Images de page
PDF
ePub
[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]

OF

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST:

CONTAINING A FULL AND ACCURATE HISTORY

FROM HIS TAKING UPON HIMSELF OUR NATURE,

TO HIS

CRUCIFIXION, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION,

TOGETHER WITH THE

LIVES, TRANSACTIONS, AND SUFFERINGS

OF HIS HOLY

EVANGELISTS, APOSTLES, AND OTHER PRIMITIVE MARTYRS.

TO WHICH IS ADDED A

HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

BY REV. JOHN FLEETWOOD, D. D.

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing
ye might have life through his name." John xx. 31.

ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS.

Hartford

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CASE, TIFFANY AND BURNHAM.

Pearl street, corner of Trumbul

1848.

D COLLEGE

THE BEQUEST OF

THEODORE JEWETT EASTMAN

1931

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year, 1847, by CASE, TIFFANY & Co.

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

PREFACE.

THE first and greatest object that should most materially engage the attention of mankind, is the pursuit of that knowledge which tends to promote their welfare while on this transitory stage of life, and their eternal happiness in that which is to come. No measures whatever can be taken to effect this, but the most earnest endeavors to make themselves perfectly acquainted with, and strictly to follow the example of our blessed Redeemer, the great Captain of our sufferings — the preserver of our souls from death to life everlasting the grand pattern of sanctity, humility, meekness, and charity - the King of glory-the guiding star to righteousness-and who, as himself expresses it, is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

As, therefore, in our blessed Redeemer only, rests the whole of our eternal salvation, let Him only engross our most serious attention; and yet the examples of his holy Apostles, who have sealed their faith with their blood, inspire us with resolution to make us emulous to be accounted voluntary servants of Christ, who condescended to suffer an ignominious and painful death, to clear us from our sins, and the punishment due to our manifold offences.

In seriously perusing the life and transactions of the great Redeemer of mankind, we shall there find those balmy sweets, those solid comforts, which, if properly attended to will promote our felicity here, and secure to us eternal happiness hereafter. If we endeavor to pursue the divine system laid down by our blessed Saviour, there is no reason to doubt but our obedience will be crowned with that reward which he had been pleased to promise to all those who imitate his glorious example. Our blessed Lord himself tells us, that if we are poor in spirit, we shall gain the kingdom of heaven; if we mourn here, we shall be comforted; if we hunger and thirst after righteousness we shall be filled. It is from these assurances that St Augustine says, "the happiness of this life consists in the Holy

Ghost, without which we cannot come to the knowledge of God." All true knowledge, virtue and perfection, that a Christian can desire or attain to, are contained in the doctrines and transactions of our glorious Redeemer; who teaches us that righteousness and holiness consists in the inward purity and integrity of the mind, and not in the outward show of works; in a conscience void of offence, not in the pompous applause of men; in humility, not in ostentation; in contempt, not in pursuit of worldly honors; and the father teaches us to love our enemies as well as our friends. Here we read of the nature of true faith; of trusting in Christ alone; and how we ought not to glory but in him. Here we read also, of the certainty of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and of life eternal.

We most sincerely hope that the perusal of this work will produce that effect for which it is so happily adapted, namely, the promotion of the cause of Christianity, and making mankind wise unto salvation. A serious attention to the divine transactions contained in this history, will fill the mind with awful, though pleasing ideas; banish every doubt; confirm the reader in the most sublime truths, and fill his soul with divine ecstacies.

We shall only further observe, that in the execution of this pious work, we have endeavored to improve the understanding and warm the heart, to inspire the mind with gratitude for the astonishing love of a dying Saviour, and to excite the soul to embrace his kind invitations of forgiveness, of happiness, and peace.

« PrécédentContinuer »