Luke Cross References - Mace

¹ Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us; ² according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves: ³ 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, ⁴ that you may have a distinct view of those things about which you have been inform'd. ⁵ In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of the family of Abia, whose wife; nam'd Elizabeth, was of the race of Aaron: ⁶ they were both of them sincerely pious; observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; with unspotted reputation. ⁷ they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years. ⁸ now Zachary was to officiate in divine service, in the order of his family, ⁹ and according to the custom of distributing the parts, it fell to his lot to burn incense in the sanctuary. ¹⁰ and all the congregation of the people stood praying without, at the time of offering incense, ¹¹ when there appear'd to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the incense-altar. ¹² Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear. ¹³ but the angel said to Zacharias, don't be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard: and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John: ¹⁴ he shall be your joy and transport, and numbers shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ he shall appear as a divine messenger. he shall drink neither wine, nor any other strong liquor: he shall be filled with the holy spirit, even from his infancy: ¹⁶ he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord. ¹⁸ But Zacharias said to the angel, by what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is of a great age. ¹⁹ the angel replied, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to communicate to you this agreeable message. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ In the mean time the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wonder'd at his tarrying so long in the temple. ²² but when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he intimated it to them by signs, and continued dumb. ²³ and the time of his officiating being ended, he departed to his own house. ²⁴ Some time after, Elizabeth his wife was pregnant, and went into retirement for five months. ²⁵ it is the Lord, said she, who has thus favour'd me, at the time when he took care to remove the reproach I was under among men. ²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin contracted to a man; whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. and the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ the angel, upon his arrival, said to her; "Hail, favorite of heaven, the Lord is with thee: thou happiest of thy sex." ²⁹ Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be. ³⁰ but the angel said to her, "Mary, be not afraid: for you are the object of divine favour. ³¹ you shall be now pregnant, and be delivered of a son, whom you shall name JESUS. ³² he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high. the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David. ³³ he shall reign over the house of Jacob, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." ³⁴ Then said Mary to the angel, what shall this be without any intercourse with man? ³⁵ the angel answered her, "the holy spirit shall descend upon thee, and the power of the most high shall over-shadow thee: wherefore thy holy offspring shall be called the son of God. ³⁶ even your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is become pregnant with a son: she, who was stiled barren, is now in her sixth month; ³⁷ for nothing is impossible to God." ³⁸ then said Mary, "behold the servant of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." upon which the angel disappeared. ³⁹ Soon after this, Mary departed, and made an expeditious journey to a city of Juda, in the mountains: ⁴⁰ where entring into the house of Zacharias, she saluted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ no sooner had Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, but the babe leap'd within her: ⁴² and Elizabeth divinely inspired, broke out into this acclamation. ⁴³ "Blessed mother of the most blessed offspring! what an honour is this, that I should be visited by the mother of our Lord! ⁴⁴ no sooner did the sound of your salutation strike mine ear, than the babe leap'd within me for joy. ⁴⁵ blessed is she that has believed; for what she has heard from the Lord, shall be accomplished." ⁴⁶ Then Mary said, "my soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my saviour, ⁴⁸ for he hath regarded the low estate of his servant: and future ages shall proclaim me blessed. ⁴⁹ the almighty hath distinguish'd me by the greatest marks of favour: his name be for ever reverenc'd. ⁵⁰ his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation. ⁵¹ he hath displayed the strength of his arm, and has confounded the proud by the devices of their hearts. ⁵² he has cast down princes from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree, ⁵³ the needy he has furnished with plentiful enjoyments, and the rich he has reduced to poverty. ⁵⁴ he has taken Israel his servant into his protection, in pursuance of the mercy, ⁵⁵ which he promised to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his posterity for ever." ⁵⁶ Now Mary stay'd about three months with Elizabeth, and then return'd to her own house. ⁵⁷ When Elizabeth had gone her full time, she was delivered of a son. ⁵⁸ her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her: ⁵⁹ 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, ⁶⁰ and said, no, he shall be called John. ⁶¹ they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name. ⁶² they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd. ⁶³ then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized. ⁶⁴ immediately he had the use of his speech: and he uttered himself in praises to God. ⁶⁵ All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea, ⁶⁶ and made an impression upon all that heard of them. what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him. ⁶⁷ Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words. ⁶⁸ "blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people: ⁶⁹ he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David, ⁷⁰ according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets, ⁷¹ to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us: ⁷² to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant, ⁷³ the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, ⁷⁴ that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, ⁷⁵ in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days. ⁷⁶ and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way, ⁷⁷ by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins, ⁷⁸ through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high, ⁷⁹ to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace." ⁸⁰ Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.

³¹ but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Messias, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name.

¹ In my former treatise, I gave an account, O Theophilus, of all the actions and doctrine of Jesus, to the time of his assumption, ² after he had given the apostles he had chosen, the orders they were to execute by the holy spirit. ³ to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, of which they had many proofs, during the forty days he appear'd to them, and inform'd them about the reign of the Messias:

¹⁶ the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory.

¹⁷ however the Lord assisted and strengthen'd me, that the gospel might be confirm'd by my remonstrance, and all the nations might hear it; so that I was deliver'd out of the mouth of the lion:

¹⁶ for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty. ¹⁷ for he received this honourable and glorious testimony from his father, when the voice broke out from the magnificent splendor, in these words, "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." ¹⁸ we our selves heard this voice, that came from heaven, when we were with him upon the holy mountain. ¹⁹ Besides, we have the more authentic accounts of the prophets, to which you do well in giving your attention, as to a lamp shining in an obscure place, till the day dawn, and the morning-star arises in your hearts.

¹ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the son of God.

¹⁴ the sower is he that soweth the word.

⁴⁸ you are witnesses of these things.

²⁷ and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

³ to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, of which they had many proofs, during the forty days he appear'd to them, and inform'd them about the reign of the Messias:

⁸ but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.

²¹ wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, ²² from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

²⁰ for we cannot avoid publishing what we have seen and heard.

³⁹ we are witnesses of all his transactions, both in Judea, and at Jerusalem. however, they put him to death, even that of the cross. ⁴⁰ but God raised him up the third day, and shewed him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to those witnesses, which God had before chosen: to us, I say, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

¹⁶ but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you,

¹⁶ to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.

¹ Let men consider us, as the ministers of Christ, who dispense the divine mysteries.

