This is vision twenty-seven as received through the mediumship of Alexander Smyth of the true events in the story and life of Jesus of Nazareth.

VISION TWENTY-SEVENTH.

Three days had elapsed since the events transpired as represented in the last vision. The sun had risen high in the heavens, denoting that it was about noon. The day was bright, clear and fragrant with sweet odors, and the foliage of the mountain scenery was beautiful to the sight. The palm tree was in its full bloom.

This was the day appointed by Judas for Jesus to make his last visit to Jerusalem under the false representation to receive the addresses and condolence of his disciples and friends – the expression of their grateful and loving hearts, and to sympathize with each other in the fears and hopes pertaining to their good cause.

Judas, under the direction of Saul, made great preparations for this day, as they intended to play their most important part, to entrap their virtuous and unconscious victim into the meshes of their iniquitous designs. A great deal of money had been expended in bribing certain persons to perform acts deemed necessary to their scheme of treachery; also for the sumptuous provision of an evening banquet, so that no labor or expense had been spared to render sure their contemplated plot.

There was a great number of people assembled in the village of Bethany, all attired in their best and cleanest clothing. The greater part were thronging around the residence of Lazarus, most of whom carried in their hands branches of the palm tree. All of the followers of Jesus were there dressed in white vestments, with girdles and mantles of various colors, and their heads were enveloped in handsome tires formed of blue and white linens, wreathed around a blue center covering. Judas and Peter were busy in superintending the arrangements. In front of the yard gate there was a handsome gray mule, the body of which was covered with a scarlet cloth, and its head decorated with slips of the palm tree. Upon this beast it was intended that Jesus should make his entry into the city, that he might not be thronged or pressed by the people, and everybody should be enabled to see him.

All were ready and anxious for the departure, excepting Mary and Jesus, who were in the garden conversing. He, upon this occasion, had changed his ordinary dress for one of white, with a blue girdle; his head being covered with a superb tire of blue and white linen. His mien was pensively grave, as with tender expressions he endeavored to give assurance and consolation to the distressed Mary, who was leaning upon his arm, as she looked up to him with tears in her eyes and an expression of sorrow in her countenance.

“My dearest Jose,” she said, sobbingly, “I have never opposed or contravened thy wishes before, for I always deferred to thy superior wisdom; but in this case I feel strong in my convictions that if thou goest to the city this day, thou wilt meet with treachery and destruction. Was not the traitorous conversation I heard enough? Why, then, wilt thou voluntarily throw thyself into the arms of thy enemies?”

“If it were possible, dear Mary,” replied Jesus, much affected, “I would comply with thy wishes. No earthly influence could be greater with me than thy sweet endearing voice. But, Mary, if I fail to perform my duty and promises this day, I shall sacrifice all the good reputation I have gained among my people, and I shall fail giving support to that cause for which I have labored.”

“What matters all this in comparison to the sacrifice thou wilt make, if thou becomest the prey of thy enemies?” asked Mary. “Thou mayest intend to do one thing, but thy enemies will work it that thou shalt do another. What dependence hast thou to do anything of thine own wish, when thou are surrounded by wicked men who will make thee do another? What confidence or trust is there to be placed in traitors?”

“It is possible, Mary,” answered Jesus, “that thy construction of those men’s words may be a wrong one, and if we knew all they might admit of another meaning. It seems my followers are discontented, and afraid to continue their labors with me, and that they wish for a dissolution of the brotherhood. This I have consented to, and when we assemble this evening at the banquet, it will be for the last time, for then I shall resign all claim to their services. It is possible, Mary, that when thou didst hear Judas and Peter say that ‘If they could persuade me to consent to this measure, that their task would be finished,’ they had reference to the dissolution of our brotherhood; but as thou didst not hear all that was said, it seemed a traitorous design to thee.”

