Contemplations of the saviour...

Preface

The following pages have been prepared with reference chiefly to the purposes of family devotion. Many who have been called on to conduct the religious services of a domestic circle, must have felt the difiiculty of selecting, in every instance, such passages of Scripture as would be fitted for the purpose intended, by their freedom from obscurity, their unity of subject, and their natural application to the duties of ordinary life. And as the exercise of reading is commonly, followed by a prayer, or in some instances by a hymn entirely unconnected in subject with the scriptural lesson, there is danger that the religious exercises should, at their close, leave but a vague aud confused impression.

It has been thought that these evils might be remedied, by presenting passages from Scripture of moderate length; with Reflections and Hymns, which, following the course of thought suggested by the extracts which they accompany, may serve to deepen their impression on the memory, the understanding, and the feelings. The aim of die reflections has not been to advance new or striking thoughts, but merely to follow out die most useful ideas presented in the Scriptural extracts : these must for the most part be such as would occur to every mind. Little originality therefore can be expected. Of the hymns, twenty-two are selected from various authors; the rest are original.

The selections from the New Testament present, in a connected series, the events of our Saviour's life. That these should be viewed as constituting a whole, and a clear idea gained of the order in v\hich they succeeded one

IV PREFACE.

another, is an object of no small importance, and of some difficulty. That the historical incidents might be exhibited in a connected view, it has been necessary to omit those discourses of our Lord which were not connected with any leading event of his ministry. The system of arrangement adopted by Dr. Carpenter and Professor Palfrey has been observed ; and the edition, by the latter gentleman, of the New Testament conformed to the text of Griesbnch, has been followed in the Scriptural extracts. In a very jew instances, the liberty has been taken of condensing the text by the omission of verses or words, where it was thought that a judicious reader in a family circle would have felt himself authorized to do the same*

It is hoped that the following pages may afford assistance, not only in family worship, but in private meditation ; and by the arrangement which they present of the events in the life of Jesus, may not be without their use in aiding the labours of the Sunday School Teacher.

S. G. B.

Boston, April, 1832.

Part I, Events Preceding The Ministry Of Jesus

Page.

Section I. The Annunciation 13

II. Birth of John the Baptist - - - 16

III. Birth of Jesus - 19

IV. Presentation of Jesus in the temple - 22

V. Flight into Egypt ... , 25

VI. Visit to the temple - - » - 28

Part II. To Jesus' First Miracle

Section VII. Baptism of Jesus - - - - 31

" VIII. Temptation in the Wilderness - 33

" IX. Call of Nathanael, and others - - 36

" X. Marriage in Cana - - - 39

CONTENTS.

Part III. To The Commencement Of Jesus' Public Ministry In Galilee

Section XI. Conversation with Nicodemus - - 41

" XII. Walk through the cornfields 44 " XIII. Interview with the Woman of

Samaria. - - 46

XIV. Cure of a Nobleman's Son - 49

" XV. Miracle at the Pool of Bethesda - 52

" XVI. Woman taken in adultery 55

XVII. Cure of a blind man - 57

Part IV. To The Mission Of The Twelve

Section XVIII. Jesus at Nazareth 60

XIX. Call of Peter, and others - - - 63

" XX. Sermon on the Mount 65 " XXI. Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount 68

" XXII. Cure of a centurion's servant - 71 XXIII. Miracle at Nain - - - -73

" XXIV. Miraculous calm 75

" XXV. Cure of a demoniac - - - 78

" XXVI. Cure of a paralytic 80

XXVII. The daughter of Jairus raised to life 83

XXVIII. Mission of the Apostles - - 86

CONTENTS.

Part V. To The Return Of The Twelve

Section XXIX Raising of Lazarus 89

" XXX. Jesus rebukes the Scribes - - 93

XXXI. Death of John the Baptist - - 95

Part VI. To The Departure Of Jesus From Galilee

Section XXXII. Five thousand miraculously fed - 99

n XXXIII. Jesus walks on the sea - - 102

" XXXIV. Jesus and the Woman of Canaan 104

XXXV. Peter's confession of Christ - 107

XXXVI The Transfiguration - - - 109

Part VII. To The Resurrection Of Jesus

Section XXXVII. Jesus rebukes the ardour of his

disciples - - - - 113

" XXXVIII. Christ's entry into Jerusalem 115

" XXXIX. Jesus anointed at Bethany - 118

" XL. Institution of the Lord's supper - 121

" XLI. Jesus washes the disciples' feet - 124 " XLII. Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane 127

" XLIII. Jesus before the High Priest - 130

XLIV. Trial before Pilate - 133

CONTENTS.