⁷ of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence: ⁸ upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;

¹¹ It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: ¹² thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ:

²³ provided you continue well-grounded and settled in the faith, and do not abandon that hope which has been offer'd to you by the gospel, and is proclaim'd to all mankind; of which I Paul am made a minister. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church: ²⁵ of which I have been established a minister, according to the charge which God has given me to preach his gospel faithfully among you. ---

³ how shall we escape, if we neglect that salutary doctrine? which was first published by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those that heard him;

¹ I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest;

¹⁶ for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty.

¹ Concerning the Logos, the author of Life, we declare what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have consider'd, and what has been the object of our touch. ² for the life was manifested, we have seen it, we testify of it, and denounce unto you, that eternal life which was with the father, and was manifested unto us. ³ what we have seen and heard, we declare unto you, that ye also may be of the same society with us: and truly associated with the father, and with his son Jesus Christ.

¹ Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us;

¹ In my former treatise, I gave an account, O Theophilus, of all the actions and doctrine of Jesus, to the time of his assumption,

⁴ but Peter represented the whole affair to them,

¹⁹ wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them,

²⁵ we unanimously judg'd it proper to send particular deputies to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

²⁸ for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions;

²⁶ CLAUDIUS LYSIAS to the most excellent governour FELIX wishes health.

³ "The happiness our nation enjoys, most noble Felix, by the wisdom of your administration, affects us too sensibly not to be acknowledg'd every where, and upon all occasions, with the utmost gratitude.

²⁵ I am not mad, said he, most noble Festus, but what I say, is very sound truth.

⁴⁰ but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.

¹² as to brother Apollos, I earnestly entreat him to make you a visit, with the brethren: but he has not the least mind to it at present; however, he will be with you when a fit occasion offers.

²⁵ 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.

¹⁸ you know the divine will, and what is contrary thereto, having been educated in the law:

¹⁹ yet in the church I had rather speak five words that convey my meaning to the instruction of others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

⁶ Let him that is instructed in the word freely communicate his good things to him that teaches him.

¹⁵ However, I shall inculcate these things so as to make you continually remember them, even after my departure. ¹⁶ for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty.

¹ When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the reign of king Herod, certain eastern Magi came to Jerusalem, with this enquiry,

¹⁵ but he said to them, you pretend to piety before men, which, however they may admire, is an abomination to God, who knows your real temper.

¹ Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows."

¹⁶ and 'tis my endeavour to preserve a conscience free from reproach both with respect to God, and with respect to men.

⁹ "how then are we better than they?" why, not at all: for we have already convicted both Jews and Gentiles, of being all under the guilt of sin. ¹⁰ as it is written, " there is none righteous, no not one: ¹¹ there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹² they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doth good, no not one. ¹³ their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴ whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. ¹⁵ their feet are swift to shed blood. ¹⁶ destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷ and the way of peace have they not known. ¹⁸ there is no fear of God before their eyes." ¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law: that every one may be silenc'd, and all the world plead guilty before God. ²⁰ for by the observation of the law no one shall be justified in his sight, since it is the law that takes cognizance of sin. ²¹ but the divine justification certified by the law and the prophets, is now clearly proposed independently of the law: ²² that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction: ²³ for all having sinned, all have forfeited eternal glory: ²⁴ being justified by his unmerited favour through the redemption that is by Jesus Christ: ²⁵ whom God had ordained, thro' faith, to be the propitiatory victim by his blood, for the manifestation of his goodness, by patiently passing over their past transgressions: to manifest,

² now I commend you, brethren, for remembring all my orders, and for keeping the rules I delivered to you.

¹² for this is to me matter of glorying, the testimony of my conscience, that without artifice, and with religious sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by God's favourable assistance I have behaved my self towards all men, but more particularly to you.

¹⁵ that you may be without reproach, the inoffensive spotless children of God in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation (among whom you should shine as stars in the world,

⁶ if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach; ⁷ these advantages I renounce for Christ, ⁸ nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel,

²² through his own death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his own sight:

¹³ that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels.

¹¹ For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind: ¹² teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to practise temperance, justice and piety in this present world; ¹³ in expectation of that desirable happiness, the glorious appearance of the supreme God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and qualify us to be his peculiar people, passionately affected to virtue.

³ for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred. ⁴ but when the kindness and love of God our saviour display'd itself to mankind, ⁵ he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit, ⁶ thro' Jesus Christ our saviour: ⁷ that being justified by his favour, we should have the inheritance of eternal life, according to our hopes.

¹⁴ since then, my dear brethren, your expectations are such, take care to appear before him, without any defect or blemish, in order to be happy; and be persuaded,

³ if we keep his commandments, that is a proof that we know him.

²⁹ since you know that God is the source of virtue, you know that every one who has virtue, derives it from him.

⁷ dear children, let no man deceive you: only he that acts justly is just, as he is just.

¹⁹ far from being weak in faith, unconcern'd at his own bodily decay, being then about an hundred years old, and at Sarah's incapacity of child-bearing,

¹¹ 'Twas likewise through faith that Sara, though barren, received the power of becoming pregnant, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

⁵ In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of the family of Abia, whose wife; nam'd Elizabeth, was of the race of Aaron:

⁶ These things being thus disposed, the priests went at all times into the first part of the tabernacle, to officiate the divine service. but into the other part,

¹⁴ who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. for we have

²⁴ for Christ is not entred into a sanctuary made by human art, such as is only representative of the true one, but into heaven itself, to appear from henceforth in the presence of God on our behalf:

³ and another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne.

¹⁹ the angel replied, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to communicate to you this agreeable message.

²⁸ the angel, upon his arrival, said to her; "Hail, favorite of heaven, the Lord is with thee: thou happiest of thy sex."

¹⁰ but the angel said to them, be not afraid, I am only come to bring you great news, which will be matter of joy to you and to the whole world.

¹⁹ but an angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors by night, and having brought them out, said to them,

³ one day about the ninth hour, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God, who addrest himself to him, and said, Cornelius! ⁴ and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God.

¹⁴ are not all those spirits dispatch'd as ministers to take care of those who shall belong to the christian church.

³ and another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne. ⁴ and the smoke of the incense together with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out of the angel's hand.

¹³ then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God,

⁵ upon their entring into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting towards the right, cloathed in a long white garment: at which they were frighted.

²⁹ Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be.

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ but the angel said to them, be not afraid, I am only come to bring you great news, which will be matter of joy to you and to the whole world.

⁴ and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God.

¹⁷ as soon as I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead: but he laid his right hand upon me, and said, "Fear not; I am the first and the last:

²¹ and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²⁷ but Jesus immediately call'd to them, take courage, said he, it is I, don't be afraid.

⁵ but the angel spoke to the woman, and said, don't be frighted, I know you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified.

