with convenience, be introduced with the Text. They explain collateral points of History, Geography, Usages, &c., an acquaintance with which is often necessary for understanding the Text, and they are always interesting in themselves. These might have been given as introductory matter; but, if read there at all, would detain the reader from the main work, and seem to fall more usefully under notice in connection with the portions of Scripture to which they severally refer*. Nor,-in the desire to render this Work complete as a Manual of Theology, so far as its character and limits would allow,-has Practical Improvement been forgotten. That, unquestionably, is the great end of all Revelation: And it is the fervent prayer of the Writer of these pages, that all, into whose hands the Work may chance to fall, may derive from it that unspeakable benefit-that by studying more earnestly the vital truths of our Religion, they may know the real value of the soul, as redeemable by a Saviour's blood; and that, laying hold of this one ground of Justification, our only title to Heaven, they may be enabled, by God's grace, to attain to that Sanctification which alone can fit us for it. The Author desires to add his own heartfelt thanks to Divine Providence, that, with limited means, and in the midst of parochial duties and family avocations, he has been permitted to accomplish this labour of love: he puts it forth under the deepest sense of responsibility-anxious before all other things to do some service, in his vocation and ministry, among his fellow-men, and to become an instrument, however humble, of God's glory in the world. * Should the reader prefer to see at the outset what is known of the Evangelists and their respective Gospels, the accounts will be found as follows:-St. Matthew, Section XXXV., Note 1. St. Mark, Section CXXII., Note 6. St. Luke, Section I., Note 1. St. John, Section XXX., Note 4. LANCASTER PLACE, 3 The Birth of the Baptist foretold in a vision to Zacharias; and the Conception of Elizabeth 4 The Annunciation by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at Nazareth 5 Mary visits Elizabeth 6 Elizabeth bears a son, who is named John; and Zacharias prophesies 7 An Angel informs Joseph of the miraculous and immaculate Conception of his Virgin Bride 5 8 10 12 From the Birth of the Saviour, 4 years before the Common Era, to His Baptism, when approaching the age of 30. 8 Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem in Judea, where the Holy Child is born 9 Legal Genealogy of Jesus Christ:-from Abraham, the legal ancestor of Jesus, down to Joseph His reputed Father; from Mary, the Mother of Jesus, up to Adam 10 The Infant Saviour is announced to Jewish Shepherds, who pay Him homage 11 The Child is circumcised, and named JESUS. The Song of Simeon upon His Presentation in the Temple, and the testimony of Anna the Prophetess concerning Him as the expected Redeemer 12 The Eastern Magi seek the new-born King: Herod's conduct on the occasion 13 The Flight into Egypt, and Return to Galilee 14 Joseph and Mary settle at Nazareth. They go up thence to the Passover at Jerusalem, where Jesus, at twelve years of age, questions and replies to the Doctors in the Temple 15 John the Baptist preaches and baptizes in the waste country or plain of the Jordan 16 John b Page 18 He is led up of the Spirit into the Wilderness, where he fasts forty days, and is tempted in a threefold manner by the Devil 33 19 John speaks plainly of the Messiah to the Priests and Levites 35 20 John proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God: Andrew and other of John's Disciples are convinced that Jesus is the Messiah 37 21 The beginning of Miracles at Cana of Galilee 40 The First Year of our Lord's Public Ministry, commencing with the attendance at His First Passover. YEAR OF JESUS CHRIST 30.-COMMON ÆRA (OR A.D.) 27. 22 Jesus attends the Passover at Jerusalem, where He commences His public Ministry with the first purging of the Temple 23 Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, visits Jesus by night 24 The Baptist bears final testimony to Jesus at Ænon 25 The Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas 42 44 47 49 26 Jesus returns into Galilee to avoid the growing malice of the Rulers: on His way through Samaria He reveals Himself to a woman of the country, and afterwards discourses with His Disciples on Spiritual Food 50 27 Jesus commences the preaching of the Gospel in Galilee; and at Cana cures with His word a youth lying sick at Capernaum 28 Jesus teaches at Nazareth, and applies to Himself Isaiah's prediction of the Messiah 56 29 Jesus dwells at Capernaum 59 30 31 The Disciples, Simon and Andrew, James and John, are called to a more 32 Jesus retires into the Desert; and afterwards moves about Galilee, teaching and healing 64 33 The miraculous cure of a Leper 34 In curing a paralytic man, Jesus declares His power of forgiving sins 35 St. Matthew is called The Second Year of our Lord's Ministry, when He again YEAR OF JESUS CHRIST 31.