Contents of Vol. II.
Congratulation of the angel Gabriel--advantages of the Christian dispensation--Eve and Mary compared--state of Mary's family at the incarnation--she receives an angelic visit--his promise to her of a son, and prediction of his future greatness--Mary goes to Elizabeth, their meeting--Mary's holy enthusiasm and remarkable language--Joseph informed of the miraculous conception by an angel--general remarks
Nothing happens by chance--dispensations preparatory to the coming of Christ--prophecy of Micah accomplished by means of the decree of Augustus--Mary supernaturally strengthened to attend upon her new-born infant--visit of the shepherds Mary's reflections--circumcision of the child--taken to the temple--Simeon's rapture and prediction--visit and offerings of the Arabian philosophers--general considerations
The flight into Egypt--Herod's cruel proceedings and death--Mary goes to Jerusalem with Joseph--on their return their Child is missing--they find him among the doctors--he returns with them, the feast of Cana--Christ's treatment of his mother when she desired to speak to him--her behaviour at the crucifixion--she is committed to the care of John--valuable lessons to be derived from this touching scene
Brief account of the extravagant regard which has been paid to the Virgin Mary at different periods--the names by which she has been addressed, and the festivals instituted to honour her memory--general remarks on the nature and character of superstition, particularly that of the Catholics
The angelic appearance to Zacharias--birth of John characters of Elizabeth and Zacharias--importance of domestic union being founded on religion, shown in them--their venerable age--the characteristic features of their piety--the happiness of a life like theirs--the effect it is calculated to produce on others--the perpetuation of holy friendship through immortal ages--the miserable condition of the irreligious
Introduction of Anna into the sacred story--inspired description of her--the aged apt to be unduly attached to life--Anna probably religious at an early period--Religion the most substantial support amidst the infirmities of age--the most effectual guard against its vices--and the best preparation for its end
[The Woman of Samaria--Chapter IV.]
Account of Christ's journey through Samaria--he arrives at Jacob's well--enters into conversation with a woman of the country--her misapprehensions--the discovery of his character to her as a prophet her convictions--her admission of his claim as the true Messiah, which she reports in the city--the great and good effect--reflections
[The Woman Who Was a Sinner--Chapter V.]
Jesus and John contrasted--the former goes to dine at the house of a Pharisee--a notorious woman introduces herself, and weeps at his feet--remarks on true repentance and faith, as exemplified in her conduct--surmises of Simon the Pharisee--the answer of Jesus the woman assured of forgiveness--instructions deducible from the parable
[The Syrophenician--Chapter VI.]
Introductory observations--Christ could not be concealed the Syrophenician woman goes to him on account of her daughter--her humility--earnestness--faith--the silence of Christ upon her application to him--the disciples repulsed--the woman's renewed importunity--the apparent scorn with which it is treated--her admission of the contemptuous insinuation--her persevering ardour--her ultimate success--the necessity of being importunate in prayer--remarks on the woman's national character--present state of the Jews: the hope of their final restoration
[Martha and Mary--Chapter VII.]
Bethany distinguished as the residence of a pious family, which consisted of Lazarus and his two sisters--their diversity of character--the faults of Martha, domestic vanity and fretfulness of temper--her counterbalancing excellencies--Mary's choice and Christ's commendation--decease of Lazarus--his restoration to life at the voice of Jesus--remarks on death being inflicted upon the people of God as well as others--the triumph which Christianity affords over this terrible evil--account of Mary's annointing the feet of Jesus, and his vindication of her conduct
[The Poor Widow--Chapter VIII.]
Account of Christ's sitting over against the treasury--he particularly notices the conduct of an obscure individual--she casts in two mites--it is to be viewed as a religious offering--the ground on which it is eulogized by Christ--the example honorable to the female sex--people charitable from different motives--two reasons which might have been pleaded as an apology for withholding this donation she was poor and a widow--her pious liberality notwithstanding--all have something to give--the most trifling sum of importance--the habit of bestowing in pious charity beneficial motives to gratitude deduced from the wretchedness of others, the promises of God, and the cross of Jesus
Mixed constitution of the church of Christ--benevolent spirit of the primitive believers at Jerusalem--anxiety of Ananias and Sapphira to appear as zealous and liberal as others--Ananias repairs to the apostles to deposit the price of his possessions--is detected in deception and dies--similar deceit and death of Sapphira--nature and progress of apostasy--peculiar guilt of Sapphira--agency of Satan distinctly marked--diabolical influence ascertained--consolatory sentiments suggested to Christians
Joppa illustrious on many accounts, particularly as the residence of Dorcas--she was a disciple of Christ--faith described as the principle of discipleship--the inspired testimony to the character of Dorcas--she was probably a widow or an aged maiden--remarks on reproaches commonly cast upon the latter class of women--Dorcas exhibited as a pattern of liberality, being prompt in the relief she afforded--her charities abundant--and personally bestowed: observations on the propriety of visiting the poor--the charities of Dorcas often free and unsolicited--wise and conducted upon a plan--the pretences of the uncharitable stated and confuted--riches only valuable as they are used in bountiful distribution
Account of Paul and his companions meeting with Lydia by the river-side at Philippi--the impression produced upon her heart by the preaching of Paul--the remarks on conversion, as exemplified in the case of this disciple--its seat the heart--its accomplishment the result of divine agency--the manner of it noticed: the effects of a divine influence upon the human mind, namely, attention to the word of God and the ordinances of the Gospel, and affectionate regard to the servants of Christ--remarks on the paucity of real Christians--the multiplying power of Christianity--its present state in Britain--efforts of the Bible Society