and Jesus charg'd them not to mention it to any one; but the more be enjoin'd them, the more they publish'd it.

He began again to teach by the sea-side: but there was so great a crowd gathered about him, that he was oblig'd to go into a ship, where he sat down, and stay'd on board while the people stood on the shore.

they dispossess'd a great number of demons. many, that were sick, they anointed with oil, and restor'd their health.

because Herod had a respect for John, knowing him to be a very honest good man, and therefore protected him; having reform'd many things upon his remonstrances, which he us'd to receive very graciously.

and to whatever cities, towns, or villages he went, they expos'd the sick in the publick streets, entreating him, they might but touch the border of his garment; for as many as did so, were recover'd.

whosoever therefore shall be asham'd of me, and of my doctrine in this degenerate and corrupted age, of him likewise shall the son of man be asham'd, when he shall come with the glory of his father, accompanied with holy angels.

and one of the crowd answer'd, master, I have brought to you my son, who is possess'd with a dumb spirit,

at this expression the disciples were much surpriz'd. but Jesus reassum'd the discourse, and said, how difficult a thing is it for those, who place their trust in riches, to enter into the divine kingdom?

but many of the company rebuk'd him, in order to silence him. at which he cry'd out with more earnestness, son of David have pity on me.

Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner. a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad.

Jesus answer'd him, the first of all the commandments is thus deliver'd, "hear, o Israel, the lord our God is the only lord.

they were glad to hear him, and promis'd to give him money. upon which he contriv'd the most favourable occasion to betray him.

but he urg'd it with more vehemence, tho' I should die with you, I will not renounce you. and all the rest affirm'd the same.

Early in the morning the chief priests, the rulers, and Scribes, even the whole council, after having deliberated together, caus'd Jesus to be bound, then led him away and deliver'd him to Pilate.

Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers took Jesus away into the hall, call'd Pretorium; and summon'd their whole company together.

one Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he pass'd by in his return out of the country, was compell'd to carry the cross.

Pilate surpriz'd that he should be dead so soon, sent for the Centurion, and ask'd him, if he had been dead any time.

(for it was very great.) but when they were near in view, they perceiv'd that the stone was roll'd away.

Now Jesus being risen early on the first day of the week, he appear'd first to Mary Magdalene, whom he had dispossess'd of seven demons.

Now after the Lord had convers'd with them, he was assum'd up to heaven, where he sat on the right hand of God.

accordingly, John baptized in the desart, and preach'd the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.

all Judea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to meet him, and having confess'd their sins, he baptized them in the river Jordan.

presently after the spirit convey'd him into the desart.

"the time, said he, is accomplish'd, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

at which they were all so amazed, that they ask'd one another, what's the meaning of all this? what new doctrine is here? for he commands with authority even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.

And there came a leper to him, who fell on his knees, and thus address'd him, "if you will, you can heal me."

Jesus then mov'd with compassion, held out his hand, and touching him, said, I will, be thou healed.

and while he was speaking, the leprosy left him in an instant, and he was cur'd.

but as soon as he was gone, he began freely to talk of it, and blazed it about every where, so that Jesus could not go publickly into the city any more, but stay'd in the out parts, which were not much frequented, where people came to him from every quarter.

when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with such a crew, they ask'd his disciples, what's the meaning that he is so familiar with people of such a wretched character?

It was customary for the Pharisees, and the disciples of John, to fast; they came therefore and ask'd him, why do John's disciples, and the Pharisees fast so frequently, and not your disciples?

indeed no man ever sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: because the new piece that is patch'd on, draws the old, and rends it still worse.

Another time, as he was going through the corn-fields on the sabbath-day, his disciples as they pass'd along began to pluck the ears of corn.

but he replied, have ye never read what David, and the rest of the company did, when they were press'd with hunger?

how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, who was afterwards high-priest, and did eat the shew-bread, giving some of it likewise to the company, though the law allow'd no body to eat of it but the priests.

and he ask'd them, is it allowed to do good, or to do mischief on the sabbath-days? to save life, or to kill? but they were very silent.

then he looking with indignation at those about him, being concern'd at their disingenuous perverse temper, he said to the man, stretch out your hand, which he did, and his hand become sound.

upon this the Pharisees withdrew, and immediately enter'd into a conspiracy with the Herodians to take away his life.

wherefore, to avoid the inconveniences of the crowd, he order'd his disciples to get a small vessel ready to attend him.

these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee,

After this they went into an house, and the crowd press'd again upon them, so as to hinder them from taking their meal.

no one can enter into a strong man's house, and plunder his goods, unless the man be first secur'd.

this was in answer to their saying, he was influenc'd by an impure spirit.

