in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Matth. iv, 12-16. Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast in prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light.. ..... FILMENT ABOUT HIS APPREHENSION, TRIAL AND DEATH. TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. REJECTED BY MEN. we Isa. liii, 1-3. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of meu; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Therefore Matth. xiii, 13-15. 4.-PROPHECY, AND ITS FUL-speak I to them in parables: because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and Ps. cxviii, 26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. Zech. ix, 9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Matth. xxi, 4, 5, 15, 16. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased. And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? John xii, 12-16. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first; but when should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Acts iv, 25-28. Who by the mouth of thy servant David bast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, of Israel, were gathered together, with the Gentiles, and the people For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. BETRAYED. own Ps. xli, 9. Yea, mine familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Ps. Ixix, 25. Let their habitation be desolate, and let none dwell in their tents." Ps. cix, 8. Let his days be few; and let another take his oflice. Zech. xi, 12, 13. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter; a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took them to the potter in the house of the thirty pieces of silver, and cast the LORD. Matth. xxvi, 14-16. Then one of Matth. xv, 7-9. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophecy of you, the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, saying, This people draweth nigh went unto the chief priests, And unto me with their mouth, and said unto them, What will ye give honoureth me with their lips; but me, and I will deliver him unto But you? And they covenanted with their heart is far from me. in vain they do worship me, teach-him for thirty pieces of silver. portunity to betray him. ing for doctrines the command- And from that time he sought opments of men. John xii, 37-40. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not He hath blinded their believe, because that Esaias said eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. again. OPPOSED BY THE RULERS. ii, 1-3. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 292 Matth. xxvii, 6-10. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and sail, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that was called, The field of field fulfilled that which was spoken blood unto this day. (Then was by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was And gave of Israel did value, valued, whom they of the children them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.) Mark xiv, 21. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him; but woe to that man by whom the were it for that man if he had Son of man is betrayed! good never been born. Acts 1, 20. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therelu: and, His bishoprick let saith unto them, Take ye him. I another take. SILENT DURING HIS TRIAL. Isa. liii, 7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Matth. xxvii, 12-14. And when he was acensed of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hear est thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. John xix, 8-10. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment-hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Acts viii, 32-35. The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his genera tion? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus, Matth. xxvii, 18. For he [Pilate] knew that for envy they had delivered him. Luke xxiii, 4. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. John xviii, 38. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. John xix, 4, 6. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. SCOURGED. Isa. 1, 5, 6. The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked of the hair: I hid not ting. my face from shame and spit astonished at thee; (his visage Isa. lii, 14. As many were was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.) Micah v, 1. Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us; they shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. Matth. xxvii, 26. Then released had thus spoken, one of the fore took Jesus, and scourged Crucified. Ps. xxii, 14-16. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are it is melted in the midst of my out of joint: my heart is like wax; bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue hast brought me into the dust of cleaveth to my jaws; and thou death. For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Matth. xxvii, 35, 36. And they crucified him, and parted his garbe fulfilled which was spoken by ments, casting lots: that it might garments among them, and upon the prophet, They parted my my vesture did they cast lots. And, sitting down, they watched him there. Mark xv, 25. And it was the third hour; and they crucified him. Luke xxiii, 33. And when they called Calvary, there they crucified were come to the place which is him, and the malefactors; one on the right hand, and the other on the left. John ill, 14. And as M seg lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. nesses of all things which he did Acts x, 39. And we are witboth in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, and hanged on a tree. DRINK GIVEN HIM ON THE CROSS. Ps. Ixix, 21. They gave me also they gave me vinegar to drink. gall for my meat; and in my thirst Matth. xxvii. 33. 34, 48. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha that is to say. A place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And straightway one of them ran, and vinegar, and put it on a reed, and took a sponge, and filled it with gave him to drink. John xix, 28, 29. After this, Jesus knowing that all things Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, were now accomplished, that the vessel full of vinegar: and they I thirst. Now there was set a filled a sponge with vinegar, and his mouth. put it upon hyssop, and put it to HIS RAIMENT DIVIDED. lots upon my vesture. garments among them, and cast Ps. xxii, 18. They part my 24. Mark xv, had crucified him, they parted his And when they garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. soldiers, when they had crucified John xix, 23, 24. Then the Jesus, took his garments, and a part; and also his coat: now the made four parts, to every soldier coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but casts lots for it, whose it shall be: that the saith, They parted my raiment scripture might be fulfilled, which among them, and for my vesture therefore the soldiers did. they did cast lots. These things me laugh me to scorn: they shoot INSULTS OFFERED TO HIM. Ps. xxii, 7, 8. All they that see saying, He trusted in the LORD out the lip, they shake the head, that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. proach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their Ps. cix, 25. I became also a reheads. Matth. xxvii. 