Sends seventy of his disciples before him-His teaching in the temple- Next morning teaches again in the temple-His instruction on the return of the seventy disciples-Admonishes Martha and commends Mary- Teaches on prayer-Repeats part of a former discourse-Instructs, works a miracle, and deplores the obstinacy of Jerusalem-Works a miracle and instructs Soine of his parables-His reproofs to the Pharisees; and parables -Gives special instruction to his disciples-Proceeds to Jerusalem and heals ten lepers-His instructions regarding the coming judgments-Gives sight to a man who never had that sense-Secures the safety of his sheep -Opposes the opinions of the Pharisees-Blesses children-Shows what must be given up where eternal life is sought-His right to dispense his bless- ings as he pleases-Raises Lazarus from the grave-His last journey to Jeru- salem-Gives two men their sight--Is the guest of Zaccheus-Requires the improvement of the gifts he bestows-Approves of the act of Mary, Rides on a young ass-Weeps over Jerusalem, and approves the children's praise-The effects of his death-Denounces the fig-tree-Purges the temple the third time from its mercenary occupants-Silences the rulers and in- structors of the nation-Describes the conduct of the Jews by similitudes- Instructs the people by another parable-Defeats the design of his enemies -Puts to an end all further invidious questions-Instructs his disciples- Approves the contribution of two mites-Instructions to his disciples re- garding the coming tribulations-His descriptions of the judgment-His death very near-Sold for the price of a slave-Eats the passover with his disciples-Sets an example of humility-Tells of his betrayer-Foretells Peter's denial-Institutes his own supper-What the apostles will require Before Pilate in the morning-His treatment by Herod-In the merciless hands of the Roman soldiers-Led to Calvary and crucified-On the cross- His death-Joseph inters his body-Makes himself known to Mary on the third day-Meets his disciples with gratulation-Goes to Emmaus on the day he arose from the dead-Came in amongst the apostles although the doors were locked inside-Convinces Thomas-At the sea of Tiberias-His ques- tions to Peter-His concluding instructions-He ascends to heaven, THE MESSIAH.. CHAPTER I. THE TYPES AND PROPHECIES OF MESSIAH BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MOSAIC ECONOMY. The world in its perfect state. Gen. i.; ii. 1-17. THE glorious heavens and the beautiful earth were completed; the former containing countless worlds and luminaries of immense and various magnitudes, all revolving with the utmost precision; supported in illimitable space alone by the will of him who placed them there, held by the laws he appointed to govern them ;-the resplendent orbs shedding forth those rays innumerable that swiftly travel to this lower sphere, to enlighten, cheer, and fructify, and which are everywhere "sweet and pleasant." The earth, composed of materials wondrously adapted to the uses for which they were designed; intersected with waters, vast in extent, or continuous in their streams; adorned with every variety of beauteous plant and flower; from the stately tree to the cryptogamic leaves, almost A invisible to the naked eye; living animals to inhabit land, water, air, of wonderful and curious forms of strength and beauty. Nothing was subject to blight or decay; everything was perfect. As the heavenly bodies that have suffered no diminution of strength or splendour by the millions of cycles they have described in the heavens beyond our atmosphere, so was the earth created, and might have continued. In the loveliest spot of this fair world were placed our first parents; for them all was prepared; nothing was wanting which could, in the smallest degree, promote their happiness. Their own bodies were formed with astonishing powers for enjoying the creation around them; their eyes to behold and scrutinize near and distant objects; their ears to hear all harmonious sounds; in their abode joy and gladness abounded, “thanksgiving and the voice of melody;" their lips to utter the inmost feelings of their minds; their hands, their feet, each member perfect! Their bodies being thus admirable, how much more their souls! Who can adequately describe the nature of their spirits perfect in all moral qualities—in the image of their Creator? All else in the visible universe he created with a word "He spake, and it was done;" but into the nostrils of man he breathed the breath of life, and man became a living soul: of him He said, "Let us make man in our image." Adam and Eve were the surpassing excellence of the new creation; their understandings were capable of know ing God in his attributes and works; their wills were conformed to everything good and holy; their memories retentive; their knowledge increasing; their passing hours improved; their highest delight was in communion with God. In their hearts the Divine law was implanted; that law was supreme and incessant love to God, and the fervent, disinterested love of all his creatures to each other (Mark xii. 29-31). Every intelligent being is amenable to this law; it is the guiding principle of all the inhabitants of heaven, and to its infraction every sin can be easily traced. Hell exists in consequence of its having been disobeyed; and there hatred reigns; there sorrow, intense pain, and darkness, are perpetual. In heaven, where obedience to it is perfect, and the whole region love, its blessed inhabitants are surrounded with. light and joy. Adam and Eve learned the attributes of God by his works which they beheld, and in his dealings of love and power to themselves; they were loaded with his benefits. One small gratification alone was forbidden them; one prohibition only was imposed, affording them an opportunity of testifying their gratitude to him to whom they owed all. To their pure and holy natures, to obey was easy; and so long as they did so, their continuance in their happy condition was secure; yet they were free to disobey-it was left to their own choice, and the consequences of each course distinctly declared to them. God leaves free the will of all his intelligent creatures; |