many of the wonders of Moses were works of destruction.

2. His miracles were very numerous, so that mankind could not be mistaken in all of them, though they should object against some.

3. They were wrought in many places of the Jewish nation, and several of them before the eyes of the multitude, who could attest them.

4. They were such miracles as were foretold. should be wrought in the days of the Messiah; and therefore he continually appeals to his miraculous works for a testimony of his commission from God, John x. 37, 38. xv. 24. and xiv. 11.

SECTION IV.

The Example of Christ.

51 Q. LET us proceed now and inquire, what was the fourth thing designed in the public life and ministry of Christ?

A. To give an example to the world of universal holiness and goodness, John xiii. 15. 1 Cor. xi. 1 Rom. xv. 5.

52 Q. What are some of the more remarkable virtues, graces, or duties, wherein Christ appears to be our example?

A. 1. He sought the public glory of God with the warmest zeal, and vindicated the honour of his Father's appointment against the corruptions of men, John viii. 50. xvii. 4. and ii. 16, 17. Matt. xxiii.

2. He was strictly observant of all the commands of God, even the ceremonial as well as the moral: he observed the sabbath, he came up to the feast at Jerusalem, he desired to be baptized; he came to fulfil the law of God, and made it his meat and his drink, Matt. iii. 15. and v. 17. John xiv. 31. iv. 34. and vii. 10.

3. He was frequent and fervent in religious exer

cises, prayer, and praise, Luke vi. 12. and xi. 1, 2. : Matt. xiv. 23. and xi. 25.

4. He was eminent for heavenly-mindedness, selfdenial as to the comforts of this life, and trust in God for his daily bread; he was so poor, that the good women ministered to him out of their substance, and he had not where to lay his head, Luke, ix. 58. and viii. 3.

5. He bore the sorrows from the hand of God. with the highest submission, and the vilest injuries from men with perfect patience and meekness; not returning railing for railing, but blessing those that persecuted him, 1 Pet. ii. 21-23. Matt. xi. 29. Luke xxii. 42. and xxiii. 34.

6. He gave the most glorious instances of goodwill to men, compassion to the miserable, and love to friends, to strangers, and to enemies. He often had pity on the multitudes that followed him he travelled about, and took all occasions to do good to the bodies and the souls of men to their bodies, by his healing and feeding them; and to their souls, by his preaching and conversation: and at last he laiddown his life for sinners, Acts x. 38. Matt. ix. 36. and xiv. 14. John xv. 13. Ròm. v. 6. 8. 10.

7. He was obedient to his parents, paying them honour; and obedient to magistrates, paying tax and tribute, Luke ii. 51. Matt. xvii 24.

8. He was humble and familiar with the poor, aud even with Publicans and Sinners for their good, Matt. xi. 29. and ix. 11. He washed the feet of his own disciples, John xiii. 14.

9. He was stedfast in resisting the temptations of the devil, and opposing the iniquities of men, Matt. xiv. 1-11. Heb. ii. 18. and xii. 1, 2. Matt. xxiii. John ii. 13, &c.

10. He was prudent and watchful against the snares of his enemies, and careful to give them no just occasions against him': this appears in the wisdom of his discourses, and his daily conduct, John i. 1. and xi. 54 Matt. xvii. 27.

SECTION V.

His calling the Apostles and instructing them.

53 Q. WHAT was the fifth part of the business and design of his public ministry?

A. To call his apostles, and instruct them in their great commission of preaching the Gospel.

54 Q. How many preachers did our Saviour send forth?

A. He first sent twelve, who were called apostles, whom he designed to make his chief ministers; and he afterwards sent seventy through the land of Israel on the same errand of preaching the Gospel, Matt. x. 1. Luke vi. 13. and x. 1.

55 Q. What was the commission that Christ gave them all?

A. To preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, and to cast out devils, Matt. x. 1-8. Luke x. 9. 17.

56 Q. What were the names of the twelve apostles? A. Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother, who were fishermen; James, and John the son of Zebedee, who were also fishers; Philip and Bartholemew*; Thomas, and Matthew the Publican, who is also called Levi; James the son of Alpheus, who is called the Lord's brother; and Jude the brother of James, who is also called Lebbeus and Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, who is called Zelotes †; and Judas Iscariot, who afterwards betrayed his Master, Matt. x. 2-4. Luke vi. 14-16. Gal. i. 19.

Some suppose Bartholemew to be the same with Nathanael.

+ Simon was not a Canaanite by nation, for the Apostles were all Jews: some therefore think it is only the Hebrew or Syriac word Cana, which signifies a Zealot, with a Greek termination added.

57 Q. Had these messengers of Christ success in their work?

A. Yes, they had some success; for the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the Devils are subject unto us through thy name, Luke x. 17.

58 Q. How did he train up his twelve apostles for their future service?

A. They were very frequently attending upon him, and dwelt much with him, before and after their first mission abroad; so that they enjoyed his private instructions, his prayers, and his example continually Matt. x. 27. Luke xi. 1. Mark iv. 34.

59 Q. What peculiar instructions did he give his apostles?

A. 1. He explained the parables to them at home, which he spake to the people, and acquainted them in private what they should preach in public, Matt. x. 27. Mark iv. 34.

2. He foretold they must expect difficulties and persecutions, but he promised the aids of his Spirit and his own presence with them, and a large reward in heaven, Matt. x. 16-33. and xxviii. 20.

3. He charged them to love all men, and particularly, to love one another; and not to affect dominion and authority over one another, so particularly, as if he designed to preclude the Popish error of St. Peter being made the prince of the apostles, John xiii. 34, 35. Mark. xx. 25.

4. If any house welcomed and received them, they were ordered to pronounce the blessing of peace upon that house: but when any town refused to receive their message, they were commanded to shake off the dust of their feet as a testimony against them, Matt. x.11. Luke x. 54, 55.

5. He told them that he was the Messiah, and that he came to give his life a ransom for men, that he should be crucified and put to death at Jerusalem, and that he should rise again the third day, Matt. xvi. 16-22, and xx. 28.

6. He prayed with them often, and taught them how to pray, both in their younger and their more advanced state of knowledge, Luke xi. 1, &c. John xvi. 23, 24. ?

7. He gave them many admirable discourses before his death; he foretold the destruction of Jerusalem; and indulged their presence with him in his most excellent prayer to God just before his sufferings. See Matt. xxiv. John xiv. xv. xvi. and xvii.

8. He ordered them after his death to tarry at Jerusalem till they should receive the promised Spirit to fit them for their further service, Luke xxiv. 49. 60 Q. Were there any of these Apostles that seemed to be his favourites?

A. If there were any, they were Peter, James, and John; for they were admitted to be present in the room, when he raised the Ruler's daughter; and in the holy mount, when he was transfigured; and in the garden, when he sustained his agony; besides that John was called the beloved disciple, and leaned on Jesus's bosom at the holy supper, Mark v. 37, 38. Matt. xvii. 1. and xxvi. 37. John xiii. 33.

SECTION VI.

His Appointment or Institution of the Two Sacra

ments.

61 Q. WHAT is the last part of the public ministry of Christ?

A. His appointment of the two sensible ordinances, which are called sacraments, namely Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

62 Q. When did he appoint baptism?

A. It is supposed that he confirmed and practised the baptism of John in his life-time, that is, the bap