storm, by feeding five thousand with a few loaves and fishes, and on three occasions by raising dead people to life again. Wherever he went great multitudes gathered about him, and many became his disciples, amongst whom he chose twelve, who were to be his chief ministers, and whom he called Apostles. He taught the people every where that they should follow after substantial holiness of heart and conversation, as that which alone could bring them to heaven he himself also affording, in his own behaviour, a perfect pattern of purity, innocence, devotion, charity, patience, resignation, humility, of entire obedience to the will of God, and of never-ceasing endeavours to do good.

After having thus publickly preached and taught for the space of three years, he was seized by the rulers of the Jews, and carried before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governour as a malefactor. Pontius Pilate, at the desire of the Jews, sentenced him to death; according to which sentence he was crucified: and after he was dead, his body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, and laid in a new sepulchre. On the third day, that is, the next day but one after his death, and upon the day answering to our Sunday, he arose again from the dead; was seen by, and conversed with, many of his disciples; his body was touched, handled, and examined by some of them, to show that he was not a spirit which they saw. This continued for the space of forty days after his resurrection; at the end of which, he was, in the presence of his apostles, lifted up to heaven, where he sits for ever at the right hand of God in power and glory.

After his ascension, his apostles went forth into all countries, teaching and preaching every where, that by believing in him, that is, by believing that he was sent from God; and by keeping his word, that is, by leading innocent, honest, and virtuous lives, and by cultivating pious, humane, and charitable dispositions, men should save their souls, when Christ cometh again to judge the world.

Some who attended upon our Saviour, wrote an account of what they had seen him do, and heard him speak; others recorded what they had heard related by those who were eye-witnesses of the fact, and had been present at his discourses. These accounts compose our Gospels. The apostles wrote letters of comfort and instruction to the churches or assemblies of Christians which they had converted, or which were formed in different parts of the country. These letters are the Epistles in the New Tes

tament.

The Prayer which our Lord Jesus Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father which art in heaven: hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Parable of the ungrateful Servant.

MATT. XVIII. 23-35.

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take an account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants which owed him a hundred pence: and he

laid hands upon him, and took him by the throat, saying, pay me that thou owest.

And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, saith unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt because thou desiredst me.

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye, from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Parable of the good Samaritan.

LUKE, X. 25-37.

And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other

side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took two pence and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go thou and do likewise.

Parable of the Prodigal Son.

LUKE, XV. 10–32.

Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me: and he divided unto them his living.

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into the fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger.

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose; and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy

son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry :

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder brother was in the field; and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore came his father out and entreated him.