according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves:

they were both of them sincerely pious; observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; with unspotted reputation.

they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.

In the mean time the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wonder'd at his tarrying so long in the temple.

and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,

then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized.

All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea,

now while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.

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

when all of a sudden an angel of the Lord appear'd to them, and a heavenly light shone about them, at which they were greatly affrighted.

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

by the divine direction he came into the temple, just as the parents of Jesus were bringing in the child to perform what the law required in his behalf.

Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprized to hear such things pronounc'd concerning 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?

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

When all the people were baptizing, Jesus was likewise baptized, and whilst he was praying, the clouds opened,

then he closed the book, and returning it to the minister, he sat down: and as the eyes of the whole synagogue were fix'd with attention upon him,

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?

I assure you, though there were many widows in Israel, when the heaven had furnished no rain for three years and a half, and a great famine spread through all the land:

and there were many lepers in the time of Elisha the prophet: yet none of them obtain'd a cure, except Naaman the Syrian.

upon hearing this, the whole synagogue were incensed against him.

and they were astonished at his doctrine, for he spoke with authority.

and they were all amazed, and said to one another, what's the meaning of this? with authority and power he commands the impure spirits, and they come out!

As soon as the sun was set, all sorts of diseased persons were brought before him by their friends, and he healed them all, by laying his hands upon them.

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.

where he saw two vessels lying near shore: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

for he, and all the company were frightned at the draught of fish they had taken:

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.

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!

Levi having prepared a handsom entertainment in his own house for him, a great number of publicans, and others, were likewise at table.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

When the messengers of John were departed, he address'd himself to the people, and said with relation to John, what did you go to see in the desart? a reed shaken with the wind?

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.

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.)

accordingly the demons quitted the man, and enter'd into the swine: immediately the herd ran headlong down a precipice into the lake, and were drowned.

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,

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

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.

the company there were all in tears lamenting for her: but he said don't weep; she is not dead, but asleep.

and her parents were seized with astonishment: but he charg'd them not to let the fact be known to any one.

where the people, who were inform'd of it, followed him: which he did not discountenance, but explained to them the reign of the Messiah, and relieved those, who wanted to be cured.

for they were about five thousand. but Jesus said to his disciples, make them sit down by fifties in a company.

two persons of a glorious form were seen talking with him; they were Moses, and Elias,

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,

who were just departing from him, when Peter said to Jesus, master, it is best for us to stay here: let us build three apartments, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing well what he said.

while he was speaking, there came a cloud and over-shadowed them, who were seized with fear, at their vanishing in the cloud,

The next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a multitude of people happen'd to meet him:

I desired your disciples to cast out this spirit; but they were not able.

and all the people were astonished at such an instance of divine power: and as they were admiring whatever Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

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.

At another time, as they were walking in the road, a man said to him, I will be your follower, wherever you go.

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.

they were guilty of slaughter, and you raise monuments to their memory.

I am come to purify the earth with fire, and how do I wish it were already kindled?

At the same time, there were some present, who gave Jesus an account of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

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?

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?

at which all his adversaries were confounded. but the people were highly pleased, at the glorious actions which he perform'd.

then you will see those, who were last, become first: and those who were first, become last.

Then continuing his discourse, which of you, said he, if his child or his ox fell into a pit, would not immediately draw him out, though it were on the sabbath-day?

Afterwards observing how eager the guests were for the first places, he gave them this instruction:

upon which Jesus said, a certain man made a great entertainment; where many were invited.

but they were all of a mind in making some excuse: the first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, which I must needs go and see: therefore pray excuse me.

for I tell you that not one of those, who were invited, shall taste of my supper.

The Pharisees too, who were noted for avarice, heard all this discourse, and treated him with derision.

the law and the prophets were the only rule till John's time: since when, the kingdom of God has been proclaim'd, and all sorts of people strive to be members.

but Abraham said, son, remember you had your enjoyments, when you were alive, and Lazarus his misfortunes: but now he has his consolation, and you your torments.

it were better for him that a milstone were hang'd about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should occasion any innocent person to relapse.

so when you have done all that you were commanded to do, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.

and Jesus said to him, were not all the ten healed? where then are the other nine?

and as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building:

And as they were presenting children to him, for the imposition of hands, his disciples observing it, rebuk'd those that brought them.

As they were near Jericho, a blind man happen'd to sit begging by the road,

and immediately he saw: and followed Jesus, glorifying God: and all the people, who were eye-witnesses, gave praise unto God.

as they were untying the colt, the owners said, why do you untie the colt?

upon this some of the Pharisees, who were in the crowd, said to him, master, rebuke your disciples.

and he instructed the people daily in the temple, while the chief priests, the Scribes, and the rulers of the people, were contriving to take away his life.

but they could not find the means of effecting it; for all the populace were strongly attach'd to his doctrine.

The chief priests, and the Scribes perceiving that he had applied this parable to them, were eager to seize upon him at that very time; but they were afraid of the people.

now there were seven brothers, the first of which marry'd, and died without children.

being nigh, the chief priests consulted with the Scribes, how they might put Jesus to death; for they were afraid of the people.

they were pleas'd with his proposal, and agreed to give him a certain sum.

they who were about him seeing what would happen, said to him, shall we smite with the sword?

then said Jesus to the chief priests, the officers of the temple, and the rulers, who were come to take him, are you come here with swords and staves as in pursuit of a robber?

now as they had made a fire in the middle of the hall, and people were sitting all round it, Peter too sat down among them.

but they were the more vehement, saying, he promotes sedition by speading such doctrine thro' all Judea, from Galilee to this place.

when Pilate heard of Galilee, he ask'd whether the man were a Galilean.

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,

At the same time, two malefactors were led along to be crucified with Jesus.

As for his acquaintance, they all stood at a distance, with the women that followed him from Galilee, and were spectators during the whole transaction.

he was of Arimathea, a city of Judea, and one of those, who were in expectation of the Messiah's reign.

whilst they were in great perplexity about it, all of a sudden, two men appear'd before them in robes of light.