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¹ Jesus leaving that place, went into his own country, attended by his disciples. ² when the sabbath was come, he preach'd in the synagogue, to the great astonishment of many, who upon hearing his discourse, said, how came he by all this? what strange endowment of knowledge is this, that he should work such miracles? 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. ⁴ but Jesus said to him, a prophet is never despis'd, except in his own country, among his own kindred, and in his own family: ⁵ so that excepting the cure of a few sick by the imposition of hands, he would not work any miracle there, ⁶ they were so marvellously incredulous. so that He went all about to teach in the neighbouring villages.

⁷ Now having called the twelve, he sent them out by two and two, giving them power to exorcize spirits: ⁸ he order'd them to take nothing for their journey, but a single staff, no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse: ⁹ to have but one pair of shoes, and but one coat. ¹⁰ whatever house you enter into, said he, there abide, till you leave the place. ¹¹ wherever they shall refuse to entertain you, or to hear you, at your departure shake off the dust of your feet, as a testimonial against them. I assure you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha shall be treated with less severity in the day of judgment, than that city. ¹² then they departed, and call'd upon all to repent. ¹³ they dispossess'd a great number of demons. many, that were sick, they anointed with oil, and restor'd their health.

¹⁴ In the mean time king Herod heard of Jesus, whose name was now celebrated, and he said, John the Baptist is risen from the dead, no wonder then that he works miracles. ¹⁵ others said, 'tis Elias. others, 'tis a prophet, or one equal to a prophet. ¹⁶ but Herod, from what he had heard, said, 'tis John himself, whom I caused to be beheaded, who is risen from the dead. ¹⁷ for Herod had given orders to seize John, and had confin'd him in prison, to gratify Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married; ¹⁸ upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." ¹⁹ which Herodias resented, and form'd a design against his life, but could not execute it; ²⁰ because Herod had a respect for John, knowing him to be a very honest good man, and therefore protected him; having reform'd many things upon his remonstrances, which he us'd to receive very graciously. ²¹ however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee. ²² for Herodias made her appearance there, and danc'd with such an engaging air in the eye of Herod, as well as of all the company, that the king thus addrest himself to the young lady, "ask of me whatever you please, and it shall be granted." ²³ nay, he ratified his promise with an oath, "I will give you whatever you require, said he, tho' it be even the half of my kingdom." ²⁴ then she withdrew, and said to her mother, what shall I ask? the head of John the Baptist, said she. ²⁵ upon which she instantly fled to the king, and said, I desire to have John the Baptist's head brought hither immediately in a charger. ²⁶ at this the king was exceedingly concern'd; however, in regard to his oath, and to those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her; ²⁷ but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist. ²⁸ accordingly he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and bringing the head in a charger, he presented it to the young lady, who gave it to her mother: ²⁹ of which John's disciples being inform'd, they came to fetch his corps, which they laid in a sepulchre.

³⁰ Now the apostles met together in a body before Jesus, and gave him a full account, both of what they had done, and what they had taught. ³¹ then Jesus said to them, come, let us retire privately to some place of solitude, to repose your selves a while. for such a crowd of people were continually coming and going, that they had not even time to eat. ³² so they privately set sail for the desart (of Bethsaida.) ³³ but the people saw them embark, and many perceiving where they were bound, they ran thither a foot from all parts: and arrived at the place, before the passengers were come. ³⁴ so that when Jesus landed, he found there a numerous assembly: which rais'd his compassion, because they were like so many sheep straggling without a pastor. whereupon he gave them various instructions. ³⁵ but as the day was far advanc'd, his disciples came to him, and said, this is a desart place, and it is now late. ³⁶ dismiss the company, that they may go to the neighbouring farms and villages to buy provisions, for they have nothing to eat. ³⁷ Jesus replied, do you your selves give them something to eat. shall we go then, said they, to purchase bread, to the value of two hundred denarii, for them to eat? ³⁸ go see, said he, how many loaves you have: and having examin'd, they told him, five, and two fishes. ³⁹ then he order'd the people to sit down in distinct companies upon the green grass. ⁴⁰ and they sat down in several divisions, some consisting of an hundred, and some of fifty. ⁴¹ Jesus then having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, look'd up to heaven and gave thanks; then breaking the loaves, he gave them to his disciples to distribute among the people: for whom he likewise divided the two fishes. ⁴² so that they all eat a sufficient share, ⁴³ though the fragments of bread they took up, with what remain'd of the fishes, amounted to twelve baskets full; ⁴⁴ the company that were entertain'd being about five thousand men.

⁴⁵ Soon after Jesus obliged his disciples to embark for Bethsaida, on the opposite shore, while he was dismissing the people. ⁴⁶ and when they had taken their leave, he retired to a mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ It was now late in the evening, and the bark in full sea, when Jesus, who was ashore all alone, ⁴⁸ perceived his disciples had much ado to bear up against the wind, which was contrary; about the fourth watch of the night, he came up, and would have pass'd by them. 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. ⁵¹ and as soon as he was got aboard, the wind ceased; which still encreas'd their astonishment and admiration: ⁵² for they were so stupid, they did not comprehend the miracle of the loaves. ⁵³ Being got to the other side of the lake, they came to the country of Gennasereth, where they landed. ⁵⁴ no sooner were they ashore, but the people, who presently perceiv'd it was Jesus, ⁵⁵ came flocking from all quarters, carrying their sick on their beds to the places where they heard he was: ⁵⁶ and to whatever cities, towns, or villages he went, they expos'd the sick in the publick streets, entreating him, they might but touch the border of his garment; for as many as did so, were recover'd.