"V^ <^^^V^ . OF THE i 1 Theb "1 o-g i e a 1 S e m in a r y , PRINCETON, N. J. ^ 1 Case, , Division .25. .... ! Shelf, Section.-...-.,... „.... .... \ Booh, ! No, ...-. PREFACE. K U "^^^ Translation of the New Testament, which Is here delivered to the public, hath employed the ftudy and application of fome years. Nothing hath been wanting that my abihties, and the corredlions of my learped friends, could give this publication, to render it worthy the acceptance of the candid and intelligent Chriftian. But as it is impoffible to forefee what reception this work will meet with from the world, I deem it prudent to conceal the jiames of thofe learned friends who perufed the whole or fart of the manufcript, and what their fentiments were 7 . of the execution and utility of the defign, though the '^''' mention of their names would do me honour, as fome of them have defervedly attained the firfb eminence ia the republic of letters. I begun and purfued the un- ^_ dertaking upon this plan, yiz. To tranilate the facred ^ writers of the New Teftament with the fame freedom, impartiality, and elegance, with which other tranilations from the Greek claflics have lately been executed, and to cloathe the genuine ideas and dodrines of the Apoftles with that propriety and pcrfpicuity, in which they them- felves, I apprehend, would have exhibited them had they 720W lived and written in our language. The true meaning- and defign of each author hath been ftridly and impartially explored, the fignification and force of the Greek Original hath been critically obfervdd, and, as much as polfible, transfufed into modern Englilli, and the whole facred volume elucidated and explained upon a new and rational plan, with feledl Notes, critical and explanatory. The reader is delired ever to bear in mind, that this is not a "jcrl^al tranflation, but a liberal 2iV\d dif- fufroe verfion of the facred claffics, and is calculated to anfwer the purpofe of an explanatory paraphrafe as well, A 2 as IV PREFACE. as a free and elegant tranflation. Every fcholar knows; that the idioms and ftrudure of the antient are fo eflcn- tially different from the modern languages, that a literal 2iX\dfer'vile verlion of any Greek and Latin author muft necelTariiy be barbarous and unintelligible. The method I purfued was this. I Jirjl carefullv perufed every chapter to invefligate and difcover the one true meaning of the author with all the accuracy and fagacity I could employ, attending to his reafoning.^ and to the principles and doftrines he defigned to inculcate, ever confulting the bed: commentators upon abflrufe paflages, and conftantly imploring the infinite Source of light and wifdom to illuminate my imperfect under- ftanding. When I apprehended I had found out the true fignification of the Original, and the precife ideas of the writer at the time he wrote, my next ftudy was to adorn them in fuch language as is ?iow written, and to transfufe them through the medium of a liberal and ex- planatory verfion. So that my firjl view always was with impartiality and critical attention to difcover the true fenfe of my author ; my 7iext view, to cloathe his ideas in the veft of modern elegance. Elegance of didtion, therefore, hath ever been confultcd, but never at the expcnce of that truth and fidelity, which ought ever to be facred and inviolable in an interpreter of Scripture. It is pleafing to obferve, how much our language, within thefe very few years, hath been refined and po- lifhed, and what infinite improvements it hath lately received. The writings of Hume^ Robert/on^ Lowtb^ Lyttchon, Hurd, Mclmoth^ Jobifon, and Hawkcjworth, will fland an everlafting monument, of what grace and purity in didion, of what elegance and harmony in arrange- ment, and of what copioufnefs and llrength in compo- fition, cur language is capable ; and the writings of thelc learned and illuflrious autliors are not only a diffinguilhed honour and orHament to their country, but in point of true excellence and fublimity will bear tlie ievcrell: cri-* tical PREFACE. V tical comparlfon with the politeft writers of Greece and Rome. The author knew it to be an arduous and in- vidious attempt to make the phrafe of thefe celebrated writers the vehicle of infpired truths, and to diffufe over the facred page the elegance of modern Englifl:!, con- fcious that the bald and barbarous language of the old vulgar verlion hath acquired a venerable facrednefs from length of time and cuftom, and that every innovation of this capital nature would be generally ftigmatized as the laft and moil: daring enormity. But notwithftanding this perfuafion, he flattered himlelf that fuch a Tranllation of the New Teilament might induce perfons of a liberal education and polite tafte to perufe the facred volume, and that fuch a verfion might prove of fignal fervice to the caufe of truth, liberty, and Chriftianity, if men of cultivated and improved minds, elpecially Youth, could be allured by the innocent ftratagem of a modern ftylt\ to read a book, which is now, alas ! too generally ne- gleded and difregarded by the young and gay, as a vo- lume containing little to amuie and delight, and furnifli- ing a ftudy congenial only to the gloom of old age, or to the melancholy mind of a defponding vifionary. V/hat animated and inlpired me through the whole work, was the pleafing thought, that by the execution of this defign, 1 might, through the blcfling of God, engage the Rising Generation to admire and love the facred ciaffics, to underftand the duties, dodfrines, and difcoveries of the gofpcl, and to venerate Chrifha- nity as the caufe of God, of truth, ot virtue, of liber- ty, and of immortality. :fi!This is the First Attempt of this nature in our language, and this confideration, I hope, \yiil entitle it to the learned reader's candour and indulgence. Jn this undertaking, Cajlalio was my precedent and pattern. I - have attempted in Englijh, what Ca/ialio executed in Latin. Cajlalio hath deicrved well of mankind for tranf- lating the Scriptures in a pure, elegant, and diifufive (lyle. the vi PREFACE. The relation and mutual dependence of detached fen- tences, and the feveral diftin6t deductions in a train of argumentation, I have pointed out and elucidated by the incidental inlertion of a few conned:ive words or par- ticles. The obiture paffages that varioufly occur, I have attempted in the body of the Tranllation to explain an4 illuftrate in a perfpicuous and explicit manner. I have carefully explored and have endeavoured, upon rationa} principles, clearly to exhibit the reafoning of St. Paul in the Romans and Galatians. The old divilion of chapters, and verfes I have, been perfuaded, contrary to my owi^ judgment, to retain, but I have every where fignified to the reader, by the manner of printing and piinSluation^ when they are erroneous; and 1 have divided the whole into fe^ions. The parallel paffages, and illuftrations of particular phrafes and modes of expreffion from the Creek and Latin claflics, I colleded in reading the an- tients^ and I have generally fpecified the page and edi~ Uon trom which they are cited. I can truly fay, and 1 appeal to that Being for my fincerity, before whom I mull very fliortly appear, that my firil and primary defign in this work was to exhi- bit the Chriftian Religion in its native purity and original fimplicity, unadulterated with human fyilems, creeds, doctrines, and modes of faith. In this work I have ccniidercd niylclf as belonging to no one party, fedt, r«jid denomination of Chriliians, but have given a fair and honcll: verfion of the divine Volume, juH: as if \ had iat down to tianliate Flalo^ Xenophon^ Tlmcydides, Phut arch, or any ether CI reck writer, with a mind exempt, as much as jrail humanity can be exempt, from preju- dices and prcpoirclfion, and folely inteiu upon invefti- gating and difcovering truth. ^ ^ ; I'vvcry one mufi be convinced, that a faithful and ac- curate verlion o' any writer in a dead language is futH- cient for undeiilanding the meaning and dei^gn of that authcr,,- jyad that the fidelity of fuch ^ translator entirejj^ fuperfedcs PREFACE. vii fuperfedes all the tedious explications and laborious idle- nefs of dull and heavy commentators. The author, therefore, prefumes to affert, that the New Teftament itfclf^ if carefully and candidly peruled, with a mind open to the reception of truth, will, by all rational and intel- ligent ChriftianSi be judged to conduce to a more clear and comprehenfive knowledge of Chriftianity than thofe voluminous critics, paraphrafts, illuftrators, and interpre- tors of the facred Scriptures, who have, in general, done more harm than good, as the majority of them have ftrenuoufly laboured to make Jefus Chrift and his Apo- flles, Piipifts^ or Lutherans^ or Cahinifts^ and have been liiord ftudious to wreft the Scriptures to their precon- ceived notions, than to adjud: their religious fentiments by the plain dilates of reafon and the infallible rule and flandard of the divine oracles. Within thefe few years \ihat dire inundations have we feen rufhing from the prefs and deluging the public, of Commentators upoii the Scriptures, Explanations of the Holy Bible, the Royal Bible with notes, the Grand complete Bible, the Grand Irnperia] Bible ! fome the jobbs of mercenaiy Bookfellers, others the fickly dreams of illiterate Enthufiafts and en- tranced Vifionaries, and the generality of them, the linifter produdion of dark and melancholy Divines, the bigotted abettors of unintelligible myfterics and unfcrip- tural abfurditics. But notwithftanding this melancholy ftate of Religion, and this general corruption of pure and primitive Chriftianity, yet, blefled be God, Liberty, Religious Liberty, has ftill a temple in the breaft of thoufands, and the love of truth, as it is in Jefus, and not in human creeds, is warm and vigorous in the bo- idrhS' of immenfe numbers of my happy countrymen ! Many of thefe worthy fouls have encouraged me. The thought of them, and their caiije, has ever infpired me with ardour and animation in my fludies. For thefe I have tranilated the New Testament. Thefe, and thefe alone will be my readers. The patronage and pro- tedioii viii P R i-: y \ C E. tedtion of thefe hath enabled me, and will ever enable mCjto look down upon the illiberal fcurrility and impotent fury of the uncharitable bigot with Chriltian contempt. In fine, lince deifm, infidelity, and fccpticifm, fo much prevail in the prcfent age ; fince even popery now hath its public aderters and advocates ; fince enthufiafm is continually duping and enllaving the credulous and igno- rant, both among the great vulgar and the fmall, and is daily making a more rapid and amazing progrefs all around us -, fince i-ational Chrifi:ianity is, at prelbnt, re- garded with fo much contempt, and even horrour, by the generality of the world ; and fince a love of unin- telligible myfieries, and a fondnefs for gloomy and in- explicable dodtrines, have, with the majority^ dilcardcd rcafon and common fenfe from religion, the author flat- ters himfclf the prefent work will be ufeful to his coun- try, in which it hath been his fludy to free the New Testament from thofe falfe tranflations, which, at prefent, deform it, and render it abfolutcly unintelligible to all common readers 3 to purify its facred ftreams tVorxi thofe corrupt admixtures, bv which it was induftrioufly fuited to the falfe tafte of the Monarch and of the age, in which it was tranflatedj to reprefent it, as it really is, in itfelf, a moil: rational, uniform, amiable, confident fcheme ; and to exhibit, before the candid, the unprejudiced, and the intelligent of all parties, the true, original, divine form of Chrillianity, in its beautiful fim- plicity, diverted of all the meretricious attire with which it hath been loaded, and folely adorned with its native elegance and charms, which need only be contemplated, in order to excite the admiration, tranfport, and love of every ingenuous and virtuous bofom. .^-7°% E- HARWOOD. Aug. 2O, 1767. 6^/^/- e-^ *' *- '^^ ♦ *-*' *^ 7 THE HISTORY OF JESUS By MATTHEW* CHAP, t T H E following is a table of the ge- nealogy of Jefus the MefTiah, who is lineally defcended from David, as David is from Abraham. 1. Abraham 2. Ifaac 3- Jacob 4. Judas 5. Phares 6. Efrom 7. Aram 8. Aminadab 9. Naaflbn 10. Salmon 11. Booz 12. Obed 13. JelTe 14. David 1. Solomon 2. Roboam 3. Abia 4. Afa Vol. I. 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 ^. Jofaphat 6. Joram 7. Ozias 8. Jotham 9. Achaz 10. Ezechias 11. Manafies 12. Amon 13. Jofias 14. Jehoiakim: about the time of the captivity. 1. Jehoiakin 2. Salathiel 3. Zoro babel 4. Abiud 5. Eliakim 6. Azor 7. Sadoc 8. Achim 9. Ehud 10. Eleazaf 11. IVlatthan 12. Jacob 13. Jofeph 14. Jefus B 17 So of Jesus Chap. ii. call Jefus, for he (hall favc his people from their vices. 2 2 Now the whole of this amazing event was exattly iimilar to another inrcance, which is recorded by an in- Ipired prophet in thefe words: 23 Behold! a pure virgin ihall be pregnant, and fliall bring forth a fon, who fliall be called Emmanuel, which vrannated fignifies, God is ijuith us. 24 When Jofeph av/oke, he a6led according to the di- redionof the angel, and took her to wife : 25 But refrained from all conjugal embraces '' *tiil her delivery — He called her fon Jefus, c n A p. II. I T N the reign of Herod -*• was Jcfus born in Beth- lehem of Judea — at which itime fomc eaftern Philofo- phers came to J.erufalem — and faid, 2 Dire6l us where we may find him who is lately born to be the king of the Jews ; for having ken his ftar in » This is the mcaninj; of gwih^uv. A/f refent. B 2 their THE w. 8 And when he difmiiTed them, he laid. Go to oeth- lehem, and make the moft diligtrnt enquiries you arc able concerning this infant, and when you have found him, give me immediate information, that I may fly to him, and join with you in mutual adorations. 9 No fooner were they parted from the king and begun their journey, but be- hold ! the luminous ftar, which they had Teen in the eaft, advanced before them —which they followed, 'till they fay it fixed over the houfe, v/here the child was. lo, The appearance of this ftar "^ filled them v/ith inex- prefTible tranfport. 1 1 Entering therefore the houfe, to which it had di' re£led them, and fee.nig the child and his mother, they prcftrated themfelves before him, and paid him homage: and opening their treafures they made him rich pre- fents % confifting of gold, frankincenfe, and myrrh. 12 After they had in this refpedlful manner reft. Bed 4 "The Hiftory their fcnfe of the dignity of his perfon, divine providence ^dmonifhed them in a dream not to go back to Herod — So they returned into their own country by a different road. 13 After their departure, an angel of God appeared to Jofeph in a dream, and thus fpokc. Rife immediately — take the child and his mother —hafte into Egypt, and con- tinue there, 'till 1 give thee notice to return — for Herod is going to make ftridl fearch for the infant, and intends to murder it. 14 Roufed by this divine admonition he got up took his wife and the infant in the night, and made a precipitate flight into E- gypt '• 15 where he lived till He- rod's deceafe — So that one may fitly apply to him an cxpreflion of one of the pro- phets — I have called my fon out of Egypt. § — 16 But when Herod found himfelf deluded and difappointed by the philofo- of Jesus Chap. li. phers, he was dreadfully cx- afperated, and immediately fent afTaffins and butchered all the infants, that were not only in Bethlehem, but in all its furrounds, fparing none that were two years old, or under that age, as he had accurately examined the Ma- gians concerning the age of the child. 17 So that the horrours of this fcene exaflly corrc- fponded to the following de- fcription of a like mournful calamity, that occurs in the prophet Jeremiah. 18 "A loud voice of grief was heard in Rama, fhrieks and cries and piercing lamentations. Rachel de- ploring the murder of her children, and quite incon- folable for her irreparable lofs ^" § — 19 When Herod was dead, the Angel of God ap- pearing again in a dream to Jofeph, 20 thus accofted him. Rife — take the babe and his mother, and return into Ifracl — for thofe who thirfted ^ Let it fuffice, once for all, to obfcrve, that the writings of the old Jewifh prophets, which abound in fine defcriptions, poetical images, and fublimc didion, were the Clajjics of the later fews, and in the fub- fcqucnt ages all their writers artcdlfd allufions to them, borrowed their images and defcriptions, and very often cited their very words, when recording any event or circumitance that happened in the hillory of the perfons whofc lives they were relating, provided it was fimilar and pa- rallel to one that happened in the times, or was dcfcribcd in the books ef the antient prophets. 4 for Chap. iii. by Matthew for the infant's blood are now no more. 21 In obedience to the divine command, therefore, he returned into the land of Ifrael. 22 Being, however, in- formed that Archelaus was hisfuccefTour in the kingdom, he was afraid to approach Judea — — in confequence, therefore, of a divine admo nition he retired to Galilee, - 23 and lived in a town called Nazareth — by this cir- cumftance verifying the pre- di<5lions of the prophets, that theMefliahlhould be brought up in a mean and inglorious obfcurity. CHAP. III. I "pvURING the time ^^ that Jefus lived in this private retreat, John the Baptift made his appearance, publifhing this folemn pro- clamation in the wildernefs of" Judea, 2 " Repent, for the king- dom of the MefTiah isjuft at hand !" 3 This is that extraordi- nary perfon, who is defcribed in a paffage of the prophet Efaiah in thefe words, " Hark! th« voice of a public crier in t John refers to the deftruftion of Jerufalem in this and the 10th and ^2th verfes. B 3 for the wildernefs, Prepare a way for the Mefliah, make an cafy path for his facred fteps!" 4 John affefled great plain- nefs in his drefs, and great fimplicity and auftcrity of manners, wearing a gar- ment made of camels hair, tied with a girdle of leather, and his food was locufts and wild honey. 5 Immediately upon this public proclamation there flocked to him vail crowds from Jerufalem, and from all Judea, and all the adjacent country of Jordan, 6 and they were all baptiz- ed by him in Jordan, making penitent confeflion of their fins. 7 In that vafl: concourfe that reforted to his baptifm were mingled great numbers of Pharifees and Sadducees, perfons of the moft abandon- ed principles and charader* — at the fight of whom John broke out into this exclama- tion, O profligate and hypo- critical wretches, who admo- nilhed you to fhun the im- peruding calamities ^ } 8 If you come hither as profefTed penitents, fhow the fincerity and genuinenefs of your repentance by a good life: 9 And do not value your- felves upon having Abraham ^he Hiflcry ^ J e s u s Chap. iv. for your great progenitor, for God is able even from thefe ilones to form a race of meninfiniicly more worthy ot Abraham, who iLaU inheiii hi"? virtues, and whofe lives flvall rcried dignity upon his cha raster. 10 The ax is this moment lying at the tree's root 14 But John reful(;d his requell, alledging that he hiraiclf ought rather to be baptized by a perfon of fuch fuperiour dignity and emi- nence. 1 5 To thefe remonftrances Jefus repHed, " It is necef- fary for me to be initiated by this ceremony into my public miniilry, and incumbent up- on me to fet before men an example of univerfal virtue'* — Upon this John admitted him. 16 Jefus, therefore, being baptized came immediately out of the water — and be- hold ! the heavens opened over his head, and the fpirit of God defcended with the rapidity of a dove, and refted upon him. 17 And at the fame time a voice ilfued from tlie parted clouds faying, 1 his is my beloved Son, the amiable ob- ject of my afredtion ! C H A P. iV. I COON after this Jefus ^ was thrown into a pro- phetic trance, and was in a vifion tranfported into the wildcrnefs to be tempted by the devil ', 2 where, *• See Acls ii. 3. 4. J All this paffage in Chriil's hiftory from the firft Verfe to the 12th is the narrative of a vifjon. The antient prophets relate vifionary re- prefcntations as hiftoricai fafts ; and the being carried by the fpirit and hd b) the Jpirit arc phrai'es that very often occur in the prophets, and fignify Kvcry tree that doth not bear good fruit, is immediately to be cut down, and thrown in- to the fire. Ill baptize yon indeed only v/i:h water in order to repentance-, but my fuccci- four is a perfonage of in- finitely greater dignity, to whom 1 am not v.'orthy to do the mieanefl: oirice — he will baptize you with the holy fpirit and' v/ith fire \ 12 With his fan he will winnow and thoroughly clear his crops, will coliedt and carefully depofit the good grain in his ftorehoufe, but the chaff he will burn up and utterly confume with fire un- quenchable. § — T^ At that time Jefus alfo takes a journey from Ga- lilee to Jordan, and de fires John fo adminifter the office of baprifm to him. / ■ Chap. iv. fy M A T T H E w. 2 where, after having fad- ed forty days and forty nights, and being excruciated with hunger, 3 the tempter, as he thought, came to him and faid, " Since thou art tiie Ton of God, convert thefe Itones into bread." 4 To whom Jefus replied in the words of Scripture, " The aninial life of man may be fuftained not by food only, but by any other means that the v. ill of God ihall fee proper to appoint '■■.** 5 The devil then, he thought, conveyed him thro' the air to Jerufalem, and placed him on one of the bat- tlements of the temple', 6 and faid to him, " Since thou art the Meffiah throw thyfelf down ; for the Scrip- ture fays, " Angels fhall be appointed to prote6t thee, they fliall fupport thee, and prevent thee from being dafhed in pieces." 7 Jefus replied, " There is another fcriptyre which fays, Thou fhalt not infult God's providence by rufhing into danger." iignify an ideal and fcenical exhibition of images upon the mind of the entranced prophet. See a fimilar inftance to this in Virgil ^neid Lib. 3, 146—173. ^ As in the cafe of Mo/es, Exod.xxiv. 18. and of Elijah, i Kings xix. 8. ' Of what a ftupendous height this was fee Jofeph. Ant. ig. Lib. 15. Ch. II. § 5. See alio Sirak, p. 762. Paris, and Dio/i Cajjius, Tom. L p. 121. Reimar. B 4 maritime 8 The devil then, he thought, tranfported him to the iummit of a mountain of prodigious height, and lliew- ed him all the kingdoms of the world, and all the fplen- dour and magnificence of them : 9 then turned to him and faid, *' All thefe extenfiva and populous countries I will give thee, if thou wilt pro- llratc thyfelf, and pay me religious adoration." 10 To which propofal Jefus anfwered with indig- nation, *' Thou wicked ad- verfary ! depart from me — for the infpired word of truth fays, " Thou fhialt wor- fhip and obey no other being but the fupreme God and governour of all." 1 1 Upon this, he thought, the devil left him, and that angels came and fupplied him with refrefliment. §—12 When Jefus was informed that John was im- prilbned, he retired into Galilee ; 13 and leaving Nazareth, he refided in Capernaum, a 8 The Hiftory maritime town in the con- fines of Zabulon and Neph- thalim. 14 So that to the refi- dence of the MefTiah in this country one may with great propriety adapt the following paffage in the prophet Efaiah, 15 "O thou country of Za- bulon andNephthalim, feat- cd on the Tea fhore beyond Jordan •, thou Galilee on the borders of the Heathens, 16 thine inhabitants, who had long been involved in darknefs, faw at once the shearing beams of divine light burft upon them, which difpelled from thy regions, the {hades of that denfe and uncomfortable obfcurity that once covered them." J 7 Here it was that Jefus firft entered upon his public miniftry, and began openly to exhort men to repent and re- form their lives, afluring them that the kingdom of the MefTiah would very foon be creeled. § — 18 As Jefus was walk- jn or along the fca fhore of Ga- lilee, he faw two brothers, "whofe names were Simon (afterwards called Peter) and Andrew, who were fifhermen, and happened then to be cafl- ing a net into the fea, of Jesus Chap, iy, 19 he faid to them. Fol- low me, and I will teach you an higher and nobler occupa- tion, not to catch fifhes, but men"". 20 Upon this invitation, they left their nets immedi- ately, and followed him. 21 Advancing farther he faw two other brothers, John and James, the Sons of Ze- bedee, who were now with their father in the vcfTcl, mending their nets — them he alfo invited to this great and, important office. 22 And they in like man- ner immediately left their fa- ther and the veffel, and obey- ed his authoritative call. 23 Attended with thefc perfons Jefus travelled over all Galilee, inftrucling men in the places appointed for public worfhip, and every where proclaiming the good news of the fpeedy eredion of the Mefiiah's kingdom* and healing every dileafe and diftemper with which the in- habitants of that country were opprefTed. 24 The fame, therefore, of his miraculous cures was foon divulged thro' all Syria, and they brought to him from all parts fick and difeafcd per- fons labouring under a variety th^t is, recover a degenerate world from vice »nd mifeiy Chap. V. hy M. AT of the moft obflrinate and in- curable diftempers— "ven of mad ", lunatic, and paralytic cafes — and he inllantaneouny reftored them all to perfect cafe and health. 25 And vaft crowds fol- lowed him out of Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerufa- Icm, and Judea, and out of the countries beyond the Jor- dan. CHAP. V. I CEEING fuch a nume- *^ rous concourfe of peo- ple around him, he afcend- cd a mountain, and fitting down, his difciplcs colle6led themfelves in a body near his perfon. 2 He then with great fo- lemnity inftru6ted them in the dodirines of his rehgion in the following difcourfe : 3 Happy are thofe who are endowed with true humility r— for fuch are properly dif- pofed for the reception of the gofpel. 4 Happy are thofe who lament with unfeigned con- trition the vices and errors of their paft lives — -for they Ihall be comforted with the chear- ing promifes of the gofpel. T H E w. p 5 Happy are thofe who^ are poffeffed with a mild and inoffenfive difpofition — for they fhall be enriched with the greateft happinefs this world can furnifh ". 6 Happy are thofe whofc minds are inflamed with a facred ardour to attain uni- verfal virtue — their enlarged and generous defires Ihall be fatisfied. 7 Happy are thofe who are truly campaflionate and charitable — that benevolence which they exprefs towards their fellow creatures fhall be abundantly recompenfed to them. 8 Happy are the fincerely virtuous — they (hall be ad- ' mitted to the blifsful vifion of God. 9 Happy are thofe who conftantly ftudy to promote harmony and peace among mankind — they fhall be cal- led the Sons of God. 10 Happy are thofe who fuffer perfecution for Religion and the rights of confciencc with inflexible patience and fortitude — - their victorious conftancy fliall be compen- fated with a fuperior degree of future bleflednefs. " damoniat and mad were among the ]s.'^% fynonymoys terms : for a proof of this fee John x. 20. he is pojfejftd E not prone to cenfur^ JL' others, left you pro- voke God to judge you with the like fevcrity. 2 For the fame meafures * To/< /xiV'/j T>i^, viovfrt yjo'iv dLvBiaiv nCnt TipTO/xiQ:^. afud EMyiux inc. Edit. Oxou. p. J{. Mimjiernu; that Cliap. vli. fy that you keep in your treat- ment of others, the lame mea- lures will God, at the lair day, ftridly obferve in his condu(5l towards you — for according as you judge men with lenity or cruelty, fo will fupreme juftice retaliate it with like mercy or rigour. 3 Why is thine eye fixed upon thy brother's conduct with a penetration, that the flighted fault and foible can- not efcape — while at the fame time thou thyfelf art guilty of moll heinous enormities ? 4 With what face canft thou reprove, and exhort others to reformation and amendment, when thine own life is a notorious fatyr upon thine inftrudions ? 5 Firft leave off, hypocrite, thy Ihameful courfes — and then gravely remonftrate a- gainll the venial imperfec- tions of thy neighbours. 6 Let your admonitions be ever dictated by prudence — for to rebuke thofe, whom you have reafon to believe are obftinate and incorrigible, is unneceffarily expofing your perfon to infult, and your in- ftrudions to contempt ^ 7 Thefe are the duties wh'ch the gofpel requires of you, M A T T H E W. 19 but in order to the difcharge of them invoke divine 3.irif- tance — which will not be' de- nied to your fincere and vir- tuous endeavours to obtain it. 8 For the fervent prayers of every good perfon to the father of wiiciom to aid and ftrengthen his imperfect vir- tue will nor be rejeded. 9 Learn from parental tcndernefs the indujgent dif- pofition of the fupreme father towards his dependent crea- tures — For is there any man, however abandoned and de- praved, who, when his fon afks him for the neceffaries of life, will give him fome- thing that is ufelefs or hurt- ful ? for example, when his child cries for bread, will give him a ftone, 10 or a ferpcnt — when he defires a fiOi. 11 If, therefore, parents of the very word charadters give to their children what is proper and uleful for them — how much more will the mod kind and compaffionate Father of all, impart fuitable favours and bleflings to his fupplicants. 1 2 In fine, make the con- dition of your fellow crea* * Qui pretium meriti ab improt)is defiderat, Bis peccat; primum quoniam indignos adjuvat, Zmpune abire deinde ijuia jam non poteft. i»/^W. Fa6, Lib. I. Fab. 8« C 2 tures 20 The Hiftory turcs your own, — and behave to others in the fame manner, as you would expe6b, if you were in their circumftances, and they in yours — In this one moral maxim is virtually comprehended the whole fyf- tem of duty in the law and the prophets. §• 13 Enter into the flrait gate of virtue and chrif- tianity — for the gate is wide, and the road Ipacious and eafy that conduds to perdi- tion — and the generality of mankind travel it. 14 For the gate is narrow, and the road rough and diffi cult that leads to the gofpel and to life " and fuch is the degeneracy of Jews and Gentiles, that there are but few who will difcover it. § — \c^ Be ever cautious of being deluded by falle teach- ers, who will pradlife every art to impofe upon you, and alfume the harmlefs inno- cence of the lamb to cover the inward treachery and ra- pacity of the wolf. 16 But the infallible crite- rion of their chara6lers is this — Infpeft their lives and ani- ons, and you cannot be de- ceived. The fruit difcovers the true nature of the tree. Thorns produce not the ge- of Jesus Chap. vii. nerous grape the thillle bears not the lufcious fig. 1 7 A good tree bears good fruit — a bad tree, bad fruit. 1 8 In the fame manner, a good heart produces good actions — a bad heart, wick- ednefs. 19 And as the tree that bears worthlefs fruit, how- ever fair its form and beau- tiful its leaves, is cut down and burnt, fuch will be the fatal deftruftion to which God will confign the fpecious hypocrite and incorrigible finner. 20 So that a man's a6tions are the true index of his heart, and the fole infallible teft of the goodnefs, or badnefs of it. 21 It is not an outward profeffion of the chriflian re- ligion that will entitle men to future happinefs, but a fm- cere obedience to the divine will, and an uniformly pious and virtuous condu6l. 22 Many at the day of judgment will thus addrefs me — Lord ! did we not em- brace thy religion — did we not preach and inftrudl others in the doiflrines and duties of it did we not in confe- , quence of our profefllon, per- form the moll ftupendous « I am the way, the truth, and the life. fponds to perdition in the verfe before. Life in this ycrfc corre- cnlracles. Chap. viii. by Mat miracles, and work the moft aftonilhing cures. Are we not, therefore, thy true dil- ciples — and wilt not thou be- llow upon us thofe bleffed rewards thou art now going to difpenfe ? 23 But to thefe I will reply Notwithftanding your former perfuafion of the truth of my religion, and the zeal you have fhowed in af- ferting and vindicating its dodtrines — yet you have dif- graced it by an immoral life. Such as you I will never ap- prove as my genuine difci- ples Ye fintul and aban- doned creatures depart ! 24 Thefe are the religious and moral inftrudions of my gofpel — whofoever, therefore, iliall cordially embrace and pra6life them, may be com- pared to a prudent and intel- ligent perlon, who built his houfe upon a rock : 25 which, when aflaulted by the raging tempeft, the impetuous torrent, or the fu- rious whirlwind, fuftains the fliock — for it is founded on the unfhaken bafis of a rock. 26 But him, who is per- fuaded of the truth of chrif- tianity, and yet lives in the open pradice of the vices it condemns, I will compare to a fooHili mian, who builds an houfe upon the fand. 27 So that whenever the T H E w. 21 ftorms rage, or the floods rulh, or the blafts affail "t-, it finks, and falls in moft dread- ful ruins. § — 28 Here Jefus ended his difcourfe — and the multi- tude ftood fixed with admira- tion at the fublimity of his dodrines : 29 for thefe inftrudions were delivered not in the cold and negligent manner of the Scribes — but with a dignity and authority that Ipoke their divine original. CHAP. VIII. FTER this difcourfe he defcended from the niountain — and was re- ceived and followed by pro- digious crowds. 2 When behold a wretched fpedlacle — a perfon cover- ed with leprofy approached, and falling proftrate before him, faid. Sir, you have power to free me from this {hocking difeafe. 3 Jefus then extending his hand touched him, faying — I will reflore thee to health — and inilantly the leprous fcurf no was more. 4 Jefus then fl:ri6lly charged the man by no means to di- vulge his miraculous cure, but to go immediately to the prieft, and off^er the ufuai fa- crifice •, in order that the man C 3 might 22 The Hiftory might give publick and in- conteltable evidence of his being really and perfe<5liy cured. § — 5 When Jefus had juft eniered Capernaum, a Roman captain came to him, and accofted him in thefe im- portunate terms, 6 Sir, my fervant hath juft had a flroke of the pnlfy, and is now in my houie in the mod excruciating tcrture, 7 I will immediately come, replied Jefus, and heal him. 8 Upon hearing this an- fwer, the officer with great humility faid, Sir, I deem jnyfelf unworthy that a per- fon of your illuftrious dignity {hould come under my roof — one word, I am perfuaded, of your authoritative voice will fpeak my fervant into perfeft eafe and health. 9 For if I, who command a body of men in the Roman army, can, by a word, order my corps to any fervice, and my orders are immediately obeyed "^ — how much more muft you, whom I believe to beinvefbed with divine powei-, by a word efFedl my fervant's cure. ID Jefus exprefled amaze- ment at hearing fuch a reply, cf Jesus Chap. viif. and turning to his followers faid — This Heathen hath done more honour to the dignity of my miflion and character than any of the IfraeJites. 1 1 But I aflure you that great numbers of the Heathen nations, in the moil diftant regions, fhall embrace the gofpel, which the Je-zL's re- jeft, and fhall be incorporat- ed into thatkino-dom, whofe eftablifliment they now fo violently oppofe. 12 But they, to whom thefe advantages are firft of- o fered, fhall on account of their incxcufablc incredulity and enormous vices be eject- ed from the bJefllngs of chrif- tianity, and the whole na- tion be doomed to the moil dreadful calamities, that ever befei a people and coun- try ''. 13 Jefus then turned to the officer and told him that the divine power, with which he believed hitn to be en- dowed, was already exerted in the recovery of his fervant and at that very inflant he found liimielf in perfect health. § — 14 Jesus afterwards re- tiring from the crowd went into Peter's houfe, arid found *' Agmen et ftare paratum et fequi : — intentum ad ducis non ftgnu7tt Hiodo, fed etiam ttutum. Curtius, p. ho. Delph. ' He rtiizrz to the deftruflion cf jcrufalem by the Roi::in.ns. his Chap. vlli. by M AT his mother in law confined to her bed by a violent fe- ver. 15 But he touched her hand — the fever left her — fhe rofe and provided for their refrefhment. 1 6 In the evening the crowds collected again, and brought him many afflicted with mad- nefs — but this and every o- ther diftemper he inftantane- oufiy removed by a word. 17 By thefe miraculous cures accomplifhing the fol- lowing prediction of the pro- phet Ilaiah concerning him — " Our maladies he healed, and expelled all the difeafes, with which our natures wTre opprefied." § — 18 But when Jefus found himfelf greatly incom- moded by the preffing crowds, he ordered his difciplcs to get a boat and ferry him over the lake. 1 9 While the boat was pre- paring, a fcribe approached him, who deluded with the hopes of gaining preferment in his kingdom, thus addref fed him, '* Great teacher ! I am determined to attend you wherever you go." 20 To this fpeech Jefus replied. You egregioully err, if you imagine that I am go- ing to ere6t an earthly king- dom of pomp and magnifi- cence — fo far from this that T H E w. 23 the beafts of the field, and the fowls of the air are accom- modated with better and hap- pier conveniencies than the ion of man. 21 At that time alfo a- nother of his followers faid CO him. Sir, I have formed dchberate refolutions to fol- low you ; only at prefcnt al- low me to p-o home to at- tend the funeral of my tather and fettle his effeds. 22 Jefus faid to him • From the moment you en- gaged in my caufe, you were under an indifpenfable obli- gation to renounce all con- nexions with your earthly re- lations and fortunes. Let thofe who are dead to all fenle of religion and virtue diftrad themfelves with fordid cares — but do you adhere to me, and diligently ftudy the doc- trines and inftrudions of my relio;ion. 23 In the mean time the boat was got ready, into which he paired, attended by his difciples. 24 And being fatigued with the labours and duties of the day he foon funk into deep fleep — But behold, dur- ing his repofe, it fuddenly blew a dreadful ftorm — the fea run high — and the waves lafhed over the fides of the velfel. 25 The difciples, greatly C 4 alarmed 24 '^kd Hiflory alarmed with their danger, awoke him, crying out — Sir! fave us ! we are all perifhing ! 26 Jefus faid to them — Why are ye Teized with fuch terrours — how long will you diftruft thofe miraculous powers, with which God hath endowed me — He then Hood up, and with a word repref- ied the winds, and controul-, ^d the llirges-— -and a calm immediately eniiied. 27 At leeing fuch an a- mazing fcene, the perfons, who were in the vefiel, were fixed in the laft aftonifl:iment and laid- What power is here exerted ! What divine perfonage is this, whofe man- date the winds and waves pbey ! § — 28 On his landing in the country of the Gergefe- nes, he w^s met by two mad- men, ifiiiing from the fub- terraneous vaults, where the people of that country dcpo- fited their dead-: — Their dif- order oft^n inftigatcd them to fuch horrid afts of feroci- ty, that no bpdy durll tra- vel that road. 29 At feeing Jefus, whom they had heard of, they broke out into a loud vociferation, fych ^s their difordered minds of Jesus Chap. viii. dictated — O Jefus, fon of God ! what bufmefs haft thou with us — art thou come hi- ther to infli6t torments upon us before our time is come ? 30 Now it happened that there was at fome confiderable diftance a very large herd of fwine feeding. 31 The madmen, uttering fuch wild effufions, and mak- ing fuch abfurd requefts a* perfons in raging madnefs al- ways do, begged that he would fuffer the daemons ^ to pafs from them into the fwine. 32 They had no fooner fpoken and he permitted, but behold ! the whole herd was feized with madnefs^— run down a precipice- rufhed into the fe^, and perifhed in the deep. 33 The keepers ftruck with terrour ran away into the town, and told what had happened, adding alfo an ac- count of the miraculous cure of the two madmen. 34 Alarmed with this pub- lick difafter, the whole town can<}e out in a body to meet Jefus, and dreading his pow- er, unanimoufly entreated hitn to leaye th?ir country. y In antient time, both among 'Jeivs and Heathens, madi^cfs was aimoit ttniverfally (iinpofed to be occafioaed by the poffefllon of Damons. CHAP, Chap. ix. by Matthew. 25 CHAP. IX. I AT their earneft folici- •^^ tation he re-entered the boat, crofTed the lake, and came into the town, in which he had been educated. 2 Upon his arrival there they brought him a miferable objeft lying on a couch, fhak- ing with the palfy — Jefus be- ing conlcious of the faith they repofed in him as a divine meflenger, faid to the para- lytic — Son, thy fins be for- given ! 3 Some of the fcribes when they heard this faid within themfelves — what horrid blafphemy againft God is this man guilty of ! 4 But Jefus, who was per- fedly acquainted with every fentimentin the human heart^, faid to them, Why do you cherifh in your minds fuch malevolent and injurious thoughts againfl me ? 5 For is it a lels exertion and proof of divine power to forgive his fms, than to re- ilore him to health and llrength ? 6 But what induced me to exprefs myfelf in this manner was, to convince you by an evident miracle, that the fon of man is endowed with au- thority to forgive fm — he had no iooner fpokenthefe words,, but he turned to the fick per- fon, and faid — Rife — take up thy couch — and go home. 7 Inftantly the man found his limbs nerved with ftrength he rofe — took up his couch, and carried it home. 8 The crowds, who were witnefles of this amazing ex- ertion of miraculous power, were Itruck with aftonifh- ment, and with the devouteft reverence glorified God, who had communicated to man fuch ftupendous endow- ments. § — 9 I N pafiing from Ca- pernaum Jefus faw a perfon, whofe name was Matthew, fitting in the tax-gatherers office, whom he commanded to * follow him — The man im- mediately quitted his bufinefs, and mingled in his train. 10 Jefus accepting of art invitation to his houfe fat down with his difciples at ta- ble among a large company, confiding of tax-gatherers, Ac/Ttfp €yvfi> » This injundlion of filence was, no doabt, intended to prevent too great crowds — at which .^he malice of his enemies would have b^^n more incited,, and the Roman powers have taken umbrage. 4 five Chap. X. hy M AT five and copious the harveft ! —but alas ! how few the la- bourers ! 38 Fervently pray, there- fore, to the creatour and go- vernour of immortal louls, that he would of his infinite mercy raife and qualify a number of fit perfons to reap lb great and glorious an har- veft! C H A P. X. I AFTER this Jefus col- -^^ levied his twelve dif- ciples in a body, and com- municated to them luch mi- raculous endowments, as would empower them to cure the mod inveterate and ftub- born diforders of every kind and degree, to which human nature is fubjeded. 2 Thefe were the names of his twelve apoflles. , J } brothers 2 Andrew 3 3 James 7Zebcdee's 4 John 3 fons 3 5 Philip 6 Bartholomew 7 Thomas 8 Matthew, the tax- gatherer 9 James, fon of Al- pheus 10 Lebbeus, firnamed Jude 4 II Simon, the zealot 12 Judas Ifcariot T tt E W. 29 5 Thefe twelve Jefus com- miffioned and appointed to the apoftolic office, and fent them previoufly giving them the following advice and direftions — Publifh not the report of the gofpel a- mong the Heathens, neither enter into one city inhabited by the Samaritans. 6 But confine your publick miniftrations folely to the in- habitants of Judea, who have been fo deplorably negledied, and fuffered to wander in the fatal paths of ignorance and wickednefs. 7 Proclaim in every place, where there are rational crea- tures to hear the news, and fay — The gofpel difpenfation is juil commencing ! 8 Heal the indifpofed, cure the lepers, raife the dead, ex- pel every fpecies of lunacy and madnefs — And as you had thefe fpiritual gifts freely bellowed upon you, do you alfo freely impart their lalu- tary effeds to others. 9 I folemnly warn you a- gainil a fordid mercenary difpofition — do not, there- fore, upon any account take money for the good you do. 10 Be not anxious in pre- paring accommodations, and laying up provifions for your journey — The benevolence of the well-difpofed will fupply you with the necefiaries and conveniences 30 T^be Hiftory of Jesus Chap. x. conveniences of life, and the faithful and diligent difcharge of your duty will entitle you to them. 11 When you go into a town or village, make en- quiry, which of the inhabi- tants is beft known, and moft generally efteemed for true worth and excellency of cha- rader — to fuch apply, where you will moft probably find a kind reception, and con- tinue there, while you ftay, that they may be witneflfes of your difinteretledncfs and in- tegrity. 12 When you enter into the family, greet it in the moft friendly and obliging terms, and wifti it all divine and human happinefs. 13 And if that family pof- Icfs fuch real worth, as hath been rcprefented to you, the bleiTings you implore, ftiall defcend upon it — but if the hopes you have been taught to form of it be difappointed, and you meet with a repulfe — you, however, yourfelves will enjoy the conlcious plea- fure and fatisfafi:ion of hav- ing done your duty — and the blefiings, which you have fup- plicated the Almighty to be- ftow upon that family, Ihall be imparted to you ". 14 Moreover, whatever town or family ftiall rcfufe to admit you, and to hear your inftrudliions, ftiake oft the duft of your feet againft them — by this fignificant ailion giving a publick and folemn teftimony to all, that you have freely offered to tlieni the advantages and privilcrges of the golpel, but they have wilfully rejefted them. 15 Be affured that in the general judgment Sodom and Gomorra ftiall be puniftied with lefs feverity than that town, for its having refifted greater evidence than what thofe cities were ever favour- ed with. 16 I am fenfible that by fending you abroad to preach the gofpel, I expofe you to the infult and cruelty of a de- praved world. Confider your- felves, therefore, as flieep in the midft of wolves ; and join to the innocence of the harm- lefs dove the vigilance and prudence of the cautious fer- pent. 17 Let your conduct be ever actuated by difcretion, and guard, with the greateft circumfpedion, againft irri- tating mens paftions unnecef- farily — for with all the cau- tion you can obferve, fo im- placably will the generality of the world be exafperated a- Feace in the Jewilh idiom dienoi^i happine/s. gain ft Chap. X. ^jf M A T T H E w. gainftyou, merely for preach- ing the golpel, that they will drag you before the civil magiftrate, as the difturbers and pefts of fociety, and fcourge you in the fyna- gogues, as enemies to the eftablifhed religion. 1 8 And you fliall be brought, for your profefiion of chriftianity, before the tri- bunals of the mod auguft perfonages — where the apo- logies you will make, in vin- dication of its truth and ex- cellency, fhall ferve as pub- lick teftimonies to them and the world of its divine autho- rity. 19 But when you are car- ried before the moll illuitrious anddignifiedchara6lers,benot anxious in ftudying a defence of your principles and con- dudl — for that God, in whole caufe you are engaged, will enable you, in that emergen- cy, to apologize for your- felves. 20 So that your publick pleas on fuch occafions will not be fo much the efforts of human wifdom, as the dic- tates and fuggeflions of the fpirit of God. § — 21 The gofpel, you are going to preach, will in its confequences, produce the mod virulent and implacable feuds, and the moll unnatu- ral and deadly animofities in 3^ tamilies, accordingly as it is embraced or rejefted by their repedlive members. For bro- ther fliall murder brother — a father his own child — and the fons Ihall imbrue their hands in their parents' blood. 22 For you ihall be held in almoll univerlaldeteflationfor your profefiion — But he, who tiu'ough all thefe fcenes of contumely and cruelty, con- tinues ftedfaft in his attach- ment to my caufe, fhall final- ly be rewarded with everlaft- ing happinefs. 23 Notwithltanding, there- fore, all the outrages you are expofed to, fhow yourfelves indefatigable in preaching the gofpel, and when you meet with perfecution in one town, remove to another, and with invincible refolution preach the gofpel there — for be af- fured you Ihall not have vi- fited all the towns in Judea, before the moil dreadful de- ftru(5lion overtake it. 24 A fchoiar hath no rea- fon to exped better treat- ment than. his teacher — or a fervant than his mafler. 25 Oughtnot adifciple, or a flave, to think himfelt hap- py, if he have only to encoun- ter the fame difficulties, and to fubmit to the fame ufage as his indruftor, or Lord, hath experienced from the world ? — If they ha\e called the 32 T^he Hlftory the mafter of the houfe Beel- zebub, how much more will they load his domeftics with the moft odious names and Icandalous reproaches. 26 Let not however, this leries of abufe overwhelm you with terrour and defpair, and difcourage you from preaching the gofpel for there comes a day, when all the hidden fcenes of life will be laid open, and fupreme juftice vindicate and glori- oufly reward opprefled inno- cence and perfecuted virtue. 27 Let the prolpcd, there- fore, of no human fufferings intimidate and dejeft you, but difcharge your publick mini- ftration with undaunted cou- rage proclaiming in the moft publick and frequent- ed places thofe inftrudtions, which I have given you in our private retirements. 28 Fear not thofe, who can only infli6l upon you bodily pain and torture, and deprive you of a precarious being — but whofe power extends no farther. But let that great Being be the objed of your fear, who can involve both foul and body in total and cverlaftino; deilrudion. Let that great Being, 1 repeat it, be the objcd of your conftant fear ^ of Jes u S Chap, jc* 29 For if the meaneft and moft inconfiderable creatures are perpetually under the in- Ipedtion of, God, and perifh not without his cognifance — how much more muft divine providence intereft itfelf in the guardianfhip and protec- tion of rational beings, and not fuffer them to be wantonly facrificed to the rage and ma- lice of mankind, without his knowledge and permiiTion. 30 So far from this, that the leaft evil cannot befal you without his dire6lion — for God is intimately ac- quainted with all your mi- nuteft concerns, and the very hairs of your head are num- bered by his all-comprehen- five wifdom. 3 1 BanilTi, therefore, from your breaft all fear of human malice and perfecution — An intelligent being worthily engaged in the publifhing among mankind a religion of God's own appointment, is furely more intitlcd to the divine care and regards than the irrational and inferiour creatures. 32 Thefe fufferings are the fure tefls of mens principles — Whofocver, therefore, nor- withftanding the menaces of tyrants and the rage of per- fecutors, fhall, with undaunt- «* The maxim of the great Turennc is juftly cclebratcd- Dieu, et je n'ai point d'autre crainte. -Je cralns le Chap. X. by M a t ed refolution, publickly pro- fefs his belief of chrifbianity, him will I publickly acknow- ledge to be my true difciple before God and the aflembled world. 33 But whofoeyer fhall be terrified by the dread of pub- lick odium, or fear of perfe- cution, into a publick recan- tation of his chrillian prin- ciples, and fliall openly re- nounce his profefTion — him will I alfo publickly reje6t at, the general relurredtion. 3 4 The promulgation of the chriftian religion will produce. effe(5ts in the world, the very' reverie of its genius and ten- dency, for tho' it is defigned to promote univerfal harmony and concord, and to extin- guifh mens worft paffions, yet it will blow them into the moft vehement and de- ftruftive flames. 35 For it will occafion fuch violent quarrels and unhappy difcords, as will not only break ail the common ties of humanity, but alfo dilTolve the moil intimate bonds of confanguinity. 36 And through religious differences a man's moft im- placable enemies (hall be ihofe of his own family. T H E w. 3^ 0^^ But whenever family affections happen to interfere and clafh with your duty, the former muft be given up without hefitation — rfor he, who facrifices his religion, either to parental tendernefs, or to filial piety, forfeits the chriftian chara6t:er, and will never be acknowledged as a genuine difciple. 38 For unworthy the name of chriftian is he, v/ho will not fubmit to , the greateft difHculties for the fake of it. 39 For he who faves his life in this v»'orld by mean compliances, at the cxpence of his confciencc and religion, fnall in another be for ever deprived of it ^ — but he who lofes his life in my caufe, ihall with infinite advantage re- gain it in a glorious and hap- py immortality. § — 40 These admonitions I give you, and with this au- thority I inveft you — fo that every one who receiveth you, in effe6l receives m.e — and he who obeys my inftrudtions, obeys the will of God, who originally delegated and lent me into the world. 41 He who entertains a publick inftruitor, or a good nian, under thele chara^iersj ' This text is more in point than any other a direft proof of the total perdition of the wicked — Who Ihail be pqnilhed with f-^irlajiing depruithn. . Vol.. I. D and 34 ^^ Hiftory and pays their refpedtive dig- nicy and worth a real efleem and iViendly regard, fhall be eiititled to a fnare of their future rewards. 42 And whofoever fliall do the leafi benevolent act ot generofny, merely on account of your being my difciples, his generofity flowing from fuch an inward principle fhall not go unrewarded. 'J CHAP. XI. E S U S having with thefe direftions difmif- fed liis difciples, removed from that part of the coun- try, to teach and inftruft other towns in the doctrines and duties of the gofpel. 2 But the fame of his a- ftonifhing miracles reaching Jolin, who was then in pri- lon — ^he called two of his dif- ciples, who were allowed free accefs to him in his confine- ment, and ordered them to propofe to Jefus the follow- ing queftion ^ 3 Art thou that illuftrous perfonage foretold by the prophets ? or is the Mefliah ftill to be the objed of our expeflation ? 4 To which meflage Jefus replied— Go and give John ^ Jesus Chap. xi. a faithful account not only of the fatts vvliich you have heard from univerfal report, but of thofe, of which your- felves have been ipedtators. 5 Inform him that the blind receive their fight, the lame walk, the lepers are re- ftored to health, the deaf to hearing, the dead to life, and to the pcwreft objedts are communicated the joyful tid- ings of everlafting falvation. 6 And blelfed is he whom neither the meannefs of my condition, the oppofition of the Jews, or the fear of re- proach and perfecution, fhall difcourage from embracing my religion. § — 7 When they were gone, Jefus took occafion ta fpeak concerning John to the multitudes, that were col-- lefted together, and faid to them — What induced you to flock in fuch crowds into the wildernefs ? — Did fome trifle - ino; and ridiculous affair excite in you a vain curiofity to go thither ? 8 What was it attradted your admiration ? — Did you prefs with fuch eager and im- patient fteps to fee a perfon attired in a vain and fan- taflic drefs, who fuddenly appeared there ? — Such dwell * John fcnt thefe, that they mi^ht fee the evidence that was exhibited, and afterwards bcccme Chrill's disciples. in perfon, Chap. xi. 4>' Mat in fplendid and magnificent palaces, but are not leen in the dreary unfrequented wil- dernels. 9 What was it then you crowded to fee there ? — was it a prophet ? -yes, and a prophet greatly fuperiour in dignity and office to any that ever preceded him. 10 For this is the whofe future appearance Ma- lachy predided in that paf- fage — " Behold I I will com- miflion and fend a meflenger to be thy forerunner, in or- der that univerfal attention may be excited, and the minds of men be previoufly difpofed for the reception of his heavenly doftrines." Ill aiTure you, there ne- ver appeared under the mo- faic dilpenfation a prophet of fuperiour eminence to John the Baptift neverthelefs, the moft ignoble and obfcure teacher of chriftianity is in- velted with a fublimer office, and a more iiluftrious mini- iiry than he was. 12 But yet from the time that John's miniftry com- menced to the prefent day, che ereflion or the gofpel kingdom hath been moft violently oppofed, and the depraved and bigQtted Jews furioufly aflault, and la- bour to fubvert it. with the T H E w. 3^ moft determined rancour and malignity. 13 The mofaic fyftem con- tinued in its full force 'till the time that John entered upon his prophetic office ; but it is now to be luperfeded by a new and nobler inilitudon. 14 And if you will admit and make proper ufe of my aflertion beaflured, That this perfon is thatElias, whom the prophets foretold Ihould come at the clofe of the Jew- ifti difpenfation. 15 Let every one, who hath rational powers dili- gently cultivate and improve them, by carefully inveftigat- ing and fincerely obeying the truth. 16 But the prefent gene- ration difcovers fuch a petu- lancy and pen'^erfenefs of tem- per, that no method of in- ftruclion will produce its in- tended effefts. I can com- pare them to nothing fo pro- perly as to a number of peev- ifti children, who are deter- mined not to be pleafed with any thing their companions fay or do : 1 7 Who, when their play- ^ fellows are in the height of mirth and chearfulnefs, ap- pear fulky and fullen — but are immediately in tranfports, when they lee others diflblved in tears. D 2 18 The -.6 ^^ T^he Hiftory 1 8 The difingenuous pcr- verfencfs of the prcfent age is evinced from the averfion and contempt, they have equally fiiov/ed to John's in- ftruclions and my own — tho' our method and manners were entirely dinimiiar. For Joiin pradiled rigid abfLemioulnefs, and afTefted the greatefl aii- ilerity and mortification in his drcfs and diet : iq The fon of man, on the contrary, fcudied no fuch Angularities — entertained no fcruples about any particular kind of food, or liquor — but unaileAedly ailociated, and fa- miliarly convcrfed with men of all profciTions and conditions, without diftinclion — yet ftill they are difguiled and ex- claim — What a Have to ap- petite ! Flow exceiTivcly fond of wine ! What an inlepara- ble companion of wicked and profligate men ! But thole wlio are the real friends of virtue, confcious of its in- valuable worth, embrace it, v/hat exterior form foever it affumes, and obey its dictates, in what method and manner foever they come recom- mended. § — 20 Ti'iEs he began to upbraid thofe tow nr,, v/hich iiad been wltnefTes to the "reateil part of his miracles, tor their infuperable preju- dices, and invincible obfti- naey and impenitence. of Jesus Chap. xi. 21 Woe unto you, O ye inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethfaida ! had fuch ftriking proofs of miraculous power and divine authority been ex- hibited before the citizens of Tyre and Sidon, they would have deemed the evidences irreliftibie, imniediately have obeyed the heavenly meflen- ger, and repented with the fincereft contrition and re- m(jrfe. 22 Be aiTur-cd, therefore, that in the generaljudgment, much lefs fevere punifhment fliall be JnHicted on the inha- bitants of Sodom and Gomor- ra than what you lliall then be doomed to. 23 And thou O Caper- naum I who now haft, by thy power and opulence mount- ed to fo high an elevation, ihalt be precipitated into the lowell gulph of ruin and de- ilruc^lion — lor Iiad fucii iilu- ftrlous miracles, been wrought in Sodom, it would have been (landing at this day. 24 As thou haft, there- fore, refilled ftronger con- victions and rejeded greater evidences than Sodom ever did, be aflured, its future miferies will be lefs dreadful ihan thofe, to which thou Ihalt be devoted. § — 25 At that time Jefus uttered this pious ejaculation to God— 1 thank tlice, O thou greac Chap. xii. by Ma great Parent of univerfal na- ture, that thou haft hid the evidences of the gofpel from thofe, who value thcml'clves on their fuperiour vvifdom and erudition \ but hafl ex- hibited them in their full ir- refiftible force before humble, docil, and ingenuous minds. 26 I'his procedure, O fii- preme Father of all, was in confequence of that benevo- lent plan which thy innnite wifdom originally formed. 27 Me hath God commif fioned and empowered to re- veal his will to mankind — anci there is no being fo vvell acquainted with the illuftrious dignity and office, with which lam in veiled, as the Father — nor is there any intelligent creature favoured with fo clear and fublime a percep- tion of the nature and per- fedlions of the Deity as the Son, and as all v.'ill entertain in confeqv.ence of their re- ception Of the chriftian re- ligion ^. 28 Come unto me all ye, who groan under the unfup- portable burden of the cere- monial law and I will vindicate you into perfect liberty and freedom. 29 Obey nrty doctrines and T T H E w. ^7 precepts, which I have illul- trated and enforced by my own condufl, and learn from my example the virtues of inoffenfive meekncls and un- affec5led humility ——and you v/ill fccure true and lafting peace and happinefs. 30 For my do6lrine is cal- culated for the felicity of mankind — its injundlions are not rigourous and opprefTive to liuman nature — but the paths into vviiich it introduces njen, are unfpeakably plea- fan t and deiedtable. C II A P. XII. t T T happened about that ■*- time that as Jefus was going through fome corn- fields, his difciples, compelled by hunger, plucked fome of the ears, as- they pafied along, and rubbing them in their hands, began to eat the corn. 2 The Pharifees perceiving this, laid to Jefus — Why doll not thou reprove thy dif- ciples for violating the duties of th':; labbath ? 3 To This Jeu'.s replied — Do not you reHeft what hunger once compelled Da- vid and his men to cio } 4 Need I remind you, that ? This is in fa»rt true, and is n r m.irk.ible prophcfy of our Saviour. All thcl'e countries will be icund cxlrtr.:tiy defedive in the knowledge of .he fijprcme G^d, \vhich have not received the ChrilHan revelation. D he 3S ne Hillory of Jesus Chap. xii. he went hi to the tabernacle and eat the confecrated /liezv hrcad^ v^'hich all, except priefhs, were finely prohi- bited from tailing. 5 The rondudl alfo of the priefts, tho' on a fabbath day they go tliroLigh all the work and labour of the temple fer- vice and facrifices, is not ac- counted criminal. 6 And if the fibbatical employment of the priefls in the temple exempt them from all guilt, much more will the important office ot preaching the gofpcl, with which I have invefted my difciples, excufe themi. 7 If you had known the true meaning of thofe words in the prophet — " I am bet- ter pleafed with acfls of mer- cy and compafTion, than with the moil coftly facrifices" — God by this dire6lion infi- nuating that pofitive inflitu- tions are in his eftimation of jnferiour vakie to moral ob- ligations — you would nor with fuch rigour have cenfured my difciples for the violation of a mere external cere- mony, and the tranfgreflion of a command purely arbi- trary, 8 For the Ton of man is authorized to fet men free irom thofe ceremonious ri- gours and fabbatical feveri- t;es, which you impofe. § — 9 Going from that place he went into one of LJieir religious aflemblies, 10 in Vv'hich there was a man, who had a withered hand. Hie Jews, therefore, feeino; his attention cnar-ao-cd by fuch an unhappy fpeftacle, and watching every opportu- nity to alperfe and blacken his character, and deftroy his publick ulefulnefs, faid — Is it lawful to heal on the fab- bath ? 11 To which queflion he replied — Is there any of you, tho' the moft ftricl and con- fcientious obferver of the fab- bath, v/ho would hefitate a moment to extricate a fheep, that was entangled in a brake, or fallen into a pit on the fabb.uh day ? 1 2 And if no one fcruples to afTill a bead in fuch cir- cumftances — how infinitely more fit and lawful is it to do an a<51: of mercy and be- nevolence on a fabbath day to a rational being ! 13 He then turned to the man, and faid — Extend thy arm — he extended it — and it was inftantaneoufly as perfect as the other. 14 But the Pharifees, in- flead of being convinced by this amazing difplay of di- vine power, went av^ay flung with implacable rage and in- veterate malice — and imme- diately Chap. xii. ^X ^^ ^ diateiy confederated together and vowed hiS deftruftion. 1 5 But Jefus by that know- ledge of the human heart, with which he was endowed, being confcious of their de- figns againft his life, remov- ed from that part of the coun- try, attended with vaft mul- titudes of people; among whom he cured ail who la- boured under any difeafe. 1 6 But ftridly charged them not to divulge the fame of his miraculous cures — left the Jews, fired with refent- ment, (hould apprehend him and accelerate his death. 1 7 By his courting priva- cy, therefore, and making obfcure retreats the fcene of his inftru(flions and miracles, he fulfilled the following pro- phecy of Ifaiah. i8 *' Behold my fervant, the objeft of all my fondeit affctitions ! I will impart to him the moft excellent gifts and aftoniihing powers, and he Ihall propagate true reli- gion among the nations. 19 He fhall not convoke the people, with loud voci- feration, to fee his miracles — nor difplay his divine en- dowments in the ftrcets, with oftentatious parade : 20 The whole of his de- portment Ihall be meek and T T H E W. 39 I inoffenfive, and ever aduated by the rules of prudence and caution — 'till the time that he fhall have finiQied the pe- riod of his publick miniftry, and firmly eff ablifhed his reli- gion. 21 And after its eflablifh- ment in Judea, the Heathens fhall embrace it, and receive him as the MefTiah and law- giver of the world.** § — 22 There was brought to him at that time a moll miferable objeft, labouring under a dreadful complica- tion of afflictions — for the wretched creature was in- fane, blind, and dumb — But he inftantly "reftored him to the ufe of his hearing, fpeech, and intellefts. 23 At which miracle the whole multitude were ftruck with the laft amazement, and faid — Muft not this peribaagc be the MefTiah "" .? 24 The Pharifees, who were prcfent, hearing this language, and being deter- mined to evade the evidence, to renounce his pretenfions, and to ruin his reputation with the multitude, replied — This man is only a con- federate with the dsemons, and ejefts them by means of Ibme compad: v/ith their chieftain Beelzebub. *• This Is the reading in feveral MSS. D 4 25 But 40 2 5 But Jefus, whofe divine knowlecV,e penetrated the human heart, and pervaded all its inmoft receffes, know- ing their malicious thoughts and invidious dcHgns, turned to them and thus addrelTed them — Every kingdom torn by internal divifions and ci- vil diicord is quickly reduced to a ftate of the moft deplo- rable difiblution and ruin — every city alfo and every fa- mily, full of diffention and the rage of faftion and animofity, cannot flourifh and profpcr: 16 Now if Satan empower any one to expel thole dae- mons which he himfelf in- jecls, he mufl foment dilTen- tions in his own kingdom — and confcquently confcnts to its weaknefs and demolition. 27 Befide, if I ejeft d.t- mons by a confederacy with Beelzebub — by whofe agency and aiTiftance do your relati- ons eject them ? — As to any real league or compad that they have with infernal fpirits as their co-adjutors, I refer you to ibeir determination and judgment'. 28 But if I exterminate T&e Hiilory 0/' ]es r s dasmons and Chap, xii. cure the moft inveterate diforders by a pow- er communicated to me from the fupreme Kcing it fol- lows, that I am commiiiTioncd and authorized by God to eftablifh his kingdom and promote the intcrefts of his moral government. 29 As no one can forcibly enter the houfe of a ftrong man and pillage it, unlefs he be polTelTed of ftrength to bind and confine him fo the power, with which I am en- dowed to expel djemons, proves me pofTclfed of force fuperiour to theirs. 30 So far, therefore, am I from being an accomplice with Satan, as you infyiuate; that Satan, difclaiming all connections with me, oppofes me with implacable malice — and is fo far from being my auxiliary, that he caufes the greareft mifchict^, in order to counteract my defigns'^. 3 I And as to your afcrib- ing my miracles to a fuppofed intercourlb v/ith Beelzebub, let n>e obferve concerning this that the moil: atrocious crimes and the moft aggra- 1 Meaning, that they would find, upnn examining them, that it was impoifTble that any fuch intcrcourfc or confederacy with evil fpirits iTiould ever be eftabliflied. '* Tlie literal tranflation of the Verfe is this— He (i. c. Satan) not be- ing with nie is againft me — and not gathering flicafs with me, fcatters them all abroad Obferve, that our Lord rcafoncd and confuted them upon /Idr principles. vated Chap. xii. by M A t vated guilt fhall be forgiven •, but that incorrigible malig- nity of heart, which can in- duce men to evade all the itriking evidence of divine power that hath been exhi- bited, by imputing them to a confederacy with daemons, fhall never be forgiven — as it is fuch an enormity of con- duct, and difcovers a mind fo infuperably prejudiced and depraved, as the ftrons;c(t convictions could never affed: and penetrate. 32 Even the moft oppro- brious calumnies againil the fon of man lliall be forsiven — but he who fhall reieft all the moft illuftrious proofs, and with falfehood and blaf- phemy afcribe the miraculous operations of God to the in- vifible machinery and energy of wicked and infernal fpirits, precludes all conviction, and fliall never be forgiven, here or liereafter. 33 So that as the goodnefs or badnefs of a tiee is cer- tainly difcovered by the fruit it bears — - fo the moral be- haviour and actions of men are an infallible teft and cri- terion of the goodnefs or bad- nefs of their hearts. 34 For is it poffible that you, who harbour in your hearts fuch virulence and ran- cour againft me, can fpeak of me with candour and de- T H E W. 41 cency ? your prefent re- proaches are but the ovcr- Hovvings of a depraved heart. 35 Mens outward conver- lotion and deportment are the true index ot their minds — the good actions of a virtuous perion flow from the pure iburce of a good heart : but the actions of a bad man come Trained and tinctured from the impure fountain of a corrupt heart. 0,6 And be aiTufsed, that for every contemptuous ban- ter and Ineer that fhall be c ail upon the divine authority and illuftrious evidences of the gofpel, thofe who have wan- tonly and malicioufly thrown out fuch invidious reflecfions, fhall be called to a fevere ac- count at the general judg- ment. 1^^ For men, v/ho have had the evidences of the gofpel in all their Juftre propofed to them, fhall in that day be either applauded, or con- demned, according as they have adniitted or reied:ed the proofs given in acteftation of it. § — 38 At that time fome of the Scribes and Phari- fees fpoke to him and faid — Sir, the miracles you have hitherto wrought have not been able to convince us — Iliov/ us fome extraordinary prodigy, that may be an ir- refiftible 42 T^he Hiflory rcfiftible proof to us of your divine commiffion. :^9 To whom Jefus thus replied A nation funk in debauchery an'' wickednefs, not fatisfied with all the proofs I have hitlicrto publickly given of my prophetic mii- fion and chara<5ter, requires me to exhibit before them fome miraculous prodigy — But as they have hitherto re- fifted all the other ftriking leftimonies I have hitherto produced, no miraculous pro- digy fhall be further granted them, except one that will be fimiiar to what befel the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah being thrown into the lea, and fwai- lowed by a great fiih ', lay ingulphed in its profound and capacious belly three days and three nights, and was af- terwards difgorged, and re- ftored to light and life — fo fnall the fon of man continue the fame fpace of time in the grave, and afterwards burft the bonds of death. 41 The behaviour of the inhabitants of Nineveh fhow the conduft of the prefent age to be abfolutely inexcuf- able. For tho' Jonah only gave them verbal admoni- of Jesus Chap. xii. tions attended with no mira- cles, yet they were awakvn- ed, and repented in fincerc jmd unfjlgncd coniriLion — but this age hath rejecued a pcrfon vcflcd with an infi- nitely greater authority and fuperiour power. 42 The conduft alio of the queen of Arabia will at the general judgment evince to the whole ailembled world that the condemnation of the prefent race will be iuil — For fhe felt fuch emotions at the fame of Solomon's celebrated wifdom, that nothing could allay her vehement defire of converfing with fuch match- lefs knowledge, but fhe haf- tencd with impatient Heps to Jerufalem, tho' immenfe and rugged regions interpofed — But the prefent generation treat a perfon of fuperiour wifdom and eminence to Solomon, with the laft con- tempt. 43 When an impure fpirit is ejected out of a man, it roams over dreary and inhof- pitable waftes, in queft of rcpofe, but fatally difap- pointed : 44 Tired with devious wandering, and filled with I defpondency, it forms a re- ' The Greeks ufed the word xhto< to denote not merely a whale, but any large fi(h, as is evident from the following paffage in Plutarch : Xo'?'<^K>i' iv KaQa^u hiu.ivt xHTcj ffWiKaCt. Phocion p. 1384. Ed. Steph. folution. Chap. xiii. by Mat folucion, at all adventures, to return to its old refidence — when behold ! on its ap- proacli it finds it furnifhed with every elegance for its reception. 45 Tranfported with this unexpe6led happinefs, it ran- ges in fearch of its compa- nions, and takes a number of daemons of greater malignity and ferocity than itfelf — and they all take poffefiion, and render the lall condition of that man infinitely more wretched and deplorable than it was before '". § — 46 While he was en- gaged in thefe difcourfes, his mother and his brothers, wanting to confult him pri- vately, could not gain accefs to his perfon, for the multi- tudes that furrounded him. 47 Upon which a perfon faid to him — your mother and your brothers are come and feek a private conference with you, but are prevented by the crouds from approach- ing you. 48 From this incident Je- fus taking occafion to incul- T H E W. 43 cate a leflbn of ufeful inftruc- tion upon his hearers, addref- fing the perfon, who inform- ed him, and raifing his voice, faid — Whom do you call my mocher, and whom my bro- thers .? 49 Then turning to his difciples, and llretching out his hands over them, he faid — Behold my mother ! Be- hold my brothers ! 50 For every perfon, who fincerely loves God and obeys his will, is united to me by more ftrong and intimate bonds than the clofeft ties of blood can form— and fuch a charader fhall be to nie every endearing relation in one. CHAP. XIII. I T> U T Jefus finding him- •*-^ felf greatly incommod- ed in the houfe, and his in- ftru6tions confined within a narrow circle, removed to the fea fhore, tliat he might be more generally heard. 2 And taking a boat, he fat down in it while infi- nite crowds colledted and ™ By this fabulous reprefentation Is fitly adumbrated the moral ftate of the Jewifh nation during our Saviour's miniftry — for tho' their vices and prejudices were for a time difcardedy when John made his public ap- pearance, and they were baptifed by him makinc^ penitent confeffion of their fins — yet theie vices foon returned and repojfejfd them with greater force and violence than ever, and by rendering their hearts inaccefTible to all conviction at lait plunged them in the moft fatal mifery and de- ilrufUon. 2 formed 44 77v Hidcry formed themfelves on the rifing beach. 3 To thefe he thought pro- per to convey ini^i-iiclion in fabulous reprelen cations and he addrclfcd to them the following parable — Ant huf- bandmari went cut to fow his grounds. 4 But the feed being fcat- ttrcd promifcuoufly, and in every diredion, met accord- ingly a various fate — for fome fell on the hard beaten path, into which not being admit- ted, as it lay on the fui-face, the birds urged with hunger immediately light, and pick- ed it all up. 5 Others fell on hard im- penetrable rocks, juft cover- ed with foil — 'into which as foon as received, it came up, but having no depth of foil, it was not able to flrike root ; 6 fo that when the fun rofe and affailed it with its fcorch- ing beams, it was inftant ly fliri- velled, and being dcftitute of both root and moifture, it withered, faded, and died. 7 Some alfo fell among rank and invincible weeds — which fhooting out tall luxu- rious branches, and fpread- ing around their baletul in- fluence, entirely choaked ami killed it by depriving it of all nourifhment. 8 But other feeds fell upon good foil in whofe genial cf Jesus Chap. xlli. bofom being foftered and ad- vanced to maturity, it repaid the hufbandnan with a rich and copious crop, proporti- onate to the relpcclive de- grees of the foil's fertility. 9 l.,et every one, whom God hath endowed with ra- tional and intellcdual pov/- ers, cultivate and improve them by a diligent anc! care- ful attention to truth and fa- cred inftruction. § — TO HAVi>rG finifhed this difcourfe, tl^- difciples afl in regular rows. 36 This done — he took the feven loaves and the fiilies — blclTed God — brake them — gave them to his difciples — and ordered them to dil- tribute them among the mul- titude, 37 who all e.at, and were fati.sficd — and the fragments, that were colle^Stcd afterwards, of Jesus Ghap. xvL were enough to fill feven hafkets. 38 The number of people, who were thus miraculoufiy entertained, without reckon- ing women and children, a- mounted to four thoufand. 39 Having thus refrefhed the multitude, he difmiffed them to their homes — and taking boat went by water into the country of Magdala. CHAP. xvr. I A T that time the Pha- •*^ rifees and Sadducees came with an intention to make trial of his miraculous powers — and thus accofted him — Be pleafed to fhow us fome grand illutlrious pro- digy in the fky to convince us of thy prophetic charafter. 2 To whom he thus re- plied — In the evening you prognofticate, from the rud- dy appearance of the heaven, that it will be calm and fe- rene weather on the morrow. 3 In the morning you fore- tel that the day will be rainy and tempeftuous from the red and gloomy afpeft of the heayens—— Hypocrites ! ye pretend to great accuracy and certainty in prognofticating the weather from the appear- ance of the fky — and are not you able, with the greatefl, precifioi^ Chap. xvi. ly Ma T precifion and clearnefs to dif- cern the particular marks and features of the preient pe- riod ? j^ An age immerfed in wickednefs and debauchery defires me to difplay fome illuftrious prodigy in the flcy for their convi<5lion — But no fuch flriking fignal fhall be exhibited before it — except one publick prodigy that fliall be fimilar to what happened to the prophet Jonah — Af- ter having faid this, he ab- ruptly left them and ^with- drew. § — 5 Crossing the lake with his difciples — when they ■were arrived upon the oppo- fite fhore they found they had forgotten to take provifions with them. 6 Now Jefus had juft charg- ed them ftriftly, faying Cautioufly avoid the leaven of the Pharifees and Saddu- cees. 7 This advice, , therefore, they all interpreted as a re- proof of their forgetfulnefs in not providing themfelves with bread. 8 Jefus, confcious of their miftakc, faid — Why do you difcover fuch general uneafi- nefs and painful folicitude, merely becaufe you have for- gotten to take provifions with you .''——how long will you continue to diftrufl my power ? T H E W. 57 9 Cannot you conclude that I am able to fupply your wants in a miraculous man- ner, when you refiedl that I entertained five thoufand with five loaves, and the frag- ments that were collected, filled twelve baflcets. 10 Kow many baflcets, alfo, were filled with the fras- ments of the feaft, at the time when I diftributed feven loaves among four thoufand ? 1 1 Have you not fagacity and difcernment enough to difcover, that when I caution- ed you againft the leaven of the Pharifees and Sadducees, I did not intend to be under- ftood literally .? 1 2 Then they clearly per- ceived, that it was againft the pernicious leaven of the doc- trines of the Pharifees and Sadducees, which had diffuf- ed itfelf through the mafs of the Jewifh nation, that he advifed them. § — 13 After this, as Je- fus was travelling in the coun- try about C^efarea Philippi, he faid to his difciples- What opinion does the world entertain of me — Whom do they fay I am ? 14 They anfwercd — Some judge you to be John the Baptift, rcftored to life others think you are Elias, the harbinger of the MefTiah — v.'hile others lay you arc Jeremiah, 58 ne Hiftory Jeremiah, or fome one of the antient prophets. 15 But whom, faid he, do you im.agine me to be ? 16 Thou art, Simon Peter replied, the Mefliah, the fon of the ever living God. 1 7 Upon which Jefus an- fwcred Diflinguifhed will be thy happinef-, Simon, fon of Jonas— —Human wifdom and fagacity have not enabled thee to give this teftimony — my heavenly Father revealed to thy mind this important truth. 