MACLEAR'S NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY MACMILLAFS rv r 1 XX.. ^ ^ i ..■* • 1 E # « O xH O 1 i 1 s: ^ 1 •**^ . rn 1 s »-D ^ en ^ N ! \ *i^ r^ 00 o ;^ t:^ ^ 00 tH o PRIM o 122 1 F. book hist^ 1 BOO! i m i1 BOOf BOOt 1 M 9^ 2330 . lear, hillin stamen 1^ 1 BOOI ^ U W v NATIONAL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH A Mx\P TO ILLUSTRATE THE APOSTOLIC HISTORY. BY THE EEV. G. F. MACLEAR, D.D., HEAD JUASTBR OF KING'S COLLEGE SCHOOL. LONDON. NEW EDITION. MACMILLAN AND CO. 1876. \All R'lgldz reserved^ A Map to ttLTiSTRATE THl OSTOLTC HISTORY. S^uiftrd^ 6*a^ra^K^ S rcob'' L« Maxniillaik&Co CONTENTS. BOOK I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEV/ TESTAMENTS. PAGB Pakt I. — The Jeics under the Persians and the Kings of Egypt 1 Pakt ii. — The Jeivs under the Kings of Syria . . 5 Pakt hi. — Rise of the Asmonccan Dynasty . . .10 Part iv. — Decline of the Asmoncean Dynasty ; interference of the Romans, and rise of the Herodian Family . 19 BOOK IT. THE GOSPEL HISTORY. Part i.— The Birth and Childhood of Christ ... 34 Part ii. — From the beginning of the Ministry of the Bap- tist to the First Passover 40 Part hi. — From the first Passover to the Election of the Apostles 45 Part iv. — From the Election of the Apostles to the Death of John the Baptist 52 Part v. — Frovi the Death of John the Baptist to the Visit of the Saviour to Jerusalem at the Feast of Taber- nacles 59 Part vi. — From the Feast of Tabernacles to the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem C7 Part \ii.—From the Arrival at Bethany to the Ascension . 74 BOOK III. THE APOSTOLIC HISTORY. Part i. — The Church of Jerusalem 97 Part ii. — The Church of Palestine .... 103 Part in.— The Church of the Gentiles . . , .111 THE CONNECTION BETWEEN T3E OtD &Sl^ fel TESTAMENTS., i ij n r «o- - - -* • iiii It O::'. The Jews under the Persians and the Ki^^j[s^ CHAPTER I. 1. Judsea after the death of Nehemiah. For upwards of 230 years after the death of Nehemiah, a thick curtain conceals from us much of the history of the Jews. It appears certain, however, that Nehemiah was the last of the governors sent from the court of Persia. Judaea itself was annexed to the province of Coele-syria, and the high-priest, subject to the control of the Syrian governor, administered affairs. Thus the civil and spi- ritual functions were united in one person, and the high-priest- hood became an object of competition, and the cause of many violent and disgraceful contests. 2. Loyalty of the Jews to the Persians. As subjects of the Persian kings, the Jews were eminent for their loyalty and good faith. While Egypt, Cyprus, Phoenicia, and other dependencies of the Persian crown, were frequently in rebellion, the Jews remained steadfast in their allegiance to the " Great King," and increased rapidly ahke in wealth and numbers. 3. Conquests of Alexander the Great. A hundred years, however, did not elapse after the death of Nehemiah before the Persian Empire had begun to crumble to pieces before the armies of Alexander the Great. After his victory at the Granicus, B.C. 334, and at Issus, b.c. 333, this conqueror cap- tured Damascus, and having taken Sidon, laid siege to Tyre, B.C. 332. Thence he sent a message to the high-priest at Jeru- salem, demanding that he should transfer his allegiance to him, and send supplies for his army. This Jaddua, tlie high-priest, declared was impossible. He had taken an oath of fidelity to the Persian king, and faithful he would remain. Though angry at this reply, Alexander delayed to execute vengeance till after the reduction of Tyre, and then set out for the Holy City. 4. Alexander at Jerusalem. Informed of his approach, Jaddua and the people were in the utmost alarm. Sacrifices were offered, praj-ers put up to God, and the Divine aid sought to appease the wrath of the invader. At length, warned it is said, in a dream, the high-priest hung the city with garlands, threw open the gates, and, as soon as he was informed that 2 ALEXANDER AT JERUSALEM. [B.C. 332—320. Alexander drew near, went forth to meet him, clad in his priestly robes, and followed by a vast concourse. As soon as the Grecian conqueror beheld the venerable form of the high- priest, he fell prostrate, and adored the holy Name inscribed in golden letters on the frontal of his tiara. The Phoenicians and Chaldeeans in his retinue, ancient enemies of the Jewish people, who were only awaiting the signal to pillage the city and put the high-priest to the torture, could not conceal their asto- nishment, and concluded that the great conqueror had lost his senses, while Parmenio addressing him enquired why he, whom all the world worshipped, should kneel before the high-priest. 5. Alexander's Vision. "It is not the high-priest," repUed the other, " whom I worship, but his God, who has honoured him with the priesthood. In a vision at Dios in Macedonia, I saw him arrayed as he now stands, and when I was debating how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, he exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly cross the sea, for he would con- duct my army, and give me victory over the Persians." Then taking Jaddua by the right hand, he entered the city, visited the Temple, and offered to bestow upon the Jews whatever privilege they might select. Thereupon they requested that the free enjoyment of their lives and liberties might be secured to them, as also to their brethren in Media and Babylonia, and that they might be exempted from tribute during the Sabbatical years. These privileges the conqueror wilhngly conceded. CHAPTEK II. I . Division of the Empire of Alexander. On the death of Alexander, b.c. 323, the vast Empire, which he had won by his arms, was divided amongst his generals, and Palestine, as a province of Syria, passed into the possession of Laomedon, while Egypt was assigned to Ptolemy Soter. Between these two war soon broke out, and Ptolemy having conquered Cyrene, cast longing eyes on the kingdom of Syria, the harbours of Phoenicia, and the iron and timber, which abounded in Pales- tine and amongst the lofty ridges of Libanus and Anti-Libanus. Accordingly he invaded the realms of Laomedon, defeated him in a great battle, and gained possession of all Syria and I'hoenicia. 1. Siege of Jerusalem Dy Ptolemy Soter. The Jews on this occasion manifested such unwillingness to violate their en- gagements to the Syrian king, that Ptolemy advanced against Jerusalem, and besieged it with a large army. Entering the city B.C. 320, under pretence of offering sacrifice on the Sab- Lath -day, when the scruples of the inhabitants forbade tbeii B.C. 320-283.] FOUNDATION OF ANTIOCU. 3 offering any defence, lie easily succeeded in capturing it. ^ In- stead, however, of following up his victory by an indiscrimi- nate massacre, he contented himself with transporting a great number of the inhabitants to Egypt, where he distributed them as garrisons in different places, but especially in Alexandria, and conceded to them equal privileges with the Macedonians themselves. Eight years afterwards he transported another large body of them to Libya and Gyrene, and thus Egypt be- came an important centre of Jewish influence. 3. Battle of Ipsus. The king of Egypt, however, was not allowed to remain long in undisturbed possession of his prize, and found it disputed with him by Antigonus, one of the most turbulent of the successors of Alexander. Twice the coveted province fell into the hands of his rival, twice Ptolemy managed to recover it, and it was finally adjudged to his share after the decisive battle of Ipsus in Phrygia, B.C. 301. 4. Foundation of Antioch. The battle of Ipsus, besides Becuring to Ptolemy Soter the dominion of Palestine, Phoenicia, and Ccele-syria, elevated Seleucus to the command of an Empire greater than any other held by the successors of Alex- ander. He assumed the title of "king of Syria," and his dominion, in the words of the prophet Daniel (Dan. xi. 5), was a great dominion, extending from the Euxine to the confines of Arabia, and from the Hindokush to the Mediter- ranean. His Eastern capital he founded on the banks of the Tigris, and called Seleucia, after his own name. For his western metropolis he selected a spot on the left bank of the river Orontes, just where the chain of Lebanon running north- wards, and the chain of Taurus running eastwards, are brought to an abrupt meeting. Here he founded a city with much dis- play in the year B.C. 300, and called it Antioch, after the name of his father Antiochus. Convinced, like the Egyptian monarchs, of the loyalty of the Jews, he began to invite many of them to his new capital and other cities in Asia Minor, assuring them of the same privileges which they enjoyed undei Ptolemy in Alexandria. This invitation was readily embraced by many of the Jews, who settled down in Antioch, and were admitted to the same advantages as the Greeks. 5. Ptolemy PMladelphus. Ptolemy Philadelphus succeeded his father Ptolemy Soter, b.c. 283, and distinguished himself by uniform kindness to the Jewish nation, ransoming many who had been sold as slaves, and inviting many to settle in Egypt. A liberal patron of literature and science, he estab- lished a famous library at Alexandria, and spared no pains in procuring books to be deposited therein. He is also repre- 4 PTOLEMY PIIILOPATOR. [B.C. 283-203. sented to have caused the Hebrew Scriptures to be translated into Greek, and thus to have originated the celebrated Version called the Septuagint, from the tradition that 72 persons were engaged in the translation, which obtained a wide circulation, and was extensively read. CHAPTER III. 1. Ptolemy Euergetes. On the death of Philadelphus, b.c. 247, Ptolemy Euergetes succeeded to the Egyptian throne. The new king considerably extended the privileges of the Jews, and bestowed many presents upon their Temple. But his reign came to a sudden and tragical close. In the year b.c. 221 he was assassinated by his own son Ptolemy IV., who in irony was called Philopator, the love?' of his father. 2. Ptolemy Philopator. As soon as he ascended the throne, Philopator murdered his mother Berenice, and his brother Magas, and gave himself up to luxury and dissipation. Taking advantage of his well-kno^vn effeminacy, Antiochus the Great became master of Phoenicia, Damascus, and the greater part of Coele-syria. Boused at length from his lethargy, the Egyptian monarch confronted his rival at Baphia, between Bhinocorura and Gaza, and defeated him with enormous loss, b.c. 217. 3. Philopator visits the Temple. Meanwhile the Jews had remained steadfast in their allegiance to Ptolemy, and the conqueror visited Jerusalem, offered sacrifices according to the Jewish law, and presented rich gifts to the Temple. Attracted by the beauty of the building, and the solemnity of the ser- vice, he desired to penetrate into the Holy of Holies. The priests entreated him to desist fi'om his purpose, but he pressed forward, amidst the dismay and lamentation of the people, to- wards the sanctuary. Here, however, ho was seized with a sudden and supernatm-al terror, and was carried forth half- dead. Enraged at this repulse, he retired to Alexanch'ia, and wreaked his vengeance on the numerous Jews who had settled there. Some he is said to have put to death, others he degraded from their high positions and consigned to slaverj', or reduced to the lowest class of citizens. Thirteen years afterwards, b.c. 204, he died a victim to his sensual habits, and was succeeded by his son Ptolemy Epiphanes, then only five years old. 4. Battle of Mount Panium. Since his disastrous defeat at Baphia, Antiochus had been gradually strengthening his position in Upper Asia, where he had won his title of "the Great" by his successes against the Partbians and Bactrians. Thence he returned to Western Asia, and finding the Egyptian thruJic in the possession of u child, instantly resolved to uvengo B.C. 203—190.] BATTLE OF MAGNESIA. 5 the defeat at Eaphia. In the campaigns that ensued the Jews suffered severely, and became in turn the prey of each of the contending parties. In b.c. 203 Antiochus succeeded in taking Jerusalem. In B.C. 199 it was retaken by Scopas, the general of the Egyptian forces. Next year Antiochus reappeared in the field, and at the foot of Mount Panium, near the sources of the Jordan, gained a decisive victory over Scopas, capturing that general himself and the remnant of his forces, wliich had fled for refuge to Sidon. 5. Tlie Jews welcome Antiochus. Wearied of the struggle, and remembering the indignities offered to their sanctuary by Philopator, the Jews now threw off their subjection to Egypt, and welcomed the conqueror as their deliverer. Antiochus in his turn treated his new subjects with liberality and kindness. He not only guaranteed to them perfect freedom and protection in the exercise of their religion, but promised to restore their city to its ancient splendour, forbade the intrusion of strangers in their Temple, and contributed largely towards the regular celebration of its semces. At the same time, imitating the examples of Alexander and Seleucus, he issued orders to Zeuxis, the general of his forces, to remove 2000 Jewish fami- lies from Babylon into Lydia and Phrygia, where they were to be permitted to use their own laws, to have lands assigned them, and to be exempted from all tribute for ten years. PAET 11. The Jews under the Kings of Syria. CHAPTEE I. 1. The Jews and the Seleucidse. The battle of Mount Panium marks an era in the history of the Jews. For a cen- tury since the battle of Ipsus they had been steadfast in their allegiance to the Egyptian throne. They now transferred it from the descendants of the Ptolemies to those of Seleucus Nicator, and their connection with the Syi'ian kings begins. 2. Battle of Magnesia. Antiochus, who had bestowed upon them so many privileges, did not long enjoy the fruits of his victory. In the year b.c. 192 he crossed over into Greece on the invitation of the .a^tolians, and ventm-ed on a campaign with Eome. But in tb.e following year the consul M. Acilius Glabrio attacked him, and speedily put his whole army to flight. Thereupon the Syrian king hastened back to Asia, and having collected a vast host from all parts of his dominions, and con- fronted the Eomans who had crossed the Hellespont in the neighbourhood of Magnesia, at the foot of Mount Sipylus, 6 HELIODORUS AT JERUSALEM. [B.C. 190—180. B.C. 190. Utterly unable to resist the terrible Eoman legions, he was defeated with a loss of 50,000 men, and constrained to sue for peace, the conditions of which were the death-blow of the Syrian empire. 3. Death of Antioclius. Beaten, baffled, and disgraced, the Syrian monarch returned to his capital, and to raise the heavy tribute, exacted by the conquerors, resolved to plunder the temples throughout his dominions. The first attack it was agreed should be made on that of Elymais, situated at the meeting-point of the caravan routes which connected Media with Persia and Susiana. But the guards of the temple, aided by the hardy mountaineers of the district, made a vigorous defence of their shrine, and Antiochus was slain, b.c. 187. 4. Accession of Seleucus. On the news of his death, his son Seleucus IV. ascended the throne, and assumed the title of Fhilopator. During the early period of his reign, the new king carefully abstained from giving any offence to the Jewish nation, guaranteed to them the free exercise of their religion, and even contributed to the expenses of the Temple services. Before long, however, his attention was directed to the riches deposited in the sanctuary at Jerusalem, and he directed his treasurer Heliodorus not only to penetrate into the Temple, but plunder it of its funds. 5. Heliodorus at Jerusalem. Heliodorus, thereupon, set out for Jerusalem, and demanded the surrender of the money. In vain the high-priest expostulated and declared that one half the treasures belonged to God, and the other to widows and orphans, who had placed it there for security. Heliodorus declared that his orders must be carried out, demolished the outer gates, and was on the point of entering the sanctuary, when, like Ptolemy Philopator, he too was struck with a panic terror, which prostrated him speechless on the ground, 80 that he had to be carried away insensible by his retinue. Bestored, however, by the prayers of Onias, ho gi-adually reco- vered, and returning to Antioch related all that had occurred, and declared to his Syrian lord that nothing would induce him to venture again on such an eri'and. On the death of Antiochus the Great, it had been agreed between the senate of Home and Seleucus that he should send his son Demetrius to take the place, as a hostage, of his brother Antiochus, who was to be allowed to come back to Syria. While, however, Demetrius had departed for this purpose, Heliodorus poisoned his master and usurped the crown. News of this reaching Antiochus he instantly invoked the aid of Eumenes king of Pergamus, and having quickly crushed the usurper, ascended the Syrian B.C. 180—171.] APOSTASY IN PALESTINE, 7 thi-one, and assumed the title of Epiphanes, or the Illustrious^ B.C. 175. CHAPTEK II. 1. Apostasy in Palestine. The long-continued subjection of the Jews to Grecian monarchs had by this time exerted a very considerable influence on their habits and mode of life. Familiar not only with the language but the hterature and philosophy of Greece, many had acquired a strong taste for Grecian studies, preferred the Grecian religion to their own, adopted Grecian manners, and practised Grecian arts. 2. Joshua or Jason. Amongst this HeUenizing party none ■was more active than Joshua the brother of the high-priest, who even assumed the Grecian name of Jason. On the ac- cession of Epiphanes he made his appearance among the princes who flocked to Antioch to assure the new monarch of their allegiance, and offered the king the tempting bribe of 440 talents of silver to secm-e the deposition of his elder brother, and his own appointment to the high-priesthood. Successful in this he caused Onias to be summoned to Antioch, and kept there as a prisoner at large, and then returning to Jerusalem de- voted himself to the work of introducing Grecian customs among the people. By a second bribe of 1 50 talents he obtained per- mission from his patron to establish at Jerusalem a gymnasium for athletic exercises, and with such success that even the priests despised the Temple and neglected the sacrifices to take part in the games. He next procured a licence to estabHsh an academy in which the Jewish youth might be brought up in the Grecian fashion, and was empowered to confer the citizen- ship of Antioch on many of his fellow-countrymen, who eagerly coveted the empty honour. 3. Menelaus. For three years the high-priest continued his work of corrupting the manners of his people, and then found the means he had used to acquire his ill-gotten dignity turned against himself. Having occasion to send his brother Onias IV., who had assumed the name of Menelaus, to the Syrian court, his envoy embraced the opportunity of offering Antiochus 300 talents a year more than his brother had paid for the office of high-priest, and succeeded in supplanting him in the royal favour. Escorted by a body of Syrian troops, Me- nelaus then expelled Jason, and assuming the title of high- priest proved even more wicked than his predecessor. 4. Antiochus invades Egsrpt. At this time the thoughts of Antiochus were fixed on the reduction of Egypt. In b.c. 171 he led his forces through Palestine and defeated the Egyptians before Pelusium. In the following year he again attacked 8 . CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM. [B.C. 171— 1G8. Egypt by land and sea, and reduced the whole country with the exception of Alexandria. While he was before the walls of this city, a report reached Palestine that he was dead. On this Jason, taking advantage of the unpopularity of Menelaus, placed himself at the head of looo men, seized Jerusalem, and, while his brother secured himself in the castle of Zion, put great numbers of the Jews to death. 5. Capture of Jerusalem. The first intelligence of these events recfeived by Antiochus represented that all Judaa was in a state of rebellion, and that the Jews were rejoicing in his sup- posed death. Enraged at these tidings he instantly marched upon Jerusalem, and took it by storm. The late proceedings being considered as a revolt, it was resolved to inflict a propor- tionate punishment. Accordingly for three days Antiochus surrendered the capital to the fury of his soldiers, slew 40,000 of the inhabitants, and sold an equal number into captivity. Under the guidance of the impious Menelaus, he then entered the Sanctuary, seized all the sacred vessels, and carried off trea- sure to the amount of 1 800 talents of gold. He next ordered a great sow to be sacrificed on the brazen altar of burnt-offering, a portion of the flesh to be boiled, and the liquor poured over every part of the Temple, and havmg thus drained the capital of its treasure, drenched the streets with blood, and profaned its Sanctuary, handed it over once more to the administration of Menelaus, supported by PhiUp, a Phrygian, and for manners viore barbarous than he that set him there (i Mace. i. 20 — 28). CHAPTEB III. 1. TMrd Invasion of Egjrpt. His exchequer recruited by this valuable plunder, Antiochus in the follomng year, B.C. 169, led a third expedition into Egypt, and once more laid siege to Alexandria. But his late proceedings at Jerusalem had raised against him fiercer enemies even than the Egyptians. The Jews, who formed a full half of the population, stung to the quick by the indignities offered to their fellow-coimtrymcn and the desecration of the national Temjile, assinted the Alexan- drians with the fiercest zeal in repelUng his attacks, and onco more forced the king to raise the siege. 2. The Roman Euvoys. Undaunted, however, by this Bccond repulse, he re-appcared before the walls the next year, B.C. 168, and having a still larger force at his command, deter- mined to reduce the city to subjection. But he was now con- fronted with a power it was impossible to resist. At Eleusis, about 4 miles from Alexandria, he found Caius Popilius Loenas, Caius Dccimius, and Caius Hostilius, ambassadors from Rome, B.C. 1G8— 1G7.] PERSECUTIONS OF EPIPHANES. 9 ^ho commanded liim to abstain from all hostilities against the Ptolemies, or prepare for war against the Roman republic. The Syrian monarch requested time to refer the matter to his coun- cil, but PopiUus drew a circle on the sand with his staff round the king, and declared that he should not leave it, till he had given him an answer, which he could report to the senate. Confounded at this determined conduct, Antiochus was obliged to yield, and consented to bow to the senate's decree. 3. Second Attack on Jerusalem. Accordingly the com- mand was given to desist from any attack upon Alexandria. But the rage and disappointment of Antiochus knew no bounds. As he returned to his own dominions, Jerusalem unfortunately lay in his way. Accordingly, he detached Apollonius one of his generals, with a division of 22,000 men, and ordered him to wreak that vengeance on the city which he could not inflict on Egypt, Apollonius effected his way into the capital, and wait- ing till the first sabbath after his arrival, when he knew no re- sistance was to be dreaded, suddenly let loose his soldiers on the unresisting multitude, instructing them to slay all the men they met, to make slaves of the women and children, plunder the houses, and throw down the city walls. 4. Cruelties of the Ssrrians. His orders were executed with relentless severity ; the streets of the city and the courts of the Temple ran with blood ; the houses were pillaged ; the dwellings near Mount Zion demolished ; and with the materials thus ob- tained the fortifications of that citadel were strengthened, and occupied with a SjTian garrison. This fortress overlooked the Temple, and the Jews could no longer steal into the city, and offer sacrifice in the accustomed place. The daily sacrifice there- fore ceased in the month of Sivan, B.C. 167; Jerusalem became deserted; her inhabitants fled; her sanctuary icas laid waste like a ivilderness ; her feasts loere turned into mourning; her sabbaths into reproach; her honour into contempt (i Mace. i. 39). 5. Persecution of the Jews. But the persecution did not end here. A decree was issued by Antiochus enjoining his subjects to worship his gods, and none other. Some of the Jews now fled from the land, or concealed themselves in caves and mountains. Others, long secretly attached to Grecian customs, consented to conform, sacrificed unto idols, and pro- faned the Sabbath (i Mace. i. 43). Before long a royal com- missioner, named Athenajus, arrived with instructions to en- force a general compliance to the royal edict. He re-consecrated the Temple in honour of Zeus Oljonpius ; erected on the brazen altar of bmiit-offering another in honour of that god; and offered swine's flesh upon it. 10 FAMILY OF MATTATHIAS. [B.C. 167. 6. Destruction of the Sacred Books. Moreover circumci- sion, the keeping of the Sabbath, the reading of the Law, were strictly forbidden. Every copy of the sacred books that could be found was seized and defaced, torn to pieces or burnt. Groves were at the same time consecrated, heathen altars set up in every city, and every month, on the birthday of the king, the people were ordered to offer sacrifice and eat swine's flesh. All who refused to yield to the orders of the persecutor, suffered the most fearful tortures. Two women, who dared to circum- cise their children, were led round the streets of Jerusalem with their babes hanging round their necks, and were caat down the battlements into the deep valley below the city-walls. Eleazar, an aged man, and one of the principal of the scribes, for refusing to eat swine's flesh was beaten to death, while a mother and her seven sons for the same offence were executed after enduring the most revolting and horrible tortures. PAKT III. Rise of the Asmonwan Dynasty. CHAPTEE I. 1 . Low Estate of the Jews. Never did the fortunes of tho Chosen People look so dark and troubled as now ; never did the nation itself, never did the religion of Jehovah appear so near to total extermination. But it was now that God interposed in behalf of His people, and through the genius, bravery, and heroic devotion of one noble-minded family, raised them from their prostrate misery to a height of power, which recalled the glory and the splendour even of the reign of David. 2. Family of Mattathias, At Modin, a town situated on an eminence on the road between Jerusalem and Joppa, there lived a priest, named Mattathias, of the line of Joiarib, tho first of the 24 courses. The son of Jochanon, the son of Simon, the son of Asamonaeus or Chasmon, from whom the family took its name, he could boast of noble blood. At this time he was advanced in years, but his sons were in the prime of life, and were five in number, Johanan, Simon, Judas, Eleazar, and Jonathan. The sad declension of the nation and the ruthless persecution of Antiochus had already roused his keenest indig- nation, when a royal commissioner, Apelles, arrived at Modin, charged to carry out tho edict against the Jewish roHgion. Knowing his influence in the place, the commissioner used his utmost efforts to induce Mattathias to conform to heathen cus- B.C. 166.] JUDAS MACCABEUS. 11 toms. But the aged priest declared liis resolution to live and die in the faith of his fathers, and when an apostate Jew ap- proached the altar which Apelles had erected to offer sacrifice, he struck him down, and then aided by his sons and the men of the town rushed upon the commissioner himself, slew him and his retinue, and calling upon all such of his fellow-towns- men as were zealous for the Law of Moses to follow him, fled to the mountains of Judtea, where he was soon joined by many who feared God, and hated idolatry. 3. The Rise of the Nation. Tidings of these events quickly reached the ears of the Phrygian governor at Jerusalem, and he dispatched a large force, which attacked the patriots on the Sabbath-day, when they were unlikely to offer any resistance, and slew upwards of 1000, with their wives, children, and cat- tle. In consequence of this untoward incident the little army of Mattathias, though they would not attack, henceforth con- sidered it lawful to defend themselves on the Sabbath. 4. Death of Mattathias. But the hardships of the cam- paign did not suit the advanced age of Mattathias. Sinking under the weight of years, he called together his followers, ex- horted them in noble words to constancy and devotion, and be- queathed the command of his little army to Judas, the third and most valiant of all his sons, associating with him Simon, his second son, as chief counsellor. Having given them this prudent advice, he died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his fathers at Modin, amidst the universal lamentations of the people, B.C. 166. 5. Judas Maccabseus. Though Judas was young in years, he lacked neither energy nor prudence, and first unfolded the banner of the Maccabees. This name is of uncertain meaning. Some derive it from the concluding letters of a sentence in Exod. XV. II, Mi Camo Car Baalim Jehovah, i.e., Who is like unto Thee among the gods, Jehovah? Others, again, derive it from the banner of the tribe of Dan, which is said to have contained the three last letters of the names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Others, with more probability, understand it to have been a personal appellation of Judas himself, mean- ing the Hammerer, like Martel, the surname of the famous Carlovingian chief, Charles. 6. Victory of Judas. Whatever was the precise meaning of the name, the new leader bent all his energies to the task of uniting in a compact body all who were zealous for the national faith. At length Apollonius, who had recently signalized him- self by plundering Jerusalem, at the head of a large army, mostly composed of Samaritans and apostate Jews, marched 12 VICTORIES OF JUDAS. [B.C. 166. against the patriot chief, hut was totally defeated and slain. Tidings of this disaster roused Seron, the deputy-governor of Coele-syria, and he went forth at the head of a still larger force, determined to have his revenge. Judas did not decline the combat, which took place at Beth-horon, and resulted in the complete defeat of the Syrian general. These two disasters moved the indignation of Antiochus beyond measure. Unable, however, himself to take the field, he entrusted the government of all that portion of his empire, which lay between the Eu- phrates and the borders of Egypt, to Lysias, one of his nobles and of the blood royal, and gave him the command of half his army, with instructions utterly to destroy and root out the strength of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem (i Mace. iii. 35). CHAPTER II. 1. Battle of Emmaus. Having received these instructions, Lysias early the next year, dispatched 46,000 troops into Ju- daea, under the command of Gorgias and Nicanor, two generals of tried ability. While the Syrian troops, who were shortly joined by 7000 cavalry, encamped at Emmaus, about a mile to the north-east of Modin, Judas, with barely 3000 men, was left to confront the vast hosts of the enemy. So certain did the Syrians deem themselves of a victory in the approaching en- counter, that Nicanor had proclaimed beforehand in all the cities and seaports round about a sale of Jewish captives, at the rate of 90 for a talent, and now dispatched Gorgias with 5000 infantry and 1000 cavalry, to sui*prise him by night, and cut off his retreat into the mountains. But the Jewish warrior was no sooner made aware of his intention, than he instantly con- ceived the daring design of attacking the camp of Nicanor, in the absence of his brother commander, and sallying forth, fell ■upon it with the utmost fierceness at midnight. Fully believ- ing in the certain success of Gorgias, Nicanor had made no provision against such an attack, and the Syrians without strik- ing a blow tied precipitately and left their camp at the mercy of their foes, with all the wealth which it contained. 