Q. Who was King of the other Ten?
A. Jeroboam.

Q. What did he do to corroborate his Kingdom?

A. He created a Schifm.

Q. What do you mean by the Term Schifm?

A. A Divifion in the Church.

Q. Where was the true Church conti nued?

A. At Jerufalem.

Q. Which was the Metropolitan of the Kingdom of Ifrael, and the falfe Church? A. That of Samaria.

LESSON XI.

Of the PROPHETS,

THE greateft Part of the Kings of Trael were abominably wicked, and addict

ed to Idolatry. There were a confiderable Number of the Kings of Judah likewife, who followed their evil Example; whereupon Gov fent feveral of his Prophets both to the one and the other, in Order to reclaim them, and bring them back again to his Service. All fuch were called Prophets, as GOD had infpir'd with his holy Spirit, and to whom he had revealed the fecret Purposes of his divine Will; and that ever

bleffec

bleffed Spirit, which spake by the Prophets, was the HOLY GHOST, the LORD and Giver of Life. Thus Mofes, Samuel, David, and Solomon, were Prophets: But that Name was more peculiarly adapted to fuch as led an auftere and folitary Life, as was the conftant Practice of Multitudes, during the Divifion of the two Kingdoms. Of this facred Number Elijah was the most remarkable, who prevented the Rain from defcending upon the Earth for three Years and a half fucceffively; and wrought many other furprifing Miracles; who at laft was fnatcht up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot, and is ftill living. There were other Prophets whose facred Writings have been tranfmitted to us, fuch as Ifaiah and Jeremiah, who foretold, that both Samaria and Ferufalem fhould be destroyed; but that the latter fhould be rebuilt, and re-established. To thefe Predictions they added many more concerning the Meffiah, which pointed out the particular Circumftances of his Birth, Life, Sufferings, Death, Refurrection, and coming in Glory to judge the World at the laft Day. They declared, that GOD would enter into a new, and more compleat Cove, nant with his People than the old one, and that he would bring back all the Nations of the Earth to his Service once more, and cause them to renounce their Idols.

The

1

The CATECHISM.

WHO were he Prophets?

WHO

A. Holy Men, infpir'd by the Spi

rit of God.

Q. Who was that Spirit?

A. The HOLY GHOST, the LORD and Giver of Life.

Q. Why were they called Prophets?
A. Because they foretold future Events.
Q. When were they moft numerous ?
A. After the Divifion of the two King-

Who was the most celebrated Prophet at that Time?

A. Elijah.

Q. Did he die?

A. No.

Q. What then became of-him?

A. He was fnatched up alive into Hea

ven.

Q. Who were the Prophets whofe facred Writings have been tranfinitted to us? A. Ifaiah, Jeremiah, and divers others, Q. What did they foretel?

.A. The Deftruction both of Samaria and Jerufalem; but that the latter should be re-established.

Q. Did they mention any Thing with Refpect to the Meffiah?

A. Yes, they foretold every Circumstance of his Life, Death, Resurrection, and Afcenfion.

Q. Did they take Notice of a new Co

venant?

A. Yes; and that it should be more perfect and compleat than the old one.

Q. What did they fay with Refpect to the calling in of the Gentiles?

A: That all Nations should abandon their Idols, and pay divine Adoration to the True GOD.

LESSON XII.

Of the Babylonish Captivity.
HE Kings of Ifrael and Judah re-

T garded not either the Reprimands,

or Exhortations of the Prophets; but perfecuted, and deftroy'd most of them after a very barbarous and inhuman Manner: GOD, however, fuffer'd them with Patience to go on in their Iniquities, and waited a long Time for their fincere Repentance; but at laft put his Threatnings in Execution. The Kingdom of Samaria was deftroy'd accordingly, and the ten Tribes were dispersed, and obliged to fly for Refuge into remote Countries, from whence they never turned. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Baby

re

Jon,

lon afterwards destroy'd Jerufalem, fet the Temple on Fire, and led the People into Captivity. Babylon was at that Time the moft flourishing City in the Univerfe, but over-run with Idolatry, Superftition, and all Manner of Immorality and Prophaneness. The Jews, however, notwithstanding this general Depravity, perfevered in the Practice of their Religion, and ftrictly adhered to the Laws of Mofes. Moreover, at that Time there were fome Men amongst them remarkable for their Sanctity, and in particular the Prophet Daniel, who, though a Courtier and a prime Minifter, led a blameless and holy Life; and GOD Almighty was gracioufly pleased to reveal the most important Secrets to him. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who had been brought up with him, and were his conftant Companions, refufed, with undaunted Courage and Refolution, to worfhip a large golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar had fet up, and were order'd thereupon to be caft into a fiery Furnace S but the LORD preferved them, infomuch that the raging Flames had no Manner of Influence over them. Then Nebuchadnezzar gave Glory to God, who thus began to make his Power known amongst the Gentiles.