1 8 I folemnly aiTure thee, therefore, that as thy name fignifies a rock — upon this rock will I fix the bafis of my church P, and all the infernal pov/ers fhall never be able to fubvert it. 19 Thee will I invefl with the illuftrious honour of be- ing the firft preacher of the chrillian difpenfation the great laws and rules of which, when firll publillied among men, fliall be confirmed and ratified in heaven. 2Q He then charged his difciples in the molt ilrift and peremptory manner, that they would not divulge it to the world, that he w^as the Mefilah. ^ 21 From this time of Jesus Chap. xvi. Jefus began to declare in ex- prefs terms to his difciples — ihat he muft go to Jerufalem — mufl there fufier the mod abufive treatment from the magiftrates, the high-priefls, and the clergy— be publickly executed but fhould be raifed, b) divine power, on the third day. 22 Alarmed and confound- ed at fuch a declaration Peter took the liberty, in private, to expoftulate with him, and to reprehend him for predi6t- ing to himfelf fuch a fate — flying, God forbid, that you fhou'd ever be involved in fuch fufi^erings ! — ImpofTible, thatthis fhould ever befal you ! 23 But he turned fudden- ly, and faid to Peter — Thou art an adverfary and obftacle to the caufe in which I am engaged — Diverting my fuf- ferings would be crulhing my religion — Thou fpeakeft Hkc a ihort-fighted mortjl, and knoweft not in what manner x\\t o;reat fcheme, which in- finite wifdom hath planned, is to be accomplifhed. 24 Jefus then faid to his difciples Whofoever will approve himfelf a true and genuine profclfor of my reli- gion, mull renounce all world- ly intcrefls, and break every p Peter was the firft perfon who opened the gofpel difpenfation. See Ait.-^ x.' ^ fond Chap. xvii. by M at fond attachment, when they come in competition with his duty and, after the ex- ample of his lord and mafter, fubmit to the feverefl fuffer- ings which it may feem good to infinite wifdom to inflift upon him. 25 For he, who by mean tind wicked compliances, is defirous to fave his life, fhall lofe it to all eternity — But he who (hall chearfully lofe life, rather than violate his con- fcience and duty to me, fhall finally recover it with infinite advantage. 26 For could a man, by the proftitution of all con- fcience and virtue, fecure the poirelTion of the whole uni- verfe — yet what benefit would refult to him from it, if he was at laft to incur eternal death ! Or what can a perfon fubftitute as an equivalent for the lofs of immortal life ! 27 The time is coming, when the MelTiah fhall make his appearance, arrayed with the majefty of his Father, and attended with a glorious retinue of angels — and he will pafs fen ten ce upon every man, according to his condudl. 28 I can afTure you that there are fome perfbns now before me, who fhall live to fee the fon of man ufhered with mag- nificentpomp and triumph in- to his kingdom. T H E w. 59 CHAP. XVII. I A BOUT a week after •^^ this Jefus took Peter, James and his brother John, and with them privately a- fcended a lofty mountain. 2 Here they faw his per- fon undergo an aftonifhing transformation — for a luflre, equal to that of the fun, dart- ed from his countenance—— and he appeared as invefled with a robe of light. 3 While they were flruck with this amazing alteration, they beheld Mofes and Elias, in glorious forms, approach and converfe with him. 4 Tranfported with the pleafure of this wonderful fcene, Peter cried out — How happy will it be for us torcfide in this place ! Permit us here to ered three tents — one for you, another for Mofes, and a third for Elias. 5 While he was thus fpeak- ing, a bright radiant cloud fixed itfelf over them — from which they heard this voice diilinclly and folemnly ifTue — This is my fon, the object of my fondefl affedions ■ Hear and obey him ! 6 The difciples, flruck with the majefly of this di- vine voice, fell proftrate, and funk into the lall conflerna- tion. 7 But 6o The Hillory 7 But Jefus came to them, touched them, and bad them rife, and banifh all their fears 8 They looked then a- round, but faw no perfon but Jefus. 9 As they were defccnding the mountain, Jefus ftrictly charged them, by no means to divulge the glorious fcene, of which they hadjuft been witnefTes, 'till after his refur- rcdlion. 10 The difciplcs then afk ?d him this qucftion — Why do the Jewifh clergy fay that Elias mud be the immediate predecefibr of the Mefllah ? 1 1 The fentiments of the Jewifli dodors, faid Jefus, are jufl — Elias in the fcheme of divine providence was to be the harbinger of the MefTiah, and to "^ prepare mens minds for the reception of his doc- trines. 12 Only let me afTure you, that this Elias is already come, but the Jews rejedled him, and abufed his perfon and miniflry with every wanton infblence and indignity — and they will expole me to fimilar cruelties and fulTerinciS. i;^ Thedifciples were then convinced that by Elias he meant John the Baptill. §— - 14 When they were returned to the multitude — cf Jesus Chap. xvii. a perfon came up to him — and then fell on his knees, 15 faying — Sir, have pity upon my fon, who is a luna- tic, and an obje6t of great compafTion — for he frequent- ly falls into the fire, or into the water. 16 This unhappy creature I brought to thy difciples — but they were not able to heal him. 17 Jefus then reproved them, faying — O incredulous and untraftablc race ! how longfhall I refide among you, before I convince you of the dignity and extent of my mi- raculous power ! How long fliall I bear with your want of confidence in me — Bring your fon hither to me, 18 He was accordingly brought- and Jefus by a word expelled the difeafe — and the young perfon was inflantaneoufly reftored to perfect health. 19 When the multitudes were difmiffed — the difciples came to Jefus in private, and afked him the reafon, why they were not able to ejcft that daemon. 20 It was folely owing, he replied, to your want of confidence in my power- — * ¥ov did your faith bear the fmalleft proportion to the s See the Cambridge MS. lingular Chap, xvlii. hy "M. a t fingiilar advantages you have enjoyed of eftabliihing and confirming it, you would be able to effeft as aftonifhing operations as caufmg the mountains to delcend from their bafis, and transferring them at pleafure from place to place. 21 But the degree of faith requifite to expel fuch a dreadful and inveterate difeafe as the prefent, is not attained but by a courfe of devotion and abftinence. § — 22 After this, as they were travelling in Galilee, Jefus, in order to prepare the minds of his difciples for fup- porting thefliock they (hould fuftain by his approaching death — faid to them — the Ion of man is eoino; to be deli- vered up into the hands of thofe, who third for his blood. 23 And they fhall murder him but on the third day he fhall be reftored to life — At hearing this they were greatly alarmed and the thought of his death funk them into the profoundeft de- jedtion and grief. 24 Upon their arrival at Capernaum the officers, who were appointed to col- k(5t the annual tax to defray the temple fervice, came to T H E W. 6 I Peter and aflced him — if his mafter did not pay the ufuai tribute. 25 He anfwered in the af- firmative and coming into the houfe to Jefus, was going to inform him of what had palled — but Jefus anti- cipated him, faying — From whom, Simon, do earthly princes levy tribute from their fons or from other people ^. 26 From other people, certainly, faid Peter — It fol- lows then, refumed Jefus, that their fons are excufed from paying any '. 2 7 However left we fhould incur their refentmtnt by our refufal — Go to the lake — caft in a hook — open the mouth of the firft fifn thou (halt catch — thou wilt find in it a Sta- ter — take it and give it the coUedors for my payment and thine. CHAP. XVIII. I A BOUT that time the *^ difciples came to Je- fus and faid Which of us will be advanced to the high- eft ftation of honour and dig- nity under thy reign ? 2 Jefus ordered a little child to be brbught to him — «■ Our Saviour's Arguraent againft his paying this tribute to the temple is, becaufc he was the fon of that king to whom it was paid. which 62 which he placed in the midll of them, 3 then fpoke thus — Let me in the moft folemn man- ner affure you, that unlefs you renounce all temporal and ambitious viev/s and cultivate the harmlefs, inof- fenfive innocence of this child you will not be deemed the proper fubjedis of the Meffiah's kingdom. 4 Whoioever, therefore, fhall acquire the neareft re- femblance to the innocence and humility of this child, fhall fecure the moil elevated ftation in the gofpcl king- dom. 5 Whofoever, alio, from a principle of affection and love to me, does a kind and benevolent office to the mean- eft perfon, if endowed with the temper and difpofition oi a child — I fliall acknowledge that kind office as done to myftlf. 6 But whoever fhall de- fignedlylay aftumblingblock before the meaneftxhriftian, and feduce him from his ad- herence to my caufe — had better have a mill-tlone fu- fpendcd about his neck, and be precipitated into the pro- foundefl abyfs. 'Tbe Hidory of Jesus Chap, xviii. 7 Unhappy will it be for the interefts of mankind that fo many obftruftions will be liid in the way of truth and chriftianity — for the weak- nels and wickedneis of the world will neceifarily pro- duce many obftacles to im- pede the reception and pro- grels of the golpel But dreadful beyond defcription will be the final doom of that man, by whom fuch obftacles are firft laid ! 8 Should, therefore, any of thy ftrongeft appetites and inclinations tend to alienate thee from thy allegiance to me, fubdue and mortify them, with whatever relu6tance it is done — for better controul thy moft unruly defires here, than, by gratifying them, be at lalt expofed to eternal death. 9 Every luft and irregular defire that would inveigfe thee from thy attachment to the goi'pel, is to be eradicat- ed from thy bolbm — for bet- ter is it to endure the great- eft miferies of this life than incur everlafting deftru6tion. 10 See that you treat not the meaneft chriftians with contempt — for I affure you the molt exalted angels are their guardians and minifters*. « By thofe r.uho fa-v the king's face are, in the Jewifh idiom, denoted the moft eminent and diftinguiflicd perfonages of a court. Conlult Either i. 14. ivbo faw th kind's facCi andivbo/at tin firft in the kingdom. II For chap, xviii. by Mat 1 1 For to fave men from deftrucStion was the great de- fign of the fon of man's com- ing into the world. 12 Had a man an hun- dred fheep, and but one of them happen to ftray and be mifiing — would not he leave the ninety nine, and traverfe the mountains with diligent and anxious care, in fearch of it? 13 And fhould he be fo fortunate as to find it — does he not feel greater tranfport at the recovery of that one fheep, than at the fight of the whole ninety nine, which had not ftrayed ? ■ 14 Analogous to this is the benevolent difpofition of your heavenly father, who is not defirous that the moft in- confiderable chriftian fhould finally perifli. 15 When your chriftian brother hath been guilty of any thing criminal in his con- duct towards you go and in a private converfation ex- poftulate with him in a calm and difpaflionate manner — If you convince and reclaim him, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he refufe to ad- mit your fingle opinion and determination of the matter — take with you one or more perfons of known candour and integrity— —that by the THEW. 6j probity and impartiality of two or three witnefles the af- fair may be fatisfadorily de- cided. 17 If he rejedl their un- exceptionable teftimony— — — refer your caufe to the church — if he refufes to abide by the church's determination — regard him for the future as an irreclaimable and incorri- gible fmncr. 18 I can faithfully afiure you, that all your determi- nations on earth, if confo- nant to the rules of the o-of- o pel, fhall be confirmed and ratified in heaven. 19 Let me alfo declare, thar, when the fentiments of two of you (hall coincide concerning the propriety of any petition to be preferred to heaven — that petition Ihall be granted by the indulgent Father of all. 20 For wherever two or three are convened, in order to decide any important af- fair refpeclino; my religion — I will prefide among them, and affift them in their fincerc deliberations. § — 21 When he had fi- nifhed this diicourie, Peter faid to him — How often fhall my chriftian brother repeat an injury againft ' me, and I forgive him ^ — Shall my for- give nefs extend to the fe- venth? 22 Not 64 The Hillory 22 Not feven only, replied Jefus ; but upon his finccrc penitence and remorle, leven- ty times feven. 23 With regard to this fubjeft, what difpofitions of lenity and mutual forgivenefs it is the defign of the gofpel that men fhould exercile one towar^Js another, may be re- prefented and illultrated by the following parable A certain prince was defirous to have all his accounts with his fervants regularly adjufted. 24 But when the books were examined, there was found among the debtors a man who owed the crown ten thoufand talents. 25 The payment of this fum being immediately de- manded of him, he was dif- covered to be in very indi- gent circumftances — Nuch a difappointment moft highly exalperatcd his majefty — and he inRantly ordered the man, and his wife, and his children, and his v;hole fhock to be publickly fold — and the mo- ney accruing from the fale to be paid to him. 26 The mian hearing this dreadful fentence pronounced with fuch a ftern and deter- mined look — funk at his ma- jefty'sfect — arjd with the moft moving importunity implor- ed a little refpitc, and he c/' Jesus Chap, xviii. would faithfully difcharge the whole debt. 27 The heart of the prince, at the fight of fuch acute and extreme diftrefs and grief, melted at once into pity and tendernefs Subdued with companion and fym>pathy, he ruflied forward — raifed him from the ground forgave him the whole fum — and dif- mified him. 28 The man, fcarcc out of the royal prefence, happened to meet oneof hisfellow-fervants who owed him an hundred pence — The fight of whom fired him with refentment — he fprung forward and feized him by the throat, crying — - this moment pay me my debts. 29 Terrified with his menaces and violence, his iellovv-fervant proftrated him- felf at his feet and in the moft pathetic language fup- plicarcd him to allow him time, and he would honeftly pay him the whole. 30 But the other was abfb- lutcly implacable — and con- fined his fellow-fervant to a dungeon, 'till he fhould make him latisfadion. 31 The other fervants, being fpedtators of fuch unrelenting cruelty and inhumanity, were ft ruck with exceftive forrovv and fympathy and going di redly to the prince, related the Chap. xix. the ftory to him with all its af- fecting circumftances. 32 The man being imme- diately ordered into his pre- fence, the prince inflamed with indignation faid to him Thou abandoned (lave ! did not I freely remit thy whole debt, becaufe thou foftenedfl: and iubduedfl my heart into pity by thy pierc- ing Iblicitations ? 33 Oughteft not thou then to have expreffed that compaf- fion towards a fellow-fervant — v/hich I expreffed towards thee ? 34 His lord, fired v/ith reientment at fuch cruelty and bafenefs, ordered him immediately to be tortured and confined, 'till the whole of what he owed fhould be paid him. ;^5 With the like feverity will my heavenly father treat you, unleis you cordially for- give, each his chriftian bro- ther, your mutual faults and failino;s. CHAP. XIX. I 1X7 HEN Jefus had fi- ' » nifhed this difcourfe, he removed from Galilee, and travelled into thole parts of Judea, that lay beyond the river Jordan. 2 In his way he v/as fol- lowed by prodigious multi- tudes — and he healed every Vol. I. fy Matthew. 6s diforder that was prefented to him. 3 Here the Phariiees came to him, and with an artful defign to extort his fenti- ments, propofed to him the following enfnaring queftion — Is it lawful for a man to repudiate his wife for any thing whatever that may be difagreeable in her. 4 Confcious of their cavil, he replied — Doth not the fcripture inform you, that God immediately after hav- ing formed the firll pair of different fexes, 5 pronounced thefe words — To form this union Ihaii a man forfake his parents, and affociate with his wife — and they fliall be conneded in in- diffoluble bonds. 6 In bonds lb indiffoluble, as that they fiiall not be con- fidered as two diftind: indivi- duals — but as one body Ible- ly actuated by one mind — What, therefore, God hath lb intimately conjoined, let not man diffoive. 7 They anfwered — Why then doth the law enjoin an inftrument of divorce to be drawn up, and the woman, after this formality, to be dii- miffed ^ 8 He replied — Mofcs per- fectly knowing the ferocity and malignity of your hearts permitted divorces in order F to 66 The Hiilory to prevent greater evils ' — But in the primitive ages of mankind this was not al- lowed. 9 And under the gofpel diipenlation, vvholbever fhall repudiate his wife, except for her want of fidelity to his bed% and marries anotiicr, is guilty of adultery — and he, who marries the woman thus difmifled, incurs the crime of adultery. 10 The difciples being educated in Jewiili prejudices, laid to him in private — If a man is not allov/ed to divorce his wife, except only for a- dultery, it is moil abllird folly in any one to marry. 1 1 Jefus faid to them — Continence and chaftity can- not be maintained inviolate without marriage, except in fome few particular difcin- guiihed inllances. 12 And thole few have either received from nature conllitutions mere favourable to this virtue — or have fub- mitted to adual caftration — and there are others who from of Jesus Chap. xix. a perfuafion that the encum- brances of a family would render them lefs extenfively ufcful in preaching and pro- pagating the gofpel, have relolutely renounced all con- jugal endearments — Let him, upon whofe inclinations this virtue of continency lays no difagreeable reilraint, conti- nue, ifhepleafe, to praflife it. § — 13 Some Jewifli pa- rents at that time brought their children to him, that he might lay his hands upon them, and recommend them to the blefiing of God by his prayers But the difciples prevented their approach, and reproved thofe who brought them. 14 Jefus perceiving this faid — Forbid not the accefs of little children to me for thofe pcrfons only who arepof- fefiedoftheir native innocence and inoffenfive difpofuions arc the worthy fubjefts of the Mefliah's kingdom. 15 He then laid his hands upon them and blefled them I — Leaving that place, » The fituation of Mofes was exaftly that of Solon, h y'^-v act'ov nv ovk iwyayiv tajfi'sLV, ot/cTs Kanciofxiav, ooCm^m (x\]' auyy^zni -TTAvrdL' rrcLffi Kcf.i Tttpct^ctf 7)11' rroKiv, aay-vzijri^&' y^i'tJTai ts KATctainvat rruKiv KcLi ffvvap[xoaa<&a.i rr^oi ro aptirov —r- oB-v L(7T«pof ipainQm n e£p/7«f. Plutarch. Solon p. 157. " Romulus alfo, when he founded the Roman republic, inflituted this wife and excellent regulation, h.^tmi J^'. kcci i'oum n ste, «J^ o-^ocTpG" /w«i' i^iv yvvauKi (J.n J'lJ'ai a'TToKii-rrcjv ctiJ'p-j, ywauicf. rT* /*;/»$ gJtfrt- ^t./^ — l^ot yivQu^av. Plutarch Romulus, p. 57 Ed. Stcph. 16 a chap. xix-. hy 1 6 a youth approached his perlbn and thus accolled him - — Condefcend, good inftruc- tor, to inform me, what virtues I iliall exercife in or- der that I may fecure eternal life. 1 7 Jefus faid to him- Why doft thou call me good — — -There is no being, but one, who is poflefled of ab- folute and perfe6t goodnefs ■■ In anfwer, however, to thy queftion— — the only con- dition of obtaining a blefled immortality is obedience to the divine commands. 18 Be pleafed, he refum- ed, diftinftly to mention thofe commands — They are thefe, faid Jefus — Thou fhalc not commit murder — fhalt not be guilty of adultery — fhalt de- fraud no one of his juft pro- perty fhalt be clear of the crime of falfe accufation : 19 Thou fhalt reverence thy parents and exercife to- wards mankind the kindefl" and mofl benevolent affec- tions. 20 All thefe virtues, re- plied the youth, have 1 ftre- nuouQy cultivated and confci- entioufly praftifed from the firft years of rational under- ilanding and refieftion — — in what attainments am I flill defc6live ? 2 I Jefus replied — If thou arc dcTu'OUs to reach the hi2;h- M A T T U E w. 67 efl fummit and perfecftion of virtue, go home, fell every thing thou poireffeft, and the money accruing from the fale diftribute aniong the poor — By this aftion thou wilt ac- cumulate the amplefl trea- fures in heaven — -and, at once burfting the bonds of all te- cular attachments, come and join thyfelf to the number of my followers. 22 The youth hearing this advice turned from him, o- vervvhelmed with grief and dillrefs of mind— for he was pofTefTed of an immenfe for- tune. 23 Upon his abrupt de- parture Jefus turned to his difciples, and faid What difficulty is it for a rich man to become a fubjeil of the MefTiah's king-dom ! 24 Indeed I m.ay aflerr, that it is as impofTible for a perfon of an opulent fortune to embrace the defpifed caufe of chriftianity as for a cable to pafs through the eye of a needle. 25 The difciples were greatly alarmed at this decla- ration, and faid — Who then can be finally laved ! 26 Jefus looking with comipaffionate tendernefs up- on them, anfvvered The impedim.ents that lye in the road of a rich maa's profel"- fing chriilianity are, hupnan- F 2 Iv 68 ly fpeaking infiiperable — but by divine affiftance all thefc obftacles ir.ay be lurmount- ed. 27 Peter then faid — But to us who have left our all to follow thee what future com- penfation will be given ? 28 I afilire you, replied Jefus, that you, who have chearfuUy deferted all your worldly interefts, and adher- ed to me, fliall at the grand revolution and glorious reno- vation of all things, which is to commence at the con- clufion of this life, have the moll dilVinguiflied ho- nours conferred upon you — for when the fon of man Hiall afcend a throne of moft tran- fcendent fplendour to judge the world, you Ihall fit upon twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Ifrael. 29 In that day, whofoever from a confcientious attach- ment to my caufe hath in this life voluntarily relinquifhcd father or mother, brother pr filter, wife or children, houfes or eftates, fliall be mofl: amp- ly recompenfedj and be ele- vated to a very eminent de- gree of eternal blefiednefs. 30 But many to whom chriftianity vizs"' frji offered fl)all be the iq/i to embrace T/je Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xx'. it and thofe to whom it will be iiijl" propofed, will be ihcfrji in admitting it. Chap. XX. i For the re- ception chriftianity fliall meet v/ith at its firfl: promulga- tion, may be fitly reprefent- ed by the following parable — Soon as the morning- dawn- ed, a gentleman rofe to hire day labourers to work in his vineyard. 2 Having found a num- ber he agreed to pay them a denarius for the wages of the day — and fent them into his vineyard. 3 About nine o'clock he vv^ent again into the market- place, and found feveral o- thers unemployed, 4 whom he alfo ordered into his vineyard, and pro- mifed to pay them what was realbnable. 5 At twelve and three in the afternoon he went and made the fame propofals which were in the fame man- ner accepted. 6 He went, likewife, a- bout five o'clock, and found a number of men iauntering about the market in idlenefs — and he faid to them. Why do you confume the whole day in this indolent manner ? •^ Meaning, the Je-.vs. ' The Genules. 7 There Chap. XX. by M a t 7 There is no one hath thought fit to give ns any employment, they anfwered — Then go you into the vine- yard among my other labour- ers, and you iliall receive what is juft. 8 In the evening the pro- prietor of the vineyard order- ed his fteward to call the workmen together, and, be- ginning from the laft to the firft, to pay them their wages, without any partiality or dif- tindion. 9 When thofe, therefore, came, who had been employ- ed about five in the afternoon, they received a denarius a- piece. 10 When thofe, who had been hired in the morning, faw them return with fuch great wages, they indulged the moil extravagant joy — imagining that their pay would vaftly exceed that of the others but how great was their difappointment when they re- ceived from the fteward, each man a denarius ! 11 This fuppofed injurious treatment caufed them to raife loud clamours again ft the gentleman. 12 And they complained to him of his ufage of them, faying The laft labourers you hired only worked a fin- gle hour, and you have given them the fame wages, as you T II E \V. 69 have given us who have been fcorched with exceffive heat, and fuftained the long and rigorous toil of the whole day. 13 Pie turned to one who appeared the moft petulant of them, and diredled this ];e- ply — Friend, I do thee no in- juftice — Was not our agree- ment for a denarius .f* 14 Take what juftice en- titles thee to, without repin- ing, and calmly acquiefce in the faithful difcharge of our original agreement — A prin- ciple of benevolence difpofes me freely to beftow upon the laft perfons I hired what e- quity obliged nie to give to you. 1 5 For is not the difpofal of my property in my own option — or does the maligni- ty of thine heart caufe thee to repine at the generous ex- ercife of my beneficence } 1 6 This parable is defign- ed to illuftrate what I afiert- ed before — that thole to whom the gofpel fliall be laft pro- pofed, ftiall have the prece- dence in dignity and honour — while thofe to whom it was firft ofiered, lliall be degraded from their fuperiority — for to what a populous nation is the gofpel now freely propofed, yet how inconfiderable is the. number of thofe, whom the love of truth and virtue will induce to admit its evidences. F 3 §—17 'JO The Hiftory §-—17 Jesus after this let out upon a journey to Jeru- lalem — and on the road tak- ing his difciples from the multitude inio a retired place, —he thus addrelTed them — » 18 We are now going up to Jerufalem,wherel ihall foon be treacheroufly betrayed in- to the hands of the Jewifh high-prieils and Scribes, who will condemn me to die; 19 and who will deliver me over to the wanton cruel- ty of the Roman foldiers, to infult, fcourge and crucify me — but the third day I fnall be raifed from the grave. § — 20 Then the wife of Zebedee, imagining that af- ter his refurredion the grand temporal kingdom of the Melliah would be erefted, approached him, conducing her two fons — and discover- ed, by her ceremonious ad- drefs, that flie was defirous to folicit a favour from him. 21 Jefus faid to her- What kindnefs is it you ap- pear fo defirous to obtain ? — She replied — Thefe my two fons have been your faithful and infeparablc com.panions I entreat you that you would advance them, in the kingdom you are going to eftablifh, to two of the mcft dev ited and illuftrious Ibti- ons. 22 Jefus lliid — You dif- of Jesus Chap, xx* cover great ignorance of the true nature of my kingdom by fuch a requeft — Are you able to endure the trials, in which I am going to be in- volved ? — are you able to fuftain that dreadful (hock of fufferings, which I mufb foon fupport ? — Our fortitude is equal to it— they replied. 23 He continued — The fame human miferies, indeed, that will foon feize me, will alfo invade you ! and the fame fufferings and perfecutions that will befal mc, will alfo affail you —^ but it is not irj my power to difpofe of the higheft dignities in my future kingdom — that power is iblc- ly vefted in the fupreme fa- ther of all, who will confer them on perfons of fuperior virtue and the fviblimeft at- tainments. 24 The other ten difciples, who had heard this converfa- tion, conceived the moft vio- lent refentment againft the two brothers for this ambi- tious attempt to fupplant them. 25 Jefus, confcious of the afpiring views by which they were aduated, collected them into a body, and thus addref- fed them — Potent monarchs among the Heathens, you know, rule their fubjcds with an abfolute and defpotic ty- ranny — and the princes and governours Chap. XX. 4y M A T p-overnours of the feveral flates andcomnniniticfs among them ufurp and exercife a Ibvereign and uncoRtroulable authority in their dominions. 16 But fuch a lufc of do- mination and fondnefs of power Hiall never poffefs your bofoms — For among you he that is the huhibleft Iliall be the greateft : 27 And he who is delirous to fill the mod elevated and illuftrious ftation among you, let him pradlife the moft kind fubmiffion, and the moll hu- mane condefcenfion, 28 in humble imitation of the fon of man, who came not into this world to make man- kind his vaflals, and to enjoy the magnificence and homage of a court — but to do the kindeft and moffc condefccnd- ing offices, and to furrender up his life, that he might re- fcue ^ men from vice and de- flruclion. § — 29 When they had left Jericho on their way to the capital, he was followed by a prodigious concourfc of people. T H E W. 71 30 Here two blind men» who were fitting on the road fide, the moment they were informed that Jeius was paf- finrr, began to cry out with the greateft vehemence — O thou great and good Meffiah, pity our condition ! 3 1 The multitude difturb- ed with their vociferation, reproved them and ordered them to be filent — But the more they ftrove to fupprefs their cries, the louder they railed them, repeating — O thou fon of David ! pity our condition ! pity our wretched condition ! 32 Jefus then ftopped, and calling them to him, faid — What favour is it you fo ear- neftly implore ? 33 They anfwered — We entreat you, Sir, that our fight may be reftored. 34 Jefus aflecled with com- pafiion touched their eyes, which were inftantaneoufly reftored to fight — and both being thus cured joined his train. y AoTpci' and Ai/rp* are indircrlminatcly ufed to fignify what is paid or done to refcue, free, ranibm, and redeem a thing — The men, who were taken prilbners in the battle S'lyio fwrpcoy azunof etvTovf tk IIvppK. Plutarch Pyr. p. 721 — But ye deliver up your general xvr^av T«f ATOfKiuni. Plutarch Eumenes, p. IC84. — rov /ttti; Aurp* 7oi< KaCktiv ej'eox.cv. Plutarch Alex. p. 1266 — ->/tii9jk utt^ ai/7«K Awxpee iiKoffi TrtAjtrra. Plutarch C^far, p. 1298. Edit Steph. F4 CHAP. 72 ne Hlftory CHAP. XXI. I \X7 HEN they were now ' » advanced on their journey as far as Bethphage, fituated at the foot of the mount of olives, a place at no great diftance from Jeru- falem, Jefus called two of his difciples 2 and gave them this or- der Go into that village, which you fee direftly oppo- fite, and you will find an afs tied and a colt with it — un- loofe the rein and bring them to me. 3 And fliculd any perfon, feeing this action, aflc you the reafon of your taking fuch liberties, tell him — that your mafler hath occaficn for them — and he will immedi- ately difmifs you \ 4 The following words of the prophet may be here re- cited, and applied to this in- cident in the hiftory of Je- fus ■ 5 " Inform the daughter of Z'\ox\ of this important news — Thy king approaciies thee, riding upon an afs, cloathed with placid meeknefs and humility." 6 Receiving this com- mand, the difciples haftened to the village, and' found e- of Jesus Chap. xxl. very thing as Jefus had de- fcribed. 7 The afs they untied — brought it, with its colt, to Jefus — fpread on it their up- per garments — and he rode upon it from Bethphage to Jerufalem. 8 Upon this mounting it, the majority of the multi- tude, that attended him, fpread their mantles along the road others were employ- ed in cutting down branches from the neighbouring trees, and fcattering their verdant foliage wherever he pafled. 9 And the populace that preceded, and thofe that were in his train, pierced the air with their triumphant fhouts, crying — Welcome ! illuftrious Ion of David !— • thrice happy thou who com- cft inverted with the choiceft gifts of the fupreme Jeho- vah! — Hail him all ye celef- tial powers ! 10 Entering the capital in this {lately pomp and magni- ficence, all the inhabitants were greatly alarmed, and aflved the pafTing crowds, Who this great pcrfonage was, whom they condu6led in fuch triumph and applauie ? 1 1 They anhvercd — It is » Jefus undoubtedly knew thjit tliefe were the property of fomc perfon, on whom, or on whole friends, lie had conferred fome jingular benetit. " that Chap. xxi. . by Mat that great prophet, Jefus of Nazareth, § — 12 With thefe accla- mations Jefus was efcorted to the temple, which he en- tered, and with irrefiftible authority expelled all who were then engaged in buying and felling in the court of the Gentiles — the tables of thofc who gave to ftrangers Jewiih money in exchange for fo- reign, he overturned — and threw down the (landings of of thofe who publickly fold vi6bims for the facrifice. 13 Telling them, with an air of dignity that (truck them with terrrour — that God de- figned the temple lliould be appropriated to devotion — but that they had converted it into a receptacle of the mod: profane and mercenary wretches. § — 14 When he had thus cleared the temple, numbers of blind and lame perlbns came around him — wliom he immediately cured. 15 But the higii-priefls and the Scribes having been fpec- tators of the whole of this amazing fcene, and hearing the children, even in the temple, making the facred dome refound with their ac- clamations of hofannah to the fon of David they v/ere highly exafperated. J 6 And they faid to him THE w. 73 — heareft thou the language of thefe children? — He an- fwered — Do not you recoiled: that paflage in the fcriptures — " By the mouth of babes thy praife fhall be celebrated." § — 17 Having fpoken thus he left them to their re- flexions on what had lately pafTed — and retired out of the city to Bethany where he flayed all night. 1 8 In the morning as he was returning to the city, he felt on the road very painful fen- fations of hunger : 19 And happening to fee a fig tree at fome diftance, he v/ent up to it, expedling fruit — but found only leaves — upon which he faid to the tree Mayeft thou never bear ! Immediately upon this imprecation the fig tree withered and died. 20 This aftoniihing fpec- tacle ftruck the difciples with furprize, and they faid in amazement one to another— How foon hath the fig tree loft its verdure ! How inftan- taneoufly hath it faded ! 2 1 Jefus anfwered — Let me folemnly alfure you, that if you repole an unfliaken con- fidence in God to aflift you in propagating and confirm- ing his religion, he will en- able you to work miracles greatly fuperiour to this -^ even prodigies of power as aftoniihing 74 'T^^^^ Hiflory aftonifhing, as it would be, toioofen the loftieft mountains from their foundations, and precipitate them into the o- cean. 22 For whatever you fo- licit the divine Being to be- llow, as being conducive to the credibility and promotion of religion, and from a per- fuafion of his infinite omni- potence — you fhall obtain. § — 23 When he had en- tered the temple and was in- llru<5ting the people- the high-priefts and the magi- ftrates came to him in a body, and demanded of him — By what authority he afted in this manner — and who it was that commilTioned and em- powered him to be a public inftruftor ? 24. He anfwered them — I will alfo propofe to you a queftion, which if you re- foive, I will inform you, who it was that delegated to me the authority which I ex- ert' 25 Was the late baptifm of John a divine appointment . or was it a contrivance merely human — Having for fome time agitated this quef- tion, they faid one to another If we tell him it was a divine inftitution, he will directly reply why did not you embrace it as fuch ? 0/" Jesus Chap. xxi. 26 and if we tell him — it was folely an human contriv- ance, we expofe ourfelves to ihe fury of the populace, who univerially efteem John as a moil illuftrious prophet. 27 After having with this caution debated the matter, they faid to him- — We are not able to folve your queftion. Neither will I, replied Jefus, fatisfy you, by what authority I have alTumed my public character. § — 28 I DESIRE your fen- timents concerning a cafe I am going to recite— A cer- tain perfon had two fons, and he commanded the eldeft to go immediately and work in his vineyard. 29 At firft he peremptori- ly refufed — but afterwards he v;as touched with bitter re- morle for his undutifulnefs, and v/ent. 30 The father came to the younger and laid upon him the fame injunctions — I will go this moment, anfwered he, but went not at all. of thefe twQi. 3 1 Which fons fliowed the moll filial obedience I — The eldeil un- doubtedly — they faid. Jefus replied — The moil abandon- ed and profligate fmners com- mence fubjeds of the gofpel kingdom before you. 32 For John made his pub- lick appearance among you, and Chap. xxi. by M AT and delivered the mod pure and iacred inftrudicns — but you treated him and his ad- monitions with contempt — the* perfons guilty of the moil atrocious and enormous vices vt^ere convinced of the divini- ty of his milTion and doftrines ■ — but the' you were fpefta- tors of all the ftriking evi- dences he exhibited in con- firmation of his prophetic cha- radter, yet you abandoned not your vices, nor difcovered the leaft forrow afterwards that you had rejeded him. § — 33 Attend to the re- cital of another fable A «;cntleman laid out a large plot of ground — planted it with vines — drew a ftrong fence round it — eilablifhed a large apparatus for preparing the juice and ered:ed a tower for its defence. He after this travelled into a fo- reign country — but employ- ed a number of hufbandmen to cultivate and drefs it in his abfence. 34 When the vintage ap- proached, he fent his fervants to receive the produce of his new plantation. 35 But no fooner had thefe delivered their meiTage, but the hufbandmen began to treat them with the fall in- dignity and cruelty — for one ^hey fcourgcd — a fecond they T H E w. y^ ftoned and a third they murdered. ■^6 Thefe not returning, he again deputed a larger num- ber of his fervants to make the fame demands — but they ufed thefe alfo with the fame infolence and inhumanity. 37 At lafl he fent his fon to them, faying they will furely not dare to offer my fon any violence — furely they will reverence his cha- rader ! 38 But on the firfl fight of him the hufbandmen cried out with one voice — This is the heir ! — Let us immedi- ately afTaffinate him, and feize on his inheritance ! 39 Accordingly they all at once rufhed upon him — mur- dered him — and cafl his dead body out of the vineyard. 40 When the proprietor of the vineyard himfelf in perfon comes — what punifh- ment will he, think you, in- fiidl upon fuch bloody and a- bandoned ruffians ? 41 He will affuredly dc- ftroy them, they anfwered, by the mofl dreadful and ex- cruciating tortures — and let his vineyard to others, who will ferve him with greater fidelity. 42 After they had given this verdid — he laid to them have you never attended to 76 T!he Hiflory of Jesus Chap. xxii. to this remarkable pafTage in the fcriptures — " The ftone, which the workmen reje6led is become the great corner ftone, and hath united and confolidated. the two fides of the edifice — This is by divine appointment, and is worthy to excite our mofl: profound admiration." 43 Wherefore hear my fo- lemn declaration — Thofe re- ligious privileges, which you now enjoy fiiall be wrefi:ed from you, and beftowed up- on other nations, v;hich will make a proper improvement of them. 44 And whofoever fliall ftumble and fall upon this ftone fiiall be terribly bruii'ed —but he on whom its enor- mous weight fliall tumble, will be crufiied in a moment, and crumbled into atoms ''. 45 When the high pnicfts and Pharifees had heard thele fables recited, they perceived they were levelled at them — 46 which exaiperated them to I'uch a degree, that they concerted mealures hov/ to get him into their power — but they dreaded the fury of the populace, who reverenc- ed him as the greateft of pro- phets. C M A P. XXII. I T E S U S after this de- *^ livered another parable, in which he reprefented the gofpel difpenfation in the fol- lowing manner 2 A CERTAIN Monarch made a moft magnificent en- tertainment, at the m^arriage of his ion. 3 When this fplendid feaft was ready to be fcrved up, he fcnt his iervants to haften thofe who were previoufly invited — but they refufed to 4 The king again difpatch- ed others of his domcftics to thofe who had been invited, to tell them, that he had pro- vided a fumptuous entertain- ment — had prepared every delicacy and elegance that his power and opulence could command — and that he beg- ged their immediate atten- dance, for that every thing was ready. 5 This prefilng invitation they afil:;cted to treat with the lall contempt for fome rambled into their fields — others betook themfelves to their fecular employments. 6 But others i'eized his fcr- vants by violence, and after '» Our Saviour in this, and in the 41(1 Vcrle, refers to the deRruftion of Jeruiaiem by the Remans. offcrinor Chap. xxii. 6y yi a t offering them the lafl wanton and cruel inlults, murdered them. 7 When the king was in- formed of their diiobedient and inlblent conduct, he was fo incenfed — that he inftantly put himlelf at the head of his troops, flew the murderers, and laid their city in aihes. 8 His refentments being fatiated — he calls his fervants together and tells them — that he had prepared a feaft, but that thole whom he had firft invited were not worthy to fhare its magnificence. 9 Go, therefore, faid he into the highways — and pro- mifcuoufly invite all you meet with to the nuptial fupper. 10 The fervants receiving thefe orders difperfed them- felves into all the publick roads and private paths, and collected all they met with, good and bad without diflinc- tion, and conduced them to the palace — fo that the hall was filled with guefts. 1 1 When they were all feated, the king came to take a view of his company — but foon difcovered a perfon a- mongfl them in a vile and fordid drefs. 12 He called him and faid — Friend, how came you to intrude into my palace, and into this company, in a dreis fo unfuitable to this genial T H E W. ^7 folemnity .? — He was ftruck dumb had no apology to offer for this difrefpedful ne- gleft. 13 The king then called to his fervants, and bid them bind him hand and foot — to drag; him out of the room— and to expofe him to all the horrours of midnight and darknefs there to deplore his wretchednefs, and feel the moll dire and excruciating anguifh. 14 For great numbers are invited to the glorious privi- leges of the gofpel — but the number of thofe who joyful- ly comply with the invitation, is very inconfiderable. § — 15 The Pharifees, who heard this parable, left him — and holding a conference rcfolved upon a fcheme which they hoped would effeftually enlhare him, and deftroy his public credit and reputation. 1 6 Accordingly they fend fome of their pupils, along with the Herodians, and or- dered them to addrefs Jefus in the following manner — Divine teacher ! we are per- liiaded you have a conicien- tious regard for truth — that in fmcerity and plainnefs you communicate to men the dic- tates of infallible wifdom — that the fear of man can ne- ver induce you to facrifice duty— for the moft dignified perfonages 78 perfonagesare nothing to you, who have fo facred and invio- lable a regard for truth. 17 This your charafler hath induced us to requeft, that you would give us your real fentimcnts concerning this queflion — Is it lawful for the Jews to pay tribute to the Romans, or not ? — 1 8 Jefus confcious of their bale and wicked intentions, faid — Why, O ye crafty hy- pocrites ! do you praftife fuch infidious arts to circumvent, and draw me into danger ? 19 Show me the coin that is collected — They brought him a denarius. 20 He faid — Whofe head and legend is this ? 21 They replied — Casfar's — Then, laid he, pay to the Emperour, what he lawfully demiands, and to God the du- ties he requires. 22 "When they heard this anfwer, they left him — afto- nifhed at the manner, in which he detefted them, and avoid- ed the fnare. § — 23 The fame day the Sadducees, who are a Jcwifh fe6t, who deny a future ftate, came to him, and propofed this query — 24 Illuftrious inftruflor ! our great legiflator hath en- abled this law — If a man die and leave no children, his brother fhall marry his wi- T^he Hiflory of Jesus Chap. xxii. dow, in order that the name and family of the deceafed may not be extinfl. 25 Now there happened once a'mongft us this uncom- mon inflance — There were feven brothers — -the elded of whom married and died with- out children, and his widow was efpoufed by his fecond brother. 26 But he too died — and all the feven by a premature death. 27 So that the woman fur- vived them all. 28 What we defire you, therefore, is this — Which of the feven brothers fhall have this woman in a future ftate— 29 Jefus anfvvered — You are guilty of grofs and egre- gious miftakes, arifing from your ignorance of the fcrip- tures, and your impious li- mitation of the divine omni- potence. 30 For in a future ftate the human race is not procreated — but the fpirits of gOod men are pure and refined intelli- gences, like the heavenly Angels. With rep-ard fu- 31 witn regara to a ture ftate — have you never ferioufly confidered the im- port of this divine teftimony, which God fo frequently ad- dreftes to you — 32 " I am the God of A- braham, the God of Ifaac, and Chap, xxiil. by Matthew. and the God of Jacob'* Certainly God is not the go-- vernour of dead infenfible matter but of Hving and con- fcious intelligence. 33 When the multitude, who ftood around, heard his folution of thefe difficulties, they, were amazed at the a- cutenefs and ftrength of his arguments. § — 34 When the Phari- fees heard that he had effec- tually filenced the Sadducees, they coUeded themfelves to- gether in a body to difpute with him. 35 And one of them, who was an interpreter of the law, intending to make trial of his lagacity and fkiil, propofed this queftion — 36 Which, Sir, is the moft capital and fundamental pre- cept in the whole law ? 37 Jefus replied — Thou (halt love the Lord thy God with a moil pure, conftant, and unalienable affedlion. 38 This command is fu- perior to every other for im- portance and excellency. 39 This alfo is fimilar to it in eflential dignity and worth — Thou fiialt cultivate the moft benevolent affedlions towards thy brethren of man- kind. 40 In thefe two funda- mental rules all the various inftrudions that are fcattered 79 in the law and In the pro- phets are virtually comprized. § — 41 As the Pharifees were (landing together, Je- fus propofed to them this queflion — 42 What are yopr fenti- ments concerning the Mef- fiah ? — Whole fon is he ?-— They anfwered, David's. 43 But why, faid Jefus, does David, when under a divine afflatus, call him his fuperior in the following paf- fage— 44 The fupreme Jehovah faid to my Lord Be thou invefted with univerfal domi- nion and authority, 'till thou have fubdued all thy foes." 45 In what fenie, there- fore, is the Mefnah David's fon — when David plainly in this palTage calls him his Lord and fuperiour ? 46 This difficulty they could not folve — and from that day defifted from all far- ther attempts to enfnare him by infidious queftions. CHAP, XXIIL I AT that tim.e Jefus di- ^•^ redted the following difcourfe to the m.ultitude and to his difciples. 2 The Scribes and Pha- rifees have fuceeded Mofes in publickly teaching and inculcating the duties of the law. 3 Whatever 8o ne Hiftory 3 Whatever precepts, tljere- fore, they enjoin, that are juf- tified by the law, confcienti- oufly obl'erve and obey — but imitate not their lives — for their lives are rcandaloully in- confiftcnt with their initruc- tions. 4 For they opprefs men with an intolerable burden of fe- vere and tedious obfervances ■—but will not in their own pra6lice conform to any of the precepts of this ftrid; and rigid morahty. 5 Their whole condu6l is aftuated by an infatiable love of oftentation and applaulc — it is merely to fecure this that they make their phylacSteries fo enormoufly broad — it is for this that they affe6l to wear fringes to their garments of fuch a fhowy and immode- rate length. 6 It is to gratify this infa- tiable pafTion, that they afpire to the liigheft feats at every public entertainment, and llrive to get the moft diftin- guifhed phices in all religious affemblies. 7 They are intoxicated with the fumes of fervility and a- dulation, which they expeft fhould be offered to them in places of public relort — and their inward tranlport is boundlefs, when men addrefs them with tlie pompous titles of Father, and Dodtor. of Jesus Chap, xxiil. 8 But do not you afTume thefe vain-glorious and extra- vagant titles — for the Meffiah is your only guide, your fole inilrudior and mailer — and your common title, indifcri- minately, is that of, bre- thren. 9 Do not you honour any earthly inftrudor with the appellation of, unerring guide — for you have only one in- fallible diredor of confciencc — your heavenly Father. 10 Neither do you arro- gate to yourfelves the diftinc- tion of being fupreme heads and leaders — for your only fupreme head and leader is the Mefliah. 1 1 For under the chrifllan difpenfation, he, who fhall (loop to the moft humane and condefcending offices, fhall be the greateft. 12 For whofoever fhall affr6l fupercilious airs of ar- rogance and difdain, fliali have the leaft pretenfions to the true chriitian character — but he, that is cloathed with humility and modefty, is the greateft ornament to it. § 13 Jesus then de- nounced the following woes upon the Scribes and phari- faical doftors Woe unto you, ye Scribes and Pha- rifees, vile and abominable hypocrites ! for you con- cert every mcafure to prevent men Chap, xxiii. by M A men from embracing chrifti- anity — You will not be con- vinced by its evidences your- felves, and do every thing in your power to prevent per- fons of good difpofitions from being convinced. 14 O ye hypocritical Scribes and Pharifees ! dreadful will be your condemnation ! — for you opprefs by the moil ini- quitous extortion the widow and the orphan, and thinli to hide your avarice and ra- pacity from the world by a fpccious mafic of long and rapturous devotions — God, for thefe enormities will inflid upon you the fevereit pu- nifhmcnts. 15 Woe to you, hypocri- tical Scribes and Pharifees ! — for you traverfe fea and land to gain converts to Judaifm — and when you have gained them, foon render them, by your immoral lives and fcan- dalous examples, more pro- fligate and abandoned than they ever were before their converflon. 16 Woe unto you, ye falfe erroneous guides ! who fay — if a man fvvear by the tem- ple and violate his oath, it is not criminal but if he fwear by the gold of the temple, he lays himfelf under an inviolable obligation to perform. 17 \ain and abfurd dif- VOL. I. T T H E W. 8l tinftion ! — for which is more important — the gold, or the temple, which it only ferves to decorate and adorn ? 1 8 You likewife alTert this He that fwears by the altar, if he falfifies his oath, is guilty of nothing finful — but he that fwears by the vic- tim that is upon it, is indif- penfably bound to the per- formance. 19 Egregious folly! — for which is greateft — the vidim, or the altar which gives it its facrednefs. 20 In oaths, all fubtil and evafive dillin6lions are of no avail — for he who fwears by the altar, Iwears by it and all the facred offerings that are devoted to God on it. 21 And an adjuration by the temple is a folemn adju- ration by him who poffeiies it. 22 And he vv'ho appeals to heaven for the truth of his alTertions, appeals to God, who fupremely dwells there. 23 O hypocritical Scribes and Pharifees ! dreadful be- yond defcription will be your future mifery — for you are mod religioully fcrupulous in performing all the little nice- ties of the ceremonial law, and with a moll pun6lilious exadlnefs mark the tithe of mint, anifeand cummin — but the more impori:ant duties of G the S2 'The Hillory of Jesus Chap, xxiii. the law, jufllcc, compafiion, and fidelity, entirely difregard — Thefe you ought to have made the great tundamental rules of your obedience, at the fame time thac you omit- ted not the pofitivc injunc- tions. 24 JVUferable inftruclors ! who pick out the imaileft in- fect, but fwallow down the largeft. 25 Woe unto you, ye hy- pocritical Scribes and Phari- fees ! — In your external be- haviour you exhibit to the v/orld a fplendid appearance — the moil confummate pu- rity and decency of manners — but your interior is black and deformed with the moft rapacious, intemperate, and depraved dcfires. 26 Thou abandoned Pha- rifee, firfl introduce elegance and purity into thine internal dilpofitions, that thy exterior afbions may be nothing but the pure refledled image of a good heart. 27 Woe unto you, O ye Scribes and Pharifees ! Plow deteftable is your hypocrify ! You refemble plaiftered monuments, which outward- ly appear beautiful — but in- wardly are full of putrifadlion and horrour. 28 Like thefe, you appear to men to be mirrours of fanc- tity and juftice — while your hearts are replete with dilTi- mulation and all iniquity. 29 O ye Pharifees and Scribes, what miferie*? are now impending over you for your hypocrily and atrocious vices You build magnificent tombs for your martyred pro- phets, and decorate the fe- pulchres of deceafed piety v/ith the moft profufe and coftly ornaments ! 30 And thus lament over them — O had we lived in the days of our progenitors — we never would have imbrued our hands, as they did, in the blood of fuch glorious refor- mers ! 3 I This is a teftimony that you defcend from thofe who murdered the prophets, 32 and you have' in the prelcnt age, by your refilling the ftrongeft evidence, and perfecuting the bell men, compleatly rivalled all the enormities of your anceftors. 33 Ye monfters of cruelty and difTimulation ! how is it pofllble for you to cfcape the moll dire and excruciating torments of a future Hate ! 34 To reclaim you from your vices I fend among you perfons endowed with mira- culous gifts, and fuperiour « See the Camb. MS. wifdoiTj Chap, xxlv. by Matthew. wifdom and virtue ^ — but ibme of thefs you will mur- der — fome you will crucify — fome you will fcourge in your fynagogues, and purfue with implacable rage from one city to another. 35 So that upon you fhall be revenged all the blood of the prophets, which hath been fpilt from holy Abel down to Zacharias the ion of Bara- chias, whom you cruelly af- fafilnated between the temple and the altar. 36 I aflert it with the great- tfl Iblemnity — that the heavy punifhment of all thefe crimes fliall be inPiifted upon thi^ prefent age. 37 OJtrufalem, Jerufalem ! thou who haft murdered lb many prophets, and haft fton- ed to death fo many good men who were fent to reform thee — for how many ages have I ftrove to fave thee from ruin with all the anxi- ous care and tendci-* folicitude of the moil afreclionate parent — but you have,,obftinately refufed. 38 For this your incorri- gible difobedience the moft dreadful deftrudlion ftiall o- verwhelm your city, and your country fliall be depopulated. 39 Nor fhall you ever a- gain fee me prefent among 83 you, 'till the time that you fay — Unfpeakably happy is he who is a profeftbr of the gofpel 1 CHAP. XXIV. I AFTER this Jefus go- •^^ ing out of the tem- ple, his dilciples came to him and defired him minutely to obferve the grandeur and magnificence of the edifice. 2 Upon this Jefus faid to them — Survey this moft fu- perb and ftateiy ftrutlure — yet I affure you that this whole vaft fabric fhall be fo totally demolifhed, that there fnail not be left one ftone ftanding upon another. 3 The difciples alarmed, at this prophetic declaration came to him in private, as he was fitting on the mount of Olives, and faid — Tell us when all thefe dreadful cala- mities fliall happen, and the fure figns, by which \\c fliall be able to prcgnofticate thy coming to inflid; this punifh- ment, and the confummation of the Jewifh ceconomy. 4 To this enquiry Jefus thus replied — Take heed left any one feduce you into fatal errours. 5 For many impoftors will afTume my character— pub- * the Apoftles. G 2 lickly The Hiftory o/' J e s u s Chap. xxiv. lickly proclaiming thcmfelvcs to be the MefTiah, and will by thefe arrogant pretcnlions im- poie upon many. 6 See you be not intimi- dated when you hear ot wars, and are informed of bloody battles and invafions — for the deftru(5tive flames of war jfliall rage a confiderable time, be- fore they involve this city and nation. 7 For one country fliall commence hoftilities againll another, one potent kingdom asainft another i and diffe- rent countries fliall be diftrel- fed by famines, defolated by peflilences, or violently fhaken by earthquakes. 8 All thefe are but pre- ludes to the grand and uni- verfal cataftrophe. 9 In thefe calamitous times you will be perfecuted with unrelenting rage, be held in general and implacable detef- tation by all nations, and be put to the moil cruel and ig- nominious deaths, merely for vour inviolable attachment to my religion. 10 In thofe unhappy times, alfo, many will conceive dii- suft againft the chriilian re- ligion and apoftatize and then in the mofl perfidious manner betray and perfecuce their brethren. 1 1 Several impoftors too fliall then utter falfe prcdi6tions> and miferably deceive many. 12 The great and general prevalency of thefe enormi- ties will entirely extinguifh the love of religion in the bo- fom of many chriflians. 1 3 But he who through all thefe fcenes of perfecution maintains an inviolable fide- lity to his profeffion fhall be refcued from the miferies in which this country fhall be involved. 14 But before thefe cala- mities overwhelm it, the gof- pel fliall be preached through- out the whole Roman empire, and its evidences be propofed to every nation. 15 But when you fee that idolatrous nation, which hath fprcad fuch univerfal havock and defolation among man- kind, encamp round the ho- ly city — as Daniel hath pre- di6led, whofe prophefy de- mands every reader's ferious regard and attention — 1 6 then let thofe chriftians, who are in Judea, fave them- iclves by a precipitate flight to the mountains. 1 7 He who is then on the houfe top, and fees this vafl army approach, let him not flay a moment to take any thing out of his houfe. 1 8 He who then happens to be at work in the fields, let him not Chap. xxlv. by Matthew. 85 not turn back to take his deaths. 19 Deplorable will be the fate of thofe women, whofe flight will be then prevented by advanced pregnancy, or the ruckling of infants. 20 Earneftly pray that this precipitate flight may not happen during the inclemen- cy of the winter, or on the fabbath day. 2 1 For the Jewifh nation fliall then be overwhelmed in fuch dreadful calamities as never happened from the foundation of the world, nor will ever happen again to its final diflTolution. 22 And fliould this horrid carnao;e and defolation be continued for any confider- able duration, the whole na- tion of the Jews would be ex- tinft — but for the fake of the chrift:ians the period of thofe terrible diftrefies fliall be but fliort. 23 During thefe miferies if any one Oiould tell you that the MefTiah is in fuch a place, that he hath made his public appearance in fuch a town — pay him not the leaft credit. 24 For many will pretend to be the Mefl^iah, and af- fume the charader of pro phets — exhibit fuch furpriz- ing feats and aftonifhing pro- digies — ^and carry on the de- luflon with fuch cunning ar- tifice and fraud, as almoft to impofe even upon the chrif- tians themfelves. 25 Remember that I have given you this previous ad- vice. 26 When, therefore, men fhall fay to you — The Mef- fiah at this very time hath appeared in fuch a defart — go not thither to examine his pretenfions*—— Behold ! the Mefliah conceals himfelf in fuch a private retirement, on account of the wickednefs of the Jews— treat the informa- tion with contempt. 27 For the fwiftnefs of the coming of the fon of man to deftroy the Jewifli nation fliall be flmilar to the rapidity of lightning, which darts from eafl: to weft, at one fweep, through all that intervening fpace, in a moment. 28 For wherever the pu- trid carcafe lies, to that place will the eagles colled to glut their raging hunger. 29 Immediately after thofe dreadful calamities, fhall the fun be fliroudedindarknefs — the moon fhall become a great blank in the midfl: of heaven — the ftars fhall drop from their fpheres — and the heaven- ly powers fliall be fliaken with G 3 the 86 T^he Hlftory ^/ Jesus Chap.xxiv. the mofl violent concufli- ons % 30 And then fhall be feen in the air a bright himinour, appearance of the Ton of man, fcattering dellruflion upon the Jewifli nation — at which tremendous fpeflacle all the tribes of the land of Ifrael fhall be overwhelmed in the laft terrour and diftrefs, when they furvey the Mefliah riding in triumph on the clouds of heaven in magnifi- cent pomp and irrefiftible power. 31 He will then difpatch his mefiengers with the clan- gors i'f a ihrill trumpet, and they fhall collect Chriftians in every region of the univerfe, making converts and form- ing focieties of believers in the mod diftant climes. 32 Learn a lelTon of in- ftrudion from the following fim.ilitude When the fig-- tree puts forth new leaves and tender flioots, you con- clude that fummcr is ap- proaching.' '2^'^ In like manner when you fee all thefe concurring to- kens, which I have fo minute- ly defcribcd — mod certainly infer that the impending de- (Iruflion will very fpeedily fall. 34 I folemnly aflure you that the prefent race of men fhall no: be defun51:, before thiS dreadful inundatiopi come, and the whole of this prophe- fy be fulfilled. 0^^ For fooner (hall the earth and fky be reduced in- :o its primitive chaos, than thefe my predictions not be fully verified and accomplifh- ed. 36 But in what day, or in what particular feafon of the year this dire invafion fhall happen, is known only to the fupreme God — but to no be- ing in the univerfe befides him — to none even of the mofl exalted angels. 37 The times in which the fon of man fhall come to deflroy this impenitent coun- try will be exactly fimilar to ■d\t times in which Noah lived. 38 For as in the times that preceded the fiood, the men of that age were immerfed in the excefies of all fenfual in- dulgence, and continued tra- verfing a circle of every a- mufement and pleafure even 'till the very day that Noah entered into the ark j « The downfall of Jcrufafcm, and of the Jewifh ecclefiaftical and civil polity is here defcribed by our Saviour in the fame fublime language, as the downfall of Babylon and Egypt in the anticnt prophets. Compare Ifaiah xiii. 10. Ezck. x.x.xii. 7, 3. 39 3nd chap. xxlv. by M 39 and never once llilpeft- cd the impending inundation — 'till it fuddenly rufhed upon them, and Iwept them all a- way — juft fuch will be the flate of things when the Ton of man comes to deftroy this incorrigible nation. 40 At the time of this fud- c.^n irruption there (hall be two perfons in the fame field —-a good Chriftian and an un- believing Jew — the one of whom fliall be involved in the general deilruftion, and the other fave himfelf by flight. 41 Two women fhali be grinding at the fame mill — the one fhall be flain, the othe/ providentially make her efcape. 42 . Excrcife, therefore, a conPcc^nt vigilance, and atten- tion to the admonitions I have given you — for you cannot tell in what particular feafon the fon of man will come to plunge the Jewifh nation in the gulf of dcftruction. 43 Confider how reafon- able fuch a conduct is in o- ther cafes — for example — Had any mailer of a family previous information at what particular hour of the night his houfe would be attempted, he would certainly fit up, and prevent the thieves from breaking in. 44 With the fame prudent vigilance be you alio ever en- A T T H E w. 87 dowed — that thefe terrible calamities furprife you not lunk in fupine negligence and inconfideration. 45 Every prudent fervant, to v/hom his lord hath commit- ted the care of his domeftic auairs during his abfence, will ihowhis fidelity in punftually executing his commands. 46 And happy will fuch a faithful fervant be, if his mafter at his arrival finds him dili- gently employed in his duty. 47 He will alTu redly re- ward fuch induftry and faith- tulnefs with the principal di- redlion of all his fortunes. 48 But if the wicked fervant fuffer negligence and care- leiTnefs to fteal upon him, and indulge the fond imagi- nation, that his lord will de- fer his journey home for ma- ny years, 49 and in confequence of thefe fuggeftions begin a courfe of profligacy and riot throw every thing into confufion — abufe his fellow- fervants with the moft wanton cruelty — and run into all the exceffes of debauchery and drunkennefs — 50 The lord of that fer- vant will fuddenly come up- on him at an unexpedled time, and furprife him in the midft: of thefe fcenes of irregularity and diforder, 51 and vv'ill infil(5l upon G 4 him S8 The Hiftory cf Jesus Chap. xxv. him the moft exquifite tor- tures*", and precipitate him into an horrid confinement — there to deplore his wretch- ednels, and gnafh his teeth for pain. Chap. xxv. i The ftate of the chriftians on the fud- dcn irruption of thefe over- whelming calamities may be properly reprefented in the following fable — Ten vir- gins took their lamps, and went in procelTion to meet the bridegroom, 2 Five of thefe were en- dued with prudence and dif- cretion, the other five were thoughtlels and inconfide- rate. 3 The thoughtlefs took indeed their lamps, but had jiot the precaution to reple- nifh them with oil. 4 But the prudent, mind- ful of futurity, carried oil with them in vefTels. 5 Having waited a long time for the bridegroom, and he not appearing, they alio, fa- tigued with tedious expeda- tion, funk in profound re- pofe. 6 But lo ! at midnight they were fuddenly alarmed with a piercing cry — The bride- groom, the bridegroom is coming ! — haftcn to meet and conG;ratulate him. 7 Rouled with this unex- pedied proclamation they all got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The thoughtlefs then began to folicit the other to impart to them fome of their oil — telling them that their lamps were entirely extin- g-uiflied. 9 To theie entreaties the prudent anfwered — that they had only provided a fufRcient quantity for their own ufe, and therefore advifed them to go and purchafe oil of thofe who fold it. 10 They departed accor- dingly, but during their ab- fence the bridegroom came, and the prudent virgins, be- ing prepared for his recep- tion, went along with him to the nuptial entertainment — r The doors then were imme- diately fiiut. 1 1 After Ibme time the o- thers came to the door, and fupplicated earnellly for ad- milticn. 12 But the bridegroom re- pulfed them — telling them, f It will appear by confultlng tlic following paflages that J^iX'^'foiiza is not rellridcd to /a-ivi/ig a/unJer, a.^ Whhby and others contend, ret uftn .T8 crcouAToO- J^ty^QToixt)QiV7<^. Plutarch Pyr. p. 729. Kvj^tf mi<^r/079iJ.iV6i. Polyb, p. 820. Edit. Calaub. he Chap. XXV. by Matthew. he did not know them, and would not admit any ftran- gers. 13 Be ye in the fame man- ner vigilant and watcliful — left at your lord's coming to punifli the Jews, you be fur- prifed in negligence and care- lefnefs, and be involved in the general deftruftion. § — 14 The gofpel difpen- fation with regard to the dif- tribution of future rewards and punifhments may be thus reprefented — A gentleman intending to vifit foreign countries called his fervants together, and entrufted them with confiderable fums, ex- pelling that they fhould im- prove them by trade during his abfence. 1 5 To one fervant he com- mitted five talents — to a fe- cond, two — to a third, one — to each according to his refpedive abilities — After this he fet out upon his travels. 16 The fervant then, who had received five talents, im- mediately launched into bufi- nefs, and in procefs of time by his fldll and diligence doubled his capital. 17 In like manner he, who had been entrufted with two, gained in trade other two. 1 8 But the fervant, who had received one talent, went into an obfcure place — dug an hole 89 and there dcpofited his lord's money. 1 9 After many years were elapfed, the gentleman re- turns home from his travels, and calls his fervants before him — defirous to know what improvement they had made of his money. 20 The fervant then, who had received five talents, thus fpokc — Sir, at your depar- ture you delivered to me five talents — by care and induftry I have accumulated other five. 21 His lord highly elated cried out in tranfport — Ami- able condu6l ! confummate excellence! your faithful condufl merits the higheft: applaufe — enter into the moft tranfcendent happinefs it is in my power to bellow. 22 He then, who had re- ceived two talents, approach- ed his lord, and faid — Sir, you originally entrufted me with two talents — I have like- wife doubled them by my di- ligence in commerce. 23 His lord in the higheft raptures faid Well done ! thou faithful fervant! thou haft abundantly ftiowed thy fideli- ty in huft)anding the trifling fum I committed to thee^— — thou ftialt be immediately ad- vanced to a very high and illuftrious ftation, and ftiare thy lord's felicity. 24 Laft 96 24 Laft of all he, wlio had received one talent, drew near and fpoke — Sir, I knew you to be a man of implaca- ble feverity, exacting your unreafonable demands with unrelenting rigour, and ex- peding great emoluments from perfons, whom you fix- ed in no capacity to fubferve your intereils. 25 Dreading, therefore, your ftern and inexorable temper, I went and hid it in the ground — here it is — I reftore it as I received it. 26 His lord, fired with in- dignation at a condudt fo cri- minal, faid to him — Thou bafc and indolent flave ! — if you really knew me, as you fay you did, to be of a temper fo unrealbnable and unre- lenting, and to be fo inexo- rable in my demands, 27 you ought to have taken care not to incur my refent- ment — but by a careful and diligent endeavour fhould have improved the talent in trade — that at my return I might have received my mo- ney with fome additional pro- fits, and have applauded and rewarded you for your con- dua. 28 The gentleman then faid — take that talent from ^be Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xxv. him direcbly, and give it to him who had the five talents. 29 For every one, who hath carefully improved v/liat hath been committed to him, fiiall be rewarded with a. more am- ple and copious affluence — but he, who hath mifimprov- ed what was entrufted to him, fliall be fatally deprived even of what he originally had. 30 Take you therefore that worthlefs flave from my pre- fence, and throw him into a dark and difmal mine ^, there to deplore his wretchcdnefs, and gnalh his teeth for ex- treme mifery. § — 31 At the lad day the Mcffiah Ihall delccnd, inveft- ed with matchleis fplendour and majefly, with a bright and numerous retinue of his angels — and then fliall afcend a moll magnificent throne. 32 Before this tribunal all the nations of the univerfe fliall be convened in one vafl; aflTembly — thefe l.e will then feparate into two diftinft com- panies, in the fame manner as a fliepherd felc6ls and divides the fheep and goats into two feparate flocks. 33 The good he will place on his right hand — the bad on his left. 34 The judge will then % Difobcdient and worthlefs {laves were ufually punifucd by being con- fined to hard labour in the mines. r, addrefs Chap. XXV. by Matthew. addrefs himfelf to thofc on his right hand with I'milcs of ap- probation Welcome ! ye 91 bleffed of my father! Wei come to the everlafting pof- feffion of thofe blifsful abodes, which have from ail eternity been prepared for your re- ception. 35 For -when I was faint- ing with hunger, you gave me food — when I was parch- ed with thirft, you gave me drink — under your roof, when I was a ftranger, I found an hofpitable reception. 36 When I was languifh- ing under cold and naked- nefs, you cioathcd me — when I was fick and helplefs, you took the charge of me '^ — when I was confined in pri- fon, you vifited me. 2,^ The righteous, alarmed at fuch an unexpefted dif- courfe, will then anfwer — Bleffed Meffiah ! when did we ever fee thee languifliing with hunger, or fainting with thirft, and in thefe extremi- ties relieved thee ? 38 When did we ever fee thee a forlorn and unhappy ftranger, and entertained thee •—or indigent and naked, and cloathed thee ? 39 Or when did we ever fee thee confined to a fick bed, or toaloathfome dungeon — and in that helplefs condi- tion vifited and befriended thee ? 40 To this the judge will anfwer — Since you have done thefe kind and benevolent offices to the moft inconfide- rable chriftian— — -I confider them as done to myfeif. 41 Afterwards the judge will turn to thofe on his left hand, and fay to themj with ftern looks, full of m-. dignation — Depart you curf* ed from my prefence, to be confumed in that eternal fire, that was prepared for the de- vil and his angels. 42 For tho' I was expiring with hunger and thirft, you repulfed me from your doors. 43 Tho* I was in a ftrange country and in diftrefs, you had the cruelty to refufe me the leaft relief when you law me fhiver and languifh under cold and nakednefs — when you faw me rendered helplels by indifpofition, or confined in a prifon — you ne- glefted me, and left me to all the cruel rigours of my condition. 44 This company too will witnefs furprife at fuch an ac- •* The word (mtrKi'rrofxeii doth not fignify to 'vi/it, but to take the trjerfight or charge of a perfon. So it fhould have been tranflated, James 1.27. cufation. 92 cufatlon, and fay Lord, when did we ever fee thee in- 'volved in any of the calami- ties you mention, and denied thee relief? 45 He will then reply — Since you have refufed thefe humane and beneficent offi- ces to modeft anci humble virtue in ciftrcfs — I confider them as being refufed to my- felf. 46 The wicked then will be fentenced to eternal death, and the good Ihall be adjudg- ed to eternal life. CHAP. XXVI. I Y\7HEN Jefus had fi- VV niflied the preceding difcourfes, he faid unto his difciples, 2 There are only two days you know to the pafTover — during which folemnity be afTured that the fon of man will be treacheroufly deliver- ed into the power cf his ene- mies, and be crucified. 3 At this very time there was convoked a general coun- cil of the high priefls, the clergy and the magiflrates — who met in the palace of the high prieft, whole name was Caiaphas. 4 In this afTembly they all deliberated and concerted meafuies how to trapan Jelus by fraud, and put him to dca'.h. The Hiflory of Jesus Chap.' xxvi. 5 They agreed, however, not to execute this defign during the celebration of the pafTover — lefl it might caufe a tumult, and the populace fhould rei'cue him by force. § — 6 About this time it happened, that as Jefus was in Bethany, in the houfe of one Simon whom he had mi- raculoufly cured of leprofy, 7 a woman approached him as he was reclining on the couch, and poured an alabaf- ter box of the fineft and rich- eft perfume upon his head. 8 This aftion, of which the difciples were witnefTes, filled fome of them with ex- treme indignation, and they could not forbear teftifying their reftntment by faying — What is there that can juftify fuch extravagance ! 9 This perfume might have been fold for a conliderable fum, which would have re- lieved the diftreffes of feveral poor families. ID But Jefus confcious of thefe repining murmurs faid to them — Why do you con- ceive fuch violent difgull and refentment againft the wo- man ? — fhe hath done me a good and beneficent office. 1 1 And with regard to what you alledge concerning the poor — objefts of compafTion you have always around you — but my continuance with you Chap. xxvi. by Matthew. you will be but of a very Ihort duration. 1 2 So fhort, that the per- fume, which fhe hath now lavifhed upon my perfon, may be confidered in the light of funeral honours paid to me. 13 This friendly and be- nevolent favour, which this woman hath juft conferred upon me, I alTure you, Ihall be celebrated in every coun- try where the gofpel is dif- fufed, and live in the o-ratefui remembrance of all future 93 § — 14 After this Judas Ifcariot one of the twelve a- poftles went to the high prieils, 15 and faid — What reward will you give me, and I will deliver Jefus into your power ? — They agreed to pay him thirty pieces of filver. 16 From the time, that this contra(5l was made, Ju- das continually ftudied the moft favourable opportunity of putting Jefus into their hands. § — 17 The difciples, on the firft: day of unleavened bread, came to Jefus, and defired to know in what place he would have them make preparation for eating the pafchal fupper. 18 He faid to them — Go into the city to fuch a certain perfon, and tell him that your mailer intends to celebrate at his houfe the approaching fo- iemnity with his difciples. 19 The difciples imme- diately executed his injunc- tions — and in that perfon's houfe they provided every thing neceffary for the paf- fover. 20 Accordingly in the e- vening Jefus fat down to eat the pafchal lamb with his dif- ciples. 2 1 But while they were at fupper Jefus faid to them — ■ I certainly know that one of you will by the bafefl perfidy betray me into the power of thofe, who third after my blood. 22 A declaration fo unex- pe6led threw them into all the exceffes of refentmentand grief — and every one of them refpeftively afked him, by turns, — if he judged him ca- pable of fuch black ingrati- tude and treachery ? 23 He replied — ^The per- fon, who will perpetrate this crime, is now dipping a piece of bread in the diih. 24 The fon of man, indeed, will make that exit, which the antient prophets have long fmce predidted — but dreadful, beyond expreflion, will be the punifhment of that perfon, who will betray the Mefliah into the hands of his perfecutors ! Happy would 94 T^he Hiflory of Jesus Chap, xxvi. would it be for him, had he never drawn the breath of life! 25 The traitor Judas hear- ing this diicourfe (aid — Do you think me capable of fuch villainy — I do — Jefus replied. 26 As they were at fupper, Jefus took bread, and when he had given thanks to God, he broke it, and diftributed it to his difciples, faying — Take and eat this bread — which I defign lliould repre- lent my own body. 27 He then took the cup, and having paid his gratitude to heaven, he gave it to them, faying — Of this wine do you all drink • 28 for it reprefcnts my own blood by the effufion of which that new difpenfation, which, is defigned to reform a vicious and depraved world, Ihall be fealed and confirmed. 29 And let me farther af- fure you — that I will not taftc the produce of the vine, 'till the time that my heavenly father hath cre£led his king- dom '. 30 When they had fang the ufual pafchal ode — they withdrew to the mount of Olives. 'J! I On their arrival here he faid to them — This very night you will all be afhamed of the caufe you have efpoufed, and defert me — and to your con- dud: may be applied a pafTage which occurs in one of the prophets — " I will wound the fliepherd, and the flock fhall difperfe." 32 But remember, after I am raifed from the grave, I will immediately repair to Galilee. 33 Peter then replied-—— you fay that we fhall all relin- quifli you — but I am delibe- rately refolved never to aban- don you. 34 Hafl: thou formed this refolution ? I allure thee this very night before the cock hath crowed three times, thou wilt folemnly deny that thou ever hadft any connec- tions with me. 35 I will fooncr meet death, with you, faid Peter, in the moll dreadful form, than ever be guilty of fuch bafenefs— — All the difciples made the fame declarations. 36 Jefus then attended with his difciples came to a retired place called Gethfe- mane — into which as foon as he had withdrawn, he faid to them,— -Sit ck)\vn here, while J That is, not 'till after his refurreaion— at which the gofpel difpen- fation properly commenced. Scc Sjkti on the Chrilliau Religion, p. 62, ivA yyejt on Prayer, p. 75 • I ad- Chap. XXVI. By "M AT I advance a little farther, and lupplicate my God to al- fift me. 37 He then took with him Peter, and the two fons of Ze- bcdee who foon favv him fink in an agony of excef- five forrow and diftrefs of mind. 38 He then faid to them — —my foul is overwhelmed in a jBood of the moft oppref- five grief, and is ready to ex- pire by reafon of the excru- ciatinpc angjuifh I now fuftain Do Hay here and fit up with me. 39 Having faid this he ad- vanced a few fleps from them — proftrated himlelf on the ground, and uttered this -O merciful God ! prayer- fuffer not the impending ftorm to break over my head — but I check myielf — Not my will but thine be done ! 40 He then rofe from his knees, and came back to his difciples whom he found funk in profound repofe and awakening Peter he faid — are you not able to fit up with me, but for one fingle hour. 41 Suffer not fleep to over- come you in this emergency, but earneftly beg of God, that you may not be feduced into fin — Your minds chear- fully prompt you to adhere to me, but the ftrong fears T H E W. 9^ of death, alas ! will foon o- vercome all your mental re- folutions ! 