2. Defeat of Gorgias. Meanwhile Gorgias was wander- ing in the mountains, vainly searching for the little army of Judas, who having persuaded his men to restrain themselves from rifling the Syrian camp till their victory was complete, calmly awaited his return. The first sight that met the Sy- rians, when they came back, was the flame of their blazing tents; the first sound, the signal from the Maccabasan trum- pets for the onset. Filled with alarm they too fled precipitately, nor attempted to lift a hand against the victorious Hebrews, B.C. 166—163.] RE-DEDICA TION OF THE TEMPLE. 13 3. Further Victories of Judas. Thus closed tlie first cam- paign of the Maccabees. Furnished from the recent spoils with ample arms and ammunition, and joined by numerous fresh followers, Judas was now able to cope successfully with the forces of Timotheus, governor of the country beyond the Jor- dan, as also of Bacchides, an experienced Syrian general. Next year he was called to confront Lysias himself, at the head of 60,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry, and again succeeded in obtaining decisive advantages. 4. Ke-dedication of the Temple. Successful on every side, Judas now turned his thoughts towards Jerusalem. On ascend- ing Mount Moriah, and entering the courts of the Temple, a sad scene of desolation met his eyes. The gates were in ashes ; the priests' chambers were in ruins ; shnibs grew in the courts as in a forest, or on one of the mountains (i Mace. iv. 38), while the sanc- tuary itself was empty and exposed to all eyes. Having taken the precaution to fill the avenues with his choicest troops to be on the watch against the Syrian gamson in the Acra, Judas at once cleared the sacred precincts, constructed a new altar, re- placed the holy vessels, reinstated the priests, rekindled the sacred flame, and three years after its desecration by Apollonius celebrated the re-dedication of the Temple, on the 25th of the winter month Chisleu, in the year B.C. 166, with a festival which lasted 8 days. CHAPTEE III. 1. Death of Epiphanes. Meanwhile Epiphanes, the terri- ble oppressor of the Jews, being struck with an incurable dis- order, died B.C. 164, at the village of Tabse near Moimt Zagros, on the road to Babylon, having appointed his foster-brother Philip regent of Syria, and guardian of his son, Antiochus the Fifth. On receiving intelligence of his death, Lysias, who was himself of the blood royal, assumed the government as guardian of Antiochus Eupator, another son of the deceased kmg, who was at this time but nine years old. 2. Invasion of Lysias. His first act was to attempt the re- conquest of Judtea, and marched thither with all his forces to the number of 180,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, and 32 ele- phants. Several obstinate contests took place, in one of which Eleazar covered himself with gloiy by rushing under an ele- phant, and stabbing it in the belly, to be himself crushed to death by its fall. 3. Judas governor of Palestine. Perceiving the strength of the foe, Judas now fell back upon Jerusalem, and entrenched himself in the Temple-fortress. Before long Lysias received 14 DEATH OF JUDAS. [B.C. 163— 161. information that Philip had been appointed regent by the late king, and had succeeded in taking Aiitioch. On this he hastily concluded a treaty with the Jews, guaranteeing to them the use of then- own laws and religion, and retired to Syria, while Judas was recognised as governor of Palestine, b.c. 163. 4. Accession of Demetrius. It has been mentioned, that in the year b.c. 1 75, Demetrius was sent as a hostage to Kome, in exchange for his uncle Antiochus Epiphanes. Secretly leav- ing Italy, he now landed with a small force at Tyre, and easily succeeded in putting Antiochus and Lysias to death, and seizing the crown. Then determined to recover his authority in Judaea, and crush the Maccabaan chief, he sent a large army under Nicanor into the country. Nicanor, taught by past experience to entertain a wholesome dread of his enemy's prowess, at first endeavoured to get him into his power by treachery. Unsuc- cessful in this, and urged on by the express orders of Deme- trius, he then ventured to attack him at Capharsalama, but was defeated with the loss of 5000 men. Shortly afterwards, with 40,000 men he again attacked him at Adasa, about 30 stadia from Beth-horon, where his whole army sustained a total rout, and he himself fell amongst the slain. 5. Death of Judas. This signal victory restored peace for a short time to Judoea, and Judas resolved to improve this in- terval by concluding an alliance with the Eomans. Accordingly he sent two ambassadors to the metropohs of the West, but before they could return, the Syrian king had sent Alcimus and Bacchides with the entire force of his realm into Palestine. Never were the Maccabaean patriots so ill prepared to meet this fresh invasion. The mass of the people were tired of constant fighting, and Judas was unable to bring more than a very small force into the field, and of these, a large portion deserted him on the eve of battle. With 800 men, however, he ventured to attack the Syrian host at Eleasa, not far from Ashdod, and actually succeeded in routing their right wing with enormous loss. But the odds were far too desperate, and the brave chief fell amongst a number of gallant followers, and was buried amidst universal lamentation in the ancestral tomb at Modin. CHAPTEE IV. I. Jonathan Maccahaeus. ' The death of their great leader was a terrible blow to the hopes of the Jewish patriots, and for a short time their plans were totally disorganised. At length, however, they offered the command to Jonathan, surnamed Apphus [the vary), the youngest son of Mattathias. In view of the present u^sperate circumstances of the nation, the new B.C. 161—150.] JONATHAN MACCABuEVS. 15 leader did not attempt to operate in the open country, but re- tired to the wilderness of Tekoa, where the Syrian general in vain endeavoured to surprise and capture him. At length, wearying of a campaign which brought little glory and lebs profit, he sought means to secure an honourable retreat. In- formed of the altered feelings of his foe, Jonathan thereupon sent envoys, and succeeded in concluding a peace, agreeing to acknowledge Bacchides as governor under the Syrian king, and obtaining a promise from that general that he would not enter the land again. On these terms, hostilities were suspended, and the authority of Jonathan as deputy governor of Judaea was pubhcly recognised. 1. Revolution of Balas. After the lapse, however, of a very few years, a revolution took place in Syi'ia, which produced a surprising change in his fortunes. About the year b.c. 153, Demetrius having become extremely unpopular with his sub- jects, a young man named Balas was persuaded to give himself out as the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and to claim the Syrian throne. Demetrius, roused at last from his lethargy, collected an army, and prepared to defend his crown. Both kings had an equal interest in securing the friendship of Jonathan. De- metrius offered to make him commander-in-chief over Judaea, to allow him to levy soldiers, and also undertook to release the Jewish hostages held by the Syrian garrison in the Acra. 3. Offer of Balas. Balas, however, resolved to outdo De- metrius in the liberality of his promises. Accordingly, he wrote a letter in which he saluted Jonathan as his "brother," con- ferred upon him the high-priesthood, which had now been vacant seven years, and sent him the purple robe, and the crown of an ethnarch, or independent prince of Judtea. Jona- than accepted all that he conferred, and without openly espous- ing the cause of either king, assumed the pontifical robes at the Feast of Tabernacles, and thus the reign of the Priest-kings of the Asmonffian line commenced, b.c. 153. 4. Defeat of Demetrius. As soon as Demetrius was informed of the offers of Balas, he wrote a second time to Jonathan, and made him the most extravagant promises if he would espouse his cause. But the Jews, remembering what they had suffered at his hands, could not be convinced of his sincerity, and threw aU the weight of their influence into the cause of his rival. At first the eSorts of Balas were unsuccessful, but eventually, B.C. 150, he succeeded in completely routing the army of Demetrius, mounted the S}Tian throne, and raised Jonathan to the rank of meridarch, or ruler of a part of the empire. 5. Death of Balas. But the prosperity of the usurper of c2 16 HEVOLT OF TRYPHOX. [B.C. 149— 144. the Syrian throne was shortlived. So long as the contest with the late king continued, he evinced both energy and courage, but no sooner was his power confirmed, than he gave himself up without restraint to the indulgence of the worst passions, and became only an object of contempt to his subjects. Even- tually Demetrius, surnamed Nicator, was aclmowledged as king, while Balas fled to Abse in Arabia, where he was miu-dered by a native chief named Zabdiel. CHAPTEE V. T. Jonathan and Demetrius. The accession of the new Syrian monarch once raore raised the hopes of the faction opposed to Jonathan, who had gathered his forces and laid siege to the Syrian garrison at Jerusalem. This was eagerly reported to Demetrius, and he instantly sent for the priest-king to meet him at Ptolemais. Great as was the risk, without suspending the siege, Jonathan forthwith set out thither with some of the elders of the Sanhedrin, and pleaded his cause with such effect that he was confirmed in all the dignities he had received from Balas, and even secured for himself still further advantages. 1. Revolt of Tryphon. The reign of Demetrius was of no long duration. Attached to the court of the late usurper Balas was a Syrian Greek, named Diodotus, or, as he was afterwards called, Tryphon, the Luxurious. Perceiving the unpopularity of Demetrius, he obtained possession of his young son Antio- chus, and returning to Antioch shewed him to the disaffected soldiers, and easily persuaded them to revolt against Demetrius. A battle was fought in which that king was defeated, and the young prince was crowned at Antioch, and assumed the title of Theos, the God. 3. Antiochus Theos. One of the first steps of the new monarch was to secure the co-operation of Jonathan and his peoj^le. Accordingly he not only confirmed all former grants made to the Jewish nation, and remitted all arrears of tribute, but sent him a purple robe and gold chain, and invested his brother Simon with the command of all the royal forces be- tween the " ladder of Tyre " and the frontiers of Egypt. 4. Capture of Jonathan. Tryphon, however, though ho had placed Antiochus on the throne, soon resolved to usurp the royal authority for himself. The only serious obstacle to his design was the faithfulness of Jonathan to the Syrian king. At all risks, therefore, he determined to get the Jewish prince into his power, and for this purpose advanced into Palestine ^Yith a considerable force. Jonathan met him with an army of B.C. 144—140.] SIMON MACCABEUS. ' 17 40,000 men. Afraid to confront so numerous a force, Tryphon resorted to treachery, and pretended that the sole object of his coming was to place Jonathan in possession of Ptolemais. Completely deceived, the Jewish prince disbanded aU his forces, excepting 3000 men, and having left 2000 of these in GaUlee, set out with the scanty remainder for Ptolemais. No sooner however had he entered the city, than the traitor Tryphon ordered the gates to be shut, butchered Jonathan's retinue to a man, and flung him loaded with chains into a dungeon. CHAPTER YI. I. Simon Maccabseus. News of these occurrences fiUed the Jews with the deepest sorrow and the utmost consternation. For 1 7 years their late leader had conducted the affairs of the country with prudence, vigour and success. Now all their fair hopes seemed destined to be crushed, if the perfidious Tryphon should succeed in following up the success he had already gained. In this emergency the eyes of all were turned towards Simon surnamed Thassi, the elder and only surviving brother of Jonathan, whom the aged Mattathias on his death-bed had commended for his prudence in council. He therefore assumed the command of the patriot forces, and was acknowledged as their leader. •2. Murder of Jonathan. His first step was to finish the •walls and fortifications of Jerusalem and to place the country in a complete posture of defence. He then went forth to meet Tryphon, who retiring across the Jordan into the land of Gilead, put the heroic Jonathan to death, and then hurrying to Syria, murdered the young king Antiochus, and seized the supreme power, which he exercised with cruelty and violence. As soon as he retired Simon brought the body of his brother to Modin, where he laid it with great pomp in the ancestral tomb, and erected over it a magnificent monument. 3. Simon and Demetrius. The continued tyranny of Tryphon once more raised the hopes of Demetrius, and the Jews resolved to espouse his cause in preference to that of his treacherous enemy. Accordingly Simon sent an embassy offering to acknowledge his supremacy, and to aid him against the usurper. Demetrius received the proposition with alacrity, and agreed to recognize Simon as the high-priest and prince of Judaea, to renounce all -claims on the Jewish nation for tribute, customs, and taxes, .and to grant an amnesty for all past offences against himself. This amounted to a vii-tual recognition of the complete independence of the country, and 13 JOHN UYRCANUS. [B.C. 143—106. the year e.c. 143, in which it was granted, was regarded as the first year of the " freedom of Jerusalem." 4. Prosperity of Simon. Secure from all immediate danger of foreign interference, Simon now devoted his energies to provide for the internal security of his kingdom. He began by reducing the fortresses that still held out, and then turning his attention to the Syrian garrison at Jerusalem reduced it to such straits that the troops composing it finally agreed to evacuate the fortress on condition that their lives were spared. These terms were accepted, and Simon entered the place on the 23rd day of the second month of the year b.c. 141. 5. Death of Simon. Save during a brief invasion of Pales- tine by a new king of Syria, Antiochus Sidetes, the Jews now enjoyed a season of peace, and Simon, though far advanced; in age, devoted himself assiduously to the superintendence of the internal affairs of his people, while his three sons guarded the frontier. Determined to inspect in person the national defences, he now visited Jericho, where his son-in-law Ptole- my held the supreme command. Ptolemy bore no good-will towards the priest-king, and had resolved to assassinate him and raise himself to supreme power. The visit of Simon, with his two younger sons Judas and Mattathias, presented a favourable opportunity for carrying out his designs, and he treacherously murdered the three at a banquet, b.c. 135, Then sending messengers to Gazara he instructed them to slay his other son John Hyrcanus; but the latter receiving speedy tidings of what had occurred at Jericho, put the in- tended assassins to death, and hurrying to Jerusalem, was acknowledged as his father's successor. 6. Successes of John Hyrcanus. Shortly after his acces- sion the Syrian monarch led his forces into Palestine, overran the whole country, and laying siege to Jerusalem, reduced Hyrcanus to the greatest extremities. At length the Feast of Tabernacles drew near, and Hyrcanus requested a week's respite to celebrate that festival. With rare generosity, his adversary not only granted his request, but supplied the be- sieged with victims for the sacrifices, and gold and silver vessels for the Temple service. Such kindness induced Hyr- canus to send an embassy, and endeavour to obtain a sus- pension of hostilities. In this ho succeeded, and peace was concluded on far better terms than he had any right to expect. 7. Death of Hyrcanus. Before long disorders of every kind rapidly succeeded one another in the Syrian kingdom, and Hyrcanus threw of the Syrian yoke altogether, and after B.C.IOG— 69.] ARISTOBULUS AND ANTIPATER. 19 reducing various fortresses on the further side of the Jordan, invaded Samaria, captured Sychem, and levelled with the ground the temple on Mount Gerizim, which for 200 years had been a constant offence to his subjects. During the next 10 years Judaea enjoyed profound peace under the energetic government of Hyrcanus, who escaping the fate of the older members of the Maccabaean family, died in peace, B.C. 106, bequeathing the sovereignty to his wife. 8. Alexander Jannseus. For a short time Aristobulus, the son of the deceased king, held the supreme power, but dying within two years, Alexander Jannaeus was placed upon the throne B.C. 105. Taking advantage of the disordered condition of the Syrian kingdom, he turned his arms against Moab, Gilead, Ammon, and Arabia Petrrea, and gained several successes. His reign, however, was disfigured by constant civil wars, and on his death, B.C. 79, his queen Alexandra assumed the su- preme power. PART IV. Decline of the Asmonwan Dynasty; interference of the Romans^ and rise of the Herodian Family, CHAPTEE I. 1. Aristobulus. Besides the new high-priest, Alexander had left another son named Aristobulus, a man of an ardent and impetuous temper. When after a successful reign of 9 years, queen Alexandra died, B.C. 69, and Hyrcanus II. was placed on the throne, Aristobulus, summoned his adhe- rents from the frontier cities, and marched towards Jerusalem. So strongly did the army declare itself in his favour and so many were the desertions to his side, including even not a few members of the Sanhedrin, that Hyrcanus with such of his adherents as still remained faithful took refuge in the fortifications of the temple. But provisions failing them, they were unable to stand a lengthened siege, and were soon com- pelled to yield to Aristobulus, who thus obtained possession of the entire kingdom, while his brother, who was of a feeble and indolent disposition, retired into private life after a brief reign of three months. 2. Antipater. But now a different actor appeared upon the scene, destined to prove a far more fatal enemy to the Asmonaean dynasty, and to raise his own house upon its ruins. This was Antipater, the eon of an officer who had been high 20 POMPEY AT DAMASCUS. [B.C. 69— 64. in the confidence of Alexander Jannreus, and had been ap- pointed governor of Idumrea. A man of great courage and astuteness, he had acquired a complete mastery over the feeble Hyrcanus, and -repeatedly urged him to attempt the recovery of his throne, but for a long time the indolent prince abso- lutely refused to listen to his suggestions. At length, by representing that his life was in danger, he succeeded in per- suading him to fly -with himself to the court of Aretas, king of Arabia, whom he induced, by promising to restore twelve frontier cities which JannjBus had taken and united to Judfea, to espouse his cause. At the head of 50,000 men Aretas marched into the country, and being joined by the partisans of Hyrcanus, defeated Aristobulus, and closely besieged him in the Temple-fortress at Jerusalem. 3. The Roman army at Damascus. At this juncture news reached Jerusalem that a Eoman army had seized Damascus, and was advancing towards the country. This intelligence determined both brothers to try and secure the aid of these powerful arbitrators, and their emissaries soon appeared before Scaurus at Damascus, with 400 talents. The Eoman general at first hesitated which side to espouse, but at length reflecting that Aristobulus was in possession of the Temple-fortress, and therefore of the treasures, he ordered Aretas to withdraw, and break up the siege. 4. Pompey and Aristobulus. Before long Pompey the Great arrived in person at Damascus, and the brothers appeared, attended by numerous witnesses in support of their respective claims. Pompey listened with attention to their arguments, and then closed the conference by announcing his purpose of settling the question in person at Jerusalem. The impetuous Aristobulus, divining that the decision would be adverse to his interests, prepared for resistance by flinging himself into the fortress of Alexandrium, on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, a position well adapted for resisting an ai^proach to his capital. 5. Aristobulus mes to Jerusalem. Professing the greatest indignation at this conduct, Pompey marched through the country east of the Jordan, and besieged Aristobulus in his stronghold. After three fruitless interviews, Aristobulus was forced to sign written orders for the surrender of all his strong- holds, and on promise of obedience was liberated. Fleeing to Jerusalem, he now betook himself to the Temple-fortress, and prepared for a siege. I\)mpcy advanced to Jericho, and thence to Jerusalem. The partisans of Hyrcanus, who wero the most numerous, threw open tho gates, those of Aristobulus B.C. 64—54.] CliASSUS SPOILS TEE TEMPLE. 21 remained ■within their stronghold, and resolutely refused tho Bummons of the Eoman general to surrender. 6. Pompey visits the Temple. On this Pompey sent to Tyre for his military engines, and prosecuted the siege with the utmost vigour for three months. It might have been pro- tracted still longer, but for the suspension of hostilities by the Jews on the Sabbath-day. At length the largest of the towers was thrown down by one of the battering engines, and Cor- nelius Faustus, a son of Sylla, moimted the breach, and the day was gained b. c. 63. A terrible carnage now ensued, during which the priests remained unmoved at the altar, and con- tinued their solemn services, pouring out their drink-offerings, and burning their incense, till they were themselves stricken down. The conqueror entered the Temple, and, amidst the horror of the Jews, explored the total darkness of the Holy of HoHes, and found, to his great amazement, neither symbols, nor statues, nor representation of any deity. He surveyed with interest the sacred vessels, the golden altar of incense, the golden candlestick, and the Temple treasures, but with politic generosity left them untouched. He then ordered the sacred enclosure to be cleansed from the profanation of his soldiers, nominated Hyrcanus to the high-priesthood, though without the royal diadem, and confined the limits of his juris- diction to Judaea. The walls of the city having been demo- lished, he then set out for Eome, taking with him the captive Aristobulus, as also his two sons and two daughters, to grace his splendid triumph. 7. Crassus spoils tlie Temple. Nine years afterwards, b. c. 54, the celebrated triumvir Marcus Crassus succeeded to the prefecture of Syria. He was a man of mean abilities, but of great wealth, and unbounded avarice. Eesolved on entering upon a war with Parthia, he hurried to his province, and with Bome of the troops he had already collected, entered Jerusalem, attracted by the weil-lmown fact that the treasury of its Temple contained 2,000 talents, equivalent to nearly £2,000,000 ster- ling, besides vessels of gold and silver to an almost equal amount. The Jews were powerless to resist him, and Ele- azar, the guardian of the Temple, offered him a solid bar of gold, weighing nearly 1,000 pounds, concealed in a beam of wood, on condition that he left the rest of the treasures untouched. Crassus solemnly promised to be satisfied with this huge ingot, took it, and in defiance of his plighted faith, robbed the Temple of all the treasures he could lay his hands on, not sparing even the sacred vessels. He then set out against the Parthians, crossed the Euphrates, and plunged into 22 JULIUS C^SAR AND ANTIPATER. [B.C. 54—47. the sandy deserts of Mesopotamia, to be defeated with the loss of nearly his entire army at the disastrous battle of Carrhse, B.C. «;^. ^^ CHAPTER II. I. Julius Csesar at Alexandria. Misfortune seemed to follow in the footsteps of every Eoman general that interfered in the affairs of Judaea, and now the disastrous issue of the battle of Pharsalia, b.c. 48, drove Pompey to the shores of Egypt, there to perish by the blow of an assassin. Before long, however, a new actor appeared upon the stage. Master of Eome, nominated dictator for the second time, Julius Csesar repaired to Egypt in pursuit of his rival, and a few days after his death arrived at Alexandria. For the purpose of effecting a diversion in his favour, he had liberated Aristobulus, and sent him to Palestine with two legions to overawe Syria. But the partisans of Pompey managed to poison him on the way, and Scipio, who held the command in Sjo-ia, seized his son Alexander, and caused him to be beheaded after a mock trial at Antioch. 1. Craft of Antipater. The supremacy was thus left in the hands of Hyrcanus, or rather of his minister Antipater, who really ruled in his name. With prudent alacrity the wily Idumaean did everything in his power to promote the cause of Caesar. He contributed to the reduction of Pelusium, concili- ated the Jews in Egypt, who had espoused the cause of the opposite party, and received wounds in almost every part of his body, while fighting on his behalf. Caesar was not slow to de- clare his gratitude. Having brought the Egyptian war to a close B.C. 47, he conferred upon his friend the privileges of Eoman citizenship, apjoiuted him procurator of Judaea, and granted him permission to restore the ruined fortifications of Jerusalem. 3. Herod tetrarch of Galilee. Antipater now commenced rebuilding the walls which had been overthrown by Pompey, and then set out on a tour through the coimtry, suppressing tumults, and exhorting all to submit to the rule of Hyrcanus. Soon waxing bolder, he appointed his eldest son Phasael, mili- tary governor of Judaea, and conferred the tetrarchy of Galilee on his younger son Herod, afterwards Herod the Great. Though but a youth of -25, the new governor of Galilee soon began to give signs of that decision of character which subse- quently distinguished him. Turning his energies against nu- merous robber bands, who infested his province as also the confines of Syria, he executed Hezckias, one of their notorious chiefs, with njearly all his associates. B.C. 47-43.] RISE OF HEROD. 23 4. Herod before the Sanhedrin. Summoned before the Sanbedrin to answer for putting so many to death without a trial, be came, not in the garb of a suppliant, but clothed in purple, accompanied by a strong escort, and bore with him a letter from Sextus Ccesar, ordering his acquittal of the capital charge. The great council was terrified. Not a man dared to lift his voice to accuse him, backed as he was by the terrible power of the Roman governor, save Sameas, or Shammai, one of the most learned Rabbis, and a man of unblemished character. He sternly rebuked the accused for the haughty independence he had evinced, and the others, emboldened by his conduct, were ready to pronounce the sentence of death. Hyrcanus now interposed, and secretly advised Herod to fly from the city. He took the advice, and hurried to Damascus, where he threw himself at the feet of Sextus Caesar, and in consideration of a heavy bribe, was appointed governor of Coelesyria and Samaria. Burning with rage, he then gathered an army, marched against Jerusalem, and would have taken summary vengeance on his opponents, had it not been for the intervention of his father and brother, who advised him to be satisfied with his acquittal and draw off his troops. 5. Assassination of Csesar. Two years afterwards, B.C. 44, Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, in the senate-house at Eome. Cassius, the chief conspirator, betook himself to Syria, and began to impose heavy tribute on the various cities of Asia Minor. Palestine was assessed to pay the enormous sum of 700 talents of silver, and Antipater com- missioned his son Herod to collect the contribution from Ga- lilee, while Malichus, a powerful Jew, and principal adherent of Hyrcanus, collected the rest. With characteristic tact Herod employed himself diligently in . raising his quota, and repairing to Cassius with 100 talents, gained his hearty good will, while Malichus so incensed him by his dilatoriness, that he would have put him to death, had not Hyrcanus soothed the Roman's anger by the present of another 100 talents. 6. Herod is betrothed to Mariamne. It was now clear that the virtual supremacy lay in the hands of the sons of An- tipater, and that the party of Hyrcanus could but struggle in vain against their influence. It was not, however, their in- terest to come to an open rupture with the high-priest, and Herod for the sake of conciliating the people, who still clung with unabated devotion to that noble race, resolved to ally himself with a princess of the Asmonsan family. He had already married Doris, a native of Judaea, and by her had be- come the father of a son Antipater. He now was betrothed 24 HEROD AT ROME. [B.C. 43—40: to the beautiful and accomplished granddaughter of Hyrcanus, the famous Mariamne, who was as yet a child. 7. Battle of Pliilippi. In the year b.c. 42, the forces of Brutus and Cassius had met their opponents Antonius and Octavius on the bloody field of Philippi, and had sustained a disastrous defeat. The conquerors separated; Octavius de- parted for Italy, Antonius for Asia. On his arrival in Bithynia a number of influential Jews waited upon Antonius with bitter complaints against Phasael and Herod, but Herod plied him with such heavy bribes, that the deputation withdrew unable to effect anything. 8. Herod flies to Rome. Before long the Parthians, under Pacorus, entered Syria, overran the whole country, and made themselves masters of Sidon and Ptolemais. Antigonus re- solved to court the assistance of these unexpected allies, per- suaded Pacorus to espouse his cause, and marched against Jerusalem. , After an obstinate struggle the Parthian general with a few horsemen was admitted into the city, and offered to act as umpire between the rival claimants. Phasael as- sented, and in an evil hour for himself, accompanied by Hyr- canus repaired to the court of the Parthian governor of Syria, who threw them into chains. Thereupon Herod, suspecting treachery, and warned by Mariamne, secretly escaped with a picked body of troops from Jerusalem, and made his way to Masada, a strong fortress on the south-western side of the Dead Sea. There he left Mariamne and his family, and in charge of 800 men made his way to Pelusium, and so to Alex- andria, whence he took ship, and sailed for Home, b. c. 40. CHAPTER III. 1. The PartMans masters of Jerusalem. Meanwhile the Parthians had made themselves masters of Jerusalem, rein- stated Antigonus in the supreme power, and delivered into his hands the captives Hyrcanus and Phasael. The new ruler, unwilUng to put his aged uncle to death, but determined that he should never be able to hold the ofl&ce of high-priest again, caused his ears to be cropped off, and then sent him to Se- leucia in Babylonia, to be retained as a prisoner by the Par- thians. Phasael, knowing his death was certain, anticipated the executioner by beating out his brains against the walls of his prison. . . 2. Herod appointed King of Judaea. Reaching Rome Herod found Antonius at the very summit of power. The Roman received him with much kindness, and introduced him to Octavius, who calling to mind the aid which the great Ju- B.C. 40—37.] HEROD KING OF JUDJEA, 25 lius had received from Antipater during his Egyptian war, was no less ready to befriend him. Herod protested he wished for nothing more than that Aristobulus, the brother of his be- trothed Mariamne, should be placed on the throne of Judaea. But the triumvirs would not entertain the proposition for a moment, and with the assent of the senate Herod was formally nominated King of Judaea, and preceded by the consvds and other magistrates, walked in procession between Antonius and Octavius to the Capitol, where the usual sacrifices were offered, and the decree formally laid up in the archives. 