“I know not what they had reference to, dear Jose,” replied Mary, as again the tears coursed down her beautiful cheeks; “but I feel convinced from that and other instances, that they are conspirators and traitors to thee. If they have not already betrayed thee to thy enemies, some unaccountable presentiment tells me they will do it. Therefore, my beloved Jose, if thou valuest the love of thy Mary, that love which was engendered in my heart from the days of my early childhood, and which has been cherished and expanded to an intensely holy passion for thee – O! by this holy tie which unites our hearts in tender sympathies, I beseech thee to comply with my request, and forbear this intended visit to the city today.”

“O, Mary! Mary!” exclaimed Jesus with great emotions of distress. “Dear maiden of my earthly affections, spare me from complying with thy request. Thou knowest that of all things on earth whereon a man could look for happiness, all my hopes, dependence and love are centered in thee. My love for thee is without measure, making me subservient to thy will in nearly all respects; yet there is a love and duty which I must acknowledge is of more paramount importance than the earthly love which unites us in heart. I mean my duty to God and my fellow men. These, Mary, take the precedence. Ask me not to neglect them through any worldly fears or considerations. Mary, I must be firm and true to the last, in performing the last act and fulfilling the last promise that is expected of me. I must go to Jerusalem. Then let me banish all fears of danger, and hope that all things will terminate well. Let us comfort ourselves with the pleasing anticipation that when this last duty shall be performed we shall be enabled to become to each other what we both have so long ardently desired.”

“Then be it so,” replied Mary, with comparative composure, “since it is thy wish and thou sayest, thy duty, I will not tempt thee any longer to disregard them. But mark me, Jose, these eyes of mine will know no sleep until I know the termination of thy day’s adventure. When the shades of evening come upon us I will repair to the Garden of Gethsemane, and in the northern bower I will pass the evening in prayer for thy safety. Between the hours of five and six, if all go well with thee, send a message to me at that place, and if any danger menace thee, I conjure thee to flee and come thyself to that spot, there thou wilt find one heart at least to shield thee. Promise me this much, and I will endeavor to keep from despair.”

“Mary, I promise thee,” replied Jesus. Then the loving pair took a tender and affectionate embrace, when Jesus took himself away and returned to his company, who were anxiously awaiting him.

He entered the house where he took a friendly leave of his host, Lazarus, and his daughter Martha. He was then escorted by his followers to the spot where the mule was tethered, and with the assistance of Judas and Peter he was soon mounted upon the animal.

As soon as he was thus elevated to the view of the people, he was greeted with a loud shout of joy – many exclamatory laudations and blessings invoked upon his future career. Jesus acknowledged the greetings of the multitude with a graceful inclination of his person, and supported with calm dignity, the unusual position in which he was placed. The order of the procession was now formed and the word given to advance. Judas was on one side of him and John on the other close to him; then Peter and Andrew and two others of his followers were in front, and another four behind, all of whom carried in their hands branches of the palm tree. Several aged men who were representatives and heads of various small societies of his disciples, walked two by two in front, and an indiscriminate crowd followed in the rear. Thus they left the village taking the southwestern road, which descended to the Kidron and thence leading on by a bridge to Jerusalem. The road was narrow and rugged, with a steep descent as it curved round the shoulder of the mountain of Olivet, with the luxuriant forest foliage above it on one side, and beneath it on the other. Having descended this road about half way, and turned the shoulder of the mountain without any important incident, they came in view of the Kidron, and then the stupendous structure of the Temple burst upon their view.

Though Jesus had passed this spot hundreds of times before without receiving any extraordinary impressions therefrom, yet at this particular time some unaccountable power within him caused him to halt and contemplate with a serious gaze the interesting scene before him. His comprehensive eye seemed to measure the stupendous wall from the depth of the valley to the high colonades of pure white marble; thence over the tesselated pavements, ascending by flights of steps still higher up the mountain; then, another range of marble porticos with their high, white pillars, spreading at equal distances around; then, another pavement with a flight of steps, ascending higher and higher, and then, to crown the whole, the view takes in the magnificent Temple itself, with its tall pinnacles piercing the clouds and its golden roof dazzling in the rays of the sun. Vast! Stupendous structure! Nine hundred feet from the valley base to the topmost pinnacle! Almost too vast for a mortal eye to embrace. Yet it was the work of man.

