59 great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the 60 name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall 61 be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called 62 by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him 63 called. And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. 64 And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill66 country of Judæa. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he 68 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, [a Ge. xvii. 12. b Ver. 80; Ge. xxxix. 2, 3; Ac. xi. 21. c Jer. xxxi. 31-4; Ga. iii. 13–29. d Ex. iii. 16; Lu. xix. 41, § 82; comp. Jer. xiv. 8; Zeph. iii. 12-7; Mat. xxiii. 39, § 85. e Is. lxiii. 1-13; Hos. xiii. 14. f Ps. lxxxix. 3, 4, 23, .4; see for this saiv., Zec. xii. 7-10; xiii. 1. g Ge. xlviii. 14-22; xlix. 8-10; De. xxxiii. 26-9; confirm. by Jesus, Lu. xxiv. 26, .7, § 94. h Jer. xxiii. 6; Zec. ix. 9. i Lev. xxvi. 42, .5; Eze. xvi. 60-3; see on ver. 55, § 2; confirm., Ac. iii. 25. .6; Ga. iii. 15-.7, 29. k Is. ii. 4; lxv. 25. Is. iv. 3; 1x. 21; Jer. xxxi. 31-.3; confirm., Rom. viii. 19-21. m Is. xl. 3; Mal. iii. 1. n Is. liii. 11; Jer. iii. 12, .3; confirm., Jno. i. 29, § 10; Ac. v. 31; He. ix. 22; Rom. iii. 24, .5: Ep. i. 7. Mal. iv. 2; confirm., Jno. viii. 12, § 55; Rev. xxii. 16. PIs. ix. 2; confirm., Lu. ii. 26-32, § 4; Jno. i. 9, § 7. 9 Jno. x. 4-16, § 55; 1 Pe. ii. 21-5.] (G. 8.) Residue of the private history of John.-Luke i. 80. Wild. of Judæa. E. of Jordan. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong day of his shewing unto Israel. in spirit, and was in the deserts till the 1 SECTION IV. (Lesson 4.)-MATT. i. 1—17, 25; LUKE ii. 1-38; iii. 23-38. (G. 9.) No. 4. The Messiah is born at Bethlehem.*-Luke ii. 1-7. Bethlehem. And it came to pass in those days, that the house and lineage of David:) to be 5 there went out a decree from Cæsar Augus- taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being tus, that all the world should be taxed. great with child. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cy3 renius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own 4 city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called a Bethlehem; (because he was of [a 1 Sa. xvi. 1, 13; Mic. v. 2. b Is. vii. 14; Ga. iv. 4; 2 Cor. viii. 9; Jno. i. 1-14, § 7, p. 6.] Announced by an angel to some shepherds.—Luke ii. 8-15. The same. And so it was, that, while they were 6 there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought 7 forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad- 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 9 watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and a the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the 12 Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; [a Ex. xvi. 7, 10; 1 Ki. viii. 11; Hag. ii. 7; confirm., Jno. ii. 13-.7, § 12. b Is. xl. 9; confirm., Lu. iv. 17-21, § 15. c Ge. xlix. 8-10; Jno. i. 41, § 10; vi. 69, § 43; Ac. ii. 36; Ro. ix. 5. dGe. xxxii. 1,2; Ps. Ixviii. 17; confirm., He. i. 6; see on Mat. iv. 11, § 9, p. 10. e Is. xliv. 23; confirm., 2 Th. i. 10; Lu. xix. 38, § 82; Rev. v. 8-10. f Is. ix. 6; lxvi. 12; Ho. ii. 18-23; confirm., Jno. xiv. 27, § 87; Ro. v. 1; Col. i. 20; Ac. xv. 14-.8; Rev. v. 13; xi. 18. g Ps. viii. 3-9; ciii.; confirm., Jno. iii. 14, § 12; Rev. iii. 21; xxi. 3, 4.] And it came to pass, as the angels were 15 gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. April 5, A.M. 4000, U.C. 750, B.C. 4. Vol. I. Diss. xii. p. 401. 16 The shepherds go to Bethlehem.-Luke ii. 16--20. And they came with haste, and found which were told them by the shepherds. Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a But a Mary kept all these things, and 19 17 manger. And when they had seen it, they pondered them in her heart. And the 20 made known abroad the saying which was shepherds returned, glorifying and prais18 told them concerning this child. And all ing God for all the things that they had they that heard it wondered at those things heard and seen, as it was told unto them. [a Ch. i. 29, § 2; ii. 51, § 6. See Ps. cxix. 11; Pr. iv. 4-10, 20-.2.] Jesus is circumcised.-Matt. i. 25; Luke ii. 21. Luke ii. 21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, (and he (G. 10.) Genealogies of Jesus. According to Matt. i. 1—17. Shewing his descent through Joseph. 