3. Herod besieges Jerusalem. A week only had elapsed since the arrival of Herod in Italy. But without losing a moment he hurried to Brundusium, and thence took ship for Ptolemais, where he presented himself after an absence of barely three months. Invoking the aid of Ventidius the Ko- man general, who had been sent to check the advance of the Parthians, he marched upon Jerusalem, and encamped on the west side of the city b.c. 38. Finding, however, that he could not reduce it with the forces then at his command, he repaired to Samaria, and there was formally united in marriage with the beautiful Mariamne. 4. Capture of the City. Early in the following spring, B.C. 37, he again set out for Jerusalem, supported by Sosius, the lieutenant of Antonius, with 11 legions and 6000 cavahy. Upwards of 40 days elapsed before the first wall was taken, 15 before the second was reduced. Fighting with reckless courage, the besieged were driven successively from the outer court of the Temple and the lower city into the interior of the Sanctuary, nor was it till after five long months of combat that the signal could be given for an assault. Thereupon a dreadful massacre ensued. Multitudes were butchered in the narrow streets, many crowded together in their homes, many flying for refuge to the Sanctuary, while Herod used every efi'ort to mollify the wi-ath of the legions, and even threatened to cut down any who attempted to penetrate into the Holy of HoHes. Fining all was lost, Antigonus at length descended from the Temple-fortress, where he had taken refuge, and flung himself at the feet of Sosius. The Roman treated him with contempt and scorn, and carried him to wAntioch to await the pleasure of Antonius himself. The latter, at the request of his favourite now installed in power, had the imfortimate prince tried and condemned, and after he had first been scourged by the Roman lictors, struck off his head. Thus ignominiously perished the last priest-king of the Asmonaean dynasty, 126 years after Judas Maccabaeus obtained the government of Juda3a. 23 CRUELTIES OF HEROD. [B.C. 37—35. 5. Cruelties of Herod. Herod had now attained the highest object of his ambition. But though successful, he clearly foresaw the difficulty and danger of his position, and selecting 45 of the most prominent partisans of Antigonus, he put them all to death. He next wreaked his vengeance on the Sanhedrin, every member of which was executed save two only, Sameas and Pollio, who alone during the late siege had urged their countrymen to capitulate and receive him as king. 6. Aristobulus high-priest. The question of the appoint- ment to the high-priesthood next required to be disposed of, and Herod conferred the coveted post on Ananel, an obscure priest of the line of Aaron, whom he had summoned from Babylon. But this selection rousing the indignation of Ari- stobulus, his youthful brother-in-law, and of his wife Mari- amne, he forthwith deposed him, and with great pomp in- stalled Aristobulus in his stead. The people were delighted at his elevation, and when the handsome youth appeared be- fore them at the Feast of Tabernacles clad in the gorgeous robes of his office, they could not restrain the expression of their admiration, and their shouts of acclamation rent the air. 7. Murder of Aristobulus. This sealed the doom of the .unfortunate young man. Seeing in him a possible rival, Herod resolved to compass his destruction. Repairing with him to Jericho, the two, with many of their retinue, betook them- selves to the fish-ponds, where several attendants, suborned for the purpose, plunged Aristobulus under the water, and held him down till life was extinct. 8. Grief of Alexandra. Next day it was announced at Jerusalem that he had been accidentally drowned, and the spectacle of the dead body excited the wildest sorrow. Herod himself pretended the utmost grief. But neither the tears he shed, nor the magnificent funeral with which he honoured the young man's remains, could divert the popular suspicion and indignation. Least of all could he deceive the bereaved mo- ther. The grief of Alexandra was intense, and she wrote to Cleopatra a full account of the treacherous deed. The Egyp- tian queen, moved by her touching story, would not let Anto- nius have any rest till ho had promised that the matter should be investigated. On liis arrival, therefore, at Laodieea, B.C. 34, the triumvir sent to Herod, and demanded an explanation of the death of Aristobulus. Before setting out Herod en- trusted to his uncle Joseph not only the government of Jeru- salem, but the care also of the beautiful ]\fariamne, strictly enjoining him, in the event of his own death, to slay her rather than let her fall into the hands of Antonius. Having B.C. 35—31.] DANGER OF MARIAMNE. 27 thus provided for the worst he departed, and presented himself before the Roman, who, won oyer by his confidence, and still more by his lavish bribes, not merely dismissed the charges against his favom-ite, but placed him by his side on his judicial throne, and heaped upon him every mark of distinction. 9. Danger of Mariamne. Meanwhile very different events had occun-ed at Jerusalem. In an evil hour Joseph had re- vealed his secret instructions respecting Mariamne, and while she and Alexandra were indulging in transports of rage, a sudden rumour reached the city that Herod had failed in his mission, and been put to death. Instantly both mother and daughter took measures for seizing the supreme power, and Alexandra indulged the hope that the glorious beauty of her daughter might win the affections even of the paramour of Cleopatra. But in a moment all these schemes were dashed to the ground. Letters arrived announcing Herod's complete success, and soon he himself appeared. His sister Salome, jealous of the charms of Mariamne, filled his mind with sus- picions against her, which at first he refused to credit. But unhappily one day, as he was protesting his undying love, she chanced to enquire how, if he really loved her, he could have given the order for her execution. Furious at the discovery of his secret compact, he rushed from her arms, and was on the point of putting her to death with his own hand. Her loveli- ness, however, induced him to spare her, and he contented himself with ordering the instant execution of his uncle Joseph, and flinging Alexandra into prison with every mark of insult. CHAPTEE IV. 1. Battle of Actium. Before long the friendship between Octavius and Antonius was broken, and the latter, defeated in the decisive battle of Actium, e.g. 31, left the supremacy of the world to his rival Octavius. Herod's fate once more seem- ed to tremble in the balance. But, equal to the emergency, he provided with characteristic energy and boldness an escape from his embarrassments. Having first caused Hja-canus to be executed, he resolved to make a personal appeal to Octavius, and before he left, sent his mother, sister, and children to Masada, and placed Mariamne in the fortress of Alexandrium, imder the custody of faithful adherents, Soemus the Ituroean, and Joseph his steward, again enjoining that, in the event of his death, Mariamne should be instantly dispatched. 2. Herod and Octavius. Then setting out for Rhodes he appeared before Octavius and addressed him in a speech of the utmost freedom, which so completely won over the arbiter of 28 DEATH OF MARIAMNE. [B.C. 31—27. the world, that he treated him with the greatest distinction, and not only conferred upon him the territory around Jericho, which had been ceded to Cleopatra, but reannexed to his do- minions various cities and maritime towns. 3. Execution of Mariamne. But these successes did little towards compensating the Jewish king for the loss of the affections of Mariamne, who had again discovered the secret orders given to her guardian, and persisted in rejecting his caresses. At this juncture the envious Salome suborned the royal cupbearer to accuse the queen of having bribed him to poison his master. This new accusation filled Herod with such rage that he ordered Mariamne's favourite eunuch to be put to the rack, and directed that she herself should be arraigned before a tribunal of judges on a charge of adultery. The judges, too terrified to do any thing but obey his bidding, pronounced her guilty, and sentenced her to death. But though he had procured her condemnation, the tyrant shrunk from proceeding to her execution. His mother and sister, however, suffered him to have no rest, and so worked upon his feehngs that at length he signed the fatal order for her execution, and Mariamne was led forth to die, B.C. 29. But now a reaction set in. The terrible reality of the deed, combined with a sense of his own loss, so wrought upon his feelings, that he became the victim of the most violent remorse, and becoming gloomy, stern, re- vengeful, was more ready than ever to resort to cruelty and bloodshed. 4. Innovations of Herod. Meanwhile, b.c. 27, the senate of Eome had conferred upon Octavius the title of Augustus, the august, the divine, and soon in every part of the empire temples began to rise in honour of the divinity of the Emperor. Herod resolved not to be behindhand in adulation towards his patron, and he devoted himself with increasing zeal to the introduction of foreign customs into the country. He inaugurated, there- fore, public exhibitions and spectacles of all kinds; erected a theatre within, an amphitheatre without, the walls of Jeru- salem; instituted quinquennial games, which were celebrated on a scale of the most lavish magnificence ; invited to his capital the professors of every kind of gymnastic exercises, and did not even shrink from exhibiting in the city of David shows of gladiators and combats with wild beasts. 5. Disaffection of the People. The stricter Jews regarded with horror those innovations, and at length ten men formed a conspiracy to assassinate the king as he entered the theatre. The plot was betrayed, and they were put to death with the most cruel tortures. The people, sympathizing with their B.C. 27—21.] DISAFFECTION OF TEE JEWS. 20 Bufferings, seized the informer who had betrayed the secret to Herod, tore him to pieces, and flmig his flesh to the dogs. This roused the king in his turn to retaliate, and seizing the ringleaders he put them to death, together with their families, B.C. 25. These risings, however, convinced him that his life was insecure, and he had recourse to various measures of pre- caution. He erected a palace on the impregnable hill of Sion ; restored and enlarged the Temple-Fortress, and rebuilt and founded various cities to serve as military ports and retreats on occasions of danger. 6. Foundation of Csesarea. Moreover he resolved that his kingdom should have a naval harbour and a maritime city, whereby he might communicate more securely with the western world. A convenient point along the coast-line of Palestine offered itself at a spot called Strato's Tower, situated about 30 miles south of Mount Carmel. To protect the shipping from the violent south-west winds, which blew along the coast, it was first necessary that a breakwater should be constructed. Accordingly enormous stones were sunk in deep water to form a mole 2000 feet in length. This supported a pier, 200 feet wide, defended by a wall and towers, and formed a sort of double harbour equal in size to the Pirssus at Athens, and surrounded with broad landing wharves. The entrance was from the north, so that a vast fleet could ride at anchor with perfect safety. Above the harbour rose the city, built on the Greek model with a forum and amphitheatre, and called, in honour of the king's friend on the imperial throne, Csesarea. Upwards of 12 years were spent in the erection of this important mari- time city, B.C. 21 — 12. CHAPTER V. T." Herod and Augustus. Thus Jud^a seemed to be sink- ing more and more into the form of a Eoman province, while Herod rivalled the other vassal kings of Eome in subservience to the master of the world. When Herod sent his two elder sons by Mariamne, Alexander and Axistobulus, to Eome for their education, the Eoman Emperor received them into his palace, and treated them with the utmost care and distinction. Moreover, besides the large addition he had already made to Herod's territories, he now conceded to him the district east of the Lake of Gennesaret,laiown as Trachonitis, with Batantea and Auranitis, and afterwards appointed him procurator of tho province of S}Tia. 2. Murmurs of the People. But while tho Jewish king waf< on terms of such intimate friendship with his imperial patron, so REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE. [B.C. 21—18. his relations with his own subjects were far from satisfactory. Strong as was the party which favoured his designs and ap- proved his poHcy, the majority of the nation regarded with undissembled suspicion and mistrust his numerous innovations, and the introduction of foreign rites and customs. 3. Herod resolves to rebuild the Temple. At length, B. c. 20, he determined on a measure which he trusted might have the effect at once of giving employment to large numbers, and winning the favour of the nation. He resolved to rebuild the Temple. But on lajdng his project before the assembled people, he found that it was regarded with httle favour and greater suspicion. Under pretence of rebuilding, many believed he really intended to destroy their national sanctuary. Great caution was therefore needed, and everything was done that could be devised to allay the popular mistrust. Vast prepa- rations were made before a single stone of the old building was removed, and two years were spent in bringing together all the materials. At length in the 20th year of Herod's reign, or b. c. 18, the erection of the new structure began. The foundations of the Temple of Zorobabel were removed, and on those laid by Solomon the new pDe arose, built of hard white stones of enormous size. The Porch, Holy Place, and Holy of Holies, were completed in a year and a half, the rest of the pile, with the courts and cloisters, in eight years more, so as to be fit for the actual services of religion, but the whole structure was not ilnally completed till a. d. 65. 4. Its construction. On the highest level of the rocky platform stood the Tenq^le itself, divided as in the days of Solomon, and covered with plates of gold, which shone like a meteor under the rays of the sun, so that the eye could hardly bear to rest upon them. Twelve steps below was a second level, occupied by the Cotirt of the Priests, with the Great Laver, and the Altar of Burnt-offering. Three flights of steps below this was the Cmirt of the Israelites, with the houses of the priests, the various offices, and hall of the Sanhedrin. Fourteen steps more led do^^^l to the Court of the Gentiles, which was hardly regarded as a part of the Temple, and was open to men of all nations, and became a kind of exchange and market- place. 5. The Court of the Gentiles. 'While the Sanctuaiy had been left to the care of the ju-icsts, Herod exhausted uU his taste on this Court of the Gentiles. " Cluisters ran round the wall on the inner side, sustained on rows of columns exquisitely wrouglit. West, north, and east these columns were in three rovvsi on the boiith they were in fuur. The iluor madii a shaded- B.C. 18—13.] INTRIGUES OF SALOME. 31 walk, like the colonnade in Venice, and the roof an open walk like the gallery of Genoa. The pavement was inlaid with marbles of many colours. Leading into this Court from the city and the country were many noble gates ; one of these on the Eastern side, facing the Mount of Olives, was called Solomon's Porch^ and a second near by it was called the Beautiful Gate.'' CHAPTER YI. r. Return of Alexander and Aristobulus. Immediately after the completion of the Sanctuary, Herod set out for Rome, where he was received by Augustus with every mark of regard, and returned with his two sons in the spring of the year b.c. 15. But the return of the young princes, Alexander and Aristobulus, from Rome was the signal for a scene of bloodshed, still more awful than that which had darkened the beginning of Herod's reign. The grace and beauty of the young men, added to their descent through their mother from the great Asmonsean house, made them objects of the utmost interest to the people, and they were regarded as the future rulers of Palestine. 2. Fury of Salome and Pheroras. The popular favour, however, which they thus attracted, aroused the keenest hatred of Salome and Pheroras, who began to circulate rumours that the young men were bent on avenging their mother's death, and bore no goodwill towards the king. For some time Herod refused even to listen to these rumours. But before long they acquired fresh strength and consistency, and he sent for Anti- pater, the son of his first wife Doris, and despatched him on a visit to Rome, vnth many costly presents and an introduction to Augustus. Even at Rome the crafty Idumaean did not remit his machinations against his rivals, but in eveiy letter to his father dropped something to the discredit of the sons of Mari- amne, veiling his real designs under pretence of great anxiety for Herod's security, 3. Fears of Herod. By these artful means the suspicions of the king were at length raised to such a pitch, that he re- solved on formally accusing his sons before the tribunal of Augustus. Accordingly, B.C. 11, he conducted them to Rome, and in the presence of the emperor charged them with designs upon his life. Augustus perceiving that the accusation rested only on hearsay and suspicion, succeeded in reconciling the young men to their father, and the three, accompanied by Antipater, returned to Jerusalem apparently on terms of amity and goodwill. There Herod convened an assembly of the j)L-i)ple, introduced to them liis three sons, and formally an- i>2 32 EXECUTION OF THE SONS OFMARIAMNE. [B.C. 13—5. nounced his design that they should succeed him in the order of their birth, first Antipater, then Alexander, and lastly Ari- stobulus. 4. Further Quarrels. But soon the quarrels in the royal household broke out afresh. Knowing not whom to trust, the king had no rest night or day. At length he ordered some of the confidential slaves of the sons of Mariamne to be put to the torture, and they, to obtain relief from their agony, made false declarations respecting Alexander, who was immediately flung into prison and loaded with chains. The whole court was now a scene of suspicion and distrust. Herod knew not which way to look or whom to believe. In a state of phrenzy he day after day caused persons of all grades to be apprehended; some of these he executed ; others he tortured to compel them to confess, with such severity that several of them died under the hands of their tormentors. 5. Execution of the sons of Mariamne. At length ho once more had recourse to Augustus. The emperor advised him to summon a council of sovereigns at Berytus, with Vo- lumnius and Saturninus the prefects of Syria, and formally arraign the sons of Mariamne before them. Herod thereupon summoned a council of princes. Upwards of 150 met toge- ther, and before them he accused his sons with the utmost vehemence. After hearing the charge, Saturninus expressed himself in favour of mercy; Volumnius and the majority for condemnation. For a short time Herod appeared to hesitate, but eventually the young men were strangled at Sebaste, B.C. 6. 6. Plot of Antipater. They had scarcely perished how- ever before Herod found himself exposed to a far more terrible danger. Antipater, whom ho had designed as his successor, was found to have been associated in a plot against his life. Thereupon Herod wrote to him requesting his instant return, and at the same time gave orders that the roads should bo strictly guarded, and that not a word should be allowed to drop respecting what had transpired at Jerusalem. 7. Return of Antipater. Triumphing in the success of his base intrigues, and confident of his succession to tho throne, Antipater set out, and with some misgivings reached the port of C^sarea. Here his fears were still more excited. The crowded harbour appeared like a solitude. Not a soul approached to salute or congratulate him on his return. Every one seemed in possession of some dark secret, of which ho alone was ignorant. Dissembling, however, his fears, he pressed on, for it was too late to fly, and reaching Jerusalem, hurried to his father's palace, Advancing to salute the king, B.C. 5.] ILLNESS OF EEROD. S3 he was angrily repelled, informed of the charge against him, and told that his trial would take place on the morrow, before the prefect. Accordingly, on the next day the accusers ap- peared. The evidence of his guilt was conclusive, and he was condemned and placed in bonds, but Herod delayed the exe- cution of the sentence, till the will of Augustus could be ascer- tained. 8. Illness of Herod. By this time the ting was 70 years of age, and being seized with a severe illness, removed for the sake of change of air to Jericho. Here his disorder made rapid progi-ess. A slow fire seemed to consume his vital parts. His appetite became ravenous, but he dared not gratify it on account of dreadful pains and internal ulcers, which preyed on the lower parts of his body. Still clinging to life, he caused himself to be conveyed across the Jordan to Callirrhoe, hoping to obtain relief from its warm baths, but finding no rehef he was conveyed back to Jericho. Knowing the joy his death would cause, he now gave instructions that the men of dis- tinction from every to^vn in Judasa should be assembled in the hippodrome, and secretly confided to Salome his pleasure that they should be butchered immediately upon his decease, that thus his funeral might at least be siguahzed by a real mourning. 9. Death of Herod. He had scarcely given these orders, when his messengers returned from Rome, and announced the ratification of the sentence against Antipater. Instantly the tyrant's desire for life revived, but being as quickly followed by a sudden racking pain, he called for an apple and a knife, and in an imguarded moment tried to stab himself. He might have succeeded had not an attendant seized his hand. The clamour that followed reached the ears of Antipater, who was in bonds in a neighbouring apartment. Thinking his father was dead, he made a desperate eSort to escape by bribing his guards. Informed of this Herod instantly ordered a spearman to dispatch him on the spot. Antipater having thus paid the penalty of his life of treachery, the king once more amended his will, nominated his eldest son Ai-chelaus as his successor to the throne, and appointed Antipas tetrarch of Gahlee and Peraaa, Herod Philip tetrarch of Auranitis, Trachonitis, and Batantea, and Salome mistress of Jamnia and some other towns. Five days more of excruciating agony remained to the tyrant, and then he expired, after a reign of 34 years, b.c. 4. BOOK 11 THE GOSPEL HISTORY. PAET I. The Birth and Childhood of Christ. • CHAPTEE I. I. Zacharias and Elisabeth. About the year b. c. 5, when the reign of Herod was approaching its close, there lived iu Judaea, either at the little village of Juttah, or the city of Hebron, an aged priest named Zacharias. His wife Elisa- beth was also of the priestly family, and both enjoyed a high reputation for piety and uprightness of life, but no child had ever gladdened their humble home. Of the twenty-four courses of the priests Zacharias belonged to the eighth, known as that of Abiah or Abijah, and in process of time it devolved on him to go up to the Holy City. Of all the services at the Temple (which to avoid contention were uniformly decided by lot), none was deemed more honourable than that of entering into the Holy Place and offering incense on the Golden Altar. This was done twice every day, before the morning and even- ing sacrifice, i. e. at 9 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. 1. The Vision in the Temple. Such was the august office which now fell to the lot of Zacharias. Bearing the incense in a large vessel of gold, he entered into the Holy Place, and was kindling it on the Golden Altar, when he was accosted by an Angel. This sudden apparition startled and affrighted him. But the Angel calmed his fears, and announced that the prayers he had offered to God in secret wore heard. Though Elisabeth was stricken in years, she should yet become the mother of a son, who was to be named John. From the first hour of his existence this child should be filled with the Holy Ghost, and drinking neither wine nor strong drink, in accord- ance with the Nazarite's vow, should be the immediate fore- runner of the long-expected Messiah, and make ready a "people prepared for the Lord (Lk. i. 17). 3. Dumbness of Zacharias. Astounded by so sudden an announcement, the aged priest sought some assurance of the promised blessing. On this the Angel, who announced him- self as no other than he that had appeared to the prophet Daniel imder the name of Gabriel (Dan. viii. 16; ix. i\), re- plied, that such an assurance would bo vouchsafed, but, be- cause of his unbelief, it should bo in the ishapo of a judgment. B.C. 5.] VISION OF ZAOHARIAS. 35 He should he dumb, and not able to speak, till the day that these things should be performed (Lk. i. id). Meanwhile the people, who crowded the Temple-courts, were anxiously ex- pecting the return of Zacharias and marvelled at his unusual delay. At length he reappeared. But his strange aspect shewed that something had occurred. "When questioned he could not return any answer, and intimated by signs that he had seen a vision in the Sacred Place. Then at the close of his week of ministration he returned to his own house, where, in accordance with the announcement of the Angel, Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself for Jive months in quiet and peaceful retirement (Lk. i. 24). 4. The Annunciation. Six months after his appearance id the Temple, the same Angel was sent from God to Naza- KETH, a secluded village unknown and unnamed in the Old Testament, hidden away amongst the hills of Galilee, and within the limits of the ancient tribe of Zebulun. At this village there hved a lowly Virgin named Mary, or Miriam. She belonged to the royal tribe of Judah, and the lineage of David (Lk. i. 32; Kom. 1. 3), and was connected by marriage with Elisabeth, who belonged to the tribe of Levi. Moreover, she was at this time betrothed to Joseph, who occupied a humble position as a carpenter at Nazareth, but like herself was of the lineage of David. To this lowly Virgin the Angel Gabriel now appeared, and announced that by virtue of the operation of the Holy Ghost, she should become the mother of a Son, whom she was to call Jesus {God the Saviour). He should be great, and should be called the Son of the Highest, should sit on the throne of His father David, and reign over the house of Jacob for ever (Lk. i. 32). 5. Visit of Mary to Elisabetli. Though at first startled at the sudden address of an angelic visitant, the Virgin re- ceived his announcement ;with imphcit faith, and prayed that it might be with her according to his word (Lk. i. 38), and being informed of what had occurred to her relative Elisabeth, arose with haste to seek out her home amidst the . Judasan hills. The journey of four or five days accomplished, she had no sooner crossed the threshold, and saluted the aged wife of Zacharias, than the other addressed her as the mother of her Lord, and fully confirmed the words of the angel. Thus assured of the certainty of the mighty event about to happen, the lowly Virgin burst forth into words of holy praise and exul- tation, and gave utterance to the inspired hymn, now known as the Magnificat (Lk. i. 46 — ^6). 6. Mary returns to Nazareth. After a sojourn of about 36 BIRTH OF TUE BAPTIST. [B.C. 4. three montlis witli Elisabeth, Mary returned to Nazareth, and Joseph perceived that she was with child. Being a just naan, he resolved on privately giving her a bill of divorcement, in- stead of making her a public example (Mtt. i. 19). But as he pondered on these things, ho too was visited by an Angel in a dream, and bidden not to be afraid to take to him Mary as his wife. That which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost, and the Son, to whom she would give birth, he was to name Jesus, for He should save His people from their sins (Mtt. i. 21). 7. Birth of the Baptist. Meanwhile the event announced in the Temple to the aged Zacharias had taken place, and Elisabeth brought forth a son. On the eighth day, the child was brought to the priest for circumcision, and the relatives proposed that it should be named after his father, but ElisabeWa declared that it should be called John (the grace of God). Marvelling at her wishing for a name, which had no precedent in the family, they appealed by signs to the speechless Zacha- rias. The aged priest called for a writing tablet, and wrote His name is John, and then, while all were lost in astonishment, his mouth, which had been closed for nine months, was opened, and he too burst forth into an inspired Psalm of exultant thanksgiving, in which he acknowledged the faithfulness of God in the birth of his son, and foretold his future greatness as the forerunner of the Messiah (Lk. i. 61 — 79). 8. His growth in the deserts. Bom as one out of due time the child grew, ivaxed strong in spirit, and, in accordance with the words of the Angel, adhered steadfastly to the Nazarite vow. Drinking neither wine nor strong drink, he denied him- self all the pleasures and indulgences of ordinary life. The son of a priest, he doubtless received a strict religious educa- tion, and at some period, though when we are not told, retired to the dreary deserts west of the Dead Sea, assumed the garb of the old prophet, the robe of camel's hair fastened round the body by a leathern girdle (2 K. i. 8), and subsisted on such fare as the desert afforded, eating locusts and wild honey (Mtt. iii. 4). CHAPTER II. 1. Decree of Augustus. At this particular period there was peace throughout the dominions of the Boman empire. The Temple of Janus was shut. The fierce contests, which for so many years had drenched with blood the fairest fields in the dominions of Augustus, had ceased. It now occurred to this monarch that it would be well to carry out a general registra- tion of all his subjects, with a view to some fixed scale of tax- B. C. 4.] THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST. 37 ation. He issued, therefore, a decree that all the world, which owTied his sway, should be taxed (Lk. ii. i). 1. The Nativity. In consequence of this decree Joseph and Mary left the place of their usual abode and proceeded either through Samaria or across the Jordan through Peraaa to the village of Bethlehem, and sought shelter in the inn or hhan, which the inhabitants had provided for the reception of strangers. But they had reached it too late. Every guest- chamber was crowded with strangers, who, hke themselves, had come up to be taxed. They were constrained, therefore, to seek shelter amongst the cattle and beasts of burden of the wayfarers, and so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that the lowly Virgin should be delivered, and she brought forth her firstborn Son, and ivrapped him in sioaddling clothes, and laid Him in one of the mangers by her side (Lk. ii. 7). 