Then Jesus cast his eye around the city noting the many magnificent palaces of fanciful forms, with their gilded roofs and gorgeous decorations; the numerous white marble towers of great strength and magnitude, and no less great in their symmetry of structure and general beauty, especially those built by the great Herod. The towers of Hippicus, Phasaleus and Mariamne were there, towering high towards heaven, mementos of the strong will and tyrannical power of that great bad man. And then the eye of Jesus glided rapidly around the scenery exterior to the walled city, taking within its scope many pretty villages embossed with gardens and deep verdure, its cottages and villas half exposed and half hid by beautiful groves. What a beautiful and magnificent scene was here for the contemplation of this great good man. Having terminated the tour of his inspection, he heaved a deep sigh and exclaimed:

“O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Thou art sublime even in thy madness and folly! Magnificent and stupendous thou art beyond all other mortal achievements! Yet great as thou art the day will come when all thy mighty structures will be toppled to the ground. Hadst thou been founded in wisdom and benevolence for the true benefit of man, thou couldst have bid defiance to the destroyer for many ages of the future. But, O Jerusalem! Thou wert conceived in the days of barbarous ignorance; thy parents were superstition and tyranny, therefore thy days of duration are drawing nigh. As the human mind becomes disenthralled from its barbarous impediments of superstition, so will thy gilded roofs and pinnacles topple down and mingle with the dust.”

The cortege resumed its progress down the steep uneven road amidst the acclamations of the people who had come from the various villages and towns to greet the friend and instructor of mankind. At length the base of the mountain was reached. They were then in the valley of the Kidron, or Jehoshaphat, as named by some, and then they crossed the magnificent arched bridge which extended across the stream to the other side. A body of young men dressed in white vestments lined each side of the bridge, standing in even rows waving to and fro branches of the palm tree. The center of the bridge was strewn with palm branches, and along the sides the young men had strewn the mantles of various gay colors. As the cortege passed along the young men burst forth with united harmonious voices, singing a song of praise and honor to the great good man, as the deliverer of the people from mental slavery, the benefactor of the poor, and the exalted of the Lord.

This point being passed they took their route eastward, between the stupendous wall and the brook of Kidron, the multitude increasing in number at every pace, and the acclamations of joy and praise becoming louder and louder. At length they arrived at the Golden Gate, one each side of which was a tier of magnificent pillars of the most beautiful workmanship, and a colossal gate covered with plates of gold extending from pillar to pillar. Here they came to a halt, for their progress was contested by a band of Roman Guards, which was drawn up in front of the gate. The multitude stood aside while Jesus and his followers stood in front of the guard for a few moments awaiting the challenge of the sentry. An officer at length advanced to Jesus, and said in a tone of authority:

“Who art thou, that comest to this city followed by a multitude. Art thou a friend or foe to its rulers?”

“We come as friends, with peace and good will to all men, having nothing less in our intents than obedience to its rulers,” replied Jesus.

“Wilt thou be responsible for the peace and good order of this multitude?” demanded the officer.

“I and my followers will do our best to keep the peace and promote good order,” responded Jesus.

“Then thou mayest pass,” returned the officer, and orders were instantly given to throw the gate wide open.

The cortege took up their march, passing through the gate, the people following while the Roman guards brought up in the rear, in case their power and authority should be required to quell any disturbance that might possibly arise.

They passed through the main street leading in the direction of the Temple, the multitude becoming greater and greater, and the commotion among them intense. The porches, the windows, and housetops were thronged with the people, a great many being dressed in white, with palm branches in their hands, distinguished the friends and disciples of Jesus from the old adherents of the Priesthood. The former made the city resound with the shouts of welcome and joy as the cortege passed by; while the latter, though looking on with intense curiosity, held a mysterious silence.

