The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

And now we are come to the Publick Ministry of Christ, whose Acts I shall briefly mention before I proceed to give an ac∣count of his Suffering and Death.

JEsus working Miracles many believed on him, but he did not com∣mit himself unto them,* 1.1 because he knew what is in man, leaving Jerusalem where he had been at the Passover, he went into the Land of Judea, with his Disciples, where after he had stayed eight mo∣neths, he went into Galilee again, but he must needs go through Samaria, where he brings the Samaritan Woman off from the Jerusalem worship,* 1.2 to the worship of the Father in the Spirit and Truth; and in Galilee he worked many Miracles, healing the sick, and casting out Devils, going through all Galilee, and preach∣ing in their Synagogues, and healing every disease, and his fame went into all Syria; and a great Multitude followed him, and in a certain City he heals a Leper, who though he was forbid, yet he publisheth it, and they came to him from every place to hear him, and to be healed, insomuch, that he could no more enter openly into the City, but was in desart places and prayed.

After these things was the Feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,* 1.3 where, for healing a man on the Sabboth day, that had had an Infirmity thirty eight years, lying at the Pool of Bethesda: The Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabboth day; Jesus told them, My Fa∣ther worketh hitherto, and I work; wherefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he said, that God was his Father; Jesus said, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for whatsoever he doth, these also doth the Son; for the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doth, and he will shew him grea∣ter things then these, that ye may marvel, for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all Iudgment unto the Son, that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father, he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him.

And it came to pass in those dayes, that he went into a Mountain to pray,* 1.4 and continued in prayer all night, and when it was day he chose twelve, whom he called Apostles, and he came down with them, and stood in the Plain, and a great multitude coming unto him,

he went up into a Mountain again, and there spake first to his Apostles, and afterwards to the People, exhorting his Disciples to lowliness, pronouncing a Blessing to the Poor, and to them that weep now,* 1.5 but a Wo unto them that were Rich, and Full, and unto them that laughed now, for they should mourn and weep; and that they should love their Enemies, and do good to them which hate them: And when he had ended all his Sayings in the Audience of the People, he en∣tered into Capern••um, and heals the Centurions Servant that lay sick ready to dye; and afterward he went from City to City Preaching, and his Disciples were with him, and certain Women Ministred un∣to him: And whilest he spake to the People, it was told him, [year of Christ 13] that his Mother and Brethren stood without, desiring to see him, and to speak with him, he answered and said, my Mother and Brethren are these which hear the Word of God and do it.

And as Jesus was going to the House of Jairus (who fell down at Jesus his Feet, and besought him that he would come to his House, for he had one only Daughter of about twelve years of Age,* 1.6 and she lay a dying) the People thronged him as he went, and a Woman having an Issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her Li∣ving upon Physitians, neither could be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the Border of his Garment, and she was healed, and the Daughter of Jairus now already dead, is restored to life by his Word only, and likewise he straightly chargeth that no man should know it.

When he departed thence, two blind men followed him,* 1.7 whose Eyes he opened, straightly charging, that no man should know it; as they went out, behold, they brought unto him a Dumb man Pos∣sessed with a Devil, and when the Devil was cast out, the Dumb speak, and a Multitude marvelled, but the Pharisees Blasphemed; and he went round about all their Cities and Villages, teaching and healing all their Diseases;* 1.8 and he was moved with compassion to∣wards the great multitude, when he saw the great Harvest and the few Labourers, and saith to his Disciples, that they should pray the Lord that he would send forth Labourers; and he sends forth the twelve Apostles to Preach the Gospel.

He saith to his Disciples, Wo unto them by whom Offences come; and he teacheth them, that if thy Brother sin against thee, he is to be forgiven.

Lazarus of Bethany was sick, his Sisters therefore sends to Jesus to tell him of his sickness, assoon as he heard that he was sick, he tarries to dayes in the place where he was, but afterwards he saith to his Dis∣ciples, let us go again into Judea, who say to him, the Jews of late sought to Stone thee, and goest thou thither again? Jesus answer∣ing, saith unto them, Lazarus sleepeth (speaking of his Death, not of his Sleep) let us go to him, saith Thomas, that we may dye with him; Jesus comes nigh unto Bethany, and finds that Lazarus had been buried four dayes in the Grave; Martha comes to meet him, they discourse concerning the Resurrection; Mary hearing of it comes quickly to him without the Town, where Martha met him,

who seeing her weep, Jesus wept, and comes to the Grave, bidding them remove the Stone, and giving thanks to his Father, calls Laza∣rus out of his Grave;* 1.9 whereupon many believed on him, and some going to the Pharisees telling what things Jesus had done, they called therefore a Council, where Caiaphas Prophesied concerning Jesus, and from that day consulted together, that they might put him to death, commanding, that if any knew where he was, they should give notice, that they might take him; and at another time the Pharisees said, Behold, the whole World is gone after him.

And Jesus travelling towards Jerusalem,* 1.10 when he came nigh, see∣ing the City, he wept over it, foretelling the utter Destruction thereof; and being come to Ierusalem, having spoken of the desolation and ruin of it, as he sat on the Mount of Olive, over-against the Temple, his Disciples asked him, when these thing shall be, and what shall be the signs of thy coming?* 1.11 to whom he answers at large, and warns them to Watch, and to be ready, for they know not the hour when the Lord will come, and teacheth the same thing by the Parable of the ten Virgins, as also by the Parable of the Tallents deli∣vered to the Servants to Trade withal.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, he saith to his Disciples, Ye know that after two dayes is the Passover, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed to be crucified. Then they consulted together in the Palace of the High-Priest, that they might kill Jesus, but they said,* 1.12 not on the Feast-day, least there be an uproar among the Peo∣ple; then entered Satan into Judas, who offers himself, and Co∣venants to betray him.

In the first day of the Unleavened Bread, when the Passover was slain, and in the Evening he cometh with the twelve, and when they had sat down and eaten, Jesus said, I have greatly desired to eat this Passover before I suffer; and he further said; One of you shall betray me;* 1.13 and they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him, one by one, Is it I? He answered, It is he that dippeth his hand with me in the d••sh; and to Iudas, asking, Is it I? He saith, Thou hast said.

When Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this World unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the World, he loved them unto the end; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God, there being a strife among his Disciples who should be greatest, he riseth after Supper, and layes aside his Garments,* 1.14 and took a Towel, and girded himself; after that, he poured Water into a Bason, and began to wash the Disciples Feet; Peter saith, Thou shalt never wash my Feet; Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me; Peter saith, Not my Feet only, but also my Hands, and my Head: After he had washed their Feet, and had taken his Garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you, you call me Ma∣ster and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am; if then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet, you ought also to wash one anothers Feet; for I have given you an Example, that you should do as I have

done to you; and speaking further to his Disciples, he was trou∣bled in Spirit, and said, One of you shall betray me, they looked one upon another, doubting of whom he speak; one of the Disciples whom Jesus loved, lying on Jesus his Breast, said, Lord, who is it? Jesus said, He it is to whom I shall give a stop, after I have dipped it, and he gave it to Judas, and said to him, What thou doest do quick∣ly. Now when Judas had received the stop, he went immediately out; when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man Glo∣rified, and God is Glorified in him; little Children, yet a little while I am with you, ye shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews, Whither I go you cannot come, so now I say unto you,* 1.15 a New Commandment I give unto you, That you love one another, as I have loved you, by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if you have love one to ano∣ther: Peter said, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whi∣ther I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards; Peter said, Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my Life for thy sake; Jesus answered, The Cock shall not crow till thou hast de∣nyed me thrice.

Against their sorrow conceived by them for his death he comforts them, saying, Let not your hearts be troubled;* 1.16 and that in his Fa∣thers House were many Mansions; and that the Comforter, the ho∣ly Ghost should come, and be their Teacher; and he exhorts them to to abide patiently the hatred of the World, which hated him, and that they should not be offended though Persecutions attended them.

Again, entering into a Garden with his Disciples, unto whom he said, Pray ye that ye enter not into Temptation;* 1.17 sit here till I go and pray yonder, and he took Peter, and the two Sons of Zebedee, with him, and said unto them, Tarry here and watch; and being with∣drawn from them about a Stones cast, he kneeled down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing remove this Cup from me, nevertheless not my Will, but thine be done; and there appeared an Angel from Hea∣ven strengthening him, then he returns and finds his Disciples sleep∣ing, he reprehends and admonisheth them,* 1.18 and being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood; and while he was yet speaking to his Disciples, Judas came and betrayed him to the chief Priests, and they took him; and he said unto them, This is your hour and Power of Darkness; and the Disciples left him, and fled; and they bound Jesus,* 1.19 and brought him first to Annas, who sent him to Caiphas the High-Priest, where were all the chief Priests, Elders and Scribes of the People gathered to∣gether; then Caiphas asked him concerning his Disciples, and his Doctrine; Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the World, ask them that heard me; therefore one of the Officers struck him with a Staff, to whom he answered. If I have well spoken, why smitest thou me? Then all the Council sought false Witness against him, and found none; at last two Witnesses came, but their Testimony agreed not; Caiphas then said, answerest thou not to what they wit∣ness against thee, but Jesus held his peace; then he adjured him that

he should tell, whether he were the Christ, and he answered, I am; wherefore they judged him guilty of death, for this Blasphemy (as they accounted it.* 1.20) Then they Mocked him, and Spit on him, and cruelly beat him with Buffits, and Staves, and covering his Face, they said, Prophesie who smote thee; and many other things they re∣proachfully spoke against him.

And they led him bound unto Pontius Pilate the Governour, from Caiphas, to the Hall of Judgment, and they began to accuse him say∣ing, We found this Man perverting the Nation, and forbidding to give Tribute to Caesar,* 1.21 saying, that himself is Christ, a King, and when he was accused of the chief Priest and Elders, he answered nothing; then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they Witness against thee, but he answered him not a word, so that Pilate marvell'd; then said Pilate, take ye him & judge him according to your Law, but they urged, it is not lawful for us to put any man to death; Pilate then entered into the Judgment Hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him,* 1.22 Art thou the King of the Jews, Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thy self, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate an∣swered, Am I a Jew? thine own Nation, and the chief Priests have de∣livered thee unto me, what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this World; Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a King then?* 1.23 Jesus answered, For this cause came I into the World, that I might bear Witness unto the Truth; Pilate said unto him, What is Truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews and said unto them,* 1.24 I find in him no fault at all; and they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the People, teaching throughout all Galilee to this place; Pilate therefore hearing of Galilee, asked, if he were a Galilean? and when he knew, that he belonged to He∣rod's Juridictions, he sent him to Herod, who was at Jerusalem in those dayes,* 1.25 and when he saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad, but be∣ing deceived in his hopes of seeing a Miracle, and not vouchsafed any answer either to him or the chief Priests and Scribes, vehement∣ly accusing him; after Herod had set Jesus at nought and mocked him, Sends him back to Pilate arrayed in a gorgeous Robe;* 1.26 and both the Gover∣nors were made Friends that same day; and Pilate when he had called the chief Priests, and the Rulers, and the People, said unto them, Neither I nor Herod find any fault in him,* 1.27 nor any thing worthy of Death, I will therefore Chastize him and release him, for the Go∣vernor was of necessity every Feast (as the custom was) to deliver to the People one Prisoner whom they would, and the Multitude cry∣ing out aloud, began to desire that he would do unto them as he had ever done; Pilate therefore calling them, said unto them, Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover; will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?* 1.28 Which will ye, either this man or Barrabas? For he knew that the chief Priests had delivered him for envy, but they stirred up the People that he should rather deliver Barrabas unto them: Now he was a notable Thief, who lay bound with them that made Insurrection, and for