⁶ but he said to them, don't be frightned: you look for Jesus the Nazarene: he is risen, he is not here: see the place where he lay.

³⁰ but the angel said to her, "Mary, be not afraid: for you are the object of divine favour.

⁶⁰ and said, no, he shall be called John. ⁶¹ they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name. ⁶² they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd. ⁶³ then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized.

²¹ The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

³⁶ While they were thus talking, Jesus himself appear'd in the midst of them, and said to them, peace be with you. ³⁷ but they were in a consternation and fright, imagining, that they saw a spirit. ³⁸ upon which he said to them, why are you in this confusion? what is it, that your minds are so perplex'd? ³⁹ behold my hands, and my feet. for I am bodily present, touch me and consider me; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have: ⁴⁰ all the while holding out his hands and his feet, as he was speaking.

³¹ and said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and God has approved thine alms.

⁵⁸ her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her:

⁹ or did you go to see a prophet? yes, and be assured, one superiour to a prophet. ¹⁰ for it is he that is meant in that passage, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee." ¹¹ I declare unto you, among the whole race of prophets, there never appear'd a greater than John the Baptist: (notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of the ¹² 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. ¹³ for all the prophets and the law were your guides, till the coming of John. ¹⁴ and if ye will believe me, he is the Elias that was to come. ¹⁵ he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁶ but to what shall I compare this generation? they are like children sitting in the markets, and calling out to their fellows, ¹⁷ "if we play a merry tune, you are not for dancing; if we act a mournful part, you are not in the humour." ¹⁸ so John came with fasting and abstinence, and they say, he is mad. ¹⁹ the son of man does not abstain from eating and drinking, and they cry there's a glutton, and a sot, a friend of publicans and sinners: "but wisdom is justified by her children."

²⁸ I declare unto you, among the whole race of mankind, there is not a prophet, who is superiour to John the Baptist: yet he that is most inferiour in the kingdom of the Messiah, is greater than he.

³³ for John the Baptist, when he came, abstain'd from bread and wine; yet you say, he is possess'd with a demon.

³⁵ he was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing to be entertain'd for a while with his light.

⁴ and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance.

¹⁴ But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say. ¹⁵ these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ but this is the accomplishment of what was said by the prophet Joel, ¹⁷ "it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams: ¹⁸ and on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy:

¹⁵ but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me,

¹⁸ do not drink to excess, for that tends to dissoluteness, but be regal'd with spiritual entertainments:

¹ At that time appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² and saying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of the Messiah draws nigh." ³ for it is of John the prophet Esaias spoke, when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths clear." ⁴ now John wore a coat made of camels hair, with a leathern girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild hony. ⁵ Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and the whole country about Jordan, came to him: ⁶ and having confess'd their sins, they were baptized by him in Jordan.

³² for John instructed you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the licentious believed him. and tho' you saw that, you did not yet repent, so as to believe him.

⁷⁶ and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way,

⁴ now John wore a coat made of camels hair, with a leathern girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild hony.

⁷ but when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his baptism, he said to them, "Ye brood of vipers, who has warned you to fly from the wrath to come? ⁸ Let your actions then show your repentance: ⁹ and don't pretend to say within your selves, We have Abraham for our father: for I tell you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham: ¹⁰ the ax is already laid to the root of the trees: every tree then which does not produce good fruit, will be hewn down, and cast into the fire. ¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water to lead you to repentance; but he that cometh after me, is my superiour, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the effusion of the holy Ghost, in the appearance of fire: ¹² and with the fan in his hand, he will throughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his grainery, but the chaff will he burn with unquenchable fire."

¹⁴ and if ye will believe me, he is the Elias that was to come.

⁴ for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her.

¹¹ Jesus answered, 'tis true, Elias was to come first and set all things right. ¹² but I tell you, that Elias is already come, tho' they knew him not, but treated him in an arbitrary manner; with such usage as the son of man shall likewise suffer at their hands.

²⁹ I won't, said he: but afterward be chang'd his mind, and went. ³⁰ then he came to the other, and bid him do the same. and he answered, yes, sir; but went not. ³¹ 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. ³² for John instructed you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the licentious believed him. and tho' you saw that, you did not yet repent, so as to believe him.

¹¹ At length they started this question, why do the Scribes say, that Elias must first come? ¹² 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. ¹³ but I tell you, that Elias is already come, as it was foretold; and they have treated him at their discretion.

¹⁶ he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

⁷ he said therefore to the people that crowded to be baptized by him, ye brood of vipers, who has prompted you to flee from approaching wrath? ⁸ 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. ⁹ the ax is already laid to the root of the trees: every tree then, which does not produce good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. ¹⁰ Upon which the people asked him, what then shall we do? ¹¹ he answer'd them, let him that hath two coats give one to him that hath none; and let him that has plenty of provisions act in like manner. ¹² the Publicans likewise came to be baptized, and said to him, master, how are we to act? ¹³ exact, said he, no more than what the law requires. ¹⁴ the soldiers too made the same demand, how are we to act? he answer'd them, injure no man either by violence or by fraud, and be content with your pay.

¹³ a birth which they had not from circumcision, nor from the constitution of the body, nor the institution of man, but from God.

²¹ art thou then Elias? said they; and he answer'd, I am not. art thou a prophet? and he answer'd, no. ²² said they to him, who then art thou? that we may give an answer to those that sent us: what sayst thou of thy self? ²³ "I am, said he, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, clear the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Esaias. ²⁴ Now the messengers were of the sect of the Pharisees, and they asked him, ²⁵ "why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elias, nor any other prophet?" ²⁶ John answered them, I baptize with water: but there is one among you, whom ye know not; he it is who coming after me, ²⁷ is preferred before me, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose. ²⁸ these things were transacted at Bethabara, near Jordan, where John used to baptize. ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world." ³⁰ this is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man, who was before me: for he did indeed exist before me.

³⁴ this I saw, and testify'd, that he is the son of God.

²⁸ you yourselves can bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but was only sent before him:

³³ immediately I sent to you; and you have done well to come. now here we are all in the presence of God, to hear whatever he has given you in charge.

²³ and display his infinite goodness to such objects of mercy, as he had prepared for glory?

⁹ Know you not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? be not deceived: neither the licentious, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor the brutal, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor misers, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor raparees, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ and such were some of you: but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the spirit of our God.