-COMMON ÆRA (OR A.D.) 28. 36 Jesus again attends the Passover at Jerusalem, where He cures the Cripple at Bethesda, and makes a sublime defence of His Character and Mission before the Jewish Rulers 68 37 The Disciples pluck ears of corn on a Sabbath-day: Jesus justifies them, and declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath 74 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. Sect. 38 The cure of a man with a withered hand on another Sabbath-day xi Page 76 39 Jesus retires to the other side of the Lake, whither multitudes follow Him, and He heals many 40 The Twelve Apostles are appointed 41 The Sermon on the Mount 43 77 A Widow's Son restored to life at Nain 44 The Baptist's Disciples visit Jesus; who afterwards bears honourable testimony to John, and reproves that generation 45 He upbraids the impenitent cities, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum 46 A woman who had been a sinner anoints the feet of Jesus at an entertainment 47 Jesus during a circuit cures a Demoniac; and, upon the Pharisees having accused Him of confederacy with Satan, He warns them of the Unpardonable Sin, and reproves them in appropriate Parables 48 The Scribes and Pharisees are reproved for requiring a further sign from He 49 Jesus declares whom He esteems as His Mother and His Brethren. 50 The Parable of the Sower; with a Discourse on Parables 51 The Parable of the Tares of the Field 52 Various Parables are spoken, having reference to the effects and astonishing progress of the Gospel 126 53 Jesus exhorts some who had followed Him to the water-side, not to turn back from the Gospel; and, in crossing the Lake with his Disciples, calms a hurricane 54 The Demoniacs of Gadara are healed on the other side of the Lake; but, at the request of the inhabitants, Jesus quits their territory, and sails back again 55 Jesus, being entertained by Matthew, justifies His eating with publicans and sinners; and vindicates His Disciples for not fasting during His continuance with them 56 Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead; and, on His way to the Ruler's house, a woman with an issue of blood is healed by touching His garment 57 Jesus restores sight to two blind men, and speech to a dumb Demoniac . 140 58 Jesus revisits Nazareth; but being again rejected by His countrymen, makes a circuit to teach in the neighbouring country 141 59 The Twelve Apostles are commissioned to preach the Gospel in Judea: they receive instructions, and depart 142 61 60 John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod; who, afterwards hearing of 62 Jesus appears to His Disciples, during a tempest, walking on the sea Page 155 157 164 168 The Third Year of our Lord's Ministry, and occurrence YEAR OF JESUS CHRIST 32.-COMMON ÆRA (OR A.D.) 29. 64 Jesus condemns the Pharisees for keeping their own traditions to the neglect of the Divine Law 65 Jesus retires to the border-land of Tyre and Sidon, where, after proving the faith of a woman of Canaan, He expels a demon from her daughter 66 Upon His return through Decapolis Jesus cures a deaf man, who had also an impediment in his speech 67 Jesus heals many, and the multitude are fed miraculously a second time 68 The Pharisees again request a sign; and Jesus warns His Disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees 69 The sight of a man born blind is gradually restored at Bethsaida 70 Peter's acknowledgment of the Messiahship and Divinity of Jesus 71 Jesus plainly foretells His sufferings and death; when Peter, taking offence, is rebuked; and all are exhorted to self-denial 72 The Transfiguration 73 A Demoniac, whom the Disciples were unable to dispossess, is cured by Jesus 74 Jesus again reminds His Disciples of His approaching sufferings; and by 75 Jesus reproves the Apostles for their worldly spirit; warning them against offences towards their brethren, and teaching forgiveness by the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Unmerciful Servant 76 The Seventy disciples receive a charge and are sent forth 77 Jesus goes up to the Feast of Tabernacles, and teaches in the Temple 79 Jesus speaks more plainly of Himself, and declares His existence before Abraham; upon which His enemies attempt to stone Him 80 Jesus restores sight to a man born blind, at which the Pharisees take offence: they are further exasperated by His declaring Himself to be "The Good Shepherd," and "One with the Father" 81 The Seventy disciples return, and Jesus gives thanks to the Father for their success 202 208 214 82 The Parable of the Good Samaritan-shewing the extent of the Duty |