89-43, 47, 49. And they that passed by reviled him, Wgging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him nowcome down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. John xix, 34, 35, 37. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came thereout blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. NOT A BONE OF HIM BROKEN. Num. ix, 12. They shall leave none of it [the paschal lamb] unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. John xix, 31-33, 36. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath-day, (for that sabbath-day was an high day.) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and he bare the sin of many, and and that they might be taken CRUCIFIED WITH TWO THIEVES. Isa. liii, 12. . . . . . And he was numbered with the transgressors; made intercession for the transgressors. Luke xxil, 37. For I say unto you, That this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. Mark xv, 27, 28. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand and the other on his left. And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the trans gressors. away. Then came the soldiers, BURIED. Isa. lili, 8, 9. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Luke xxiii, 32, 39, 40, 41. And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, Matth. xxvii, 57-00. When the Dost not thou fear God, seeing even was come, there came a rich thou art in the same condemna-man of Arimathea, named Joseph, tion? And we indeed justly; for who also himself was Jesus' dis we receive the due reward of our ciple: He went to Pilate, and deeds: but this man hath done no- begged the body of Jesus. Then thing amiss. Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed PIERCED WITH A SPEAR. Zech. xii, 10, 11. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. RAISED AGAIN. Ps. xvi, 8-10. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: noifler wilt thon suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. John xx, 9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Acts ii, 25-31. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, ac cording to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts xiii, 32, 33. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Acts xvii, 3. Opening and alledging that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus. whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 1 Cor. xv, 2, 4. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. . . . That he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. ASCENDED. Ps. Ixviii, 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Luke xxiv, 25, 26. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Eph. iv, 8-10. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things? IV. SOME POINTS IN HIS HISTORY. 1.-BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD. AS IN MATTHEW. Matth. 1. 18-21, 24. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the 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 that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the LORD had bidden him, and took unto him his wife. Matth. 1, 19-23. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. AS IN LUKE. Luke 1, 28-31, 35, 38, 42-53. And the angel came in unto her, [Mary] and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of saluta tion this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. And the angel answered and said unto her. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee; therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said, Behold the handinaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And she [Elizabeth] spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Luke ii, 10. 11, 13, 14, 17-26, 33, 34, 39-41, 42-51. And the angel said unto them, [the shepherds] Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which 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, good will toward men. And when they had seen it, [the child] they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was And conceived in the womb. when the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy unto the Lord:) And to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man cas just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see Death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days,as they returned,the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Josephi and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subJect unto them:but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 2-HIS RELATIONS AND talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matth. xiii, 54-57. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this these man this wisdom, and mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? 3.-HIS FORERUNNER, JOHN they were both righteous before THE BAPTIST. Isa. xl, 3, 4. The voice of him, that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. Mal. iv, 5, 6. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Mark ill, 21, 31. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they Luke i, 17. And he shall go besaid, He is beside himself. Therefore him in the spirit and power came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. Mark vi, 3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. John ii, 12. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and they continued there not many days. John vii, 1-3. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. John vii, 4-10. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly: if thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Matth. iii, 3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matth. xvii, 10-13. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. John 1, 20--24. And he [John] confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that Prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us: what sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And it came to pass, that, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and glad-. ness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill-country of Judea. And, all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. CHRIST'S ACCOUNT OF JOHN'S Matth. x1, 7-9, 11-13, 18. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; not |