¹² giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people:

²¹ he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

⁹ and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

¹¹ Since then this whole system is to be destroyed, how holy should your conduct be, and how ardent your piety? ¹² expecting, and vehemently desiring the day of the Lord would come, when the heavens all on fire shall be dissolv'd, and the elements shall melt with intense heat. ¹³ As for us, in consequence of his promise, we expect a new heaven, and a new earth, where justice shall reside. ¹⁴ since then, my dear brethren, your expectations are such, take care to appear before him, without any defect or blemish, in order to be happy; and be persuaded,

²⁸ adhere to that, my dear children, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

⁴ I saw likewise thrones, where persons were seated, to whom the power of judging was given: and I saw the souls of those that were beheaded for the testimony they had given to Jesus, and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

⁷ they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.

³⁴ Then said Mary to the angel, what shall this be without any intercourse with man?

¹⁰ take care not to despise one of such an humble disposition: for I tell you, that in heaven their angels are continually attending the presence of my father who is in heaven:

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

¹⁹ then said Jesus, incredulous people, how long shall I be with you? must I be always assisting you? bring him before me.

¹⁴ afterwards he appear'd to the eleven, as they were all sitting at table, and he reproved them for their incredulity and obstinacy in not giving credit to those, who had seen him after his resurrection.

²² but when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he intimated it to them by signs, and continued dumb.

⁴⁵ blessed is she that has believed; for what she has heard from the Lord, shall be accomplished."

³ for what if some betrayed their trust? shall their unfaithfulness render

¹³ he will renounce us likewise: tho' we are diffident, he is still faithful, and will not retract his word.

² and gives the expectation of eternal life, which the God of veracity promised so many ages ago;

¹⁸ that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to deceive us, we, who have no other refuge to fly to, but to maintain our present hopes,

¹⁹ as many as I love, I rebuke and chastise: be warm therefore with zeal, and repent.

⁶² they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd.

²⁴ Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, to ask who it was he meant.

¹⁷ but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place.

³³ at last Alexander was disengag'd from the croud, and accus'd by the Jews. then he waved his hand, desiring to make his defence before them all.

⁴⁰ Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue:

¹³ but the angel said to Zacharias, don't be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard: and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John:

²³ and went to dwell in a town called Nazareth, so that those words of one of the prophets were fulfill'd, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

⁴ so Joseph departed from Nazareth in Galilee, and went into Judea to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David,

⁴⁵ Philip meeting with Nathanael, said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ⁴⁶ but Nathanael said to him, can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? come and see, said Philip.

⁴¹ some said, this is the Messias. but said others, shall the Messias come out of Galilee?

¹⁶ Jacob father of Joseph the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

¹⁸ Now the manner of Christ's birth was this: his mother Mary being promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she became pregnant by the holy Spirit.

²⁰ but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit. ²¹ and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²³ a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," that is to say, God our Saviour.

⁴ so Joseph departed from Nazareth in Galilee, and went into Judea to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David, ⁵ in order to be registred with Mary, his espoused wife, who was then big with child.

⁴⁸ but Jesus answered the man that told him, who is my mother? and who are my brothers?

⁴² and Elizabeth divinely inspired, broke out into this acclamation.

²⁷ As he was discoursing thus, a certain woman in the middle of the crowd lift up her voice, and said to him, happy the mother, who bare thee: happy the nurse, who gave thee milk. ²⁸ but rather, said he, happy are they who hear the word of God, and put it in practice.

¹⁰ (since I am with thee, and no man shall lift up his hand so as to hurt thee:) for my people in this city are numerous."

⁶ to display the glory of his grace, which has render'd us acceptable by his beloved son:

⁴⁹ when they saw him walking upon the sea, they thought it was an apparition, ⁵⁰ for they all saw him, and were greatly terrified. but at the instant Jesus spoke to them, and said, take courage, it is I, don't be afraid.

⁵ upon their entring into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting towards the right, cloathed in a long white garment: at which they were frighted. ⁶ but he said to them, don't be frightned: you look for Jesus the Nazarene: he is risen, he is not here: see the place where he lay.

¹² Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear.

⁶⁶ and made an impression upon all that heard of them. what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him.

¹⁹ but Mary considered these things very attentively, and weigh'd every circumstance in her mind, while the shepherds return'd,

⁵¹ However Jesus went down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them: and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

¹⁷ While Peter was perplexed about the signification of this vision, the messengers from Cornelius having enquir'd out Simon's house, arriv'd at the gate,

³² fear not, ye little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to grant you the kingdom.

⁹ then the Lord said to Paul in a vision by night, "be not afraid, but speak, and be not silenc'd: ¹⁰ (since I am with thee, and no man shall lift up his hand so as to hurt thee:) for my people in this city are numerous."

²⁴ you must be brought before Cesar: and upon your account, the whole company now with you, will God preserve.

³¹ What shall we conclude then from this? if God be for us, who can be against us?

⁶ so that we may boldly say, " the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

²⁵ but did not cohabit with her as a wife, before she had-brought forth her first-born son; whom he named JESUS.

²⁷ to a virgin contracted to a man; whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. and the virgin's name was Mary.

⁴ God sent forth his own son born of a woman, and subject to the law, to redeem those,

¹ The History of the life of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water to lead you to repentance; but he that cometh after me, is my superiour, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the effusion of the holy Ghost, in the appearance of fire:

⁴² the queen of the south shall rise up at the day of judgement against this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the remote parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.

¹⁸ and Jesus came, and said to them, all power has been given me in heaven and in earth.

⁷ 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."

⁶¹ but Jesus remain'd silent, and gave no answer. then the high priest asked him again, and said to him, art thou the Christ, the son of the most High?

¹⁵ he shall appear as a divine messenger. he shall drink neither wine, nor any other strong liquor: he shall be filled with the holy spirit, even from his infancy:

³⁵ the angel answered her, "the holy spirit shall descend upon thee, and the power of the most high shall over-shadow thee: wherefore thy holy offspring shall be called the son of God.

¹⁶ he address'd himself to them all, saying, I indeed baptize you with water; but there is one coming, who is superiour to me, whose shoes I am unworthy to untie: he shall baptize you with the holy spirit, under the appearance of fire.

³⁵ but as for you, love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting any advantage from it: so shall your reward be great, in acting like the children of the most high: for he is kind to the most ungrateful wretches.

³⁵ the father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand. ³⁶ he that believeth on the son, hath a right to everlasting life: and he that disobeys the son, shall not enjoy life; but be expos'd to divine wrath.