Insurrection and Murder in the City was Cast into Prison, and when Pilate was sate down in the Judgment Seat, his Wife sent unto him, saying, Have nothing to do with the just man;* 1.29 for I have suffered many things in my Dream by reason of him this day; Pilate therefore spake unto them again, being willing to release Jesus; which of the twain will you that I release unto you? but they all cryed out, saying, not him, but Barrabas; Pilate, therefore answering, said unto them, what will you that I shall do unto him that ye call King of the Jews, and they all cryed out again, Crucifie him; Pilate said, but what evil hath he done, I find no Cause of death in him? I will therefore Cha••tize him and let him go, but they cryed more earnestly, Crucifie him, and were very instant with loud Voices, desiring the same;* 1.30 then Pilate took Je∣sus and Scourged him, and the Soldiers plated a Crown of Thornes, and put it on his Head, and cloathed him with Purple, saying, Haile King of the Jews; and beat him with staves, Pilate therefore went forth again, and said unto them; behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know I find no fault in him; then Jesus came forth, wearing the Crown of Thorns, and the Robe, and Pilate said unto them, behold the man. When the Chief Priests and Officers saw him, they cryed out, saying, Crucifie him, Crucifie him; Pilate said, take ye him and Crucifie him, for I find no fault in him; the Jews said he ought to dye, because he made himself the Son of God; when Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more affraid,* 1.31 and went again into the Judgment Hall, and said to Jesus, Whence art thou, but Jesus gave him no answer; then said Pilate speakest thou not unto me, knowest thou not that I have Power to Crucifie thee? Jesus an∣swered, thou couldest have no power unless it were given thee from above, and from thence forth Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cryed out, then thou art not Caesars Friend; when Pilate heard this, he brought forth Jesus, and sate in the Judgment Seat, in the Place, called the Pavement, and it was the Preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour; then said he unto the Jews,* 1.32 behold your King, but they cryed out, Away with him, Away with him, Crucifie him, Pilate said unto them, shall I Crucifie your King? Then answered the Chief Priests, we have no King but Caesar;* 1.33 when Pilate therefore saw that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a Tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the Multitude, saying, I am innocent of the Blood of this just Person, see you to it, and all the People answered and said, his Blood be upon us and our Children; then willing to content the Multitude, he released unto them Barra∣bas; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him ••ver to their will, that he might be Crucified.

And the Soldiers of the Governour, when they had led Jesus in∣to the Hall, called Praetoriam, they called together the whole Band, and when they had stripped him, they put upon him a scarlet Robe, and plated a Crown of thorns, and put it on his head,* 1.34 and a Reed in his right Hand, and bowing the Knee, mocked him, saying, hail King of the Jews; and when they had spit on him, they took that Reed, and smote him on the Head; and when they had mocked him they took off

the Purple from him, and put his own Clothes on him, and led him out to Crucifie him.

Then Judas which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was con∣demned, repented himself, and brought the thirty Pieces of Silver to the Chief Priests,* 1.35 confesting his Sin unto them, and casting the Silver Pieces into the Temple, went and hanged himself; and they bought with them the Potters-field, that the Prophesie might be ful∣filled.

And Jesus came forth carrying his Cross, but as they were lead∣ing him, they found one Simon of Cyreen, who came out of the Coun∣try, whom they took and compelled to carry the Cross after Jesus; and there were two Thieves that were led with him, that they might be Crucified, and there followed a great Multitude of People, and of Women that Lamented him, to whom he turned and foretold the Lamentable destruction of Jerusalem; and when they were come into the Place called Calvary, but in the Hebrew Golgotha, they gave unto him wine mingled with Mirrhe, and Vineger mingled with Gall, and when he had tasted it, he would not drink it, and they Cr••∣cified him there, (and it was the third hour) and the two Thieves with him, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do; and Pilate wrote a Superscription in Hebrew Greek, and Latine, and put it on the Cross, which at the request of the high Priest, Pilate would not alter; and after they Crucified him, they parted his Garments into four parts to every Souldier that was imployed in the Execution a part, casting lots, and likewise upon his Seamless Coat, whose it should be, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, and they sitting down, watch∣ed him there; and the People stood beholding him, but they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, Oh, thou that destroyest the Temple, and buildest it in three dayes, save thy self, if thou be the Son of God come down from the Cross; likewise also the chief Priest and Rulers,* 1.36 with the People mocking and scof∣fing, with the Scribes and Elders, said among themselves, he saved others, himself he cannot save; if he be the King of Israel, if that Christ, the chosen of God, let him come down from the Cross, and we will believe him; he trusted in God, let him deliver him; for he said,* 1.37 I am the Son of God: The Souldiers also mocked him, and com∣ing unto him offered him Vineger, saying, if thou be the King of the Jews save thy self; one of the Thieves also which were crucified with him, continued rayling against him, the other being converted, re∣buked him that rayled, and said unto Jesus, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom; to whom Christ answered, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradice; and there stood by his Cross the Mo∣ther of Jesus, and his Mothers Sister Mary, the Wife of Cleoph••••, and Mary Magdalene; when therefore Jesus saw his Mother, and the Dis∣ciple whom he loved, standing; he said unto his Mother, behold thy Son, and to the Disciple, behold thy Mother: And when the sixth hour was come there was darkness over all the Land or Country un∣til the nineth hour, and about the ninth hour Jesus cryed with aloud Voice

Eli, Eli, or Eloi, Eloi lamma Sabacthani; and some that stood by said, that he called Elias; after this when Jesus knew that all things were accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst, now there was set there a Vessel full of Vineger, and they filled a Spung with Vineger, and put it upon Isop or a Reed, and put it to his Mouth, saying, also with rest, let it be, let us see if Elias will come to save him, and take him down: But Jesus when he had re∣ceived the Vineger, said, It is finished; and again he cried with a loud voice, Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit,* 1.38 and bowing his head he gave up the Ghost. And when the Centurion saw that he so cried out, and gave up the Ghost, he Glorified God, saying, truely this is a just man, truly this is the Son of God.

And behold the vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, and the Earth did quake, and the Rocks rent, and the Graves were opened, and many Bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and came out of the Graves after his Resurrection, and went into the holy City, and appeared unto many, and the Centu∣rion, and they that stood over against, and those that watched Jesus, when they saw the Earth quake, and the things that were done, feared greatly, saying, Truly, this was the Son of God; and all the peo∣ple that came together to that sight, beholding the things that were done, smote their Brests and returned, and his Aquaintance, and the Women which follwed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mo∣ther of James the less, and Mother of Joses and Salome, who also when he was in Galilee followed him, and Ministred unto him, there were also many other Women that came up to Jerusalem with him.