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and 3 his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat 4 Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat 5 Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; 6 and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; And David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat 11 Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Sa13 lathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; 14 and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor be gat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; 15 and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Mat16 than; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Ver. 18, § 2, p. 2.) b called his name JESUS, Matt. i. 25,) which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Ch.ii. 22, infra.) [See Greswell, Vol. 11. pp. 82-107.] Genealogy according to Luke iii. 23-38. (Ver. 22, p. 9.) His descent through Mary. 23 Being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which 24 was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the 25 son of Joseph, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son 26 of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the 27 son of Juda, which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zoroba bel, which was the son of Salathiel, 28 Which was the son of Neri, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which 29 was the son of Er, which was the son of Jose, which was the son Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the 30 son of Levi, which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of 31 Eliakim,which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (G. 11.) Jesus is presented in the temple.-Luke ii. 22-38. Jerusalem. 22 (Ch. ii. 21, see supra.) And when the days of her a purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him 23 to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, 'A a Lev. xii. b Ex. iv. 22; xiii. 11-.6; Rom. viii. 29; 1 pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jeru- 25 salem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was 26 revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came 27 Pe. i. 18-21; He. ix. 24, and throughout. c Lev. xii. 8. d'Messiah,' or Anointed.' Ex. xxx. 30-.8; Ac. ii. 36.] PART I.] LU. ii. 27-38. THE MASSACRE OF THE INFANTS. MAT. ii. 1-18. [SECT. V. and for a sign which shall be spoken by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 then took he him up in his arms, and 29 blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, accord30 ing to thy word: for mine eyes have 31 seen thy salvation, which thou hast pre32 pared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the 33 glory 8 of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things 34 which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; [e Is. xlv. 20-.3; 1 Tim. ii. 6; Rev. xiv. For an apocalypse, or revealing, or uncovering the nations; for taking away the great darkness; see Ge. xv. 5, 12,.7; the vail spread over all nations,' Is. xxv. 7, 8; see also xxix. 17-24; x17. 25. g Is. xlv. 22, .5; comp. with He. i. 3. hIs. viii. 14-7; xlix. 6, 8-13; Ezek. xxxvii. 10, .1; Zech. ix. 16; confirm. Mat. xv. 24, 45; Rom. xi. 1, 2, 6. i Mat. xxvii. 39-44; Lu. xxiii. 36,991 ; 1 Cor. i. 1831 ; see on Jno. vii. 1, 52. k See on Mat. ix. 4, 5 22 Is. xxx. 18; lxvi. 13; confirm. He. ix. 28; Tit. ii. 13.4; Mat. xxiii. 37, 9, 85.1 SECTION V.-(Lesson 5.)—MATT. ii. 1-23; LUKE ii. 39, (G. 12.) No. 5. Wise men from the East arrive at Jerusalem, and are sent to Bethlehem, where they worship the infant Christ.*—Matt. ii. 1-12. Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 4 them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, 8 and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they de- 9 parted; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with 10 exceeding great joy. And when they were 11 come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and 8 worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, & frankincense, & myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that 12 they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should 5 be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written 6 by the d prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my peo7 ple/Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of [a Lu.i.5, § 1. b Ex. vii. 11; Da. ii. 18, 24, .7, 48. e called King of Israel' by the prophets; see Is. xliv. 6; Zep. iii. 15; Ho. xiii. 9, 10; comp. Jno. xviii. 