42 He left them a fecond. time, and devoutly offered the following fupplication — O my father! if thefe ap- proaching miferics cannot be avoided, but I muft be in- volved in them — I calmly ac- quiefce in thine all wife difpo- lal! 43 He came, and again found them overwhelmed in deep. 44 Upon feeing them in the fame condition, he went from them a third time — and poured out the fame devout requefbs. 45 After this he comes to his difciples and fays to them — You may now indulge your numbers, and fink in the arms of fecurity and repofe — for the time is expired — my fate is decided, the fon of man is this moment going to be de- livered into t!ie hands of his wicked enemies. 46 Rife — Jet us depart—* the traitor is here ! 47 He had not fpoken thefe words before Judas ap- proached him, attended with a vail mob, armed, fome of them with fwords, others with clubs, whom the prelates and the magiilrates had hired for this purpofe. 48 To thefe rufHans the traitor 96 T^he. Hiftory ^"^ J E s u s Chap. xxvl. traitor had agreed to give this fignal — The perfon, i'aid he, whom 1 fhall kifs, is the man —Apprehend him immedi- ately. 49 He then hailily advan- ced up to Jeius, and laid — Hail great inftrutlor ! — and faluted him, leemingly, with great a/ dour and affeftion ''. 50 Friend ! faid Jefus to him, what is it hath prompt- ed thee to this ? — The mob then feeing the lignal, rufliec upon him and feized him. 51 One of the difciples, fee- ing this violence, immediately drew his fword and ftriick a fervant of the high prieft a blow which cut off his right car. 52 Upon this Jefus turned to him and faid — Iheath thy fword — for all, that fhall now take up arms to refcue me, arc fure to be overpowered and flain. c^i^ Doll thou not refleft, that if I were to be extricated by force from my impending fate, I could now implore my heavenly father to deliver me, and fliould inftantly be incir- cled with many thoulands of Angels ?• 54 But how, then, would thofe prophecies be fulfilled, which exprefsly predidl the L.iiermgs and death of the Mcffiah ? SB When the officers had feized Jefus, he faid to the furrounding mob — Why did you come armed with clubs and fwords to apprehend me, like a thief, in this clandelline manner?' — When you knew thati was every day publickly inftrtifling the people in the temple — yet laid no violent hands upon me ? ^6 But the antient predic- tions mufl be accompliflied — I am tofuftainallthis treat- ment When the difciples faw their mafter in the hands of thefe ruffians, they were feized with confternaticn, and dcferted him by a fudden and precipitate flight. § — c^^ When they had apprehended Jefus they drag- ^ (fiMu is ufed in the verfe before, bwt KATHtpihia in this, and inti- mates that the traitor faluted him with great ardency. To cxprefs myfelf in laiin : In pio officio aliijuandiu immoratus eil. Pericles Xovtd. A/pa/ta with the grcatcll tendernefs, and never went or came from the forum, but »»ffcrtt(^47o //.tTA 7« KaTctt^thiiv. Plutarch Pericles, p. 301. All the army ftied tears for joy, and cvi^vovro a.KhvKoii: Kai KAnaiAy.v. Plutarch ia Fabio, p. 330. Cato flruck Mauillius out of the lift of the fenators be- caufe in the prefence of his daughter Tvtv avrxyvfenKct. KdLmiKvcTH'. Plutarch Cato Maj. p. 634. Sylla always carried in his bofom a little aniar-ing eyaftnefs. "^he Jews method cf quoting icriptj:-': vva:; by reciting only afev.' words ning of a paragraph, ficr.s at ^c I. ^''g:. chap, xxvii. by Mat fions the rocks were fhattered and burft afunder. 52 The monuments of the dead were allb opened, and the bodies of many good men, who had been lately deceafed, were reftored to life, 53 and quitting their fe- pulchres, after his refurrec- tion went into the holy city and were {ttn by confiderable numbers of the inhabitants. 54 But the Roman cap- tain and the guard of foldiers which he commanded, when they felt the violence of the fhocks, and faw the other a- ftonifhing prodigies that now occurred, they were ftruck with extreme horrour, and all declared — Undoubtedly this perfon was t]ie ion of a God ! ^^ There flood, moreover, at fome confiderable dif- rance from the crofs a large company of women, who had contributed to his fupport, and had attended him in his journey from Galilee. r^(y Among thefe were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Jofes, and the mother of John and the other James. 57 In the evening Jofeph of Arimathca, a peribn of great dignity and opulence, who was both convinced him- T H E W. 103 felf, and laboured to con- vince others ° of the divine authority of Jefus, 58 v/ent to Pilate, and re- quefted it as a favour, that he would grant him the body of Jefus — The governour at his earned folicitation ordered the body to be taken down and delivered to him. 59 When this gentleman had received the corpfe, he fwathed it in the fined linen, 60 and interred it in a tomb, which he had lately hollowed in the rock, and in which he defigned that hrs own remains fhould be depo- fited — and after having block- ed up and fecured the mouth of the fepulchre with a large done, he departed, Oi Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, fitting on a place oppofite the fepulchre, were pleafed fpetStarors of thefe funeral obfequies. § — 62 The next day being the Jewidi fabbath, the high prieds and the Pharifees went in a bo-'y to Pilate : (>l Being admitted, they fpoke thus — We remember. Sir, that this notorious im- poftor publickiy gave out, that three days after his dearh he would rife again. 64 We defire you, there- fore, X.O give orders tl;at the Literally, made difciples to Jefus, H 4 fepulchre 104 fepulchre may be (trongly guarded and fecured for three days — for fbould his difciples come in the night time and Ileal his body, and publifh to the world that he is actually rifen, the people will be re- duced into a delufion that will be attended with more dangerous and pernicious conrequences, than what have already happened. 6^ To this their propofal Pilate aflented and laid — Go then, take a guard with you, and make the fepulchre as fecure as you think proper. 66 Accordingly they went — fecured the mouth of the fepulchre fet a feal upon the large ftone — -blocked up its entrance — and placed a ftrong body of foldiers to guard it, CHAP. XXVIII. 1 T N the evening when the «■• Jewifh labbath was clof- ed and the firft day of the week juil commenced, Mary Magdalene and the other Ma- ry went to view the tomb. 2 But here a furprifing fcene prefented itfelf — — ~A dreadful earthquake fhookthe ground an angel then de- fcendcd from heaven ad- vanced to the tomb — rolled away the large ftone that co- 7/je Hiilory of Jesus Chap, xxviii. vered its mouth, and fat up- on it. 3 Red fiery beams darted from his vifag-e, like gleams of lightening, and his robes flione with a fplendour, in- exprefiibly bright and daz- zling. 4 The guards were lb ilruck with his appearance, that their blood was inftantly chilled with horrour, and they funk down like dead men. 5 The angel addrcfied him- felf to the women with pla- cid nfildnefs and benevolence, and laid 1 know that you are come hither with a pious defign to pay your laft kind offices to the crucified Jefus. 6 But he is no longer in- clofed within this tomb — he is rifen from the ruins of the grave, as he faid he fliould do — come fee the place where your niafter vvas once depo- fited. 7 And do you exert all the fpeed you are able, and in- form his difciples that he is rifen from the dL*ad, and that he is advancing before them into Galilee, v/hcrc he will certainly exhibit himfelf to their view — remember, it is an angel commands ! 8 Having received this or- der they ran from the fepul- chre with fwift and impatient fteps to bring this ha]ipy news tQ Chap, xxvili. by lA at to the difciples, while fear and joy tumultuouQy flruggled m their bofoms. 9 But as they were flying with the mellage in this pre- cipitate manner behold ! Jefus met and greeted them — The well known voice and form (truck them with inex- preflible tranlports — they run to him proftrated them- felves, and embraced his knees. 10 Jefus then faid to them — Difpel every fear, and go, bid my difciples haften into Gahlec, where I will meet them.. § — II After the women had left the fepulchre, fome of the guards came into the city, and gave the high priefts a circumftantial account of every thing that had happen- ed at the tomb. 12 Upon this information a council was immediately convened- in which they came to a refolution to give a confiderable fum of money t-o bribe the foldiers. 13 And they ordered them, whenever they were confulted about thefe occurrences, to report, that the difciples came in a clandeftine manner in the night time, and ftole the bo- dy, while they were afleep. 1 4 And they moreover af- fured the foldiers, that if their condu6t fhould happen to be T H E W. 105 found out by the governour, they would take care to ex- culpate them, and appeafc his refentment. 1 5 The foldiers, being thus largely bribed, a6led as they were inftrufted — and this ac- count, which the foldiers were hired to publifh, is current and credited among the Jews to this day. 16 The difciples went di- re6lly to Galilee and afcendcd a particular mountain, whicli Jefus had named as the place, where he would exhibit him- felf to their view. 1 7 But tho' they had doubt- ed before, as foon as they faw him, they were convinced of the identity of his perfon, and proftrated themfelves before him. 18 Jefus then addrefled them in the following words I am now invefted with univerfal power in heaven and on earth, as a reward for my obedience. 19 Go you, therefore, and make converts in every na- tion, baptizing them into the belief and profeflion of a re- ligion, which is planned by the Father, publiflied by the Son, and confirm.ed by the Holy Spirit : 20 Enjoining upon them a ftrift and confcientiousobfer- vance of all the precepts that I have taught you — and re- member. io6 ne Hiftory of Jesus Chap. i. member, that in all your la- bours and miniflrations I (hall c\'er be your conilant guar- dian and fupport to the final confummation of all things. ^'^f^^:f^e^'^^r^o<^^t)S£i^^:^^^r:;;f,t^(^^'^^(^^,^^^ THE HISTORY OF JESUS By mark. CHAP. I. I Y intend to write the hif- X tory of Jefus the Mef- fiah, the ion of God : 2 Whofe appearance on ^arth was ufhercd in by John the Baptift, according to the exprefs predi6lion of the an- tient prophets, rt corded in the two following pafiaores *' Behold I fend an herald before thee to proclaim thy iipproach and prepare men for thy rec/ption." 3 " Hark! how the wil- dernefs refounds with the loud proclamation — O prepare for the fpeedy advent of the McfTiah — llrow the path with tlowers, in which his iacred feet Iball tread!'' 4 According to thefc prophecies John appeared as the harbinger of the Mefllah, and publickly baptized in the wildernefs, inculcating upon all who came to him tlie ne- cefiity of fincere repentance in order to their fccuring the divine forgivenefs. 5 Struck with the appear- ance of fo illuftrious a pro- phet, the whole country of Judea, and the inhabitants of Jerufalem flocked into the wildernefs — and all thefe in- numerable crowds were bap- tized by him in the river Jor- dan, confcifrng their paft crimes with genuine and un- feigned remorfe, and making the moft deliberate refolutions CO reform their lives. '6 John affedted great mor- tification and aufterity of man- ners — v/earing a coarle gar- ment made ofcamels hair, and a 2;irdle Chap, i, hy M a girdle of leather — feeding on locufts, and the honey that he met with in the woods^f 7 This prophet made this rnoft folemn and public pro- clamation to all that vaft mul- titude that reforted to him — There is coming, faid he, ^nd will fpeedily appear a' di- vine perfonage of a charafter and dignity infinitely fuperi- pur to what I am in veiled with, and for whom I am not worthy to ftoop to perform the meaneft office.,4 8 I have baptized you on- ly with water, but this divine meffenger will baptize and endue you with the gifts of the holy fpirit. j| §— 9 While John v/as thus employed in the duties of his miniftry, Jefus himfelf came among others from Na- zereth, and was baptized by him in Jordan. 1 ID But the moment he came out of the water, he law the fky open, and the holy fpirit defcended upon him with the rapidity of a dove : "^ 1 1 And at the fame time, thefe words v/ere diftindlly articulated from the clouds — Thou art my beloved fon, the objedl of my fondeil af- fections ! \. % — 12 Sooi^ after this, Je- fus in a prophetic dream fan- A R K. 107 cicd himfelf tranfported into a dreary wildernefs : 1 3 And in this horrid and folitary defart, he thought he lived among wild beafts, de- prived of food for forty days — during all which fpace, Sa- tan praftifed every art to fe- duce him from his duty — • but at the expiration of this period, he thought, the an- gels came and gave him re- ire fhmient. § — 14 After John's im- prifonment, Jefus travelled in- to Galilee, publifliing thejoy- ful news that the kingdom of the MefTiah was going to be erecEled, 15 and making public pro- clamation, wherever he went, that the time fixed by the pro- phets was elapfed — that the grand revolution under the Mefliah would very foon take place — folemnly admonifhing all to repent and amend their lives, and to credit the joyful news he then communicated. § 16 Walking along the fliore of the lake of Ga- lilee, lie faw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who were Hllicrmen, and happened then to be calling a net into the lake. 1 7 Jefus called to them and faid — Follow me, and I will in(lru6l you to catch a nobler prey — to drav/ men from the waves of fin and mifery. 18 Imme- 1 8 Immediately upon this authoritative invitation they deferted all they had, and joined themlelves to him. 19 Advancing a little far- ther on the beach he law, in a fifhing veffel, two other bro- thers, James and John, the fons of Zebedee, diligently employed in repairing their nets. 20 Thefe he alfo called, and invited to follow him — Upon which they likewife did not hefitate a moment, but left their father and the fer- vants, and became his com- panions. § — 21 With thefe atten- dants he entered the city Ca- pernaum on the fabbath day, and going dire6lly into a place of public worfhip, in- ftrufted the people v/ho were there affembled. 22 And the whole* audi- ence were allonifhed at the fublimity of his dodtrines — for he taught them, not in the trifling, carelefs, jejune manner of the Jewilh clergy, but like one who was invelt- cd with a divine commifTion and authority. 2 3 There was in that aflem- bly a perfon, who was at times afflifled with madnefs, and a fit of diftradion happening then to ftize him, 24 he cried out — Let us alone, thou Jcius of Naza- T^he Hillory of Jesus Chap. 1. reth-— what concern hafl thou with us- — I know very well who thou art — --thou art a di- vine prophet. 25 Jefus then authorita- tively commanded the rao;inor diieafe to quit him immedi- ately. 26 Upon which, tho' the man was now in the midfl of terrible convulfions, and was roaring in a wild and fright- ful manner, he was inftanta- neoufly reftored to his reafon and underftanding. 27 At the fight of this ftu- pendous miracle they were all ftruck with the laft aftoniih- ment, and faid one to ano- ther — What amazing power is here exerted ! What divine inflruftions hath he juft deli- vered \ By what irrefiftible en- ergy hath he removed the molt abftinate and inveterate difeafes ! 28 His fame was accord- ingly foon celebrated in all the country around Galilee. §-r— 29 When the public fervice was aver \ he went di- redly into the houfe where Simon and Andrew lived, at- tended with James and John : 30 Upon his entrance he was told, that Simon's mo- ther in law was confined to her bed by a violent fever : 31 Upon this information lie went into her room — took her by the hand — raifed her up — and Chap. 1. 3y M A R li. 109 — - — and immediately every I them alfo the joyful news of fymptom vanifhed — fhe got I the Mefliah's kingdom — for up in perfedt health, and provided entertainment for them. 32 In the evening when the fun was down, they brought to him great numbers of un- happy objedts, diftrefled with a variety of dreadful dilbr- ders : 33 So vafl was the multi- tude, that the whole city feemed to be colleded around the houfc. 34 All this variety of dif- eales he cured inflantaneoully 1 — reftored to the ufe of their iiitellefls many perfons la- bouring under madnefs, and fufFered not the dift rafted to publiih his charafter by any wild and noify exclamations. § — ^5 The next day he rofe a confiderable time be- fore the morning dawned, and privately withdrew into a folitary retreat, to offer up his devotions to God. 36 As foon as his abfence was dilcovered, Simon and his other attendants went in fearch of him. 37 When they found him, they defired he would return and told him that there were prodigious crowds ex- pelling him. 38 He replied — The other neighbouring towns claim my regards — I muft impart to 4 I was fent to diffufe inftruc- tion and happinefs to all. 39 Accordingly through- out the whole region of Ga- lilee he taught in all their reli- gious afiemblies, and healed the mod inveterate difeafes. § 40 Among others, a perfon infeded with leprofy, approached him with reve- rence, and proftrated himfelf at his feet, imploring him to commiferate his unhappy con- dition : 41 Such a dreadful fpec- tacle affedlcd Jefus with the tendereil fympathy — extend- ing his hand, therefore, he faid, as he touched him — I am willing to relieve thee — be thy cure this moment compleated : 42 He had no fooner pro- nounced the words, but the leprofy vanifhed and his flelh appeared in a found and per- fcd flate : 43 He then, having pe- remptorily charged him not to divulge it, immediately difmified him, 44 and fiid — acquaint no perfon, on any account, with thy miraculous cure — but go direftly and prefent thyfelf to the prieft, in order that he may examine and pronounce thee healthy — and offer thole facriuces to God, which the law no T!he Hiftory of J e s u S Chap, ii* law prefcribes upon this oc- cafion : 45 But the man was fo Iranlported with gratitude, that as foon as he was gone from his preience, he began to pubhili every where the miuGculous cure that he had juft been blefied v;ith — fothat the admiration of the public was fo univerfally excited that he could not appear in any of the cities in that region, but withdrew into folitary and unfrequented places, where great numbers reforted to him trom all parts. CHAP. II. t Q O M E time after, Jefus »«^ came again to Caper- naum — but it was no fooner reported that he was in a cer- tain family, 2 than immediately a vaft concourfe of people gathered about the houfc, fo that the court before the door was quite full of people-— to thefe he delivered an inflrudlive difcourfe. 3 While he was preaching to this crowded audience, a number of men defigned to bring to him an helplefs pa- ralytic, fuppotted by four perfons : 4 But when they found they could not come near him on account of the prodigious crowds, they afcended the ftairs on the outfide of the houfe — took off fome of the tiles, in order to force open the trap door that was in the roof- and thro' this door they let down with cords the couch, on which the mifer- able paralytic lay : 5 Jefus, when he faw the unhappy creature defcend in this manner, confcious of the faith which they repofed in his miraculous power, faid to him — Son, all the fins, which you have hitherto committed, are from this moment ex- punged. 6 When fome of the Pha- rifees, who fat in the room where he was, heard thefe expreffions, their hearts fe- cretly fuggefted the following fentiments 7 What horrid blafphemy hath this perfon juft uttered! — What impious profanenefs for him to arrogate a power, which belongs folely to God! — none but He can forgive fin. 8 Jefus who perfe(5lly kne\^? the human mind, and every fentiment that pafi"ed thcrc^ turned to them and faid — Why do you permit your hearts to indulge and dictate fuch invidious th.oughts } o For which is cafieft, I appeal to you, to forgive his fins, or by a word to make this Chap.il. hy M this miferable wretch, whom you fee enervated and fhak- ing with the palfy, to rife, to take up his couch on his ilioul- ders, and walk home. 10 I will give you an evi- dent demonftration that the fon of man is endowed with power on earth to forgive fin — Having faid this he turned to the paralytic, 11 and faid to him — Rife — - take up thy couch — and walk home : 12 That moment he found himfelf nerved with ftrength ■ — he inflantly rofe up — threw his couch upon his fhouldcrs — and carried it through the crowd — fo that all who were fpe(5lators of this fa6l were ftruck with the laft aftonifli- ment, and with devout gra- titude adored God, unani- moufiy declaring — That no age, or nation, ever faw fuch miraculous power difplayed ! § — 13 After this he a- gain left the town, and went along the fhore of the lake, whither the multitude follow- ed him, to whom he deliver- ed important and ufeful in- ftruclion. 14 Advancing farther, he ARK, III pafTed by the collector's of- fice, where he faw Matthew the fon of Alpheus fitting, whom he invited to follow him — upon which he imme- diately left his employment, and joined the red of his at- tendants. 1 5 This perfon invited Je- fus and his difciples to an en- tertainment, which he had provided at his houfe — at which there were many col- lectors and other perfons of immoral charafters, v.'ho fat down with Jefus and his fe- led; companions. 16 When the Scribes and Pharifees faw him eating with perfons of fuch profligate lives, they faid to his difciples — What induces your mailer to aflbciate with men guilty of fuch notorious and fcanda- lous immoralities P. 1 7 Jefus overhearing their difcourfe, replied — As the healthy have no occafion for the phyfician, but medicine is only of ufe to the indifpof- ed— fo my defign in coming into the world was not to in-* vite the virtuous— thefe are fuch already as I am defirous they fhould be — but to en- p Thefe collectors of tribute were univet-fally detefted in all the Roman provinces on account of their intolerable oppreflion and unfeelino- crueltr. " Mithridates made an incurfion into Alia, which then fufFered intole- rable miferles from the ufurers and publicans, who feized and devoured every perfon's property like fo many infatiable harpies." Plutarch Lu- ' " p. 921. cull. ()ob. See alio a iliocking account of their iniquities gag^ 112 T^he Hiil:ory of Jesus Chap. il. gage profligate finners to re- pentance and amendment of life. § 1 8 About this time the dijciples of John and of the Pharifces came to Jefus in a body and faid — Why do John and the Pharifees enure their difciples to fuch fevere mortification and rigid aulte- rities — while you permit your difciples to indulge thcmlelves in fo free and unreftrained a manner ? 19 Jefus replied — Can the friends and companions of the bridegroom fait, and mace- rate their bodies, during the days of nuptial feftivity and joy — while the bridegroom is with them, it would be highly improper and prepof- terous to pra6life the rigours of abftinence, and to indulge the gloom of melancholy : 20 The time, however, will foon come, when the bride- orroom fhall be violently torn from them then fliall the days of their mourning and melancholy commence. 21 But for me to enjoin a number of fevere and painful obfervances upon my difci- ples, who have been educa- ted in the manner they have been, and but lately embrac- ed my caufe, would induce them immediately to abandon and defert me, and would be a conduct: as imprudent and abfurd as for a man to join a large piece of ftron^ new cloath to an old and oolbletc garment which would only contribute to make it tear the worfe : 22 Or, for me to impofe a courle of rigid auflerities up- on my difciples, would be as incongruous and fatal, as for a man to put new wine into old fkins % by the fermen- tation of which the fkins would be burft and the liquor fpilt — and as men, that they may incur no detriment, pru- dently put new wine into new fkins : fo the fame difcreet treatment is requifite to pre- ferve my difciples inviolably fteady and attached to me. § — 23 It happened about this time, that as Jefus was walk- ing through ibme corn fields, his difciples plucked Ibme of the ears as they pafied along. 24 The Pharifees, who were prefent, conceived violent in- dignation at their conduft, and laid to Jefus — Do you not obferve tiie behaviourof your difciples — Why do you fuffer them thus to violate the fa- cred duties of the fabhath ? 25 To tliefe remonftrances • onei' 5'j (ppom, KrtpTcj; dcvp)i?, MvM tv ttiyiKf. Homer. 11. r. 246, 247. Jefui by Mar i^. Chap. iii» Jellis anlwered — Have you forgot whac David did on a fimilar occafion, when he and his attendants felt the keen fenfations of hunger ? 26 Do you not remem- ber, that in Abiathar the prieft's time he went into the houfe of God, and refrefhed himfelf and his men with the facred bread, which it is high- ly impious forany, but priells, to tafte. 27 The fabbath, he told them, was defigned to fub- ferve the interefts and happi- nefs of man — and not man in cafes of urgent neceflity to be mifcrable rather than violate it. 28 He added moreover — that the ion of man was em- powered to fuperfede that fe- verity and rigour in the obfer- vation of the fabbath, which theirfuperllition had impofed. CHAP. III. 1 'T'^HERE was in that -»■ religious alTembly, into which he entered, a man who had a withered hand. 2 This incident foon ex- cited all the attention of the Phariiees as it was the fab- bath day — flattering them- fclves that if he fhould cure this perfon, it would afford them ample foundation for Vol. I. fperfi- their calumnies and ons. 3 When Jefus faw this un- happy fpeftacle, he bad him (land up in the midil of the congregation. 4 He turned then to the Pharifees and faid — Whether is it lawful on the fabbath day to perform anions of bene- volence, or of malevolence — to fave or to deilroy life ? — They kept a fullen filence. 5 Jefus looking round a- bout, and filled with indig- nation and grief at the deter- mined malice and incorrigible obft^nacy that lurked in their hearts, ikid to the man — -Ex- tend thy hand — he extended it — and it was inftantly reftor- ed to as perfed a ftate as the other. 6 The Pharifees then quit- ted the place— and immedi- ately formed a confederacy with the Herodians to murder him. 7 Jefus, knowing their fanguinary intentions, pri- vately withdrew with his dil- ciplcs to the lake — whither there refortedprodig^ious mul- titudes of people from all parts of Judea, particularly from Gahiee, 8 from Jerufalem, from Idumea, and from the coun- tries that lay beyond Jordan. Vaft crowds came even as tar I as ^he Hiftory of Jesus J14 as from the fnrrounds of Tyre and Sidcn, attraded by the fame of his miracles, which had penetrated into thofe re- mote parts. 9 Jefus was fo incommod- ed by the tumultuous conflu- ence of this innumerable mul- titude, that he was obliged to order his difciples to get a boat ready. I o For tliofe who laboured under any maladies were fo impatient to have them re- moved, and preflTed with luch violence to touch him, that he was in danger of being o- verwhelmed and beat down by their impetuofity. I I Of theie he cured vaft numbers — But thofe who were affli6led with madnefs no foon- Tavv him, but they cried er hou out in wild diftradion — 1 art the fon of God 1 12 But thele public pro- fcfuons Jefus induftrioully fupprelTedand filenced, know- ing the pernicious confe- qutnces that would immedi- ately arifefrom his approving and afluming fuch a title. § — 13 About this time he afcended an hill, and feledcd from among the crowd twelve perfons, whofe difpofitions he was perfeftly acquainted with — who, according ar. they were nominated, went up to him. I A. Thefc he chufc to be Chap, ill, his infeparable companions, and the conftant witnefies of his adions, and to publifh the joyful news of the fpeedy e- reclion of the Mefliah's king- dom. 15 To thefe he defigned to impart miraculous powers, and to enable to cure the moft ft ub born and inveterate dif- eafes. 16 Their names were Si- mon, whom he afterwards called Peter : 17 James and John the fons of Zebedee, whom he diftinguiihed by the name of Boanerges, which fignifies, the fons of thunder : 18 Andrew, Philip, Bar- tholomew, Matthew, Thomas, and another James, the fon of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Ifcariot, who afterwards in fo perfidious a manner betrayed him — Thefe twelve foon after accompa- nied him to a certain family. 20 But they were no fooner entered, than they were fur- rounded with fuch a tumul- tuous concourfe of people, as rendered it impoflible for them to get any refrefhment. 21 hiis friends who were in the houfe hearing the con- fufed clamour, and feeing the tumult and vehemence that was ufed on this occafion to gain accefs to him, could not forbear Chap. iii. by forbear declaring that they thought the mob v/as i'eized with diftraclion and madneis, and went out to reilrain "^ and pacify them. § — 22 The Scribes and Pharifees, who were come down from Jerufalem, being witnefies of the miraculous cures which he wrought at o this time, faid — No wonder that he performs fuch feats, for he is a confederate with Beelzebub, the fupreme fo- vereign of the daemons. 23 Jefus immediately ad- dreffed himfelf to them and expofed the abfurdity of their reafoning, in the following manner— Is it reafonable to think that Satan would com- bine with any perfon to lelfen his own power, and deftroy his own interefts ? 24 If any kingdom is torn by inteftine faftions and di- vifions, it cannot be of any long duration. 25 Or if internal difcord and animofities are fomented in any family, it is impoffible for that family to continue for any confiderable time in a Piourifhing condition. 26 By a parity of reafon therefore it follows, that to iuppofe me to be in a confe- deracy with Satan, is to fup- M A R K. 115 pofe that Satan would kindle an infurreclion in his own em- pire, and voluntarily contri- bute to its ruin and dilTolu- tion. 2 7 You ought rather to con- clude, that I am polfeficd of power greatly fuperiour to that of this infernal prince — fince no one would dare forcibly to enter the houfe of a ilrong mi-.n and plunder it, unlefs he knew himfelf to be endu- ed with ftrength that would enable him to bind and con- fine him, while he pillaged it. 28 I folemnly afilire you, the moft atrocious crimes that men fhall perpetrate, and the moft opprobrious calumnies that they fliall utter, fhall be forgiven them upon fincere and unfeigned repentance : 29 But he who fhall wil- fully infult and fatyrize the miraculous operations of God, by afcribing them to the a- gency of dsemons, refiPcs the greateit evidence that the wif- dom of God hath thought proper to exhibit before men, and is confequently preclud- ed from the divine forgivenefs, and will finally incur everlaft- mg deftruclion. 30 This he faid, becaufe they imputed his miracle^ s Cimon reftrained and reduced the licentioufnefs 'of the populace, SnfATi/ K^^i c-vnahhi tov J^n^oy* Plutarch Cimon. p. 891. Steph. I 2 . to ii6 The Hiftory of Jesus Chap. {y. to a confederacy with Beelze- bub. § — 31 About this time his mother and liis brothers came to the place where he was, but being prevented by the furrounding multitude from approaching him, defir- cd that they would inform him of their arrival. 32 Someofthepeople,there- fore, acquainted him that his inother and his brothers were (landing on the outfide of the crowd and wanted to fpeak to him. 33 When he heard this, he replied — Who is my mo- ther? Who are my brothers ? 34 Then looking upon the circle of his difciples, who were fitting around him, with pathetic tcndernefs, he faid See here is my mother ! See here are my brothers! 0,^ For whofoever fincerely and conftantly obeys the will of God, is united to me in the ftrongeft bonds of tlie moft endearing affedion. CHAP. IV. I TT E removed again to *^ the fide of the ialcc, where fuch an immenfe mul- titude of people coUefted round him, that he found it neceflary to go aboard a vef- fel, and from the deck to de- liver his difcourfcs to the crowd as they ftood on the rifing beach. 2 Judging it proper to convey his public inilrudi- ons in the vehicle of fiftion, he now addreflfed to them the following fable. 3 An hufbandman went to low his ofrounds : 4 And Icattering the feed promifcuoufly in every direc- tion, fome chanced to light upon the hard beaten patii, which the feathered tribes colledling in great flocks, and impelled by hunger, inftant- ly picked up : 5 Some fell upon rocks that were juft covered with a thin flight furface of foil — which immediately fliot up, as there was no depth of mould, into which it might be admitted : 6 But no fooner was the fun rifen and begun to aflail it with its fcorching beams, but being dellitute of roots, it dwindled and died : 7 Some fell among weeds — which fliooting their rank luxuriant tops over it, choak- ed and killed it : 8 Others fell upon good foil — in whofe genial bofoni being foflered and nouriflicd, it blefilrd the huflDandman with a rich and copious har- veft. 9 He concluded this apo- logue with faying — Let every one, Chap. Iv. by M one, who is endowed with the powers of reafon and imder- Itanding, employ them in the diligent ftudy of truth and virtue. §; — lo When he had re- cited this fable, his difciplcs, who flood round him, de- fired him in private to favour them with the explication of it. 1 1 He replied — Your vir- tuous and docile difpofitions entitle you to an unrcferved acquaintance with the pecu- liar truths and difcoveries of the gofpel difpenfation — but with regard to the mixed mul- titude, who are Handing on the fhore, their prejudices make it necefTary for me to throw over naked truth the veil of fiftion. 12 For the moral difpofi- tions of the prefent age are exad'ly thofe defcribed by Efaiah in the following paf- fage — " They fee the moft fignal proofs of divine power, yet are not convinced — they hear reports of the moft illui- trious miracles, but give them no credit — and lufFer not the moft ftriking evidence to af- feft them in fuch a manner as to make them reform their vices and qualify them for the divine forgive nefs." 13 He then faid to them — If you are not able to find ou^ the meaning of this eafy A R K. 117 \ and perfpicuous fimilitude, how much lefs will you be able to underftand others more obfcure and intricate ? 14 He then gave them the following explanation By the fower is denoted the fon of man by the feed his doc- rine : 15 By the hard beaten path are repreiented thofe, on whom the truths and doc- trines of the gofpel are able to make no lading imprefli- ons, and who yield up their principles an eafy prey to the firft adverfary, who attacks them : 16 By the rocks (lightly covered with foil are intended thofe, who are immediately ftruck with the evidence of chriftianity as foon as propof- ed to them, and embrace it with eager tranfport — 17 — but having no native good nefs of heart, into which its principles may.ftrike root, their convi6lions prove tem- porary and tranfient — for no fooner does any perfecution affail them for their religion, but they immediately re- nounce it with contempt : 18 The feed that fell a- mong weeds indicates thofe, who efpoufe the dodlrine of the gofpel, 19 but worldly anxiety, the infatiable luft of gold, and a raging habitual pafllon for I 3 fenllial Il8 ne Hiftory fenfual gratifications, by their baleful influence choak the principles of virtue, intercept all nourifhment from it, and kill it before it hath attained to its maturity : 20 The good and gener- ous foil correfponds to the genuine probity and native honefty of thofe who impar- tially examine the evidences of the gofpel, have their minds open to conviction, fuffer its truths to influence their con- du6t, and bring forth the fruits of righteoulhefs accord- ing to their refpedive abilities and different opportunities. 21 He moreover faid to them. The knowledge, which I impart to you in pri- vate, you are freely to com- municate to others — for men do not light a lanip with a dcfign to (hut it up in a vef- fel, but to fet it in fome con- fpicuous place to flicd its ufe- ful beams around. 2 2 Let the facred truths, therefore, in which I inftrud you in private, be publickly divulged to the world, and let mankind profit from thofe ufcful leflbns, which have been dilated to you in fe- crefy and folitude. of Jesus Cllap, iv, 23 And be careful to at- tend with diligence to the doctrines I deliver to you. 24 For let me aifure you, that your own flock of know- ledge and happinefs fhall be augmented in proportioa to your generous defire and pro- penfity to communicate in-i fl:rudlion toothers. 25 For he, who hath by af- fiduous culture already gain- ed any meafures of knowledge, fliail receive a greater and no- bler acceflion to his prefent fund — but he who fufters his mind to rufl: in floth and in- dolence, will in time forfeit thofe very improvements that he may have already made. § — 26 He afterwards de- livered the following parable to the aflfembled multitude — The gofpel difpenfation may be compared to an huf- bandman, v.ho fows his ground. 2 7 The feed committed to the foil, after a few fuccef- fions of day and night, im- perceptibly vegetates — peeps above the furface — fprings higher and higher '. 28 For the earth's genial bofom fpontaneoufly pro- duces, jirff the verdant blade ' Seminis modo fpargenda funt, quod quamvis fit exiguum, cum oc- Cupavit Jdoneum locum, vires fuas explicat et ex minimo in maximos audus diffunditur. Senecae Qpcra, Epifl. 38. p. 295. Ed. Amft. then Chap. iv. by M " — then the ear — afterwards the fwelling grain, gradually filling the ear. 29 When the harvcft ap- proaches, and it is arrived at its maturity, it is reaped and collected inco the barn. § — 30 By whatfimilitude, faid he again, fhall I repre- fent the gol'p-l dilpeniation ? 3 1 It may be fitly compar- ed to a Tingle grain of muf- tard feed, which is one of the fmalleil feeds that any plant produceth : 32 but when committed to the ground, it becomes the talleft of the vegetable tribe — for it ihoots up a tail and {lately ftem -throws out large luxuriant branches, cloathed with a foliage thick and ample enough to afford fhade and llieker to the fowls of heaven. 33 Many fuch fables as thefe he recited to the multi- tude, from a tendernefs to tlieir prepoffefijons and weak- nelies, which would not have permitted them, all at once, to receive plain and undif- guifed truths. l£~ 34 From a confcioufnefs, therefore, of the tempers and difpofitions of his audience, he conftantly conveyed his public inftruvftions in the ve- hicle of fidbion — but after- wards in private he gave the explication %o his dilciples. ARK. 119 § — '2S ^N" the evening he ordered his dilciples to row to the other fide of the lake. ^6 Havingdilmiifed, there- fore, the multitude, they fer- ried him in the boat, out of which he had lately been de- livering his difcourfes, in company with fome other boats. ^y But in their paflage it fuddenly blew a dreadful Itorm, which beat the billows into the boat, lb that it wajs aim oft filled with water. 38 In this imminent dan- ger he was at the flern, funk in profound fleep — -His difci- ples, alarmed for their fafety, immediately waked him and faid— TiVJ after ! can you be (o unconcerned when we are this moment all ofoins; to be fwal- lowed up in the deep ! 39 He rofe, and v/ith an authoritative voice faid to the winds — be ftill — and to the waves — 'Ceafe your roaring— The words were no fooner uttered, than not the leaft whifper of air was heard, and the furface of the lake became fmooth as glafs. 40 He then laid to his d if- ciples — Why do you fuffer yourfelves to be overcome with fuch vain terrours — after fo many proofs as I have given you of miraculous power, why do you ftill diftruft it "i 41 All who were wUneiTes I 4 Qf 120 HJje Hiftory of Jesus Chap. v. of fo amazing a fpectacle were flruck with awful reverence and horrour, and Taid one to another — What aftonifliing power is heredifplayed ! What divine perfonage is this,\vhofe ibvereign mandate controuls the ftormy winds and tempef- tuous lea ! CHAP. V. 1 npHEYcroiTed the lake •^ and landed in the country of the Gadarenes. 2 But he had no fooner quittedthevciTel, than he faw a demoniac rulhing from the tombs, and furiouily running to meet him. 3 This mifcrable objeft lived and ranged among the gloomy fepulchres of the dead • — for in his fits of diftradion his fury and ftrength were fo violent, that no art or force could bind him. 4 For there had been fre- quent attempts made to con- fme him in ilrong chains and fetters, but he always burft his irons, and tore his bonds aflinder — fo that his fury and ciidraction baffled all human power to reftrain and fubdue it. 5 Day and niglit was he conftantly wandering on the mountains, or roving among tiie monuments — roaring — toaming — and mangling his body with flones, 6 This man being at a confiderable diftance from Jefus, no fooner dele ricdhimx, but he run with the utmoft precipitation to him, and pro- ftrated himfelf at his feet. 7 He then cried with a loud and horrible vociferation — O Jefus, thou fon of the I'upreme God ! — what bufi- nefs hall thou with me — I beg and conjure thee for God's fake that thou wouldefl not torment me. 8 He entreated thus im- portunately, becaufe Jefus commanded ths dsmon to quit him. 9 Jefus afked the man his name — My name, laid he, is Legion — for a legion of d Si- mons is within me ! 10 The wretch then began in a frantic flrain to expoftu- late, and to implore in thpeft and towards morning advanced towards them, walking on the furfacc of the billows, and leemed as if he intended to pafs by them, 49 They 128 49 They feeing an human form gliding with llifpcnded fteps over the furface of the deep, believed it was an ap- parition, and were chilled with horrour. 50 For all who were in the boat faw him and were ilruck with extreme terrour — Jefus then called to them, told them his name, and bid them difpel their fears. 51 He then went to them on board — but the moment he was in the vefTel, the lake became fmooth, and the loud itorm was hufhed — a fpefta- cle, that filled them with ex- cefTive aftoniHim.ent and ad- >Tiiration. 52 For the' they had fo lately feen the miraculous multiplication of the loaves, their grois underilandings had not yet taught them to form worthy and adequate conceptions of his divine pow- er. 53 When they had crolTed the lake, they landed in the country of Genefaret. 54 But no fooner were they difembarked, but the inhabi- tants of that region immedi- ately knew him. 55 And numbers flocked to him from all the adjacent country, carrying the fick in litters to the feveral places which they heard he vifited. " ^6 And wherever Ke tra- T/je Hiftory of J esv s Chap, vli* yelled, whether into cities, towns or country villages, they depofited the fick in the ftrcets through which he paf- fed imploring the favour only to touch his cloaths — and all that touched him in- ftantaneoufly received a per- fe6l cure. CHAP. VII. I C O M E Pharifees and ^ Scribes who came from Jerufalem compofed part of the crowd that now furround- ed him. 2 Who happening to fee ibme of his dilciples fit down to meat, without that cere- monious wafhing of hands which they univerfaily enjoin- ^ ed, exclaimed againfl their,,} pollution and profanenefs. nx 3 For the Pharifees and the whole body of the Jews, from a confcientious adhe- rence to the traditions of their anceftors, never eat a meal without firfl wafliing their hands with the mofl fcrupu- lous nicety. 4 When they came like- wife from the market or from any concourfe of people they never eat before they have wafhed their hands — thinking by this ablution they wipe otf any pollution they may have contradled — There are alfo many other ceremonies of the ■ like Chap, vlu by M like nature which they ftridly observe, as the formal walh- iiig of their cups, their pots, their kettles,and their couches. 5.The Pharifees and Scribes, therefore, chagrined at fo pro- fane a fpe6lacle, faid to him — Why do you fuffer your difciples to eat in fuch pol- lution, and to call fuch con- tempt upon thofe lacred ob- lervances that have been tranf- mitted to us from our pious anceftors ? 6 He replied — ^Ye hypo- crites ! Efaiah hath given a mofl accurate defcription of your real charaflers in the following paffage — " Thefe dilfembling wretches ap- proach me with a fair exter- nal Ihow of religious folemni- ty and devotion, while their hearts are replete with the moft enormous and atrocious wickednefs — 7 All their zealous and extravagant fervours for my fervice and worfhip are no- thing but mere diflimulation and vain pretence while they are conftantly inculcat- ing the neceflity of a pun6li- lious compliance with all the ceremonious prefcripticn.s of weakandfuperilitiousperfons, and teaching men to difparage the moral duties of the lav/." 8 For you pay a fcrupu- lous attention to the ridicu- lous tenets and injundlions of Vol. I. ARK. 129 your anceftors, in wafhing cups, pots, kettles, and in little ceremonious obfervan- ces of the like trifling nature but v/holly difregard the exprefs declarations of the great God. 9 You have even fuffered, he told them, thefe abfurd and ufelefs traditions to can- cel and iuperfede the mofl plain and folemn commands of the Almighty. 10 For example, Mofes enjoins every perfon to ho- nour his father and his mo- ther — and orders every one, who violates this fundamen- tal and important law, to be condemned to death. 1 1 But in dire61: oppofiti- on to this exprefs command, you fay That if any man bequeath his fortune to the fervice of the temple, 12 from that mom.ent he ceafes to be under any obli- gation at all to relieve the moil prefiing wants of his aged and neceflitous parents. 1 3 It is by thefe wicked inventions and other fuperfti- tious prefcriptions of a fimilir nature, that you abfolutely annul the primary and folemn injunftions of God. 14 Jekis then publickly ad- dreOed himfelf to the popu- lace, and faid — 1 defire your diligent attention to wiiac I ani going to remark. K ir It 13^ T^he Hiftory o/* Jesus Chap.vii- 15 It is not any thing ex- ternal that can communicate any pollution to a man — pol- lution Iblely arifes ffojn in- ternal caufes. . ,t,-,w 16 He who is dcfirous of inftru<5lion, let him carefully attend to this obfervation. 17 When he was retired from the multitude into an houfe, the difciples came to him, and dcfired he would explain to them thofe figu- rative expreflions he had juft ufcd. 18 He anfwered — Do not you comprehend the mean- ing of fo eafy and familiar a metaphor? — can any thing be more evident than that the food which a perfon receives does not conftitute moral pol- lution in the fight of God ? J 9 The food we eat is taken into the ftomach for the nou- rifhment and fupport of ani- mal nature, and hath not the leaft effeft on the moral tem- per and difpofition of the heart. 20 Impurity can only be caufed by the internal frame md habit of the mind. 21 For from the heart, which is the Iburce and feat ©f adion, originally proceed wicked defigns, adultery, whoredom, murder, 22 theft, avarice, oppref- fion, fraud, luO, cnv7, ca- kunny, pride, obftinacy. 23 All thefe hateful vices are firll formed in the heart, and being derived from it, folely conftitutc moral contart mination and uncleanncfs. § — 24 Leaving that coun- try he removed to the con- fines of Tyre and Sidon, where he privately retired into an houfe, being defirous to con- ceal himfeif fome time from the importunity of a tumul- tuous crowd — but in vain. 25 For a woman of that country, who had heard his fame celebrated, having a daughter who was infane, ap- proached him, and fell at his feet. 26 This woman, who was a Syrophenician by birth, fupplicated him, in the molt afi-e6ting and importunate manner, to deliver her child from fuch a dreadful malady, 27 Jefus laid to her — The children ought firft of all to be fatisfied — for it is not pro- per to take that food, which was defigned for the children, and throw it to dogs. 28 I acknowledge, vSir, fhe faid, the reaibnablencfs of what you alledge but yet the dogs are allowed to pick up the crumbs that fall from the children's plenteous ta- ble. 29 Jefus, ftruck with pleaf- ing admiration at this anfwcr, laid to her — Go, and be aflur- Chap.viil. by M ed that your daughter's dif- order is expelled. 30 She haftened home, and found her daughter reclining on the couch, perfectly re- ftored to the ufe of her un- derftanding and reafon. § — 3^ Quitting the vi- cinity of Tyre and Sidon, he returned' in his way to the Jake of Galilee, through the region of Decapolis. 32 Where they brought to him a man, who was both deaf and had an impediment in his fpeech, entreating him that he would deign to lay his hand upon him. 33 Taking the man, there fore, a little way out of the crowd into a private place, he put his fingers into his ears, and touched his tongue with his fpittle: 34 Then lifting his eyes to heaven, and having uttered a pious ejaculation, he faid to the man- — Receive the facul- ties of hearing and fpeech. 3^ The moment he pro- nounced thefe words, his hearing was perfeftly reilor- ed, and he fpokc plainly and diftindlly. 36 He then peremptorily charged the man's friends who were fpe6tators of this miracle, not to report it — but notwithftanding this ilri6t in- jundion they publifhQ.d it e- very where, ARK. I^I 37 being flruck with inex- preiTible admiration at the wonderful power he exerted, and at the beneficence of all his miracles, crying out— ^^ — • What an heavenly bencfador is this ! With what divine be- nevolence does he corifult the eafe and happinels of the wretched, by healing theirin- firmities, and removing their dlftempers ! C M A P. VIII. I A BOUT this time an •^^ immenfe multitude of people being gathered a- bout him, and entirely defti- tute of provifions,' Jelli^ cal- led his difciples together in a body and faid to them, 2 I feel myfelf greatly af- fedcd with the unhappy con- dition of this vad aflembly, who have attended me three days in a place where it is im- poffible for them to procure any accommodations. ■ 3 And if I Ibould order them to difperfe, numbers will undoubtedly faint on the road, who are at a confider- abledillancefrom their homes. 4 His difciples replied — • How is it poffible for us to provide victuals for fuch a pro- digious concourfe of people, in lb dreary and difmal a fo- litude ? 5 He afked them, how K 2 many T ^■'9 The Hillory many loaves they had — They told him, leven. 6 He then, ordering all the crowd to recline on the grais, took the loaves — blei- led God — broke — gave them to his dilciples — and ordered them to dilpenie them among the multitude. 7 They had likewii'e a few fmall fiflies — which with pi- ous acknowledgement he alio broke, and ordered to be dil- tributed in the iame manner. 8 By his miraculous mul- tiplication of thefe, the whole multitude partook of a plen- tiful repaft — fo plentiful, that the fragments, which were afterwards collefled, filled fe- ven bafkcts. 9 The number of thofe, who were thus entertained, amounted to about four thou- fand — After they were all fa- tisfied, he difmifTed them. § — lo Whf.n the multi- tude was difperfed, he and his difciples croITed over the lake of Galilee, and landed on the coaft of Dalmaniuha. 1 1 After his arrival here, fome Pharifees who were come down from Jerufalem, in a debate with him challenged him to give them fome fignal proof of his miraculous power, and to convince them of the authority and truth of his prctenfions by fome grand luminous prodigy in the fky. of Jesus Chap. viir. 12 Confcious of their de- termined refolution to reject the greatell evidence he could exhibit before them, he fetch- ed a profound figh, and faid — Why doth the prefent ge- neration, after the many mi- racles that have been wrought, demand from me a prodigy in the air — Tiieir unreafonable and perverfe humours (hall not be indulged with any fuch pha^nomenon. 1 3 With this anfwer he \tix. them — and croffed over the lake again. 14 In t'leir pafiage, the difciples recollefted that they had forgot to furnifli them- felves with provifions — hav- ing none with them in the boat, except one loaf. 15 It happened, during their perplexity, that Jcfus admonifhed them cautioufly to avoid the corrupt leaven of the Pharifees and- of Herod. 1 6 They no fooner heard him mention leaven — but they faid one to another — This un- queftionably is defigned to reprove us for our negligence in forgetting to carry bread with us. 1 7 Jefus, confcious of their fentiments, faid to them Why do you diftrefs your- felves witii thcfe anxious thoughts, becaufe you have omitted to brinijr bread alono; with you — are you itill lo in- confi- Chap. vlii. hy M confiderate ? — is your heart ftill unfufceptible of imprel- •iions ? 18 Endowed with the powers of judgment and un- derftanding, are you fo averfe to employ them in attentive- ly confidering the miracles, with which you are every day converfant ? 19 Did not you lately col- lect twelve bafkets of frag- ments from an entertainment, that I lately furniflied for five thoufand, with only five ioaves ? 20 Did not you fill, at an- other time, feven baflcets with fragments, when I di'l:ribut- icd only feven loaves among four thoufand ? 21 Having, therefore, fuch repeated demonftrations of the power I polTcfs, why are you •fo abfolutely inattentive to it ? § — 22 Upon his landing at Bethfaida, they brought to him a blind man, defiring him only to touch him. c' 23 He then taking the -rJalind man by the hand, and '- condudting him out of the village into a private place, touched his eyes v/ith fpittle, and aflced him, if he could difcern any thing. ..- 24 I can jufi: difcern men, lie faid, but very imperfeftly — they appear to me like walking trees. 25 He then put his hands ARK. 133 upon his eyes, and afterwards alked him to view the obje<5ts that furrounded him — and immediately his fight was per- fectly reftored •, fo that he faw every thing in the mod dif- tin6t manner. 26 He then ordered the man to fteal privately home, without going through the village, or divulging the cure he had received, to any pcr- fon. § — 27 After this, Jefus travelled with his difciples to the towns of CasfareaPhilippi — and on the road he afl<:ed them, what the vulgar re- ports vv-ere concerning him. 28 They replied — fome perfons ailert that you are John the Baptift — others as itrenuouOy contend that you are hiias, or Ibme one of the ant;ent prophets reftored to life. 29 He then ailced them — Whom they imagined him to be ? — Peter anfwered — We believe you to be the true MefTiah. 30 Immediately upon his making this declaration, he peremptorily charged them not to publilh it to the world. 3 I From that time he be- gan to acquaint his difciples with the fcries of miferies he muil go through — that he muft be treated with every indignity, and be publickly K 3 conv ^3+ condemned and murdered by the magiftrates, the higii priefls, and the Scribes — bii't that on the third day he v;oLild rile from the grave. 32 I'hat this would cer- tainly be his fate he now told all his dilciples in the mofV plain and exprefs terms- • Alarmed at fuch a gloomy and unexpedled declaration, Peter took him afide and began to expoftulate with him. 33 But Jefus turned from him, and before the other difciplcs feverely reprehended Peter, faying — You are not confcious, that by diverting me from my fufferings, you would be an enemy to me and to mankind your mind is inflated with am bi- lious views, andcomprehend- pth not the defigns of God. 34 He then called to the multitude to join the circle of his difciples, and faid — r— He who is defirous to become niy genuine difciple and fol- lower, muft for ever abandon all views of worldly ambition and fenfual pleafure, and fhearfuUy fubmit to that courfe of afflictions and iuf- ferings which I have fup- portcd. 35 For whofoever will favc The Hiflory of Jesus Chap. ix. his life, at the expence of his religion and virtue, lliall be eternally deprived of it — -but whofoever fliall chearfuUy llibmit to the lofs of life, ra- ther than facrifice the princi- ples of my religion and the rights of conlcience, (hall be reinilated in the pofifeiTion oJc it, with infinite advantage. .^^ 36 Forof v/hat avail would it be to a man, if he could ac- quire the poffeffion of the whole univerfe, if at laft he forfeits eternal life ! 37 What is it poflible for a man to fubflitute, as an e- quivalent for the lofs of eter- nal lii^- ! 38 Whofoever, therefore, in this debauched and profli- gate age, appears afliamed of my caufe, and rejeds it with contempt — may aflTure him- felf, that he will alfo be re- pulfed by the fon of man, when he combes attended v/ith myriads of angels, and invefl:- ed with the authority and fplendors of fupreme majelfy. Chap.Ix. lAndbeaflTur- ed, that there are fome per- fons now before me, whofhall live to fee the kingdom of God, erefted in the mod powerful and magniflcent manner'. § — 2 About a week after t"!-.^- ]^y ^'5 refurrcflion and afcrnnon, an'^ the communication of fpirirutil pifts on the day of pentecoll. .t this. chap. ijf. by M A R Kl ->^\^ "^l^ fcene fuddenly vaniflicd, and they faw Jefus ftanding alone. 9 As they were defcending the hill Jefus lolemnly charg- ed them, _not upon any ac- count to publiih to the world what they had feen, *till af- ter his reilirredion from the grave. 10 Thefe laft words great- ly puzzled them, and they debated among themfelves, what he cotild mean by the refurre6lion from the grave. 1 1 The difciples then afkr ed him, why the Jewifh clergy aflerted that Elias mufl make his public appearance, as the immediate predecefTor of the MelTiah. 1 2 He replied — Elias was originally deHgned to be the harbinger of the Mefljah, to prepare mens minds for the reception of him — and the MelTiah is, according to the prophecies, to fufferthe great- eft indignities, to be abufed and vilified. 1 3 He told them — the predidions of the fcripture concerning Elias were already verified- — Elias had made his appearaiKe, and they had treated him with the moft wanton infolence and con- tempt. § — 14 When he was come t The word rixCwi' is very expreflive, denoting any $hipg that is.re- markably brilliant and gliitening. tu ouij.a.7t 9i^CsiiJi'f^\i,Tf.M(o7nT&-* Pluc. .4inn!. p. 496. ... K 4 JP this^ Jefus privately conduc- ed Peter, James and John, to the fummit of a very high mountain — where they fud- denly faw his perfon meta- morphofed in a furprifing manner. 3 For iriftantly his cloaths gliftened^ with a brilliancy and luftre infinitely fuperi- our to what the higheft ex- ertions of human art and fkill can produce. 4 After this appeared Mo- fes and Elias, and entered into a conference with him. 5 Peter, tranfported with this amazing fcene, faid to Jefus — How dele(5lable a refidence might v/e fix here ! — - Permit us to ere6l three tents, one for yourfelf, an- other for Mofes, and a third for Elias. 6 He knew not what to fay i — fuch a tumult of aftonifh- ment and fear ftrugo-led in their breafts. 7 At laft they faw a bright lucid cloud defcend and fix di- rectly over their heads — from which they heard the follow- ing fen ten ce folemnly articu- lated — This is my fon, the objeft of my fondeft affec- tions ! Obey his admoni- tions 1 8 After this the whole Hhe Hiftory oj Jesus Chap, ix* to the reft of his difciples, he found them in the circle ot a large multitude, and the Scribes engaged in a confe- rence with them. 15 As icon as the crowd faw him advance towards them, they were ad'onilhed at the fuperiour lullre that fcill adhered to his perfon, and ran with eager impati- ence to falute and embrace him. 16 He then an<;ed the Scribes v/hat fubje6t they were fo warmly agitating ? 1 7 The reaibn of their de- bate, replied one of the mul- titude, is this — I brought to you my fon who is dumb, and otherwife dreadfully af- fliaed. 1 8 For he is fubje6l to ter- rible fits which feizc and con- vulfe him — -in which he lies for a confiderable time foam- ing at the mouth, grinding his teeth, and covered with palenefs, in a frightful man- ner — This horrible difeafe I entreated your difciples to re- move, but they could not. 19 Upon hearing this ac- count, Jefus with great emov tion laid, O incredulous and perverfc age ! how long fhall I he a witnefs of your deter- mined infidelity ! Mow long fhall I bear your incorrigible obftinacy !-r-He then ordered the parent to bring his fon to him : 2 o He was no fooner brought before Jefus, but he was im- mediately feized with flrong convuifions, and dropped down, wallowing, and foam- ing at the mouth. 21 Jelus aflccd the father, how long his fon had been affli6led in this fliocking man- ner — he laid, from a child. 22 And by thefe fits, he added, he is often thrown in- to the fire, and often into the water, whereby his life hath been greatly endangered — • but fmce you are able to eX' pel this dilbrder, have com- panion upon this unhappy creature. 23 Jefus replied — To fuch a firm confidence as thou re- pofeil in me the very greateft dixHculties will yield. 24 The parent then cried out in a flood of tears— Par^ don my weaknefs and imper^ fe(5tion — I believe you arc able to efi^ecl this cure. ^rflt 25 Jefus feeing the multi- tude crowd together in a tu> rnultuous manner, command- ed, in an authoritative man- ner, the diifemper to depart and quit him for ever. 26 He had no fooner pro-? nounced the words — tho' he was then fo convulfed and lay fo fenfelcfs, that leveral who werg Chap. h. by Mark. faid he was were prefent, dead — :. 27 but every fymp torn va- niflied — and Jefus taking him by the hand raifed him from the ground in perfed: health. 28 Jefus, after this, going into an houfe, the difciples afked him the reafon, why they could not miraculoufly cure this diflemper. 29 He anfwered-— Such an eminent degree of faith as is requifite to expel fuch an un- commonly horrible difordcr as the prefent, cannot be at- tained but by a long courfe of devout meditation and re- ligious abftinence. § — 30 Leaving that place, they travelled through Gali- lee in a clandeftine manner — he being unwilling that any fhould know him. 31 Here he told them cx- prefsly, that the fon of man would foon be delivered into the power of thole who thirft- cd for his blood, that he ihould be publickly executed — but on the third day he would rife from the grave. 32 But their prejudices prevented them from fully comprehending what he faid-, at the fame time that they were afraid to aik him to be iriore particular. 33 Arriving at Capernaum, and entering into an houfe, he aflicd them, what fubjed it was that interefted them in fuch a warm debate on the road ? 34 This queftion ftruck them dumb — for on the road they had engaged in a fan- guine difpute, which of them fhould have the higheft poll in the kingdom their matter was going to eftablilli. o,c^ He then fat down, and calling the body of the twelve difciples around him, he faid to them — The perfon, who fhall fecure the higheft ho- nours in my kingdom, (hall be he, whole character is moft diftinguiflied for humility and condefcenfion. 36 He then placed a little child in the midft of them, and fondly clafping it in his arms, faid to them Q^j Whofoever confiders this child as an emblem of that fimplicity and innocence which the gofpel requires, clearly comprehends its true genius and defign, and un- derftands the great ends which my heavenly father fent me into the world to promote. §~^3^ John faid to him— - Divine inftru(Stor! we lately met with a man, who made ufe of your name and autho- rity in eftefting mir-aculous cures, and as he is not a mem- ber of our fociety we fcverely reproved him, and forbad hirn for the future to take fuch J38 fuch unwarrantable free- doms. 39 By no means, replied Jeius, hinder his public ufe- fulnefs — for he, who deigns to make ufe of my authority to work a miracle, will be the lafl perfon to traduce and miireprefent me. 40 For amidft the general infidelity of the prelent age, we have reafon to efteem e- very one as a friend to us, who doth not oppofe us. 41 For wholbever fhall do you the leaft kind office, fuch as even giving you a cup of cold water, merely becaufe you are my dilciples, fhall afluredly be recompenfed with an adequate reward. 42 Andwhofoever fhall fe- duce, and cauTe to apoftatize, one of the moft inconfidera- ble chriftians, had much bet- ter be condemned to have a m.iliftone fufpcnded about ills neck, and be plunged in- to the profoundeft abyfs. 43 Should, thcrctore, any inveterate habit llrongiy foH- cit thee to abandon thy chrii- tian principles — determine to eradicate it, whatever diffi- culties it may occafion thee —it is infinitely more eligible to fupport the greateft mi- fcries of this life, than to die The Hillory of Jesus Chap, ix. unreformed, and to be thrown into inextinguifhable fire : 44 Where the impenitent finner will be deftroyed " by the molt dire and excruciat- ing torments. 45 Whatever beloved vice would lead you to facrifice your religion — reiolve to ex- terminate it from the foul, with whatever reluftance and averfion this may be done — the pains of this life are no- thing to the fufi^erings to which the unreformed fliall be fubjedied, in inextinguifh' able fire : 46 W^here the impenitent-' finner will be deftroyed by the moft dire and excruciating torments. 47 W^hatever luft fhall powerfully inftigate thee to renounce the facred charac- ter of a chriftian — hefitate not to controul and fubdue it, whatever bitter forrows it may caufe thee — what are the forrows of this momentary liie, to the anguifh that thofe ffiall fuftain, who will be fi- nally precipitated into inex« tinguifhable fire ! 48 Where the impenitent finner will be deftroyed by the moft dire and excruciat- ing; torments. 49 The principles of the " A ivormtlat mver Jiei certainly means a worm that \\\\\ kill ther golpcl Chap. X. by M A R K. 139 gofpel were defigned to pre- pare men for the divine ac- ceptance, juft as the vi6lim is prepared by the fait for the fervice of the altar. 50 Suffer not, therefore, thele good and excellent prin- ciples to lofe their original force and vigour, but imbibe the falutary influence of them intoyour minds — -and be care- ful to cultivate the greateft harmony and concord among yourfelves. CHAP. X. I "pvEPARTING from •^-^ that country, he tra- velled to the remoteft part of Judea beyond the river Jor- dan, where great multitudes reforted to him, whom he in- ftrudied as ufual. 2 Among others came fome Pharifees, who, with an art- ful defign to enfnare him, alked him. If divorces were lawful. 3 He aflced them, what the law of Mofcs enjoined upon this article. 4 Our great legiflator, they replied, allowed a man to re- pudiate his wife, after a writ- ing of divorce was formally drawn up and figned. 5 Jelus faid to them Mofcs enadted this law from a conrcioufnefs of the malig- nity of your tempers, and to prevent a train of dreadful evils, which your implacable ieverity and morofenels would otherwife have occafioned. 6 But when mankind were originally created, God made only one oi each fex. ow ^v 7 And the fcripture faith — In order to form the con- jugal union Ihall a man leave his parents, and be infepar- ably conjoined to his wife : 8 And the bonds of this union Ihall be fo ftri6t and in- timate, as that they both fliall be confidered as only one ible individual aduated by one fole mind. 9 Let not man prefume, therefore, to diflblve a con- nection, which the great God himfelf hath formed and ra- tified. 10 When he was alone in an houfe, the difciplesdefired him to be more explicit with rcg-ard to the fubjeft he had juil been difcuITing. 1 1 He faid to them Whoever repudiates his wife and marries another woman, is guilty of the crime of adul- terv. 12 And whatever woman divorces herfelf from her huf- band and marries herfelf to another man, is in the fight of God an adukrefs. § — 13 AriouT this time fome pcrfons brought their children to him, in order that \ he 14^ he might lay his hands upon them and blefs them but the dilciples reproved them ior this condud, and denied them accefs to him. 14 Jefus, when he perceiv- ed it, was greatly offended with their behaviour, and laid to them — Permit little chil- dren to come to me, and de- prive them not of the liberty of approaching me — for thole only, who are poffefTed of their harmlefs fimplicity and inof- fenfivc innocence, are the ge- nuine fuhjecls of my king- dom, 1 5 I declare to you in the moft folemn manner, that he who doth not receive the goi- peldifpenfation, with the tem- per and difpofition of little children, will never be e- fteemed a true and worthy member of it. 16 He then folded them in his arms — laid his hands upon them — and bleffed them. § — 17 As he was travel- ling in the public road to- wards Jcrulalem, a perlbn of diftinction "^ advanced up to him, and proftrating himfelt at his feet faid — Good inftruc- tor ! condefcend to acquaint me, what courfe of pradticf I mufl purfue in order to at- tain future felicity. 18 JtTus faid to him T^e Hiftory of Jesus Chap, x. What induces you to call me ^ood — that venerable title can eifentially belong only to the fuprcme God. 19 You know the pre- cepts, which God hath pre- Icribed as the rules of duty — for example, thou (lialt not be guilty ot adultery, of mur- der, of theft, of falfe accufa- tion, or of fraud — thou (halt honour thy father and thy mother. 20 He replied 1 have, Sir, from my childhood, con- fcientioufly made thefe im- portant commands the con- llant rules of my moral con> dud. .0 2 1 Jelus receiving this an- fwer, looked upon him with complacency and love, and laid In one thing you are ftill defecflive — if you are de- firous to attain the highefl pitch of the moft confummate excellence and virtue, go home, fell all thy pofleflions, difpenfe the money arifing from the fale among the poor, and become my faithful and infeparable companion, chear- fully fubmitting to the ibr- rows and bufferings of this life — by this illuftrious con- duct you will fecure a moll tranfcendent and diftinguifh- ed degree of celeftial blclTed- nefs. * See the various leilions. 2 2 No by Mar k. Chap. X. 2 2 No fooner had Jefus pro- nounced thefe words, but his countenance was overfpread with gloom — and he turned from him in a flood of grief and melancholy : for he had an immenfe fortune. 23 Jefus looking round upon his difciples, faid to them — How difficult a thing is it for thofe who are poflef- fed of opulent fortunes to enter into the kingdom of the Meffiah ! 24 Thefe exprefiions great- ly alarmed and diftrefled the difciples " — Jefus refuming his difcourfe, faid — My dear companions ! how extremely difficult is it for thofe, who are inflated with their fupe- riour wealth, and make it their great confidence and idol, to enter into the gofpel kingdom! 25 It is as impofilble for a Ifecutions to which he fliall be rich man to enter into the expofcd in this life, enjoy that 141 27 Jefus looking upon them with an eye of pity and com- paffion for their anxiety, faid — Humanly fpeaking this is morally impoffible — but by God*s all-powerful affiftance, the very greateft impedi- ments that riches lay in mens road to Chrifl;ianity, may be furmounted. 28 Upon this, Peter faid — We thy difciples have relin- quiflied our all, and become thy faithful and infeparable companions. 29 Jefus faid to him There is no one, who out of a fincere attachment to me and to the gofpel hath either left his home, his brothers, his fifl;ers, his father, his mo- ther, his wife, his children, his efl:ate : 30 but who fliall, even in the midft of the feverefl: oer- kingdom of God, as it is for a cable to be forced through the eye of a needle. 26 So ftrange an afl^rtion again threw them into the moil painful and extreme alloniih- ment — and in the laft amaze- ment, they faid one to an- other— —How can any rich man then ever obtain eternal falvation ! ferene fatisfadion and pure tranfporting felicity in his own mind, as fhall. infinitely compenfate for all the lolies he may fuftain — and who fliall, in a future ftate, be raif- ed to eminent and diftinguilli- ed happincfs. 3 1 For many to whom the gofpel \'=>firji ofiered^ will be the laji to embrace it — and ' They thought that if the r'uh did not efpoufe his caufe, he would have no /i/>r§- Confider all the admonitions, that I have now fo minutely given you. 24 After the city and land of Judea are overwhelmed in this deflirucfion, the fi.m (hall be fhroudedin midnight dark- nefs — the moon fhall be one great blank in the firmament. 2 5Thefl:ars fhall drop from their fpheres, and all the hea- venly powers be fhook and difVurbed by the moil violent concuflions. ii Init even cut the dogs in piece?, and hewed ofFthe limbs of every other living creature they found there." Polyb. p. 8?o. Edit. Gronov. How much is the world indebted to Chriflianity for humanizing the difpofitious yf mankind ! *> Nudas ara, fc.-e nudus -Georg. i. zgS. 261 Then Chap. xiii. by M A 26 Then fhall the Mefliah be feen riding on the cloud?, arrayed in matchlefs glory, and triumphing in the moft rnagnificent pomp : 27 who will difpatch his minifters to make converts and form Ibcieties of chrif- tians in every region and dime under heaven. 28 The fig tree reads you a leflbn of uTeful inilrudtion with regard to this o;reat e- vent When it puts forth tender fhoots and opening leaves, you with rifing plea- fure conclude the approach of fummer. 29 In like manner do ye, when you oblerve the feveral phsenomena, which I have fo diftinftly enumerated, infer that the great dellru6tion is at hand. 30 Let me afTure you that the prefent race of men fhall not be deceafed, before all thefe my predictions are fully accomplifhed. 3 1 Sooner fhall heaven and earth be annihilated, than my words not be verified. 32 But on what day, or in whar particular feafon of the year, the city and nation fhall be immerfed in this deluo;e of RK, 15-3 deflruction, is unknown to the angels, to the fon *, to every being m the univerfe, except the one fupreme Father of 33 "Bb ever cautious, vigi- lant, and fervent in your de- votions to God for you know not v/hen this dire ir- ruption fhall happen. 34 For as a gentleman a- bout to vifit a foreign coun- ~ry, prefcribes at his departure to his faithful fervants their refpeftive employments — en- joins upon them prudence and diligence- — and orders his do- meftics to live in continual expectation of his return -, '2^^ This fame unremitting A'atchfulnef's I inculcate up- on you — for you know not in what particular hour of the night the mafler of the houle may furprife you. 0,6 Be cautious, therefore, left at the fudden advent of your Lord you be found funk in lupine negligence and re- pofe. 2)^ The advice, therefore, which I would have you and all Chriftians principally to regard on this occafion, is >*^- be vigilant. AaAc/. Zsyj ■3"po7»p©- yiyove^) y.yjt Tth^ova.nS'n, IliadN. 354, 355. CHAP. i54 The HiAory CHAP. XIV. 'T was new only two days to the pafToNer, which were employed by the high priells and Scribes in anxious deliberations by what artifice they might get him into their power, and put him to death. 2 They reiolvcd, however, not to execute their defigns in the approaching feftival, for fear the populace fliould rife and refcue him. 3 Some time before this, as he was at Bethany, fitting at table in the houfe of one Simon, whom he had cured of leprofy — a woman came up to him, having in her hand an alabafter box ^ full of per- fume of an immcnfe value, which (lie flicok % and pour- ed upon his head. 4 The condud of this wo- man excited the intiignacion of feveral who were prelent, who laid one to another What end can fuch extrava- gance anfwer ! 5 This box of perfume, in- Head of being thus prodigally waited, might have been fold for above three hundred de- narii, and have relieved many poor diftreffed families of Jesus Chap. xiv. They fevcrely reproved her, tlierefore, for her indifcre- tion. 6 But Jcfus faid to them — Dilmifs her unmolelled — why are your relentments {o vio- lent againft her ? — flie hath performed a pious and affec- tionate office towards me. 7 For you will always have among you objedls of com- paflion, whom you may cha- ritably relieve whenever you are difpofed — but my ftay a- mong you will be but of very fhort continuance. 8 She hath benevolently fhowed me all the refpeft it was in her power to demon- ftrate — for this expence that fhe hath now lavidied upon me I regard as funeral ho- nours paid to me. 9 Be alfured that in all the countries of the univerfe where the gofpel Ihall be propagat- ed, this benencent adion rhac Hie hath done to me, ihall be recounted to her cverlafiinc^ honour. 10 After this Judas Ifca- rioc, one of the twelve a- poflles, fecretly went to the high priells, who were then deliberating in what manner they might apprehend him, *" — ^yc/iy ^i- }j.v^oi yyvTt^ »> a.C'j.iy~t!f . Theoc. Eid. 15. 114. ^ S'f 7p/f« fignifies to Jhakc, viix, confoimd. " They thought at the very firft onfet oi the cavnlry the enemies would be thro-Mti into confu- fiQih .t-.l.f//ri'©- v.ai KccTaXAy.fVffdi. Plutard' C/r/art p. 1334. Edit. Steph. 10 For 6. Chap. XV. hy M ARK. ]6l 10 For he was conlcious that it was only their impla- cable malice, which had in- ftigated them to thefe pro- ceedings againfl him. 1 1 But the high priefts urged the people to requeit him to releafe Barabbas, 12 The governour then aik- ed them — what they were de- firous he fhould do with the perfon who had afllimed the title of their king ? 13 Immediately all the po- pulace with loud and vehe- ment clamours cried out — let him be crucified. 14 Pilate aflced them, what crime he had committed, that deferved capital punilhment? —But they with a ftill louder and more violent vociferation roared out — crucify him ! 15 The governour, ftudi- ous to conciliate the efteem and favour of the people, yielded to their reiterated en- treaties, and releafed Barab- bas — He then fentenced Je- fus to be firft fcourged, and afterwards dragged to the crofs. § — 16 After this, his guards took him into the Prsetorium, and called toge- ther the whole cohort. 17 The Roman foldiers, being here colledled, arrayed him in a purple robe, and compofing a wreath of thorns Vol. L in the form, of a diadem, they fixed it upon his head. 18 Having invefted him with thefe badges of mock royalty, they proftrated them- felves at his feet, and cried— Long live the illuftrious king of Judaea! 19 They then flruck him on the head v/ith a cane — fpit in his face — and amidft this wanton infolence would at times fall on their knees, and pay him mock adoration.- 20 After they had thus made him the fubjed of e- very infult and indignity ; they diverted him of the pur* pie robe, and putting on him his own cloaths, they con- ducted him from the Prseto- rium to the place of cruci- fixion. 2 1 In' their way, happen- ing to meet one Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming from the country, the fa- ther of Alexander and Ru- fus, they obliged him to car- ry the crofs. 22 The place to which they conduced him, was from the execution of cri- minals called Gokotka. which tranOated fignifies a fliull. 23 When they arrived here they offered him a ilunefy- ing potion, a compofition of myrrh and wine — but he re- jedled it. M 24 After ;62 The Hiftory 24 After tliey had nailed him to the crofs they divided his cloaths into leparate par- cels, and caft lots tor them. 25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they nail- ed him to the crof?. 26 Over his head they fixed up this inl'cription, im- porting the crime for which he fuitered — The King of THE Jew^s. 27 On each fide of him were alfo crucified two thieves. 28 So that the following antient prediction v/as re- markably accomplifhed *' He made his exit, con- founded with the wicked." 29 Perfons moreover as they pafied by the place, loaded him with the moil a- bufive language, contemptu- oully fhaking their heacis, and laying— O thou, who could- eft demolifh the temple, and rear it up again in three days in all its fplendour ! 30 Come nov/ deliver thy- frlf from dcatli ! L.et us fee tliee defcend from thy crofs ! - 3 1 In the fame opprobrious manner, the high priefts and the fcribes mocked and de- rided him, faying — He, who refcued fo many others, is he not able to refcue himfeif, from death? 32 Let us now fee the iJluf- trious MefTiah, the powerful monarch of IlVael, defcend of Jesus Chap. xv. from the crofs, and we will credit his pretenfions — -His fellow fufferers too upbraid- ed hin) in the fame petulant manner. § — -2^1 At twelve o'clock, the whole land of Judsa was luddenly enveloped in dark- nefs, which continued 'till three In the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jefus recited the following padage of fcripture with a loud and ftrong voice — Eloi, Eloi, la- ma fabachthani — which rranf- iated fignifies — O my God! my God ! why halt thou a- bandoned me ! 35 Some who were pre- fent, hearing him utter thefe v/ords, laid Hark ! He calls upon Elias to fave him I '^(y One of the guards then ran, dipped a fpunge in vi- negar, fixed it to a reed, and reached it to him to drink — laying, let us fee whether Elias will defcend from hea- ven to take him from the crofs. 37 Soon after this Jefus uttered a loud and vehement vociferation, and expired. 