Memorial of his dying for the Sins of Men, and our partaking of the Benefits thereof, Matth. xxvi. -17-31. 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

Note, This Difpenfation during the Life of Chrift, was a Medium between the Jewish and Christian Difpenfations.

CHA P. XXIV.

Of the Death, Refurrection, and Afcenfion of

CHRIST.

SECT. I. Of his Sufferings, and Death, and Burial.

1 Q. WHEN Jefus had inflituted his holy Supper, whither did he go?

A. He knew that the Hour of his Sufferings was at hand, and he went with his Difciples into a neighbouring Garden in Gethsemane, where he fuftained great and grievous Agonies and Sorrows in his Soul, Matt. xxvi. 38, 39.

2 Q. How did it appear that his Anguish was fo great?

A. It is written of him, that he began to be fore amazed and very heavy, or over-burdened. He told his Difciples, that his Soul was exceeding forrowful even unto Death; and under this Agony or sharp Conflict, his Sweat was like great Drops of Blood falling down to the Ground, Mark xiv. 33, 34. Luke xxii. 44.

3 Q. What was the Caufe of these Sorrows and Agonies?

A. They could not arife merely from the Fears of Death, or being nailed to a Crofs; for then he would not have been a fit Example of Courage and Patience to his Difciples and Followers, fome of whom have fuffered the fame Death of the Crofs, without fuch overwhelming Terrors and Fears as Chrift difcovered: It has been generally fuppofed therefore, and with very good Reafon, that the fe Agonies of his Soul arofe from a Senfe of the Anger of God for the Sins of Men, fome way manifefted to him; perhaps alfo increased by the Temptations of evil Angels, for it pleafed God to bruife him, and make his Soul an Offering for Sin. Luke xxii. 53. Ifa. liii. 6, 10. And it is evident, the Powers of Darkness were let loofe upon him, Luke xxii. 53. John xiv. 30.

4 Q. What did Jefus do in thefe Agonies?

A. He prayed three Times earneftly that, if poffible, this Hour might pafs from him; his innocent human Nature being afraid of fuch fharp and fmarting Sorrows; yet he fubmitted himself to the Wisdom and Will of his Father, Mark xix. 35, 36.

5Q. What Affiflance had he to support him under this Agony?

A. There appeared an Angel from Heaven, encouraging and strengthening him, ver. 43.

6 Q. Where were his Difciples at this Time?

A. He had withdrawn to a little Distance from the reft of his Difciples; but Peter, James, and John, were nearest to him, Mark xiv. 32, 33. yet they could not help him; and indeed they fell asleep part of the Time, ver. 37.

7Q Was Judas the Traitor with the rest of the Difciples in the Garden?

A. Judas had privately departed from them juft after the Paffover, and having agreed with the chief Priefts and Elders, for thirty Pieces of Silver, to betray him into the Hands of their Officers, he was now at Hand with a Band of Men, with Weapons and Torches to accomplish his Defign and betray his Mafter, Mark xiv. 43. Matt. xxvi. 14, 15, 16.

8Q. How came the Rulers of the Jews to be fo much offended with Chrift, as to Jeek to destroy him? A. For feveral Reasons, viz.

1. Because he being a poor Man in Ifrael, and the fuppofed Son of a Carpenter, owned himself to be the Meffiah, whom they expected to be an earthly King, and to deliver them from Subjection to the Romans.

2. Because in his Sermons, and in his whole Conduct, he endeavoured to reform thofe Corruptions which the Priests and Teachers, and Rulers of the Jews, had brought into their Religion.

3. He had foretold the Anger of God against them and their Nation, in fome of his Parables pretty plainly, for their great Sins, and for their Rejection of his Ministry.

4. They envied him, because many of the People followed him.

9Q. How did Judas give Notice to the Officers. which was Jefus ?

A. He gave them a Sign, that he would kifs him; and accordingly, when he came to him, he faid, Hail Mafter! and kissed him, Matt. xxvi. 48, 49.

10 Q: Was there any Refiftance made for the Relief of Chrift?

A. Simon Peter cut off the Eat of Malchus, the High

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High-Prieft's Servant; but Jefus bid him put up his Sword, and he healed the Man's Ear with a Touch, Luke xxii. 50, 51. John xviii. 10.

IIQ. Did Chrift fhew any further Instance of his divine Power on this Occafion?

A. When they afked for Jefus, he answered, I am be; and they went backward, and fell to the Ground, John xviii. 5, 6.5

12 Q. Did they yet, after this, perfift to lay Hands on him?

A. Yes, they took him and carried him away to Caiaphas the High-Prieft's Houfe, where the Scribes and Elders were affembled, Matt. xxvi. 57.

13 Q. What became of his Difciples?

A. They all forfook him and fled, as Chrift fore told them they would do, Matt. xxvi. 31. 56.

14 Q. What did Peter do who particularly boafled of his Love and Courage?

A. Peter followed him afar off, into the HighPrieft's Hall, but there for fear of Suffering he fhamefully denied his Lord and Mafter thrice, and that with fwearing and curfing, Mark xiv. 70, 71, 72.

15 Q. How was Peter brought to Conviction and Repentance for this Sin?

A. When Jefus heard Peter a little before boafting of his Zeal and Courage, he foretold him that he fhould deny him thrice before the Cock crowed twice; and when Peter heard the Cock crow, Jefus ftanding now before the High-Prieft, turned and looked upon him; and his Heart melted within him: And he went out and wept bitterly, Mark xiv. 72. Luke xxii. 61, 62.

16 Q. What Accufation did they bring againft Chrift?

A. Several falfe Witneffes accufed him about Words that he fpake; but they agreed not together,

and

and therefore they could not find fufficient Caufe to condemn him, though they fought it earnestly, Mark xiv. 56.

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Q. How did they condemn him at laft?

A. The High-Priest asked him, Art thou the Chrift the Son of God? And Jefus faid, I am; and ye shall Jee the Son of Man fitting on the Right-hand of Power, and coming in the Clouds of Heaven. Whereupon they condemned him as worthy of Death for Blafphemy, Mark xiv. 61-64.

18 Q. Did they then put him to Death immediately? A. The Jews being under the Government of the Romans, had not the full Power of Life and Death in their own Hands; but they fhewed their Spite again him by many Indignities offered to him, and never left till they had procured a Sentence of Death against him from the Roman Governor...

19 Q. What were these Indignities?

A. They fuffered their Officers to mock and, infult him, to fmite and fpit upon him, to blind his Eyes and buffet him; then they bound him and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor, Mark xiv. 65. and xv. I.:

20 Q. What became of Judas the Traitor, when be faw the Priefts had condemned Chrift?

A. He repented of his Treachery, and brought the thirty Pieces of Silver to the Priests; he went away and hanged himself, and falling down his Body burst, and his Bowels fell out, Matt. xxvii. 1–5. Acts i. 18.

21 Q. What did Pilate determine concerning Jesus ? A. Pilate found him to be an innocent Man, and that the Priests and Elders had accufed him out of Envy, and therefore he would fain have released him, Mark xv. 9, 10. and Luke xxiii. 4.

22 Q. How did Pilate propofe to releafe him when he was charged as fo great a Criminal by their Accufations?