and to become, after his death, the heralds of his doctrines, and the organizers of the Christian Church.

The Christian Church, as already observed, can scarcely be said to have been organized during the life of Christ. He designed only to prepare the way. He abolished the Jewish Church, and introduced to the notice of his disciples such things, as were to be adopted in the Christian Church. He introduced a new ministry; the Lord's Supper in the room of the Jewish feasts; baptism in the room of circumcision; and spiritual worship in every place, and at any time, in the room of the carnal ordinances and burdensome rites, which were observed only at Jerusalem.

Sec. 6. The public ministry of Christ continued for the space of three years, or three years and a half, during which, he was chiefly employed in instructing his disciples in reference to the nature of his kingdom; in preaching to them and others his doctrines; and in relieving the wants, and healing the infirmities of men.

The doctrines which Christ taught related to the nature and perfections of God; to the sinfulness and miserable condition of man; to his own character as the Son of God and the promised Messiah; to the atonement which he should accomplish by his death; to justification by faith; to repentance, and faith, and love, and obedience; to a resurrection from the dead; and to a state of future rewards and punishments.

These were the great doctrines of the Christian systemdoctrines which he commissioned his disciples to preach through the world; and which the Christian Church was required to maintain to the end of time.

The miracles which Christ wrought were chiefly of a benevolent kind; but they had a still higher object than

Was the Christian Church organized during the life of Christ? What Church did he abolish? What did he introduce?

Sec. 6. How long did the ministry of Christ con tinue? How did he employ himself during this time?

What doctrines did he teach? Whom did he commission to preach these doctrines? What was the character of the miracles which Christ wrought? What higher object had they in view?

the relief which was effected by them. They were designed to prove his divine mission; and were often appealed to with the strongest confidence for this purpose. Well might he appeal to them; for they were performed under circumstances which precluded the possibility of deception.

They were performed at his word, and in an instant ; on persons, too, both near and at a distance; they were done by him in the most public and open manner; in cities, in villages; in synagogues; in the public streets; in the high ways; in the field; and in the wilderness. They were performed on Jews and Gentiles; before. Scribes and Pharisees, and rulers of the synagogues; not only when he was attended by few persons; but when he was surrounded by multitudes; not merely in the presence of his friends, but before his implacable enemies. Thus, they invited the strictest examination. They evinced a power which could come only from God, and bespoke a benevolence, which could be nothing short of divine.

Such was the authority with which he was clothed, and such was the evidence of his divine commission, who came to set aside the Jewish rites and ceremonies, and in the place of the Jewish Church, to found a Church, which should embrace Jew and Gentile, bond and free; and against the ultimate increase and glory of which, not even the gates of hell should be suffered to prevail.

Sec. 7. The ministry of Christ, though distinguished by unwonted zeal and perseverance, was attended with comparatively little success. As a nation, the Jews rejected him as the Messiah; and through their instrumentality, he finished his eventful life under the tortures of crucifixion. This event occurred in the 18th year of Tiberius, the successor of Augustus Cesar.

From the testimony of ancient historians we learn, that about the time of Christ's appearing, the Jews were anx

How were these miracles performed? In what places were they performed? On whom? In whose presence? What did these niiracles prove?

Sec. 7. What success had Christ in his preaching? By whom was he rejected? When was he crucified ? · In whose reign did this take place?

Were not the Jews looking for the Messiah, about the time he

iously looking for him, as the great deliverer and chief ornament of their nation. But in the humble appearance of Jesus, the Jews saw nothing which corresponded to their expectations. In the Messiah they looked for a temporal prince, the splendour of whose court should answer to their admiration of worldly pomp, and who should make their nation the centre of universal monarchy.

The doctrines, too, which Christ taught were little suited to the taste of this bigoted people. Being the descendants of Abraham, and the covenant people of God, they imagined that they enjoyed a peculiar claim to the divine favour. This claim they supposed could not be forfeited, and could not be transferred to any other people on earth.

These mistakes were the result of prejudice, and vain glory. Yet they laid the foundation of charges against the son of God, which though manifestly false, issued in a demand, on the part of the nation, for his death. Accordingly, after having been declared an imposter, a blasphemer, and an usurper-after having suffered the most bitter reproaches and shameful indignities, he was brought to the cross, upon which, under its agonies, he shortly after expired.

Sec. 8. The death of Christ was apparently a signal triumph to his enemies, and as signal a defeat to all his followers. The hopes of the latter appear for a short time to have been blasted; not knowing the power of God, nor fully comprehending that it was a part of the Divine plan that he should suffer, and afterwards be raised from the dead.

Christ had, indeed, repeatedly foretold his resurrection to his followers; and this intelligence had been communicated to the Jews at large. The former anticipated, though faintly, perhaps, this glorious event; but the latter believed it not. They only feared that his disciples might steal his body, and pretend that he had risen from the dead. They therefore sealed his sepulchre, and round it stationed a guard, until the day should pass, on which his resurrection was predicted to take place. But neither the pru

made his appearance? Why then did they reject him?

Sec. 8. How did the enemies of Christ regard his death? How did his followers regard it? Why did the latter despond?

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dence, nor the power of his enemies could prevent an event, which was connected with the salvation of millions of the sons of men. The third day at length arrived; the appointed hour and moment came, and GOD RAISED HIM

FROM THE DEAD.

What fears had the enemies of Christ after his death? What did they do to prevent the disciples from stealing his body? Did their precautions have the desired effect?

THE PERIOD OF THE LABOURS OF THE APOSTLES, EXTENDS FROM THE DEATH OF CHRIST A. D. 34, TO THE DESTRUCTION OF

JERUSALEM A. D. 70.

Sect. 1. The resurrection of Christ (A. D. 34, in the 18th year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, emperor of Rome) an event clearly predicted in ancient prophecy, and often foretold by himself, took place on the third day after his crucifixion.

Of the truth and certainty of his resurrection the apostles were witnesses, and they were in every respect qualified to substantiate the fact. He was seen by them, and others of his followers, alive after his crucifixion. It was not one person, but many who saw him. They saw him not only separately but together; not only by night, but

What is the extent of the period of the labours of the apostles?

Sec. 1. In what year did the resurrection of Christ take place? On what day? In whose reign?

Who were witnesses of the truth, and certainty of his resurrection? What circumstance can you mention, which should convince us, that they were not mistaken?