The Jews therefore, that the Bodies should not remain on the Cross on the Sabboth, because it was the preparation (for that Sab∣both was an High day) besought Pilate, that their Legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away; the Souldiers there∣fore came and brake the Legs of the two Thieves, but not of Jesus, because he was already dead, but one of the Souldiers with a Spear pierced his side, and there came out strait-way Blood and Water; and these things were suffered to be done that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

And when Evening was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabb••th, cometh Joseph of Arimathea, a Rich man, and an honourable Councellor, who also looked for the Kingdom of God, a good man, and a just, and had not consented to the Council and deed of them, being a Disciple, but secretly, for fear of the Jews,* 1.39 came boldly unto Pilate, and begged the Body of Jesus, Pilate mar∣velled if he were already dead, and called a Centurion, asked him, and when he knew it, he gave the Body to Joseph; there cometh al∣so Nichodemus (which at the first came to Jesus by night) and brought a mixture of Myrrhe and Aloes, about an hundred pound weight; they took therefore the Body of Jesus, ad wound it in a Linnen Cloath, with the Spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury; and Joseph,

when he had wrapped him in a clean Linnen Cloth, laid it in his own Sepulchre, which he had hewn out of a Rock, wherein never man was laid,* 1.40 and which was in a Garden in a place where Jesus was Cru∣cified? and Joseph roled a great Stone to the door of the Sepulchre, and Mary Magdelene and Mary the Mother of Joses, which came with him from Galilee, beheld where they had laid him, and sat over against the Sepulchre, and they returned, and prepared Spices and Oynt∣ments, and rested the Sabboth day,* 1.41 according to the commandments, the next day the Pharisees besought Pilate that he would command the Sepulchre to be made sure until the third day, shewing him a rea∣son, which when he had yielded unto, they went and made the Sepul∣chre sure, sealing the Stone and setting a Watch.

In the end of the Sabboth, or when the Sabboth was now past, when it dawned towards the first day of the week, in the Morning very early, whiles it w•••• yet dark came Mary Magdelene, and Mary the Mother of James and Salome, bringing Spices, which they had bought, that they might see the Sepulchre, and anoint Jesus; and they said among themselves, who shall role away the Stone from the door for us; and when the Sun was risen, coming to the Sepulchre, they saw the stone was roled away; for behold there was a great Earth quake, for the Angel of the Lord came down from Heaven, and roled away the Stone, and sate upon it, and they went in and found not the Body of the Lord Je∣sus, and it came to pass as they were much perplexed thereat, that behold two men came to them in shining Raiment, their Counti∣nances was as Lightening, and their Garments white as Snow, (Mat∣thew and Mark speak but of one Angel) and the Keepers for fear did shake, and became as dead men, and when the Woman were afraid, and bowed their faces to the Earth, the Angel said unto them, fear not ye, I know ye seek Jesus which was Crucified; why seek ye the living among the dead? he is not here, he is risen, as he said; come and see the place where the Lord was laid, and remember what he said while he was yet in Galilee with you, saying, the Son of man, must be delivered into the hands of sinfull men, and be Crucified, and the third day rise again, but go ye quickly, and tell his Disciples, and Peter, that he is risen again from the dead, and behold he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him; behold I have told you; then the Woman remembered the Words of Jesus, and they departed quickly out of the Sepulchre with fear, and wonder, and great joy, and ran that they might tell his Disciples, but they said nothing to any man (as they went) for they were afraid, and when the Women told these things to the Eleven, and to all the rest, their words seem∣ed unto them as idle Tales, but Mary Magdelene telling Peter, and the other Disciple whom Jesus loved, they have taken away the Lord, and we know not where they have laid him; Peter there∣fore, and that other Disciple went out and came to the Sepul∣chre, but that other Disciple out-ran Peter, and came first to the Se∣pulchre, and when he stooped down he saw the Linnen Cloathes lying, but went not in; then came Peter following him, and went into the Sepulchre, and seeth the Linnen Cloathes lie, and the Napkin

that was about his head, not lying with the Linnen Cloaths, but wrap∣ped together in a place by it self; then went in that other Disciple, and saw, and believed; and Peter went unto his own home wondering at what was done, for as yet they knew not the Scriptures that he must rise again from the dead, and the Disciples went unto their own home: But Mary Magdelene stood without at the Sepulchre weeping, and whilest she yet wept, she stooped down into the Sepulchre, and seeth two Angels in white, sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain, who said unto her, Wo∣man why weepest thou? she said unto them, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him;* 1.42 and when she had said thus, she turned her self back, and saw Jesus standing, but knew not that it was him; and Jesus said unto her, Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? she supposing him to be the Gardner, answered and said, If thou hast born him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away, Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go and tell my Brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, unto my God and your God; and she came and told his Disciples, and those that had been with him,* 1.43 as they were weeping and mourning, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things unto her; but they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not: And as the Women went from the Sepulchre, that they might tell his Dis∣ciples, behold Jesus meets them, and spake unto them, saying, Be not afraid, go ye and tell my Brethren, that I go into Galilee, there shall they see me.

Now when they were going, behold some of the Watch came in∣to the City, and shewed unto the High-Priests all things that were done; and when they were assembled with the Elders, they took Counsel that they should give large Money to the Souldiers, that they should say, that his Disciples came by night, and stole him away whilest they slept, and if this comes to the Governors Ears, we (say they) will perswade him, and secure you; so they took their Money, and did as they were taught; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews to this day.

And behold two of them went into the Country that same day to a Village sixty Furlongs from Jerusalem, called Emmaus,* 1.44 and as they journy∣ed Jesus went along with them, and they telling what things were done in those dayes concerning Jesus of Nazareth, how he was Cru∣cified, and that he rose again; Jesus shews them out of the Sciptures, that it behoved Christ to suffer, and to enter into his Glory. And in the Village when he had taken Bread, and given thanks and brake it, and given it unto them, he was known unto them, their Eyes be∣ing opened; although he appeared in another Form, but he vanish∣ed out of their sight; and they rose up that same hour, and returned to Jerusalem to the Eleven, and those that were with them, who told them, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon; then they told them what things were done in the way, and how he was known

of them in breaking of Bread; but neither believed they them. But whilest they yet spake, whilest it was Evening, in the first day of the week, the Door being shut, where the Disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews,* 1.45 cometh Jesus himself, and stood in the midest of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you; but they were terri∣fied, and affrighted, supposing they had seen a Spirit; but he up∣breaded them with their unbelief and heardness of heart,* 1.46 be∣cause they believed not them that had seen him since he was risen; and he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? See my Hands and my Feet, a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones, and he shewed them his Hands, and his Feet, and his Side; and when they believed not for joy and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? and he eat a piece of boiled Fish, and an Hony-Comb; and the Disciples rejoyced that they had seen the Lord; and he said unto them, These are the words that I spake unto you, that all things must be fullfilled that was writ∣ten in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms of me; then opened he their understandings,* 1.47 that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoo∣veth Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations, and ye are witnesses of these things, and behold I send the Pro∣mise of my Father among you,* 1.48 but tarry ye at Jerusalem till ye be endued with Power from on High. He saith unto them again, Peace be unto you, as my Father sent me, so send I you; go ye into the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature; he that believeth, and is Baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned, and these signs shall fol∣low them that believe; in my Name they shall cast out Devils, and they shall speak with new Tongues, they shall take up Serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover: And when he had said these things, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive the holy Ghost, whose Sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whose Sins ye retain they are retained, (and thus Jesus appeared five times in the very first day of his Resur∣rection) but Thomas, who is called Dydimus one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came, and the rest of the Disciples telling him, we have seen the Lord, he very confidently professed he would not believe it, about eight dayes after, Thomas being then together with the rest, Jesus comes; the doors being shut, and stands in the midest, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you, and aboundantly satisfies Thomas his unbelief.

