nment ? \n\nA. He having settled his affairs at home, attacked \nsome of his neighbours, and dealt very deceitfully with \nYtolemy Lathyrus, the heir to the crown of Egypt, who \ncame to their assistance : whereupon there ensued a \nbloody battle between them, near the river Jordan in \nGalilee, wherein Alexander\'s army was utterly defeated, \nand he lost thirty thousand men. \n\nNote. There is a very cruel and barbarous action attributed \nto Lathyrus on this occasion, namely, that coming with his ar- \nmy, in the evening after the victory, to take up his quarters in \nthe adjoining villages, and finding them full of women and chil- \ndren, he caused them to be all slaughtered, and their bodies to \nbe cut in pieces, and put into cauldrons over the fire to be boil- \ned, as if it Mere for supper ; that so he might leave an opinion \nin that country, that his men fed upon human flesh, and thereby \nmight create the greater dread and terror of his army through \nall those parts. After this, Lathyrus ranged at liberty all over \nthe country, ravaging, plundering and destroying it in a very \nlamentable manner: for Alexander, after this battle, was in no \ncondition to resist him. \n\n26 Q. Did Alexander ever recover this defeat ? \n\nA. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, who, with her young- \nest son, withheld the kingdom from Lathyrus her eldest, \ndid assist and support Alexander Jannreus, lest, if Lathy- \nrus should have become master of Judea, he might also \nhave recovered Egypt out of her hands ; whereupon \nAlexander raised his head again, besieged other places, \nand took Gadara and Amathus toward Galilee, together \nwith much treasure ; but he was surprised by Theodoras, \nprince of Philadelphia, who had laid up that treasure \nthere, and was overthrown with the slaughter of ten \nthousand men. Yet, being a man of courage and dili-^ \n\n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2184 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI \n\n"jence, again lie recruited his army, took the city of ( \nfrom the Philistines, and save thorough license to hi> \nsoldiers there to kill, plunder, and destroj a> tl it- v phas- \ned. He subdued their principal cities, and nade them \npart of his dominions; whereupon several of the Philis- \ntines turned Jews: and indeed it was now grown a cms- \ntorn among the Asmoncan princes, to impose their reli- \ngion upon all their conquests, leaving them no other \nchoice but to become proselytes, or to be banished. \n\n27 ({. How did his own people, the Jews, carry i\' \ntowards him r \n\nJi. The Pharisees continued their wrath against him* \nfor rigorously maintaining the decrees of his lather, who \nabolished their constitutions; and by their powerful in- \nfluence, they stirred up the people against him so far, that \nwhile he was executing the nigh priest\'s oftice at tin- \naltar, they pelted him with citrons, and called him re- \nproachful names. \n\n28 Q. In what manner did Alexander resent it? \n\nA. He slew ;-ix thousand of them immediately, and \nfie cho\xc2\xabe his own guards out of the heathen q \ndaring afterwards to trust himself with tl,. \nlast mere broke out a civil war between him :. \npeople, which lasted six years, brought -rear calan \nboth, and occasioned the death of above fifty thousand \npeople. \n\n20 Q. How was this war carried on ? \n\nJ. Though Alexander gained many >: \nthem, vet being wearied out, he desir i d offer- \n\ned to grant them whatsoever they coulu re \n-ire r but upon his inquiry what terms v. \nthem, they answered with one voice, that //\xc2\xab\' slajult! cut \nLis own throat ; so dreadful was their enmity < \nhim; and upon this answer, the war was -till* pursued \nwith fury on both Bides. \n\nSO ({\' How was this war ended at \n\nJ. Alexander Jannseus, the ki:.u r . havii \n\nbattle, resumed his courasc, and aftei \\ \n\nanother, which concluded the war: for having \n\n\n\nSect 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 185 \n\ncity of Bethome, and besieged them there : and having \ntaken the place, he carried eight hundred of them to Je- \nrusalem, and there caused them to be all crucified in \none day ; and their wives and children to be slain before \ntheir faces, while they hung dying on their crosses. In \nthe mean time he treated his wives and concubines with \nthis bloody spectacle at a feast. This terrified the Jews \nindeed so effectually, that they made no more insurrec- \ntions against him : though he got a most infamous name \nby it, in that and the following ages. A dreadful in \nstance of the barbarity of a high priest with civil power ! \n\n31 Q. Did this cruel tyrant come to a natural death ? \n*\'l. The providence oV God, which does not always \n\npunish sinners in this life, permitted him to die in the \ncamp of a quartan ague, which had hung long upon him, \nwhile he was besieging a castle of the Gerasenes beyond \nJordan. And though he left two sons behind him, yet \nhe bequeathed the government to Alexandra his wife, \nduring her life ; and to be disposed of at her death to \nwhich of her sons she pleased. \n\n32 Q. How did this woman reconcile herself to the \nJews, so as to permit her to reign over them r \n\nA. By her husband\'s advice upon his death-bed, she \nconcealed his death till the castle was taken ; then lead- \ning back the army to Jerusalem in triumph, made her \ncourt to the Pharisees, resigned up his dead corpse to \ntheir pleasure, to be abused or buried, as they should \nthink fit, and promised to follow their advice in all the \naffairs of government : for he had assured her, that they \nwere the best of friends and the worst of enemies ; and \nthat if she would bat be ruled by them, they would make \nher rule over others. \n\n33 Q. What success had this conduct of Alexandra? \n\n$. All the success she desired : the people were in- \nfluenced by the Pharisees to give the corpse of her hus- \nband an honourable funeral, she herself was settled in \nthe government of the nation, and she made her eldest \nson Hyrcanus high priest. \n\n34 ^. How did she administer the government under \nthe direction of the Pharisees P \n\n.17* \n\n\n\n186 . SCRIPT! RE IIIM\'ORV. ( hap. \n\nJi. She immediately revoked the decree <>l John \nIlyrcanus, whereby lie had abolished their trad. \nconstitutions; by which means the Pharisees, and their \ntraditions, grew into greater esteem and power thai ever \nand she permitted them to put to death many of those \nwho advised the late king Alexander to ileal BO cruelly \nwith the people ; and some others of their own adi \nries also were executed on this pretence* by her I \nfor she dreaded a new civil war, and of two evil \nthought to choose the least. \n\n35 Q. To whom did she leave the kingdom at her \ndeath ? \n\nJl. To Hyrcanus her eldest son, who had been en- \ntirely bred up under the influence and tut \nPharisees. \n\n36 Q. Did this Hyrcanus the second continue to \nreign in peace ? \n\nJl. Aristobulus, the younger son, finding tin \narmy and the people were weary of die oppressive ad- \nministration of the Pharisees, raised an army against hi- \nbrother Hyrcanus, put him to llight, forced him t<> \nthe kingdom and the high priesthood, and to live a pi ivate \nlife ; which he consented to, after he had been king three \nmonths; for he naturally loved hi> own ease and quiel \nmore than any thing else. \n\n37 Q. Was Aristobulus disturbed in his government I \nJl. There was one Antipater, an Idumean, (whose \n\nfather was advanced to the government of Idumea by tie- \nlate king Alexander) and he htmself-being bred up with \nIlyrcanus, in the court of Alexandra, prevailed upon \nHyrcanus to accept of the assistance <\xc2\xbbl Aretas, thi \nbian king, to restore him to the kingdom : for he assured \nhim that his life was in ->\xc2\xab> great danger from his I \nAristobulus, that he could save it no other way bin \nby dethroning him. \n\n38 Q. What succe-s had Hyrcanus in following this \ncounsel of Antipater r \n\nJl. By the help of Aretas he gained an absolute \\ ic- \ntory over Aristobulus, d rove him into the mminmin ol \nthe temple, and there besieged him ; where the i \n\n\n\nSect. r. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 187 \n\nstood by Aristobulus, while the people declared for Hyr- \ncanus. \n\n39 Q. What heinous murder were the people guilty \nof at this time ? \n\nJl. There was one Onias at Jerusalem, so holy a man \nthat he was thought by his prayers to have obtained rain \nfrom heaven in a great drought: and the people conclud- \ning that his curses would be as powerful as his prayers, \npressed him to curse Aristobulus, and all that were with \nhim. The good man finding no rest from their impor- \ntunities, lift up his hands toward heaven and prayed \nthus : O Lord God, Rector of the universe, since those \nthat are with us are thy people, and they that are be- \nsieged in the temple are thy priests, I pray that thou \nwouldsi hear the prayers of neither of them against the \nother. Hereupon the multitude were so enraged, that \nthey stoned him to death. \n\n40 Q. Did Hyrcanus\'s party prosper after this mur- \nder? \n\nA. Hyrcanus and his people fell under great disap- \npointments at first ; for the Romans spreading their em- \npire far at this time, and being largely bribed by Aristo- \nbulus, they forced Aretas to raise the siege ; whereupon \nAristobulus pursued and routed him in battle, and slew \nmultitudes of Hyrcanus\'s party. \n\n41 Q. In what manner was this contest carried on \nafterwards ? \n\njf. The two brothers Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, first \nby their ambassadors, and afterwards in person, pleaded \ntheir cause before Pompey, the general of the Romans 5 \nwho was now at Damascus: while ? at the same time* \nthe people declared against both: for they pretended \nthey were not to be governed by kings, but by the priests \n\xc2\xa9f God. \n\n42 Q. How was the controversy decided ? \n\nA. Pompey not giving a speedy determination, and \nAristobulus suspecting the event, he retired and prepar- \ned for war : whereupon Pompey seized Aristobulus in \none of his castles, and confined him to prison, and laid \nsiege to Jerusalem ; and being received into the city by \n\n\n\nIBS S( RIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nJlyrcanus\'s party, besieged also the temple and the \n\nBaris, and took it in three month-, time \n\n43 ((. How came the Roman.-, to take so strong h \nplace so soon ? \n\n*S. Though the Jews bad learnt from the beginning \nof the Maccabean wars, to defend themselv< \ntacked on the sabbath : yet being not actually assaulted, \nthey permitted the Romans to build up their works \nengines on the sabbath, without disturbing th \nby the tower or castle, and with it the temple, \ntaken. \n\n44 <^. On what day was the temple taken ? \nJ. On the very day which the Jews kept \n\nfast, for the taking of Jerusalem and the temple bj \nbuchadnezzar : and it is remarkable, that the pries! \nwere at the altar continued their devotions, and their \nrites of worship, till they perished by the hand- i \nenemy. \n\n45 Q. What blood and plunder ensned in the tem- \nple r \n\nA. Twelve thousand Jews were slain on \nsion, partly by Pompey\'s army, and partly by their own \nbrethren, of the party of Hyrcanus. But when Pomptej \nentered the sanctuary, he forbore to touch any i \nsacred vessels thereof, or the two thousand talents which \nwere laid up there for sacred uses ; he ordered the \ntemple to be cleansed, and sacrifices to be offered there \naccording to their own laws. \n\nNote. Though Pompey was so moderate in hit \nin a little time after, Crassus, another li \nmarch through the country, seized and t \n\nthousand talents, and tin- golden vessels of the t- mple, and rich \nhangufrgi of inestimable worth. But the v< \nteemed to follow him : his counsels in his wars from tJ. \nforward, were under perpetual disappointru< n\\ ; he was slain ;\xe2\x80\xa2\xc2\xbb \na war with the L*;t rtlii.i ri- : his hi ad n \nwas poured down hi- I > of insult over \n\ncovetousi \n\n46 Q. "What was the final effect of this victory of \nthe Romans r \n\n\n\nSect. T. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 289 \n\nJi. Pompey demolished the walls of Jerusalem, put \nto deatli some of the chief supporters of Aristobulus, re- \nstored Hjrcanus to the high priesthood, and made him \nalso governor, but under tribute to the Romans, and re- \nduced his dominions to narrower bounds : then he car- \nried Aristobulus, with his children, prisoners to Rome ; \nexcept his eldest son, who escaped. \n\nJVb/e. From this quarrel between Hyrcanus the second and \nAristobulus, the ruin of Judea and Jerusalem must be dated ; \nthe final loss of the liberty of the Jews, and the translation of \nthe sovereign authority to the Romans ; which hud till then de- \nscended with the priesthood, and been possessed by the Jews, \nthough often under some tribute to heathen princes. \n\n47 Q. Did Aristobulus or his sons ever attempt the \nrecovery of their power and government ? \n\nJ. Being escaped from prison they made several \nvigorous attempts, but without success. \n\n48 Q. What changes did Jerusalem pass undei \nthrough these times ? \n\nd. Gabinius, a Roman general, marching through Ju- \ndea, in a little time made a great change in the govern- \nment, lessened the power of Hyrcanus yet further, alter- \ned the constitution of the Sanhedrim or Jewish senate : \nbut all was restored again shortly after by Julius Csesar: \nfor, at Hyrcanus\'s request, lie gave him leave to rebuild \nthe walls of Jerusalem, and by a decree from the senate \nof Rome, the ancient friendship with the Jews was re- \nnewed. \n\n49 ^. Where was Antipater all this while, who had \nexcited Hyrcanus to recover the government of Judea ? \n\nJl. He did many services for Usesar in his wars in \nthe neighbouring countries; whereupon he was made \nhis lieutenant in Judea, under Hyrcanus, who was con- \nfirmed by Csesar in the government and high priesthood : \nand, at the same time, Antipater procured Phasael, his \neldest son, to be made governor of the city of Jerusalem ; \nand Herod, his second son, governor of Judea. \n\nNote. This Herod grew up to high power afterward ; he was \ncalled Herod the great, and was king of Judea when our Sa- \nviour was. born. \n\n\n\n190 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\n50 Q. What became <>f Antiniter at Uu \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2ft. He was poisoned by one VMirhus, a rival, \nenvied his greatness and power in ludea: but his death \nwas revenged by his Bon Herod, who was permitted by \nthe Roman general to procure Malichus to be murdered. \n\n51 Q. What further troubles did the \nwith about this time ? \n\nA. Some pari or other of their nation were continu- \nally subject to plunders, sometimes from the Roman \ngenerals for not paying the tribute demanded, or on \nother pretences ; sometimes by the Parthians, \ned Antigonus, son of the late king Aristobulus, to i \nJerusalem and Judea, in opposition to the united forces \nof Phasael, and Herod, and Hyrcanus. \n\n5\xc2\xa3 Q. Did Antigonus ever recover iinent? \n\nJ. The Parthian general, Pacorus I war \n\nwith the Romans, did by mere treachery get into his \ncustody both Hyrcanus and Phasael, seized Jen \nand rifled it, made Antigonus governor of Judea, and \ndelivered up Hyrcanus and Phasael to him in chains ; \nbut Herod made his escape. \n\n53 Q. What became of Phasael and Ilyiv \n\nJSt. Phasael beat out his own brains in prison; Hyr- \ncanus\'s ears were cut oflT, that being maimed he mig \nno longer a high priest, Lev. xxi. 17, and he u;*.~ \nafar oil" among the Parthians, that he might raise no dis- \nturbances against Antigonus. \n\n54 q. Whither did Elerod take his flight ? \nA. After a little time he went to Rome \n\nall these transactions, and he made his complaint- with \ngreat and unexpected success; for Julius Ctesar being \nslain in the Roman senate, Mark Antony and 0< \n(who was afterwards Augustus Cfesar) governed all \nthings there, and they agreed to make Herod king \ndea, with the consent of the senate, hoping it wot \nlor their interest in the Parthian war. \n\n\n\nSect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 191 \n\n\n\nSect. VIII. Of the Government of JTerod the Great, \nand his Posterity, over the Jews. \n\n1 Q. What did Herod do on his receiving this new \ndignity ? \n\nJi. He returned to Judea, first relieved his mother, \nwho was put in prison by Antigonus ; he made himself \nmaster of Galilee; he cfestroyed some large bands of \nrobbers which infested the country thereabout, shelter- \ning themselves in mountains, and the caves of steep and \ncraggy rocks. \n\n2 Q. What artifice did he use in order to attack \nthem r \n\nJi. By reason of their dwelling in such hollow caves \nin precipices, there was no scaling them from below ; \nand therefore to ferret them out of their dens, he made \nlarge open chests, and filled them with soldiers, which \nhe let down into the entrances of those caves by chains \nfrom engines which he had fixed above, and thus he de- \nstroyed great numbers of them. \n\nJVote. This country was often annoyed with the remains of \nthese plunderers in the reign of Herod : but he treated them \nwithout merc} r , and all the country that sheltered them with \ngreat rigour, till he restored peace to Galilee. \n\n3 \xc2\xa7. "Where was his next march ? \n\nJi. Into Judea against Antigonus, and after several \nbattles, with various success on both sides, at last, by the \nassistance of the Roman legions, besieged Antigonus in \nJerusalem. \n\n4 Q. Did not Herod himself attend this siege? \n\nA. Yes ; but while the preparations were making for \nit he went to Samaria, and there he married Mariamne, \na lady of the family of the Maccabees, or Asmoneans, \nthe grand-daughter of Hyrcanus the second, a woman \nof great beauty and virtue, and admirable qualifications, \ntipping the Jews would more readily receive him for \n-their king by this alliance ; and having done this, he re- \nlumed to the siege. \n\n\n\n192 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chtjw 19t \n\n5 Q. Did he carry this plac\xc2\xab* at lai \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2/?. He took Jerusalem by Btorm, alter >ix monthf \nhard and bloody Bervfce in flic siege, at which the Ro- \nmans being enraged, ravaged the city with blood and \nplunder, notwithstanding afi that Herod could do I \nvent it; and having taken king Antigonus there, and \nsent him to Antioch, Herod persuaded Mark Antony, \nby a large bribe, to put him to death. \n\nJVb/c. Here ended the reign of the Asmoneai \nbees, after that race had held the government one huiidn \ntwenty year?. During great p;>rt \xc2\xbbf this time, ac u \xc2\xbb !l at \nthe various changes of these Jewish governors, or the int. rni| - \ntion by heathen conquerors, filled the country of .hid* -a with in- \nnumerable calamities and desolations, of which Jerusalem itself \nhad a very large share, nor did they c< ase in the following \n\nG Q. How did Herod begin his reign ? \n\nJl. As he was forced to make his way to the king- \ndom through much blood, so he established himself bj \nthe same means, putting to death several of the parti /.an* \nof Antigonus, and among them all the counsellors of the \ngreat Sanhedrim, except Pollio, who is called Ilillel, and \nSameas, who is called Shammai ; for both of them had \nencouraged the city to receive Herod : though it v. a* \nnot out of love to him, but merely on this view, that it \nwas in vain to resist him. \n\nNote. This Hillel and Shammai v. < r \neminent teachers aiming the doct< \nschools. \n\n7 Q. "Who was made high priest after the death of \nAntigonus, who was both priest ami king? \n\nJl. At first Herod made one Ananelua or s \' \nhigh priest, who was an obscun \n\nAaron, educated among the Jews afar off in Babylonia, \nand therefore not so likely to oppose m.\\ of Herod\'s de- \nsigns in Judea. \n\n8 ({. Did Ananelus continue in tl \xe2\x80\xa2 \nJl. Hood\'s beloved wife, Mariamne, and her iu \nbeing of the nice of the Maccabees, \nhim to make Aristobulus, Mariamnc\'s brother, a \n\n\n\nSect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 195 \n\nseventeen years old, high priest in Ananelus\'s room, to \nwhom indeed it rather belonged as an heir male of that \nfamily: this he at last complied with against his will; \nbut in a very little time he procured him to be drowned \nunder pretence of bathing. \n\n9 Q. What became of Hyrcanus all this while ? \n\nJl. Though he had been banished for so many years \namong the Parthians and Babylonians, yet he\' returned \nto Jerusalc m upon the advancement of Herod, presuming \nthat the marriage of his grand-daughter, and his own \nformer merits towards him, would secure to himself a \npeaceful old age in his own country under Herod\'s pro- \ntection. \n\n10 Q. How did Herod deal with him ? \n\nJl. He received him at first with all respect, but \nsome time after found a pretence to put him to dearth, \nwhen he was above eighty years of age, lest one time or \nother, being of the family of the Maccabees or Asmo- \nneans, he should be restored to the kingdom. \n\n1 1 (\xc2\xa3\xe2\x80\xa2 Besides all these confusions, what other ca- \nlamity happened to the Jews about this time ? \n\nA. A terrible earthquake ran through the whole land \nof Judea, and buried thirty thousand of the inhabitants \nin the ruin of their houses, in the seventh year of Herod\'s \nreign ; a grievous pestilence followed it in a little time, \nand a desolating famine a very few years after, at which \ntime Herod was very liberal to the people, but he could \nnot gain their hearty affection. \n\n12 q. Did Herod maintain his government, when his \ngreat friend Mark Antony was ruined, and vanquished \nby Octavius ? \n\nA. He took care to make early submission to Octa- \nvius ; he laid aside his diadem when he waited on him, \nand with open heart he confessed his former friendship \nfor Antony, but he now assured Octavius of the same \nfaithful friendship and obedience, if he might be trusted : \nupon which, Octavius, who now assumed the name of \nAugustus Csesar, bid him resume his diadem, confirmed \nhim m the kingdom, and was his friend and protector \n?ven to his death. \n18 \n\n\n\n1-94 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\n13 Q. Did he then continue to reign in perfect \npeace I * \n\nA. Domestic troubles broke the peace of his mind, \nand threw him into violent grief and rage, which further \nsoured his temper for all his life after. \n\n14 Q, What were those domestic troubles ? \n\nJL He was jealous lest any man should possess so \ngreat a beauty as Mariamne ms queen after his death, \nand lest any remains of the family of the Asmoneans \nshould hinder the succession of his own family to the \nkingdom of Judea ; and for these reasons he gave private \norders, that in case he died, both his wife and her mother \nshould be put to death : which dreadful secret being \ncommunicated to his queen, she resented it to such a \ndegree-, that she would never afterwards receive him; \nbut notwithstanding all Ins kind addresses and importu- \nnities, she perpetually followed him with sharp re- \nproaches for the murder of her relations, by which he \nsecured the crown to himself, and upbraided his mother \nand sister with the meanness of their parentage. So that \nbetween his excess of love and rage and jealousy, he \nwas so tormented, and so wrought upon by the artifices \nof his mother and sister Salome, that at la**t he put his \nbeloved Mariamne to death, under a pretence of an at- \ntempt to poison him, and he executed her mother too a \nlittle after the daughter, for a real plot against his life. \n\n15 Q. Did the death of Mariamne relieve him from \nthis tumult of passion P \n\nA. By no means ; for now his love returned with \nviolence, and his grief and vexation joined with other \npassions to render him a most miserable wretch, a tor- \nment to himself, and outrageous to all about him. \n\n16 Q. What course of life did he follow afterward? \n\nA. He grew more arbitrary and cruel in his govern- \nment? he put what persons\'he pleased into the hfch \npriesthood, and turned them out again at pleasun \nmade several innovations in the law-, < ustoros, and re- \nligion of the Jews ; and introduced epex tai 1. \n\nlers, of combats between wild beasts and criminal- \nia conformity to the heathens; pretending it a \n\n\n\nSect. g. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 1S5 \n\nnecessary to please Csesar : and thus set the hearts of \nthe Jews much more against him, who were 1 very jealous \nof their religion and customs. Then, thinking it needful \nfor his defence, as well as for his grandeur and glory, he \nbuilt several strong places and towers within and with- \nout Jerusalem; he raised temples in several cities, and \ndedicated them to Caesar, who was his great friend; \nand though sometimes he remitted part of the taxes, and \ndid several beneficent actions to ingratiate himself with \nthe people, it was all in vain ; he could not obtain their \nlove. \n\n17 Q. What was his greatest and most considerable \nattempt to r please the people, and to perpetuate his own \nname ? \n\nJi. He proposes to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem : \nfor it having now stood near five hundred years, and be- \ning so often injured, broken and repaired, he persuaded \nthe people that a new one should be built with much \nmore magnificence and glory. \n\n18 ^. But could he persuade the Jews to consent \nthat their temple should be demolished, in order to re- \nbuild it? \n\nJi. Not till he had assured them that the old temple \nshould remain untouched till all materials were ready to \nbuild the new one ; which he actually provided at vast \nexpense and labour in two years time, by employing ten \nthousand artificers for the work, a thousand wagons for \ncarriage, and a thousand priests for direction. \n\n19 Q. Did he fulfil his promise in building this new \ntemple ? \n\nJi. Yes 5 he performed the work with prodigious cost \nand splendour, as it is described by Josephus: it was. \nbuilt of large stones, each twenty- five cubits long, twelve \ncubits broad, and eight in thickness, which the disciples \ndesired our Saviour to take notice of with wonder. \nMark xiii. 1, 2. The sanctuary, that is, the holy place, \nand the most holy, which were more properly called the \ntemple, were finished in a year and a half, so that divine \nworship was performed there ; and in eight years more \n\n\n\n196 SCRIPTURE HISTOftY. Chap. 19. \n\nhe completed the several walls, and galleries, and pillars, \nand courts* according to hi-* design. \n\n20 Q. How could it be said then, Joint n. \nand six years was the temple in building r \n\nJH, It was begun near forty-six years before \npass-over, when our Saviour, being near thirty-one \nold, was present at Jerusalem ; and though the E \ndesign and plan was executed in nine years and a half, \nvet Herod and his successors were always building out- \nworks round it, or adding new ornaments to it, ei \nthat very day when Christ was there and long afterward. \n\n21 ({. When was it dedicated ~ \n\nJl. The same year when it was finished, and on the \nanniversary-day of Herod\'s accession to the crown, and \non this account it was celebrated with a vast number of \nsacrifices and universal rejoicing. \n\nXotc. Within four yean after this d< dii < iirist \n\nnir Saviour was born, and was presented there an infant, ac- \ncording to the law. \n\n22 Q. Was not this then the third temple of the J \n\nJl. , No; it was called the second temple still, be \nthough it was built anew from the foundations, yet i r \nwas only by way of reparation, it not having been \nand demolished with a ruinous design, nor did it lie in \nashes and desolation, as it did when Nebuchadne/.zar \ndestroyed it. \n\n23 ({. Did Herod do any thing after this in favour \nof the Jews r \n\nA* When the Jews who were scattered throughout \nGreece and Asia Minor grew very numerous, and wen- \nmuch disturbed and oppressed by the other inhabi \nHerod procured for them a new establishment of their \nliberties and privileges, and permission i\xc2\xbb> live in other \ncountries, according to their own laws and religion, \nwhich had been granted them before by the k\'u, \nSyria and by the lloinaiiK \n\n24 ((. What further troubles did Herod mee\' \nin his family? \n\nA. His two eldest sons by Mariamne, namelyi Iris- \ntobulus and Alexander, whom he had sent to K< \xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x96\xa0:. \n\n\n\nSect 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 197 \n\neducation, being returned to Jerusalem in the heat of \ntheir youth, they frequently expressed their resentments \nfor the death of their mother, ami thereby they became \nobnoxious to the rage of Salome, Herod\'s sister and fa- \nvourite : and thus she, who had heen one great and con- \nstant instrument to blow the ebals of jealousy and dis- \ncontent between Herod and his queen, and at last to \noccasion her death, pursued the same course to make \nhim jealous of some designs of his sons against his life ? \n\n25 Q. What issue had these quarrels and jealousies ? \n\nA. They continued several years : plots were invent- \ned on both sides : these gave Herod in his old age per- \npetual disquietudes, suspicions and fears : but Salome \nhis sister prevailed so far by her craft against his two \nsons, that after many accusations and acquitments of \nthem, she at last procured their condemnation and exe- \ncution by Herod\'s order and the consent of Augustus \nCsesar. This was about a year or two before the birth \nof Christ. \n\n26 Q. What was the general state of the heathen \nworld about this time ? \n\nA. All the known parts of the world were subdue J \nto the Romans, and the nations were in peace ; on which \naccount, the temple of Janus was shut up at Rome, which \nhad never been shut but five times since the first building \nof that city; and then Jesus Christ the Prince of peace \ncame into the world and was born at Bethlehem. \n\n27 ^. Wherein does it appear that the world was \nthus all at quiet under the government or dominion of the \nRomans ? \n\nA. Augustus Ceesar, the emperor of Rome, issued \nout a decree that year for a general register of his whole \nempire, which St. Luke calls a taxing, or enrolling of \nall the world. Luke ii. 1. This brought Mary the mother \nof Christ to \'Bethlehem, the city of David, to which fam- \nily she belonged ; and while she was- there, she brought \nforth her son Jesus, as it is written, Luke ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\nNote. This year, in which Christ was born, according to \nbishop Usher\'s exact computation, is the four thousandth year \nfrom the creation ; which falls in with an old tradition of the \n18* \n\n\n\n198 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nJews, that the world waa to last six thorn \ntwo thousand years before the law, (or b< \nwas the father of circumcision and the J( (lion- \n\nsand under the law ; that is, from Abraham to 1 \nand two thousand under the Messiah. \n\nAnd her*- I might conclude this chapt< r, havin \nT o w i - 1 1 affairs down to the birth of Christ, hut it ra . \nsome light to the New Testament to carry it on a little I \n\n28 Q. What piece of cruelty was Herod guilty of, \nwhen he heard that a child was born, who was to bi- \nking of the Jews ? \n\nJi. He slew all the young children in Bethlehem, \nthat he might be sure to destroy Christ, and that his own \nposterity might be kings of Judea. \n\n29 Q. Whom did Herod design then for the succes- \nsor to his kingdom ? \n\nA. Antipater, his eldest son by Doris, a wife which \nHerod had before Mariamne ; his lather had raised him \nto some post of honour upon his displeasure with his \nother sons, and he had been also active and busy himself \ntowards procuring the death of those two brother!. \n\n30 Q. Hid Antipater succeed his father in the king- \ndom, according to Herod\'s present design : \n\nJl. Antipater longing for the crown and for his fath- \ner\'s death, did really conspire to poison him, and being \nconvicted thereof, had a sentence of condemnation \ned upon him : and it being confirmed by Augustus Csesar, \nwas executed by his father\'s approbation. ^Fhis Mas the \nthird son whom Herod put to death. \n\n31 Q. When and in what manner did Herod die : \nA. In the seventieth year of his age, and live days \n\nafter the execution of his son Antipater, Herod himself \ndied by a dreadful complication of diseases. He had a \nslow fever, an asthma, an ulcer in his bowels and his \nlower parts, which bred worms and lice : he languished \nunder extreme pain and torment till he expired, and \nseems to have been smitten of God in a signal\' and \nterrible manner for his cruelty, and the multiplied in- \niquities of his whole life. \n\n32 Q. What instance of cruelty was he guilty ol \neven at his death f \n\n\n\nSect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 199 \n\nA. Knowing how much he was hated of the Jews, he \nconcluded there would be no lamentation for hjm, but \nrather rejoicing when he died ; and to prevent this, he \nframed a project, one of the most horrid that could en- \nter into the heart of man ; he summoned all the chief \nJews over the whole kingdom on pain of death to appear \nat Jericho, where he then lay : lie shut them up prison- \ners in the circus, or public place of shews, he ordered \nand adjured hi3 sister Salome and her husband, who \nwere his chief confidents, to send in soldiers as soon \nas he was dead, and put them all to the sword ; For this, \nsaid he, ivill provide mourners for my funeral all the \nland over. \n\n33 (^. Was this barbarous and blood j command ex- \necuted r \n\nA. His sister Salome, as bad as she was, chose rather \nto break her oath to him than to execute so horrid a de- \nsign, and therefore she released them all after his death. \n\n34 Q. What posterity did Herod leave behind him ? \nA. He had nine wives, and such of his posterity as \n\nare named in Scripture, are these that follow, 1 namely, \nArchelaus his son, who succeeded him in the kingdom of \nJudea and Samaria, Matt, ii. 22; Herod Antipas, te- \ntrarch or governor of Galilee, who cut off John the bap- \ntist\'s head, Matt. xiv. 1, 3, 6; Philip, governor of lturea \nand Toachonrtis, Luke in. 1; and Herod Philip, who \nmarried his own neice, Herod ias, and had a daughter by \nher called Salome, who danced well : but Herodias after- \nward left him, to marry Herod Antipas his brother, for \nwhich John the baptist reproved this Herod Antipas. \nLuke iii. 19. \n\nThis Herodias was daughter of Herod\'s son Aristobu- \nlus, whom he put to death, and sister of Herod Agrippa, \nwho slew the apostle James, Jicts xii. 1, 2, and was af- \nterwards smitten of God, at Cfesarea. ver. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 23. Of \nthis Herod Agrippa was born, that king Agrippa the se- \ncond, before whom Paul pleaded his cause, Jets xxv. and \nxxvi. and his two sisters were, Drusilla, wife to Felix the \ngovernor, Acts xxiv. 24, and Be mice, who attended her \n\n\n\n200 SCRIPTUjfyE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nbrother Agrippa to hear Paul plead. This \nborrowed from Dr. Prideaux. \n\n35 ^. Did Archelaus continue long in \nmerit? \n\nA. He w manv and great instam \n\ntyranny, for which he was deposed, and banished to n \ntown in France by the Roman emperor, when he had \nreigned in Judea between nin :* and I \n\n36 Q. How was Judea governed afterwards ? \n\nJL The Romans were so much displeased with the \nevil practices of Archelaus, that they reduced Judea to \nthe form of a Roman province, and ruled it afterwards \nby procurators pr governors, who were sen! thither, and \nrecalled at their pleasure: the power of life and \xe2\x80\xa2 \nwas taken out of the hands of the Jews, and placed in \nthe Roman governor, and their taxes were paid n \nrectly to the Roman emperor, :md gathered by the pub- \nlicans. \n\n57 Q. How did the Jew^ resenl liii-? \n\nJi. The Pharisees, and the people under their influ- \nence, thought it unlawful to acknowledge a kitoj; who \nwas not a Jew. Deut. xvii. 15. Froina tkren \n\nshatt thou set a king over thee : and therefore, though \nthey were constrained to pay tribute to Ctesar, yi \nscarce allowed it to he lawful ; upon this a< \nlooked upon these publicans with greater detestation \nthan any of the tax-gatherers in former ages, while \ngovernor was of the Jewish nation or religion. \n\njVo/e. Th i m, \\< t all the \n\nI dumeans having\' received t u. Herod was i \n\ni Muni. (1 a lawful governor, &s that thev did n \xc2\xab \xe2\x80\xa2! -cnij.lc , \nto him. \n\n38 Q. How Mas the high priesthood carried on at \nthis time : \n\nJ], As Herod had done before, so the Roman govern- \nors continued to make lii^h priests, and to depose them \nu as they pleased, t<> answer their own purpo \n\n39 ({. Who was high priest when our blea \nwas put to death r \n\n\n\nSect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 201 \n\nA. Caiaphas, who was son-in-law to Annas, who had \nbeen himself high priest for fifteen years, and was de- \nposed by one of their governors. \n\nNote. Caiaphas was not immediate successor to Annas, for \nthere were thr.ee high priests came between them, who had \nbeen instituted in that office, and deposed by the Romans : \nHence it may come to pass, that in the history of the Gospels \nwe frequently read of several chief priests at the same time, \nand of Annas and Caiaphas being high priests at the beginning \nof John the baptist\'s ministry. Luke iii. 2. For whether they \nhad any concurring power given them by the Remans or no, \nyet being still alive, after they had been in that office, they \nmight have their title given them by the people, and some of \nthem had probably considerable\' influence in the Jewish affairs. \nIn the case of Armas aud Caiaphas, some suppose one to have \nbeen head of the Sanhedrim, and to have chiefly managed in \ncivil affairs, the other in sacred. Others fancy one to have \nbeen the high priest, and the other the deputy high priest, or \nSagan, who was always ready to perform the office, if the high \npriest was indisposed or hindered. And some think they might \nrule alternately, or together, by permission, or appointment of \nthe Romans. It is evident the sacred laws of Moses were not \nstrictly observed at that time among them, nor long before. \n\nNote. This Annas is supposed to be the same person with \nthat Ananius, whom Paul did not seem to acknowledge for \nGod\'s high priest, when he reproved him, and called him, Thou \nwhited wall. Acts xxiii. 3 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n40 Q. Who was governor of Judea at that time ? \n\nd. Pontius Pilate: for Tiberius Caesar (who had \nreigned I wo or three years together with Augustus at \nRome, and had after his death succeeded him now nine- \nteen years in the, empire) had a few years before made \nthis Pilate governor : he was a man thoroughly prepared \nfor all manner of iniquity, which lie executed through \nhis whole government; and gave further proof of it in \nthat unjust sentence, which he passed even against his \nown conscience, for the crucifixion of our blessed Lord, \nat the request of the wicked Jews. \n\n41 q. What became of Pontius Pilate at last? \n\nA. He was in a very short time recalled by the Ro- \nman emperor for misdemeanors in his government, and \n\n\n\n202 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. \n\nbanished to Vienne in France, whore lie is reported to \nhave put an end to his own life by the sword. \n\n42 Q. Did the Jews grow wiser and better after- \nwards ? \n\nA. They went on bv persecution antf rage ap \nthe Gospel of Christ, and the professors of it, and l\xc2\xbbv \nmany other crimes, to fill up the measure of their ini(|iif- \nties, till at last, upon their insurrection against the Ro- \nmans, they were exposed to the fury of a conquering \narmy, their city and temple were utterly destroyi \ncording to the prophecy of Christ : eleven hundred thou- \nsand of the people perished, and the remains of their \nnation have been scattered abroad through the earth \nunto this day. \n\n43 Q. What general remark may be drawn from the- \nwhole history of the Jens since their return from the \ncaptivity of Babylon r \n\nJ. That the aftairs of their church and of their state \nhave been for the most part so unhappy, they have beeiv \nso much disquieted by the invasions and pel 5 \nthe kings of the earth, so wretchedly corrupted with the \nintroduction of human traditions, Pharisaical su] \nlions, and heathenish rites among them ; and so frequent- \nly and grievously oppressed by their own priests and \nprinces, as well as strangers, that they never did enjoy \nso peaceful, so pious, and so nourishing a state, as T " \na full accomplishment of all those glorious prophecies \nwhich relate to their happiness alter their return from \ncaptivity. \n\n44 ((. "What follows from this remark r \n\nA. That there must be, in the decrees and provi- \ndence of God, a further reserve <>!\' peace, holiness and \nhappiness for the seed of Israel, which shall be conferred \nupon them in the latter days: and therefore we cannot \nbut expect a more large and general conversion of the \nJews to the faith of Jesus the true Messiah, than hath \never yet appeared, with greater blessings upon that peo- \nple who were once so dear to God, and are below \ntheir fathers su!>,>. St. Paul, in his eleventh cha; \nthe Romans, abundantly confirms what the propni \ncourage us to hope for. \n\n\n\n.Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XX. \n\nOf the Prophecies ivhich relate to Jesus Christ our \nSaviour, and their Accomplishment ; or, a Propheti- \ncal Connection between the Old and New Testament \n\nINTRODUCTION. \n\nAs I have given an Historical Continuation of the \naffairs of the Jews from the time of Nehemiah* where the \nOld Testament ends, to the time of Jesus Christ our \nLord ; so I have here inserted a chapter of some of the \nplainest predictions or prophecies which are found in \nthe Old Testament, that relate to the person, offices and \nglories of the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, and are ful- \nfilled in the Gospel : and it may bo called A Prophetical \nConnection between the Old Testament and the New. \n\nAnd because I would not give offence by introducing \nsuch prophecies as are either much doubted or denied \ntoy any Christians; therefore I shall scarce mention any \n-but what some of the writers of the New Testament \n.either directly cite, or to which they have a plain refer- \nence in some of their expressions. \n\n1 Q. Since the great subject of the New Testament \nis our Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel, tell me now \nwhat are the chief discoveries or representations made \n\xe2\x96\xa0of him in the Old Testament ? \n\nJL Besides the types or emblems of Christ and his \nGospel, which are found in the Jewish worship, there are \nalso several plain expressions in the books of the Old \nTestament, which are predictions or prophecies con- \ncerning him, long before he came into the world. See \nsome of the types in chap. V. Q. 116. \n\n2 Q. What is the first and earliest prophecy of \nChrist ? \n\nA. Gen. iii. 15, where God said to the first wo- \nman, that is, to Eve, that her seed should bruise th \nhead of the serpent \n\n\n\n204 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 20. \n\n3 Q. Wherein is this prophecy fulfilled? \n\nA. Gal. iv. 4, God stmt forth his Son made of a iro- \n\xe2\x80\xa2nan. 1 John iii. s, The Son of God wot nun,\' \nthat he might destroy the works of the devil} that i>, \nhe should destroy the mischievous designs and de< \ntlu* devil, who lav hid in the serpent, when he tempted \nAdam and Eve to sin: and this, in the languaf \nprophecy, is called, bruising the serpent\'s head. \n\n4 Q. What is the next plain prophecy of Christ? - \nA. Gen. xviii. 18, and xxii. 18, where God tells \n\nAbraham, that in him and his seed shall all the na- \ntions of the forth be blessed. \n\n5 Q. Hotv does this appear to have a reference to \nChrist? \n\nA. Gal. iii. 8, The Scripture preacheth the Gospel \nunto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations b> \ned ; ver. 16. JVow to Abraham ana \n\njjromises made: He saith, To thy seed, which is Christ i \nwho was to be derived in a long cm \nfrom Abraham, and therefore Christ may be called the \nSon of Abraham. Matt. i. 1. \n\n6 Q. To whom was this promise given t\xc2\xbb \nham ? \n\nA. It was given to Isaac the son of Abraham, \nxxvi. 4, and to Jacob bis grandson. Gfen. xxviii. 14. In \nthee and in thy seed shall all nations be bl< - \n\n7 Q. Did Jacob prophecy concerninu: Chri-tr \n\nA. Yes, in bis dying speech to his son .hulah, Gen. \nxlix. 10. TJie sceptre (or tribe, a^ the word sigi \nshall not depart from Judah, nor a lawsiv \ntween his feet, until Shiloh come, and till the gal \nof the people be unto him. \n\n8 Q. How can you prove that this prophecy re \nto Christ r \n\nA. Shiloh signifies one that is sent, u] ich ia Hie fre- \nquent character of Christ, thai I \\y the Father. \nJohn x. 36, &e. and xvii. indeed the \nJews themselves own thai n sijj Now \nJudah did continue to be a tribe, and to ha \nof government amongst them till Clirist came: I \n\n\n\n(hap. CO. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 205 \n\nabout ten or twelve years old when Archelaus was de- \nposed, and Judea reduced to the form of a Roman prov- \nince, and then the power of life and death was taken \nfrom them. See chap. xix. Q. 36. And when the people, \nthat is, the Jews and Gentiles, were gathered in great \nnumbers unto Christ, then the tribe of Judah, or the \nJewish nation, was broken to pieces and scattered, Jeru- \nsalem was destroyed, and all appearance of government \namong them was lost ; which is an effectual argument \nagainst the Jews that their Messiah is already come. \n\n\xc2\xb09 (J. Who was the next person that prophesied con- \ncerning Christ \xe2\x96\xa0? \n\nJl. Moses, in the 18th chapter of Bzut. ver. 15, 18. \n\nThe Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet \nfrom the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, \nand to him shall ye hearken. \n\n10 Q. How does it appear Moses designed Jesus \nChrist in this prophecy ? \n\nJl. St. Stephen the martyr cites these words in his \ndying speech when he was put to death for the sake of \nChrist, and applies them to him. Jets vii. 37. \n\n11 <\xc2\xa3. But were not many prophets, as Isaiah, Jere- \nmiah, Elijah, Elisha, and several others like unto Moses? \n\nJl. None of them, beside Jesus Christ, came to insti- \ntute a new religion, as Moses did ; or wrought such nu- \nmerous and various miracles to attest their doctrine. \n\n12 Q. Who was the next eminent prophet that spake \nplainly of Christ ? . \n\nJl. David speaks often of him in his book of Psalms, \nin many remarkable expressions, and describes his in- \n-carnation, his sufferings, his exaltation, and his various \noffices of Prophet, Priest, and King, namely, \n\n1. His coming into the world to preach the truth of \nGod, and the doctrine of righteousness, for the salvation \nof men, and the weakness and insufficiency of the Jew- \nish sacrifices. Psalm xl. 6, 7, 8, Sacrifice and offering \nthou didst not desire ; that is, the Jewish sacrifices were \nnot required as real and effectual expiations, because \nthey could not take away sin: but mine ears hast thou \nepened; then said-I,~Lo, I come ; in the volume of the \n19 \n\n\n\n206 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi] \n\nbook it is written of me ; I delight to do thy will, O \nmy God, 1 have preached righteousness in im I \n\ncongregation, 1 have declared thy faithfulness and t/n/ \nsalvation, ike. The first part of tins Psalm is expi \xe2\x96\xa0 \napplied to Christ, JJeb. x. 5, &c. and instead of the words, \nmine ears hast thou opened, the apostle expresses it, a \nbody hast thou prepared me: and then he l \nto shew how Christ made himself a perfect ami effectual \nsacrifice! instead of all the imperfect sacrifices under \nthe law. \n\n2. His being chosen out of the Jewish nation t<\xc2\xbb be \nthe Saviour and the King of Israel, is foretold under the \nemblem of David. Psalm lxxxix. 18, &c. Then thou \nspakest in vision to thy Holy One, aud saidst, J have \nlaid help upon One that is mighty : I have exaUi \nchosen out of the people: \xe2\x80\x94 1 will make him my I \nborn, higher than the kings of the earth, &c. Christ \nis called the First-born of the creation, and King of \nkings. CoL i. 15. Rev. xix. 16. \n\n3. The children in the temple singing )\\\\> triumph, \nwhen he entered into Jerusalem, is early intimated. \nPsalm viii. 2, Out of the mouth of babes and \nliiigs thou hast ordained strength, or perfected p \n\nand in Psalm cxviii. 23, 26, yeu have the very wc \ntheir sons;; Save now, I beseech thee, (which in the He- \nbrew is Jlosannah) O Lord : blessed is he that CO \nin the name of the Lord ; which is applied to t \nMitt. xxi. 9. And as the Scribes and Phai \nand had indignation against him on thi so i Li- \n\nvery rage is intimated in the same 8th Psalm, tt \nThe babes and sucklings cried out, and did still or t i \nthe enemy and the avenger, that is, tlie ueiDj . \n\nAnd this is further hinted in the 1 1 8th PsaL ,\xe2\x80\xa2 \nDavid calls Christ the Stone ivhich the built \nand which is become the head Stone oj \nteachers and rulers of the Jews, who should hav< \nthe builders of the church, rei< \noccasion he applies these words u, himself, - \nr<nd they are applied to him h \n\n\n\nChap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 207 \n\nPeter, Eph. ii. 20, Jesus Christ himself being the chief \nComer-stone; and 1 Pet. ii. 7, The Stone which the \nbuilders disallowed, is made the Head of the corner. \n\n4. His persecution by princes and people is declared \nin Psalm ii. 1. Why do the heathen rage, and the people \nimagine a vain thing ? The kings of ihe earth set them- \nselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the \nLord, and against his Anointed, that is, against his \nMessiah or Christ ; which was cited and fulfilled, Acts \niv. 26, 27, when Herod and Pontius Pilate, and the peo- \nple, both Gentiles and Jews, all rose up against Jesus \nof Nazareth, and put him to death. \n\n5. His bitter reproaches and sufferings, and the man- \nner of his death, is foretold by David in the 22d and \n69th Psalms In the beginning of the 22d Psalm, \nDavid, by way of emblem, in prophecy speaks the words \nof Christ upon the cross, My God, my God, why hast \nthou forsaken me ? ver. 16, 18, They pierced my hands \nand my feet ; they parted my garments among them, \nand cast\' lots upon my vesture : and that he was brought \ndown to the dust of death, ver. 15. All these things \nwere fulfilled when they nailed his hands and feet to a \ncross, when they cast lots for his garments, and slew \nhim. Matt, xxvii. 35,46. John xix. 23, 24. \n\nHis reproaches and his cruel treatment are described \nfarther, Psalm. Ixix. 20, 21. Beproach hath broken my \nheart; I am full of heaviness: they gave me also gall \nfor my meal: in my thirst tltey gave me vinegar to drink. \nMatt, xxvii. 48. \n\n6. His resurrection from the dead. Psalm xvi. 10, \nFor thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, that is, in \nthe state of the dead, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy \nOne to see corruption, that is, to lie long enough in the \ngrave to be subject to rottenness : Thou wilt skew me the \npath of life. Now this was evidently fulfilled in Christ \nat his rising from the dead to life again before he had \nlain three complete days. Jlcts ii. 31, and xiii. 33 \xe2\x80\x94 38 ; \n1 Cor. xv.- 4. \n\n7. His ascension to heaven attended with angels, his \ntriumph over the devils, his receiving gifts. from the fath- \n\n\n\n208 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8* \n\ner, and his distribution of them to men, are foretold in \nPsalm lxviii. 17, 18. The chariots of Hod are twenty \nthousand, even thousands of angels $ tlie Lord is a \nthem. Thau hast ascended on high, thou hast I, d \ntivify captive, thou hast received gifts for men; yea, \nfor the. rebellious also, that the Lord (rod might dwell \namong them. Which words are applied to our Saviour \nbeing ascended to heaven, and having led the devils cap- \ntive, and bestowed gifts on men, namely, prophets, \nlies, &c. for the ministry of the Gospel, that God \ndwell among men, who before were rebel! \nhim. Eph. iv. 8. See also Col. ii. 15, He spoiled \xe2\x96\xa0 \npalities and powers, and triumphed over them. \n\n8. His exaltation to the kingdom at God\'s rigjit hand, \nand to the priesthood of intercession, is described par- \nticularly, psalm ex. 1, 4. The Lord said unto my \' \n\nsit thou \' my right hand till I make thy cnemi* \nfootstool: and, thou art a Priest for ever after the or- \nder of Melchisedek ; which expressions are applied to \nChrist, Matt, xxii. 42, 44, Acts ii. 23, &c. Heb. v. 6, and \nch. vii. \xc2\xa3, 3, 17, where Christ is exalted to be a A7> . \na Priest as Melchisedek was, and that too, a Pi \nconstant intercession or pleading with God for men, and \nblessing them, as Melchisedek blessed Abraham. \n\n9. The character of this Kins; is described in several \nPsalms ; as in Psalm xlv. 6, 7. Thy throne, G \nforever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a \nright sceptre: thou lovest ri ^ and hatest- \nwickediiess: therefore God, thy (rod. hath a \n\nirith the oil of gladness above thy fellows: whi \nplain description of Jesus Christ, H> b. \nanointed with the Hohj Ghost and with p \n38, and who had the Holy Spirit without measur \niii. 34. And yet further, in Psalm Ixxii. is a larg \nacter of Christ under the emblem of Solomon : and \nPsalm Lxxxtx. describes Christ under the character of \nDavid himself. \n\n10. In the exalta- \ntion are described under the dislind and peculiar \nacter of the Son of God: ver< 6, 7, 1 have - \n\nmy holij hill of Zion : and t \n\n\n\nCnap. &i. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 209 \n\ncree: thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee : \nwhich is cited to prove the resurrection and advance- \nment of Christ to the throne by the power of the \nFather, and as the image of the Father. He was \nfirst the King of Zion or Israel, as God is King of \nhis church, Acts xiii. 33, Heb. v. 5, and he is now also \nLord of the heathen, and King of all nations, as God is \nKing or Ruler of all the world. The 8th verse particular- \nly declares the submission of the heathens to Christ, af- \nter he begun his work of intercession in heaven : Ask of \nme, and 1 shall give thee the heathen for thine inherit \ntance, and the uttermost parts of the\' earth for thy pos- \nsession. The next words also, namely, thou shalt break \nthem with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a \npotter\'s vessel, are applied to Christ, Bev. ii. 27, and \nforetel his power, and vengeance against his enemies. \n\nNote 1. In some ot these Psalms we should not have known \nChrist or the Messiah was intended, if Christ himself or the \napostles had not cited them for this purpose ; yet some of them \nare so evident, that the ancient Jews applied them to the Mes- \nsiah ; and we cannot but apply them to him, because they \ncould not be applied to David, or to any other person. \n\nNole 2. There might be also many other texts cited out ot \nthe book of Psalms, which are interpreted concerning Jesus \nChrist in the New Testament, which we should not otherwise \nhave known to belong to him ; as Psalm xcvii, 7. Worship hint \nall ye gods; which is applied to him in Heb. i. 6. Let all the an- \ngels of God worship him, who in Scripture are sometimes called \ngods. So Psalm cii. 25 \xe2\x80\x94 27, are applied in the same chapter \nto Christ, and shew us that the world was created by him; \nTJiou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the \nearth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands, &c. In both \nwhich texts, as well as in several others, the very same names, \ncharacters, and actions, which are attributed to" Jehovah, the- \nGod of the Jews, the only true God, in the Old Testament, are \napplied to Jesus Christ in the New : which plainly advances his \ncharacter so high, as to assure us, that he is one with the father ; \nthat he is Goa* manifested in the flesh, whose name is Emmanu- \nel, or God ivith us ; as we shall learn immediately from Isaiah \nthe prophet. \n\n13 Q. We have heard various and express prophe- \ncies which David gave concerning the Messiah ; and did \nnot Solomon also prophecy of Christ ? \n19* \' \n\n\n\n210 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CBaa \n\nA. Many Christian-, in aider and later times, have \nsupposed that the eighth chapter of Solomon\'s Proverbs \n\nspeaks of Christ in his divine nature, under the character \nof wisdom. \n\nJVWe. Some of the ancient t" it h\xc2\xab-r- suppose wisdom Ii \nchapter, to denote .\'\xe2\x96\xa0 Ho!t \n\nSpirit: But other writers question whether ther \nfull and sufficient proof of either i f these opinion \nTestament, as to write them down \xc2\xab \nsometimes explains it of Christ\'s human nature. \\ \naccounts Dr. Patrick himself doubt-, whether this \ncy of Christ, or no ; or whether it only relate* I \nhuman wisdom. \n\n14 Q. But did not Solomon write the Sons; of So \nand is not Christ there foretold as the brid \nhusband of the church ? \n\nJi. The metaphors and similitudes of the same kind \nwhich are used in the 45th Psalm, and in \nEpistles, and the book of the Revelations, have generally \npersuaded our Christian expositors to apph \nthe spiritual characters and transaction- oi \nhis church : but the expressions are so much bom \nfrom the affairs of a human love, that they hardly afford \nsuch sufficient argument for the. proof of the \nmore evident and direct prophecies, winch is my pi \nchief business ; nor indeed do I know that the Ne? \nlament cites any of Solomons writings as prophfc \nChrist. \n\n15 Q. Which is the next of the prophets which sneak \nof Christ, as they stand in order in our Bible ? \n\nA. Isaiah, who was called the evangelical or G \nprophet, because he foretels the greatest \\ ariety of i \nThat relate to him, namely, \n\n1. That he shall be. born of a virgin, lsa. vii. 14, A \ncirgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his \nname Emmanuel : which was explained and accon \nrd when the virgin Mary brought forth her bob \nMatt. \\. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 25. The name Emmanuel signifk \nwith us. \n% That he ?hall be of the family \n\n\n\nChap. 20. SCRIFITJRE HISTORY. 211 \n\nwho shall be king of Israel ; that his name shall be \nthe mighty God,,and his kingdom shall stand for ever. \nIsa. xi. 10," In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, \nwhich shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall \nthe Gentiles seek. Isa. ix. 6, 7, Unto us a child is bom : \nunto us a son is given ; the government shall be upon \nhis shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful: \nCounsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the \nPrince of peace. Of the increase of his government \nand peace there shall be )io end : upon the throne of Da- \nvid, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish \nit w it h judgment and justice, from henceforth even for \never. \n\n3. And vet that he should be rejected by many oi \nthe Jews, and should be received by the Gentiles. Isa. \nviii. 14, He shall be for a Sanctuary; that is, a Refuge for \nmankind : but for a Stone of stumbling, and Rock of of- \nfence to both the houses of Israel; that is botli to Judah \nand Benjamin who made up the Jewish nation ; or to the \ntwo kingdoms both of Judah and Israel, as they were \ndistinguished in former times. Now this text is applied \nto Christ. Horn. ix. 33. 1 Pet.n.8. His rejection by the \nJews is foretold also in Isa. liii. 1,2, 3. Who hath be- \nlieved, Sfc, But that the Gentiles shall receive him for \na Saviour and a King, Isaiah fore t els in many places; as \nchap. xlix. 6, 7, He shall be a Light to the Gentiles, and \nSalvation to the ends of the earth. To him whom man \ndespiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, that is the \nnation of the Jews, kings shall look and arise ; \nprinces also shall worship. Which must refer to the \nkings of the heathens, for the Jews had then no kings \nwho worshipped him. Isa. xlii. 1,6, Behold my Ser- \nvant whom I have chosen, mine Elect, in whom my soul \ndelighteth ; I have put my Spirit upon him, he shall \nbring forth judgment to the Gentiles. The same is re- \npeated in several other chapters, Isa. liii, 10, and lv. 4, \n5. And speaking of the Jews who rejected Christ, he \nsaith in chap. xlv. 15 9 Ye shall leave your name for a \ncurse to my chosen, for the Lord God shall slay thee, \nand shall call his servants by another name, The name \n\n\n\nflS SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\not a Jew is become like a word of reproach or curse \namong the Christians, who now are tt \n\n4. Thai he shall be full of the Spirit of God, of wis- \ndom, and knowledge, and piety, justice an \n\ntea. xi. 1, 2, And there sliall come forth a \' \n\nthe stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grou \n\nroots : and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest up \n\nthe spirit of wisdom and understanding, and wn \n\nof counsel and )night, the. spirit of \n\nthe fear of the Lord. This is fulfilled in John \n\nlie whom God hath sent, speaketh the word of \n\nfor God giveth not the Spirit unto him by measure. Col. \n\niii. -\\. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdox \n\nknowledge. John i. 39, The Spirit abode upon Jiim. \n\n5. His commission for the ministry, or pi \nGospel, is also described by this prophet ; that he \npronounce tenor to the wicked, and ; \n\nand humble and penitent. Isa. xi. 4, li \nearth with the rod of his mouth, with tlie breath < \nlips he shall slay the wicked. Isa, Ixi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3, The \xe2\x96\xa0\'\xe2\x96\xa0 \nof the Lord God is upon me ; beca I hath \n\nanointed me to preach good tidings.unto the n \nsent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proelai \nerty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to \nthem that are bound ; to proclaim the acceptabl \nof the Lord, and the day of vengeanc i \ncomfort all that mourn, $c. Which was evidently ful- \nfilled in Jesus Christ, when he published pardon i \nand everlasting life to those that repent and belli \nhim; and pronounced the punishments of hell open the \nimpenitent; and our Saviour particularly applies \nprophecy to himself, Luke iv. IS \xe2\x80\x94 J I . \n\n6. That he sh.all wuik miracles of healing when he \ncomes to be a Saviour. Isa. xxxv. A, Behold your \nwill come and save you ; then the eyes of the blind shall \nbe opened, and the cars of // be unstop i \nthen shall the lame man leap as \n\nof the dumb shall sing : which was fulfilled whtCJ \nSaviour wrought In uot only on other - \n\nsions, but more cmiucntlv. in the >in\'u o \n\n\n\nChap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 213 \n\nJohn the baptist, who came to learn whether he were the \nChrist or no. Matt. xi. 2 \xe2\x80\x94 6. And our Saviour proves it \nby his miracles before their eyes. \n\nJ 7. That he should have a forerunner to prepare his \nway in the wilderness. Isa. xl. 3, The voice of him that \nrrieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the \nLord; make straight in the desert a high-wan for our \nGod : and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and \nall flesJi shall see if together : that is, the glory of the \nLord shall be made visible to fleshly eves by dwelling \nbodily or in the body of Jesus Christ, when God shall \nmanifest himself in "the Jlcslt.l Tim. iii. 13. And John \nthe baptist was his forerunner ra the wilderness of Ju- \ndah. Matt. iii. 1, 2, 3. \n\n8. The sufferings of Christ also, and his meekness \nand patience under the contempt, reproaches and perse- \ncution he met with at his death, as an atonement for sin * \nhis being numbered among vile sinners ; his burial with \nthe rich ; his resurrection, exaltation, and intercession ; \nare all spoken of in that admirable chapter, Isa. 53d, \nwhich I desire my readers to peruse in this place: for \nthe whole of it is expressed in language so exceeding \nplain, that it seems sufficient to convince any honest in- \nfidel or heathen ; and \xc2\xbbit did actually convince that wild \nand atheistical nobleman the earl of Rochester, in the \nlast age, of the truth of the Gospel, when he compared \nthese words of the prophecy of Isaiah with the 24th, \nand following chapters of the Gospel of St. Matthew ; \nand he became a Christian penitent. \n\n16 Q. Did Jeremiah prophecy concerning Christ ? \n\nA. Yes ; in a few places of his prophecy. Jer. ii. 35, \n36, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will- \nraise unto David a righteous Brand! : and a King shall \nreign and prosper, and execute judgment and justice in \nthe earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel \nshall dwell safely ; and this is his name whereby he shall, \nhe called, the Lord our Righteousness. Which is re- \npeated, Jer. xxxiii. 14, 15. \n\nThere are also some other prophecies relating to Christ \n\n\n\n214 SCRIPTTTRB HISTORY. CI.., \n\nand his Gospel in ./. r. xxxi. some of which are cited in \nthe New Testament \n\n17 Q. Did Ezekiel foretel any tiling cone \nChrist ? \n\nA. Yes; under the character of David, I \nof God, who was both a shepherd and a king. 1 \nxxxiv. 23, r24, Jind 1 will set up one Shepherd ovrr \nthem, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: \nand I the Lord will fye their God, a. nt Da- \n\nvid a Prince among them : and 1 will make with them \na covenant of peace. Ezek. xxxui. 21, / will / \nchildren of Israel from among- the heathi \nthey be gone, I will gather them on every side, and bring \nthem into their ou-n land ; and I will m \xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x80\xa2\' \nnation in the land upon the mountains of Israel, ai \nKing shall be King to them all. ver.9A. Now < \nJesus was this great Shepherd of the people, X \n1 \xe2\x80\x94 16, and King of Israel, John i. 40, and xix. i \n\n18 O. What were the prophecies of Daniel con \ning Christ ? \n\n\xc2\xbb#. Daniel describes him, as the Son of man who \ncame with the clouds of heaven ;*and the) \nhim dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that ai \npie and nations should serve hini\'; and his domi \nan everlasting dominion. Dan. vii. IS, 14. Now our \nblessed Saviour is continually called the Son of man in \nthe history of the Gospel ; and is Baid to c \nclouds of heaven, Matt. xxiv. 3f>, and xxvk 64, and Uni- \nversal dominion is given him, Slett. xxviii. 18. \n\nThere is also anocher very remarkable account <\xe2\x80\xa2! J \nChrist, or the Messiah, given to Daniel bv th \nbriel, Dan. ix. 24, c-c. that before the full end \n\n, that is seventy u days, which, i \n\nphetical language, are four hundred and nil. \nler (he commission to Nehemiah t<> rest \nHie church of the Jews; the Messiah shall b \nnot for Ls term ^\\\' \\ \n\nfinish tran>: . \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2iliatiim for bring in \n\nrighteousness \n\n\n\n(hap. 20, SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 215 \n\nanoint the Most Holy. And after this, the people of the \nprince that shall come, that is, the Romans, shall de- \nstroy the city and the sanctuary. All which were ful- \nfilled in their proper seasons, by the death of Christ, his \natonement for sin, and the destruction of Jerusalem and \nthe temple some time after. \n\n19 Q. What is the next remarkable prophecy con- \ncerning Christ in the books t\xc2\xbbf Scripture ? \n\nA. Micah tells us the place where Christ should be \nborn. Mic. v. 2, Thou Bethlehem Epratah, though thou \nbe little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee \nshall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, \nwhose goings fortli have been from old, from everlasting. \nWhich prophecy is plainly fulfilled, Matt. ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6, and \nLuke ii. 4, 5, when Mary the mother of Christ went up \nto Bethlehem to be taxed there, being of the family of \nDavid, together with Joseph her husband, of the same \nfamily, and there she brought forth her son Jesus. \n\n\xc2\xa30 Q. What did Haggai foretel concerning Christ ? \n\nJl. Hag. ii. 6- \xe2\x80\x94 9, For thus saith the Lord of hosts, \nyet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens \nand the earth, and the sea, and the dry land : and I will \nshake all nations; and thcBesire of all nations shallcome, \nand 1 will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of \nhosts: and the glory of this latter house shall be great- \ner than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts. Which \nis naturally explained thus : he who was the Desire of \nall nations, or who should be desired as a Saviour by the \nJews and Gentiles, should co.ne (as Malachi expresses \nit) into his temple. Mai. iii. 1. And by this means, even \nby his own presence, should make the latter temple, \nwhich was built after the captivity, more glorious than \nthat of Solomon\'s ; though its riches and magnificence, \nin all outward respects, were far inferior to Solomon\'s t \nthis is the only reasonable construction that can be put \nupon those words. \n\n21 Q. Does Zechariah tell us any thing concerning \n\xe2\x80\xa2Christ ? \n\nJl. Though his prophecy be generally pretty obscure, \nyet in several places he speaks those things which plain- \n\n\n\n216 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\nly relate to the Messiah : some whereof are cited and \napplied to Christ in the New Testament M*d several of \niliem were attributed te the Messiah by the ancient . \nSee the texts that follow. \n\nHe tells us in chap. vi. ver. 12, T\'i,is sprakrth the \nLord of hosts, saying, Behold tin- man irh< \nthe Branch, he shall build the temple of the Lord, he \nshall bear the glory, and r.hall sit and rule upon his \nthrone, and he snail be a Priest upon his throne, and the \ncouncil of peace shall be between them both : and they \nthat are afar off shall come and build in the temple of \nthe Lord. Wherein the prophet informs us, \xe2\x96\xa0 that tin- \nperson, whom foregoing prophets have called the Branch \nout of the root of Jesse, shall build up the church of \nGod in the world, shall be both a Priest and a Kin . \ncounsels of peace; and the heathens that are afar off \nshall come and assist this work of building up the \nchurch." \n\nThis same prophet declares also that Christ should \ncome to Jerusalem as the K\'ing of Zioi .\xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x96\xa0, \nbringing salvation, riding upon a colt the foal \nass. Zech. ix. 10. Which was fulfilled. Jlatt. I \nand John xii. 15. \n\n22 Q. Does this prophet say any ihing conn \nthe remission of sins to be obtained through \nChrist ? \n\nA. Yes; there is a remarkable prophecy in Zech, xiii. \n!, which must be referred to this subject. In that day \nthere shall be a fountain opened to t) David, \n\nand the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and f \ncleanness ; that is, by the death of Christ, and his blood \nmaking atonement for sin. And ver. 7, his sufl \nare described, which should be inflicted on him, \nGod himself should bruise him, m I make his soul a* \noffering Joy sin, as Isaiah expresses it ; and that his \ndisciples for a season should forsake him. Zech. \nJ] wake, sword, against myShcpht rd,and again* \nMan that is my Fella v, ?ait the Lord of h \nthe Shepherd, and \n.Hilled. Matt \n\n\n\nChap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 217 \n\nAnd besides all this, his sufferings from the hands of \nmen are also described, namely, that he should be sold \nfor thirty pieces of silver, which should be given to the \npotter, Zech. xi. 12, 13, which the prophet speaks as per- \nsonating the Messiah, as David had often done before : \nand it was fulfilled. Matt, xxvii. 9, 10. The prophet \nforetels also the manner of his death, namely, that he \nshould be pierced; and intimates the conversion of some \nof those Jews who crucified him. Zech.s.\\i. 10, / will \npour out on the house of David, and the inhabitants of \nJerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplication ; and \nthey shall look on me Yor him) whom they have pierced, \nand mourn for him : fulfilled in John xix. 34, 3^, when \nhis side was pierced with a spear, and his hands and feet \nwith nails ; and Acts ii. 23, 36, 37, 41, when his cruci- \ntiers were converted ; whereof a fuller and more glorious \naccomplishment is expected in the latter days among the \nJewish nation, who have been piercing him with re- \nproaches almost ever since. \n\n23 Q. And what does Malachi the last of the pro- \nphets speak concerning Christ? \n\nA. His prophecy is expressed in pretty plain lan- \nguage. Chap.\'yW. \\, Behold I will send my messenger, \n(namely, John the baptist) and he shall prepare the way \nbefore me. Matt. xi. 10. And the Lord whom ye seek \nshall suddenly come to his temple? even the Messenger \nof the covenant whom you delight in. And he shall sit \nas a refiner and purifier of silver ; and he shall purify \nthe sons of Levi, that they may offer to the Lord an \noffering in righteousness. Now this was accomplished \nwhen Christ came into the temple, and when he reformed \nthe evil practices of the priests and the people, \n\n24 Q. You have given us a large account of what the \nJewish prophets have foretold ; but were there no others \nbesides the Jews which prophecied concerning Christ? \n\nA. Yes ; there are two very remarkable persons who \nwere not Jews, whose expressions have a reference to \n\xc2\xab*ur blessed Saviour ; and these were Balaam and Job. \n\n25 Q. What did Balaam say concerning Christ ? \n\n20 \n\n\n\nI \xe2\x80\xa2 w -fr \n\n\n\n218 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 20. \n\nJi. There slutll come a Star out of Jacob, and a \nSceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the \ncorners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth ; \nHeir and Edom shall be a possession ; and out of \nshall come he who shall nave dominion. A\'umh. \\\\\\\\. \n17, &c. \n\n2fi ({. What reason is given to prove that this refers \nto Christ r \n\nJi. Christ is called the Morning Star. Rev. xxii. 16. \nHe was of the family of Jacob or Israel : he BhaH smite \nand destroy the enemies of the church, and have the bet- \nthens for a possession, and his dominion is everlasting. \nPsalm ii. 6\xe2\x80\x949. \n\n27 Q. What is the remarkable prophecy which Job \nspake concerning Christ ? \n\nJi. Job xix. 25, 26, I know that my Redeemer liv- \neth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the \nearth: and though after my skin worms destroy this \nbody, yet in myjlesli shall I see God. \n\n28 Q. When is this prophecy to be fulfilled ? \n\nA. When Christ the Redeemer, who lives in heaven, \nshall come to raise the dead, and to judge the world, he \nshall stand at last upon the earth, after his onem;. \nconquered ; and the children of God in their new raised \nbodies shall see God ; that is, shall see Jesus Christ the \nRedeemer, who is Emmanuel, or God with us ; and who \nis described as God manifest in the fish. 1 77/ \n1C, 17. 1 Cor. xv. 24\xe2\x80\x942tJ. 1 Tim."\\\\\\. 16. \n\n29 Q. What great and evident truths may be infer- \nred from this long rank of prophecies concerning \nChrist our Saviour? \n\nJi. We learn, that from the beginning of the world, \never since the sin and fall of Adam, throughput the \nral ages of mankind, there hath been a continual v \nnion of prophecies given 1mm God, who foreknows ill \nthings, concerning some great and glorious l)eli\\ \xe2\x96\xa0;\xe2\x80\xa2 \nSaviour, who should be manifested to the world in I \nand that he should appear as the King of fsrs \nboth of Jews and I \n\n\n\nChap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 219 \n\nly lie has been expected by those good men in the several \nages who were best acquainted with the Scriptures, and \nparticularly in that age wherein Jesus Christ appeared. \nSee Luke i. 60, 70, and xxiv. -27. Acts iii. 18 \xe2\x80\x94 24. \n\n30 (\xc2\xa3. But does this determine Jesus the son of Mary, \nto be this glorious person, this expected Saviour? \n\nA. Since all the characters which so many prophets, \nin so many different ages, have given concerning the \nMessiah or Christ the Saviour, do really agree and meet \ntogether in Jesus, and in none besides; they leave us no \nroom tOfdoubt whether this Je^us of Nazareth, the son of \nMan;, be the Christ or no. \n\n\n\n31S 3 \n\nades \n\n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0 0H \n\n\n\nnix \n\n\n\nHISTORY \n\nOF THE \n\nNEW TESTAMENT* \n\nABRIDGED IN WAY OE \n\nQUESTION AND ANSWER. \n\nTHE INTRODUCTION. \n\nHaving finished the History of the Old Testament, \nand related in short the affairs of the Jews, so far as we \nfind them recorded elsewhere, w r e proceed now to the \nHistory of the New. The chief subjects of it are our \nLord Jesus Christ, the Saviour oT mankind ; John the \nbaptist, who was the forerunner ; and the apostles, who \nwere his followers. \n\nThe history of John the baptist is but short ; it contains \na brief narrative of his birth, his ministry, and his death. \n\nThe history of Christ our Saviour is much larger, and \nit may be divided into three distinct parts," namely, the \naccount of his birth and childhood ; the account of his \npublic life and ministry ; and the account of his death, \nresurrection and ascension. \n\nThe history of the apostles, after our Saviour\'s ascen- \nsion, begins with an account of the twelve apostles, in \ngeneral, but chiefly of St. Peter and St. John ; and pro- \nceeds more largely to a particular account of the travels, \nlabours, and sufferings of St. Paul : and this concludes \nBO* \n\n\n\na**.- \n\n\n\n222 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Ch:. : \n\nthe Scripture History, except what is contained in the \nvisions of St. John, in the Revelation. \n\nThe writers of this history are St. Matthew ami St. \nJohn the apostles ; St. Mark the companion of Bt I \nand St. Luke the companion of St. Paul. It is contained \nchiefly in the four Gospels, written by those evangi \nwhose names they bear, and in the Acts of the Apostles, \nof which Luke was the writer ; though some further hint- \nand memoirs may be collected from some parts of the \nEpistles. \n\n\n\nCHAP. XXI. \n\nOf John the Baptist. \n\n1 Q. As the Old Testament be^in^ with the creation \nof the world, so the first question here is, who wac \nSaviour of the world r \n\nJi. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who wag sent down \nto dwell among men, in order to become theii Saviour. \nMatt.i. 21. 1 Tim. i. 15. John iii. 17. 1 Joint iv. 14. \nMatt. xxL 1G. \n\n2 Q. "What notice was ever given of his coming? \nJi. God himself, and his prophets, throughout all ages, \n\nhave foretold his coming a> some grea< I>\xc2\xab I. \n\nMessiah, or Anointed of God. Luke i. 70k ./.7s iii. is. \n\n3 Q. Were there any plain marks or COJ \nen him whereby he might be known } \n\nJi. "tes ; many characters of him are found n \nbooks of the Old Testament, as the foregoing i \ndeclares; and he has answered them all, both in hit \nhis doctrine, his death, and his resurrection. \n\n4 Q. AVas such a Messiah expe< ted )>\\ the J%\\ \nwhom the books of the Old Testament \n\nJi. He was long expected by them, and \nin that age wherein he came : ai d th \nand bv the Samaritans. John i. A \nJohn iv. 25, 29. \n\n\n\nChap. 21. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. < 22S \n\nNote. It is worth our observation, that not only the Jews \nand Samaritans, but the heathens also, about this time, expect- \ned some great king or glorious person to be born. \n\nVirgil, the Roman poet, who lived in the time of Augustus \nCaesar, in his fourth Eclogue, is supposed to describe the bles- \nsings of the government and age of some great person, who was \nor should be born about this time : and he doth it in language very \nagreeable to the Jewish prophet\'s description of the Messiah, \nand his kingdom. Some suppose that he borrowed this sense \nfrom some ancient books of the prophetesses, who were called \nSybils : but it is evident that those writings of the Sybils which \nare delivered down to us, have so many signs of forgery, that \nwe can give no great credit to them. \n\nSuetonius, a Roman writer, tells us, in the life of Augustus \nCaesar, that there was one Julius Marathus, declared, u that \nNature was about to bring forth a king for the people of Rome.