the relief which was effected by them. They were designed to prove his divine mission; and were often appealed to with the strongest confidence for this purpose. Well might he appeal to them; for they were performed under circumstances which precluded the possibility of deception.

They were performed at his word, and in an instant; on persons, too, both near and at a distance; they were done by him in the most public and open manner; in cities, in villages; in synagogues; in the public streets; in the high ways; in the field; and in the wilderness. They were performed on Jews and Gentiles; before Scribes and Pharisees, and rulers of the synagogues; not only when he was attended by few persons; but when he was surrounded by multitudes; not merely in the presence of his friends, but before his implacable enemies. Thus, they invited the strictest examination. They evinced a power which could come only from God, and bespoke a benevolence, which could be nothing short of divine.

Such was the authority with which he was clothed, and such was the evidence of his divine commission, who came to set aside the Jewish rites and ceremonies, and in the place of the Jewish Church, to found a Church, which should embrace Jew and Gentile, bond and free; and against the ultimate increase and glory of which, not even the gates of hell should be suffered to prevail.

Sec. 7. The ministry of Christ, though distinguished by unwonted zeal and perseverance, (was attended with comparatively little success.] As a nation, the Jews rejected him as the Messiah and through their instrumentality, he finished his eventful life under the tortures of crucifixion. This event occurred in the 18th year of Tiberius, the successor of Augustus Cesar.

From the testimony of ancient historians we learn, that about the time of Christ's appearing, the Jews were anx

How were these miracles performed? In what places were they performed? On whom? In whose presence? What did these niiracles prove?

Sec. 7. What success had Christ in his preaching? By whom was he rejected? When was he crucified?

In whose reign did this take place?

Were not the Jews looking for the Messiah, about the time he

iously looking for him, as the great deliverer and chief ornament of their nation. But in the humble appearance of Jesus, the Jews saw nothing which corresponded to their expectations. In the Messiah they looked for a temporal prince, the splendour of whose court should answer to their admiration of worldly pomp, and who should make their nation the centre of universal monarchy.

The doctrines, too, which Christ taught were little suited to the taste of this bigoted people. Being the descendants of Abraham, and the covenant people of God, they imagined that they enjoyed a peculiar claim to the divine favour. This claim they supposed could not be forfeited, and could not be transferred to any other people on earth.

These mistakes were the result of prejudice, and vain glory. Yet they laid the foundation of charges against the son of God, which though manifestly false, issued in a demand, on the part of the nation, for his death. Accordingly, after having been declared an imposter, a blasphemer, and an usurper-after having suffered the most bitter reproaches and shameful indignities, he was brought to the cross, upon which, under its agonies, he shortly after expired.

Sec. 8. The death of Christ was apparently a signal triumph to his enemies, and as signal a defeat to all his followers. The hopes of the latter appear for a short time to have been blasted; (not knowing the power of God, nor fully comprehending that it was a part of the Divine plan that he should suffer, and afterwards be raised from the dead.

Christ had, indeed, repeatedly foretold his resurrection to his followers; and this intelligence had been communicated to the Jews at large. The former anticipated, though faintly, perhaps, this glorious event; but the latter believed it not. They only feared that his disciples might steal his body, and pretend that he had risen from the dead. They therefore sealed his sepulchre, and round it stationed a guard, until the day should pass, on which his resurrection was predicted to take place. But neither the prumade his appearance? Why then did they reject him?

Sec. 8. How did the enemies of Christ regard his death? How did his followers regard it? Why did the latter despond?

dence, nor the power of his enemies could prevent an event, which was connected with the salvation of millions of the sons of men. The third day at length arrived; the appointed hour and moment came, and GOD RAISED HIM

FROM THE DEAD.

What fears had the enemies of Christ after his death? What did they do to prevent the disciples from stealing his body? Did their precautions have the desired effect?

THE PERIOD OF THE LABOURS OF THE APOSTLES, EXTENDS FROM THE DEATH OF CHRIST A. D. 34, TO THE DESTRUCTION OF

JERUSALEM A. D. 70.

Sect. 1. The resurrection of Christ (A. D. 34, in the 18th year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, emperor of Rome) an event clearly predicted in ancient prophecy, and often foretold by himself, took place on the third day after his crucifixion.

Of the truth and certainty of his resurrection the apostles were witnesses, and they were in every respect qualified to substantiate the fact. He was seen by them, and others of his followers, alive after his crucifixion. It was not one person, but many who saw him. They saw him not only separately but together; not only by night, but

What is the extent of the period of the labours of the apostles?

Sec. 1. In what year did the resurrection of Christ take place? On what day? In whose reign?

Who were witnesses of the truth, and certainty of his resurrection? What circumstance can you mention, which should convince us, that they were not mistaken?

by day; not at a distance, but near; not once, but several times. They not only saw him, but touched him, conversed with him, ate with him, and even examined his person, to remove their doubts.

Sec. 2. At the expiration of 40 days from his resurrection having instructed his disciples to wait at Jerusalem for the descent of the Holy Spirit, and then to "go and teach all nations" he led them out as far as Bethany, where, while blessing them, he ascended to heaven, a cloud receiving him out of their sight.

Sec. 3. Ten days after the ascension of Christ, and fifty from his crucifixion, the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. By this effusion, the Apostles were suddenly endued with the power of speaking many languages, of which before they had no knowledge; and at the same time were inspired with a zeal in their masters cause, to which before they had been strangers.)

The effects produced on the minds of the Apostles, on this occasion, were of a most extraordinary kind. A flood of light seems to have broken in upon them,at once. Their remaining doubts and prejudices were removed; their misapprehensions were rectified, and their views conformed to the scope of the doctrines, which had been taught by Christ.

It is manifest, also, that they were endued with unwonted zeal and fortitude. On several occasions, while Christ was with them, they had exhibited no small degree of listlessness and timidity. At the time of his apprehension, they had all forsaken him, and fled. Even the intrepid Peter denied that he knew him. But, from the day of Pentecost, it appeared, that they felt no weariness, and feared no dangers.

The gift of tongues, or the power of speaking different languages, thus imparted to the apostles, was not less im

Sec. 2. When did his ascension take place? What did he tell his disciples before he was taken away? Sec. 3. What took place ten days after his ascension? What was the effect of the descent of the Holy Spirit ?