OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; CONTAINING A FULL, ACCURATE AND UNIVERSAL HISTORY, TO HIS CRUCIFIXION, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION: TOGETHER WITH THE LIVES, TRANSACTIONS AND SUFFERINGS OF HIS HOLY EVANGELISTS, APOSTLES, AND OTHER PRIMITIVE MARTYRS. AND A HISTORY OF THE JEWS, BROUGHT DOWN TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM BY REV. JOHN FLEETWOOD, D. D. TO WHICH IS ADDED A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE PRESENT TIME; EXHIBITING A VIEW OF THE VARIOUS PROPHECIES RELATING TO THIS REMARKABLE PEOPLE. AND THE STRIKING FULFILMENT OF THEM, PARTICULARLY OF THOSE RELATING TO THEIR PRESENT CONDITION. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY LEARY & GETZ, No. 224 NORTH SECOND STREET. P RE F A СЕ. THE Apollo Belvidere is said to exhibit one of the finest specimens of the perfection of the art of sculpture in existence. The stone so breathes, and speaks as almost to cheat a beholder into the belief of its living reality. One of the most distinguished writers on the fine arts, after studying it with increasing admiration, thus recommended it to the attention of those who would become artists: "Go and study it, and if you see no peculiar beauty in it to captivate you, go again; and if you still discern nothing, go again, and again, and again, until you feel it, for be assured it is there." To every one who takes up this volume, and who is anxious to see if there is any beauty, or excellence in the character and life herein delineated, we would say: "If you discover it not at the first glance, look again; and if still you discover it not. examine once more, and renew your investigations again, and again, for be assured it is there." In the life before you will be seen what can no where else be found unlimited power without pride; unrivalled beauty without vanity; unbounded benevolence without ostentation; love without selfishness; fortitude without repining; purity without a stain, and a sun without a spot! You open this volume, not to gaze on a picture of fallen greatness; not to view the trophies gained-the triumphs secured, or the desolations accomplished by the might of a human arm; not to behold the mind of an archangel, either in its lofty aspirings, or in its ruins; but to admire intellect and power, wisdom and goodness combined, in the production of results the most happy and glorious; to admire simplicity in its grandeur, and grandeur in its simplicity; to cherish a taste for mental and moral beauty, and a love for whatsoever things are lovely. History is the philosophy of life. It de 3 velopes the grand principles on which man acts. It shews man as a sinner ruined, or a sinner redeemed. The Life of Jesus Christ is the philosophy of true religion. It exhibits the principles of Christianity in their life and vigor. It is perfect excellence personified in miniature-in miniature, that the little mind of man may grasp it, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory. It is unlike all others so sublime as to excite the admiration of an angel's mind, and so simple as to be intelligible to the feeblest intellect. While it is a perfect example to be imitated by all, it also affords to the sanctified scholar, a lesson of untiring and unending interest. Does he admire magnanimity?—No where does he find such a specimen, as in the forgiving spirit of Jesus. Does he admire sublimity of thought, and grandeur of conception?-He sees it in the description of Jesus coming to judgment-a God in glory, and a world on fire! Is he touched and thrilled by the magic of eloquence?— While he listens to Jesus he is constrained to acknowledge, never man spake like this man. Is he enamored with the beauties of style?-Nowhere can he find a richer feast than in the clearness, unity, strength and harmony which characterize the sermon on the mount. Has he an eye to relish the beauties of painting?—Jesus as a moral painter spreads before him meadows of green ness, and fields of lilies. Has he a taste for scenes of tenderness; for descriptions which stir the heart, and open the fountains of feeling?—He has only to behold Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and listen to his lamentation! He has only to read the story of the prodigal son. If he admires courage-let him go with Jesus among those who had converted the temple into a den of thieves;-fortitude-let him follow the Man of Sorrows into the garden, or stand by him on the cross;-condescension-let him dine with him at the table of the publican, and witness his marked attention to little children; or humility-let him stand by and behold him wash his disciples' feet. Is he, in a word, charmed with the exhibition of a character, distinguished by purity of motive, by piety the most ardent, by |