Jesus deported himself with a noble serene dignity, like a good and wise monarch who feels assured that his throne is in the hearts of his people. Sometimes he acknowledged the demonstrations of the people with a graceful bow or a smile, but said nothing to augment their excitement. At length they arrived at the colonade of the eastern front of the Temple when Jesus alighted at the steps and ascended to the upper walk where he was received by many worthy disciples and friends.

While introductions and congratulations were passing, the Roman guard pushed through the crowd and formed themselves into a cordon in shape of a half moon, keeping the multitude back from thronging upon Jesus. Thus under the semblance of being of service to him they were ready to check any tumult among the multitude.

Some time had now passed between Jesus and his friends, when the multitude began to be restless; a great many called aloud for an address, while others whose motives were reckless or hostile, uttered cries and shouts of an impudent and treasonable nature. At one part of the crowd a number of ill-looking men seemed to be more active and vociferous than the rest who seemed to be headed by a young man whose wild and reckless dark eyes denoted him to be Cosbi, of previous notoriety. He seemed to be urging his ruffian companions to some deed of tumult or insurrection; and after some turbulent demonstrations had been given by that party, a banner was unfurled having upon it the Lion of Juda, the old national emblem of Judea. Then the voice of Cosbi was heard above all the rest urging the crowd to follow him:

“Come on, my braves,” he said, in a loud animating voice. “Let us make him King; Jesus shall be King of the Jews.”

The attention of Jesus was now drawn to the multitude by this outcry, when seeing the old banner of Juda unfurled he immediately directed the Captain of the Roman guard to seize it and arrest the tumult.

The officer perceiving that Jesus did not encourage this act of folly and insurrection, immediately ordered his soldiers to seize the banner and the man that bore it. The order was executed immediately as regards the banner, but the bearer made his escape among the crowd.

Jesus then stood upon the uppermost step of the colonade, when stretching forth his hand he commanded silence and order, and after a little while when all excitement had subsided he thus addressed them:

“Friends and Brethren, it pains me to think that some of you present have mistaken the motives with which I make this visit to the city. Some of you have mistaken the nature of the doctrines I teach and the good cause I advocate, thinking that they bear reference to our political state and rulers; and some of you have mistaken my character in supposing that I would sanction the tumultuous and imprudent conduct which has just transpired. I feel it necessary to say a few words upon these points. In the first place, let me state I come not here, as I have been in the habit of doing, to make war upon absurd dogmas and priestly institutions. Nor do I come to meddle with your political state or rulers – to speak disparagingly of the one or the other; but I come with motives of brotherly love and social good feelings, to make known to you that I have resolved to retire from my labors. This is the motive of my coming, and in doing so I wish to explain the cause of my resolution to my friends; to express to them my best wishes; to strengthen them in the hopes of our good cause; to renew to them the assurances of my love, and to bid them that tender farewell as becomes a brother. Such is the motive of my visit. On the second point, I say some of you are mistaken in the nature of my doctrines and the cause I advocate, if you think they sanction turbulent and unlawful proceedings of a political nature. Who has ever heard me, in any of my discourses, deliver aught in favor of discontent, anarchy, insurrection or revolution against our political rulers?There is not one can charge it upon me. I come not among you to preach confusion or rebellion, but peace and good will to all men, that you may so moderate your conduct as to bear and forbear with one another. I have never spoken of your rulers, or disputed their right to govern you; but I have endeavored to enlighten your minds, and taught you patience to submit to the present state of affairs until your own intelligence would suggest and establish a better. A good government does not consist in being governed according to our wishes, but in its being according to the nature of our wants. If you are weak and cannot govern yourselves, quarrel not with your rulers, because they are stronger than you; a government requires strength, and any government is better than anarchy and confusion. Some of you, I have said, are mistaken in my character in supposing that I would interfere in political strife. Some pretended friends have shouted, ‘Let us make him King.’ O, my friends, how great is the mistake or wicked the intent of those who cry thus! How poor and trifling is the ambition they wish to inspire and enthrall me with! How low is their conception of my nature to think that I would be pleased with a golden sceptre and the power to work mischief among my fellow men! No, my friends, my kingdom is not of this world. I aspire to something more exalted. I wish to rule over the minds and hearts of men with the sceptre of reason and the power of love. I wish to free the minds of men from phantoms, the demons, and all other evil spirits which are engendered by ignorance and superstition; the enemies of men’s immortal souls through which they have so long wandered in error and confusion. I wish to eradicate from the hearts of my brethren all the tares and rank weeds of envy, hatred, malice, revenge and sordid interests; to cultivate the heart, and sow therein the seeds of love, truth and justice towards one another. These are my designs, this is my ambition, and the basis of the good cause I advocate. How mistaken, then, are all those who attribute to me an hankering after political strifes or worldly aggrandizements. Be prudent, then, my brethren; let the light of the truths I teach be admitted to your understandings. Live a life of peace, harmony and justice, and attend to the cultivation of that immortal principle within you. Then you will progress in all that is good from day to day and age to age, until you will arrive at that degree of perfection when you will know what is true government, and how to govern yourselves. When that day arrives you will be free men, but if you neglect or despise the truths I have taught you, the little freedom and happiness you now enjoy will become less, and you will finally become extinct as a nation, to wander over all the corners of the earth a poor, despised, degenerate race.”