Then the Eleven Disciples went into Galilee unto the Mountain that he had appointed them; and when they saw him they worship∣ped him, but some doubted; and when Jesus came unto them, he said; All Power is given unto me, both in Heaven and in Earth, go there∣fore and teach all Nations, Baptizing them, &c. and I am with you to the end of the World; After that, Jesus was seen of above five hundred Brethren at once, after that by James, 1 Cor. 15.6, 7.

Afterwards Jesus shewed himself to his Disciples again at the Sea at Tibe∣rias, or at the least to seven of them, as they were Fishing, after they

had fished all night, and caught nothing, in the morning J•••••••• un∣known to them, stands upon the Shore, and bids them cast their Net on the right side of the Ship, where they took a great Number of Fish.

Last of all he appeared to his Disciples in Jerusalem, and led them out as far as Bethany, and he lift up his Hands, and blessed them, and it came to pass, as he blessed them, he was parted from them, and car∣ried up into Heaven.

Hitherto reacheth the History of the four Evangelists declaring the Sufferings of Christ; and now I shall give the Reader a short account what Josephus the Jewish Historian in his eighteenth Book of Antiquity writeth of John the Baptist and Christ; concerning the Baptist Cap. 7. he saith thus, Herod the Tetrarch killed John, Sur-named the Baptist,* 1.49 a most excellent man, who stirred up the Jews to the study of Vir∣tues, especially of Piety and Justice, and also to the washing of Bap∣tism, which he said then would be acceptable to God, if not abstaining from some one or two Sins but having their minds first purged through righteousness, they also added cleanness of body: And whereas there was great resort unto him, the Common people being greedy of such Doctrine, Herod fearing least the great Authority of the man should raise some Rebellion, because they seemed as though they would de∣cline nothing to which he advised them, thought it safer to take him out of the way, before there was any alteration in the State, then to repent too late, when the State was once imbroyled; wherefore he commanded him to be sent Prisoner to Macharas, and then to be put to death.

Concerning Christ he saith thus, Chap. 45. In the same time there was a wise man (named Jesus) if we may call him a man;* 1.50 he was a worker of miracles, and a Teacher of them that willingly receive the Truth, he had many both Jews and Gentiles that were his Followers, and was believed to be the Christ; and when Pilate had crucified him, through the envy of our Rulers, nevertheless those that loved him continued constant in their affections, for he appeared to them alive the third day; the Prophets in their Prophesies foretelling both these, and many other wonderful things concerning him, and the Chri∣stians (from him so called) continue to this very day.

After the Apostles had seen Christ, and had worshipped him, after his Resurrection, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, from the mount of Olives, which is from thence a Sabboth dayes journey, and in Jerusalem they abode in an uper Room,* 1.51 and continued with one ac∣cord in Prayer, with the Women, and Mary his Mother, and his Brethren; and they were filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance; and many received the Truth, and continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship, and breaking bread from House to House, did eat their Meat with gladness and singleness of Heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people,* 1.52 and the Lord daily added to the Church such as should be saved, and the multitude of them that belie∣ved were of one heart, and one Soul, and there was none among them that lacked; for as many as had Possessions of Lands or Houses sold

them, and brought the prices, and laid them down at the Apo∣stles feet, to be distributed to the use of the Poor, in which busi∣ness Barnabas, that is, the Son of Consolation, shewed the first Ex∣ample.

By the hands of the Apostles were many Miracles done among the People, and many believed, and were added to the Lord.

But the high Priests and Sadduces that were with him, moved with Envy cast the Apostles into Prison, from whence the night following being freed by an Angel, were commanded to Teach the people bold∣ly, and without fear, from whence being brought to the Council by the advice of Gamaliel a Pharisee, a Doctor of Law, in much esteem among the People, were delivered from death (after they had been scourged) and let go; and they went from the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus, and they taught daily in the Temple, and the Word of the Lord increased, and the number of the Disciples multiplyed.

Stephen did many wonders and Miracles among the People, and stoutly defended the Cause of Christ against the Jews of the Synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with them; but when they could not resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake, they turn to false accusing him, and caught him, and brought him before the Council, and set up false Witnesses, who should avouch, that they heard him speak Blasphe∣mous words against the Temple and the Law.

Stephen before Annas the High Priest and Council shews, that the true worship of God was observed by Abraham and his Posterity, be∣fore the Temple was built by Solomon;* 1.53 yea, before Moses was born, and that Moses gives Testimony of Christ, and that the outward Ceremonies that were given to their Fathers were to endure but for a time: Then he sharply reprehends the Jews, because they alwayes resisted the holy Ghost, and had wickedly put Christ to death, whom the Prophets had foretold should come into the World; now concer∣ning the death of Stephen, see it at large in the Testimony of the Martyrs.

* 1.54 After the death of Stephen there arose a great Persecution against the whole Church that was at Jerusalem, in which Saul exceedingly raging, made havock of the Church, for having received Authori∣ty from the chief Priests, he not only, when the Saints were put to death, gave his voice against them, but also he himself, entering into every House, and taking from thence both men and Women, bound them, and put them in Prison, and some were compelled by denying Christ to Blaspheme.