²¹ for as the father raiseth up the dead, and restores them to life: even so the son gives life to whom he will. ²² besides, the father judgeth no man; but hath committed the full power of judging unto the son: ²³ that all men should honour the son, even as they honour the father. he that honoureth not the son, honoureth not the father who hath sent him. ²⁴ I declare unto you, he that heareth my doctrine, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come under condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ²⁵ I declare unto you, the time is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God: and they that hear shall live. ²⁶ for as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the son, to have life in himself; ²⁷ and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the son of man. ²⁸ let not this surprize you: for the time is coming, when all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and they that have done good, ²⁹ shall rise to the possession of life; and they that have done evil, shall rise to their condemnation.

⁶⁹ and we have believed and we have acknowledged that you are the Christ, the son of God.

³⁴ Upon which the people said to him, we have learnt from the law, that the Messiah is to live for ever: why do you say then, the son of man must be lift up? who is this son of man?

³⁰ that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him, to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this,

³⁶ therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

⁴⁸ altho' the most high does not dwell in temples made with hands; as the prophet said, "heaven is my throne,

¹⁷ as she followed Paul and the rest of us, she cried out, these men are the servants of the most high God, who show you the way to salvation.

⁴ but as to his holy spirit miraculously declared to be the son of God, by his resurrection from the dead:

²⁰ which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom, ²¹ far above all the principalities, all the powers, all the potentates, all the dominations, and whatever order can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come: ²² for he has subjected all things to him, and constituted him supreme head of the church, ²³ which is his body, a work compleatly finished in all its parts.

⁹ wherefore God has highly exalted and given him a name, which is above every name; ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus both angels and men, the living and the dead, should pay their adorations, ¹¹ and that every nation should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father.

² whom he hath constituted heir of all things, by whom also be made the world. ³ who being the radiation of his glory, and the imprest image of his substance, and governing all things by his powerful command, after having himself made expiation for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty in the highest heavens. ⁴ He is so much superiour to the angels, as the authority he possesses is more excellent than theirs. ⁵ for to which of the angels did he ever say, " thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be his father, and he shall be my son? ⁶ and when he re-introduces the first-begotten into the world, he saith, " and let all the angels of God worship him." ⁷ and of the angels, he saith, who employs his angels like the winds, and flames of fire as his ministers." ⁸ but to the son he saith, "God is thy throne for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of equity.

⁷ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write, "THESE things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth what no man can shut; and shutteth what no man can open:

⁶ However, the divine promise cannot but have its effect. for they are not the whole of Israel, who are descended from Israel:

²⁴ and then will be the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God even the father; after having abolished all rule, and all authority, and power. ²⁵ for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet."

²⁹ and if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's offspring, and his heirs by virtue of the promise.

¹⁶ as many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, even upon the Israel of God.

³ for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

⁸ but to the son he saith, "God is thy throne for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of equity.

¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, crying, "the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."

⁴ I saw likewise thrones, where persons were seated, to whom the power of judging was given: and I saw the souls of those that were beheaded for the testimony they had given to Jesus, and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ but the rest of the dead shall not live again until the thousand years are finished. this is the first resurrection. ⁶ happy and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

³ There shall be nothing obnoxious to a curse: but the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. ⁴ they shall see his face; and his name shall be. in their foreheads. ⁵ no night shall be there, nor any need of a lamp, or of the light of the sun; for the Lord God will give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

⁶ but rise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do.

²⁰ but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit.

³ whereupon the tempter came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."

³³ then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, of a truth thou art the son of God.

⁶³ but Jesus made no reply. and the high priest said to him, I conjure thee by the living God, to tell us, are you the Christ the son of God? ⁶⁴ Jesus reply'd, I am: moreover I declare to you, within a while ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

⁵⁴ now the centurion, and they that were with him, to guard Jesus, having observ'd the earthquake, and all that had happened, were under great apprehensions, and said, certainly this was the son of God.

²⁴ 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.

³¹ you shall be now pregnant, and be delivered of a son, whom you shall name JESUS. ³² he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high. the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David.

⁴⁹ Nathanael answered, rabbi, thou art the son of God, thou art the king of Israel.

³⁶ as they pursued their journey, they came to a place of water: and the eunuch said, see, here is water; what should hinder my being baptized?

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

³ of which number we all have formerly been, leading our dissolute lives in gratifying the desires of our sensual imaginations: and were indeed obnoxious to the divine displeasure, as other. Gentiles were:

¹⁵ not an high priest who is incapable of compassionating our miseries; since he was exposed to the same trials as we are, sin only excepted. let

²⁶ and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity, ²⁷ as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself. ²⁸ for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections.

²⁶ but Jesus looking at them, said, however impracticable this is to men, all things are possible to God.

²⁷ 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.

²⁷ Jesus answer'd, by divine assistance men may do that which would be otherwise impossible.

²¹ it is he, that will change our vile body into a like form with his glorious body, by displaying that power which is able to subdue all things unto himself.

²⁰ he was not incredulously diffident of the divine promise; but was strong in faith, and did honour to God, ²¹ by the full persuasion he had, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

⁶⁵ All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea,

⁴⁴ no sooner did the sound of your salutation strike mine ear, than the babe leap'd within me for joy.

⁶⁷ Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words.

¹ Now Jesus being full of the holy spirit, return'd from Jordan, and was led by the spirit into the desart,

⁸ then Peter filled with the holy spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people, and senators of Israel,

³ wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair:

⁵⁵ but he, full of the holy spirit, fix'd his eyes towards heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

¹⁰ there I was in an exstacy on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a loud voice, like the sound of a trumpet,

⁴⁸ for he hath regarded the low estate of his servant: and future ages shall proclaim me blessed.

³⁸ "blessed be he, said they, whom the Lord hath sent to be our king. prosperity from heaven, and glory from the most high."

²⁶ therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope. ²⁷ because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption. ²⁸ thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy by thy presence."

⁵ who are the offspring of the patriarchs, and of whom as to the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

² having Jesus in our view, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.

¹⁴ but John opposed him, I have need, said he, to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?

¹¹ for the Lord Messiah your saviour is this day born, in the city of David:

⁷ nor did I think myself worthy to attend you: speak but the word, and my servant shall be cured.

⁴² for in the book of Psalms David himself says, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, ⁴³ till I make thine enemies thy footstool." ⁴⁴ if then David stiles the Messiah his Lord, how can he be descended from David?

⁵ after that, he poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶ then coming to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, Lord, what! would you wash my feet? ⁷ Jesus answered him, you don't at present comprehend what I am about: but hereafter you shall. ⁸ Peter said to him, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, if I do not cleanse thee, you cannot partake with me.

¹³ you call me master, and lord: and you are in the right; for so I am.

