Page:New historical catechism (2).pdf/16

 Q. As then were many deceivers, who pretended to be the Messiah, how do you know that this Jesus was the true Messiah, or Saviour of the world?

A. We have the full assurance of Jesus being the true Messiah, in that all the manifest prophecies, long before prophesied by the holy prophets, both of the birth, life, doctrine, action, death, resurrection, and ascension, were punctually fulfilled while Jesus was upon the earth, and we are hereby fully assured that he was the Saviour of the world, and which is more evident by what ensued after his ascension and departure out of this world, by considering his power, duty, love, care, and providence, his perfect accomplishment of all his prophecies, and justification of all his sermons and doctrines upon earth, all which fully declare and manifest him to be the true Messiah and Saviour of the world.

Q. What account does Josephus, the Jewish historian, give of our blessed Saviour?

A. Josephus writes thus: "In these times lived Jesus, a very wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, because in truth he did marvellous things, and was master and teacher to them that loved him, and sought after the truth. The Jews and Gentiles followed him in great numbers; and though he was afterwards accused by some of the chief of our religion and crucified, yet he was not forsaken of those that followed him; and three days after his death he appeared unto them according as the prophets had prophesied of him. And now, even in our days, the doctrine and the name of Christians continue and are spread over all the world."

Q. What is further related of the death of Christ, besides what we find in the holy Scripture?

A. In the 34th year of our blessed Saviour's