38 Immediately the great veil, which divided the holy of holies from tlic fanftuary, was violently torn afunder, from the top to the bottom. 39 When the Roman cen- turion, who was appointed to keep guard, and who was a witnels Chap. xvi. hy witnefs of the whole fcene, beheld the manner in which he made his exit, and obferv- ed with what a Joud vehe- mence he exclaimed, the mo- ment before he departed — he was ftruck with afconiihment, and faid — Surely this perfon was the offspring of a God ! 40 Tliere were, moreover, feveral women, who flood at fome diftance, and were fpec- tators of every thing that paflTed — among thefe were Mary Magdalene, another Mary the mother of James and Jofes, and Salome. 41 Thefe had accompa- nied him in his feveral tours through Galilee, and had con- tributed to his maintenance ■ There were alfo among them feveral other women, who had attended him in his laft journey up to Jerufalem. § — 42 In the evening (the next day being the Jewifh fabbath) 43 one Jofeph of Arima- thea, a member of the San- hedrim, and a perfon of a moft amiable chara6ler, who was impatiently expefting the eredlion of the Meffiah's king- dom, went with an undaunt- ed refolution to Pilate, and begged he would give him the body of Jefus. 44 The procurator appear- ed furprized, and could hard- ly be induced to believe that Mark. 163 he was dead fo foon — 'till fending for the centurion he afked, whether he had ex- pired. 45 The officer afTuring him that he had breathed his laft, he ordered that the body fhould be delivered to Jo- feph. 46 This gentleman taking the corpfe down from the crofs, fwathed it in fine linen, and interred it in a monu- ment, which he had dug out of the folid rock, and in which he defigned his own remains (liould bedepofited — He then rolled a large ftone to block up and fecure the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jofes faw him employed in this pious office, and remarked the place where he was rcpofited. CHAP. XVI. I COON as the fabbath »^ was pafl, Mary Mag- dalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, bought a large quantity of aromatic rpices to embalm him. 2 And very early on the firfl day of the week, they let out in a body for the fe- pulchre — the rays of the ri- ung fun now itreaking the edge of the horizon. 3 As they went they faid M 2 one 164 Tbt Hillory one to another — Whom fhall we procure to roll away the Hone, that blocks up the en- trance of the tomb. 4 But upon their arrival they foon oblcrvTd that the immenfe (tone had already been removed from the mouth of the fepulchre. 5 This allowing them a free paflage, they immediately entered themonunient — but were greatly frighted with the apparition of an angel in the form of a young per- fon, who fat on their right hand, arrayed in a long white tranfparent ftole. 6 The angel then fpoke to them and faid — Be not inti- midated — You are feeking for the body of Jefus of Na- zareth who was lately cruci- fied — he is not here— —he is rilen from the dead ap- proach and view the pkce where they dcpofited his corpfe. 7 And do you jnftantly go, and inform Peter and the reft of the difciples, that he is ad- vancing before them into (3a- lilee, where he will exhibit himfelf alive before them, and convcrfe with them, as he formerly allured them. of Jesus Chap. xvi. 8 Immediately they ilTued out of the tomb, and ran with the greateil precipitation — agitated with the moft tumul- tuous palTions, aftonilhment, terrour, and ecftacy, which now ftruggled in their bo- foms. § — 9 After his refurrec- tion, the very firft perfon that he appeared to was Mary Magdalene, whom he had formerly cured of the moft rap-ino; and dreadful mad- nels \ 10 She went direftly to the difciples, who were now la- menting, and inconfolable for his death. 1 1 When fhe acquainted them that he was really re- ftorcd to life, and that fhe had herlelf an ocular demon- ftration of itj they could not believe it. 12 After this as two of them were walking into the country, he appeared to them in the form of a ftranger — and at laft difcovered himfelf to them. 13 But when they went and told the reft, that they had certainly feen him, they could not convince them. 14 Afterwards he fliowed ^ The numberyf-x-^w in the Jewifh idiom was ufed a.s n fuperlative, and to denote a large indeterminate number. Confult (icn. xxxiii. 3. Pk.lm, xii. 6. Pr. cxix. 164. Deut. xxviii. 7. 1 Sam. ii. q. I'he number /t'« is thus ufed in latin authors. See Ovid Trift. L. i. El. ii. 50. himfelf Chap.xvi. by M himfelf to all the eleven dif- ciples, as they were fitting together at table, and up- braided them with their in- credulity and ftupid inicnfi- bility— -— feverely reproving them for not crediting the re- ports of thofe who had feen him foon after his refurrec- tion. 15 Finally, he fiid to them — Go into all the nations of the world, and proclaim the glad tidings of the MefTiah's kingdom to the whole crea- tion. 1 6 He who is convinced by its evidence, and by baptifm folemnly lays himfelf under an obligation to live accord- ing to his profelTion, fhall be faved — but he who difbe- lieves and rejefls it, fliall be condemned. 1 7 Thofe who fincerely be- lieve the gofpel, fhall be en- abled to exert the following miraculous gifts —^ I will en- dow them with power to e- jecft dasmons, and fluently to A R K. 165 fpeak languages they never learned : 1 8 They fhall play with venomous ferpents, unhurt — the mod fell poifon, that they m.ay drink, fhall not in the leaft affeft and injure them — they fliall inflanta- neoufly, by a fmgle touch, reftore the indifpofed to per- fcft health. 19 After Jefus had fpoken thefe words, he vifibly afcend- ed to heaven — and was there advanced, by thefupreme Fa- ther of all, to the moll emi- nent and diftinguifhed dig- nity. 20 The difciples, accord- ing to his laft diredlions, went from Jerufalem into every * country, and promulgated the gofpel in every region, into which they travelled the Lord powerfully co- operating with them, and conftantly ratifying the doc- trines they delivered by the moft iliullrious and incon- teftable miracles. * From this circumftance It appears either that Mark did not write his gofpel fo foon as hath been generally imagined ; or, that this vcrfe was added after the author's deceafe, as many of the /«/? verfes of the book» of the Old Teliament undoubtedly were. M 3 THE i66 The Hiftory of Jesus Chap. i. THE HISTORY OF JESUS B LUKE. ^ CHAP. I. 1 AS there have been fe- £\_ veral perlons who have compiled and publifhed to the world hiflorical ac- counts of thofe celebrated tranfaftions, for the veracity of which we have fuch ample and undoubted evidence •,"*■ 2 having been furnifjied with materials by thofe per- fons, who were not only the preachers of Chriftianity, but from the beginning were eye- witnefles of the fads them- felves:'] 3 after their example I too, O moil illuftrious Thecpbilus^ after having diligently ex- amined into thefe events, and accurately inveftigated them to their fource, have judged it proper to digeft them into a regular and connected nar- ration, and to exhibit them before you i'N^ 4 in ordef^ that you may fee on wiiat a firm and un- iliaken bafis that religious fyilem is fupported, into the do6trines of which you have been carefully initiated.) 5 In the days or .Herod the Great, the fovereign of Judea, there lived a certain pricft called Zacharias, be- longing to the eighth weekly clafs of Abia — his wife Eli- fabeth was alfo a defcendant of Aaron. 6 They both were perfons of the moft amiable charac- ters, pofleflfed of unfpotted virtue and integrity, paying an uniform and confcientious obedience to all the moral and ceremonious injunftions of the law. 7 Their mutual happinefs was only allayed by the He- rility of Elifabeth, and by confiderations on their ad- vanced age, which had now precluded the plcafing hope of their ever being blelicd with children. 8 As tills pcrlbn was one day chap. i. by Luke. day difcharging the appoint- ed offices of his miniftry in the temple, 9 it being his lor, accord- ins to the reo-ulation of the priefthood, to fprinkle in- cenfe on the facred altar : 10 It happened, as he was in the fanctuary devoutly en- gaged in this holy employ- ment, and the afTembled mul- titude flood in the court of the temple, offering their fer- vent fupplications to heaven, 1 1 that a celeftial mefien- ger, in a glorious form, fud- denly appeared to him, and flood on the right fide of the altar, as he was officiating. 1 2 So amazing a fight at once fufpended all his facul- ties, and flruck him with fear and terror unutterable. 1 3 The heavenly form then with a placid countenance ad- drefTed him and faid — Zacha- rias ! difpel thy fears ! — Thy prayer hath been accepted — thy wife Elifabeth fhall bear thee a fon, whom thou fliak call John. 14 His birth will not fill thy bofom only with the pur- eft tranfports, but the public alfo will Ihare in thine ecftatic raptures. 15 For he flTall become a truly great and illuflrious 167 perfonage, will through the whole of life praclife the moil fevere and rigid abftinence, and in his early years fliall be inlpired with the divine af- flatus. 16 By the exercife of his prophetic gifts, and the dif- charge of his diflinguiffied miniilry, will he reclaim thou- finds of the Jews from their vices, and powerfully induce rhem to obey the divine com- mands. 17 By this general refor- mation, which he fliall intro- duce and execute with the fame ardent fpirit and zeal which formerly actuated E- lias — he will again conciliate to the Jews the alienated af- redions of their holy proge- nitors — and by reducing the wicked and depraved to vir- tue and obedience, will pre- pare the JewiOi nation for the reception of the MeiTiah. 1 8 Zacharias faid unto the ange). By what proof fhall I be convinced of the certainty of what you predi6l, fince I am an old man, and my wife alio is fo tar advanced in years } ig I am Gabriel, replied the angel, who am one of the m.oft illuftrious of the heavenly fpirits ^ and have ^ To fee the face of a prince and to be in his prefencey is an eaftern idiom importing the moft illuftrious and dignified ftations. See Mat.'xviii. 10. and the note there. Ellher, i. 14. ' M 4 been 1 68 T^he Hiftory o/' J e s u s Chap. 1. teen delegated by the Su- preme to communicate to thee thefe joyful events : 20 But ilnce thou wert not difpofed to credit thcle pre- di6tions, which 1 was com- miffioned to impart to thee — thou fhalt be rendered in- capable of fpeaking a word 'till the time of their accom- pliiliment. § — 21 During this tranf- adlion the people waited in the court of the temple^ wondering, what could have induced Zacharias to Hay fo long in the fanftuary beyond the ufual time. 22 But when he came out to pronounce the ufual bene- diftion and difm.ifs them — he found the faculty of fpeech entirely fufpended— he made figns to them, by which they vjnderftood that he had feen a vifion in the temple. § — 23 When the courfe of his minillration, according to the regular prefcribed order which had been long cilab- lifhed, was fulfilled — — Za- charias quitted the city and returned to his own houfe. 24 Soon after this his wife Elifabech conceived but concealed her pregnancy from the world five months, 25 bleffing God for his fingular benignity to her in giving her a child, and wip- ing away her dil"honour and reproach among men. § — 26 In the fixth month of Ehfabeth's pregnancy God deputed the angel Gabriel to Nazareth a Town in Galilee, 27 commanding him to vifit a certain virgin, whofe name was Mary, who had been efpoufed to one Jofeph, a defcendent from David. 28 Accordingly the angel entered the houfe in which (he refided, and thus accoft- ed her — Hail ! O thou dif- tinguifhed favourite of hea- ven, Hail 1 — The fupreme Jehovah deigns to feled thee as the objedl of his love 1 In happinefs art thou infinitely exalted above all thy fex ! 29 The appearance and meflage of the angel filled her with the lail terror and perturbation revolving in her mind what fo extraordi- nary a falutation could im- port — 30 While fhe was anxi- oufly indulging thefe reflec- tions the angel refumed — Banifii thy fears — the blefled God hath moil highly diftin- guifhed thte, and will confer upon thee the greateft ho- nours, that can be enjoyed, 31 for thou flialt immedi- ately conceive, and bear afon, whom thou fhalt call 'Jejus. 32 Kc Chap. i. /5y L u 32 He Ihall be tranfcend- cntly illuftrious and great, and be denominated the Ion of the fupreme and ever-blei- fed God — The moil High will advance him to the throne of his great progeni- tor David, 33. and he fliall fway the Jev/ifh fceptre and govern the race of Jacob for ever, and his kingdom fliall be without limits and without end. ^4 Mary then faid to the angel — How is it poffible that I, who am as yet a flranger to conjugal embraces, fliould conceive, and give birth to the illuftrious perfon you mention ? ^^ The celeftial meflcnger replied — Thy pregnancy (hall be effeded by the miraculous operation of the divine fpirit, >vhofe powerful influence will immediately communicate life and exifhence — on which ac- count thy facred offspring fhall be diftinguiflied by the peculiar appellation of the Soft of God. 36 And in order that thou mayeft moft certainly con- clude that thefe grand events will be accomplifhed — be af- fured, that Elilabeth thy re- lation is advancing in her pregnancy, and will have a Ion in her old age ; for fhe, who hath fo long been reput- K E. 169 ed barren, is now fix months gone with child. '^y For the divine power is able to effect the greateft impoffibilities. 38 Mary replied— Behold ! I fubmit my will to the di- vine — May I be crowned with that fingular felicity you pre- did ! The angel then dif- appeared. § — 39 Mary being thus informed by the angel, of E- lifabeth's conception, haftcn- ed to the mountainous coun- try, and entering the houlc where Zacj-'iarias dwelled, 40 went diredlly to Elifa- beth, and congratulated her upon her pregnancy. 41 In the midft of thefc joyful gratulations the babe of Elifabeth violently moved and leaped, as if affefted with fympathetic tranfport — Eli- fabeth then was inftantly fil- led with the divine afflatus, 42 and with ecftatic tranf- ports fhe cried out in a loud exclamation — Bleffed art thou above all thy fex ! Bleffed is the babe of which thou art now pregnant ! 43 What aftonifhing con- defcenfion is this, that the mother of the Meffiah thus deigns to vifit me ! 44 Amazing circumftance! the mom.ent thou didft feli- citate mc, my babe, as if tranfported ijo The Hiflory tranfportcd with the glorious profpedl, fprung with rapture within me ! 45 Thrice happy art thou, who didft not diftruft the di- vine mefiage — for every cir- cumftance, that hath been -mentioned, the divine vera- city v;ill mod certainly ac- complifb. '^ 46 Then Mary in a reli- gious ecftacy crif d out — My foul with reverence adores my Creator ! 47 and all my faculties with tranfport join in cele- brating the poodjsefs of God my faviour!) 48 who hath in fo fignal a manner condefcended to re- gard my obfcure and hum- ble ftation — Tranfcendent goodnefs ! every future age ■will now conjoin in celebrat- ing my diitinguifhed happi- nefs ! '^' 49 For ever adored be the matchlefs goodnefs of that omnipotent Being, who hath deigned to confer upon me an honour fo illuftrious and divine ! 50 His fupreme benignity to thofe who obey him will ever continue immutable and infinite thro' all the revolving ages of time and eternity."!, 51 How irrefiftible is liis potent arm! How are the in- folent and towering imagina- of Jesus Chap. i. tions of the opulent and haugh- ty crufhed in a moment ! 52 From the proud mo- narch he tears his diadem, and fixes it upon the brow of humble and obfcure virtue. 53 He degrades the rich and infolent to penury and wretchednefs, and elevates opprefled and fuffering merit to opulence and dignity. 54 He hath powerfully fupported the finking ilate of Ifrael, r^^ continuing to us that mercy and benevolence, which he Ihewed to Abraham and his defcendents and will amply fulfil thofe promifes, which he made to our great and holy anceftors. c^6 Mary after having (laid with her about three months returned home. § — 57 The period of Eli- fabeth's pregnancy was now completed — and fhe was de- livered of a fon. 58 The joyful news foori reached all her relations and neighbours — who haded to congratulate h:- • on that dif- tinguifhed happ-ncfs that hea- ven had fiiowa her. c;9 The eight ii day being come, on which according to the Jewifh cultom the child was to be circumcifed, their friends and acquaintance all met — intending to call him Zacha- Chap. i. by L u K E. Zacharias after the name of this father : 60 But Elifabeth oppofed them, faying. Pie fhall be called John. 61 Againft this they re- monftrated — exprefTing their ailonifhment, that flie Ihould choofe a name which none of her relations bore. 62 They intimated to the father their embarralTment, and defired him to fix on a name. 63 He then by figns afk- ed for a writing tablet — in which he wrote his name ; at the fame time faying with an articulate voice — He fhall be called J^/j« — They were all feized with aftonifhment, 64 for his fpeech was in- flantaneoufly reftored, and with diftind- accents he paid his pious and grateful ac- knowledgments to heaven. 6^ Thefe my fterious events excited religious awe and re- verence in the whole neigh- bourhood and in all the mountainous country of Ju- dea was the fame of thcie amazing tranfaftions foon dif- fufed : 66 And all who heard this uncommon relation anxioufly revolved all the circumftances of it in their minds — faying. What a great and eminent perfonage will this child be, who is thus miraculoufly dif- 171 tinguifhed! — The child ex- hibited early and convincing proofs to every fpedatop that God was its guardian and friend. 67 Zacharias was then feiz- ed with a divine afflatus, and uttered the following fublime prophetic ftrains — 68 For ever bleflTed be the fupreme Jehovah, the benign guardian of Ifrael, for plan- ning fuch a gracious fcheme of redemption for his favou- rite nation, 69 by mercifully raifing fuch a potent and illuftrious deliverer for us in the family of David ! 70 In how fignal a manner is he now accomplifhing thofe tranfporting afllirances, which he commiflioned his holy pro- phets, at various times, ever fince the beginning of the world, to communicate to his people — 7 1 that he would crufh the power of all our inveterate foes, and vindicate us into perfe6b freedom and liberty : 72 — that he would accom- plifh that gracious promife, which he made to our an- ftors: 73 — and fulfil every en- gagement of that covenant, which he eftablifhed with A- braham our great progenitor, and ratified by the moft fo- lemn oath : 74 Exhi- 172 74 Exhibiting before them the joyful prol"pe6b of that happy time, when he would completely refcue us from the power of our adverfaries, and reinftate us in fuch tran- quility and peace, that we might, in undiflurbed repofe, ferve him without flavifli fear, 75 and fpend the rcfidue of our lives in the alTiduous cukivation and purfuit of univerfal holinefs and virtue, 76 And thou, O illuflrious babe, fhalt foon be diftin- guifhed as a mod eminent prophet — for thou fhalt be the immediate predecefibr of the MefTiah, to prepare the world for his reception : 77 and thine appointed of- fice will be topublilh to man- kind forgivcnefs of fins upon finccrc repentance, and to proclaim the fpeedy erection of the Mefliah's kingdom. 78 Thefe blefiings are o- riginally derived to us from the unexhaufled fountain of the Divine benignity — which hath now caufed ,this bright refulgent fun to rife upon the The Hiftory of Jesus Chap. ii. world, and to blefs us with its mild rcfrefhing beams, 79 difpelling that gloomy darknefs, in which mankind have been ib long enveloped, and by its falutary rays clear- ly difcovering to us the path that conducts to virtue and happinefs. § — 80 The child foondifco- vtred an uncommon ftreno-th and vigour of underilanding — but refided in the defarts of Judaea 'till the time that his public miniflry com- menced. CHAP. II. I A BOUT that time an ^^ edi6t was publiflied by Auguilus Csefar that a general cenfus fhould be m^ade throughout the whole, extent of Judea. 2 This was the firjl ' cen- fus — and was executed by Quirinius the pr^efeft of Sy- ria. ; 3 In confequence of this edift all repaired to the '" towns to which they refpec- ' It was the frjl that Quirinius executed — for he executed one oftpr- The anprel ended — and was inftantly joined by my- riads of celeftial fpirits, who celebrated the divine benig- nity in the moft fublime and rapturous ftrains — repeating, 14 " O let the higheft- an- gelic orders hymn the praife of God ! O what happinefs hath now blefled the world i O what inefi^able benevolence is now expreficd towards men ! 15 Soon as the heavenly choir difappeared, the ftiep- herds faid one to another — Let us immediately go to Bethlehem, and be eye-wit- nefles of this grand event. " In the original the glory of the Lord-^of the Lord being the Hebrew fuperlative. See Chap. i. 76, which 174 which God hath been pleafed in this fignal manner to com- municate to us. 1 6 Accordingly they all hafted with rapid and impa- tient ilcps to the town — where they Ibon found Mary and . Joieph anxiouily watching o- ver the intant, vvhich was ly- ing in a manp-er. 17 Soon as they had feen the infant, they publickly re- ported every circumftance which the angel had recount- ed to them concerning the child. 1 8 And all, who heard the account which thefe fliep- herds gave of that amazing fcene of which they had been fpe6tators, were filled with extreme aftonifliment. 19 But Mary in filent re- flection revolved the iliep- herds' words in her mind — comparing this recent event with former tranfactions of a fimilar miraculous nature. 20 The fhcpherds, after having pubiifhed a detail of the vifion, returned — cele- brating with great emotion the praifes of God for the great event tl.cy had feen, and for his condefcenfion in informing them of it in fo il- luftrious a manner. § — 2 1 On the eighth day, according to the Jewifli cuf- tom, he was circumcifed — and they called him Jesus, Ihe Hiftory of Jesus Chap. if. the name which the angel had given him before his concep- tion. 22 And when the time ap- pointed in the law for the pu- rification of women after child- birth was completed they carried the babe into the tem- ple, to make the cuftomary dedication of him to God. 23 For the law prefcribes that every nrft-born male child fhall be folemnly confe- crated to God. 24 Mary therefore offered a couple of young pigeons — the ulual oblation of the poor- er fort upon this occafion. § — 25 At this time there was at Jerufalem one Simeon, a perfon of eminent piety and diftinguiflied virtue, who was endowed with the gift of pro- phecy, and who had lived for lome time in ardent exped:a- tion of feeing the Meffiah ufhered into the world. 26 Thefe his expe<5Lations were founded on a divine af- furance, that he fliould live to fee this grand and glorious event. 27 This holy perfon, while the parents of Jei'us were em- ployed in preparing the cuf- tomary oblation, by a prophe- tic impulfe and direction came into the temple, 28 and advancing up to them, took the child — folded him in his arms — and with re- ligious Chap. ii. by L ligious tranfport poured out his gratitude to God — faying, 29 O God ! thy promife to me is amply fulfilled ! I now quit the port of hu- man life with fatisfaftion and joy '• 30 lince thou hail indulg- ed mine eyes with fo divine a fpeftacle, as the great Mef- fiah ! 31 Whom thou haft now fent into the world to blefs mankind — 32 — to impart happinefs to Ifrael^ and to diffufe facred light amono; the Heathens ! 33 The aftions and lan- guage of this good man filled Jofeph and Mary with ex- treme aftonifhment. 34 Simeon then folemnly gave the infant his benedidii- on — and laid to Mary, " This child is appointed of God to be the great teft of the moral difpofitions of the Jews ■ Many will accordingly em- brace, and many will rejeft him. — he will be the common butt ° to which the prejudic- benig-hted U K E. lyr ed and depraved will direct all their malice and calumny: 35 And the cruel miferies and fufferings, in which they will involve him, will yield ihee the accutefc forrows, and like a dart f transfix and tear tiiy breaft. § — ^6 There was in the city a prophetefs called An- na, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of A- fer, who was opprefled with, extreme old age- — -She had been married in early life, but had loft her hufoand feven years after her marriage. 37 This widow, having now attained her eighty fourth year, had conftantiy attended thefcrvice of the temple, and was a moft eminent pattern of fervent devotion and the ftrifteft holinefs. 38 Thi.'s perfon coming into the temple at the fame time, poured forth in an ecftacy of joy, her warmeft gratitude to God, for indulging her with a fight of the Meffiah — and reprefented that child as the great redeemer to all who ' The word ffmiinov fignifies a mark at which menace/, ov throw. f Psfy-fxia. figniiies a dart ox fpear. /Equaque, nee ferro brevior nee romphea ligno. Valer. Flac, Argon. Lib. 6. In the catalogue of weapons A. Gellius mentions this word — fpelling it in latin, i-umpia : on which Thvjius' note is — Proprie erat hafdiis eenus. A. Ccllius Var-". 562. ' were 176 The Hiflory of Jesus Chap, ii^ were at that time ardently ex- pe6ling his appearance '*. § — 39 Joseph and Mary after they had performed all the rites, which the law prc- fcribed, returned to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 As the child grew up he loon difplayed uncommon abilities, and a penetration and wildom greatly fuperioui to his yeirs — there wa> aHo a divine beauty and grace dif- fufed over his perfon ^ 41 His parents conftantly took a journey every year to the capital at the feaft of the paflbver. 42 ^¥hen he had attained his twelfth year, therefore, they went up to the city, as •ufual, to celebrate this fo- lemnity — and took him with them 43 When the feftival was ended, his parents fct out up- on their journey into the coun- try — not knowing that their fon flayed behind in the city. 44 For they concluded that he was gone down with the company among whom he had travelled up to the metropo- lis bur. when they had ad- vanced a day's journey, and made anxious enquiry after hmi among all their friends and acquaintance, 45 without being able to get any information where he was — they returned with the moft painful folicitude to the city — fpending three days in fruitlefs fearch of him. 46 At laft they found him in one of the courts of the temple, fitting among the learned rabbies — ftudioufly liftening to their inftruftions, and debatino: with them : 9 How general this expeftation was, appears from the followinor tefli- monies. Percrehuerat oricnte tcto vetus et conjians opinio, efTe in fatis ut eo tempore Judaea profecti rerum potirentur. Sucion. Fefpaf. c. 4. Edit. Var"". p. 735. Pluribus perfuafio inerat, antiquis facerdotum Uteris con- tineri, eo ipib tempore fore, ut valefceret oriens, profeclique juda;a re- rum potirentur. Tack. Hift. Lib. 5. 13 Edit. Dubl. To H i-rapay eturai fJicLKi^ecTrp-ii 701' 'TToAifjLov tw yjt]:rf^-Q- a(J.otCo^.&- ofxoiai -tv Ts/f l'.pst< ivptiy-iv^ ypA/.fy.a.aiv, coi xtfrct toi' y.at.fpov iy.U'ov, a^o 71K ;)^r.u fo that his fame was quickly diiiuled through all the adjacent country. 15 He alio publickly in- ftruded the people in their religious aflemblics and was held in univerlai admiration. § — 16 Among other towns which he vifited, l.e came alfo to Nazareth, where he had been educated — and on the fabbath day went, as it was his conftant culiom, to the fvnagog-ue — Here he ftood up to read the fcnptures : 17 And the prophecy of Ifaiah being put into his hands, he unrolled the vo- lume, and light upon the following paiTage : ' 18 " God hath liberally 'endowed me with the gifts ot ■ the fpirit, and hath commif- ffioned nie to deliver glad tidings to the poor, to con- 'fole the diftreffed mind, to proclaim releafe and liberty to the captive, to impart fight to the blind, to pour the balm ot" comfort into the wounds of the afflifted, 19 and to publifli to the world the joyful commence- ment of a moil glorious and happy revolution." ^o I laving read this paf- cf Jesus Chap. iv. fage he folded the volume, and givinor it to the fervant who had prefented it to him, fat down ^ — and the eyes of all that were in the place were intensely fixed upon him. 21 He then addreffed him- felf to them and laid — The paflage of fcripture, which you have jufl heard recited, hath this very day received its accomplifhment. 22 The difcourfe he now delivered raifed in them ex- treme aftonifhment — and the whole aiTembly were amazed at the beauty ^nd elegance cf his di(5tion * - — and yet, they faid, this is Joleph's fon ! 23 Jefus faid to them — ^ You indeed apply to me the common proverb, Pliyfician ! cure thine own relations and friends before Grangers I — work the fame miracles for us here in your own country, as we heard that you per- formed at Capernaum. 24 But fuffer me to ob- ferve to you. That no pro- phet meets with acceptance in the place of his birth and education. 25 For undoubtedly there were in Elifha's time great numbers of indigent and dif- » TliC Jev.ifh clergy out of reverence /W »/ when they read the fcrlp- j^jj-eE — whcu they taught the people theyy^/ dov:n. See Chap, v, 3. ^ ya.^H \% oj'ten uled jn this fcnfe for the beauty of eloquence £n4 (li<5:tiOiT. Aax' V «/ X'='F'^ 'tf//fi^=f4T<«/ iiriitj^tv. pdyff. 0. 175. Chap. iv. by L u trefied widows in Jud^a dur- ing that moll dreadful famine which univerfally raged, when there was no rain for three years and an half: 2 6 and yet the prophet was providentially fent to the re- lief of none of them — he only gave miraculous afTiftance to a poor widow of Sarepta, a towrj belonging to the Sido- nians. 27 No doubt alfo but there were many unhappy perfons in Judsea infeded with le- profy in the days of Elifha — and yet not one of them was cured by that prophet but Naaman a Syrian. 28 When the aflembly heard thefe refiedlions, they were tranfported with the moft violent indignation and rage, 29 and all unanimoufly rifing up, they feized him — dragged him out of the town — and hurried him to the fummit of the hill, on v/hich the town was built, to throw him headlong down the pre- cipice. 30 But he rendered him- felf invifible and eluded their fury. § — 31 After this he went to Capernaum a town in Ga- K E. 183 lilee, and on the fabbath day delivered his inftrudlions to the alTcmbled multitude : 32 who were all aftoniflied at the fublimity and impor- tance of the truths he taught — for his difcourfes clearly evinced, that he was inveft- ed with a divine authority. 33 There was in the af- fembly '' a man, who was at times afflided with madneis — and a fit of diftraclion hap- pening then to feize him, he cried out with a wild and vehement vociferation — 34 Let us alone, thou Je- fus of Nazareth — what con- cern have you with us — are you come to deftroy us — I know very well who you are — You are a divine prophet. 2,S Jefus then authorita- tively commanded the rao-ino; dileale to quit him immedi- ately — upon which, tho' the man was now wallowing on the ground in terrible convul- fions, he was inftantaneoufly reftored to his underftanding and reafon. 36Atafpe(Staclefoamazing they were ftruck with extreme aftonifhment, and faid one to another What furprifing power is here exerted ! — With what irrefiftible authority doth '' The reader of the facred writings fliould remember that there were no mad-houfes in Juda;a either /«^//f or pri'vate — but thefe unhappy wretches, 'vulgarly fuppofed to be polffeffed with damans, were fuffered .to- rainbie about. N 4 he iS4 he remove the mod obftinate and incurable difeafes ! 37 The fame of his mira- cles was accordingly foOn dif- fufed thro' all the adjacent cotintry. § — 38 The worHiip of the fynagogue being concluded he went into Simon's houie — The mother in law of Simon was at that time confined to her bed by a fever, and they informed him of her condi- tion. 39 He immediately went into her room — and, Hand- ing over her, rebuked the fever every fymptom va- nifhed in a moment — Ihe rofe up in perfect health, and pro- vided them refrelhment. § — 40 When the fun was going down, all who had re- lations and friends labouring under any diibrders, brought them to him — On every one of thefe he laid his hands, and they were in a moment blefi- ed with perfe6l health. 41 Many perfons alfo who were afflitfled with madnefs he reflored to the uk of their intellecfts" but fuffered not the diftrafted to publifli his chara6ler by any wild and noify exclamations. § — 42 The next day, foon as the morning dawned, he privately retired from the multitude to an unfrequented fblitude — but the crowd, as T'^e Hiflory of Jesus Chap. v. foon as they difcovercd tha^ he was abfent, made dihgent fearch for himi — and finding him, earneftly importuned him that he would continue a- mcngft them. 43 But he anfwered 1 mult pubiifh in- other towns the joyful riev/s of the fpeedy erection of the kingdom of God — for this is the will and appointment of Kirn who fent me into the workl. 44 He accordingly travel-' led to all the towns of Gali- lee, and publickly delivered his do6lrines in their fyni- sosues. CHAP. V. FTER this as he ftood' inftrufting the people near the lake of Gcnnefaret, he v/as fo much incommoded by a prodigious multitude who prelfed forwards to hear his do6lrine, 2 that feeing two vefiels lying, which the fiPnermen had juft quitted in order to dry their nets, 3 he went on board one of them which belonged to Si- mon, and defircd him to put off a little from fliore Me then fat down, and from the boat taught the aflembled crowds, that formed them- felves on the rifing beach. 4 When he had finifiied his difcourfe, he bad Simon row further Chap. V." hy Luke. further into the lake — and to call in their nets. 5 Simon anfwered. Sir, we have luftained great fa- tio"ue during the whole night without any fuccefs — at your command, hov/ever, I will make one trial more. 6 They threw in the net therefore, and inclofed fuch a prodigious number of fidies, that the net was ready to be torn in pieces by the immenfe weight of them. 7 They called to their part- ners in the other boat to come inHrantly to help them-^-thefe hafted to their affiftance — and they loaded both veflels with flich an amazing quantity, that they were with difficulty kept from finking. 8 When Simon Peter faw this aftonifliing fpeftacle, he proftrated himleif at the feet of Jefus and faid O Sir, leave me ! — I am a finful man, and unworthy your facrcd pre- fence ! 9 For he and all v^/ho were fpe6tators of this great mira- cle were (truck with the laft aftonifhment at the vail num- ber of fiflies, which they had caught. 185 10 James and John, Zebe- dee's fons, were prelent on this occafion, and were Simon's partners — Jefus being a wit- nefs of Peter's great amaze- ment and coniternation faid to him, Difcard thy fears — from this moment thou fhalt purfue a nobler prey — thou fhah refcue mankind from the depths of fin and ruin '. 11 When they had hauled the vefiels to fnore, they left all that they had, deliberately determining to be his con^ If ant followers. § — 12 Being in one of the, towns in that country, a man dreadfully infeded with lepro- fy came and proftrated him- felf before him — faying. Sir, I am. perfuaded you are able to free me from this ioath- fome diftemper. 13 Jefus extended his hand — touched him and faid, I am willing to reftore thee to health -^ — -Inftantly the lep- rous fcurf was no more. 14 Jefiis then faid to him, I charge thee to inform, no one of the miraculous cure thou haft received — but go imme- diately and fhow thy felf to the prieft — and offer the cuftom- ^ Zcdy^iK fignifics to fa've ali-ve capii'ves. Zcoy^&i Arfioi q = , av t demands, to fell their beautiful fons and daughters, and the pic- tures, ftatues, and other rich ornaments of their temples." Plutanb JjUCuJ. p. 921. Steph, Well then might the /k?t? fay of them : H^Via lih^.di '^rana U5 the errors and injuries of your fellow creatures, and God will freely forgive you the of- The Hiilory ^ J e s u s Chap. vi. fences you have committed ao;ainft him. 38 Give to objects of com- paffion, and God will re- quite you with an ample, fo- iid and fuperlatively glorious recompenfe ' — For the fam^e condud which you obferve towards men, to that will God conform in the day of future retribution. 39 He then figuratively faid — Can one blind man with fafety lead another ? — Will not both miferably wander and perifli ? 40 The pupil is neceflarily inferior in wifdom and fci- ence to his preceptor — but every ftudent ought"" to ftrive to attain the fame accuracy and perfeflion of knowledge as his mafter hath acquired. 41 Why fixed thou thine eye upon thy brother's con- duct with a penetration that the fiighteil foible cannot efcape tho' at the fame time thou thyfelf art guilty of great and fcandalous vices. 42 With what face canft thou admonifli others of their errors, and exhort them to aiiTendment of life, when thine own condu<51: is a no- torious infult upon thine ad- monitions ? Thou hypo- ' I am perfuacled that this member of the veiTc is to be underllood as I have tranllated it — and ib Dr. C/^r/r judicioufiy and juftly interprets it. " «s-« which feme MSS. exhibit is the true reaJin^- crite ! Chap. vi. fy L crite ! firft reform what is criminal in thine own life — and then gravely remonftrate againft the petty faults and follies of others '. 43 There is no good tree that beareth l?ad fruit — nor doth d,i?iuizrcc bear^W fruit. 44 The true nature of c- very tree is infallibly difco- vered by its fruit — Thorns produce not the lufcious fig — the bramble bears not the generous grape. 45 The good a6lions of a virtuous perfon flow from the pure fource of a good heart — the a6tions of a bad man come ftained and tindured u K E. i^^ from the impure fountain of a corrupt heart"' — For men's outward aftions and conver- fation are but the overflow- ings of their hearts. 46 Of what avail is the mofl: zealous profeflion of my religion, when feparate from the llrift obfervance of the duties I enjoin ? 47 I will reprefent to you by the following fimilitude the foiid and unfliaken prin- ciples of every virtuous pro- feflfor of my religion, who hears the important truths with attention, and pra6liies them with conftancy. 48 " Such an one refem- bles ' There are many beaatiful pafTages in the clajjlcs which inculcate this ofeful advice. Cum tea pervideas oculis mala lippus inuniSlis, Cur in amicorum vitiis tarn cernis acutum, Quam aut aquila, aut Terpens Epidaurius ? Horat. Lib. i. Sat 3. Peras impofuit Jupiter nobis duas : Propriis repletam vitiis pod tergum dedit, Alienis ante peftus fufpendit gravem. Hac re videre noftra mala non pofiumus, Alii fimul delinquunt, cenfores fumus. Pbat.iri'Fah. Lib. iv. 9. "> There are fom.e fine lines to this purpofe in that charming moral poet Euripides. O iJ.iv Torup©-, zS'iV rtA;^TAHr KCtK©-' Which I have thus tranflated. The vitiated heart is wholly bad. The good one, good : Nor infults, nor afHiflions Can dry its fource, or taint its lucid ftreams ; It flows the fame, perennial in goodnefs. Eurip. Hecuba 594. n Saint I«'^ eminently diftinguiflies himfelf in thefe two laft verfes as an elegant ^mv: writer — They vie in propriety and beauty of ditlion with the moft celebrated pafTagcs of the dajjics both of Grssce and Rc?r.t. Voi. L O AKK* 194 bles a perfon who intending to build an hoiife, lays its foundation deep in the folid rock — lb that when the tor- rent roars, and the winds and waves on every fide affail it — it braves their united fury, and {lands uninjured — being founded on the immoveable bafis of a rock. 49 But he who is a pro- fefibr of the golpel, and lives in open violation ot its pre- cepts, is like a man who building an houle lays its foundation on a lool'e and fiuid furface — which is un- able to fuftain the fliock of the firft ftorm that beats a- gainft it, but inftantly finks and falls in wide and deplo- r.ible ruin. CHAP. VII. I A FTER he had finifn- ■^^ ed the preceding dif courfe which tlie people heard with pleafed attention, he en- tered into Capernaum. 2 It happened about this tiii.e that a centurion's favou- TZv Iliilory cf Jesus Chap. vil. rite flave was very danger- oufly fick, paft all hopes of a recovery. 3 When the Roman of- ficer heard that Jefus was in the town, he lent to the Jew- ifii magiftrates, begging they would wait upon Jefus, and prevail with him by their en- treaties to come to his houfe, and heal his beloved flave. - 4 The magiilrates accord- ingly came to Jefus, and lol- licited this favour of him in the mofl earnefl terms — and, in order to enforce their pe- tition, bcftowed the hi2;hefi: commendations on the dif- tinguifhed vv'orth and cha- racter of the centurion. 5 Particularly applauding the love that this gentleman bore to the Jews and to their religion — which he had ma- nifelled by erecting a place of rehgious worfnip for them at his own expence. 6 Jefus immediately com- plied witl\ theif requeil, and went alons: with them — but v/hen he was now almoft arriv- ed at his houfe, the centurion hhh* ■dJ'' ej( aUVATO fif^rf/, [JiA\dt. TTi^ lxH'ia.noi)\/' UkiScctQ-, fj.iy'j,Kr., rroMVi u\&- zyyvf «B7rf, Htj iJ.ivu hiy-.c^'v anii}^cjv >.xi'\r\fA >i;^?i/9y, IllC) velut rupes willum qun^ prociit in a;quor, Obvia ventojum furiis, expofcaque ponto, Vim curnfiam atq; iiiinas pejTt-rt c.Tliq; marifq; Ipfa immota manens - ■- ■ yL'fui^', Lib. x. 693. 2 lent Chap. vii. by L fent one of his friends to him — begging he would not put himfelf to fuch inconvenience upon his account, for that he deemed himfelf unworthy to admit fo divine a perfonage under his roof, 7 alluring him, that he re- pofed fuch confidence in his power, that he was perfuaded that by a fmgle word he could reftore his flave to perfedl health, 8 and acquainting him — that as he, who v/as a Ro- man officer and appointed to maintain ilriifl difcipline in his troops, could make his military orders obeyed the moment he gave them — fo with the fame facility he be- lieved he was able to make the mod obftinate difeafes obey his powerful ccntroul. 9 When Jefus heard this meflage, he was ftruck with aftonilhment — and turning himfelf round faid to the crowd that followed him, I aflure you I have not found in any one Jew fuch a diftin- guifhcd inftance of candour and of confidence in my pow- er, as in this virtuous Hea- then ! 10 Accordingly when thofe who delivered this mefiage returned, they found the in- difpofed (lave in perfeft health. § — • 1 1 It happened the u K E. 95 day after, as he was travel- ling to a town called Nain, accompanied with a large number of his profeiled dif- ciples, and by an immenfc multitude of people ; 1 2 at a very little diflance from the place, a funeral pro- celTion niet him — a great number of the inhabitants were attending to the grave the corpfe of the only fon of a difconfolate widow. 13 When Jcfus faw her bathed in tears and over- whelmed in a flood of grief — fo affe'fling a ipeftacle fill- ed him Vv'ith the ilrongeli fy n» pathy and compaiTion he went up to her and bad her reprcfs her forrow. 14 He then advanced up to the bier — which the fun- porters feeing flood dill — and touching it, faid, O youth a- wake ! 15 Inftantly the dead bo- dy fat up, and fpoke — Jefus then prefented him to his mo- ther. 16 Such an amazing fcene filled all who were prefenc with folemn reverence and awe — -and they poured forth their grateful adorations to God, faying — What an illuf- trious prophet hath appeared among; us ! What fig-nal bleffings hath God been pleaf- ed to confer upon his favour- ite people ! O 2 17 The 196 T^he Hidory 17 The report ° of what the people unanimoufly de- clared on this occafion was foon univerially diffufed, not only in the adjacent country, but in every part of Judea. § — 1 8 Th E difciples of John hearing the fame of thefe ftu- pendous miracles reported them to their mailer — upon which he immediately lele6t- ed two of them, 19 and diipatched them to Jefus, begging he would in- form him, whether he really was that eminent perfonage whom they had fo long and ardently expedled — or whe- ther he ftill was to be the fu- ture ob]e<5l of their hopes. 20 Accordingly they wait- ed upon Jefus, and faid John the baptift hath deput- ed us to you, begging to be informed whether you are th at illuflrious prophec the fcrip- tures teach us to expert — or whether fome other is ftill to be the objeft of our hopes. 21 It happened that at the time when they deliver- ed their meflao-e, that Tefus was employed in reftoring fight to the blind, and reafon to the difordered in mind — and in freeing great numbers of Jesus Chap. vii. of people from a variety ofo- ther maladies. 22 Jefus after performing thefe feveral miraculous cures in their prefence turned to them and faid — Go and de- liver to John a faithful ac- count both of what you have feen yourfelvcs and heard reported by others — Tell him that the blind are reftored to their fight, the lame to the ufe of their limbs, the lepers to perfect health, the deaf to their hearing, the dead to life, and the dejerted fpirits of the poor are exhilarated with the joyful profpcft of immortality ^ 23 And thrice happy is he whom neither the oblcurityof my birth, or the meannefs of mycircumllanccs, are able to prejudice againft me. § — 24 After the depar- ture of John's mcfTcngcrs, Je- fus took occafion f o fpeak to the coUefted multitudes concern- ing John — He faid to them. What fudden phenomenon induced you to flock to the wildernefs in fuchvaft crowds? — Did you haften thither with fuch eager fteps to fee fome common and trivial objedt? 25 What was it attrarted o Viz. that he was a great prophet. The very accurate Macknight hath juftly obfervcd this. p The clear clifcovery of a future ilate was the \\j' 9 Heal all the indifpofed "J^hat are in it, and folemnly -'proclaim to all its inhabitants 3ithe fpeedy eftablifhment of oathe gofpel kingdom. 9n,' lo If any town refufe you the rites of ho]'pitality and ^^jpejeft your inftru6tions — go -ffinto the ftreets, and make i'this public declaration : xiiifr 1 1 The duft of your town we fhake off from under our feet upon you, as a public ij^iteftimony to you all of your ■ wilful impenitence — Be al- lured however that the king- dom of God will very ihortly be erefted. 12 I folemnly declare to U K E. 213 you, that in the general judg- ment much lels fevere pu- nilhrnent will be infli6ted on Sodom than on that town. 13 Woe unto you, O ye inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethfai-da! Had fuch flrik- ing proofs of miraculous power and divine authority been difplaycd before the ci- tizens of Tyre and Sidon, they would have deemed the evidences irrefiftible, and re- pented with the lincereft con- trition and remorfe. 14 The inhabitants there- fore of Tyre and Sidon fhall be finally doomed to punifh- ments Ids dreadful and fe- vere than what you ihall be devoted to. 15 And thou, O Caper- naum, who hail now by thy power and opulence mount- ed to fo high an elevation, fhalt then be precipitated into the loweft gulph of deftruc- tion and mifery. 1 6 Every one who receives you, in effeft receives me — he who rejedts your inftruc- tions, rcjedls mine — and he who difobeys niine admoni- tions, diiobeys the admoni- tions of God, who originally delegated and fent me into the world. § — 17 The feventy after having fulfilled their com- miflion returned to Jefus in an ecftacy of joy, and laid, P 3 Sir, 214 Sir, by the powers with which you invefted us the dasmons were fubjecfled to our con- troul. 1 8 He faid to them, ^ Sa- tan now no longer reigns triumphant -— he is now de- poled and fallen from that high elevation, which he hath (o long occupied. 19 Behold! I endow you with power to vanquifh your inoft fell and implacable ad- verfaries " — and all their de- termined rage and rancour fhall not be able to injure you or your caufe, 20 Be not however elated with fuch joy on account of the obilinate and incurable difeafes you have expelled • but rather indulge the higheft tranfports that your names are enrolled in the re- giller of heaven. ,,,^_' , § — 2 1 At that time Jefus in pious exultation poured forth his grateful acknow- ledgments to heaven in the following language — I thank thee, O thou great parent of univerfal nature, that thou haft hid the evidences of the gofpel from thoi'e who value tiiem-felves upon their fupe- Tije Hiilory of Jesus Chap J x. rior wifdom and erudition, but hall; exhibited them hi their full power and energy before humble and ingenuous minds — This procedure, O fupreme Father of all, was in confequence of that plan which thine infinite wifdom and goodnefs originally form- ed — He then turned to his difciphs and faid, 2 2 God hath delegated mc to reveal his will to mankind — and there is no being fo well acquainted with the il- luftrious dignity and office with which 1 am invefted, as my Father — nor is there any intelligent being favoured with fo clear and fublime a perception of the nature and perfections of the Deity, as the fon, and as all will enter- tain, who receive the Chril- tian revelation. 23 He then add re fled him- felf to his difciples and faid to them in private, Diltin- guilhed is your happinefs in being the ipeftator.s of thefc fingular tranfadtions ! 24 For be aflured, that great numbers of renowned princes, and illuftrious pro- phets have ardently wiflied to * By Siita/i is, figuratively, meant Jupiter, ?nd the falfe abfurd Deities oT the I'crilen tKec lopv. This paf^ige is a preididlion of our Lord, ex- •jire.Ted'iii the ufual fublime prrphctlc llile, that the pagan eftablifhment worild beovettuineJ by CnnlUanity. , '•.itie-uieaii^.., the.^igptctd advocate? of rfie J^zi;//^ z\\^ Heathen fuper- fee Chap. X. ly L ^ee the fa6ls that you every day behold, and to hear thofe inftru6lions which are com- municated to you, but this fignal happinels, which you enjoy, was denied them ! , ,§- — 25 A Jewifh clergy- man Hood up, and intend- ing to make trial of his abi- lities and knowledge, faid to him — What courie of practice iliall I purfue in order to ob- tain eternal happinefs ? 26 Jefus faid to him. What doth the law enjoin upon this fubjea ? 2 7 He replied — It incul- cates upon us the neceffity of loving God with a moll pure, intenfe and unaliena- ble affeftion — It alfo enjoins us to cultivate the moft benevolent difpofitions to- wards our neighbour. 28 Jefus faid to him. The anfvver you have returned is jl9, juit one--— ^conform your ^Jife to thefe precepts, and ^^ou will obtain a blelTed im- .^mortality. 29 But being defirous to, fecurehimfelf from errourand to knov/ the exa6l limits of 'his duty, he refumed the dif- '.courfe, and faid to Jefus Cut who, Sir, is my neigh- bour ? 30 Jefus replied — A Jew being on a journey from Je- rufalem to Jericho, had the nu-ifortune to fall in with a b U K E. 215 gang of highwaymen, who robbed him — ftripped him of every thing he had — beat him unmercifully and left him for dead in the road. 31 A prielt happening to travel that way faw him ly- ing in that deplorable condi- tion—but turned his horfe to the other fide of the road and went on — 32 A Levite too coming to the place viewed him for fome time, as he lay covered with wounds and blood- but rode by. 33 But a Samaritan travel- ling that road, when he came up to him, and faw him wal- lowing in blood, and fcnfe- lefs — this ihocking fped:acle immediately awakened all his fenfibility and tendernefs. 34 He inftantly flew to him raifed him from the ground — drefled his wounds — and with the moft officious care and concern bound them up — He then took him in his arms, and placing him on his own beaft, fupported him on it till he reached the inn— ■ where he ftill continued to fhew him the fame benevo- lence and compalTion. 35 In the morning before his departure, he called his hoft, and giving him two de- narii, faid to him — Let me ftrongly recommend to you the care of that unfortunate P 4 creature 21 6 T^hc Hiflory creature — any farther expence that you may be at on his ac- count, I will not fail mofi chearfuliy to -defray on my return. 36 Now which of thefe three do you think was neigh- bour to the man who was thus barbaroufly treated by robbers ? 37 Undoubtedly, faid he, the perfon who gave him fuch benevolent alTiiiance — Jefus faid to him, Go and a6l in the fame manner. § — 38 Being on a jour- ney and entering a certain villaGje a woman named Martha '" fent him an invita- tion to her houfe. 39 He accepting it, her jfiftcr Mary fat down at his feet — liftcning to the inftruc- tions he. delivered with the moft eager and enraptured attention. 40 Martha, in the mean time being embarraffed in providing an entertainment, came to Jefus and faid, Sir, by miy filter's attendance up- on you, the whole buiinefs of the houfe hath devolved upon me — order her to airift me in the neceflary duties of the family. 41 Jefus faid to her, Mar- tha ! you are now perplexing ^ Jesus Chap. xI. and diftreffing yourfelf in pro- viding a grand and fum.ptu- ous entertain menu, 42 when a fimple and mo- derate repaft is entirely fuf- ficienc Your fiftcr, there- fore, is better employed, and hath made that wife and pru- dent choice, the happy ef- fe6ts of which will be for ever durable and permanent. CHAP. XI. I A S he w^as offering up ■^^ his devotions in a cer- tain place, one of his difci- ples greatly affeded with the fervency of his prayers, faid to him, after he had conclud- ed. Sir, pleafe to give us fome inftrudtions concerning prayer — fince John taught his dif- ciples in what manner to dif- charge this important duty. 2 He faid to them, in your prayers conform to the fol- lowing model — O thou great governour and parent of uni- verfal nature, whomanifefteil thy glory to the bleffed in- habitants of heaven — may all thy rational creatures in all the parts of thy boundlefs do- minion be happy in the know- ledge of thy exiftcnce and pro- vidence, and celebrate thy perfeftions in a manner moll > This name occurs in /'.''.v.'«re colle6led around him, he faid. How abandoned and perverfe is the prefent age ! Not con- vinced by the miracles I per- « Sfe note on Matth. xii. 30. f See note on Matth. xii. 45. form, 22a ne Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xi. form, they require me, for their convittion, to dilplay before them fome grand re- fplendent prodigy in the air — but as they have refilled all the other firiking telli- monies I have hitherto pro- duced, no miraculous pro- digy fhall be farther indulged to them, except one that will be fimilar to what tx;fel the prophet Jonah. 30 For as the miraculous reftoration of Jonah after he had been ingulphed in the a- byfs and enclofed in the bel- ly of a fifh three days, was a proof to the Ninevites that he was invefted with a divine commifTion — ^Ib a like fignal proof (hall the fon of man exhibit to the prefent gene- ration.-^ 31 The condufl: of the queen of Arabia will at the general judgment evince to the whole affembled world that the condemnation of the prefent race will be juft for fhe felt fuch emo- tions at the report of Solo- mon's celebrated wifdom, that fhe haftened with impa- tient fteps to Jerufalem — tho' fituated at a great diftance from her own dominions But the prefent generation treat a perlbn of fuperiour wifdom and eminence to So- lomon with the laft contempt. 32 The behaviour of the inhabitants of Nineve fhows the condu61: of the prefent age to be ablolutely inexcufa- ble For tho' Jonah only gave them verbal admonitions, attended with no miracles — yet they repented in deep and fincere contrition — But this age rcjeCls a perfon endowed with infinitely greater autho- rity and fuperiour dignity. 33 A lamp is not lighted in order to be concealed — but is placed on fomeconfpi- cuous eminence, that all the houfe may enjoy its ufeful beams. 34 Reafon is to the foul what the lamp is in darknefs — if thy reafon be therefore preferved (Irong and clear, it will illuminate all thy moral difpofitions — But if the eye of reafon be fuffufed with pre- judice, or injured by vice, all thine intelleftual powers will be loft in the fhades of errour. 35 Be careful therefore left thou wilfully obi'cure thy rea- fon — for thy whole mind will then be involved in moft de- plorable darknefs. '^6 But if thou carefully p refer ve thy reafon clear from the mifts of prejudice and paf- fion, it will throw the moft pure and falutary light over all thy mental powers. § — 37 As he was thus in- ftrucTting the people, a Pha- rifee invited him to dine with him Chap. xi. by L him — He accepted the invi- tation and fat down to dinner. 38 But the Pharilee was amazed, that he had not vvalh- €d, before he fat down at the table. 39 Jelus faid to him — You Pharifees are extremely care- ;ful in decorating and adorn- ing the exterior part — — while the interior is deform- ed and polluted with ava- rice, opprefTion, and other enormous vices. .r. • 40 Abfurd and prepofter- t)us condudt ! Did not the great Being, who made the external form, create the in- ternal intelledual powers — and will he not be more fo- licitpus for the purity of the mind, than for the Ihowy elegance of the body ? ,, 41 The only v/ay to fecure ■your minds from all moral impurity and pollution is, to do good with the wealth you have accumulated, and to contribute to the relief of the ifl^digent and neceflitous. 42 But O ye Pharifees ! dreadful will be your future mifery ! — for you are moft religioufly fcrupulous in per- forming all the little niceties of the ceremonial law, and with a moft pundiilious ex- aftnefs mark the titheof mint, rue, and other herbs — but entirely difregard the impor- tant duties of equity and the U K E. 221 love of God T!hefe you ought to have made the great fundamental rules of your condutl, at the fame time that you omitted not the ce- remonial injundions, 43 Woe unto you, O ye Pharifees ! for it is merely to gratify your pride and often- tation, that you ftrive fo ve- hemently to fecure the moft diftinguiftied places in all re- ligious aflemblies — and to be complimented in all places of public relbrt with the pom- pous titles of Dodor and Rabbi 1 44 Woe unto you, O ye hypocritical Scribes and Pha- rifees ! Your vile hypocrify is concealed from the eye of the world like fome fecret graves, full of loathfomc pu- trefadion and horror, over which men walk without per- ceiving them, or being able to diftinguifli from the com- mon path. 45 An expounder of tfac law being prefent, when Je- fus uttered thcfe jv.ft invec- tives, interrupted him, and faid. Sir ! in fatyrizing the vices of the age you include us, and reproach and infult our order. 46 Jelus replied. Dread- ful beyond defcription, O ye expofitors of the law, will be your future condemnation — for you opprefs men with an intolerable 2i2 Intolerable burden of fevere and tedious obfervances — but will not in. your own pradlice conform to any of thole ft rid and rigid prefcriptions, which you impofe upon others. 47 Great will be your fu- ture mifery ! — for you build and lavifh every embellilh- ment on the tombs of thofc very prophets, in whofe blood your anceflors embrued their hands. 48 By the elegance you la- vifh upon thefe monuments, you give a public glaring tef- timony, that you are the de- fcendents of thofe murderers ■*— whofe alTafTinations you alfo vindicate and juftify in the face of the world, by building fuch magnificent ftruftures for thofe, whofe blood your progenitors fpil- led. 49 To reclaina them, faid God, from their vices, I will fend among them prophets and apoftles but fome of thefe they will perfecute, fome they will murder. 50 So that upon this very oreneration all the blood that hath been flied from the be- cinnino; of the world to the prefenttimefhallbe revenged, 51 from Abel, down to Zacharias, whom you cruelly afTafTinatcd between the tem- ple and the altar all the blood, I repeat it, fhed in T!he Hiflory c/' J E s u s Chap. xii. this long fcries of years fhall; be revenged on this very ge-* neration. 52 Shocking beyond idea^ ye expounders of the law, ' will be your future mifery ! — for you contrive every me- thod to prevent men from embracing chriflianity — ^You arc determined not to be con- vinced by its evidences your- felves, and do every thing in .' your power to prevent per- .. fons of good difpofitions from : being convinced. § — SZ With thefe deferv- ed cenfures and reproofs the Pharifees and Scribes, whO' were prefent, were heinoully exafperated and to have their revenge on him, they began to propofe to him fcve- ral enfnaring queftions, 54 malicioufly defigning to circumvent him by thefe infi- dious arts, and earneftly long- ing to pick up fome exprefTi- > ons he might inadvertently i. drop, on which they might > ground an accufation againft him. CHAP. XIT. 1 A N immenfe and infi- -^^ nite multitude of peo- ple being now colleded toge- ther, who crowded and trod one upon another in a tumul- tuous manner — he addrefled the following difcourfe to his difciple: — Be ever cautious of being Cliap. xli. hy L being infefted with hypocri- fy, the predominant vice of the Pharifees, which like lea- ven hath fpread and diffuled itlelf thro* the mafs of the Jewifh nation. 2 But there is no vice, which they take fuch pains to fereen from the eye of the world, but fhall one day be brought to light — That dark- nefs, in v/hich they wrap their crimes, will one day be dif- pelled, and all their enormi- ties be unvailed. g Let me therefore folemn- ly aflure you. That what you tranfa<5l in the (hades of night fhall be publifhed in the open face of day — what you v/hifper in the moft obfcure and fecret recefs fhall be proclaimed be- fore the ailembled world ! 4 Since therefore the great day of retribution is approach- ing, accept, my dear and faithful companions, the fol- lowing admonitions — Fear not thofe, who can only de- prive you of a precarious be- ing, but whofe power ex- tends no farther. 5 I will fhew you, whom you ought to fear-— Let that great Being, be the fole objeft of your fear, who can involve both foul and body in total and everlafting dellrudion — Let that great Being, I re- peat it, be the fole objedl of your conftant fear. 4 U K E. 22 6 For if the meancft and moil inconfiderablc creatures are perpetually under the in- fpedlion of God, and perifh not without his cognifance — how much more muft divine providence intereft itfelf in the guardianfliip and protec- tion oi rational beings. 7 God is intimately ac- quainted with all your mi- nuted: concerns, and the very hairs of your head are num- bered by his all-comprehen- five wifdom — Fear not there- fore any fufferings and per- fecutions that men may infli<5t upon you — for an intelligent being is furely more entitled to the divine care and re- gards, than the irrational and inferior creatures. 8 Be aflured therefore, that whoever, notwithftanding the rage of perfecutors and the profpeft of the greateft fuf- ferings, (hall with undaunt- ed fortitude publickly pro- fefs his belief of Chriftianity, (hall be publickly acknow- ledged for my true difciple before the angels of God, and the alTembled world. 9 But whofoever (hall be terri(ied into a recantation of his Chriftian principles, and openly renounce his profef- fion — him will I alfo publick- ly rejefl in the day when man- kind (hall be convened before God's tribunal. 10 The 224 10 The mod opprobrious calumnies againft the Ion of man fhall be forgiven — but lie that with determined and invincible prejudice iliail blaf- phemoufly alcribe the mira- culous operation of God to the power and energy of wick- ed infernal fpirits, precludes all convidion, and lliall ne- ver be forgiven here or here- after. 1 1 But when you are drag- ged before magift rates and courts of judicature, and car- ried betoic the mofi illuflri- ous perfonages — be not anxi- ous in ffudying what vindica- tion you fhall make of your principles and condu6l. 12 For that God, in whofe caufe you are engaged, will enable you by his holy fpirit, in that emergency, to apolo- gize for yourfelves. § — 13 As he was difcour- fing, a perfon in the crowd railed his voice and faid, Great prophet ! I defire you would admonifli my brother to make a juit and equitable partition of the paternal e- itate, that hath been left us. 14 He turned to him and faid. Friend ! I came not in- to the world to intermeddle ia the civil affairs of men, or T^he Hiflory of Jesus Chap. xll. to adjufl: their fecular pro- perty. 15 From this incident he took occafion to addrefs to the multitude the following advice — Carefully guard a- gainfl: conuafting an infati- able paflion tor accumulating wealth — For the happincfs of life is not annexed to fuperior poffeffions. 16 With a view to this fubjeft he recited the follow- ing fable — — — It happened that the immenfe ellates of an opulent gentleman one year proved uncommonly fertile, and yielded him an exceeding rich and plentiful crop. 17 His heart exulted when he viewed the waving golden harveft — and as he looked o- ver the wide extended prof- pe6t, he faid to himfel f ■ What fhall I do with it all ! — Where fliall I repofit it ! — I have no place capable of containing; half this immenfe crop ! 18 After fome time fpent in anxious deliberations, he cried out in a fudden tranf- port — I am determined im- mediately to pull down my barns — and I will ereft grand and magnificent ftorehoufes>> t Sepulchri immemor ilruis domos. Hsrat. where chap. xii. hy L u K E. where I will amafs all this co- pious and amazing produce of Iny fields. 19 When I have piled it all up — I will then fay to my foul — Happy foul ! Difhin- goifhed is thy felicity! Thou haft immenfe treaiiires, from which thou wilt derive pure and permanent blifs for a long, long fcries of many dif- tant happy years Com.e, indulge thy foft envied repofe — feaft on the moft delicious viands — tafte the moftexqui- fite liquors- -and traverfe a circle of every amufement and joy. aoButwhilehe was brooding over this enchanting profpedl and fondly anticipating all its happinefs — God laid to him, O thou unthinking mortal ! this very night the lamp of thy vain life fhall be extinguidied - — and ^ what advantage to thee will then all ' the im- menfe treafures be, that thou haft accumulated ^ ! 21 Like this v/ealthy {^\\- fualift is every one, whofe heart is folely engroffed by 225 riches, and totally alienated from God. 2 2 Wherefore I charge yoii addrefiing himfelf to his difciples— to fupprefs all im- moderate defires of earthly pleafures and indulgences, and not to be follicitous, Hov/ you Oiall gratify your appetites ! What repalls will give you, the moft pl^afure ! — and what apparel add the moft elegance and grace to your perlon:! ! 23 For is not life of in- finitely greater wcrdi than all the refinements of luxury — and health of unfpcakably greater value than the moft fplcndid robes ? 24 Contemplate the ravens — They have no fields to fow, no crops to reap, no barns to fill — yet the great parent of nature regularly fupplies them with food— and ought you, whom God hath fo highly ex- alted in the fcale of being, to debafe the fuperior dignity of your nature by an uneafy and reftleis anxiety for ani- mal and fenfual enjoyments ? 25 Can any man by the s So the gresk ought to have been rendered — ic. Diana-ftnick, Saturn, i. 17. In Plautus we meet with Cerrita, Cercs-JIruck, one whofe mind was difordered by Ceres. Amphit. /ii5t. ii. Sc. ii. 144. Edit. Far. 1684. And there is a very remarkable paiHige in the Odvjpy, which I have never feen quoted on this fubjcft, in which flow confuming pains are attributed to the influence of a nialignant dreniOn. Odyf. E. 396. fi< 15 Finding himfelf now deftitute of bread, and hav- ing nothing to eat to fatisfy a raging appetite — he went to an opulent citizen, and beg- ged him in the moft fuppli- cant terms that he would em- ploy him in any menial drud- gery — The gentleman hired him, and fent him into his fields to feed fwine ^. 16 Here he was io dread- fully tormented with hunger, that he envied even the fwine the hufks which he faw them greedily devour — and would willingly have allayed with thefe the dire fenfations he felt — but none of his fellow- fervants would permit him. 17 But refieflion, which his vices had kept fo long in a profound fleep, now a- of Jesus Chap. xv. woke — He now began to re- view the paft fcenes of his life, and all the plenty and happinefs in which he had once lived now ruflicd into his mind — What a vail num- ber of fervants, faid he, hath my father, who riot in fuper- fluous abundance and af- fluence, while I am ema- ciated and dying with hun- ger. ; 1 8 I am determined to go to my dear aged parent, and try to excite his tendernefs and companion for me — I will kneel before him, and accoft him in thefe penitent and pathetic terms — Beft of parents ! I acknowledge my- lelf an ungrateful creature to heaven and to you ! ^ 19 I have rendered my- felf, by a long courfe of ma- ny fliameful vices, unworthy of the name of your child ! — • Condefcend to hire me into your family in the capacity of the meaneit flave. 20 Having formed this re- folution, he travelled towards home, without cloaths, and without Ihoes — with all the hafle, that a body pining with hunger, and exhaufted by fa- tigue could make-f-When he was now come witliin fight of home, his father faw him at a diftance — knew him — and ^ A very difagrecable office to a 'Jtnv, ' was Chap. XV. hy L was fubdued at once with pa- ternal tendernefs and pity — He rufhed to meet him with fwift and impatient fteps — folded him in his arms — im- printed a thoufand ardent kifies on his lips — the tears ftraying down his venerable cheeks, and the big paflions, that ftruggled in his breaft, choaking his utterance. 2 1 After fome time the fon faid' — Bed and kindeft of parents ! I have been guilty of the blacked ingratitude both to God and to you ! — I am unworthy ever to be called your child ! 2 2 His father without making any reply to thele words, called his fervants, laying, Bring hither immedi- ately a complete i'uit of the bed apparel I have in the houfe — - 23 And do you fetch the fat calf from the dall, and kill it — for we will devote this day to fedivity and joy. 24 For this is my Ion ! — He, whole death I have fo long and bitterly deplored, is yet alive! Him, whom I believed had miferably periih- ed, I have now recovered ! — A mod fplendid entertain- ment was accordingly pre- pared — and every heart was dilated with tranfport on this happy occafion. 25 In the mean time. u K E. 239 while they were thus joyfully celebrating his return — -the elder brother was ahfent in the fields^ — ^On his coming home in the evening, when he approached the houfe, he heard the whole dome refound with vocal and indrumental mufic, and dancing. 26 He called one of the fervants, and afked him the meaning of this unexpefted fcene. 27 The fervant faid, Your brother. Sir, is jud returned from abroad and your fa- ther is celebrating this happy occafion by a mod fplendid and elegant entertainment. 28 This account of his father's condud highly incen- fed and exafperated him and he obdinately refufed to go into the hall to his brother, and to the other company — His behaviour being told the father, he came out to him — and even entreated him to come in,and fliare theirfelicity. 29 To thefe adeftionate perfuafions he fullenly repli- ed, I have done all your drudgery for a great number of years pad, and never once difobeyed any of your orders — yet you never made me a prefent even of fuch a trifle as a kid, and bad me go and entertam my friends. 30 But no fooner doth this libertine return to you, after 240 ^fter having dlffipated all the fortune you gave him in the vilell fenfuality and de- bauchery — but you embrace him in an ecftacy of joy — bathe him in a flood of tears •—and folemnize the day by a fumptuous and magnificent feaft. 31 His father faid to him, My dear fon ! the paternal inheritance you know, is yours You have been al- ways with me : I have never regretted your abfence — 32 You too' ought there- fore to indulge the warmeft joy, and mutually to fhare in ouu tranfports, upon receiv- ing a brother, whofe death we have fo often lamented, and recovering one, whofe lofs we have fo bitterly de- plored. CHAP. XVI. 1 T_TE moreover recited to -*-■■• his difciples the fol- lowing parable — A certain rich nobleman had a fteward, who was accufed of embezz- ling his property, and diffi- pating his fortunes in a courfe of extravagance and profu- fion. Tihe Hiftory ^ Jesus Chap. xvl. 2 Immediately upon this information he fent for his fteward, and faid to him — What foundation is there for the fcandalous reports I re- ceive of your condu6t ? — — You are charged with fraud and dilhoaefty to me — Lay all your' accounts regularly before me — for I iliall not continue you any longer in the office. 3 So unexpe(5ted a recep- tion quite overwhelmed the fteward — Alas, faid he to himfelf, what fhall I do for a maintenance when my lord difcards me ! I have no ' ftrength to do any of the drudgery of agriculture — and to beg my bread from door to door, is a thought that fills me with confufion and horror. 4 After deliberating fome time what courfe he fhould purfue — he cried out in rap-' tures 1 have hit upon a fortunate fcheme, that will, when I am turned out, pre- ferve me from indigence and wretched nefs — and procure me a friendly entertainment and reception among my lord's tenants. I 5 When he had planned •■ Our tranflators have entirely disfigured the beauty of the parable by tranflating it woe, inllead oi you alfo. For as the elder brother was in- tended to reprefent the JetnJ, and the younger the Gentile the father, who reprefents t\iQ comman parent of both nations, judges it highly rca- fonable and fraternal, that the eUtr ihould rejoice at the converfion of the jounger, and chap. xvL by L U K E. and concerted his projeft, he fent for every tenant, v/hom he knew was in arrears to his lord, and laid to one — How much do you Hand indebted to my mailer ? 6 The tenant faid, My debt amounts to one hundred baths of oil— -The Iteward faid, Take your bill imme- diately, and fet down fifty. 7 He called another and faid to him. How much do you owe ? — He faid, an hun- dred homers of wheat — He faid, Take your bill and put down eighty. 8 When the gentleman heard of this fchemc which his artful and fraudulent fteward had formed and exe- cuted — he greatly admired and applauded him for the admirable acutenefs and pro- found fagacity he had dii- played to procure himfelf a livelihood — For thofe, vv ho are devoted to temporal in- terefts, exert greater wifdom and prudence in the manage- ment of their fecular bufi- nefs, than the virtuous and good difcover in the tranf- a6tion of their cdejiial con- cerns. 9 I exhort you in like man- ner to procure the favour oi God and good fpirits by 241 and tranfitory diftribudng, in charity beneficence, the riches of this life— that when they are exhaufred % or torn from you by any accident, you may find a joyful recep- tion into the manfions of im- mortaiity, 10 As he that hath main- tained an uncorrupted integ- rity in the management of a fmall truft, v/ill difplay it in a more important one — and, on the contrary, as he who hath been dirnoneil in the lowefb flation will carry \/\i\\ him the fame fraudulent prin- ciples into the higheil : 1 1 fo alfo if you do not approve your fidelity and virtue in the adminiftration of the falfe and fugitive in- terefls of this life — how can you expect that God will commit to you the folid and permanent riches of eterniiy ! 12 And if you have vio- lated the principles of integ- rity and honour in the direc- tion of what God hath en- trufted you with for fo Jliort a time — will he afiign to you the perpetual pofiefTion of im- mortality ! 13 As it is impofTible for a fervant to love two mailers of quite ditferent diipofitions and tempers with equal affec- • F.y,A/-TH v.'hich the Alsxandrlan and Cambridge MSS. exhibit, is the true reading. Vol. I. R tion 242 ne Hiflory tion — for one will nccefTqrily be the objeft of his efteem and regard, and the other of his averfion and contempt — fo no perlon can at the fame time be truly religious, while his heart is enflaved to fordid avarice and worldly-minded- nefs. § 14 The Pharifees, who were excelTively avarici- ous, heard the preceding dif- courfes — and treated him with the moft contemptuous fcorn and derifion. 15 Jefus feeing the con- tempt they exprefled, turned to them and laid, Before the world you fhow a fair exter- nal femblance of uncom- mon fandlity and holinefs — but God fees the turpitude and deformity that lurk be- hind it — That which fecures you the admiration and ap- plaufe of man, God beholds with detcftation and liorrour. 16 The mofaic difpcnfation continued in full iorce 'till the commencement of John's miniftry — fince that period the joyful news of the gofpel difpcnfation is every where proclaimed and publifhed ; but the incorrigibly deprav- ed and prejudiced oppofe its reception with the moll de- of Jesus Chap. xvi. termined violence ' and ran- cour. 1 7 But notwithftanding their inveterate rage to crulhitin its birth, fooner fhall heaven and earth be confounded in one general ruin, than the leaft of my laws be ever abrogated and fuperfeded by the malice of men. 1 8 He that repudiates his wife to marry another is guil- ty of adultery — and he that marries the woman thus dif- mified is acceflbry to the crime of adultery. § — 1 9 Th ere was a rich man poffcfled of an immenfe for- tune — who was always drefl^ ed in the moft fplendid and lumptuous robes — and was every day regaled with all the refinements of luxury and pleaiure. 20 At the proud gate of this rich voluptuary was laid a molt miferable object whofe name was Lazarus — covered with ulcers. 21 This unhappy creature folicited in the moil plaintive and moving terms, that lie might have only the crumbs, that dropped from the luxuri- ous board, to allay his raging hunger — but was refufed — The dogs, however, more » The Cambridge MS. reads — Every one that is difpojed to embrace thr gofpel is violently outraged. This appears to me to have been the origi- nal reading. friend I V Chap. XVI. by Luke. friendly and companionate, af- fuaged his pain, and gave him a momentary eafe by licking his fores. 22 Death foon gave this wretched creature a kind dif miffion from his forrows — But behold ! he was inftant- ly conveyed by angels into the regions of immortal blifs, and made an afleflbr with Abraham — The proud fen- fualift alfo died and was in- terred. 23 But the moment after the diifolution of foul and body, he found himfelf plung- ed into the mod dreadful and horrid miferies In thefe doleful regions throwing his eyes around from fide to fide, he difcovered at an immenfe diftance his great progenitor Abraham, and Lazarus re- clining on his bofom, in the full fruition of ineffable joy. 24 Inftantly he railed his voice, and in the moft pierc- ing and affecting accents cri- ed. Pity, O thou great and worthy anceftor, do pity me ! — I conjure thee, fend La- zarus to me ! — It is but a fmall favour I follicit — only to dip the tip of his finger in cold water, and put one fingle refrefhing drop to m.y tongue — for I fuffer the moft dire and intolerable torments in thefe incircling flames ! 25 Abraham fald to him, 243 Confider, my fon ! — on earth you were blefled with afBu- .ence, and traverfed a circle of every fond amufement and joy — Lazarus on the con- trary was overwhelmed with all human life's variety of wretchednefs — l^xMhere the fcene is reverfed — Now he is confummately happy — thou art completely wrcrched. 26 Befides, it is impolTible for us to afford thee ihe af- fiftance thou lb pathetically implorcft — for there is a vaft and profound gulph that e- ternally interpoies betwixt us, and for ever precludes all mutual intercourfe betwixt the inhabitants of thefe tvv'o different regions. 27 To this he replied, fuf- fer me however, O mofc ho- ly and iiluftrious progenitor, to prevail with you to fend him to my father's houfe. 28 I have five brothers dilTolved in luxury and plea- fure — Bid him appear to thefe and warn them in the moft folemn manner to repent and reform their lives, that they too may not be precipitated into thefe doleful and horrid abodes. 29 To this rcqucft Abra- ham replied. They have the books of Mofes and the pro- phets — the rules of their du- ty are there plainly dellncac- ed — Let tiieni make ilivrfe i\ 2 rules 244 rules the laws of their moral condu6l and obedience. qo He refiimcd, Suffer me, great ancellor, to be impor- tunate with you — If a celel- tial fpirit were folcmnly de- puted to them from the man- fions of the dead to admonifh them — they would be reclaim- ed from their vices. 31 He anfwered. If they are detcn"nined to flight the faithful advice of Mofcs and the prophets, they v/ould al- fo difregard the moft Iblemn admonitions that could be given them by a mellenger trom the world of fpirits. c n A p. xvii. I ILJIE fifid to his difciples, JlX 'ihe weaknefs and wickedncfs of mankind will necefiarily produce many ob- ftacles to impede the recep- tion and progrefs of the gol- pel — but dreadful beyond conception will be the final doom of tliat man by whom fuch obftacles .ire firft laid. 2 For whoever fliall de- fignedly lay a flumbling block before the meaneft of my fol- lowers, and be the wilful author of his apoftacy from my religion, Iiad better have a mill-ftone fufpended about his neck, and be plunged in- to the profoundeft abyfs. 