The Four Gospels

Who are happy. The disciples of Jesus bound to be exemplary. He came
to ratify the divine law, much impaired by the traditions of the Pharisees.
I. In respect of extent. Exemplified in what concerns-1. murder; 2. adul-
tery; 3. divorce; 4. oaths; 5. retaliation; 6. the love of our neighbor.
II. In respect of motive. Where the end is applause, the virtue is de-
stroyed. Exemplified-1. in almsgiving; 2. in prayer; 3. in fasting. Did
we estimate the stability of the things in heaven compared with the things
on earth, we should pursue the former with ardor, and prove superior to
all anxiety about the latter. The service of Mammon incompatible with
the service of God. Admonitions to charitableness in judging others:

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To impartiality in judging ourselves: To discretion in dispensing religious

benefits: To assiduity in pursuing spiritual good: To humanity and

equity in our behavior to all. Caution against the seducing influence of

the multitude, commonly in the wrong. Warning against false teachers,

who are best known by their actions. The wisdom of adding practice to

knowledge. The insignificancy of the latter without the former,

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SECTION IV. Several Miracles.-Ch. viii. ix. 1-34.

The cure of a leper; of a centurion's servant; of Peter's wife's mother; of

some demoniacs and others. Those who follow Jesus must do it at all

hazards, and without delay. The stilling of a tempest on the sea. The

cure of two furious demoniacs; of a paralytic carried on a bed. Matthew

called. The reason why Jesus associated with sinners. Why his disci-

ples did not fast. A woman cured of a bloody issue. A ruler's daughter

restored to life. The cure of two blind men, and of a dumb demoniac,

SECTION V. The Charge to the Apostles.-Ch. ix. 35, etc. x. xi. 1.

Jesus selects twelve whom he names apostles. Commissions them to an-

nounce the reign of heaven to his countrymen the Jews, empowering them

to perform miraculous cures. To secure them against solicitude, he assures

them of the care of Providence, and of the illuminations of the Spirit. He

warns them by his own example of what they may expect from men;

against the dread of whom he fortifies them by the consideration of the

omnipotence of God. His cause will occasion divisions in families. By

all genuine disciples he will be preferred to every other object. The small-

est services performed from love to him, shall not be unrewarded,

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SECTION VI. The Character of the Times.-Ch. xi. 2, etc. xii.

John's message to Jesus. The testimony of Jesus concerning John. The

people's opinion of both. The aggravated guilt of Chorazin, Bethsaida,

and Capernaum, who had enjoyed the ministry of Jesus, and seen his mir-

acles, yet remained impenitent. The wisdom of God in adapting his new

dispensation to the simple and unlearned, who are invited by Jesus to come

under his guidance. The doctrine of the Pharisees concerning the Sab-

bath confuted-1. from Scripture; 2. from reason; 3. from their own

practice. The manner wherein they account for his expelling demons ex-

posed. The danger of detracting from the Holy Spirit. Miracles not in-

tended for gratifying curiosity or captiousness. The obduracy and folly of

the age strongly condemned by the repentance of the Ninevites, and the

zeal for wisdom manifested by the Queen of Sheba. The misimprovement

of benefits begets insensibility. Who are considered by Jesus as his near-

est relatives,
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SECTION VII. Parables.-Ch. xiii. 1–53.

The parable of the sower. The reason why Jesus taught in parables. The

explanation of the parable. The parable of the darnel. Of the grain of

mustard seed. Of the leaven. The explanation of the parable of the dar-

nel. The parable of the hidden treasure. Of the precious pearl. Of the

sweep-net, with its explanation,
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SECTION VIII. The People twice fed in the Desert.

Ch. xiii. 54, etc. xiv. xv. xvi. 1-12.

Jesus despised by his fellow-citizens on account of his parentage; is inform-
ed how John the Baptist was killed by Herod; retires to a desert; is fol-
lowed by more than 5000 persons, whom he there feeds miraculously;
makes his disciples embark for the other side of the lake; follows them in
the night walking on the water; entering the bark, stills the storm; many,
in the country of Gennesaret cured by touching his garment; his disciples
vindicated from the charge brought by the Pharisees, who, by their tradi-
tions, annulled the law of God. Moral pollution proceeds only from vice.
A demon expelled from the daughter of a woman who, though a Gentile,
showed extraordinary faith. In a mountain, near the Sea of Galilee, many
eures performed, and upwards of 4000 miraculously fed. A sign, such as

they demanded, refused to both Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples

cautioned against their doctrine under the name of leaven, which they, in-

terpreting literally, misunderstood,

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SECTION IX. The Transfiguration.—Ch. xvi. 13 etc. xvii. xviii.