3. The Angels' Song. On the bleak downs of Bethlehem shepherds were that night keeping watch over their flocks, when suddenly there came upon them a bright hght, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them (Lk. ii. 9). Sore afraid, they •would have fled. But an Angel addressed them, and announced the Glad Tidings that in the city of David had been born to them a Saviour, even Christ the Lord, whom they would find lorapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Lk. ii. 12). He ceased, and then a multitude of the heavenly host brake the silence of the night, and sang Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, Goodwill towards men (Lk. ii. 14). Such an an- uoimcement roused all the wonder of the simple, humble men who heard it. Hastily leaving their flocks they repaned to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger (Lk. ii. 16), and recounted all that they had heard from the heavenly visitants concerning the Child. Great was the astonishment of those who hstened to their tale, but the holy Virgin treasured their words in her heart, and the shepherds returned to their lowly occupation, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. 4. The Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple. Bom under the Law (Gal. iv. 4) the Saviour was to submit to all its ordinances. Accordingly on the eighth day after His birth He was circumcised, like any other Jewish child, and received the name of Jesus. Moreover on the fortieth day, tho Holy Virgin repaii'ed to the Temple, and presented her humblo offering of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons (Lev. xii. -2, 6, 8), according to the law of her jiurification. There was living at Jerusalem a Just and devout man named Symeou, 33 THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. [B.C. 4. Thougli far advanced in years, lie had received divine inti- mation that he should not see death till his eyes had rested on the Lord's Christ. He was now present at the national sanc- tuary, when His parents brought in the Holy Child, and no sooner did he behold Him, than he saw that the long-promised hour was come. He took Him up in his arms, and blessed God that at length his eyes had been permitted to see His Salvation. Then while Joseph and Mary were marvelling at his words, the aged seer blessed them also, and addressing the Virgin Mother declared that her Child was appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and that a sioord should in days to come pierce through her oivn heart (Lk. ii. 34). -At the same time there came forward an aged woman, a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel. Seven years had she Hved with her husband after quitting her maiden state, and since his death had remained in widowhood upwards of 84 years, constant in every act of worship and in her attendance at every sacred service. She too drew near while the Holy Child was being brought into His Father's house, and, like the aged Symeon, gave thanks to God, and simke of Him to all those that were looking for redemption in Jerusalem (Lk. ii. 38). 5. Visit of the Magi. But as they were thus proclaiming to the faithful in the Holy City the Advent of their King, pilgrims and worshippers were drawing near from far more distant lands. In their native home in Arabia or Persia cer- tain Magi, or Wise men, had beheld a luminous body in the Bky, which had guided them to Palestine, and they now arrived in Jerusalem and enquired where was He that was horn King of the Jeivs, and declared that they had seen His star in the East, and had come to worship Him, Their arrival was quickly announced to Herod, who, filled with alarm and suspi- cion, hastily convening a formal assembly of the Chief Priests and Scribes, enquired where, according to the prophetical books, the long-expected Messiah was to be born. They pointed to the words of the projihct Micah, which declared Bethlehem in Judcea to be the favoured place. On this the monarch sought a private interview with the Magi, and made diligent enquiries respecting the time of the appearance of the Star, and then bade them repair to Bethlehem and seek diligently for the young Child, declaring his intention, if they found Him, to come himself and lay his honours at the feet of the heir of David's throne (Mtt. ii, 8), 6, Decree of Herod. Thus advised the Magi set out, when lo ! the Star, which they had seen in their far-oif eastern homo appeared before them, and guided their feet to the lowly Inn B.C. 4.] VISIT OF THE MAGI. 39 at Bethlehem. With great joy they entered the h(5iise, and Beeiiig the young child and Mary His mother fell down and worshipped Him, and opening their treasures brought forth costly gifts of gold, franldncmse, and viijrrh (Mtt. ii. 1 1). Then warned in a dream not to return to the perfidious tyrant, they made their way to their own land by another route. But that same night Joseph was also warned in a dream, of peril await- ing the young Child. Herod was watching his opportunity to put Him to death, and it was necessary that he should fly. So Joseph arose, and taldug the Infant and His mother, went down into Egypt. Their departure had not been too soon. Perceiving that the strange visitors to his capital had not re- turned, and that his design against the young Child's life had been frustrated, with reckless ferocity Herod sent and slew every male child in Bethlehem from two years old and under (Mtt. ii. 1 6), thus filling many a home in Bethlehem with sor- row and mom-ning, . 7. Return to Nazareth. Very shortly after this cruel mas- sacre Herod died at Jericho under circumstances already re- lated. This event was made known to Joseph by an Angel in a dream, and he was bidden to return with the young Child and His mother into the land of Israel. Accordingly he set out, but hearing that Herod's son Archelaus, who enjoyed a repu- tation as bad as that of his father, was reigning in his stead, he was at first afraid to proceed. By the Divine bidding, how- ever, he went down from the highlands of Jud^a to Nazareth, and there the Holy Child gi-eio and waxed strong in spirit, filled uith icisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him (Luke ii. 40). 8. Visit to the Temple. From this time to the commence- ment of His public ministry a thick veil conceals from us aU details of the Saviom-'s Hfe. The Evangelists pass this period by with a solemn reserve. One event, and one only, is re- corded. It was the custom of Joseph and Mary to go up year after year to attend the celebration of the great festival of the Passover at Jerusalem, When He had attained the ago of twelve years, the Holy Child accompanied them. At the close of the Festival His parents, in company with other pilgiims, set out on their return to Galilee. On reaching, however, their resting-place on the first evening, they found their Son was missing, and, fuU of trouble and anxiety, returned a day's jour- ney, and sought Him amongst their kinsfolk and acquaintance (Lk. ii. 44), But they found Him not. Still another day was spent in searching for Him in the city itself, but witli the same result. At length on the third day they found Him in the pre- cincts of the Temple, probably in one of the chambers wbero 40 THE SA VIOUR IN THE TEMPLE. [A.D. 9. the Rabbis were wont to give instruction during the festivals, sitting in the midst of learned Masters of Israel, and not only listening to their words, but asking them questions (Lk. ii. 46). 9. Return to Nazareth. While all present were marvel- ling at the understanding He displayed. His parents drew near, amazed to find their Son in the midst of so august an assem- blage, and His Mother expostulated with Him on the anxiety His absence had caused. To this He replied, Hoio is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father^s business? (Lk. ii. 49), proving that even aheady He was aware of His heavenly origin. Then, while they understood not the saying, which nevertheless His Mother kept and treasured in her heart, He went down "with them to the lowly home in despised Galilee. There in meek subjection He abode beneath their humble roof, and probably shared in His reputed father's earthly labours, groiving in loisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Lk. ii. 52). PAET II. From the leginning of the Ministry of the Baptist to the First Passover. CHAPTER I. 1 . Preaching of John. While in silence and seclusion the Holy One remained at Nazareth, John, the son of Zacharias, came forth from his retirement, and commenced his task of preparing the way for the Messiah. The wilderness of Juda3a that is the dry and unpeopled region extending from the gates of Hebron and Jerusalem to the shores of the Dead Sea, was the first scene of his ministrations. Thence he moved north- wards towards the Jordan, and at Bethabara, or rather Bethany, administered the rite of baptism to all who were wiUing to re- ceive it (Ju. i. 28). 2. Effect on the People. The news of his appearance quickly spread throughout the length and breadth of the land, and multitudes flocked forth to hear him. The river's banks became like the streets of a crowded city. Pharisees and Sad- ducees, tax-gatherers and soldiers, rich and poor, gathered around him and listened to his burning words. With great boldness the son of Zacharias declared tlie wJtoIe nation to be spiritually unclean. The baptism, which the Jewish teachers required of all who would be admitted as proselytes from hea- thenism, he demanded of all, high and low, rich and poor, A.D. 27.] THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST. A\ learned and unlearned, if they would be prepared for the coming of the Messiah. The axe, he cried, lay at the root of the trees, and every tree which brought not forth good fruit would he heion down and cast into the fire (Mtt. iii. lo). Great were the searchings of heart caused by the utterances of this Voice crying in the wilderness. Some thought he was the Mes- siah, the hope of Israel; others Elias; others the Prophet of whom Moses had spoken. John replied he was none of these. He was only preparing the way for Another. He, indeed, baptized with water unto repentance, but One was at hand far mightier than himself, the latchet of xohose shoes he was not loorthy to hear, He should haiUize with the Holy Ghost and ivith fire. 3. Tlia Baptism of Christ. About six months after John's ministry had begun, leaving the home of His childhood in re- tired Nazareth, Jesus advanced southward towards the Jordan Valley, and finding His great Forerunner, desired to be bap- tized by him. The Baptist, who had hitherto rebuked without distinction the sins of all classes was deeply moved by the request. I have need to be baptized of Thee, said He, and comest Thou to me ? Suffer it to be so now, replied the Holy One; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then at length the Baptist consented, and when all the people had been baptized (Lk. iii. 21), descended with Him into the river, and administered the rite, after which the Kedeemer ascended from the water, and was engaged in solemn prayer (Lk. iii. 21), when the heavens were opened, and in an embodied form, like unto a Dove, the Holy Spirit descended, and abode upon Him. But this was not all, for at the same time there came a Voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son^ in whom I am ^t'cll pleased (Mtt. iii. 16, 17). 4. Jesus led up into the Wilderness. Thus in the pre- sence of His Forerunner, the Divine nature of the Messiah was attested. He had come to destroy the ivories of the devil (i Jn. iii. 8). His very first work, therefore, was to enter on a conflict with the great Enemy of mankind. Full of the Holy Ghost, He was led up by the motions of that Spirit (Mtt. iv. I ), either into the wilderness of Judfca, or the lonely desert mountains east of the Jordan, to be tempted by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He remained amidst the thickets and caverns of that dreary region, aboundmg in fierce and savage beasts, and dm-ing all this period He had nothing to eat. 5. The First Temptation. At length, when hunger had weakened the energies of the body, the Tempter approached, 42 THE TEMPTATION. [A.D. 27. and suggested that if He was in truth the Son of God, He should command the stones that lay around to become bread. But the Holy One detected at once tlie subtle temptation to mistrust His heavenly Father's power, and in the words of Scripture (Deut. viii. 3) replied, It is ivrittoi, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every ivorcl that jyroceedeth out of the mouth of God, 6. The Second Temptation. Foiled in this attempt the Tempter now sought by another avenue to achieve a victory over Him. Taking the Holy One up to an exceeding high mountain, he displayed before His eyes in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the loorld and the glories of them, promising to place all in His power, if He would only fall down and worship him. But this temptation also the Holy One re- pelled. Falling back a second time on the revealed Word, and the same portion of it (Deut. vi. 13), He replied. It is written, Thou shalt icorshij) the Lord thy God, and Ilim only shalt thou serine. 7. The Third Temptation. But yet again the Tempter renewed his attack. Taking the Eedeemer into the Holy City, he placed Him on the lofty pinnacle of the South side of the Temple, and bade Him, if He were the Son of God, cast Himself down from thence. But he was no more suc- cessful than before. The Eedeemer saw through his wiles, and the subtilty wherewith he quoted the language of the Psalmist (Ps. xci. 11), He shall give His angels charge con- cerning Thee, and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. For the third time He had recourse to the written Word, and for the third time referring to the same portion of it (Deut. vi. 16), made answer, Iliou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. With this last assault the Temptation was ended. The Devil now left Him for a season (Lk. iv. 13), or rather till a more convenient occasion for renewing his attempt, and angels came and mi- nistered unto Him, who had already proved Himself "more than conqueror" over the assaults of the Wicked One. CHAPTEK II. I. The Lamb of God. Sustained by the ministries of these blessed spirits the Saviour returned towards the Jordan where His Forerunner was still baptizing the multitudes who Hocked around him, and declaring One was at hand the very latchet of whose shoe he ivas unwortliy to unloose. Now, lifting up his eyes, he beheld the Holy One, and addressed Ilim as the Lamb of God, icho iakcth away the bin of the worhU A.D. 27.] THE FIRST DISCIPLES. 43 Again, the day following, as be was standing in the company of two of His disciples, he beheld the Eedeemer, and in their hearing pointed Him out mider the same impressive title. On this occasion bis words did not fall to the ground. The two disciples, Andrew and John, were so powerfully affected by them, that they left the Baptist and followed Jesus. 2. The first Disciples. The Eedeemer perceived them following Him, and enquired what they sought? Rabbi, where dwellest Thou? was their reply, whereupon they were bidden to come and see, and they went and abode with Him for the rest of that day. Others soon followed their example. An- drew went in quest of his own brother Simon, and declaring that the true Messiah had been found brought him to Jesus, who named him Cephas or Peter, the Uock-man. The day following, the Saviour set out in the direction of Galilee, and finding Philip, a native, like Andrew and Peter, of Bethsaida, bade him join their company. Philip obeyed, and falling in with Nathanael, the son of Tolmai, a native of Cana in Ga- lilee, announced that He, of whom Moses and the Prophets had written, had been found in the person of Jesus of Naza- reth. 3- Nathanael. Though a native of Galilee, Nathanael could not at first believe that any good could come out of Nazareth. But his friend bade him come and judge for him- self. He obeyed, and w^as drawing near the Holy One, when he heard Him say that he was an Israelite indeed in zohom was no guile. Thereupon he enquired how he had become known to Jesus. Before that Philip called thee, xohen thou toast under the fig-tree, answered the Holy One. The reply convinced the other that One from whom no secrets were hid could be no ordinary Being. Rabbi, said he, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King of Israel, and was enrolled in the number of his new Master's followers (Jn. i. 50). 4. The Marriage at Cana of Galilee. On the third day after His departure towards Galilee, the Saviour with His five disciples reached the little village of Cana, situated no great distance from Nazareth. Here a marriage-feast was about to be celebrated, at which the Virgin was present, and the Holy One with His new found followers w^as invited as well. Their presence appears to have greatly increased the nmnber of the guests, and when they wanted wine, the mother of the Saviour directed His attention to the fact. Woman, was His reply, xohat have I to do xcith thee? Mine hour is not yet come (Jn. ii. 4). But she bade the servants execute any command He might give, tOid the issue justified her expectations. In the apartment, U THE MARRIAGE AT CAN A OF GALILEE. [A.D. 27. where the feast was proceeding, were placed, for the sake of the frequent lustrations of the Jews, six large waterpots of water, containing as much as two or three firkins a-piece. These the Saviour commanded the servants to fill with water. And on their filling them up to the brim, bade them draw out and bear to the master of the feast. He tasted the water now converted into wine, and knowing not whence it was, remarked that men usually set forth good wine at the beginning of the feast, and aftenvards that xohich teas loorse, hut He had kept the good xoine until then (Jn. ii. lo). 5. Journey to Capernaum. This was the first miracle that the Saviour wrought. His glory hitherto hidden was now manifested, and the faith of His disciples was confirmed. The marriage festivities of the Jews usually lasted six or seven days, and at the close of this period, with His mother. His brethren, and His five disciples, the Saviour went down to Capernaum on the shore of the lake of Gennesaret, and there He abode a few days before the Passover now nigh at hand. (Jn. ii. 12.) 6. Jesus at Jerusalem. Turning their steps southward, the Saviour and His disciples now journeyed towards Jerusalem. Arrived there He repaired to the Temple, and was confronted, probably in the Court of the Gentiles, with a scene of desecra- tion, which called forth the first display of holy zeal for the dwelling-place of His heavenly Father. For the convenience of Jews and proselytes residing at a distance from the Holy City, a kind of market had been established in the outer court, and here sacrificial victims, incense, oil, wine, and other things necessary for the service and the sacrifices, were to be obtained. The common money, moreover, circulated in foreign countries not being receivable within the Temple, the money-changers had set up their tables in the same locality, to exchange all common and foreign coins for the sacred shekel, alone current in the Temple precincts. But together with the money-chang- ing other business had gradually crept in, and the noise of mer- chants and traders converted the Sanctuary of the Most High into the likeness of a wrangling mart (Jn. ii. 13 — 16). 7. The Cleansing of the Temple. Such was the scene that presented itself to the Saviour. As soon as His eye had rested upon it. He made a scourge of small cords (Jn. ii. 15), and with this simple weapon, singly and alone, drove forth the sheep and oxen. Then overthrowing the tables of the money- changers. He poured out tlieir unholy gains, and bade even those who sold doves, to take those things thence, nor make His Father's house a house of merchandise. Awed by His wurda A.D. 28.] FIRST CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE. 45 and His calm majesty, the desecrators left the place, whilG others requested a sign, in attestation of His right to do these things. Thus challenged the Holy One did not withhold a sign. With majestic calmness He said. Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Perplexed and confounded the Jews replied, Forty and six years was this Temple in build- ing, and tcilt Thou raise it up in three days ? (Jn. ii. -20.) But to their enquiry no answer was vouchsafed. 8. Nicodemus. But another incident wag to render this Passover for ever memorable. During His stay at Jerusalem the Saviour wrought signs and wonders, which stirred the hearts of those who witnessed them, and caused many to believe on His Name (Jn. ii. -23). Amongst others one of the members of the Sanhedrin a Pharisee, named Nicodemus, con- vinced that unassisted by Divine Power the Saviour could not perform such signs and wonders, resolved to go himself and ascertain who and what He was. Under cover of night, there- fore. He sought out the Saviour, who not only gi-aciously re- ceived him, but unfolded to him the mystery of a birth, not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of water and of the Holy Spirit, and when the wondering ruler enquired hoto coxdd these things be. He went on to hint at a still deeper mystery. As Moses, said He, lifted up the serpent in the wil- derness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that ivhoso- ever believeth in Him should notpeHshf but have everlasting life (Jn. ill. 14). PAET III. From the first Passover to the Election of the Apostles. CHAPTER I. I. The last Testimony of the Baptist. After this inter- view with Nicodemus, the Saviour repaired with His more immediate followers to the north-eastern parts of Judoea near the Jordan. Here He administered the rite of baptism by the hands of His disciples, and quickly drew around Him so great a number of followers, that the adherents of the Baptist began to find a sensible decrease in the multitude that flocked around their master. Repairing, therefore, to him at iEnon near Salim, where he was baptizing, they drew his attention to the fact. With a true greatness of soul John declared that he must decrease, but the Prophet of Nazareth must increase, for He was the Bridegroom and had the Bride j he himself waa ■R 46 IMPRISONMENT OF JOHN. [A. D, 28. but the friend of the Bridegroom, and rejoiced to hear His voice, and was satisfied -with that measure of joy (Jn. iii. 29—32). 2 . Imprisonment of John. This was the last public tes- timony of the Baptist to the Saviour. His own career was rapidly drawing to a close. The place where he was baptizing was close to the dominions of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Ga- lilee and Peraea. This monarch had been married by his father to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia Petraea, but becoming acquainted with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Horod- Phllip, he made overtures of marriage to her, which were ac- cepted, on condition that he divorced the daughter of Aretas. But the facts becoming known to the latter, she fled to her father's court, who forthwith assembled an army to avenge her wrongs, and punish her guilty husband. The contest waxed hot on the frontier of Herod's dominions, and he was, not improbably, on his way to confront his father-in-law, when he first encoimtered the Baptist. If he had hoped to escapo the censure of one, whose influence with all classes was un- bounded, he was utterly deceived. The Baptist was no reed shaken l>y the ivind (Lk. vii. 24). He not only rebuked the Idng for his notorious offences, but denounced the royal incest, and declared the marriage unlawful. Such an outspoken re- proof from one, whom all reverenced as a prophet, the monarch could not forgive, and therefore flung the bold preacher into prison, probably in the gloomy castle of Machsrus, which his father had built on the western shore of the Dead Sea to over- awe the wild Arab tribes. 3. Jesus at the Well of Samaria. When the imprisonment of His great forerunner was announced to the Saviour, He left Judffia, and prepared to return by the shortest route through Samaria to the hills of Galilee. It was now late in December, four months from the harvest, llcaching therefore the well near Shechcm, which Jacob had built in the parcel of ground he gave to his son Joseph, Ho sat upon it, weary with travel, for it was the sixth hour, the sultry hour of noon (Jn. iv. 6). 4. The Woman of Samaria. As He sat there alone, for His disciples had gone to the neighbouring town to purchase provisions, a woman of Samaria approached with her pitcher on her head, and the Saviour requested of her water to quench His thirst. Astounded that such a request should be made to her by a Jew, she enquired how Pie could thus address a Samaritan, with whom it was not lawful to have any dealings? On this He excited her wonder by telUng her of living ivaters at His command springing zij) unto everlasting life, and in- A.D. 28.] THE V/GMAN OF SA3fAEIA. 47 creased it by revealing His acquaintance 'vyitli the secret of her life, for she was living in adultery. Convinced that she was in the presence of no ordinary Being, she instantly sought to change the subject, and pointing to the slopes of Gerizim near at hand, remarked that her fathers worshipped on that mountain, while the Jews affirmed that in Jerusalem was the place where men ought to worship. Thereupon the Saviour assured her that an hour was at hand, when neither on Gerizim nor yet at Jerusalem loould men worship the Fatlier; that a time teas coming when the true icorshippers would warship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn. ii. 2 3). 5. Faith of the Samaritans. The astonished woman re- plied that this might be, when Messiah came, for He c6uld teach them all things (Jn. iv. as), and then heard from the Speaker's own hps that He was the long-expected Messiah. At this juncture the disciples retm-ned with the provisions they had bought, and marvelled that their Master talked with a Samaritan. Meanwhile the woman herself had repaired to the town, and bade the inhabitants come and see One who had told her all that ever she did (Jn. iv. 29). Accordingly the townsfolk came forth to see Jesus, and requested Him to to abide with them, which He did, staying amongst them two days, during which period, many others, Ustening to His own gracious words, were convinced that He was indeed the Saviour of the world (Jn. iv. 39 — 42). CHAPTER n. I. Second Miracle at Cana. After this stay in Samaria the Saviour returned to Galilee, and for the second time visited the village of Cana. Here a nobleman, or officer of state, besought Him to go down to Capernaum, and heal his son who was lying at the point of death. Though he was m'gent that He should come down io Capernaum, the Holy One sent him away with the assurance that his son was alive. Contented with this word, the father returned, and on the morrow was met by his servants, who announced his son's recovery, and in answer to his enquiries when the youth had begun to amend, informed him that the day before, at the seventh hour the. fever not only began to abate, but left or suddenly forsook him. This the other remembered was the very hour when the Lord had assured him of his son's recovery, and he be- came a believer with all his family. 1. The Pool of Bethesda. After a brief stay in Galilee, the season approached for the celebration of the Feast of Pu- £2 48 THE POOL OF BETIIESDA. [A.D. 28: rim, and the Bedeemer went up to Jerusalem (Jn. v. i). At tliis time there was near the Sheep-gate a pool called in the Hebrew language Bethesda, or the House of Mercy, which at certain seasons possessed remarkable healing properties, ac- companied by a violent commotion of the waters. Ai-ound the pool, sheltered by five porticoes, there was wont to assemble a multitude of diseased persons, lame, blind, withered, loaiting for the troubling of the waters (Jn. v. 3). 3. The Paralytic. Amongst these was one who for up- wards of 38 years had been a helpless paralytic, who had long watched in vain for an opportunity to descend into the healing stream. Seeing this miserable sufferer, and knowing how long he had been thus afflicted, the Saviour drew near, and enquired whether he wished to be made whole. Little ex- pecting a cure, the man was relating his sad story when the Saviour bade him rise and take up the bed or pallet on which he had lain so long. * With the word he was instantly made whole, and taking up his pallet bore it away with healthy tread (Jn. v. 9). 4. Anger of the Pharisees. It was a Sabbath-day on which this cure was wrought, when the carrying of any bm-den was regarded by the Pharisees as a violation of the Law. The sight, therefore, of this man carrying his bed could not but excite much attention. Accordingly the Jewish rulers sum- moned him before them, and questioned him closely con- cerning his conduct. The man replied that he was only acting up to the command of his Healer, but when questioned who He was, could not say, for Jesus had vanished from the crowd when the cure was wrought (Jn. v. 13). 5. Public declaration of the Saviour. Shortly afterwards, however, he met his Healer in the Temple, and informed the authorities that Jesus was the author of his cure. On this the Saviour Himself was called to account for His conduct, and proceeded to avow His union in dignity and honour with the Eternal Father ; to claim publicly the character and func- tions of the Messiah, and to declare that He was invested with power as the future Judge of mankind. In support of these claims. Ho appealed to the testimony which the JJaptist had publicly borne to His exalted nature (Jn. v. 33 — 35), to the miracles which Ho had wrought, to the sacred writings which testified of Him, and to the gi'eat Lawgiver Moses who had written of Him (Ja. v. 46). A.D. 28] VISIT TO NAZARETH. 49 CHAPTEK III. 1. Visit to Nazareth. Leaving Juclaa tbe Saviour now retii-ed to Galilee, and amongst other places repaired to Na- zareth. The Sabbath came romid, and, as was His wont, He entered the Synagogue, and for the first time stood up to read in His native village. The portion of Scripture either ap- pointed for the day, or selected by His own Divine wisdom, .was taken from the 6ist chapter of the prophet Isaiah, which was by universal consent applied to the Messiah, and spoke of Him as anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor, as sent to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that were bound (Lk. iv. i8, 19). Accordingly the Saviour read it in the ears of those assembled, and then folding up the Bcroll, returned it to the minister, and sat down. 2. The Discourse in the Ssoiagogue. This last act was a sign that He intended to teach, and while the eyes of all loere fastened upon Him, He began to say, this day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears, and proceeded to pour forth the long- hidden treasures of wisdom and grace. At first His audience marvelled at the gracious ivords tvhich proceeded out of His lijjs (Lk. iv. 22). But soon they began to recall the fact of His lowly origin, and when the Holy One went on to intimate that no prophet was accepted in his own country, that, as was illustrated, even in Old Testament times, by the cases of tho widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian, the mercies of God were not restricted to the Jews only, they were wrought up to such a pitch of fm-y, that they not only arose and thrust Him out of their synagogue, but leading Him to the brow of the hill on which their city ivas built (Lk. iv. ■29), would have cast Him down headlong, had He not, probably by an exer- cise of Divine power, escaped from their hands. 3. The Draught of Fishes. Thus rejected at Nazareth, the Saviour turned His steps towards the lake of Gennesaret, and took up His abode at Capernaum, where many p)ressed upon Him to hear the loord of God (Lk. v. i). Upon this He re- quested Simon to push off his boat a Little way from the shore, that He might teach the multitude, and at the close of His discourse bade him thrust out into the deeper waters, and let down his net for a di'aught. The ill success that had at- tended his efforts the previous night made Simon at first he- sitate, but he had no sooner made the trial, than the net enclosed such a multitude of fishes, that it began to break (Lk. V. 6). On this he and Andrew beckoned to James and John, 50 THE SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM. [A.t). 