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

(for they were fishers) and Jesus said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

and they were astonished at his manner of preaching: for he spoke with an air of authority, and not as the Scribes.

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 when they had found him, they said, the people are seeking for you.

and he said unto them, let us go into the neighbouring villages, that I may preach there likewise, for that was the design of my coming.

said he, how you take the least notice of this to any man: but go, show your self to the priest, and offer for your cure what Moses commanded, that this may serve as a testimony against them.

so great a company assembled, that there was no room for them in the house, nor even about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

then they came and presented to him a paralytic, who had four men to carry him.

at length as Jesus sat at table in Levi's house, several publicans and loose people sat down likewise in company with Jesus, and his disciples: for a good number of them had followed him.

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?

so no man pours new wine into old skins, for that would burst them, and then both would be lost: but new wine must be put into new skins.

adding this observation, "the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

for having healed abundance of people, all that were afflicted with any grievous distemper pressed upon him to touch him.

when his relations heard of this, they went to his relief, for it was said, he fainted away.

if a family be divided against it self, it is impossible for it to subsist.

for the crowd about him, they sent him word to come to them. and when they told him, your mother and brothers and sisters are here without enquiring for you,

for he that does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.

some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and it soon sprang up, for want of a sufficient depth of earth.

but when the sun was up, it was scorched, and for want of root, withered away.

but having no root at the bottom, they are only occasional professors, for if they meet with any trouble or persecution upon account of the word, immediately they revolt.

as for those, who receive seed as among thorns: they are such as hear the word.

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

And consider, said he, how you hear; for in proportion as you weigh what is communicated to you, new light shall be given:

for he that makes use of what he has shall have more, but he that does not, shall be stript of what he has.

for the earth spontaneously produces, first the blade, then the ear, after that the grain of corn in the ear.

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.

(for Jesus had said to him, "come out of the man, thou impure spirit.")

and Jesus asked him, what is thy name? my name is legion, answered he: for we are many.

however, Jesus refused him, and said, go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he hath had compassion on thee.

and he departed, and published in Decapolis, what Jesus had done for him: and all were filled with admiration.

for said she, if I do but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.

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.

at his going in he said to them, what's the meaning of this uproar, what do you weep for? the damsel is not dead, but asleep.

immediately the damsel arose, and walked, for she was twelve years of age: and they were struck with astonishment.

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

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;

upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

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.

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."

then Jesus said to them, come, let us retire privately to some place of solitude, to repose your selves a while. for such a crowd of people were continually coming and going, that they had not even time to eat.

so they privately set sail for the desart (of Bethsaida.)

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.

dismiss the company, that they may go to the neighbouring farms and villages to buy provisions, for they have nothing to eat.

Jesus replied, do you your selves give them something to eat. shall we go then, said they, to purchase bread, to the value of two hundred denarii, for them to eat?

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.

Soon after Jesus obliged his disciples to embark for Bethsaida, on the opposite shore, while he was dismissing the people.

for they all saw him, and were greatly terrified. but at the instant Jesus spoke to them, and said, take courage, it is I, don't be afraid.

for they were so stupid, they did not comprehend the miracle of the loaves.

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.

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.

Jesus answered, to such hypocrites as you may well be applied those words of the prophet Esaias, "this people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."

for laying aside what is of divine appointment, you stick to their human traditions, about the washing of pots, and cups, and many other the like practices.

You are in the right, said he, to abolish the laws of God, to make way for such traditions.

but your doctrine is this, if any one shall tell his father or his mother, that what he could bestow for their relief, is corban, that is, to be given to the temple;

you discharge him from the obligation of doing any thing for his father or his mother.

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.

for from within, from the heart of man proceed wicked designs, adulteries, fornications, murders; thefts,

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.

then said Jesus to her, for this expression, go thy way, the demon has left your daughter.

for they were transported with admiration, and said, all his actions are beneficent! he gives hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb.

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

if I send them home fasting, they will faint by the way: for some of them are come very far.

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

now they that had eaten were four thousand: and then he dismissed them.

and when I divided the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you carry away? they answered, seven.

so looking up, he said, I see men; for by their walking I distinguish them from trees.

for he that would save his life, shall lose it; and he that would lose his life out of love to me and the gospel, he shall save it.

what advantage is it for a man to gain the whole world with the loss of his life?

then Peter thus address'd himself to Jesus, master, it is proper for us to be here: let us make therefore three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias.

for he knew not what he said, they were all so frightned.

it has frequently thrown him into the fire, and into the water, to the hazard of his life; if therefore you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Jesus said to him, provided you can believe, there is nothing but what may be effected for those that believe.

Having left that place, they went a private way through Galilee: for he was willing to be conceal'd.

at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency.

Upon this occasion John address'd himself to Jesus, saying, master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, tho' he did not belong to us, for which reason we opposed him.

but Jesus said, do not oppose him: for no man can speak evil of me, at the same time he works a miracle by virtue of my name.

such a one is not against us, but for us.

but if any one shall cause the meanest of those, who believe in me, to transgress, it had been better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

if even thy hand should make thee transgress, saw it off, and cast it away, it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than to have both hands and go into Gehenna, the unextinguishable fire:

where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished.

and if thy foot make thee transgress, saw it off, it is better for you to enter into life, tho' lame, than to have both feet, and be thrown into Gehenna, the unextinguishable fire:

where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished.

and if your eye make you transgress, pull it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God, with but one eye, than to have two, and be thrown into the Gehenna of fire: where the worm does not die,

and the fire is not extinguished.

such a one shall be consumed by fire, but the offering that is salted shall be preserv'd from corruption.

then the Pharisees came and propos'd to him this insnaring question, is it lawful for a man to repudiate his wife?

for in the beginning of the world God formed them male and female.

which Jesus observing was much displeas'd with them, and said, suffer little children to come unto me, do not hinder them: for of such is the kingdom of God.

but he was troubled at this answer, and went away very sorrowful, for he had a great estate.

then Jesus looking round about, said to his disciples, how difficult a thing is it for those who have riches to enter into the gospel kingdom!

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?

it is easier for a cable to pass thro' the eye of a needle, than for such a rich man to enter into the divine kingdom.

but Jesus casting his eye upon them, said, what is impossible to men, is not so to God; for to God all things are possible.

When they were on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus led the way, and they followed behind full of apprehension and fear. then Jesus calling the twelve apostles to him again, acquainted them with what should befal him.

what, said he, would you have me do for you?

or on my left, is not in my power to grant, except to those for whom it was designed.