16 Q. And what was his counsel to the soldiers?

A. To do violence or injury to none, to accuse no person falsely, and to be content with their pay, Luke iii. 14.

17 Q. What did he say concerning himself?

A. That he was not the Christ, nor the very prophet Elias risen from the dead; but that he was only come "as a voice in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord," according to the prophecy of Isaiah, John i. 20, 23. Isa. xl. 3.

18 Q. But does not Jesus Christ himself say that John was Elias, or Elijah?

A. Yes, because he came in the spirit and power of Elias, to prepare the way for Christ, according to the sense of the prophet Malachi, Mal. iv. 5. Luke i. 17. Matt. xvii. 12, 13.

19 Q. Wherein did he imitate or look like Elias or Elijah?

A. That he wore a garment of hair; that he lived an austere life, like Elijah, in the wilderness; that he came to begin a reformation among the Jews, as Elias did, when they were greatly corrupted; and he reproved Herod, as Elias reproved Ahab, Mark i. 6. and ix. 13. Matt. xiv. 3.

20 Q. What did he say concerning Jesus Christ?

A. He declared that though Jesus came after him, yet he was not worthy to bear his shoes; that he only baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize" with the Holy Ghost and with fire;" and he pointed him out in the midst of the people, "This is the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world," John i. 21–34. Matt. iii. 11.

21 Q. How did he come to know Jesus Christ?

A. He had some notice given him privately from God, and he had a further public sign from heaven to confirm his knowledge of him.

22 Q. What was that public sign?

A. When Jesus was baptized by John at the river Jordan, "the Holy Ghost came down like a dove, and

rested upon him," as God had foretold him, Matt. iii. 16, 17 and John i. 31-33.

23 Q. Did the disciples of John immediately leave him, and follow Jesus?

A. No: for Jesus had not then begun his public ministry.

24 Q. How did John further recommend Jesus Christ to his disciples?

A. Some time after he sent them too see the miracles that Jesus wrought, that they might be convinced that he was the Messiah, Matt. xi. 2.

25 Q. What became of John the Baptist?

A. He was cast into prison by Herod, because he reproved him for taking Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, Matt. xiv. 2, 3.

26 Q. Did not Herod hear John preach sometimes, and reform some of his evil practices upon it?

A. Yes he did; and yet he was persuaded to put him to death at last, to satisfy the malice and revenge of this wicked woman, Mark vi. 20—29.

27 Q. How came this to pass?

A. Upon Herod's birth-day, the daughter of Herodias pleased the king so well with her dancing, that he promised to give her whatever she asked; and her mother bade her ask for John the Baptist's head in a dish, Matt. xiv. 6-8.

28 Q. And did Herod then comply with this bloody request?

A. Yes; for he had sworn to it before a great deal of company; and rather than break his rash and sinful oath, he would kill a prophet of God, Matt. xiv. 9-11.

29 Q. What became of the body of John the Baptist?

A. His disciples took it up and buried it, ver. 12. 30 Q. Whither did his disciples go afterward? A. They went and told Jesus what had befallen their master, and probably they became the disciples of Jesus, ver, 1.2.

CHAPTER XXII.

OF THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.

1 Q. Who was Jesus Christ?

A. The Son of God, who came into this world to be the Saviour of men, 1 John iv. 14. John iii. 17. 2 Q. What does the name Jesus Christ signify? A. Jesus (which is his proper name) signifies a Saviour and Christ is the same in Greek that Messiah is in Hebrew, which signifies his being anointed, or appointed to that office, Matt. i. 21. John i. 41. Psalm ii. 2.

3 Q. Where did he dwell before he came into this world?

A. He dwelt with God his Father in a very glorious state, before this world was made, John xvii. 5. and chap. i. 1, 2, 14.

4 Q. In what manner did he come into this world? A. He laid aside his glory, he took a body of flesh and blood, which God had prepared for him, and was born of Mary, who was a virgin, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, Phil. ii. 7. Heb. ii. 14. and x. 5. Matt. i. 20, 23. Isa. vii. 14.

5 Q. Who was this Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ?

A. She was a poor young woman of the family of David, who was espoused to, or had consented to marry, Joseph, a carpenter, who was also of the house of David, that royal family being then fallen into decay, Matt. i, 18, 20. Luke i. 32. Matt. xiii. 55.

6 Q. Did Joseph marry her afterwards?

A. Joseph was admonished by an angel of God to marry her without fear, because the child that was formed in her was by the Spirit of God, Matt. i. 20.

7 Q. What notice had Mary that she should have such a son?

A. The angel Gabriel was sent to her at Nazareth, where she dwelt, to assure her, that "the power of the

most high God should overshadow her," and that she should bring forth a child who should be called the Son of God, Luke i. 26–35.

8 Q. How was Mary further encouraged in this hope? A. While she was with child with her son Jesus, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was then with child with John the Baptist; Elizabeth saluted her as the mother of the Messiah, and they were both inspired to praise the Lord with divine raptures, Luke i. 39-55.

9 Q. Where was Jesus Christ born ?

A. In Bethlehem, the city of David, according to the prophecy of Micah, Luke ii. 4. Matt. ii. 5, 6. Micah v. 2.

10 Q. How came Mary to liein at Bethlehem?

A. Augustus Cæsar, the emperor, had decreed to tax or register all the world; and Joseph being of the house of David, went up with Mary, his espoused wife, to be registered or taxed in Bethlehem, the city of David, Luke ii. 1-5.

11 Q. What provision was made for her there?

A. A poor provision indeed there was no room for them in the inn; she was lodged in a stable, and when she brought forth her son, she laid him in a manger, Luke ii. 7.

12 Q. What special notices were given that this child was the Messiah, or Christ the king of Israel? A. Many notices were given of it by angels and men, by Jews and Gentiles.

13 Q. What notice was given by angels that Christ was born?

A. An angel appeared to some shepherds by night, and sent them to find the babe in a manger at Bethlehem, Luke ii. 8-16.

14 Q. What joy was shown among the angels this occasion?

upon

A. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good-will towards men:" and this the shepherds heard, ver. 13, 14.

15 Q. What testimonies were given to Jesus Christ in his infancy by any of the Jews?

A. When he was brought to the temple to be circumcised, and presented to the Lord as the first-born, Simeon and Anna, two ancient persons among the Jews, bore witness to him, v. 25, 36.

16 Q. What was the witness which Simeon bore to the infant Jesus?

A. It was revealed to him that he should not die before he had seen the Messiah; and he took Jesus up in his arms, and said, "Now, Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation," v. 26-30.

17 Q. What witness did Anna bear to him?

A. She was an aged widow and a prophetess: she gave thanks to the Lord concerning him, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem, v. 36-38.

18 Q. Who among the Gentiles received notice of the birth of Christ?

A. Some wise men in the east had seen a new star, and they had some divine notice that a king of the Jews was born, and they came to worship him, Matt. ii. 1, 2.

19 Q. How did they find out the house where Jesus was?

A. The star went before them, and stood over the place where the infant lay, v. 9.

20 Q. What honour did they do him?

A. They fell down and worshipped him, and pre sented him gold and spices, v. 11.

21 Q. What enemies or dangers did Jesus meet with in his infancy?

A. Herod the Great, who then reigned in Judea, having heard from the wise men that a king of the Jews was born, was filled with jealousy, and thought to destroy Jesus, v. 13.

22 Q. What means did Herod use to destroy him? A. He slew all the children that were in or near Bethlehem, under two years old, v. 16.

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