that you may have a distinct view of those things about which you have been inform'd.

and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord.

but when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he intimated it to them by signs, and continued dumb.

"Blessed mother of the most blessed offspring! what an honour is this, that I should be visited by the mother of our Lord!

blessed is she that has believed; for what she has heard from the Lord, shall be accomplished."

his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.

they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name.

and made an impression upon all that heard of them. what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him.

to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us:

that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security,

At that time, Cesar Augustus published an edict, to make a register of the Roman empire.

In that country there were shepherds lying in the open fields, taking their turns to watch the stock in the night;

and all that heard of it, were surprized at what the shepherds related.

At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy.

to him it was revealed by the holy spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.

which like a dart will pierce even thro' your own soul, that thereby the sincerity of many may be revealed."

when Jesus therefore was twelve years old they went thither, as was customary at the time of that festival.

when that was expired, they returned, but the young Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, without being miss'd either by Joseph or his Mother.

so that they went a whole day's journey, imagining he was somewhere among the company, and then they look'd for him among their relations and acquaintance; but not finding him,

and all that heard him were astonish'd at his understanding and answers.

Jesus replied, why were ye so sollicitous about me? don't you know that 'tis my business to be in my father's house?

but they did not comprehend the meaning of that expression.

he said therefore to the people that crowded to be baptized by him, ye brood of vipers, who has prompted you to flee from approaching wrath?

let your actions therefore show your repentance, and don't pretend to say within yourselves, "we have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

he answer'd them, let him that hath two coats give one to him that hath none; and let him that has plenty of provisions act in like manner.

As the people were in suspence, every man imagining in his own mind that John might be the Messiah;

but having reproved Herod the tetrarch upon account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the mischiefs that Herod had done;

being forty days tempted by the devil, without eating any thing all that while: but that time expired, he at last was seiz'd with hunger.

but Jesus answered him, it is written, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every thing that God appoints."

they delivered to him the book of the prophet Esaias, and upon opening the book, that passage occurr'd, where it is written,

"the spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

They all applauded him, and were surprized, that what he said, was delivered with so much grace. but they objected, is not this the son of Joseph?

many were dispossess'd of the demons, who cried aloud, you are the Messiah, the son of God. but he rebuked them, and would not suffer them to declare, that they knew him to be the Messiah.

he said to them, I must likewise proclaim the kingdom of God in other cities; for to that end am I sent.

so they made a signal to their partners in the other ship to come and help them. accordingly they came, and loaded both the boats so with fish that they began to sink.

As he was going to one of the cities in that country, a man cover'd all over with leprosy happen'd to meet Jesus, and prostrating himself before him, thus address'd him, Lord, if you will, you can cure me.

and he charg'd him not to tell any man: but go, said he, present your self to the priest, and offer what the law requires for your purification, that it may be an evidence to them.

so that he retired into places of solitude, for the convenience of prayer.

At another time, as he was teaching, it happened that some Pharisees, and doctors of the law were sitting by, who came from the several towns of Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem: when the power of the Lord appear'd in their relief.

but that ye may know, that the son of man hath power to forgive sins, rise, said he, to the paralytick, 'tis I command you, take up your bed, and go home.

but the Scribes and Pharisees of that place reproach'd his disciples, and said, why do ye eat and drink with publicans and scandalous people?

but Jesus replied, they that are in health don't want a physician: but they that are sick.

I came not to call saints, but sinners to repentance. Then they ask'd him, how comes it that John's disciples,

so no-body that has been drinking old wine, will immediately call for new: for 'tis his maxim, "the old is best."

On another sabbath-day it happen'd, that he went into the synagogue to preach, where a man was present, who had the palsy in his right hand.

then casting his eyes round the company, he said to the man, stretch out your hand. and he did so: and that hand was as sound as the other.

About that time, Jesus retired to a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in an oratory.

many that were tormented by evil spirits came likewise, and were cured.

so that all the people strove to touch him: for a divine virtue flowed from him, which healed them all.

Then directing himself to his disciples, he said, blessed are ye, that are poor: for the divine kingdom is yours.

blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied. blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall find matter of mirth.

But wo unto you that are rich: for you have received your consolation.

wo unto you that are full: for you shall be in want. wo unto you that indulge in present pleasure: for mourning and sorrow shall attend you.

give to all that ask: and if a man takes away your goods, don't demand them again.