3 Exercife the ftriftcft vi- ^hc Hiilory of Jesus Chap. xvli. gilance over your own con- dudf — Should your Chriftian brother do you an injury, re- prove him in a calm and dil- pafllonate manner — if he is touched with compunftion for the injullice he hath done you, and fmcerely repents of it — hefitate not a moment to forgive him. 4 And fl^ould he repeat the offence feven times in a day, and as often folicit your forgivenefs, with fincere penitence declaring his for- row and remorfe for what he hath done, you fliall gener- oufly forgive him. § — 3 About that time the dilciples faid tojefus-, Be pleaf- ed, Sir, to beilaw upon us larg;;r mcafures of that faith that may enable us to per- form greater miracles. 6 Jefus replied. Did your faith bear the fmalleft pro- portion to the fingular ad- vantages you have enjoyed of eftabliniing and confirm- ing it — you would be able to produce as aftoniihing 0- perations, as eradicating that fycamine by a word — tranf- porting it thro' the air, and planting it in the ocean. 7 Will any man who hath a fervant employed in culti- vating his fields or feeding his flocks fay to him when he returns home from his fervile occupation — Go, re- cline Chap. xvil. by L cline on my couch — gratify thine appetite, and indulge thine eafe. 8 Inflread of fuch language doth he not fay to him, Haf- ten fupper and wait at table • — you may afterwards get yourfelf fome refrefhment after your fatigue. 9 Is he under any obliga- tion to his fervant for obey- ing his orders and perform- ing the incumbent offices of his ilation ? — moft certainly none at all. 10 In like manner after you have regularly and con- icientioufiy difcharged all the duties that have been enjoin- ed you — fay with pious and undiflembled humility, We are unprofitable creatures ! We have done no more than what our duty abfolutely re- quired from us ! § — 1 1 In his journey to Jerufalem he travelled thro' the confines of Samaria and Galilee. 12 On his entrance into a village he was met by ten perfons affefted with leprofy — ' who approached not his perfon, but flood in a body at fome diftance from the multitude. U K E. 245 13 They then pierced the air with loud and piteous cries, faying, lUutlrious pro- phet ! pity our wretched con- dition ! 14 Jefus faid to them. Go and prefent yourfelves to the priefts according to the pre- fcription of the law -They had not advanced but a few paces, before they found themfelves compleatly cured. 15 One of them, touched with gratitude at his miracu- lous reftoration, turned back, celebrating the goodnefs of God to him in loud and rap- turous accents. 16 And in this flow of joy advancing up to Jefus, he threw himfelf at his i^(ti thanking him in the moft fer- vent eiTufions of gratitude for the mercy he had beftowed on him — This grateful crea- ture was a Samaritan. 17 Jefus faid. Were not ten miraculoufly healed ? Where are the other nine ? 1 8 Had none of them the ingenuity and goodnefs of heart to return,.' and pay their public acknowledg- ments to God, but this de- fpifed and detefted heretic " .^ 19 Jefus then turned to " The Je-jjs called the Samaritans a^^Koyevoi ilrangers, tho' Samaria was but a few miles from Jcrtifalcm. But they fhunned all intercourfe with them, as if they had been at the remoteil diftance, and treated them as the molt abandoned and defpicable heretics. I have therefore chofen to render it by this lail word, as conveying the true fenfe of our Saviour — who here cenfures the Je-ivs for their ingratitude, and applauds ingenuity and good- nefs of heart in one whofc fed and very name they implacably hated and abhorred. R X the 246 The Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xvii. the Samaritan and faid to him, Rife and go home — The faith you have repofed in my di- vine power hath obtained the cure of your difeafe. § — -20 Being aflced by the Pharifees, when the kingdom of the Meffiah would com- mence— -he anfwered, That kingdom is not to be erefted with any external difplay of pomp and fplendour. 21 Nor will it be faid, Be- hold ! it is gloriouQyeftabiifh- ing itfelf in fuch or fuch a particular place — for be af- lured that it is now filently and infcnfibly forming itfelf among you. 22 He then faid to his dif- ciples. The diftrefiing times will foon come, when you will look back with regret on the happinefs you enjoyed in my former converfe, and will paffionately wifh for my prefence to comfort and con- ible you — but wifh in vain. 23 In thofe days they will jay to you. Behold ! the long expedled Meffiah hath now made his public appearance in fuch a town — Haften not thither with fwift and eager fteps. 24 For as lightening darts at one fwcep in a moment from one extremity of the pole to the other — with fuch rapidity and fwiftnefs fnalj the fon of man come to de- ftroy the Jewifh nation. 25 But he muft firft fuffer a thoufand indignities — and be publickly rejedted and condemned by the prefent ge- neration. 26 The features of the time, in which thefe dread- ful calamities fhall overwhelm them, fhall exadly refemble thofe of the times in which Noah lived. 27 The men of that age were then immerfed in the excefTes of all fenfual indul- gence- and continued in a courfe of luxury, intemper- ance, and every loft amufe- ment and pleafure 'till the very day that Noah entered into the ark — -and never once fufpeded the impending in- undation, 'till it fuddenly rufhed down upon them and fwept them all away. 28 It was thus alfo in the days of Lot- The inhabi- tants of Sodom and Gomor- ra were then eating, drink- ing, buying, felling, plant- ing, building — and continu- ed in the boundlefs purfuit of all fenfuality and voluptuouf- nefs, 29 'till the very hour that Lot quitted Sodom under the condu6l of an angel——— when they, funk in fecurity and peace, were at once over- whelmed Chap, xviii. ^X ^ u whelmed in a torrent of fire and bnmftone pouring upon them from heaven, and were plunged in moft dreadful and univerfal perdition. 30 Juft fuch will be the ftate of things, when the fon of man fuddenly comes, and difplays his power in the de- ftru6tion of this impenitent nation. 3 1 He who then happens to be on the top of his houfe, and fees the deftrudive army approach — let him not ftay a moment to take any of his furniture. — Pie who is then in the fields, let him not turn back to his houfe. 32 In that emergency let the remembrance of the fate that befell the wife of Lot urge you to the moft preci- pitate flight. 33 He who fhall then hope to fave his life by flying into the ftrong and fortified Metropolis, fliall lofe it- But he who fhall fcem to throw away his life by flying to the open and defencelels towns, fhall efcape deftruc- tion. 34 At the time of this fud- den irruption there fhall be two perlbns in one bed, a good chriftian, and an unbe- lieving Jew — the one of whom fliall be involved in the gene- ral deftruction, the other fave himfelf by flight. K E. 247 25 Two women fliall be grinding at the fame mill — one fhall be taken captive, the other providentially make her efcape. 36 Ihere fliall be twoper- fons in the fame field — the one fliall be furprized, the o- ther make his efcape. 37 They faid to him. In what place will thefe dread- ful calamities break out? — He anfwercd, In every place, where the putrid carcafe lies, thither will the eagles colledt to glut their raging hunger. Chap, xviii. i He fpoke the following parable to his difciples, in order to repre- fent to them the necefllty of fervent and conftant prayer to God that they might be delivered from thefe impend- ing calamities. 2 Th ere lived in a certain ci- ty a judge of a moft abandoned and profligate charadler — in- flated with fuch infolence and impiety, that he profefl!ed a fovereign contempt both for God and man. 3 In the fame city lived a forlorn and oppreflTed widow — who came to him and fup- plicated him in the moft im- portunate terms, that he would vindicate her caufe, and deliver her from the pow- er and inhumanity of a cruel and unfeeling wretch. R 4 4 She 24^ lie Hiflory 4 She teized him with thefe moving felicitations for a confiderable time to no pur- pofe — ftill repulied, and ilill returning to recount her af- fedting tale, and to implore redrefs At laft he faid to himfelf, Tho' I ccnfefs my principles are atheiftical, and that I have fuch a fovereign contempt for mankind, as not to regard what they fay or think of my conduft, 5 yet, becaufe this v/idow incefiantly ftuns me with her complaints, and difturbs the peace and tranquility of my mind — I am determined to abet her caufe, and vindi- cate her from oppreffion — rr.erely to rid myielf for the future of her affeding and importunate clamours. 6 . Obferve, faid Jefus, the icntimentsand motives of this iniqiiitous judge ! — ^and how he fufters himfelf at laft to be teized into a compliance. 7 And will not the fu- premely nierciful and com- panionate parent, tho' his juftice and goodnefs feem to o/' Jesus Chap, xviil. (lumber for a conGderable time, vindicate at laft the op- prelfed caufe of his faithful and perlecuted children — and in anfwer to their importunate and repeated cries and pray- ers refcue them from the cru- elty and inhumanity of their implacable perfecutors* ! 8 I folcmnly afiure you he will in no long time appear in their compleat vindication, and wreak his dreadful ven" geance on their inveterate op- prefibrs — But alas ! when the Ion of man comes to inflid; this punifhment on an incor- rigible people, tho' he hath fo frequently and plainly af- ferted it, how inconfiderable will the number of thofe be, who will at that time be found the believers and ex- pec^lants of this great event" ? § — 9 To fome, whom he knew valued themfelves up- on their fuperiorfanftity, and entertained a fovereign con- tempt for the reft of man- kind, he addrefled this para- ble : 1 o Two men went to the ** '^ Such undoubtedly t\\tjezvs ever were to the Chi-ijljans ':i!l the de- ftruftion of Jerufalem Then they \yere vindicated into freedom and liberty. They fuffered ten thoufand indignities and miferics from that bjgotted nation — but God at lall delivered the opprelfed caufe of Chriftia- pity. ' This was really the cafe, notwithflanding our Saviour's plain pre- diftion of the deflruftion of Jerufalem — yet tliere were numbers of care- lefs and profligate Chriilians, who, as Sc. Peter aifures us, were faying, fFLerc ii the ^romife of his coT(iinn f' .^ i^.^,^ temple Chap, xvili. ly h temple to offer up their de- votions to God — one was a Pharifee, the other a tax-ga- therer. 1 1 The Pharifee Hood by himlelf, difdaining to mix with the profane and irreligi- ous multitude, and with an haughty and fupercilious look uttered this prayer — I thank thee, O God ! that I am not like the reft of mankind, mon- gers of rapacity, injuftice, and debauchery ! — and I blefs thee, in particular, that I have infinitely more virtue and goodnefs than the tax-ga- therer here prefent ! 12 For thou knoweft that twice every week I keep a folemn religious faft, and that I moft chearfully and confcientioufly confecrate to pious ufes the tenth of every thing I pofiefs. c 1 3 The tax-gatherer over- whelmed with a painful con- fcioufnels of his heinous crimes, deemed himfelf un- worthy to enter within the temple of fo pure and ho- ly a Being — He ftood in the court of the gentiles in the moft humble and reverential pofture — not daring even to life his eyes tov/ards that holy Being, whom he had offend- ed — All his paft guilt here ruflied into his mind he fmote his breaft and in a iBoQd of contrition and re- 2 U K E. 249 morfe cried. Merciful God I be propitiousto me a fin- ner! 14 I afllire you that this latter, in confequence of this fincere and devout ejaculation, was a greater obje6l of the divine favour and complacen- cy than the former— for fu- percilious arrogance fhall be abafed, but virtuous humili- ty and modefty fliall be ex- alted. § — 15 SoPviE Jewifti pa- rents at that time brought in- fants to him, that he might lay his hands upon them, and recommend them to the blef- fing of God— But the difci- ples perceiving their intenti- on, prevented their approach, and reproved thofe who brought them. 1 6 Upon this Jefus called to his difciples and faid, for- bid not the accefs of little children to me — for thofe per- fons only, who are poftelfed of their native innocence and their inoffenfive difpofitions, are the worthy fubjeds of the gofpcl kingdom. 1 7 I declare to you in the moft folemn manner. That he who doth not receive the gofpel difpenfation with the temper and difpofition of little children, will never be deem- ed a true and v/orthy mem- ber of it. §— 18 250 7!^^ Hiftory § — 18 A PERSON of dif- tinftion now approached and accofted him in the following manner— Condefcend, good jnftruvSlor, to acquaint me what courfeof pradice I mult: purfue in order to enfure e- ternal hapninefs. 19 Jeius fald to him, What induces you to call rne good that venerable title can efientiaily belong only to the one fupreme God. 20 You know the precepts which God hath prefcribed as the rules of duty---for ex- ample, Thou (halt not be guilty of adultery, of mur- der, of theft, of falfe accufa- tion — thou fhait honour thy father and thy mother, 21 He anfwered — I have, Sir, from my childhood con- fcientioully made thefe im- portant commands the con- ftant rules of my conduft. 22 Jefus faid to him. You are ftill defeiflive in one thing — If you are defirous to at- tain the higheft pitch of ex- cellence and virtue, go home, fell all your pofieffionr, dif- penfe the money arifing from the Tale among the poor, and become my infeparable com- panion by this illuftrious conduct you willfecure a mofi: tranlcendent and diftinguifh- ed degree of celeftial blefled- ncfs. 2^, No Iconer had Jefus of Jesus Chap, xvilf. pronounced thefe words, but he was apparently overwhelm- ed with grief and melancholy — for he was immenfely rich. 24 Jefus perceiving the gloom and forrow in which he was inftantly immerfed, faid, How dijfficult a thing is it for thofe who are poiTeifed ofopulentfortiines to enter in- to the kingdom of the iVlef- iiah! 25 It is as impoflible for a rich man to enter into the gofpel kingdom, as it is for a cable to be forced thro' the eye of a needle. 26 They who heard this aflereion replied — How can any rich man then ever ob- tain eternal falvation. 27 He anfwered. Human- ly fpeaking this is morally im- poflible — but by God's all- powerful alTiftance the very greateft impediments that riches lay in men's road to chriftianity may be furmount- ed. 28 Peter then faid to him. We thy difciples have relin- quifhed our all, and become thy faithful followers. 29 Jefus faid to them. There is no one, who out of a fmcere attachment to me and to the gofpel hath either left his home, his parents, his brothers, his wife, his children : 30 but who fhall, even in the Chap. xlx.. hy L the midll of the {everefl: perk- cutions to which he fhall be expofed in this life, enjoy that ferene fatisfa£tion and pure tranfporting felicity in his own mind, as fhall infinitely compenfate for all the loffes he hath fuftained — and who fliall in 2i future ftate be railed to confpicuous and diftin- guifhed happinefs. § — 31 After this, taking the twelve apoftles afide, he thus Ipoke to them — We are now travelling up to Jerufa- lem, where all the predidi- ons of the ancient prophets concerning the fon of man Ihall be accomplifhed. 32 For he will be deliver- ed into the power of the Ro- mans, be treated with every indignity, mocked, infulted, fpit upon, '2^1^ torn with fcourges, and pubiickly executed — but on the third day he will be raif- cd from the grave. 34 But they chofe not to underftand him — their pre- judices prevented them from comprehending what he faid, §—35 When he was near Jericho, a blind man who fat begging on the fide of the road, 36 hearing the found of a prodigious multitude paffing by, afked the occafion of fuch a vaft concourle of people, Q,'] and being told that Je- U K E. 251 fus of Nazareth was travelling that way, 38 he inftantly raifed a ve- hement cry — O Jefus fon of David ! pity my condition ! 39 Thofe who were ad- vancing before the body of the multitude reproved him, and ordered him to be filent — but thefe rebukes ferved only to increafe his vocifera- tion — heflill repeating, Sori of David ! pity me ! 40 Jefus then (lopped and commanded him to be brouo-ht to him — Upon his approach- ing him he afked him, 41 What favour he follici- ted with fuch earneilnefs — O Sir, he replied, to be reftor- ed to my fight ! 42 Jefus faid to him, re- ceive thy fight — thy confi- dence in my power hath ef- feded thy cure ! 43 He immediately faw every thing diftindly, and joined the crowd that followed Jefus, pouring out his grate- ful acknowledgments to hea- ven — Every Ipedator alfo of this miracle adored God with pious and profound rever- ence. CHAP. XIX. I TESUS had juft pafled •-' thro' Jericho, 2 when a man, named Zacchcus, one of the princi- pal of the tax-gatherers, pof- feiTed of great opulence, 3 being 252 3 being very defirous to fee Jefus, but the immcnie ^he Hillory of Jesus Chap, xix*, the hoiife, flood up before the company, and faid to' Je-' JuiTonnding crowds, and his I kis, Notwithftanding the gc diminutive Cze rendering his ardent curiofjty impoflible to be gratified, 4 ran before on the public road, where he was to pafs — and climbed a fycomoretree to have a full view of his perfon. 5 When Jefus came over- againft the place where he was — he looked up cal led him by his name — and bad him defcend — for he in- tended to fpend that day with him at his houfe. 6 The heart of Zaccheus bounded when he heard thefe words — he inflantly defccnd- ed — and entertained him — penetrated with the deepeft lenfe of the great honour he had condefcended to Ihow him. 7 But the conduct of Jefus upon this occafion gave very heinousoffenceto all who were prefent — who laid one to an- other. He is gone to dine with a perfon of a moft infa- mous profefilon. 8 Zaccheus hearing thefe cenfures,: when they were in neral odium of my occupati- on,! confcicntioufly diilribute half of my fortunes among tlie indigent and neceffitous — and if I afterwards find that any taxes have been unjuftly ex- aded from any perfon, I make him fourfold reftituti- on^ 9 Jefus then turned to the company, and fpeaking of"* his amiable and exemplary charader, applauded it in Thefe terms. This is a true defccndant of Abraham — and fince he inherits that Patri- arch's virtues, be ailured that falvation this day hath vifited his houfe. 10 For to refcue and fave men from deftruftion was the great defign of the fon of man's coming into the world. § — 1 1 Being now advanc- ed within a little diftancefrom the capital, and obferving that all his attendants were now inflamed with the mofl: fanguine hopes that the king- dom of the Mefliah, immedi- ately upon bis arrival in the ■^ An cxtrahrdinar)-- character this of a publican ! who were a fct nf men jnfamous for their cruelty and opprelTion. Another eminent example of a worthy publican we have in the Emperor Vtfpa/lan\ father, to whom Sue- ionzus informs us th.at the cities of .^a dedicated ftatues with this in- fcription KaAwj t-kuvMavii To the honefl publican. Var. 750. ■'* ilpcij :tV7cr 'Kith ngard to him. See Macknight. Vefpaf. metro- Chap. xix. fy L V K E. metropolis, would be ere6t- ed with the moll magnifi- cent fecular pomp and fplen- dour — he addrefled to them the following parabk. 12 A nobleman, intending to take a journey into a dii- tant country to folicit the Emperor to inveft him v/ith regal authority over one of his provinces : .13 Before he fet out upon his travels,- he called his ten fcrvants before him — and di- vided ten pounds equally a- mong them — bidding them, during his abfence, diligent- ly to improve the little capi- tal he entrufted them with, by their induftry in trade. 14 No Iboncrhad he quit- ted his native foil, and the defign of his journey was pubiickly known ; but his fellow citizens, who held him in univerfal and implacable deteftation, immediately dif- patched an embafly to the Emperor — letting him know how much they abhorred him, and how unwilling the whole nation was to have him for their fovereign. 15 But notv;ithftanding thefe malicious calumnies and invectives, he was confirmed in the kingdom — and return- ed to his family, vefted with full regal powers — Immedi- ately upon his arrival he or- dered the fervaius, to whom 25j he had committed the mo- ney, to come before him — ■ defirous to know what fuc- cefs they had met with in commerce. .,^. » 1 6 One of them then "^ad- vanced forward and faid— By the pound, Sir ! you entruft- ed me v/ith, at your depar- ture, by my induftry in bu- finefs I have accumulated icfi. 17 His lord, elated witli joy, cried out — Amiable cony dudl! Worthy fervant ! Thoii haft abundantly fhowed thy fidelity in thus diligently im- proving the little ftock I com- mitted to thee — from this moment I conftitute thee go- vernor of ten cities. 1 8 A fecond then came up and faid. From the pound you delivered to me, my care and diligence in commerce hath enabled me to acquire Jive. 19 His lord highly de- lighted with his condud faid. As a reward of fuch eminent worth, I will inveft thee with the government of five cities. 20 A third approached his lord and thus fpake — I have brought you the money you gave me at your depar- ture—Here it is — I wrapped it up, and depofited it in a lafe place againft .your re- turn : ' - • ri:V 21 For I dreaded your fe- verity^ — knowing you to be a man 254 'T^he Hiftory man of fuch a ftern and inex- orable temper expelling great emoluments from thole whom you never fixed in any capacity to procure you any — and unreafonably demand- ing copious harvefts from fields you never fowed. 2 2 His lord, inflamed with indignation at fo bafe a con- duct, fa id to him Thou wicked flothful fervant ! I will refute and confound thee upon thine own prin- ciples — If you really knew me, as you fay you did, to be a perfon of fuch a liern and auftere temper \ to be fo unreafonable in my de- mands, and fo inexorable in infilling on the performance of them ; 23 Why didft thou not then take care not to incur my refentment, by carefully improving in trade the flock I committed to thee — that at my return I might have re- ceived the capital with fome additional profits, and have applauded and rewarded thy diligence ? 24 The prince then faid to thofe who were prefent, Take that pound from him diredlly — and give it to the of Jesus Chap. xix'. perfon who by his fedulous application acquired ten. 25 The officers of jullicc who were in waiting faid — Why do you. Sir ! adjudge the additional pound to him who was already poflTeiTed of ten ? 26 The king anfwered, Becaufe every one who hath carefully improved what hath been committed to him fhall be rewarded with a more am- ple and copious affluence-^— but he who hath mifimproved what was intrufled to him, fhall be fatally deprived even of what he originally had. 27 And thofe malicious and inveterate rebels againft my perfon and government, who oppofed my advance- ment to the kingdom with fuch violence and malignity drag them infbantly be- tore me, and butcher them in my prefence \ § — 28 Having recited this parable he proceeded on his journey towards Jerufalem. 29 When he was now ad- vanced as far as Bethphage and Bethany fituated near a mountain called the mount of Olives — Jefus called two of his difciples, * The perfon, who went into a foreign country to receive a kingdom, reprefents Chrift, who was invefled with univerfal dc/ninion after his rcfur- reftion. By the citizens, who hated him, are meant the Je-xijs — and the punilhmcnts he inflidlcd upon them, after he was advanced to the king- ♦loni, denote the dellrudion of Jerufalem. 4 .3^ ^'"'^ Cliap. xix. by Luke. 30 and gave them this or- '^^l der- go into that village, which you fee dire6lly oppo- fite, and you will immediate- ly upon your enterance find a young afs tied — unloofe the rein and bring it to me -, 31 and Chould any perfon, feeing this adlion, ail-c you the reafon of your taking fuch li- berties, tell him, that your mafter hath occafion for it. 32 Having received this com.mand, they hailed to the village, and found every cir- cumftance as Jefus had men- tioned. 33 The owner feeing two flrangers unloofmg it faid to them. What bufinels have you to take away the colt ? 34 They made the reply which Jefus had didtated — and were fuffered to depart without any farther molefla- tion. o^c^ They then brought it to Jefus fpread on it their upper garments, and fet him upon it. '}^^ Immediately upon his mounting it and advancing towards the city — his atten- dants fpread the public roads with their mantles. 37 When they were now within a very little diftance of the city, and were going to defcend the declivity of the mount of Olives — the whole •vaft multitude of his difciples and followers pierced the air with loud acclamations, and uttered the moft rapturous fbrains of gratitude and praife to God for all the aftonifh- ing miracles which they had feen performed. 38 Shouting and repeating — Blefled is the great illuftri- ous king, who now comes invefted with the authority of the fupreme Jehovah ! — Hail him, O ye celeftial powers ! Let the higheft an- gelic orders celebrate his praife 1 39 Some of the Pharifees, who were among the crowd, difgufted with this language, faid to him. Great prophet \ why do you not reprove your difciples for paying you fuch extravagant homage and ho- nours? 40 Jefus replied Were they to be filent — the inani- mate creation would be mi- raculoully endowed with fpeech, and utter triumphant praifes in honour of hirn, whom God hath dignified with fuch diftinguifhed pro- phetic powers. 41 When he faw from the mountain the city lying in wide extended profpetl: before him ' the gufhing tears ilreamed down his cheeks. 42 He then broke out into the followingexclamacion — O thou wretched and impeni- tent city! How diftinguiflied would be thy felicity for ma- ny 256 The Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xjTo ny future years, if thou hadft I improved thole fignal advan- tages, with which thou haft now been favoured ! But thou haft ftiown thyfelf to be abfolutcly incorrigible and ir- reclaimable — and thy doom is now irreverfibly fixed ! 43 For the time will foon come, when a moft numer- ous and invincible hoft of thine enemies Ihalt inveft thee, — draw lines of circum- vallation around thee — and prefs thee with the moft dreadful and terrible fiege. 44 The time will foon ar- rive, when thy citizens Ihall be deftroyed by famine — be butchered with the fword — and thy very foundations fo totally razed, as not one ilone to be left ftanding up- on another becaufe thou haft wilfully minmproved the gracious opportunity which the goodnels of God hath indulged to thee, and haft with infuperable preju- dice reje(fted all the evidences of my mifllon, that have been exhibited before thee ! ^ — 4^ When he entereu the temple, he immediately expelled all whom he found buying and felling in the court of the Gentiles \ 46 telling them at the time he ejeded them, that God defigned the temple ftiould be appropriated to devotion, but that they had converted it into a receptacle of the moft mercenary and felf-intefefted ■'' wretches. * 47 He continued every - day to inftruft the people in the temple — but the high, priefts, . the inferior clergy, and the principal magift rates, * exafperated againft him foi* his late conduft, unanimouf- ^ ly relolved to ftied his blood. 48 But were difficulted when they came to deliberate in what method they ftiould execute their fanguinary pur- pofes — becaufe the populace adored him, and imbibed his difcourfes with the greateft eagernels and avidity ^ CHAP. XX. I /^NE day as he was in- ^-^ ftrucling the people in the temple, and proclaiming the joyful news of the fpeedy eredion of the Mcfliah's king- dom, the high priefts, the in- ferior clergy, and the magi- ftrates came in a body to him, 2 and demanded of him i> The crighmlxi, very expreflive and beautiful, 6^«K.p«|Mf to. they bung on his lips. There is the fame beautiful image in Ovid. When. the C'/v- c'lan generals returned from Troy and recited thtir adventures, the poet fays— -Narrantis ccnjux pendet ab ore viri. Epiit. i. 30.-* ■^ by Chap. XX. by L by what authoriry he adbed in this manner, and who it was that had invelted him with it ? 3 He faid to them — I will firft propofe to you a quefti- on, to which I defire you would return an explicit an- fwer' 4 — Was the late baptifm of John a divine appoint- ment, or was it merely an human inftitution ? 5 Having deliberated up- on this queition, they faid one to another If we tell him, it was a divine inftitu- tion, he will immediately re- ply. Why did you not then embrace it as fuch ? 6 And if we tell him, it was folely an human contri- vance — we fliall certainly ex- goie ourfelves to the fury of the populace — for they are univerfally perfuaded that John was an illuftrious pro- phet. 7 After having thus cau- tioufly debated the matter, they laid to him Wc are not able to determine whether his baptifm was a divine or human fcheme. 8 Neither will I, replied Jefus, fatisfy you by what authority I have afiTumcd my public charafter. § — 9 He then recited to the afiembled multitude the following parable — —A oen- Voi. I. U K E. 257 TLEMAN planted a vineyard and employed a number of huibandmen to cultivate and ' drefs it — and afterwards fee' out upon his travels into a fo- reign country. 10 When the vintage ap- proached, he difpatched one of his fervants to the huf- bandmen, to receive from them the produce of his new plantation But he had no fooner delivered his mailer's orders, but they beat him in a moil unmerciful manner, and fent him away empty. 1 1 He fent to them ano- ther fervant — whom they alfo cruelly beat, and abufed Vv'ith the moil outrao-eous infolence and inhumanity. 1 2 He fen t a third — whom they mangled with wounds and bruifes — and then turn- ed out ot the vineyard. 13 The proprietor of the vineyard receiving thefe re- peated infults, after deliber- ating for fome time what m.e- thods he Ihould purfue, at lall faid — I will now depute mine only fon, the objecl of all m.y fond affeflions — Moll certainly they will not dare to offer any indignities to my fon — Surely they will rever- ence his character. 14 But on the firft fight of him the huibandmen cried out with one voice — This is the heir !-— Let us this mo- S ment •258 TZ;^ Hiftory mentadliflinate him, and fcize on his inheritance ! 15 Accordingly they all ruflied upon him — dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him What pu- nilhment do you think will the proprietor inflift upon iuch inhuman and bloody ruffians ? 16 When he comes, he will undoubtedly put thefe wretches to the moil dread- ful and excruciating deaths — and lett his vineyard to others, who will ferve him with greater fidelity — Upon this the audience laid, God avert this dreadful fentence from ever being executed ! 1 7 He then fixed his eyes upon them and laid — Do you not recoiled this remarkable palTage of fcripture ? — " The flone which the workmen re- ^ei^ted, is become the great corner ftone, and hath unit- ed and coniblidated the two fides of the edifice. 18 He who ftumbles up- on this itone Ihall be terribly hruifed — but he on whom its enormous weight Ihall tum- ble will be cruflied in a mo- ment and crumbled to a- toms ^ 19 The high priefts and the other clergy were lb ex- afpcrated at him, knowing he of Jesus Chap. xx. levelled this fable at them, that they formed a refolutlon that inilant to apprehend, and by open force get him into their power but their dread of the people's fury rC' llraincd them from carrying it into immediate execution. 20 Difcarding therefore all thoughts of open violence, they contrived to circumvent him by clandeftiiie and infidi- ous arts — Accordingly they employed and lent fecret e- mifi'aries to enfnare him — di- recting them to cover their de- figns upon him under an out- ward fcmblance of extraordi- nary piety and fanflity — hop- ing by this method they could betray him to lay fomething obnoxious to their prefcnt go- vernment — • for which they might accufe him as a traitor to the (late, and deliver him into the power of the Roman procurator. 2 1 The perfons, thus fu- borned, approached him and thus fpoke — lUuftrious pro- phet ! we are perfuaded that you have a confcientious re- gard for truth — that no par- tiality or fear of man can ever induce you to facrifice duty — and that in finccrity and plainnefs you communicate to men the dictates of infalli- ble wifdom. c Refcmng to the deftruftion of Jerufalcm. 2 2 The Chap. XX. by L 2 2 The veneration we have for this- your charafter feath induced us to requeft your Tentiments coneerning this queftion -Is it lawful for the Jews to pay tribute to the Romans, or not ? 23 Jefus confcious of their wicked fubtilty and diffimu- lation faid to them — Why do you praftife fuch infidious arts to feduce me into dan- ger ? 24 Show me the coin that is collefled Whofe head and legend is this ? — They faid, C^far's. 25 He anfwered — Pay to the Emperor what he lawful- ly claims, and to God the duties he requires. 26 This reply entirely dif- concerted and covered them with confufion it excited their amazement at his faga- city and penesration, and awed them into a profound filence — Nor were they able to failen on any exprefiion what- ever that he occafionally drop- ped in his public difcourfes. § — 27 After this fome of the Sadducees, a Jewilh fed: who deny a future ftate, came and propofed this q\icftion. 28 Great teacher ! our il- luftrious leo-iflator hath ena6l- ed this law — If a man marry, die, and leave no children, his brother fliall efpoufe his wi- dow, in order that the name U K E. 259 and family of the dcccafed may not be extinct, . 29 Now there happened once amongft us this fingular inftance — -There were leven brothers — theeldeft of whom married, and died without children. 30 The fecond brother ef- poufed his v/idow, and he too died childlefs. 31 The third aUb — and all the feven by a premature death. 32 So that the woman fur- vived them all. 33 What we therefore de- fire you to Iblve is this —- — Which of the feven brothers Ihall have this woman in a future ftate } 34 Jefus anfwered — In the prefent life God ordained marriage to perpetuate the human race, and to fupply the devaftations that death makes amons; mankind. 'i^c^ But the race of thofe who are deemed worthy to be introduced into the con- fummate blelfedneis ot a fu- ture ftate, is no longer pro- pagated. 36 The neceffity of marri- age is precluded — for death makes no ravages in thofe happy abodes — ail the inha- bitants are endowed v/ith im- mortality — and the fpirits of good men, v;ho are blelTed with a glorious reiurrtclion, S 2 are 26o arc pure and refined intelli- gences, of a nature congeni- al with the heavenly angels. 37 And moreover that a future ftate is no fi6lion is apparent from thofe words Mofes heard pronounced from the bufli — I am the God ■of Abraham, the God of I- ^ac, and the God of Jacob. " 38 God is not the gover- nor of dead infenfible matter, "but of living and confcious inrelligcnce. 39 . When fome of the Scribes heard thefe replies, they faid— Wife teacher ! the anhvers you have returned, are j^tisfaftory and juft. ."40 From this time, they thro' fear entirely defilled from propofing any move queries of this nature to h.im. § — 41 Aftir this Jelus jh his turn propofed to them *the following queftion — On ,what foundation are their Sentiments fupported, v,ho .maintain that the Meffiah 'mull be the fon of David, 42 when David liinilelf in the Pfalms exprcfsly fays, -*' The fupreme Jeliovah laid ^to ray lord. Sit tiiou at my right hand, ' 43 'till I have totally fub- jefted all thy foes to thy do- minion." ^1' 44 David himfelf, you fee, "m this palTage calls the Mef- T6e Hiflory 0/' J e s u s Chap, xxi fiah his lord — in what fenfe therefore is he his fon ? § — 45 After this in the audience of the whole mul- titude he laid to his difciples, 46 Be cautious of imitat- ing the manners and morals of the Scribes — who afle6l to (Irut about in pubhc in long flowing gowns — who are lo intoxicated with the lervile homage that is paid, them by fuperftitious crowds and whole vanity is effectually gra- tified when they can fecure the bell feats in places of religious worfnip, and the moft ho- nourable places at all public entertainments. -'iJ 47 Who with unfe&lirtg cruelty deprive the widow and orphan of their juil pro- perty — — and yet cover rliis mercilcfsopprefiion and wick- cdnefs with a rnalk of moll rapturous and cxtraoixlinary devotion — Upon thele- livpo- crites God will infliit the aioft dreadtul punidim.ents. " '• C H ^ P. XXL H ILE he was in the temple, he obferv- ed how the rich came and threw their charitable contri- butions into the public trea- fury, that was kept there. 2 Among others he faw a poor widow come and put in two Cfaap.'xxi. by L two Imall pieces of money, amounting in value only to a farthing. f^;^. Upon obferving this, he faid to thole who were pre- ient- — I afTure you that poor woman hath done a greater ad of charity than all who have hitherto contributed. 4 For all the others have given but a very inconfider- able proportion out of their laro;e fortunes — but this in- dio-ent charitable creature hath chearfully thrown in all that fhe had in the world. § — 5 Some perfons hap- pening to fpeak of the gran- deur of the temple, and ex- prefling their admiration of the large and magnificent ftones with which it had been erected, and the many pious dedicated " ofterings with which it was adorned and em- bcliifhed — he replied, 6 The time is comins; when all this fuperb and Itately ftrufture fliall be *io entirely demolifhed, and be convert- ed into fuch a confufed heap of ruins, that there lliall not U K E. 261 be left one flone ftanding up- on another. 7 They an<:ed him, when this dreadful calamity would happen — and from what cir- cumftances they might ^be a- ble to prognofticate itsf ap- proach. 4. / , 8 Jefus faid to th^ra-^^ Take care of being fe'ddced into fatal errors — for sreac numbers of impollOrs Avill publickly appear and aflume my character, making the moft folemn declarations, that they are the Melnah --rr But the time of the irrupti- on of thefe dire miferies is not far diftant -Pay not therefore their impudent pre- tenfions the lead credit, nor luffer yourfelves to be impof- ed upon by anyoftheirfrauds. 9 And when you hear of bloody wars and public cala- mities, let not thefe reports llrike you with terrour' — For mankind will be harraffed with thefe dreadful evils be- fore the deftru6lion of this city and temple enfue. 10 One country, he pro- "* At'*OMw«t the word here ufed by St. Luke is univerfally ufed to fignify voti-ve oJJ'erings dedicated by religious votaries, and placed, (generally hu7ig up) in temples as telHmonies of tlieir gratitude, yjvauv kcia «p- yv^oy avaQ;}uetr(t)v. Xeno/)/.'. Hellen. Lib. 6. p. 308. Edit. Bajll. Gr. " They unanimoufly refolved to fend a golden cup to Dc///'/— but there was a great fcarcity of gold in the city — the ladies therefore contributed all the gold they had about their perfons «/< -^ cf-'aQifrot." Plutarch Ca- mil. 241. 2v^K.a9i«po)a-s to etvebBMUi/. ibid. p. 242. Eti. Gr. Steph. He came to burn the temples and the votive ofFerirt-gs, N'aaf Ttv^coijuv haSs jtaj.«tQr?^«tT«. Sophocl. Antig. zc)2. S 3 ceeded, 262 ne Hiiloiy o/" Jesus ceecied, fhall commence hofti- litics agiinft another — one kingdom invade and depopu- late anotr er. 1 1 Several regions alfo wiU' be fnook by terrible earthquakes, be intefted with famine and peftilence, or in- timidated by many friglitful | and horrible phsenomena in \ the ils-y. 1 2 Bnt before thefe dire ca- lamities happen, the worki will puiTue you with implacable hatred, and harrafs you with the moft cruel perfecutions — y.ou Will be ibourged with un- relenting and unfeeling rage in their pub^lic aiiemblies — you Will be confined in dun- geons, and be dragged be- fore governours and princes. T— In all thefe evils you will be involved for your inviol- able attachment to my reli- gion. 11^ But your being brought before thefe auguft and dig- nified perfonages will afford you an opportunity of pub- lickly vindicating and de- fending your principles and profelTion. 14 And remember in fuch an exigency not to be previ- pufly diftreffed with anxious and gloomy thoughts, What apology you iliall offer. 15 For I will in the crius ^cif your danger eaalilc you to Cliap, xxi. fpeak v/ith fuch undaunted freedom, and infpire you with fuch eloquence and wifdom, as fhall refute all the fubtil- ties of your opponents, and awe them into confufioH and filence. i6 Such an implacable enmity will be conceived a- gainft your profefTion, tliat parents, brothers, relations, friends ftiall betray one an- other with bafe and unfeeling perfidy, and embrue their hands in one anothers blood. J 7 For on account of your principles you will be held in almofl univerfal abhor- rence, 18 But all their virulent malice fliall not be able to hurt an hair of your head. 19 Let not the moft im- minent dangers therefore dif- turb your mental tranquillity and peace — for God will in- terpofe and refcue you from them. 20 When you fee a nu- merous encamped hoil in- velt the metropolis rthen conclude that its final deftruc- tion will fpecdily enfue. 2 1 Then let the Chriftians who are in the adjacent plains ftee for fafety to the moun- tains — Let thofe who are in the city make their efcape out of it — and let not thole who are then in the country Chap. xxi. hy L leek .a refuge from the ene- my within its w^alls. . 1. 2 2 For then will the bolts of divine vencreance be hurl- ed upon this devoted city — and all the predidions of the antient prophets concerning its dellfuclion be amply ful- filled. 23 Deplorable will be the fate of thole women, whofe flight will then be prevented by advanced pregnancy, or the fuckling of infants — for the whole land of Judsea will then be opprelfed by the moil dreadful and fhocking cala- mities. 24 Its inhabitants iliall be miferably maffacred, or fold for flaves and difperfed into every province of the Roman empire — and heathens fhall trample and infult over the ruins of Jerufalem, 'till their period, fixed in the divine decree, is completed. 25 In the heavens will then appear dreadful prodigies, which will affe6t the fun, moon, and ftars in an amaz- ing manner — on the earth various countries will be leiz- ed with dreadful alarms and pannic terrors — and in the fea^ the waves '' will be un- U K E. 263 commonly agitated, roar with unufual vehemence and loud- nelb, and lafh the fhores with horrid rage and violence. 26 Fright, terrour, and amazement will freeze the hearts of thofe who are fpec- tators of thefe phienomena — and every one will fhudder with fear and horrour, when they brood over the fad pro- fpe6l of thofe impending ca- lamities which thefe dire pro- digies indicate — for all the powers of heaven will then be (haken with the moft violent convulfions. 27 Then fiiall the Mefilah be feen fitting on a cloud, arrayed in matchlefs glory, and triumphing in the moft magnificent pomp. 28 When you fee all thefe circumitances concur, which I have now particularized — then let your hearts be dilat- ed with facred rapture and exultation, for your complete deliverance from the Jewifh perfecutions will then fpcedi- ly enfue. 29 He fhowed them in the following figurative repre- fenration, with what certain- ty, from thefe previous figns, they might infer the fubie- •• The word <7o.\w is no where ufed in the Tifiament but here, It often occurs in ^z greek poets. It fignihes a fwollen wave. K(tVa,KiiiJ>JffcH KAC^ Bv^iuv er' »p' el A T2 ^oH'iiS ca.Kd. Oed. ^jr. 24, quenf 26?^ 'The Hidory i?/ J E s u s Cliap. xsii^' quent cataftrophe — — Every tree, the fig-tree in particu- lar, reads you uleful inftruc- tion with regard to this great event. ' 30 For when it puts out fender fhoots and opening leaves, you with rifing plea- fure conclude the approach of fummer. 31 In like manner, when you remark thefe feveral phas- nomena which I havediftin(fl:- ly mentioned — infer that the kingdom of the MefTiah will fpeedily be erefted on the ruins of this impenitent na- tion, o'hl Ji. 32 Let me afTure you, that the prefent race of men will not be defunft, before all thefe my predidions be fully accomplifhed. '2,-i, Sooner jfliall heaven and earth be annihilated, than my words not be verified. 3 34 Exercife therefore a cau- tious and conflant vigilance over your hearts, left the fud- den and dreadful irruption of thel'e calamities furprife you buried in fenfuality and de- bauchery, and funk in ava- rice and worldly-minded nefs. 35 For, like an unfufpedt- cd ambufh, it will fnddcnly rufh upon all the land of Ju- daea, and overwhelm its inha- bitants in one fatal and gene- ral deftrnftion ^ 36 Ke ye therefore ever fortified with caution and watchfulnefs — and intercede with God by fervent: pray- er, that he- would not fufier you to be involved in thefe dreadful fcenes of impending mifery — but of his mercy deign to vindicate you into fafety and happinefs. § — 37 In the day-time Jefus publickly inflruded the people in the temple — in the evening he retired to the mount of Olives. 38 The people therefore early every morning reforted to the temple to hear his dif- courfcs.n.7oixn- jn3 .om Ji.rij CHAP, xxir?^,.,^; I '"T^HE grand folemn -■' feftival of the Jews, called the pallbver, was now very near. 2 And at this time there was a general council conven- ed—in which the high priefts and the body of the clergy concerted various meaiiircs how they might murder him — hut they dreaded the fury of the populace. 3 \\ was now that Judas Ifcariot, one of the twelve a- poftles, was infligated by the « Alluding to the manner ui which Jerufftlem was .furprizc(J by. the Rc- jnafis—'n being the time of the pajftmer, when prodigious rumbcrs (tbvn. all partb Qijudaa were cooped in the city, and moft miferably periiTied.' ' ^Qii£.ir.l.'jL ' diabolical Chap. xxir. ly L diabolicral wick^dnefs • and malignity of his heart to be- tray him 'by an a6t of the-baf- cft perfidy. ■ • - -ri^no-; : 4" Having formed ^ this black defio-n he ftole in a clandeftine manner from the body of the difciples -^— and had an interview with the high priefts and the officers of their guards, in which he promifed to deliver him into their pov/er. - 5 An offer fo unexpedled tranfported them with joy — and they agreed to give him a'fum of money to reward his fervices. ^6 To this propofal he <:hearfully aflented: — and from that moment anxioufly iludi- ed to feize the mod favour- able opportunity, when the crowds were difperfed,of put- ,ting him into their hands. § — 7 The day being now arrived on which it was cuf- tomary to flay the pafchal lamb, ? 8 he called Peter and John and faid to them. Go into the city and make prepara- tions for our celebrating the prefent folemnity and eating the pafchal kipper. > 9 They faid to htm. In what houfe would you have us make thefe preparations ? lo He anfwered — Imme- diately on your entrance into the city. you-w.i|] wot a man *L.5Jiod£;b U K E. 265 carrying a pitcher of water — follow him into the houfe, where you fee him enter, 11 and tell the peribn that your mafter defires he would accommodatehim with a room in which to eat the pafchal lamb v^ith his difciples. 12 And he will immedi- ately fhow you into a large apartment, fpread with a car- pet — Here make the neceffa- ry preparations. 1 3 The two difciples hav- ing received thefe orders went into the city, and found eve- ry circumftance exadViy corr refpond to what Jefus had told them — ■ They therefore made every thing ready a- gainft his coming. 14 At the ufual time Je- fus and his twelve difciples fat down to eat the pafchal fup- per. 1 5 As th^y were at tabic Jefus laid to them — I have been extremely delirous to eat this palTover along with you, before I fuffer : 16 For I afllire you this is the laft palTover I Ihall ever celebrate with you before the Meffiah's kingdom ibe efta- blilhed. -^ • • "'o'■^i ^^ 1 7 He then took the cup, and after folemnly offering up his gratitude to God, he faid. Take and hand this one to .ainothef. .18 JFor I make this folemn declaratioa 266 ne Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xxii. declaration to you all. That 1 fliall not tafte any more wine 'till the ^ time of the eredion of the Meffiah's kingdom. 19 He then took bread, and after devoutly blefling God, he broke and diftri- buted it among them all, fay- ing — This figuratively repre- fencs my body, which is vo- luntarily furrendered to be broken on the crofs to pro- more the intereils of mankind — For the future celebrate this inftitution in commemo- ration of my death. 20 After they had eat the palchal lamb he took the cup, and after having paid the fame devout acknow- ledgements to God, laid — This wine reprefents the fliedding of my blood by theeffufion of which the new covenant will be fealed and ratified, and the benefit of mankind be fublerved. 2 1 But behold ! that very perlbn, who intends by the blackeft perfidy to furrender me into the pov/er of my e- nemies, is now fitting with mc at table. 22 The iow of man indeed will make that exit, which hath been fixed in the divine deciee— but woe to that wretch who is treacheroufly acceffarv to his murder. 23 Alarmed at this decla- ration, they began with the moft painful anxiety to afk one another. Who it was a- mong them that could be ca- pable of fuch atrocious and execrable bafenefs. § — 24 There was alfo a warm debate and coatention agitated among them, Wiiich or them fhoukl be advanced to the highcft honours in that magnificent kingdom they judged he was going to erccl. 25 Jefus perceiving their ambitious views faid to them — Powerful monarchs among the Heathens rule their fub- jefts with an abfolute fway, and their fovereigp princes are by crowds of fervile fyco- phants and flatterers honour- ed with the moll vain, extra- vagant and unmerited titles. 26 But fuch a lull: of do- mination and fondnefs of power fliall never pollefs vour bofoms — for among you he who is the humblejt iliall be the ireatcjl^ and the moll condc- fending fiiail be the moll ex- alted. 27 For which is greatefl — the perfon who reclines in eafe on his couch, or he who waits obfervant on his nod } — Is notthe/(?r»2(?r, and yet I iiavc coaverfed aniong y.ou in the capacity of the latter. ^ Meaning — not till after bis rfjuyre^ion, ixiJ?en his kingdom properly conntienccci. • • 28 You- Chap. xxii. 'by L 28 You have been my | faithful and infeparable com- panions in all the forrowsand trials with which I have con- .fiided. 2.9 In recompenfe there- fore of your diftinguifhed fi- delity, fince my heavenly father hath by iolemn corn- pad awarded to me a king- dorh, 30 In like manner do I by an irreverfible covenant ratify and confirm to you the moft exalted and confpicuous honours in this kingdom — and magnificent thrones fhall be eredled for you on which you fhall pafs fentence on the twelve tribes of Ifrael. 31 Jefus then faid to Pe- ter, Simon ! Simon ! a great trial is approaching in which the fidelity of you my Apof- tles will be brought to a fe- ■vere teft. 32 But I have prayed for thee in particular, that thy fincerity may be maintained inviolate. — When thou art returned to thy duty remem- ber to encourage and animate thy brethren by a fuperiour fortitude and zeal in my caufe. 33 Peter faid to him, Dif- truft not my fidelity— — I am this moment prepared with U K E. 267 chearfulnefs to attend tliee to prifon or to death. 3.4 Jefus replied, I afliare thee this very night before the cock crow thou wilt three feveral times folemnly deny that thou ever knew me. § — 35 He then faid to his diiciples — When I commii^ iioned you to preach in the towns of Judasa, andfent you on this expedition without mo- ney and without provifions— ^ were you ever deftitute of the common neceffaries of life ? — They laid they ;had never wanted any thing. 36 But for the future^ Je- fus faid to them, fuch are the diftreffes and perfecution in which you will be involved, that he that hath money, let him take it with him- -he that hath none, let him fell his clothes and buy a fword. 2,"] For be affured that with regard to myfelf that predic- tion of the prophet is imme- diately going to be accomp- lifhed, ''He made his exit con- founded with the wicked" — For the period of my life is now completed. 38 They underftanding the 2bovQ figurative difcourfe lite- rally^ faid to him — We have two fwords amono; us- — He faid, They are fufficients. s In the ahovt fig7iraii've difcourfe yt/iis intimated to them the miferies and periccutions tliey wer« for the future to ftruggle with — But they un- 4erftood him literally, by the g::i:J}isn they propofed to hiiii. 4 §-- :68 .'.§ — .^g After this he left tht city and retired, as uiual, io the mount of Olives, ac- companied by his difciples. 40 Arriving at the place , he faid to them — Earnellly beg of God that in the -great approaching trial you may not be feduced into fin. 41 He then fcparated frorri them about the diftance of a ftone's caft, fell on his knees, and with devout fervency ut- tered this prayer — -- 42 Merciful father \ O that thou wouldcft not fuffer ihe dreadful ftorm to break crer my head \ — But I ciieck myfelf Not my will, but thine be done ! ^' 43 Immediately his attend- ants faw an angel defcend from heaven to animate and con- fole him, -*ri3 J^i i>3tnil ')y.i\l 44 for he prayed with ar- dent and intenfe fervour, be- ing overwhelmed in an ago- ny of diftrefs- the inward fenfations he now felt being fo dreadfully acute and pain- ful th^t drops of fweat trick- led down his face and fell up- on the ground, like ^ large globules of blood. 45 He then rofe from his Icnees and came to his difci- ples — whom he found in a profound deep — over-power- T6e Hiftory of J esvs Chap. xxli. ed by the miferies they . faw him indure. 46 He awoke them and faid —Why do you fuffer yourlelvcs to be overwhelnv- ed with fleep in fuch a crifis — Earneftly implore the Al- mighty that you may not in tlie enfuing trial be feduccd into fin. 47 While he was fpeaking a great mob appeared — be- fore whom Judas advanced forv/ard and approached Je- fus 10 fa lute him — that being the fignal he had agreed up- on to pive them. 48 jefus faid to him — Ju- das, doft thou cover thy trea- ciicrous ci'-figns againlt nvy life under the hypocritical femblance of affeftion and love ? 49 When his attendants faw the violcMice that would enfue, they laid to him Sir 1 fhall we repel them with the fword ? 50 One of them drew his fword — ftruck a flave belongr ing to the high prieil, and cut off his right car. 5 1 Jefus faid to the mob that furrounded him — Suffer me to go to the perlon that is wounded — He went, touch- ed and healed him. 52 After this Jefus faid to tt.> T]^e evangelift only ufes this as a Jimle to reprefent to his reader 1^ profufenefs of his fweat— not that it was real blood, ox that there was ©- Ca^xj^ often occurs in the Greek writers — and there is a paflage in Arijlcpbams which greatly illuftrates this, and de- fines the time at which tiiis vifit was paid lAAA* \;, «* The ladies are faid to have brought to Jiis corpfe T z fuch The Kiftory of jESts 276 2 But when tliey were ar- rived at the place they found the large ftonc that blocked up -its entrance rolled away. 3 :Upon this they entered tiie monument, but were a- flonifhed to find the body of 'Jefus conveyed away. :" 4 But while they were in the mod cruel perplexity, mu- tually expreffing their amaze- ment at fuch an unexpected event — two celeflial beings, in an human form, fuddenly • prefented themfelves — clad in robes that darted the mod dazzling fplendor and efful- gence 5 Ac fo fudden and awful a lpe(^acle they were chil- led with terror, and funk prodrate on the ground — The angels then laid to iliciu, "What hath induced you to feek for the living in thefe dreary receffes where death and horror reign ? ' 6 The object of your en- quiries is not here — he l.ath quitted the manfions of the ciead — Do you not remember what heexprefsly told you in Galilee .'' Chap. xxiv. 7 " That the fon of man would by the vileft perfidy be delivered into the hands of his bloody perfecutors — - that he would be crucified, but on the third day would rile from the grave." 8 They then recoil e6led that they had heard him make ufe of thefe very exprelTions. 9 They quitted the fepul- chre immediately — and re- turning to the city reported all thefe circumftances to the eleven Apoftles and others who were along with them. 10 The perfons who had vifited the fepulchre, and now brought this relation to the apoftles, were Mary Magda- lene, Joanna, Mary the mo- ther of James, and their at- tendants on this occaficn. 1 1 But they paid them not the lead credit — looking up- on the v/hole account as an abfurd and vifionary tale. 1 2 Peter however got up, and ran v/ich anxious and precipitate fteps to the tomb — but when he (looped and looked into the monument, he faw only the linnen rollers Aich'Tt5'rnamions'quantUv*6f aromatic Ipice?^ ,/cr..«;/^Tft'r, that o. the f\cniilch,cin&- crJ cinmmon there wjis formed a figure of .'>,//« as large as Jife; yThis pafTage ft\c\vs what thefe aptYxaT* \^cre, that they were dry fpiccs, and net c-.L'f/ as GVo?/;/j fuppo' conferred it upon them. 14 The LOGOS aflumed human nature, and refided a- mong us — communicating to mankind the moft facred anti of Jesus Chap. i. heavenly truths and we were fpedators of all the a- ftonifhing tranfadlions of his life by which he demon- ft rated himfelf to us to be tiie dillingaiflied ttivouritc of hea- ven ' . § — 15 John' the Baptift gave the moft explicit tefti- mony of his perfon and cha- racler, by making the follow- ing public proclamation — " This, this is the very per- fon I referred to, when I told you. That my fucceffor would be a perfon of greater dignity and eminence than myfelf. 16 " This is the perfon, from the immenfe plenitude of whofe love and benignity it is that we "^ have received a glorious and perfecl: difpen- fation to fuperfede and vacate the former, 1 7 " for the law was pro- mulgated by Mofes — but a nobler fcheme, replete with benignity and the moll im- portant truths, is now pub- liflied by Jefus the MeHiah. 18 " None of the former law-givers had any perfonal intercourfes with the Deity ' Gn]y he^oticit means the obje6> of one's fbiidcfl afieftions : Aich as an ov.ly child is. This term is applied to Chrill, to £how us, how ele- vated and diflinguifhed his ftatjon was amongll the orders of ccleftial i'pirits. *> As this is a Prophecy, John fpeaks here, as other Prophets do, of things future as prefent. yaotv avTi 'ya.^nO' means, the Cbrijiiau Dif- pcafation injreaa of the Jt-i^jtjh. — but chap. I. — but this mpfl illuftrious favourite of heaven hath been admitted into the bolbm of the Father, and is enabled to communicate to mankind the cleareft difcoveries of his per- feftions and counfels.'* § — 19 This alfo is another teftimony that John the Bap- tift gave publickly to Jefus, when the Sanhedrim deputed a number of prieRs and le- vites to interrogate him con- cerning his precenfions, and to receive a categorical an- fwer from him, who he was. 20 The anfvver he gave to this folemn mcffage was not evafive — it was plain and ex- plicit — I really am not the Meffiah. 2 1 They then afked him. Are you Ehas ? — He faid he was not — Are you any of the old prophets reftored to life "^ ? — -He replied, I am not. 22 They faid to him — Sa- tisfy us then who you are — for we v/ere publickly com- miffioned to make thefe en- quiries of you, and mufl re- port your anfwer — What is the charader you alTume ? 23 To this John anfwered in the words of the prophet Ifaiah fy ] o 11 K. 2S3 " I am tlic voice of an her- ald making public proclama- tion in the folitude, Q pre- pare for the fpeeJy advent of the Meffiah 1 — Make a fofc and ealy path for bis facred fleps. 24 (The perfons who were fent from Jerufalem to pro- pofe thefe queftions were Pharifees) 25 What hath then induc- ed you, they continued, to baptize in this public man- ner, if you are neither the Meffiah, nor Elias, nor any other of the anticnt prophets? 26 He replied — I adminiT fter only water ^ baptifm — But there is a perfon now a- mong you, who is appointed to be my fucceffi^r — but with whofe charadler you are not as yet acquainted — 27 lie is poflefled of infi- nitely fuperiour eminence and dignity than I am — for whom I Seem not myfelf worthy to {loop and do the meaneft of- fice. 28 The above tranfaLl;ions happened at " Bethabara, the great pafiage over Jor- dan, where John was thea baptizing. < This is a proof that the Jews had now adopted the Platonic Philofophy one dodrine of which was, the Tranfmigration of Souls, hers men- tioned. ^ Meaning, that the MeJ/iaJ/s would be of a dijercnt nature. See Jcb *= Bethahara fignifies, the hovfe of fajpige, §—29 2^4 The HiRory §—29 The day after this John the Baptift defcried Je- fus at fome dilVance as he was advancing towards him — and inftantly cried out, in rap- ture, to the furrounding multitude — " Behold yonder is the amiable objeft of the divine love, who is appoint- ed to reform mankind ! 30 " This is the very per- fon I referred to when I told you. That my fucceflbr would ht a perfonage of infinitely greater dignity and eminence than myfelf. 31 "I did not know that this was the perfon, before I baptized him — I only knew myfelf to have a divine com- mlfTion to adminifter baptifm, in order that by this means fiis charafter might be pub- lickly known and difcovered by the Jews.*' 32 John gave this exprefs teftimony of him — " I faw the fpirit defcend from the fky with the rapidity of a dove, and light upon him. 0,1 " Before this, I did not know that he was this great and illuftrious prophet When I faw this circum- ftancc, I was immediately convinced of the identity of his perfon — becaufe that Be- ing, from whom I received my commifTioii to baptize, fuggefted to my mind, That ;he rnan on whom I fhould 2 of Jesus Chap. i. lee the fpirit defcend and reft, was the very perfon, who (hould baptize with the holy fpirit. "."' 34 " This amazing phe- nomenon I fav/-^ and I de- clare to you in the moft fo- lemn manner. That this per- fon is the fon of God !" § — ^2^^^ The next day as John was ftanding along with two of his difciples, 36 he difcovered Jefus, at fome diftance, walking; — and faid. Behold the amiable fa- vourite of heaven ! 37 His two difciples, hear- ing thefe expreffions, imme- diately went after Jefus. 38 He turning, and fee- ing them follow him, faid to them, 39 What induces you to follow me ? — They afked him, in the moft refpcdful manner, where he lodged, 40 He faid to them, if you will attend me I will fliow you — — They accompanied him, it being now about ten o'clock — and fpent that day with him. 41 One of thefe two who heard John utter thefe ex- prcllions, and whofe curlofity was excited to follow Jefus, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 42 He, after this interview and convcrfation with Jefus, inftantly Avent to find his bro- ther Chap. L ^jT J o H N. ther Peter — and the moment he met with him crxd out, in the higheft tranfport — We have found the great MefTiah ! 43 Pie then brought him diredly to Jellis — The inftant Peter came in, Jefus fixed his eyes upon him, and faid ■ — You are the fon of Jonas — — and your name is Simon ^ — but your furname Ihall be Peter ^. § — 44 The day following Jelus purpofed to go into Ga- lilee — and happening to meet with Philip, faid to him, Fol- low me. 45 Philip was an inhabi- tant of Bethfaida — the fame town in which Andrew and Peter lived. 46 Philip meets with Na- thanael, and in an extafy of joy cried out — We have cer- tainly found that divine per- fon whom Mofes and all the fubfequent prophets have fo diftinftly dcfcribed His name is Jefus, the fon of Jo- feph of Nazareth. 47 Is it poffible, replied Nathanael, that any thing that is good can come from fo obfcure and wicked a place as Nazareth — Philip faid, 285 Follow me, and converfe with him. 48 As Nathanael was ad- vancing towards him, Jefus faid to thofe who flood by — Behold a true and genuine Ifraehte ! a man who podefies an heart entirely free from all infincerity ! 49 Nathanael faid to him — How is it poffible for you to know any thing of my real charadler ? — Jefus replied. Before Philip fpoke to you, I was a witnefs of your pri- vate ^ tranfaiflion, when you was under the fig-tree. 50 Upon this Nathanael in aftonifliment cried our. Divine inilrudtor ! Thou art the fon of God ! Thou art the great Meffiah and Law- sjiver of Ifrael ! 51 Jefus faid to him — Doft thou acknowledge me to be the Meffiah, becaufe I dif- covered that I was confcious of Vvhat thou didft in filence and fecrecy under the fig- tree ? — Be afTured that thy faith in me fnall be confirm- ed by more ftriking and il- luflrious proofs : 52 For you fhall, for the future, behold the nioH: fig- f Tho' he had never feen him before, he faluted him, immediate]/, by /j!s name and his father'' s name. g Which rig;nifies a Rock — prophetically referring to Ms laying ihejirfl yow/7iY«//o;? of the Chriilian church. See Afts. ■ , :,.r.j_p;;r- • t . ■ ^ Probably, he had been praying, nal 286 T!he Hiilory ^ J e s u s Chap. il. rial interpofitions of heaven in my favour — you iLall fee the iky fever, and the blef- fed angels defcend to efcort the fon of man up to the ce- leltial regions '. CHAP. II. 1 qpHREE days after -*• this there was a mar- riage celebrated in Cana of GaTilee- — and the mother of Jefus was one of the compa- ny. 2 Jefus and the four difci- ples above-mentioned were alfo invited to the nuptial en- tertainment. 3 Their wine proving de- ficient, his mother faid to him^ — Son ! the wine is quite exhauiled ! 4 Jefus fard to her — Mo- ther! it is not for yo^i'' to diflaCe to me when 1 am to exert my miraculous power — The time of my public miniftry in this country is not yet arrived. 5 His mother calls the waiters, and fays — Whatever my fon bids you do, be fure you obey him. 6 There were in the houfe fix ftone water-vefiels, placed according to the Jewilh rite of purification, which con- tained each about two or three firkins. 7 Jefus faid to the fer- vants — Fill thefe vefTels with water — They filled them all up to the top. 8 Jefus then faid — Draw out fome of the liquor, and carry it to the governour of the fead. 9 When the mafter of the ceremonies tailed the water, now converted into moft ex- cellent wine — he was aftonifli- ed — he could not imagine fiOw they obtained it — The fervants only,who had brought him thi> Vol. I. U defcended 296 ^he Iliftofy 0/' Jesus Chap, iii* defcendcd on earth, was the only perfon that ever refided in thofc blefled abodes. 14 But as Moles fixed the brazen Icrpent on a pole in the wildernefs-^in the fame manner will the fon of man be elevated \ 15 in order that all thofe v;ho embrace his religion may not incur everlafting deftruc- tion- ■ - but obtain a blelfed immortality *, 1 6 for the fupreme God Avas affeded with fuch im- menfe companion and love for the human race, that he deputed his fon from heaven to inllru6l them — in order that every one who embraces and obeys his religion might not finally peri Hi, but fecure everlafting happinefs. 1 7 For the benevolent fa- ther of tlie univerfe did not fend his fon to condemn and punifh mankind, but to ref- cue and fave them from miie- ry and ruin. 18 lie, Vv^ho is convinced of the truth of his rehgion by its evidences, fliall not be finally condemned -^^ but he, who rejects thefe proofs, is already condemn- ed — becaufe he wilfully re- fufes his alfent to the eviden- ces of a pcrfon's miffion, whom God hath invcfted with the greateft authority and povv'er. 19 And what will cxpofe fuch to this future condem- nation is, that God hath been pleafed to diffufe among men a light fo tranfcerrtlently glo- rious and divine, but their judgments, wilfully deprav- ed, preferred gloomy dark- nefs to its chearins; and facred beams. 20 For he that is inflaved to his vices abhors the lis;ht of truth and virtue, and dreads to approach it, left the deformity of his condu6t fliould be publickly expofed : 2 1 But he who hath a fa- cred reo;ard for nioral good- nefs and truth advances to the light with confcious bold- nefs— — that his aflions, in the moil confpicuous mannerj may appear to have proceed- ed from religious principles. § — 22 After this inter- view with Nicodemus Jefus and his difciples retired into the remote parts of Judasa — where he continued for fome time and baptized. 23 John too at the fame time was baptizing at a place called Enon near Salim^- where there was plenty of water — Flither great num- bers reforted and were bap- tized by him. Alluding to his Crudfxion. 24 For Chan. iii. h J 24 For tlie events hither- to related of Jekis happened before John's imprilonment by Herod. 25 There rofe about this time a warm debate between the Jews and John's dilbiples concerning the efiicacy of their mailer's baptifm for the purpofes of purification. 26 The difciples of John therefore came to him and faid — — . Sir ! the perfon you baptized on the other fide of Jorda/), and to the divinity of vvhofe charafter you gave fo fignal a teltimony, is now baptizing and prodigious crowds from all parts are flocking to him. 27 John replied-^ " A man cannot aft above that particular commiffion and of- fice, which have been aflign- ed him by heaven. 28 " You are witnefTes, that I aflerted in the moft ex- prefs terms that I was not the MelTiah — - but was only fent on purpofe to uflier and introduce him into the world, and to give public notice of his com.ino;. 29 "As the bridegroom's friend fincerely rejoices to hear him txprefs his felicity, and moft cordially fympathizes with him in his confcious hap- pinefs — fo the report of Jefus' increasing flime fills my breaft with the highcft traniports : l-i N. 291^ 30 " For »2v 'fame wilt di- miniili, his be augmented, 31 " He who defcended on earth fi-om the celetVial re- gions hath a dignity infinite-* " ly fuperiour to all others — mine original is purely terref-" trial, and my k'nowlege is folely confined to terrellrial things — but that divine per- fon v/ho left the regions of im- mortality is a moll facred and illuftrioijs characler;ifKJioa'srai 32 " But tho' this exalted perfonage freely publilhes and foiemnly attel^s thofe heavenly doftrines, v/hich he hath received from the moft intimate and endearing con*- verfc with the Supreme Fa- ther in the manfions of eter- nal happinefs — yet the gene- rality of men rejeft his telli- mony. II " But every one, who hath admitted his facred and infallible teflimony, fets hisi feal to God's veracity in amp" ly fulfilling his prcdicftions. 34 " For this illuflrious meifenger, whom God hath now delegated on this impor- tant errand, is commiirioned to reveal to rnankind the gra- cious defigns and counfels of God— -for God doth not en- dow him witli fpii'itual gifts and powers in 2., partial and limited mannet^;*!'' w)0 rmt/': ■ 2,0 '''' The fupremc Father lovcth his fon and hath in- U 2 vea'^d 292 yefted him with full authori- ty and univerfal dominion. 36 " He therefore that embraces and obeys his doc- trines will fecure eternal life ►—but on him who wilfully difobeys and rejefls them, the wrath of the Almighty Hiall be infiidled, and his life fliall be extinguilhed to all eterni- "^ CHAP. IV. 1 \K7 HEN Jefus under- ▼V ftood that the Pha- rifecs had received informa- tion of his colledting and bap- tizing greater numbers of dif- ciples than John, 2 — tho' it was not Jefus that baptized but his dif- ciples — 3 to avoid their refentment, he quitted Judaea, defigning •to retire into Galilee. 4 The road he v/as to tra- -vtl lay through Samaria. 5 In his journey therefore he arrives at a town belong- ing to the Samaritans, called Sichar — contiguous to that tftate, which the patriarch Jacob bequeathed as an inhe- ritance to his fon Jofeph. . 6 Near this town was Ja- cob's well — Jefus arriving liere about fix o'clock in the evening fat down on the fide Th Hiftory of Jesus Chap. iv. of the well, faint and fatigued with travelling. 7 But as he was here re- pofing his wearied limbs, a Samaritan woman came to draw water — Jefus begged fhe would let him drink. 8 — for his difciples were gone into the town to buy provifions — 9 The woman replied — I am aftonifhed how You, who are a Jew, can afk wa- ter of a Samaritan — for the Jews have not the leaft friend- ly intercourfe with the Sama- ritans. I o Jefus faid to her — If you knew the illuftrious ' gift of God to mankind, and the dignity of that perfon who folicits this fmall favour from you, inftead oi bis requefting, you would have importuned him to confer fome rich blef- fmg upon you, and he would have freely refreshed you with water from the molt pure and perennial fpring. II Sir! (lie continued, How is it polTible you could give me the water you boaft — as you have no bucket, and the well is immenfely deep ! 12 Are you a perfon of greater eminence tlian our illuftrious anceftor Jacob, who dug this well to fupply = Thus Socrates calls himfelf the G//t of God to the Athenians, Tnv 7* OsK S'aijiv VIJ.IY' PlatOy Apolog. Socrat. p. 93. Fojhr. Oxon. iJS^. himfelf. Chap. iv. by J himfelf, his family, and his flocks with water ! 13 Jefus anfwered — The water of this fountain can only allay a momentary third, which is fure to return, and rage with the fame violence as before : 14 But he, that is refrefh- ed with that cooling and fa- lutary water that I impart, fhall never feel the unea- fy fenfations of thirft any more for ever — but the wa- ter he receives from mine hand fhall prove in him an indefeflible fource of a pure and tranfparent flream, that will flow through all the ages of eternity. 1 5 The woman replied — Do, Sir ! then give me fome of this excellent water which you fay is fuch a fovereign remedy to expel thirft, that I- may not for the future have the trouble of coming to this fountain any more. 16 Jefus then faid to her — Go into the town, and bid your hufl3and*:ome hither. 17 I have no hufl^and, flie replied — You fay very true, faid Jefus that you have no hufl^and : ■^' 18 You have had indeed live — ' — but the perfon with whom you now cohabit is not O H N. you 293 very your huflDand as juftly declare. 19 The woman in amaze- ment cried — -Sir! this con- vinces me that you are a pro- phet ! 20 As I am therefore now perfuaded that you are inveft- ed with a prophetic charac- ter, be pleafcd to folve the difficulty I propofe — Our pi- ous anceftors paid their reli- gious adorations on this very mountain — You Jews, on the contrary, aflert that Jerufa- lem is the place, in which the Deity hath appointed that his worfiiip fiiall be celebrat;* ed. . 2 1 Jefus faid to her — You may depend on the truth of what I now folemnly declare — The time will foon arrive when all religious worfliip that is off'ered both in Jerufa- lem and on this mountain, Ihall be fatally interrupted and ceafe ^ 22 You pay your religious homage to the creature of your wild and abfurd imagi- nation — we Jews are not mif- takcn in the objed of our worlhip-— to the Jews was re- vealed, and the Jews now worfliip, the one only fupreme Divinity. 23 But a new difpenfation ' Referring to the deftiua'ch- ing Jefus went up to Jeru- falem. 2 There is in the city, at the Sheep-gate, a public'' )5. Edit. Gr. H. Stcph. Am tk y KcWi-zCi^B^et fignifies a 5atb. yvfjiCnQpsti . Plutarch. Alex. p. 1295 ijiCDV. Should any one fall into a little hath, or into the midd of an ■ nimenfe ocean. Plato K^^wh. Lib. v. 332. V'oJ. I. Edii. Majpy. . : bath. Chap-. V. by J o bath, called in Hebrew Be- thefda, or the houfe of jnercy^ (embeiliflied with five Piazzas. • 3 In thefe Piazzas lay a great number of unhappy objeds, blind, lame, or thole who had withered limbs — anxioufly waiting the lenfible and preternatural movement of the water : 4 For an Angel, at that particular Iblemnity, defcend- ed into the bath, and vifibly put the water into a violent agitation — The very firft that went into the bath, after this commotion of the water, was perfedly cured of any diftem- per he laboured under, how inveterate and obftinate fo- ever. 5 There was now lying in the porticoes of this bath a miferable objedt, who had been in a wretched condition eight and thirty years. 6 Jefus fixing his eyes up- on this wretched creature, and knowing that he had been a long time afflifted, aflced him. If he was defirous to be cured of his diftemper. , 7 The unhappy wretch re- plied——-! have no friendly hand. Sir! to help me into the bath, after its waters are put into motion — but all my endeavours to obtain relief from the faiutary qualities then imparted to it are always fure to be rendered ineffcdu- H N. 297 al by fomc one or other get- ting in before me. 8 Jefus faid to him — Rife — take up thy bed and walk home. 9 The words v/ere no fooner pronounced, but the man was inflantaneoufly re- ftored to perfeil health — He got up in perfecl vigour — threw his bed on his fhoulder, and walked out of the bath — This miraculous cure was perform.ed on the fabbath. 10 The Jews, therefore, feeing the man v;alking along in this manner, in great indig- nation rebuked him, faying Do not you know it is the fabbath day .? How can you profane its facred reft by carrying fuch a burden ! 1 1 He aniwered The perfon, who miraculoufly re- moved my diforder, bad me take up my bed, and walk home. 1 2 They afl^ed him, Who it was that had prefumed to make him violate the fabbath in this flagrant manner. 13 The man knew not, who it was, from whom he had received his cure — - for there being a great crowd in the place at the time that Jefus had performed this miracle, he conveyed himfelf private- ly and imperceptibly away. 14 Some time after this Jefus happened to meet with this 293 The Hiflory this man in the temple, and ihid to him — Thou art now reinftated in thy former health iind eale — ^be cautious, for the future, of relapfing into any wilful fins, left a more dreadful calamity be inflicted upon thee. 15 The man tranfported with gratitude for the blef- fing he had received, went to the Jews, and in a flood of joy told them — That the name of his benefactor, to whom he was indebted for his miraculous cure, was Je- fus. 16 This information vio- lently inflamed their rcfent- ments ao;ainft Tefus — and they immediately formed a rcfolution to murder him, for his prefuming to violate the duties of the fubbath in this egregious manner. 1 7 Jefus laid to them — My father from the creation of the world hath incelTantly worked every day in fupport- ing the frame of nature by his providence — and it is in imitation of him that I work, qnd perform benevolent ac- tions every day indifcrimi- nately. 1 8 This greatly exafpcrat- cd the Jews, and inftigated them to concert meafures how to flied his blood — be- caufe he not only infringed tlie facred duties of the lab- bath, but had the impious 0/' Jesus Chap, v, arrogance to call the Supreme Being his father, and to place himlelf upon a level with the Deity. 19 Jefus faid to them 1 moil folemnly afllire you. That the fon doth not act in this manner by his oivn pro- per authority and power this authority he y^/^/v derives from the father — to whole o- riginal commifiion and ap- pointment he conforms his actions and conduct. 20 For the father hath been pleafed to make the fon the cbjeft of his moll aflecfti- onate regards, and hath en- dowed him with the miracu- lous power you have feen ex- erted and he will enable him to perform operations tar more Itupendous than thefe, that will excite your higheft aftonifhmcnt. 21 For example — As the Deity, by the irrefiftible exer- tion of his omnipotent power can reanimate the aflies of the dead, and infpire them with new life and vigour — lb is the fon empoweiwd to recall into exiftcnce the deceafed objects of his afl'edtion. 22 Neither will the fu- preme Father, at the general refurredion, prefide in judg- ment over the human race — This mod illuilrious dignity of judging the world he haili conferred upon his f;>ii. 23 And chap. V. by J 23 And the Deity hath exalted his fon to this diftin- guifhed eminence, in order that the dignity of his ftation and office mio;ht eng-age man- kind to honour the fon in like manner as they honour the fupreme Father of all — he, who treats the fon with difrefpeft and contempt, treats Vv'ith difrefpeft and contempt the blefied God, who com- miffioned and fent him to in- ftru6t the v/orld. 24 In the mofl: folemn manner I publickly declare to you. That he, who cordi- ally embraces my doftrines, and is perfuaded that I aft by a divine commilTion, is enti- •*tled to everlafting life— —he fliall not" be involved in the .final condemnation and de- "^ftruftion of the wicked. 25 Be afilired of this lemn truth — coming, and -The fo- time is already dead hath icommcnced, when the ■fhali hear the voice of the fon of God, and be informed "•with new life. « 26 For that power and principle of communicating life, which the Deity origi- nally and efientiaily poflef- leth, he hath been pleafed to confer uDon the fon. ■ 27 And he hath moreover O H N. 2p9 appointed the Son to be the fi- nal Judge of mankind — ^ be- cause he affumed human na- ture. 