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Conclusion of this Chapter.

70 Q. After we have heard this brief account of the transactions of the life of Christ, tell me what was the sum of that religion which Christ taught during his life?

A. It consisted chiefly in these few articles:

1. He confirmed the doctrine of the one true God, and the revelation of his mind and will to men by Moses and the prophets.

2. He explained the moral law, and enforced the observance of it for ever; and summed it up in short in two great commandments, namely, Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself.

3. He continued the observance of the ceremonial law for the present, that is, wheresoever it did not. interfere with the duties of the moral law: but where it did interfere, he taught that the moral law was always to be preferred.

4. He required repentance for sin, and faith in himself, as the great prophet who came to reveal the grace of God to men, both for the pardon of his sin, and eternal life.

5. He appointed the profession of his religion to be made by baptism, to denote the washing away of our sins, and our being renewed to holiness by the Spirit of God.

6. Just before his sufferings and death, he appointed the feast of the Lord's Supper, as a constant memorial of his dying for the sins of men, and our partaking of the benefits thereof, Matt. xxvi. 17-31. 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

Note, This dispensation during the life of Christ, was a medium between the Jewish and Christian dispensations.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Of the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ.

SECTION I.

Of his Sufferings, Death, and Burial.

Q. WHEN Jesus had instituted his holy supper, where did he go?

A. He knew that the hour of his sufferings was at hand, and he went with his disciples into a neighbouring garden at Gethsemane, where he sustained great and grievous agonies and sorrows in his soul, Matt. xxvi. 38, 39.

2 Q. How did it appear that his anguish was so great?

A. It is written of him, that he began to be sore amazed and very heavy, or overburdened. He told his disciples, that his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; and under this agony or sharp conflict, his sweat was like great drops of blood falling down to the ground, Mark xiv. 33. 34. Luke xxii. 44. 3 Q. What was the cause of these sorrows and agonies?

A. They could not arise merely from the fears of death, or being nailed to a cross: for then he would not have been a fit example of courage and patience to his disciples and followers, some of whom have suffered the same death of the cross, without such overwhelming terrors and fears as Christ discovered: it has been generally supposed therefore, and with very good reason, that these agonies of his soul arose

from a sense of the anger of God for the sins of men, some way manifested to him: perhaps also increased by the temptations of evil angels, for it pleased God to bruise him, and make his soul an offering for sin, Luke xxii. 53. Isa. liii. 6. 10. And it is evident, the powers of darkness were let loose upon him, Luke xxii. 53. John xiv. 30.

4 Q. What did Jesus do in these agonies?

A. He prayed three times earnestly, that if pos sible, this hour might pass from him; his innocent human nature being afraid of such sharp and smarting sorrows; yet he submitted himself to the wisdom and will of his Father, Mark xix. 35, 36.

5 Q. What assistance had be to support him under this agony?

A. There appeared an angel from heaven, encou⚫ raging and strengthening him, ver. 43.

6 Q. Where were his disciples at this time?

A. He had withdrawn to a little distance from the rest of his disciples; but Peter, James, and John, were nearest to him, Mark xiv. 32, 33, yet they could not help him; and indeed thy fell asleep part of the time, ver. 37.

7 Q. Was Judas the traitor with the rest of his disciples in the garden?

A. Judas had privately departed from them just after the passover, and having agreed with the chief priests and elders for thirty peices of silver to betray him into the hands of their officers, he was now at hand with a band of men, with weapons and torches, to accomplish his design and betray his Master, Mark xix. 43. Matt. xxvi. 14-16.

8 Q. How came the rulers of the Jews to be so much offended with Christ as to seek to destroy him? A. For several reasons, namely,

1. Because he being a poor man in Israel, and the supposed son of a carpenter, owned himself to be the Messiab, whom they expected to be an earthly king, and to deliver them from subjection to the Romans.

2. Because in his sermons, and in his whole conduct, he endeavoured to reform those corruptions which the priests and teachers, and rulers of the Jews, had brought into their religion.

3. He had foretold the anger of God against them and their nation, in some of his parables pretty plainly, for their great sins and for the rejection of his ministry.

4. They envied him because many of the people followed him.

9.Q. How did Judas give notice to the officers which was Jesus?

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A. He gave them a sign that he would kiss him, and accordingly, when he came to him, he said, Hail Master! and kissed him, Matt. xxvi. 48, 49.

10 Q. Was there any resistance made for the relief of Christ?

A. Simon Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the high-priests servant; but Jesus bid him put up his sword, and healed the man's ear with a touch, Luke. xxii. 50, 51. John xviii. 10.

11 Q. Did Christ shew any further instance of his divine power upon this occasion?

A. When they asked for Jesus, he answered, I am he; and they went backward and fell to the ground John xvii. 5, 6.

12 Q. Did they yet, after this persist to lay hands on him.

A. Yes, they took him and carried him away to Caiaphas the high-priest's house, where the scribes and elders were assembled, Matt. xxvi. 57.

13 Q. What became of his disciples?

A. They all forsook him and fled, as Christ foretold them they would do, Matt. xxvi. 31. 56.

14 Q. What did Peter do, who particularly boasted of his love and courage

A. Peter followed him afar off into the highpriest's hall, but there, for fear of suffering, he shame

fully denied his Lord and Master thrice, and that with swearing and cursing, Mark xiv. 70-72.

15 Q. How was Peter brought to conviction and repentance for this sin?

4. When Jesus heard Peter a little before boasting of his zeal and courage, he foretold him, that he should deny him thrice, before the cock crowed twice; and when Peter heard the cock crow, Jesus standing now, before the high-priest, turned and looked upon him; and his heart melted within him; and he went out and wept bitterly, Mark xiv. 72. Luke xxii. 61, 62.

16Q. What accusation did they bring against Christ? A. Several false witnesses accused him about words that he spake; but they agreed not together, and therefore they could not find sufficient cause to condemn him, though they sought it earnestly, Mark xiv. 56. 17 Q. How did they condemn him at last?

A. The high-priest asked him, Art thou the Christ the Son of God? And Jesus said I am; and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven. Whereupon they condemned him as worthy of death for blasphemy, Mark xiv. 61-64.

18 Q. Did they then put him to death immediately? 4. The Jews being under the government of the Romans, had not the full power of life and death in their own hands; but they shewed their spite against him by many indignities offered to him, and never left till they had procured a sentence of death against him from the Roman governor.

19 Q. What were these indignities.

A. They suffered their officers to mock and insult him, to smite and spit upon him, to blind his eyes and buffet him; and they bound him and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the Roman governor, Mark xiv. 65, and xv. 1.

20 Q. What became of Judas the traitor when he saw the priests had condemned Christ?

A. He repented of his treachery, and brought the

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