XLV. The crucifixion 137

XLVI. Death of Jesus. - - - 140

Part VIII. To The Ascension Of Jesus

XL VII The Resurrection - - 143 XL VIII. Jesus appears to his disciples - 146

XLIX. Christ's charge to Peter - - 149

L. The Ascension of Jesus - 152

INDEX OF HYMNS.

According to thy gracious word, Montgomery 123

And dost thou deign, my blessed Lord, - 126

And shall I, of my strength secure, 33

Behold the Apostolic band, - - - - - 87

Benignant Saviour, 't was not thine, - 56

e Blest are the meek,' he said, Anonymous 67

Creator ! by thy care and love, - - - - 151

Faint not, poor traveller, though thy way,

Christian Disciple 129

Fear was within the tossing bark, Mrs. Hemans 77

Great God, whose all-pervading eye, Anonymous 115

Hail to the Lord's anointed, Montgomery 154

Hail to the Sabbath day, - - - - 45

Happy the meek, whose gentle breast, J. Scott 106

Hath not thy heart within thee burned, - - 148

X INDEX.

Incarnate Word, who, wont to chvell, - Heber 40

In Pilate's hall, by scornful Pharisees, - 136

In the Saviour's hour of death, - 142

In the soft season of thy youth, Salisbury Collection 29

Lift your glad voices in triumph on high,

H. Ware, jr. 145 Lord, in whose might the Saviour trod, - - 104

No war or battle's sound, - Milton 21

Oh darkly on the path of life, - - - 38

Oh King of earth, and air, and sea, - Heber 101

Oh lovely voices of the sky, - Mrs. Hemans 27

Oh suffering friend of human kind, - - 109

Oh Thou to whom, in ancient time, Pierpont 48 Oh Thou, whose power o'er moving worlds presides,

Johnson 59

Oh uncreated Light and Love, 79

Ride on, ride on in majesty, - Heber 117.

Sad is this narrow span 43

' See how he loved,' exclaimedthe Jews,

Exeter Collection 92 See the grateful sister bending, - 120

Strength in duty's path to tread, - - 72

The aged sufferer waited long, - - - 54

The monarch gave his edict forth, - - - 97,

The morning dawns upon the place, Montgomery 139

The race that long in darkness pined,

Christian Psalmist 62 The wind was hushed on Galilee, - - - 64

They have watched her last and quivering breath,

Mrs. Gilman 85 Thou by pain and care oppressed, Thy messengers, Eternal God, -

'T is enough, — the hour is come, - Merrick

Toiling through the livelong night, - - '

111 15 24

Wake not, O mother, sounds of lamentation, Heber 75

Weep not for those, in Christ who sleep, - 132

What power unseen by mortal eye, - - 51

When a thousand voices raise, - - - - 35

When by pain and care oppressed, - - 70

Who, as the brethren of the Lord, - - - 94

With feeble pulse, and limbs, whose power, - 82

GOSPEL HISTORY.

Part I

EVENTS PRECEDING THE MINISTRY OF JESUS. SECTION I.

THE ANNUNCIATION.

Luke i. 26.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured ; the Lord is with thee ; blessed art thou among women. And she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God ; and behold thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest ; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David ; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever ; and of his kingdom there 2 shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be ? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee : therefore also that holy thing which shall be born, shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord ; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

REFLECTIONS.

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." The reply of Mary expresses her undoubting faith. That she should place full reliance upon such a divine communication, appears to us by no means extraordinary. But there are subjects on which we, like her, are instructed from above ; and on these how often do we doubt ! How often do we overlook the seal of heavenly truth with which God has sanctioned his revelations ! We are, we say, fully convinced that Jesus was the messenger of God ; but do we always receive his commands with implicit faith 1 He has unveiled to us the world to come : we hear his denunciations to the impenitent, his invitations to all; but while we listen, is there not a feeling of doubt within us ; a reluctance to take his promises for the ground of our hopes 1 He has declared that our heavenly Father governs the universe he made, and that without him not a sparrow falleth to the ground. Do we believe this 1 If so, we must be happy ; for in such faith we shall find a peace which nothing else can yield us. But by how few among us is this holy faith possessed without a cloud of doubt ! When we are convinced that our Saviour spoke by authority from on high, doubt and fear should no longer have place, but all his declarations meet the same ready and humble faith which would be yielded to the words of a visibly present angel.