When Jesus had terminated his explanations a man of middle age approached him by way of the colonade, who by his dress and deportment seemed to be a civil officer. As he made a very obsequious salutation, Jesus observed that the expression of his countenance was of great world intelligence and shrewdness, which he endeavored to mask by assuming an air of great simplicity.

He was a native Judean and a Jew, but he was of a certain political party called Herodians – a set of selfish unprincipled men, who were willing to advocate and serve their foreign oppressors for their own individual interest. They accordingly were employed by their Roman masters as spies throughout Jerusalem and Judea, to discover and make report if any of the people were disaffected or plotting against the government. This man had been bribed with the money of Saul, under the management of Judas, to endeavor in the course of conversation with Jesus to get him to say something against the despotic sway of the Romans so that he might be charged therewith and handed over to the mercy of the Roman tribunal. But Jesus immediately perceived of what class he was, therefore he was on his guard not to commit himself.

“Master,” said the Herodian, in a courteous manner and with an oily tongue, as soon as he had risen from his profound bow of salutation, “it is well known throughout Judea that thou art a man of wisdom and excellent deeds, whose opinions are founded on truth, virtue and justice. Thy independent spirit gains thee the respect of all men, at the same time thou fearest no man. Will it please thee to answer me a question?”

“Say on,” answered Jesus curtly.

“I wish to know,” said the Herodian, “which is the best government, this under which we now live, or that under which our fathers lived?”

“That government which is best administered will prove the best,” answered Jesus with a triumphant smile curling his lip.

The Herodian not expecting so dubious an answer to his question, was somewhat disconcerted, and forgetting his assumed simplicity, a glance of malignant expression escaped from his eyes. But after a few moments he rallied himself and said with a smiling countenance:

“Truly so, great sir, thy answer is a wise one, but doubtful in its application. I wish to know, by comparison of the two, which is the superior. There are advantages in both, and no doubt defects in both; but be it remembered that under the Judean rule the people paid no tribute. Now, speaking in candor, dost thou think it just to pay tribute to Caesar?”

“Hast thou a coin in thy girdle?” asked Jesus of the Herodian, and perceiving his vile intent by the nature of his question, determined to answer him in a manner that he could not gain his desired point.

“I have,” answered the Herodian.

“Then show it to me,” responded Jesus.

The Herodian immediately pulled from his girdle a small leathern bag, from which he took a small silver coin called a denarius, which he presented to Jesus, who examined it for a few moments, and then said:

“Whose effigy is this?”

“Caesar’s,” answered the Herodian.

“Then if it be Caesar’s,” returned Jesus, “render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to every man, that which is his.”

This answer of Jesus was an equivoque. It was not a direct answer to the Herodian’s question. Such an answer would not be tolerated in this age, but at the time of Jesus it was considered a fair mode of getting rid of an unfair question. The Herodian knew as much, and he knew also that his question was not a fair one; he thought best to push the matter no further. He therefore remained silent for a few moments, then he stealthily proceeded to move away as he found that Jesus was aware of all his insidious cunning and designs.