'oniJfiD "^d -:— ylfi3 : . 28 Let not thefe aflertions excite your wonder and aflo- nifhment- Be affured a fo- lemn day is approaching, in which every individual of the human race fhall, in their tombs, hear the voice of the fon of God, 29 be all reanimated in a moment — come, out of their graves and compofe one vaft affembly -Thofe who have lived virtuous lives fhall be pronounced into everlaft- ing happinefs — • thofe v/ho have lived wicked lives fhall be doomed to everlafting de- ftruftion. uiijai OJ fioiJuk'. : 30 The'tftiftfffiloi'i's'eper^- tions I perform are not ow- ing to any efiential power I myfelf poffefs I derive it folely from God — his diftates are the meafure of my. obedi- ence — and my obedience is founded in immutable juftice ■I arrogate no honours to myfelf — I ftudy only to pro- mote the honour and fulfil the appointment of the Dei- ty, who invefted me with this commifllon. 31 If I lliould require you to credit my pretenfions up- ? Becaqfe Jefus raifed feveral from the dead in \\h Ufi-tiir.c. And confequenriy having once been cloathed with th with thofe he judges, he is thereby qualified to be an equal Judge of its intifmities and frailties. J a me nature nd candid on 300 'The Hiftory on the fole aurhoriry of my own teftimony, I Ihould acl as an impoftor, and render the truth of my milfion juftly fufpeded. 32 An illuilrious perfon publickly attelted my charac- ter, and bore a true and ho- nourable teftimony to it. 33 This petfon was John the Baptill", to whom you fb- lemnly deputed Ipecial mef- fengers — who heard and deli- vered the clear and explicit teftimony he gave to the truth of my million and charadler. 34 But I court not liuman teftimony, or Ibive to fecure it in my favour — I only men- tion this to excite you impar- tially to Weigh the evidence of my religion, and to in- duce you to embrace it and be happy. 35 John the Baptlft, who gave fo full an atteftation to my charader, was a glorious lamp, that em.itted the moil pure and effulgent fplendours around — but tho' thefe ufeful beams, at firil, appeared grate- ful to you, after fo long an cx- tindlionofthe prophetic light, you very foon grew tired ot tiiem, and wilfully refufed to enjoy their falutary influence. 36 But I can produce a teflimony infinitely more flrong and flriking than this ot John — The miraculous operations, which my father of Jesus Chap, v, hath enabled me to perform, carry the fulleft conviction in them, and are an irrefragable appeal and teftimony to the world, that the Deity hath lent me. 27 Thefe are public proofs that the Deity, who lent me, hatli invefted me with a di- vine commifTion — -• But you are \o incorrigibly depraved and prejudiced, that you nei- ther liften to the voice of the Deity fpeaking by me, nor difcern the plain and evident imprelTions of his fupreme wildom and power on my pcribn and charafter. 0,% And you have not that reafon, which he originally gave you, in its genuine un- corrupted ftate — for you dif- believe and reje6l him whom the Deity hath fent among you with fo many ftriking proofs of divine authority. 39 You diligently fearch and critically examine the fcriptures, becaufe you ima- gine the promife of eternal life is contained in tliem ? Thefe facred books, wliich you fo carefully and fedulouf- ly explore, give the molt plain and explicit teftimonies of my character, 40 And yet you obftinate- ly refufe to be convinced of the truth of my mifTion, and will not embrace my doc- trines, tho' eternal life is of- fered Chap. vl. by J fered you, if you will admit and obey them. 41 I court not popular ap- plaufe, nor ftrive to fecure from any man glory and re- putation to my charafter. 42 But 1 know your prin- ciples — I know you to be deftitute of the love of God and religion, 43 for I am come among you veiled with the full autho- rity of 'my father — and yet you rejeft me — An impoftor, who hath no miraculous pow- ers to boaft, and nothing but his arrogance to recommend him, finds no difficulty to in- gratiate himfelf with you, and procure a favourable recep- tion. 44Buthowisitpofribleyou fiiould believe and embrace my religion, who are folely pofTefled with the love of po- pular glor)', and infpired on- ly with views of pride and ambition — treating with the lowed contempt the honour of God, and the dignity of re- ligion. 45 Do not think that 1 fhall be the only one wlio will accufe you to the father for your infidelity — Mofes, your great lawgiver, whofc character you elleem fo fa- cred, will accufe and con- demn your preknt condud". O H N. 301 46 For did you pay any ferious regard to Mofes, you would have acknowledged my prophetic charadler — for this legiflator hath charac- terized me in the moft plain andexprefs terms* gY[j|^_;|<^i^,rt 47 But if you treat his writings with contempt — what reafon can I have to expecV that you will treat the evidences of my miffion with refpedl ! CHAP. VI. I AFTER this Jefus rc- J^ tired into Galilee — and crofTing the lake, tra- velled into that part of tiie country that lay contiguous to the city Tiberias ". 2 Flither he was accompa- nied by a prodigious crowd, whole curiofity was excited by the aftonifliing miraculous cures they had feen him per- form. 3 From this multitude Je- fus privately retired with his difciples to a neighbourinor mountain — where they fat down to repofe and rcfrefli themfelves. 4 It v/as now but a few days to the Jev/ifh Paflbver — which is their grand reli- gious feltival. 5 Jcfus, as he reclined on die mountainj keeping his ^ See the Cimbri.i,'»e MS. eyes 3 02 'The Hiftory eyes Rxed on the vaft crowds that were advancing to him, laid to Philip — Where fhall Ave buy provifions to rcfrefh this immenle mukitude ? 6 This he faid merely to try what confidence Philip repofed in his miraculous power, for he had already determined what to do. 7 Philip replied — Were we to expend two hundred denarii in provifions, it would be far from furnifiiing a fuf- licient repaft for fuch an in- iinite number of people. 8 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, who was one of his diiciples, then faid to him, 9 There is a fervant here, who has five barley loaves and two fmall filhes — but what is fuch a pittance as this among fo many thoufands ! 10 Jefus then ordered his difciples to make the multi- tude fit down on the grafs — wiiich was very deep in the place in which this was tranf- afled-^ The crowd accord- ingly fat down, being in num- ber about five thouiand. 1 1 Jefus then took the loaves, and after paying his fervent acknowledgements to God, diftributed them to his diiciples, and they to the multitude, vvho fat in uni- form and regular companies of Jesus Chap, vi* — they likewife difpenfed as much of tlie fifli as any per- fon demanded. 12 After they had partook of a plentiful entertainment and were all fatisfied, Jefus faid to his difciples — See that you carefully collect the irag- ments, that nothing may be wailed. 1 3 They carefully colledl- ed the fragments of the loaves and fifhes which filled twelve bafl Th.e preceding difcourfe you have heard, is entirely figurative — for you to under- itand it literally^ would be the . iiighefi; abfurdity ''. 64 But there are fome of you, who are determined not to be convinced — For Jefus, s His doifirines, *• In this feufe the Jews frequently ufed Flefi «nd Spirit. See the note on Chap. iii. 6. from Chap. vii. hy J from the very firft beginning of his miniftry, perfe6tly knew thofe, who were deliberately refolved not to be convinced by all the evidences he Ihould exhibit — and he knew alio the perfon, by whofe treache- ry he was to be delivered into the hands of his enemies. ^t^ It is for this reafon, he continued, that being infal- libly acquainted with your difpofitions, I told you above, That none would embrace my religion, but thofe, v/bo were previoufly influenced and at- trafted by the love of God and virtue. 6^ From this time many of his former followers de- ferted him, and never had the leaft lociety and connec- tion with him afterwards. 6"] Jefus faid to his twelve difciples — Will you alfo a- bandon me ? 68 Simon Peter replied — For whom (hould we aban- don thee ! — What other in- ftrudor is there who hath im- mortality to bellow, but thy- felf! 69 For we are perfuaded that thou art the Mefliah, the fon of the ever blefled God! 70 Jefus faid to them — I have feleded you my twelve apoftles from among my fol- lowers to be mv conilant H K. 307 companions — and yetl'know one of you is a falle accufer*'" 71 He meant Judas Ifca-* riot, the fon of Simon-, who after wardsi, by an/ax5tofthe bafeft perfidy, delivered him into the hands of his .ene- mies. . C HAP. V VII. 1 AFTER this, Jefus *^ confined his mini- ftry within the limits of Ga- lilee — for he would not any longer travel in Jud^a, being conlcious that the Jews third- ed for his blood. 2 The fealt of Tabernacles, a celebrated Jewifli folemnity, was now very near. 3 Upon this, his relations faid to him — Why do not you leave this country where you have refided fo long, and remove into Judcea, that your former converts may have an opportunity of feeing the mi- raculous operations you per- form, and be confirmed in their belief of your divine minion .f" 4 For no one who is de- firous- to have his fame cele- brated and to gain followers, would bury himfelf in this ob- fcurity — -Since you exert fuch amazing powers, exhibit them upon the open theatre of the world. 5 For his relations did not X 2 believe 3o8 T/j^ Hiftory believe him to be a divine mclTenger. 6 Jdusfaid tothem — The time of my f!;oing up to the approaching feftivai is not yet come — You, who have not incurred the refentment of the Jews, may take this jour- ney to the Capital, whenever you judge it convenient for you. 7 You have not drawn up- on you the implacable malice and hatred of the world — It is me the world purfues with relentlefs fury, merely be- caufe I freely and unreferved- ly fatirize its vices and im- moralities. 8 You may go up at the ' ufual time — I will not as yet begin my journey to cele- brate this iblemnity — for the period of my miniftry is not completed. 9 Jefus accordingly conti- nued in GMQe^'t'y 10 'till his relations were f€t out — After they were de- parted, he went up to the city in a filent and fecret manner, without any crowds attending him. .1 1 During the firll days of the feftivai, the Jews, who expeded him, made anxious enquiries after him. of Jesus Chap. vii. 1 2 Thefe enquiries occafi- oned a great dilpute concern-^ ? inor his character among the*^ aflembled multitudes — fome * afierting, that he was only ' an artful impoftor, and de- ceived an ignorant mob — '^'^ others contending, that hewas^' a perfon of a good character. 13 For no one durft pub--* lickly declare that he was J a prophet, and openly de--^' fend his conduft, for fear of ^ exafperating the Jews. ^ 14 At length, in the-^ heighth of the folemnity, Je^ ^ lus appeared — and going di-', reclly to the tem.ple, inftrud:--^ ed the people. 15 The do6trines he now delivered, and the manner* in which he delivered them, ftruck the Jews with aftonifh- ment — and they faid, one to^ another. How could this per-' fon acquire all this profound erudition and knowledfTe.' having been deftitute of a li-^ beral education ! '' 1 6 Jefus, confcious of their thoughts, turned to them and faid — The inftruftions I com- municate to men are not the refult of ?}iy ozvn wifdom, but the dictates of His infallible underilanding, who fent me into the world. » For if Jefus had gone up at the u/md time, he would have gathered a toncuurfc of people around him, and given umbrnge to the 7''-'^'-'' J? And chap. vii. by J 17 And every virtuous perfon, who is defirous to know and obey the will of God, will clearly difcern whe- ther the dodtrines I deliver are of divine original, or merely the offspring of hu- man contrivance. 18 The impofiror ftrives only to acquire popular ap- plaufe, and to fecure to himfelf a great name among the de- luded multitude — But he, who difclaims thefe vain honours, and labours folely to reform mankind and to ad- vance the glory of that Be- ing, by whom he was deput- ed, hath all the marks of a true prophet, being totally free from all fraud and infm- cerity. 19 Did not Mofes give you the law to be the rule and meafure of your moral con- dudl, and hath none of you any regard and reverence for its facred injundions ?- 'Will not thefe deter you from the deliberate defigns you have formed to murder me ? 20 The people anfwered — Surely you are mad-— Whom do you think hath formed any defign to murder you ! 21 Jefus faid to them Becaufe I happened to work » miracle on the fabbath day, it produced an univerfal cla- mour and amazement at my impiety : O H N. ^09 22 Whereas with regard to circumcifion, which Mofes ap- pointed— tho' this rite was not firft inftituted by him, it had been long before pradtifed by the patriarchs — you your- felves make not the leall fcruple of circumcifing a male child on the fabbath. 23 Since, therefore, you, hefitate not to circumcife on the fabbath day, and judge the law of Mofes not to be violated by it — can you con- fiftently be enraged at me for refloring to perfed health on the fabbath day the whole bo- dy of a miferable objed: ? 24 Suffer not your judg- ments to be warped by your preconceived prejudices, but let them be impartially guid- ed and diredled by the truth and reafon of things. 25 Here fome of the inha- bitants of Jerufalem, who were preient, faid — Is not this the perfon, whofe blood they are lb defirous to fhed ? 26 and yet with what open and undaunted freedom doth he deliver his difcourfes^ without any one molcfting him — One would really be induced to think, from the uncontrouled liberty he en- joys, that our Sanhedrim ve- rily believed he was the true Mcfliah. 27 And yet it is impoffiblp he (liould ■ For we knovv X 3 this 3 TO ^he Hiflory o/" J e s u s Chap. vii. this perfon's parents and fa- mily — but when the Mefllah makes his appearance a mongft us, his parentage and extradtion will be entirely un- known'. '■» V^^'^ . 28 Jefus, Gonfcious of what they were lecretly dif- cuffing, railed his voice, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and faid — ^ Do you know me, and are you acquainted with my defcent ? — yet be afllired that the au- thority I have alTumed is not human, but derived from that Being, who hath verifi- ed his prediftions — but with whofe nature and perfeftions. you are utterly unacc^uainted. 29 But of thefe I have the moft perfect and intimate knowledge — for from hini 1 defcended on earth — by him I was deputed to mankind. 30 At this declaration they were fo highly exafperated that they determined to ap- prehend him immediately — but they were providential- ly reftrained from executing ^heir defigns, becaufe the time of his fufferings and death was not yet come. 31 Great numbers how- ever of the common people were convinced that he was a true prophet and faid — When the great Meffiah himfelf ap- pears, will he exert more a- mazing powers than this per- fon hath exerted ! Jd ii«>»o' 32 The Pharifees heard the nnimbled multitude freely and openly declaring, one tq another, thefe their fenti- ments concerning his charac- ter — and they and the high priefts difpatched officers im- mediately to apprehend him. 33 In the mean time Jefus laid to the people — I'he time I have to flay among you is but fliort— -I fliall foon return to that Being, by whom I was originally fent. 34 ' You will make anxi- ous enquiries for me, but vour enquiries will be fruit- lefs — It will be impoffible for you to vifit thofe regions, in which I fhall foon refide. 35 Here the Jews faid, one to another — To what un- known countries does he in- tend to travel, where we fliall never find him ? Will he go to our brethren who are difperfed among the Hea- thens, and inftruct them. 36 What can this myfteri- ous language mean — You t This fhould be read /V^rr^^^//w/y. \yj-J ri mMKJ i ^ ' During the troubles oi J-ud^a the Jews fk^tdttS. rt^ iJjpMrlticeof the Meffiah with the njoft ardent and iblicitous anxiety, iiee Jo/tphus p^lliin. fhall fhali m.akc anxious enquiries after me, but your enquiries iliall be fruitleis — It will be impofTible for you to vifit Xhofe regions, of which I fliall foon be an inhabitant. § — 37 On the lafb day of the feftival, which was al- ways obfervecl with the great- eft folemnity, Jefus flood up, and raifing his voice, thus fpoke to the v^aft concourfe ■of people now aflembled — If any man thirli after truth and virtue, let him come to me and allay his thirfb. 38 He that believeth on me, as the fcripture hath fo- lemnly commanded my con- temporaries to do, fiiall be •enabled, from the indefec- tible fountain of a good heart, to difpenfe the moil grateful ioand falutary flreams to re- f frefh mankind. ^g Jefus in thefe words, al- <,;iuded to thofe fpiritual gifts, '"with which the believers of the gofpel were afterwards ixndowed — for thefe fpirituaJ ^igifts were not conferred be- aifore the glorious afcenfion of -£ Jefus. 40 Great numbers of the -ipcople, v/ho heard this dil- • courfe, faid — Undoubtedly this is an illuftrious prophet ! 41 Others freely afierted, that he mull be the MefTiah — while a third party difdain- ^ J O H N. 311 fi^lly aflved. If the Meffiah was to , be , a., native , lif „ (^aii- lee r ;ini.:o(7nR 'Iff ,>«.;,F£r/ 42 For do not, they con- tinued, the fcriptures ex- prefsly affert that the Meffiah is to be a defcendant from David, and to receive his birth in Bethlehem, wherethat illuftrious monarch was born ? 43 Thefe different fenti- ments, which were warmly efpoufed, excited violent de- bates among the feveral con- tending parties. ) .^in^tci ■ 44 During this fanguine difpute and confufion, fome A^ere very defirous to have apprehended him — but none had the power to effed his defigns. 45 The officers therefore returned to the high priefls and Pharifees without exe- cuting their commiffion - — Soon as they appeared with- out him, they faid to them — Why have you not obey- ed our expreis orders, and brought him before us ? 46 The officers replied—— There never was any man, that difcourfed with that au- thority and power as this per- fon dotli ! 47 The Pharifees faid to them— r- Are you too feduced into the common delufion ^ 48 Can you name one of the Sanhedrim, or ofie of the X 4 ' Pha- Pharifees, who believes him invcfted with a divine coai- milTion? .(^„^ 49 But an unlettered exe- crable, rabble are difpoled to fwallow any impofture. 50 Upon this, Nicodcmus — the perfon who liad a private interview with Jefus in the night, and who was a member of the council- flood up, and fpoke thus, 5 1 Doth our law authorize us to condemn any perfon to capital punifliment, be- fore the judges have heard \Khat he hath to alledge in defence of himfelf, and have ftriftly enquired into his prin- ciples and adtions? 52 Greatly incenfed at this fpeech they faid — Art thou too a canvert of this Gali- lecan prophet ? — Search the annals of time, and lee, if this defpicable country had ever the honour of giving birth to a prophet". g^ After this, the council broke up and the members feparated to their refpedive homes, T'he Kif^pry c/ Jesus Chap. viii. CHAP.viii. I but Jefus prir vately retired to the mount of Olives. § — 2 The next morning early he returned to the city — and going into the temple, a prodigious concourle of peo- ple flocked to him, to hear his inftrudions. 3 But while he was em- ployed in teaching the peo- ple, the Scribes and Pharir fees brought before him a woman convifted of adultery and placing her in the midfl of the circle, 4 thus addreffed him — *• Illullrious teacher ! this wo- man was caught in an adul- terous commerce, and de- tected in the very fact °. 5 Now Mofes hath ex- prefsly enjoined that women guilty of this atrocious crime fhould be ftoned to death — but what penalty do you think ought to be in- flided ? 6 They applied to him for his decifionin this cafe, merely with an inlidious defign, that " The prophet Janah., however, was born in Galilee. 2 Kings, xiv. 25. See alfo Urdverfal HiJIory, Vol. x. p. 572-, 8vo. " ETr'yTo^ip'/n This word tho' condemned in St. "John, is ufed by very refpe£lable writers. Kt' avTota^tu rrt.pd.S'aTu v-v /xar/ov. He* Itadori yJZthiop. p. 21. Edit. Commelin. ET N'/x/4i' nhiitl- fjizvov Eupolis apud Plutarch. Nicias, p. 960, Edit. 8vo. Steph. As- Ciiv 57r' avToo^o^cD ■X-uJf^iunoi', id. Eiimenes, p. 106:;. f"Ta.u7cjii'pii> 70V i^soj* «/AMjjoT«f, id. Alex. p. 1244. Steph. Edit. Gr. Svo. they Chap. vlii. they might have fomething criminal to charge him with •- — But Jefus, confcious of (their intention, {looped down, ;and with an apparent difre- gard of the queflion they -propofed, wrote with his fin- ger on the floor. - 7 But when they conti- nued to urge him with re- peated importunity, at laft he raifed himfelf up, and faid to them Let that perfon a- mong you who is free from ^ this vice, throw the firft itone at her. 8 Having faid this he ftooped down again, and, with the fame inattention as before, traced letters with his finger on the floor. 9 He had no fooiier pro- nounced thefe words, but the perfons, who had condudled the woman before him, were (lung with fliame and with ^J' J O H N. 313 the acuteft cornpundions of confcience, and hegaii to ileal away, one by one, tlje eldeft withdrawing firfb - ' " *tiil at laft they had all quitted the woman and left her alone in the midft of the audience. 10 Jefus then raifing him- felf up and perceiving they had all deferted the woman, faid to her — - Where are, thp perfons who accufed you .^ — Hath any one condemned you to fufl^er capital punifli- ment ? .' ' ■'\ [ I r She anfwered in the ne- gative — Neither do I, repli- ed Jefus, condemn you to die ■ — Go, and I charge you for the future never to repeat this enormous crime. § — 12 After this inci- dent Jefus refumed his public difcourfes to the aflfembled multitude, and faid — • I am the '^ light, that difoejs th^ P This paflage holds up to us a faithful but moft rtiocking pii^iiire oF the horrid corruption and debauchery of the Je^vs at tliat time ! Tlieir Rahbies permitted them, fays Jujlin Martyr even in his time to have/w^r or fi've wives : Oix/ief kcli y-iyji \'--'v K.:ft ri<^aa-f>a.i Kcct ■tsv-t':: iyzi'v VfJ-et? yjvaiy.ctf cKAToy ffuyy^op^ai. Dial. Par. 2. p. 363: but their aba- Jninable lufl: was boundlefs and infatiable. Well might Jofiphus fav of this 'very generation, That there never was any age from the foundatiou of the world fo profligate and abandoaed. ' Wiiri yy\v'(ii\'"i^ uhn'C^ yiyoviva.1 yctx-i.ti yo't if/cojcoAt . Jopph.^. ]. Lib. v. 'c. x.-^ v. Edrt'" Hud/on : and. again he fays — The whole jewifh community, both in public and private, was univerfally corrupt, as if their contention had?!)een, Wlic>' could commit the greatell: impieties again;! God, Who -could 'perpetrate the moll atrocious crimes againft one another. Ojtm tiid'^r^-'^t kiiv^ '^a.vji.f 'i'o/Tti; '?3 Jefus replied — Your o- riginal is low and fordid, mine is illuftrious and divine ——You are of a terreftrial, I am of celeftial, extra<5tion. 24 I have plainly and faithfully told you that your vices will certainly doom you to deftru€lion — and be affur- ed, if you are determined to rejeft my pretenlions, and are obftinately refolved not to receive me as a divine mef- fenger, your atrocious impe- nitence and guilt will devote you to the moll dreadful ruin. ': 25 They faid to him «— — Whom do you then affert yourfelf to be ? — I have re- peatedly told you, faid Jefus, from the beginning of my public miniflry who I am/^- .26. 1 have great caufe to condemn you for your wilful and determined ignorance — AfTure yourfelves that he who fent me will not give his fanc- tion to an impollor 1 on- o H N. .315 ly communicate to the world the do(5lrines and inftruftions I originally received from him. .-> mrviil^ srhnib^TjMtvf 27 But fuch was their (lupidity that they knew not that he was fpeaking of the Supreme Being. 28 Jefus farther added — Af- ter you have " elevated the fon of man, you will then have the moll fignal proofs of my miffion, and character — It will then be demonilrated to you that I aft not by mine own authority, but was com- mifTioned and delegated by the Deity to publifh the doc- trines I now deliver, 29 For he, who deputed me on this important meffage, IS continually aiding and fup- porting me — and the con- icioufnefs that I adl agreeably to his will afflires me that he will never defert me. , 30 This difcourfe. convin- ced great numbers that he was the MeHiah. 31 To thofe Jews there- fore who were convinced of his divine m.ifilon Jefus thuii addrelfed himfelf — I will ac- knowledge you for my true and genuine difciples, if. you their hoftilities againft thefe abandoned wretches, the whole city would cither have been ingulfed by an earthquake, overwhelmed by a deluge, or have been confumed with a fiery florm from heaven, as Sodmn was. For its inhabitants were more profligate and wicked than any who ever experienced fuch calamities. B. Jud. Lib. v. c. xiii. § vi. Edit. Hudfon. " Meaning his cruciiixion. .:5i contmue - 3 i6 continue in the (leady and uniform obedience of mine inftrucSlions. 32 If you thus faithfully adhere to my caufe, you will be acquainted with the fu- preme excellency and worth of true Religion, and you will be vindicated into per- fcd freedom and liberty. 33 They faid to him — "We are the defcendents of Abraham — we never were flaves and vafials to any one — What induces you then to fay, That we fhall be vindi- cated. ipktQ freedom and li- htvty l-y.i li. 34 Jefus replied — He, that is a Have to his vices, is the greateft and viieil of all (laves. 35 The flave holds his continuance in a family upon a'vcry precarious and uncer- tain tenure ^ — but the con- tinuance of the Ion is for ever unchangeable and per- manent. 36 If the fon, therefore, vindicate you into liberty, you will pofTefs the mod ex- cellent and perfect liberty. 37 1 know you are Abra- ham's defcendents — Yet, tho' you are the race of this pious and holy patriarch, you form defigns to murder me merely becaufe mine inftruc- Th Hiftory of Jesus Chap. viii. tions fuit not your depraved- and prejudiced minds! 38 I faithfully deliver what I received from my Father you praetife what^i,ypi|i learned from yours. ^■jn-.n 39 They faid — Abraham is our fole progenitor — Were yon, replied Jefus, his true and genuine progeny, you would inherit his illuftrious virtues. 40 But now you concert meafures to Ihed my blood — to fhed the blood of one who delivers to you that plain and undiiguifed truth, which God communicated to him — Did Abraham's bofom ever harbour fuch principles as thefe ! 41 You indeed inherit ^(?z^r father's principles — They re- plied — Our birth is not dif- honourable and bafe "" — We only own one great original — and that original is Godrf->i 42 Jefus faid to them — » Were you the genuine chil- dren of God, I fhould be the objedl of your love — for from him I folely derive my au- thority, and it was in com- pliance with his will that I defcended on earth. 43 What is the rcafon you do not underitand the lan- fruacre I ule ? — Is it becaufe 00 w His mader's will. ^ This was a UityricrJ fiiiig at bis birtl'. you chap. vili. by J you are averfe to the dodrines I inculcate ? 44 Your fanguinary pur- pofes, your blood-thirfty, murderous intentions, rather prove you to be the children of the deviP — he was ever a murderer, was ever inftigated by the mod wicked and de- teftable principles, and was ever the patron and author of falfehood and lies. J I3-.45 Deriving, therefore, liTch principles from fuch an impure fountain, no wonder you fhould contraft fuch an averfion to me for propagat- ing the caufe of truth and virtue. 46 Can any of you con- vidt me of any vice ? — Since then my life is conformable to my dodlrines, why do you refufe your alTentto the truths Ipubhih? 47 He that hath a con- fcientious and fincere regard for religion, chearfully obeys the will of God when made known to him — and your wilful rejediion of me and my do6lrines fiows from your dil- regard and total indifference for religion. 48 With this declaration they were greatly exafperat- ed, and faid to him — Have we not abundant reafon to H n: 317 fay, That you are a Sama- ritan, and a mad enthufiaft ! 49 Jefus anfwcred — I am not diftradled with madnefs — • 1 faithfully difcharge the ccm- miffion of him who fent me — • but you treat his meffenger with the laft indignity and contempt. 50 It is not popular ap- plaufe and honour I court — There is one who will vindi- cate his honour, and punifti thofe who violate it, 51 Suffer me in the moft folem.n manner to affure you» That he who fteadily obeys my precepts ffiall never be fubjedled to death. ■'L4^c. 52 Upon hearing this af- fertion they cried out — We have now afufficient proof that your intellefts are moft cer- tainly difordered — Our great progenitor Abraham and all the holy prophets have long fmce paid the debt to nature — and you have the madnefs. to affert, Hiat he who obeys your doctrines Ihall live for ever ! 53 Have you the arro- gance to claim to yourfelf a dignity fuperiour to Abra- ham, and to all the illuftrious prophets, none of whom were ever privileged from death ? What great and dignified y By A/ his fio;ht. 15 The Pharifees examin- ed him, and interrogated him concerning his cure— -He told them, how Jefus had put clay upon his eyes, had fent him to waih them, and that he inftantly received his fight. 1 6 Upon this, fome of the Pharifees faid -^— This perfon mull undoubtedly be an im- poftor, or he would not vio- late the facred duties of the fabbath in the profane man- ner he does — Others repli- ed — But it is impolfible a de- ceiver fhould be able to per- form fuch amazing operati- ons as thefe are — Ihis varie- ty of fentiments produced a great altercation and violent debates amongft them. 17 At laft they aiked the blind man. What lis opinion was of the author of his cure ? — Undoubtedly he muft be a prophet, he faid. . >, 18 The :2o ne Hiftary ^ J e s u $ Chap. ix. 1 8 The Jews would not believe that he ever had been blind, and received the ufe of his fight by a miracle — 'till they lent for the man's parents. i9Hisparentsbeingbrought betoij the council, they aik- ed them. If that perfon was their fon — if he was born blind -^ and in what manner Jie had received his fio-ht. 20 To thefe enquiries his parents replied — that he was undoubtedly their fon, and declared that he was born Hone blind : 21 But, added they, we can give you no information, in what manner he hath ob- tained the ufe of his eyes, or what perfon it was that ef- fefted this cure — Propofe ■what queftions you pleafe to him — he is of age to anlwer you, and to give a fatisfac- tory account of himfelf. 22 This cautious prudence in the man's parents proceed- ed from their fear of exciting the Jev/s refentment — For by an a Phocion, p. 1376. mOR Chap, xliii by J rnon table hath life up his lied again ft me." 19 I thought proper to give you previous informa- tion of this treachery, that when it is executed, it may ferve to corroborate your be- lief. That I am the Meffiah. 20 In the moft foiemn manner I affure you, that e- very one, who receiveth you, in effeft receiveth me — and he who obeys my inftru6lions, obeys the v/ill of God who au- thorized me to reveal it to mankind. 21 When Jefus had faid this, he funk into great per- turbation and diftrefs of mind — -and after fome time faid— Moft certainly I know that one of you will treacheroufly deliver me into the hands of my enemies. 22 At this declaration they were confounded and looked with aftonifiiment, one at an- other, not knowing whom it was he intended. 23 One of the difciples, whom Jefus diftinguiflicd with his love, happened then t:o be reclining oa his bofom '. 24 To this peribn Simon O H N. 337 Peter made a fign, that he would aflc Jelus who the per- lon was he fixed upon. 25 This difciplc then whif- pered Jefus in the ear, and aiked him v/hom he meant, 26 Jeilis faid in a low voice — He, to whom I fliail give a morfel of the meat, after I have dipped it in the fauce, is the rnan — He then dipped a morfel in the fauce, and gave it to Judas Ifcariot. 27 After he had received this he was fired with refent- ment ', and inftigated to the perpetration of his diabolical defigns — jelus faid t; him — ■ What you intend to do,, do it immediately. 28 But none of the reft of the company l:new what ic was he ordered Juda^. to do. 29 For fome thought, be- caule Judas was the purfe- bearer, that Jefus had order- ed him to purchafe what was necefiary for the " cnfuing days of the feftival— -or, that he had ordered him to give (omething to the poor. 30 The moment, there- fore, after he had received t'le morfel of meat that Jefus ' He lay at fuppcr on the fame couch, and next to Jofus. * Becaufe he was confcious that he wan the pcrfon, and that JefrnVxiZv it. This traniported him with rage^ and hurried him into x.)x tttuva. therefore niuft ncceflarily have this fcnfe. to Chap, xiv, h ] ^ to me, is a conflant obedi- ence to my inftruftions — He who thus exprefies his love to me, will fecure the favour and complacency of God — and fuch a virtuous difciple (hall be the object alfo of my love, and I v/ill recompenfe the fmcerity of his affection to me by making the cleareft difcovery of myfelf to him. 2 2 Here the apoftle Jude a different perfon fromi Judas Ifcariot — faid to him — What induces you, Sir ! to difcover yourfelf to us, but not openly to the public ? 23 Jefus faid to him — If a perfon love me, he will ex- Erefs the finceriry of his love y an obfervance of my pre- cepts — and fuch a virtuous perfon will my Father love, and we will both conilantly aid and befriend him — and with fuch a mind we will ever maintain a pleafin tercourfe. 24 He who hateth difregards and contemns m.y dodlrines — tho' the dodrines you have heard me deliver are not mine, but God's who fcnt me. 25 Thefc inftruftions have I freely dehvered to you, dur- ing the fhort time that is al- lotted me to be perfonally prcfent with you. m- me. H N. 341 26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit,- whom my Fa- ther will fend to you, andin- veft with my authority, will communicate to you the moit fublime and important truths, and enable you diftindiy and clearly to underftand all the inftruftions, which I perfon- ally taught you. 27 I bid you adieu, wifh- ing you all divine and hu- man happineis, not in the'* unmeaning, ceremonial man- ner the world repeats this fa- lutation« Be not dejedted, difpel your forrows, let not the fad profpe6t overwhelm you iri defpair. 28 For I have faithfully told you, that tho' I leave you, I will foon return to you Did you love me, you would be tranfported with joy, to think that I am going to the ever-blefied God, a Being fo tranfcendently fupe- riour to me in dignity and greatnefs. 29 I have, at this time, made thefe exprefs declara- tions of my fpeedy removal from you, in order that, when I am removed, they may ferve as an additional confirmation that I am the MefTiah. 30 I fliall not have an op- portunity of a long converla- Bccacfc his blelTnig would derive upon them every fobiUntial felicity. Z 3 tiOn ^42 ^-^^ Hiftory tion with you for I fhall foon be in the hands of my wicked perfecutors, who yet ■will not be able to find any thing criminal in my life and conduft. 31 But by means of my apprehenfion, my innocence will "be publickly attefted, and' rtiy drift conformity, throupfhout the whole of life, to the will of my father, will be openly known and acknow-, ledgcd — Come, let us imme- diately remove from this place. CHAP. XV. I TV/r Y religion reprefents •*-'-*■ a vine, of which my Father is the proprietor. 2 Every branch of this vine, that is unfruitful, he lops off, and every branch that bears grapes'^ he careful- ly prunes and dreffes, that it may produce fruit in more copious abundance. 3 And you have already received this culture by means of the doftrincs in which I have inftrucled you.) 4 Let nothing, therefore, feparace that union, by which you and I are connected to- gether for as the branch cannot bear, but mull: necef- farily wither and die, when fevered from the oriQ-inal ftock — in like manner will you be of Jesus Chap, xv. deprived of all vital influen- ces unlefs you continue indif- folubly united to me.X 5 For I am the vine, you are the branches That branch that is firmly connec- ted to me, and imbibes that Q-cnial nourifliment which I lupply, will produce truit m the richeft abundance — for if all communication be cut off betwixt us, you muft lan- guiih and die.^ 6 If any branch doth not continue united to me, it withers, is cut down, and thrown out of the vineyard, where it is picked up, call into the fire, and burnt^ 7 But if you inleparably adhere to me, and imbibe the inftru6lions I have communi- cated to you, you fliall not meet with a repulfe, what- ever miraculous operation you implore me to effedt in confirmation of your autho- rity- i 8 lou will both honour God, and approve yourfelve^ my genuine difciples, if, be- ing thus cultivated, you pro- duce fruit in rich and ample abundance. 9 Since God hath deigned to make you the objedts of his love, and I have ever en- tertained the tendereft affec- tion for you, do you in re- turn maintain the lame invi- olate fidelity and love to me. 10 I1i** Chap. XV. by J 10 The only way to iecure the continuance of my love to you is ti^e conflant praftice oF my commandments — as it is iblcly by an uniform obe- dience to the Divine com- mands that I have been dil- tinguiilied by the compla- cency and love of my Fathtjr. ^j _ 11 I have given you thcfe 'inftruclions, with the pleaf- ing hope, that I (hall reap the moil confummate joy in your obedience, and that your joy might alfo be com- pleat, and perfe6l. 12 All my advice to you is virtually comprifed in this one capital precept — Love one another with the fmce- rity, with which I have loved you. ,13 It is impoffible there jpan be an higher demonilra- tion of love, than for a per- fon chearfully to fubmit to death for the fake of his friends : J 4 yet fuch is the ardent and exalted friendihip I have for you — provided you faith- fully difcharge the duties I have enjoined upon you. J 5 I call you not fervants — the fervant is a ilranger to the will of his mailer — but I ertcem and honour you as my friends^ fince to you I have faithfully imparted all ihQ important difcovcries O H N. .343 v/hich my Father communi- cated to me. 16 It Vv'as not you who chofe me your aflbciate, but I felecSled you to be my com- panions, and have commif- fjoned you to publifli my re- ligion in the world, and col- left a great and glorious har- veft of converts to it — in confirmation of which, what- ever miraculous power you earneflly beg the Almighty may be exerted by my au- thority, you fliall be enabled to exert it. 1 7 Let me repeat it — All the rules of my religion are fummarily contained in this one precept — Love,oiie an- other. .- l^i' " 1 8 If the wcrl,d purfue you with implacable hatred, you know that I your mailer, be- fore you, was perfecuted with the i'ame unrelenting rage. 1 9 Were your affections and defires folely affixed to this world, the world v^ould carefs you as its genuine children but fince your principles and views are ele- vated above this vain and perifhing life, and I have fe- paratcd,you from lecular af- fairs to be my companions, knowing the virtuous difpo- fitions by which you were actuated ; no wonder that you are held in deteftation Z 4 by by that depraved world, \vhcrc purfuiis you condeiriH and abhor. 20 Remember the obfer- vation I have lb often repeat- ed— -Thaif the fervar>t mull expeft no better treatment than his mafter hath experi- enced- — For it' they have per- fecuted me, they will perfe- cuteyou: if they have ''watch- ed my words with an infidious defign to pick out lb;i:ething obnoxious, tliey will alio watch your words v/ith the fame captious views. 21 All thele iniurics and fufferings they will inflid upon you for your attach- ment to my cau'fe — for thele perfecutions v/ill be Qccited againfl you by thofe who are entire flrangers and enemies to religion '. 22 Had I never made my appearance among them, and never publifhed the great truths 1 was commifhoned to reveal to them, they might have pleaded fomething in extenuation of their guilt ; but now their vices are to the l.ifl degree aggravated and unjurtihable. 23 Every one, who hateth me, hath previouUy conceiv- Ike Hiftory of Jesus Chap, xv. ed an averfion againft my Father. 24 Had not I openly ex- hibited before them fuch mi- raculous operations as no other perfon ever performed, their vices, comparatively, would have admitted of lome apology — but now tho* they iiave been witneflcs of all thofe ailon idling powers which 1 have exerted, yet they have conceived the moil bitter and violent refentments againft me, and have offered the moft impious affront to that Being who enabled me to perform them. 25 But I may apply to their inveterate prejudices and rage againft me the fol- lowing expreiTion in their facred books — " Their ha- tred of me is entirely without foundation." 26 But when the Com- forter comes, the Holy Spirit, the teacher of truth, whole powerful effufion the Father will grant you at my folici- racion — he will ftamp my doctrines with the mioft fa- cred and inconteftable fanc- tion. 27 And you alfo, who have been my conftantcompanion^ * T»tf«f frequently hath this feiifc. Gcc Knflichhul in loc. ^ Tbey bui'j not him 'who JeiH mc, i. c. tiicv have no rc;;aiJ for natural chgion. from Chap. XVI. hy Jo from the comrnencement of my public ininiftry, are wit- neffes, what I have taught, and how I have lived. CHAR XVI. I T Have faithfully told you -*• in what troubles you will be involved, that you may not be difcou raged by them, and be induccrl to apo- ftatize from my religion. 2 You will be excommu- nicated and excluded from an attendance on religious wor- fhip — The time is approach- ing, when you will be held in fuch univerfal abhorrence and deteftation, that he, who im- brues his hands in your blood, will really believe that he im- molates a moft acceptable victim to God. 3 They will purfue you with this implacable rage and fyry, becaufe they hold in equal contempt the truths of natural religion with thofe which I have revealed. 4 I have without referve freely delivered to you this prediftion — that when you are involved in thefe evils, you may remember my words, and be confirmed in the tmth of my religion — I judged it not proper at the firfl beginning of my miniftry to i-i N. 345 thele dire<5t your view to forbidding profpefts. 5 But now 1 faithfully ex- hibit them before your eyes, fince I am now arrived at the clofe of life, and am fo Ihort- ly to return to my Father — Yet none of you afks me, To what manfions I am return- ing .? 6 Inftead of making this important enquiry, you fuf- fer your hearts to be over- whelmed in forrow and dejec- tion at the gloomy profpetSIs I have opened unto you. 7 But let me declare with the greateft fmcerity and faithfulnefs That my re- moval from you is greatly for your advantage — for unlefs I leave you, the Comforter will not come to you — but ^ when I am fend fence. gone, him to I will aflu redly fupply my ab- 8 When he comes, he will {how to the world, in the ftrongeft light, the aggrava- tion of their guilt the ne- cefiity of holinefs — and the fentence that God hath pafled upon them; 9 He will fiiow the world the aggravation of their guilt — for rejeding, and di{be- lieving me to be a divine meflenger. 5 Not, if I go, implying a doubt whether he would go at all, verb is in the firll aorijl. See Chap. xiv.. 3. The 10 He 34^ ne Hiilory 10 He will fhow the world the necefilty of holinefs — be- caufe I go to the Father, and fhall be appointed by him the governour and judge oi all mankind. 11 He will fhow men the fentence that God hath pafled upon the world — becaule that idolatry, which hath lo long reigned triumphant, fhall be dethroned. 12 1 could acquaint you with many particulars relat- ing to the publication of my religion, but I am fenfible you nciv could not bear the mention of them. 13 But when the fpirit of truth comes, he will initiate you into a perfcft knowledge of the whole fcheme and de- fign of the gofpel— for the difcoveries he fhall reveal to jou, will not reft upon his own authority, but they will be communicated to him by the Supreme Father of all — The important truths, and prcdi(5tions of future events, which have been imparted to him, he will impart to you. 14 This divine perfonwill give a glorious atteftation to the truth and excellency of my religion — for all the dic- tates and counfels which I of Jesus Chap. xvi. fuggeft to him, he will freely reveal to you. 1 5 The reafon of my fay- ing. That I Ihall fuggeft to him what difcoveries he fliall impart to you is, becaufe the Father hath vefted me with univerfal dominion, and hath conftituted me the governour of all things. 16 In^ very little time you will '' not fee me — in a very very little time you will fee me again ' — for I am going to the Father, ftiortly to re- turn. 17 Here the difciples laid one to another What can he mean by faying. In a little time he will relinquifli ns, and then in a little time he will revifit us ? and what doth he alio intend by faying, That he is going to the Fa- ther ? 18 We cannot, they faid, comprehend the meaning of this very obfcure language, or affix any clear ideas to liis words. 19 Jefus being confcious that they were very dehrous he fhould give them an ex- plication of -the terms he made ufe of, faid to them — My cxpreflions, it fecms, have excited an anxious en- '' Namely, he would be toin from them by death. ^ After his rei"uire<5'aoii. lUiry Chap. xvi. ' by J quiry among you, what I meant by faying. That in a very fhort time you would lofe me, but in a very fhort time I fhould reappear among vou. ^iJ' ^d Let me folemnly afliire y6u,Thattho' at the time when J am violently torn from you, you will be overwhelmed in extreme forrow and deje(51:ion, while the world is elated with the higheft tranfport and ex- ultation — yet your grief and defpair fhall foon be convert- ed into ecftafies of joy. 21 As a woman, the time of whofe pregnancy is com- pleated, is in her difficult hour affli6led with the moft excruciating pain — yet imme- diately after her delivery, be- ing congratulated on the birth of a fon, her heart bounds with tranfport, and all re- membrance of her late an- 'guifh is totally fwallowed up and loft in a flood of joy : 22 juft fo will you, who are now funk in forrow and defpondency, when I "* revifit you, indulge the warmeft e- motions of the fublimeft joy ^ — and the pure tranfports, with which your hearts will then be dilated, all the power and rage of the world fhall never be able to violate and fliminifh. o H N. • 347 23 You will at that time have no occafion to require from me the folution of du- bious and difficult queftions — For be affured, that what- ever affiflance you implore the Supreme Father to beftow for the confirmation and pro- motion of my gofpel, he will freely impart it to you. 24 Hitherto you have re- queiled nothing of the Deity, as being my difciples — But now prefer your petitions to God in my name, and you fhall not be repulfed, but be filled with compleat joy and felicity of mind. 25 Many of the difcourfes, which I have delivered to you, have been figurative and obfcure — but the time is approaching, when I fhall no longer involve my inftrudions in fiction and fable, but in the mofl plain and undifguif- ed manner reveal to you all the truths of that fcheme of religion, which infinite wif- dom hath planned. 2 6 In that day you fhall of- fer up your fupplications to the Deity in my name — And be affured, that it is not needful for me to fupplicate the Father to beflow upon you any bleffing, 27 for you have rendered yourfelves the objects of my J After my refurre(^iQn. Father's 34^ ^he Hillory of Jesus Chap. xvii. Father's love, bccaiife you have ever exprefied fuch a warm and fincere afFeclion for me, and are convinced that I was commilTioned by him to inftrudl the vt'orld. 28 By him was I originally delegated In compliance with his will I del'cended in- to the world — and now again am 1 leaving the world and returning to my Father. 29 His difciples faid to him — You now deliver your J'entiments plainly and undif- guifedly, and the language, in which you convey them, is perfe6tly intelligible. 30 We arc now convinced that you are perfeftly ac- quainted with every thing that paficth in the human heart — and that your all-com- prehenfive knowledge antici- pates any ' queftions that might be propoled to you — This knowledge is a demon- ftration to us, that you are honoured with a divine au- thority and commifiion. 31 Jefus laid to them — ' Are you, at length, convin- ced that I am a divine mef- I'enger ? '^2 Be afilired, however, that the hour will very ipeedi- ly arrive, when every one of you will dcfert me with the greateft precipitation, and abandon me to my fate Yet I fhall not be abandoned and left alone, for my Fa- ther will be prefent with me to fupport and aid m.e. 33 I have faithfully told you thefe things, that you might be perfectly fatisficd, and have no doubts at all re- maining concerning my mif- fion and charafter In the world you will conflidl with many forrows and didrelTes : but let not the profped de- jccl you — Remember that I have vanquiflied all the diffi- culties the world oppofed to m.e. CHAP. XVII. I A FTER Jefus had ut- -^^ tered thefe words, he devoutly raifed his eyes to heaven, and faid — Merciful Father! The hour is now ar- rived ! — Be gracioufly pleaf- ed to honour thy fon, that thy fon may honour thee ! 2 I thank thee that thou haft vouchfafed to put into his hands the reins of univer- fal government, and hafc em- powered liim to bellow a blelTed and happy immorta- lity upon all whom the love of virtue hath engaged to embrace his religion. 3 The fole condition which 1 He had anticipated and anfwered fcveral q^irilions they intended to have propoied to him. See Verfc 19. entitles Chap. xvii. hy J entitles the virtuous to the polleffion of eternal life is to acknowledge and obey thee, the one iupreme God, and Jefus the Mefliah, v/hom thou haft fent. 4 I have anfwered the great and glorious ends of thy mo- ral government on earth — I have faithfully difcharged the arduous province which thy wifdom afllgned me ! 5 Be pleafed, therefore, O God ! to reinftate me in that dignity and glory which I en- joyed "' near thy perfon be- fore this world was called into cjiiftence. 6 I have difcovered thy perfections and will to thofe, whom a fmcere reo-ard to thee and to virtue powerfully en- gaged to forfake the example of a depraved world and ad- here to me — Previous to their embracing my dodrines they were thy votaries Thou didll, therefore, give them to me, and they have faithfully obeyed my inflrudlions. 7 And they are now con- vinced, upon the ftrongeft evidence, that all the powers and authority, which thou haft enabled me to exert and difplay, are originally deriv- ed from thee ! 8 For the dodlrines thou comixjandedft me to teach, I O H N. 349 have communicated to them — Thefe have they freely embraced and obeyed, and are in the moft indubitable manner perfuaded that I came from thee, and was commif- fioned by thee to initruft mankind. 9 Thcie my feled and faithful afibciates 1 devoutly recommend to thy favour and bleffing ! — The world is not fo much the immediate ob- jeft of this my fervent ad- drt^fs to tliee — but I prefer this prayer to thee, O Father! humbly imploring thee to pro- tect and befriend thofe vv hom a fmcere love to thee and to virtue excited to embrace my religion. 10 For all my followers are thy votaries and thy vo- taries are my converts — and their confpicuous virtue hath greatly redounded to my ho- nour. 1 1 And now I am going to quit the world and return to thee — but thefe my belov- ed followers I leave in the world, expofed to all its for- rows and viciflitudes ? — Mer- ciful Father ! preferve by thine almighty power and in- finite goodnefs thofe, whom a facred regard to thee powei- fully induced to adhere to me Grant that the fame "* n*ptf (fiaxKc I'.nion, 35^^ union, which fubfifts between us, may be cemented among them ! 1 2 When I was perfonally prefent with them I kept them inviolably attached to thy caufe Of that Ibciety, which was colle(fted to me by thine appointment, I have loft only one member — a deprav- ed and incorrigible creature — by means of whole perfidy the fcripture, which predidl- ed my fuffcrings and death, will be accomplifhed. i^ I am now, O God ! fhortly to return to thee — and I fay this in their prefence, in order that their dejefted fpirits may be reinvigoraced, and their breafts be filled with confolation. 14 I have inftru6led them in the truths thou didft com- miflion me to reveal but for'embracing thefe truths and afTociating with me they have drawn upon them the irre- concileable hatred of the world — merely becaufe their views and principles are not fecular, but infinitely elevat- ed above this vain and tranfi- tory life. 1 5 I do not beg that thou wouldcft remove them out of the world 1 only implore thee, that thou wouldeft, of thine infinite meVcy, preferve them from apoftaly and vice. J 6 Their governing prin- T^he Hiftoiy of Jesus Chap. xvii. ciples befpeak them not of this world, fince they regard its prevailing interefts, as I have done, with contempt. 1 7 Poflefs their minds with. the facred influence of true re- ligion — the dodrines, which thou appointedft me to deli- • ver to the world, are the on- ly fyftem of true religion. 18 As thou didft originally delegate me to be thy mef- fenger to mankind ; fo have.-; I deputed them to be my; melTengers to mankind. 19 And upon their ac- .■ count have I devoted myfelf : fully to execute thy will, that they may be conlccrated to the fervice and promotion of true religion. -j bt)t£!)^q 20 But it is not for them only that I intercede with thee at this time — I implore thee gracioufiytofuccourand blefs thofe, who (hall, in future- time by their tcftimony, be convinced of the truth of my religion. 2 1 I entreat thee, that all my followers may be formed into one harmonious fociety by the fame endearing and intimate union that fubfifts betwixt us ! — that from their focial uninterrupted concord and love the world may be convinced that thou haft fent me. 22 The fame glorious de- fio-n which thou ordainedft o mc chap, xviii. hy J mc to promote have I ap- pointed them to execute- in order that by the greatnefs of this arduous province, in which they are all engaged, they might be as infeparably united to each other as we are. 2 ^ Let the fame union, that fubfiileth betwixt us, cement them to me and to each other — that they may all be con- joined in one perfediand una- nimous fociety in order that the world may be con- vinced that thou haft inverted me with a divine authority, and that thou indulgeft for them the fame affeftion and love with which thou waft pleafed to diftinguifti me! 24 O merciful Father! I delire and implore thee that all thole, whofe virtuous dif- pofitions fliall lead them to embrace my gofpel may be introduced into thole happy feats where I refide, to fhare my felicity, and to fee that illuftrious dignity and honour to which thou haft exalted me — for before this world was called into exiftence, I was an objeft of thy love. 25 O God, moft holy ! the world is unacquainted with thy perfe6lions and counfels — but thou haft favoured me with the cleareft knowledge and perception of them — and thefe my beloved companions 4 O H N. 351 are convinced that I am a meflenger from thee. 26 To them have I reveal- ed thy great and glorious de- figns — and will continue to make to them farther difco- veries of thy v/ill \ in order that the love, with which thou haft diftinguiftied me, may reign amongftthem, and that they may be indiftblubly unit- ed to me ! CHAP, xviir. I \X7HEN Jefus had fi- ^^ niflied the foregoing addrefs to God, he crofted the brook Cedron — and entered into a garden accompanied with his difciplcs. 2 The traitor Judas was well acquainted with this place, as Jefus and his com- panions had very often re- forted hither. 3 Judas, therefore, taking with him an armed body of Roman foldiers, and fome of- ficers that belonged to the guards of the high priefts and Pharifees, came dire6lly to this place, with a great num- ber of lamps and flambeaus. 4 Jefus, who had a perfe6l knowledge of all the fuflfer- ings in which he was going to be involved, went out of the garden, and faid to them — Who is it vou are in fearch of.? 5 Je^ws J52 5 Jeftis of Nazareth, they replied— — Jelus then laid to them — I am the perfon — The traitor Judas was at the head of them. ^i^v6 Nq fooner had he told them that he was the perlbn, but that moment they were all violently ftruck back, and -fell proftrate on the ground. 7 Jefus again afked them — Who is it you are in fearch of? — They faid — Jefus of Nazareth. 8 I am then, faid he, the object of your enquiries — But fmce your defign is to feizc me, fuffer thefe my compa- nions to depart unmolefted. 9 So that his words, which we have recited above, were acccmpliflied — " Of that fe- ie6l fociety, which was col- leded. to me by thine ap- pointment, I have not loll; one member." 10 But when Simon Peter now faw the violence they in- tended againft his mafter, he jnftantly drew his fword, and aimed a blow at one of the high prieft's fervants, and cut off his right ear — The fer- vant's name was Malchus. ; 1 1 Jefus feeing this a(5lion of Pfter, faid to him — Sheath thy fword — Ought not I with chearfulnefs and compol'ure to fubmit to that dtllinv, l^he Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xvHL which my heavenly Father hath affigned me ! 12 Immediately then the Roman officer and his cohort, attended by the officers of the Jews, ruflied upon Jefus, feized and bound him. 13 And they carried him before Annas but he fent him to Caiaphas his fon-in- law, who was, at that time, high prieft. 14 It was this Caiaphas who told the Sanhedrim — " That it was highly expedi- ent that the life of one indi- vidual lliould be facrificed to preferve the public welfare, rather than that the whole community fhould be fatally endangered." 15 Simon Peter andean- other difciple followed at fome diftance this body of men that had apprehended Jefus — and that dilciple, be- ing not unknown to the high prieft, went in with Jefus in- to the high prieft's palace. 16 But Peter, not daring to enter in, ftopptd at the gate — this difciple, therefore, with whom the Ifigh prieft v/as not unacquainted, Ipoke to the maid fervant, who kept the door ; and got Peter ad - m it ted. 17 This fervant faid to Peter, after liis admiffion — * " St. 'juhn, the Writer of this hiftory. Are Ch^p. xviii. by John. Are not you one of this man's clifciples ? — -He aniwered that lit never was. 1 8 The guards and do- meftics of the high prieft had made a fire, as the weather was now very cold, and form- ed a circle round it — In this company Peter mixed, and ilaod alang with ihem at the fire. § — '\() When Jefus was brought JDefore the high prieft he interrogated him about his diiciples, and what do6lrines he had delivered. 20 Jefus faid to him — My dodrines I have publi(hed o- penly to the world — I have always delivered my inllruc- tions in the fynagogue or in the temple, in places of the greateft concourfe— — I never courted obfcurity and foli- tude, in which tolpread and propagate my dodlrines. 21 Why do you interro- gate me concerning the na tare of my inflruftions i* E^camine thofe wiio were my a^jditors what doctrines I pubUclcly taught — ^they can give you a triie and faithful ftccount of wliac I delivered. 22 Wiien Jefus had faid this, one of the officers v;ho ftcod by ftruck him, and laid --^Is this the manner in which you anfwer the high prieft? 23 Jefus turiied and faid XQ him If I have violated Vol. I. 35? truth, make it pubjickly appear that I have fo — but if I have faid nothing but what is ftridlly true, how unjuft is it in you to ftrike iT)e 1 § — 24 Annas, as I havf mentioned above, had fent Jefus bound to Caiphas the high prieft. 25 In whofe palace, as Peter was at tjie fire warming himlelf ; the company about him laid to him— ^ Are not you one of his followers ? — —He declared he never was. 26 After this, one of the high prieft's fervajits, who v/as a near relation to hinj, whofe ear Peter had ftruck off", faid to him — Did not I fee you with him iii the gar- den ? 27 Peter afierted in the moil folemn terms, that he was not along with him there — no fooner had he pronoun- ced the v/ords, but the cock crowed. § — 28 From the palace of Caiphas they conduifted Je- fus, very early the next morn- ing, to the Roman pr^to- rium — but they the.miclve^ entered not within the pr^eto- rium, for fear of contra6ting pcilution, as they were no\y celebrating the great pafchal folemnity. 29 Pilate being informed- that the Jews were waiting in a body, went out to theni, A a and 3 '54 The Hlftory of Jesus Chap, xvili. and iaid- What are the crimes you alledge againfl" this prifoner ? 30 They faid to him Had he not been a molt noto- rious malefaftor, we never would have brought him be- fore your tribunal. 31 Pilate laid to them — Do you judge him yourlblves, and inflift what penalty your law prefcribes^- The Jews re- plied — We are not permitted to infli6b capital punilhment upon any one. . "t n r^ i > 32 Herein wa? the prcdic tion of Jefus exactly fulfilled, who exprefsly told his difci- ples, To what kind of death he v/ould be condemned by the Heathens. ^^ Pilate then v/ent into the prastorium, and ordered Jefus to attend him — When alone, the procurator faid to him — Do you affiime the title of King of Judaea ? 34 Jefus faid to him — Do you afk me this from your o-wu judgment or have you re- ceived information from 0- thers, that I affefted regal honours ? 35 Pilate faid to him- — I am a ftranger to the religious cuftoms and opinions of the Jews-— ycJur own countrymen and the high priells have pub- lickly brought you before my tribunal -i—— What haft thou done to merit this public im- peachment ? 36 Jefus faid to him — My kingdom is not of this world — if my kingdom were of th^ fame nature with other earth- ly kingdoms; my fervants would have taken up arms and fought to refcue me from the hands of my enemies But mine is not a fecular kmgdom. ■ S"; 37 Pilate faid to him Are you then no king ? Yes, replied Jefus, I am a kins' — for to ere6t a kingdom I was called into exiftence — to eredt a kingdom I defcend-^ ed into this world — For I was fent 10 publilh truth among mankind Every friend to truth is my willing and obe- dient fubjed:. "^ 38 Pilate faid to him- What do you mean by truth ? — Having faid this, not ftay- ing for an anfwer, he went out to the Jews who ftood waiting, and faid to them — I do not rind any thing crimi- nal in this perfon's conduct : 39 As it hath therefore been cuftomary for me at the paflbver to releale any one prifoner whofe pardon you lb- licit — are you willing I Ihould now acquit this pcrlbn v/hom you call the king of the Jews ? 40 At this they all railed Chap. xix. fy ] o u n. 355 one general conf ufed clamour, | ciferation Crucify him ! repeating Do not releaie him Releafe Barabbas — This Barabbas was a notori- ous robber. — at him CHAP. XIX. 1^ . P I L AT E then ordered p- "*• Jefus to be Icourged. 2 After this was inflicted, the Roman foldiers compof- ing a wreath of thorns fixed it on his head for a crown, and invefted him with a pur- ple robe. 3 They then approached him with mock homage, cry- ing^Hail, O thou illuftrious fovereign of the Jews ! - the fame time llriking with their hands. 4 After the foldiers had offered him thefe wanton in- fults, Pilate went out a fe- cond time to the Jews, and faid to them 1 bring this perfon before you, and pub- lickly declare, that I am per- fuaded of his innocence. *;i 5 Jcfus then came forward upon the pavement, wearing the thorny crown, and array- ed in the mock purple veft — Pilate, turning to the af- femblf, faid Behold the man ! 6 But when the high priefts and their creatures faw him, they pierced the air with their cries, repeating with the moll vehement vo- j Crucify him ! — Pilate faid to them — If you are determined he fhall fuffer capital pumlli- ment, take him and crucify him yourfelves — But I pub- lickly proteft, That I am per- fuaded he is innocent. 7 The Jews then faid to him — Our law adjudges him to death for the impious blaf- phemy he hath been guilty of, in affuming the title of the fon of God. 8 When Pilate heard this^ he was more embarrafled-than ever, how to ad. ■: 9 He therefore ordered Jefus to follow him into the prastorium, and aflced him the place of his nativity — But Jefus made no reply. 10 The procurator then faid to him — Do you refufe to anfwer my enquiries ? — Do not you know that the ible power either of con- demning or acquitting you is lodged in me ? 1 1 The power and autho- rity^ anfwered Jefus, which you now exercife is, I am fenfible, wholly derived trom the Emperour for which reafon the high prieft who de- livered me into your hands, and exerts every effort to in- ftigate- you to pals the fcn- tence of death upon me, is more to be blamed than you are. A a 2 12 This 35^ T^he Hiftory of Jesus Chap. xix. 12 ** This anfvver made fuch ail imprefTion upon Pi- lace,* tliat i^ determined him to 'ende'av%Lir to procure his rcIeale-—BLK the Jews on the firft mention of his intentions, raifed the mbft violent and outrageous clamours, crying out — If you acquit this man, you for ever forfeit all regards and obedience to the Emper- our — He, who ^iTumes the title of fovereign, is a rebel to the Emperour. i"3 When the procurator heai-d thele afTertions, he brought Jclus out of the prse- torium, and fat on the tribu- nal, which was eredted on a raifed frage, paved with mar- ble Such a ftrufture is in Hebrew called Gahbalha^ in Greek. JJthofiroton. 14 The day, in which this tranfadlion happened, was the Prefarationy and it was about nine o'clock in the morning — riiate, being fcated, faid to the Jews Behold your fo- vereign ! 15 But at this they all raif--^ ed a loud and vehement cla- mour, fhouting — Drag him to the crofs ! Drag him to the ' crofs ! We acknowledge no, fovereign but Caefar ! ^ 16 To their urgent impor-, tunity the procurator at lad' yielded, and paffed upon him tlic fcntence of cruci6xion — I'he Roman fokliers then took him away. I 7 Jcfus bore the crofs to the place of public execution, called in Hebrew Golgotha^ wiiich tran dated fignifles. The place ofjlndls. 18 Here they crucified him P between two condem- ned malefactors. 19 Over his head Pilate wrote and fixed up this in- fcription — Jesus of Naza-* reth, the king of the Jews. 20 As tlie place of execu- ° Fk rv.r\s dotJi not fignify from litis time, as if Pilais had nia«-]e no efForts before tha, t6 f;ive Jefus. But it lignific';. Ok this iii\minf, for this reafou. Fx. TB7K i/'n Tov Ap/-<»7vioi' €p<t 7KTB ifxovTo T4 T-T'T'K : Upon this they all followed, p. li5S. ^.K-THTii TO. Tt^n. J^iiTucrii. Vpofi this hc giv<:i them pledges, p. 195» • E» '/8T» trin'mt lov STspor. L-pon ibis he fenids another, p. 198.' Hutch, ... P F.iT5i'9vi/ ya,i ivriv^'V. St. John hath been blamed for this phrafc as be- ing not pure Greek. Dr. BcntUv^n his propofah for puhlifning a Grrck Tcllament hath changed it into ivnub-.v x.a/ *« 9 •, for which liberty he is jullly cenfured by Dr. Midiihtcn- FiO;i' uti i^^-v is often uf^d by the politeft writers. See Xenophotu Cyrop. p. 324.. 34.7. 373. 375. 403. 406. 420. 459. Edit. Hutch, bvo. tion Chap. xix. hy J tion was very near the city, great numbers of the Jews read this inJcription — It was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Roman charafttrs. 21 With this infcription the high priefts were diiguit- ed — and waiting upon Pilate, they begged he would alter it; and not write in dire6l terms that he was the king of the Jews, but only that he himfclf ajfumed this title. 2 2 But Pilate peremptorily refufcd telling them he would not alter a fingle letter of the infcription. 23 The four foldiers, who nailed him to the crofs, after it was eredted, divided his cloaths into four parts, and took each a part — but upon examining his tunic, it was excepted out of this divifion — for it was found to be knit from top to bottom without a feam. 24 Upon their perceiving this, they faid one to another — Let us by no means tear this, but let us call lots for it — A circumftance limilar to one which the Pfalmift men- tions in the following pafifage — " They made a divifion of my apparel, and call lots for ir." O H N. 357 25 There ftood by the crofs of Jefus his mother, his mo- ther's fitter Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magda- lene. 26 When Jefus faw his mother, and ^ that difciple, whom he had ever diftin-^ guifhed with his love, fland" ing by him, he faid to his mother — Regard that perlbn as your fon ! 27 He then faid to that difciple — And do you regard her as your mother ! — This difciple accordingly from that, day took hertohisown ' houle, and treated her as a parent. 28 After this Jefus know- ing that all the circumftances that attended his fufferings, had exaflly correfponded to the fcripture predictions, faid. That he was thirfty. 29 Immediately upon this the foldiers on duty took a fpunge, filled it with vinegar from a veflel they had there with them, and fixing it to a ftalk of hyflbp, put it to his mouth. 30 When Jefus had tailed the vinegar, he faid — The prophecies are all accompliih- ed His head then funk upon his bofom, and Ije breathed his laft. s St. John the writer of this hiftor}'. «■ Her hulband Jofeph was now dead* Aa 3 31 The 35^ The Hiftory 3 1 The day, on which Je- fus was crucified, was, as hath been remarked above, the preparation — ■ and the next day enfuing being the grand pafchal fabbath, that this fa- cred folemnity might not be violated by the bodies of the criminals hanging on their crofies, the Jews went in a body to the procurator, and folicifed it as a favour, that he would give orders, that their legs might be broken, 3nd their bodies taken down. • 52 Pilate therefore dif- patched his orders to the fol- diers on duty, who broke the legsofthofe two malefactors, who v^/ere crucified along with Jefus. 33 But when they came to Jefus, finding him already dead, they thought it unne- ceflary to break his legs. 34 But one of the loldlers pierced his fide with a fpcar, and inftantly there ifllied from the Vv'ound a mixture ot blood and water. 35 Of this fa6t the writer of this hiftory was an eye-wit- iiefs, and pubHckly attefts its truth- — And being con- vinced himfelf of the veracity pf what he aflerts, records it with no other view but to con- vince others. 36 Thefe two circum- itances, the piercing his fide, l?ut ppt breaking his legs, 0/^ J E s u s Chap. xi)c, were fimilar to two others, recorded in the following paf- lages of fcripture — *' A bone of it fliall not be broken." 37 " They fhall look on him whom they have pierced with a lance.'* ' § — 38 After this Jofeph of Arimathsea, a perfon, who was convinced that Jefus was the Mertlah, but dared not publickly avow his fentiments for fear of the refentment of the Jews, waited upon Pilate, and begged he would give him the body of Jefus — The procurator granting his re- queil:, he went and took it down from the crofs. 39 Nicodemus alfo, the fame perfon, who formerly had a private interview with Jefus in the night, came to pay his pious refpecl to the deccafed, and brought with him a large quantity of myrrh and aloes mixed, of immenfe value, to embalm his body, 40 Thefe two took down the body of Jefus, and after they had wrapped it in the a- romatic fpices, they fwathed it in linen rollers, according to the Jewifli riteoffepulture. 41 Near to the place, where he was crucified, there was a garden, and in this g;irden a new monument, in which no corpfe had yet been depofited. 42 In this tomb, as it lay convenient, and as it was the preparation^ Ghap.xx. 6y J o K ij^ preparation, they interred his no'T CH A P. XX. ::io tt3 H E firft day of the week, very early in the morning, before the darknefs of the night was difpelled, Mary Magdalene went to vifit the tomb — but upon her approaching it, fhe found the llone, that covered its entrance, removed. ;ivt2 Struck with aftonifh- ment at this unexpected cir- cumftance, Ihe returned in the utmoft precipitation to inform Simon Peter and ' an- other difciple whom Jefus dif- tinguifhed with his love — and in a great fright told them that the body of their mafter was mod certainly ftolen out of the tomb, and depofited we know not where. 3 Alarmed at this account Peter and the other difciples immediately hafted to the mo- nument. -^eGH,,--- 4 They both raa with all the fpeed they could exert -t- but the other difciple out- ftripped Peter, and arriving firil at the fepulchre, . .;5 did not enter into it, but ftooping down faw the linen rollers lying along, norr' r, civs^i^After Ibnie time Peter ^d-i 2BV. • St. John. A a 4 359 came, up, and going withia the tomb faw alfo the rollers lying along, 7 and the napkin, which was wrapped round his head, did not lye adjoining to the rollers, but lay at fome dif- tance from them, folded as it was at Hrft. 8 After Peter had vifited the infide of the tomb, the other difciple went down — and upon viewing every thing, really believed that the corp.i^ was ftolen away. _ , ,5 9 For they did not as yet underftand thofe prophecies of fcripture, which exprefsly predicl his refurreftion from the dead. 10 The two difciples being convinced that the body was gone, returned to their own homes. § — 1 1 But Mary ftill con- tinued at the tomb, ftanding on the outfide bathed in tears — But in this excefs of grief. Hooping down to view the in- fide of the monument, •. 12 fhe faw two angels in white robes, fitting one at the head, the other at the fec^t, where the body of Jefus^had lately been depofited.j->^^;=, .. 1 3 Thefe heavenly meflen- gers then faid to her — • Wo- man ! why do you weep f — She faid to them — becaufe fome 360 ne Hiftofy fome perfons have flolen the body of my deceafed lord, and I know not whither they have conveyed it. / 7 r- 14 When fne had ifnade this reply Ihe turned back and faw Jcfi-is Handing by her « — Ihe did not however ;know that it was, him. ^vbn*)' 1 5 Jefus faid to her -~ — Woman ! what is the caufe of your tears ? — Who is it yoii are. in fearch of ? — She imagining him to be the gar- dener, faid — Do, Sir! if it was ydu who conveyed the corpfe away, tell me whither you Riave removed it, that I may pay it its due honours. 16 Jcfus then called her by her name— — fhe turned, looked at him, knew him — and in a tranfport faid Rab- honi ! — which tranllated fig- nifies, My mnjter ! 1 7 Jefus faid to her You need not embrace me vrith that exeefs of tender- ire^, as if I fhouid imnrie- diately quit you — My con- tihuance with you, before I aCcend to my Father, will be for fome time — But do you inftantly go to my brethren, and tell them that I (hall afcend to my Father and their Father, to my God and their God, gf Jtsus Chap«j<^. 18 Tranfported with jo^ Mary Magdalene hafted to the difciples, and in an ecr ftafy of rapture told them that fhe had feen Jefus — and that he had fent her to deli* ver the above mefiage. § — 19 In the evening of the fame day, which was the fird day of the week, the dif- ciples were met together in a private apartment, and had ftrongly iecured the doors for fear of the Jews — Here while they were engaged in anxious deliberation Jefus ' entered the room, and ifanding in the midit of the company fa- lutcd them in his ufual fi'iend- ly and familiar manner. 20 He then fhowed them his hands, that had been pierced by the nails, and his iide that had been wounded by the fpear ^ — The difciples, convinced it was their lord, were filled with unutterable joy- at Jefus faluted them a* gain, wifliing them all divine and human happinefs, and telling them, that as his Fa- ther had lent him to inftrutt the world, fo he in like man*- ner now commiflioned and appointed them to reform and teach mankind. 22 After he had faid this, By removing the bolts by his inira9}jlo\is power, . . „ nc Chap. x^. =^'^ he breathed upon them, and faid — Receive the effufion of the holy Ipirit. 23 You fhall be endowed with full power to publifli the gofpel, and be qualified to declare to men infallibly on what terms their vices will be pardoned or punifhed. § — 24 But Thomas called Didymus, one of the twelve difciples, happened not to be one of the company, when Jefus now exhibited himfelf to them. 25 When the other dif- ciples, ^therefore, faw Tho- mas afterwards, they told him that they had feen their lord — but he faid to them. — I will never believe it, unlefs I lee and teel in his hands the mark of the nails •, and un- lefs I am convinced by feel- ing his fide that was pierced by the fpear. 26 Eight days after this, the difciples being again all aflembled together, and Tho- mas now one of the company, Jefus by his miraculous pow- er " removing the bolts by which they had fattened the doDcs, came into the midft ^ J n mJ ^^T ']')sr!fr(! 361 of the room among them, and wiflied them all felicity. 27 He then turned and faid to Thomas View my hands — feel with thy finger the fear of the wounds — han- dle and explore my fide — Be not incredulous, be difpofed to receive conviction. 2 8 Thomas then cried out in amazement — my lord ! my God! 29 Jefus faid to him- — * You are convinced, Thomas, of the identity of my perfon, merely becaufe you have had the tellimony of yourfenfes — be aflured that thofe difcovef a better difpofition, who tho* they have not ocular demon- ftration, yet are perfuaded of my being a divine meflengef from the evidences I have produced. §—30 And many other proofs, befide thefe I have recited, did Jefus after his refurre6lion exhibit before all his difciples, to convince them of the reality of his perfon. 31 But thefe I have re- corded are abundantly fuf- ficient to convince men that Jefus IS the great Meffjah, ;.»n.; i " Thus Homer defcribes Mercury ihooting the bolts and opening the gates by ^ua. exertion of his divine power. ' >jI} To/a"/ cT' ip vTvov 6%€ys cT/axTop©- Apyn^ovTHf Ef J^' ayetyi U(ta,y.oy. Iliad, li .^45, 446, and. 362 T^he Hiftory and, in a moft diftinguiflicd manner, the fon of God — and are written with no other view but to convince men of the truth of his religion, and that being convinced, they may obtain that blefled im- mortality, which he is autho- rized to beftow. CHAP. XXI. I T E S U S afterwards dif ^ covered himlelf at the fea of Tiberias to his difciples in the following manner. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the two fons of Zebedee, and two more of his difciples, hap- pening to be all together, 3 Peter laid to them — I intend to follow my former occupation, and " (hall now diredly go a fifhing — The reft of the company faid to him — We will then go along with you — Accordingly they all immediately wenton board a filhing vefiel but that night had no fuccefs. 4 The next morning Jefus ftood on the fliore — the dif- ciples, however, did not know it was him. ■5 Jefus called to them and afked them, if they had caught o/' Jesus Chap. xxI:. any thing — Nothing at all, they replied. 6 He then faid to them — : Throw in the net to the right of your boat, and you will meet with fuccefs — ^They calt the net where he had direct- ed, but were not able to draw it to land by reafon of the prodigious number of lifiies it inclofed. 7 The difciple, whom Jefus diftinguifhed with his love, faid to Peter— It muft be our mailer ! — Peter hear- ing this immediately girded his fifher's coat about him, and with eager impatience to fee him flung himfelf into the water to '' walk to fiiore. 8 But the reft of the dif- ciples, who were but about fixty paces from fhore, ad- vanced forward, tho' but flowly, as the boat heavily dragged after it fuch a pro- digious quantity of fifh. 9 Upon their landing, they faw a lire broiling upon it, bread laid. 10 Jefus faid to them — Bring iome of the fillies you have now caught. 1 1 Peter went and dragged the net to fhore, replete with one hundred fifty and three large fifhes — Yet tho' there- burning, a fifh and fome * He knew it was fliallow, and would not wait the flow motion of the boat, heavily dragging after it fuch a quantity of fiili. d. . ... ^^^ Chap. xxi. by Jo viras.fuch a prodigious num ber, the net was not broken. 12 Jefus faid to them Come and take fome refrefh- nient- By this time they were all fo fully convinced that it was Jefiis, that no one now afked him who he was. 13 Jefus then took bread and filh, and diftributed a- mong his difciples. 14 This was the third time that Jefus diftovered himfelf, after his refurredion, to his difciples in a body. 15 After they had finifhed their repaft, Jefus turned to Peter and faid to him Si- mon ! do you love me with a more ftrong and intenfe affec- tion than any of this com- pany ? — Peter replied — You are confcious, Sir! of the fm- cerity of my love to you Jefus faid to him, Feed my lambs. " '',yrt. 16 Jefus faid to him a fe- cond time— ^Simon ! do you love me with an affedion fu- periour to any of thefe ? — : — You know, Sir ! he anfwered, the fervency of my love for you — Jefus faid to him, Feed my fheep. 