where he continued forty days, being tempted by Satan: and when he was among the wild beasts, angels ministred unto him.

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

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,

where Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, who presently acquainted Jesus with it.

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

On the morrow rising up, while it was yet dark, he went out, and retired into a solitary place, where he prayed.

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

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.

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.

Jesus perceiving their faith, said to the sick of the palsy, son, thy sins are forgiven.

but there were certain of the Scribes sitting there, who were dissatisfied in their own minds, and said to themselves,

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?

'tis I command you, take up thy bed, and go to your home.

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.

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?

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

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.

But Jesus retired with his disciples towards the sea: where a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,

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

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

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

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,

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

and casting his eyes round the company, there, said he, are my mother and my brothers.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

Again he said, to what shall we compare the state of the gospel? or by what parable shall we represent it?

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.

why, said he, are ye so frighted? are ye still so void of faith?

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

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.

Jesus immediately gave them leave. and the impure spirits quitting the possessed, entred into the swine, and the whole herd, which were about two thousand, ran down a precipice into the sea, and were there stifled.

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.

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

and he said to her, daughter, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace, entirely freed from your indisposition.

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?"

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.

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

others said, 'tis Elias. others, 'tis a prophet, or one equal to a prophet.

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

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;

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 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.

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?

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

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.

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?

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

Moses said, "honour thy father and thy mother;" and, if any one speak contemptibly of his father, or his mother, let him be put to death.

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.

and he said, are you likewise so void of understanding? don't you perceive that what passes from without into a man cannot defile him?

all these vices come from within, and are what defile the man.

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

accordingly she went home, where she found that the demon was indeed gone out of her daughter, and she was lying on the bed.

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

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

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

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

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.

said, why do you trouble your heads about your having no bread? are you yet so void of sense, and understanding? are your minds so blinded?

have you eyes, and yet don't see? have you ears, and yet not hear? have you lost your memory too?

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

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

but who, said he, do you take me to be? Peter answered, you are the Messiah:

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.

or what would not a man bestow to preserve himself?

Moses and Elias likewise appear'd, and were in conference with Jesus.