sary for him to go through those forms which mankind used at that time, such as circumcision and baptism; the latter of which we find the people receiving from John. Vide 5th verse.

47. Why was Jesus baptized by John? A. Not only for the reason mentioned in the preceding answer, but also because it established and sanctioned the teaching of John, who, by baptizing men unto repentance, prepared them for the reception of those invaluable blessings vouchsafed through the Gospel. Some think it was in conformity to the custom used by the Priests, of being purified by water at their consecration, and that this was a sort of consecration at the commencement of our Lord's ministry and priesthood. Exod. xxix. 4. xl. 12.

48. Did John then consent? him.

A. Yes; he baptized

49. What happened when he had come up out of the water ? A. Lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and lighted upon him.

-v. 16.

50. What did the voice from heaven say? A. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

GENERAL QUESTIONS.

51. How do you shew the existence of the Trinity, or the Three Persons in the Eternal Godhead, from this passage? A. We find the Three Blessed Persons distinguished the voice is that of the Father; he which descended in the form of the dove is the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is the Son of God.

52. Was John the first who introduced baptism among the Jews? A. No; they had a species of baptism which they made use of before, called the baptism of proselytes, or of those Gentiles who came over to the Jewish faith: these persons were also circumcised'. The Priests, as was observed before, at their consecration, made use of a sort of washing or baptism with water. Vide also Exod. xix. 10. 53. What did John's baptism represent?

1 Vide Matt. xxiii. Ques. 34.

A. The

washing away or giving up of sins by repentance and change of life.

54. What is meant by the Lord's baptizing with the Holy Ghost and with fire? A. That the hearts of those persons who rightly received his baptism would be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and that pious and devout affections would be kindled within their breasts by the penetrating influence of that heavenly fire. This was literally fulfilled by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Acts i. 5. and ii. 3.

55. How does our Lord's baptism differ from John's? A. Not only because the baptism of our Lord was administered in the names of the Three Blessed Persons of the Trinity, as a seal of dedication to works of holiness in their service; but it also (when worthily received) not only does away the guilt of original sin, but is also a seal or pledge of God's future assistance, to enable us to walk in his paths here, and to be happy hereafter.

56. What is original sin? A. It is that inherent corruption of our natures, by reason of our being descendants of Adam, and, consequently, this evil affection being in opposition to the holiness of God, justly deserves his wrath and condemnation.

57. Why is this ceremony called Regeneration? A. Because it is the outward sign of that inward change which it is intended to signify, viz. that new birth, which was beautifully expressed by the persons baptized being immersed in water, which signifies being buried by baptism unto sin. But when they come forth from the water again, it represents the new birth unto righteousness taking place, when a new era in the life of the soul begins. Before they were under the wrath of God for original sin, but they are hereby made children of grace, and included in the new

covenant.

58. What necessity is there for the assistance of the Holy Spirit? A. Because such is the corruption of our natures, that we have no power of ourselves to do good works. The Spirit of God must first enlighten our understanding, and influence our hearts, to enable us to walk in the commandments which our Heavenly Father has given us.

59. What Jewish rite did baptism succeed? A. Circum

cision.

60. For what purpose was the rite of circumcision instituted? A. It was ordained by God himself, as a seal or token of the covenant which he had made with Abraham. Gen. xvii. 10.

61. What was the nature of that covenant which the rite of circumcision ratified? A. It was intended that every descendant of Abraham should bear in his body the seal or pledge of the future coming of the Messiah, and of inheritance of the land of promise. This badge of distinction marked their profession to comply with their part of the covenant, by obeying him who had vouchsafed them protection, which they endeavoured to do by the assistance of that grace of which circumcision was a pledge.

62. Why was circumcision to cease after the death of our Blessed Saviour? A. Because as it was intended originally to distinguish the children of Abraham from all other nations, it could be no longer necessary when that line of separation ceased, which it did by the Gentiles being received into the new covenant, through Christ. Vide chap. ii. 54.