²⁸ Thomas answered, and said to him, my Lord and my God!

³ Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves.

⁸ nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ,

²⁰ 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.

⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, did I not tell you, that if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?

²⁹ Jesus said to him, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.

¹¹ and not only so, but we have present joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now obtained the reconciliation.

³¹ according as it is written, "he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord."

¹⁴ but thanks be to God, who maketh me triumph, thro' Christ, and spreads his healing doctrine by me, in eevery place:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord alway: I say it again, rejoice.

⁸ whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd:

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the appointment of God our saviour, and of Jesus Christ our hope,

³ for such offices are commendable, and agreeable to God our saviour,

³ and has in due time manifested by the preaching of his word, which is committed to me according to the commandment of God our saviour:

¹⁰ entirely obsequious without grumbling. not to pilfer, but to show the strictest fidelity; that they may do honour to the doctrine of God our saviour in all things.

¹³ in expectation of that desirable happiness, the glorious appearance of the supreme God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ,

⁴ but when the kindness and love of God our saviour display'd itself to mankind, ⁵ he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit, ⁶ thro' Jesus Christ our saviour:

²⁵ to God only wise, our saviour, be glory, magnificence, power, and empire, both now and for ever.

²⁷ As he was discoursing thus, a certain woman in the middle of the crowd lift up her voice, and said to him, happy the mother, who bare thee: happy the nurse, who gave thee milk.

²⁶ for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called. ²⁷ but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty: ²⁸ those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing.

⁵ consider, my dear brethren, has not God chose the poor of this world to be rich by faith, and to inherit the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ but you, who despise the poor, are not you oppress'd by the rich? is it not they who drag you to their tribunals?

¹³ Jesus immediately gave them leave. and the impure spirits quitting the possessed, entred into the swine, and the whole herd, which were about two thousand, ran down a precipice into the sea, and were there stifled.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do infinitely above what we ask or comprehend, by his power operating in us,

⁸ the four animals had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they never ceas'd day and night, crying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS, WHO IS, AND WHO WILL BE. and when those animals gave glory,

⁴ who will not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: and all nations shall come to adore thee; because thy judgments have been display'd."

⁵ and a voice came out of the throne, saying, "praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great."

²¹ because when they knew God, they did not with gratitude glorify him as God, but their reasoning became extravagance, and their minds, void of judgment, were involv'd in darkness.

⁵ to level all the barriers they contrive for obstructing the divine doctrine, and to make their pride captive to the authority of Christ.

⁵ 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."

⁸ therefore shall her plagues come, mortality, mourning, and famine all at once: and she shall be consumed with fire: for the Lord God, who condemns her, is almighty.

³ is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, of Juda and Simon? are not these his sisters, who are here with us? and they were scandalized at him.

¹⁴ I tell you this man went home approv'd as just, and not the other. for whoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

⁹ Let him that is poor triumph in the advantages of being a christian. ¹⁰ let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field.

¹⁰ humble your selves before the Lord, and he will raise you up.

⁶ Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be satisfied.

²¹ blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied. blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall find matter of mirth.

²⁴ But wo unto you that are rich: for you have received your consolation.

¹⁶ to which purpose he propos'd to them this parable: a rich man had some land that was very fruitful. ¹⁷ and thus he reason'd with himself, what shall I do for want of room to store up my crop? ¹⁸ this will I do, said he, I will pull down my barns, and build greater: and there I will bestow all my rich product. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided? ²¹ such is he, who heaps up his treasure here, and makes no provision for another world.

¹⁹ There was a rich man, who used to dress in purple and fine linnen, and pass his days in pomp and luxury. ²⁰ a certain beggar named Lazarus, was lying at his gate, and tho' cover'd with ulcers, the very dogs came and fawned upon him. ²¹ but he wanted to be fed with the crumbs, that fell from the rich man's table. ²² at length the beggar died: and was conveyed by the angels to Abraham's bower. the rich man died too, and was buried. ²³ and being in the infernal regions of torments, he lift up his eyes, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bower. ²⁴ and he cry'd out, saying, father Abraham, take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. ²⁵ 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.

¹¹ the Pharisee in a standing posture pray'd thus by himself, O God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men, a robber, a cheat, an adulterer, or like that Publican. ¹² I fast twice a week, and I pay the tythe of all I possess. ¹³ but the Publican, who stood a good way lower, not daring to lift up even his eyes to heaven, only smote his breast, and said, O God, be merciful to me, who am a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you this man went home approv'd as just, and not the other. for whoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

²⁴ Jesus perceiving him so very dejected, said, how difficult is it for those, who have riches, to enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ it is easier for a cable to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

¹¹ then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were sate down; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would. ¹² when they were filled, he said to his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. ¹³ they gathered them therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained after they all had been eating.

³⁵ Jesus answer'd, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.

²⁶ for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called.

⁸ You have already a sufficiency, you already abound, you live like princes in our absence: and would to God you did reign, that we too might have the advantage of your administration.

¹ As for you that are rich: weep, and lament the miserys that are falling upon you. ² your wealth is wasted, your wardrobe is devour'd by the worm, ³ and your gold and silver by rust: that rust shall convict you: that rust shall corrode your flesh like a caustic, which you have treasur'd up against the last days. ⁴ hark! what a noise there is of hire, of which you cheated the labourers, who gather'd in your harvest! the cries of the reapers have reach'd even the Lord of the celestial militia. ⁵ you have liv'd on the earth in voluptuousness and luxury: you have indulg'd your selves as in a day of sacrifice: ⁶ you have condemn'd the just, you have put him to death, though he did not oppose you.

¹⁷ you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel thee to purchase of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and an ointment for thine eyes to make you see clear.

¹⁶ they shall no more suffer hunger or thirst, neither shall the sun dart on them, nor any heat molest them. ¹⁷ for the lamb who is in the midst before the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

⁷⁰ according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets, ⁷¹ to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us: ⁷² to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant, ⁷³ the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, ⁷⁴ that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, ⁷⁵ in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days.

²⁸ Though they are violently prejudiced against the gospel upon your account: yet they are objects of favour upon the account of their having been chosen out of respect to your fore-fathers. ²⁹ for the divine gifts and vocation are irrevocable.

¹⁶ now to Abraham and his offspring were the promises made. he does not say, "to offsprings," as if he spoke of many; but as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which means Christ. ¹⁷ this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot.

⁶ now while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. ⁷ and being brought to bed of her first born, she swathed him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

¹⁴ he shall be your joy and transport, and numbers shall rejoice at his birth.

