A. To shew that Jesus Christ was to be the Saviour of all nations, tribes, and languages.
39.Q. What may we learn from the behaviour of the impenitent thief?
A. That for the generality, those who live all their lives in sin, die hardened.
40.Q. What may we learn from the behaviour of the penitent thief, and Christ’s behaviour towards him?
A. That there is mercy for the worst of sinners, through Christ the Saviour.
Q. May wicked men draw any reasons from hence, to defer their repentance till a death-bed?
A. No, by no means.
Q. Why?
A. Because probably this thief had never heard of Christ before. 2dly, He might not have been so notorious a sinner as is imagined, though drawn in by surprize or temptation to commit the crime for which he suffered. 3dly, God converted him, to honour his Son’s death, that he might in the very agonies thereof triumph over the devil. 4thly, Because he gave uncommon instances of his faith: he calls Christ, “Lord,” when his own disciples had forsook him, when the High-priest, scribes, and rulers were deriding him, and his own divinity under an eclipse: none of which circumstances are applicable to a wilfully wicked man, that defers repentance till he comes to die.
44.Q. What is the sixth hour?