OF OUR

BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST:

AND

THE LIVES AND SUFFERINGS

OF HIS

HOLY EVANGELISTS AND APOSTLES.

BY

REV. JOHN FLEETWOOD, D. D.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN EDITION,

BY PROF. S. SEAGER.

NEW YORK:

MILLER, ORTON & CO., 25 PARK ROW.
1857.

Message of the Birth of Christ-Prediction of the Birth of John the Baptist-

Salutation of the Blessed Virgin by the Angel-Visitation of the Virgin

Mary to Elizabeth-Birth of the Baptist,....

CHAPTER II.

General Decree for Taxation Published-Birth of Christ-Declaration of the

same to Shepherds-Circumcision and Presentation of Christ in the Tem-

ple-The Wise Men of the East worship the Holy Child-Flight of Joseph

into Egypt--Massacre of Infants at Bethlehem-Death of Herod-Return

of Joseph out of Egypt,.....

17

28

CHAPTER III.

State of our Lord's Childhood and Private Life-His Argument with the Jewish

Doctors-Mission, Character, and Doctrine of the Baptism-Baptism of

Christ, and visible Descent of the Spirit on that Solemnity,...................................

CHAPTER IV.

Commencement of our Saviour's Ministry-His Temptation in the Wilderness—

Deputation of the Sandhedrim to John the Baptist-First Miracle wrought

by the blessed Jesus,....

CHAPTER V.

Expulsion of the Profaners of the Temple-Jesus Converses with Nicodemus-

Baptizes in Jndea-Instructs a poor Samaritan-Heals a Sick Person at

Capernaum-Retires again to Nazareth, and is expelled thence by his impi-

ous Countrymen,.

CHAPTER VI.

Our Lord proceeds to Capernaum--Adds to the Number of his Followers-Pro-

claims the Gospel in Galilee-Preaches to a numerous Audience his well-

known and Excellent Discourses upon the Mount..........

88

44

54

72

Our Blessed Lord Cures the Leprosy and Palsy-Casts out a Devil-Succors the

Mother-in-law of Peter; and afterward pursues his Journey through the

country of Galilee,..

...

CHAPTER VIII.

Jesus Confirms his Mission by Producing a Miraculous Draught of Fishes—

Curing the Leprosy a Second Time-Appeasing the Boisterous Waves--

Casting Devils out of divers Persons grievously Possessed,..

CHAPTER IX.

84

89

Our Lord proceeds in Acts of Mercy and Benevolence-Adds Mathew to the

Number of Disciples-Casts out an Evil Spirit-Passes Again through Gal-

ilee-Selects Twelve from among his Disciples, as his Constant Followers

and Companions, and Addresses the Multitude in an Excellent Discourse,... 95

CHAPTER X.

Continuation of our Lord's Glorious Doctrines-Beneficent Acts and Astonish-

ing Miracles wrought in Confirmation of the Divinity of his Mission, and

the Extending of his IIeavenly Kingdom,....

CHAPTER XI.

The Character of John the Baptist Cleared and Justified by the Blessed Jesus

-He Visits Simon the Pharisee-Display of our Lord's Humility and Con-

descension,

110

116

CHAPTER XIL

Miraculous Cure Effected at the Pool of Bethesda--Reproof of the Superstition

of the Jews, in Condemning the Performance of Necessary Works on the

Sabbath day-After doing many Acts of Mercy and Wonder, our Blessed

Lord is Visited by his Mother and his Brethren, and makes a Spiritual Re-

flection on the Incident......

122

CHAPTER XIII.

Our Lord Delivers many Remarkable Parables, and Explains several of them-

He Returns to Nazareth, and Commissions the Twelve Apostles, whom he

had before Selected as his Constant Attendants and Followers, to Disperse and

Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in divers places-Circumstances

of the Death of John the Baptist,..

131

CHAPTER XIV.

Our Lord adds to the Confirmation of his Mission and Doctrine, by working a

Miracle in the Wilderness of Bethsaida-The People, struck with the Power

and Grace of the Blessed Jesus, propose to raise him to the Earthly Dignity

of King-Peter, by Means of his Blessed Master, Performs a Miracle in

Walking upon the Sea,...
143

Pharisaical Superstition Severely Reprimanded-The Great Redeemer continues

to Display his Power and Benevolence in the Relief of several Objects of

Affliction-Guards his Disciples against the Prevailing Errors and Fallacies

of the Scribes and Pharisees-Proceeds on the Works of his Heavenly

Father,

151

CHAPTER XVI.

The Blessed Jesus Delegates a Special Power to Peter, one of his Disciples-

Pronounces the Final Judgment of the World; and is afterward Transfig-

ured upon the Mount,.

...

158

CHAPTER XVII.

Our Savior Relieves a Youth Tortured with a Dumb Spirit-Conforms Cheer-

fully to the Custom of the Country, by Paying the Tribute-Reproves the

Pride of his Disciples, and Delivers some Excellent Moral Precepts,.. 164

CHAPTER XVIII.

Our Blessed Lord attends, for the Fourth time, the Celebration of the Passover

at Jerusalem-Addresses the Multitude at the solemn Feast of Tabernacles

-Exempts the Woman taken in Adultery from the Punishment annexed

by the Jews to that Crime-Escapes from the Snares laid for Him by the

inveterate Scribes and Pharisees,..
169

CHAPTER XIX.

Our Lord continues to work miracles, in confirmation of his Mission and Doc-

trine-Calls forth and sends out seventy Disciples-Preaches to the People

of Judea, by way of Parable..

187

CHAPTER XX.

The humble Jesus resides with Martha and Mary, two obscure Women of Beth-

any-Improves a circumstance which occurred at the Feast of Dedica-

tion-Prescribes a mode of Prayer to his Disciples and future Followers-

Revisits some of the Pharisaical Tribe....

200

CHAPTER XXI.

Explanation of the Origin and Opinions of the different Sects among the Jews—

Our Lord teaches the Multitude by plain Discourse, and also by Parables... 207

CHAPTER XXII.

The blessed Jesus accepts the Pharisee's invitation-Delivers divers Parables,

representing the requisites for admittance into the Kingdom of God-The

care of the Redeemer for every one of his People-The reception of a peni-

tent Sinner; and the Punishment of misusing the benefits of the Gospel... 216

CHAPTER XXIII

Our Lord is applied to in behalf of poor Lazarus-Cures ten Persons of the

Leprosy in Samaria, and restores Lazarus to life.........

227