36, $ 90; xix. 3, § ib. ; Mat. xxvii. 29, 37, 891. d Mic. v. 2. e Ps. 1xxviii. 71, .2; Is. xl. 11; Jno. x. 11, .6, 26, § 55. See Ho. i. 6-9; ver. 10, .1; ii. 19, 20, .3; see also Jer. iii. 11-4, 15-7, 18, .9. 8 Jno. v. 23, § 23; Mat. xxviii. 9, § 95; Jno. ix. 38, § 55.] (G. 13.) The holy family depart into Egypt.-Matt. ii. 13-.5. From Bethlehem. 13 16 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a a dream, saying, Arise, & take the young child & his mother, & flee into Egypt, & be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy [a Ver. 19. b Ho. xi. 1; Ge. xlvi. 3, 4; The massacre of the infants.-Matt. ii. 16-.8. Rama and Bethlehem. Then Herod, when he saw that he was Then was fulfilled that which was spoken 17 mocked of the wise men, was exceeding by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama 18 wroth, a and sent forth, and slew all the was there a voice heard, lamentation, and children that were in Bethlehem, and in weeping, and great mourning, Rachel all the coasts thereof, from two years old weeping for her children, and would not and under, according to the time which he be comforted, because they are not. had diligently enquired of the wise men. [a Pr. xxvii. 3, 4; xxviii. 15; Da. iii. 13, .9, 20; see Jno. vii. 1, § 52. * On the visit of the Magi, Vol II. Diss. xviii. pp. 135-.47. him. When he arose, he took the young 14 b Jer. xxxi. 15, .6.] 19 (G. 14.) The holy family return.-Matt. ii. 19-23. Nazareth. But when Herod was dead, behold, an aangel of the Lord appear 20 eth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they 21 are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of 22 Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the 23 parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Ch. iii. 1, 2 vii. p. 7.) LUKE ii. 39. (Ch. ii. 38, iv. p. 5.) And when they 39 had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. [a See on Lu. 11, § 1. b Ch. i. 20, § 2, p. 2; Ge. xxviii. 12; xxxvii. 5-11; Job xxxiii. 15-7. e Sig. a branch ;* Jno. i. 45, § 10; Lu. iv. 16, § 15; Mat. xxi. 11, § 82; Mk. xvi. 6, § 93; Jno. xix. 19, § 91; Lu. xxiv. 19, §94; Ac. ii. 22.] 40 41 SECTION VI. (G. 15.)-(Lesson 6.)-LUKE ii. 40-52. No. 6. The residue of the private history of Jesus.-Jerusalem and Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with "wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that 47 heard him were astonished fat his understanding and answers. And when they saw 48 him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said 49 unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not 50 the saying which he spake unto them. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every 42 year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the 43 feast.* And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and 44 his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned 46 back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after a three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the [a Pr. viii.; Is. xi. 2-8. b Ex. xxx. 30. c Passover-instituted upon the escape of Israel, the Lord's first-born, out of Egypt, Ex. xii.-the paschal lamb, ver. 3-6-the blood to be sprinkled upon the door-posts, ver. 7, 13, 22-the lamb to be eaten roast, with unleavened bread, &c., ver. 8, 9, and as equipped for a journey, ver. 11-why called the Lord's passover, ver. 11-3-see also xxiii. 15; De. xvi. 1-8, 16-our Lord's observance of it: first, Jno. ii. 13, § 12; second, v. 1, § 23; third, vi. 4, 10, § 40; fourth, xi. 55, § 81; Mat. xxvi. 17-30, $ 87-Christ our Passover, 1 Cor. v. 7, 8; besides these Jesus attended the feast of Tabernacles, Jno. vii. 10 x. 21, § 55, and the feast of Dedication, Jno, x. 22-39, § 56, both in the last year of his ministry. d Jno. ii. 19, § 12; Mat. xvi. 21, § 50. e Pr. xiii. 20; Ps. cxix. 63. Mat. vii. 28, § 19; xxii. 46, § 85; Jno. vii. 15, .6, 46, § 55. g Ps. xl. 7-10; confirm. Jno. iv. 34, § 13; vi. 38, § 43; xvii. 4, § 87. See on Mk. ix. 32, § 52, p. 63. Ex. xx. 12; Ep. vi. 1, 2; Col. iii. 20. k See on ch. ii. 19, § 4. Mat. iii. 17, § 8; xvii. 5, § 51; Jno. xii. 28, § 82.] And he went down with them, and came 51 to Nazareth, and was i subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom 52 and stature, and 'in favour with God and man. (Ch. iii. 2 vii. p. 7.) PART SECOND: OR, MATTHEW CHAP. III.