\'" \nHe says also, in the life of Vespasian, " that there had prevailed \nover all the eastern part of the world, a constant opinion, that \nabout that time there should come out of Judea those who \nshould obtain the empire of the world." Tacitus, another of \ntheir historians, saith the same thing ; and that it was contained \nin the ancient books of the Jewish priests : so that both Jews \nand Gentiles expected now some glorious person to arise in the \nworld. \n\n5 ({. Who was the forerunner, or the messenger sent \nto declare that he was just at hand ? \n\nJi. John the baptist, the son of Zecharias and Elisa- \nbeth. Luke i. 5, 67. Mark i. 2. \n\n6 Q. What was Zecharias ? \n\nJi. A good man, and a priest, who lived without a \nchild till his wife and he were both grown old. \nLuke i. 6, 7. \n\n7 Q. What was there remarkable in the birth of \nJohn? \n\nJi. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zecharias while \nhe was offering incense in the temple, and the people \nwere praying without, and told him that he should have \na son, and should call his name John. Luke i. 9, &c. \n\n8 Q. What sign did the angel give of the truth of his \nmessage ? \n\nJI That Zecharias should be dumb, and not able to \nspeak till John was born. ver. 20. \n\n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\n\n\n224 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 81. \n\n9 Q. What honour was done to Elisabeth while she \nwas with child of her son ? \n\nA. The virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, made a \nvisit to her, and they both rejoiced and praised God to- \ngether in a divine rapture. Luke i 39 \xe2\x80\x94 55. \n\n10 Q. When was Zecharias released from his dumb- \nness, and had his voice restored to him ? \n\nJI. When his wife brought forth a son, and they were \ngoing to circumcise the child, he wrote his name John \non a table, and then his tongue was loosed, and he -pake \nthe praises of God. ver, 59 \xe2\x80\x94 64. \n\n11 ({. Where was John brought up ? \n\nA. In the desert country or wilderness of Judea, and \nthere also he began his public ministry, when he was \nabout thirty years of age. ver. 80, and Luke iii. 2. \n\n12 Q. What was his chief commission from God : \nA. He was sent to preach the doctrine of repentance, \n\nand forgiveness of sins; to baptize or wash with water \nthose who professed their repentance, and to direct the \npeople to Christ as the Saviour. Mark i. 4, 5. Joint i. \n26,31. \n\n13 Q. What further instructions did he give to the \npeople ? \n\nJ. He bid them not trust in their being the children \nof Abraham; he taught them lessons of love and liberal- \nity; to give food and clothing to those who wanted : and \nhe gave special directions to the Pharisees and Saddu- \ncees, to the publicans and the soldiers, who cattle to be \nbaptized. Matt, iii. 7, 8. Luke iii. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n14 (f. What directions did lie give to th\xc2\xab Phai \nand Sadducees? \n\n. Ji. He bid them bring forth fruits in their li\\. \nmake their repentance appear, ;b well at profess it with \ntheir lips. Matt. iii. 7, 8. \n\n15 Q. What advice did he give the publi \ngatherers ? \n\nA. To exact or demand no more money of the peo- \nple than what was appointed. L \n\n16 Q. And what v. a- his counsel to the soldiet \n\n\n\nChap. 21. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 225 \n\nA. To do violence or injury to \'none, to accuse no \nperson falsely, and to be content with their pay. Luke \niii. 14. \n\n17 Q. What did he say concerning himself ? \n\nA, That he was not the Christ, nor the very prophet \nElias risen from the dead ; but that lie was only come \nas a voice in the wilderness, to prepare the way of the \nLord, according to the prophecy of Isaiah. John i. \n20\xe2\x80\x9423. Isa. xl. 3. \n\n18 Q. But does not Jesus Christ himself say, that \nJohn was Elias, or Elijah ? \n\nA. Yes; because he came in the spirit and power of \nElias, to prepare the way for Christ, according to the \nsense of the prophet Malachi. Mai. iv. 5. Luke i. 17. \nMatt.xwil 12, 13. \n\n19 Q. Wherein did he imitate or look like Elias, or \nElijah ? \n\nA. That he wore a garment of hair ; that he lived \nan austere life, like Elijah, in the wilderness ; that he \ncame to begin a reformation among the Jews, as Elias \ndid, when they were greatly corrupted ; and he reproved \nHerod, as Elias reproved Ahab. Mark i. 6, and ix. 13. \nMatt. xiv. 3. \n\n20 Q. What did he say concerning Jesus Christ ? \nA. He declared that though Jesus came after him, \n\nyet he was not worthy to bear his shoes ; that he only \nbaptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the \nHoly Ghost and with fire; and he pointed him out in \nthe midst of the people ; This is the Lamb of God that \ntaketh away the sins of the world. John i. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 34. \nMatt.nl 11. \n\n21 Q. How did he come to know Jesus Christ ? \n\nA. He had some notice given him privately from \nGod, and he had a further public sign from heaven to \nconfirm his knowledge of him. \n\n22 q. What was that public sign ? \n\nA. When Jesus was baptized by John at the river \nJordan, the Holy Ghost came down like a dove, and \nvested upon him, as God had foretold him. Matt. iii. \n16, 17, and John i. 31\xe2\x80\x9433. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n226 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 21. \n\n23 Q. Di\xc2\xbbl the disciples of John immediately leave \nhim, and follow Jesus? \n\nJ. No J fur Jesus had not then begun hi^ public \nministry. \n\n24 Q. How did John further recommend Jesus I \nto his disciples ? \n\n.A Some lime after he Bern* them to see the miracles \nthat Jesus wrought, that they might be convinced that he \nwas the Messiah. Matt.n\\.6. \n\n25 ({. What became of John the bft] \n\nJ. He was cast into prison by Herod. \nreproved him for taking Herod ias, hi Philip\'s \n\nwife. Matt. xiv. 3, 4. \n\n26 Q. Did not Herod hear John preach .some \nand reformed some of his evil practices upon it r \n\nA. Yes> he did ; and yet he was persuaded to put \nhim to death at last, to satisfy the malice and revenge of \nthis wicked woman. Mark vi. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 29. \n\n27 Q. How came this to pass ? \n\nA. Upon Herod\'s birth-day, the daughter of Hero- \ndias pleased the king so well with her dancing, that he \npromised to give her whatever she asked ; and her moth- \ner bid her ask for John the baptist\'s head in a dish- \nMatt. xiv. 6\xe2\x80\x948. \n\n28 Q. And did Herod then comply with this bloody \nrequest? \n\nA. Yes; for he had sworn to it tx .t deal \n\nof company; and rather than break his rash and sinful \noath, he would kill a prophet of God. Matt. xiv. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 1 1. \n\n29 Q. What became of the body of John the bap \nA, His disciples took it up and buried it. \n\n30 Q. Whitner did his disciples u;o after* \n\nJ. They Went and told Jesus what had befallen thotl \nmaster, and probably they became the disciples of Josua \nver. 12. \n\n\n\n-Chap. 22. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 227 \n\nCHAP. XXII. \n\nOf the Birth and Childhood of Jesus Christ \n\n1 Q. Who was Jesus Christ ? \n\nJi. The Son of God, who came into this world to be \nthe Saviour of men. 1 John iv. 14. John iii. 17. \n\n2 Q. What does the name Jesus Christ signify ? \n\nJi. Jesus (which i\xc2\xa7 his proper name) signifies a Sa- \nviour ; and Christ is the same in Greek tnat \'Messiah \nis in Hebrew, which signifies his being anointed, or ap- \npointed to that office. Matt. i. 21. John i. 41. Psal. ii. 2. \n\n3 ^. Where did he dwell before he came into this \nworld ? \n\nA. He dwelt with God his Father in a very glorious \nstate before this world was made. John xvii. o, and \nchap.\'i. 1, 2, 14. \n\n4 Q. In what manner did he come into this world ? \nJi. He laid aside his glory, he took a body of flesh \n\nand blood, which God had prepared for him, and was \nborn of Mary, who was a virgin, according to the pro- \nphecy of Isaiah. VhiL ii. 7. Heb.u. 14, and x. 5. Matt. \nl. 20, 23. Isa. vii. 14. \n\n5 Q. Who was this Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ? \nJi. She was a poor young woman of the family of \n\nDavid, who was espoused to, or had consented to marry \nJoseph, a carpenter, who was also of the house of David, \n.that royal family being then fallen into decay. Matt. i. \n18, 20. Luke i. 32. Matt. xiii. 55. \n\n6 Q. Did Joseph marry her afterwards ? \n\nJi. Joseph was admonished by an angel of God to \nmarry her without fear, because the child that was form- \ned in her was by the Spirit of God. Matt, i. 20. \n\n7 Q. What notice had Mary that she should have \nsuch a son ? \n\nJi. The angel Gabriel was sent to her at Nazareth, \nsyhere she dwelt, to assure her that the Power of the \n\xe2\x96\xa0most high God should overshadow her^ and that shd \n\n\n\n\n\n\n2S8 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nshould bring forth a child who should be called the Son \nof God. Luke i. 26\xe2\x80\x9435. \n\n8 ({. How was Mary further encouraged in thai hope ? \nA. While she \\\\a^ with -child with hei \n\nshe went to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who was then \nwith child with John the baptist : Elisabeth saluted \nher as the mother of the Messiah, and they were both \ninspired to praise the Lord with divine rapture?. Luke \ni. 39 \xe2\x80\x94 55. \n\n9 ({. Where was Jesus Christ born r \n\nA. In Bethlehem the city of David, according \nprophecy of Micah. LvkeW.A. Matt ii. 5, (i. Micmh v. 2. \n\n10 Q. How came Mary to lie in at Bethlehem r \n\nA. Augustus Caesar, the emperor, had decreed to tax \nor register all the world ; and Joseph being of tip \nof David, went up with Mary In- espoused wife, to he \nregistered or taxed in Bethlehem the city of David. \nLuke ii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n11 Q. What provision was made for her there ? \n\nA. A poor provision indeed: there was no reem for \nthem in the inn ; she was lodged in a stable, ami \nshe brought forth her son, she laid him in the n \nLuke ii. 17. \n\n12 Q. What special notices were given that tin- \nchild was the Messiah, or Christ the kin^ of Israel ? \n\nA. Many notices were given of it by angel* and men, \nby Jews and Gentiles \n\n13 Q. What notice was given by angels thai ( \nwas born ? \n\nA. An angel appeared to some shepherds by \nand sent them to find the babe in a manger at Bethlehem, \nLuke ii. 8\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n14 Q. What joy was shewn among the angels upon \nthis occasion ? \n\nA. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God, \nsaying, Glory to Hod in the high\xc2\xabst t ji \ngood will toward* nun : and this the shepherds heard. \nver. 13, 1-4. \n\n\\5 ({. What testimonies were given to Jefi ( \nin his infancy by any of the ,!\'\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\n\nChap. 22. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 229 \n\nA. When lie was brought to the temple to be circum- \ncised, and presented to the Lord as the first-born, Simeon \nand Anna, two ancient persons among the Jews, bore \nwitness to him. ver. 25, 26. \n\n16 Q. "What was the witness which Simeon bore to \nthe infant Jesus ? \n\nJi. It was revealed to him that he should not die be- \nfore he had seen the Messiah ; and he took Jesus up in \nhis arms, and said, JVoic, Lord, let thy servant depart in \npeace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, ver. 26 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n] 7 Q. What witness did Anna bear to him ? \n\nJi. She was an aged widow, and a prophetess ; she \ngave thanks to the Lord concerning him, and spake of \nhim to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem, ver. \n36\xe2\x80\x9438. \n\n18 Q* Who among the Gentiles received notice of \nthe birth of Christ? \n\nA. Some wise men in the east had seen a new star, \nand they had some divine notice that a king of the Jews \nwas born, and they came to worship him. Matt. ii. 1, 2. \n\n19 ({. How did they find out the house where Jesus \nwas r \n\nji. The star went before them, and stood over the \nplace where the infant lay. ver. 9. \n\n20 Q. W T hat honour did they do him? \n\nA. They fell down and worshipped him, and present- \ned him gold and spices, ver. 11. \n\n21 Q. What enemies or. dangers did Jesus meejt \nwith in his infancy ? \n\nJi. Herod the gre&t, who then reigned in Judea, hav- \ning heard from the wise men that a king of the Jews was \nborn, was filled with jealousy, and thought to destroy Je- \nsus, ver. 13. \n\n22 (3. What means did Herod use to destroy him ? \nJi. He slew all the children that were in or near \n\nBethlehem, under two years old. ver. 16. \n\n23 Q. How did the child Jesus escape ? \n\nJi. Joseph, his supposed father, was warned by an \nangel to take they oung child and his mother and flee, \ninto Egypt. ver. 13. \n21 \n\n\n\n/\' \n\n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\n\n\xc2\xa330 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ! \n\n34 O. When did Jesus return into the land \nrael ? \n\n.1. When Herod was dead, God sent a message bj \nin angel in a dream, to command Joseph and M \nreturn with himj m> they returned into Galilei \ndwelt in Nazareth, their city. \n\n25 Q. Was there any thing further remarkable in the \nchildhood of J&tUfl : \n\nJ]. When he was twelve years old he went up with \nhis parents to the pass-over, according to their eastern : \nbut when they returned, they missed their son. \nii. 41 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n26 Q. Where did they find him ? \n\nA. They turned back to Jerusalem, and after \ndays they found him in the temple, in the midst of the \ndoctors, both hearing them, and asking them qui si \nper. 45, 40. \n\n27 ({. What reason did the child Jesus give for his \nconduct? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2#. He told tliem, that they might have suppoe \nwas about his father\'s business : but he went down with \nthem to Nazareth, where he spent the rest of his child- \nhood, and was subject to his parents. Luke ii. 49 \xe2\x80\x94 .~>i \n\n28 ({. How did Jesus employ his younger yean I \n\nJl. It is reported by the ancients, that he was \nbrought up to his father\'s trade, who was a country car- \npenter, and that he made ploughs, and yokes for oxen | \nfor Jesus \xe2\x80\xa2himself is called a carpenter. Mark 1 i. \n\n\n\nOHAP. XXIII. \n\nOf the public Life and Ministry of Christ, \n\nINTRI \nHis Preparation for his public Work. \n\\ Q. At what age did Jesus begin to appear in pub- \n\n\n\nChap. 23. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 25 i \n\nA. At about thirty years of age. Luke iii. 23. \n\n2 Q. How was he prepared for his public work ? \n\nA. He was eminently prepared for it by his baptism, \nby the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him, by his retire- \nment, and his temptations. Luke iii. and iv. \n\n3 Q. When was Jesus Christ baptized ? \n\nA. When John the baptist was sent with a commis- \nsion to baptize men, Jesus offered himself at the River \nJordan to be baptized, that he might fulfil all righteous- \nness, though he had no need to be washed from sin \nMatt iii. 1 4, 1 5. \n\n4 Q. What testimony did he receive from John the \nbaptist ? \n\nA. John declared, that Jesus was the Lamb of God \nrvho would take away the sins of the world ; and that \nhe himself, who baptized with water, was not worthy to \nloose the shoes of Jesus, because he was appointed to \nbaptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matt. iii. 11. \n\n5 Q. What miracle attended this baptism ? \n\nA. When Jesus came out of the water t the Spirit of \nGod like a dove descended upon him, and a voice from \nheaven icas heard, saying, This is my beloved Son in \nwhom I am well pleased. Matt. iii. 16, 17. \n\n6 Q. Whither did he go for his retirement after he \nwas baptized ? \n\nA. He was led into the wilderness, not only to en- \ndure temptation, and conquer the tempter there, but \nprobably to spend forty days in meditation and prayer, \nand converse with God ; as Moses, before his giving\'the \nlaws to Israel, spent forty days with God on Mount Sinai. \nMark i. 12, 13. \n\n7 Q. Was this the place of his contest with the \ntempter ? \n\nA. Yes ; the devil assaulted him here with three pow- \nerful temptations. Matt. iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n$ Q. What was the first temptation ? \n\nA. The devil persuaded him to turn stones into \nbread, because he was an hungred, having fasted forty \ndays. \n\n9 Q. How did Christ answer him ? \n\n\n\n/\'... \n\n\n\n\n\n\n232 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (! \n\nA. By shewing him that man doth not live hi/ brtad \n\nalone, but hij the power and blessing of Qod. J hut. \\ iii. 3, \n\n10 (j What was the second tempt; \n\n.7. The devil Bet him open a pinna\' 1 - of the temple* \nand bid him cast himself down, tor there was \nin Psalm \\ci. 1 1, that angi Is should bear him up, - \nhe should receive no hurt. \n\n11 ({. flow did Jesus resist that temptation? \n*2. Ely shewing that we must riot tempt the ; \n\ndeuce of (w>.i any way, Dent. vi. 16, and there!.\' \nmust not venture upon dangers withoii \n\n12 Q. What was the third temptation? \n\n\xe2\x80\x9e7. The devil promised to give him all the kin. \nof this world, if Jesus would fall down and worship him. \n\n13 Q. How was this temptation vanquished? \n\nJ. By declaring that God only was to be worshipped. \nDeut. vi. 13, ana x. -20. \n\n14 Q. Whence did Jesus derive his answers to these \nseveral temptations ? \n\n\xc2\xbb#. From several texts of Scripture which he cited \nupon this occasion, and all out of the book of Deuterono- \nmy. \n\n15 Q. What token of honour from hea\\en did Christ \nreceive in the wilderness ? \n\nA. When the devil was disappointed and vanquished, \nand forsook him, the angels of God came and ministered \nunto him. \n\n\n\nSect. I. Jesus Christ\'s Appearance with the Charac- \nters of the Messiah* \n\n1G Q. We are conn- now to the public life and min- \nistry of Jesus Christ: let us hear what were the chief \nparts or designs of it ? \n\nJ. The Erst design of hip public life and mi \nwas, to appear in the world with the marks of a divine \ncommission, and the character- of the Messiah UOO! \nhim. \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 233 \n\n17 Q. How did Jesus fulfil this first design of his \npublic life and ministry? \n\nJ\xc2\xa7. He healed the sick, he raised the dead, be preach- \ned the glad tidings of salvation to the poor, he set about \nthe reformation of the world, and all this without noise \nor uproar ; and he received several testimonies from \nheaven. See these characters of the Messiah foretold \nby the prophets, Isa. xxxv. 4, 5, and lxi. 1, 2, and xlii. \n2. Mai. iiir 1, 2, 3, and exemplified in Christ, Matt. xi. \n3 \xe2\x80\x94 5, and chap. v. \\7 \xe2\x80\x94 20, and xii. 19. \n\n18 Q. But did not Christ preach up his own charac- \nter as the Messiah, or anointed Saviour ? \n\nA. Though he several times preached that he was \nsent from God ; yet he very seldom declared plainly \nthat he was the Messiah ; and even forbid the men that \nknew it, to publish it at that time, nor would he suffer the. \ndevils to declare it. Matt. xvi. 20. Mark r. 34. \n\n19 Q. Why did our Saviour so long abstain from de- \nclaring that he was the Messiah who should come into \nthe world ? \n\nA. Partly that men might learn his office and charac- \nter in a rational way, and infer that he was the Messiah \nby his doctrine and his works ; and partly that he might \nnot expose him to the rage of his enemies, and to death \nbefore his time. Luke vii. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n20 q. What were some of the testimonies which \nChrist received from heaven in his life? \n\nA. Voices from heaven at several times; once at his \nbaptism, which was mentioned before ; once among the \npeople, in answer to his prayer f and once on the mount \nof transfiguration, when Moses and Elias came from. \nheaven to attend him. \n\n21 Q. What was that voice which came in answer to \nhis prayer ? \n\nJl. When Christ prayed in public that God his Father \nwould glorify his name ; there was an answer came from \nheaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it ap-ain, \nJohn xii. 28. \xc2\xb0 \n\n22 Q. What was the transfiguration ? \n\n&. Jesus went up into a high mountain with three o\xc2\xa3 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n284 SCRIPTURE BISTORT. \n\nhis disciples, his countenance waa changed all glorious, \nand his raiment shining like sun beams ; Moses and \nElias appeared and conversed with him, and from a bright \ncloud broke forth a voice, This is my beloved Soit j \nhim. Matt. xvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n\n\nSect. II. Of the Subjects of his Preaching, kit Par- \nables and his Disputes. \n\n23 Q. What was the second part and design of bil \npublic life and ministry. \n\nA. To preach and teach many necessary truths and \nduties to the people. Marie i. 38. Isaiah lxi. 1. Lukr \niv. 18. \n\n24 Q. In what manner did our Lord Jesus Christ \npreach to the world, and teach mankind r \n\nA. He spake several things to them in public lemons \nor discourses, others in free conversation or di\xc2\xbb \nsometimes he spake in plain language, at other th \nway of parable, or similitude. Matt. v. 2, S, lie anil \n-chap. xiii. 3. \n\n25 Q. Whai were some of the chief subjects of Mi \nSaviour\'s public preaching ? \n\nA. These that follow, namely, \n\n1. He explained the law of God in its full latitude \nas it reaches the thoughts, as well as words and actions, \nand rescued it from the grievous corruptions, the False \nglosses and mistakes of the Jewish teachers ; and by this \nmeans he convinced his hearers of sin, and shewed thein \nthe need of a Saviour. Matt v. 6, 7. chap. \\\\. 12, l.>. \n\n2. He taught them the vanity of depending upon any \noutward privileges, a> being the children of Abraham ; \nhe shewed them the- danger of putting ceremony \nforms of any kind, in the room of real and pi, \ngodliness; he severely reproved the scribes and rha \n\non this account : and assured men there w.i> no salvation \nfor them, no entrance into heaven, without being \nagain, or becoming new creatures, ^ee John m \n\n\n\nSect 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 235 \n\nchap. viii. 33 \xe2\x80\x94 41. Matt. vii. 24. c/iap.viii. 12, and xxiii, \n13\xe2\x80\x9433. \n\n3. He corrected several sinful customs and practices, \nwith other foolish traditions among the people ; and re- \nproved the teachers of the law for mingling their tradi- \ntions and the inventions of men with the pure appoint- \nments of God. Mark vii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 13. John ii. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 17. Matt. \nv. vi. and vii. \n\n4. He called the people aloud to repentance of every \nsin, because the kingdom of the Gospel was at hand. \nSee Matt. iv. 17. Luke v. 32. \n\n5. He gave particular directions for the practice of \nmany duties, namely, spiritual worship, prayer, depend- \nence upon God, hearing the word, giving alms, loving our \nneighbours, forgiving our enemies, &c. Matt. v. vi. vii. \nand xiii. \n\n6. He preached the Gospel, or the glad tidings of \npardoning grace, to sinners who repented of their sins, \nand believed in him ; he promised the assistance of the \nHoly Spirit to them that asked it ot God ; he represent- \ned himself as sent of God, and invited all men to come \nto him, and trust in him, that they might be saved. \nLuke iv. 18, 21, 22, and xi. 9\xe2\x80\x9413. "Matt. v. 3\xe2\x80\x9412, vii. \n7, &c. and xi. 28. John v. vi. vii. and viii. \n\n7. He revealed the things of the future and invisible \nworld, the resurrection and the day of judgment, heaven \nand hell, beyond what the world had ever known before* \n2 Tim. i. 10. Matt. v. 8, 12. chap. xiii. and xxv. &c. \n\n8. He often foretold that the Jews would reject him \nand his Gospel, and should be terribly punished for it ; \nand he declared that the Gentiles would receive his Gos- \npel ; and said many things to prepare the way of the \nGentiles into the church or kingdom of the Messiah, \nbecause the Jews had such violent prejudices against \ntheir admission into it. Matt. viii. 12, and xx. xxu Luke \nxv. Matt xx. 40, 41, and xxiii. 38. \n\n9. He several times foretold his own death, his resur- \nrection, and his future glory, and his coming to raise the \ndead, and to judge the world. Matt. xxi. xxiv. and xxv. \nJohn v. 27\xe2\x80\x94 -29, xii, 23\xe2\x80\x9434. MatU xii* 40. \n\n\n\n/\' \n\n\n\n236 SCftlPTURE HISTORY. Cha] \n\n2G Q. Did Jesus Christ foretel all I - plain- \n\nly and openly r \n\n.A What he spake by way of prophecy, in private i<> \nhis disciples, he spake plainly : but what he bj \nkind in public to the multitude, was often (though not \nalways) delivered in parables and similitudes. Mark iv. \n11, 32, S4. Matt. \\\\. 18- \n\n27 Q. But did not Christ teach the great and glo \ndoctrine of his own death as a sacrifice or ransom for \nsinful men, in the course of his public ministry r \n\nA. He taught this privately to his disciples, to whom \nhe spoke more freely of his death and resurrection to- \nward the end of his life. Matt. \\vi. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 2\xc2\xa3. But, \nwise reasons he did not preach publicly and plait \nthe people of his own death or his resurrection, \nscarce ever preached in public and in plain Ian \nthose great doctrines of Christianity that depen I \nhis death or his resurrection : these things were wi^-lv \nreserved for the ministry of his apostles, alter i \nactually dead and risen, and ascended to heave \nhad poured out on them the promised Spirit. Matt. \\. \n27, and Luke x\\iv. 45 \xe2\x80\x94 59. \n\n28 Q. What were some of the most remarkable \namong the paraoles of Jesus Chrftt ? \n\nJi. The parable of the sower and the seed ; of the \ntares in the field ; of the merciless servant : of t!, \nSamaritan ; of the labourers in the vineyard : of the w u k- \ned husbandmen ; of the ten virgins; oi the improvement \nof talents; of the prodigal son; of the rich man and \nLazarus the beggar. \n\n29 ({. What is the parable of the sower and the \nseed ? \n\nA. As the seed that is sown, falling on different \nof ground, brings forth more or less fruit, or no fruit at \nall; so when ministers preach the Gospel, the word be- \ncomes more or h--s fruitful, or unfruitful, accord \nthe good or evil In-art- of the hearers. Matt. xiii. I- \n\n30 q. What is the parable of the tares in the field t \n.i. As the enemy had sowed tares where the husband* \n\nman had sown wheat, and they were both sulfa \n\n\n\nSect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 237 \n\ngrow together till the harvest, then the wheat was gath- \nered into the barn, and the tares were burnt ; so the devil \nmingles his children with the children of God in this \nworld, but at the day of judgment they shall be separa- \nted ; the children of the devil shall be cast into a furnace \nof lire, and the children of God shall shine in the king- \ndom of their Father. Matt, xiii. 24 \xe2\x80\x94 43. \n\n31 Q. What means the parable of the merciless ser- \nvant ? \n\nJ. Though his lord forgave him ten thousand talents, \nyet he dealt cruelly with Ins fellow-servant who owed \nhim but an hundred pence, and cast him into prison till \nhe should pay it When the lord heard of it, he re- \nproved and imprisoned him till the payment of his debt; \nand thus the great God, who is ready to forgive us our \ninnumerable sins, will deal with us, if we forgive not out \nbrethren their offences against u% Matt, xviii. 