28. and their companions in the other hoat, and they immediately came to their help, and filled both the boats so that they began to sink. Impressed by this unlooked-for success Peter cried, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. But the Sa- viour^ bade him and the others leave their ships and become fishers of men. And thus Peter and Andrew, James and John, quitting their earthly occupations, henceforth became His regu- lar attendants and disciples. 4. Tlie Synagogue of Capernaum. On the following Sab- bath in the synagogue of Capernamn a man was present pos- sessed with an evil spirit, which, in the hearing of all, cried out. What have I to do loith Thee, Jesus of Nazareth?- art Thou come to destroy us ? I knoio Thee loho Thou art, the Holy One of God. Thereupon the Eedeemer rebuking him, and bidding him hold his peace, connnanded the Evil Spirit to leave the sufferer he was tormenting ; and the demon having thrown the man into strong convulsions departed from him. Amidst the awe and wonder of those assembled the Saviour left the syna- gogue, and repaired to the abode of Peter, whose wife's mother lay struck with a violent fever. Taking her by the hand He lifted her up, her malady was healed, and she was able to rise, and minister to her Healer and His disciples. At sunset the whole city collected about the abode of the humble fisherman, bringing with them all who were sick, or afflicted with demons, and placed them before his Master. Nor did they come in vain, for laying His hands upon each of them, He, who Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses (Is. liii. 4; Mtt. viii. 17), restored to them the blessing of health. CHAPTER IV. T. The Leper. The Saviour now commenced a tour through Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, and healing all manner of siclmess and disease. Among other recipients of His gracious hounty, was one afflicted with the awful malady of leprosy, which none ever hoped could bo cured. Bearing about him all the emblems of his sad condition, his clothes rent, his head bare (Comp. Num. vi. 9; Ezek. xxiv. 17), his lip covered, he drew near the Saviour, and besought Him, if it was His will, to cleanse him. Though the Law forbade all contact with leprosy the Holy One put forth His hand, and touched Him, saying, Iivill, be thou clean. Instantly his flesh returned to him as the flesh of a little child, and he was clean, and, at the command of his Healer, repaired to the priests at Jerusalem to present the offering required of one so cleansed, and thus in his own person hoar witness against them, and their unbelief (Lk. v. 12 — 16). A. D. 23.] THE PARALYTIC. 51 2. The Paral3rtic. In tho fulness of liis thankfulness the leper began to blaze abroad the matter, so that crowds gathered round the Saviour, and, unable to enter Capernaum, He was fain to remain in secluded places, where He continued iu prayer, and ministered unto such as sought Him. Meanwhilo there had arrived from Judaea and Jerusalem Pharisees and lawyers, who insidiously watched all that He did, and as He was teaching in their presence, an incident occurred, which roused in no small degree their iU-wilJ. Four men approached the chamber where the Saviour was, bearing upon a litter a helpless paralytic, and finding an entrance in the usual way impracticable, they bore the man up the outside staircase, and let him down through the roof into His presence (Lk. v. i6 — 19), 3. The Forgiveness of Sins. Perceiving their faith, tho Saviour was ready to bestow upon the man the boon they craved. But, instead of assuring him of the cure of his malady. Ho addressed the paralytic with the words Son, thy sins are forgiven thee (Lk. v. 20). This expression roused much disputing among the watchful emissaries from Jerusalem. Was not this a blas- phemous utterance, for who could forgive sins, save God only? But, unmoved by their murmurs, the Holy One bade the man rise, take up his bed, and walk, which he straightway did, while the spectators confessed that they had seen strange things that day, and glorified God, who had given such poioer unto men (Lk. v. 26; Mtt. ix. 8). 4. The Call of Matthew. Shortly afterwards as He walked by the lake of Gennesaret, the Saviour beheld sitting at the receipt of custom (Lk. v. 27), probably at the port of Capernaum, a tax-gatherer named Levi or Matthew, the son of Alphseus. Though he belonged to a class above all others despised by Jews, the Lord did not hesitate to invite him to become one of His immediate followers, and the tax-gatherer straightway gave up his usual calling, and in honoiu' of his new Master made a great feast (Lk. v. -29), to which he invited many of his old associates. At this the Scribes and Pharisees openly pro- tested. But they were speedily silenced by the Saviour's wise reply. If those, amongst whom He sat, were sinners, then to them was it meet that He should vouchsafe His presence, for, as the Physician of souls. He had specially come to call jiot the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Lk. v. 32). 5. The Corn-fields, The day following was a Sabbath, the second-first Sabbath, as St Luke calls it (Lk. vi. 1), and tho Saviour walked through the corn-fields with His disciples, who began to pluck and eat the ears of ripening grain. Thereupon the Pharisees, already scandalized by His assumption of power 52 THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND, [A. D. 28. to forgive sins, and His associating with publicans, now urged a third complaint against His allowing His disciples to do what they declared was unlawful on the Sabbath. But in full and explicit vindication of what they had done, the Saviour not only referred His accusers to the well-known incident in the life of David, when flying from Saul, he ate the shewbread, forbidden to all except the priests (i Sam. xxi. 6), and to the words of the Prophet, who had declared that God would have mercy, and not sacrifice (Hos, vi. 6), but openly declared that He, as the Son of Man, was Lord also of the Sabbath, which had been ordained for man, and not man for the Sabbath (Mtt. xii. 8). 6. The man with the withered hand. A week afterwards He entered the Synagogue, and descried there a man having his right hand withered. The Scribes and Pharisees, who were maliciously on the watch to see what He would do, now pro- pounded the distinct question whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day. In reply the Saviour reminded them that the Law allowed a man, whose sheep had fallen into a pit, to lift it out on the Sabbath, and enquired whether they deemed it better on that day to do good or to do evil, to save hfe or to slay. Silenced and abashed they had not a word to urge in their own defence, and were obliged to stand by, while He, loolung round about on them loith anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts (Mk. iii. 5), bade the man stretch forth his hand, which was instantly restored whole as the other. Then filled with madness, they went forth and called a coun- cil, and not ashamed to tmite with their political opponents, the followers of Herod Antipas, began to form plans for com- passing his death (Mk. iii, 6; Lulcevi. 11). PAET IV. From the Election of the Apostles to the Death of John the Baptist. CHAPTER I. 1. Call of the Apostles. We have now reached a very important turning-point in the Gospel History. Hitherto the Saviour had seemed to stand almost alone. Though a few had been gathered around Him as His disciples they did not present the appearance of an organized community, of which He was the Head, nor had they received a distinct commission to disseminate His doctrines. Such a commission was now to be given, and after a night spent in solemn meditation and prayer, He called to Him His disciples, and made selectioi; A.D. 28.] CALL OF THE APOSTLES. 53 amongst them of Twelve, who ehould be in continual personal attendance upon Him, and whom He might send forth to preach in His name, and to exercise power over evil spirits. •2. The Twelve. The Twelve thus selected and denomi- nated Apostles were : — I. Sjaneon or Simon, the son of Jonas, called also Cephas or Peter (a stone or rock); i. Andrew, his brother, a native of Bethsaida, and a former disciple of the Baptist; 3. James, the son of Zebedee; 4. John, his brother, afterwards known as the disciple whom Jesus loved; 5. Philip, a native of Beth- saida; 6. Bartholomew =Bar-Tolmai, "the son of Tolmai," most probably identical with Nathanael ; 7. Matthew or Levi; 8. Thomas or Didymus {a ticin) ; 9. James, the son of Alpha^us, or James the Less ; 10. Judas, a brother or, possibly, a son of James, and sm-named Thaddteus and Lebbteus (Mtt. x. 3 ; Mk. iii. 18); II. Simon the Cananite (Mk. iii. 18) or Ganancean (Mtt. X. 24), in Greek Zelotes, one, probably, who before his call had belonged to the sect of the zealots; 12. Judas, Iscariot, i.e. probably a native of Kerioth (Josh. xv. 25), a httle village in the tribe of Judah. 3. The Sermon on the Mount. After this selection of the Twelve Apostles, the Saviour descended from the mountain- peak, where He had spent the night, to a more level spot, and sitting down in the formal attitude of a Teacher in the presence of His disciples and the multitude, which had gathered around Him, proceeded to deliver that wondrous summary of Christian doctrine and practice known as the " Sermon on the Mount" (Mtt. V. — vii.; Lk. vi. ao — 49). 4. The Centurion's Servant. At its conclusion He re- paired again to Capernaum (Lk. vii. i), where He was met by certain elders of the synagogue bearing a message from a cen- turion belonging to the Eoman garrison quartered in the place, one of whose slaves lay stricken with paralysis. Though an officer of imperial Eome, he had not regarded with contempt the religion of the people amongst whom he was placed, but had aided them in building their synagogue, and evinced much kindness towards them. At their request, therefore, the Sa- viour proceeded towards his house, but on the way was met by certain of the centurion's friends, who bade Him not trouble Himself to enter his abode, but speak the word, and he was assured his slave would recover. Such faith moved the wonder even of the Lord, and was quickly rewarded by the healing of apparently the first Gentile sufferer. 5. The Widow of Nain. On the following day (Lk. vii. 1 1), leaving Capernaum, accompanied by His disciples and a 5 i THE WIDOW OF NALV. [A. D. 2B. large multitude, the Saviour proceeded in the direction of Nain. As he drew near the village, a sad and mournful spec- tacle met his eyes. A yoimg man, the only son of his mother, and she a icidow, was being carried on a bier towards his last resting-place. Beholding the desolate mother, the Holy One was filled with the deepest compassion, and bidding her not weep, advanced towards the bier and touched it. Thereupon the bearers stood still, while addressing the corpse He said. Young man, I say unto thee, Arise, at which word of power the dead man instantly sat up and began to speak, and was restored to his rejoicing mother (Lk. vii. 15). 6. Message of the Baptist. The fame of this first signal victory over death was quickly noised abroad, and was related, together with the other mighty works of the Saviour, to the Baptist, still detained in prison. Thereupon he sent two of his disciples to Jesus with the question. Art Thou He that should come, or do ice look for another? (Lk. vii. 20). When the messengers arrived, the Saviour was actively engaged in his daily labours of love, healing diseases, casting out demons, and restoring sight to the blind. He therefore bade the two disciples return and tell their master what things they had seen and heard, how the lame walked, the lepers ivere cleansed, the dead luere raised, the poor had the Gospel preached to them (Lk. vii. 22). Then, when the messengers had departed. He declared respecting the Baptist that he was greater than all the prophets that had preceded him, being no other than the long-expected Forerunner of the Messiah, the true Elias of whom Malachi had spoken, as designed to prepare His way before Him (Lk. vii. 27). CHAPTEB IL I. Simon the Pharisee. Shortly after this the Holy One received an invitation from a Pharisee, named Simon, to enter his house, and sit at meat with him. Among the guests, there pressed in a woman of unchaste life and of bad repute amongst her neighbours. Standing behind Him weeping, she kissed His feet, and anointed them, as He reclined at meat, with a costly unguent from an alabaster box, and wiped away with her hair the copious tears that fell from her eyes. Simon marvelled that the Holy One suffered such a woman to ap- proach Him, but the Saviour addressing him in the touching parable of the "Two Debtors" pointed out that there was hope even for the most degraded, and turning to the woman bade her go in peace, for her faith had saved her, and her sins, though many, were forgiven (Lk. vii. 10, 47). After this striking A.D. 23.] HOSTILITY OF THE PHARISEES. 55 incident, accompanied not only by the Twelve, but by pious women, amongst whom were Mary of Magdala, Joanna tho wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, Susanna, and many others (Lk. viii. 3), He proceeded on a somewhat lengthened tour through the cities and villages of Galilee, preaching the king- dom of God, thronged wherever He went by such numbers im- portuning His merciful aid, that neither He nor His disciples had sufficient leisure even to eat bread (Mk. iii. 20). 2. Hostility of the Pharisees. While, however, the feel- ings of the multitude were thus enlisted on the side of the Eedeemer, those of the Scribes and Pliarisees from Jerusalem were tinged with the intensest hostility, and when the mira- culous cure of a deaf and dumb demoniac caused the greatest astonishment amongst the multitudes, they openly declared that the Savioiar owed His authority over the demons to a compact with Beelzebub, the prince of the powers of darkness. Such a fearful charge brought down upon those who urged it a terrible reply. Such an ascription of works of purest mercy to the energy of the Prince of Darkness was an outward ex- pression of an inward hatred of all that was good and Divine, and bordered closely on a terrible climax of sin, incapable of forgiveness either in this world or the world to come, even sin against the Holy Ghost (Mtt. xii. 24 — 37; Lk. xi. 17 — 23). 3. TeacMng by Parables. In the afternoon or evening of the day on which these solemn warnings were uttered, the Lord went down to the shores of the Lake followed by a great multitude from all the towns round about. So numerous, in- deed, were the crowds which gathered around Him, that, for the sake of more conveniently addressing them. He entered into one of the fishing- vessels, and sitting there a little dis- tance from the water's edge, addressed them in a series of parables illustrative of the gi-owth and extension of His king- dom — the Sower (Mtt. xiii. 3 — 9 ; Mk. iv. 3 — 9 ; Lk, viii. 4 — 15); the Wheat and the Tares (Mtt. xiii. 24 — 30); the Seed growing secretly (Mk. iv. 26 — 29); the grain of Mustard-seed (Mtt, xiii. 31 — 33; Mk. iv. 30 — 32; Lk. xiii. 18 — 21); the Hid Treasure (Mtt. xiii, 44) ; the Merchant and the Pearl (Mtt. xiii. 45,46); f/te Drazt-nei (Mtt. xiii. 47 — 50). 4. The Tempest stilled. Later in the evening He re- quested of His disciples that they would push across the lake towards the Eastern shore. They did so, and wearied with the toils of the day Ho fell asleep on a cushion in the stem, when suddenly from one of tho deep clefts in the sur- rounding hills a violent storm of wind burst upon tho sm-face of the lake, lashed it into waves which almost hid the little 53 THE CxADARENE DEMONIAC. [A.D. 28, 0. vessel and threatened to sink it to the bottom. Terror-stricken at the sudden tempest, the Apostles hastily awoke Him, and implored His aid, lest they should perish, whereupon He arose, rebuked the wind and the sm-ging waters, and instantly there was a great calm, amidst which they reached next morn- ing the other side, deeply wondering at the power of their Master, which could make even the winds and the sea obe- dient to His word (Mtt. viii. 26 ; Mk. iv. 39). 5. The Gadarene demoniac. In the country of the Gada- renos where they now arrived, a fearful spectacle awaited them. Amongst the tombs, which existed on the Eastern side of the lake, dwelt two demoniacs. The more notable or fiercer of the two was possessed of such extraordinary mus- cular strength that all efforts to bind him had proved inef- fectual, and the chains and fetters, with which he had at times been secured, had been broken, nor had any been able to tame him. Fleeing from the fellowship of his Mnd, he had for a long time taken up his dwelling in the tombs, and there in the paroxysms of his misery ho often cried out and cut himself with stones, and so terrified all travellers, that they dared noi pass by that way (Mtt. viii. 28). 6. His Cure. Such was the miserable being, who now in company with his companion, without any garment to cover him, issued from his lonely abode, and seeing the Saviour ran and fell down before Him, crying out What have I to do toitU Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the most high God ? I adjure Thee by God that Thou torment me not (Mk. v. 7). Eesolved in His infinite mercy to rid him of the terrible spirit that possessed him, the Great Physician enquired his name. Thereupon he replied, My name is Legion, for ive are many, while the demons possessing him besought the Holy One that He would not drive them out of the country, or send them into the Abyss of Hell, the abode of the lost (Lk. viii. 31), but suffer them to enter into a herd of s"\vine, which numbering nearly 2000 was feeding close at hand. The Saviour gave the required permission, and the whole herd rushing wildly down the cUff into the lake were choked and destroyed (Mk, v. 13). 7. Terror of the Spectators. Such a remarkable incident paralyzed the keepers of the herd with fear, and straightway flying to the city, they recounted all that had occurred. Their report brought out wellnigh all the inhabitants, and though in the man who sat at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind, they saw a proof of His superhuman power, they yet be- sought Him to depart from their neighbourhood. Thereupon the Saviour, taking them at their word, tui-ned towards the A.D. 29.] JAIRUS. t;7 lake, and was in the act of stepping into the boat (Mk. v. i8), when the healed man prayed that he might be allowed to ac- company Him. But this the Holy One did not see fit to con- cede, and bade the man retm^-n to his friends, and recount to them what great things the Lord had done to him. On which the other went his way, proclaiming everywhere the story of his wonderful deHverance. CHAPTER III. 1. Jairus. After this signal miracle the Lord crossed over to the westcni shore of the lake, where a gi-eat multitude was awaiting Him. Amongst them was one of the prefects of tho Bynagogue, probably, of Capernaum, whose name was Jairus, who earnestly besought Him to come to his house, and lay His hands upon his little daughter, for she was at the point of death.. Thereupon the Eedeemer arose and follovjed him, acccompanied by His disciples, and a curious and eager crowd. 2 . The Woman with an Issue of Blood. Amongst those who thus foUowed was a woman who had suffered for upwards of twelve years from an issue of blood, which all the efforts of many physicians had proved powerless to asswage. Believing that, if she could but touch the clothes of the Eedeemer, she would be made whole, she now came behind, and touched the hem of His garment. No sooner had she done so, than she felt within herself that the long wished-for cure had at length been accomphshed. The fountain of her blood was stanched, and she was healed. Perceiving that power had gone out of Him, the Saviour enquired who had touched Him ? The Apostles, with Peter at their head, would have put the enquiry aside, but the Saviour repeated it, and then the woman, trem- bling and alarmed, came and fell down before Him, confessed all that she had done, and was gladdened by the cheering words. Daughter, be of good cheer, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace (Mk. v. 34; Lk. viii. 48). 3. The Raising of Jairus' Daughter. Meanwhile, though the delay must have been a sore trial to Jairus, he betrayed no signs of impatience at a boon so readily bestowed upon another. But at this jimctm-e messengers arrived informing him that his daughter was already dead, and suggested that he should no further trouble the Master. Overhearing the announce- ment, the Holy One bade him not be afraid, but only believe, and hastened towards his house. Entering it, accompanied only by Peter, James, and John, and tho father and mother of the maiden. He advanced into the chamber of death, whero He found a number of hired mourners weeping and wailing. Puttiug them forth, while they laughed to scorn His announce- 53 EERODIAS AND TEE BAPTIST. [A.D. 29. ment that the damsel was not dead but only asleep, He went forward to the bed, and said, Talitha Cumi, Maid, arise. Instantly His word was obeyed. The spirit of the maiden came to her again, and she arose straightway, and began to walk, while He covmianded to give her meat (Mk. v. 43). 4. Unbelief of the Nazarenes. Soon afterwards the Sa- viour left Capernaum, and for the second time appeared on a Sabbath in the synagogue of His own town of Nazareth. The conduct of his hearers on this occasion did not betray the frantic violence they exhibited during His previous visit. The miraculous works wrought by His hands could not be gainsaid. But again their minds recurred to the thought of His lowly origin, and stumbling at this rock of offence, they still refused to believe in Him, and the Lord Himself marvelling at their unbelief, confined His designs of mercy to laying His hands on afeio sick folk, who felt the influence of that Divine touch and were healed (Mk. vi. 5). On the morrow He and His disciples set out on another circuit amongst the towns and villages of Galilee, and calling the Apostles to Him, bestowed on them power over unclean spirits, and sent them forth two and two with instructions not to enter into any heathen or Samaritan city, but to proclaim to the lost sheep of the house of Israel the near approach of the I^ingdom of Heaven. Accordingly they went forth and preached in the various towns and villages, casting out demons, and healing the sick, and then returned to their Master (Mk. vi. 30). • • 5. Herodias and the Baptist. Meanwhile important events occurred in the prison, where John the Baptist was confined. The anger he had excited in the breast of Kerodias never slept. She constantly kept her eye upon him, and would have put him out of the way without scruple, but Herod dared not lay hands on one so venerated by the people. At length an op- portunity for gratifying her revenge presented itself. Herod's birthday came round, which he kept \vith feasting and revelry, surrounded by the lords of his court, and the ofiicers of his camp. During the feast Salome, the daughter of Herodias, entered and danced before the company. So dehghted were the guests, and especially Herod, that he promised her every- thing even t) the half of his kingdom (Mk. vi. 23), and ratified his word with the royal oath. The maiden departed, and consulted with her mother. Herodias saw that at last the long-desired vengeance was within her grasp. Ask, said she, /or John Bap- tist's head in a charger, i. e. on one of the dishes on which tha fruits and viands of the table had been served (Mk. vi. 25). 6. Dsath of the Baptist. Forthwith Salome returned, and A.D. 29.] FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND. 59 named her price. Herod's brow instantly fell. He was ex- ceeding sorry (Mk. vi. 26) for the brave preacher, for whom he entertained much reverence. But he had promised, and ratified the promise with an oath. So the word was given, an officer was bidden to seek out the Baptist's dungeon. He went, the sharp steel fell flashing down, and Salome bore the bleeding head to her mother, while the disciples of the Baptist having consigned his body to the grave went and recounted all that had occurred to the Sa\dour (Mk. vi. 28). On recei\-ing these sad tidings, the Lord left Capernaum with His Apostles, and crossing the lake of Gennesaret, sought the neighbourhood ^^'^^rting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Ccesar, saying that He is Christ a King (Lk. xxiii. 2). 6. The Kingdom of the Truth. Seeing that the case could not be hastily put aside, Pilate withdrew with the Eedeemer into the interior of the palace, and enquired, Art Thou the King of the Jeivs? To this the Saviour replied, 3Iy kingdom is not of this ivorld. Art Thou, then, a king ? enquired the wondering governor. Thou sayest it, answered the Redeemer ; for this purpose was I born, and for this purpose came I into the ivorld, that I might bear xoitness unto the truth (Jn. xviii, 37, 38). These mysterious words increased the procurator's perplexity. What is truth? he asked, partly in sadness, partly in irony, partly from a real inability to discern the connection of such an abstract matter with a questiou of life and death. Then 86 JESUS BEFORE PILATE. . [A.D. 30. going out to the Jews, he declared he found no fault in Him (Lk. xxiii. 4). 7. Jesus before Herod. But this was the signal for a furi- ous clamour on the part of the members of the Sanhedrin. He stirreth up the people, they cried, teaching throughout all Judcea, beginning from Galilee even unto this place (Lk. xxiii. 5). The word Galilee did not escape Pilate's ears. Galilee was in the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, with whom he had hitherto been on no friendly terms, and in the hope of conciliating him he sent Him before Herod's tribunal. Herod had often heard of the Saviour, and was highly pleased when informed who was awaiting an audience with him. He hoped to see some mira- cle wrought, and put many questions to the Eedeemer, But neither the charges of the priests nor the questions of the te- trarch could induce the Holy One to utter a word. Provoked and disappointed, Herod's curiosity was exchanged for scorn. Though he saw that there was nothing He had done which rendered Him liable to punishment, he did not scruple to insult the Accused, and handed Him over to his soldiers, who treated the Holy One with every kind of indignity. Then he sent Him back to the Boman procurator, clad in a purple robe (Lk. xxiii. 1 1). CHAPTEB VI. T. Jesus again before Pilate. Perplexed, as Pilate pro- bably was, at finding the case thus thrown back upon his hands, he summoned the chief priests together, and once more declared his conviction that their accusations could not be sustained. He offered, however, to scourge Him before letting Him go. This first symptom of weakness was not lost upon the Jewish rulers, but the proposition merely to scourge the meek Sufferer found little favour with them. 1. Barabbas. Pilate therefore resolved to try another method of procuring the release of the Accused. It appears to harve been a custom to release at the season of the Passover any prisoner whom the people might select. There was at this time in confinement a celebrated bandit, named Barabbas, who with others had committed murder in a tumult in the city. Pilate therefore now proposed to the Jews that they should select for release one of the two, either Barabbas, a condemned murderer and insurgent, or the Prophet of Nazareth; and so certain does he appear to have been that they would select Jesus for release, that he ascended the judgment-seat, as if to ratify and formally accept their decision (Mtt. xxvii. 19). 3. Dream of Pilate's Wife. But at this moment an at- A. D. 30.] ECCE HOMO. 87 tendant approached bearing a message from his wife imploring him to have nothing to do with the just Person (Mtt. xxvii. ig) standing before his tribunal, on whose account she had suffered much in a fearful and harrowing dream. Pilate's feelings of awe were thus intensified, and he determined to release his Prisoner. But now persuaded by the chief priests, the multitude cried out, Not this 3Ian, but Barabbas. In vain Pilate tried to stem the torrent, and calling for water, washed his hands before the whole multitude, saying, I am gxdltless of the blood of this Just Person: see ye to it. His blood be upon us and upon our chil- dren, was the frantic reply, and Pilate saw that further opposi- tion would only increase the tumult (Mtt. xxvii. 24, 25). 4. Jesus is scourged. One hope, however, he still seems to have retained. Perhaps the inhuman scourge of the Eoman soldiers would be enough, without the penalty of crucifixion, for which so many were clamorous. He gave the word, there- fore, that the Holy One should be scourged, and the soldiers executed his orders with their wonted severity, and then flung around the bleeding body of the Divine Sufferer a purple robe, and placing a reed in His right hand and a crown of thorns upon His head, bowed the knee before Him, and in cruel mockery saluted Him, saying. Hail, King of the Jews (Mtt. xxvii. 29). Then taldng the reed they struck Him with it on the head, and spat in His face, and heaped upon Him every kind of indignity. 5. Ecce Homo. The scourging having been inflicted, Pilate led forth the Sufferer, and presented Him to the people, saying. Behold the Man. Would not this spectacle of terrible Eufiering suffice ? But the sight of so much suffering so meekly borne drew forth no pity. Crucify Him was the cry. Take ye Him, and crucify Him, replied the procurator; for I find no fault in Him. We have a law, rejoined the Jews, and by our laio He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God (Jn. xix. 4 — 7). 6. Tlie Sentence passed. These last words roused afresh all Pilate's fears, and he resolved to make one last effort to re- lease Him. But it was too late. If thou let this Man go, cried the Jews, thou art not Ccesafs friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Ccesar (Jn. xix. 1 2). Pilate was startled. He knew that the Jews already had matter for accusation against him, and could well divine the consequences, if they accused him before the emperor of sparing a prisoner who had been accused of treason. Ho must save himself, even though he sacrificed One whom he had confessed to be inno- cent. Once more, therefore, he took his seat upon the tri- 88 THE CRUCIFIXION. [A. D. 30. bunal, and at lengtli pronounced the word, the irrevocable word, Let Him he crucified (Joh. xix. 16). CHAPTEK VII. I . Golgotha. Thus the Holy One was formally delivered into the hands of the soldiers, and they instantly made their preparations for His crucifixion. The place of execution was a spot of slightly rising ground without the gates of the city, called, probably from the shape of its rounded summit, Gol- gotha, the place of a skull (Jn. xix. 17). Thither, therefore, after stripping Him of the purple robe, and putting on Him His own garments, the soldiers led Him forth bearing, as was customary, the Cross on which He was to suffer, together with two malefactors who were to be crucified at the same time (Lk. xxii. 32). 1. Jesus bearing the Cross. As they proceeded from the city, the Kedeemer, exhausted by the grievous sufferings He had already undergone, sank under the heavy weight of the Cross, and the soldiers meeting one Simon of Cyrene in northern Africa, coming from the country, laid hold upon him, and compelled him to assist in bearing it. And so the mournful procession was resumed, followed by a great multi- tude, amongst which many women began to utter loud laments at the sad spectacle. Turning to these daughters of Jerusalem the exalted Sufferer bade them xoeep not for Him, hut for themselves; for nameless sorrows awaited them, days when they would cry to the mountains to fall upon them, and to the hills to cover them (Lk. xxiii. 