“Stay yet awhile,” said Jesus to the Herodian, “I have a question to ask thee which thou art in courtesy bound to answer, as I did thine.”

“Say on, master,” said the Herodian, as he drew himself up with an assumed courage.

“Tell me why thou art of that class called Herodians,” said Jesus; “is it that thou art aware of the superiority of the Roman rule that our people are too weak and degenerate a rule themselves; or is it that thou art too grossly interested to be a patriot?”

This question seemed a difficult one for the Herodian to answer. He thought to himself, ‘If I tell the truth, and say I serve the Romans from interested motives, he will condemn me for a vile man; and if I say the superiority of the Roman rule, I must acknowledge the degeneracy of our people. I prefer the latter.’ Then raising his eyes to Jesus, he answered:

“I am a Herodian because I am aware of the superiority of the Roman rule.”

“Thou hast answered well,” responded Jesus. “Now hear me say a few words in confirmation of thy own statement.”

Jesus paused for a minute, and then observed:

“The Roman rule is the best and safest for our people, and why? Because it is the strongest, most permanent, adapted to coerce, and keep in bounds a people who are too ignorant and capricious to govern themselves. The Judean people are not capable at present, and never have been capable of establishing a wise, orderly and powerful government. Their minds are not constituted of the right elements out of which to construct a good government. They never have had a good government, and as long as they are of the same nature, they never will have one of their own. A good government must be founded upon good and just principles. These principles must be established facts derived from a knowledge of man’s true nature and the nature of things by which he is surrounded. When the mind of a people consists of principles of this nature, then it is capable of constructing and establishing a good government; but if the mind of a people does not consist of such principles, then the government it establishes will be more or less imperfect. Now, if we examine the mind of the Judean people generally, we shall find that there is not an established principle that has received its origin in an established fact, which is derived from a knowledge of themselves or of anything around them. Of what materials are the ideas which constitute the mind of the Judean people? Are they philosophical facts and conception founded upon truths? Not a whit; their ideas consist of nothing but erroneous conceptions, absurd fables, odious lies, grand misconceptions, wicked perversions, base prejudices, and crazy hallucinations. If this be the truth, how is it possible for any just principle to emanate from the people whereby to establish a government that shall be just, strong, benevolent and harmonious.

“What are the leading principles upon which the government of the people of Israel formerly, and the Judean people latterly, have been established? Firstly, the belief of a powerful, inconsistent, vindictive, jealous, cruel and revengeful God, possessing all the traits of human nature, the only exception being to a greater extent, and according to the history given of him, possessing the character of the barbarous people that worshiped him. This God of their making is an impossibility in nature, and awful in its destructive effects on the people. Another principle of their belief is, that this God made the world and all other things in a wonderfully short time, by his bare word, for man’s especial benefit. Man was made from the dust, and woman from man’s rib. He wished man to improve and be happy, so he made a tree of evil to tempt and ensnare him to do wrong – man and woman both do wrong accordingly; then God curses them and all their posterity for doing what he made them do. Then this God repents having made man, and he concluded to drown mankind, and does so, all but one family; then mankind spread all over the world and became worse than ever. This God concludes that he will select one people from all the rest, make them his chosen people, and show them all kinds of favors above all others. So this God selects a poor ignorant lot of slaves to be his favorites, and calls them the Children of Israel, who were our original ancestors. This people, with the aid of Moses, God releases from the Egyptians, and by way of showing his favors and protection in the commencement, he leads them through and about the wilderness for forty years, slaughtering them by thousands; famishing them with hunger and thirst, and afflicting them with diseases until the whole of those that originally left Egypt are killed off. Then the rising posterity have to fight their way out of the desert and steal another people’s land to get them a home. Not one instance here stated is a fact, but in reality nothing more than the most absurd and ridiculous lies, under the pretense of giving an account of their origin and of all other things, yet this forms the basis of the Judean mind.