HYMN.

The Messengers of God.

Thy messengers, Eternal God,

Are seen in earth and air ; They spread thy glory far abroad,

Thy boundless might declare.

The thunders roll, the lightnings fly,

Thy mandates to perform ; Thy name is written on the sky,

'T is spoken in the storm.

But other messengers are thine,

Children of light and love ; To do on earth thy will divine,

Or waft our prayers above.

And in thy word a voice we hear

Of promised rest on high.

It bids us to thy throne draw near

And on thy strength rely.

O may that faith which Mary knew

Our inmost hearts possess, That we may feel thy promise true,

And trust thy care to bless !

Section II. Birth Of John The Baptist

Luke i. 57.

Now Elizabeth's full time came that she should be delivered ; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her ; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child ; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so ; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a WTiting table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed ; and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them ; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be ? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying , Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people; and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David ; (as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began;) that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest ; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways ; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. — And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his showing unto Israel.

REFLECTIONS.

What holy gratitude does Zacharias express, in his thanksgiving at the close of this chapter. The light from heaven which had long been veiled, was now about to burst forth again ; and the venerable man knew, that the child of his old age was to be the favoured medium of the divine communications. What joy must have swelled the father's heart, as he thought of the future holiness and eminence of the infant before him. Can we not imagine him, with the fire of inspiration, and the smile of paternal love, together lighting up his venerable features, as he pronounces the words, " And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways 1" There is not a higher earthly enjoyment than good parent derives from the virtue of his child. What an incitement does this afford to a grateful son, to render his growing virtues a crown of joy to the grey hairs of those who gave him life !

But the joy of Zacharias was not for himself alone. " The day-spring from on high" had dawned. Its rays preceded a more glorious light, "the Sun of Righteousness," and Christians now, rejoicing in its full radiance, may well praise the Father of lights, from whom cometh every good, and every perfect gift.

2 *

HYMN.

"The Day-spring from on High. ,:

Toiling through the livelong night, Faint, uncertain of his way,

How the traveller hails the light, Herald of the coming day.

Thus, when fraud and rapine threw O'er the world their cloud afar,

On the good man's raptured view Broke the dawn of Judah's star.

Tears of joy and gratitude

For the heavenly light renewed, For another prophet born.

Born to go before the face Of Judea's Saviour king ;

Tidings of celestial grace

To the mourning land to bring.

Thus began the song of praise For the day-spring's earliest ray.

How should we the anthem raise For the Gospel's perfect day !

Section III. Birth Of Jesus

Luke ii. 1.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made, when

Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which .is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them ; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not ; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people ; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you ; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace ; good will towards men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

REFLECTIONS.

The records of nations cannot furnish a parallel in importance to the event here recorded. Many a Pharisee, many a man of eminence, among the crowd who now filled Bethlehem, passed thoughtlessly by the humble resting place, which yielded its poor accommodations to Mary and her infant. In after days too, many a ruler of the people would have felt himself dishonoured by a comparison with Jesus. But what is earthly power or wealth, in the sight of God 1 The multitude who then thronged Bethlehem have passed away, and their names have no longer an existence in the memory of man ; nor would a vestige remain to prove that they had once assembled, but for the connexion of the incident with the birth of that child. And of those crowds who turned superciliously away from the instructions of Jesus, the remembrance has passed from the earth. Their very denominations of Pharisee and Sadducee, are famous only from their incidental occurrence in the history of the man of Nazareth. Oh Thou who seest not as man seeth, teach us to use candor and deliberation, when we judge from outward appearances ! Teach us cheerfully to dispense, if need be, with the luxuries of life, and never to pride ourselves on their possession ; remembering that Jesus, our holy Master, was born in the humble manger of an inn ; remembering that he, whose name Thou hast exalted above every name, had scarcely, even in the hour of tenderest infancy, " where to lay his head !"

