Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, and said, where would you have us make the preparations for the paschal-supper?

and the high priest arose, and said to him, have you nothing in answer to that charge they bring against you?

then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, he has spoke blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? you yourselves have now heard his blasphemy.

I have sinned in betraying the blood of the innocent: and they said, what is it to us? you must look to that.

therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, who would you have releas'd? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?

Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream.

the governor therefore having asked, which of the two would you have me release? they said, Barabbas.

to whom Pilate replied, you have a guard, go then, and make it as secure as you can.

teaching them to observe every thing which I have enjoin'd you: and be assured I shall be always with you to the end of the world.

I indeed have baptized you with water, but he shall baptize you with the effusion of the holy Ghost.

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.

immediately Jesus sent him away, severely charging him, have a care,

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.

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

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.

if any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

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

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 crying with a loud voice, said, "what injury have I done you, Jesus, thou son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, not to torment me."

to have but one pair of shoes, and but one coat.

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

upon which she instantly fled to the king, and said, I desire to have John the Baptist's head brought hither immediately in a charger.

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

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

perceived his disciples had much ado to bear up against the wind, which was contrary; about the fourth watch of the night, he came up, and would have pass'd by them.

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.

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

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

he ask'd them, how many loaves have ye?

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

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

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

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

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.

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:

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:

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,

to which he answered, master, said he, all these precepts have I observed from my youth.

then Jesus looking upon him with a favourable eye, said, there is one thing still to be done; go, sell all your estate, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me.

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!

Then Peter thus address'd himself to Jesus, you see we have left every thing to follow you.

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

when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried out, and said, Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.

but many of the company rebuk'd him, in order to silence him. at which he cry'd out with more earnestness, son of David have pity on me.

who thereupon spoke to him, and said, what would you have me do for you? the blind man replied, Lord, I desire to have my sight.

at the same time he explained himself to them in these words, is it not written, "my house shall be called a house of prayer to all nations?" but ye have made it a harbour for thieves.

only when you are dispos'd to prayer, if you have any cause of complaint against any one, forgive him, that your heavenly father may forgive you your offences.

have you not read, said he, this passage of scripture, "the stone which the builders rejected, is become the principal stone of the angle.

when they were come, they said to him, master, we know that you are sincere, that you are not influenced by any one, for you have no regard to the person of men: but teach us the way of God according to truth. now should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no? shall we pay, or shall we not pay?

and as for the dead, that they will actually rise, have you not read in the book of Moses those words, which God pronounc'd out of the bush to him, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?"

the Scribe replied, what you have said, master, is very true, there is one God, and no other but he.

and to have the first seats in their synagogues, and at their feasts:

upon which he call'd to his disciples, and said to them, I declare unto you, that this poor widow has given more than any of those, who have given to the treasury.

be you therefore upon your guard: remember I have forewarned you against all events.

for we could have sold it for above two hundred denarys, and given them to the poor: and they inveighed against her.

the poor you have always with you, and you may relieve them whenever you please: but me you will not always have.

On the first day of unleavened bread, when the paschal lamb is kill'd, his disciples said to him, where would you have us go and prepare for your eating the paschal lamb?

then the high priest rising up in the midst of the assembly, ask'd Jesus, saying, have you nothing to plead for your self? what say you to the evidence they give against you?

you have heard the blasphemy, what is your opinion? and they all pronounc'd, that he deserved to die.

but Pilate answered them, saying, do you chuse to have Jesus releas'd, the king of the Jews?

Pilate still urg'd them again, and said, what then would you have me do with him, that you stile king of the Jews?

Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us;

I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter,

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

you shall now become dumb and not recover your speech, till the very day when these things shall happen; because you distrusted my words, which in due time shall have their effect.

they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd.

for mine eyes have beheld the saviour,

when Joseph and his mother saw him, great was their surprize: and his mother said to him, son, why did you leave us thus? your father and I have been looking for you with great concern.

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.

upon which he said, no doubt you will urge me with this proverb, "physician heal thy self. what we have heard you perform'd in Capernaum, do likewise here in your own country."

what business have you with us, Jesus of Nazareth? are you come to destroy us? I know who you are; the saint of God.

master, said Simon, we have toil'd all the night, without any prize: however, since you give the word, I will throw the net.

at this they were all seized with astonishment, and gave thanks to God, crying out with great reverence, what a wonderful instance of power have we seen this day!

to which he answered, would you have the bridemen fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

however, the time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they will have occasions enow of fasting.

but Jesus replied, have you never read what David did, when he and his company were press'd with hunger?

now the Scribes and Pharisees were upon the watch to see if he would work a cure upon the sabbath-day, and so have matter of accusation against him.

At length he came down the hill with them, and stayed with the rest of his disciples in the plain, where a great multitude of people from all Judea, from Jerusalem, and the maritime country of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear him, and to have their diseases cured.

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

for though I am subject to authority, I have soldiers under me: I bid one go, and he goes: I bid another come, and he comes: I bid my servant do this, and he does it."

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.

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.

they are like children playing together in the street, who cry, we have play'd to you on the flute, but you have not danced: we have sung mournful dittys, but you have not lamented.

in answer to his doubts, Jesus said, Simon, I have something to say to you. master, said he, lets hear it.

the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage.

but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.

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.

upon seeing Jesus, he set up a great cry, fell down before him, and roar'd out, what business have you with me, Jesus son of the most high God? I beseech you torment me not.

but Herod said, John was beheaded by my order, who then can this be, who, they say, performs such strange things? and he desired to have a sight of Jesus.

what advantage is it for a man to have gain'd the whole world, if he himself runs into utter loss and ruin?

Jesus answered him, foxes have their kennels, and birds of the air their nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.

if any be there, who deserve your benediction, it shall have its effect upon them; otherwise, it shall redound to your own advantage.

wo unto thee Chorazin; wo unto thee Bethsaida: for if the miracles, which have been wrought among you, had been wrought in Tyre and Sidon, they would long since have lain repenting in sackcloth and ashes.

At length the seventy return'd with great joy, saying, Lord, even the demons have been made subject to us by virtue of your name.

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.

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.

you have answered well, replied Jesus, do this, and you shall live.