28 — 31). 3. The Crucifixion. On reaching" the appointed place, the hole for the Cross was dug in the ground, and a potion of wine mingled with myrrh was offered to the Holy One. He touched it with His lips but would not drink it. Then the soldiers stripped Him of His garments, nailed His hands and feet to the Cross, and placed over His head the title which Pi- late had written in three languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, This is Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. Thus between the two malefactors, one on His right hand and the other on His left (Isai. liii. 12), the Eedcemer hung sus- pended between heaven and earth, breathing forth even under the hands of His murderers words of infinite love, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Lk. xxiii. 34). 4. The Soldiers casting Lots. It was now about the third hour (Mk. xv. 25), and the quaternion or party of four soldiers with their centurion whose duty it was to see that the bodies of those who suffered by crucifixion were not taken away, sat down A.D. 30.] THE DARKNESS. 80 and watched. According to custom, the clothes of the Re- deemer had become their perquisite. Of the outer garment they made four parts, but the inner garment was loithout seam, woven from the top throughout. For this garment they drew lots, and thus unconsciously fulfilled the words of the Psalm- ist, They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast lots (Ps. xxii. i8 ; Jn. xix. 24). 5. Mary and Jolin. While, however, the soldiers were thus employed, there stood near the Eedeemer's Cross His mother. His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene, and with them the Apostle John. Looking upon His mother, and the disciple whom He loved, He said to her. Woman, behold thy son, and to the disciple. Behold thy mother ; and from that hour the Apostle took her to his own home (Jn. xix. 27). But soon the passers-by began to vent their mockery and bitter gibes upon the Redeemer. Some bade Him who could destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save Himself, and come down from the Cross. The soldiers also took up their words, and even the crucified malefactors followed their example, and cast the same in His teeth. 6. The Penitent TMef. But soon the feelings of one of these latter underwent a striking change. He began to re- prove the other for his revihngs. They indeed were suffering justly, and receiving the reward of their misdeeds, but the Holy One in their midst had done nothing amiss (Lk. xxiii. 40). Then turning to the Saviour said, Lord, remember me lohen Thou comest in Thy kingdom, and received the comforting reply, This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise. (Lk. xxiii. 43). 7. The Darkness. But now natm-e herself began to evince her sympathy with the awful scene that was being enacted. At the sixth hour, the hour of noon, the clearness of day be- gan to be obscured. A fearful darkness gradually spread over the whole land till nearly the ninth hour, the hour of the evening sacrifice. Meanwhile the Holy One began to be sen- sible of burning thirst, and gave expression to it in words. Close at hand stood a vessel full of vinegar, and one of the soldiers taking a sponge, filled it with the fluid, and placing it on a hyssop-reed, raised it to His lips. 8. The Last Cry. He had hardly done so, when the Re- deemer cried out, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me ? (Mk. xv. 34). On hearing this, some of those standing near declared that He called on Elias, whose appearance was imiversally expected as the sign of the Messiah's kingdom. They would, therefore, have waited to see whether the great prophet would really come, and would have 90 THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE RENT. [A. D. 30. arrested the hand that was raising the vinegar. But the mo- ment of release was near. As soon as He had tasted the vinegar, the Eedeemer cried with a loud voice, It is finished; Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit, and gave ujp the ghost (Jn. xix. 30). 9. The Veil of the Temple rent in Twain. These last "words had hardly been uttered when the beautiful veil, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy in the Temple, was suddenly rent in tioain from the top to the bottom (Mtt. xxvii. 51, Mk. XV. 38), and at the same moment the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent, laying open many of the sepulchres on all sides of the city. These marvellous inci- dents made a deep impression on all who witnessed them. The people began to pour back with fearful forebodings into the city, while the centurion, who had stood by the Cross, under the influence of deep emotion, testified that He, who had been condemned as a blasphemer, was indeed a righteous man, nay more, that He was in truth the Son of God (Mtt. xxvii. 54; Mk. XV. 39). CHAPTEE Vni. 1. The pierced Side. The day was now far advanced, and the morrow being a high day, the Jewish rulers were anxious that the bodies of the Saviour and the two malefactors should not remain upon the cross. They therefore repaired to Pilate, and requested that they might be removed. Pilate gave his consent, and the soldiers repairmg to Golgotha, broke the legs of one malefactor, and then of the other. When however, they came to the Body of Jesus, they foimd that He was dead already. Unconsciously fulfilling, therefore, the typical language of Scrip- ture respecting the Paschal Lamb, which declared that not a hone of it should he broken (Ex. xii. 46 ; Ps. xxxiv. 20), and a prediction that men should look upon Ilim whom they pierced (Zech. xii. 10), they abstained from breaking His legs; but one of them, as if resolved to give a stroke of itself sufficient to cause death, thrust his spear into His side, whence immedi- ately there flowed forth blood and icater (Jn. xix. 34). 2. The Burial. Meanwhile, Joseph of Arimatlaasa, a man of wealth, a member of the Sanhedi-in, and a secret disciple of Jesus, went in to Pilate, and requested that the Body of the Kedeemer might be given up to him. Filled with astonishment that death had so speedily taken place, Pilate called in the cen- turion, and enquired whether this was really the case. Assured that it was so, he freely granted the request, and Joseph haviug purchased fine linen repaired to Golgotha to take down the Holy Body, Here he was Joined by Nicodemus , who had brought A. D. 30.] THE RESURRECTION. 91 a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred 'pound weight (Jn. xix. 39). Together, then, they took down the Body, wrapped it in the Unen clothes, and conveyed the Holy One to a new tomb which had been hewn by Joseph himself out of a rock in a garden, which he possessed hard by Golgotha. There, in the presence of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses, and other women who had followed the Saviour during His lifetime from Galilee, they laid it, rolled a great stone to the entrance, and departed. 3. Tlie Watch. Thus He, who all His life long had been the poorest of the poor, made His grave with the rich (Is. liii, 9), and received the anointing of the great ones of the earth. But though the outward temple of His Body had been destroyed, the Pharisees and chief priests could not forget that saying of His, that in three days He would raise it up. They therefore repaired to the residence of Pilate, and requested that the sepul- chre might be made secure till the third day, lest the disciples should come and steal Him away, and give out that He had risen. Pilate consenting, they went their way, sealed the stone at the entrance of the sepulchre with their official seal, and then consigned to the soldiers the duty of watching the tomb of the Holy One (Mtt. xxvii. 63—65). 4. Visit of the Women to the Sepulchre. Though both Joseph of Arimathtea and Nicodemus had assisted in embalm- ing the Body of the Saviour, it had necessarily been done in haste, and the women, resolved to complete it, had prepared spices and ointments for that purpose. With these, then, early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was yet dark, Mary Magdalene, Maiy the mother of James, and Salome, set out for the sepulchre, their thoughts occupied on the way with the natural question who would roll away the great stone they had seen fitted into its appointed place (Mk. xvi. 3). 5. The Resurrection. While they were thus musing, the earth quaked beneath their feet, and an angel descended and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow, and before him the Eoman sentinels fell prostrate for fear, and became as dead men. Bewildered by the sudden earthquake, the women ad- vanced nearer, beheld the stone rolled away from the tomb, and saw that the Holy Body was there no longer. While, however, they were wondering at this unexpected discovery, one of their number, Mary Magdalene, had already hurried back to Jeru- salem, and seeking out Simon Peter, announced to him and the Apostle John, that the tomb was empty, and she knew not whither the Body of their Lord had been conveyed (Jn. xx. 2). D2 PETER AND JOHN AT THE SEPULCHRE. [A.D. 30. On receiving this startling news the two Apostles forthwith set out towards the tomb, followed by Mary Magdalene herself. 6. Tlie Message of tlie Angels. Meanwhile the women who had remained behind were standing near the empty tomb, when there appeared to them fwo,"or, as it seemed to others of their number, one of the heavenly host clad in glistering apparel, •who announced to them that their Lord was risen : that there was no need for them to seek the living amongst the dead; and bade them go to His Apostles, and aiinounce the joyful tidings that, their risen Lord was going before them into Galilee, and there they should see Him (Mtt. xxviii. 7). Without losing a moment, the women hurried to the Apostles, and recounted the cheering tidings. But in their deep sorrow the Eleven regarded their words as no better than an idle tale, and could not credit their announcement (Lk. xxiv. 11). 7. Peter and John at the Sepulchre. During this time the two Apostles, Peter and John, had been running towards the sepulchre with all speed. Outrunning his fellow Apostle, John first reached the tomb, and stooping doivn saiv the linen clothes lying there, but entered not in. Thereupon Peter entering in, steadily contemplated the state of the sepulchre. There lay the swathing-bands in one place, there was the napkin which had been about the Eedeemer's head, not lying with the rest of the clothes, but folded up in another spot by itself. There was nothing to indicate any violation of the tomb. Thus encouraged the Apostle John also ventured to enter, and after surveying the sepulchre, he turned back to- wards Jerusalem with his fellow Apostle, marvelling at what had taken place (Lk. xxiv. 12). 8. The Appearance to Mary Magdalene. But these signs did not carry conviction to the mind of Mary Magdalene. Un- able to tear herself away from the sepulchre, she was standing outside weeping, when stooping down she beheld two angels in white, the one at the head, the other at the feet, where the body of her Lord had lain. Woman, they addressed her, lohj/ weepest thou? She replied, Theij have taken axoay my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. Then as she turned away ehe beheld One standing near, whom she did not recognise. Thinking it was the keeper of the garden, she said. Sir, if thou hast home Him hence, tell me lohere thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. She had hardly spoken, when the Stranger addressing her, said, Mary. Instantly she knew who He was, and in her bewildered joy sought to clasp His feet. But this might not be. The relations between herself and the mighty Conqueror of death were changed. Touch Me not, said He, for A. D. 30.] THE JOURNEY TO EMMA US. 03 I am not yet ascended unto My Father : hut go to My brethren, and tell them, I ascend to My Father, and to your Father, to My God, and your God. And Mary went, and became the first messenger of His resurrection to His disciples. 9. Tlie Appearance to the other Women. Soon, however, the other women, who appear to have also returned towards the sepulchre, were met by their risen Lord, who saluted them with the word Hail. Thereupon they drew near and worshipped Him, and, like Mary Magdalene, were bidden to announce to His brethren the joyous news that He was going before them into Galilee. As they departed, certain of the Koman sentinels entered into the city, and recounted to the chief priests all that had occurred. Upon this, a meeting of the Sanhedrin was con- vened, and by dint of heavy bribes the soldiers were persuaded to give out, that, while they were sleeping at their posts, the disciples had come and stolen away the Body of their Master, which story obtained a very general circulation amongst the Jews (Mtt. xxviii. 11 — 14). CHAPTER IX. 1. The Journey to Emmaus. Thus the morning of the world's first Easter-day passed^away. Early the same after- noon two of the disciples, Cleopas, and another, whose name is not recorded, set out from Jerusalem for the village of Emmaus. As they went, they were conversing sorrowfully about the events that had so lately occm-red, when a Stranger drew near, and be- gan to enquire the meaning of their sorrowful looks, and of their earnest conversation. Not recognising Him, and sur- prised that any one could be ignorant of the event which filled their hearts, they proceeded to recount the tale of their disap- pointed hopes. But to their surprise it evoked serious reproof. foolish, said their Companion, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken; Ought not tlie Messiah to have suffered these things? and then beginning from Moses and all the Prophets He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things relating to the Messiah's work and person (Lk. xxiv. 26, 27). 2. The Recognition. Meanwhile the two disciples found themselves close to Emmaus, and their Companion appeared to be going further.' Abide with us, said they earnestly; the day is far spent, and it is toicards evening ; nor did they cease till they had constrained Him to enter their abode (Lk. xxiv. 28, 29). There they quickly prepared an evening meal, and their Companion took bread, and proceeded to distribute it amongst them. But while so doing, the tone of His voice, or some 94 THE APPEARANCE TO THE TEN. [A.D. 30. well-know gesture, revealed to them who He was. Their eyea were opened, and they recognised Him, and at the same mo- ment He va7iished out of their sight (Lk. xxiv. 31). 3. The Appearance to Simon. Certain now who it was that on the road had caused their hearts to burn within them, they instantly hui'ried back to Jerusalem, and ascended to the upper-room, where the Apostles and others were assembled with closed doors for fear of the Jews. They thought they were the bearers of strange tidings. But their companions had news for them. The Lord loas risen indeed, and by a special appear- ance had revealed Himself to the repentant Simon. 4. The Appearance to the Ten. Then they told their tale, when suddenly, while they yet were speaking, the Lord stood in their midst, and saluted them with the words. Peace he unto you. Terrified by so sudden an apparition, they imagined that they beheld a spectre or phantom. But He calmed their fears. Why are ye troubled, He enquired, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet; for a spirit hath not jlesh and hones as ye see Me have. But though He showed them His hands and His side, their joy still strug- gled with unbehef. At length He enquired whether they had anything to eat, and when they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and of an honeycomb He took and ate in their presence. 5. The Appearance ' to the Eleven. On the evening, how- ever, of this first Easter-day, Thomas, one of the Apostles, was not present, and when he was informed by the others of the appearance in the upper-room, he utterly refused to believed it. Unless, said he, I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put viy finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I icill not helieve. Seven days afterwards the Apostles were again assembled in the upper-room. On this occasion Thomas was not absent, and while the doors were shut as before, suddenly the words, Peace he unto you, were heard, and the risen Lord stood in the midst. Knowing all the doubts of His Apostle, Thomas, said He, reach hither thy finger, and see My hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side, and he not faithless hut helieving. Whether the Apostle touched his Lord or not is not recorded. Certain it is all his doubts fled away, and, in the fulness of believing faith, ha exclaimed. My Lord and my God (Jn. xx. 28). 6. The Lake of Gennesaret. At some period after this last appearance, the Apostles returned to the region of Galilee and the familiar neighbourhood of the lake of Gennesaret. Here once more some of them resumed their former occupa- tions as fishermen, and on one occasion, seven of their num- A.D. 30.] THE MYSTERIOUS MEAL. f5 ber, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, Jolin, and two others, whose names are not mentioned, entered into a boat at even- tide and plied their craft. Hour after hour passed away, and still they toiled but took nothing (Jn. xxi. i — 3). 7. The Appearance to the Seven. Just, however, as the morning broke a Voice was heard saying, Children, have ye any meat? They answered. No. Thereupon the Voice spake again, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall Jind. They did so, and straightway found themselves unable to drag the net in again by reason of the multitude of the fish they had enclosed. The Apostle John felt sure he knew who was standing on the beach, and said to Simon Peter, It is the Lord. Instantly the son of Jonas, girding his fisher's coat about him, flung himself into the lake, and by swimming and wading reached the shore, followed by the rest in the boat dragging the net with the fish they had caught (Jn. xxi. 3— 8). 8. The Mysterious Meal. On landing they found them- selves in the presence of their risen Lord, and perceived that on the margin of the lake there was a fire of charcoal, and fish laid thereon and bread. To these the Eedeemer bade them add some of the fish they had just brought to land, which numbered a hundred and fifty and three, and then all sat down to the early morning meal. When it was over, turning to the Apostle Peter the risen Saviour enquired, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these ? Yea, Lord, Thou knoicest that I love Thee, replied the other. Feed My lambs, responded the Eedeemer. Twice more was the question repeated, till the Apostle, touched probably by this remembrance of his three denials, made answer. Lord, Thou knoicest all things; Thou knoivest that I love Thee. Once more the command Feed My sheep was given, and then the Apostle was restored to his old place in the circle of the Twelve (Jn. xxi. it — 17). 9. The Appearance on the Mount. Apparently a short time after this last appearance, the Eleven repaired to a mountain in Galilee which the Saviour Himself had indicated, and there He appeared not only to them but in all probabiHty to ilaefive hundred brethren of whom St Paul speaks (i Cor. xv. 6). Even now some doubted whether they were really behold- ing their Lord, but the Eleven no sooner saw Him than they offered Him their reverent adoration, which He accepted, and declaring that now all power was given Him in heaven and in earth, bade then go into all the luorld, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (Mtt. xxviii. 18, 19). 10. Tho Journey towards Bethany. And now the great 96 THE ASCENSION. [A.D. 80. Forty Days were rapidly drawing to a close. Attracted by the near approach of the festival of Pentecost, the Apostles and their companions left Galilee and returned to Jerusalem. There once more they saw their risen Lord, and for the last time re- ceived from His own lips instruction in the things concerning the kingdom of God, and were commanded to remain in Jeru- salem till the promise of the Father should receive its ac- complishment, and they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost and endued with power from on high (Acts i. 5; Lk. xxiv. 49). At last one day He bade them accompany Him along the road towards Bethany and the Mount of Olives. With their carnal hopes still set on the idea that He was about to commence His long-looked for reign, they began to enquire, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? (Acts i. 6). But their enquiries were solemnly silenced. It was not for them to know the times or the seasons, which the Father had put in His own power (Acts i. 7). II. The Ascension. Thus conversing they followed Him to one of the secluded hills which overhang the village of Beth- any. There they received His last solemn blessing, and while His hands, bearing the marks of the wounds which man had inflicted, were yet uplifted over them. He began to be parted from them, and there came a cloud (Acts i. q), in which He slowly rose from Olivet, higher and yet higher, till at length He was lost to sight, and had ascended up to that highest heaven, where He was in the glory of the Father before the world was. Long time stood the Eleven watching Him as He receded more and more from view. At length two angelic beings clad in white apparel addressed them, saying, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who hath been taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven (Acts i. 11). And then all was over. With hearts subdued and solemnized the Apostles returned to the Upper-room at Jerusalem, and there continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the loomen, and Mary the mother of Jesus , and with His brethren (Acts i. 14). THE APOSTOLIC HISTORY, PAET I. The Church of Jerusalem. CHAPTEE I. 1. The Election of Matthias. In accordance with their Lord's command, the Apostles remained in the Holy City, and there continued with one accord in prayer and supplication (Acts i. 14). In the meantime, however, one thing could be done be- fore the bestowal of the promised gift of the Comforter. They could fill up the gap which the treachery of Judas had made in their body. Accordingly the Apostle Peter stood up, and having alluded to the terrible end of the traitor, advised that they should proceed to the election of a new Apostle, and suggested that he should be one who had companied with them from the beginning to the close of their Lord's ministry, and had been a witness of His resurrection (Acts i. 12). His suggestion found favour with those assembled, and they nomi- nated two of their number. One was Joseph Barsabas, sur- named Justus ; the other was Matthias. These they put forward, and after prayer to the Lord that He would indicate whom He had selected for the of&ce, they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the Eleven Apostles (Acts i. ■26). 2. The Day of Pentecost. Ten days now passed away, and at length, the Fiftieth, the Day of Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks, was come. The Holy City was crowded with strangers not only from Palestine, but from Parthia and Media, from Edom and Mesopotamia, from the various districts of Asia Minor, from the islands of the Mediterranean, from Alexandria, Cyrene, and the capital of the West itself (Acts ii. 9 — i r). All assembled in one place, the disciples were awaiting the fulfilment of the Divine Promise, when suddenly there arose out of heaven a sound as of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the whole house. At the same moment, tongues, as if of fire, distributed themselves amongst, and settled upon each of them, and the Apostles, filled with the Holy Ghost, found themselves able to speak not only in their own language, but in as many dialects as were represented that day at Jerusalem (Acts ii, 4). 3. St Peter's first Sermon. Meanwhile the noise of the mighty rushing wind, audible over the whole city, had attracted a great multitude to the abode of the disciples. Unable to account for the sudden change that had come over them, they 98 TEE FIRST BAPTISM. [A.D. SO. exclaimed, what tneaneth this? Are not all these which speak Galilceans ? Others said in mockery, These men are full of new wine. Thereupon Peter stood up and in a loud voice refuted the charge. It was but the third hour from sunrise, the first hour of prayer (9. a. m.) , before which no Israehte ventured to taste anything. They were not filed with new ivine, but the words of the prophet Joel (ii. 28, 29) were now accomplished. The wonderful gifts they saw and heard had been bestowed upon them by that same Christ Jesus, whom they had crucified and slain. But as the Psalmist had predicted, God had not left His soul in Hades, nor suffered Him to see corruption. He had raised Him from the dead, and exalted Him to His right hand. He and no other was the true Messiah (Acts ii. 1 7 — 36). 4. The first Baptism. His words produced a deep impres- Bion. Pricked to the heart his hearers addressed him and the rest of the Eleven, saying. Men arid brethren, what shall we do? Eepent, replied the Apostle, and he baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Many obeyed, and that day were added to the Church about three thousand souls (Acts ii. 41). CHAPTER II. 1. The first Believers. Thus at the Festival of the in- gathering of the natural harvest, a rich harvest of souls was gathered into the Christian Church. With one accord they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, by whose hands many wonders and signs were wrought ; they persevered in fellowship with one another, selling their possessions, and parting them to all men, as every man had need ; they at- tended constantly on the Breaking of the Bread, and the celebra- tion of that Feast, which shewed forth their Lord's death; and they were steadfast in their attendance at the public prayers of the Temple, praising God, and having favour with all the people (Acts ii, 42 — 46). 2. Peter and John in the Temple. To the Temple, two of the Apostles, Peter and John, were going up at the ninth hour (5 in the afternoon), when they met at the entrance a cripple, who was wont to be laid day by day at the "Beautiful Gate" to solicit alms from the worshippers. Seeing the Apostles ho asked their aid, and they stopping fixed upon him an earnest gaze, and bade him look on them (Acts iii. 4). Expecting somo charitable offering the man did so, when Peter, suddenly bade him rise and tvalk, and taking him by the hand lifted him up. Instantly he found strength restored to him, and was enabled to spring up, stand, and even accompany the Apostles to tho A. D. 30.] THE BOLDNESS OF PETER. 99 Temple. The cure of such a man was quickly noised abroad, and the people ran together with one accord into Solomon's porch, and beheld the man they had so long known a helpless cripple clinging to his healers (Acts iii. u). 3. Peter's second Sermon. Thereupon the Apostle Peter deemed it a meet occasion to address the wondering throng, and declared that the cure of the man was due to no power of his or of his brother Apostle, but to that God who had raised from the dead, and exalted to heaven that same Jesus, whom they had so lately crucified and slain. In the person of Jesus the Pbophet had appeared, of whom Moses had spoken many years before (Deut. xviii. 15, 18), and He was the long-promised Messiah of the nation. His words had a still greater effect than on the preyious occasion, and upwards of 5000 avowed themselves believers in the Crucified, and were added to the Christian Church (Acts iv. 4). 4. Measures of the Sanhedrin. But the words of the Apo- stle had other issues also. The Sanhedrin, which had hitherto stood aloof, resolved to act. Sending, therefore, their officers, they laid hands on the two Apostles and the healed cripple (Acts iv. 14) and committed them to prison, intending on the morrow to institute a formal trial. The next day, therefore, the rulers, elders, and scribes, assembled in their hall of judgment, and placing the Apostles, in the midst, enquired on what authority they had acted as they had done. 5. Boldness of Peter. Thereupon Peter again stood forward, and boldly declared that the miracle of the previous day was due entirely to the mighty working of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead. He was the Stone, whom they, the builders and appointed teach- ers of the nation, had rejected, which had now become iheHead of the corner^ neither was there any other Name under heaven given among men whcrehy they could be saved. Such boldness utterly astounded the Sanhedrin, and the more so, when they reflected that the speaker and his fellow-Apostle were of the common class, unlearned cmd ignorant (Acts iv. 13). Unable, therefore, to deny the miracle, they forbade the Apostles preach- ing any more in the name of Jesus. 6. The Answer from Heaven. This, however, the Apostles absolutely declined to do. They could not, they said, refrain from declaring what their own eyes had seen, aJid their own ears had heard, or hearken to the Council rather than to God. After further threats, therefore, they were dismissed, and returning to the rest of the disciples, related all that had occurred. There- upon with one accord their hearers lifted up their voices to the 100 ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. [A. D. 30— 34. Lord of heaven and earth, and prayed that, while He stretched forth His hands to heal, and caused signs and wonders to be wrought by their hands, they themselves might receive still greater boldness to preach His Word (Acts iv. 23 — 30). Their petition was heard. A sudden earthquake shook the house where they were met, and a fresh and special effusion of the Holy Ghost filled them with still greater strength to carry on their Divine work (Acts iv. 31.) CHAPTEK III. T. Barnabas. Thus ended the first collision between the Apostles and the ruling powers at Jerusalem. Meanwhile within the Christian society itself all as yet went well. Still sincere and self-denying, still of one heart and of one soul (Acts iv. 32), the members of the Church sold such lands or houses as they possessed, and brought the price and laid it at the Apostles' feet, who caused distribution to be made according to each man's need. Of such self-denial no one afforded a brighter example than a man of the tribe of Levi, and a native of Cyprus. Jlis name was Joseph, but by the Apostles he wa3 called Baenabas, the son of Consolation, or rather of Exhortation, on account of his great gifts of inspired discourse (Acts iv. 36). 2. Ananias and Sapphira. But soon a sad incident occur- red, telling of evil already at work within the Christian society. A certain man, named Ananias, with the privity of his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, and keeping back a part of the price, laid the remainder at the Apostles' feet, giving it to be understood that it was the whole sum he had received (Acts v. I, 2). But the deception did not escape the notice of the Apo- stle Peter. Fixing his eye upon him as he laid the portion at his feet, he declared he had not lied unto men hut unto God (Acts V. 4). At these words, so stern and yet so true, the wretched man fell down, and gave up the ghost, and was carried by the young men present to a tomb without the city. Three hours afterwards, his wife Sapphira, not knowing what had occurred, entered the place where the disciples were met together. There- upon the Apostle Peter asked whether she and Ananias had really sold the farm for the price he had said. She answered in the affirmative, and thus made her husband's sin her own. On this, the Apostle denounced the awful penalty which had already befallen Ananias, and on hearing his words she too fell down a corpse, and was instantly convoyed to the grave by those who had just returned from biu-ying her husband (Acts v. 8 — 10). 