GOSPEL F.ISTORY. 21

No war or battle's sound

Was heard the world around, No hostile chiefs to furious combat ran ;

But peaceful was the night

In which the Prince of light His reign of peace upon the earth began.

The shepherds on the lawn,

Before the point of dawn, In cocial circle sat, while all around

The gentle fleecy brood

Or cropped the flowery food, Oi= slept, or sported on the verdant ground.

When lo ! with ravished eara,

Each swain delighted hears Sweet music, offspring of no mortal hand ;

Divinely warbled voice,

They saw a glorious light

Burst on their wond'ring sight.

Harping in solemn choir, in robes arrayed,

The helmed cherubim,

And s worded seraphim Are seen in glitt'ring ranks, with wings displayed.

Sounds of so sweet a tone

Before were never known, But when of old the sons of morning sung,

While God disposed in air

Each constellation fair, And the well balanced world on hinges hung.

" Hail, hail, auspicious morn !

The Saviour Christ is born," (Such was the immortal seraph's song sublime,)

" Glory to God in heaven !

To man sweet peace be given, Sweet peace and friendship to the end of time ! "

Section IV. Presentation Of Jesus In The Temple

Luke ii. 22.

And they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon ; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was upon him ; and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple ; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law ; then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people ; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Isra* el. And his father and mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a 6ign which shall be spoken against ; (yea a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser : she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years ; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

REFLECTIONS.

"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace!" Excellent old man ! Were Ave asked the cause of our unwillingness to die, how various would be the reasons assigned. We are not prepared; — we have not we think, enjoyed the fullness of this world's blessings ; — we fear; — and a cloud of doubt, which even our christian belief does not entirely dispel, comes between us and the light of immortality. With Simeon it was not so. He waited but for one blessing more ; — to see the consolation of Israel ; and his wish was granted. His cup of joy was full; the Saviour had come; the "light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel" had appeared; and now the old man looked to God in perfect, fearless confidence, ready to depart in peace, to pass quietly from the anticipation to the full enjoyment of heaven. How happy is the death of him who is alike the friend of God and man ! He looks round on earth, and sees Almighty goodness employed in promoting those best interests of his raee which have ever been dear to him ; he looks up to Heaven, and there a Father's love is ready to bid him welcome. He closes his eyes, and enters peacefully on the "inheritance of the Saints in light."

HYMN.

Merrick.

'T is enough — the hour is come ; Now within the silent tomb Let this mortal frame decay, Mingled with its kindred clay ; Since thy mercies, oft' of old By thy chosen seers foretold, Faithful now, and stedfast prove, God of truth, and God of love !

Since at length my aged eye Sees the day-spring from on high, Those whom death has overspread With his dark and dreary shade, Lift their eyes, and, from afar, Hail the light of Jacob's star; Waiting till the promised ray Turn their darkness into day.

Sun of Righteousness, to Thee, Lo ! the nations bow the knee ; And the realms of distant kings Own the healing of thy wings : See the beams intensely shed, Shine on Zion's favored head !

Never may they hence remove, God of truth, and God of love !

Section V. Flight Into Egypt

Matt. ii.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of die people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda ; for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child ; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed ; and lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him ; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts ; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word ; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt ; and was there until the death of Herod ; that it might he fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

REFLECTIONS.

The Almighty operates by human means. The life of Jesus was precious in his sight, and he would not abandon it to the murderous attempts of Herod : yet did he use the ordinary instruments for its preservation. Joseph must arise at midnight, and undertake a long and toilsome journey, that Jesus may be rescued. This should teach us, that the care of life and health is a duty with which we may not dispense. It is not enough to say that we leave these things in the hand of Providence. Providence has committed them to us, and we may not resign our trust.

But the flight into Egypt, though it tore from their home the husband and his recently wedded wife, and exposed them to toil and danger, had its consolations. They knew that the life of their child was dear to God ; that his guardian care protected their way ; and that, since he was near them, there was no cause for fear. Such is the faith of the Christian. He adopts indeed those measures which a wise prudence dictates for his own happiness and that of others ; but he ever feels, that in the use of these means he is surrounded and upheld by the Providence of God ; that his heavenly Father beholds him in love, and will order all things, even those which may wear the aspect of calamity, for his final good.