THE conception and birth of John the Baptist, announced from heaven to his father Zacharias in the temple :-Zacharias doubting, receives for a sign that he should be speechless till the fulfilment of the prediction ;-returns home with his wife Elizabeth, who, after conceiving, lives some months in retire- ment: the immaculate conception and birth of Jesus announc- ed to his virgin mother, by the same heavenly messenger :- Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth :-Elizabeth's joy, and SECTION II. THE NATIVITY.. CHAPTERS I. 57, &c. II. 1-40. The birth of John ;-his circumcision :-the emperor's edict for registering the people, occasions Mary's journey to Bethlehem ; there she bears Jesus;-the tidings announced by an angel to shepherds :—their visit to the infant at Bethlehem :—Jesus is circumcised;—afterwards, at Mary's purification, presented to the Lord, as a first-born male -the prophecy of Simeon on that occasion;-and of Anna, Page 234 SECTION III. THE BAPTISM. CHAPTERS II. 41, &c. III. Iv. 1—13. Jesus, in tender age, discusses some questions with the rabbies ; -is subject to his parents ;-John sent to baptize and admonish the people, announcing the Messiah ;-the bad treatment. he receives from Herod:-Jesus baptized and attested from heaven-his genealogy from Adam :-he is tempted by the devil. 239 SECTION IV. THE ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY. CHAPTERS IV. 14, &c. v. vI. 1–11. . Jesus teaches in Galilee with applause ;—explains, in the synagogue of Nazareth, a prediction of Isaiah :—the people offend ed, attempt to throw him down a precipice ;—he escapes their fury-expells a demon at Capernaum :-cures Peter's wife's mother of a fever;-performs many other cures ;—announces the reign of God in the synagogues of Galilee ;-from a bark belonging to Peter, teaches the people on shore ;-by an extraordinary draught of fishes, prefigures the success of his Apostles as fishers of men ;-cleanses a leper, and heals a paralytic carried on a bed;-is charged with blasphemy;-calls Matthew-eats with publicans ;—vindicates this conduct;also that of his disciples, in not fasting;—clears from breach of Sabbath, himself for curing on that day,—and them for plucking and rubbing the ears of corn, induced by hunger. Page 244 SECTION V. THE NOMINATION OF APOSTLES. CHAPTERS VI. 12, &c. vii. 1-35. Jesus selects his twelve apostles ;-afterwards, attended by a great multitude, teaches who are truly happy ;-that we ought to love all men, and do good to all, enemies not excepted ;warns against uncharitableness in judging others ;-partiality in judging ourselves :—the evidence that a man is good, is his actions, not his professions :—the insignificancy of the latter without the former :-Jesus cures a centurion's servant;— at Nain restores to life a widow's son :-John's message to Jesus;-testimony of Jesus concerning John;-the people's opinion of both. 251 SECTION VI. SIGNAL MIRACLES AND INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTERS VII. 36, &c. viii. ix. 1—17. A woman of a bad life anoints the feet of Jesus in the house of a Pharisee ;-whom being scandalized at his permitting it, Jesus instructs in the extent of divine mercy, and its happy consequences;-travels about, teaching and warning in cities and villages, attended by the twelve and some pious women :— the parable of the sower;-reason for using parables; the explanation:-a lamp not lighted but to enlighten ;-knowledge not given but to be communicated :—who are considered by Jesus as his dearest relatives ;—he embarks ;—meets with atempest ;—stills it by a word;—lands ;—cures the demoniac who had the legion;-and a woman of a bloody issue ;-the daugh ter of Jairus restored to life:-Jesus sends the twelve, em powering them to cure diseases :-Herod's doubts concerning Jesus Jesus feeds 5000 in the desert. Page 257 SECTION VII. THE TRANSFIGURATION. CHAPTERS IX. 18. &c. x. Different opinions concerning Jesus ;-Peter acknowledges him to be the Messiah :—Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection:-all who would be followers must prepare for suffering: -Jesus transfigured in the presence of Peter and Zebedee's sons ;—cures a demoniac;—again foretells that he will be delivered to his enemies ;—humility the road to preferment in the reign of heaven;-the meanest disciple not to be despised;— the services of those who do not accompany the Apostles not to be rejected: Jesus sets out for Jerusalem ;—is refused ad mittance into a Samaritan city on the road; the vindictive proposal of two disciples rejected by their Master, with a severe reprimand to the proposers:—those who would follow Je sus, must do it at all hazards, and without delay :—the mission of the Seventy:-the aggravation of the guilt of those who, though they had enjoyed the ministry of Jesus, and seen his miracles, remained impenitent :-the return and report of the Seventy-Jesus is consulted by a lawyer, as to what must be done to obtain eternal life ;-he explains, by the parable of the humane Samaritan, the meaning of neighbour:-in the example of Martha and her sister Mary, we are taught what is the most important pursuit. Page 265 SECTION VIII. THE CHARACTER OF THE PHARISEES. CHAPTERS XI. XII. Jesus gives his disciples a model of prayer ;-enjoins importunity-cures a dumb demoniac ;-refutes the plea of the Pharisees, that by the aid of demons he expelled demons :—points out the true happiness of man:-Jonah the only sign that would be granted to that generation;—their obduracy and folly contrasted to the penitence of the Ninevites, and the queen of Sheba's love of wisdom :—a Pharisee, at whose house Jesus dines, scandalized at his not washing his hands before dinner : -Jesus reproaches the Scribes and Pharisees, with being more solicitous about cleansing the outside than the inside ;with exactness in things of little moment, whilst they neglected things of the greatest ;-with affecting pre-eminence in everg thing;—with hypocrisy ;—with imposing burdens on others, from which they kept themselves free ;-with persecuting the prophets when living, and pretending to honour them when dead;-with obstructing the people's entry into the kingdom of God: he warns his disciples of their dangerous doctrine ; |