for it is of John the prophet Esaias spoke, when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths clear."

Then John's disciples came to him and said, why do the Pharisees, as well as we, observe so many fasts, and your disciples keep none?

art thou he that was to come, or must we expect another?

and if ye will believe me, he is the Elias that was to come.

for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. read more. he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet. but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod, that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask; who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger. and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her. and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison, whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother. upon which, his disciples came to take away the body, and having buried it, they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him. and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left. read more. but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto. upon hearing this, the other ten disciples were moved with indignation against the two brothers.

and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the people he had hired, and went after him.

there were likewise several women, who were spectators at a distance: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the minor, and of Joses and Salome:

Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be.

As the people were in suspence, every man imagining in his own mind that John might be the Messiah;

master, said Simon, we have toil'd all the night, without any prize: however, since you give the word, I will throw the net. which being done, they enclosed such a multitude of fish, the net began to break: read more. so they made a signal to their partners in the other ship to come and help them. accordingly they came, and loaded both the boats so with fish that they began to sink. at sight of this, Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus, and said, Lord, withdraw from such a sinful man as I: for he, and all the company were frightned at the draught of fish they had taken: so was James too, and John, the sons of Zebedee, both partners with Simon. but Jesus said to Simon, be not afraid; for the future you shall fish for men.

and likewise those of the Pharisees, are frequently fasting and praying, while yours are employed in eating and drinking?

his disciples James and John observing this, said, Lord, shall we command fire to descend from heaven, as Elias did, in order to consume them?

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, who he was. he own'd it, and did not deny it; but made this protestation, I am not the Christ. read more. art thou then Elias? said they; and he answer'd, I am not. art thou a prophet? and he answer'd, no. said they to him, who then art thou? that we may give an answer to those that sent us: what sayst thou of thy self? "I am, said he, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, clear the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Esaias. Now the messengers were of the sect of the Pharisees, and they asked him, "why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elias, nor any other prophet?" John answered them, I baptize with water: but there is one among you, whom ye know not; he it is who coming after me, is preferred before me, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose.

is preferred before me, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose. these things were transacted at Bethabara, near Jordan, where John used to baptize. read more. The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. read more. for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God. and this is the subject of their condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. for every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and shunneth the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. but he that doth right, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, because they are agreeable to the will of God. After this Jesus went with his disciples into Judea, where he stay'd with them for some time, and baptized, while John was likewise baptizing in Enon, near Salim, it being a place abounding with water: so that people came to be baptized there.

he that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true.

Jesus therefore knowing the Pharisees had heard that he made more disciples, and baptized more than John,

now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, with another disciple, who being known to the high priest, was admitted into his palace at the same time with Jesus,

when Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to his mother, woman, behold thy son. then he said to the disciple, behold thy mother. and from that time the disciple took her to his own home.

he that relates this, was an eye-witness of it, and his relation is true: and he is so assured, what he says is true, that you may rely upon it.

upon this she went in great haste to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

thereupon the favourite disciple of Jesus said to Peter, "it is the Lord." as soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt on his coat, (for he was stript) and threw himself into the sea.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were illiterate, and of the lower rank of men, they were surpriz'd; but tho' they knew that they had been Jesus's disciples,

he had been instructed in the doctrine of the gospel, and being full of zeal, he harangued with great assiduity about what related to Jesus, though he had been only instituted in the baptism of John.

what baptism then, said he, did you receive? they replied, the baptism of John.

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

so that the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil:

Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a bark with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and Jesus having called them,

Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a bark with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and Jesus having called them,

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother,

After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, in private to the top of a high mountain.

Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him. and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left. read more. but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto. upon hearing this, the other ten disciples were moved with indignation against the two brothers.

but he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be in a very great agony of grief.

among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and of Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

when he had gone a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the bark mending their nets. whereupon he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the people he had hired, and went after him.

and John the brother of James, (whom he had named Boanerges, that is to say, sons of thunder.)

and John the brother of James, (whom he had named Boanerges, that is to say, sons of thunder.)

and he suffered no man to follow him, except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James:

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, and said, we desire you would grant us what we request.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, and said, we desire you would grant us what we request. what, said he, would you have me do for you? read more. they replied, when you are in your glory, grant that we may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on your left. but Jesus said to them, you know not what you ask. can you drink the cup, that I must drink, and be baptized with the baptism with which I must be baptized? and they said, we can. but Jesus replied, you shall indeed drink of the cup, that I must drink of, and be baptized with the baptism, with which I must be baptized; but to sit on my right hand, or on my left, is not in my power to grant, except to those for whom it was designed. but the other ten, when they heard this, were fill'd with indignation against James and John.

and when he was sitting upon the mount of Olives over-against the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew said to him in private, tell us,

there were likewise several women, who were spectators at a distance: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the minor, and of Joses and Salome:

One day, as the people press'd after him to hear his divine preaching, he came near the lake of Gennesereth, where he saw two vessels lying near shore: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. read more. he went therefore aboard one of the vessels, which was Simon's, and desired him to bear away a little from land. then he sat down, and preached to the people from the ship.

