Page images
PDF
EPUB

thrown in the Red sea-Bitter water made sweet at the prayer of

Moses-Manna sent-Evil report of the spies-Golden calf made
and worshipped-Quails sent-Brazen serpent-Joshua made Is-
rael's leader-Ashtaroth, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; their origin,
69-114.

Between a Pilgrim and Simon Cleophas; in four Parts.

182.

Containing the Space of Seventy Years, or the Life of Christ, with the Travels

and Acts of the Apostles, to the Destruction of Jerusalem.

John the Baptist born-An angel sent to Mary-Angels appear

to the shepherds-Christ's birth at Bethlehem-The wise men in-

quire for the king of the Jews-Herod orders the Magi to inform

him where Christ is-Mocked by them-Christ sent into Egypt-

Herod orders the infants of Bethlehem to be slain-Herod's policy

-His loathsome death-Archelaus ascends the throne-Christ

returns out of Egypt-The blindness of earthly minds-Descrip-

tion of Joseph and Mary-Excellent qualities of Jesus-His dis-

coursing with the doctors-Needs no worldly wisdom-Pontius

Pilate becomes governor-Beginning of John's ministry-Jesus

baptized by John-His temptation-Turns water into wine-

Cleanseth the temple-Meets with the woman of Samaria-The

travels of Jesus-Healeth inveterate infirmities-His sweet walks

and edifying discourses-His delightful comparisons-The disci-

ples sent out to preach-Miracle of the five barley loaves and two

fishes-Jesus walketh on the sea-John beheaded-Description of

the person of Jesus-His transfiguration on the mount-The se-.

venty sent out-Christ giveth sight to one born blind-Raises Laza-

rus from the dead-His death resolved on-Zaccheus converted-

Judas Iscariot sells Jesus to the high priests-Jesus rides to Jeru-

salem on an ass-Weeps over the city-Its destruction foretold—

The Lord's Supper instituted-Christ's passion in the garden-

Betrayed by Judas-Brought to Jerusalem-Peter's courage fails

him-Corner Stone rejected, a type of Christ-His being brought

before Pilate-The Jews' wicked accusations-Barabbas released

-Jesus scourged, condemned, and crucified-The sun darkened

-The veil rent-Death of Judas, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and He-

rodias-Christ taken down from the cross-His enemies rejoice—

His resurrection-Appears to the women-Appears to Simon Cleo-

phas-Appears to the other disciples-Christ's kingdom a heaven-

ly one-His ascension-The Holy Ghost descends on the apostles

-Three thousand converted, &c.-Stephen stoned to death-Saul

persecutes the believers-Philip preaches at Samaria-Baptizes the

Ethiopian nobleman-Peter's and Cornelius' visions-Paul con-

verted-His life and sufferings-James the Elder beheaded, &c.

183-281.

A DIALOGUE

Between a Pilgrim and Simon Cleophas; in four Parts.

PART IV.

Containing the Destruction of Jerusalem, the Overthrow of the Jewish Constitu tion, and the State of the Christian Church, to the 109th year of the Era; containing the Space of Seventy Years.

Trajan's cruelty-Destruction of Sodom-Lot's wife becomes a pillar of salt-Caligula affects to be worshipped as God-The revolt of the Jews-A soldier burns the scriptures-The deceit and cruelty of the Sicarii-Paul's troubles at Jerusalem and RomeDreadful government of Albinus-Seven dread tokens of Jerusalem's destruction-Cruelty of Florus-King Agrippa's wise counsel-Their civil broils-Dreadful destruction of the Jews-Defeat of Cestius Gallus-Catalogue of the Jewish commanders-Vespasian and Titus take the command of the Roman army-Dreadful carnage made by the Idumeans-Jericho taken by the RomansJerusalem's sufferings prolonged-Vespasian made emperor-Simon Gioras infests the city-His wife taken prisoner-Titus marches to Jerusalem-The Jews' mistaken zeal-The first and second wall taken-A sore famine within the city-Jerusalem besieged on all sides-The third wall beat down- The temple taken-Mothers boil their children-The temple burnt-The city burnt and pillaged-Scheme of Simon Gioras defeated-The city totally demolished-The Jews carried away bound as captives-The Jewish kingdom not to be restored-The cruelty of the Roman emperors -Sore persecution of believers-Death of Nero and DomitianPrejudice of the Pagans-Pliny's letter to Trajan-The benefit of persecution-Liberty and ease cool Christian love-Love of the world destroys religion-A list of the primitive fathers-How the gospels and epistles were collected-Succession of the Roman emperors-A desire to be profited by this wonderful History, 283337.

[graphic]

DIALOGUES.

Dialogue

BETWEEN

A PILGRIM AND ADAM,

Containing the Space of Nine Hundred and Thirty Years.

Paradise described-Effects of the fall-Cain and Abel-Lamech the son of Cain's progeny-Cain's death-Enoch's excellencies and translation.

PILGRIM.

I AM, above all things, desirous, venerable father, to be put in the way how I may happily finish the course of my pilgrimage, and I thought you were the fittest person I could apply to; for I understand you have lived a long time, and, indeed, your appearance shows it. Besides, having conversed both with God and man, you must have acquired a large stock of knowledge and experience.

Adam. True, son; I am, indeed, of a very great age. About nine hundred and thirty years have gone over my head, and I do not expect to live many years more, nor, as times are, do I desire it. Could I have continued in that delightful, glorious Paradise, and in my first state, never should I have been weary of living, but the world is now so degenerate and corrupt, that I do not care how soon I am out of it.

Pilgrim. This it is which chiefly induced me to come to you, that I might learn how you came to lose so pleasing and desirable a life, and that I might takę warning.

Adam. Not a word more of that, son; the remembrance of it always greatly affects me.

Pilgrim. You seem extremely troubled, father; do not give way to grief so much.

Adam. Forbear, I entreat you, to afflict my grey hairs with such questions.

Pilgrim. Why so, father?

Adam. Oh, to think! to think!

Pilgrim. Let me beg of you, father, as I came to you for instruction, not to send me away without information. Certainly your former state must have been something very glorious, that the thought of losing it affects you so much.

Adam. No tongue can express in what a sweet, pleasing manner my Creator used to speak to me in those happy days when I lived under his smiles.

Pilgrim. Did you see any visible form of him? Adum. Yes, he descended to me his mean creature, in so much august splendour, yet speaking to me with such endearing mildness, that I shall never forget it; especially as I perceive that his favour is not so sweet to me, since I became disobedient to him.--Therefore, my son, beware of any disobedience, small as it may seem, lest the love of God depart from you.

Pilgrim. Give me, I pray, some account of Paradise: on that head we shall, another time, talk more at large.

Adam. It is impossible to give you a true representation of what a charming delightful place it was. The trees stood in rows, and full of fine fruits, of which, in my walks, I gathered what I liked. The birds leaped from spray to spray, making the garden ring with melody; for the very animals were much more sprightly whilst their ruler kept his first state, and God held friendship with him; but now they seem to droop and sigh for his trespass. All the beasts came submissively about me, and I gave every one its name, according to its most remarkable quality; for God had given me knowledge of the nature of things under me. The soil yielded a superabundance of every thing I wanted, and without any care or labour,

« PreviousContinue »