1 7 Jefus faid to him a third time- -Simon ! is your love for me more fervent than theirs ? — Peter by his repeat- ing the fame queftion three times, thinking he queflion- HNV 363 ed the fincerity of his regards for him, was greatly affedled and faid — I can appeal. Sir ! to your confcioufnefs of the human heart for the ardour of my love— Jefus faid to him. Feed my flieep. 18 Be allured, added he, of the truth of what I am go- ing to declare to you — When you was young, you exulted in your adlivity and liberty, and went unmolefted where- ever your inclination led you — But when you are old, this your liberty will be abridged, your hands be confined, and you be condud:ed at the plea- fure of another. 19 In thefe words Jefus exprefsly predidted and de- fcribed the particular circum- ftances of that death, which Peter was afterwards to fuffer for the gofpel — When Jefus had fpoken this he ordered Peter to follow him-. /^wi 20 Peter turning andfeeing that difciple following him, whom Jefus loved v/ith a dif- tinguifhed affection, and who, at the pafchal fupper, reclin- ed on his bofom, afked him to difcover to him the perfon who was to betray him : 21 Peter feeing him, faid to Jefus — Pleafe, Sir ! to in- form me what future fortune awaits this perfon '^. 22 Jefus faid to him — Sup- pofe 3^4 ne Hiftory of Jesus. Chap. xxi. pofe it Is my defire he fhould continue in life *till the time of my ^ coming, how doth it concern you ? — Do you fol- low me. 23 The words which Jefus now fpoke relative to this dif- ciple, gave rife to an opinion, which the other apoftles maintained — That this dif- ciple would never die — Tho' Jefus never afferted any fuch thing — He only faid, " If it was his defire that this apcflle fhould continue in being 'till the time of his coming, what concern was it to Peter.'* 24 The difciple who at- tefts thefe fads is the writer of this hiftory — who is him- felf convinced of the truth and veracity of what he hath recorded. 25 But were all the par- ticular miracles, adVions, and difcourfes of Jefus to be mi- nutely and circumftantially recorded, for there were a great many more than thofe that have been piiblilhed, the confequence would be, I am perfuaded, that the world would never ^ receive and em- brace a religion, whofe hiftory was contained in fuch a vaft number of large volumes as the life of Chriil would then neceffarily compofe. « The deftruftlonof Jerufalem. * yjopita frequently fignines to receive, admit. " All cannot receime this laying ■)i^uf\ivovi /« x^tri- ttvovi rut> ahn^iiAv yiyA>DHx.ii'at. Tbeophilus ad Autolycum, p. no. Paris 1636. As man could recei-ve him. fl< etv^r^^-vif]^ avrov '/u^hv rS^vvATo. Iraneus Grabe 379. Able to receive the revelation of the word. y«>YA9(X.i> CI, Alex. p. 79. Paris 1629. . -. ■yiiiiliJO..'' [36s ] THE :\ ni^DflOD ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 1 CHAP. I. N the firft Volume I ve you, O Theo- philus, a minute detail of the miracles which Jefus per- formed, and of the dodrines which he taught. 2 The hiftory of thefe tranfadtions was brought down to the day of his af- fumption into heaven, after he had jull delivered his laft inftruftions to thofe apoftles whom he had chofen by the direftion of the holy fpirit. 3 To thefe his feled: com- panions he frequently, after his crtuifixion^ exhibited him- {cM alive — giv^ing them, for the fpace of forty days, the ampleft convidion of the identity of his perfon repeatedly converfing with them in an open and undif- guifed manner and dif- courfmg to them of the na- ture of the McIBah's king- dom. 4 Being all c^lkded to- gether he charged them not to feparate from Jerufalem, but to continue there in a body, and wait the accom- plifhment of that divine pro- mife, of which he had given them the ftrongeft affurances. 5 Telling them, that John baptized only with water, but that they would, in a few days, be baptized. j^i^ the holy fpirit. y^^vAN * 6 The difciples, who were now all prefent, then afked him — Sir ! do you intend a-t this time to brealc off the Roman yoke, and to inveft 7/r^f/with univerfal dominion? 7 He anfwered— It is no part of your duty folicitouily to pry into thefe periods and difpenfations, the knowledge of which the moll High hath folely referved to himfelf as his great prerogative. 8 Let it fuffice you to be affured. That you fhall re- ; ceive the powerful effufion of the holy fpirit, and that you fhall be enabled to propaga:e the 366 'The A€T:S; offhe Apostles. Chapal^ the tranfaflions of which you have been witnelies, not only in Jerufalem, and in ail Ju- daea and Samaria, but to the remot^ft limits of the world. . 9 When he had faid this, they faw him elevated from tlie €arth — and a cloud inter- pofing conveyed him from their fight. in- 10 Ihcir eyes bein^ tenfely fixed on the fl^7 ilained with the traitor's I tized him, to the day of his blood — for in this field he afluniption from us into hea- hanged himfelf, but falling headlong from the tree, he burft afunder, and all his bowels inftantly gulhed out. 19 -'' (This dreadful fate of Judas was univerfally known in the city fo univerfally known, that from this cir- cumftance, the field, in which this dire event happen- ed, was afterwards called in the language of the country, Akeldama — - which tranflated fignifies the bloody field.) 20 To fuch enormous wickednels I may JLiftly ap- ply the following paflages in the book of Plalms — " Let " his habitation be defolate, " and let no one, forever, " fix his refidence in it'* — " Let that office, with which he was invefted, devolve up- on another." 21 It is highly necelTary, therefore, that we ele<5l into his place fome one member of this fociety, who hath been an early and conftant com- panion of our Lord Jefus 22 from the time that his public miniftry commenced, which was when John bap- ven — one who is able to join his teftimony, to ours, of the truth ofChrift's refurreftion." 23 Upon this propofal two perfons were nominated, Jo- feph called Barfabas, furnam- ed Juftus — and Matthias. 24 Upon thefe two being prefented to xkit apoflles, they devoutly preferred the fol- lowing petition to God — " O thou, who haft the moft perfedt knowledge of the hu- man heart, be pleafed to in- dicate which of thefe two perfons thine infinite wifdom judgeth to be moft fit 25 to difcharge this moft arduous office, and to fupply that " facred place of the apo- ftolate, which by the wicked- nefs of Judas is now become vacant ! 26 When they had addref- fed to heaven this prayer, they put the names of thefe two difciples to a ballot — which being drawn out the lot fell upon Matthias — who was accordingly, by the una- nimous confent of all, invert- ed with the rank and dignity- of an apoftle. '■ ^ Thefe are the words, not of Peter, but of the Hifxorlan. = i^(v.;f/oi' the reading, which the Alexandrian MS. exhibits, is un-.' doubtedly genuine. Ka/ is the copulative between AaCrt^ and Trofst-Qiu'*/ -—and {f;roroA>?f is put in conftiudtion with tot9{'. CHAP. CHAP. II. I 'T^ HIS company, ac- •*> cording to mutual appointment, were all aflem- bled together on the day of Pcntecoft, which was now ar- rived : 2 When fuddenly there ifTued from the fky a vehe- ment Ibund like the loud blaft of a violent rufhingwind, ■which broke over, and occu- pied, the whole houfe, in which they were convened. 3 They then faw a flame burft into the room, whofe broken and divided particles fialhed over the heads of the apoftles in the form, as it were, of fiery tongues ''. 4 They were all inftanta- neoufly filled with the holy fpijit, and endowed v/ith the faculty of converling in dif ferent languages according as the fpirit di reded them to ufe this fupernatural gift. ^r- — J At this time Jerufa- Icm wa5 crowded wich great numbers of devour Jews froni rvery nation in rhe known world. 6 When the report, there- fore, of this aftonifhing event Vv'as diffuicd in the city, vaft crowds immediately flocked i 368 T^i Acts of the Apostles. Chap. iL to the place — But when dif- ferent perfons heard them fluently fpcak the languages of the refpcdive countries in which they refided, 7 they were filled with the lafl aftonifliment and furprize, and faid in amazement, one to another. — Are not all thefe perfons, who converfe in fuch a vaft variety of languages, illiterate GalilcTans" ! 8 How is it therefore that they have acquired fuch a perfect llvill in the peculiar languages of the feverai coun- tries, in which we were born ! 9 Thofe of us who are Parthians, Medes, and Per- fia^S; who refide in Mcfo- potamia, in Jud?ca, in Cap- padocia, and in l^ontus, or in the proconfyiar Afia -' 10 Who live in Phrygia or Pamphylia, in Kgypt, or in the country of Libya about Cyrene, Komaiis, Jews by birth, or proielytcs : 11 Inhabitants of Crete and Arabia— All of us hear them converfe in the difierent lan- guages of tbefe ourrefpedive countries, arid celebrate the wonderful works of God. i'Tz At an event fo fignal and aftonifning they were in- < l^his is V>x.Middhton''& tranflation. • This gjit of tongues was ordained by divine providence .to Itc bcftow- fd at this time, to convince thele people, who ca|o-:decain him as its captive. David prophetically ciefcrib- ed in the following pafTage — - " I am perluaded that the " Supreme is my conftant " guardian and protedor — I '^ am at all times furroundcd " byhisprefence — Nohuman " evil therefore, fliall ever " fliake the Iblid foundjiMOji ^ of my happinels. iflnoDOi 26 '* The pleafing confci- " oufneisof this fills my heart " with grateful tranlports " and my mouth with llrains " of pious exultations — even " my body I commit to the " grave with the pleafing " hope of immortality, 27 " perfuaded that thou " wilt not for a long time " confign me to the manfions " of the grave, or fufi:er the " diftinguiflied object of thy " aft'edtions to fufter the hor- " rors of putrefaction. 28 " Thou haft given me " the tranfporting afliirance "■ that thou wilt raife me to " thepoireffionofableiredim- " mortality, and wilt advance " me tothemollconfummatc " and exalted felicity." 29 Brethren I permit: iT>e freely to declare t-o you, that thefe words, which 1 have re* cited, gre by no means, appli- cable to out great Patriarch, ,.„* Of Jerufalem tr/ the Rninans. ' ' " ". '• '^''Thec/jnjfir.ns, miadi'ol erf our Lord's word?, abandoned the citv, be* - -fore it was inveikd, :-^ 0. -;^>i^ till JiJl;. .. .U J. David Chap. ii. David — for he paid the com- mon debt to nature^ — -his bo- dy was interred, and hath long been reduced to corrup- tion and dull, and his monu- ment remains tothi*? day. ^ But this illuftrious' mo- narch and propfet beirtg con- Icious of the inlpOrtant pro- mife, which God was pleafed to confirm to hirniiy the mofl folemn fanftion, That the MefTiah llwuld dcfcend from 31 atid bd^'g "faV-oured with a clear view of this grand future event,' he pro- phetically fpoke of the refur- reftion of the MclTiah — ex- prefsly declaring in the words I have cited, That God would not for a long time Gonfign the MefTiah to the manfions of the grave, or permit his body to fuffef cor- ruption. 32 This Jefus, whom you have murdered, God railed from the grave — Of the truth of this fa(St wc are all witnefTcs. '33 This Jefus being exalt- ed to the moil didinguiflicd dignity, and having received from ■ the Deity the gifts of the holy fpirir, which he al- lured us he would communi- catq-after his'afcer^fion, hath now fhed' them upon us in that copious effufion 6f which youar^witiienesw, ^.5,^^ .m. . 34 David after his deceafe TTJe Acts of the Apostles* ".it did not afcend into the celef- tial regions — he, therefore, in the following paflage un- doubtedly refers to the afcm" /ton of the Meffiah---" The " fupreme Jehovah fdid to *^ my Lord, Sit- thou at my " fight hand, K -^vi^ oJ ,e3^i« ■ • 35^ "'till I have'tolany fub- " fe^Ved all thy foes to thy ■'-''' dominion:^'! w 03 ,riit>iBssv4" 0^6 I-et thefefcre tlie^whole race of Ifrael be confidently afliired of this, That that Je^ fus,' whom you lately cruci- fied, was the Mefliah, and that God hath now conftitut- ed him univerfal governour. 37 Upon hearing this they were pierced with the moft cuttinor ano-uifh and remorfe ot confcience — -and in great diilrefs of mind coming about Peter, and about the other apofiles, they cried out Brethren ! what ihall wc do 1 38 Repent, Peter faid to them, repent with unfeigned contrition, and let every one of you be baptized into the profelTion that Jefus is the true Mefliah — >If you do this, your former fins will be ex- punged,- arid you alfo will be favoured with the gifts of the holy fpiric. ' • 59 For this fupernatural donation, which you now fee conferred upon us^ is alfo to extend to you and to yours, and to all perfons in the re- B b 2 moteit 372" T^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap. ii. motefl parts of the world, who fhall comply with this divine invitation. 40 Many other arguments befides thefe he ftrenuoiifly urged, in order to prevail with them to embrace the gofpel — befeeching them, in the moft importunate terms, to Tave themfelvcs from the vices and infidelity of a de- praved and profligate age. 41 The affembled multi- tude, with great willingnefs complied with his admoni- tions, and were baptized That day there were made a- bout three thoufand converts to the gofpel. 42 Thefe all firmly adher- ed to the doftrine of the A- pofties, maintained a mutual friendly intercourfe with each other, and unanimoufly join- ed in the fecial cxercilcs of prayer and devotion. 4^ This fignal tranfaclion ftruck every perfon with fo- lemn religious awe — The a- pollles alio performed many aftonifhing miracles as proofs, of their divine commilTion. § — 44 All, who were now convinced of the truth of the gofpel, formed themfelves in- to a fociety, and agreed to. have a community of goods. 45 So that thole who had any eftates, or poffeiTions, fold them, and put the mo- ney in one common fund, for the affiftance of fuch as were in indigent circumftances. 46 Every day they con-, ftantly attended the public worfliip of God in the temple and ' to their apartment they again retired to partake of one common meal, where the greatefb mutual harmony, tranlport, and fincerity reign- ed: 47 with pious fervour ce- lebrating the praifcs of God, and hitherto happy in the fa- vour and efteem of the multi- tude — Not a day now pafied, but the gofpel gained fome new converts. ^ K017' Qi^ov never fignlfic.s from houfe to houfe, but univerfally, in the boufe. See the following inlfances — " H ffot a.^i^a, 'ttz'ttoi^t a.i ka-to, wxbi'. lliady Z. 56." IIa^th t€ ^ctp KctT* o//cei', et CovKHy ynya.. So- phocles, Antigone, ver. 1182. W^@r 7\ « ti aai x.ct7' oikov sr/ Tpor- i(rci//5i'©- /.iTA ojKov. Hejiod, Lib. iJ. Ver. 50. Fc roA>t kai' ciy.cy rrtpfTrAreiV. Jn- toniusi IjID. i. §. 7. Kar* oimv VTrnpiTctti p^pHTo/ tc©" 70 cTftCTccc. F.lutarchi Lycurgus p. 9?. '^vrvyyavuv tok CetfCapaii kai 7oif erompoif^ x«t' oiKOv. Id. Alexander, p. 1266. Edit. Gr. Stephani. Ma/vo/L/.si'©- HATA 01X01 — Mojlhus. Idyll, iv. 16. Vtyi\i KcCl KAT aiKOf TCtTHp. //.^ licdori ^Ethiopic. p. 484. Edit. Coxnfliclin. C H Al\ Ghap. iii. T^hc Acts vfthe Apostles. CHAP. III. N E day after this, Pe- ter and John went to- gether to the temple at "" three o'clock in the afternoon — the hour appointed for pubhc prayer. 2 Here a mifcrable help- lefs cripple, lame from his birth, was every day carried, and laid down at one of the gates, which for its magnifi- cence was called the Beautiful^ to beg an alms of thofe who attended divine worfhip. 3 This unhappy objedt, feeing Peter and John going to enter the temple, fuppli- cated their charity. 4 Peter upon this turned, and fixing his eyes intenfely upon this unfortunate crea- ture, faid to him — Do you obferve and attend to us. 5 This greatly engaged the man's attention, and fill- ed him with pleafing hopes of their generofity. , 6 Peter then faid to him 1 have neither filver nor gold to bellow — but the blef- fing I have to contribute, that I freely difpenfe — By a power communicated to me by Jefus of Nazareth the Mef- 373 j fiah, I command you to rife and walk ! 7 He then took hold of his right hand, and railed him up — that inilant his legs and feet were nerved with ftrength. 8 He fprung up with ac- tivity and vigour — he ftood- and walked with firmnefs — and went along with them in- to the temple, in a flood of tumultuous joy, bounding, leaping, and celebrating the goodnefs of God in ilrains of the mod ardent gratitude. 9 His rapturous geftures and loud accents of praife to God turned upon him the at- tention of all the people, who were come to worihip. 10 Thele were all perfe<5l^ ly convinced that it was him, who ufed every day to fit and beg at the Beautiful gate of the temple — but how this a- ftonifhing alteration was ef- fe6led, was what filled them with the lad amazement. 1 1 The -pripple, who was now reftored to the perfed ufe ofhisiimbs,inanecll:afy of joy embracing and folding his be- nefadtors m his arms, all the people colk^fted about the apoftles in Solomon's portico — ilruck with inexpreffible ^ A/< TJK HUsprJ.f TCeoi T« Ka.l T?p/ «!'I''f 'rvv (J'OrtC, H. T. A. *' TwicC every day, in the morning, and about three in the afternoon, the prielh officiate at the altar, and abandon not the facrifices, whatever diltreiTes aod calamities allail them." Jofephi Ant. 14. C. 4. §. 3. HuJj'on. ■ Bb 3 aftonirament 374 T/je Acts of the'A?6sTLT.s. Chap. iii. ' aftonifhment-at fo wdnder-ful a cure. '''■' '^'-'*"' viJa/yiliL '* 12 Petet* 'fdejftg ' thil J Wfl concouri'e -ot- -peopk,- that were now -gathered about him, thus tkidreife-id thern- — " O ye TtViielites ! Why aioUld this' itiirac-le ; att-racl lb -much of youradriiirattbn ! -Why do you fix your eyes fo incenfely upon us, as if we had reftored this cripple to the ufe of his limbs by any perfonal power that we could exert, or by any fuperior holinefs that we have attained ! '^^iJ to im- 13 The God of yo'iir illuf- trious progenitors Abraham, Ifaacand Jaeob, hath now dig- nified and glorioufly exalted his fon Jefus, that divine pro- phet whom you perfecuted with implacable rage, whom you publickly difavov/cd and abjured before Pilate's tribu- nal, tho' be v^as convinced of his innocence and laboured to acquit him. 14 I'his eminent prophet, whofe life was irreproachable, and diilinguiilied by the moll t'Xiik^- VuM>ii€s, you publick- ;ly -Tchoiijnced, and importun- ed the governour to gratify you with * releafing even a murderer,, rather than he ihould efcape with life. 15 In 'the blood of the* firft author and original donor ot immortality, you have im- brued your hands But be affured that God railed this glorious perfonage from the grave — Of the truth of this fadl we arc all witnelfes. 16 It if? folely owing to a power derived from him that; this helplefs cripple, whom you fee before you, and whom you have long known, is now reftored to perfe<5b vigour — fc ]S folely, I repeat it, a firm per- fuafion that he is the great Mef- fiah that hath invigorated his limbs with -ftrength, as yoii' are all witneifes. ■ > 17 And now. Brethren, I< Hatter myfelf that vou and your governours would never have wilfully incurred fuch guilt, had you renlly known the dignity of this perfon's charaiflerand mifilon. -':< i.juji 18 The great Gody^^hown — * Ap^Ji^(f^ {jwiiifies the yfr/? ane^ primm-; autly>r of any thing. " The family of ///<:i7'(- 349. EJ. Gr, Siufh'. Inaftivicy and idlends arc the/r/w/rry o;7>/« nnd fole caulc of fc- flition. ■ apyji-j-w koli uovov a.ni'iv. Polyhius, p. 67. 'Xttviw erfiynyiv Kat cUTioi'. X. T. \. This i.i to be regarded as the JirJ^ origin and caule, p. 126. Jriiius is to be looked upon as the fiyji author and condudpr of the whole Tcheme. ivref. B. J. -. C. 17. ^. 2. HaJjoiu " They fat in a femicirclc.- whole Chap. iv. The Acts of the Apostles. 377 gour, precludedall objedions, and effediially filenced them. 15 The two priibners, af- ter this, being ordered out of court, the members of the whole community of Ifrael, That this perfop, who now ftands before you all, was miraculoufly reftored to per- feft vigour by a power de- rived from that Jel'us of Na- zareth, whom you lately cru- cified, but whom God raifed from the dead. 1 1 'This Jefus is the ftone which you the pretended builders of the church of God rejected — but who is now become the grand cor- ner ftone to unite and con- folidate the divine edifice. 1 2 He is the fole author of that amazing operation that hath been now difplayed — To him alone it is to be a- fcribed — By no other be- ing in the whole univerfe of nature can fuch miraculous effects be produced." 13 The whole Sanhedrim were aftonifhed at the un- daunted fortitude of thefe two apoftles — knowing them to be perfons, who had been deftitute of a Uberal educa- tion, and in a private and obfcure ftation of life — They knew, however, that they had been the difciples and com- panions of Jefus. 14 The fight of the man ° too, who was now before them in perfed health and vi- council mutually conferred together. 16 What conduct, they faid, ihall we obferve towards thefe men ? •— It is abfolutely impolTible for us either to ftifle, or to deny, the fignal miracle they have performed upon this man — The whole city is full of it, and every one is convinced of its truth. 17 Let us, in order to crufii this caufe in its infan- cy, now denounce the fe- vered menaces againft thefe perfons, and ftriftly prohibit them from ever publickly propagating thefe dodtrines for the future. 1 8 Accordingly they com- manded them to be called in — and laid upon them the moft folemn and rigid in- jundions not to promulgate, any more, the dodrines of Je- fus i or ever again attempt to make converts to them. 19 To this threatning, Pe- ter and John thus replied—- We leave it to the decifion of your confciences. Whe- ther it is fit we fliould obey you or God. • See the Alexand. MS, 2 a For The. Ax T s^ of the "A PO;s tX k s . Chap. i\r, ". What is it hath induced " the Jiivifn nation to pur- ," ■'im iuckv iBi^t>itQ^%:,!|?jea^ ■ "Aires! ^ ■'-■^■^ - b-r-~'r - 26 *' The governcurs of " the earth, and the moil il- " luftribus perfonages, are all " convened and confederated " tO(};ethcr againft God anU, " againil the MefTjah ! " 27 This prediction we have leen fulfilled — io\- Herod with the Jews and Pilaie- with the Heathens^ confpired, p in this city, againit thine holy meflenger Jeftis— -rwhom thou didft inveft with a di- vine com mifTion, 28 in order to execute the dcfigns and coqnfels of thine, infinite \yifdom : ji 2 9 be pleafed, . O Godj fto- averc thq_,^threatnings that have -been denounced aoainil thy lervants, and kifter them not to be intimidated by them, from publifliing the truths of thy gofpel >\,ith in- trepid fortitude: 30 grant, that the doc^;; trines they teach may be far- ther fealed and confirmed by thy divine fanftion — and that by the authority of thy holy inelfcnger Jefus, miraculous operations may flill continue, to be efFe<5ted ! . v onbni 31 After they had ' e^hV? eluded thefc devout r^qucfls 378 20 For it isimpofTible for us to Rifle thole truths, -ot whiciv we are periuad^-d upon the llrongeil evidence,- r-c: 2 I I'he court, after- ^ddmg farther menaees and interdic- tions, difmiifed them^ — -find- ing it a thing both unjuftifi- able and unpopular to inflicft any punifhment upon them —for all the people acknow- ledged the hand of God in this miracle, and were ftruck with pious gratitude and ad- miration : 2 2 for the perfon on whom it was performed was above forty years old, and univcr- fally known. §—'2.3 The two apoftles, being thus difmifled, went imniediately to tiiejr fellow Chriftians, and gave them a minute detail of :,the_ whole tranfaaiooj^oi -ym-ii^oi bs^/i, 24 • AVhcn • . the company lud heard their accounti^ they ujianimoiifly offered the fol- lowing tervent prayer to God -r^ " O Lord i Thou art the one fupreme God, the crea- tor and goyernoiicof u^iyerfal nature'! ■.■■.^.■A.-■:^:r,^(-, .,.,.,.; .v'..>_. 25 We have feen thefe words accomplifhed, which thy fpirit directed David, thine anointed fon, to deliver — '"" What is it hath excited " the tiijie of the Heathen I p See the MSS the Chap.iv. ne Acrs"- of //6^ 'Apostles. the place in which they were aflTcmbled was violent- ly fhaken — upon which there enfued a fecond effufion of the holy fpirit upon all the company — and they were enabled to preach the Chrif- tian relio-ion with undaunted freedom. § — 32 The body of thefe Chriilian profeffors was ac- tuated by one mind, was in- formed by one foul — — none of them had any private pro- perty ditlin<5t from the reft — there was an equal partition and community of interefts among them. ^^3 3-' The apoftles alfo, with firm and invincible refolu- tion, publickly declared their teftimony to the truth of Chrift's refurredlion and were all endowed with ample atid diftinguifhed gifts. 34 In this fociety there i^ita no indigent and necef- fitous perfon — for thofe, who had eftates, or houfes, fold them, and brought the mo- ii»i 'Mi '■yuii. 379 ney accruing from the falc, to the apoftles, '^^ that being depofited in a common fund, diftribution'' might be made to individuals according to thek rcipeQ:ive exigencies, ''f MfhYrAfb ,211011 36 Among others, Jofes, a levite, a native of Cyprus, whom the apoftles firnamed Barnabas -r-r- which tranflated fignifies xhtfan of exhort attori^ 2y having gn eftate, fold it, and gave' the apoftles the money to augment the com- mon fund. CHAP. Yf. I np W O perlbhs alfo of A this fociety, Ananias and his wife Sapphira fold aS^ eftate they had : 2 but they mutually a- greed to^fecretc fome part of the money — and accordingly delivered in the reji of it to the Apoftles as the ivhole' original fum. 3 Upon this, Peter faid to ^«^ te' jt»rj itiOi Tfils'^M figriifiei ta yecrefe^ ' tittercepU 'diduB '^irt i)'f a thing in a clandeftine manner. ♦' 4rifiides being chofen fuperintendent of the public revenues, ihewed that thofe who had been lately in the fame office had privately intercepted a great deal of the money : tokko. vivoa- CHi : viz. not the helj/pii-it, but theya- Jirsme God. A who Chap. V. T^be Acts of the Apostles. 381 who heard of their tragic end. • § — 12 The Chriflian con- verts, at this time, ufed, by mutual appointment, to meet in Solomon's portico. 13 But to their fociety none of the infincere dared to join themfelves — The Chriftian profeffors were, at prelent, happy in the efteem and re- gards of the common people, 14 a great many perfons, of both fexes, being convin- ced of the truth of the gofpel, and the number of the Chrif- tians every day -augmenting : 15 for by the ap9ftles, ma;- ny fignal and aftonifriing mi- racles were publickly per- formed before all the people ■ for inflance, perfons brought out. their fick and difeafed on beds and couches into the open ilreets, and if even the fhadow of Peter, as he walked along, didbuton- ly pafs over them, they were inftantly reftored to perfed health. 16 Great numbers alfo from the adjacent towns flock- ed to Jerufalem, bringing with them their friends, who were either difordered in their intelleds, or laboured under other difeafes v/ho were all miraculoufly cured. 1 7 Thefe a61:ions filled the high priefl: and his friends, who were Sadducees, with indigna- extreme rage and tion. 1 8 Accordingly they feiz- ed the apoflles, dragged them away, and confined them in the public prifon. 19 But an angel of the Lord, in the night, opened the prifon doors — and bring- ing them out, thus accofted them : 20 Go you inftantly into^ the temple, and preach to- the people the dodrine of immortality. 21 Accordingly, foon as the morning dawned, they repaired to the temple anS taught the people In the morning the high prieft and his friends convoked the ge- .neral aflenibly and Senate of .Ifrael— and difpatched an or-- |der to the keepers of the jail to bring the prifoners. beibre the court. •':>^ J4v^ r .w 22 But when the officers entered the prifon, they" found no perfon within - — Accordingly they went into court, and reported this ailo- nifhing circumftance : 23 The doors of the pri- fon, they faid, we found fad locked and fecured, and the keepers on duty — but when- vve entered the jail we found it empty. 24 This account alarmed the high prieft, the clergy, and the officer of the temple guards 3S2 Tke Acts of the Apostles. Chap. v. guards — -and greatly |>€rplex- 1 ed and embarrafled them how to account for it^ > X)il£ airt JU; 25 In the mean tiirie, there came a perfon into the court, and informed them, That the men, whom they had the day before put under confine- ment, were in the temple, pub- lickly inftrudling the people. 26 Upon hearing this the officer went with his compa- ny to the temple, and brought them away but durft not ule violence, for fear the people fhould overwhelm them with ftones. .■•' 2 7 The foldiers immedi- ately conducted the apoftles into the court, and placed them before the Sanhedrim-*— Whom the high prieft thus addrefled : 28 Did not we ftri6lly charge you on your peril not to propagate your doctrines — and yet, in contempt of our authority you have filled tlie whole city with your priii- ciples- tery to -and have the effron charge us with the murder of your leader, 29 Peter, and the other apoftles replied — *■ " It is our duty to obey God rather than man. 30 The great God, whom our anceftors worHiipped,- hath railed that Jellis from the dead, whom you cruci- fied and murdered. 31 This illuftrious per- fonagje hath God now exalted to the moft diftinc-uiflicd dio;- nity, and hath conftituted him the lliviour and governour of mankind — ■ hereby moft mercifully consulting the re- formation, the forgivenefs, and the eternal falvation of liVael. 32 Of the truth of thefe important doflrines we here are witnefles — and their truth the holy fpirit alio oi God, which is ftied upon the obe- dient and well-dil'poicd, hath ftampcd with his fandtion." 3;5 Thcie aflertions inflam- ed their rac^e and indignation to fuch a degree, that they immediately conftilted toge- ther to put them to death. 34 In the midft of thefe deliberations rofe up an illuf- trious fenator, Gamaliel, a Phariiee, an eminent dodlor of tlie law, and a perfon held in univerfal veneration — He defircd that tlie apoftles might, for a few minutes, be ordered out of court:.. ..^^;v^' ' -^t-^ 35 I'his done, he thus ad- drelVed himfcif to the council O A!tlieriians ! Kays' the exc afFedlori ; but I will obey God rather than you ^clKKov « v^iv. Plato's Apolo^. p. 90. Edit. 2d client Socratfs, t Idye yoii witlt'the warraeft •T?«Jo/a*r /e 7a. 9s» Forller. Oxojl, ' — '' I Cliap4-V. T/je Acts vf -^ " I beg, my fellow-citi- zen?, you would be cautious ia entering into any violent meafures with wgard m tliele jjeribns. -r-n.;-- . flT 36 Suffer me to remind VOLi of' Theudas— You know ibnie time ago this impoilor by his arrogant pretenfions to be Ibme extraordinary perfon, colle<^ted and attached to him a number of men, amounting to about four hundred — You are acquainted with his tra- gic fate, how he was flain, how his men were difpexfed, and his whole fyltem diflbly- ed and brought to noticing. 37 After him rofe ' Judas the Galil^ean-at the time ofrthe af- feirment, and alienated a very confiderable number of per- fons from^ their allegiance to the Ronians— 1 need not tell ti)d ApqsTle'sV 383 you of his miferable end alfo, and of the ; total difperfion of all his afibciates. . < 'ruoyju Qt •38 When I refle6bbnthe fate of thefe two perfons, it prompts me to advile you by all means not to molefb theie people, but to let them enjoy their principles undif- turbed — - For be afTured, If this fcheme be a mere humaa contrivance, it will dwindle and come to nothing -, 39 but. if it is fupported on a divine authority, all the power you can exert, will never be able to fubverc it — Be cautious, therefore, left you be found at laft to have oppofed. tlie. facred will of heaven.'* ,•" ';'-;•; 40 He.en^ed, and his ad- vice was received with uni.- verfal approbation -r— Accord- 's ^(What St. X«/f^ here mentions concerning y^'Way is coniirrned by Jj}' fejihus. " ^ctJl'^i J^i Tw< l>t(ti/jcK iTirpoTiviVT©- , ycn< Tii ef'.vo' &ivy;>5/p;// Antiq. L. 2b. e. 4. §1. Hudfon. ' >!''" "^'' ' ^y<>/e^hus oitiiw mtuxiom this perfon's calling him, as St. Liih'heih doih, jMdas the Galilrcem, p. 974. 3, p. 1060. 8. and in one place Judas (iaulanites. Antiq. Lib. iS. C. i. p. 792. He alfo confirms our hif- torian's account by exprcfsiy declaring that he raifed an infurreftion in tlie time of the affujpnent of Jiidea, " Ia/'«t t« T?/3-d''/T(5^ Iti/ct/^'V okx 4TJ/^?v),'. B. j. Lib.. 7. p. 1313. Hudfon. ingly The Acts of the Apostles. Chap. vi. to the management of this fund. 3 We therefore advife you to the eledbion of feven per- fons of unexceptionable cha- rafters, of known abilities, and who have been favoured v/ith the divine afflatus, to iuperintend this truft. 4 We apoftlcs would whol- ly devote ourfelves to the ex- ercifes of devotion, and to the publication of the Chrif- tian doftrines." 5 This propofal was re- ceived by the alTembly with univerfal approbation — and they immediately eledled the following perfons — Stephen, a man of difting-uifhed fideli- ty, and eminently endowed with the gifts of the holy fpirit, Philip, Prochorus, Ni- chanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas a native of An- tioch, who had been a pro- felyte to the Jewilh religion. 6 The aflembly, after having made choice of thefe perfons, prefented them to the apoflles — who after re- commending them to the blefling of God by their prayers, laid their hands up- on them. 7 Chrillianity now made a very great progrels, and its converts in Jerufalem were now augmented to a - very confiderable body — A great I niHnbcr alfo of- the Jewifti clergy 384 ingly, after they had again ordered them into court, had fcourged them, and repeat- edly charged them for the future not to diffeminate the do6lrines of Jefus, they dil- mifled them. 41 The apoftles went a- way from the Sanhedrim in great tranfport. That they were deemed worthy to fuf- fer thefe indignities for their profelTion of the Chriftian religion. 42 And every day, both in the temple, and in their own apartment, they inftruc- ted the people, and proclaim- ed the joyful news that Jefus was the Mefliah.- CHAP. VI. I T N the mean time, while ■*■ the number of converts to Chriftianity was greatly augmenting, the Hellenijlic Jews complained of the He- brews for negledin"; their ne- ceflitous widows in the daily diftributions of the charitable fund. 2 The twelve apoftles upon this convening the whole lo- ciety of the Chriftians, thus addrefied them — *' Brethren! It is highly improper that the important office, in which we apoftles are engaged of pro- mulgating the gofpel, fliould be interrupted by an attention Chap; vii. T^he Acts of clergy were convinced of its truth and embraced it. § — S In the mean time, Stephen being endowed with diftinguifhed ' powers, pub- lickly performed, in the pre- fence of vaft multitudes, ma- ny great and aftonifhing mi- racles. 9 Upon this, feveral foreign Jews from " Libertum, Cy- rene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Afia minor, entered into a public difpute with him. 10 But thefe adverfaries were baffled and confounded by that fuperior wifdom and thofe diftinguifhed fpiritual gifts, which he polTelTed. 1 1 Exafperated at his vic- tory, they went and fuborned perfons to fwear that they had heard him fpeak blafphe- my againft Mofes and againft God. 12 They alfo inflamed the populace, the magiftrates, and the fcribcs againtl him — • They then feized him, drag- fbe Apostles* 385 ged him away, and brought him before the Sanhedrim. 13 Here the falfe witnef- fes, whom they had procured, ftood up, and faid — This per- fon is continually utterinor the moft reproachful and in- vidious expremons both a- gainft this '*' facred place, and againft the law of Mofes. 14 We have heard him af- fert. That this Jefus of Na- zareth would reduce this grand and facred ftruclure to a heap of ruins, and abrogate all thofe religious inftitutions, which our illuftrious lawgiver hath tranfmitted to us. 15 An extraordinary radi- ance, which was nov/ obferv- ed to dart from Stephen's countenance, attracled the eyes of the whole Sanhedrim upon him, as if he had been an angel deputed from God. Chap. vii. i The high prieft then turned to him and faid What have yoii to of- fer in vindication of yourfelf * Xrfp/T^, and not ti7?6i^, is the true reading. See Dr. Mi/L " Libcrtmn was a city and diftrift in Cjrei:}, See Dr. Lardker's Appendix to his account of demoniacs. * Both Philo and Jnf.pbus are replete witli inftances of the prodigious veneration the Jevjs had for their temple. The following pafHige lu'Phuo is remarkable. " '^.v avti rrnvrm atrnfM^!/., Sec. One thing inltead of all others we defire, that no innovations be introduced into the temple, but that it may be preferved fuch as we received it from our progenitors. If all our entreaties cannot obtain this, we freely deli\er up ourielves to delbudion, that we may not live to i death." FL-ilo de kg. p. 1025. E. YoL. I. C c u calaa-iiiv more dreadful than againft 6 86 T/je Acts of the Apostles. Chap, viii againft the crimes, that are now alledged againft you. 2 Stephen then thus ad- dreffed himfelf to the aiTemb- ly — " Brethren and fathers! 1 beg you would hear me with attention and candour — While our great progenitor Abraham lived in Melbpota- mia, before his refidence in Gharran, the Supreme and ever-bleffed Jehovah appear- 3 and thus fpoke to him — Quit thy native country, and all thy relatives, and remove to a region that I will point out to thee. 4 Immediately, in compli- ance with the divine com- mand, he relinquifhed the country of the ChakLTans and refidirrl in Charran From this place too, after his fa- th'-r's deceafe, he removed, in obedience to the divine di- reftion, into this countr, which you now inhabit 5 God, however, did not give him any prefent pofTef- fion in it, not even fo much as a foot of land— ;' ne oni y promifed that he would give it to his defcendents, and this at a time when Abraham had no profpedl of ever being blelfed Vv^ith children. 6 To him God prefignifi- cd the future fate of Jiis de- fcendents— ——Thy pofterity 'h:Ul iojourn in a foreign coun- try, where they fliall endure all the evils of fervitude, and a feries of the moft cruel fuf-* ferings for the fpace of four hundred years, 7 But upon that nation, which Avail opprefs them with this inlblence and inhumani- ty, I will inflift many dire ca- lamities — after this they fhall be removed and ferve me in the country, in which thou now refideft. 8 In iolemn ratification of the truth of this predidlion God enjoined upon him the rite of circumcifion — Accor- dingly Ifaac was circumcifed the eighth day after his birth — and from Ilaac it was tranf- mitted to Jacob — from Ja- cob to the twelve patriarchs. 9 But the patriarchs, infti- gated by envy% fold Jofeph into Egypt but there he was eminently diftinguifhed by the care and guardianfhip of heaven : ID For he was providen- tially extricated from all his difficulties and forrows — that wifdom, with which he was endov/ed, conciliated to him the favour and contidcnce of Pharao the Ibvcreign of E- gypt, by whom he was ccn- Itituted not only the gover- nor of his domcltic affairs, but of all his dominions. II In procefs of time that dire famine he predieled in- vaded Chap. vii. T'he Act $ of vaded Egypt, and involved Canaan too in the lad diftrefs —-for our anceftors now found their ftores totally exhaiifted. 12 In thefe melancholy circumftances Jacob receiving jnfortjiation what an immenie ftock of corn had been accu- mulated in Egypt, immedi- ately difpatched our anceftors thither. 1 3 Upon their fecond com- ing to buy provifions Jofeph diicovered himfelf to his bro- thers — and made Pharao ac- quainted with his family. 14 Jofeph then fent for his father Jacob and all his near relations- ■amountmg to ie- venty five perfons. 15 Jacob accordingly re- moved into Egypt — where he, and our anceftors, paid the debt to nature. 1 6 But their remains were removed to Sychem, and de- pofited in that monument which Jacob purchafed of the fons of Emmor the father of Sychem. 17 When the time, which God had fixed for the accom- pliftiment of his prediftion was nov/ drawing near, and the race of ifrael had now en- creafed in:o animmenfc body : the Apostles. ^^^j 1 8 after a feries of years a monarch of another family af- cended the throne of Egypt, who knew nothmg of.Jofeph*4 fervices. 19 This fove reign put in practice the moft infidious arts againft our race, infiidling e- vcry fpecies of cruelty and opprcillon upon our fore-fa- thers, and obliging them e- ven to expofc their male children dengning to de- ftroy their very exiftence as a people. 20 In this unhappy pe- riod Mofes was born an infant "^ divmely beau- tiful — whofe uncommonly fair and eno-agino; form de- termined his parents to edu- cate him privately at home- where they concealed him three m.onths. 21 Beinor however at lafl obliged to expoie him, the daughter of Pharao law him — was moved with rendernefs — took up the helplefs infant — brought liim liorae, edu- cated — and adopted him for her Ion. 22 By this means Mofes obtained a liberal education, and was carefully inilrufted in ail the erudition of the * Ac-<4^ T6) 05W. Of Gcd is the Jewiih Sitperlati-ve. The trump of God, 1 ThefT. iv. 16. Ottao. S'lvtr-j. la 0?o divinely potent, 2 Cor. X. 4. See note on Luke ii. 40. The fuperior beauty of Moles is attefte4 by Juf:in, L. 36. C. 2. and Jofephus Antiq. L. 2. C. 5. C C 2 W Egyptians 1^8 ^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap, vii. Egyptians •— made great in v/hich he improvement, and foon became eminently diftinguiflicd for his genius and his atchicvements. 2^ When he was forty years of age, he formed a re- fblution to infpeft the flate of his fufiering brethren the Ifraehres. 24 Faffing therefore among them, he happened to fee one of them mod injurioufly and cruelly abulcd Inftant- ly he ru filed to affifl and pro- te6l him — but, in vindicat- ing the caufe of the diftrelled, killed the Egyptian. 25 He by this adion flat- tered himfelf that his brethren would be confcious that by hh hand God would re-eftab- lifh them in liberty and hap- pinefs — But they were not excited by it to confider him as their future deliverer. 16 Upon his vifiting them the next day, he found two Ifraelites fighting with cacli o:her — Thefe he tried to re- concile, and thus expoftulat- ed with them — Sirs ! confider you are brothers ! — How can you abufe one another in this cruel {"hameful manner ! 27 He, who was the ap:o;refix)r, hearing this Ian- guage, pufiied him away, faying at the fame time to him — How came you to be 5 confliituted a governor and judge over us ? 28 Do you intend to mur- der me, in the manner you murdered the Egyptian yef- terday ? 29 Alarmed at this unex- pecled reply, Mofes infiiantly quitted Egypt, and fled with the utmoft precipitation into Midian — where he refided, married, and had two fons. 30 Forty years after his departure hither, as he was one day in the defert of mount Sinai, all on a fud- den he faw flames of fire dart from a bufh — which fignified the prefence of an angel of God. 31 Mofes feeing this wonderful phasnomenon ap- proached to explore it ■ when he heard the follow- ing words folemnly articur lated : 32 T am the God of thy fatliers, the God of Abra- ham, the God of Ifaac, and the God of Jacob — Mofes now fiiook with horror, and durfi: not lift up his eyes to- wards the place. 11 The heavenly voice then added — Loofe thy fan- dais — - tlie place which thou treadell is ficred o^round. 34 I have feen with in- finite concern the cruel fuf- fcrings of my people in Egypt chap. vii. lihe Acts of the Apostles. Egypt — their groans have pierced my ears — I am now defcended to vindicate them into liberty — and I have ap- pointed thee their deliverer. Q^^ So that this very per- ibn, whom they rejeded, contemptuoufly telling him, Who made you our governor and judge ! — even this very perion the fupreme God by his angel, who now appear- ed, invefted with a divine authority and conflituted their leader and deliverer. 36 Accordingly he was their condu6lor, and exhibit- ed liefore them the moft a- flonifhing miracles in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the •deferts of Arabia, during a period of forty years. '2^'] Tliis illuftrious per- • fonage gave this admonition to the IlVaclitcs — A prophet, fimilar to me, fhall the Lord your God raife up among you — Hear and obey his in- ftruftions. 38 This excellent prophet was the moll diftinguifhcd perfon in the vail aflembly of Ifrael — with him on mount • -Sinai, in the prefence of the . whole coUefted body of our anccflors^ an angel deigned folely to converfe — with hioi were the oracles of truth foU 389 ly cntrufted to interpret an^ publifh them to us. 39 Yet this illuftrious per- fon, with all the illuftrious evidences he exhibited, our progenitors contemptuoufly repulfed and obftinately dil- obeyed, and preferred the ftavery and idolatry of Egypt to his guidance : 40 collefting in a tumul- tuous manner about Aaroa and clamouring — - make us Gods, under whofe aufpices we may return to the country we have relinquiftied — As for this Mofes, at whofe per- luafion we all marched out of Egypt, we know not what is now become of him. 41 They then made an idol in the figure of a ^ calf, offered facrifice to it, and the ftatue they had formed uni- verfally tranfported them with the moft extravagant joy. 42 This their propenfity to idolatry alienated from them the divine regards, and he left them to the lead of their depraved imagination — to pay their religious wor- ftiip to the heavenly lumina- ries, as one of the prophets teftiEes in the following paf- lage " O yelfraelites ! when you were in the wil-der- nefs did you ever, with ge- y The Egyptian Qo^ Apis. Cc 3 numc ?90 ^he Acts cf the Apostles. Chap. vii. nuine inviolable fincerity, of- I narcli, having been cminent- fer me religious iacrifices and I ly diftinguifhedby divine pro- oblations tor the fpace ofividcnee, intended to have forty years ? built a magnificent temple 43 So far from this, that : for the fervicc and worlhip you even then carried about * of God. 47 But the execution of this grand defign was referv- ed to Solomon. 48 Not that the infinitely with you the Ihrine of Moloch, and your deity Rephan in the form of a '' itar — You car- ried with you carved images of thefe {i(?:itious Gods, to | fupreme and ever blefifedGod which you paid your adora- refideth in fl:ru6lures reared tion — But for this flagrant idolatry and v/ickcdnefs you Ihall be dragged captives into a remote country, fituated beyond Babylon. 44 In the v/ildernefs too the fymbol of the divine pre- fence refided with our fore- fathers in that tabernacle, which the Being, who deign- ed to copverfe with Moles, commanded him to rear, and to form after tlje •' model that was fliovs-n to him. 45 This tabernacle tlie fub- fequent generation brought with them into Paleiline, when under the aufpices of Jofhua they entered it and extirpated the natives • — It continued to the time of king David. 46 Tliis illuftrious mo- by mortal hands, as the pro- phet hath very juftly obfervr cd 49 " Heaven is my throne, earth is my footftool — can any earthly building confine my prefence! cm any edifice circumfcribe my immenfity ! 50 Was not univerfal na- ture called into exiftence by my omnipotence !" 5 1 O ye obftinatc and in- coitigible nation ! your hearts are totally callous and infen- fible — for you rejed: all the ftriking and repeated evi- dences winch the fpirit of God exhibits before you — You aft over the vices which your anceftors perpetrated be- fore you. 52 For which of the an- tient prophets did they not 2 Tlic ILgypcians and Pho^niciar.s nfed to aflign to thc-ir Deities par- ticular _/7^//.f. Sec U/iiverj'al Uij'iory, Vol. xvii. p. 2t>4. 8vo. ^ Tv-rcv. " He ortcrcd grcr.t rewards to thofe artifans who were cm- ployed in fabric.Ttii.g arms, and hx gave them a >kc.AI of each kind of ar- xnoin"." A-/6JKS J^i xeii rvv oTAair .7? ^-^k^ iKA9^ Ti-^:>;- Dial. Si-, ^i.%. perfecute. Chap. vlli. T2v Acts of the Apostles. perfecute, did they not af- iallinate, who predifted the future coming ot that moil iCxcellent and righteous per- fon, whom you lately betray- ed and murdered ! 53 The law was folemnly promulgated amidft a nume- rous ^ retinue of attending angels — yet you have paid no regard to its facred injunc- tions." |-^54 These words ftung the audience with fury and revenge, and trani'portcd them with rage to that de- gree, that they gnafhed their teeth upon him. c,^ In the midft of this tumult Stephen-, by an im- pulfe of the holy fpirit, rail- ed his eyes to heaven, and defcried the glorious fymbol of the divine prefence, and Tefus ftandinn- at the right hand of God. P)6 On the fight of this s;lorious fpeflacle he cried out in tranfpcrt — 1 now fee heaven opened, and the fon oi man fiUing at God's right hand ! 57 Upon hearing this tiiey all raifed a confni'ed clamour ' — ■ (topped their ears, and ruihed furioufly upon him. 39V 58 They then dragged hini out of the city to ftone him, and the witneifes ftripped off their upper garments, and committed them to the cuf- tody of a young perfon, whofe name was Saul. 59 While they were over- whelming him with ftones, Stephen devoutly uttered this ejaculation — Lord Jeius ! re- ceive my fpirit ! 60 He then kneeled down and fervently uttered this prayer O Lord I impute not to them the suilt of this murder i After he had Ipokenthefe words, he breath- ed his lail. CHAP. VIII. I ^ I "■ O this murder Saul •* had given a chear- ful fuffrage — Immediately upon this there was raifed a violent perfecution againft the Ciiriitians who were in Jcrufalcm — who all, except the apoilles, abandoned it, and diiperied into different parts of Judsea and Samaria. 2 The body .of Stephen was taken up and interred by feverai devout perlbns, who deplored his death witU ^ F/< S'le/rnyfLi a?!io>!g ranks. This is a mlUlary term. Sec Gfotius ill loc. F./? with an accujati-ve frequently ligai'nc3.^«//?is«£-. But fi)](l this irG/pelmuJi he preach;;d 3.mong all nalioKs. ^.ii 'Zs/.v^a ta 5 0r,». Murk Xiii. 10.. They fcaitered all luickcdiufi among p^n ,\ tij ' i'-iJ 'as : S His do^lrines and his beneficent miracles caufed univerfal joy in that town. 9 There had been in the fame town; for fome time, a man whofe name was Simon, v/ho pubiickly pretended to be a very extraordinary per- fon, and who had amazed the whole nation of the Sa-. maritans by his magic arts. 10 Thejuggle and artifice of this imipoitor had fecured him univerfal veneration from high and low indifcriminately — who believed him inveil- ed with extraordinary divine powers. 1 1 He was therefore held in prodigious reverence for he had for a confiderable timiC ailonifhed them by the delufive tricks lie had ex- hibited among them. 12 But when the people were now convinced of the truth of the chriftian religion, and chcarfuUy embracing the do6lrines that Philip taught * F.Av//«Mt'«Tc. This word is exprefllve of the gceateft i;/<5/!?Mri? an^ ferocity. " Such was their infatiable defirc of plunder, that they rufliej forward, committing tjie moft dreadful ravages and devailations in their H'Te< (fvrx^ vji wurf^yoi/ivm. Polybrus, y>. 276. To take and deftroy our enemies calllcs, harbours, towns, men, fliip.-, crops, in order to weaken our adverfarics, and ilrengthen ourfelves, is julH- iiable, and agreeable to the lavvs of war : but wantoniy to dcllroy things that neither dlm'mifh the power of ouh enemy nor cugineni our own, and xo expend r.ur rage (wfjaiv^^ti) on teniplfs, and ilatues — ou^ht it not to be pronounctd the molt abfu^id and bruta! madntii : Polviifa, Lib. v. p. 360. Edit. Haiscv. 1619. conccrnin2 Chap. viii. '^he Acts pf/^^i Apostles. concerning the gofpel difpen- fation and the Mcfliah, were all, both men and women, baptized by him, 1 3 this Simon too avowed his belief of chriftianity and was baptized -— From which time he was continually along with Philip, teftifying the ut- moft aftonifliment at the mi- raculous powers he faw him exert. .14 When the apoilles at Jcrufalem were informed of the reception that Samaria had given to the chriftian re- velation, they fent Peter and John to them. 15 The two apoftles, on their arrival, fervently beg- ged of God that the Sama- ritan converts might receive the effufion of the holy fpirit. 1 6 For none of them had yet been endowed with fpiri- tual gifts — they had only been baptized upon their profefiing their fmcere belief in the truth of the gofpel. 1 7 After they had prefer- red this addrefs to heaven, they laid their hands upon them — after which the mi- raculous influences of the ho- ly fpirit were imparted to them. 18 When Simon faw that by the impofition of the hands of the apoftles the gifts of the holy fpirit were conferred, he 393 took them afide, and offered them a fum of money, 19 Saying at the fame time — Communicate, I befeech you, the power you pofiefs, to me too, and enable me to confer the holy fpirit upon whomibever I lliall lay my hands. 20 Peter faid to hijn — May thy money perifh with thee I tor being capable of form- ing fo bafe and groveling a thought, as to hope to be able to purchafe thefe divine gifts with money ! 2 1 By fuch a propofal thou difcQvereft that thou haft no real cordial intereft in this important concern The omnifcientGod knoweth that thy heart is not fincerc. 22 Repent, therefore, of thy wickednefs with unfeign- ed contrition and remorle, and carneftly implore God to par- don thy confcious infmcerity and diffimuiation. 23 For I am convinced you are an abandoned crea- ture, and are now in a moft dreadful and deplorable con- dition. 24 Simon replied. — 'I beg you would intercede for me in your prayers to God,, that the dreadiul judgments, you have mentioned, may be averted fro n me. ' 25 After this the apoftles returned ^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap, viil, tinftly the words of the pro- phet Ifaiah — Upon which he laid — Do you undcrfland the meaning of the paflage you 394- returned to Jerufalem, after having preached, and by their teftimony confirmed the chrif- tian dodrine not only in that town, but in feveral other villages of the Samaritans. § 16 After the two apoftles had left Samaria, an angel of God appeared and thus fpoke to Philip — Go immediately fcuthward to the road that leads from Jerufa- lem to Gaza, which is now xininhabited. 27 Inftantly he obeyed the heavenly admonition — and upon his arrival behold an -^Ethiopian eunuch, one of the mofl eminent perfonages at the court of " Candace queen of the ^^thiopians, nnd by her conftituted the fupreme governor of the treafury, had been at the ca- pital to pay his religious ado- rations, 28 and was now returning in his chariot, and reading a- loud as he travelled the pro- j-)hecy of Ifaiah. 29 Philip was then prompted by a divine impulfe to ad- vance up to the chariot. 30 Running to the fide of it, therefore, he heard dif- are reading ? 31 The eunuch replied — How is it poffible for me to underftand fuch obfcure pro- phecies, unlefs I had fome intelligent perfon to explain them to me? — »He then in^ vited Philip into the chariot to interpret the v/ords. 32 The portion of fcrip- ture which he had been read- ing was this • — " He was led as a flieep to the flaughter, :indas a lamb before its fliear- er is dumb, fo he uttered not one repining, one murmur^ ing word. 33 In the ftate of his hu- miliation he met with the mofl unjull treatment, with the moft injurious indigni- ties — No words can fully re- prefcnt the abandoned profli- gacy of the age in which he lived for in the blood of this divine perfon they em- brued their hands." 34 The eunuch then faid to Philip — I fhall be greatly obliged to you if you can c- lucidate this palTage — Doth * Sirabo mentions Candacr, who, in bis time, he fays, was queen of the Ethiopians, and a lady of great fpirit : K*i'» tt-ab' nu-..', «p£)e ricv Atbn-roiVy cnJ'f.iyj) TK yvii^' 5/>v^o, Lib. xvii. p. 820. Edit. Pans^ 1620. rt-VB/y'i'Jif l.lje Acts of the Apostles. Chap. ix. folemnly uttered Saul ! Saul ! why dofl thou perfe- cute me! 5 Lord ! who art thou, he replied- — I am, anfwered the heavenly vifion, that Jelus, whom thou art perfecuting — bur it is madnels for thee to -contend with a luperior power ! 6 Saul now in an ecftafy of terrour and ftupefaclion faid — Lord! What wouldeft thou have me to do ? — The celeflial form then faid — Rife and go into the city — thou iliak there be acquainted with tlie province I liave afligned thee. 7 During this amazing icene the other perfons, who were in his company, flood fixed and fpeechlels with hor- ror and confternation — they diftinftly heard the voice, but faw not the perlbn by whom it was uttered. 8 Saul then role from the eaith — oDened his eves, but found the dazzling fplendor had totally deprived him of iight — His fellow travel- lers led him by the hand, and conduced him intoDamafcus. 9 I-Icre he coiuinucd dark for three days, and in that time neither cat or drank any thing. 10 There was then in Da- mafcLis a chriflian whofe name was Ananias. This perfon was favoured with a divine vifion, in which our Lord called him by name — to whom he anfv/ered — Lord ! 1 am ready to perform whatever you are pltafed to enjoin me. 1 I Jefus then faid to him — Go iiumediately into the ftreet called Eutheia, and enquire at the houfe of Jude for a perfon called Saul, a native of Tarfus — for behold he is now praying ! 1 2 He too hath had a vi- fion, in which there was re- prelented a man called Ana- nias, approaching him, and by the impofition of his hands inflantly reiloring him to the ule of his fight. 13 Ananias replied—*— Lord ! I have been informed by many perfons of the va- rious and dreadful miferies that this very perfon hath in- flidetl upon the profefi"ors of thy gofpel in Jerulalem. 14 And in this city he hath now received an unlimited authority from the high priefts to apprehend and confine all who adhere to thy caufc. '* 15 I'he Lord then faid to him — Hefitate not to go to him, for he is my feledt and diftinguiflied inftrument, by means of whom the truth of my gofpel fliall be diffufed 3- monG; ih^ Ilcatbms and amoncr the Chap. ix. 'The Acts of the Jews^ and publiflied be- fore the mod dignified and auguft perfonages. 1,^ For I will explicitly re- veal and exhibit before him that feries of labours and luf- ferings which I have ap- pointed him to fupport for the chriftian caufe. 17 Immediately Ananias complied with the heaVenly admonition, and went into the houfe where he lodged — he then laid his hands upon him and faid — Brother Saul ! thatjefus, who appeared to you on your road hither hath deputed me to you, miracu- loufly to reftore you to your light — after which you fhall be favoured with the divine aff^tus. 1 8 That moment there fell from his eyes Ibmething like the fcales of fifh •, and he in- ftantaneoufly recovered his fight — he then rofe and was baptized. 1 9 After this he took re- frelhment, and being foon re- inftated in his former health and vigour, fpent fome days with the chriftians in Da- mal^us ^^l/r ;,i;,. , , 20 Immediately atter he recovered, he went into the iVnagogues, and publickly declared his conviction. That Jefus was the Meffiali and a cnoft illuftrious ineifenger Irom God. the Apostles. :97 21 A condu6t and decla- ration fo unexpefted filled all the audience with the lafl a- ftonifhment — one faid to an- other. Is not this the^..vfery, perlbn who fo fbrenuoufly at- tempted to exterminate the chriftian caufe from Jerui'a- lem ? Did he not come hither vefted with full powers from the high priefts to ap- prehend thofe who had em- braced this religion and car- ry them in chains to Jeru- falem ? 22 But Saul exerted all his powers in proving tlie truth of the principles he had now efpoufed, and refuted the Jews of Damafcus, who op- pofcd him — moll zealoufly demonftrating by many ar- guments that Jefus was the true MelTiah. 23 The Jews being highly exafperated at his condud:, fome time after confederated together to murder him. 24 Accordingly they v/atch- ed the gates of the city day and night to affafTinate him — But he having received in- formation of their bloody de- ligns againft his life, 25 the chriftians privately took him, and let him down in a baflvet through an aper- ture in the city v/all. 26 Upon his arrival in Je- ruialem he immediately of- fered to join himfelf as a mem- ber Chap. ix. cortcd him to Csfarea, and then lent him to Tarfus. § — 31 ^At this time all the focietiesof chriftians that were formed in all the various parts of Judsa, Galilee, and Sa- maria, enjoyed an happy and undilturbed tranquillity- 398 The Acts of the Apostles. ber to the fociety of chrlftians there — but theyfhunncd and feared him, being diffident of his fmcerity. . 27 But Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apoftles — giving them, at the fame time, a minute de- tail of the vifion he had feen in his late journey, wjiat Je- fus then faid to him, and with what an undaunted refolution he had publickJy advanced, and defended in Damafcus the truth of the chriftian doc- trines. 28 Upon this he was- un- animoufly admitted into their community — and all the time he was in Jerufalem he pro- mulgated the principles of the gofpel with the moft ge- nerous freedom and intrepi- dity. 29 He addreffed his ar- guments to the Helleniftic Jews, and laboured in a dif- putation he had with them to convince them of their truth — They were incenfcd and formed a defign to murder him. 30 The chriltians, receiv- ing information of their con- federacy againfl his life, ef- and the number of thefe fo- cieties, whofe conftituent m.embers were happy in the effufion of the holy Ipirit, and adorned their profefTion by a life of ftrict piety and holi- nefs, was continually aug- menting, 32 Peter taking a journey with a defign to vifit thefe re- fpeftive focieties in their or- der, came, among others, to a congregation of chriflians at Lydda. '2,1^ There was then in this town a man whofe name was iEneas, who had been con- fined to his bed eight years by the palfy. 34 To this perfon Peter went and thus fpoke -— M- neas! Jefus the Mefilah frceth you from yourdiforder — Rife, be you reilored to your for- mer ftrength — that moment he got up in perfcfl healtli and vigour. ' Caligula, who mnjo filled the Imperial thrnre, ga.vc great diflurbaiice to the whole Jewilh community by ordering Pi!rc?uus to inarch an army to Jerufalem, and ercd his luitucs in the temple. The mifcries, that kciu threatened the Je^is, put a ftop to the perfecuticns of the Chrijlians. E. J. Lib. ii. c. 6/. 35 Tlie Chap. X. T^he Acts of tht Apostle ^c^ The fight of this pcr- fon, reinftated in his former health, convinced all the in- habitants of Lydda and Sha- ron, who unanimoufly cm- braced the chriftian religion. § — 2 6 At Joppe alfo there was a woman who had elpouf- ed the principles of the gof- pel, whofe name was Tabi- tha, in Gr(?^^, Dorcas — She Was a perfon of a truly bene- ficent and hberal difpofition. 37 During Peter's flay at Lydda fhe fell fick and died — Her friends after having wafhed the corpfe laid k -in an upper room. 38 The chriflians in Joppe, which was near Lydda, hav- ing received information that Peter was there, immediately difpatched two mefiengers to 399 40 Peter ordered them all to quit the apartment — upon v/hich he kneeled down and prayed' After this devout addrefs to God he turned to the dead body, and faid Tabitha! rile — That moment him- ■entreatino; he would come to them without delay. 39 On receiving this mef- fage Peter went along; with them — On his arrival m the place they took him into the upper room where the corpfe lay — round which all the m- digcnt widows ftood bathed in tears, and deploring the irreparable lot's they had fuf- tained fhowing Peter a great variety of ^ garments that Dorcas had made^ while Oie was living, to cloath poor neceflitous objetSts. fhe opened her eyes, looked at Peter, and fat up. 41 He then gave her his hand, and helped her up — Peter called the chriftians and the mourning widows, and prefented her to them in per- fect health. 42 The fame of this mira- cle was foon diifufed through all Joppe, and induced great nun]bers to embrace the chrif- tian revelation. 43 Peter after this con- tinued a confiderable time an Joppe, and lodged with one Simon a tanner. CHAP. X. I 'Tp HERE was at thai: A time in Csefarea a Roman officer, whofe name was Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian cohort. 2 This gentleman and his whole family were eminent for religious piety — he was al- fo extemely liberal and bene- ficent to the poor, and con- ftantly regular in his daily de- votions. A/7iP:tf v.a.1 iy.s,7ici, undir and upper garments. One Tkc Acts of the Apostles. Chap. x. 8 And after he had related 400 3 One day, about three o'clock in the afternoon, as he was engaged in the private exercifes of fervent prayer to God, he faw a celellial meflenger enter his apart- ment, and call him by his name. 4 Cornelius inflantly fix- ing his eyes upon him, and iliuddering with terror faid to the heavenly form- 'Lord ! What means thy prclence ! — The angel replied — Corne- lius ! thy fervent prayers and thy charitable aftions have af- cended to the Deity as the mofb pkafing and grateful oblation. 5 God hath, therefore, de- puted me to bid thee imme- diately to difpatch a meiTcn- ger to Joppe, and fend for one Simon lurnamed Peter. 6 He lodges with one Si- mon a tanner, whole houfe is fituated by the fea fide — This perfon will inflruft thee in thy duty. 7 The celeftial meflenger, having uttered thcfe words, difappeared- — Cornelius then immediately called two of his domellics and a religious fol- dier who waited on him. to them the particulars of this tranfacbon, he difpatched them to Joppc. 9 The next day as the mcf- fengers were upon the road, and had now advanced with- in a little way of the town, Peter retired about noon to the top of the houfe, to offer his devotions to God. 10 At the time he afcend- ed he felt the keen fenfations of hunger — but while the fa- mily was preparing refrcfh- ment, he fell into a trance. 1 1 And in a divine vifion he had the following fcene ex- hibited to him ■ — He faw the flvyfuddenly part, and from the aperture he beheld a kind of receptacle, like a large flieet ''j tied at the four corners, de- fcend towards him. — and gra- dually let down 'till it refted on the ground. 12 This contained all kinds of quadrupeds on the face of the earth, and every fpecies of wild beads, rep- tiles, and fowls. I '}, After this was defcend- ed and placed at his feet — he heard the following words pronounced — Peter ! kill and *■ O^;!"':- This vord fignifie? any large wrapper of cloatli, generally llnnen. It is iiffd for the looll- linnen robe the /'v^l\. S. 595. cat fchapVx. ne Acts of eat of any of theie creatures indifcriminately. 14 By no means Lord ! re- plied Peter, I have ever con- fcientioufly refrained from e- very fpecies of food which is -unclean. 15 The heavenly voice then refumed— — -What God hath deemed pure, dare not tliou to pronounce impure. 1 6 This was repeated three times— after which the whole apparatus was conveyed up into heaven. 1 7 While Peter was revolv- ins; this amazins; fcene in his mind, and anxioufly rumi- nating v/hat it could import, the mellengers of Cornelius were below, 18 enquiring if one Simon Hrnamed Peter lodg-ed there. 19 While Peter was folici- toufly refiecling on the parti- culars of this vifion, he was by an immediate fuggeftion ot the fpirit iniormed that there were three men enquir- ing for him : 20 commanding him to dc- fcend immediately and go along with them vvithout any fcruple -alluring him that they v/ere ^tiit co him by his • direction . 21 Peter then v/ent down and faid to the melTeng-ers — o /-^£' Apostles. ^ot I am the perfon yru enquire for — What caufe hath brought you hither ^ 22 We were difpatched to you, they replied, by Corne- lius, a centurion, a man of diilinguiihed virtue, a de- vout worfhipper of God, and univerfally efteemed by the Jev/s, who hath been di- redied by an angel of God to fend for you to his houfe and to receive inftructions from you. 23 'Peter invited the mef- fengers into the honfe— v;here they lods:yed that nio-ht— The next morning he and lome of the chriftians at Joppe, {^t out for CKfarea; 24 v^?here they arrived the day atter— -Cornelius in th-e mean time had convened his relations and his moft inti- mate friends at his houfe, and was impatiently waiting their return — ' When Peter was now advanced within a little dulance from C.-Efarea, one ot the fervants ran before to acquaint the officer of his ar- rival. 25 The centurion receiv- ing this information imme- diately hafled to meet him, and proftrated himfelf at his feet. 26 But Peter. railed him. 5 This addition is in the beft MSS. and is the gsnuine reading, as ap- pears irom ver. 27. Vol. I. D d faying fT^^ Acts of the Apostles. Chap. x. 402 faying — Pay not this homage to me — I am but a frail mor- tal like yourfelf. 27 They then both toge- ther entered the houfe, en- gaged in mutual converfation — where Peter found a large company affembled, 28 to whom he then ad- dreffed himfelf — " I need not acquaint you that it is deemed unlawful for a Jew to form connedtions and con- trad intimacies with foreign- ers — but' the great God hath lately admoniflied me to think no rational being ot any na- tion polluted or defiled. 29 Accordingly I complied with this invitation without the leaft hefitarion — I beg, therefore, to know the rea- fon that induced you to fend for me. -30 Cornelius then faid — *' Four days ago I impofed upon myfclf a religious fail, which 1 kept 'till about this time of the day — but as I was engaged in the private exercifc of prayer about three o'clock in the afternoon, a celeftial mefienger in an hu- man form and in a robe of ineffable fplendor Hood be- fore me, 3 1 and thus fpoke — Cor- ndius ! thy prayer is accept- ed, and the benevolence of thy foul is grateful to God. 32 The Deity, therefore, hath deputed me to bid thee immediately to difpatch a mefienger. to Joppe and lend for one Simon who is firnam.- ed Peter, who lodges with one Simon a tanner, whofe houfe is fituated by the fea fide — This perfon will in- ftrudl thee in thy future duty. 33 I then inftantly difpatch- ed a meffage to you, and am greatly indebted to you for your ready compliance with my invitation — We all of us therefore, who are now "" before you, are afi^embled to receive the inflrudlions God hath commiflioned you to deliver to us. 34 Peter then with great folemnity thus addrefled him- felf to the company — " I am indeed now convinced that the Deity is no refpedler of perfons : 35 But that in every nation of the world the fincerely pi- ous and virtuous are indifcri- minately the objefts of his love. Q,^ You mull needs have heard of thofe dovflrines which God lately delegated his fon Jefus the Mefiiah to publilh among the Jews, and by the " See MSS. glorious Chap. X. T!he Act ^ of the Apostles glorious revelation of which, he gracioufly intended their virtue and ' happinefs This iljufirious mefTenger is . now conflituted by the Deity the univerfal governor of mankind. 37 You know that thefe do6lrines, which after John's public baptifm firji began to be publifhed in Galilee, were from thence, as from a cen- ter, foon diffufed through the whole extent of Jud^a. 38 The perfon who deli- vered thefe fublime and hea- venly truths was Jefus of Na- zareth — whom God invefted with the moil fignal powers ' who during the whole courfe of his public miniftry conftantly went about doing beneficent adions, and mi- raculoufiy freeing mankind from the mofb dreadful and inveterate diforders — exhi- biting the mod ftrong and llriking evidences that his milTion v/as from God. 39 We his apoftles were fpeftators of the adions he performed both in Judasa and in the metropolis — You can be no ftrangers to the fate of this divine perfon, whom the Jews crucified and murdered. 40 But on the third day after his crucifixion God rail 403 ed him from the grave, and perm.itted him to exhfbit him- lelf alive 41 not indeed publickly to tiie zvorldy but to ?.'j his conftant afibciates and the companions of his life • whom God in his infinite wif- dom appointed to publifh and atteft the fafts, on which the truth of this difpenfation is fupported — With him, afler his refurre(5tion from the dead, we freely and fam.iliariy con- verled. 42 And he commanded us to proclaim to the v/orld, and in the moft folemn manner 10 affure mankind. That he is conftituted by the Deity the fupreme judge both of the living and of the dead. 43 In him the various pre- diftions of the antient pro- phets all center-^ and attefl this great truth, That every one who believes and obeys his relioion lliall thro' his me- diation obtam a total remif- fionofalltheirformercrimes." 44 While he was yet fpeak- ing, the holy fpirit fell in co- pious cffufion upon all the audience. 45 At this circumftance the jcwi/Ii con^'e^ts, wlio had attended Peter in this jour- ney, were loft in an ccftafy of ' E/pMVJir'. Peace in the Ilrhrew idiom denotes happinefs, and very frequently occurs in this fcnie in the N. T. D d 2 aftoniflimcnt ^he Acts af the Apostles. Chap. xL 404 altonifliment — That the holy fpirit fhould be e ualU im- parted to the Heathens ! 46 being amazed beyond defcription to hear them fpcaking a variety of lan- guages and celebrating the power of God — Peter then faid to thofe who thus tcfti- ficd their iurprize, 47 Can any perfon be fo fcrupulous as to exclude thofe from baptifni, who have been • favoured with the gifts of the holy fpirit equally v/ith ourfeives ? 48 He th.en ordered them • to be initiated into the chrif- tian faith by baptifm — After the performance of this rite they begged he would fpend a few days with them. C H A P. XI. I ^'T^ H E fame of this event -«• loon reached the other apoftles and the chriilians who were in Judsea, that even the Heathens had embraced the goiptl. 2 Upon Peter's arrival, therefore, in Jerulalem, the Jcji't/h chriftians v/armly ex- poftulated with him, 3 Saying — You have been familiarly converfing with un circumcifed Heathens and af- fociating with them. 4 Peter, finding them of- fended with his conduct, re- counted to them a circum- ftantial detail of the whole t r a n fad io n — fav i n gr — 5 *' As I was one day of- fering lip my private devo- tions in Joppe, fuddenly all my faculties were fufpended, and I funk into a trance in which the following Icene was exhibited before me I faw from the clouds, that fuddenly fevered, fomething like a large fheet, tied at the iour corners, defcend towards me 'till it reclined on the earth at my feet. 6 This attrafting all my attention as I intenfely view- ed it, I found its contents were all kinds of quadrupeds on the face of the earth, and every fpecies of wild beads, reptiles, and fowls. 7 I then heard the following words articulated — Peter \ kill and eat of any of thefe creatures before thee indiicri- minately. 8 By no means. Lord I I replied — for I have ever con- fcientioufly refrained from e- very fpecies of food which is unclean. 9 The heavenly voice then refumed — What God i)ath deemed pure, dare not thou to pronounce impure. 10 This was repeated three times — after which the whole apparatus was conveyed up into heaven. II Imme- chap. xi. 'The Acts of the Apostles. - II Immediately after this vifionary fcene difappeared, three perfons, who were de- puted to me from Cs;rarea, were making enquiry for me at the houfe where 1 lodged. 12 That inftant I was di- refted by an immediate im- pulfe of the fpirit to go along with them, without any fcru- ple — accordingly I was attend- ed by thefe fix fellow chriftians who are now with me, and we entered the officer's lioufe. 13 He then informed us how an angel had appeared to him in his own houfe and directed him to difpatch a meffage to Joppe, and fend for a Deribn whofe name was Simon. 14 Adding — this perfon will give youinftrudlions, by a compliance with which you and your family will attain everlafting felicity. 15 Behold, therefore, in the mjdfr of my difcourfe to them the holy fpiiit was flied upon thern in copious effu- fion, exadly in the manner U was imparted to us at iirft. 1 6 This circumftance made me recclle6t the following ex- preffion of our Lord — " John baptized only with water, but vou fiiall be l)aptized with the holy fpirit." 17 Since, therefore, God hath been pleafed to impart to thcni the fame fpiritual gifts as he commumcated to us who believed the divine miffion and dodrines of his fon Jefus — was it for me to limit, and prefcribe to, his in- fallible wifdom." 1 8 This account entirely difpelled all their inquietude, and they unanimoufly offered their fervent gratitude to God, laying in a flood of tranfport And hath God indeed, of his infinite be- nignity, extended even to the Heathens the offer of a blef- fed immortality upon fm- cere repentance aiid rcfor-^ mation of life 1 § — 1 9 The chriftians, who were difperfed from Jerufa- lem by the perfecution tliat w^as raifed againil them after Stephen's martyrdom, mi- grated to Piicsnicia, to Cy.- prus, and to Antioch — but they preached the gofpel to 7ione.^ except Jews^ 2G but there were fome of thrje. who were natives of Cy- prus and Cyrene, who com- ing to Antioch attempted to m.ake converts among the Greeks by preaching to them th.e chriitian doelrines. 21 And this their attempt God v/as pleated to blefs and fuccecd for prodigious numbers were convinced or the truth of chriftianity and embraced it. 22 The fiine of thefc nu- D d mcious ne Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xL 406 merous converfions reaching the aHembly of chriftians at Jerufaiem, they deputed Bar- nabas to go to Antioch. 23 Upon his arrival, when he faw the happy ftate of thinas, and the wonderful iliccefs the gofpel had provi- dentialh' met with, he was tranfported with joy, and im- portunately exhorted all the converts to adhere immove- ably to the chriilian prin- ciples. 24 This Barnabas was a' perfon of diftinguifhed good- nefs, a warm advocate for chriftianity, and eminently favoured with fpiritual gifts His amiable character and endowments, therefore, •were the means of very con- ilderable numbers adopting the doftrines of the gol- pel. 25 Here happening to be informed that Saul was at Tarfus he purpofeiy wene thither in fearch of him — - when he had met with him he brought him to Antioch. 26 In this city they conti-: nued an whole year — forming the converts into a fociety, and inftru6ling a very confi- derable body in the dodlrinci of the gofpel — and thefe two, while in Antioch, firft gave the profeffors of the gofpel, by a "' divine direflion, the denomination of Chriftians. § — 27 In the mean time while Saul and Barnabas were thus employed, fome perfons^ whom God had feen fit to en- dow with prophetic gifts, came down to Antioch. 28 One of thefe, whofe name was Agabus, rofe up in the aflembly, and by a di- vine impulfe predifted a dreadful famine, by which "> Xpi'utfT/Trf'. This word, in all the places in which it occurs in the N. T. figniiies to inform, denominate, declare, I) a divine direflion. Confult Mitth. ii. 12. 22. Luke ii. 26. Afts x. 22. Rom. vii. 3. Heb. viii. 5. Chap. xi. 7. Chap. xii. 25. In the Greek clalTics it figniiies to deliver the oracular refponfe, and very frequently to /peak authoritatively, as princes, generals, magiflrates, to^r/'-x'fl/f pcrlons. " When the fenatc waited upon Cfrfar, ht /poke to them as private perfons, •/:»"./' T/Tci':'' Plutarch C^/ar. p. 1350. Cleopatra appeared in public clad in the ftole of IJis, and Jolemnly called herfelf young Ijis, ^ypn!j.a.Ti(^i. Plutarch An- tony, p. 1723. Edit- Gr. Stephen. 8vo. Jntigonus delivering his fenti- ments concerning v/Kat was future, yjt) p. at i'Jcc PclyH::!, p. 139' Annibal /^o-{-^ with the ambafladors, £>p«/x^. King Philip having fpoke with the Ach^am, ytvfjj.'a.-r \ 7 sx , p. 297. He blamed him for aiTuming the diad;.m and calling himfelf kinq;, Cat'/iXfci ypnuATi- ^s/-, p. 401. lie affumed the crown and daied xd Jiik himfelf king. Poljhins, p. 401. Edit. Hdapv. 1619. the Oiap. xii. The Acts of th^ Avq^tl-es^ the whole extent of " Jud^a would be miferably haraiTed ——Accordingly, this famine ijivaded Judsea in the time of the emperor Claudius. 29 In confequence of this predidion thofe of the chrii- tians who were in affluent circumdances mutually a- greed to raife a contribution for the fupport of their fellow chriilians in Judaea. 30 'i'his generous fchemc tJiey carried into execution — and fent the money, that was colledted, by Barnabas and Saul, to be depofited in the hands of the fenior chriilians. CHAP. XII. BOUT this time king Herod Agrippa raif- ed a perfecution againft the chriilians, and apprehended and diftrelTed feverai of their fociety. 2 James the brother of John he feized and beheaded^ 3 And feeing that thefe violent mealures ao;ainfl the chriilians rendered him ex- tremely popular among the Jews, he caufed Peter alfo to be apprehended during the fellival of unleavened bread.