This Persecution dispersed the Church into divers Countries, but with great advantage to the Church;* 1.55 for some that were dispersed into the Regions of Judea and Samaria, preached the Gospel where∣soever they came; others went to Damascus, amongst whom was Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, and one who had a good report among all the Jews who dwelt there; others travelled as far as Phenice, Cypris and Antioch, Preaching the Word of God to

those that were dispersed among the Gentiles; amongst them that went to Samaria was Philip, who Preached Christ there; when the Apostles at Jerusalem had heard that Samaria had received the Word of the Lord, they sent unto them Peter and John, upon whose pray∣ing for them, and laying their hands on them, they received the holy Ghost, which Simon Magus (who had a long time,* 1.56 bewitched the People of Samaria with his Sorceries, that giving heed to him, from the least to the greatest, they said, he was the great Power of God) seeing the great signs and wonders that were done by the A∣postles offered them Money, that he also might receive the Gift of conferring the holy Ghost,* 1.57 whose mad impiety Peter sharply rebu∣king, warns him to repent of this his Wickedness, and to ask pardon of God; who desireth the Apostles that they would pray for him to the Lord: The Apostles having cleared themselves in these parts, they returned to Jerusalem Preaching the Gospel in the Villages of Sama∣ria as they went.

Saul yet brea••hing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disci∣ples of the Lord, obtains of the High-Priest Annas and the Council,* 1.58 Letters to the Synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any that were Christians, he should bring them bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished, and as he came nigh to Damascus at mid-night a Light from Heaven above the brightness of the Sun, shined round a∣bout him, and them that journyed with him, and when they were fallen to the Earth, he heard a voice speaking to him in the Hebrew Tongue, Saul, Saul, Why Persecutest thou me, 'tis hard for thee to kick against the pricks? and when he had said, Who art thou Lord? it was answered him, I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou Persecutest;* 1.59 but rise, and stand upon thy feet, I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a Minister and a Witness both of those things that thou hast seen, and those things in which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the People, and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee, that thou mayest open their Eyes and turn them from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in me; and when as Saul, full of fear and trembling, asked further, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? The Lord said unto him, Rise, go unto Damas¦cus, and there it shall be told thee of all things that thou must do;* 1.60 but the men that journyed with Saul were so amazed that they were speechless, seeing indeed a Light, and hearing the sound of words, but neither seeing Christ which spake, nor understanding any thing which he spake; Saul arose from the Earth, and being blinded with the Glory of the Light, being led by the hand,* 1.61 he comes to Damas∣cus, and he was three dayes without sight, and did neither eat or drink: Now there was a certain Disciple, named Ananias, to whom the Lord spake in a Vision, Arise and go into the Street that is cal∣led Streight, and inquire in the House of Judas, for Saul of Tarsus,* 1.62 for behold he prayeth; (and Saul then saw in a Vision Ananias entering, and laying his hand on him that he might receive his sight) but Ananias

answered,* 1.63 Lord I have heard by many how much evil he hath done unto thy Saints at Jerusalem; yea, in this place he hath Authority from the chief Priests to bind all that call upon thy Name; and the Lord said un∣to him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen Vessel unto me, to carry my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the Children of Israel; for I will shew unto him how great things he must suffer for my Name.

* 1.64 And Ananias went and entered into the House, and laying his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the Way as thou camest, hath sent me that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Ghost;* 1.65 and strait-way their fell from his Eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight forth-with. And Ananias said, The God of our Fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know his Will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the Voice from his Mouth, for thou shalt be a Witness before all men, of those things that thou hast heard and seen; and now, why tarriest thou? Arise and be Baptized, and Washed from thy Sins, calling on the Name of the Lord; and Saul arose and was Baptized; and when he had received meat he was strengthened.

But what was revealed to Saul at Damascus that he should do, Luke shews not in the Acts, but out of those things which in the Epistle to the Galatians, he saith happened unto him immediately after his Conversion, it appears that among other things, it was command∣ed him, that he should not confer with flesh and blood, nor return to Jeru∣salem to them that were Apostles before him, but that he should go for some time into Arabia, or places neer Damascus, where he should Receive the Knowledge of the Gospel, not being taught of men, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Saul then returns to Damascus, and tarries with the Disciples there a few dayes, and strait-way in the Synagogue he Preacheth that Christ is the Son of God, and they were all amazed who heard these things, and said, Is not this he that destroyed at Jerusalem those that called on this Name, and came hither for that intent that he might bring them bound unto the chief Priest; and Saul increased the more in strength, and confoun∣ded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, teaching that Jesus is the Christ; for to the Jews that dwelt at Damascus was the Gospel first preached by him.

Tiberius being certified by Pilate out of Palestine concerning the Af∣fairs of Christ, he proposeth to the Senate that Christ might be rec∣koned among the Gods, which the Senate opposing, he remaining in his Opinion, threatens that it should be dangerous for any to accuse a Christian, as Tertullian relates, [in Apologetic. (Chap. 5, and 21.) and others that follow him, as Eusebius in Chronic. and Hestor. Eccles. lib. 2.2.] and our Gildas in an Epistle of the destruction of Brittain, which being granted; we may lawfully say, that the first Persecution, after the Murther of Stephen, that arose in Judea, ceased partly by the Conversion of Saul, who greatly promoted it, and part∣ty through the fear of Tiberius.

When Saul had preached the Gospel a long time at Damascus, the Jews took counsel to kill him, and watching the Gates of the City

day and night that they might take him and kill him, but being let down by a rope by night in a Baskit escaped from them.

The first three years after his conversion being finished Saul return∣ed to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen dayes, and he then assaying to joyn himself to the Disciples, they all were affraid of him, not believing him to be a Disciple; but Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles, viz. Peter, and James the Brother of the Lord, he declared unto them, how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached bold∣ly at Damascus in the Name of Jesus.

Saul also speaks boldly in the Name of Jesus at Jerusalem, but the Jews went about to kill him, Saul being in the Temple praying, was in a Trance, and saw the Lord speaking unto him, saying, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem, for they will not receive thy Testimo∣ny of me; to whom he answered, Lord, they know that I imprisoned, and beat in every Synagogue those that believed on thee, and when the Blood of thy Martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by▪ and kept the Garments of them that killed him; and the Lord said unto him, Go, and I will send thee to the Gentiles.

The Brethren at Jerusalem brought him to Cesarea, [years since Christ 38] and sent him into his own Country of Tarsus, and he came into the Countries of Syria, and Cilicia, hitherto he was unknown by face to the Churches of Judea; but they heard only that he preacheth the Faith which once he destroyed, and they glorified God in him, and the Churches had rest through all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and comfort of the holy Ghost, were multiplyed.