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

How comes it, that you can see the mote in your brother's eye, and not see the beam that is in your own eye?

or how can you say to your brother, brother, let me take out the mote, that is in your eye, when you your self don't discern the beam that is in your own eye? hypocrite, first remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the mote out of your brother's eye.

for every tree is known by its fruit: it is not on thorns that men gather figs, nor do they gather grapes on a bramble bush.

a good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces what is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart produces what is evil: for 'tis from the abundance of the heart, that the mouth speaketh.

I will show you, who that man is like, who comes to me, and practises what I prescribe.

he is like a man who in building a house, digg'd deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: an inundation came, the current beat impetuously upon that house, but could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

but he that does not practise what he hears, is like a man who built his house upon the loose earth without any foundation: the current beat impetuously against it: in the instant down it fell, and great were its ruins.

when Jesus heard this, he admired the man, and turning about, he said to the people, that followed him, I assure you, I have not met with such an instance of faith even among the Jews themselves.

and they that were sent, being return'd to the house, they found the servant, who had been sick, in good health.

all that were present were seized with dread, and glorified God, saying, a great prophet is risen up among us, and God has visited his people.

accordingly they came to Jesus, and said, John the Baptist sent us to enquire, if you are he that was to come, or must we look for another?

at that very time, he cured several of their diseases and distempers, dispossessing evil spirits, and restoring sight to many that were blind.

then he gave them this answer, go, and tell John what you have seen, and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the gospel is proclaim'd to the poor.

I declare unto you, among the whole race of mankind, there is not a prophet, who is superiour to John the Baptist: yet he that is most inferiour in the kingdom of the Messiah, is greater than he.

when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor,

which the Pharisee, who had invited him, observing, he thus argued with himself, if this man were a prophet, he could not but know that the woman, who is so busy with him, is a person of a loose character.

I think, said Simon, he that had the greatest debt remitted to him. you are in the right, said Jesus.

wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven.

but they who sat at table with him, began to ask one another, who is this, that pretends even to forgive sins?

but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.

improve therefore what you hear: for he that improves what he has, shall have more; but he that does not, shall lose even that, which he thinks he possesses.

but to his disciples he said, where is your faith? while they, seiz'd with fear and admiration, said to one another, who can this man be, that he commands even the winds, and the waves, and they obey?

being inform'd by those that were present, by what means the demoniac had been cured.

upon which Jesus said, who was it that touch'd me? they being all at a loss, what to answer, at length Peter, and the others with him, said, master, the crowd are squeezing and pressing about you, and yet you cry, "who touch'd me?"

but when Jesus heard that, he said to Jairus, be not afraid: only believe, and she shall recover.

immediately she came to life, and rose up: and he order'd, that something should be given her to eat.

if any refuse to entertain you, when you leave that city, shake off the dust from your feet, as a sign of their being abandon'd.

Now Herod the tetrarch was inform'd of all his transactions: and was perplex'd at the relation of some, that John was risen from the dead: whilst others said, Elias appear'd:

and others, that one of the old prophets was come to life again.

As the day began to decline, the twelve came to him, and said, dismiss the multitude, that they may go to the nearest towns and villages for lodging and provisions: for here we are in a desart place.

they answered, some say you are John the Baptist: others, Elias: and others, that you are one of the old prophets appearing again.

for whoever would save his life, shall lose it: and he that would lose his life, out of love to me, shall save it.

give attention to what I now say, namely, that the son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.

but they did not comprehend that expression: it was as a riddle, which they could not understand, and they were afraid to desire him to explain the meaning of that expression.

whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me: and he that receives me, receives him that sent me. for he that is least among you all, he shall be greatest.

but Jesus said to him, don't oppose it: for he that is not against us, is for us.

and cry, "we shake off the dust, that sticks to our feet, against you: but take notice, the kingdom of God has been near you."

I declare unto you, that the people of Sodom shall be treated with less severity in the day of judgment, than that city.

he that adheres to you, adheres to me; he that rejects you, rejects me: and he that rejects me, rejecteth him that sent me.

I have authoriz'd you to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and triumph over all the power of the enemy; so that nothing shall be capable of doing you any mischief.

however, let not this be the matter of your rejoicing, that the spirits are subject to you: but rejoice, that you have a title to the joys of heaven.

At that very time Jesus fell into a divine transport, and said, "I magnify thee, O father, the Lord of heaven and earth, for having conceal'd these things from the artful and the crafty, whilst thou hast reveal'd them to the unskilful. justly, O father, hast thou thus dispens'd thy favour."

for I assure you, that many prophets and princes have desired to see what you now behold, but they never saw it; and to hear what you have heard, which they never did.

to whom he answered, how does the law run in that case? what do you find?