21 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n32 Q. What parable is that which is called The good \nSamaritan? \n\nd. When a Jew was abused and stripped, and wound- \ned by robbers, and left helpless, a priest and a Levite \npassed by, and neglected him, but a Samaritan took care \nof him, and carried him to an inn for his recovery. This \nJesus spake to shew that the Samaritan treated Hie Jew \nas a neighbour ought to do, and that no differences of \nopinion should hinder us from actions of common hu- \nmanity towards other men. Luke x. 30 \xe2\x80\x94 36. \n\n33 Q. What is the design of the parable of the la- \nbourers in the vineyard ? \n\nA. The labourers who were called at the eleventh \nhour, through the great goodness of the master, received \nthe same reward as those who were called in at the first \nhour; even so the Gentiles should be called into the \nchurch iy the latter days, and enjoy equal privileges with \nthe Jews, who had been called many ases before them. \nMm. xx. 1\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n34 Q. What is the parable of the wicked husband- \nmen ? \n\nJl. The owner of a vineyard let it out to husband- \nmen, and going into a far country, first sent his servants* \n\n\n\n-\' \n\n\n\n238 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CM. M \n\nand at last his son, to n ceive the fruits : but they l>\xc2\xab:*t \nand blew both the a^rvants and fpon which at \n\nthe return of the owner, these husbandmen wered( \ned, and the vineyard I I out to others: by which o \nviour (I \xe2\x96\xa0 Jews brought no fruit to \n\nGod, notwithstanding all their advantages; that \nabused his prophets, and would slay his Sou; that <i<>d \nwould turn them out of his church, and \nthe Gentile*. MatUnsJ. SS \xe2\x80\x94 !. ; . \n\n55 Q. What is the parable of the im virg \n\nJi. Some of these virgins were wise, and some were \nfoolish ; but they all slept while the bridegroom tarried, \nand at midnight when the bridegroom cai \nwise were something unprepared, but the foolish \nshut out from the wedding: whence* draws \n\nthis advice; Watch ye, for ye know not the day or the \nhour when the Son of man eometh, Matt* or. I\xe2\x80\x94 \n\n56 Q. What is tne parable of the talents ? \n\n*#. Those servants who were entrusted with several \ntalents, and had improved them, were rewarded in pro- \nportion to their improvement : but he who laid U] \ntalent in a napkin, and made no improvement of if \ncast into outer darkness as an unprofitable servant. \nThe plain design of this parable is, to shew the net I \nof diligence in the improvement of all our mercies and \nadvantages. Matt. xxv. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 50. Luke xix. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n57 Q. What is the parable of the prodigal \n\nA. The younger son of a family grew prodigal, and \nwasted his estatejn rioting abroad, while the eld< \nlived at home and served his father ; but upo \nof the prodigal, and his repentance, his father it. \nhim with much compassion and joy: at which his elder \nbrothei- was angry. So glial! the m\'ercy of God be shews \nto the repenting Gentiles, when they shall forsake their \nsins and return to God, though the .lews will be envious \nand quarrel with this conduct of providence. \nxv. 11\xe2\x80\x9432. \n\n58 ({. What is the parable <\xc2\xbb(\' the rich man and \nLazarus ? \n\nJ. The rich man, who spent his days in luxton \n\n\n\nSect. a. . SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 239 \n\nwas cruel to the poor, died, and went to hell ; but Laza- \nrus, a beggar, was religious, and went to heaven. The \nrich man in his torments would fain have Lazarus sent \nto warn his kindred of their danger: but Abraham tells \nhim, that if they will not hear JTose% and the prophets, \nneither will they be persuaded to leave their sins, though \none rose from the dead. Luke xvi. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 31. \n\n39 Q. How could the hearers of Christ understand \nthese parables ? \n\nA. There were many of them which they did not \nunderstand : but when they were retired from the multi- \ntude, Christ expounded the parables to his disciples. \nMark\'w. 9\xe2\x80\x94 12, 34. \n\n40 Q. Besides these public sermons and parables, \nhad not Jesus Christ some conversation and disputes \nwith several sorts of persons ? \n\nA. Yes ; he had some discourses with the multitude, \nand with his own disciples, which would be too long to \nrepeat ; and besides these, he had also some debates with \nNicodemus, with the woman of Samaria, with the Hero- \ndians, with the Sadducees, with the Pharisees, and doc- \ntors of the law, with the ruler of the synagogue, and the \nchief priests and elders of the people. \n\n41 Q. What was his discourse with Nicodemus ? \nA. He taught Nicodemus, who came to him by night, \n\nthat a man must be born again ; that is, he must have \nhis eld sinful nature renewed into holiness, if he would \nseethe kingdom of God: and that God sent his only \nbegotten Son to save as many as would believe on him. \nJohn iii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 21. \n\n42 Q. What was our Lord\'s discourse with the \nwoman of Samaria ? \n\nA. He told her of her living in the sin of fornication : \nand assured her, the time was just at hand when God \nwould not regard persons ever the more on account of \nthe places in which they worshipped him, whether it \nwere at the temple of Jerusalem or Samaria ; but on the \naccount of the spiritual worship which they paid him from \ntheir hearts ; and he let her know plainly that he was the \nMessiah. Johniv.7 \xe2\x80\x94 26. \n\n\n\n\' \n\n\n\n\xc2\xa340 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 23. \n\n43 Q. "What discourse had Christ with the Herodi- \n\naiis? \n\nJ3. They inquired of him, whether it was lawful to \ngive tribute to Cajsar? that if he denied it, they might \n\naccuse him to the Komans; it he asserted it, thej \nrender him odious to the Jews, and particularly the \nPharisees ; but Jesus gave them a very wise answer, and \navoided their snares, by bidding them rend* \nthe things that are Ccvsar\'s, and unto God the t \nthat are God\'s. .Matt. xxii. 15\xe2\x80\x9422. \n\n44 Q. What dispute had Christ with the S \n\n+1. The Sadducees thought to ridicule him about the \ndoctrine of the resurrection, by inquiring, to which <>f her \nseven husbands a wife would belong in that day? But, \nas he proved the resurrection to them from the law ol \nMoses, so he assured them that there h rela- \n\ntion as marriage in that state. Matt. 23\xe2\x80\x94 \n\n45 Q. What disputes did our Saviour h<>Wl with the \nPharisees and the scribes, and the teachers of the law ? \n\nJi. He had many disputes with them about their ex- \ncessive fondness for ceremonies and traditions, wherein \nhe shewed that they made void the law of God by their \nown invented tradition ; and that the duties of morality, \nrighteousness, and goodness, were more valuable even \nthan the ceremonies of God\'s own appointment, and are \nto be preferred where they may happen to interfere : for \nGod will have mercy, and not sacrifice. .Matt. xv. \n1 \xe2\x80\x94 20. chap, xxiii. and* xii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 7. \n\n46 Q. What was his debate with the ruler of the \nsynagogue and other Jews - ; \n\nJi. About his healing diseased persons *m the \nbath-day, at which they cavilled ; but he proved to them, \nthat it was a very lawful thing; even from the care that \nGod took of cattle on the saboath-day in the law of Mo- \nses. Luke xiii. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n47 ((. What controversy had Christ with the chief \npriests and elders of the people . : \n\nJ\\. About his own authority for preaching, wh< \nlie silenced them, by inquiring of them, what authority \n\n\n\nSect 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 241 \n\nhad John the baptist, whom all the people had esteemed \nas a prophet ? Matt, xxi. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 37". \n\n\n\nSect. III. 37? e Miracles of Christ. \n\n48 Q. Thus we have finished the two first designs \nof the public life and ministry of Christ, namely, his \nappearing with the character of the Messiah upon him, \nand his teaching the people. What is the third con* \nsiderable design of his public life and ministry ? \n\nJi. To work miracles for the confirmation of his \ndoctrine, and for the proof of his being sent from God \nto be the Saviour of the world. \n\n49 Q. What were some of the chief of the miracles \nwhich our Saviour wrought for this purpose ? \n\nJi. These that follow : \n\n1 . He turned six vessels full of water into excellent \nwine. John ii. 7 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n2. He fed five thousand persons once with five \nloaves, and two small fishes ; and again, he fed four \nthousand with seven loaves, and at both times there \nwere several baskets of fragments. Matt. xiv. and xv. \n\n3. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the dea\xc2\xa3 \nspeech to the dumb, strength and vigour to lame and \nwithered limbs. Mark viii. John ix. Mark vii. \nMatt. xx. John v. \n\n4. He healed the leprosy, the fever, the palsy, the \ndropsy, and other distempers, by a word of command. \nMatt. viii. and ix. Mark i. Luke xiv. \n\n5. He walked on the water, and suppressed a storm \nat sea by a reproof given to the seas and winds. Matt. \nxiv. 25, and viii. 29. \n\n6. He delivered several persons from the possession \not the devil, by rebuking the evil spirits, and command\' \ning them to depart. Luke iv. Matt. viii. Mark i. \n\n7. He raised a few persons from the dead, namely, \nthe ruler\'s daughter in the chamber, the widow\'s son in \nthe street, as he was carried to his burial, and Lazarus \n\n22 \n\n\n\n\' \n\n\n\n8*2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] \n\nwas called out oChis grave when he had been dead four \ndays. Mark ix. Lidce vii. John xi. \n50 ({. What is there remarkable in the \n\nof our Saviour ? \n\nJ. These four things: \n\n1. That almost every wondrous work perforn \xe2\x80\xa2 \nChrist was a work of love and ^<><nli \xe2\x96\xa0 \xc2\xbb many \nof the wonders of Moses were works of destruction. \n\n2. His miracles were very numerous, bo that man- \nkind could not be mistaken in all of them, though they \nshould object against some. \n\n3. They were wrought in many pla< es <\xc2\xbb1 tin- .!. \nnation, and several of them before the eyes of the mul- \ntitude, who could attest them. \n\n4. They were such miracle- ;\xc2\xb1- weie foretold should \nbe wrought in the days of the Messiah; and the] \n\nhe continually appeals to his miraculous v\\<irk- for .\xc2\xbb \ntestimony of his commission from Clod. John \\. \nchap. xv. 24, and xiv. 1 1. \n\n\n\nSect. IV. Tkr Example of Christ, \n\n51 Q. Lf.t us proceed now and inquire, \n\nthe fourth thing designed in the public life and mi \nof Christ ? \n\n./. To give an example to the world of mi- \nholiness and goodness. John xiii. 15. 1 Cor. \\i. I. \nRom. xv. .">. \n\n52 ({. What are some of the more remarkabl \ngraces or duties, wherein \' \n\nexample ? \nJ. l. Ilf sought the public glon ith the \n\nappointmenl John viii. \n\n50, c;in}).\\\\Y\\. A, and ii. 16, 17. Mat \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\n\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\n\n\nSect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 24S \n\nlie desired to be baptized ; he came to fulfil the law of \nGod, and made it his meat and his drink. Matt. Hi. 15, \nand v. 17. John xiv. 31, chap. iv. 34, and vii. 10. \n\n3. He was frequent and fervent in religious exercises, \nprayer and praise. Luke vi. 12, and xi. 1, 2. Matt. xiv. \n25, and xi. 25. \n\n4. He was eminent for heavenly mindedness, self-de- \nnial as to the comforts of this life, and trust in God for \nhis daily bread : he was so poor that the good women \nministered to him out of their substance, and he had not \nwhere to lay his head. Luke ix. 58, and viii. 3. \n\n5. He bore the sorrows from the hand of God with \nthe highest submission, and the vilest injuries from men \nwith perfect patience and meekness ; not returning rail- \ning for railing, but blessing those that persecuted him. \n1 Pet. ii. 21 \xe2\x80\x94 23. Matt. xi. 29. Luke xxii. 42, and \nxxiii. 34. \n\n6. He gave the most glorious instances of goodwill \nto men, compassion to the miserable, and love to friends, \nto strangers, and to enemies. He often had pity on the \nmultitudes that followed him ; he travelled about, and \ntook all occasions to do good to the bodies and the souls of \nmen : to their bodies, by his healing and feeding them ; \nand to their souls, by his preaching and conversation ; \nand at last he laid down his life for sinners. Acts x. 38. \nMatt. ix. 36, and xiv. 14. John xv. 13. Bom. v. G, 8, 10. \n\n7. He was obedient to his parents, paying them hon- \nour ; and obedient to magistrates, paying tax and tribute. \nLuke ii. 51. Matt xvii. 24. \n\n8. He was humble and familiar with the poor, and* \neven with publicans and sinners for their good. Matt. \nxi. 29, and ix. 11. He washed the feet of his own disci- \nples. John xiii. 14. \n\n9. He was stedfast in resisting the temptations of the \ndevil, and opposing the iniquities of men. Matt. xiv. \n1 \xe2\x80\x94 11. Heb. ii. 18, and xii. 1, 2, Matt, xxiii. John \nii. 13, &c. \n\n10o He was prudent and watchful against the snares \nof his enemies, and careful to give them no just occasions \nagainst him : this appears in the wisdjom of his discour- \n\n\n\n\' \n\n\n\n244 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 23. \n\nsea, and his daily conduct. John vii. 1, and \\i. J4 \nMatt. xvii. 27. \n\n\n\nSect. V. His calling the Apostles* and instructing \n\nthe), i. \n\n55 Q. What was the fifth part of the business and \ndesign of his public ministry? \n\nA. To call !u^ apostles, and instruct them in their \ngreat commission of preaching the Gospel. \n\n54 9. How many preachers did our Saviour send \nforth ? \' * \n\nJi. He first sent twelve, who were called ap \nwhom he designed to make his chief ministers ; and he \nafterwards sent seventy through the land of [trad on \nthe same errand of preaching the Gospel. Mutt, x. 1. \nLuke vi. 15, and x. 1. \n\n55 Q. What was the commission that * \nthem all ? \n\n\xc2\xab#. To preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, and to \ncast out devils. Matt. x. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. Luke x. 9, 17. \n\n56 Q. What were the names of the twelve apofi \n\nA. Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother, who were \nfishermen; James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who \nwere also fishers; Philip and Bartholomew,\' Thomas, \nand Matthew, the publican, who is also called Tievi ; \nJames the son of Alpheus, who is called the Lord\'s \nbrother ; and Jude the brother of James, \nTailed Lebbeus and Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, \nwho is called Zelotes;t and Judas [scariot, who after- \nward betrayed his master. Matt. x. \xe2\x80\x94 -4. Luke vi. \n14 \xe2\x80\x94 16. Gal. i. 19. \n\n^ Some suppose Bart holon ime with Nath \n\nt Simon was not a Canaanite bj nation, I \nall Jews* some therefore think it is <>nh the Hebrew i i \nword Cana. which -urni!\'" - ;\xc2\xab Zealot, wilh Greek t< rn \nadek \'l. \n\n\n\nSfect J. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 245 \n\n57 Q. Had these messengers of Christ -success in \ntheir work ? \n\nJ. Yes, they had some success; for the seventy* \nreturned with joy, saving, Lord, even the devils are sub- \nject unto us through thy name. Luke x. 17. \n\n58 q. How did he train up his twelve apostles for \ntheir future service ? \n\nJ. They were very frequently attending upon him, \nand dwelt much with him, before and after their first \nmission abroad ; so that they enjoyed his private instruc- \ntions, his prayers, and his example continually. Matt. \nx. 27. Luke xi. 1. Mark iv. 34. \n\n59 Q. What peculiar instructions did he give his- \napostlcs ? \n\n\xc2\xbb#. 1. He explained the parables to them at home, \nwhich he spake to the people, and acquainted them in \nprivate what they should preach in public. Matt. x. 27. \nMark iv. 34. \n\n2. He foretold they must expect difficulties and per- \nsecutions, but he promised the aids of his Spirit, and his \nown presence with them, and a large reward in heaven. \nMatt x. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 33, and xxviii. 20. \n\n3. i He charged them to love all men, and particularly^ \nto love one another ; and not to affect dominion and au- \nthority over one another, so particularly, as if he design- \ned to preclude the popish errour of St. Peter being made \nthe prince of tlie apostles. John xiii. 34, 35. Mark \nxx. 25. \n\n4. If any house welcomed and received them, they \nwere ordered to pronounce the blessing of peace upon \nthat house; but when any town refused to receive their \nmessage, they were commanded to shake off the dust of- \ntheir feet as a testimony against them. Matt. x. 11, 15. \nLuke x. 54, 55. \n\n5. He told them that he was the Messiah, and that \nhe came to give his life a ransom for men, that he should \nbe crucified and put to death at Jerusalem, and that he \nshould rise again the third day. Matt. xvi. 16\xe2\x80\x9422, and \nxx. 28. \n\n6. He prayed with them often, and taught them how \n\n\n\n\' \n\n\n\n246 SCRIPTTRK HISTORY. \n\n\n\nuap. \n\n\n\nto pray, both in their younger and their more advanced \nstate of .knowledge. Luke xi. I, See. John xvi. \n\n7. He gave (hem many admirable disco \n\nhis death; he foretold tne destruction of Jerusalem; \nand indulged their presence with him in his most \xe2\x80\xa2 \nlent prayer to God just before his suffi Matt. \n\nxxiv. John xiv. xv. xvi. ami xvii. \n\n8. He ordered them after his death to tarry a\' \nsalem till they should receive the promised Spirit \nthem for their further service. Luke xxiv. A\\). \n\n60 Q. "Were there any of these apostles that teemed \nto be his favourites r \n\nJi. It* there were any, they were Peter, Jam< - \nJohn ; for they were admitted to be j resent in tin \nwhen he raised the ruler\'s daughter f and in the \nmount when he was transfigured ; and in \nwhen he sustained his agony: besides, thai John was \ncalled the beloved disciple, and leaned on Jesus\'s bosom \nat the holy supper. Mark v. 37, 38. Matt. xvii. 1. and \nxxvi. ST. John xiii. S3. \n\n\n\nSect. VI. His appointment or Institution of the two \nSacraments. \n\n61 Q. What is the last part of the public mil \nof Christ? \n\nJ. His appointment of the two sensible ordinq \nwhich are called Sacraments, namely, Baptism, and the \nLord\'s Supper. \n\n62 ((. When did he appoint baptism ? \n\nA. It is supposed that he confirmed and pra< \nthe baptism of John in hi^ life-time, that is, the l>. \nof repentance lor the remission <>f sin- : but dou \nwith this constant" requirement, that they should believe \non him as a Prophet sent from God. See Matt, iii. I 1 \nActs xix. 4. Matt. iv. 17. John i\\\\ 1. \n\n\n\nSect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 247 \n\nIt may justly be doubted^ whether our Saviour always from \nthe beginning required the belief and profession of him to be \nthe Messiah, as a necessary thing in order to become one of his \ndisciples, and to receive his baptism, in those early days ; since \nhe studiously avoided the preaching: up his own character as the \nMessiah, and concealed it from the public notice. Matt. x\\i. 20. \nBut after his resurrection, and new instituted form of baptism, \nnone were to be baptized but those who professed Jesus to be \nthe Christ, or the Messiah. \n\n65 Q. Did be make any alteration in the form of \nbaptism afterwards ? - \n\n*#. After his resurrection, just before his ascension to \nheaven, he bid his disciples, Go teach all nations, bap- \ntizing: them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, \nand of the Holy Ghost. Mrdt. xxviii. 19. \n\n64* Q. When did he appoint the Lord\'s supper ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa28. The same night in which lie was betrayed, which \nwas just after the feast of the pass-over, and a few hours \nbefore his death. 1 Cor. xi. 23. \n\n65 Q. How did Christ appoint this ordinance to be \nperformed? \n\nJl. Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and \ngave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my \nbody, which is broken for yon : and he took the cup, and \ngave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of \nit, for this is my blood of the J\\"ew Testament which is \nshed for many for the remission of si?is ; then he said, \nThis do in remembrance of me; and afterward he sung \nan hymn. Matt. xxvi. 26. 1 Cor. xi. 24. \n\n66 Q. Do these ordinances of the Gospel come in \nthe room of any of the ceremonies of the Jewish law ? \n\nA. It has been generally supposed that baptism comes \nin the room of circumcision, and the Lord\'s supper in \nthe room of the pass-over : but the proof of this does not \nbelong to this place. \n\n67 Q. How long is the ordinance of baptism to con- \ntinue ? \n\nA. Till the end of the world ; for our Saviour, upon \ngiving his apostles and ministers commission to teach \nand baptize, promises to be with them to the end of the \nworld. Matt, xxviii. 20. \n\n\n\n\' \n\n\n\n243 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 23. \n\n68 Q. How long is the ordinance of the supper to \n\ncontinue ? \n\nJ. He not only bid them do this in reraembrani \nhim, but St. Paul saith, Hereby ye shew forth ttw LonP* \ndeath till lie come : that is. till Christ come t<> judg \nworld. 1 < \n\n\n\nSect. VII. Remarkable. Occurrence* in the I \nChrist. \n\n6\xc2\xa7 Q. What other remarkable occurrences ai \ncorded in the life of Christ, besides those that ha\\- \nmentioned ? \n\nJl. These that follow, namely, \n\n1. When Jesus Christ healed the - \n\nturian at Capernaum, he only sent a message of h< \nby his master, without going near him himself, to \nthat he had power over diseases at a distance, and could \ncommand them to depart. Matt. viii. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n2. When he cast many devils out of the man of \nGadara, who lived among the tombs, the devils asked \nleave to enter into a herd of swine; and when \npermitted them, they drove the herd of swine do \nsteep place into the sea, and drowned them ; upon \n\nthe people desired Christ to depart out of their < \nMark v. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n3. When Jesus healed the man of the pal 33 \n\xe2\x96\xa0/.areth, his own city, he forgave his -ins, and then 1 ured \nhis distemper, as a proof of his power to forgive Bin. \nMatt. ix. 1\xe2\x80\x948. \n\n4. When the woman came to be cured <>f her bleed- \ning, with a strong belief of his power and mercy, ^he \nonly touched the hem of his garment, and Jesus pro- \nnounced that her faith had made her whole. Matt. IX. \n20\xe2\x80\x9422. \n\n5. He went through a corn-field with his disci] \' \nthe sabbath, and defended them in their plu< I \n\nof corn, and rubbing, and eating, from the accusation of \n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 249 \n\nthe Pharisees, who pretended this was a breach of the \nsabbath. Matt xii. 1\xe2\x80\x943. \n\n6. When the Jews demanded a sign of him, he re- \nfused to give them any but the sign of the prophet Jonah, \nthat as Jonah ivas three days and nights in the whale\'s \nbelly, so the Sou of man should be three clays and nights \nin the grave. Matt. xii. 38 \xe2\x80\x94 40. \n\n7. When he was told that his mother and his breth- \nren stood without, and wanted to speak with him, he \ntook occasion to say, that whosoever should do the will \nof his Father, were indeed his nearest relations, his \nbrother, his sister, and his mother. Matt. xii. 46\xe2\x80\x9450. \n\n8. Though he wrought many miracles in his life, jet \nhe wrought but few of them in his own country, because- \nthey despised him as the son of a carpenter, and would \nnot believe in him. Matt. xiii. 54 \xe2\x80\x94 58. \n\n9. When Jesus walked upon the water towards his \ndisciples in a storm, he called Peter out of the ship to \nwalk upon the water too, and reproved him for his fear- \nfulness and unbelief when he began to sink. Matt xiv. \n24\xe2\x80\x9432. \n\n10. Ke commended Peter for his confession of him \nas the Son of the living God, and promised to build his \nchurch upon this rock, this confession of Peter: but \npresently after he told his disciples of his sufferings and \ndeath, and reproved Peter severely for wishing that \nChrist might not suffer and die. Matt, xvk 16\xe2\x80\x9423. \n\n11. When tribute money was required of him at \nCapernaum, he sent Peter to catch a fish, and told him \nhe should find money in the mouth of it, which he did, \nand paid it to those that gathered the tax. Matt xvii. \n24\xe2\x80\x9427. \n\n12. When little children were brought to him that \nlie should touch them, his disciples rebuked those that \nbrought them : but Jesus took them in his arms and \nblessed them, and said. Of such is the kingdom of God. \nMark x. 13\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n13. When a rich young man inquired of him what he \nshould do to obtain eternal life ? he tried him by saying, \nkeep the commandments, or do this and live ; for the \n\n\n\nr:^- \n\n\n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi \n\nman that doth them shall live by them : U \n\nBut when the young man \\\\a> so confident <\xc2\xbbi his own \n\nrighteousness, ami so little sensible <>! his imperii \n\nas to reply, All these hope I kept from my youth : what \n\ndo I lack more/ Our Lord then put him to a further \n\ntrial, bid him sell what estate he had, give to the p"<>r, \n\nand follow him as one of his disciples. At tl \n\nyoung man went away 6orrowful t because he had \n\npossessions: whence Jesus took occ;i- \n\nhara for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. \n\nJIatt.x\'ix. 16\xe2\x80\x9424. \n\n1-4. When James and John desired to be made chief \nin his kingdom, and to sit on his right hand and on hi- hit, \nJesus took occasion to suppress ambition amongst all his \ndisciples, and said, Whoever will be chief t \nlet him be your servant : as the Son of mail came not to \nbe served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for \nmany. Matt. xx. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n15. As he was travelling from Galilee to Jems \nSamaria lay in his way, and when the Samaritans would \nnot receive him, some of his disciples would have called \nfor fire from heaven upon them, as ElitU did : bin \nverely reproved them, saying, they knew not who\' \n\nner of spirit they were of; for the Son of man came \nto save men\'s lives, and not to destroy them. Luke i\\. \n51\xe2\x80\x9456. \n\n16. When our Saviour was entertained at Bethany, \nhe gently reproved Martha for being too much cumber. d \nwith care to entertain and feast him, and commended \nher sister Mary, who sat at Jesus\'s feet, and heard his \nwords: Mary hath chosen that good part which shad \nnot be taken away from her. . -4 t \n\n17. