his fellow-servants upon seeing this were very much concern'd, and went to acquaint their master with what had pass'd.

then his lord order'd him to be call'd, and said to him, O thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thy debt, upon your request:

the young man answer'd, all these things have I practis'd from my youth: what is it that is further required?

for to this end was the gospel preach'd to those, who are now dead, that after having suffer'd the loss of this frail life from men, they might enjoy an immortal life with God.

My dear brethren, don't be surpriz'd at your being brought as it were to the test of fire; as if some strange thing had happen'd to you.

As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."

by which we have receiv'd the most inestimable promises, that thereby you might become partakers of the divine perfections, after having escap'd from the corruption of a sensual world.

for since God did not spare the angels, who had sinned, but having precipitated them to hell, confin'd them to chains of darkness, where they are reserv'd for judgment:

since he condemn'd the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha to an entire subversion, and reduc'd them to ashes, to make them serve for examples to future impiety:

for whilst this good man was among them, it daily pierc'd his virtuous soul, to see and hear of their detestable behaviour: this consider'd,

their eyes are inflam'd with adultery, and unextinguishable vice: they insnare the souls of the inconstant. their minds are practis'd in the arts of avarice: an execrable race, who have deserted the right way,

As for those who have renounc'd the pollutions of the world, by their owning Jesus Christ for their Lord and saviour, if they are prevail'd upon to be entangled therein again, their last state is worse than the first.

but the proverb is exactly verified in them, "the dog is return'd to his own vomit: the sow that was wash'd, is wallowing in the mire."

but the heavens and the earth now existing are kept in store by his Logos, reserv'd for the conflagration of doomsday, when the impious shall be involv'd in perdition.

Do you then, my dear brethren, being thus forewarn'd, take care not to be seduc'd by those prophane impostors, and so lose the reward of your constancy.

For certain men have insinuated themselves among you, who were formerly proscrib'd to be punish'd; impious men, who pervert the divine favour to licentiousness, and renounce their only master, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

which of the two obey'd his father? they said, the first. Jesus reply'd, I declare to you, that the publicans and licentious people enter into the gospel kingdom before you.

they dispatch'd therefore some of their disciples, together with the Herodians, who thus address'd themselves to him; master, we know that you are sincere, and faithfully teach the divine law without fear or flattery: for you have no regard to the outward quality of men.

they will scatter dust on their heads, and cry with tears, and bemoaning, "alas, alas, that great city, which enrich'd all the traders by sea, by the consumption she made: how is she reduc'd to a desert, in an instant!"

And before he had done speaking, Judas one of the twelve appear'd, with a numerous retinue, arm'd with swords and staves, being sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now the chief priests, the senators and the whole council, endeavour'd to get false evidence against Jesus, that he might be condemn'd to die.

When Jesus appear'd before the governor, the governor asked him, art thou the king of the Jews? and Jesus answer'd yes.

there happen'd to be then in custody a notorious criminal, nam'd Barabbas.

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.

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

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.

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.

whosoever therefore shall be asham'd of me, and of my doctrine in this degenerate and corrupted age, of him likewise shall the son of man be asham'd, when he shall come with the glory of his father, accompanied with holy angels.

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

at this expression the disciples were much surpriz'd. but Jesus reassum'd the discourse, and said, how difficult a thing is it for those, who place their trust in riches, to enter into the divine kingdom?

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.

Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner. a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad.

Jesus answer'd him, the first of all the commandments is thus deliver'd, "hear, o Israel, the lord our God is the only lord.

they were glad to hear him, and promis'd to give him money. upon which he contriv'd the most favourable occasion to betray him.

but he urg'd it with more vehemence, tho' I should die with you, I will not renounce you. and all the rest affirm'd the same.

Early in the morning the chief priests, the rulers, and Scribes, even the whole council, after having deliberated together, caus'd Jesus to be bound, then led him away and deliver'd him to Pilate.

Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers took Jesus away into the hall, call'd Pretorium; and summon'd their whole company together.

one Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he pass'd by in his return out of the country, was compell'd to carry the cross.

Pilate surpriz'd that he should be dead so soon, sent for the Centurion, and ask'd him, if he had been dead any time.

(for it was very great.) but when they were near in view, they perceiv'd that the stone was roll'd away.

Now Jesus being risen early on the first day of the week, he appear'd first to Mary Magdalene, whom he had dispossess'd of seven demons.

Now after the Lord had convers'd with them, he was assum'd up to heaven, where he sat on the right hand of God.

Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be.

the almighty hath distinguish'd me by the greatest marks of favour: his name be for ever reverenc'd.

Now Mary stay'd about three months with Elizabeth, and then return'd to her own house.

