It is written in the prophet, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

among other things he said, there comes one after me, who is superiour to me, I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his shoes.

and as soon as he was got out of the water, he saw the heavens open, and the spirit lighting upon him, like a dove.

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

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew his brother, casting their net into the sea:

As soon as they were come to Capernaum, he entred into the synagogue, and it being the sabbath, instructed them.

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

what have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to torment us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God.

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.

As soon as they were come out of the synagogue, they went with James and John into the house of Simon and Andrew,

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.

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.

is it not as easy to say to the paralytic, thy sins are forgiven: as to say, arise, and take up your bed and walk?

Another time as he was by the sea-side, the people came all crowding to him, and he instructed them.

as he passed along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, follow me. accordingly he arose and followed 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.

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?

Jesus answered, can the bridemen fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

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.

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.

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

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

Some Scribes, who were come from Jerusalem, said, he is confederate with Beelzebub, the prince of the demons enables him to dispossess demons.

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

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

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

give your attention to what I say, a sower went out to sow: as he sowed,

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

tho' they see, they will not perceive, and tho' they hear they will not understand: as if they were afraid of parting with their vices, in order to be pardoned.

the sower is he that soweth the word.

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.

in like manner, they who receive seed on stony-ground, are such as upon hearing the word, do immediately receive it with joy.

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

they who receive seed as on good ground, are such as hear the word and entertain it, and bring forth fruit, some in one degree, and some in another.

Again he said, is a lamp ever brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? or to be set on a stand?

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.

Again, he said, the state of the gospel is like that of the grain, which a man sows in his land:

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

but as soon as the fruit is ripe, the sickle is applied, because the harvest is come.

it is like a grain of mustard-seed, which when sown in the earth, is less than any other grain that is sown there.

but after it is sown, it grows up, and becometh larger than other plants of the pulse kind, and shooteth out its branches so high, that the fowls of the air may lodge under its shadow.

Thus he instructed them by such a variety of parables as were adapted to their capacity.

The same day in the evening, he said to them, let us cross over to the other side of the lake.

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,

and as soon as Jesus was come out of the ship, he met a demoniack, who came from among the tombs, where he haunted,

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

and all the demons intreated him, saying, "send us to the swine, that we may enter into them."

as he was embarking, the late demoniack desired, that he might be with Jesus.

when one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came, and as soon as he saw him, fell at his feet,

and earnestly intreated him, saying, "my little daughter is at the last extremity, pray come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and live."

Before he had done speaking, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, who said, "your daughter is dead, why do you give the master any further trouble?"

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.

then taking her hand, he said to her, Talitha cumi, that is to say, damsel, arise, 'tis I command you.

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?

is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, of Juda and Simon? are not these his sisters, who are here with us? and they were scandalized at him.

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:

wherever they shall refuse to entertain you, or to hear you, at your departure shake off the dust of your feet, as a testimonial against them. I assure you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha shall be treated with less severity in the day of judgment, than that city.

In the mean time king Herod heard of Jesus, whose name was now celebrated, and he said, John the Baptist is risen from the dead, no wonder then that he works miracles.

but Herod, from what he had heard, said, 'tis John himself, whom I caused to be beheaded, who is risen from the dead.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

nay, when they have been at any publick place, they never eat till they have washed. they observe besides several traditions, such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and beds.

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.

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.

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;

by such traditions, and such a number of practices, as you have settled, the word of God is stript of all its authority.

there is nothing from without, that entring into a man can defile him: but that which originally proceeds from the man, is what defiles him.

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.

but, said he, that which proceeds from a man, is what defiles him:

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,

then looking up to heaven, with a sigh, he said, Ephphata, that is, be open:

At that time, as the company were very numerous, and had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples, and said,

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

as he was then directing them diligently to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod,

they said to one another, this is because we did not take bread: which Jesus perceiving,

but Jesus return'd, and looking upon his disciples, he gave Peter this rebuke, be gone, thou adversary, your views are all worldly, regardless of what is divine.

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

his raiment was of an exceeding bright whiteness, like that of snow, and such as no fuller upon earth could imitate.

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.

then a cloud surrounded them, and a voice from the cloud, said, "this is my beloved son, hear him."

as they were going down the mountain, he order'd them not to tell any body what they had seen, till the son of man was raised from the dead:

it is true, said he, that Elias must come beforehand to establish every thing, and that it was predicted of him, as well as of the son of man, that he should suffer very much, and be treated with contempt.

but I tell you, that Elias is already come, as it was foretold; and they have treated him at their discretion.

as soon as they saw him, they were over-joyed, and ran to salute him.

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

so he was brought to him, and as soon as he saw him, the spirit threw him into convulsions, and he fell upon the ground, where he wallowed foaming.

Jesus then asked the father, how long is it since this befel him? from his infancy, said the father.

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.