Christ's disciples, was a son of Zebedee, a fisher man, upon the lake of Gennesaret. He appears to have been peculiarly beloved by our Lord, for his amiable disposition. John was present at the transfiguration; he beheld the Saviour crucified; and to him was committed, by Jesus, the care of his mother. He saw Christ repeatedly, after his resurrection; and, according to the prediction of Jesus, he survived the destruction of Jerusalem. He was banished by Domitian, to the isle of Patmos, where visions and revelations were presented to his mental eye. At a very advanced age, John died, and was buried at Ephesus. His Gospel was written in the year 68; his three epistles, and the book of Revelation, in the years 80, 90, and 96. These four sacred historians are called Evangelists, as being the reporters of the Gospel, the Evangelion, or the message of good, the glad tidings of great joy.

QUESTIONS.

By whom was the history of the life, discourses, miracles, death, and resurrection of our blessed Lord recorded? What were the qualifications of those historians, for giving an account of the life and actions of Jesus Christ; and what circumstances establish the authenticity of their account? Who was Matthew; when was his Gospel written; and by what death did he die? Who was Mark; and when, and where did he write his history? Who was Luke; what other history did he write besides that of the Saviour; and when were his histories published? Who was John; what did he write besides his history of Christ? Where did he

receive his revelation? Where, and at what age did he die? When were his Gospel, his epistles, and his revelations published? Why were the four historians of our Saviour called Evangelists?

CHAP. II.

TOWARDS the end of the reign of Herod, son of Antipater, when both the religion and the polity of the Jews were fast declining; when mankind, in general, were involved in the darkness of ignorance and depravity, Jesus, the Christ of God, appeared to re-establish the kingdom, in the house of David, in a more exalted manner than the children of Israel expected; to publish that purifying doctrine, which is des tined, finally, to diffuse its benignant influence over the whole earth. That illustrious child was born, whom Isaiah predicted and described under the titles of the Mighty God; the Father of future ages; the Wonderful Counsellor; the Prince of Peace; the Restorer of the throne of David.

Joseph, a pious man, of the tribe of Judah, a descendant from the royal house of David, had espoused a virgin, named Mary. But before she was brought to his house, agreeably to national custom, she was found with child, of the Holy Spirit, by the special providence of God; and, according to the divine counsels. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just and benevolent man, and not willing to make her a public example, purposed to put her away privately. But while he was thus purposing, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife, for her pregnancy is supernatural, of great and divine favour. And she shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name

Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." Then Joseph, rising from sleep, did as the heavenly vision directed. And it came to pass, that Cesar Augustus issued an edict, that all Judea should be enrolled. And all went to be enrolled, every one unto his own city. And Joseph went from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be enrolled, with Mary, his espoused wife. And so it happened, that while they were there, she brought forth her son; and having wrapt him in swaddling clothes, she laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now, there were, in the same country, shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, behold, an angel of the Lord came unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, so that they feared greatly. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born, this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord." And, suddenly, there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.' And when the vision was departed, the shepherds went, with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And they made known abroad, the things they had heard concerning this child. And, behold, there came wise men, magi, from the East, from

Arabia, unto Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews; for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him. And when Herod, the king, heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem was in agitation. And Herod, having enquired of the Scribes, where the Christ was to be born, privately called the wise men to his presence, and sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go, seek the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may do him obeisance."

And when they had heard the king they departed; and, lo! the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary, his mother; and they fell down paying him obeisance; presenting unto him, as unto a monarch, gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But being warned of God in a dream, they returned not unto Herod, but departed into their own country another way. And, by divine command, Joseph, with Mary, and the young child fled into Egypt, and remained there until Herod died, and Archelaus, his son, did reign in his stead. And they came and dwelt in a city of Galilee, called Nazareth. And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and man. And he was strengthened in spirit, and the grace of God was upon him. When Jesus was now twelve years old, he went up to Jerusalem with his parents, to the feast of the Passover, and he astonished the Scribes, by the questions which

he asked, and the answers which he gave. And it came to pass, that when Jesus was thirty years of age, he came from Nazareth of Galilee to Jordan, unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou unto me." And Jesus replied, "Permit it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, to practise whatsoever appeareth to be a duty." And Jesus, when he had been baptized, came up out of the water; and while he was praying, lo! the heavens were opened, and John saw the Spirit of God, a flame, the manifestation of the immediate presence of the Deity, descending, with a hovering motion, like a dove, and alighting upon Jesus; and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan, and was led by a divine impulse, into the wilderness, and remained in communion with God, fasting forty days, as Moses did on Mount Sinai before the law was given unto him. And temptations of hunger, of ambition, of presumptuous confidence, of using his miraculous powers for personal ease or safety, were suggested to his mind; and scenes productive of circumstances which would attend his laborious and painful course, were suggested to his imagination. But he vanquished every temptation, and when the conflict was over comfort from heaven was administered unto him.