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the di i \nwent to the grave in company with Martha and \nliis two sisters, and several Jews: he bid them take \nthe stone from the mouth of the cave and prayed \nFather, and then commanded Lazarusto come forth, who \nhad been dead four days; and Lazarus obeyed hit \ncame forth. John \\\\. \n\n18. The Jews us:ed to travel on ("\xc2\xbb>t from pi \n\n\n\nSect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 251 \n\nplace, vet when he went up to the last feast at Jerusalem, \nhe rode into the city upon the colt of an ass, that the \nprophecy of Zechariah might be fulfilled, Zech. ix. 10, \nand a great multitude attended him as in triumph, crying, \nHosannah to the. Son of David ; so that the children \nlearned the song, and repeated it v in the temple. Matt \nxxi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n19. When he found in the temple those that sold \noxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, \nhe made a scourge of small cords, and drove them all \nout of the temple, and overthrew the tables, with the \nmoney on them : and said, It is written, my house shall \nbe called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den \nof thieves, and he went out of the city, and lodged that \nnight at Bethany. Matt xxi. 12, 13, 17. \n\n20. When he returned from Bethany the next morn- \ning, he cursed a fig-tree that had only leaves and no fruit \non it, to shew the doom of fruitless professors of religion ; \nand presently the fig-tree withered away. This is said \nto be the only miracle of destruction that Jesus wrought, \nfor all the rest were miracles of goodness. Matt \n\n- xxi. 17\xe2\x80\x9420. \n\n\n\nConclusion of this Chapter. \n\n70 Q. After we have heard this brief account of the \ntransactions of the life of Christ, tell me what was the \nsuni of that religion which Christ taught during his life ? \n\nA. It consisted chiefly in these few articles : \n\n1. He confirmed the doctrine of the one true God, \nand the revelation of his mind and will to men by Moses \nand the prophets. \n\n2 He explained the moral law, and enforced the ob- \nservance of it forever; and summed it up in short in two \ngreat commandments, namely, Love God with all your \nheart, and-love your neighbour as yourself. \n\n3. He continued the observance of the ceremonial \nlaw for the present, that is, wheresoever it did not inter- \nfere with the duties of the moral law ; but where it did \n\n\n\n252 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 21 \n\ninterfere, he taught that the moral law was always t\xc2\xab> 1>\xc2\xab \npreferred. \n\n4. He required repentance for sin, and faith in him- \nself, as the great Prophet who came to reveal the \n\nof God to man, both for the pardon of his sin, and eternal \nlife. \n\n5. He appointed the profession of hi> religion to be \nmade by baptism, to denote the washing away oiou \n\nand our being renewed to holiness by the Spirit of God* \n\n6. Just before his sufferings and death, he appointed \nthe feast of the Lord\'s supper, as a constant memorial of \nhis dying for the sins of men, and our partaking of tin- \nbenefits thereof. Matt. xxvi. IT \xe2\x80\x94 31. 1 Cor. x. 1G, 17. \n\nJVo/e. This dispensation during the life of Chri \n4lium between the Jewish and Christian dif \n\n\n\nCHAP. XXIV. \n\nOf the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension \nof Christ. \n\n\n\nSect. I. Of his Sufferings, Death, and Burial. \n\n1 Q. When Jesus had instituted his holy supper, \nwhere did he go ? \n\nJ. He knew that the hour of his suffering i \nhand, and he went with his disciples into a neighbouring \ngarden in Gethsemane, where he sustained ereal and \ngrievous agonies and sorrows in his soul. Mutt* \nxxvi. 38, 59. \n\n2 Q. How did it appear that his anguish wi \ngreat r \n\nJi. It is written of him, that he began tit be Sore amax- \ned and very heavy, or overburdened. He told his dtaci- \nples that his sou! u as exceeding sorrowful, even \ndeath ; and under this agony or sharp couth- I \n\n\n\n1<J \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 2#3 \n\nwas like great drops of blood falling down to the ground, \nMmrk xiv. 33, 34. Luke xxii. 44. \n3 q. What was the cause of these sorrows and ago- \n\nJk. They could not arise merely from the tears ot \ndeath, or being nailed to a cross ; for then he would not \nhave been a fit example of courage and patience to his \ndisciples and followers, some of whom have suffered the \nsame death of the cross, without such overwhelming ter- \nrors and fears as Christ discovered. It has been general- \nly supposed therefore, and with very good reason, that \nthese agonies of his soul arose from a sense of the anger \nof God for the sins of men, some way manifested to him : \njerhaps also increased by the temptations of evil angels, \n_"6r it pleased God to briiise him, and make his soul an \noffering for sin. Luke xxii. 53. Isa. liii. 6, 10. And \nit is evident the powers of darkness were let loose upon \nhim. Luke xxii. 53. John xiv. 30. \n\n4 Q. What did Jesus do in these agonies ? \n\nA. He prayed three times earnestly, that, if possible, \nthis hour might pass from him; his innocent human \nnature being afraid of such sharp and smarting sorrows; \nyet he submitted himself to the wisdom and will of his \nFather, K Mark xiv. 35, 36. \n\n5 Q. What assistance had he to support him under \nthis agony ? \n\nA. There appeared an angel from heaven, encourag- \ning and strengthening him. ver. 43. \n\n6 Q. Where were his disciples at this time ? \n\nA. He had withdrawn to a little distance from the \nrest of his disciples ; but Peter, James, and John, were \nnearest to him, Mark xiv. 32, 33 ; yet they could not \nhelp him ; and indeed they fell asleep part of the time. \nver. 37. \n\n7 ^. Was Judas the traitor with the rest of the \ndisciples in the garden ? \n\nJi. Judas had privately departed from them just af- \nter the pass-over, and having agreed with the chief priests \n-and elders for thirty pieces of silver to betray him into \nthe hands of their officers, he was now at hand with a \n23 \n\n\n\nSf4 SCRIPTURE BISTORT. Chi \n\nband of men, with weapons and tor mplish \n\nhis design, and betray his Master. Markjii.43. Matt. \nx X v i. 14\xe2\x80\x941 6. \n\n8 ((. How came the rulers of the Jewa to be M much \n-offended with Christ asto seek to destroy him. \nJ. For several reasons, namely, \n\n1. Because he being a poor man in Israel, and the \nsupposed son of a carpenter, owned himself to be the \nMessiah, whom they expected to be an earthly king, and \nio deliver them from subjection to the Romans. \n\n2. Because in his sermons, and in his whole condoi t. \nhe endeavoured to reform those corruptions winch th\xc2\xab- \npriests and teachers, and rulers of the Jews, had brought \ninto their religion. \n\n3. He had foretold the anger of God against them \nand their nation, in some of his parable* pretty plainly. \nfor their great sins, and for their rejection of hi* mini- \ntry. \n\n4. They envied him, because many of the people fol- \nlowed him. \n\n9 Q. How did Judas give notice to the officers which \nwas Jesus ? \n\nJ. He gave them a sign that he would ki^s him ; and \n.accordingly, when he came to him, he said, Bail Mat \npud kissed him. Matt, xxvi. 48, 49. \n\n10 Q. Was there any resistance made for the relief \nof Christ ? \n\nJ. Simon Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, th< \npriest\'s servant ; but Jesus hid him nut up his sword, \nand healed the man\'s ear with a touch. L J \n51. John xviii. 10. \n\n11 Q. Did Christ shew any further in- \ndivine power on this occasion? \n\nJ\\. When they asked for Jesus, he answered / am he ; \nand they went backward, and fell to the ground. John \nxviii. 5, 6. \n\n12 q. Did they yet after this, persist to lay hand \n\xe2\x80\xa2niii ; \n\n.J. Yes ; they took him and carried him away to I \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. %o$ \n\nphas the high priest\'s house, where the scribes and elders \nwere assembled. Matt. xxvi. 57. \n\n13 Q. What became of his disciples ? \n\nJ. They all forsook him and fled, as Christ foretold \nthem they would do. Matt. xxvi. 31, 56. \n\n14 I. What did Peter do, who particularly boasted \nof his love and courage ? \n\nJL Peter followed him afar oft*, into the high priest\'s \nhall, but there for fear of suffering, he shamefully denied \nhis Lord and Master thrice, and that with swearing and \ncursing. Mark xiv. 70 \xe2\x80\x94 7% \n\n1 5 Q How was Peter brought to conviction and re- \npentance for this sin ? \n\nA. When Jesus heard Peter a little before boasting \nof his zeal and courage, he foretold him, that he should \ndeny him thrice before the cock crowed twice; and \nwhen Peter heard the cock crow, Jesus, standing now \nbefore the high priest, turned and looked upon him ; and \nhis heart melted within him ; and he went out and wept \nbitterly. Mark xiv. 2. Luke xxii. 61, 62. \n\n1 6 ^. What accusation did they bring against Christ ? \nJl. Several false witnesses accused him about words \n\nthat he spake ; but they agreed not together, and there- \nfore they could not find sufficient cause to condemn him, \nthough they sought it earnestly. Mark xiv. 56. \n\n17 Q. How did they condemn him at last ? \n\nA. The high priest asked him t Art thou the Christ the \nSon of God? And Jesus said, I am; and ye shall sfee \nthe Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and \ncoming in the clouds of heaven. Whereupon they con- \ndemned him as worthy of death for blasphemy. Mark \nxiv. 61\xe2\x80\x9464. \n\n18 Q. Did they then put him to death immediately? \nA. The Jews being under the government of the \n\nRomans, had not the full power of life antl death in their \nown hands ; but they shewed their spite against him by \nmany indignities offered to him, and never left till they \nhad procured a sentence of death against him from the \nRoman governor. \n\n1 9 Q. What were these indignities ? \n\n\n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\n./. They suffered their officers to mock and insult \niiim, to smite and spit upon him, to blind I \nbullet him: then they bound him and delivered him to \nPontius Pilate the Roman governor. .V \nand st, 1. \n\n20 ({. What became of Judas the traitor, v. h< \nsaw the priests had conden \n\nJ. ][<\xe2\x96\xa0 repented of his treachery, and I \nthirty pieces of silver to the priests : lie wei \nhanged himself; and falling down, his body burst, and \nhis bowels fell out Matt, xxvii. l \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n21 ({. What did Pilate determine concen \n\nA. Pilate found him to be an innocent man, and thai \nthe priests and elders had accused him out of envy, and \ntherefore he would fain have released him. Mm \n9, 10, and Luke xxiii. A. \n\n28 ({. How did Pilate propose to when \n\nhe was charged as so gre 1 by their i \n\ntions ? \n\nA. It was the custom at the pass-over, to i \nprisoner, and he offered \' \nseason. Mark xv. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n23 Q. Did the Jews accept ol \n\nJl. No; they chose rather to have Rarabb \nwho was a robber and a murderer, and dert \nto be crucified, ver. 7, 11, 13. \n\n24 (J. Did Pilate yield to their demands? \nJ. Yes, at last \n\nhad scourged Jesu \n\neven against his own consciew \n\n25 q. How came Pil \nan innocent man ? \n\nJi. He did it | \n\ned Christ whotlid not d \nxv. 15. John xix. I \n\n26 <(. What furthei \niour? \n\nJ. They stripped him of I \non him a scarlet robe in mocke \n\n\n\nSect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 257 \n\nny himself to be the King of the Jews; they platted a \ncrown of thorns and put It on his head, with a reed in \nhis right hand ; they bowed the knee before him, and \nmocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! they \nsmote him with a reed, and spit upon him. Mark xv. \nIT\xe2\x80\x94 19. \n\n27 Q. How did the blessed Jesus carry it under all \nthese affronts ? \n\nA. Being reviled he reviled not again, but stood be- \nfore his accusers and his judges as an innocent lamb \nstands silent before the shearers; and made very few \nreplies to all their accusations, charges and inquiries. \nMark xiv. 61.\' Acts viii. 32. 1 Pet.il 23. \n\n28 Q. In what manner did they crucify him ? \n\nA. They put Ins own garments on him again, they \ncarried him to Calvary, the place of execution, and there \nthey nailed him on the cross ; where they also crucified \ntwo malefactors, one on his right hand, and the other on \nhis left. Mark xv. 20. Luke xxiii. S3, \n\n29 ({. Did our Saviour then make no resistance, nor \ngive a rebuke to their wicked cruelty ? \n\nJ. He only prayed for them, and said, Father for- \ngive them, for they know not what they do. Luke \nxxiii. 34. \n\n30 Q. What was the inscription set over his head ? \nA. This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, \n\nand it was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. John \nxix. 19. \n\n31 Q. What affronts did he suffer on the cross ? \n\nA. When the soldiers had cast lots for his garments,, \nthe rulers mocked him, many of the Jews reviled him, \nand so did one of the thieves, that was crucified with \nhim. Luke xxiii. 34- \xe2\x80\x94 39. \n\n32 Q. How did the other thief carry it towards \nhim ? \n\nA. He rebuked his fellow, acknowledged his own, \nguilt, and the innocence of Christ ; he prayed that Jesus \nwould remember him when he came into his kingdom, \nLuke xxiii. 40 \xe2\x80\x94 42, \n23* \n\n\n\n25$ SCRIPTURK HISTORY. \n\n\n\nnap. \n\n\n\n33 Q. What answer did Christ make to bii \n\nand prayer? \n\nA. Jesus said, Ferity, to-day shaft thou In- irith mt \nin paradise n r. 43. \n\n34 ^. What respect did Jesus pay to his \xe2\x80\xa2 \nMary, when he .-aw her near the crosf \n\nA. lie commended hot- to the care <\xc2\xbbi" fohn, his be- \nloved disciple; and from that time John to \no*vn house. John xix. 26, 17. \n\n35 Q. What were some of the la \non the cross ? \n\nJi. He cried out, My God, my God, why hati \nforsaken me? And a little alter he said, Itisfi\\ \nthen he cried with a loud voice, Father, into thy I \ncommend my Spirit, and died i \n34. Luke xxiii. 46. John xix. \n\n36 Q. What remarkable occurrences attend* \ndeath of Christ r \n\nA. 1. At the sixth hour there was \nwhole land till the ninth; that is, from noon till \no\'clock in the afternoon. Mark xv. SS. \n\n2. The vail of the temple, which divide \n\nplace from the holy of holies, was rent from the top to \nthe bottom. \n\n3. There was an earthquake, the \n\ngraves were then opened, and many of the pioua \narose after his resurrection, and a] ; \npersons in Jerusalem. Matt, xxvii. 5 I \n\n4. The centurion who guarded \nChrist, seeing these things, was constrain* \nSurely this man was the aon \n\n57 Q. What was done to the body of h - \ndeath ? \n\n*/?. When they broke the legs of the thieves whf \nwere crucified, that they might i\\\\c rod be \n\ntaken down from the cross before the \nnot the legs of Jesu>, because he \\ : but \n\n.a soldier pierced his side with a spear, and \nblood and water. John xix. SI- \n\n38 Q. How was Jesus buried ? \n\n\n\nSect % SCRIPTCRE HISTORY. 259 \n\nJl. Joseph of Ariftiathea, a rich man, went to Pilate, \nbegged the body of Jesus, wrapped it in clean linen, \nwith spices, laid it in his own new tomb, and rolled a \ngreat stone to the door of the sepulchre. Mark xv. \n43 \xe2\x80\x94 46. Luke xxiii. 56. John xix. 40. \n\n39 Q. What was done by the enemies of Christ to \nsecure him from rising again ? \n\nA. The Jews desired Pilate to set a guard of soldiers \nabout the sepulchre ; and, that they might know if the \ntomb had been opened, they sealed the stone that was \nrolled to the door of it. Matt. x.v. Li. 62\xe2\x80\x9466. \n\n\n\nSect. II. Of the Resurrection and Appearances of \nChrist. \n\n40 Q. How did Jesus arise from the dead ? \n\nJl. Early on the first day of the week there was a \ngreat earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone from \nthe door and sat upon it, his countenance was like light- \nning, and his raiment white as snow; the keepers \nshook for fear, and Jesus rose and departed. Matt. \nxxvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n41 Q. What was the first notice the apostles of \nChrist had of his resurrection ? \n\nJi. Early in the morning after the sabbath, some \ngood women came to bring spices and ointments, to \nanoint the body, and they found the stone rolled away \nfrom the sepulchre ; and an angel told them Jesus was \nrisen; and bid them go tell his disciples. Mark svi. \n1\xe2\x80\x948. \n\n42 <?. Which of the apostles came to the sepulchre \nto examine this matter ? \n\nA. Peter and John both went to the sepulchre, and \nfound the linen clothes and the napkin, in which the \nbody was wrapped, and were convinced that Jesus was \nrisen. John xx. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n43 Q. What story did the Jews tell concerning the \nresurrection of Christ ? \n\n\n\n200 Scripture history. \n\nA. Whet the guards told the < hief pries \ndone, flu 1 priests and elders bribed them lai \nthat while they fell asleep, his <li\xc2\xbb< iples \xc2\xbb ai \nand stole him away. .Watt. xxviiL 1 1 \xe2\x80\x94 IS. \n\n44 Q. How then < 1 1 * 1 the soldiers come i \ngovernor ? \n\nA. The priests persuaded the g \nthem for sleeping, per. 1-4. \n\n45 Q. To whom did Jesus appear after his n \nrection r \n\nA. First to Mary Magdalen : afterwards to \neiples going to Emraaus : then to the apostles iss \nwithout Thomas; and all this on the day of his \nrection: afterwards he appeared t<> \nThomas was with them ; again at the - \nseven of his disciples; then to eleven of his disci] \na mountain in Galilee; then near Jerusalem ww \nascended to heaven. \n\n46 Q. How long did he continue on earth aft \nresurrection r \n\nJi. He continued forty da \nfurther instructions in the great tin. ; \nwhich they were not prepared to i \ndeath. Acts i. 3. John x \\ i . 1 :. \n\n47 Q. How did lie appear to Mary Magdalen r \n\nJl. When she found not Jesus in the tomb, Bhe tin ti- \ned away from the sepulchre, and - \nknew bun not till he called her by her name. \n14, 16. \n\n48 q. What did he say to her r \n\nJ3. Touch me not a< present, but i r < ( to m \nand tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, \nto my God and your Hod. per. IT. \n\n49 ({. How \\lid he appear t<> his two dis< \nto Emmaus? \n\nJ. He joined himself to them as they \\\\t i \nhe reproved them I i their uiibelii I \': he proved to them \nout of the prophets thai the Messiah was to - \nand to enter into glory j he went into the ho \n\n\n\nSect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 261 \n\nwith, them ; and when they began to know him, he van- \nished out of their sight. Luke xxiv. 13 \xe2\x80\x94 31. \n\n50 Q. How did he reveal himself to the apostl^ \nwhen Thomas was absent, the same evening ? \n\nJl. When the doors were shut fur feat* of the Jews, \nJesus came and stood in the midst of them; he blessed \nthem, and gave them a commission to preach the Gospel ; \nhe breathed on them, and bid them receive the Holy \nGhost. John xx. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n51 Q. How did he appear to them when Thomas \nwas with them ? \n\nA. A week after, Jesus stood in the midst of them \nagain, when the doors were shut, and bid Thomas see \nand feel the marks of the nails in his hands, and of \nthe spear in his side, and rebuked his unbelief. John \n\nxx. 24\xe2\x80\x94 sr. \n\n52 Q. Did Thomas confess him then? \n\nJ. Thomas with surprise and joy acknowledged him ; \nhe broke out into a rapture of zeal and worship, and said \nto him, J\\Iij Lord, and my God. ver. 28. \n\n53 Q. How did he shew himself to them at the Sea \nof Tiberias. \n\nJ. Some of.them went a fishing, and caught nothing \nall night: Jesus stood on the shore^in the morning, and \nbid them cast the net on the right side of the ship ; and \nthey tooLa multitude of fishes. John xxi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n54 Q. What remarkable occu rrence happened at \nthis mec \n\nA. When they knew it was the Lord, Peter cast \nhimself into the sea ; and when they were come to the \nshore, they eat some broiled fish, and Jesas eat with them. \nJohn xxi. T, 13. \n\n55 Q. How did Jesus reprove Peter for his want of \nlove to him, and denying his Master? \n\nd. He rebuked him in a very gentle manner of \nspeech, by asking Peter three times, whether he loved \nhim or no, and then he foretold that Peter should love \nhim so well as to suffer and die for his sake. ver. 15-19. \n* 56 <^. How did he anpear to them on the mountain \nin Galilee? \n\n\n\n262 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chq \n\nA. Jesus appointed them to meet htm there : he told \nthem that all power in heaven ami earth was given into \nhis hands; he gave them their commission tn preach the \nGospel to all nations; and promised \xe2\x80\xa2 with \n\nthem, and a power to work mira les, lor the vindication \nof their doctrine. Jlatt. wviii. 16 \xe2\x80\x94 \xc2\xa30. \n\n\n\nSect. III. Of his Ascension to Heaven, \n\n57 Q. How did he manifest himself to them near \nJerusalem r \n\nA. He met them, and led them out as \nMount Olivet, near Bethany ; he hid them to tarrj \nrusalem till the promised Spirit should fall upon I \nhe repeated their commission, appointed them to : \nnesses for him in the world; and having bleated them, \nhe ascended to heaven in a bright cloud. Luk- \n49\xe2\x80\x9451. Acts \\ 4\xe2\x80\x9411. \n\n58 ({. Did he not appear to five hundred bi- \nat once ? \n\nA. St. Paul asserts it, 1 Cor. xv. G, ami \nther the first nor the last time of his \xc2\xab\xe2\x80\xa2, but \n\nwhen it was is uncertain. *ict* i. 12. \n\n59 ((. What notice was there given from bev \nhis return again ? \n\nA. While they were gazing towards heaven, \nangels appeared, and assured then, that they shou \nhim retain in the same manm \ni. 10, 11. \n\n60 Q. Whither went the dis< \n\n./. They worshipped Christ when he \nheaven, and returned to Jerusalem wi \ning Ood. Luke x\\iv. 5 L 2, 53. \n\n\n\nChap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 263 \n\n\n\nCHAP. XXV. \n\nOf the Acts of the Apostles, chiefly Peter and John, and \nthe Deacons, Stephen and Philip. \n\n1 Q. What was the first remarkable thing the \napostles did toward their future ministry, after they re- \nturned to Jerusalem ? \n\nA. They chose two out of their company at Jerusa- \nlem, (which was one hundred and twenty) that one of \nthem might be an apostle and ivitness of the resurrec- \ntion of Christ, in the room of Judas the traitor. Acts \ni. 15\xe2\x80\x9422. \n\n2 Q. How did they determine which of those two \nshould be the man ? \n\nA. They called on the Lord by prayer, then cast lots,, \nand the lot fell upon Matthias, who was numbered with \nthe eleven apostles. Acts i. 24 \xe2\x80\x94 26. \n\n3 Q.- How long did they wait for the promised Spirit \nto fall on them ? \n\nA. On the day of pentecost, which was ten days after \nthe ascension of Christ, the Spirit of God was sent down \nupon them. Acts ii. 1, &c. \n\n4 Q. In what manner did the Spirit come upon them ? \nA. The house where they were met was filled with \n\nthe sound of a rushing wind, and cloven tongues of fire \nappeared as sitting on all their heads, ver. 2, 3. \n\n5 Q What was the first effect of the descent of the \nHoly Spirit upon them ? \n\nJ. They all spake with various tongues the wonder- \nful works of God, to the amazement of the Jews, and a \nmultitude of proselytes of all natioas that were then at \nJerusalem, ver. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n6 Q. Which of the apostles seemed to be the chief \nspeaker at that time,. and what was their doctrine ? \n\nA. Peter preaches to this multitude, bears witness to \nthe resurrection and exaltation of Christ, and the pour- \ning out of the Spirit of God on men ; partly from his \n\n\n\n264 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\nown knowledge, and from these present visible i \nthereof among diem, and partly from the prophecies and \npromises of Scripture ; he leads them i<\xc2\xbb Ul \nviowr and Lord, calls them to repentance of their sins, \nand a profession of their faith in Jesus, by being baptized \nin his name. ver. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 -41. \n\n7 Q. What success had thi< sermon ? \n\n\xe2\x80\xa29. Three thousand Bouls were added to the dil \nOf Christ, and baptized on that da v. ver. 11. \n\n8 Q. What was the temper oi spirit which w \nmirable in these primitive converts ? \n\nA. A spirit of devotion toward God and Christ, with \na spirit of benevolence and intimate friendship t\xc2\xabi\\\\ ird \neacli other; so far, that they were daily in tin- temple \npraising God ; they were most frequently, or rather < \xe2\x80\xa2*- \n[inually engaged in prayer, and in rememberii \ndeath of Christ, by breaking bread with joj \nso liberally distributed to the poor, that none \nwant. These were the glorious effects of Christianity \nin its first appearance, ver. 42 \xe2\x80\x94 A? . \n\n9 Q. How did the apostles effectually | \ndoctrine, and their commission to preach I \n\nJ\\. By doing many signs and wonders amoi _ \npeople, which were the gifts of t\'i,. \nfrom a risen Saviour, ver. S3 \xe2\x80\x94 43. \n\nJVo/e. This av.-l? the proper beginning \nChrist, or the Christian Dispj \nin tin m orld in il- -\' \nter tl" \nment of flu- world i.:. I \n\n10 Q. "What remarkable mi \nPeter and John at the ten \n\n\xc2\xbb\'i. A beggar that was born n r; \nuse of his lii \nthe nan \'< iii. l \xe2\x80\x94 !>. \n\n11 O. What use was mad* !eh \n\xc2\xb1Q. Peter I ion from i: (>\xe2\x80\xa2 preachQiis \n\ndoctrine, namely, the resurrtM \ntion in his name, citing tin\' an< \nit. Arty.nl \\:~ \n\n\n\nChap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 265 \n\n12 Q. What was the effect of this sermon ? \n\nA. Five thousand were converted by it to the faith \nof Christ ; but the priests and rulers put the apostles in \nprison. Acts iv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 4. \n\n13 Q. What defence did the apostles make when \nthey were brought the next day before the priests and \xe2\x96\xa0 \nrulers ? \n\nA. They took courage again, and preached to this \ncourt the doctrine of the Gospel of Christ; and silenced \ntheir enemies, by having the cripple that was healed \nstand among them. ver. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 14. \n\n14 Q. What became of them after this their de- \nfence ? \n\nA. They were dismissed, and charged to preach no \nmore in the name of Jesus ; but Peter and John declared \nthey would obey God rather than man. ver. 15 \xe2\x80\x94 20. \n\n15 ((. Whither went the apostles after their dis- \ncharge ? \n\nA. They went to their own company, and gave glory \nto God in prayer and praise ; and their whole assembly \nwas filled with the Holy Ghost, and boldly spake the \nword of Gorl. ver. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 31. \n\n16 ({. What remarkable instance of goodness and \ncompassion was practised by these first believers ? \n\nA. The souls of all of them were so united in love \nto Christ, and one another, that they sold their posses- \nsions and goods, and threw all into a common stock, \nwhich the apostles divided to every man according to his \nneed. Acts iii. 44, 45, and iv. 32 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n17 Q. Were they all faithful and honest in bringing \nthe price of their estates to the joint-stock ? \n\nA. There was one Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, \nwho sold a possession, and secretly withheld part of the \nmoney, though they declared they had paid it all in. \nActs v. 1, 2. \n\n18 Q. Did they meet with any punishment for this \ntheir hypocrisy and deceit ? \n\nA. Peter charged them with lying to the Iloh.i frhnst, \n-and struck them both dead with his word. ver. \' \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n19 /J. What effect had this upon the multitude ? \n\n24 \n\n\n\n266 SCRIPTIRR HISTORY. Chi] \n\nA. It discouraged others that were in the church \nfrom practising the like deceit, and frightened hjp \nfrom coming into the church merely in hopes ut a main- \ntenance, ver. 1 1 . \n\n20 Q. What other miracles were wrought by tin- \napostles ? \n\nA. Multitudes of Bick were healed, and those that \nwere possessed with devils were relieved, both in Jeru- \nsalem and the cities round about, ver, 15, 16. \n\n21 Q. Did the high priests and rulers let the ap \ngo on at this rate ? \n\nA. They again put them in prison, but the ai j \nthe Lord by night opened the prison doors, an< \nthem again to preach this Gospel, per. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n22 ({. When they were brought again befoi \nrulers, how did they behave themsen \n\nA. They charged the rulers with putting Chi \ndeath, and declared they were witnesses of his na- \ntion ; and that God liad exalted him to be a Fr\xc2\xbba \na Saviour, to give repentance and fa \nver. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 .32. \n\n23 Q. What effect had this speech upon \nand eiders ? \n\nA. At the advice of Gamaliel (who doubted w \nthe hand of God was not with the apostles) they dis- \nmissed them again ; but they beat them first, and \ncommanded them to preach Jes>us Christ no more \n84\xe2\x80\x9442. \n\n24 ({. When there were such multitude- of con \nhow could the apostle-* both preach the Gospel, and dis- \ntribute the money to the poor : \n\nA. The apdftti< \xe2\x80\xa2 \ntoo much for them, and therefore they bid the d.- \nchoose out m)\\qm men (who were afterwards called dea- \ncons) to take care of the poor, that the} might \nconstantly be engaged in preaching and prayer. \nvi. 1\xe2\x80\x945. \n\n25 (~l. How did the apostles separate I \nthe people chose to this office <>f a del \n\nA They prayed and laid their hand* v \n\n\n\nChap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 267 \n\n26 Q. Who were the most considerable of these \nseven men ? \n\nJl. Stephen and Philip, who were full of faith and \nzeal, and had great gifts communicated to them. \n\n27 Q. What is related concerning Stephen? \n\nA. He wrought wonders, and no doubt he preached \nthe word with power, till he was accused to the council \nfor blasphemy against God and Moses, ver. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n28 Q. How did Stephen defend himself? \n\n. 1. By a long rehearsal of their ancient histories, he \ncharged them and their fathers with resisting the Holy \nSpirit, with killing the prophets, and with breaking the \nlaw of God ; and upbraided them at last with the mur- \nder of Christ. Acts vii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 53. \n\n29 Q\xc2\xab What did they do with Stephen after so bold \na speech r \n\nA. When he told them further, that he saw the hea- \nvens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of \nGod ; they cried out against him as a blasphemer, with \na loud voice ; they cast him out of the city and stoned \nhim. ver. 54 \xe2\x80\x94 58. \n\n30 Q. How did Stephen behave at his death ? \n\nA. He, being the first martyr for Christ, gave a gloria \nous instance of his faith and love. \n\n31 Q. Wherein did his faith appear? \n\nA. At his death he prayed, and said, Lord Jesus re- \nceive my spirit, ver. 59. \n\n32 Q. How did he manifest his love ? \n\nA. He prayed for his enemies, and said, Lord, lay \nnot this sin to their charge, ver. 60. \n\n33 (\xc2\xa3. What is recorded concerning Philip the dea- \ncon ? \n\nA. He went down to Samaria, and preached Christ \namong them, and healed the sick, and cast out devils.. \nActs viii. 5, 6, f. \n\n34 Q. Did he make any converts there ? \n\nA. Yes ; many of the Samaritans believed in Christ \nand were baptized, and among the rest one Simon a \nsorcerer, was baptized, who is commonly called Simoil \nMa^us. ver. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n\n\n268 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi \n\n55 ({. Did these believers at Samaria receive \nHoly Spirit also? \n\nJ. Peter and Win, the apostles, came down on par- \npose from Jerusalem, and laid hand- on the \nreceived the Holy Spirit ver, 14\xe2\x80\x9417. \n\nJVo/e. This make > it evident, thai 1 I \nthe Samaritans, was aot th< \n\nfor had he b\xc2\xbb en tii\' apostle, there would ! \nPeter and John to come from Jerusalem t>> laj i \nthat beli \n\n3G Q How did Simon M;igns betray hi- own hvj>o- \ncrisy and falsehood? \n\nA. He offered them money that he might \nto communicate the Holy Gnost to others by layii \nhis hands, ver. 18, 19. \n\n37 Q. How was he reproved for this hi \nand folly ? \n\nJi. Peter said to him, Thy money perish rrith thee ! \nThou hast no part with us in this matter ; fur thy \nheart is not right in the sight of God. r . . \n\n38 Q. Whither was Philip sent next to preach? \n\xe2\x80\xa2ft. The angel of the Lord sent him to no \n\nofficer of the queen of Ethiopia upon the road, a- h< \nreturning from Jerusalem, where he had been to wo \nas a proselyte, rer. 26, 27. \n\n39 Q. How was he employed when Philip met him ? \nJi. He was sitting in his chariot, and readme the \n\nchapter of Isaiah, where it is v. i \nsheep to the slaughter, c\\,v. r. r. \n\n40 Q. In what mariner did Philip preach \nto him ? \n\nJi. Upon his inquiry, " who was th \nthe prophet spake:" Philip preached Je-us Chris \nSaviour to him. v i \n\n41 Q. What bu - ess ha I I of Philip ? \nJi. He professed hi- faith, that Jet Bon ol \n\nGod, and was baptized a- to anv wa- \n\nter, ver. 36\xe2\x80\x9438. \n\n42 ((. What became of Philip an. rwards : \nJi. The Spirit of the Lord caughl him \n\n\n\nChap. \xc2\xa3& SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \xc2\xa369 \n\ncarried him to Azotus ; whence he travelled to Cesarea, \nand preached to all the cities upon the road. ver. 39, 40. \n\n43 Q. What are the next remarkable actions of \nPeter r \n\nJi. He went down to Lydda, and cured Eneas, who \nhad kept his bed eight years with the palsy ; and he \nwent to Joppa, and raised Dorcas from the dead. Acts \nix. 35\xe2\x80\x9441. \n\n44 Q. . Who was this Dorcas ? \n\nA. She was a woman full of good works, and who \nmade garments for the poor. ver. 36 \xe2\x80\x94 39. \n\n45 Q. What was the eifect of these miracles ? \n\nA. Many at Lydda and Joppa believed and turned \nto the Lord. ver. 35 \xe2\x80\x94 42. \n\n46 Q. What message did Peter receive while he was \nat Joppa ? \n\nJi. Cornelius, a centurion that feared God, and pray- \ned to him daily, was ordered by an angel in a vision to \nsend to Joppa for Peter, that he might teach him the \nway of salvation. Jicts x. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n47 Q. Did Peter readily go upon this message, and \npreach to Cornelius who was one of the Gentiles? \n\nJi. Peter being a Jew, would have thought it unlaw- \nful to keep company with the Gentiles ; that is, to go \nand sojourn, and eat with them in a familiar manner, as \nthinking them unclean : but God forewarned him in a \nvision, just before the messengers came to him, that he \nshould freely go and preach to the Gentiles who sent for \nhim. ver. 19, 20, 28, 29. \n\n48 Q. What sort of vision was this whereby God \nforewarned Peter that the Gentiles should not be judged \nunclean any longer ? \n\nJi. While the messengers of Cornelius drew near \nthe city, Peter went upon the house-top to pray ; and \nthere was a great sheet appeared to be let down from \nheaven, with all manner of unclean beasts and birds, and \ncreeping things ; and a voice bid Peter kill and eat, nor \ncall those things unclean which God had cleansed, ver, \n9, 20. \n\n24*^ \n\n\n\n2ro SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ch,. ; \n\nAb/f. By this \\ [gion P( i. \ntwo things at once; namely, he was (aught lit< \npressly, that then- were do mon J< wriah distinct* i \n\nbe observed ; and he was taught, I \n\nGentiles should do longer be fount, d uncl< an, or until : \n\nfamiliarly to eat an<l converse with. \n\n49 Q. How did Peter be\xc2\xab;in hi- sermon to Cornelius \nand his friends ? \n\nA. Thus; Of a truth I perceive that Qod /> \nspecter of j)ersons ; but in evert/ nation, he that / \nGod, and worketh righteous), \nActs x. 34, 35. \n\n50 Q. What was the chief substance of hi- dis- \ncourse ? \n\nA. He preached the life, and death, ami n \nof Christ; and that he was ordained to be \nthe world : and that whosoever belie vet h in him - \nhave remission of sins, r \n\n51 Q. Had this sermon of Peter an\\ \nsuccess ? \n\nA. While Peter spake these words, the Holy \' \nfell on all those that were present : and they spak \ntongues, and were baptized in thr name <>f th< : \nver. 44 \xe2\x80\x94 48. \n\n52 ^. How did Peter defend him- \n\nand eating with the Gentiles, when the Jewish l>< ! \nreproved him for it r \n\nA. Peter related the whole Btory, both \nvision upon the house-top, and of the angel that wai \nto Cornelius, and the wonderful buc< \xe2\x80\xa2 mon ; \n\nupon which they held their peace, and glorified \nActs xi. 1\xe2\x80\x9418. \n\n53 Q. AVere the disciples of Christ free from | \ncution at this time r \n\nA. They hail been free from persecution for a con- \nsiderable time in Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, till \nHerod killed James the brother of John with the 11 \nand put Peter in prison. AcU i\\. 31, and xii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 -4. \n\n54 Q. How did Peter escape from his hands ? \nA. Prayer was made by the church without c\xc2\xab \n\n\n\nChap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 271 \n\nfor him ; and while he was sleeping between two sol- \ndiers, bound with two chains, and the sentinels kept the \nprison-door, at night a light shone in the prison, and the \nangel of the Lord awakened him, the chains fell from his \nhands, the gates opened of their own accord, and the \nangel brought .him into the street and departed. Acts \nxii. 5\xe2\x80\x9410. \n\n55 Q. Whither went Peter after his release from \nprison ? \n\nA. To the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, \nwhere the disciples were met together for prayer, and \nhe ordered them to acquaint the brethren of his miracu- \nlous deliverance, ver. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 17. \n\n56 ({. Mow did Herod shew his rage for his disap- \npointment ? \n\n*#, He commanded the keepers of the prison to be \nput to death, being exceedingly vexed that Peter had \nescaped his hands, ver. 19. \n\n57 ^. What remarkable judgment of God fell upon \nHerod ? \n\nA. Upon a special occasion, sitting on his throne, in \nhis royal robes, he made a speech to the people ; upon \nwhich they cried out, It is the voice of a god and not \nof a man ; and immediately the angel of the Lord smote \nhim, because he gave not God the glory, and he was \neaten of worms and died. ver. 21- \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n58 Q. What further account is there given of Peter \nin Scripture ? \n\nJi. He preached the Gospel to the world, he encour- \naged the receiving the Gentiles into the church without \ncircumcision, by his own example; he wrote letters to \nencourage the believers under persecution ; till at last \nhe was crucified, as Christ had foretold him. Jicts xv. \n7 \xe2\x80\x94 11. First and second epistle of Peter. Johnxxu \n18,19. 2 Pet A. 13\xe2\x80\x9415. \n\n59 Q. Is there any thing else recorded concerning \nthe apostle John ? \n\nA. He also preached the word, and wrote the his- \ntory of the life and death of Christ, which is called his \nGospel ; he wrote several epistles to the Christians ; he \n\n\n\n:;.: SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap \n\nwas banished to the isle of Patraos for the sake <>f \nChrist, where he wrote the book of the Revelation : in \n\nwhat order he wrote these things, does not appear from \n\nScripture. \n\n60 Q. You have informed u.-> what were ti \nand what was the religion thai the apostles \npies taught after Christ went to heaven ; In.\' \ncomes it to pass that among these doc trim \nfind them insisting more expressly <\xc2\xbbn that g \nof the Gospel, the redemption by Christ\'s death, and \nthe atonement made for sin by his suffering : \n\nJi. It is sufficiently evident that this docti u \nthe world by Peter and John, as well as by Paul, -in* e \nis frequent mention of it in their epistles, ;i- well a-* it \nshines every where through the epistles of St. Paul : \nnor can we suppose their preaching utterly forj \nneglected what their writings abound with, \n19, ch. ii. 24, ch. iii. 18, and iv. 1, 1 John I \nch. iii. 16, and v. 6, and therefore it i\xc2\xbb possible \nmight preach it sometimes at first, though u !>\xc2\xab\xe2\x80\xa2 w \npressly recorded in such short abstra< tsof their * \nas we find in the book of Acts. Or, if this doctrin \nnot published at first with frequency and freedom, there \nseems to be a very good reason for it, namely,!. \nneither the Jews nor Gentiles could well bear it bo \nfor it was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and fo \nIMS* to the Greeks. 1 Sor.i. 23. And they were i<\xc2\xbb be \nled bv degrees into a full acquaintance with the m j \nof the Gospel; even as Christ himself led his own dis- \nciples by slow degrees into the knowledge of tbii \notner things, at they were able to bear them. \nxvi vi. \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\n\n\nCKAP. XXVI, \n\nThe Acts of Paul the Apostle, his Travels and Suffer- \nings, his Life and Death. \n\n1 q. Who was Paul ? \n\nA. He was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born \nat Tarsus ; his name at first was Saul, he was brought \nup in the strict sect of the Pharisees, a man of good \nmorals, and exceeding zealous of the traditions of the \nfathers. Acts xxiii. 9, and xxi. S9. Phil, iii. 5, 6. Gal. \ni. 14. Acts vii. 58. \n\n2 Q. What was his behaviour towards the Christians \nwhile he continued a Pharisee ? \n\nA. He was a very great persecutor in his younger \nyears, he made havock of the church every where, send- \ning men and women to prison, and he encouraged those \nwho stoned Stephen. Acts viii. 1, 3, and vii. 58. \n\n3 Q. How came he to become a Christian ? \n\nA. As he was going to Damascus, with orders from \nthe high priest to bring all the Christians he could find \nthere bound to Jerusalem, he was struck, down on the \nroad, by a blaze of light from heaven. Acts ix. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 3. \n\n4 Q. Did he hear any voice at the same time ? \n\nA. A voice from heaven said to him, Saul, Saul, why \npersecutest thou me? I am Jesus, whom thou persecu- \ntest. ver. 4, 5. \n\n5 Q. "What effect had this upon Saul ? \n\nA. He trembled and cried out, Lord, what wilt thou \nhave me to do ? And the Lord bid him arise, and go to \nthe city of Damascus, and there he should be told his \nduty. ver. 6. \n\n6 Q. Did Saul obey this divine vision ? \n\nA. He rose from the earth, and found that he was \nstruck blind, and he was led by the hand into Damascus, \nwhere he was three days without sight and without food, \nand engaged much in prayer, ver. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 1 1 . \n\n7 Q. Who was sent to teach him his duty there ?\xe2\x96\xa0 \nA. Ananias, a disciple, was ordered by the Lord in \n\n\n\n274 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\na vision to u;o to him in the house where he lodged, and \n\nto restore hl8 eye >i<_ r ht, ivr. 11, 1 I, and to tell linn what \nhonour and duty God had appointed lor him, \n\n8 Q. Did Ananias u<> willingly mi this en \n\n*tf. He was at first afraid to go, because he had heard \nof his cruel persecution of the Christians; but the \nLord assured him that Saul would receive him hi \nbe had given Saul also a vision of oi \npare him lor his coming, ivr. 10, 8tC \n\n9 ({. How did Saul recover hi- sight r \n\nJl. Ananias laid his hands upon him, and he re< \nhis sight, and was tilled with the Holy Gho \nbaptized, ver. 17, 18. \n\n10 Q. Who appointed Saul a \n\nJl. The Lord Jesus ordered Ananias to tell him, that \nGod had chosen him to know his will, \nto be a witness tor Christ to the world. Acit wii. I \nAnd some time after that, Christ himself in anoi \nion sent him to preach to the heathen natioi - \n\nJVo/e here. In ^\\. Paul\'s rehearsal of (I \n*.4ctsxx\\\\. 16. fee. Christ hims< li i\xc2\xab \nhis first commission from heaven t \nyet it has been questioned whether the a] \nrehearsal join together all that Christ said t-> hill . \nfirst vision upon the road to Damas< \nJerusalem in the temple, when he \nthe Gentiles, Acts wii. 17. 18, 21, hut thi \nto be assumed hi \n\n11 ({. How did Saul employ himself after this \nderful appear.!- \n\nA. He was a lew days with the dis< :ipfc \xe2\x96\xa0- \neus, and he soon preached Chrisl in the syni g - \nhe is the Son of God, to the amazement of then \nheard him. wnr\xc2\xab 19- \n\n12 ({. How came he to learn and preach the <> \nso soon r \n\nJl. It is generally supposed \'hat \nGospel by Jesus Chrisl himself in the three daya \xc2\xab\xc2\xbbt" hi- \nblindness, for he declare- he learnt it not (\'rem \nQaLL l, 11\xe2\x80\x9416. \n\n\n\nChap. 26, SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 275 \n\nIS Q. Where did he preach the Gospel when he \nwent from Damascus? \n\nJ. In Arabia, and he returned again to Damascus, \nand did not go up to the apostles at Jerusalem till \nthree years after. Gal. i. 17, 18. \n\n14 ({. When he returned to Damascus, how did the \nJews bear with him ? \n\nA. They watched the gates night and day to slay \nhim ; but the disciples took him by night, and let him \ndown by the wall in a basket. Jicts ix. 23 \xe2\x80\x94 25, and 2 Cor. \nxi. 32, 33. \n\n15 Q. When he came to Jerusalem how was he re- \nceived by the disciples ? \n\nA. They were all afraid of him, because he had been \nso great a persecutor of the Christians but a very few \nyears before, ver. 26. \n\n16 Q. How were they persuaded to believe that he \nwas now a disciple of Christ ? \n\nA. Barnabas brought him to the apostles, and gave \nan account of Christ\'s calling him from heaven, and his \npreaching boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus, ver. \n26, 27. \n\n17 Q. W r ho was Barnabas ? \n\n*3. A Levite of Cyprus, whose name was Joses, who \nwas a zealous disciple of Christ and a preacher of the \nGospel, whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas, that is, \nthe son of consolation. Acts iv. 36. \n\n18 Q. Did Saul preach Christ at Jerusalem ? \n\nA. Yes, with great courage ; but the Grecians, (that \nis, the Hellenist or Grecian Jews) sought to slay nim, \nand then the brethren persuaded him to retire to his na- \ntive place, Tarsus in Cilicia. Jicts ix. 28 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n19 Q. What was that other vision which he had of \nChrist when he was at Jerusalem ? \n\nA. As he was praying in the temple he saw the Lord, \nwho assured him that the Jews would not receive his \nwitness concerning him, and bid him depart from Jeru- \nsalem, for that he would send him to the Gentiles. Jicts \nxxil 17\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\n\n\n27G SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cinq \n\nThough this account of 1 Christ in Um \n\n\'< mple ;it Jerusalem, seem! here immediate 1\\ to I \ncount of his conversion, Acts wii. 16, 17, yet some think he \nhad not this vision till Che second tiin< ol his comii \nlem. \n\n20 Q. "Whither was Barnabas sent by the aposl \n\nA. When they heard of the greal of the \n\nGospel in foreign countries, they sent him ;i- Ear i \ntioch in Syria to confirm the disciples. Acts \n\nJVb<< . This -.r\' at s Gospel at tl.i- tin \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\npartly among the Jews who resided in otlxr \xe2\x80\xa2 \npartly the Jewish pros< lyt< - of i! \xe2\x80\xa2 \nand sucJl as feared God. Acts \\. \n\n21 Q. Whither did Barnabas go when I \xe2\x80\xa2 \noch ? \n\nA. He went to Tarsus to seek Saul, and brought him \nto Antioch, where they spent a whoh \nthere the disciples were first called - \nxi. 25, 26, \n\n22 Q. What further commission had Barnabt - \nSaul to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles? \n\nA. The Holy Spirit appointed I \nteachers at Antioch to separate Bai Saul to \n\nfee work to which he had called them, that \nto the idolatrous Genti \nprayer, and laying on th \n\n23 q. Who was their assistant or attendant \njourney : \n\nA. \'John I \nxiii \xe2\x80\xa2">. CoL iv. 10. \n\n24 Q. What o] \xe2\x80\xa2, < sition did the] \nthey came to Paphos in Ctj n \n\n.\'.\'. V. hei \nsent for thei \nElymaa a h \n\nwithstood them, in order to prevent the [ \nbelieving, n r. <\xe2\x80\x94 - \n\n25 ((. Hot \n\n.7. Saul (who from this tiim \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 277 \n\nture) struck him blind with his word, upon which the \ngovernor believed in Christ, ver. 10-\xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\nJVote . From Paphos they -went to Pamphylia in Asia, and \nthere John Mark returned to Jerusalem, and left Paul and Bar- \nnabas, rer. 13. \n\n26 Q. Where were the next remarkable labours of \nPaul and Barnabas ? \n\nA. Paul preached in the synagogue of the Jews at \nAntioch in Pisidia, where he proved Jesus to be the \npromised Saviour, and published his death and resurrec- \ntion, and forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts \nxiii. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 41. \n\n27 Q. What effect had Paul\'s preaching upon the \ninhabitants of that city? \n\nA. Many of the Jews, filled with envy, contradicted \nthe words of Paul, and blasphemed Christ; upon which \nPaul declared, that since the Jews rejected the Gospel, \nthey would turn to the Gentiles, according to the com- \nmand of the Lord. ver-. 45 \xe2\x80\x94 47. \n\n28 Q. Did the Gentiles receive the Gospel there ? \nA. Many of them believed the word of the Lord, \n\nwhich seems to be the first very remarkable conversion \nof the idolatrous Gentiles: but the Jews prevailed so \nfar as to drive Paul and Barnabas out of their coasts, \nwho shook off the dust of their feet against them, ac- \ncording to the command of Christ, ver. 48 \xe2\x80\x94 51. Matt \nx. 14. \n\n29 ^. Whither did Barnabas and Paul travel next ? \n\nA. They went to Iconium, and preached the Gos- \npel with some success there, both among the Jews and \nGentiles ; till being in danger of stoning, they fled to \nLystra. Acts xiv. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n30 Q. What remarkable occurrence fell out at Lys~ \ntra? \xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nA. A man that was born a cripple, liearing Paul \npreach, was healed by Paul, and he leaped and walked. \nver. 8\xe2\x80\x9410. \n\n31 Q. How did this miracle affect the people ? \n\nA. They supposed Barnabas and Paul to be two of \n3.5 \n\n\n\nATu RIPTURE HISTORY. Chi \n\ntheir gods, namely, Jupiter and Mercury, wl \n\ndown in the likeness of men ; and Barnabas and Paul \n\nhad much ado to hinder the people from ofl \n\nfice to them. ver. I \xe2\x80\x94 I \n\n32 ({. Did the peoph 1 < ontinue in this mind r \n\nJi. They were so ehan\xc2\xab:yaljle, that by tin \nof certain wicked Jews, they quicklj stoned Paul, and \nleft him for dead. ver. 9. \n\nS3 ((. How did Paul escape thence? \n\nJi. When his enemies were ^mc, he rose up ami \nwent with Barnabas through many cities where tl,. \npreached the Gospel to confirm tie dis4 iples : and" then \nthey returned to Antioch in Syria, from whence \nhad been sent forth, and recommended to the ^i l \nGod. ver. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 27. \n\n34 Q. What new troubles arose while flu \nAntioch ? \n\nA. Some Jewish Christians coming from Judea, b \nthe brethren that they could not be saved, \nwere circumcised, and kept the law of M \nxv. 1. \n\n55 Q. How was this controversy determined \\ \n\nJi. Paul and Barnabas were sent t<\xc2\xbb Jerusalem to the \napostles and elders about this question. u< r. \n\nNote. It is probable thai .\'it this time Paul told \nand John, of the liberty of the GospeL, ojr \nJewish ceremonies, which he preached \' \nii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 9, and which he call? his Gospel, \napostle of the Gentiles. Gal. ii. 7\xe2\x80\x94 \'J, and 1 Tun. ii. 7. \n\n36 Q. How did the apostles and elders de< ide it . : \nJi. First, Peter declared that the Gentiles had \\< \ned the Gospel from his mouth, as well as t\' \nthere was now no difference between them, aim i \nhad declared his acceptance of them by -.living tl,- \nHoly Spirit, and that without circumcision. Secondly, \nJiarnabas and Paul rehearsed what wondrous - \nGod had given t<> their mini-try among the Gentile* \nwhat miracles were wrought among them : then \n.delivered his opinion, that since the Gentiles had I \n\xe2\x96\xa0ed the Gospel, as it was foretold by the prophets, they \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 279 \n\nshould not be burdened with circumcision and other Jew- \nish ceremonies : upon which, at last, the apostles and \nelders, and the whole church, sent a message to Antioch, \nand other countries, that the Gentile converts were not \nbound by the Jewish laws : vet, by the direction of the \nHoly Spirit, they required them at that time to abstain \nfront meats offered to idols, from eating blood, from \nthings strangled, and from fornication, ver. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\nS7 Q. Why were these few things so particularly \nforbid to the Gentile converts ? \n\nJJ. Some suppose these were the things always for- \nbidden to the Jewish proselytes of the gate. See JWe \non Q. 20. And that it would have given too much of- \nfence to the Jews, as well as to those proselytes, if the \napostles had not required the Gentile converts to observe \nthese rules, at least for the present season. \n\nJVote. Fornication was a thing always unlawful in itself, yet \nhere other things are joined with it which are not sinful in their \nown nature : because the eating of blood and things offered to \nidols were frequently attended with fornication and impurity, \namong the Gentiles at their idolatrous feasts ; and therefore this \nsin of fornication is expressly forbidden here, to put the Chris- \ntians always in mind of the unlawfulness of it ; and more par- \nticularly, because some professed Christians in that age pre- \ntended it to be lawful, such as the Gnostics, Nicolaitans, &c. \n\nAbstinence from things offered to idols seems to be but a \ntemporary command, for particular times and places ; since it is \npermitted in some cases by the apostle, namely, where it gives \nno offence. 