Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][ocr errors]

CON T E N T S.

Chap. II.

Sect. 33. The Character of Jesus
Christ

Page 1

16

30

44

58

72 87

Sect. 34.
Sect. 35.
Sect. 36.
Sect. 37
Sect. 38.
Sect. 39.
Sect. 40.
Sect. 41.
Sect. 42
Sect. 43
Sect. 44•
Sect. 45

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Chap. III.
Chap. IV.

175 The Virgin Mary 189

Judas Iscariot 204

Chap.

JESUS CHRIST.

5

4

8

SECT. 33.

Jefus delivered the parable of the marriage feast-replied to the Pharifees and Herodians, on the payment of tribute-confounded the Sadducees, by proving the refurrection-answered a Scribe, respecting the first and great commandment-baffled the Pharifees, by propofing a question about the Meffiah-warned his difciples against the Scribes and Pharifees, whom he reproved and condemned in the most awful lan

guage.

"WHERE is the wife? where is the Scribe? where is the difputer of this world?" Such were the opponents of our Lord; and in their proud and malicious contentions with him they were completely vanquished and confounded. Towards the clofe of his life, efpecially, they fet upon him with all their fubtlety, in order to enfnare him; but their bestconcerted plans were baffled. We know alfo, that all his adverfaries, who object to his Gofpel, though they may be thought to poffefs an uncommon degree of fagacity and learning, fhall be convicted of the groffeft folly, and finally be filenced and

VOL. IV.

1 Cor. i. 20.
B

over

overcome.

"All that are incenfed against him shall

be athamed.”

Tuesday in Pamion week.

Part of his audience had withdrawn, being enraged by his faithful admonitions; but he proceeded to inftruct the reft by a very interefting parablet. In language fomething fimilar to what he had ufed on a former occalion ‡, he reprefented the great blefings of the Gefpel under the defcription of a feaft. Plenteous provifions, and fuch as are moft exquifite in their nature, are here exhibited. They are fufficient for the fupply of every gueft, and capable of yielding inexpreffible delight. This is more than a common entertainment: it is a royal banquet; what the King of heaven has prepared for the accommodation of his creatures upon earth. It is, alfo, defigned for the celebration of a marriage, the union of his own Son with the Church: for Jefus is the Bridegroom of his people, having efpoufed them to himself. What extenfive and unparalleled grace does this difplay!

A numerous company had been defired to give their attendance; and at the proper feafon, when reminded of their fovereign's expectations, they refused to obey his fummons. Yet fuch was his condefcenfion, that after this infult he renewed the invitation, and fent one meffage upon another, affuring them that his table was richly furnished for their reception, and requesting their prefence without delay. Even then his kindness was rejected with difdain, being confidered as a matter not worth regarding: for " made light of it," and turned their attention to their common occupations. Is this a natural description? Are men, in general, backward to partake of a sumptuous entertainment? Do they not run with eagerness to gratify their fenfual appetites? Yes: but the feaft here exhibited, is fpiritual; and the con

* Ifa. xlv. 24. † Matt. xxii. I-14. Sect. 26.

they

tempt,

« AnteriorContinuar »