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

immediately they quitted their nets, and followed him.

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

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.

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,

In the evening, when the sun was set, they brought to him many diseased, and several demoniacks.

and he healed many that were variously affected with diseases, and cast out many demons, not allowing them to say that they knew him.

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

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

who finding it impossible to come nigh Him because of the press, uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the cradle wherein the paralytic lay.

and immediately Jesus perceiving by his spirit, that they made these secret reflections, said, why do you entertain such suggestions?

instantly he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, we never saw any thing like this.

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 hearing this, said to them, they that are in health, have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

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?

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

but the time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast.

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.

upon which the Pharisees said to him, pray observe how they trespass on the sabbath-day.

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

the Pharisees watched Jesus, to see if he would heal him on the sabbath-day, that so they might accuse him.

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 when the impure spirits saw him, they threw themselves at his feet, crying out, "thou art the son of God."

At length he went up a mountain, and having appointed a select company to attend him, they came to him.

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

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

I declare unto you, all the sins which men may commit, and whatsoever blasphemies they may utter, may be forgiven them.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

and they were exceedingly afraid, and said to one another, who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

They arrived then to the other side of the sea, in the country of the Gadarenes.

then they that fed the swine fled, and told the news to town and country. and they went out to see what had been done.

when they were come to Jesus, and saw him that had been possessed with the legion of demons, sitting in his clothes, and in his right mind, they were afraid.

they intreated him to withdraw from their territories.

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.

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

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.

they were so marvellously incredulous. so that He went all about to teach in the neighbouring villages.

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.

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

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

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

Now the apostles met together in a body before Jesus, and gave him a full account, both of what they had done, and what they had taught.

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 the people saw them embark, and many perceiving where they were bound, they ran thither a foot from all parts: and arrived at the place, before the passengers were come.

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.

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?

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

and they sat down in several divisions, some consisting of an hundred, and some of fifty.

so that they all eat a sufficient share,

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

and when they had taken their leave, he retired to a mountain to pray.

when they saw him walking upon the sea, they thought it was an apparition,

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.

Being got to the other side of the lake, they came to the country of Gennasereth, where they landed.

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

came flocking from all quarters, carrying their sick on their beds to the places where they heard he was:

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

and they presented to him a deaf man, that had an impediment in his speech, desiring he would lay his hands upon him.

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.

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.

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.

so they all eat and were satisfied, the broken meat that was left amounting to seven baskets.

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

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.

but Jesus fetching a deep sigh, said, why does this generation require a sign? I assure you, they shall have none.

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

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

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

Afterwards Jesus went to Bethsaida, where they presented to him a blind man, whom they entreated Jesus to touch.

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?

they answered, some say you are John the Baptist; others, Elias; and others, one of the prophets.

I declare unto you, said he, that some of you here present shall not die, till they see the kingdom of the Messiah usher'd in with power.

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

and instantly looking round about, they did not see any other person but Jesus with them.

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:

an expression which they dwelt upon, asking one another the meaning of "till he was raised from the dead."

At length they started this question, why do the Scribes say, that Elias must first come?

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.

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