Oldalképek
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

from the Dead: which accordingly they obferv'd, tho at that time they did not comprehend what he meant by his Refurrection from the Dead, for they thought of nothing but the General Resurrection of the Dead, and could not ima gin why he had order'd them to conceal it till that day. Elias having bin but a little while with their Mafter, and being now return'd to Heaven, the Apostles ask'd Jefus the reafon why the Jewish Doctors taught that Elias was to come before the Kingdom of the Meffiah, and to prepare all things against that time. Jefus replied, it was very true that Elias was to be the Forerunner of the Meah, that he was to preach up a Reformation among the Jews, that they might receive him as became them; and that this Prophecy was no way contradictory to thofe that foretold the ill treatment the Meffiah fhould receive from them; further, that Elias was already come, and that he had actually declar'd the neceflity of Repentance, and a Refor mation, tho the Jews knew him not, and gave no credit to that holy Perfon, who

Was

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

was alfo put to death, and the fame treatment he himself expected from the Jews. The Apoftles by this perceiv'd that he spake of John the Baptift, whom he had upon other occafions before told them, not obfcurely, was that Elias that was to precede the coming of the Meffiah.

The day after that Jefus with the three Apoftles came down from the Mountain, a great Multitude flock'd to meet him; and he obferv'd no lefs a Crowd about the reit of his Apoftles, who alfo, as foon as they faw Jefus, came and faluted him. Jefus ask'd the Doctors of the Law what was the fubject of their Difcourfe with his Apoftles. After which there came to him out of the Crowd a man, who falling

down

[blocks in formation]

down at his feet, thus addreft himself to him: Mafter, I have brought my Son to thee, who is poffeft with a dumb Damon; I beseech thee have compaflion on him and me, efpecially fince he is my only Son; for every full Moon he is most lamentably affaulted by the evil Spirit, who fometimes throws him into the Fire, at other times into the Water. The Youth makes grievous Outcries when he finds himself attack'd and cruelly tormented by the Damon, who violently hurls him on the ground, caufing him to foam at the mouth, and gnash with his teeth, infomuch that he is become a mere Skeleton; and fo pertinacious is his Tormentor, that he scarce ever quits his hold till the Youth's ftrength is quite spent. I have indeed applied my felf. othy Apostles, and they have attempted his Cure, but hitherto in vain..

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

20 And they brought 42 And as he was him unto him and yet a coming, the

when he faw him,

devil threw him down,

ftraightway the spirit and tare him.
tare him, and he fell

on the ground,
and wallowed foming.
21 And he asked
his father, How long
is it ago fince this
came unto him? And
he faid, Of a child.

22 And oft-times
it hath caft him into
the fire, and into
the waters to destroy
him: but if thou canst
do any thing, have
compaffion on us, and
help us.

23 Jefus faid unto him, If thou canst

[ocr errors]

JOHN.

[ocr errors]

Jefus having heard him, broke out into this Exclamation: O perverfe and degenerate Race of Men! how unworthy are you to have my Miracles perform'd among you, who have fuch mean Notions of the Divine Goodness and Power? How long fhall I endure this Incredulity? He then commanded the young man to be brought to him, when the evil Spirit ftraight affaulted him with fuch violence as to distort his Limbs, and threw him to the ground, where he lay rolling and foaming at the mouth. Jefus then ask'd the Father how long he had been thus afflicted: who replied, from his Childhood; and told him, that the evil Spirit had often thrown him into the Fire and Water, fo that his Life had frequently been in danger, which he would undoubtedly have loft had he not been timely fuccour'd: He therefore humbly intreated him to free him, if poffible by any means, and take compaffion on the miferable Youth and his Relations. Jefus anfwer'd, If thou canft but believe

that

[blocks in formation]

that God has endued me with an Authority over thefe evil Spirits, thou wilt eafily have thy Requeft granted; for there is nothing fo difficult which they shall not obtain who have that honour and efteem for the Power and Goodness of God which is due to thefe his Attributes. The Father protefted with a loud Voice, that he trufted in God and Him, and earnestly befeech'd him to fupply by his Goodness whatever defect he might obferve in his Faith, of which he made fo publick a Profeflion.

As foon as he had fpoke these words, the Multitude throng'd about them, defiring to fee the event; but Jefus rebuking the unclean Spirit, commanded him to depart out of the Body of the young man, and never more to return into it. The Spirit hereupon came out of him, having made a hideous howling from the mouth of the young man, which was alfo ftrangely diftorted. On which the Youth lay upon the ground as quite dead, infomuch that many of the By-ftanders thought he had been

Mm

« ElőzőTovább »