Page:New historical catechism (2).pdf/8

 as likewise might have among them in the ancient prophecy of old Balaam, that there should arise a star out of Jacob, &c., from Moses' time, being about fifteen hundred years.

Q. What did Herod intend by killing the children of Bethlehem, and what number was slain?

A. Herod, having obtained the kingdom by subtility, hearing of this new King, feared he should be dethroned, resolved upon his death, and after long expecting the return of the wise men, but in vain, imagined they had mocked him, entered into a strange passion, gave orders for killing all the children of Bethlehem, and the borders thereof, which he thought was about his age, to the number of fourteen thousand, and also sent a messenger of death, thrice towards John the son of Zachariali, who was now in the second year of his age, but his mother's early care of him saved his life, by sending him into desert places: yet, amongst this great slaughter, he, who alone was aimed at, was the only child that had escaped; but as the babes of Bethlehem died in the place of Christ, so did John the Baptist's father die for him.

Q. What remarkable sign was left on the murder of Zachariah?

A. Tertullian, who wrote in the defence of the Christian religion against the heathens, reports, that the blood of Zacharinh so besmeared the stones of the pavement, on which he was murdered, that no art or industry could wash the tincture out, as if God would upbraid their religion and cruelty of the Jews, with a perpetual character of their guilt set before their eyes indelibly, in exacting all the blood of righteous persons, from Abel to Zachariah.

Q. Did the oracles then cease after the coming of our Saviour?