} J 4 This apollle, therefore,.] hands, j: was by his order confined in the public prifon, and Ilricftly committed to the cullody of- no lefs than fixteen foldiers— r-]^ He intendeds after the paf- chul Iblemnity was over, to convene a general alTembly of the people, to bring him out before them and publickly execute him. 5 In this manner Peter lay confined and guarded for, whofe deliverance and fafety the chriilians interceded with God by unremitting and mod fervent fupplications. ~"^ 6 But when the time ap-. proacl>ed in which Herod in- tended to gratify the Jews with his execution, in the night which preceded the day he had fixed for it, as Peter was ileeping in foft com- pofure between two foldiers to whom he was refpedlively chained by two fhackles,^and the jail-keepers were on duty at the prilbn gate — 7 lo ! an angel of God fuddenly appeared ! and an imm.enfe lightdartedjts fplen- dors around his cell-| — The heavenly meflenger then a- woke him, faying — Rife this moment! — That inilant the fliackles dropped from his " OiKxu'vi] is twice ufed to fignify only tlie land o{ Judeca ; 'here, and Lcuke xxi. 26. Jofephus mentions the famine here predided, as opprel- imiJudcca in the reign of Claudius. Ant. 2. c. 2. § 6. and c. 4 § 2. D d 4 8 The 40^ l^he Acts of the x^ p o st l e-s . Gha p ^ xi u 8 The angel then added — Gird the cloaths, in which you lie, about you, and tie on your fandals — This done, he laid, Put on your upper garment, and follow me. 9 He followed him — but was not conKious that this was a real tranfadlion he imagined it only a vifionary i^ii-Vi^ exhibited to him in a dream. 10 After paffing the firfl and fecond watch they arriv- ed at the great iron gate which fronts the public ftreet — this fpontaneouOy opened to receive them — they pafTed through, and went together the length of one ftreet — af- ter which the angel fuddenly vanilhed. 1 1 Peter, being now con- fcious that the fcene was real, faid in pious aftoniHiment — Now I am indeed convinced that God hath been pleafed to depute an angel to extricate me from Herod's povv'er, and to fruilrate all the eager ex- pe6lation and fanguinary de- llji-ns of the Tews. 12 He then v;cnt dire«.'^ly to the houfe of Mary the mo- ther of John firnamed Mark — where a confiderable num- ber of the chriftians had ap- pointed to meet, and were then praying. 13 Knocking at the gate a f,r\'ant maid, called Rhoda, ■went to the door to enquire Jthe perfon's name. i 14 She knowing his voice, 'in a flood of tranfport did not flay to open the door, but flew to the company, and told them that Peter v/as Hand- ing at the gate. 15 It is madnefs to afTert any fuch thing, they faid — . She peremptorily declarecj and perfifted in it, that flie was fare it was him they then faid it muft be a melfen- ger from him. 16 Peter in the mean time continued knockins;. .but when they opened the door, and faw it was him, they were loft in an ccftacy of a- ftonifhment. 17 Pie made a motion tQ them with his hand to be filent — and after informing them how an angel of God- had delivered him out of pri- fon, ordered them to acquaint James and the other chriftians Vk'ith this miraculous event-— Having faid this he went a- way, and retired to another place. I S The next morninp: there was a great hubbub and con- fufion among the foldiers who were appointed his guards, what was become of i-'etcr. 19 Herod, after making a diligent but fruitlefs fearch for liim. called up the keep- ers Chap. xii. l!'he Acrrs of ers of the prilbn, and order- ed them all to be executed — After this he quitted Judsea and fixed his refidence at Cs- farea. 20 The reafon of his re- moval to this city was the violent reientmen'ts he had now conceived againft the Tyrians and Sidonians — But thefe two opulent ftates, hav- ing afterwards procured his chamberlain Blaftus to under- take their caufe, waited up- on him in a fupplicant man- ner and folicited peace ; be- ing induced to this ftep by a confcioufnefs that their terri- tories derived the fupports of life from the king's domi- nions. § — 21 This Herod Agrip- pa on occafion of a grand fo- lemn feftivai arrayed himfelf in a royal and moft magnifi- jcent drefs — and mounting a throne erefted for him made 1 a fpeech to the aflembled multitude. t/je Apostles. 409 22 This he had no fooner concluded, but the populace raifed an univcrfal acclamati- on -- repeating — " It is the voice of a God and not of a mortal." 2^ ° That moment the an- gel of God fmote him with a dreadful and incurable difeafe for that impious arrogance and pride with which his heart was now inflated He was devoured alive with p worms, and died in the moft excruciating torments. 24 After his deceafe chrif^ tianity flouriflied and the number of converts was con- tinually augmenting. § — 25 Barnabas and Saul after having faithfully dif- charged the truft that was re- pofed in them with regard to- the charitable colledion for the fupport of the chriflians in JudjEa when they had paid it into the hands of the fenior chriflians, quitted Je- rufalem taking with them ° The (hocking death of this infolent creature is minutely defcribed in all its circumliances by Jofephus. See Antiq. L. 19. c. 8. § 2. Edit. Hud^ J^cn. His arrogance and his end remind one of the unhappy exit of Cra-fus. " Divine vengeance, faith Herodotus, overtook Crcejus, becaufe he proudly imagined himfelf to have reached the higheft fummit of human oran- deur and felicity : For the pinnacle of mortal glory, which many pile {o- high, God fubverts from its loweft foundations. Herodoi. Gr, U Lat, Vol. i, p. JO. Edit. Gla/g. lj6i. P His grandfather Herod died in the fame fliocking manner. He was excruciated with dire pains in his bowels and an ulcer which bred worms. Jofeph Ant. L. 17. c. 6. § 5. Hud/on. P^.vrtima alfj, in Hcrodatus, was devoured alive with worms. 'C^kta i'J7^i(ov ic,i^i"h a tem- porary deprivation of thy fight— He had no foo'ner pro- nounced the words, I -.it the impoftor's eyes were clofed in total darknels, and he grop- ed about on all fides to lay hold on fomething to fuppcrt his fteps. 12 The proconful feeing this amazing event was ftruck with the laft aftonifhment, and embraced ^ the chriftian do6lrine. §—13 Paul and his com- panions afterwards embarked on board a vefiel at Paphos and landed at Perge in Pam- phylia — Plere John left them and returned to Jerufalem« 14 But the other travelled from Perge toAntioch in Pi- fidia •— where they went into the Jewilh fynagogue and fat dpv/n. 7biJ5 Here after a portion of the law and the prophets was read, the prefidents of the fy- 411 gogue fent to them — beg- ging, If they could impart any thing that might contri-. bute to the inftrudion and e- dification of the audience, they would deliver it. 16 Upon this Paul ftood up, and making a motion with his hand, thus addrelfed the affembly — " Ye Ifraelites and devout v/orfliippers of the true God ! let me crave your candid and ferious atten- tion to the truths I iliall now deliver. 1 7 The fupreme God, the merciful guardian and pro- te61or of our nacion, moil highly diftinguifhcd our iiluf- trious anceftors with his fa- vour, publickly beftovved up- Oil their defcendents many fignal bieffings, during their reiidence in Egypt, and from their fervitude here vindicated them into liberty by a feries of the moft aftonilliing mi- racles. 1 8 God alfo, after their e- migration, miraculoufiy ' fup- plied them with the necef- faries of life in the dreary de- ferts of Arabia during a pc riod oi forty years. 19 After this, under the fpecial condud of divine pro- vidence, they overturned fe- ven different communities in ^ Et/ th J^i^ef^yi h governeJ on sT/r^t'Tsj', not on iKTMi^cmwtV©-. ^ ETpoco^opHfjsi J which the belt MSS. exhibit^ is the genuine leCtion. the 412 T/jeAcTS'of f/je A?0STLi&^s. Chap. xiii. the land of Canaan, and diflii- buted, by lot, their territories among their refpective tribes. 20 They were then tor four hundred and fifty years 'till Samuel's time, governed hy Judges^ whom God raifed and empowered to fupcrin- tend them. 2 1 They being afterwards defirous of reo-al o-ovcrnment, he placed over them Saul the Ion of Kifli, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was forty years old at his eledion. 2 2 After his removal, Da- vid was providentially ap- pointed their fovereign — to v/hofe charader God bears this tefiimony " I have I'clefted David, the fon of Jefie, to be their king— —-a perfon, whofe conduct, as a prince, will fecure my ap- probation, and who will, in his political capacity, fully execute all my defigns." 23 From the defcendents of this illuflrious monarch hath God, according to his promife, been mercifully pleafed to raife up to Ifrael the great Redeemer — who was the late Jefus of Nazareth. 24 Tlie advent of this divine perfon John the BaptiR predic- i^x\^ and puhiickty proclaim- ed to the whole Jewifii nation — declaring himfclf to be ap- pointed of God to prepare men for the Weption of this great prophelt by the baptifm of repentance he'publickly ad- mini fired. ) 25 John,' ' while he was fulfilling the office that provi- dence had affigifd him, ufed conflantly to addrefs himfeif to the people, who reforted to him, and fay to them . Whom do you imagine me to be ? — I afiure you I am not the perfon you expeft — but let me folemnly declare to you. That I am the harbin- ger of a moft dignified and exalted perfon, to whom I am r,ot worthy to (loop and do the meanell office. 26 My brethren ! my fel- low defcendents from Abra- ham ! and ye devout wor- fliippers of the true God ! fuifer me to aiTure you. That this prophet was lent, and' thefe doctrines publiffied for your fiilvation and happinefs : • 27 becaufe the Sanhedrim, and citizens of Jerufalem be- ing wilfully ignorant of the dignity of his perfon, con- demned him to fuf[er capital punifhment — but he hereby Fulfilled the exprefs predieti- ons of thole prophets which are every fabbath read in their religious aflemblies. 2S And fo implacably in- * Df Xi £tAi)o». cenfed Chap . xlii. l^he Acts of cenfed were they againfl his perfon, that tho' upon the Itrideft exammation they' found his charafter irreproach- able, and perfedlly free from any guilt that deler ved death — \ yet by their inflexible impor- tunity they, at laft, prevailed upon Pilate to condemn himi to be executed. ' 29 After they had by this public murder accompliflied the fcripture prophecies, they took him from the crofs, and interred his dead body in a tomb adjacent. 30 But by the power of God he was raifed from the dead, 3 1 and for a confiderable number of days he exhibited himfelf alive to his compa- nions and friends, who had attended him in his laft jour- ney from Galilee to the capi- tal — who were convinced of the identity of his perfon, and who are public witnelfcs to the world of the truth of his refurreftion. 32 We therefore proclaim among you the joyful news, That the fignal promife, which God folemnly made and rati- fied with our anceftors, lie hath now moft illuftrioufly uccompliflied in the prefcnt ^ rsi'?A is governed on the prepontlon «f underHocd, and ^bAji put In its proper conftrudion with t/7r»p5Ti)(?"«i. whom the Apostl'e^. 413 day, by raifing Jefus the' MeiTiah from the dead. 33 The prediction in the fecond Pfalm is now fulfilled — " Thou art my fon ! this day have I informed thee with new life and immorta- lity." 34 And to this great c- vent of his refurredlion from the dead and his ■peculiar ex- emption from the general law of mortality, alludes the fal- lowing pafiage of the prophet liaiah — " For you will I ac- com.plifli all the conditions of that everlafting covenant, v/hich I have made with the houfe of David.'' 35 This is alfo clearly pre- difted in another paffage - " Thou wilt not fuffer the dead body of thy beloved fon to fuffer the comm.on cor- ruption." 0^6 This laft paflage cannot refer to David~for after this illuRrious prince had '^ in his generation, fcrved the v/ill of God, he paid the common debt to nature — his body was depofited in the grave, and reduced to its primitive duft. 0^"] The exemption, there- fore, from the putrefa6lion of the grave here mentioned can fokly relate to that perfon 414 ^^^ Acts of the Apostles. Chap, xili, will produce events To inex- prefTibly dire and dreadful, that fhould a perlon give you a dillinft detail of them, he would not gain your credit"^." 42 He ended — and the Jews going out of the fyna- gogue, the Heathens who llaid behind, came to him, and begged he would dif- courle to them on the fame fubjedt before the enfuing fabbath. 43 After the aflembly broke up leveral of the Jews and de- vout profelytes followed Paul and Barnabas — to thefe they propounded and explained the chriftian doctrines, and induced them to embrace this divine difpenlation. ■ § — 44 * The fame of the above tranfaftion being dif- fufed through the city, al- moft the whole town was af- whom God thus raifed from the grave. 38 Be ye alio afilired, my brethren, that we are autho- rized to proclaim to the world through this perfon's -mediation a free and uni- verfal remilfion of all pafl: fins upon fmcere repentance and reformation of life. 39 Every one, therefore, who is convinced of the truth •of his doctrines, and refolves to conform to it, is from that moment " acquitted from all thofe crimes, -from the guilt of which the law did not and could not exempt you. 40 Rejed not, I befeech •you, the gracious propofals that are now importunately -offered to you, left you pro- voke God to inPiict upon you thofe terrible calamities, which he hath denounced a- 'gainft the difobedient in the following paffage of fcrip- ture. ' 41 " Behold, O ye con- temptuous deipifers of reli- gion, the miieries that are im- pending over your heads ! View them with aftonifhment — for in thefe you fhall be in- volved — For in your days I fembled together on the en- luing fabbath to hear the doftrines of chriftianity, 45 The Jev^s feeing this immenfe multitude collefled together, were inftantly fired with rage and indignation and publickly oppofed the dodrines that Paul had advanced — proceeding, at ^ The Deity was pleafed, at the firji propagation of the gofpcl, to publifh to the world an univerfal panlvn, a general amucfty, of all fajl Jins to all finccre converts. This is the true grand fcriptural idea intended to be conveyed ^'>y jnfiify 2l\\^ jvflificaticn. * Meaning the dcllruilion oi Jcrufnlem by the Romans. » See the various kdions in Dr. Mill. laft. Chap. xiv. The Acts of laft, to the moft indecent and opprobrious calumnies. 46 To this torrent of a- bufe Paul and Barnabas with undaunted freedom and fpirit thus replied — - " It was ne- ceflary in the order of the divine djfpenfations that to you Jews the doftrines of chriftianity fhould firft be propofed — but fince you re- je6l them, and by your con - du6t fhow yourfelves unwor- thy of that eternal life which it reveals and offers to you — behold ! we fhall for the future addrefs ourfelves to the Heathens. 47 For fo hath God ex- prefsly enjoined us to do by the prophet — "I have ap- pointed thee to illuminate the dark and benighted Hea- thens with thy beams, and to diffufe falvation and happi- nefs to the extremities of the globe.' 48 Hearing thefe expref- fions the Heathens were tranf- ported with joy and pious gratitude to God and as many of them, as ^ were dif- pofcd for eternal life, imme- the Apostles. 415 diately embraced the chriftian religion. 49 So that chriftianity fpread with great rapidity throughout the whole ad- jacent country. 50 But the Jews inftigated fome ladies of diftindtion and charafter and the leading men of the town, and com- mencing a violent perfecu- tion againft Paul and Barna- bas, forced them to fly out of their country. 5 1 Accordingly thefe two, when they left their territo- ries, fhook off the duft of their feet as a public telli^ mony to them of their ob- ftinacy and impenitence, and travelled to Iconium. c,2 But the converts they had made here, during their ftay, were infpired with the mofb pure and facred joy, and were favoured with an effu- fion of the holy fpirit, CHAP. XIV. I I" T P O N their arrival at ^ Iconium they went in- to the Jewifli fynagogue, and y TetTau, me)(.ti.r(tC(Tu, tt^vriraccv^ avTirret^'trefa-iTcc, arc military terms, and denote the difpcfmg and mnrfialiuig an army. In this feiiii: Tftaau is ufed in almoftever)' page in Xenophon, Diccicrus Siculus, Pqlybius, Julian, and other Greek Hiltorians : 7a; •ToA5/y./Kj TSTst^uejB?. Xen. Cyr. In. p. 39. nrctyrMvoic toi? cravra arctKim Kay-Cei iii>. 70. ciir ua.yjw T'TctyuiVKi 148. Hutchin. to J'i «(/ oThoii «T/ 7?rcfyiiii'cv. Plutarch Jnto>y. ib(^0. EJit. Siqh.Gv.%xo. Zqq 3^0 Luke \'Vi. i. preached ^he Acts of the Ap o-s T l je s . Chap.- xiVv 6 the two apoftles-receiv<- ing information of thi's conr* fpiracy againft their lives, quitted the city, and fled to Lyftra and Derbe, towns in Lycaonia : 7 In which, and other ad- jacent places, they publiftied the goipel. § — 8 As Paul was preach- ing at Lyftra there fat among the audience an helplefs ob- jed, a man who had beed^ lame from his birth. 9 This perlbn gav€ great attention to what he deliver- ed- which Paul at length obferving, he fixed his eyes intenfely upon him, and be- ing conlcious he was poireffed of fuch a degree of faith as qualified him to receive a mi- raculous cure, 10 immediately turned to him and faid — Rife and Hand ere6l ! That moment he fprung from the ground in ^ perfedt vigour, and walked. 1 1 The crovyd, that v/as now alfembled, feeing this amazing fpeifiacle, all cried out, in extreme afroiiilhmenr, in the Lycaonian language — " The immortal gods, dif- guifed in ^ human form, have deigned to vifit us !'* ii Accorciingly they re- 416 preached the chriftian doc- trines with fuch energy as to induce a very confiderable number both of Jews and Greeks to^ embrace them. 2 But that party of the Jews, who difbelieved thefe do6lrines, pradlifed every method to inflame and exaf- perate the heathens againft the chriftians. 3 But notwithftanding their implacable animofity, the a- poftles refided a confiderable time in the tov/n, deliverinp- the principles of the chriftian religion with invincible free- dom and intrepidity and God was pleafed to confirm the do6trines they taught by enabling them to perform many fignal and aftonifliing operations. 4 In the mean time a warm diflention arofe among the ci- tizens — one party efpoufing the caufe of the infidel Jews, the other tlie caufe of the a- poftles. 5 But when the heathen maQ-iftrates and the Tews of the contrary fide carried their oppofition and refentments to fuch violence as to confede- rate too-ether and unanimouf- ly form a determined refolu- tion to infult and ftone them, * This was agreeable to the Heathen Mythology. Summo delabor Oiynipo, Et dcus huniana lullro fub imagine terras. OviJ. Mtt. 1. 212. cog^nifed Chap, xivo nt Acts of cognifed * Jupiter in Barna- bas, and * Mercury in Paul, becaule of his llipericiur elo- quence. 13 The prieft, therefore, of Jove, whom they Worlhip- ped as the guardian of their city, and whofe temple flood a little way out of the town, immediately brought viftims and ^ chaplets of flowers to the door of the houfe where they lodged — attended with a vaft crowd, dcfigning to fa- crifice to them. 14 Soon as the apoflles were acquainted with this re- foiution, they rent their cloaths, rufhed out of the houfe, and flung themfelves among the colledted multi- tude — vehemently exclaim- ing and with pathetic earneft- nels thus addrefllng them— 15 " Sirs ! What hath in- duced you to this ! — We are but frail mortals, fubjedt to the fame human forrows and fufferings with yourfelves The great defign of the glo- rious difpenfation we preach the ApciSTLESi 4t7 among you, is, to engage you to renounce thefe fiftiti- ous deities, and to recover you to the belief of the one fupreme God, the creator and governour of nniverfal nature. 16 This infinite Beino-, tho' in the ages that are paf- fed, he did not explicitly commiflion any divine mef- fenger to remonftrate againft thele abfurdities in worfhip^ in which all the heathen na- tions were plunged, 1 7 yet, notwithflianding he did not immediately inter- pofe to recover them, he ne- ver left his exiftence and per- fedlions unattefted — For his being and peifeftions are loudly proclaimed by his ne- ver ceafing beneficencej by the regular and falutary re- volutions of the feafons, by fertilizing fhowers, and by his confliant liberal fupply of food and happinefs to all hia rational creatures. 18 But with all the argu- ments he could adduce, the » Thefe t-vo gods the Heathens believed did rometinies accompany each ether in a vifit to mortals. Jupiter hue, fpccie mortall, cumque parente Ycnit Atlantiades, polltis caducifer alis. Ovid Met. 8. 626. ^ To crown the apoftlcs agreeable to the pagan rites . All wore ^ar^ hnds at a heathen facrifice — Data funt capiti genialia fcrtre. O-uid ^TiufXAT i'X.i^v zv yj-ff^^ zy.))Cohy. AtoK^uv©- . Homer. II. I. 14. Ik.th- ttcii y.Kn.i'oian' i^ircuf/.evoi. Sopbocl. Oed. Tyr. fub init. Or, they might 0.' to crown the vii^ims, as was (i/fo cuftomary. Vol, I. people 4i8 T!hi Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xiv. people were with great diffi- culty reftrained from lacrific- ing to them. 19 During their (lay at Lyftra, their implacable ad- verfaries the Jews of Antioch and Iconium, tbllovvcd them hither and inftigated the populace to fuch a degree of virulence and fury, that they all rufhed upon Paul and o- verv/helmed him with flones — they then dragged him out of the city, imagining he was dead. 20 But while tlieChriftians were Handing in a circle round his body, he revived — got up — and went with them into the town — The next day he and Barnabas travelled to Derbe. 21 After they had preach- c:here attended ■di\'i.0e ferviccin ihelcwilh fynagoouej. ^ E e 3 own 422 ^he Acts of the Apostl-es. own judgment, have harmo- niondy united to impofe no other burden upon you, but the following necelTary in- jundions — 29 To abilain from any meat that hath been devoted to an idol — from eating any animal that hath been ftrang- led — to refrain from blood — and from debauchery — If you conlcientioufly regard ihefe prohibitions, your con- duft will meet with our en- tire approbation — Farewel." 30 The mefiengers being difmiffed with this commif- fion, came to Antioch — and convoking the affembly, de- livered to them the letter. 3 1 They read it — and the duties it prefcribed met with univerfal approbation. 32. The mefiengers, Jude and Silas, who were eminent- ly endowed with fpiritual gifts, pathetically exhorted them in many public dif- courfes, and confirmed their fTiinds in the principles and dodrines of Chrifi:ianity. 33 After they had ftaid fome time with the Chriftians in Antioch, they returned, elated with joy, to the apoftles at Jerul'alem, 34 but Silas chofe to tarry Cha P- xv/ longer in Antioch. 35 In this city Paul and Barnabas refided for a confi- derable time — beingconftant- ly engaged, with feveral o- thers, in teaching and pro- pagating the doftrines of Chriftianity. 36 It happened, fome time after this, that Paul made the foliov^ing propofal to Barna- bas — Let us, faid he, take a journey to revifit the ftate di the Chriftians in every one of thofe towns where we lately preached the gofpel. 37 To this Barnabas af- fented — and pro'pofed taking with them John, furnamed Mark. 38 But Paul oppofed this — ■ thinking him an improper companion, as he had before abandoned them at Pam- phylia, and deferted them in their minifterial labours. 39 Upon this, fuch a '" vio- lent contention arofe as ended in a mutual feparation — for Barnabas took Mark and fet fail for Cyprus, 40 and Paul, taking Silas for his aflbciate, quitted An- tioch — after the Chriftians had recommended them both to the divine blefling. 41 Paul after this travelled through Syria, and Cilicia, confirming and eftablifliing « n;tfo^t; -.^:• Ede ubi confi-fla^, in <^im t«qunsro /ro/fW^«. ':^/*;'.'5«*J^. ^tgi'"- feized Chap.xvl.' 7^/6^ Acts o/^/z^^ Apostles. 425 the doors in an inftant flewr open — and the fhackies of all- feized.Paul and Silas — drag- ged them into the forura be- fore the magiftrates, 2Q and thus addreded the prefidents of that court " Thefe are the men, who have excited fuch difturbance and confufion in the town ! 21 They are Jews, and have been moft induftriouQy fpreading fuch religious prin- ciples and ceremonies, as it is unlawful for Romans either to adopt or obferve." 22 This fpeech inftantly kindled the rage and fury of $11 the populace againft them •—and the magiftrates imme- diately ordered the lidors to tear oiF their upper garments, jaitd beat them with rods. nn^ After they h.ad infli^fled vpon them this punifhment, with extreme rigour and cru- elty, they precipitated them into the public prifon— giv- ing ftrid orders to the jailor fa fecure them. 24 The jail -keeper upon receiving fo peremptory an injundion, confined them in the dungeon and faftened their legs in the ftocks, ,25 But about midnight as Paul and Silas were celebrat- ing God in loud and fervent ftrains of devotion which the other prifoners overheard, 26 all on a fudden a dread- ful earthquake Ihook the j/vhole prifon to its bafis — all the prifoners dropped to the ground. 27 This violent concufTion awakening the keeper, whea- he faw the doors of the pri-? fon wide open, he drew hisi fword, and v/as going to plunge it in his bofom, con- cluding all the prifoners- had efcaped. ' 28 In that crifis Paul cal- led to him with a loud voice — entreating him not to lay- violent hands upon himfelf— • afTuring him all the prifoners were fafe. 29 The jailor then, foon as he had got a light, rufhed immediately into the dunge- on — his whole frame convuU fed with terrour and aftonifh- ment— -and p roft rated himr felf at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30 After he had brought them out, he l^id to them— Sirs! ..what muft Ji^do tot. J3e laved! .,:;.:Io::: .. 31 By a fincere belief in the truth of Chriftianity, they replied, both thou and ^hy family will attain eyerlafting falvatioPi . ... .' ; ■ 3 2 T'hey theii ^^v^c . hini and his family ah account of the evidences and principles of the Chriflian religion, this, 33 After this, the walhcd their wounds immc- T&e Acts of t/je. A? ostles. 426 imtnediately afterwards he, and all his domefticks, were baptized. , ■ 34 He then brought them into his own apartnient fpread a table — and both him- ielf and his whole family, "who had now profefTed their faith in the true God, were filled with facred and ecftatic tranfport. 35 Early in the morning the magiilrates fent the lie- tors to the prifon with an or- der to the keeper for the two men to be difmiffed. ^ 36 Upon this the jailor im- mediately went to Paul and faid — I have this moment re- ceived an order from our ma- giftrates to releafe you — De- part therefore, and may uni- verfal happinefs attend you ! ^y But Paul faid to the meflengers — We are Roman citizens — > Your magiftrates have ordered us to be public- ly fcourged without a legal trial '^ — They have thrown us into a dungeon — And v;ould they now have us fteal a,way in a filent and clandef- tane manner ? — No ! — Let them come in perfon, and condu6t us out themlelves. 38 The lidtors returned and reported this anfwcr to Chap. xvii. the governours — who were greatly alarmed and terrified, when they underftood they were Roman citizens. 39 Accordingly they went in perfon to die jail——' ad- dreifed them with great civi- lity, and' begged them in the moft refpeiftfu-1 terms, that they would quietly leave the town. 40 Being thus efcorted out of prilbn they after- wards went to Lydia's houle, where after they had exhorted their Chriftian bretlirento ad- here to their profeflion, they left the tov/n. C H A P. XVII. I A FTER paffing through •^^ Amphipolis and A- pollonia they came to Thefla- lonica — in which city there v/as a Jewilhifynagogue. 2 To this Paul went, as ufual, and for three fabbath days together interpreted, in his public difcourfes, the va- rious prophecies of the Old Teftament : 3 giving the aflembly an explication of the variouji palfages that exprefsly indi- cated the fufferings, death^ and rcfurredlion of the Mef- •> See note on Chap. xxii. 25. » I'liere is a confiderable addition here in the Cambridge MS. wliich appears to nvc the jcnuine reading. fiah. ChaD.xvii. T'he Acts of the Apostles. fiah, and Hiowing their ac- complifhment in Jefus of Na- zareth — whom he folemnly aflured them was that illuf- trious peribn. 4 His difcourfes convinced fome of the Jews of the truth ofChriftianity, who embraced and adhered to the doctrines that Paul and Silas advanced — a very confiderable number alfo of the devout Greeks and ladies of diftinclion became their converts. 5 But thofe of the Jews, who remained unconvinced, being inftigated by rage and malice, took a number of profligate and abandoned wretches, and coiledling the mob, foon threw the whole town into the laft confufion — The mob immediately be- fet Jafon's houfc — broke into it — hoping to get Paul and his companions into their power. 6 After they had fearched it through, but to no pur- pofe, they dragged Jafon, and Ibme of the Chriilians before the governors of the city — vehemently exclaiming — " Thefe, thefe are die men 427 who have fet the whole world in a flame ! 7 Thefe pefts of fociety are come hither — and this Jafon hath given them a friendly and hofpitable reception -— They are every one of them fworn enemies to Csefar's go- vernment — aflTerting there is another ^ emperor befides him, one Jefus. 8 The ' city and the ma- giftrates hearing this were greatly alarmed and difl:refl^ed.- 9 Jafon, hov/ever, and the other Chriftians, giving pro- per fecurity that they would behave as peaceable fubjefts, they were difmiffed. 10 But the Chriftian con- verts m the town hafliened Paul and Silas away, and con- duced them by night to Be- r^a — Upon their arrival here they went into the Jevvifli fy- nao-oo-ue. 1 1 The Jews, who compof- ed this aflt^mbly, were pofTefiT- ed of a more noble and gener- ous difpofition than thole who refided in TheflTalonica — for they embraced the Chriftian dodrines with chearfulnefs ' examininf*- — impartially ^ The Greek writers very often call the Roman Emperors Cutik-k. Picn CaJJius, Herodian, Zofimus, are full of inftances. S':4jtp<('r)//«i'o/ rea rpArtiya-, Being fxaml^ed by the P.omjn general. Polyhius, v. 115. Edit. Ham-v. '1619. 4 the T^hc Acts of the Apostles. Chap, xvli, and returned — being charged by him with a commiffion to Silas and Timothy to come to him as foon as polTible. § — 16 During the time that Paul waited at Athens for their coming, his fpirit " glowed with indignation to fee the whole city entirely de^. voted to the worfhip of idols. 17 He therefore freely de- livered his fentiments in the I'ynagogue, to the Jews and to other devout perfons — and every day publickly difcourf- ed in the forum, to the peo^ pie who attended there. iS Then fome of the Epi- curean and Stoic philofophers entered into a conference with him — during which, fome of the audience faid to each other — What principles would this " idle prater eflablifli ? — He appears to us, others faid, to be defirous to introduce fome new and foreign divinities a- 428 the fcripturcs every day, that they might judge for them- felves on what foundation tliefe principles were fup- ported- ' • J 2 The rcfult of which di- ligent enquir)'^ was, the con- viftion of great numbers of them — Several Greek ladies alio of dillindtion, and others of the Heathens embraced Chriftianity. 13 But no fooner did the Jews in Theffalonica receive information that Paul was propagating the Chriflian re- ligion at Bersa, but they hafted thither — and fpirited up the populace. 14 Upon this the Chrif- tians inftantly fent Paul out of the town towards the fea fide But Silas and Timothy itaycd behind in the city. 15 Thofe who" now efcort- ed Paul, conduced him to Adiens— where they left him " Uetpu^vviTo is a very empKatical word, and fignifies to provoke, exafperate. Solon being neither willing to flatter him nor to exafpcratt him any farther, TaPoSur-zr. Plutarch SgIou, p. 17K Thefe things ex- afpn-atcd him not a little, rraou^vvi. L-i. 6S3. Vtxed and exa/perated^ c^yiaQiif KOLi rretpo^vi'^m. LI. p. 690. 1"he Macedonians were dread- fully t-A-rt/^raW, rrnoco^vv^wcra.v. Id. p. 1073. He excfperated the fol- tiiers, crdpw^i;*'?. Id. p. 1326. Edit. Gr. Svo. Sleph. Caius was ftill more exafpenited at this, ,,V- T,'':(?> '\t^- !-'■'. y- ■ '•.!'!' .^.tUfOA. 1* Ae/!r/(^ct//'/p''«r?pK< very" devout, very pfou? votaries of religion. AitfftS'a.tuovia. is very often ufcd in a good feiile, and lignifies religic?i. Confult A&.i XXV. 19. Claudius in his editft commr.nds the yev.'s not to vilify the religions of other countricSj i^i7i^a.t)jovta?> 'Jcfcph. p. 866, 18, ' dom 42^ 'The Acts cf the i\posTLES. Chap.xvil, dom from all etc rnitv arranofed and hath marked the rc- fpe<5live age. and nation, in which they are to hve, with infallible precifion : 27 the great end of their exiftence being to invefligate and explore the being and perfecflions of the Supreme if, indeed, they would be difpofed, by the exercife of their rational faculties, to attain this idea and this idea obtrudes itfelf upon all — fince we are, every one of us, perpetually encircled by his immenfity. 28 For it is fokly to the con flant exertion of his provi- dence that we Hand indebted for every breath that we draw — for every motion we per- form — and for the continu- ance of every blefTing we pof- fefs — • extremely jult, there- fore, is the following expref- fion of one of your '" poets — *' One great jirjl Catife informed us with heinz^'^ 29 Since therefore we de- rived our being from this great jirfi Caufe^ it would be the higheft abfurdity and dero- gation from the honour due to him, to imagine. That the Divinity can be worthily exhi- bited by ftatues of gold, fil- ver, or marble, the* all the art and genius of man have been laviflied upon them. 30 At the preceding ages, in which men wilfully deviat- ed into thefe grofs and im.~ pious errors, the great God was pleafed to connive — But novj he loudly proclaims to all men, in all nations, the ne- ceflity of repentance and re- formation of life, 31 becaufe he hath ap- pointed a folemn day, in which the whole univerfe of rational beings will be judged with impartial equity by a perfon, to whom he hath af- figned this arduous province and Qod hath publickly fet his feal to this grand e- vent by raifing this perfon from the dead,'* 32 They no fooner heard him mention the refurredlion of dead men to life — but it immediately excited the high- eft banter and derifion — O- thers of them, however, faid — We fhall be glad to hear you difcourfe again on this fubjeft. 33 Paul then left the af- fembly. 34. There were, notwith- ftanding, fome perfons, who were convinced of the truth of his dodrines and embraced them — Among whom were ^ Aratin, Dionyfius chap, xviii. T!he Acts of the Apostles. Dionyfius a member of the fu- preme court of Areopagus, and one Damaris a lady of diflindion. CHAP. XVIII. I P A U L after quitting •*• Athens travelled to Co- rinth. 2 Here he met and afToci- ated with a Jew called Aqui- la, a native of Pontus, who had lately fled hither with his wife Prifcilla — the emperor Claudius having iffued an "■ e- dift, by which all the Jews in Rome were ordered to a- bandon the city immediately. 3 And being both of them tentmakers, the apoftle refid- ed with them and ^ worked at this occupation : 4 But every fab bath day he delivered public difcourfes in the fynagogue- — addrefiing the moil importunate exhorta- tions to Jews and Heathens to embrace the gofpel. 5 But upon the arrival of Silas and Timothy from Ma- cedonia, Paul was animated with the greateft ardor and zeal, and publickly aflerted, among all the Jews, in the 431 ftrongeft terms. That the late Jefus was the great Mefiiah. 6 This meeting with the warmed oppofition, and they loading him and his principles with abufive language, he turned to them, and after having folemnly fhaken his upper garments, faid — ^Your future perdition is your own wilful and voluntary afl and choice — By this public adion I declare to all, that I am not acceflary to it — For the fu- ture I devote myfelf to the converfion of the Heathens. 7 Having faid this he im- mediately quitted the fyna- gogue, and went into an houfe contiguous to it, in which one Julius lived, a perfon of exemplary piety. 8 Crifpus, however, the prefident of the fynagogue and his whole family embrac- ed the Chriftian religion — Great numbers alfo of the Corinthians were convinced of its truth, and were, by baptifm, publickly initiated into the profefTion of it. 9 After this, the folio win o- words were addrefied to Paul m a dream, by a divine direc- tion — " Be not intimidated ' This fad is atteftcd by Suetonius. Judaeos impulfore Chrefto aflidue tumukuantes Roma expulit. Sueton, in Claud, c. 25. p. 54^. Edit. Var. 8vo. ' Fp^oj' j* vJ'iV cy&tSQ- cd5p^«/« sTs T oj/e//©-. Hcf.od, Ver. 309. — Publilh ^he Acts of the Apostles. Ghap. xviii* 43^ — Publifli the Chriftian reli- gion with undaunted refolu- tion. 10 For thou haft an om- nipotent Being to aid thee, and no one jfhall be permit- ted to offer the leaft injury to thy perfon — Publickly af- fcrt, therefore, the truth of Chriftianity, with undifmayed fortitude — for there is in this city a large harveft of well- difpofed perfons, which ftill remains to be gathered in. 1 1 Accordingly the apoftle refided at Corinth a year and half — diligently employed in promulgating and explaining the principles of the gofpel. § «— 12 ' Gallio being at that time proconful of Achaia, the whole body of the Jews in Corinth rofe — feized Paul by violence — and hurried him before his tribunal : 13 Exclaiming' — This is the perfon, who is inceflantly perfuading men to worfhip God in a way that our law doth not juftify. 14 The apoflle going to offer a vindication of his con- duct and principles, Gallio anticipated him, by faying to his accufers — " Ye Jews ! had you detedted this perfon in fome flagrant adt of in- jufbice, or impeached him of fome atrocious crime, rrty duty, as a magiftrate, would have engaged me to have given the caufe an accurate and impartial examination. 15 But if this be only a difpute about a nicety in fpcculation — about the au- thority of a name — or fome dubious point in your law, do you agitate it among your- felves -^ For I Ihall not fit as judge upon any fuch punc- tilios. 16 Having faid this, he ordered the liftors to drive them out of court. 1 7 The " Jews, incenfed at this difappointment, direftly feized Softhenes who had been one of the prefidents of their fynagogue, and fcourged him publickly before the tribunal — — But Gallio continued un- moved, nor was their info- lence able to inftigate him to interpofe in the prefent dif- pute. 18 Paul continued, after tliis incident, a confiderable time at Corinth — At length taking leave of the Chriilian * Callio was the elder brother cf the celebrated Phllofopher Seneca, Zero's tutor, and is often mentioned in his writings. Solcbam tibi diccrc GalHonem fratrcm mcum, &c. Scnecrf Nai. ^ prxfat. p. 525. Lib. 4. Jllud mihi in ore eraC domliii mei Giillionis, &c. Epilt, 104. lub mi:. p. 435. Edit. Blaeu. i2mo. " O/ ItfcTa/o/ i; thf genuine reading. See A4SS, fociet^" Chap, xviii. Hhe Acts of the Apostles. fociety, he embarked on board a veiTci for Syria, along with Aquila and Prifcilla — after he had fliaved his head at Cenchrea en account of a re- ligious vow. 19 Upon his arrival in Ephefus, where he left his two companions, he went, as iifual, into the Jewifli fyna- gogue, and pubHckly addref- led a difcourfe on the Chrif- tian revelation to the aflem- bly. 20 They afterwards ftrong- ly importuned him to make fome ftay with them^ — but he would not confent : 2 1 Telling them, when he took his leave of them, That he was under an abfolute ne- ceflfity to celebrate the ap- proaching folemnity at Jeru- falem — but that he propofed with the bleflino; of God to revifit them— from Ephefus, 22 he came to Caelarea — and from thence went up to Jerufalem — Where after he had juft waited upon the Chriftians there, he came down to Antioch. 23 After having flayed Jiere for fome time, he tra- velled, in a regular order, from one Chriftian fociety to another, through G alalia and Phrygia, inftrud;ing and e- ilahlifliing his former con- verts in their crincipies. Vol. I. ■Embarking 433 § — 24 In the mean time there arrived at EphefiiSj a Jew, whofe name was . A- pollos, a native of Alexandria -— a perfon diftinguifned for his eloquence -and fuperior knowledge of the holy fcrip- tures. 25 This perfon was en- dowed with a fingular fervor and zeal — and in his public difcourfes accurately repre- fented the true nature of the Mefllah's kingdom — tho' he knew no moreof Chriflianity than what John the Baprift, during his miniftry, had de- clared. 26 Difcourfing on this fub- jedb with great freedom and liberty, Aquila and Prifcilla, who were his auditors, in- vited him to their houfe, and furnifhed him with a more explicit and accurate know- ledge of the Chriltian religion. 27 Intending fome time after to travel into Achaia, the Chriftians urged him to undertake this journey — and wrote letters of recommen- dation to the Chriftian focie- ties there — who accordingly gave him a kind reception — In this country he did di- ftinguiilied fcrvice to the caufe of Chriftianity: 28 For by the powers of his eloquence ?nd h.is emi- nent fkill in the fcriptures, he publickly refuted ail the ob- Ff jedlions 'TJoe Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xix. 434 jetlions of the Jews — denion- ftrating from the antient pro- phecies that Jefus of Naza- reth was the true Mcfilah. CHAP. XIX. 1 T N the mean time while *- Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having travelled over tlie upper parts of Afia mi- nor, arrived at Ephefus where meeting with a num- ber of converts 2 he afked them — If they had been endowed with fpi- ritual gifts fince their embra- cing the Chriftian religion — They told him, They had never heard that any fuch fu- pernatural powers had ever been conferred. 3 Into what principles then, faid he, were ye bap- tized .'' The principles, they replied, into which John the Baptiil initiated thole who rcfortcd to his baptilm. 4 " The fole view of John's baptifm, anfwered Paul, was to promote repentance and a- mendmentof life in cruei\ to diipofe men, as he told the crowds that repaired to him, for the reception of his great fucceflbr — who was Jcfus of Nazareth the true Mefiiah. 5 And thofe, continued he, who at that time believ- ed John's dodrine were, in effe^y baptized into the pro- feffion of the Chriftian reli- gion." 6 Paul, having faid this, laid his hands upon them — inllantly an effufion of the holy fpiritenfued — theyfpoke various languages — and by a divine impuife publickly de- livered inltruftive truths. 7 The number of thefe perlbns was about twelve. § 8 During his refi- dence in this city he conftant- ly frequented the fynagogue for the fpace of three months delivering public dif- courfes there with great fpirit and freedom, and inculcating the doctrines of Chriftianity with all the pov/ers of per- fuafion. 9 But when fome of the Jews wilfully remained un- convinced, and, before all the aflcmbly, loaded the Chrif- tian fcheme with every op- probrious infult and calum- ny, Paul abandoned the Sy- nagogue, feparated the Chrif- tian converts from the Jewilh congregation^ and from that time appointed to meet in the fchool of one Tyrannus v/here he every day publick- ly inftru6led them in the prin- ciples of the gofpel. lo Here he continued his minifterial labours for two years — By which means all the inhabitants of Afia minor, both Jews and Greeks, be- came Chap. x\k. T/je Acts of came acquainted with the doftrines of the Chriftian re- ligion. 1 1 During this his refi- dence God alio enabled him to work many fignal mira- cles : 12 For handkerchiefs and apfons were carried from him, and being laid on the indifpof- ed, all their various diforders were inftantly expelled, and they were reinftated in perfect health the moll obltinate melancholy and madnefs yield- ed to the touch of thefe. 13 Flattered by thefe ope- rations fome travelling Jews, who pretended to a power of exorcifing daemons, attempt- ed to expel them from fome infane perfons by folemnly pronouncing over them the name of Jefus — faying — We adjure you by that Jefus whom Paul preaches, Depart ! 14 There were feven of them, the fons of Sceva the Jewifh high prieft, who now a6led in this manner. 15 The infane perfon faid to them — Jefus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you ! 16 Having laid this, he furloufly rufhed upon them — and, his madnefs redoubling his ftrength, ail their united force could not reflrain him he tore their cloarhs in pieces— v;ounded them — and t/)e Apostles. 435 in this condition obliged them to fiy out of the houfe with the utmoft precipitation. 17 With this incident all the Jews and Greeks in E- phefus foon became acquaint- ed — and it univerfally llruck them with a facred av/e, and with the moft refpeftful reve- rence for the name of the Lord Jefus. 1 8 Upon this occafion too, great numbers of thofe, who had embraced Chriftianity, came to the apoflle — and with great remorfe contbfTed the criminal practices of ibis kind they had formerly been guilty of: 19 and a confiderable num- ber of thefe fmcere penitents, brought all the books they had which treated of this idle abfurd fcience of magic, and publickly burnt them — The value of thefe books, which were now confumed, amount- ed, according to a calculation then taken, to fifty thoufand pieces of filver. 20 In this illuftrious and powerful manner did Clirifti- anity flourifh and triumph o- ver all oppofition. § — 21 After this Paul formed a refolution to take a tour through Macedonia and Achaia, to Jerufalem, and from thence to viiit Rome. 22 Accordingly he dif- patched two of his afibciates, F t 2 Titriochy 43^ ^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xix'. Timothy and Eraftus, to Ma- cedonia but himlclt ftaid Ibme time in Afia aker he had difmiffed them. 23 But during this inter- val there happened a dreadful Icene of confufion and diflur- bance about the ChriiVian re- ligion, on the following oc- cafion. 24 One Demetrius a filver- fmith, who had acquired an immenfe fortune by calling little filver models, in minia- ture, of the temple of Diana, 25 one day coUefted toge- ther all the artills he employ- ed, and thus harang-ued them — "I need not inform you. Sirs ! what prodigious advan- tages we have all of us deriv- ed from that branch of bu- linefs in which we are con- cerned. 26 Neither can you be ig- norant, whatanallonifliing re- volution this Paul hath occa- fioned not only in this city, but almoft in all the procon- fular Afia — iritl what num- bers have been alienated, by his delufive perfuafions, from their attachment to the e- ftablifiied worfhip — - public- ly proclaiming every v/here, and expofing the abfurdity of adoring; aods that human art hath formed. 27 A doftrine, which fa- tally endangers not only thai lucrative article, in which we are all interefted, but ftrikes at the very foundation of that fanftity which is due to the temple of our illuftrious god- defs Diana — being calculated to bring her divinity into u- niverfal contempt — her fa- cred divinity, which not only all Afia, but all the world re- ligioufly venerate." 28 This fpeech inflamed the affembly with rage and madnefs — Infbantly they raif- ed a loud and confufed cla- mour, repeating — Great is Diana of the Ephefians \ 29 The v>^hole city im- mediately caught the alarm, and was filled with the moft tumultuous uproar and con- fufion — Hiey feized Gaius and Ariftarchus, both Mace- donians, and companions of Paul and drag-o-ed them into the theatre. 30 Paul hearing of the fate of thefe men declared his in- tention of follov/ing them in- to tl:c theatre — but the Chrif- tians reftrained him. 31 Some too of the go- vernors of Afia propria, who v.'ere his friends, lent to him, and advifed him, by no means to commit himfelf to the mer- cy of an incenfed rabble. 32 The tumult continued — fome bellowinLi; one thing;, fome another — For the mob [hat was now collecfted to- gether chap. XIX. T/je Acts of the Apostles. gethcr, were wound up to the higheft pitch of violence and fux-y tho' the ma- jority of them knew not what it was that had brought them together. 33 In the midft of this confufed fcene the Jews pufh- ed forward, and placed one Alexander on an eminence — He being exalted above the crowd, made a motion to them with his hand, intend- ing in a formal harangue to exculpate the Jews from any concern in the prefent riot. 34 But the mob no iboner underilocd that he was a Jew, than they pierced the air with their confufed cries, repeat- ing for two hours together — Great is Diana of the Ephe- fians ! Q^^ After this the recorder of the city, having by his authority quafhed the riot and fupprelTed the tumult, thus addrefled them — " O ye Ephefians ! Can any per- Ibn be a ftranger to that pro- found and inviolable reve- rence which the city of E- phelus pays to its great tu- telar Goddels Diana, and to 437 that facred Statue, which fell down trom ''' Jupiter ? 36 Since, therefore, this is an undifputed truth, never called in queftion by any one, it was certainly incumbent upon you to have behaved with greater prudence and decency, and not have been guilty of fo ra(h and preci- pitate a conduct. '^^ For you have appre- hended and abufed thefe men, who have neither been guilty of facrilege, or ever treated your Goddefs with any irreverent language. 38 If Demetrius and his workmen have juft com- plaints againll any perfon, there are magiftrates, and there are proconfuls, who will impartially hear and de- cide their caufe. 39 Or if you are defirous that any other important point fliould be determined, let it be examined and agi- tated in a lawful and regular court. 40 For let me affure you. That we are in danger of be- ing called upon, by our fu- periors, to give an account of the prefent difturbance ^ Zi/oT?T«<. The avarice of the priefts forged this abfurd fuperftitious tnle. The Romans were taught the fame farce concerning the facred /Inciliii. Ecre levi fcututn verfatum lenitcr aura Defidit— r O-uliL FaJJi, Lib. 3. 373. F f 3 — and 43^ The Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xx. — and it is impoflible for us to alledge any juftifiable rea- I'on for its being ever ex- cited." 41 After faying this, he ordered the mob to difperfc. CHAP. XX. T A FTER this dia-urb- ■**• ance was fupprcfled the apoRie Paul convoked the Chriftians — and after tak- ino: an afieftionate leave of them, departed for Mace- donia. 2 After travelling through this country, and in many difcourfes exhorting the fe- veral focieties of Chriftians there, to adhere to their prin- ciples, he came into Greece. 3 Here he ftaid three months — and receivino; in- formation that the ^f^^'^^^ had formed a confpiracy to mur- der him when he embarlced for Syria, he altered his firft intention, and now propofed to return through Macedonia. 4 He v/as accompanied in this journey as far ns Afia minor by Sopater of Berica, by Ariftarchus and Secundus of Theflalonica, by Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and by Tvchicus and Trophimus of Aha. /; The above-m.entioned perfons had fet out before ■* us, and by appointment ftaid for us at Troas. 6 As foon as the Jewifti fo- lemnity of unleavened bread was paft, we embarked from Philippi, and after a paffage of five days joined them at Troas where we fpent a week . 7 The affembly of Chrifti- ans in this town being met on the firft day of the week to celebrate the Lord's fupper, Paul preached to them — and as he was to leave them the next day he protraded his dif- courfe 'till midnighr. 8 The upper room, ia which the congregation met, was lighted with a great num- ber of lamps. 9 Here a young perfon, whofe name was EutychuSj happening to fit in a window, as the apoftie continued on difcourfing, funk into a pro- found fleep — fc-i! from the third ftory to t!ie ground — and was taken up dead. 10 Upon this accident Paul went down — proftrated himfelf on the body and, after folding it in liis arms, faid to the company — Be not diftrcfied — He is not depart- ed. 1 1 I'he apoftie then reaf- cended — adminifteredthcEu- '■ The ApoHIc /*«/j that communicated with each other : down which the guards defcending, for there was always a Roman legion lodged here, and taking their ftations in different places about the por- ticoes prevented any dillurbances during the celebration of their public feftivals. For as the temple was a fortrefs to the city, fo Antonia was a fortrefs to the temple. Jo/ephus, B. J. Lib. 5. c. 5. § 8. Hud/on. '' yo/f/Z-wj mentions this perfon in two places of his hiftory. yiii^cvt tT* Tat-'THi^ TAH^/.i, ;t. T. A. " But an Egyptian falfe prophet involved the Jc^is in a much greater calamity. This impoftor came into the country, affumed the title of prophet, collected about thirty thoufand whom he had deceived, led them round out of the wildernefs to mount Oli-ves, intended to force the Roman garrifon, to throw himfelf into the city, and by means of his affociates^ make himfelf king. 'Qmx F dix zx once qualhed his defigns. B. J. Lib. 2. c. 13. § c. « See Camb. MS. which is undoubtedly the true reading. prepof- me. The AcT5 -of the Apostles. Chap. xxii. fixed in horror and aftonifli- ment — But the voice that was add reded to me they did not hear. I o I then faid — Lord ! What wouldelt thou have me do? — Rife, he anfwered, and go into the city Thou (halt there receive full information of the duties I have appoint- ed thee to perform. Ill rofe, but the dazzling glory of that light had totally deprived me of my fight, fo that my companions were o- bliged to condu6l me by the hand into Damafcus. 12 There was in the city at that time one Ananias, a devout obferver of the law of Mofes, and univerfally e- ftcemed by the Jews who re- fided there. 1 3 This perfon came, flood over me, and pronounced thefe words : — Brother Saul \ Be thou reftored to thy for- mer fight ! — That moment I recovered it, and faw my benefaftor clearly and dif- tindlly. 14 The God of our fore- fatliers, he then faid to mc, hath been gracioufly pleated to favour thee with the dil • tinguilhed happincfsof know- inty his will, of feeino- the ho- ly Mcfllah, and hearing him fpcak. 15 For by this incident thou art now defignedly qua- lified to atteft to all mankind the 446 prcpofi^eflions in favour of ir. that I perlbcuted the Chril- tian fed; with the mofc impla cable and blood-thirfty rage — feizing, binding, confining in jails, perfon s of both fexes indifcriminately, who had em- braced its doftrincs. 5 For the truth of this I can appeal to the high pried, and to the whole body of the Sanhedrim — from whom'l received letters of recommen- dation to the Jews in Damaf- cus— —To which place I fet out with a determined refolu- tion to apprehend all I could meet there who profefiedChrif- tianity, and drag them in fet- ters to the capital to receive condign punilhment. 6 But as I was travelling, and had now advanced within a little diftance from Damaf- cus, it being now about noon, all on a fudden a flood of light from the fky darted its effulgent fplendors around 7 By its immenfe and ir- refiftible effufion I was inftant- ly ftruck to the earth — v^here as I lay proflrate, I heard the following words iblemnly ut- tered— "Saul! Saul! Why doil thou perfecute me ! 8 Lord ! who art thou, I replied — 1 am, faid he, Jefus of Nazareth, whom thou art perfecuting. 9 This amazing light all my companions faw and were 4 Chap. xxIL the truth of what thou haft feen, and what thou haft heard. 1 6 Rife, therefore, immedi- ately — invoke the name of Jefus — and be baptized, that the ftain of thy former crimes may for ever be effaced. 1 7 Returning after this to Jerufalem, as I v/as praying in the temple, I found my faculties immediately abforb- cd in an ecftacy. 1 8 The following fcene w^as then exhibited — He ap- peared to me and thus fpoke — '' Hafte, fly wuth precipi- tate fteps out of Jerufalem — for the moftfolemn aflertions that thou haft fcen and heard me, will all be rejeded, by them. 1 9 Lord ! I refumed, they will furely credit my teftimo- ny concerning thefe fa6ts for they all know how zeal- ous and aftive I was in pro- fecuting, imprifoning, and Icourging in the fynagogues the profeflbrs of thy religion. 20 They all knew, when they imbrued their hands in the blood of thy martyr Ste- phen, what a chearful fuf- frage I gave to this public murder, and with what con- Icious pleafure I prefided at k — the upper garments of The Acts of the Apostles. 447 his murderers being depofit- ed with mie. 2 1 He then faid to me — Quit 'this place immediately — for I will fend thee to publifh thefe truths in the remote countries of the Hea- thens." 2 2 No fooner was this laft word pronounced, but tho* they had been decent before, they at once univerfally raif- ed the moft vehemient and confufed clamours — fcream- ing and repeating Clear the earth of fuch a wicked monfter ! Let him not live a moment longer ! 23 The whole vaft multi- tude was now tranfported in- to all the excefles of the moft violent rage and madnefs — - they tore off their cloaths — pierced the air with their cries — and threw clouds of duft into it. 24 The tribune feeing this tumultuous fcene, ordered him immediately to be con- ducted into the caftle, and to be examined by fcourging, that he mi^ht learn what he had done that enraged the mob thus violently againft him. 25 As the foldiers, there- fore, were faftening him with thongs to the pillar, Paul *■ Heu ! fuge nate dea, teque his ait, cripe flammi?. Virg. faid. 44^ ^he Acts of the Aposf^ES. faid to the centurion who was appohited to attend — Doth the Roman law authorize you to fcourge a freeman of Rome before a " legal lentence ha-'' been pafled upon him. "'•■' 7.6 The centurion, hearing this, went immediately to the tritpune — bidding him be cautious how he a(!:ted on the prefcnt occafiori • for the prifoner was a Roman ci- tizen. 27 The tribune upon this information went to him, iind faid — " Tell me the truth - — Are you a freeman of Rome ? " — He anfwered in the affirmative. 28 It colt mc an immenfe fum, faid the tribune, to pur- chafe this privilege — But I •was the fon of a freeman, faid the apoftle. 29 Immediately, there- fore, thofe who were ordered to examine him by torture, defifted — and tiie tribune was extremely alarmed that he ivad bound a Roman citizen. § — 30 The next day the Roman tribune beins; defir- Chap. xxiii. ous" to know what were the crimes the Jews alledgcd a- ^ainft him, difpatched orders for the high priefts and San- hedrim to convene a general council — which when it was convoked, he ordered the a- poftle's fetters to be knocked off — brought him out of the caftlc — and placed him before the court. Chap, xxiii. i Paul fixing his eyes intenfely upon the affembly thus addreffed him- felf to them " My breth- ren ! when I take a review of my pall life, I can appeal to God that I have ever main- tained an inviolable probity of heart to this moment. 2 This fentence was no fooner pronounced but the high prieft ordered the appa- ritors who ftood by to fmite him on the face. 3 Paul upon hearing this fentence, immediately turned to him and faid — God will Ihortly fmite thee, thou pu- trid ' plaiilered wall ! — Doft thou fit here to adminifter ^ C/Vr/-o's celebrated £;-/r/it;; againll F^rrw is replete with teftimonics of this /?c;7//?/7Cuilom. Facinus ell vinciri civem Romanum, fcelus ver- terari HuQcine tanuem omnia reciderunt, ut civis Romanus in pro- vincia populi Romani — deligatis in foro virgis csderetur — Nam causa cognita nmltipoiiunt abfolvi, incognita quidcm condemnari nemo potell. Cicero in Vcaxm. M«f^5AA©- VTr&Tivuv, iva. luv iKii CsAeuroM, 4/5- P«y/7.ni' a.^iKoiAzvr.v K/.tro p«re,/6'.'?/er/ themfelves to them in their houfes, eTsrrir^;. Polybhu, p. 323. .■ ^i^ffo. tTg Ip/f e-res-M B:?A© 5T/ Klho Iliad, '^. ver. 201, G g 2 the 452, .,vr,.jr/Jt' Acts -2/" ^Z-t' Apostles. Chap, ixiv* the ci^'iXty to proceed with him, and returned to the caftle. ■^' n-'-'if 33 Arriving in Cjeflrea they delivered the letter, and prclented the prilbner. 24 The procurator having read the letter afl>JC. T. A. What in._my judgment is the bond of union in the Roman ir.n:ct>inraunion is their religion, J^iKTiJ^cttuoiteiv. T fiansftK 1^1^' See the note on Chap. xvii. 22. Poljiiuj, p. 497. EJi(, mounng. 45^ 1"/je Acts of t/je Avo ST LI.S. Chap, xxvi, with an opportunity of pub- lickly vindicating mylelt be- fore fo illuftrious a perfonage from the various afperfions that the Jews have caft upon me. 3 Efpecially as I am pleaf- ingly confcious that you arc pcrfedly acquainted with the whole religious fyftem, and popular controverfies, of the Jews This periuafion en- courages me to folicit, that you would hear, what I have to offer in defence of the principles I have adopted, with lenity and candour. 4 To my conduct and cha- racter in early life, which was fpent among my own countrymen on the public theatre of Jerufalem, all the Jews are no ilrangers. 5 They all know my life, and the liberal education I re- ceived, if they were difpofed ingenuouQy to atteft it They all know that I was e- ducated in the ftriclcft fed of: our religion, and that I em- braced the principles of the; Pharifees. 6 And now do I (land at this tribunal for my lirm end avowed belief in that tranf-^ porting promife, wliich God: folemniy made to our illuftri- ous forefathers. 7 A promife ! after whofe expe<5ted bleffednefs the whole community of Ifraei fervently afpircs mOuring, That the earth ought to be inftantly deliver- ed irom fuch a vile monfter. 25 But, after ftrid exami- nation, I am convinced he hath been guilty of no crime that deferves capital punifli- ment — and I am now deter- mined, upon his appealing to the emperor, to fend him to Rome. 26 But as I have yet no- thing explicit to write to my fovereign about him, I have judged it proper to bring him before this honourable and auguft afiembly, and, particularly, before you, king Agrippa That his prin- ciples and conduct being here accurately explored and exa- mined, I might be able to tranfmit a clear and faithful ac- count of him to the emperor. 27 For it would be highly abfurd and infolent for me to fend a prifoner to Ccefar, without fpecifying his crimes. CHAP. XXVI. GRIP PA then faid to Paul — You have flow free permiliion to vindi- cate yourfeif Upon this Paul ixrr^tched out his hand, and delivered the following apology : 2 " DiflTINGUISHED IS my happinefs, O king Agrip- pa, tha: I am now favoured Chap. XXVI. T^Joe Acts of afpires — and to attain which all the twelve tribes day and nig-ht ferve God with unre- mitted ardour of devotion — and yet becaufe I cherifh this common hope, O king A- grippa, am I purfued by the whole body of the Jews, with unrelenting enmity and rage. 8 What ! is it a thing ab- folutely incredible with you, That the great God is able to reanimate the dead ! 9 I once thought it my duty to do every thing in my power to crulli the caufe of Jefus in its birth. ID Accordingly in Jerufa- lem, I diftinguifhed myfelf by my zealous endeavours to fupprefs it — Great numbers of the Chriftians I confined in jails to me the high priefts granted their commif- fion to harrafs tliem — I ever gave a chearful fufferage to thofe who were refolved to af- failnate them. 1 1 In every fynagogue by my orders they were mang- led with fcourges and punifli- ed with extreme cruelty — By the tortures I inflifted I ob- liged them to calumniate and revile their leader — At laft, t/:)e Apostles, 459 the excefles of my unbound- ed fury againit them would not be circumfcribed within the narrow limits of Judaea — My madnefs inftigated me to overleap its boundaries, and perfecute in foreign towns and cities. 1 2 But as I was travelling to Damafcus with an unlimit- ed commilTion from the high priefts, 13 on the public road, a- bout the middle of the day, I faw, O king Agrippa, from the parted clouds, all on a fudden, an ineffable light, in- finitely more dazzling than all the effulgence of the fun, dart and blaze about me and my companions. 14 We were all inftantly ftruck to the earth — where as I lay proftrate I heard the fol- lowing words, in Hebrew, folemnly uttered Saul ! Saul ! why doff thou perfe- cute me — ° It is madnefs for thee to contend with a fuperi- our power ! 15 Trembling, I faid. Lord ! who art thou ? — The voice replied 1 am Jefus, whom thou art perfecuting. 1 6 But rife for I have now appeared to thee to con- • "EK^vpov coi TpQ- x«!'Tp« ^a.KTi^in. This expreffion occurs in the folhejl writers Namque infcitia ell Advcrfum ftimulum calces. Teren. Phormio, Ad. i. Seen. 2. V. 28. See Mer. Cafaubon in loc. Edit. Far. 1686. ftitute ne Acts of the Apostles. Chap. xxvi. tions, have I publickly pro- claimed the indifpenfable ne- celTity of repentance, and of a devout and holy life, \r,^i.\ 2 1 It is for thcfe princi- ples, and for. this conduct, that the Jews feized me in the ten] pie, and violently at- tempted to murder me. 2 2 But by the powerful interpofiti,on of my God I have been refcued from every danger — and now ;fl:and be- fore you this day a monu- ment of the divine mercy — freely declaring to the noble and ignoble no other truths but what Mofes and the prophets have exprefsly afTcrted : 11, for example, that the Mefilah would be ^ liable to fufferings — that he would be the fiill perfon who fliould be railed from the grave to ahfo- liite immortality — and that he would diffufe a moft glorious and facred light in the world to illuminate both the Jews and the Gentiles without dif- tinclion.'* 24 Here Feflus interrupt- 460 ftitute thee a minifter and a witnefs of what thou haft feen, and that thou mayeft publifh to the world the truths 1 Ihall in future time reveal to thee. 17 I will be thy guardian amidft the rage of the Jews and the fury of the Heathens — to whom 1 will depute thee, 18 to pour the light of truth upon the mental eye ■ — to dilpel the gloomy dark- nel's from their benighted ibiils — to reclaim them from the adoration of falfe, to the Vr'orlhip of the true God that p by embracing my reli- gion they niay obtain a total remiffion of their paft fms, and finally fecure a blelfed immortality among the vir- tuous. 19 To the folemn com- mands enjoined me by this heavenly vifion, O king A- grippa, I have not been dif- cbedient. 20 But to the Jews in Da- mafcus firft — then to Jerufa- 1cm — afterwards to all Judrea r— at laft, to the Heathen na- P ri/r*/ is not governed on vytiau^von, but put in conflruftion with ?^etC&iv, that they may obtain, by embracing iny religion, a total remifilon of their paft fms. Sec nntc on Chap. xiii. 39. '■J IItf6itT(J^ liable to fi'^h-'ntgs. Oi/tS yap i)(.tHY&-. X. T. A. P\thagora's ; X X vii * The Acts of ed his difcourfe by fuddenly exclaiming with a loud and vehement voice — Certainly Paul you are mad ! Your pro- found erudition hath difor- dered your intelle(5ls ! 25 The apoftle replied — My underftanding, moll il- luftrious Fcitus, is not diibr- dered — What I utter is the dictate of fober truth and fe- date refleclion. 26 I appeal to the king, before whom I fpeak with this freedom, for the truth of my declarations — His maje- fty, I am perfuaded, is not ignorant of any part of thcfe public tranfadtions — Thefe things were not done in feme obfcure retreat. 27 Do you believe, O king Agrippa, the predictions of the antient prophets ? — I am confcious you believe them. ^*^ ^^S Agrippa then laid to '"liim — You almoil induce me to turn Chriitian. 29 Would to God, the apollle replied, that all my prefent auditors were not i jti-'itAw Kiv^sii rpepn. Meteor^ Lib. 3. c. 1. A2>!'ij.v\ra.i, p. 69. That it may appear with what a formidable nation Annibal dared to <:(5/i^, {cvrcqt^aXuv.a-j.--. p. 112. The Acha;ans with their own forces dared to ;/;«-/ the Lacedsemonians in front, a.vTo'^d-dt.K- {jAiv. p. 153, See alfc. p. 169. 216. 300. 30Z. Edit. Hanov. foL 1619. w This expedient was pradifed by the Antients, in imminent dangers te fecure tliC veflel. — Sine funibas Vix durare carinae Poffint imperiofius ^quor. Horat. Lib. I. Ode 14. Vf. 5. : * Ahp ya^ Tcpt v-vj(n CcSei h, iiS'i. cJAtj^rt Ov?oi o'^iv '^rpvtpdt'/i' KctTiiyjro yap cj^ssffcr/r. E^S' KT(i 'n)v vnaov iffi^i'pa.Kiv o^^a.\^otfftv. Out' 8V ;i.viJ.a.Tct. f/.ctA.pct KvAn'd^o(j.ivec 'ttoti "x^^.taw Etfftj^oi/.Zi' 'Trpivvnui iiioihyiH; i'TrtKikcra.i. Odyf. 1. Vf. 144^ Tres adeo incertos csca caligine foles Erramjis pelago, totidem fine fidere noftes. Vir^. ^n. 3. '-O'y TJbe Syxiac VerjSoa reads Mwn, See MilL tary 464 T^^^ Acts of the tary admonitions, and not have embarked from Crete — by which means you would not have incurred thefe im- minent dangers and unhappy lofles. 22 But I now exhort you to difpel your tears — for there fliall not be the lofs of a fin- sle life — the veiTel alone will peri 111. 23 For laft night the an- gel of chat God, whofe mef- fenger I am, and whom ] vvorfliip, appeared, and thus accofted me : 24 " Paul ! banifh thy fears ! — Thou muft ftand at Casfar's tribunal — Thy God will mercifully fave, for thy fake, the liv^es of every indi- vidual that are in the vclfcl with thee. 25 Difpel, therefore, I en- treat you all your terrors — for I am perfuaded that God will certainly accom{)iifh this his folemn declaration. 16 Let me alTure you, That we Ihall be driven up- on fome illand. 27 About the fourteenth night, as the fliip was toiling up and down, in the Adriatic fea, in every direction, at the mercy of the winds and waves, about midnight the Apostles. Chap.xxvih failors imagined they were not far from iome coalh 28 Accordingly they found- ed, and found the depth fifty fathoms — a little farther they again tried the depth, and found it only fifteen. 29 Being now feized with dreadful confternation, kit they ihould be driven upoi> rocks, they call four anchors out of the fbern — and waited the return of mornino- with ex- o treme ardor and impatience. 30 The crews intention was now to abandon the vef- IH and accordingly they hauled the boat over board, under pretence of calling an- chors from the prow. 31 Paul, conlcious of their defign, iaid to the centurion and to the foldiers If the lailors do not ftay in the vel- fel, to navigate it, it will be impoflible for you to fave your lives. 32 The Roman foldiers hearing this, inftantly cut the ropes thatfailened the boat to the fliip, and let the waves carry it away. 33 In the mean time, while all were now eagerly waiting for the dawning of the day, Paul begged they would take ibme refrefliment — ^' " Your y That this is tl'.e only jufl tranflation of the original, kc Black^.'.'all S. Claffics, Vol. ii. p. 172. 4to. //cmV's Hillory of the Bible, and Popis Qdjjfcy, 12. 175. cxpedation Chap, xxviil. I'be Acts of the Apostles. 465 expedlation of the fourteenth, which is to-day, hath been fo intenfe, as hath prevented you from taking your ufual repaft, and you have conti- nued all the whole day to this moment without eating any thing. 34 I therefore beg you would take fome refrefhment — This is abfolutely necefiary for the fupport of nature — Be aflured that an hair of your heads fhall not perifh. 2S When he had laid this, he took bread, and after de- voutly offering his pious ac- knowlegments to God before them all, he broke it, and be- gan to eat. 36 His encouragements and example revived their de- je6ted fpirits — and they alfo partook of a common repaft. '^y The number of all on board were two hundred fe- venty-fix. 38 After they had refrefh- ed themfelves, they lightened jhe vefTel by throwing the wheat, with which it was la- ilen, over-board. 39 When the morning dawned, they defcried land —but knew not to what regi- on it belonged — They difco- vered alfo a bay with a fhore, into which they intended, if poflible, to run the velTel. 40 They cut therefore the cables to which the anchors yoL. I. were tied — they unloofed alfo the bands that fattened the rudders they hoifted the main fail — and made diredtly for fhore. 41 But happening to fall into a place where two con- trary currents conflided, they run the veffel aground — The prow was fixed deep in the land, fo that all the force they could exert was not able to extricate it 'The fiern was (hattered and dif- united by the violence of the billows. 42 In this critical emer- gency the foldiers adviled it as highly expedient to maf- facre all the prifoners, that none of them might fwini to fhore, and make their efcape. 43 But the centurion, wil- ling to fave Paul's life, re- jefted this cruel propolal — and gave orders that thole who could fwim fhould throw themfelves firft into the iea, and gain the fhore. 44 Afterwards the red of the Hiip's company, foir-e upon planks, fome upon the fragments of the velfel ■ every individual, got fate to (ho re. CHAP. XXVIII. I A FTER this wonder- •*^ ful deliverance, we found that the name of the H h illund 466 T^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap, xxviii. ifland we were caft upon Was Melite. ;",'_ ^' 2 In natives, who were * barbcirians, treated us with fingular humanity ;'' for they benevolently received us all into their houfes, and made large fires to dry our '•wet cloaths and warm our be- numbed limbs. 3 Paul having, among o- tners, gathered a bundle of fagots, and laid it on the fire — a viper fprung out of the flame and f^ftened on his hand. 4 When the barbarians faw the deadly animal hang- ing at his liand, they faid one to another Undoubtedly this v^retch muft have com- Tnitted murder — tho' faved from a wreck, yet divine juf- ticc purfues him, and hath tkvoted him to this dreadful fate! 5 The apoPde fliook the venomous creature into the lire, without feeling the leaft unhappy confequenccs. , 6 The natives in the m.ean time kept their eyes intenfely fixed upon him — expeding every moment to fee the ter- rible efiefts of the poifon, in either caufing him to fwell, or inftantly to drop down dead — But after they had viewed him for fame time in anxious and painful expefta- tation, and found none of the ufual fymptoms enfue, their former fentiments of him were changed into devout aftonifhment and awe — and they declared he was a God. 7 On that coaft, where the veflel was wrecked, lay the eftate of the governor of the ifland, whofe name was Pub- lius — This gentleman gave us a friendly reception, and entertained us at his houfe for three days with great huma- nity. 8 The father of this gen- tleman happened now to be confined to his bed by a dy- fentery and fever — Paul went into his chamber — prayed — laid his hands upon him — "and miraculoufly reftored him to perfedl health. 9 The report of this tranf- a6lion being foon fpread over the ifland, all the inhabitants, who laboured under any in- difpofitions, went to the a- pollle, and were miraculoufly cured. 10 The people therefore made us the moil grateful re- turns — treating us with every civility and at our reim- barking generoufly provided us with every thing we might want in our future voyage. 11 After a fl:ay of three * That is, who did not fpeak the Greek or Roman language. months chap, xxviii. TLe Acts of t/je Apostles. 467 months in the ifland we went on board an Alexandrian vef- fel, which had happened to put in there by ftrefs of wea- ther^ in whofe prow were painted the ^ figures of Cal- tor and Pollux. 12 Our next difembarka- tion was at Syracufe — v/here we fpent three days. 13 From this city failing in an indireft circular line we arrived at Rhegium — and af- ter our firft days voyage from thence a fouthern gale hap- pening to fpring up we ar- rived in two days at Puteoli. 14 Meeting here with fome Chriftians, they importuned us to fpend a week with them —After which we let out for Rome. 15 The Chriftians in the imperial city, having receiv- ed information that we were upon the road, came to meet us as far as ** Appii forum and the Three taverns The fight of thefe affectionate perfons infpired the apoille with tranfports of joy and pious gratitude to heaven. § — 16 Upon our arrival in the capital the centurion im- mediately delivered up the prifoners to the pvstft6t of the prstorian guards — but to Paul >v;j5 indulged the " li- berty of living in a private apartment, along with on<;* Ibldier only who was ap- pointed to guard him. 17 After Paul had been in Rome three days he fenr for the principal jews who were at that time in the city — and when they were con- vened together he thus ad- drefled himfelf to them " My brethren ! I am as you fee a prifoner' — But I hayc not incurred this mifery and difgrace for any injuftice. to my countrymen, or for any violation of our facred laws — I was feized at Jerufalenip and came into the hands of the Romans, 1 8 Vv'ho, after repeated ex- aminations of me, unani-T moufly judged that I ought to be fet at liberty, as I had perpetrated no crime that de- ferved death. * Thefe were twins, the fons of Tindarusy and the fuppofed tatelar Deities of all feafaring people. ^ This place is mentioned by Horace in his journey to Brimdujimru - " Inde Forum Appi Differtum nautis, cauponibus atq; malignis. Horat. lib. i. Sat. 5. e No doubt Julius the centurion gave the pra;fed of the pr.xtorian guards a minute account of the voyage, how the apoille prediclcd the wreck of the vcifel, and the miraculous cures he had performed in McUtl. This accounts for the kind treatment he now experienced at the court of Rome. H h 2 iO K'.it 46S T^he Acts of the Apostles. Chap, xxviii". 19 But as the Jews violent- ly oppofed this determination in my favour, I was compel- leci to the necefiity of appeal- ing to Cjefar's tribunal — not however from any bafe ftudi- ed defign to afperie and con- demn my own country to the Emperor. 20 I have, therefore, cal- led you together, freely to converfe with you on the fub- jecl that hath occafioned my confinement — For I am load- ed with this chain for my firm belief in that illuftrious Per- fon, who fo long hath been the objed of Ifrael's moft fer- vent expeflation. 2 1 To this the. Jews replied — Wehave had no mention of you in any of our letters from Judasa — nor have any one of our countrymen who hath come to this city ever report- ed any thing criminal you had committed or indeed gave us any accounts at all of you. 2 2 We fhould be glad how- ever to have your lentiments on the topic you intimate — tho' we can alTure you, this new fc6l, that hath lately ap- peared in the world, is uni- vcrfally decried. 2:^ Having accordingly fixed a day, a very confider- able number of them met at his houfe — to whom he gave z minute account of the Chrif- 4 tian difpenfation — exhibiting its evidences before them — - interpreting the various pre- dictions of Mofes and the an- tient prophets — and by all the powers of argument and pcrfuafion inforcing the prin- ciples and dodlrines of Jefus — He difcourfed to them on this fubjed from morning 'till evening. 24 Thefe arguments con- vinced fome of the truth of Chriftianity — but were reje6k- ed by others. 25 This their variety of fentimcnts concerning the Chriftian fcheme occafioning a mutual contention and dif- aorreement among; them, the aflembly broke up Paul concludinp; with the followin": expreffions — ^Very juftly hath the holy fpirit, which infpired the prophet Ifaiah, charac- terized the prefent temper and difpofition of the Jewifh nation in this paflage : 26 " Go to this people and fay to them — You fliall hear repeated accounts of the molt amazing miracles, but they lliall produce no convidion in your minds — you fliall e- ven behold frequent difplays of fupernatural power, but fhall not acknowledge it to be divine. 27 For the perception of this people is blunted by pre- i)oflcnion, fo that it is impof- fible Chap, xxviil. The Acts of the Apostles. 469 29 After he had pronoun- ced thefe words, they went away warmly ensaged fible to gain admilTion to their heart Dy the avenues of any of their fenfes — for they have neither the faculties of feeing, hearing, or under- ftanding to beflow on any fcheme that hath a tendency to produce a general refor- mation and amendment of life among them. 28 Let me therefore fo- lemnly afiure you that upon your wilful rejedbion of this divine religion, God hath ap- pointed it to be propagated among the Heathens^ who will give it a willing and favour- able reception. lr."D mutual debates on this fub- je6l. § — 30 Paul lived at Rome two whole years in an apart- ment he hired — where he gave a friendly reception to all who waited upon him, 31 publickly afferting the truth of ChFifiianity ex- plaining its nature — and en- forcing the principles of its s;reat author with undaunted freedom and unmolefled li- berty. The End of the First Volume, ERRATA in Vol. I. Pt^ge ^. njer. g. for hy — read — faw 21. 'ver. 3. for no was — r. — was no 34. ver. 3. for illuftrous — r. — illuftrious 88. Note, for *• — KdLViucv 90. ver. 4. for abfolved — r. — abforbed ng. vet. 3. /cr imagined — r. — imagine 121. Note, for J^iiTorrov — t. — J^iffrroTov 123. ver. 21. put and before fuprcmacy 129, Note, fur ¥.K\t)v-.irou — r. — F.AAiU'if Toy Ibidem, for ^cco^wj.atcov — r. — ^^cotivy.^f.rwv 1 57. ver. 4. for defigned — r. — deigned 160. ver. 10. for church — r. — fcheme. 187. ver. 24. for minillers — r. — minifler 158. ver. ij.for perfefty — r. — perfectly 215. ver. I . for ever — r. — never 279. ver. 19. for your virtue — r.— virtue 286. ver, JO. dele comma zx theft. . Date Due Jgi^^:^- ■ ;-•:*• 1 ■'Ife^^^^^^ :A WS^ _ 1 *