1 Cor. x. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 31. And abstinence from blood, \nnot being in itself unlawful, seems to stand on the same foot : \nfor it is plain, that the reason given against eating blood is, be- \ncause it was devoted to God to make atonement for sin. Lev. \nxvii. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 14. And the blood of beasts slain for food was to be \npoured out on the ground, because the life, or most noble part \nof the creature, ivas contained in it ; and was devoted to God, \nas a sort of first-fruits, to sanctif} r the rest for the eater\'s use. \nBut now, the blood of Christ having made full atonement for \nem, and all sorts of food under the New Testament being sanc- \ntified to the eater by the word and prayer, 1 Tim. iv. 3 \xe2\x80\x94 5, \nblood has neither of these uses continued ; and is therefore one \nof those meats which may be eaten loith thanksgiving, though \nit was forbidden at first for a season, together with meats offered \nto idols, lest the Jews and proselytes should take offence. \n\n\n\n180 SCRIPTURK HISTORY. Chaj \n\n38 Q What were the next travels of Paul and \nnabas ? \n\nJl. They determined to vi>it their brethren in \ncity where they had preached the Gospel ; !>\'.\xe2\x80\xa2 \ncould not agree about taking John Mark foi \nant, because he had left them before in the middle ol \ntheir work, ver, S6 \xe2\x80\x94 38. \n\n39 ({. How was this contention ended t\xc2\xbb \nnabas and Paul ? \n\nJl. Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus ; \nchose Silas, (who had been sent with them from Ji \nlem to Antioch) and went through Syria and Cilicja, \nconfirming the churches, ver. 39 \xe2\x80\x94 4 1 . \n\n40 ({. Where did Paul meet with Timothy? \nA. He was a young disciple at Lystra, the son \n\nJewish woman, and Paul took him for their companion \nin the ministry; and they travelled through man. \nof that country which is now called the ! \nJicts xyi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 8. \xc2\xbb \n\nJs\'ote. Asia is a large country, one quarter \nThe Lesser Asia ia the same with N \ntween tlie Euxinc Sea and th\xc2\xbb Medio rn \nwhich the Scripture so frequentlj speaks <>( in tl \nto be but a small part of this Lesser Asia, including \nMysia, Caria and Lybia, which arc wash* d on ti \xe2\x80\xa2 \nMgeaa Sea ; and where the Ian. \nRev. i. 11. \n\n41 Q. Where was the next remarkable place of their \nministry ? \n\nJ. They were invitea to Macedonia by a ^ \nthey went to Philippi, a chief city of that i \npreached there with some success, ver, 9 \xe2\x80\x94 1 J. \n\nAo/e. Hire it i.< probable that Luke, who v \nof the .\'l/msilcs, became a conipanio \ntime he o\xc2\xabea the word \\\\ b in hit hist \n\n42 Q. What miracle was wroughl there? \n\n.#. They cast a devil out of a certain young woman, \nwho brought much gain to her masters by tore! \ntilings to come. ivr. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 18. \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 181 \n\n43 Q. How did her masters bear it when they saw \ntheir gains were gone ? \n\nJi. They brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, \nand charged them with teaching strange customs / \nwhereupon they were beaten and imprisoned, and their \nfeet made fast in the stocks, ver. 19 \xe2\x80\x94 24. \n\n44 Q. How were they released thence ? \n\nJi. At, midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang \npraises to God ; the prison was shaken with an earth- \nquake, the doors opened, their bands were loosed; upon \nwhich the gaoler awaking, was going to kill himself, \nsupposing the prisoners had been fled. ver. 25 \xe2\x80\x94 27. \n\n45 Q. How was this self-murder prevented ? \n\nA. Paul and Silas shewed themselves as his prison- \ners, preached the Gospel to him ; upon which he believed, \nand he and his house were baptized, ver. 28 \xe2\x80\x94 34. \n\n46 Q. But did the magistrates then dismiss them ? \nA. Yes ; they desired them to depart when they \n\nknew they were Romans, because they had beaten and \nimprisoned them uncondemned. ver. 35 \xe2\x80\x94 40. \n\n47 Q. What trials did they meet with at Thessa- \nlonica ? \n\nJi. Many Greeks and Jews were converted there % \nbut the unbelieving Jews "there rose up against them, and \nalmost in every city where they came ; and they went \nnext to Berea. Jets xvii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n48 Q. What was the wise and generous conduct of \ntheBereaus? \n\nA. They,,that is, the Jews of Berea, searched the- \nScriptures daily, to find whether Paul and Silas taught \nthe truth ; and by this practice many of them were led \nto believe in Christ, ver. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n49 Q. In what manner did Paul preach, when he \ncame to Athens ? \n\nJi. He disputed with the Jews in their synagogues, . \nwith the devout persons, and with the heathen philoso- - \nphers in the market place ; and on Mars Hill he took \noccasion to preach the true God to the people from an \naltar he found, inscribed, To the Unknown GocL ver \n16\xe2\x80\x94 SO. \n\n25* \n\n\n\n282 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Char \n\n50 Q. But did he not also preach Jesus Christ and \nthe Gospel r \n\nA. Yes; by preaching natural religion first, bi led \nthem by degrees to the dot trim\' of Christ, and assured \nthem that Jesus Christ was appointed to be the Judge of \nthe world, and that God had raised him from the \nas a sure token of it. ver. 30, 31. \n\n51 Q. What employment had Paul at Corinth ? \n\nA. He there met with Aquila, a believing Jew, with\' \nhis wife Priscilla, and wrought with him at I \nthey were both tent-makers ; but he preached in the \nJewish synagogue every sabbath. *lct$ win. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 A. \n\n52 Q. What effect had his preaching the \n\nJi. He continued there by orders received \nChrist in a vision a year and six month- : and \nJews and many Gentiles believed and were be] \nver. 5 \xe2\x80\x94 11. \n\n53 Q. What persecution did he meet with th\xc2\xab \nA. The Jews brought him before Gallio the d< \n\ngovernor, but he wisely refused t<\xc2\xbb take cog \nany of their controversies about religion, \ncould have, charged him with some wickedness or in- \njustice, ver. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\nNote 1. Though Paul found such great and rem ark able ac- \ncess in his ministry among; the Corinthians, yet \n\xe2\x80\xa2f some false brethren, and some ambitious pret< nders 1 \ntleship, there were such faction- and cent in this \n\nchurch that cost him much, sorrow of heart. \\nd this \ncreased by the irregular Ures and immoral \nhis converts there, which occasioned his i \nexcellent epistles to them. \n\nNote 2. It is thought most probable that Paul, wh \nfrom Corinth to Cenchrea, and Ephesus, I< ft Aquila at \ncilia at Ephesus, where they in fervent \n\npreacher, a disciple of John Baptist, in the Gospel of \xe2\x80\xa2 \nbut that Paul himself went to Jerusalem I \nturned to Ephesus ac |uila w> nt tl.< n \n\nhis great success at Ephesus \nnext chapter, namely, the rnli. \n\n54 Q. When Paul came to Ephesus what remarka- \nble occurrences did lie meet with there I \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 283 \n\nA. He found some persons who were baptized only \nunto John\'s baptism, and he preached Jesus Christ to \nthem, and they believed, and were baptized in the name \nof Christ ; and when Paul laid his hands on them, they \nreceived the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues. Acts \nxix. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 T. \n\n55 Q. How did he perform the rest of his ministry \nthere ? \n\nA. Three months he preached the Gospel in the \nJewish synagogue ; but when the Jews were hardened \nagainst him, "he taught the same Gospel in the school of \none Tyrannus for near two years, and healed many dis- \neases, and cast out evil spirits, ver. 8 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n56 Q. Was he not persecuted by the heathens in \nthis place ? \n\nA. When Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver \nshrines for the goddess Diana, (whose famous temple \nstood at Ephesus) found that the worship of the goddess \ndeclined through Paul\'s preacning, he stirred up the \nmen of his trade, and by them a multitude of people \nwere raised against Paul, so that he was in danger of \nhis life. ver. 24\xe2\x80\x9429. \n\n57 Q. How did he escape here ? \n\nA. The town clerk finding such a rude tumult, with \nsoft words composed and quieted them, and bid Deme- \ntrius go fairly to law, if any man had injured him. ver. \n29 \xe2\x80\x94 41. The uproar being thus composed, Paul took \nhis leave of the disciples, and after several short jour- \nnies and labours in the Gospel in those parts he came \nto Troas. Acts xx. 1\xe2\x80\x94 - 6. \n\n58 Q. Was there any thing of importance fell out \nin the seven days while Paul tarried at Troas ? \n\nA. Paul preached and broke bread on the first day \nof the week, and continuing his speech till midnight, a \nyoung man named Eutychus slept and fell down from? \nthe third story, and was taken up dead. Acts xx. 6 \xe2\x80\x94 9; \n\n59 Q. How was the young man recovered ? \n\nA. Paul fell on him and embraced him, and brought \nhim alive before them. ver. 10 \xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n60 Q. What exhortation did Paul give at Miletus h \n\n\n\n284 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi] \n\nA. He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the \nchurch ; made a most affectionate discourse to them : hid \nthem Take heed to themselves, and to the church oj \nwhich he had purchased I with his own blood; v. \nthem of grievous wolves that should enter int<\xc2\xbb the flock ; \nencouraged them to persevere in faith and holiness, and \nrecommended them to God and the word of hi* \nver. 17 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n61 Q. Whither did Paul travel next ? \n\nA. He hastened to Jerusalem by manyjourni< - \nvoyages, travelling through several Jt lie \n\nwas dissuaded from it by many disciple-; and \\\\ i \nticularly told by Agabus, a Christian prophet, thai he \nshould be bound at Jerusalem, and delivered into the \nhands of the Gentiles. Acts xx. 16, and xxi. J \xe2\x80\x94 15. \n\n62 Q. In what manner did Agabus delivei \nprophecy ? \n\nA. He bound his own hands and feet with I \' \ngirdle and said, Thus maith the Holy Spi\\ \nthe Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that \ngirdle. ver.W. \n\n63 Q. What was the noble speech and resolute \nPaul on this occasion ? \n\nA. When the brethren wept at the thoughts of his \nsufferings, he answered, What mean ye, to weep and to \nbreak my heart ? For 1 am ready not to be bound \nbut to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. \nActs xxi. 12,13. \n\n64 Q. What was the first thing he did wh< \ncame to Jerusalem. \n\nA. He went to James the apostle, and to \nand declared what God had wrought by his mil \namong the Gentiles. Acts xxi. IT \xe2\x80\x94 20, \n\nNote. Here he now published freelj I \xe2\x80\xa2 bnrch \n\nhis success among idolaters, which 1m- had communicati \nbefore privately, ami to a f< w. G*L ii. S. \n\n65 q. What advice did the. elders at Jerusalem \n\nhim I \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 285 \n\nJl. They advised him to shave and purify himself \nby an offering, after the manner of the Jews, who had \nthe vow of the T^azarite upon them, Numb. vi. that he \nmi^ht not be suspected of disobeying the Jewish law, \neither by the believing or unbelieving Jews, who were \nall zealous for it. ver. 20 \xe2\x80\x94 25. \n\nNote. This compliance of St. Pa\\il being recommended to \nhim by one apostle, namely, James, and by the erders at Jeru- \nsalem, Acts xxi. 18, 20, &c. and being put in practice by him- \nself, who was, perhaps, the chief of the apostles, we cannot \nreasonably suppose it sinful or blame-worth^, especially since \nthe Scripture passes no censure on it : and yet must we not \nsay the religious ceremonies of the Jews, and particularly all \nthe sin-offerings, (such as this was, Numb. vi. 14,) were abol- \nished by the great sacrifice of Christ, and the introduction of \nChristianity by the Holy Ghost at pentecost ? \xe2\x80\x94 In order there- \nfore to vindicate this practice of St. Paul, we may consider the \nJewish ceremonies under a twofold aspect*, 1. As they were* \npart of their national laws, under God as their King ; and, 2. \nAs part of their religious worship paid to him as their God. \nNow the Jewish state being not yet destroyed, may we not sup- \npose that St. Paul might comply with these practices as a part \nof the national Jewish laws, rather than as a religious worship? \nfor he every where declared the Gentiles to be free from them. \n\nOr, if we consider these ceremonies only in their religious \ndesign, may Ave not suppose, that from the death of Christ, \nwhich was the substantial sacrifice, these shadows so far van- \nished, that they ceased to be necessary, but were left, for a \nseason, as indifferent things to the Jews, which, as the apostle \nexpresses, Heb. viii. 13, were decaying, and wasting old and \nready to vanish away ? May we not suppose the divine indul- \ngence of them for a season," because of the weakness of man- \nkind, who cannot easily bear a universal change of their an- \ncient customs all at once ? And for this reason, lest the Jews \nshould take too great offence, St. Paul took Timothy and cir- \ncumcised him, in order to make him a preacher, since his \nmother was a Jewess, Acts xvi. 1, 3, this being a lawful thing \nto him, though not necessary. At the same time he would \nnot have Titus circumcised, because he was a Gentile \nwho had had nothing to do with the Jewish law. Gal. ii. 3, \nAnd the same apostle being a Jew, for the same reason might \ncomply with the Jewish rites of shaving his head, and sacrificing, \nas things left indifferent to the Jews for a season, bv the will of \nGod, in compliance with the weakness of man. \n\n\n\n286 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI, \n\n66 Q. Did th$e pie< e of compliance secure Paul \nfrom the pers wa ? \n\nJi. The unbelieving Jews had -iic-h a rooted I \nagainst him lor his zeal and success in preaching up \nChristianity, that thev seized him under pretence ul hit \nhaving brought Greeks ii \n\nnot true : and they were ready to ten- him to pie< \nthe chief captain rescued him, and gave him leave to \ngive an account ol himself to the multitude, vi r, 87 \xe2\x80\x94 10. \n\n67 Q. What defence itid Paul then mak. } \n> A. Ho g ve them the I istory .\xc2\xbb! \n\nbirth, and brought up at the feet \xe2\x80\xa2..(\' Gamaliel, in J< \nlem ; of his former zeal against Christ, his being it \ndown to the ground on the road, and called to from hea- \nven by Jesus Christ; and also of his vision ol I \nin the temple, sending him to preach the Gospel to the \nGentil es. .J<> is >: >: i i . 1 \xe2\x96\xa0 \xe2\x80\x94 ^2 1 . \n\n68 Q. How did the Jews bear this speech ? \n\nA. When he spake of beinjr sent to the Gentil, - \nlifted up their voices and said, Awau with such a fellow \nfrom the earth, for it is not ft he should lid . r r. \n\n69 Q. How was he secured from their r. . \n\nA. The chief captain again seized him, and bn \nhim into the castle, and the next day ho ordered t\'i \npriests and the council to appear, that Paul might \nan account of himself to them. ver. v 24 \xe2\x80\x94 30. \n\n70 Q. How did Paul plead his own cause hei \nfore the council ? \n\nA. He found one part was Sadducces, who denied \nthe resurrection, and the other part Pharisees, who be- \nlieved it; and therefore he artfully, and vet truh de- \nclared, Jt is for the hope of the resurrection oft!: \n1 am called in question : for indeed the resurrection <\xc2\xbbt \nChrist from the dead, and our resurrection by him, wen \nsome of the greatest articles of the Christian, faith, and \nthat which Paul preached, .lets \\wiii. 6, 7. \n\n71 Q. What effect had this upon the council? \n\nA. They fell into contention among themselves, and \ndie Pharisees said, they found no evil in him : ami \nthe chief captain secured him in th\xc2\xbb\' \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \xc2\xa387 \n\n72 Q. What particular encouragement had Paul \nfrom heaven under these sufferings ? \n\n& It was this night that the Lord Jesus appeared to \nhim and said, Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast \ntestified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness \nalso at Home. Acts xxiii. 11. \n\n73 Q. What was the next danger he was exposed \nto? \n\nA. More than forty Jews had bound themselves un- \nder a great curse, not to eat till they had killed Paul ; \nand therefore they persuaded the v chief priests and elders \nto desire that he might once again be brought before them. - \nver. 12 \xe2\x80\x94 15 \n\n74 Q. By what means did the providence of God \nsecure Paul from this conspiracy ? \n\nA. Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, having private \nnotice of this conspiracy from Paul\'s nephew, sent him \nto Cesarea, to Felix the governor of Judea, by night, \nwith a guard of almost five hundred men. ver, 16 \xe2\x80\x94 35. \n\n75 Q. What was the next step taken by the high \npriests and elders to condemn Paul, and how did Paul \ndefend himself? \n\nA. They went down to Cesarea, and laid their accu- \nsation before Felix: but Paul defended himself by de- \nclaring, he believed the law and the prophets ; nor was \nhe guilty of profaning the temple, or raising a tumult, \nnor of anv tiling of which they accused him. Acts xxiv. \n1\xe2\x80\x9421. \n\n76 (?. What did Felix determine concerning him ? \nA. Felix only kept him as a prisoner ; for he saw no \n\nreason to condemn him ; and often discoursed with him, \nhoping that Paul or his friends would give him a good \nbribe for a release, ver. 22 \xe2\x80\x94 28. \n\n77 Q. Had Paul\'s discourses any good effect upon \n\n.A. Once, as he spoke concerning faith in Christ and \nreasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment \nto come, \xc2\xa5elix trembled, and bid Paul retire till he had \na more convenient season to hear him further, ver. 24 s \n25. But he kept him prisoner still to please the Jews. \nver. 27. \n\n\n\n238 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj \n\n78 Q. Did the high priests and elders entirely drop \ntheir accusations against Paul r \n\nJ. Two years alter this, Festus was made governor \nin the room of Felix, and the Jews went to < \nlaid grievous complaints against him. Acts xxn \nand xxv. 2. \n\n79 Q. How did Paul come off before r\xc2\xab - \n\nA. He utterly denied the charge of the Jews: and \nwhen Festus would have had him go up to Jerusalem to \nbe judged of these matters, as the Jew> desired, in hopes \nto kill him by the way; Paul told Festus, that he \nvery well he had done the Jews no wrong, that no man \nought to deliyer him up to the hands of the Jej \ntherefore he appealed to Cwsar, uer. 9 \xe2\x80\x94 IS. \n\n80 ({. What occasion had Paul then to )\xc2\xbbh \ncause a^ain before Agrippa, who was the king <\xe2\x96\xa0 \n\nilee ? \n\nJ. Agrippa, with his sister Berime, came to m \nvisit to Festus ; upon which Festus, among other i \nsation, informed him that he was going to send Paul the \nprisoner to Ctfsar upon his appeal, ami he woul. \nsend to Ctesar a more particular account ol \nupon which Agrippa desired to hear Paul himselfi \n13 cyj \n\nSiq. What was the substance of Paul\'s \n\nJ iPP Paul knew that Agrippa was acquainted with \nthe \'laws and customs of the Jews, ami therefore he \nrelated before him in brief the l.Uon \xc2\xbbM.i* v\xc2\xab. \nlife as a Pharisee ; his hatred of the I hnsti \nine called by Jesus Christ In.m heaven, when he w \nthe road to Damascus; and his preaching the res \ntion of Christ and his Gospel ever since; which he \nmaintained to be all agreeable to Moses and the pro- \nphets. Acts xxvi. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 2S. \n\n82 Q. What influence had this Bpeech upon \n\nV *A. Paul addressed king Agrippa in bo \nmanner, that Agrippa declared thai he wu aim \nsuaded to be a t&stian ; and that Paul bad doi \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE IIISTOTIY. 289 \n\nthing worthy of death, or of bonds ; and that he might \nhave" been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Csesar. \nver. 26 \xe2\x80\x94 32. \n\n83 q. How was Paul sent to Csesar at Home ? \n\nJi. He was sent thither by sea, with several other \nprisoners, and soldiers to guard them : they had a voy- \nage of the utmost danger, through storms and dark \nweather, which Paul foresaw, and warned the sailors of \nit. They were at last shipwrecked, but all escaped safe \nto land as Paul had assured them by a vision of an an- \ngel. The name of the island was called Melita, now \nMalta. Acts xxvii. \n\n84 Q. Was there any remarkable occurrence fell \nout tli ere ? \n\nA. The rain and the cold made them kindle a fire, \nand there came a viper from among the sticks and fast- \nened on Paul\'s hand ; but he shook it off, and felt no \nharm. Acts xxviii. 1 \xe2\x80\x94 5. \n\n85 Q. What did the barbarous people of the island \nthink of this when they saw it ? \n\nA. They thought at first this man was a murderer, \nand vengeance pursued him at land, though he had es- \ncaped the sea : but when they saw him shake off the \nviper and no harm come to him, they changed their minds 3 \nand said he was a god. ver. 4 \xe2\x80\x94 6. \n\n86 Q. What entertainment did they meet with upon \nthe island ? \n\nA. Publius, the chief man there, lodged him three \ndays ; Paul prayed and healed his father ot a bloody-flux s \nby laying on his hands ; upon which many other diseased \npersons came and were healed, ver. 7\' \xe2\x80\x94 9. \n\n87 Q, How long did they tarry there ? \n\nJi. They tarried three months, because it was win- \nter; and then sailed again, and landed in Italy, and \ntravelled towards Rome. ver. 11 \xe2\x80\x94 13. \n\n88 Q. How was Paul disposed, of when he came \ninto the city ? \n\nJi. He was suffered to dwell by himself with a sol- \ndier that kept him. ver. 16,. \n26 \n\n\n\n290 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 26. \n\n89 Q. What was Paul\'s first work when he came to \nRome? \n\nA. In three day\'s time he sent for the chief of the \nJews that were in the city, and excused himself to (fees \nthat he was constrained to appeal unto Cesar ; and af- \nterwards on a day appointed, he preached tin- Gospel of \nChrist to them out of the law of Moses and the prophets, \nver, 17 \xe2\x80\x94 23. \n\n90 Q. What effect had this sermon of Paul on the \nJews at Rome ? \n\nA. They were much divided : some helieved tha \nGospel, and others opposed it : upon which Paul an- \nswered, that the salvation of God is sent to the G> I \nand they will hear it. ver. 24, 28. \n\n91 ({. How long did Paul continue there ? \n\nA. He dwelt two whole years in his own hired house* \nand preached the tilings concerning Christ to all that \nwould come to hear him. ver. 29 \xe2\x80\x94 31. \n\nNote. Here end? the history of the book of Srriptun \ned the Acts of the Apostles. * What remains i- \xe2\x80\xa2 \nthe epistles of Paul. \n\n92 Q. Since several of the epistles of Paul an \nto be written from Rome, which are those which \nsupposed to write at this time ? \n\nA. Those to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colos* \n\nand to Philemon ; and he tells them, he shall - \n\nto them: and about this time his bonds were man \n\nall the place, having continued there *<> long. Phil.i. \n\n13, 26. Eph. vi. 30. Col iv. 18. Philem. \n\n93 Q. When he was released from prison at Rome, \nwhither did he go? \n\nA. Into several countries both of Europe and \npreaching the Gospel, and confirming the Christian con- \nverts. \n\n94 ({. Who attended and assisted him in Ins minis- \ntry and his travels ? \n\nJL Sometime- Tychicus, or Timothy; somet \nTitus, Dpinas, or Cuke, Silas, or Trophimus, whom he \n\n\n\nChap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY: 291 \n\nleft sick at Miletum when he went again to Rome. See \n2 Tim. iv. 10\xe2\x80\x94 12. \n\n95 Q. What became of him when he came the se\xc2\xbb \ncond time to Rome ? \n\nJl. He was cast into close prison, and when he made \nhis first defence all men forsook him ; and Alexander \nthe copper-smith did him much hurt. 1 Tim. iv. 14 \xe2\x80\x94 16. \n\n96 Q. Did he finish his life and labours here ? \n\nJl. He now tells Timothy that the time of his de- \nparture is at hand, and he was just ready to be offered \nup, when he wrote the second epistle to him from Rome. \n2 Tim. iv. 6. And when he had both laboured and suf- \nfered more than any of the apostles, as he himself had \ntold us, 1 Cor. xv. 10. 2 Cor. xi. 23, &c. he was behead- \ned, as a martyr for Christ, under the reign of Nero, em- \nperor of Rome, as the ancient historians inform us. \n\nMy design in writing this summary of Scripture \nHistory, by way of question and answer, was chief- \nly for the easier instruction of the younger part of \nmankind, and not so much for the improvement of \nthe learned ; for which reason I have not been so- \nlicitous to trace out, with a critical and chronologi- \ncal accuracy, every step of the travels of Paul; \nnor relate how often he went to Jerusalem, and to \nother cities, in repeated voyages and journies ; but \nonly to point out his most remarkable travels, la- \nbours, and sufferings. A more exact account is \ndrawn up, with great labour and skill, by a learned \nwriter, in his book entitled, Miscellanea Sacra, Vol. I. \nto which I would refer those who desire a fuller \ninformation of this matter,. \xc2\xbb \n\nThe principal thing I had in view, from the begin- \nning to the end of this work, was to set down some \nof the most necessary and the most important mat- \nters of fact recorded in Scripture ; amongst which \nI have chosen out those which would be most enter- \ntaining to younger minds, and w r ould make the deep- \n\n\n\nSCRIPTURE HISTORY. \n\nest and most lasting impression upon them, and \nsuch as would lead them into a survey of * \nand wonderful transactions of ihc providence \ngrace of God among men ; tl \nual discoveries of the will of God to men; \ndifferent forms of religion i; i man- \n\nkind ; the rules of duty toward God and toward \none another; together with an account of their \nobedience or disobedience to him, with their ! \nings and their punishments, their afflict \nand deliverances, and that from the begin \nworld to the promulgation of th< \napostles in the first age of the Christian church: \nand this is as far as the history of th< \nreaches. \n\n\n\nTHE END \n\n\n\n,\xe2\x80\xa2\'*- \n\n\n\n-u \n\n\n\n021 181 013 # \n\n\n\n'