them at the price they set on them, in the temple.

On the thirteenth (for when the sun was set, the fourteenth day with them began, as the Jews always reckoned their days from sun-set to sun-set) they cleared their houses of all leavened bread; and that no remains thereof might be concealed within their walls, by any accident, they diligently searched every part thereof with candles. On the fourteenth day, after they had cast out the leavened bread, and performed the daily evening sacrifice, about three o'clock in the afternoon they began their paschal exercises, which at first were killed in the tabernacle, but afterwards in the temple at Je rusalem, as being the place where the Lord had chosen to place his name: these sacrifices continued till the sun-setting, of the fourteenth day. These lambs might be killed by any Israelite that was not unclean, in the courts of the temple, but not in any private family: though none bu te priest could sprinkle or offor the blood on the altar.

These ceremonies being ended, and the sun of the fourteenth day set, on the fifteenth they all eat the paschal lamb in their own houses, sodden or boiled, eating unleavened bread therewith; and which bread they were to use for seven days, from this sun-set of the fourteenth day, which began the fifteenth day, - according to the Jews manner of computation. This fifteenth day was called a Sabbath, though it fell upon any other than the seventh day of the week; because it was sanctified by God's appointment, and all servile work thereon was excluded. This feast concluded with another Sab

:

In this manner was this feast celebrated; and all the males of Canaan, except children, bordsmen and strangers uncircumcised, were obliged under the pain of excommunication to keep it at Jerusalem, except hindered by a journey, sickness, or legal uncleanness and even these persons were obliged to keep the passover, on the fourteenth day of the second month. They that could bear the charge, were wont to stay the whole seven days; but this was a matter more of choice, than obligation; for every one was at liberty to return home, as soon as they had eaten the paschal lamb in the place where God had placed his sanctuary. From hence you may easily collect the reason, why our blessed Saviour was obliged to go up to Jerusalem to keep the passover.

*

S. As Canaan was a very populous country, it seems incredible that all the males could be lodged in Jerusalem; or that the state would allow such an assemblage of men to be at one place, since they must have

in the temple.

On the thirteenth (for when the sun was set, the fourteenth day with them began, as the Jews always reckoned their days from sun-set to sun-set) they cleared their houses of all leavened bread; and that no remains thereof might be concealed within their walls, by any accident, they diligently searched every part thereof, with candles. On the fourteenth day, after they had cast out the leavened bread, and performed the daily evening sacrifice, about three o'clock in the afternoon they began their paschal exercises, which at first were killed in the tabernacle, but afterwards in the temple at Jerusalem, as being the place where the Lord had chosen to place his name: these sacrifices continued till the sun-setting, of the fourteenth day. These lambs might be killed by any Israelite that was not unclean, in the courts of the temple, but not in any private family: though none bute priest could sprinkle or offer the blood on the altar.

These ceremonies being ended, and the sun of the fourteenth day set, on the fifteenth they all eat the paschal lamb in their own houses, sodden or boiled, eating unleavened bread therewith; and which bread they were to use for seven days, from this sun-set of the fourteenth day, which began the fifteenth day, - according to the Jews manner of computation. This fifteenth day was called a Sabbath, though it fell upon any other than the seventh day of the week; because it was sanctified by God's appointment, and all servile work thereon was excluded. This feast concluded with another Sab

On the second day of the passo. ver, or sixteenth day of the month, they offered up the first sheaf of the fruits of the barley harvest. The other five days were observed also as holy days in offering the peace-offering and sin-offerings, which had been reserved to that time; but these were not observed with the same strictness as the two preceding days. And as this feast was instituted for rejoicing, the Jews in process of time introduced the use of wine at the passover.

In this manner was this feast celebrated; and all the males of Canaan, except children, bondsmen and strangers uncircumcised, were obliged under the pain of excommunication to keep it at Jerusalem, except hindered by a journey, sickness, or legal uncleanness and even these persons were obliged to keep the passover, on the fourteenth day of the second month. They that could bear the charge, were wont to stay the whole seven days; but this was a matter more of choice, than obligation; for every one was at liberty to return home, as soon as they had eaten the paschal lamb in the place where God had placed his sanctuary. From hence you may easily collect the reason, why our blessed Saviour was obliged to go up to Jerusalem to keep the passover.

S. As Canaan was a very populous country, it seems incredible that all the males could be lodged in Jerusa lem; or that the state would allow such an assemblage of men to be at one place, since they must have

feft the women and children in others, exposed to the invasion and ravages of an enemy; and particularly, that such numbers could not be accommodated in the courts of the temple, where the paschal lambs were killed.

T. As to the second objection, I say, If God be for us, who cas hurt us? The Jews, as their own writers testify, relied on this principle. God had commanded them so to do. They complied with this ordinance as their bounden duty; and relied upon God's protection of their families. And the Almighty restrained the fury of their enemies, so long as they continued in his service. And as to the first and the third, All the Jewish writers agree, that they were always well accommodated, though upon a mo. derate computation eleven hundred thousand men, that were come up to the passover, perished at the destruction of Jerusalem, by Titus. Nor ought it to be thought a thing incredible, that they could be all accommodated in the courts of the temple for as the area of the three courts, besides the other places where it was lawful for them to kill the lambs within the sanctuary, contained above 435,600 square cubits; these courts only might admit 300,000 men at a time; so that allowing a succession of sacrifices, one company might so give place to another, that every male might have room to perform his duty within the time appointed.

S. How happened it that these eleven hundred thousand men, that were come up to the passover, were not protected from the sword of Ti. tus, as you say they had been defended from their enemies on the like occasion heretofore?

T. Because the Jews had cructfied the Lord's anointed; by whose death the passover was abolished, and of whom the paschal lamb had been only a type. They were, at that time, not serving the Lord; but filling up the measure of their own imquity by laying an undue stress on the commandments of men.

S. I thank you for this instruction, But, pray, what notable works did Jesus at Jerusalem, during this second passover ?

T. He on the Sabbath cured a poor paralytic, at the pool of Bethesda, who had been in that condition thirty-eight years.

S. Where was this pool?

7. Near to the house of mercy, or hospital of Bethesda, and not far from that part of the mount, on which the temple stood, called the king's gar den, commonly used for the wash. ing of the sacrifices; and was surrounded by five porticos, and occasionally impregnated with such a sanative virtue, that it cured all manner of distempers under certain restrictions.

S. What were the restrictions? 7. It cured no body, till an angel sent from heaven, descended, and put the pool into a fermentation; and it only cured the first person that was plunged into it, after such commotion. There was always a great number of lame, halt, blind, withered, and diseased, that lay in the porticos for that purpose. mongst whom was this poor paralytic, who hid in vain waited here to be cured, having no body to help him in, upon the troubling of the

waters.

A

S. I have been told that there was no pool endued with this heal