or what would not a man bestow to preserve himself?

then Peter thus address'd himself to Jesus, master, it is proper for us to be here: let us make therefore three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias.

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

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:

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

it is true, said he, that Elias must come beforehand to establish every thing, and that it was predicted of him, as well as of the son of man, that he should suffer very much, and be treated with contempt.

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

then he ask'd the Scribes, what were you debating with them?

which no sooner comes on him, but it throws him down: then the child foams, gnashes his teeth, and grows meager.

Jesus then asked the father, how long is it since this befel him? from his infancy, said the father.

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.

Jesus said to him, provided you can believe, there is nothing but what may be effected for those that believe.

immediately the child's father cryed out with tears, I do believe, oh supply the defect of my faith.

Jesus observing the people came crowding to him, rebuked the evil spirit, saying, thou dumb and deaf spirit come out of the child, never to enter more, it is I command it.

and the spirit came out of him, having made him roar, and thrown him into such agonies, that he became like one that was dead, and many were of opinion he actually was so.

now when Jesus was retired to his own house, his disciples asked him in private, why could not we cast this spirit out?

but they did not comprehend the meaning, and were ashamed to ask him about it.

At length, he arrived at Capernaum, where being in his own house, he asked his disciples, what were you disputing about by the way?

at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency.

Upon this occasion John address'd himself to Jesus, saying, master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, tho' he did not belong to us, for which reason we opposed him.

but Jesus said, do not oppose him: for no man can speak evil of me, at the same time he works a miracle by virtue of my name.

but if any one shall cause the meanest of those, who believe in me, to transgress, it had been better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

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,

salt is good, but if the salt become insipid, how shall it recover its savour? don't lose your seasoning, nor your peaceable behaviour to one another.

then the Pharisees came and propos'd to him this insnaring question, is it lawful for a man to repudiate his wife?

to which he answered, what direction did Moses give you?

but Jesus answered them, it was out of regard to your untractable temper, that Moses gave you this permission.

let no man therefore separate what God has designed to be one.

When he was set out upon his journey, there met him one, who kneeling down before him, said, good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

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.

but he was troubled at this answer, and went away very sorrowful, for he had a great estate.

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!

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?

it is easier for a cable to pass thro' the eye of a needle, than for such a rich man to enter into the divine kingdom.

at this they were more amazed than before, and said to one another, how then can such a man be saved?

but Jesus casting his eye upon them, said, what is impossible to men, is not so to God; for to God all things are possible.

Jesus answered him, I declare unto you, there is not a man who has forsaken his house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, out of love to me and to the gospel,

but shall receive at present in this age, what will be a hundred times better to him, than houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, tho' with persecution: and in the age to come eternal life.

When they were on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus led the way, and they followed behind full of apprehension and fear. then Jesus calling the twelve apostles to him again, acquainted them with what should befal him.

they will treat him with ignominy, subject him to the lash, spit upon him, and at last put him to death. but on the third day he will rise again.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, and said, we desire you would grant us what we request.

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

but Jesus said to them, you know not what you ask. can you drink the cup, that I must drink, and be baptized with the baptism with which I must be baptized?

or on my left, is not in my power to grant, except to those for whom it was designed.

but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant;

At length they came to Jericho, and as he was leaving Jericho, accompanied by his disciples, and a great number of people, a blind man called Bartimeus sat begging in the high-way.

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.

go to yonder village that faces you, and upon your entrance into it, you will find a colt tied, that never was yet backed; loose him, and bring him to me.

if any one should ask you, why you do so? tell him, the Lord has occasion for it, and immediately he will send it hither.

accordingly they went, and finding the colt tied before a door, where two ways met, they untied it.

upon which some people there said to them, what do you mean by untying the colt?

then they brought the colt to Jesus, and throwing their garments upon it, he mounted thereon.

the crowd that march'd before and behind crying out, Hosanna, blessed be he that comes in the name of the Lord;

Jesus having made his entrance into Jerusalem, went into the temple, and after he had survey'd the whole, it being then late, he departed with the twelve to Bethany.

and observing at a distance a fig-tree full of leaves, he went up to it to see if he could find any fruit upon it. but when he came to it, he found it had nothing but leaves, (for it was not the season for that sort of fig.)

thereupon Jesus said to the fig-tree, "no one shall ever eat any fruit of yours." and his disciples took notice of it.

Being arrived at Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple, and began to turn out those that bought and sold there; he overthrew the table of Money-changers, and the stalls of those that sold doves.

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.

but at night Jesus withdrew from the city.

for I assuredly tell you, that whoever shall say to this mountain, be removed, and cast into the sea, having no doubt in his mind, but believing what he says shall be effected, what he pronounces shall actually be accomplished.

therefore whenever you pray, be fully persuaded of obtaining your request, and I assure you it shall be granted, whatever it be.

and asked him, by what authority do you behave thus? and who gave you that authority?

Jesus replied to them, if you will answer one question, that I shall propose to you, then I will tell you by what authority I act thus.

the baptism of John, was it of divine, or of human institution?

answer me that. upon this they reasoned thus with themselves; if we should say, it was divine, he will urge, why then did you not believe him?

if we should say, it was a human institution, we run a risk from the people. (for they all believed John was a true prophet.)

they therefore gave Jesus this answer, we cannot tell. neither do I, said Jesus, acquaint you by what authority I act thus.

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.

at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard.

at last, having one only son, whom he loved, he sent him to them; surely, said he, they will reverence my son.

so they seized upon him, and dragg'd him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

now what will the master of the vineyard do? on his return, said they, he will destroy those vine-dressers, and give his vineyard to others.

it is the Lord, that has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes."

let me see a penny. and when they brought it, he asked them, whose image and inscription is this? they said, Cesar's.

to which Jesus reply'd, render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and to God what belongs to God. and they were surprized at the answer.

saying, master, Moses has left it us in writing, that if a man dies, and leaves his wife without any children, his brother should marry his widow, in order to perpetuate his name.

at the time therefore of the resurrection, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of the seven?

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?"

and the second, which has an affinity to it, is this: "you shall love your neighbour as yourself." there is no other commandment greater than these.

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

for David himself, who was inspired by the holy spirit, has this expression, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand till I make thy enemies thy foot-stool."

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

who yet devour widows estates under the shew of making long prayers, such shall receive greater condemnation.

At length, as Jesus was sitting over-against the treasury, he observed the peoples throwing money into the chest; when many of the rich gave large sums.

and there came a certain poor widow, who threw in two mites, to the value of a farthing.

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.

for all the rest contributed out of their superfluous substance; but she has contributed what she wanted for her bare subsistence.

As Jesus was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, see, master, what stone-work, and buildings are here.

but Jesus answer'd him, you see this magnificent structure, which shall not be left till it be all demolished, one stone after another.

when shall this happen? and what will be the sign that this is going to be accomplished?

but when ye shall hear the talk of wars, and the noise of wars, be not alarm'd; for that must happen; but the end is not yet.

now when they shall lead you to deliver you up, be not sollicitous about your defence, don't premeditate upon it; but what shall be suggested to you at the very occasion, that deliver: for it is not you that will plead, but the holy spirit.

Now when you shall see the-abomination of desolation, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, establish'd where it ought not to be (let the reader observe) then let those, who are in Judea, flee to the mountains:

unhappy the women who are pregnant, and those who nurse children at such a time.

so that if the Lord should suffer it to last, no man could escape: but he will not suffer the time to last long, out of regard to his elect.

Then if any one shall say to you, Christ is here, or, he is there, don't believe it.