CHAPTER XXIV. 557 the doom of fruitless professors of religion ; and presently the fig-tree withered away. This is said to be the only miracle of destruction that Jesus wrought, for all the rest were miracles of goodness ; Mat. xxi. 17-20. Conclusion of this. Chapter. 70. Q. After we have heard this brief account of the trans- actions of the life of Christ, tell me what was the sum of that religion, which Christ taught during his life ? A. It consisted chiefly in these few articles. 1. He confirmed the doctrine of the one true God, and the revelation of his mind and will to men by Moses and the pro- phets. 2. He explained the moral law, and enforced the obser- vance of it for ever ; and summed it up in short, in two great commandments, viz. "Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself." 3. He continued the observance of the ceremonial law for the present, that is, wheresoever it did not interfere with the duties of the moral law ; but where it did interfere, he taught that the moral law was always to be preferred. 4. He required repentance for sin, and faith in him- self, as the great prophet who came to reveal the grace of God to men, both for the pardon of sin and eternal life. 5. He appointed the profession of hisreligion to be made by baptism, to denote the washing away of our sins, and our being re- newed to holiness by the Spirit of God. 6. Just before hit sufferings and death, he appointed the feast of the Lord's- supper, as a' constant memorial of his dying for the sins ofmen, and our partaking the benefits thereof; Mat. xxvi. 17-31. 1 Cor. x. 18, 17. Note, This dispensation during the life of Christ, was a medium between the Jewish andChristian dispensation. CHAP. XXIV. Of the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. SECTION I.-Of his Sufferings, and Death, and Burial. T. QUESTION. WH1:N Jesus had instituted his holy supper, whither did. he go ? Answer. He knew that the hour of hissufferings was at hand, and he went with his disciples into a neighbouring garl. den in Gethsemane, where he sustained great and grievous agonies and sorrows in his soul ; Mat. xxvi. 38, 39. 2. Q. How did it appear that his anguish was so great ? A. It is written of him, "That he began to be sore amazed and very heavy or over-burdened. He told his disciples, that his soul was exceeding sorrowful even-unto death; and N n 3
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