“It follows, then, as a matter of course, that all their institutions subsequently established, should partake more or less of the same barbarous, absurd and false character. If we examine all of the Judean institutions we shall find them to be the same. Their rules are despotic, cruel and unjust; governing in the name of the imaginary demon God they have instituted, instead of a being wise, benevolent and responsible to men. The pillars of their government were made to support their absurd and destructive superstitious system instead of being the supporters of the interests and wants of the state. Their laws are sanguinary, partial and unjust, instead of being such as are needed to promote the general interest and security of the people. Their customs are odiously absurd and vicious, capable only of engendering conceit and error in themselves, and making all their neighbors despise and hate them as a nation. In their infatuated conceit they believe themselves the chosen people of God, and that all the rest of mankind are excluded from his favor. They, therefore, to make themselves a distinct people, cut off a portion of their body as a mark of their exclusive holiness, and as a sacrifice to the honor and glory of their God. All others who do not the same, they consider as outcasts of God, whom they treat with the greatest contempt, cruelty and injustice. Is it surprising, then, that all other nations should mark our people as objects of their wrath? They set apart a portion of their people as distinct class, as a Holy Order of Priesthood, to live in laziness and fatten upon the labors of the rest of the people. It is from this body of exclusives that all their absurd, cruel and despotic laws and customs emanate in the name of God. It is this body which continues from age to age the same system of mental slavery and darkness, which constitutes the mind of the people. It is this vile body of men who have been the originators and supporters of all the errors and calamities of our people through all times to the present, and will continue to be so until some fortuitous circumstance shall destroy them. They are the makers of that imbecile state of mind of the Jewish people, which renders them incapable of forming a good government among themselves, or of submitting to one when it is made for them. I say our people never had a good government of their own; yet they pretend that all their institutions and laws are derived from their God; that they are, in fact, the chosen people of God. How is it then, when they have the God of heaven and earth on their side, to guide, legislate and fight for them, that they have never been enabled to establish themselves as a secure and happy people? Read their history as given by their own priesthood, and you will find there has always been confusion, anarchy and bloodshed, or external war. Every nation around them has crushed or enslaved them at different times. Where, then, was the power and majesty of their government? Where was the power and majesty of their God, Jehovah, who could not shield and protect his chosen people? All this was wanting. Is not this sufficient proof that all their pretensions were lies, and all their institutions false and vicious? Let us glance down the history of this chosen people of God, and see how their own acknowledged facts will confirm their pretensions. Firstly, they were found as slaves to the Egyptians. Next, they were slaves under the despotic rule of Moses for forty years in the wilderness. Next they were many generations in continual war with the Canaanites, fighting for the possession of other people’s lands and goods. Sometimes subdued by the Philistines, the Amalekites and others; then by the Assyrians, the Arabians, the Persians, the Egyptians again, the Chaldeans, who carried off ten of their tribes, which were lost forever; then by the Grecians, and lastly by the Romans, whose vassals we now are. Does not their whole history give the lie to all their pretensions, and prove the falsity of the principles of which the Jewish mind is constituted? Here, then, we have demonstrative proof that our people were never capable of forming a government fit to govern others. What, then, is the inference but this? Any government that is strong enough to hold them together with some degree of order, must be better than any one they may institute for themselves. Therefore the Roman rule under which we live must be the best under present circumstances.”

After hearing this address, the Herodian and Judas thought it of no use to endeavor to make Jesus commit himself with their Roman Masters, by any trap they could lay for him, so they relinquished their attempts.

Jesus having received information as to the hour the banquet would commence, dismissed his followers, and passed the remainder of the evening walking around the colonades, conversing with some of his particular friends.

Excerpt from The True Life Of Jesus Of Nazareth

Full pdf book download here recounts the parentage, youth, original doctrines and works, His career as a public Teacher and Physician of the people – the nature of the great conspiracy against Him – and all the incidents and betrayal leading up to the tragedy of the crucifixion.