He answer'd, who is my mother? who are my brothers?

he answered, you are admitted into the secret of the gospel-dispensation: but to unbelievers every thing is couch'd in parables; because,

they who receiv'd seed by the wayside, are those in whom the word is sown, who no sooner have heard it, but satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

for there is nothing conceal'd but what shall be made manifest: nor was any thing kept secret, but in order to be divulged.

however he takes his repose by night, or is employ'd by day, the grain shoots up and grows without his inspection.

his stile in publick was figurative, but he explain'd every thing to his disciples in private.

when they had dismiss'd the people, the bark he was in, set sail, in company with other small barks.

whilst Jesus was at the stern, asleep on a pillow: upon which they awak'd him, crying out, master, have you so little concern to let us sink? then he rose,

for having been often bound with fetters and chains, he had wrench'd his chains, and broke his fetters, so that no body could tame him.

and when the eye-witnesses had related what had pass'd with respect to the demoniack, and to the swine:

so Jesus went with him, attended by a great crowd, that press'd about him.

then the woman, conscious of what had been effected in her, came trembling with fear, and falling down before him, confess'd the whole truth.

upon which they fell a laughing: however, having turned them all out, and taking with him the father and the mother of the damsel, and those that had accompany'd him, he entred in where the damsel was lying.

but he strictly charged them not to mention it to any one, and order'd something should be given her to eat.

when the sabbath was come, he preach'd in the synagogue, to the great astonishment of many, who upon hearing his discourse, said, how came he by all this? what strange endowment of knowledge is this, that he should work such miracles?

but Jesus said to him, a prophet is never despis'd, except in his own country, among his own kindred, and in his own family:

he order'd them to take nothing for their journey, but a single staff, no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse:

then they departed, and call'd upon all to repent.

for Herod had given orders to seize John, and had confin'd him in prison, to gratify Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married;

which Herodias resented, and form'd a design against his life, but could not execute it;

however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee.

for Herodias made her appearance there, and danc'd with such an engaging air in the eye of Herod, as well as of all the company, that the king thus addrest himself to the young lady, "ask of me whatever you please, and it shall be granted."

at this the king was exceedingly concern'd; however, in regard to his oath, and to those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her;

but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist.

of which John's disciples being inform'd, they came to fetch his corps, which they laid in a sepulchre.

so that when Jesus landed, he found there a numerous assembly: which rais'd his compassion, because they were like so many sheep straggling without a pastor. whereupon he gave them various instructions.

but as the day was far advanc'd, his disciples came to him, and said, this is a desart place, and it is now late.

go see, said he, how many loaves you have: and having examin'd, they told him, five, and two fishes.

then he order'd the people to sit down in distinct companies upon the green grass.

Jesus then having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, look'd up to heaven and gave thanks; then breaking the loaves, he gave them to his disciples to distribute among the people: for whom he likewise divided the two fishes.

though the fragments of bread they took up, with what remain'd of the fishes, amounted to twelve baskets full;

the company that were entertain'd being about five thousand men.

perceived his disciples had much ado to bear up against the wind, which was contrary; about the fourth watch of the night, he came up, and would have pass'd by them.

and as soon as he was got aboard, the wind ceased; which still encreas'd their astonishment and admiration:

no sooner were they ashore, but the people, who presently perceiv'd it was Jesus,

when observing that some of his disciples were eating with profane hands, that is, without having wash'd them, they found fault.

for the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, in pursuance of their antient traditions, never eat till they have wash'd their hands up to their elbows.

the Pharisees, and Scribes therefore ask'd Jesus, why don't your disciples observe the tradition of the antients? why do they take their meals without washing their hands?

When he withdrew from the people into the house, his disciples ask'd him the meaning of that maxim.

because that does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, whence it is discharg'd, the purest part of the food being left for nutrition.

Jesus leaving that place, went towards the frontiers of Tyre and Sidon; and entring into a house, desired to let nobody know it; but he could not be conceal'd.

for a woman, whose child was possess'd with an impure spirit, having heard of him, found him out, and throwing herself at his feet,

Jesus therefore said to her, let the children first be satisfy'd; for it would not be decent to take the children's bread, and throw it to puppys.

she answer'd, true, Lord, yet puppys eat of the crumbs, which children drop under the table.

and his Ears were instantly opened, his tongue was loosen'd, and he spoke freely.

I am concern'd for this people, they have been with me now three days without having had any thing to eat.

his disciples answer'd, how is it possible here in the desart to furnish bread enough for all this company?

he ask'd them, how many loaves have ye?

seven, said they. then he order'd the people to sit down on the ground: and taking the seven loaves, he gave thanks, then broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute among the people, which they accordingly did.

and there being a few small fishes, he gave thanks, and order'd them to be distributed.

Soon after he and his disciples embark'd, and arrived in the district of Dalmanutha.

there the Pharisees being come, they began to dispute with him, and to try him, desir'd he would work some miracle in the sky.

then leaving them he went aboard again, and pass'd to the other side.

when I divided the five loaves among five thousand people, how many baskets full of fragments did you take away? they answer'd, twelve.

then taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of town, when applying his spittle to the man's eyes, and laying his hands upon him, he ask'd if he saw any thing.

From thence Jesus went attended with his disciples to the villages of Cesarea Philippi. and ask'd them by the way, who do they say I am?