Manner as the Jews of old were washed for their Purification, according to the Law; from whence he was called the Baptift. The Jews would fain have acknowledged him to be the Meffiak; but he openly and ingenuously declar'd to them that he was not, and that he was only his Forerunner, that is to fay, a Meffenger fent before his Face, to prepare the Way before him, according to the Predictions of the antient Prophets. JESUS fuffer'd himself to be baptized by John, in the River Fordan; by which Act of Humility and Condefcenfion, he conferred a fupernatural Virtue on that Sacred Institution, Soon after, St. John feeing JESUS coming towards him, teftify'd to thofe about him, that he faw the Holy Ghoft defcending, as, a Dove, upon the bleffed JESUS, and in a holy Rapture cried out, Behold the LAMB of Gov, that taketh away the Sins of the World!

The CATECHISM.

Q. W Hof

Hofe Son was John the Baptift? A. The Son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, near Relations to the bleed Virgin Mary.

Q. Where and how did he lead his Life? A. In the Wilderness, after a more abftemious Manner than any of the antient Prophets.

Q. Did the Prophets of old fay any Thing concerning him?

A. Yes, they declared he should be the Forerunner of the Meffiah.

Q. What do you mean by the Term Fore

runner?

A. A fpecial Mefenger fent before his Face to prepare the Way before him.

Q. What Doctrine did St. John principally preach ?

A. The Baptifm of Repentance.

Q. For what Reafon ?

A. Becaufe, as he faid, the Kingdom of Heaven was near at Hand.

Q. What Mark of his Favour did he beftow on those who followed him and became his Difciples?

A. He baptized them.

Q. After what Manner did he perform that Ceremony?

A. He plunged them into the River Jor

dan.

Q. What were the Benefits and Advantages which they received therefrom 2 A. The Pardon and Remiffion of their Sins.

Q. Did he alfo baptize the LORD JESUS?

A. Yes.

Q. For what Reafon did our bleffed Saviour comply with that outward Ordinance? A. To confer a fupernatural Virtue on the Water made Ufe of on that Jolemn Oc-. cafion.

Q. What

Q. What did St. John teftify concerning Christ after his Baptifm?

A. That he faw the Holy Ghoft defcending from Heaven, like a Dove, upon him and thereupon, in a holy Rapture, cried out, Behold the LAMB of Gon that taketh away the Sins of the World!

LESSON III.

Of the Vocation, or Call of the APOSTLES.

A

Fter JESUS was baptized, he was led up of the Spirit into the Wilderness, where he fafted forty Days and forty Nights, and there fuffered himself to be exposed to the various Temptations of the Devil. He return'd to Galilee, and dwelt for fome. Time near the Lake of Gennefareth. There he called four Fishermen unto him, that is to fay, Andrew and Simon his Brother, and Fames and John, the Sons of Zebedee, and order'd them to follow him. Afterwards he called feveral others, particularly Matthew, a Publican, and a Collector of the Customs. As foon as they heard his Voice, they left all, without the leaft Reluctance, and followed him. His Difciples foon grew numerous; and Multitudes were ambitious of attending to, and embracing his Doctrine. He felected Twelve from amongst the Number

of his Difciples, whom he called his Apoftles, or Meffengers; because he gave them Commiffion to travel into diftant Countries, and propagate his Gofpel. The Names of the Twelve Apoftles were thefe; first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his Brother; James the Son of Zebedee, and John his Brother; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the Publican, James · the Son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whofe Sirname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

The CATECHISM.,

QTO what Place was JESUS led up of the Spirit, after he was baptized?

A. Into the Wilderness.

Q. How did he spend his Time there? A. He fafted forty Days and forty Nights Q. What Trials did he undergo in that folitary Place?

vil.

A. The repeated Temptations of the D

Q. What was his Method of calling hi Difciples?

A. He bid them follow him, and they in ftantly left all, and follow'd him accordingl Q. What do you mean by the Term D ciples?

A. Perfons who attend their Mafter, and embrace his Doctrine.

Q. What

Q. What do you mean by that other Term of his Apostles?

A. Ambaffadors, or Perfons commiffioned to travel into diftant Countries for the Propagation of his Gofpel.

Q. What Number of them did JESUS fet apart for that particular Purpose ? A. Twelve.

Q. Rehearse their Names.

A. Simon, who was also called Peter, and Andrew his Brother; James the Son of Zebedee, and John his Brother; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the Publican, James the Son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus whofe Sirname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who betray'd him.

LESSON IV.

Of the Ministry, or Preaching of JESUS Chrift.

ESUS went through all the Cities and Villages round about Jerufalem preaching the Gofpel of the Kingdom of Heaven teltifying, that he was the Meffiah fo long expected, and fo ardently wifhed for by the Patriarchs, and foretold by the Prophets; that he came down from Heaven to be the G

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