A. The Gofpel is the News or glad Tidings of our Reconciliation with Gov, thro' the Mediation of Chrift the Son of GOD, first preached to Adam in Paradife, but in Fulness of Time to the whole World by Christ and his Apoftles, and fufficiently confirmed by the numerous Miracles and Signs which follow'd them.

Q. What do you mean by the King dom of Heaven?

A. The Grace of GoD here, and the uninterrupted Enjoyment of him for ever bereafter.

Q. What did JESUS fay concerning himfelf?

A. That he was Chrift the Son of God. Q. What were the Duties he required of his Hearers?

A. Faith in him, and fincere Repentance.
Q. For what Purpofe?

A. That they might obtain Pardon and Remiffion of their Sins.

Q. How did he demonftrate his Miffion to be from God?

A. By the Miracles be wrought.

Q. What Miracles did he perform for that Purpose ?

A. He cured all Manner of Difcafes by his Word alone: He made the Blind to fee, the Deaf to hear, the Dumb to speak, and restored those who were poffeffed of Devils. Q. What other Teftimonies did he give of his Divine Power?

A. He

A. He fed above five thousand in the Wilderness, with only five Loaves and two small Fishes; and after they had eaten and were filled, there were taken up of the Fragments twelve Baskets: He restored to Life the Daughter of Jairus; and raised Lazarus from the Grave, after he had been buried four Days.

Q. What Pattern did he fet for our Imitation?

A. He was the grand Exemplar of all Virtues in general, but more particularly thofe of Humility, Meeknefs, Patience, and Compaffion; and to fum up all, an ardent unaffected Zeal for the Caufe of Religion. Q. What was the chief End of all his Actions?

A. The Glory of Gov, and the due Performance of his Father's Will.

Q. Was he frequent in Prayer?

A. Yes; fometimes he spent whole Nights in that Act of Devotion.

Q. What Form of Prayer did he make ufe of himself, and recommend to our Pras-tice?

A. That commonly called the Lord's Prayer.

Q. Let me hear you repeat it on your Knees with due Reverence and Devotion. A. Our Father who art in Heaven, &c.

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LESSON V.

Of the Enemies of Jesus Christ. LL the World stood aftonifh'd at the bleffed JESUS; he drew a numberlefs Train of Auditors after him, even into the Wilderness: Not only the Jews, but the Gentiles alfo flock'd about him to fee him and hear his Doctrine. The Scribes and Pharifees were full of Refentment, and highly difgufted at the Liberty he took to lafh in publick their moft enormous Vices. The Scribes were the Jewish Doctors whofe Ignorance and Impoftures he fet forth in the moft glaring Light. The Pharifees were fuch as pretended to a more strict Obfervance of the Law, than any other Sect; but the greater Part of them were vile Hypocrites, haughty and avaricious Men, who impofed upon the Credulity of the Vulgar, by an external Shew and Colour of Religion. The Priests and Rulers, or Governours of the Jews were equally offended and angry with JESUS, because he foretold, that not only ferufalem, but the Temple too fhould foon be deftroy'd. In fhort, the carnal Jews would not be convinced that he was. the Meffiak, becaufe he was poor, meek, and lowly. His Doctrine gave Distaste, because he preached up the Contempt of Riches,

Plea

Pleafures, and all other alluring Enjoyments of this tranfitory Life; and frankly affured them, that they must take up his Crofs, bid adieu to the Pomps and Vanities of this World, and deny themfelves, if they would be his Difciples. The Enemies of our bleffed LORD inceffantly loaded him with the moft opprobrious Language; caft Dirt and Stones at him; and, in fhort, determined, at all Adventures, to put him to Death. Accordingly they prevailed on Judas Iscariot, one of his Difciples, to betray him, and deliver him up to them, upon their Payment of thirty Pieces of Silver, amounting to the Sum or Value of three Pounds fifteen Shillings, or thereabouts,

The CATECHISM.

QAD JESUS many Followers-?

A. Yes; whole Multitudes flock'd from all Parts to fee him and hear his Doctrine.

Q. Were his Enemies numerous ?

A. All the carnal Jews in general treated him with the utmoft Deteftation and Con tempt.

For what Reafon did they deteft him? A. Becaufe he preached up the Doctrine of Humility, and exclaim'd in the warmest Terms against the Pleasures and Grandeur of this World.

Q. Who were his moft implacable Enemies? A. The

A. The Scribes and Pharifees, Priefts and Rulers of the Jews.

Q. Who were the Scribes ?

A. The Doctors of the Jewish Law.
Q. Who were the Pharifees?

A. Such as pretended to a more strict Obfervance of the Law than any other Sect. Q. Did they lead more religious and exemplary Lives than their Neighbours ?

A. No; the greater Part of them were vile Hypocrites.

Q. How far did the Enemies of the blef fed JESUS extend their Malice?

A. So far as to determine to put him to Death.

Q. By whom was he betray'd and deliver-ed into their Hands?

A. Judas Iscariot, one of his twelve Apofiles.

Q. What was the Recompence or Gratui ty agreed upon for that Service?

A. Thirty Pieces of Silver, amounting to the Sum or Value of three Pounds fifteen Shillings, or thereabouts.

LESSON VI..

of CHRIST's Paffion..

T was at the Time of the Paffover when: the Enemies of the bleffed Jefus were

IT

refo