About this time King Herod troubled the Church, [years since Christ 44] laying hands upon some, for contradicting the Institutions and Rites of the Coun∣try, of which he was a most religious observer, as Josephius Lib. 19. Cap. ult. relates.

He slew James the Brother of John with the Sword, and seeing the death of James* 1.66 pleased the people he cast Peter into prison in the dayes of Azincus, delivering him to four Quaturnions, that is, sixteen Souldiers to gua••d him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the People,* 1.67 but there were Prayers made daily in the Church for him, and an Angel of the Lord delivered him miraculously in the night, and he went to the house of Mary the Mother of John Marcus, where many were Congregated, and at Prayer, and telling them that they might certifie James the Son of Alph••as, and Brother of our Lord, and the rest, of the manner of his deliverance, he went into an∣other Place,

* 1.68 Herod being frustrate of his hope, in his rage commands the Inno∣cent Keepers to be dragg'd to Execution, and he going down to Caesarea stayed there; he was prejudiced in his mind against the Syrians and Sidonians, whose Land being not sufficient to maintain them, (Espe∣cially in that year of scarcity) they were forced to seek for themselves sustentation from Galilee, and other places under Herods Jurisdiction; they came therefore Unanimously to him, by the mediation of

Blastus the Kings Chamberlain, whom they had made their Friend, desiring Peace of him; a day being appointed, Herod in his royal attire, and sitting before the Tribunal, made a Speech to them; the People with Acclamations shouting out, 'Tis the Voice of a God, and not a Man;* 1.69 but presently the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give the Glory to God, and being eaten up of Worms, he gave up the Ghost.

The very same History Josephius Examplifies, saying, he had now finished the third year of his reign [the fourth now beginning] when he came to Caesaria, which was formerly called Stratons-Tower, where he So∣lemnized some yearly Playes for Caesars health, to which Festivity a great multitude of Noble Men and Youngsters came together, out of the Province; on the second day of this Celebrity he goes all attired with his Princely Robe; richly and curiously wrought with Silver, which by the reflection of the rising Sun yeilding an Angelical or extraordinary lusture struck reverence into the Spectators; and presently some wicked Parasites with acclamations from a far off, saluted him God, desiring him to be propitious to them, for that hitherto they had only honored him as a man, but now they saw there was something more in him than humane: This Impious Adulation he neither refused nor repelled, he was suddenly struck to the very heart; afterwards his Belly began to torment him more and more grievously, wherefore turn∣ing to his Friends, he said, Behold, I who by your appellation am a God, am commanded out of this Life, my certain fate giving the Lye to your flattery; and I, who you saluted Immortal, am forced to death; but I must endure the pleasure of the Heavens: Having spoken these things, his pain grew worse and worse, and presently these things being divulged about the Country, the rumour went, that he was a dying, and in the end his pain lasted in great extremity, and without intermition for five dayes space, and he then ended his life, Joseph. Lib. 19. Chap. ult.

* 1.70 About this time Saul is alwayes found named by his new name Paul, Paul and Barnabas coming to Antioch, and entering into the Syna∣gogues, almost the whole City came to hear the Word of God; but the Jews seeing the multitude, were filled with envy, and contradict∣ed what Paul spoke, with whose Blasphemies Paul and Barnabas be∣ing grievously offended, they left the Jews and preached only to the Gentiles who with joy embraced the Gospel, and the Word of God was divulged over that whole Nation; they stayed an Antioch a great while, and suffered those things which in his latter Epistle to the Co∣rinthians he writes of, to wit, that as at Phillippy afterwards, so twice elsewhere by the Gentiles he had been whipped with rods, and recei∣ved five times four hundred stripes from the Jews.

Certain Professors of the Name of Christ of the Sect of the Pharisees came down from Judea to Antioch, [years since Christ 52] and said, that the Christians of the Gentiles ought to be Circumcised, and keep the law of Moses, if they would be saved, disturbing the Souls of many of the Brethren in Syria and Cili••i•• with their perverse Doctrine, against whom Paul and Barnabas stifly oppose themselves, Paul calls them Brethren brought in un••wards, Philastrius de Heres. Cap. 87. and Epiphanius Heres. 28▪

say, that Cerinthus that arch Heretick was the first Broacher of this Opinion.

Paul fourteen years after his going to Jerusalem, undertaken three years after his Conversation, goes again to Jerusalem with Barnabas,* 1.71 being both sent from the Church at Antioch with some others, that they might ask the Judgment of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem (whose names those Disturbers had abused to bolster out their Opini∣on) concerning the Controversie newly risen, but Paul would not compel Titus to be Circumcised least he should seem to give place to the false Brethren for a moment.

Peter and Paul had foretold at Rome, that it should come to pass, [years since Christ 67] that after a little time God would send a King that should overcome the Jews, and that should lay their City equal with the Ground, and should Beseige them, being pined with hunger and thirst, and then it should come to pass, that they should eat each other, and con∣sume one the other, and at last that they should come into their Ene∣mies hands, and should see their Wives most grievously Tormented in their sight, and their Virgins to be Violated and Prostituted, their Sons to be torn asunder, and their little Ones to be dashed in pieces; and to be short, all things to be wasted by Fire and Sword, and themselves forever banished out of their own Land; and all this because they exalted themselves against the Son of God; Lactan. lib. 4. Chap. 21.

On the 29th day of the Moneth call'd June, (which last day of that Moneth falls to be within the reign of Nero.) Paul was beheaded at Rome, as the Records both of the Eastern and Western Churches con∣firm; whereupon Chrysostom undoubtedly affirms, that the day of his death was more certainly known then that of Alexander himself [in 2 Cor. Homil. 26.] Dionysius the Bishop of the Corinthians affirms in an Epistle to the Romans, that Peter also suffered Martyrdom at the same time with him [in Eusebius l••b. 2. Histor. Ecclesiast. Chap. 24.] whom also Origen relates in the third Tome of his Comentaries up∣on Genesis, that at Rome he was Crucified with his head downwards (as he had desired, [Ibid. lib. 3. Hist. Chap. 1.]