he went therefore aboard one of the vessels, which was Simon's, and desired him to bear away a little from land. then he sat down, and preached to the people from the ship. having finished his sermon, he said to Simon, row into deep water, and throw out your nets for a draught. read more. master, said Simon, we have toil'd all the night, without any prize: however, since you give the word, I will throw the net. which being done, they enclosed such a multitude of fish, the net began to break: so they made a signal to their partners in the other ship to come and help them. accordingly they came, and loaded both the boats so with fish that they began to sink. at sight of this, Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus, and said, Lord, withdraw from such a sinful man as I: for he, and all the company were frightned at the draught of fish they had taken: so was James too, and John, the sons of Zebedee, both partners with Simon. but Jesus said to Simon, be not afraid; for the future you shall fish for men. then having brought their boats to shore, they left every thing, and followed him.

Then said John to Jesus, master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we oppos'd it, because he does not follow you with us.

his disciples James and John observing this, said, Lord, shall we command fire to descend from heaven, as Elias did, in order to consume them?

and seeing Jesus as he walked, he said, "behold the lamb of God." the two disciples hearing this, followed Jesus.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, with another disciple, who being known to the high priest, was admitted into his palace at the same time with Jesus, whilst Peter stood without at the door. but that other disciple, who was known to the high priest went out, and spoke to her that kept the door, who let Peter in.

In the mean time, the high priest having question'd Jesus about his disciples, and his doctrine.

Then they led Jesus early in the morning from Caiaphas, to the Pretorium: but the Jews themselves did not enter into the Pretorium, lest they should be defiled: and so not be in a condition to eat the passover.

then he said to the disciple, behold thy mother. and from that time the disciple took her to his own home.

upon this she went in great haste to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

At length Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples upon the sea-coast of Tiberias; and the manner of his appearance was thus.

thereupon the favourite disciple of Jesus said to Peter, "it is the Lord." as soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt on his coat, (for he was stript) and threw himself into the sea.

One day as Peter and John were going together to the temple, at the ninth hour, which was the hour of prayer,

with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were illiterate, and of the lower rank of men, they were surpriz'd; but tho' they knew that they had been Jesus's disciples,

then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers.

and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.

when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant.

after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem.

The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair.

upon which Barnabas propos'd to take John surnam'd Mark, with them.

after this we prepar'd for our journey to Jerusalem. some of the disciples of Cesarea accompany'd us, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, at whose house we were to lodge. read more. When we were arriv'd at Jerusalem, the brethren receiv'd us with joy. the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled. after having saluted them, he gave a particular account of what God had wrought by his ministry among the Gentiles. upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law. now they have heard that you instruct the Jews that are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them they must not circumcise their children, nor observe the establish'd rites. what then is to be done? they will necessarily be all assembled, for they can't but hear, you are come. yield then to our advice: there are four men here, who have made a vow: these take, and perform the rites of purification with them, contributing to the expence of having their heads shav'd: this will convince them, what has been reported of you, is all groundless, and that you stick to the observances of the law. as for the believing Gentiles, we have given them by letter this decision, "they need only take care to abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals strangled, and from fornication." accordingly Paul went to the men, and the next day was purified with them; then entring into the temple, he declar'd how long the time of the purification was to last, and when the offering was to be made for each of them. The seven days being almost expir'd, the Asiatic Jews seeing him in the temple, rais'd a tumult, and fell upon him, bawling out, "men of Israel, help: this is the man that every where inveighs upon all occasions against the people, against the law, and against this place, where they have brought Greeks too to profane this holy place." (for having seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city, they imagin'd Paul had conducted him into the temple.) the whole city was in an uproar, the people crouded together: they seized Paul, dragg'd him out of the temple, and then shut the gates. as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar. immediately he headed a detachment, with his centurions, and march'd briskly to them; who, upon seeing the officer and his men, left off beating Paul. the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done. in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle. as he was mounting the stairs, the soldiers bore him up thro' the violence of the people, who were all pressing after, roaring out, "away with him." just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he? are not you the Egyptian, who lately made an insurrection at the head of four thousand banditti in the desart? Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted, Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue:

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

I JOHN, who am your brother, and partake in the tribulation, in the reign, and in the patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony I gave of Jesus Christ.

saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what you shall see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family.

then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers.

and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.

when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant.

after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem.

upon which Barnabas propos'd to take John surnam'd Mark, with them.

upon which they said to one another, this comes from our not taking any bread.

and he brought him to Jesus. and when Jesus beheld him, he said, "thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," which is by interpretation, a stone.

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me more than these do? yes, Lord, said he, you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my lambs. then he ask'd him the second time, Simon son of Jonas do you love me? yes, Lord, said he; you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my sheep. read more. Jesus said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved at his asking him the third time, "do you love me?" and he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep.

with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family.

with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family.

then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers.

and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.

when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant.

after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem.

upon which Barnabas propos'd to take John surnam'd Mark, with them.