²⁵ it is the Lord, said she, who has thus favour'd me, at the time when he took care to remove the reproach I was under among men.

¹⁵ bless them, but curse not. rejoice with those that do rejoice, and weep with those that weep.

²⁶ so that if one member suffer, they all suffer with it: or if one be honoured, they partake of it.

⁸ at length he gave him the covenant of circumcision: accordingly Abraham circumcised his son Isaac eight days after he was born, Isaac was father of Jacob, who was father of the twelve patriarchs.

⁵ being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.

⁶³ then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized.

⁶⁰ and said, no, he shall be called John.

³³ and when the devil was cast out, the dumb man came to his speech; at which the people were amazed, saying, nothing like this was ever seen in Israel.

³² and they presented to him a deaf man, that had an impediment in his speech, desiring he would lay his hands upon him. ³³ Jesus taking him aside from the crowd, spit upon his fingers, and applied them to the ears and to the tongue of the deaf man. ³⁴ then looking up to heaven, with a sigh, he said, Ephphata, that is, be open: ³⁵ and his Ears were instantly opened, his tongue was loosen'd, and he spoke freely. ³⁶ and Jesus charg'd them not to mention it to any one; but the more be enjoin'd them, the more they publish'd it. ³⁷ for they were transported with admiration, and said, all his actions are beneficent! he gives hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb.

³⁹ Soon after this, Mary departed, and made an expeditious journey to a city of Juda, in the mountains:

¹⁶ 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.

⁴³ and all the people were allarm'd at the many prodigies and miracles which were done by the apostles.

⁵ at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread.

¹¹ which affected the whole assembly, and all that heard of it with great dread.

¹⁷ this was known to all the Jews and Greeks, that liv'd at Ephesus, who were all seiz'd with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted.

¹¹ but after three days and an half, the spirit of life from God enter'd into them: they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.

⁸⁰ Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.

⁴⁰ and the child grew in stature and in all the improvements of the mind; he was stor'd with wisdom, and was the object of divine favour.

⁴⁴ give attention to what I now say, namely, that the son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.

²¹ and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.

⁴¹ no sooner had Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, but the babe leap'd within her:

²¹ from the prophet's OWN MOTION; but the holy men of God spoke by the IMPULSE of the holy spirit.

³⁸ and happening to come in just at the same time, she likewise express'd her thanks to the lord, and spoke of Jesus to all those, who expected deliverance in Jerusalem.

⁴⁴ they will level you to the ground, extirpate your inhabitants, and bury your buildings in ruins: because you have not consider'd the overtures I made you.

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ's kingdom.

⁷ who has by his blood obtained for us the redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us, and given us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the expectation of immortal life,

¹⁰ blessed be the kingdom of our father David, which is now come, Hosanna in the highest heavens.

² which God had promised by his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³ with relation to his son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was of the lineage of David as to his body,

¹⁶ "I Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things to the churches. I am the shoot, the offspring of David, the splendid morning star.

³⁶ 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."

²⁶ was not the Messiah to have suffer'd thus, and after that enter into his glory? ²⁷ then beginning at Moses he explain'd all the passages there, and in all the prophets, which related to himself.

⁴⁴ then he said, this is what I told you, while I was yet with you, that what has been written concerning me in the law of Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms, must be all accomplished.

²¹ but must reside in heaven, till the time of the restitution of all things, of which God has spoken from the beginning by the mouth of his holy prophets. ²² for Moses said to the fathers, "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; observe whatever he shall say to you. ²³ and whoever he be that will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people." ²⁴ afterwards Samuel and all that prophesied after him, have likewise foretold these times.

²⁵ so not being able to agree, they retir'd, upon Paul's having told them, that the holy spirit had very justly said to our fathers by the prophet Esaias,

² which God had promised by his prophets in the holy scriptures,

⁷ Wherefore as the holy spirit saith, "since to-day you hear his voice,

¹² and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

¹⁰ then I fell at his seet to worship him: but he said to me, "forbear: I am the servant of God, as you and your brethren are, that bear testimony to Jesus: worship God: for to give testimony to Jesus, is the very design of prophecy."

⁷⁴ that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security,

⁸ he that lives in sin, imitates the devil; for the devil was a sinner from the beginning. for this purpose the son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

⁵⁴ he has taken Israel his servant into his protection, in pursuance of the mercy, ⁵⁵ which he promised to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his posterity for ever."

²⁵ ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, when he said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed in your posterity." ²⁶ it is to you that God first of all sent his son Jesus, having raised him up to bless you, provided you all renounce your iniquities.

²⁸ Though they are violently prejudiced against the gospel upon your account: yet they are objects of favour upon the account of their having been chosen out of respect to your fore-fathers.

¹⁵ Brethren, I speak according to the practice of men; contracts between men, when once ratified, cannot be disannulled or altered afterwards by any man.

¹³ For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, ¹⁴ "surely I will heap blessings upon thee, and will give thee a numerous posterity." ¹⁵ and after he had patiently waited, he obtained what was promised. ¹⁶ for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate. ¹⁷ wherefore God was willing to give the heirs of promise a stronger proof of the immutability of his counsel, by the intervention of an oath: ¹⁸ that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to deceive us, we, who have no other refuge to fly to, but to maintain our present hopes,

¹³ For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying,

¹⁶ for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate. ¹⁷ wherefore God was willing to give the heirs of promise a stronger proof of the immutability of his counsel, by the intervention of an oath:

⁷¹ to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us:

²² but now being set free from sin, and actually in the service of God, the present advantage you reap is holiness, and the future everlasting life.

¹⁵ for the spirit you have received is not servile to keep you still in fear; but it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, that is, father.

⁷ for the spirit, which God has given us, is not a spirit of timidity, but of fortitude, of benevolence, and of moderation.

¹⁵ and deliver them who thro' fear of death were all their life-time in a state of slavery.

¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the holy spirit offered himself a spotless victim to God, purify our souls from deadly sins, to serve the living God?

¹⁰ fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

⁴ according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue.

¹⁰ for he hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works, for which God had before prepared us, that we might live in them.

²⁴ after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth.

¹ Finally, my brethren, we intreat and conjure you by the Lord Jesus Christ, to observe the instructions we gave you about your religious conduct, and to make continual progress therein.

⁷ for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness:

¹³ As for you, my brethren, the favourites of the Lord, we are oblig'd to render perpetual thanks to God, for having chosen you from the beginning, in purifying you by his spirit, upon your believing the gospel.

