Not one of them would venture to go with him when he had to make his first appearance in court. He begged of God that he would forgive them for this desertion, but as for himself, he was no ways disconcerted. Though deserted by men, (a) "the Lord," said he, "stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear; and," he adds, "I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." By this expression, which is drawn from Holy Writ, he meant the Emperor Nero, whose cruelty soon exceeded that of the most ferocious lion. In the end, St. Paul became the victim of that monstrous cruelty; but that occurred nine years later, when on the same day, and for the same cause, he and the chief of the apostles sealed with their blood the glorious testimony which they had rendered to the Lord JESUS, to whom be honor, glory, and power for ever and ever. Amen. (a) 2 Tim., iv. 16. END OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. BRAR OF THE ABSET OF GETHSEMANI, CONTENTS OF THE LIFE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. PART I. FROM THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD UNTIL THE CURE OF THE CHAPTER I. Preface of St. Luke.-Eternal Generation of the Word and his Incarnation.-Testi- mony rendered to Him by St. John the Baptist.-The Holy Precursor an- Adoration of the Magi.-Purification.-Flight into Egypt.-Massacre of the Inno- CHAPTER V. Manifestation of John the Baptist and his Preaching.-Baptism of Jesus Christ.- Fasting and Temptation of Jesus Christ in the Desert.-Testimony of John. the Baptist.-Andrew and Peter called for the first time.-Vocation of Philip CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. Jesus Christ preaches and baptizes.-New Testimony of St. John.-Imprisonment of the Holy Precursor.-Return of Jesus to Galilee through Samaria....... 59 CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. The Tempest stilled.-Two Demoniacs cured.-Swine precipitated into the Sea.- Paralytic cured.—Vocation of St. Matthew.-Jesus eats amongst Sinners.-- CHAPTER XII. CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTER XV. CHAPTER XX. The Holy Women who followed Jesus Christ.-His friends wish to seize his Per- son.--Healing of a Blind and Dumb Man who was possessed.—Blasphemy of CHAPTER XXI. The Sign of Jonas.-The Ninivites.-The Queen of Saba.-The expelled Demon enters in again.-Exclamation of a Woman.-The Mother and Brothers of CHAPTER XXII. Parables of the Cockle, of the Mustard-seed, of the Leaven, and of the Net cast into the Sea. Preaching of Jesus Christ at Nazareth.-Prophet without honor CHAPTER XXIII CHAPTER XXIV. CHAPTER XXV. CHAPTER XXVI. CHAPTER XXVII. CHAPTER XXVIII. CHAPTER XXIX. The Blind Man of Bethsaida.-Confession of St. Peter.-Promise of the Keys.— Passion foretold.-Peter rebuked.-Self is to be renounced.-The Cross must CHAPTER XXX. |