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"GRANNY'S CHAPTERS"

(ON SCRIPTURAL SUBJECTS)

BY

LADY MARY ROSS.

=THE NEW TESTAMENT=,

WITH A SKETCH OF THE SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

_NEW EDITION._

LONDON:

HATCHARDS, PICCADILLY.

1882.




PREFACE TO VOLUME IV.

The New Testament has been treated in a manner somewhat different to
that adopted in regard to the Books of the Old Testament.

The object has been, to sketch out the earthly Life of our Blessed
Lord, and to draw attention to a few important points.

It was obviously impossible to dwell particularly upon the details of
every Miracle, Parable, and Conversation, recorded by the Evangelists.
Nor was such a course necessary.

The language of the Gospels is so simple and clear, that details are
better read from Holy Writ itself.

That this volume may lead the young to a reverent study of our
Saviour's character, and an earnest endeavour to "follow the blessed
steps of His most Holy Life," is the earnest prayer of the Author.

MARY ROSS.

_November, 1871._




PART I.




Chapter I.--JOHN THE BAPTIST BORN.


We have now seen that the Sceptre had departed from Judah. The whole
country was subject to the Romans, who had appointed Herod to govern
it for them; and the time was now come when the blessed promises, that
"the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head," and that "in
the seed of Abraham all nations of the earth should be blessed," were
to be fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus
Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer; born of a woman, that thus being as
Man upon the earth, He might suffer for man, and make that atonement
for man, which He could only make because He was the Son of God.
Unless the Messiah had been at once God and Man, He could have been no
Saviour for man; no mediator between a holy God and His sinful
creatures.

Very soon after the death of Herod's sons, Alexander and Aristobulus,
the last princes of the Asmonean family, the wonderful events related
in the New Testament began to take place. No doubt we are all well
acquainted with the story of the priest Zacharias, a good and holy
man, who, whilst performing his duty in the house of God, saw an Angel
standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was an
old man, and his wife Elisabeth was also an old woman, and therefore
when the Angel told him that the Lord would work as great a miracle as
He had done in Abraham's case, and give a son to Elisabeth, as He had
given Isaac to Sarah, Zacharias must indeed have been greatly
astonished.

The Angel moreover told Zacharias, that this child, whom God would
give him, was to be named John; and that he should be in an especial
manner guided and protected by the Holy Spirit, for that he was to be
the messenger spoken of by prophets, as sent to prepare the way for
the Messiah, and give notice of His coming. Such particulars should
have overcome any doubts which Zacharias might at the first moment
have felt; but his faith failed him, and therefore, considering only
the impossibility of such an event happening without the special
interposition of the Lord, he, guided by sight and not by faith,
presumed to ask for some sign, to assure him that what the Angel spake
would really come to pass.

This sinful unbelief was punished, even whilst his faithless request
was granted; for Zacharias immediately lost the power of speaking, and
remained speechless for many months: but his unbelief was gone, and he
certainly made his wife Elisabeth acquainted with the promises and
directions spoken by the Angel.

About six months after this appearance of the Angel Gabriel to
Zacharias, He "was sent from God, unto a city of Galilee, named
Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." The Angel told Mary,
that she had been chosen by the Almighty to be the mother of the
promised Messiah, whose birth was to be a miracle; inasmuch as He
would have no earthly father, but should be called the Son of God.
Gabriel also told Mary, that when she had brought forth her son, she
should call His name Jesus; that is, a Saviour. Mary was greatly
troubled when the Angel first spake to her, and when she expressed her
wonder and astonishment, He comforted her, and told her that her
cousin Elisabeth, the wife of Zacharias, was also about to become a
mother; adding, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Mary's
faith now showed itself, and she said, "Behold the handmaid of the
Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Meaning that she was
willing to serve the Lord in everything, and suffer whatever might
come upon her in consequence. For, as she had no husband whom she
could name as the father of her Child, she was liable to punishment.
When Joseph, to whom Mary was espoused, or promised in marriage, found
that she would have a Son, he was astonished, and had some thoughts of
putting her away from being his wife; but being a just, or good and
kind man, he meant to do this quietly and secretly, or "privily," so
as not to expose Mary to blame or punishment. But while he thought on
these things, behold the Angel of