Page 82 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

READING LESSONS. 81
, of blasphemy and worthy of death. ]from the Jew­ , ish court, which had lost, under the Romans, the power of death, he was borne away to the governor, Pilate, who, after un eling scorn, and severe chas­ tisement, condemned the acknowledged innocent and just man to death. He died, in the thirty-third year of his li upon earth, derided by the Romans and Jews, the most disgrace l death of the cross, and between two thieves. His bones were not broken­ the ordinary usage after such a death ; but, to prove that he was dead, a soldier opened his side with a spear. The body was buried in honour by a dis­ ciple: a guard was placed around the tomb, and a
seal upon the stone.
5. On the third day he appeared again in life to his apostles. The truth of his religion could not be weakened by his violent and cruel death, but rather con rmed ; and the end of his incarnation-the re­ demption of man and his reconciliation with God­ promoted.
6. He remained rty days with his disciples, in­ structi them in the nature of his kingdom, their sacred duties and future labours. There is nothing, however, expressed in the Gospel, more than the general command to teach, to baptize, and to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them. Of
those who believed in him, Jesus had chosen twelve, whom be admitted as the voured witnesses of his own words and works. These, with the exception of the betrayer, he left as his representatives on earth. There were also seventy-two disciples closely con­ nected with him; they, also, after bis ascension preached the Gospl, but with less ample power&
than the apostles.,
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