-VIII. 1—4, 14—.7; IX. 2—9; MARK I., II. 1—22; LUKE III. 1–23; IV. V.; JOHN I.-IV. COMPREHENDING THE SPACE OF ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS; VIZ.,-FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, U.C. 779, A.D. 26, TO THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST, U.C. 781, A.D. 28. SECT. VII. (Less. 7.)—MATT. iii. 1—12; MARK i. 1–8; LUKE iii. 1-20; JOHN i. 1—18. (G. 1.) No. 7. Introduction of St. John's Gospel.+-John i. 1-18. Jerusalem. 1 IN the a beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was 2 God. The same was in the beginning with 3 God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was 4 made. In dhim was life; and the life was 5 the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 name was John. The same came for a wit- 7 There was a man sent from God, whose On the purpose for which our Lord was taken up, Vol. I. Diss. xii. p. 397. JOHN i. 13-.8. ceived him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe 13 on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 14 will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, say[8 Gal. iii. 26; Rev. xxi. 7. h Mat. iii. 9, p. 8; Rom. ii. 1 Ep. i. 6-8; iv. 7, 13. m Rom. iii. 24; viii. 2-4. n ing, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have 16 all we received, and grace for grace. For the 17 law was given by Moses, but "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No "man hath 18 seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (See ver. 19, § 10, p. 11.) 28, .9. i Jno. iii. 3, 5, 7, § 12. k Rom. i. 3; 1 Ti. iii. 16. Ex. xxxiii. 20; see Mat. xi. 27, § 28; ch. vi. 46, § 43.] (G. 2.) John the Baptist enters upon his public ministry.—Wss. of Judæa, E. of Jordan.* MATT. iii. 1-4. [Good tidings of great joy Lu. ii. 10, § 4; Rom. i. 1-4: 1 Jno. i. 1-4.] MARK i. 1-4, 6. 1 a The beginning of the LUKE iii. 1-6. [S See Lu. i. 35, § 2; Jno. i. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Pre- El Lu. xiii. 1, § 64; Mat. xxvii. 2, § 89; 24, .5, § 91; ver. 65, § 92. Mat. xiv. 1-12, § 40; Lu. xxiii. 8-11, § 90. **Jno. xi. 49, § 58; xviii. 13, § 89; Ac. iv. 6.] 3 4 ***Annas and Caiaphas being the high 2 priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.' John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the ++ baptism saying, ‡‡ Repent ye: 22 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' [ Is. lv. 7; Ezek. xxxiii. 11; Mk. vi. 12, $39: Lu.xv. 7, 10, § 68; xxiv. 47, § 98'; Ac.ii. 38: iii. 19; xvii. 30; see Mk. i. 15, § 16. §§ Da. ii. 44; Mat. iv. 17, § 16; x. 7, § 39. Isa. xl. 3-5; Lu. i. 16, .7, §1; ver. 76, § 3; "Jno. i. 23, § 10; Mat. xvii. 11, § 51; comp. with Is. 1. 25; see also lvii. 14. d And he came into as it is written in the book his paths straight. CONTINUOUS HISTORY.+ a The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. b Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Ti3 berius Cæsar, 4 Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa, and of the region ofTrachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilC In those days came John the Baptist, preaching inthewilderness of Judæa; dand he came into all the country about Jordan, Every ¶¶ valley shall be filled, 5 derness. And John was *On the scene of his ministry, see Greswell, Vol. II. Diss. xix. p. 183. [***Is. xl. 5; lii.10; i. 11. +++ 2 Ki. i. 8; ch. xi. for preaching the heaven is at + A specimen is here given of a union of the three Gospels formed into a Continuous History. The first portion is recorded by Mark i. 1, and is preceded by a The beginning,' &c., and ends with straight." The second portion is in Luke iii. 1, as 'b Now in the fifteenth,' &c., and ends at 'wilderness."' It is continued in Matt. iii. 1, as In those days,' &c., and ends with 'Judæa; it is continued at Luke 3, dAnd he came,' &c., ending with 'sins. Next in Matt. 2, saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' ending at straight. Then Luke 5, Every valley, &c., and ending with God; and then Matt. 4, 8 And the same John, &c., and so throughout. The commencement of a sentence is always preceded by a superior letter, as (a), and is continued until a () directs to the supplement, which will be found to be preceded by the next letter in the alphabet, as at Luke 5, f Every valley,' &c. |