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

but Mary considered these things very attentively, and weigh'd every circumstance in her mind, while the shepherds return'd,

now there was in the synagogue a man possess'd with the spirit of an impure demon, who roar'd out, in these words, let us alone;

then Jesus stretch'd out his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou cured. and immediately the leprosy disappear'd:

for John the Baptist, when he came, abstain'd from bread and wine; yet you say, he is possess'd with a demon.

and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

while they were rowing, Jesus fell asleep: when there blew such a storm of wind upon the lake, as fill'd the boat with water, and endanger'd their lives.

upon Jesus's saying to him, what is your name? he answer'd, legion, (for many demons were enter'd into him.)

and country, whence numbers went to see the fact: being come to Jesus, they found the man, who had been dispossess'd of the demons, sitting at Jesus's feet, cloathed, and in his right senses: at which they were much surpriz'd,

then the Gadarenes of the adjacent parts unanimously desired him to leave their country: for they were greatly allarm'd. so he embark'd to cross over the lake.

now the man, who had been dispossess'd, begg'd to take him with him. but Jesus dismissed him,

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?"

then the woman finding she could not conceal herself, came trembling, and kneeling down before him, confess'd before all the people, why she had touch'd him, and how she was instantly cured.

while Peter, and the others with him, were overwhelm'd with sleep: but when they wak'd, they observed his glory, and the two persons present with him,

to which Jesus answered, a certain man, as he was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves, who stripp'd him, and beat him, then march'd off leaving him half dead.

Another time, as they were on a journey, Jesus enter'd into a village, where a woman, named Martha, entertain'd him at her house.

In the mean time thousands of people being gather'd about him, so as to trample upon one another, he first address'd himself thus to his disciples, beware of the corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

for there is nothing conceal'd, which shall not be disclos'd; nothing secret, which shall not be made publick.

upon which Jesus thus address'd himself to them. do you imagine that those Galileans were greater sinners than the rest of the nation, because they suffer'd in such a manner?

After this a great multitude being gather'd about him, he address'd himself to them,

who reply'd, your brother is return'd, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him in good health.

will he think himself oblig'd to that servant for doing what he was order'd? I believe not.

Upon the Pharisees asking him, when the kingdom of God should come, he answer'd them, the kingdom of God is not usher'd in with pomp and exclamations,

then they ask'd him, where, Lord, will this happen? he reply'd, wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles hover together.

Then he propos'd this parable, concerning those who had a great opinion of their own justice, and look'd with contempt upon others.

but Zaccheus address'd himself to Jesus, and said, Lord, half my estate I give to the poor; and if I have wrong'd any man, I will give him four times the value.

Their attention being raised by this, Jesus pursued his discourse with a parable, occasion'd by their thinking, that, because he was advanc'd so nigh to Jerusalem, the kingdom of God would immediately commence.

upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made.

when he was advanc'd near Bethphage, and Bethany, to the mountain call'd the Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

saying to them, go to the village opposite to you: at your entrance there, you will find a colt ty'd, that was never yet back'd: untie it and bring it here.

in these words, "O that thou hadst consider'd, at least in this very day, the opportunity you had of being happy! but now alas! it is vanish'd from your eyes."

they watch'd then, and suborn'd spies, who under pretence of their tender consciences, might ensnare him in his discourse, and so betray him to the civil power and jurisdiction of the governor.

they address'd him therefore in this manner; master, we know that what you say and teach is all right. you are not influenc'd by the quality of men, but explain the divine law with sincerity:

Now the feast of unleaven'd bread, which is call'd the passover,

The day of unleaven'd bread being come, when the paschal-lamb was to be sacrific'd,

but Jesus oppos'd, and said, forbear, stop there. and having touch'd his ear, he healed him.

then Pilate ask'd him, art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answer'd him, 'tis as you say.

Barabbas had been imprison'd for murder in a riot he had rais'd in the city.

however he urg'd it a third time, why, what crime has he done? I don't find he has done any thing that deserves death: I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and so dismiss him.

accordingly he discharg'd the prisoner they desired, him that was committed for riot and murder; but he abandon'd Jesus to their discretion.

As they were conducting him to execution, they seiz'd upon one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming to town, and oblig'd him to carry the cross after Jesus,

now while they were conferring and debating together, Jesus himself join'd them and walk'd along with them.

one of them, Cleopas by name, reply'd, are you such a stranger in Jerusalem as not to know what has so lately happen'd there?

and of his being deliver'd up by our chief priests and magistrates to be condemn'd to die, whom they actually crucified:

when looking upon him more intently, they perceiv'd that it was Jesus. but he vanish'd out of sight.

the Life was produc'd in him, and the Life was the Light of men.

he came as a witness, to represent what he knew of the light, that by his means all might be convinc'd.

he own'd it, and did not deny it; but made this protestation, I am not the Christ.

this I saw, and testify'd, that he is the son of God.

Jesus answer'd her, woman, leave that affair to me, is not that my concern?

now there were six cisterns of stone plac'd there for the use of the Jews in their purifications, containing two or three firkins a-piece.

these Jesus order'd the waiters to fill with water. so they filled them up to the brim.

After this he went down to Capernaum, in company with his mother, his brethren, and his disciples: but they stay'd there only a few days.

After this Jesus went with his disciples into Judea, where he stay'd with them for some time,