Four Years before the Jewish War (that was managed by Vespasian) when the City of Jerusalem enjoyed both Peace and Plenty one Jesus, the Son of Ananus, a Country-man, and one of the common People, coming to the Feast of Tabernacles, began suddainly to cry out, A Voice from the East, a Voice from the West,* 1.72 a Voice from the four Winds, a Voice against Jerusalem and the Temple, a Voice against New Married Men and Women, a Voice against all this People; and crying thus night and day through all the Streets of the City, some of the Nobility disdaining any token of adversity, took the Fellow and scourged him with many stripes; but he spake nothing secretly for himself, nor unto them that scourged him, but continued still in the same Cry; but the Magistrates thinking it rather to be some Mo∣tion in him from God, brought him to the Roman Captain, where being beaten till his Bones appeared, he made no intreaty, but with a weeping Voice, at every stroke he said, Wo, Wo, to Jerusalem:

Albinus then asked them, who he was, and where he was born, and why he still cryed after this manner? but he answered nothing; yet he ceased not to bewaile the City, till Albinus thinking he was mad suffered him to depart; he crying thus most on the Feast dayes, and that for seven years space (or rather six as it is in Phot. Biblioth. Cod. 47.) and five Moneths, and yet was neither hoarse nor weary; at last he was killed by a stone shot out of an Engine in the time of the seige [Je∣seph. lib. 7. bel. Chap. 12.]

And according to these, and many other Prophecies concerning the destruction that was to come upon the Jews for the hardness of their hearts, it accordingly came to pass; for Cornelius and Suetonius relate, that there were six hundred thousand of the Jews killed in this war between Vespasian the Emperor and the Jews, but Josephius, a Jew, and a Commander in that war writes, that ten hundred thousand perished by Sword and Famine; and of the rest of the Jews that were dispersed all the World over, and put to death divers wayes, the number is said to be ninty thousands [so Orolius lib. 7. Chap. 9.] but I find not the number of six hundred thousand of them that were killed in Suetonius; in Josephius [lib. 6. belli. Chap. 17.] the number of Captives is ninty seven thousand, but the other number, eleven hundred thousand, is only the number that perished in the six months seige in Jerusalem; and thus did the Lord afflict with Wars and Destruction these Apo∣statized and stiff-necked people the Jews, until they were a scattered and dispersed people, as at this day they are throughout the World.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The works he did in Jud••••.
• * 1.2

  His works and Acts in Syria.
• * 1.3

  The Iews of∣fended because he had healed on the Sab∣both day. They seek to ••lay him.
• * 1.4

  He chose••h the twelve A∣postles.
• * 1.5

  His Exhorta∣tion to them
• * 1.6

  He cures the Woman that had long ••ad the Issue of blood.
• * 1.7

  He opens the Eyes of two Blind men.
• * 1.8

  He again ex∣horts his Di∣sciples, & sends them forth to Preach.
• * 1.9

  He rais••th up Lazarus.
• * 1.10

  He weeps o∣ver Jerusalem.
• * 1.11

  He warns his Disciples to watch
• * 1.12

  Juda•• Cove∣nants to be∣tray him.
• * 1.13

  He telleth who should betray him.
• * 1.14

  He washeth his Disciples Feet.
• * 1.15

  He exhorts them to love one another.
• * 1.16

  He comforts them.
• * 1.17

  He again ex∣horts them to pray against entering into Temptation.
• * 1.18

  Christ was in an Agony.
• * 1.19

  Judas betray'd him.
• * 1.20

  Their cruelty to him.
• * 1.21

  The chief Priests accuse him falsly.
• * 1.22

  He is called be¦fore Pilate a∣gain.
• * 1.23

  His answer to Pilate.
• * 1.24

  Pilate finds no fault in him.
• * 1.25

  Being in He∣rods Jurisdic∣tion, he is sent by Pilate to him.
• * 1.26

  Her••d sends. him back.
• * 1.27

  Pilate would have released him.
• * 1.28

  The Iews still prosecute their envy against him.
• * 1.29

  Pilate fits a∣gain. His Wife Warns him.
• * 1.30

  The Jews Cruelty.
• * 1.31

  Pilate went a∣gain into the Judgment Hall.
• * 1.32

  The chief Priests wicked∣ness.
• * 1.33

  Pilate washeth his hands, and why.
• * 1.34

  The Iews moc¦ked Christ.
• * 1.35

  Judas his wick∣ed end.
• * 1.36

  The chief Priests mock Christ.
• * 1.37

  The Soldiers also mock him.
• * 1.38

  The Ce••tu∣rions Tes••imo∣ny conerning Christ.
• * 1.39

  Ioseph beggeth the Body of Jesus of Pi∣late.
• * 1.40

  Joseph buries Jesus his Body.
• * 1.41

  The Sepulcher is watched by Pilate Com¦mand.
• * 1.42

  Jesus first ap∣peared to Mary Magdalene
• * 1.43

  She goes and tells the Dis∣ciples of it. The Disci∣ples believed her not
• * 1.44

  Christ appear'd to two of the Disciples as they were go∣ing to Em∣maus.
• * 1.45

  He appears a∣gain to his Dis∣ciples.
• * 1.46

  He reproveth their unbelief.
• * 1.47

  He opens their understandings.
• * 1.48

  He send•• them forth.
• * 1.49

  Josephus his Testimony Concerning Iohn.
• * 1.50

  Iosephus his Testimony concerning Christ.
• * 1.51

  The holy Ghost fell up∣on the Apo∣stles.
• * 1.52

  Them that be∣lived were of one heart.
• * 1.53

  Stephens Te∣stimony of Christ.
• * 1.54

  Persecution arose.
• * 1.55

  It proves to the advantage of the Church.
• * 1.56

  Simon Magus his wickedness.
• * 1.57

  Peter reprove•• him.
• * 1.58

  Saul breathes out threat∣nings against the Christians.
• * 1.59

  The Lord ap∣pears to him.
• * 1.60

  The Lord sends him to Damas∣cus.
• * 1.61

  His sight was taken away.
• * 1.62

  Ananias is sent by a Visi∣on to him.
• * 1.63

  Year since Christ.
• * 1.64

  He layes his hand on him.
• * 1.65

  His sight is restored.
• * 1.66

  Peter impri∣soned.
• * 1.67

  He is woun∣derfully deli∣vered.
• * 1.68

  Herod, rage a∣gainst the Pri∣son Kepers.
• * 1.69

  Herod is smote and d••ed.
• * 1.70

  Saul•• name is changed to Paul.
• * 1.71

  Paul goes to Jerusalem,
• * 1.72

  A prophesy against the ••ews.