To the two ends of a rope brought over the stone.* How then did the watch keep guard? nion watched at a time, in rotation.

One quaterWas this se

curity enough to prevent the body from being taken away? Quite enough. Of what advantage were all these precautions to the cause of truth? They rendered the fact of our Lord's resurrection so much the more undeniable.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

What does the twenty-eighth Chapter of this Gospel contain?

I. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

II. THE VAIN SCHEME OF HIS ENEMIES.

III. OUR LORD'S FINAL COMMISSION AND PROMISE

TO HIS APOSTLES.

"In

1. What day and time are here mentioned? the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week."

What Sabbath is re

ferred to? The Jewish Sabbath.

When did that

end? At sunset, on what we call Saturday evening. What dawn followed? The dawn of the Lord's day. Why is that day called the Lord's day? Because the Lord Jesus signalized it by his resurrection from the dead. What is said of that day, as it began to dawn? "Mary Magdalene and the other

* As in Dan. vi. 17.

+ Rev. i. 10.

Mary came to see the sepulchre."

Why did they go to see the sepulchre? That they might embalm the Lord's body. Did they not know, that the sepulchre was closed and fastened? They knew that a great stone had been rolled to the door of it; but they knew nothing about the seal nor the watch that had been set. Were they not sensible that the stone was a barrier which they could not remove? Yes; and they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcre ?* When they reached the spot what did they sce? When they looked, they saw, that the stone was rolled away.t What may we learn from this circumstance? That if we serve Christ with holy zeal, difficulties will vanish beyond our expectation. 2. Have we any account how the stone was removed? Yes; "And behold there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,

and sat upon it." Were the women eye-wit

No;

nesses of the descent of the angel, and of his rolling away the stone and sitting upon it? when they reached the sepulchre, the stone was already rolled away, and the angel was sitting within the sepulchre.

3. Was the appearance of the angel majestic and awful? "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow." Are there many such glorious angels in the presence of God? Yes; an

Mark xvi. 3.

+ Mark xvi. 4.

Mark xvi. 5.

L L

innumerable company." * What respect do they all pay to the Lord Jesus Christ? They worship him, as God the Father has commanded.† What then must we think of any of the human race refusing to pay adoration to him? That in so doing, they rebel against the most High. What do we read concerning the countenance of this angel? It was "like lightning." that expression? his countenance.

"His raiment was

What do you understand by

That a bright light flashed from How was the angel arrayed? white as snow." What does white raiment denote? Celestial purity and joy.‡ 4. Who saw the glorious appearance of this angel? "The keepers." Whom do you mean by "the keepers"? The soldiers on guard. What effect had the appearance of the angel upon them? "For

fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men."

That the

Did they

5. Did the women also see the angel? Yes; but not till they entered the sepulchre.§ What was the first thing that excited their attention? body of the Lord Jesus was not there. instantly notice the angel? Yes; but they did not immediately perceive that he was an angel. How did he appear to them, at first? As a young man clothed in a long white garment. § As soon as they found that the body of Jesus was not there, what did Mary Magdalene do? She runneth and

*Heb. xii. 22.

+ Heb. i. 6.

Rev. vii. 13, 14.

Mark xvi. 5.

cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.* When Mary Magdalene was gone, who remained at the sepulchre ? Mary the mother of James, and Salome, and other women that were with them. Were these women still within the sepulchre? No; they hurried out as soon as they saw a mysterious stranger sitting there. What was their feeling at this time? They were much perplexed thereabout.† What were they perplexed about? About what was become of the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood thus perplexed and wondering-what happened to them? Behold two men stood by them in shining garments.+ Was one of these, the angel who had appeared to them as a young man in a long white garment? Yes. Did he and his companion now make a more glorious appearance, so as to be distinctly known to be angels? Yes.‡ What effect had the sight of these angels upon the women? They were afraid.§ Did the angels perceive that these timid females were terrified at their appearance? Yes. What did one of them say, to calm their fears? "The angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for know, that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified."

*John xx. 2.

+ Luke xxiv. 4.

Luke xxiv. 5.

Luke xxiv. 23.

"He is not here; Did these words con

6. What more did the angel say? for he is risen, as he said." vey the first assurance of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus? Yes. Why did the angel say, “He is risen," and then add, " as he said"? To confirm the belief of the women, by reminding them of the Lord's own words.* Why are we often slow to receive comfort? Because we lose sight of our Lord's gracious promises. What invitation did the angel then address to the women? Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Why were they invited to see the place where the Lord lay? That they might bury all their fears in his empty tomb, and rejoice in their risen Lord, with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

7. When the women had attentively viewed the spot where the body of Jesus had lain, what further direction did they receive from the angel? "Go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead." Did the angel tell them where they might see Jesus? Yes; "behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." What did the angel mean by saying, "lo, I have told you"? Be assured, you will find it as I have said.

8. What did these female disciples then do? They departed quickly from the sepulchre." How were

Luke xxiv. 8.

The cavity, or cell, hollowed out in the vault, and in which the corpse had been deposited.