3. The Eflfect on the Chnrcli. The effect of this terrible but just judgment was very great. Fear came on all who saw and A.D. 30—34.] THE COUNSEL OF GAMALIEL. 101 heard what had taken place, while the common people, impressed by a sense of the wondrous power possessed by the Apostles, brought forth their sick, and placing them on beds and couches in the streets, besought that they might have the benefit even of Peter's shadoic passing htj. Soon the population of the towns round about Jerusalem began to do the same, and experienced the effects of the healing word of the Apostles, as addressed either to the sick or those possessed by unclean spirits (Acts v. i6). 4. The Sanhedrin again roused. All this could not escape the notice of the Sanhedrin. The Sadducees, who formed a large body in it, saw that they must make a fresh effort to crush the new and quickly increasing sect. Having seized the Apo- stles, therefore, they put them in prison, and on the morrow called together the whole Council, and sent their officers to bring them into their presence. The officers went and foimd the doors fast closed, but the prisoners were not there. On this they returned, and while the Council was in great perplexity, a messenger arrived announcing that the Apostles were in the Temple, where indeed they had been since daybreak, having been released by an angel during the night (Acts v. 18 — -25). Thereupon an officer was despatched to fetch them, which he did, though with caution and gentleness, for the feelings of the people were largely on the side of the Apostles. 5. Boldness of the Twelve. But the Twelve readily ac- companied the officer into the presence of the Council, and in reply to the question why they had disobeyed their late commands, Peter, once more their spokesman, declared they must obey God rather than man. He had raised up His Son Jesus from the dead, exalted Him to be a Prince and a Saviour; they were His witnesses, and their testimony they were bound to deliver (Acts v. ig — 32). Such boldness roused the Council to the utmost fury, and many were clamorous that the prisoners should be put to death. 6. Gamaliel. But the rising of one of their number was the signal for calmer measures. This was the famous Gamaliel, an illustrious teacher of the Law, and held in great reverence by the people. Having suggested that the Apostles should be put forth for a space, he began to urge his brethren to modera- tion. They had nothing to fear, he said, from an obscure band of Galilaeans. Did they not remember how a few years before one Theudas had risen up, and collected a body of 400 followers, and how in the days of the taxing Judas of Galilee had drawn away much people after him? Were either of them successful? Did not both perish? Let them, then, refrain from these men. If their yfoik was of God, they could not overthrow it, and 102 INSTITUTION OF THE DEACONS. [A.D. 84—36. let them take care lest they should be found fighting against God (Acts V. 34—39)- 7. Tlie Apostles beaten with rods. His words prevailed. The Apostles were recalled, and after being beaten with rods were strictly enjoined to speak no more in the name of Jesus. But threats and stripes were aHke of no avail. They went forth from the Council rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer for the name of their Master, and ceased not publicly in the temple, and privately from house to house, to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts v. 41, 42). CHAPTEE IV. I. Murmurings of the Hellenists. Hitherto, it will be observed, the Sadducees had been chiefly active against the Apostles. Now they were to incur the hostilities of the Phari- sees also. While the numbers of the Christian society increas- ed, the same self-denial marked the conduct of all, and distri- bution was daily made to relieve the wants of the poorer bre- thren. Before long a suspicion arose that this distribution was not quite fairly conducted. There was a murmuring between the Hellenists, or foreign Jews, and the Hebrews, or Jews of Palestine, that their widoics were neglected in the daily minis- tration (Acts vi. i). 2 Institution of the Deacons. Such complaints might have led to sad results. The Apostles, therefore, met, and advised the general body of the disciples, instead of expecting them to leave the ministry of the word and serve tables, to select seven men of good report, who might devote themselves to this distribution. The proposal was approved, and the general body of the disciples submitted to the Apostles the names of seven men for the duty. These were Stephen, Philip, Prochokus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. The Twelve approved of the selection, and after prayer, laid their hands upon them, and solemnly ordained them to their office (Acts vi. 6). 3. Stephen. Thus all ground for complaint was removed, the multitude of the disciples increased, and a number even of the priests became obedient to the faith (Acts vi. 7). One of the "Seven" recently elected, Stephen, was a man full of faith and power, who not only wrought great wonders and signs amongst the people, but proved himself able to argue with irresistible force with the Jews of Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Eoman Asia, in their several synagogues. A Hel- lenist, and freed from many of the prejudices of the stricter Jews, he appears to have spoken strongly of the fulfilment of A.D. 34—36.] MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN. 103 the Law in the person and work of Christ, and to have de- clared that a time was at hand when not in the Temple, or in Jerusalem, but everywhere many would worship the Father. 4. Accusations against Mm. This roused a furious op- position, and, on a charge of speaking blasphemous words against the Temple and the Law, he was dragged before the Sanhedrin. There, when questioned by the high-priest, he defended himself in a speech of great power. Having re- viewed all the great events in the national history from Abra- ham to Joseph — from Joseph to Moses — from Moses to David and Solomon — he shewed that the Divine blessing was never confined to the Jews as inhabiting the land of Palestine or as partakers in the worship of the Temple (Acts vii. 2 — 50). For some time he was listened to with patience, but when he sternly rebuked his hearers for resisting the Holy Ghost, per- secuting the prophets, and murdering the Saviour, their rage knew no bounds (Acts vii. 51 — 53). 5. Martyrdom of Stephen. Gnashing upon him with their teeth, they could not restrain their fury, and when looking up to heaven he exclaimed, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of Gody they rushed upon him with one accord, and led him forth outside the city gates to stone him. Arrived at the spot, the witnesses threw off their loose outer garments (Deut. xvii. 7), and laid them at the feet of a young Pharisee, named Saul. Then they hurled the first stone, while Stephen, crying Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, fell on his knees to the ground. Shortly afterwards in a loud voice he exclaimed, Lordy lay not this sin to their charge, and fell asleep (Acts vii. 60). PAET 11. The Church of Palestine. CHAPTER I. I. Saul of Tarsus. The martyrdom of Stephen was the signal for a furious persecution of the Christians, in which Pharisee and Sadducee alike joined. But none was more filled with zeal than the young Pharisee, Saul, of Tarsus in Cilicia. Eesolved to viahe havoc of the Church, he invaded private houses, dragged forth their inmates, whether men or women, and committed them to prison. Some he scourged often in many synagogues (Acts xxvi. 11); some he strove to compel to blaspheme the Holy Name whereby they xoere called; others he brought before tbo Sanhedrin, and when it was de- 104 SIMON MAGUS. [A.D. 36. cided that tliey should be put to death, gave his vote against them (Acts xxvi. lo), till in time his fame as a persecutor reached even the distant Damascus. 2. Philip the Deacon. From the storm thus suddenly roused the disciples fled in different directions, through Judaea and Samaria, and as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts xi. 19), but the Apostles remained at Jerusalem. Among those thus dispersed abroad was Philip, one of the seven Deacons. He went down to Samaria, and entering one of its towns, began to preach, and perform many miracles, while with one accord the Samaritans gave heed to his words (Acts viii. 6). 3. Simon Magus. At this time there was present in Sama- ria a man, named Simon, a magician, who had great influence over the Samaritans, and was pronounced to be the Power of God lohich is called Great (Acts viii. io)r But in Philip he found one whom he could not resist. Seeing himself, therefore, deserted, he too professed himself a believer, and received baptism at the hands of Philip. Meanwhile news that Sa- maria also had received the Word reaching the ears of the Apostles, they despatched thither Peter and John to make a special enquiry. They, on their arrival, prayed that some of the special gifts bestowed on the day of Pentecost might be showered down upon the Samaritan believers, and when they had laid their hands upon them the gifts they prayed for were bestowed. Astonished at this result of the imposition of tho Apostles' hands, Simon tried to bribe them to impart to him a portion of the same power. This opened their minds to his real character, and Peter sternly denounced his wicked- ness, declared that he had neither part nor lot in the matter, and bade him pray that the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven. Filled with fear, the magician besought the Apo- stles to intreat the Lord for him that he might not suffer from the Divine vengeance (Acts viii. 24). 4. The Ethiopian Eunuch. After this encounter the two Apostles visited other Samaritan villages, and then returned to Jerusalem. Philip, however, was bidden to go towards the south along the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. As he went, he perceived a chariot, in which one sat reading aloud as he rode. This was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, the chief officer of Candace, queen of Meroe, and steward of all her treasure. He had come up to worship at one of the feasts at Jerusalem, and was now returning. Bidden by the heavenly Voice to join the stranger, Phihp quickened his steps, and presently heard him reading aloud the words of the Prophet Isaiah A. D. 36-A.D. 40.] THE CONVERSION OF SA VL. 105 (chap. liii. 6, 7). Under standest thou what thou readest? en- quired Philip. Hoto can I, answered the other, unless some man should guide me ? and he besought him to get up and sit by his side (Acts viii. 31). 5. Baptism of the Eunuch. Philip did so, and began to explain to him the purport of the prophet's words, and to preach the glad tidings of Him who died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven. As he went on, the eunuch was filled with an ardent desire to embrace the faith, and on reaching a stream of water, enquired whether aught could hinder his being baptized? Thereupon the chariot was stayed, and the two went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. On ascending from the stream the Spirit suddenly caught away Phihp, so that the eunuch saw him no more, and wejit on his way rejoicing. Meanwhile the Evangelist passed on to Azotus, the ancient Ashdod, and thence preaching the Gospel on his way along the coast-line to Cassarea-on-the-sea (Acts viii. 40). CHAPTEK II. 1. Saul's Journey to Damascus. Meanwhile determined to make havoc of the Church, and not content with persecuting its members at Jerusalem, Saul requested letters of the high- priest empowering him to seize any whom he might in the city of Damascus, whether men or women, and convey them thence to Jerusalem to be punished (Acts ix. i, 2; xxvi. 12). Having received these letters, he set out with a considerable retinue, and crossing the Jordan made his way in a north- easterly direction towards the city. 2. The Voice from Heaven. On the last, probably the sixth day of his journey, about noon, when the sun was burn- ing with the fulness of its heat, the beautiful city appeared in view. But just as he seemed to have reached the object of his journey, a light, brighter even than the fiery sim, flashed upon the persecutor and his companions. Struck dumb with fear he and they fell to the ground, and then there came a Voice, which all heard but one alone was enabled to under- stand, saying, in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why perse- cutest thou Mel Who art Thou, Lord? replied the stunned and confused persecutor. I am Jesus, was the answer, whom thou persecutest. TrembUng and astonished the other went on. Lord, lohat wilt thou have me to do ? and was directed to arise and go into the city, and there he should learn what he was to do (Acts ix. 6). 3. Ananias. Thereupon Saul arose, but when he opened his eyes, they were blinded by the biightness of the light. 108 mS BA PTISM. [A. D. 36— A. D. 40. His companions "who had stood speechless listening to the Voice, hut seeing no man, now took him by the hand, and led him into the city, and through a street called " Straight " to the abode of one Judas, where he remained three days, during which period he neither ate nor drank, but remained engaged in prayer. At length a disciple named Ananias, was bidden by the Lord in a vision to seek him out, and restore to him his sight. After a little hesitation Ananias went, and laying his hands upon him, told him of the vision, and the purport of his coming (Acts ix. lo — 16). 4. The Baptism of Saul. He had scarcely spoken, when from the eyes of the new disciple of the risen Saviour there fell as it had been scales (Acts ix. 18). Looking up he beheld the face of Ananias, and learned the purpose for which the God of his fathers had chosen him (Acts xxvi. 18). Thereupon he arose, and was baptized, and having taken meat was strengthened for the work he had to do. Great was the surprise of the Jews at Damascus when they saw the late persecutor entering the syna- gogues (Acts ix. 20), and heard him proving by arguments they could not confute that Jesus was indeed the long-expected Mes- siah. After a few days, however, it became clear that it would not be safe for him to continue in Damascus. Accordingly he left the city, and departed to Arabia (Gal. i. 17), to commune there in solitude with Him, who had called him to be an Apostle, before he entered on his active labours. 5. His return to Damascus. How long Saul remained in Arabia we are not told. Thence, however, he returned to Damascus, and preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Actsix. 27). But now, the Jews, unable to confute his arguments, resolved to assassinate him, and he was in great danger. At length, while a strict watch was kept to prevent his escape, the disciples let him down in the night-time in a basket from a window, which opened on the outer country (Acts ix. 25; 2 Cor. xi. 33). Thus delivered from much peril, the Apostle turned his steps towards Jerusalem, being desirous to become acquainted with Peter (Gal. i. 18). But when he attempted to join himself to the dis- cijiles (Acts ix. 26), they were all afraid of him, and could not believe in the change that had come over him. At this junc- ture, Barnabas brought him to the Apostles, and recounted all that had taken place on the road to Damascus. Thereupon Peter, and James the Lord's brother, gave him the right hand of felloioship, and for a period of 15 days (Gal. i. 18), he was with them coming in and going out of Jerusalem (Acts ix. 28). 6. The Vision in the Temple. As was natural, it was in the synagogues of the Hellenists that he now disputed in sup- A. D. 36— A. D. 40.] PETER AT JOPPA. 107 port of the very doctrines he had once persecuted. But a plot "was formed to slay him, and the disciples saw that he must retire from the city. He himself was lothe to quit the place, but as he was one day praying in the Temple, he fell into a trance, and saw his Lord, who bade him make haste and depart quickly, for his mission was to the Gentiles (Acts xxii. 20, 21). Thereupon he allowed the brethren to convey him to Cffisarea- on-the-sea, whence he took ship and sailed to Tarsus, his native city, and devoted himself to preaching there and in the regiona of Syria and Cilicia (Gal. i. 21). CHAPTEK III. 1. Peter at Joppa. While he was thus employed, the Apo- stle Peter proceeded to make a visitation of the different Churches in Palestine. Amongst other places he went down to Lydda, about 9 miles from the sea-port of Joppa. Here finding a man who had been kept to his bed by paralysis up- wards of 8 years, he addressed him in his Master's name, JEneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee (Actsix. 34), whereupon he arose immediately, restored to perfect soundness. 2. Dorcas. While at Lydda the Apostle was informed that the Church at Joppa had sustained a grievous loss owing to the death of a widow of substance, named Tabitha or Dorcas (a fiazelle), who had been wont to provide clothing for the poor. Upon this he set out for Joppa, and ascended to the upper- chamber, where the body lay prepared for bm-ial, surrounded by many widows weeping for the loss of their late benefactress. These he put forth, and kneeling down engaged in prayer. Then turning to the body he said Tabitha arise, whereupon her eyes instantly opened, and seeing Peter she sat up. The fame of this miracle quickly spread, and Peter stayed many days in Jo])pa with one Simon a tanner (Acts ix. 42). 3. Cornelius. During the Apostle's stay at Joppa an im- portant event occurred at Ctesarea. Among the Eoman soldiers stationed here was a centurion, named Cornelius, a devout man, who had leai-ned to worship the One true God, and was well known for his almsgiving and uprightness of life (Acts x. 2). One day, about the ninth hour, the hour of prayer, he beheld in a vision an angel who informed him that his prayers and alms were not forgotten before God, and bade him send for the Apostle, now lodging at Joppa, who would tell bim ^hat ho should do. 4. The Vision on the Housetop. Obedient to the word the centurion summoned two of his servants, and a devout soldier attached to his person, and sent them to Joppa. While tho 108 CORNELIUS, [A.D. 41— 4;^ three were on the road, the Apostle Peter, who had retired for devotion to the flat housetop of his lodging at the noontide hour of prayer, fell into a trance, and saw a great sheet-like vessel descending by four comers till it rested upon the earth. As he observed it closely, he noticed that it contained all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth and xoild beasts and creeping things, and fowls of the air, and he heard a voice saying Rise^ Peter, kill and eat. But this the Apostle stedfastly declined to do, for he had never eaten anything comtnon or unclean. Then the Voice spake again, saying, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common, and when the strange scene had been repeated three times, the vessel loas received up again into heaven (Acts x. 15, 16). 5. Peter at Csesarea. While the Apostle was pondering over the meaning of the vision, the messengers of Cornelius arrived, and the Spirit bade him go with them, doubting nothing. Thereupon he descended, and having entertained the men hospitably, set out with them on the next day towards Csesarea, attended by certain brethren from Joppa. Entering the house of Cornelius he found him in the midst of many of his rela- tives and intimate friends, whom he had assembled to listen to the Apostle's words. As he crossed the threshold, the centurion went forth to meet him, and would have worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, reminding him that he also was a man, and then addressed himself to the assembled company. They all knew, he said, that he was a Jew, and that it was unlawful for one of his nation to associate with or enter the house of a foreigner. But God had shewed him that he was not to call ixnj common or unclean, and now he had come, and desired to know the reason for which he had been summoned (Acts x. 28 — 33). 6. Tlie Apostle's address. Then Cornelius recounted the particulars of his vision, and requested the Apostle to announce to him and his assembled friends what he had to say. Thus urged the Apostle began by acknowledging that God was indeed no respecter of persons, and then proceeded to proclaim the glad tidings of his risen Lord (Acts x. 33 — 43). While he was still speaking, to the great astonishment of the Jewish Christians from Joppa, the gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed upon the Gentiles assembled, and they began to speak in various dialects ruag- nifying and praising God. Upon this the Apostle enquired whether any could forbid that these, who had already received the gift of the Holy Ghost, should be baptized, and then ordered that they should receive the rite. The news of such an event was not long in reaching Jerusalem, and when the Apostle re- turned thither, and had recoimted everything that had occurred, A. D. 41—43.] THE NAME CHRISTIANS. 109 all assembled glorified God, for granting to the Gentiles also repentance unto life (Acts xi. 1 8). CHAPTER IV. 1 . Antiooli. Meanwhile events had occurred in other places tending to shew that the Christian Church was no longer to be con- fined to the Jews only or to the sacred land of Palestine. The Christians, who had been driven forth from Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen, travelled in different directions to Phoe- nicia, Cyprus, and Antioch the metropolis of Syria. Here for some time they addressed themselves to the Jews only, but at length some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, began to preach the word even to the Gentiles at Antioch, and with such success that many became believers (Acts xi. 21). Tidings of these events reaching Jerusalem, it was resolved to send to Antioch a trusty brother to report on all that had occurred. The person selected was no other than Barnabas, the son of exhortation, a native of Cyprus, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. 2. The new Name. So Barnabas set out, and on his arrival finding much to approve in what had taken place, he exhorted all to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart. Then giving himself up to the work, he achieved no little success, and perceiving the importance of the crisis, set out for Tarsus to fetch Saul. Thence the two returned together, and for a space of a year continued to labour side by side, and so nume- rous were the additions made to the Church, that it was clear the disciples could no longer be confounded with any sect or party of the Jews. Hence they were now called by a distinctive name, and it was at Antioch that the title of Christians was first applied to them (Acts xi. 16). 3. Agabus. While Saul and Barnabas were thus employed, certain prophets from Jerusalem arrived at Antioch, one of whom, named Agabus, stood up and announced that a great famine was- at hand, which in fact came to pass during the reign of Claudius Casar. Having full faith in his prophetic words, the Christians of Antioch resolved to send relief, every man according to his ability, to their poorer brethren at Jeru- salem, and Saul and Barnabas were selected to convey their alms to the Holy City (Acts xi. 29, 30). 4. Martjrrdom of James. About the time of their arrival at Jerusalem a severe calamity befell the Church there. King Herod Agrippa, wishing to ingratiate himself Avdth the Jews, resolved to take measures for the suppression of the brethren. Accordingly, a. d. 44, he seized the Apostle James, the brother of John, and slew him with the sword. Perceiving that this no APPREHENSION OF PETER. [A.D. 44. made him very popular with the Jews, he next arrested Peter also at the feast of the Passover, and committed him to the custody of four quaternions of soldiers, intending at the close of the festival to gratify the people with his death (Acts xii. 1-3). 5. Apprehension of Peter. Great was the sorrow of the Church at the prospect of the Apostle's death,, and unceasing prayer was made to God in his behalf. Nor was it offered in vain. For on the night . before the day fixed for his execution, while the Apostle was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the sentinels without were carefully guarding the doors, a light suddenly shone into his cell, and an angel touched him on the side, bidding him rise up quickly. Thereupon he arose, and the chains fell off from his hands. Gird thyself, re- sumed the angel, and hind on thy sandals. The Apostle did so, and casting his garment about him, followed his guide through the first and second ward, and thence through the iron gate, which opened of its own accord, into the street of the city. 6. His Deliverance. Then the angel departed, and the Apostle repaired to the house of Mary, a sister of IBarnabas, where many were gathered together praying. As soon as he knocked at the door a damsel named Ehoda came forth to open it, but recognising his voice was so transported with joy, that she ran in and announced that Peter was standing there. Those within, however, declared that she was mad, that she had seen his angel or ghost, and refused to believe her words. Meanwhile the Apostle stood without knocking, and at length the door was opened, and the disciples were assured that it was he and no other. They would have expressed their joy with loud thanksgivings, but he bade them be silent, and cany the news to James the Lord's brother, and the rest of the disciples, and then betook himself to some secure hiding-place. 7. Death of Herod. The morning dawned, and while the soldiers were endeavouring to make out what had become of their prisoner, Herod sent for them, and faiUng to receive an explanation, ordered them to be put to death, and then left Jerusalem for Cajsarea. Before the autumn, however, a terrible end overtook him. On the occasion of a great festival he en- tered the theatre, clothed in gorgeous robes, and sitting down on his throne, proceeded to give audience to certain ambassa- dors from Tyre and Sidon. The early morning sun fell upon his glistening robes, and when he rose to speak, the people shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. The king made no attempt to check tlicir idolatrous flattery, but on the instant an angel of God smote him, and he was carried out of A.D. 45—48.] CYPRUS. Ill the theatre, smitten with a terrible internal disease, and died eateii of worms (Acts xii. 23). PAET III. The Church of the Gentiles. CHAPTEE I. t. Tlie Divine Call. Meanwhile Saul and Barnabas having brought to Jerusalem the contributions of the brethren in Syria had returned to Antioch, accompanied by a relative of Barna- bas, John surnamed Mark. Here the three were joined by other teachers, Simeon surnamed Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, a foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and they toge- ther continued to build up the Church. On one occasion, while they were engaged in solemn prayer and fasting, the Holy Ghost intimated that Barnabas and Saul must be set apart for a spe- cial work, to which they had been called (Acts xiii. 1,2). 2. Cjrprus. Thereupon the hands of the chief members of the Church at Antioch were laid upon the two, and, accom- panied by Mark they repaired to Seleucia, and thence sailed to Cyprus. Beaching Salamis, the eastern port and ancient capital of the island, they preached the word in its synagogues. Thence they travelled to Paphos, at the S. W. extremity of the island, the seat of the Koman government, and the residence of the proconsul Sergius Paulus. 3. Elymas. At his court was a Jewish sorcerer named Barjesus, or, as he called himself in Arabic, Elymas {the wise). Annoyed at the willingness of the proconsul to listen to the new teachers, he offered a strenuous opposition to their work. But Saul, or as he is now for the first time called Paul, fixed his eyes upon him, and with words of stem rebuke declared that the hand of the Lord should he vpon him, and he should he blind, nor see the sun for a season. This judgment was instantly in- flicted, and the sorcerer had to seek the aid of others in going from place to place, while the proconsul, astonished at the miraculous power possessed by the Apostle, became a believer (Acts xiii. 12). 4. Jolin Mark. From Paphos the three sailed in a N.W. direction to the harbour of Attalia in Pamphylia, and thence to the town of Perga. Here Mark, either yearning after his home, or affrighted by the perils he was likely to encounter, departed from his companions and returned to Jerusalem, while the others pressed on alone to Antioch-in-Pisidia, a town of considerable importance. On the next Sabbath Paul and Barnabas repaired to the spiagogue, and after the regular x2 112 ICONIUM AND LYSTRA. [A. D. '45— 48. service were bidden, if they had any word of exhortation, to address those assembled (Acts xiii. 15). 5. Antiocli-in-Pisidia. Thereupon Paul rose up, and de- livered his first address of which we have any record. Like the discourse he had himself heard from the lips of Stephen, it touched in order on all the chief events in the history of the Jews, and asserted that the Messiah had appeared in the person of Jesus, and that by His death and resurrection He had fulfilled all the prophecies respecting Him. His words made a deep impression upon those who heard them, and as they left the synagogue, many besought him that they might be repeated in their hearing on the next Sabbath (Acts xiii. 44). 6. Opposition of tlie Jews. On the next Sabbath, there- fore, nearly the whole city was assembled to hear the Word. This was more than the Jews could bear, and they opposed the Apostles with blasphemy. Thereupon Paul and Barna- bas declared that since they deemed themselves unworthy of eternal hfe they should turn to the Gentiles, which announce- ment was received with great joy, and many became believers (Acts xiii. 49). At last through the female proselytes in the city the Jews gained the ear of the chief authorities, and suc- ceeded in expelling the Apostles beyond the limits of the place. Before they left, however, in obedience to their Master's direc- tions (Mtt. X. 14 , 15), they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and then proceeded from Antioch in the direction of Iconium (Acts xiii. 51). CHAPTER II. I. Iconium. On reaching Iconium the Apostles went to the synagogue, and proclaimed their message with such success that a great multitude both of Jews and Gentiles embraced the Faith. Thereupon the unbelieving Jews stirred up a furious opposition, and excited the Gentile population against the brethren. For some time Paul and Barnabas resolved to stay in the city, and spoke boldly in the name of their Divine Master, who attested their words by many miracles and signs. When, however, a conspiracy was formed with the connivance of the magistrates (Acts xiv. 5) to insult and even stone them, they deemed it right to leave, and betook themselves to the neighbouring town of Lystra. ^ 2. Lystra. Here, on one occasion, a man, who had been a cripple from his birth, was listening with deep attention, when the Apostle Paul fixing his eye upon him, suddenly bade him stand upright on his feet. In an instant ho sprang up and walked. Such a cure was soon noised abroad, and the mul- A.D. 48— 50.] THE FIRST COUNCIL, 113 titudes thinking that the gods had come down to them in the likeness of men, took Barnabas for Jupiter, and his companion, who was the chief speaker, -for Mercury the god of eloquence (Acts xiv. 12). Soon the priest of Jupiter and his assistants appeared with oxen and garlands before the residence of the Apostles, prepared to ofier sacrifices in their honour. On this Paul and Barnabas exclaimed. Sirs, what do ye ? we also are men of like passions with you, and then proceeded to declare that they had come to persuade them to turn from the worship of false gods to the living and life-giving God, the Maker of heaven and earth, who giveth rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling men's hearts with joy and gladness (Acts xiv. 15, 17). 