FROM EASTER MORN UNTIL THE DAY OF OUR LORD's ASCENSION. After the Lord arose, He shewed Himself at divers times to His disciples and followers. And thus He shewed Himself 1. To S. Mary Magdalene when He said. TOUCH ME NOT." (S. Mark xvi. 9; S. John xx. 14.) 2. To her together with the other Mary and Salome, when He permitted them to hold Him by the feet and worship Him. (s. Matt. xxviii. 9.) 3. To S. Peter. (S. Luke xxiv. 34; 1 Cor. xv. 5.) 4. To Cleophas and another disciple, when He conversed with them on the way to Emmaus, and was afterwards made known to them in breaking of bread. (S.Mark xvi. 12; S. Luke xxiv. 13.) 5. To the ELEVEN, excepting Thomas, saying, "PEACE BE UNTO YOU." (S. John xx. 19.) And shewing them His hands and His feet, did eat before them, (S. Luke xxiv. 36,) and gave them the commission, 66 AS THE FATHER HATH SENT ME, SO SEND I YOU.” Breathed on them the Holy Ghost, and gave to them the power, (S. John xx. 23,) WHOSE SOEVER SINS YE REMIT, THEY ARE REMITTED." WHOSE SOEVER SINS YE RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED.' 6. To the ELEVEN, Thomas being present when He upbraided those who had not believed them which had seen Him, (S. Mark xvi. 14,) and again saying, 66 PEACE BE UNTO YOU,” convinced Thomas, shewing him His hands and His side. (S. John xx. 26.) 7. To the ELEVEN on the mountain in Galilee. (S. Matt. xxviii. 16.) 8. To 500 disciples at once. (1 Cor. xv. 6.) 9. To S. Peter, S. Thomas, Nathaniel, and others at the sea of Tiberias, where, after again taking bread, He thrice questioned S. Peter; and thrice gave him the pastoral commission, (S. John xx.) 66 FEED MY LAMBS." 10. To S. James the Less. "FEED MY SHEEP." (1 Cor. xv. 7.) 11. To all the holy Apostles at Jerusalem; when He opened their understandings to understand the Scriptures, bid them wait there for the promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then, lastly, He led them out as far as Bethany, where having declared وو "ALL POWER IS GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND EARTH," He gave them His commission (S. Matt. xxviii.) To teach and preach the Gospel, To baptize all nations, 66 IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST. وو He promised salvation to the faithful, (S. Mark xvi. 16.) He promised the power to work miracles, (S. Matt. xxviii. 19.) "LO I AM WITH YOU ALWAY." He lifted up His hands, HE BLESSED THEM. (S. Luke xxiv. 50.) He was parted from them-He was taken up. (Acts i. 9.) He was received up into heaven. (S. Mark xvi. 19.) HE SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. HE MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. (Rom. viii. 34.) He shall in like manner come again, (Acts i. 10.) (And all His saints with Him,) TO JUDGE THE WORLD. (2 Tim. iv. 1.) EVEN SO COME, LORD JESUS. GLORY BE TO THEE, O GOD. AMEN. JOHN HENRY PARKER, OXFORD AND LONDON. Tracts for the Christian Seasons. EASTER DAY. The Resurrection. "DUST thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." To you I say these words of God, whosoever you are, for of you and of every man they are true. You are now among living men, it may be in the very prime and fulness of your life, with all the powers of life. Well then, survey yourself and your various limbs; cast your eyes over the several parts of that fleshly frame, so "fearfully and wonderfully made," that marvellous machinery of flesh and blood; your tongue tastes bitter or pleasant food; your eye wanders over green meadows or crowded streets; your ear is quick in catching sweet sounds or harsh; your limbs carry you where you will; your hands move actively according to your need; your blood flows like a river in your veins. Such you are in the body at this present time, to-day; you are a living man. |