The opinions of the people concerning Jesus. Peter avows him to be the

Messiah. Jesus asserts the perpetuity of his church soon to be erected.

Foretells his own death. Rebukes Peter, who was scandalized at hearing

it mentioned. All who would be followers warned to prepare for sufferings

and death. Jesus transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John.

Lets them know who the Elijah was that should come first. Asserts the

power of faith. To avoid giving offence, pays the tribute, though entitled

to exemption. Humility the road to eminence in the reign of heaven.

The meanest disciple not to be despised. Snares and offences to be avoid-

ed. The method of reclaiming an offending brother. Personal injuries,

though often repeated, still to be forgiven. The implacable not to expect

forgiveness from God. The parable of the king who reckoned with his

servants,

SECTION X. The Rich Man's Application.-Ch. xix. xx. 1-16.

What it is that justifies divorce. Who they are that should abstain from

marriage. The people encouraged to bring children to Jesus: what must

be done to obtain eternal life; how far endeavors after perfection will car-

ry us. Riches a great obstruction to our admission into the kingdom.

The reward of those who abandon any thing for Jesus. God gives gratui-

tously much beyond his promise. Illustrated by the parable of the laborers

in the vineyard,

SECTION XI. The Entry into Jerusalem.- Ch. xx. 17, etc. xxi. xxII. 1—14.

Jesus, travelling to Jerusalem, foretells his sufferings and resurrection. The

application of Zebedee's wife in behalf of her sons. Jesus asserts the ne-

cessity of humility in all who would obtain admission into his kingdom.

Gives sight to two blind men. Rides into Jerusalem on an ass, attended by

a multitude shouting for joy. Drives the traffickers out of the temple:

Where he heals the blind and the lame. Devotes the barren fig-tree.

Affirms the power of faith. Silences the chief priests and elders, who

question him about his authority. Contrasts their character with that of

the heathen, in the parable of the man who had two sons. Paints their in-

gratitude to God in the parable of the husbandman who ill-treated and kil-

led their landlord's messengers. Predicts the rejection of the Jews and the

admission of the Gentiles into the church. This further illustrated in the

parable of the marriage of the king's son,

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SECTION XII. The character of the Pharisees.—Ch. xxii. 15. etc. xxiii.

Jesus eludes the artifices of the Pharisees in his manner of teaching that tri-

bute ought to be paid to their rulers. Vindicates the doctrine of the resur-

rection against the Sadducees. Answers the lawyer who questioned him

about what is most essential in the law. Puzzles the Pharisees with a pas-

sage of Scripture which they applied to the Messiah. Admonishes the

people to follow the good instructions, not the evil example, of their teach-

ers, who are reproached with obstructing the access to the kingdom of hea-

ven; with making religion a mask to rapacity; with their false zeal in

making proselytes, whom, far from reforming, they corrupted; with the

encouragement their traditions gave to perjury; with their exactness in

things of no moment, whilst they neglected things of the highest; with their

care about the cleanness of the outside, whilst they left the inside full of

pollution,
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SECTION XIII. The Prophecy on Mount Olivet.-Ch. xxiv. xxv.

The destruction of the temple foretold. The calamities by which it will be
preceded. The signs that the Judge is at hand. The time of the judgment
known only to God. Men will be suprised by it as formerly by the flood.
The necessity of activity and vigilance illustrated-by the example of ser-

vants who expect their master's return; by the parable of the ten virgins;

by the parable of the talents. Account of the procedure at the last judg

ment,

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SECTION. XIV. The last Supper.-Ch. xxvi. 1–56.

The rulers consult together about the method of apprehending Jesus. A fe-

male disciple anoints his head. Judas bargains with the chief priests to de-

liver him into their hands. Jesus eats the passover with his disciples. Ac-

quaints them of the treachery of one of them. Institutes the commemora-

tion of his death. Foretells their deserting, and Peter's disowning him.

His deep distress in the garden. He is seized by an armed multitude con-

ducted by Judas. Rebukes an apostle for having recourse to the sword, 577