Then Herod perceiving he was abused by the Magi, was full of indignation, and sent a detachment who slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and its territory, being under the age of two years, according to the limited time he had learnt of the Magi.

fear not those who can only kill the body, but cannot hurt the soul: rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Messiah is greater than he.) for ever since the appearance of John the Baptist the gospel kingdom is as it were invaded, and people of the most violent passions enter into it with zeal.

"behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew justice to the nations.

another part fell upon stony places, where it had not much earth: and it soon sprung up, because the soil was shallow:

but another part falling upon good soil, became fruitful, some grains yielding an hundred, some sixty, and some thirty.

Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me.

so seizing upon him, they turn'd him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them.

Jesus said to him, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

ye blind guides, who strain your liquor for a gnat, and swallow a beetle.

so that you maybe charg'd with all the innocent blood shed upon earth, from the blood of Abel the just, unto the blood of Zacharias, the son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool.

but the wise answered, for fear there should not be enough for us and you, go rather to those that sell; and buy for your selves.

and he said to them, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:" stay here and watch by me.

accordingly they went, and having clapt a seal upon the stone, they posted a guard to secure the sepulchre.

when they had dismiss'd the people, the bark he was in, set sail, in company with other small barks.

so they privately set sail for the desart (of Bethsaida.)

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.

you shall therefore love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, to the utmost of your understanding, and all your faculties." this is the first commandment.

and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, with all its faculties, and to love one's neighbour as one's self is more acceptable than all the offerings and sacrifices in the world.

but he took with him Peter, James, and John. then he began to be in a great consternation and anguish of mind. and he said to them; my soul is exceeding sorrowful,

Then Mary said, "my soul doth magnify the Lord,

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

son of Ragau, son of Phalec, son of Heber, son of Sala,

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 replied, 'tis thus, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy understanding; and thy neighbour as thy self."

then I will say to my soul, soul, you have many enjoyments in reserve for a number of years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided?

sell your possessions and give alms. lay up for yourselves a stock not subject to decay, a treasure in the heavens that will never fail, where no thief can approach, nor moth can spoil.

or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, do you think they were greater criminals than the other inhabitants of Jerusalem?

upon hearing that, Jesus said to him, one thing you have yet to do: sell all you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come, and follow me.

as for those enemies of mine, who would not have me for their king, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.

but now, said he, let him that hath a purse, and a bag, take them both; and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment to buy one.

which put his disciples in mind of that passage, "my zeal for thine house does prey upon me."

he that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true.

upon which occasion the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he did such things on the sabbath-day.

"Now is my soul troubled; what! shall I say, father, save me from this concern? but for this cause am I come, even for this very concern.

because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption.

he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, when he said, "that his soul was not lest in the grave, neither did his body undergo corruption."'

Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common.

the God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree.

then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,

as for Saul, he made havock of the Church, entring into their houses, whence he dragg'd away both men and women, to throw them into prison.

Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,

and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

and he said, who art thou, Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Then trembling with the fright Saul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and the Lord said to him,]

at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus,

and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus: for he is there at prayer.

(at that very instant Saul saw in a vision the said Ananias come in, and put his hand on him, to restore his sight.)

Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit.

and when he had taken some food, he was refresh'd. after which Saul staid some time with the disciples at Damascus.

however Saul still gain'd ground, and confounded the Jews of Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Messias.

but Saul was appriz'd of their plot. and as they were night and day upon the watch at the gates, in order to kill him,

when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he try'd to associate himself with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and could not be persuaded that he was a disciple.

thereupon Barnabas took him with him to the apostles, and related to them how the Lord had appear'd to him on his journey, and had spoken to him, and how publickly Saul had preach'd at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch:

and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.

and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.

Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them.

he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God.

then Saul, who was nam'd likewise Paul, full of the holy spirit, look'd fixedly upon him,

when having demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Cis, of the tribe of Benjamin: the government of both having lasted forty years,

God removed Saul, and rais'd up David to be their king, to whom he gave this testimonial, " I have found David the son of Jesse: he is a man most acceptable to me, and he will execute all my orders."

and sail'd directly to Samothracia, and the next day landed at Neapolis.

While Paul was expecting them at Athens, he was grieved to the soul to see the whole city o'er-spread with idols.

Paul still continued a considerable time at Corinth, and then taking his leave of the brethren, he set sail for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila, who had his head shav'd in Cenchrea upon account of a vow.

having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch.

he had been instructed in the doctrine of the gospel, and being full of zeal, he harangued with great assiduity about what related to Jesus, though he had been only instituted in the baptism of John.

after the feast of unleaven'd bread we sail'd from Philippi, and in five days we join'd them at Troas, where we stay'd seven.

but the young man was brought in alive and well, to the joy of the whole assembly. As for us, we embark'd, and sail'd to Assos,

be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.

From Tyre we sail'd to Ptolemais, which ended our voyage. we saluted the brethren there, and staid a day with them.

I fell to the ground, and heard a voice pronounce these words, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

and being introduc'd, he said, brother Saul, receive thy sight. and instantly I saw him.

that I was present, when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, that I abetted the slaughter, and watch'd the clothes of those who slew him.

we were all struck down: when I heard a voice directed to me pronounce these words in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? it is dangerous for thee to kick against the goad."

When it was resolv'd, that we should sail for Italy, Paul and other prisoners were delivered to the custody of one Julius, a centurion of

a cohort in Augustus's legion. we embark'd in a vessel of Adramyttium, designing to coast it along Asia, and set sail with Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica.

For several days we made very little sail, and having scarce got sight of Cnidus, the wind being against us, we bore away between Salmone and Crete:

this done, all hands aloft they frapp'd the ship tought with her cables, and for fear of striking upon the sands, they struck the main sail, and so drove.

accordingly, having heaved in their anchors, they drove with the sea, then loos'd the helm, bois'd the mizen-sail to wind, and made to shore:

however, they expected to have seen him swell, or suddenly die away. but when they had waited a good while, and saw no harm come to him, they were of another opinion, and said he was a God.

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

for sin getting power by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

for I bear them witness, that they have a zeal for God, but not guided by true knowledge.

and so it is written, the first man Adam was made an animating soul, the last Adam was made a vivifying spirit.

and mark'd me with his seal, and given me the earnest of the spirit in my heart.

but by the consolation I received from you by him, when he acquainted me with your earnest desire to see me, with your concern, and your zeal for me; which greatly increas'd my joy.

'tis observable, even this religious sorrow which you had, what solicitude has it not wrought in you, what apologies, what indignation, what fear, what desire, what zeal, yea, what revenge! so that by your whole conduct, ye have shown your selves to be clear from guilt in this matter.

I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected.

for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others.

by whom you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and having believed in him, ye were mark'd with the seal of the holy spirit, which was promised:

if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach;

Now may the God of peace make you intirely holy: may every part of you, your spirit, soul, and body be preserved irreprovable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

one of their own prophets said, "the Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."

for the word of God is active and efficacious, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even to the division of soul and spirit, to the smallest and most inward parts, distinguishing the thoughts, and intentions of the heart.

might have strong consolation to serve as a sure and stedfast anchor to the soul: till it arrives within the veil,