UNBELIEF OF THE NAZARENES. 95 sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: insomuch that many hearing him were astonished, and said, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? Is not this the carpenter's son ? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, because of their unbelief; save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. PRAYER. Lord, we believe, help Thou our unbelief! Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Questions on Sect. IX. What was our Lord's remarkable reply when a certain scribe offered to follow him? What miracle did He perform in the raging tempest? What miracle on the demoniac of Gadara, called Legion? What answer did Jesus make to the scribes and Pharisees when they reproached him for eating with publicans and sinners? To what do the words "new" and "old" relate in the interpretation of the parables of the patched garments and the wine in bottles? Recount the miracle wrought upon the child of Jairus, and that which happened on the way. The miracle upon the two blind men? Upon the dumb demoniac? When Christ returned to Nazareth, "his own country," why did the people express astonishment at Him? What was our Lord's observation, and his conduct, thereupon? THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 97 SECTION X. From the Mission of the Twelve Apostles, to the Miracle of feeding the Five Thousand. PRAYER. O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner-stone; grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple, acceptable unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. AND Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils. And when he had called unto him the twelve, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and H Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the Publican; James the son of Alphæus; and Lebbæus, whose surname was Thaddæus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth by two and two, to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles: and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Raise the dead, cast out devils : And he commanded that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; And he said unto them, Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, but be shod with sandals; nor yet staves, neither bread; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And he said unto them, into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the very dust from under your feet, for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more HE CHARGES HIS APOSTLES. 99 tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, But the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple, that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, How much more shall they call them of his houshold? Fear not them therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, |