63. Why do we not make use of it now? A. Because those blessings which God promised Abraham, have been already shed abroad; and since in his seed all the nations of the earth have been blessed by the coming of the Messiah, we have no longer any need of the seal of that promise. Gen. xii. 2. xxii. 18.

64. Who were the first persons baptized by John? A. The people of Judea, and those about the river Jordan.

65. How did our Lord employ himself during that period of his life, omitted by St. Matthew, before his baptism? A. It is supposed that he worked at Joseph's, his reputed father's trade, which was that of a carpenter. He remained in obscurity until his baptism, after which his public ministry commenced. Mark vi. 4.

66. How does this appear? A. Because one of the great reasons of his not being received as the Messiah by the Jews, was on account of his low origin, for they expected the Messiah to come as a mighty prince.

67. Why did not Jesus come into the world as a great king? A. Not only because such a character would have been inconsistent with his suffering death, for which he came into the world; but also, since one of the greatest faults

*of man is pride, that the Son of God, coming in such an humble character, might teach mortals that they are not the more respected by God because they are rich and powerful.

68. What character did the Jews expect that the Messiah would assume when he came upon earth? A. They supposed that he would be a great temporal king, that would deliver them from the dominion of the Romans, to which they were then subject, and restore them to their former greatness as a nation.

69. How old were children when they were circumcised? A. Eight days old. Gen. xvii. 12.

70. Why not before that age? A. Because the mother, by the law of Moses, was considered unclean until the eighth day, and, consequently, so great and important a sacrament could not be administered before that time, as the child would necessarily partake of the uncleanness of the mother. Lev. xii. 2.

71. What arguments can we bring forward to justify the baptism of Infants? A. 1st. Its succeeding the rite of circumcision, performed at eight days old. 2nd. The invitation of our Saviour concerning little children, to suffer them to come to him, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 3d. The commands of our Lord to baptize all nations, and no exception is mentioned, (Matt. xxviii. 19.) 4th. Whole households being baptized, (Acts. xvi. 33.) 5th. The constant practice of the Church from the time of our Saviour. Vide also 1 Cor. vii. 14.

72. Why did our Lord assume the form of man? A. Because as man was the original offender, it was not only necessary that a being under the same form should suffer the punishment denounced, but that also, by his perfect obedience as man, he may again reconcile our nature to God, and that God may then look upon us once more with favour, as sanctified by him.

73. Why did not Jesus himself baptize? A. The following reasons are given: 1st. It would not have been consistent with his character as man to have baptized in his own name as one of the Persons of the Eternal Trinity, and in conjunction with their names. 2d. If he had done so, perhaps the people would not have valued the baptism administered by the Apostles. 3d. If he had done so in his

own name, it would have proclaimed him to be the Messiah, and such being publicly known, would have caused him to be put to death before his time, or raised a sedition of the people in his favour.

CHAPTER IV.

1. What happened to Jesus immediately after his baptism? A. He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil.

2. What is meant by, He was led of the Spirit? A. That is, by the inspiration or guidance of the Holy Spirit, which had rested upon him at his baptism. Mark i. 12.

3. How long did he fast in the wilderness? A. Forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he hungered.-v. 2. 4. Who came to him in the wilderness? A. The Tempter, that is, the Devil.

5. What was the first temptation with which he assailed him? A. He said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.-v. 3.

6. What did Jesus answer? A. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Deut. viii. 3.

-v. 4.

7. What did he mean by this? A. That he need not doubt the continuance of the protection of God, and thus commit an act which would imply a distrust of his mercy: for the same power which had enabled him, in his human capacity, to fast forty days and forty nights, would still support him, so that he need not fear being forsaken.

8. What was the next act of the Tempter? A. He taketh him up into the holy city (Jerusalem), and setteth him upon a pinnacle of the temple.-v. 5.

9. What is a pinnacle? A. It signifies here a sort of battlement on the top of the temple.

10. What did he say to him? A. If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down.—v. 6.

11. What did he say to induce him to do so? A. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.