3. Paul stoned. Even this appeal hardly prevailed upon the people to retire. Soon, however, their feelings underwent a great change. From Antioch and Iconium certain Jews made their way into Lystra, and representing the Apostles as im- postors, so stin-ed up the minds of the people against them that they actually stoned Paul, and supposing him to be dead dragged him forth out of their town. Some disciples, however, had been made even in Lystra, and while they were standing around and befriending him, the Apostle arose and returned with them to his abode, and on the morrow repaired to Derbe. Thence having preached the word and made several disciples, he and Barnabas returned through the several towns they had visited to Perga, and so to the sea-port of Attalia. Here they took ship, and sailing to Seleucia reached ■ Antioch, and an- nounced to the assembled brethren how God had opened the door offaithiinto the Gentiles (Acts xiv. 27). 4. Disputes. While the Apostles remained at Antioch certain false brethren came down from Judaea, and creeping in unawares (Gal. ii. 4), began to observe with no favourable eye the extent to which the Jewish Law had been relaxed in favour of the Gentile Christians, and to assert that except they were circumcised they could not be saved (Acts xv. 1). To such a doctrine the- Apostle Paul would not yield, no, not for an hour (Gal. ii. 5), and after much dispute it was determined that he, Barnabas, Titus, and certain others, should go up to Jerusalem, and seek an interview with the Apostles and Elders, with a view to settling the dispute (Acts xv. 1). 5. The Council. Following the coast-line of Phoenicia, and thence passing through the districts of Samaria and Judaea, the deputation made their way to Jerusalem. There they were welcomed by the brethren, and a Council was summoned of the Apostles, Elders, and general body of the disciples. The debate was earnest, and alter Peter had reminded those present 114 THE MAN OF MACEDONIA. [A.D. 51. of bis own experience in the matter of Cornelius, and Paul and Barnabas bad recounted all tbat God bad wrougbt by their hands, James, the brother of the Lord, rose and advised that the Gentile converts should only be required to abstain (i) from meat offered in sacrifice to idols, (2) from the flesh of animals which had been strangled, (3) from the eating of blood, and (4) from fornication. His advice won the approval of all, and a circular letter was drawn up, with which Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, and caused no little joy among the brethren (Acts xv. 6 — 31). CHAPTEE III. I. The Sharp Contest. After staying some time at An- tioch, the Apostle Paul proposed to Barnabas that they should together revisit the several Churches they had founded. To this Barnabas assented, but wished that his relative John Mark should again accompany them. St Paul, however, was not •willing that one who had withdrawn from them before should be their companion again, and, when Barnabas persisted in his wish, so sharp a contest arose, that they agreed to separate, and while Barnabas sailed with Mark to Cyprus, Paxil with Silas, or Sylvanus, who had lately come from Jerusalem, tra- versed Syria and Cilicia confirming the Churches (Acts xv. 40). ■2. Timothy. Thence they proceeded into Lycaonia, and at Lystra Paul found one well fitted to supply the place of Mark and be his companion. This was Timothy, whose father was a Gentile, but his mother Eunice a Jewess, by whom and his grandmother Lois he had been carefully trained. Solemnly ordained by St Paul (2 Tim. i. 6) to the work of an Evangelist, he now accompanied him and Silas in a northerly dnection through Phrygia and Galatia (Acts xvi. 6). Here a sharp attack of a malady, to which St Paul was subject, and which he calls a thorn in the Jiesh (2 Cor. xii. 7), constrained him to linger for awhile, and led to the first planting of the Galatian churches (Gal. iv. 14). 3. The Vision. Leaving Galatia, the Apostles were at first uncertain which way to turn. Going towards Mysia, they were assaying to proceed into Bithynia, when a monition from the Spirit caused them to desist, and they turned in a N.W. di- rection to Alexandria Troas. There during the night a man 0/ Macedonia appeared to the Apostle in a vision, bidding him come over and help them, and on the morrow with Silas and Timothy, and a new colleague, Luke, the beloved jyhysician (Col. iv. 14), who now joined him, the Apostle took ship and crossed over to Neapolis, and thence proceeded to Ph'ilippi, the first A.D. 51.] THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER. 115 city a traveller would reach in this part of Macedonia, and a Bomau colony (Acts xvi. 12). 4. Lydia. Here they stayed some days, and, as there was no synagogue, repaired to a Proseucha, or Place of Prayer outside the gates, on the bank of a river, where several women met to worship, amongst whom was one named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira. The word spoken by Paul found a welcome lodgment in her heart, and together with her household she was baptized, and offered the Apostles a shelter and a home. At Philippi, however, there lived a damsel pos- sessed of a spirit of divination, who had been hired by certain of the citizens, and brought in much gain by her soothsaying. Day after day she met the little company of Christians as they returned from the river- side, and following Paul cried out, These men are the servants of the 3Iost High God. At length Paul turned, and rebuking the evil spirit commanded it to leave her, on which the damsel was restored to her right mind. Per- ceiving that the hopes of their gains were gone the owners in- stantly stirred up the people against the Apostles, and dragged them before the magistrates, who ordered them to be scourged and thrown into prison, where their feet were made fast in the stocks (Acts xvi. 24). 5. Tlie Earthquake. But Paul and Silas were not in de- spair. At midnight they were praying and singing in their dungeon, and the rest of the prisoners were listening, when suddenly an earthquake shook the prison to its foundation, and every door was opened, and every fetter loosed. Eoused from sleep the jailer instantly concluded that his prisoners had escaped, and drawing his sword, would have laid violent hands upon himself, had not Paul cried out Do thyself no harm, for we are all here (Acts xvi. 28). On this he called "for a hght, and falling down before Paul and Silas, said, Sirs, ivhat must I do to he saved! Believe, was their reply, in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved. The word fell on good ground, and in the selfsame hour he washed the stripes of his prisoners, and was baptized together with all his house (Acts xvi. 34). 6. The Release. By this time morning had dawned, and messengers came from the magistrates ordering that the Apostles should be released. With great joy the jailer announced these tidings to the Apostles, but St Paul declined to accept such a re- lease. Though Eoman citizens, he and his companions had been scourged uncondemned. Let them come themselves, said he, and lead us forth (Acts xvi. 37). Without delay the messengers con- veyed the news to the magistrates, who in no little alarm, when they discovered what they had done, besought them to depart 116 ST PAUL AT A THENS, [A. D. 52. from the place. Accordingly they came forth, and having bid- den farewell to the brethren, left the city, while Timothy and Luke remained to build up the newly-formed Church. CHAPTER IV. I. Thessalonica. Leaving Philippi the Apostles next pro- ceeded through Apollonia to Thessalonica, and for three Sab- baths St Paul argued with those of his own nation, and shewed that the predicted Messiah had come and fulfilled all prophecy. His words were variously received. Some of the Greek pro- selytes and the chief women believed, but the Jews, gathering a mob, threw the town into an uproar, and falhng upon the house of Jason, where the Apostle was lodging, sought to bring him and his companions before the assembly of the people. Unable, however, to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the magistrates, and charged them with violating the decrees of Caesar, in asserting that there was another king, named Jesus (Actsxvii. 7). Somewhat perplexed, the magistrates simply took security of Jason and the resi, for their future good conduct, and then released them. 1. Bercea. The position of the Apostles being, however, one of great danger, the brethren now sent him and Silas under cover of night to Beroea. Here he found far more candid and generous hearers than at Thessalonica. The Berceans not only accepted his message, but searched the Scriptures to see whether his arguments were true. Consequently many became believers, but hardly had the work been thus well commenced, before certain Jews arrived from Thessalonica, and threw the town into a commotion, on which the brethren conveyed the Apostle to the nearest sea-port, probably Dium, and thence sent him by ship to Athens (Acts xvii. 15). 3. Athens. While waiting at Athens for the arrival of Silas and Timothy, the Spirit of the Apostle Paul was stirred in Mm, as he observed the idols and idol-temples with which the city was crowded. Even here, however, ho preached each Sabbath in the synagogue, and in the busy Agora conversed with any who would listen to his words. Many and various were the opinions formed of his teaching, and at length certain Epicureans and Stoics, taking him to the Areopagus, requested to know the meaning of what ho preached. Alone, therefore, the Apostle stood on the hill, and having observed in the city an altar with the words I'd an unknown God, proceeded from this text to proclaim the True God, and a future Resurrection (Acts xvii. 22 — 31). When ho spoke of the Resurrection, some jjroke out into laughter, while others paid they would hear him A.D. 52— 53.] THE PREACHINQ OF APOLLOS, 117 again on the subject. Thus his hearers were dispersed, but Dionysius, an Areopagite, and a woman, named Damaris, pro- fessed themselves believers. 4. Corinth. From Athens the Apostle repaired to Corinth, the capital of the province of Achaia. Here he met two natives of Pontus in Asia Minor, Aquila and Priscilla, on their way home from Eome, whence they had been banished with other Jews by a decree of the Emperor Claudius. Professing the trade of tent-making the Apostle attached himself to them, and they wrought together at the same calling. Before long, in spite of the opposition of the Jews, many became behevers, and the labours of the Apostle during 18 months were much blessed (Acts xviii. i — 11). 5. GaUio. At the close of this period — during which St Paul wrote his two Epistles to the Thessalonians — a new proconsul arrived named Gallio. Thereupon the Jews set upon Paul, and dragged him before his judgment-seat on a charge of persuading men to u'orship God contrary to the laio. GaUio, how- ever, refused to entertain it, and drove them from his judgment- seat, while the mob seized Sosthenes, one of the rulers of the synagogue, and began to beat him before the proconsul. But Galho cared for none of these things, and the Apostle, after ter- minating a reHgious vow by cutting his hair in Cenchre», sailed with Silas, Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla, to Ephesus. Thence he hastened by sea to Caesarea, and so by land to Jerusalem, in time to keep the feast of Pentecost, after which he hurried back to Antioch, and there continued some time (Acts xviii. 22). CHAPTEE V. 1. Apollos. After staying some time at Antioch, the Apostle, accompanied probably by Timothy, set out on a visita- tion of the Churches he had planted in Phrygia and Galatia. While thus employed, there arrived at Ephesus a certain Jew of Alexandria, named Apollos, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, but had received only the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla made his acquaintance, and having explained to him more accurately the Christian doctrine, encouraged him to cross over to Achaia, and aid in the establishment of the Church of Corinth (Acts xviii. -24— 28). 2. St Paul at Ephesus. Meanwhile St Paul arrived at Ephesus, which now became the centre of his labours, and for three whole months argued with the Jews in their synagogue, proving that Jesus was the Messiah. Some were persuaded and became believers, others, however, began openly to revile his doctrine, on which ho left the synagogue, and separating tho 118 DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS. [A.D. 64—57. disciples, moved to the School of one Tyrannus, a teacher of rhetoric or philosophy (Actsxix.g). Here he taught for a space of two years, and that with much success, while God was pleased to work special miracles by his hands, so that napkins and aprons brought from his body were able to expel disease and heal the possessed (Acts xix. ii, 12). 3. The seven sons of Sceva. Such miracles made a deep impression, and soon certain Jews, exorcists, fancying the name of Jesus acted as a kind of spell, began to pronounce the same over demoniacs (Acts xix. 1 3). One family, consisting of seven brothers , sons of one Sceva, a Jewish high-priest, were especially addicted to this practice, and on one occasion the evil spirit answered, Jesua I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye ? on which the possessed man flung himself upon them and drove them forth naked and wounded from the house. This being quickly noised abroad, fear came on all, and many of the converts, who even as Christians practised "curious" or magical arts, publicly burnt their magical books, the value of which amounted to upwards of 50,000 pieces of silver, or £2000 of our money (Acts xix. 19). 4. . Diana of the Ephesians. During the Apostle's stay at Ephesus, whence ho now wrote his First Epistle to the Co- BiNTHiANS, a great tumult arose. His preaching had been so successful that the sellers of portable shrines of the temple of Diana found their trade much diminished. Led, therefore, by one Demetrius, a silversmith, they roused the people, who crying out Great is Diana of the Ephesians, rushed in a body to the theatre. Failing to seize St Paul, they dragged thither two of his friends, Gains and Aristarchus, and a scene of wild confusion ensued, till at length the town-clerk or recorder stood forward and calmed the storm, after which the Apostle bade the brethren farewell, and set out towards Macedonia (Acts xx. i). 5. Philippi. Reaching Troas, he occupied himself for some time in preaching the Word, and anxiously awaited the arrival of Titus with news of the Corinthian Church. Davs passed, and still Titus did not come. The Apostle's spirit had no rest (2 Cor. ii. 13), and crossing over he reached Philippi, where at last he was joined by Titus, and whence he wrote his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, The letter dispatched, he pro- secuted his labours in northern Greece, fidlij preaching the Gospel round about unto Dlyricum (Eom. xv, 9), and then in the v/inter of a.d. 57 removed to Corinth, whence ho wrote his Epistle to the Galatians, and also to the Romans. 6. The Plot. Three months having been spent at Corinth, the Apostle was anxious to visit Jerusalem with the alms for the poor saints, which he had collected in every city. But he could not look forward tu the journey v/ithout great fear, know- A.D. 58.] MILETUS AND TYRE. 110 ing bow lie was hated by the Judaizers. Even at Corinth a plot was formed against his life, and instead of going to Asia by sea, he passed northwards to Philippi, and thence crossed over with Luke to Troas (Acts xx. 6). 7. Eutychus. There on a Sabbath evening the Christians were assembled in an upper-room, lighted up by many lamps, and the Apostle was prolonging his discourse till midnight, when a young listener, named Eutychus, overcome by slumber, suddenly fell upon the floor below to all appearance dead. Amidst the confusion that ensued, St Paul went down, and embracing the body, said to those around. Trouble not your- selves, for his life is in Mm, and then continued his discourse till the dawn of day (Acts xx. 10). CHAPTEE VI. 1. Miletus. Next morning he proceeded by land to Assos, and there embarking sailed to Mitylene, Chios, Trogyllium, and Miletus. Here he landed, and sending for the elders of the Church at Ephesus, gave them a solemn parting charge, made the more affecting by his repeated forebodings of bonds and imprisonment awaiting him at Jerusalem, and his convic- tion that they would see his face no more (Acts xx. 22 — 38). 2. Tyre. At length tearing himself away from the brethren who accompanied him to the water's edge, he embarked, and running before the wind reached Coos, off the coast of Caria, then Patara in Lycia, where in another vessel he sailed to tho port of TjTe (Acts xxi. 3). Here he landed, and enjoyed a week of refreshing intercourse with the brethren, who sorrowed as much as the elders at Miletus at being parted from him. 3. Agabus at Caesarea. From Tyre he proceeded by sea to Ptolemais, and thence on foot to Caesarea, where he found a welcome shelter in the house of Philip the Evangelist, whoso four virgin daughters all possessed the gift of prophecy. News of his arrival at Caesarea reaching Jerusalem, the prophet Aga- bus, who had predicted the famine in the reign of Claudius, hurried thither. Entering Philip's house, he took the Apostle's girdle, and binding with it his own hands and feet, declai-ed that so the Jews at Jerusalem would bind him -and deliver him over to the Gentiles. These predictions of coming trials sad- dened the hearts of all present, and they implored him not to continue his joui-uey. But tears and entreaties could not movo him, for he was ready not only to he bound, but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts xxi. 13). 4. The Nazaxite Vow. To Jerusalem, therefore, he pro- ceeded, and was cordially welcomed by the brethren, who W^- tened attentively while ho related all that God had wrought by 120 CLA UDIUS L YSIAS. [A. D. 59. his hands among the Gentiles (Acts xxi. 19). Now, however, on account of the prejudice of the Jews, who beheved that he forbade the observance of the Mosaic Laws, it was suggested that he should show himself in the Temple with four disciples, whose Nazarite vow he should undertake to defray, and so calm the popular feeUng (Acts xxi. 10 — 25). But the plan failed on the very eve of its fulfilment. On one occasion cer- tain of the Jews of Asia recognised him in the Temple-courts, and thinking he had taken thither Trophimus an Ephesian, instantly sprung upon him, and moved the people, crying out that he was bringing Gentiles into the Temple (Acts xxi. 28). A mob quickly gathered together, and dragging him down into the Outer Court, began to beat him violently, till the Eoman sentries, under Claudius Lysias, approached, and rescued him from their hands (Acts xxi. 33). 5. The Tower of Antonia. Thinking he was an Egyptian pretender, who had lately caused a revolt, Claudius Lysias ordered him to be chained by each hand to a soldier, and find- ing himself imable to ascertain who he was or what he had done, removed him into the barracks in the Tower of Antonia. So furious, however, was the mob, that the soldiers had to bear him in their arms up the staircase, and just as they reached the barracks, the Apostle addressing the commandant in Greek, enquired whether he might speak to him. Startled at being addressed in this language, the commandant enquired who he really was, and ascertaining that he was a Jew of Tarsus consented to his request to be allowed ta address the people (Acts xxi. 40). 6. The Address. Standing, therefore, on the stairs the Apostle began to address the crowd in the Hebrew tongue, and to relate his own personal history and the circumstances of his conversion (Acts xxii. i — 21). For some time they listened to him with attention, but when he spoke of his mission to the Gen- tiles their rage knew no bounds, and they sought to stone him on the spot. Thus further perplexed, Claudius Lysias ordered, his prisoner to be removed into the castle, and that the secret of his guilt should be ascertained by scourging. As usual, a centmion was deputed to superintend the torture, but when the Apostle was on the point of being fastened to the post to receive the lashes, he tiumed to the soldier and asked whether it was lawful to scourge one who was a Eoman citizen and Tincondemned (Acts xxii. 25). Much astonished, the centurion hurried to the commandant, and told him what the prisoner had said. On this Lysias himself hastened to the spot, and ordered the instruments of torture to be instantly removed. Ilesolved to make a second effort to ascertain the nature of A.D. 59.] THE PLOT OF THE JEWS. 121 his offence, he then summoned a meeting of the Sanhedrin, and on the next day placed him before them (Acts xxii. 30). 7. St Paid before the Sanhedrin. Casting a searching glance upon his judges the Apostle began by declaring that he had Hved in all good conscience before God until that day. This so offended the high-priest that he ordered one of those stand- ing near to smite him' on the mouth. God shall smite thee, thou whited ivall (Acts xxiii. 3), replied the Apostle, but recovering himself when he heard who had addressed him, declared that he did not know he was the high-priest. Seeing, however, that there was Httle prospect of his obtaining justice, and knowing how the Sadducees and Pharisees in the council were opposed to one another, he declared that he had been brought to trial because he testified of the resurrection of the dead. He had scarcely spoken this, when a scene of great confusion ensued, in the midst of which Lysias ordered him to be removed back into the barracks (Acts xxiii. 10). 8. The Plot. Next day, however, a fresh danger revealed itself. More than forty of the Jews bound themselves by a solemn vow to eat and drink nothing till they had slain Paul. Hearing of this plot through a nephew of the Apostle, Lysias ordered a body of soldiers to conduct him by night to Casarea, with a letter to Felix the governor. The soldiers went, and Felix having read the letter ordered the Apostle to be kept in Herod's prsetorium till his accusers should arrive (Acts xxiii. 35). CHAPTER VII. I. The Judgment-seat of Felix. Five days after the Apo- stle's arrival at Caesarea, his accusers came down, headed by the high-priest Ananias, certain of the elders, and an advocate, named Tertullus. Felix took his seat on the tribimal, and Tertullus began to accuse the prisoner of stirring up sedition, being a ringleader of the Nazarenes, and profaning the Temple. The Jews present thought that the governor would hand him over to their courts, but Felix bade the Apostle speak in his own defence, and he easily refuted all that had been urged against him. Instead, however, of setting him free, Felix chose to reserve his final decision till Lysias should arrive, and meanwhile committed the Apostle to the care of the centiuion who had brought him to Caesarea (Acts xxiv. 22, 23). '2. Fortius Festus. At Caesarea the Apostle continued upwards of two years, during which period Felix often sent for and conversed with him, and on one occasion trembled when he reasoned of righteousness and temperance and judgment to come (Acts xxiv. 25), but put off repentance to a convenient season, which never came. For before long he was recalled, 122 FESTVS AND AGRIPPA. [A.D. 60. and Fortius Festus came in his room. Three days after his landing at Caesarea Festus went up to Jerusalem, when the Jews requested that St Paul might be removed thither, intending to assassinate him on the road. But Festus replied, that if they wished to bring any charges against him, they must come down to Caesarea and there prefer them (Acts xxv. 4, 16). 3. St Paul before Festus. After a short stay, therefore, in the Holy City, he returned to Csesarea, and on the very next day the Apostle was put upon his trial. The same charges were brought against him as at the previous trial, and were as easily refuted. Though, however, Festus perceived that he had done nothing worthy of death, he did not release him, but proposed that he should be sent to Jerusalem, there to be tried afresh. The Apostle, on the other hand, knew well the danger of such a journey, and as a Koman citizen, appealed unto Ccesar, to which, after a few words with his assessors, Fes- tus repUed, Unto Ccesar thou shalt go (Acts xxv. 11, 12). 4. Agrippa. But though the appeal was allowed, Festus was much perplexed how to describe the charge against the Apostle to the Emperor. On the arrival, therefore, of Herod A.grippa II, king of Chalcis, with his sister Bernice, he was glad to consult him, and Paul was brought before them. After a few words from Festus, Agrippa signified that he might speak for himself, and stretching forth his manacled hands the Apostle proceeded to relate the history of his past life, and his conversion, as also the great theme of all his preaching. Upon Festus his address made no imj)ression, and he declared that much learning had made the Apostle mad. After which, and a few words of banter from Agrippa, the conference ended (Acts xxvi. 24 — 32). 5. The Voyage. After a short time the Apostle was de- livered over to a centurion, named Julius, and with Aristarchus of Thessalonica, the Evangelist Lvake, and certain other pri- soners, was placed on board a vessel of Adramyttium, which had touched at Cffisarea, and was now bound for her own port. On the next day they put into Sidon, where the Apostle was allowed to go on shore and receive the attentions of his friends. Loosing from Sidon, they ran along the north side of Cyprus to Myra of Lycia. Here the centurion found a ship of Alexandria laden with wheat and bound for Italy, and to her he transferred his charge, and she set sail laden with a heavy cargo and upwards of 276 passengers (Acts xxvii. 37). 6. Fair Havens. From MjTa after many days they made their way to Cnidus, and thence, owing to a strong N.W. Wind, worked up along the southern coast of Crete to the harbour of Fair Havens. Here they waited some time for a change vi A.D. 60.J THE VOYAGE TO ROME. 123 wind, but none occurring, it became a question "wh ether tlaey ought to remain there for the winter, or seek some other anchorage. The Apostle advised that they should remain where they were, but the owner and master of the ship decided to make for a harbour called Phcenix, somewhat further to the west. 7. The Storm. A light breeze springing up they weighed anchor, and keeping close to the shore had doubled Cape Matala, when a violent wind called Euroclydon dashed down upon the ship from the heights on the Cretan shore, and whirled her round with such force that the helmsman could not make her keep her course. Running, therefore, before the wind to the S.W. about 28 miles, they neared the little island of Clauda, and with much difficulty hoisted the boat on board. They then undergirded the vessel, i, e. passed strong cables several times round her hull, and being afraid lest they should drift on to the Syrtis, lowered the great yard of the ship upon deck. Next day they lightened the ship by flinging over- board aU that could be spared : neither sim nor stars for some days appearing in the sky, they gave up all hopes of -safety. But the Apostle bade them be of good cheer, for though the vessel could not be saved, not one of their lives should be lost. 8. Malta. At midnight, however, as they were drifting through the sea of Adria, the sailors suspected that they were nearing land, and being afraid lest the ship should strike upon the breakers let go four anchors by the stem, and waited for the day. After a while, however, some of them lowered the boat under pretence of laying out other anchors from the bow, but really to effect their own escape. But the Apostle saw through their design, and declared that unless they re- mained none could hope to be saved, whereupon the soldiers cut the rope, and the boat fell off (Acts xx\di. 32). At length the day dawned and revealed to the sailors an unknown coast, but perceiving a small bay with a sandy beach, they ran the vessel aground, while those, who were able to swim, cast them- selves into the sea, and the rest, some on spars and some on broken pieces of the ship, made their way to land. 9. Tlie Viper. The inhabitants of the island, which the voyagers now knew to be Malta, received them hospitably, and lighting a fire on the shore welcomed them all to its genial warmth. Foremost amongst those gathering the sticks for the fire was the Apostle himself, when a viper came out of the heat and fastened on his hand. The islanders at first thought he was a murderer, whom vengeance did not suffer to live, but when he shook off the creature without harm, they regard- ed him as a god. Publius, the Roman governor of the island, now welcomed the ship\\Tecked strangers, and the Apostle 121 ARRIVAL AT ROME. [A.D. Gl— 68.] requited his kindness by miraculously healing his father, who lay sick with fever and dysentery (Acts xxviii. 8). 10. Arrival at Rome. After a stay of three months, Julius secured a passage in another corn-ship of Alexandria, and setting sail put into the harbour of Syracuse. Next day they reached Ehegium at the entrance of the straits of Messina, and on the following morning PuteoH, where the Apostle found certain of the brethren, and abode with them seven days (Acts xxviii. 14). Thence they set out by land, and reaching Appii Forum were met by several Christians from Kome, at the sight of whom the Apostle thanked God and took courage. Ten miles further on at a place called the "Three Taverns" a second company waited to greet him, and thus with numerous friends he proceeded to Eome, and was permitted by the pre- fect of the prgetorian guard to take up his abode in a hired house with the soldier to whom he was chained (Acts xxviii. 16.) 11. Tlie First Imprisonment. Here after three days the Apostle had an interview with the leading men among the Jews, and expounded to them the Gospel which he preached. A division ensued among his hearers, and they went their way, while he remained for two years a prisoner, permitted to receive all who came to him, and to preach boldly the king- dom of God. His accusers did not reach Eome till a.d. 61, and during this interval he was not inactive, and wrote his Epistles to Philemon, to the Colossians, the Ephesians, and the Philippians. 12. Second Imprisonment and Death. At length his trial came on, probably before the Emperor Nero himself, and re- sulted in his acquittal. Thus liberated he seems to have gone to Spain, revisited Asia, and to have written his First Epistle to Timothy, as also that to Titus. Before long, however, the Christians having become objects of suspicion, he was again arrested, and sent to Eome to be tried a second time. His second imprisonment was far severer than the first, and no friends but Luke and Onesiphorus cheered him with their sympathy. Still, he found time once more to write his Second Epistle to Timothy, exhorting him to constancy and bold- ness in the Faith. Soon afterwards his second trial came on, and he was condemned to die. Beyond the city-walls he was led forth to the place of execution, and there the sword of the headsman fell flashing down, and he obtained that Crown, which his Lord had promised to all those that love Him (2 Tim. iv. 8.) CAMDUIDGE: PRINTED BY C. J. CLAY. M.A., AT THE UNIVEKSITY PKESS. HISTORY AND LITERATURE PRIMERS. 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