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Ananas the younger, the high priest, and of the sect of the Sadducees, merciless and implacable in his temper, resolved to dispatch him before the new governor could arrive; to this end the council was hastily summoned, and the Apostle, with some others, were accused for transgressing the law, and for blasphemy against God.

Q. How did the Scribes and Pharisees set about to ensnare him?

A. By flattering speeches they endeavoured to engage him, at the confluence of the Paschal solemnity, to undeceive the people concerning Jesus, whom they looked upon as the Messiah; and that he might be the better heard, to go with them to the top of the temple, thinking by this method to bring him to renounce Christ. They addressed him, as he was placed upon the pinnacle of the temple, in these words, "Tell us, O just man, what we are to believe concerning Jesus Christ, who was crucified?" he answered with a loud voice, "Why do ye enquire of Jesus the Son of Man? He sits in heaven on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and will come again in the clouds of heaven." Upon which the people glorified the blessed Jesus, and proclaimed, Hosannah to the Son of David.

Q. How did St. James suffer martyrdom?

A. Upon this disappointment of the Scribes and Pharisees, they suddenly cried out that Justus himself was seduced, and they threw him down from the place where he stood, and being very much bruised, though not killed, he recovered so much strength as to get upon his knees, and pray for them that thus cruelly used him; and while he was thus praying for them, they loaded him with a shower of stones, till one, with a Fuller's club, beat out his brains. He died, according to Epiphanius,

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inly lose the intentance that is incorruptible, unkleine and that flera aut. That life itself, which naelisar o gari with so much care, must be readily purei vin, rather than deny the truth; becase is is iʼn sen a case, the only method to secure te bessings te eternal. And that, though the pain and gnominy jur persecutors indict, should equal that at me cross per must be patiently endured, rather zan isown our diessei Master, who suffered that infamous punishment apon our account, and will deny us before his Father, if we deny him before men.

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4. Religion being a duty we owe to God, can never be superseded by any commands even of our lawful superiors: because we are obliged to obey God rather than men. And when we are brought before kings and governors for Christ's sake, we are to bear our testimony against them, because all their authority is derived from God; so that they can have no power to control those commands he lays upon us. And if, through fear, or any other worldly passion, we are prevailed upon to comply against the truth, we may justly expect the

Acts v. 29.

dreadful fate of being denied by our Saviour at the great day, before his Father who is in heaven.

Q. How is the denial of our innocent appetites instrumental in mortifying our sinful desires and disobedient actions?

A. Because if we gratify them in all things, where we lawfully may, they will, by long use and indulgence, acquire a great power and empire over us, and it will be a difficult task to deny them any thing; for our appetites make no difference between an innocent and sinful enjoyment, they are only moved by pleasure; so that if we will be sure to conquer and subdue them in all instances that are sinful, we must take care they grow not strong upon us in any instances whatsoever.

Q. Wherein appears the reasonableness of this duty of self-denial in the strictest sense?

A. Because that as God has promised to assist and support us by his Holy Spirit in the discharge of this difficult duty; so he has been graciously pleased to assure us, that he will reward the practice of it with greater degrees of eternal happiness; and nothing can be more reasonable than to part with things of small value, for things infinitely greater and more considerable. And we are sure, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. We are his creatures, and the purchase of our Saviour's blood; therefore no consideration whatsoever should stand in competition with the serving him. Besides, the blessed Jesus, who requires it from us, has given us the greatest example of self-denial that ever was, and that in pity and kindness to us, and wholly for our benefit and advantage.

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Rom. viii. 18.

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FOR FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAINTS.

BLESSED God, who hast set before us the examples of thy saints, that our duty may become familiar to us, since performed by men of like passions with ourselves; arm me with resolution to confess thee before men, as they did; that neither profit may engage, nor pleasure soften me into any sinful compliance, nor any sufferings or persecutions so far influence my fear, as to make me stagger or move from my stedfastness; that in all my sufferings here upon earth, for the testimony of thy truth, I fix may mind my upon those things thou hast prepared for them that love thee, and by the example of thy saints, pray to thee for those that cruelly and despitefully use me, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God, to succour those who suffer for thee, the only mediator, and advocate. Amen.

CHAP. XX.

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

A MOVEABLE FEAST.

Q. What Festival does the church celebrate this day? A. Our blessed Saviour's ascending into heaven in his human nature, and his sitting at the right hand of God.

Q. When did our Saviour ascend into heaven?

A. Forty days after his resurrection; during which time he confirmed the truth of his resurrection, by appearing several times to his disciples, discoursing with them, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.a

Acts i. 3.

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