⁹ who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,

¹⁴ as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness. ¹⁶ for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

⁴ 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. ⁵ Do you on your part employ all your care in adding to your faith, fortitude: to fortitude, knowledge: ⁶ to knowledge, temperance: to temperance, patience: to patience, piety: ⁷ to piety, fraternal affection: and to fraternal affection, universal benevolence. ⁸ for if you are possess'd of these virtues and improve therein, they will prevent the knowledge you have of our Lord Jesus Christ from being useless to others, and unprofitable to yourselves.

³ for it is of John the prophet Esaias spoke, when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths clear."

⁹ or did you go to see a prophet? yes, and be assured, one superiour to a prophet. ¹⁰ for it is he that is meant in that passage, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee."

⁵ he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet.

²⁶ but if we say, it was merely human, we are obnoxious to the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

² It is written in the prophet, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. ³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."

³² 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.)

¹⁶ he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord.

³² he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high. the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David.

⁴ as it is written in the book of the prophecies of Esaias, "the voice of one crying in the desart, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths clear. ⁵ every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be level'd: the crooked shall be made strait, and the rough ways shall be made smooth, ⁶ and all men shall behold the divine saviour."

²⁷ he it is, of whom it is written, "behold, I send my messenger before you, who shall prepare the way for you." ²⁸ I declare unto you, among the whole race of mankind, there is not a prophet, who is superiour to John the Baptist: yet he that is most inferiour in the kingdom of the Messiah, is greater than he.

²³ "I am, said he, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, clear the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Esaias.

²⁷ is preferred before me, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose.

²⁴ before his appearance, John had preach'd the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ and in the discharge of his mission, he said, "who do you think I am? I am not the Messias. but there comes another after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to untie."

³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." ⁴ accordingly, John baptized in the desart, and preach'd the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.

³ in pursuance of which, he went into all the country about Jordan, exhorting all to repent and be baptized, in order to obtain the remission of their sins.

⁶ and all men shall behold the divine saviour."

⁴⁷ wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven. ⁴⁸ then he said to her, your sins are forgiven. ⁴⁹ but they who sat at table with him, began to ask one another, who is this, that pretends even to forgive sins? ⁵⁰ but he said to the woman, your faith hath saved you: go in peace.

⁷ he came as a witness, to represent what he knew of the light, that by his means all might be convinc'd. ⁸ he was not that Light, but was sent to testify of that light. ⁹ HE was the true Light who came into the world, to enlighten every man.

¹⁵ it was of him that John bare witness, when he made this declaration, "this was he of whom I said, he that cometh after me, was before me; for he did indeed exist before me." ¹⁶ and of his Plenitude have we all received, even abundant grace. ¹⁷ the law indeed was delivered by Moses, but grace and truth was the dispensation of Jesus Christ.

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

²⁷ but John made them this answer, a man can have no authority, but what he derives from heaven. ²⁸ you yourselves can bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but was only sent before him: ²⁹ the bridegroom is he that hath a right to the bride: as for the friend of the bridegroom, who is nigh his person and heareth him, he greatly rejoyces at the voice of the bridegroom: upon this account my joy is compleat. ³⁰ he must advance, ³¹ but I must decline. he that cometh from above, is above all: he that is from the earth, is earthly, and his language is likewise earthly: he that cometh from heaven is above all. ³² and what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; but his testimony doth no man receive. ³³ he that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true. ³⁴ for he whom God hath sent, saith nothing but what is divine: for God hath given him the spirit without restriction.

³⁸ Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.

¹⁹ repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, who shall send Jesus Christ,

³¹ him hath God rais'd by his power to be the author of salvation, by giving repentance to Israel, and the remission of their sins.

⁴³ he is the person to whom all the prophets give this attestation, that all who believe in him, shall receive remission of sins, by his authority.

³⁸ know then, my brethren, it is by him, that the remission of sins is offer'd to you: ³⁹ by him, every one who believes, is purged from all that guilt, for which the law of Moses had made no such provision.

⁴ upon which Paul said, John indeed administer'd the baptism of repentance, but with this admonition, that they should believe in him, who was to come after, that is, in Jesus the Messias.

²⁵ whom God had ordained, thro' faith, to be the propitiatory victim by his blood, for the manifestation of his goodness, by patiently passing over their past transgressions: to manifest,

⁶ even as David also speaks of the happiness of the man whom God accounted righteous independently of his works, ⁷ " happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸ happy is the man to whom the Lord will not account sin."

¹⁶ for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.

⁴ then it was that God, who is rich in mercy, thro' his great love, wherewith he loved us, ⁵ did raise us all, who were in that deadly state of sin, to life by Christ, for by grace ye are saved:

¹⁴ wherefore 'tis said, " awake thou that sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

⁸ for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness.

¹ If then there be any christian consolation, any charitable relief, any communion of the spirit, if any tenderness of compassion,

¹² be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God:

¹⁹ Besides, we have the more authentic accounts of the prophets, to which you do well in giving your attention, as to a lamp shining in an obscure place, till the day dawn, and the morning-star arises in your hearts.

¹⁷ he that possesses the enjoyments of life, and seeing his brother in want, has no compassion for him, how can he be said to have any divine love?

⁹ by this was the love of God displayed towards us, in that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live thro' him. ¹⁰ and what heightens his love, was this, that it was not we who first loved God, but it was he that first loved us, and sent his son to expiate our sins.

¹⁶ the people which sat in darkness, saw a great light: and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."

²⁸ Believe in me, all ye that labour under oppression, and I will give you relief. ²⁹ take my yoke upon you, and learn to be meek like me, and of an humble temper: and ye shall enjoy tranquillity of mind.

³² and the glory of thy people Israel."

⁹ HE was the true Light who came into the world, to enlighten every man.

¹² Jesus then having reassumed his discourse, said to them, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

⁵ while I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

⁴⁶ I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me, might not abide in darkness.

¹⁸ and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."

¹⁷ and the way of peace have they not known.

⁸ you were heretofore altogether in the dark, but now being enlightned by the Lord, behave as children of light:

⁴ but you, my brethren, are too well inform'd to be surpriz'd by that day, as by a thief. ⁵ you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night.

⁵ This then is the commission we have from him, to declare unto you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness. ⁶ if we say that we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, we lye, and do not act sincerely: ⁷ but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have society one with another, and the blood of his son Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.

¹ At that time appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

⁷ As they departed, Jesus said to the people, speaking of John, what did ye go to see in the desert? a reed shaken with the wind?

⁵² in the mean time Jesus increas'd in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

³¹ I knew him not: but therefore am I come baptizing with water, that he might be manifest to Israel.